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This is a critical review of disputable chronostratigraphic results in the Upper Pleistocene of glaciated Russia including the West Siberian and Russian Plains. The main goal is to assess the validity of stratigraphic tools used for long-distance correlation of young sedimentary formations. The test is performed by comparison of i) Russian stratigraphic schemes of two last glacial cycles against the West European ones and ii) the traditional stratigraphic scales of Russia against the new chronological results brought up by modern dating tools. The multitude of AMS radiocarbon, optical luminescence, uranium series and electron-spin resonance dates obtained by international research projects allowed to reconsider the age of the main stratigraphic markers of Siberia which proved to be by one glacial cycle older than suggested by the traditional correlation schemes. The correlation wisdom in central European Russia for the time being cannot be satisfactorily revised using the statistical approach because of the limited supply of chronometric data. The palaeoenvironments inferred from palynological data in central European Russia are in discrepancy with the presumably coeval periglacial landscapes of Western and Central Europe. This divergence implies that the traditional chronostratigraphic correlation of the older Middle Valdaian interstadials with their Pleniglacial counterparts of MIS 3 stage is probably erroneous. The correlation errors mainly stem from the age underestimation by conventional radiocarbon dates used as chronological links of the Russian Pleistocene formations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reveals the organizational features of medical and psychological assistance in cases of perinatal losses in modern conditions. The paper presents the peculiarities of perinatal loss, psychological condition of women’s health during the onset of subsequent pregnancy as well as experiences of the women who have lost a child at different stages of pregnancy. The article notes that the majority of pregnant women with a history of perinatal loss are in a state of chronic stress, which can lead to the emergence and development of various medical and psychological complications. The peculiarities of the experience of grief in the situation of perinatal loss, as a serious mental trauma for the woman's psyche were analyzed. It has been substantiated that the experience of perinatal loss is a non-normative crisis in marital relations, and the process of providing psychological assistance should be directed not only to the woman, but also to the married couple as a whole, which will reduce the risk of rupture of relations, promote their harmonization, which can be considered as an effective resource for a constructive experience of the situation of loss. The main tasks of psychologists and medical staff during the organization of medical and psychological assistance for women and married couples experiencing perinatal loss are also revealed. It is crucial to comprehend the feelings women experience in such cases, which makes medical and psychological care more effective in the process of working with those who are through child loss or have had such an experience previously. The conclusion notes the priority of organizing and providing comprehensive medical and psychological assistance not only to women, but also to married couples in a situation of perinatal loss; the need for special training both for medical psychologists, obstetricians and gynecologists to provide complex assistance to women experiencing perinatal losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vinylidene fluoride (VDF)/tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) 94/6 copolymer films obtained by low-temperature crystallization from acetone solution and by melt-crystallization under high pressure were studied. As shown in the X-ray diffraction patterns, β- and γ- phases coexist in the sample crystallized from a solution. At melt-crystallization, a number of γ-crystals decrease and spherulitic supramolecular structure is formed. It is accompanied by a decrease of the amorphous phase density in the intra- and inter-spherulite regions, which leads to an increase in the glass transition temperature. Differential scanning calorimetry data indicate a smaller fraction of the amorphous phase for the sample crystallized from the melt. At the same time, the relaxation strength of the mobility in the amorphous phase in this sample is higher. This contradiction is explained by the increased ratio of isomers in planar zigzag conformation, as shown by IR spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The dynamics of fluorine atoms distribution over the thickness of the grown anodic oxide layers and the effective surface charge on InAs crystals under these layers are investigated. Anodic oxidation is performed in an alkaline electrolyte to which a fluorochemical component in the galvanostatic mode is added at the anode current densities of 0.05 and 0.5 mA cm-2. The layer's thickness changes by 32-51 nm by setting a final voltage of 15 to 25 V on the electrodes during the growth. The layer's thickness and refractive index are measured by an ellipsometric technique and the distribution of the thickness of fluorine atoms is measured by photoelectron spectroscopy combined with ion etching. Simultaneously, MIS structures are fabricated from the grown layers and their capacitance-voltage characteristics are calculated to determine the effective surface charge and density of the surface states at different layer thicknesses. The main results of the investigations are that, with regardless of anodic current, density the grown layers are