cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functionalisation of saturated hydrocarbons. Part xvi. Chemoselective oxidation

Abstract cyclododecane is efficiently oxidised under GifIV and GoAggII conditions to give over 25% of cyclododecanone with some cyclododecanol. The addition in equimolar amounts of ethanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, diisopropyl ether, biphenyl, anisole, diphenyl sulfide, methyl benzoate and dimethyl-acetamide have little effect on the oxidation. Thiophenols have a minor effect, but t-butyl thiol and dimethylaniline reduce oxidation to a major extent. In all cases, the mass balances are satisfactory. Overoxidation of cyclododecanone affords cyclododecane-1, 3-, 1,4-, 1,5- and 1,6-diones. The major dione is 1,4-followed by 1,6-.
Modeling the growth and branching of plants: A simple rod-based model

A rod-based model for plant growth and branching is developed in this paper. Specifically, Euler's theory of the elastica is modified to accommodate growth and remodeling. In addition, branching is characterized using a configuration force and evolution equations are postulated for the flexural stiffness and intrinsic curvature. The theory is illustrated with examples of multiple static equilibria of a branched plant and the remodeling and tip growth of a plant stem under gravitational loading.
A systems approach to research and simulation of insect pest dynamics in the onion agro-ecosystem

Abstract The systems approach, utilizing detailed system conceptualization and iterative simulation model development, was used to help direct field and laboratory research on the population dynamics of the onion maggot, Delia antiqua (Meigen) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) and its naturally occurring fungal pathogen Entomophthora muscae (Cohn) (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae) in the onion agro-ecosystem. The structure and interconnections of this biological system, including an alternate disease host ( Delia platura , the seed corn maggot), are outlined as are additional relationships between these components of primary interest and other components closely associated within the onion agro-ecosystem. A structural approach to model development was used as a base for system design and analysis. The model structure and simulation methodology, including program verification and model validation, are described. Examples of simulation results are presented to illustrate the application of the model.
Estimating three-dimensional temperature fields during hyperthermia: studies of the optimal regularization parameter and time sampling period.

During hyperthermia therapy it is desirable to know the entire temperature field in the treatment region. However, accurately inferring this field from the limited number of temperature measurements available is very difficult, and thus state and parameter estimation methods have been used to attempt to solve this inherently ill-posed problem. To compensate for this ill-posedness and to improve the accuracy of this method, Tikhonov regularization of order zero has been used to significantly improve the results of the estimation procedure. It is also shown that the accuracies of the temperature estimates depend upon the value of the regularization parameter, which has an optimal value that is dependent on the perfusion pattern and magnitude. In addition, the transient power-off time sampling period (i.e., the length of time over which transient data is collected and used) influences the accuracy of the estimates, and an optimal sampling period is shown to exist. The effects of additive measurement noise are also investigated, as are the effects of the initial guess of the perfusion values, and the effects of both symmetric and asymmetric blood perfusion patterns. Random perfusion patterns with noisy data are the most difficult cases to evaluate. The cases studied are not a comprehensive set, but continue to show the feasibility of using state and parameter estimation methods to reconstruct the entire temperature field.
Novel use of dexmedetomidine in a patient with pulmonary hypertension

Summary The presence of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a significant predictor of major perioperative cardiovascular complications in patients undergoing cardiac diagnostic or interventional procedure or non cardiac surgery under sedation and/or anesthesia. Factors that precipitate a pulmonary hypertensive crisis include hypoxia, hypercarbia, acidosis, hypothermia, pain and airway manipulations. Pain management is challenging in patients with significant PAH. We report the use of dexmedetomidine for sedation and analgesia in a 16 year old patient with significant pulmonary hypertension, pneumonia and impending cardiorespiratory failure. This resulted in avoidance of endotracheal intubation and positive pressure ventilation, with subsequent recovery to discharge home.
Novel concepts in modification of radiation sensitivity

