cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Software Engineering Expert System for Global Development

Software project control and software process improvement both depend on the ability to measure software development status. This paper introduces the Software Engineering Expert System (SEES) tool where the software professional can gather metrics from CASE tool databases to reconstruct all activities in a software project from project initiation to project termination. SEES is Internet based and can be applied to help manage globally distributed projects.
In vivo analysis of the half-life of the osteoinductive potential of demineralized bone matrix using diffusion chambers

Subcutaneous implantation of demineralized bone matrix (DBM) from rat initiates a sequence of developmental events that results in endochondral bone formation. This investigation examined the modification of the osteoinductive potential of DBM during the intial stages of this developmental cascade. Diffusion chambers (DC), constructed with filters of known pore size, permitting or excluding cells from entering the chambers, and containing DBM were subcutaneously implanted into Long-Evans male rats for specific time periods (1–7 days). DC were recovered and the osteoinductive potential of the matrix from these chambers was then tested by subcutaneous implantation and assaying the resulting day 11 plaque tissue enzymatically for alkaline phosphatase activity, and histologically for evidence of chondrogenesis and osteogenesis. The possible modification of DBM by local systemic factors (enzymatic degra-dation) or contact by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) was also investigated. We have concluded from this study that the osteoinductive potential of DBM has a half-life of 5–7 days following implantation and although the enzymes collagenase, elastase, and trypsin abolished this activity, pepsin significantly enhanced it. Culture of PMNs with matrix prior to its implantation appeared to have little effect. Furthermore, during the initial stages of matrix-induced endochondral bone formation, DBM serves as both the instructive inducer and permissive substratum required in this process.
Fluid flow in a microchannel: a stochastic approach

In this study a stochastic model is applied in order to determine flow characteristics at the particulate level in a micro-channel. Model equations were discretized using Central Difference and Backward Difference methods and solved using the Jacobi method. The solution to the model equations provides the probability distribution of the distance traveled by a particle in the micro-channel as a function of time and reflects the dispersion property of the flow. From the probability distribution, residence time of a particle in the micro-channel is determined. Knowledge of Residence time and of dispersion characteristics is essential in studying the performance of a micro-reactor or in studies related to molecular or particulate flow in biological systems.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A multi-tiered optimization framework for heterogeneous computing

Modern computing nodes often contain more than just a CPU. With the advent of GPU accelerators and Xeon Phi co-processors, there are many architectures available for data processing. However, it is difficult to understand which device is best for a given application. The issue of real-world performance originates in the lack of quantifiable data and method for analysis. This paper presents a novel, multi-tiered framework that leverages Pareto optimization to objectively construct the best processing node for a set of computational kernels. By deconstructing the optimization process into three distinct framework tiers (kernel, device, and system), the system designer is able to understand how the various computational variables impact device choices. We show how we leverage a combination of metrics and benchmarking to form various Pareto sets. Moving through the tiers, these Pareto sets are combined to identify the various combinations that enable maximum performance.
Knowledge representation in the semantic web for Earth and environmental terminology (SWEET)

The semantic web for Earth and environmental terminology (SWEET) is an investigation in improving discovery and use of Earth science data, through software understanding of the semantics of web resources. Semantic understanding is enabled through the use of ontologies, or formal representations of technical concepts and their interrelations in a form that supports domain knowledge. The ultimate vision of the semantic web consists of web pages with XML namespace tags around terms, enabling search tools to ascertain their meanings by following the link to the defining ontologies. Such a scenario both reduces the number of false hits (where a search returns alternative, unintended meanings of a term) and increases the number of successful hits (where searcher and information provider have a syntax mismatch of the same concept). For SWEET, we developed a collection of ontologies using the web ontology language (OWL) that include both orthogonal concepts (space, time, Earth realms, physical quantities, etc.) and integrative science knowledge concepts (phenomena, events, etc.). This paper describes the development of a knowledge space for Earth system science and related concepts (such as data properties). Some of the ontology contents are ''virtual'' by means of an OWL wrapper associated with terms in large external databases (including gazetteers and Earthquake databases). We developed a search tool that finds alternative search terms (based on the semantics) and redirects the expanded set of terms to a search engine.
Hippocampal endosomal, lysosomal, and autophagic dysregulation in mild cognitive impairment: correlation with aβ and tau pathology

Endosomal-lysosomal and autophagic dysregulation occurs in the hippocampus in prodromal Alzheimer disease (AD), but its relationship with β-amyloid (Aβ) and tau pathology remains unclear. To investigate this issue, we performed immunoblot analysis of hippocampal homogenates from cases with an antemortem clinical diagnosis of no cognitive impairment, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and AD. Western blot analysis revealed significant increases in the acid hydrolase cathepsin D and early endosome marker rabaptin5 in the MCI group compared with AD, whereas levels of phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin proteins (pmTOR), total mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), p62, traf6, and LilrB2 were comparable across clinical groups. Hippocampal Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 concentrations and AT8-immunopositive neurofibrillary tangle density were not significantly different across the clinical groups. Greater cathepsin D expression was associated with global cognitive score and episodic memory score but not with mini mental state examination or advanced neuropathology criteria. These results indicate that alterations in hippocampal endosomal-lysosomal proteins in MCI are independent of tau or Aβ pathology.
A methodology to derive the critical demand density for designing and operating feeder transit services

