cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Variation in Rates of Karst Processes

The development of karst is not a linear process but instead takes place at irregular rates that typically include episodes of stagnation and even retrograde processes in which the evolution toward maturity is reversed. The magnitude and nature of these irregularities differs with the length of time considered. Contemporary measurements in caves show fluctuations in dissolution rate with changes in season, discharge, and soil conditions. Dissolution is sometimes interrupted by intervals of mineral deposition. Observed dissolution rates can be extrapolated to obtain estimates of long-term growth of a solution feature. But this approach is flawed, because as the time scale increases, the rates are disrupted by climate changes, and by variations that are inherent within the evolutionary history of the karst feature (e.g., increased CO2 loss from caves as entrances develop). At time scales of 105-106 years, karst evolution can be interrupted or accelerated by widespread fluctuations in base level and surface river patterns. An example is the relation between karst and the development of the Ohio River valley in east-central U.S.A. At a scale of 106-108 years, tectonic and stratigraphic events cause long-term changes in the mechanism and style of karst development. For example, much of the karst in the Rocky Mountains of North America has experienced two phases of pre-burial Carboniferous karst, mineral accretion during deep burial from Permian to Cretaceous, extensive cave development during Paleocene-Eocene uplift, and stagnation and partial mineral deposition caused by late Tertiary aggradation. At such large time scales, it is difficult to determine rates of karst development precisely, if at all. Instead it is appropriate to divide the evolutionary history into discrete episodes that correlate with regional tectonic and stratigraphic events.
Learning and applying competitive strategies

Learning reusable sequences can support the development of expertise in many domains, either by improving decision-making quality or decreasing execution speed. This paper introduces and evaluates a method to learn action sequences for generalized states from prior problem experience. From experienced sequences, the method induces the context that underlies a sequence of actions. Empirical results indicate that the sequences and contexts learned for a class of problems are actually those deemed important by experts for that particular class, and can be used to select appropriate action sequences when solving problems there.
Alternative NF-κB isoforms in the drosophila neuromuscular junction and brain

The Drosophila NF-κB protein Dorsal is expressed at the larval neuromuscular junction, where its expression appears unrelated to known Dorsal functions in embryonic patterning and innate immunity. Using confocal microscopy with domain-specific antisera, we demonstrate that larval muscle expresses only the B isoform of Dorsal, which arises by intron retention. We find that Dorsal B interacts with and stabilizes Cactus at the neuromuscular junction, but exhibits Cactus independent localization and an absence of detectable nuclear translocation. We further find that the Dorsal-related immune factor Dif encodes a B isoform, reflecting a conservation of B domains across a range of insect NF-κB proteins. Carrying out mutagenesis of the Dif locus via a site-specific recombineering approach, we demonstrate that Dif B is the major, if not sole, Dif isoform in the mushroom bodies of the larval brain. The Dorsal and Dif B isoforms thus share a specific association with nervous system tissues as well as an alternative protein structure.
Dynamical study of the 2 H ( e , e ′ π + ) reaction

The ${}^{2}\mathrm{H}{(e,e}^{\ensuremath{'}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+})$ reaction in parallel kinematics has been investigated using a dynamical model of pion electroproduction on the nucleon. A unitary $\ensuremath{\pi}\mathrm{NN}$ model has been used in order to examine the effects due to the final two-nucleon interactions, pion rescattering from the second nucleon, and intermediate $\mathrm{NN}$ and $N\ensuremath{\Delta}$ interactions. It has been found that these $\ensuremath{\pi}\mathrm{NN}$ mechanisms are small, but they can have significant contributions to the ${}^{2}\mathrm{H}{(e,e}^{\ensuremath{'}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+})$ cross sections through their interference with the dominant impulse term. For the longitudinal cross sections, the effects due to the interference between the pion pole term and other production mechanisms are also found to be very large. Our findings clearly indicate that these interference effects must be accounted for in any attempt to determine from the ${}^{2}\mathrm{H}{(e,e}^{\ensuremath{'}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+})$ data whether the pion form factor and/or $\ensuremath{\pi}\mathrm{NN}$ vertex of the pion pole term are modified in the nuclear medium.
Abstract 2646: Building a powerful ADCs discovery and development platform with novel dolastatin/auristatin payloads

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA A family of novel warheads derived from dolastatins or auristatins were designed and synthesized. They showed similar or better antitumor activities against several typical cancer cell lines compared with dolastatin 10 or monomethylauristatin E or F. The conjugated ADCs with Trastuzumab have showed potent activities against Her2 breast cancer cell lines. The validated platform with novel cytotoxins can be potentially used to ADCs discovery and development. Citation Format: Shanghui Hu, Lucy X. Zhao, Xu Liu, Chao Li, Wei Hu, Zunrong Wang, Xufang Tian. Building a powerful ADCs discovery and development platform with novel dolastatin/auristatin payloads. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2646. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2646
Building resilient low-diameter peer-to-peer topologies

