Search

Bone sialoprotein (gene: Ibsp; protein: BSP) is a multifunctional extracellular matrix protein present in bone, cementum, and dentin. Accumulating evidence supports BSP as a key regulator of mineralized tissue formation via evolutionarily conserved functional domains, including a C-terminal integrin-binding Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) domain implicated in extracellular matrix–cell signaling. Ablation of Ibsp in mice ( Ibsp−/−) results in impaired bone growth and mineralization and defective osteoclastogenesis, with effects in the craniofacial region including reduced acellular cementum formation, detachment of the periodontal ligament (PDL), alveolar bone hypomineralization, and severe periodontal breakdown. We hypothesized that BSP-RGD plays an important role in cementum and alveolar bone formation and mineralization, as well as periodontal function. This hypothesis was tested by replacing the RGD motif with a nonfunctional Lys-Ala-Glu (KAE) sequence in ( IbspKAE/KAE) mice and OCCM.30 murine ( IbspKAE) cementoblasts. The RGD domain was not critical for acellular or cellular cementum formation in IbspKAE/KAE mice. However, PDL volume and thickness were increased, and significantly more tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase–positive osteoclasts were found on alveolar bone surfaces of IbspKAE/KAE mice versus wild type mice. PDL organization was disrupted as indicated by picrosirius red stain, second harmonic generation imaging, dynamic mechanical analysis, and decreased asporin proteoglycan localization. In vitro studies implicated RGD functions in cell migration, adhesion, and mineralization, and this was confirmed by an ossicle implant model where cells lacking BSP-RGD showed substantial defects as compared with controls. In total, the BSP-RGD domain is implicated in periodontal development, though the scale and scope of changes indicated by in vitro studies indicate that other factors may partially compensate for and reduce the phenotypic severity of mice lacking BSP-RGD in vivo.

Mutations in PHEX cause X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH), a form of hypophosphatemic rickets. Hyp ( Phex mutant) mice recapitulate the XLH phenotype. Dental disorders are prevalent in individuals with XLH; however, underlying dentoalveolar defects remain incompletely understood. We analyzed Hyp mouse dentoalveolar defects at 42 and 90 d postnatal to comparatively define effects of XLH on dental formation and function. Phex mRNA was expressed by odontoblasts (dentin), osteocytes (bone), and cementocytes (cellular cementum) in wild-type (WT) mice. Enamel density was unaffected, though enamel volume was significantly reduced in Hyp mice. Dentin defects in Hyp molars were indicated histologically by wide predentin, thin dentin, and extensive interglobular dentin, confirming micro–computed tomography (micro-CT) findings of reduced dentin volume and density. Acellular cementum was thin and showed periodontal ligament detachment. Mechanical testing indicated dramatically altered periodontal mechanical properties in Hyp versus WT mice. Hyp mandibles demonstrated expanded alveolar bone with accumulation of osteoid, and micro-CT confirmed decreased bone volume fraction and alveolar bone density. Cellular cementum area was significantly increased in Hyp versus WT molars owing to accumulation of hypomineralized cementoid. Histology, scanning electron microscopy, and nanoindentation revealed hypomineralized “halos” surrounding Hyp cementocyte and osteocyte lacunae. Three-dimensional micro-CT analyses confirmed larger cementocyte/osteocyte lacunae and significantly reduced perilacunar mineral density. While long bone and alveolar bone osteocytes in Hyp mice overexpressed fibroblast growth factor 23 ( Fgf23), its expression in molars was much lower, with cementocyte Fgf23 expression particularly low. Expression and distribution of other selected markers were disturbed in Hyp versus WT long bone, alveolar bone, and cementum, including osteocyte/cementocyte marker dentin matrix protein 1 ( Dmp1). This study reports for the first time a quantitative analysis of the Hyp mouse dentoalveolar phenotype, including all mineralized tissues. Novel insights into cellular cementum provide evidence for a role for cementocytes in perilacunar mineralization and cementum biology.

