cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maximizing lifetime for data aggregation in wireless sensor networks

This paper studies energy efficient routing for data aggregation in wireless sensor networks. Our goal is to maximize the lifetime of the network, given the energy constraint on each sensor node. Using linear programming (LP) formulation, we model this problem as a multicommodity flow problem, where a commodity represents the data generated from a sensor node and delivered to a base station. A fast approximate algorithm is presented, which is able to compute (1-e)-approximation to the optimal lifetime for any e > 0. Then along this baseline, we further study several advanced topics. First, we design an algorithm, which utilizes the unique characteristic of data aggregation, and is proved to reduce the running time of the fastest existing algorithm by a factor of K, K being the number of commodities. Second, we extend our algorithm to accommodate the same problem in the setting of multiple base stations, and study its impact on network lifetime improvement. All algorithms are evaluated through both solid theoretical analysis and extensive simulation results.
Can current protocol verification techniques guarantee correctness

Abstract In the past 15 years the alternating-bit protocol has been perhaps the most widely verified protocol, the benchmark of protocol verification techniques; is it really correct? We claim that the answer is negative. The problem is that existing concepts of correctness do not capture an important sense in which a protocol may be incorrect. Specifically, although protocol goals (e.g., delivering messages) may be attained eventually, the time periods to achieve these goals may increase indefinitely. A notion of correctness that allows one to consider the probability of reaching a goal as well as the time or computational effort required to achieve the goal is required. We suggest a novel approach to protocol correctness which unifies functional and performance considerations using a recently proposed probabilistic semantics for programs.
The effect of sulphite on light activation of chloroplast fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase in two cultivars of soybean

Abstract Alkaline fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase activities were detected in the membrane and stromal fractions of chloroplast preparations obtained from the leaves of an SO2-resistant (Beeson) and an SO2-susceptible (Hark) cultivar of soybean Glycine max. Both bound and free forms were found to undergo light activation in vitro. Light activation of the Hark, but not the Beeson, stromal enzyme was inhibited by 1 m M sulphite. Bound enzyme activity was stimulated by the presence of sulphite in both cases. A possible explanation for the effect of sulphite lies in competition between it and stromal enzyme for binding sites (light effect mediators) on the thylakoid membrane. Differences in SO2 susceptibilities between the two cultivars might be related to the nature or number of binding sites which exist on the membranes, and their respective sulphite sensitivities.
Electron beam density measurements in shock waves in argon

An electron beam technique was used to measure density profiles of strong shock waves in argon with high accuracy. The experimental results are compared with the results of theoretical models. Of the models that are available in enough detail for comparison, the best agreement with experiment is shown by the direct simulation Monte-Carlo method (Bird 1968), assuming an inverse 12th power molecular interaction force law. It is shown that the density maximum slope thickness is not sufficient for a detailed description of the shock wave structure.
Patients with poor preoperative functional status have high expectations of total hip arthroplasty

Recent reports indicate that patients' expectations should be assessed as part of routine practice before total hip arthroplasty (THA). A total of 1,103 THA patients preoperatively completed the Hospital for Special Surgery Total Hip Replacement Expectations Survey, an 18-item scale tested for validity and reliability. Patients also completed measures of hip-specific function (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Hip/Knee Module), and overall physical function (SF-36). Patients with worse preoperative function had higher expectations of THA and were more likely to rate their expectations as very important compared with patients with better function. In multivariate analysis, older patients, men, and those with worse functional status (both hip-specific and overall physical function) had more expectations of THA. Identifying and addressing expectations, particularly possibly unrealistic expectations, are important elements in discussions with patients before THA.
Social Structure, Crime and Criminalization: An Empirical Examination of the Conflict Perspective

Using available data from a variety of secondary sources, this research examines the empirical validity of arguments maintained by conflict theorists about the interrelations among economic inequal...
Effects of plant chemical extracts and physical characteristics of Apium graveolens and Chenopodium murale on host choice by Spodoptera exigua larvae

Choice tests with whole plants and leaf discs indicated that fourth instar Spodoptera exigua (Hubner) (Noctuidae : Amphypyrini) were found more frequently and ate significantly more of the weed Chenopodium murale than the associated crop plant Apium graveolens. In order to explain the preference, plant extracts, plant volatiles, soluble protein concentrations, water contents, and leaf toughness of the two plants were investigated. Bioassays of aqueous methanol (90%) and hexane extracts of leaves on cellulose discs indicated that neither attractants in C. murale nor repellents in A. graveolens could account for the observed preference. No significant difference could be found between the effects of plant volatiles from C. murale, A. graveolens and a control on larval dispersal by S. exigua. Selective feeding for higher levels of proteins also was not a factor, because A. graveolens had nearly twice the soluble protein of C. murale. Water content was approximately 6% higher (by weight) in C. murale than A. graveolens but most polyphagous larvae do not typically show compensatory feeding for water alone. However, the potentially related characteristic of leaf toughness was significantly different, with A. graveolens exhibiting 1.53 times the toughness of C. murale. Studies comparing five types of larval behavior on both plant species showed that the time spent in swallowing behavior was significantly greater on the tougher A. graveolens leaves relative to C. murale. To test the hypothesis that leaf toughness was affecting larval host choice, both plants were finely ground and incorporated into agar blocks. No differences in feeding behavior were detected. The implications of leaf toughness for larval diet and host choice are discussed.
Determination of microbial kinetic coefficients through measurement of initial rates by radiochemical techniques

