cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new and concise synthesis of 3-deoxy-D-arabino-2-heptulopyranosonic acid (DAH) and derivatives through the radical chemistry of Barton esters

Abstract Barton ester-based radical chemistry was applied in the synthesis of 3-deoxy-D- arabino -2-heptulopyranosonic acid ( DAH ) from commercial D-ribonolactone. The radical reaction with olefin 2 , followed by aqueous work-up, provided the seven-carbon sugar compounds 5 and 6 (3:1) in 60% yield. Removal of the isopropylidene groups from 5 and hydrolysis of the ethyl ester yielded the DAH barium salt quantitatively.
A time-in-motion study of screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) implementation in healthcare settings

Between 2004 and 2013, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) funded six cohorts of grantees to implement screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) services in selected sites. This paper presents data from the cross-site evaluation of the third cohort of state/tribal grantees on how staff allocate their time performing SBIRT activities (e.g. a screen). Because SBIRT activities such as screens may take little time to perform, data that rely on practitioner report to obtain such data may be inaccurate. Estimates gathered by observing practitioners’ time are likely to be more accurate.
Intrapartum assessment of fetal well-being: A comparison of scalp stimulation with scalp blood pH sampling

Objective: To determine whether the need for fetal scalp pH sampling is decreased by the scalp stimulation test and whether redefinition of reactivity and presence of variability further decrease the need for scalp pH sampling. Methods: One hundred eight women with fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns suggestive of acidosis underwent fetal scalp blood pH evaluations. Digital scalp stimulation was performed for 15 seconds 1–2 minutes before pH sampling. The study group was subdivided based on reactivity to scalp stimulation and scalp puncture and was correlated with pH values. Reactivity was defined as an acceleration of 15 beats per minute or more lasting at least 15 seconds and redefined as an acceleration of 10 beats per minute or more lasting at least 10 seconds. Nonreactive responses were subdivided based on FHR variability preceding the scalp stimulation and were correlated with pH values. Fisher exact test was used for analysis. Results: All 51 instances of acceleration of 15 beats per minute or more lasting at least 15 seconds following scalp stimulation had a scalp pH of 7.20 or more. Using an acceleration of 10 beats per minute or more lasting at least 10 seconds, seven more reactive responses were obtained after scalp stimulation, all with pH of 7.20 or more. The 15 instances in which the pH was less than 7.20 were nonreactive irrespective of the definition of reactivity ( P P Conclusions: The scalp stimulation test could decrease the need for fetal scalp blood sampling by 47%. Redefinition of reactivity could decrease the need for scalp sampling by 54%. In addition, assessment of FHR variability before scalp stimulation could decrease further the need for scalp blood sampling by 73%.
Incentive compatible regression learning

We initiate the study of incentives in a general machine learning framework. We focus on a game-theoretic regression learning setting where private information is elicited from multiple agents with different, possibly conflicting, views on how to label the points of an input space. This conflict potentially gives rise to untruthfulness on the part of the agents. In the restricted but important case when every agent cares about a single point, and under mild assumptions, we show that agents are motivated to tell the truth. In a more general setting, we study the power and limitations of mechanisms without payments. We finally establish that, in the general setting, the VCG mechanism goes a long way in guaranteeing truthfulness and economic efficiency.
Neutrino oscillation physics with a FNAL proton driver

We discuss the need of a proton driver for the Fermilab neutrino oscillation program, as well as its role in the global context.
A novel route to synthesize libraries of quinoxalines via Petasis methodology in two synthetic operations

This communication reveals an innovative and facile procedure to prepare quinoxalines in two synthetic steps. The microwave assisted Petasis reaction is followed by the acid mediated unmasking of an internal amino nucleophile, cyclodehydration and oxidation to give collections of quinoxalines in good to excellent yields.
Process development of mild gasification for midwestern bituminous and western low-rank coals☆

A mild gasification process is under development using a l00 lb h−1 process development unit with a high-sulphur midwestern bituminous coal and a low-rank, low-sulphur western coal, to produce metallurgical coke substitutes, carbon black, activated carbon, diesel fuel additives, chemical feedstock materials, and pure chemicals. The PDU consists of a fast fluidized-bed carbonizer optimized for condensables production and a bubbling fluidized-bed calciner to reduce volatiles and sulphur contents to acceptable levels for metallurgical coke. Condensables are collected in a high-temperature tar venturi scrubber, a sieve tower, and a water venturi scrubber. Chars produced at 1100 °F ranged in volatile matter from 15 wt% for the subbituminous coal to 13 wt% for the bituminous coal. Ash contents were 10 and 19 wt% respectively, and sulphur contents were 0.4 and 3.0 wt% respectively. Three distinct boiling-point fractions of liquids were collected from the condensation train. With subbituminous coal, the tar scrubber yielded liquids ranging in boiling point from 380 to 500 °C, the sieve tower liquids ranging from 200 to 470 °C, and the water scrubber liquids ranging from 170 to 440 °C. With the bituminous coal, the tar scrubber yielded liquids ranging in boiling point from 400 to 510 °C, and the combined sieve tower-water scrubber liquids ranging from 170 to 460 °C.
High pT correlations with strange particles in STAR

