cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photoinduced hydrogen production from an aqueous solution of ethylene glycol over ultrafine gold supported on TiO2

Abstract Photocatalytic H 2 production from aqueous solutions of ethylene glycol was studied using a catalyst consisting of gold supported on TiO 2 . The catalysts were prepared by the deposition-precipitation method, using TiO 2 powder and an aqueous solution of chloroauric acid. Transmission electron microscopy showed that Au was deposited as highly dispersed particles with mean diameters of 2 to 5 nm, depending on the method of pretreatment of the precursor. The effects of precursor calcination temperature, duration of irradiation, gold loading, concentration of ethylene glycol, initial pH and temperature on H 2 production were investigated. The gas phase products of the reaction were mainly H 2 and CO 2 . The precursor calcined in air at 673 K proved to be the most active photocatalyst. The yield of H 2 exhibited a weak maximum at a gold loading of about 2 wt.%. The rate of H 2 production was strongly dependent on the initial pH of the suspension; it increased with pH up to neutral pH and decreased thereafter. Increasing the concentration of ethylene glycol and the temperature had a positive effect on the H 2 yield. The activation energy of H 2 production, as given by an Arrhenius plot over the temperature range 284–340 K, was 15 kJ mol −1 .
Mutations leading to nuclear restoration of fertility in S male-sterile cytoplasm in maize

Among the offspring of crosses involving S male-sterile shrunken-2 inbred lines and their corresponding isogenic maintainer lines a number of exceptional male-fertile plants were identified. Some of these were plants with entirely fertile tassels but most were chimeras involving both sterile and fertile tassel elements. The majority of male-fertile exceptional plants, upon crossing with male-sterile testers, produced male-sterile test-cross progeny, indicating that the male-fertile trait is not pollen transmissible. However, there were four separate instances, involving three of the inbred lines, in which the crosses with S male-sterile testers produced male-fertile progeny, indicating that the newly arisen male-fertile trait is pollen transmissible. In three of these cases, the male fertility can be traced to a single plant in essentially male-sterile families. The fourth evidently involved a change in a maintainer plant whose progeny thereafter segregated for the ability to restore S sterile cytoplasm. In all cases, the results of progeny tests are consistent with the gametophytic pattern of restoration associated with S male-sterile cytoplasm. The male-fertile exceptions described here can be accounted for formally as mutations at one or more restorer gene loci in the nucleus. Taking account of the fact that mutations of restorer genes have not been reported previously in maize, and that four such changes were encountered in the same strains in which we have identified other male-fertile exceptions involving change in the cytoplasm, we have suggested a common basis for the two kinds of events. According to this scheme, given the first appearance, by whatever process, of the male-fertile element in sterile cytoplasm, it may become established and continue to propagate either in the cytoplasm or in the nucleus. In the former case, the change registers as cytoplasmic and the new strain has the characteristics of a maintainer which transmits the male-fertile trait through the egg, but not the sperm; in the latter case, the change occurs in the nucleus and the new strain, now behaving as a restorer, transmits male fertility through both egg and sperm.
The impact of residency programs on new nurse graduates' clinical decision-making and leadership skills: a systematic review.

Summary Background Health care institutions have adapted residency programs to help new graduate nurses to become fully competent and transition from a student nurse to an independent practicing nurse and a bedside leader. Objectives The study's aim is to review the literature on the impact of residency programs on new graduate nurses' clinical decision-making and leadership skills. Review Methods An electronic search was conducted between 1980 and 2013 using databases of the scientific literature in Medline, PubMed, Cochrane EPOC, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature database guide (CINAHL), and PsychInfo using a range of keywords. Information gathered was evaluated for relevance. Results Thirteen studies that met the inclusion criteria were used in this systematic review. In several studies considered in this review, residency programs were developed to improve new graduates skills and promote their transition into the nursing workforce. In fact, the transition programs reduced turnover in that first year of practice and promoted professional growth of the new graduate such as hand-on nursing skills, clinical decision-making and leadership skills, satisfaction, and retention. Conclusion There is a need for effective residency programs that are designed to prepare new graduate nurses in providing safe, competent and effective patient care.
NEMS Components Design Using Intentionally Defected Dispersive Building Blocks

We propose a hierarchical approach for the design of NEMS components with favorable dynamical characteristics. The approach consists of two steps: (i) design of several defect-engineered crystalline materials through intentional introduction of uniformly distributed defects, and in doing so altering precisely the frequency band structure of these materials, and (ii) allocation of patches of these designed materials to various regions in the component. Through this multiscale dispersive design approach, NEMS components can be designed to act as filters forbidding the transmission of vibrations at certain frequencies or waveguides confining the flow of energy to predetermined paths. Case studies are presented for 1D and 2D nanostructures.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Light in Microresonators and Chaos Theory

