cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The relationship between host destruction and parasite reproductive potential inMuscidifurax raptor, M. zaraptor, andSpalangia endius [Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae]

Highly significant correlations existed between parasite reproduction and host destruction statistics calculated for 3 hymenopterous parasites of muscoid flies,Muscidifurax raptorGirault & Sanders,M. zaraptorKogan & Legner, andSpalangia endiusWalker, ovipositing under varied environmentally controlled conditions. A consideration of an individual parasite's host destructive capacity is important in order to correctly evaluate the direct impact of periodic inundative releases in the field. In this study mortality resulting from host-feeding, probing and aborted parasitism averaged ca. 37, 28, and 31% forS. endius, M. raptor andM. zaraptor, respectively. The observation of such highly significant correlations with reproductive potential indicates a means for more accurate evaluation of field performance (hosts destroyed both reproductively and incidentally) in 3 useful species.
A Numerical Investigation of Mechanisms Linking Glaciation of the Ice-Phase to the Boundary Layer

Abstract Nine clouds are simulated by perturbing Florida Area Cumulus Experiment (FACE) field soundings employing the Colorado State University cloud model. After a cloud similar in size to the one observed is initiated, glaciation is simulated in experiments designed to study the mechanisms by which glaciation is communicated to the subcloud boundary layer. Numerical model results show that the vertical pressure mechanism consisting of hydrostatic and dynamic pressure gradient force and “pressure buoyancy” is present, as is the downdraft mechanism, but they are secondary to loading, temperature buoyancy, water vapor buoyancy and the horizontal dynamic forces on the scale of a single deep convective cloud. The communication mechanism that has the most sustained and coherent influence upon the subcloud layer is the settling and evaporation of precipitation. A clear implication of this study to weather modification is that for dynamic seeding to have a significant influence upon the upscale growth of a clou...
Development of the spiral aftereffect

A motion aftereffect is the apparent motion of a stationary object that is seen after looking at a continuously moving object for a period of time. The aftereffect is of short duration and opposite in direction to the original motion. Duration of the spiral aftereffect was measured for children between 7 and 14 years of age after inspection durations between 30 and 180 sec. Aftereffect duration increased with inspection duration at a rate that was independent of age, but average duration increased with age. These differences in the development of properties of the motion aftereffect suggest that it may be an index of the neuronal arborization component of brain growth.
The role of emerging technologies in imagery for disaster monitoring and disaster relief assistance

Emerging technologies enable new concepts in low-cost Earth observing constellations. In this paper we posit an architecture that addresses a largely unmet need for real-time disaster monitoring and disaster relief assistance. A satellite based system capable of being controlled from, and downlinking data to, a relatively primitive ground site would be invaluable for focusing disaster relief efforts. In this concept, real-time continuous high resolution imagery from a system capable of selecting wavelength bands for specific needs would be implemented. The system is comprised of elements at geosynchronous and L1 altitudes. From geosynchronous altitude, focused high-value imagery is provided by steerable cameras with a 250m resolution. At L1, full disk imagery provides context for mesoscale high resolution imagery.
Coverage-Dependent Adsorption at a Low Symmetry Surface: DFT and Statistical Analysis of Oxygen Chemistry on Kinked Pt(321)

We explore the influence of adsorbate interactions on the thermodynamic and spectroscopic properties of oxygen on the stepped, kinked Pt(321) surface. The ground state arrangements of atomic oxygen are identified with the aid of a cluster expansion and analyzed for coverages up to one oxygen per surface Pt (1 ML). We find that oxygen prefers to bind in bridge sites at the step edge at coverages up to 0.2 ML, but at higher coverages oxygen atoms actually experience mild, localized attractions such that both bridge and threefold hollow sites are occupied to form square planar, fourfold-coordinated PtO4-like structures. These structures progressively dominate the surface with increasing coverage up to 0.8 ML, at which point every kink Pt is saturated with four oxygens. We compute stability regions for these ground states with respect to gas-phase O2 and to NO/NO2 mixtures. The ground state structures at 0.2, 0.6, and 0.8 ML dominate over a wide range of conditions, with the 0.6 ML structure being most prominent. We also explore site preferences for molecular O2 adsorbed on key O ground state structures. Calculations of vibrational modes and core electron binding energy shifts allow us to relate both ground state and non-equilibrium structures to experimental HREELS and XPS results. We show that adsorption sites are primarily characterized by their surface coordination, such that O in atop, bridge, and threefold hollow sites possess distinct and identifiable vibrational modes and core level shifts. However, within these broad categories, we find variability due to interactions with proximal adsorbates. Adsorption energies and vibrational modes of O2 are found to be particularly sensitive to the local adsorption environment. Lastly, we develop a one-dimensional adsorption model to understand and rationalize experimentally observed non-equilibrium behavior at low coverages.
Hunger in the Blowfly