As more applications rely on underlying peer-to-peer topologies, the need for efficient and resilient infrastructure has become more pressing. A number of important classes of topologies have emerged over the last several years, all with various strengths and weaknesses. For example, the popular structured peer-to-peer topologies based on distributed hash tables (DHTs) offer applications assured performance, but are not resilient to attacks and major disruptions that are likely in the overlay. In contrast, unstructured topologies where nodes create random connections among themselves on-the-fly, are resilient to attacks but can not offer performance assurances because they often create overlays with large diameters, making some nodes practically unreachable. We propose Phenix, a peer-to-peer algorithm for building resilient low-diameter peer-to-peer topologies that can resist different types of organized and targeted malicious behavior. Phenix leverages the strengths of these existing approaches without inheriting their weaknesses and is capable of building topologies of nodes that follow a power-law while being fully distributed requiring no central server, thus, eliminating the possibility of a single point of failure in the system. We present the design and evaluation of the algorithm and show through extensive analysis, simulation, and experimental results obtained from an implementation on the PlanetLab testbed that Phenix is robust to network dynamics such as bootstrapping mechanisms, joins/leaves, node failure and large-scale network attacks, while maintaining low overhead when implemented in an experimental network.
Strongly gliding harmonic tremor during the 2009 eruption of Redoubt Volcano

Abstract During the 2009 eruption of Redoubt Volcano, Alaska, gliding harmonic tremor occurred prominently before six nearly consecutive explosions during the second half of the eruptive sequence. The fundamental frequency repeatedly glided upward from
The fourth-generation cephalosporins: Antimicrobial activity and spectrum definitions using cefpirome as an example

Summary The antimicrobial activity of cefpirome against routine clinical isolates and those organisms resistant to a “third-generation” cephalosporin was highly consistent within a nation (US.) and among various countries. It demonstrated reasonable activity against ceftazidime-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and excellent activity against staphylococci while maintaining usable potency against P. aeruginosa (MIC 50 , 4 μg/ml). 12 The association of relative stability to Bush group 1 β-lactamases, lower enzyme affinity, and increased penetration through the bacterial outer membrane appears to be responsible for the higher activity of “fourth-generation” cephalosporins against aerobic Gram-negative bacteria. 5,8,16,23,25,28 In addition, cefpirome has achieved a more balanced spectrum, with activity against important contemporary Grampositive cocci, a potency comparable to that of a “first-generation cephalosporin. 2,27,30 Its in vitro activity against oxacillin-resistant staphylococci could be explained by a higher affinity for the staphylococcal PBPs, including PBP2a, 27 however, the clinical significance of this finding has yet to be demonstrated. “Fourth-generation” compounds such as cefpirome have more limited activity against Gram-negative anaerobic bacilli 15 compared to the “third-generation” compounds. In vitro studies have shown that cefpirome has potent activity against Enterobacteriaceae and staphylococci strains resistant to the “third-generation” cephalosporin, ceftazidime. Moreover, pharmacokinetics studies in healthy volunteers showed encouraging results allowing for twice daily dosing. 24 Further in vitro and in vivo investigations should be performed to determine the role of this and other similar compounds in the treatment of infections caused by these multiresistant bacteria. Combination chemotherapy with aminoglycosides or glycopeptides or metronidazole maybe required to eradicate some emerging clinical pathogens.
Effect of stress on the lüders band velocity in low carbon steels

Abstract The Luders band propagation rate ṡL in low carbon steel can be considered to obey the relation s L = s 0 exp − [ H(τ ∗ kT ] were ṡ is approximately a constant and H(τ∗) is the activation energy of the process, which is a decreasing function of the effective stress τ∗ given by the difference between the applied stress and the long-range internal stress. On the basis of this relationship available data on the effect of stress on Luders band velocity are correlated. The fact that the activation volume derived from this correlation is independent of structure and is the same as that for dislocation mobility and other deformation phenomena in iron and steel suggests that the rate controlling mechanism is thermally-activated overcoming of the Peierls-Nabarro stress.
Selective and indirect modulation of human multipotential and erythroid hematopoietic progenitor cell proliferation by recombinant human activin and inhibin

Activin and inhibin are biomolecules that, respectively, enhance and suppress the release of follicle-stimulating hormone from pituitary cells in vitro. Purified recombinant human (rhu) activin A and inhibin A were assessed for their effects on colony formation in vitro by human multipotential (CFU-GEMM), erythroid (BFU-E), and granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) progenitor cells. It was found that (i) rhu-activin A enhances colony formation by normal bone marrow erythroid and multipotential progenitor cells; (ii) purified rhu-inhibin A decreases activin, but not rhu-interleukin 3, rhu-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, or rhu-interleukin 4, enhancement of erythropoietin-stimulated colony formation by erythroid and multipotential progenitor cells; (iii) modulatory actions of rhu-activin and rhu-inhibin are mediated through monocytes and T lymphocytes within the marrow; (iv) actions are apparent in the absence or presence of serum; and (v) rhu-activin and rhu-inhibin have no effect on colony formation by granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells. This defines an indirect mode of action and a specificity for activin and inhibin on multipotential and erythroid progenitor cells.
Large Cystocele With Spontaneous Vesicovaginal Fistula

