cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The structural and electrical properties of low‐resistance Ni contacts to InP

We have investigated the electrical and metallurgical behavior of the Ni-InP contact system. Specific contact resistivity (Rc) values in the low 10 exp -7 Omega-sq cm range are achieved with Ni-only contacts on n-InP by sintering at 400 C for several minutes. The postsinter contact metallization consists of three layers, arranged in the sequence: InP/Ni3P/Ni2P/In. Extended sintering (40 min) at 400 C brings about a rise in Rc to the 10 exp -4 Omega-sq cm range. After extended sintering, the contact metallization is found to consist of only two layers, arranged in the sequence: InP/Ni2P/In. Based on the correlation between low Rc and the presence of Ni3P at the metal-InP interface, it is suggested that the presence of Ni3P is the cause of the low Rc values. We show that the sintering schedule used to achieve low values of Rc is accompanied by substantial metal-InP interdiffusion that results in severe device degradation.
Six-photon de Broglie wavelength and phase-measurement sensitivity improving upon the standard quantum limit

Using only linear optics and projection measurement, we propose a simple multiphoton interference scheme for the demonstration of six-photon de Broglie wavelength, which leads to a cos6{phi} dependence on the single-photon phase {phi}. Although the scheme does not reach the Heisenberg limit in sensitivity for phase measurement, it improves upon the standard quantum limit with super-resolved sensitivity in phase measurement. We discuss possible experimental implementation with three pairs of photons from parametric down-conversion.
Dynamics of the ocean-cryosphere system: Barbados data

Abstract Renewed development of the Laurentide and Scandinavian ice sheets would have large effects on global climate. By one model, growth of a new ice sheet would be slow and would begin with systematic and easily measurable changes in remote regions of Northeastern Canada. By another model, growth of a new ice sheet would begin rapidly with the development of thin ice cover over a large area. Clearly, immediate global impact would be much greater with the second model than with the first. Because sea level fluctuations are the reciprocal of change in ice volume, interaction between Pleistocene coral reefs and sea level events provides an estimate of the dynamics of the ocean-cryosphere system. The data suggest rapid growth of continental sheets.
The tortuous or kinked carotid artery: Pathogenesis and clinical considerations. A historical review

The significance and management of cervical carotid artery tortuosity are controversial. One hundred eighteen cases of angulation of the common carotid artery and over 800 cases of elongation of the internal carotid artery have been reported. The etiology, presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of each entity are reviewed. Angulation of the common carotid artery is often managed conservatively. For clarity, elongations of the internal carotid artery should be classified as either tortuosities or kinks. Some patients with kinks of the internal carotid artery will have episodes of cerebrovascular insufficiency related to the position of their heads. Such patients merit thorough diagnostic evaluation. When other etiologic factors have been eliminated, patients in this group may benefit from a surgical procedure directed at the vascular abnormality. Applicable surgical techniques are discussed.
Studies of a methionine-activating enzyme.

Abstract The properties of a methionine-activating enzyme in human erythrocytes and those of other species are described. Several compounds were examined for their capacity to inhibit the enzyme. Electrophoretic mobility of the enzyme from human and animal tissues was investigated by starch block electrophoresis. Possible clinical applications of this new assay are discussed.
Phosphomannomutase activity in wild-type and alginate-producing strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Phosphomannomutase (PMM) activity was detected in the soluble cytoplasmic fraction of crude extracts of both mucoid (alginate-producing) and nonmucoid strains ofPseudomonas aeruginosa. The enzyme activity was concentrated and partially purified from cell extracts of mucoid strain V388 by precipitation with ammonium sulfate and by molecular exclusion chromatography. These preparations catalyzed the conversion of mannose 1-phosphate to mannose 6-phosphate in a coupled assay system that contained commercial phosphomannoisomerase, phosphoglucoisomerase, and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Catalytic activity in this system was strictly dependent on the presence of glucose 1,6-diphosphate (apparent Km, 150 μM) and exhibited a pH optimum of around 9 in Bicine-NaOH buffer. PMM exhibited an apparent Km of 60 μM for mannose 1-phosphate, but concentrations greater than 150 μM caused significant inhibition. Specific activities of PMM were consistently higher in the soluble fractions of mucoid strains (1.2–3.6 nmol/min/mg protein) than of nonmucoid strains (0.2–0.6 nmol/min/mg protein).
Kinetics of chylomicron triglyceride removal from plasma in rats: effect of dose on the volume of distribution.

