cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Funktionen großer Zahlen

Es seien p 1, p 2,..., p l, a 1, a 2,..., a l beliebige positive Zahlen. Dann existiert der Grenzwert und ist gleich der grosten unter den Zahlen a 1, a 2,..., a l .
Genetics and Reverse Genetics of Nidoviruses

The genomes of nidoviruses are infectious, and virus replication is initiated as the genome is delivered to the cytoplasm and the replicase is translated by the host cell ribosomes. Nidovirus reverse-genetics systems are needed to better understand aspects of their complex replication strategy, pathogenesis, and mechanisms of host range expansion, and for the generation of safe and effective antiviral therapies. As the majority of existing research into the mechanisms of nidovirus host range expansion has been completed in coronavirus models, this chapter is devoted to coronaviruses. Although nidoviruses have the opportunity to expand their host ranges, they must be able to exploit such opportunities by rapidly adapting to fit their new host. Nidoviruses can explore the range of viable genetic variation through two mechanisms, mutation and recombination. Reverse-genetics systems allow viral genomes to be directly manipulated and linked to a given phenotype. A more recently described approach cloned the full-length genome into poxvirus vectors. All three of these systems, targeted RNA recombination, full-length infectious cDNA expressed in stable amplification systems, and infectious clones amplified as multicomponent cDNAs, are currently used in research and have relative strengths. The biology of nidoviruses makes them significant threats as existing, emerging, and reemerging pathogens.
Hydrogen Related Fracture of Metals

The deleterious effects of hydrogen on the mechanical properties of metals are well known and have been extensively studied [1]. Despite the effort which has been placed on understanding these problems our mechanistic understanding is rudimentary at best. Part of the difficulty stems from the fact that the behavior of metals with hydrogen as a solute or in a gaseous hydrogen environment cannot be accounted for on the basis of a single fracture mechanism. A second major difficulty is that the effect of hydrogen on the basic parameters of fracture, the strength of the atomic bonding and the properties of dislocations is poorly understood. Despite these serious handicaps, we have made significant progress in recent years in identifying the important physical parameters of the problem, in adequately establishing the effects of hydrogen on some of these parameters and in beginning to develop a mechanistic understanding of fracture in a number of the metal-hydrogen systems. In this paper we will review some of the recent progress and attempt to highlight some of the outstanding problems which remain to be solved.
Logistics of compliance assessment and enforcement of the 2004 ballast water convention

When the 2004 Ballast Water Convention comes into force it is estimated that approximately 70 000 vessels will require functional certified Ballast Water Treatment Systems (BWTS). Certification testing to IMO D-2 regulations has involved both shipboard and land-based trials by a small number of test facilities world-wide. Compliance testing for enforcement purposes under the auspices of Port State Control, will include live/dead counts of residual organisms of different size classes in treated ballast water. However, technical problems in making counts of rare organisms, and difficulties in making live/ dead assessment of smaller non-motile organisms mean that comprehensive testing for full D-2 compliance will be a complex, time-consuming operation. Given the large numbers of commercial ships visiting several hundred ports world-wide and the limited resources for comprehensive testing, it is inevitable that more limited tiered approach to compliance enforcement will be required.
Causal interpretation in systems of equations

Etude de la signification epistemologique et econometrique de l'interpretation naturelle et causale des equations individuelles et des systemes d'equation. Examinant les notions d'invariance et d'intervention experimentale ideale, l'A. rejette la pertinence de la connexion entre causation et manipulation pour rendre compte du contenu des modeles causaux, d'une part, et mesure l'utilite des epxeriences hypothetiques pour l'explication causale en science, d'autre part.
Emotion and Dialogue in the MRE Virtual Humans

We describe the emotion and dialogue aspects of the virtual agents used in the MRE project at USC. The models of emotion and dialogue started independently, though each makes crucial use of a central task model. In this paper we describe the task model, dialogue model, and emotion model, and the interactions between them.
Proteolysis of smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase. Formation of inactive and calmodulin-independent fragments.

Proteolysis by trypsin of gizzard myosin light chain kinase in the absence of Ca2+-calmodulin causes a biphasic effect on kinase activity. During the initial phase of proteolysis, Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent kinase activity is reduced over a thousand-fold. Further proteolysis, in the second phase, causes an increase in activity that is independent of Ca2+-calmodulin. Loss of activity is associated with the formation of a 64,000-dalton fragment. Calmodulin-independent activity is associated with the formation of a 61,000-dalton fragment. Procedures for the isolation of each fragment are outlined. Tryptic hydrolysis of the isolated 64,000-dalton peptide generates the 61,000-dalton peptide and increases calmodulin-independent activity. Km values for ATP and light chains for the native kinase and two fragments are the same, i.e. approximately 100 and 5 microM, respectively. Neither fragment binds to F-actin. Amino acid analyses of both fragments are given. Synthetic peptides corresponding to the calmodulin-binding regions of the smooth and skeletal muscle kinases are potent inhibitors of the 61,000-dalton fragment. These data demonstrate the existence of an inhibitory region that is suggested to be located between the active site and the calmodulin-binding site. Whether it is distinct from or at the N-terminal end of the calmodulin-binding site cannot be determined from these data.
Blogging, Nationhood, and the Egyptian Revolution: Rethinking Bridgeblogging

