Bilateral transfer deficit in schizophrenia: a trait marker

To elucidate the relation between the distribution of F-actin bands in the clear zone and the bone-resorbing activity of osteoclasts in vivo, the endocranial surfaces of calvariae from 7-day-old Wistar rats were stained with F-actin-specific fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled phalloidin (FITC-phalloidin) with and without the intraperitoneal injection of the calcium-regulating hormones, calcitonin (CT), and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Some specimens were double-stained with FITC-phalloidin and a monoclonal antibody, ED1, which stained monocytes and macrophages. In normal rats, almost 80% of the osteoclasts showed ring-shaped F-actin bands in the clear zone, and the remaining 20% showed arch- or line-shaped F-actin bands. From 15 min to 1 h after the injection of CT (salmon, 10 mg/kg), the number of osteoclasts with ring-shaped F-actin bands decreased significantly. At 1 h, few F-actin bands were detected in osteoclasts, which were still stained by ED1. However, these F-actin bands recovered to the normal level at 6 h. On the other hand, from 15 min to 6 h after the injection of PTH (bovine, 50 mg/kg), the number of osteoclasts with arch- or line-shaped F-actin bands decreased significantly. These results indicate that osteoclasts with arch- or line-shaped F-actin bands in the clear zone had lower bone-resorbing activity than those with ring-shaped F-actin bands, and that the formation of bands could be controlled by calcium-regulating hormones over the course of a few hours. Observation of the endocranial surfaces of calvariae might be useful for examining factors which affect the activities of osteoclasts in vivo.     

Indentation characteristics of rapidly solidified Al-Cu-V and Al-Cu-Ti alloys

We report indentation characteristics of metallic glasses and nano-composites in Al-Cu-V as well as in Al-Cu-Ti systems. The melt spun ribbons of these alloys are employed to study the surface hardness characteristics of the specimen containing microstructural features at various length scales. The characterization of these materials has been done with the help of transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffractometer. The surface hardness characteristics of melt spun ribbons with and without crystallization have been studied using a micro-hardness tester. We shall discuss the indentation behavior of ribbons in relation to their structures and microstructures.     

Photogalvanic generation of dihydrogen by water splitting using MoS 4 2− as catalyst

A 4% solar energy efficiency has been achieved for photogeneration of dihydrogen (H₂) using MoS ₄ ²⁻ as catalyst, when the anode compartment of a photogalvanic cell is illuminated. The generated photocurrent rises slowly with time and reaches a limiting value. Ten hours after the reaction starts, a secondary dark reaction sets in which produces H₂ and photocurrent even when the light is switched off. Possible mechanisms in both cases have been suggested.     

On the use of the Mayo equation in cationic polymerization

Summary With the help of some representative theoretical Mayo plots it has been shown that when the concentration of active centers consisting of ions and ion pairs its a cationic polymerization system varies directly with monomer concentration, Mayo plots would be curved and there is every possibility that one would end up with an intercept at l/¯P axis even in the absence of monomer transfer.     

Fine needle aspiration cytology of oral and pharyngeal lesions. A study of 45 cases

Forty-five patients with oral or pharyngeal swellings were subjected to fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the mucosal surface over eight years. The age of the patients ranged from 2 to 85 years. The male:female ratio was 25:20. The common sites of involvement were palate (16 cases), cheek (9), pharynx (7) and tonsillar/peritonsillar area (6). Tongue, maxilla, alveolus and lips were less frequently involved. FNAC played an important role in differentiating inflammatory from neoplastic lesions and also benign from malignant neoplasms. Fifteen cases were cytologically diagnosed as benign neoplasms and included pleomorphic adenoma (11 cases), schwannoma (2), odontogenic tumor (1) and benign neoplasm not otherwise specified (1). Sixteen cases were diagnosed as malignancies. There were seven cases of malignant salivary gland tumors and 6 of squamous cell carcinoma. Two cases were high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, and one was malignant odontogenic tumor. Of the 11 inflammatory or reactive lesions, 4 were found to be harboring Actinomyces. The rate of inadequate sampling was 6.7%. Histopathology reports on excised tissue were available for 10 cases only. Seven of nine cases with adequate cytology (77.88%) showed complete agreement with histology.     

Uncertainty management in expert systems using fuzzy Petri nets

The paper aims at developing new techniques for uncertainty management in expert systems for two generic class of problems using fuzzy Petri nets that represent logical connectivity among a set of imprecise propositions. One class of problems deals with the computation of fuzzy belief of any proposition from the fuzzy beliefs of a set of independent initiating propositions in a given network. The other class of problems is concerned with the computation of steady-state fuzzy beliefs of the propositions embedded in the network, from their initial fuzzy beliefs through a process called belief revision. During belief revision, a fuzzy Petri net with cycles may exhibit “limit cycle behavior” of fuzzy beliefs for some propositions in the network. No decisions can be arrived at from a fuzzy Petri net with such behavior. To circumvent this problem, techniques have been developed for the detection and elimination of limit cycles. Further, an algorithm for selecting one evidence from each set of mutually inconsistent evidences, referred to as nonmonotonic reasoning, has also been presented in connection with the problems of belief revision. Finally, the concepts proposed for solving the problems of belief revision have been applied successfully for tackling imprecision, uncertainty, and nonmonotonicity of evidences in an illustrative expert system for criminal investigation     

CdTe photoelectrochemical solar cells—chemical modification of surfaces

Chemical modification of bothn andp type CdTe has been found to improve the performance and stability of PEC solar cells. The surfaces, modified by Ru³⁺, have been examined by a variety of techniques. Modification results in enhanced barrier height at the surface due to the formation of a passivating oxide layer.     

Modeling and analysis of an extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer cavity

A schematic representation of optical feedback between two resonator mirrors undergoing a phase shift each round trip as a function of the separation of the mirrors is studied. A transfer function modeling of the extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer (EFPI) is presented. Nyquist analysis has been used to forecast the operational stability and possibility of interference in an EFPI. The analysis with two perfectly parallel surfaces of the cavity shows efficient interference. The performance when there is some tilt between the two mirrors in the cavity is also studied and is presented. In this case some restricted interference is found.