cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radical species profiles in low-pressure methane flames containing fuel nitrogen compounds

Abstract Relative concentration profiles of CN, NH, NCO, NH2, and NO are recorded for a 10 torr, premixed CH4/O2/Ar flame doped with the following compounds: 0.35% NH3, CH3NH2, and CH3CN, and 0.86% NO. Profiles were measured by laser-induced fluorescence and compared between the different dopants. The experimental data are compared to detailed kinetic calculations based on the Gas Research Institute Mechanism 2.11 for the NH3 and NO dopants, with added submechanisms for CH3CH and CH3NH2. The kinetic model underpredicts the amount of CN and NCO formed from the ammonia dopant; if we postulate a reaction between CH3 and NH, these discrepancies are largely resolved. Comparison of CN and NCO profiles between the NO and NH3 dopants indicates that HCN is the primary product of the CH + NO reaction. Extrapolation of measured rates for CH3CN destruction reactions to combustion temperatures predicts a rate of CH3CN removal which is far too slow. Previously published mechanisms for methylamine combustion overpredict the amount of NH2 produced, indicating that cleavage of the CN bond is less likely in the initial attack than the kinetic mechanisms predict. We propose modifications to the CH3CN and CH3NH2 submechanisms which correct these deficiencies and lead to good agreement with the measured intermediate profiles for all dopants.
Utilizing a Smart Grid Monitoring System to Improve Voltage Quality of Customers

The implementation of smart grids will fundamentally change the approach of assessing and mitigating system voltage deficiencies on an electric distribution system. Many distribution companies have historically identified customer level voltage deficiencies utilizing a reactive approach that relies upon customer complaints. The monitoring capabilities of a smart grid will allow utilities to proactively identify events that exceed the voltage threshold limitations set forth by ANSI Std. C84.1 before they become a concern to end-users. This proactive approach can reduce customer complaints and possibly operational costs. This paper describes an approach for determining voltage threshold limits as a function of duration for proactive voltage investigations utilizing smart grid monitoring equipment. The described approach was applied to a smart grid located in Boulder, Colorado. This paper also describes the results of this two-year study.
Monokinetic neutron beam in the range of 50 to 150 MeV

Abstract A monokinetic neutron beam has been developed. The beam is produced by bombarding a liquid deuterium target with protons. By varying the proton energy the neutron energy is changed; energies from 50 to 150 MeV can be obtained. The neutron beam has an energy width of between 6 and 10 MeV. The main contribution to the width is the energy loss of the protons in the deuterium target. At full energy the neutron intensity is 4 × 104/sec. The beam greatly simplifies neutron-proton scattering experiments and also enables one to undertake nuclear spectroscopy.
Bioactive rearranged and halogenated semisynthetic derivatives of the marine natural product sarcophine.

Cembranoids are natural diterpenes with 14-membered macrocyclic rings. The simplest natural cembranoid, (+)-cembrene, was isolated from pine oleoresin. Sarcophytols A and B are known cembranoids that inhibit tumor promotion. Sarcophine is a related cembranoid isolated from the Red Sea soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum. Sarcophine and its bioconversion products and semisynthetic derivatives are reported to possess cancer chemopreventive activity. Oxymercuration−demercuration of sarcophine using Hg(OAc)2 and NaBH4 afforded four new rearranged and hydroxylated products. Bromination of sarcophine with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) furnished two new brominated and rearranged products. Reaction with iodine gave the known iso-sarcophinone and (+)-sarcophytoxin B. Structure elucidation was based on a combination of transition state modeling, molecular dynamics, mechanistic considerations, and 2D NMR data. The antiproliferative activity of the new products is also reported.
Investigations of inner continental shelf waters off lower Chesapeake Bay. Part IV. Descriptions of the chaetognatha and a key to their identification

Ten species of chaetognaths were identified from plankton collections taken from the inner continental shelf waters off Virginia in 1960, including:Sagitta serratodentata, S. elegans, S. tenuis, S. enflata, S. helenae, S. minima, S. hispida, S. bipunctata, Pterosagitta draco, andKrohnitta pacifica. An artificial key to the identification of these species and descriptions based on the collected specimens are given. Tooth counts and seminal vesicle structure ofS. serratodentata revealed the presence of two subspecies in the western Atlantic. Virginian specimens are the cold-water vaviety,S. s. tasmanica, whereas Cuban waters are inhabited byS. s. atlantica. Published counts and descriptions of this species are lacking for intermediate waters. Specimens ofS. tenuis displayed an intermediacy and overlapping of several characters that have been used for the separation ofS. friderici andS. tenuis. Included among these characters are Tokioka’s TC values, maximum body length, number of teeth, extension of the ovaries, and size at maturity. The present collections ofK. pacifica constitute a northward extension of the known range of this species in the western Atlantic.
Nature of hunger and satiety control systems in ruminants.

