cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimating the Impact of Classification Error on the “Statistical Accuracy” of Uniform Crime Reports

This paper offers a methodological approach for estimating classification error in police records then determining the statistical accuracy of official crime statistics reported to the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Classification error refers to the mistakes in UCR statistics caused by the misclassification of criminal offenses, for example recording a crime as aggravated assault when it should have been simple assault. Statistical accuracy refers to the estimated true total of each crime type based on cancelling effect of undercounting and overcounting crime due to misclassifications. The population for the study consists of the 12 largest municipal police agencies in a mostly rural southeastern state. Based on a sample of 2,663 records, the authors illustrate the impact of classification error on the total population of reported offenses. Misclassifications result in overcounting and undercounting certain crimes. The true number of each crime type, as well as the aggregate Index Crime, Violent Crime, and Property Crime totals, is estimated based the evaluation of offsetting misclassifications. The findings show that certain UCR crime categories are greatly undercounted while others are overcounted. The index crime and violent crime totals are also significantly undercounted; however, when simple assault is added to the index and violent crime categories, the error in these aggregate numbers is reduced to less than 1%. The results provide a benchmark for assessing the statistical accuracy of the UCR data.
Genomic organization of adrenergic and serotonin receptors in the mouse: linkage mapping of sequence-related genes provides a method for examining mammalian chromosome evolution.

Abstract Five sequence-related genes encoding four adrenergic receptors and a serotonin receptor were localized to specific regions of four mouse chromosomes with respect to 11 other genetic markers. Linkage was established by the analysis of the haplotypes of 114 interspecific backcross mice. Adra2r (α2-C10) and Adrb1r (β1) receptors mapped to the distal region of mouse chromosome 19. These genes were separated by 2.6 ± 1.5 cM in a segment of mouse chromosome 19 that has a similar organization of these genes on the long arm of human chromosome 10. The Adra1r (α1B), Adrb2r (β2), and Htra1 (5HT 1A ) genes mapped to proximal mouse chromosome 11, proximal mouse chromosome 18, and distal mouse chromosome 13, respectively. The organization of genes linked to these loci on regions of the three mouse chromosomes is consistent with the organization of homologous human genes on human chromosome 5. These findings further define the relationship of linkage groups conserved during the evolution of the mouse and human genomes. We have identified a region that may have been translocated during evolution and suggest that the human genomic organization of adrenergic receptors more closely resembles that of a putative primordial ancestor.
Religiosity and Regional Variation of Lethal Violence: Integrated Model

The present study tested the impact of religiosity and region on lethal violence in 83 countries by applying an integrated model. The regression results provided support for Durkheim’s proposition that religious passion might lead to a high homicide rate in a society. However, religiosity was significantly and negatively connected to the suicide rate, suggesting that religious secularization is related to an increased national suicide rate. Finally, the Latin American region exhibited an elevated homicide rate, while North Africa and the Middle East displayed low homicide and suicide rates.
The effect of operating conditions on a reaction calorimeter

Abstract We have determined the dependence of the measured overall heat transfer coefficient, U , on the agitation speed, the volume of fluid inside the reactor vessel and the calibration time by designing 36 experiments. The matrix of these experiments was prepared using software for the design of the experiments. The overall heat transfer coefficient, U , for the above 36 experiments was calculated based on both the heat transfer area at zero agitation and the observed area after the liquid level climbed up the wall due to the fluid being stirred. The analysis of the results shows the dependence of U , based on either initial area or observed area, on the agitation speed and fluid volume. Calibration time was found not to influence the value of U .
40nm Ultra-low leakage SRAM at 170 deg.C operation for embedded flash MCU

A 160 kb SRAM macro with stable operation under widely various temperatures of -40 to 170°C is implemented in 40 nm embedded flash CMOS technology for automotive microcontroller applications. We finely optimized MOS sizes of the 6T SRAM bitcell with process tuning to enhance the read margin and to reduce leakage power at high temperatures over 125°C. The optimized bitcell improves the static-noise-margin by 40 mV and reduces leakage power to 1/10 of the conventional value. To achieve high quality, we propose rush current suppression circuit when resuming from sleep-mode and a weak-bit test screening circuit. A designed test chip showed a measured Vmin mean of 0.65 V at 170°C and 1.86 μW/Mb (643 μW/Mb) at 25°C (170°C) with good distribution. Those are the lowest power values reported to date in published works. The estimated leakage power of a prototype MCU chip is acceptable for automotive target specifications.
Ethics Committees in Home Health Agencies

Home health care providers are increasingly faced with ethical dilemmas. Advancing technology, fiscal allocation guidelines, and patients requiring more complex care influence the delivery of services. Nurses providing home health care frequently must practice independently, and the possibility that they may not be adequately prepared in ethical decision making compounds the problem. As was the case in hospitals a decade ago, it is time to develop ethics committees in home health care agencies.
Simultaneous Write And Read Operations On An Optical Disk Drive At Rates Up To 3 Mbytes/Sec

