cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Remote-sensing-based flood damage estimation using crop condition profiles

Flooding introduces significant changes to crop condition profiles that can be derived from remote sensing. These changes correlate to crop damage caused by flood events. Crop condition profiles can be directly or indirectly constructed using different vegetation indices if specific crop are pre-determined. Crop condition profiles may be resulted from different vegetation indices. This study compares different vegetation index algorithms in constructing crop condition profiles and their effect on flood damage estimation. Examined vegetation index algorithms include normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), vegetation condition index (VCI), mean vegetation condition index (MVCI), and ratio to median vegetation condition index (RMVCI). MODIS data is used as the major source of remotely sensed observations considering its high temporal resolution that is highly desirable for constructing crop condition profiles. Cropland Data Layer (CDL) of USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service is used to differentiate different crop types. Several flooding events have been identified and compared with different condition profiles. The study shows that crop condition profiles can effectively detect the flood damage and estimate the damage due to flood.
Course of Right and Left Ventricular Function in Patients with Pulmonary Insufficiency After Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot

Surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) frequently results in pulmonary valve insufficiency. Nevertheless, no serial information is available on the long-term impact of the valvular insufficiency on right and left ventricular function. Right and left ventricular ejection fraction was measured serially by radionuclide angiocardiography in 21 patients with at least moderate pulmonary insufficiency after repair of TOF. A baseline study was obtained an average of 1.2 years after repair, and a follow-up study was performed an average of 10.2 years after surgery. Changes in ventricular function over time and deviations from the normal range were analyzed. At baseline evaluation the mean right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF; 0.52 +/- 0.10) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; 0.68 +/- 0.10) were normal. At the time of follow-up the mean RVEF had significantly decreased to 0.45 +/- 0.09 (p < 0.01). The mean LVEF had decreased to 0.60 +/- 0.11 (p < 0.02). This change was independent of the RVEF (r = -0.13). Eleven patients (52%) had an abnormal RVEF or LVEF at follow-up. Nineteen patients (90%) showed a decrease of 0.05 or more in RVEF, LVEF, or both between studies. These data suggest a negative impact of long-standing pulmonary insufficiency on right and left ventricular systolic function after repair of TOF. Therefore, continued surveillance of biventricular function in this patient population appears warranted.
Cost/benefit analysis and capital investment decisions in nuclear cardiology.

This paper demonstrates an application of Cost-Benefit Analysis as an aid in capital investment medical decision making. Specifically, a cost-benefit analysis is used to compare three nuclear cardiology instruments (i.e. Nuclear Stethoscope, Mobile Camera/Computer and Fixed Cardiac Computer). The study examined both non-quantitative and quantitative comparative factors. Results of the study show: (1) Conversion of the non-quantitative factors into a numerical system (via medical opinion) greatly delineates the relative merits of each instrument. (2) Simulating the stochastic economic and equipment utilization factors reveals instrument selection to be a function of patient flow and amortization procedures. (3) Adjusting the quantitative assessment of each instrument by the non-quantitative assessment (via the numerical system) aids in the capital investment decision.
The Earliest Map of the Mandan Heartland: Notes on the Jarvis and Mackay 1791 Map

Canadian fur trader Donald Mackay visited and left a description of the Mandans and Hidatsas on the Missouri River in 1781, six years before James MacKay, generally credited with being the first Canadian trader to do so since visits by the La Verendryes in the mid-1700s. Information from Mackay’s visit was incorporated into the Edward Jarvis and Donald Mackay map of 1791. The details Mackay provided on that manuscript chart reveal new insights into intertribal relations between the Mandans, Hidatsas, and Arikaras and the nomadic groups that surrounded them at the time of his visit. Contemporary documents support the hypothesis that the “Shevitoon” Indians depicted on the map may be identified as the Sutaios.
Robust control for high-performance materials testing

The use of root-locus-based robust design techniques in the design of a digital controller for a high-performance variable-amplitude fatigue test is described. Evaluation of the resulting controller on a prototype laboratory materials testing system, designed to simulate the mechanical stress loads experienced by certain aircraft components, shows that it meets design performance goals of 0.25% specimen load accuracy while providing robustness to specimen compliance over a 10 to 1 range. This performance significantly exceeds that obtained with traditional hand-tuned controllers. >
Bone cell differentiation: A functionally coupled relationship between expression of cell-growth- and tissue-specific genes

A functional relationship between cell growth and the initiation and progression of events associated with differentiation has been viewed by developmental biologists for more than a century as a fundamental question. Bone is a tissue where the relationship of growth and differentiation must be maintained and stringently regulated both during development and throughout the life of the organism to support tissue remodeling. Two distinct pathways are associated with bone formation, each necessitating a highly interdependent series of processes and signaling mechanisms and both dependent upon proliferation for increasing tissue mass as weU as for regulation of key components of bone ceU phenotype expression.
In vitro measurements in human placenta and fetal membranes of rates of entry metabolism and release of steroids.

