cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Issues involved with the use of optical reflectance systems for measurements of SIMOX silicon-on-insulator thickness

Current visible light reflectance spectrometers in nearly all wafer fabs have the capability to measure thin film (<5000 /spl Aring/) Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) layer thicknesses. Additionally, variable spot sizes and pattern recognition with precise stage movement make these systems highly desirable for routine monitoring of SOI thickness in production environments. Unfortunately not all users of this equipment are aware of the capabilities and shortcomings of their systems when applied to measurements of SIMOX produced SOI. Sensitivity analysis should be used to aid in setup of recipe parameters before release to production. In this work, various SIMOX wafers were measured using a Prometrix FT-600 system which was upgraded to include the spectral analysis software which is normally resident on newer systems. Mean Square Error (MSE) is used to evaluate the 'goodness of fit' between measured reflectance curves and the theoretical curve for a solution.
Work in progress — Web-based screen movie presentations as part of a professionalism course in chemical engineering

Over the last few years we have reported on a research program focusing on the use of online screen movies as a content delivery mechanism, and in particular, as a mechanism for use in high enrollment, lecture-laboratory courses. In the current report we begin a new thread in our research program: the use of online screen movies created by students as an exercise in building communication skills. In a junior level chemical engineering course on professionalism in the College of Engineering, Michigan State University, one of the course goals focuses on fulfilling ABET criteria for developing effective student oral communication skills. We augmented the traditional live presentation setting with student assignments to create a web-based presentation. Although preliminary, initial data suggests that the two types of presentations augment one another; students report skills learned in creating voice over screen presentations helped them be better traditional oral presenters, and vice versa.
A comparison of three radiofrequency coils for NMR studies of conductive samples.

Three rf coil designs of equal volume (approximately 15 ml) were compared using conductive samples. Magnetic loss into the sample was the dominant noise source. At physiological conductivity the sensitivity of the horizontally aligned solenoid and loop-gap resonator was only 1.3 ± 0.2 times that of the vertically aligned slotted tube resonator. © 1989 Academic Press, Inc.
High-Resolution Temporal Response Patterns to Influenza Vaccine Reveal a Distinct Human Plasma Cell Gene Signature

To identify sources of inter-subject variation in vaccine responses, we performed high-frequency sampling of human peripheral blood cells post-vaccination, followed by a novel systems biology analysis. Functional principal component analysis was used to examine time varying B cell vaccine responses. In subjects vaccinated within the previous three years, 90% of transcriptome variation was explained by a single subject-specific mathematical pattern. Within individual vaccine response patterns, a common subset of 742 genes was strongly correlated with migrating plasma cells. Of these, 366 genes were associated with human plasmablasts differentiating in vitro. Additionally, subject-specific temporal transcriptome patterns in peripheral blood mononuclear cells identified migration of myeloid/dendritic cell lineage cells one day after vaccination. Upstream analyses of transcriptome changes suggested both shared and subject-specific transcription groups underlying larger patterns. With robust statistical methods, time-varying response characteristics of individual subjects were effectively captured along with a shared plasma cell gene signature.
Effects of flip angle uncertainty and noise on the accuracy of DCE-MRI metrics: comparison between standard concentration-based and signal difference methods.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI is becoming an increasingly important tool to assess tumors and their response to treatment. In the most common method of computing tumor perfusion parameters, the concentration of the injected contrast agent is first computed in both tumor and blood which is subsequently fit to a perfusion model, typically the Tofts two compartment model. However, this strategy can be highly sensitive to errors in the excitation flip angle and noise. More recently, a simpler method of determining perfusion was developed in which the difference signal, obtained by subtracting the measured time course signal by the signal prior to bolus arrival, is utilized in lieu of the concentration values. The goal of this work is to compare the performance of these two strategies with simulation experiments in the presence of flip angle errors and different levels of image signal to noise ratios (SNRs). Results show that with the conventional method, if assumed pre-contrast T1 of blood is used, large errors in perfusion (exceeding 400% and 200% for Ktrans and ve, respectively) can occur in the presence of flip angle deviations typically observed in vivo. However, when baseline T1 values are measured for both tumor and blood, the errors become a function of flip angle difference between the two locations, with nearly no error if the flip angle errors are identical at both locations. The errors are substantially smaller with the signal difference strategy (less than 100% for both Ktrans and ve). The latter method also yields more consistent perfusion values at varying SNR levels. The results suggest that measuring the actual flip angle may be critical for obtaining absolute perfusion values, but in studies in which relative changes in perfusion is of primary interest or if true flip angles are not known, the signal difference strategy may be preferred over the standard concentration-based method.
Does the gastric antrum elaborate an antisecretory hormone.