Abstract Chylomicrons containing triglyceride [1- 14 C]palmitate were injected into unanesthetized, unrestrained rats which had been fasted overnight. Serial blood samples were withdrawn after injections and 14 C measured in lipids of plasma lipoproteins ( d V d ) of chylomicrons was calculated. In the initial experiments where the amount of lipid injected was 0.5–1.4 mg, the ( V d ) of a first injection (22.2 ± 5.3 ml) was significantly greater than that of a second equivalent injection (17.1 ± 4.6 ml) and both were much greater than plasma volume. Subsequent experiments where single injections of 0.5–15.8 mg lipid were administered, demonstrated that ( V d ) was much larger than plasma volume and quite variable with doses less than 6.5 mg while with doses of 8 mg or more the ( V d ) was approximately plasma volume. The changes in ( V d ) observed suggest that there may be a space into which the chylomicrons rapidly distribute and only slowly return. Alternately, the changes may be explained by fixation of the chylomicrons within the vascular compartment by binding to the endothelial surface or to blood cells. Whatever the explanation, the storage or binding appears to be saturable as indicated by the decrease in ( V d ) after repeated injections or injection of doses exceeding 6.5 mg triglyceride.
Mathematical model for pattern verification

Pattern verification is mathematically defined, an appropriate decision function is derived, and a measure for system evaluation is given. Two basic postulates are set forth to fully define a verification system: each known class is expected, with nonzero probability, to be verified under the correct class label; and the pattern vector extracted during verification should be descriptive of the given class, independent of which class label was entered into the system. Through appropriate use of a priori probabilities, three types of information can be incorporated into the theory: the expected number of times a given class will require verification, the expected use of each class label by a given class, and the likelihood that a particular class is susceptible to "impostor" patterns.
Complications of metallic stents in the pediatric airway.

Objective Our aim was to present our experience with complications caused by placement of metallic stents in the pediatric airway. Design and setting We conducted a retrospective study of the medical records of patients with complications resulting from metallic stent placement, managed by the senior authors between 1993 and 2002. Results Nine children had complications associated with the placement of metallic airway stents. Of these, 8 children required stent removal. Granulation tissue and tracheal stenosis were seen in all 7 children with long standing stent placement. There was 1 stent death in this series. Conclusions Metallic airway stents can cause significant complications in the pediatric airway. These complications may supersede the airway compromise that necessitated their initial placement. As such, metallic stent placement should be approached with caution. The likelihood and severity of complications increase with time, as do the difficulties encountered upon removal. The proportion of patients in whom metallic stents may be placed “permanently” without complications is not known. Therefore we recommend that metallic airway stents be considered a temporizing measure of limited duration.
East papuan kinship systems : Bougainville

Contrary to common belief, there are reliable reports of Dravidian-type kinship systems with prescriptive terms, Dravidian crossness and cross-cousin marriage in Papuan-speaking societies in Melanesia. This paper compares four Dravidian systems from South Bougainville in the Solomon Islands. The Proto-South Bougainville kinship system was Dravidian-Kariera in type. It dates, uncertainly, to sometime before the Austronesian expansion into Melanesia around 1500 BC and sometime near or after the settlement of East Papua 30,000 to 40,000 years ago. Dravidian kinship systems may have been common in East Papua surviving in Bougainville because of the island's relative size and isolation.
The Cyberiad: Fables for the Cybernetic Age

Stanislaw Lem's Cyberiad chronicles the adventures of Their Most Sublime and Radiant Constructorships Trurl and Klapaucius, Delight and Terror of the Universe, as they sally forth offtimes to bring to distant lands the benefit of their expertise. Their machines could do anything: the Gnostotron, an ontologue computer, with its theostats adjusted to the proper EMF (epistomotive force), at first claimed that omnipotence is most omnipotent when one does nothing at all, but with its loquacity increased, produced a recipe for Altruizine. Another of their constructions, a machine that could make anything with an N was quite happy doing Nothing. A backtracking machine, an electropoet, simulated the entire growth of civilization (necessary for the proper growth of the program to produce proper verse); after going from fish to amphibian to reptile to mammal, something odd took place among the primates and instead of great apes, he came out with gray drapes but finally managed somehow. A backtalking machine, the creator of the Nth degree, made needles, nankeens, narghiles filled with nepenthe, nymphs, and naiads, but balked at the Latin natrium: "Look, old boy, if I could do everything starting with N in every possible language, I'd be a Machine That Could Do Everything in the Whole Alphabet, since any item you care to mention undoubtedly starts with N in one foreign language or another. It's not that easy. I can't go beyond what you programmed. So no sodium."
Neurochemical identification of cholinergic forebrain projection sites of the nucleus tegmentalis dorsalis lateralis.