Understanding mechanisms in control of feed intake and regulation of energy balance in the ruminant is of great importance if improvement in efficiency of production is to be continued. Although there is evidence in both ruminants and monogastrics that body energy content is regulated, under certain circumstances the system can be overridden with the result being either excessive weight gain or loss. In either case, this can lead secondarily to metabolic disturbances and inefficient production. The regulator of body energy content is interfaced with the controller of feed intake, thus providing a means for changes in energy output to be balanced by changes in energy input. Feeding behavior can be influenced by a variety of external and internal factors; for example, sensory cues, such as palatability of a feed, can either enhance or detract from its acceptance by the animal. Certain hormones and metabolites also influence feeding behavior, and gastrointestinal factors, e.g. distention, may play a role in signaling the controller of feed intake. While it is accepted that the central nervous system is the primary site responsible for the control of feed intake and regulation of energy balance, mechanisms in receiving and compiling the information from the periphery and then generating the appropriate response are not understood. Areas in the brain, such as the hypothalamus, have been identified as sites having a primary role in hunger and satiety, and certain neural transmitter
Multi-objective stochastic supply chain modeling to evaluate tradeoffs between profit and quality

Abstract Many companies struggle with justifying the cost of quality within their supply chain. Outsourcing suppliers to countries such as China has become popular in recent years due to the fact it appears to be more profitable. These outsource decisions do not effectively determine the impacts of quality defects. In this paper we demonstrate a method for evaluating the systemic supply chain risk of poor quality. We introduce a multi-objective stochastic model that uses Six Sigma measures to evaluate financial risk. Results from modeling suggest quality, profit, and customer satisfaction can be evaluated.
Effects of climate change on late-season growth and survival of native and non-native species of watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spp.): implications for invasive potential and ecosystem change.

Abstract The combined effects of global climate change and invasive species can lead to shifts in ecosystem structure and function. We assessed how a rise in water temperature influenced the late-season growth, survival, and invasive potential of an invasive aquatic plant, Eurasian watermilfoil, ( Myriophyllum spicatum Linnaeus) in comparison to a co-occurring native species northern watermilfoil ( Myriophyllum sibericum Komarov). We examined the interrelationship between water temperature, watermilfoil species, and the aquatic ecosystem including periphyton growth and zooplankton abundance. The study was conducted using replicated mesocosms (3785 l), with water heaters used to provide a range of temperatures. Late-season shoot survival of M. sibiricum was lower than that of M. spicatum across all temperature treatments with a mean survival rate of 24% and 96% respectively. M. sibiricum also showed significantly slower rates of plant growth (mean growth of 3.3 cm over the duration of the field season compared to 7.6 cm for M. spicatum ) and reduced vigor compared to M. spicatum , with an average of less than half the number of growing meristems. Zooplankton densities averaged over 20 times higher in mesocosms with M. sibiricum compared to those with M. spicatum . Periphyton biomass was best explained by water temperature with an increase in growth in warmer water. Our study suggests that warming water as a result of climate change will extend the growing season for M. spicatum , but not for M. sibiricum . This could provide the former species with a competitive advantage over the latter.
The Use of Clinical Techniques for Structuring Feedback in Vocational Counseling

Clinical techniques permit complex interpretations. The desirability of the latter is predicated upon the assumption that both conscious and unconscious conflicts interfere with decisions regarding vocational choice. Studies cited demonstrate personality differences between occupational groups within a psychoanalytic framework. Clients are helped to take their own feelings into account in making decisions by discussing their projective productions with them. Whereas Rorschach responses can only be introduced indirectly, Thematic Apperception Test responses are taken up directly with the client to lead him into new insights.
The Voices of the Dead: Stalin's Great Terror in the 1930s – By Hiroaki Kuromiya

The period of Russian history from 1928 through 1939 encompassed the First Five‐Year Plan, the Great Famine, and the terror of the 1930s, which came in waves culminating in the Great Terror of 1937...
The activity of ribosomes whose RNA has been degraded by incubation in the presence or absence of oxidized glutathione.

Abstract 1. All of the RNA in ribosomes which have been incubated anaerobically for 24 h at 37° has been degraded to fragments which sediment as two broad peaks to the 14-S and 5-S regions of sucrose density gradients. These ribosomes are fully active when assayed for polyuridylic acid-directed polyphenylalanine synthesis. 2. Ribosomes incubated as above, but in the presence of 0.05 M oxidized glutathione, are no longer active in polypeptide synthesis and are completely dissociated into 30-S and 50-S subunits. The 30-S subunits are able to bind polyuridylic acid but cannot bind phenylalanyl-tRNA. The RNA of these ribosomes is also degraded to fragments of various sizes, none of which sediment slower than about 5 S.
Isoelectric precipitation of soy protein: I. Factors affecting particle size distribution

The particle size distribution (PSD) of soyabean protein aggregates obtained by acid precipitation in a continuous stirred reactor was measured with a Coulter Counter model TA II. Effects of changes in the operating variables pH, concentration, mean residence time, power input, and ionic strength were investigated. Power input affects both growth and breakup while pH and ionic strength seem to exert their influence through solubility and aggregate strength. Changes in zeta-potential can explain most of these observations.
Speculations on the pathogenesis of CHARGE syndrome

