cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vibrational Spectra and Structure of Small Ring Compounds: Vibrational Analysis of Gaseous and Polycrystalline Tetrafluoro-1,3-dithietane

The vibrational spectrum of tetrafluoro-1, 3-dithietane [Equation] has previously been investigated by Durig and Lord. Although emphasis in this earlier study was placed upon the nature of the potential function governing the out-of-plane ring mode, a vibrational assignment was also suggested. We have extended this study to include an analysis of the infrared and Raman spectra of polycrystalline tetrafluoro-1, 3-dithietane (TFDT) as well as the Raman spectrum of the gaseous sample (see Figs. 1 to 4). The utility of the low temperature Raman technique for the detection of weak transitions or for resolving complicated spectral patterns has recently been demonstrated by Levin and Harris. In addition, cryogenic studies have illustrated the possibility of assigning vibrations which are spectroscopically inactive for the isolated molecule. Durig et al., for instance, have observed the "infrared-inactive" methyl torsional fundamentals in several molecules by measuring the spectra at liquid nitrogen temperatures. In TFDT, therefore, it may be possible to specify the silent auCF2 twisting mode by suitable low temperature analysis.
Comparison of tissue sample processing methods for harvesting the viral metagenome and a snapshot of the RNA viral community in a turkey gut

RNA viruses have been associated with enteritis in poultry and have been isolated from diseased birds. The same viral agents have also been detected in healthy flocks bringing into question their role in health and disease. In order to understand better eukaryotic viruses in the gut, this project focused on evaluating alternative methods to purify and concentrate viral particles, which do not involve the use of density gradients, for generating viral metagenome data. In this study, the sequence outcomes of three tissue processing methods have been evaluated and a data analysis pipeline has been established for RNA viruses from the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, with the use of the best method and increased sequencing depth, a glimpse of the RNA viral community in the gastrointestinal tract of a clinically normal 5-week old turkey is presented. The viruses from the Reoviridae and Astroviridae families together accounted for 76.3% of total viruses identified. The rarefaction curve at the species level further indicated that majority of the species diversity was included with the increased sequencing depth, implying that viruses from other viral families were present in very low abundance.
Diffusion Phenomena in Microelectronic Metallizations and Interconnections

AbstractGrain boundary diffusion is ubiquitous in the metallization of modern microelectronic devices. As density of these devices increases, stringent demands are placed on their performance where failures occur by grain boundary diffusion~induced mechanisms such as electromigration, hillock growths, creep and fatigue. To suppress grain boundary diffusion, solutes are commonly added and in some situations diffusion barriers are used. We have systematically studied grain boundary diffusion in the Al-Cu and Cu conductors and in β-Ta,CVD–W and TiAl3 diffusion barriers. Grain boundary diffusion studies have also been made in several Pb-based alloys, which are of interest for chip–substrate bonding technology. Finally, the role of grain boundary solute segregation in reducing grain boundary diffusion is illustrated. Resume En microelectronique moderne, la diffusion aux joints de grains est omnipresente dans la metallisation des dispositifs. Au fur et a mesure que la densite de ces dispositifs augmente, on a d...
Deep-level nitrogen centers in laser-annealed ion-implanted silicon

An electron-paramagnetic-resonance (EPR) study dealing with the means for introducing substitutional N into silicon and the structure of N centers is presented in this paper. Nitrogen can be introduced into crystalline silicon by ${\mathrm{N}}^{+}$ implantation and subsequent pulsed-ruby-laser annealing. The primary criteria for introducing substitutional N in silicon are that enough energy be supplied during pulsed-ruby-laser annealing to melt the implanted region and that crystalline silicon regrowth occurs. The fraction of the implanted N observed by EPR to be incorporated into substitutional sites (labeled SL5) was measured as a function of ${\mathrm{N}}^{+}$ implant energy, ${\mathrm{N}}^{+}$ fluence, and laser annealing energy, and was found to be \ensuremath{\lesssim} 10%. Residual implantation lattice damage is tentatively believed to enhance the formation of other N-defect centers (SL6, SL7) upon thermal annealing between 400 and 450\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. Unlike the other group-V impurities (P, As, Sb, Bi), substitutional N is observed to be a deep-level impurity with axial symmetry about a $〈111〉$ (${C}_{3v}$ symmetry) direction. The characteristic reorientation time of the SL5 center is reasonably well described by the Arrhenius expression $\ensuremath{\tau}={\ensuremath{\tau}}_{0}\mathrm{exp}(\frac{E}{{k}_{B}T})$ over the measured temperature region $35\ensuremath{\lesssim}T\ensuremath{\lesssim}200$ K with $E=0.107\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02$ eV and ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{0}\ensuremath{\sim}3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}12}$ sec. The reorientation of the SL5 center is enhanced under illumination at low temperatures by (near-) band-gap incandescent light. Contrary to our prior assertion, the position of the N-donor level in the band gap remains unknown. The axial symmetry of the substitutional N center is attributed to a distortion in the positions of the substitutional N and neighboring silicon atoms. Possible explanations for this distortion are reviewed.
Recovery of auditory function and structure in the chick after two intense pure tone exposures