The projection sites of the nucleus tegmentalis dorsalis lateralis (ntdl) were examined in rats by a biochemical technique. The ntdl was destroyed unilaterally and brains were assayed after 14 days survival for changes in choline acetyltransferase activity in discrete brain areas. A bilateral projection appears to exist to the anteroventral and the posterior nucleus of the thalamus. An ipsilateral projection to the lateral portion of the medial thalamic nucleus and the ventral lateral geniculate was found. It is suggested that the nucleus tegmentalis dorsalis lateralis may play a role in the modulation of limbic forebrain areas.
Release of geosmin by Anabaena circinalis following treatment with aluminium sulphate

Taste and odour due to algae are not generally removed during conventional water treatment and can sometimes be increased during the treatment process owing to cell lysis. Some reasons for this have been documented in the literature but there appears to be contradictory evidence regarding the effect of flocculation. In this study the effect of aluminium sulphate on cultured cells of Anabaena circinalis was evaluated at concentrations and conditions that would occur in a water treatment plant. Aluminium sulphate did not appear to cause lysis of cells of cultured Anabaena circinalis nor increase the amount of geosmin in the water. Flocculation under laboratory conditions, which simulated operating water treatment plants, resulted in removal of cells in a healthy state, with no additional release of geosmin.
Topical immunization using nanoengineered genetic vaccines

DNA vaccines have been shown to elicit both broad humoral and cellular immune responses. Needle-free injection devices and the gene gun have been used to deliver these DNA vaccines to dendritic cells in the viable skin epidermis with some success. However, more cost-effective and dendritic cell (DC)-targeted immunization strategies are sought. To this end, a nanoengineered genetic vaccine for simple topical application was developed. Expressed beta-galactosidase was used as a model antigen. Plasmid DNA was coated on the surface of preformed cationic nanoparticles engineered directly from warm oil-in-water (O/W) microemulsion precursors comprised of emulsifying wax as the oil phase and CTAB as a cationic surfactant. Mannan, a DC ligand, was coated on the nanoparticles with and without entrapped endosomolytic agents, dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) and cholesterol. In-vitro cell transfection studies were performed to confirm transgene expression with these pDNA-coated nanoparticles. An in-vitro Concanavalin A (ConA) agglutination assay confirmed the presence of mannan on the surface of nanoparticles. The humoral and proliferative immune responses were assessed after topical application of these nanoengineered systems to the skin of shaved Balb/C mice. All pDNA-coated nanoparticles, especially the mannan-coated pDNA-nanoparticles with DOPE, resulted in significant enhancement in both antigen-specific IgG titers (16-fold) and splenocyte proliferation over 'naked' pDNA alone.
Cytomegalovirus reactivation following autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma in the era of novel chemotherapeutics and tandem transplantation.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an important pathogen after allogeneic transplantation. However, few studies have examined CMV reactivation after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT) to treat multiple myeloma (MM), especially in the setting of the newer chemotherapeutic agents and/or 2 sequential APBSCTs (ie, tandem transplantation). A retrospective chart review of patients with MM who underwent either single APBSCT or tandem transplantation was conducted to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of CMV infection at a single institution. A total of 104 patients with MM underwent transplantation during the study period, including 66 patients who received tandem transplantation. The majority of patients (66 of 104; 63.5%) were CMV-seropositive, and CMV viremia was frequently detected in this subgroup (32 of 66; 48.5%). No primary CMV infections were identified. CMV reactivation was more common in recipients of tandem transplantation than in recipients of single APBSCT (P
PROGRESS IN AGRICULTURAL CLIMATOLOGY

(1968). PROGRESS IN AGRICULTURAL CLIMATOLOGY. The Professional Geographer: Vol. 20, No. 5, pp. 317-320.
Raphespinal and reticulospinal neurons project to the dorsal vagal complex in the rat

Stimulation of the caudal raphe nuclei alters visceral functions. The caudal raphe nuclei project to the nucleus of the solitary tract, which receives the central terminations of vagal afferents and plays an important role in the central integration of autonomic activities. The caudal raphe nuclei also project to the somatic and preganglionic autonomic motoneurons of the spinal cord. Diamidino yellow was injected into the nucleus of the solitary tract, and fast blue was injected into either the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spinal cord. Large numbers of double-labeled neurons were present within the caudal raphe nuclei and the adjacent reticular formation of the medial tegmental field. This observation documents that individual raphespinal and reticulospinal neurons project an axon collateral to the nucleus of the solitary tract. These data demonstrate the anatomic substrate for global modulation of the autonomic motoneuron pool by the caudal raphe nuclei.
Seismic vulnerability assessment of wall pier supported highway bridges using nonlinear pushover analyses

Abstract Pushover analyses were conducted to assess the seismic vulnerability of wall pier supported highway bridges on southern Illinois priority emergency routes. Three-dimensional finite element models were developed to reflect typical hammerhead and regular wall pier bridges from a random sample of the bridge inventory. The models incorporated expected nonlinear structural and material behavior of all the bridge components—superstructure, expansion joints, approach embankments and/or abutments, bearings, wall piers, footings and/or pile caps, and pile and/or mat foundations (plus soil effects)—as well as defining failure measures for each component. Both transverse and longitudinal pushover analyses were conducted on ninety wall pier bridge models reflecting the sample population variation in bridge characteristics such as wall pier type, number of piers, skew, type of foundation, concrete reinforcement ratio, bearing type, and wall height. It was found that the population of wall pier bridges studied was generally vulnerable to wall bearing and abutment bearing failures, wall pier ductility failures, and footing shear and/or bending failures, with bridge skew leading to a coupling of the failure mechanisms from the two pushover directions.
Bipolar Diffusion Charging of Soot Aggregates

