cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Positioning Errors on V2V Networks Employing Dual Beamforming

In this paper, we present an analysis of Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) Networks employing beamforming at both the transmitter and the receiver when positioning errors are present. Specifically, we will examine the performance of this system setup when the source of the positioning errors are from the Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements as well as from variations in the delays due to the overhead communication channels. To achieve adequate performance, beamforming requires precise location information of the transmitter and the receiver, and when accurate information is unavailable the system performance can potentially deteriorate. This is especially challenging in highly mobile vehicle networking environments where the operating conditions and location information varies rapidly in time. Simulation results are obtained showing Bit Error Rate (BER) values increasing by 99.9% when the exact GPS locations are known by the vehicles when compared to a 6.6m error in GPS location.
Mental Health in Japan: Intersecting Risks in the Workplace

Japanese culture tends to value group harmony and social conformity. The work culture in Japan reflects this belief system, evidenced by behaviors including working significant amounts of overtime, which is often unpaid, and taking minimal vacation. Japan also has a relatively recent history of economic instability, coupled with negative perceptions of being fired or unemployed, which creates heightened perceived pressures to fit in as an employee. These pressures, on top of tendencies to overwork, translate into an increased risk of stress and other mental health issues, which studies of prevalence have verified. Furthermore, structural and cultural stigma against mental illness and treatment in Japan acts as a barrier to addressing mental health risks among Japanese workers. In recent decades, the Japanese government has stepped up efforts to improve its mental health care system, resulting in some promising improvements, particularly pertaining to suicide prevention. However, initiatives to improve mental health at the workplace are new, underdeveloped, and currently lack scope and empirical-basis. For Japanese workers, work culture, financial insecurity, and stigma are three intersecting mental health risk factors that can be used as a framework for targeted improvements.
Global Assessment of Semidiurnal Internal Tide Aliasing in Argo Profiles

AbstractThough unresolved by Argo floats, internal waves still impart an aliased signal onto their profile measurements. Recent studies have yielded nearly global characterization of several consti...
Incorporation of vasculature in a head injury model lowers local mechanical strains in dynamic impact.

Abstract Cerebral vasculature is several orders of magnitude stiffer than the brain tissue. However, only a handful of studies have investigated its potential stiffening effect on dynamic brain strains; yet, they report contradictory findings. Here, we reanalyze the cerebrovascular stiffening effect by incorporating vasculature derived from the latest neuroimaging atlases into a re-meshed Worcester Head Injury Model using an embedded element method. Regional brain strains with and without vasculature were simulated using a reconstructed, predominantly sagittal head impact. Using the two previously adopted linear or non-linear vessel material models, we reproduced the earlier conflicting results (~40% vs. ~1–6% in regional strain reductions). Nevertheless, with refitted non-linear material models chosen to represent the average dynamic tension behaviors of arteries and veins, respectively, inclusion of vasculature reduced regional brain strains by ~13–36% relative to the baselines without vasculature. Compared to the whole brain baseline response, inclusion of vasculature led to an element-wise linear regression slope of 0.8 and a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.8. The vascular stiffening effect appears mild for the whole brain but more significant locally, which should not be ignored in head injury models. Nevertheless, more work is necessary to investigate the cerebrovascular mechanical behaviors and loading environment to allow for more biofidelic modeling of the brain in the future.
Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria: a novel management strategy for Meloidogyne incognita on turfgrass.

Background Meloidogyne spp., root-knot nematodes, are among the most economically important plant-parasitic nematodes in turfgrass in the United States. Only a few nematicides are available or efficacious for plant-parasitic nematodes in turfgrass in the United States, and recent work has demonstrated the potential for microbial control of root-knot nematodes in field crops. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of 104 plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains isolated from grasses in Alabama against M. incognita in vitro, and their ability to manage plant-parasitic nematodes in the glasshouse and microplot settings. Results In vitro mortality ranged from 0.9% to 94.6% by all PGPR strains screened. Ten individual PGPR strains and one three-strain blend (a total of 13 PGPR strains) were advanced to glasshouse and microplot screening. In the glasshouse, six of the 11 PGPR treatments significantly reduced M. incognita population density, with a few strains also promoting some root growth. In the microplot, five of the 11 PGPR treatments significantly reduced M. incognita population density. Conclusion Of these strains, 11 were identified as Bacillus spp., one as Stenotrophomonas rhizophila and one as Paenibacillus sonchi. Eight of these strains also were found to have nitrogenase activity, and seven had the ability to produce siderophores, showing a potential mechanism for growth promotion. Overall, results indicate that multiple strains of Bacillus spp. and one strain of S. rhizophila have the potential to reduce M. incognita population density and enhance turfgrass root growth. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
Quantified comparison of vascularization osteogenesis and membrane-induced osteogenesis in bone defect repair with fascia flap

