cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Resistance Drift and Crystallization in Suspended and On-oxide Phase Change Memory Line Cells

Resistance drift and crystallization are critical concerns for accurate distinction between different states and for data retention in phase change memory (PCM), but their underlying physical mechanisms are still not fully understood. In this work, we compared the resistance drift and crystallization of suspended and on-oxide amorphous Ge 2 Sb 2 Te 5 PCM line cells. We programmed 15 cells of each type at room temperature to a resistance level of ~10 MΩ and monitored their resistance over ~3 months. The initial upward resistance drift trends were very similar for both cell types, but the later behaviour was noticeably different. The suspended cells exhibited increased variability in the upward drift after ~103 s, and at ~35-80 days some cells experienced an abrupt crystallization, some showed a saturation in the upward resistance drift, and others continued the upward resistance drift with fluctuations, possibly due to the imminent saturation. The on-oxide cells, on the other hand, demonstrated very consistent upward resistance drift during the entire measurement period. Temperature-accelerated measurements at 400 K on both type of cells also showed the early and abrupt data loss in suspended cells. The abrupt crystallization in suspended PCM cells can potentially be useful for self-destructive hardware security primitives based on the loss of the stored data after a certain time.
Varied abundance and functional diversity across native forest bird communities in the Mariana Islands

The Mariana islands have a species-poor but functionally diverse and largely endemic bird assemblage that varies due to biogeographic legacy and anthropogenic impacts. The largest island in the chain, Guam, is the setting for one of the most extreme examples of recent avian population declines, indicating the capacity for avifaunal collapse and loss of function in neighboring islands. We performed a systematic survey of resident land birds in remnant karst forest on the Mariana Islands' 3 largest islands following Guam to assess the status of the avifauna in this habitat, characterize inter-island heterogeneity in bird communities, and consider the resulting differences in the functional roles of birds across the archipelago's native forests. We identified significantly greater functional diversity on Rota than either Saipan or Tinian, but lower bird population densities, species richness, and Shannon diversity. We recommend continued monitoring of avian population trends across the archipelago and assessments of ecosystem functions like pollination, seed dispersal, and food web dynamics.
Pregnancy in patients with systemic sclerosis

Despite early literature suggesting an increased risk of infertility and significant pregnancy complications, favorable obstetric and neonatal outcomes can be achieved in patients with scleroderma. Commonly reported complications include prematurity and intrauterine growth restriction, and most of the adverse pregnancy outcomes occur in women with early, diffuse systemic sclerosis. Ideally, patients should undergo preconception counseling to determine if multi-organ involvement precludes pregnancy.
Bridging the divide between API users and API developers by mining public code repositories

Software application programming interfaces (APIs) are a ubiquitous part of Software Engineering. The evolution of these APIs requires constant effort from their developers and users alike. API developers must constantly balance keeping their products modern whilst keeping them as stable as possible. Meanwhile, API users must continually be on the lookout to adapt to changes that could break their applications. As APIs become more numerous, users are challenged by a myriad of choices and information on which API to use. Current research attempts to provide automatic documentation, code examples, and code completion to make API evolution more scalable for users. Our work will attempt to establish practical and scalable API evolution guidelines and tools based on public code repositories, to aid both API users and API developers. This thesis focuses on investigating the use of public code repositories provided by the open-source community to improve software API engineering practices. More specifically, I seek to improve software engineering practices linked to API evolution, both from the perspective of API users and API developers. To achieve this goal, I will apply quantitative and qualitative research methods to understand the problems at hand. I will then mine public code repositories to develop novel solutions to these problems.
Factors associated with progression to infection in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-colonized, critically ill neonates.

To identify factors associated with development of symptomatic infection in infants colonized with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This case-control study was performed at St. Louis Children’s Hospital NICU from 2009 to 2019. The MRSA-colonized infants who developed symptomatic MRSA infection (cases) were matched 1:3 with MRSA-colonized infants who did not develop infection (controls). Demographics and characteristics of NICU course were compared between groups. Longitudinal information from subsequent hospitalizations was also obtained. Forty-two infected cases were compared with 126 colonized-only controls. Cases became colonized earlier in their NICU stay, were less likely to have received mupirocin for decolonization, and had a longer course of mechanical ventilation than controls. Longitudinally, cases had a more protracted NICU course and were more likely to require hospital readmission. Progression from MRSA colonization to symptomatic infection is associated with increased morbidity and may be mitigated through decolonization.
Ulnar Neuropathy After Intermittent Prone Positioning for COVID-19 Infection: A Preliminary Report of 3 Cases

Case We describe a preliminary report of 3 cases of ulnar neuropathy after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and treatment with intermittent prone positioning. Conclusion Ulnar neuropathy may be associated with recent COVID-19 infection. The natural process of the disease and intermittent prone positioning are likely risk factors contributing to this finding. Conservative management seems to lead to improvement of symptoms.
Quantitative Hemodynamics in Aortic Dissection: Comparing in Vitro MRI with FSI Simulation in a Compliant Model.