Rates of entry and metabolism of estrone (E1), estradiol (Es), estrone sulfate (E1S) estradiol-3-sulfate (E2S), progesterone (P), and 20α dihydroprogesterone (20αDHP) were measured using mixtures of tracers in buffer perfused at a constant rate through slices of human placenta, fetal membranes and cell suspensions obtained from chorion laeve. Estrogen sulfates entered slices of term placenta as readily as unconjugated estrogens or as P or 20αDHP. The cells of the chorionic membrane were less permeable to E1 and E2 than those of placenta or amnion. Interconversions between E1 and E2 were very extensive in all these tissues. The capacity of the dehydrogenase involved in these conversions was found to be much higher than the aromatase capacity in the same placenta. Very low aromatase activity was present in the fetal membranes. Aryl sulfatase levels were high in placenta and chorionic membranes but negligible in amnion (Endocrinology 90: 405, 1972)
Torulopsis Pneumonia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Torulopsis glabratais a rare cause of pneumonia in immunocompromised patients. We herein describe the case of an elderly man who presented with fulminant Torulopsis pneumonia and septic shock leading to death. We then review the literature, describe the clinical syndrome, and delineate an approach to diagnosis and treatment of Torulopsis pneumonia.
B74-1 Complexity of Computer Computations

This book is the proceedings of a symposium held at the IBM T. J. Watson Research Center in March 1972. It contains the 14 papers presented plus an account of the panel discussion session. There was considerable attention given in the panel discussion to the field of the symposium. There was no agreement on a suitable name although "computational complexity," "computability," "theory of algorithms," and "concrete computational complexity" were suggested. Neither was there good agreement on the content of the field, but the symposium (and this book) itself serve admirably to delineate the field. That is, the content of this field (whatever it is called) is that which the people in the fleld are doing.
Expression of the HIS3 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in polynucleotide phosphorylase-deficient strains of Escherichia coli K-12

Abstract The PstI and Bam HI fragments, containing the HIS3 (imidazoleglycerol phosphate dehydratase) gene of yeast obtained from pYe his 2, and the ColE1-derived plasmid pBR322 were ligated in vitro and used to transform hisB 463 strains of Escherichia coli K-12. Expression of the cloned HIS3 gene from yeast was markedly enhanced (3–5-fold) in polynucleotide phosphorylase ( pnp )-deficient strains of E. coli . The levels of both HIS3 and plasmid-encoded mRNAs were increased in pnp − strains carrying the chimeric plasmids, whereas there was little difference in the levels of pBR322-specific mRNAs in pnp + and pnp − strains. This increase in HIS3 mRNA appeared to be related to specific stabilization of the eukaryotic message due to its unique structural features, since the half-life of the HIS3 mRNA increased from 1.5 to 18.7 min, whereas no increase in the half-lives of pBR322 vehicle mRNAs was observed. A physical map of the plasmid pYe his 2 was constructed using restriction endonuclease and molecular cloning techniques.
A new rotifer‐based assay for tocopherol

The body-wall-outgrowth response of the rotiferAsplanchna sieboldi to tocopherol has been developed into a new bioassay which can estimate tocopherol titres more than 106 times more dilute than the detection limits of previously reported bioassays, and which is more sensitive and permits greaters qualitative discrimination than any fluorometric assay. this rotifer bioassay may prove especially useful in determining biological activities of tocopherol compounds and in estimating total tocopherol activity in biological material of very limited size or tocopherol content. It may also be used to analyze and describe the effects of environmental, genetic, and pharmacological factors on the body-wall-out-growth responses ofAsplanchna to given doses of tocopherol in terms of regression equations or equivalent changes in inducing tocopherol concentrations.
Experimental and Modeling Study of Hydrogenation Using Deuterium Step Transient Response during Ethylene Hydroformylation

Abstract Deuterium isotopic step tracing combined within situinfrared (IR) spectroscopy was utilized to study and model the hydrogenation steps in ethylene hydroformylation on 4 wt% Rh/SiO2at 483–573 K and 0.1 MPa. The difference in residence times between H2and D2, as well as propionaldehyde and deuterated propionaldehyde to the step switch from H2to D2and D2to H2during ethylene hydroformylation reflects the presence of an isotope effect for H2/D2chemisorption and propionaldehyde formation. Compartment modeling of H2/D2responses and qualitative comparison of propionaldehyde and deuterated propionaldehyde responses unravel the presence of a normal equilibrium isotope effect for H2/D2chemisorption and a normal kinetic isotope effect for hydrogenation/deuteration of adsorbed acyl species.In situIR coupled with deuterium transient responses shows that the reverse spillover of deuterium from Si-OD participates in the deuteration of adsorbed acyl species, suggesting that the site for deuteration of the adsorbed acyl species is located near the Rh and SiO2interface. Significant difference in the deuterated ethane and propionaldehyde responses suggests the different nature of either adsorbed hydrogen/deuterium or the active site for hydrogenation/deuteration of adsorbed ethyl and acyl species.
Nonlinear Models and Regression

