cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cyclization studies with (±)-10,11-oxidofarnesyl acetate, methyl farnesate, and methyl (±)-10,11-oxidofarnesate

Abstract As models for lanosterol biosynthesis and for more elaborate biogenetic-type total synthesis in the di- and triterpenoid series, the nonenzymic cyclization of methyl farnesate, methyl (±)-10,11-oxidofarnesate and (±)-10,11-oxidofarnesyl acetate was studied. In addition to the 10,11-halohydrin, N -bromosuccinimide/water was observed to convert methyl farnesate to bromobicycles 40 and 41 . Acid-catalyzed cyclization of (±)-10,11-oxido farnesate and the corresponding 2,3-cis isomer produced inter alia 3-hydroxy octalins 20a and 21a . Similarly, methyl (±)-10,11-oxidofarnesate was transformed to inter alia the hydroxylated bicyclic esters 34 and 35 . Mechanistic and other aspects of these reactions are taken up.
A case study of wind energy conversion systems in an electric utility system

Abstract The potential of wind energy conversion systems (WECS) in a regional electric utility system was investigated. The Kansas Gas and Electric Company (KG&E) with 1800 MW generating capacity served as the case study subject. The general methodologies utilized to conduct a case study of this nature are outlined and then applied to investigate the impacts of WECS on the specific electric utility system selected for this study. Five years of concurrent wind/load data were used to simulate 15 years of KG&E system operation without and with WECS. The KG&E system simulation computer programs were used to model hour-by-hour operation and to generate fuel requirements, production costs, and other reports. The “loss-of-load probability” (LOLP) index was also calculated for the system without and with WECS, from whcih the effective capacity of WECS was determined. Economic analysis was performed to assess the value of WECS in the KG&E system, and breakeven WECS costs were calculated by considering WECS as “fuel saver”, plus extra tax credit and capacity credit.
Diagnosis and intervention of adult articulation errors based on distinctive feature theory and the mysak feedback model of therapy

This article explores the applicability of distinctive feature theory to the phonological problems of high school and college students and to a feedback model of therapy. Results suggest that high school and college students with numerous substitutions have phonological errors that can be accounted for on a distinctive feature basis. Therefore, diagnosis of such students should include a distinctive feature analysis. Pilot data also indicate that a client can be taught to differentiate between correct and incorrect features rather than correct and error phonemes, and that distinctive feature theory is applicable to a feedback model of therapy.
Ionization of Rydberg atoms by subpicosecond half-cycle electromagnetic pulses.

We have ionized Rydberg atoms using subpicosecond half-cycle electromagnetic pulses. The threshold electric field required to ionize a Rydberg state with effective quantum number ${\mathit{n}}^{\mathrm{*}}$ is found to scale as ${\mathit{n}}^{\mathrm{*}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$ for states with ${\mathit{n}}^{\mathrm{*}}$g13 in contradistinction to the ${\mathit{n}}^{\mathrm{*}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}4}$ threshold scaling for static field ionization and high order multiphoton ionization. This novel result is explained using a classical model.
GREEN'S-FUNCTION CALCULATION OF ELECTRON SCREENING IN A PLASMA

Extensions to the finite temperature Green's-function method for the calculation of equilibrium densities within the Kohn-Sham formulation of density functional theory are presented. In particular, an expression for the density in terms of single-particle Green's-function differences summed over all Matsubara poles is utilized. Numerical methods for the evaluation of this infinite sum are given. This formulation automatically includes discrete as well as continuum states, is valid for finite temperatures, and is especially well suited for high temperatures. Techniques are also presented for the calculation of single-particle Green's functions for spherically symmetric systems and arbitrary complex energies. The usefulness of these methods is demonstrated by their application to the problem of electron screening of nuclei in a plasma. Direct comparison is made with previous finite temperature, Kohn-Sham, wave function type calculations for protons and for neon nuclei in an electron gas.
Growth of AlN and GaN thin films via OMVPE and gas source MBE and their characterization

Abstract Thin films of AlN and GaN are deposited primarily via the common forms of organometallic vapor phase epitaxy (OMVPE) and molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Sapphire is the most common substrate; however, a host of materials have been used with varying degrees of success. Both growth techniques have been employed by the authors to grow AlN and GaN primarily on 6H-SiC(0001). The mismatch in atomic layer stacking sequences along the growth direction produces inversion domain boundaries in the AlN at the SiC steps; this sequence problem may discourage the nucleation of GaN. Films of AlN and GaN grown by MBE at 650°C are textured; monocrystalline films are achieved at 1050°C by this technique and OMVPE. Donor and acceptor doping of GaN has been achieved via MBE without post growth annealing. Acceptor doping in CVD material requires annealing to displace the H from the Mg and eventually remove it from the material. High brightness light emitting diodes are commercially available; however, numerous concerns regarding metal and nitrogen sources, heteroepitaxial nucleation, the role of buffer layers, surface migration rates as a function of temperature, substantial defect densities and their effect on film and device properties, ohmic and rectifying contacts, wet and dry etching and suitable gate and field insulators must and are being addressed.
Once upon a time in Zimbabwe

