cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A survey of reproductive parameters in the free-ranging chimpanzees of Gombe National Park

This study is a review of reproductive records for chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) living in Gombe National Park, Tanzania, between 1964 and 1994. Females exhibited their first full anogenital swelling at approximately 10.8 years of age. Duration of adolescent infertility averaged 2.37 years, with first conception occurring at 12.7 years and first parturition at 13.3 years. The menstrual cycles of young nulliparous females were significantly longer than those of older multiparous females (average 39.8 days versus 33.8 days). Analysis of anogenital swelling patterns indicated an average duration of 12\p=n-\13days for maximal swelling in all classes of cycle. Nulliparous and postpartum females exhibited a similar pattern of shortened detumescent phase, indicative of anovulation. Duration of gestation averaged 225.3 days (range = 208\p=n-\235)with no significant fetal gender effect. When an infant lived to weaning age, the postpartum amenorrhoea of the mother averaged 3.86 years, whereas if the offspring died as an infant the mother resumed menstrual cycles an average of 35 days later. Once postpartum cycles resumed, the next conception averaged 142.5 days later if the previous infant had survived, but sooner (92.9 days later) if the previous offspring died in infancy. Interbirth interval averaged 5.15 years. Analysis of behavioural records indicated that a lower percentage of conceptions occurred during consort matings than was previously thought, suggesting additional research is needed on this topic. Detailed discussion focuses on the environmental influence on reproductive parameters described here. Future work in this area will probably identify the importance of diet \p=n-\via basic nutrition and phytochemical content \p=n-\in effecting the seasonal and individual differences seen in this study.
AGU’s Martinelli Travel Fellowships Awarded to Cubillo and Alfaro

Volcanologist Bruno Martinelli believed that to make progress in understanding any scientific topic, exchange and discussion between scientists are essential. While working with fellow volcanologists in South America, Martinelli encouraged them to bring their science to meetings outside Latin America and get exposed to new ideas, research, and methods while connecting with scientists from other parts of the world. At times, when his colleagues lacked funding, Martinelli paid for their travel himself.
Role and attribute based collaborative administration of intra-tenant cloud IaaS

Cloud Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), where traditional IT infrastructure resources such as compute, storage and networking are owned by a cloud service provider (CSP) and offered as on-demand virtual resources to customers (tenants), is the fastest maturing service model in cloud computing. The transformation of physical resources into virtual offers great flexibility to CSP customers including network based remote collaborative administration. This flexibility can be fully availed only if complemented by commensurately flexible access control to the customers remote IT resources by the customer's IT users. Since customer policies in this regard can vary greatly, the CSP needs a flexible model to accommodate diverse policy requirements. In this paper, we investigate attribute-based access control (ABAC) in cloud IaaS. In ABAC, access requests are evaluated based on the attributes of cloud tenant users and those of objects such as virtual machines, storage volumes, networks, etc. We investigate the access control models supported by commercial IaaS providers such as Amazon AWS and opensource OpenStack, as well as other models in the literature, which mostly use role-based access control (RBAC). We demonstrate their limitations and motivate the need for ABAC support to realize the true potential of IaaS. Building on prior published ABAC models we define a formal ABAC model suitable for IaaS. As proof-of-concept we implement this model in OpenStack, a widely-used open source cloud IaaS software platform. We discuss enforcement alternatives in this context and partially evaluate their performance.
Conformal nanocoating of zirconia nanoparticles by atomic layer deposition in a fluidized bed reactor.

Primary zirconia nanoparticles were conformally coated with alumina ultrathin films using atomic layer deposition (ALD) in a fluidized bed reactor. Alternating doses of trimethylaluminium and water vapour were performed to deposit Al2O3 nanolayers on the surface of 26 nm zirconia nanoparticles. Transmission Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was performed ex situ. Bulk Al2O3 vibrational modes were observed for coated particles after 50 and 70 cycles. Coated nanoparticles were also examined with transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Analysis revealed highly conformal and uniform alumina nanofilms throughout the surface of zirconia nanoparticles. The particle size distribution and surface area of the nanoparticles are not affected by the coating process. Primary nanoparticles are coated individually despite their high aggregation tendency during fluidization. The dynamic aggregation behaviour of zirconia nanoparticles in the fluidized bed plays a key role in the individual coating of nanoparticles.
Evaluation of Soil Water Retention Models Based on Basic Soil Physical Properties

