cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A partitioning and related properties for the quotient complex Δ(Blm)/Sl≀Sm

Abstract We study the quotient complex Δ(B lm )/S l ≀S m as a means of deducing facts about the ring k[x 1 ,…,x lm ] S l ≀S m . It is shown in Hersh (preprint, 2000) that Δ(B lm )/S l ≀S m is shellable when l =2, implying Cohen–Macaulayness of k[x 1 ,…,x 2m ] S 2 ≀S m for any field k . We now confirm for all pairs ( l , m ) with l >2 and m >1 that Δ(B lm )/S l ≀S m is not Cohen–Macaulay over Z /2 Z , but it is Cohen–Macaulay over fields of characteristic p > m (independent of l ). This yields corresponding characteristic-dependent results for k[x 1 ,…,x lm ] S l ≀S m . We also prove that Δ(B lm )/S l ≀S m and the links of many of its faces are collapsible, and we give a partitioning for Δ(B lm )/S l ≀S m .
Catechol boron halides: mild and selective reagents for cleavage of common protecting groups

Abstract Catechol boron halides ( 1 ,X=Cl, Br) cleave certain ether, ester and carbamate protecting groups under mild conditions. The scope and selectivity of these readily available reagents has been examined.
Decoupling theorems for effective field theories

This paper continues the program of considering effective field theories which describe a given subset of fields of a quantum field theory. It is shown that predictions of the complete theory, renormalized by means of dimensional regularization with nonminimal subtraction, coincide with those of the local effective field theory with dimension at most four, renormalized by dimensional regularization and minimal subtraction. It is also shown that the renormalization-group equations for low-momenta light-particle processes, as described by the complete theory and the local effective field theory, are identical-a nontrivial result requiring cancellations between the implicit and explicit mass-scale dependence of the parameters of the effective field theory. These results provide the justification for the treatment of the effective field theory as a local theory, uncoupled from the heavy-particle sector. We will present our results in the context of scalar theories with broken symmetry since, for these theories, the demonstration of uncoupling involves the greatest subtlety.
Identification of metallic mines using low-frequency magnetic fields

This paper addresses the issue of identifying conduction objects based on their response to low frequency magnetic fields -- an area of research referred to by some as magnetic singularity identification (MSI). Real time identification was carried out on several simple geometries. The low frequency transfer function of these objects was measured for both cardinal and arbitrary orientations of the magnetic field with respect to the planes of symmetry of the objects (i.e., different polarizations). Distinct negative real axis poles (singularities) associated with each object form the basis for our real-time identification algorithm. Recognizing this identification problem as one of inference form incomplete information, application of Bayes theorem leads to a generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) as a solution to the M-ary hypothesis testing problem of interest here. Best performance, measured through Monte Carlo simulation presented in terms of percent correct identification versus signal-to- noise ratio, was obtained with a single pole per object orientation.
Deoxyribonucleic acid content of syncytial nuclei treated with papain and trypsin.

SYNCYTIAL nuclei, following isolation and staining by Feulgen's reaction, form an irregular pattern consisting of clumps, with single nuclei scattered in between. It is possible to estimate the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content of single syncytial nuclei by microspectrophotometry, but not those in clumps, due to overlapping and lack of definity. It was considered that proteolytic enzymes could break up the clumps, but it was not known whether they would also damage the nuclei. In this investigation, papain and trypsin were used to break up the clumps, and their effect observed on nuclear size, shape and DNA content.
Regional asymmetries of cerebral blood flow, blood volume, and oxygen utilization and extraction in normal subjects.

Positron emission tomography (PET) and 15O-labeled radiotracers were used to measure regional CBF, cerebral blood volume (CBV), CMRO2, and oxygen extraction in 32 right-handed subjects at rest. Mean left hemispheric CBF (46.2 ± 6.8 ml/100 g/min) and CMRO2 (2.60 ± 0.59 ml/100 g/min) were significantly lower than right hemispheric values (47.4 ± 7.2 and 2.66 ± 0.61 ml/100 g/min, respectively; p < 0.0001 for both), whereas left and right hemispheric CBV and oxygen extraction were not significantly different. We further investigated these asymmetries by comparing left- and right-sided values for specific cortical and subcortical regions. We found that left-sided CBF and CMRO2 were significantly lower than right-sided values for sensorimotor, occipital, and superior temporal regions, whereas only left-sided CBF values were lower for anterior cingulum. CBV was asymmetric for the anterior cingulate and midfrontal regions, and oxygen extraction was asymmetric for the sensorimotor area. No asymmetries were observe...
Telemedicine in critical care: An experiment in health care delivery

