cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Outer Hair Cells: Sharpness of Tuning

According to Russell and Sellick's measurements. confirmed at our Institute, cochlear inner hair cells are more sharply tuned than the basilar membrane and as sharply as the cochlear-nerve fibers. Some measurements, including measurements of cochlear microphonics, have been interpreted as evidence that the outer hair cells are tuned more broadly. Straightforward calculations based on the approximately known tuning of the basilar membrane and the known electrical space constant of the cochlea reveal that outer hair cells must be approximately as sharply tuned as the inner hair cells to produce the known frequency distribution of cochlear microphonics.
The diagnosis of onychomycosis

The prevalence of onychomycosis is increasing and the primary pathogens may be dermatophytes, nondermatophyte molds, or Candida spp. It may not be satisfactory to treat onychomycosis on the basis of clinical diagnosis alone. Laboratory diagnosis is an important component of the proper management of this fungal infection. Laboratory diagnostic methods for detecting onychomycosis include light microscopy and culture, or histopathology. Management of onychomycosis includes palliation achieved through mechanical debridement of the nail and topical or oral antifungal therapy.
Properties of high performance background limited p type Si:Zn photoconductors

Abstract The development status of the p type Si:Zn detector is discussed along with a description of the techniques used to prepare it and to characterize its properties. This detector, with a spectral response similar to that of the PbS detector and thus applicable to the 2–2.7 μm atmospheric window, exhibits peak wavelength detectivity at 2 × 10 12 cm Hz 1 2 W −1 for a field of view (300 K background) of 8°. Operational temperature is ∼ 100 K and preliminary studies indicate that the detector and silicon electronics can be compatibly combined monolithically without significant degradation.
Synthesis and Characterization of Sulfur-Containing Nongeminal Cyclic and Polymeric Alkylarylphosphazenes

The methyl groups in both cyclic and polymeric methylphenylphosphazenes, [Me(Ph)PN] 3 and [Me(Ph)PN] n , were modified using deprotonation-substitution and subsequent oxidation reactions to incorporate both thioether and sulfone functional groups. The new cyclic phosphazenes, cis-[Ph(RSCH 2 )-PN] 3 , 3 and 5, and cis-{Ph[RS(O) 2 CH 2 ]PN} 3 , 6 and 7, where R = Me or Ph, and the corresponding copolymers [Me(Ph)PN] x [Ph(RSCH 2 )PN] y , 8 and 9, and [Me(Ph)PN] x [(Ph[RS(O) 2 CH 2 ]PN} y , 10 and 11, with varying ratios of x:y, were characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy and thermal analysis. Crystallographic analysis of the cyclics 3 and 6 show that these molecules retain the basket shape of the nongeminal cis isomers with all the new functional groups opposite from the phenyl groups about the planar P 3 N 3 ring. A cyclic trimer, cis-[Ph 3 (MeSCH 2 ) 2 MeP 3 N 3 ], 4, in which only two thioether groups had been incorporated was also isolated. The thioether-substituted polyphosphazenes, 8 and 9, were used as phase-transfer reagents and stabilizing hosts for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles. Analysis by UV spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy indicated that the average gold particle size in these polymer nanocomposites was 3.2(0.9) nm. In solution, some aggregation of the nanoparticles was observed after one week, but the nanocomposites remain unchanged in the absence of solvent.
Radioimmunotherapy of B-cell lymphoma

Radioimmunotherapy has evolved from an attractive concept to implementation in clinical trials for evaluation of toxicity and efficacy. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a useful setting for evaluation of this novel form of therapy. Groups investigating radioimmunotherapy for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are implementing single high doses and multiple smaller doses of beta emitters I-131 and Y-90 attached to antibodies. All groups giving multiple small doses observe partial responses to treatment with variable hematopoietic toxicity. Single very high doses have yielded complete responses with hematologic toxicity requiring reinfusion of stored bone marrow. A review of radioimmunotherapy trials for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with a discussion of pertinent related issues is presented.
The relative merits of presentation of bearings by aural-null and twin-channel cathode-ray direction-finders

The relative merit of the display of radio bearings and sense by aural-null and twin-channel cathode-ray goniometers has been examined as a function of various characteristics of the signal. The visual method of bearing display has been shown to be superior in nearly all respects except for its relative ineffectiveness in operating at very low signal/noise ratios. It has been shown quantitatively that this disadvantage is slight and could be overcome by a suitable narrowing of the receiver bandwidth. The advantage of the visual method is specially pronounced when the signal received includes an appreciable phase-quadrature component. Similar conclusions have been reached regarding the performance of the associated methods of sense display.
How often parapharyngeal space is encountered in TORS oropharynx cancer resection