Abstract Groups of neonatal chicks were examined in three experimental conditions that differed in the age and number of times they were exposed to a pure tone of 0.9 kHz at 120 dB SPL for 48 h. Several animals were exposed once at 2 or 16 days of age. while others were subjected twice to the above stimulus, first at 2 days and then at 16 days. Evoked potential measures of threshold shift, obtained at 0, 12 or 26 days post-exposure, were used to determine the degree of hearing loss and recovery. The average threshold loss in the mid-range frequencies was about 57 dB at 0 days for all three conditions. This level was reduced to about 15 dB in all three groups at 12 days of recovery, while in birds exposed once at 2 days, but allowed 26 days to recover, the post-exposure thresholds returned to pre-exposure levels. Scanning electron microscopic analysis of cochlear structure was conducted in groups of similarly exposed and recovered animals. Twelve days post-exposure, the structural analysis revealed regeneration of a single honeycomb-like tectorial membrane layer in both the once and twice-exposed cochleae. However, damage to, and repair of, the tectorial membrane after the second exposure revealed the production of a second honeycomb layer in about half the animals examined. The results indicated that chicks retain the capacity to repair receptor epithelium damage and recover considerably from hearing loss after multiple exposures to intense sound.
An algorithm for propagating the square-root covariance matrix in triangular form

A method for propagating the square root of the state error covariance matrix in lower triangular form is described. The algorithm can be combined with any triangular square-root measurement update algorithm to obtain a triangular square-root sequential estimation algorithm. The triangular square-root algorithm compares favorably with the convential sequential estimation algorithm with regard to computation time.
On the role of parallel architecture supercomputers in time-dependent approaches to quantum scattering

Results of our initial study of the use of parallel architecture super-computers in solving time-dependent quantum scattering equations are reported. The specific equations solved are obtained from the time-dependent Lippmann-Schwinger integral equation by means of a quadrature approximation to the time integral. This leads to a modified Cayley transform algorithm in which the primary computational step is a matrix-vector multiplication. Implementation has been carried out both for the MasPar MP-1 and the NCUBE 6400 parallel machines. The codes are written in a modular form that greatly facilitates porting from one machine architecture to another. Both parallel machines prove to be more powerful for this application than the serial architecture VAX 8650. Specific analysis of machine performance is given.
Hierarchical Graph-Coupled HMMs for Heterogeneous Personalized Health Data

The purpose of this study is to leverage modern technology (mobile or web apps) to enrich epidemiology data and infer the transmission of disease. We develop hierarchical Graph-Coupled Hidden Markov Models (hGCHMMs) to simultaneously track the spread of infection in a small cell phone community and capture person-specific infection parameters by leveraging a link prior that incorporates additional covariates. In this paper we investigate two link functions, the beta-exponential link and sigmoid link, both of which allow the development of a principled Bayesian hierarchical framework for disease transmission. The results of our model allow us to predict the probability of infection for each persons on each day, and also to infer personal physical vulnerability and the relevant association with covariates. We demonstrate our approach theoretically and experimentally on both simulation data and real epidemiological records.
Decline in cognitive function and elder mistreatment: findings from the Chicago Health and Aging Project.

Objective This study aimed to examine the longitudinal association between decline in cognitive function and elder mistreatment (EM). Methods Chicago Health and Aging Project (CHAP) is an epidemiologic study conducted in a geographically defined community (N = 6,159). We identified 143 CHAP participants who had longitudinal cognitive data and EM reported to social services agency. The primary predictor was cognitive function, which was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (Perceptual Speed), and both immediate and delayed recall of the East Boston Memory Test (Episodic Memory). An index of global cognitive function scores was derived by averaging z scores of all tests. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association of cognitive function domains and risk for EM. Results After adjusting for potential confounders, every one-point decline in global cognitive function (odds ratio [OR]: 1.57 [1.21–2.03]), MMSE (OR: 1.07 [1.03–1.10]), Episodic Memory (OR: 1.46 [1.14–1.86]), and Perceptual Speed (OR: 1.05 [1.02–1.07]) scores were associated with increased risk for EM. Lowest tertiles in global cognitive function (OR: 2.71 [1.49–4.88]), MMSE (OR: 2.02 [1.07–3.80]), Episodic Memory (OR: 2.70 [1.41–5.16]), and Perceptual Speed (OR: 4.41 [2.22–8.76]) scores were associated with increased risk for EM. Conclusion Decline in global cognitive function, MMSE, and Perceptual Speed scores were associated with increased risk for EM.
Art, Money, and the Gift: J.S.G. Boggs’ (Im)possible Currency