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to create a parallel timeline between the Zimbabwe Librarian, the national trade journal for librarianship during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, government statistics, non‐governmental information, media reports, and other secondary sources to determine the effects of Zimbabwe's political and economic fortunes on libraries.Design/methodology/approach – The primary methodology is a review of secondary sources in the form of trade journals, economic data and media reports. The approach of the paper is to compare the state of libraries in Zimbabwe during the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2005, showing the change in librarianship and library services as economic prosperity changed dramatically.Findings – The policies of three successive governments have promised support for libraries but have ultimately been unable to implement a national library system. Libraries in 2008 have fewer resources available than they had in the 1960s.Research limitations/implications – This paper is...
Characterization of Dust Particles’ 3D Shape and Roughness with Nanometer Resolution

Mineral dust particles in the atmosphere are often aspherical and their shape is important for a multitude of processes. Yet, measurements of the true shape in three dimensions are rare, even in a laboratory setting. Here, we employ atomic force microscopy to determine the 3D shape and surface roughness for two dusts commonly used in laboratory experiments, Arizona test dust (ATD) and kaolinite. Our major finding is that both are thin and remarkably smooth. An oblate spheroidal description is an excellent fit to these data. We use correlation analysis to further examine the surface properties of the dusts and find essentially no features at horizontal spatial scales between ∼10 and 100 nm. This surprising result is supported by the agreement between our specific surface area and BET surface area measurements. The thin, smooth, spheroidal approximation has many implications for physical processes in the atmosphere, including dust transport and radiative transfer.Copyright 2015 American Association for Aero...
How Task Features Impact Evidence from Assessments Embedded in Simulations and Games.

One of the key ideas of evidence-centered assessment design (ECD) is that task features can be deliberately manipulated to change the psychometric properties of items. ECD identifies a number of roles that task-feature variables can play, including determining the focus of evidence, guiding form creation, determining item difficulty and discrimination, characterizing proficiency, and producing task variants. Assessment developers can use these task features to manipulate the psychometric properties of both conventional assessment formats and complex tasks embedded in simulations and games.Simulations and games tasks present additional challenges: even defining what corresponds to an item can be difficult. Often task features are determined by game or simulation logic rather than psychometric design. Despite these difficulties, the roles for task features identified in ECD are useful for analyzing the psychometric properties of embedded assessments in simulations and games. This article compares a conventi...
A Slow ATP-induced Conformational Change Limits the Rate of DNA Binding but Not the Rate of β Clamp Binding by the Escherichia coli γ Complex Clamp Loader

In Escherichia coli, the γ complex clamp loader loads the β-sliding clamp onto DNA. The β clamp tethers DNA polymerase III to DNA and enhances the efficiency of replication by increasing the processivity of DNA synthesis. In the presence of ATP, γ complex binds β and DNA to form a ternary complex. Binding to primed template DNA triggers γ complex to hydrolyze ATP and release the clamp onto DNA. Here, we investigated the kinetics of forming a ternary complex by measuring rates of γ complex binding β and DNA. A fluorescence intensity-based β binding assay was developed in which the fluorescence of pyrene covalently attached to β increases when bound by γ complex. Using this assay, an association rate constant of 2.3 × 107 m−1 s−1 for γ complex binding β was determined. The rate of β binding was the same in experiments in which γ complex was preincubated with ATP before adding β or added directly to β and ATP. In contrast, when γ complex is preincubated with ATP, DNA binding is faster than when γ complex is added to DNA and ATP at the same time. Slow DNA binding in the absence of ATP preincubation is the result of a rate-limiting ATP-induced conformational change. Our results strongly suggest that the ATP-induced conformational changes that promote β binding and DNA binding differ. The slow ATP-induced conformational change that precedes DNA binding may provide a kinetic preference for γ complex to bind β before DNA during the clamp loading reaction cycle.
Surface structures and tiered topography

