cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early migratory rat neural crest cells express functional gap junctions: evidence that neural crest cell survival requires gap junction function.

Gap junctions mediate crucial intercellular interactions during development. This study provides evidence that early migrating rat neural crest cells assemble functional gap junctions, as demonstrated by dye transfer following microinjection of single cells, which were phenotypically identified as neural crest cells by their expression of the low- affinity nerve growth factor receptor. An immunohistochemical analysis using connexin- specific antibodies revealed that migrating rat neural crest cells express the gap junction constituents connexins 43 (Cx 43) and Cx 46. We tested the hypothesis that gap junctions play an important role during early neural crest cell development by perturbing their function in migrating neural crest cells. Our data show that markedly decreasing gap junction communication between these neural crest cells in vitro with either 18α-glycyrrhetinic acid or anandamide decreases their survival, whereas oleamide, a less effective blocker of connexon function, had quantitatively less effect on neural crest cell death. This cell death was associated with the occurrence of DNA nicking as detected by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labelling (TUNEL) procedure, suggesting cell death via apoptosis. The effect of 18α-glycyrrhetinic acid and anandamide on neural crest cell survival was reversible and was not mimicked by the structurally related compounds glycyrrhizic acid and palmitoylethanolamide, respectively, which do not uncouple cells. These results indicate that gap junctions are necessary for the survival of spinal neural crest cells. J. Neurosci. Res. 61:605–615, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Atom reservoir atomic absorption. Application to marine environmental samples.

Abstract The application of flameless atom reservoir atomic absorption spectrophotometry to the analysis of trace metals in marine water, sediment and biota, and air particulate samples is discussed. Methods are described for the. analysis of a range of metals including Cu, Fe, Co, Ni, Cd, Ag, Zn, and Pb in these samples. Recent developments of atomizer design, primarily the static method of analysis and the grooved graphite tube are utilized, significantly improving the Sensitivities attainable and the speed of analysis.
Spirodiepoxide-based cascades: direct access to diverse motifs.

Allene epoxide formation/opening reaction sequences enabled direct access to diverse products. Described here are a single flask procedure for allene preparation and allene oxidation/derivatization reactions that give, among others, diendiol, diyndiol, α′-hydroxy-γ-enone, dihydrofuranone, butenolide, and δ-lactone products.
Cortisol Reactivity, Maternal Sensitivity, and Infant Preference for Mother's Familiar Face and Rhyme in 6-Month-Old Infants.

This study investigated how cortisol (stress) reactivity and mothers' behavioural sensitivity affect familiarity preferences in 6‐month‐old infants. Relations between sensitivity and stress were explored using saliva samples taken from mothers and infants before, and 20 min after, two preferential looking experiments. Photographs and voice recordings from infants' mothers were incorporated into standard visual preference tasks. Sensitivity was assessed by determining the degree of behavioural synchrony between mother and infant from a 10‐min interaction period preceding the preferential looking experiments. Results showed that decreasing infant cortisol reactivity and greater maternal sensitivity were associated with familiarity preferences for mother's face stimuli. For the experiment with voice stimuli, a sex difference was obtained in the relationship between the directionality of cortisol reactivity and familiarity preferences. Results are related to a parallel study with 3‐month‐old infants, and issu...
A pilot study of the use of fesoterodine in the management of men with refractory overactive bladder symptoms after surgery for bladder outlet obstruction

Abstract Objective To assess the efficacy of long-acting fesoterodine on persistent lower urinary tract symptoms in men who have had previous surgical treatment for bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). Materials and methods Seventeen patients with overactive bladder (OAB) secondary to BOO, persisting for 3 months after the obstruction was surgically relieved, were treated with fesoterodine. Follow up was performed at 2 months, 3 months, and 7 months. The primary endpoint was change in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). The secondary endpoints were change in the maximum flow rate (Qmax) and postvoid residual (PVR). Results Patients receiving fesoterodine demonstrated trends for improvement in mean nocturia episodes (3.2–2.6, p = 0.065), IPSS irritative subscore (6.2–2.0, p = 0.066), and quality of life score (4.2–3.5, p = 0.067) over 7 months of follow up. There was also a reduction in the mean IPSS score which was not significant over time (18.8–15.1, p = 0.183). There was no significant change observed in Qmax or PVR. Six patients (33%) had significant side effects and did not complete the study. Conclusion Patients with persistent OAB symptoms after surgical treatment of BOO displayed possible reductions in the IPSS, IPSS irritative subscore, and mean number of nocturia events after 7 months of follow up, as well as trends for an increased quality of life when treated with fesoterodine. Larger trials are needed to help characterize the utility of fesoterodine in the treatment of persistent lower urinary tract symptoms after surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Solid State Audio Control

This paper presents the results of an investigation into electronic circuitry and techniques to replace the electromechanical switches and potentiometers currently used in consumer audio equipment. Particular attention was devoted to the development of a touch sensor which is reliable and insensitive to electrical initerference. The logic circuitry was developed with standard CMOS integrated circuits to perform the interlock and memory functions provided by electromechaiiical controls.
Physical interpretation of the maximum receptor-ligand bond spacing to ensure cell adhesion in ligand-coated substrates.