Algorithms to model soil water retention are needed to study the response of vegetation and hydrologic systems to climate change. The objective of this study was to evaluate some soil water retention models to identify minimum input data requirements. Six models that function with various combinations of particle-size distribution, bulk density (ρ b ), and soil organic matter data were tested using data for nearly 6000 pedons. The Rawls model, which requires particle-size distribution and organic matter data, had the lowest overall absolute value of the mean error (ME) with 0.020, 0.001, and 0.007 m 3 H 2 O m -3 soil for matric soil water pressures of -10, -33, and -1500 kPa, respectively. The Saxton model, which requires particle-size distribution data, had small MEs (0.018 and 0.007 m 3 H 2 O m -3 soil) for -10 and - 1500 kPa matric soil water pressures, and a moderately small ME (0.017 m 3 H 2 O m -3 soil) at - 33 kPa. The Vereecken model, which requires ρ b , particle-size distribution, and organic matter data, had small MEs (0.016 and 0.009 m 3 H 2 O m -3 soil) at matric soil water pressures of -10 and -33 kPa, with a larger ME (0.020 m 3 H 2 O m -3 soil) at -1500 kPa. The remaining three models had relatively large MEs for at least two of the three matric soil water pressures. For estimating water-holding capacity only, the Saxton model is adequate. The Rawls model is recommended for characterizing the relationship of water content to matric soil water pressure.
Biased Expansions of Biased Graphs and Their Chromatic Polynomials

A biased graph is a graph with a distinguished set of circles, such that if two circles in the set are contained in a theta graph, then so is the third circle of the theta graph. We introduce a new biased graph, a biased expansion of a biased graph, that satisfies certain lifting and projection properties with the original biased graph. We relate the chromatic polynomials of a biased graph and its biased expansions, thus generalizing a biased-graph result of Zaslavsky [7] and a hyperplane result of Ehrenborg and Readdy [1]. We also determine which biased expansions have supersolvable bias matroids.
tcc: a system for fast, flexible, and high-level dynamic code generation

tcc is a compiler that provides efficient and high-level access to dynamic code generation. It implements the 'C ("Tick-C") programming language, an extension of ANSI C that supports dynamic code generation [15]. 'C gives power and flexibility in specifying dynamically generated code: whereas most other systems use annotations to denote run-time invariants. 'C allows the programmer to specify and compose arbitrary expressions and statements at run time. This degree of control is needed to efficiently implement some of the most important applications of dynamic code generation, such as "just in time" compilers [17] and efficient simulators [10, 48, 46].The paper focuses on the techniques that allow tcc to provide 'C's flexibility and expressiveness without sacrificing run-time code generation efficiency. These techniques include fast register allocation, efficient creation and composition of dynamic code specifications, and link-time analysis to reduce the size of dynamic code generators. tcc also implements two different dynamic code generation strategies, designed to address the tradeoff of dynamic compilation speed versus generated code quality. To characterize the effects of dynamic compilation, we present performance measurements for eleven programs compiled using tcc. On these applications, we measured performance improvements of up to one order of magnitude.To encourage further experimentation and use of dynamic code generation, we are making the tcc compiler available in the public domain. This is, to our knowledge, the first high-level dynamic compilation system to be made available.
Acceleration of convergence in the polynomial-expanded spectral density approach to bound and resonance state calculations

Abstract A procedure is presented for accelerating the convergence of the polynomial-expanded spectral density method for calculating eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a Hamiltonian. After a relatively small number of terms in the expansion, one calculates the scalar spectral function, whose plot gives information on the distribution of the eigenvalues contained in the initial wavepacket. The vectors produced by H acting on the initial vector, combined with the energy-dependent coefficients, are used to construct ‘purified’ and ‘neigborhood basis vectors’, which are used to restart the expansion and to diagonalize the Hamiltonian.
Schools of democracy: a political history of the American labor movement, by Clayton Sinyai

Schools of democracy: a political history of the American labor movement, by Clayton Sinyai, Ithaca, NY, Cornell University Press, 2006, xi + 292 pp., US$22.50 (paperback), ISBN 9780801472992 Clayt...
A brief readiness to change drinking algorithm: Concurrent validity in female VA primary care patients

Brief primary care interventions for alcohol use should be tailored to patients' readiness to change; however, validated measures of readiness to change are too lengthy to be practical in most primary care settings. We compared a readiness to change drinking algorithm (RTC Algorithm) based on three standardized questions to a validated 12-item readiness to change questionnaire (Rollnick RTCQ) in 85 hazardous drinking female Veterans Affairs (VA) patients. Results from comparisons of mean Rollnick RTCQ scale scores across RTC Algorithm categories suggest good concurrent validity. Regular assessment using the RTC Algorithm questions may help primary care providers tailor alcohol-related discussions with hazardous drinking patients.
Beta-catenin stabilization extends regulatory T cell survival and induces anergy in nonregulatory T cells

Beta-catenin is a central molecule in the Wnt pathway. Expression of a stable form of beta-catenin on CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (T(reg)) cells resulted in a marked enhancement of survival of these cells in vitro. Furthermore, stable beta-catenin-expressing CD4+CD25+ T(reg) cells outcompeted control T(reg) cells in vivo, and the number of T(reg) cells necessary for protection against inflammatory bowel disease could be substantially reduced when stable beta-catenin-expressing CD4+CD25+ T(reg) cells were used instead of control T(reg) cells. Expression of stable beta-catenin on potentially pathogenic CD4+CD25- T cells rendered these cells anergic, and the beta-catenin-mediated induction of anergy occurred even in Foxp3-deficient T cells. Thus, through enhanced survival of existing regulatory T cells, and through induction of unresponsiveness in precursors of T effector cells, beta-catenin stabilization has a powerful effect on the prevention of inflammatory disease.
Current Management of Wilms’ Tumor

Wilms' tumor is the most common malignant renal tumor in children. Survival has improved dramatically over time as a result of prospective randomized clinical trials conducted by the pediatric cooperative cancer groups. Current research is directed toward identifying low-risk patients for whom a reduction in treatment intensity would decrease long-term morbidity. This article reviews the most recent advances in the biology and treatment of children with Wilms' tumor.
Suppression of eicosanoid biosynthesis during coronary angioplasty by fish oil and aspirin.

