cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Degrees of freedom in fading channels with memory: Achievability through nonlinear decoding

In noncoherent communication systems, neither the transmitter nor the receiver knows the realization of channel fading coefficients. To overcome this limitation and facilitate reliable communication, the transmitter sends fixed values on some predetermined training symbols. The maximum number of symbols that can be used for communication in a block of time is the degrees of freedom (DOF) of the system. Given DOF equals to D, reliable communication (in high SNR regime) implies existence of a D dimensional subspace of the input signal space which is recoverable by the receiver with probability one. The training symbols specify this D dimensional subspace. Thus the minimum number of necessary training symbols determines the DOF of the system. We formalize this rationale and name it Dimension Counting Argument. We then use this argument to prove a lower bound on the DOF of fading channels with memory. We study the Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems with n t transmit antennas and n r receive antennas where fading coefficients in blocks of length T have a temporal correlation matrix with rank Q. We prove that in these systems, n∗ t transmit antennas (n t ∗ = min[n t , ⌊T/Q⌋]) should be used to achieve min [n r (T − n∗ t Q), n∗ t (T − n∗ t )] DOF per block of time. We show that the geometric interpretation of the fading channel with memory is equivalent to a nonlinear mapping over manifolds of different dimensions. The inherent nonlinearity of the model manifests itself in the necessary nonlinearity of the proposed decoding algorithms.
Compensation for Auditory Re-Arrangement in Hand-Ear Coordination

10 Ss pointed at concealed auditory targets while listening through a pseudophone which produced 20° functional rotation of the interaural axis. After short exposures listening to a sound source held in one hand while moving that hand about, large and significant corrective shifts in pointing were measured.
Improving nitrogen fertilization in mechanized rice culture

Rice is produced in highly mechanized and energy intensive water-seeded and dry-seeded systems in the United States. Nitrogen fertilization management relative to N source and time of application differs in the two systems because of the timing of soil submergence which influences N retention in the soil. Nitrogen management studies show that N fertilizer efficiency is maximized in water-seeded rice when ammonical N is placed 5 to 10 cm in the soil immediately before flooding. Nitrogen applied on a dry sou surface immediately before flooding dry-seeded rice results in N movement into the soil and retention for plant utilization. Nitrogen application preplant or into water after flooding results in N losses in dry-seeded rice. Split N application gives acceptable N efficiency when 65 to 75% of the total N fertilizer requirement is applied preflood followed by a midseason N topdressing. Sulfur-coated urea and nitrapyrin soil incorporated with urea reduce N loss in dry-seeded rice. Total N requirements of rice in the cultural systems is dependent on cultivar, soil N fertility and other factors. Plant analysis research establishes critical N concentrations in semidwarf and tall rice cultivars in the water-seeded system.
Ultrastructural investigation of the microsporidium Nosema cuneatum (Microspora: Nosematidae) in the grasshopper Melanoplus sanguinipes (Orthoptera: Acrididae) with emphasis on mitosis.

Summary Ultrastructural investigation of the microsporidium, Nosema cuneatum , (Microspora: Nosematidae), a parasite infecting Melanoplus sanguinipes (Orthoptera: Acrididae). Stages in merogony and sporogony are apansporoblastic, occur in a diplocaryon arrangement and undergo binary fission. Nuclei are connected during karyokinesis in a dumbbell-like arrangement. Microtubules within the nucleus are either associated with the kinetochore or extend from spindle plaque to spindle plaque. Merogony stages in the host cytoplasm are surrounded by an intermittent layer. During sporogony, an electron-dense layer is deposited along the parasite plasmalemma. The spore is binucleate and the polar tube is isofilar, with between 10 to 12 polar tube coils in cross-section.
Loss of organic matter from riverine particles in deltas

Abstract In order to examine the transport and burial of terrigenous organic matter along the coastal zones of large river systems, we assessed organic matter dynamics in coupled river/delta systems using mineral surface area as a conservative tracer for discharged riverine particulate organic matter (POM). Most POM in the rivers studied (n = 6) is tightly associated with suspended mineral material; e.g., it is sorbed to mineral surfaces. Average organic loadings in the Amazon River (0.67 ± 0.14 mg C m−2), the river for which we have the largest dataset, are approximately twice that of sedimentary minerals from the Amazon Delta (∼0.35 mg C m−2). Stable carbon isotope analysis indicate that approximately two-thirds of the total carbon on the deltaic particles is terrestrial. The combined surface-normalized, isotope-distinguished estimate is that >70% of the Amazon fluvial POM is not buried in the delta, consistent with other independent evidence (Aller et al., 1996). Losses of terrestrial POM have also been quantified for the river/delta systems of Columbia in the USA, Fly in New Guinea, and Huange-He in China. If the losses of riverine POM observed in these river/delta systems are representative of rivers worldwide, then the surface-constrained analyses point toward a global loss of fluvial POM in delta regions of ∼0.1 x 1015 g C y−1.
Eelgrass recovery after nutrient enrichment reversal.