This essay examines money artist J.S.G.Boggs’ work in light of gift theories by Lewis Hyde and Jacques Derrida. Reconnecting the spheres of the gift and the market, Boggs’ art explodes Hyde’s binaries and creates a solution for the dilemma of the artist in a market-driven society. Boggs’ “money” transactions also show that his money art can make possible the (im)possible gift, in Derrida’s terms, through the trappings of market-exchange. Finally, Boggs’ art, through imitation and difference, exposes the absurdities of money exchange.
LASER-BASED ULTRASONICS ON GR/EPOXY COMPOSITE:

Critical issues are examined in the application of laser generation and detection of ultrasound to the inspection of large area air-frame composites. Among these issues are surface roughness, signal-to-noise ratio, insensitivity to the path length between the part and detector, and wide band vs. narrow-band generation. Demonstrated is the feasibility of transmission C-scans of 150 ply Gr/epoxy panels containing simulated delaminations. Waveforms having a signal-to-noise ratio of greater than 40 dB in 15-mm thick Gr/epoxy were obtained with generating laser powers well below the ablation limit for the graphite epoxy. Detection was shot-noise limited with a detector noise figure of about 5–10 dB.
Ultra-Stable Laser Local Oscillators

We perform spectral-hole burning laser frequency stabilization with a fractional frequency noise of 0.8+1.1 -0.2×10-16 at 1000 s. Several properties of Eu3+:Y2SiO5 spectral holes are measured, including an upper bound of the thermomechanical noise floor at 3.4×10-17 (50% confidence)
Response to Comment on “Wetland Sedimentation from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita”

Tornqvist et al . accept the usefulness of our data but confuse hurricane landfall location with hurricane storm surge impacts, misrepresent our data interpretation, and misattribute conclusions to our study. Our study did not attempt to address the overall effectiveness of river diversions used for management purposes. We agree that river mouth sedimentation is an important geological process that may lead to marsh colonization.
"Skip" Sack and Applebee's How Pub Ventures Went Public

Abstract Many people who jump into the restaurant business hoping to make it big end up failing. But success is still possible, as demonstrated by the case of Applebee's franchisee Pub Ventures of New England.
Human Relations Training as Manifested in an Interview Situation

Summary The evaluation of training courses in human relations is a complex matter. Such evaluations may be conducted properly to answer a variety of questions. The study reported here was designed to determine whether the behavior of trainees in a particularly difficult role-playing interview could be improved through their experiences in one such course. The trainees were students in three different semesters of an undergraduate course in the psychology of human relations, in which the students attended two one-hour lectures and one two-hour laboratory period per week. The three groups differed in the amount of training, in the course content, and in the amount of skill training they received before the test situation. Group 1 received lectures on causation and attitudes. Group 2, in addition, had lectures on democratic leadership and on a number of other topics in psychology, and participated in weekly role-playing cases involving group decision. Group 2, in addition to the training received by Group 2, was introduced to the topic of nondirective counseling in the lectures and given practice in reflecting feelings. The Case of the Old Girls–a role-playing interview situation which had been shown to be a difficult interview to conduct, because it usually degenerated into an argument based on attitudinal differences–was used as the evaluational instrument. Group 1 was tested during the second week of the course; Group 2 during the eleventh week; and Group 3 in the thirteenth week. Improvements in interviewing behavior as a result of training were evidenced by significant reductions in the total number of facts and in the total number of favorable facts introduced by interviewers in Group 3. Their ability to listen and accept feelings may be said to have substantially improved. In the failure of the interveiwers in Group 3 to elicit a greater proportion of favorable facts from their interviewees than were elicited in Group 1, however, the course may be said to have been less than effective. The discussion of the results suggests that the typical human relations training course is neither long enough nor does it include enough skill training to enable trainees to develop the skills that will change their behavior significantly. It is pointed out that the learning process requires a skillful mixture of lectures, discussion, and practice to alter the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the trainee.
Impact of Solids Formation and Gas Production on the Permeability of ZVI PRBs

The permeability of zero-valent iron permeable reactive barriers (ZVI PRBs) may be reduced by the production of gas and solid precipitates. The reduction in permeability was examined using column experiments, which showed that permeability loss was correlated with influent oxidant concentration. The column containing 100 mg/L nitrate experienced the greatest loss, approximately two orders of magnitude over the course of 200 pore volumes. However, the permeability loss owing to precipitated solids was largely independent of oxidant concentration, accounting for only 24% of the observed loss in the 100 mg/L nitrate column, suggesting that the majority of loss was attributable to gas, not precipitates. Geochemical modeling corroborated these findings, indicating that precipitation of solids in the 100 mg/L nitrate system does not account for more than a 10% permeability reduction. These findings suggest that in field PRBs in which a high reduction in permeability is observed, gas production may be implica...
Threshold pion absorption in nuclei