The use of contemporary spatial analysis systems for environmental monitoring tends to promote an emphasis on high versus low areas in surface data. However, locally elevated areas as summits or domes may be important even if higher levels are found elsewhere. Also, trends on the periphery of elevated areas can be informative. Some elevated areas drop precipitously on the edges, others drop gradually, and still others have proximate reversals of decline leading up again to other areas that are elevated in greater or lesser degree. The reversals of downward trend may be small and subtle or sustained as major features of the surface. Small reversals having high spatial frequency can be considered as a type of noise engendering local uncertainty for which suppression may be advantageous. Mapping and characterizing these transitional areas leads to major opportunities for etiology since these are zones in which causal factors are also varying and thus relatively amenable to study. Echelon analysis and dome domains enable systematic investigation of spatial trends that would otherwise be difficult. Biodiversity of fish species richness and topographic analysis in Pennsylvania provide contexts for consideration and generalization.
Abstract 5593: A cancer-associated hyperphosphorylation site on topoisomerase I serine 506 as a biomarker for camptothecin sensitivity.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Topoisomerase I (topo I) plays a central role in cancer as the target of a potent class of chemotherapeutic drugs derived from the plant alkaloid camptothecin that includes irinotecan and topotecan. We have identified a novel cancer-specific phosphorylation site at serine 506 in topo I (PS506), targeted by protein kinase CK2, that identifies cancer cells with elevated CK2, hyperphosphorylated topo I, increased topo I activity, and increased sensitivity to camptothecin. CK2 treatment of recombinant topo I in vitro also induces topo I hyperphosphorylation and expression of the PS506 epitope, and results in increased binding of topo I to supercoiled plasmid DNA. The hyperphosphorylated, PS506-form of topo I is more effective than the basal phosphorylated enzyme at relaxing plasmid supercoils but has a similar catalytic rate as the basal phosphorylated enzyme once bound to DNA. The PS506 epitope is not detected in normal cells or cancer cell lines with lower levels of CK2 activity. By experimentally manipulating CK2 activity in cancer cell lines, we have demonstrated a cause and effect relationship between CK2 activity, PS506 expression, camptothecin-induced cellular DNA damage, and cellular camptothecin sensitivity. The PS506 epitope is therefore an indicator of dysregulated, hyperphosphorylated topo I in cancer cells, and holds promise as a novel diagnostic biomarker that predicts tumor responsiveness to widely used topo I-targeted therapies. Citation Format: Keya Bandyopadhyay, Pingchuan Li, Ruth A. Gjerset. A cancer-associated hyperphosphorylation site on topoisomerase I serine 506 as a biomarker for camptothecin sensitivity. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5593. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-5593
Human PIEZO1: Removing Inactivation

PIEZO1 is an inactivating eukaryotic cation-selective mechanosensitive ion channel. Two sites have been located in the channel that when individually mutated lead to xerocytotic anemia by slowing inactivation. By introducing mutations at two sites, one associated with xerocytosis and the other artificial, we were able to remove inactivation. The double mutant (DhPIEZO1) has a substitution of arginine for methionine (M2225R) and lysine for arginine (R2456K). The loss of inactivation was accompanied by ∼30-mmHg shift of the activation curve to lower pressures and slower rates of deactivation. The slope sensitivity of gating was the same for wild-type and mutants, indicating that the dimensional changes between the closed and open state are unaffected by the mutations. The unitary channel conductance was unchanged by mutations, so these sites are not associated with pore. DhPIEZO1 was reversibly inhibited by the peptide GsMTx4 that acted as a gating modifier. The channel kinetics were solved using complex stimulus waveforms and the data fit to a three-state loop in detailed balance. The reaction had two pressure-dependent rates, closed to open and inactivated to closed. Pressure sensitivity of the opening rate with no sensitivity of the closing rate means that the energy barrier between them is located near the open state. Mutant cycle analysis of inactivation showed that the two sites interacted strongly, even though they are postulated to be on opposite sides of the membrane.
Variations in Behavior Problems of Preschoolers Exposed to Domestic Violence: The Role of Mothers’ Attunement to Children’s Emotional Experiences

The purpose of this study was to identify aspects of family relationships that may protect young children from the pathogenic effects of family violence. Using a sample of 30 preschool-age children whose mothers were physically abused by a partner, we investigated the associations between children’s externalizing and internalizing behavior problems and: (1) the quality of the mother–child relationship, and (2) mothers’ attunement to their child’s sad and angry emotions. Results indicated that clinician ratings of the mother–child relationship, and mothers’ attunement to their child’s experience of emotion each made a unique contribution to the prediction of children’s externalizing behavior. These relationships remained robust, even after taking the severity of domestic violence reported by mothers into consideration. Maternal attunement, however, did not mediate the relationship between marital conflict and children’s behavior problems. No significant link was found between children’s internalizing behavior and maternal attunement to their children’s sadness and anger. Additional findings suggested that mothers with a PTSD diagnosis tended to be less attuned to their child’s experience of sadness.
Momentum-dependent interaction and the magnetic properties of interacting electron systems

Abstract A brief review is given of the effects of momentum dependence on the ground and low lying states of an itinerant electron system. The origin of the momentum dependence is traced to a combination of explicit interaction among electrons and the “form factors’ due to the band structure in real metals. We address ourselves here to the interaction aspect of the problem, as this seems to be a much neglected part of the theory. Some new methods and results will be presented. A brief discussion of systems which are semi-infinite and two-dimensional in spatial extension is also given.
Parity constraints on the polarization structure of reactions

The constraints of parity conservation on the observable-amplitude structure of an arbitrary four-particle reaction with arbitrary values of spins are derived in the optimal transversity formalism. Of the submatrices of size 8-by-8, 4-by-4, 2-by-2, and 1--by--1, some vanish, and some reduce from size {ital n}-by-{ital n} to {ital n}/2-by-{ital n}/2. The numbers of each type of submatrix are given. The results are useful in the determination of reaction amplitudes, in the testing of dynamical mechanisms, and in the imposition of constraints by additional symmetries. {copyright} 1989 Academic Press, Inc.
Effects of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate free acid and cold water immersion on post-exercise markers of muscle damage.