Alkylation of 4,8-dimethyl- and 4,6,8-trimethylquinolin-2(1H)-one with allyl bromide in the presence of a base proceeds at the oxygen and nitrogen atoms with the predominant formation of the O-isomer. The reaction of 2-allyloxyquinolines with halogens leads to the formation of oxazolo[3,2-a]quinolinium salts. Structure of 1-bromomethyl-5,7,9-trimethyl-1,2-dihydro[1,3]oxazolo[3,2-a]quinolinium iododibromide was established by single crystal X-ray diffraction method.

This literature review is dedicated to urethritis which is one of the most common disorders of urogenital tract in men. The current views in its etiology as well as problems in diagnosis with the main being the frequent inability to isolate etiological factor of inflammation it the urethra are described. The analysis of literature suggests a possible role of bacteria, which are associated with bacterial vaginosis in women, in the development of the urethritis in men. However, the frequency of such urethritis and causative role of specific pathogens has not been studied yet. Meanwhile, the exact determination of the causes of inflammation has direct influence on the choice of appropriate etiologic treatment and can increase its efficiency.

The present study investigated quantitatively the significance of HNLC (high-nutrient low-chlorophyll) regions and its grazing control with the improved iron fertilization for climate change. The limitation of iron (Fe) for phytoplankton growth in HNLC regions was confirmed by sulfur compounds (S) such as volcanic ash and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in batch cultures, whose chemical sediment of Fe3S4 showed 4.06 wt %. The technologies developed for iron fertilization since 1993 till now were not practical to provide sufficient amounts of bioavailable iron due to sedimentary iron sulfides induced by undersea volcanic sulfur compounds. The proposed technology for iron fertilization was improved to enhance the bioavailable iron to phytoplankton by keeping minimal sulfur compounds in HNLC regions. The low productivity of phytoplankton by grazing control in HNLC regions was 6% diatoms whose 52% was grazed by copepods and 42% by krill on the basis of data analysis in 2000 EisenEx Experiment at boundary of Antarctic and African tectonic plates. All of the previous iron fertilization experiments were conducted at volcanic sulfur compounds enriched HNLC regions. The present study revealed that the enhanced phytoplankton productivity in batch culture without sedimentary iron sulfides can be possible only if sulfur compounds are minimal, as is in Shag Rocks of South Georgia in Scotia Sea in the Southern Ocean.

The present study investigated quantitatively the significance of HNLC (high-nutrient low-chlorophyll) regions and its grazing control with the improved iron fertilization for climate change. The limitation of iron (Fe) for phytoplankton growth in HNLC regions was confirmed by sulfur compounds (S) such as volcanic ash and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in batch cultures, whose chemical sediment of Fe3S4 showed 4.06 wt%. The technologies developed for iron fertilization since 1993 till now were not practical to provide sufficient amounts of bioavailable iron due to sedimentary iron sulfides induced by undersea volcanic sulfur compounds. The proposed technology for iron fertilization was improved to enhance the bioavailable iron to phytoplankton by keeping minimal sulfur compounds in HNLC regions. The low productivity of phytoplankton by grazing control in HNLC regions was 6% diatoms whose 52% was grazed by copepods and 42% by krill on the basis of data analysis in 2000 EisenEx Experiment at boundary of Antarctic and African tectonic plates. All of the previous iron fertilization experiments were conducted at volcanic sulfur compounds enriched HNLC regions. The present study revealed that the enhanced phytoplankton productivity in batch culture without sedimentary iron sulfides can be possible only if sulfur compounds are minimal, as is in Shag Rocks (53°S, 42°W) of South Georgia in Scotia Sea in the Southern Ocean.

Бахтеева Евгения Игоревна – аспирант кафедры прикладной и теоретической химии, химический факультет, институт естественных и точных наук, Южно-Уральский государственный университет. 454080, г. Челябинск, пр. им. В.И. Ленина, 76. E-mail: evgesheck@mail.ru Ким Дмитрий Гымнанович – доктор химических наук, профессор, кафедра прикладной и теоретической химии, химический факультет, институт естественных и точных наук, Южно-Уральский государственный университет. 454080, г. Челябинск, пр. им. В.И. Ленина, 76. E-mail: kim_dg48@mail.ru E.I. Bakhteeva, evgesheck@mail.ru D.G. Kim, kim_dg48@mail.ru South Ural State University, Chelyabinsk, Russian Federation

The reaction of quinolin-8-ol with 1,2-dibromoethane in dimethylformamide gave 2,3-dihydro[1,4]-oxazino[2,3,4-ij]quinolinium bromide which reacted with aqueous sodium hydroxide to afford 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro[1,4]oxazino[2,3,4-ij]quinoline, 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro[1,4]oxazino[2,3,4-ij]quinolin-5-ol, and 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro[1,4]oxazino[2,3,4-ij]quinolin-5-one.