The common interpretation of “bridgeblogs,” or blogs written in English by bloggers in countries where English is not the primary audience, understands them as primarily serving to explain the local political context for an international audience. This article aims to complicate the existing understanding of bridgeblogs through ethnographic research into five Egyptian bridgeblogs. Specifically, this paper considers bloggers’ engagement in discussions about nationhood in 2011, in the wake of the Egyptian uprising that overthrew Hosni Mubarak. This paper argues that by participating in conversations about the future and shape of the Egyptian nation, bridgebloggers are highly engaged in domestic political networks, are dedicated to political causes within the country, and write for both domestic and international audiences.
Misunderstandings about Q and ‘Cochran's Q test' in meta-analysis

Many meta-analyses report using 'Cochran's Q test' to assess heterogeneity of effect-size estimates from the individual studies. Some authors cite work by W. G. Cochran, without realizing that Cochran deliberately did not use Q itself to test for heterogeneity. Further, when heterogeneity is absent, the actual null distribution of Q is not the chi-squared distribution assumed for 'Cochran's Q test'. This paper reviews work by Cochran related to Q. It then discusses derivations of the asymptotic approximation for the null distribution of Q, as well as work that has derived finite-sample moments and corresponding approximations for the cases of specific measures of effect size. Those results complicate implementation and interpretation of the popular heterogeneity index I(2) . Also, it turns out that the test-based confidence intervals used with I(2) are based on a fallacious approach. Software that outputs Q and I(2) should use the appropriate reference value of Q for the particular measure of effect size and the current meta-analysis. Q is a key element of the popular DerSimonian-Laird procedure for random-effects meta-analysis, but the assumptions of that procedure and related procedures do not reflect the actual behavior of Q and may introduce bias. The DerSimonian-Laird procedure should be regarded as unreliable.
Factors affecting product end-of-life management (PELM) opportunities

Significant progress has been made by manufacturers of electronic equipment in incorporating a variety of environmental attributes into business machines. Many of these environmental attributes such as design for disassembly, parts labeling, and minimization of the number of materials are specifically intended to enhance the value of the end-of-life (EOL) products, making management of these products easier and more rewarding in the future. The ability to capitalize on improved environmental designs is impacted by numerous factors, some of which are outside the control of the product designer e.g., legislation. This paper discusses some of the key factors that will impact the ability of those managing EOL, electronic equipment to take advantage of design for environment efforts, and financially benefit from product EOL management activities.
Proteinase-activated receptors: novel mechanisms of signaling by serine proteases

Although serine proteases are usually considered to act principally as degradative enzymes, certain proteases are signaling molecules that specifically regulate cells by cleaving and triggering mem...
O-024 UHC Data Indicates Higher Mortality Rate in Aneurysms Embolized with Bare Platinum Coils Compared with Polymer Enhanced Coils

Introduction Recently, ICD-9 procedure coding for hospitals has changed to reflect aneurysm embolization with either bare metal coils or polymer-enhanced coils, and 2010 was the first year that an entire calendar year of data are available from the University-Health System Consortium (UHC) Clinical Database that reflects this change. This study evaluated recent trends in preferences of coil types for treating patients diagnosed with ruptured or unruptured aneurysms. Potential differences in the average number of ICU days, percent complications and early mortality are compared according to coil type, aneurysm rupture status and hospital aneurysm embolization volume (high- vs low-volume). Methods Using data from the UHC Clinical Database from January 2010 to December 2010, we captured ruptured (ICD-9 code: 430) and unruptured (ICD-9 code: 437.3) aneurysm cases undergoing a coiling procedure (ICD-9 code: 39.75-Bare-Coils, 39.76-Polymer-Coils). Hospitals were stratified into high-volume if they embolized 50 or more cerebral aneurysms for the year; similarly, hospitals were considered low-volume if they embolized Results The study queried a total of 3496 aneurysms embolized in 94 UHC member hospitals with the new coding designation. Interestingly, the top 16 hospitals in the database treated over half of all the aneurysms in the database (1801 aneurysms), and the remaining 1695 aneurysms were treated by the other 78 hospitals. Univariate analysis showed that high-volume hospitals were more likely to treat ruptured aneurysms with polymer-enhanced coils than low-volume: High volume- Bare: 57.1%, Polymer: 42.9% and low volume- Bare: 83.8%, Polymer: 16.2% (p Conclusions UHC data from 2010 demonstrates that patients who had use of bare coils had a longer ICU stay, a higher early death rate, and a higher mortality index than those patients treated with polymer-enhanced coils. Although these treatment groups were not randomized, this data shows, in the real-world treatment environment currently, that patients treated with polymer-enhanced coils have better outcomes than those treated with bare coils in both the ruptured and non-ruptured groups.
Transmission properties of refractive index-shifted Bragg gratings

Abstract We present an analysis of the transmission properties of index-shifted Bragg gratings. Theoretical predictions of the transmission properties of these gratings are obtained using a generalized transfer matrix method. Our theoretical predictions show that a precise modification of the average refractive index of Bragg gratings can lead to the generation of narrowband transmission windows within a broad low transmission band. The theoretical predictions are compared to experimental results obtained with fiber Bragg gratings.
Continuous-flow enzyme assay on a microfluidic chip for monitoring glycerol secretion from cultured adipocytes.

