cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spent fuel reaction - the behavior of the {epsilon}-phase over 3.1 years

The release fractions of the five elements in the {epsilon}-phase ({sup 99}Tc, {sup 97}Mo, Ru, Rh, and Pd) as well as that of {sup 238}U are reported for the reaction of two oxide fuels (ATM-103 and ATM-106) in unsaturated tests under oxidizing conditions. The {sup 99}Tc release fractions provide a lower limit for the magnitude of the spent fuel reaction. The {sup 99}Tc release fractions indicate that a surface reaction might be the rate controlling mechanism for fuel reaction under unsaturated conditions and the oxidant is possibly H{sub 2}O{sub 2}, a product of alpha radiolysis of water.
The cytologic composition of primate laryngeal chemosensory corpuscles

The present study defines the cellular composition of chemosensory corpuscles (taste buds) present in the mucosa overlying the arytenoid cartilages of the larynx in serial sections studied by electron microscopy. Three cell types can be defined in such chemosensory corpuscles. Basal cells are relatively undifferentiated in terms of cytologic characteristics and have been identified presumptively as the stem cells for differentiation of the other two cell types. Sustentacular or supporting cells are characterized by the presence of apical electron-opaque granules that apparently are extruded into the lumen of the pore, and are, thus, the source of the electron-opaque extracellular material present between the microvilli protruding from the apex of the cells into the chemosensory corpuscle pore. The chemosensory cells are characterized by the presence of synaptic specializations with appended nerve fibers at the base of the cell, the presence of specific cytoplasmic secretory granules, as well as numerous clusters of typical synaptic vesicles, and apical microvilli that extend into the pore of the corpuscle. Other cell profiles encountered in chemosensory corpuscles are cells in various stages of degeneration or transition, to one of the other cell types, from undifferentiated basal cells. Two types of synaptic specializations have been identified as being associated with chemosensory cells. The first is characterized by an increased electron-opacity of the respective plasma membranes of nerve fiber and chemosensory cell. In this situation numerous synaptic vesicles usually are present in the cytoplasm of the chemosensory cell subjacent to the membrane densities. A second type of synaptic association is characterized by the presence of subsurface cisterns of agranular endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm of the chemosensory cell, and numerous synaptic vesicles often are present in the axoplasm of the subjacent neurite, suggesting a reciprocal synapse. These findings are interpreted to indicate that only one cell type is specialized for transducing chemical signals into neural activity and that this cell is modulated by activity of the nervous system.
The promise and potential of studying the “invisible hand” of teacher influence on peer relations and student outcomes: A commentary

Abstract Peers influence children's social–emotional development and school engagement in important and unique ways. Recent research on peer social networks documents that children are affected by the nature of the school-based peer ecology, as well as by their personal peer experiences. Yet, little is known about how teachers affect the peer ecology, nor how teachers can promote positive peer influences in the school context. The four studies in this special section examine this issue. Together, they document the promise and the potential of studying the “invisible hand” of teacher influence on peer relations, and illustrate the need for further research in this area. This commentary considers the contributions of these papers for conceptualizing processes of transactional teacher and peer influence on student outcomes, and implications for interventions designed to reduce problem behaviors or increase school engagement. In addition, it considers the limitations of current knowledge and directions for future research.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrocatalytic Activity of PtBi Nanoparticles Prepared by the Polyol Process

Polycrystalline networks of nanoparticles of the ordered intermetallic phase of PtBi have been prepared at 160 °C using the polyol process. In this reaction the polyol acts as both the solvent and the reducing agent. Powder X-ray diffraction (pXRD) studies confirm the presence of the ordered intermetallic phase with an average grain size of ∼19 nm. Electron microscopy studies show that these grains are agglomerated in open networks. pXRD and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) show that the reaction proceeds through an intermediate phase and that the morphology of the particles changes during the course of the reaction. The products have been characterized by SEM, STEM, EDX, CBED, and EELS. The surface area of the nanoparticles has also been measured via BET using krypton as the adsorbing gas. The electrocatalytic activity of the PtBi intermetallic phase towards the oxidation of formic acid has been studied by cyclic voltammetry. The as-prepared PtBi nanoparticles exhibited enhanced electrocatalytic activi...
Tandem use of carboxypeptidase Y reactor and displacement chromatograph for peptide synthesis.

