cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Helix-helix interactions inside lipid bilayers

Abstract Far from being simple hydrophobic anchors, it is now clear that the transmembrane α-helices of integral membrane proteins can participate in strong, specific interactions that are important in their folding and oligomerization. Crystallographic studies of 21 such helices have indicated that these interactions are similar to those described for soluble proteins. Helix-helix interactions are also important in the oligomerization of a number of proteins that have a single transmembrane α-helix. The interactions are rather specific, involving interhelical salt bridges, hydrogen bonds or precise packing interactions. In some cases, such oligomerization is required for exit from the endoplasmic reticulum. The transmembrane helices of some Golgi-residing proteins also contain sufficient information to ensure their retention in this compartment. Finally, interactions between transmembrane α-helices may be important in the mechanism of transmembrane signalling by a number of membrane-bound receptors.
Explanted gelatin as an addition to the primary buckle in retinal detachment surgery

In 54 operations for retinal detachment in which explanted gelatili was used as an addition to the primary buckle, initial surgery was successful in 43 (80%). In eight others, a second operation was successful. The most common reasons for an additional buckle were persistent open retinal breaks and fishmouth configurations of horseshoe retinal tears.
Discretization Pressure-Wear Theory for Bodies in Sliding Contact

Etude theorique de la pression et de l'usure dans un contact glissant. Methode de discretisation des equations de l'usure
The Computerized Database: Are the Data Reliable? † 1144

As clinical informatics systems incorporate broader domains of clinical data, it is important to assess the quality of these data for routine assessment of perinatal services.
Contour interpolation of random data

Abstract This paper addresses the problem of predicting the region of safe passage for a ship given widely spaced and random depth soundings. The problem is recognized as one of interpolation and surface generation. Shepard's method of inverse distance weighting (IDW) is presented as an appropriate modelling technique. The history and workings of this technique are described. The parameters of IDW are discussed, and their influence on the outcome is explained. This is followed by a discription of the computer programs developed to implement this technique and apply it to the data provided. The resultant safe region is presented in graphical form. A possible testing scheme is presented, followed by a discussion of possible predictors of error. An evaluation system designed to compare one interpolation technique to another is also presented. Finally the advantages and disadvantages of IDW are discussed.
Electron Injection by Photoexcited Ru(bpy)32+ into Colloidal SnO2: Analyses of the Recombination Kinetics Based on Electrochemical and Auger-Capture Models

The photosensitization of colloidal particles of antimony-doped SnO2 by electrostatically adsorbed Ru(bpy)32+ (bpy = 2,2‘-bipyridine) produced Ru(bpy)33+ and a conduction band electron (ecb-) with ...
Measurement of provitamin A carotenoids in fresh and canned carrots and green peas

The influence of thermal processing (canning) on the carotenoid content of carrots (Daucus carota) and green peas (Pisum sativum) was investigated. Carotenoids extracted from fresh and canned vegetables were separated by column chromatography and quantified using spectrophotometric analysis. Canned canots and green peas had a higher carotenoid content than fresh samples. The apparent increase in canned carrots was mainly due to the loss of soluble solids into the brine during processing. However, the increase of carotenoids in canned green peas was due to the loss of carotenoids by enzymatic activity in fresh green peas during extraction procedures.
Aminoalcohol Esters of Crotonic Acid

Abstract The hydrochloride salts of β‐diethylaminoethyl, 4‐morpholinoethyl, and piperidinoethyl esters of crotonic acid were prepared. None of these salts had been reported previously. Three new esters, diethylaminopropyl sorbate, 4‐rnorpholinoethyl sorbate, piperidinoethyl sorbate, and the previously reported diethylaminoethyl sorbate were prepared. Vinylacrylic acid and its amino alcohol have also been studied.
Equivalent Two-Body Method for the Triton

A method for developing equivalent two-body problems for the binding energy of the triton has been derived from the variational principle. The method has been applied to two central-force problems. In the first, the exponential well of Rarita and Present is discussed and the method is shown to give excellent results. In the second, the central-force term in the L\'evy potential including the repulsive core is investigated. It is estimated that the L\'evy potential including the tensor term will give the correct order of binding energy to the triton.
The Long History of Conscious Capitalism: A Response to James O'Toole and David Vogel's “Two and a Half Cheers for Conscious Capitalism”

Kirk O. Hanson is the Executive Director of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University and a John Courtney Murray, S. J. University Professor of Social Ethics. He taught Business Ethics at Stanford Graduate School of Business for twenty-three years.
N-Phase Efficiency-Based Current Sensing Auto-Tuning Controller

