cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
UPDATE ON THE POSSIBLE NUTRITIONAL IMPORTANCE OF SILICON

Convincing evidence that silicon is a bioactive beneficial trace element continues to accumulate. The evidence, which has come from human, animal, and in vitro studies performed by several laboratories, indicate that silicon in nutritional and supra nutritional amounts promotes bone and connective tissue health, may have a modulating effect on the immune or inflammatory response, and has been associated with mental health. A plausible mechanism of action for the beneficial effects of silicon is the binding of hydroxyl groups of polyols such that it influences the formation and/or utilization of glycosaminoglycans, mucopolysaccharides, and collagen in connective tissue and bone. In addition, silicon may affect the absorption, retention or action of other mineral elements (e.g., aluminum, copper, magnesium). Based on findings from both animal and human experiments, an intake of silicon of near 25mg/d would be a reasonable suggestion for an adequate intake that would assure its nutritional benefits. Increased intakes of silicon through consuming unrefined grains, certain vegetables, and beverages and cereals made from grains should be recognized as a reasonable dietary recommendation.
Synthesis of a Geared N-Bar Linkage

For certain tasks, four-bar linkages may not provide needed accuracy and/or structural characteristics. To overcome this, one or more bars may be added to the coupler with geared pairs to maintain a “one-degree-of-freedom” system. Utilizing complex numbers and matrix methods, a general geared n-bar function generator is developed in this paper. The computer program devised synthesizes four-bar linkages to approximate the desired function and increases the number of links by one if specifications for accuracy and other requirements are not met. Synthesized linkages are analyzed and then optimized by way of minimizing a multidimensional objective function. As a practical illustration of the n-bar theory, geared five-bar, one-loop function generators are designed to simulate the dynamic response of a two-degree-of-freedom vibrating system.
Carotid endarterectomy: the mandate for high quality duplex.

Excellent correlation between carotid angiography and duplex scanning has made it possible to perform carotid endarterectomy without angiography. The accuracy of scans from practices without a dedicated vascular laboratory must be validated prior to their use for clinical decisions. Seventy six patients had a carotid duplex performed at an outside institution and were referred for vascular surgery. All patients underwent a repeat study at our dedicated vascular lab. The overall accuracy of our lab was 93.8% for all carotid categories as demonstrated by angiography. Outside carotid duplex reports correlated with repeat exams as follows: occlusions: 10/13 carotids (76.9%); 80%-99% stenoses: 15/39 carotids (38.5%); 50%-79% stenoses: 28/44 carotids (63.6%). If a surgeon’s practice is to operate for asymptomatic 80%-99% stenoses by report, then unnecessary surgery might have been performed in 61.5% of these carotids and appropriate surgery denied in 3.6%. Outside duplex velocities consistent with a 60%-99% stenosis correlated in 13/17 carotids (76.5%). If a surgeon’s practice is to operate for asymptomatic 60%-99% stenoses based on velocity criteria, then unnecessary surgery might have been performed in 23.5% of these carotids, and appropriate surgery denied in 7.6% placing these patients at increased risk of stroke. Outside scans significantly overestimated the severity of carotid disease (p = 0.003). The weighted kappa analysis for agreement between scans was only 60.2%. Failure to have validated high-quality duplex in labs performing carotid studies can lead to unnecessary angiography or surgery. Carotid endarterectomy without angiography should be performed only when duplex accuracy has been previously validated by angiographic correlation studies. Poor agreement with studies from practices without a dedicated vascular lab makes it mandatory to repeat the duplex on all patients prior to clinical decision making. Reimbursement for such repeat studies should not be denied.
Multiphase transport equations: I - general equation for macroscopic statistical, local space-time homogeneity1

Abstract The concepts of volume averaging are briefly reviewed and a fundamental weakness of the standard averaging approach is examined. A generalized volume averaging method (use of a space-time varying averaging volume) is presented which reduces to the standard approach under specific limiting conditions. The generalized approach is valid whenever there exists suitably smooth averaging volumes, Theorems relating the averages of derivative to derivatives of averages are presented and proved. The macroscopic equations of an arbitrary extensive property are developed for statistically, locally homogeneous, multiphase media, and a probabilistic interpretation of the results is presented.
Live-cell imaging reveals sequential oligomerization and local plasma membrane targeting of stromal interaction molecule 1 after Ca2+ store depletion.

Stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) has recently been identified by our group and others as an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ sensor that responds to ER Ca2+ store depletion and activates Ca2+ channels in the plasma membrane (PM). The molecular mechanism by which STIM1 transduces signals from the ER lumen to the PM is not yet understood. Here we developed a live-cell FRET approach and show that STIM1 forms oligomers within 5 s after Ca2+ store depletion. These oligomers rapidly dissociated when ER Ca2+ stores were refilled. We further show that STIM1 formed oligomers before its translocation within the ER network to ER–PM junctions. A mutant STIM1 lacking the C-terminal polybasic PM-targeting motif oligomerized after Ca2+ store depletion but failed to form puncta at ER–PM junctions. Using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching measurements to monitor STIM1 mobility, we show that STIM1 oligomers translocate on average only 2 μm to reach ER–PM junctions, arguing that STIM1 ER-to-PM signaling is a local process that is suitable for generating cytosolic Ca2+ gradients. Together, our live-cell measurements dissect the STIM1 ER-to-PM signaling relay into four sequential steps: (i) dissociation of Ca2+, (ii) rapid oligomerization, (iii) spatially restricted translocation to nearby ER–PM junctions, and (iv) activation of PM Ca2+ channels.
Composition of the milks of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and the florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris)

Milk samples from four individual bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) and two Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) of known lactation stages were analyzed for protein, carbohydrate and lipid composition, as well as for activity levels of alpha-lactalbumin, the regulatory protein of lactose synthase. The milk from both species had relatively high protein and lipid levels, as reported previously for other marine mammals. The major proportion of the lipid was in the form of triglycerides. Dolphin milk contained an average of 2.2% neutral sugars, which was essentially all in the form of lactose, as determined by several criteria. Manatee milk samples contained 0.6% of neutral sugars, and a larger proportion (about 2%) of amino sugars. Lactose was not detected by enzymatic assay or paper chromatography, but HPLC analysis indicated the presence of low levels of lactose together with two components that were tentatively identified as oligosaccharides. alpha-Lactalbumin activity, determined by assay with bovine galactosyltransferase, was found in both dolphin and manatee milk. The level in dolphin milk was comparable with that found in bovine and other milk, but the level in the manatee was less than 10% of that in the dolphin.
Developmental Expression of Calcium-Binding Protein-Containing Neurons in Neocortical Transplants

The present study examined the development of calcium binding protein-containing neurons in a timed series of fetal neocortical transplants. The immunoexpression of parvalbumin and calbindin, which are subpopulations of GABAergic neurons, have been widely studied in normal development and in disease and injury states. Because of their purported resistance to oxidative injury by their ability to buffer Ca++ influx, these neurons have been particularly studied following ischemia. Because it is likely that oxidative stress is associated with the grafting procedure, we sought to determine if these neurons displayed enhanced survival characteristics. Normally, parvalbumin and calbindin represent about 5-10% of cortical neurons. Within 2-4 wk after grafting the expression of both proteins increased markedly in that a relatively larger number of neurons (27% for parvalbumin) were immunopositive. This increase was transitory, however, and by 4 mo and beyond, confocal microscopic data showed a reduction of over 50% of parvalbumin (+) neurons and processes. Calbindin (+) processes showed a qualitative change in that they were smaller with less terminal branching. Electron microscopy confirmed a substantial reduction in parvalbumin synaptic contacts. Interestingly, in older grafts, remaining parvalbumin neurons were those that were strongly NSE (+) suggesting a link between normal metabolism and Ca++ buffering in grafted neurons. It is possible that in early grafts certain neuronal populations transiently upregulated calcium binding proteins as a defensive mechanism against Ca++ influx associated with oxidative stress. Over time, however, following physiological normalization within grafts, the calcium binding protein (+) neurons are diminished, possibly due to lack of appropriate afferent input to the interneuronal pool.
DEVELOPING VAL PLUMWOOD'S DIALOGICAL ETHICAL ONTOLOGY AND ITS CONSEQUENCES FOR A PLACE-BASED ETHIC

This essay attempts to develop the foundations of what Val Plumwood calls a "dialogical ethical ontology." I defend Plumwood's analysis situating the conceptual roots of the environmental crisis in dualistic thinking, but disagree that a solution is arrived at in an intentional, teleological conception of nature. Rather than arguing for a substantial union of mind and nature, I argue that a relational ontology ought to be adopted. This analysis is carried out by examining three aspects of Plumwood's philosophy: the ascription of "mind-like properties" to nature, her taking nature to be autonomous on the basis of that ascription, and the claim that sensitivity to place is necessary to the development of ethical dispositions toward nature. I conclude by presenting how her ethical views might be adjusted to accommodate the transition from a substantial ontology to a relational one.
Racial Preferences Expressed for Peers and Adults by Preschool Children

Twenty-four black and 24 white 4- to 5-year-old children in four child care centers were questioned with a semistructured, doll-play interview about theirskin color preferences for peer and adult dolls. The white children chose white dolls significantly more often than black dolls on every question. Black children preferred b lack peer dolls, but showed no sig nificant difference in their choice of black or white adult dolis. The results were discussed in terms of the increasingly favorable perceptions shown by black children for others of like skin color and the implications for selection of adult role-models.
Acid phosphatase. III. Specific kinetic properties of highly purified human prostatic phosphomonoesterase.