We demonstrate that the lifetimes and emission patterns of the optical modes in microresonators are strongly affected by the phenomenona of Chaos-Assisted Tunneling and Dynamical Anderson Localization, and develop a quantitative description of these effects.
The phonocardiographic assessment of myocardial function in the aged

Abstract Phonocardiography was used to measure the time intervals from electrical excitation to the onset of the first heart sound (Q-S 1 ) and to the beginning of the carotid up-stroke (Q-CU) as well as left ventricular ejection time in elderly subjects with and without apparent heart disease. The mean Q-S 1 and Q-CU intervals were identical in the two groups but were significantly longer than in a group of young normal subjects. The results support the views that myocardial contractility decreases with age and that this aging process is independent of clinically recognizable heart disease.
Variable structure trajectory control of an elastic robotic arm

This article introduces a variable structure system scheme to control the end effector trajectory of a two-link flexible robotic arm. Because control of the actual tip position leads to unstable zero dynamics, control of points in the neighborhood of the tip is considered. An output is chosen as the sum of the joint angle and tip elastic deformation times a constant factor for each link. For the chosen output, a discontinuous output control law is derived based on the variable structure theory. The control law thus derived accomplishes the desired trajectory tracking of the output. A linear stabilizer is designed using the pole assignment technique for the final capture of the terminal state and stabilization of the elastic modes. Simulation results are presented to show that in the closed-loop system large maneuvers can be performed in the presence of payload uncertainty, thereby exhibiting the robustness of the controller.
Effects of age and age-related differences in auditory information processing on fluid and crystallized intelligence

Abstract Speed and fidelity of basic information processing and fluid intelligence deteriorate with age, while crystallized intelligence remains stable. There is also evidence that indices of basic information processing correlate with fluid intelligence in a college population. We hypothesized that age-related changes in simple auditory information processing may explain a significant proportion of age-related decline in fluid, but not crystallized intelligence. To test this hypothesis, we obtained two-tone frequency discrimination thresholds as well as scores on fluid and crystallized intelligence tests in a group of healthy adults spanning ages from 18 to 83. We then compared linear models specifying the relations among those measures. The model postulating age effects on fluid intelligence mediated by differences in frequency discrimination fitted the data better than the model restricted to direct effects of age in fluid intelligence. No effects of information-processing index or age on crystallized intelligence were observed.
Testing for lack of fit in linear multiresponse models based on exact or near replicates

Three procedures for testing the adequacy of a proposed linear multiresponse regression model against unspecified general alternatives are considered. The model has an error structure with a matrix normal distribution which allows the vector of responses for a particular run to have an unknown covariance matrix while the responses for different runs are uncorrelated. Furthermore, each response variable may be modeled by a separate design matrix. Multivariate statistics corresponding to the classical univariate lack of fit and pure error sums of squares are defined and used to determine the multivariate lack of fit tests. A simulation study was performed to compare the power functions of the test procedures in the case of replication. Generalizations of the tests for the case in which there are no independent replicates on all responses are also presented.
Linking vibrational dynamics to characteristics of local electronic structure: Local analysis of dynamics of the relaxed Si 87 cluster

A flexible scheme for decomposing the vibrational density of states in terms of the pair vibrational density of states is presented. This scheme provides the linkage between the site vibrational density of states and pairvibrational density of states so that vibrational modes, in particular, localized modes, can be conveniently examined in terms of the correlation between the vibration at a given site and those at its neighboring sites. Furthermore, within the framework of a total-energy vibrational spectrum study, this scheme allows the analysis of vibrational modes in terms of their electronic origin. A case study of the vibrational dynamics of the relaxed Si 8 7 cluster is carried out to demonstrate the flexibility of the scheme in analyzing the properties of vibrational modes, particularly for complex systems with reduced or no symmetry.
Discontinuous approximate molecular electronic wave‐functions

Following Kohn, Schlosser and Marcus and Weare and Parr an energy functional is defined for a molecular problem which is stationary in the neighborhood of the exact solution and permits the use of trial functions that are discontinuous. The functional differs from the functional of the standard Rayleigh--Ritz method in the replacement of the usual kinetic energy operators circumflex T(..mu..) with operators circumflex T'(..mu..) = circumflex T(..mu..) + circumflex I(..mu..) generates contributions from surfaces of nonsmooth behavior. If one uses the nabla PSI . nabla PSI way of writing the usual kinetic energy contributions, one must add surface integrals of the product of the average of nabla PSI and the change of PSI across surfaces of discontinuity. Various calculations are carried out for the hydrogen molecule-ion and the hydrogen molecule. It is shown that ab initio calculations on molecules can be carried out quite generally with a basis of atomic orbitals exactly obeying the zero-differential overlap (ZDO) condition, and a firm basis is thereby provided for theories of molecular electronic structure invoking the ZDO aoproximation. It is demonstrated that a valence bond theory employing orbitals exactly obeying ZDO can provide an adequate account of chemical bonding, and several suggestions aremore » made regarding molecular orbital methods.« less
Measurement of regional elastic properties of the human aorta. A new application of transesophageal echocardiography with automated border detection and calibrated subclavian pulse tracings.