Abstract Purpose: To determine whether biological effects of radiation, such as apoptosis, that differ from classical clonogenic cell killing, can be modified with agents that would not be expected to modify classical clonogenic cell killing. This would expand the range of potential modifiers of radiation therapy. Methods and Materials: EL4 murine lymphoma cell apoptosis was determined by electrophoretic analysis of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation. DNA was extracted 24 h after irradiation or addition of inducing agents. Modifiers of radiation-induced apoptosis were added immediately after irradiation. The effects of radiation on wounded endothelial monolayers were studied by scraping a line across the monolayer 30 min after irradiation. Cell detachment was used as an endpoint to determine the protective effect of prolonged exposure to retinol prior to irradiation. Results: EL4 cell apoptosis can be induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide or the glutathione oxidant SR-4077. Radiation-induced EL4 cell apoptosis can be inhibited with 3-aminobenzamide, an agent that sensitizes cells to classical clonogenic cell killing. Radiation-induced endothelial cell detachment from confluent monolayers can be modified by pretreatment with retinol. Conclusion: These results raise the possibility that radiation could induce apoptosis by an oxidative stress mechanism that is different from that involved in classical clonogenic cell killing. These and other recent findings encourage the notion that differential modification of classical clonogenic cell killing and other important endpoints of radiation action may be possible.
Nasal health in Down syndrome: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate peripheral nasal pathology as a contributor to olfactory impairment in DS.STUDY DESIGN: Twenty DS and 16 non-DS subjects were recruited. Nasal history and symptoms were assessed by self-report or informant. Olfactory threshold, odor identification, and nasal endoscopy were assessed on each subject.RESULTS: DS subjects were impaired on olfactory threshold (P < 0.0001) and odor identification (P < 0.001). Although DS subjects trended toward upper-respiratory infections, sleep-disordered breathing, and nasal itching, differences were not significant (P = 0.07, 0.06, and 0.058, respectively). There were no significant differences on self-reported nasal history or symptoms. Endoscopy showed equivalent health in DS and control subjects.CONCLUSION: This DS population shows olfactory impairment. However, nasal health is comparable in DS subjects and controls. Nasal dysfunction is unlikely to contribute to olfactory impairment in DS.SIGNIFICANCE: Olfactory deficits in DS appear to be seco...
Blunt traumatic aortic transection: endoluminal repair with commercially available aortic cuffs

Blunt traumatic aortic transection remains a lethal condition. Treatment requires a high index of suspicion, prompt diagnosis, and expedient operative repair. Even in the best of circumstances, morbidity and mortality associated with open surgical repair are high, particularly because of frequent occurrence of other severe associated injuries. Endoluminal aortic stent-graft repair is an accepted treatment option in patients with aneurysm degeneration, and may be an alternative means of managing contained aortic transection. We describe three cases of blunt traumatic thoracic aortic transection treated with commercially available aortic endoluminal stent grafts.
Electromigration in Al/W and Al(Cu)/W Interconnect Structures

The electromigration drift velocity of Al in Al(3wt.% Si), Al(2wt.%Cu), and Al(2wt.%Cu,3wt.%Si) was measured in a temperature range 133 to 220 °C with current densities of 1.0 to 1.5×106A/cm2. In Al(3wt.% Si), a significant Al depletion at the cathode end and accumulation at the anode end of stripe were observed within a few hours at 1.5×106A/cm2 and 200°C. In addition, local hillocks and voids along the metal lines were observed. For Al(Cu,Si), the Al drift velocity was slowed down by Cu addition. The majority of hillocks started to grow at a distance about 6 μm away from the cathode end with current density of 1.5×106 A/cm2. The drift velocity of Al in Al(Cu,Si) was found to be a function of time starting with an initial low value and increasing to a an final steady-state value. The behavior was attributed to the migration of Cu and dissolution of Al2Cu precipitates. The activation energies of the depletion 3 Aμm of Al(2%,Cu, 3%Si) was determined to be 0.90±02 eV. The dissolution and growth of A12Cu in the tested samples of Ti/Al(2%Cu)/Ti/TiN were observed using the scanning electron microscope and an electron microprobe.
Three-dimensional reconstructions of the primary palate region in normal human embryos

Our knowledge of the precise spatial relationships of human primary palate morphogenesis remains poorly defined. This is due to intrinsic difficulties that exist in the study of the subject matter and a lack of adequate methodologies. We present a novel new method to allow precise three-dimensional (3-D) visualization of developing embryonic structures in previously sectioned embryos. In our study we focus on human primary palate development. Five normal human embryos from the Carnegie collection were used. 3-D reconstructions appear similar to scanning electron micrographs (SEM); however, unlike in SEM studies, the original specimen has been previously sectioned histologically. 3-D reconstruction from serial sections involved (1) histological preparation of specimen, 2) projection onto digitizing board, 3) digitization, 4) automated reassembly, and 5) relay to interactive optical disc recorder. Detailed observations of each reconstruction were then made. Data generated in this manner may also be used in the near future for quantitative morphometrics. Thus, 3-D reconstruction techniques presented in this paper generated precise spatial information on the development of the human primary palate. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Local Linear Estimation for Time-Dependent Coefficients in Cox's Regression Models

This article develops a local partial likelihood technique to estimate the time-dependent coefficients in Cox's regression model. The basic idea is a simple extension of the local linear fitting technique used in the scatterplot smoothing. The coefficients are estimated locally based on the partial likelihood in a window around each time point. Multiple time-dependent covariates are incorporated in the local partial likelihood procedure. The procedure is useful as a diagnostic tool and can be used in uncovering time-dependencies or departure from the proportional hazards model. The programming involved in the local partial likelihood estimation is relatively simple and it can be modified with few efforts from the existing programs for the proportional hazards model. The asymptotic properties of the resulting estimator are established and compared with those from the local constant fitting. A consistent estimator of the asymptotic variance is also proposed. The approach is illustrated by a real data set from the study of gastric cancer patients and a simulation study is also presented.
Resistance of Convalescent Macaca mulatta to Challenge with Homologous and Heterologous Strains of Poliomyelitis Virus.