Current sensing and sharing are important functionalities for paralleled and multiphase power converters. For reliable and efficient operation, current sensing accuracy and the current sharing performance are required. Therefore, sensing errors and mismatches should be eliminated and calibrated. On the other hand, conventional current sharing controllers are designed to force equal current sharing or current distribution between power converter phases, which may not result in the most efficient operation. In this paper, an N-Phase current sharing algorithm and controller (NCSAT) with current sensing auto-tuning capability is presented in this paper. The presented controller is able to auto-tune the current sensing and current sharing between N converter phases which results in achieving current sharing between converter phases for maximum power efficiency. The presented controller is free of sensing inaccuracies and mismatches.
Atomic force microscopy for characterization of the biomaterial interface

The molecular processes that occur at the interface of an implanted biomaterial determines the host response, including phenomena such as protein adsorption, conformational changes, and subsequent interactions with cellular components. Until recently, such processes could not be observed directly. Over the past decade, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has provided mechanistic insights into the molecular level interactions that occur at the biomaterial interface. Several unique operational modes have been developed which utilize intermittent contact with the sample and decrease applied shear forces. These dynamic modes also can be used to study the role of different structural components on biomaterial micromechanical properties. Force detection techniques allow molecular level studies of individual receptor-ligand binding events, and force mapping for determining structure/function relationships. Advancements in tip manufacturing, image processing techniques, the use of model surfaces and labeling all have contributed to the advancement of the AFM as a state-of-the-art research instrument. In this report, we examine the applicability of the AFM to the study of biomaterials and cell/molecular interactions.
Developmental studies of the dipteran salivary gland. IV. Changes in DNA content.

The DNA content of the salivary gland was measured by the method of Burton in larvae of Chironomus thummi at four stages of development during the onset of the larval-pupal metamorphosis. The amount of DNA at first increased in the gland, from 0.28 μg/gland at the mid-fourth instar to 0.45 μg/gland in the early prepupa. This increase was immediately followed by a significant decrease in the amount of DNA to 0.37 μg/gland in the late prepupa. The loss of DNA is considered to be of major interest since it occurred at a time when chromosomal puffing is observed in some regions of the chromosomes. Puffing reflects gene activity. Furthermore, the loss of DNA was preceded in the early prepupa by an increase in the gland's DNase content. The change in this enzyme represents the first detectable chemical change signaling the onset of glandular metamorphosis and suggests that portions of the polytenic chromosomes are the substrate for this hydrolase. This suggestion is substantiated by the constancy of the cell number within the salivary gland and the loss of nuclear volume in individual gland cells. The destruction of the gland appears to be a self-regulated programmed event occurring in the course of normal development and seems to be mediated by the control of the enzyme DNase.
Head-on collisions of unequal mass black holes: Close-limit predictions

The close-limit method has given approximations in excellent agreement with those of numerical relativity for collisions of equal mass black holes. We consider here colliding holes with unequal mass, for which numerical relativity results are not available. We try to ask two questions. (i) Can we get approximate answers to astrophysical questions (ideal mass ratio for energy production, maximum recoil velocity, etc.)? (ii) Can we better understand the limitations of approximation methods? There is some success in answering the first type of question, but more with the second, especially in connection with the issue of measures of the intrinsic mass of the colliding holes, and of the range of validity of the method.
Screening fetal echocardiography in diabetic mothers with normal findings on detailed anatomic survey

Objectives To evaluate the benefit of second-trimester fetal echocardiography for women with diabetes whose fetuses had no obvious heart disease on a detailed anatomic survey performed at skilled, high-volume obstetric centers, and to investigate the technical limitations of fetal echocardiography in this patient population. Methods This was a retrospective descriptive review of fetal echocardiograms performed at Children's Hospital Boston from 2000 to 2005. All women referred during the second trimester for fetal echocardiography because of maternal diabetes were included. Those with severe heart disease suspected on obstetric ultrasound examination were excluded. Results There were 584 initial fetal echocardiograms. No patients were diagnosed with severe heart disease prenatally. Nineteen were diagnosed with suspected mild heart disease (such as small ventricular septal defect), five of whom had normal follow-up fetal evaluation and five of whom had normal postnatal evaluation. Most of these pregnancies did not have a postnatal cardiac evaluation. Forty-seven fetuses had benign cardiac findings. Nearly one third of patients had imaging that was felt to be limited or incomplete, mostly due to poor acoustic windows. Forty-eight patients were asked to return for at least one follow-up visit, most due to the inability to complete the exam at the initial visit. Conclusions In an environment with access to high-volume, skilled comprehensive ultrasound services, fetal echocardiography by a pediatric cardiology program adds little to the care of women with diabetes and no suspected heart disease on a detailed anatomic survey. Poor acoustic windows frequently necessitate multiple visits. Copyright © 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Helium cooling of fusion reactors

Abstract On the basis of worldwide design experience and in coordination with the evolution of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) program, the application of helium as a coolant for fusion appears to be at the verge of a transition from conceptual design to engineering development. This paper presents a review of the use of helium as the coolant for fusion reactor blanket and divertor designs. The concept of a high-pressure helium cooling radial plate design was studied for both ITER and PULSAR. These designs can resolve many engineering issues, and can help with reaching the goals of low activation and high performance designs. The combination of helium cooling, advanced low-activation materials, and gas turbine technology may permit high thermal efficiency and reduced costs, resulting in the environmental advantages and competitive economics required to make fusion a 21st century power source.
Section Review Anti-infectives: Developments in the therapeutic control of alphaviruses