We present the highlights of the current identified strange particles Δ and Δη correlations analyses, including system-size and trigger-p⊥ of the jet and ridge, jet, ridge and away-side meson/baryon ratios, and the current state of the multi-strange baryon analysis. We see clear azimuthal peaks of comparable strength for all strange baryons and K0S mesons. We see no observable species dependence on the same-side jet or ridge yields as a function of p⊥. However, while the away side and the ridge have the Λ0 to K0S ratio similar to that of the bulk, the jet-only ratio is similar to that in p+p. The implications of these findings on current in-medium jet theoretical explanations are discussed.
Historical citizenship and the Fremantle prison follies: Frederick Wiseman comes to Western Australia

(1994). Historical citizenship and the Fremantle prison follies: Frederick Wiseman comes to Western Australia. Continuum: Vol. 7, Screening Cultural Studies, pp. 269-289.
Condensed-phase heat-capacity studies and derived thermodynamic properties for six cyclic nitrogen compounds☆☆☆★

Abstract Condensed-phase heat capacities and enthalpies were determined at temperatures from near 10 to 400 K for N-methylpyrrole, 2,5-dimethylpyrrole, piperidine, 2-methylpiperidine, 4-methylpyridine, and N-methylcarbazole, and were used to provide the Gibbs energy, enthalpy, entropy, and heat capacity along the vapor-saturation line at temperatures from 0 to 400 K. The corresponding ideal-gas thermodynamic properties were derived using available vapor pressures and enthalpies of vaporization. The Gibbs energy, enthalpy, and entropy of formation were derived for the ideal gas at selected temperatures with available enthalpies of combustion.
The unidentified Galactic EGRET sources

Abstract The nature of the unidentified gamma-ray point sources in the Galactic plane is a long standing puzzle of gamma-ray astronomy. Kaaret and Cottam (1996) showed that 16 of the 25 unidentified gamma-ray point sources near the Galactic plane lie in or near associations of massive stars, likely sites of pulsar formation, and that the intrinsic luminosity distribution of the sources is consistent with that of known gamma-ray pulsars. Here, I show there are approximately 5–7 times as many visible gamma-ray pulsars as supernovae remnants. This strengthens the hypothesis that pulsars constitute the majority of the unidentified gamma-ray point sources near the Galactic plane.
Field Results Demonstrate Enhanced Matrix Acidizing Through Real-Time Monitoring

The use of an inverse injectivity versus superposition time plot to diagnose the changing skin factor in a matrix acidizing treatment has been presented previously by Hill and Zhu 1 . The model has been extended to calculate skin factor as a function of injection time or injected volume directly to help the operator monitor and optimize the treatment. A Windows program based on the theory has been developed to provide a pretreatment test to evaluate the permeability and the initial skin factor of the formation when they are not available before the acid treatment, to calculate and plot the evolving skin during the treatment in real-time, and to evaluate treatments afterwards. It converts surface pressure, when measured, to the bottom hole pressure for the calculation, and handles fluid density and viscosity changes in real time. Several field examples showed that the technique can be used conveniently to monitor skin changes and diversion effects during matrix acidizing treatments. The program is reliable and flexible in acquiring and processing data, calculating skin, and diagnosing matrix acidizing treatments.
Electronic structure and binding energies of hydrogen-decorated vacancies in Ni

The electronic structure, binding energies, and magnetic properties of Ni-containing vacancies and vacancy-hydrogen complexes have been studied using a first-principles all-electron self-consistent embedded-cluster model based on local-spin-density-functional theory. The results describe the properties of perfect ferromagnetic Ni metal correctly. The calculated local-spin magnetic moment at the nearest-neighbor site of the monovacancy is found to be 30% larger than the bulk value. This magnetic moment, however, is reduced significantly as hydrogen occupies the vacancy center. Calculations of binding energies of six hydrogen atoms moving along the octahedral directions from the vacancy center reveal that the magnetic moments at the nearest-neighbor Ni site continually decrease, eventually coupling antiferromagnetically to the bulk moment. This occurs when hydrogen atoms are displaced from the vacancy center by a distance of ${\mathrm{a}}_{0}$ /2, where ${\mathrm{a}}_{0}$ is the lattice constant. This is analogous to the antiferromagnetic coupling in NiO. The trapping of a six-hydrogen-atom complex inside a vacancy is found to be energetically favorable. The results are compared with a recent experiment where copious vacancy formation under high hydrogen pressure and temperature was observed.
Ambipolar diffusion in the magnetorotational instability

