cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Broadband Beamforming Via Acousto-Optics

A novel broadband beamformer based on space-integrating, interferometric multichannel acousto-optic correlators was proposed. Both analysis and experiments were carried out to validate the concept. Simultaneous beamforming and pulse compression were demonstra'ted by an experimental simulation with a 126-bit PN coded signal of 50-MHz bandwidth. Analysis also showed that the system was suitable for multiple beamforming. The responses of the system to narrow (cw) and wideband (random noise) jammers, both on-boresight and off-bore-sight, were investigated experimentally. Results showed that, against these interferences, the system was quite robust due to the processing gain, even for the worst case where the jammers was on-boresight and its frequency coincided with the signal carrier. However, the system's sensitivity was reduced by a factor of four for the wideband jammer and a factor of ten for the narrow band jammer. The dynamic range of the system was measured to exceed 20 dB, only to be limited by detector saturation and Bragg cell non-linearity. The system could be made adaptive.© (1988) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Strategic aspirations for net-enabled business

The net-enabled business innovation cycle (NEBIC) model describes a path by which firms employ dynamic capabilities to leverage net-enablement. Some firms strategically aspire to follow this path in a more gradual fashion striving for business process improvements (incremental strategy) while others aspire to exploit rapidly net-enablement to achieve business innovation (leapfrogging strategy) that offers completely new market opportunities. Study results suggest that firms adopt accelerated leapfrogging strategies when faced with more severe external competitive pressures. This combined with strong leadership, a propensity to embrace internal user involvement, IT maturity, and an accommodating firm structure, as indicated by path accelerators, result in higher aspirations for business innovation. Firms shying away from leapfrogging strategies tend to protect existing customers and employees from more radical changes. These firms sometimes lacked the internal capability to enact more aggressive strategies and thus had to acquire the necessary capabilities before aspiring for business innovation.
A STATISTICAL PROCEDURE TO ANALYZE PARTIAL LICENSE PLATE NUMBERS

Abstract This paper presents a statistical procedure to estimate the number of vehicles passing an initial checkpoint that will pass a subsequent checkpoint, where only the last three digits of the license plate numbers are recorded at these checkpoints. Confidence intervals for the number of initial checkpoint vehicles that pass the subsequent checkpoint are given, as well as validation of the procedure using data where the entire license plate numbers were recorded. It is concluded that statistically reliable estimates of travel parameters can be obtained without the recording of entire license plate numbers. Thus, periodic roadside license plate surveys when designed accordingly can decrease survey time and necessary manpower.
Sourisford Salamanders: Renewal Iconography of the Devils Lake-Sourisford Ceramic Complex

This paper explores the salamander iconography depicted on ceramics of the Late Prehistoric Devils Lake-Sourisford burial complex of North Dakota and south central Canada, the possibility of an ideological relationship between the behavior of the salamander common to the northeastern Plains, and Native American belief systems that may be discerned. Previous work on the ceramics of the complex is largely limited to issues of form and function, ignoring the probability of a symbolic value placed upon the salamander motif. Research into the life cycle and behavior of the gray tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum diaboli) suggests a connection between the physical depiction of the salamander and the spiritual belief system of its creators, particularly to beliefs of spiritual and physical renewal.
Cascade damage in nickel: Production, saturation and recovery☆

Abstract Changes in the electrical resistivity and length were simultaneously measured during the bombardment of nickel at 70 K with 235 U fission fragments and during a subsequent isothermal annealing program. The resistivity changes and length changes were linearly related during the damage production for damage concentrations less than 80% of the defect saturation limit. The initial ratio of the length change to the resistivity change was 8.4 × 10 4 /Ω m . At high damage concentrations, the length change increased at a slightly higher rate than the resistivity change. During isothermal annealing of the near-saturation defect concentration, the resistivity and the length changes had identical recoveries through stage I and most of stage II. During stage III annealing, the ratio of the length change to the resistivity change showed a small increase. At temperatures above 475 K, this ratio showed a marked increase as the resistivity change exhibited recovery without a corresponding recovery of the length change. These differences, which are attributed to the direct formation and growth of three-dimensional vacancy agglomerates, and results of transmission electron microscopy suggest that the sign of the third derivative of the resistivity with respect to fast-neutron fluence (the sense of curvature in the damage rate) is positive for materials in which cascades collapse to loops, and negative for materials in which three-dimensional vacancy agglomerates are stable.
Parasitism of Heterodera glycines by Hirsutella spp. in Minnesota Soybean Fields