Abstract The stability characteristics of highly purified prostatic acid phosphatase were investigated. The enzyme was found to be markedly susceptible to surface inactivation in dilute solution. The addition of suitable surface-active agents including synthetic nonionic detergents afforded complete protection during vigorous shaking of enzyme solutions. Surface inactivation was found to follow first-order kinetics. Enzyme-substrate constants ( K 8 ) were determined using four separate substrates. Methods for the reliable determination of these constants including the effect of ions were presented and discussed. The kinetics of enzyme inhibition by l -tartrate and oxalate were presented. Additional experiments relating to enzyme inactivation and reactivation studies by thiol reagents were also included as a part of this report.
Efficient coding method for stereo image pairs

In this paper, a new coding method for stereo image pairs is presented. Disparity vectors are estimated with variable size block matching algorithm which requires fewer overhead bits for transmission. The different statistical properties between original images and disparity- compensated images are discussed. The efficiency of DCT compression is fully utilized through adaptively switching between the original image data and the disparity-compensated image data. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme performs well.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Paramyxovirus Fusion Protein C-Terminal Region: Mutagenesis Indicates an Indivisible Protein Unit

Paramyxoviruses enter host cells by fusing the viral envelope with a host cell membrane. Fusion is mediated by the viral fusion (F) protein, and it undergoes large irreversible conformational changes to cause membrane merger. The C terminus of PIV5 F contains a membrane-proximal 7-residue external region (MPER), followed by the transmembrane (TM) domain and a 20-residue cytoplasmic tail. To study the sequence requirements of the F protein C terminus for fusion, we constructed chimeras containing the ectodomain of parainfluenza virus 5 F (PIV5 F) and either the MPER, the TM domain, or the cytoplasmic tail of the F proteins of the paramyxoviruses measles virus, mumps virus, Newcastle disease virus, human parainfluenza virus 3, and Nipah virus. The chimeras were expressed, and their ability to cause cell fusion was analyzed. The chimeric proteins were variably expressed at the cell surface. We found that chimeras containing the ectodomain of PIV5 F with the C terminus of other paramyxoviruses were unable to cause cell fusion. Fusion could be restored by decreasing the activation energy of refolding through introduction of a destabilizing mutation (S443P). Replacing individual regions, singly or doubly, in the chimeras with native PIV5 F sequences restored fusion to various degrees, but it did not have an additive effect in restoring activity. Thus, the F protein C terminus may be a specific structure that only functions with its cognate ectodomain. Alanine scanning mutagenesis of MPER indicates that it has a regulatory role in fusion since both hyperfusogenic and hypofusogenic mutations were found.
Desilencing Fatherhood: Making the Invisible Visible Within Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Too often, the unique needs of men that may jeopardize treatment and prevent full recovery are left unaddressed in the psychosocial space and cultural representational place of substance use disorder treatment. Helping men to address concerns related to fatherhood can strengthen their identities as fathers and aid in the recovery process. This article draws on symbolic interactionism, identity theory, structuration, and double consciousness to frame discourses on child support, visitation rights and custody, parenting, and masculinity/manhood. Clinical suggestions are offered within the scope of treatment for promoting fathering roles and engaging men in dialogues about issues that are integral to fatherhood in recovery.
A Liouville-type theorem for higher order elliptic systems

Abstract We prove there are no positive radial solutions for higher order elliptic system { ( − Δ ) m u = v p ( − Δ ) m v = u q in R N if 1 p + 1 + 1 q + 1 > 1 − 2 m N . We also show there are no positive solutions to the system under the additional assumption that max ( 2 ( p + 1 ) p q − 1 , 2 ( q + 1 ) p q − 1 ) ⩾ N − 2 m m . The proof in the radial case uses Rellichʼs identity and the proof in the general case relies on growth estimates of the spherical average of the solution.
Tobit models: A survey

Tobit models refer to regression models in which the range of the dependent variable is constrained in some way. In economics, such a model was first suggested in a pioneering work by Tobin (1958). He analyzed household expenditure on durable goods using a regression model which specifically took account of the fact that the expenditure (the dependent variable of his regression model) cannot be negative. Tobin called his model the model of limited dependent variables. It and its various generalizations are known popularly among economists as Tobit models, a phrase coined by Goldberger (1964) because of similarities to probit models. These models are also known as censored or truncated regression models. The model is called truncated if the observations outside a specified range are totally lost and censored if one can at least observe the exogenous variables. A more precise definition will be given later. Censored and truncated regression models have been developed in other disciplines (notably biometrics and engineering) more or less independently of their development in econometrics. Biometricians use the model to analyze the survival time of a patient. Censoring or truncation occurs either if a patient is still alive at the last observation date or if he or she cannot be located. Similarly, engineers use the model to analyze the time to failure of material or of a machine or a system. These models are called survival models.’ Sociologists and economists have also used survival models to analyse the duration of such phenomena as unemployment, welfare receipt, employment in a particular job, residing in a particular region, marriage, and the period of time between
Purification of Eukaryotic MutL Homologs from Saccharomyces cerevisiae Using Self-Cleaving Affinity Technology

