cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Finite element analysis of unimorph rectangular piezoelectric diaphragm actuators with experimental verification

This paper presents a study in which the behavior of clamped unimorph rectangular piezoelectric diaphragms is analyzed and the importance of electrode patterning for enhancement of static displacement is examined. Previous work showed that by regrouping the electrode pattern of a clamped-circular diaphragm actuator the maximum static deflection increased by nearly an order of magnitude in response to an electric field. To extend this concept and determine the effects of electrode patterns and the shape of the piezoelectric layer on the actuator’s static displacement the rectangular diaphragm actuators are analyzed by the finite element method. Experiments for the three different cases of rectangular actuators are also carried out to validate the models. It was found that the measured static deflections for the clamped rectangular actuators are in accordance with analytical results and regrouping the electrode pattern on a rectangular actuator can increase deflection by an order of magnitude, and subsequently volumetric displacement, by over four times compared to the unmodified (fully covered) case.
Electrostatic Basis of the Unidirectional Walking Motion in Myosin Molecular Motors

Understanding the basis for the unidirectional motion of myosin motors on actin filaments require a quantitative energy based description of the overall functional cycle. Several experimental and theoretical studies have provided interesting insights on the functional cycle, but an understanding of the motor's unidirectionality from a non-phenomenological structure based free energy landscape is still missing. Here we use a coarse grained model of myosin V and generate a structure-based free energy surface of the largest conformational change, namely the transition from the post- to pre-power stroke movement. We also couple the observed energetics of ligand binding/hydrolysis and product release to that of the conformational surface to reproduce the energetics of the complete mechano-chemical cycle. It is found that the release in electrostatic free energy upon changing the conformation of the lever arm and the convertor domain from its post- to pre-power stroke states provides the necessary energy to bias the system towards the unidirectional movement of myosin V on actin filament. The free energy change of 11 kcal is also in the range of approximately 2-3 pN, which is consistent with the experimentally observed stalling force required to stop the motor completely on its track. The conformational-chemical coupling generating a successful power stroke cycle is believed to be conserved among most members of the myosin family, thus highlighting the importance of the previously unknown role of electrostatics free energy in guiding the functional cycle in other actin-based myosin motors.
Relation of Renin and Angiotensin II to the Control of Aldosterone Secretion

1. Evidence is presented to show that the renin-angiotensin system leads to increased aldosterone secretion following acute blood loss, during experimental heart failure, during thoracic inferior vena cava constriction, during chronic sodium depletion and in malignant experimental renal hypertension. Since alterations in sodium intake constitute one of the most important factors in the daily regulation of aldosterone secretion, studies of sodium-depleted animals suggest that the renin-angiotensin system is important in the physiological regulation of aldosterone secretion. 2. Renin appears to be secreted by the juxtaglomerular cells of the kidney. Some hemodynamic alteration secondary to a decrease in pressure and flow through the kidney leads to release of renin by the juxtaglomerular cells. Available data indicate that angiotensin II acts on the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex to promote aldosterone production.
Band structure and electronic properties of lithium azide (LiN3)

Ab initio Hartree-Fock band structure and molecular calculations have been performed to study the electronic structure of LiN 3 in a monoclinic C 2/m crystal structure. The total energy, band structure, density of states, and charge densities are computed. The calculated lattice energy (energy to separate the ions infinitely apart) of 8.6 eV agrees very well with 8.45 eV deduced from Madelung and London polarizability energies. The calculated split of the N 1s core bands of 5.0 eV compares favorably with the experimental X-ray photoelectron value of 4.4 eV. This good agreement is not contributed to crystalline environment effects as proposed in earlier MO studies of N 3 − where the best values obtained were 5.1, 5.8, and 6.3 eV, but to the quality of the nitrogen core basis set. The calculated valence density of states supports one of two competing interpretations that peak III observed in the X-ray photoelectron spectrum arises from contaminations or other extrinsic states
Finite-volume two-pion energies and scattering in the quenched approximation.

We investigate how L\"uscher's relation between the finite-volume energy of two pions at rest and pion scattering lengths has to be modified in quenched QCD. We find that this relation changes drastically, and in particular, that ``enhanced finite-volume corrections" of order $L^0=1$ and $L^{-2}$ occur at one loop ($L$ is the linear size of the box), due to the special properties of the $\eta'$ in the quenched approximation. We define quenched pion scattering lengths, and show that they are linearly divergent in the chiral limit. We estimate the size of these various effects in some numerical examples, and find that they can be substantial.
Serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity and response to angiotensin I in horses