Vesicovaginal fistulae (VVF) caused by cystoceles are very rare. To date, there are no documented cases in English literature. A 77-year-old woman presented with near total incontinence. On physical examination, she was found to have severe vaginal atrophy and pressure necrosis of the anterior vaginal wall, which caused partial thickness erosion and breakdown of the mucosa. A fistula had formed but there was no obvious full thickness necrosis. She underwent a combined vesicovaginal fistula repair with pubovaginal sling.
ER Stress and Apoptosis: A New Mechanism for Retinal Cell Death

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the primary subcellular organelle where proteins are synthesized and folded. When the homeostasis of the ER is disturbed, unfolded or misfolded proteins accumulate in the ER lumen, resulting in ER stress. In response to ER stress, cells activate a set of tightly controlled regulatory programs, known as the unfolded protein response (UPR), to restore the normal function of the ER. However, if ER stress is sustained and the adaptive UPR fails to eliminate unfolded/misfolded proteins, apoptosis will occur to remove the stressed cells. In recent years, a large body of studies has shown that ER stress-induced apoptosis is implicated in numerous human diseases, such as diabetes and neurogenerative diseases. Moreover, emerging evidence supports a role of ER stress in retinal apoptosis and cell death in blinding disorders such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. In the present review, we summarize recent progress on ER stress and apoptosis in retinal diseases, focusing on various proapoptotic and antiapoptotic pathways that are activated by the UPR, and discuss how these pathways contribute to ER stress-induced apoptosis in retinal cells.
Influence of solid loading and particle size distribution on the porosity development of green alumina ceramic mouldings

Abstract Alumina ceramic mouldings with different solid contents ranging from 55 to 70 vol% and different ratios of coarse/fine powders, i.e. 0.4 μm (fine) and 3 μm (coarse), respectively, were prepared by compression moulding at 75 °C under a compressive stress of 10 MPa. The porous parameters, such as porosity, pore size and pore size distribution, of the green compacts were evaluated after removal of organic vehicles. Experimental evidence showed that the green density, as well as the sintered density, of the moulded alumina increased linearly with increased solid loading to an optimum of 65 vol% and decreased roughly linearly with increased coarse/fine ratio. Further increase in solid loading reduced particle packing efficiency, resulting in lower green and fired densities. No considerable improvement in green and sintered density of the moulded alumina was achieved by adjusting the coarse/fine ratio, which is due to the fact that coarse particles suppress the driving force of densification. The green compacts generally showed a bimodal pore size distribution character which may be the most important factor in dominating the densification of the powder compacts. The peak frequency at larger pore region is approximately 20–35 μm in diameter and at the smaller pore region is ~50–95 nm in diameter. The larger pores are believed to be due to the presence of internal voids originating from entrapped gas and are probably caused by the removal of organic vehicles.
Efficacy of a culturally congruent HIV risk-reduction intervention for behaviorally bisexual black men: Results of a randomized trial

Author(s): Harawa, Nina T; Williams, John K; McCuller, WJ; Ramamurthi, Hema C; Lee, Martin; Shapiro, Martin F; Norris, Keith C; Cunningham, William E | Abstract: ObjectivesBlack men who have sex with men and women (MSMW) experience high HIV rates and may not respond to interventions targeting gay-identified men. We tested the efficacy of the Men of African American Legacy Empowering Self (MAALES), a multisession, small-group holistically framed intervention designed to build skills, address sociocultural issues, and reduce risk behaviors in black MSMW.DesignFrom 2007 to 2011, we enrolled 437 black MSMW into a parallel randomized controlled trial that compared MAALES to the control condition, a single, individualized HIV risk-reduction session.MethodsParticipants completed surveys at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months postintervention. We used multiple regressions to compare risk behaviors at follow-up between the intervention and control groups while adjusting for baseline risk behaviors, time between assessments, other covariates, and clustering. We used inverse probability weighting (IPW) to adjust for loss-to-follow-up while carrying out these regressions with the 291 (76.4%) randomized participants who completed at least one follow-up.ResultsParticipants were largely low-income (55% reported monthly incomes l$1000); nearly half had previously tested HIV positive. At 6 months of follow-up, unadjusted within-group analyses demonstrated reduced risk behaviors for the MAALES but not the control group. Adjusted results indicated significant intervention-associated reductions in the numbers of total anal or vaginal sex acts [risk ratio = 0.61; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.49–0.76], unprotected sex acts with women (risk ratio = 0.50; 95% CI 0.37–0.66), and female partners (risk ratio = 0.56; 95% CI 0.44–0.72). Near significant reductions were observed for number of male intercourse partners.ConclusionThe MAALES intervention was efficacious at reducing HIV risk behaviors in black MSMW.
Determination of log D via Automated Microfluidic Liquid−Liquid Extraction