A model is nonlinear if any of the partial derivatives with respect to any of the model parameters are dependent on any other model parameter or if any of the derivatives do not exist or are discontinuous. This chapter expands on the previous chapter and introduces nonlinear regression within a least squares (NLS) and maximum likelihood framework. The concepts of minima, both local and global, and the gradient and Hessian are introduced and provide a basis for NLS algorithm selection. Ill-conditioning and its role in model instability are prominently discussed, as are influence diagnostics for the nonlinear problem and how to use prior information to obtain better model parameter estimates.
Extended Oxygen Delivery from the Nerve Hemoglobin of Tellina alternata (Bivalvia)

An oxygen-binding hemoglobin localized in the nerves of Tellina alternata (Bivalvia) required 30 minutes to unload oxygen when excised nerves were exposed to pure nitrogen. Neural excitability under these conditions could be sustained only until deoxygenation of the hemoglobin was complete. When the oxygen-combining function of the hemoglobin was abolished with carbon monoxide, the neural excitability ceased within a few minutes of oxygen removal, a response identical to that of hemoglobinless homologous nerves of other bivalves. These results demonstrate that aerobic activity can be supported by the oxygen stored on hemoglobin in microscopic tissues for a considerable time under anoxic conditions.
Properties of Minimum Uncertainty Wavelets and Their Relations to the Harmonic Oscillator and the Coherent States

We consider additional aspects of the recently derived “minimum uncertainty” (μ) wavelets. In particular, we show that they are fundamentally related to both the harmonic oscillator eigenstates and the canonical coherent states that play a fundamental role in quantum dynamics. In addition, we derive new raising and lowering operators that apply to the μ-wavelets. Finally, we explore in some detail the senses in which the μ-wavelets form complete sets that can be used in a variety of applications in quantum dynamics.
The Contribution of IT Governance Solutions to the Implementation of Data Warehouse Practice

Information systems (IS) strategic planners debate what is the most appropriate data warehouse (DW) topology for an organization. The primary question is whether to start DW projects with enterprise-wide data warehouses (EDWs) or with smaller-scale data marts (DMs). This article examines the relationship between modes of IT governance and DW topology to determine whether or not the implementation differences in DW topology can be described by differences in IT governance arrangements. Three primary modes of IT governanceâ€“centralized, decentralized, and hybrid â€“ were used to arrange key IT activities. A replicated case study approach coupled with a research survey was used to provide a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between modes of IT governance and DW topology. Utilizing information from six organizations, the empirical evidence presented indicates that the organizations with higher levels of centralized IT authority are likely to implement a more centralized data warehousing approach. Key implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Clinical and pathologic characteristics of disseminated cutaneous coccidioidomycosis

Background Cutaneous lesions are a common manifestation of disseminated coccidioidomycosis, which has increasing prevalence in endemic regions. The clinical and histologic features may be more variable than is currently recognized. Objective To characterize the clinical and histologic findings from a large series of disseminated coccidioidomycosis cases in the southwestern United States. Methods Histologic materials and clinical records for all biopsy-positive cases (1975-2006) from three medical centers in Arizona were reviewed. Results Patterns of inflammation were generally granulomatous, but the degree of organization, associated inflammatory milieu, density of tissue fungemia, and size of fungal spherules were highly variable. The clinical presentation was also inconsistent. Limitations The study only included cases with diagnostic histology. Records of clinical information were somewhat incomplete. Conclusion Clinical and pathologic findings in disseminated cutaneous coccidioidomycosis are variable and often subtle. A diagnosis requires a high degree of suspicion, especially in patients who reside in or have traveled through endemic regions.
Docetaxel enhances tumor radioresponse in vivo

Although the radiosensitizing potential of paclitaxel has been investigated extensively in cancer treatment, a sister taxane, docetaxel, has been studied rarely. We investigated the ability of docetaxel to enhance in vivo tumor radioresponse and influence radiation injury to normal tissue. In addition, mitotic arrest and apoptosis in tumors and normal tissues were assessed after docetaxel administration to determine whether these cellular effects underly its radio-modifying action. Mice bearing in their legs 8-mm isotransplants of a murine mammary carcinoma, designated MCA-4, were treated with 33 mg/kg docetaxel i.v., 9-21 Gy single-dose local tumor irradiation, or both (in which case radiation was given 9 or 48 h after docetaxel). Tumor growth delay was the end point of the treatments. Mitotic arrest and apoptosis were assayed 1-72 h after treatment with docetaxel. Normal tissue radioresponse was determined using jejunal crypt cell survival 3.5 days after mice were exposed to 9.2-14.8 Gy single-dose, total-body irradiation; the mice were treated with 33 mg/kg docetaxel i.v. 3, 9, or 48 h before irradiation. Docetaxel was assessed for its ability to induce mitotic arrest and apoptosis in jejunum 1-72 h after treatment. Docetaxel induced both mitotic arrest and apoptosis in both tumor and jejunum. Mitotic arrest preceded apoptosis and peaked in the tumor at 9-12 h after treatment; it peaked at 3 h in jejunum. Docetaxel enhanced tumor radioresponse by a factor of 1.45 when the drug was given 9 h before radiation and 2.33 when it was given 48 h before. In contrast, it only slightly enhanced radiation-induced damage of the jejunum and only when given 3 or 9 h before irradiation. Thus, docetaxel given within 2 days before irradiation acted as a potent enhancer of tumor radioresponse and increased the therapeutic gain of irradiation.
Intrinsic shortest path length: a new, accurate a priori wirelength estimator

