cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
From Rapport Under Erasure to Theaters of Complicit Reflexivity

This article offers a sketch of the past uses of the concept of rapport in anthropological discussions of its core identifying method of fieldwork. The trope of collaboration, emphasized in the 1980s critiques of ethnographic authority, failed to displace the rhetorical power of rapport in defining the ethos of fieldwork. Only the changing conditions of many contemporary fieldwork projects have dislodged the naturalness and symbolic strength of the concept in anthropology's professional culture, but without offering any alternative. Instead, the complicities of fieldwork relations emerge in the shadow of rapport under erasure as a focus for reimagining the elements of the classic, regulative ideals of fieldwork
The Design and Experimental Evaluation of a Scaffolded Software Environment to Improve Engineering Students' Disciplinary Problem‐Solving Skills

Background Introductory gateway engineering courses are notorious for their high attrition rates. Deficiencies in students' problem-solving processes may contribute to their failure in these courses. In an empirical study of student problem solving, we observed that students struggle because of misconceptions regarding the basic syntax and semantics of disciplinary diagrams and corresponding mathematical equations. Purpose(Hypothesis) We hypothesize that a scaffolded software environment that provides dynamically-generated feedback on the syntactic and semantic correctness of students' evolving disciplinary diagrams and mathematical equations can improve engineering students' problem-solving abilities. Design/Method We iteratively developed ChemProV, a software environment to assist chemical engineering students in solving material balance problems. To evaluate ChemProV's effectiveness, we performed two between subjects experimental studies. The first study compared a preliminary version of the ChemProV to pen-and-paper. The second study compared a redesigned version of ChemProV with dynamic feedback to the same version of ChemProV without dynamic feedback. Results While it did not uncover any significant differences, the first study provided insight into how to improve ChemProV's dynamic feedback mechanism. The second study found that the “feedback” version of ChemProV promoted a statistically-significant advantage in problem-solving accuracy, significantly more time-on-task, and a transfer-of-training to an unscaffolded problem-solving situation. Conclusion A scaffolded software environment like ChemProV can serve as a valuable aid in helping students learn engineering problem-solving skills. Its software design approach can be used as a model for designing educationally-effective software environments for other engineering disciplines.
Experimental Study of Pressure Drop in a Rectangular Duct With Protuberances

An experimental study of pressure drop over a 32 ft. length test section of 12″ × 18″ rectangular cross section with surface protuberances was conducted. Air flow tests were conducted over a Reynolds Number range of 0.5 × 105 to 5 × 105. The surface protuberances consisted of rectangular ribs attached to the duct surface. Two rib sizes of 1/2″ × 1/8″ and 1/2″ × 1/16″ were used. Rib spacings of 5 ft., 4 ft., 2 ft., 1 ft., 6 in., 3 in. and 1.5 in. were studied. Results of average friction factor are examined in the light of the standard Moody diagram and two empirical formulas proposed by earlier researchers for friction factor prediction. Finally, a new method is proposed for pressure drop prediction by decomposing the total drag into form drag due to ribs and skin friction drag due to the wall.Copyright © 1991 by ASME
Effects of Alloy Chemistry on the Corrosion of FeNi Metal-Metalloid Metallic Glasses

Abstract The polarization characteristics of Fe40Ni40P14B6 and Fe40Ni38Mo4B18 metallic glasses have been determined in 1 N H2SO4 and 1 N HCl. Results have been compared with those for metallic glasses of other compositions and with results for metalloid-free crystalline alloys. Phosphorus enhances the ability of metallic glasses to passivate by decreasing the anodic current in the active region and is enriched in the near-surface of the alloy in the form of a pre-passive black film containing nickel and iron. The behavior of iron-nickel metallic glasses containing boron as the only metalloid element does not significantly differ from boron-free crystalline alloys of similar metallic composition. On the other hand, glasses with phosphorus additions are markedly more corrosion resistant than either their crystalline counterparts or the boron-containing glasses. Addition of molybdenum without phosphorus to a metallic glass does not appreciably improve the corrosion resistance, and FeNiBMo metallic glasses wi...
A receptor binding site identified in the region 81-95 of the β-subunit of human luteinizing hormone (LH) and chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Abstract Two series of overlapping peptides comprising the entire sequences of the β-subunits of human lutropin (LH) and choriogonadotropin (hCG) were prepared by a comprehensive synthetic strategy in order to identify all linear regions of the subunit that may participate in binding of the hormone to its receptor. Each series of peptides (15 residues in length) spanned the entire amino acid sequences of the two β-subunits. The peptides were tested for their ability to inhibit the binding of 125 I-labeled hCG or LH to rat ovarian membranes and for their ability to inhibit hCG-stimulated progesterone production in a Leydig cell bioassay. The most potent inhibitor of LH/ hCG binding was a peptide containing the sequence β81–95, a receptor binding site of the LH/hCG β subunit not previously described. The concentration at which LH/hCG binding was inhibited at 50% (IC 50 ) was 20 μM and 30 μM for hCGβ 81–95 and LHβ 81–95, respectively. These peptides also inhibited the stimulation of progesterone production by hCG in Leydig cell bioassays. In order to determine important residues that inhibit binding within this region, a third set of peptides was synthesized in which each residue of hCGβ 81–95 was sequentially replaced with the residue l -alanine. Five residues (Leu-86, Cys-88, Cys-90, Arg-94, and Arg-95) were critical for maximal inhibition of hCG binding by CGβ 81–95. In addition to site β81–95, other sites that inhibited hCG/LH binding but with significantly lower potencies included hCGβ 1–15, LHβ 41–55, and LHβ 91–105. These results affirm the presence of several binding regions in the LH/hCG β-subunit prominent among which is the sequence β81–95. This region represents a previously unidentified binding site of high inhibitory activity and contains at least 5 residues important for maximal interaction with the LH/ hCG receptor.
Dynamical Phases of Driven Vortex Systems.