Early stage oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) may occasionally invade parapharyngeal space (PPS). Tumor invasion of PPS structures such as the carotid artery, internal jugular vein and cranial nerves IX–XII may add significant morbidity. We analyzed 73 patients who underwent transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for OPSCC between 2008 and 2012. Patients were selected based on preoperative evaluation including detailed physical and endoscopic examination, neck CT and/or PET-CT scan. T1, T2 and selected T3 cases were included in this study. None of the patients had obvious PPS extension on preoperative evaluation. All patients had OPSCC in palatine tonsil (60; 82.2 %) and base of tongue (13; 17.8 %). Twenty-seven patients had cT1 (37 %), 39 had cT2 (53.4 %), and 7 had cT3 (9.6 %) disease in clinical and radiologic evaluation. None of the oropharyngeal lesions had obvious radiologic PPS extension prior to operation. During TORS procedure, we encountered PPS in 18 (24.6 %) patients while resecting the deep margin. These parapharynx resections involved external carotid artery in 1, medial pterygoid muscle in 2, and parapharyngeal fat with or without styloid musculature in the remaining 15 patients. Except three cases, we were able to remove the lesions en bloc with negative surgical margins. TORS resection of oropharyngeal cancer extending to PPS appears to be a safe and feasible technique with minimal complications. Significant experience with TORS and further understanding of the endoscopic anatomy of PPS could obviate the morbidity associated with tumor resection in this dense neurovascular region.
The reinforcement enhancing effects of nicotine depend on the incentive value of non-drug reinforcers and increase with repeated drug injections

Abstract We have hypothesized that nicotine has two effects on reinforcement; it increases the probability of responses resulting in nicotine delivery (primary reinforcement) and enhances the apparent reward value of non-nicotine reinforcers (reinforcement enhancing effect). The present studies investigated two predictions generated by this hypothesis: (1) that the reinforcement enhancing effect will depend on apparent stimulus reward value and (2) that the temporal profile of this effect would depend on the pharmacological profile of nicotine. In Experiment 1, rats were trained to lever press for one of two audio-visual stimuli that differed in their intrinsic reinforcing value and then the effect of pre-session nicotine (0.4 mg/kg base) or saline injections was tested. The stimulus that supported very low rates of operant responding displayed smaller increases in responding after pre-session injections of nicotine. In Experiment 2 the effect of nicotine injected 5 min before the session was compared to the effect of nicotine injected 1 h after the session using the more reinforcing stimulus condition from the first experiment. A control group received only vehicle injections. In contrast to nicotine injected just prior to the session, post-session injections of nicotine had no detectable effect on responding for the more reinforcing stimulus. These results indicate that the reinforcement enhancing action of nicotine depends on the intensity of the primary reinforcer and that enhanced reinforcement by nicotine depends on coincident access to a stimulus with reinforcing properties.
P-029 Use of the Sceptre C Dual-Lumen Balloon Microcatheter in Onyx Embolization of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations: A Multi-Center Experience

Introduction Conventional onyx embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) requires lengthy procedure and fluoroscopy times to form an adequate ‘proximal plug’ for distal delivery of the material while minimising the likelihood of reflux and nontargeted embolization. We review our experience with balloon-augmented onyx embolization of AVMs utilising a dual-lumen catheter. Methods Data was obtained retrospectively from three centers (Medical University of South Carolina, East Carolina University, Wake Forest). Utilising a 0.014 inch microwire a Sceptre C balloon catheter (MicroVention) was advanced into the arterial pedicle of interest and Onyx embolization was carried out after balloon inflation. Results Seventeen patients were treated (age 43 ± 21 yr) and a total of 34 arterial pedicles were embolised with the Sceptre C catheter over twenty one discreet treatment episodes. The mean number of pedicles embolised per patient was 2 (range 1 to 5) and AVMs were treated in a wide variety of intracranial locations (size 3.55 ± 1.61 cm). In all cases the Sceptre C catheter was navigated into the desired position. Fluoroscopy time for the entire procedure was 48 ± 26 min (mean fluoroscopy time per arterial pedicle embolised was 28 min). Immediate angiographic outcomes: complete occlusion (n = 2), 90–99% reduction in nidus (n = 5), 70–89% reduction (n = 6), 50–70% (n = 4), 25–49% reduction (n = 3) and Conclusion In our experience, balloon-augmented onyx embolization utilising a dual lumen catheter is safe and effective in the treatment of AVMs, allowing more efficient and controlled injection of Onyx with a decreased risk of reflux and drastically decreased fluoroscopy times. Disclosures A. Spiotta: 1; C; Stryker, Microvention, Penumbra. 2; C; Stryker, Microvention, Penumbra. 3; C; Stryker, Microvention, Penumbra. R. James: None. S. Lowe: None. R. Janjua: None. J. Delay: None. S. Quintero-Wolfe: None. A. Turk: 1; C; Stryker, Microvention, Penumbra. 2; C; Stryker, Microvention, Penumbra. 3; C; Stryker, Microvention, Penumbra. M. Chaudry: 1; C; Stryker, Microvention, Penumbra. 2; C; Stryker, Microvention, Penumbra. 3; C; Stryker, Microvention, Penumbra. R. Turner, IV: 1; C; Stryker, Microvention, Penumbra. 2; C; Stryker, Microvention, Penumbra. 3; C; Stryker, Microvention, Penumbra.
A Proposed Model for Creep Relaxation of Soft Gaskets in Bolted Joints at Room Temperature

