cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrochemical mass spectrometric study of 2-methyl-propane adsorbates formed at platinum in phosphoric acid at 105 °C

Electrochemical mass spectrometry was used to study the adsorbates formed from 2-methyl propane in 85% phosphoric acid at 105 °C at platinum. The adsorbates backbone progressively goes stepwise from four carbons to one carbon, with some overlap as the potential becomes more positive. Carbon dioxide production is at its maximum when the electrode adsorbates consist primarily of four and three carbon adsorbates. 2-Methyl propane is quantitatively oxidized to carbon dioxide and water.
Nutrients Intakes on Weekdays Compared to Weekends of Home Delivered Meal Recipients

Abstract Sixty out of 101 elderly participants in a home delivered meal program were randomly chosen to provide nutrient intake information. After obtaining verbal informed consent the researcher conducted 24-hour recalls on each participant for three weekdays and two weekend days. Food Processor II software provided nutrient composition data for calories, protein, carbohydrate, fat, cholesterol, sodium, vitamins A, D, E, C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, B6, B,2, folate, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and zinc. Weekend nutrient intakes of these subjects were significantly less (p While home delivered meals alone did not meet all nutritional needs, provision of one noon meal on weekdays to these home bound elderly improved their nutrient intakes significantly (p
Microstructural study of a high-strength stress-corrosion resistant 7075 aluminium alloy

A heat-treatment procedure providing for enhanced stress-corrosion cracking resistance without any sacrifice of yield strength in 7075 aluminium alloy is investigated using transmission electron microscopy. It is suggested that the heat treatment (known as retrogression and re-ageing) provides for large grain-boundary precipitates and coherent matrix precipitates. The latter provides for the high strength levels while the grainboundary precipitates provide for enhanced stress-corrosion cracking resistance. A hydrogen embrittlement mechanism of stress-corrosion cracking is assigned to this alloy system.
Anisotropic hydrogel thickness gradient films derivatized to yield three-dimensional composite materials.

We report the preparation of in-plane density gradients of amino-terminated molecules and gold particles through derivatization of laterally varying thickness gradients of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) or poly(acrylamide) (PAAm) films. PAA and PAAm gradients were formed by Zn(II)-catalyzed electropolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) or acrylamide (AAm) in the presence of an in-plane electrochemical potential gradient applied to Au or indium−tin−oxide (ITO) working electrodes. PAA thickness gradients were converted into density gradients of fluorocarbons or biocompatible groups by derivatizing with NH2CH2(CF2)6CF3 or an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-containing peptide, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and XPS imaging were used to characterize the modified PAA gradients. Transition regions as narrow as 104 μm were achieved for fluorocarbon gradients. PAAm gradients were treated with gold particles to form a density gradient of gold particles. Surface plasmon resonance imaging and scanning electron microsc...
A MEMS Active Cooling Substrate for Microelectronics Thermal Management

Thermal management of electronic systems is of increasing concern as densities and power consumption increase. Typical thermal management solutions are modular in nature; e.g., a heat sink and/or fan area added to a heat-producing part. In this work, an integrated solution, the active cooling substrate (ACS) is proposed, in which the cooling functionality is included in the printed wiring board alongside the electrical wiring. The mechanism for cooling is the use of synthetic jets embedded in the substrate. The utility of the active cooling substrate is demonstrated through quantitative measurements of thermal performance of instrumented platinum heater testbeds. Thermal management is enhanced through the additional heat convection mode introduced by the embedded synthetic jets in the active cooling substrate.© 2003 ASME
Creating the 24-Hour Knowledge Factory

The 24-Hour Knowledge Factory concept involves separate and distinct global operating centers that facilitate the transfer of information from one work location to another, thus allowing for continuous operation. This paper elaborates on this concept and discusses relevant current industry practices and technologies with respect to the implementation and commercial deployment of the 24-Hour Knowledge Factory paradigm.
Computationally efficient methods for two multivariate fractionally integrated models

Abstract. We discuss two distinct multivariate time-series models that extend the univariate ARFIMA (autoregressive fractionally integrated moving average) model. We discuss the different implications of the two models and describe an extension to fractional cointegration. We describe algorithms for computing the covariances of each model, for computing the quadratic form and approximating the determinant for maximum likelihood estimation and for simulating from each model. We compare the speed and accuracy of each algorithm with existing methods individually. Then, we measure the performance of the maximum likelihood estimator and of existing methods in a Monte Carlo. These algorithms are much more computationally efficient than the existing algorithms and are equally accurate, making it feasible to model multivariate long memory time series and to simulate from these models. We use maximum likelihood to fit models to data on goods and services inflation in the United States.
Partial purification and some chemical properties of the sperm chemoattractant from the forcipulate starfish Pycnopodia helianthoides (Brandt, 1835)