Conclusions and summary1. Sixty-five Macacca mulatta recovered from a primary attack of poliomyelitis, induced by intracerebral inoculation of BK strain of virus, were subsequently challenged either with 100 or 1000 M.I.D. of the same pool of virus. Sixty-three exhibited complete resistance to challenge, only 2 showing increased paralysis following challenge. From one of these 2 animals, virus was recovered! by passage 4 days following the onset of second attack symptoms which was 4 months following the first inoculation.2. Sixty of the immune monkeys were divided into groups of 10 each and the monkeys of each group rechallenged with one of the following heterologous viruses, McK, Ca, Fr, MV, La and Le. All animals inoculated with McK and Ca viruses were immune and 9 of the 10 challenged with Fr were immune. These results indicate that BK, McK, Ca and Fr viruses are closely related and may be placed in a single immunogenic group. For the time being, we suggest that these and others which may be added to t...
Developments and trends in MBE of II VI Hg-based compounds

Abstract We report here some new developments in MBE of HgCdTe. We show that the crystallographic orientation of the CdTe substrate has a strong influence on the Hg condensation coefficient. A (111)A face requires about one order of magnitude more mercury than a (111)B face when the growth occurs at 190°C, the (100) face falling in between. We confirm that GaAs is still the candidate for replacing CdTe as a substrate. n-Type doping using In as a donor has been successfully investigated. High mobilities and also high donor concentrations have been achieved, which is important for future device applications. Preliminary investigations show that despite the fact that the (100) orientation requires 4–5 times more mercury than the (111)B orientation, this orientation seems the most suitable in terms of growth control and electron mobilities. The study on the change in the Hg condensation coefficient between HgTe, HgCdTe and HgZnTe has confirmed that Cd weakens the Hg-Te bond whereas Zn is less harmful.
Bromide Adsorption by Reference Minerals and Soils

Bromide, Br−, adsorption behavior was investigated on amorphous Al and Fe oxide, montmorillonite, kaolinite, and temperate and tropical soils. Bromide adsorption decreased with increasing solution pH with minimal adsorption occurring above pH 7. Bromide adsorption was higher for amorphous oxides than for clay minerals. Shifts in point of zero charge (PZC) were observed on amorphous Al and Fe oxide following Br− adsorption, suggesting an inner-sphere adsorption mechanism for Br− on these surfaces. Ionic strength effects indicated an inner-sphere adsorption mechanism for Br− on kaolinite and an outer-sphere adsorption mechanism on amorphous Fe oxide. Two chemical surface complexation models, the constant capacitance model and the triple layer model, were able to describe Br− adsorption as a function of solution pH on all materials. For the oxides and clay minerals and most of the soils the fit of the constant capacitance model, containing an inner-sphere adsorption mechanism, was improved over that of the triple layer model, containing an outer-sphere adsorption mechanism, as measured by the overall variance, V Y. Bromide adsorption on amorphous Fe oxide as a function of solution pH and solution ionic strength was well described using the triple layer model. Our results indicate that Br− would most likely not act as a conservative tracer at soil solution pH values below 7. Therefore, we suggest that researchers carefully evaluate the pH regime and mineralogy of their study site before assuming that Br− can be applied as a conservative tracer for transport experiments.
Improving the rate of success for underrepresented racial minorities in STEM fields: Insights from a national project

In this chapter, we summarize findings and offer implications from the first phase of a national longitudinal study of undergraduate STEM majors conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA.
Carbon dioxide exchange in a temperate grassland ecosystem

Carbon dioxide exchange was measured, using the eddy correlation technique, over a tallgrass prairie in northeastern Kansas, U.S.A., during a six-month period in 1987. The diurnal patterns of daytime and nocturnal CO2 fluxes are presented on eight selected days. These days were distributed throughout most of the growing season and covered a wide range of meteorological and soil water conditions. The midday CO2 flux reached a maximum of 1.3 mg m-2 (ground area) s-1 during early July and was near zero during the dry period in late July. The dependence of the daytime carbon dioxide exchange on pertinent controlling variables, particularly photosynthetically active radiation, vapor pressure deficit and soil water content is discussed. The nocturnal CO2 flux (soil plus plant respiration) averaged -0.4 mg m-2 (ground area) s-1 during early July and was about -0.2 mg m-2 s-1 during the dry period.
The interaction of fluorescent probes with anion permeability pathways of human red cells.