We study numerically the motion of vortices in dirty type II superconductors. In two dimensions at strong driving currents, vortices form highly correlated {open_quote}{open_quote}static channels.{close_quote}{close_quote} The static structure factor exhibits convincing scaling behavior, demonstrating quasi-long-range translational order in the transverse direction. However, order in the longitudinal direction is only short range. We clearly establish the existence of a finite transverse critical current, suggesting strong barriers against transverse driving forces. We discuss these results in terms of recently proposed theories of the moving vortex systems. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Digestive chitinolytic activity in marine fishes of Monterey Bay, California.

Chitinolytic activities, both chitinase (EC 3.2.1.14) and minimum chitobiase (β-N-acetyl-d-glucosaminidase; EC 3.2.1.30), were measured in stomach and intestinal tissues and their contents, from 13 fish species. Higher activities were found in the tissues than in the gut contents, and higher activities were seen in the stomachs than in the intestines. Demersal species exhibited chitobiase activities very close to their chitinase activities, suggesting that these fishes can degrade chitin completely to its soluble, absorbable monomer, N-acetyl-glucosamine. This suggests that these species may catabolize chitin not just to penetrate prey exoskeletons but also to derive nutrients from the chitin itself. In contrast, three mesopelagic species exhibited low chitobiase but high chitinase activities. This chitobiase limitation correlated strongly with gastrointestinal tract morphology, with the myctophids having the greatest chitobiase limitation and the shortest alimentary tracts. The high chitinase activities measured in the myctophids reflect their ability to rapidly disrupt prey exoskeletons ingested during their nightly feeding in surface waters. Their chitobiase activities are greatly reduced because with rapid meal evacuation through a short gut there is little time for processing and limited energetic advantage in the complete degradation of chitin. These results suggest multiple roles for chitinolytic enzymes in marine fishes and that feeding habits and frequency may have a bearing on the evolution of their digestive enzymes systems.
Talbot oscillations and periodic focusing in a one-dimensional condensate

An exact theory for the density of a one-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensate with hard-core particle interactions is developed in second quantization and applied to the scattering of the condensate by a spatially periodic impulse potential. The boson problem is mapped onto a system of free fermions obeying the Pauli exclusion principle to facilitate the calculation. The density exhibits a spatial focusing of the probability density as well as a periodic self-imaging in time, or Talbot effect. Furthermore, the transition from single-particle to many-body effects can be measured by observing the decay of the modulated condensate density pattern in time. The connection of these results to classical and atom optical phase gratings is made explicit.
Feasibility study of whole-field pressure measurements in gas flows: Molecular tagging manometry

Outlined in this paper are the theoretical foundation, implementation framework and experimental demonstration of a new diagnostic technique for non-intrusive, whole-field measurement of pressure within gasses. The new technique, which is referred to as molecular tagging manometry (MTM), relies on oxygen quenching of phosphorescence emission from photo-excited tracers in oxygen-containing gases. As the pressure increases, the density of oxygen becomes larger, leading to a shorter emission lifetime: a working principle that is similar to pressure sensitive paint but applied within the body of the flow rather than on the wall. Using an experimental apparatus that is built around a pressure vessel, the viability of MTM is demonstrated for the first time using acetone as a tracer. Furthermore, the experimentally recorded response is compared to theoretical predictions, and the sensitivity of MTM’s response to the uncertainty of various parameters is analyzed.
Photorefractive Interferometry Applied to Novel Laser Tapping Nondestructive Technique

Photorefractive interferometers are a key to detection of disbonds in coatings and honeycomb structures. The technique is based on a pulsed laser excitation of a layer driven into vibration, and detection by a photorefractive interferometer.
NKG2D receptor activation of NF-κB enhances inflammatory cytokine production in murine effector CD8+ T cells