Experimental measurements of bipolar diffusion charging efficiency over the range of 15–400 nm are compared for oil droplets, flame generated soot aggregates, and diesel engine exhaust particulate matter to explore possible effects of particle morphology. Charging efficiency is recorded using a tandem differential mobility analyzer (DMA) approach; the first DMA selects a monodisperse aerosol and the second compares the flux of these particles through a neutralizer versus an identical blank housing. Electrostatic precipitation of mobility selected soot particles onto TEM grids provides comparative data on changes in soot particle morphology with mobility diameter. The measurements yield soot charging efficiencies that slightly, but systematically, differ from those of equal mobility diameter oil droplets. Single positive charging of soot climbs to ∼ 10% higher than oil droplets at 50 nm and then decreases to 15% lower by 400 nm as the soot develops a progressively more fractal-like structure. Negative char...
Zero-Dissipation Limit for Nonlinear Waves

Evolution equations featuring nonlinearity, dispersion and dissipation are considered here. For classes of such equations that include the Korteweg-de Vries-Burgers equation and the BBM-Burgers equation, the zero dissipation limit is studied. Uniform bounds independent of the dissipation coefficient are derived and zero dissipation limit results with optimal convergence rates are established.
Low-Frequency Predictability of the Dynamical Extended-Range Forecast Experiment

The objective of the study was to analyze data from the Dynamical Extended-Range Forecast Experiment conducted from January 1986 to March 1987, and to evaluate differences between analysis and forecasts with emphasis on the tropical 30-50-day oscillation. The diagnostic toll used is the projection of analysis and forecast data onto the normal modes of a primitive equation model. Examination of zonal-wind anomalies in the tropics shows that the forecast model predicts propagation of intraseasonal variations more accurately for slow propagation rates. The forecast amplitude is generally weaker than the analyzed amplitude. Analyzed kinetic energy and error fields exhibit similar horizontal scales for internal and external modes. External Rossby-mode components maximize in the extratropics while Rossby internal modes exhibit patterns that extend over the entire globe.
Single Tryptophan Mutants of Galleria Mellonella Apolipophorin III: Binding Interaction to Lipopolysaccharides

Apolipoproteins have been shown to interact with lipopolysaccharides, thereby providing protection against sepsis. To gain insight in the binding interaction, apolipophorin III (apoLp-III) from the Greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella, was used as a model. The protein bears a unique tyrosine residue which has been used to monitor LPS binding interaction. To improve the binding analysis, single tryptophan mutants were engineered. The introduction of a tryptophan in apoLp-III provides a stronger fluorescence signal, allowing for less protein and decreasing light scatter problems when determining the binding interaction with the three components of LPS (Lipid A, core and O-antigen polysaccharides). Five single-tryptophan mutants (F20W, L80W, L119W, I138W and F145W) were designed and produced in a bacterial expression system. The secondary structure of the mutant proteins was similar to that of the wild-type protein. The protein stability, measured as the resistance to Gdn-HCl induced denaturation, was slightly decreased. This indicates that the overall α-helical structure was not affected by the introduction of tryptophan. Upon LPS binding, the tryptophan fluorescence emission increased for I138W and F145W-apoLp-III, decreased for F20W and L119W-apoLp-III, and no significant difference was observed for L80W-apoLp-III. Thus the tryptophan residues relocate into distinct environments, indicating that the apoLp-III helices bind to different parts of LPS.
GENERATION OF CHICKEN POLYCLONAL ANTIBODIES AGAINST DISTINCT MAIZE ISOTUBULINS

Antibodies specific to five different maize isotubulins were made. From predicted amino acid sequences established from previously sequenced maize tubulin genes, peptide antigens were synthesized matching the carboxyl-terminal 11–13 amino acids of each of three maize α-tubulins and two maize β-tubulins. Antibodies were generated by injecting conjugated antigens into hens, collecting their eggs, and extracting immunoglobulin Y from the egg yolk. Specificity of each antibody was tested by immunoblotting of fusion proteins containing the antigenic sequence of the specific α- and β-tubulin isoforms. For all five isotubulins, antibodies were affinity-purified with fusion proteins corresponding to their respective antigens, to remove nonspecific binding found in the antibody preparations. Further preparation of anti-α-tubulins was required to eliminate cross-reactivity of antibodies with members of other α-tubulin subfamilies. For this, affinity-purified antibodies against a specific α-tubulin were preadsorbed with peptides representing cross-reactive α-tubulin antigens. Results indicated that virtually all cross-reactivity between members of different α-tubulin subfamilies could be eliminated, resulting in labeling of only the fusion protein containing the specific antigen. All five isotubulin antibodies generated showed labeling of discrete spots on two-dimensional immunoblots of maize proteins, demonstrating the specificity of the antibodies in complex tubulin mixtures. These antibodies should prove valuable for analyzing the developmental distribution, and possible functional significance, of several maize isotubulins.
Identification of three classes of multiglomerular, broad-spectrum neurons in the crayfish olfactory midbrain by correlated patterns of electrical activity and dendritic arborization

