cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with surgical site infection after lower extremity bypass in the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI)

Background Surgical site infection (SSI) is a major source of morbidity after infrainguinal lower extremity bypass (LEB). This study examines processes of care associated with in-hospital SSI after LEB and identifies factors that could potentially be modified to improve outcomes. Methods The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) registry (2003 to 2012) was queried to identify in-hospital SSI after 7908 consecutive LEB procedures performed by 365 surgeons at 91 academic and community hospitals in 45 states. Variables associated with SSI were identified using multivariable logistic regression and hierarchical clustering. Expected and observed SSI rates were calculated for each hospital. Results The overall in-hospital SSI rate after LEB was 4.8%. Univariate analysis showed that obesity, dialysis, tissue loss, preoperative ankle-brachial index 2 units of packed red blood cells, procedure time >220 minutes, and estimated blood loss >100 mL were associated with higher SSI rates, whereas chlorhexidine (compared with iodine) skin preparation was protective. Multivariable analysis showed independent predictors of SSI included ankle-brachial index P 2 units (OR, 3.30; 95% CI, 2.17-5.02; P 220 minutes (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.05-4.23; P P = .002). Stratified analyses based on the presence of tissue loss yielded similar results. Across VQI hospitals, observed SSI rates ranged from 0% to 30%, whereas expected SSI rates adjusted by the four independent predictors ranged from 0% to 7.2%. Conclusions In-hospital SSI after LEB varies substantially across VQI hospitals. Three modifiable processes of care (transfusion rate, procedure time, and type of skin preparation) were identified and may be used by hospitals to reduce SSI rates. This study demonstrates the value of the SVS VQI detailed shared clinical registry to identify improvement opportunities directly pertinent to providers that are not available in typical administrative data sets.
Comparison of compression screw and perpendicular clamp in ulnar shortening osteotomy.

Purpose To biomechanically quantify 2 techniques, compression screw and perpendicular clamp, for generating compression during ulnar shortening osteotomy (USO) in order to promote reliable primary bone healing. Methods Fourteen fresh-frozen cadaveric human forearms were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. Group I (n = 7) underwent USO according to the traditional AO plate fixation technique using a screw placed eccentrically in an oblong hole to generate compression at the osteotomy site. Group II (n = 7) underwent USO with a commercially available USO plating system using a clamp placed perpendicular to the osteotomy site to generate compression. Both techniques involved a 2-mm resection osteotomy performed with cutting jigs to minimize variability and an interfragmentary lag screw to augment compression. A digital pressure sensor measured contact area at the osteotomy site and average pressure in the observed contact area; these values were used to calculate force across the osteotomy site. Measurements were obtained after the following steps: reduction of osteotomy, compression screw placement (group 1 only), lag screw placement, and final construct with all clamps removed. Results Group II demonstrated significantly greater force than group I, and lag screw placement resulted in significantly increased force independent of fixation technique. The effect of the lag screw on force was maintained after clamp removal. Although technique of fixation did not significantly influence contact area, lag screw placement significantly increased contact area independent of fixation method. However, this effect was not maintained after clamp removal. Average pressure in the observed contact area was not significantly influenced by fixation technique or stage of fixation. Conclusions Perpendicular clamp compression significantly increased force as compared with traditional compression screw technique, and lag screw placement significantly increased force in both constructs. Clinical relevance Larger compressive forces across the osteotomy may promote primary bone union and decrease the rates of delayed union or nonunion.
An approach for allocating manufacturing resources to production tasks

Abstract This paper presents the concept of Manufacturing DEcision MAking (MADEMA)—a multicriteria decision-making procedure for manufacturing systems. The concept is based on a hierarchical structure of the manufacturing system and calls for the execution of four consecutive steps to make decisions on the assignment of manufacturing resources to production tasks. MADEMA utilizes decision theory in tandem with randomized search methods and has been experimentally implemented on a software system written in LISP. Particular emphasis is given to its flexibility in terms of the decision-making criteria used and the tradeoff between system performance and computational effort. This flexibility permits adjustment of the procedure to suit the available computational environment and the required decision making time. This paper includes preliminary simulation results of applying MADEMA to a real life manufacturing workcenter.
Uptake and retention of androgen in neurons of the brain of the golden hamster.