To induce strong immune responses, naive CD8+ T cells require stimulation through the TCR and costimulatory receptors. However, the biological effect of activating costimulatory receptors on effector T cells is still unclear. One costimulatory receptor that is likely to be engaged at the target site is NKG2D. This activating receptor is expressed on human and murine CD8+ T cells with its ligands expressed on the majority of tumor cells and during some infections. In order to determine how activation of costimulatory receptors alters effector CD8+ T cell functions, this study compared the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway by two costimulatory receptors, CD28 and NKG2D. Compared to CD28 costimulation, activation of murine effector CD8+ T cells through CD3 and NKG2D receptors enhanced activation of NF-κB as shown by increased phosphorylation of IKKα, IκBα, and NF-κB and IκBα degradation. NKG2D costimulation also increased activation, nuclear translocation, and DNA binding of NF-κB p65/p50 dimers. Activation of the NF-κB pathway also lead to increased gene expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IFNα and IFNγ, and decreased gene expression and secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-10 and CCL2. Altered NF-κB activation also increased expression of the effector molecules TNFα, lymphotoxins α and β, and Fas ligand, and increased tumor cell killing through FasL. These data show that compared to CD28 costimulation, activation through the NKG2D receptor leads to the differential activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and potentially enhances the anti-tumor and anti-viral functions of effector CD8+ T cells.
An Intercellular Response to Estrogen by Granulosa Cells in the Rat Ovary; An Electron Microscope Study*

ABSTRACT. Ultrastructural responses of ovarian granulosa cells to exogenous estrogen have been investigated in immature rats. Animals, 21-daysold, were hypophysectomized and a regimen of 6 daily injections was initiated 30 hr after the operation. Some rats received sesame oil only and others were given totals of 3 or 6 mg diethylstilbestrol (DES). Ovarian tissues were prepared for microscopy 24 hr after the last injection. In addition, normal rats were sacrificed at 21 days to monitor ovarian morphology at the time of hypophysectomy. Rapid simultaneous changes, occurring in cells of the pre-ovulatory rat follicle, suggest a necessity for cell communication, particularly in the multilayered avascular granulosa. Therefore, emphasis is placed on an intercellular junction (the nexus) thought to play an important role in communication. A correlation is made between the extent of thecal development and the incidence of granulosa cell nexuses in follicles of normal as well as hypophysectomized rats. If the “thec...
I Agreed with What? Memory for Simple Argument Claims

Three experiments were conducted to examine how precisely readers recall the claims of arguments that they have just read. Participants read simple, 2-clause arguments such as, “The U.S. is right to intervene in other countries' affairs because local events can catastrophically impact the entire world.” Participants then evaluated each argument with respect to agreement or fit and recalled either the claim or the complete argument. The first 2 experiments found that readers have difficulty precisely recalling the main predicate of the claim (e.g., “should intervene” or “is right to intervene”) as accurately as they do the theme of the argument. Furthermore, a comparison with predicates of short narrative statements indicates that this recall difficulty is specific to argument predicates. Experiment 3 found that skilled readers' recall was more accurate than less-skilled readers. It also showed that the predicate recall problem occurred with both skilled and less-skilled readers and that it is related to o...
High thermal conductivity of chain-oriented amorphous polythiophene

Polymers are usually considered thermal insulators, because the amorphous arrangement of the molecular chains reduces the mean free path of heat-conducting phonons. The most common method to increase thermal conductivity is to draw polymeric fibres, which increases chain alignment and crystallinity, but creates a material that currently has limited thermal applications. Here we show that pure polythiophene nanofibres can have a thermal conductivity up to ∼ 4.4 W m(-1) K(-1) (more than 20 times higher than the bulk polymer value) while remaining amorphous. This enhancement results from significant molecular chain orientation along the fibre axis that is obtained during electropolymerization using nanoscale templates. Thermal conductivity data suggest that, unlike in drawn crystalline fibres, in our fibres the dominant phonon-scattering process at room temperature is still related to structural disorder. Using vertically aligned arrays of nanofibres, we demonstrate effective heat transfer at critical contacts in electronic devices operating under high-power conditions at 200 °C over numerous cycles.
Kinetics of drug effect by distributed lags analysis: An application to cocaine

The same plasma drug concentration may induce different effects depending on whether the concentration is rising or falling. We describe a new method of modeling kinetics of drug effects that can handle such “dissociation” phenomena, that does not depend on compartmental theory, and that allows quantitative comparisons between experiments. As applied to cocaine, it is shown that the resulting models are independent of drug dose or route of administration and give good predictions of the time course of response. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1982) 31, 775–782; doi:10.1038/clpt.1982.110
The roles of practice and correction in the categorization of sour and bitter taste qualities