Hydrobromic acid reacts with 2-methallylthio- and 2-prenylthio-4(3Н)-pyrimidinones with participation of the double bond to give the products of heterocyclization, and with 2-allylthio- and 2-propargylthio-6-methyl-4(3Н)-pyrimidinones, with the retention of the double bond and the formation of hydrobromides.

We introduce a novel transformation-induced plasticity mechanism, i.e., a martensitic transformation from fcc phase to bcc phase, in medium-entropy alloys (MEAs). A VCrFeCoNi MEA system is designed by thermodynamic calculations in consideration of phase stability between bcc and fcc phases. The resultantly formed bcc martensite favorably contributes to the transformation-induced plasticity, thereby leading to a significant enhancement in both strength and ductility as well as strain hardening. We reveal the microstructural evolutions according to the Co-Ni balance and their contributions to a mechanical response. The Co-Ni balance plays a leading role in phase stability and consequently tunes the cryogenic-temperature strength-ductility balance. The main difference from recently-reported metastable high-entropy dual-phase alloys is the formation of bcc martensite as a daughter phase, which shows significant effects on strain hardening. The hcp phase in the present MEA mostly acts as a nucleation site for the bcc martensite. Our findings demonstrate that the fcc to bcc transformation can be an attractive route to a new MEA design strategy for improving cryogenic strength-ductility.

Ильиных Елена Сергеевна – кандидат химических наук, доцент, кафедра органической химии, Южно-Уральский государственный университет. 454080, г. Челябинск, пр. им. В.И. Ленина, 76. Е-mail: elena.ilinykh@mail.ru Ташкинов Павел Юрьевич – студент 5 курса, химический факультет, Челябинский государственный университет. 454136, г. Челябинск, ул. Братьев Кашириных, 129. Е-mail: paveltashkinov@gmail.com Ким Дмитрий Гымнанович – доктор химических наук, профессор, кафедра органической химии, Южно-Уральский государственный университет. 454080, г. Челябинск, пр. им. В.И. Ленина, 76. Е-mail: kim_dg48@mail.ru Русинов Владимир Леонидович – доктор химических наук, профессор, член-корреспондент РАН, Химико-технологический институт, Уральский федеральный университет им. первого Президента России Б.Н. Ельцина. 620002, г. Екатеринбург, ул. Мира, 19. Е-mail: v.l.rusinov@ustu.ru E.S. Il’inykh1, elena.ilinykh@mail.ru P.Yu. Tashkinov2, paveltashkinov@gmail.com D.G. Kim1, kim_dg48@mail.ru V.L. Rusinov3, v.l.rusinov@ustu.ru 1 South Ural State University, Chelyabinsk, Russian Federation 2 Chelyabinsk State University, Chelyabinsk, Russian Federation 3 Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation

The in-flight fragment separator of the Rare Isotope Science Project requires eight dipole magnets to produce a gap field of 1.7 T in a deflection sector of 30 degree with a 6-m central radius. If the beam-optics requirements are to be met, an integral field homogeneity of a few units (1 unit = 10-4) must be achieved. A superferric dipole magnet has been designed by using the Low-Temperature Superconducting wire NbTi and soft iron of grade SAE1010. The 3D magnetic design and field optimization have been performed using the Opera code. The length and the width of the air slots in the poles have been determined in an optimization process that considered not only the uniformity of the field in the straight section but also the field errors in the end regions. The field uniformity has also been studied for a range of operation of the dipole magnet from 0.4 T to 1.7 T. The magnetic design and field uniformity are discussed.