A priori wirelength estimation is concerned with predicting various wirelength characteristics before placement. In this work we propose a novel, accurate estimator of net lengths. We observe that in "good" placements, the length of a net is very strongly correlated with the numbers of nets in the shortest paths connecting node pairs of the net, when each shortest path is computed under the restriction that the net itself does not exist. We refer to this as the net's intrinsic shortest path length (ISPL). Using ISPL as a wirelength estimator has several advantages: (1) it transparently handles multi-pin nets and is a strong predictor of their length; (2) it strongly correlates with the average netlist wirelength; (3) it has a distribution that is similar to that of wirelength; and (4) it acts as a good predictor for individual net lengths. Based on ISPLs, we characterize VLSI netlists with a single value and develop an intuitive, empirical link between our proposed value and the Rent parameter. We also analytically model the relationship between ISPL and wirelength, and use ISPLs in two practical applications: a priori total wirelength estimation and a priori global interconnect prediction.
The Role of Other Orientation in Reactions to Job Characteristics

Attitudes are shaped through a rational process of integrating one’s beliefs and valences and an automatic process involving heuristics. This investigation extends research on the theory of other orientation by examining the role of other orientation in the first of these two processes. In two survey samples and a follow-up laboratory experiment, the relationship between beliefs about enriched job attributes and job satisfaction was weaker among persons higher in other orientation. These findings specify a different role for individual differences in job attitude formation that has implications for influencing job attitudes among persons from different professions, organizations, and cultures.
Voltage-current characteristics of the electrotactile skin-electrode interface

Experimental results showing that the static skin-electrode resistance decreases nonlinearly with increasing stimulation current during electric stimulation of the sense of touch are reported. A mathematical model that describes the electrotactile skin-electrode interface is presented. The voltage versus time response of an electrode stimulation with constant-current pulses is also modeled, and two possible explanations for this characteristic are provided. >
Nanocrystalline Thin Films for Tunable High Q UHF/VHF Devices

Recent studies indicate that reactively sputtered FeCrTaN nanocrystalline thin films have many of the properties [large magnetization (4πMs), anisotropy (Han), and resistivity (ρ)] required for application in high Q (>1000), magnetically tunable devices operating in the VHF/UHF (~50 MHz to 500 MHz) frequency range. These films had thickness (d) of ~0.1 -ώm, but film thickness of ~1-ώm may be required for many devices. Although most previous research has shown that the magnetic properties of sputtered films are significantly deteriorated when d~1-ώm, there are recent reports that those of reactively sputtered nanocrystalline films of similar alloys (FeTaN, CoAl/SiO) are independent of thickness to d≈1-2-ώm. Accordingly, this work investigated the possibility of reactively sputtering FeCrTa alloys in O/N gas mixtures to obtain films with device quality properties, that are independent of thickness to 1-2ώm. The correlations between their magnetic and electrical properties, and their nano-heterogeneous microstructure, were studied to determine optimum reactive gas mixtures and sputtering parameters. Cross-section TEM studies were conducted to investigate the origins of the thickness independent properties, and the unexpected increases in anisotropy.
On wavelength translation in all-optical networks

In this paper we study the benefits of wavelength translation in all-optical networks providing clear channel circuit-switching among users. We first establish approximate analytical models for a static-routing circuit-switched network with an arbitrary topology, both with and without wavelength translation. We then study performance of the non-blocking centralized switch, the mesh-torus network and the ring network, using the analytical models and simulation results. It is shown that the analytical models match the simulation results very well in the case of the centralized switch and the mesh network. The results of our study also show that the benefits of wavelength translation are marginal for the centralized switch and the ring network. On the other hand, the results show that wavelength translation can significantly improve performance of a large mesh network.
A Performance Study of Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) with Heterogeneous TCP Flows

This paper compares the simulated performance of RED routers and ECN routers. The results show that ECN provides better goodput and fairness than RED for heterogeneous TCP flows. When demand is held constant, increasing the number offlo ws generating the demand has a negative effect on performance. ns-2 simulations with many flows demonstrate that the bottleneck router's marking probability must be aggressively increased to provide good ECN performance. These experiments suggest that an adaptive version ofECN should provide better performance than ECN.
Voltage tuning of gain spectra in quantum cascade lasers

