cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Picosecond Transient Grating Generation Of Tunable Ultrasonic Waves

A convenient method of optically exciting and monitoring coherent acoustic waves in transparent or light-absorbing liquids and solids is described. The acoustic frequency is easily and continuously tunable from ≈ 3 MHz to at least 30 GHz with our experimental apparatus and in principle over a considerably wider range. In anisotropic materials any propagation direction can be selected. The optically generated acoustic waves can be optically amplified, cancelled, or phase shifted.
Brief paper: Lyapunov tools for predictor feedbacks for delay systems: Inverse optimality and robustness to delay mismatch

We consider LTI finite-dimensional, completely controllable, but possibly open-loop unstable, plants, with arbitrarily long actuator delay, and the corresponding predictor-based feedback for delay compensation. We study the problem of inverse-optimal re-design of the predictor-based feedback law. We obtain a simple modification of the basic predictor-based controller, which employs a low-pass filter, and has been proposed previously by Mondie and Michiels for achieving robustness to discretization of the integral term in the predictor feedback law. The key element in our work is the employment of an infinite-dimensional ''backstepping'' transformation, and the resulting Lyapunov function, for the infinite dimensional systems consisting of the state of the ODE plant and the delay state. The Lyapunov function allows us to quantify the Lyapunov stability properties under the modified feedback, the inverse optimality of the feedback, and its disturbance attenuation properties. For the basic predictor feedback, the availability of the Lyapunov function also allows us to prove robustness to small delay mismatch (in both positive and negative directions).
The effects of a computerized-algebra program on mathematics achievement of college and university freshmen enrolled in a developmental mathematics course

We face a world in which a college degree increasingly dictates the likelihood of life success. At the same time, there has been an ever-increasing population of students who have not been prepared adequately through their high school education to meet the rigors of college/university-level content. This problem can be seen in the number of students needing Intermediate Algebra. Students who complete remedial courses with a grade of C or better are more likely to pass their first college-level mathematics course and continue their education until they have completed all coursework needed for a degree. Students entering colleges and universities underprepared for collegiate mathematics, reading, and writing have reached epidemic proportions, with 30% of the students needing remediation in one of these areas. A portion of this problem has been identified as mathematics anxiety. Because students have habituated mathematics failure, they are aware of their deficiencies, but still desire a college education. They bring with them years of negative emotions from repeated mathematics failures. These years of negative feelings about mathematics precipitated by repeated failures are often manifested as mathematics anxiety that must be addressed in order to improve students' content knowledge. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a web-based technology centric course, Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS), on the remediation of college freshmen enrolled in an Intermediate Algebra class as compared to college freshmen enrolled in an Intermediate Algebra class taught using a traditional lecture method. Mathematics anxiety and attitude toward mathematics will also be investigated to determine if ALEKS can lower the anxiety associated with mathematics, as well as improve attitudes. An algebra test, mathematics anxiety rating scale, and mathematics attitude test was given to both groups of students at the beginning of the semester and at the end of the semester. The overall findings of this research suggested that ALEKS Intermediate Algebra students performed as well as the Control group taking a class in Intermediate Algebra taught by lecture. The anxiety of the Experimental group decreased more than the Control group, and the Experimental group's attitude toward mathematics increased at a greater rate than did the Control group.
Mask enhancement using an evanescent wave effect

State of the art lithography is continually driven to resolve increasingly smaller features, forcing k 1 values for lithography processes ever lower. In order to image these difficult features with reliable fidelity, lithographers must increasingly use Resolution Enhancement Techniques (RETs). One such technique that is proposed in this paper uses small, sub-wavelength grooves placed in close proximity to an aperture. These sub-wavelength grooves create evanescent fields bound to the surface between the absorber and the mask substrate, decaying exponentially in lateral directions. In this work we demonstrate the ability to use such Evanescent Wave Assist Features (EWAFs) to enhance the propagating near and far field energy within openings such as slits and contacts. Using a Finite Difference Time Domain model, the effects of these evanescent wave assist features are explored in both the near and far field regions. Several cases of absorber material, feature type, spacing, and illumination will be presented.
Effects of consensual validation and invalidation on attraction as a function of verifiability

The effect of attitude similarity-dissimilarity on attraction has been interpreted as a special case of the effect of positive and negative reinforcement on attraction through the operation of consensual validation and invalidation. The drive which is presumably being aroused and reinforced by attitudinal material has been designated as the effectance motive. It is proposed that the degree to which effectance motivation is aroused by a given issue varies as an inverse function of the ease with which empirical verification may be attained. Further, it is hypothesized that as verifiability increases, the effect of attitude similarity-dissimilarity on attraction decreases. Each of 168 undergraduates was asked to respond to a stranger who was similar to himself at one of four levels of proportion of similar attitudes with respect to issues at one of three levels of verifiability. Attraction was found to be significantly influenced by proportion of similar attitudes (p < .001) and by the interaction between verifiability and similarity (p < .05). In addition, trend analysis indicated a significant overall linear trend (p < .001) and that each of the three verifiability groups was different in slope from the others. Similarity-dissimilarity on the unverifiable issues had the greatest effect on attraction; issues verifiable in the future yielded the least effect on attraction. Alternate interpretations of the data are discussed.
Some Aspects of the Verification of Loop Computations