Ten Ss were selected from a group of 40 screened to determine misnaming of stimuli usually called sour (hydrochloric and citric acid) and bitter (quinine sulfate). The 10 Ss were then given 16 trials in which they were asked to match the stimuli to standards, with or without verbal feedback for each stimulus. This was followed by 16 trials without feedback for all Ss and, several days later, by a 16-trial posttest. Final improved performance of the Ss was not affected by having received the feedback. It was concluded that experience with the stimuli leads to a reduction in the degree of misnaming, implying a nonphysiological basis for sour-bitter confusions.
Remembering the right locations: Factors affecting young children's logical search ability

Four-year-olds searched for a lost object on two occasions. On the first occasion, half the children participated in a tabletop condition and searched for an item after watching a sequence of events in which a doll lost the item; the rest searched under naturalistic conditions, looking for an object that had been lost while they tidied away some toys. Half the children were then questioned about their search behaviors, after which they all participated in the second task-a tabletop search task. For the first task, more searches were in the “critical area” (those locations bounded by the last place the item was seen and the first place it was found missing) if children searched in the naturalistic, rather than the tabletop, condition. In the second task, children searched in the “critical area” more often if they were queried about their first search, or had searched in the naturalistic task. The results are discussed in terms of factors affecting the development of problem solving competence.
A Comparison of the Antimicrobial Activity of Disclosing Agents

A comparative study revealed that erythrosin (1.0% and 0.5%) inhibited a variety of microorganisms representative of the oral microflora in contrast to fast green (5.0% and 2.5%), which was essentially devoid of antimicrobial activity. These observations suggest that fast green may be preferable to erythrosin as a disclosing agent for quantitative studies of dental plaque.
Update on key topics in adolescent gynecology.

Abstract AM:STARs, the Adolescent Medicine State of the Art Reviews series published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, devoted its April 2012 issue to the topic of Adolescent Gynecology. Developed in conjunction with the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (NASPAG), the issue consists of twelve articles, written mostly by members of NASPAG. As editors of the issue, we present in this review for the Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (JPAG) a synopsis of the most salient concepts presented in those 12 articles. This review of reviews is intended to be an update on the “state of the art” in adolescent gynecology.
A theoretical and experimental study of the electrophoretic extraction of ions from a pressure driven flow in a microfluidic device

The electrophoretic extraction of ions from a hydrodynamic flow stream is investigated at an intersection between two microfluidic channels. A pressure gradient is used to drive samples through the main channel, while ions are electrophoretically extracted into the side channels. Hydrodynamic restrictors and a neutral coating are used to suppress bulk flow through the side channels. A theoretical model that assumes Poiseuille flow in the main channel and neglects molecular diffusion is used to calculate the extraction efficiency, η, as a function of the ratio, R, of the average hydrodynamic velocity to the electrophoretic velocity. The model predicts complete extraction of ions (η = 1) for R < 2/3 and a monotonic decrease in η as R becomes greater than 2/3, which agrees well with the experimental results. Additionally, the model predicts that the aspect ratio of the microfluidic channel has little effect on the extraction efficiency. It is anticipated that this device can be used for on-line process monitoring, sample injection, and 2D separations for proteomics and other fields.
Testing of coaxial railguns in high vacuum

The goal of many railgun investigations is to arrive at a railgun design that is capable of launching projectiles to extremely high velocities (10 to 100 km/s). Often a second goal is for the railgun design to allow for repetitive launches without a total rebuild of the railgun. These two goals are the objectives the Center for Electromechanics at The University of Texas at Austin (CEM-UT) has pursued over the past several years. As part of the investigation, a serious study of coaxial railguns was conducted. Coaxial railguns were studied because the coaxial geometry offers two attractive features. One feature is the simplified construction, and the other is an inherent lower L' value. Studies were conducted on 0.5-and 5.0-m long coaxial railguns. Results were mixed in that high velocities were obtained (37 km/s), and several shots were done on one gun without cleanup or rebuild, but plasma mass amounts were small and not tightly patterned. Experiments are still underway, on a limited basis, to attempt to focus and bunch the plasma during launch and as it exists the muzzle.
Dynamic behavior of microstructures

Continued demand for flexible and sophisticated, yet lightweight and low power as well as small, systems is being satisfied by advances in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). These advances require use of computational modeling and simulation accompanied by physical measurements. Successful combination of computer aided design (CAD) and multiphysics simulation tools with the state-of-the-art (SOTA) measurement methodology will contribute to reduction of high prototyping costs, long product development cycles, and time-to-market pressures while developing MEMS for a multitude of increasingly diversified applications. In one approach a unique, fully integrated, software environment for multiscale, multiphysics, high fidelity modeling of MEMS is combined with the SOTA optoelectronic laser interferometric microscope (OELIM) methodology for measurements. The OELIM methodology allows remote, noninvasive, full-field-of-view (FFV) measurements of displacements/deformations and vibrations with high spatial resolution, nanometer accuracy, and in near real-time. In this paper, an approach - employing both, the modeling environment (including an analytical process used to quantitatively show the influence that various parameters defining a microstructure, e.g., RF MEMS, a microswitch, or a sensor, may have on its dynamics; using this process dynamic characteristics of a device/sensor can be optimized by constraining its nominal dimensions and finding the optimum set of uncertainties/tolerances in these dimensions) and the OELIM methodology - is described and its applications are illustrated with representative examples. The examples reveal viability of the approach, combining measurements and modeling (i.e., M&M), for the development of MEMS. The representative results demonstrate capacity of the M&M approach to quantitative determination of the effects of dynamic operational loads on performance of selected microstructures of current interest.
The role of technological change