Mo and Nb elements have been considered as β-stabilizer and non-toxic elements in Ti alloy. Therefore, Ti–17 wt-%Mo–10 wt-%Nb alloy was used to reduce the Young’s modulus and improve the biocompatibility in this study. In addition, spark plasma sintering was used for consolidation of Ti–17Mo–10Nb milled powders by high-energy mechanical milling during 1–8 hours. Consequently, the compression strength, Young’s modulus and biocompatibility could be improved by proper milling time of Ti–17Mo–10Nb powder. To investigate the microstructure, phases and mechanical properties of Ti–17Mo–10Nb alloy, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and compression test were conducted. Also the biocompatibility and corrosion resistant of this alloy was conducted by MTT (tetrazolium-based colorimetric) assay and polarization measurement, respectively. The results showed that biocompatibility of this alloy was improved by increasing milling time and Young’s modulus of Ti–17Mo–10Nb alloy decreased by using 8 hou...

Biomaterials of titanium and its alloys are useful as implant materials in orthopaedic surgery. In this study, porous Ti-13wt%Nb-13wt%Zr biomaterials were successfully fabricated using powder metallurgy by adding 10–30 wt-% NH4HCO3 as a space holder and TiH2 as a foaming agent to mixed and milled Ti–Nb–Zr powders. The alloy powders were consolidated by spark plasma sintering process at 1123 K under 30 MPa conditions. The effect of space holder content on the pore size and distribution of the Ti-13wt%Nb-13wt%Zr (TNZ) alloys was observed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. These microstructure observations revealed that the volume fraction of the pores increased with increasing space holder content. The pore size of the TNZ alloy changed from the 100 µm scale to the 10 µm scale with increasing milling time and space holder content in the TNZ powders. The porous TNZ alloys exhibited good biocompatibility.

The RAON is the name of the heavy ion accelerator facility under construction in Korea that includes the In-flight Fragment (IF) and Isotope Separation On-Line (ISOL) facilities to support cutting-edge research in various science fields. The superconducting linac is the driver for the IF facility that can accelerate beams from proton to uranium with 200 MeV/u, 400 kW (for uranium beam). A 70-MeV, 1-mA H− cyclotron is the driver for the ISOL facility and is followed by a post-accelerator consisting of s superconducting linac that can accelerate rare-isotope (RI) beams and deliver them to experimental halls. These facilities provide high-intensity stable ion and rare isotope (RI) beams for domestic and international users. In this paper, design and prototyping efforts for the RAON accelerator systems are presented.

Nitrification inhibitors (NI) allow retention of soil nitrogen (N) in the ammonium (NH4+) form for longer periods. Therefore, they can potentially increase pasture yields by decreasing N losses via nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and nitrate (NO3−) leaching. Multiple field experiments were conducted over 3 years at a Massey University dairy farm in the Manawatu region to determine the effect of the NI dicyandiamide (DCD) on soil N transformations, N2O emissions, pasture yields and NO3− leaching. Over the study period, DCD applied in autumn and winter had a half-life of 12–17 days and persisted in the soils between 42 and 84 days. Application of DCD inhibited the nitrification process, resulting in lower N2O emissions (54%–78% from urine patches). N2O emissions were further reduced using two applications of DCD, but more than two applications had no additional effect. Although the influence of DCD on pasture accumulation or NO3− leaching was not consistent, three applications of DCD increased pasture accumul...

Published data from the last 60 years on the synthesis and properties of thiazolo- and oxazolo-[3,2-a]quinolinium systems and their hydrogenated derivatives are reviewed and classified.

X-ray diffraction studies have demonstrated that the protonation of 3-allylthio-5H-[1,2,4]triazino-[5,6-b]indole with hydrogen halides occurs at N2 and that of 3-methyl[1,3]thiazolo[3′,2′:2,3][1,2,4]triazino-[5,6-b]indole, at N10.