BACKGROUNDEvaluation of regional aortic elastic properties in humans has been hampered by the need for invasive techniques to access instantaneous aortic pressure, wall thickness, and cross-sectional area or diameter. In this study, a new noninvasive method is presented for quantification of regional aortic elastic properties.METHODS AND RESULTSTwenty-five patients were studied during transesophageal echocardiographic procedures. Measurements of instantaneous aortic cross-sectional area were obtained with an automated border detection algorithm applied to short-axis transesophageal two-dimensional echocardiographic images of the proximal descending thoracic aorta. Instantaneous aortic wall thickness was derived from combined two-dimensional targeted M-mode end-diastolic wall thickness and instantaneous aortic area measurements. Instantaneous aortic pressures were estimated from calibrated subclavian pulse tracings recorded simultaneously. Data were digitized to generate aortic area-pressure loops. Regiona...
Holography Of Settling Particles: Shape Parameters

The effect of shape on the fall velocity of silt-size mineral particles was investigated by recording sequential transmission holograms of settling particles. Particles with similar densities and settling speeds varied in their sphere-equivalent radii by a factor of 5. The large particles were edgewise-settling thin flakes while the smaller particles were much more compact. Variations of the Stokes' settling equation for thin disks accurately described the settling data for large thin flakes. The fall velocities for small, compact, fast-settling particles were much greater than for volume-equivalent spheres and were adequately described by the Stoke's equation for elliptical cylinders. An unresolved problem remains in that the theoretical drag on thin disks is about four times that on flat elliptical cylinders of the same surface area.
PRODUCING DRAMA: SYMBOLIC COMMUNICATION AND THE POLICE*

Organizational analysis, based on a version of symbolic interactionism, is used here to advance a dramaturgical perspective on the relationships between organization, information and technology. Organizations are defined as meaning-production systems stabilized by relatively permanent interactions that are temporally and spatially-based. Ethnographic data, gathered by fieldwork in two police communication centers in the United States and in England, are presented. Each organization receives messages centrally and processes them through three segments (operators, dispatchers and officers). In semiotic terms, the police can be seen to be a means for producing drama, or the selective presentation of signs which either heighten or reduce the salience of other signs in a message. The primary conditions which increase the likelihood of drama being attached to policing are tentatively advanced. The police reduce the salience of emotive or expressive aspects of communication by encoding (recoding) citizens' messages from an aesthetic mode to a logical classificatory code. The greater the information supplied by a caller, the more ambiguity in the call-classification process, and the more interpretation is required. Interpretations rendered are based in part upon segment specific understandings of the meanings of the calls, and in part on more general or shared meanings based upon the occupational culture. The result of these interpretations is that messages become more poetic in character as they move across segments within the system. The police also reproduce their own metaphoric version or map of society in and by their encoding, decoding and recoding actions. By so doing, they maintain the dramatic importance of the police and their actions, and the centrality of myths that reify the notion that the police can and do control all that needs controlling in a society.
MIXER-EJECTOR NOISE-SUPPRESSOR MODEL

A flexible and efficient compressible mixer-ejector model is described. This model is used to predict the performance of ejectors employing lobed mixers. Through comparisons with experimental data, the model is shown to qualitatively capture the impact of streamwise vorticity on the evolution of the mixing layer and to quantitatively predict the change in the pressure coefficient through the duct associated with the mixing process to within 15 %. The relative accuracy, speed, and flexibility of the model make it useful as a preliminary design tool. Two design trade studies are performed with the model. First, the model is used to assess the impact of streamwise vorticity on the thrust and pumping performance of a supersonicsubsonic mixer-ejector; for the mixer geometry utilized in this study, pumping and thrust augmentations are associated with the addition of streamwise vorticity. Second, the impact of mixer height on the effectiveness of streamwise vorticity is evaluated. The results of this study demonstrate that the effectiveness of streamwise vorticity decreases with increasing lobe height-to-wavelength ratio, and for the higher height-to-wavelength ratios investigated, a net performance penalty is associated with the addition of streamwise vorticity.
Flow measurement by ‘‘Doppler shift’’ nuclear magnetic resonance

A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) 1D flow measurement technique is described and demonstrated experimentally. The technique uses a ‘‘meander coil’’ in the NMR probe for the radio frequency (rf) excitation and detection. The meander coil gives rise to highly inhomogeneous B1 field, whose direction varies linearly as a function of spatial coordinates. The detected NMR signal acquires a frequency shift which is proportional to the speed of the nuclear spin. In a sense, this frequency shift is similar to the Doppler shift. The flow speed can be measured by one free induction decay (FID) without applying B0 field gradient.
639 UNILATERAL OPTIC NERVE DISEASE, A COMPLICATION OF CHEMOTHERAPY OF ACUTE LYMPHATIC LEUKEMIA (ALL)

