cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigations of angiosperms from the eocene of North America: A new Juglandaceous catkin

Abstract A new type of catkin allied with the Alfaroa—Oreomunnea—Engelhardia complex of the Juglandaceae has been recovered from the sediments of the middle Eocene Claiborne Formation in the southeastern United States. This catkin is distinct from Eokachyra (another staminate catkin from the Claiborne Formation allied with the same complex of extant genera as the new fossils) in having smaller florets, different bract morphology, possibly more floral envelope parts, and pollen decidedly different in size and morphology. This fossil inflorescence seems to be most closely allied with an extant species that is presently indigenous to southeast Asia. Variation in pollen morphology and its ramifications are considered in the new type of catkin and in Eokachyra.
The Residual Effect of Auxin on the Cell Wall.

The present paper concerns the nature of the relationship between auxin and the expansion of the plant cell. It will be shown that it is possible to separate in time the action of auxin on the cell from the act of cellular expansion by water uptake. The separation of auxin action from cell expansion is achieved as follows: auxin is first applied to tissue which is kept from expanding by a suitably high external osmotic concentration. The tissue is then allowed to expand in water under conditions in which the action of auxin is blocked by a suitable inhibitor. An effect of the auxin pretreatment upon the tissue is manifested by an increased expansion of the auxin treated tissue above that of the non-auxin treated control tissue.
Nanoindentation Characterization of Ultrafine-Grained Surface Layer by Turning Versus Grinding

Hard turning and grinding are competing precision machining processes for the manufacture of mechanical components such as bearings, gears, cams, etc. Surface hardening at gentle machining conditions has often been reported and is attributed to ultrafine-grained and size effect. However, there are controversial results about surface hardness. Due to the great importance of surface property to component performance such as fatigue and wear, it is imperative to clarify surface hardening mechanisms. The purpose of this paper is to investigate surface hardening and mechanism. Hard turning and grinding of AISI 52100 steel was conducted using gentle machining conditions. Surface integrity was then analyzed in terms of surface microstructure, microhardness, and nanohardness. The research findings showed that the apparent softening measured using microindentation in near surface is not due to thermal effects, but rather a misinterpretation of hardness values due to improper testing technique. Hard turning induces a thicker plastically deformed ultrafine-grained (50∼100 nm) layer than grinding. However, the grinding induced grain size may be smaller that by turning, which produces higher hardness on the ground surface.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Hemodynamic and metabolic efficacy of dopamine versus norepinephrine in a brain-dead swine model.

We tested the hypothesis that hepatosplanchnic and systemic hemodynamics are improved with equi-effective doses of dopamine (DA) versus norepinephrine (NE) in a brain-dead swine model. Pigs (n = 18) were anesthetized and ventilated. Brain death was induced by epidural balloon inflation, hypoventilation, and hypoxia. After 30 minutes, mechanical ventilation was restored without anesthesia. During 60 and until 480 minutes, half received DA (10 μg/kg/minute) and half received NE (0.1 μg/kg/minute) titrated to a mean arterial pressure (MAP) > 60 mm Hg with supplemental fluid to maintain a central venous pressure > 8 mm Hg. Hemodynamics, hepatic laser Doppler blood flow, and hepatic and gastric tissue oxygenation with near-infrared spectroscopy were continuously monitored. Serial blood samples were analyzed for blood gases and electrolytes, coagulation changes, and serum chemistries. Balloon inflation caused brain death and autonomic storm, and 8 of 18 were nonsurvivors. After 30 minutes, the MAP, mixed venous O2 saturation, and partial pressure of arterial oxygen values decreased to 37 ± 2 mm Hg, 38 ± 4, and 49 ± 8 mm Hg, respectively. Serum lactate increased to 5.4 ± 0.7 mM. Among survivors (n = 10), MAP stabilized with either pressor. Urine output was maintained (>1 mL/kg/hour), but creatinine increased >30% with respect to the baseline. Tachyphylaxis developed with NE but not with DA (P 0.05). In conclusion, after brain death, cardiac index and hepatic oxygenation were significantly improved with equi-effective doses of DA versus NE. Liver Transpl 14:1287–1293, 2008. © 2008 AASLD.
Effect of cardiac disease history on gated blood pool SPECT LV measurement accuracy