Zusammenfassung Wenn Futter die Geschmacksorgane an den Tastern einer Fliege beruhrt, streckt sie ihren Russel aus; dadurch kommen die geschmacksempfindlichen Haare des Russels in Kontakt mit der Nahrung. Auf diesen Reiz hin offnen sich die Labellen und geben die Chemoreceptoren der Mundoffnung frei. Reizung aller Sinnesorgane auf den Labellen lost das Saugen aus, dessen Geschwindigkeit vom Reizungsgrade der Mundsinnesorgane abhangt. Das Saugen halt an, bis der Adaptationsgrad der Mundsinnesorgane einen hohen Wert erreicht hat, was wiederum von der Konzentration der Nahrung abhangt. 1st der kritische Wert erreicht, dann hort die Fliege auf zu saugen. Der Schwellenwert der Nahrungsaufnahme liegt also zu Beginn ganz tief und beim Aufhoren der Reaktion ganz hoch. So bleibt er stundenlang, auch wenn die sensorische Adaptation schon abklingt. Wie lange die Schwelle hoch bleibt, das hangt mit von der Art der Nahrung ab, nicht jedoch vom Blutzuckerspiegel, dem Abbau des Glykogcnspeichers, der Fullung des Kropfes oder des Mitteldarmes, noch auch vom Hormongehalt der Haemo-lymphe. Die Schwellenhohe wird vielmehr eingestellt durch Informationen im Vorderdarm, die uber den n. recurrens zum Oberschlundganglion gehen, wo sie die von den Mundsinnesorganen einlaufende Erregung hemmen. Zer-schneidet man diesen Nerv, so entfallt die Hemmung, und die Fliege saugt ununterbrochen bis zu ihrem Tode. Die Konzentrationsschwelle fur Zucker-losungen hebt sich bei diesen Dauertrinkern nie. Hunger ist hier Fehlen von reizender Flussigkeit im Vorderdarm und somit von hemmenden Impulsen im n. recurrens. Es besteht bisher kein Anlas, den Hunger Trieb zu nennen, wenn man darunter einen positiven Erregungsbetrag versteht, gleich ob er von auseren oder inneren Sinnes-organen oder einem Zentrum her einstromt. Hier hangt das Einstellen der Nahrungsaufnahme also weder von der Be-friedigung eines Stoffwechselbedarfs noch auch vom Ablauf einer Bewegung ab. Wenn die Fliege unverdaulichen Zucker (Fukose) trinkt, hebt sich der Schwel-lenwert genau so wie bei verdaulicher Kost, und sie saugt nicht weiter; sie ist stoffwechsel-physiologisch hungrig, aber verhaltensmasig satt. Die Fliege mit zerschnittenem rucklaufendem Nerv saugt und schluckt, bis sie platzt; also ist diese Bewegungsweise auch keine triebverzehrende Endhandlung. Auch fur ein „Saugzentrum” spricht nichts, wenn man sich darunter ein hoheres Nervenzentrum vorstellt, dessen endogene Aktivitat zum Saugen antreibt.
Micro-specialization: dynamic code specialization of database management systems

Database management systems (DBMSes) form a cornerstone of modern IT infrastructure, and it is essential that they have excellent performance. Much of the work to date on optimizing DBMS performance has emphasized ensuring efficient data access from secondary storage. This paper shows that DBMSes can also benefit significantly from dynamic code specialization. Our approach focuses on the iterative query evaluation loops typically used by such systems. Query evaluation involves extensive references to the relational schema, predicate values, and join types, which are all invariant during query evaluation, and thus are subject to dynamic value-based code specialization.We introduce three distinct types of specialization, each corresponding to a particular kind of invariant. We realize these techniques, in concert termed micro-specialization, via a DBMS-independent run-time environment and apply them to a high-performance open-source DBMS, PostgreSQL. We show that micro-specialization requires minimal changes to the DBMS and can yield performance improvements simultaneously across a wide range of queries and modifications, in terms of storage, CPU usage, and I/O time of standard DBMS benchmarks. We also discuss an integrated development environment that helps DBMS developers apply micro-specializations to identified target code sequences.
Development of a concept inventory for microelectronics courses

This paper describes our initial attempts at developing a concept inventory for a microelectronics course. The methodology for selecting the core concepts to be tested and the development of the questions are described. Results of the assessment data indicate some areas where student conceptual understanding is weak. The proposed method to improve the concept inventory is also detailed.
Fatigue fracture processes in polystyrene

Fatigue crack growth characteristics in polystyrene were studied as a function of stress intensity factor range and cyclic frequency. Precracked single edge notched and compact-tension type specimens made from commercially available polystyrene sheet (mol.wt. =2.7×105) were cycled under constant load at frequencies of 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 Hz, producing growth rates ranging from 4×10−7 to 4×10−3 cm/cycle. For a given stress intensity level, fatigue crack growth rates were found to decrease with increasing frequency, the effect being strongest at high stress intensity values. The variable frequency sensitivity of this polymer over the test range studied was explained in terms of a variable creep component. The macroscopic appearance of the fracture surface showed two distinct regions. At low stress intensity values, a highly reflective, mirror-like surface was observed which transformed to a rougher, cloudy surface structure with increasing stress intensity level. Raising the test frequency shifted the transition between these areas to higher values of stress intensity. The microscopic appearance of the mirror region revealed evidence of crack propagation through a single craze while the appearance of the rough region indicated crack growth through many crazes, all nominally normal to the applied stress axis. Electron fractographic examination of the mirror region revealed many parallel bands perpendicular to the direction of crack growth, each formed by a discontinuous crack growth process as a result of many fatigue cycles. The size of these bands was found to be consistent with the dimension of the crack tip plastic zone as computed by the Dugdale model. At high stress intensity levels a new set of parallel markings was found in the cloudy region which corresponded to the incremental crack extension for an individual loading cycle.
Lightning triggered from the Earth's magnetosphere as the source of synchronized whistlers