We hypothesized that telemedicine — medicine practiced from a distance using telecommunications — can solve some problems related to the scarcity and maldistribution of specialists in critical care medicine. Using a two-way audiovisual link between a small private hospital and a large university medical center, we have provided daily consultations by an intensivist to patients in the small institution. During the first 175 days of the project we found: 1) regular consultations in critical care can be provided using the audiovisual link; 2) current technology is adequate but expensive; 3) telemedicine consultations can be made acceptable to users and providers; 4) telemedicine can be a valuable educational resource; 5) telemedicine can influence the process and probably the outcome of patient care; 6) the audiovisual link is superior to the telephone for these consultations; and 7) telemedicine can serve as an important link between a small hospital and a large medical center favorably influencing the quality of care in the critical care unit of the small hospital.
Web-based Instruction in a Rural High School: A Collaborative Inquiry into Its Effectiveness and Desirability:

Virtual high schools offer students around the world an alternative way to learn and interact with each other and with teachers. A study at South Vermillion High School in Clinton, Ind., examined whether a school in the rural Midwest could benefit from online instruction. Student and parent reactions to a Web-based learning environment differed. This article raises questions about how to support a virtual class at the high school level.
MEMS-fabricated micro vacuum electron devices (μVEDs) for terahertz (THz) applications

New types of micro vacuum electron devices (muVEDs) for high power and broadband applications in the THz and sub-THz regimes are presented. We have developed advanced MEMS techniques permitting the fabrication and onchip integration of muVED circuit elements based on photolithography and chemical etching.
Mechanisms of glucocorticoid function in human leukemic cells: analysis of receptor gene mutants of the activation-labile type using the covalent affinity ligand dexamethasone mesylate.

Abstract In the cultured acute lymphoblastic leukemic (ALL) cell line, clones of sensitive cells are killed by receptor-occupying concentrations of glucocorticoids. In addition, several types of resistance have been identified. The types of resistance are r− (glucocorticoid binding site loss), ract/l (activation labile receptors) and r+ly− (defective lysis mechanism). The two types of receptor mutants have been examined for the presence and expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene. Southern blot analysis, using a full-length cDNA probe for human GR, shows that the gene in both is grossly intact. Examination of the expression of the gene by Northern blots reveals the presence of normal, 7-kb message in both types of receptor mutants, though in amounts somewhat reduced from wild-type. This report focuses on the activation labile mutants. Since characterization of these mutants suggests that they can bind ligand but not retain it during activation, we hypothesized that they would respond normally to a ligand that could not be lost during activation. This seems to be the case. When the covalent affinity ligand dexamethasone mesylate, itself a partial glucocorticoid agonist/antagonist, is used, the ract/l cells are killed to an extent corresponding to that evoked by a sub-optimal concentration of the full agonist dexamethasone. We conclude: (1) that the ract/l receptors can function to kill cells if provided a ligand that they do not lose during activation; (2) that the partial agonist activity of dexamethasone mesylate for cell killing is not due to release of a small amount of free dexamethasone; (3) that the poor agonist activity of dexamethasone mesylate receptor complexes suggests that the role of steroid is strictly to participate in conversion of the receptor to its DNA binding form, after which presence of the steroid actually interferes with proper receptor action.
Compounds Association with Cytokinin Activity in Fruitlets and Tracheal Fluid of Gossypium hirsutum

Compounds that account for cytokinin activity in fruitlets and tracheal fluids of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) were determined using preparations purified by thin-layer chromatography and gas–liquid chromatography and bioassayed with cultures of soybean stem callus tissue. At least five substances were found that stimulated growth of callus tissue. Among these, adenine and adenosine accounted for most of the growth stimulation of callus tissue. A compound with cytokinin activity was isolated with TLC properties similar to other known cytokinins, but its identity as zeatin, dihydrozeatin or N6-(Δ2-isopentenyl)-adenine was not confirmed using GLC and GLC combined with mass spectrometry. It was estimated that less than 1% of the cytokinin activity of this unknown substance could have been due to N6-substituted adenine derivatives.
Regulatory genes in development

Abstract At present, only a limited number of regulatory genes acting during development of higher eukaryotes have been described. The identification of such regulatory genes and the analysis of their mode of action depend largely on the availability of suitable model systems, some of which are described in this review.
1017 INFLUENCE OF LABOR ON CORD BLOOD LYMPHOCYTE (1ym) POPULATIONS

We have previously demonstrated that cord blood lym proliferative responses(J Clin Immuno/Immunopath, 30, 1984) and levels of pokeweed induced antibody secreting cells (Pediatr Res, in press) are greater among neonates delivered by Cesarean section(CS) than among those delivered vaginally. These increases were noted to be related to the absence of labor prior to CS. To determine if the presence of labor prior to delivery influenced the numbers and/or proportions of cord blood(CB) T-lym populations, these cells were identified in 46 term neonates (17 delivered vaginally, 29 CS). Mononuclear cells were isolated on a ficollhypaque gradient. T-lym were identified with the monoclonal antibodies OKT3(all T-lym), OKT4(helper-inducer lymphocytes) and OKT8 (suppressor/cytotoxic T cells) using flow cytometry after indirect immunoflucrescent labeling. *p values: labor vs no labor <.002, vaginal vs no labor <.0013 These data suggest that labor influences the proportions of CB T-lym subsets without changing the total number of lym. Changes in T-lym subpopulations could explain differences in T and B lym responses in newborns delivered by CS.
Thermally stable N2 and H2 adducts of cationic nickel(II)