The problem of proving whether or not a loop computes a given function is investigated. We consider loops which have a certain "closure" property and derive necessary and sufficient conditions for such a loop to compute a given function. It is argued that closure is a fundamental concept in program proving. Extensions of the basic result to proofs involving relations other than functional relations, which typically arise in nondeterministic loops, are explored. Several applications of these results are given, particularly in showing that certain classes of programs may be directly proven (their loop invariants generated) given only their input-output relationships. Implications of these results are discussed.
Forward Scattering by Coated Objects Illuminated by Short Wavelength Radar

Theoretical and experimental results are presented concerning the ineffectiveness for forward scattering of radar absorbing coatings applied to highly conducting objects which are large with respect to the wavelength of the incident energy. It is shown that such coatings can only increase the energy in the forward lobe of the scattering pattern. A rather simple accurate theoretical estimate is obtained of the width of this lobe for a sphere and verified experimentally. By using absorbing coatings, experimental verification is obtained of theoretical predictions of the energy focussing and reflecting effects at the rear of thin prolate spheroids. Finally a section is devoted to the experimental procedures and equipment used to obtain the forward scattering data.
Development of Regression-Based Models to Predict Fecal Bacteria Numbers at Select Sites within the Illinois River Watershed, Arkansas and Oklahoma, USA

The Illinois River Watershed is a multi-facet basin with ecological and economic importance to its local stakeholders in northwest Arkansas and northeast Oklahoma, USA. The numbers, transport and sources of fecal bacteria in streams was identified as a research priority of the USDA NRI Water and Watershed Program in 2006, and the objective of this study was to evaluate the relation between fecal bacteria and other measured physicochemical parameters in water samples collected from selected sites throughout the Illinois River Watershed. An existing database (i.e., National Water Information Systems, NWIS) from the US Geological Survey (USGS) was used in this project. The data obtained includes discharge, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, Escherichia coli (E. coli), fecal coliform, and fecal streptococci among several other physic-chemical parameters. A synthetic model, based on multi-regression analysis, was developed to predict fecal bacteria numbers at these selected sites based on available USGS NWIS data, and the multiple regressions were significant at almost every site for all three bacteria groups. However, the physicochemical parameters used in the equations were very different across sites and fecal bacteria groups, suggesting that the development of such predictive models is site and bacteria group specific even within one watershed.
Architectural perspectives of future wireless base stations based on the IBM PowerEN™ processor

In wireless networks, base stations are responsible for operating on large amounts of traffic at high speed rates. With the advent of new standards, as 4G, further pressure is put in the hardware requirements to satisfy speeds of up to 1 Gbps. In this work, we study the applicability and potential benefits of the IBM PowerEN processor (a multi-core, massively multithreaded platform) in the realm of base stations for the 3G and 4G standards. The approach involves exploiting the throughput computation capabilities of the PowerEN processor, replacing the bus-attached special-function accelerators with a layer of in-line universal acceleration support, incorporated within the cores. A key feature of this in-line accelerator is a bank-based very-large register file, with embedded SIMD support. This processor-in-regfile (PIR) strategy is implemented as local computation elements (LCEs) attached to each bank, overcoming the limited number of register file ports. Because each LCE is a SIMD computation element, and all of them can proceed concurrently, the PIR approach constitutes a highly-parallel super-wide-SIMD device. To target a broad spectrum of applications for base stations, we also consider a PIR-based architecture built upon reconfigurable LCEs. In this paper, we evaluate the in-line universal accelerator and the PIR strategy focusing on two specific applications for base stations: FFT and Turbo Decoding.
Speaking of self: “Winners” and “losers” in therapeutic foster care

Abstract This article presents a portion of data from a study examining the way language is used to negotiate identity in a foster care setting. Data sources included twenty-three observations over a period of four months, which concluded with an exit interview. A discourse analytic approach was used to analyze the data and the findings highlight the process of contextualization, whereby the foster family identified the child as being a person of a certain sort and interpreted his actions as being illustrative of such. A portion of the results are considered to note the ways in which competing trajectories, or definitions of socially acceptable selves, serve as the evaluative measure to determine the identities of family members. In this study, the most recent foster child entering the home is negatively evaluated along the lines of the familial trajectory, which differs from that of the foster child, engendering a communicative struggle to identify himself as an acceptable person. Intended audiences include social workers, child welfare workers, counselors, mental health providers, foster care service providers, and foster caregivers.
Chronic inhibition of Ca2+/calmodulin kinase II activity in the pilocarpine model of epilepsy