Abstract A packed-bed enzyme reactor with immobilized carboxypeptidase Y was used in tandem with a displacement chromatograph for the preparation of N-benzoyl- l -arginyl- l -methioninamide, from N-benzoyl- l -arginine and l -methioninamide. The pumps and valves of the coupled enzyme reactor and displacement chromatograph were controlled by a microprocessor. The enzyme was immobilized on microparticulate amino-silica by glutaraldehyde and packed into a 60 × 4.6 mm I.D. column. The packed-bed reactor was used in the recirculating mode and components of the reaction mixture were subsequently separated by displacement chromatography on a 250 × 4.6 mm octadecyl-silica column using butoxyethoxyethanol as the displacer. Unreacted l -methioninamide was returned to the reaction mixture. Both the progress of the reaction and the extent of separation by displacement chromatography were monitored by high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis. The system was designed so that enzymatic peptide synthesis, separation by displacement chromatography, and column regeneration were carried out simultaneously by using two identical columns in parallel. An amount of 460 mg of N-benzoyl- l -arginyl- l -methioninamide having purity greater than 99% could be obtained in 24 h with this system. The tandem operation of the enzyme reactor and liquid chromatograph operated in the displacement mode offers a means for the synthesis and purification of peptides.
Investigation of corrosion and stress corrosion cracking in bolting materials on light water reactors

Abstract Laboratory experiments performed at Brookhaven National Laboratory have shown that the concentration of boric acid to a moist paste at approximately the boiling point of water can produce corrosion rates of the order of approximately 3·5 mm per year on bolting and piping materials, which values are consistent with service experience. Other failure evaluation experience has shown that primary coolant-lubricant interaction may lead to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of steam generator manway studs. An investigation was also performed on eleven lubricants and their effects on A193 B7 and A540 B24 bolting materials. H2S generation by the lubricants, coefficient of friction results and transgranular SCC of the bolting materials in steam are discussed.
Adrenal steroid regulation of neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA: differences between dentate hilus and locus coeruleus and arcuate nucleus.

Abstract Regulation by adrenal steroids of neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA was investigated in hilus of the dentate gyrus, arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus and locus coeruleus (LC) of the adult rat brain. Adrenalectomy (ADX) increased NPY mRNA in hilus but decreased NPY mRNA levels in arcuate nucleus and LC. Using a steroid replacement paradigm previously shown to discriminate between Type I and Type II adrenal steroid receptor mediated effects, it was shown that Type I receptor stimulation by aldosterone prevented the ADX-induced increase of NPY mRNA in hilus, whereas Type II receptor stimulation by Ru28362 prevented the ADX-induced decrease in NPY mRNA in arcuate nucleus and LC. The results for hilus are consistent with evidence for a role of Type I receptors in maintaining levels of a number of gene products associated with neurotransmission. The different regulation in hilus from that in arcuate and LC indicate, along with evidence for regulation of NPY expression by insulin, NGF and cyclic AMP and phorbol esters, that the adrenal steroid regulation of NPY gene expression is part of a complex set of regulatory mechanisms that depend on the brain region and cell type.
Business Process Discovery by Using Process Skeletonization

Process Management software and solutions mainly address structured processes in enterprises, but there are still many business applications that are less structured by their nature, such as human-centric and ad hoc workflows. Existing process mining algorithms often have difficulties in extracting a skeletal structure of a less-structured process model from real-life event logs. We propose a new process mining algorithm by using a skeleton-extraction procedure, which brings structure to less structured business processes. We present experimental mining results from real insurance claim examination event logs and verified the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
An RCS measurement technique to extract the impedance of high-impedance aperture and slot antennas

We introduce a novel technique to measure the input impedance of generally high-impedance aperture antennas whereby a relationship is established between the RCS of a slot/aperture antenna to its impedance/conductance. Then, the necessary condition which must be met when the receiving antenna is terminated by a matched load is derived and used to identify the corresponding RCS. Comparing the RCS of the loaded antenna in conjunction with the criteria provided by the proposed method can determined whether the receiving antenna is matched or not. If not, one can change the termination resistance until the required conditions on the RCS are met, and, then, identify the matched load that is equal to the impedance of the antenna at resonance.
Analysis of triggering events in mast cells for immunoglobulin E-mediated histamine release

It has been established that mast cells and basophil granulocytes bear specific receptors for IgElP4 and that the reaction of cell-bound IgE molecules, either by multivalent antigen or with divalent anti-IgE antibody, induces release of a variety of chemical mediators from the cells.j* 6 With respect to the mechanisms of mediator release, it has been suggested that polymerization of cell-bound IgE molecules may activate membrane-associated enzymes that in turn initiate the process of histamine release.iq 8 In order to analyze initial triggering events on the mast cells for IgE-mediated histamine release, I prepared antibodies against IgE receptors on rat mast cells (anti-RBL).” Analysis of the antibody preparation revealed that the major antibodies in the preparation are directed toward the binding sites for IgE in the receptor molecules.‘O Using this antireceptor antibody (anti-RBL), it was demonstrated that bridging of receptor molecules by divalent antireceptor antibody or its F(ab’), fragments induced histamine release without participation of IgE, while the binding of Fab’ monomer fragments with the receptor was not sufficient for triggering histamine release. However, when receptor-bound Fab’ monomer was bridged with divalent antirabbit y-globulin (anti-RGG), mast cells were triggered. This situation is similar to anti-IgEinduced histamine release in which receptor-bound IgE molecules are bridged by anti-IgE (Fig. 1). From
An expert system for national economy model simulations