Abstract New techniques were developed for the measurement of Monod kinetic coefficients, the microbial yield coefficient and the endogenous decay coefficient. Kinetic coefficients and the microbial yield coefficient were determined through measurements of initial rates in short duration batch experiments using a radiolabeled substrate (phenol). The experimental data were described well by the Monod model. A first order model fits the endogenous decay of radiolabeled cells. The microbial kinetic technique developed in this research may increase the attractiveness of batch experiments because the approach is faster and easier than chemostat studies. However, a detailed comparison between radiochemical batch and chemostat methods is needed to fully assess the utility of the new technique.
The rhodopsin-like pigments of halobacteria: light-energy and signal transducers in an archaebacterium

Three, small retinylidene proteins observed in halobacteria are described. The characteristics of bacteriorhodopsin (bR), which is synthesized during low O2 tension and intense illumination, and the role of bR in the cyclic photoreactions that translocate protons are examined. The detected light-driven chloride influx pigment, halorhodopsin (hR), is also capable of light-driven ion translocation; the hR transport reactions which are chloride dependent and involve isomerization are studied. The sensory photosystem of halobacteria and the receptor functions of the retinal pigment slow rhodopsin are discussed. The similarity of the choromphore structure and photoreactions, and the evolutionary relation between halobacteria and animal pigments are considered.
TCRβ enhancer activation occurs in some but not all cells with T cell lineage developmental potential

Abstract Previous studies have shown that murine bone marrow contains a fraction of CD3 − /B220 − /Thy1 lo cells that have pre T cell activity following adoptive transfer and produce sterile transcripts of the T cell receptor β chain gene. The relationship between progenitors and TCRβ transcription has not been examined. Transgenic mice were generated that express green fluorescent protein under the control of the TCRβ enhancer (Eβ). Phenotypic analysis of the founders revealed faithful expression of GFP in populations that express TCRβ transcripts. Examination of the bone marrow showed two populations, CD3 − /B220 − /Thy1 − and CD3 − /B220 − /Thy1 lo , which were GFP + . Both populations were analyzed for their developmental potential following intrathymic transfer into recipient mice. Surprisingly, the GFP + /CD3 − /B220 − /Thy1 lo cells failed to reconstitute; however, the GFP + /CD3 − /B220 − /Thy1 − cells exhibited thymic repopulation. These data demonstrate that Eβ is active pre-thymically; however, pre-thymic transcription of the TCRβ chain gene is neither required for T cell development, nor is it limited to pre T cells.
Building a path in cell biology

Setting up a new lab is an exciting but challenging prospect. We discuss our experiences in finding a path to tackle some of the key current questions in cell biology and the hurdles that we have encountered along the way.
Rates of sediment supply and sea-level rise in a large coastal lagoon

Laguna Madre, Texas, is 3‐7 km wide and more than 190 km long, making it one of the longest lagoons in the world. The lagoon encompasses diverse geologic and climatic regions and it is an efficient sediment trap that accumulates clastic sediments from upland, interior, and oceanic sources. The semi-arid climate and frequent tropical cyclones historically have been responsible for the greatest volume of sediment influx. On an average annual basis, eolian transport, tidal exchange, storm washover, mainland runoff, interior shore erosion, and authigenic mineral production introduce approximately one million m 3 of sediments into the lagoon. Analyses of these sediment transport mechanisms and associated line sources and point sources of sediment provide a basis for: (1) estimating the long-term average annual sediment supply to a large lagoon; (2) calculating the average net sedimentation rate; (3) comparing introduced sediment volumes and associated aggradation rates with observed relative sea-level change; and (4) predicting future conditions of the lagoon. This comparison indicates that the historical average annual accumulation rate in Laguna Madre (,1 mm/yr) is substantially less than the historical rate of relative sea-level rise (,4 mm/yr). Lagoon submergence coupled with erosion of the western shore indicates that Laguna Madre is being submerged slowly and migrating westward rather than filling, as some have suggested. q 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Learning to classify parallel input/output access patterns