The aim of the current study was to examine the effects of cold water immersion (CWI) with and without the free acid form of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB-FA) on markers of muscle damage following acute lower body resistance exercise. Forty recreationally resistance-trained men (22.3 ± 2.4 years) were randomly divided into one of the four groups: (1) Placebo (PL); (2) HMB-FA; (3) HMB-FA-CWI; (4) PL-CWI. HMB-FA groups ingested 3 g day−1 and CWI groups submersed their lower body into 10–12 °C water for 10-min post-exercise. No differences between groups were observed for CK; however, PL-CWI had significantly greater elevations in myoglobin 30-min post-exercise compared to HMB-FA (p = 0.009) and PL (p = 0.005), and HMB-FA-CWI was significantly greater than HMB-FA (p = 0.046) and PL (p = 0.028). No differences between groups were observed for IL-6 and IL-10, although CRP was significantly greater 24-h post-exercise for PL-CWI compared to HMB-FA-CWI (p = 0.02) and HMB-FA (p = 0.046). Only HMB-FA-CWI showed significantly (p = 0.02) greater improvements in average power per repetition. CWI appeared to elevate myoglobin compared to other groups, while HMB-FA may have attenuated the increase in CRP when combined with CWI. Nevertheless, HMB-FA or CWI treatments did not appear to provide benefit over PL for recovery. Instead, the combination of CWI and HMB-FA improved performance recovery compared to other groups.
Quantitative analysis of yeast internal architecture using soft X‐ray tomography

We used soft X-ray tomography (SXT)--a high-resolution, quantitative imaging technique--to measure cell size and organelle volumes in yeasts. Cell size is a key factor in initiating cell division in yeasts, whereas the number and volume of the organelles have a profound impact on the function and viability of a cell. Consequently, determining these cell parameters is fundamentally important in understanding yeast biology. SXT is well suited to this type of analysis. Specimens are imaged in a near-native state, and relatively large numbers of cells can be readily analysed. In this study, we characterized haploid and diploid strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae at each of the key stages in the cell cycle and determined the relationships that exist cellular and organelle volumes. We then compared these results with SXT data obtained from Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the three main phenotypes displayed by the opportunistic yeast pathogen Candida albicans and from a coff1-22 mutant strain of S. cerevisiae. This comparison revealed that volumetric ratios were invariant, irrespective of yeast strain, ploidy or morphology, leading to the conclusion these volumetric ratios are common in all yeasts.
Biosynthesis of steroids from pregnenolone-16-3H by bovine ovarian tissue in vitro☆☆☆

Abstract The many studies elucidating the biosynthesis of steroids by ovarian tissue have been amply reviewed4. In general, the steroidogenetic pathway involves the sequence pregnenolone5→ progesterone→. 17α-hydroxyprogesterone→ androstenedione→ (or testosterone)→ estradiol (or estrone). An alternate pathway via pregnenolone→ 17α-hydroxypregnenolone→ dehydroepiandrosterone→ androstenedione has been documented in adrenal tissue. Recent evidence indicates the existence of this progesterone-independent route in ovarian tissue4,6,7,8. These investigations support the hypothesis that the differences among cells forming steroid hormones are quantitative rather than qualitative. Since pregnenolone is the key precursor in steroid hormone biotransformations, the present study reports an investigation initiated to obtain definitive evidence in a single experiment as to the steroidogenetic role of pregnenolone in the ovary of the bovine in the preovulatory phase of the estrus cycle.
Multiple mechanisms influencing the relationship between alcohol consumption and peer alcohol use

Background Alcohol consumption is typically correlated with the alcohol use behaviors of one's peers. Previous research has suggested that this positive relationship could be due to social selection, social influence, or a combination of both processes. However, few studies have considered the role of shared genetic and environmental influences in conjunction with causal processes. METHODS This study uses data from a sample of male twins (N = 1,790) who provided retrospective reports of their own alcohol consumption and their peers' alcohol-related behaviors, from adolescence into young adulthood (ages 12 to 25). Structural equation modeling was employed to compare 3 plausible models of genetic and environmental influences on the relationship between phenotypes over time. RESULTS Model fitting indicated that one's own alcohol consumption and the alcohol use of one's peers are related through both genetic and shared environmental factors and through unique environmental causal influences. The relative magnitude of these factors, and their contribution to covariation, changed over time, with genetic factors becoming more meaningful later in development. CONCLUSIONS Peers' alcohol use behaviors and one's own alcohol consumption are related through a complex combination of genetic and environmental factors that act via correlated factors and the complementary causal mechanisms of social selection and influence. Understanding these processes can inform risk assessment as well as improve our ability to model the development of alcohol use. Language: en
Personality and ad-evoked feelings: The case for extraversion and neuroticism