To be seriously considered, a theory about the pathogenesis of a multiple congenital anomaly syndrome should meet three criteria: (1) it should explain all of the anomalies associated with the syndrome; (2) it should explain why certain anomalies are not associated with the syndrome; and (3) it should predict anomalies that could be associated with the syndrome, but have not yet been described. The theory must eventually pass the ultimate test, that is, molecular confirmation of the proposed mechanism. Several theories about the pathogenesis of CHARGE syndrome have been proposed, but none of these meet the three criteria stated above. In this study, the author proposes that CHARGE syndrome is due to a disruption of mesenchymal-epithelial interaction (epithelial includes ectoderm and endoderm). The theory is tested against the major, minor, and occasional anomalies that are used to make the clinical diagnosis of CHARGE syndrome. Review of the known embryology of the organs and tissues involved in CHARGE syndrome confirms that mesenchymal-epithelial interactions are necessary for proper formation of these organs and tissues. The presence of limb anomalies in approximately one-third of CHARGE syndrome patients fulfills criteria #3 above, in that limb anomalies were not felt to be a part of CHARGE syndrome until relatively recently. It is known that some patients with chromosomal abnormalities have a phenotype that overlaps with CHARGE syndrome. Given that critical developmental pathways must be robust and redundant in order to minimize errors, it may be that disruption of more than one gene is necessary to generate the CHARGE phenotype, as has been proposed for the holoprosencephaly sequence. Mutations and deletions of CHD7 have recently been identified as causing CHARGE syndrome in more than 50% of tested patients. Given this gene classes' putative role as a general controller of developmental gene expression as well as mesodermal patterning, it would fit the hypothesized mechanisms discussed in the study.
Domain decomposition and particle pushing for multiprocessing computers

Abstract We describe domain decomposition techniques as applied to efficient multidimensional electromagnetic particle simulation of complex physical systems. Results from two major production codes, ARGUS and CONDOR, are presented.
The Textures of Property Markets: Downtown Housing and Office Conversions in New York City

Over the past 10-15 years, many cities in the US have experienced a form of development unknown since World War II-middle-income housing in their downtown cores. Such downtown housing initiatives assume that functional interdependence among different property sectors-office, residential, retail, entertainment-will ensue and that the resultant, co-ordinated investments will produce a lively and attractive downtown environment. This article explores the impediments to this synergism using a perspective that emphasises the 'thicknesses' of property markets; that is, the social, institutional and place-specific qualities of real estate investment. New York City's lower Manhattan revitalisation plan, designed to subsidise office conversions, is used as an example.
Rotational quantities in homogeneous flow and the development of smallscale structure

Abstract A summary discussion is given of attempts to quantify the degree of non-coaxiality of rock flow from observations of rock structure, and of some principles governing the sensitivity of structure to non-coaxiality. This is preceded by an extended review of relevant terminology, since some of the current confusion about rotational features in rocks stems from confusion about basic concepts and terminology from continuum mechanics. The kinematic vorticity number has been estimated for naturally deformed rocks from three localities. These yield vorticity numbers ranging from 0.35 to 0.9, corresponding to flows intermediate in character between pure and simple shearing.
Light scattering from metal sol labels on high-density DNA probe arrays

We have been exploring the use of light scattering as a means to detect the binding of nucleic acids to high density DNA probe arrays. Initial work has concentrated on the use of 100 nanometer gold particles conjugated to monoclonal antibodies. A probe array scanner that utilizes an arc lamp source and a `photocopier grade' linear CCD detector has been developed. The optical configuration of the scanner maximizes dynamic range and minimizes optical backgrounds. Initial development of light scattering detection for the p53 cancer gene application shows that functional performance may be obtained that is essentially equivalent to existing fluorescence detection methodology.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Nutritional factors affecting drug-metabolizing enzymes of the rat

Abstract Feeding diets rich in thiamin depresses aniline hydroxylase, cytochrome P-450 and cytochrome b5 within 9–14 days. Pair-feeding experiments suggest that the depression of aniline hydroxylase, cytochrome c reductase and ethylmorphine demethylase is due to the thiamin; however, the depression of cytochrome P-450 and b5 may be due primarily to the increased amount of carbohydrate ingested by rats fed the enriched diet. When starch was substituted for sucrose, cytochrome P-450 was not lowered by high thiamin ingestion, although cytochrome b5 and NADPH cytochrome c reductase were depressed similarly to that of rats fed high thiamin levels in a sucrose-based diet. Although aniline hydroxylase and ethylmorphine demethylase activities were significantly depressed by both high thiamin diets, this effect was more pronounced in rats fed the sucrose-based diet.
On perturbations of matrix pencils with real spectra, a revisit