Specific patterns established by natural radio signals echoing periodically in a magnetospheric whistler duct1–3 are sometimes observed to indicate strongly preferred times at which identical, well-defined whistlers occur. Ordinarily such whistlers would be assumed to originate in the stronger ground strokes4 of spontaneous lightning. These nonrandom whistlers are therefore unexpected and raise the possibility that some whistler-source discharges may be triggered from the magnetosphere. The same possibility could also be predicted independently from another type of our recent observations. Selected examples of nonrandom whistlers are given here and the supporting observations described. In the absence of a previously developed theoretical explanation, a trigger mechanism is outlined which emphasizes discontinuous discharge to the upper atmosphere5. Such a mechanism might help explain several related phenomena.
On optical bleaching of barium fluoride crystals

Abstract This report presents results on optical bleaching for 25 cm long BaF 2 crystals to be used in constructing a BaF 2 calorimeter at the SSC. A practical scenario of implementing optical bleaching in situ and the requirements on the light sources used to bleach the entire GEM BaF 2 calorimeter are presented.
Severe Electrolyte Disturbances After Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy: Oxaliplatin Versus Mitomycin C

Oxaliplatin (OX) is increasingly used for hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPC) for patients with peritoneal metastases. Our aim was to review electrolyte disturbances and complications after HIPC with oxaliplatin (OX) versus mitomycin C (MMC). We included patients enrolled in single-institution prospective clinical trials who underwent cytoreductive surgery and HIPC with MMC or OX. We reviewed patient demographics, pathology, perioperative course, HIPC administration, and postoperative electrolyte disturbances. Measured postoperative sodium values were corrected for systemic hyperglycemia using the formula: (measured Na+) × [(glucose − 100/100) × 1.6]. From January 2002 to April 2009 we performed 80 HIPC procedures. A total of 60 patients (75%) received MMC (dose range 12.5–50 mg/m2) carried in lactated ringers solution. There were 20 patients (25%) who received OX (dose range 300 × 400 mg/m2) carried in 5% dextrose solution. For patients receiving HIPC with OX, electrolyte disturbances were the most common complication. Compared with MMC, patients receiving OX had significant 24-h postoperative uncorrected hyponatremia (P < 0.001), corrected hyponatremia (P < 0.001), hyperglycemia (P < 0.001), and metabolic acidosis (P < 0.001). In the OX group, corrected (mean 130.5) and uncorrected (mean 127.4) sodium levels were significantly lower than preoperatively (mean 139.9, P < 0.001). The overall nonelectrolyte complication rate was 56.2%. (MMC n = 33, 55.0%; OX n = 12, 60%); the 30-day mortality rate was 0% in both groups. Compared with MMC, HIPC with OX was associated with significant but predictable electrolyte disturbances; however, these electrolyte disturbances were not associated with higher overall complication rates. Close monitoring with early correction is imperative to maximize perioperative care. Further studies are needed to provide mechanistic insight.
Adsorption of apolipoprotein A-I to biological membranes. A statistical mechanical model

Apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I), the main protein component of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), reduces the risk for atherosclerosis by removing cholesterol from the membrane of foam cells. Experiments with model membrane systems have indicated, however, that membrane cholesterol reduces apo A-I binding to the membrane. Foam cells resolve this discrepancy electrostatically by co-inserting negatively charged phospholipids in their membrane. Here we present a statistical mechanical model to account for the effect of cholesterol. Our model is based on the Haugen and May model which takes into account the dipolar nature of the zwitterionic phospholipid head group in the membrane, in which the positive end of the zwitterionic dipole moment can move randomly on a hemispherical surface with a radius equal to the arm of the dipole moment and with the negative end fixed at the hydrocarbon layer. Adsorption of a positively charged apo A-I macroion to the surface of the membrane modifies the electric field within the head group region and induces lateral demixing of phospholipid molecules in the membrane. Results from numerical integration of model equations show that i) as a result of the strong charge-dipole electrostatic coupling, the positive end of the dipoles tilts away from the adsorbed macroion in a cooperative manner; and ii) cholesterol reduces macroion adsorption to the membrane by reducing the surface area of the membrane and restricting the dipoles range of rotation. Model predictions for the change in free energy of adsorption to zwitterionic membrane are in good agreement with previously reported experimental data with liposomes. The model can assist in designing new mimetic peptides.
The use of fluorescamine as a probe for labeling the outer surface of the plasma membrane.