The voltage tuning of gain spectra in three types of Quantum Cascade laser designs is investigated. The gain spectra of the luminescence device are tunable over the whole voltage operation range for all designs. The lasers are as tunable as the electroluminescence below threshold, while a reduced tunability is observed in all lasers above threshold. This is attributed to the decrease of resistance across the laser active region as the photon density increases. A resumed tunability high above threshold occurs in all lasers based on the anti-crossed designs. Lasers based on the anti-crossed diagonal transition are tunable above threshold, with a tuning range of about 40 cm -1 (~4% of the laser emission wavenumber) at room temperature, i.e. a tuning rate of 800 cm-1 per volt per period of active region and injector.
Intermittent hemodialysis versus continuous renal replacement therapy for acute renal failure in the intensive care unit: an observational outcomes analysis.

Background: Studies have failed to show a survival difference between intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Comparative cost analyses are limited and fail to control for differences in patient disease severity and comorbid conditions. The authors retrospectively estimated clinical and economic outcomes associated with CRRT and IHD among critically ill patients experiencing acute renal failure (ARF) in 2 tertiary care hospitals in Rochester, Minnesota, between January 1, 2000, and December 12, 2001. Methods: 161 critically ill patients requiring dialysis for ARF were analyzed. Patient demo-graphics, comorbid conditions, ARF etiology, mode of renal replacement therapy (RRT), renal recovery, and survival were abstracted from medical chart. APACHE II scores at dialysis initiation were calculated. Administrative data tracked length of stay (LOS) and direct medical costs from initiation of RRT to death or intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital discharge. Multivariate m...
Inaccuracies of a plastic "pinna" SAM for SAR testing of cellular telephones against IEEE and ICNIRP safety guidelines

A 2-mm-thick plastic shell with 5-10-mm-thick tapered plastic spacer in the shape of a "pinna"-specific anthropomorphic mannequin (SAM) head model is being used for determination of the specific absorption rate (SAR) of cellular telephones for compliance testing against IEEE and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) Safety Guidelines used in the U.S. and Europe, respectively. We have used three-dimensional computer-aided design files of the SAM Model with 1-mm resolution to calculate peak 1- and 10-g SAR for "cheek" and "15/spl deg/-tilted" positions of some typical telephones for comparison with those for three anatomic models of the head to show that the SAR obtained for SAM is up to two or more times smaller than for anatomic models. This is due to the shift of the high SAR locations to a low radiated fields region away from the antenna, particularly at 835 MHz, and a substantial physical separation from the absorptive phantom at 1900 MHz. Due to the use of lossless plastic for the "pinna," another handicap of the SAM model is the total lack of knowledge of 1- or 10-g SAR in the pinna tissues required by all safety guidelines (current or proposed). To remedy this situation, we propose a modified SAM with a lossy "pinna," for which 1- and 10-g SARs are relatively close to those for anatomic models, provided we use a fluid of higher conductivity than that currently used for compliance testing at 835 MHz. Lastly, we compare the implications of the current IEEE and ICNIRP guidelines and the newly proposed IEEE guidelines with a relaxed limit of 4.0 W/kg for any 10-g of tissue of the pinna for maximum allowable powers for cellular telephones at 835 and 1900 MHz to show that the newly proposed relaxed IEEE limits will allow radiated powers that may be 8-16 times those permitted by the current IEEE Standard and up to two times higher than those permitted under ICNIRP guidelines used in over 30 countries.
Amino acid content of muscle and plasma with altered pH

The free amino acid contents of plasma and skeletal muscle were determined in rats with K + -deficiency, acute respiratory acidosis or acute respiratory alkalosis. K + -deficiency caused a reduction in intracellular pH (pH i ) and an elevation of extracellular pH (pH e ). The acute respiratory acidosis reduced skeletal muscle pH 1 to the same extent K + -deficiency did; the respiratory alkalosis imposed elevated pH e to a level comparable with K + -deficiency. This made it possible to determine whether or not altered pH 1 or pH e might directly influence the movement of amino acids into (or out of) skeletal muscle cells. Low-K + muscle contained increased amounts of basic amino acids, primarily lysine. These increases accounted for about 30 per cent of the alkali metal cation deficit found in K + -deficient muscle. Aside from changes in basic amino acids, low-K + skeletal muscle had increased amounts of threonine, serine, glutamine and citrulline; there were decreased concentrations of isoleucine plus leucine, valine, alanine and aspartic acid. No comparable pattern of amino acid changes were observed in normal rats with comparably reduced pH 1 or elevated pH e induced by changing pCO 2 . These findings indicate that altered pH i or pH e have no direct influence on free amino acid movements across rat skeletal muscle cells in vivo.
Alkoxide- and hydroxide-induced nucleophilic trifluoromethylation using trifluoromethyl sulfone or sulfoxide.