Ocular complications are not uncommon with the use of vincristine (VCR) but usually consist of ophthalmoplegias. A single case of optic neuropathy, presumably caused by VCR, has been previously reported in a patient with Hodgkin's disease (Am. J. Ophthal. 81:146, 1976). We have observed this complication in two subjects with ALL. In each case, severe unilateral retrobulbar pain occurred 5-7 days following the administration of VCR (2.0 mg/m2) during maintenance therapy. In the first subject, an 8 yr. old, eye exam several months after the onset of ocular symptoms revealed a visual acuity of 20/80 in the affected eye which failed to improve with refraction. A positive Marcus Gunn pupil, defective color vision and a central scotoma were noted. Fundoscopy was normal. Eye exam prior to the onset of symptoms had been unremarkable. In the second case, a 6 yr. old, acuity was 20/40 in the affected eye unimproved by refraction. Pupillary constriction in response to light was followed by rapid dilatation. Color vision was normal but a paracentral scotoma was present. A vitritis localized over the optic disc caused the disc to appear pale and indistinct. In each subject the contralateral eye exam was normal. In both cases repeated spinal fluid cytologies have been negative. Optic nerve disease in these cases is presumably related to the use of VCR. Retrobulbar or eye pain following the administration of VCR calls for careful ophthalmologic examination.
The effects of buffer ingestion on metabolic factors related to distance running performance

We examined the effects of sodium bicarbonate (BIC) and sodium citrate (CIT) ingestion on distance running performance. Seven male runners [mean\(\dot VO_{2max}\) = 61.7 (SEM 1.7) ml · kg−1 · min−1] performed three 30-min treadmill runs at the lactate threshold (LT) each followed by a run to exhaustion at 110% of LT. The runs were double-blind and randomly assigned from BIC (0.3 g · kg body mass−1), CIT (0.5 g · kg body mass−1) and placebo (PLC, wheat flour, 0.5 g · kg body mass−1). Venous blood samples were collected at 5, 15 and 25 min during the run and immediately post-exhaustion (POST-EX) and analysed for pH, and the concentrations of lactate ([1a−]b) and bicarbonate ([HCO3− ]). Performance was measured as running time to exhaustion at 110% of LT (TIME-EX). The pH was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) for the BIC and CIT trials during exercise, but not POST-EX compared to PLC. The [1a−]b was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) for the CIT trial compared to PLC during exercise, and for both CIT and BIC compared to PLC at POST-EX. Blood [HCO3−] was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) during exercise for BIC compared to PLC. TIME-EX was not significantly different among treatments: BIC 287 (SEM 47.4) s; CIT 172.8 (SEM 29.7) s; and PLC 222.3 (SEM 39.7) s. Despite the fact that buffer ingestion produced favourable metabolic conditions during 30 min of high intensity steady-state exercise, a significant improvement in the subsequent maximal exercise run to exhaustion did not occur.
Three monophyletic superfamilies account for the majority of the known glycosyltransferases.

Sixty-five families of glycosyltransferases (EC 2.4.x.y) have been recognized on the basis of high-sequence similarity to a founding member with experimentally demonstrated enzymatic activity. Although distant sequence relationships between some of these families have been reported, the natural history of glycosyltransferases is poorly understood. We used iterative searches of sequence databases, motif extraction, structural comparison, and analysis of completely sequenced genomes to track the origins of modern-type glycosyltransferases. We show that >75% of recognized glycosyltransferase families belong to one of only three monophyletic superfamilies of proteins, namely, (1) a recently described GPGTF/GT-B superfamily; (2) a nucleoside-diphosphosugar transferase (GT-A) superfamily, which is characterized by a DxD sequence signature and also includes nucleotidyltransferases; and (3) a GT-C superfamily of integral membrane glycosyltransferases with a modified DxD signature in the first extracellular loop. Several developmental regulators in Metazoans, including Fringe and Egghead homologs, belong to the second superfamily. Interestingly, Tout-velu/Exostosin family of developmental proteins found in all multicellular eukaryotes, contains separate domains belonging to the first and the second superfamilies, explaining multiple glycosyltransferase activities in one protein.
Distress and Recurrence of Intrusive Thoughts in Younger and Older Adults