The alphaviruses represent a small group of arthropod-transmitted viruses that produce a variety of diseases worldwide. Their biochemical, molecular and epidemiological characteristics have been carefully defined and they often serve as models for other viruses with similar genome strategies. Nevertheless, control of diseases caused by these viruses has not been particularly successful and significant epidemics are still regularly reported from the Americas and the South Pacific. This article outlines what is currently known about the alphaviruses and summarises the problems involved and the methods available for their control. Recent developments that have been published in the patent literature are also reviewed.
Approximate lower bound for the SNR of matched filters

Abstract For the simple binary detection problem of detecting a known signal in the presence of additive noise, the matched filter is well known to yield the highest output signal-to-noise ratio ( SNR ). When the detection is carried out in discrete time, selecting an optimal filter length for a specific detection problem is important. Bounds on the SNR of the matched filter can assist in this selection. Exact bounds on the SNR can be computed in terms of the eigenvalues of the noise covariance matrix, but these bounds can be difficult to compute. An approximate lower bound for the SNR has been suggested recently by Martinez and Thomas (see Ref. ( 2 ), Franklin Inst. Vol. 321 , No. 5 , pp. 251–260, 1986 ). A supplement to this bound which is more accurate for small values of filter length is discussed in this paper. Some examples which delineate a comparison between the two approximate bounds are presented.
On the limited memory BFGS method for large scale optimization

We study the numerical performance of a limited memory quasi-Newton method for large scale optimization, which we call the L-BFGS method. We compare its performance with that of the method developed by Buckley and LeNir (1985), which combines cycles of BFGS steps and conjugate direction steps. Our numerical tests indicate that the L-BFGS method is faster than the method of Buckley and LeNir, and is better able to use additional storage to accelerate convergence. We show that the L-BFGS method can be greatly accelerated by means of a simple scaling. We then compare the L-BFGS method with the partitioned quasi-Newton method of Griewank and Toint (1982a). The results show that, for some problems, the partitioned quasi-Newton method is clearly superior to the L-BFGS method. However we find that for other problems the L-BFGS method is very competitive due to its low iteration cost. We also study the convergence properties of the L-BFGS method, and prove global convergence on uniformly convex problems.
Promoting productive mathematical classroom discourse with diverse students

Abstract Productive mathematical classroom discourse allows students to concentrate on sense making and reasoning; it allows teachers to reflect on students’ understanding and to stimulate mathematical thinking. The focus of the paper is to describe, through classroom vignettes of two teachers, the importance of including all students in classroom discourse and its influence on students’ mathematical thinking. Each classroom vignette illustrates one of four themes that emerged from the classroom discourse: (a) valuing students’ ideas, (b) exploring students’ answers, (c) incorporating students’ background knowledge, and (d) encouraging student-to-student communication. Recommendations for further research on classroom discourse in diverse settings are offered.
The distribution of sodium in Io's cloud: Implications

Models for the distribution of sodium in Io's vicinity and in a disk in Io's orbital plane, compared with observational data, support the arguments that (1) Io is the source of the sodium; (2) sodium is ejected from the inside hemisphere and most of the high velocity sodium which is observed is ejected from the leading inside quadrant; (3) most of the sodium leads Io in Io's vicinity but follows Io at distances of more than Jupiter radii from Jupiter; (4) a significant fraction of the sodium flux is ejected at large angles with respect to Io's orbital plane; (5) the source velocity distribution has a pronounced high-velocity tail; and (6) impact ionization by electrons is significant at large distances from Io.
SO2426 is a positive regulator of siderophore expression in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1

Background The Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 genome encodes a predicted orphan DNA-binding response regulator, SO2426. Previous studies with a SO2426-deficient MR-1 strain suggested a putative functional role for SO2426 in the regulation of iron acquisition genes, in particular, the siderophore (hydroxamate) biosynthesis operon so3030-3031-3032. To further investigate the functional role of SO2426 in iron homeostasis, we employed computational strategies to identify putative gene targets of SO2426 regulation and biochemical approaches to validate the participation of SO2426 in the control of siderophore biosynthesis in S. oneidensis MR-1.
Effect of composition on properties of reactive Al·B·I2 powders prepared by mechanical milling

