cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Formation of interface bubbles in bonded silicon wafers: A thermodynamic model

A thermodynamic model of the formation of unbonded areas or bubbles generated at the interface of bonded silicon wafers in the temperature range of 200–800°C is presented. Within this model it is assumed that the desorption of hydrocarbon contamination at the silicon wafer surfaces leads to small hydrocarbon molecules which are mobile at the bonding interface. When the vapor pressure generated by these molecules overcomes the interface bonding strength, interface bubbles are nucleated. These bubbles grow by incorporating further hydrocarbon and also possible hydrogen molecules. The model semiquantitatively explains all the essential features of interface bubble formation observed experimentally.
Cell kinetics in the respiratory tract of hamsters exposed to cigarette sidestream smoke

AbstractMale Syrian golden hamsters were exposed for 6 h/day, 7 days/wk for up to 3 wk to side-stream smoke generated from Kentucky 1R4F reference cigarettes. Monitoring showed that the chamber atmosphere contained 1 mg/m3 of total suspended particulate, 385 μg/m3 of nicotine, and 4 ppm carbon monoxide. Cumulative labeling indices were measured in the pulmonary parenchyma, intrapulmonary airways, trachea, and nasal passages with the bromodeoxyuridine osmotic minipump technique. Cells were labeled during wk 1, 2, and 3 of smoke exposure and for a 1-wk recovery period in air after 1, 2, or 3 wk of smoke exposure. In the airway epithelia, exposure to sidestream smoke did not increase cell proliferation as long as the animals were inhaling smoke, but did so upon removal of the animals from the chamber. In the nasal respiratory epithelium, cell proliferation was initially increased, but then, after removal of the animals into air, was inhibited relative to clean air controls. No changes in labeling index were ...
Nonstoichiometry and carrier concentration control in MBE of compound semiconductors

Abstract All compound semiconductors remain single-phase over some small range of deviation from stoichiometric proportions. Outside this range precipitates occur. Within it, native point defects including vacancies, interstitials and antisites are generated; these act as shallow or deep acceptors and donors and thus profoundly affect the electronic properties of the crystal. The equilibrium partial pressure of N2 over the compound MN typically increases orders of magnitude as stoichiometry deviation varies from the M-rich to the N-rich phase boundary. Although MBE is not an equilibrium process, film stoichiometry deviation is widely adjustable with the N2/M impingement rate ratio during growth. Closer control of this ratio is possible for the II–VI and IV–VI compounds by using the binary compounds as evaporation sources rather than the constituent elements, since the II–VI compounds evaporate dissociatively and congruently (the elements being more volatile than the compounds) and the IV–VI compounds evaporate mostly as MN. The III–V compounds evaporate dissociatively and noncongruently, since the III elements are less volatile. At growth temperatures just below the re-evaporation temperatures of the compounds, where highest crystal quality is generally obtained, the composition of II–VI compound films is self-regulating within the single-phase field because of the high volatility of the elements. A small fraction of excess impinging Te2 is incorporated into ZnTe, however, probably in the form of Zn vacancies, since these acceptor defects are thought to be responsible for the high p-conductivity of pure ZnTe. GaAs grown with high As2/Ga impingement flux ratio contains a photoluminescent deep defect level which is absent with lower As2/Ga. In addition, the amphoteric impurity dopant Ge may be made to move from Ga (donor) sites to As (acceptor) sites by decreasing As2/Ga, but usually with the appearance of a Ga precipitate. In the IV–VI compounds, stoichiometry deviation produces only shallow vacancy and interstitial defect levels, whixh act as dopants. Defect doping is typically adjustable from 1019 p cm-3 using excess VI flux to 1017 n cm-3 using excess IV flux, but only 0.1−1% of the excess elements are incorporated into the growing film. Most excess Se and Te re-evaporate and most excess Pb precipitates at the growth surface. The M-substitutional impurity dopants T1 (p-type) and Bi (n-type) are more suitable for IV–VI MBE, since nearly all impinging flux is actively incorporated and since higher doping levels (1019−1020cm-3) are achievable. At the higher doping levels, compensation occurs in some cases as dopant begins to be incorporated on VI sites also, but this effect can be reduced by the use of excess impinging VI. Alternatively, compound dopants such as Bi2Te3, which evaporates molecularly, can be employed.
A comparison of mitochondrial tRNAs in five vertebrates.