System application and integration issues drive the operational requirements of an optical disk memory. This paper describes a typical system integration problem and four possible solutions. The operational requirement is to WRITE a continuous input data stream into the optical disk memory for several days, and READ random files from the memory at the same time. This can be done at continuous WRITE rates of 24 Mbps (3 MBytes/sec). The four solutions involve different ways to use the RCA Optical Disk Jukebox (ODJ) and different configuration options that may be specified when ordering the ODJ. These options include multiple heads per turntable, multiple turntables per ODJ and I/O staging buffers. Data is given on the number of file READ accesses per minute vs. simultaneous WRITE rate. Diagrams of the ODJ configuration options are included.
Barcoding success as a function of phylogenetic relatedness in Viburnum , a clade of woody angiosperms

The chloroplast genes matK and rbcL have been proposed as a “core” DNA barcode for identifying plant species. Published estimates of successful species identification using these loci (70-80%) may be inflated because they may have involved comparisons among distantly related species within target genera. To assess the ability of the proposed two-locus barcode to discriminate closely related species, we carried out a hierarchically structured set of comparisons within Viburnum, a clade of woody angiosperms containing ca. 170 species (some 70 of which are currently used in horticulture). For 112 Viburnum species, we evaluated rbcL + matK, as well as the chloroplast regions rpl32-trnL, trnH-psbA, trnK, and the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region (nrITS). At most, rbcL + matK could discriminate 53% of all Viburnum species, with only 18% of the comparisons having genetic distances >1%. When comparisons were progressively restricted to species within major Viburnum subclades, there was a significant decrease in both the discriminatory power and the genetic distances. trnH-psbA and nrITS show much higher levels of variation and potential discriminatory power, and their use in plant barcoding should be reconsidered. As barcoding has often been used to discriminate species within local areas, we also compared Viburnum species within two regions, Japan and Mexico and Central America. Greater success in discriminating among the Japanese species reflects the deeper evolutionary history of Viburnum in that area, as compared to the recent radiation of a single clade into the mountains of Latin America. We found very low levels of discrimination among closely related species of Viburnum, and low levels of variation in the proposed barcoding loci may limit success within other clades of long-lived woody plants. Inclusion of the supplementary barcodes trnH-psbA and nrITS increased discrimination rates but were often more effective alone rather than in combination with rbcL + matK. We surmise that the efficacy of barcoding in plants has often been overestimated because of the lack of comparisons among closely related species. Phylogenetic information must be incorporated to properly evaluate relatedness in assessing the utility of barcoding loci.
Computer-aided diagnosis of mammograms using an artificial neural network: merging of standardized input features from the ACR lexicon

This study aimed to develop an artificial neural network for computer-aided diagnosis in mammography, using an optimally minimized number of inputs from a standardized lexicon for mammographic features. A three-layer backpropagation neural network merged seven inputs (six radiographic findings extracted by radiologists plus age) to predict biopsy outcome as its output. Each input feature was ranked by importance, as determined by the reduction of Az when that feature was excluded and the network retrained. Once ranked, the input features were discarded in order from least to most important until performance was significantly degraded, resulting in an optimized subset of features. The neural network trained on all seven input features performed with an Az of 0.90 +/- 0.02, compared to experienced radiologists' Az of 0.88 +/- 0.02. The difference in Az was not statistically significant (p equals 0.29). The network continued to perform well given as few as three inputs: mass margin, age, and calcification description.
Bitzer's model reconstructed

As we move through the postmodern era, rhetorical critics face the difficult task of organizing and integrating various critical methods as well as assessing more and more fragmented texts. This essay reconstructs Lloyd Bitzer's situational model to serve as a guide for the generation of multiperspectival critical assessments of rhetorical discourse. Two of President Bush's speeches on the drug crisis illustrate how the reconstructed model can account for such modern problems as multiple audiences, perceptions and exigences.
Addressing the insulin secretion defect : A logical first-line approach

The pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes has been an area of intense investigation, considerable controversy, and continuing discovery. It is now clear that this is a heterogeneous condition both phenotypically and genotypically, and that acquired reversible abnormalities/risk factors also play an important role. Currently, type 2 diabetes can be viewed as developing in genetically susceptible individuals, who, because of impaired beta-cell function, are incapable of increasing their insulin release appropriately to compensate for reduced insulin sensitivity which is acquired through life for various reasons (eg, obesity, aging, physical inactivity, drug use, or diet). As our knowledge of the interplay of these elements increases, there will be important consequences regarding the choice of the most appropriate therapeutic approach for individual patients. This review will analyze issues pertaining to the interaction of reduced insulin sensitivity and impaired beta-cell function in type 2 diabetes, specifically: which is the primary genetic factor, which is more important in determining hyperglycemia, what is the most important site affected by impaired beta-cell function and insulin sensitivity, and which, if any, should be the preferential target for therapeutic intervention.
Preparation and characterization of high efficiency modified activated carbon for the capture of mercury from flue gas in coal-fired power plants