Feeling responses to advertisements have been identified as important advertising effects. Considerable intersubject variance has been noted across those ad-evoked feelings. Conceptual models have proposed individual differences, including personality, as antecedents of adevoked feelings. In the psychology literature,extraversion andneuroticism have been shown to predict positive and negative affect, respectively. The current research proposes and tests relationships between extraversion and neuroticism and specific, transient feeling responses to ads. Additionally, the single traitaffect intensity, an alternative construal of individual differences in affective predispositions, is measured and compared with extraversion and neuroticism. Extraversion and neuroticism appear to be preferable, theoretically grounded predictors of adevoked feelings and consequent consumer attitudes. These findings should advance advertising managers’ understandings of differences across consumers in fundamental patterns of feeling responses to advertising.
Trace rare earth element analysis of IAEA Hair (HH-1), Animal Bone (H-5) and other biological standards by radiochemical neutron activation

A radiochemical neutron activation analysis using a rare earth group separation scheme has been used to measure ultratrace levels of rare earth elements (REE) in IAEA Human Hair (HH-1), IAEA Animal Bone (H-5), NBS Bovine Liver (SRM 1577), and NBS Orchard Leaf (SRM 1571) standards. The REE concentrations in Human Hair and Animal Bone range from 10−8 g/g to 10−11 g/g and their chondritic normalized REE patterns show a negative Eu anomaly and follow as a smooth function of the REE ionic radii. The REE patterns for NBS Bovine Liver and Orchard Leaf are identical except that their concentrations are higher. The similarity among the REE patterns suggest that the REE do not appear to be fractionated during the intake of biological materials by animals or humans.
Effects of pentobarbital on respiratory functional dynamics in chronically instrumented guinea pigs

Respiratory effects of sodium pentobarbital (35 mg/kg; IP) were studied in guinea pigs chronically instrumented to permit concurrent recordings of bulbar respiratory-related units (RRUs), diaphragmatic electromyogram (DEMG), and electrocorticogram (ECoG). RRU activities were recorded from either the Botzinger Complex (BOT; expiratory) or Nucleus para-Ambiguus (NpA; inspiratory). Pentobarbital-induced changes in respiratory-related activities were evaluated before, throughout the course of, and during recovery from, anesthesia. The most notable development following pentobarbital was a state of progressive bradypnea which was accompanied by a variety of complex changes in the amplitude and temporal attributes of RRU, DEMG and ECoG activities. As anesthetic effects progressed, the activity profiles of both BOT and NpA units underwent striking transformations from a behavioral and state-dependent wakefulness pattern to an activity profile characterized by i) a significantly augmented RRU cycle duration, burst duration and spike frequency; and, ii) an alteration to the pattern of within-burst spike frequency modulation. Along with changes in RRU activity, pentobarbital also produced a marked attenuation of the amplitudes of diaphragmatic activity as well as a discrete, time-dependent alteration in the amplitude and spectral characters of ECoG activities. Differences in BOT and NpA unit responses to alveolar CO2 loading (ramp; 2% and 5%) across wakefulness and anesthesia states were also considerable. In addition to a depressed responsiveness to CO2, the temporal attributes of BOT and NpA activity profiles also indicated an asymmetrical change under pentobarbital anesthesia. Taken together, these findings indicate that pentobarbital causes not only a fundamental alteration in bulbar rhythmogenic mechanisms, but also a differential influence on bulbar respiratory system components that are involved in the definition of the shape and the amplitude of central respiratory drive. In conclusion, this study offers, for the first time, direct evidence from physiologically and structurally intact preparations that the functional dynamics of respiratory system components are profoundly altered during pentobarbital anesthesia.
Radiation-induced effects research in emerging photonic technologies: vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, GaN light-emitting diodes, and microelectromechanical devices

High quality optical fiber to OEIC pigtailing, using non-conventional technology, is required to create a real integrated optical system for optical communications, computing, signal processing, control, and sensing. In this paper, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) presents a novel singlemode fiber to singlemode GaAs channel waveguide pigtailing approach. This pigtailing approach involves two key technologies. First, a fiber end-face lensing technology was used to improve modeprofile matching between singlemode fiber and singlemode channel waveguide, so fiber to waveguide coupling efficiency could be improved. Second, resistance layer assisted dual-carrier-soldering (RLADCS) technology was introduced to facilitate fiber and waveguide chip alignment and fixing, so accurate, convenient, and reliable fiber to optoelectronic integrated cicuit (OEIC) pigtailing could be achieved. By using radiation hardened fiber and special OEIC, this pigtailing and packaging technology has potential applications in a space environment. This publication addresses all aspects of this pigtailing approach, including theoretical analysis, design, fabrication, testing, and measurement results.
Optical properties of Yb+ 3-doped fibers and fiber lasers at high temperature