The fluorescent probe ANS is a permeant anion in human red cells. The rate of ANS permeation is decreased by lyotropic anions and increased by low ionic strength, resembling the response of Cl and SO4 transport to changes in the composition of the medium. ANS inhibits Cl and SO4 exchange measured at 0 and 37°C, respectively. The inhibitory potency of ANS isomers increases in the sequence 1,8 ANS<2,8 ANS<1,4 ANS<2,6 TNS<5,2 ANS. The disulfonic stilbene derivative SITS inhibits Cl exchange 50%. Combinations of ANS and SITS result in additive inhibitory effects regardless of the ANS concentration. Combinations of dipyridamole and ANS show additive inhibitory effects only at low concentrations of the latter. The mechanisms of inhibition by ANS are discussed in terms of (1) interactions between the probe and an anion carrier and (2) modifications of the membrane surface charge by ANS. Assuming that ANS bound to the membrane surface produces a negative surface charge, ANS-dependent surface potentials of magnitude sufficient to account for the observed inhibition can be calculated using double layer theory. It is suggested that anionic amphiphiles inhibit anion and increase cation permeability through modifications of surface charge that alter the ion concentrations at the permeability barriers and a second step, affected by SITS, is involved in anion permeation.
Patient Education and the Elderly

The past decade has witnessed a rise in the concept of consumer health care and an increasing commitment of health professionals to patient education. A new awareness of the complexities of health behavior has led health providers to focus on the need to guide patients in understanding their illnesses, in developing strategies to continue daily life in spite of chronic conditions, and in acquiring adaptive skills for mastery and competency in living. An understanding of the basic principles of adult education will enhance the health professional's skills in carrying out patient education with adults. In particular, the concept of life span development in education provides a framework for planning patient education interventions for elderly clients.L
An evaluation of using real-time volumetric display of 3D ultrasound data for intracardiac catheter manipulation tasks

The enthusiasm for novel, minimally invasive, catheter based intracardiac procedures has highlighted the need to provide accurate, real-time, anatomically based image guidance to decrease complications, improve precision, and decrease fluoroscopy time. The recent development of real-time 3D echocardiography creates the opportunity to greatly improve our ability to guide minimally invasive procedures [Ahm03]. However, the need to present 3D data on a 2D display decreases the utility of 3D echocardiography because echocardiographers cannot readily appreciate 3D perspective on a 2D display without ongoing image manipulation. We evaluated the use of a novel strategy of presenting the data in a true 3D volumetric display, Perspecta Spatial 3D System (Actuality Systems, Inc., Burlington, MA). Two experienced echocardiographers performed the task of identifying the targeted location of a catheter within 6 different phantoms using four display methods. Echocardiographic images were obtained with a SONOS 7500 (Philips Medical Systems, Inc., Andover, MA). Completion of the task was significantly faster with the Perspecta display with no loss in accuracy. Echocardiography in 3D significantly improves the ability of echocardiography for guidance of catheter based procedures [Ahm03]. Further improvement is achieved by using a true 3D volumetric display, which allows for more intuitive assessment of the spatial relationships of catheters in three-dimensional space compared with conventional 2D visualization modalities.
Exploring the role of sensor noise in movement variability

Numerical simulations were used to explore the consequences of a spatially non-uniform sense of hand position on arm movements in the horizontal plane. Isotropic or anisotropic position errors were introduced into several starting hand positions and the resulting errors in movement direction were quantified. Two separate simulations were performed. In one simulation planned movement directions were defined relative to the starting position of the hand. Movement errors generated in this simulation resulted from a failure to compensate for differing initial conditions. In a second simulation planned movement directions were defined by the vector joining the sensed starting position with a fixed target position. Movement errors in this simulation resulted from both uncompensated changes in initial conditions as well as errors in movement planning. In both simulations, directional error variability generally increased for starting positions closer to the body. These effects were most pronounced for the anisotropic distribution of starting positions, particularly under conditions where movements were directed toward a fixed spatial location.
Non-parametric distributed quantization-estimation using wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks deployed to perform surveillance and monitoring tasks have to operate under stringent energy and bandwidth limitations. These motivate well distributed estimation scenarios where sensors quantize and transmit only one, or a few bits per observation, for use in forming parameter estimators of interest. In a companion paper, we developed algorithms and studied interesting tradeoffs that emerge even in the simplest distributed setup of estimating a scalar location parameter in the presence of zero-mean additive white Gaussian noise of known variance. Herein, we derive distributed estimators based on binary observations along with their error-variance performance for unknown noise pdfs.
Variability of epipelagic macrozooplankton/micronekton community structure in the NW Weddell Sea, Antarctica (1995–1996)