The activity of serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) for healthy horses was 64 +/- 13 mUnits/ml. In vitro, equine serum ACE was sensitive to the following inhibitors (IC50): enalapril (570 nM or 215 ng/ml), captopril (190 nM or 41.3 ng/ml), and enalaprilat (6 nM or 2.1 ng/ml). The intravenous (i.v.) administration of angiotensin I to six healthy horses produced a dose proportional pressor response. The maximal increase in mean arterial pressure over baseline values was 65.6 mmHg at angiotensin I doses of 500 ng/kg bodyweight (bwt). The attenuation of this response to angiotensin I was further demonstrated in a single horse by the prior administration of enalaprilat at an i.v. dose of 8.71 micrograms/kg bwt.
Long-term follow-up of hypochondriasis after selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment

Background : There is paucity of knowledge on the long-term outcome of hypochondriasis, with even less knowledge about the effect of treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Methods : This prospective follow-up study included 58 patients with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) hypochondriasis who had participated in a trial of SSRI treatment 4 to 16 years earlier (mean ± SD = 8.6 ± 4.5 years). Results : Information was obtained on 79.3% (n = 46) of the original group. At follow-up, 40% of the patients continued to meet full DSM-IV criteria for hypochondriasis. Persistence of hypochondriasis was individually predicted by longer duration of prior hypochondriasis (P = 0.003), history of childhood physical punishment (P = 0.01), and less usage of SSRIs during the interval period (P = 0.02). Remission status was not significantly predicted by demographic characteristics, baseline hypochondriasis severity, or psychiatric comorbidity. Conclusions : A substantial proportion of patients with hypochondriasis who receive treatment with SSRIs achieve remission over the long term. Interim SSRI use may be a factor contributing to better prognosis.
To tweet or not to tweet: Exploring the determinants of early adoption of Twitter by House members in the 111th Congress

Abstract The adoption of communication forms like Twitter presents students of congressional behavior an interesting case to examine the intersection of technology and politics. Twitter represents a social media venue that provides an immediate and direct link between the Member of Congress (MC) and constituents, which entails a benefit and a potential risk. In this paper, I examine Twitter use in the 111th Congress in order to better understand congressional early adoption of new technology. The primary question addressed is what systematic determinants shape the decision to adopt Twitter as a component of an MC's media strategy. Using data collected from MC Twitter accounts and the 2008 congressional election, I find partisan, cohort, and ideological determinants on early Twitter adoption. Republicans are more likely to use Twitter even in multivariate analysis; ideological extremism influences the use of Twitter. In contrast to past technologies, district demographics have no systematic effect on the early adoption of Twitter.
Significant propagation reduction of an optical pulse in an active Raman gain scheme

We report an experimental investigation of significant optical-pulse propagation reduction using a three-state active Raman gain scheme. This scheme which varies fundamentally from the common electromagnetically induced transparency scheme, is capable of achieving ultraslow and distortion-free propagation of a pulsed probe field. The group velocity behavior of this new scheme is drastically different from the conventional electromagnetically induced transparency scheme, and can be used to accurately and directly measure the decoherence rate of a long-lived state. Furthermore, the Raman gain scheme can be broadly tuned, which may has advantages in actual applications.
Coordinate estrogen induction of vitellogenin and a small serum protein mRNA in Xenopus laevis liver

Abstract We have used plus-minus hybridization to identify Xenopus liver cDNA clones of mRNAs whose levels are regulated by estrogen. One clone identified in this way was shown to be a nearly full-length cDNA clone of the mRNA coding for a small 22 000 dalton estrogen-inducible serum protein (EISP). Quantitation of EISP mRNA levels by in vitro translation and by hybridization to the cloned DNA demonstrated a 7–12-fold estrogen induction of EISP mRNA, both in vivo and in primary Xenopus liver cultures. The kinetics of induction of EISP mRNA closely parallel those of the mRNA coding for the abundant estrogen-inducible serum protein, vitellogenin. In contrast, the massive, and toxic, estrogen-mediated accumulation of vitellogenin in serum of male Xenopus laevis is accompanied by a sharp decline in the levels of albumin mRNA and in the levels of the mRNAs coding for several other serum proteins.
Resolution and reconstitution of the succinoxidase pathway of Mycobacterium phlei.

Abstract Alkaline treatment of the electron transport particles of Mycobacterium phlei resulted in a loss of oxidation and coupled phosphorylation with succinate and NAD + -linked substrates but not with ascorbate-TPD as the electron donor. Furthermore, alkaline treatment of the electron transport particles resulted in dissociation of succinic dehydrogenase from the membrane vesicles. However, the membrane retained the menaquinone MK 9 (II-H), cytochromes b , c 1 + c , and a + a 3 . Restoration of oxidation and coupled phosphorylation with succinate was found to occur on addition of a succinic dehydrogenase preparation to the resolved particles. Silicotungstate treatment of ETP yielded particles deficient in succinie dehydrogenase. Furthermore, membrane-bound or solubilized-latent ATPase was inactivated in the presence of low concentration of silicotungstate. The addition of a soluble succinic dehydrogenase to the silicotungstate-treated particles resulted in the restoration of only oxidation.
Why fibrous proteins are romantic.