Abstract Hirsutella rhossiliensis is a parasite of vermiform nematodes. In 1995, parasitism of the soybean cyst nematode second-stage juveniles (J2s) by this fungus was observed in a Minnesota field. A subsequent survey was conducted in 1996–1997 to determine the extent of infestation of soybean fields by this fungus in southern Minnesota. A total of 264 soil samples representing 237 fields in 27 counties was examined in three tests. In Test 1, 1000 J2s were added to 50 g of soil at days 0, 7, 14, and 21, and the nematodes were recovered at day 28. In Test 2, 2000 J2s were added to 50 cm3 of soil, and the nematodes were recovered at day 14. In Test 3, J2s were extracted from 50 cm3 of soil without addition of nematodes. The J2s were examined for fungal parasitism. Two species of Hirsutella, H. rhossiliensis and H. minnesotensis, were commonly encountered on the J2s. Combining data from all three tests, parasitism of J2s by Hirsutella species was observed in soil from 46% of the fields. Parasitism of J2s by H. rhossiliensis was observed in soil from 43% of fields and by H. minnesotensis in soil from 14% of fields. The highest percentage of J2s parasitized by Hirsutella spp. was 60%. Addition of J2s into soil increased efficiency of fungal detection.
Cross comparisons of nuclear temperatures determined from excited state populations and isotope yields.

Double ratios involving (6Li, 7Li, 3He, 4He) and (7Li, 8Li, 3He, 4He) isotope yields have been used to extract nuclear temperatures for the $^{36}\mathrm{Ar}$+$^{197}\mathrm{Au}$ systems at $\frac{E}{A}=35$ MeV. After correcting for sequential decays, these isotope temperatures are compared to corresponding temperatures obtained from excited state populations measured in the same experiment. Within experimental uncertainties, both techniques yield similar results.
Real-time scheduling under fault bursts with multiple recovery strategy

In this paper, we consider the feasibility problem of a set of real-time jobs which may be subject to a fault burst during execution. A fault burst represents a time interval during which multiple jobs may incur faults; hence multiple recoveries may be needed. We show that determining the feasibility of a real-time system, which may be subject to a fault burst that may last at most Δ time units, is an NP-Hard problem even when the exact position of the fault burst is known a priori. However, in a practical system, the fault burst may occur at any arbitrary and unpredictable time. We develop feasibility analysis by assuming multiple recovery strategy where, in addition to the job at the end of which the fault is detected, all preempted tasks are also re-executed. We formally characterize the overhead that a scheduler incurs due to a fault burst and present a generic recovery strategy, called Δ-idling, that is shown to minimize the worst-case overhead for any priority-driven scheduling algorithm. Next, we analyze periodic task systems. We show that the preemptive EDF policy, when coupled with Δ-idling, provides the highest possible utilization bound ½ (1 − Δ over P min ), where P min is the smallest task period. We also present an empirical evaluation of the EDF policy with Δ-idling over synthetically generated task sets, and show that it offers a clear improvement over the naive EDF policy that triggers the recovery tasks as soon as an error is detected.
Gains from Corporate Multinationalism: Evidence from the China Experience

This paper examines the valuation impact of U.S. multinational corporations' expansion into the Peoples Republic of China (PRC during 1979 to 1987. The market response to the announcement of a firm's initial entry into the PRC is found to be positive and statistically significant, suggesting that expansion into China was a value-enhancing activity. Equity joint venture modes of entry are found to result in greater shareholder gains than nonequity expansion modes. The influence of degree of multinationality, market share, growth, and technology-related variables on the size of shareholder gains is also analyzed.
Atypical fractures as a potential complication of long-term bisphosphonate therapy.

The development of bisphosphonate therapy represented an important advance in the treatment of low bone mass and osteoporosis, conditions that affect more than half of individuals older than 50 years. Currently available bisphosphonates have been shown to reduce spine, nonspine, and hip fractures in individuals at increased risk of fracture. Case reports and limited clinical series over the past 5 years have raised concern that prolonged bisphosphonate therapy may suppress bone remodeling to the extent that normal bone repair is impaired, resulting in increased fracture risk. Fractures potentially resulting from suppressed bone turnover have been described as “atypical,” affecting sites such as the subtrochanteric femur that are infrequently affected by osteoporotic fractures. A prodrome of thigh pain, lack of trauma prior to the fracture, and specific radiological characteristics have also been reported. Data are limited on the prevalence of, risk factors for, and treatment of this potential problem. Current strategies include fracture risk assessment, targeting bisphosphonate therapy appropriately to individuals at increased risk of fracture, considering a 12-month interruption in therapy after 5 years in patients who are clinically stable, and considering teriparatide treatment in individuals who experience an atypical fracture while receiving bisphosphonate therapy.
Dramatic reversal of derangements in muscle metabolism and left ventricular function after bariatric surgery.