A dual-chip microfluidic platform that coupled perfusion of cultured adipocytes with on-line fluorescence-based enzyme assay was developed to monitor glycerol secretions in real time from cultured adipocytes. The perfusion cell chip, which could be reversibly sealed to allow reloading of cells and reuse of the chip, was shown by modeling to generate low shear stress on the cells under study. Effluent from the perfusion chip was pumped into an enzyme assay chip for monitoring of secretion from the cells. The on-line enzyme assay had a limit of detection (LOD) of 4 μM glycerol. The temporal resolution of the combined system for detecting changes in glycerol concentration was 90 s. The microfluidic device was used to continuously monitor glycerol secretion from murine 3T3-L1 adipocytes, grown and differentiated on glass coverslips, for at least 2 h. An average basal glycerol concentration of 28 μM was detected in the effluent. Pharmacological treatment with a β-adrenergic agonist to stimulate lipolysis evoke...
A Neural Tetraspanin, Encoded by late bloomer, That Facilitates Synapse Formation

Upon contacting its postsynaptic target, a neuronal growth cone transforms into a presynaptic terminal. A membrane component on the growth cone that facilitates synapse formation was identified by means of a complementary DNA-based screen followed by genetic analysis. The late bloomer (lbl) gene in Drosophila encodes a member of the tetraspanin family of cell surface proteins. LBL protein is transiently expressed on motor axons, growth cones, and terminal arbors. In lbl mutant embryos, the growth cone of the RP3 motoneuron contacts its target muscles, but synapse formation is delayed and neighboring motoneurons display an increase in ectopic sprouting.
Structure of SARS Coronavirus Spike Receptor-Binding Domain Complexed with Receptor

The spike protein (S) of SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) attaches the virus to its cellular receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). A defined receptor-binding domain (RBD) on S mediates this interaction. The crystal structure at 2.9 angstrom resolution of the RBD bound with the peptidase domain of human ACE2 shows that the RBD presents a gently concave surface, which cradles the N-terminal lobe of the peptidase. The atomic details at the interface between the two proteins clarify the importance of residue changes that facilitate efficient cross-species infection and human-to-human transmission. The structure of the RBD suggests ways to make truncated disulfide-stabilized RBD variants for use in the design of coronavirus vaccines.
SU-D-218-06: Acceleration of Optical Photon Monte Carlo Simulations Using the Macro Monte Carlo Method.

Purpose: The purpose of this work is to demonstrate that optical photonMonte Carlo simulations via a photon transport code called MCML can be accelerated using macro Monte Carlo (MMC) techniques. Methods: MCML was modified to incorporate the macro Monte Carlo radiation transport method. The original MCML uses scattering,absorption, reflection and refraction physics to transport optical photons through multi‐layered geometries. The code determines transmission, reflection and absorption for the layered geometry specified by the user. To make the code run faster, the MMC version of MCML uses large, multi‐interaction steps in regions that are homogeneous. These large steps are pre‐computed and stored in a database with many step sizes, materials and photon energies. The MMC version of MCML determines whether large MMC steps or traditional Monte Carlo should be used depending on the photon's current location inthe geometry. Results: The MMC version of MCML was tested against the original MCML code for a number of simple test geometries. It was also tested in anatomical geometries that are often uses in optical photon modeling. This includes skin and skull geometries. In each case, the reflection and transmission results from each code differed by less than 0.5%. The absorption data produced by each code also differed by less than 0.5% in most cases, and never differed by more than 2%. The MMC version of MCML runs between 1–3 times as many particles per unit time comparedto MCML, depending on the geometry. Conclusions: Applying Macro Monte Carlo methods to MCML produces a faster code without compromising accuracy. The speed‐gains are greatest in geometries thathave regions that are large relative to the mean scattering length for photons in that region. This work has the potential to accelerate light modeling for both photodynamic therapy and near‐infrared spectroscopic imaging.
Financial Crisis American Style

This paper reviews some of the research on the causes of the financial crisis of 2008–09, highlights the key events that triggered a financial panic in September 2008, and summarizes the key policy actions that the United States has taken to ameliorate the crisis. We document the characteristics and growth of the sub-prime mortgage market, and the distorted incentives and flawed regulatory structure surrounding the secondary market for mortgage-backed securities. We also assess the role for macroeconomic determinants of the crisis that serve to explain the bubble in U.S. asset prices, most notably low global interest rates attributed to either loose monetary policy or excess global saving. Although low global interest rates may have contributed to the boom in housing markets and speculative excesses, we believe that the financial innovations and microeconomic distortions played a more fundamental role. Finally, a recovery marked by higher private saving, weak domestic investment, and a large public defici...
The pull production system: modelling and characteristics