1. Since resection of the remaining antrum in dogs with hemitransplants of the antrum to the colon is followed by no change in Heidenhain-pouch secretion, there is no evidence that there is a controlling antisecretory hormone elaborated by the antrum.
Ritual Formation of Peaceful Publics: Sacrifice and Syncretism in South Sudan (1991-2005)

During the most violent days of Sudan’s civil war in the 1990s, a peacemaking initiative known as People-to-People Peacemaking emerged to address ongoing conflict perpetuated by rival Dinka and Nuer rebel movements. The ritual of bull sacrifice, a central feature of the peace process, sealed peace between Nuer and Dinka and formed public alliances between church leaders and kinship authorities represented by elders and chiefs. Joining indigenous and Christian practices in a single ritual space allowed inclusive participation by a variety of actors, many of whom interpreted the ritual quite differently. Utilizing various methods of ritual analysis, this essay suggests that a seemingly religious ritual enabled new forms of political action, previously unavailable through rebel movements’ politics or kinship politics. While rebel leaders often perpetuated political power by manipulating ethnic sentiments, elders and Christian leaders developed forms of politics based on peaceful coexistence and shared identity between Dinka and Nuer.
Presentation and Treatment Outcomes of Patients With Symptomatic Inferior Vena Cava Filters

Background Use of inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) has become more prevalent for the prevention of venous thromboembolism in part due to their ease of deployment and retrieval. Nonthrombotic complications of IVCFs are unusual but have been described. This study characterizes this cohort of patients and elucidates their clinical outcome. Methods Between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2011, six patients were identified with nonthrombotic symptoms attributed to their IVCF. Symptoms included abdominal/back pain, hypertension from renal artery compression, and hydroureter from ureteral compression. Results The average age of the patients was 38.8 years (range 21 to 71 years) and all were female. Indication for IVCF placement included deep vein thrombosis (n = 2), deep vein thrombosis with pulmonary embolism (n = 1), and perioperative prophylaxis (n = 3). Filter types included the Ninitol Bard G2 (n = 3), Cook Celect (n = 1), Gunther Tulip (n = 1), and ALN (n = 1). The median time from IVCF placement to retrieval was 285 days (range 20 to 2091 days). At presentation, all IVCFs were tilted and had struts penetrating through the vena cava wall. Every IVCF was successfully removed: four by endovascular approach and two by open surgery. All patients had complete resolution of symptoms and there were no procedural complications. Conclusions Symptomatic IVCFs occur in female patients, and are always associated with device strut erosion outside the inferior vena cava. Successful retrieval can be safely achieved by an endovascular or open surgical technique, resulting in symptom resolution.
Isolation of tomato strains varying in potassium acquisition using a sand-zeolite culture system

One hundred tomato strains, representing widely diverse geographic areas, were evaluated in a sand-zeolite culture medium for their response to both low (0.25 mM) and adequate (1.0 mM) K levels. Three types of strains differing in K acquisition were classified: (1) efficient strains characterized by their ability to acquire K under low-K stress and with dry matter accumulation comparable to the strains grown under adequate-K supply, (2) inefficient strains that grew well under adequate-K supply but with a low capacity to acquire K at low-K stress and correspondingly lesser dry weight production, and (3) slowly growing strains featured by low K content in tissue and low dry matter accumulation irrespective of external K levels. The efficient and slowly growing strains came mostly from South and Central America, where tomato originated and was domesticated. Strains from other regions, however, mostly showed inefficiency in K acquisition. Two distinct features associated with the efficiency of K acquisition were identified. One was the proliferation of root length and another was high net K-influx rates per unit root length under low-K stress. Our results suggested that mechanisms for efficient acquisition of nutrients were lost during the cultivation of plants, and centers of plant origin and domestication contain valuable genetic resources for improving plant efficiency in nutrient acquisition.
Toward a Continuous Specification of the Democracy–Autocracy Connection

It has recently been argued that apparent peace between democracies may be the result of political similarity rather than joint democracy, and that there may exist an “autocratic peace” which is similar to the democratic peace. If political similarity generally is the cause of peace rather than joint democracy specifically, then the democratic peace is merely a statistical artifact that follows from separating out a selected subset of data. In addition, we do not know whether the autocratic peace or democratic peace is stronger, if they both exist. Existing empirical specifications of the connection between joint regime type and international conflict have not been adequate to assess these arguments. I develop a specification of joint regime-type variables that uses continuous measures without arbitrary cutoffs and allows us to assess a larger set of hypothesized regime-type effects. I find that jointly democratic and jointly autocratic pairs of states are both less conflict prone than other pairings, but that political similarity apart from these extremes has a much smaller effect on the risk of conflict. The results suggest that political similarity between coherent regimes (those at extremes of the institutionalized democracy–autocracy scale) encourages dyadic peace. But although there is a lower risk of conflict in both jointly democratic and jointly autocratic dyads, I find that the democratic peace is clearly stronger than the autocratic peace.
Subtle Modification of 2,2-Dipicolylamine Lowers the Affinity and Improves the Turn-On of Zn(II)-Selective Fluorescent Sensors