Macrozooplankton/micronekton in the epipelagic zone (0–100 m) of the NW Weddell Sea were sampled with a 10 m2 multiple opening-closing net environmental sampling system (MOCNESS) trawl during three cruises in 1995 and 1996. A total of 40 species were collected during all cruises. Community composition, as measured using Bray-Curtis analysis and multi-dimensional scaling, permitted separation into two groups: group 1 included samples collected during September–October 1995 and group 2 contained samples collected during April-May 1996 and November–December 1996. Zooplankton collections were dominated by Thysanoessa macrura in September–October 1995 (high pack-ice cover) and by both Euphausia superba and Salpa thompsoni in April–May 1996 (intermediate pack-ice cover) and November–December 1996 (open water). Copepods were not sampled quantitatively by the MOCNESS trawl and were not included in this analysis. Trends in measured parameters of community structure are discussed with respect to environmental characteristics during each sampling period.
Multiple sequence signals determine the distribution of glycosylphosphatidylinositol proteins between the plasma membrane and cell wall in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell wall proteins (GPI-CWPs) play an important role in the structure and function of the cell wall in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other fungi. While the majority of characterized fungal GPI-anchored proteins localize to the cell wall, a subset of GPI proteins are thought to reside at the plasma membrane and not to traffic significantly to the cell wall. The amino acids immediately upstream of the site of GPI anchor addition (the ω site) are the primary signal determining whether a GPI protein localizes to the cell wall or to the plasma membrane. Here, evidence was found that in addition to this ω-proximal signal, other sequences in the protein can impact the distribution of GPI proteins between cell wall and membrane. In particular, it was found that long regions rich in serine and threonine residues (a feature of many cell wall proteins) can override the ω-proximal signal and redirect a model GPI plasma membrane protein to the cell wall.
Schlieren imaging of loud sounds and weak shock waves in air near the limit of visibility

A large schlieren system with exceptional sensitivity and a high-speed digital camera are used to visualize loud sounds and a variety of common phenomena that produce weak shock waves in the atmosphere. Frame rates varied from 10,000 to 30,000 frames/s with microsecond frame exposures. Sound waves become visible to this instrumentation at frequencies above 10 kHz and sound pressure levels in the 110 dB (6.3 Pa) range and above. The density gradient produced by a weak shock wave is examined and found to depend upon the profile and thickness of the shock as well as the density difference across it. Schlieren visualizations of weak shock waves from common phenomena include loud trumpet notes, various impact phenomena that compress a bubble of air, bursting a toy balloon, popping a champagne cork, snapping a wooden stick, and snapping a wet towel. The balloon burst, snapping a ruler on a table, and snapping the towel and a leather belt all produced readily visible shock-wave phenomena. In contrast, clapping the hands, snapping the stick, and the champagne cork all produced wave trains that were near the weak limit of visibility. Overall, with sensitive optics and a modern high-speed camera, many nonlinear acoustic phenomena in the air can be observed and studied.
Millennial-scale variations in western Sierra Nevada precipitation during the last glacial cycle MIS 4/3 transition

Abstract Dansgaard–Oeschger (D–O) cycles had far-reaching effects on Northern Hemisphere and tropical climate systems during the last glacial period, yet the climatic response to D–O cycles in western North America is controversial, especially prior to 55 ka. We document changes in precipitation along the western slope of the central Sierra Nevada during early Marine Oxygen Isotope Stages (MIS) 3 and 4 (55–67 ka) from a U-series dated speleothem record from McLean's Cave. The timing of our multi-proxy geochemical dataset is coeval with D–O interstadials (15–18) and stadials, including Heinrich Event 6. The McLean's Cave stalagmite indicates warmer and drier conditions during Greenland interstadials (GISs 15–18), signified by elevated δ18O, δ13C, reflectance, and trace element concentrations, and less radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr. Our record extends evidence of a strong linkage between high-latitude warming and reduced precipitation in western North America to early MIS 3 and MIS 4. This record shows that the linkage persists in diverse global climate states, and documents the nature of the climatic response in central California to Heinrich Event 6.
Shape memory and nanostructure in poly(norbornyl-POSS) copolymers

The microstructure and shape-memory properties of norbornyl-POSS hybrid copolymers having either cyclohexyl corner groups (CyPOSS) or cyclopentyl corner groups (CpPOSS) were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and thermomechanical analysis. Here, POSS refers to the polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane macromer. Samples containing 50wt% of POSS macromer have been mechanically drawn at temperatures above their glass transition temperatures, followed by rapid quenching in LN2 . Shape-memory properties of such drawn samples were explored by measuring recovered strain while heating above the T g using thermomechanical analysis. Incorporation of POSS comonomers within PN is found to slightly reduce the percentage recovery, while improving thermal stability significantly. Interestingly, the types of corner groups in the POSS macromer affect the shape-memory behaviour, with the CyPOSS copolymer showing lower percentage recovery than the CpPOSS copolymer due to enhanced aggregation of CyPOSS macromers. # 2000 Society of Chemical Industry
Applying database support for large scale data driven science in distributed environments

There is a rapidly growing set of applications, referred to as data driven applications, in which analysis of large amounts of data drives the next steps taken by the scientist, e.g., running new simulations, doing additional measurements, extending the analysis to larger data collections. Critical steps in data analysis are to extract the data of interest from large and potentially distributed datasets and to move it from storage clusters to compute clusters for processing. We have developed a middleware framework, called GridDB-Lite, that is designed to efficiently support these two steps. We describe the application of GridDB-Lite in large scale oil reservoir simulation studies and experimentally evaluate several optimizations that can be employed in the GridDB-Lite runtime system.
Effect of communication delay on gracefully degradable WSI processor array performance