Abstract A continuous time Markov model for pull production system is developed. Our analysis models the ‘pull’ mechanism accurately. The various allocation patterns of kanban capacity and mean production time over the system stations are studied. It is found that a certain ‘funnel’ pattern could improve the system performance in some cases. Since this finding contradicts the concepts that are found in some parts of the literature which favour a ‘bowl’ pattern, some possible interpretations are given. Overall, the rsults yield design guidelines that should be useful in manufacturing applications.
Is praying for the morally impermissible morally permissible

Saul Smilansky has argued that, since acts of petitionary prayer are best understood as requests, not desires, there may be many more impermissible prayer acts than one might expect. I discuss Smilansky’s analysis and argue that his conclusion follows only for those who do not believe in an omnipotent, omniscient, and perfectly benevolent deity and take advantage of what Smilansky calls the theist’s ‘moral escape clause’. However, I take my argument to lead us to a variant of the problems of evil and petitionary prayer instead of a problem with Smilansky’s reasoning, requirng us to either abandon at least one of three properties commonly assigned to God or else to abandon an intuitive account of prayer that makes it morally impermissible to pray for morally impermissible ends.
Prolonged beta-agonist infusion does not induce desensitization or down-regulation of beta-adrenergic receptors in newborn sheep

In adult animals, prolonged beta-agonist exposure leads to down-regulation of beta-adrenergic receptors and desensitization. Prior evidence from our lab suggests that this may not occur in developing animals. To study this, we measured the response to graded epinephrine infusion [2.7, 5.5, 13.6, 27.3 mumol/(kg.min), (0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 micrograms/(kg.min)], myocardial beta-agonist receptor density, and components of the receptor-cyclase system in newborn lambs before (n = 6) and after (n = 5) 3 d of continuous isoproterenol administration (2 micrograms/kg/min). beta-Adrenergic receptors were measured by radioligand binding. Epinephrine dose-response curves were analyzed for the threshold and slope for changes in mean blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate versus plasma epinephrine levels. Despite 3 d of continuous isoproterenol infusion, we observed no desensitization of the hemodynamic response to epinephrine. There was a reduction in receptor density when expressed per membrane protein [155.3 +/- 19.5 (controls) versus 73.2 +/- 3.8 fmol/mg protein (agonist exposed), p less than 0.05], but no alteration in receptor density when expressed per g cardiac wet weight [258.8 +/- 39.9 (controls) versus 406.8 +/- 74.0 fmol/g wet weight (agonist exposed)]. There was no alteration in agonist affinity or in adenylyl cyclase activity after adjustment for membrane protein recovery. Prolonged beta-agonist infusion in newborn lambs does not desensitize hemodynamic responses to infused epinephrine. We propose that receptor regulation in developing animals is fundamentally different than in adult animals.
Measurements of Nonlinear Energy Transfer in Turbulence in the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor

The application of a new bispectral analysis technique to density fluctuation measurements in the core of the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor indicates that the peak in the autopower spectrum usually lies in a region of linear stability. Large changes in the linear and nonlinear characteristics of the turbulence are observed as the plasma toroidal rotation and/or confinement properties are varied, while estimates of the turbulence-driven diffusivity varies only slightly with rotation. These observations are consistent with the operation of a global organizing property that may be related to the observation of Bohm-like scaling of ion thermal transport.
Anomalous earthquakes associated with Nyiragongo Volcano: Observations and potential mechanisms

Abstract A series of five unusual earthquakes (4.6 ≤ M ≤ 5.3) has been recently located near Nyiragongo volcano (D. R. Congo) in the Western Rift Valley of the East African Rift. Despite their moderate size, these earthquakes do not appear in global seismicity catalogs, but were located using long-period surface waves primarily recorded on the Global Seismographic Network. Three of the events occurred in the week following the January 2002 eruption of Nyiragongo, while the final two occurred in 2003 and 2005 respectively, and are not linked to a major eruption at Nyiragongo or its neighboring volcano, Nyamuragira. Several common techniques were used to investigate the characteristics of these seismic sources in the context of the volcanic activity of the region. The frequency content of the five anomalous earthquakes was compared to that from local events found in global catalogs, and the newly detected earthquakes were shown to be slow events, being greatly depleted in frequencies above 0.1 Hz. Each of the newly detected earthquakes was modeled by a series of forces and by a centroid-moment tensor. A deviatoric moment tensor was shown to provide a better fit to the data. The newly detected earthquakes are highly non-double-couple in nature, each having a large compensated-linear-vector-dipole component of the moment tensor. Drawing on models based on similar observations from other active volcanoes, we propose that the earthquakes are caused by slip on non-planar faults beneath the volcano. We suggest a mechanism in which these newly detected earthquakes are generated by the collapse of the roof of a shallow magma chamber along an inward-dipping cone-shaped ring fault. Diking events, which result in magma evacuation from shallow magma chambers, could trigger such earthquakes. Our results provide new constraints on the dynamics of the poorly understood magma system beneath Nyiragongo, an active volcano that is a significant threat to life and property.
Determination of atmospheric organosulfates using HILIC chromatography with MS detection