The effects of ambipolar diffusion on the linear stability of weakly ionized accretion discs are examined. Earlier work on this topic has focused on axial magnetic fields and perturbation wavenumbers. We consider here more general field and wavenumber geometries, and find that qualitatively new results are obtained. Provided a radial wavenumber and azimuthal field are present along with their axial counterparts, ambipolar diffusion will always be destabilizing, with unstable local modes appearing at well-defined wavenumber bands. The wavenumber corresponding to the maximum growth rate need not, in general, lie along the vertical axis. Growth rates become small relative to the local angular velocity when the ion-neutral collision time exceeds the orbital time. In common with Hall electromotive forces, ambipolar diffusion destabilizes both positive and negative angular velocity gradients. In at least some cases, therefore, uniformly rotating molecular cloud cores may reflect the marginally stable state of the ambipolar magnetorotational instability.
Simulating and Predicting Solar Cycles Using a Flux-Transport Dynamo

We construct a predictive tool based on a Babcock-Leighton-type flux-transport dynamo model of a solar cycle, run the model by updating the surface magnetic source using old cycles' data since cycle 12, and show that the model can correctly simulate the relative peaks of cycles 16-23. The simulations use the first four cycles to load the meridional circulation conveyor belt to create the Sun's memory about its past magnetic fields. Extending the simulation into the future, we predict that cycle 24 will be 30%-50% stronger than the current cycle 23. These simulations and predictions are robust for a wide range of convection zone magnetic diffusivity values between 3 × 1010 and 2 × 1011 cm2 s-1. Our model predictions are the same for three different treatments of the unknown surface magnetic source for the cycles to be predicted, namely (1) assuming some cyclic pattern, (2) incorporating zero surface source, or (3) including a surface source derived from the self-excited version of the dynamo model. Technique 3, for treating the surface source for cycles to be predicted, also shows significant skill in predicting two cycles ahead. Analyzing the evolution of magnetic field patterns over a full magnetic cycle, we show that the key to success of our prediction model lies in the formation of a seed for producing cycle n from the combination of latitudinal fields at high latitudes from three past cycles, n - 1, n - 2, and n - 3, instead of the previous cycle's polar fields. These results have many implications for both solar and stellar dynamo modeling.
Full-Polarization Observations of OH Masers in Massive Star-forming Regions. II. Maser Properties and the Interpretation of Polarization

We analyze full-polarization VLBA data of ground-state OH masers in 18 massive star-forming regions previously presented in a companion paper. We confirm results previously seen in the few individual sources studied at milliarcsecond angular resolution. The OH masers often arise in the shocked neutral gas surrounding ultracompact H II regions. Magnetic fields as deduced from OH maser Zeeman splitting are highly ordered on the scale of a source and on the maser clustering scale of ~1015 cm, which appears to be universal. OH masers around ultracompact H II regions live ~104 yr before turning off abruptly, rather than weakening gradually. These masers have a wide range of polarization properties. At one extreme (e.g., W75 N), π-components are detected and the polarization position angles of maser spots show some organization. At the other extreme (e.g., W51 e1/e2), almost no linear polarization is detected and partial depolarization occurs. A typical source has properties intermediate to these two extremes, with no clear pattern in the distribution of polarization position angles. This can be explained if Faraday rotation in a typical OH maser source is large on a maser amplification length but small on a single (e-folding) gain length. Increasing or decreasing Faraday rotation by a factor of ~5 among different sources can explain the observed variation in polarization properties. Pure π-components (in theory, 100% linearly polarized) are seldom seen. We suggest that almost all π-components acquire a significant amount of circular polarization from low-gain stimulated emission of a σ-component from velocity-coherent OH lying along the propagation path.
Asynchronously sampled blind source separation for coherent optical links

Polarization multiplexing is an integral technique for generating spectrally efficient 100 Gb/s and higher optical links. Post coherent detection DSP-based polarization demultiplexing of QPSK links is commonly performed after timing recovery. We propose and demonstrate a method of asynchronous blind source separation using the constant modulus algorithm (CMA) on the asynchronously sampled signal to initially separate energy from arbitrarily aligned polarization states. This method lends well to implementation as it allows for an open-loop sampling frequency for analog-to-digital conversion at less than twice the symbol rate. We show that the performance of subsequent receiver functions is enhanced by the initial pol demux operation. CMA singularity behavior is avoided through tap settling constraints. The method is applicable to QPSK transmissions and many other modulation formats as well, including general QAM signals, offset-QPSK, and CPM, or a combination thereof. We present the architecture and its performance under several different formats and link conditions. Comparisons of complexity and performance are drawn between the proposed architecture and conventional receivers.
Before Microfinance: The Social Value of Microsavings in Vincentian Poverty Reduction

The purpose of this article is to present and discuss the values and limits of microfinance within the context of poverty reduction, international development, and community empowerment. The main thesis is that microfinance requires a more complex strategy than simply the provision of credits. The development of financial capital depends on the increase in human capacity and social capital. Microfinance is revisited under the ethical lenses of global responsibility for alleviating poverty and developing community sustainability. Through a critical review of the literature and case studies from the Philippines, the author suggests a value-based Vincentian approach to integrate microfinance into community empowerment. In connection with the main thesis the author argues that the achievement of economic self-reliance through microfinance is contingent upon the development of capacity building, social capital, and empowerment at the individual, collective, and systemic levels.
A multi-axis confocal rheoscope for studying shear flow of structured fluids