Abstract The distribution of cells capable of concentrating androgen was studied in the male hamster after injection of 5α-dihydro-[1,2,4,5,6,7,(n)-3H]testosterone([3H]DHT) using the technique of thaw-mount autoradiography. Castrated adult male hamsters were injected with 0.2 μg/100 g body weight of [3H]DHT (107 Ci/mmol) and killed 1.5 h later. Brains were rapidly removed and processed for autoradiography. Localization of radioactivity in high concentrations occurred chiefly in limbic forebrain structures and hypothalamic nuclei associated with the control of reproductive function including the following areas: the septal-preoptic region, the amygdala, and the anterior, ventromedial and arcuate nuclei of the hypothalamus. In addition, labeled cells in lesser concentrations were found in the lateral preoptic area, lateral hypothalamus, hippocampus, mesencephalon and various cortical regions. Treatment with 100-fold excess of testosterone, but not estradiol or diethylstilbestrol, inhibited nuclear localization. These studies provide information on the precise anatomical localization of androgen concentrating cells in the hamster brain and demonstrate the similarity of distribution of anrdrogen binding in the rat, mouse and hamster.
Gynecologic cancer treatment and the impact of cancer-related infertility

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to empirically assess the emotional and sexual impact of cancer-related infertility in women with a history of gynecologic cancer. Method Women with a history of gynecologic cancer were approached during their gynecologic oncology clinic appointment; they were provided a description of the study and asked to participate. All participants completed a one-time self-report survey. We present data acquired via the following methods: Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D), Impact of Events Scale (IES), Modified Inventory of Traumatic Grief (M-ITG), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and the Menopausal Symptom Checklist. Results The study sample consisted of 20 women, ages 27 to 49 years (mean, ∼40 years), who had undergone treatment for cervical (40%), ovarian (20%), or uterine (40%) cancer. Forty percent of the sample reported depressive symptoms as measured by the CES-D, with 35% of the women experiencing moderate to severe levels of distress as measured by the IES. The women in this sample experienced dissatisfaction with their overall sex lives (67%), pain during vaginal penetration (62%), and low levels of sexual desire (56%). Conclusions The preliminary findings of this study indicated that feelings of depression, grief, stress, and sexual dysfunction are being experienced by women with a history of gynecologic cancer who have lost their fertility as a result of their cancer treatment.
Synthesis of allylic alcohols via organopalladium additions to unsaturated epoxides

Abstract The reaction of aryl- and vinylpalladium compounds with vinylic and allylic epoxides provides an excellent, high yielding, regio- and stereoselective route to functionally substituted allylic alcohols which can be made catalytic in palladium.
Behavior of marine sediment under storm wave‐loading

The behaviors of marine sediment under storm wave loading are critical to the stability of the seafloor. This study analyzes measurements of seafloor motion obtained from the Modern Yellow River Delta, China, in a storm season of 1987. Using these field data, we examined the elastic behavior of seafloor sediment by calculating the variation of its shear modulus, and estimated the damage potential mobilized within the sediment. Results show that the shear modulus of sediment reduces under storm wave loading, and the reduction can be up to 77.7% of the original value during a 24‐hour storm. Moreover, the S‐N strength curve for sediments on the Yellow River Delta is determined for the first time in this article.
Insights into the composition of household vulnerability from multicriteria decision analysis

Abstract Vulnerability is a multidimensional concept associated with high uncertainty in measurement and classification. Developing a vulnerability index from the diverse and often incommensurate data that form the basis of vulnerability assessments is often a core challenge of vulnerability research. Problematically, many vulnerability indices are based on the implicit or explicit assumption that each indicator of vulnerability is of equal importance. In this paper we propose a procedure to engage constructively with the inherent subjectivity and uncertainty of assigning weights to disparate indicators used in vulnerability assessments, using common tools of multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) and fuzzy logic. To illustrate our proposed methodology, we present a case study of rural livelihood vulnerability in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. In our case study, we combine a livelihoods framework with MCDA to weigh household attributes according to their relative importance in driving household vulnerability. This approach requires the explicit articulation of the relationship of each indicator to the umbrella concept (vulnerability) as well as of each indicator to every other indicator. In recognition of the inherent uncertainties involved in assigning any particular unit of analysis to a specific vulnerability class, we use fuzzy logic to create the final categories of household livelihood vulnerability to climatic risk. Our analysis reveals how different structures of livelihood assets and activities contributes to household sensitivity and capacities in a region characterized by variable climatic conditions, stagnant incomes, increasing market stress and declining farm productivity.
Poisson-Spot Intensity Reduction with a Partially-Transparent Petal-Shaped Optical Mask

The presence of a Poisson spot inside a shadow region can best be described as the consequence of constructive interference of light waves diffracted on the edge of the obstruction where its central position can be determined by the symmetry of the object. More recently, the elimination of this spot has received attention in the fields of particle physics, high-energy lasers, astronomy, and lithography. The desired level of intensity suppression is dependent on the type of light source and the field of application. In this paper, we introduce a novel, partially transparent petaled mask shape that suppresses the bright spot by up to ten orders of magnitude in intensity at optical ranges, with potential powerful applications in many of the above fields. The optimization technique formulated in this design can identify mask shapes having partial transparency only near the petal tips.
Modeling Case Management Decision-Making in a Consolidated Long-term Care Program

This study identifies the informational factors and judgment processes involved in making two case management decisions within a consolidated long-term care program: evaluating risk of nursing home placement and choosing a care plan. A multidisciplinary case management team formulated these decisions for hypothetical clients described in vignettes (N = 1,507). The team used information about the client's condition and the program's available resources in judging risk of institutionalization, but only client-related information in selecting a care plan.
Autonomic Nervous System Function in Infants with Transposition of the Great Arteries