Self-cleaving affinity technology is an effective tool for rapid purification of native sequence recombinant proteins overproduced in Escherichia coli. In this report, we describe the adaptation of this technology to purify DNA mismatch repair proteins overproduced in the eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mlh1 and Pms1 are homologs of the E. coli MutL protein that participate in a variety of DNA transactions in cells, including correction of DNA replication errors, recombination, excision repair, and checkpoint control. Difficulties in preparing substantial quantities of highly purified MutL homologs have impeded descriptions of their biophysical and biochemical properties and mechanisms of action. To overcome this limitation, here we use self-cleaving affinity technology to purify to apparent homogeneity the yeast Mlh1--Pms1 heterodimer and the individual yeast and human Mlh1 subunit. The availability of these proteins should accelerate an understanding of their multiple functions in mismatch repair and other DNA transactions. The general approach is a valid alternative for simple, rapid purification of recombinant proteins in yeast when expression in bacteria is unsuitable.
A secure partition-based document image watermarking scheme

In this paper, a new document image watermarking method based on a secure partitioning scheme is proposed and tested. In the method, a document image is securely divided into weight-invariant partitions, followed by selectively modifying characters to embed watermarks. The high security of a watermark results from applying a probabilistic metaheuristic algorithm, namely the Ant Colony System (ACS), to approximate the involved Bottleneck Hamiltonian Path Problem to generate key-dependent image partitions. For better efficiency, the farthest point heuristic and the multi scale strategy are introduced into the ant colony system. Our experimental results demonstrate that the proposed watermarking scheme is secure, efficient, and robust to common attacks. The proposed secure partition scheme could serve as a general framework to introduce high security to prevailing watermarking techniques.
The Power of Listening: Auditory‐Motor Interactions in Musical Training

We trained musically naive subjects to play a short piano melody by ear in a fully monitored computerized environment and tested their potential to acquire a functional linkage between actions and sounds. Individual notes that were simply acoustic pretraining signals became "physically meaningful" posttraining. In addition, we found preliminary evidence that passive listening to a newly learned musical piece can enhance motor performance in the absence of physical practice.
Multifactorial regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis during development

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system shows an overall diminished responsiveness throughout ontogeny. Thus, during this period, the sensitivity of the adrenal gland to ACTH is markedly reduced. Furthermore, basal and stress-induced concentrations of corticosterone (CORT), ACTH and hypothalamic secretagogues remain at very low levels. Both structural immaturity and active inhibitory processes appear to underlie this overall hyporesponsiveness. The available data indicate that the characteristic developmental pattern of the HPA system results from multiple regulatory factors acting in conjunction at various levels of the axis. The primary ratelimiting steps, however, are probably at the brain and adrenal levels. The ultimate “goal” appears to be to keep CORT levels within the narrow range of concentrations required for normal development.
The need for rotational margins in intensity-modulated radiotherapy and a new method for planning target volume design

Purpose: The effect of rotational errors on the coverage of clinical target volumes (CTVs) is examined. A new planning target volume (PTV) construction that considers the individual paths traced by movements of the target boundary points is developed. Methods and Materials: A standard uniform margin expansion was compared with a PTV constructed from the space swept out by a concave moving target. A new method formed the PTV by aggregating the separate convex hulls taken of the positions of the individual target boundary points in a sampling of CTV displacements. Results: A 0.5-cm uniform margin adequate for translations was inadequate given CTV rotation about a fixed off-center axis. A PTV formed of the target’s swept-out area was 22% smaller than needed for coverage by a uniform margin, but computationally is not readily extended to translations combined with rotations about a shifting axis. Forming instead the union of convex hulls of the boundary points in a sampling of CTV displacements represented these movements in the PTV design and retained the target’s concave shape. Conclusions: Planning target volumes should accommodate target rotation. The union of convex hulls of the boundary point positions in a sampling of displacements can effectively represent multiple sources of deviations while preserving target concavities.
Effects of cultural and environmental factors on corn and soybean spectral development patterns.

Abstract A technique for evaluating crop temporal-spectral development patterns (“profiles”) is described and applied to the analysis of cultural and environmental factors as they affect the reflectance characteristics of corn and soybean canopies. Field reflectance data, converted to Landsat-MSS inband reflectance factors, are used. Typical variations in the field environment are shown to exert significant influences on the profile characteristics of the two crops.
Critical Behavior of a Microemulsion

We have studied the nature of the phase transition in a water-in-oil microemulsion near the upper cloud point temperature and found that the transition resembled a critical transition in fluid mixtures.
CRF and urocortin decreased brain stimulation reward in the rat: reversal by a CRF receptor antagonist.