The sperm attractant of the forcipulate starfish Pycnopodia helianthoides has been isolated by sea water extraction from ripe ovaries. After concentration and purification by adsorption and desorption using an Amberlite resin followed by gel filtration chromatography, the most active fractions have been further purified by reverse-phase and hydrophobic-interaction chromatography. A relative purification of 2 × 105 was obtained. Exposure of the partially purified attractant to temperature extremes and enzymes reveals that the molecule is heat and freeze-thaw stable and that it is degraded by the proteases trypsin, chymotrypsin, and pronase. Four different procedures used to determine molecular size produce the same estimate of about 12 kD. The attractant is retarded during Sephadex G-25 chromatography and does not run as a tight band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). These results suggest that the sperm attractant of this starfish is a small protein. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Perturbations in rectangular coordinates by iteration.

An investigation has been made on computing orbits with Picard's method of successive approximations. The perturbations are integrated in the form of a general displacement from a fixed Keplerian reference orbit. Several variation-of-parameters methods are obtained for the integration of the displacement equation. These variation-of-parameters methods could be used as special perturbation or general perturbation methods. The present paper investigates the applications as iterative numerical perturbation techniques. Four different formulations are proposed. They have been implemented on a computer with Chebychev series and their respective advantages and disadvantages are analyzed. Connections with other known perturbation methods are also described.
Neutral glycolipid composition of primary human brain tumors

Neutral glycolipids (NGL) were isolated and quantitated in 98 primary human brain tumors; 19 low grade astrocytomas (LGA), 12 anaplastic astrocytomas (AA), 37 high grade astrocytomas (HGA), 18 oligodendroglial tumors, and 12 primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET). In 38 of these, the nature of the hexose in the cerebroside was determined using immunothin-layer chromatographic techniques. Galactosylceramide (GalCer) was the major ceramide monohexoside (CMH), and glucosylcerebroside never comprised more than 6% of this fraction in any tumor type. Furthermore, there was no correlation between the proportion of glucosylcerebroside and histological diagnosis. AA had the most characteristic neutral glycolipid pattern, with high levels of total lipid, total neutral glycolipid, CMH, and ceramide dihexoside (CDH) but low water contents. Consistent with this glycolipid composition is the finding that AA usually had neither ceramide trihexoside (CTH) nor globoside. Oligodendrogliomas were somewhat similar to AA in having high levels of CMH and infrequently having CTH or globoside. However, oligodendrogliomas had low water and total lipid contents. PNET had low levels of total lipid, total NGL, and CMH, but frequently contained CTH and globoside. LGA had high water contents but low levels of total lipid and CMH. HGA tended to have intermediate levels of almost all constituents analyzed, probably reflecting the pronounced cellular heterogeneity of these tumors. The frequent presence of GalCer in astrocytomas raises the possibility that some of these contain a population of cells that are related to the oligodendroglial lineage. However, the low amounts of GalCer and infrequent presence of sulfatide in PNET is consistent with their lack of differentiation toward oligodendrocytes. It will be of interest to determine if the neutral glycolipid patterns reported here will correlate with patient survival and be of prognostic significance.
Granular materials: packing grains by thermal cycling.

Small temperature changes can affect the packing of granular materials without mechanical disturbance.
Microsurgery of the third ventricle: Part 2. Operative approaches

The operative approaches to the 3rd ventricle are divided on the basis of whether they are suitable for reaching the anterior or posterior part of the 3rd ventricle. The approaches suitable for lesions within or compressing the anterior portion of the 3rd ventricle are the trans-sphenoidal, subfrontal, frontotemporal, subtemporal, anterior transcallosal, and anterior transventricular. The approaches suitable for reaching the posterior portion of the 3rd ventricle are the posterior transcallosal, posterior transventricular, occipital transtentorial, and infratentorial supracerebellar. Considerations important in selecting one of these approaches are reviewed.
Effects of Salicylate and Indomethacin on Glycosaminoglycan and Prostaglandin E2 Synthesis in Intact Canine Knee Cartilage Ex Vivo

The effects of salicylate and indomethacin on glycosaminoglycan synthesis by intact articular cartilage were examined ex vivo. Distal femora of normal dogs were transected at the diaphysis and incubated in medium containing sodium salicylate or indomethacin and 35SO4. Uronic acid contents of habitually loaded and habitually unloaded regions of the condyles averaged 4.2% and 3.1% of the tissue dry weight, respectively. Salicylate had no effect on glycosaminoglycan synthesis in cartilage from loaded sites but suppressed synthesis by 18% (P less than 0.01) in cartilage from unloaded sites, while indomethacin had no effect on glycosaminoglycan synthesis in either region. Evidence that the drugs indeed diffused into the cartilage, even when no effects on glycosaminoglycan metabolism were noted, was provided by measurements of prostaglandin E2. At the concentrations used, both indomethacin and salicylate markedly reduced prostaglandin E2 synthesis by the cartilage. In studies with 14C-acetylsalicylic acid or 14C-indomethacin, the concentration of each drug in cartilage was calculated to be about 3 logs lower than that in the culture medium. Furthermore, drug concentrations in cartilage from loaded zones were consistently lower than those in cartilage from unloaded sites.
Performance scripting in cyberspace