Abstract Metal-based fuels producing halogen-containing combustion products are being developed to enable rapid inactivation of harmful aerosolized spores and bacteria. Ternary reactive materials containing aluminum, boron, and iodine were prepared by mechanical milling with systematically varied Al:B ratio. The aluminum mass fraction varied from 0% to 70%, and most materials included 20 wt% of iodine. Prepared powders were inspected by electron microscopy; particle size distributions were measured using low angle laser light scattering. Stability of materials was studied using thermo-gravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. As-prepared as well as pre-heated and quenched samples were analyzed using x-ray diffraction. Iodine was released upon heating in several stages. Low-temperature iodine release was relatively small. It overlapped with decomposition of B(OH) 3 releasing water. The most significant amounts of iodine were released when the samples were heated to 400–500 °C, when AlB 2 formed. Both AlB 2 formation and iodine release were further accelerated by melting of aluminum. For the boron-rich samples, in which boron remained after all aluminum was used to form AlB 2 , an additional, high-temperature iodine release stage was observed near 900 °C. The results show that both boron and aluminum are capable of stabilizing substantial quantities of iodine in the metal matrix. The iodine is released at temperatures much greater than its boiling point. The mechanism by which iodine is retained in boron and aluminum remains unclear.
A Kalman Filter Analysis of Sea Level Height in the Tropical Pacific

Abstract The Kalman filter is implemented and tested for a simple model of sea level anomalies in the tropical Pacific, using tide gauge data from six selected island stations to update the model. The Kalman filter requires detailed statistical assumptions about the errors in the model and the data. In this study, it is assumed that the model errors are dominated by the errors in the wind stress analysis. The error model is a simple covariance function with parameters fit from the observed differences between the tide gauge data and the model output. The fitted parameters are consistent with independent estimates of the errors in the wind stress analysis. The calibrated error model is used in a Kalman filtering scheme to generate monthly sea level height anomaly maps for the tropical Pacific. The filtered maps, i.e., those which result from data assimilation, exhibit fine structure that is absent from the unfiltered model output, even in regions removed from the data insertion points. Error estimates, an ...
Design in the decision-making process

The design of alternative courses of action is an essential part of decision-making, but one which has been neglected in theory and practice. A pilot study of alternatives' design in organizations suggests that already in the design stage choice focuses on a few alternatives, highlighting the importance of design in affecting the quality of outcomes. Design may be search or creativity, or a blend of both. While search is probably a significant part of design, there may be a residue of basically irrational creativity. These observations suggest that design should be deliberately undertaken in decision- and policy-making, by intensifying search, developing and utilizing design methods, and providing organizational creativity-enhancing environments.
Brokerage Professions and Implementing Reform in an Age of Experts

In this comparative ethnographic case study of the implementation of a reform related to the Affordable Care Act in two community health centers, I find that professionals may not compete to claim ...
Cross-Reactive Immunoprotective Antibodies to Escherichia coli 0111 Rough Mutant J5

The potential immunoprotective role of antiserum to an Escherichia coli J5 mutant derived from E. coli 0111:B4 was demonstrated in an experimental mouse model. Overwhelming bacterial inocula masked the effects of cross-reactive immunoprotection due to antiserum to strain J5. Enhanced bacterial clearance was observed in mice receiving antiserum to strain J5 in sublethal infections but not from lethal doses. Incorporation of hemoglobin with the bacterial inocula decreased the 50% lethal dose of challenge organisms, allowing the demonstration of protective activity of antiserum to strain J5 in lethal infection. Pretreatment of mice with antiserum to strain J5 did not protect against lethal doses of endotoxin. The protective factor was demonstrated by exhaustive adsorption experiments to be an antibody specific for strain J5 lipopolysaccharide. The protective activity of antiserum to strain J5 was abolished only after adsorption with strain J5 lipopolysaccharide but not with Salmonella typhimurium mutants with or without enterobacterial common antigen.
Was the pre-biotic atmosphere of the earth heavily reducing?

A calculation of the net oxygen released by photosyn thesis, and of the possible sinks for such oxygen, shows clearly that the pre-biotic atmosphere of the earth must have been heavily reducing.
Laparotomy for Presumed Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Outcome of Deceptive Emergencies:

Medical and surgical emergencies occasionally present as ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (RAAA). To assess benefits of laparotomies and adverse effects of unnecessary operations, the authors reviewed their experience.Thirteen patients, 9 women, 4 men (mean age: 72 years, range: 41-85) underwent emergency laparotomy between 1988 and 1996 for presumed RAAA and were found to have other surgical or medical emergencies.All the patients presented with hypotension, 12 had abdominal or back pain, four had pulsatile abdominal mass. Rupture was not excluded by computed tomography scan in three or by ultrasonography in two patients. Laparotomy disclosed intact abdominal aorta in all, but seven patients had abdominal aortic aneurysm. Of five surgical emergencies, laparotomy was indicated in four: three for ruptured visceral artery aneurysms, one for perforated duodenal ulcer. The fifth patient required thoracotomy for ruptured thoracic aneurysm. Four of eight medical emergencies were myocardial infarctions. One i...
‘A Truly Christian Village’: The Farmerfield Mission as a Novel Turn in Methodist Evangelical Strategies, Eastern Cape, South Africa, 1838–1883