Abstract Objective The study objective was to define muscle metabolic and cardiovascular changes after surgical intervention in clinically severe obese patients. Methods Obesity is a state of metabolic dysregulation that can lead to maladaptive changes in heart and skeletal muscle, including insulin resistance and heart failure. In a prospective longitudinal study, 43 consecutive patients underwent metabolic profiling, skeletal muscle biopsies, and resting echocardiograms at baseline and 3 and 9 months after bariatric surgery. Results Body mass index decreased (mean changes, 95% confidence interval [CI]): 7.7 kg/m 2 (95% CI, 6.70-8.89) at 3 months and 5.6 kg/m 2 (95% CI, 4.45-6.80; P P Conclusion Weight loss results in the reversal of systemic and muscle metabolic derangements and is accompanied by a normalization of left ventricular diastolic function.
Scratching by pad asperities in chemical–mechanical polishing

In the fabrication of micro- and nano-scale semiconductor devices and electromechanical systems, the chemical–mechanical polishing (CMP) process is extensively employed. During the CMP process, undesirable scratches are produced on metal-interconnect and low-k-dielectric surfaces by the softer pad asperities. This paper presents contact mechanics models for the initiation of scratching in terms of the pad asperity geometry, the interfacial friction, and the mechanical properties of materials. Results of dry, wet and lubricated experiments on Cu coatings qualitatively validate the theoretical models. To mitigate scratching by pad asperities during CMP, the developed models suggest that the friction coefficient be kept below 0.2.
Effects of Meditation vs Professional Reading on Students' Perceptions of Paraprofessional Counselors' Effectiveness:

Effects of meditation vs relevant professional reading on students' perceptions of paraprofessional counselors' effectiveness (as measured by the Session Evaluation Questionnaire) were examined in ...
Multiphoton ionization of atoms.

Studies of multiphoton ionization of atoms have revealed several unexpected characteristics. The confluence of the experimental evidence leads to the hypothesis that the basic character of the atomic response involves highly organized, coherent motions of entire atomic shells. The important regime, for which the radiative field strength is greater than an atomic unit (e/a20), can be viewed in approximate correspondence with the physics of fast (approximately 10 MeV per atomic mass unit) atom-atom scattering. This physical picture provides a basis for the expectation that stimulated emission in the x-ray range can be produced by direct, highly nonlinear coupling of ultraviolet radiation to atoms.
Calcium imaging using fluorescence lifetimes and long-wavelength probes.

We describe imaging of calcium concentrations using the long-wavelength Ca2+ indicators, Calcium Green, Orange, and Crimson. The lifetimes of these probes were measured using the frequency-domain method and were found to increase from 50% to severalfold in response to calcium. The two-dimensional images of the calcium concentration were obtained using a new apparatus for fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM). We also describe procedures to correct for the position-dependent frequency response of the gain-modulated image intensifier used in the FLIM apparatus. Importantly, the FLIM method does not require the probe to display shifts in the excitation or emission spectra. Using the FLIM method, calcium imaging is possible using probes which display changes in lifetime in response to calcium. Consequently, calcium imaging is possible with excitation wavelengths ranging from 488 to as long as 620 nm, where autofluorescence and/or photochemical damage is minimal. These probes are also suitable for calcium measurements of single cells using lifetime-based flow cytometry.
Ignition and extinction in perfectly stirred reactors with detailed chemistry

Abstract Ignition and extinction of steady state combustion are known to be associated with the lower and upper turning points on the “S”-curves. In the present study, this concept is further investigated with eigen-analysis on the Jacobian matrix for oxidation of methane and dimethyl ether (DME), respectively, in perfectly stirred reactors (PSRs). It was found that there can be multiple ignition and extinction turning points on the “S”-curves for DME–air due to negative temperature coefficient (NTC) behaviors. Furthermore, the physical extinction points for DME–air obtained from flame stability analysis can be different from the turning points on the “S”-curves although there is no differential diffusion or heat loss in PSR. Physically unstable segments were observed on the branches of an “S”-curve for DME–air corresponding to both strong and cool flames. A rigorous definition of ignition and extinction of steady state combustion based on eigen-analysis of the Jacobian matrix is proposed for practical fuels in the present study.
Differentiated Virtual Passwords, Secret Little Functions, and Codebooks for Protecting Users From Password Theft

In this paper, we discuss how to prevent users' passwords from being stolen by adversaries in online environments and automated teller machines. We propose differentiated virtual password mechanisms in which a user has the freedom to choose a virtual password scheme ranging from weak security to strong security, where a virtual password requires a small amount of human computing to secure users' passwords. The tradeoff is that the stronger the scheme, the more complex the scheme may be. Among the schemes, we have a default method (i.e., traditional password scheme), system recommended functions, user-specified functions, user-specified programs, and so on. A function/program is used to implement the virtual password concept with a tradeoff of security for complexity requiring a small amount of human computing. We further propose several functions to serve as system recommended functions and provide a security analysis. For user-specified functions, we adopt secret little functions in which security is enhanced by hiding secret functions/algorithms.
Late graft rejection and second infusion of bone marrow in children with aplastic anaemia