For the most part, students entering my course in Writing About Literature - and the world of literary analysis —believe that literary works are dead, inflexible, and univocal. Faced with these recurring attitudes about literature, I discovered that the MOO, a text-based virtual reality, is the ideal environment for a literature course. In the MOO the text remains “alive” while insisting upon its diverse readings. Initially the MOO is used for group discussions about the literature being studied. At semester's end the MOO becomes the site of a group project in which the students enter cyberspace as characters they have created. Here they collaboratively write and perform a script as those characters — an act I call “performance scripting.”
The molecular biology of swinepox virus II. The infectious cycle

Studies based on low-stringency hybridizations of radiolabeled swinepox virus (SPV) DNA to Southern blots containing DNA of representative members of the Orthopoxvirus, Leporipoxvirus, and Avipoxvirus genera and the Entomopoxvirus subfamily have revealed no DNA homology at this level of resolution. Antigenic relatedness between SPV and vaccinia was also analyzed using immunoprecipitations and revealed little if any cross-reactivity. The growth characteristics of SPV in tissue culture were examined by light microscopy and revealed both a delayed and a different cytopathology than that of vaccinia virus. SPV causes foci in pig kidney cells that are not evident until at least 4 days postinfection, whereas vaccinia rapidly generates plaques on these cells. The kinetics of DNA accumulation, protein expression, and RNA transcription of SPV have been examined and indicate that each of these facets of the SPV growth cycle is also considerably delayed when compared to vaccinia virus. Our data indicate that swinepox virus is unique from other poxviruses characterized to date and supports the classification of swinepox virus into a separate genus, Suipoxvirus, within the poxvirus family.
Identification of invasin: A protein that allows enteric bacteria to penetrate cultured mammalian cells

Bacterial strains harboring the Yersinia pseudotuberculosis inv locus were analyzed in order to investigate the mechanism of host cell penetration by an invasive pathogen. The inv locus was found to be necessary for Y. pseudotuberculosis to enter HEp-2 cells and sufficient to convert E. coli into a microorganism able to penetrate cultured cells. Both E. coli and Y. pseudotuberculosis strains harboring inv mutations were defective for entry into HEp-2 cells. Furthermore, molecular clones containing inv, and little additional DNA, converted E. coli into a microorganism that was indistinguishable from the parental Yersinia strain with regard to the entry of cultured cells. Data from in vitro protein synthesis indicated that a 103 kd protein was synthesized from inv, saturating the coding capacity of the locus. The nucleotide sequence shows an open reading frame corresponding to a protein of similar size. This protein, called invasin, is necessary for the microorganisms to penetrate HEp-2 cells, and is compartmentalized on the outer surface of the bacterium.
Artificial neural networks and model-based recognition of three-dimensional objects from two-dimensional images

A computer vision system is developed for 3-D object recognition using artificial neural networks and a model-based top-down feedback analysis approach. This system can adequately address the problems caused by an incomplete edge map provided by a low-level processor for 3-D representation and recognition. The system uses key patterns that are selected using a priority assignment. The highest priority is given to the key pattern with the most connected node and associated features. The features are space invariant structures and sets of orientation for edge primitives. The labeled key features are provided as input to an artificial neural network for matching with model key patterns. A Hopfield-Tank network is appiled to two levels of matching to increase the computational effectiveness. The first matching is to choose the class of the possible model and the second matching is to find the model closest to the candidate. The result of such matchings is utilized in generating the model-driven top-down feedback analysis. This model is then rotated in 3-D space to find the best match with the candidate and to provide the additional features in 3-D. In the case of multiple objects, a dynamic search strategy is adopted to recognize objects using one pattern at a time. This strategy is also useful in recognizing occluded objects. The experimental results are presented to show the capabiilty and effectiveness of the system.
Employee social cognition and performance evaluation process reactions

Purpose – The paper uses social cognitive theory to explore reactions to performance evaluation processes as situated cognitions by examining the relationship between key elements of employees’ schemas about an organizational environment, preparation for evaluation, and these reactions. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Survey of 260 employees of eight organizations in a Midwestern US city. Findings – Job resource adequacy, communication adequacy, coworker relationships, and preparation time are significantly and positively associated with employee reactions to performance evaluation processes. Preparation time moderates the association between organizational context and employee reactions. Research limitations/implications – A social cognitive perspective on performance evaluation broadens the scope of extant research. This study is limited by cross-sectional design but opens the door to future experimental and longitudinal research. Practical implications – Performanc...
The development of recognition of component significance in closed-loop cardiovascular control.