Input/output performance on current parallel file systems is sensitive to a good match of application access patterns to file system capabilities. Automatic input/output access pattern classification can determine application access patterns at execution time, guiding adaptive file system policies. In this paper, we examine and compare two novel input/output access pattern classification methods based on learning algorithms. The first approach uses a feedforward neural network previously trained on access pattern benchmarks to generate qualitative classifications. The second approach uses hidden Markov models trained on access patterns from previous executions to create a probabilistic model of input/output accesses. In a parallel application, access patterns can be recognized at the level of each local thread or as the global interleaving of all application threads. Classification of patterns at both levels is important for parallel file system performance; we propose a method for forming global classifications from local classifications. We present results from parallel and sequential benchmarks and applications that demonstrate the viability of this approach.
The early health consequences of smoking: Relationship with psychosocial factors among treatment-seeking Black smokers

Introduction Blacks suffer disproportionately from the long-term health effects of smoking. Little is known about the prevalence of the early health consequences of smoking in this population or whether psychosocial factors influence the frequency of symptoms. This study investigated the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of smoking-related physical symptoms in Black smokers. Methods Adult smokers (N = 117, 58% female, M(age) = 43.0 years) who smoked at least 5 cigarettes/day completed self-administered assessments of cigarettes smoked per day, smoking duration, alcohol use, perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and smoking-related symptoms. Results The most frequently occurring physical symptoms were shortness of breath (66%), coughing (50%), and headaches (49%). Multivariate analyses showed that smoking history, alcohol use, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms were independently related to smoking-related symptoms, even after controlling for sociodemographic variables and medical diagnoses. Discussion The early health consequences of smoking appear to be common among Black smokers and can serve as a cue to action for cessation efforts. Alcohol use, stress, and depression appear to negatively influence the early health consequences of smoking and should be assessed routinely in treatment-seeking Black smokers.
Acetylcholine is released from taste cells, enhancing taste signalling

Acetylcholine (ACh), a candidate neurotransmitter that has been implicated in taste buds, elicits calcium mobilization in Receptor (Type II) taste cells. Using RT-PCR analysis and pharmacological interventions, we demonstrate that the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3 mediates these actions. Applying ACh enhanced both taste-evoked Ca2+ responses and taste-evoked afferent neurotransmitter (ATP) secretion from taste Receptor cells. Blocking muscarinic receptors depressed taste-evoked responses in Receptor cells, suggesting that ACh is normally released from taste cells during taste stimulation. ACh biosensors confirmed that, indeed, taste Receptor cells secrete acetylcholine during gustatory stimulation. Genetic deletion of muscarinic receptors resulted in significantly diminished ATP secretion from taste buds. The data demonstrate a new role for acetylcholine as a taste bud transmitter. Our results imply specifically that ACh is an autocrine transmitter secreted by taste Receptor cells during gustatory stimulation, enhancing taste-evoked responses and afferent transmitter secretion.
Children, adolescents, and the internet: a new field of inquiry in developmental psychology.

With this special section on children, adolescents, and the Internet, we survey the state of a new field of enquiry in developmental psychology. This field is important because developmentalists need to understand how children and adolescents live in a new, massive, and complex virtual universe, even as they carry on their lives in the real world. We have selected six empirical articles to showcase various aspects of child and adolescent development in this virtual universe. These articles reflect three major themes of this new field: 1. Communication on the Internet. Two articles analyze how adolescents interact to co-construct their own communication environments. These environments can be, on the one hand, mostly “normal” (Subrahmanyam, Smahel, & Greenfield’s analysis of behavior in teen chat rooms) and, on the other hand, mostly pathological (Whitlock, Powers, & Eckenrode’s analysis of self-injury bulletin boards).
Ecsenius niue , new species of blenniid fish, and new distribution records for other species in the Opsifrontalis species group

Ecsenius niue is described from Niue Island, SW Pacific. It is a member of the Opsifrontalis species group and is most similar to the Fijian endemic E. fijiensis, from which it differs in having six, as opposed to seven, vertical pairs of dark spots on the body posterior to a vertical from the base of the first segmented dorsal-fin ray, and in having the posteriormost pair of dark spots posteriorly elongate and attenuating onto the base of the caudal fin, as opposed to the spots being roughly circular and discrete. It differs from the superficially similar E. tigris (islands of the Queensland Plateau) in lacking the three or four dark spots on the body ventral to those on the dorsal body contour below the spinous dorsal fin. New distribution records are given for E. axelrodi, E. bathi, and E. opsifrontalis.
Integrity and Compromise in Nursing Ethics

Nurses are often caught in the middle of what appear to be intractable moral conflicts. For such times, the function and limits of moral compromise need to be explored. Compromise is compatible with moral integrity if a number of conditions are met. Among these are the sharing of a moral language, mutual respect on the part of those who differ, acknowledgement of factual and moral complexities, and recognition of limits to compromise. Nurses are in a position uniquely suited to leadership in fostering an environment that makes compromise with integrity possible.
Stabilization of high-affinity opioid agonist binding in neural cell membranes rigidified by cholesterol