Abstract Mumford Cove, a 48 ha Connecticut embayment on Long Island Sound, has a history of excessive nutrient inputs and corresponding eutrophic conditions with concomitant eelgrass ( Zostera marina L.) loss. From 1945 to 1987, a municipal wastewater treatment facility discharged into the cove. In 1987, when the wastewater outfall was diverted to another location, the cove supported a near monoculture of the green algae Ulva lactuca L., covering 74% of the bottom. By 1988, macroalgal areal cover in Mumford Cove had declined to 9%. When we first sampled the cove in 1992, Z. marina and Ruppia maritima L. were present. By 1999, areal distribution of Z. marina and R. maritima had expanded to cover a third of the bottom. Periodic summertime surveys from 2002 through 2004 indicated that Z. marina was present in approximately half of the cove; R. maritima was sparse. Fifteen years after termination of nutrient enrichment, this cove had recovered from 40 years of point source anthropogenic nutrient input, returning from an Ulva -dominated to a Zostera -dominated state.
SU-E-J-143: Characteristics of Tumor-Motion Surrogate Signals Analyzed Using Empirical Mode Decomposition and Hilbert-Huang Transformation.

Purpose: We introduce a novel technique for analyzing tumor‐motion surrogate signals using Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) and Hilbert‐Huang Transformation (HHT). Methods: The tumor‐motion surrogate signals were acquired (with RPM/Varian), from 20 lung‐cancer patients in free‐breathing method and its data were decomposed into Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMFs) using EMD. HHT was then applied to each IMF to obtain instantaneous frequency as a function of time. The Result of the frequency information was compared to Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) and manual calculation of frequency. Correlation of each IMF with the surrogate signal was used to determine the adequate IMF as a faithful tumor‐motion surrogate. Results: The surrogate RPM signals were decomposed to 10 ± 1 IMFs on average. The decomposed IMFs showed three categories of frequencies: (1) high frequencies (1 – 10 Hz) such as a noise‐like signal, (2) medium frequencies (0.1 – 0.3 Hz), which is potentially a true breathing signal, and (3) low frequencies (0.003 – 0.09 Hz), which behave a baseline drift. The marginal frequency, which is a measure of total amplitude contribution from each frequency, showed an average difference of −0.03 ± 0.07 from the FFT and −0.02 ± 0.05 with the manual calculations. Each surrogate signal showed a high correlation with one IMF (0.747 on average) and, a low correlation with the rest of the IMFs (0.139 on average). The IMF with a high correlation alone represented the surrogate signal well in terms of breathing frequency and amplitude. Conclusions: The EMD and HHT were used to analyze the cyclic components of nonlinear and non‐stationary surrogate signals in the time domain. Since the EMD decomposes the signal into physically‐meaningful modes, it was possible to determine IMFs that represent the tumor motion faithfully after removing noise‐like signals. Further investigation on physical meanings of the IMFs is the next step of the study.
Electron cooling for the fermilab p source

Electron cooling will be used to cool and accumulate antiprotons in the Fermilab p source. Successive p production cycles will be injected into the cooling ring with offset momentum, and coalesced into the stack using longitudinal electron cooling. The stacking performance of electron cooling is evaluated. It is shown that optimum p accumulation rate is obtained by increasing the cooling energy until the cooling time just matches the cycle time T0, for p production. For Fermilab Tevatron I this corresponds to Tp = 1.5 GeV, Te = 750 keV. The main features of the electron beam design are described. For a primary electron beam current Ie = 10A, we expect a loss current (to ground) Il ≲ 10mA and a transverse temperature T⊥ ˜0.25 eV.
On the variational stability of Kähler-Einstein metrics

Using spin structure we prove that Kahler–Einstein metrics with non-positive scalar curvature are stable (in the direction of changes in conformal structures) as the critical points of the total scalar curvature functional. Moreover, if all infinitesimal complex deformations of the complex structure are integrable, then the Kahler– Einstein metric is a local maximal of the Yamabe invariant, and its volume is a local minimum among all metrics with scalar curvature bigger or equal to the scalar curvature of the Kahler–Einstein metric.
Strategies for dissecting epigenetic mechanisms in the mouse

Epigenetics generally refers to heritable changes in gene expression that are independent of nucleotide sequence. With complete genome sequences in hand, understanding the epigenetic control of genomes is the next step towards comprehending how the same DNA sequence gives rise to different cells, lineages and organs. Epigenetics also contributes to individual variation in normal biology and in disease states. The mouse provides a unique opportunity to understand how epigenetic differences contribute to both development and disease in a tractable mammalian system. Here we discuss current approaches and protocols used to study epigenetics in the mouse, including loss-of-function studies, mutagenesis screens, somatic cell nuclear transfer, genomics and proteomics.
High resolution spectrometers for electron scattering