Abstract Here I give a personal account of the great history of fibrous protein structure. I describe how Astbury first recognized the essential simplicity of fibrous proteins and their paradigmatic role in protein structure. The poor diffraction patterns yielded by these proteins were then deciphered by Pauling, Crick, Ramachandran and others (in part by model building) to reveal α-helical coiled coils, β-sheets, and the collagen triple helical coiled coil—all characterized by different local sequence periodicities. Longer-range sequence periodicities (or “magic numbers”) present in diverse fibrous proteins, such as collagen, tropomyosin, paramyosin, myosin, and were then shown to account for the characteristic axial repeats observed in filaments of these proteins. More recently, analysis of fibrous protein structure has been extended in many cases to atomic resolution, and some systems, such as “leucine zippers,” are providing a deeper understanding of protein design than similar studies of globular proteins. In the last sections, I provide some dramatic examples of fibrous protein dynamics. One example is the so-called “spring-loaded” mechanism for viral fusion by the hemagglutinin protein of influenza. Another is the possible conformational changes in prion proteins, implicated in “mad cow disease,” which may be related to similar transitions in a variety of globular and fibrous proteins.
Flat-Plate Solar Collector in Transient Operation: Modeling and Measurements

Solar energy is a viable alternative to limited fossil fuel resources. One of the simplest and most direct applications of this energy is the conversion of solar radiation into thermal energy with a flat-plate solar collector which can be used in water-heating systems. This paper presents a mathematical model for simulating the transient processes which occur in liquid flat-plate solar collectors. A discrete nodal model that represents the flat-plate solar collector’s layers and the storage tank is employed. The model is based on solving a system of coupled differential equations which describe the energy conservation for the glass cover, air gap, absorber, fluid, insulation, and the storage tank. Inputs to the model include the time-varying liquid flow rate, incident solar radiation, and ambient air temperature, as well as the volume of liquid in the storage tank and initial temperature of the solar collector and tank. The system of differential equations is solved iteratively using an implicit, finite-difference formulation executed with MATLAB software. In order to verify the proposed method, an experiment was designed and conducted on different days with variable ambient conditions and flow rates. The comparison between the time-varying computed and measured fluid temperature at the collector outlet shows good agreement.The proposed method is extremely general and flexible accounting for variable ambient conditions and flow rates, as well as allowing for a geometrical and thermophysical description of all essential components of the solar collector system, including the storage tank. The validated and verified, general model is suitable to investigate the effectiveness of various components without the necessity of carrying out experimental work, and the flexible computational scheme is useful for transient simulations of energy systems.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine on duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion in mice.

Abstract Background & Aims: 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is an important neurotransmitter and intercellular messenger that modulates many gastrointestinal functions. Because little is known about the role of 5-HT in the regulation of duodenal bicarbonate secretion, we examined the role of 5-HT on duodenal bicarbonate secretion and define neural pathways involved in the actions of 5-HT. Methods: Duodenal mucosa from National Institutes of Health Swiss mice was stripped of seromuscular layers and mounted in Ussing chambers. The effect of 5-HT on duodenal bicarbonate secretion was determined by the pH stat technique. Acetylcholine (ACh) release from duodenal mucosa was assessed by preincubating the tissue with [ 3 H] choline and measuring 5-HT-evoked release of tritium. Results: 5-HT added to the serosal bath markedly stimulated duodenal bicarbonate secretion and short circuit current (Isc) in a dose-dependent manner (10 −7 mol/L to 10 −3 mol/L; P − . Pretreatment with tetrodotoxin (TTX) (10 −6 mol/L) or atropine (10 −5 mol/L) markedly reduced 5-HT—stimulated duodenal bicarbonate secretion (by 60% and 65%, respectively; P P P −3 mol/L), propranolol (10 −5 mol/L), or phentolamine (10 −5 mol/L) did not significantly alter 5-HT—stimulated duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion or Isc. 5-HT concentration-dependently evoked ACh release from duodenal mucosal preparations ( P P Conclusions: 5-HT is a potent activator of duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion in mice. Duodenal bicarbonate secretion induced by 5-HT in vitro occurs principally via a cholinergic neural pathway.
Response of testate amoebae (protozoa) to N and P fertilization in an Arctic wet sedge tundra.

Abstract There are few data on the effect of long-term manipulations on soil protozoa, and almost nothing is known about soil protozoa in Alaska. I studied the response of testate amoebae to nitrogen and phosphorus addition in an Arctic fen, at Toolik Lake Long-Term Experimental Research (LTER) Station, Alaska. Testate amoebae were extracted from Sphagnum mosses in control and fertilized plots. Of the 35 testate amoebae taxa recorded, 7 are first observations for the Arctic (excluding Russia) and 14 for Alaska. The total density and biomass of testate amoebae were significantly reduced, by 77% and 84%, in the fertilized plots. The structure of testate amoebae communities was also modified in those plots, although for most taxa the changes were not significant. Four taxa (Amphitrema flavum, Assulina muscorum, Placocista spinosa ssp. hyalina, and Hyalosphenia papilio) accounted for over half of the population in the control plots but only for 11% in the N and P plots. The densities of A. muscorum and Difflu...
Probability, chance and the probability of chance