Abstract Incorporation of cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CHS) into membranes from SH-SY5Y human neural cells increased membrane microviscosity at both surface and core. In the rigidified membranes, μ-selective opioid agonists bound to a high-affinity state of the receptor similar to that observed upon receptor-G protein coupling. However, the high affinity state in rigidified membranes was unaltered by guanine nucleotides and pertussis toxin (PTX), and was not regulated by sodium. In contrast, the binding of opioid antagonists was insensitive to the membrane modification.
Strategy for sequencing oligopeptides using positive and negative ion laser desorption Fourier transform mass spectrometry

A laser desorption Fourier transform mass spectrometric (LD/FTMS) method that uses both positive and negative ion LD/FT mass spectra obtained with collision-activated dissociation has been developed for analysis of oligopeptides. The technique is demonstrated using the model compound gramicidin D, for which the correct sequence is derived using only LD/FTMS information. Different relationships between positive and negative ion spectra are found for linear and cyclic oligopeptides.
Gribble reduction of diaryl ketones

Reduction of diary! ketones and diary!methanols to diary!methanes using sodium borohydride in trifluoroacetic acid. Also applicable to diheteroaryl ketones and alcohols.
Detection of weak, subpixel targets using mesh-connected cellular automata

Effective use of military cellular automata such as military data array processor (MilDAP) and geometric arithmetic parallel processor (GAPP), in weak, subpixel target detection is shown to be possible by using new signal processing regimes based on binary ranking filter theory. By using binary ranking filters, the MilDAP can furnish 6 dB of processing gain against white Gaussian noise while monitoring from one to four million potential target tracks at 10-40 frames/s. GAPP is shown to be capable of monitoring 3.7 million tracks over 216*384 detectors at 14000 frames/s and, in a time sharing mode, 15 million tracks over 432*768 detectors at 24 frames/s. The special case of threatening targets is discussed, as well as alternate cellular architectures which use multidimensional binary ranking filters in multidimensional coordinate systems. >
Creating Super Timelines in Windows Investigations

As the applications and adoption of networked electronic devices grow, their use in conjunction with crimes also increases. Extracting probative evidence from these devices requires experienced digital forensic practitioners to use specialized tools that help interpret the raw binary data present in digital media. After the evidentiary artifacts are collected, an important goal of the practitioner is to assemble a narrative that describes when the events of interest occurred based on the timestamps of the artifacts. Unfortunately, generating and evaluating super timelines is a manual and labor-intensive process. This paper describes a technique that aids the practitioner in this process by generating queries that extract and connect the temporal artifacts, and produce concise timelines. Application of the queries to a simulated incident demonstrates their ability to reduce the number of artifacts from hundreds of thousands artifacts to a few hundred or less, and to facilitate the understanding of the activities surrounding the incident.
Sex hormones, vascular function and the outcome of hormone replacement therapy in cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease is more common in men and post-menopausal women than premenopausal women, suggesting that female sex hormones have vascular benefits. Cytosolic/nuclear estrogen and progesterone receptors mediate genomic transcriptional effects that stimulate endothelial cell growth and inhibit smooth muscle proliferation. Sex hormone receptors on the plasma membrane trigger nongenomic stimulation of endothelium-dependent nitric oxide–cyclic (c)GMP, prostacyclin–cAMP and hyperpolarizing vascular relaxation pathways, as well as inhibition of [Ca2+]i, protein kinase C and Rho-kinase-dependent mechanisms of smooth muscle contraction. Despite the vasodilator effects of sex hormones, the Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study (HERS), HERS-II and Women’s Health Initiative clinical trials have shown minimal benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in post-menopausal cardiovascular disease. The prospect of HRT relies on further mechanistic analysis of the vascular effects of natural sex hormone...
Neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer: histologic response of the primary tumor predicts nodal status.

This study was designed to compare histologic T and N stages in patients with rectal adenocarcinoma undergoing various neoadjuvant radiotherapy regimens and proctectomy, in an attempt to determine if final histologic stage of the mural tumor predicts nodal status. Data were collected from computerized databases at two institutions on 649 consecutive patients who underwent neoadjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy and proctectomy for primary adenocarcinoma of the rectum from 1990 to 2002. Five patients were excluded because of incomplete pathology data sets, leaving a study population of 644. Patients underwent neoadjuvant radiotherapy alone (2,000 cGy in 5 fractions, n = 191; or 4,500 cGy in 25 fractions, n = 259) or chemoradiation (4,500 cGy in 25 fractions with concurrent 5-fluorouracil, n = 194). Histologic stage of the remaining mural tumor (ypT) correlated with nodal status (ypN). Lymph nodes harboring metastatic tumor were found in 1 of 42 (2 percent) ypT0 patients, 2 of 45 (4 percent) ypT1 patients, 43 of 186 (23 percent) ypT2 patients, 158 of 338 (47 percent) ypT3 patients, and 16 of 33 (48 percent) ypT4 patients (P < 0.001, chi-squared test). The probability of finding ypN+ disease was 3 of 87 (3 percent) in patients with ypT0-1 residual primary tumors vs. 220 of 557 (39 percent) in patients with ypT2-4 residual primary tumors (P < 0.0001; Fisher’s exact test). Nodal metastases are rare in patients whose mural tumor burden shrinks to ypT0-1 after neoadjuvant radiotherapy. If transanal excision is offered to select patients with distal rectal cancer, it is reasonable to select those who have an excellent clinical response to neoadjuvant therapy for transanal excision, and then reserve proctectomy for patients proven to have residual ypT2-4 disease.
Influence of Preadsorbed Water on Chromatographic Detention of Organic Volatiles by Cellulosic Substrates