We recorded electrical activity from three different classes of broad-spectrum, multiglomerular neurons in the crayfish (Procambarus clarkii, P. blandingi) olfactory midbrain. Responses were obtained to odorants and electrical stimuli applied to the antennules of isolated, perfused head preparations. All three neuronal types responded to a complex mixture of five amino acids as well as to solutions of a commercial fish food. At least two classes also responded to individual amino acids and to sugars. The response properties and the morphologies of the neurons were unique to each type. Responses of Type I cells were stimulus-dependent excitatory postsynaptic potentials and superimposed impulse trains; those in Type II were stimulus-dependent inhibitory postsynaptic potentials; those in Type III were compound responses consisting of short latency hyperpolarizations, followed by depolarizing post-synaptic potentials and impulses. All three cell types had extensive, multiglomerular dendritic arbors in the olfactory lobe, but each of their respective branching pattern morphologies was distinctive. Two types had additional dendrite branches in the lateral antennular neuropil and the olfactory-globular tract neuropil. We conclude that these broad-spectrum neurons are part of a parallel olfactory pathway that is separate from the putative quality coding circuitry in the crayfish olfactory system.
Visual motion combined with base of support width reveals variable field dependency in healthy young adults.

We previously reported responses to induced postural instability in young healthy individuals viewing visual motion with a narrow (25° in both directions) and wide (90° and 55° in the horizontal and vertical directions) field of view (FOV) as they stood on different sized blocks. Visual motion was achieved using an immersive virtual environment that moved realistically with head motion (natural motion) and translated sinusoidally at 0.1 Hz in the fore-aft direction (augmented motion). We observed that a subset of the subjects (steppers) could not maintain continuous stance on the smallest block when the virtual environment was in motion. We completed a posteriori analyses on the postural responses of the steppers and non-steppers that may inform us about the mechanisms underlying these differences in stability. We found that when viewing augmented motion with a wide FOV, there was a greater effect on the head and whole body center of mass and ankle angle root mean square (RMS) values of the steppers than of the non-steppers. FFT analyses revealed greater power at the frequency of the visual stimulus in the steppers compared to the non-steppers. Whole body COM time lags relative to the augmented visual scene revealed that the time-delay between the scene and the COM was significantly increased in the steppers. The increased responsiveness to visual information suggests a greater visual field-dependency of the steppers and suggests that the thresholds for shifting from a reliance on visual information to somatosensory information can differ even within a healthy population.
Restrictions on the coefficients of hyperbolic systems of partial differential equations

Abstract The paper deals with hyperbolic homogeneous systems [Formula: see text] of partial differential equations with constant coefficients for an N-vector u(t,x1,...,xn). Here, P is a matrix form of order N and degree m. In the scalar case (N = 1), every hyperbolic P is limit of strictly hyperbolic ones. This does not hold for systems as is shown here for the special case N = n = 3, m = 2. Assuming P(1,0,...,0) to be the unit matrix, we represent P by a point in R81. The hyperbolic P form a closed set H in R81, the strictly hyperbolic ones an open subset Hs of H. An example is given for a P in H which is not in the closure of Hs. Moreover, it is shown that near that P the set H coincides with an algebraic manifold of codimension 4.
The dermatoglyphics of American Caucasians

Digital and palmar dermatoglyphics were collected from 360 male and 360 female seven year old Caucasians from the greater Boston area. All participants were screened and found to be free of minor anomalies or chronic diseases. All individuals with I.Q. scores below 70 were also excluded. The results were presented in such a way as to give information on bilateral symmetry as well as overall frequencies of the various dermatoglyphic features. The results were compared with those of the corresponding sample of seven year old normal male and female Negrose of the accompanying report. A review of the distribution of the dermatoglyphic features in different Caucasian populations has also been presented and the overall dermatoglyphics of the Caucasians were discussed in reference to the distribution of the same features in the other major “racial” groups. The method of collection and selection of the subjects, described in the text, makes this set of data unique and one of the most suitable for use as controls in studying the dermatoglyphics of the individuals with diseases or congenital anomalies.
Propagation of focal cortical epileptiform discharge to the basal ganglia.

