cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using commercial modeling and simulation tools within NGTG processes

Next Generation Test Generator (NGTG) processes require the existence of circuit models, both good and faulty, as well as the simulation of these models in order to develop tests in an effective manner. This paper addresses the issues associated with model development and simulation within an NGTG framework. The emphasis of the model development and simulation methods is on the use of commercial tools. If test automation processes are to be successfully used throughout the design and test community, the tools that designers are familiar with and use everyday must be incorporated into the NGTG processes. This paper describes the overall system briefly and the functional elements related to model development in detail. The model development portion of the system is composed of three basic functional elements: Netlist Generator (NG), Component Model Library (CML) and Automatic Model Builder (AMB). The simulation of the models is an integral part of the Automatic Test Generation (ATG) system and is presented in detail. A circuit model development process is described which allows for the creation of the good circuit model as well as the fault models necessary as part of the ATG systems. The model development and simulation approach emphasizes the use of commercial tools such as OrCAD(R)'s Capture/sup TM/, Simucad's SILOS(R) III and Intusoft/sup TM/'s ICAP/4.
Computer-based tools for decision support in agroforestry: Current state and future needs

Successful design of agroforestry practices hinges on the ability to pull together very diverse and sometimes large sets of information (i.e., biophysical, economic and social factors), and then implementing the synthesis of this information across several spatial scales from site to landscape. Agroforestry, by its very nature, creates complex systems with impacts ranging from the site or practice level up to the landscape and beyond. Computer-based Decision Support Tools (DST) help to integrate information to facilitate the decision-making process that directs development, acceptance, adoption, and management aspects in agroforestry. Computer-based DSTs include databases, geographical information systems, models, knowledge-base or expert systems, and ‘hybrid’ decision support systems. These different DSTs and their applications in agroforestry research and development are described in this paper. Although agroforestry lacks the large research foundation of its agriculture and forestry counterparts, the development and use of computer-based tools in agroforestry have been substantial and are projected to increase as the recognition of the productive and protective (service) roles of these tree-based practices expands. The utility of these and future tools for decision-support in agroforestry must take into account the limits of our current scientific information, the diversity of aspects (i.e. economic, social, and biophysical) that must be incorporated into the planning and design process, and, most importantly, who the end-user of the tools will be. Incorporating these tools into the design and planning process will enhance the capability of agroforestry to simultaneously achieve environmental protection and agricultural production goals.
Studies of Robust Two Stage Preconditioners for the Solution of Fully Implicit Multiphase Flow Problems

The solution of the linear system of equations for a large scale reservoir simulation has several challenges. Preconditioners are used to speed up the convergence rate of the solution of such systems. In theory, a preconditioner defines a matrix M that can be inexpensively inverted and represents a good approximation of a given matrix A. In this work, two-stage preconditioners consisting of the approximated inverses M1 and M2 are investigated for multiphase flow in porous media. The first-stage preconditioner, M1, is approximated from A using four different solution methods: (1) constrained pressure residuals (CPR), (2) lower block Gauss-Seidel, (3) upper block Gauss-Seidel, and (4) one iteration of block Gauss-Seidel. The pressure block solution in each of these different schemes is calculated using the Algebraic Multi Grid (AMG) method. The inverse of the saturation (or more generally, the nonpressure) blocks are approximated using Line Successive Over Relaxation (LSOR). The second stage preconditioner, M2, is a global preconditioner based on LSOR iterations for the matrix A that captures part of the original interaction of different coefficient blocks. Several techniques are also employed to weaken the coupling between the pressure block and the nonpressure blocks. Effective decoupling is achieved by: (1) an IMPES-like approach designed to preserve the integrity of pressure coefficients, (2) Householder transformations, (3) the alternate block factorization (ABF), and (4) the balanced decoupling strategy (BDS) based on least squares. The fourth method is a new technique developed in this work. The aforementioned preconditioning techniques were implemented in a parallel reservoir simulation environment, and tested for large-scale two-phase and three-phase black oil simulation models. This study demonstrates that a two-stage preconditioner based on balanced decoupling strategy (BDS) or ABF combined with Gauss-Seidel sweeps, that also incorporate nonpressure solutions for M, delivers both the fastest convergence rate and the most robust option overall without compromising parallel scalability.
Effects of 2- and 3-tert-Butyl-4-hydroxyanisole on Glutathione S-Transferase and Epoxide Hydrolase Activities and Sulfhydryl Levels in Liver and Forestomach of Mice