Objective To compare vascularization osteogenesis and membrane-induced osteogenesis in bone defect repair with fascia flap at distinct periods,and to offer reference for clinical intervention of bone defect.Methods Non-cellular tissue engineering bone was constructed using osteogenesis absorption material (OAM) containing recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and rabbit bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs),and the prepared rabbit ulnar defect model (n=75) was repaired with tissue engineering bone transplantation.Rabbits were divided into 3 groups.In group A (n=25),simple tissue engineering bone implantation was performed; A fascia flap with pedicle was prepared in the bone defect neighbouring region,the tissue engineering bone with pedicle-free fascia flap was implanted in group B (n=25),while the tissue engineering bone with pedicle fascia flap was transplanted in group C (n=25).Detection of the absorption ratio in osteogenesis region and empty region,bone quantitative morphology analysis,and vascular image quantitative analysis was carried out at week 4,8,12 and 16 after surgical operation.In addition,radionuclide bone imaging examination was performed,and ink was injected into axillary artery at 8,12 and 16 weeks after operation for observing vascular regeneration in repairment region.Results As compared with group A and B,the absorption ratio of osteogenesis region and empty region,proportion of newly-formed bone trabeculae area and microscopic bone repairment region,the area of vascularization per unit as well as the absorption ratio of region of interest (ROI)during radionuclide bone imaging increased significantly(all P＜0.05) in group C at week 4 and 8 after operation.As compared with week 8,there was an increase in absorption ratio of osteogenesis region and empty region as well as the proportion of newly-formed bone trabeculae region and microscopic repairment region (all P＜0.05)at week 16 in all groups.At week 8 after operation,the vascularization area per unit in repairment region was (7.20±0.23) ％,(7.75±0.57) ％ and ( 24.75± 1.58 ) ％ in group A,B and C,respectively; absorption ratio of ROI during radionuclide bone imaging was (7.17±0.01)％,(10.12±0.02)％ and (29.37±0.04)％,respectively.At week 16 after operation,the vascularization area per unit in repairment region was (4.31±0.13 )％,(4.69±0.12) ％ and (9.98±0.74)％ in group A,B and C,respectively; absorption ratio of ROI during radionuclide bone imaging was (5.03±0.01)％,(5.16±0.04)％ and (12.75±0.03)％,respectively.Within-group comparison revealed a reduction in the vascularization area per unit in repairment region as well as absorption ratio of ROI during radionuclide bone imaging(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Vascularization osteogenesis dominates the early stage,while membrane-induced osteogenesis is dominant in the late phase of fascia flap with pedicle repair. Key words: Tissue engineering; Bone transplantation; Bone defect; Vascularization osteogenesis ; Membrane-induced osteogenesis
Anemia of cardiorenal syndrome

Cardiorenal syndrome includes a spectrum of disorders of the kidneys and heart in which loss of function in one organ contributes to reduced function in the other organ. Cardiorenal syndrome is frequently complicated by comorbid anemia, which leads to reciprocal and progressive cardiac and renal deterioration. The triad of heart failure, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and anemia is termed cardiorenal anemia syndrome (CRAS). There are currently no evidence-based recommendations for managing patients with CRAS; however, the treatment of these patients is multifactorial. Not only must the anemia be controlled, but heart failure and kidney injury must be addressed, in addition to other comorbidities. Intravenous iron and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents are the mainstays of treatment for anemia of CKD, addressing both iron and erythropoiesis deficiencies. Since erythropoiesis-stimulating agent therapy can be associated with adverse outcomes at higher doses in patients with CKD and is not used in routine practice in patients with heart failure, treatment options for managing anemia in patients with CRAS are limited. Several new therapies, particularly the hypoxia-inducible factor–prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors, are currently under clinical development. The hypoxia-inducible factor–prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors have shown promising results for treating anemia of CKD in clinical trials and may confer benefits in patients with CRAS, potentially addressing some of the limitations of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. Updated clinical practice guidelines for the screening and management of anemia in cardiorenal syndrome, in light of potential new therapies and clinical evidence, would improve the clinical outcomes of patients with this complex syndrome.
Toppled Statue and Captured Canal: Reinterpreting The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss as Political Cartoon in View of the Suez Canal Crisis of 1956

Dr. Seuss’s non-sensical book The Cat in the Hat contains elements borrowed from his previous political cartoon work during World War II. Many of his political cartoon work depicts nations such as Italy, United States and Japan. Britain is curiously absent. Several clues point to the identification of the Cat as Britain, including the rampant lion and various objects commonly associated with Britain and its culture. To conclude, The Cat in the Hat is best read as a metaphor of the fall of British-led Colonialism around the Third World around the time of its publication in 1957. This new interpretation shed new light and insight in understanding the legacy of the children’s book by Dr. Seuss.
Effects of Pollen Load Size on Fruit Maturation and Sporophyte Quality in Zucchini