Abstract A rapid method was developed to label the outer surface of chick embryo fibroblasts with fluorescamine without disruption of the cell monolayer. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis resolved two distinct areas of fluorescence: a group of high molecular weight polypeptides and several rapidly migrating species. The latter were demonstrated by tlc to be phospholipids. Fluorescamine did not label internal components of the cell as evidenced by two intracellular proteins which were found to be non-fluorescent. Intact normal cells were labeled 3-fold more than transformed cells, indicating a possible loss of exposed sites at the surface, while disrupted cells, subsequently labeled, yielded similar amounts of fluorescence.
Chemical vapor deposition of titanium nitride thin films from tetrakis(dimethylamido)titanium and hydrazine as a coreactant

Hydrazine was used as a coreactant with tetrakis(dimethylamido)titanium for the low-temperature chemical vapor deposition of TiN between 50 and 200 °C. The TiN film-growth rates ranged from 5 to 45 nm/min. Ti:N ratios of approximately 1:1 were achieved. The films contain between 2 and 25 at.% carbon, as well as up to 36 at.% oxygen resulting from diffusion after air exposure. The resistivity of these films is approximately 10 4 μΩ cm. Annealing the films in ammonia enhances their crystallinity. The best TiN films were produced at 200 °C from a 2.7% hydrazine–ammonia mixture. The Ti:N ratio of these films is approximately 1:1, and they contain no carbon or oxygen. These films exhibit the highest growth rates observed.
Bilateral renal agenesis and oligohydramnios.

Summary A case of bilateral renal agenesis isreported in which oligohydramnios seems to be definitely established by the fact that the baby at birth was completely enveloped in the intact amniotic sac which contained no amniotic fluid. The baby survived five days.
THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL DISORDER IN DOPED CORRELATED-ELECTRON SYSTEMS; ARE SMOKING GUNS REALLY SMOKING ?

The suppression of Tc by dopants such as Ni and Zn is discussed. In these systems tiny oxide crystallites can form; when one accounts for the fraction of Zn or Ni in the oxide phase, the suppression of Tc is comparable for these two dopants and thus does not provide support for spin-fluctuation models. We also consider the distortions of the axial O in high-Tc systems. The unusual broadening of the Hg-O(2) bond in Hg1201 and Cu(1)-O(4) bond in YBCO are suggestive (but not a smoking gun) for polaron formation. We compare with polarons formed in the CMR materials.
Plant competition, abiotic, and long- and short-term effects of large herbivores on demography of opportunistic species in a semiarid grassland

The emergence and subsequent survival and growth of five opportunistic "weeds" were monitored after seed additions to long-term grazing treatments with or without current-year grazing, long-term ungrazed treatments, and removal treatments designed to eliminate plant competition from existing perennials while either leaving vegetation and soil structure unaltered or disturbed. The treatments were applied on both uplands and lowlands to assess the relative influence of macroabiotic environment versus plant competition. The long-term effects of large herbivores on the initial emergence of seedlings were greater than the effects of removing competition. Very few individuals emerged on the long-term grazed treatments that were either grazed or ungrazed during the experiment. Numbers of individuals emerging on the long-term ungrazed treatments were greater or equal to those emerging on the no-competition-undisturbed treatments, but numbers were greatest on no-competition-disturbed treatments. None of the seeded individuals on the long-term grazed, currently grazed treatments survived to the end of the growing season. There was a slightly greater end-of-season biomass of seeded species and percentage of the total population reaching reproductive status on the long-term ungrazed compared with grazed-nondefoliated treatments, and very high survival, biomass, and proportions of reproductives on both no-competition treatments. Cover types in the immediate vicinity of seedlings influenced both germination and survival, but the effects differed between species and treatments. Equal compensation to current-year herbivory occurred on long-term heavily grazed treatments even though above-ground production was much greater on long-term protected sites. Productivity varied with topography, but very few topographic main effects or interactions occurred with demographic variables of seeded species, suggesting that macroabiotic effects were of minor importance compared with grazing and plant competition.
Pediatric Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is a common pediatric problem with significant comorbidities and potential complications. This article is an overview of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and current therapeutic strategies. Allergic rhinitis management in a specific child is age dependent and influenced by the severity and frequency of the symptoms and the presence of any concurrent conditions. Current strategies permit symptomatic control and improved quality of life for most patients.
1020-1 A New Method of Accurate Quantitation of Aortic Regurgitation Using Doppler Echocardiography