Abstract The development of symptomatic epilepsy is a model of long-term plasticity changes in the central nervous system. The rat pilocarpine model of epilepsy was utilized to study persistent alterations in calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaM kinase II) activity associated with epileptogenesis. CaM kinase II-dependent substrate phosphorylation and autophosphorylation were significantly inhibited for up to 6 weeks following epileptogenesis in both the cortex and hippocampus, but not in the cerebellum. The net decrease in CaM kinase II autophosphorylation and substrate phosphorylation was shown to be due to decreased kinase activity and not due to increased phosphatase activity. The inhibition in CaM kinase II activity and the development of epilepsy were blocked by pretreating seizure rats with MK-801 indicating that the long-lasting decrease in CaM kinase II activity was dependent on N-methyl- d -aspartate receptor activation. In addition, the inhibition of CaM kinase II activity was associated in time and regional localization with the development of spontaneous recurrent seizure activity. The decrease in enzyme activity was not attributed to a decrease in the α or β kinase subunit protein expression level. Thus, the significant inhibition of the enzyme occurred without changes in kinase protein expression, suggesting a long-lasting, post-translational modification of the enzyme. This is the first published report of a persistent, post-translational alteration of CaM kinase II activity in a model of epilepsy characterized by spontaneous recurrent seizure activity.
Anasthesia for fetal surgery

Summary Anasthesia for fetal surgery is described as used for thirteen procedures in seven patients. Analgesia was accomplished by local infiltration of lignocaine 1% by the surgeons and small incremental doses of intravenous medication by the anasthetist as needed to make the mother comfortable and reduce fetal movement. There were no maternal or fetal complications. Ethical issues of this therapy are described.
A self-healing On-demand Geographic Path Routing Protocol for mobile ad-hoc networks

We present a self-healing On-demand Geographic Path Routing Protocol (OGPR) for mobile ad-hoc networks. OGPR is an efficient, stateless, and scalable routing protocol that inherits the best of the three well-known techniques for routing in ad-hoc networks, viz., greedy forwarding, reactive route discovery, and source routing. In OGPR protocol, source nodes utilize the geographic-topology information obtained during the location request phase to establish geographic paths to their respective destinations. Geographic paths decouple node ID's from the paths and are immune to changes in the network topology. Further, they help nodes avoid dead-ends due to greedy forwarding. To utilize geographic paths even in sparser networks, OGPR uses a path-healing mechanism that helps geographic paths adapt according to the network topology. We present extensions to OGPR protocol to cope with networks containing unidirectional links. Further, we present results from an extensive simulation study using GloMoSim. Simulation results show that OGPR achieves higher percentage packet delivery and lower control overhead, compared to a combination of GPSR+GLS protocols, AODV, and DSR under a wide range of network scenarios.
Temporal Deixis in Colonial Chontal and Maya Hieroglyphic Narrative

Comparison of a set of Colonial Acalan Chontal documents with inscriptions of the Classic period reveals that a deictic enclitic -ihi or -iji(y) occurs on verbs in similar contexts in both bodies of texts. Certain forms of this clitic have been interpreted elsewhere as inflection for aspect, or as a different temporal clitic from that proposed here. This investigation confirms that the element is an adverbial clitic, and thus allows its identification in otherwise unrecognized instances. While serving as an integral part of the discourse pattern, it also helps demarcate more clearly the lines between aspect and time in the verb systems under study. In a broader view, this proposal carries implications both for the nature of Classic Maya historical narrative and for the identity of the languages in which it was written.
MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry for Microorganism Identification

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a rapid, reliable, and high-throughput diagnostic tool for the identification of microorganisms. The technology is unique in clinical microbiology, allowing laboratories to definitively identify bacterial and fungal isolates within minutes. The rapid turnaround time and minimal cost for consumables per specimen compared with conventional identification methods have resulted in MALDI-TOF MS being increasingly used in clinical laboratories worldwide. This article summarizes the current literature on MALDI-TOF MS for microbial identification and provides a preview of the method's potential future applications in clinical microbiology.
Calcium-independent modulation of cyclic GMP and activation of guanylate cyclase by nitrosamines.