On a global scale, coal-fired power plants supply approximately 25 percent of current energy needs. Mercury, a highly toxic metal, is commonly found as a ubiquitous trace element in coal. Flue gases produced from the combustion of coal contain both mercury and mercury ions. Currently, halogenated activated carbon (e.g. DARCO Hg-LH@) is considered to be the most effective commercially available mercury sorbent. We report the preparation and characteristics of an activated-carbon-based, polyethyleneimine-modified material, which was subsequently cross-linked using elemental sulfur and diethyldithiocarbamate as an accelerator. The synthesized material exhibits a three-fold increase in the removal of elemental mercury compared to DARCO Hg-LH. In contrast to activated carbon, which adsorbs mercury, the material developed in our laboratory reacts with mercury to form metacinnabar (HgS), which can be safely processed or disposed of. Moreover, the prepared material can adsorb up to 99 percent of ionic Mercury (II) species in solution, compared to 78 percent absorption of Mercury (II) by DARCO Hg-LH. These comparative bench-scale results were obtained under identical experimental conditions. In addition, we report data obtained from a simulated bench-scale pilot plant study, supporting the superior performance of the polymer modified material.
Fast simplifications for Tarski formulas

We define the "combinatorial part" of a Tarski formula in which equalities and inequalities are in factored or partially-factored form. The combinatorial part of a formula contains only "monomial inequalities", which are sign conditions on monomials. We give efficient algorithms for answering some basic questions about conjunctions of monomial inequalities and prove the NP-Completeness/Hardness of some others.
Trichloroethylene in Dentistry: General Analgesia

The relief and control of pain is a prob­ lem of major concern in the practice of dentistry. It is recognized that there is no single agent or technic that solves all the complex problems of pain. Clinical expe­ rience in recent months has indicated that the drug trichloroethylene has some ad­ vantages which justify careful evaluation of its use. The drug has proved useful both as an analgesic and as a general anesthetic; because of its analgesic properties it may prove especially useful in the dental profession. General analgesia may be defined as a state of diminished sensitivity to pain without loss of consciousness. It is charac­ terized by an elevated threshold of pain with or without an altered response to pain. Trichloroethylene has been known since 1864; however, it was not until 1928 that trichloroethylene was proposed and used in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.1-2 Jackson with a suggestion made in 1934 was the first to propose that trichloroethylene should be used as an anesthetic and analgesic agent;3 in the following year he reported favorably on 300 cases in which it was used.4 In 1941 Hewer published his first series of 127 cases in Britain;5 the following year he reported on 400 administrations.6 Since then this agent has been used in over a million cases in Great Britain alone.7 In 1943 Waters, Orth and Gillespie8 reported on the use in this country of trichloroethylene as the principal agent for moderately deep general anesthesia. Their report, which stressed the occur­ rence of undesirable effects on the cardiac mechanism, was largely instrumental in delaying acceptance of this agent in the United States. The long, successful expe­ rience of British and later of Canadian anesthesiologists maintained interest in trichloroethylene and resulted in a reevaluation of this agent in the United States. In recent months this agent has been used at the University of Illinois as the principal analgesic for dentistry in approximately 250 cases.
Mechanics-based analysis of selected features of the exoskeletal microstructure of Popillia japonica

We explore key mechanical responses of the layered microstructure found in selected parts of the exoskeletons (pronotum, leg and elytron) of Popillia japonica (Japanese beetle). Image analyses of exoskeleton cross-sections reveal four distinct layered regions. The load-bearing inner three regions (exocuticle, mesocuticle, and endocuticle) consist of multiple chitin-protein layers, in which chitin fibers align in parallel. The exocuticle and mesocuticle have a helicoidal structure, where the stacking sequence is characterized by a gradual rotation of the fiber orientation. The endocuticle has a pseudo-orthogonal structure, where two orthogonal layers are joined by a thin helicoidal region. The mechanics-based analyses suggest that, compared with the conventional cross-ply structure, the pseudo-orthogonal configuration reduces the maximum tensile stress over the exoskeleton cross-section and increases the interfacial fracture resistance. The coexistence of the pseudo-orthogonal and helicoidal structures reveals a competition between the in-plane isotropy and the interfacial strength in nature’s design of the biocomposite.
Prediction of dissolution-absorption relationships from a dissolution/Caco-2 system.