A modified gas chromatographic system was used to measure the effects of pread sorbed water on the adsorption and desorption of various organic volatiles by cellulosic substrates. To minimize diffusion effects, short columns and fast carrier gas flow rates were used. The data yielded sticking coefficients, residence times, equilibrium constants (adsorption isotherms), and surface concentrations for a group of adsorbates including a homologous series of alcohols. In general, sticking coefficients increased, and residence time, equilibrium constants, and surface concentrations decreased as the concentration of water vapor increased. Sticking coefficients correlated with the total solubility pa rameters of the adsorbates.
Successful Use of Daptomycin in a Preterm Neonate With Persistent Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis Bacteremia

There is limited information regarding the use of daptomycin in the neonatal population, and dosage adjustments for neonates with renal dysfunction. We report on the successful use of daptomycin in a 1-month-old, former 24-week gestation neonate with persistent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) bacteremia and impaired renal function. We also review the available literature supporting daptomycin use in the neonatal period. Daptomycin peak and trough serum levels were obtained immediately prior to and 60 minutes after the fifth dose. While vancomycin remains the drug of choice for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcal infections, due to increasing reports of treatment failures, alternative therapies are recommended. Based on mounting evidence, daptomycin may be considered an option in persistently bacteremic neonates who fail vancomycin therapy, although further investigation is warranted.
MIMO OFDM receivers for Systems with IQ imbalances

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is a widely recognized modulation scheme for high data rate communications. However, the implementation of OFDM-based systems suffers from in-phase and quadrature-phase (IQ) imbalances in the front-end analog processing. Such imbalances are caused by the analog processing of the received radio frequency (RF) signal, and they cannot be efficiently or entirely eliminated in the analog domain. The resulting IQ distortion limits the achievable operating SNR at the receiver and, consequently, the achievable data rates. The issue of IQ imbalances is even more severe at higher SNR and higher carrier frequencies. In this paper, the effect of IQ imbalances on multi-input multioutput (MIMO) OFDM systems is studied, and a framework for combating such distortions through digital signal processing is developed. An input-output relation governing MIMO OFDM systems is derived. The framework is used to design receiver algorithms with compensation for IQ imbalances. It is shown that the complexity of the system at the receiver grows from dimension (n/sub R//spl times/n/sub T/) for ideal IQ branches to (2n/sub R//spl times/2n/sub T/) in the presence of IQ imbalances. However, by exploiting the structure of space-time block codes along with the distortion models, one can obtain efficient receivers that are robust to IQ imbalances. Simulation results show significant improvement in the achievable BER of the proposed MIMO receivers for space-time block-coded OFDM systems in the presence of IQ imbalances.
The Knowledge Warehouses Reusing Knowledge Components

Currently, there is little knowledge reuse across training, documentation, and performance support. Knowledge-based materials developed for one purpose are not shared or reused in others. This article discusses the Knowledge Warehouse, a conceptual solution to this problem. It sketches the benefits of and limitations to the knowledge warehouse solution. It also takes the first steps towards defining a standardized classification scheme for storing knowledge components.
Use of Precise Temperature Logs in Determination of Thermal Properties of Sedimentary Rocks and Investigation of Thermal Evolution of Sedimentary Basins: ABSTRACT