The spectroscopic and proton- and Zn(II)-binding properties of two new members of the Zinpyr family of fluorescent sensors are reported. In ZP1B and ZP3B, a (2-picolyl)(4-picolyl)amine (2,4-DPA) moiety is installed in place of the di(2-picolyl)amine (2,2-DPA) ligand used in the parent sensors ZP1 and ZP3. This modification has the benefit of both lowering the proton-induced turn-on at physiological pH levels and altering the Zn(II) affinity so as to detect only the most concentrated stores of this ion in biological samples. Comparison of the proton affinities of all four probes, as determined by potentiometric titrations, contributes to our understanding of the solution properties of this family of sensors.
Retained Left Atrial Catheter: An Unusual Cardiac Source of Embolism Identified by Transesophageal Echocardiography

Abstract Embolic events have become a major indication for transesophageal echocardiography. We report three patients with cerebrovascular accident who were discovered to have retained left atrial catheter as a cardiac source of embolism. These radiolucent catheters, placed during previous cardiac surgery, were used for perioperative left atrial monitoring. Fracture of the catheter occurred during percutaneous removal after surgery. Subsequent identification was established by transesophageal echocardiography, which demonstrated a characteristic appearance of the catheter remnant within the left atrium. All patients underwent reoperation to remove the retained catheter and have had no recurrent embolic events. Although uncommon, retained catheter in the left atrium is an important potential source of systemic embolism. The diagnosis can be easily made with transesophageal echocardiography and should prompt surgical extraction of the catheter. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 1998;11:66-70.)
Power Converter with Gradient Power Architecture and Non-Uniform Current Sharing

A Gradient Power Architecture concept with Non-Uniform Current/power Sharing is presented in this paper. A Voltage Regulator with this concept is designed, analyzed, and experimented. This scheme results in improved efficiency especially at lighter loads and the ability to control steady-state and dynamic performance especially when some of the phases are turned OFF at lighter loads.
THE CONCEPT OF SOCIAL ROLE REVISITED

A new critical chapter in the long history of polemics about the concept of role has been written by some feminist sociologists. These authors point to a number of limitations in “the language of roles.” They charge that this approach “retains its functionalist roots,” focuses more on individuals than on social structure, and has other flaws. Having assessed the validity of these critiques, this article examines some recent alternative conceptualizations of gender. The comparative analysis concludes that each of the proposed conceptualizations illuminates some selected features, but none, including the role perspective, can serve as an all-inclusive paradigm for the study of gender.
A generalization of the Barban–Davenport–Halberstam Theorem to number fields

For a fixed number field K, we consider the mean square error in estimating the number of primes with norm congruent to a modulo q by the Chebotarev Density Theorem when averaging over all q⩽Q and all appropriate a. Using a large sieve inequality, we obtain an upper bound similar to the Barban–Davenport–Halberstam Theorem.
Regional Interest Rate Premia in the American Railroad Bond Market from 1876 to 1890

Abstract A pattern of higher interest rates in the South and West of the postbellum United States has been well established in the literature. Kenneth Snowden has examined their effects on home and farm mortgages (1987a). Lance Davis has tracked similar patterns in bank-financed projects (1965). This work complements that of Snowden and Davis by establishing that similar interest rate premia existed in the railroad bond market—the most institutionally mature capital market of the era. Hence a broad range of investment opportunities of the era were subject to capital market imperfections. In this paper I examine the offering yields of long-term, railroad bonds issued from 1876 to 1890. I use a risk-neutral model of a bond's value that incorporates both the likelihood and severity of default to solve for the interest rate premia paid by the South and West—0.97 and 1.02%, respectively.
Induced resistance to bacitracin in cultures of Staphylococcus aureus.

penicillin is also considered. Induction of resistance to penicillin by originally susceptible strains of Staph, aureus has been shown to be rapid by many workers. Rammelkamp and Maxon,1 McKee and Houck,2 Bondi and Dietz,3 Demerec,4 Todd et al,5 Luria,6 Graessle and Frost,7 Klimek et al,8 and Bellamy and Klimek9 found that resistance rose rapidly, and as a result of increased resistance to penicillin, strains of Staph, aureus developed morphological and cultural changes in their characteristics as well as a decrease
Effect of poly(ethylene methyl acrylate) copolymer on thermal, morphological, and mechanical properties of polypropylene copolymer blown films

Blends of polypropylene copolymer (PP-cp) and poly(ethylene methyl acrylate) [poly(EMA)] copolymer blends were processed by blown film extrusion. The orientation and crystallinity of PP-cp matrix in the blend did not change significantly with the addition of EMA. The low machine direction and transverse direction tear strengths, which are observed for neat polypropylene blown films more than doubled at 6 wt % or higher content of EMA. The increase in tear properties was mainly attributed to a fine dispersion of EMA in the matrix with an average particle size of 100–500 nm and the formation of elongated domains. The dispersed nonrounded EMA domains, resulting from the blown-film process, enhance better energy dissipation mechanism with the formation of an extended plastic zone in the blend films as compared with that in pure PP-cp films. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
A Computerized Final Exam for a Library Skills Course