Abstract In this article we discuss high-precision, high-resolution magnetic spectrometry as applied to electron scattering at intermediate energies (⩽1 GeV). Beginning with a brief summary of some aspects of the electron-scattering process, we develop the specifications for systems capable of achieving precision of about 1% in cross-section and 10 −4 in momentum resolution. Following a brief outline of the general formalism of magnetic optics, we describe in considerable detail the MIT DD electron energy-loss spectrometer including: (1) general optical specifications, (2) mechanical construction methods and special features, (3) focal plane instrumentation, and (4) examples of performance to date. In a concluding section we make some comparisons with more recent systems and indicate where further improvements in the MIT system may possibly be achieved.
Wide bandgap mg-doped ZnAlO thin films for optoelectronic applications

Abstract Magnesium-doped ZnAlO thin films were grown on quartz substrate by ablating the sintered target with a KrF excimer laser. The effect of growth temperature from 30 °C to 700 °C on structural, optical, and electrical properties has been studied. These films are highly transparent in visible spectrum with average transmittance of 82%. The films grown at low temperature are amorphous while films grown at high temperature are crystalline in nature. These films are highly oriented along (0 0 2) direction. The electrical conductivity, carrier concentration, and electron mobility is found to increase with increase in temperature and then decreases with further increase in temperature. The bandgap is found to vary from 3.86 eV to 4.00 eV for various films.
Ethanol Induced Changes in Superoxide Anion and Nitric Oxide in Cultured Microglia

Induction of oxidative stress has been implicated as a causative factor in fetal alcohol syndrome although the source of reactive oxygen species is not clear. One potential source is the microglia, the CNS macrophage, which generate superoxide anion as part of their normal immune function. Our data indicate that chronic exposure to ethanol alters the function of cultured neonatal hamster microglia by inducing superoxide anion production in resting (nonstimulated) cells. An increase in superoxide anion was seen at 24 or 48 hr of ethanol treatment but was not seen during acute exposures of up to 3 hr. This effect was dose dependent and was maximal at 20 mM ethanol. Treatment with ethanol did not directly activate the respiratory burst seen in microglia and did not act as a priming agent to enhance phorbol-ester-stimulated superoxide anion production. Lipopolysaccharide-mediated priming of microglial superoxide anion production was also not affected by exposure to 20 mM ethanol for 24 hr. Ethanol treatment, however, did depress nitric oxide (NO) levels in hamster microglia which had been stimulated to produce NO by polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C). Uptake of latex beads was increased by 24 hr of exposure to ethanol. The overall action of ethanol on neonatal hamster microglia is to shift the balance between the production of superoxide anion and NO. Because NO is protective to mammalian cells, these changes predict that oxidative stress in the CNS would be enhanced.
Influence of Nonlinearity on the Stress Distribution in the Soil—Application to Road Engineering Problems

The Boussinesq theory for the distribution of stresses in a half-space resulting from surface loads is largely used in road engineering. It is based on the assumption of linear-elastic homogeneous isotropic half-space for the soil media. Since the soil exhibits nonlinear and irreversible behavior, it is of major interest to study the validity of this theory for nonlinear response of soils. This paper investigates this issue by comparing the elastic stress distribution to that obtained using respectively nonlinear elastic and elastoplastic finite difference analyses. Results show that nonlinear elasticity does not influence significantly the stress distribution while plasticity reduces the attenuation of the vertical stress in the soil mass, which means that Boussinesq solution underestimates the stresses in an area which contributes to the soil settlement. An important discrepancy is also observed in horizontal stress for the case of homogeneous and multilayered soil when plasticity is considered.
Determination of sex from arm bone measurements.

Discriminant function analysis has been applied to numerous dimensions of the cranial and postcranial skeleton for sex determination of U.S. blacks and whites and is extended here to five measurements of the arm and wrist. These include maximum lengths of the long arm bones in addition to two measurements that reflect wrist breadth. Our results indicate that whites are more accurately classified than blacks, but seven of the 31 possible measurement combinations common to both groups yield functions with sex prediction accuracies comparable to most, but not all, functions based on other parts of the skeleton.
REXX on TSO/E

REXX is a programming language primarily designed for ease of use. First implemented on the Conversational Monitor System (CMS), REXX has been implemented on TSO Extensions (TSO/E) as a new command language, yet it contains all of the elements of a full-function language. After a brief definition of the main elements of the REXX language, the paper discusses why REXX was implemented on TSO/E, some alternative designs which were considered, and how the final design integrates the new language into the existing TSO/E structure, yet allows REXX programs to be interpreted in any Multiple Virtual Storage (MVS) address space, even outside the TSO/E environment. The paper also introduces the TSO/E “data stack,” which is similar to the stack implemented in CMS, and describes how the definition of the CMS stack had to be extended to allow REXX programs executing concurrently on different MVS tasks to either share or not share the data stack. Throughout the paper, compatibility with other Systems Application Architecture environments, particularly CMS, and performance considerations are discussed.
The importance of structural anisotropy in computational models of traumatic brain injury