The analysis of quantitative hemodynamics and luminal pressure may add valuable information to aid treatment strategies and prognosis for aortic dissections. This work directly compared in vitro 4D-flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), catheter-based pressure measurements, and computational fluid dynamics that integrated fluid-structure interaction (CFD FSI). Experimental data was acquired with a compliant 3D-printed model of a type-B aortic dissection (TBAD) that was embedded into a flow circuit with tunable boundary conditions. In vitro flow and relative pressure information were used to tune the CFD FSI Windkessel boundary conditions. Results showed overall agreement of complex flow patterns, true to false lumen flow splits, and pressure distribution. This work demonstrates feasibility of a tunable experimental setup that integrates a patient-specific compliant model and provides a test bed for exploring critical imaging and modeling parameters that ultimately may improve the prognosis for patients with aortic dissections.
Eyes Full of Tears.

If I don't see the difference between you and meThen what is it that I think I see?I see you in the bar, in the bookstore, at the officeI compliment your sweater and we compare which wool is the so...
Cycling emergy: computing emergy in trophic networks

Abstract While cycles are a very important phenomena of ecosystems, they represent a methodological challenge in emergy accounting. The relevance of feedbacks is acknowledged in emergy evaluations, however they are not considered by the emergy algebra. In this paper, we present supporting arguments in favor of an update in the emergy accounting methodology. We argue that including the contribution of feedback emergy is essential to understand a system's internal functioning, thus studies interested in better capturing these features should consider emergy cycling. Feedbacks represent emergy that entered the system in the past (therefore it is not double counting), and they enable additional organization and work above that supported by input emergy alone. To evaluate the effect upon system properties of including feedbacks, we compared two different methods for calculating transformities using trophic networks as case studies. One method followed the classic emergy rules where feedbacks were not included, and the other included the feedbacks (we refer to them as static and network method, respectively). The comparison between the resulting transformities and system emergy patterns showed that (1) transformities and system emergy were significantly higher with the network method, and (2) this increase affected the network compartments unevenly, altering their position in the emergy hierarchy. Estimating relative importance of the system's components or their true emergy requirements are only possible by evaluating the total emergy that flows through them.
The Crisis of Imprisonment: Protest, Politics, and the Making of the American Penal State, 1776-1941

America's prison-based system of punishment has not always enjoyed the widespread political and moral legitimacy it has today. In this groundbreaking reinterpretation of penal history, Rebecca McLennan covers the periods of deep instability, popular protest, and political crisis that characterized early American prisons. She details the debates surrounding prison reform, including the limits of state power, the influence of market forces, the role of unfree labor, and the 'just deserts' of wrongdoers. McLennan also explores the system that existed between the War of 1812 and the Civil War, where private companies relied on prisoners for labor. Finally, she discusses the rehabilitation model that has primarily characterized the penal system in the twentieth century. Unearthing fresh evidence from prison and state archives, McLennan shows how, in each of three distinct periods of crisis, widespread dissent culminated in the dismantling of old systems of imprisonment.
An assessment of voting systems under the proximity and directional models of the vote

I evaluate five single-winner voting systems according to their tendency to elect Condorcet candidates under alternative models of issue voting derived from behavioral research. These behavioral models posit that voters have both issue and nonissue motivations; within this framework, I study the effects of both the directional and proximity voting models, with varying degrees of issue voting. Under the proximity metric, all voting systems are most efficient when voters attach little importance to issues, while the opposite is generally the case under directional voting. In contrast to previous results, voting systems tend to be more efficient for large than for small electorates. All voting systems – including the widely-criticized plurality method – are extremely efficient when voters in mass elections are inattentive to issues.
Enhancement of T c by disorder in underdoped iron pnictide superconductors

We analyze how disorder affects the transition temperature ${T}_{c}$ of the ${s}^{+\ensuremath{-}}$ superconducting state in the iron pnictides. The conventional wisdom is that ${T}_{c}$ should rapidly decrease with increasing inter-band nonmagnetic impurity scattering, but we show that this behavior holds only in the overdoped region of the phase diagram. In the underdoped regime, where superconductivity emerges from a pre-existing magnetic state, disorder gives rise to two competing effects: breaking of the Cooper pairs, which tends to reduce ${T}_{c}$, and suppression of the itinerant magnetic order, which tends to bring ${T}_{c}$ up. We show that for a wide range of parameters the second effect wins; i.e., in the coexistence state ${T}_{c}$ can increase with disorder. Our results provide an explanation for several recent experimental findings and lend additional support to ${s}^{+\ensuremath{-}}$ pairing in the iron pnictides.
The Global Alzheimer's Association Interactive Network