ABSTRACT Between the 1820s and the 1830s, the superintendent of Wesleyan missions, William Shaw, and his colleagues created ‘a chain of stations’ that effectively established a Methodist sphere of influence in the Eastern Cape. Despite the romance associated with this era, pioneer evangelism yielded Africans who attended church without becoming bona fide Christians, and the small number of baptised, official church members paled in proportion to the actual resident mission population. Shaw and his missionary colleagues complained of equivocation, lack of interest, and dissimulation among their potential African converts. The outbreak of war on the frontier in 1834, the subsequent destruction of some of the Methodist missions and the dispersal of the mission population all compounded the disappointment with pioneer missions. That the patterns of romance followed by despair over signs of backsliding and lack of interest were commonplace in the annals of missionary history did little to assuage the disillusi...
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy: Clinical Progress and Opportunities for Advancement

Mesenchymal stem cells (or multipotent stem cells—MSCs) are multipotent cells that were initially thought to serve as progenitor cells in tissue remodeling, and are now primarily investigated for their immunomodulatory potential in regenerative medicine approaches. MSCs suppress numerous cell types of the immune system primarily through secretion of paracrine mediators. They have been investigated for their ability to enhance allograft survival, and for the treatment of osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease. A polarization paradigm where different priming stimuli, reflective of an injured tissue, induce either a pro-inflammatory or immunosuppressive MSC phenotype, provides the potential for manipulating MSCs to obtain more predictable clinical effects. There is a tremendous clinical need and numerous clinical trials are underway using allogeneic MSCs, despite evidence that allogeneic MSCs can be immunogenic. Further laboratory and clinical studies will continue to refine and optimize MSC therapy for a wide variety of regenerative medicine applications.
On Prüfer non-D-rings

Abstract Call a commutative integral domain R with unity a non-D-ring if there exists a nonconstant polynomial f ( x ) over R such that f ( a ) is a unit in R for all a in R . This paper is concerned with Prufer non-D-rings which have a monic unit valued polynomial. First, we prove that the ideal class group of such a ring is torsion. Secondly, we show that such rings can be precisely characterized as intersections of non-D valuations domains which share a common monic unit valued polynomial. Finally, let R be a Prufer non-D-ring with a monic unit valued polynomial and with field of quotients K . Let W ( R ) be the set of all rational functions f ( x ) / g ( x ) in K ( x ) such that f ( a ) / g ( a ) is in R for all a in R . Also, for I an ideal of W ( R ) and a in R , let I ( a ) be the ideal of R formed by evaluating each element of I at a . We prove that if I and J are finitely generated ideals of W ( R ) such that I ( a ) = J ( a ) for all a in R then I = J (i.e., W ( R ) has the strong Skolem property).
Spatial autocorrelation invalidates the Dow‐Cheverud test

Dow and Cheverud (Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 68:367–373, 1985) have published a statistical test for comparing any three similarity matrices. Using both simulations and analytical arguments, I establish that the presence of spatial autocorrelation, a common feature of geographically based anthropological and biological data, causes this test to reject too often. Increasing the spatial autocorrelation increases the spurious rejection rate. About 20% of the papers that reference Dow and Cheverud's paper have used their test with spatially autocorrelated data. Mantel's (Cancer Res. 27:209–220, 1967) method, when used as a test of spatial autocorrelation, is unaffected by these considerations, since its null hypothesis is that the data are uncorrelated. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effect of planting date and nitrogen fertilization on photosynthesis and soluble carbohydrate contents of cotton in relation to silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci biotype “B”) populations

Abstract The impacts of planting date and nitrogen fertilization on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) photosynthesis and soluble carbohydrate contents in relation to silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype “B”, populations were examined in field experiments. Cotton planted in late April and early June was treated with 0,112, 168 and 224 kg/N hectare in soil using urea fertilizer. The mean photosynthetic rate of April-planted cotton was 4%J20% higher than that of June-planted cotton early in the season, but 10%J 18% lower than that of June-planted cotton late in the season. The photosynthetic rates for both planting dates were positively correlated with levels of added nitrogen. While levels of glucose for both planting dates were positively correlated with nitrogen levels, fructose and sucrose levels were not. The mean levels of fructose were up to 40% lower, while that of sucrose were up to 59% higher, in April-planted cotton than in June-planted cotton. Levels of photosynthetic rate or stomatal conductance were not correlated with adult whitefly densities for either planting date. Levels of glucose and fructose were positively correlated with whitefly densities only for June-planted cotton late in the season.
Response to Comment on "Quantum State Transfer Between Matter and Light"

The comment by van Enk and Kimble ([ 1 ][1]) does not challenge the principal result of our study ([ 2 ][2])—that we achieved quantum state transfer from an atomic qubit to a photonic qubit. They also do not challenge our quantitative measurement of that transfer ([ 2 ][2]). We used the ratio of
Sexual dimorphism in the numbers of neurons in the pelvic ganglia of adult rats.