Abstract We develop an optimal growth model that includes several important new features. First, technological change is endogenously related to the growth of “knowledge.” Investment may be directed either towards physical capital or knowledge (or both). Knowledge becomes an effective substitute for scarce resources by increasing the technical efficiency of resource utilization both for consumption and in capital. Nevertheless, a finite quantity resource must be embodied in capital and a finite flow is required for depreciation. Thus, there is an upper limit to technical efficiency and economic growth is thus ultimately limited by the availability of renewable resources. For a simple aggregate production function it is shown that technical efficiency never approaches unity on an optimal path.
Pagan Philosophers and 1 Thessalonians

Certain ancient philosophers (Celsus, Porphyry, Hierocles, Julian, and Macarius Magnes' critic) responded antagonistically to the New Testament. Their responses to several New Testament themes that appear in Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians and one specific text (1 Thess 4.15–17) show how difficult it was to persuade some individuals to give up paganism. Their criticisms of the New Testament probably indicate how the antagonists would have read 1 Thessalonians. The essay is a contribution to the history of the reception of the New Testament.
Lack of relation between severity of stroke and severity of extracranial internal carotid artery lesions in Taiwanese first-ever ischemic stroke patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The authors attempt to determine whether hemodynamically significant extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) lesions correlate with the severity of first-ever hemispheric ischemic stroke. METHODS Carotid duplex was used to evaluate carotid arteries. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was used to describe the severity of the stroke and was stratified as follows: 1-6 = mild, 7-15 = moderate, > 15 = severe. Duplex findings were categorized according to velocity criteria into 50% stenosis if ICA PSV > 140 or ratio of ICA and common carotid artery in PSV > 2. No detectable flow at ICA was considered occlusion. Stroke subtype was classified according to TOAST criteria. RESULTS Two hundred nineteen consecutive patients were enrolled, including 127 with mild, 65 with moderate, and 27 with severe stroke. The prevalence of ICA stenosis > 50% in each group was 3.6%, 1.4%, 0.9%, respectively. Two patients in the severe group had total ICA occlusion. The overall prevalence of significant ICA lesions was 6.8%. CONCLUSIONS There is no positive correlation of stroke severity with the severity of duplex findings, which may be due to low prevalence of significant ICA lesions or other stroke mechanisms. Most of the patients had mild stroke, and the majority had ICA stenosis < 50%. Small-vessel occlusion tended to have mild severity of stroke. Intracranial artery lesions or other factors causing stroke in Taiwanese should be investigated. Given the low incidence of significant extracranial carotid disease in symptomatic Taiwanese stroke patients, routine screening of symptomatic Taiwanese for extracranial carotid artery disease does not provide enough information to determine stroke mechanism, and transcranial Doppler should be added to the screening tests.
More evidence for a slender growth habit in Mesozoic cycadophytes

From the Pekin Formation (Upper Triassic) of the Deep River basin in central North Carolina, U.S.A., originate remains of a slender cycadeoidalean (bennettitalean) stem with leaves of a type combining features of the form genera Otozamites and Zamites. The plant, placed in the new genus and species Ischnophyton iconicum, is additional evidence that the common growth habit of Triassic and Jurassic cycadophytes was one involving a slender stem, without closely spaced, persistent leaf bases.
Effect of Electromagnetic Field on the Solidification Structure of Copper-Iron Alloys

The effect of electromagnetic field and iron content on the solidification structure of copper-iron alloys had been investigated in this paper. The results show that the addition of iron to copper causes considerable grain refinement, and the refinement increases with the iron content. Applying electromagnetic field during the solidification of Cu-Fe alloys can further refine grain of hepoperitectic alloys, but has no obvious effect on the grain size of heperperitectic alloys. Primary γ-Fe dendrites are gradually broken and scattered uniformly throughout the matrix under the influence of electromagnetic field. When the current intensity is 200A, the primary γ-Fe appears as fine petal shape distributed uniformly over the matrix.
Radiofrequency probe treatment for subfailure ligament injury: a biomechanical study of rabbit ACL