The ability to maintain and respond to challenges to homeostasis is primarily a function of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). In infants with complex congenital heart defects this ability may be impaired. This study described change in ANS function before and after surgical correction in infants with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and in healthy infants. A total of 15 newborn infants with TGA were matched with 16 healthy infants on age, gender, and feeding type. The ANS function was measured using heart rate variability (HRV). Data were collected preoperatively in the 1st week of life and postoperatively before, during, and after feeding at 2 weeks and 2 months of age. Infants with TGA demonstrated significantly lower high-frequency and low-frequency HRV preoperatively (p < .001) when compared with healthy infants. At 2 weeks, infants with TGA were less likely than healthy infants to demonstrate adaptive changes in high-frequency HRV during feeding (Wald Z = 2.002, p = .045), and at 2 months, 40% of TGA infants exhibited delayed postfeeding recovery. Further research is needed to more thoroughly describe mechanisms of a physiologically adaptive response to feeding and to develop nursing interventions supportive of these high-risk infants.
Recurrence of depression after bereavement-related depression: evidence for the validity of DSM-IV bereavement exclusion from the Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study.

AbstractThe DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder exclude bereavement-related depressive episodes that are brief and lack certain severe symptoms and are thus better explained as normal grief responses. However, the DSM-5 Task Force proposes to eliminate this exclusion because of
Tutorial on Optical Parametric Processes and Devices

Progresses in nonlinear optical materials research and laser pump source development have led to rapid advances in many areas of optical parametric device technology in recent years. One particularly active area has been broadly tunable femtosecond sources. This tutorial begins with a review of the fundamentals of parametric processes. It is followed by a brief review of some of the more recent advances in femtosecond optical parametric oscillators, covering the spectral range from the visible to the mid-infrared.
Monte Carlo modeling of childhood lead exposure: Development of a probabilistic methodology for use with the Usepa Ieubk model for lead in children

Abstract An integrated stochastic exposure (ISE) model using microexposure techniques was developed to characterize short‐term variability and uncertainty in residential childhood lead exposure at the census tract level. The ISE model was linked to the biokinetic module of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) IEUBK Model for Lead in Children (v. .99D) to predict the distribution of blood lead concentrations (PbB). We demonstrate an application of the ISE model using probability distributions to characterize variability and uncertainty in age‐specific physiology and activity patterns, demographics and housing conditions, concentrations of lead in multiple environmental media, and media‐specific uptake rates. Output from the ISE/IEUBK model was compared with output from the IEUBK Model using central tendency point estimates for exposure variables and an assumed geometric standard deviation (GSD). Results of sensitivity analyses suggest that key exposure variables include percent lead in...
Optimal Outside Airflow Control of an Integrated Air-Handling Unit System for Large Office Buildings

This paper presents optimal outside air control schedules for an integrated air-handling unit system for large commercial buildings (OAHU). The schedules are developed using the geometric linear optimization method and expressed as analytical functions of the outside air temperature and enthalpy, the interior zone airflow ratio, and the exterior zone supply air temperature. The optimal outside air control schedules can be applied to both constant and variable air volume systems. When the schedules are implemented, the OAHU system can significantly improve indoor air quality (IAQ) and use significantly less thermal energy than conventional systems. The geometric optimization method can also be used in other linear HVAC optimizations with non-liner constraint conditions.
Remote Sensing Using Fiber-Amplifier-Based Systems

Recent work in high efficiency, narrow linewidth, high power optical amplifier systems makes them attractive candidates for remote sensing applications. We present results of fiber-based system to measure water vapor and discuss recent trends in building fiber-based remote sensing systems.
Immunocharacterization and developmental regulation of rabbit lung calcium-dependent phospholipid-binding proteins

Abstract The purpose of this work was to use the immunoblotting methods to study the 36 kDa calcium-dependent phospholipid-binding protein (PLBP) in the adult and fetal rabbit lungs to gain insight into the significance of this protein in lung development. The identity of the 36 kDa PLBP and the antigen specificity of the antiserum raised against this protein in the guinea pig were tested against known annexins and antibodies to the annexins. Our results showed that the rabbit lung 36 kDa PLBP contained only one protein which cross-reacted with antibodies against annexin l. However, the 36 kDa PLBP was slightly smaller (36 vs. 37 kDa) and more acidic (pI 6.0 vs. 6.9) than the recombinant human annexin 1. The guinea pig antiserum only reacted with annexin 1, not with any of the other annexins tested. In the cytosolic fractions of the lung and the alveolar epithelial type II cells, and in the lung lavage fluid, the 36 kDa PLBP was by far the most prominent protein with minor presence of a 33 kDa protein recognized by the guinea pig antiserum. The amount of the 36 kDa PLBP of type II cells was 55% higher than that in the lung tissue and 2.6-times higher than that in the lung lavage (9.3 ± 0.62, 6.0 ± 0.31 and 3.6 ± 0.04 μg / mg protein , respectively). The 36 kDa PLBP appeared in the fetal rabbit lungs as early as at 21 days gestation and increased 2-fold to reach the adult level at 27 days gestation (term 31 days). The high content of PLBP in type II cells and the rapid increase in this protein in the fetal lungs at late gestations suggest an important role of the 36 kDa PLBP in lung development and surfactant biogenesis.
Histopathology of rabbit eyes with silicone-fluorosilicone copolymer oil as six months internal retinal tamponade