Feeder lines are one of the most often used types of flexible transit services connecting a service area to a major transit network through a transfer point. They often switch operations between a demand responsive and a fixed-route policy. In designing and running such systems, the identification of the condition justifying the operating switch is often hard to properly evaluate. In this paper, we propose an analytical model and solution of the problem to assist decision makers and operators in their choice. By employing continuous approximations, we derive handy but powerful closed-form expressions to estimate the critical demand densities, representing the switching point between the competing operating policies. Based on the results of one-vehicle and two-vehicle operations for various scenarios, in comparison to values generated from simulation, we verify the validity of our analytical modeling approach.
RADICAL PROCESSES IN LIPIDS. A LASER PHOTOLYSIS STUDY OF t‐BUTOXY RADICAL REACTIVITY TOWARD FATTY ACIDS

— Laser photolysis techniques have been used to measure the reactivity of t-butoxy radical (t-BuO) toward various fatty acids. Eight compounds varying both in number and in the configuration of olefinic bonds were examined. It has been found that the rate constant for hydrogen abstraction from these compounds by t-BuO may be related to the number of secondary, allylic, and doubly allylic hydrogens in each molecule by the equation: kr= [0.072[Hsec] + 0.518[Hallylic] + 2.716[Hdoubly allylic] x 106M-1 s-1.
P‐131: Imagery Beyond the Screen Edge

We synthesize imagery using optical flow, color analysis, and heuristics to extrapolate beyond the edge of a television screen. Projectors provide the viewer's peripheral vision with low-detail dynamic patterns consistent with the input video, creating a sense of immersion and the impression that the scene wraps around the viewer.
Ranibizumab in diabetic macular edema

By 2050 the prevalence of diabetes will more than triple globally, dramatically increasing the societal and financial burden of this disease worldwide. As a consequence of this growth, it is anticipated that there will be a concurrent rise in the numbers of patients with diabetic macular edema (DME), already among the most common causes of severe vision loss worldwide. Recent available therapies for DME target the secreted cytokine, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This review focuses on the treatment of DME using the first humanized monoclonal antibody targeting VEGF that has been Food and Drug Administration-approved for the use in the eye, ranibizumab (Lucentis(®)).
Thrombectomy for Left Ventricular Protruding Thrombi in a Patient with Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Left ventricular thrombus is one source of cardiogenic embolism. The protruding, mobile type is the highest risk subgroup but is rarely encountered. Thrombectomy is one choice of therapy, and variously recommended based primarily on the experience with myocardial infarction. We report a rare case of successful left ventricular thrombectomy for two protruding, mobile thrombi in a patient with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in order to prevent repeat embolizaion.
β-blockers, myocardial ischaemia and collateral circulation

This editorial refers to “Heart rate reduction during exercise-induced myocardial ischemia and stunning” by X. Monnet et al. on page 579, and “Coronary collateral perfusion in patients with coronary artery disease: effect of metoprolol” by M. Billinger et al. on page 565. 1 β-blockers are established as standard first-line therapy for both stable and unstable angina pectoris having been introduced to the clinical setting in the mid-1960s. This class of drug is effective in alleviating the symptoms of angina but has never been shown to impact on mortality in patients with chronic stable angina. Several large clinical trials have shown β-blockers to reduce mortality when used in patients after myocardial infarction and more recently in heart failure.1–3 The recently published COMET trial demonstrated mortality benefit of carvedilol (a nonselective β-blocker and α-antagonist) compared to metoprolol tartrate (a selective β1-blocker) in heart failure.4 Thus over recent years the focus of interest has moved from the treatment of ischaemic heart disease to the use of β-blocker in chronic heart failure. This issue of European Heart Journal reports two studies of the possible deleterious effects of particular β-blockers on two aspects of clinical relevance to ischaemic heart disease, namely coronary collateral flow under controlled occlusion of the coronary artery,5 and the impact on ischaemic and stunned myocardium.6 In the first study,5 the effect on coronary collaterals of a second generation selective β1-blocker, metoprolol tartrate, was investigated. Natural bypass of coronary arteries is defined as anastomotic connections without an intervening capillary bed between portions of the same coronary artery or between different coronary arteries. Since collateral circulation has a cardioprotective effect as an alternative blood supply to avoid and/or delay myocardial damage when the original vessels are occluded, it has been recognised … *Corresponding author: Dr M. Sato, Imperial College London, London, UK E-mail address: m.sato{at}imperial.ac.uk
Effect of media on sporulation of Thielaviopsis basicola and its virulence enhancement by an agrobacterium isolate

The virulence ofThielaviopsis basicola towardsCucurbita maxima var. ‘True Hubbard’ was enhanced by an Agrobacterium isolate and more acutely by the culture filtrate of the bacterium as measured by the increase in the number of chlamydospores of the fungus and decrease in the wet weight of infected plants.
Unusual spin configurations of baryons and their magnetic moments.