Many plant species, including many economically important species, regularly produce far more flowers than mature fruits (Lloyd 1980; Stephenson 1981; Sutherland and Delph 1984). Since these species are physiologically incapable of providing the necessary resources to develop mature fruits from all of their flowers, they commonly abort a sizeable portion of their immature fruit crops in order to match their fruit production to their available resources (see Stephenson 1981). Moreover, fruit abortion in many species is selective (i.e., non-random). For example, fruits with a below average number of developing seeds are commonly the most likely to abort (see review by Stephenson and Bertin 1983). Because differences in seed number among the developing fruits on a plant are often due to differences in the number of pollen grains deposited by the pollinators, Lee (1984) hypothesized that, by aborting fruits with low seed numbers, plants may actually improve the average quality of their offspring by eliminating those fruits in which there was little pollen competition for access to the ovules. In this chapter, we report that common zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) selectively aborts fruits on the basis of seed number.
Transition to a Market Economy: Some First Principles

To work efficiently, a market system requires institutions such as private property, legal and accounting systems, and a monetary framework. These institutions need not be in place, but the structure should be agreed upon so that market participants can value assets. The paper concentrates on decisions about the choice of monetary arrangements, price and wage setting. Several countries in Eastern Europe have adopted fixed exchange rates and wage controls. The paper argues that the combination is generally inconsistent; only one relative price can be fixed. Attempts to fix wage rates and the exchange rate increases uncertainty and imposes an excess burden. The paper proposes fixed exchange rates for East European countries and development of a clearing union. In contrast to time phased programs of liberalization, the paper argues that structural changes should be announced and price, wage, budget, and monetary reforms should be made simultaneously.
The Analytic Hierarchy Process: A Tutorial for Use in Prioritizing Forest Road Investments to Minimize Environmental Effects

Abstract The prioritization of road maintenance projects is an important forest engineering task due to limited budgets and competing investment needs. Large investments are made each year to maintain and upgrade forest road networks to meet economic and environmental goals. Many models and guidelines are available for single-criteria analysis of forest roads, however we have found no method for multi-criteria analysis. Additionally, even single criteria approaches often rely on expert judgment to inform models of user preferences and priorities. These preferences are used to make tradeoffs between alternatives that contain data that are physical and biological, quantitative and qualitative, and measured on many different scales. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) has the potential to provide a consistent approach to the ranking of forest road investments based on multiple criteria. AHP was specifically developed to provide a consistent, quantifiable approach to problems involving multi-criteria analysi...
ENDOCARDIAL CUSHION DEFECTS. SPECIFIC DIAGNOSIS BY ANGIOCARDIOGRAPHY.

Abstract 1. 1. The anatomy and embryology of endocardial cushion defects are reviewed. 2. 2. Angiocardiographic deformities of the left ventricular outflow region and of the mitral valve are described which we believe to be characteristic and diagnostic of endocardial cushion defects. This method appears to be the most accurate single diagnostic technic available for the identification of these lesions. 3. 3. This study is based on a review of 16 cases of cushion defects and over 200 left ventricular angiocardiograms in a wide variety of congenital cardiac disorders.
Meniscal extrusion or subchondral damage characterize incident accelerated osteoarthritis: Data from the osteoarthritis initiative

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is typically a slowly progressive disorder; however, a subset of knees progress with dramatic rapidity. We aimed to describe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings that are associated with accelerated KOA. We conducted a longitudinal descriptive study in the Osteoarthritis Initiative cohort. We selected participants who had no radiographic KOA at baseline with one of the following in the most severe knee: (1) accelerated KOA (progressed to end-stage KOA within 48 months), (2) common KOA, and (3) no KOA at all visits. We enriched the sample by selecting knees with a self-reported or suspected knee injury. A musculoskeletal radiologist blinded to group assignments but not to time sequence performed MRI readings for the visit before and after an injury. We assessed 38 participants (knees), 66% were female, mean age 61 (9) years, and mean body mass index 28.5 (4.9) kg/m2. Fifteen of 20 knees with no or common KOA, had no incident findings consistent with acute damage. Among the 18 knees with accelerated KOA most had incident findings: 13 (72%) had incident medial meniscal pathology with extrusion and 5 (28%) knees had subchondral damage. Incident MRI findings that are associated with incident accelerated KOA are characterized by structural damage that compromises subchondral bone or the function of the meniscus. Recognizing meniscal extrusion and/or change in shape, lateral meniscal tear, or acute subchondral damage may be vital for identifying individuals at risk for accelerated KOA. Clin. Anat. 28:792–799, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An Assessment of Energy Potential at Non-Powered Dams in the United States

This document provides results from a nation-scale analysis to determine the potential capacity and generation available from adding power production capability to U.S. non-powered dams.
Think and Feel Country Clusters: A New Approach to International Advertising Standardization†