Late graft rejection following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for aplastic anaemia is a significant clinical problem and is associated with a high risk of mortality. We report two children with severe aplastic anaemia (SAA) who developed very late graft rejection 2 years and 4 months and 10 years respectively after allogeneic BMT from HLA-identical siblings. Following a second BMT from their initial donors, engraftment has been sustained in both cases. The patients are alive with full donor chimaerism, 18 and 19 years from initial transplant. These cases illustrate that graft failure can be an extremely late event after allogeneic BMT for SAA, and that long-term sustained engraftment can be achieved in these patients with second BMT from the original donors.
TRIPLET ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE AND PHOTOREACTIVITY OF 8‐METHOXYPSORALEN

Summary Psoralen and its derivatives are implicated in a variety of photobiological processes including skin-sensitization in mammals, the experimental photochemotherapy of psoriasis, and photomutagenesis in bacteria. Although the various derivatives differ markedly in photoactivity, their excited triplet states as characterized by conventional luminescence spectroscopy are very similar and closely resemble that of the parent compound, coumarin, which is inactive as a skin sensitizer. Employing a more sensitive probe of triplet electronic structure, we have utilized optical detection of magnetic resonance to measure the zero-field splittings in the triplet state of several psoralens and find a striking variation among the derivatives. D*, taken as a composite measure of the dipole-dipole interaction of the unpaired electrons in the triplet state was found to be anomalously large, greater than 0.140 cm-1, for the very active compounds, psoralen and 8-methoxypsoralen, while D*= 0.124cm-1 for the inactive, though smaller, coumarin molecule. Although 8-hydroxypsoralen has a large D* value its inactivity as a skin-sensitizer may be explained by the dissociation of the hydroxyl proton. The resulting (excited) triplet state anion has D*= 0.120 cm-1.
Sympathy, Beauty, and Sentiment: Adam Smith's Aesthetic Morality

One of the more striking aspects of Adam Smith's moral theory is the degree to which it depends on and appeals to aesthetic norms. By considering what Smith says about judgments of propriety – the foundational type of judgment in his system – and by tying what he says in The Theory of Moral Sentiments to certain of his other writings, I argue that Smith ultimately defends an aesthetic morality. Among the challenges that any aesthetic morality faces is that it seems to entail moral relativism. This problem is magnified by Smith's reliance on the judgments of the impartial spectator, which also seems to make his theory more vulnerable to a Euthyphro-type objection. I suggest that Smith can potentially get around these problems, given his presumption of aesthetic naturalism. While there is certainly some variation in our aesthetic judgments, Smith claims that we naturally find certain actions and sentiments odious, while others we find agreeable. The reason, he argues, is that any society that judged otherwi...
Small angle light scattering of bioparticles I. Model systems

Abstract These experiments were designed to explore the accuracy of the Sloan-Arrington approximation, and to judge the potential of this method for its application to more detailed biophysical investigations of cellular and intracellular structure. The small angle light scattering distributions were used to determine the diameters of several types of suspended particles. The results suggested that this method would be valuable in the study of bioparticles having comparable dimensions.
Polymers Containing Rigid Benzodithiophene Repeating Unit with Extended Electron Delocalization

Polymers containing a fused benzodithiophene core with phenylethynyl substituents were prepared. The parent poly[4,8-bis(4-pentylphenylethynyl)benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene] was prepared by a Stille coupling. Copolymers with the new core were also obtained by Stille coupling with dibrominated fluorene and carbazole monomers. The obtained polymers had a lower band gap as compared to the related benzodithiophene cores due to the extended electron conjugation. The polymers were also highly fluorescent as observed by high quantum yields.
Perceptions of family environment and wraparound processes: associations with age and implications for serving transitioning youth in systems of care.

Addressing the unique needs of youth transitioning to adulthood has long been viewed as a priority in implementation of systems of care (SOCs) and wraparound. Developmental research and “practice-based evidence” suggest that there are differences between transitioning youth and their younger peers in family environment and wraparound team processes. Although these differences are thought to have significant implications for wraparound practice, few studies have examined them empirically. The present research involves two studies examining differences across several age cohorts (i.e., 10–12, 13, 14, 15, 16–17 year-olds) ranging from early adolescent to transitioning youth in: (1) caregiver perceptions of role-related strain and family environment quality, and (2) facilitator, caregiver, and youth perceptions of wraparound processes. In Study #1, older age was associated with higher levels of caregiver strain. In Study #2, age was associated with differences between youth and other team members’ perceptions of wraparound processes, such that older youth perceived teams as less cohesive than others on their teams. These findings suggest that transitioning youth and their families merit special consideration in wraparound implementation and underscore the importance of considering the perceptions of transitioning youth in system change and practice improvement efforts (192 words).
Intelligent agents for competitive intelligence: Survey of applications

In this article the author discusses a rather recent paradigm to artificial-intelligence-based computing, namely intelligent agents for generating competitive intelligence. The explosion in Internet use and private network development can be viewed as both a blessing and a curse. Companies that can effectively manage available information without suffering from “information overload” are leaders in their industry as they generate competitive intelligence. Those who drown in the information are part of history or will be soon. The article concludes by highlighting a series of business cases exemplifying the benefits of intelligent agents. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Electronic structure of point defectson insulator surfaces