Nitrosamines markedly increase concentrations of guanosine 39, 59 - monophosphate (cyclic GMP) in several tissues from the rat and in human colonic mucosa. These agents are effective in the absence of extracellular calcium and enhance guanylate cyclase activity in tissue homogenates. Stimulation of cyclic GMP was greatest in liver, where the carcinogenic activity of nitrosamines is also most pronounced.
Engineered genetic information processing circuits

Cells implement functions through the computation of biological information that is often mediated by genetic regulatory networks. To reprogram cells with novel capabilities, a vast set of synthetic gene circuits has recently been created. These include simple modules, such as feedback circuits, feed-forward loops, ultrasensitive networks, band-pass filters, logic gate operators and others, with each carrying a specific information processing functionality. More advanced cellular computation can also be achieved by assembling multiple simple processing modules into integrated computational cores. Further, when coupled with other modules such as sensors and actuators, integrated processing circuits enable sophisticated biological functionalities at both intra- and intercellular levels. Engineered genetic information processing circuits are transforming our ability to program cells, offering us extraordinary opportunities to explore biological mechanisms and to address real-world challenges.
A Flexible Activin Explains the Membrane-Dependent Cooperative Assembly of TGF-β Family Receptors

A new crystal structure of activin in complex with the extracellular domain of its type II receptor (ActRIIb-ECD) shows that the ligand exhibits an unexpected flexibility. The motion in the activin dimer disrupts its type I receptor interface, which may account for the disparity in its affinity for type I versus type II receptors. We have measured the affinities of activin and its antagonist inhibin for ActRIIb-ECD and found that the affinity of the 2-fold symmetric homodimer activin for ActRIIb-ECD depends on the availability of two spatially coupled ActRIIb-ECD molecules, whereas the affinity of the heterodimer inhibin does not. Our results indicate that activin's affinity for its two receptor types is greatly influenced by their membrane-restricted setting. We propose that activin affinity is modulated by the ligand flexibility and that cooperativity is achieved by binding to two ActRII chains that immobilize activin in a type I binding-competent orientation.
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for Alzheimer’s disease

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor drugs are now a mature treatment approach for Alzheimer’s disease, although they remain controversial. This review addresses the available data on acetylcholinesterase inhibitor treatment in patients with Alzheimer’s disease across multiple outcome types. It addresses rational and evidence-based expectations for treatment in this population.
Practical Guidelines for Assessing the Clinical Significance of Health-Related Quality of Life Changes within Clinical Trials

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) assessment is becoming common practice in many clinical trials. There is much debate over how to determine the clinical significance of changes in HRQOL scores. A number of techniques have been used to address this issue. This paper reviews the most popular of these approaches for use in a clinical trial setting. More specifically, the anchor-based “minimal clinically important difference” technique is described and critiqued, as is the more traditional distribution-based effect size technique. A novel application of effect size, which applies a common statistical premise known as the empirical rule, is also presented. The review of these techniques indicates that there is no single, optimal solution to determining clinical significance of changes in HRQOL scores. However, it is encouraging to note that they ail suggest a similar criterion of a half-standard deviation for whether or not a change in HRQOL score is clinically significant. Recommendations are given for reporting the clinical significance of HRQOL assessments in clinical trials.
The bonding of Bioglass® to a cobalt-chromium surgical implant alloy

A biocompatible composite implant system was developed by coating Bioglass onto cobalt-chromium alloy substrates. Strong bonding between glass and metal was obtained by immersion of preoxidized implants into molten Bioglass under controlled conditions. The thin, adherent Bioglass coating provides the capability of bonding directly to bone, while the underlying metal substrate gives the composite implants sufficient strength to be used in load bearing applications.
P1-S3.11 Factors associated with death among infants with neonatal herpes reported in New York City, 2006−2010

Background Neonatal herpes simplex virus infection (nHSV) has a high case fatality rate. In New York City (NYC), healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories report nHSV to the Health Department; incidence is highest among infants born to black non-Hispanic (NH), and young women. We analysed nHSV cases to identify factors associated with death. Methods nHSV cases in infants Results During 2006−2010, 71 laboratory-confirmed nHSV cases were reported; 43/71 (55%) were male, 29/71 (41%) HSV type 1, 28/71 (39%) HSV type 2, and 14/71 (20%) untyped. Among 58 cases with recorded maternal race/ethnicity, 19 (33%) were white NH, 25 (43%) were black NH, and 15 (26%) were Hispanic. Fourteen of the 71 (20%) cases died; 10 of the deaths (71%) were among infants born to black NH women. There was a significant association between death and disseminated disease (vs skin/eye/mucous membrane, central nervous system, or congenital infection) (OR 25.8, 95% CI 4.5 to 148.9), black NH maternal race (OR 10.0, 95% CI 2.4 to 41.0), preterm birth (OR 7.1, 95% CI 1.9 to 26.5), age Conclusions Our data suggest a significant racial disparity in nHSV fatality, only partly explained by preterm births among black NH mothers. Further investigation should examine if care-seeking or provider characteristics contribute to these disparities. Black NH maternal race may be a marker for recently acquired herpes infection, with a high organism load at delivery. Disseminated disease is strongly, and independently, associated with fatality.
Spectroscopic Detection of Organolanthanide Dihydrogen and Olefin Complexes