Qualitatively, the measured magnetic moments of the baryon octet match the SU(6) expectations. Inspired by the recent European Muon Collaboration data on the proton, we consider the effects upon the magnetic moments of having baryons whose quark content is not given by a symmetric SU(6) three-quark model but which have a polarized sea or ocean even when examined at low momentum transfers. We find that a significant amount of background'' can be added to the SU(6) three-quark model without harming the agreement between calculated and measured magnetic moments, and even improving it somewhat.
Humoral Responses of Smooth Muscle from Rabbit Subarachnoid Artery Compared to Kidney, Mesentery, Lung, Heart, and Skin Vascular Smooth Muscle

Smooth muscle strips from rabbit subarachnoid arteries did not respond to catecholamines in concentrations which caused strips from skin, mesentery, and kidney vessels to contract. The strips from subarachnoid arteries responded to serotonin, histamine, and angiotensin II but not to bradykinin, acetylcholine, methacholine, and adenosine phosphate compounds. Heart and lung vascular strips did not respond to catecholamines but responded to acetylcholine; cardiac strips responded to dilute methacholine. Lung strips often failed to respond to histamine in usual concentrations and did respond to bradykinin. The subarachnoid strips had a distinactive pattern of respone as compared to vascular tissue from other organs. Results of other isolated vessel studies are reviewed along with pertinent investigations of cerebral autoregulation, vasospasm, and autonomic nerves. The possible significance of these findings is discussed.
A convenient method of preparing polyacrylamide gels for liquid scintillation spectrometry

Abstract A convenient method is described for the preparation for liquid scintillation spectrometry of slices of polyacrylamide gel containing isotopically labeled protein. Slices in counting vials are incubated with hydrogen peroxide (0.1 ml) at 50°. Complete solubilization of the gels occurs in several hours, and the aqueous material is combined with toluene-based scintillation fluid by the addition of NCS (1.0 ml). Efficiencies of counting are extremely high, and recoveries of radioisotope usually exceed 90%.
Proactive Outreach Strategies to Connect Smokers With Tobacco Cessation Treatment

38. Rigotti NA, Bitton A, Kelley JK, Hoeppner BB, Levy DE, Mort E. Offering population-based tobacco treatment in a healthcare setting: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Prev Med. 2011; 41(5):498-503. 39. Fraser D, Christiansen BA, Adsit R, Baker TB, Fiore MC. Electronic health records as a tool for recruitment of participants’ clinical effectiveness research: lessons learned from tobacco cessation. Transl Behav Med. 2013;3(3):244-252.
The role of potentially retrievable inferior vena cava filters in oncology patients: a comprehensive single center experience

Purpose Cancer induces a hypercoaguable state and renders patients susceptible to pulmonary embolism (PE). The role of potentially retrievable IVC filters (prIVCf) in this group of patients has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utilization of prIVCf in cancer patients. We hypothesize that prIVCf have a limited role in cancer patients with metastatic disease at presentation because of an unacceptably low retrieval rate. Materials and Methods In this IRB-approved study, consecutive patients with malignancy presenting for IVC filter placement were prospectively enrolled from January 2009 - September 2012. Clinical history, indication for IVC filtration, type of IVC filter placed, and IVC filter disposition (i.e., kept permanent, retrieved, or failed retrieval) were collected for each patient. Fisher’s exact test and odds ratios were calculated with the null hypothesis rejected at p Results 351 IVC filters were placed (41% permanent and 59% prIVCf). Of the 351 patients, 27% (n = 94) had metastases at the time of IVC filter placement. In this subgroup of patients with metastatic disease at the time of filter placement, 66% received permanent filters while 34% (n = 32) received prIVCf. Only 28% (n = 9) of these patients had their IVC filter retrieved. Patients with metastases at the time of prIVCf placement have a nearly two-fold risk of not having their IVC filter retrieved when compared to those who do not have metastases at presentation (44% retrieval rate) (odds ratio 1.95) (p = 0.12). When compared with our historical retrieval rate of 60%, the retrieval rate for metastatic cancer patients is statistically significantly lower (p = 0.0023). Conclusion Patients with metastatic disease have a significantly lower likelihood of retrieval and are best served by permanent devices to avoid additional procedures, excessive resource utilization, and potential procedural and device-related complications. Further study is needed to discern the role of prIVCf in oncology patients without metastatic disease.
Regulation of Phospholipid Synthesis in the Yeast cki1Δ eki1Δ Mutant Defective in the Kennedy Pathway THE CHO1-ENCODED PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE SYNTHASE IS REGULATED BY mRNA STABILITY