Sequences of several vertebrate mitochondrial tRNAs were aligned and compared. The comparisons were made in pairs of the tRNAs for an identical amino acid. There are 22 genes for different tRNAs in each vertebrate mitochondrial DNA. The closest similarities were between rat and mouse, the next were between mammals, and the widest difference was between human or rat and Xenopus laevis. However, there were very wide variations between different amino acids in each set of comparisons. The time lapse for each percent of difference greatly increased with evolutionary separation. Most of the nucleotide substitutions appeared to be neutral in character.
Temporal dynamics in fMRI resting-state activity

In a significant new study, Mitra et al. (1) demonstrate the existence of reproducible temporal patterns of spontaneous activity from human functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) recordings. This finding and the novel methods used to demonstrate it bring the question of the role of temporally patterned activity into the domain of human cognition.
Using multiresponse data to estimate biokinetic parameters

Biokinetic parameters are usually calculated from slopes and intercepts taken from plots of experimental data. One response at an item is plotted and used for parameter estimation. Aside from problems that may be caused by transformations made when the data are plotted, this approach has the weakness of not using all the data simultaneously when there is more than one response. This paper shows how multiresponse biological data can be handled to get parameter estimates that are much more precise than those obtained using conventional methods.
Rio Grande rift: An overview

Abstract The Rio Grande rift of the southwestern United States is one of the world's principal continental rift systems. It extends as a series of asymmetrical grabens from central Colorado, through New Mexico, to Presidio, Texas, and Chihuahua, Mexico—a distance of more than 1000 km. Although the Rio Grande rift is closely related in timing and structural style to the contiguous Basin and Range extensional province, the two can be distinguished by a variety of geological and geophysical signatures. Rifts (both oceanic and continental) can be defined as elongate depressions overlying places where the entire lithosphere has ruptured in extension. The lithosphere of the Rio Grande rift conforms to this definition, in that: 1. (1) the crust is moderately thinned—Moho depths range from about 45 km under the flanks to about 33 km beneath the rift axis. 2. (2) anomalously low P n velocities (7.6–7.8 km s −1 ) beneath the rift and a long wavelength gravity low suggest that the asthenosphere is in contact with the base of the crust. The P-velocity is abnormally low (6.4–6.5 km s −1 ) in the lower half of the crust beneath the rift, suggesting high crustal temperatures. However, associated seismic and volcanologic data indicate the sub-rift lower crust is not dominated by a massive composite mafic intrusion such as is sometimes inferred for the East African rifts. Seismic and magnetotelluric data suggest the presence of a thin ( Structural development of the rift occurred mainly during two time intervals: the early phase beginning at −30 Ma. and lasting 10–12 m.y., and the late phase extending from −10 to 3 Ma. The early phase involved extensive low-angle normal faulting throughout the rift region which was subsequently offset by high-angle normal faulting during the later deformational event. Volcanism of the Rio Grande rift is minor compared to some other continental rifts. Most of the volcanism is basaltic and occurred less than about 5 m.y. ago. Compositions range from alkalic to tholeiitic, with no unique spatial or temporal pattern. Magmas were probably derived from a variety of depths, indicating an unintegrated heat source with only local melting. Basaltic andesites and related calc-alkaline rocks erupted in the southern rift between about 30 and 18 m.y. ago were not uniquely related to the rifting process. Rather, the thermal pulse which generated these magmas was part of the previous, subduction-related event. Our interpretation of existing data concerning the evolution of the Rio Grande rift does not fit either simple active or passive “end-member” models. In particular, there is no compelling evidence for a major thermal event in the mantle uniquely associated with rifting. Yet heat—inherited from the immediately-preceding deformational regime—was certainly a critical factor in, and was probably a necessary condition for, rifting.
Deactivation of a Ni/Mo hydrotreating catalyst by vanadium deposits

Abstract A series of vanadium-containing catalysts were prepared from a sulfided NiMo/Al 2 O 3 catalyst by impregnation with a vanadium salt (V-IMP) and by reaction with a vanadium porphyrin (V-TPP). In addition, catalysts coked with a heavy resid feed were subsequently treated with the vanadium porphyrin. After resulfiding, the vanadium-containing catalysts were tested for catalytic activity for hydrodesulfurization (HDS), hydrogenation (HYD) and hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) using a mixture of model compounds. It was found that the V-IMP catalysts were more deactivated than the V-TPP catalysts at the same level of V. The extent of deactivation with V content was different for the different catalytic functionalities, indicative of different sites for these reactions. The precoked catalysts showed the greatest deactivation when the coke content was high. Both coke and vanadium contributed to catalyst deactivation. Comparison with catalysts deactivated in bench-scale testing showed that the laboratory-prepared catalysts of this study did not give the same deactivation at the same vanadium and coke levels.
The septo-hippocampal projection: a model cholinergic pathway

Abstract A number of recent electrophysiological studies using a variety of approaches indicate that the cholinergic septo-hippocampal projection functions differently from most other pathways that have been analysed in the brain in at least two ways: First, stimulating these cholinergic fibers can profoundly facilitate evoked firing of pyramidal cells in the absence of any change in resting membrane potential, and second, this effect is long lasting (tens of seconds versus milliseconds or tens of milliseconds for classical synaptic potentials). An important goal for future research will be to understand how these slow ‘modulatory’ effects observed at the cellular level are involved in the higher cognitive functions, such as memory, that have been strongly linked to cholinergic systems.
Synthesis of mesoporous zeolites and their application for catalytic conversion of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Abstract Three series of mesoporous aluminosilicate (Al-MCM-41) samples were synthesized using different aluminum sources including aluminum isopropoxide, pseudo boehmite and aluminum sulfate. Their catalytic activities were tested in the conversion of aromatic hydrocarbons including hydrocracking of 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene, alkylation of naphthalene, and hydrogenation of naphthalene and phenanthrene. The three series of Al-MCM-41 samples behaved differently in acting as acidic catalysts and as supports. The Al-MCM-41 synthesized using aluminum isopropoxide was found to be the most promising acidic catalyst and good support for Pt catalyst.
Algorithm to obtain M- Delta form for robust control