Abstract Recent advances in power scaling of Yb+ 3-doped fiber lasers to the kilowatt level suggest a need to examine the performance of Yb+ 3-doped silica at temperatures well above ambient. We report experimental results for the absorption coefficient, emission cross-section, fluorescence lifetime, and slope efficiency of a Yb3+-doped large mode area (LMA) silica fiber for temperatures spanning 23 °C–977 °C. To the best of our knowledge these are the highest temperatures to date for which these optical properties have been measured. We find a sharp reduction in the energy storing capability and lasing performance of Yb+ 3:SiO2 above 500 °C that coincides with the onset of non-radiative transitions in the excited state manifold (thermal quenching). As the temperature increases from room temperature to 977 °C, absorption in the 1020–1120 nm operating band increases monotonically, concurrent with a reduction in absorption at the 920-nm and 977-nm pumping bands. Conversely, the spectral weight of the emission cross-section shifts from transitions above 1010 nm to those below, with the exception of the 977-nm emission band.
The Ethical Implications of the Five-Stage Skill-Acquisition Model:

We assume that acting ethically is a skill. We then use a phenomenological description of five stages of skill acquisition to argue that an ethics based on principles corresponds to a beginner’s re...
An on-line method in studying music parsing☆

Listening to music entails the construction of a mental representation based on partial and ambiguous information. This study examines an experimental method that reflects such parsing decisions on-line by detecting the cognitive load resulting from temporary parsing failures. The method investigated was a divided attention paradigm in which listening to music was the primary task and click detection was a concurrent secondary task. It was hypothesized that increasing the complexity of the primary task by introducing an unprepared chromatic modulation results in an increase in response latencies to a click presented immediately after the modulatory shift. The support of this prediction by musicians' data provides evidence for the sensitivity of the paradigm. The failure of non-musicians to reflect the expected load is attributed to their attention-allocation strategy. These results are discussed in terms of their implications on the view of the musical parser as deterministic.
A Lesson from the British Polytechnics for American Community Colleges

Even though the antecedents of American higher education can be traced to the ancient universities of England, the American system has moved beyond the original model. Community colleges, although a unique American invention, can still learn from what is happening in modem-day Britain. The conversion of the British polytechnics into universities is parallel to the move by some community colleges to offer a workforce bachelor's degree. Based on the British experience, community colleges would do well to remain within their well-defined, universally understood parameters, rather than becoming hybrid institutions.
Requirements Composition Table explained

Aspect-oriented requirements engineering (AORE) introduced an artifact called Requirements Composition Table (RCT). RCT presents a holistic view of an application's functionality structured by core features and crosscutting concerns. This artifact can effectively support various project tasks and serve as a common frame of reference for all parties on a project team. As AORE remains little-known to most practitioners in the software development field, the purpose of this paper is to explain the RCT concept to practitioners and discuss its benefits. The RCT technique has been implemented for a number of Wall Street applications at various investment banks. RCT can help us perform important project tasks and has proven to be one of the most valuable artifacts of a software project. This paper discusses the steps to develop an RCT, provides an example of how to use it to perform change impact analysis for releases, describes experiences using RCTs in practice, and discusses lessons learned on projects implementing the RCT technique.
Oxygen Consumption during Surface-Induced Deep Hypothermia under Halothane Anesthesia

Abstract The effect of halothane-100% oxygen anesthesia on oxygen consumption was studied in 10 dogs subjected to surface-induced deep hypothermia with 30 minutes of circulatory arrest. The results were compared with previous oxygen consumption data under ether-100% oxygen anesthesia. Low cardiac output, especially during the rewarming period, low Pa02, and a large arteriovenous oxygen difference during rewarming were significantly different in the halothane group, despite identical oxygen consumption in both groups. These differences could not elucidate the exact cause of postoperative motor disturbances associated with 30 minutes of circulatory arrest in the halothane group. The possibility that there was higher oxygen consumption under halothane anesthesia is discussed.
Deprotonation−Substitution Reactions of Poly(Methylalkylphosphazenes) and Their N-Silylphosphoranimine Precursors