Abstract While the analysis of in vitro dissolution–in vivo absorption relationships from oral solid dosage forms provides biopharmaceutical insight and regulatory benefit, no well developed method exists to predict dissolution–absorption relationships a priori to human studies. The objective was to develop an integrated dissolution/Caco-2 system to predict dissolution–absorption relationships, and hence the contributions of dissolution and intestinal permeation to overall drug absorption for fast and slow formulations of piroxicam, metoprolol, and ranitidine. Dissolution studies were conducted on fast and slow dissolving immediate-release formulations of piroxicam, metoprolol tartrate, and ranitidine HCl. Dissolution samples were treated with concentrated buffers to render them suitable (i.e. isotonic and neutral pH) for Caco-2 monolayer permeation studies. The dissolution/Caco-2 system yielded a predicted dissolution–absorption relationship for each formulation which matched the observed relationship from clinical studies. The dissolution/Caco-2 system’s prediction of dissolution or permeation rate-limited absorption also agreed with the clinical results. For example, the dissolution/Caco-2 system successfully predicted the slow piroxicam formulation to be dissolution rate-limited, and the fast piroxicam formulation to be permeation rate-limited. Moreover, the system predicted this change from dissolution rate-limited absorption for slow piroxicam to permeation rate-limited absorption for fast piroxicam, in spite of piroxicam’s high permeability and low solubility. The dissolution/Caco-2 system may prove to be a valuable tool in formulation development. Broader evaluation of such a system is warranted.
Bounds on exponential moments of hitting times for reflected processes on the positive orthant

Abstract We first consider a multi-dimensional reflected fractional Brownian motion process on the positive orthant with the Hurst parameter H ∈ ( 0 , 1 ) . In particular, when H > 1 / 2 , this model serves to approximate fluid stochastic network models fed by a big number of heavy tailed ON/OFF sources in heavy traffic. Assuming the initial state lies outside some compact set, we establish that the exponential moment of the first hitting time to the compact set has a lower bound with an exponential growth rate in terms of the magnitude of the initial state. We extend this result to the case for reflected processes driven by a class of stable Levy motions, which arise as approximations to cumulative network traffic over a time period. For the case of H = 1 / 2 , under a natural stability condition on the reflection directions and drift vector, we obtain a matching upper bound on exponential moments of hitting times, which grows at an exponential rate in terms of the initial condition of the process. We also show that such an upper bound is valid for reflected processes driven by general light-tailed Levy processes.
A Parallel Simulated Annealing Architecture for Model Updating in Wireless Sensor Networks

In recent years, wireless sensing technologies have provided a much sought-after alternative to expensive cabled monitoring systems. Wireless sensing networks forego the high data transfer rates associated with cabled sensors in exchange for low-cost and low-power communication between a large number of sensing devices, each of which features embedded data processing capabilities. As such, a new paradigm in large-scale data processing has emerged; one where communication bandwidth is somewhat limited but distributed data processing centers are abundant. By taking advantage of this grid of computational resources, data processing tasks once performed independently by a central processing unit can now be parallelized, automated, and carried out within a wireless sensor network. By utilizing the intelligent organization and self-healing properties of many wireless networks, an extremely scalable multiprocessor computational framework can be developed to perform advanced engineering analyses. In this study, a novel parallelization of the simulated annealing stochastic search algorithm is presented and used to update structural models by comparing model predictions to experimental results. The resulting distributed model updating algorithm is validated within a network of wireless sensors by identifying the mass, stiffness, and damping properties of a three-story steel structure subjected to seismic base motion.
Infrared problems in the presence of instantons

In theories without an intrinsic mass scale, the semiclassical approximation may yield erroneous results. A concrete example is provided by a flat-bottom potential in one dimension. This massless model is discussed in detail and compared to a model which has a mass scale. Both models have finite-action instantons. Nevertheless only in the massive case does instanton physics lead to the correct results. Since quantum chromodynamics is a massless theory, infrared divergences may occur while quantizing it around the instanton; this possibility is discussed.
Manufacture of silicon tetrachloride from rice hulls

Raw rice hulls contain about 20% silica in very finely dispersed form. Pyrolyzed hulls can be chlorinated at 1000°C to give a nearly quantitative yield of silicon tetrachloride free of most other inorganic chlorides. Solid, organic, chlorine-containing species have been found to be reaction intermediates. Commercial application appears economically attractive.
The cracking resistance of nanoscale layers and films

Thin film cracking has been studied for a nanometer brittle/ductile layered system consisting of Si and Cu. Single Si films and Cu/Si/Cu trilayers were fabricated by physical vapor deposition. The films were deposited onto a ductile substrate consisting of stainless steel with a thin polyimide interlayer. Straining of the substrate induced cracking of the Si. Cracking strains ≥1% were observed, particularly in layers ≤100 nm thick. The critical cracking strain was found to depend upon the Si layer thickness, as well as the thickness and elastic/plastic properties of the adjacent ductile layers. Si cracking was suppressed by the presence of adjacent Cu layers. The measured strains were compared with lower-bound critical strains for tunnel and channel cracking. Comparisons indicated that these mechanisms control the critical strain found in trilayers, because trilayer fabrication introduces edge flaws larger than the Si layer thickness. Conversely, for Si films, the measured critical strains exceed the channel cracking strain, because the flaws in these films are relatively small.
Reliability Prediction of Remanufactured Product: A Welding Repair Process Case Study