Estimation of aortic regurgitation (AR) by Doppler echocardiography (DE) may not correlate with cath, especially for inte mediate grades (II, III) of AR. The volume of the AR can be estimated as the product of the jet crosssectional area (JCSA) and the velocity time integral (VTI) of the AR jet. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation of JCSA x VTI with AR grade at cath and to compare this with widely used method of jet-height to left ventricular outflow tract diameter ratio (JH/OTD). We analyzed 58 consecutive patients with AR who had both DE and contrast aortography. The maximal height of the AR jet on color flow Doppler was measured in the parasternal long axis view at the junction of the aortic annulus and Lvoutflow tract. JCSA was calculated as Π(JH/2)2. VTI was measured as the area under the continuous wave Doppler tracing of AR obtained from the apical view. Severity of AR on aortography was graded on a I–IV scale Download : Download high-res image (87KB) Download : Download full-size image Results The correlation (Spearman's rank, r) of JCSA x VTI with the AR grade at cath was superior to JH/OTD: 0.88 vs 0.77, P = 0.02. The Table shows the relationship between the 4 grades of AR by cath vs JCSA x VTI (derived retrospectively). The accuracy of JCSA x VTI for grades II and III AR was 89% and 74% respectively, while the accuracy of JH/OTD for the same was 78% and 69% respectively (p = 0.04 and p = 0.05). Conclusion The JCSA x VTI product is an easily obtained index of aortic regurgitant severity that closely correlates with AR grade obtained at cath. It is superior to JH/OTD for quantitation of AR, especially for intermediate grades of AR.
Coarse-graining of diffusion–reaction models with catalyst archipelagos

Abstract We consider the problem of diffusion and reaction in a supported catalyst in which the active sites are located on the crystallites that are distributed in the form of islands (archipelagos) on the pore walls. We determine the coarse-grained mesoscale kinetic constants in terms of the true crystallite scale constants, catalyst activity distribution, pore size and species molecular diffusivities. We analyze the effect of different catalyst archipelagos on the mesoscale rate constants. We also develop a two-mode coarse grained model to describe diffusion and reaction accurately in such systems and develop criteria under which the pore and crystallite scale gradients can be neglected. A significant result is that for moderately fast reactions, the kinetics is disguised in the coarse-grained model if a single pore space averaged concentration mode is used. However, the true kinetics may be represented accurately with the use of two concentration modes, the second mode being the activity weighted concentration.
Some effects of cocatalyst structure on the anionic polymerization of ε‐caprolactam

A study of the effect of catalyst (base) concentration and N-acylcaprolactam cocatalyst size and substitution on the fast anionic polymerization of caprolactam indicated that a steric effect due to cocatalyst size exists, and perhaps an electronic effect due to cocatalyst substitution was noted. The rate of polymerization, degree of polymerization, and yield of polymer are related to these effects. It was also noted that at high base concentrations, the rate and degree of polymerization along with the product yields all decrease. These latter observations suggest that reinterpretation of some of the reaction mechanism data may be important if polymer degradation is not an appreciable factor during the reaction.
Cryoglobulinemia presenting after liver transplantation

Abstract Essential mixed cryoglobulinemia is frequently associated with chronic hepatitis C. Three patients undergoing transplantation for end-stage chronic hepatitis C in whom cryoglobulinemia with vasculitis developed after transplantation are described. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was confirmed in the 3 patients by the presence of HCV RNA detected by polymerase chain reaction. The time interval between transplantation and the first expression of vasculitis was 1, 5, and 17 months. Type II cryoglobulins were detected in the sera of all 3 patients. All patients developed cutaneous vasculitis, requiring digital amputation in 1 case. Two patients developed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Plasmapheresis and the addition of cyclophosphamide led to an improvement in the renal disease in 1 case, whereas no treatment was able to reverse the renal failure in the other case. One patient developed an autoimmune hemolytic anemia 4 years after transplantation. One patient died of multiorgan failure 5 months after transplantation. We propose that HCV-associated cryoglobulinemia could become clinically significant only after orthotopic liver transplantation, possibly due in part to posttransplant increase in viremia as reflected by HCV RNA levels. These results confirm previous observations suggesting that HCV infection is important etiologically in the pathogenesis of cryoglobulinemia. (Gastroenterology 1996 Jan;110(1):265-70)
Fairy Tales Reimagined: Essays on New Retellings

Reviewed Medium: book Year: 2009 Pages: 270 Publisher: McFarland ISBN: 978-0-7864-4115-0 (soft cover).
New thermooptical measurement method and a comparison with other methods

A simple and sensitive method of measuring the thermally induced index changes arising from absorption of a laser beam in a low-loss material is described. The sample is placed outside the laser cavity, but at the position of minimum radius of curvature of the wavefront, which is a confocal distance behind the waist. It is estimated that the method is sensitive enough to measure absorption coefficients of the order of 5 x 10(_6) cm(_1) and it is shown experimentally to have good accuracy on low-loss materials. A detailed comparison of sensitivity and accuracy estimates is given for the various published thermal-lens methods for measuring low absorption coefficients.Although the method is illustrated for the thermal effect, it is applicable to other nonlinear index changes induced by laser beams.
Pediatric Nonrhabdomyosarcoma Soft Tissue Sarcomas

The nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas (NRSTSs) are a heterogeneous group of mesenchymal cell neoplasms that account for about 4% of childhood cancers. Because each histologic subtype of NRSTS is rare, they have been poorly studied and little is known about their biology, natural history, or optimal treatment. Data from adults with soft tissue sarcomas provide some helpful insight, but adult and childhood NRSTSs differ considerably in the distribution of their histologic subtypes, and certain entities are known to behave differently in young children. The greater risks posed to children by treatment, particularly by radiotherapy, also must be considered in treatment planning for children. This article summarizes what is known to date about childhood NRSTS, including the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical approach to diagnosis and treatment of these tumors.
Mechanics analysis of femtosecond laser-induced blisters produced in thermally grown oxide on Si(100)