This paper continues earlier studies by Bhatia and Li on eigenvalue perturbation theory for diagonalizable matrix pencils having real spectra. A unifying framework for creating crucial perturbation equations is developed. With the help of a recent result on generalized commutators involving unitary matrices, new and much sharper bounds are obtained.
A distributed graphics library system

We present a set of library routines that allow easily parallelized graphics rendering routines that require no communication between each parallel task, such as ray-tracing, to be run efficiently in an environment of distributed workstations. The presentation of the paper focuses on the problems encountered in implementing a distributed system under Unix and proposes solutions to each problem. Specifically, we discuss the challenges involved in overcoming the limits of communicating with a large number of processes in Unix and in providing fault tolerance when using sockets. Technical aspects of the implementation and some additional problems that were encountered are discussed. Finally, we compare the rendering times for a complex image with a renderer using the library and show that the library routines are able to exploit much of the existing parallelism. The library is presented using a graphics application, though the concepts are generic enough to be of use in designing any distributed system under Unix.
Anasazi software for the numerical solution of large-scale eigenvalue problems

Anasazi is a package within the Trilinos software project that provides a framework for the iterative, numerical solution of large-scale eigenvalue problems. Anasazi is written in ANSI C++ and exploits modern software paradigms to enable the research and development of eigensolver algorithms. Furthermore, Anasazi provides implementations for some of the most recent eigensolver methods. The purpose of our article is to describe the design and development of the Anasazi framework. A performance comparison of Anasazi and the popular FORTRAN 77 code ARPACK is given.
Sediments of the Andaman Basin, northeastern Indian Ocean

Abstract The Andaman Basin is an area of 800,000 km2 separated from the Bay of Bengal by the Andaman-Nicobar Ridge. The basin's principal sediment source is the Irrawaddy River's annual load of about 265 · 106 metric tons of silty clay. Climate and physiography trap most of this sediment in the basin; over 90% of Burmese rainfall, 80% of runoff and 87% of sediment discharge result from the southwest monsoon. Prevailing winds of this season drive westerly currents which displace the turbid Irrawaddy discharge eastward from the river's mouths. The eastern and inner Irrawaddy delta-shelf is accumulating 90% of this sediment at a rate of 200 cm 100 year . Sediments of the outer western delta-shelf and Malay continental margin are shelly, muddy sands, relict from a low Quaternary sea-stand. These areas and the Andaman-Nicobar Ridge are neither accumulating much sediment nor contributing to the basin's central trough. Contribution from the Irrawaddy constitutes 86% of the central trough's sediment, the difference being foraminiferal carbonate. Areal patterns of sediment parameters indicate that basinward transport of Irrawaddy sediment is controlled by bottom topography. Depositional rates average 15 cm 1,000 year in the central trough, which has a total fill of about 1.5 km. These data indicate that the basin is young. The beveled Malay continental margin and the absence of any other logical provenance for thick flysch-like Tertiary sediments in the Andaman-Nicobar Ridge suggest that the basin began to form in the Late Miocene as Malaya rifted away from the Andaman-Nicobar Ridge.
Hydrogenation reactions of ethylene on neutral vanadium sulfide clusters: experimental and theoretical studies.

The reactions of C2H4 with H2 on neutral vanadium sulfide clusters in a fast flow reactor are investigated by time-of-flight mass spectrometry employing 118 nm (10.5 eV) single photon ionization. The experimental products of these reactions are VmSnC2Hx (m = 1, n = 1–3; m = 2, n = 1–5, and x = 4–6). Observation of these products indicates that these VmSn clusters have high catalytic activity for hydrogenation reactions of C2H4. Density functional theory calculations at the BPW91/TZVP level are carried out to explore the geometric and electronic structures of the VmSn clusters and to determine reaction intermediates and transition states, as well as reaction mechanisms. All reactions are estimated as overall barrierless or with only a small barrier (0.1 eV), and are thermodynamically favorable processes at room temperature. The ethylene molecule is predicted to connect with active V atoms through its π-orbital or form a σ-bond with active V atoms of catalytic VmSn clusters. The S atoms bonding with active ...
Coronary Artery Wall Strain Estimation From Clinical IVUS Images

Atherosclerotic plaque rupture is responsible for the majority of acute coronary syndromes and myocardial infarctions. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging is a widely available clinical technique providing real time cross-sectional images of the vessel wall and plaque morphometry. However, IVUS echo images have limited ability to predict the vulnerability of the plaque. The mechanical behavior of the plaque is consistent with its underlying components, suggesting that measurements of plaque mechanical response can be used to assess the likelihood of plaque rupture [1]. Arterial wall strain in response to luminal pressure change is such a measurable quantity. IVUS elastography has been developed to measure the radial strain through correlation analysis of the IVUS radiofrequency (RF) signal [2]. Due to the movements of IVUS catheter caused by cardiac motion and the nonlinearity of tissue deformation, reliable strain is obtained by elastography only when the tissue motion is aligned with the RF direction and the RF traces correspond to the same axial location. This is difficult to achieve in vivo. We have developed a strain estimation method based on IVUS image registration. This 2D processing method has the ability to overcome in-plane catheter movement and heterogeneous tissue deformation, thereby increasing its accuracy. Using retrospectively retrieved cardiac phase information, we propose a practical method to estimate cross-sectional coronary arterial wall strain distribution from clinically acquired images during a conventional IVUS procedure.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Effect of graded hypoxic and acidotic stress on contractile force of heart muscle from hypoxia-tolerant and hypoxia-intolerant turtles.