Abstract Introduction The Global Alzheimer's Association Interactive Network (GAAIN) is consolidating the efforts of independent Alzheimer's disease data repositories around the world with the goals of revealing more insights into the causes of Alzheimer's disease, improving treatments, and designing preventative measures that delay the onset of physical symptoms. Methods We developed a system for federating these repositories that is reliant on the tenets that (1) its participants require incentives to join, (2) joining the network is not disruptive to existing repository systems, and (3) the data ownership rights of its members are protected. Results We are currently in various phases of recruitment with over 55 data repositories in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia and can presently query >250,000 subjects using GAAIN's search interfaces. Discussion GAAIN's data sharing philosophy, which guided our architectural choices, is conducive to motivating membership in a voluntary data sharing network.
A Limiting form of the q-Dixon 4φ3 Summation and Related Partition Identities

By considering a limiting form of the q-Dixon 4φ3 summation, we prove a weighted partition theorem involving odd parts differing by ≥ 4. A two parameter refinement of this theorem is then deduced from a quartic reformulation of Gollnitz’s (Big) theorem due to Alladi, and this leads to a two parameter extension of Jacobi’s triple product identity for theta functions. Finally, refinements of certain modular identities of Alladi connected to the Gollnitz-Gordon series are shown to follow from a limiting form of the q-Dixon 4φ3 summation.
Covariant Evolutionary Event Analysis for Base Interaction Prediction Using a Relational Database Management System for RNA

With an increasingly large amount of sequences properly aligned, comparative sequence analysis can accurately identify not only common structures formed by standard base pairing but also new types of structural elements and constraints. However, traditional methods are too computationally expensive to perform well on large scale alignment and less effective with the sequences from diversified phylogenetic classifications. We propose a new approach that utilizes coevolutional rates among pairs of nucleotide positions using phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships of the organisms of aligned sequences. With a novel data schema to manage relevant information within a relational database, our method, implemented with a Microsoft SQL Server 2005, showed 90% sensitivity in identifying base pair interactions among 16S ribosomal RNA sequences from Bacteria, at a scale 40 times bigger and 50% better sensitivity than a previous study. The results also indicated covariation signals for a few sets of cross-strand base stacking pairs in secondary structure helices, and other subtle constraints in the RNA structure.
Extinction: Bad Genes or Bad Luck?

Part 1 Almost all species are extinct: is extinction important? bad genes or bad luck? the nature of extinction who studies extinction? a word about the word species defined the purpose of extinction, if any. Part 2 A brief history of life: origin of life complex life the quality of the fossil record 600 million years of fussing a stock market analogy trilobite eyes tropical reefs flying reptiles human evolution living fossils. Part 3 Gambler's ruin and other problems: gambling concepts of randomness gambling for survival differing extinction and speciation rates skewed histograms other models a note on extinction of surnames. Part 4 Mass extinctions: the K-T mass extinction measuring extinction a note on killing duration of mass extinctions do mass extinctions differ from background the kill curve. Part 5 Selectivity of extinction: Ice Age Blitzkrieg selectivity of the Blitzkrieg body size and the K-T extinction other examples of bias other examples of selectivity the Trilobites' bad genes some implications summary. Part 6 The search for causes: the rarity of extinction just so stories beware of anthropomorphism! the kill curve revisited. Part 7 Biological causes of extinction: are species and ecosystems fragile? the case of the heath hen importance of the first strike problems of small populations competition species-area effects species-area and past extinctions the great American interchange the history of tropical rain forests. Part 8 Physical causes of extinction: traditional favourites sea level and climate species-area effects testing sea level and climate the Pleistocene experience exotic physical causes unheard-of volcanism cosmic causes. Part 9 Rocks falling out of the sky: cratering rates destructive power Alvarez and the K-T extinction periodicity of extinction and nemesis. Part 10 Could all the extinctions be caused by meteorite impact? plausibility arguments arguments from observation extinctions are linked to craters extinctions are not linked to craters assessment. Part 11 Perspectives on extinction: how to become extinct wanton extinction the role of extinction in evolution bad genes or bad luck? a note on extinctions today. Epilogue: did we choose a safe planet?.
A Second Amelanistic Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Plethodon cinereus , from Nova Scotia, Canada

In 2011, an amelanistic Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Plethodon cinereus , was discovered in Point Pleasant Park in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This is the second amelanistic Eastern Red-backed Salamander that has been documented from the Halifax area. Albino and leucistic individuals have also been identified from Nova Scotia. These aberrant conditions, including the two amelanistic individals, were discovered in isolated, fragmented, and disturbed habitat.
On the Spectra of Quantum Groups

Introduction Previous results on spectra of quantum function algebras A description of the centers of Joseph's localizations Primitive ideals of R q [G] and a Dixmier map for R q [G] Separation of variables for the algebras S i?½ w A classification of the normal and prime elements of the De Concini-Kac-Procesi algebras Module structure of R w over their subalgebras generated by Joseph's normal elements A classification of maximal ideals of R q [G] and a question of Goodearl and Zhang Chain properties and homological applications Bibliography
Fee-based document delivery : Who's buying?