Understanding the mechanisms of injury might prove useful in assisting the development of methods for the management and mitigation of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Computational head models can provide valuable insight into the multi-length-scale complexity associated with the primary nature of diffuse axonal injury. It involves understanding how the trauma to the head (at the centimeter length scale) translates to the white-matter tissue (at the millimeter length scale), and even further down to the axonal-length scale, where physical injury to axons (e.g., axon separation) may occur. However, to accurately represent the development of TBI, the biofidelity of these computational models is of utmost importance. There has been a focused effort to improve the biofidelity of computational models by including more sophisticated material definitions and implementing physiologically relevant measures of injury. This paper summarizes recent computational studies that have incorporated structural anisotropy in both the material definition of the white matter and the injury criterion as a means to improve the predictive capabilities of computational models for TBI. We discuss the role of structural anisotropy on both the mechanical response of the brain tissue and on the development of injury. We also outline future directions in the computational modeling of TBI.
A COMPUTER METHOD OF SEQUENCING OPERATIONS FOR ASSEMBLY LINES

SUMMARY COMSOAL, an acronym for a computer Method of Sequencing Operations for Assembly Lines, is a method of balancing large complex machine-paced assembly lines. Basically, by means of a high-speed digital computer, sampled data is used for Monte-Carlo simulation of the proposed designs. COMSOAL originated in an industrial operations research project and is in use at some factories of the Chrysler Corporation in an early form. The latest version, described here, awaits implementation in the factory situation. First, the problem is analyzed in simple form and two solutions are offered, with several results, arising from applications to situations with up to 1000 tasks. The analysis is then extended and solutions to the complex form, which includes eight typical additional constraints, mixed production and stochastic considerations, are presented
EPSILON-TRANSFORMATION: EXPLOITING PHASE TRANSITIONS TO SOLVE COMBINATORIAL OPTIMIZATION PROBLEMS

Abstract It has been shown that there exists a transition in the average-case complexity of tree search problems, from exponential to polynomial in the search depth. We develop a new method, called e-transformation, which makes use of this complexity transition, to find a suboptimal solution. With a random tree model, we show that, as the tree depth approaches infinity, the expected number of nodes expanded by branch-and-bound (BnB) using e-transformation is at most cubic in the search depth, and that the relative error of the solution cost found with respect to the optimal solution cost is bounded above by a small constant. We also present an iterative version of e-transformation that can be used to find both suboptimal and optimal goal nodes. Depth-first BnB (DFBnB) using iterative e-transformation significantly improves upon DFBnB on random trees with large branching factors and deep goal nodes, finding a better solution sooner. We then present experimental results for e-transformation and iterative e-transformation on the asymmetric traveling salesman problem (ATSP) and the maximum boolean satisfiability problem, and identify the conditions under which these two methods are effective. On the ATSP, DFBnB using e-transformation outperforms a well-known local search method, and DFBnB using iterative e-transformation improves upon DFBnB.
Amygdaloid lesions and social dominance in the hooded rat

Lesions of the amygdala were made in hooded rats whose aggressiveness and social dominance rank had been determined in a seminatural environment. There was a significant reduction in the number of inter-animal interactions and in the percentage of bouts won. Social rank decreased in some animals, but was maintained by others. The effects of the lesions appeared to result from a raised threshold to social stimuli.
Theoretical study of OH addition reaction to toluene

Abstract Density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio multiconfigurational calculations have been performed to investigate the OH–toluene reaction. The applicability of DFT and ab initio theories to the OH–toluene reaction system is evaluated. The results reveal that the DFT method produces activation and reaction energies and rate constants of the OH–toluene reaction in good agreement with the experimental values. We predict the branching ratios of OH addition to ortho , para , meta , and ipso positions to be 0.52, 0.34, 0.11, and 0.03, respectively, significantly different from a recent theoretical study of the same reaction system.
Electron carrier concentration dependent magnetization in ZnO:Co and ZnO:Mn thin films

Co and Mn ions were implanted into n-type ZnO thin films with different electron carrier concentrations. X-ray diffraction measurements show that the ZnO:Co and ZnO:Mn thin films are of high crystallinity. From magnetization measurements, ferromagnetism was observed in both n-type ZnO:Co and n-type ZnO:Mn thin films with Curie temperatures well-above room temperature. Furthermore, the electron carrier concentration dependence of the saturated magnetization was measured in both types of thin films, and our results support an electron-mediated mechanism for ferromagnetism in ZnO:Co, as predicted by theory. However, our measurements seem to contradict theory for ZnO:Mn, which only predicts long-range ferromagnetism for p-type mediated material.
Probability Estimation from a Database Using a Gibbs Energy Model

We present an algorithm for creating a neural network which produces accurate probability estimates as outputs. The network implements a Gibbs probability distribution model of the training database. This model is created by a new transformation relating the joint probabilities of attributes in the database to the weights (Gibbs potentials) of the distributed network model. The theory of this transformation is presented together with experimental results. One advantage of this approach is the network weights are prescribed without iterative gradient descent. Used as a classifier the network tied or outperformed published results on a variety of databases.
A highly linear MESFET