A method for log D (pH 7.4) measurement was developed using microfluidic liquid-liquid extraction. Values were determined for 26 compounds and compared to results obtained via shake-flask methods. Excellent correlation between the values obtained via both methods was achieved (R(2) = 0.994). The developed methodology is amenable to automation, enabling high-throughput determination of large compound collections.
FROG characterization of complex SLM-shaped amplified waveforms

Summary form only given.Experiments on optical coherent control of physical systems necessarily require precise control over the amplitude and phase of the intense electric fields. Equally important are the robust measurements of these characteristics. The former is most generally done with Fourier-domain pulse shaping while the latter is made possible by techniques such as frequency resolved optical gating (FROG). We describe a single shot second harmonic generation FROG characterization of the complex femtosecond pulses shaped by the liquid crystal spatial light modulator and subsequently amplified to 1 mJ in a multipass Ti:sapphire amplifier system.
Regulation of olfactory neurogenesis by amidated neuropeptides

The existence of stem cells in the CNS raises issues concerning the ability of nervous tissues to regenerate in the adult mammal and provides new perspectives on the treatment of degenerative disease and traumatic injury of the nervous system. These cells have a relatively limited range of locations within the nervous system and include cells of the rostral migratory stream, hippocampus, retina, and olfactory epithelium. The olfactory epithelium has been studied as a model of adult neuronal regeneration, with neuronal precursor/basal cells serving as the olfactory "stem cells." The identification of factors that promote neuronal proliferation or regeneration within the olfactory epithelium can provide clues to the process of adult mammalian nervous system repair and treatment. Multiple factors have been examined that appear to influence the proliferation and subsequent maturation of basal cells. These factors include nerve growth factor, fibroblast growth factor-2, epidermal growth factor, and insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1. Recently, two amidated neuropeptides, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP38), identified in the olfactory epithelium have been shown to promote dramatically neuronal proliferation. The effects of NPY and PACAP suggest that amidated neuropeptides may serve a broad developmental and regenerative role in the mammalian olfactory epithelium.
Effect of L-thyroxine on serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity in sheep

SUMMARY 1. The effect of l-thyroxine on serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity using a sheep model was examined. 2. Following two weeks of l-thyroxine treatment, the activity of serum angiotensin converting enzyme was increased from 6.92 U/ml to 8.65 U/ml (s.e.m. = 0.40, n= 13, P<0.01). 3. Discontinuation of l-thyroxine treatment resulted in lowering the activity of serum angiotensin converting enzyme within three weeks to values close to those observed during the control period. 4. It was concluded that l-thyroxine modulates serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity. The sheep is an appropriate animal model for the study of the factors that control serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity.
Gender differences in kindergarteners’ robotics and programming achievement

Early childhood is a critical period for introducing girls to traditionally masculine fields of science and technology before more extreme gender stereotypes surface in later years. This study looks at the TangibleK Robotics Program in order to determine whether kindergarten boys and girls were equally successful in a series of building and programming tasks. The TangibleK Program consisted of a six lesson robotics and programming curriculum that was implemented in three different kindergarten classrooms (N = 53 students). Although previous research has found that males outperform females in robotics and programming related fields, it was hypothesized that the young age of participants and their limited cultural indoctrination regarding gender stereotypes would allow boys and girls to have equal success in this program. Although boys had a higher mean score than girls on more than half of the tasks, very few of these differences were statistically significant. Boys scored significantly higher than girls only in two areas: properly attaching robotic materials, and programming using Ifs. Overall, both boys and girls were able to successfully complete the program.
Kinetics of the formation of trace amount of tetrafluoroboric acid

Abstract The rate constants for the formation of trace amount of tetrafluoroboric acid using nonstoichiometric amounts of boric acid and hydrofluoric acid have been measured at several temperatures. It was observed that the rate constants at a given temperature using the same hydrofluoric acid to boric acid ratio are much higher in the presence of sulfuric acid than those measured in its absence in the reaction mixture. In the range 0 to 7·5 × 10−2 M H2SO4 the observed rate constant was found to be proportional to the hydrogen ion concentration raised to about three-tenth power. A mechanism for the catalysed reaction is proposed. The values for the activation energy, ΔH‡ and ΔS‡ for the reaction carried out in the presence and absence of H2SO4 have also been computed. With a 2500 fold hydrofluoric acid over boric acid the reaction could be brought to equilibrium in about 30 min provided it is carried out at 60°C or more and in the presence of sulfuric acid.
The mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis (mtFASII) pathway is capable of mediating nuclear-mitochondrial cross talk through the PPAR system of transcriptional activation