Diethyl ether solutions of the phosphoranimines, Me 3 SiN=P(OPhl(CH 3 )(R) {R = n-Bu, n-Hex} and tetrahydrofuran (THF) solutions of the polymers [Et(Ph)P=N] n , [Me(n-Bu)P=N] n , and [Me-(n-Hex)P=N] n were sequentially treated with n-BuLi and appropriate electrophiles to afford new phosphoranimines, Me3SiN=P(OPh)(CH 2 SiMe 3 )(R) {R = n-Bu, n-Hex} and Me 3 SiN=P(OPh)(CH 2 PPh 2 )-(n-Bu), and new copolymers, [Et(Ph)P=N]x{[(CH 3 )(Me 3 Si)CH](Ph)P=N} y , [Me(R)P=N] x {[(Me 3 Si)CH 2 ]-(R)P=N} y , and [Me(R)P=N] x {[η 5 -C 5 H 5 )Fe(η 5 -C 5 H 4 )CH(OH)CH 2 ](R)P=N} y . The new phosphoranimines were characterized by elemental analysis and 1 H, DEPT 13 C, and 31 P NMR spectroscopy. The new polymers were characterized by elemental analysis, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), 1 H and 31 P NMR spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, and density measurements. The range of substitution of the polymers {i.e., [y/(x + y)] x 100} was 30-70% as determined by elemental analysis. Glass transition temperatures and molecular weights of the derivatives were both higher than the parent polymers. Measurements of Young's contact angles (θ Y ) indicated that the incorporation of Me 3 Si and ferrocene groups into the polymers increased the hydrophobicity relative to unsubstituted poly(dialkylphosphazenes).
n-Alkanesulfonamides as Repellents for the German Cockroach [Orthoptera (Dictyoptera): Blatellidae]

Six of 21 n -alkylsulfonyl derivatives of substituted or unsaturated piperidines were highly effective in repelling the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), for 2 to 3 weeks.
SuperWeb: research issues in Java‐based global computing

The Internet, in particular the World Wide Web, continues to expand at an amazing pace. We propose a new infrastructure, SuperWeb, to harness global resources, such as CPU cycles or disk storage, and make them available to every user on the Internet. SuperWeb has the potential for solving parallel supercomputing applications involving thousands of co-operating components on the Internet. However, we anticipate that initial implementations will be used inside large organizations with large heterogeneous intranets. Our approach is based on recent advances in Internet connectivity and the implementation of safe distributed computing realized by languages such as Java. Our SuperWeb prototype consists of brokers, clients and hosts. Hosts register a fraction of their computing resources (CPU time, memory, bandwidth, disk space) with resource brokers. Clients submit tasks that need to be executed. The broker maps client computations onto the registered hosts. We examine an economic model for trading computing resources, and discuss several technical challenges associated with such a global computing environment. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regularity-guaranteed transformation estimation in medical image registration

In addition to seeking geometric correspondence between the inputs, a legitimate image registration algorithm should also keep the estimated transformation meaningful or regular. In this paper, we present a mathematically sound formulation that explicitly controls the deformation to keep each grid in a meaningful shape over the entire geometric matching procedure. The deformation regularity conditions are enforced by maintaining all the moving neighbors as non-twist grids. In contrast to similar works, our model differentiates and formulates the convex and concave update cases under an efficient and straightforward point-line/surface orientation framework, and uses equality constraints to guarantee grid regularity and prevent folding. Experiments on MR images are presented to show the improvements made by our model over the popular Demon's and DCT-based registration algorithms.
Effects of temperature on convulsive liability of pentylenetetrazol, strychnine sulfate, and thebaine hydrochloride.

The CD 50 's of pentylenetetrazol, strychnine, and thebaine were determined by intraperitoneal injection into white mice after 1-hr, exposure to ambient temperatures of 6, 16, 22, 24, 30, and 35°. Rectal temperatures were also measured. The data are interpreted on the basis of the pharmacology of the compounds used and the observed effects of temperature on the actions of these compounds.
The Importance of Small Pupils: A Study of How Pupil Dilation Affects Iris Biometrics

This work studies the effect of pupil dilation on the accuracy of iris biometrics. We find that when matching enrollment and recognition images of the same person, larger differences in pupil dilation yield higher template dissimilarities, and so a greater chance of a false non-match. Another experimental result is that even when the degree of dilation is similar at enrollment and recognition, comparisons involving highly dilated pupils result in worse recognition performance than comparisons involving constricted pupils. We find that when the matched images have similarly highly dilated pupils, the mean Hamming distance of the match distribution increases and the mean Hamming distance of the non-match distribution decreases, bringing the distributions closer together from both directions. We recommend that a measure of pupil dilation be kept as meta-data for every iris code. Also, the absolute dilation of the two images, and the dilation difference between them, should factor into a confidence measure for an iris match.
Multidisciplinary Project: A Tool for Learning the Subject

In recent years, with the national trend toward business downsizing, job market needs have changed. Small companies are becoming the primary employers of engineers and technologists, who must assume multidisciplinary roles. Multidisciplinary projects can provide students with valuable preparation for this requirement. The objectives of the work described in this paper are: 1) help technology students develop, to some extent, the abilities of engineering students, 2) to enhance technology students' interest in a multidisciplinary curriculum. To help achieve these objectives, students at Temple University were given an electromechanical project to design a model of a smart conveyor belt system that could recognize the size of different blocks. Statistical analysis of a confidential student survey showed that a significant number of students positively rated the benefits of working on the project. Survey performance indices included pedagogy, interactions with Electrical Engineering students and faculty, and obtaining hands-on experience. Project students scored statistically higher on a theory test, and 34% of the students were motivated to complete a minor in electromechanical engineering technology because of the interdisciplinary project.
Schottky enhancement of contacts to n-(In0.52Al0.48)As using PdAl as a metallization