Abstract Single-unit activity was recorded in the caudate and entopeduncular nuclei of cats during penicillin-induced epileptiform discharge from the pericruciate cortex. More than 80% of responsive caudate neurons fired a burst of action potentials after the cortical interictal spikes. An even higher percentage (95%) burst during the clonic phase of electrocorticographic seizures. In the entopeduncular nucleus, approximately 45% of the cells increased their firing rate or burst with the interictal spike and 33% decreased their firing rate after the interictal spike. These results are consistent with the notion that the basal ganglia may act as an important pathway for the spread and generalization of focal epileptic discharge.
Characterization of a Nanofluid Volumetric Solar Absorber / Steam Generator

Solar thermal energy has shown remarkable growth in recent years — incorporating many new technologies into new applications [1]. Nanofluids — suspensions of nanoparticles in conventional fluids — have shown promise to make efficient volumetric-absorption solar collectors [2–4]. It has also been shown that concentrated light energy can efficiently cause localized phase change in a nanofluid [5]. These findings indicate that it may be advantageous to create a ‘direct, volumetric nanofluid steam generator’. That is, a solar collector design which could minimize the number of energy transfer steps, and thus minimize losses in converting sunlight (via thermal energy) to electricity. To study this, we use a testing apparatus where concentrated laser light at 532 nm — a wavelength very near the solar spectrum peak — is incident on a highly absorbing sample. The highly absorbing samples compared in this study are black dyes, black painted surfaces, and silver nanofluids — with de-ionized water as a base fluid. Each of these samples converts light energy to heat — to varying degrees — in a localized region. This region is monitored simultaneously with a digital camera and an infrared camera. The resulting observed temperature profile and bubble dynamics are compared for these fluids. For pure water with a black backing, some very high temperatures (>300 °C) are observed with a laser input of ∼75 W/cm2 . Using a similar absorption potential, we observed higher temperatures in the nanofluids when compared to black dyes. A simplified boiling heat transfer analysis based on these results is also presented. We also noticed differences in bubble size and growth rates for the different samples. Overall, this study represents a proof-of-concept test for a novel volumetric, direct steam generator. These results of this test indicate that it may be possible to efficiently generate steam directly in a controlled, localized volume — i.e. without heating up passive system components.© 2011 ASME
Isotope Shift In Neutral Oxygen

An O18-enriched oxygen sample (donated by A. O. Nier) has allowed examination of isotope structure in 20 atomic lines between 2000 and 11 000A. Strong sharp lines were obtained in a liquid nitrogen-cooled electrodeless quartz discharge tube containing up to 0.5 mm of oxygen in 5 mm of helium excited by a 10 mc oscillator. The discharge was photographed through an external Fabry-Perot interferometer in series with a large prism spectrograph. The shifts found ranged from zero to as high as 0.5 cm−1 for λ4233 (4p3P–3d′3P) and λ2884 (3p3P–3d′3P). Enough data was available to allow a study of the internal consistency of the measured shifts as a test of the mass-effect theory. With the measured shifts in two lines, two theoretical parameters for the specific effect were empirically determined and used to predict shifts in several other lines. It is concluded that the mass-effect theory is generally applicable to oxygen and that the abnormally large shifts found for λ4233 and λ2884 are the result of interactions affecting the common upper level. A comparison is made with earlier nitrogen data. Use is made of the formal relationship of specific effect parameters to certain radiation theory integrals in calculating a transition probability and an f value for the λ1306 resonance triplet. The reasonable values obtained are a further indication of the validity of the theory.
Carbon and energy yields in prebiotic syntheses using atmospheres containing CH4, CO and CO2

Yields based on carbon are usually reported in prebiotic experiments, while energy yields (moles/cal) are more useful in estimating the yields of products that would have been obtained from the primitive atmosphere of the earth. Energy yields for the synthesis of HCN and H2CO from a spark discharge were determined for various mixtures of CH4, CO, CO2, H2, H2O, N2 an NH3. The maximum yields of HCN and H2CO from CH4, CO, and CO2 as carbon sources are about 4 x 10 to the -8th moles/cal.
The effect of epidural fentanyl on the minimum local analgesic concentration of epidural chloroprocaine in labor

The minimum local analgesic concentration (MLAC) has been defined as the median effective local analgesic concentration (EC50) in a 20-mL volume in the first stage of labor. The aim of this study was to determine the local anesthetic sparing efficacy of epidural fentanyl by its effect on the MLAC of chloroprocaine. Fifty-six parturients, not exceeding 7 cm cervical dilation, who requested epidural analgesia were allocated to one of two groups in this double-blind, randomized, prospective study. After placing a lumbar epidural catheter, 20 mL of the solution being tested was given: chloroprocaine (n = 28) or chloroprocaine with fentanyl 3 micrograms/mL (60 micrograms) (n = 28). The concentration of chloroprocaine was determined by the response of the previous patient to a higher or lower concentration using up-down sequential allocation. Analgesic efficacy was assessed using 100-mm visual analog pain scores with 10 mm or less within 30 min defined as effective. The MLAC of chloroprocaine was reduced from 0.43% wt/vol to 0.26% wt/vol by fentanyl (P = 0.023). Thus, the addition of epidural fentanyl 3 micrograms/mL (60 micrograms resulted in a significant 40% reduction in the MLAC of chloroprocaine in the first stage of labor.
Effects of carbamates on bobwhite food intake, body weight, and locomotor activity.