The formation of the M matrix required in many robustness analysis and design techniques is discussed. An algorithm is presented to compute M for problems involving only real parameter variations. The algorithm is based on formulation of an intermediate P matrix. The method presented is easily programmable and is useful in several robustness analysis and design studies. Advantages and restrictions are discussed. >
Sampling of the rodent dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus for electron microscopy.

Um eingehend elektronenmikroskopisch den Verlauf, die Endigungen und die Verteilung der Axone von der Retina des Auges im Nucleus geniculatus dorsalis lateralis untersuchen zu konne, wurde die hier beschriebene sichere Methode fur Ubersicht und Lokalisierung ausgearbeitet. Mit dieser Methode konnen nun genau lokalisierte Stellen im Nucleus geniculatus dorsalis lateralis aufgesucht und anschliessend mit dem Elektronenmikroskop untersucht werden.
Preliminary neurological evaluation of generalized weakness in zinc pyrithione-treated rats

Abstract Male rats were fed ad lib. a diet containing 250 ppm zinc pyrithione for 10 days and were then given the basic, untreated, diet for the rest of the study. Initial clinical signs of locomotor abnormalities were observed after the rats had been on the treated diet for 8–10 days. Progressive hind-limb weakness with accompanying muscle atrophy was a constant finding. Muscles of the forelegs and the chest appeared normal and showed almost normal function. The back muscles seemed involved, since kyphosis developed without skeletal abnormality. Weight loss was significantly greater and recovery significantly slower in treated rats than in matched pair-fed controls. Neurophysiological studies of sciatic-nerve conduction velocities failed to show differences between treated and control animals. A significant difference in contraction was noted between normal and affected muscles in that treated animals with marked muscle atrophy had a weaker contractile response to a greater electrical sciaticnerve stimulus than had the controls. This study suggests that the lesion is at the subcellular level and the muscle atrophy may be caused by a basic abnormality in neural conduction, by dysfunction at the myoneural junction or in the muscle-fibre membrane or by a change at the molecular level in the muscle fibres.
REFLEX CONTROL OF THE CUTANEOUS VASCULATURE

A major function of cutaneous blood flow is to regulate body temperature. Over most of its great range, skin blood flow far exceeds the metabolic needs of the skin. Cutaneous arterioles and veins are predominantly under neural control from a rich sympathetic adrenergic nerve supply, especially in acral regions. These tonically active, vasoconstrictor nerve fibers are the efferent arm of (1) thermoregulatory reflexes which originate principally in cutaneous thermoreceptors, (2) baroreflexes which originate in both arterial and cardiopulmonary baroreceptors, (3) chemoreceptor reflexes, and (4) reflex responses to upright posture and exercise. Cutaneous vasculature in man is probably unique in its great range and high responsiveness to these reflex drives. Human skin is also unique in possessing a neurogenic vasodilator system that is the principal efferent arm of reflexes which originate in the central thermoreceptors. Apparently, this system participates only in thermoregulatory reflexes; its transmitter is still unknown; and it controls skin blood flow over the full range and over most of the body. In man and baboons, the reflex modification in skin blood flow with each degree (C°) change in central temperature is about 20 times greater than that produced by changing skin temperature. However, in baboons and probably other species, the skin vasomotor system appears to be mainly adrenergic. In man, different reflex drives on skin interact so that the large vasoconstrictor responses (e. g., baroreflex) are still elicited during hyperthermia or direct local heating. Thus, central to peripheral volume displacement is minimized during upright posture, exercise, hemorrhage, etc. despite competing thermal drives. Veins are richly innervated by sympathetic adrenergic nerves which reflexly control their volume.
Where Does the Electron Go? Electron Distribution and Reactivity of Peptide Cation Radicals Formed by Electron Transfer in the Gas phase