We present a new design for a confocal rheoscope that enables uniform uniaxial or biaxial shear. The design consists of two precisely positioned parallel plates with a gap that can be adjusted down to 2 ±0.1 μm, allowing for the exploration of confinement effects. By using our shear cell in conjunction with a biaxial force measurement device and a high-speed confocal microscope, we are able to measure the real-time biaxial stress while simultaneously imaging the material three-dimensional structure. We illustrate the importance of the instrument capabilities by discussing the applications of this instrument in current and future research topics in colloidal suspensions.
New vanadium oxazoline catalysts for epoxidation of allylic alcohols

Abstract The new vanadium complexes, VO(hoz)21 and VO(hoz)2Cl 2 (hoz=2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-2-oxazoline), catalyze the epoxidation of allylic alcohols with tert-butylhydroperoxide. Catalyst 2 with the oxidation state (V) exhibits superior activity in comparison to 1, producing yields from 88 to >99% under mild conditions, 60°C and non-dry solvent.
Generalized Cross-Validation as a Method for Choosing a Good Ridge Parameter

Consider the ridge estimate (λ) for β in the model unknown, (λ) = (X T X + nλI)−1 X T y. We study the method of generalized cross-validation (GCV) for choosing a good value for λ from the data. The estimate is the minimizer of V(λ) given by where A(λ) = X(X T X + nλI)−1 X T . This estimate is a rotation-invariant version of Allen's PRESS, or ordinary cross-validation. This estimate behaves like a risk improvement estimator, but does not require an estimate of σ2, so can be used when n − p is small, or even if p ≥ 2 n in certain cases. The GCV method can also be used in subset selection and singular value truncation methods for regression, and even to choose from among mixtures of these methods.
Microtexture and anisotropy in wire drawn copper

In many processing operations, it is critical to know the relationship between the resultant sample geometry and the distribution of crystallographic or grain orientations within the polycrystalline aggregates. The spatial variations in crystallographic texture associated with different parts of the sample geometry can influence differences in the plastic response within different regions of a sample. In this paper we present a study of such local variations in the texture (microtexture) as well as grain boundary or mesotexture associated with copper wire and its implications for micromechanical inhomogeneity within a sample volume. The unique experimental and analytical aspects of such microtexture characterization are discussed along with the issues of grain boundary structural parameters and its role in microtexture and anisotropy. The presence of differences in twin frequency in different regions of the sample is suggested as a possible source of strength anisotropy.
Probabilistic seismic hazard in the San Francisco Bay area based on a simplified viscoelastic cycle model of fault interactions

[1] We construct a viscoelastic cycle model of plate boundary deformation that includes the effect of time-dependent interseismic strain accumulation, coseismic strain release, and viscoelastic relaxation of the substrate beneath the seismogenic crust. For a given fault system, time-averaged stress changes at any point (not on a fault) are constrained to zero; that is, kinematic consistency is enforced for the fault system. The dates of last rupture, mean recurrence times, and the slip distributions of the (assumed) repeating ruptures are key inputs into the viscoelastic cycle model. This simple formulation allows construction of stress evolution at all points in the plate boundary zone for purposes of probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA). Stress evolution is combined with a Coulomb failure stress threshold at representative points on the fault segments to estimate the times of their respective future ruptures. In our PSHA we consider uncertainties in a four-dimensional parameter space: the rupture peridocities, slip distributions, time of last earthquake (for prehistoric ruptures) and Coulomb failure stress thresholds. We apply this methodology to the San Francisco Bay region using a recently determined fault chronology of area faults. Assuming single-segment rupture scenarios, we find that future rupture probabilities of area faults in the coming decades are the highest for the southern Hayward, Rodgers Creek, and northern Calaveras faults. This conclusion is qualitatively similar to that of Working Group on California Earthquake Probabilities, but the probabilities derived here are significantly higher. Given that fault rupture probabilities are highly model-dependent, no single model should be used to assess to time-dependent rupture probabilities. We suggest that several models, including the present one, be used in a comprehensive PSHA methodology, as was done by Working Group on California Earthquake Probabilities.
Seismic Response of Skewed RC Box-Girder Bridges

It is critical to ensure the functionality of highway bridges after earthquakes to provide access to important facilities. Since the 1971 San Fernando earthquake, there has been a better understanding of the seismic performance of bridges. Nonetheless, there are no detailed guidelines addressing the performance of skewed highway bridges. Several parameters affect the response of skewed highway bridges under both service and seismic loads which makes their behavior complex. Therefore, there is a need for more research to study the effect of skew angle and other related factors on the performance of highway bridges. This paper examines the seismic performance of a three-span continuous concrete box girder bridge with skew angles from 0 to 60 degrees, analytically. Finite element (FE) and simplified beam-stick (BS) models of the bridge were developed using SAP2000. Different types of analysis were considered on both models such as: nonlinear static pushover, and linear and nonlinear time history analyses. A comparison was conducted between FE and BS, different skew angles, abutment support conditions, and time history and pushover analysis. It is shown that the BS model has the capability to capture the coupling due to skew and the significant modes for moderate skew angles. Boundary conditions and pushover load profile are determined to have a major effect on pushover analysis. Pushover analysis may be used to predict the maximum deformation and hinge formation adequately.
The deautomatization of accessible attitudes