Abstract A review is presented of recent theoretical and experimental work dealing with the electronic structure of point-defects on the surfaces of dielectric materials. The term “point-defect” is taken to include, for example, color centers in alkali halides, alkaline-earth oxides and Si0 2 and partially-reduced metal ions on the surfaces of transition-metal compounds (e.g., Ti +3 on TiO 2 ). The second section is a survey of several different theoretical models, with emphasis on predicted spectroscopic properties. The third section deals with the results of various optical and electron-spectroscopic experiments that are sensitive to the presence of surface point-defects.
Some extensions of a system for inferencing on partial information

Some extensions of a system for inferencing on partial information, which uses production rules, are described. Basically, the system consists of RULES, an active set of rules (a subset of potentially large set of rules), partially ordered by specificity, and FACTS, a small active set of facts (a subset of potentially large set of data base facts). The critical feature of the inference method is that only a partial match of the antecedent of a rule is needed. Some selected extensions of the system are presented. These concern some approaches to the problems of selecting from an ambiguous response and, more importantly, transforming or dynamic clustering of FACTS and RULES. This latter problem is important because partial match is defined over the sets RULES and FACTS, and unless these sets are reasonably small, partial match can be an unmanageable operation. Several issues concerning the use of this inference system in certain applications are also briefly discussed.
The rearrangement of dichloro-α- and β-cis-triethylenetetramine cobalt(III) chloride Evidence for a trigonal twist rearrangement

Abstract Solid cis -α-dichloro-trithylenediamine, upon heating to 160°C, is slowly coverted to the β-isomer. This rearrangement is interpreted as evidence for a trigonal twist mechanism.
Nitrification, denitrification and phosphorus removal in sequential batch reactors

Abstract A study was conducted to evaluate the biological nutrient removal performance of three full-scale sequential batch reactor (SBR) plants. The plants were designed to handle an average flow of 0.023, 0.025, 0.001 m 3 /s, respectively. These SBR systems were designed to achieve nitrification, denitrification and biological phosphorus removal. Influent and effluent samples were analyzed for CBOD 5 , TSS, ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, total phosphorus, pH and temperature. The SBR performance data show that typical SBR designs can meet effluent CBOD 5 and TSS concentrations of less than 10 mg/l. With some additional design modifications, SBRs can successfully nitrify to limits of 1–2 mg/l NH 3 -N. They also appear to achieve phosphorus removal, if desired, without chemicals addition to less than 1.0 mg/l.
On non-Gaussian SST variability in the Gulf Stream and other strong currents

This paper examines the physics of observed non-Gaussian sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly variability in the Gulf Stream system in a recently developed stochastic framework. It is first shown from a new high-resolution observational data set that the Gulf Stream system is very clearly visible as a band of negative skewness all the way from Florida, over Cape Hatteras, to the central North Atlantic. To get an idea about the detailed non-Gaussian variability along the Gulf Stream, probability density functions are calculated at several locations. One important observational result of this study is that the non-Gaussian tails of SST variability in the Gulf Stream system follow a power-law distribution. The study then shows that the observed non-Gaussianity is consistent with stochastic advection of SST anomalies in an idealized zonal current. In addition, stochastic advection is compatible with the observed northward eddy heat flux in the Gulf Stream, providing a new dynamical view at the heat balance in strong currents.
Some decision problems of enormous complexity

We present some new decision and comparison problems of unusually high computational complexity. Most of the problems are strictly combinatorial in nature; others involve basic logical notions. Their complexities range from iterated exponential time completeness to /spl isin//sub 0/ time completeness to /spl theta/(/spl Omega//sup /spl omega//,0) time completeness to /spl theta/(/spl Omega//sub /spl omega//,0) time completeness. These three ordinals are well known ordinals from proof theory, and their associated complexity classes represent new levels of computational complexity for natural decision problems. Proofs will appear in an extended version of this manuscript to be published elsewhere.
Private sector delivery of health services in developing countries: a mixed-methods study on quality assurance in social franchises

Across the developing world health care services are most often delivered in the private sector and social franchising has emerged, over the past decade, as an increasingly popular method of private sector health care delivery. Social franchising aims to strengthen business practices through economies of scale: branding clinics and purchasing drugs in bulk at wholesale prices. While quality is one of the established goals of social franchising, there is no published documentation of how quality levels might be set in the context of franchised private providers, nor what quality assurance measures can or should exist within social franchises. The aim of this study was to better understand the quality assurance systems currently utilized in social franchises, and to determine if there are shared standards for practice or quality outcomes that exist across programs.
Tamarack (Pinaceae): previously unrecorded developmental host for pine engraver and southern pine engraver (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