compacted, the fluorine atoms distribution profile shifts toward InAs, and the positive effective surface charge gradually decreases from 3.6 × 1011 to 2.0 × 1011 cm-2 at densities of the surface states of (6-7) × 1011 eV-1 cm-2 in all cases. It is concluded based on comparison of the obtained data with the theoretical concepts on the charge structure of MIS structures that the built-in charge is gradually removed from the interface with InAs during the anodic oxide layer's growth, which explains the observed decrease in the effective surface charge when the layer's thickness increases. This result indicates, that the layer's growth rate is faster than rate of the built-in layer charge shifting toward InAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of how one or several rectilinear cracks intersecting at a point affect eddy-currents and electromotive force (e.m.f.) induced in a current loop has been considered. The loop is located above a nonmagnetic infinite plate, orthogonally to the crack lines. Under these conditions, when the plate is geometrically thin and can be replaced with a conductive surface, the problem is solved analytically. The calculation data, which are illustrated by the graphs of how the e.m.f. depends on the proximity to the crack when the current frequency and loop location height are varied, show that crack’s contribution to the magnetic reaction virtually fades at distances exceeding the sum of the linear loop length and its height. Results of conducted physical experiments prove the adequacy of the developed mathematical model and its applicability to the solution of such problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is an overview of the latest data on the age of topographically expressed glacigenic formations of the Polar Urals obtained by international geological teams by modern dating techniques including optical luminescence, radiocarbon and cosmogenic beryllium in exposed boulders. The new dates combined with the results of geological mapping and remote sensing data is a basis for rejecting the concept of the Quaternary Uralian ice caps in favor of small alpine glaciers which developed south of the Kara ice sheet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The paper summarizes the results of recent studies of Late Pleistocene postglacial geological events which occurred in the flatlands of northern Russia stretching from the Timan Ridge to the Laptev Sea coast. The available sedimentary record includes thawed and perennially frozen subaerial sediments and in places lacustrine and fluvial formations. Hundreds of geochronometric measurements by radiocarbon and luminescence techniques place this record within the time span of 50–11 ka BP which confirms an Early–Mid-Weichselian age of the underlying glacial complex first established by the QUEEN programme. The spectrum of proxies includes sedimentary facies, pollen data, plant macrofossils, oxygen isotope values, megafauna remains, insect assemblages, traces of DNA, paleosols and permafrost properties. Together they indicate a continental, progressively deteriorating climate with very cold winters and warmer than present summers through the second half of the Late Pleistocene. Minor climatic fluctuations are largely due to slightly changing humidity during MIS 3. These changes are more pronounced in periglacial European Russia in the vicinity of the Barents–Kara ice sheet where the Mid-Weichselian biotic maximum contrasts with conditions in the Late Weichselian polar desert. In Siberia, the periglacial environments were more stable and beneficial for biota inspite of the increased continentality. The recent data accumulated by various researchers are incompatible with the conventional correlation of the Karginsky interglacial strata of Siberia with MIS 3 or any part of the European Pleniglacial. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

New luminescence dates and lithostratigraphic information from key section Bolshoi Shar on the Lower Yenissei shed light on the history of terrestrial sedimentation between 100 and 40 ka BP and change the chronostratigraphic position of two major ice advances of the Late Pleistocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prove that the normal derivatives of piecewise harmonic functions and the densities of surface simple-layer potentials with a finite Dirichlet integral belong to the Lebesgue space on Lipschitz surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typical noise power density spectra of photoreceivers, manufactured using different industrial technologies are presented. Technologies which reduce the 1/ F noise are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of the study of the sequences of bifurcation leading to the synchronization and amplitude death in a system of two dissipatively coupled self-sustained oscillators with inertial nonlinearity. Two types of synchronizations tongues have been identified. In one of them phase locking regions exist where the synchronization is achieved by the saddle-node bifurcation and regions where the transition to synchronization leads through Neimark-Sacker bifurcation. In the second type of the tongues there are only phase locking regions. It has been shown that for a weak non-identity of the system parameters, the first type tongues merge together. The transition between the synchronization tongues can occur without bifurcations, i.e., transition between the synchronized regimes with different periods of oscillations can occur gradually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The well-known shell supernova remnant (SNR) HB3 is part of a feature-rich star-forming region together with the nebulae W3, W4, and W5. We study the H I structure around