The attitudinal effects of repeatedly encountering an object in a setting where an attitude was unneeded were investigated. In three experiments, participants repeatedly recognized words with strong evaluative connotations. A priming task was subsequently performed in which the repeatedly recognized words or control words served as primes. As expected, the attitudinal priming effects of the attitudes toward the repeated words were attenuated relative to the control words. This reduction in automatic attitude activation was observed even a day after the repeated recognition task, suggesting that attitudinal deautomatization is a relatively enduring effect that is not limited to the immediate context. The likelihood of automatic attitude activation was not diminished by the repeated evaluation of an object, indicating that the effect was not due to semantic satiation or fatigue of the attitude-object connection. A number of additional potential mediators of the deautomatization of attitudes were ruled out by the results. The findings highlight the functional nature of attitudes. Attitudes facilitate the appraisal of objects and the making of decisions. However, when the need to evaluate an object in a context decreases, the automatic activation of attitudes diminishes.
Synthesis of 1,2-Epoxy-1,2,3,4-Tetrahydrobenzo[g]chrysene: The First Synthesis of a FJORD-Region Tetrahydroepoxide

Abstract This study describes the first synthesis of a fjord-region tetrahydroepoxide (11), derived from the carcinogenic hydrocarbon benzo[g]chrysene. This compound is a more potent DNA alkylating agent than the corresponding 3,4-diol 1,2-epoxide.
Metallicity, planetary formation and migration

Recent observations show a clear correlation between the probability of hosting a planet and the metallicity of the parent star. As radial velocity surveys are biased, however, towards detecting planets with short orbital periods, the probability–metallicity correlation could merely reflect a dependence of migration rates on metallicity. We investigated the possibility, but find no basis to suggest that the migration process is sensitive to the metallicity. The indication is, therefore, that a higher metallicity results in a higher probability for planet formation.
A study of the 5-exo methylene-isoxazolidine to 3-pyrrolidinone rearrangement

Abstract Dipolar cycloaddition of nitrones with carbomethoxy substituted allenes gives 5-exo methylene substituted isoxazolidines which rearrange upon thermolysis to 3-pyrrolidinones.
Sorption and Photodegradation Processes Govern Distribution and Fate of Sulfamethazine in Freshwater−Sediment Microcosms

The antibiotic sulfamethazine can be transported from manured fields to surface water bodies. We investigated the degradation and fate of sulfamethazine in pond water using 14C-phenyl-sulfamethazine in small pond water microcosms containing intact sediment and pond water. We found a 2.7-day half-life in pond water and 4.2-day half-life when sulfamethazine was added to the water (5 mg L–1 initial concentration) with swine manure diluted to simulate runoff. Sulfamethazine dissipated exponentially from the water column, with the majority of loss occurring via movement into the sediment phase. Extractable sulfamethazine in sediment accounted for 1.9–6.1% of the applied antibiotic within 14 days and then declined thereafter. Sulfamethazine was transformed mainly into nonextractable sediment-bound residue (40–60% of applied radioactivity) and smaller amounts of photoproducts. Biodegradation, as indicated by metabolite formation and 14CO2 evolution, was less significant than photodegradation. Two photoproducts a...
Matching with Our Eyes Closed

Motivated by an application in kidney exchange, we study the following query-commit problem: we are given the set of vertices of a non-bipartite graph G. The set of edges in this graph are not known ahead of time. We can query any pair of vertices to determine if they are adjacent. If the queried edge exists, we are committed to match the two endpoints. Our objective is to maximize the size of the matching. This restriction in the amount of information available to the algorithm constraints us to implement myopic, greedy-like algorithms. A simple deterministic greedy algorithm achieves a factor 1/2 which is tight for deterministic algorithms. An important open question in this direction is to give a randomized greedy algorithm that has a significantly better approximation factor. This question was first asked almost 20 years ago by Dyer and Frieze [9] where they showed that a natural randomized strategy of picking edges uniformly at random doesn't help and has an approximation factor of 1/2 + o(1). They left it as an open question to devise a better randomized greedy algorithm. In subsequent work, Aronson, Dyer, Frieze, and Suen [2] gave a different randomized greedy algorithm and showed that it attains a factor 0.5 + o where o is 0.0000025. In this paper we propose and analyze a new randomized greedy algorithm for finding a large matching in a general graph and use it to solve the query commit problem mentioned above. We show that our algorithm attains a factor of at least 0.56, a significant improvement over 0.50000025. We also show that no randomized algorithm can have an approximation factor better than 0.7916 for the query commit problem. For another large and interesting class of randomized algorithms that we call vertex-iterative algorithms, we show that no vertex iterative algorithm can have an approximation factor better than 0.75.
Regge's space-time skeletons and the quantization of 2d gravity