The first alkoxide- and hydroxide-induced nucleophilic trifluoromethylation of carbonyl compounds, disulfides, and other electrophiles, using phenyl trifluoromethyl sulfone 1a (sulfoxide 1b) is reported. The trifluoromethyl sulfone 1a or sulfoxide 1b acts as a “CF3-” synthon. Both sulfone 1a and sulfoxide 1b are commercially available and can also be conveniently prepared from trifluoromethane. The new methodology provides a convenient route for efficient trifluoromethylation.
Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution Reactions of 1,2‐Dihydro‐1,2‐Azaborine

we have focused on expanding the scope ofsynthetically accessible 1,2-azaborines and investigating the aromatic character of thisfamily of heterocycles.Among the four commonly investigated criteria of aromaticity (structure, magnetism,energy, and reactivity), we have determined that 1,2-azaborines exhibit delocalizedbonding,
A novel Qos-aware MAC scheme using optimal retransmission for wireless networks

This paper proposes a novel medium access control scheme for low cost, single-hop wireless networks where the source nodes have a transmitter module but no receiver module and hence they can only transmit data to a sink but cannot receive any control signals, like an ACK or NAK, from any other node. The goal of the proposed scheme is to provide QoS (in terms of packet delivery probability) to the nodes in such a network, where the existing schemes like polling or scheduled transmissions, CSMA and ARQ will be ineffective because of the unavailability of a receiver module at the nodes. The proposed scheme uses distributed control and allows the nodes to transmit each packet an optimal number of times at random instants in time within the packet generation interval. We define two optimization problems based on minimizing total network traffic and maximizing the delivery probability of the class of nodes requiring the highest QoS, respectively, and develop mathematical formulae and efficient algorithms to solve them. Numerical analysis and simulation results show that our scheme can provide high QoS to networks of different sizes.
Myocardial improvement with human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes enriched by p38MAPK inhibition

Background aims We have shown previously that inhibition of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) directs the differentiation of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived cardiomyocytes (hCM). We investigated the therapeutic benefits of intramyocardial injection of hCM differentiated from hESC by p38MAPK inhibition using closed-chest ultrasound-guided injection at a clinically relevant time post-myocardial infarction (MI) in a mouse model.
Structural Predictors of Brazilian Police Violence

This article explores the nature of police violence in the Sao Paulo Metropolitan Area in contemporary Brazil during the last two decades of the twentieth century. First, the article reviews theories and empirical research within general sociology and by Brazilianist/Brazilian scholars on the nature of violence, and policing. Next, the article reviews three structural theories of police violence developed as part of Western sociology but applied to Brazil—the reaction-to-crime, the reaction-to-violence, and the threat models. Lastly, using occurrence data on reports of police excessive use of force (n = 4018) from the University of Sao Paulo Nucleo de Estudos de Violencia (Center for the Study of Violence) database on Gross Human Rights Violations, these three theories are tested with time series regression techniques through the regression of municipality rates of police violence on crime rates, concentrations of Afro-Brazilians and rural state migrants, and poverty indicators. The findings offer no supp...
MCM Proteins in DNA Replication

The MCM proteins are essential replication initiation factors originally identified as proteins required for minichromosome maintenance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The best known among them are a family of six structurally related proteins, MCM2-7, which are evolutionally conserved in all eukaryotes. The MCM2-7 proteins form a hexameric complex. This complex is a key component of the prereplication complex that assembles at replication origins during early G1 phase. New evidence suggests that the MCM2-7 proteins may be involved not only in the initiation but also in the elongation of DNA replication. Orchestration of the functional interactions between the MCM2-7 proteins and other components of the prereplication complex by cell cycle-dependent protein kinases results in initiation of DNA synthesis once every cell cycle.
Tax Policy Implications of Legislating Accounting Change: The Case Of S&L Goodwill and Tax NOLs

The Supreme Court recently ruled that the U.S. government breached its contracts with several acquirers of insolvent savings and loans (S&Ls, thrifts) when it mandated goodwill write-offs in 1989. This study shows that investors recorded tax attributes (net operating losses and built-in losses) received in these regulatory-assisted mergers as goodwill. Consequently, goodwill write-offs were overstated by the value of tax attributes and regulatory enforcement actions against many S&Ls may have been premature. This study's results will interest regulators, thrift owners, and lawyers who currently are litigating "breach of contract" suits. The study also provides insights into the interaction of legislative policy with accounting, the regulatory process, and the general conduct of business.
Renal Cell Carcinomas in Vinylidene Chloride–exposed Male B6C3F1 Mice Are Characterized by Oxidative Stress and TP53 Pathway Dysregulation