The first examples of thermally stable molecular dihydrogen adducts of nickel were synthesized from their dinitrogen adduct precursors, which are themselves among the first examples of Ni(II)-N2 complexes. The minimal activation of the bound N2 moieties suggests that these adducts are stabilized predominantly through σ-donation from the adduct to the electrophilic metal center. We further show that the bound H2 ligand can undergo heterolytic cleavage to deliver hydride to the nickel center. The H2 adducts are of particular interest in the context of hypotheses suggesting that Ni can serve as the site for H2 binding and heterolytic activation in [NiFe] hydrogenases.
Constant-space reasoning in dynamic Bayesian networks

Abstract Dynamic Bayesian networks (DBNs) have been receiving increased attention as a tool for modeling complex stochastic processes, especially that they generalize the popular Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) and Kalman filters. Since DBNs are only a subclass of standard Bayesian networks, the structure-based algorithms developed for Bayesian networks can be immediately applied to reasoning with DBNs. Such structure-based algorithms, which are variations on elimination algorithms, take O (N exp (w)) time and space to compute the likelihood of an event, where N is the number of nodes in the network and w is the width of a corresponding elimination order. DBNs, however, pose two specific computational challenges that require DBN-specific solutions. First, DBNs are typically heavily connected, therefore, admitting only elimination orders of high width. Second, even if one can find an elimination order of a reasonable width, one cannot afford the space complexity of O (N exp (w)) since N=nT in this case, where n is the number of variables per time slice and T is the number of time slices in the DBN. For many applications, T is very large, making the space complexity of O (nT exp (w)) unrealistic. Therefore, one of the key challenges of DBNs is to develop efficient algorithms which space complexity is independent of the time span T , leading to what is known as constant-space algorithms. We study one of the main algorithms for achieving this constant-space complexity in this paper, which is based on “slice-by-slice” elimination orders, and then suggest improvements on it based on new classes of elimination orders. We identify two topological parameters for DBNs and use them to prove a number of tight bounds on the time complexity of algorithms that we study. We also observe (experimentally) that the newly identified elimination orders tend to be better than ones based on general purpose elimination heuristics, such as min-fill. This suggests that constant-space algorithms, such as the ones we study here, should be used on DBNs even when space is not a concern.
Iterator specification with typestates

Java iterators are notoriously hard to specify. This paper applies a general typestate specification technique that supports several forms of aliasing to the iterator problem. The presented specification conservatively captures iterator protocols and consistency rules. Two limitations of the specification are discussed.
Comparison of Schottky Barrier heights of CoSi2 formed from evaporated or crystalline Si

Three kinds of samples were used to form Co suicides by thermal annealing: firstly, a Co film of about 370 A thick, evaporated on a (100) single crystal Si (Si c /Co); secondly, an evaporated boron-containing Si (Si e (B)) layer on the top of the first sample (Si c /Co/Si e (B)). The last sample is in the Co film of the first sample we deposited a Sie(B) layer (Si c /Co/Si e (B)/Co). A laterally uniform CoSi2 layer can be formed from the second and the third samples by annealing at 450 °C. In the first sample, the CoSi2 can be formed only at temperatures above 500 °C and the disilicide is laterally less uniform than in the second and third samples. The Schottky barrier heights of the three samples derived from the forward and reverse I–V characteristics show that the barrier height is 0.01–0.02eV higher in the uniform case than in the nonuniform case.
Response entropy is more reactive than bispectral index during laparoscopic gastric banding.

Objective. There is a potential use for spectral entropy or bispectral index (BIS) for controlling level of anesthesia, but it is not known how these EEG monitors relate during steady state anesthesia. We compared Response Entropy (RE) and BIS during anesthesia for laparoscopic gastric banding with RE targeted to 45. Methods. Forty patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric banding were randomly assigned to receive either fentanyl or dexmedetomidine infusion, with desflurane concentration adjusted to maintain RE at 45. During anesthesia the average RE and BIS was determined in each patient and the RE-BIS difference plotted as a function of RE every 10 seconds. Fifteen of 40 patients showed activation of RE above 60 during surgery. In these patients RE, BIS and the electromyogram (EMG) were evaluated for the period 10 minutes before and including the peak change in RE. Results. In fentanyl and dexmedetomidine treated patients the average RE was 44–47 with no statistical difference between anesthesia groups or between RE and BIS. In each patient there was a linear relationship between the RE-BIS difference and RE during anesthesia. RE and BIS were similar at a level of 41–44 and RE showed a greater range at higher and lower values compared to BIS. When RE activation was identified during surgery in 15 patients, it was associated with an increase in BIS and EMG. Conclusion. Within the range of 41–44, RE and BIS are equal but the gain of RE is 0.5 greater than BIS with deeper or lighter anesthesia. This is not likely due to increased smoothing with BIS. Identifying periods of RE activation show that BIS, EMG and RE increase together.
Evaluation of Local Preconditioners for Multigrid Solutions of the Compressible Euler Equations.