Recent experiments by Arnold et al. (Arnold, M.; Cavalcanti-Adam, E. A.; Glass, R.; Blummel, J.; Eck, W.; Kantlehner, M.; Kessler, H.; Spatz, J. P. ChemPhysChem 2004, 5, 383) revealed that a distance of less than 58−73 nm between receptor−ligand bonds is necessary to ensure focal adhesion in integrin-mediated cell adhesion on ligand-coated substrates. In this letter, we consider focal adhesion growth to be a process assisted by thermal fluctuations and receptor−ligand binding and resisted by repulsive “bulge pressure” and membrane deformation. By applying balance between these forces, we obtain a critical spacing of receptor−ligand bonds given as 2h[(αkBT/βEh3)1/3(E/p)5]1/14, above which the growth of focal adhesion becomes difficult. Here h and E are the in-plane modulus and thickness of a cell membrane, respectively, p is a repulsive “bulge pressure” between the cell membrane and substrate, and α and β are constants on the order of 1. We use typical values of E and h for cell membranes and obtain the cr...
Employment, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and Youth with Learning Disabilities.

Reviews provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 affecting high school youth with LD who are making the transition to employment
Aromatic van der Waals Clusters: Structure and Nonrigidity

More than a dozen cases of nonrigid van der Waals clusters are presented and discussed to demonstrate that cluster nonrigidity is a general phenomenon in all weakly bound systems. The interplay of structure and nonrigidity complicates cluster research and mandates a dynamical approach to cluster properties in which multiple stable configurations coexist and interconvert, and large amplitude nuclear motions are the rule rather than the exception. Empirical potential energy surface calculations are employed to yield physical insight into the structure and dynamics of nonrigid clusters, and molecular symmetry group theory is applied to analyze spectroscopic manifestations of cluster nonrigidity. Empirical potentials of various forms are successful in predicting most cluster structures, as well as estimating the potential surface barrier heights hindering the interconversion between different local minimum-energy structures. Such calculational approaches also emphasize the importance of large amplitude motion...
Fibroblast growth factor-7 partially reverses murine thymocyte progenitor aging by repression of Ink4a

Involution of the thymus results in reduced production of naive T cells, and this in turn is thought to contribute to impaired immunity in the elderly. Early T-cell progenitors (ETPs), the most immature intrathymic T-cell precursors, harvested from the involuted thymus exhibit a diminished proliferative potential and increased rate of apoptosis and as a result their number is significantly reduced. In the present study, we show that these age-induced alterations result in part from increased expression of the Ink4a tumor-suppressor gene in ETPs. We also show that repression of Ink4a in aged ETPs results in their partial rejuvenation and that this can be accomplished by in vivo fibroblast growth factor 7 administration. These results define a genetic basis for thymocyte progenitor aging and demonstrate that the senescence-associated gene Ink4a can be pharmacologically repressed in ETPs to partially reverse the effects of aging.
A proposed cause for the hepatic dysfunction associated with parenteral nutrition

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is associated with cholestasis and hepatic steatosis, which can be lethal in infants who cannot be fed orally. It was determined that route of administration was not the critical variable in the development of hepatic steatosis. Two groups of young rats received equivalent amounts of a standard TPN solution either orally or intravenously for an 8- to 10-day period during which they received no other nutrition. Both groups gained equivalent weight and developed marked hepatic steatosis. To test whether the solution was toxic or deficient, three groups of rats were given TPN solution orally and a fraction of their usual daily intake of rat chow. Rats receiving less than 10% of their usual chow intake developed steatosis; rats receiving more than that did not. To determine the solubility of the protective material in chow, two groups of rats were given TPN solution orally and chow that been extracted with either water or the organic solvent chloroform. Rats eating the water-extracted chow developed steatosis, rats eating chloroform-extracted chow did not. Although the protective component in chow was apparently water soluble, addition of a water soluble extract of chow to the TPN solution fed another two groups of rats did not prevent steatosis at 0.1 mg/mL and only partially, if at all, at 10 mg/mL. TPN-related hepatic dysfunction, as measured by the development of hepatic steatosis in this model, may be due to a deficiency in the TPN solution. The missing constituent(s) appears to be present in rat chow and can be extracted with water, but not with an organic solvent.
Anthropometric measurements and survival in older Americans: Results from the third national health and nutrition examination survey