This article challenges the assumption implicit in regional approaches to international advertising standardization. As such, we address the geographic extent to which advertising can or should be standardized. We develop a model for predicting a country's most prevalent advertising appeals on the basis of cultural and market-related factors. The model is tested and then utilized to provide a positioning map of twenty-three countries and their respective predominant advertising appeals. Four country clusters are identified, with each cluster exhibiting a similar preference for emotional and rational advertising appeals. Contrary to the assumptions underlying regional advertising, the results seem to suggest that countries that are not part of a common geographic region may exhibit similar preferences with respect to the same strategic approach, in spite of cultural differences and lack of regional proximity.
Effect of one-month treatment with cimetidine on gastric secretion and serum gastrin and pepsinogen levels.

Abstract The inhibitory effects of cimetidine on gastric acid and pepsin secretion were studied before and after 1 month of treatment with 300 mg of cimetidine four times a day in 15 male duodenal ulcer patients. Cimetidine inhibited both pentagastrin- and peptone meal-stimulated acid secretion significantly better before, than after, 1 month of treatment. Similarly cimetidine inhibited pentagastrin-stimulated pepsin secretion significantly better before treatment. Meal-stimulated serum gastrin concentrations were significantly higher after treatment. The mechanism(s) of these effects was not apparent.
GPS Network Operations for the International GPS Geodynamics Service

As GPS technology comes of age in the 1990’s, it is evident that an internationally sponsored GPS tracking system is called for to provide consistent, timely ground tracking data and data products to the geophysical community. The planning group for the International GPS Geodynamics Service (IGS), sponsored by the International Association of Geodesy (IAG), is addressing all elements of the end-to-end tracking system, ranging from data collection to data analysis and distribution of products (Mueller, 1992). Part of the planning process is to formulate how these various elements work together to create the common infrastructure needed to support a wide variety of GPS investigations. A key element for any permanent satellite tracking system is certainly the acquisition segment; the reliability and robustness of the ground network operations directly determine the fates and limitations of final products. The IGS planning group therefore included a committee tasked to develop and establish standards governing data acquisition and site-specific characteristics deemed necessary to ensure the collection of a high quality, continuous data set. An abbreviated version of these standards is included as art appendix to this paper.
Approximate evolutionary stasis for bivalve morphology over millions of years; a multivariate, multilineage study

We have calculated rates of evolution for 19 lineages of Neogene bivalves over time intervals ranging from 1 ma to 17 ma. Our morphometric comparisons are based on 24 variables, for which we have made more than 43,000 individual measurements normalized for shell size. We initially assessed evolutionary changes in shape for 19 early Pliocene (4 ma old) species of bivalves by comparing these forms to their closest living relatives, which in 12 cases have traditonally been assigned to the same species. To make our study unbiased and comprehensive, we included all species that met certain predetermined guidelines and that offered suitable fossil material for measurement. We compared early Pliocene and Recent populations using (1) all 24 variables treated separately, (2) multivariate distance (Mahalanobis' D), based on the full set of variables, and (3) eigenshapes for shell outlines. For these comparisons, we used as a yardstick the same measures of morphologic distance applied to pairs of geographically separated Recent populations that belong to eight of the living species to which the fossil populations were compared. As it turns out, with minor exceptions, the distribution of morphologic distances between 4 ma old and Recent populations resembled the distribution of distances between conspecific Recent populations.We calculated net rates of evolution separating pairs of populations that belong to single lineages. For all intervals of time, the distribution of differences between population means for individual variables is remarkably similar to a comparable distribution representing the comparison of pairs of conspecific Recent populations from separate geographic regions. Because morphologic differences between populations do not vary greatly with evolutionary time, measured “rates” of evolution, on the average, decrease with interval of measurement. Because these differences resemble intraspecific variability, however, the rates do not represent significant evolution. Evolution has followed a weak zigzag course, yielding only trivial net trends.The weak and reversible “trends” that we measured yield net rates averaging less than 10 millidarwins, which is much lower than most rates previously reported for marine invertebrates (average ~200 millidarwins for a 1 ma interval and ~60 millidarwins for a 10 ma interval). We attribute this disparity (1) to the fact that most previously published rates have been calculated when a significant amount of evolution was recognized in advance (often for a poorly documented lineage) and (2) to the fact that most measured variables have represented nothing more than some measure of body size. We conclude that shape, as opposed to size, has been highly stable in bivalve evolution over millions of years and 106–107 generations. We conclude that to characterize rates or evolution for any group of organisms, one must employ a large, unbiased sample of measurements for numerous well-documented lineages, and one must segregate data depicting shape from data depicting size.
Reagent assessment for detection of ammonium ion-molecule complexes.