The temperatures within a sedimentary basin during its evolution are controlled more by the variation in thermal properties of the contained rocks with space and time and with hydrodynamic effects such as dewatering and regional ground-water flow than with transient heat flow variations at the base of a thick sedimentary pile. Although the effect of basal heat flow has been extensively discussed, the effects of thermal property variations and the evolution of fluid flow systems in basins have rarely been addressed. The thermal properties of many sedimentary rocks are not well known and the depth and time variable changes associated with compaction, diagenesis, etc are difficult to evaluate. In one of the dominant rock components, clays, anisotropy, and sampling difficulti s make laboratory measurements difficult if not impossible. Hydrodynamic systems associated with basins are just beginning to be understood and much remains to be learned. Heat flow and temperature studies are techniques for investigating these effects. Accurate temperature logs associated with measurements, where possible and suitable, of the thermal conductivities of the rock result in two quantities which can be used to unravel some of the unknown temperature controls in a sedimentary basin. These accurate data can be sued for correlation of geothermal gradient and thermal conductivity with well log properties such as seismic velocity (travel time), density, and gamma ray activity. These resulting correlations can then be used to infer the spacial variations in heat flow within the sedimentary basin and to accurately evaluate the effects of present fluid motions in the basin. The data can also be used to develop a catalog of thermal property variations as a function of the many variable parameters. Examples are presented from the Mid-Continent showing the correlation between geothermal gradient, natural gamma ray activity, and seismic travel time for the suite of rocks occurring there. A major result of this study is that the thermal properties of shale have been misestimated in the literature and that the thermal properties of Paleozoic shales appear to be 50 to 100% lower than those assumed in most thermal modeling, leading to a consequent error of 50 to 100% in temperature calculations of basin thermal history. Temperature and heat flow data are used to evaluate regional fluid circulation, with possible associated petroleum migration, in units such as the Madison Limestone and the Dakota Group. In addition, heat flow studies may outline areas where conditions are locally favorable for maturation. An example of large-scale basement heat flow variation in Nebraska is used to illustrate an area of unusually radioactive basement rocks producing local areas of higher temperature. End_of_Article - Last_Page 424------------
Ambient-temperature Conditioning as a Probe of Double-C Transformation Mechanisms in Pu-2.0 at. % Ga

The gallium-stabilized Pu-2.0 at. % Ga alloy undergoes a partial or incomplete low-temperature martensitic transformation from the metastable δ phase to the gallium-containing, monoclinic α′ phase near -100 °C. This transformation has been shown to occur isothermally and it displays anomalous double-C kinetics in a time-temperature-transformation (TTT) diagram, where two nose temperatures anchoring an upper- and lower-C describe minima in the time for the initiation of transformation. The underlying mechanisms responsible for the double-C behavior are currently unresolved, although recent experiments suggest that a conditioning treatment—wherein, following an anneal at 375 °C, the sample is held at a sub-anneal temperature for a period of time—significantly influences the upper-C of the TTT diagram. As such, elucidating the effects of the conditioning treatment upon the δ⟶α′ transformation can provide valuable insights into the fundamental mechanisms governing the double-C kinetics of the transition. Following a high-temperature anneal, a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) was used to establish an optimal conditioning curve that depicts the amount of α′ formed during the transformation as a function of conditioning temperature for a specified time. With the optimal conditioning curve as a baseline, the DSC was used to explore the circumstances under which the effects of the conditioning treatment were destroyed, resulting in little or no transformation.
Adaptive hysteretic comparator with opamp threshold level setting

This paper presents the design of an adaptive hysteretic comparator optimized for noisy environment. It features an input rail-to-rail opamp which uses feedback networks to set varying hysteretic thresholds while maintaining a constant hysteretic band for increased noise immunity and stability. The chip which can resolve up to 9 bits consumes a total power of 3.8 mW and takes an active area of 0.021 mm2 in a 2P3M 0.5 mum CMOS process with 20 ns propagation delay.
Attribute-Based Access Control with Hidden Policies and Hidden Credentials

In an open environment such as the Internet, the decision to collaborate with a stranger (e.g., by granting access to a resource) is often based on the characteristics (rather than the identity) of the requester, via digital credentials: access is granted if Alice's credentials satisfy Bob's access policy. The literature contains many scenarios in which it is desirable to carry out such trust negotiations in a privacy-preserving manner, i.e., so as minimize the disclosure of credentials and/or of access policies. Elegant solutions were proposed for achieving various degrees of privacy-preservation through minimal disclosure. In this paper, we present protocols that protect both sensitive credentials and sensitive policies. That is, Alice gets the resource only if she satisfies the policy, Bob does not learn anything about Alice's credentials (not even whether Alice got access), and Alice learns neither Bob's policy structure nor which credentials caused her to gain access. Our protocols are efficient in terms of communication and in rounds of interaction
SARCOCYSTIS GREINERI N. SP. (PROTOZOA: SARCOCYSTIDAE) IN THE VIRGINIA OPOSSUM (DIDELPHIS VIRGINIANA)

Sarcocysts were found in the skeletal muscles of road-killed and live-trapped opossums collected in north central Florida. Sarcocysts were spindle-shaped and macroscopic and had an average measurement of 3.8 mm by 154.6 μm. Sarcocysts were only observed in skeletal muscle. Sarcocysts have invaginations throughout the sarcocyst wall, which is approximately 1 μm thick. Protrusions on the sarcocyst wall are stumpy and digitlike and contain fibrillar elements that extend from the interior portion of the cyst wall through the villi. A new name, Sarcocystis greineri, is proposed for this species.
Percutaneous embolization of varicocele: technique, indications, relative contraindications, and complications