PdAl was selected as a reactive contact to n-(In0.52Al0.48)As with the intention of forming a thin, AlAs-enriched interlayer of graded (In1−xAlx)As semiconductor alloy, following rapid thermal annealing. Selection of PdAl was based on the experimentally established existence of a quasi-reciprocal phase relationship. A Schottky barrier enhancement of 0.07 eV (measured by current-voltage (I-V)) and 0.09 eV (measured by capacitance-voltage (C-V)) was found following a 1-min anneal at 450°C. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) examination showed the presence of an edge dislocation in the interlayer alloy, suggesting an enrichment of AlAs. Schottky barrier enhancement is in qualitative agreement with the prediction of the combined thermodynamic/kinetic model.
Enhanced computed tomographic techniques for the evaluation of total hip arthroplasty.

Abstract Computed tomography (CT) has revolutionized the evalution of musculoskeletal pathology. Until recently, however, CT of the postoperative orthopaedic patient has been severely limited by its inability to provide useful information in the vicinity of acetabular and femoral implants. Typically the hardware produces extensive artifacts that can markedly degrade the whole image. Methods are now available to reduce the metal artifact. Following hip arthroplasty, these methods have been used to plan for revision arthroplasty and to evaluate the contralateral side for avascular necrosis.
Rapid-acting insulin glulisine: an update on clinical experience

This comprehensive article on insulin glulisine (glulisine; Apidra®, sanofi-aventis [Paris, France]) is an update to a previous review from 2006. Glulisine is a rapid-acting insulin analog that mimics physiologic postprandial insulin secretion more closely than regular human insulin and other insulin analogs. Glulisine can be taken pre- or post-meal, providing patients with more flexibility regarding meal content and timing. In patients with Type 2 diabetes, multiple trials, including observational studies, have demonstrated that glulisine (combined with insulin glargine or oral antidiabetic drugs) is superior to regular human insulin in terms of glycemic control, patient satisfaction and quality of life. When utilized in accordance with recommended use, patients can safely intensify from basal insulin to basal insulin plus a single prandial dose, through to a basal–bolus regimen without loss of efficacy and without a significantly increased risk of hypoglycemia. Glulisine is safe when used in insulin pum...
Using genetic algorithms for batch selection decisions

Abstract Combinatorially complex decisions are usually characterized by their huge size of solution space. For such type of decisions, optimal solutions are usually unattainable, and we can only approximate the optimal solutions. Due to their determinism, most of the traditional optimization techniques are limited by their power to discover satisfactory solutions for combinatorially complex decisions. In this paper, we designed a genetic algorithm-based interactive system for a combinatorially complex decision—the batch selection problem. A performance comparison with a rule-based system was also conducted. We also investigated the influence of different parameter values on the system performance.
Silencing the Transcriptome's Dark Matter: Mechanisms for Suppressing Translation of Intergenic Transcripts

Large portions of the genomes of higher eukaryotes are transcribed into RNA molecules that are never destined for translation into proteins. Although some of these transcripts have clearly defined biological roles other than protein coding, most arise from genomic regions devoid of functional genes and many are antisense to regions containing annotated genes. A variety of mechanisms exist to prevent adventitious production of proteins from these transcripts, ranging from degradation within the nucleus to translational silencing in the cytosol.
Nanoimprint lithography with ≤60 nm overlay precision

Nanoimprint lithography is a high-resolution, high-throughput and cost-effective nanopatterning technology. However, the overlay accuracy is lagging behind the resolution because of the high cost of mechanical precision. We have built an inexpensive stand-alone machine based on the wafer bowing nanoimprint process, and demonstrated single-point overlay of two transferred pattern layers with an accuracy of ≤60 nm.
Visualization of an intelligent integrated health management system for rocket propulsion

In this paper, I describe the need and design of a visualization system for a health management system for rocket propulsion testing.
Training Top-Down Attention Improves Performance on a Triple-Conjunction Search Task

Training has been shown to improve perceptual performance on limited sets of stimuli. However, whether training can generally improve top-down biasing of visual search in a target-nonspecific manner remains unknown. We trained subjects over ten days on a visual search task, challenging them with a novel target (top-down goal) on every trial, while bottom-up uncertainty (distribution of distractors) remained constant. We analyzed the changes in saccade statistics and visual behavior over the course of training by recording eye movements as subjects performed the task. Subjects became experts at this task, with twofold increased performance, decreased fixation duration, and stronger tendency to guide gaze toward items with color and spatial frequency (but not necessarily orientation) that resembled the target, suggesting improved general top-down biasing of search.