InfoQuest is a fee-based document delivery and research service provided by Auburn University Libraries to patrons who may or may not be affiliated with a library. InfoQuest operates on a cost recovery basis and opens up the library's collection to the general public. This article presents an overview of InfoQuest's document supply service including statistics and offers insight into the client base.
Modeling and analysis of a bifacial grid-connected photovoltaic system

This paper evaluates the performance of a 1 kW bifacial grid-connected PV system. The array is mounted vertically facing west on a building roof for the purpose of generating power during the late afternoon hours, thus assisting with peak load demand. Simulated solar irradiance received by both sides of the array and power production are compared to measured values. The need for better models to estimate diffuse and reflected radiation for bifacial PV studies is addressed. The impact of shading caused by module frame design on the daily array power generation curve is analyzed.
Pattern-directed attention in uncertain-frequency detection

The role of early pattern components as cues in uncertain frequency detection was investigated in four probe-signal experiments. Listeners heard two consecutive presentations of one of two 12-tone patterns in a noise background. One presentation of the pattern was complete, whereas the other was missing the 11th (primary) tone. Listeners were required to indicate which presentation was complete. On 20% of the test trials, the 11th component of the complete pattern was replaced with one of four probe tones. The results indicated that listeners were more sensitive to the primary tone than to probe tones, and this selective sensitivity changed on a trial-by-trial basis as a function of the attentional cues provided by early pattern components. The data suggested two cue functions: (1) an “informational” function in providing information regarding which of two primary tones is likely to occur on a given trial, and (2) a “frequency” function that “automatically” directs listening to an appropriate frequency range and narrows or “fine tunes,” the listening band.
A holistic approach to vehicle simulation

Abstract Vehicle simulators traditionally model a vehicle's components separately. This paper describes a “holistic” simulator that constructs a map of fuel consumption vs speed, acceleration, and gear for the vehicle as a whole, based on statistical analysis of road test data. A single computer routine can simulate any number of existing vehicles, once each is outfitted with instruments and a data logger and is tested 1 to 2 days on the road and perhaps on a chassis dynamometer. Results of simulating a 1979 Ford Fairmont station wagon are presented.
Trace element diffusivities in bone rule out simple diffusive uptake during fossilization but explain in vivo uptake and release

Diffusion rates of numerous trace elements in bone at 20 °C were determined using laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis of experimentally induced diffusion profiles. Diffusivities are about 1 order of magnitude slower than current semiquantitative geochemical views and about 1.5 orders of magnitude faster than indirect radiotracer estimates. Intrabone volume diffusion is too slow and too similar among many elements to explain trace element profiles in young fossils and archeological materials. Diffusivity differences among elements do, however, explain disparate biokinetic washout of Sr vs. Ba and of light vs. heavy rare earth elements (REEs). These results improve the understanding of the physical principles underlying biokinetic models and rates and mechanisms of trace element alteration of phosphatic tissues in paleontological, archeological, and crystal-chemical contexts. Recrystallization and transport limitations in soils explain trace element profiles in young fossils better than intrabone volume diffusion alone and imply that diffusion of REE and other trivalent cations is likely controlled by a common charge–compensating species rather than ionic radii or partition coefficients.
Genetic selection of growth-inhibitory sequences in mammalian cells

Abstract To assess the role of mitogenically activated genes in the control of cell proliferation, we have taken a genetic approach based on the premise that blocking the function of an essential gene should lead to growth inhibition. Using a newly developed selection procedure, we isolated growth-inhibitory sequences from a pool of random cDNA fragments of 19 growth-related genes associated with the G0/G1 transition. These sequences encode potential dominant negative variants of c-Fos, JunB, and p44MAPK that may interfere with their growth-related functions. We anticipate that this procedure, which allows for the selection of sequences that cause a growth-inhibition phenotype, may have broad applications in the identification and analysis of genes that regulate cell growth.
Evaluation of iron chemical coagulation and electrocoagulation pretreatment for surface water microfiltration