The current study incorporated a life span perspective into existing theories of intrusive thoughts to examine age-related differences in the difficulty controlling intrusive thoughts, the distress following intrusive thought recurrences, and the meanings assigned to these recurrences. Younger (N = 51) and older (N = 49) community adults were randomly assigned to suppress (i.e., keep out of mind) or monitor an intrusive thought. Participants rated their positive and negative affect throughout engagement with the intrusive thought, and they also rated the meanings they gave to recurrences of their everyday intrusive thoughts. The results demonstrated that older adults tended to perceive greater difficulty with controlling the intrusive thought than younger adults despite the fact that they did not differ in the actual recurrence of the intrusive thought. With regard to distress, older adults experienced steadier levels of positive affect than younger adults throughout engagement with the intrusive thought. However, older adults also reported greater residual negative affect after engaging with the intrusive thought than younger adults. Finally, older and younger adults appeared to assign meanings to recurrences of intrusive thoughts in line with age-relevant concerns. Specifically, older adults were prone to interpret the recurrence of intrusive thoughts as a sign of cognitive decline, but they were less likely than younger adults to see intrusive thoughts as a sign of moral failure. Together, these results highlight a range of potential risk and protective factors in older adults for experiencing emotion dysregulation after intrusive thoughts.
Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain

This article reviews the literature relevant to the possible causes, prevention, and treatment of hemiplegic shoulder pain. Shoulder pain and stiffness impede the rehabilitation of patients with hemiplegia. The cause of this complication is unknown, but it may be related to the severity of neurological deficits, preexisting or posthemiplegic soft tissue injury, subluxation, brachial plexus injury, or shoulder-hand syndrome. Shoulder pain may be preventable if risk factors can be identified and appropriate prophylaxis applied. Resolution of the condition depends on diagnosis and effective treatment at the onset of the symptoms. More clinical research is needed to clarify the cause of hemiplegic shoulder pain and to document the efficacy of prophylactic and treatment methods.
Stereotyping and Esteem for One's Least Preferred Co-Worker

Summary Several characteristics of Fiedler's (8, 9) least preferred co-worker (LPC) scales were investigated. It was found that although the LPC scales reflect two evaluative dimensions, there is a general negative evaluative component common to both dimensions. When asked to evaluate someone they had known in rating their least preferred co-worker, approximately two-thirds of the respondents rated a real person, while the other third rated a stereotyped stimulus object. LPC and its subfactors were found to be substantially unrelated to a large number of personality measures. Theoretical and methodological problems inherent in a bidimensional interpretation of a univariate score were discussed, and an alternative unidimensional approach was suggested.
Endovascular approach and technique for treatment of transverse-sigmoid dural arteriovenous fistula with cortical reflux: the importance of venous sinus sacrifice

Background Treatment of dural arteriovenous fistula involving the transverse-sigmoid region with cortical reflux is complex and treatment options may require sacrifice of the fistulous segment of the sinus. Objective To review our results in this subset of patients and describe current endovascular decision-making and approaches. Methods We reviewed cases of endovascular sinus sacrifice for dural fistulas at our institution from 2007 to 2012. Demographic, decision-making, technical and outcome data were collected. Results Seven patients were identified who underwent endovascular sinus sacrifice for treatment of dural fistula during this 4-year period. Determination of the fistulous sinus segment was based on the pattern of cortical drainage. Endovascular access to the sinus was achieved by transarterial, transvenous or via open surgery in one case. Complete cure of the target fistula was obtained in all cases. One patient had transient post-procedure headache. There were no hemorrhages, new neurological deficits or signs of increased intracranial pressure. Six of the seven patients had angiographic follow-up at least 6 months after treatment with no recurrence. Conclusions Fistulas of the transverse-sigmoid sinuses with cortical reflux may require sacrifice of the parent sinus for cure. Defining the fistulous segment and occluding this segment deliberately, completely and precisely is essential for cure. Several modalities and approaches can be used to achieve this. For properly selected patients, cure of the lesions can be achieved with this method with low risk of morbidity.
234Th and7Be as Tracers for the Sources of Particles to the Turbidity Maximum of the Hudson River Estuary

Abstract The natural radionuclides 234 Th (half-life=24·1 days) and 7 Be (half-life=53·3 days) were measured in suspended particles of the turbidity maximum zone of the lower Hudson River estuary during several tidal cycles in August 1995 in an effort to understand the dynamics and sources of particles to this zone. The relatively short half-lives and high particle reactivity of 234 Th and 7 Be, coupled with the spatially variable production of 234 Th (from 238 U, which varies conservatively with salinity in the Hudson), make these radionuclides useful tracers of particle dynamics. The activity ratio of 234 Th xs / 7 Be reduces the effects of particle type, concentration and size on the individual activities and serves as an indicator of where in the estuary the particles were labelled with these radionuclides. Detailed sampling at three stations in the turbidity maximum during the course of a tidal cycle shows an average 234 Th xs / 7 Be activity ratio of 1·9±0·7. Comparable 234 Th xs / 7 Be ratios in suspended particles from surface and bottom water with different salinities indicate that particles are mixed throughout the water column. Comparison of observed 234 Th xs / 7 Be activity ratios with those calculated from models assuming that local processes dominate the tracer distributions suggests that particle residence times are short. However, the observed ratios are greater on average than those calculated, indicating the import of particles with higher ratios from the more saline reaches of the estuary. Estimates of the particle fluxes necessary to account for the observed 234 Th/ 7 Be activity ratios suggest that about 30% of the flux could arise from advective transport of particles into the turbidity maximum zone in association with the tidal circulation and the remainder is supplied from local resuspension. A sensitivity analysis shows that these estimates are dependent on the activity ratio in the suspended sediment reservoir and fluxes of radionuclides supplied by local resuspension. Variability in these factors gives rise to estimates of the advected flux that can vary from 24% to 59%.
The instability of a moving viscous drop