Many experts agree that effective management of system reliability and reliability validation during product development is a key to achieve superior time to market and life cycle quality. However, reliability performance prediction is a common problem faced by all product developers and it is usually a difficult task. A related problem is to determine the reliability performance of a remanufactured product. Clearly, the remanufacturer would like to know the expected reliability of their product before entering it into service, but unlike an original manufacturer, they will typically have much less information available to them. In this paper, a general framework for reliability prediction in a remanufacturing environment is proposed. A case study of a remanufactured engine cylinder head that has had a fatigue crack repaired by a welding process will be presented in order to illustrate the process. The approach combines the use of Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Experimental Model Building, Monte Carlo Simulation and Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) to generate a reliability estimate. The FMEA and physical modeling will be used to generate a model that relates the welding process control parameters to the fatigue performance of the test specimens. Monte Carlo Simulation techniques and LEFM will build on the above model to relate the process control parameters to the reliability performance. The paper concludes by discussing the utility of such a model and approach, and presents the future research agenda.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Breast cancer and "chemobrain": the consequences of cognitive difficulties following chemotherapy and the potential for recovery.

Because cancer and its treatments can cause cognitive difficulties, emotional distress, and physical symptoms, interventions can improve functioning in each of these areas. Abstract Up to one-third of women breast cancer survivors report difficulties with concentration, multi-tasking, and memory. Research in the University of Missouri, Department of Health Psychology, suggests that these cognitive difficulties are associated with poorer quality of life among breast cancer survivors after treatment. This article discusses this treatment side effect and its consequences for daily functioning, highlights ongoing research on the potential role of stress in the development of cognitive difficulties, and reviews treatment options.
A Gaussian-chain model for treating residual charge-charge interactions in the unfolded state of proteins.

Characterization of the unfolded state is essential for understanding the protein folding problem. In the unfolded state, a protein molecule samples vastly different conformations. Here I present a simple theoretical method for treating residual charge–charge interactions in the unfolded state. The method is based on modeling an unfolded protein as a Gaussian chain. After sampling over all conformations, the electrostatic interaction energy between two charged residues (separated by l peptide bonds) is given by W = 332(6/π)1/2[1 − π1/2xexp(x2)erfc(x)]/ɛd, where d = bl1/2 + s and x = κd/61/2. In unfolded barnase, the residual interactions lead to downward pKa shifts of ≈0.33 unit, in agreement with experiment. pKa shifts in the unfolded state significantly affect pH dependence of protein folding stability, and the predicted effects agree very well with experimental results on barnase and four other proteins. For T4 lysozyme, the charge reversal mutation K147E is found to stabilize the unfolded state even more than the folded state (1.39 vs. 0.46 kcal/mol), leading to the experimentally observed result that the mutation is net destabilizing for the folding. The Gaussian-chain model provides a quantitative characterization of the unfolded state and may prove valuable for elucidating the energetic contributions to the stability of thermophilic proteins and the energy landscape of protein folding.
Market Structure and Market Performance

I review studies of the determinants of market performance in the aircraft, passenger airline, supermarket, liner shipping, and hospital industries, and of mergers and market performance in markets for fast food, soft drinks, and retail gasoline. Common factors are that more competitive market structures accompany better market performance, and that firm conduct and industry-specific factors play independent roles.
The relationship between channel shape and sediment characteristics in the channel perimeter

The hypothesis that channel perimeter sediment characteristics exercise control over the shape (width-to-depth ratio) of alluvial channels is well established in the literature. Schumm9s analyses of Great Plains streams constitute a particularly important set of evidence in this regard. A reanalysis of Schumm9s data using multiple regression techniques suggests that channel perimeter sediment characteristics play a minor role in the development of channel shape. Discharge appears to be the dominant factor controlling width-to-depth ratio in Great Plains streams.
CayleyNet: a multihop WDM-based lightwave network

A multihop, wavelength division multiplex (WDM)-based network, CayleyNet, is proposed for the realization of terabit lightwave networks. CayleyNets are attractive virtual topologies because they support the largest number of nodes for four-neighbor connection in a range of diameters. In general, CayleyNets are bi-directional and there are N=p/spl times/k nodes, where p is a prime and k is a factor of p-1. The analysis shows that CayleyNet has a similar performance in channel efficiency, total and user throughput as the ShuffleNet with N=4/sup kspl times/k. However, CayleyNet has the advantages of a more flexible network size and symmetric transmission distance. Compared with the N=2/sup kspl times/k ShuffleNet and toroidal mesh, the CayleyNet has a superior performance. >
A predicate matching algorithm for database rule systems

Forward-chaining rule systems must test each newly asserted fact against a collection of predicates to find those rules that match the fact. Expert system rule engines use a simple combination of hashing and sequential search for this matching. We introduce an algorithm for finding the matching predicates that is more efficient than the standard algorithm when the number of predicates is large. We focus on equality and inequality predicates on totally ordered domains. This algorithm is well-suited for database rule systems, where predicate-testing speed is critical. A key component of the algorithm is the interval binary search tree (IBS-tree). The IBS-tree is designed to allow efficient retrieval of all intervals (e.g. range predicates) that overlap a point, while allowing dynamic insertion and deletion of intervals. The algorithm could also be used to improve the performance of forward-chaining inference engines for large expert systems applications.
Feature point correspondence in the presence of occlusion