Abstract The present studies were designed to investigate the effects of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptor activation and antagonism on intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) reward using a discrete-trial current-intensity threshold procedure. Bipolar electrodes were implanted in the lateral hypothalamus, and cannula guides were implanted above the lateral ventricle of male Wistar rats. Dose-effect functions were established for the effects on ICSS of the competitive CRF receptor agonist h/rCRF (0–5.0 μg, i.c.v.), the CRF receptor agonist urocortin (0–5.0 μg, i.c.v.), and the CRF receptor antagonist [ d -Phe12, Nle21,38, Cα MeLeu37] h/rCRF12–41 (0–5.0 μg, i.c.v.). Administration of h/rCRF or urocortin dose-dependently elevated ICSS thresholds without altering performance measures (latencies to respond to stimulation, extra and time-out responses). CRF was more potent than urocortin in terms of threshold dose-effects on ICSS thresholds compared to vehicle. Despite these apparent potency differences, percent effect sizes on ICSS thresholds were comparable at the highest doses of both peptides. In contrast to the significant threshold elevation effects of CRF and urocortin, the competitive CRF antagonist d -Phe CRF12–41 had no effect on ICSS thresholds or performance measures. To determine the neuropharmacological specificity of the effect of CRF on brain stimulation reward, d -Phe CRF12–41 was used to antagonize CRF-induced threshold elevations. Pretreatment with either the 5.0- or 10.0-μg doses of d -Phe CRF12–41 effectively blocked CRF-induced reward threshold elevations (3.0 μg) without affecting other ICSS performance measures. These results indicate that CRF neurotransmission can modulate ICSS reward processes.
Bridging Academic Software Engineering Education and Industrial Needs

Welcome to the special issue of the Computer Science Education on Software Engineering Education and Training. This special issue of the Computer Science Education includes four of the best education papers of the 23rd International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE) as well as one invited article presenting ongoing work in Software Engineering Education (SEE). The articles share a common theme: They emphasize effective education for practical and industrial problems. Some of the articles, in fact, represent case studies of collaborative projects between members of the academic and industrial or government institutions. ICSE, the flagship conference of the software engineering community, is well known for being a world-wide forum where researchers, practitioners, and educators together define and identify new directions of research and practice in software engineering, assess the state of the art, and exchange ideas. The 23rd ICSE, which included a track in SEE, was held in Toronto, Canada, during May 12‐19, 2001. Four of the SEE papers were recommended for further consideration for the Computer Science Education. The authors of the selected papers were requested to revise their original papers and thus were provided with an opportunity to expand on their papers beyond the version published in the proceedings. The invited article provides an investigation into one type of industry/university collaboration to address the existing lack of available software engineers. Formalism and Component-Based Software Development Component-based software development is widely acknowledged as fundamental for improving software productivity and quality. To reason about a component in a modular fashion, without being concerned about the imple
The PHOBOS experiment at RHIC and AGS

Abstract PHOBOS is a compact silicon detector designed to study the physics of relativistic heavy-ion collisions in a systematic way over a large range of energies. We will use PHOBOS to look at the highest experimentally accessible baryon and energy densities. We will study Au-Au collisions at a total center of mass energy of 5 A·GeV at the AGS[1, 2] and 200 A·GeV at RHIC[3–5].
Theory of Reversible Termolecular Reactions in a Multilevel System

A general theoretical form of the three‐body recombination rate constant for atoms in the presence of a deactivating gas is presented. The starting point is provided by a master equation which includes the reverse dissociation of the diatomic molecules as a possibility. The master equation is written for the energy‐transfer mechanism as well as the radical molecule mechanism. The solution is explicitly worked out for the steady‐state case. The recombination involves the presence of hot diatomic molecules and hot atommolecule loosely bound species. In the latter case nonequilibrium effects must become severe, and an explicit formulation of these contributions is presented.
Selective staining of chromatin in hematogenous lymphocytes in nodes.

Lymphocytes with “atypical nuclei” have been shown to increase in lymph nodes during afferent drainage ('64). This report concerns the selective staining of these nuclei with the MBL technique (exposure of methylene blue stained sections to alcoholic Lugol's solution). Comparisons with other techniques, together with suitable extractive procedures, lead to the conclusion that chromatin throughout the hematogenous series of lymphocytes is subject to two general forms of selective response to the MBL technique during lymphatic drainage. These are distinguished by differences in: 1, time required for staining with the iodine solution; 2, morphology; and 3, ease of dedifferentiation. The first response (unpatterned, coarse, intranuclear granules) occurs in older hematogenous lymphocytes only, after brief exposures, and varies in ease of dedifferentiation. The second response (intranuclear, reticulated figures) occurs in hematogenous lymphocytes of any age, after long exposures to iodine, and is slow to dedifferentiate. The figures uniformly conform to the reticular patterns of inter- and prophase, and become condensed as cell volumes decrease. The findings show that fluctuant, dynamic relationships exist among hematogenous lymphocytes in nodes :- unidentified factors become associated with their chromatin and result in selective nuclear staining; the chromatin becomes restricted to reticular positions and mitoses cease; cell volumes shrink progressively; nucleo-cytoplasmic ratios increase; and intranuclear structures become condensed. Yet evidences of degeneration are not found.
Empress Theophanu, Sanctity, and Memory in Early Medieval Saxony