There are several options for the treatment of varicocele, including surgical repair either by open or microsurgical approach, laparoscopy, or through percutaneous embolization of the internal spermatic vein. The ultimate goal of varicocele treatment relies on the occlusion of the dilated veins that drain the testis. Percutaneous embolization offers a rapid recovery and can be successfully accomplished in approximately 90% of attempts. However, the technique demands interventional radiologic expertise and has potential serious complications, including vascular perforation, coil migration, and thrombosis of pampiniform plexus. This review discusses the common indications, relative contraindications, technical details, and risks associated with percutaneous embolization of varicocele.
Kernel estimation and model combination in a bandit problem with covariates

Multi-armed bandit problem is an important optimization game that requires an exploration-exploitation tradeoff to achieve optimal total reward. Motivated from industrial applications such as online advertising and clinical research, we consider a setting where the rewards of bandit machines are associated with covariates, and the accurate estimation of the corresponding mean reward functions plays an important role in the performance of allocation rules. Under a exible problem setup, we establish asymptotic strong consistency and perform a finite-time regret analysis for a sequential randomized allocation strategy based on kernel estimation. In addition, since many nonparametric and parametric methods in supervised learning may be applied to estimating the mean reward functions but guidance on how to choose among them is generally unavailable, we propose a model combining allocation strategy for adaptive performance. Simulations and a real data evaluation are conducted to illustrate the performance of the proposed allocation strategy.
Dynamic Sequential Sampling Plan for Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Eggs in Processing Tomatoes: Parasitism and Temporal Patterns

Commercial fields of processing tomatoes located in the Sacramento Valley of California were monitored for eggs of the tomato fruitworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), over a 5-yr period. In general, egg density remained low until near mid-August. During a narrow window of time, egg density increased rapidly across all fields. The first treatable levels of H. zea eggs were recorded during this period, or later, for all years. These results better define when to begin sampling processing tomatoes for eggs of H. zea . Eggs of H. zea were found to have an aggregated spatial pattern in tomato fields. A dynamic sequential sampling plan was developed which adjusts the economic threshold according to the level of egg parasitism. When compared with the currently recommended sampling plan, sequential sampling required approximately 60% fewer leaves to reach a management decision.
Fat metabolism in higher plants

Abstract Escherichia coli, Arthrobacter , and spinach acyl carrier proteins were treated with iodoacetamide- 14 C. Peptic hydrolysis of the resulting derivatized proteins has led to the formation of several radioactive peptides, which contain S -carbamoylmethyl-[ 14 C]-4′-phosphopantetheine. The prosthetic group, 4′-phosphopantetheine, of spinach acyl carrier protein is linked through a phospho-diester to the serine residue. The amino-terminal residue of Arthrobacter and spinach acyl carrier proteins are serine and alanine, respectively. The amino acid core of 9 residue, containing the substrate-binding site and the prosthetic group, appears to be identical in E. coli , Arthrobacter , and spinach acyl carrier proteins. Possibly two closely related species of acyl carrier proteins occur in spinach leaves.
Studies on marrow histogenesis. II. Growth characteristics of extramedullary marrow autotransplantation.

Summary and ConclusionsBased on these data, we conclude that in the rat:1. A critical mass of marrow is necessary for extramedullary marrow autotransplants to grow. This mass is roughly 15 mg of tissue.2. Above this critical mass, a linear correlation exists between the weight of implanted and recovered tissues.3. During the first 4 days of regeneration, the weight of the implant increases to 400% of initial weight and this may be explained by intense circulation through the implant and, in part, by intense proliferative activity in fibroblasts. After day 4, a decrease in vascularity of the implant and degeneration of many fibroblasts results in decrease in the weight of implant which begins to stabilize around day 8.4. The final weight of implant is always less than the initial weight (average 25%), indicating a loss of tissue during the regenerative processes.
Distributed Algorithms for Joint Channel Access and Rate Control in Ultrasonic Intra-Body Networks

Most research in body area networks to date has focused on traditional RF wireless communications, typically along the body surface. However, the core challenge of enabling networked intra-body communications through body tissues is substantially unaddressed. RF waves are in fact known to suffer from high absorption and to potentially lead to overheating of human tissues. In this paper, we consider the problem of designing optimal network control algorithms for distributed networked systems of implantable medical devices wirelessly interconnected by means of ultrasonic waves, which are known to propagate better than radio-frequency electromagnetic waves in aqueous media such as human tissues. Specifically, we propose lightweight, asynchronous, and distributed algorithms for joint rate control and stochastic channel access designed to maximize the throughput of ultrasonic intra-body area networks under energy constraints. We first develop (and validate through testbed experiments) a statistical model of the ultrasonic channel and of the spatial and temporal variability of ultrasonic interference. Compared to in-air radio frequency (RF), human tissues are characterized by a much lower propagation speed, which further causes unaligned interference at the receiver. It is therefore inefficient to perform adaptation based on instantaneous channel state information (CSI). Based on this model, we formulate the problem of maximizing the network throughput by jointly controlling the transmission rate and the channel access probability over a finite time horizon based only on a statistical characterization of interference. We then propose a fully distributed solution algorithm, and through both simulation and testbed results, we show that the algorithm achieves considerable throughput gains compared with traditional algorithms.
Control effect of occupational hazards in the project of fiberglas in an enterprise