In the fall of 1997 and again in the fall of 1998, the Iowa State University Library administered a computer‐based final exam to a special section of the library’s mandatory library skills class. To this end an effective Windows‐based test was created in‐house using Authorware. That the project was a success says much about the current state of computers and authoring systems: what once had been the purview of computer programmers has become increasingly accessible to computer‐literate librarians with some programming skills. The exam involved work at many levels: test appearance, keeping track of test answers, creating special features, recording scores in files, and network security. The exam was one more important step in making the class almost entirely computer‐based. It set a milestone for the library that was at once as significant as it was achievable.
The defense hypothesis of elemental hyperaccumulation: status, challenges and new directions

Elemental hyperaccumulation may have several functions, including plant defense against natural enemies. A total of 34 studies, including 72 experimental tests, have been conducted to date. At least some tests have demonstrated defense by hyperaccumulated As, Cd, Ni, Se and Zn, but relatively few plant taxa and natural enemies have been investigated. Defense by hyperaccumulated Ni has been shown for most leaf/root chewing herbivores and pathogens tested (20 of 26 tests) but not for herbivores of other feeding modes (1 of 8 tests). Most tests (5 of 6) using Ni concentrations below accumulator levels found no defensive effect, and the single test using plants in the accumulator range also found no effect. For Zn, mixed results have been reported for both hyperaccumulator (3 of 6 tests showed defense) and accumulator levels (3 of 4 tests showed defense). These tests have focused exclusively on leaf chewing/scraping herbivores: no herbivores of other feeding modes, or pathogens, have been tested. Both hyperaccumulator and accumulator concentrations of Se generally have shown defensive effects (12 of 14 tests). Most (75%) of these positive results used plants with accumulator Se concentrations. The three tests of Cd showed defensive effects in two cases, one for hyperaccumulator and one for sub-accumulator Cd concentrations. Arsenic has been tested only once, and was found effective against a leaf-chewing herbivore at a concentration much less than the hyperaccumulator level. Defense studies have used a variety of experimental approaches, including choice and no-choice experiments as well as experiments that use artificial diet or growth media. Investigations of hyperaccumulation as a defense against natural enemies have led to two emerging questions. First, what is the minimum concentration of an element sufficient for defense? Evidence suggests that plants other than hyperaccumulators (such as accumulators) may be defended by elements against some natural enemies. Second, do the effects of an element combine with the effects of organic defensive compounds in plants to produce enhanced joint defensive effects? Recent investigation of this “joint effects hypothesis,” using Ni and secondary plant compounds in artificial insect diet, has demonstrated joint effects. Initial answers to both these questions suggest that defensive effects of elements in plants are more widespread than previously believed. These results also suggest an evolutionary pathway by which elemental hyperaccumulation may have evolved from accumulation. In this “defensive enhancement” scenario, defensive benefits of elevated levels of elements may have led to stepwise increases in element concentrations that further magnified these benefits. This series of steps could have led to increased accumulation, and ultimately hyperaccumulation, of elements by plants.
Multicenter Integration Scheme for Electronic Structure Calculations of Periodic and Nonperiodic Polyatomic Systems

The authors present a numerical integration scheme designed to treat the type of multicenter integrals encountered in electronic structure calculations. By developing a notation that differentiates between those atomic centers where integrands have significant amplitudes and those where they do not, they find a way to decompose multicenter integrals (into sums over one-center integrals) such that the number of operations needed for a given matrix element does not increase with increasing system size. In addition, a new adaptive one-center grid is presented that accounts for the shell structures of core electrons while allowing for the vastly different behavior of integrands in the valence and tail regions. Through the use of model integrands the necessary grid points are automatically generated for a given system based on the accuracy requested. The new multicenter decomposition scheme and one-center grid have been tested separately and in conjunction with each other. Results of such tests demonstrate that their decomposition scheme combined with their one-center grid provides significant improvements over existing multicenter integration schemes. In addition to demonstrating the efficiency of the method for any size system, the authors will show that the CPU cost of an integral remains constant for systems larger than some easilymore » achievable threshold size. In general comparison shows that the larger the system, the higher is the percent gain in efficiency over previously published methods. In addition, the higher the accuracy targeted, the higher percentage the gain. Also, the higher the accuracy required for a given system, the higher is the gain in efficiency. The method is therefore of great use for large polyatomic molecules and periodic systems.« less
Laser-Enabled Tests of Relativistic Gravity in Space

Existing capabilities in laser ranging, optical interferometry, precision frequency standards allow for major advances in space-based tests of relativistic gravity. We discuss recent experimental proposals relying on these technologies to address important fundamental physics questions.
A demonstration of the iCARE portable reader

This demonstration will show the features and function of the portable iCARE Reader device, which allows people who are blind or visually impaired to read books (and other forms of printed text) in a more natural and convenient way than current tabletop flatbed scanner systems.
Regenerating adult chicken skeletal muscle and satellite cell cultures express embryonic patterns of myosin and tropomyosin isoforms.