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the most abundant phospholipid phosphatidylcholine is synthesized by the complementary CDP-diacylglycerol and Kennedy pathways. Using a cki1Δ eki1Δ mutant defective in choline kinase and ethanolamine kinase, we examined the consequences of a block in the Kennedy pathway on the regulation of phosphatidylcholine synthesis by the CDP-diacylglycerol pathway. The cki1Δ eki1Δ mutant exhibited increases in the synthesis of phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylcholine via the CDP-diacylglycerol pathway. The increase in phospholipid synthesis correlated with increased activity levels of the CDP-diacylglycerol pathway enzymes phosphatidylserine synthase, phosphatidylserine decarboxylase, phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase, and phospholipid methyltransferase. However, other enzyme activities, including phosphatidylinositol synthase and phosphatidate phosphatase, were not affected in the cki1Δ eki1Δ mutant. For phosphatidylserine synthase, the enzyme catalyzing the committed step in the pathway, activity was regulated by increases in the levels of mRNA and protein. Decay analysis of CHO1 mRNA indicated that a dramatic increase in transcript stability was a major component responsible for the elevated level of phosphatidylserine synthase. These results revealed a novel mechanism that controls phospholipid synthesis in yeast.
Banana slug antifeedant in the growing cane tips of Himalayan Berry Rubus armeniacus

Abstract A GC–MS comparison of the volatile organic compounds in extracts from young versus mature leaves from first year canes of Himalayan blackberry Rubus armeniacus (Focke) showed young leaves to contain significantly higher concentrations of 2-heptanol and methyl salicylate. Tissue disruption of both types of blackberry leaves showed no increase in the concentration of these compounds. 2-Heptanol had significant antifeedant activity against the banana slug, Ariolimax columbianus (Gould), but methyl salicylate did not inhibit banana slug feeding at the concentration present in young leaves.
The three-dimensional reconstruction of the dendritic structure at the solid-liquid interface of a Ni-based single crystal

Directional solidification of nickel-based single crystals requires control of the heat transfer, fluid flow, and phase transformations at the solid-liquid interface during withdrawal in the Bridgman process. While the morphological details of the dendritic structure at the solid-liquid interface influence defect formation processes, there is an incomplete understanding of this structure as a function of alloy composition and processing conditions. A three-dimensional serial sectioning and image reconstruction approach for characterization of the solidification front has been developed and structural characteristics of the dendritic structure are quantified.
Production costs for consolidated multibank holding companies compared to one-bank organizational forms

Abstract Economies of scale and scope for consolidated multibank holding companies (MBHCs) are examined with a translog cost function and are compared with one-bank holding companies (OBHCs) and independent banks. Empirical results indicate that costs curves are generally U-shaped for independent banks and OBHCs but are relatively flat for MBHCs. This evidence implies that banking organizations should prefer the MBHC to one-bank forms at higher output levels. Implications for bank regulatory policy and interstate banking are discussed.
Blank trials and hypothesis behavior in young children

The focusing behavior of second grade children was examined with four-dimensional problems under conditions of continuous feedback, continuous feedback with intertrial delay, and Levine’s blank trials procedure. In the continuous outcome condition, only one blank trials probe was used per problem, inserted after varying numbers of successive outcome trials. The delay condition added a 15-sec delay between outcome trials to the continuous outcome procedure. The standard blank trials procedure (probes following every outcome trial) produced significantly less focusing than continuous feedback; the delay condition fell in between and did not differ significantly from either.
Comparability of introduced tiles and natural substrates for sampling lotic bacteria, algae and macro invertebrates

SUMMARY. 1 Benthic microflora (bacteria and algae) and macro invertebrates on two types of introduced substrates, unglazed clay tiles and sterilized rocks, were compared quantitatively with natural rocks in a third-order stream. Big Sulphur Creek, California, U.S.A. 2 Exposure periods ranging from 28 to 153 days for introduced substrates indicated that tiles accurately represented bacterial density, chlorophyll a, and macro invertebrate density and species composition of natural rocks within 28 days; phaeophytin and total organic material (as ash-free dry weight) were accurately represented within 63 days. In contrast. sterilized rocks required a 63 day exposure to simulate most of the above natural-rock features. 3 Tiles reduced sampling variability (i.e. increased precision) when compared with either natural or sterilized rocks, especially the variability associated with algal measurements. In benthic studies where a sufficiently long exposure period is possible (1-2 months), introduced substrates can reduce the effort and cost of benthic sampling while minimizing habitat disruption.
Pharmacokinetics of N-desmethylmethsuximide in pediatric patients.