A mathematical model is proposed for predicting the residual clamp load during creep and/or relaxation in gasketed joints. An experimental procedure is developed to verify the proposed model for predicting the gasket relaxation under a constant compression, gasket creep under a constant stress, and gasket creep relaxation. To study gasket creep relaxation, a single-bolt joint is used. The bolt is tightened to a target preload and the clamp load decay due to gasket creep relaxation is observed over time under various preload levels. Experimental and analytical results are presented and discussed. The proposed model provides an accurate prediction of the residual clamp load as a function of time, gasket material, and geometric properties of the gasket. A closed form solution is formulated to determine the initial clamp load level necessary to provide the desired level of a steady state residual clamp load in the joint, by taking the gasket creep relaxation into account.
Early regrowth in rehabilitated bauxite minesites as breeding habitat for birds in the jarrah forest of south-western Australia

Summary A survey was undertaken lo assess 5 to 10-year-old rehabilitated bauxite minesite vegetation as suitable habitat for birds while breeding during spring in the jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and marri (E. calophylla) forest at Jarrahdale. Western Australia. The minesites had been rehabilitated and revegetated with local shrub species and a mix of local and eastern eucalypts resistant to the root rot fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi. Twenty-one species of birds used the former minesites for foraging or hunting while breeding; twelve of these were found nesting or rearing fledglings in the revegetation. Among the breeders were four understorey dwelling species which were otherwise uncommon in surrounding upland forest or (in two cases) confined in stream zone undergrowth. Total densities of all pairs or groups breeding in minesites were similar to those in nearby forest. Breeding territories often spanned areas of both minesite and forest around the edge of pits. Eleven other species were found breeding ...
Thermal decomposition of acetylene

The homogeneous thermal decomposition of C 2 H 2 at near-atmospheric presures was studied in the temperature range 1700 2 H or C 4 H absorbs slightly at 633 nm.
Gauge and Gravitational Couplings in Four-Dimensional String Theories

Abstract We reconsider the relation between the string scale m s = 2 α′ and the Planck scale m Pl = 1 G N in lower-dimensional string theories that do not necessarily admit an interpretation as compactified higher-dimensional theories. Assuming that the spacetime gauge symmetry is the reflection of a non-abelian affine Kac-Moody algebra on the world sheet, we point out that the string scale is generally given by m s 2 m Pl 2 =( g 2 4π )k , where g is the spacetime gauge coupling and k is the integrally quantized level of the affine algebra.
Exploration and topological mapping with Hexbugs

In this demonstration, we present a topological mapping system to be used with biobotic insects in order to sketch maps of unknown arenas using only neighbor to neighbor interactions among the agents. Biobotic insects fuse the locomotory advantages of insects with wireless sensing technology in form of electronic backpacks to function as search and rescue agents. Our mapping approach is designed for emergency response scenarios, where traditional mapping approaches may fail due to lack of localization information. We demonstrate the performance of our proposed approach instead using Hexbugs, which emulate the natural random motion of biobots. The Hexbugs are dispersed into a maze with unknown structure (Fig. 1), and their local interactions are captured through a visual tracking system. Such information is then exploited into a data analysis engine in order to robustly find the topological structure of the maze.
Optimization of the transition from connector to PCB board

A transition from vertically launched coaxial connector to routed trace on board is simulated and optimized to achieve very small reflections for precise TRL calibration. The mismatch of the discontinuities in the transition was reduced by controlling the via-impedance, introducing capacitive via-pads and applying diving boards. Each segment was optimized first, and then the whole cascaded structure was simulated to achieve the optimized smooth signal transition.
DISPERSION OF PECTIN AND CELLULOSE IN DIMETHYL SULFOXIDE

Pectin and cellulose were coprecipitated from a binary dispersion in dimethyl sulfoxide. The coprecipitate was differentially stained and viewed under a microscope. Mounts that were prepared by evaporating samples of the coprecipitate as a film on microscopic slides contained uniformly distributed pectin and cellulose throughout the matrix. Mounts of dried, milled coprecipitate showed concentrations of cellulose primarily on the outer surface of pectin globules. This location of cellulose in the coprecipitate might be a consequence of milling which ruptured the possibly more fragile cellulose-cellulose bonds, vis-a-vis pectin-cellulose or pectin-pectin bonds of the inter-micellar aggregates.
Short‐term variation of the s = 1 nonmigrating semidiurnal tide during the 2002 stratospheric sudden warming