A highly linear GaAs MESFET has been developed. This device incorporates a spike profile in its active channel and was designed specifically for linearity. A third-order intercept (IP3) and a 1 dB compression power of 43 dBm and 19 dBm, respectively, have been measured on a 400 mu m device at 10 GHz. The difference between these two numbers, 24 dB, is the largest yet reported for a MESFET. This device also dissipates only 400 mW of DC power yielding a linearity figure-of-merit (IP3/P/sub DC/) of 50. >
Preparation and properties of new Fe6 and Fe8 clusters of iron(III) with tripodal ligands

The syntheses, structures and magnetic properties are reported of new iron(III) complexes with Fe6 wheel and Fe8 cage topologies, and containing tripodal ligands. The compound [Fe8O3(O2CPh)9(tea)(teaH)3]·MeCN (1·MeCN), where teaH3 is triethanolamine, was obtained from the reaction of two equivalents of teaH3 with [Fe3O(O2CPh)6(H2O)3](O2CPh) in MeCN. Similarly, the compound [Fe6(bic)6]·4H2O·4MeOH (2·4H2O·4MeOH), where bicH3 is bicine, was prepared by the analogous reaction but with two equivalents of bicine. Variable-temperature solid-state magnetic susceptibility studies of 1 and 2 in the temperature range 5.00–300 K reveal that both complexes possess S = 0 ground state spins, consistent with the expected antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the constituent iron(III) ions.
Implicit time integration for pseudodynamic tests

The use of unconditionally stable implicit time integration techniques for pseudodynamic tests has been recently proposed and advanced by several researchers. Inspired by such developments, a pseudodynamic test scheme based on an unconditionally stable implicit time integration algorithm and dual displacement control is presented in this paper. The accuracy of the proposed scheme is proved with error-propagation analysis. It is shown by numerical examples and verification tests that the error-correction method incorporated can eliminate the spurious higher-mode response, which can often be excited by experimental errors. The practicality of the proposed scheme lies in the fact that the implementation is as easy as that of explicit schemes and that the convergence criteria required are compatible with the accuracy limits of ordinary test apparatus.
Selfish MAC layer misbehavior in wireless networks

Wireless medium access control (MAC) protocols such as IEEE 802.11 use distributed contention resolution mechanisms for sharing the wireless channel. In this environment, selfish hosts that fail to adhere to the MAC protocol may obtain an unfair throughput share. For example, IEEE 802.11 requires hosts competing for access to the channel to wait for a "backoff" interval, randomly selected from a specified range/before initiating a transmission. Selfish hosts may wait for smaller backoff intervals than well-behaved hosts, thereby obtaining an unfair advantage. We present modifications to the IEEE 802.11 protocol to simplify detection of such selfish hosts and analyze the optimality of the chosen strategy. We also present a penalty scheme for punishing selfish misbehavior. We develop two misbehavior models to capture the behavior of misbehaving hosts. Simulation results under these misbehavior models indicate that our detection and penalty schemes are successful in handling MAC layer misbehavior.
Strong injection locking of low-Q LC oscillators

This paper presents a new equation for injection-locked LC oscillators (ILOs) based on a series RL element in parallel with C. Unlike previous ILO equations based on a parallel RLC tank approximation, the proposed equation is valid for any tank Q and injection strength (K). The model reveals several important properties of low-Q and/or high-K ILOs such as asymmetry in the lock range, reduced phase shift, and higher bandwidth. Experimental results validate the model.
Salmonella‐infected crypt‐derived intestinal organoid culture system for host–bacterial interactions

The in vitro analysis of bacterial–epithelial interactions in the intestine has been hampered by a lack of suitable intestinal epithelium culture systems. Here, we report a new experimental model using an organoid culture system to study pathophysiology of bacterial–epithelial interactions post Salmonella infection. Using crypt-derived mouse intestinal organoids, we were able to visualize the invasiveness of Salmonella and the morphologic changes of the organoids. Importantly, we reported bacteria-induced disruption of epithelial tight junctions in the infected organoids. In addition, we showed the inflammatory responses through activation of the NF-jB pathway in the organoids. Moreover, our western blot, PCR, and immunofluorescence data demonstrated that stem cell markers (Lgr5 and Bmi1) were significantly decreased by Salmonella infection (determined using GFP-labeled Lgr5 organoids). For the first time, we created a model system that recapitulated a number of observations from in vivo studies of the Salmonella-infected intestine, including bacterial invasion, altered tight junctions, inflammatory responses, and decreased stem cells. We have demonstrated that the Salmonella-infected organoid culture system is a new experimental model suitable for studying host–bacterial interactions.
Green corporate initiatives: a case study of goods and service design

Undoubtedly, as product life cycles are becoming shorter, fuelled by technological progress and increasing consumer demands for new products and product features, improved sustainable product and service designs are needed. A case study of three large and global firms, under competitive pressures, documents how management tries to balance the needs of the consumer and the costs/benefits of implementing green strategies in product and service designs at the strategic level. Management must simultaneously deal with shortened product life cycles while addressing manufacturing issues and reducing environmental impact. The implementation of eco-friendly strategies and tactics in production and product design are balanced with factors associated with customer demands, government mandates, and company philosophies.
Reliability of Coupled Oscillators