Regenerating areas of adult chicken fast muscle (pectoralis major) and slow muscle (anterior latissimus dorsi) were examined in order to determine synthesis patterns of myosin light chains, heavy chains and tropomyosin. In addition, these patterns were also examined in muscle cultures derived from satellite cells of adult fast and slow muscle. One week after cold-injury the regenerating fast muscle showed a pattern of synthesis that was predominately embryonic. These muscles synthesized the embryonic myosin heavy chain, β-tropomyosin and reduced amounts of myosin fast light chain-3 which are characteristic of embryonic fast muscle but synthesized very little myosin slow light chains. The regenerating slow muscle, however, showed a nearly complete array of embryonic peptides including embryonic myosin heavy chain, fast and slow myosin light chains and both α-fast and slow tropomyosins. Peptide map analysis of the embryonic myosin heavy chains synthesized by regenerating fast and slow muscles showed them to be identical. Thus, in both muscles there is a return to embryonic patterns during regeneration but this return appears to be incomplete in the pectoralis major. By 4 weeks postinjury both regenerating fast and slow muscles had stopped synthesizing embryonic isoforms of myosin and tropomyosin and had returned to a normal adult pattern of synthesis. Adult fast and slow muscles yielded a satellite cell population that formed muscle fibers in culture. Fibers derived from either population synthesized the embryonic myosin heavy chain in addition to α-fast and β-tropomyosin. Thus, muscle fibers derived in culture from satellite cells of fast and slow muscles synthesized a predominately embryonic pattern of myosin heavy chains and tropomyosin. In addition, however, the satellite cell-derived myotubes from fast muscle synthesized only fast myosin light chains while the myotubes derived from slow muscle satellite cells synthesized both fast and slow myosin light chains. Thus, while both kinds of satellite cells produced embryonic type myotubes in culture the overall patterns were not identical. Satellite cells of fast and slow muscle appear therefore to have diverged from each other in their commitment during maturation in vivo.
Potassium salt-assisted synthesis of highly microporous carbon spheres for CO2 adsorption

Abstract Highly microporous carbon spheres for CO2 adsorption were prepared by using a slightly modified one-pot Stober synthesis in the presence of potassium oxalate. Formaldehyde and resorcinol were used as carbon precursors, ammonia as a catalyst, and potassium oxalate as an activating agent. The resulting potassium salt-containing phenolic resin spheres were simultaneously carbonized and activated at 800 °C in flowing nitrogen. Carbonization of the aforementioned polymeric spheres was accompanied by their activation, which resulted in almost five-time higher specific surface area and total pore volume, and almost four-time higher micropore volume as compared to analogous properties of the carbon sample prepared without the salt. The proposed synthesis resulted in microporous carbon spheres having the surface area of 2130 m2 g−1, total pore volume of 1.10 cm3 g−1, and the micropore volume of 0.78 cm3 g−1, and led to the substantial enlargement of microporosity in these spheres, especially in relation to fine micropores (pores below 1 nm), which enhance CO2 adsorption. These carbon spheres showed three-time higher volume of fine micropores, which resulted in the CO2 adsorption of 6.6 mmol g−1 at 0 °C and 1 atm.
The role of toxic substances in the interactions of higher plants.

That toxic substances may be given out to soil by higher plants and that these substances may affect the growth of the same or other species is a theory which while old is not yet generally accepted. DeCandolle (8) noted that certain species appeared to be specifically inhibitory to the growth of associated species, as, for example, Euphorbia versus flax and thistles versus oats. On the basis of these observations deCandolle developed a theory of crop rotation embodying the general idea that each member in a rotation should be a species not inhibited in its growth by toxic substances left from the preceding crop. Liebig (15), while he originally supported the theory of deCandolle-, later and as a result of his exhaustive analyses on the depletion of soil minerals by crops, came to the conclusion that not only the amounts but the balances between inorganic materials in the soil are of importance in the growth of plants. On this basis he ultimately discounted the notion that toxic substances may be of importance in regulating crop yields. From the time of Liebig until the present day, plant growth interactions have been almost unanimously interpreted in terms of mineral nutrition effects, or more recently in terms of water competition. The interest in toxic secretions of plants arose in part from a consideration of so-called soil sickness due to one-crop agriculture. Thus it was frequently observed in early experiments that as a piece of ground was continuously cropped to one plant the yields decreased and that these decreases could not be made up by additional fertilizer. Besides the injurious after-effects or yieldlowering effects of one-crop agriculture, several cases of harmful interaction between plants grown adjacent to each other in a field, or of one crop on a succeeding crop, were also recorded. Thus effects of grass on fruit trees, of walnut trees on other plants, of corn, rye, thistles, turnips, sesame, rutabaga and others, were ob-
Two-dimensional polarization encoding with a phase-only liquid-crystal spatial light modulator

We show how to two dimensionally encode the polarization state of an incident light beam using a parallel-aligned liquid-crystal spatial light modulator (LCSLM). Each pixel of the LCSLM acts as a voltage-controlled wave plate and can be programmed over a 2pi phase range at a wavelength of 514.5 nm. Techniques are reviewed for either rotating the major axis of elliptically polarized light or for converting an input linearly polarized beam into an arbitrary elliptically polarized beam. Experimental results are demonstrated in which we generate various two-dimensional spatial patterns of polarized light. Several potential applications are suggested. We also report an unexpected edge-enhancement effect that might be useful in image processing applications.
Monotonic Mean-Squared Convergence Conditions for Random Pairwise Consensus Synchronization in Wireless Networks