Online reconfiguration of wafer scale integration (WSI) processor arrays provides graceful degradation of performance in the presence of failed processors. Each time a processor fails, soft switching can be used to bypass either a row or column and a degraded performance functional array can be maintained. Processor to processor communication delay may increase with each processor failure, and the entire array will eventually fail if the delay exceeds a predetermined limit. The impact of reconfiguration on fault tolerant WSI processor array performance is examined. The analysis considers interconnect length, communication delay, and maximum operating frequency. >
Communication of Agricultural Innovations in Latin America The Need for New Models

This article reviews the eras in the development of communication as a discipline in Latin America, and then concentrates on the recent period when agricultural diffusion became the most frequent type of communication research. The author is critical of diffusion research in Latin America because of its too-close copying of the "made-in-the-USA" classical diffusion model. The theoretical approach of Paulo Freire's "conscientization" is recommended as one corrective influence on the diffusion model in Latin America and elsewhere.
WHAT DO QUANTILE REGRESSIONS IDENTIFY FOR GENERAL STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONS

This paper shows what quantile regressions identify for general structural functions. Under fairly mild conditions, the quantile partial derivative identifies a weighted average of heterogeneous structural partial effects among the subpopulation of individuals at the conditional quantile of interest. This result justifies the use of quantile regressions as means of measuring heterogeneous causal effects for a general class of structural functions with multiple unobservables.
Primary Adenocarcinoma of Cutaneous Vesicostomy 40 Years Later: A Rare Case

Abstract We present a case of adenocarcinoma developing at the vesicocutaneous edge of a vesicostomy, 40 years after it was created, in a patient who underwent cadaveric kidney transplant. Although...
Reducing Firearm-Related Injuries and Deaths in the United States: Executive Summary of a Policy Position Paper From the American College of Physicians

In 1995, the American College of Physicians issued its first statement that raised concern about the epidemic of firearm violence in the United States and advocated for policies to reduce the rate ...
Automatic generation of contact state graphs between a polygon and a planar kinematic chain

Information of high-level, topological contact states is useful and sometimes even necessary for a wide range of robotic tasks involving interactions between a robot and its environment or objects of manipulation. While most of the existing research is focused on contact states between two rigid bodies, this paper presents a practical approach to represent concisely and generate automatically graphs of contact states between a polygonal object and an articulated planar object, i.e., a planar kinematic chain. The approach effectively exploits topological and geometrical constraints associated with such contact states to ensure both correctness and efficiency, as demonstrated by the implementation and applied examples.
Variation in the establishment of a non-native annual grass influences competitive interactions with Mojave Desert perennials

Competition between native and non- native species can change the composition and structure of plant communities, but in deserts, the highly variable timing of resource availability also influences non-native plant establishment, thus modulating their impacts on native species. In a field experiment, we varied densities of the non- native annual grass Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens around individuals of three native Mojave Desert perennials—Larrea tridentata, Achnathe- rum hymenoides, and Pleuraphis rigida—in either winter or spring. For comparison, additional plots were prepared for the same perennial species and seasons, but with a mixture of native annual species as neighbors. Growth of perennials declined when Bromus was established in winter because Bromus stands had 2-3 months of growth and high water use before perennial growth began. However, water potentials for the peren- nials were not significantly reduced, suggesting that direct competition for water may not be the major mechanism driving reduced perennial growth. The impact of Bromus on Larrea was lower than for the two perennial grasses, likely because Larrea maintains low growth rates throughout the year, even after Bromus has completed its life cycle. This result contrasts with the perennial grasses, whose phenology com- pletely overlaps with (Achnatherum) or closely follows (Pleuraphis) that of Bromus. In compari- son, Bromus plants established in spring were smaller than those established in winter and thus did not effectively reduce growth of the perenni- als. Growth of perennials with mixed annuals as neighbors also did not differ from those with Bromus neighbors of equivalent biomass, but stands of these native annuals did not achieve the high biomass of Bromus stands that were neces- sary to reduce perennial growth. Seed dormancy and narrow requirements for seedling survivor- ship of native annuals produce densities and biomass lower than those achieved by Bromus; thus, impacts of native Mojave Desert annuals on perennials are expected to be lower than those of Bromus.
Effect of Soil Factors on Methyl Bromide Volatilization after Soil Application