The diamond like carbon coatings (DLC) of 400 nm thickness was deposited by filtered cathodic vacuum arc system. The argon plasma etched and non-etched tungsten carbidecobalt (WC-Co) and stainless steel (SUS) were used as substrates. The chromium was deposited as an interlayer for diamond like carbon coatings on the etched and non-etched WC-Co and SUS substrates. The present research is to evaluate the effect of argon plasma etching of the substrates on microstructure, tribology and adhesion strength of DLC coatings. The films were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, tribology and scratch tests. The Raman studies showed the broad peak ∼1550 cm −1 indicates the formation of amorphous carbon or diamond-like carbon. It was found that the DLC coatings on the plasma etched substrates of WC-Co and SUS have shown the low friction coefficient of ∼0.12–0.14. The DLC coatings on plasma etched substrates of WC-Co have better adhesion strength. The results showed that the argon plasma etching of substrate reduces the surface roughness to ∼2.5 nm, resulting in smooth morphology, good adhesion and wear resistance as compared to DLC coating on non-etched substrates. The scanning electron microscopic studies showed that the DLC coated specimens with plasma etched substrates have minimum damage as compared to the DLC coated non etched substrates.

It has been established by X-ray structural analysis that the iodocyclization of 3-allylsulfanyl-5H-[1,2,4]triazino[5,6-b]indole occurs at the N-2 atom. It was shown that heterocyclization of 3-propargylsulfanyl-5H-[1,2,4]triazino[5,6-b]indoles proceeds in the presence of alkali at the N-2 atom but under the action of sulfuric acid at the N-4 atom.

Reaction of 8-(2-methylprop-2-enylsulfanyl)quinoline with bromine, iodine and mercury(II) chloride gave dihydro[1,4]thiazino[2,3,4-ij]quinolinium systems. The structures of the compounds synthesized have been confirmed by X-ray structural analysis and by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy.

To test the hypothesis that the use of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) reduces elevated pain by controlling the release of neurochemicals during orthodontic tooth movement.Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Okayama University. Sixty-five Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to tooth movement and LLLT.Adult Sprague Dawley rats were used in this study. Groups included day 0 controls, irradiation only controls and with or without irradiation sacrificed at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after tooth movement (n=5 each, total n=65). Tooth movement was achieved by insertion of an elastic module between molar teeth. Immunohistochemistry for CD-11b, GFAP and c-fos in the brain stem was performed. Stains were quantified by constructing a three-dimensional image using IMARIS, and counted using NEURON TRACER and WinROOF software. Two-way ANOVA followed by a Tukey's post hoc test (P.05) was used for statistical comparison between groups.C-fos expression was significantly increased at one and three days after tooth movement. LLLT significantly diminished this increase in c-fos expression only at one day after tooth movement CD-b11 and GFAP expression also significantly increased after tooth movement. No significant change was observed for CD-11b and GFAP expression in the central nervous system upon LLLT.Low-level laser therapy may reduce early neurochemical markers but have no effect on delayed pain neurochemical markers after tooth movement.

Polymers are characterized by a mixture of the directional, localized covalent, and ionic modes of interatomic bonding, in contrast to metals that have nondirectional and nonlocalized interatomic bonding. While strong primary bonding exists along the carbon-carbon backbone of organic polymer chains, much weaker secondary bonding exists between adjacent non-crosslinked chains. Combining these modes of bonding with the myriad of different polymer structures, along with the absence of a long-range three-dimensional repeating pattern for the atomic/molecular arrangement, polymers are generally noncrystalline materials with much different mechanical properties from metals. (Special processing techniques can yield polymeric materials with substantial crystalline structures.) This chapter focuses on how the mechanical properties of polymers are related to the general aspects of their structure, without examining the individual monomeric structural units. The reader should review textbooks on polymeric materials and dental materials for details about these structures.

The Rare Isotope Science Project (RISP) is launched in Korea to build the IF and ISOL facilities. Current status of RISP is introduced.