Although dihydrogen complexes are frequently invoked along the reaction coordinate for lanthanide-centered, actinide-centered, and d{sup 0} transition element-centered hydrogenolytic processes, existence of such species remains highly speculative. A significant question concerns the viability of metal-dihydrogen coordination at an electron-deficient center not likely to engage in extensive, perhaps requisite, metal {yields} H{sub 2} backbonding. The authors report here the first spectroscopic detection of an organolanthanide dihydrogen complex utilizing a coordinatively unsaturated, paramagnetic NMR probe selected for high sensitivity to complexation and thermodynamic unfavorability of oxidative addition or metal-ligand bond hydrogenolysis.
The Blattodeas.s. (Insecta, Dictyoptera) of the Guiana Shield

Here we provide a checklist of cockroach species known from areas within the Guiana Shield based on literature records and new field collection. We give records of sixteen species collected in Guyana, eight of which are new records for Guyana and one of which is a new generic record for the entire Guiana Shield. We also provide a description for a geographically disparate species of Calhypnorna Stal, and the new species Xestoblatta berenbaumae. The complete checklist contains 234 species of Blattodea s.s. currently known in the shield. This checklist shows particularly low richness in Guianan Venezuela, Roraima and Amapa Brazil, but this is likely an artifact due to under–sampling. Indeed, based on previously published data and current fieldwork, we believe that most regions of the Guiana Shield are under–sampled for cockroaches. Despite this, French Guiana (151 spp.) and Suriname (136 spp.) rank as the second and sixth most species dense faunas of cockroaches in the neotropics.
Seed production on Triticum aestivum by Aegilops cylindrica hybrids in the field.

Abstract Field experiments were conducted to determine if seeds would be produced on Triticum aestivum by Aegilops cylindrica hybrids in the field and, if it were, to determine the viability of the seeds produced. One, five, or 10 hybrids were planted into varying proportions of A. cylindrica and T. aestivum in a replacement series design. Percent seed set ranged from 0 to 5.5% in 1996 and from 0 to 9.2% in 1997. Seeds were set in all treatments. The average seed set was 2.3% in 1996 and 3.8% in 1997. No differences in seed set were found among treatments. The seeds produced were separated according to seed condition, either full or shriveled, and tested for germination. The germination of the seeds produced on the hybrids was not significantly different between years. The average germination for full seeds was 94% in both years and 79 and 84% for shriveled seeds in 1995 and 1996, respectively. Greenhouse studies were conducted to evaluate the rate of self-fertility of the BC1 generation and to identify m...
On the Mechanism of Aluminum Corrosion in Metallized Film AC Capacitors

Metallized film capacitors consist of alternating layers of polypropylene or other polymeric film dielectric and vapor deposited aluminum conductor. During operation above 250 V ac (RMS), circular islands of oxide develop in the aluminum conducting layers and reduce the capacitance. Increasing the aluminum layer thickness to more than the normal value of about 30 nm reduces the corrosion problem. The removal of moisture stops corrosion. Corrosion increases with temperature, ac voltage, and frequency to 3.5 kHz. A dc field, equivalent to the peak ac field, cannot initiate or sustain the corrosion process. These observations are consistent with a mechanism of anodic oxidation at the edge of defects in the aluminum layers. These discontinuities in the aluminum must be sufficiently large to enhance the local electric field and sustain ionic transport in the oxide. Fibrils on the polymer-film surface, and both electrical and electrochemical self-healing processes, are the most probable sources of corrosioninitiating conducting-layer defects.
Low-energy vortex dynamics in the self-dual Chern-Simons-Higgs model

Abstract The relativistic Chern–Simons–Higgs theory finds application in anyonic superconductivity and contains topological vortices whose dynamics are poorly understood. The gauge fields are defined by a set of nonlinear constraint equations that can be accurately solved with effective Green’s functions, spectral methods, and a discretization scheme using lattice gauge techniques. Simulations show that low-energy two-vortex interactions are elastic with final scattering angles sensitive to vortex velocity; furthermore, vortex pairs form rotating breather states for certain impact parameters. In this study, a function that reproduces scattering angles in the adiabatic limit for nontangential collisions is presented. Simulation results are discussed in the context of analytical methods that extract vortex dynamics from low-energy effective Lagrangians, and a numerical method to calculate the effective Lagrangian is suggested. The numerical techniques used can be applied to the study of other Chern–Simon theories.
A telephone‐delivered psychosocial intervention improves dementia caregiver adjustment following nursing home placement