RATIONALE Ammonia (NH3) is an important chemical target in sensor applications such as trace explosives detection of ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) and environmental monitoring. Ion-molecule reagent chemistries show potential to increase sensitivity in detection systems relying on atmospheric pressure ionization (API) of reagent-ammonium (M + NH4+) complexes. Gas-phase reagent selection assessment is based on mass spectrometric (MS) determination of binding constants relative to competitive ions and critical energies for ion-molecule complex dissociation. METHODS Eight ammonium complexation reagents were identified and gas-phase ion-molecule interactions were studied using electrospray ionization. Binding constants were determined, in Log(K), using the competition method for one host molecule with three guests (NH4+, Na+, and K+) in single quadrupole MS. Critical energy determination was based on calibration of threshold activation voltage using collision-induced dissociation (CID) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). RESULTS This assessment informs selective binding affinity and intrinsic ion-molecule critical energy for dissociation. Relative NH4+ binding affinity was highest for sucrose and 4-tert-butylcalix[6]arene, while 4-tert-butylcalix[6]arene and methyl acetoacetate showed the highest preferential binding of NH4+ versus Na+ and K+. The intrinsic critical energy for NH4+ binding was highest for crown ethers, tetraglyme and methyl acetoacetate. CONCLUSIONS An MS-based framework was developed to quantitatively assess API ion-molecule reagent chemistries based on ammonium selectivity versus competing ions, and intrinsic ammonium binding strength and complex survivability for detection. Methyl acetoacetate is an attractive ammonium reagent for vapor-phase API techniques given its high vapor pressure, preferential selectivity, and high critical energy for dissociation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Daytime mechanical water circulation of channel catfish ponds

Abstract The effect of midday mechanical water circulation on water quality and production of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) was studied in six, 1·62-ha, 1-m average depth, earthen ponds. Ponds were stocked in spring 1990 and 1991 with 14 800 fingerling channel catfish/ha; fish were harvested in late fall and winter each year. A horizontal, axial-flow, 2·24-kW water circulator was placed in three ponds and run for 6–8 h daily during each of the two summer growing seasons. Relative to ponds without circulators, midday water temperatures and dissolved oxygen concentrations varied little with depth, demonstrating that circulators effectively mixed pond waters. Circulation did not reduce the incidence of critically low nighttime dissolved oxygen concentrations (P > 0·05), but reduced the total hours of supplemental aeration required to support fish production by a factor of 0·58. Phytoplankton abundance, total and un-ionized ammonia-nitrogen concentrations, and nitrite-nitrogen concentrations were unaffected by circulation (P 0·05). Although the reduction in aerator use in circulated ponds was impressive, power cost savings for aeration were largely offset by cost of daily circulator operation.
Adenosine deaminase inhibitors. Synthesis and biological evaluation of chain modified analogs of (+)-EHNA

Abstract Unsaturated chain modified analogs of (+)-EHNA have been prepared and evaluated as inhibitors of adenosine deaminase. The geometry appears to play a role in binding to the enzyme.
Reactions of carboxylic acids on the Pd(111)-(2 × 2)O surface: multiple roles of surface oxygen atoms

Abstract The reactions of formic acid, acetic acid, and propanoic acid were examined on the oxygen-dosed Pd(111) surface. Adsorption of these carboxylic acids on Pd(111)-(2 × 2)O at 170 K produced adsorbed carboxylate species via direct transfer of the acid hydrogen to the oxygen adlayer. In addition, the presence of adsorbed oxygen suppressed the formation of the hydrogen-bonded catemers observed for carboxylic acids on the clean surface. The stability of carboxylate species on Pd(111) was found to depend upon the substituent on the carboxyl group and upon the presence of adsorbed oxygen. Formate species were the least stable on Pd(111) and decomposed primarily through a dehydrogenation pathway at 280 K, evolving CO2 and releasing hydrogen atoms to the surface. The temperature required for formate decomposition was 20 K higher on the oxygen-dosed surface than on the clean surface, suggesting that the presence of oxygen adatoms stabilized the formate adlayer. Acetate decarboxylation occurred at 305 and 420 K on the oxygen-dosed surface. The lower temperature acetate decomposition pathway was also observed for acetate species adsorbed on the clean Pd(111) surface, and resulted in the desorption of primarily CO2. In contrast, the decomposition channel at 420 K was associated with acetate species stabilized by the presence of adsorbed oxygen. Decomposition of oxygen-stabilized acetates released CO2, CH1COOH, and H2. Propanoate species produced from propanoic acid on the Pd(111)-(2 × 2)O surface decomposed at 380 K. 25 K higher than on the clean surface. The multiple roles of oxygen adatoms in carboxylate formation and stabilization on Pd(111) may be generalized both to the reactions of other oxygenates and to the reactivity of other group-VIII and -IB metals.
Photon migration within the P 3 approximation