There are some fundamental economic uncertainties. We cannot forecast economic events with a very high scientific precision. It is very clear that there does not exist a unique 'general' model, which can yield all answers to a wide range of macroeconomic issues. Therefore, we use several different kinds of models on segments of the macroeconomic problem. Different models can distinguish/solve economy desegregation, time series analysis and other subfactors involved in macroeconomic problem solving. A major issue becomes finding a meaningful method to link these econometric models. Macroeconomic models were linked through development of an Expert System for National Economy Model Simulations (ESNEMS). ESNEMS consists of five parts: (1) small-scale short-term national econometric model, (2) Methodology of Interactive Nonlinear Goal Programming (MINGP), (3) data-base of historical macro-economic aggregates, (4) software interface for interactive communications between a model and a decision maker, and (5) software for solving problems. ESNEMS was developed to model the optimum macro-economic policy of a developing country (SFRY-formerly Yugoslavia). Most econometric models are very complex. Optimizing of the economic policy is typically defined as a nonlinear goal programming problem. To solve/optimize these models, a new methodology, MINGP, was developed as a part of ESNEMS. MINGP is methodologically based on linear goal programming and feasible directions method. Using Euler's Homogeneous Function Theorem, MINGP linearizes nonlinear homogeneous functions. The highest priorities in minimizing the objective function are the growth of gross domestic product and the decrease of inflation. In the core of the optimization model, MINGP, there is a small-scale econometric model. This model was designed through analysis of the causal relations in the SFRY's social reproduction process of the past 20 years. The objective of the econometric model is to simulate potential short term (one-year) national economic policies. Ex-ante simulation and optimization of economic policy for 1986 showed that, in SFRY, non-consistent macro-economic policy was resolute and led to both slower economic development and more rapid growth of inflation.
Calretinin and Calbindin-D28K in Male Rats During Postnatal Development

Abstract Calcium-binding proteins play potentially important roles in neurogenesis and neuroprotective mechanism(s). Some evidence exists that brain calbindin-D 28K (CALB) is regulated by androgens. In the present study, calretinin (CALRET) and CALB patterns were determined by Western analysis in the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH) from male rats along with assaying plasma testosterone levels during postnatal development. Testosterone levels were very low in 7-, 10-, and 30-day-old animals (≈ 0.5 ng/mL), increased in a stair-step fashion to peak levels at 90 days (≈ 3.8 ng/mL), then declined with increasing age to very low levels at 300 days of age (≈ 0.3 ng/mL). At 7 and 10 days, MBH CALRET and CALB levels were low; however, at Day 30 a significant twofold increased was observed. Thereafter, in 60-, 120-, 180-, and 300-day-old animals MBH CALRET and CALB levels were, in general, comparable to 30-day-old values. These findings suggest that there is not a clear correspondence between the androgen status in male rats and the calcium-binding proteins (CALRET & CALB) expressed in the MBH. Therefore, it appears that brain CALRET and CALB are regulated in a developmental fashion with significant increases in expression occurring around the 4th postnatal week.
Television's portrayal of the 1976 presidential debates: An analysis of visual content

Pictorial treatment of the candidates during the televised debates tended to favor Carter. Ford contributed to the bias due to composition, camera angle, and screen placement by maintaining less eye contact with the camera and assuming grimmer facial expressions during reaction shots.
Threatened Hope — PEPFAR and Health in Africa

Mr. C. had been aged by his life circumstances. Like most of the South African clinic's patients, he was malnourished and frail but had a tenacity that had sustained him through his HIV diagnosis and his first bout of tuberculosis several years earlier.
Assessment of quality of data provided on Pap test requisitions: implications for quality of care and patient safety.