Blister features produced by laser-induced delamination of silicon dioxide from silicon substrates were analyzed with thin-film buckling mechanics. These analyses revealed the role of the interaction between the material and the femtosecond (fs)-pulsed laser on blister formation. In particular, it was deduced that the magnitude of the compressive residual film stress within the irradiated region appeared to exceed the intrinsic residual stress obtained from wafer curvature techniques. This apparent increase in the compressive stress after fs-pulsed laser irradiation may be caused by a modification of the oxide, which resulted in a local rarefaction of the film. The results demonstrated important features of the interaction between materials and fs-pulsed laser, including the presence of subtle modification thresholds and the limited role of thermal effects.
Conjugated Polymers Confined and Sheared: Photoluminescence and Absorption Dichroism in a Surface Forces Apparatus

Within a surface forces apparatus newly equipped for spectroscopic measurements, the photoluminescence and absorption spectra were studied of conjugated polymer films confined to less than the random coil dimension. A dilute solution of MEH-PPV, poly(2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene), was exposed to atomically smooth surfaces of muscovite mica and allowed to adsorb from toluene, and then the surface spacing was reduced to ≈2 nm, which is less than the unperturbed radius of gyration of the polymer chains. Subsequent unidirectional shear with amplitude ≈20 times the surface spacing provided preferential alignment while the solvent evaporated. Chain alignment was quantified from both photoluminescence and absorption spectra. Curiously, a bimodal distribution of chain alignment was observed, parallel to the shear direction in 2/3 of the cases but perpendicular to the shear direction in 1/3 of the cases. On the basis of analysis of the photoluminescence spectra, confinement and shear-induced...
The Magnetic Susceptibilities of NiCl2.6H2O.

Abstract The magnetic susceptibilities of monoclinic single crystals of the antiferromagnet NiCl2 · 6H2O (TN = 5.34 K) have been measured between 1.2 and 4.2 K and from 14 to 20 K. The preferred spin axis below TN was found to lie in the ac plane at an angle of 10.5±1.5° from the a direction. At 1.24 K, χ⫫ ≡ χa⫫ = 0.0012 cgs/mole and extrapolates nearly to zero as T → 0 K. χb and χc⊥ are nearly equal and only slightly temperature dependent below 4.2 K. They extrapolate to a value of ≈0.069 cgs/mole. χa⫫, χb, χc⊥ obey Curie-Weiss laws in the H2 range which can be fitted with a spin hamiltonian for S = 1 having an isotropic splitting factor g = 2.22±0.01, D = -1.5±0.5 k, E = 0.26±0.40 k and a molecular field interaction zJ = 6.0 k. Assuming the anisotropy below TN to be predominantly uniaxial and of the single-ion type, these results yield an anisotropy field Han = 10 kOe at T = 0 K. χ⊥(0) then gives a nearest-neighbor interaction zj = 6.3 k or an exchange field, HE = 85 kOe. The energy gap in the spin-wave spectrum at k = 0 implied by Han and HE corresponds to TAE ≈ 6 K.
Does Competition Improve Health Care Quality

Objective To identify the effect of competition on health maintenance organizations' (HMOs) quality measures.
Domain wall mobility measurements in magneto-optic media

Domain wall motion involved in both writing and erasing processes in Magneto-Optic (MO) recording is strongly governed by domain wall mobility. This report extends our previous measurements by a highly sensitive Kerr microscope system of domain wall mobility in MO media to temperature ranges near the Curie temperature (T/sub c/). The velocity of wall motion is measured as a function of the applied field in samples of GdTbFe and GdTbFeCo, with different compositions and compensation temperatures. The experimental temperature ranges from 60/spl deg/C to 10/spl deg/C below T/sub c/. The collected data show that for samples of different composition,the domain wall mobilities increase approximately exponentially as the temperature approaches T/sub c/ from about 0.02 cm/sec-Oe to 5 cm/sec-Oe. >
Continued assessment of students' learning experience in an oral communication course at MIT for EECS majors

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) majors at MIT are required to take an oral communications course called “6. UAT” that teaches oral presentation skills and other professional skills that students will need to be effective in the workplace. An assessment of the oral presentation skills component of the course, consisting of a survey and an interview, was designed and conducted in Spring 2009. We performed the assessment again, with a larger cohort during the Fall 2009 semester and in this paper, describe the outcomes of (1) a class survey of 146 students (with 104 respondents or a 71% response rate) and (2) student interviews in which 7 out of 10 randomly-selected individuals participated. The findings from both instruments for both cohorts were consistent and positive; students were enthusiastic about the course, found it useful and viewed the experience positively.
New developments in the physical chemistry of shock compression