Abstract. Measurements of organosulfates in ambient aerosols provide insight to the extent of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from mixtures of biogenic gases and anthropogenic pollutants. Organosulfates have, however, proved analytically challenging to quantify, due to lack of authentic standards and the complex sample matrix in which organosulfates are observed. This study presents a sensitive and accurate new analytical method for the quantification of organosulfates based upon ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) with negative electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (MS) with the aid of synthesized organosulfate standards. The separation is based upon hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) with an amide stationary phase that provides excellent retention of carboxy-organosulfates and isoprene-derived organosulfates. The method is validated using six model compounds: methyl sulfate, ethyl sulfate, benzyl sulfate, hydroxyacetone sulfate, lactic acid sulfate and glycolic acid sulfate. A straightforward protocol for synthesis of highly pure organosulfate potassium salts for use as quantification standards is presented. This method is used to evaluate the efficiency and precision of two methods of ambient PM2.5 sample extraction. Spike recoveries averaged 98 ± 8% for extraction by ultra-sonication and 98 ± 10% for extraction by rotary shaking. Ultra-sonication was determined to be a better method due to its higher precision compared to rotary shaking. Analysis of ambient PM2.5 samples collected on 10–11 July 2013 in Centreville, AL, USA during the Southeast Atmosphere Study (SAS) confirms the presence of hydroxyacetone sulfate in ambient aerosol for the first time. Lactic acid sulfate was the most abundant compound measured (9.6–19 ng m−3), followed by glycolic acid sulfate (8–14 ng m−3) and hydroxyacetone sulfate (2.7–5.8 ng m−3). Trace amounts of methyl sulfate were detected, while ethyl sulfate and benzyl sulfate were not. Application of this HILIC separation method to ambient aerosol samples further demonstrates its utility in resolving additional biogenic organosulfates.
The importance of adsorption in igneous partitioning of trace elements

Abstract For accurate mathematical modeling of trace-element partitioning during igneous fractionation, adsorption should be considered. Because of adsorption, the partitioning of elements between liquid and a surface layer of a crystal is often not the same as the partitioning between liquid and the solid crystal at true equilibrium. In some minerals e.g. high-calcium pyroxene, the effect of adsorption during crystal growth may be very important; this is suggested by the frequent occurrence of sector zoning in augite, and the wide range in measured partition coefficients for such elements as rare earths. The ions which are enriched by adsorption are usually those which are favored substituents according to Goldschmidt's rules. In other minerals, uptake of trace elements may be closer to equilibrium partitioning, rather than being determined by kinetic factors. For example, the relative partitioning of REE, U, Th and Pb into feldspars is qualitatively predicted by Pauling's rules for complex ionic crystals, rather than by Goldschmidt's rules.
DETECTING GLAUCOMATOUS DAMAGE WITH THE FRIEDMANN ANALYZER COMPARED WITH THE GOLDMANN PERIMETER AND EVALUATION OF STEREOSCOPIC PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE OPTIC DISK

We used a Friedmann visual field analyzer with a 98-hole plate to test 32 normal control eyes and to establish highly specific criteria for abnormality. When these criteria were later applied to the testing of 50 additional normal control eyes, there were no false-positive abnormalities. With these criteria, the Friedmann visual field analyzer proved to be at least as sensitive as careful manual perimetry with the Goldmann perimeter in detecting early glaucomatous visual field defects. In addition to having high sensitivity and specificity, the Friedmann visual field analyzer with the 98-hole plate is rapid and requires very little training to operate. By way of comparison, examination of stereoscopic photographs of the optic disk was also sensitive in detecting or suggesting glaucomatous damage with visual field loss, but some of the normal control optic nerves were also considered suspect. Ignoring the suspect disks in order to reduce false-positive results improved specificity but simultaneously reduced sensitivity for detecting definite visual field loss. The combination of optic disk evaluation and visual field testing (with either the Goldmann or the Friedmann instrument) better detected early cases than did either test alone, because each method picked up some early cases missed by the other.
A constitutive model for high temperature SMAs exhibiting viscoplastic behavior

ABSTRACT In this work a 1-D constitutive model for high temperature shape memory alloys (HTSMAs) is presented,where the range of operating temperatures allows the appearance of creep mechanisms during transformation.The model aims to capture the coupled phenomenon, where the rate independent transformation and the ratedependent viscoplastic behavior coexist. Based on continuum thermodynamics, the Gibbs free energy and theevolution equations for forward, reverse transformation and creep are properly chosen. The generation of timeindependent irrecoverable strains during transformation is also taken into account. The calibration and validationof the model in the 1-D case is achieved with the help of experimental tests in Ti 50 Pd 40 Ni 10 , including isobarictests at selected stress levels with 2 dierent temperature rates.Keywords: High temperature shape memory alloys (HTSMAs), Martensitic phase transformation, Thermody-namics, Viscoplasticity 1. INTRODUCTION The need for reliable high force actuators, capable of working under high temperatures, enforces the usage of hightemperature shape memory alloys (HTSMAs). These types of shape memory alloys are usually produced byalloying conventional NiTi with a third element such as gold, platinum, palladium, hafnium or zirconium, whichincrease the transformation temperatures. Nowadays there is the capability of designing HTSMAs with trans-formation temperatures ranging from 100 C to 1100 C. However, the operating temperatures of the HTSMAsexposes them to temperature regimes where creep can aect their actuation behavior and it becomes exceedinglynecessary to understand their interactions.During the last three decades a signicant eort has been conducted on developing constitutive models forSMAs.
Myocardial Distribution of Antegrade Cold Crystalloid and Tepid Blood Cardioplegia