Abstract : The goal of this study is to examine and compare the effectiveness of two local preconditioners, when used in a multigrid algorithm, in accelerating the rate of convergence to an accurate steady solution of the two-dimensional compressible Euler equations. In this study, both the matrix preconditioner developed by Turkel and the block-Jacobi preconditioner are tested. While both preconditioners exhibit similar damping properties for error modes which are high-frequency in both coordinate directions (i.e., high-high modes), it is known that the Turkel preconditioner provides significantly better low-frequency propagation. In this thesis, this improved low-frequency propagation is shown to also improve (albeit nominally) the damping for modes which are high-frequency in only one direction (high-low and low-high modes). Thus, an important aspect of this work is assessing how improved low-frequency propagation can enhance multigrid convergence rates for preconditioned iterative techniques with similar damping properties. The results of first- and second-order numerical studies in a full-coarsening multigrid algorithm over several low freestream Mach numbers and with different boundary conditions indicate that the superior low-frequency propagation characteristics of Turkel's preconditioner result in better convergence rates than the block-Jacobi preconditioner. In addition, conclusions are drawn about the usefulness of multigrid with and without preconditioning, as well as the relative accuracy of the different solution methods used.
Predictive Validity of the Get Ready to Read! Screener Concurrent and Long-Term Relations With Reading-Related Skills

This study examined concurrent and longitudinal relations for the Get Ready to Read! (GRTR) emergent literacy screener. This measure, within a battery of oral language, letter knowledge, decoding, and phonological awareness tests, was administered to 204 preschool children (mean age = 53.6, SD = 5.78; 55% male) from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Subgroups were reassessed at 6 months and 16 and 37 months later. Results indicate strong relations between the GRTR and the literacy and language assessments. Long-term follow-up indicated that the screener was significantly related to some reading-related measures, including decoding skills. These results support the utility of the GRTR as a brief, valid measure of children's emergent literacy skills. The GRTR holds promise as a tool useful for educators, parents, and others in regular contact with preschool children to help determine those who may be at risk for later reading difficulties and could benefit from intervention and focused instruction in emerg...
Hyaluronan-dependent pericellular coats of chick embryo limb mesodermal cells: Induction by basic fibroblast growth factor☆

Abstract Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) has been shown previously to be present in the chick embryonic limb during early stages of its development, at which time the limb mesodermal cells are proliferating within a hyaluronan-rich extracellular matrix. In this study, basic FGF was found to stimulate hyaluronan synthesis and production of hyaluronan-dependent pericellular coats by mesodermal cells from the chick embryo limb; acidic FGF, platelet-derived growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and retinoic acid either had a much smaller effect than basic FGF or an inhibitory effect. Transforming growth factor-β stimulated hyaluronan synthesis and coat formation but, unlike basic FGF, this factor also stimulated chondroitin sulfate production by the mesodermal cells.
The clinical significance of mammary epithelial hyperplasia

Abstract Specific histologic patterns of epithelial hyperplasia indicate a clinically relevant risk of breast cancer development in 5–10% of women with otherwise benign biopsies. The histologic categories which are linked to increased risk consist of specific combined cytologic and cellular pattern criteria of ‘atypical hyperplasia’ which resemble carcinoma in situ lesions. Women with this type of proliferative breast disease have elevated risk levels of at least four times that of age matched controls who do not have such histological features. The length of projected risk used for clinical management decisions is probably best limited to 10–15 years.
Effects of committed or casual erotic guided imagery on females' subjective sexual arousal and emotional response

Abstract Following deep relaxation, 100 college females listened to erotic guided imagery consisting of (1) sexual invitation, (2) coital contact, and (3) reflection sequences, and responded after each sequence to three measures of subjective sexual arousal and one measure of 10 discrete emotions. The sexual invitation and coital contact sequences contained 24 interspersed cues that portrayed either a casual or a committed interpersonal context. Subjects were partitioned at their respective medians on measures of sex guilt and sex history with loved and with unloved partners. Three mixed 2 (casual, committed) × 2 (median split) × 3 (sequences) MANOVAs analyzed the 13 dependent variables. The hypothesized importance of a committed context on females' subjective sexual arousal and emotional reactions received almost no support. Imagining casual sex may, however, produce more guilty emotion than imagining committed sex. As hypothesized, higher sex guilt was associated with attenuated sexual arousal and reduc...
Is brain death really cessation of all intracranial function

9. Gowda N, Rao SP, Cohen B, Miller ST, Brown AK. Human parvovirus infection in patients with sickle cell anemia with or without hypoplastic crisis. Pediatr Res 1986;20(4):280A~ 10. Young N, Mortimer PP. Viruses and bone marrow failure [Review]. Blood 1984;63:729. 11. Blacklock HA, Mortimer PP: Aplastic crisis and other aspects of the human parvovirus infection. Clin Hematol 1984; 13:679. 12. Nunoue T, Okochi K, Mortimer PP, Cohen BJ. Human parvovirus (B19) and erythema infectiosum. J PEDIATR 1985;107:38. 13. Friekhoffen N, Raghavachar A, Heit W, Heimpel H, Cohen BJ. Human parvovirus infection. N Eng J Med 1986; 314:646.
Measuring market orientation in the manufacturing sector using the MORTN scale