this SNR using five RATAN-600 drift curves obtained at a wavelength of 21 cm with an angular resolution of 2′ in one coordinate over the radial-velocity range –183 to +60 km s–1 in a wider region of the sky and with a higher sensitivity than in previous works by other authors. The spatial–kinematic distribution of H I features around the SNR clearly shows two concentric expanding shells of gas that surround the SNR and coincide with it in all three coordinates (α, δ, and V). The outer shell has a radius of 133 pc, a thickness of 24 pc, and an expansion velocity of 48 km s–1. The mass of the gas in it is ≈ 2.3 × 105M⊙. For the inner shell, these parameters are 78 pc, 36 pc, 24 km s–1, and 0.9×105M⊙, respectively. The inner shell is immediately adjacent to the SNR. Assuming that the outer shell was produced by the stellar wind and the inner shell arose from the shock wave of the SNR proper, we estimated the age of the outer shell, ≈ 1.7 × 106 yr, and the mechanical luminosity of the stellar wind, 1.5 × 1038 erg s–1. The inner shell has an age of ≈ 106 yr and corresponds to a total supernova explosion energy of ≈ 1052 erg.© 2005 Pleiades Publishing, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this Letter we study an effect of synchronization of clusters with the same average frequency in interacting extended systems. We show that the type of sychronization is a consequence of frequency locking in each point of the system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper deals with the modeling of the contact stress distribution at the tool-chip interface. It includes a comprehensive critical review of the various attempts that have been made to determine the stress distribution over this interface. It reveals that more than ten different types of contact stress distribution have been reported in literature. According to the latest reported results, the uniform distribution of normal and shear stresses is the case in metal cutting. To understand the real contact stress distribution, the tool-chip interface was modeled as a contact problem of indentation of the deformable work material by a rigid punch. The analytical and FEM results are obtained, discussed, and compared with those obtained experimentally. It is proven conclusively that the distribution of normal and shear stresses is not uniform. The real stress distribution is discussed on the basis of the obtained results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about the γ depth of interaction (DOI) in the crystal can help to improve the resolution uniformity in positron emission tomography cameras by reducing the blurring due to the parallax error. The parallax error is particularly severe for tomographs with small detector-to-detector distance, which is by itself a desirable feature, since it maximizes the detection solid angle and thus sensitivity. In this study we have developed simulations to determine the effect of a particular DOI correction method on resolution for some tomograph and crystal geometries. The considered DOI correction method relies on a double layer crystal configuration where the two crystals have different scintillation decay times. Round and octagonal PET camera geometries were considered. For each geometry two different crystal configurations were simulated: LSO/LSO and LSO/GSO. Empirical data were used to include scintillation decay time into the simulation. For specific configurations examined DOI correction was found to improve the resolution uniformity up to 37%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate phenomena of multistability and complete chaos synchronization in coupled period-doubling systems. Bifurcational mechanisms for both a loss of chaos synchronization and multistability formation are described and their relation is uncovered. Multiparametric analysis of special families of stable and saddle periodic orbits shows generic "interior" bifurcational processes that determine a variety of complex dynamics in interacting period-doubling systems. In particular, we find that for decreasing coupling the bifurcational cascades for symmetric saddle periodic orbits determine loss of chaos synchronization and multistability formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work is devoted to the analysis of dynamics of traveling waves in a chain of self-oscillators with period-doubling route to chaos. As a model we use a ring of Chua's circuits symmetrically coupled via a resistor. We consider how complicated are temporal regimes with parameters changing influences on spatial structures in the chain. We demonstrate that spatial periodicity exists until transition to chaos through period-doubling and tori birth bifurcations of regular regimes. Temporal quasi-periodicity does not induce spatial quasi-periodicity in the ring. After transition to chaos exact spatial periodicity is changed by the spatial periodicity in the average. The periodic spatial structures in the chain are connected with synchronization of oscillations. For quantity researching of the synchronization we propose a measure of chaotic synchronization based on the coherence function and investigate the dependence of the level of synchronization on the strength of coupling and on the chaos developing in the system. We demonstrate that the spatial periodic structure is completely destroyed as a consequence of loss of coherence of oscillations on base frequencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the antiphase synchronization in symmetrically coupled self-oscillators. As model, two Chua's circuits coupled via a capacity are used. Linear analysis in the vicinity of the symmetric subspace gives the stability conditions for antiphase oscillations. Numerical oscillations