The development of physical or mathematical models offers potentially powerful instruments for understanding interactive mechanics of the circulatory system. Coupled with computer technology, the resultant scientific armamentarium held promise of rapid solutions to complex problems. Expectations have not been fulfilled for several reasons, which are discussed. Lack of information, necessary to achieve realistic model responses, often constrains their applicability. Since complete information, required for all components, may not be available, the importance of representing specific task-significant components is explored. The successful use of this approach is illustrated.
Robust watermarking and compression for medical images based on genetic algorithms

A ROI (region of interest) of a medical image is an area including important information and must be stored without any distortion. In order to achieve optimal compression as well as satisfactory visualization of medical images, we compress the ROI by lossless compression, and the rest by lossy compression. Furthermore, security is an important issue in web-based medical information system. Watermarking skill is often used for protecting medical images. In this paper, we present a robust technique embedding the watermark of signature information or textual data around the ROI of a medical image based on genetic algorithms. A fragile watermark is adopted to detect any unauthorized modification. The embedding of watermark in the frequency domain is more difficult to be pirated than in spatial domain.
The Relationship Between Social Work and Psychoanalysis: The Future Impact of Social Workers

Because social workers are likely to have a more expanded role within organized psychoanalysis than previously, it seems timely to consider the numerous challenges and opportunities ahead with respect to social workers’ impact on the practice of psychoanalysis. For those who become social work psychoanalysts, in particular, a pivotal issue is the degree to which they retain their core identity as clinical social workers. It is important for them to integrate and balance the diverse aspects of their dual identity, to participate in our social work organizations, to contribute to developing psychoanalysis, and to work to keep the teaching of contemporary psychoanalytic theories alive in social work education.
Photoregulation of polymer conformation by photochromic moieties. II. Cationic and neutral moieties on an anionic polymer.

— Photoregulation of the conformation of poly (methacrylic acid) (PMA) in the range 4·5 6·5 has been achieved by means of the cationic photochromic ligand, p-phenyl-azophenyl trimethyl ammonium iodide (PTA), as well as by means of copolymerization of methacrylic acid (MA) with the neutral photochromic co-monomer, p-phenyl azomethacrylanilid (PM). At degrees of ionization α, corresponding to the conformational unfolding of PMA, the pKapp is 0·2 units higher when the ligand PTA is trans than when PTA is in the photostationary 80%“cis” state. Equilibrium dialysis shows that the binding of PTA is independent of the cis/trans ratio at high α (after the conformational unfolding), but at lower αtrans-PTA binds positively and cis-PTA negatively. In the transition region, the presence of non-polar trans-azo ligand is therefore held responsible for a shift of the conformational equilibrium toward the more compact, folded form, which is harder to ionize than the unfolded form. Because of the relation pKapp# pH + log [(1 –α)/α], the degree of ionization of PMA, and thus the polymer conformation, as reflected in the reduced viscosity, can be photochemically regulated in pH buffers. At pH # 5·5 (α# 0·20) a maximal relative shift of Δα/α= 20 per cent was found, with a corresponding relative shift in reduced viscosity of 20·5 per cent. In the photochromic copolymer a pKapp switch of similar magnitude was found. In this case the azo-moiety is permanently affixed to the PMA so that the photosensitivity of the pKapp in the range of the conformational unfolding is due to a shift in the conformational equilibrium induced by the presence of non-polar trans-azo and polar “cis” azo, respectively. In both cases only about 1 photochromic moiety per 100 monomer units is capable of appreciably shifting the conformational manifold of PMA and/or the degree of ionization in constant pH buffers, provided one stays close to the unfolding transition. Mention is made of the implications for photoregulation of the permeability of, and the potential across. model membranes made of photochromic PMA molecules.
Doors to diversity: The first amendment implications of telephone company video options under the telecommunications act of 1996

Video market entry options available to telephone companies under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 have First Amendment implications that will affect the constitutional value of telephone video. These entry options impose regulatory constraints upon providers and differ in potentials for provider speech, speaker access, and content diversity. The author concludes that the Act's open video system option best advances First Amendment interests in increased diversity of and access to speech.
Reaction of Globin with Hæmin in Interfacial Films

RECENTLY, we reported1 that II, the maximum pressure of bovine globin in the p-xylene/water interface, was approximately twice as high as that of bovine oxyhaemoglobin, and that addition of haemin lowered the high interfacial pressure of globin. This surprising phenomenon was investigated more thoroughly, as described below.
Investigation of non-linear contact for a clearance-fit bolt in a graphite/epoxy laminate