Background: The reliability of patient history and clinical information on Pap test requisitions has been questioned but not previously objectively determined. The effect of incomplete/inaccurate information on quality of patient care has not been previously quantified. Our objectives were (1) to find out how clinicians and their assistants viewed the requisition slip, and whether they understood the reasons for supplying the information requested, (2) to measure the completeness and accuracy of information on the requisition slips, and (3) to determine whether the clinical information and patient history provided on Pap test requisitions could be relied upon to accurately assign a Pap test to the laboratory's high-risk rescreen pool. Methods: Clinicians and their assistants were surveyed. A total of 899 consecutive Pap test requisition slips were reviewed. Patient history and clinical information from the slips were compared to data from our laboratory information system and/or electronic patient medical records. Results: Most survey respondents felt that proper completion of requisitions was important, but only 17% of clinicians and less staff realized that negative high-risk Pap tests underwent a quality assurance rescreen. Clinicians and/or staff recorded the last menstrual period, specimen source, and clinical information on the requisition slips 96%, 97%, and 88% of the time, respectively. Of 695 Pap tests with applicable computerized records, 172 (25%) qualified for high-risk rescreen based upon information provided on the requisition slip alone. An additional 52 Pap tests (7%), or 23% of the total high-risk Pap tests were discovered to be of high risk only after review of the electronic records. Conclusions: Clinicians and staff were receptive to discussions concerning the completion of requisition slips, but laboratory expectations could be better communicated. Requisition slips were properly completed with a high frequency, but the check boxes did not elicit all the information expected, so revision was necessary. The high accuracy of the completion of requisition slips permitted 77% of high-risk Pap tests to be identified via the requisition slip alone. Our findings challenge the conventional anecdotal impressions of notoriously unreliable information on Pap test requisition slips, but our experience may not be applicable to other settings.
Laser-diode wavelength tuning based on butt coupling into an optical fiber

An extremely short external cavity that is realized when a Fabry–Perot laser diode is butt coupled to a waveguide or a fiber produces feedback that is effective for controlled wavelength tuning. We used butt coupling to tune a high-output-power laser diode over a wide range (as great as 15 nm) while maintaining constant driving current and temperature. Single-mode or multimode operation repeatedly occurred at specific points throughout the tuning range. An analytical model that includes the effect of multiple reflections from the external cavity, each attenuated by a modal overlap integral, and which is based on phenomenological principles, shows good agreement with the experimental results.
New insights into the regulation of synaptic plasticity from an unexpected place: Hippocampal area CA2

The search for molecules that restrict synaptic plasticity in the brain has focused primarily on sensory systems during early postnatal development, as critical periods for inducing plasticity in sensory regions are easily defined. The recent discovery that Schaffer collateral inputs to hippocampal area CA2 do not readily support canonical activity-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) serves as a reminder that the capacity for synaptic modification is also regulated anatomically across different brain regions. Hippocampal CA2 shares features with other similarly "LTP-resistant" brain areas in that many of the genes linked to synaptic function and the associated proteins known to restrict synaptic plasticity are expressed there. Add to this a rich complement of receptors and signaling molecules permissive for induction of atypical forms of synaptic potentiation, and area CA2 becomes an ideal model system for studying specific modulators of brain plasticity. Additionally, recent evidence suggests that hippocampal CA2 is instrumental for certain forms of learning, memory, and social behavior, but the links between CA2-enriched molecules and putative CA2-dependent behaviors are only just beginning to be made. In this review, we offer a detailed look at what is currently known about the synaptic plasticity in this important, yet largely overlooked component of the hippocampus and consider how the study of CA2 may provide clues to understanding the molecular signals critical to the modulation of synaptic function in different brain regions and across different stages of development.
Nanopore‐Based Analysis of Chemically Modified DNA and Nucleic Acid Drug Targets

Nucleic acids are central figures in many of life’s key molecular processes, e.g., enzymatic activity, epigenetics/gene regulation, viral replication, aging, cancer, and other diseases. Over the past two decades, nanopores have emerged as a new tool for studying the properties of nucleic acids at the single-molecule level. In this review, we summarize the use of nanopores as sensors of nucleic acid structure, particularly for studying chemically modified and damaged DNA, and for probing the interactions of small-molecule drugs with nucleic acid targets.
The effects of concrete and abstract consumer goals on information processing

This article examines the implications of adopting concrete and abstract purchase goals over several stages of information processing. Results are reported from a computerized experiment that demonstrates three important goal effects. At the acquisition stage, goals guide information exposure, inducing tendencies to engage in attribute-based or brand-based elaboration. During encoding, goals influence the level at which information is encoded, causing it to be more attribute-level or conceptual in nature. Finally, under certain conditions, goals may continue to guide product-related thinking through successive generations of product judgments. Implications of these findings for marketing theory and practice are discussed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Gene expression and stress response mediated by the epigenetic regulation of a transposable element small RNA.