The diffusion approximation to the photon transport equation is the simplest model for photon migration. The applicability of the diffusion approximation, however, is limited. For example, it is strictly valid only when the absorption coefficient is small compared to the scattering coefficient and the source modulation frequency is small compared to the scattering rate. In this contribution we establish the theoretical range of validity of the diffusion approximation, review a frequency-dependent solution of the transport equation within the P3 approximation, and establish the significance of the P3 solution using Monte Carlo computer simulations. We find that the P3 approximation, in most cases, permits a more accurate determination of the optical properties of highly absorbing media as well as from data obtained at modulation frequencies greater than 3 GHz. Interestingly, for highly anisotropic scattering (g equals 0.9), we find that diffusion theory and the P3 approximation predict approximately the same values for the reduced scattering coefficient.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Linguistic and Socioemotional Influences on the Accuracy of Children's Reports

A basic but largely neglected issue in research on the reliability of children's testimony is the impact of certain questioning tactics (e.g., use of legalese and socioemotional intimidation) on the accuracy of children's reports. In the present study, 5- to 7-year-old children were interviewed about a standardized play event with free-recall cues and detailed questions that were specific or misleading. Linguistic complexity of questions (complex or simple) and socioemotional context of interview (supportive or intimidating) were varied between subjects. Results indicated that children were significantly less accurate in reporting the event when questioned with complex, developmentally inappropriate questions rather than simple questions, yet children rarely voiced their comprehension failures. In addition, children interviewed by a warm, supportive interviewer were more resistant to misleading questions about the event than were children interviewed in an intimidating manner. Theoretical interpretations and implications for investigative interviewing and policy are discussed.
Conventional wisdom: Unconventional virus

It is unsettling when clinical observations contradict conventional wisdom; three articles in this issue of AJR are unsettling. These articles detail imaging findings of pa tients infected with swine-origin influenza A (H1N1), S-OIV [1–3]. The patients described in these articles vary widely with respect to underlying illnesses, severity of infection, and the point in the course of the disease when imaging was performed. Nevertheless, the articles are more than sufficient to dis rupt assumptions about the imaging appearance of novel influenza. While most patients with S-OIV infection were not ill enough to require diagnostic imaging of any kind, CT of more severely affected patients showed localized groundglass opacities and consolidation. In some cases these opacities were subpleural, similar to the appearance of opacities seen on CTs performed early in the course of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) infections [4]. In other patients opacities were observed in a central or peribronchovascular distribution. None of the series published here describes the findings of small airways disease that are commonly associated with viral pulmonary infection. Centrilobular nodules, treein-bud opacities, and mosaic perfusion were conspicuously absent. Nodular consolidation was observed in a few patients, but neither size nor distribution of the opacities suggested small airways disease. Other emerging diseases have challenged previously held concepts about the imaging findings of viral respiratory infections. In several of these infections the lack of apparent small airways disease is easy to explain. North American Hantaviruses attack the lung endothelium rather than the airway epithelium and H5N1 influenza may prefer entially damage alveoli because it binds to the epithelium there more tightly than it does
Electronic multimedia data management for remote population in Ecuador

Abstract Purpose : A large part of medicine is the management of patient related information inclusive of demographic data, historical data, data-rich multimedia diagnostic studies and longitudinal disease management. Managing the volume of information generated from patient examination and disease management into an accurate and seamless record challenges traditional record systems. This array of patient relevant data is currently recorded with handwritten notes and reviewed by the physician only after accessing the patient's medical record in the office. By integrating an electronic medical record (EMR) into patient management, the physician can access and manage patient data efficiently and accurately. Many successful EMR applications are available for advanced health systems. This study applied a Spanish language EMR developed with the clinical practitioners at remote clinics in Ecuador to support patient management. The data files were shared electronically with their regional collaborating clinics and internationally for clinical consultations. Methods : A relational database format was established with user-friendly interface to contain the necessary fields for data acquisition inclusive of manual data field entry as well as drop down fields for rapid data entry. Still and video format images were integrated to accommodate results from radiographs, sonograms, microscopic and colposcopy examinations. Application of the software at the general medicine clinics in a remote area of Ecuador provided an interface on a desktop computer to capture and share data for general medicine cases, general surgery, pediatrics, as well as obstetrics. The patient files were archived in a secure format within the computer at the clinic with restricted entry by password. Results : Staff and clinicians in the clinics easily recorded demographic, and specific patient care information. Clinicians were able to query electronic files for easy update and for follow-up in patient care practices. The software design allowed file compression in order to include various data file formats from multiple freestanding diagnostic devices to a consolidated EMR. The EMR was utilized locally at its source and shared with consultants at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in a teleconsultation format. Conclusion : The EMR described here can support integration of diverse data formats from multiple diagnostic devices and provides a uniform interface in compliance with federal regulations. Additionally, the EMR data can be extracted in XML format for secure export independent of operating systems. Such a comprehensive database serves the needs with minimal lines of code, minimal need for technical support, simplicity of usage and responsive to local medical and linguistic realities.
Trace metal distribution in fractions of solvent-refined coal by ICP-OES and implications regarding metal speciation