Numerous analytical studies have been published for the nonlinear load-contact variations in clearance-fit bolted joints. In these studies, stress distributions have been obtained and failure predictions have been made. However, very little experimental work has been reported regarding the contact or the stresses. This paper describes a fiber-optic technique for measuring the angle of contact in a clearance-fit bolt-loaded hole. Measurements of the contact angle have been made in a quasi-isotropic graphite-epoxy laminate by the optical as well as an electrical technique, and the results have been compared with those obtained from a finite-element analysis. The results from the two experimental techniques show excellent agreement; the finite-element results show some discrepancy, probably due to the interfacial frictions.
Optimal Policy for Software Patents: Model and Comparative Implications

We use a duopoly model of quality-price competition between a software innovator and an imitator to determine the socially optimal software patent policy and to assess the social welfare implications of alternative patent policies. We find that the optimal patent policy is to grant patent protection for the entire life of the innovative software product (i.e., set infinite patent length) and to set the novelty and nonobviousness requirement for attaining a patent (i.e., patent height) and the scope of patent protection (i.e., patent width) such that both the innovator and imitator produce higher-quality products than they would in the free market. This policy not only maximizes social welfare but also makes the innovator, imitator, and consumers better off than in the free market. However, counter to intuition, we find that firms exhibit lower research and development intensity under the socially optimal patent policy than they do under free market competition. While highly stylized, the model offers a useful framework within which researchers and regulators can think about the economic trade-offs among three patent policy parameters (length, height, and width) simultaneously.
Effect of Phosphate Source on Post-Treatment of Cerium-Based Conversion Coatings on Al 2024-T3

The surface morphology, electrochemical characteristics, and salt spray corrosion performance were studied for cerium-based conversion coatings on Al 2024-T3 that were post-treated in heated aqueous solutions of orthophosphate, pyrophosphate, and polyphosphate compounds. Phosphate post-treatment reduced cracking in the coatings, which resulted in better corrosion protection compared to coatings that were highly cracked or contained other defects. In addition, post-treatment in orthophosphate solutions converted the as-deposited hydrated cerium oxide to hydrated CeP0 4 , which further improved corrosion protection. Electrochemical analyses showed that cerium-based conversion coatings that contained hydrated cerium phosphate after post-treatment had the highest resistance (∼100 kΩ cm 2 ), the most noble pitting potentials (∼―270 mV), and the best corrosion protection of the post-treatments that were tested. While pyrophosphate and polyphosphate post-treatments reduced cracks in the coatings, they did not promote the formation of hydrated cerium phosphate. The results suggest that the corrosion protection of cerium-based conversion coatings on Al 2024-T3 is dependent on both the surface morphology and the phase of the coating.
Survival of porcine inner cell masses in culture and after injection into blastocysts

Isolation of embryonic stem cells has been documented only in the mouse and perhaps the hamster and cow. We report results of experiments designed to determine the effect of age of porcine embryos (6 through 10 d after the first day of estrus) on isolation of cell lines with embryonic stem cell-like morphology. The capacity of fresh and short-term cultured inner cell mass (ICM) cells to differentiate into normal tissues after injection into blastocysts was also measured. Few Day-6 ICM survived in culture to the first passage onto fresh feeder cells, but cell lines with embryonic stem cell-like morphology developed from Day-7 through Day-10 ICM. Isolation of embryonic stem cell-like colonies was achieved at a higher frequency from ICM isolated from older embryos, but embryonic stem cell-like colonies from older embryos also tended to differentiate spontaneously in culture. Viable porcine chimeras were born after injection of fresh ICM into blastocysts that were transferred to recipients for development to term; no chimeras were born from blastocysts injected with ICM subjected to short-term (1 to 6 d) culture. Germ-cell chimerism was confirmed in one of the chimeras. These results document that undifferentiated cells can be removed from porcine blastocysts, transplanted to other embryos, and contribute to development of normal differentiated tissues, including germ cells. Cells with embryonic stem-like morphology can be isolated in culture from ICM at various embryonic ages, but ICM from young blastocysts (e.g., Day-7 embryos) yield embryonic stem cell-like colonies at lower frequency than do ICM from older blastocysts (e.g., Day-10 embryos).
Degradation of Amylin by Insulin-degrading Enzyme

A pathological feature of Type 2 diabetes is deposits in the pancreatic islets primarily composed of amylin (islet amyloid polypeptide). Although much attention has been paid to the expression and secretion of amylin, little is known about the enzymes involved in amylin turnover. Recent reports suggest that insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) may have specificity for amyloidogenic proteins, and therefore we sought to determine whether amylin is an IDE substrate. Amylin-degrading activity co-purified with IDE from rat muscle through several chromatographic steps. Metalloproteinase inhibitors inactivated amylin-degrading activity with a pattern consistent with the enzymatic properties of IDE, whereas inhibitors of acid and serine proteases, calpains, and the proteasome were ineffective. Amylin degradation was inhibited by insulin in a dose-dependent manner, whereas insulin degradation was inhibited by amylin. Other substrates of IDE such as atrial natriuretic peptide and glucagon also competitively inhibited amylin degradation. Radiolabeled amylin and insulin were both covalently cross-linked to a protein of 110 kDa, and the binding was competitively inhibited by either unlabeled insulin or amylin. Finally, a monoclonal anti-IDE antibody immunoprecipitated both insulin- and amylin-degrading activities. The data strongly suggest that IDE is an amylin-degrading enzyme and plays an important role in the clearance of amylin and the prevention of islet amyloid formation.
Normally Connected Anomalously Draining Obstructed Pulmonary Veins in an Infant with Mitral Atresia: Clinical Presentation and Catheter Management