In our day-to-day discourse on uncertainty, words like belief, chance, plausible, likelihood and probability are commonly encountered. Often, these words are used interchangeably, because they are intended to encapsulate some loosely articulated notions about the unknowns. The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework that is able to show how each of these terms can be made precise, so that each reflects a distinct meaning. To construct our framework, we use a basic scenario upon which caveats are introduced. Each caveat motivates us to bring in one or more of the above notions. The scenario considered here is very basic; it arises in both the biomedical context of survival analysis and the industrial context of engineering reliability. This paper is expository and much of what is said here has been said before. However, the manner in which we introduce the material via a hierarchy of caveats that could arise in practice, namely our proposed framework, is the novel aspect of this paper. To appreciat...
Parental predetermination of the sex of offspring: the attitudes of young married couples with university education.

An intensive pilot survey involving direct contact with 47 young married couples with university education was conducted to determone their attitudes tiwards general (public) and personal choice and control by parents of the sex of offspring. Information as to premarital family status and present number and sex of children was obained. Questionnaires were completed before and after information had provided regarding new methods of fetal sex detemination, abortion, and related topics. Opportunity for discussion by husband and wife between sessions was allowed, but discussion with other was discouraged. Results indicate that sex choice will be accepted and employed by the majority of highly educated, middle-class individuals. While selection of the first-child sex is of negligible importance to most, planning for a second child with opposite sex to the first is strongly favoured. The tendency to prefer males is not as pronounced as reported in previous, less direct studies. The majority preferred a two-child family with one child of each sex. Prospective methods (e.g. a pre-coital, sex-selective pill, when available) were much preferred to retrospective methods involving abortion. Inthe meantime, fetal sex determination in the first trimester of pregnancy with selective abortion may soon be widely practised. New problems in marital and family adjustment, family planning, and social organization may arise with the advent of this new step in human sexual socio-econtingencies need further onvestigation at various socia-economic and educational levels and in different cultural milieus.
Surface roughness scattering of electrons in semiconductors and semimetals

Surface roughness scattering is calculated for carriers in ellipsoidal energy bands. The purpose is to identify which dimension of the Fermi surface determines the degree of roughness which is required to produce diffuse reflection. It is concluded that the surface corrugations must be deep enough so that (kperpendicular to -kRperpendicular to ) xi 0 is comparable to unity, where xi 0 is the RMS bump height and kperpendicular to and kRperpendicular to are the initial wavevector and reflected wavevector in the sense defined by Price (1969).
SEWING YANG–MILLS MEASURES FOR NON-TRIVIAL BUNDLES

For a closed surface Σ obtained by pasting together two surfaces Σ1 and Σ2 along their boundary components, it is proven that the Yang–Mills measure for a bundle of specified topology over the closed surface Σ results from a "convolution" of the corresponding measures for the surfaces Σ1 and Σ2.
Retention characteristics and selected applications of cyclic siloxane-based octadecylsilyl bonded phases in reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract Hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane- and octaphenylcyclotetrasiloxane-based octadecyl bonded phases are prepared and evaluated for liquid chromatographic separation of various compounds. As revealed by the retention data of the selected solutes, the hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane–octadecyl phase exhibits better chromatographic performance than octaphenylcyclotetrasiloxane–octadecyl phase presumably due to greater accessibility of the bonded alkyl groups on the siloxane skeleton for interactions. The peak asymmetry values showed that solute retention on the hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane–octadecyl phase is essentially controlled by dispersive interactions. The retention characteristics of the cyclicsiloxane-based phases were compared to those obtained on a commercial C 18 column and an octadecyl phase synthesized through a silanization–hydrosilation addition process. While the two phases gave baseline separation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and barbiturates, the hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane–octadecyl phase allowed fast and efficient separation of a four-component standard mixture of tricyclic antidepressants.
Exercise-induced hypoglycemia following propranolol in a patient after gastric fundoplication surgery

On rapporte le cas d'un homme de 41 ans avec une hypoglycemie post-prandiale qui a presente une hypoglycemie grave provoquee par l'effort apres mise en œuvre du traitement d'une hypertension par le propranolol
Application of DSMC Electronic Excitation Modeling to Radiation Calculation of Hypersonic Reentry Flows

The current work implemented excited levels of atomic N and corresponding electron impact excitation/de‐excitation and ionization processes in DSMC. Results show that when excitation models are included, the Stardust 68.9 km re‐entry flow has an observable change in the ion number densities and electron temperature. Adding in the excited levels of atoms improves the degree of ionization by providing additional intermediate steps to ionization. The extra ionization reactions consume the electron energy and reduce the electron temperature. The DSMC results of number densities of excited levels are lower than the prediction of quasi steady state calculation. Comparison of radiation calculations using electronic excited populations from DSMC and QSS indicates that, at the stagnation point, there is about 20% difference of the radiative heat flux between DSMC and QSS.
The Kelch Repeat Protein, Tea1, Is a Potential Substrate Target of the p21-activated Kinase, Shk1, in the Fission Yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe

The p21-activated kinase (PAK) homolog, Shk1, is a critical component of a multifunctional Ras/Cdc42/PAK complex required for viability, polarized growth and cell shape, and sexual differentiation in the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Substrate targets of the Shk1 kinase have not previously been described. Here we show that the S. pombe cell polarity factor, Tea1, is directly phosphorylated by Shk1 in vitro. We demonstrate further that Tea1 is phosphorylated in S. pombe cells and that its level of phosphorylation is significantly reduced in cells defective in Shk1 function. Consistent with a role for Tea1 as a potential downstream effector of Shk1, we show that a tea1 null mutation rescues the Shk1 hyperactivity-induced lethal phenotype caused by loss of function of the essential Shk1 inhibitor, Skb15. All phenotypes associated with Skb15 loss, including defects in actin cytoskeletal organization, chromosome segregation, and cytokinesis, are suppressed by tea1 Delta, suggesting that Tea1 is a potential mediator of multiple Shk1 functions. S. pombe cells carrying a weak hypomorphic allele of shk1 together with a tea1 Delta mutation exhibit a cytokinesis defective phenotype that is significantly more severe than that observed in the respective single mutants, providing evidence that Shk1 and Tea1 cooperate to regulate cytokinesis. In addition, we show that S. pombe cells carrying the orb2-34 allele of shk1 exhibit a pattern of monopolar growth similar to that observed in tea1 Delta cells, suggesting that Shk1 and Tea1 may regulate one or more common processes involved in the regulation of polarized cell growth. Taken together, our results strongly implicate Tea1 as a potential substrate-effector of the Shk1 kinase.
X-Ray Determination of Zinc in Basic-Oxygen Flue Dust and Blast-Furnace Sinter:

Basic-oxygen furnaces are rapidly replacing open-hearth furnaces. A byproduct of the basic-oxygen process is a high tonnage of flue dust which consists of very fine iron oxide particles with small quantities of nonferrous impurities. A current problem within the steel industry is the profitable use of this by-product material. One possibility is to agglomerate the flue dust on a sintering machine and return it to the steel-making system. The utilization of flue dust from the basic-oxygen process as a blast furnace sinter requires that the nonferrous metal content be controlled. A major impurity is zinc, which originates from galvanized scrap fed directly into the basic-oxygen furnace. The presence of zinc in sinter is destructive to the blast-furnace lining and shell. For the rapid determination of zinc in both flue dust and sinter, x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy has been successfully used.
A semicontinuous culture model that links cell growth to extracellular nutrient concentration.

During semicontinuous culture, a sample of fixed volume is removed at regular time intervals to make measurements and/or harvest culture components, and an equal volume of fresh medium is immediately added to the culture, thereby instantaneously enhancing nutrient concentrations and diluting cell concentration. The resulting cell concentration versus time curve (i.e., the actual cell growth curve) has a saw-toothed appearance because of the periodic dilution of cell concentration. The observed cell concentrations correspond to the peaks of the saw-toothed curve. Cell growth rates are estimated from the locus of observed cell concentrations (i.e., from the apparent growth curve obtained by connecting the peaks of the saw-toothed curve). The sole preexisting model (Fencl's mode) for estimating cell growth rate is valid only when the cells are growing exponentially at a constant rate between samplings. This model has limited validity: despite the periodic enhancement of nutrient concentration, cell growth between samplings eventually causes nutrient depletion, and the cells cease to grow exponentially. Failure to recognize the limits of validity for Fencl' model has resulted in many erroneous applications of the model and, consequently, many incorrect estimates of cell growth rates. To provide a means for correctly estimating cell growth rates, Fencl's exponential model was extended, and a new model that describes the effects of nutrient depletion on cell growth in semi-continuous culture was obtained. The new model shows that exhaustion of a single growth-limiting nutrient in semicontinuous culture causes the locus of cell concentrations observed at time intervals of Deltat to follow a logistic growth curve. The actual cell growth rate was shown to equal the apparent logistic growth rate plus the effective dilution rate -Deltat(-1) In (1 - f), where f is the ratio of sample volume to total culture volume. Moreover, the model predicts that both the apparent logistic growth rate and the apparent steady-state cell concentration should rise linearly with the concentration of growth-limiting nutrient in the input medium, but fall linearly with increases in the effective dilution rate. The new logistic model for nutrient-limited cell growth in semicontinuous culture was successfully tested using published data for Asterionella formosa, Cyclotella meneghiniana, Daucus carota, and strain L mouse cells.
High Tensile Ductility and Strength in Bulk Nanostructured Nickel