Mammalian cells contain two fatty acid synthesis pathways, the cytosolic FASI pathway, and the mitochondrial FASII pathway. The selection behind the conservation of the mitochondrial pathway is not completely understood, given the presence of the cytosolic FAS pathway. In this study, we show through heterologous gene reporter systems and PCR-based arrays that overexpression of MECR, the last step in the mtFASII pathway, causes modulation of gene expression through the PPAR pathway. Electromobility shift assays (EMSAs) demonstrate that overexpression of MECR causes increased binding of PPARs to DNA, while cell fractionation and imaging studies show that MECR remains localized to the mitochondria. Interestingly, knock down of the mtFASII pathway lessens the effect of MECR on this transcriptional modulation. Our data are most consistent with MECR-mediated transcriptional activation through products of the mtFASII pathway, although we cannot rule out MECR acting as a coactivator. Further investigation into the physiological relevance of this communication will be necessary to better understand some of the phenotypic consequences of deficits in this pathway observed in animal models and human disease.
Sample-dimension effects in the sorption of solvents in polymers — a mathematical model

Abstract It has recently been reported in the literature that, given a polymer-solvent pair, different sorption behaviors are observed according to the size of the sample. A mathematical model is developed for the coupled swelling-diffusion phenomenon in the polymer sample, which allows the prediction of such sample-dimension effects. Five different kinds of behavior are predicted for a given polymer-solvent pair, and the corresponding size bounds are related to the relevant physicochemical properties of the system. Comparison with a large body of literature data is satisfactory.
Testing the contrarian investment strategy using holding period returns

Reviews previous research on contrarian investment strategy (i.e. buying “losers” and selling “winners”) and analyses the results of applying the strategy to US stocks 1928‐1992. Explains the methodology and presents the results, which show no statistically significant holding period returns from the strategy, although selling the “winners” is significant. Considers the implications and limitations of the study and calls for further research.
Fabrication of film heads with high moment materials

The need for film heads made with high moment magnetic materials stems from the desire to write high coercivity recording media, which provide short transition zones between magnetized regions, enabling high recording densities. A high magnetic moment delays saturation near the gap edges and an associated broadening of the head's writing field. Many different high moment film materials are under consideration. These include high moment permalloy films (Ni45Fe55), amorphous cobalt-based films (CoZrTa, CoZrRe), and iron-based films (Fe(N), FeAlN). The advantages and disadvantages of each of these materials will be reviewed in terms of manufacturing deposition techniques and important magnetic and non-magnetic properties, such as hardness and wear. Manufacturing problems include the need to maintain properties while depositing films on sloping head surfaces and to control the head's trackwidth dimension to submicron tolerances.
Larval and pupal induction and N-terminal amino acid sequence of lysozyme from Heliothis virescens.

Fifth instar larvae and prepupae of Heliothis virescens (tobacco budworm) were injected with live Enterobacter cloacae and bled at different times after vaccination. Immune pupal hemolymph showed a 54 times increase in lysozyme activity when compared with normal larval hemolymph, and an 11 times increase of lysozyme activity when compared with immune larval hemolymph. Lysozyme activity of the normal pupal hemolymph increased as greatly as did lysozyme activity of the immune larval hemolymph after metamorphosis. The pupal immune response with regard to lysozyme was much greater than the larval immune response in H. virescens. Lysozyme was purified by heat treatment at 100°C and a chromatography series that included reverse-phase HPLC. The molecular mass of H. virescens lysozyme was approximately 16 kDa by SDS–PAGE which is greater than other insect lysozymes and chicken lysozyme. Amino acid sequence of the N-terminus showed that H. virescens lysozyme is 82% homologous with lysozyme of Manduca sexta and Galleria mellonella. CNBr cleavage of H. virescens lysozyme produced 11 and 6 kDa peptide fragments indicating that one methionine was present, which was also supported by amino acid analysis. However, methionine was located at the carboxyl terminal side rather than the N-terminal side as judged by the N-terminal sequences of each peptide fragment. The residue 22 in most lepidopteran lysozymes is methionine, whereas H. virescens lysozyme had a leucine at residue 22. There was an amino acid deletion near the carboxyl terminal side of H. virescens lysozyme as also found in Trichoplusia ni.
Electromigration and reliability in submicron metallization and multilevel interconnection

Abstract There are increasing reliability concerns of electromigration-induced and thermal stress-induced failures in submicron interconnects and in multilevel interconnection with W studs. The electromigration characteristics of Al and Al-Cu submicron lines, two-level Al-Cu lines with W studs, Al fine lines under pulsed current stressing at high frequencies, and Al and Al-Cu fine lines under temperature cycling have been systematically studied. Lifetime is affected by grain size, grain morphology and bend structure in submicron metal lines. The lifetime of W stud chains is less than a half of that of Al-Cu flat lines. The discontinuity of the supply of Cu at Al-Cu/ W interfaces accounts for most of the reduction in the electromigration resistance of W stud chains. Under pulsed current stressing at frequencies 50–200 MHz, our data indicate no drastic change in lifetime within this frequency range. However, lifetime increases with duty cycle as t50αr−2.7, which is a remarkable improvement over an average current density model. Lifetime also depends explicitly on both current-on time and current-off period. The extra thermal stress induced by temperature cycling shortens the lifetime of both Al and Al-Cu fine lines by more than an order of magnitude. Our results also show that the addition of Cu in Al fine lines improves the resistance to thermal stress-induced failures, probably by the suppression of grain boundary sliding and migration.
Lord of the Auspicious Conjunction: Origins of the Sāhib-Qirān