Silicone-fluorosilicone copolymer oil has low viscosity (175-185 cSt) and is heavier than water (density, 1.16 g cm-3). Short term retinal tolerance (within 2 months) of the silicone-fluorosilicone copolymer oil has been reported to be the same as that of currently used intraocular silicone oil. Ocular response of the purified silicone-fluorosilicone copolymer oil were examined clinically and histopathologically from 2.5 months to 6 months after vitreous cavity injection in rabbit phakic eyes, and compared the oil tolerance with that of purified silicone oil (0.97 g cm-3, 5000 cSt). The effects in anterior chamber also were examined within 4 weeks of the silicone-fluorosilicone copolymer oil injection in different rabbits. Silicone-fluorosilicone copolymer oil recovered from the vitreous cavity at 6 months was analysed for cholesterol and retinol content by high performance liquid chromatography. Because of its low viscosity, silicone-fluorosilicone copolymer oil was easy to inject and remove from the vitreous cavity with a 20-G needle. After the vitreous injection, discrete droplet formation by the silicone-fluorosilicone copolymer oil occurred more easily than by silicone oil. Medullary ray detachment was seen in a silicone oil-, and some silicone-fluorosilicone copolymer oil-injected eyes at 4-6 months. Histopathologically, after 3-6 months disappearance of outer plexiform layer and disorganization of the photoreceptor layer of silicone oil-, and silicone-fluorosilicone copolymer oil-injected eyes were seen in the superior and the inferior retina, respectively. Migration of the photoreceptor cell nuclei to the photoreceptor layer was found in the inferior retina of silicone-fluorosilicone copolymer oil-injected eyes at 5-6 months. Small droplets ingested by mononuclear cells were found in the vitreous cavity or preretina at 4-6 months in silicone-fluorosilicone copolymer oil-injected eyes. After the anterior chamber injection, silicone-fluorosilicone copolymer oil induced endothelial cell damage in the area where the oil contacted continuously. Retinol and cholesterol were identified in silicone-fluorosilicone copolymer oil removed from the vitreous cavity. Silicone-fluorosilicone copolymer oil may be useful as an intraoperative device in retinal detachment surgery and as a short term (up to about 2 months) retinal tamponade but we do not recommend it for long term retinal tamponade.
Performance as a Function of Communication in Military Vehicle Simulators

A research program is being conducted to quantify the effects of communication clarity (speech intelligibility) on task performance. Two studies have been completed to date. In each study, military crew performance was measured at varied levels of speech intelligibility. Crews performed navigation and gunnery tasks in simulators. In general, task performance decreased as intelligibility decreased. This decrement was more pronounced when the task being performed was complex. On the basis of data collected from these studies, a model has been developed to describe the influence of communication workload on performance. The model's parameters are task difficulty and speech intelligibility.
Mechanical Process for Draining and Hooping Blue Cheese Curd

Summary A description of the equipment design and operation of a Blue cheese draining and hooping machine has been presented. This mechanized phase of the Blue cheese manufacturing operation has proven to be practical. Mold powder is sprinkled onto the curd as it emerges from the draining cylinder and just prior to entering the hoops. It is possible to obtain uniform distribution of the mold within the hooped curd. The addition of some salt at the hooping stage appears feasible. The average composition of 25 vats of mechanically hooped Blue cheese at the point of sale was 42.54% moisture, 30.4% fat, 3.16% salt. The quality characteristics of the mechanically hooped Blue cheese (flavor, body and texture, and mold distribution) were found to be satisfactory.
The time-dependent strain relaxation of Algerie granite

Abstract In situ measurements of both instantaneous and time-dependent relaxation of the Algerie granite at a quarry near East Otis, Massachusetts, indicate that the orientation of instantaneous maximum expansion is 30° different from the orientation of the time-dependent maximum expansion. Based on comparison of these measurements with the regional contemporary tectonic stress and with measurements of petrofabrics of the sampled unit, it appears that the instantaneous relaxation orientation (ENE) is controlled by contemporary tectonic stress, whereas the time-dependent relaxation orientation is controlled by healed microcracks in the granite. The curves for time-dependent relaxation best fit a power-law function of time with the exponent varying between 0.211 and 0.872.
Avalanche Detector Arrays for in Vivo Measurement of Plutonium and Other Low Activity, Low Energy Emitters