We report the first detailed analysis at correlated levels of ab initio theory of experimentally studied peptide cations undergoing charge reduction by collisional electron transfer and competitive dissociations by loss of H atoms, ammonia, and N-C alpha bond cleavage in the gas phase. Doubly protonated Gly-Lys, (GK + 2H) (2+), and Lys-Lys, (KK + 2H) (2+), are each calculated to exist as two major conformers in the gas phase. Electron transfer to conformers with an extended lysine chain triggers highly exothermic dissociation by loss of ammonia from the Gly residue, which occurs from the ground ( X ) electronic state of the cation radical. Loss of Lys ammonium H atoms is predicted to occur from the first excited ( A ) state of the charge-reduced ions. The X and A states are nearly degenerate and show extensive delocalization of unpaired electron density over spatially remote groups. This delocalization indicates that the captured electron cannot be assigned to reduce a particular charged group in the peptide cation and that superposition of remote local Rydberg-like orbitals plays a critical role in affecting the cation-radical reactivity. Electron attachment to ion conformers with carboxyl-solvated Lys ammonium groups results in spontaneous isomerization by proton-coupled electron transfer to the carboxyl group forming dihydroxymethyl radical intermediates. This directs the peptide dissociation toward NC alpha bond cleavage that can proceed by multiple mechanisms involving reversible proton migrations in the reactants or ion-molecule complexes. The experimentally observed formations of Lys z (+*) fragments from (GK + 2H) (2+) and Lys c (+) fragments from (KK + 2H) (2+) correlate with the product thermochemistry but are independent of charge distribution in the transition states for NC alpha bond cleavage. This emphasizes the role of ion-molecule complexes in affecting the charge distribution between backbone fragments produced upon electron transfer or capture.
Relationship between delay in performing direct coronary angioplasty and early clinical outcome in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background—Time to treatment with thrombolytic therapy is a critical determinant of mortality in acute myocardial infarction. Little is known about the relationship between the time to treatment with direct coronary angioplasty and clinical outcome. The objectives of this study were to determine both the time required to perform direct coronary angioplasty in the Global Use of Strategies to Open Occluded Arteries in Acute Coronary Syndromes (GUSTO-IIb) trial and its relationship to clinical outcome. Methods and Results—Patients randomized to direct coronary angioplasty (n=565) were divided into groups based on the time between study enrollment and first balloon inflation. Patients randomized to angioplasty who did not undergo the procedure were also analyzed. The median time from study enrollment to first balloon inflation was 76 minutes; 19% of patients assigned to angioplasty did not undergo an angioplasty procedure. The 30-day mortality rate of patients who underwent balloon inflation ≤60 minutes after...
Emotional Well-Being of College Students in Health Courses with and without an Exercise Component

This study was designed to examine the effects of exercise on indices of emotional well-being of 584 college students enrolled in either a lecture-only health course or one of six health-fitness courses, each using a different mode of exercise including cross-training, aerobics, yoga, circuit weight training, swimming, and walk/jog. Each participant completed the Self-perception Profile for College Students developed by Neeman and Harter. Analysis yielded significant differences on five indices of emotional well-being (Global Self-worth, Appearance, Romantic Relationships, Social Acceptance, and Athletic Competence) between pre- and posttest scores of participants enrolled in the health-fitness courses, while no differences were found between pre-and posttest scores of participants enrolled in the lecture-only health course. Of the seven subscales examined, a significant interaction effect was found between sex/time and Romantic Relationships/Athletic Competence, with women reporting greater gains than men.
Multidimensional simulation studies of the SELENE FEL oscillator/buncher followed by a radiator/amplifier output scheme

We analyze and present numerical simulations of the so-called electron output scheme [G. I. Erg et al., 15th Int. FEL Conf., The Hague, The Netherlands, 1993, Book of Abstracts p. 50; Preprint Budker INP 93-75] applied to the SELENE proposal of using a high power FEL to illuminate satellite solar cells. In this scheme, a first stage FEL oscillator bunches the electron beam while a second stage ``radiator`` extracts high power radiation. Our analysis suggests only in the case where the radiator employs a long, tapered undulator will the electron output scheme produce a significant increase in extraction efficiency over what is obtainable from a simple, single-stage oscillator. 1- and 2-D numerical simulations of a 1.7{mu}m FEL employing the electron output scheme show reasonably large bunching fractions ({approximately} 0.3--0.4) at the output of the oscillator stage but only {le}2% extraction efficiency from the radiator stage.
Perillyl alcohol and perillaldehyde induced cell cycle arrest and cell death in BroTo and A549 cells cultured in vitro

The role of the monoterpenes, especially limonene and perillyl alcohol, in the treatment of certain cancers is currently being evaluated in clinical trials. In this study, the effects of perillyl alcohol (POH) and its analog, perillaldehyde (PALD), on human carcinoma cell lines (BroTo and A549) cultured in vitro were investigated using proliferation assays (MTT and colony formation) and DNA content analysis by flow cytometry. POH and PALD elicited dose- and time-dependent inhibition of proliferation in both cell lines. Concentrations of POH and PALD that inhibited cell proliferation by 50% (IC50) in 24 hr were 1 and 3 mM, respectively. DNA content analysis revealed that 1 mM of either POH or PALD caused cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase in both cell lines while POH alone caused increased hypodiploid and annexin V-positive populations in both BroTo and A549 cells. POH induced apoptosis and was more effective than PALD at inhibiting the proliferation of BroTo and A549 cells cultured in vitro.
On the structure of the recessed-channel MOSFET for sub-100 nm Si CMOS