Previous studies have shown that isometric contractile force of in vitro cardiac muscle from the anoxia-tolerant painted turtle, Chrysemys picta bellii, decreases when anoxic and when acidotic. This study sought to definethe thresholds for these responses in the isolated ventricular strips of the painted turtle and in the anoxia-intolerant softshell turtles, Apalone spinifera. The ventricular strips were exposed to HCO - 3 Ringer's solution equilibrated at P O 2 156, 74, 37, 19, and 0 mmHg (45 min at each grade), at both pH 7.0 and at pH 7.8. Strips were also exposed to graded lactic acidosis with intervals between pH 6.8 and pH 7.8 at P O 2 156 mmHg (softshell) or 37 mmHg (painted). In painted turtle strips at pH 7.8, force remained at control levels until it decreased by 30% at P O 2 19 mmHg. No further significant decrease occurred at P O 2 0. In contrast, softshell turtle muscle force did not fall significantly until P O 2 reached 0. When graded hypoxia was imposed at pH 7.0, strips from both species were more sensitive to hypoxia, but the softshell force decreased at a higher P O 2 than the painted turtle (P O 2 156 mmHg vs. 37 mmHg), its force fell to a lower level at P O 2 0 (22 % of control vs. 40 % of control), and unlike painted turtle heart muscle, softshell muscle did not recover fully. In summary, these data indicate that ventricular strips of the painted turtle are no more tolerant of hypoxia alone than strips from the softshell turtle, but that when hypoxia is combined with acidosis, the painted turtle heart muscle functions significantly better during the exposure and recovers more fully after exposure. J. Exp. Zool. 303A:345-353, 2005.
Structured light using pseudorandom codes

We solve the correspondence problem in active stereo vision using a novel pseudorandom coded structured light (SL). This coding scheme performs well in the presence of occlusion. In settings where color coding is feasible, 3D information can be obtained using a single image.
Controlling Intentions The Surprising Ease of Stopping After Going Relative to Stopping After Never Having Gone

Decades of cognitive-control research have highlighted the difficulty of controlling a prepotent response. We examined whether having prepotent prospective-memory intentions similarly heightens the difficulty associated with stopping an intention once a prospective-memory task is finished. In three experiments, participants encoded a prospective-memory intention (e.g., press Q in response to the targets corn and dancer) and subsequently encountered either four targets or zero targets. Instructions then indicated that the prospective-memory task was finished. In a follow-up task, the targets appeared, and commission errors were recorded. Surprisingly, it was easier for participants to stop the intention when it had been fulfilled (four-target condition) than when it had gone unfulfilled (zero-target condition; Experiments 1 and 2). This was true even after intention cancellation (Experiment 2). Although repeatedly performing an intention strengthens target-action links, it appears to enable deactivation of the intention, a process that is largely target specific (Experiment 3). We relate these findings to the Zeigarnik effect, target-action deactivation, and reconsolidation theories.
Evaluation of reporting timeliness of public health surveillance systems for infectious diseases

Timeliness is a key performance measure of public health surveillance systems. Timeliness can vary by disease, intended use of the data, and public health system level. Studies were reviewed to describe methods used to evaluate timeliness and the reporting timeliness of National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) data was evaluated to determine if this system could support timely notification and state response to multistate outbreaks. Published papers that quantitatively measured timeliness of infectious disease surveillance systems operating in the U.S. were reviewed. Median reporting timeliness lags were computed for selected nationally notifiable infectious diseases based on a state-assigned week number and various date types. The percentage of cases reported within the estimated incubation periods for each disease was also computed. Few studies have published quantitative measures of reporting timeliness; these studies do not evaluate timeliness in a standard manner. When timeliness of NNDSS data was evaluated, the median national reporting delay, based on date of disease onset, ranged from 12 days for meningococcal disease to 40 days for pertussis. Diseases with the longer incubation periods tended to have a higher percentage of cases reported within its incubation period. For acute hepatitis A virus infection, which had the longest incubation period of the diseases studied, more than 60% of cases were reported within one incubation period for each date type reported. For cryptosporidiosis, Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection, meningococcal disease, salmonellosis, and shigellosis, less than 40% of cases were reported within one incubation period for each reported date type. Published evaluations of infectious disease surveillance reporting timeliness are few in number and are not comparable. A more standardized approach for evaluating and describing surveillance system timeliness should be considered; a recommended methodology is presented. Our analysis of NNDSS reporting timeliness indicated that among the conditions evaluated (except for acute hepatitis A infection), the long reporting lag and the variability across states limits the usefulness of NNDSS data and aberration detection analysis of those data for identification of and timely response to multistate outbreaks. Further evaluation of the factors that contribute to NNDSS reporting timeliness is warranted.
Mind, Brain, and Education in Socioeconomic Context