demonstrate controlled antiphase synchronization at different values of the parameters of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A possible method of reducing the reverse currents and increasing the forward currents in small-scale planar diodes is discussed and demonstrated experimentally. This method involves using an auxiliary short-circuited planar p - n junction positioned within the diffusion length of minority carriers from the planar boundaries of the diodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nuclotron-based Ion Collider fAcility (NICA) is under construction at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), with commissioning of the facility expected in late 2022. The Multi-Purpose Detector (MPD) has been designed to operate at NICA and its components are currently in production. The detector is expected to be ready for data taking with the first beams from NICA. This document provides an overview of the landscape of the investigation of the QCD phase diagram in the region of maximum baryonic density, where NICA and MPD will be able to provide significant and unique input. It also provides a detailed description of the MPD set-up, including its various subsystems as well as its support and computing infrastructures. Selected performance studies for particular physics measurements at MPD are presented and discussed in the context of existing data and theoretical expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BM@N (Baryonic Matter at Nuclotron) is the first experiment operating and taking data at the Nuclotron/NICA ion-accelerating complex. The aim of the BM@N experiment is to study interactions of relativistic heavy-ion beams with fixed targets. We present a technical description of the BM@N spectrometer including all its subsystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Having analyzed high-resolution observations of extragalactic compact radio sources with modern systems of radio telescopes, we obtained an estimate of the upper limit for the photon electric charge, eγ ≲ 3 × 10–33 of the elementary charge (assuming the photon charge to be energy independent). This is three orders of magnitude better than the limit obtained from radio pulsar timing. We also set a limit on the charge of a gamma-ray (energy ∼0.1 MeV) photon. In the future, the estimate based on extragalactic sources can be improved significantly.© 2005 Pleiades Publishing, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the relationship between the total HI mass in late-type galaxies and the kinematic properties of their disks. The mass MHI for galaxies with a wide variety of properties, from dwarf dIrr galaxies with active star formation to giant low-brightness galaxies, is shown to correlate with the product VcR0(Vc is the rotational velocity, and R0 is the radial photometric disk scale length), which characterizes the specific angular momentum of the disk. This correlation, along with the decrease in the relative mass of the gas in a galaxy with increasing Vc, can be explained in terms of the previous assumption that the gas density in the disks of most galaxies is maintained at a level close to the threshold (marginal) stability of a gaseous layer to local gravitational perturbations. In this case, the regulation mechanism of the star formation rate associated with the growth of local gravitational instability in the gaseous layer must play a crucial role in the evolution of the gas content in the galactic disk.© 2005 Pleiades Publishing, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We calculate the kinetic coefficients and the transport mean free paths of high-energy particles parallel to the regular magnetic field in the approximation of a large-scale anisotropic random magnetic field by using a nonlinear collision integral, i.e., by taking into account the processes of strong random scattering. We consider the diffusion of solar and Galactic cosmic rays by two-dimensional turbulence. Strong random scattering by two-dimensional turbulence is shown to reduce the parallel transport mean free path severalfold. The momentum dependence of the parallel mean free path does not change, Λ|| ∝ p2–ν. In the case of strong random scattering by turbulence formed by several modes, the parallel transport mean free path is Λ|| ∝ p. We show that two-dimensional turbulence can make a major contribution to the parallel transport mean free paths of cosmic rays in the heliosphere and the interstellar medium.© 2005 Pleiades Publishing, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the SCORPIO focal reducer that has been used since the fall of 2000 for observations on the 6-m Special Astrophysical Observatory telescope. We give parameters of the instrument in various observing modes (direct imaging, long-slit and multislit spectroscopy, spectropolarimetry, Fabry–Perot panoramic spectroscopy). Observations of various astronomical objects are used as examples to demonstrate the SCORPIO capabilities.© 2005 Pleiades Publishing, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider two-layer (Fe-FeS core+silicate mantle) and three-layer (Fe-FeS core+silicate mantle+crust) models of the Galilean satellite Io. Two parameters are known from observations for the equilibrium figure of the satellite, the mean density ρ0 and the Love number k2. Previously, the Radau–Darwin formula was used to determine the mean moment of inertia. Using formulas of the Figure Theory, we calculated the principal moments of inertia A, B, and C and the mean moment of inertia I for the two- and three-layer models of Io using ρ0 and k2 as the boundary conditions. We concluded that when modeling the internal structure of Io, it is better to use the observed value of k2 than the moment of inertia I derived from k2 using the Radau–Darwin formula. For the models under consideration, we calculated the Chandlerian wobble periods of Io. For the three-layer model, this period is approximately 460 days.