Abstract Background . Tepid blood (TB) cardioplegia combines the improved rheologic characteristics and the augmented oxygen and substrate delivery of blood cardioplegia with the advantages of moderate hypothermia. In addition, the intramyocardial distribution of continuous TB cardioplegia may also be better than intermittent cold crystalloid (CC) cardioplegia. We sought to compare the distribution of TB and CC cardioplegia at varying infusion pressures. Methods . In situ, isolated canine hearts were randomized to antegrade, continuous TB (28°C, n=8) or intermittent CC (n = 8) cardioplegia infused at 50, 75, and 100 mm Hg. The regional distribution of cardioplegia at each pressure was measured by 15-μm colored microspheres. Cardioplegia distribution was measured from three areas each of the right ventricle (inflow, outflow, and apex) and the left ventricle (anterior, lateral, and posterior). Left ventricular samples were subdivided into subepicardial, midmyocardial, and subendocardial. Results . Delivery of cardioplegia to all areas of the right and left ventricles showed a linear pressure–flow relationship over the range of pressures tested. Right ventricular distribution was two-thirds of that to the left ventricle, and left ventricular subepicardial distribution was approximately one half of subendocardial flow in both groups at all delivery pressures. However, the subendocardial to subepicardial ratio was significantly greater with TB cardioplegia than with CC cardioplegia. Transmural right ventricular cardioplegia flow was comparable in both groups. In contrast, left ventricular distribution of CC cardioplegia was greater than TB cardioplegia at all three pressures tested. Conclusions . The pressure–flow relationship in both CC and TB cardioplegia is linear in both the right and left ventricular myocardium over clinically applicable delivery pressures. The distribution of cardioplegia to the right ventricle is not altered by increased pressure.
Dissolution of synthetic crystalline and noncrystalline iron oxides by organic acids

Abstract Thirteen organic acids and fulvic acid were used in dissolution experiments with laboratory-synthesized noncrystalline Fe oxide, hematite and goethite to determine the effect of the organic acid properties on the kinetics and pH-dependence of oxide dissolution. After 100 h of reaction the noncrystalline oxide had completely dissolved at pH 3.5 in the presence of oxalic, malonic, malic, citric and tartaric acids as well as EDTA, DTPA and NTA. Acetic, lactic, salicylic, phthalic and fulvic acids were much less reactive. Dissolution was generally lower at pH 5.5 than at pH 3.5. Hematite and goethite were solubilized to a much lesser extent than the noncrystalline oxides, presumably due to lower surface areas and differences in type and arrangement of surface hydroxyl and oxygen groups. Oxide solubilities predicted using formation constants of Fe-organic acid complexes approximately predicted dissolution measured at 100 h for the different acids used with the noncrystalline material, whereas slow reaction times limited dissolution of hematite and goethite to levels far below those predicted. The differences observed in pH-dependence and kinetics were explained on the basis of adsorption onto variable-charge surfaces and as steric limitations for the large chelating acids.
Precision‐guided munitions and conventional deterrence

(1979). Precision‐guided munitions and conventional deterrence. Survival: Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 68-76.
Sarcasm Detection on Twitter: A Behavioral Modeling Approach

Sarcasm is a nuanced form of language in which individuals state the opposite of what is implied. With this intentional ambiguity, sarcasm detection has always been a challenging task, even for humans. Current approaches to automatic sarcasm detection rely primarily on lexical and linguistic cues. This paper aims to address the difficult task of sarcasm detection on Twitter by leveraging behavioral traits intrinsic to users expressing sarcasm. We identify such traits using the user's past tweets. We employ theories from behavioral and psychological studies to construct a behavioral modeling framework tuned for detecting sarcasm. We evaluate our framework and demonstrate its efficiency in identifying sarcastic tweets.
Novel cellulose derivatives. II. synthesis and characteristics of mono-functional cellulose propionate segments

Mono-functional cellulose propionate segments for use in ter- or star-block polymers have been prepared by the depolymerization (step 1) of cellulose propionate in homogeneous phase using a mixture of HBr and propionic anhydride in methylene chloride solution. The anomeric mixture of glycosyl bromide has subsequently (step 2) been hydrolyzed in aqueous acetone. Functionality was determined by H-NMR spectroscopy of triethyl silane derivatives in combination with gel permeation chromatography. The cellulose ester segments were semi-rigid, highly crystalline materials with melting points between 180° and 250°C. The lowest useful segment size, based on crystallinity and Mark-Houwink-Sakurada exponential factor, appeared to be DP 20, with an optimum around DP 40 to 50.
Combining ability and heterosis estimates for kernel cadmium level in sunflower