The epigenetic activity of transposable elements (TEs) can influence the regulation of genes; though, this regulation is confined to the genes, promoters, and enhancers that neighbor the TE. This local cis regulation of genes therefore limits the influence of the TE's epigenetic regulation on the genome. TE activity is suppressed by small RNAs, which also inhibit viruses and regulate the expression of genes. The production of TE heterochromatin-associated endogenous small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) in the reference plant Arabidopsis thaliana is mechanistically distinct from gene-regulating small RNAs, such as microRNAs or trans-acting siRNAs (tasiRNAs). Previous research identified a TE small RNA that potentially regulates the UBP1b mRNA, which encodes an RNA–binding protein involved in stress granule formation. We demonstrate that this siRNA, siRNA854, is under the same trans-generational epigenetic control as the Athila family LTR retrotransposons from which it is produced. The epigenetic activation of Athila elements results in a shift in small RNA processing pathways, and new 21–22 nucleotide versions of Athila siRNAs are produced by protein components normally not responsible for processing TE siRNAs. This processing results in siRNA854's incorporation into ARGONAUTE1 protein complexes in a similar fashion to gene-regulating tasiRNAs. We have used reporter transgenes to demonstrate that the UPB1b 3′ untranslated region directly responds to the epigenetic status of Athila TEs and the accumulation of siRNA854. The regulation of the UPB1b 3′ untranslated region occurs both on the post-transcriptional and translational levels when Athila TEs are epigenetically activated, and this regulation results in the phenocopy of the ubp1b mutant stress-sensitive phenotype. This demonstrates that a TE's epigenetic activity can modulate the host organism's stress response. In addition, the ability of this TE siRNA to regulate a gene's expression in trans blurs the lines between TE and gene-regulating small RNAs.
Effective Fiber Properties to Incorporate Coating Thermoelastic Effects in Fiber/Matrix Composite Models

A method to incorporate the thermoelastic effects of fiber coatings into models of fiber/matrix composites was deter-mined. The coated fiber was replaced by an “effective” transversely isotropic fiber so that the properties of this effective fiber could be used in composite models. This ap-proach was used to determine the magnitude of errors re-sulting from neglect of the coatings in modeling fiber/matrix debonding and sliding and in reduction of data from real composites. The effects of carbon and BN coatings in the Nicalon/SiC system were found to be significant. It was found that significant errors could be expected from fitting models to experimental data if the compliance and coeffi-cient of thermal expansion of the coatings were ignored, even when the coatings were thin. Wide use of the approach required revision of composite models to allow inclusion of a transversely isotropic fiber. Such a revision was de-rived for a popular model of matrix cracking stress, and significant effects again were found to result from neglect of coatings.
Development of a trichloroacetic acid precipitation assay for covalent adducts of thymidylate synthase

The use of trichloroacetic acid as a protein precipitant and denaturant in the quantitative measurement of covalent complexes of thymidylate synthase is described. Enzyme inactivated with N[3H]ethylmaleimide and inhibitory ternary complex (formed with native enzyme, 5-[6-3H]fluoro-2'-deoxyuridylate, and methylenetetrahydrofolate) served as reagents which were used to establish the conditions under which trichloroacetic acid precipitation, washing, and solubilization steps provided quantitative results. The ternary complex formed by dihydrofolate reductase with [3H]methotrexate and NADPH was used as a control to assess whether tight, but noncovalent, enzyme:ligand complexes survived trichloroacetic acid precipitation. The fact that no counts above background were detected in the pellet of precipitated protein demonstrated that the noncovalent complexes were completely dissociated by this treatment. The dynamic range of linear response for the inhibitory ternary complex of thymidylate synthase spanned five orders of magnitude, and the assay detected levels of enzyme as low as 10 fmol, a value which was essentially limited by the specific radioactivity of 5-[6-3H]fluoro-2'-deoxyuridylate. The ability of the enzyme to bind 5-[6-3H]fluoro-2'-deoxyuridylate specifically, as measured by the trichloroacetic acid assay, generated a specific binding value of 13.4 nmol of enzyme/mg protein (assuming a binding ratio of 1.5 for the inhibitory ternary complex). Specific binding values were compared to specific activity values (obtained from the spectrophotometric assay) at each stage of purification of the enzyme from Lactobacillus casei and were found to give parallel results. The characteristics of the trichloracetic acid assay procedure, which exclusively detects covalent enzyme-ligand adducts, are compared to those for other ligand binding assays for thymidylate synthase.
Soccer in the Middle East: an introduction

Since its introduction in the latter part of the nineteenth century, soccer has been an important part of the Middle East. Its birth and its continued life and development into the twenty-first century have intersected with important cultural and historical processes such as colonialism, the rise of nationalism, women’s liberation, urbanism, industrialization, state building, globalization, and political revolt. The game has been influenced by these developments and has helped shape them as well. This Introduction presents the scholarly studies, essays, and literature from a variety of cultures and time periods included in this anthology. It also addresses debates on what constitutes the Middle East and on Orientalism and western biases in studying the region, and surveys the history of the game and its historiography. The literature on Middle Eastern soccer is rewarding in its own right but is also a gateway for learning about the societies where it has developed, and where it is passionately played and ...
Riboswitch Folding Kinetics can Affect Gene Expression by a Translationally Acting Riboswitch