© 2005 Pleiades Publishing, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial filter materials for respirators of various polymer compositions produced by electrospinning and meltblown technologies are investigated. Comparative experimental data on filtration properties of materials for various filtration conditions are presented. The influence of various parameters on electrostatic charge leakage is shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A characteristic is suggested for the evaluation of the degree of synchronization of the chaotic oscillations in a system of two coupled oscillators. The proposed value is tested by application to the case of two unidirectionally coupled logistic maps. It is shown that this characteristic is stable with respect to a low noise and a nonlinear distortion of the signal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural changes in isotropic films of ferroelectric vinylidene fluoride (VDF)/tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) 94/6 copolymers in the metastable state have been studied on heating. The metastable state was ascribed to γ-crystals. The dielectric relaxation spectroscopy was employed to study space charge relaxation processes. Two relaxations were observed at high temperatures. One of them was attributed to relaxation of space charge accumulated on the Al electrode which may be partially blocked due to new functional groups formed in the polymer surface. Recrystallization of the film from the melt is accompanied by small α-crystals formation. This results in a decrease in activation energy of the space-charge relaxation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Measurements of direct photon production in p+Pb and p+C collisions at are presented. Upper limits on the direct photon yield as a function of are derived and compared to the results for Pb+Pb collisions at . The production of the η meson, which is an important input to the direct photon signal extraction, has been determined in the channel for p+C collisions at . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Charged particles and photons have been measured in central Pb+Pb collisions at 158 A GeV in a common (η–ϕ)-phase space region in the WA98 experiment at the CERN SPS. The measured distributions have been analyzed to quantify the frequency with which phase space regions of varying sizes have either small or large neutral pion fraction. The measured results are compared with VENUS model simulated events and with mixed events. Events with both large and small charged–neutral fluctuations are observed to occur more frequently than expected statistically, as deduced from mixed events, or as predicted by model simulations, with the difference becoming more prominent with decreasing size of the Δη–Δϕ region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives Women with a sonographic short cervix in the mid-trimester are at increased risk for preterm delivery. This study was undertaken to determine the efficacy and safety of using micronized vaginal progesterone gel to reduce the risk of preterm birth and associated neonatal complications in women with a sonographic short cervix. Methods This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that enrolled asymptomatic women with a singleton pregnancy and a sonographic short cervix (10-20 mm) at 19 + 0 to 23 + 6 weeks of gestation. Women were allocated randomly to receive vaginal progesterone gel or placebo daily starting from 20 to 23 + 6 weeks until 36 + 6 weeks, rupture of membranes or delivery, whichever occurred first. Randomization sequence was stratified by center and history of a previous preterm birth. The primary endpoint was preterm birth before 33 weeks of gestation. Analysis was by intention to treat. Results Of 465 women randomized, seven were lost to follow-up and 458 (vaginal progesterone gel, n = 235; placebo, n = 223) were included in the analysis. Women allocated to receive vaginal progesterone had a lower rate of preterm birth before 33 weeks than did those allocated to placebo (8.9% ( n = 21) vs 16.1% ( n = 36); relative risk (RR), 0.55; 95% CI, 0.33-0.92; P = 0.02). The effect remained significant after adjustment for covariables (adjusted RR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.31-0.91; P = 0.02). Vaginal progesterone was also associated with a significant reduction in the rate of preterm birth before 28 weeks (5.1% vs 10.3%; RR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.25-0.97; P = 0.04) and 35 weeks (14.5% vs 23.3%; RR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.42-0.92; P = 0.02), respiratory distress syndrome (3.0% vs 7.6%; RR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.17-0.92; P = 0.03), any neonatal morbidity or mortality event (7.7% vs 13.5%; RR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.33-0.99; P = 0.04) and birth weight < 1500 g (6.4% (15/234) vs 13.6% (30/220); RR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.26-0.85; P = 0.01). There were no differences in the incidence of treatment-related adverse events between the groups. Conclusions The administration of vaginal progesterone gel to women with a sonographic short cervix in the mid-trimester is associated with a 45% reduction in the rate of preterm birth before 33 weeks of gestation and with improved neonatal outcome. Copyright © 2011 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fluorescent airborne stratospheric hygrometer (FLASH) for precise water vapor measurements on board a high-altitude