BACKGROUND Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is an acute, localized stimulus to platelet and vascular function. Periprocedural cardiovascular complications are reduced by moderate-dose aspirin (ASA), presumably due to inhibition of thromboxane (TX) A2. METHODS AND RESULTS Excretion of TXA2 and prostacyclin (PGI2) metabolites in urine increased during PTCA. Pretreatment for 3 days with either moderate- (325 mg/day) or low-dose (80 mg/day) ASA inhibited the increase in both eicosanoids. Pretreatment for 3 weeks with fish oil (10 g/day) only partially suppressed TXA2. Formation of trienoic eicosanoids and accumulation of omega-3 fatty acids in platelet membranes confirmed fish oil ingestion. Although basal PGI2 was not inhibited, the PTCA-related increment was suppressed. CONCLUSIONS PTCA results in an acute, transient alteration of eicosanoid biosynthesis consistent with accelerated platelet-vascular interactions. Pretreatment for 3 days with moderate or low doses of ASA suppresses TXA to a similar extent during PTCA, and their effects on acute cardiovascular complications of this procedure are likely to be comparable. It is unlikely that even prolonged pretreatment with fish oil can substitute for the platelet inhibitory action of ASA during PTCA. Suppression of PGI2 may contribute to the residual acute periprocedural complication rate in patients taking ASA.
SIFT: a low-overhead dynamic information flow tracking architecture for SMT processors

Dynamic Information Flow Tracking (DIFT) is a powerful technique that can protect unmodified binaries from a broad range of vulnerabilities such as buffer overflow and code injection attacks. Software DIFT implementations incur very high performance overhead, while comprehensive hardware implementations add substantial complexity to the microarchitecture, making it unlikely for chip manufacturers to adopt them. In this paper, we propose SIFT (SMT-based DIFT), where a separate thread performing taint propagation and policy checking is executed in a spare context of an SMT processor. However, the instructions for the checking thread are generated in hardware using self-contained off-the-critical path logic at the commit stage of the pipeline. We investigate several optimizations to the base design including: (1) Prefetching of the taint data from shadow memory when the corresponding data is accessed by the primary thread; (2) Optimizing the generation of the taint instructions to remove unneeded instructions. Together, these optimizations reduce the performance penalty of SIFT to 26% on SPEC CPU 2006 benchmarks--much lower than the overhead of previously proposed software-based DIFT schemes. To demonstrate the feasibility of SIFT, we design and synthesize a core with SIFT logic and show that the area overhead of SIFT is only 4.5% and that instruction generation can be performed in one additional cycle at commit time.
Vertex functions for confined quarks in momentum-space quark-hadron models

We consider the excitation of a quark-antiquark pair from the vacuum by a scalar-isoscalar source and define a vertex function for that process. We construct an equation for the vertex function, making use of a quark-antiquark interaction that describes confinement, and solve for the vertex function in a projected space defined using positive- and negative-energy projection operators constructed in terms of Dirac spinors. The solution of our projected equation yields a vertex function that is equal to zero when both the quark and the antiquark go on the mass shell. This result allows us to study quark dynamics in momentum space in the presence of a confining interaction. The role of our vertex function in extending the Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model to include a description of confinement is considered. It may be seen that various amplitudes are free of the discontinuities that arise when the quark and antiquark go on the mass shell and, therefore, dispersion relations may be developed that are free of unphysical singularities. (In this work, we are mainly interested in the scalar-isoscalar qq\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{} channel; however, the analysis may be extended to include sources carrying other quantum numbers). The projected equations also allow for systematic approximations, such as the neglect of retardation and the neglect of pair-current effects, etc. Solutions are presented for the coupled equations obtained with the use of projection operators. We conclude that the use of projection operators, supplemented by the neglect of retardation, is a useful procedure for the calculation of vertex functions of the type considered in this work.
From swelling to sclerosis: acute change in mesial hippocampus after prolonged febrile seizure

Mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) has been linked to prolonged febrile seizures. The sequence of changes in the temporal lobe/hippocampus following prolonged febrile seizures and status epilepticus is beginning to be elucidated. We obtained repeated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volumetric analysis of the hippocampi in a 23-month-old boy after a prolonged focal febrile seizure. Three days after a prolonged left focal febrile seizure, brain MRI showed increased T2 weighted signal and increased volume (swelling) of the right hippocampus. Repeat MRI 2 months later demonstrated sclerosis of the right hippocampus. Review of the literature shows four other children with prolonged focal seizures associated with the MRI sequence of temporal lobe swelling followed by sclerosis. All had left focal seizures followed by right MTS. Our patient demonstrates a shorter interval for the radiologic development of hippocampal sclerosis compared to other reports.
Mechanical heating of the interstellar medium. I. The source and rate