We attempt to explain threshold pion absorption in nuclei using simple pion rescattering mechanicsms. While the model is successful in the case of the deuteron it leads to 10-30% too small absorption rates in other nuclei. We also study a $\ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\omega}$ exchange absorption mechanism that does not act in the deuteron, but find that it can only remove a small part of the remaining discrepancy. The two-nucleon absorption mechanism accounts for 75% of the imaginary part of the $S$-wave pion nucleus optical potential.NUCLEAR REACTIONS Pion absorption calculated at threshold in light nuclei $^{2}\mathrm{H}$, $^{4}\mathrm{He}$, $^{12}\mathrm{C}$, $^{16}\mathrm{O}$, $^{20}\mathrm{Ne}$, and nuclear matter.
The Era of Direct-Acting Antivirals: The Evolving Role of Interferon and Ribavirin for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C

The burden of disease related to chronic hepatitis C (CHC) continues to increase annually. While our experience with treating CHC began less than 30 years, steady progress has been made in the ability to successfully treat patients, reducing morbidity and mortality. Until recently, the main players in therapy of CHC were interferon and ribavirin. Unfortunately, response to this therapy is successful only in a selected group of patients, leaving a sizeable portion of patients with CHC untreated or with ineffective retreatment options after having failed prior therapy. An in depth understanding of the hepatitis C virus has ushered in the dawn of a new era of therapy for CHC. Two drugs, telaprevir and boceprevir, have recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Many others hold great promise and are in the early phases of drug development. Here, we will review the history of hepatitis C therapy, mechanism of action drugs approved for or in development, current data on clinical safety and efficacy of these agents as well as the role of patient preference in CHC therapy. We will conclude with current recommendations for the treatment of patients with CHC and the evolving role of interferon and ribavirin.
BuildingDepot 2.0: An Integrated Management System for Building Analysis and Control

Improving energy efficiency in buildings is a key objective for sensor researchers and promises significant reductions in energy usage across the world. The key technological driver for these gains are the novel sensor network deployments and the large amounts of data that they generate. The challenge however is making sense of this data, and using it effectively to design smarter building control schemes. Several recent research efforts have sought to address the challenge of data access and building control. However, while these systems have made progress in specific areas, many unanswered questions still revolve around data management and what exactly it means to develop building applications. Critically, how would such a solution work in a real building setting and how can applications be written such that they can be re-used in other settings? To resolve these issues we have developed BuildingDepot 2.0, a building management control platform that significantly updates on our first iteration of the system for data analysis and high level supervisory control.
Japan's Habitual Voters Partisanship on the Emotional Periphery

Party identification has been shown to be comparatively weak and volatile in Japan. A search for alternative elements of continuity in partisan behavior indicates that many Japanese vote regularly for the same party, and for roughly one-fifth of the electorate this is done in the absence of a stable party identification. Following earlier work by Ivor Crewe, these nonidentifiers who still vote regularly for the same party are termed habitual voters. Habitual voters are less involved in issues, have fewer party images and have fewer ties to external groups that support their party than stable party identifiers. What makes the habitual voters stand out most is their absence of emotional commitments to the party they vote for regularly in elections and lack of negative feelings toward the parties they do not support. Habitual voting thus reflects one of the dominant traits of Japan's political culture, which is a strong tendency toward affective neutrality. Habitual voters are a new type of nonaffective part...
Reduction of Linear Two-point Boundary Value Problems with Non-separable Boundary Conditions to Cauchy Systems

Abstract It is shown that some linear two-point boundary value problems subject to non-separable boundary conditions may be reduced to initial value problems.
Active Packaging of Fresh Chicken Breast, with Allyl Isothiocyanate (AITC) in Combination with Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) to Control the Growth of Pathogens

Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium are major bacterial pathogens associated with poultry products. Ally isothiocyanate (AITC), a natural antimicrobial compound, is reportedly effective against these pathogenic organisms. A device was designed for the controlled release of AITC with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), and then evaluated for its ability to control the growth of L. monocytogenes and S. typhimurium on raw chicken breast during refrigerated storage. In order to obtain controlled release during the test period, a glass vial was filled with AITC and triglyceride. It was then sealed using high-density polyethylene film. The release of AITC was controlled by the concentration (mole fraction) of AITC in the triglyceride and by the AITC vapor permeability through the film. The fresh chicken samples were inoculated with one or the other of the pathogens at 10(4) CFU/g, and the packages (with and without AITC-controlled release device) were flushed with ambient air or 30% CO(2)/70% N(2) before sealing, and then stored at 4 degrees C for up to 21 d. The maximum reduction in MAP plus AITC (compared to MAP alone) was 0.77 log CFU/g for L. monocytogenes and 1.3 log CFU/g for S. typhimurium. The color of the chicken breast meat was affected by the concentration of AITC. Overall, a release rate of 0.6 microg/h of AITC was found to not affect the color, whereas at 1.2 microg/h of AITC the surface of the chicken was discolored.
Localization of a new neuroleptic in the pituitary gland of the rat

The 14C-labelled, substituted benzamide neuroleptic Tiapride has been found to accumulate transiently in the pituitary gland of the rat following a single dose, and a prolonged retention of the drug was observed in the pars intermedia.
The geologic setting of the Luna 16 landing site