Aims: Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a significant cause of human gastrointestinal disorders and is transmitted through ingestion of raw or undercooked contaminated seafood. We used the groEL gene for the species-specific detection of V. parahaemolyticus from artificially inoculated shellfish, fish and seawater. Methods and Results: The nucleotide sequences of 24 Vibrio and seven non-Vibrio spp. were compared, and less conserved regions were selected for the designing of primer sets. To detect V. parahaemolyticus specifically, PCR conditions were standardized and tested to evaluate the specificity of primers. A 510-bp band was appeared only from V. parahaemolyticus by PCR. Notably, the detection was shown to be functional at high annealing temperature above 68°C. The groEL primers detected 100 pg and 1 ng of DNA purified from V. parahaemolyticus culture and artificially infected oyster tissue, respectively. Conclusions: The groEL gene is a potential marker for the species-specific detection of V. parahaemolyticus and could be used to detect this bacterium in contaminated food by PCR. Significance and Impact of the Study: PCR using primers designed from groEL gene provide an efficient method for the accurate identification of V. parahaemolyticus from contaminated samples.

Immunocastration is an alternative method to replace surgical castration that is commonly performed in domestic and pet animals. In this study, a new immunocastration vaccine was developed, and its efficacy was evaluated in male rats. Six tandem copies of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) peptide were genetically fused to Salmonella typhimurium flagellin fljB (STF2) that is a ligand of toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5). The recombinant STF2-GnRH protein expressed in Escherichia coli was used as the immunocastration vaccine. Sixteen male rats were equally assigned to four groups. Excluding the control rats, three groups were immunized with 100, 200 and 400 μg of the STF2-GnRH vaccine, respectively. All of the immunized rats developed significantly higher titres of antibodies to GnRH than the control rats. The size and weight of both testes and epididymides from the immunized rats were significantly smaller than those of the control rats. Testicular tissues in the immunized rats demonstrated atrophy of seminiferous tubules and decreased numbers of both spermatogonia and spermatocytes. These data indicate that the newly developed STF2-GnRH vaccine has a potent immunogenicity to GnRH and efficiently suppresses the development of testes in rats.

A series of electrochemical experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of dissolved oxygen, pH and Cl− on the corrosion rate of reinforcing steel of geological disposal facility saturated with groundwater. It was found that the corrosion rate was proportional to the concentration of Cl− and dissolved oxygen which are known as a corrosive agent and an electron acceptor, respectively. The pH level also strongly influenced the corrosion rate of the reinforcing steel. Under the pore water conditions of concrete structure of geological disposal facility, i.e. pH of 10–12 and dissolved oxygen of 1 mg L−1, the corrosion rate of reinforcing steel was determined to be in the range of ∼10−8 to ∼10−9 m/year. The corrosion rates were higher than those estimated from an empirical model based on the diffusion of dissolved oxygen.

Transarterial catheter embolization (TAE) is integral in the management of lower gastrointestinal bleeding (BLGIT). The efficacy of superselective embolization has reduced the need for emergent surgical resection as a treatment modality. Objective To determine the outcomes of TAE in the management of BLGIT in terms of efficacy rates, recurrent bleeding rates and long term results without the need for surgical intervention. Method Patients who underwent TAE for BLGIT between September 2000 and May 2006 were analysed. Data were extracted from the records for analysis. Results Sixty-eight patients with a mean age of 76 years and equal gender distribution were analysed. Sixty-nine per cent presented with haematochezia, 40% with malena. Sixty-three patients had a prior RBC scan performed, all of which were positive. Colonoscopy was attempted in 18 patients of which four managed to localize the bleeding site. Embolization was performed in these patients using mainly polyvinyl alcohol particles and/or microcoils. The morbidity rate was 21%, comprising mainly fever and nonspecific abdominal pain with only four ischaemic complications and one report of colonic infarction. Early recurrent bleeding occurred in six patients. Three were treated with repeat embolization and two required surgery. There were no mortalities. After a mean follow-up of 12 months, 12 (17.6%) patients developed further episodes of BLGIT, necessitating further intervention. Conclusion Transarterial catheter embolization is effective and safe in the acute management of BLGIT and reduces the need for further definitive surgery in a majority of patients.