The paper presents a model for the evolution of a supernova disturbance in the very low density, high temperature, interstellar matrix in order to explore consequences of such disturbances on the interstellar clouds. It is assumed that higher density material is sufficiently common to impede the velocity field, and that thermal conduction is magnetically quenched between the matrix and H I regions. An estimation is made of the work done by blast waves in compressing interstellar clouds, and it is shown that an individual disturbance is found to lose at least a modest fraction of its energy in this manner.
Extra! Extra! Semantics in comics!: The conceptual structure of Chicago Tribune advertisements

Recently, increasing attention is turning to comics as a graphic domain using similar cognitive processes to linguistic forms. As in the verbal and manual modalities of expression, various semantic structures arise across sequences of images in interesting and effective ways. This piece examines metonymy, conceptual metaphors, and blending across a three-panel pattern used in strips from an advertising campaign by the Chicago Tribune newspaper.
Separation of Metal Droplets from Slag

The motion of liquid metal droplets in molten slags was studied using low temperature physical modeling and X-ray observations at high temperatures. Experiments were done to assess settling times of metal droplets in slags. Experimental work included oil and water modeling and high temperature experiments utilizing a furnace equipped with an X-ray fluoroscopy apparatus. Results show that settling times of metal droplets in stagnant slags and water droplets in a variety of oils can be accurately predicted utilizing Stokes' equation modified for the appropriate experimental conditions. It was also found that gas stirring in slags, whether by chemical reaction or gas injection, and slag foaming increases droplet settling times. Stable foams resulting from the reaction of FeO in the slag and carbon in the metal as well as gas injection in the metal phase caused rafts to form which could permanently hold droplets up to about 5 mm in diameter at the top of the slas. For better separation, slags with low viscosities are recommended and foaming should be avoided.
Long term effects of topsoil depth and amendments on particulate and non particulate carbon fractions in a Miamian soil of Central Ohio

Abstract Topsoil removal to incremental depths (TSD) under field conditions is a useful technique to simulate erosion, and assess its on-site impacts on soil properties and agronomic productivity. As the sustained productivity of the soils of US Cornbelt is threatened by topsoil loss due to erosion, the artificial soil removal and addition methods can help in assessing the on-site impact of soil erosion under natural field conditions. Thus this study was conducted in an Alfisol at Waterman Farm of The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio with the objective to assess the impact of long-term (13 years) effects of TSD treatments (removal of 20 cm topsoil, undisturbed soil and addition of 20 cm of top soil) with two amendments (organic manures and synthetic fertilizer) on particulate C fractions, and C associated with different size fractions. Application of organic or inorganic amendments to the eroded soil improved bulk density (BD) (1.57 Mg m 3 ), water stable aggregates (WSA) (87%) and mean weight diameter (MWD) (3.18 mm) equivalent to undisturbed or soil addition treatments. However, the eroded soil had significantly lower total organic carbon (TOC) concentration (16.3 g kg −1 ) compared to other treatments. A trend of higher TOC and nitrogen (TON) concentration was observed with manuring compared with the use of synthetic fertilizer. The lowest concentration (2.66 g kg −1 ) of particulate organic carbon (POC) was measured in eroded soil, and it was 2.6 and 2.4 times lower than those of undisturbed and soil addition treatments, respectively. The sub-soil (15–30 cm) accumulated significantly lower POC (3.6 g kg −1 ) compared to the topsoil (0–15 cm) (7.0 g kg −1 ), with no difference among two amendments. The POC and N pools were also significantly lower in the eroded soil than in other treatments. The particulate organic C/N ratio was significantly larger in sub-soil (20.78) than surface soil (17.83), suggesting strong contribution of roots and root-derived products to POC. There was a positive correlation of macroaggregates C (>2 mm and 0.25–2 mm) with concentration of POC (0.58*, 0.41*) and PON (0.54**, 0.37*). The non particulate organic carbon (NPOC) pools increased with long term management, and were significantly correlated ( R 2 = 0.74**) with the TOC concentration. Higher stratification ratio for total and non particulate C and N was observed in undisturbed and soil addition treatments. Higher ratios (>2) of POC and PON in eroded treatments indicated the buildup of uncomplexed coarse organic residues of intermediate decomposition with higher turnover rate, and their positive impact on restoring the structural properties with the long-term use of amendments.
Total Correction of Ventricular Septal Defect in Infancy Using Extracorporeal Circulation: Surgical Considerations and Results of Operation