In this Communication, we use cryomillingand subsequently quasi-isostatic (QI) forging processes(formerly known as Ceracon forging), to prepare bulk densemultimodalandbimodalNSNiwithtensileductilityof42%and49%,andyieldstrengthsof457and312MPa,respectively.Thiscombinationofstrengthandductilityismuchsuperiortothoseofthe NS Ni prepared by electro-deposition (ED),
Electron-phonon interband scattering in Pt and Pd

Abstract An estimate of the parameter θE, (Wilson temperature) characterizing electron-phonon interband scattering in metals is given for Pt and Pd. The value of θE obtained for these metals using Fermi surface and sound velocity data is in reasonable agreement with the values obtained from electrical resistivity measurements.
Nitric oxide induces heme oxygenase-1 gene expression in mesangial cells.

Nitric oxide induces heme oxygenase-1 gene expression in mesangial cells. Background Nitric oxide (NO) release as a result of activation of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) can be sustained and reach cytotoxic concentrations. It is unknown whether cells possess intrinsic systems to attenuate NO-mediated cytotoxicity. One potential system is the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) enzyme because it catabolizes heme and therefore may limit synthesis or availability of iNOS. These studies were undertaken to explore whether NO derived from NO donors or from activation of iNOS induces HO-1 in mesangial cells. Methods The expression of the HO-1 gene was evaluated at the mRNA (Northern blot analysis) and protein (Western blot analysis) levels in mesangial cells treated with two NO donors, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP), or was stimulated by the combination of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) to induce iNOS in the presence and absence of NOS inhibitor N G -Monomethyl-l-arginine (L-NMMA). Results HO-1 was constitutively expressed in mesangial cells. Both SNP and SNAP induced HO-1 mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. The increase in mRNA was associated with an increase in HO-1 protein in SNP-treated cells. The combination of the LPS/IFN-γ mixture induced iNOS expression and NO production in murine mesangial cells, as assessed by Western blot analysis and measurement of nitrite levels. HO-1 expression was also increased in response to LPS/IFN-γ. L-NMMA dose dependently attenuated HO-1 mRNA and protein levels. In contrast, iNOS expression was dose dependently enhanced. Conclusions Our studies demonstrate that both exogenously or iNOS-derived NO enhance HO-1 expression in mesangial cells and point to regulatory interactions between the iNOS and HO pathways. HO-1 activation may defend against NO-mediated toxicity.
Mechanistic Insights into the Bifunctional Non-Heme Iron Oxygenase Carbapenem Synthase by Active Site Saturation Mutagenesis

The carbapenem class of β-lactam antibiotics is known for its remarkable potency, antibacterial spectrum, and resistance to β-lactamase-mediated inactivation. While the biosynthesis of structurally “complex” carbapenems, such as thienamycin, share initial biochemical steps with carbapenem-3-carboxylate (“simple” carbapenem), the requisite inversion at C5 and formation of the characteristic α,β-unsaturated carboxylate are different in origin between the two groups. Here, we consider carbapenem synthase, a mechanistically distinct bifunctional non-heme iron α-ketoglutarate-dependent enzyme responsible for the terminal reactions, C5 epimerization and desaturation, in simple carbapenem production. Interestingly, this enzyme accepts two stereoisomeric substrates and transforms each to a common active antibiotic. Owing both to enzyme and product instability, resorting to saturation mutagenesis of active site and selected second-sphere residues gave clearly differing profiles of CarC tolerance to structural modi...
Fluctuation superconductivity at high magnetic fields

Apparent superconductive fluctuation conductivity ("paraconductivity") $\ensuremath{\Delta}{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{f}$ has been observed in very "dirty" (short electron-mean-free-path), bulk, type-II superconductors in applied magnetic fields $H$ up to twice the zero-temperature upper critical field ${H}_{c20}$. Peaks observed in the isomagnetic field paraconductivity as a function of temperature at $Hg{H}_{c20}$ are attributed to the suppression of paraconductivity as $T$ approaches either zero or values high in comparison with the zero-$H$ transition temperature ${T}_{c}$. In the ($H\ensuremath{-}T$) region well beyond the upper-critical-field curve ${H}_{c2}(T)$, the experimentally derived $\ensuremath{\Delta}{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{f}(H,T)$ is smaller, less dependent on the orientation of $H$ with respect to the measuring current density $J$, and decreases more rapidly with $H$ than suggested by current theory. As $H$ is increased isothermally in the 80-140-kG region, the positive magnetoresistance associated with the $H$ quenching of paraconductivity gives way to a small negative magnetoresistance which is probably not explicable on an ordinary static-localized-magnetic-moment basis.
Object-based Vegetation Mapping in the Kissimmee River Watershed Using HyMap Data and Machine Learning Techniques

Accurate and informative vegetation maps are in urgent demand to support the Kissimmee-Okeechobee-Everglades ecosystem restoration project in South Florida. In this study, we evaluated the applicability of fine spatial resolution hyperspectral data collected from the HyMap sensor for both community- and species-level vegetation mapping. Informative and accurate vegetation maps were produced by combining machine learning methods (Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Random Forest (RF)), object-based image analysis techniques, and Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF) data transformation. An overall accuracy of 90% was obtained in discriminating 14 vegetation communities. Classification of a large number of species is also promising. An overall accuracy of 85% was achieved in identifying 55 species using a SVM model. The results indicate that fine spatial resolution hyperspectral data classification using such automated procedure has great potential to replace the manual interpretation of aerial photos for vegetation mapping in heterogeneous wetland ecosystems.
Social support in worksite smoking cessation: qualitative analysis of the EASE project.