Butylated hydroxyanisole, a food additive, has been found to inhibit the neoplastic effects of a wide variety of chemical carcinogens. The commercially available preparations of butylated hydroxyanisole contain two isomers, 2-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (2-BHA) and 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (3-BHA). Both isomers induce increased activities of glutathione (GSH) S-transferase and epoxide hydrolase and increase acid-soluble sulfhydryl concentration in hepatic and forestomach tissues of A/HeJ mice. The inductions were assayed after 2 weeks of feeding diets containing the two isomers. 3-BHA induced an increase in the activity of hepatic microsomal epoxide hydrolase by 1.4 times that of the control. The activity of cytosolic GSH S-transferase was enhanced by both isomers. In the liver, the 3-BHA induction was more than 3 times higher than that of 2-BHA. In the forestomach, however, the induction effect of the two isomers was reversed. The overall magnitude of the induction was much lower in the forestomach than in the liver. Synergistic effects on the induction of GSH-S-transferase activity were observed in the forestomach cytosol when mixtures of different proportions of the two isomers were added to the diet. Maximum enzyme activity was obtained at a ratio of 75% 2-BHA and 25% 3-BHA. No synergistic effect was observed with the corresponding hepatic cytosolic enzyme. The relative inductive effects of 2- and 3-BHA on the acid-soluble sulfhydryl level of liver and forestomach tissues followed closely those on GSH S-transferase activity. The results of the present study show that the two isomers of butylated hydroxyanisole differ in the magnitude of their effects on carcinogen-metabolizing systems of the liver and forestomach.
Sedimentological Characterization of the Sego Sandstone (NW Colorado, USA): A New Scheme to Recognize Ancient Flood-Tidal-Delta Deposits and Implications for Reservoir Potential

Marginal-marine deposits are typically excellent hydrocarbon reservoirs around the world. Certain depositional environments may provide natural, selective, physical processes that produce better reservoir rocks than others depending on associated energy, hydraulic regime, etc. With this paper we present new detailed sedimentological, petrographic, and grain-size data of ancient flood-tidal-delta deposits that provide means to characterize this environment in the ancient as well as to determine reservoir characteristics. In this study, we compare grain size, grain and cement composition, and the ratio of pore space to cement from thin sections between tidal, shoreface, and flood-tidal-delta facies of the Sego Sandstone in northwest Colorado. The intent of this comparison is to provide an evaluation of different physical processes and the degree of diagenesis related to different environments to better understand the relative controls on reservoir characteristics. We find that flood-tidal-deltas show a statistically larger average grain size than either shoreface or other tidal facies. Also, flood-tidal-deltas have a smaller ratio of pore-space to cement. Shoreface facies have a larger ratio of pore space to cement overall than that of flood-tidal-delta or other tidal facies. We propose that this may be due to chemistry and higher weathering rates in the backbay environment in contrast to the shoreface environment, where higher mechanical reworking may lead to selective removal of chemically unstable minerals. To test this hypothesis, we conducted statistical analyses of these petrophysical and grain size characteristics. Our results show that flood-tidal-deltas are characterized by clean upper-fine-grained cross-bedded sandstone that is well sorted and subrounded to rounded with a majority of landward paleocurrent directions and a presence of tidal bundles, mud drapes, and reactivation surfaces.
CUTANEOUS HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS TO CELLULAR ISOANTIGENS IN RATS

Rats have been shown to be capable of displaying the various kinds of delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions attributable to transplantation immunity previously described in guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, dogs, and man. The rat is unlike most other species in that much larger numbers of lymphoid cells are needed to incite these cutaneous reactions. With direct, transfer, or normal lymphocyte transfer reactions, the cutaneous responses were greater when donor and recipient differed at the Ag-B histocompatibility locus than when donor and recipient shared the same Ag-B alleles. An experiment was performed in which adult rats of a genetically defined backcross population, resulting from matings between DA and (DA x Lewis) F1 hybrid rats, were inoculated intradermally with lymph node cells from DA rats sensitized against tissues from Lewis-strain donors. Some of the R2 animals gave a biphasic transfer reaction with peak reactivities occurring first at 48 hr and recurring at 96–120 hr, while the others lacked this second component. Hemagglutination tests revealed that the R2 rats giving the biphasic response possessed the Ag-B,1 antigen, which is also present in Lewis rats, whereas rats which gave monophasic reactions were homozygous for the Ag-B,4 antigenic determinant which is present in the DA strain. This suggested that the recall flare at 96–120 hr reflects proliferative activity on the part of the inoculated cells confronted by the disparate Ag-B isoantigen in the host's dermis. Skin homografts from R1 animals bearing the Ag-B,1 antigen were uniformly rejected by DA hosts in 11 days or less, while grafts from backcross animals homozygous for the Ag-B,4 antigen usually lived longer, being rejected in 9 to 27 days. Evidence is also presented which suggests that specific isoantibodies may act synergistically with immune lymphocytes to bring about cutaneous inflammatory reactions in the rat.
Self-learning fuzzy logic system for in situ, in-process diagnostics of mass flow controller (MFC)