Regge's method for regularizing euclidean quantum gravity is applied to two dimensional gravity. Using topologies with genus zero and two and a scale invariant measure, we show that the Regge method fails to reproduce the values of the string susceptibilities of the continuum model.
Comparison of Tissue Injury from Focused Ultrasonic Propulsion of Kidney Stones Versus Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Purpose: Focused ultrasonic propulsion is a new noninvasive technique designed to move kidney stones and stone fragments out of the urinary collecting system. However, to our knowledge the extent of tissue injury associated with this technique is not known. We quantitated the amount of tissue injury produced by focused ultrasonic propulsion under simulated clinical treatment conditions and under conditions of higher power or continuous duty cycles. We compared those results to extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy injury.Materials and Methods: A human calcium oxalate monohydrate stone and/or nickel beads were implanted by ureteroscopy in 3 kidneys of live pigs weighing 45 to 55 kg and repositioned using focused ultrasonic propulsion. Additional pig kidneys were exposed to extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy level pulse intensity or continuous ultrasound exposure 10 minutes in duration using an ultrasound probe transcutaneously or on the kidney. These kidneys were compared to 6 treated with an unmodified...
Reflections—The Economics of Renewable Energy in the United States

AbstractGreater use of renewable energy is seen as a key component of any move to combat climate change, and is being aggressively promoted as such by the new U.S. administration. Yet there has bee...
Wired and Wireless Physical Layer Security Issues

Abstract Network security considerations normally concentrate on the higher layers of the OSI 7- layer model. However, significant issues exist in protecting physical security of the network, in addition to the routine protection of data message content that crosses the Internet. Even inside the firewall, an enterprise network may be vulnerable to unauthorized access.
Biotechnology and Food Security in the 21st Century

Biotechnology can contribute to future food security if it benefits sustainable small-farm agriculture in developing countries. Presently, agrobiotechnology research cites ethical, safety, and intellectual property rights issues. Protection of intellectual property rights encourages private sector investment in agrobiotechnology, but in developing countries the needs of smallholder farmers and environmental conservation are unlikely to attract private funds. Public investment will be needed, and new and imaginative public-private collaboration can make the gene revolution beneficial to developing countries. This is crucial for the well-being of today's hungry people and future generations.
A UNIVERSAL LUMINOSITY FUNCTION FOR RADIO SUPERNOVA REMNANTS

We compile radio supernova remnant (SNR) samples from the literature for 19 nearby galaxies ranging from the SMC to Arp 220, and use this data to constrain the SNR luminosity function (LF) at 20 cm. We find that radio SNR populations are strikingly similar across galaxies. The LF can be described as a power law with constant index and scaling proportional to a galaxy's star formation rate (SFR). Unlike previous authors, we do not find any dependence of SNR luminosity on a galaxy's global interstellar medium density. The observed correlation between the luminosity of a galaxy's brightest SNR and a galaxy's SFR can be completely explained by statistical effects, wherein galaxies with higher SFR more thoroughly sample the high-luminosity end of the SNR LF. The LF is well fitted by a model of SNR synchrotron emission which includes diffusive shock acceleration and magnetic field amplification, if we assume that all remnants are undergoing adiabatic expansion, the densities of star-forming regions are similar across galaxies, and the efficiency of cosmic ray production is constant.
Searching for the sunk cost fallacy

We seek to isolate in the laboratory factors that encourage and discourage the sunk cost fallacy. Subjects play a computer game in which they decide whether to keep digging for treasure on an island or to sink a cost (which will turn out to be either high or low) to move to another island. The research hypothesis is that subjects will stay longer on islands that were more costly to find. Eleven treatment variables are considered, e.g. alternative visual displays, whether the treasure value of an island is shown on arrival or discovered by trial and error, and alternative parameters for sunk costs. The data reveal a surprisingly small sunk cost effect that is generally insensitive to the proposed psychological drivers.
CT Multiscan: Using Small Area Detectors to Image Large Components

The small size and dynamic range of the best two-dimensional X-ray detectors are impediments to the use of three-dimensional X-ray computed tomography (3D-XRCT) for 100% inspection of large ceramic components. The most common industrial 3D-XRCT systems use a rotate-only geometry in which the X-ray source and the area detector remain stationary while the component placed between them is rotated through 360 deg. This configuration offers the highest inspection speed and the best utilization of X-ray dose, but requires that the component be small enough to fit within the X-ray/detector cone. Also, if the object is very dense, the ratio of an unattenuated X-ray signal to that through the longest path in the component may exceed the dynamic range of the detector.To some extent, both of these disadvantages can be overcome by using Multiscan CT, i.e., scanning small overlapping regions of a large component separately while maximizing the X-ray dose to each. The overlapping scans can then be combined seamlessly into a single scan with optimal contrast.
Quantum scattering from classical field theory