Objective Study the preliminary efficacy of a telephone intervention, Family Intervention: Telephone Tracking-Nursing Home (FITT-NH) for improving dementia caregivers' adjustment following nursing home placement. Methods Caregivers were enrolled on average 6 weeks following the care-recipients' placement in a nursing home. Baseline assessment included self-report measures of caregiver emotional functioning, staff-caregiver interactions, placement satisfaction, health-related quality of life, and social support. Caregivers were randomly assigned to FITT-NH (n = 24) or a non-contact control condition (n = 22). Caregivers were urn randomized to balance groups on caregiver gender, relationship (spouse versus other), and facility type (dementia special care versus general). The intervention was entirely telephone-delivered in 10 contacts over 3 months. Caregivers randomized to non-contact control were not prevented from using other community-based mental health or support resources, therefore reflecting standard care. Intervention strategies were based on assessment of caregiver emotional adjustment, family functioning, staff-caregiver interactions, health, and social support. Treatment strategies are based on models of stress and coping process and family functioning. Results Groups did not differ in caregiver age, education, gender, relationship to the care recipient, length of caregiving, length of dementia diagnosis, or time since placement. Using mixed model analysis of variance, caregivers receiving FITT-NH showed a significant reduction in feelings of guilt related to placement, F(1,43) = 5.00, p < 0.05, and reported more positive perceptions of interactions with staff, F(1,43) = 4.59, p < 0.05, compared to standard care. Conclusion Findings provide preliminary evidence for FITT-NH as a potentially efficacious, brief, targeted psychosocial intervention for improving caregiver emotional adjustment following nursing home placement. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Gravity Wave Response above Deep Convection in a Squall Line Simulation.

High-frequency gravity waves generated by convective storms likely play an important role in the general circulation of the middle atmosphere. Yet little is known about waves from this source. This work utilizes a fully compressible, nonlinear, numerical, two-dimensional simulation of a midlatitude squall line to study vertically propagating waves generated by deep convection. The model includes a deep stratosphere layer with high enough resolution to characterize the wave motions at these altitudes. A spectral analysis of the stratospheric waves provides an understanding of the necessary characteristics of the spectrum for future studies of their effects on the middle atmosphere in realistic mean wind scenarios. The wave spectrum also displays specific characteristics that point to the physical mechanisms within the storm responsible for their forcing. Understanding these forcing mechanisms and the properties of the storm and atmosphere that control them are crucial first steps toward developing a parameterization of waves from this source. The simulation also provides a description of some observable signatures of convectively generated waves, which may promote observational verification of these results and help tie any such observations to their convective source.
Microstructure Characterization for Modeling HMA Behaviour Using Imaging Technology

ABSTRACT The properties of hot mix asphalt (HMA) highly depend on the microstructure. The ability to experimentally characterize the microstructure is fundamental in describing the macroscopic behavior of HMA. It improves our understanding of the influence of the microstructure distribution on the macroscopic response of the material, which is at the heart of constitutive modeling of granular materials. This paper is an attempt to summarize the recent advances in imaging technology and its applications to the characterization of HMA microstructure including aggregate orientation distribution, aggregate contact, aggregate shape properties, air void distribution, permeability, crack distribution, three-dimensional (3-D) microstructure reconstruction, and microstructure evolution. The microstructure of HMA is linked to the macroscopic behavior of the material within the framework of continuum modeling via microstructure tensors that are incorporated in the continuum modeling formulations. It is envisioned th...
Highly soluble tris-hydroxypyridonate Gd(III) complexes with increased hydration number, fast water exchange, slow electronic relaxation, and high relaxivity.

The design, synthesis, and relaxivity properties of highly soluble TACN-capped trishydroxypyridonate−Gd(III) complexes are presented. Molecular mechanics modeling was used to help design a complex capable of possessing three water molecules in the inner metal coordination sphere, an attractive property for high-relaxivity MRI contrast agents. The measured relaxivities of 13.1 and 12.5 mM-1 s-1 (20 MHz, 298 K) for two TACN-capped complexes are among the highest known relaxivities of low-molecular weight Gd complexes and are consistent with three coordinated waters, an extremely fast water exchange rate, and long electronic relaxation time. Luminescence measurements to confirm the number of coordinated water molecules for the first time in the HOPO series are also discussed.
Use of stomatal index as a marker to screen backcross populations of two wild potato species segregating for freezing tolerance

The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in stomatal index among backcross progeny ofSolanum commersonii (freezing tolerant) andSolanum cardiophyllum (freezing sensitive) to assess the feasibility of using this trait as a marker for screeningSolanum populations for freezing tolerance. Measurements were taken on three terminal fully-expanded leaflets per genotype by completing microscopic examination of epidermal impressions made in partially dissolved cellophane tape. Freezing tolerance was estimated in parallel studies on the same plant material. Values of SI were significantly greater (Fisher T-test, 0.05) for theS. cmm. group (parent + backcross progeny) compared with theS. cph. group. Stomatal index of the F1 was significantly greater than SI ofS. cph. parents and similar toS. cmm. parents. Values of SI for both backcross progenies were greater than parental values. Non-acclimated relative freezing tolerance values were in the following order:S. cmm. parents >S. cmm. backcrosses > F1 >S. cph. back-crosses >S. cph. parents. Stomatal index values followed a similar pattern with the exceptionS. cmm. backcross >S. cmm. parents. These data suggest: a) increased SI is inherited as a dominant trait, b) SI may be a useful screening marker in breeding programs interested in improving freezing tolerance.
Multi-robot target verification with reachability constraints