Two currenttasks regarding the use of methyl bromide (MeBr) as a soil fumigant are to accurately estimate its volatilization rate into the atmosphere from soil fumigation and to develop application and soil management techniques that minimize this volatilization .In this study, we established experimentally that a series of soil factors, e.g., soil type, soil water content, and bulk density, affect MeBr behavior in the soilwater-air phases and its volatilization rate from the soil surface. Methyl bromide volatilization was significantly decreased in an organic matter-rich soil due to enhanced degradation and in moist and dense soils due to reduced diffusion in the gas phase. These results imply that MeBr volatilization rate may vary from one geographic region to another or from one field to another in the same region due to changes in soil conditions or even from one site to another in the same field due to soil heterogeneity. To minimize MeBr volatilization from soil, MeBr should be injected at great depths in moist soil under tarped conditions, with the soil surface packed before or immediately after the application. Applying MeBr at a shallow depth into relatively dry and loose soil under untarped conditions will result in maximum volatilization and therefore should always be avoided.
Optical contactless probing: an all-silicon, fully optical approach

With decreasing feature size and increasing chip densities, the classical mechanical probe approach for internal fault detection and functional testing faces increasing challenges. Contactless testing might resolve many of the challenges associated with conventional mechanical wafer testing. This article reviews and explains existing optical contactless technologies and introduces a new test methodology - a fully optical contactless testing technique. The proposed method's uniqueness lies in the fact that it is a fully optical technique that uses visible light and is completely compatible with standard silicon IC processing. The technique produces results that demonstrate its feasibility and show its advantages over other optical contactless testing methods.
Solving an unusual clotting event during thawing of peripheral blood hematopoietic progenitor cell product

Although rare, hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) products clotting upon thawing presents enormous challenge. Peripheral blood HPC product was collected from a 10-year-old sibling donor, using acid-citrate-dextrose Formula A (ACD-A) ratio of 1:15 and additional heparin. Most of the product was freshly infused with no apparent clotting, and two additional aliquots were cryopreserved in dimethyl sulfoxide and human serum albumin for future infusion. Two months later one aliquot was thawed and issued in a syringe. At the time of issue no clotting was observed, but the infusion was stopped due to massive product clotting (see figure, A). Cell clumping is caused by multiple factors such as plasma cryofibrinogens and can be overcome by adding anticoagulants and altering cryopreservation practices. 1,2 We experienced only one similar event of 500 products collected over the past 5 years. Since our investigation found no unusual practices in the collection and processing of the recent product, we took extra measures to prevent clotting when thawing the last aliquot. These included adding ACD-A in 1:8 ratio, further dilution with Plasmalyte A, and filtration. The product was issued and administered successfully. To test our practice, a small postthaw sample was transferred into a tube before addition of the anticoagulant. This original unmanipulated sample clotted within 1 hour while the manipulated one did not (see figure, B), proving that ACD-A prevented clotting. Most collection facilities try to avoid using higher volumes of ACD-A due to its possible toxicity. 3 Adding anticoagulant to the final apheresis product might be an optional way to reduce the probability of similar events.
Unconstrained optimal control of regular languages

This paper formulates an unconstrained optimal policy for control of regular languages realized as deterministic finite state automata (DFSA). The state-based optimal control policy is obtained by selectively disabling controllable events to maximize a signed measure of the controlled plant language without any further constraints. Synthesis of the optimal control policy requires at most n iterations, where n is the number of states of the DFSA model. Each iteration solves a set of n simultaneous linear algebraic equations. As such, computational complexity of the control synthesis is of a polynomial order in n.
Audit Committee Interlocks and the Contagion of Accrual-Based and Real Earnings Management

Cohen et al. (2008) document that firms switched from accrual-based earnings management (AEM) to real earnings management (REM) within three years after passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) in 2002. A remaining question is how so many firms could have made the transition from one accounting practice to another in such a short period of time. We investigate a hidden mechanism underlying this large-scale, accelerated transfer of accounting knowledge. Our study reveals that audit committee interlocks facilitated firms’ post-SOX substitution from AEM to REM, contributed to the contagion of AEM before SOX and to the contagion of REM after SOX. Our results are robust for subsamples of intangible-intensive firms and manufacturing firms, which are more susceptible to REM. We further create a REM-AEM substitution index and find that the contagion of substitution from AEM to REM was disseminated through audit committee interlocks. Overall, we identify audit committee interlocks as a significant channel for transmitting accounting information between firms.
Predicting Car Collisions Using RSSI

The periodic broadcast of a safety message (SM) containing vehicle position and motion data is the salient mechanism for providing drivers pre-crash alerts in Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) networks. However, if SMs are compromised or contain erroneous information, drivers may be unaware of impending danger. Even if vehicles were also equipped with active sensors, awareness may not be achievable in severe non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions where collision avoidance is needed most. In this work, a novel system for providing collision avoidance using the Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) in V2V networks is presented. Experimental observations of RSSI during collision and no-collision outcomes are analyzed to develop the system's prediction methodology, which is then rigorously tested through a simulation environment to assess the detection performance. The proposed system does not use traditional (Received Signal Strength) RSS distance estimation, fingerprinting, or cooperative methods, which depend heavily on a priori knowledge of path loss conditions. Instead, the decentralized system identifies specific trends in RSSI indicative of a collision. In comparison to RSS distance estimation methods, the proposed system is shown to detect over 35% more collisions in a variety of channel conditions, including NLOS.
Vector Spaces and Modules

