The microstructure of Cu films deposited by the self-ion assisted technique

The microstructures of Cu films deposited by the self-ion assisted, partially ionized beam (PIB) deposition technique under two different accelerating potentials, 0 KeV and 6 KeV, are compared. The 6 KeV film shows a bimodal (111) fiber and (100) fiber texture with an abundance of twin boundaries and a relatively large average grain size with a typical lognormal distribution. The 0 KeV film consists of small, mostly (111) oriented grains with islands of abnormally large (100) grains. The controlling factors for the abnormal growth of the (100) grains are discussed in relation to the observed microstructures, showing that all factors necessary for abnormal (100) growth are present in the films.     

Limit Cycles in a Class of Hybrid Dynamical Systems

This paper deals with qualitative analysis of the so-called switched fluid networks. Such networks are used to model communication, computer, and flexible manufacturing systems. We prove that for any deterministic network from a specific class, there exists a finite number of limit cycles attracting all the trajectories of the system. Furthermore, we determine this number. Date received: March 11, 2000. Date revised: January 19, 2001.     

Nonconvex Problems of Global Optimization: Linear-Quadratic Control Problems with Quadratic Constraints

In this paper, we study a class of optimization problems,which are of certain interest for control theory. These problemsare of global constrained optimization and may be nonconvex ingeneral. A simple approach to their solution is presented. Aspecial attention is paid to the case when the objective andconstraints functions are quadratic functionals on a Hilbertspace. As an example of an application of the general approach,a methodology is presented by which an optimal controller canbe synthesized for a finite-horizon linear-quadratic controlproblem with quadratic constraints. Both inequality and equalityconstraints are considered. The objective and constraints functionalsmay be nonconvex and may contain both integral and terminal summands.It is shown that, under certain assumptions, the optimal controlexists, is unique, and has feedback structure. Furthermore, theoptimal controller can be computed by the methods of classiclinear-quadratic control theory coupled with those of finitedimensional convex programming.     

Increasing the linear density uniformity of yarn spun from an aggressive solution

Conclusions It has been found experimentally that to increase the uniformity of linear density of yarn spun from an aggressive spinning solution of 40–50 Pa·sec viscosity, it is necessary to use metering pumps of high output and to maintain a positive pressure difference of up to 1 MPa between the spinning solution pressure at intake and that at discharge from the pump.A new candle filter construction has been proposed for maintaining a positive difference between the spinning solution pressure at intake and at discharge.Translated from Khimicheskie Volokna, No. 1, pp. 40–41, January–February, 1986.     

Evidence for biotic control of Australian reservoir phytoplankton communities and the potential for applied biomanipulation

Although some concerns have been expressed with respect to the applicability of biomanipulation to Australian reservoirs and other inland waters, no major obstacles were found in this review. The previous doubts stimulated research, which has provided evidence for unexpected mechanisms of food web interactions, such as positive effects of small copepods on planktonic algae, higher than usual grazing potential of cladoceran communities, and direct positive effects of planktivores on phytoplankton. Further research into zooplankton-cyanobacteria interactions should indicate how widespread is the previously reported ability of some southern hemisphere crustaceans to benefit at a population level from feeding on cyanobacteria. Quantitative fisheries acoustics, which has not been widely used in biomanipulation trials before, is a promising new tool in the assessment of the biomass of planktivorous fish in the pelagic zone of reservoirs.     

Tagging of η mesons using the pd → 3Heη reaction near threshold

A zero-degree spectrometer for tagging η mesons on the CELSIUS/WASA facility is described, and its characteristics are presented. Tagging of η mesons is performed by detecting ³He ions produced by reaction pd → ³Heη close to the production threshold. The low background level (<2%) is in good agreement with the data obtained earlier on the SATURNE accelerator.     

The effect of oxidative stress on structural transitions of human erythrocyte ghost membranes

The influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) contains three highly conserved cysteine residues at positions 551, 559, and 562 close to the carboxyl-terminus of the HA2 subunit which serve as palmitylation sites. Wild-type HA of influenza virus A/FPV/Rostock/34 (H7N1) and HA permutated by exchange of the acylated cysteine to serine residues were expressed in CV-1 cells by a SV40 vector system. Since density of immunostained HA on the cell surface measured by flow cytometric analysis did not differ between wild-type and acylation mutants, it was possible to compare acylation mutants and wild-type HA for their capacity to induce membrane fusion at low pH. The following observations were made: (1) lateral diffusion of a lipid-like fluorophore (R-18) from the erythrocyte membrane to the plasma membrane of cells expressing HA on the surface occurred equally well with mutants and wild type. (2) Diffusion of a low-molecular-weight fluorescent water-soluble probe (calcein) from erythrocytes into the cytoplasm of HA-expressing cells was not altered either. (3) However, depending on the position and the number of the deleted acylation sites, the mutants showed a reduced ability to induce syncytia. The data indicate that deacylation of the cytoplasmic tail has no measurable effect on the capacity of HA to induce membrane fusion and pore formation but that it suppresses syncytia formation.