Objective To analyze and evaluate the effect of occupational hazards control in the project of fiberglas in an enterprise.Methods The methods of field investigation and detection in the workplace were used to evaluate the project.Results The monitoring results of 20 pyrophyllite samples in the micro powder workshop ranged from 1.2 to 12 mg/m3,6 of the samples exceeded standard;After reform of the position,the concentration was qualified between 1.0-1.9 mg/m3.And the concentrations of chalk dust,fluorite mixed dust,glass fiber dust,other dust,benzol,toluene and sulfur dioxide were all qualified. The short time contacting concentration,maximum concentration,productive noise intensity,high temperature,power frequency electric field and radiation intensity in other type of work in working days all met with national hygienic standards.Conclusion In the premise of effective operation of all kinds of protective measures,normal running of production facility,fully implementation of the occupational hazards control,this item is feasible in controlling the occupational hazards.
Selective amplification of H1 antigen and O antigen genes by double PCR for identification of Salmonella enterica serovars paratyphi A

Objective:To establish a method by double PCR for rapid detection of Salmonella enterica serovars Paratyphi A,In order to apply rapid diagnosis for paratyphoid fever in clinical isolates and epidemiological investigation.Methods:The PCR primers for H1 antigen gene(fliC-a) and O antigen gene(rfbS) of Salmonella enterica serovars Paratyphi A were designed and used for rapid identification of Salmonella enterica serovars Paratyphi A with double PCR technique.Results:The results showed that all the clinical isolates examined of Salmonella enterica serovars Paratyphi A accurately identification by this assay.Conclusion:The method by double PCR technique for identification of Salmonella enterica serovars Paratyphi A is better than traditional detectionfor its specificity,celerity,sensitivity,and convenience.It is helpful in clinical diagnosis early for paratyphoid fever.
Variability in the degree of opsonization and phagocytosis of strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Abstract Patients with septicemia due to Staphylococcus aureus occasionally manifest DIC. We studied the ability of organisms isolated from 30 patients with S. aureus (5 with DIC) to be opsonized and phagocytosed by normal human PMNs in the presence of normal human serum chelated with MgEGTA as a possible measure of alternative complement pathway activation. By this assay, nine S. aureus strains were found to be opsonized at 50% level or greater. Five of those organisms were isolated from the five patients who had clinical and laboratory manifestations of DIC, three of whom died. Patients from whom the other four activating strains were isolated were more seriously ill (by a method of grading clinical severity of disease) than the remaining 21 patients. Four of the nine patients from whom activating strains were isolated died compared to only four of the other 21 patients. The accelerated phagocytosis of staphylcoccal strains from patients with DIC after incubation in MgEGTA-chelated serum suggests that surface factors on these strains interacted with serum factors differently than did strains from patients not developing DIC. However, all (except one) staphylococcal strains, from patients both with and without DIC, depleted hemolytic complement activity in MgEGTA-chelated serum; therefore a direct relationship between activation of the alternative complement pathway and opsonization seems not to exist. Thus strains of S. aureus capable of being opsonized by PMNs in human serum chelated with MgEGTA were associated with more severe infections often associated with DIC.
Fuel-hormone metabolism during exercise and after physical training

In this review the metabolic changes encountered in response to exercise in normal humans are considered in the context of the following categories: (1) fuel utilization and production, (2) hormone secretion, (3) the post-exercise recovery period, (4) effects of physical training on fuels and hormone secretion, and (5) effects of exercise on lipoprotein metabolism.
Statistical Modeling and Simulation of Short-Range Device-to-Device Communication Channels at Sub-THz Frequencies

A 2-D geometrical propagation model for short-range device-to-device desktop communication channels at sub-terahertz (sub-THz) frequencies is proposed. Based on the geometrical model, a parametric reference model for short-range sub-THz multipath fading channels is developed. From the reference model, the corresponding frequency correlation function and the power delay profile (PDP) are derived and compared with the measured data. The results show good agreement between the measured and theoretical PDPs. Finally, a new sum-of-sinusoids-based simulation model for wideband sub-THz channels is proposed. The statistics of the reference model are verified by simulation. The results show that the simulation model is a good approximation of the reference model.