Abstract Background: Recently software has become available for the routine analysis of left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume (EDV) and ejection fraction (EF) from gated blood pool SPECT (GBPS) data. This investigation examined whether accuracy of GBPS measurements, using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging as the standard, are influenced by unusual LV shapes, as would be expected for patients with prior MI. Methods: LV functional parameters were measured for 28 subjects (age=58±12 years; 85% male, 13 with prior MI (MI) and 15 with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (CM) by GBPS, planar-GBP and by true-FISP CMR. GBPS calculations from a count-threshold algorithm (BP-SPECT, Columbia University, New York, NY), and a surface gradient algorithm (QBS, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA) were evaluated. Results: By linear regression analysis BP-SPECT, QBS and planar-GBP EF's correlated similarly with CMR (r=0.92, 0.88 and 0.90, respectively) and both GBPS methods correlated similarly versus CMR for EDV (r=0.88 and 0.89, respectively). By the paired t-test, CMR EF's (38%±17%) were not different from BP-SPECT, QBS or planar-GBP (44%±18%, 36%±19%, and 38%±16%, respectively) for MI and CM patients. BP-SPECT and QBS EDV's were found to be significantly lower than CMR for MI patients (159±51 ml and 140±69 ml versus 207±70 ml) but not for CM patients (223±108 ml and 206±111 ml versus 274±109 ml). Conclusion: GBPS LV function measurements closely parallel those of CMR and planar-GBP, but volume accuracy is influenced by presence or absence of prior myocardial infarction.
Nonequilibrium modeling of low-pressure argon plasma jets; Part II: Turbulent flow

The nonequilibrium behavior of low-pressure, turbulent plasma jets has been tested using the k-e turbulence model and the model described in the previous paper. It also has been shown that nonequilibrium effects cannot be excluded in the case of turbulent jets.
“It’s Just about being Fair” Activism and the Politics of Volunteering in the Breast Cancer Movement

Constructions of women’s activism as social service, volunteer, or charity work contribute to the relative invisibility of these forms of activism. The author conducted field research at an affiliate office of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. She analyzes how these women volunteers resist the label “activist” at the same time that they engage in activities that resemble activism. The author also examines the reasons for their resistance to the term. Her analysis shows that implicit connections between constructions of activism and gender shape the extent to which volunteers think of their work either as political or as activism. In light of Komen’s heteronormative gender ideology, the author concludes by raising questions about the relationships among gender, activism, and civic participation.
Maximum generic nullity of a graph

Abstract For a graph G of order n , the maximum nullity of G is defined to be the largest possible nullity over all real symmetric n × n matrices A whose ( i , j ) th entry (for i ≠ j ) is nonzero whenever { i , j } is an edge in G and is zero otherwise. Maximum nullity and the related parameter minimum rank of the same set of matrices have been studied extensively. A new parameter, maximum generic nullity, is introduced. Maximum generic nullity provides insight into the structure of the null-space of a matrix realizing maximum nullity of a graph. It is shown that maximum generic nullity is bounded above by edge connectivity and below by vertex connectivity. Results on random graphs are used to show that as n goes to infinity almost all graphs have equal maximum generic nullity, vertex connectivity, edge connectivity, and minimum degree.
Dynamics of a Bloch electron in a uniform electric field; Bloch oscillations

Abstract The dynamics of a Bloch electron in a spatially uniform electric field is investigated by employing a vector potential to represent the effect of the field. This method has the advantage of maintaining the translational periodicity of the Hamiltonian in the presence of the field, and avoids the difficulties associated with the use of a scalar potential. We find that both the tunneling probability to other bands and the ladder-like structure in the optical absorption are obtained without any assumption concerning the existence of Wannier-Stark energy levels.
Walking with increased ankle pushoff decreases hip muscle moments

In a simple bipedal walking model, an impulsive push along the trailing limb (similar to ankle plantar flexion) or a torque at the hip can power level walking. This suggests a tradeoff between ankle and hip muscle requirements during human gait. People with anterior hip pain may benefit from walking with increased ankle pushoff if it reduces hip muscle forces. The purpose of our study was to determine if simple instructions to alter ankle pushoff can modify gait dynamics and if resulting changes in ankle pushoff have an effect on hip muscle requirements during gait. We hypothesized that changes in ankle kinetics would be inversely related to hip muscle kinetics. Ten healthy subjects walked on a custom split-belt force-measuring treadmill at 1.25m/s. We recorded ground reaction forces and lower extremity kinematic data to calculate joint angles and internal muscle moments, powers and angular impulses. Subjects walked under three conditions: natural pushoff, decreased pushoff and increased pushoff. For the decreased pushoff condition, subjects were instructed to push less with their feet as they walked. Conversely, for the increased pushoff condition, subjects were instructed to push more with their feet. As predicted, walking with increased ankle pushoff resulted in lower peak hip flexion moment, power and angular impulse as well as lower peak hip extension moment and angular impulse (p<0.05). Our results emphasize the interchange between hip and ankle kinetics in human walking and suggest that increased ankle pushoff during gait may help to compensate for hip muscle weakness or injury and reduce hip joint forces.
Laminar forced convection in eccentric annuli

Abstract Forced convection to hydrodynamically and thermally fully developed laminar flow in eccentric annuli is studied. Following Reynolds et al. [1], we determine the solutions of the energy equation which satisfy certain fundamental boundary conditions. These fundamental solutions can be superposed to satisfy a wide variety of boundary conditions. Exact solutions of the energy equation could not be found, so an approximate solution was determined. Nusselt numbers, wall temperature and heat fluxes, wall-fluid temperature differences, and mean fluid temperatures are presented for a wide range of eccentricities and radius ratios. It is believed that these results are accurate to within 1 per cent.
Outerdirectedness as a Function of Success and Failure in Educationally Handicapped Boys