Objectives The impact of adiposity on mortality in older adults remains controversial. Some reports suggest that measures of general adiposity such as body mass index (BMI) predict better survival. We assessed the relationship between measures of adiposity and mortality in older adults.
A novel method for modeling facial allodynia associated with migraine in awake and freely moving rats

Migraine is a neurovascular disorder that induces debilitating headaches associated with multiple symptoms including facial allodynia, characterized by heightened responsivity to normally innocuous mechanical stimuli. It is now well accepted that immune activation and immune-derived inflammatory mediators enhance pain responsivity, including the trigeminal system. Nociceptive ("pain" responsive) trigeminal nerves densely innervate the cranial meninges. We have recently proposed that the meninges may serve as a previously unidentified, key interface between the peripheral immune system and the CNS with potential implications for understanding underlying migraine mechanisms. Our focus here is the development of a model for facial allodynia associated with migraine. We developed a model wherein an indwelling catheter is placed between the skull and dura, allowing immunogenic stimuli to be administered over the dura in awake and freely moving rats. Since the catheter does not contact the brain itself, any proinflammatory cytokines induced following manipulation derive from resident or recruited meningeal immune cells. While surgery alone does not alter immune activation markers, TNF or IL6 mRNA and/or protein, it does decrease gene expression and increase protein expression of IL-1 at 4 days after surgery. Using this model we show the induction of facial allodynia in response to supradural administration of either the HIV glycoprotein gp120 or inflammatory soup (bradykinin, histamine, serotonin, and prostaglandin E2), and the induction of hindpaw allodynia in our model after inflammatory soup. This model allows time- and dose-dependent assessment of the relationship between changes in meningeal inflammation and corresponding exaggerated pain behaviors.
Accurate Geometric Description of Spirals in Railroad Vehicle Dynamic Simulations

The objective of this study is to examine the geometric description of the spiral sections of railway track systems in order to correctly define the relationship between the geometry of the right and left rails. The geometry of the space curves that define the rails are expressed in terms of the geometry of the space curve that defines the track center curve. Industry inputs such as the horizontal curvature, grade, and super-elevation are used to define the track centerline space curve in terms of Euler angles. The analysis presented in this study shows that, in the general case of a spiral, the profile frames of the right and left rails that have zero yaw angle with respect to the track frame have different orientations. As a consequence, the longitudinal tangential creep forces acting on the right and left wheels, in the case of zero yaw angle, are not in the same direction. Nonetheless, the orientation difference between the profile frames of the right and left rails can be defined in terms of a single pitch angle. In the case of small bank angle that defines the super-elevation of the track, one can show that this angle directly contributes to the track elevation. The results obtained in this study also show that the right and left rail longitudinal tangents can be parallel only in the case of a constant horizontal curvature. Since the spiral is used to connect track segments with different curvatures, the horizontal curvature can not be assumed constant, and as a consequence, the right and left rail longitudinal tangents can not be considered parallel in the spiral region. Numerical examples that demonstrate the effect of the errors that result from the assumption that the right and left rail in the spiral sections have the same geometry are presented. The numerical results obtained show that these errors can have a significant effect on the quality of the predicted creep contact forces.© 2009 ASME
mα6 contributions to the positronium hyperfine structure from two photon virtual annihilation

Abstract We report an analytical calculation of radiative corrections affecting the two-photon virtual-annihilation contribution to the positronium hyperfine interval in order mα 6 ( α 4 R ∞). Our result, which represents the entire virtual-annihilation contribution to the singlet state in this order, is ΔE 2 γ A ( α 4 R ∞) = −1.41 α 4 R ∞ = −13.13 MHz.
Fiber optics. Part IV. A photorefractometer

A photorefractometer to determine slight changes in refractive index of a liquid is described. When a long dielectric cylinder is immersed in a specimen liquid and an axial light cone is condensed at one end, the energy transmitted by total internal reflections through the cylinder depends primarily on δ, the difference in refractive index of the rod and the surround. Thus change in index of the surround liquid is related to change in emergent flux from the immersed rod. If the photometric unit is capable of detecting 100 K% change in emergent energy, and if δ≲0.1, then changes in liquid index of K·δ can be detected. By proper choice of K and δ, a change in index of 10−6 is measurable.An instrument based on this principle was constructed and the experimental results show good agreement with theory. The effects of absorption, reflection losses at the two ends of the rod, and partial reflection within the rod on the sensitivity of the system are studied theoretically. It also seems possible to measure the low refractive index liquids by the use of a hollow rod refractometer. Various applications of this photorefractometer principle are indicated.
Rotational excitations in residual nuclei produced by stopped negative pions on targets of 165Ho, 175Lu, 176Lu, 179Hf, and 181Ta

Abstract Reactions produced by stopped negative pions on targets of 165 Ho, 175 Lu, 176 Lu, 179 Hf, and 181 Ta are investigated by measuring photons coincident with the stopped pions. These photons were detected with an 80 cm 3 Ge(Li) detector and identified as pionic X-rays or rotational γ-rays from the residual nuclei. Pion capture is found to result in the excitation of high-spin states. Yields for the residual nuclei are inferred from the observed γ-transitions and compared to calculations based on the exciton model for pre-equilibrium emission followed by particle evaporation. Preliminary results of a pion stop, γn coincidence experiment are presented and compared to the calculations.
Use of gelatin gels as a reference material for performance evaluation of meat shear force measurements.