Abstract The major pelvic ganglion in the adult rat differs in neuron number in the two sexes. The female pelvic ganglion has 5892 ± 797 (mean ±S.D.) neurons while the male contains 14,654 ± 936. This sexual dimorphism in neuronal numbers in the autonomic nervous system is of interest because it suggests that endogenous hormone levels during development may have an influence on numbers of neurons in the adult pelvic ganglion.
Characterization of PdCl2/SnCl2 metallization catalysts on a polyetherimide surface by XPS and RBS

A metallization catalyst (based on the PdCl2/SnCl2 system) adsorbed on polyetherimide surfaces was characterized by x-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS), Rutherford back scattering (RBS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The overall Pd/Sn ratio increased from 0.2 to 3.8 when the initial sensitized surface was treated with the accelerator solution. XPS results indicated that before acceleration, only Sn(IV) (stannic hydroxide) is obserable, and after acceleration both metallic Sn and Sn(IV) are present; palladium is present primarily in a metallic form both before and after the accelerator step. Total Pd and Sn coverages were also obtained by RBS, and the total Pd/Sn ratios agree with the XPS surface measurements for specimens just prior to metallization. TEM micrographs showed the adsorbed catalyst consisted of particles 10–50 A in size covering only a fraction of the surface.
Comparison of the Growth of Fibroblasts Under the Influence of 11β-Hydroxy and 11-Keto Corticosteroids

Fibroblasts of Clone 929-L were incubated in the presence of various concentrations of corticosteroids and quantitative measurements of cell growth were made by means of an electronic cell counter. It was found that the 11β-OH corticosteroids, cortisol, 2-methylcortisol, prednisolone, and corticosterone markedly inhibited fibroblast proliferation, whereas the 11-keto compounds, cortisone, 2-methylcortisone, prednisone, and 11-dehydrocorticosterone allowed fibroblast growth equal to or greater than control levels. 11-Desoxy compounds, 11-desoxycortisol and 11-desoxycorticosterone, caused cellular proliferation midway between that caused by 11β-OH and 11-keto compounds. Metabolic studies with cortisol-l,2-3H and cortisone-4- 14C showed that there was no interconversion between cortisone and cortisol when these substances were incubated with actively metabolizing strain L fibroblasts in cell culture. Therefore, although fibroblasts in connective tissue have an active 11β-OH dehydrogenase system, tissue cultu...
Polymerase Chain Reaction Based Scaffold Preparation for the Production of Thin, Branched DNA Origami Nanostructures of Arbitrary Sizes

Designs for DNA origami have previously been limited by the size of the available single-stranded genomes for scaffolds. Here we present a straightforward method for the production of scaffold strands having various lengths, using polymerase chain reaction amplification followed by strand separation via streptavidin-coated magnetic beads. We have applied this approach in assembling several distinct DNA nanostructures that have thin (∼10 nm) features and branching points, making them potentially useful templates for nanowires in complex electronic circuitry.
A Precision TVG for Echo Ranging Sonar

A sonar Time Varied Gain (TVG) circuit was designed in which the gain, as a function of time, is mathematically predetermined by theoretical equations that are programmed into the circuit by analog techniques. Essential to the design is a voltage controlled ac resistance device consisting of a transformer and two diodes. Use of this device as the output circuit of an amplifier results in a gain that, in decibels, is a linear function of the dc control voltage. This equivalence of decibels and dc voltages enables a simple analog computing circuit to satisfy the theoretical gain equations.
Men's and Women's Networks: A Study of Interaction Patterns and Influence In an Organization

This study investigated the interaction patterns of men and women in an organization and the relationship of these patterns to (1) perceptions of influence, and (2) promotions to supervisory positions. Results indicated that individuals' positions in workflow and interaction networks relate strongly to measures of influence. Although women were rated as less influential than men, the two groups showed no difference on many measures. However, women were not well-integrated into men's networks including the organization's dominant coalition, and vice versa. Women whose immediate workgroups included both men and women were exceptions. A follow-up indicated that promotions were significantly related to centrality in departmental, men's, and dominant-coalition interaction networks.
Paid and Unpaid Activities and Retirement Satisfaction Among Rural Seniors

This study investigated-(I) paid and volunteer work among retired rural elderly and (2) the relationship of these activities to satisfaction in retirement. Interviews were conducted with 252 men an...
The Impact of Variability on Soft Real-Time System Scheduling

Soft real-time systems sometimes operate under uncertain and unpredictable environmental conditions which makes event arrival times unreliable and variable. Input to such systems also change from time to time making event processing times variable. Due to such variations, traditional techniques using worst case times to estimate system performance deviate far from actual expected behavior.This paper presents a Method of Stages based Analysis of soft Real Time systems (MoSART). MoSART takes into account variance in both the arrival and execution time and can model the performance of different scheduling algorithms. Sensitivity analysis, experimental validation, and the discovery of state dependent algorithms that outperform popular algorithms are demonstrated.
Value-at-risk in service-oriented systems: a framework for managing a vendor's portfolio uncertainties