Abstract Between 1955 and 1970, 143 Mayo Clinic patients less than 2 years old (78 boys and 65 girls; ages 10 weeks to 24 months, median age 14 months) underwent total correction of a ventricular septal defect using extracorporeal circulation. The distribution of associated lesions was as follows: 66% had no other lesions, 11% had an atrial septal defect, 9% had pulmonary stenosis, 8% had a patent ductus arteriosus, and 6% had other lesions. Two patients were asymptomatic; clinical features in the remainder included congestive heart failure (76%), failure to thrive (55%), and repeated respiratory infections (32%). Operative mortality was inversely related to age and weight. Neither of the asymptomatic patients died. The overall mortality was 21% for the entire interval; for the most recent five-year period, the rate was 10% (22% for infants less than 12 months and 0% for those 12 to 24 months). These data compare favorably with our previous experience and that of others for palliative pulmonary artery banding in infancy followed by correction at a later age, and they support our current approach of closure of the ventricular septal defect using extracorporeal circulation in almost all infants who require surgical aid.
Coherent VUV Source At 130 nm: Theory And Modeling

Our goal is to maximize conversion efficiency of sum-frequency mixing in an energy scalable system. We analyze 130.2-nm generation via two-photon-resonant four-wave mixing in Hg vapor for unfocused light beams emphasizing an understanding of efficiency-limiting processes. Our calculations, based on our measurements of Hg dipole matrix elements, indicate that mixing efficiencies of 5-10% should be possible.
Dynamic effects of autoignition centers for hydrogen and C1,2-hydrocarbon fuels

A chemical kinetics model is used to compute the dynamics of a local autoignition center in a combustible mixture. Such centers arise from inhomogeneities in the bulk mixture and ignite earlier than the surrounding mixture. The model of an exothermic center considers a small, homogeneous mass of reacting mixture that is surrounded by an inert mixture. The model combines energy and species equations for the reacting mixture with a gas dynamic constraint for the expansion of the exploding center. The induction time, the time of chemical energy release, and the exothermic energy and power of the centers are evaluated for a variety of stoichiometric fuel-air mixtures. Fuels include hydrogen, methane, acetylene, ethylene, and ethane. An important dynamic effect of the center is the compression wave it produces in the surrounding mixture. The computations show that compression ratios of 1.2 to 1.8 are produced by a center in these fuels at high pressure.
Heme oxygenase-1, a protective gene that prevents the rejection of transplanted organs.

Summary: Endothelial cells (EC) play a pivotal role in regulating inflammatory reactions such as those involved in the rejection of transplanted organs. This occurs through the expression of a series of pro- and anti-inflammatory genes that are associated with the activation of these cells. Presumably, the expression of pro-inflammatory genes promotes events that lead to graft rejection, while expression of anti-inflammatory (protective) genes suppresses those events and thus contributes in sustaining graft survival. Understanding how the expression of these genes is regulated and their mechanism of action are important issues for the development of new therapeutic strategies to suppress graft rejection. We have studied this phenomenon using experimental models of transplantation in rats. We discuss here data that supports the concept that grafts can express anti-inflammatory (protective) genes that mitigate inflammatory reactions leading to graft rejection. The data reviewed focus on the role of one of such genes, the stress responsive gene heme oxygenase-1, and of its byproduct carbon monoxide, which can suppress graft rejection and lead to long-term graft survival.
Numerical Simulation of a Flap-Edge Flowfield

In this paper we develop an approximate computational framework for simulation of the fluctuating flowfield associated with the complex vortex system seen at the side edge of a flap in a multielement high-lift airfoil system. The eventual goal of these simulations is to provide an estimate of the spectral content of these fluctuations, in order that the spectrum of the noise generated by such flowfields may be estimated. Results from simulations utilizing this computational framework are shown.
Grief Issues and Positive Aspects Associated with International Adoption

International adoption, a fairly recent event in the history of the United States, has started to receive attention. Areas of losses and gains are described with respect to the biological parent, t...
In vitro resolution of covalently joined AAV chromosome ends.

Abstract We have developed an assay for a key step in the replication of adeno-associated virus (AAV) DNA. We demonstrate that covalently joined ends of linear AAV DNA can be resolved in vitro to the open duplex configuration. Only extracts prepared from human cells that have been infected with both adenovirus and AAV are capable of carrying out the reaction. The reaction is initiated by a site-specific and strand-specific endonucleolytic cut at a terminal resolution site near the end of the AAV terminal palindrome. During resolution the orientation of the terminal palindrome is inverted, and the 3′ viral strand is extended by DNA synthesis. The size of the newly synthesized 3′ strand is nearly identical to that found in viral particles. These observations provide direct biochemical evidence for an essential step in the model for AAV DNA replication.
Exceptional-point dynamics in photonic honeycomb lattices with PT symmetry

We theoretically investigate the flow of electromagnetic waves in complex honeycomb photonic lattices with local $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetries. Such $\mathcal{PT}$ structure is introduced via a judicious arrangement of gain and loss across the honeycomb lattice, characterized by a gain and loss parameter $\ensuremath{\gamma}$. We found a class of conical diffraction phenomena where the formed cone is brighter and travels along the lattice with a transverse speed proportional to $\sqrt{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$.
Spectral and perturbation analysis for ultrasonic guided waves