Deshpande and Farley (1998) developed the MORTN market orientation scale as a 'more parsimonious and managerially oriented' alternative to previously developed measures of market orientation. They assessed the MORTN for content validity and reliability. Using data from a sample of 177 manufacturers, an independent assessment of the scale's unidimensionality, reliability, and validity is presented. Two dimensions (customer-focus and needs-assessment) were identified and verified. With minor re-specification, each dimension was determined to be unidimensional and reliable and to exhibit discriminant, convergent and predictive validity. These results support use of the MORTN as a viable alternative for measuring the market orientation construct.
Skill Development Through Geriatric Research

Student participation in research related to occupational therapy can facilitate the development of a variety of skills important for future clinical practice, professional development, and involvement in efficacy research. These skills include an understanding of the research process and previous research findings, the formulation of conclusions from qualitative and quantitative data, and interpersonal and professional behaviors related to client and colleague interactions. Participation in a research study allows occupational therapy students the opportunity to apply strategies and techniques that will be useful in client-centered practice The authors would like to acknowledge Dr. Margaret A. Perkinson for her guidance throughout the research process.
New observations of heavy-ion-rich solar particle events from ACE

Following launch of the Advanced Composition Explorer in August 1997, the Solar Isotope Spectrometer measured the composition of nine solar energetic particle events. We have used isotopic measurements of Ne to determine the degree of charge-to-mass-dependent fractionation and infer the charge states of C-Ni in the four most heavy-ion-rich of the nine events. The results indicate a source temperature of ∼4×10^6 K; this and the measured abundances suggest that these four events are more characteristic of impulsive events than gradual. Although the ^3He/^4He ratios are not enhanced to the level commonly ascribed to impulsive events, there are sizable enhancements over typical solar wind values measured in three of the events.
Restricted environmental stimulation technique improves human performance : rifle marksmanship

This study controlled for relaxation and guided imagery confounds noted in much previous research on enhancement of human performance using the restricted environmental stimulation technique (REST). Dry flotation REST was used where subjects lay ("floated") on a salt-water-filled bladder in a sound-attenuated, light-free chamber. 9 men and 3 women in a rifle marksmanship training course, exposed to dry-flotation REST, showed significantly higher rifle marksmanship scores than the university students who as matched controls were exposed to relaxation (9 men and 3 women). Further, only the former showed a significant pre- to posttest improvement in scores, which suggests REST's positive effects on marksmanship go beyond the induction of relaxation by hypnosis. The results support hypotheses summarized in 1982 by Barabasz regarding potentiation by REST of internally generated imagery and subsequent improvement observed in a nonREST posttest environment.
Benefit–cost analysis of a randomized evaluation of Communities That Care: monetizing intervention effects on the initiation of delinquency and substance use through grade 12

Objective To determine whether the Communities That Care (CTC) prevention system is a cost-beneficial intervention.
Factors regulating annual mating success and reproductive success in spotted sandpipers (Actitis macularia)

We investigated factors affecting annual mating success (MS) and reproductive success (RS) of spotted sandpipers (Actitis macularia) from 13 years of a 17-year study at Little Pelican Island, Leech Lake, Minnesota. Analyses were restricted to ages 1–3. Mean annual female MS varied from 1.3 to 2.7 mates, and the MS pattern was indistinguishable from random. However, female MS increased with age and was affected by arrival date, territory size, and beach size. Female RS also increased with age, and number of mates and year effects were the most significant explanatory variables in each age. Older female RS was increased by priority on a territory and presence of a previous mate. Territory size and beach size varied with population density and did not predictably affect RS. The strong year affect on RS was associated with annual variation in sex ratio and predation. Males produce only one successful clutch per year, so MS greater than one is a result of nest loss and does not increase RS. Neither male MS nor RS changed with age. Male reproductive failure rate varied by year. Given that a male produced young, the degree of RS was affected by year, arrival date, priority on a territory, territory size, and beach size. In years with early-season predation, late arrivals had higher RS; territory and beach size effects varied by year. Neither the presence, nor degree, of female care was associated with male RS. Male RS was more subject to annual environmental variability than was female RS, probably because of relatively low annual potential RS among males.
An exploratory study of bingo card use in consumer magazines

Abstract Reader information service cards (“bingo cards”) have been used by magazines as a positive sales tool and by advertisers to generate large numbers of prospects. A study was conducted in four stages to determine the frequency of bingo card use among consumer magazines, fulfillment performance related to information requests, and policies and opinions of advertisers and magazines regarding bingo cards. Less than 8% of all consumer magazines include bingo cards. Advertisers’ response to requests for information via bingo cards tends to be very slow, if they respond at all. Yet survey results indicate that both magazines and advertisers tend to view bingo cards quite positively.
PLASMA: a plan-based layered architecture for software model-driven adaptation