The Empress Theophanu, wife of Otto II and regent for her son Otto III, was by all accounts a woman skilled at maneuvering through the complicated world of Ottonian politics. When she died in 991 CE, around the age of thirty, she had accomplished much: after arriving in Italy from Constantinople in 972 at around the age of twelve, she became Otto II's queen and was crowned empress of the Western Empire. During her lifetime, she was among the wealthiest women in Europe and one of the continent's most powerful people. After her husband's death, she secured the succession of her son, Otto III, and actively ruled as regent, successfully navigating the dangerous political world of the Western Roman Empire. Her activities included building churches, placing her daughters in positions of power in key nunneries, issuing acts as imperator and imperatrix, receiving ambassadors, waging war and negotiating peace—essentially doing everything expected of a male emperor with the exception of personally engaging in battle. Thietmar of Merseburg, writing around 1013, praises her rule as regent, stating that she held the kingdom for her son “in a manly fashion,” clearly intending this as a compliment. And yet, after her death and the premature death of her son a few years later, Theophanu seems to disappear from the historical record. Despite the great number of contemporary sources in which she figured during her lifetime and immediately after her death, including charters and donations, letters, chronicles, and annals, we know almost nothing about her. The few sources that do mention her in the period following her death have little good to say about her. Why did this woman fall into disfavor?
GENERATION AND REACTIONS OF THE LITHIUM ENOLATE OF THE IRON ACETYL COMPLEX CP(CO)2FECOCH3

Abstract The title acetyl complex of the Cp(CO) 2 Fe system undergoes reaction with lithium hexamethyldisilazide to give the corresponding lithium enolate which reacts with a variety of electrophilic reagents.
Mapping the roots of agriculture in southern Arabia: the application of satellite remote sensing, global positioning system and geographic information system technologies

Satellite remote sensing, global positioning system (GPS) and geographical information system (GIS) technologies form a powerful methodological and analytical triad for archaeological research, particularly in remote regions where few large-scale maps are available. This paper outlines the application of these technologies as a component of the Roots of Agriculture in Southern Arabia (RASA) research project and provides a review for archaeologists interested in potential applications, particularly in arid and semi-arid environments. We used LANDSAT satellite imagery and GPS data to construct a GIS and provide a foundation for the management and analysis of archaeological, geomorphological and palaeoecological evidence of middle Holocene environmental conditions and human land-use in the remote highlands of southern Yemen. Using both supervized and unsupervized multispectral landscape classification procedures we categorized the landscape into seven classes based on landform and sedimentary cover characteristics. The resulting GIS helps us evaluate the relationship between landscape characteristics, site location, site preservation, and investigate associations with sociocultural and environmental variables. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Autonomic Provisioning with Self-Adaptive Neural Fuzzy Control for Percentile-Based Delay Guarantee

Autonomic server provisioning for performance assurance is a critical issue in Internet services. It is challenging to guarantee that requests flowing through a multi-tier system will experience an acceptable distribution of delays. The difficulty is mainly due to highly dynamic workloads, the complexity of underlying computer systems, and the lack of accurate performance models. We propose a novel autonomic server provisioning approach based on a model-independent self-adaptive Neural Fuzzy Control (NFC). Existing model-independent fuzzy controllers are designed manually on a trial-and-error basis, and are often ineffective in the face of highly dynamic workloads. NFC is a hybrid of control-theoretical and machine learning techniques. It is capable of self-constructing its structure and adapting its parameters through fast online learning. We further enhance NFC to compensate for the effect of server switching delays. Extensive simulations demonstrate that, compared to a rule-based fuzzy controller and a Proportional-Integral controller, the NFC-based approach delivers superior performance assurance in the face of highly dynamic workloads. It is robust to variation in workload intensity, characteristics, delay target, and server switching delays. We demonstrate the feasibility and performance of the NFC-based approach with a testbed implementation in virtualized blade servers hosting a multi-tier online auction benchmark.
The potential for population growth of Ascomorpha ecaudis

The intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) of the rotifer Ascomorpha ecaudis was found to be a hyperbolic function of food concentration. The threshold food concentration and rmax/2-food concentration determined for this species were significantly lower than values predicted from allometric models. These growth characteristics may be related to the mucus house in which Ascomorpha lives and/or the symbiotic algae living in its body tissues. The maximum rate of population growth recorded (0.71 d−1) was similar to that of other soft-bodied rotifers of similar body mass. These population growth characteristics and the resistance of this species to invertebrate predation should allow it to become a dominant member of freshwater zooplankton communities. However, field observations suggest that it is not. Reasons for this are suggested.
Performance of DFT methods and origin of stereoselectivity in bipyridine N,N′-dioxide catalyzed allylation and propargylation reactions

Enantioselectivities for the allylation and propargylation of benzaldehyde catalyzed by bipyridine N,N′-dioxides were predicted using popular DFT methods. The results reveal deficiencies of several DFT methods while also providing a new explanation for the stereoselectivity of these reactions. In particular, even though many DFT methods provide accurate predictions of experimental ee's for these reactions, these predictions sometimes stem from qualitatively incorrect transition states. Overall, B97-D/TZV(2d,2p) provides the best compromise between accurate predictions of low-lying transition states and stereoselectivities for these reactions. The origin of stereoselectivity in these reactions was also examined, and arises from electrostatic interactions within the chiral electrostatic environment of a hexacoordinate silicon intermediate; the previously published transition state model for these reactions is flawed. Ultimately, these results suggest two strategies for the design of highly stereoselective catalysts for the propargylation of aromatic aldehydes, and pave the way for the computational design of novel catalysts for these reactions.
Plasmapheresis for Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Guillain-Barre syndrome is the most common cause of paralytic illness in children. An 8-month-old infant presented with severe Guillain-Barre syndrome associated with parainfluenza 3 infection, was treated with plasmapheresis, and had complete recovery. Plasmapheresis can be technically difficult to perform in small children and infants, but should be considered. Controlled trials should be performed to determine the indications for plasmapheresis in children with Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Adaptive mathematical morphology for edge linking

In this paper, adaptive mathematical morphology and its application to edge linking are presented to fill in the gaps between edge segments. Broken edges are extended along their slope directions by using the adaptive dilation operation with the suitable sized elliptical structuring elements. The size and orientation of the structuring element are adjusted according to the local properties, such as slope and curvature. Postprocesses of thinning and pruning are also applied. The edge-linking operation is performed in an iterative manner, so that the broken edges can be linked up gradually and smoothly while the details of the object shape are preserved.
Seasonal age-specific measurements of the sesquiterpene lactones and chromenes of Encelia farinosa

Age-specific concentrations of farinosin, a sesquiterpene lactone, and encecalin and euparin, both chromenes, were measured in two semi-desert populations of Encelia farinosa in California over a three month period. All three natural products differed significantly in concentration. The average concentration of encecalin is 10 times that of euparin and eight times that of farinosin. Farinosin concentrations did not differ between the two populations, but both euparin and encecalin were in higher amounts in the UC Riverside population than in the Home Gardens population. Seasonal changes in natural products differed at the 0.05 level for all populations and compounds except euparin in the UC Riverside population. Percent nitrogen content of dried leaves was similar in both populations, but differed between collection dates. Water content did not vary significantly with leaf age on one collection date. The significance of these results is discussed in the light of herbivore history.
Water Exchange from the Oxo-Centered Rhodium(III) Trimer [Rh3(μ3-O)(μ-O2CCH3)6(OH2)3]+: A High-Pressure 17O NMR Study

Water exchange from the oxo-centered rhodium(III) trimer, [Rh3(μ3-O)(μ-O2CCH3)6(OH2)3]+, was investigated using variable-temperature (272.8−281.6 K) and variable-pressure (0.1−200 MPa) 17O NMR spectroscopy. The exchange reaction was also monitored at three different acidities (pH = 1.8, 2.9, and 5.7) in which the molecule is in the fully protonated form (pKa = 8.3 (±0.2), I = 0.1 M, T = 298 K). The temperature dependence of the pseudo-first-order rate coefficient for water exchange yields the following kinetic parameters: kex298 = 5 × 10-3 s-1, ΔH⧧ = 99 (±3) kJ mol-1, and ΔS⧧ = 43 (±10) J K-1mol-1. The enhanced reactivity of the terminal waters, some 6 orders of magnitude faster than water exchange from Rh(H2O)63+, is likely due to trans-labilization from the central oxide ion. Also, another contributing factor is the low average charge on the metal ions (+0.33/Rh). Variation of reaction rate with pressure results in a ΔV⧧ = +5.3 (±0.4) cm3 mol-1, indicative of an interchange-dissociative (Id) pathway. T...
Polarization-entangled twin-photon ellipsometry