Abstract A theoretical study is presented to understand misalignment tolerance and process window for channel depth in the recessed-channel MOSFET for sub-100 nm Si CMOS. Simulations of the device at 100 nm demonstrate that the device is misalignment tolerant if it possesses two features: (1) symmetric source/drain (S/D) doping profiles and (2) a T-shaped gate. In addition, a relatively positive S/D junction depth with respect to the recessed channel provides a process window for channel depth. Therefore, a new device structure is proposed for the recessed-channel MOSFET, T-gate recessed-channel MOSFET, which can be fabricated with standard Si CMOS processes.
THE RETARDING INFLUENCES OF ADRENALECTOMY AND AGE ON ESTRADIOL-INDUCED CONNECTIVE TISSUE HYPERPLASIA IN SEMINAL VESICLES

ESTROGENS are known to stimulate hyperplasia of the fibro-muscular walls of certain portions of the male reproductive tract. In young castrated rats treated with estrogen, hyperplasia of fibro-muscular tissue in the seminal vesicles has been described by Freud (1), and comparable changes in mice seminal vesicles were noted by de Jongh (2). Korenchevsky and Dennison (3) described the histological effects of estrogen in more detail, and emphasized specifically the increase in the fibrous tissue of the submucosa in the seminal vesicles of castrated rats. In young estrogenized monkeys, Van Wagenen (4) found the most striking size increase to occur in the seminal vesicles, the increase in weight consisting of a fibro-muscular hyperplasia. However, Lacassagne (5) noted atrophic seminal vesicles in estrogenized mice in the presence of marked epidermoid hyperplasia of the coagulating gland, so that the factors influencing the action of estrogens on the fibrous tissue of the seminal vesicles do not seem to be comp...
Technical tip: transperineal ultrasound-guided needle biopsy of the prostate in the postproctectomy patient.

Transperineal ultrasound-guided needle biopsy of the prostate was utilized to diagnose prostatic cancer in a patient with an elevated serum prostatic-specific antigen concentration and Crohn's dise...
Computer control of blancher for french fry color

Computer control of color development of potatoes through regulation of glucose/reducing sugar content in the blancher is demonstrated for french fry production. Color was controlled using two methods. In the first, anticipatory-feedback control was used to adjust glucose concentration in the potatoes leaving a hot-water blancher. Because the relationship between concentration and color was not defined through the mathematical model, operator intervention was required to control color. In the second, anticipatory-feedback control was combined with some simple rules for adjusting setpoints and color. Results indicate that the second scheme is preferable because it eliminates operator intervention to effect color control.
Experimental and Analytical Study of Gas Diffusion Layer Materials for Ribbon Fuel Cells

A promising type of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) architecture, the ribbon fuel cell, relies on the gas diffusion layer (GDL) to conduct electrical current in-plane to adjacent cells or collector terminals. The potential advantages of the fuel cell ribbon architecture with respect to conventional fuel cell stacks include reduced manu-facturing costs, reduced weight, reduced volume, and reduced component cost. This work addresses the critical component of fuel cell ribbon assemblies, which is the GDL. The materials and treatments necessary to fabricate GDLs for fuel cell ribbon assemblies are presented along with experimental results for various candidate gas diffusion materials. An experimentally validated analytical model, which focuses on the electrical losses within the GDL of the ribbon fuel cell, was developed and used to guide design and testing. Low in-plane resistance is extremely important for the ribbon architecture because high in-plane GDL resistance can cause significant variation in current density over the catalyzed area. To reduce the current variation the new GDLs are fabricated with materials that have reduced in-plane resistance. Properties and performance for a common gas diffusion media, ELAT ® LT-120OW (BASF Fuel Cell), were measured as a reference for the new gas diffusion layers. The widely used ELAT material exhibited an in-plane resistance of 0.39 Ω/sq, whereas the new diffusion materials exhibited in-plane resistances in the range of 0.18 ― 0.06 Ω/sq. The performance of a ribbon fuel cell was predicted using a two-dimensional model that combines the polarization curve for a conventional bipolar plate type PEMFC and the resistive properties of the GDL material of interest. Experiments were performed to validate the analytical model and to prove the feasibility of the ribbon fuel cell concept. Results show that when the novel GDLs were adhered to a catalyzed membrane and tested in a ribbon fuel cell test assembly utilizing serpentine flow channels and in-plane current collection, a range of performance was achieved between 0.28 A/cm 2 and 0.48 A/cm 2 at a cell potential of 0.5 V. The agreement between the experimental data and the model predictions was very good for the ELAT and the B1/B polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon cloth. Differences between predicted and measured performance for a pitch-based GDL material were more significant and likely due to mass transport limitations.
Finding multi-constrained feasible paths by using depth-first search