airplane in the upper troposphere and the lower stratosphere has been developed and produced at the Central Aerological Observatory. The range of measured water vapor concentrations is 0.5–300 ppmv at altitudes of 8–21 km. The results of laboratory tests of the instrument are compared to the data of the other hygrometers. Some results of water vapor measurements on board the Geofizika M55 high-altitude airplane in different regions of the Earth are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the final state Coulomb interaction on particles produced in Pb+Pb collisions at 158 AGeV/c has been investigated in the WA98 experiment through the study of the π-/π+ and K-/K+ ratios measured as a function of mT-m0. While the ratio for kaons shows no significant mT dependence, the π-/π+ ratio is enhanced at small mT-m0 values with an enhancement that increases with centrality. A silicon pad detector located near the target is used to estimate the contribution of hyperon decays to the π-/π+ ratio. The comparison of results with predictions of the RQMD model in which the Coulomb interaction has been incorporated allows to place constraints on the time of the pion freeze-out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Directed and elliptic flow of inclusive photons near mid-rapidity in 158 A GeV Pb+Pb collisions has been studied. The data have been obtained with the photon spectrometer LEDA of the WA98 experiment at the CERN SPS. The flow strength has been measured for various centralities as a function of and rapidity over and . The angular anisotropy has been studied relative to an event plane obtained in the target fragmentation region that shows the elliptic flow to be in-plane. The elliptic flow has also been studied using two-particle correlations and shown to give similar results. A small directed flow component is observed. Both the directed and elliptic flow strengths increase with . The photon flow results are used to estimate the corresponding neutral pion flow. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Phase relations along the Cd3As2–ZnAs2 and Zn3As2–CdAs2 joins are studied by differential thermal analysis, x-ray diffraction, and microstructural analysis. The results, in conjunction with earlier data on the CdAs2–ZnAs2, Zn3As2–Cd3As2, Cd3As2–CdAs2, and ZnAs2–Zn3As2 binaries, are used to map out the phase diagram of the liquidus surface in the composition region Zn3As2–ZnAs2–CdAs2–Cd3As2 of the ternary system Cd–As–Zn. The ternary eutectic revealed in this region has an approximate composition of 26 at. % Cd + 65 at. % As + 9 at. % Zn and melts at 863 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The breadth of information resources available to researchers on the Internet continues to expand, particularly in light of recently implemented data-sharing policies required by funding agencies. However, the nature of dense, multifaceted neuroscience data and the design of contemporary search engine systems makes efficient, reliable and relevant discovery of such information a significant challenge. This challenge is specifically pertinent for online databases, whose dynamic content is ‘hidden’ from search engines. The Neuroscience Information Framework (NIF; http://www.neuinfo.org) was funded by the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research to address the problem of finding and utilizing neuroscience-relevant resources such as software tools, data sets, experimental animals and antibodies across the Internet. From the outset, NIF sought to provide an accounting of available resources, whereas developing technical solutions to finding, accessing and utilizing them. The curators therefore, are tasked with identifying and registering resources, examining data, writing configuration files to index and display data and keeping the contents current. In the initial phases of the project, all aspects of the registration and curation processes were manual. However, as the number of resources grew, manual curation became impractical. This report describes our experiences and successes with developing automated resource discovery and semiautomated type characterization with text-mining scripts that facilitate curation team efforts to discover, integrate and display new content. We also describe the DISCO framework, a suite of automated web services that significantly reduce manual curation efforts to periodically check for resource updates. Lastly, we discuss DOMEO, a semi-automated annotation tool that improves the discovery and curation of resources that are not necessarily website-based (i.e. reagents, software tools). Although the ultimate goal of automation was to reduce the workload of the curators, it has resulted in valuable analytic by-products that address accessibility, use and citation of resources that can now be shared with resource owners and the larger scientific community.Database URL: http://neuinfo.org [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fractal properties of the Lattice Limit Cycle model are explored when the process is realized on a 2-dimensional square lattice support via Monte Carlo Simulations. It is shown that the structure of the steady state presents inhomogeneous fluctuations in the form of domains of identical particles. The various domains compete with one another via their borders which have self-similar, fractal structure. The fractality is more prominent, (fractal dimensions d[sub f] < 2), when the parameter values are near the critical point where the Hopf bifurcation occurs. As the distance from the Hopf bifurcation increases in the parameter space the system becomes more homogeneous and the fractal dimension tends to the value d[sub f] = 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]