The deformation of a moving spherical viscous drop subject to axisymmetric perturbations is considered. The problem is formulated using two different variations of the boundary integral method for Stokes flow, one due to Rallison & Acrivos, and the other based on an interfacial distribution of Stokeslets
FC-ORB: A robust distributed real-time embedded middleware with end-to-end utilization control

A key challenge for distributed real-time and embedded (DRE) middleware is maintaining both system reliability and desired real-time performance in unpredictable environments where system workload and resources may fluctuate significantly. This paper presents FC-ORB, a real-time Object Request Broker (ORB) middleware that employs end-to-end utilization control to handle fluctuations in application workload and system resources. The contributions of this paper are three-fold. First, we present a novel utilization control service that enforces desired CPU utilization bounds on multiple processors by adapting the rates of end-to-end tasks within user-specified ranges. Second, we describe a set of middleware-level mechanisms designed to support end-to-end tasks and distributed multi-processor utilization control in a real-time ORB. Finally, we present extensive experimental results on a Linux testbed. Our results demonstrate that our middleware can maintain desired utilizations in face of uncertainties and variations in task execution times, resource contentions from external workloads, and permanent processor failure. FC-ORB demonstrates that the integration of utilization control, end-to-end scheduling, and fault-tolerance mechanisms in DRE middleware is a promising approach for enhancing the robustness of DRE applications in unpredictable environments.
Ticks: Challenges they Present to the Livestock Industry

Worldwide recognition of ticks and subsequent control experiences in USA, Australia and Africa is summarized. The symposium lecture includes three research challenges: (a) reduce the direct and indirect costs of ticks to African animal agriculture, (b) complete critical research required for an effective African tick control programme in spite of stable or reduced research funding, (c) learn to package and market new technology used in control schemes. Three questions are suggested for industry representatives and researchers to ask one another: (a) Is the new technology practical and affordable? (b) Is animal productivity really improved? (c) Are the schemes responsive to broader environmental and animal health concerns of society?
Mixed-signal characterization environments for analog to digital converters

With analog blocks frequently representing the biggest risk in single substrate mixed-signal designs, intellectual property (IP) libraries of fabrication-proven and fully-characterized analog cells can offer a low-risk method to decrease time-to-market (TTM), in any group where TTM is the dominant factor of success. While the development of these libraries has received significant research attention, analog and mixed-signal designs are frequently developed from scratch without much benefit from external IP. We believe that a reason for this recalcitrance has been a lack of confidence in the external IP, and specifically the limited access to characterization that has been done to describe the IP. In this paper, we develop methods to characterize IP with a focus on decreasing TTM. Further, we show how these same characterizations yield performance metrics which are useful in calibrating abstract models to shorten the simulation time for large systems, as well as providing performance specifications for cell-level functional verification. The collection of simulation test benches, interpretation of results, and control scripts is our "characterization environment." As an example, we develop a system of simulation libraries to characterize the behavior, sensitivity to parameter variation, and performance of analog library cells, which are combined for the fabrication of a delta-sigma modulator analog to digital converter (DeltaSigma ADC). Finally, we show how the characterization of libraries of analog cells is a key form of IP necessary to promote the common use of external analog IP libraries
Dynamic coding of behaviourally relevant stimuli in parietal cortex

A general function of cerebral cortex is to allow the flexible association of sensory stimuli with specific behaviours. Many neurons in parietal1,2, prefrontal3,4 and motor5,6,7 cortical areas are activated both by particular movements and by sensory cues that trigger these movements, suggesting a role in linking sensation to action. For example, neurons in the lateral intraparietal area (LIP) encode both the location of visual stimuli and the direction of saccadic eye movements8,9. LIP is not believed to encode non-spatial stimulus attributes such as colour10,11. Here we investigated whether LIP would encode colour if colour was behaviourally linked to the eye movement. We trained monkeys to make an eye movement in one of two directions based alternately on the colour or location of a visual cue. When cue colour was relevant for directing eye movement, we found a substantial fraction of LIP neurons selective for cue colour. However, when cue location was relevant, colour selectivity was virtually absent in LIP. These results demonstrate that selectivity of cortical neurons can change as a function of the required behaviour.
Analysis of the longitudinal acoustic mode in linear aliphatic polyesters

