Cross-language computational investigation of the length effect in reading aloud.

The authors examined whether 2 computational models of reading, the dual-route cascaded model (M. Coltheart, K. Rastle, C. Perry, R. Langdon, and J. C. Ziegler, 2001) and the connectionist 2-layer model (M. Zorzi, G. Houghton, and B. Butterworth, 1998), were able to predict the pattern that the length effect found in reading aloud is larger in German than in English (J. C. Ziegler, C. Perry, A. M. Jacobs, and M. Braun, 2001). The results showed that the dual-route cascaded model, which uses a serial mechanism for assembling phonology, successfully predicted this cross-language difference. In contrast, the connectionist model of Zorzi et al. (1998) predicted the opposite: a larger length effect in English than in German. Both the success of one model and the failure of the other highlight fundamental differences between 2 major classes of computational models. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Crack growth predictions using a strip‐yield model for variable‐amplitude and spectrum loading

Fatigue‐crack‐growth tests were conducted on compact, C(T), specimens made of D16Cz aluminum alloy. Constant‐amplitude tests were conducted over a range of stress ratios (R = P_min/P_max = 0.1 to 0.75). Comparisons were made between test data from middle‐crack tension, M(T), specimens from the literature and C(T) specimens. A crack‐closure analysis was used to collapse the rate data from both specimen types into a fairly narrow band over many orders of magnitude in rates using proper constraint factors. Constraint factors were established from single‐spike overload and constant‐amplitude tests. The life‐prediction code, FASTRAN, which is based on the strip‐yield‐model concept, was used to calculate the crack‐length‐against‐cycles under constant‐amplitude (CA) loading and the single‐spike overload (OL) tests; and to predict crack growth under variable‐amplitude (VA) loading on M(T) specimens and simulated aircraft loading spectrum tests on both specimen types. The calculated crack‐growth lives under CA and the OL tests were generally within ±20 % of the test results, the predicted crack‐growth lives for the VA and Mini‐Falstaff tests on the M(T) specimens were short by 30 to 45 %, while the Mini‐Falstaff+ results on the C(T) specimens were within 10 %. Issues on the crack‐starter notch effects under spectrum loading are discussed, and recommendations are suggested on avoiding these notch effects.     

High-Resolution Electron Microscopy and Convergent-Beam Electron Diffraction of Sintered Undoped Hydroxyapatite

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to characterize the microstructure of sintered undoped hydroxyapatite (OHAp). Conventional TEM observations were accom-panied by high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) and convergent-beam electron diffraction (CBED) studies. CBED analysis enabled the determination of the space group of the OHAp, P6₃/m. Densification of the material was performed by pressureless sintering at 1250°C for 30 min. The undoped sample was comprised of apatite as the only crystalline phase, in addition to a small volume fraction (4%) of closed porosity. In general, the observed microstructure was homogeneous and consisted of equiaxed apatite grains with an average grain diameter of }1–2μm. No indication of a residual amorphous phase, which may have formed during sintering, was observed at multigrain junctions. HREM studies on grain boundaries also revealed that no intergranular glass film was present along two-grain junctions, indicating that densification proceeded without a liquid phase. A slightly disordered region at the interfaces was observed, suggesting an extended grain-boundary structure.     

Applications of sample preparation techniques in the analysis of pesticides and PCBs in food

Pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are found in various parts of the environment in quite small concentrations, but they accumulate and thus become a threat to human health and life. A review is focused on the application of some popular techniques for sample preparation in analysis of these compounds in food. Even with the emergence of advanced techniques of final analysis, complex matrices, such as food, require extensive sample extraction and purification. Traditional sample preparation techniques are time consuming and require large amount of solvents, which are expensive, generate considerable waste, contaminate the sample and can enrich it for analytes. There have been many sample preparation techniques proposed to meet the requirements connected with the multiplicity of food. Optimal sample preparation can reduce analysis time, sources of error, enhance sensitivity and enable unequivocal identification and quantification. Sample extraction and purification techniques are discussed and their most recent applications in food analysis are provided. This review pointed out that sample preparation is the critical step.     

Tolerance of a standard intact protein formula versus a partially hydrolyzed formula in healthy, term infants

Background  

Parents who perceive common infant behaviors as formula intolerance-related often switch formulas without consulting a health professional. Up to one-half of formula-fed infants experience a formula change during the first six months of life.     

Werkstoffspezifische Probleme bei der mikrostrukturellen und mikroanalytischen Charakterisierung keramischer Werkstoffe

Material-specific demands for the microstructural and microanalytical characterization of ceramic materials In this paper the need for microstructural and microanalytical charakterization of advanced ceramics is pointed out on examples of high-strength and high-temperature ceramic materials. Based on essential material-specific problems demands for the characterization methods are deduced and specified. Efforts to solve these problems by applying different characterization methods are discussed for typical examples of monolithic ceramics and ceramic composites.     

ESBL-producing E. coli in Austrian sewage sludge

The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of contamination of sewage sludge with ESBL-producing Escherichia coli strains and the effectiveness of different sewage sludge treatment methods.Monthly sewage sludge samples were collected between January and September 2009 in 5 different sewage treatment plants and tested for the presence of ESBL E. coli. In addition, the number of colony forming units (CFU) of E. coli and coliform bacteria before and after the different sludge treatment methods (aerobic/anaerobic digestion, lime stabilization, and thermal treatment) was investigated.Of the 72 sewage sludge samples investigated, ESBL-positive E. coli were found in 44 (61.1%) sewage sludge samples. The classification of β-lactamase groups was carried out in 15 strains resulting in the detection of 2 different groups (CTX-M and TEM) of bla genes. All 15 of them had a CTX-M gene and 4 of these strains furthermore carried a TEM gene.With regard to the CFU of E. coli and coliform bacteria, thermal treatment and lime stabilization following dehydration sufficiently reduced pathogen concentrations. The plants using merely stabilization and dehydration showed an increase of E. coli and coliform bacteria and thus also an increase in ESBL-producing E. coli.     

UNICORE 6 — Recent and Future Advancements

UNICORE is a European Grid Technology with more than 10 years of history. Originating from the Supercomputing domain, the latest version UNICORE 6 has turned into a general-purpose Grid technology that follows established standards and offers a rich set of features to its users. The paper starts with an architectural insight into UNICORE 6, highlighting the workflow features, standards and the different clients. Next, the current state of advancement is presented by describing recent developments. The paper closes with an outlook on future planned developments.