Abstract The influence of damage on waves propagating in complex geometry waveguides is investigated through a numerical model formulated by combining the Spectral Finite Element Method and Perturbation Techniques. The resulting numerical tool allows efficient computation of the wave propagation response and the analysis of the effects of damages of various extent and location. The dynamic behavior of the damaged waveguides is described through a general higher order model which couples different waves thus allowing the prediction of mode conversion phenomena. Arbitrary cross-section can be considered through Finite Element (FE) discretization according to well-established Semi-Analytical Finite Element (SAFE) procedures. Two types of damages which allow the application of perturbation theory are considered: a small localized reduction of the thickness and a reduction of material stiffness and density. A validation by comparison with a Finite Element Model as well as numerical examples are presented to illustrate the model capabilities.
Polarimetric lidar signatures for remote detection of biological warfare agents

Polarimetric Lidar has been recently proposed as a method for remote detection of aerosolized biological warfare agents. Accurate characterization of the optical signatures for both biological agents and environmental interferents is a critical first step toward successful sensor deployment. MIT Lincoln Laboratory has developed the Standoff Aerosol Active Signature Testbed (SAAST) as a tool for characterizing aerosol elastic scattering cross sections. 1 The spectral coverage of the SAAST includes both the near-infrared (1-1.6 μm) and mid-infrared (3-4 μm) spectral regions. The SAAST source optics are capable of generating all six classic optical polarization states, while the polarization-sensitive receiver is able to reconstruct the full Stokes vector of the scattered wave. All scattering angles, including those near direct backscatter, can be investigated. The SAAST also includes an aerosol generation system capable of producing biological and inert samples with various size distributions. This paper discusses the underlying scattering phenomenology, SAAST design details, and presents some representative data. Disclaimer: This work was sponsored by the US Air Force under Air Force Contract FA8721-05-C-0002. Opinions, interpretations, conclusions and recommendations are those of the authors and not necessarily endorsed by the United States Government.
Determining the Cost-Effectiveness of Correctional Programs The Case of Patuxent Institution

This article has two related purposes. One is to extend the methodology for evaluating correctional programs. Two aspects of this methodology are considered: (1) the measurement of a program's ability both to prevent and to postpone criminal behavior, and (2) the use of cost-effectiveness analysis. The second purpose of this article is to present an evaluation of Patuxent Institution, a unique, widely publicized correctional facility located in Jessup, Maryland. Our analysis indicates that Patuxent both prevents and postpones recidivism but at a considerable cost.
A comparison of the theory of unpleasant symptoms and the conceptual model of chemotherapy-related changes in cognitive function.

etrospective and prospective clinical trials have substantiated the incidence of mild to moderate cognitive impairment result-ing from chemotherapy to treat cancer (Ahles & Saykin, 2001; Jansen, Miaskowski, Dodd, Dowling, & Kramer, 2005). Patients with cancer report that cognitive impairment has a significant effect on their quality of life (QOL) (Ahles & Saykin, 2001). Associated factors may include age, anemia, fatigue, depression, anxiety, hormone levels, cytokine release, and genetic makeup (Jansen et al.). Establishing the appropriateness of a working model to describe the relationships would provide additional structure and focus for empirical research. The purpose of this article is two-fold: (a) to explore the use of the Theory of Un-pleasant Symptoms (TUS) (Lenz, Suppe, Gift, Pugh, & Milligan, 1995) as a model for describing the symptom experience related to cognitive impairment associated with standard-dose chemotherapy, and (b) to compare and contrast that use of the TUS with the Conceptual Model of Chemotherapy-Related Changes in Cognitive Function (Hess & Insel, 2007).
Transcriptomic analysis of metabolic function in the giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, across depth and season.

To increase knowledge of transcript diversity for the giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, and assess gene expression across naturally occurring depth gradients in light, temperature and nutrients, we sequenced four cDNA libraries created from blades collected at the sea surface and at 18 m depth during the winter and summer. Comparative genomics cluster analyses revealed novel gene families (clusters) in existing brown alga expressed sequence tag data compared with other related algal groups, a pattern also seen with the addition of M. pyrifera sequences. Assembly of 228 Mbp of sequence generated c. 9000 isotigs and c. 12 000 open reading frames. Annotations were assigned using families of hidden Markov models for c. 11% of open reading frames; M. pyrifera had highest similarity to other members of the Phaeophyceae, namely Ectocarpus siliculosus and Laminaria digitata. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction of transcript targets verified depth-related differences in gene expression; stress response and light-harvesting transcripts, especially members of the LI818 (also known as LHCSR) family, showed high expression in the surface compared with 18 m depth, while some nitrogen acquisition transcripts (e.g. nitrite reductase) were upregulated at depth compared with the surface, supporting a conceptual biological model of depth-dependent physiology.
Learning to rank from distant supervision: Exploiting noisy redundancy for relational entity search