: Establishing standards for meat tenderness based on Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF) is complicated by the lack of methods for certifying WBSF testing among texture systems or laboratories. The objective of this study was to determine the suitability of using gelatin gels as reference materials for performance testing of texture measurement systems. Three replications of 5 gels (15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, and 35% gelatin) were prepared, vacuum packaged, and stored at 4 °C until use. Three randomly selected strips from each gel were subjected to WBSF testing on 4 instruments (A, B, C, or D) on days 1 and 8. Additional strips from each gel were subjected to WBSF testing on instruments A and C on day 29. Regression line estimates for each set of gels were analyzed. Gel WBSF values ranged from 10 to 177 N. The WBSF by gel concentration response was highly linear (P 0.05) by length of gel storage (1, 8, and 29 d). Data from this study suggest that gelatin gels can be used for evaluating WBSF values from various instruments and for validating the performance of meat shear force testing. Practical Application: Validating the performance of meat shear force testing is vital to establishing meat tenderness standards. The gelatin gel standards developed in this study exhibited a highly linear, repeatable relationship with shear force and were found to be stable for at least a month. These gel standards would provide a tool for the meat industry to harmonize shear force measurements across laboratories and various texture measuring instruments.
Rank order scaling in taste evaluation

A scoring system developed for comparing taste in two groups of individuals, patients with multiple sclerosis and a normal control group is described. The scoring system was extended to evaluate taste in renal patients paired by age and sex with controls. The results of the two comparisons are given. The scoring system can be used very flexibly in statistical comparison among groups and generated easily using a FORTRAN computer program. The use of this scoring system is compared with an alternative method which uses psychophysical functions.
Models and resources for advancing sustainable institutional and societal progress

Institutional researchers can take advantage of a variety of resources for understanding sustainability issues and keeping abreast of developments on this front. Models exist both within and outside of higher education for analyzing and presenting data.
Monokine regulation of glucose transporter mRNA in L6 myotubes

Abstract Endotoxin-induced macrophage secretory proteins (monokines) have been shown to stimulate hexose uptake in L6 myotubes (1). In those studies a doubling of the Vmax for hexose uptake was observed which correlated with elevated numbers of glucose transporters (GT) in both plasma and microsomal membranes. To determine if these changes in transporter populations were due to increased GT mRNA, we performed Northern blot analysis using L6 cell RNA and a cDNA to the HepG2 glucose transporter. The L6 myotubes contained a single 2.8 kb species of GT mRNA that increased 2.5-fold after an 8h exposure to the monokine preparation. β-Actin mRNA levels were unaltered by the treatment ,indicating specificity of monokine action. Glucose transporter mRNA content appeared to reach a maximum 8h after exposure to the monokine. Over the next 16h the levels of this mRNA gradually decreased, approaching control levels. Data obtained from nuclear transcription run-on assays suggest that increased levels of GT mRNA are due to an increased rate of gene transcription. A second transporter, the insulin-sensitive glucose transporter, was also observed to be expressed in the L6 cells. Monokine treatment resulted in a 60% suppression of the mRNA coding for this protein.
The cyclization reaction of 5-hexenoyl chloride with tri-n-butyltin hydride

Abstract The title reaction under various conditions of solvent, temperature and concentration was found to give 1,5 cyclization product and the typical acyclic reduction products.
Projections from the parabrachial nucleus to the vestibular nuclei: potential substrates for autonomic and limbic influences on vestibular responses.

Previous anatomical studies in rabbits and rats have shown that the superior vestibular nucleus (SVN), medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) and inferior vestibular nucleus (IVN) project to the parabrachial nucleus (PBN) and Kolliker-Fuse (KF) nucleus. Adult male albino rabbits and Long-Evans rats received iontophoretic injections of biotinylated dextran amine, Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin, Fluoro-Gold or tetramethylrhodamine dextran amine into either the vestibular nuclei or the PBN and KF nuclei. The results were similar in both rats and rabbits. Injections of retrograde tracers into the vestibular nuclei produced retrogradely labeled neurons bilaterally in caudal third of the medial, external medial, and external lateral PBN in both species, with more variable labeling in KF. Rats also had consistent bilateral (predominantly contralateral) labeling in the ventrolateral PBN. The most prominent labeling was produced from injections that included the SVN, with fewer labeled neurons observed from injections in the caudal MVN and the IVN. Anterograde transport of BDA from injections into the PBN and KF nuclei of rabbits revealed prominent projections to the SVN, dorsal aspect of the rostral MVN, caudal MVN, pars beta of the LVN and IVN. These connections appear to contain a component that is reciprocal to the vestibulo-parabrachial pathway and a non-reciprocal component to regions connected with the vestibulocerebellum and vestibulo-motor reflex pathways. These connections support the concept that a synthesis of autonomic, vestibular and limbic information is an integral property of pathways related to balance control in both the brain stem and forebrain. It is suggested that these projections may contribute broadly to both performance tradeoffs in vestibular-related pathways during variations in the behavioral context and affective state and the close association between anxiety and balance function.
Automated overlay recipe setup in high-volume manufacturing: improving performance, efficiency, and robustness