We present a method for analysing a vendor's exposure to uncertainties in IT services. These uncertainties arise in project portfolios with projects whose value covaries with managerial decisions about firm strategy, technology standards and platforms to be used. Past research involving information systems (IS) decision-making under uncertainty has focused on real options methods which inform a priori investment decisions. We explore methodologies associated with asset valuation theory in financial economics called value-at-risk (VaR), which measures the worst expected loss over a time horizon under normal market conditions at a given confidence interval. We show that VaR analysis informs management on how to leverage existing capabilities and risk exposures to inform the IT sourcing decision and ongoing IT services risk management. We explore information requirements, outcomes and limitations for VaR. We also present an evaluative framework to help a senior manager to bring these concepts into use in a real-world organisation.
Chemical Composition of Chlamydospores of Candida albicans

A variety of analytical techniques was employed to study the composition of the chlamydospore of Candida albicans. The outer, thin, electron-transparent layer was found to be composed of glucan, together with a small amount of chitin. The inner, thick, electron-dense layer is proteinaceous. The central structure is composed largely of ribonucleic acid and lipid globules. In addition to being acid-fast, the chlamydospore was found to contain glycolipids and to lose the property of acid-fastness on extraction with ethanol-ether.
OSHA Compliance Issues Arsenic Exposures During Burning Activities in Battery Assembly

(2000). OSHA Compliance Issues Arsenic Exposures During Burning Activities in Battery Assembly. Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene: Vol. 15, No. 9, pp. 664-666.
What is the clinical significance of chest CT when the chest x-ray result is normal in patients with blunt trauma?

Abstract Background Computed tomography (CT) has been shown to detect more injuries than plain radiography in patients with blunt trauma, but it is unclear whether these injuries are clinically significant. Study Objectives This study aimed to determine the proportion of patients with normal chest x-ray (CXR) result and injury seen on CT and abnormal initial CXR result and no injury on CT and to characterize the clinical significance of injuries seen on CT as determined by a trauma expert panel. Methods Patients with blunt trauma older than 14 years who received emergency department chest imaging as part of their evaluation at 2 urban level I trauma centers were enrolled. An expert trauma panel a priori classified thoracic injuries and subsequent interventions as major, minor, or no clinical significance. Results Of 3639 participants, 2848 (78.3%) had CXR alone and 791 (21.7%) had CXR and chest CT. Of 589 patients who had chest CT after a normal CXR result, 483 (82.0% [95% confidence interval [CI], 78.7-84.9%]) had normal CT results, and 106 (18.0% [95% CI, 15.1%-21.3%]) had CTs diagnosing injuries—primarily rib fractures, pulmonary contusion, and incidental pneumothorax. Twelve patients had injuries classified as clinically major (2.0% [95% CI, 1.2%-3.5%]), 78 were clinically minor (13.2% [95% CI, 10.7%-16.2%]), and 16 were clinically insignificant (2.7% (95% CI, 1.7%-4.4%]). Of 202 patients with CXRs suggesting injury, 177 (87.6% [95% CI, 82.4%-91.5%]) had chest CTs confirming injury and 25 (12.4% [95% CI, 8.5%-17.6%]) had no injury on CT. Conclusion Chest CT after a normal CXR result in patients with blunt trauma detects injuries, but most do not lead to changes in patient management.
Joeq: a virtual machine and compiler infrastructure

Joeq is a virtual machine and compiler infrastructure designed to facilitate research in virtual machine technologies such as Just-In-Time and Ahead-Of-Time compilation, advanced garbage collection techniques, distributed computation, sophisticated scheduling algorithms, and advanced run time techniques. Joeq is entirely implemented in Java, leading to reliability, portability, maintainability, and efficiency. It is also language-independent, so code from any supported language can be seamlessly compiled, linked, and executed --- all dynamically. Each component of the virtual machine is written to be independent with a general but well-defined interface, making it easy to experiment with new ideas. Joeq is released as open source software, and is being used as a framework by researchers all over the world on topics ranging from automatic distributed virtual machines to whole-program pointer analysis.
A state estimator for rejecting noise and tracking bias in inertial sensors

A state estimation algorithm for rejecting noise and tracking bias in both real-time and post-processing applications of inertial measurement for intermittent motion is presented with experimental results for one-dimensional motion. The algorithm uses characteristics of the sensor noise to automatically recognize motionless periods and update the sensor's bias level without any dependency on application-specific parameters, frequency separation between the signal of interest and the sensor noise, or a high-level system model. Accumulated error in the velocity estimate is eliminated during periods of rest allowing useful velocity estimates to be obtained for arbitrarily long periods given reasonably frequent pauses in the motion. This significantly extends the length of time over which useful position estimates are obtained, especially for postprocessing applications. While derived and demonstrated in the context of inertial measurement, the algorithm can be used to reject noise and/or track bias drift for any signal where zero-level inputs occur intermittently and limits can be set on the noise amplitude, frequency, and bias drift rate.
Piezometric response in shallow bedrock at CB1: Implications for runoff generation and landsliding