Abstract A bench-scale study was undertaken to evaluate iron chemical coagulation and electrocoagulation pretreatment for dead-end, constant pressure microfiltration of surface water. Fouling of a commercially available PVDF membrane with conventional chemical coagulation pretreatment was found to (1) be insensitive to pH in the range 6.4–8.3, (2) decrease only when ≥10 mg/L Fe3+ were dosed and (3) exacerbate with increasing transmembrane pressure. These results were consistent with creation of larger flocs at high iron dosages that decreased cake specific resistance and formation of compressible cakes that increased hydraulic resistance at higher pressures. A substantial intermediate blocking stage was observed prior to cake formation during raw water microfiltration whereas for coagulated waters, cake filtration was the predominant flux decline mechanism for almost the entire duration of microfiltration. Fouling was not alleviated significantly by iron electrocoagulation in the entire range of experimental conditions investigated since soluble ferrous iron was unexpectedly generated at the anode. Hence, conventional iron chemical coagulation is recommended over iron electrocoagulation for pretreatment of surface waters prior to low-pressure membrane filtration. Chemical- and electrocoagulation pretreatment decreased ultraviolet absorbance to a greater extent than dissolved organic carbon. Hence, disinfection by-product control by coagulation–microfiltration is achieved by decreasing the concentration of natural organic matter precursors as well as their reactivity towards chlorine.
DG-FTLE

We present an algorithm for the computation of finite-time Lyapunov exponent (FTLE) fields using discontinuous-Galerkin (dG) methods in two dimensions. The algorithm is designed to compute FTLE fields simultaneously with the time integration of dG-based flow solvers of conservation laws. Fluid tracers are initialized at Gauss-Lobatto quadrature nodes within an element. The deformation gradient tensor, defined by the deformation of the Lagrangian flow map in finite time, is determined per element with high-order dG operators. Multiple flow maps are constructed from a particle trace that is released at a single initial time by mapping and interpolating the flow map formed by the locations of the fluid tracers after finite time integration to a unit square master element and to the quadrature nodes within the element, respectively. The interpolated flow maps are used to compute forward-time and backward-time FTLE fields at several times using dG operators. For a large finite integration time, the interpolation is increasingly poorly conditioned because of the excessive subdomain deformation. The conditioning can be used in addition to the FTLE to quantify the deformation of the flow field and identify subdomains with material lines that define Lagrangian coherent structures. The algorithm is tested on three benchmarks: an analytical spatially periodic gyre flow, a vortex advected by a uniform inviscid flow, and the viscous flow around a square cylinder. In these cases, the algorithm is shown to have spectral convergence.
Theory of the radiative lifetime of the 3B1 state of SO2

Interchange and many-body perturbation theory are applied to the calculation of the radiative lifetime of the 3B1 state of SO2. The radiative lifetime of 3B1 SO2 is predicted to be 7.6 msec, in excellent agreement with the experimental collision-free phosphorescence lifetime. As a separate calculation, interchange perturbation theory is used to determine the radiative lifetime of the 1A1 state of CH2.
A soil moisture assimilation scheme using satellite-retrieved skin temperature in meso-scale weather forecast model

A thermodynamically consistent soil moisture assimilation scheme for clear sky and snow free conditions has been developed for the meso-scale modeling system in the Arctic region by using satellite-derived skin temperatures. Parallel control and sensitivity modeling experiments were designed and their results demonstrated that the assimilation scheme successfully improves the soil moistures that were deliberately perturbed initially, indicating capability of the scheme to correct bias in the soil moisture initialization. Moreover, the resultant benefit of this assimilation scheme does not only lie in the improvement of soil moisture; the skin temperature also consequently exhibits improvements in a thermodynamic consistency. A real application of the assimilation scheme with satellite-retrieved skin temperature exhibited noticeable positive impacts on the modeling simulation and weather forecast; the model obviously captured meso-scale features of soil moistures as well as the skin temperatures. The warming tendency bias in original model simulations was removed to a considerable extent by this assimilation scheme.
Economic and environmental impacts of domestic bio-digesters: Evidence from Arusha, Tanzania

Abstract Despite substantial programmatic investment in domestic bio-digesters across sub-Saharan Africa in recent years, little empirical evidence has been published regarding the existence or magnitude of socioeconomic or environmental benefits accruing from bio-digester implementation. A cross-sectional study of 40 households in Arusha, Tanzania, suggests that bio-digester adoption has the potential to reduce fuel-wood use, energy-related expenditures, and time-costs of energy procurement; to lower CO 2 e emissions; and to increase farm incomes. No significant differences in synthetic fertilizer use were observed between households with and without bio-digesters. Domestic bio-digester investments were found to have a positive net present value across a wide range of discount rates. Further, we estimate that domestic bio-digester implementation at the country wide level in Tanzania could potentially access $80–$115 million annually in carbon emissions reduction (CER) financing through the Clean Development Mechanism.
Genome-Wide Demethylation by 5-aza-2’-Deoxycytidine Alters the Cell Fate of Stem/Progenitor Cells

DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine (5-aza-CdR) is able to cause DNA demethylation in the genome and induce the expression of silenced genes. Whether DNA demethylation can affect the gene expression of stem/progenitor cells has not been understood. Mouse utricle epithelia-derived progenitor cells (MUCs), which possess stem cell features as previously described, exhibit a potential DNA methylation status in the genome. In this study, MUCs were treated with 5-aza-CdR to determine whether DNMT inhibitor is able to induce the differentiation of MUCs. With 5-aza-CdR treatment for 72 hr, MUCs expressed epithelial genes including Cdh1, Krt8, Krt18, and Dsp. Further, hair cell genes Myo7a and Myo6 increased their expressions in response to 5-aza-CdR treatment. The decrease in the global methylated DNA values after 5-aza-CdR treatment indicated a significant DNA demethylation in the genome of MUCs, which may contribute to remarkably increased expression of epithelial genes and hair cell genes. The progenitor MUCs then turned into an epithelial-like hair cell fate with the expression of both epithelial and hair cell genes. This study suggests that stem cell differentiation can be stimulated by DNA demethylation, which may open avenues for studying stem cell fate induction using epigenetic approaches.
Gastroenterologist/pathologist partnership

Gastrointestinal biopsies provide critical information to gastroenterologists in patient management. The responsibility of the pathologist is to provide the optimum pathology report on these biopsies. However, the pathologist is dependent on the gastroenterologist to provide certain information and to obtain the most diagnostic tissue. Key information includes a brief clinical history, which focuses the pathologist's examination of slides and directs any ancillary special pathologic studies. A valuable part of the clinical history includes information on the use of certain drugs. It is crucial for the pathologist to know certain key endoscopic findings, starting with the site of the biopsy, specifying exact location (eg, antrum, not just stomach.) In some diseases, certain biopsy techniques greatly influence the yield of positive biopsies. For example, in an ulcer from an AIDS patient, both the base as well as the edges of the ulcer must be biopsied as different viruses will be found in the different sites. For a submucosal lesion, a bite-on-bite technique or an endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration may facilitate the diagnosis. Minimizing or avoiding practices or procedures that damage tissue is also critical. Finally, some clinical conditions require ancillary studies that cannot be performed on formalin fixed tissue. Alerting the pathologist ahead of time will help insure that the proper harvesting and storage of tissue is followed for these special procedures.
Viscous Shock Layer at the Stagnation Point with Nonequilibrium Air Chemistry

A finite-difference method and a nonlinear overrelaxation method are investigated for solving the viscous shock layer at the stagnation point of a blunt body. An air gas model is employed with finite reaction rates and accurate thermodynamic and transport properties. For a body with a 1-in. nose radius and at a velocity of 20 kfps, the present results at 100, 150, 200, and 250 kft show that boundary-layer theory with the inviscid edge flow in chemical equilibrium is appropriate for some altitude below 150 kft. When the altitude is 250 kft, the effects of shock slip must be included in the viscous shock-layer solution. For this case, the air is only slightly dissociated and ionized. The present results, with a seven-species air model, are in general agreement with the diatomic air model results of Cheng and Chung.
Information Retrieval: Recovery of disk contents after system failure

A method is discussed by which, after a system malfunction, the contents of disk files can be restored to their status at the time of the failure.
Case Article---Keeping Logistics Under Wraps

This paper describes a teaching case that integrates logistics network design with an ethical decision-making process. The ethical issues center on a proposed network design strategy for parcel transportation known as zone skipping, whose implementation in this setting would require the disguising of the identity of freight. The paper describes the case, discusses its pedagogical goals and provides some recommendations for using the case successfully in a logistics or optimization course. Case Teaching Note: Interested Instructors please see the Instructor Materials page for access to the restricted materials. To maintain the integrity and usefulness of cases published in ITE, unapproved distribution of the case teaching notes and other restricted materials to any other party is prohibited.
Classification of Modern Resins by Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Abstract The carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of modern resins have been used to characterize their botanical sources. Resins from four of the principal diterpenoid resinproducing genera, Agathis, Hymenaea, Pinus, and Araucaria, give distinct NMR spectra under conditions of normal and interrupted decoupling. The genus Wollemia gives the same spectra as Agathis. Samples from the triterpenoid resin-producing family Burseraceae and of gum resins were recorded for comparison. Resin samples from unknown or uncertain sources then were examined and assigned to their botanical sources.
Changes in fatty acids and glycerolipids of tobacco leaves during air-curing

Changes in the lipid components of tobacco leaves during air-curing were investigated. In the air-curing system the contents of total fatty acids and linolenic acid decreased markedly. Digalactosyldiglyceride, monogalactosyldiglyceride, sulfoquinovosyldiglyceride and phosphatidyl-glycerol, which are components of chloroplast membranes, were degraded almost completely during the process. Phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylinositol (PI) were relatively resistant to the degradation process during the yellowing stage, but they also decreased markedly thereafter. PC and PI remained until the final drying stage, although their contents were low. In most polar lipids a considerable decrease was observed in the ratio of linolenic acid. Free fatty acid content increased gradually.
Decision Analysis in Clinical Gastroenterology