Occlusion and poor feature point detection are two of the main difficulties in the use of multiple frames for establishing correspondence of feature points. A formulation of the correspondence problem as an optimization problem is used to handle these difficulties. Modifications to an existing iterative optimization procedure for solving the formulation of the correspondence problem are discussed. Experimental results are presented to show the merits of the formulation. >
Metal complexes of cyanocarbons : XII. Hydrido-π-olefinic complexes of iridium

Abstract Reactions of various activated olefins with IrH(CO)(PPh 3 ) 3 , IrH(CO) 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 , and IrH 3 (CO)(EPh 3 ) 2 (E = P, As) have been studied, and the complexes IrH(CO)(activated olefin)(EPh 3 ) 2 (E = P, activated olefin = fumaronitrile, cinnamonitrile, benzylidenemalononitrile, dimethyl fumarate, and fumaric acid; E = As, activated olefin= fumaronitrile) have been isolated and characterized. Several of the analogous deuterio complexes were also prepared, and infrared and NMR studies have yielded information about the structures in both the solid state and in solution. The unsaturated acids, maleic, cinnamic, and fumaric acids protonate the iridium substrates to give the [IrH 2 (CO)(PPh 3 ) 3 ] + and [IrH 2 (CO) 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 ] + cations. The relevance of hydrido-π-olefinic complexes to homogeneous catalysis is discussed, and the catalytic isomerization of dimethyl maleate to dimethyl fumarate by IrH(CO)(PPh 3 ) 3 is reported.
Provisioning Behavior of Male and Female Grasshopper Sparrows

Abstract We examined the provisioning behavior of male and female Grasshopper Sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum) during 2002 and 2003 by videotaping nests (n = 15) and subsequently reviewing tapes to quantify provisioning rates and identify prey items. There was no difference in provisioning rates of male and female Grasshopper Sparrows (P = 0.13) with mean rates of 2.16 visits/hr for females and 1.86 visits/hr for males. Provisioning rates for males and females combined varied with nestling age (P = 0.01) with rates lower for 1–4-day-old nestlings, increasing through day 6 and then declining for 7–10-day-old nestlings. Provisioning rates varied with brood size (P = 0.026) with rates higher for broods of five than broods of three or four. Most prey items delivered to nestlings were grasshoppers (Orthoptera, 68.1%).
The Nature of Moche Human Sacrifice

Archaeologists working in northern Peru have proposed that victims of Moche sacrifice represented either local Moche warriors defeated in ritual battles or enemy soldiers captured in warfare with nonMoche or competing Moche polities. Analysis of biodistances among eight Early Intermediate Period (200 BCAD 750) North Coast mortuary samples indicates that the sacrificial victims from the Huaca de la Luna are the least similar to others and the most variable. When iconographic analysis, mortuary treatment, and the available archaeological data are considered, it appears thatcontrary to the prediction of the ritualbattle modelthe Huaca de la Luna sacrificial victims were drawn not from the local Moche population but from a number of competing Moche polities. This result has implications for the sociopolitical development of and relations among the Moche.
Glaucoma detection with the Heidelberg retina tomograph 3.

Purpose To compare the ability of the Heidelberg retina tomograph version 3 (HRT 3) and HRT version 2 (HRT 2) to discriminate between healthy and glaucomatous eyes. Design Retrospective cross-sectional study. Participants Seventy-one eyes of 71 healthy volunteers and 50 eyes of 50 glaucoma patients were studied. The average visual field mean deviation of the glaucoma group was −6.03±5.78 dB. Intervention All participants had comprehensive ocular examinations, perimetry, and HRT scanning within 6 months. HRT 2 data were analyzed using HRT 3 software without modifying the disc margin. Main Outcome Measures Discrimination capabilities between healthy and glaucomatous eyes were determined by areas under the receiver operating characteristics (AROCs) curves. Comparisons between corresponding AROCs obtained by HRT 2 and HRT 3 analyses were performed using the nonparametric DeLong method. Agreement between classifications as defined by the different analysis methods was quantified by κ analysis. Results The individual stereometric parameters with the best discrimination were linear cup/disc ratio (AROC = 0.897; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.836–0.958) for standard HRT 3 analysis and horizontal retinal nerve fiber layer curvature (0.905) for HRT 3 glaucoma probability score (GPS) analysis. Areas under the receiver operating characteristics for discrimination between glaucomatous and healthy eyes of the overall classification by HRT 2 Moorfields regression analysis (MRA), HRT 3 MRA, and GPS were 0.927 (95% CI, 0.877–0.977), 0.934 (0.888–0.980), and 0.880 (0.812–0.948), respectively. The difference between the 3 AROCs was not significant ( P = 0.44). The agreement between HRT 2 and HRT 3 overall MRA classification was good (κ = 0.70; CI, 0.59–0.80) with HRT 3 tending to report more abnormalities than HRT 2 analysis. The agreement between overall HRT 3 MRA and overall GPS was κ = 0.58 (CI, 0.45–0.70). Conclusions The glaucoma discriminating ability of the new HRT 3 software is similar to that of the previous generation HRT 2. The GPS analysis showed promising results in differentiating between healthy and glaucomatous eyes without the need for subjective operator input.
Oviposition and Flight Activity of the Blue-Green Sharpshooter (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) on Southern California Wild Grape and First Report of Associated Egg Parasitoids