Cognitive neuroscience offers an important perspective on the persistence of poverty by illuminating the ways in which the experience of growing up poor reduces people’s ability to escape poverty. Neuroscience research on the effects of early experience on animal brain development suggests how childhood poverty might constrain human brain development. Specifically, the reduced opportunities for stimulating experience and increased stress of poverty would be expected to exert a negative influence on neurocognitive development. Without good neurocognitive development, intellectual and educational attainments are limited, which in turn limits upward socioeconomic mobility. The research summarized in this chapter by Farah and others is aimed at understanding the ways in which childhood poverty, including experiences prior to school entry, affects cognitive development. A better understanding of the ways in which childhood experience and classroom instruction shape brain function will suggest new ways of preventing and remediating some of the disadvantages suffered by poor children.
The Predictive Value of Left Atrial Size for Incident Ischemic Stroke and All-Cause Mortality in African Americans: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Background and Purpose— The association between left atrial (LA) size, ischemic stroke, and death has not been well established in African Americans despite their disproportionately higher rates of stroke and cardiovascular mortality compared to non-Hispanic whites. Methods— For the analysis, participants in the Jackson cohort of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study were followed from the date of the echocardiogram in cycle three to the date of the first ischemic stroke event (or death) or to December 31, 2004 if no ischemic stroke event (or death) was detected. Results— There were 1886 participants in the study population (mean age 58.9 years, 65% women). Participants in the top quintile of LA diameter indexed to height (LA diameter/height; 2.57 to 3.55 cm/m) were more likely women, hypertensive, diabetic, and obese compared to those not in the top quintile. Over a median follow-up of 9.8 years for ischemic stroke and 9.9 years for all-cause mortality, there were 106 strokes and 242 deaths. In a...
Developments in nonholonomic control problems

Provides a summary of recent developments in control of nonholonomic systems. The published literature has grown enormously during the last six years, and it is now possible to give a tutorial presentation of many of these developments. The objective of this article is to provide a unified and accessible presentation, placing the various models, problem formulations, approaches, and results into a proper context. It is hoped that this overview will provide a good introduction to the subject for nonspecialists in the field, while perhaps providing specialists with a better perspective of the field as a whole. The paper is organized as follows: introduction to nonholonomic control systems and where they arise in applications, classification of models of nonholonomic control systems, control problem formulations, motion planning results, stabilization results, and current and future research topics.
Phase III Study of Gemcitabine in Combination With Fluorouracil Versus Gemcitabine Alone in Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Carcinoma: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Trial E2297

PURPOSE: Gemcitabine is generally considered to constitute first-line therapy for pancreatic cancer. To determine whether the addition of fluorouracil (5-FU) improves on the results from single-agent gemcitabine, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) compared gemcitabine plus bolus 5-FU with gemcitabine alone for patients with advanced pancreatic carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This trial involved patients with biopsy-proven, advanced carcinoma of the pancreas not amenable to surgical resection. Patients were randomized to receive either gemcitabine alone (1,000 mg/m2/wk) weekly for 3 weeks of every 4 or to receive gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m2/wk) followed by 5-FU (600 mg/m2/wk) weekly on the same schedule. The primary end point of the trial was survival, with secondary end points of time to progression and response rate. RESULTS: Of 327 patients enrolled over 18 months, 322 were eligible. Overall, the median survival was 5.4 months for gemcitabine alone and 6.7 months for gemcitabine plus 5-FU (P = ...
Noise Reduction of the Electroless Plated Soft Magnetic Under Layers by Annealing in a Magnetic Field

The electroless plated soft magnetic under layer (SUL) film with low magnetic noises was developed by annealing in a magnetic field to add planar anisotropies, such as radial or circumferential directions. The grain size reduction by increasing B content in a SUL film is found to be effective to decrease the noise power. Radial anisotropy SULs show lower noises than circumferential anisotropy SULs. On the contrary, many spike noises are detected at the positions of magnetic domain walls in radial anisotropy SULs
Broadband beamforming with power complementary filters

This paper addresses the design of broadband finite impulse response (FIR) beamformers with a power complementarity property. The power complementarity requirement is needed to preserve the whiteness of the channel noise at the beamformer output, which allows the application of optimum trellis-based equalizers to the output signal. The power complementarity property imposes non-negative definite quadratic constraints on the beamforming filters so that the beamformer design is expressed as a constrained quadratic optimization problem. Two approaches are proposed to solve this problem. The first method is a Lagrangian relaxation technique, which exploits the fact that the dual mathematical problem reduces to the unconstrained minimization of a convex function over a convex domain. A second approach employs a cascaded lattice representation of the power complementary filterbank and performs the beamformer design incrementally, one lattice stage at a time.
Evolutionary adaptive discovery of phased array sensor signal identification