[1] In this study, the NCAR Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIME-GCM) is used to examine short-term changes in the global structure of the migrating and s = 1 nonmigrating semidiurnal tides in a model run approximating the 2002 Southern Hemisphere stratospheric sudden warming. The TIME-GCM is found to resolve an s = 1 nonmigrating semidiurnal tide with latitudinal structure similar to that of prior studies and with global structure in the MLT region strongly correlated with Southern Hemisphere planetary wave 1 (PW1) wave events, prior to equinox. Comparison with a control run with no planetary wave activity, Eliassen-Palm flux, and correlation analysis of the s = 1 semidiurnal tide structure suggest that the wave propagates from the source region in the winter hemisphere stratosphere into both the summer and winter lower thermospheres. The amplitudes of the migrating semidiurnal tide in the Southern Hemisphere are anticorrelated with the nonmigrating tide, suggesting significant energy loss due to nonmigrating tidal generation, a result not previously seen. The amplitude of the s = 1 nonmigrating semidiurnal tide from TIME-GCM is also compared with data from the South Pole meteor radar system. While the observations show bursts of nonmigrating tidal activity correlated to PW1 activity of comparable amplitudes to the model results, these events do not always appear at the same times as those in the model. This suggests that while the processes generating the nonmigrating tide in TIME-GCM are realistic, the TIME-GCM run itself displays differences in time evolution compared to the observations during this time.
Streamlining variability in hospital charges for standard thyroidectomy: Developing a strategy to decrease waste.

Background We assessed the efficiency, consistency, and appropriateness of perioperative processes for standard (total) thyroidectomy and devised a valuable strategy to decrease variability and waste. Methods Our multidisciplinary team evaluated Results Median total charge for standard thyroidectomy was $27,363 (n = 80; $48,727 variation). Perioperative coordination between surgery and anesthesia clinics could eliminate unnecessary testing (potential decrease in charges of $1,505). Nonoperating room time was less in the outpatient operating room (43 vs 52 minutes; P $200,000 annually. Conclusion Perioperative process analyses revealed wide variability for a single, presumed uniform procedure. Systematic assessment helped to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, decrease unnecessary waste and procedures/instrument usage, and focus on patient-centered, quality care. This multidisciplinary strategy could substantially decrease costs/charges for common operative procedures.
Expression of caveolin-1 and caveolin-2 in urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder correlates with tumor grade and squamous differentiation.

We immunohistochemically evaluated 94 cases of urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the urinary bladder for the expression of caveolin (Cav)-1 and Cav-2. Neither benign urothelium present in 22 cases nor flat carcinoma in situ present in 10 cases stained for Cav-1 or Cav-2. Thirty-five (37%) of 94 cases and 45 (51%) of 89 cases of UC stained positively for Cav-1 and Cav-2, respectively. The percentages of positive cases for Cav-1 in grades 1, 2, and 3 tumors were 0% (0/6), 0% (0/25), and 56% (35/63), respectively (P < .001), and for Cav-2, 0% (0/6), 13% (3/23), and 70% (42/60), respectively (P < .001). Multivariate analysis showed no significant correlation between tumor stage and Cav-1 or Cav-2 expression after correction for tumor grade. Eighty-two percent (14/17) of cases with squamous differentiation were positive for Cav-1 compared with 43% (20/46) of grade 3 tumors without squamous differentiation (P < .001). These results indicate a positive correlation of the expression of Cav-1 and Cav-2 with tumor grade and squamous features of UC and suggest that Cav-1 and Cav-2 be studied further for a possible role in tumor progression and squamous differentiation.
FTO polymorphisms are associated with adult body mass index (BMI) and colorectal adenomas in African-Americans

Obesity is a known risk factor for colon cancer and higher body mass index (BMI) has been associated with colorectal adenomas, which are precursor lesions to most colorectal cancers. Polymorphisms in the fat-mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene have been associated with BMI and larger effects in older versus younger children have been reported. However, no studies have examined associations between FTO polymorphisms, BMI throughout adulthood and colorectal adenomas. Therefore, we evaluated associations between FTO polymorphisms (rs1421085, rs17817449, rs8050136, rs9939609, rs8044769), adult BMI (at recruitment, 50s, 40s, 30s, 20s age decades) and colorectal adenomas in 759 Caucasians and 469 African-Americans. We found that the highest versus the lowest BMI tertile at recruitment [odds ratio (OR) = 1.82; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-2.16] and in the 30s (OR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.04-2.15) was associated with higher adenoma risk. Stratification by ethnicity revealed that these associations only remained significant in Caucasians. We found that, in Caucasians, having two versus no copies of the variant allele in rs17817449, rs8050136 and rs9939609, which are all in strong linkage disequilibrium, was associated with higher BMI in the 30s and 40s but none of the polymorphisms were associated with adenomas. In African-Americans, having one or two copies of the variant in rs17817449 (OR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.39-0.95) and rs8050136 (OR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.38-0.93) was associated with colorectal adenomas and, having two variant copies in rs17817449 and rs8050136 was associated with higher BMI at recruitment and in the 40s, respectively. Our results are consistent with prior studies and show for the first time that FTO polymorphisms are associated with colorectal adenomas in African-Americans.
Reoperative surgery for persistent anal fistulae