Arrays of silicon avalanche detectors are being used for Ti vivo detection and measurement of low energy radiation in very small activities at room and body temperatures. Plutonium may be measured (via the 13.5-20 keV daughter uranium L x-rays) with an array of three 1 cm2 avalanche detectors in the esophagus, examining the thoracic lymph nodes which accumulate inhaled PuO2. The three detectors used in this array together provide uniformity of sensitivity to a source at any angle around the longitudinal axis of the array; using three independent signal processing systems, the array can also provide localization information. Plutonium scratches and puncture wounds may be inspected for contamination and the plutonium may be localized using a specially fabricated 1/8 inch diameter avalanche detector. With this configuration, the Minimum Detectable Amount (MDA) of Plutonium-238 (84% confidence level and four minute count) measured through 2 mm of tissue is 1 nCi. Early results of improved uniformity and resolution with the avalanche detector have shown promise of increased efficiency per unit area of detector face. A step toward unambiguous detection by making better use of the nanosecond speed of avalanche is described.
Stress Intensity Incubation Periods for the Al-Hg Coupled Subjected to LME

When in the presence of liquid metal environments, structural materials can potentially lose the ability to deform and plastically flow. In the case of a ductile material, the result of this reduction in flow ability is a transition from ductile to brittle behavior, resulting in a brittle-like failure. This phenomenon is known as liquid metal embrittlement (LME) and is a subset of the more commonly known family of environmentally assisted cracking (EAC). Both EAC and LME have a significant negative impact on structural materials that are designed to behave elastically. Previous research in all facets of EAC, including stress corrosion cracking (SCC), corrosion fatigue (CF) and LME, has revealed that structural materials subjected to loading will generate and propagate cracks at stresses and stress intensities well below the critical values for that material. Additionally, crack tip velocities have been predicted and observed to be orders of magnitude greater than in ambient environments, with velocities in the range of tens to hundreds of centimeters per second. A variety of experimental routines have been used to characterize the interaction and develop microstructural failure mechanism in LME; however, uncertainty still surrounds the true failure mechanism. In a novel experimental approach, the dependence of the stress intensity factor (SIF) on crack propagation in the presence of a liquid metal was observed. Fracture mechanics specimens machined from Al7075-T651 in the S-L orientation were fatigue pre-cracked and incubated under load while submersed in liquid mercury. The result was the observation of rupture times over a range of stress intensity factors. It was noted that any stress concentration could provide the necessary criterion for crack initiation and propagation, regardless of the presence of a crack. Critical stresses and critical microstructural orientations dictated rupture paths more so than a pre-formed fatigue crack. Further experimentation, involving original and novel methods, has been conducted to determine the relationship between the stress intensity factor, stress concentration and microstructural orientation. Ultimately, the goal to confirm, extend or reject current microstructural failure mechanisms can be achieved through continued experimental routines.© 2010 ASME
Playing Out the Realities of Web-based Bulletin Boards: Enhancing Face to Face Learning

Using web-based bulletin boards in classes elicited enthusiastic responses from graduate education students. In addition, the participants' perspectives as educators and educators-in-training enabled them to reflect on how it enhanced learning, created a greater sense of community and encouraged participation through its use. Some negative aspects of web-based conferencing also emerged. This article is based on a study of 109 students and describes the technology used, where it is freely available, student reflections on the experience, and recommendations for use in higher education instruction. The findings will encourage educators to consider incorporating this technology even into their non-distance education classes.
Dose Response of Weed Seeds, Plant-Parasitic Nematodes, and Pathogens to Twelve Rates of Metam Sodium in a California Soil