A patient with hypoplastic left ventricle and double outlet right ventricle underwent pulmonary artery band as a newborn. At age 3 months, cardiac catheterization demonstrated complete closure of his atrial septal defect with decompression of the left atrium via a small levo-cardinal vein. Thus, he had normally connected, anomalously draining obstructed pulmonary veins. He underwent successful catheter intervention with excellent release of the obstruction. This rare finding and technical aspects of catheter intervention are discussed.
Effect of additional processing on texture evolution of Al0.5Cu alloy processed by equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE)

The texture development of equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) processed Al.5Cu alloy submitted to further ECAE or rolling is analyzed. Initial ultrafine-grained (UFG) or fine-grained (FG) materials obtained after ECAE are considered. Combining ECAE with rolling offers additional opportunities for texture control. In both samples, from 50 to 75% rolling reduction is sufficient to create rolling textures. Texture strength increases significantly up to 95% reduction and then decreases in both materials. The highest texture strengths are found for rolled FG samples. For UFG materials, further ECAE via route A or D create gradually weaker close to random textures. Thus simple shear activated by ECAE for some specific routes appears more effective for texture randomization than rolling. This may reflect some difference between ECAE and rolling in the mechanisms occurring during severe plastic deformation.
Evaluation of a comprehensive HIV prevention program in North West Province, South Africa: Results from the pilot

METHODS South Africa, where more people are living with HIV than in any other country, has an urgent need for evidence based HIV prevention to disrupt the transmission of HIV. The University of Washington and the University of California, San Francisco are implementing a comprehensive HIV prevention program through their joint global health organization, International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), called Re Mmogo Pholong (“Together in Wellness”), in 2 priority districts in South Africa’s North West Province.
Likert and Guttman scaling of visual function rating scale questionnaires.

purpose To test the assumptions underlying Likert scoring of visual function questionnaires. methods Questionnaires were administered to 284 low-vision subjects by telephone. Each subject was administered two of four questionnaires: ADVS, NEI VFQ-25 plus supplement, expanded VAQ, and VF-14. results Z-scores for cumulative frequency of using each rating category across subjects are not linear with rating category rank and items are not the same difficulty for any of the questionnaires. Guttmann coefficients of reproducibility ranged from 57% for the ADVS to 51% for the NEI VFQ-25. Cronbach alphas ranged from 0.92 for the VF-14 to 0.96 for the NEI VFQ; however, inter-item consistency coefficients ranged from 0.24 for the VAQ to 0.45 for the NEI VFQ. Likert scores were significantly correlated between instruments, ranging from 0.66 for NEI VFQ vs ADVS to 0.90 for the VF-14 vs. ADVS. conclusions The rating scales of all four questionnaires fail to satisfy Likert's assumptions. Also, ratings are probabilistic,...
Iron deficiency and periodic leg movement disorder of sleep.

We applaud the study by Konofal and colleagues [1] and the editorial by Picchietti in the same issue [2] regarding the need for assessment of iron balance status in children with periodic leg movement disorder of sleep (PLMDS). However, we found it intriguing that neither of these articles quoted our published work on the very same issue that these publications address [3]. Indeed, we reported in 2003 our findings on 39 children polygraphically diagnosed with PLMDS; this study included assessment of serum iron and ferritin levels [3]. More importantly, treatment with supplemental iron in those children with lower ferritin levels was associated with marked improvements in the severity of PLMDS at the follow-up overnight sleep study. Longer follow-up periods of at least one year in a subset of these children, was presented in abstract form and revealed overall stability of the polysomnographic outcomes [4]. Based on aforementioned considerations, a multicenter randomized double blind trial study of iron therapy in carefully diagnosed children with PLMDS with and without ADHD appears warranted.
Pulse-load effects on ship power system stability

In this investigation, the performance of a fully-integrated ship power system with a pulsed power load is analyzed. There are particular loads in shipboard power systems such as electromagnetic guns, electromagnetic launch systems, and free electron lasers, which draw very high short time current in an intermittent fashion. In this research, the power system is thoroughly simulated to capture its transient and dynamic behaviors during the occurrence of a pulse-load. This simulation provides better understanding of the system performance and its stability under such severe conditions, and the results demonstrate the effect of different pulse-load characteristics, i.e. the magnitude and duration of the load, and the system topology, controllers and major parameters affect the stability of the system.
The separation and identification of enolase isozymes of brain and sciatic nerve by high-pressure liquid anion-exchange chromatography