Abstract The Luna 16 landing site is similar in its geologic setting to Apollos 11 and 12. All three sites are located on basaltic mare fill which occurs mostly within multi-ring basins formed by impact earlier in the moon's history. A regolith developed by impact bombardment is present at each of these sites. The regolith is composed mostly of locally derived volcanic material, but also contains exotic fine fragments that have been ballistically transported into the landing sites by large impact events which formed craters such as Langrenus and Copernicus. These exotic fragments probably consist mostly of earlier reworked multi-ring basin debris and, although not directly traceable to individual sources, they do represent a good statistical sample of the composition of most of the premare terrac regions.
The Effectiveness of Drug Court Programming for Specific Kinds of Offenders: Methamphetamine and DWI Offenders Versus Other Drug-Involved Offenders

Numerous evaluations have documented that drug court programs can and do work (Belenko, 1998, 1999, 2001; Gottfredson, Najaka, & Kearly, 2003); however, to date, less attention has been paid to specific issues such as how well drug courts work for certain types of offenders. In particular, there has been a lack of attention paid to the personal characteristics that may be thought of as “risk factors” among participants, especially their drug of choice. Of particular interest in this study are the following questions: First, are drug courts equally effective for offenders charged with methamphetamine-related crimes versus other types of drug offenders? Second, is the drug court model equally effective for offenders charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) compared to other types of drug-involved offenders? Data from a hybrid drug court operating in a small urban area in the upper Midwest was used to examine the above questions. Information on 87 individuals who had participated in this drug court progr...
Do Racial Differences Suggest that the Health Care System is Criminogenic

This study examines the empirical literature on the disparate treatment of African Americans. A review of the literature is offered from a historical standpoint. The utility of thematic content analysis and the use of coding frames is described in the methodology. The next section describes the emergent themes in the literature. Last, there is discussion about the criminogenic nature of the health care profession. Policy implications are offered.
Human neuroimaging as a “Big Data” science

The maturation of in vivo neuroimaging has led to incredible quantities of digital information about the human brain. While much is made of the data deluge in science, neuroimaging represents the leading edge of this onslaught of "big data". A range of neuroimaging databasing approaches has streamlined the transmission, storage, and dissemination of data from such brain imaging studies. Yet few, if any, common solutions exist to support the science of neuroimaging. In this article, we discuss how modern neuroimaging research represents a multifactorial and broad ranging data challenge, involving the growing size of the data being acquired; sociological and logistical sharing issues; infrastructural challenges for multi-site, multi-datatype archiving; and the means by which to explore and mine these data. As neuroimaging advances further, e.g. aging, genetics, and age-related disease, new vision is needed to manage and process this information while marshalling of these resources into novel results. Thus, "big data" can become "big" brain science.
Soybean Protein Aggregation by Sonication: Ultracentrifugal Analysis

Ultracentrifugal analysis was used to study aggregation of 7S globulin induced by ultrasonic treatment, of water extracts from defatted soybean flakes. In pH 7.6, 0.5 ionic strength buffer, aggregated 7S proteins sedimented as 40–50S species and represented 25–40% of the total proteins. Aggregates also existed at low ionic strength, but dialysis at 0.5 ionic strength caused additional aggregation of sonically modified 7S proteins. After exposure to 0.5 ionic strength, aggregates were stable to subsequent changes in ionic strength with one exception; some reversal of aggregation occurred when samples were dialyzed against water. Aggregates exhibited highest stability at pH 6.5–6.8 and were stable at room temperature for 9 hr or more. Sonic-induced aggregation of 7S proteins resembles the phenomenon observed on heating water extracts at 80°C.
In vivo confocal microscopy of corneal microscopic foreign bodies in horses.

Objective To describe in vivo corneal confocal microscopy of horses with microscopic corneal foreign bodies and to correlate findings with clinical, cytological, and histopathologic evaluations of clinical cases and foreign body morphologies observed in vitro with the confocal microscope. Animal studied Five horses with microscopic corneal foreign bodies. Procedures Sedated and anesthetized horses were examined with a modified Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II and Rostock Cornea Module. Confocal microscopy images were compared with images from cytologic and histopathologic corneal samples. To establish microscopic morphologic features, confocal microscopy images of burdock pappus bristles and surgical glove powder were obtained by in vitro examination. Results Horses were examined by in vivo confocal microscopy to assist in identifying corneal opacities detected by slit-lamp biomicroscopy, to determine the etiology of clinically idiopathic keratitis, or to localize corneal opacities presumed to be foreign bodies for surgical planning. Corneal foreign bodies presumptively identified by confocal microscopy included burdock pappus bristles, other plant foreign materials, and surgical glove powder. The corneal foreign bodies appeared as moderately or hyper-reflective linear, circular, or oval structures by confocal microscopy and did not resemble any normal anatomic structures. The confocal microscopic identification of the foreign bodies was corroborated by cytologic and histopathologic findings in some horses. The in vivo confocal microscopic appearance of the foreign bodies was consistent with morphologies observed during examination of foreign bodies in vitro. Conclusions In vivo corneal confocal microscopy provides a noninvasive method for the detection, characterization, and localization of microscopic foreign bodies in the equine cornea.
On the invertibility of a nearly singular matrix