In this research we study the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of translationally acting adenine riboswitches using single molecule spectroscopy. In general, adenine riboswitches are capable of switching conformations between states “on” (e.g., adenine bound aptamer folded) or “off” (e.g., repressor hairpin folded) for gene expression.In our single molecule experiments we find that, around in vivo adenine concentrations, the “on” and “off” states can coexist in thermal equilibrium; whereas at low or saturating adenine concentrations, the equilibrium states are “off” or “on”, respectively.Importantly, however, we find long lifetimes in the range of tens of minutes for both the “on” and “off” states (i.e., lifetimes much longer than typical mRNA degradation times in bacteria) such that the riboswitch conformation may be effectively trapped. These long lifetimes for the “on” and “off” states are incompatible with cell cycle times, suggesting that the “first fold” in newly transcribed riboswitches could be an important determinant of translational control in these riboswitches.
VISIBLE LIGHT EMISSION FROM SILICON NANOSTRUCTURES

The fabrication of Si-based light emitting materials is a very active area of research. We have pursued two avenues of research that have provided interesting prospects for practical applications. 1. Bright quantum-confined luminescence can be obtained from Si/SiO2 superlattices. Placing them in an optical microcavity results in a pronounced modulation of the photoluminescence (PL) intensity with emission wavelength. The superlattice PL efficiency can be considerably enhanced and its peak wavelength and bandwidth modified selectively. 2. For porous semiconductors, a method that allows the writing of visible light emitting patterns of arbitrary shape down to the nanometer scale is described. The process relies on selective electrochemistry for pore formation at surface defects created by focused ion beam implantation of Si.
Kreuzkupplungen von Organosiliciumverbindungen in der Naturstoffsynthese

Gegenuber anderen Varianten von ubergangsmetallkatalysierten Kreuzkupplungen wurden solche mit siliciumorganischen Donoren in der Synthese von Naturstoffen bislang vergleichsweise wenig genutzt. Jungere Fortschritte wie 1) die Entwicklung milder Reaktionsbedingungen, 2) die Ausweitung des Anwendungsbereichs auf eine grosere Zahl von Substraten, 3) die Entwicklung von effizienten Verfahren zur stereoselektiven Einfuhrung der Siliciumgruppe, 4) die Entwicklung zahlreicher sequenzieller Prozesse und 5) das Aufkommen von difunktionellen Bis(silyl)reagentien als Ruckgrat fur Syntheseprodukte, unterstreichen das heutige Niveau von Kreuzkupplungen mit Organosiliciumverbindungen. In den nachfolgenden Fallstudien wird die strategische Rolle, die Kreuzkupplungen mit Organosiliciumverbindungen bei der Bildung von Kohlenstoff-Kohlenstoff-Bindungen spielen, anhand ausgewahlter Zielverbindungen erlautert.
Energy transfer between carotenoids and bacteriochlorophyll in chromatophores of purple bacteria

Abstract Measurement of the action spectrum of fluorescence of Rhodopseudomonas spheroides and Rhodospirillum rubrum showed no difference between intact bacteria and chromatophores prepared therefrom in energy transfer from carotenoids to bacteriochlorophyll. Also an increase of osmotic pressure or ionic strenth, obtained by the addition of sugar or sodium chloride, did not have any effect on this energy transfer. Hence most probably these treatments do not influence the relative spatial distribution of carotenoids and bacteriochlorophyll. The efficiency of light absorbed by carotenoids in R. spheroides was found to be 90% and in R. rubrum 30%. Extraction of a large fraction of the carotenoids from chromatophores of R. rubrum does not result in an increase in efficiency of the remaining fraction. It thus seems unlikely that the low value of energy transfer in R. rubrum can be explained by the assumption of two different carotenoid systems.
The Limits of Interpretation.

The Limits of Interpretation. Umberto Eco. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1990. 295 pp. $27.50 (cloth)
Recursive LMMSE filtering for target tracking with range and direction cosine measurements

Due to the nonlinear relationship between Cartesian coordinates and range-direction-cosine coordinates, target tracking of state described in Cartesian coordinates with range and direction cosine measurements is a nonlinear filtering problem. Measurement conversion based Kalman filter available for this type of problem has some serious drawbacks. Depending on whether measurement of the third direction cosine is directly available, two recursive linear minimum mean-squared error (LMMSE) filters for target tracking with range and direction cosine measurements are developed in this paper. Illustrative numerical examples show that in terms of credibility and accuracy, the proposed filters should be preferred.
Examining Resident Social Support Systems in Assisted Living

This study examines systems of social support in assisted living facilities. A sample of 600 assisted living residents were interviewed to identify three systems of social support: formal, informal, and resident. The resident system of social support was found to be key in the utilization of the informal and formal social support systems. Cognitive status was found to be the only resident characteristic significantly influencing use in all three systems.
Maintaining wireless connectivity constraints for swarms in the presence of obstacles