Modern software-intensive systems are expected to adapt, often while the system is executing, to changing requirements, failures, and new operational contexts. This paper describes an approach to dynamic system adaptation that utilizes plan-based and architecture-based mechanisms. Our approach utilizes an architecture description language (ADL) and a planning-as-model-checking technology to enable dynamic replanning. The ability to automatically generate adaptation plans based solely on ADL models and an application problem description simplifies the specification and use of adaptation mechanisms for system architects. The approach uses a three-layer architecture that, while similar to previous work, provides several significant improvements. We apply our approach within the context of a mobile robotics case study.
Ground state and quasiparticle spectrum of a two-component Bose-Einstein condensate

We consider a dilute homogenous atomic Bose-Einstein condensate with two nondegenerate internal energy levels that achieve a state of chemical equilibrium in the presence of an external radiation field that couples the two states. The presence of the radiation field can result in new ground states for the condensate as a consequence of the lowering of the condensate energy due to the interaction energy with the field. We analyze the ground-state energy as a function of the coupling constants for the two-body interactions, the Rabi frequency of the radiation field, and the detuning of the field, and we give explicit expressions for the quasiparticle excitation spectrum.
Porokeratotic eccrine ostial and dermal duct naevus

SUMMARY With rare exceptions, the presence of cornoid lamellae in skin biopsy specimens is considered diagnostic of porokeratosis. Since the initial descriptions of this condition by Mibelli (1893) and Respighi (1893), there has been debate concerning its relationship to the eccrine sweat duct. This paper describes an epidermal naevus, which pathologically demonstrated gross examples of cornoid lamellae associated exclusively with the eccrine duct and ostia, and which appears to represent a naevus or benign hamartoma of these structures. This entity needs to be clearly differentiated from porokeratosis of Mibelli.
Methylmercury tolerance is associated with the humoral stress factor gene Turandot A

Methylmercury (MeHg) is an environmental neurotoxicant that targets the developing nervous system. In an effort to understand mechanisms of MeHg toxicity we have identified candidate genes that confer tolerance to MeHg using a Drosophila model. Whole genome transcript profiling of developing larval brains of MeHg-tolerant and non-tolerant flies has identified Turandot A (TotA) as a potential MeHg tolerance gene. TotA is a secreted humoral stress response factor in Drosophila that is a direct target of conserved innate immunity signaling pathways. Here we characterize TotA expression in newly generated isogenic lines (isolines) of flies derived from our previously established MeHg-tolerant and non-tolerant populations. TotA mRNA transcript and protein expression is seen to be higher in the tolerant isolines than the non-tolerant lines. Elevated TotA expression in the tolerant lines was seen to span all the larval developmental stages pointing toward a difference in the TotA gene regulation between the MeHg tolerant and non-tolerant strains. We show that TotA is most highly expressed in the fat body (liver equivalent) and is selectively upregulated in the fat body of tolerant flies relative to brain and gut tissues. Fat body-specific transgenic expression of TotA invokes MeHg tolerance as seen by enhanced development of flies reared on MeHg food. In addition, cell based assays show that high TotA expressing C6 cells are more tolerant to MeHg than the low TotA expressing S2 cells. Knockdown of TotA in the C6 cells trends toward a reduction in MeHg tolerance. Identification of TotA as a MeHg tolerance gene suggests a role for conserved cytokine/immune signaling pathways in modulating MeHg toxicity.
Dynamic Lateral Stability of Elastomeric Seismic Isolation Bearings

AbstractPredicting the response of elastomeric seismic isolation bearings when subjected to severe ground motions is challenging due to the highly nonlinear behavior associated with the bearings under a combination of large displacements and axial loads. In particular, the horizontal stiffness of the bearings is a function of both horizontal displacement as well as axial load that varies due to overturning moments. Previous analytical models or formulations to model these bearings were mainly developed to estimate critical loads at the stability limit. Only few of these models are capable of estimating the correct nonlinear behavior of bearings observed at horizontal displacements in excess of the bearing width. In this study, a nonlinear analytical model is presented that is capable of modeling the dynamic response of bearings more accurately at all displacement ranges, especially beyond the stability limit and is verified with experimental data from an earlier experimental study. It was observed in the ...
Influence of renal shielding on the incidence of late renal dysfunction associated with T-lymphocyte deplete bone marrow transplantation in adult patients COLLEEN

Late renal dysfunction following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation has been described by a number of centers including our own. Total body irradiation appears to play a major causative role in the development of this syndrome. In an effort to decrease the incidence of this renal toxicity we have added customized partial transmission renal blocking to our total body irradiation regimen. This partial renal shielding decreases the total dose to the kidneys from 14 Gy to 12 Gy. This report compares 71 adult patients who have received total body irradiation associated with bone marrow transplantation using renal shielding with 72 adult patients who were treated without the shielding; all of the patients have survived a minimum of 100 days post-BMT. Eighteen months following BMT, 26% of patients who did not have renal shielding have developed late renal dysfunction compared to only 6% of patients with renal shielding (p less than .05). Median follow-up in the nonblocked patients is 536 days post-transplant versus 341 days for the blocked patients. This added renal blocking has not adversely affected engraftment rates or relapse rates to date. Customized renal shielding as part of 14 gray total body irradiation in preparation for bone marrow transplantation appears to have decreased the incidence of late renal dysfunction in this group of adult patients and should be considered for all patients undergoing total body irradiation in conjunction with bone marrow transplantation.
Characterization of IS1203, an insertion sequence in Escherichia coli 0111:H−