Abstract Let z be a complex variable and let A and B be constant n × n matrices with complex elements. It is shown that A + zB is invertible for all z in a deleted neighborhood of zero if and only if there exist constant n × n matrices such that XA + YB = I and AX + BY = I . A related result is the alternate necessary and sufficient condition that there exist constant X, Y such that XA + YB = I , YAXB = XBYA = 0 and YA is nilpotent.
Strategies for an Effective Vocational Assessment Program

Suggestions for establishing and maintaining effective vocational assessment programs for students with learning disabilities.
Histology and electron microscopy of explanted bifurcated endovascular aortic grafts: evidence of early incorporation and healing.

Purpose To report an examination of explanted bifurcated endovascular aortic grafts for histologic evidence of early healing and incorporation. Method Two bifurcated endovascular aortic grafts composed of polycarbonate urethane and Elgiloy wire were explanted 42 and 21 days after successful endovascular exclusion of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Both patients expired from causes unrelated to endograft deployment. The explanted devices were examined using immunohistochemical analysis and electron microscopy. Results On explantation, both grafts appeared to have excluded the aneurysm with no evidence of endoleak, graft migration, or thrombosis. Histological examination showed numerous inflammatory cells and good ingrowth of tissue into the proximal 2 cm of the graft. Collagen and smooth muscle cells were evident in the proximal portion of the graft with only collagen in the distal segments. Neointimal formation was seen within the proximal 2 cm also, but not at the distal segments. Macrophages were present in the graft. Scanning electron microscopy showed an extensive matrix of fibers that most likely represented collagen. Conclusions Bifurcated endovascular aortic grafts show inflammatory and mild foreign body reactions, collagen formation, and intimal ingrowth during healing. These findings are similar to some of the healing properties reported for sutured grafts, as well as other endovascular grafts.
The canine nucleus tractus solitarii: Light microscopic analysis of subnuclear divisions

The nucleus tractus solitarii (nTS) is a complex structure situated in the dorsal medulla oblongata. This region receives primary visceral and gustatory sensory afferent fibers and has widespread interconnections with brainstem structures, hypothalamus, and limbic forebrain. In both rat and cat distinct subnuclei correlate with specific functions of the nTS. Since the canine model is used extensively for physiological study and evidence from this laboratory supports a critical role for the canine nTS in cardiovascular function, we examined its morphological organization. Light microscopic analysis of cellular and fiber patterns of the nTS revealed nine discrete regions based on cytoarchitecture: the commissural, lateral, ventral, dorsal, intermediate, interstitial and medial subnuclei, the subnucleus gelatinosa, and the dorsal parasolitary region. Analysis of each subnucleus revealed that both the lateral and ventral subnuclei contained two distinct neuronal groups based on cell size. Neurochemical and functional correlates are being provided by ongoing analyses of each subnucleus of the nTS.
Effects of olfactory bulb ablation on estrus-induction and frequency of pregnancy.

Abstract Surgical ablation of the olfactory bulbs was used to study the influence of olfaction on estrus induction in M. o. ochrogaster . Of 112 females pretested, 78% were induced to estrus. From a group of 56 operated females, 23 were completely bulbectomized (CB) and 33 were partially bulbectomized (PB) as determined from either microscopic or gross inspection. When housed cage-within-cage with males, CB females failed to become estrus. Similar tests using PB females results in 61% of these animals becoming estrus. When the females were housed in cages with males for one week, the frequency of pregnancy was 17% and 67% for the CB and PB females respectively. Thus, the response following partial bulbectomy was variable. The results show that complete bulbectomy blocked estrus induction and suggest that in this species male induced estrus is mediated via olfaction.
Peptidylglycine α-amidating monooxygenase activity in spinal cord, dorsal roots, and dorsal root ganglia ofMacaca fascicularis

Abstract Several peptides synthesized by primary sensory neurons are α-amidated at the C-terminal residue, including vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, neurokinin A and substance P, which is also abundant in spinal cord. In pituitary and other tissues, the C-terminal amidation is catalyzed by peptidylglycine α-amidating monooxygenase (PAM). In the present study, soluble PAM activity in spinal cord and in primary sensory neurons is quantified and characterized as to cofactor and cosubstrate requirements and substrate specificity.
On the Cointegration of Money, Credit, Prices, and Real GDP