An extended depth-first-search (EDFS) algorithm is proposed to solve the multi-constrained path (MCP) problem in Quality-of-Service (QoS) routing, which is NP-Complete when the number of independent routing constraints is more than one. EDFS solves the general k- constrained MCP problem with pseudo-polynomial time complexity O(m2 ċ EN + N2), where m is the maximum number of non-dominated paths maintained for each destination, E and N are the number of links and nodes of a graph, respectively. This is achieved by deducing potential feasible paths from knowledge of previous explorations, without reexploring finished nodes and their descendants in the process of the DFS search. One unique property of EDFS is that the tighter the constraints are, the better the performance it can achieve, w.r.t. both time complexity and routing success ratio. This is valuable to highly dynamic environment such as wireless ad hoc networks in which network topology and link state keep changing, and real-time or multimedia applications that have stringent service requirements. EDFS is an independent feasible path searching algorithm and decoupled from the underlying routing protocol, and as such can work together with either proactive or on-demand ad hoc routing protocols as long as they can provide sufficient network state information to each source node. Analysis and extensive simulation are conducted to study the performance of EDFS in finding feasible paths that satisfy multiple QoS constraints. The main results show that EDFS is insensitive to the number of constraints, and outperforms other popular MCP algorithms when the routing constraints are tight or moderate. The performance of EDFS is comparable with that of the other algorithms when the constraints are loose.
Assessment of the genotoxicity of 1,2-dichloropropane and dichloromethane after individual and co-exposure by inhalation in mice.

Objective: Occurrence of cholangiocarcinoma was recently reported at a high incidence rate among the employees working for an offset printing company in Osaka, Japan. 1,2-Dichloropropane (1,2-DCP) and dichloromethane (DCM) are suspected to be the causes of the cancer, as they had been used as ink cleaners in large amounts. However, it is not clear whether these chlorinated organic solvents played a role in the occurrence of cholangiocarcinoma or why the incidence rate is so high among the workers in this industry. To provide possible evidence for this severe occupational problem, we investigated the genotoxic effects of 1,2-DCP and DCM. Methods: Male B6C3F1 and gpt Delta C57BL/6J mice were exposed by inhalation to the individual solvents or both solvents at multiple concentrations including the levels that were possibly present in the workplaces. The genotoxicity was analyzed by Pig-a gene mutation and micronuclei assays in peripheral blood and gpt mutation and comet assays in the livers of mice after repeated inhalation of 1,2-DCP or/and DCM. Results: The Pig-a mutant frequencies and micronuclei incidences were not significantly increased by exposure of either 1,2-DCP or/and DCM at any concentration, suggesting there was no genotoxic potential in bone marrow for both solvents. In the liver, DNA damage, as measured by the comet assay, was dose dependently increased by 1,2-DCP but not by DCM. The gpt mutant frequency was 2.6-fold that of the controls in the co-exposure group. Conclusions: These results indicate that 1,2-DCP showed stronger genotoxicity in the liver and that the genotoxic effects were greatly enhanced by simultaneous exposure to DCM.(J Occup Health 2014; 56: 205-214)
Competition and property tax limit overrides: Revisiting Massachusetts' Proposition 2½

Abstract This paper looks at the role of spatial proximity of other towns' decisions to hold an override vote on the decision of a Massachusetts town to hold an initial override vote under Proposition 2½. We find that if a neighboring town has already held a vote at some point in the past, a town's likelihood of holding an initial vote increases by 10–15%. A prior vote being successful has a strong impact, whereas losing votes are relatively ignored. The presence of spatial dependence remains when we look at the specific purpose of override vote, or at the annual number of votes that have occurred between 1982 and 2010. This result is consistent across weighting schemes.
Rotational spectroscopy of pyridazine and its isotopologs from 235–360 GHz: Equilibrium structure and vibrational satellites

The rotational spectrum of pyridazine (o-C4H4N2), the ortho disubstituted nitrogen analog of benzene, has been measured and analyzed in the gas phase. For the ground vibrational state of the normal isotopolog, over 2000 individual rotational transitions have been identified between 238 and 360 GHz and have been fit to 13 parameters of a 6th-order centrifugal distortion Hamiltonian. All transitions in this frequency region can now be predicted from this model to near experimental accuracy, i.e., well enough for the purpose of any future radio-astronomical search for this species. Three isotopologs, [3-13C]-C4H4N2, [4-13C]-C4H4N2, and [1-15N]-C4H4N2, have been detected in natural abundance, and several hundred lines have been measured for each of these species and fit to 6th-order Hamiltonians. Ten additional isotopologs were synthesized with enhanced deuterium substitution and analyzed to allow for a complete structure determination. The equilibrium structure (Re) of pyridazine was obtained by correcting t...
Surface topology changes during electromigration in metallic thin film stripes

Abstract Electromigration damage in silver and aluminum thin film stripes was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Early formation of voids and surface growths occured in regions of maximum temperature and in the same cross-section. Once formed, void damage was comparatively stable, and failure ultimately occurred at the cathode end of the stripes. The growths in the aluminum stripe were nucleated at grain boundaries and were restricted to the boundary. The flux of atoms into one growth was approximated to be 2 X 10 8 atoms h -1 . Growths in the silver stripe were not restricted by the grain size but had the appearance of surface undulations. Large protrusions appeared in coincidence with a catastrophic upswing in stripe resistance. It is felt that local failure of a thin oxide and subsequent “extrusion” may be responsible for this behavior.
Amino acid signalling upstream of mTOR