Tomography, used to create images of the internal properties and features of an object, from phased array ultasonics is improved through many sophisiticated methonds of post processing of data. One approach used to improve tomographic results is to prescribe the collection of more data, from different points of few so that data fusion might have a richer data set to work from. This approach can lead to rapid increase in the data needed to be stored and processed. It also does not necessarily lead to have the needed data. This article describes a novel approach to utilizing the data aquired as a basis for adapting the sensors focusing parameters to locate more precisely the features in the material: specifically, two evolutionary methods of autofocusing on a returned signal are coupled with the derivations of the forumulas for spatially locating the feature are given. Test results of the two novel methods of evolutionary based focusing (EBF) illustrate the improved signal strength and correction of the position of feature using the optimized focal timing parameters, called Focused Delay Identification (FoDI).
Neuropsychological outcome after endoscopic third ventriculostomy.

Background: Cognitive dysfunction is a common complaint associated with obstructive hydrocephalus. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) on the neuropsychological outcome in patients presenting with cognitive decline and obstructive hydrocephalus. Methods: A retrospective review of patients who underwent ETV at the University of Calgary and had both pre and post operative neuropsychological testing, was completed. Presenting clinical features, etiology of hydrocephalus and ventricle size utilizing frontal occipital horn ratio was obtained. Outcomes and complications of the ETV were recorded. Detailed measures of intelligence, attention and concentration, executive function, visual and verbal memory, language functions and fine motor skills were completed. Post treatment change was determined utilizing Reliable Change Index. Results: A total of 13 patients were identified. Etiology of the hydrocephalus was aqueductal stenosis in 8 and tectal glioma in 4. The majority of patients (11 of 13, 85%) demonstrated cognitive dysfunction at the borderline (≤1 SD) or impairment level (≤1.5 SDs) in at least one domain. Nine patients (69%) showed reliable improvement in at least one cognitive domain. The greatest improvement was seen with visual memory (42%). One quarter to one third of patients demonstrated improvement on tests of intelligence quotient, verbal memory, attention and concentration, and executive function. Two patients declined in executive functioning. Ventricle size improved in eight patients. Conclusions: ETV is a safe effective procedure, capable of producing reliable improvements in cognitive dysfunction with hydrocephalus. Patients with cognitive complaints alone may benefit from ETV.
Visual QoS programming environment for ubiquitous multimedia services

The provision of distributed multimedia services is becoming mobile and ubiquitous. Different multimedia services require application-specific Quality of Service (QoS). In this paper, we present QoSTalk, a unified component-based programming environment that allows application developers to specify different application-specific QoS requirements easily. In QoSTalk, we adopt a hierarchical approach to model application configuration graphs for different distributed multimedia services. We design and implement the XML-based Hierarchical QoS Markup Language, called HQML, to describe the hierarchical configuration graph as well as other application-specific QoS requirements and policies. QoSTalk promotes the separation of concerns in developing QoS-aware ubiquitous multimedia applications and thus enables easy programming of QoS-aware applications, running on top of a unified QoS-aware middleware framework. We have prototyped the QoSTalk in Java and CORBA. Our case studies with several multimedia applications show that QoSTalk effectively fills the gap for application developers between the very general facilities provided by the QoS-aware middleware and different kinds of distributed multimedia applications.
MAC Controlled LINC Calibration using Pilot-Aided LSE Channel Estimator for OFDM Systems

With the overwhelming adoption of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) technique in many recent wireless communications standards, there have been extensive approaches to tackle the high Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR) problem that yields low efficiency in RF power amplifiers, which is the major drawback of OFDM systems. One of the approaches is to replace power amplifiers with the Linear Amplification using Nonlinear Components (LINC) block. However, this produces additional nonlinear distortions caused by amplitude or phase mismatch between two power amplifiers inside the LINC block. In this paper, we introduce a noble LINC calibration technique that utilizes the channel estimator block that is initiated by the Media Access Control (MAC) layer during the Distributed Interframe Space (DIFS) or Short Interframe Space (SIFS). For DIFS or SIFS, pilot symbols are allocated in a payload field and then the outputs of the transmitter are internally forwarded to the receiver to characterize the LINC channel with a pilot-aided Least Square Error (LSE) channel estimator. By applying a reverse distortion onto information symbols after the LINC channel distortion is obtained by channel estimation, we can significantly improve the Symbol Error Rate (SER) and Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) of the OFDM system with the LINC transmitter.
Regional groundwater flow paths in Trans-Pecos, Texas inferred from oxygen, hydrogen, and strontium isotopes