We study the reliability of phase oscillator networks in response to fluctuating inputs. Reliability means that an input elicits essentially identical responses upon repeated presentations, regardless of the network’s initial condition. Single oscillators are well known to be reliable. We show in this paper that unreliable behavior can occur in a network as small as a coupled oscillator pair in which the signal is received by the first oscillator and relayed to the second with feedback. A geometric explanation based on shear-induced chaos at the onset of phase-locking is proposed. We treat larger networks as decomposed into modules connected by acyclic graphs, and give a mathematical analysis of the acyclic parts. Moreover, for networks in this class, we show how the source of unreliability can be localized, and address questions concerning downstream propagation of unreliability once it is produced.
Effects of loading frequency on fatigue crack growth mechanisms in α/β Ti microstructure with large colony size

This paper deals with crack tip/microstructure interactions at 520 8C in lamellar Ti/6Al/2Sn/4Zr/2Mo/0.1Si (Ti6242) alloy under different fatigue loading frequencies. A series of heat treatments were performed in order to produce large colony microstructures that vary in their lamellar and colony size. Fatigue crack growth (FCG) experiments were conducted on these microstructures at loading frequencies of 10 and 0.05 Hz. The lower frequency was explored with and without imposing a 5 min hold-time at the peak stress level during each loading cycle. Results show that the crack growth behavior is sensitive to the loading frequency. For the same microstructure, the crack growth rate is found to be lower at 10 than at 0.05 Hz. The addition of a holdtime, however, did not alter the FCG rate indicating that creep strain during one loading cycle does not contribute significantly in the crack growth process. It is also shown that variations in lamella and colony size have no effects on the FCG rate except for the early stage of crack propagation. Scanning Electron Microscope examinations are performed on the fracture surface in order to identify the relevant crack growth mechanisms with respect to the loading frequency and the microstructure details. Quasi-cleavage of the a/b colonies along strong planar shear bands is shown to be a major mode of failure under all test condition. At a loading frequency of 10 Hz, the crack path proceeds arbitrary along planes either perpendicular or parallel to the long axis of a lamellae, while at 0.05 Hz, parallel-to-lamellae crack paths become favored. Corresponding differences of crack growth behavior are examined in terms of slip emission at the crack tip and interactions with the microstructure details. # 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
A hybrid contextual approach to wildland fire detection using multispectral imagery

We propose a hybrid contextual fire detection algorithm for airborne and satellite thermal images. The proposed algorithm essentially treats fire pixels as anomalies in images and can be considered a special case of the more general clutter or background suppression problem. It utilizes the local background around a potential fire pixel and discriminates fire pixels based on the squared Mahalanobis distance in multispectral feature space. It also employs the normalized thermal index to identify background fire pixels that should be excluded from the calculation of the statistical properties of the local background. The use of the squared Mahalanobis distance naturally incorporates the covariance of the multispectral image into the decision and requires the setting of a single detection threshold. By contrast, previous contextual algorithms only incorporate the statistical properties of individual bands and require the manual setting of multiple thresholds. Compared with the latest Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer fire product (version 4), our algorithm improves user accuracy and producer accuracy by 1.5% and 2.6% on average, respectively, and up to 28% for some images. In addition, the novel use of the squared Mahalanobis distance allows us to create fire probability images that are useful for fire propagation modeling. As an example, we demonstrate this use for the airborne data.
Bullae on a newborn’s hands and feet

epartment of Pediatrics/Dermatology, The University of ealth Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio. urces: None. f interest: None declared. quests: John Browning, MD, The University of Texas cience Center at San Antonio, Pediatrics/Dermatology, oyd Curl Dr, MSC 7808, San Antonio, TX 78229. E-mail: wningMD@yahoo.com. Dermatol 2011;64:e3. /$36.00 the American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. /j.jaad.2010.01.019
Treatment of comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and anxiety in children: a multiple baseline design analysis.

Objective: The present study evaluated a 10-week psychosocial treatment designed specifically for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a comorbid anxiety disorder. Method: Using a nonconcurrent multiple baseline design, the authors treated 8 children ages 8–12 with ADHD, combined type, and at least 1 of 3 major anxiety disorders (separation anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia). The integrated treatment protocol involved parent management training for ADHD and family-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety. Pretreatment assessments included semistructured diagnostic interviews and other standardized measures to determine study eligibility. Children were randomized to 1 of 3 baseline control conditions (i.e., 2, 3, or 4 weeks) and subsequently treated in a university-based psychosocial treatment clinic. Weekly assessments of ADHD and anxiety disorder symptoms occurred throughout treatment and comprehensive assessments were obtained at pretreatment, 1-week posttreatment, and 6-months posttreatment. Results: Single-case results supported greater success in the treatment phase relative to the baseline phase for both ADHD and anxiety symptoms, and ADHD and anxiety symptoms appeared to change concurrently. Pre–post group analyses revealed significant and clinically meaningful improvements in ADHD and anxiety symptoms at 1-week posttreatment, but only anxiety symptoms moved into the subclinical range. At 6-months follow-up, treatment effects were maintained with new movement into the subclinical range for ADHD. Conclusions: The present study provides initial data on an integrated treatment protocol for ADHD and anxiety. Further replication and evaluation are needed. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Continuous Two-Dimensional Melting of Vortex-Solid in High Temperature Superconductors