This paper seeks to look at the origins, employment, and claims associated with the title sāhib-qirān. Occurring throughout the mediaeval to modern period, with special prominence during the early modern, the title underwent various transformations within particular polities and beyond. While any discussion of the sāhib-qirān must give significant place to the life and career of Timur, the title is far older than the Central Asian conqueror. As is shown, roots of the title and its historical background suggest a pre-Islamic Iranian origin, particularly traced in Pahlavi literature.
Labor education as a method of enhancing employee rights and responsibilities

University-based labor education programs conduct classes designed to provide union members with the skills necessary to perform their organizational and civic responsibilities and to provide union members with opportunities for personal growth and development. In conducting these programs, university labor educators enhance the protection of employee rights and the fulfillment of employee responsibilities. This article describes the manner in which labor education enhances collective and individual rights and responsibilities within unions, vis-a-vis employers and within the larger society.
MATHEMATICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE STERILE MALE PRINCIPLE

A model is presented which describes the effect of sterile male release on a wild population. This model is not subject to restrictions, such as equal competitiveness between normal and sterile males and sperm nor to insect species whose females mate only once. The model is an approximation as it assumes constancy in several dynamic population variables. However, it has application in determining the approximate effects of sterile male release and in decisions on the number of sterile males required for release programs. It also has uses in ecological research.
Low-density lipoprotein-related receptor protein 1 (LRP-1) is not required for insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) to suppress L6 myogenic cell proliferation

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) suppresses proliferation of numerous cell types, including myogenic cells, via both insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-dependent and IGF-independent mechanisms; however, the mechanism of IGF-independent suppression of proliferation is not clearly defined. In nonmuscle cells, binding of IGFBP-3 to the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP-1)/activated α(2)M receptor is reportedly required for IGFBP-3 to inhibit proliferation. These findings suggest that binding to this receptor also may be required for IGFBP-3 to suppress proliferation of cultured myogenic cells. To investigate the role of the LRP-1 receptor in suppression of myogenic cell proliferation by IGFBP-3, we have examined the effect of receptor-associated protein, an LRP-1 receptor antagonist, on recombinant porcine (rp)IGFBP-3 inhibition of L6 myogenic cell proliferation. Treatment with receptor-associated protein results in a 37% decrease (P < 0.05) in the ability of rpIGFBP-3 to inhibit L6-cell proliferation. In L6 cells subjected to LRP-1 small interfering RNA treatment for 48 h (LRP-1 silenced), LRP-1 mRNA levels were reduced by greater than 80% compared with control cultures treated with nonsense small interfering RNA (mock silenced). In addition, the 85-kDa transmembrane subunit of LRP-1 was undetectable in Western immunoblots of total protein lysates from LRP-1-silenced cells. Even though LRP-1 mRNA and protein levels were dramatically reduced in LRP-1-silenced L6 cells compared with mock-silenced controls, rpIGFPB-3 suppressed proliferation rate to the same extent in both LRP-1-silenced and mock-silenced cultures. Our results strongly suggest that, in contrast to data obtained for nonmuscle cell lines, the LRP-1 receptor is not required for IGFBP-3 to suppress proliferation of L6 myogenic cells.
Monitoring Structural Changes of Proteins in an Ion Trap over ∼10−200 ms: Unfolding Transitions in Cytochrome c Ions

A new technique for studying the time dependence of conformational changes of gas-phase protein ions is described. In this approach, a short pulse of electrosprayed protein ions is introduced into an ion trap and stored. After a defined time period, the distribution of ions is ejected from the trap into an ion mobility/time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Combined measurements of mobilities and flight times in the mass spectrometer provide information about the abundances of different conformer types and charge-state distributions. By varying the storage time in the trap, it is possible to monitor changes in ion conformation that occur over extended time periods (∼10−200 ms). The method is demonstrated by examining changes in cytochrome c ion conformations for the +7 to +10 charge states.
Trending Now—Reference Librarians: How Reference Librarians Work to Prevent Library Anxiety

ABSTRACT Reference librarians are tasked with teaching patrons how to access a variety of library materials. With the advent of electronic access to various resources, another worthwhile task has emerged: preventing library user anxiety. In an attempt to provide background on library anxiety a review of the current literature on the issue is offered. Emphasis is placed on the various services that are continuously developed as well as the many trends reference departments pursue, implement, and improve to ensure that fewer users experience overwhelming and anxious feelings when using the library.
Screening children for sickle cell vasculopathy: guidelines for transcranial Doppler evaluation

Cerebral infarction is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children with sickle cell disease. Prevention of primary stroke might be feasible with a way to identify children at greatest risk. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) has been shown to be a noninvasive, reliable, inexpensive method of identifying children at highest risk for cerebral infarction. The pros and cons of imaging and non-imaging TCD techniques are discussed. The protocol for the stroke prevention trial in sickle cell anemia (STOP), including data acquisition and interpretation, is reviewed. Providing TCD to sickle cell patients can be a valuable service that results in a significant decrease in first stroke rates.
Development of a Generalized Born Model Parametrization for Proteins and Nucleic Acids