The low power requirements of many small radio modems suggest that robust operation is best attained when the transmitter/receiver pair is: (1) separated by less than some maximum distance (range); and (2) not obstructed by large dense objects (line-of-sight). Therefore to maintain a wireless link between two robots, it is desirable to comply with these two spatial constraints. Given a swarm of point robots with specified initial and final configurations and a set of desired communication links consistent with the above criteria, we explore the problem of designing inputs to achieve the final configuration while preserving the desired links for the duration of the motion. Some interesting conclusions about the feasibility of the problem are offered. An algorithm is provided and its operation is demonstrated through both simulation and experimentation on Koala robots
Atlantic coral reefs: the transplantation alternative

Although all of the world’s coral reef regions have suffered degradation due to direct and indirect human influences, only the Western Atlantic reefs have declined to the extent that their continued existence appears to be in jeopardy. Of a once flourishing reef system, only about 10% is still alive and it is depauperate in terms of the food web diversity necessary to maintain a stable and productive ecosystem. The large carnivores and herbivores have become so scarce that they have failed to control the populations of smaller animals and plants, so that almost all the trophic levels have been disrupted. At the same time, the impacts of many other factors have contributed to the process of degradation resulting in a true crisis. The extent of damage, and the general impairment of regeneration, is such that a hope for natural recovery appears to be unrealistic. It is suggested that a recovery could be achieved through transplantation of corals and other reef species from areas where more diverse, relatively stable ecosystems still exist. Available data on the introduction of exotic species into marine ecosystems indicate that such species are generally accommodated and do not cause extinctions among the native species. Although some introduced species are considered to be pests, others have proved to be beneficial, and all have apparently increased the biodiversity of the invaded areas.
One year mortality of patients treated with an emergency department based early goal directed therapy protocol for severe sepsis and septic shock: a before and after study

Introduction Early structured resuscitation of severe sepsis has been suggested to improve short term mortality; however, no previous study has examined the long-term effect of this therapy. We sought to determine one year outcomes associated with implementation of early goal directed therapy (EGDT) in the emergency department (ED) care of sepsis. Methods We performed a longitudinal analysis of a prospective before and after study conducted at a large urban ED. Adult patients were enrolled if they had suspected infection, 2 or more systemic inflammatory response criteria, and either systolic blood pressure (SBP) 4 mM. Exclusion criteria were: age <18 years, no aggressive care desired, or need for immediate surgery. Clinical and outcomes data were prospectively collected on consecutive eligible patients for 1 year before and 2 years after implementing EGDT. Patients in the pre-implementation phase received nonprotocolized care at attending physician discretion. The primary outcome was mortality at one year. Results 285 subjects, 79 in the pre- and 206 in the postimplementation phases, were enrolled. Compared to preimplementation, post-implementation subjects had a significantly lower ED SBP (72 vs. 85 mm Hg, P < 0.001) and higher sequential organ failure assessment score (7 vs. 5, P = 0.0004). The primary outcome of 1 year mortality was observed in 39/79 (49%) pre-implementation subjects and 77/206 (37%) post-implementation subjects (difference 12%; P = 0.04). Conclusions Implementation of EGDT for the treatment of ED patients with severe sepsis and septic shock was associated with significantly lower mortality at one year.
Causes, epidemiology, and clinical evaluation of suspected herbal poisoning.

The use of herbs for healing has been documented in the book of Pen T'sao Ching[1] as part of the Asian traditional medicine and culture since 3000 B.C. Medicinal “herbs” used in Asia include botan...
Quality in Interpretive Engineering Education Research: Reflections on an Example Study

Background The emerging discipline of engineering education research is increasingly embracing a diverse range of interpretive research methods, whose adoption is characterized by a lack of coherent ways to conceptualize, communicate, and judge the quality of interpretive inquiries. Yet fields that have traditionally employed these methods do not offer a consensus about research quality. Purpose This article presents reflections on challenges to research quality in an example interpretive engineering education study, and offers a quality framework that emerged from this study as a coherent, discipline-specific view on interpretive research quality. Design/Method Analysis of the prior study of engineering students' competency formation by the author(s) is combined with a synthesis of the literature from the broad intellectual traditions of the interpretive paradigm to inform the development of a theoretical framework of research quality. Results Drawing on the engineering metaphor of quality management, we propose a systematic, process-oriented framework of research quality along two dimensions: a process model locates quality strategies throughout the research process, and a typology systemizes fundamental aspects of validation (theoretical, procedural, communicative, and pragmatic) and the concept of process reliability to explicate quality strategies in their fundamental contribution to substantiating knowledge claims. Conclusion The quality framework provides a way to develop and demonstrate overall research quality in the interpretive inquiry by shifting attention away from assessing the research quality of a final product. Rather, the framework provides guidance to systematically document and explicitly demonstrate quality considerations throughout the entire research process.
GPGPU acceleration of a novel calibration method for industrial robots