This review discusses new developments in shock compression science with a focus on molecular media. Some basic features of shock and detonation waves, nonlinear excitations that can produce extreme states of high temperature and high pressure, are described. Methods of generating and detecting shock waves are reviewed, especially those using tabletop lasers that can be interfaced with advanced molecular diagnostics. Newer compression methods such as shockless compression and precompression shock that generate states of cold dense molecular matter are discussed. Shock compression creates a metallic form of hydrogen, melts diamond, and makes water a superionic liquid with unique catalytic properties. Our understanding of detonations at the molecular level has improved a great deal as a result of advanced nonequilibrium molecular simulations. Experimental measurements of detailed molecular behavior behind a detonation front might be available soon using femtosecond lasers to produce nanoscale simulated detonation fronts.
Design and performance evaluation of a new spatial reuse FireWire protocol

Building large-scale video surveillance systems is of importance to national security. To support economical installation of video cameras, there is a need for new shared-medium protocols. This paper describes the new spatial reuse FireWire protocol (SFP). SFP is a bus arbitration protocol for an acyclic daisy-chained network topology. SFP is an extension of IEEE 1394b FireWire. SFP preserves the simple repeat path functionality of FireWire while offering two significant advantages: (1) SFP supports spatial reuse of bandwidth in order to increase effective throughput; and (2) SFP provides support for priority traffic to be able to support real-time applications (e.g., video) and data traffic. Simulation results show that for a uniform traffic pattern, SFP improves upon the throughput of IEEE 1394b by a factor of 1.7. For a traffic pattern typical of video surveillance applications, throughput increases by a factor of 6.8.
INS aided GPS integer ambiguity resolution

Real-time high precision GPS positioning is based on carrier phase measurements, which requires fast and precise on-the-fly integer ambiguity resolution. In some navigation applications, external sensors are available that provide auxiliary measurements. For example, in GPS/INS navigation systems, the inertial sensors allow computation of prior position estimates when GPS signals become available. This information can be used to aid GPS integer ambiguity resolution, offering a higher probability of obtaining correct integers, especially in challenging GPS conditions (e.g., few satellites, high measurement noise). This paper describes a fast and efficient technique for integer ambiguity resolution when auxiliary information from INS is available. The theoretical derivation will be presented and simulation result will show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Broad-Scale Genetic And Compositional Monitoring Of Aquatic Vertebrate Populations: A Proof Of Concept In The Interior Columbia River And Upper Misouri River Basins

Monitoring fish and amphibian populations is essential for evaluating conservation efforts and the status and trends of individual species, but measuring abundance is time-consuming and problematic at large scales. Also, relations between fish populations and their surrogates, such as habitat characteristics, are often obscure. As an alternative, genetic assessment and monitoring offers promise as an indicator of population status and trends by providing information on genetic diversity, connectivity among populations, and the prevalence of hybridization with non-native species. We have undertaken intensive sampling of native and nonnative fishes and amphibians in streams monitored by the Pacfish/Infish Biological Opinion Monitoring Program, which includes a spatially comprehensive, random sample of subbasins in the interior Columbia River Basin and upper Missouri River Basin. We have also developed a panel of ~100 single nucleotide polymorphism markers for cutthroat trout, redband trout, and rainbow trout to describe patterns of hybridization and landscape genetic structure. If fully realized, analyses of tissues sampled from over 1500 streams in Montana, Idaho, eastern Oregon, and eastern Washington on federal lands should permit broad-scale evaluations of the status and distribution of much of the aquatic vertebrate fauna and enable detection of responses to climate change. Preliminary results of sampling at nearly 700 sites on almost 300 western Montana and northern Idaho streams indicate that westslope cutthroat trout occupy headwater sites in most of their historical range except in the Kootenai and Missouri River basins, brook trout are more widely distributed than previously recognized, and the taxonomic complexity of sculpins is underappreciated.
Eggshell porosity covaries with egg size among female House Wrens ( Troglodytes aedon ) but is unrelated to incubation onset and egg-laying order within clutches.

In birds, the duration of egg incubation (the time from incubation onset to hatching) can affect multiple components of nest success, but what affects incubation duration? Previous studies suggest ...
Fabricating Nanocomposite Catalysts through Interfacial Fusion of Metallic Nanoparticles

Fusion of metallic nanoparticles at both surfaces of silica colloids and nanoporous bulk materials has been utilized as an effective method to integrate inorganic and organic components into nanocomposite materials. When performed on substrates that have been modified with hydrophobic functional groups, aminosilica colloids doped with metallic nanoparticles through the ethylenediamine functional groups adhere to the substrates and self-assemble into nanocomposite film with its thickness to be the function of the time. On the contrary, without metal-bound functional groups, fusion of metallic nanoparticles can be induced at the interface of nanoporous silica when polymer is utilized as the mobile phase for metal nanoparticles inside of silica. Formation, mobilization, and fusion of metallic nanoparticles within the polymer phase can be simultaneously induced at 160 ˚C, during which reactions alter the physical appearance of the materials from transparent to silver metallic color. These two methods can combine with soft-lithography method to create functional structures that exhibit enhanced electrochemical property.
A loop transformation theory and an algorithm to maximize parallelism