We lack sufficient knowledge regarding the specific effects of academic failure on the performance strategies of learning disabled children. Considerable research concerning mentally retarded children who have experienced failure has shown that their work may be more characterized by “outerdirectedness” than “distractability,” the latter term being more typically applied to the learning disabled. Outerdirectedness represents a motivational style of problem solving in which the child uses external cues rather than relying on his own cognitive resources. While the study presented is somewhat inconclusive, perhaps owing to the fact that different learning disabled children adopt different coping styles, the concept of outerdirectedness is an important one for teachers and one which needs further research among children who are learning disabled. — G.M.S.
DIFFERENCES IN POLITICAL PARTICIPATION AND VALUE ORIENTATIONS AMONG GREEK MEN AND WOMEN

It is, of course, Aristotle who pointed out that “Man is by nature a political animal” (quotation taken from Lipset, 1981:vii). One could of course speculate whether he meant only the male half of the human species were political animals. It is, however, the case that men tend to participate more in politics than women. This particular study focuses upon men and women's political participation in Greece, the place many regard as the birthplace of democracy.
Seasonal fluctuations of temperature, salinity, nitrate, chlorophyll and primary production at station H3/M1 over 1989-1996 in Monterey Bay, California

Abstract Time series of temperature, salinity, nitrate, primary production and chlorophyll over 1989–1996 at station H3/M1 in central Monterey Bay, CA, USA, are described, and an `average year’ is calculated for each parameter. Surface spatial data on temperature, salinity, chlorophyll and primary production from spring and fall 1993 also are presented. Surface water (0–5 m) was coldest and saltiest in spring (∼10–11°C; S =33.4–33.8), warmed during summer (∼14°C), remained warm but freshened in fall ( S =33.3–33.4), and cooled and freshened further in winter (∼13°C; S =32.9–33.3). Nitrate time series show high concentrations (10–20 μM) present at the surface during spring and summer; low concentrations ( 100 mg C m −3 da −1 ) occurred in upper 20 m of the water column, while high chlorophyll (>3 mg m −3 ) extended to 25–30 m. Phytoplankton blooms occurred as pulses of primary production and chlorophyll during spring, summer and occasionally in fall. Springtime spatial data show a surface `plume’ of cold, salty, low chlorophyll and low primary production water extending N–S across the mouth of the Monterey Bay. The time-series station H3/M1 lies in the path of this plume. High chlorophyll and productivity values occur on the margins of the plume. Fall spatial data show temperatures and salinities warmer and fresher than spring while chlorophyll and primary production values were low. There was less spatial variability in fall. A temperature/salinity time series for Monterey Bay from 1951 to 1991 ( Kuo, 1991 ) shows similar seasonal patterns. However, the 1989–1996 time series is warmer and fresher to at least 100 m, particularly during non-upwelling seasons, and shows a later onset of upwelling. These differences are in accord with the `regime shift’ associated changes documented for the California Current by other workers. Long-term climatologies for nitrate, chlorophyll and primary production are not available for comparison with the data presented in this paper.
Standoff Spectroscopy of Surface Adsorbed Chemicals

Despite its immediate applications, selective detection of trace quantities of surface adsorbed chemicals, such as explosives, without physically collecting the sample molecules is a challenging task. Standoff spectroscopic techniques offer an ideal method of detecting chemicals without using a sample collection step. Though standoff spectroscopic techniques are capable of providing high selectivity, their demonstrated sensitivities are poor. Here we describe standoff detection of trace quantities of surface adsorbed chemicals using two quantum cascade lasers operated simultaneously, with tunable wavelength windows that match with absorption peaks of the analytes. This standoff method is a variation of photoacoustic spectroscopy, where scattered light from the sample surface is used for exciting acoustic resonance of the detector. We demonstrate a sensitivity of 100 ng/cm2 and a standoff detection distance of 20 m for surface adsorbed analytes such as explosives and tributyl phosphate.
Acute isolated myocarditis

Abstract The term “acute isolated myocarditis,” now used instead of “acute primary myocarditis,” should designate a disease in which inflammation of the myocardium is the only important active acute lesion in the body. The disease may be due to actual infection of the myocardium, or, as in experimental animals and very probably in man, to the effect of chemical action alone or chemical and other factors acting simultaneously on the heart. In some cases the etiology remains obscure, hence the term “idiopathic.” The disease regularly runs its full course without being recognized, despite the fact that it has been periodically considered and quite well defined in the foreign medical literature during the past thirty-six years. It is only recently that a few reports have appeared in the American literature. Our recent experience with a case prompted us to make a survey of the literature, from which we learned that there is a group of symptoms which seem distinctive. Our survey was extended to include the various chemicals used singly or in combination in the experimental production of acute myocarditis. We wished to know particularly whether experimental myocarditis paralleled acute isolated myocarditis in severity of injury and reaction. Our own case afforded an unusually good opportunity to study the development of the myocardial lesions. By reporting it, and summarizing the important clinical and pathologic characteristics of all the cases in the literature, we hope to facilitate the diagnosis of this elusive disease.
ECMon: exposing cache events for monitoring