Abstract Failure of treatment of a primary anal fistula is rarely life threatening, but the cost to the patient in terms of pain, discomfort, and interruption of daily life is substantial. Complex or recurrent fistulas must be methodically evaluated so a successful treatment strategy can be developed, and therapy completed, ideally without compromising fecal continence. Advanced imaging can be useful in identifying complex tracts and accumulated sepsis but is rarely indicated in the setting of a primary fistula. Multiple methods to repair complex, recurrent fistulas have been described with varying success rates. Diversion of the fecal stream is often employed after repeat repair of a fistula but is not universally beneficial. Treatment must be individualized according to pre-existing patient factors, number of internal openings, and condition of the tissues in and around the anus.
Orientation in amorphous polymers I. Preparation and testing of oriented samples

Orientation effects in amorphous polystyrene are studied using a uniaxial stretching experiment. The rheological properties of the polymer are determined from an analysis of creep data obtained from the tensile apparatus, and oriented polymer samples are prepared at different extension ratios and rates of stretching. From birefringence and tensile strength measurements on oriented samples of polystyrene, it is shown that the tensile strength is not a unique function of the birefringence. It is proposed that the tensile strength may depend not only on the average orientation, as reflected by the birefringence, but on which portion of the relaxation spectrum is preferentially oriented.
Axial anomaly and magnetism of nuclear and quark matter

We consider the response of the QCD ground state at finite baryon density to a strong magnetic field $B$. We point out the dominant role played by the coupling of neutral Goldstone bosons, such as ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$, to the magnetic field via the axial triangle anomaly. We show that, in vacuum, above a value of $B\ensuremath{\sim}{m}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{2}/e$, a metastable object appears---the ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ domain wall. Because of the axial anomaly, the wall carries a baryon number surface density proportional to $B$. As a result, for $B\ensuremath{\gtrsim}{10}^{19}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{G}$ a stack of parallel ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ domain walls is energetically more favorable than nuclear matter at the same density. Similarly, at higher densities, somewhat weaker magnetic fields of order $B\ensuremath{\gtrsim}{10}^{17}--{10}^{18}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{G}$ transform the color-superconducting ground state of QCD into new phases containing stacks of axial isoscalar ($\ensuremath{\eta}$ or ${\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$) domain walls. We also show that a quark-matter state known as ``Goldstone current state,'' in which a gradient of a Goldstone field is spontaneously generated, is ferromagnetic due to the axial anomaly. We estimate the size of the fields created by such a state in a typical neutron star to be of order ${10}^{14}--{10}^{15}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{G}$.
Double-quantum-coherence attosecond x-ray spectroscopy of spatially separated, spectrally overlapping core-electron transitions

Near-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy XANES provides a powerful frequency-domain probe for electronic structure of molecules 1. Transitions from the ground state to bound core-excited states appear as resonances in the absorption spectrum below the ionization edge. Because of the compactness of core shells, the positions and intensities of XANES peaks arising from a given shell carry information about the electronic structure in its vicinity. XANES carries characteristic signatures of the electronic environment of the absorbing atom. If two atoms are spatially well separated, their contribution to XANES is essentially additive. The molecular structure can then be elucidated by identifying the signatures of various functional groups in the total XANES spectra. This additivity, known as the building-block principle of XANES 1, makes it insensitive to electronicstructure variations away from the absorbing atoms as well as to subtle differences in molecular geometry.
Replica inference approach to unsupervised multiscale image segmentation.

We apply a replica-inference-based Potts model method to unsupervised image segmentation on multiple scales. This approach was inspired by the statistical mechanics problem of ``community detection'' and its phase diagram. Specifically, the problem is cast as identifying tightly bound clusters (``communities'' or ``solutes'') against a background or ``solvent.'' Within our multiresolution approach, we compute information-theory-based correlations among multiple solutions (``replicas'') of the same graph over a range of resolutions. Significant multiresolution structures are identified by replica correlations manifest by information theory overlaps. We further employ such information theory measures (such as normalized mutual information and variation of information), thermodynamic quantities such as the system entropy and energy, and dynamic measures monitoring the convergence time to viable solutions as metrics for transitions between various solvable and unsolvable phases. Within the solvable phase, transitions between contending solutions (such as those corresponding to segmentations on different scales) may also appear. With the aid of these correlations as well as thermodynamic measures, the phase diagram of the corresponding Potts model is analyzed at both zero and finite temperatures. Optimal parameters corresponding to a sensible unsupervised segmentations appear within the ``easy phase'' of the Potts model. Our algorithm is fast and shown to be at least as accurate as the best algorithms to date and to be especially suited to the detection of camouflaged images.
Multiple Storage Quad Trees: A Simpler Faster Alternative to Bisector List Quad Trees