[1] Experimental observations comparing two steep unchanneled valleys in the Oregon Coast Range, one intensively instrumented (CB1) and the other monitored for runoff but which produced a debris flow (CB2), shed light on the mechanisms of shallow flow in bedrock, its interaction with the vadose zone, and its role in generating landslides. Previous work at CB1 led to the proposal that during storms pulses of rainfall transmit pressure waves through the vadose zone and down to the saturated zone to create rapid pore pressure response and runoff [Torres et al., 1998]. Here, we document the associated rapid pore pressure response in the shallow fractured bedrock that underlies these colluvium-mantled sites and examine its influence on the generation of storm flow, seasonal variations in base flow, and slope stability in the overlying colluvial soil. Our observations document rapid piezometric response in the shallow bedrock and a substantial contribution of shallow fracture flow to both storm flow and seasonal variations in base flow. Saturated hydraulic conductivity in the colluvial soil decreases with depth below the ground surface, but the conductivity of the near-surface bedrock displays no depth dependence and varies over five orders of magnitude. Analysis of runoff intensity and duration in a series of storms that did and did not trigger debris flows in the surrounding area shows that the landslide inducing storms had the greatest intensity over durations similar to those predicted by a simple model of piezometric response. During a monitored storm in February 1992, the channel head at the base of the neighboring CB2 site failed as a debris flow. Automated piezometric measurements document that the CB2 debris flow initiated several hours after peak discharge, coincident with localized development of upward spikes of pressure head from near-surface bedrock into the overlying colluvial soil in CB1. Artesian flow observed exfiltrating from bedrock fractures on the failure surfaces at CB2 further implicates bedrock fracture flow in both runoff generation by subsurface storm flow and suggests a connection to landslide initiation. Our observations show that the timing of shallow landslide initiation can be delayed relative to both peak rainfall and peak runoff and support the argument that the influence of fracture flow on shallow landsliding helps explain the wide variability in the occurrence of slope instability in topographically analogous locations.
Synthesized Impurity Centers in Fused Silica

Fused silica has been prepared with controlled amounts (0.02 to 2.0%) of aluminum and lithium added. Absorption spectra and thermoluminescence reveal little difference between undoped specimens and those containing Li or Al alone. The simultaneous presence of Al and Li is essential to build up the absorption band at 2.3 e.v. (520 mμ) and increase the intensity of the bands at 4.1 e.v. (300 mμ) and 5.7 e.v. (220 mμ). A dependence between impurities and absorption of the three bands is given. Whereas all specimens show luminescence peaks at 120°C., those containing Al and Li simultaneously show an additional peak at 310°C.
Transforming the Preoperative Process for Scheduled Cesarean Deliveries Using Patient- and Family-Centered Care

Childbearing Poster Presentation Purpose for the Program In a high-risk maternal infant program at a large, academic medical center, patients admitted to the labor and delivery unit for scheduled cesarean deliveries frequently waited hours for delivery because of priority, high-risk transports coming into the hospital. Conversely, patients awaiting transport to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) often were declined or delayed because of high census. With the institutional push toward patient- and family-centered care (PFCC), the staff was challenged to provide PFCC in light of sustained high census. Proposed Change Maternal-infant staff suggested admitting patients to the postpartum floor where they would reside after surgery instead of to the labor and delivery unit. Implementation, Outcomes, and Evaluation Patients are admitted to the postpartum unit by a preoperative nurse who starts the intravenous (IV) fluid, draws blood, performs the intake assessment, and notifies the physicians (anesthesiologist and obstetrician [OB]). Once the preoperative preparation is completed, the patient is passed to the postpartum nurse who cares for the family before and after delivery. When ready for surgery, the patient is transferred to the labor and delivery unit. After surgery, the mother recovers for 2 hours while the neonate is transitioned at her bedside. Then the mother and neonate return to the same room and nurse on the postpartum unit. From April 1 to July 1, 2013, 87 patients were routed using the new preoperative process. Continuity of nursing care for scheduled cesarean delivery patients increased PFCC, patient safety, and efficiency in the preoperative process for scheduled cesarean deliveries and emergent transports. Patients reported appreciating having a private area for the family to wait during the surgery and recovery. Postpartum leadership has applied for Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval to formally evaluate this process. Currently, patients report high levels of satisfaction with this process as reported to unit leadership in daily rounds. Implications for Nursing Practice Reorganization of traditional care delivery methods could be useful to any facility that sees the need for change to better assist the patient and her family. Nursing has recognized the need for safety, but holistic nursing requires the recognition of the importance of other concepts, such as comfort and emotion, which can positively be affected by continuity of nursing care and a comfortable, familiar environment.