Methsuximide (Celontin) was introduced in the United States for the control of absence seizures in 1957. More recently, it has been shown to be effective for managing complex partial seizures that are refractory to treatment with first-line antiepileptic drugs. 1-3 Use of the drug in children has been limited for several reasons, including inadequate pediatric dosing guidelines, limited information concerning the concentration-response relationships of methsuximide and its metabolites, z,4,5 and suggestions from early reports that side effects are common:. 7 Methsuximide is rapidly metabolized to N-desmethylmethsuximide, which is primarily responsible for its pharmacologic activity. 2, 5 In adults, N-desmethylmethsuximide concentrations are over 600 times those for methsuximide, s The concentration-time curve of N-desmethylmethsuximide has been characterized for adults but, to our knowledge, not for children. To provide a more rational basis for methsuximide dosing and monitoring N-desmethylmethsuximide concentrations in pediatric patients, we studied the pharmacokinetic characteristics of N-desmethylmethsuximide in epileptic children.
Clozapine attenuates disruptions in response inhibition and task efficiency induced by repeated phencyclidine administration in the intracranial self-stimulation procedure

Currently available antipsychotic medications lack satisfactory effectiveness against several symptom clusters of schizophrenia, including affective symptoms (e.g., anhedonia) and cognitive deficits (e.g., impulsivity). Translational animal models analogous to these symptoms are necessary to provide insights into the neurobiological events underlying these impairments and allow the development of improved schizophrenia treatments. We investigated the effects of repeated administration of the psychotomimetic phencyclidine (PCP), a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, on performance in the intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) procedure, a test of reward function. We also explored how chronic treatment with clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic with limited effectiveness on affective and cognitive schizophrenia symptoms, would affect PCP-induced disruptions of ICSS performance. A single injection of 2 mg/kg PCP elevated ICSS thresholds, suggesting a reward deficit. Repeated PCP administration (2 mg/kg once daily for 2 consecutive days followed by a 10-day drug free period, and then 5 consecutive days of 2 mg/kg PCP daily, s.c., 30 min pretreatment) resulted in a small, but significant, lowering of ICSS reward thresholds, indicating increased reward function. Chronic clozapine did not alter the effects of repeated PCP on ICSS thresholds. Repeated PCP also increased the number of extra and timeout responses performed during the ICSS procedure, reflecting disinhibition of inappropriate responding and decreased task efficiency. Chronic clozapine attenuated the increase in extra responses induced by repeated PCP and tended to reduce the PCP-induced increase in timeout responses. These results suggest that repeated PCP administration does not produce an anhedonia-like state resembling that seen in schizophrenia. However, the increased impulsivity and reduced task efficiency seen with repeated PCP administration, and the sensitivity of these effects to attenuation with an atypical antipsychotic, suggest that repeated PCP administration may be a useful inducing condition for eliciting cognitive deficits with relevance to schizophrenia.
An Adaptive Advance Reservation Algorithm for QoS Sensitive Multimedia Networks

Next generation communication networks will be required to support many multimedia services including voice, video and data. Since, bandwidth is an extremely valuable and scarce resource in multimedia networks, efficient bandwidth management is necessary in order to provide high quality service to users. Some applications need bandwidth reservations at an earlier time so that desired QoS requirement could ben ensured in the future. In this paper, we propose a new bandwidth management algorithm for advance reservation. The main design principle underlying our algorithm is adaptive online control based on real time estimation. This online approach is dynamic and flexible that responds to current network conditions. Therefore, our scheme is able to resolve conflicting QoS requirements while ensuring efficient network peformance. With a simulation study, we demonstrate the excellent performance of our scheme under widely diverse traffic load intensities.
Effects of gamma radiation on aqueous solutions of cyanide.

Cyanide waste constitutes a major source of pollution from various industrial operations, especially from the electroplating process. The cyanides have usually been decomposed by chemical methods such as oxidation with chlorine. In the experiments, gamma radiation from a /sup 60/Co source was used for irradiating solutions of cyanide. Potassium cyanide solutions were prepared in concentrations of 1,000, 100, 10, and 1 mg/l, and the radiation doses varied from 10 to 10,000 kr. Maximum, minimum and mean values of the cyanide remaining in the samples following each radiation dose were recorded. The results showed that the remaining concentration of cyanide was more dependent on the irradiation dosage than on the original concentration. Gamma radiation was effective in the removal of cyanide from aqueous solutions. However, very large doses were required for reductions in concentrations below 1 mg/l if the original concentration was above 10 mg/l.
Samarium-153 and Lutetium-177 Chelation Properties of Selected Macrocyclic and Acyclic Ligands

We describe a simple in vitro characterization of chelation that is useful when choosing an appropriate ligand-metal combination for clinical applications. These properties include the effect of concentration on chelation efficiency, time to maximum chelation, and stability in acidic and serum environments. The macrocyclic ligands nitro-DOTA and nitro-PADOTA, the acyclic ligands nitro-CHX-A-DTPA, nitro-MX-DTPA, DTPA, and a novel terpyridine ligand, TMT-amine, were evaluated as chelate complexes of both intermediate energy β-emitting lanthanides lutetium-177 and samarium-153. The data were compared to results obtained in a previously published study with yttrium-90. Acid lability, time to achieve maximum chelation, and stability in human serum are properties unique to each ligand-metal combination and should be evaluated prior to choosing an appropriate combination for therapeutic applications. Concentration dependence and duration of chelation are general properties of lanthanide and yttrium chelation that can be applied to an appropriate ligand-metal combination to achieve optimum chelation efficiencies.
The deregulation of capital markets in France