The advent of multicores has introduced new challenges for programmers to provide increased performance and software reliability. There has been significant interest in techniques that use software speculation to better utilize the computational power of multicores. At the same time, several recent proposals for ensuring software reliability are not applicable in a multicore setting due to their inability to handle interprocessor shared memory dependences (ISMDs). The demands for performing speculation and ensuring software reliability in a multicore setting, although seemingly different, share a common requirement: the need for monitoring program execution and collecting interprocessor dependence information at low overhead. For example, an important component of speculation is the effcient detection of missspeculation which in turn requires dependence information. Likewise, tasks that help ensure software reliability on multicores, including recording for replay, require ISMD information.In this paper, we propose ECMon: support for exposing cache events to the software. This enables the programmer to catch these events and react to them; in effect, efficiently exposing the ISMDs to the programmer. In the context of speculation, we show how ECMon optimizes the detection of miss-speculation; we use this simple support to speculate past active barriers and achieve a speedup of 12% for the set of parallel programs considered. As an application of ensuring software reliability, we show how ECMon can be used to record shared memory dependences on multicores using no specialized hardware support at only 2.8 fold execution time overhead.
Vector Fields: an Interactive Tool for Animation, Modeling and Simulation with Physically Based 3D Particle Systems and Soft Objects

Vectorfields have traditionally been used in computer graphics as a means of visualizing models over time. This paper presents a system which extends the use of vector fields as an interactive tool for physically based three dimensional particle systems and soft objects. The techniques implemented in the system provide the user with new flexibility in animation, modeling and simulation. This paper describes bounded interactive vectorfields and how they can be used to manipulate particle systems and a class of soft objects. Applications to animation, modeling and simulation are also presented.
DNA repair deficiencies and cellular senescence are unrelated in xeroderma pigmentosum cell lines.

Senescence of skin fibroblast cultures from normal individuals occurred after 23.9 +/- 6.3 (S.D.) passages; senescence in DNA repair-deficient cell lines from xeroderma pigmentosum patients occurred at 22.9 +/- 5.5 passages. Cells from xeroderma pigmentosum variant and Cockayne syndrome patients reached senescence at similar passage numbers. Xeroderma pigmentosum patients contract skin cancer as a consequence of their repair deficiencies but show no symptoms of premature ageing; neither do their cells age prematurely in vitro. The clinical spectrum and the life-span of fibroblasts in culture therefore lend no support for a correlation between ageing and the DNA repair or DNA replication deficiencies found in xeroderma pigmentosum and Cockayne syndrome cells.
Impact of Interactive Radiative Transfer on the Macroscopic Behavior of Cumulus Ensembles. Part II: Mechanisms for Cloud-Radiation Interactions

Abstract The two-dimensional UCLA cumulus ensemble model is used to examine the impact of cloud-radiation interactions on the macroscopic behavior of cumulus ensembles. Two sets of simulations are performed with noninteractive (NI) and fully interactive (FI) radiative transfer, and with prescribed large-scale advective effects. The time-varying horizontally averaged radiative heating rates QR from the FI simulators are used to prescribe the time-varying, horizontally homogeneous QR in the NI simulations. The effects of both longwave radiation and diurnally varying solar radiation are examined from these two sets of simulations. The diurnally varying solar radiation can drive a diurnal cycle of deep convection over the tropical oceans by stabbing the large-scale environment during the daytime relative to the nighttime. The results presented in this study confirm the dominant role of the direct radiation-convection interaction mechanism for the diurnal cycle of oceanic precipitation. Comparison of the resul...
Skeletal and Cardiac α-Actin Isoforms Exhibit Unanticipated Temporal and Tissue-Specific Gene Expression Patterns in Developing Avian Limbs and Embryos

The initial expression of skeletal muscle structural genes typically occurs after myogenic determination factor gene expression. We investigated this temporal relationship via a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of skeletal and cardiac alpha-actin (s- and c-actin) mRNA during chick limb development. c-actin transcripts were first detected at the beginning of muscle cytodifferentiation in stage 24/25 limbs, shortly after the initial appearance of MyoD and myogenin mRNAs, and were not detected in nonmyogenic tissues. In contrast, s-actin mRNA was detected in limbs at stage 15-16, periods when myf5 and MRF4 but not MyoD and myogenin transcripts are present (Lin-Jones, J., and Hauschka, S. D., Dev. Biol. 174, 407-422, 1996). While s-actin mRNA was not detected in E7 neural retina and was at variable levels in stage 9-15 neural tube, significant levels were consistently detected in mesodermal tissues which contribute nonmyogenic cells to the limb: stage 9-12 lateral plate and distal portions of stage 25/26 limbs. s-actin transcripts detected in the earliest limbs could thus be in myogenic and/or nonmyogenic cells. These data indicate that while c-actin expression is activated at the onset of limb muscle cytodifferentiation, s-actin expression occurs much earlier, as well as in some nonmyogenic tissues. Whether the precocious expression of s-actin plays a functional role in muscle development remains to be determined.
A discriminative sequence model for dialog state tracking using user goal change detection