A new concept for sound-quality prediction, the so-called wavelet pre-processing neural network (WT-NN) model, is presented in this paper. Based on interior vehicle noise, the WT-NN sound-quality evaluation model was developed by combining the techniques of wavelet analysis and neural network (NN) classification. A wavelet-based 21-point model for vehicle noise feature extraction was established, as was a NN model. Verification results show that the trained WT-NN models are accurate and effective for sound-quality prediction of nonstationary vehicle noises. Due to its outstanding time–frequency characteristics, the proposed WT-NN model can be used to deal both with stationary and nonstationary signals, and even transient ones. In place of conventional psychoacoustical models, the WT-NN technique is suggested not only to predict, classify, and compare the sound quality (loudness and sharpness) of vehicle interiors, but also to apply to other sound-related fields in engineering.

Many of the efforts surrounding the development of the National Animal Identification System have encompassed the identification of livestock production and handling premises as well as individuals or herds of animals, whereas little effort has been directed toward the ultimate goal of animal traceback within 48 h. A mock data set representative of the Colorado cattle population was created for modeling of cattle traceability. Using this data set, algorithms were developed to complete rapid and accurate traceback and traceforward of animals or premises or both. On July 19, 2005, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, in conjunction with the Colorado Department of Agriculture, conducted a test exercise pertaining to homeland security. The exercise team randomly identified animal number 926,583 (of the 2 million total animals) as a potentially infected animal of interest and requested a traceback of this animal. Traceback was accomplished in 215 s, and 540 primary coresident animals were identified. However, due to animal movements, the number of coresidents (animals exposed, directly or indirectly, to the animal of interest) expanded with coresidency level (level 1 = direct contact; level 2 = direct contact with an animal that had direct contact with the animal of interest; level 3 = direct contact with an animal that had contact with an animal that had direct contact with the animal of interest, etc.) to more than 1.2 million coresidents at level 4, and more than 90% of all animals identified as a coresident at some level. In addition to the coresidency results, the premises containing the coresidents were identified and sorted by the number of coresidents. Because of animal movement, all 19,391 premises included in the data set had coresidents at some level. This exercise demonstrated the capability of the developed algorithms to complete rapid traceback and the complexity of the resulting animal traceback output.

The growth kinetics of the intermetallic compound layer formed between Sn–8Zn–5In solder and bare Cu substrate by solid-state isothermal aging were examined at temperatures between 70 and 150°C for times up to 100 days. Experimental results showed that the intermetallic compound observed on the bare copper substrate was γ-Cu5Zn8 and its thickness increased with ageing temperature and time. The layer growth of the intermetallic compound in the couple of the Cu/Zn satisfied the parabolic law at the given temperature range. As a whole, because the values of time exponent (n) were approximately 0·5, the layer growth of the intermetallic compound was considered to be mainly controlled by diffusion mechanism over the temperature range studied. The apparent activation energy for growth of the γ-Cu5Zn8 intermetallic compound was 62 kJ mol−1.

Although there have been some reports that measured the size of mastoid pneumatization, only a few studies have reported the age-related variations in the mastoid air cell system using three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction techniques of computed tomography (CT) images. We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional study. A 3D reconstruction based on CT images was performed on 199 ears of 102 patients (age range 6-84 years) without otologic disease by a surface-rendering algorithm. The results showed that mastoid pneumatization continued to grow until the third decade. Thereafter, it declined slowly, and then rapidly after the seventh decade. No statistically significant difference was found between male and female or between right and left sides. There was a significant difference between the larger and smaller sides of individuals. The volume measurement technique based on the 3D reconstruction technique reported here is widely available, highly accurate and easy to perform.

The interaction of 4-allyl-5-phenyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione with iodine proceeds with the formation of a mixture of 6-iodomethyl-3-phenyl-5,6-dihydrothiazolo[2,3-c]-1,2,4-triazole and 6-iodo-3-phenyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3-thiazine. The structures of the cyclization products obtained were established on the basis of the 1H NMR spectra of their dehydroiodinated derivatives. 6-Methyl-3-phenylthiazolo[2,3-c]-1,2,4-triazole, 3-phenyl-5H-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3-thiazine, and 3-phenyl-7H-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3-thiazine are formed on eliminating HI from the cyclization products.

A DECODING ALGORITHM FOR ORTHOGONAL LATIN SQUARE CODES