A rapid technique for separating and quantitating the three enolase isozymes present in rodent brain and sciatic nerve was developed using high-pressure liquid anion-exchange chromatography. At pH 7.9, one cationic and two anionic enzyme forms were separated with baseline resolution in an imidazole buffer containing ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and magnesium. The recovery of enolase activity was 90% or greater for brain and 85% for sciatic nerve. Chromatography of liver and axon-free (degenerated) sciatic nerve allowed the identification of non-neuronal, hybrid, and neuron-specific enolase isozymes. These enzyme forms, respectively, constituted 40%, 29% and 19% of total activity in brain, and 63%, 13% and 4% of total activity in normal sciatic nerve.
Bonding and electromigration of 30µm fine pitch micro-bump interconnection

For the demand of multi-function and higher performance in electronic devices, the three-dimensional chip stacking technology with fine pitch and high input/output (I/O) interconnections has emerged recently. In addition, with the joint size becoming smaller, the current that each solder bump carried continues to increase, resulting in high current flowing in each individual joint. Therefore, electromigration has become a major reliability issue in microelectronic devices. In this study, a chip-on-chip test vehicle with a bump pitch of 30μm was adopted to evaluate the bonding feasibility and electromigration resistance of micro bump interconnections. There were more then 3000 micro bumps with Sn2.5Ag solder material on both the silicon chip and silicon carrier. Two types of under bump metallurgy layer (UBM) on the Si chip/carrier were selected in this study. One was single copper layer with a thickness of 8 um and the other was Ni/Cu layer with a total thickness of 8 μm. Different temperatures, times and pressures of thermo-compression bonding conditions were considered to obtain the optimization of bonding parameter. The 3D chip stacking using two layers of chip with fine pitch and lead-free interconnects was achieved in this study. Electromigration of micro bump interconnections in the joint structure of Cu/Ni/SnAg was investigated. Finite element analysis (FEA) was also employed to determine the current distribution in the solder joint. The results of electromigration test showed that the electromigration lifetime was well correlated with the bump microstructure.
Thermal analysis of viscoelastic multibody systems

Abstract Thermal analysis of the transient motion of a multibody system, consisting of interconnected rigid, elastic, and viscoelastic components is presented. The configuration of each elastic or viscoelastic body is identified using three sets of modes, rigid-body, reference and normal modes. Rigid-body modes describe translations and large rotations of the body reference. The finite element method is employed to describe body deformations, and reference conditions are imposed in order to define a unique displacement field. Accordingly, normal modes of vibrations of flexible components can be used to reduce the number of elastic coordinates, thus eliminating high-frequency modes of vibration. The system equations of motion are formulated using Lagrange's equation, and nonlinear algebraic equations, describing constraints between adjacent bodies, are coupled to the equations of motion using a Lagrange multiplier technique.
Problems with Internalist Coherentism

Commentaire de la theorie antifondationnaliste de L. Bonjour (in The Structure of Empirical Knowledge, 1985). La position de Bonjour est celle du coherentisme internaliste (la theorie scientifique est justifiee par sa coherence interne). L'A. montre les points faibles de cette position en analysant notamment la question de la croyance justifiee
Rhodopsin: responses from transient intermediates formed during its bleaching.

Fast electrical responses elicited from the transient intermediates in the bleaching of rhodopsin have been investigated in the retina of the albino rat. In the experiments we used two-flash stimuli triggered sequentially with a continuously variable time delay between them. At room temperature the potential is biphasic in wave-form. The dominant, corneal-positive component is preceded by a small, corneal-negative component. Cooling the retina to about 0°C suppresses the positive component and isolates the faster, negative component. Experiments with color filters show that these two components display different spectral sensitivities and, hence, suggest that each of them is produced by a different photoproduct of bleaching.
Role of ICAM-1 and P-selectin expression in the development and effector function of CD4+CD25+regulatory T cells.

Dynamic regulatory mechanisms prevent autoreactive T cell activation. Upon T cell receptor crosslinking, CD4 + CD25 + T regulatory (T R ) cells block both the proliferation and cytokine production of CD4 + CD25 - effector cells in an apparent antigen non-specific manner. Within the T R population, L-selectin (CD62L) h i T R cells have been described as more efficient suppressors of T cell proliferation than CD62L l o w T R cells. We have previously reported that CD4 + CD25 + CD62L h i T R cells express elevated levels of two additional adhesion molecules, ICAM-1 (CD54) and P-selectin (CD62P) in comparison to non-T R cells. In the current study, we investigated the functional contribution of CD54 and CD62P expression to the suppressive phenotype of T R cells both in vitro and in vivo. While the CD4 + CD25 + T R cell population was demonstrated to be significantly larger in CD62P - / - mice than in wild-type C57BL/6 mice, CD62P-/- T R cell function was deficient in vitro, but not in vivo. Interestingly, we detected no deficiencies in T R cell numbers or effector function in CD54 - / - mice suggesting that T R cells may differ from effector CD4 + T cells in the requirement for CD54 expression within the immunological synapse. Collectively, these findings indicate that CD62P may influence T R cell differentiation/development and that T R cell activation occurs independently of CD54 expression.
High chi polymer development for DSA applications using RAFT technology