As the semiconductor industry continues to drive toward smaller design nodes, overlay error budgets will continue to shrink making metrology ever more challenging. Moreover, this challenge is compounded by the need to continue to drive down costs and increase productivity, especially given the competitive and macro-economic landscape going forward. In order to satisfy these two contradicting requirements, new ways of maintaining metrology tools and recipes are needed. Traditionally, recipes are generated manually by operators or even metrology engineers, involving both tool time and engineering resources. Furthermore, the influence of individual skill levels can lead to undesirable variations and is a potential source of errors that could result in yield loss. By means of automatic recipe generation both engineering and capital equipment resources can be minimized. Implementation of an automated recipe creation process will also result in improved recipe integrity. In this study, we show a methodology of a highly automated recipe generation for overlay measurements. We will outline the benefits of such an implementation and comment on the value for all segments of the semiconductor industry as well as provide data from production fabs demonstrating these capabilities and benefits.
Citizen Participation in Collaborative Watershed Partnerships

Collaborative efforts are increasingly being used to address complex environmental problems, both in the United States and abroad. This is especially true in the growing field of collaborative watershed management, where diverse stakeholders work together to develop and advance water-quality goals. Active citizen participation is viewed as a key component, yet groups often struggle to attract and maintain citizen engagement. This study examined citizen participation behavior in collaborative watershed partnerships by way of a written survey administered to citizen members of 12 collaborative watershed groups in Ohio. Results for the determination of who joins such groups were consistent with the dominant-status model of participation because group members were not demographically representative of the broader community. The dominant-status model, however, does not explain which members are more likely to actively participate in group activities. Instead, individual characteristics, including political activity, knowledge, and comfort in sharing opinions with others, were positively correlated with active participation. In addition, group characteristics, including government-based membership, rural location, perceptions of open communication, perceptions that the group has enough technical support to accomplish its goals, and perceived homogeneity of participant opinions, were positively correlated with active participation. Overall, many group members did not actively participate in group activities.
Instantaneous Blood Flow and Oxygenation Changes Noted in Real Time During Radiation Therapy Delivery in Head and Neck Squamous Cancers

cells showed G1 phase pile-up at 48 hr after 2.0 or 2.5 Gy s (32.5 3.9% for nonirradiated compared to 47.0 3.6% and 45.1 4.4% (p Z 0.0253 or 0.0275, respectively). In contrast cells from neural rosettes or parent fibroblasts showed no significant G1 arrest at 24 or 48 hr after either irradiation dose. Conclusions: Human iPSCs are more radiosensitive than either parent fibroblasts or differentiated neural rosettes. These three cell populations are potentially of value to identify the molecular signaling pathways controlling induction and release from radiosensitivity. Author Disclosure: M. Epperly: None. F. Houghton: None. L. D’Aiuto: None. X. Zhang: None. V. Nimgaonkar: None. J. Greenberger: None.
Complex forms and replicative intermediates of mitochondrial DNA in tissues from adult and senescent mice

The occurrence and types of complex forms and replicative intermediates of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were investigated in tissues from C57BL/6J mice aged 10-11 months or 29-30 months. Total mtDNA from brain, heart, kidney and liver was isolated in ethidium bromide-CsCl gradients and examined by electron microscopy after aqueous or formamide spreading. Contour length measurements indicated no difference in the monomer size of mtDNA according to either tissue or donor age. The frequencies of catenated mtDNA, ranging from 4 to 8%, varied significantly according to tissue but changed relatively little as a result of donor age. The main age-related effect observed in this study was a significant increase in the frequency of circular dimers, from about 0.05% in adult tissues to 0.3% in kidney, 0.5% in liver, 0.6% in heart and 1.9% in brain of senescent mice. The frequency of D-loop DNA varied from 30 to 60% and that of larger replicative intermediates from 1 to 10%, suggesting differences in the rate of mtDNA replication according to tissue. The frequencies and types of the various replicative intermediates were unaffected by donor age.
Creating Our Future in an Age of Transformation.