The pine engraver, Ips pini (Say), is broadly distributed across North America (Lanier 1972; Wood 1982; Seybold et al. 1995) with a host range that includes most species of Pinus L., and in rare cases, species of Picea A. Dietrich (both Pinaceae), within its range (Swaine 1918; Bright 1976; Wood 1982; Furniss and Carolin 1992). Ips pini has been recorded from Pinus banksiana Lamb., Pinus resinosa Ait., and Pinus strobus L. (eastern North America), and from three of four subspecies of Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loudon [P. c. contorta,2 P. c. latifolia (Engelm.) Critch., and P. c. murrayana (Balf.) Critch.], Pinus coulteri D. Don, Pinus jeffreyi Balf., Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex P. and C. Laws., and Pinus flexilis James (western North America) (Furniss and Carolin 1992; Seybold et al. 1995). Hopping (1964) reported I. pini on Picea rubens Sarg., Picea glauca (Moench) Voss, and Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm. The adult insect is intermediate in length relative to most Ips spp., ranging from 3.3 to 4.5 mm (Hopping 1964; Bright 1976; Wood 1982; USDA Forest Service 1985). The southern pine engraver, Ips grandicollis (Eichhoff), colonizes many species of Pinus throughout eastern North America from Saskatchewan3 (P. banksiana) and western South Dakota (P. ponderosa) (Lanier 1970) to the Atlantic Coast (P. strobus and Pinus taeda L.). It also occurs in shelterbelt stands of P. banksiana in Nebraska (Lanier 1970, 1987) and Pinus sylvestris L. in Iowa (M Shour, personal communication). The native distribution of I. grandicollis also reportedly includes Honduras (Lanier 1987) and the Caribbean Islands (Wood 1982; Garraway 1986; Garraway and Freeman 1990); however, Lanier (1987) maintained that the southern pine engraver on Jamaica was Ips cribricollis (Eichhoff). Ips grandicollis has also been introduced into Australia in plantations of Pinus radiata D. Don (Morgan 1967). Wood (1982) lists 16 species of the genus Pinus as hosts. The adult is more variable in length than I. pini, ranging from 2.8 to 4.7 mm (Swaine 1918; Hopping 1965; Bright 1976; Wood 1982; USDA Forest Service 1985). On 17 June 2000, we examined a pile of locally cut stems of tamarack, Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch. (Pinaceae). The 3 m long logs, which still had bark and fresh phloem, were drying in open sunlight and were destined for use as stockade posts for a re-creation of a historic fur-trading post. The locality was Folle Avoine Historical Park, about 1 km from Yellow Lake (45°56′26′ ′N, 92°25′14′ ′W), Burnett County, Wisconsin. The logs were being colonized by the eastern larch beetle, Dendroctonus simplex LeConte (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), and the whitespotted sawyer, Monochamus scutellatus (Say) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), whose females were ovipositing through
Exiting and Entering High-Poverty Neighborhoods: Latinos, Blacks and Anglos Compared

A special sample from the 1990-1995 waves of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics is used to examine differences in the patterns and determinants of residential mobility between high-poverty and lower-poverty neighborhoods among Latinos, blacks and Anglos. Householders of Mexican, Puerto Rican and Cuban origin are significantly less likely than Anglos to move from a high-poverty to a lower-poverty neighborhood, and these differences are only partially explained by ethnic differences in standard mobility determinants. Although African Americans are thought to face unique barriers to geographic mobility, Puerto Ricans and Mexicans are significantly less likely than non-Hispanic blacks to escape high-poverty neighborhoods. Mexicans and Puerto Ricans are significantly more likely than Anglos to move from a lower-poverty to a high-poverty neighborhood, but blacks exhibit by far the highest rates of moving into high-poverty neighborhoods.
A technique for solution of Maxwell's equations in a moving dielectric medium

A simple technique is presented for converting a known solution for the electric and magnetic vector fields in a dielectric medium at rest into the corresponding fields in a moving dielectric medium. The technique combines methods presented by Tai [1] with a scaling procedure developed by Clemmow [2]. Tai's work reduces the moving medium problem to the solution of Maxwell's equations in a uniaxial medium, and Clemmow's procedure enables one to convert a known solution in an isotropic medium to the corresponding solution in a uniaxial medium. Thus by first solving for the fields in the medium at rest, then following Clemmow's procedure to obtain the fields in Tai's uniaxial medium, and finally applying Tai's reasoning, one may easily obtain the solution of Maxwell's equations in the moving medium.
Habitat Use by Adult Rainbow Trout under Moderate Artificial Fluctuations in Flow

Abstract Adult rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss were observed in a 20-m reach of river to determine habitat use (at four flow levels) and preference (at two flow levels) under daily fluctuations in discharge from a hydropower peaking operation. Maximum increase in discharge was threefold (from 1.6 to 5.1 m3/s), which is small compared with that of some hydropower peaking operations. Available habitat (based on velocity and depth) was different under low and high flows. At the low discharge level, nearly twice as much of the lowest velocity-class (0.00–0.15 m/s) and eight times more of the shallowest depth-class (0.0–0.2 m) were available. Distributions of adult habitat use revealed that fish focal point and water column velocities increased with increasing discharge. At the highest discharge levels, more fish were found in the deepest water, and the fish assumed positions closer to the streambed, than at the three lower discharges. Fish were usually associated with boulders at all discharges. Habitat pre...
Process and Planning Support for Iterative Porting