Time synchronization is important for a variety of applications in wireless networks including scheduling communication resources, interference avoidance, and data fusion. This paper analyzes the problem of synchronizing nodes in a timedivision-duplexed wireless network via consensus methods using only acknowledged message exchanges over existing network traffic. The nodes are assumed to communicate synchronization information randomly and asymmetrically, reflecting the random nature of the timing and the source of synchronization information gleaned from or embedded in existing network traffic. The synchronization method accounts for non-negligible propagation delays which can be disruptive to consensus techniques. To characterize both transient and asymptotic consensus behavior, general results are presented providing necessary and sufficient conditions for monotonic mean squared convergence of a distance from consensus metric at an exponential rate. While the general results apply to a broad class of random consensus models, two models are analyzed in detail: (i) random asymmetric gossip and (ii) fully-connected random broadcast. Bounds are derived for the steady-state distance from consensus in the presence of estimation error. Numerical results are also presented verifying the analysis under different network topologies.
Development of a strategic research plan for an academic department through the use of quality function deployment

Abstract Quality Function Deployment (QFD) is a popular approach for formalizing the process of listening to “the voice of the customer,” and assigning responsibilities to members of an organization in an effort to respond effectively to customer needs, QFD is being used by the Department of Industrial Engineering at Mississippi State University to help identify key customers for departmental research efforts, to identify and track the research needs of those customers, to fashion a comprehensive strategic plan for departmental research activities based on customer needs, to deploy various research functions and responsibilities to specific faculty members or groups, and to track research performance relative to goals. This approach appears to be an excellent means of formalizing the process of strategic research planning.
Effects of organic matter and controlled-release fertilizer on nutrient retention during intermittentmist propagation

Abstract Semi-hardwood cuttings of Ligustrum japonicum Thunb. and Juniperus conferta Parl. were propagated in sand or sand : peat (1 : 1 v/v) and top-dressed with osmocote controlled-release fertilizers at various rates. Soluble salts, NO−3, P and K leaching through media was greater in sand, especially with osmocote 14-14-14. Loss of P and K in both media was not as rapid as the loss of NO−3. The pH of leachate from sand : peat was significantly less than that from sand. The 18-6-12 osmocote provided steady nutrient release in both media.
Southern Plant Diagnostic Network Invasive Arthropod Workshop: May 7–9, 2007, Clemson, South Carolina, USA

The South American rice miner (SARM), Hydrellia wirthi Korytkowski, is a new invasive insect pest of rice in the United States. The species was first described from collections in rice fields from Peru and Colombia. It was reported for the first time in the United States from rice fields in Louisiana in 2004. The species was then reported in different rice areas of Louisiana and Texas. The SARM is a shore fly (Diptera: Ephydridae). The only shore-fly species previously known to infest commercial rice in the US was the smaller rice leafminer, Hydrellia griseola (Fallen). A field survey for the SARM was conducted in the most important rice producing areas of Louisiana and Texas. The objective of the survey was to determine the distribution of this new invasive species and to assess the severity of infestations in rice fields. Efforts were focused to inspect rice fields from one to six weeks of emergence. Commercial rice fields were scouted using a standard 15-inch sweep net. Ten sweep passes at five different locations were performed in each field. Fly adults (dipterans) were collected from nets using a mouth aspirator. Suspicious dipterans were preserved in 70% ethyl alcohol and forwarded to the USDA-ARS-Systematic Entomology Laboratory (SEL) identifier for official confirmation to species level. In addition, suspected damaged plants were taken to a laboratory and fly larvae reared until adult emergence. Fly adults and associated parasitoids emerged in the laboratory were shipped in vials containing 70% ethyl alcohol. A total of 15 different Louisiana parishes were surveyed which included 1223 hectares (3023 acres) of rice. The following parishes were surveyed in 2005: Vermilion, 260 hectares (642 acres); Acadia, 191 hectares (471 acres); Lafayette, 12 hectares (30 acres); St. Landry, 85 hectares (210 acres); Jefferson Davis, 168 hectares (414 acres), Allen, 103 hectares (254 acres); Calcasieu, 45 hectares (110 acres); St. Martin, 81 hectares (200 acres); Cameron, 81 hectares (200 acres); Evangeline, 12 hectares (30 acres); Avoyelles, 36 hectares (90 acres); Concordia, 133 hectares (328 acres); Tensas, 3 hectares (7 acres); Franklin, 2 hectares (5 acres); East Carroll, 13 hectares (32 acres). Forty five vials containing suspicious fly samples (including 5 vials with emerged parasitoids) were sent to the SEL identifier for identification to species level. The field survey revealed that the SARM is widely distributed in all the important rice producing areas of Louisiana. Higher infestations, i.e. those causing significant yield losses, were observed in coastal parishes including Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Acadia and Vermilion parishes. The insect was found at very low levels in other rice areas of southwest, central and northeastern Louisiana including Calcasieu, Allen, St. Martin, Concordia and Tensas parishes. The distribution of the species in Texas counties includes Calhoun, Colorado, Jackson, Jefferson, Matagorda, and Wharton counties.
Integrin signaling in inflammatory and neuropathic pain in the rat