Due to the dominating influence of Partially Observable Markov Decision Process (POMDP) framework used in spoken dialog systems, most previously proposed dialog state tracking methods favor generative models. However, in this work we adopt a discriminative approach to model the evolution of the belief state within a spoken dialog system - more specifically, we use Conditional Random Fields (CRFs). Although we are not the first to apply CRFs to dialog state tracking, the proposed approach considers the dialog state tracking task as a sequence tagging problem, in the hope of capturing the evolving user goals during a dialog. Equipped with an incremental decoding strategy as well as user goal change detection, our results show that both sequence modeling and goal change information could bring advantage to the task.
Ditopic Double Pincer Palladacycle Catalyst for C−C Coupling

A ditopic palladacycle with SCS pincer coordination, L(PdCl)2 (1), was isolated and structurally characterized and represents the first example of a transition metal complex with a polythioamide-based macrocycle. Preliminary studies of 1 in the catalytic coupling of 4-iodotoluene and styrene indicated it to be robust in the presence of oxygen and high temperatures, with high turnover numbers in relatively short times.
Administration's Many Instruments

An analysis of Charles Lindblom's Politics and Markets reveals three basic elements from which organized social systems are created. The elements of authority, exchange, and persusasion are evaluated and the conclusion is reached that the three elements permit the development of a rich assortment of administrative instruments which can be competitively employed.
Delayed recanalization of a cerebral arteriovenous malformation following angiographic obliteration with polyvinyl alcohol embolization.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is presently being evaluated. Embolization of single pedicle AVMs may produce complete angiographic obliteration and has been suggested as the sole therapy for treating these lesions. METHODS: A 17-year-old female presented with a left intraventricular and intraparenchymal cerebral hemorrhage resulting from a 1 cm left posterior choroidal AVM. She subsequently underwent polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) embolization of the AVM with complete angiographic obliteration. RESULTS: At 9 months follow-up, no evidence of recanalization of the AVM nidus was seen. Two years later, recanalization of the nidus was seen; and the patient received radiosurgical treatment. The natural history of previously embolized AVMs is reviewed and the mechanisms for recanalization are discussed. CONCLUSION: We recommend that patients with angiographic obliteration of AVMs receive further treatment, preferably resection, or be followed with serial angiography.
Selecting Among Probability Distributions Used in Reliability

A method is given for selecting the member of a collection of families of distributions that best fits a set of observations. This method requires a noncensored set of observations. The families considered include the exponential, gamma, Weibull, and lognormal. A selection statistic is proposed that is essentially the value of the density function of a scale transformation maximal invariant. Some properties of the selection procedures based on these statistics are stated, and results of a simulation study are reported. A set of time-to-failure data from a textile experiment is used as an example to illustrate the procedure, which is implemented by a computer program.
Water capture in rapid silicate analysis

Abstract This paper illustrates and describes the use of a simple device, modified from an ordinary beaker, to enhance condensation and capture of water evolved during the analysis of silicate rocks by the rapid method of Shapiro and Brannock. Duplicate determinations on 217 rock samples, predominantly mafic and ultramafic compositions, yielded good to excellent reproducibility over a range of H 2 O total from 0.4 to 11 wt.%. These results suggest that the procedure insures a consistent degree of condensation and capture.
A practical in vitro growth inhibition assay for the evaluation of TB vaccines

Abstract New vaccines and novel immunization strategies are needed to improve the control of the global tuberculosis epidemic. To facilitate vaccine development, we have been creating in vitro mycobacterial intra-macrophage growth inhibition assays. Here we describe the development of an in vitro assay designed for BSL-2 laboratories which measures the capacity of vaccine-induced immune splenocytes to control the growth of isoniazid-resistant Mycobacterium bovis BCG (INH r BCG). The use of the INH r BCG as the infecting organism allows the discrimination of BCG bacilli used in murine vaccinations from BCG used in the in vitro assay. In this study, we showed that protective immune responses evoked by four different types of Mycobacterium tuberculosis vaccines [BCG, an ESAT6/Antigen 85B fusion protein formulated in DDA/MPL adjuvant, a DNA vaccine expressing the same fusion protein, and a TB Modified Vaccinia Ankara construct expressing four TB antigens (MVA-4TB)] were detected. Importantly, the levels of vaccine-induced protective immunity seen in the in vitro assay correlated with the results from in vivo protection studies in the mouse model of pulmonary tuberculosis. Furthermore, the growth inhibition data for the INH r BCG assay was similar to the previously reported results for a M. tuberculosis infection assay. The cytokine expression profiles at day 7 of the INH r BCG growth inhibition studies were also similar but not identical to the cytokine patterns detected in earlier M. tuberculosis co-culture assays. Overall, we have shown that a BSL-2 compatible in vitro growth inhibition assay using INH r BCG as the intra-macrophage target organism should be useful in developing and evaluating new TB immunization strategies.
Nucleon potential models from proton-proton scattering☆