We present a general framework for software maintenance activities such as porting. The framework comprises a software engineering process with tool-based planning support. The process is designed to be iterative, with individual iterations identifying and fixing distinct porting issues and building and testing of software taking place regularly through the iterations. Overall planning of the iterations is formalized as path- planning problem in an abstract Cartesian space of program versions characterized by dialect variables. An optimal solution to the problem is derived based on its translation to a restricted Integer Linear Program capturing the problem constraints as a set of simultaneous linear equations. The solution allows individual dialect vertices to be visited more than once, but not the same edge, thereby ruling out looping behaviour. Problems without solution are identified as infeasible. Reliability of the software engineering process is enhanced by the ability to characterize program testability in different parts of the Cartesian space and to guide planned migration through more testable spaces while identifying the corresponding (effort) tradeoffs. Iteration planning uses the overall plan and related post-processor support to allow user latitude in local decisions and in fine-tuning the overall plan.
Synchronization Techniques for Crossing Multiple Clock Domains in FPGA-Based TMR Circuits

Triple modular redundancy (TMR) is a widely used mitigation technique to protect FPGA circuits against single event upsets (SEUs). TMR, however, does not adequately protect signals that cross asynchronous clock domains. Signals which cross clock domains in TMR circuits may suffer from the combined effects of two failure modes: asynchronous sampling effects and SEUs. This paper analyzes and quantifies these problems. In addition, various solutions are proposed for designing safe synchronizers with TMR. Finally, the improvements in reliability provided by the proposed synchronizers are demonstrated by both mathematical modeling and fault injection testing on an FPGA circuit. It is shown that the proposed mitigated synchronizer designs provide between 6 and 10 orders of magnitude improvement in reliability compared to unmitigated designs.
Access to Primary Care for Medicare Beneficiaries

OBJECTIVES: To determine the acceptance rate of new Medicare patients by all primary care physicians. Among primary care physicians accepting new patients, to determine whether demographic and geographic factors are associated with the likelihood of accepting new Medicare patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Primary care physicians drawn from a national sample. PARTICIPANTS: Eight hundred forty-eight primary care physicians. MEASUREMENTS: Percentage of physicians accepting, not accepting, or conditionally accepting new Medicare patients. RESULTS: Of the 848 primary care physicians contacted, only 58% unconditionally accepted all new Medicare patients; 20% accepted new patients but restricted new Medicare patients using policies of nonacceptance or conditional acceptance. Of the 665 physicians accepting new patients, those in the south and west were more likely not to accept new Medicare patients than those in the northeast, with multivariable odds ratios (ORs) of 2.79 (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.34–5.78) and 3.14 (95% CI=1.35–7.33), respectively. Similarly, family physicians were more likely than internists not to accept new Medicare patients (OR=2.36, 95% CI=1.39–3.99). Primary care physicians in the Midwest were more likely to conditionally accept new Medicare patients than those in the northeast (OR=4.84, 95% CI=1.32–17.76), and primary care physicians in metropolitan areas with a population less than 100,000 were more likely to conditionally accept new Medicare patients than those in areas with a population greater than 100,000 (OR=2.39, 95% CI=1.18–4.84). CONCLUSION: Medicare beneficiaries' access to primary care is limited and varies significantly by region, population size, and type of provider.
Measurement of intracellular pH in maize root tissue with α-methyl fluorinated alanines and in-vivo 19F NMR spectroscopy

Methods for the simultaneous measurement of vacuolar and cytoplasmic pH in plant tissues currently have significant limitations. This study demonstrates the usefulness of methyl difluoro alanine (F2ALA) and methyl trifluoro alanine (F3ALA) with in-vivo 19 F NMR spectroscopy to measure vacuolar and cytoplasmic pH in maize root tissue. The pH dependence of the chemical shift of F2ALA and F3ALA is greater than either the commonly used 31 P NMR signal of inorganic phosphate or the 13 C NMR signals of trans-aconitic acid,which is also found in some plant cells. F 2ALA and F3ALA were also able to detect changes over a greater range of pH. When maize root tissue was incubated in the presence of 0.35 mM F2ALA or F3ALA,these accumulated to significant concentrations in two compartments of different pH with no significant effect on growth rate of root tips. The time course of accumulation and the pH of the two compartments were consistent with one being the cytoplasm and the other the vacuole. The chemical shift of both C2 of trans-aconitic acid and vacuolar F3ALA indicated that the mean vacuolar pH of maize root cells was 4.6 and that the pH gradient across the tonoplast membrane was about 2.8 units. Under a variety of conditions,there was considerable heterogeneity in the pH of the vacuoles in maize root tissue as indicated by the peak width of the signal from F3ALA. The significance of these values is discussed in terms of the bioenergetics of proton transport across the tonoplast membrane in vivo.
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO HEPATITIS B VIRUS IN HOSPITAL PERSONNEL: INFECTION OR IMMUNIZATION?