Many painful conditions are associated with alterations in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of affected tissues. While several integrins, the receptors for ECM proteins, are present on sensory neurons that mediate pain, the possible role of these cell adhesion molecules in inflammatory or neuropathic pain has not been explored. We found that the intradermal injection of peptide fragments of domains of laminin and fibronectin important for adhesive signaling selectively inhibited the hyperalgesia caused by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and epinephrine (EPI), respectively. The block of EPI hyperalgesia was mimicked by other peptides containing the RGD integrin-binding sequence. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the alpha1 or alpha3 integrin subunits, which participate in laminin binding, selectively blocked PGE2 hyperalgesia, while a mAb against the alpha5 subunit, which participates in fibronectin binding, blocked only EPI-induced hyperalgesia. A mAb against the beta1 integrin subunit, common to receptors for both laminin and fibronectin, inhibited hyperalgesia caused by both agents, as did the knockdown of beta1 integrin expression by intrathecal injection of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides. The laminin peptide, but not the fibronectin peptides, also reversibly abolished the longer lasting inflammatory hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan. Finally, the neuropathic hyperalgesia caused by systemic administration of the cancer chemotherapy agent taxol was reversibly inhibited by antisense knockdown of beta1 integrin. These results strongly implicate specific integrins in the maintenance of inflammatory and neuropathic hyperalgesia.
Scope and Mechanism of the C−H Bond Activation Reactivity within a Supramolecular Host by an Iridium Guest: A Stepwise Ion Pair Guest Dissociation Mechanism

A chiral self-assembled supramolecular M4L6 assembly has been shown to be a suitable host for a series of reactive monocationic half-sandwich iridium guests 1, 3, and 4 that are capable of activating C−H bonds. Upon encapsulation, selective C−H bond activation of organic substrates occurs. Precise size and shape selectivity are observed in the C−H bond activation of aldehydes and ether substrates. The reactions exhibit significant kinetic diastereoselectivities. Thermodynamic studies have shown that the iridium starting materials and products are bound strongly by the host assembly. The encapsulation process is largely entropy-driven. Kinetic investigations with water-soluble phosphine traps and added salts have provided evidence for a unique stepwise mechanism of guest dissociation for [4 ⊂ Ga4L6]. Iridium guest 4 first dissociates from the host cavity to form an ion pair with the host exterior. This species then fully dissociates from the host exterior into the bulk solution. Model ion pair intermediate...
233: Clinical Improvement in Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) Following Renal Transplantation: Should ‘NSF Points’ be Considered in Allocation?

CLINICAL IMPROVEMENT IN NEPHROGENIC SYSTEMIC FIBROSIS (NSF) FOLLOWING RENAL TRANSPLANTATION: SHOULD ‘NSF POINTS’ BE CONSIDERED IN ALLOCATION? Sharad Sathyan , Swetha Nataraj, M. Atiq Dada, K. Vinay Ranga Medicine / Transplantation, Hartford hospital/UCHC, Farmington, CT NSF is a fibrosing disease with serious consequences including limb contractures, multi organ involvement and high mortality. Gadolinium exposure is implicated. Treatment has been largely disappointing. A 62 year old female on peritoneal dialysis for 18 months due to ESRD secondary to hypertension and chronic NSAID use underwent an MRI with contrast for work up of a complex renal cyst. Four weeks later, the skin over her lower extremities became sensitive to touch with burning sensation and periodic sharp shooting pains, with progressive tightening of her skin with time. On exam, the skin appeared tight and hyperpigmented with linear bands extending up to the lower thigh. Biopsy showed thickened and haphazardly arranged reticular dermal collagen bundles with prominent clefts, consistent with NSF. The skin tightness progressed to involve both her lower extremities entirely. She received a cadaveric renal transplant in July 2007. In the several weeks post transplant, the patient has reported improvement in the swelling of her lower extremities, and that she can actually pinch the skin over her thighs, and this was also confirmed clinically using a pinching score. A repeat skin biopsy is planned. NSF is characterized by thickening and hardening of the skin and can also involve other organs. Skin lesions are variable, and can lead to joint contractures. Apart from renal failure, Gadolinium exposure during MRI/MRA in patients is the most consistent risk factor. Free Gadolinium is liberated from its chelates upon administration to patients with CKD, and is highly toxic. It is thought to undergo transmetallation in vivo, with other metals such as Copper, Zinc and Calcium, and once phagocytosed by macrophages, is associated with an increase in profibrotic cytokines or growth factors leading to dermal or systemic fibrosis. There is no proven effective cure for NSF with only a return of renal function documented to be effective. Since this condition is relentlessly progressive, thought may be given for these patients to receive extra points in the renal allocation schema to receive timely transplantation.
US diagnosis of pediatric muscle hernias of the lower extremities