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a conserved Ser/Thr kinase that is part of mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1), a master regulator that couples amino acid availability to cell growth and autophagy. Multiple cues modulate mTORC1 activity, such as growth factors, stress, energy status and amino acids. Although amino acids are key environmental stimuli, exactly how they are sensed and how they activate mTORC1 is not fully understood. Recently, a model has emerged whereby mTORC1 activation occurs at the lysosome and is mediated through an amino acid sensing cascade involving RAG GTPases, Ragulator and vacuolar H(+)-ATPase (v-ATPase).
Maternal cocaine administration in mice alters DNA methylation and gene expression in hippocampal neurons of neonatal and prepubertal offspring

Previous studies documented significant behavioral changes in the offspring of cocaine-exposed mothers. We now explore the hypothesis that maternal cocaine exposure could alter the fetal epigenetic machinery sufficiently to cause lasting neurochemical and functional changes in the offspring. Pregnant CD1 mice were administered either saline or 20 mg/kg cocaine twice daily on gestational days 8–19. Male pups from each of ten litters of the cocaine and control groups were analyzed at 3 (P3) or 30 (P30) days postnatum. Global DNA methylation, methylated DNA immunoprecipitation followed by CGI2 microarray profiling and bisulfite sequencing, as well as quantitative real-time RT-PCR gene expression analysis, were evaluated in hippocampal pyramidal neurons excised by laser capture microdissection. Following maternal cocaine exposure, global DNA methylation was significantly decreased at P3 and increased at P30. Among the 492 CGIs whose methylation was significantly altered by cocaine at P3, 34% were hypermethylated while 66% were hypomethylated. Several of these CGIs contained promoter regions for genes implicated in crucial cellular functions. Endogenous expression of selected genes linked to the abnormally methylated CGIs was correspondingly decreased or increased by as much as 4–19-fold. By P30, some of the cocaine-associated effects at P3 endured, reversed to opposite directions, or disappeared. Further, additional sets of abnormally methylated targets emerged at P30 that were not observed at P3. Taken together, these observations indicate that maternal cocaine exposure during the second and third trimesters of gestation could produce potentially profound structural and functional modifications in the epigenomic programs of neonatal and prepubertal mice.
Cues Used for Localizing Food by the Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)

We compared the use of olfactory, visual, and spatial cues for learning the location of stored food by gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis). All experimental cues were extrinsic, that is, they originated from the environment around the food rather than from the food itself. In training trials, artificial caches with one of two odors, one of two colors, and six of 12 spatial locations contained sunflower seeds. In experimental trials, the odors, colors, and sets of spatial locations associated with food were reversed one at a time, so that only two of the three training cues gave evidence of the food rewards. Consequent declines in food localization by the squirrels revealed differential use of particular cue modalities. The data show that squirrels used visual cues the most and olfactory cues the least with this design. These results, along with other evidence, suggest that gray squirrels use spatial memory in food recovery.
Color associations with different building types: An experimental study on American college students

This study examines individuals' color associations with different building types (i.e., residences, schools, official buildings, hospitals, shopping malls, entertainment buildings, restaurants, hotels, factories, and religious buildings) and the reasons given behind their color choices. Ninety-eight college students at a public institution in the southeast region of the United States participated in the study. Results indicate that color associations seem to be based on individual and emotional aspects where previous knowledge and experience with a particular building type play an important role. The reasons for color-building associations are discussed and future research areas are suggested. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 31: 67–71, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.20174
Accelerated wear testing using the grit size effect

Abstract This paper describes a technique for wear prediction. It has been empirically established that the wear rate of an abraded workpiece is directly related to the grit size of the abrasive. Using this relationship, the wear rate of material subjected to very mild abrasion can be predicted from the measured wear rates of the same material under more severe conditions. This technique has been successfully applied to estimate the wear of magnetic recording head materials in a video tape system. Our results demonstrate that the wear rate of the head can be accelerated by as much as four orders of magnitude using abrasive lapping tapes of large grit size. The results also indicate that the wear rate of the recording head material decreases significantly with the magnetic or abrasive tape wear, which typically occurs during the first five to ten tape passes. Microscopic examination using scanning electron microscopy indicates that this reduction in wear rate is not due to clogging of the abrasive tape but rather to changes in abrasive particle shape. This means a recording head subjected to continuous sliding with fresh tape will wear considerably faster than a head which slides repeatedly against a loop of tape. Accordingly, in reporting the wear rates of head materials, it is important to describe the corresponding tape condition or usage history explicitly.
Diurnal variations of amino acids and organic acids in xylem fluid from Lagerstroemia indica: an endogenous circadian rhythm