An approach to transformations for general loops in which dependence vectors represent precedence constraints on the iterations of a loop is presented. Therefore, dependences extracted from a loop nest must be lexicographically positive. This leads to a simple test for legality of compound transformations: any code transformation that leaves the dependences lexicographically positive is legal. The loop transformation theory is applied to the problem of maximizing the degree of coarse- or fine-grain parallelism in a loop nest. It is shown that the maximum degree of parallelism can be achieved by transforming the loops into a nest of coarsest fully permutable loop nests and wavefronting the fully permutable nests. The canonical form of coarsest fully permutable nests can be transformed mechanically to yield maximum degrees of coarse- and/or fine-grain parallelism. The efficient heuristics can find the maximum degrees of parallelism for loops whose nesting level is less than five. >
Cooperative Caching for Efficient Data Access in Disruption Tolerant Networks

Disruption tolerant networks (DTNs) are characterized by low node density, unpredictable node mobility, and lack of global network information. Most of current research efforts in DTNs focus on data forwarding, but only limited work has been done on providing efficient data access to mobile users. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to support cooperative caching in DTNs, which enables the sharing and coordination of cached data among multiple nodes and reduces data access delay. Our basic idea is to intentionally cache data at a set of network central locations (NCLs), which can be easily accessed by other nodes in the network. We propose an efficient scheme that ensures appropriate NCL selection based on a probabilistic selection metric and coordinates multiple caching nodes to optimize the tradeoff between data accessibility and caching overhead. Extensive trace-driven simulations show that our approach significantly improves data access performance compared to existing schemes.
Radiated radiofrequency immunity testing of automated external defibrillators - modifications of applicable standards are needed

We studied the worst-case radiated radiofrequency (RF) susceptibility of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) based on the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements of a current standard for cardiac defibrillators, IEC 60601-2-4. Square wave modulation was used to mimic cardiac physiological frequencies of 1 - 3 Hz. Deviations from the IEC standard were a lower frequency limit of 30 MHz to explore frequencies where the patient-connected leads could resonate. Also testing up to 20 V/m was performed. We tested AEDs with ventricular fibrillation (V-Fib) and normal sinus rhythm signals on the patient leads to enable testing for false negatives (inappropriate "no shock advised" by the AED). We performed radiated exposures in a 10 meter anechoic chamber using two broadband antennas to generate E fields in the 30 - 2500 MHz frequency range at 1% frequency steps. An AED patient simulator was housed in a shielded box and delivered normal and fibrillation waveforms to the AED's patient leads. We developed a technique to screen ECG waveforms stored in each AED for electromagnetic interference at all frequencies without waiting for the long cycle times between analyses (normally 20 to over 200 s). Five of the seven AEDs tested were susceptible to RF interference, primarily at frequencies below 80 MHz. Some induced errors could cause AEDs to malfunction and effectively inhibit operator prompts to deliver a shock to a patient experiencing lethal fibrillation. Failures occurred in some AEDs exposed to E fields between 3 V/m and 20 V/m, in the 38 - 50 MHz range. These occurred when the patient simulator was delivering a V-Fib waveform to the AED. Also, we found it is not possible to test modern battery-only-operated AEDs for EMI using a patient simulator if the IEC 60601-2-4 defibrillator standard's simulated patient load is used. AEDs experienced potentially life-threatening false-negative failures from radiated RF, primarily below the lower frequency limit of present AED standards. Field strengths causing failures were at levels as low as 3 V/m at frequencies below 80 MHz where resonance of the patient leads and the AED input circuitry occurred. This plus problems with the standard's' prescribed patient load make changes to the standard necessary.
P02.28. Non-verbal communication of compassion: feasibility of measuring psychophysiological effects of blind exposure

Methods Subjects were healthy volunteers who were told the study was evaluating the effect of time and touch on the autonomic nervous system. The practitioner had more than 10 years experience with lovingkindness meditation (LKM), a form of NVCC. Subjects completed 10-point visual analog scales (VAS) for stress, relaxation and peacefulness before and after LKM. To assess physiologic effects, practitioners and subjects wore cardiorespiratory monitors to assess respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) throughout the 4 10-minute study periods: Baseline (both practitioner and subjects read neutral material); non-tactile-LKM (subjects read while the practitioner practiced LKM while pretending to read); tactile-LKM (subjects rested while the practitioner practiced LKM while lightly touching the S on arms, shoulders, hands, feet, and legs); PostIntervention Rest (subjects rested; the practitioner read). To assess blinding, subjects were asked what the practitioner was doing during each period.
A Mechanically Checked Proof of a Multiprocessor Result via a Uniprocessor View

We describe a mechanically checked correctness proof for a system of n processes, each running a simple, non-blocking counter algorithm. We prove that if the system runs longer than 5n steps, the counter is increased. The theorem is formalized in applicative Common Lisp and proved with the ACL2 theorem prover. The value of this paper lies not so much in the trivial algorithm addressed as in the method used to prove it correct. The method allows one to reason accurately about the behavior of a concurrent, multiprocess system by reasoning about the sequential computation carried out by a selected process, against a memory that is changed externally. Indeed, we prove general lemmas that allow shifting between the multiprocess and uniprocess views. We prove a safety property using a multiprocess view, project the property to a uniprocess view, and then prove a global progress property via a local, sequential computation argument. Our uniprocessor view is a formal compositional semantics for a shared memory system.