In search and rescue applications it is important that mobile ground robots can verify whether a potential target/victim is indeed a target of interest. This paper describes a novel approach to multi-robot target verification of multiple static objects. Suppose a team of multiple mobile ground robots are operating in a partially known environment with knowledge of possible target locations and obstacles. The ground robots' goal is to (a) collectively classify the targets (or build models of them) by identifying good viewpoints to sense the targets, while (b) coordinating their actions to execute the mission and always be safe by avoiding obstacles and each other. As opposed to a traditional next-best-view (nbv) algorithm that generates a single good view, we characterize the informativeness of all potential views. We propose a measure for the informativeness of a view that exploits the geometric structure of the pose manifold. This information is encoded in a cost map that guides a multi-robot motion planning algorithm towards views that are both reachable and informative. Finally, we account for differential constraints in the robots' motion that prevent unrealistic scenarios such as the robots stopping or turning instantaneously. A range of simulations indicates that our approach outperforms current approaches and demonstrates the advantages of predictive sensing and accounting for reachability constraints.
Cooperative communication for multiple satellite network

When it comes to space communication networks, there are many different kinds of space vehicles that need to communicate with each other, in space as well as with ground terminals and air borne platform. Example: Geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO), Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and UAVs. There is an ever growing demand for higher data rates and minimal redundancy, with satellites and various space platforms travelling at high speeds relative to each other and relative to the ground establishing such links can prove to be a real challenge when Doppler Effect and line of sight (LOS) can play a significant role in SONET timing and synchronization. As the number of users grows the space communication links need to address several types of coding and modulation.
Fermions and nonperturbative supersymmetry breaking in the one-dimensional superstring

Abstract The one-dimensional superstring of Marinari and Parisi is analyzed taking into account the fermionic sector. The original matrix model is reduced to a manifestly supersymmetric quantum mechanics of eigenvalues with an effective superpotential. Unlike the bosonic sector, the fermionic sector has long-range interactions between the eigenvalues. It is shown that in the double-scaling limit the dynamics of the top eigenvalue can be described in terms of scaled supercharges. The one-eigenvalue instanton and the corresponding fermionic zero mode responsible for supersymmetry breaking are identified. The supersymmetry breaking parameter is calculated and is shown to be nonzero. The nonperturbative breaking of supersymmetry in this string model goes as exp(- C / ϰ ), where ϰ 2 is the loop counting parameter. This is much stronger than the exp(− C / ϰ 2 ) nonperturbative effects characteristic of low-energy field theory. Possible implications of this result for critical string theory are discussed.
Normal onset of puberty: Have definitions of onset changed?

Puberty is the sequence of events that culminates in the ability to procreate. It is widely accepted that the onset of puberty in girls occurs on average at 8 years of age and that onset prior to 8 years of age is precocious puberty. As a result of the cross-sectional study by the American Association of Pediatrics, a movement exists to change the age limit of the onset of puberty to 6 years of age in black girls and 7 years of age in white girls. We should be cautious in adhering to strict age limits when diagnosing precocious puberty. Also the rapidity and progression of puberty should be evaluated, and if appropriate, therapy to suppress pubertal development considered.
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is an indispensable tool for tissue acquisition in patients with gastrointestinal tumors. While fine-needle aspiration (FNA) has been routinely carried out for establishing tissue diagnosis, the emerging concept of tailoring chemotherapeutic agents based on molecular markers has increased the demand for core tissue procurement by means of EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB). In addition, FNB may offset the limitations of FNA wherein the diagnostic sensitivity is incumbent on the availability of an onsite cytopathologist. Given the increasing number of procedures being done, developing a unit-specific algorithmic approach for needle selection is important to improve the procedural efficiency and utilization of resources. Finally, the best outcomes can be attained only by practicing evidence-based techniques, procuring adequate quantity of sample for ancillary studies and processing the specimens appropriately.
APPLICATIONS OF A BALLOT THEOREM IN PHYSICS AND IN ORDER STATISTICS

Abstract : Solutions are presented to the problems of the distribution of the number of gas molecules ionized by an electron passing through an electron tube and the distribution of the deviation of empirical and theoretical distribution functions when the sample size is a random variable having a Poisson distribution. (Author)
Bark beetle community structure under four ponderosa pine forest stand conditions in northern Arizona.