Klose, S., Ajwa, H. A., Browne, G. T., Subbarao, K. V., Martin, F. N., Fennimore, S. A., and Westerdahl, B. B. 2008. Dose response of weed seeds, plant-parasitic nematodes, and pathogens to twelve rates of metam sodium in a California soil. Plant Dis. 92:1537-1546. Metam sodium (sodium N-methyl dithiocarbamate, metam-Na) is widely used in agricultural and floricultural production for controlling soilborne plant pathogens, parasitic nematodes, and weeds. It undergoes rapid decomposition to the biocide methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) in moist soils. In this study, the efficacy of 12 concentrations of metam-Na (10 to 2,650 µmol kg–1 soil) to control seeds or tubers of five major weed species, three soilborne pathogens, and one parasitic nematode was evaluated in a sandy loam soil under controlled conditions. Soils were exposed to the fumigant in microcosms for 24 h at 10 and 20°C. Generation and dissipation curves of MITC in soil under controlled conditions showed that MITC concentrations in soils were highest 2 h after metam-Na application and decreased steadily over the 24-h incubation period. After 24 h, remaining MITC concentrations in soil microcosms at 10 and 20°C were 53 and 38% of the original amount applied, respectively, indicating a 20% reduction in MITC dissipation at the lower soil temperature. Logistic dose-response models were used to estimate the effective concentration necessary to reduce soil pest viability by 50 (LC50) or 90 (LC90) percent under both temperatures. Seed of Portulaca oleracea, with LC90 values of ≤1,242 µmol kg–1 soil, was the most sensitive to soil fumigation with metam-Na, followed by Polygonum arenastrum with LC90 values of ≤1,922 µmol kg–1 soil. At 10°C fumigation temperature, metam-Na at the highest dose tested in this study, 2,650 µmol kg –1 soil, was not sufficient to achieve adequate control of Stellaria media and Malva parviflora seed and Cyperus esculentus tubers. Weed control efficacy (average reduction in LC90 values) of metam-Na was between 25 and 60% higher if soils were fumigated at 20°C compared with 10°C, with the exception of M. parviflora. Phytophthora cactorum and Pythium ultimum were more sensitive to soil fumigation with metam-Na (LC90 ≤ 165 µmol kg −1 soil) than Verticillium dahliae (LC90 ≤ 737 µmol kg–1 soil). The nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans was highly sensitive to soil fumigation with metam-Na (LC90 ≤ 98 µmol kg –1 soil), and the efficacy of control increased by 30% if soil was fumigated at 20°C compared with 10°C. In this sandy loam soil, metam-Na at a concentration of 850 µmol kg –1 reduced the viability of Portulaca oleracea and Polygonum arenastrum seeds, C. esculentus tubers, and all soilborne pathogens and parasitic nematodes tested by 90% at 20°C after 24 h exposure. These results indicate that metam-Na can provide effective pest and disease control at maximum label rate for the commercial formulation, but there was a reduction in efficacy at low temperature.
Noise characteristics of double-barrier resonant-tunneling structures below 10 kHz

We report on the noise characteristics of double-barrier resonant-tunneling structures obtained from systematic noise measurements on three samples with different barrier structures. Our results provide direct evidence of incoherent tunneling and can be qualitatively understood if phase incoherence of the tunneling processes is taken into account.
Sketching Finite-Element Models within a Unified Two-Dimensional Framework

Complicated menu-based, command line, or scriptable interfaces used in most simulation tools create an unnatural working environment for model development and analysis. Even engineers and scientists familiar with such systems spend significant time converting hand-drawn designs into digital models for simulation. Subsequently, they convert these results into other formats for visualization. These detailed steps lead to many hours of transcribing, rather than interpreting results. To address this problem, we present a unified two-dimensional sketch-based finite-element system, termed 2DSketchFEA, which integrates drawing and recognition of common engineering symbols with geometric meshing, finite-element analysis, and visualization, all within a unified “sketchpad.” The novelty of this work is provided by the sketching pad interface, an upgraded geometric quad meshing algorithm, and the integration of these tools with a FEA solver into a single platform. The result is a system that is easy and rapidly used...
Interneocortical connections in the opossum, Didelphis virginiana

Discrete neocortical lesions were placed in the brains of 12 opossums. After a survival time of 1 to 3 weeks, the brains were subjected to the Nauta-Gygax technique for degenerating axons or to the Swank-Davenport modification of the Marchi technique for degenerating myelin. A partial hemispherectomy was performed on the brains of two additional animals. The entire intact hemisphere opposite the lesion was then subjected to the Nauta-Gygax technique. The results of histological examination indicate that fibers cross extensively in the anterior commissure from all areas of the neocortex. Degenerating fibers passed from each of the neocortical lesions into the ipsilateral external capsule. It was by means of the external capsule that they entered the anterior commissure. After crossing in the anterior commissure, the degenerating fibers passed into the contralateral external capsule and subsequently terminated on cells in the homotypic cortex opposite the lesion. Some fibers, however, terminated in non homotypic cortical areas. Fibers, particularly from the more dorsally placed lesions, also crossed in the hippocampal commissure. The results support the concept that a portion of the anterior commissure of certain marsupials is homologous to the corpus callosum of higher forms.
Interactions between two plasma bubbles using radial foil configurations

Summary form only given. A radial foil configuration consists of a 5-micron-thick circular disk of conducting material such as aluminum with anode contact around the outer edge of the disk and cathode contact near the center. The cathode is usually a small diameter pin electrode (~1 mm). In this study, we investigate the interactions between plasma bubbles formed by two closely spaced cathode pins.In our experiments, we determined that the magnetic field between the two pins is weak. The J x B force is therefore essentially zero in that region. Through our work with the COrnell Beam Research Accelerator (COBRA), we observed that each cathode produces a plasma bubble that contains a jet and grows in size. These bubbles approach one another and interact, yielding a complex magnetic structure that will be discussed. Contrary to our hypothesis, we observed that two plasma bubbles do not behave like those created by isolated single pins when the distance between the cathode pins is comparable to the size of the bubble. The presence of an intertwined plasma jet indicates a degree of interaction between the individual bubbles earlier than predicted by our hypotheses.
Microbial mat controls on infaunal abundance and diversity in modern marine microbialites