A bisector list quad tree is a quad tree which stores objects intersecting more than one quad on horizontal and vertical bisector lists. This is the form of quad tree originally proposed by Kedem for organizing boxes and polygons in a plane so that one can quickly find the objects intersecting an arbitrary window. A multiple storage quad tree is a quad tree which stores pointers to objects intersecting more than one quad in all of the quads that they intersect. This paper describes and analyzes multiple storage quad trees. It is shown that multiple storage quad trees can be efficient in storage space, often using less than 25 percent more space than a simple list of the objects. That is, the tree nodes and other pointers combined often use less than 25 percent of the space needed to store the object descriptions. It is also shown that using multiple-storage quad trees makes possible very rapid searches for the objects intersecting a small window. In most cases fewer than 10 nodes must be examined per object found in the window. Finally, multiple storage quad trees and the algorithms which operate on them are found to be very simple and intuitive.
Propellant Stress Relief Groove for the Titan IV Solid Rocket Motor Upgrade

A method has been developed to design a propellant stress relief groove (SRG) for solid rocket motors. The method considers a time-dependent pressure distribution in both burn-back and burn-forward analyses and allows a desired bondline stress condition to be incorporated into the SRG design. Application of the method to obtain an improved propellant SRG for the Titan IV solid rocket motor upgrade (SRMU) is illustrated in this paper. The improved propellant SRG obtained from this method for the Titan IV SRMU provides significant enhancement in the propellant structural margin of safety throughout motor firing.
A polynomial network for predicting temperature distributions

Complete temperature distributions are unavailable for many locations throughout the world. This distributional information is important for product design and operational planning. The problem of obtaining these temperature distributions is quite difficult and current techniques are limited in accuracy. This paper describes a new and effective approach to this problem that matches data-deficient locations to maximally similar locations with known distributions. A polynomial network is used to predict which of a set of sites with known distributions is most similar to a data-deficient site. Then an information theoretic criterion is optimized to find the unknown distribution that closely matches this maximally similar site. Tests with this approach demonstrate its effectiveness and its superiority to current methods. >
Optimizing controller location in networked control systems with packet drops

In networked control, there is locational freedom in choosing the node at which to locate the controller, so as to mitigate the effects of packet losses in the network. What is the optimal location for the placement of the control logic? Second, what is the optimal control law in that position? The difficulty in answering these two questions is that analysis of optimality in networked control systems subject to random packet drops suffers from Witsenhausen's 'non-classical information pattern'. Thus, the general problem is considered intractable. We make headway on this problem by using a "Long Packet Assumption", LPA, which allows packets to be arbitrarily long. This is not intended for implementation, but only to develop a lower bound on the cost. In particular, under this assumption the optimal controller location can be shown to be collocated with the actuator. For this position, under the LPA, we can also calculate the optimal cost, which is then a lower bound on the optimal cost for the original problem for all locations. Despite the apparent strength of the LPA, we have found that this lower bound is often close to currently realizable upper bounds. This establishes the near optimality of currently implementable controllers in such instances. Using the lower bound on cost we obtain a necessary condition for stabilizability over all controller locations. This condition matches known sufficient conditions for some special cases, thus establishing a necessary and sufficient condition for location optimized stabilizability of networked control systems with packet loss.
Dynamic Model of a Vanadium Redox Flow Battery for System Performance Control

The vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) is an attractive grid scale energy storage option, but high operating cost prevents widespread commercialization. One way of mitigating cost is to optimize system performance, which requires an accurate model capable of predicting cell voltage under different operating conditions such as current, temperature, flow rate, and state of charge. This paper presents a lumped isothermal VRFB model based on principles of mass transfer and electrochemical kinetics that can predict transient performance with respect to the aforementioned operating conditions. The model captures two important physical phenomena: (1) mass transfer at the electrode surface and (2) vanadium crossover through the membrane. Mass transfer effects increase the overpotential and thus reduce the battery output voltage during discharge. Vanadium crossover causes a concentration imbalance between the two half-cells that negatively affects the voltage response particularly after long term cycling. Further analysis on the system linearity is conducted to assess the feasibility of using a linear control design methodology.
Home gardening near a mining site in an arsenic-endemic region of Arizona: Assessing arsenic exposure dose and risk via ingestion of home garden vegetables, soils, and water

The human-health risk posed by gardening near a legacy mine and smelter in an arsenic-endemic region of Arizona was characterized in this study. Residential soils were used in a greenhouse study to grow common vegetables, and local residents, after training, collected soil, water, and vegetables samples from their home gardens. Concentrations of arsenic measured in water, soil, and vegetable samples were used in conjunction with reported US intake rates to calculate the daily dose, Incremental Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (IELCR), and Hazard Quotient for arsenic. Relative arsenic intake dose decreased in order: water>garden soils>homegrown vegetables, and on average, each accounted for 77, 16, and 7% of a residential gardener's daily arsenic intake dose. The IELCR ranges for vegetables, garden soils, and water were 10(-8) to 10(-4), 10(-6) to 10(-4), and 10(-5) to 10(-2), respectively. All vegetables (greenhouse and home garden) were grouped by scientific family, and the risk posed decreased as: Asteraceae≫Fabaceae>Amaranthaceae>Liliaceae>Brassicaceae>Solanaceae≫Cucurbitaceae. Correlations observed between concentrations of arsenic in vegetables and soils were used to estimate a maximum allowable level of arsenic in soil to limit the excess cancer risk to 10(-6). The estimated values are 1.56 mg kg(-1), 5.39 mg kg(-1), 11.6 mg kg(-1) and 12.4 mg kg(-1) for the Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, and Amaranthaceae families, respectively. It is recommended that home gardeners: sample their private wells annually, test their soils prior to gardening, and, if necessary, modify their gardening behavior to reduce incidental soil ingestion. This study highlights the importance of site-specific risk assessment, and the need for species-specific planting guidelines for communities.
Similar transcriptomic alterations in Cx43 knockdown and knockout astrocytes.