Abstract Objective. Utilizing a rabbit anterior cruciate ligament model of ligamentous subfailure injury, biomechanical properties of injured ligament treated with radiofrequency energy were evaluated. It was hypothesized that an injured ligament treated with radiofrequency probe would demonstrate restoration of biomechanical properties lost through injury. Background. Radiofrequency probe, thermal treatment has been utilized in the clinical setting to address joint instability caused by ligamentous laxity from injury or repetitive microtrauma. The biomechanical effects of radiofrequency probe thermal treatment on injured ligamentous tissues have not been studied in the laboratory. Design. Three groups of specimens: Control, Sham, and Treatment, 10 each, were tested under identical conditions. Methods. Viscoelastic behavior was analyzed using a relaxation test (6% strain, up to 180 s) performed before injury, after injury, and after injury plus sham or injury plus radiofrequency probe treatment. Results. After injury the normalized forces in the relaxation test decreased by approximately 50%. The post-treatment relaxation test revealed significant (P Conclusions. The radiofrequency probe treatment is shown to be an effective mechanism for restoring initial ligament tensile stiffness and viscoelastic characteristics lost by the subfailure injury in vitro. Relevance This study employs a proven ligament subfailure injury model and examines the biomechanical consequences of radiofrequency probe thermal treatment, in vitro. These results support the theoretical basis of arthroscopic, electro-thermal capsule shift procedures for subfailure injuries. However, this study does not provide evidence that these improved biomechanical properties are sustained in vivo.
Abiotic synthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on Mars

Thermochemical calculations of metastable equilibria are used to evaluate the stability of condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in cooling thermal gases and hydrothermal fluids on ancient Mars, which are roughly similar to their terrestrial counterparts. The effects of temperature, pressure, the extent of PAH alkylation, and the relative stability of PAHs and alkanes are considered. Inhibition of methane and graphite formation favors synthesis of metastable mixtures of hydrocarbons from aqueous or gaseous CO, CO2, and H2 below 200°–300°C. High-temperature quenching of H2 and CO in volcanic and impact gases and dynamic hydrothermal fluids also favor the synthesis of hydrocarbons. In addition, an excess of CO in cooling systems relative to equilibrium makes the synthesis from CO and H2 more favorable energetically than from CO2 and H2. Both the CO-H2 reactions through Fischer-Tropsch (FT) type processes and the CO2-H2 reactions could be catalyzed by magnetite. Volcanic gases and hydrothermal fluids related to mafic and ultramafic magmas and rocks are more favorable for FT type synthesis than those associated with oxidized Fe2O3-bearing rocks and regolith. We conclude that PAHs and aliphatic hydrocarbons on Mars and Earth could be formed without the contribution of biogenic carbon. Some PAHs could be formed because of pyrolysis of other hydrocarbons formed earlier by the FT type synthesis or other processes. If the PAHs found in the ALH 84001 martian meteorite formed together with other hydrocarbons through FT type synthesis, it may be possible to bracket the temperature of the synthesis. The approach presented here can be generalized to study the synthesis of hydrocarbons in terrestrial volcanic and hydrothermal processes.
Autoimmunity: present-day concepts and future prospects.

Abstract Autoimmune disease has been controlled somewhat in recent years, primarily by nonspecific antiphlogistic or cytotoxic regimens. The results have varied from excellent to no response. With increased understanding of the various aspects of the pathogenesis of these disorders, particularly in the areas of genetics, cytokines, and molecular immunology, we are now in a position to use precise approaches. Hopefully, the days of blunderbuss therapy, with unacceptable costs of infection and other complications are numbered.
The Characteristics of Iris-Fed Millimeter-Wave Rectangular Microstrip Patch Antennas

The fabrication of various iris-fed millimeter-wave rectangular microstrip patch antennas is described. A mathematical model is proposed to describe the iris-fed antenna. An iris having 15 percent of the area of the patch is used to couple energy into the antenna. Resonance of the antenna is observed to be insensitive to the size of the iris for irises up to 115 percent of the size of the patch. A study is also made of the coupling to the antenna as a function of position of the iris with respect to the transverse plane of the waveguide, the iris always being centered with respect to the patch. In general, the antenna has a VSWR in the waveguide feed of roughly 5:1 at resonance, except for the fully open waveguide which gives rise to a VSWR of 2.9:1 at resonance. Far-field antenna power patterns are observed to be quite broad with H-plane beamwidths about 130°. Maximum antenna gain observed was 4.5 dB relative to an isotropic source (dBi), with 2 dBi typical. An initial study is made of the microstrip patch antenna fed from a longitudinal waveguide wall. Results indicate that this feed structure is likely to prove valuable for microstrip patch antennas, with coupling at least as good as for the transverse-fed patch, added to the possibility of feeding multiple patches from a single waveguide.
On the bainitic structure formed in a modified A710 steel

Summary This study shows that the microstructure of quenched plates of modified A710 steel is characterized by laths of ferrite, which have a very similar crystallographic orientation within each packet, and interlath particles of martensite and/or austenite. This structure is thus consistent with the multiphase structures termed granular bainite (13). The volume fraction of the second-phase particles is about 0.15, about half austenite and half martensite. During aging at 604°C, a small amount of austenite transforms to cementite. It is suggested that the nature of the second-phase particles may have a profound influence on the toughness of these and similar steels.
Inspectability study of advanced photomasks with OPC structures