The generalized Born model proposed by Still and co-workers (Qui, D.; Shenkin, P. S.; Hollinger, F. P.; Still, W. C. J. Phys. Chem. A 1997, 101, 3005−3014) is parametrized specifically for proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids within the CHARMM all hydrogen and polar hydrogen force fields. A database of atomic electrostatic environments and molecular electrostatic solvation free energies comprising amino acid residues, nucleic acid bases, dipeptides, dinucleotides, proteins, and DNA strands is established, and numerical finite difference Poisson calculations are solved using atomic radii and charges from the corresponding force field parameters. These data provide the necessary input to parametrize generalized Born models for a particular force field. The performance of these models in reproducing overall molecular solvation trends is examined and found to be quite good. Furthermore, calculations of electrostatic solvation free energy differences suggest that conformational free energy changes are well re...
Evolution of recrystallization and recrystallization texture in continuous-cast AA 3015 aluminum alloy

The evolution of recrystallization and recrystallization texture during annealing after cold rolling of a continuous-cast (CC) AA 3015 aluminum alloy with and without pretreatment was investigated in detail. It was found that the preheat treatment prior to cold rolling significantly affected the recrystallization kinetics, the shape and size of recrystallized grains, and the resulting texture of the CC AA 3015 aluminum alloy. In the case of the alloy without pretreatment, annealing at low temperatures resulted in coarse elongated recrystallized grains and a very strong P texture. As the annealing temperature increased, the size of the recrystallized grains dramatically decreased, the recrystallized grains became equiaxed, and the strength of the P texture decreased. The transition behavior could be attributed to the effect of Zener-particle pinning caused by concurrent precipitation. In contrast, the recrystallization texture of the CC AA 3015 aluminum alloy with pretreatment was characterized by a major cube component and a minor R component, and the annealing temperature did not affect the recrystallization texture. Moreover, concurrent precipitation retarded markedly the recrystallization of the CC AA 3015 aluminum alloy, decreased the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov (JMAK) exponent from 2.0 to 0.5, and increased the activation energy for recrystallization from 225 to 539 kJ/mol.
On-line FORTRAN for the PDP

Generally, writing programs for most small data acquisition computers is difficult and time consuming. In part, this has been due to the unavailablity of interpretive languages, since they have been unusable when many special input-output operations are needed. Recent changes in the PDP-8 family FORTRAN compiler permit such experiments now to be written in FORTRAN, at a great saving of programming and debugging time, while gaining substantial power in terms of logical control. A typical experiment is described in some detail, with an event-time flowchart of its operation. A flowchart of a FOR TRAN program and the program itself are presented to illustrate how the system accomplishes tasks necessary for the design. A brief description is given of the interface components needed for the experiment. Both the specific program described and the concepts illustrated are applicable to other experimental paradigms.
The choice between resale price maintenance and exclusive territories: Evidence from litigation

A manufacturer's choice between resale price maintenance (RPM) and exclusive territories to protect dealer provided services is examined empirically. The relative efficacy of RPM in solving the free rider problem depends on the life cycle of the product being distributed. A manufacturer of a product with a long life cycle is more likely to protect its dealers' investment in service with exclusive territories, whereas RPM becomes the more probable restraint for products of short life spans. Data gleaned from vertical restraint litigation strongly support this hypothesis.
A MULTIENZYME TECHNIQUE FOR ESTIMATING PROTEIN DIGESTIBILITY

An in vitro method using a multienzyme system for the estimation of protein digestibility has been developed. The multienzyme system consists of trypsin, chymotrypsin and peptidase. It was found that the pH of a protein suspension immediately after 10 min digestion with the multienzyme solution was highly correlated with the in vivo apparent digestibility of rats. Regression analyses of 23 samples tested showed that the correlation coefficient between pH at 10 min and in vivo apparent digestibility was 0.90 with a standard error of estimate of 2.23. The regression equation was Y = 210.464 - 18.103, where “X” was the pH of protein suspension immediately after the 10 min digestion with the multienzyme solution. The most significant advantage of this in vitro method for predicting apparent protein digestibility was that it can be completed within 1 hr and with a high degree sensitivity. The method can detect the effects of trypsin inhibitor, chlorogenic acid, and heat treatment on protein digestibility. Strong buffer salts may affect the measurement of protein digestibility, but the buffering effects found in general food proteins and products tested did not create any problem with the procedure.
The asymptotic distribution of the likelihood ratio criterion for testing rank in multivariate components of variance

Abstract In the balanced multivariate components of variance the likelihood ratio criterion depends on the roots of a determinantal equation involving the “between” and “within” matric sums of squares. The limiting distribution of −2 times the logarithm of the criterion is characterized; it is not a χ 2 -distribution.
An accurate elementary mathematical library for the IEEE floating point standard