Food intake, body weight, and locomotor activity were monitored on adult male bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) which were provided diets that contained sublethal levels of carbaryl or carbofuran typical of natural exposure under agricultural conditions in Kansas. Diets containing 237 or 1,235 ppm of carbaryl, or 26 ppm of carbofuran did not alter food intake, body weight, or locomotor activity of adult bobwhites. Diets containing 131 ppm of carbofuran significantly (P < 0.05) reduced food intake, body weight, and locomotor activity.
Contamination studies in the use of human nails for dietary studies: The effect of clippers

A series of five experiments were undertaken using several brands of fingernail and toenail clippers to determine if there was a potential source of contamination and interference in the ongoing dietary studies using nails from large cohort groups. A cleanup protocol was deemed sufficient to remove possible contamination.
Effects of varied dietary calcium and phosphorus on renal function of male Blue Duiker antelope

Sixteen adult male Blue Duikers (Cephalophus monticola bicolor) were fed a basal diet with four levels of Ca and P for 4 months. Pretrial, 24-h urine clearance was studied in each Duiker while they consumed the herd diet (1.38% Ca/0.66% P) (The Pennsylvania State University (PSU) formulation). Pretrial, 24-h urine clearance values revealed no differences (P > 0.05) among treatment groups consuming the PSU diet. However, younger males did have higher serum P and lower serum and urine Ca concentrations (P < 0.05). Posttrial renal function studies indicated age differences for [P]Plasma, [K]Urine, urine/plasma [K], and absolute excretion of K, which were higher in younger males, and free water clearance and tubular P excretion, which were highest in older males. Renal function was affected by the level of Ca and P in the diet. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal blood flow (ERBF) were lower (P < 0.05), and fractional excretion (FE) of electrolytes and creatinine (Cr) were higher (P < 0.05) in the T3 group (0.8% Ca/0.4% P), indicating possible onset of renal dysfunction in these Duikers. Clearance of creatinine (CCr) was negatively correlated with [Cr]Plasma, suggesting tubular secretion of Cr increased during decreased renal function. Endogenous CCr was not an accurate approximation of GFR, as determined by clearance of inulin (CIn, in Blue Duiker under varying nutritional conditions. FE of all electrolytes, as calculated by CIn, regressed against the FE calculated from CCr, indicated a poor correlation except for P. This suggests that FEP as measured by CCr may be a useful index of early renal dysfunction in Blue Duiker. It appears that Blue Duiker have the ability to maximize P retention that may be available in limited quantity in the wild. The Ca/P ratio of 0.5:0.4% in the ration appears to be best suited for adult males.
Teaching Social Policy: Integration of Current Legislation and Media Resources.

Social work students enter the field of social work for many reasons—from wanting to become clinicians to wanting to advocate for a more socially just world. Social policy classes can be the ideal courses to provide instruction on conducting research on current policy issues. Teaching students about policy advocacy can lead to a class rich with practical application for future legislative action. This article summarizes methods of teaching social policy courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level. It includes details about resources (e.g., newspapers, news programs, blogs, Web sites) that students and instructors can use to track current policy topics.
Signatures of Mixing from the Bermuda Slope, the Sargasso Sea and the Gulf Stream

Abstract Nearly simultaneous profiles of temperature microstructure and velocity shear were made adjacent to the island of Bermuda. Profiles with elevated microstructure levels were found in close association with regions of pronounced steplike finestructure, which contained nearly adiabatic regions from 2 to 10 m thick. The temperature spectra and the presence of numerous centimeter-scale temperature inversions gave evidence that active turbulent mixing was occurring in some of these regions. These were the locations in which large-scale surveys, reported by Hogg et al. (1978), found that eddies impinging on the island were forcing alongshore flow. Although the mixing was intense by comparison with profiles in the thermocline, the limited geographical extent of the affected areas and the moderate levels indicate that mixing adjacent to islands is of minor importance on a global basis. A very limited number of profiles taken in the Sargasso Sea found microstructure levels in the thermocline that were simi...
The pitfalls of instrument compatibility

In military and aerospace applications test systems are expected to have a service life of more than 20 years. Over the life of the test system individual test instruments may become obsolete or may require upgrading due to changes in TPS requirements. Any changes to these legacy test instruments may cause problems with the deployed Test Program Set (TPS). Most test systems are designed with an instrument wrapper layer to isolate the TPS developer from the instrument driver Application Programming Interface (API). This wrapper layer will minimize the changes to the TPS due to changes in individual test instruments. This paper discusses some of the issues that may be encountered when either replacing obsolete instrumentation or upgrading instrumentation in a test system. Some of the issues are easy to discover and understand such as minor differences in the instrument specifications between the legacy test instrument and the replacement instrument. Other issues may not become apparent until attempting to use the replacement instrument within a test program or when upgrading system checkers. For example a test program may fail with a replacement instrument due to signal settling time. This problem can occur when the replacement instrument performs measurements faster than the legacy instrument. The problem can be fixed by either adding a wait in the test program or by adding a trigger delay in the test program or wrapper. The main focus of this paper will be on the problems related to the replacement of analog instruments. This paper will not discuss issues related to differences in the instrument driver API since this can usually be handled in the instrument wrapper layer. The problem discussions will look at classes of problems and site some specific examples in each class. Guidelines will be presented for solving or avoiding the problem. Some of this information may also be useful in the design of future test systems and TPSs to avoid similar issues.
Seismic drift and ductility demands and their dependence on ground motions