Microbialites are the most abundant macrofossils of the Precambrian. Decline in microbialite abundance and diversity during the terminal Proterozoic and early Phanerozoic has historically been attributed to the concurrent radiation of complex metazoans. Similarly, the apparent resurgence of microbialites in the wake of Paleozoic and Mesozoic mass extinctions is frequently linked to drastic declines in metazoan diversity and abundance. However, it has become increasing clear that microbialites are relatively common in certain modern shallow, normal marine carbonate environments—foremost the Bahamas. For the first time, we present data, collected from the Exuma Cays, the Bahamas, systematically characterizing the relationship between framework-building cyanobacteria, microbialite fabrics, and microbialite-associated metazoan abundance and diversity. We document the coexistence of diverse microbialite and infaunal metazoan communities and demonstrate that the predominant control upon both microbialite fabric and metazoan community structure is microbial mat type. These findings necessitate that we rethink prevalent interpretations of microbialite–metazoan interactions and imply that microbialites are not passive recipients of metazoan-mediated alteration. Additionally, this work provides support for the theory that certain Precambrian microbialites may have been havens of early complex metazoan life, rather than bereft of metazoans, as has been traditionally envisaged.
Supervised Noun Phrase Coreference Research: The First Fifteen Years

The research focus of computational coreference resolution has exhibited a shift from heuristic approaches to machine learning approaches in the past decade. This paper surveys the major milestones in supervised coreference research since its inception fifteen years ago.
Ultra-wideband, short-pulse ground-penetrating radar: simulation and measurement

Ultra-wideband (UWB), short-pulse (SP) radar is investigated theoretically and experimentally for the detection and identification of targets buried in and placed atop soil. The calculations are performed using a rigorous, three-dimensional (3D) method of moments algorithm for perfectly conducting bodies of revolution. Particular targets investigated theoretically include anti-personnel mines, anti-tank mines, and a 55-gallon drum, for which the authors model the time-domain scattered fields and the buried-target late-time resonant frequencies. With regard to the latter, the computed resonant frequencies are utilized to assess the feasibility of resonance-based buried-target identification for this class of targets. The measurements are performed using a novel UWB, SP synthetic aperture radar (SAR) implemented on a mobile boom. Experimental and theoretical results are compared.
Polyelectrolytes. IX. Light scattering from solutions of poly‐4‐vinyl‐N‐n‐butylpyridinium bromide

The turbidity and dissymmetry of polyvinylpyridine in ethanol containing 5% water are much greater than in anhydrous methanol. In both solvents, the dissymmetry decreases with dilution in the concentration range 0.1–0.6 g./100 cc. Quaternization with butyl bromide gives a polyelectrolyte whose scattering in aqueous solution is very low. Here, the dissymmetry goes through a minimum, as predicted by Doty and Steiner. By the addition of potassium bromide, turbidity is markedly increased, and the minimum in dissymmetry is eliminated. The latter effects may be explained as a consequence of association of excess counter ions with poly-ions. Intermolecular forces are screened, thus increasing turbidity by suppression of long-range order, and intramolecular forces are compensated, thus permitting the poly-cations to revert to the statistical coil characteristic of ordinary polymers.
Impaired cytoprotective function of muscle in human gallbladders with cholesterol stones.

Acute cholecystitis develops in gallbladders (GB) with excessive bile cholesterol (Ch). Increased membrane Ch content affects membrane function and may affect PGE2 receptors involved in the cytopro...
The optimality of beamforming in uplink multiuser wireless systems

This paper considers the optimal uplink transmission strategy that achieves the sum-capacity in a multiuser multi-antenna wireless system. Assuming an independent identically distributed block-fading model with transmitter channel side information, beamforming for each remote user is shown to be necessary for achieving sum-capacity when there is a large number of users in the system. This result stands even in the case where each user is equipped with a large number of transmit antennas, and it can be readily extended to channels with intersymbol interference if an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing modulation is assumed. This result is obtained by deriving a rank bound on the transmit covariance matrices, and it suggests that all users should cooperate by each user using only a small portion of available dimensions. Based on the result, a suboptimal transmit scheme is proposed for the situation where only partial channel side information is available at each transmitter. Simulations show that the suboptimal scheme is not only able to achieve a sum rate very close to the capacity, but also insensitive to channel estimation error.
A Web-based course of lectures in respiratory physiology