Abstract We study the effect of deuteron and cutoff constraints on nn effective-range parameters deduced from different pp scattering potentials under the assumption of charge symmetry. Phase-equivalent potentials generated from the Reid soft-core potential by Haftel-Tabakin transformations are used. The model uncertainties are found to be restricted to Δa nn L ≲ 1 fm and Δr nn L ≲ 0.02 fm when only the local e.m. potential is included in the original pp scattering problem. However, with the addition of momentum-dependent terms arising from the p-n mass difference and a leading relativistic orbit-orbit interaction, large model dependences appear when large curvatures are introduced into the scattering wave function. These large effects are not seen in the experimental value of a nn (− 16.3 ± 0.7 fm). Thus within the uncertainties caused by possible charge asymmetric forces, relatively smooth scattering wave functions appear to be favored.
Testing embedded RAM modules in SRAM-based FPGAs

This paper presents a unique scheme for testing and locating multiple stuck at faults in the embedded RAM modules of SRAM-based FPGAs. The RAM modules are tested using the MATS++ algorithm. The interconnection scheme makes it possible to test all the cells within the RAM modules in the FPGA in just one test configuration. A diagnosis scheme capable of locating the faulty RAM cell and the CLB in which it is located is also developed.Considerable research in the area of testing the LUT/RAM modules for SRAM based FPGAs has been done earlier. However, the solutions proposed are not optimal as they require N test configurations to test an N input RAM module. One such solution proposes a Pseudo Shift Register (PSR) interconnection scheme using the shifted MATS++ algorithm. It is possible to test all the RAM modules in an FPGA in one test configuration using this approach. However, although this scheme can detect the faulty cell in the RAM modules under test, it does not have the capability of locating the faulty CLB in which the RAM modules are located. In other words, the scheme assumes that the faulty CLB is known. This drawback is eliminated in the scheme presented in this paper by using a unique interconnection of CLBs in the form of a chain. In addition, the proposed interconnection scheme also reduces the testing time by approximately half as compared to the time taken by earlier schemes. The FPGA is modeled in VHDL at the equivalent gate level and the simulations results are generated using ModelSim.
Impact of shunt on the transpulmonary thermodilution curve

Dear Editor, We read with interest the comments by Nusmeier et al. [1] regarding our article entitled ‘‘Transpulmonary thermodilution curves for detection of shunt’’ [2]. The authors found that our explanation (Appendix, page 1086) was confused [2]! Thus, these authors proposed a much simpler and easier mathematical method to support our explanations [1]. Indeed, they calculated mean transit time (MTt) as the ratio of intrathoracic thermal volume (ITTV) to cardiac output (CO) and the down slope time (DSt) as the ratio of intrapulmonary thermal volume (IPTV) to CO (see Fig. 1). In the end, their observations and conclusions were similar to our findings [1, 2]. However, retrospective calculations performed by these authors are based on mean values of three transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD) curves [1, 2]. In this regard, although some of these disagreements may be only semantic, these differences are important in trying to explain our results (Fig. 1). Indeed, the retrospective calculated absolute values of MTt and DSt displayed in Table 1 are extrapolated from an inauthentic curve derived from the average of three TPTD curves [1]. From a physiological point of view, we feel that even if Nusmeier et al. used a coupled mathematical analysis [3] to clarify our interpretations, the values of MTt and DSt they displayed [1] are not original. In contrast, as we had considered that no approach could provide absolute values of MTt and DSt in the absence of direct measurements on a curve [3], we proposed our ‘‘relative confused mathematical formulation.’’ We hope to have clarified the key issues for the journal readers.
Erosion and Sedimentation Along a Cohesive Shoreline – The North-Central Shore of Lake Erie

A study of the distribution and texture of bluff and nearshore sediments of north-central Lake Erie was carried out to measure the patterns of erosion and sedimentation characteristic of a cohesive shoreline. Onshore deposits of the study area consist mainly of bluffs of cohesive glacial sediments standing at the waterline or separated from it by narrow intermittent beaches. The nearshore deposit is a narrow band of gravel to clay-sized postglacial sediment located between the shoreline and a broad offshore shelf of exposed glacial sediment. The width of the deposit increases from west to east and there is local widening and beach development at the three harbour areas of Ports Stanley, Bruce, and Burwell as the result of entrapment and diversion by harbour structures. A new sediment budget proposed for the reach shows an annual input of 6 × 106 tonnes of silt and clay and 2 × 106 tonnes of sand and gravel. Bluff erosion accounts for 89% of the sediment supply and nearshore-slope erosion and stream discharge for 10% and 1%, respectively. Although harbour structures have increased the volume of nearshore sediment retained by the reach, their effect on the sediment budget is minimal because of the high supply and transport rates. More than 99% of the sediment input is lost to the shoreline to the east and to the offshore basins by transport within the nearshore zone. The sediment remaining within the reach is coarser and better sorted than the source materials and appears to be stable in pattern and texture over the short term (1973–1979).
Workplace Justice and Job Satisfaction As Predictors of Satisfaction with Union and Management