On certain soil series, nonoilseed sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) yields kernels with a cadmium (Cd) concentration in excess of some international Cd limits. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative importance of general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA), and heterosis estimates needed to develop low Cd hybrid cultivars of nonoilseed sunflower. The kernel Cd accumulation of 36 sunflower F 1 hybrids, obtained by crossing six inbred cytoplasmic male-sterile lines to six inbred male-fertile lines in a factorial mating design, was evaluated from field tests conducted at four locations with different soil types. Although the genotype x location interaction was statistically significant, the correlations for Cd among locations were significant over F 1 hybrids and parental lines, indicating that inbred parental lines and hybrids performed consistently across the four locations. GCA was significant and accounted for 80% of the hybrid sums of squares. The interaction between males and females also was significant. These results indicate that additive genetic effects predominantly influence the expression of kernel Cd accumulation in hybrids. The regression of actual hybrid kernel Cd on expected hybrid kernel Cd, based on parental GCA values, was highly significant. Although the regression of actual hybrid kernel Cd on midparent also was statistically significant, the R 2 value was only 0.21. These results indicated that GCA was more effective than midparent for describing hybrid performance. The levels of heterosis varied widely among crosses, ranging from -50 to 50%. Twenty-seven of the 36 crosses registered double-digit negative heterosis, indicating breeding for low kernel Cd in sunflower hybrids should be feasible.
OPTIMIZATION OF STOCHASTIC TRAJECTORIES

the hypersonic approximation 2H « u* at the edge of the viscous layer in conjunction with ju ~ T with s (7 + l)s/ 7. For a cold wall in the hypersonic limit (s-*0; t = 1), convergence of the series for pressure and velocity requires that £ = payoff quantity 0 = thrust angle, measured from horizontal
Relationalization of provenance data in complex RDF reification nodes

The plethora of information available to today's users due to the Internet phenomenon has brought forth an associated concern, namely, determination of the trustworthiness of information. Provenance information, such as who is responsible for the data or how the data came to be, plays a pivotal role in addressing this concern by providing additional facts that could serve as a basis for establishing the authenticity of information. Awareness of the importance of data provenance has ensured that current technologies include support for the ability to record provenance information. These include Semantic Web technologies such as Resource Description Framework (RDF) that records data provenance through the process of reification. Reification enables the association of a level of trust with RDF triples, thereby enabling the validation of the authenticity of the triples. RDF's rapid acceptance has created an associated demand for RDF data modeling and visualization tools and our research, called R2D, is aimed at addressing and providing a solution for this demand by leveraging and reusing existing mature technologies. The work presented in this paper extends our earlier work on relationalization of the RDF concept of reification by providing support for complex reifications that include a variety of blank nodes. Algorithmic enhancements that were incorporated into the various R2D components in order to support relationalization of complex reifications are presented along with performance graphs and screenshots of the relational equivalent of a reified RDF store as seen through an open source relational visualization tool.
Separation of retinyl esters by non-aqueous reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

Abstract Rapid separation and sensitive quantitation of vitamin A esters can be achieved by use of an acetonitrile—dichloromethane (80:20) mobile phase with a 5-μm C18 column (15 cm x 4.6 mm) and absorbance detection at 325 nm. Either a Waters Resolve or a Rainin Microsorb column was used satisfactorily. Retinyl palmitate is eluted at about 7 min (capacity factor, k′ = 5.5) at a flow-rate of 1.5 ml/min; retinyl palmitate and retinyl oleate, which are usually difficult to separate, are well resolved (resolution 1.2). Sensitivity (at a signal-to-noise ratio of 10:1) is 8 pmol retinyl palmitate (equivalent to 2.5 ng retinol). Quantitation of total retinyl esters is identical to that determined by a gradient high-performance liquid chromatographic technique over the range 30–1000 ng retinyl esters. Retinyl ester peaks in rat liver extracts were identified by their characteristic light absorption spectra, susceptibility to saponification, and by co-chromatography with authentic standards. Nine vitamin A ester peaks were identified and quantitated in rat liver extracts. A 10-μm Whatman Partisil 10 25 ODS-2 column was used with the same mobile phase to obtain partial resolution of retinyl esters (resolution 1.05 between retinyl oleate and retinyl palmitate; k′ = 11.0 for retinyl palmitate) and improved retention for retinol (k′ = 2.5, compared with k′ = 0.6 for retinol on the 5-μm column).
Intraretinal xenografts of differentiated human retinoblastoma cells integrate with the host retina