The algorithms used by the IBM Israel Scientific Center for the elementary mathematical library using the IEEE standard for binary floating point arithmetic are described. The algorithms are based on the “accurate tables method.” This methodology achieves high performance and produces very accurate results. It overcomes one of the main problems encountered in elementary mathematical functions computations: achieving last bit accuracy. The results obtained are correctly rounded for almost all arguement values.Our main idea in the accurate tables method is to use “nonstandard tables,” which are different from the natural tables of equally spaced points in which the rounding error prevents obtaining last bit accuracy. In order to achieve a small error we use the following idea: Perturb the original, equally spaced, points in such a way that the table value (or tables values in case we need several tables) will be very close to numbers which can be exactly represented by the computer (much closer than the usual double percision representation). Thus we were able to control the error introduced by the computer representation of real numbers and extended the accuracy without actually using extended precision arithmetic.
Current distribution in the cathode area of an arcjet

A theoretical model of the electrode phenomena, leading to the computation of the current density distributions, arc spot temperature, spot size, sheath voltage, ablation velocity, and ablation rates, is put forward. Computations for an atmospheric arc, at load currents ranging from 800 to 3000 A, in 1) one segment, and 2) four segment electrode configurations, are conducted. Spot size seems to vary linearly with load current, ranging from 1.82 to 3.22 mm for a rotating arcfoot, as the load current is varied from 800 to 3000 A. Even with arcfoot rotation, spot temperatures are high enough to cause ablation of the electrode material. Computations for P = 50 atm and / = 6000 A reveal that arc rotation is even more essential in order to save the excessive material ablation. In order to achieve an acceptable level of material ablation at P — 50 atm and / = 6000 A, a rotational frequency of 300-400 Hz needs to be achieved.
Sound production in Scolytidae: Female sonic stimulus of male pheromone release in two Dendroctonus beetles

The hypothesis that female sonic stimulus may evoke male pheromone release in a behavioural interaction analogous to the known male sonic stimulus of female pheromone release, was confirmed in Dendroctonus pseudotsugae, and also in D. brevicomis. In both species known male-produced substances collected from males stimulated by recorded female stridulation were identified by coupled gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. In a second test with D. pseudotsugae, male pheromone release during recorded female stridulation was evident in the change of male stridulation from the simple attractant chirp to the interrupted chirp, which is known to result from a medium concentration of 3,2-MCH. Also, the D. pseudotsugae male attractant chirp was synthesised with an electronic pulse generator and used to evoke pheromone release. It is concluded that the antiaggregative pheromone of this species is released by each sex at the sonic stimulus of the other sex.
Real-time energy management control for hybrid electric powertrains

This paper focuses on embedded control of a hybrid powertrain concepts for mobile vehicle applications. Optimal robust control approach is used to develop a real-time energy management strategy. The main idea is to store the normally wasted mechanical regenerative energy in energy storage devices for later usage. The regenerative energy recovery opportunity exists in any condition where the speed of motion is in the opposite direction to the applied force or torque. This is the case when the vehicle is braking, decelerating, the motion is driven by gravitational force, or load driven. There are three main concepts for energy storing devices in hybrid vehicles: electric, hydraulic, and mechanical (flywheel). The real-time control challenge is to balance the system power demands from the engine and the hybrid storage device, without depleting the energy storage device or stalling the engine in any work cycle. In the worst-case scenario, only the engine is used and the hybrid system is completely disabled. A rule-based control algorithmis developed and is tuned for different work cycles and could be linked to a gain scheduling algorithm. A gain scheduling algorithm identifies the cycle being performed by the work machine and its position via GPS and maps both of them to the gains.
DEFA Märchenfilme zur Vermittlung von Deutsch als Fremdsprache

Seit langem werden Marchen von Deutschlehrern als beliebtes Zusatzmaterial im Unterricht genutzt. Wenigen Lehrern in den USA ist bekannt, dass die (ost-) Deutsche Film-Aktiengesellschaft (DEFA) zwischen 1946 und 1990 uber 40 Marchenfilme fur Kinder und Erwachsene produzierte. Dieser Beitrag stellt eine Reihe von 23 DEFA Marchenfilmen vor, die inzwischen auf DVD erschienen sind; er diskutiert das Potential der Marchenfilm DVDs fur den DaF Unterricht auf der Anfanger- und Mittelstufe an Schulen und Universitaten und zeigt einige Moglichkeiten auf, wie die Filme im Deutschunterricht genutzt werden konnen.
Effects of edta on the antimicrobial properties of mixtures of cutting fluid preservatives part II

Abstract Seven cutting fluid preservatives were studied in all possible 50-50 combinations with and without the presence of edta. In the absence of the chelating agent, a 50-50 mixture containing Dowicil 75 and Proxel CRL exhibited the greatest potentiation in both products. In the presence of edta, Dowicil 75 plus Proxel CRL and Dowicide A plus Tris Nitro were found to show the greatest potentiation. From the industrial use standpoint, it appears that the most practical combination would be an individual preservative plus edta