Two intense modes are observed in the low-frequency Raman spectra of as-grown and annealed linear aliphatic polyester single crystals. Our experimental data in conjunction with theoretical normal mode calculations of several model oligomers reveal the two bands observed to be vibrations of the longitudinal acoustic mode type. The unbalanced mass units associated with the ester groups couple the transverse and longitudinal motions, giving rise to the multiple modes.
Loan-Grant based Round Robin scheduling

We propose the Loan-Grant based Round Robin (LGRR) scheduler in the DiffServ domain. Traffic from all streams in all classes is carried in a logical frame. Each frame includes smaller rounds for each class, and only one packet can be transmitted from each stream inside a class in each round. A stream can transmit traffic in the frame when it has enough grants. Each stream inside a class first obtains some quantum from the scheduler according to its average arrival rate, bandwidth usage, and traffic status. Bursty streams can be processed quickly by requesting bandwidth loan from the scheduler. To control the amount of transmitted bits from each stream, the loan is paid back from the future acquired quantum. Our evaluation and comparison shows that our algorithm performs better than DRR in handling traffic under both normal and bursty traffic.
Preliminary studies on a magneto-optical procedure for aligning RHIC magnets

Colloid dispersions of magnetite were used at SLAC and KEK to locate multipole magnet centers. We study here possible adaption of this method, to align RHIC magnets. A procedure for locating magnetic centers with respect to external fiducial markers, using electronic coordinate determination and digital TV image processing is described. >
Local versus global power adaptive broadcasting in ad hoc networks

Broadcasting is an ad hoc network critical function component, and, in many deployments, making it power efficient is extremely important. Current power adaptive approaches proposed for broadcasting can be grouped into (a) centralized or omniscient schemes, and (b) decentralized or localized schemes. Due to the absence of global information, localized algorithms may not produce optimal or near-optimal solutions. On the other hand, global knowledge is not typically available to nodes and may be extremely expensive to disseminate. We examine the importance of the lack of global information on the performance of localized approaches. We have performed extensive simulations and compare the performance of localized power adaptive broadcasting with the performance of the well-known broadcast incremental power (BIP), an omniscient algorithm. We analyze the behaviors of the two protocols and identify the reasons for the differences in behavior. We observe that while the global state does provide better performance in terms of energy efficiency, the localized scheme performs better in terms of the latency incurred in the broadcast. Based on the observed behavioral traits of the two protocols, we suggest changes by which the energy consumption with the localized scheme is reduced by as much as 20%, while incurring almost no penalty in terms of latency.
Structural Mechanism for Alteration of Collagen Gel Mechanics by Glutaraldehyde Crosslinking

Soft collagenous tissues that are loaded in vivo undergo crosslinking during aging and wound healing. Bioprosthetic tissues implanted in vivo are also commonly crosslinked with glutaraldehyde (GA). While crosslinking changes the mechanical properties of the tissue, the nature of the mechanical changes and the underlying microstructural mechanism are poorly understood. In this study, a combined mechanical, biochemical and simulation approach was employed to identify the microstructural mechanism by which crosslinking alters mechanical properties. The model collagenous tissue used was an anisotropic cell-compacted collagen gel, and the model crosslinking agent was monomeric GA. The collagen gels were incrementally crosslinked by either increasing the GA concentration or increasing the crosslinking time. In biaxial loading experiments, increased crosslinking produced (1) decreased strain response to a small equibiaxial preload, with little change in response to subsequent loading and (2) decreased coupling between the fiber and cross-fiber direction. The mechanical trend was found to be better described by the lysine consumption data than by the shrinkage temperature. The biaxial loading of incrementally crosslinked collagen gels was simulated computationally with a previously published network model. Crosslinking was represented by increased fibril stiffness or by increased resistance to fibril rotation. Only the latter produced mechanical trends similar to that observed experimentally. Representing crosslinking as increased fibril stiffness did not reproduce the decreased coupling between the fiber and cross-fiber directions. The study concludes that the mechanical changes in crosslinked collagen gels are caused by the microstructural mechanism of increased resistance to fibril rotation.
Validation of a Tool to Assess and Track Undergraduate Attitudes Toward Those Living in Poverty

Purpose:This article describes the development and validation of the Undergraduate Perceptions of Poverty Tracking Survey (UPPTS).Method:Data were collected from 301 undergraduates at a small unive...
Strain relaxation in GaNyAs1-y films on (100) GaAs