Abstract Separations of Amax solvent-refined coal according to its acid/base/neutral components and by selective elution from a silica column (SESC) to yield nine fractions have been carried-out. After ashing with H 2 O 2 -H 2 SO 4 , twenty metals (Mg, Al, P, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sr, Zr, W, Hg and Ba) were analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). A majority of elements (Zn, Cd, Hg, Cr, Mo, W, and Fe) were found concentrated in the acid fraction while Co, Ni and Cu preferred the neutral and base fraction. In the step gradient SESC fractions, the greatest concentration of metal was found in fractions that had been characterized as enriched with phenols.
Poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels. Formation by electron beam irradiation of aqueous solutions and subsequent crystallization

Aqueous solutions of poly(vinyl alcohol) were submitted to varying doses of electron beam irradiation. By modification of the classical Flory-Huggins equations appropriate to the initial state of solution of the polymer, the molecular weight between crosslinks, Mc, was calculated as a function of radiation dose, initial polymer concentration, and temperature. Following crosslinking in the solution state, crystallization was induced by dehydrating the network at temperatures above 90°C. Following dehydration, the polymer network was reequilibrated with water and its tensile properties compared with identically prepared hydrogels not subjected to crystallization by dehydration. Greatly enhanced values of ultimate tensile strength and resistance to tear result from the treatment producing crystallization, compared with those of the crosslinked but not previously dehydrated gels.
Antiangiogenic Strategies for Treatment of Malignant Gliomas

Numerous antiangiogenic agents with diverse mechanisms of action are currently under investigation for the treatment of patients with glioblastoma (GBM), a diagnosis that continues to carry a poor prognosis despite maximal conventional therapy. Early clinical trials suggest that antiangiogenic drugs, which target the blood vessels of these highly angiogenic tumors, may have clinical benefit in GBM patients. Antiangiogenic agents have potent antiedema and steroid-sparing effects in patients, and emerging data suggest that these drugs may modestly improve progression-free survival. Although these early results are encouraging, several issues arise regarding the use and efficacy of these agents. Interpretation of the radiographic changes that occur after treatment with antiangiogenic agents presents a major challenge. Still lacking are reliable radiographic and biologic markers that can predict which patients will benefit from treatment and that accurately indicate response and progression during therapy. In addition, most patients treated with antiangiogenic drugs eventually progress, and the mechanisms by which tumors escape from therapy are only beginning to be understood. Larger prospective trials that incorporate correlative biomarker studies will be required to address these challenges. Here, we summarize the clinical experience with antiangiogenic therapy in patients with malignant gliomas (MG), review the major issues concerning the use and development of these agents, and discuss strategies that may build upon the initial gains observed with antiangiogenic agents.
Bilateral Ankle and Subtalar Joint Fusion Secondary to Guillain Barré–Induced Foot Drop

Guillain-Barre syndrome is a serious disorder that occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nervous system. This leads to nerve inflammation and damage that can cause muscle weakness and/or paralysis, including foot drop. Therapy ranges from supportive measures, such as physical therapy, to surgical intervention. It appears from the published data that these patients, generally, have been left to their own devices, because no known cure is available, necessitating reliance on others for their daily activities and ambulation. We present a unique surgical option, with a follow-up period of 24 months, in which bilateral subtalar and ankle fusion allowed unassisted ambulation to a patient who might otherwise have never walked again.
Induction of visceral and cardiac mesoderm by ectodermal Dpp in the early Drosophila embryo

After gastrulation, progenitor cells of the cardiac, visceral and body wall musculature arise at defined positions within the mesodermal layer of the Drosophila embryo. The regulatory mechanisms underlying this process of pattern formation are largely unknown, although ablation experiments carried out in other insects indicate that inductive influences from ectodermal cells have major roles in embryonic mesoderm differentiation. An early and important event in the regional subdivision of the mesoderm is the restriction of tinman expression to dorsal mesodermal cells. Genetic analysis has shown that this homeobox gene controls the formation of the visceral musculature and the heart from dorsal portions of the mesoderm. We now show that an inductive signal from dorsal ectodermal cells is required for activation of tinman in the underlying mesoderm and present evidence that Decapentaplegic (Dpp), a member of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily, serves as a signalling molecule in this process. This demonstrates that the spatial expression of dpp in the ectoderm determines which cells of the mesoderm become competent to develop into visceral mesoderm and the heart.
Detouring and replication for fast and reliable internet-scale stream processing

iFlow is a replication-based system that can achieve both fast and reliable processing of high volume data streams on the Internet scale. iFlow uses a low degree of replication in conjunction with detouring techniques to overcome network congestion and outages. Computation over iFlow can be expressed as a graph of operators. To cope with varying system conditions these operators continually migrate in a manner that improves performance and availability at the same time.In this paper, we first provide an overview of our iFlow system. Next, we detail how our detouring technique works in the face of network failures to provide high availability for time critical applications. The paper also includes a description of our implementation and preliminary evaluation results demonstrating that iFlow outperforms previous solutions with less overhead. Finally, the paper concludes with our plans for enhancing replication and detouring capabilities.
Measurement of heteronuclear dipolar couplings using a rotating frame solid-state NMR experiment