Previous findings of widespread transcriptomic alteration in tissues from connexin null mice raise the issue of whether the transcriptomic changes are directly due to connexin down-regulation or to “compensatory” developmental alterations for the missing gene. To start addressing this question, the authors compared with wild-type control the gene expression profiles of connexin43 (Cx43) knockout and Cx43siRNA knockdown wild-type cortical astrocytes. Array analysis revealed remarkable parallelism of transcriptomic changes in knockout and knockdown astrocytes, with similarly altered genes being located on all chromosomes and encoding proteins involved in a wide diversity of cell functions. Moreover, gene expression variability was analogously higher in Cx43 null and siRNA-treated astrocytes, and expression interlinkages were similarly altered among a selected subset of genes. This highly significant overlap between transcriptomic alterations in Cx43 knockout and knockdown astrocytes suggests that the widesp...
Soft tissue responses to hydroxylapatite particles of different shapes

Fifteen beagle dogs seven to 15 months of age had 0.5 g of hydroxylapatite in the form of sharp-edged particles (HA-1) or rounded particles (HA-2) implanted in buccal soft tissue pouches. Tissue specimens from each site were obtained at two weeks, six weeks, three months, and six months. A mild inflammatory response was seen at the implant sites with both particle shapes; however, inflammation resolved at a faster rate in the sites implanted with round hydroxylapatite particles.
Reference and Understanding

My thesis is that the theory of language understanding and the theory of reference and truth have much less to do with one another than many philosophers have assumed. I want to explain why this is so. I believe that if I am right, this will shed light on a number of things in philosophy as for example, why Wittgenstein had both a “picture” theory of meaning and a “use” theory of meaning (at different times, of course!), and what was going on in Nineteenth Century objections to a Correspondence Theory of Truth.
The Ramberg‐Bäcklund Rearrangement

The halogen atoms of α-halo sulfones, in contrast to halogen atoms α to other electron-withdrawing functionalities, show marked resistance to substitution by external nucleophiles. Seemingly, polar, steric, and field effects combine to repel nucleophilic species. However, the same α-sulfonyl halogen atoms are capable of facile intramolecular 1,3 elimination, leading to replacement of the sulfonyl group by a carboncarbon double bond with loss of halide and sulfite ions. This extrusion process, frequently referred to as the α-halo sulfone or Ramberg-Backlund rearrangement after its discoverers, has found broad utility in olefin synthesis. The reaction is generally applicable and easy to use. Its earliest application dealt with the preparation of alkenes, the cis isomers of which predominated. Whereas such molecules may be more readily available by other methods, none of the alternative procedures offers the added option of specifically replacing the olefinic hydrogen atoms with deuterium by merely conducting the rearrangement in deuterated solvents. Moreover, because the α-halo sulfones undergo this transformation in alkaline solution, further rearrangement of the initially formed alkenes is precluded. Therefore the SO2 group in the starting sulfone is invariably replaced cleanly and unequivocally by the π bond. The rearrangement is generally applicable to molecules containing the minimal structural requirements of a sulfonyl group, an α-halogen atom, and at least one α′-hydrogen atom, even in systems leading to small-ring cycloalkenes. Di- and tri-halo sulfones behave analogously. Conformational constraints, adverse hybridization characteristics, and excessive strain are known to deter the reaction. Inasmuch as these features arise only in special circumstances, they do not necessarily detract from its usefulness. This chapter summarizes the more important advances in the understanding of α-halo sulfone rearrangements, particular consideration being given to the nature of the intermediates, scope of the available synthetic alternatives, optimization of experimental conditions, and effect of structural features on reactivity. Closely related transformations are also discussed. Keywords: Ramberg-Backlund rearrangement; halogenation; halo sulfones; halo sulfides; sulfonyl carbanions; sulfinate salts; oxidation; alkylation; cycloaddition; halosulfenes; diazo compounds; scope; limitations; experimental procedures; acyclic compounds; cyclic compounds; synthetic utility
A Social-Cognitive Exploration of the Career and College Understanding of Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities.

Students with intellectual disabilities (ID) are less likely to continue their education or become employed after high school. Although transition services are provided, little is known about students' understanding of their post-high school options. Using a social cognitive framework, the authors interviewed students with ID to determine their career and college understanding. Qualitative content analysis revealed varying amounts of perceived barriers and supports, including limited college and career knowledge. This article includes implications for school counselors.
Solubilities and Glass Formation in Aqueous Solutions of the Sodium Salts of Malonic Acid With and Without Ammonium Sulfate.