Directed self-assembly (DSA) of block copolymers is proving to be an interesting and innovative method to make three-dimensional periodic, uniform patterns useful in a variety of microelectronics applications. Attributes critical to acceptable DSA performance of block copolymers include molecular weight uniformity, final purity, and reproducibility in all the steps involved in producing the polymers. R eversible A ddition F ragmentation Chain T ransfer (RAFT) polymerization technology enables the production of such materials provided that careful process monitoring and compositional homogeneity measurement systems are employed. It is uniquely suited to construction of multiblocks with components of widely divergent surface energies and functionality. We describe a high chi diblock system comprising partially fluorinated methacrylates and substituted styrenics. While special new polymer separation strategies involving controlled polymer particle assembly in liquid media are required for some monomer systems and molecular weight regimes, we have been able to demonstrate high yield and compositionally homogeneous diblocks of lamellar and cylindrical morphology with polydispersities < 1.1. During purification processes, these diblock materials undergo assembly processes in liquid media, and with appropriate controls, this allows for removal of soluble homopolymer contaminants. SAXS analyses of solid polymer samples provide estimates of lamellar d-spacing, and a good correlation with molecular weight is shown. This system will be described.
Attitudes of Registered Nurses toward Death in a General Hospital

Nurses' attitudes toward death and dying are of increasing interest as management of dying patients becomes a focus of concern. A death anxiety questionnaire tapping six conceptually distinct aspects of attitudes toward death was developed from work of previous investigators and administered along with other measures to 188 hospital nurses. This sample proved not to express very much anxiety about death; older nurses especially were found to express less anxiety about death of others and more acceptance of conventional medical procedures for managing the dying patient. No aspect of death anxiety was related to death rate on the unit on which the nurse worked, to any of several personality variables, or to peer rating of death anxiety. Finally, the psychometric properties of the death anxiety questionnaire, along with other findings, suggest need for more attention to measurement problems, heretofore largely ignored.
Cytochrome oxidase and succinoxidase activity of Limulus gill cartilage

It has been shown that homogenates of gill cartilage prepared from young (2–3 in. long) specimens of Limulus polyphemus, the horseshoe crab, are capable of oxidizing reduced cytochrome c. This activity is inhibited by 10−4 M cyanide and azide. This marks the first demonstration of cytochrome oxidase activity in cartilage from any source. Such homogenates in the presence of added cytochrome c also mediate hydroquinone oxidation via cytochrome oxidase. QO2 values between 6 and 10 were obtained. Oxygen uptake was also inhibited by 10−4 M cyanide and azide. The presence of malonate-sensitive succinic dehydrogenase and a succinoxidase complex in the gill cartilage homogenates was established.
Increased vulnerability of hippocampal neurons from presenilin-1 mutant knock-in mice to amyloid beta-peptide toxicity: central roles of superoxide production and caspase activation.

Abstract : Many cases of early-onset inherited Alzheimer's disease (AD) are caused by mutations in the presenilin-1 (PS1) gene. Overexpression of PS1 mutations in cultured PC12 cells increases their vulnerability to apoptosis-induced trophic factor withdrawal and oxidative insults. We now report that primary hippocampal neurons from PS1 mutant knock-in mice, which express the human PS1M146V mutation at normal levels, exhibit increased vulnerability to amyloid β-peptide toxicity. The endangering action of mutant PS1 was associated with increased superoxide production, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and caspase activation. The peroxynitrite-scavenging antioxidant uric acid and the caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone protected hippocampal neurons expressing mutant PS1 against cell death induced by amyloid β-peptide. Increase oxidative stress may contribute to the pathogenic action of PS1 mutations, and antioxidants may counteract the adverse property of such AD-linked mutations.
Measurements of non-ionizing radiation on urban environment and preliminary assessment of relative contribution among different services

The fast and important growth experienced by mobile telephony in the last two decades has put in evidence the necessity to assess non-ionizing radiation coming from base station emitters aiming at the comparison to human exposure limits. This subject is not only a concern to authorities responsible for general public health. It is an issue constantly raised by the general public itself since even non-specialized people can notice the major increment in the number of base stations on urban environments. This work presents preliminary results of an electric field measurement campaign at VHF and UHF bands in Natal, Brazil. Relative contribution of different radio services to the overall human exposure limits to non-ionizing radiation is determined.