Oviposition of Graphocephala atropunctata (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), the blue-green sharpshooter, was assessed on wild grape, Vitis girdiana Munson, in southern California. Female blue-green sharpshooter preferred to oviposit into new growth, primarily succulent young grape tendrils and canes. The midrib and petioles of small grape leaves also were used for oviposition, but to a lesser extent. Mature canes, and medium- and large-sized leaves were not used for oviposition. Two parasitoids, Gonatocerus latipennis Girault and Polynema sp. (both Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) were reared from field collected blue-green sharpshooter eggs. Polynema sp. and G. latipennis constitute the first documented egg parasitoids of blue-green sharpshooter. Deployment of sentinel plants and reciprocal tests were implemented and further confirmed the parasitization of blue-green sharpshooter eggs by these two parasitoid species. Yellow sticky card trap catch of adult blue-green sharpshooter was significantly correlated to combined blue-green sharpshooter nymphal and Polynema sp. emergence in 2004, but not in 2005. A degree-day model was developed for onset of blue-green sharpshooter flight activity and emergence in the field.
WbjA Adds Glucose To Complete the O-Antigen Trisaccharide Repeating Unit of the Lipopolysaccharide of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Serogroup O11

Lipopolysaccharide from a wbjA mutant, deficient in a putative glycosyltransferase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa serogroup O11, was compared to that from an O-antigen polymerase mutant. Results suggest that WbjA adds the terminal glucose to complete the serogroup O11 O-antigen unit and identifies the biological repeating unit as [-2)-beta-D-glucose-(1-3)-alpha-L-N-acetylfucosamine-(1-3)-beta-D-N-acetylfucosamine-(1].
Computation of Fission Product Condensation on Chainlike Aerosols and Agglomerates

In high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs), carbonaceous dust can be generated both during normal operations and during accidents. The dust particles can be highly irregular and highly porous ...
Stress Fractures of the Pelvis

Stress fractures are a very common overuse injury in the athletic population. Overall, these injuries consist of approximately 15–20 % of all visits to sports medicine clinics. A stress fracture not only leads to discomfort of the affected extremity but also can cause decreased athletic performance, lost training time, and medical expense. Pelvic stress fractures are less common than lower extremity stress fractures and can be divided based on location into: sacral stress fractures, pubic ramus stress fractures, and iliac wing stress fractures as well as apophyseal avulsion fractures. These “low-risk” stress fractures generally present in female long distance runners and military recruits; however, these injuries should be considered in any athlete who experience repetitive loads to the axial skeleton. Diagnosis can be difficult and requires a high-level of suspicion as patients present with vague low back pain (sacral stress fractures) or groin discomfort. Radiographic evaluation can aid in diagnosis and consists of plain radiographs as well as advanced imaging such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or bone scintigraphy. Treatment rarely requires operative management and involves cessation of the causative activity for 4–10 weeks with gradual return to physical activity. Additionally, any patient with a suspected pelvic stress fracture should undergo a metabolic evaluation consisting of blood and urine work as well as the intake of calcium and vitamin D. The purpose of this chapter is to evaluate the clinical presentation, evaluation, diagnostic tools, and management of stress fractures of the pelvis in the athletic population.
The specific esterase activity of trypsin.

The discovery of relatively simple peptide derivatives as substrates for proteolytic enzymes has introduced a new approach to the problem of the specifity of this group of hydrolytic enzymes. Although crystalline trypsin is known to catalyze the hydrolysis of internal peptide bonds of proteins, its action toward internal peptide bonds of synthetic substrates has been demonstrated for only one case. Since all other synthetic substrates for trypsin, described in the extensive work of Bergmann and coworkers, are amides of lysine and arginine derivatives and are split enzymatically into ammonia and the corresponding amino acid derivatives, the action of trypsin toward these substrates may be more adequately described as an amidase activity. In the course of an investigation of the inhibition of crystalline pancreatic proteolytic enzymes by specific low molecular weight compounds the discovery was made that crystalline trypsin is likewise a powerful catalyst for the hydrolysis of certain amino acid esters. The most specific substrates of this type are alpha-benzoyl-L-arginine methyl ester (BAME) and alpha-toluene-sulfonyl-L-arginine methyl ester (TSAME). It was also found that, contrary to previous reports, trypsin catalyzes the amide hydrolysis of alpha-toluenesulfonyl-L-arginamide and does so even more rapidly than it catalyzes the hydrolysis of the classical substrate, alpha-benzoyl-L-argininamide. The structural specificity of these esters for trypsin is approximately analogous to that of the corresponding amides, although a certain measure of cross-reactivity of one of these (BAME) with chymotrypsin exists. Both the esterase and amidase activities are apparently mediated by the same active surface configurations of the enzyme, as is evidenced by studies of various modes of partial and complete enzyme inactivatiopn. The results of these kinetic studies are presented in this article.
Channel Gradients Above Gully-Control Structures