Abstract We show that scattering amplitudes between initial wave packet states and certain coherent final states can be computed in a systematic weak coupling expansion about classical solutions satisfying initial-value conditions. The initial-value conditions are such as to make the solution of the classical field equations amenable to numerical methods. We propose a practical procedure for computing classical solutions which contribute to high energy two-particle scattering amplitudes. We consider in this regard the implications of a recent numerical simulation in classical SU(2) Yang-Mills theory for multiparticle scattering in quantum gauge theories and speculate on its generalization to electroweak theory. We also generalize our results to the case of complex trajectories and discuss the prospects for finding a solution to the resulting complex boundary value problem, which would allow the application of our method to any wave packet to coherent state transition. Finally, we discuss the relevance of these results to the issues of baryon number violation and multiparticle scattering at high energies.
THE NUCLEUS OF MAIN-BELT COMET 259P/GARRADD*

We present observations of the main-belt comet 259P/Garradd, previously known as P/2008 R1 (Garradd), obtained in 2011 and 2012 using the Gemini North Telescope on Mauna Kea in Hawaii and the SOAR telescope at Cerro Pachon in Chile, with the goal of computing the object's phase function and nucleus size. We find an absolute magnitude of HR = 19.71 ? 0.05?mag and slope parameter of GR = ?0.08 ? 0.05 for the inactive nucleus, corresponding to an effective nucleus radius of re = 0.30 ? 0.02?km, assuming an R-band albedo of pR = 0.05. We also revisit observations reported for 259P while it was active in 2008 to quantify the dust mass loss and compare the object with other known main-belt comets.
Beyond Baseline and Follow-up : The Case for More T in Experiments

The vast majority of randomized experiments in economics rely on a single baseline and single follow-up survey. If multiple follow-ups are conducted, the reason is typically to examine the trajectory of impact effects, so that in effect only one follow-up round is being used to estimate each treatment effect of interest. While such a design is suitable for study of highly autocorrelated and relatively precisely measured outcomes in the health and education domains, this paper makes the case that it is unlikely to be optimal for measuring noisy and relatively less autocorrelated outcomes such as business profits, household incomes and expenditures, and episodic health outcomes. Taking multiple measurements of such outcomes at relatively short intervals allows the researcher to average out noise, increasing power. When the outcomes have low autocorrelation, it can make sense to do no baseline at all. Moreover, the author shows how for such outcomes, more power can be achieved with multiple follow-ups than allocating the same total sample size over a single follow-up and baseline. The analysis highlights the large gains in power from ANCOVA rather than difference-in-differences when autocorrelations are low and a baseline is taken. The paper discusses the issues involved in multiple measurements, and makes recommendations for the design of experiments and related non-experimental impact evaluations.
Effect of multi-cycle heat treatment and pre-history dependence on partial thermoremanence (pTRM) and pTRM tails

Abstract We test two fundamental assumptions embedded in Thellier experiments, the initial state dependence and the effect of multi-cycle heat treatment. We observe that the magnitude of partial thermoremanent magnetizations (pTRMs) imparted on an initial state of thermal demagnetization is larger than those of pTRMs in the presence of a TRM when the field used to impart pTRM is equal in magnitude and parallel to that used to produce TRM. A multi-cycle Thellier analysis on coarse-grained magnetites progressively produces more intense pTRMs and progressively erases more of the pTRM tails. Both pre-history and multi-cycle dependence will likely enhance the non-linear features of the Arai plot for coarse-grained magnetites.
FGF signaling is essential for ophthalmic trigeminal placode cell delamination and differentiation

The ophthalmic trigeminal (opV) placode gives rise exclusively to sensory neurons of the peripheral nervous system, providing an advantageous model for understanding neurogenesis. The signaling pathways governing opV placode development have only recently begun to be elucidated. Here, we investigate the fibroblast growth factor receptor-4 (FGFR4), an opV expressed gene, to examine if and how FGF signaling regulates opV placode development. After inhibiting FGFR4, Pax3+ opV placode cells failed to delaminate from the ectoderm and did not contribute to the opV ganglion. Blocking FGF signaling also led to a loss of the early and late neuronal differentiation markers Ngn2, Islet-1, NeuN, and Neurofilament. In addition, without FGF signaling, cells that stalled in the ectoderm lost their opV placode-specific identity by down-regulating Pax3. We conclude that FGF signaling, through FGFR4, is necessary for delamination and differentiation of opV placode cells.
Renal cell carcinoma in von hippel-lindau syndrome

Thirty-seven cases of von Hippel-Lindau syndrome are reported. The urinary tract was studied in 23 patients; 15 of them had the renal lesions. Eight of these 15 patients had renal cell carcinoma, which was bilateral in six. Because 80 percent of these patients are seen initially by neurologists or ophthalmologists, the potential for the development of renal cell carcinoma in these patients, the familial nature of the disorder, and the need for early urologic investigations and subsequent close follow-up are emphasized.
Photochemical Reactions of Methanesulfonates. A New Deprotection Reaction