Diurnal variations in the concentrations of major organic compounds occurred in xylem fluid extracted from Lagerstroemia indica L. The concentration of amino acids and the N/C ratio was at a maximum and that of organic acids was at a minimum between 1230 and 2030 h. Since the concentrations of total organic nitrogen, total amino acids and most individual amino acids (but not organic acids or sugars) were also proportional to xylem tension two experiments were performed to discern whether variations in chemistry were a consequence of diurnal changes in moisture stress. In the first experiment, L. indica, exposed to variable levels of moisture stress during midday, manifested an increase in organic acids and a reduction in the N/C ratio. In the second experiment, chemical profiles of xylem fluid were collected and compared for plants exposed to a natural photoperiod, constant darkness or continuous light at noon and midnight. After 1 day amino acids increased in concentration during midday for all treatments; the variation was greatest (10-fold) for plants in constant darkness where xylem tension varied from 0.20 to 0.25 MPa. Only plants exposed to continuous light lost a diurnal rhythm after 3 days. Thus, the circadian rhythm was endogenous, terminated in continuous light and was not mediated by changes in moisture stress. Glutamine accounted for most of the diurnal variation in total amino acids, organic nitrogen and the N/C ratio in xylem fluid.
Robotic partial adrenalectomy using indocyanine green dye with near-infrared imaging: the initial clinical experience.

Objective To present the initial clinical experience with robot-assisted partial adrenalectomy using indocyanine green dye with near-infrared fluorescence (ICG-NIRF) imaging. Methods Three consecutive patients with solitary adrenal masses with worrisome features were referred for treatment. The preoperative workup included dedicated axial imaging and adrenal function studies. All patients underwent purely robotic partial adrenalectomy with ICG-NIRF guidance. Relevant steps of the technique included a transperitoneal approach, gross identification of the adrenal gland, administration of 5 mg intravenous ICG, and finally, mass resection guided by ICG-NIRF and white light visualization in an effort to completely excise the mass while sparing uninvolved adrenal tissue. Results Robotic partial adrenalectomy was successfully performed with negative margins in all patients. All masses were hypofluorescent relative to normal adrenal tissue with ICG-NIRF and included a pheochromocytoma, lipoadenoma, and follicular lymphoid hyperplasia. Conclusion Robotic partial adrenalectomy with intraoperative ICG-NIRF is safe and feasible. The addition of ICG-NIRF may help mass identification, excision, and promote the use adrenal-sparing surgery.
A Theoretical Note on the Dealer-Manufacturer Relationship in the Automobile Industry

I. Introduction: some terms in automobile pricing, 316. — II. The theoretical basis for conflict of interest — no unique invoice price, 318. — III. Sliding scale vs. flat bonus, 321. — IV. Conclusions, 324.
Boundary conditions and Range of Force for S State of Two Protons

The paper is divided into five sections the first of which is an introduction. In the second the possibilities of describing phase shifts by means of a boundary condition at a distance small compared with $\frac{{e}^{2}}{m{c}^{2}}=2.8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}$ cm is discussed. It is brought out that the irregular solution of the wave equation in a Coulomb field has a logarithmic infinity which masks the features of the wave function which have to do with phase shifts and therefore with observation. In Table I approximate values of essential quantities are listed. In Section III boundary conditions at moderate distances are studied. It is found that one can replace the "potential energy curve" description by the requirement that the logarithmic derivative of the wave function have an energy independent value at a distance of $\ensuremath{\sim}0.47\frac{{e}^{2}}{m{c}^{2}}$. Similarly the $^{1}S$ proton-neutron interaction can be approximately described by requiring the logarithmic derivative to have an energy independent value at $\ensuremath{\sim}0.49\frac{{e}^{2}}{m{c}^{2}}$. In the convention of dealing with distance times radial function the values of the logarithmic derivatives are \ensuremath{\sim}0.08, 0.06 for the proton and neutron cases, respectively. It is also possible to require a linear variation of energy for the logarithmic derivative within limits and to retain agreement with experiment. It is pointed out in the introduction that theoretical arguments for considering a failure of the potential energy viewpoint exist and that the agreement of the boundary conditions of Section III with observation may be more than an accident. In Section IV the adjustment of the range of force is treated and evidence for a somewhat smaller value than 2.8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}$ cm, perhaps 2.6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}$ cm is discussed. Use is made of simple relationships between effective depth variation with energy and range. In Section V the function $f$ of BCP is expanded in powers of energy $E$, the relations for potential energy curves of different shapes are taken up regarding equivalence of range, the deviations from linearity of $f$ with $E$ are discussed from the viewpoint of equivalent error in scattering, and a rapid procedure for finding the equivalent square well range by means of successive approximations is given.
Software measurement data reduction using ensemble techniques

Software defect prediction models are used to identify program modules that are high-risk, or likely to have a high number of faults. These models are built using software metrics which are collected during the software development process. Various techniques and approaches have been created for improving fault predictions. One of these is feature (metric) selection. Choosing the most important features is important to improve the effectiveness of defect predictors. However, using a single feature subset selection method may generate local optima. Ensembles of feature selection methods attempt to combine multiple feature selection methods instead of using a single one. In this paper, we present a comprehensive empirical study examining 17 different ensembles of feature ranking techniques (rankers) including six commonly used feature ranking techniques, the signal-to-noise filter technique, and 11 threshold-based feature ranking techniques. This study utilized 16 real-world software measurement data sets of different sizes and built 54,400 classification models using four well known classifiers. The main conclusion is that ensembles of very few rankers are very effective and even better than ensembles of many or all rankers.