Abstract The complete nucleotide (nt) sequence of IS7203 from Escherichia coli O111:H − strain PH has been determined. IS1203 is 1312-nt long, with imperfect 26-bp terminal inverted repeats. The two major ORFs in IS1203 encode polypeptides of 12.7 and 33.7 kDa, the latter being the putative transposase. IS1203 is closely related to IS629 of Shigella sonnei and IS3411 of E. coli . At least twelve copies of IS1203 were found in the genome of E. coli O111:H − strain PH.
Analytical perils (and progress) in electron microprobe trace element analysis applied to geochronology: Background acquisition, interferences, and beam irradiation effects

Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) of accessory minerals such as monazite, xenotime, and thorite for minor- and trace-element concentrations and geochronology, requires consideration of beam irradiation effects (increasing heat and charge) as higher current densities and lengthy counting times are employed, and requires careful, detailed assessment of background intensities and interferences. A carbon coat (250 A thickness) is generally inadequate for prevention of absorbed current s uctuation and beam damage when using the high current densities applied for high precision (e.g., 200 nA, focused beam). Beam irradiation effects include element mobility in monazite, resulting in P loss relative to REE. Coating materials of higher electrical and thermal conductivity are indicated, and use of gold (≥100 A) is strongly suggested. Systematic compositional and, therefore, age variability can result simply from analytical effects, requiring evaluation of all aspects of data acquisition. The spectra relevant to measurement of Y, Th, Pb, and U are complex, especially in REE-bearing minerals. Acquisition of detailed spectral wavelength scans allows recognition of background and peak interferences, as well as curvature. Background intensities can be extracted directly from scan data by regression. X-ray mapping allows delineation of domains, guiding background acquisition and detailed quantitative analysis. Minor substitution or s uorescence of unexpected elements can compromise analyses, one documented effect being the s uorescence of K in monazite adjacent to, or hosted by, K-feldspar or micas. This effect, clearly evident within 10 micrometers from K-feldspar, can result in erroneous U concentrations leading to misinterpretation of rim “ages” as younger overgrowths. Absorption edges associated with Th also become relevant to the measurement of U at high Th concentrations. Because background intensity is sensitive to variation in average atomic number, backgrounds must be acquired from each identiÞ ed domain, with particular attention being paid to Th variation. Misapplication of background intensities can result in large age discrepancies, for example, application of backgrounds obtained from a high-Th domain in monazite to measurement of a low-Th domain (1/3 of the amount in the high-Th domain) results in an overestimation of the UMβ background intensity of 0.008 cps/nA, and an overall “increase” in age of 70 m.y.
Preparation and characterization of neutral diol plasmalogens

Abstract Neutral diol plasmalogens, ( cis and trans 2-alk-1′-enyloxy-1-O-acyl-ethanols) were synthesized. These alk-1-enyl ether-esters of ethanediol were characterized by their chemical properties and by physical data; their chromatographic behavior was studied and compared to that of the alkyl ether-esters and diesters of ethanediol.
Effect of propargyl bromide and 1,3‐dichloropropene on microbial communities in an organically amended soil

In this study we investigated the response of microbial communities in unamended and manure-amended soil treated with the fumigants propargyl bromide (PBr) and 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D). The soil fumigants were applied at a rate of 10, 100, and 500 mg kg−1. After treatment of the soils, the metabolic activity was assessed by monitoring the dehydrogenase activity (DHA). PBr and 1,3-D initially inhibited the DHA when applied at 500 mg kg−1; however, after 8 weeks, recovery of the DHA only occurred in amended soil. Bacterial community level changes were monitored over a 12-week period after fumigation using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of polymerase chain reaction-amplified 16S rDNA fragments. Band numbers were drastically reduced upon application of the fumigants, but reestablished more rapidly in the amended soil. To determine changes in the community diversity, the Shannon–Weaver index of diversity, H, was calculated for all treatments. In unamended and amended soil, the community diversity decreased with increasing fumigant concentration. In the PBr-treated soils, the diversity was higher in amended soil at all concentrations throughout the study, while in the 1,3-D treatments, the results were mixed. At 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after fumigation, major bands were excised from the gels and the DNA was cloned for sequence analysis. The bacterial communities in the fumigated amended soils were dominated by Streptomyces spp., other genera of actinomycetales, including Frankia, Cytophagales, Actinomadura, and Geodermatophilus, and a number of unidentified bacteria. Our results suggest that it may be feasible to reduce the impact of fumigant pesticides on soil microbial populations by stimulating microbial community structure, diversity and activity through the addition of organic amendments.
Reading and Writing Womanist Poetic Prose: African American Mothers With Deaf Daughters