In this paper, we study the task of relational entity search which aims at automatically learning an entity ranking function for a desired relation. To rank entities, we exploit the redundancy abound in their snippets; however, such redundancy is noisy as not all the snippets represent information relevant to the desired relation. To explore useful information from such noisy redundancy, we abstract the task as a distantly supervised ranking problem - based on coarse entity-level annotations, deriving a relation-specific ranking function for the purpose of online searching. As the key challenge, without detailed snippet-level annotations, we have to learn an entity ranking function that can effectively filter noise; furthermore, the ranking function should also be online executable. We develop Pattern-based Filter Network (PFNet), a novel probabilistic graphical model, as our solution. To balance the accuracy and efficiency requirements, PFNet selects a limited size of indicative patterns to filter noisy snippets, and inverted indexes are utilized to retrieve required features. Experiments on the large scale CuleWeb09 data set for six different relations confirm the effectiveness of the proposed PFNet model, which outperforms five state-of-the-art relational entity ranking methods.
Calibrating Reflectance Measurements to Predict Optimal Sidedress Nitrogen Rate for Corn

Optimal N fertilizer rate for corn (Zea mays L.) and other crops can vary substantially within and among fields. Current N management practices do not address this variability. Nitrogen-stressed corn reflects more visible light than N-sufficient corn, possibly providing a basis for diagnosing optimal sidedress N rate in a growing crop. Our objective was to calibrate reflectance measurements to predict economically optimal N rate (EONR) of corn in Missouri. We conducted eight field experiments with N rate treatments in which reflectance was measured at the V6 growth stage in plots that had received 0, 110, or ≥220 kg N ha ―1 at planting. Reflectance was measured in eight wavebands (510-830 nm) using a passive radiometer in three orientations (straight down, angled forward, and angled diagonally across rows). Reflectance ratios (relative to reflectance from high-N plots) were necessary to produce good relationships with EONR. We observed r 2 from 0.56 to 0.76 between relative reflectance and EONR for all visible (510―710 nm) wavelengths in all measurement orientations except 610 diagonal. The highest r 2 values were observed for relative 510-, 560-, and 710-nm reflectance in the straight down orientation. The straight down orientation is preferable for use in field applications because it gave predictions as good as or better than the other orientations, while avoiding the complexities associated with angled orientations. Combinations of wavelengths did not have a stronger relationship with EONR than individual visible wavelengths, but all visible/NIR ratios gave r 2 ≥ 0.43 in all orientations, with many above 0.6. Calibrations such as those presented here could be used to convert reflectance measurements to N rate recommendations during variable-rate sidedressing of corn.
An Assumption for the Development of Bootstrap Variants of the Akaike Information Criterion in Mixed Models

Abstract This note provides a proof of a fundamental assumption in the verification of bootstrap AIC variants in mixed models. The assumption links the bootstrap data and the original sample data via the log-likelihood function, and is the key condition used in the validation of the criterion penalty terms. (See Assumption 3 of both Shibata [Shibata, R., 1997. Bootstrap estimate of Kullback–Leibler information for model selection. Statistica Sinica 7, 375–394] and Shang and Cavanaugh [Shang, J., Cavanaugh, J.E., 2008. Bootstrap variants of the Akaike information criterion for mixed model selection. Computational Statistics and Data Analysis 52, 2004–2021]. To state the assumption, let Y and Y ∗ represent the response vector and the corresponding bootstrap sample, respectively. Let θ represent the set of parameters for a candidate mixed model, and let θ ˆ denote the corresponding maximum likelihood estimator based on maximizing the likelihood L ( θ ∣ Y ) . With E ∗ denoting the expectation with respect to the bootstrap distribution of Y ∗ , the assumption asserts that E ∗ log L ( θ ˆ ∣ Y ∗ ) = log L ( θ ˆ ∣ Y ) . We prove that the assumption holds under parametric, semiparametric, and nonparametric bootstrapping.
Prosodic influences on the resolution of temporary ambiguity during on-line sentence processing

We present three experiments designed to investigate the role of prosody during sentence processing. The first investigated the question of whether an utterance's prosodic contour influences its comprehension on-line. We spliced the beginning and end portions of direct object and embedded clause sentences and observed the consequent effects on comprehension using a dual-task procedure to measure processing load. Our second experiment sought to determine-whether the constituent structure of these sentences could be reliably predicted using prosodic information. We found that the duration and F0 contour associated with the main-clause verb and the following NP reliably distinguished between the direct object and embedded clause constructions. In the final experiment, we manipulated the duration of the main-clause verb and found that subjects used this information to guide their initial parse during on-line sentence comprehension. The need for a model of sentence processing that addresses the use of prosodic information is discussed.
Three-Dimensional Orientations of Polymer-Bound Single Molecules

Utilizing noninvasive far- and near-field microscopy techniques, the dipole emission patterns of individual molecules have been directly visualized. By accurately modeling the imaging system upon introduction of specific aberrations, fits of simulated to observed molecular images have enabled true three-dimensional single-molecule orientation determinations at room temperature. Following emission pattern changes in time, this new imaging technique has enabled observation of individual molecule rotational motions within polymeric hosts. Such single-molecule orientational diffusion measurements cannot only probe nanoscale polymer dynamics, but should also lead to enhanced understandings of many materials and biological systems.
A guide to locating and accessing computerized numeric materials databases