Abstract This paper investigates how the deregulation of French capital markets affected corporate investment in the 1980s. Access to public financial markets may be less important in countries that have traditionally relied on institutional investors to finance their corporate investment projects. This should be true for France where, contrary to the US, banks and government agencies have always been involved in firms’ long term activities. In this study, French firms are categorized based on their ownership structure and trading characteristics. Two investment models are augmented with measures of corporate liquidity in order to test the role of internal funds on investment. Empirical results show that only small French firms trading on the secondary stock market have to rely on liquid assets to finance their capital expenditures. French firms with strong bank ties avoid this constraint since they are allowed to maintain higher debt levels.
Metastable ion evidence for fragmentation pathways in the mass spectra of organometallic acetylenes of group IV and V elements

Abstract The spectra—structure correlations of organometallic acetylenes composed of elements from Groups IV and V are presented. Spectra are given from the series of compounds φ3XC  CPφ2, where X is either silicon or germanium, and where oxygen and sulfur may be coordinated with phosphorus. The fragmentation behavior under electron impact is elucidated by means of metastable ion spectra and the relationship to structure are discussed. The relative abundance of the triphenylgermanyl or triphenylsilyl ions, and the corresponding alkynium ions provides insight on the substituent effect due to coordination of oxygen or sulfur with phosphorus.
The relative effects of drought stress and virus yellows on the yield of sugarbeet in the UK, 1980-95.

Drought stress and virus yellows disease are two of the major problems of sugarbeet crop production in the UK. We have calculated the annual national drought losses from 1980 to 1995 by using long term data sets for two sites (IACR-Broom's Barn, Suffolk and ADAS Gleadthorpe, Nottinghamshire) to relate yield loss to cumulative potential summer moisture deficit, and combining these relationships with regional meteorological records, soil type and crop distribution data. Experimentally measured relationships between yield losses and the timing of virus yellows infection were combined with annual survey data of the extent of the problem, and calculated infection dates from the UK aphid suction trap network, to calculate actual national annual losses to the disease. Potential losses in the absence of control measures were then calculated by use of data from trials and surveys of pesticide use. The results showed a mean annual loss of production to drought stress of 141000 t/year of sugar, 10.5% of production, with a loss to the industry of £27.9 million. Losses in individual years varied from zero to 2.5 times the mean figure. Actual losses to virus yellows were much smaller, due to the efficacy of treatments, averaging 24700 t/year of sugar (1.8% of national yield, financial loss £5.5 million). Average potential virus yellows losses in the absence of control measures were approximately double this. Control of virus yellows is a major, cost-effective contributor to rising and consistent sugarbeet production. Nationally, irrigation has made little impact on drought losses and, due to constraints in surface water supply, this situation appears likely to continue. Improved drought stress tolerance represents the largest single opportunity for yield and profitability improvement of the sugarbeet crop in the UK at present. Predicted climate change appears likely to increase the severity of both drought and disease stresses. Drought stress appears relatively less important in other NW European sugarbeet-growing areas.
Spectroscopic properties of the Chlorophyll a–Chlorophyll c 2–Peridinin-Protein-Complex (acpPC) from the coral symbiotic dinoflagellate Symbiodinium

Femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy was performed on the chlorophyll a–chlorophyll c 2–peridinin-protein-complex (acpPC), a major light-harvesting complex of the coral symbiotic dinoflagellate Symbiodinium. The measurements were carried out on the protein as well on the isolated pigments in the visible and the near-infrared region at 77 K. The data were globally fit to establish inter-pigment energy transfer paths within the scaffold of the complex. In addition, microsecond flash photolysis analysis was applied to reveal photoprotective capabilities of carotenoids (peridinin and diadinoxanthin) in the complex, especially the ability to quench chlorophyll a triplet states. The results demonstrate that the majority of carotenoids and other accessory light absorbers such as chlorophyll c 2 are very well suited to support chlorophyll a in light harvesting. However, their performance in photoprotection in the acpPC is questionable. This is unusual among carotenoid-containing light-harvesting proteins and may explain the low resistance of the acpPC complex against photoinduced damage under even moderate light conditions.
The levels of 103Rh populated in the decay of 103Ru

Abstract The gamma-ray spectrum associated with the beta decay of 103 Ru has been studied with curved-crystal and Ge(Li) spectrometers. The energy measurements obtained from the curved-crystal spectrometer data are of greater precision than previously reported measurements. Two gamma rays known to belong to the decay of 103 Ru but not seen directly by previous investigators in gamma-ray singles spectra were observed, and intensities are given. Coincidence spectra were taken using a Ge(Li)-Ge(Li) combination. The data confirm the essential features of previously proposed 103 Rh level schemes.
d-Amphetamine and phencyclidine alone and in combination: Effects on fixed-ratio and interresponse-time-greater-than-t responding of rats