There is a growing realization that many of our social systems and organizations are out-of-syne with the new realities of the recently emerged post-industrial, information/knowledge age. These new realities are touching the lives of every individual, every family and community, the host of organizations of our public and private sectors. and our overall society. They affect the future of humanity as a whole. Questions arise. What are these new realities? What are the meanings of societal transformations? What is our role in facing the massive changes that confront us today? Are we only spectators of these changes? Are we their victims? Are we at the mercy of others who control these changes and the experts who design systems for us? Or is it up to us to shape; our future and create and recreate the systems to which we belong? What kind of capacities and capabilities should we develop that will allow us to design our own lives, shape our systems, and give direction to the evolution of our communities. our organizations, and our society? I have struggled and worked with these questions over the last three decades. They have been the focus of my research and teaching. I explore these questions in this paper in order to define an approach–the systems design approach–by which we can individually and collectively create a better future for ourselves, our families, our communities and our society while enhancing human performance, adding value to our organizations, and most importantly, creating just and ethical systems for future generations.
Annealing of aluminum wire with radio frequency discharge plasma under atmospheric pressure

Abstract Annealing of aluminum wire using radio frequency (RF) atmospheric pressure (AP) argon plasma was carried out. Experimental results demonstrated that the AP plasma could be effectively utilized in thermal treatment of the bulk of a material to change its mechanical properties. For a ϕ1 mm stranded Al wire, the elongation was increased from less than 1% to more than 20% at an RF power of 500 W and a line speed of 17.6 m/min. Effective annealing occurred in temperature range between 270 and 340 °C, and more than half of the input RF energy could be deposited on the wire as thermal energy. It is suggested that the wire was heated by both plasma gas-wire heat transfer and energy deposition due to ion sheath effect.
Paraxial eikonal solvers for anisotropic quasi-P travel times

Abstract The first-arrival quasi-P wave travel-time field in an anisotropic elastic solid solves a first-order nonlinear partial differential equation, the qP eikonal equation, which is a stationary Hamilton–Jacobi equation. The solution of the paraxial quasi-P eikonal equation, an evolution Hamilton–Jacobi equation in depth, gives the first-arrival travel time along downward propagating rays. We devise nonlinear numerical algorithms to compute the paraxial Hamiltonian for quasi-P wave propagation in general anisotropic media. A second-order essentially nonoscillatory (ENO) Runge–Kutta scheme solves this paraxial eikonal equation with a point source as an initial condition in O ( N ) floating point operations, where N is the number of grid points. Numerical experiments using 2-D transversely isotropic models with inclined symmetry axes demonstrate the accuracy of the algorithms.
A neutral model of community organization

Abstract A discrete time simulation model is described which is neutral ( sensu Caswell, 1976 ) with respect to competition-based community organizational hypotheses. The model randomly locates rectangular niches (identified with species) in a two-dimensional resource hyperspace. Populations for each niche are randomly assigned and increase or decrease randomly in the absence of predation. Predation is represented by a “Lnegative niche” (viz., a rectangular region in the two-space) which removes all organisms that lie within it (i.e. reduces the populations in niches that overlap it in proportion to the overlap). Competition is not represented; hence, the model is neutral with respect to hypotheses of the role of competition in organizing communities. The model determines a number of measures of community organization at each time step: average niche size, average overlap between niches, species diversity, number of niches, average population size, average number of neighbors. Statitistical analyses allow comparison of results between runs and with field data. Model behavior is explained by deriving dimensionless variables that relate model parameters to output. These variables were derived using one set of simulations. A second set of simulations is used to validate the relationships. These relationships are interpreted as testable hypotheses of community organization that do not depend on competition. Preliminary tests are given by comparing qualitatively model output with data from lizard and small mammal communities.
Additional mass transport considerations in the formation of hydroxyalkylsulfonates

Abstract The formation rates of hydroxyalkylsulfonates in cloud droplets was examined with consideration of aldehyde mass transport to droplets and hydration rates of aldehydes in cloud droplets. Detailed calculations were performed for hydroxymethanesulfonate formation in cloud droplets. It was found that mass transport of formaldehyde into droplets can occur rapidly enough so that methylene glycol dehydration is not the rate limiting step as it is, under certain conditions, in a closed system.
Formation of “lipid peroxide” under conditions which lead to swelling and lysis of rat liver mitochondria