The high accuracy required in traditional ellipsometric measurements necessitates the absolute calibration of both the source and the detector. We demonstrate that these requirements can be circumvented by using a non-classical source of light, namely, a twin-photon polarization-entangled source that produces type-II spontaneous parametric down-conversion, in conjunction with a novel polarization interferometer and coincidence-counting detection scheme. Our scheme exhibits two features that obviate the requirements of a calibrated source and detector. The first is the twin-photon nature of the source; we are guaranteed, on the detection of a photon in one of the arms of the setup, that its twin will be in the other, effectively serving as calibration of the source. The second is that the polarization entanglement of the source serves as an interferometer, thereby alleviating the need for calibrating the detector. The net result is that absolute ellipsometric data from a sample may be obtained. We present preliminary experimental results showing how the technique operates.
Efficient feature-based 2D/3D registration of transesophageal echocardiography to x-ray fluoroscopy for cardiac interventions

We present a novel 2D/ 3D registration algorithm for fusion between transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and X-ray fluoroscopy (XRF). The TEE probe is modeled as a subset of 3D gradient and intensity point features, which facilitates efficient 3D-to-2D perspective projection. A novel cost-function, based on a combination of intensity and edge features, evaluates the registration cost value without the need for time-consuming generation of digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs). Validation experiments were performed with simulations and phantom data. For simulations, in silica XRF images of a TEE probe were generated in a number of different pose configurations using a previously acquired CT image. Random misregistrations were applied and our method was used to recover the TEE probe pose and compare the result to the ground truth. Phantom experiments were performed by attaching fiducial markers externally to a TEE probe, imaging the probe with an interventional cardiac angiographic x-ray system, and comparing the pose estimated from the external markers to that estimated from the TEE probe using our algorithm. Simulations found a 3D target registration error of 1.08(1.92) mm for biplane (monoplane) geometries, while the phantom experiment found a 2D target registration error of 0.69mm. For phantom experiments, we demonstrated a monoplane tracking frame-rate of 1.38 fps. The proposed feature-based registration method is computationally efficient, resulting in near real-time, accurate image based registration between TEE and XRF.
Ontology: its transformation from philosophy to information systems

It is no secret that the multidisciplinary sphere of information systems has borrowed the term 'ontology' from philosophy, and reinterpreted it to be more suitable for information systems. However, there is some disagreement about what this reinterpretation should be. This paper examines two prominent and distinct views on what information systems ontology is, and attempts to advance a unified definition that can be understood interdisciplinarily. But the goal of this paper is to show the specific points of variance between information systems ontology and philosophical ontology in order to shed light on the transformation of the term 'ontology' in its adoption by the information systems community. The relatively new information systems ontology is facing great challenges that may be better confronted with the insights that can be discovered through philosophical ontology.
Capitalizing on intellectual assets

Knowledge is power--the power that has become the driving force in our economy. Knowledge powers our customers' ability to adapt and innovate. It powers our ability to deliver value to clients. It powers the ability of our professionals to be their best. When knowledge is shared, its power grows exponentially. This essay discusses IBM's utilization of knowledge through the Intellectual Capital Management program.
Duality for free Bose fields

An elementary proof of Araki's duality theorem for free fields is presented. The theorem says that for a certain class of regionsO in Minkowski space, the commutant of\(\mathfrak{A}\)(O), the von Neumann algebra generated by all observables belonging to measurements withinO, is exactly\(\mathfrak{A}\)(O′), whereO′ is the spacelike separated complement ofO.
Species selection trials and silvicultural techniques for the restoration of bottomland hardwood forests

Abstract Since 1990, a series of experiments has examined the appropriateness of 24 tree species for restoring a bottomland and swamp forest in the delta of Fourmile Branch in the coastal plain of South Carolina, USA. In addition, various silvicultural techniques used to maximize the survival of tree plantings, have been appraised for effectiveness. While the topographic relief on the delta is small (dm differences between most sites), it is sufficient to utilize woody species with different flood tolerances. Hence, a diverse forest community can be established, using these elevation differences. In the wettest sites where water persists virtually continuously and may be one to two meters deep during large flood events, only the most flood-tolerant species, such as Taxodium distichum and Nyssa aquatica, can survive. These species will also survive very well at higher elevations, because the permanent water table never fell below one meter deep. In sites that are not flooded, unless the entire swamp is flooded, several additional species can be used. These include Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Carya aquatica, and Quercus lyrata. Finally, in slightly higher areas, Q. michauxii, Q. nuttallii and Q. phellos would have adequate survival. To minimize herbivory and maximize survival, tree shelters should be used if herbivore pressure is high. The prime herbivore of concern is beaver. Thus, any plantings that are frequently flooded may require protection. Other silvicultural techniques, including fertilization and control of herbaceous and willow competition, were not essential to ensure growth and survival. Finally, survival of the least expensive planting stock, bare root saplings, was nearly as good as balled and burlapped stock. Thus, unless absolute maximal survival is required, bare root stock will produce good survival at a fraction of the cost. One critical characteristic of the bare root stock is height, which must exceed the flood depth during the growing season. In the case of the Fourmile Branch delta, this was at least 45–60 cm tall.