Radial Basis Function (RBF) neural networks have strong engineering applications. The training of these networks however can be time consuming. In this paper, we examine the calibration of a MOTOMAN industrial robot using an RBF based network. Additionally we examine the acceleration of RBF network using general purpose graphical processing units (GPGPUs). On a data set of 1989 calibration points, we are able to achieve a speedup of over 300 times compared to a MATLAB simulation of the algorithm. Given that MATLAB's simulation required over a week of runtime, the GPGPU acceleration enables reasonable training time for datasets with more calibration points, thus providing better precision.
Effects of spatial habitat heterogeneity on habitat selection and annual fecundity for a migratory forest songbird

Understanding how spatial habitat patterns influence abundance and dynamics of animal populations is a primary goal in landscape ecology. We used an information-theoretic approach to investigate the association between habitat patterns at multiple spatial scales and demographic patterns for black-throated blue warblers (Dendroica caerulescens) at 20 study sites in west-central Vermont, USA from 2002 to 2005. Sites were characterized by: (1) territory-scale shrub density, (2) patch-scale shrub density occurring within 25 ha of territories, and (3) landscape-scale habitat patterns occurring within 5 km radius extents of territories. We considered multiple population parameters including abundance, age ratios, and annual fecundity. Territory-scale shrub density was most important for determining abundance and age ratios, but landscape-scale habitat structure strongly influenced reproductive output. Sites with higher territory-scale shrub density had higher abundance, and were more likely to be occupied by older, more experienced individuals compared to sites with lower shrub density. However, annual fecundity was higher on sites located in contiguously forested landscapes where shrub density was lower than the fragmented sites. Further, effects of habitat pattern at one spatial scale depended on habitat conditions at different scales. For example, abundance increased with increasing territory-scale shrub density, but this effect was much stronger in fragmented landscapes than in contiguously forested landscapes. These results suggest that habitat pattern at different spatial scales affect demographic parameters in different ways, and that effects of habitat patterns at one spatial scale depends on habitat conditions at other scales.
Excluding pregnancy among women initiating antiretroviral therapy: efficacy of a family planning job aid

Background Guidelines for initiating ART recommend pregnancy testing, typically a urine test, as part of the basic laboratory package. The principal reason for this recommendation is that Efavirenz, a first-line antiretroviral medication, has the potential of causing birth defects when used in the first trimester of pregnancy and is therefore contraindicated for use by pregnant women. Unfortunately, in many African countries pregnancy tests are not routinely provided or available in ART clinics, and, when available outside clinics, are often not affordable for clients. Recently, the World Health Organization added a family planning job aid called the 'pregnancy checklist,' developed by researchers at Family Health International, as a recommended tool for screening new ART clients to exclude pregnancy. Although the checklist has been validated for excluding pregnancy among family planning clients, there are no data on its efficacy among ART clients. This study was conducted to assess the clinical performance of a job aid to exclude pregnancy among HIV positive women initiating ART.
Checking semiparametric transformation models with censored data

Semiparametric transformation models provide a very general framework for studying the effects of (possibly time-dependent) covariates on survival time and recurrent event times. Assessing the adequacy of these models is an important task because model misspecification affects the validity of inference and the accuracy of prediction. In this paper, we introduce appropriate time-dependent residuals for these models and consider the cumulative sums of the residuals. Under the assumed model, the cumulative sum processes converge weakly to zero-mean Gaussian processes whose distributions can be approximated through Monte Carlo simulation. These results enable one to assess, both graphically and numerically, how unusual the observed residual patterns are in reference to their null distributions. The residual patterns can also be used to determine the nature of model misspecification. Extensive simulation studies demonstrate that the proposed methods perform well in practical situations. Three medical studies are provided for illustrations.
Thought Pathology in Manic and Schizophrenic Patients: Its Occurrence at Hospital Admission and Seven Weeks Later

• To evaluate the extent and persistence of thought pathology in manic patients, 113 manic, schizophrenic, and nonpsychotic patients were assessed at the acute phase, and a subsample was reevaluated seven weeks later. Another subsample of 55 patients was assessed medication free at the acute phase. Three major indices of thought disorder were used. The data indicate that (1) most hospitalized manics are severely thought disordered; (2) hospitalized manics are as thought disordered as schizophrenics; (3) unmedicated manics are as severely thought disordered as unmedicated schizophrenics; (4) both manics' and schizophrenics' thought disorders improve after the acute phase; (5) even after the acute phase, some manics show severe thought pathology. The results support formulations that thought disorder is not unique to schizophrenia. Some factors involved in manic and schizophrenic thought pathology are similar. There may be a general psychosis factor that cuts across psychotic diagnoses.