In exploring possible mechanisms for the ascorbate induced lysls of mitochondria reported earlier (Hunter, 1961) we have studied formation of "lipid peroxide" during swelling or lysis of mitochondria by several agents. "Lipid peroxide" was measured by the thiobarblturic acid (TBA) color reaction (Wilbur, Bernheim and Shapiro, 1949). This reaction is not specific for lipid peroxides, but has been widely used to follow their formation (Tappel and Zalkin, 1959). The actual reactant, according to the absorption spectrum of the product, Is malonaldehyde, which may also be derived from 2-deoxysugars and certain other compounds after oxidative changes. Mitochondrla were prepared in 0.33 M sucrose, but two washes and the final suspension were in 0.17 M KCl, for sucrose interferes in the TBA method. Most experiments were done at 22-24“ with dilute mitochondrial suspensions in 0.17 M KC1 + 0.02 M Tris pH 7.4. Time curves were established by incubating reaction mixtures in Erlenmeyer flasks and withdrawing samples for turbidity readings (A520 ) and the TBA color reaction (A535). The course of the A520 change and the TBA color test with mitochondria + 0.3 mM ascorbate is shown in Figure 1. Swelling or lysis of the mitochondria Is associated with the appearance of "lipid peroxide". The lag period is very similar for the two phenomena. GSSG, which accelerates GSH swelling (extensively studied by Neubert and Lehninger, 1962), also hastens ascorbate
Suppression of sdh1 mutations by the SDH1b gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Transformation of the respiratory-defective mutant (E264/U2) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with a yeast genomic library yielded two different plasmids capable of restoring the ability of the mutant to grow on non-fermentable substrates. One of the plasmids (pG52/T3) contained SDH1 coding for the flavoprotein subunit of mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase. The absence of detectable succinate dehydrogenase activity in mitochondria of E264/U2 and the lack of complementation of the mutant by an sdh11null strain indicated a mutation in SDH1. The second plasmid (pG52/T8) had an insert with reading frame (YJL045w) of yeast chromosome X coding for a homologue of SDH1. Subclones containing the SDH1 homologue (SDH1b), restored respiration in E264/U2 indicating that the protein encoded by this gene is functional. The expression of the two genes was compared by assaying the β-galactosidase activities of yeast transformed with plasmids containing fusions of lacZ to the upstream regions of SDH1 and SDH1b. The 100–500 times lower activity measured in transformants harbouring the SDH1b-lacZ fusion indicates that the isoenzyme encoded by SDH1b is unlikely to play an important role in mitochondrial respiration. This is also supported by the absence of any obvious phenotype in cells with a disrupted copy of SDH1b. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Voltammetry of ferrocene in supercritical CO2 containing water and tetrahexylammonium hexafluorophosphate

The voltammetric oxidation of ferrocene has been examined with microdisk electrodes in supercritical CO{sub 2} containing small-amounts of added water. Voltammograms obtained under these conditions indicate a high rate of diffusion for ferrocene but exhibit considerable ohmic drop. The ohmic distortion of the voltammograms is reduced by the addition of tetrahexylammonium hexafluorophosphate ((THA)PF{sub 6}) to the cell. However, when large amounts of (THA)PF{sub 6} are added to the cell, visual inspection indicates a two-phase system under the conditions used. Near-infrared spectra show that the upper phase is supercritical CO{sub 2} and the lower phase is liquid (THA)PF{sub 6}. This result is obtained at a temperature that is 64{degree}C below the melting point of pure (THA)PF{sub 6} at atmospheric pressure. Ferrocene is found to have a much lower diffusion coefficient in the molten salt. However, the limiting current recorded in the molten salt is not attenuated relative to that in the upper phase, because ferrocene preferentially dissolves in the molten salt. It is shown that the molten salt, when added in small amounts to the cell, acts as an electrode-surface modifier that promotes ionic conductivity and allows the oxidation of ferrocene extracted from the supercritical CO{sub 2}. This occurs even whenmore » the electrode is placed in the upper CO{sub 2} phase.« less
INTRASPECIFIC TERTIARY PARASITOIDISM IN ASAPHES LUCENS (HYMENOPTERA: PTEROMALIDAE), AN APHID HYPERPARASITOID

Using the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), as the host and Aphidius smithi Sharma and Subba Rao as the primary parasitoid, intraspecific tertiary parasitoidism was studied in the aphid hyperparasitoid, Asaphes lucens (Provancher). Laboratory experiments indicated that tertiary parasitoidism by a second A. lucens female on a first A. lucens is possible. Although the average success rate over 18 test-days was 16.9%, however, the day of attack by the second A. lucens female in reference to the age of the first A. lucens larva or pupa developing inside the dead aphid "mummy" was of major importance. Success by the second A. lucens in the early days averaged 27.2%, but was significantly reduced to an average of only 1% for the last 7 days. Comparisons are made with similar experiments on intraspecific tertiary parasitoidism using another aphid hyperparasitoid, Dendrocerus carpenteri (Curtis).
Bend ductility, creep strength and physical properties of extruded chromium-modified Al3Ti