This research examined the extent to which workplace justice and job satisfaction predicted satisfaction with union and management. We defined workplace justice in terms of the procedural and distributive justice afforded by an organization's grievance system and, more generally, in terms of beliefs about a moral order in the workplace. Multivariate analyses were used to test a number of hypotheses about the relationships among measures of institutional satisfaction, job satisfaction, and workplace justice. The amounts of procedural and distributive justice afforded by a grievance system were the strongest predictors of satisfaction with a union, whereas belief in a moral order at a workplace was the strongest predictor of satisfaction with management. Justice in workplaces is an issue of substantial importance to workers, organized labor, and management. This study examined the extent to which workplace justice predicted satisfaction with union and management. We measured workplace justice both in terms of perceptions of the distributive and procedural justice afforded by a grievance system and in terms of beliefs about a moral order in a workplace. We also examined the relationships among various facets of job satisfaction and satisfaction with union and management.
Copper concentrations in surface waters off the south-eastern atlantic coast, U.S.A.

Abstract Copper concentrations in surface waters off the southeastern United States coast range from 0.02 to 0.33 μg/kg (0.3–5.2 nmol/kg). Mean concentrations are lowest in Onslow Bay (0.07 μg/kg) and highest over the Blake Plateau (0.20 μg/kg). An explanation, compatible with the hydrography and hydrodynamics of the area, is proposed for the observed regional variations.
New evidence for the systematic significance of acylated spermidines and flavonoids in pollen of Higher Hamamelidae

New distributional recores of hydroxycinnamoyl spermidines (HCS), including novel trisubstituted HCSs and flavonol glycosides, in pollen of Higher Hamamelidae are presented. The 51 taxa analyzed by HPLC and TLC included members of the families Fagaceae (Castanoideae, Fagoideae, Quercoideae), Betulaceae, Juglandaceae, Myricaceae, Hamamelidaceae, Rosaceae, and Buxaceae (Simmondsia). The results support generic concepts in the Higher Hamamelidae derived from morphological and chloroplast DNA data and support a close evolutionary relationship between the Higher Hamamelidae and the Rosidae.
MO-G-BRE-01: A Real-Time Virtual Delivery System for Photon Radiotherapy Delivery Monitoring

Purpose: Treatment delivery monitoring is important for radiotherapy, which enables catching dosimetric error at the earliest possible opportunity. This project develops a virtual delivery system to monitor the dose delivery process of photon radiotherapy in real-time using GPU-based Monte Carlo (MC) method. Methods: The simulation process consists of 3 parallel CPU threads. A thread T1 is responsible for communication with a linac, which acquires a set of linac status parameters, e.g. gantry angles, MLC configurations, and beam MUs every 20 ms. Since linac vendors currently do not offer interface to acquire data in real time, we mimic this process by fetching information from a linac dynalog file at the set frequency. Instantaneous beam fluence map (FM) is calculated. A FM buffer is also created in T1 and the instantaneous FM is accumulated to it. This process continues, until a ready signal is received from thread T2 on which an inhouse developed MC dose engine executes on GPU. At that moment, the accumulated FM is transferred to T2 for dose calculations, and the FM buffer in T1 is cleared. Once the calculation finishes, the resulting 3D dose distribution is directed to thread T3, which displays it in three orthogonal planes overlaid on the CT image for treatment monitoring. This process continues to monitor the 3D dose distribution in real-time. Results: An IMRT and a VMAT cases used in our patient-specific QA are studied. Maximum dose differences between our system and treatment planning system are 0.98% and 1.58% for the two cases, respectively. The average time per MC calculation is 0.1sec with <2% relative uncertainty. The update frequency of ∼10Hz is considered as real time. Conclusion: By embedding a GPU-based MC code in a novel data/work flow, it is possible to achieve real-time MC dose calculations to monitor delivery process.
Thermodynamics of binding of the distal calcium to manganese peroxidase.