Regression techniques are used to determine some significant factors affecting the slope of the sediment deposition profile above gully-control structures and debris dams. Analyses of field data on gully-control structures in Wisconsin and debris dams in California show that the original channel slope, the width of the channel at the structure, and the height of the spillway crest above the original thalweg are statistically significant variables.
Acute Effects of Alcohol on Encoding and Consolidation of Memory for Emotional Stimuli

Objective:Acute doses of alcohol impair memory when administered before encoding of emotionally neutral stimuli but enhance memory when administered immediately after encoding, potentially by affecting memory consolidation. Here, we examined whether alcohol produces similar biphasic effects on memory for positive or negative emotional stimuli.Method:The current study examined memory for emotional stimuli after alcohol (0.8 g/kg) was administered either before stimulus viewing (encoding group; n = 20) or immediately following stimulus viewing (consolidation group; n = 20). A third group received placebo both before and after stimulus viewing (control group; n = 19). Participants viewed the stimuli on one day, and their retrieval was assessed exactly 48 hours later, when they performed a surprise cued recollection and recognition test of the stimuli in a drug-free state.Results:As in previous studies, alcohol administered before encoding impaired memory accuracy, whereas alcohol administered after encoding ...
Inverse function theorem for polynomial equations using semidefinite programming

This paper is concerned with obtaining the inverse of polynomial functions using semidefinite programming (SDP). Given a polynomial function and a nominal point at which the Jacobian of the function is invertible, the inverse function theorem states that the inverse of the polynomial function exists at a neighborhood of the nominal point. In this work, we show that this inverse function can be found locally using convex optimization. More precisely, we propose infinitely many SDPs, each of which finds the inverse function at a neighborhood of the nominal point. We also design a convex optimization to check the existence of an SDP problem that finds the inverse of the polynomial function at multiple nominal points and a neighborhood around each point. This makes it possible to identify an SDP problem (if any) that finds the inverse function over a large region. As an application, any system of polynomial equations can be solved by means of the proposed SDP problem whenever an approximate solution is available. The method developed in this work is numerically compared with Newton's method and the nuclear-norm technique.
Deep tissue single cell MSC ablation using a fiber laser source to evaluate therapeutic potential in osteogenesis imperfecta

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a currently uncurable disease where a mutation in collagen type I yields brittle bones. One potential therapy is transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), but controlling and enhancing transplanted cell survival has proven challenging. Therefore, we use a 2- photon imaging system to study individual transplanted cells in the living bone marrow. We ablated cells deep in the bone marrow and observed minimal collateral damage to surrounding tissue. Future work will evaluate the local impact of transplanted MSCs on bone deposition in vivo.
Subsonic Business-Class Jet Design: A Systems Approach to Aircraft Synthesis and Optimization

High-fidelity aircraft sizing proves to be a very iterative and challenging process. By varying one parameter, several others are effectively altered as a consequence. This raises some concern pertaining to how effective simple sizing methodologies truly are. For this investigation, a systems approach was adopted to size, synthesize and optimize a FAR-25 compliant business-class aircraft to meet or exceed the capabilities of a Beechcraft King Air 350. In order to implement an effective and efficient systems approach to this particular sizing project, the team used ModelCenter to linked various legacy and student-developed tools to perform complex trade studies and uncover significant trends between aircraft sizing and performance and stability characteristics. A final design candidate was created which promises to travel a 2288-nm mission burning 3287-lbm of fuel, offering a ~27% gain in fuel economy over the Beechcraft King Air 350 ER, which was used as a benchmark aircraft.
Crystal structure of a nucleoside model for the inter-strand cross-link formed by the reaction of 2'-de-oxy-guanosine and an abasic site in duplex DNA.

The title compound, 9-[(2R,4S,5R)-4-hy­droxy-5-(hy­droxy­meth­yl)tetra­hydro­furan-2-yl]-2-{[(2R,4S,5R)-4-meth­oxy-5-(meth­oxy­meth­yl)tetra­hydro­furan-2-yl]amino}-1H-purin-6(9H)-one, C17H25N5O7, crystallizes with two independent mol­ecules (A and B) in the asymmetric unit. In the crystal, the guanosine moieties of mol­ecules A and B are linked by N—H⋯N and O—H⋯N hydrogen-bonding inter­actions, forming ribbons which are stacked to form columns along [100]. These columns are then linked by O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the ribose moieties and numerous C—H⋯O inter­actions to complete the three-dimensional structure.