In the effort to extend the life of a technology node, reticle enhancement techniques are utilized extensively. The inspectability of advanced photomasks becomes increasingly difficult as OPC (Optical Proximity Correction) structures are incorporated in the mask design. OPC structures, such as serifs and sub-resolution assist features, are sub-specification (below the defined specification) geometries for the inspection tool. This makes it difficult to maintain high sensitivity on contamination inspection, while not detecting these OPC structures as false defects. Mask inspection can be broken down into two categories: pattern integrity and contamination, the latter of which is the topic of this paper.
Strategic positioning for staff realignment

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the process and options available to conduct a staff realignment exercise. By approaching financial changes to the organization strategically, staff can be repurposed instead of being made redundant. Design/methodology/approach – The paper offers several options on how to integrate changes in staffing to meet emerging trends and future anticipation of needs. Findings – This point of view is based on an unnamed case study that has proven to be successful. Research limitations/implications – The practices discussed are commonly used in a business environment that undergoes consistence assessment of its operation. Practical implications – These actions can set a precedent for changing an organizational culture toward self-assessment. Originality/value – The author played a major part in the case study at his home institution.
Approximation of absolute surface temperature measurements of powder bed fusion additive manufacturing technology using in situ infrared thermography

Abstract Additive manufacturing (AM) has several possible advantages over traditional manufacturing including increased design freedom, reduced material usage, and shorter lead-times. A noteworthy capability of AM is the ability to monitor the process during material deposition and interrupt the process during fabrication if necessary. Recently, such monitoring, feedback, and control have been made possible by implementing in situ infrared (IR) thermography in powder bed fusion AM technologies. The purpose of the current research was to investigate the acquisition of absolute surface temperatures using in situ IR imaging of the melted or solid surfaces layer-by-layer during fabrication within an electron beam melting (EBM) system. The thermal camera was synchronized with the system's signal voltages of three synchronized events (pre-heating, melting, and raking) to automatically capture images. To acquire absolute temperature values from the IR images, a calibration procedure was established to determine the solid material's emissivity and reflected temperature or mean radiant temperature of the build chamber, which are necessary input parameters for the IR camera. A blackbody radiator was fabricated via EBM and was used as a tool to determine the emissivity of Ti–6Al–4V (determined to be 0.26 in the temperature range of the current study). Furthermore, a mathematical model was developed to determine the view factors associated with the system's interior (e.g. heat shielding) that were used in calculating the mean radiant temperature of the manufacturing environment (∼342 °C). Experimental validation of the model was performed using a thermocouple embedded during fabrication that showed a 3.77% difference in temperature. A temperature difference of ∼366 °C (1038 °C vs . 672 °C) was observed when comparing uncorrected IR temperature data with corrected temperature data. Upon validation of the IR parameters for a melted area, experimentation was conducted to also determine powder emissivity (found to be 0.50). The thermal model presented here can be modified and implemented in other AM technologies for consideration of radiation energy to acquire absolute temperatures of layered surfaces, leading to improved thermal monitoring and control of the fabrication process.
The Second Law of Thermodynamics: Foundations and Status

Over the last 10–15 years the second law of thermodynamics has undergone unprecedented scrutiny, particularly with respect to its universal status. This brief article introduces the proceedings of a recent symposium devoted to this topic, The second law of thermodynamics: Foundations and Status, held at University of San Diego as part of the 87th Annual Meeting of the Pacific Division of the AAAS (June 19–22, 2006). The papers are introduced under three themes: ideal gases, quantum perspectives, and interpretation. Roughly half the papers support traditional interpretations of the second law while the rest challenge it.
Higgs Boson Production in $e^+ e^-$ Annihilation

The reaction e+e− → Hγ is studied off resonance in the standard SU (2) × U (1) model. The rate depends on the square of the number of heavy fermion multiplets. The enhancement on resonance is computed with a simple dispersion model.
Inhibition of radiogenic mammary carcinoma in rats by estriol or tamoxifen.

Mammary carcinomas have been induced by 3.5 Gy whole-body gamma radiation administered at age 40 to 50 days to virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats. In 142 irradiated controls carcinoma incidence averaged 7.8% in survivors observed less than 300 days and 38.3% of those surviving longer (P less than 0.001 by t test). Mammary cancer promotion was inhibited by two methods: estriol (E3) 638 micrograms/month (2.2 microns/mo) subcutaneously for natural life span begun 2 weeks after exposure reduced cancer incidence from 76% in controls to 48% after 331 to 449 mean days observation until neoplasia was palpable (P less than 0.02 by chi-square analysis). Uterine weights were similar in control and treated groups, and were 15% to 18% greater than uteri of nonirradiated controls from other simultaneous experiments. Six monthly 638-micrograms doses of 17 alpha ethinyl estriol (EE3) reduced tumors from 88% in controls to 64% (P less than 0.05 by chi-square analysis) and delayed cancer onset (P less than 0.01-0.04 by life table analysis). Ethinyl estradiol (EE2) after 6 months' treatment similarly delayed mammary tumor development reducing incidence to 75% (NS), with a six-fold increase in nonmammary epithelial malignant tumors. Estriol administration begun between 3 days before to 5 days aftermore » radiation did not alter mammary cancer incidence in six experiments. Monthly implantation of 2.5 mg tamoxifen (4.44 microns/mo) started 2 weeks after radiation reduced mammary cancer incidence from 83% to 14% after 307 to 314 days' observation (P less than 0.001 by chi-square analysis). Treated rats had atrophic ovaries and uteri consistent with blockade of endogenous estradiol activity.« less
Regulation of Starch Metabolism in Arabidopsis Leaves