OBJECTIVES: Although the tools of medical decision analysis have been mostly used to address complex issues of healthcare and management policies, an important role remains for decision analysis to play in solving mundane medical problems of daily practice. The present article alms to restate the origins of decision analysis and to demonstrate the utility of decision models in clinical gastroenterology. METHODS: Three clinical scenarios are presented to illustrate the applicability of decision analysis In clinical gastroenterology. The examples are modeled as simple decision trees and phrased in terms of threshold analysis. RESULTS: In spite of its striking simplicity, the framework of threshold analysis is able to capture a large variety of heterogeneous and often perplexing medical problems. Rather than calculate a cost-effectiveness or cost-benefit ratio, the result of the analysis is expressed as a probability value, which forms the threshold between the two choices against or in favor of a particular medical action. For most analyses little If any calculation is needed to solve the decision tree, and the final outcome of the analysis can be derived based on comparative estimates and considerations of magnitude only. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates that threshold analysis can serve as a simple and convenient instrument to solve a large variety of problems in clinical gastroenterology.
Context-Aware Assistive Interfaces for Persons with Severe Motor Disabilities

Persons with severe motor disabilities have a great need for assistive robots, but also struggle to communicate these needs in ways that a robot can understand. I propose an interface that will make it possible to communicate with robots using limited movements. This will be done using contextual information from the robot's semantic model of the world. I also describe the state-of-the-art hardware and personal collaborations that equip our lab for this research. Assistive robotic interfaces also evoke concerns that a robot could violate personal privacy expectations, particularly if a remote operator can see the robot's video stream. This is especially important for persons with disabilities because it may be harder for them to monitor the robot's whereabouts. I describe ongoing work on two interfaces that help make it possible for robots to be privacy conscious. Answers for privacy concerns need to be developed alongside the new interface technologies prior to in-home deployment.
A comparison of alternative kanban control mechanisms. II. Experimental results

This paper continues our study of the design of inventory control policies for serial systems. Using simulation, we compare alternate control policies where a target of mean throughput has to be met under three different objectives - minimize the maximum inventory, minimize the average inventory and minimize the variance of the output - for balanced lines and lines with one bottleneck, The main objectives of this paper are: (1) to study several objectives not amenable to sample path analysis and (2) to show some sets of conditions and objectives under which Constant-Work-in Progress (CONWIP) is preferred over the traditional kanban mechanism, and vice-versa.
A patient-centered surgical home to improve outpatient surgical processes of care and outcomes

Preparing patients for surgery is critical for achieving the best possible surgical outcomes. To do this effectively, care must be coordinated across several types of specialists, and potentially across multiple settings. In this paper, we develop a Patient-Centered Surgical Home (PCSH) for outpatient surgery based on the concept of the Perioperative Surgical Home proposed by the American Society of Anesthesiologists. A key feature of the PCSH is to have an anesthesiology preoperative assessment clinic (APC) serve as system coordinator and information integrator. Based on a study of outpatient surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and its primary teaching hospital using statistical analysis and simulation, we demonstrate how this can be accomplished. We show that for the PCSH to succeed, APC must see the right patients with the right information by overcoming improper triaging of patients and patient information deficiencies. Our analysis shows that with the proper screen...
Ca2+-dependent K+ channels in neuroblastoma hybrid cells activated by intracellular inositol trisphosphate and extracellular bradykinin

Bradykinin (BK) activation of phosphatidylinositide breakdown in NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells in the generation of an outward K+ current through the release of Ca2+ by the intermediary messenger inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3). Channels mediating this outward current were identified using cell-attached patch electrodes. Intracellular iontophoretic injection of InsP3 or Ca2+, or extracellular application of BK, evoked bursts of K+ channel activity coincident with cell hyperpolarization measured with an intracellular recording micropipette. The most frequent channels had a mean single-channel conductance of about 40 pS in symmetrical K+ solutions; additional openings of lower conductance (18 pS) channels were also detected. Bath application of phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu, 1 μM) increased the number and opening probability of the InsP3-induced channels.
Influence of Child Independence, Gender, and Birthdate on Kindergarten Teachers' Recommendations for Retention

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate three factors other than achievement or competence that might influence kindergarten teachers when making placement decisions for the children in their classes. Hypothetical student profiles were sent to 600 kindergarten teachers throughout the state of Ohio; 252 teachers responded. Eight profiled children were described as having successfully completed the academic requirements of kindergarten (thus academic achievement was held constant), but they varied by age (August versus February birthday), gender, and level of independence. Teachers were not significantly more likely to recommend retention for boys, nor were they significantly more likely to recommend retention for August children, though the trend was toward retaining younger children. Teachers were more likely to recommend retention for children who were described as dependent and somewhat immature. Older teachers were more likely to recommend retention. In their written comments, teachers wh...
Delayed Tillage and Cover Crop Effects in Potato Systems