Summary Stable isotopes, radiogenic isotopes, and major ion chemistry are used to constrain flow paths in a fracture-controlled regional groundwater flow system in far west Texas. The flow system occurs in Permian and Cretaceous sedimentary rocks and Cenozoic alluvial basin fill. Samples from springs and wells in the study area were analyzed for major ions and hydrogen, oxygen, and strontium isotopes. δD and δ18O values fall close to the global meteoric water line, indicating that these values have not been significantly affected by evaporation or mineral–water reactions. δ18O values from samples along the regional flow path are lower by as much as 3‰ relative to local recharge values; the distribution of stable isotope values throughout the study area suggests that lower δ18O values represent recharge during cooler climatic conditions rather than latitude or altitude effects. 87Sr/86Sr values for water samples from along the regional flow path range from 0.7093 to 0.7148, with the highest values at the upgradient end of the flow system. These values are significantly higher than expected for groundwaters dominated by dissolution of Permian and Cretaceous marine carbonates and evaporites. The high 87Sr/86Sr values reflect dissolution of minerals of Precambrian and early Paleozoic origin in the crystalline rocks of the Carrizo and Baylor mountains and alluvial basin fill at the upgradient end of the flow system. Contours of 87Sr/86Sr values indicate a zone of high 87Sr/86Sr water that corresponds to the regional groundwater flow paths. Mass-balance mixing models and mineral reactions models indicate a three end-member mixing system modified by dissolution of strontium-bearing minerals in the alluvial fill at the upgradient end of the flow system.
Self-Reports of Sexual, Physical, and Nonphysical Abuse Perpetration A Comparison of Three Measures

This study explored self-reports of sexual, physical, and nonphysical abuse perpetration obtained with three measurement instruments. A randomly selected sample of incarcerated men responded to the Sexual Experiences Scale (SES), the Conflict Tactics Scale'Revised (CTS2), and the Severity of Violence Against Women Scales (SVAWS). Results show that the proportion of men who reported sexual aggression, but not physical or nonphysical aggression, differed according to instrument. Findings also show the absence of main effects for social desirability on self-reports obtained with all violence against women instruments. In contrast, a robust effect for social desirability on self-reports of general aggression emerged.
Partial response equalizer performance in digital magnetic recording channels

The performance of partial response linear and decision-feedback equalizers is evaluated for a digital magnetic recording channel having a symmetric pulse response, and a magnetic recording channel having an asymmetric pulse response. Both linear and decision-feedback equalizers are considered based on the zero-forcing criterion. Symbol-by-symbol detection and maximum-likelihood sequence estimation are investigated. The performance of the detection methods is evaluated both analytically and by Monte Carlo simulation. >
Techniques of Lagrangian Trajectory Analysis in Isentropic Coordinates

Abstract We have investigated the accuracies of three isentropic trajectory techniques, in particular, their dependence on the time interval between available data fields. The first trajectory technique is kinematic, using only the wind information, while the other two, the explicit method of Petersen and Uccellini and an automated version of Danielsen's implicit technique, are dynamic (use both mass and velocity fields). A primitive equation channel model in pressure coordinates was used to generate the basic flow fields. We compared the techniques for data intervals ranging from 12 min to 12 h. The overall level of agreement, even for a 12-h data interval, is very good, particularly for the dynamic techniques. This result implies that, given a spatially and temporally coherent data set, accurate trajectory calculations in the free atmosphere can be performed using these techniques even when data are available only twice daily, as is the case for routine aerological observations. Whereas more instances o...
Mesoscale Convective Complexes over the United States during 1986 and 1987

Abstract Infrared imagery from GOES was used to document mesoscale convective complexes (MCCs) over the United States during 1986 and 1987. A near-record 58 MCCs occurred in 1986, and 44 occurred in 1987. Although these totals were above average relative to MCC numbers of the 7 years prior to 1985, seasonal distributions for both years were atypical. Particularly, each had an extended period (∼3 weeks) when no MCCs occurred in late spring and early summer, a time when the mean MCC seasonal distribution peaks. This peculiarity was investigated by comparing mean large-scale surface and upper-air environments of null- and active-MCC periods of both years. Results confirmed the primary importance to MCC development of strong low-level thermal forcing, as well as proper vertical phasing of favorable lower- and midtropospheric environments. A cursory survey of MCCs documented outside of the United States reveals that MCCs, or MCC-type storms, are a warm-season phenomenon of midlatitude, subtropical, and low-lat...
X-irradiation of equine peripheral blood lymphocytes stimulated with phytohaemagglutinin in vitro.

SummarySmall lymphocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood of horses and incubated at 37°C in Eagle's medium supplemented with 20 per cent foetal calf serum. The addition of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) to the cultures resulted in: increased RNA and protein synthesis; the enlargement of the small lymphocyte into a lymphoblast-like cell; the initiation of DNA synthesis, and cell division. When survival was measured 24 hours after X-irradiation by means of phase-contrast microscopy, the lymphoblast-like cell was much more radio-resistant (D˜0 = 250 rad) than the small lymphocyte (D˜0 = 20 rad). This increase in radioresistance, however, was not observed until 12–24 hours after PHA treatment. To investigate which of the changes occurring during the transformation of the small lymphocyte was responsible for the increased resistance to irradiation, the percentage of cells surviving irradiation was compared with the percentage of cells incorporating significant amounts of 3HTdR, 3H-UR, or 3H-leucine at the t...