Poetic prose—a creative, novel, qualitative technique developed by the author—is used to present in a multivocal, interactive, and interwoven style the findings of in-depth, thematic interviews wit...
Sedimentation, dredging, and spoil disposal in a subtropical estuarine lagoon

Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, is an estuary used as a harbor for a military installation and for recreation, fishing, and research purposes. Rapid shoaling of the bay had been reported and attributed to increased stream erosion and sedimentation from the newly suburbanized watershed. Comparison of a 1976 bathymetric survey of Kaneohe Bay with that of a 1927 survey indicates an average shoaling of the lagoonal area of 1.0 m. Average shoaling for the north and middle bay at 0.6m/49 years (1.2 cm yr−1 is lower than for the south bay at 1.5m/49 years (3.1 cm yr−1). The total lagoonal fill in the 49-year period is about 1.95× 107 m3, assigned as follows: 64% carbonate detritus from the reefs as well as growth of living coral and unrecorded dredging spill, 9% recorded dredging spoils, and only 27% terrigenous sediment. Seismic reflection profiles distinguish spoil from natural sediment and show that the infilling sediment is trapped between, burying reef structures built during Quaternary lower stands of the sea. There had been little obvious change between 1882 and 1927 surveys. All information suggests that increased shoaling rates since 1927 are due to reported and unreported disposal of dredge spoil, mainly from 1939 to 1945 for ship and seaplane channels in the south bay, and not from increased runoff and urbanization around the south bay.
Nutrition and Behavior of Striped Skunks

Skunks are an integral part of the environment and a fascinating component of the earth's biodiversity. Their behavioral idiosyncrasies, made possible by their unique method of defense, make them entertaining to watch in the wild, and their beneficial habits far outweigh any potential negative attributes. Striped skunks can be a benefit in urban and agricultural areas because they prey on harmful and damaging insects and rodents that plague gardens and crops. The general public should be encouraged to live in harmony with skunks, as opposed to viewing them as nuisances. Keeping captive or pet skunks should be considered only after feeding, care, disease, and legal information has been investigated.
Establishing a strategic commercial partnership for an outpatient imaging center/not staying active clinically as an academic department chair.

MY BEST IDEA: ESTABLISHING A STRATEGIC COMMERCIAL PARTNERSHIP FOR AN OUTPATIENT IMAGING CENTER I was chairman of the Department of Radiology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital from 1986 until I semiretired in 2002. Although the hospital’s capital budget process was reasonably generous to us over the years, by around 1998 I felt we were falling behind. We had substantial backlogs in MRI and CT, and a PET scanner wasn’t even on the horizon. When I pleaded with the hospital administration for additional equipment, they told me that the board of trustees couldn’t approve more dollars for radiology. After a year or two of this, I lost patience and told them I wanted o go outside and broker a deal to ring in private investment capital n a joint venture. Somewhat relucantly, they agreed, probably to hut me up more than anything lse. I began speaking with imaging enter companies and found coniderable variability in what they ould offer. Most proposals were uite unfavorable: we’d take most f the risk, and they’d own the maority share of the facility. This was ertainly not very appealing, but I ept at it and eventually found one ompany in which I developed a ense of trust. The company had xperience and was particularly inerested in working with academic adiology departments. Its CEO struck me as someone who was knowledgeable, fair, and honest. After some not-too-difficult negotiations, we struck a deal to build a new imaging center one block away from the hospital as a joint venture owned by our department, the hospital, and the company. The company would manage the center, for which they would receive a fee, in addition to their share of any profits from ownership. It would be our department’s first experience owning any of its equipment. Almost all startup costs, including build-out and equipment purchase, were to be financed and therefore required only a small initial capital infusion from the venture partners. Our department business manager had at first suggested that maybe we ought to do it in partnership just with the hospital, leaving the company out of it. I didn’t like that idea because neither he nor I (and certainly not the hospital) had the knowhow or time to do it right. For one thing, we weren’t absolutely sure the market was there for a venture like this. But the company knew how to do proper due diligence, and their subsequent willingness to participate as an equity partner and share risk with us convinced both the hospital administration and me that the plan was feasible. For another, there were dozens, if not hundreds, of little details to be attended to that were best taken care of by people who had the experience and had been through it before. Among
Impedance as a Method to Sense Proximity at the Electrode-Retina Interface

Precise positioning of a stimulating electrode in the eye is not possible by simple visualization. However, reliable measurement of responses to retinal stimulation requires consistent positioning. The present study focuses on impedance measurement techniques to sense the proximity of the electrode to the retina. A platinum-iridium stimulation electrode was placed inside the rat eye and impedance was recorded at different positions of the stimulating electrode relative to the retina. The presence of robust electrically evoked response in the superior colliculus indicates that the electrode may not have to be in absolute contact in order to elicit a neural response. Optical coherence tomography imaging confirmed the distance-impedance relationship.