Abstract Purpose. Mobilize and study social support in EASE, a worksite smoking cessation program. Design. Qualitative study of social support in two pilot and two test worksites. Setting. Collaboration with American Lung Association of eastern Missouri to implement program in 12 companies between 1982 and 1985. Subjects. Ninety-eight participants in cessation clinics at pilot and test sites and 350 randomly sampled respondents from among all 877 employees at test sites. Intervention. Steering committees included representatives of management and line employees and tailored the program from plans and materials for program promotion, self-help manuals, and a standard curriculum for a Group Comprehensive Clinic. Measures. Implementation and participation from project records. Outcomes and perceptions of social support from surveys of employees. Results. Twelve to 24 months after program initiation, smoking cessation among active participants ranged from 21% to 41%. Consistent with emphasis on promoting supp...
Predictive factors for skin reactions in patients treated with thermoradiotherapy.

In this study we performed univariate analyses to analyse the predictive factors for skin reactions, i.e. erythema, thermal blisters and ulceration, that occur during thermoradiotherapy. One hundred and twenty-six fields in 126 patients were treated with thermoradiotherapy using 915 MHz external microwave hyperthermia. Mean age of patients was 62 years. All but 11 lesions received previous therapy. Prior treatment included surgery (75%), chemotherapy (60%) and/or radiation therapy (51%). The mean previous radiation dose was 54 ± 2 Gy. The concurrent tumour radiation dose was 45 ± 1 Gy, in 16 fractions, over 35 elapsed days (dose per fraction of 1·6–4·8 Gy). The mean number of heat sessions administered was 5·5 ± 0·2 (range 1–14). In 83% of cases hyperthermia was administered biweekly. Forty-two patients were treated without any skin reaction (33%), erythema occurred in 59 fields (47%), transient thermal blisters occurred in 25 fields (20%) and ulceration occurred in 23 fields (18%). In 25 cases, two or mo...
Thermionic conversion-state of the art

After a brief discussion of fundamental principles, a family tree of the different types of thermionic converters is presented. The status of individual conversion techniques is then reviewed. A description of the materials problems is given. The paper concludes with projections of development and performance trends of the most important types of thermionic converters.
A biased random walk model for two choice reaction times

Abstract This paper generalizes Stone's (1960, Psychometrika 25 , 251–260) random walk model of two choice response times (RTs) that is based on the sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) and that predicts equal correct and incorrect RTs to the same response. The generalized version allows a bias of the type found in signal detection theory to enter directly into the accumulation process so that ambivalent evidence may be seen as slightly favoring one alternative. The resulting biased SPRT model can predict any relation between correct and incorrect mean RTs. In particular, unlike the special symmetric case of Link and Heath's (1975, Psychometrika 40 , 77–105) relative judgment theory (RJT), the biased SPRT model can predict that correct mean RTs are faster for one response but slower for the other. The biased SPRT model, the classical SPRT model, and the symmetric RJT model are all fit to the data of an RT deadline experiment reported by Green and Luce (1973, Attention and performance , New York: Academic Press) and it is shown that, of the three, the biased SPRT model provides the best account. Finally, a method for incorporating the same sort of bias into RJT models is sketched out.
Carboxylation of Aromatic Compounds: Ferrocenecarboxylic Acid

Carboxylation of aromatic compounds: ferrocenecarboxylic acid intermediate: (2-chlorobenzoyl)ferrocene product: ferrocenecarboxylic acid product: carboxycyclopentadienyltricarbonylmanganese product: biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid product: 3,4-dimethylbenzoic acid product: 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoic acid product: 3,4-dimethoxybenzoic acid product: 2,4-dimethoxybenzoic acid Keywords: acylation; carboxylation; cleavage, ketonic; 1,2-dimethoxyethane, purification of
Computer Content Analysis of Melodic Structure: Classical Composers and Their Compositions

The computerised content analysis of musical structure can reveal a great deal about the psychology of musical aesthetics and creativity. This is shown in a series of studies on 15,618 themes by 47...
Computer simulation of anisotropic crystal etching

The geometrical shapes resulting from anisotropic etching of crystalline substances are investigated. A simulator has been built that constructs boundary representations of the polyhedral models of such shapes starting from an etch rate polar diagram. Special attention is given to situations in which new faces emerge that were not previously present. >
Propelling SAT and SAT-based BMC using careset