While some (Friedman and Kuttner, American Economic Review, 1992) address whether money and credit separately are cointegrated with other variables, the current study finds that the natural logs of M1, domestic nonfinancial debt (DNFD), real GDP, and the implicit deflator together are cointegrated. Both maximum eigenvalue and trace test statistic results show cointegration for annual and quarterly data (seasonally adjusted and unadjusted). Further, the study finds cointegration for the lag structure of the model (with one through four lags) minimizing the Schwarz (Annals of Statistics, 1978) criterion (SC). The results generally hold whether a time trend is included in the VAR but not the cointegrating equation, or if a trend is also in the cointegrating equation. However, when using undifferenced “log levels” of all four variables [with DNFD being I(2) unlike the other I(1) variables] in seasonally adjusted form, the study finds cointegration only at confidence levels somewhat greater than 5% if a time trend is not in the cointegrating equation. Nonetheless, including a trend in the cointegrating equation produces conclusions of cointegration in both tests at the 5% level. The study uses vector error correction (VEC) models with quarterly seasonally adjusted data to test for Granger (Econometrica, 1969) causality. When specifying a VEC model with the second difference of DNFD and the first difference of the other variables, under both trend assumptions; changes in M1, real GDP, and the deflator Granger cause changes in the first difference of DNFD at the 10% level and generally at the 5% level. Using first differences of all four variables in the VEC model (with a trend in the cointegrating equation), a possible transmission mechanism appears where changes in money supply Granger cause changes in credit, in turn Granger causing changes in real GDP and prices. The results also Int Adv Econ Res (2008) 14:258–259 DOI 10.1007/s11294-008-9135-1
Using a forest management allocation and scheduling model for integrated resource planning

Abstract FORest PLANning (FORPLAN), a linear programming model, was adopted by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service as the principal analytical tool for integrated resource planning required to meet the substance of the National Forest Management Act of 1976. The model was developed by K. Norman Johnson from earlier timber harvesting models. This article contains a description of FORPLAN and an evaluation of its role in the planning process.
Analysis of death certification in patients with early stage oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose Although patients with T1 oral cavity carcinoma have a generally good prognosis, there is a significant burden of patients that have locoregional recurrence and mortality from early stage disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the specific cause of death in patients with T1N0M0 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) by analysis of death certification. Patients and Methods Patients were identified with T1 OCSCC treated over a 15-year period between 1986 to 2001 from the Mayo Clinic Tumor Registry. All patients were treated by operation without neck dissection or postoperative neoadjuvant therapy as the initial method of treatment. On detailed examination of the death certificate the leading cause of death was identified along with other clinical predictors of death. Results Two hundred fifty patients were identified and met inclusion criteria from the Mayo Clinic Tumor Registry. Of the study group, 8.5% and 16% developed local and regional recurrence, respectively, as the first recurrence. The majority of recurrences that were amenable to surgery were managed by radical resection and postoperative neoadjuvant therapy. Of 85 deaths in the study group, 40 death certificates were obtained and reviewed to ascertain a specific cause of death. Patients were grouped into death from oral cancer, other cancer, or medical disease. Primary cause of death from the death certificates available for review included uncontrolled locoregional disease (20%), metastatic oral cancer (15%), development of secondary nonoral malignancy (15%), and a variety of medical causes (50%). Patient age at the time of diagnosis older than 65 had a statistically significant increase in mortality. Interestingly, the presence of premorbid medical conditions, history, or persistent tobacco and alcohol use did not seem to be related to overall mortality. Conclusion Early stage OCSCC continues to portend a poor prognosis. Analysis of death certification provides useful information of the specific cause of death.
Antecedents of intention to help mitigate wildfire: implications for campaigns promoting wildfire mitigation to the general public in the wildland-urban interface

The current investigation sought to examine the association between knowledge of the causes of wildfire in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) and intentions on the part of members of the public to help mitigate wildfire. In doing so, antecedents from the theory of planned behavior were employed to enhance our understanding of the relationships among wildfire knowledge, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intention to help mitigate wildfire in the WUI. Participants (N = 408) living in the WUI in Appalachian Ohio were sampled as a means of conducting formative research prior to developing messages promoting wildfire mitigation. Our results reveal that, among the variables in the theory of planned behavior, the only paths that consistently explain individual's intention to help mitigate wildland fire in the WUI in protecting both homes and the environment are associations between knowledge about wildfire and perceived behavioral control and between perceived behavioral control and intention. Our findings are discussed with a focus on message design for wildland fire mitigation professionals and a focus on implications for the theory of planned behaviors for academics with interests in wildland fire and other environmental issues. Language: en
The use of electrostatic generators as injectors for electron synchrotrons

Abstract Some experiences with the use of electrostatic generators as injectors for electron synchrotrons at Cornell University and M.I.T. are described. At M.I.T. the injection energy was changed without any other essential modifications to the synchrotron. A factor of ten in intensity has been obtained, along with greater stability. Space charge does not appear to be the limiting mechanism of the beam current.
THE EVOLUTION OF THE INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM IN THE MILDLY DISTURBED SPIRAL GALAXY NGC 4647