Abstract Although esters of methanesulfonic acid and E-toluene-sulfonic acid have similar reactivity in substitution reac-tions, their photochemical behavior is quite different, E-Toluenesulfonates experience photochemical desulfonation in the presence of amines, a reaction which regenerates the parent alcohols (eq 1) in good to excellent yields and thus allows the E-tolylsulfonyl group to become an effective photoremovable protecting group. 1–4 In contrast, photolysis of methanesulfonates is not regarded as a viable method for group deprotection since deprotection is accompanied by reduction (eq 2).5
Reaction of the diisopropylaminochlorophosphenium cation with crotonaldehyde dimethylhydrazone and acetone azine

The phosphenium ion [(i-Pr2N)CIP]+(1) reacts with crotonaldehyde dimethylhydrazone (2) to afford a product with a C3NP ring system (4). The reaction of 1 with acetone azine (3) results in a novel tricyclic compound (6) which features a C2N2P2 and two C2N2P rings. The structures of 4 and 6 were established by X-ray crystallography. Compound 4, C12H26AlCl3N3OP, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n with Z = 4, a = 15.400(6), b = 14.442(4), c = 9.206(3) A, and β = 93.33(3)°. Compound 6, C12H22Al2Cl6N4O2P2, crystallizes in the triclinic group P1 with Z = 1, a = 8.556(1), b = 9.782(1), c = 8.119(1) A, α = 94.48(1), β = 104.97(1), and γ = 78.35(1)°.
MEANINGEX: a computer-based semantic parse approach to the analysis of meaning

It is the purpose of this paper to look at the semantic analysis of a subset of natural English text, namely the simple noun phrase, and present the theoretical basis for and the implementation of a semantic analyzer called MEANINGEX. A "simple" noun phrase is defined as a noun modified by adjectives and/or prepositional phrases. Throughout the paper, examples will be given from medical record text because of my own orientation and because the desirability of semantic analysis of specific types of phrases provided the motivation for my study of meaning. I look at the basic operational question to be as follows: "How can statements with the same meaning, but which are said in different words be transformed to an identical form?" Thus the basic object of the process is to make similar things fall together.
DOMINANCE TESTING OF TRANSFERS IN ROMANIA

In this paper we compare the progressivity of different government transfers made to households in Romania. We use distribution free standard errors to examine the difference between concentration curves that may be correlated, and thereafter employ statistical tests that take into account the covariance matrix for the ordinate estimates. In addition, we estimate extended Gini coefficients for the same transfers to check their consistency with the tests of inequality dominance. The results show that almost all transfer payments in Romania are progressive, and that they have an important effect on the distribution of income. Rankings among different transfer payments are, however, not robust. In particular, sensitivity analysis using different household equivalence scales indicates that many results are not consistent across scales, and that lower size elasticities contribute to changes in ranking of Ginis and loss of statistical significance in dominance tests.
Globalization and labour-market adjustment: how fast and at what cost?

In this paper we argue that the flexibility of an economy's labour market plays a role in determining the gains from trade liberalization, the level of short-run adjustment costs, and the relative value of these two measures. To do so, we describe the model introduced in Davidson and Matusz (2000) which allows us to solve for adjustment costs when workers vary according to ability and jobs differ in terms of the skills that they require. We then report results based on simulations of this model. We find that economies with sluggish labour markets have the least to gain from liberalization. The reason is that while the removal of trade barriers creates large benefits, they are almost completely offset by large short-run adjustment costs. In contrast, we find that with either very flexible or very slothful labour market gains from liberalization are always significantly larger than the short-run adjustment costs. Copyright 2000 by Oxford University Press.
Public Health Insurance, Program Take-Up, and Child Health

Abstract Of the ten million uninsured children in 1996, nearly half were eligible for public health insurance (Medicaid) but not enrolled. In response, policy efforts to reduce the uninsured have shifted from expanding Medicaid eligibility to increasing take-up among those eligible. However, little is known about the reasons poor families fail to enroll or the consequences. Using a unique data set I find that information and administrative costs are important barriers to enrollment, especially for Hispanics and Asians. In addition, enrolling children in Medicaid before they get sick promotes the use of preventative care, reduces the need for hospitalization, and improves health.
Ethics Training and Businesspersons’ Perceptions of Organizational Ethics

Ethics training is commonly cited as a primary method for increasing employees’ ethical decision making and conduct. However, little is known about how the presence of ethics training can enhance other components of an organization's ethical environment such as employees’ perception of company ethical values. Using a national sample of 313 business professionals employed in the United States, the relationship between ethics training and perceived organizational ethics was explored. The results of the analysis provide significant statistical support for the notion that businesspersons employed in organizations that have formalized ethics training programs have more positive perceptions of their companies’ ethical context than do individuals employed in organizations that do not. The analysis also indicated that job satisfaction was related to employees’ attitudes about their ethical context. The managerial implications of the results are outlined, along with the limitations of the study and recommendations for future research.