We studied the bark beetle guild (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in the ponderosa pine forests of northern Arizona to explore if the species assemblages and relative abundance differ between managed and unmanaged stands. Four stand conditions were assessed: (1) unmanaged stands with high tree density, (2) thinned stands, (3) thinned and burned (with prescribed fire) stands and (4) stands that had been burned by stand replacing wildfires. The study was conducted in the ponderosa pine forests of the Coconino Plateau, northern Arizona. For several decades this area has been relatively free of bark beetle outbreaks despite the current overstocked condition of many stands. We found that a similar species assemblage composed of Dendroctonus frontalis, D. brevicomis, D. valens, D. approximatus, D. ponderosae, and Ips pini occurred across all four stand conditions over 3 years of study. The population levels of all these species were endemic across all stand conditions. The non-aggressive D. approximatus and D. valens were indicator species for thinned and unmanaged stands, respectively, but this was not consistent among years. The ambrosia beetle Gnathotrichus sp. and the bark beetle predator Enoclerus sp. consistently indicated stands burned by wildfire. In addition to our field experiment, we analyzed the historical pattern of attacks of bark beetles in our area of study. Our findings suggest that the pattern of attack of D. brevicomis (the only Dendroctonus species for which attacks have been reported) and Ips spp. has been through scattered small infestations in groups of 1–10 trees. Whereas small infestations by Ips spp. are increasing, those for D. brevicomis are decreasing. Although we agree that the high density stands in northern Arizona are in an ‘‘unhealthy’’ condition, our results do not show that they were supporting large bark beetle outbreaks. Our results challenge the theoretical assumptions about the relationship between stand structure, tree resistance and bark beetle performance. # 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Statistical Power and Sample Size: Some Fundamentals for Clinician Researchers

This chapter aims to arm clinical researchers with the necessary conceptual and practical tools (1) to understand what sample size or power analysis is, (2) to conduct such analyses for basic low-risk studies, and (3) to recognize when it is necessary to seek expert advice and input. I hope it is obvious that this chapter aims to serve as a general guide to the issues; specific details and mathematical presentations may be found in the cited literature. Additionally, it should be obvious that this discussion of statistical power is focused, appropriately, on quantitative investigations into real or hypothetical effects of treatments or interventions. It does not address qualitative study designs. The ultimate goal here is to help practicing clinical researcher get started with power analyses.
Squeezing in a quasi-phase-matched LiNbO(3) waveguide.

Previous traveling-wave squeezing experiments performed in bulk χ (2) crystals have been limited by the phenomenon of gain-induced diffraction, which couples anti-squeezed light into the squeezed quadrature and partially destroys the squeezing. 1,2 Waveguides have been proposed and recently demonstrated3 as a means of avoiding the gain-induced diffraction problem. We have observed parametric deamplification and 14% squeezing at 1064 nm using a single-mode LiNbO3 waveguide.
Explaining failures of program analyses

With programs getting larger and often more complex with each new release, programmers need all the help they can get in understanding and transforming programs. Fortunately, modern development environments, such as Eclipse, incorporate tools for understanding, navigating, and transforming programs. These tools typically use program analyses to extract relevant properties of programs.These tools are often invaluable to developers; for example, many programmers use refactoring tools regularly. However, poor results by the underlying analyses can compromise a tool's usefulness. For example, a bug finding tool may produce too many false positives if the underlying analysis is overly conservative, and thus overwhelm the user with too many possible errors in the program. In such cases it would be invaluable for the tool to explain to the user why it believes that each bug exists. Armed with this knowledge, the user can decide which bugs are worth pursing and which are false positives.The contributions of this paper are as follows: (i) We describe requirements on the structure of an analysis so that we can produce reasons when the analysis fails; the user of the analysis determines whether or not an analysis's results constitute failure. We also describe a simple language that enforces these requirements; (ii) We describe how to produce necessary and sufficient reasons for analysis failure; (iii) We evaluate our system with respect to a number of analyses and programs and find that most reasons are small (and thus usable) and that our system is fast enough for interactive use.
Hollow ARROW Waveguides on Self-Aligned Pedestals for Improved Geometry and Transmission

Micrometer-sized hollow antiresonant reflecting optical waveguides on silicon substrates have been previously demonstrated with liquid and gas-filled cores. Previous designs have nonideal geometries, with nonuniform lateral layers around the hollow core, resulting in higher loss than could potentially be achieved. A new design and fabrication process has been developed involving hollow waveguide fabrication on a self-aligned pedestal (SAP) using anisotropic plasma etching. With the SAP structure, the hollow core is surrounded by uniform layers and a terminal layer of air on three sides, resulting in air-core waveguide loss of 1.54 cm-1 at 785 nm and high fabrication yield.