We previously demonstrated that manganese peroxidase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium was susceptible to thermal inactivation due to release of the distal calcium, which maintained the distal heme ...
Actinomycin D and the Regulation of Apoferritin Synthesis in Rat Liver

IRON administration increases the net synthesis of apoferritin in rat liver in vivo1. Correspondingly, liver slices prepared from rats dosed with iron incorporate 14C-leucine into apoferritin in vitro more readily than do slices from untreated controls2. The mechanism by which the iron acts is unknown, although it has been postulated that intracellular iron in erythroblasts may influence genetic loci3. In the following experiments actinomycin D, an inhibitor of DNA-dependent RNA synthesis4, was administered to rats prior to a dose of iron, and liver slices were later tested in vitro for incorporation of 14C-leucine into apoferritin. Actinomycin D inhibited the stimulatory effect of iron, indicating that derepression of genes and the synthesis of messenger RNA are involved in the regulatory response to the metal.
Interview with a Quality Leader: Joel T. Allison on Healthcare Technology and Quality Care

: Managing the delivery of healthcare in a turbulent environment is challenging. In this article, Joel T. Allison shares his knowledge, experiences, and best practices on healthcare technology and quality care.
Prenatally Diagnosed Bilateral Hyperechoic Kidneys With Normal Amniotic Fluid: Postnatal Outcome

ABSTRACTWe evaluated a subset of infants with bilateral markedly hyperechoic “bright” kidneys noted prenatally in association with normal amniotic fluid volume during gestation. Prenatal ultrasound showed increased renal parenchymal echogenicity bilaterally with preservation of the medullary pyramid architecture. These children were followed for up to 3 years to determine potential changes in the sonographic appearance of the echogenic renal parenchyma and to assess renal function. In 3 years 8 cases of bilateral hyperechoic fetal kidneys were identified. During postnatal followup renal echogenicity resolved in 4 cases, diminished in 1 and remained the same in 3. The serum creatinine and electrolytes were normal in all cases followed for more than 3 months. Other renal findings included vesicoureteral reflux in 2 of 7 cases, mild pelvic ectasia in 1 and tiny medullary calcifications in 1. The specific etiology of increased echogenicity is unknown, although 1 infant appeared to have a form of autosomal rec...
Pilot-Scale Gasification of Corn Stover, Switchgrass, Wheat Straw, and Wood: 2. Identification of Global Chemistry Using Multivariate Curve Resolution Techniques

A pilot-scale study was conducted to examine the effect of the steam-to-biomass ratio, the gasification temperature, and the thermal cracker temperature for Vermont wood, wheat straw, switchgrass, and corn stover on the formation and speciation of tars. This study is divided into two parts; the first paper detailed the processing conditions and gives quantitative information on low-molecular-weight species. This paper, which is the second part of this study, uses multivariate curve resolution techniques to correlate process variables with the mass spectra gathered during the study to (1) identify the global chemistry of the system and (2) to identify differences or similarities of the product gas streams for each feedstock. Three main groups of products were identified statistically: (1) primary and secondary pyrolysis products (e.g., guaiacol, furfural), (2) cracking products (e.g., phenol, cresol), and (3) polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Our findings support known global reaction mechanisms th...
Mechanisms for Electrical Degradation of GaN High-Electron Mobility Transistors

We have carried out systematic experiments of the electrical reliability of state-of-the-art GaN HEMTs. We have found that degradation is mostly driven by electric field and that there is a critical electric field below which negligible degradation is observed. Device degradation is associated with the appearance of prominent trapping behavior. Degradation is consistent with a model of defect formation in the AlGaN barrier as a result of the high electric field. We postulate that lattice defects are introduced by excessive stress associated with the inverse piezoelectric effect. Electron trapping at these defects reduces the extrinsic sheet carrier concentration and the maximum drain current.
The biosynthesis of astaxanthin. XVIII. The incorporation and transformation of carotenoids in the goldfish

Abstract 1. 1. Additional evidence is presented to prove that astaxanthin is formed from β-carotene through the pathway β -carotene → isocryptoxanthin ester → echinenone → 4-hydroxy-4′-keto- β -carotene ester → canthaxanthin → astaxanthin ester. 2. 2. Intermediate compounds were fed individually to depleted goldfish and their transformation was followed. 3. 3. Isocryptoxanthin, echinenone and canthaxanthin markedly increased the astaxanthin content of the fish, showing that they could all be transformed to astaxanthin. In addition, isocryptoxanthin promoted synthesis of echinenone, isozeaxanthin and 4-hydroxy-4′-keto-β-carotene. Echinenone led to the production of 4-hydroxy-4′-keto-β-carotene and canthaxanthin. 4. 4. Isozeaxanthin fed at the level of 0.5 μg. per g. of food was not metabolized further. At a higher concentration (2 mg. per g. food), it was converted to 4-hdyroxy-4′-keto-β-carotene but it did not raise the astaxanthin content of the fish.
Communication Between Early Educators and Parents who Speak English as a Second Language A Semantic and Pragmatic Perspective

In this article, we discuss communication between early educators speaking their native language and parents who speak English as a second language. Parents who may have a limited proficiency in the second language face challenges to understanding semantic and pragmatic aspects of English. Actual early childhood conference talk in which parents were speaking English as a second language will illustrate potential difficulties to listening comprehension and communication. Additionally, semantics and pragmatics will be used as a framework for recommending strategies to facilitate these parents’ ability to comprehend and communicate during discussions with early educators.
The G-protein nanomachine.

Many of the external signals reaching a cell are transmitted through G proteins, which lie just inside the cell membrane. New crystal structures shed light on how the complex works.