Let K be a field. A vector space V over the field K is an additive (abelian) group, together with a multiplication of elements of V by elements of K, i.e. an association $$ \left( {x,v} \right) \mapsto xv $$ of K × V into V, satisfying the following conditions: VS 1. If 1 is the unit element of K, then 1 υ = υ for all υ ∈ V. VS 2. If c ∈ K and υ, w ∈ V, then c(v + w) = cυ + cw. VS 3. If x, y ∈ K and υ ∈ V, then (x + y)υ = xυ + yv. VS 4. If x, y ∈ K and υ ∈ V, then (xy)υ = x(yυ).
Report of a case of localized Castleman's disease with progression to malignant lymphoma.

Patients with multicentric Castleman’s disease have an increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. However, development of lymphoma in the localized form of Castleman’s disease has not been previously reported. This case study describes a patient with localized Castleman’s disease, hyaline vascular type, whose course was complicated by follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Proton Spectroscopy of the Pediatric Brain

Initial results from proton spectroscopy performed on the brains of 80 pediatric patients indicate both a research and clinical investigative role for MRS in the future evaluation of pediatric pati...
Herpes Simplex Encephalitis Relapse

The clinical, biological, and radiological features of 8 episodes of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) relapse are reviewed from the Hopital Saint Vincent de Paul, Paris.
On Higher Vocational Colleges "Basis" Course of Construction of Diversified Practical Teaching Model

Carrying out practice teaching is an essential way to promote purposiveness and effectiveness of ideological and political theory teaching in univenities.The paper discusses the comtruction of a diversified model of practice teaching in the course Ideological and Moral Cultivation and legal basis(hereinafter referred to as "basis").The author presents the proposal of "one unity,two platforms,and three levels".
Theory and algorithm of microwave diffaction computerized tomog-raphy

Because of the difficulties met during X-ray computerized tomography(CT)development whichcannot be overcomed in itself, it has very important theoretical and practical values for us to find new radia-tion sources and explore new reconstruction theories and methods。 Based on the results of X-ray CT and theprinciple of microwave scattering, the theory of microwave diffraction tomography is demonstrated and a newFourier domain fast reconstruction algorithm has been worked out for the first time。A software system forthe algorithm was set up, with which a successful data imitation experiment for reconstruction of cylinderswith various sizes and dielectric constant was completed and a correct conclusion was reached. Discussion ofthe theory and algorithm may also provide a new way for X-ray CT research, and has some reference and use-ful value for the limited-view reconstruction problems。
Modulation of smooth muscle contraction by sphingosylphosphorylcholine

We have investigated the effect of sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC), a synthetic product that was implicated in the sphingomyelin cycle, and have assessed its role in intracellular signaling. SPC induced a dose-dependent contractile effect of smooth muscle cells isolated from the rectosigmoid of the rabbit. Maximal contraction occurred at 10(-6) M. The response started early, 25.4 +/- 6% shortening at 15 s, peaked at 30 s (32.5 +/- 2%), and remained sustained at 8 min (30.0 +/- 3.5%). Preincubation of the cells with thapsigargin had no effect on contraction induced by SPC. The response to a combination of threshold concentrations of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and SPC was additive and was significantly different from the maximal response elicited by each agent alone. SPC also induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase). This study demonstrates that SPC is important in cellular signaling of gastrointestinal smooth muscle cells through a mechanism that is independent of IP3-sensitive calcium release and probably through activation of a protein kinase C-mediated activation of MAP kinase.
Long-CPI MIMO SAR based GMTI

The problem of detecting ground moving targets with arbitrary linear motion using an airborne multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar is considered. The proposed approach leverages a long coherent processing interval (CPI), and maximizes the moving target signal energy via matching the target's azimuthal signature. The algorithm forms SAR images focused to different hypothesized along-track target velocities, and then uses the MIMO array to detect moving targets in these images. The use of a MIMO array enhances the system's GMTI performance without requiring additional physical channels via the virtual array concept. By reparametrizing the target's linear motion profile, the SAR image formation process can be decoupled from the MIMO array processing, allowing for efficient implementation of the algorithm. Because the approach generates estimates of the target's along-track and cross-track velocity components, a unique determination of the target's motion parameters is possible. The approach is derived, and investigated via simulated data.
Pulmonary nodule in an asymptomatic 64-year-old woman.

Abstract The unexpected finding of a pulmonary nodule in an asymptomatic patient is a common clinical event. This paper examines the case of a 64-year-old woman who was discovered to have a small pulmonary nodule on routine examination. Differential diagnosis, modes of examination, and pathological findings are examined.