In a seroepidemiologic survey of 624 health workers representing a spectrum of exposure to blood and patients, the authors detected serologic markers of hepatitis B virus infection in 16%, significantly greater than the 5% prevalence in 462 volunteer blood donors (p less than 0.001). Frequency of hepatitis B serologic markers increased as a function of contact with blood, previous hepatitis history, years in occupation, and age but not as a function on contact with patients, years of education, previous needlestick, transfusion or globulin injection. The inclusion of testing for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) enhanced the sensitivity of surveillance by identifying an additional 3% of hospital personnel with hepatitis B exposure and proved to be a better indicator of intense exposure to blood and hepatitis B than antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). In addition, anti-HBc testing discriminated between the 47 (62%) of the 76 anti-HBs-positive health workers, predominantly those most intensely exposed to blood, who had anti-HBc and the 29 (38%), predominantly those with low-intensity blood contact, who did not. The association of the anti-HBs-positive/anti-HBc-negative pattern with infrequent blood contact suggests that in the setting of continuous, low intensity exposure to hepatitis B, health workers may become naturally immunized with hepatitis B surface antigen rather than infected with hepatitis B.
A Trace Based Framework for Validation of SoC Designs with GALS Systems

Composing synchronous intellectual property (IP) blocks over asynchronous communication links for an system-on-chip (SoC) design is a challenging task, especially for ensuring the functional correctness of the overall design. In this paper, we propose a trace based framework to assist in validation of globally asynchronous locally synchronous (GALS) designs. We provide a specific characterization of synchronous IPs in our framework such that a simple barrier synchronization protocol would be sufficient for asynchronous communication between them. We theoretically show that IPs with single activation property, composed asynchronously, are behaviorally equivalent to those composed synchronously.
Reforming the Railroad Retirement system

The government’s Railroad Retirement program is a clear anomaly in the U.S. economic landscape. The program taxes employers and workers in a specific private-sector industry to provide pensions to workers in that industry. Like Social Security, Railroad Retirement had been funded on a pay-as-you-go basis, with Trust Fund assets invested in government bonds. In the 1990s, however, the carriers and unions developed a proposal for reforming the program that involved investing Railroad Retirement assets in equities, similar to private-sector pension funds. Despite opposition in Washington from those who feared it would create a precedent for investing Social Security assets in equities, Congress enacted the industry proposal in 2001.
The roles of proximal and distal muscles in anticipatory postural adjustments under asymmetrical perturbations and during standing on rollerskates

Abstract Objectives : The study addresses two controversial issues surrounding the nature of anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs). The first deals with the reproducible APA patterns in proximal postural muscles and variable APA patterns reported for the muscles controlling the ankle joint (TA-SOL). We hypothesized that the TA-SOL muscles participate mainly in the compensation of lateral and rotational perturbations, in particular those associated with asymmetrical movements. The second issue deals with decreased APAs reported during both very stable and unstable standing. We hypothesized that APA changes during unstable standing might depend on the actual mechanical nature of instability. Methods : Eight healthy subjects were recruited who had had no prior experience with rollerskates. They performed series of bilateral and unilateral, flexion and extension movements during regular standing and bilateral movements during standing on rollerskates. EMG changes and shifts of the center of pressure were analyzed within a time window typical of APAs. Results : We found that APAs in proximal muscles were decreased during unilateral shoulder movements as compared to APAs during bilateral movements but did not show right–left differences. In contrast, the distal muscles (TA-SOL) showed little involvement during bilateral movements, while a clear right–left asymmetry was seen during unilateral movements. Bilateral movements performed while standing on rollerskates were accompanied by unchanged APAs in the proximal muscle pairs and increased APAs in the TA-SOL pair. Conclusions : We conclude that the proximal muscles provide a general pattern counteracting expected perturbations in the anterior-posterior direction while the distal muscles deal with asymmetrical perturbations and the modulation of APAs in unusual conditions such as standing on rollerskates. There seems to be no unambiguous relation between the magnitude of APAs and the stability of standing: Depending on the exact mechanical nature of postural instability, it could be associated with qualitatively different changes in the APAs.
A Formulation for Minimax Probability Machine Regression

We formulate the regression problem as one of maximizing the minimum probability, symbolized by Ω, that future predicted outputs of the regression model will be within some ±e bound of the true regression function. Our formulation is unique in that we obtain a direct estimate of this lower probability bound Ω. The proposed framework, minimax probability machine regression (MPMR), is based on the recently described minimax probability machine classification algorithm [Lanckriet et al.] and uses Mercer Kernels to obtain nonlinear regression models. MPMR is tested on both toy and real world data, verifying the accuracy of the Ω bound, and the efficacy of the regression models.