The solubility of sodium hydrogen malonate and sodium malonate in water both with and without ammonium sulfate present has been studied using differential scanning calorimetry and infrared spectroscopy. The crystals that form from sodium hydrogen malonate/water solutions were determined to be sodium hydrogen malonate monohydrate by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry. The crystals formed in sodium malonate/water solutions were determined to be sodium malonate monohydrate, a compound whose structure had not been previously known. When ammonium sulfate is added to these respective aqueous systems, the precipitation solids contain sodium sulfate decahydrate under low to moderate ammonium concentrations and lecontite (NaNH4SO4·2H2O) under high ammonium concentrations, which can be found under dry atmospheric conditions. Thus, it appears the presence of malonate and hydrogen malonate ions does not significantly affect the precipitation of inorganic salts in these systems. The glass transition temperatures of a...
Extraintestinal sporozoites of chickenEimeria in chickens and turkeys

Oocysts were found in the feces of chickens (recipients) dosed orally with whole blood, liver, lung, or heart homogenates from chickens and turkeys (donors) inoculated 3 and 4 days previously with a mixture of 3.5×106 oocysts of chickenEimeria. No oocysts were found in the feces of recipients given spleen homogenates from these same chickens and turkeys and none were found in the feces of recipients given similar material from uninoculated donors. Intracellular sporozoites were found in the peripheral blood of a turkey inoculated with chickenEimeria. The results indicate that a small number of sporozoites are capable of invading and surviving for at least 4 days in the peripheral blood of chickens and turkeys.
REPLACEMENT OF LEFT HEMIDIAPHRAGM BY A PEDICLED ABDOMINAL MUSCULAR FLAP.

T he majority of infants who undergo surgical treatment because of posterolateral diaphragmatic hernias have defects small enough to permit primary closure by direct suture. However, a number of such defects are so large that direct suture is difficult or impossible. This paper outlines a simple operation for the closure of such defects, describes the application of this technique to an infant with agenesis of the left hemidiaphragm, and reports certain experiments on growing puppies.
Cooperative receding horizon control of double integrator vehicles for multi-target interception

In this paper, the cooperative multi-target interception problem in an uncertain environment with double-integrators vehicles is investigated. A time discounting reward function is defined for each target which can be collected only if it is visited by a vehicle. This function is used to formulate the problem as an optimization problem which aims to maximize the expected reward collectible from the set of available targets in the mission space. A cooperative receding horizon controller is designed to solve the problem based on an estimate of the future position of all targets with the available information. It is shown that a solution for this optimization problem exists, and that the vehicles visit the targets in finite time. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated by simulation.
Impact of winery wastewater irrigation on soil, grape and wine composition

Abstract This study investigated the effects of WW irrigation on grape and wine chemical composition and sensory attributes in vineyards in Napa and Sonoma Counties. The life cycle of the grape/wine production was examined, including irrigation water and soil samples, leaves and grapes at both veraison and harvest, analysis of the wine and a sensory comparison of the finished products. Samples were analyzed for Na+, Mg2+, K+, and Ca2+ cations by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and the phenolic composition of the grapes and wine samples were analyzed by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Na+ and K+ concentrations were higher in the winery wastewater compared to the control water due to the presence of grape solids and detergents. The WW irrigated soil samples showed accumulations of Na+ and K+ cations while the leaf samples from vines receiving WW contained more Na+ and Mg2+ and less K+ and Ca2+ than the control water treatments. These values were not, however, close to values that would limit growth. The grape samples did not show a consistent trend between the two vineyards and displayed no linear relationship with accumulation of cations in the leaves. Phenolic analyses showed minor although significant differences between treatments, but sensory analysis did not reveal any perceived impact on the wines.
Mechanism of Degradation of an α-Keto-Epoxide, a Model for the Warhead for Various Proteasome Inhibitor Anticancer Agents

The anticancer agent, carfilzomib, has a unique α-keto-epoxide warhead. The model α-keto-epoxide, N-((S)-1-((R)-2-methyloxiran-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl)pivalamide (1), along with a few of its degradation products was synthesized and studied. The kinetics of hydrolysis and identification of some of the degradation products of 1 were performed at pH values 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8 at 25°C, 40°C, and 60°C and followed by HPLC and liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy, respectively. 1 degraded independent of pH between pH values 4-7 but showed some acid catalysis at pH 2 and base catalysis at pH 8. Energy of activation, Ea, values progressed from 16.8 ± 0.1 at pH 2 to 20.3 ± 0.1 kcal/mole at pH 8. The major initial degradation products in the pH range 4-5 were the S,R diol (hydrolysis of the epoxide), and S,R chlorohydrin (in the presence of chloride ions). At pH 7-8, the major products were the R,R diastereomer and the S,R and R,R diols. At pH 2, additional unidentified products were seen with relative retention times of 0.28, 0.30, 0.33, and 0.35 and masses equivalent to the diols. The study of 1 provides insight into the degradation of future drugs that use an α-keto-epoxide functional group.