We present matched-resolution maps of H I and CO emission in the Virgo Cluster spiral NGC 4647. The galaxy shows a mild kinematic disturbance in which one side of the rotation curve flattens but the other side continues to rise. This kinematic asymmetry is coupled with a dramatic asymmetry in the molecular gas distribution but not in the atomic gas. An analysis of the gas column densities and the interstellar pressure suggests that the H2/H I surface density ratio on the east side of the galaxy is 3 times higher than expected from the hydrostatic pressure contributed by the mass of the stellar disk. We discuss the probable effects of ram pressure, gravitational interactions, and asymmetric potentials on the interstellar medium and suggest it is likely that a m = 1 perturbation in the gravitational potential could be responsible for all of the galaxy's features. Kinematic disturbances of the type seen here are common, but the curious thing about NGC 4647 is that the molecular distribution appears more disturbed than the H I distribution. Thus, it is the combination of the two gas phases that provides such interesting insight into the galaxy's history and into models of the interstellar medium.
FGF-mediated aspects of skeletal muscle growth and differentiation are controlled by a high affinity receptor, FGFR1

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and FGF receptors (FGFRs) play major roles in vertebrate embryogenesis, including control of skeletal muscle growth and differentiation. Understanding their roles requires delineating the specific FGF and FGFR isoforms involved. This study analyzes the FGFR transcripts found in a model mouse skeletal myoblast cell line (MM14) during growth and terminal differentiation. MM14 cells express transcripts for FGFR1 (flg) but not FGFR2 (bek). The predominate FGFR1 transcript contains three immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains in the extracellular ligand binding region. Approximately one-fourth of the three Ig-like domain transcripts possess a 6-nt deletion between the first and second Ig-like domains which after translation would result in deletion of an Arg-Arg pair. Cloning of mouse genomic DNA surrounding the region of the FGFR1 6-nt deletion indicates that the deletion is derived by alternative splicing of FGFR1 transcripts. Transcripts containing two Ig-like domains account for less than 5% of total FGFR1 mRNA in MM14 cells. A survey of RNA from mouse tissues indicated that two Ig-like domain FGFR1 transcripts are rare in all tissues except in lung, in which the two Ig-like domain form accounts for roughly 70% of the lung FGFR1 mRNA. PCR RACE cloning studies disclosed 162 nt of additional FGFR1 5'-flanking RNA which was highly GC-rich. FGFR1 transcripts decline 8- to 10-fold during low serum, (-)FGF-mediated differentiation of MM14 cultures. The kinetics of the FGFR1 mRNA decline is similar to the previously described differentiation-dependent decrease in cell surface FGF receptors.
Separation of high affinity hapten specific and crossreacting IgG populations.

Abstract Antisera to an azohapten (2-(4′-carboxyphenylazo)-estriol) contains several IgG populations indistinguishable by their association constants for estriol—the homologue. However, significantly different relative affinities for a slightly altered hapten (estriol-3-sulfate) were shown. Immunosorption of crude antisera with an estriol-3-glucuronide-aminoethyl cellulose sorbant selectively removed antibody populations with highest affinity for haptens containing a blocked C-3 phenolic function. The residual antibody pool contained IgG with highest specificity for unaltered hapten.
Can postgraduate courses in Maternal-Fetal Medicine change clinical attitude?

Objective. To investigate the effect of structured didactic lectures by leaders in the field of Maternal-Fetal Medicine on reported clinical decision-making.Methods. An interactive survey of obstetric management was performed as part of a postgraduate course at the 2004 Annual Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Seven controversial topics were addressed, including tocolytic therapy, progesterone supplementation for the prevention of preterm birth, screening for inherited thrombophilia, cervical cerclage for a shortened cervix, the management of preterm premature rupture of membranes, magnesium sulfate seizure prophylaxis, and dexamethasone therapy for hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome. The survey was carried out before and after a series of structured didactic lectures, thereby allowing for analysis of the effect of the lectures on reported clinical decision-making.Results. A total of 298 obstetric care providers attended the postgraduate course. By repo...
General derivation of the total electromagnetic cross sections for an arbitrary particle

This work concerns a common problem in electromagnetic scattering; calculation of the total scattering, extinction, and absorption cross sections for an arbitrary particle. Typical expressions for the cross sections are obtained in terms of the vector spherical wave function expansions for the incident and scattered waves. The unique aspect of this work is that the derivation is carried out specifically without use of the far-field zone approximation. The resulting expressions, valid at any distance, exactly match those obtained from the far-field approximation. This demonstrates that the cross sections are independent of the distance from the particle at which they are calculated as one would expect from energy conservation. Numerical simulations of the near and far-field zone energy flows due to a spherical particle are presented to illustrate several implications of this result.
Computer aided engineering in microelectronic processes and design in Singapore

An approach for preparing engineering students in Singapore by integrating computer aided engineering (CAE) skills in laboratory environments is described. This integrative training is supported by use of simulation packages extensively used by industry worldwide. These packages allow students to simulate their processes, enabling them to design an engineering experiment most likely to succeed. The use of word processing and graphics software available on PCs and Macs spread all over the campus enhances their communication skills in preparing formal reports and presentations. The enhancement of the engineering students' technical and other liberal learning skills through integrative teaching involving theory, computer simulation, and design is emphasized. >