Vinylidene chloride (VDC) has been widely used in the production of plastics and flame retardants. Exposure of B6C3F1 mice to VDC in the 2-year National Toxicology Program carcinogenicity bioassay resulted in a dose-dependent increases in renal cell hyperplasia, renal cell adenoma, and renal cell carcinomas (RCCs). Among those differentially expressed genes from controls and RCC of VDC-exposed mice, there was an overrepresentation of genes from pathways associated with chronic xenobiotic and oxidative stress as well as c-Myc overexpression and dysregulation of TP53 cell cycle checkpoint and DNA damage repair pathways in RCC. Trend analysis comparing RCC, VDC-exposed kidney, and chamber control kidney showed a conservation of pathway dysregulation in terms of overrepresentation of xenobiotic and oxidative stress, and DNA damage and cell cycle checkpoint pathways in both VDC-exposed kidney and RCC, suggesting that these mechanisms play a role in the pathogenesis of RCC in VDC-exposed mice.
The Effect of Weather on the Winter Activity of Old-Field Rodents

As a part of basic studies of ecological change on the AEC Savannah River Plant Area special attention has been given to the old field ecosystem by a faculty-student team of the University of Georgia. Seasonal and annual changes in the “standing crops” of major plant and animal groups have been followed. For sampling small mammals, extensive use has been made of a standard trapline technic originally developed by Calhoun (1948). The basic trapline unit consists of 20 stations with three traps per station set for three nights. We placed stations 25 feet apart so that small as well as large fields could be sampled (for larger fields more than one unit is often used). Peromyscus polionotus has been, and still is, the most important small mammal in former agricultural fields now abandoned for four growing seasons. Mus musculus, Reithrodontontomys humulis and Cryptotis parva occur in smaller numbers with an occasional Sigmodon hispidus straying into these fields from its normal habitat of older successional stages. Armed with home range data obtained from live-trapping in 1952–54 by Leslie B. Davenport, another member of our team, we have been hopeful of converting numbers per trapline into at least reasonable estimates of animals per acre. Calhoun, Casby and Brant (1955) have recently shown that “space-relative” density can be calculated from ratios between catches of the first two nights, provided the home range is known and the catch on different nights is not greatly affected by the weather. Since Peromyscus in these southern regions reaches a seasonal peak in abundance in winter or early spring (see also McCarley, 1954), sampling should be done then if peak populations of different areas are to be compared (not in late summer or fall as would be the case with many species in the northern United States). …
The Immunologic Consequences of Infection

Tissue damage instead of host protection is sometimes the outcome of the interaction between antibody and microbial antigen. Poststreptococcal rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis are consequences of immune response to an infectious agent. Common fungi are associated with allergic lung syndromes. Allergic manifestations often accompany helminthic infections. “Slow virus” infections may cause certain neurologic disorders. Treatment of immunologic events complicating infectious diseases should be directed toward prevention rather than cure of the immunologic injury
Power Fault Recording and Monitoring System Based on Synchrophasor

At present,power system interconnection has brought new challenges to the safety and stability of power system operation.In the event that a large-scale and long-duration fault occurs in the interconnected system,the power fault recording and monitoring system(PFRMS) should be able to meet the requirements of fault analysis.The Paper elaborates a power fault recording and monitoring system with the type of DPR-2E.In order to improve system reliability and anti-jamming,the hardware device of DPR-2E adopts a twin CPU system made up of Motorola PowerPC and ADI BlackFin DSP and the software adopts Linux embedded real-time operating system.Based on the platform of synchrophasor measurement and the synchronous clock signal,DPR-2E can supply large-scale original data.Constant-temperature crystal oscillator with good stability and time keeping technique with high precision ensures the veracity of one Pulses Per Second(1PPS) at any time and the synchronous analysis of large-scale fault.The improved prony algorithm identifies the power system low frequency oscillation quickly and exactly.The high accuracy location technology can commendably adapt to the ranging fault due to the variation of line parameters.The system realizes consecutive recording over a long period of time and uniform analysis of the steady,synchrophasor,dynamic and transient data,providing reliable data sources for analysis of the ultra-1ong,1arge-scale and developing fault.
Oxygen metabolites stimulate mucous glycoprotein secretion from cultured rat gastric mucous cells.

The aims of this study were to investigate the interaction between oxygen radicals and mucus secretion from cultured rat gastric mucous cells, and to assess the role of prostaglandin production in the modulation of mucus secretion in vitro. Xanthine oxidase in the presence of hypoxanthine caused a dose-dependent increase in the presence of hypoxanthine caused a dose-dependent increase of mucus secretion, as assessed by release of [3H]glucosamine from prelabeled cells, whereas xanthine oxidase or hypoxanthine alone did not. Xanthine oxidase (10 mU/ml) increased release of [3H]glucosamine by 57 +/- 6% compared with control values (P less than 0.001). Catalase (3,000 U/ml) inhibited xanthine oxidase-induced mucus secretion by 69 +/- 9% (P less than 0.01), whereas superoxide dismutase did not. Pretreatment with deferoxamine, an inhibitor of hydroxyl radical generation through chelating ferric ion, diminished oxygen radical-induced mucus release to control values. Xanthine oxidase dose dependently stimulated p...
Researching Hispanic Undergraduates: Conceptual and Methodological Unease