A complete course of respiratory physiology suitable for first-year medical and graduate students has been placed on the Web for our own students and for other educational institutions. There are several reasons for doing this. The first is that the modern-day student uses a variety of options for acquiring knowledge. These include attending lectures, reading texts, iPod downloads, and surfing the internet. This Web-based course is another option that may be preferable for some students. A second reason is that it is becoming increasingly difficult for some medical schools to find faculty members who are willing and able to teach the principles of respiratory physiology. This is a potentially serious problem because a sound knowledge of respiratory physiology will always be necessary for the intelligent practice of medicine. Schools with limited faculty may find it useful to use these Web-based lectures followed by a discussion session with students. Another reason is that some schools have moved away from systematic lectures to case-based discussions, with the possibility that students will not be exposed to some of the principles of respiratory physiology. The hope is that this comprehensive course of lectures will help students to assimilate this important material as the medical school curriculum continues to expand at a rapid rate.
Scalable material assignment methods for build-to-order environments

This paper develops scalable and effective yet simple heuristic methods for material assignment in a large discrete Build-To-Order (BTO) environment. The material assignment function allocates available supplies of raw material to orders over a period of time. Despite popular belief to the contrary, Material Requirements Planning (MRP) does not perform material assignment. As a result, material supplies are by default consumed by orders on a First Come First Served (FCFS) basis and this allows low priority orders to obtain material instead of high priority orders. We develop heuristic methods that consider priority when performing material assignment and study their effectiveness using total weighted tardiness, total tardiness, fraction of orders that are tardy and computational time as performance measures. The material assignment problem is formulated as a transportation problem to obtain a lower bound for the heuristics in terms of total weighted tardiness. Simulation results show that one of the heuristics yields solutions whose total weighted tardiness is within about 0.25% of the optimal solution, yet is very scalable and able to quickly assign materials in realistically sized systems with many tens of thousands of orders.
Discovery and frequency measurement of far-infrared laser emissions generated by optically pumped CH2DOH

A recently improved three-laser heterodyne system was used to frequency measure ten previously observed optically pumped far-infrared (FIR) laser emissions from the partially deuterated methanol isotopologue CH2DOH. Also, a 64.0 μm FIR emission generated by the 9P32 line of the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser was discovered and frequency measured. These newly measured frequencies have fractional uncertainties on the order of ± 2 × 10 -7 and correspond to laser wavelengths ranging from 42.6 to 152.7 μm. The offset frequency for the CO2 pump laser was measured for twenty-two CH2DOH FIR laser emissions.
FREM: A Fast Restart Mechanism for General Checkpoint/Restart

As failure rate keeps on increasing in large systems, applications running atop restart more frequently than ever. Existing research on checkpoint/restart mainly focuses on optimizing checkpoint operation, without paying much attention to the restart operation. As a result, application restart latency maybe substantial, which greatly threatens system dependability and performance. To attack the restart latency problem, in this paper, we present FREM, a fast restart mechanism for general checkpoint/restart protocols. By dynamically tracking the process data accesses after each checkpoint, FREM masks restart latency by overlapping application recovery with the retrieval of its checkpoint image. We have implemented FREM as a prototype system and tested it under Linux environments. Extensive experiments with real applications demonstrate that it can effectively reduce restart latency by over 50 percent on average, as compared to the conventional restart mechanisms.
Who needs tip links? Backwards transduction by hair cells

The molecular identity of the channel that mediates mechanotransduction by hair cells remains uncertain, despite being biophysically characterized since the late 1970s ([Corey and Hudspeth, 1979][1]). Two recent reports from Jeffrey Holt, Gwenaelle Geleoc, Andrew Griffith, and their colleagues
Introduction to quantum chromodynamics at hadron colliders

A basic introduction to the application of QCD at hadron colliders is presented. I briefly review the phenomenological and theoretical origins of QCD, and then discuss factorization and infrared safety, parton distributions, the computation of hard scattering amplitudes and applications of perturbative QCD.
Temperature effect on tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) biodegradation kinetics in hyporheic zone soils.

Background: Remediation of tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) in subsurface waters should be taken into consideration at reformulated gasoline contaminated sites since it is a biodegradation intermediate of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), and tert-butyl formate (TBF). The effect of temperature on TBA biodegradation has not been not been published in the literature. Methods: Biodegradation of [U 14C] TBA was determined using hyporheic zone soil microcosms. Results: First order mineralization rate constants of TBA at 5°C, 15°C and 25°C were 7.84 ± 0.14 × 10 -3 , 9.07 ± 0.09 × 10 -3 , and 15.3 ± 0.3 × 10 -3 days-1, respectively (or 2.86 ± 0.05, 3.31 ± 0.03, 5.60 ± 0.14 years -1 , respectively). Temperature had a statistically significant effect on the mineralization rates and was modelled using the Arrhenius equation with frequency factor (A) and activation energy (Ea) of 154 day-1 and 23,006 mol/J, respectively. Conclusion: Results of this study are the first to determine mineralization rates of TBA for different temperatures. The kinetic rates determined in this study can be used in groundwater fate and transport modelling of TBA at the Ronan, MT site and provide an estimate for TBA removal at other similar shallow aquifer sites and hyporheic zones as a function of seasonal change in temperature.