Implementation of performance-based earthquake engineering necessitates the probabilistic evaluation of engineering demand parameters that can be related to variables, such as monetary losses, on which quantitative seismic performance assessment can be based. The purpose of this paper is to identify relevant demand parameters, quantify these parameters for regular frame structures, and illustrate how statistically representative relationships between these parameters and ground motion intensity measures can be established. Emphasis is on the development of such relationships for ordinary ground motions, and on issues that have to be addressed in order to establish relationships between demand parameters and near-fault ground motions.
The Influence of Terrain Scattering on Radio Links in Hilly/Mountainous Regions

Current rural propagation models only consider paths (direct, ground reflected, terrain diffracted, troposphere scattered) that lie in the vertical plane containing the transmitter and receiver. This paper shows that nonspecular scattering from terrain can give significant additional contributions to the received signal in hilly/mountainous environments. To show this, we have carried out Monte Carlo simulations of scattering in many different types of rural regions. These simulations model scattering using the bi-static radar equation with a Lambert's law coefficient. In order to permit simulations for many radio links and many terrain databases, we have developed a novel algorithm to rapidly search for terrain scattering elements that are visible to both the transmit and receive antennas. Results show that in sufficiently rugged terrain, the scattered paths can give a greater contribution to received power than vertical plane paths in more than 80% of links. Conclusions are drawn for radio channel characteristics, such as angle spread and short-term spatial fading. Statistical models dependent on terrain variation for path loss, and temporal response are also developed.
Slater-Koster parametrization of the band structure of TiNi

Abstract A very accurate Slater-Koster parametrization of the band structure of the intermetallic compound TiNi is presented. Various technical aspects of optimizing the Slater-Koster interpolation method for the CsCl structure are discussed.
Interrogating Intersectionality: Contemporary Globalisation and Racialised Gendering in the Lives of Highly Educated South Asian Americans and their Children

This paper examines the fit of the intersectionality framework for understanding transnational lives. The data for this paper is drawn from my research on South Asian migrants to America and their children, the 1.5 and 2nd generation. I focus on these highly educated migrants and their children and their efforts to maintain meaningful family ties and live religions in a context that spans the USA and selected South Asian countries. I use this data to assess whether the intersectionality approach is able to explain lives that span ‘real’ and ‘virtual’ social worlds. I show that the intersectionality approach needs to be deepened to capture simultaneous experiences of privilege and marginalisation across national and transnational contexts.
Application of Genetic Algorithm for Reconfiguration of Shipboard Power System

Reconfiguration of the electrical network in a shipboard power system is a critical activity that is required to either restore service to a lost load or to meet some operational requirements of the ship. Reconfiguration refers to changing the topology of the power system in order to isolate system damage and/or optimize certain characteristics of the system related to power efficiency. When finding the optimal state, it is important to have a method that finds the desired state within a short amount of time, in order to allow fast response for the system. Since the reconfiguration problem is highly nonlinear over a domain of discrete variables, the genetic algorithm method is a good candidate. In this paper, a reconfiguration methodology, using a genetic algorithm, is presented that will reconfigure a given network, satisfying the operational requirements and priorities of loads. It also considers islanding to restore supply to critical loads after a fault is encountered. As a preliminary work, the proposed method has been applied to a simple 8-bus shipboard power system model and the concept will be extended to larger power systems.
Pharmacogenetics of cylic guanylate, antioxidants, and antioxidants enzymes in saccharomyces

Abstract Supplements of antioxidants, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, cyclic guanylate (cGMP), and theophylline, or omission of iron and copper from the medium are therapeutic for the inferior growth and viability of yeast mutants doubly deficient in mitochondrial and exocellular SOD isozymes under oxidative stresses. Cyclic adenylate tends to be ineffective or counterproductive. Oxy-stress resistant revertants are cross-resistant to other oxy-stresses and acquire one, the other, or both isozymes. The principal conclusions are: i) a genetic effect in cGMP metabolism probably compromises regulation of the enzymes' synthesis; ii) the enzymes are only essential for growth and viability under oxidative stresses; iii) oxidative toxicity is mediated by both exo- and endocellular oxy-radicals, particularly hydroxyl radicals; and iv) the pharmacogenetic features and the mutants' phenotypes are quite similar to those of negative antioxidant enzyme regulatory mutants of the related ascomycete Neurospora.