We introduce the notion of careset, a subset of variables in a Boolean formula that must be assigned in any satisfying assignment. We propose a restricted branching technique in a CDCL solver (i.e., DPLL-based SAT solver with clause learning) such that every decision path is prefixed with decisions on such a careset. Although finding a non-trivial careset may not be tractable in general, we demonstrate that for a SAT-based bounded model checking (BMC) application we can derive it automatically from the sequential behaviors of programs. Our proposed branching technique significantly reduces the search effort of a CDCL solver, and leads to a performance improvement of 1--2 orders of magnitude over well-known heuristics, and over top-ranked solvers of SAT2009 competition, that do not exploit system-level information. We also discuss the proof complexity of such a restricted CDCL solver.
A Romantic’s Civil War: John Esten Cooke, Stonewall Jackson, andthe Idealof Individual“Genius”

(2005). A Romantic’s Civil War: John Esten Cooke, Stonewall Jackson, andthe Idealof Individual“Genius”. The Historian: Vol. 67, No. 3, pp. 434-453.
Influence of package parasitic elements on CDM stress

CDM current waveform properties show a strong dependence on pin type and location due to package transmission line effects. I/O pin waveforms have a depressed peak, slower rise time, and increased pulse width compared to power supply waveforms, with the offset increasing with the distance from the package center. Simulations illustrate that the internal current through the ESD protection network on the die can deviate significantly from the external current observed in the CDM system for long package traces.
Sodium bicarbonate and yeast culture effects on ruminal fermentation, growth, and intake in dairy calves.

Sodium bicarbonate and yeast culture effects on ruminal fermentation, intake, and growth were evaluated in young calves. In trail 1, nine ruminally cannulated Holstein calves averaging 12 wk of age were fed control starter (17% CP) or starters containing 3% sodium bicarbonate or .2% yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) culture in a 3 x 3 Latin square. Calves were fed for ad libitum consumption for 10 d and then at 85% of ad libitum intake to d 14. Ruminal fluid taken at 0 h postfeeding tended to have higher pH and a greater proportion of acetate when calves were fed sodium bicarbonate, but other ruminal and blood parameters did not differ among treatments. By 4 h after feeding, ruminal VFA had increased to 120.7 mM, molar proportions of individual acids were altered, and blood ketones and VFA increased in treated calves. In trial 2, 42 Jersey calves were fed experimental starters for ad libitum consumption during a 12-wk study. Calves began the study at 3 to 5 d of age. There were no significant effects of yeast culture or sodium bicarbonate on DMI or intake of starter, rates of gain, or feed efficiency. Plasma urea N was reduced when sodium bicarbonate was fed. Both sodium bicarbonate and yeast culture affected blood and ruminal metabolites when calves were limit-fed but did not influence intake or daily gain when calves were fed for ad libitum consumption.
Inferential Self-tuning Controller And Global Convergence Analysis

A new inferential self-tuning controller is presented for inferring unmeasured controlled output and increasing the performance of the control system by using double measurements outputs. This controller uses the strategy of the generalized minimum variance control law and inferential strategy adopting double measurements as auxiliary outputs. It is adaptively implemented in direct form. It can guarantee the variance of difference of the controlled output and the ideal output to tend to minimum. The analysis of stability and globally convergence of this controller is also given. It is shown that even for non-minimum phase systems, this adaptive algorithm has globally convergence properties. The results of simulations is proposed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm.
A Multitrait–Multimethod Analysis of the Construct Validity of Child Anxiety Disorders in a Clinical Sample

The present study examines the construct validity of separation anxiety disorder (SAD), social phobia (SoP), panic disorder (PD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in a clinical sample of children. Participants were 174 children, 6 to 17 years old (94 boys) who had undergone a diagnostic evaluation at a university hospital based clinic. Parent and child ratings of symptom severity were assessed using the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC). Diagnostician ratings were obtained from the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for Children and Parents (ADIS: C/P). Discriminant and convergent validity were assessed using confirmatory factor analytic techniques to test a multitrait–multimethod model. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the current classification of these child anxiety disorders. The disorders demonstrated statistical independence from each other (discriminant validity of traits), the model fit better when the anxiety syndromes were specified than when no specific syndromes were specified (convergent validity), and the methods of assessment yielded distinguishable, unique types of information about child anxiety (discriminant validity of methods). Using a multi-informant approach, these findings support the distinctions between childhood anxiety disorders as delineated in the current classification system, suggesting that disagreement between informants in psychometric studies of child anxiety measures is not due to poor construct validity of these anxiety syndromes.
Active semiconductor microdisk switching devices utilizing gain and electroabsorption effects

Active semiconductor microdisk switching devices have been demonstrated for the first time, utilizing gain and electroabsorption trimming of the transmission characteristics. The devices exhibit high-Q operation (Q>5000), high finesse (F/spl sim/40) and high power extraction efficiency.