We report on the successful use of chemically modified Y79 human retinoblastoma cells for intraretinal xenografting into damaged adult mammalian eyes. Y79 cells were exposed in vitro to retinoic acid/butyrate to induce differentiation. Using a multisite transplantation method, the suspension was injected into the subretinal space of Fischer 344 rats. The survival, integration, and differentiation potential of these cells was studied, following their return to the intraocular milieu from which the progenitor cells originated. The grafted cells survived and differentiated into immature photoreceptor elements in the subretinal and intraretinal locations, as multiple clusters of rosette-forming cells intimately attached to the host neuroretina. The differentiation process included development of synaptic connectivity of the ribbon type with the surrounding neuropil. No signs of renewed cell division were found within grafts performed on 42 rat eyes, and there was no indication of cell-mediated host reaction against the transplants. This study indicates that tumorigenicity can be suppressed in mitotically arrested Y79 cells, and that these cells are capable of undergoing differentiation in vivo. This provides evidence of the remarkable differentiation properties of human retinoblastomas while indicating that Y79 cells may ultimately be able to substitute for fetal cells in experimental retinal transplantation.
Modulation of Erythrocyte Membrane Mechanical Function by β-Spectrin Phosphorylation and Dephosphorylation

The mechanical properties of human erythrocyte membrane are largely regulated by submembranous protein skeleton whose principal components are alpha- and beta-spectrin, actin, protein 4.1, adducin, and dematin. All of these proteins, except for actin, are phosphorylated by various kinases present in the erythrocyte. In vitro studies with purified skeletal proteins and various kinases has shown that while phosphorylation of these proteins can modify some of the binary and ternary protein interactions, it has no effect on certain other interactions between these proteins. Most importantly, at present there is no direct evidence that phosphorylation of skeletal protein(s) alters the function of the intact membrane. To explore this critical issue, we have developed experimental strategies to determine the functional consequences of phosphorylation of beta-spectrin on mechanical properties of intact erythrocyte membrane. We have been able to document that membrane mechanical stability is exquisitely regulated by phosphorylation of beta-spectrin by membrane-bound casein kinase I. Increased phosphorylation of beta-spectrin decreases membrane mechanical stability while decreased phosphorylation increases membrane mechanical stability. Our data for the first time demonstrate that phosphorylation of a skeletal protein in situ can modulate physiological function of native erythrocyte membrane.
Kre-Alkalyn® supplementation does not promote greater changes in muscle creatine content, body composition, or training adaptations in comparison to creatine monohydrate

Background Creatine monohydrate (CrM) has been proven to be the most effective form of creatine and is considered the gold standard. However, a number of different forms of creatine have been purported to be more efficacious than CrM. The purpose of this study was to determine if a pH balanced form of creatine (Kre-Alkayn (KA), All American Pharmaceutical, Billings, MT, USA) that has been purported to promote greater creatine retention and training adaptations with less side effects is more efficacious than CrM ingestion.
Evolution of locomotion in arachnida: The hydraulic pressure pump of the giant whipscorpion, Mastigoproctus Giganteus (Uropygi).

Many arachnids lack extensor muscles at the femoropatellar (knee) joint of their legs and extend this joint with hydraulic pressure during locomotion. Pressure is generated through compression of the prosoma, but there is disagreement about which muscles are involved in this process. Many arachhnologists consider contraction of the musculi laterales, a group of modified extrinsic leg muscles, as the cause of high prosomal pressure and regard hydraulic extension as a derived feature. However, integration of results from phylogenetic and comparative anatomical studies supports the view that hydraulic extension is primitive in Arachnida and that fluid pressure is generated by contraction of endosternal suspensor muscles. The functional predictions of the musculi laterales and endosternite hypotheses were tested by measuring muscle activity and prosomal pressure during unrestrained locomotion in a primitively “extensorless” arachnid, the giant whipscorpion. The results corroborate the endosternite model and refute the musculi laterales model. Changes in the prosomal pressure baseline were correlated with changes in endosternal muscle activity, while the musculi laterales fired in a step-coupled pattern of discrete bursts that appeared to be incapable of generating the pressure observed during locomotion. Step-coupled fluctuations in prosomal pressure were observed but were apparently caused by rapid flexing of the femoropatellar joints of the fourth leg pair rather than contraction of the musculi laterales.
Determination of steroid profiles in healthy and diseased states: identification and quantitation of a block of 17α-hydroxylase

Abstract The steroid metabolic profile on a patient with a suspected block in steroid biosynthesis was analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results of this work led to an interpretation of a block at the 17α-hydroxylase step. Although the steroid metabolic profile was complex, we could not detect any steroids with a hydroxy moiety at position C-17. The use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, in this case, was the method of choice for a final diagnosis because of the confusion that resulted from other, more classical, forms of analysis. Data from our patient's sample are reported and compared to normals and to other cases where a block in 17α-hydroxylase have been reported.
Cloud condensation nuclei measurements in the high troposphere and in jet aircraft exhaust

Extensive measurements of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) spectra (1 to 0.02% supersaturation; S) at altitudes up to 12 km are presented. These were similar to many marine boundary layer measurements when normalized to standard sea level pressure. Extremely low CCN concentrations ( 3000 cm−3). This was suggestive of cloud scavenging of CCN and production of small particles. Measurements in the exhaust of a B-757 jet aircraft showed very high CCN/CN ratios and enhancements of CCN concentrations for all S. This suggests a greater impact of jet aircraft on clouds and climate than previous measurements.