Research on students’ adjustments to and persistence in college has focused on identifying specific factors and the interplay among those variables based on theoretical frameworks. These conceptualizations, however, have not gone without some degree of disparagement. At the center of this discussion is the argument that the underlying assumption among such research endeavors is the notion of a “one-model-fits-all.” Further, it is argued that these models examine the behavior of a very homogenous group—White males—and are not appropriate for other racial/ethnic groups. Along this same line of reasoning is the notion that findings from studies where students with very unique (and institution-specific) characteristics are used cannot possibly provide a “defensible” model. The question of generalizability has also led to the conventional view that the only way to determine what factors affect minority degree attainment and their adjustment to college is by examining large national databases. However, most national databases are dependent on proxy variables that do not sufficiently capture the important underpinnings of persistence models for minorities, and consequently they lack in rigor. Conceptually, this chapter will focus on the use of diverse conceptualizations to study minority student persistence through more racial/ethnic- and institution-specific datasets.
39 – Extending Visualization to Perceptualization: The Importance of Perception in Effective Communication of Information

Traditional visualization must evolve into perceptualization of information: conveying information through multiple perceptual channels and perceptually tuned rendering techniques. The choice of visual rendering techniques should be driven by characteristics of human perception because perceptual channels are the communication medium. This chapter summarizes some basics of human perception and shows several examples of how this perceptual basis can be used to drive new perceptualization techniques. The effectiveness of illustration techniques, the amazing power of the human perceptual system, and the enormous data deluge facing information analysts, medical researchers, and scientific researchers served as motivational factors to explore the possible extension of visualization techniques to perceptualization. The goal of perceptualization is to concisely convey information to the user through the creation of effective perceptual human inputs.
Christ and Incarnation

A Copernican revolution from a Christianity-centred to a God-centred picture of the universe of faiths seems to be demanded by the facts of human religious experience. But before adopting the new picture a Christian must be satisfied that his devotion to Jesus as his personal Lord and Saviour is not thereby brought into question or its validity denied. In this and the following chapter I propose to deal directly with this question of the place of Christ, and the christian affirmations about him, within the proposed new understanding of God’s dealings with mankind. It will be well to begin by seeing why this must be the most difficult of all issues for a christian theology of religions.
Is Dignity the Foundation of Human Rights

The paper will consider the common claim that human rights are based on human dignity as a foundational value. I will make some criticisms of that idea, arguing instead that dignity is a status that comprises fundamental human rights rather than being a value that functions as a major premise of rights claims.
The Primate Superior Colliculus and its Sensory Inputs

Let me begin by showing you a simplified diagram of the rhesus monkey visual system. The retinal fibers, as shown in Fig. 1, project to the superior colliculus and to the lateral geniculate nucleus. The geniculate in turn projects to visual cortex. From layer 5 cortical cells project down to the colliculus. What I want to emphasize is that the superior colliculus receives a dual projection; one directly from the retina and the other indirectly from visual cortex. If you look at this diagram do not take it as a literal proportional relationship of what the brain looks like. The superior colliculus is drawn big here simply because it is my point of focus. In reality, it is the smallest of these structures; in monkey its surface is only about five or six mm in diameter.
Percutaneous hemodynamic support during scar-ventricular tachycardia ablation: is the juice worth the squeeze?

In patients with structural heart disease, scar-related ventricular tachycardia (VT) is often associated with hemodynamic instability that precludes detailed entrainment and activation mapping. Furthermore, repetitive inductions of short periods of unstable VT, or even prolonged episodes of otherwise well-tolerated VT, can have a detrimental cumulative effect and expose patients to progressive hemodynamic compromise and end-organ dysfunction. As a result, ablation strategies in patients with scar-VT and significant structural heart disease are often limited to substrate mapping and ablation performed in sinus rhythm.1 Although this approach seems to be effective for a significant number of postmyocardial infarction patients, it is less applicable to other patient populations, such as those with nonischemic cardiomyopathy, which comprise more than one third of all patients presenting with scar-VT and comprises increasing proportion of scar-VT substrates. A substrate-based ablation strategy (late potentials and pace-mapping) is significantly less effective in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy as compared with ischemic cardiomyopathy, because of the relative paucity of putative channels in sinus rhythm.2 Furthermore, pure substrate-based ablation is considered nonspecific, and VT can recur in up to half of patients despite extensive substrate modification.1 Finally, patients with VT circuits adjacent to critical structures, such as the coronary artery or phrenic nerve, would also be less than optimal candidates for substrate-based ablation. Despite these limitations, substrate-based ablation is familiar to most operators and avoids the potential negative outcomes associated with prolonged episodes of VT. Article see p 244 However, entrainment/activation mapping is proof that a targeted isthmus is clinically relevant, may be the only option for certain substrates, and theoretically may require less ablation. Although intravenous vasopressors/inotropes are often used to stabilize blood pressure and cardiac output to allow detailed mapping, they are usually insufficient for mapping fast VT or multiple VTs.3 Intra-aortic balloon pumps, which are …