A new NMR experiment to measure heteronuclear dipolar couplings in the solid-state is proposed. In this technique, a spin-lock based on a multiple pulse sequence, BLEW, is used in both the radio frequency channels to suppress the chemical shift and homonuclear dipolar coupling interactions. The spin part of the zeroth-order average Hamiltonian is isotropic at on-resonance and renders the heteronuclear isotropic mixing leading to spin exchange via the local field (HIMSELF) for an in phase transfer of magnetization. The offset frequency dependence is compensated by a 180° pulse at the end of a BLEW sequence. Theoretical, simulated and experimental results demonstrating the performance of the HIMSELF technique are reported.
Multi-category classification of ground vehicles based on the acoustic data of multiple terrains using fuzzy logic rule-based classifiers

The acoustic emissions of a ground vehicle contain a wealth of information, which can be used for vehicle classification, e.g. in the battlefield. However, features that are extracted from the acoustic measurements are time-varying and contain a lot of uncertainties, especially when the acoustic measurements are obtained from multiple terrains, which makes the classification challenging. In this paper we present our study on the multi-category classification of ground vehicles based on the acoustic data of four environmental conditions. The goal is to design one classifier that can operate in all four terrains without a priori knowledge of a specific terrain. We first perform the data pre-processing (including elimination of redundant records, processing of data distortion and generation of prototypes), feature extraction, and uncertainty analysis. We then develop the Bayesian classifier, and type-1 (T1) and interval type-2 (T2) fuzzy logic rule-based classifiers (FLRBC). These classifiers have similar architectures, consist of four sub-systems each for one terrain, and have one probability model (Bayesian classifier) or one fuzzy logic rule (T1 and interval T2 FLRBCs) for each kind of vehicle on each terrain. They differ in the way that this common architecture is implemented. We also present the results of the experiments to evaluate the performance of all classifiers. Experimental results reveal that (1) both the T1 and interval T2 FLRBCs have better performance than the Bayesian classifier, and the interval T2 FLRBC has better performance than the T1 FLRBC; (2) each classifier has a smaller average but a slightly larger standard deviation of classification error rates when the majority voting-based temporal decision fusion is applied; and (3) when the majority voting-based temporal decision fusion is applied, both the T1 and interval T2 FLRBCs have better performance than the Bayesian classifier, and the interval T2 FLRBC has better performance than the T1 FLRBC.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effects of nuclei acid compounds on viability and cell composition of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus during starvation.

The effects of various exogenous nucleic acid compounds on the viability and cell composition of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus starved in buffer were measured. In decreasing order of effectiveness, these compounds were found to decrease the rate of loss of viability and the loss of cell carbon, cell ribonculeic acid, and cell protein: glutamate > ribonucleoside monophosphates > ribonucleosides > deoxyribonucleoside monophosphates. Similar sparing effects were not observed with nucleic acid bases, deoxyribonucleosides, ribose, ribose-5-phosphate, deoxyribose, and deoxyribose-5-phosphate. Appreciable increases in the respiration rate over the endogenous rate did not occur when cell suspensions were incubated with individual or mixtures of nucleic acid compounds. Formation of 14CO2 by cell suspensions incubated with carbon 14-labeled nucleic acid compounds indicated ribonucleosides and ribonucleoside monophosphates were respired and to a small extent, were incorporated into cell material of non-growing cells. The respired 14CO2 was derived mainly from the ribose portion of these molecules. No respired 14CO2 or incorporated carbon 14 was found with bdellovibrios incubated with other nucleic acid compounds tested, including free ribose. During growth of B. bacteriovorus on Escherichia coli in the presence of exogenous UL-14C-ribonucleoside monophosphates, 10–16% of the radioactivity was in the respired CO2 and of the radioactivity incorporated into the bdellovibrios, only 40 to 50% resided in the cell nucleic acids. However, during growth on 14C-adenine,-uracil, or-thymidine labeled E. coli, only trace amounts of 14CO2 were found and 90% or more of the incorporated radioactivity was in the bdellovibrio nucleic acids. It is concluded that bdellovibrio can use ribonucleoside monophosphates during growth and starvation as biosynthetic precursors for synthesis of both nucleic acids and other cell materials as well as catabolizing the ribose portion for energy purposes.