Starch is the main form by which plants store carbohydrate and is a major photosynthetic product in many species. Despite the importance of starch, there is still much more that needs to be learned about its synthesis and subsequent degradation. An article by [Smith et al. (2004)][1] applied the
MULTI-WAVELENGTH SIGNATURES OF GALACTIC BLACK HOLES : OBSERVATION AND THEORY

Abstract This review attempts to provide a concise overview of the observational signatures of galactic black hole candidates and highlight some of their theoretical models. We focus on the emerging areas of confrontation between observation and theory. The goal is to lay the foundation of a possible unified framework for the systematic study of the multiwavelength emission and dynamical properties associated with galactic black-holes candidates, ranging from X-ray Nova outbursts to relativistic bipolar jet-like outflows.
Combining nomogram and microarray data for predicting prostate cancer recurrence

The derivation of molecular signatures indicative of disease status and behavior are required to facilitate the optimal choice of treatment for prostate cancer patients. We conducted a computational analysis of gene expression profile data obtained from 79 cases, 39 of which were classified as having disease recurrence, to investigate whether an advanced computational algorithm can derive more accurate prognostic signatures for prostate cancer. At the 90% sensitivity level, a newly derived genetic signature achieved 85% specificity. This is the first reported genetic signature to outperform a clinically used postoperative nomogram. Furthermore, a hybrid signature derived by combination of the nomogram and gene expression data significantly outperformed both genetic and clinical signatures, and achieved a specificity of 95%. Our study demonstrates the possibility of utilizing both genetic and clinical information for highly accurate prostate cancer prognosis beyond the current clinical systems, and shows that more advanced computational modeling of microarray and clinical data is warranted before clinical application of predictive signatures is considered.
Comparison between Ab Initio and semiempirical net atomic charges of some nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists

We have calculated the net atomic charges and molecular electrostatic potentials of two potent nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists, isoarecolone and acetylpiperazine, by three different methods to see how well they correlate and if the simplest method gives the same predictive results. The calculational methods involved calculating net atomic charges by semiempirical (MNDO from MOPAC) and ab initio (Mulliken) and ab initio (potential derived) at STO-3G basis set level. Some deviations were observed when comparisons were made atom by atom, but when group comparisons were made, good correlations were observed. When these partial charges were used to calculate the respective molecular electrostatic potentials on the van der Waals surface, very good correlations were obtained. This study shows that for routine electrostatic calculations, semiempirical MNDO Calculations give similar results and thus lead to similar predictions.
Real-time command, data and control concepts for the instrument on the Space Interferometry Mission

The Space Interferometry Mission (SIM), slated to launch in 2008, will require simultaneous operation of tens of control loops running at kiloHertz rates. The task of designing a computer control system to run this complex, distributed system will require careful requirements analysis and design flow. Though the project is in early phases, the process to flow the flight system command, data, and control system requirements to the instrument real-time control design is well along. In this paper we give a glimpse into the process and resulting design.
Effect of insertional mutations in the pueA and pueB genes encoding two polyurethanases in Pseudomonas chlororaphis contained within a gene cluster

Aims: To better understand the role of PueA and PueB from Pseudomonas chlororaphis in polyurethane degradation, the present study was conducted to create insertional mutants in their respective genes. Methods and Results: Growth kinetic studies showed that the pueA knockout mutant had a greater effect than the pueB knockout mutant. The pueA mutant had an 80% decrease in cell density from that of the wild type, while the pueB mutant had an 18% decrease in cell density. Polyurethane utilization followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The pueA and pueB mutants exhibited a 17% and 10% decrease respectively in growth rate using polyurethane when compared with the wild type. Conclusions: In this present study, pueA and pueB, are shown to be part of an ABC transporter gene cluster that consists of seven open reading frames. Mutational analysis results suggest that PueA may play a more major role in polyurethane degradation than PueB based on cell density and growth rates. Significance and Impact of the Study: The results from this study provide a starting point for the eventual enhancement and bioremediation of polyurethane waste. Understanding the role of polyurethane-degrading enzymes is useful for the creation of strains for this purpose.