Delayed tillage and the inclusion of cover crops can substantially reduce erosion in intensively tilled potato systems. Both of these practices can potentially impact potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) yield and quality via changes in soil temperature and soil water status, and suppression or enhancement of soil-borne diseases. Research was conducted over six rotation cycles at two Maine locations to evaluate the effects of timing of primary tillage (fall vs. spring) and cover crop [none, red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), or winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)] on grain yield, ground cover, and tuber yield and quality within the context of 2-year barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)]–potato rotations. Delaying primary tillage until spring, immediately before planting potato, resulted in higher soil water content early in the growing season (before or immediately after planting) in some rotation cycles, and also provided nearly complete ground cover during potentially erosive periods in fall and early spring. The inclusion of clover or ryegrass cover crops had small, positive effects on the proportion of the soil surface covered by crop residue (determined by the line intercept method) in both tillage systems. A significant tillage effect on total tuber yield was seen in only one rotation cycle, when delaying tillage until spring reduced yield by about 12%. Cover crop treatments had no effect on total tuber yield, and neither tillage or cover crop affected the proportion of marketable tubers. Tillage did not affect black scurf (Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn) and common scab [Streptomyces scabiei (Thaxter) Lambert & Loria], which were significantly reduced by red clover in some rotation cycles. This research shows that conservation practices can be implemented, including delaying primary tillage until spring and including underseeded cover crops during the grain phase of the rotation, while maintaining potato yield.
Evaluation of Dopamine D-2 Receptor Occupancy by Clozapine, Risperidone, and Haloperidol In Vivo in the Rodent and Nonhuman Primate Brain Using 18F-Fallypride

We have used the high-affinity dopamine D-2 receptor radioligand, 18F-fallypride for evaluating receptor occupancy by the antipsychotic drugs, clozapine, risperidone, and haloperidol in rodents and nonhuman primates. In rodents, clozapine (0.1 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg) competed with 18F-fallypride at all the doses administered. At doses over 40 mg/kg, clozapine was able to displace all the administered 18F-fallypride. A pseudobiphasic profile of receptor occupancy by clozapine was observed. This behavior was compared with such other neuroleptics as risperidone and haloperidol that exhibited over 90% receptor occupancy at doses over 0.1 mg/kg and did not exhibit a biphasic nature. Dopamine D-2 receptor occupancy in the monkeys was studied using positron emission tomography (PET) after acute subcutaneous doses of the various drugs. At therapeutically relevant doses, clozapine, risperidone, and haloperidol were able to compete significantly with the binding of 18F-fallypride in all brain regions in rhesus monkeys, and our analyses indicate that these drugs (clozapine, risperidone, and haloperidol) do not discriminate between the striatal (caudate and putamen) and the extrastriatal (thalamus and cortical regions) dopamine receptors. The following extent of D-2 receptor occupancies were measured in the monkey brain using PET: clozapine ≈70% (dose of 9.7 mg/kg), risperidone ≈75% (0.05 mg/kg), and haloperidol ≈90% (0.05 mg/kg).
Second harmonic linewidth measurement of a Q-switched Nd:glass laser using narrowband interference filters

A mehod is reported for using narrowband interference filters to determine the linewidth of frequency-doubled 527-nm Nd:glass laser radiation.(AIP)
Physiological aspects of blastocyst uterine interaction

An interaction between the blastocyst and the uterus is essential for establishment of pregnancy. Because maternal estrogen is not an absolute requirement, estrogen of embryonic origin has been implicated in this process in the pig and the rabbit. Furthermore, estrogen forming capacity has been documented in the blastocyst of these species. However, while the complete machinery for steroid synthesis in the pig balstocyst has been demonstrated, the issue is still unresolved for the rabbit blastocyst. In the present communication we have shown that 17α-hydroxylase and C17–20-lyase, enzymes involved in the formation of androgens (C19-steroids) from C21-steroids (progestins), are present in day-6 rabbit blastocysts. C17–20-lyase activity was undetectable to low in day-5 and increased in day-6 balstocysts. The activity was further increased in day-6 blastocysts cultured for 24 h. Because prostaglandins have been implicated in uterine vascular changes at about the time of implantation and pregnancy establishment, and because catechol estrogens are more potent than phenolic estrogens in stimulating prostaglandin synthesis in the blastocyst and the uterus, we determined catechol estrogen forming capacity in the rabbit and pig blastocyst. Catechol estrogen forming capacity (estrogen-2/4-hydroxylase) in the pig blastocyst appears on day 10 of pregnancy, peaks on day 12 and then declines. Our preliminary experiments also indicate that day-6 rabbit blastocysts have catechol estrogen forming capacity. On the basis of our present findings and of others, we propose that catechol estrogens of embryonic origin mediate the stimulatory effect of estrogens on prostaglandin synthesis in the embryo and/or the uterus and thus participate in the process of establishment of pregnancy.