Muscle hernias result from the protrusion of muscle through acquired or congenital fascial defects. They most often occur in the lower extremities of young adults, typically men. There has been limited description in the literature of this entity in children. Our purpose is to evaluate the demographics, presentation and imaging findings of muscle hernias diagnosed by US in our pediatric patient population. We conducted a retrospective review of all lower extremity muscle hernias diagnosed by US in patients younger than 19 years of age, from January 2001 to March 2011, evaluating the reason for referral, imaging performed before and after US, and subsequent clinical course. Sixteen children were diagnosed with muscle hernia by US, 11 girls and 5 boys, ages 3 to 18 years (mean 13.8). Sixty-nine percent (n = 11) involved the tibialis anterior. Clinical suspicion for muscle hernia was present in seven patients (44%). Of the four cases where MR was performed before US, three were interpreted as normal. In 13 cases (81%), the radiologist reported that dynamic imaging with provocative maneuvers (plantar flexion, standing, squatting) was either necessary or helpful in visualizing the muscle hernia. Four children had surgery to treat symptoms. Muscle hernias are often not suspected clinically in children. US with dynamic imaging and provocative maneuvers is key to diagnosis. US confirmation of a muscle hernia provides a reassuring diagnosis and helps exclude the presence of an aggressive lesion. Surgical intervention is an option for persistent symptoms, but is often not necessary.
Plasma cyclic nucleotide levels in juvenile-onset diabetes.

In patients with juvenile-onset diabetes, plasma concentrations of 39,59-adenosine cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) were significantly lower than those of normal subjects [16 ± 4 and 24 ± 7 pmol per milliliter (p
Lesion-induced pseudo-dominance at functional magnetic resonance imaging: implications for preoperative assessments

OBJECTIVE: To illustrate how lesion-incluced neurovascular uncoupling at functional magnetic resonance imaging (IMRI) can mimic hemispheric dominance opposite the side of a lesion preoperatively, METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed preoperative (MR) mapping data from 50 patients with focal brain abnormalities to establish patterns of hemispheric dominance of language, speech, visual, or motor system functions. Abnormalities included gliomas (31 patients), arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) (1) patients), other congenital lesions (4 patients), encephalomalacia (3 patients), and tumefactive encephalitis (1 patient). A laterality ratio of (MR) hemispheric dominance was compared with actual hemispheric dominance as verified by electrocortical stimulation, Wada testing, post-operative and posttreatment deficits, and/or lesion-induced deficits, (MR) activation maps were generated with cross-currelation (P < 0.001) or t test (P < 0.001) analysis. RESULTS: In 50 patients, a total of 85 functional areas were within 5 mm of the edge of a potentially resectable lesion. in 23 of these areas (27%), reduced (MR) signal in perilesional eloquent cortex in conjunction with preserved or increased signal in homologous contralateral brain areas revealed functional dominance opposite the side of the lesion. This suggested possible lesion-induced transhemisphetic cortical reorganization to homologous brain regions (homotopic reorganization), in seven patients. however, the (MR) data were inconsistent with other methods of functional localization. In two patients with left inferior frontal gyrus gliomas and in one patient with focal tumefactive meningoencephalltis, (MR) incorrectly suggested strong right hemispheric speech dominance, in two patients with lateral precentral gyrus region gliomas and one patient with a left central sulcus AVM, the (MR) partern incorrectly suggested primary corticubulbar motor dominance contralateral to the side of the lesion. In a patient with a right superior frontal gyrus AVM, (MR) revealed pronounced left dominant supplementary motor area activity in resporise to a bilaterial complex motor task, but right superior frontal gyrus perilesional hemorrhage and ertema subsequently caused left upper-extremity plegia. Pathophysiological factors that might have caused neurovascular uncoupling and facilitated pseudo-dominance at (MR) in these patients included direct tumor infiltration, neovascularity, cerebrovascular inflammation, and AVM-induced hemodynamic effects. Sixteen patients had proven (I patient). probable (2 patients), or possible (13 patients) but unproven lesion-induced homotopic cortical reorganization. CONCLUSION: Lesion-induced neurovascular uncoupling causing reduced fMRI signal in perilesional eloquent cortex, in conjunction with normal or increased activity in homologous brain regions, may simulate hemispheric dominance and lesion-induced homotopic cortical reorganization.
Carbon Nanotubes Swine Influenza (H1N1) Virus Sensors

We present a label-free detection of swine influenza virus (SIV) H1N1 by means of the excellent electrical properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The electrical resistance of SWCNT resistor tends to increase upon the surface adsorption of macromolecules such as poly-L-lysine, anti-SIV antibodies, and SIVs in the process of immunoassay. The SWCNT network resistor was successfully able to detect as low as 180 TCID50 /ml of SIV using the resistance shifts upon immunobinding of SIVs. The sensor specificity was demonstrated against transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) and feline calicivirus (FCV). This facile CNT-based immnoassay has potential applications as a rapid point-of-care detection or a sensing platform for lab-on-a-chip systems.© 2010 ASME