A model of continuous two-dimensional melting in the mixed state of high temperature superconductors is proposed. Two-dimensional melting sets in at a cross-over temperature Tx (H) below the three-dimensinal phase transition Tx (H) due to finite size effects, and Tx (H) is a function of the sample thickness (lc ), applied magnetic field (H), and k(= λ/ξ) For a given zero-field transition temperature Tc0 and material properties, (such as defect density), the onset temperature of 2D-melting (Tx (H)) decreases with decreasing sample thickness and increasing magnetic field. In transport studies, thermally induced melting is further complicated by the depinning effect of high current densities.
Radiation exposure in extremely low birth weight infants during their neonatal intensive care unit stay.

Extremely low birth weight (ELBW <1000 g) infants may have increased sensitivity to radiation exposure. Our objective was to estimate the radiation exposure in survivors of ELBW infants during their neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay. In this retrospective cohort study, medical records of all ELBW infants who had been admitted to our NICU between May 1999 and October 2009 were reviewed. The infants’ total entrance skin exposure [ESE in micro-Gray (μGy)] was estimated. Among 450 survivors, the mean gestational age (GA) was 26.3±2.1 weeks, and the mean birth weight (BW) was 774.2±144.4 g. Infants received a median of 32 (range: 1–159) X-rays, with an estimated ESE of 1471 μGy (range: 28–9264). Total ESE was inversely proportional to GA (r=−0.34; P<0.01), and BW (r=−0.39; P=0.01) and proportional to the severity of illness [score for neonatal acute physiology-perinatal extension (SNAPPE), r=0.39; P=0.01]. In a linear regression analysis, GA, SNAPPE and necrotizing enterocolitis were associated with radiation exposure (ESE) in ELBW infants (r2=0.133; P<0.001). During their NICU stay, ELBW infants were subjected to a significant number of diagnostic X-ray procedures. Our data highlight the need to closely monitor the number of X-ray procedures ordered to ELBW infants to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure.
Tracking NF-κB activity in tumor cells during ovarian cancer progression in a syngeneic mouse model.

Background Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) signaling is an important link between inflammation and peritoneal carcinomatosis in human ovarian cancer. Our objective was to track NF-kappaB signaling during ovarian cancer progression in a syngeneic mouse model using tumor cells stably expressing an NF-kappaB reporter.
Manufacturing education and research at Texas A&M University: Responding to global trends

This paper presents a current approach in manufacturing education and research at Texas AM micro/nano manufacturing with interdisciplinary applications is covered in higher-level courses. Research emphasis is on micromanufacturing of robust microsystems to enhance macrosystems on one hand and to help developing nanotechnology on the other hand.
Profiles of Connectedness: Processes of Resilience and Growth in Children With Cancer

Objective Identified patterns of connectedness in youth with cancer and demographically similar healthy peers. Method Participants included 153 youth with a history of cancer and 101 youth without a history of serious illness (8‐19 years). Children completed measures of connectedness, posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and benefit-finding. Parents also reported on children’s PTSS. Results Latent profile analysis revealed four profiles: high connectedness (45%), low connectedness (6%), connectedness primarily to parents (40%), and connectedness primarily to peers (9%). These profiles did not differ by history of cancer. However, profiles differed on PTSS and benefit-finding. Children highly connected across domains displayed the lowest PTSS and highest benefit-finding, while those with the lowest connectedness had the highest PTSS, with moderate PTSS and benefit-finding for the parent and peer profiles. Conclusion Children with cancer demonstrate patterns of connectedness similar to their healthy peers. Findings support connectedness as a possible mechanism facilitating resilience and growth.
Race, Place and Presidential Politics in American Metropolitan Areas

Using new survey data from the Collaborative Multi-racial Post Election Study (2008), this paper examines the extent to which race, foreign-born status, party ID, political information and other SES/demographic factors influenced presidential vote choice in 2008, between respondents residing in suburbs versus central cities. Controlling for these factors, I also examine the extent to which Obama's racially transcendent campaign strategy influenced vote choice in suburbs versus cities. In addition to examining these explanatory factors on vote choice by metro type, I also examine the relationship of these factors on vote choice, among battleground versus non-battleground states. Preliminary findings suggest that suburban vote choice for Obama was influenced by informed voters, younger voters, Democrats, and among those having both lower and higher levels of educational attainment. The economic downturn in the economy also seemed to help the Obama campaign, whereas voters who believed that their financial situation was worse off than in the previous year were more likely to favor Obama at the polls. Racial identity also influenced vote choice in suburbs among the Black and Latino electorate. On the other hand, respondents who believed that Obama avoided issues of concern to their racial/ethnic group were less likely to cast a vote in his favor.
High-Performance Computing for Optimal Disruption of Hazardous NEOs