Abstract Chromium-modified Al 3 Ti (Al8Cr25Ti, at.%) with the cubic L1 2 structure was processed by extrusion, resulting in a fine-grained recrystallized microstructure. The material was essentially single phase, with only a low volume fraction of Al 2 O 3 and titanium-enriched particles. Oxygen and carbon contents were also low. Room temperature bend tests with strain gages attached to the tension side of the specimens were performed. For sufficiently good surface finishes permanent tensile strains up to 0.16% were recorded, in qualitative agreement with Zhang's results (S. Zhang, J.P. Nic and D.E. Mikkola, Scr. Metall. , 24 (1990) 57). However, for less perfect finishes, fracture occurred well below the compressive yield stress. In other words, AlCrTi is highly notch-sensitive and has a low toughness. As in other trialuminides, fracture occurred by cleavage. Compression creep tests at 1200 K, measurements of Young's modulus, the thermal expansion coefficient, the melting point and the specific heat capacity have been percformed.
Rethinking religious decision‐making in peasant millenarianism: The case of Nueva Jerusalén

Abstract Most studies of religious movement expansion in Latin America have stressed the concept of conversion as the major focus of research. Very often, the proposed subject of study—why peasants join a new religion—has been the effects and satisfactions resulting from joining a movement, rather than the original motives for seeking to join. Employing ethnographic examples from peasant recruitment and life histories from a Mexican millenarian colony, I favour drawing a working distinction between ‘recruitment’ and ‘conversion’ as analytically separable phases of a seeker's involvement with a movement. Conversion refers to an ongoing process of identity transformation after joining a religious movement, while recruitment refers to the decision‐making process leading to membership in a movement. An analysis of peasant processes of affiliation at the Mexican colony shows that the millenarian doctrines of the colony have played a minimal or negligible cognitive role in peasants’ decisions to join. It is arg...
Cuba Interrupted: The Loss of Center and Story in Ana Menéndez's Collection In Cuba I Was a German Shepherd

(2005). Cuba Interrupted: The Loss of Center and Story in Ana Menendez's Collection In Cuba I Was a German Shepherd. Critique: Studies in Contemporary Fiction: Vol. 46, No. 3, pp. 235-251.
Effect of Non-Traditional Grades on Hiring Practices of Public School Systems.

For several years institutions of higher education have been experimenting with what has been loosely termed "non-traditional" grading systems. These grading systems may be generalized into two broad categories: pass/fail and credit/non-credit. Faculty and students have reacted with varying degrees of enthusiasm to these systems, and studies undertaken have provided a great deal of information about the desirability and practicality of non-traditional grades. One area of concern-the effects of non-traditional grades on hiring practices-has had limited study. Those limited studies have been mostly in the business and industrial sector. Since business and industrial employers seek diverse skills from many major areas which vary widely in supply-demand ratios, an attempt was made to survey one specific area of employment: the public school system. Another factor affecting the decision to survey the public school system was the problem of an excess of qualified teachers in most geographical areas in many subject fields. If several qualified teacher candidates are available for any one particular job, will candidates with a record of non-traditional grades receive lower evaluations than those who did not choose this type of grading? If candidates with non-traditional grades are at a disadvantage in the competitive market, that fact will have implications for faculty advisers, institutional policy makers, and the undergraduate who contemplates entering the job market immediately upon graduation. This study, then, was designed to determine the extent to which the presence of different percentages of non-traditional grades on a teacher candidate's transcript affects his chances of selection for initial employment in public school systems.
Trends and Challenges in Open Source Software (Presentation Video)

Over the past decade, the field of medical image analysis research has undergone a rapid evolution. It was a collection of disconnected efforts that were burdened by mundane coding and file I/O tasks. It is now a collaborative community that has embraced open-source software as a shared foundation, reducing mundane coding and I/O burdens, promoting replicable research, and accelerating the pace of research and product development. This talk will review the history and current state of open-source software in medical image analysis research, will discuss the role of intellectual property in research, and will present emerging trends and technologies relevant to the growing importance of open-source software.
Phytoavailability and toxicity of trivalent and hexavalent chromium to Brassica juncea

Summary • Brassica juncea is a potential candidate plant for phytoremediation of a number of heavy metals, but little is known about the phytotoxicity of chromium (Cr) for this plant in Cr(III)- and Cr(VI)-contaminated soils. • Chromium distribution and phytotoxicity at the whole plant and cellular levels were studied using chemical, light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analyses. • Bioavailability of Cr in soils was low, but the uptake significantly increased at phytotoxic levels. Chromium from Cr(VI)-contaminated soils was more phytotoxic than from Cr(III)-contaminated soils. Chromium causes growth retardation, reduces the number of palisade and spongy parenchyma cells in leaves, results in clotted depositions in the vascular bundles of stems and roots, and increases the number of vacuoles and electron dense materials along the walls of xylem and phloem vessels. • Our results suggest that B. juncea is not a good candidate for phytoremediation of soils with lower Cr. However, it is able to accumulate significant amounts of Cr in both shoots and roots at higher soil-Cr concentrations despite severe phytotoxic symptoms.