The widespread and rapid growth of materials research, together with the desire to shorten design times for commercial products, has increased the importance of numeric databases as ready sources of infor-mation. This article provides the materials engineer and component designer a guide to these sources in-cluding the data available and the points of contact for gaining access.
Aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis with severe left ventricular dysfunction: Prognostic indicators

Background Aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis (AS) carries an increased risk in the presence of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. Few data are available on the outcome of such patients. Methods and Results Between 1985 and 1992, 154 consecutive patients (107 men and 47 women) with LV systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction [EF] ≤35%) underwent aortic valve replacement for AS. The mean preoperative characteristics included EF, 27±6%; aortic valve mean gradient, 44±18 mm Hg; aortic valve area, 0.6±0.2 cm2; and cardiac output, 4.1±1.5 L/min. Simultaneous coronary artery bypass graft surgery was performed in 78 patients (51%). Perioperative (30-day) mortality was 9% (14 of 154 patients). Fifty patients died during follow-up. Coronary artery disease (P=.002) and a reduced preoperative cardiac output (P=.03) were significantly related to reduced overall survival rate by multivariate analysis. Postoperative improvement occurred in most patients; 88% were New York Heart Association class III o...
Characterization of a mutationally altered dihydropteroate synthase contributing to sulfathiazole resistance in Escherichia coli.

ABSTRACT A series of Escherichia coli strains were selected for increasing resistance to sulfathiazole. Resistance occurred in seven increments, suggesting the accumulation of several mutations that contributed to overall sulfathiazole resistance. All of the resistant strains had a sulfathiazole-resistant dihydropteroate synthase with a Pro to Ser substitution at amino acid position 64. Overproduction of the wild-type enzyme did not result in sulfathiazole resistance, however overproduction of the mutant enzyme resulted in significant resistance. Conversely, overproduction of the wild-type enzyme in a sulfathiazole-resistant background resulted in a decrease in resistance. Although the specific activity of DHPS in crude extracts was not significantly different from the wild type, the amino acid substitution resulted in an enzyme with a tenfold increase in the Km for p-aminobenzoate, and a 100-fold increase in the Ki for sulfathiazole.
State Approaches to Stem Toll of Chronic Kidney Disease

Two dozen states have undertaken initiatives to address chronic kidney disease (CKD), with the goal of facilitating early identification of CKD and intervention to prevent the progression of CKD and its comorbidities. Each state has approached this goal in a different fashion. The impact of these varying initiatives should be evaluated so as to guide policy development in other jurisdictions.
Summer Habitat and Ecology of the Endangered Indiana Bat, Myotis sodalis

A nursery population of M. sodalis was discovered in Indiana and studied for 2 years. The nursery roost was located under the loose bark of a dead tree. Sometimes the bats temporarily moved to bark crevices of a living shagbark hickory tree. Weather strongly affected roost microclimate. The nursery tree was unshaded and received maximal solar warmth during clear, mild or hot weather, whereas temperature at the shaded alternate tree was more stable during spring and autumn cold. The nursery population consisted of adult females and young, and few males were netted in local foraging areas. Each female bore a single young and these incurred eight percent mortality between birth and weaning. Social behaviors included “checking,” mothers carrying young to an apparently warmer portion of the roost tree, and apparent mother-young foraging flights as the young became volant. Unusually cool weather in summer 1974 slowed the growth of young; this delayed recruitment of flying young more than 2 weeks and the completion of migration by 3 weeks. The delay exposed some bats to freezing weather at the nursery and may have affected mortality, autumn mating, or fat storage for winter. No problems were evident during the favorable summer of 1975. Foraging habitat included the foliage of riparian and floodplain trees, and the 50 bats used a 0.82 kilometer (km) linear strip of creek. Similar habitat was used by two other populations in Ohio. Before young were volant, adults fed only about riparian trees; when young began to fly, feeding extended to solitary trees and forest edge on the floodplain. This reduced foraging density from 17 to 11 bats per hectare (ha). Suitable foraging habitat occurs over much of the eastern United States, and use of local trees for nurseries makes a large summer distribution possible. Humans also value floodplain habitat, and a land use conflict exists between the two species.
Stainless steel crowns improve success rate of root canal treatment in primary teeth.

Original Article Moskovitz M, Sammara E, Holan G. Success rate of root canal treatment in primary molars. J Dent 2005;33(1):41-7. Level of Evidence 4 Purpose/Question The purpose of this study was to assess retrospectively the success rate of root canal therapy (pulpectomy) using Endoflas F.S. as a filling material for infected primary molars and to evaluate factors that affect outcome. Source of Funding Information not available Type of Study/Design Retrospective case series
Electronic Properties of Bisporphyrin Biradical Dications

Abstract We describe the oxidations of bisporphyrins 1-Zn2 - 6-Zn2 , and present EPR spectra of chemically oxidized species that are consistent with exchange-coupled biradicals.