This paper is concerned with the problem of developing high-performance computing approaches for optimal disruption analysis and design of near-Earth objects (NEOs). Past models of a hypervelocity impact fragmentation of an NEO are addressed, and applied to a 3D inhomogeneous asteroid model with randomly generated sections and material parameters. The effects of uncertainty in modeling behavior are examined for a penetrating explosive mission with a two-body spacecraft. Optimization of mission effectiveness design for this type of mission is discussed, with suggestions for a comparison in efficacy. The effects of the target orbit are analyzed by creating a parameterization in (a, e, i) space, sampled from statistics of the known NEO distribution. Characteristics of impacting orbits in this space are introduced, with correlations to the uncertainties in orbital tracking.
Replacement function of intertrial reinforcement

Under conditions of extended partial-reinforcement training (PR), small reward magnitude, and intertrial reinforcement (ITR), a partial reinforcement effect (PRE) was obtained. Results indicated the degree of ITR occurring during N-length sequences had no apparent effect on PRE, and suggested that ITR-discrimination better accounted for PRE than a frustration explanation. ITR was also shown to affect extinction performance of consistently rewarded (CR) Ss.
AN E-STRAIN ECTENDOMYCORRHIZA FORMED BY A NEW SPECIES, TRICHARINA MIKOLAE

Ascocarps of an operculate discomycete were produced in soils of a red pine pot culture inoculated with E-strain chlamydospores extracted from soils of a Douglas-fir nursery in Oregon. A new taxon, Tricharina mikolae, is proposed in honor of Dr. Peitsa Mikola. Monoand polyspore isolates show different growth characters and sizes of chlamydospores on both MMN and PDA plates. They form typical ectendomycorrhizae with red pine in flask cultures. Polyspore isolates produce ascocarps in the mycorrhizal synthesis cultures identical to those found initially in soil, whereas monospore isolates do not. This indicates that the fungus is heterothallic. The relationship between E-strain fungi and Complexipes moniliformis is also discussed. Mikola (1965) reported the prevalence of ectendomycorrhizal infections on pine in Finnish nurseries and isolated fungal associates which he called E-strain fungi. Laiho (1965) further showed that E-strain fungi possess a wide host specificity in the Pinaceae, forming either ectendomycorrhizae or ectomycorrhizae depending upon host species. Later Wilcox et al. (1974) isolated a similar fungus from ectendomycorrhizal nursery seedlings of Pinus resinosa Ait. and found char? acteristic chlamydospores in cultures of the fungus. Wilcox (unpublished) later found similar chlamydospores in cultures of one ofthe E-strain fungi, E-57, which had been isolated by Mikola from Picea abies (L.) Karst. The discovery of E-strain chlamydospores provided an additional means for detecting the presence of these fungi in soils and other substrates. A recent search for chlamydospores disclosed them in seed beds of 17 coniferous nurseries in 11 ofthe United States
Effect of Winter Precipitation and Temperature on Overwintering Eggs of Northern an Western Corn Rootworms

The effect of winter precipitation and temperature on the overwintering eggs of the northern and western corn rootworm, Diabrotica longicornis (Say) and D. virgifera LeConte, respectively, was evaluated in the field by using spring and fall plowing to adjust the depth at which the eggs were buried in the soil. Lack of winter precipitation caused high mortality of eggs near the soil surface. Because South Dakota winters are so variable, neither fall nor spring plowing can be recommended as a reliable method of controlling corn rootworms.
Are you happy yet? Entrepreneurs’ subjective well-being

This study examines the relationship between entrepreneurs’ subjective well-being and flow, productivity, and intrinsically-based success or extrinsically-based success. Subjective well-being and flow have been studied in educational, health, and work environments; however, only recently has the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2013 examined well-being of entrepreneurs. In entrepreneurs it is particularly important because understanding the relationship between subjective well-being (happiness), and the factors of flow, productivity, and definition of success can influence entrepreneurial decision-making and overall firm performance. A survey of 191 entrepreneurs in Florida and California was used to collect data that was then analyzed using factor analysis, correlation, and regression. Entrepreneurial well-being was shown to increase with the presence of flow, intrinsic definitions of success, and productivity in entrepreneurs. Extrinsic factors that entrepreneurs use to define success, however, were nega...
Testicular cancer in homosexual men with cellular immune deficiency: report of 2 cases.

AbstractEmbryonal cell carcinoma of the testis was seen in 2 homosexuals with peripheral lymphadenopathy of the head and neck, and abnormal cellular immunity measured by reduced T helper cells and increased T suppressor cells. One patient had no history of venereal disease but had taken marijuana, nitrites and methyl-dextroamphetamines regularly. The other patient had a history of syphilis, gonorrhea, hepatitis and venereal warts but rarely used inhalant recreational drugs. Both patients had smoked cigarettes. Neither patient had any known risk factors that predisposed to testicular cancer. Biopsy of a supraclavicular lymph node in 1 patient showed histological features of reactive follicular hyperplasia similar to those described previously in the acquired immune deficiency syndrome. These cases of testicular cancer increase the spectrum of rare cancers developing in young male homosexuals with acquired cellular immune abnormalities.