The effects of three doses of d-amphetamine (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg) and phencyclidine (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg), alone and in combination, were assessed in rats performing under fixed-ratio 30 and interresponse-time-greater-than-15-sec food reinforcement schedules. When given alone, phencyclidine and d-amphetamine produced similar increases in responding under the interresponse-time-greater-than-t schedule, and decreases in responding under the fixed-ratio 30 schedule. Each drug decreased the number of reinforcers (food pellets) earned relative to control values under both schedules. The effects of the two drugs in combination were nearly always less than additive. That is, the effects of a given dose of phencyclidine and d-amphetamine together were less than an arithmetic summation of the effects of the drugs given alone.
Calcium–calcineurin signaling in the regulation of cardiac hypertrophy

Cardiac hypertrophy is a leading predicator of progressive heart disease that often leads to heart failure and a loss of cardiac contractile performance associated with profound alterations in intracellular calcium handling. Recent investigation has centered on identifying the molecular signaling pathways that regulate cardiac myocyte hypertrophy, as well as the mechanisms whereby alterations in calcium handling are associated with progressive heart failure. One potential focal regulator of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy that also responds to altered calcium handling is the calmodulin-activated serine/threonine protein phosphatase calcineurin (PP2B). Once activated by increases in calcium, calcineurin mediates the hypertrophic response through its downstream transcriptional effector nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), which is directly dephosphorylated by calcineurin resulting in nuclear translocation. While previous studies have convincingly demonstrated the sufficiency of calcineurin to mediate cardiac hypertrophy and progressive heart failure, its necessity remains an area of ongoing investigation. Here we weigh an increasing body of literature that suggests a causal link between calcineurin signaling and the cardiac hypertrophic response and heart failure through the use of pharmacologic inhibitors (cyclosporine A and FK506) and genetic approaches. We will also discuss the manner in which calcineurin-NFAT signaling is negatively regulated in the heart through a diverse array of kinases and inhibitory proteins. Finally, we will discuss emerging theories as to the mechanisms whereby alterations in intracellular calcium handling might stimulate calcineurin within the context of a contractile cell continually experiencing calcium flux.
Unusual physical and chemical properties of a planar perfluoroalkylated chclooctatetraene

Abstract Tetrakis(tetrafluorocyclobuta)cyclooctatetraene (PCOT) (C 16 F 16 ) is a unique centrosymmetric molecule with the eight carbon atoms of the inner ring planar. Bond length alternation within the 8 membered ring is only ±0.036 Ā with the longer bond exocyclic to the cyclobutene rings. These structural features will be contrasted with typical perfluoroalkyl substituted benzene and cyclooctatetraene derivatives. PCOT in acetonitrile undergoes rapid and reversible electrochemical reduction at positive 0.79 and 0.14 volts, thus it is one of the most powerful neutral organic oxidants known. Many common organic solvents, ferrocene and elemental mercury are rapidly oxidized by PCOT at room temperature. The absence of a ring flattening barrier (est. 12–22 K cal/ mol) and the 16 F atoms provide theoretical rationale for these observations. The HeI δ photoelectron spectra of PCOT (Ip = 10.3, 11.9 and 12.9 eV) suggests that the molecule retains the planar D 4H symmetry in the gas phase and that the unknown parent hydrocarbon would be air sensitive. Measurements of charge transfer maxima with a variety of donor aromatic hydrocarbons reveal that PCOT may possess the highest electron affinity for any neutral molecule. As expected, PCOT is a powerful dienophile in Diels-Alder reactions.
Combining evidence in nursing research: methods and implications.

Background The knowledge explosion in health care coupled with recent evidence-based practice initiatives has increased both the need for and the production of reviews of past research. The proliferation of such reviews has contributed to inconsistency in methods and terminology. Differing methods for integrative reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and qualitative reviews have been proposed, yet are not clearly differentiated in published reports. Although there are common features to these methods, each method has a distinct purpose, sampling frame, definition, and type of analysis. Approach The literature on research review methods was analyzed and synthesized. Specific attention was directed toward the issues specific to combining primary nursing research studies. Results The defining characteristics of different research review methods, the common stages of all research reviews, and criteria for evaluating quality are described. Discussion Greater clarity regarding research review methods has the potential to enhance methodological rigor and subsequently the applicability of findings of all review methods to practice and policy.
Characterization of Revertants of unc-93(e1500) in Caenorhabditis elegans Induced by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea

Phenotypic reversion of the rubber-band, muscle-defective phenotype conferred by unc-93(e1500) was used to determine the utility of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) as a mutagen for genetic research in Caenorhabditis elegans. In this system, ENU produces revertants at a frequency of 3 X 10(-4), equivalent to that of the commonly used mutagen, EMS. The gene identity of 154 ENU-induced revertants shows that the distribution of alleles between three possible suppressor genes differs from that induced by EMS. A higher percentage of revertants are alleles of unc-93 and many fewer are alleles of sup-9 and sup-10. Three revertants complement the three known suppressor genes; they may therefore identify a new gene product(s) involved in this system of excitation-contraction coupling in C. elegans. Molecular characterization of putative unc-93 null alleles reveals that the base changes induced by ENU are quite different from those induced by EMS; specifically we see an increased frequency of A/T -> G/C transitions. The frequency of ENU-induced intragenic deletions is found to be 13%. We suggest that ENU, at concentrations below 5 mM, will be a superior mutagen for studies of protein function in C. elegans.
Supernatant Controlled Synthesis of Monodispersed Zinc Sulfide Spheres and Multimers

Uniform zinc sulfide spheres and multimers ranging in size from ~ 90 nm to 1.0 micron were produced in large quantities by adding varying amount of supernatant in a secondary nucleation process. The particle morphology was investigated using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Smaller particles exhibited increased surface roughness in the nitrate system. Characterization by x-ray and electron diffraction showed that the particles were built up from nanocrystallites. The relationship between the particle size, porosity, and refractive index was studied by modeling UV-Vis spectra using the Mie scattering method. Monodispersed zinc sulfide spheres and multimers in the size range from 100 nm to 600 nm can be used as high refractive index building blocks for photonic crystals with band gaps covering the entire visible spectrum as well as portions of the near-IR and UV regions.
Self-adaptive recurrent neuro-fuzzy control for an autonomous underwater vehicle

This paper presents the utilization of a self-adaptive recurrent neuro-fuzzy control as a feedforward controller and a proportional-plus-derivative (PD) control as a feedback controller for controlling an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) in an unstructured environment. Without a priori knowledge, the recurrent neuro-fuzzy system is first trained to model the inverse dynamics of the AUV and then utilized as a feedforward controller to compute the nominal torque of the AUV along a desired trajectory. The PD feedback controller computes the error torque to minimize the system error along the desired trajectory. This error torque also provides an error signal for online updating the parameters in the recurrent neuro-fuzzy control to adapt in a changing environment. A systematic self-adaptive learning algorithm, consisting of a mapping-constrained agglomerative clustering algorithm for the structure learning and a recursive recurrent learning algorithm for the parameter learning, has been developed to construct the recurrent neuro-fuzzy system to model the inverse dynamics of an AUV with fast learning convergence. Computer simulations of the proposed recurrent neuro-fuzzy control scheme and its performance comparison with some existing controllers have been conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
The role of symbolic representation in engineering design education

A definition of engineering design that stresses the importance of representation as the key element in design is presented. Recent developments in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) provide new ways to represent design knowledge about designed artifacts and the design process. Illustrations are provided from the fields of mechanical and architectural design of how the power and flexibility of AI-based, computer-aided design tools offer opportunities to better understand what designers do and for conveying this increased awareness in engineering education. It is concluded that symbolic representation offers another language for engineering design that strengthens engineering modeling capabilities. >
Epidemiologic Findings of Cancer Detected in a Pediatric Emergency Department

This study describes epidemiologic findings of pediatric cancer diagnosed in the emergency department (ED) setting. Medical records are retrospectively reviewed on all patients in the hospital's cancer database between 2000 and 2004 who were diagnosed as having cancer or whose oncologic diagnosis was missed during their ED presentation. Of 427 patients identified in the cancer database, 18% (77 of 427) are analyzed. Oncologic diagnosis was missed in 5% (4 of 77) of the eligible patients initially presenting to the ED. The incidence of cancer in the ED is 22.8 cases per 100,000 ED visits. The most prevalent cancer is related to the hematologic system (37.7%), followed by the central nervous system (31.2%) and the abdomen (22.1%). Hematologic, central nervous system, and abdominal cancers constitute approximately 90% of all childhood cancers. Cancer is diagnosed frequently in our ED patient population. Based on the prevalence of certain tumors, the diagnostic approach to children with hematologic, neurologic, or abdominal complaints should include evaluation for any underlying cancer.
Prevalence and correlates of physical, psychological, and sexual intimate partner violence in Bolivia

Despite increasing awareness that domestic violence is a major public health problem, existing studies focus on physical and sexual violence and give little attention to psychological violence. This study uses data from the 2008 Bolivia Demographic and Health Surveys (BDHS) to examine the prevalence and correlates of physical, sexual, and psychological intimate partner violence in Bolivia. The results show that psychological intimate partner violence is extremely common (affecting nearly one in two women) and often occurs in addition to physical violence. While physical, psychological and sexual intimate partner violence have several common predictors, there are factors that only affect some types of violence. Common risk factors include urban residence, respondent's employment status and having witnessed interparental violence in childhood. Although marital status is not a risk factor for physical violence, unmarried cohabitation is a strong risk factor for psychological intimate partner violence. Our findings highlight the need for research to assess the potential consequences of psychological intimate partner violence, particularly for women's mental health.