Abstract The strain relaxation behavior for a series of GaN y As 1− y films was studied by transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy. Samples consisting of 200 nm thick GaN y As 1− y epitaxial layers with 0.025 ⩽ y ⩽ 0.065 (i.e. various misfit strain) were grown on (1 0 0) GaAs substrates by molecular beam epitaxy at 460 °C. The GaN 0.025 As 0.975 film shows no misfit dislocations and remains pseudomorphic well beyond the Matthews and Blakeslee's critical thickness, which can be explained by the high activation energy for a homogeneous dislocation nucleation at a smooth film surface. In samples with large N content ( y > 0.04 ) relaxation of the built-in strain proceeds through morphological changes involving formation of surface cusps, followed by stacking faults and microtwins. The surface nucleation of 90° partial dislocations is shown to be feasible at the low growth temperature in the presence of cusps due to the stress concentration. The surface roughness is anisotropic between the two 〈0 1 1〉 directions in the low strained films, and this anisotropy of the surface morphology decreases with increase in N concentration.
On becoming a teacher.

M any years ago, when I was a medical student, I met a great teacher. He was an attending dermatologist, with decades under his belt, whose love of dermatology was palpable and relentless. He sought out consultse literally went looking for them when roundingeto the great chagrin of countless weary residents and medical students under his slight but seasoned wing. His charges occasionally half-protested, undercaffeinated and unaware, but none could sway him. He was hungry for a challenge. Unlike any other teacher I’ve ever known (I have been fortunate enough to have had some exceptional ones), he knew how to bring out the best in every student. But he always demanded more and somehow his bleary-eyed prot eg es never failed him. In my fledgling years as a teaching attending, now finally on the other side of the smoke screen of doctoring, I occasionally think of him. I think of how he set examples for us, how he incessantly sought to push himself. Although I knew of his strengths, at the time, I didn’t know just how hard-fought they were. I thought, naively, that his skills were inherent. But just as his devotion to dermatology had demanded endless hours of scrupulous study, his desire to teach was similarly consuming. It was a skill he cultivated, like everything else. As I reflect on my own teaching, of course I take pride in my efforts, but I can’t avert my eyes from my shortcomings. Indeed, they are painfully conspicuous. I make excuses, some of which are true. Very few have my mentor’s eagle eye or his ability to talk for hours about key details most people won’t ever see. And trainees want to know the tested material, the solitary answer. They want to know they are correct, or in the very least on the right track. Foolishly, I deliver. I congratulate them for their thought processes. I applaud their propitious efforts. But I fear in doing so I do them a great disservice. In
Emerging Treatments for Narcolepsy

The current treatments for narcolepsy are aimed primarily at treating symptoms. Even in the best cases, this method is only partially effective. To date, there are no comprehensive treatments addressing the underlying causes of narcolepsy. Instead, the treatments are aimed at the classic tetrad of daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations. For these reasons, a more advanced treatment for narcolepsy is sought. Significant advances in elucidating the pathophysiology of narcolepsy have been made in the last decade. One of the most important is the relationship of hypocretin deficiency to narcolepsy–cataplexy and the description of animal models of narcolepsy. These advances are leading to new possibilities in the development of treatment modalities with the mission of offering a more effective and comprehensive treatment strategy aimed at the underlying cause of narcolepsy. The new approaches being investigated are predominantly related to drug development, although some of the newer treatments are improvements made to existing therapies. The emerging treatments for narcolepsy can be classified into five broad categories which include: hypocretin-based treatments, immunotherapy, thyrotrophin (TRH) analogs and promoters, histamine (H3) antagonists, combinations or variations of currently used therapies and other therapies. Within each of those five categories are subcategories with specifically aimed mechanisms of action targeted at the known pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the etiology of narcolepsy. The potential to combine each of these theoretical approaches for a potent treatment with minimal side effects is even more exciting. This chapter will review the current literature on the emerging treatments for narcolepsy.
Problems with tubal reconstruction following laparoscopic sterilization using the electrocoagulation and resection technique

This paper reviews the results of attempted tubal reconstruction following laparoscopic sterilizations using the electrocoagulation and excision technique in the isthmic portion of the fallopian tube. The surgical technique, complications, and results are presented.
Abstract 3032: Role of ruffles and filopodia in adhesion gradient sensing

Filopodia play a sensory role in directing motility during embryonic development and axon pathfinding. They also show a low prevalence in cancer cells. Here, we determine whether cells from a rat tracheal epithelial line in vitro use filopodia to sense adhesive gradients. Cells exhibit haptotaxis (movement toward a more adhesive surface) when placed on a metal-glass gradient. Tantalum (Ta) and platinum (Pt) gradients were created on glass slides and high (H), middle (M), and low (L) positions defined along the gradient. Cell counts in randomly selected fields confirmed that the cells recognized the gradient. To determine whether the prevalence of protrusions differed at the H, M, and L locations, we measured the values of latent factors 4 (filopodia), 5, and 7. Factor 4 values were high at H and significantly lower at M and L (p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3032. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3032