An improvement in the yield of better quality wafers requires an accurate control of various process variables. The control should include timely diagnosis and appropriate in-situ, in-process adjustments for drifts in these variables. One such scheme, a self-learning fuzzy logic system, is developed in this study for correcting drifts in the calibration of mass flow controllers (MFC's) that control the flow of gases into a process chamber. It consists of two components; a diagnostic system and a self-learning system. The diagnostic system uses fuzzy logic to diagnose the problem and initiate suitable remedial action, The self-learning system automatically builds the knowledge base used for diagnosis. The knowledge base is initialized using clustering principle and is tuned for better performance using a set of heuristic rules. The system is capable of learning the behavior of different types of makes and models of MFC's under various flow rates. It has been tested on two different types of MFC's under different flow rates and encouraging results have been obtained. >
Benefits of fatty fish on dementia risk are stronger for those without APOE ε4

Objective: To compare associations of lean fish vs fatty fish (tuna or other fish) intake with dementia, Alzheimer disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VaD) and in relation to APOE e4 status in the Cardiovascular Health Cognition Study (CHCS). Methods: Fish intake was assessed by food frequency questionnaires. Incident dementia, AD, and VaD were determined through a series of cognitive tests, physician9s assessment, and committee consensus. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to calculate hazard ratios of dementia, AD, and VaD with lean fried fish, fatty fish, or total fish intake, which were then stratified by the presence of APOE e4. Results: Although consumption of lean fried fish had no protective effect, consumption of fatty fish more than twice per week was associated with a reduction in risk of dementia by 28% (95% CI: 0.51 to 1.02), and AD by 41% (95% CI: 0.36 to 0.95) in comparison to those who ate fish less than once per month. Stratification by APOE e4 showed this effect to be selective to those without the e4 allele. Adjustment by education and income attenuated the effect. Conclusion: In the Cardiovascular Health Cognition Study, consumption of fatty fish was associated with a reduced risk of dementia and Alzheimer disease for those without the APOE e4 allele.
Fabricating spatially-varying subsurface scattering

Many real world surfaces exhibit translucent appearance due to subsurface scattering. Although various methods exists to measure, edit and render subsurface scattering effects, no solution exists for manufacturing physical objects with desired translucent appearance. In this paper, we present a complete solution for fabricating a material volume with a desired surface BSSRDF. We stack layers from a fixed set of manufacturing materials whose thickness is varied spatially to reproduce the heterogeneity of the input BSSRDF. Given an input BSSRDF and the optical properties of the manufacturing materials, our system efficiently determines the optimal order and thickness of the layers. We demonstrate our approach by printing a variety of homogenous and heterogenous BSSRDFs using two hardware setups: a milling machine and a 3D printer.
CONTROL OF Salmonella AND EXTENTION OF SHELF‐LIFE OF BROILER CARCASSES WITH A GLUTARALDEHYDE PRODUCT

Broiler chicken carcasses were inoculated with Salmonella typhimurium (180–360,000 cells per carcass), then, in a simulated commercial chilling process, were prechilled at 18°C in water containing glutaraldehyde. On broilers that had been prechilled for 30 min in 0.5% glutaraldehyde (pH 8.6), then chilled in slush ice for 20 min, salmonellae were eliminated when the inoculum level per carcass was 250 cells, but not when the level was 360,000 cells. Transfer of salmonellae from inoculated to uninoculated carcasses (cross contamination) was prevented by glutaraldehyde at 0.01% or more in the prechill water, when the inoculum level was 200–300 cells per carcass. It was not prevented when the level was 360.000 cells per carcass. A lo-min urechill in 0.5% alutaraldehvde (pH 8.6) extended- carcass shelf-life at 2°C about 6 days beyond that of controls.
A Comparison of Rapid Fabrication Methods for Sheet Metal Forming Dies

The need for rapid, low-cost die fabrication and modification methods is greater than ever in the sheet metal forming sector of industry. Consequently, three fabrication methods, suitable for rapid die development schemes, are being compared experimentally based on cost, lead-time, shape resolution and flexibility issues. The candidate methods include CNC-machining a solid billet of material (standard method), assembling and clamping an array of profiled-edge laminations (PEL), and configuring and clamping a matrix of closely-packed pins (discrete die). A matched-set of forming dies was made using each of the candidate fabrication methods for stamping an FEA-verified benchmark part out of steel sheet. Based on the stamping experiments, a PEL die is shown to be similar to CNC-machined dies except that most tooling accessibility problems are eliminated, die geometry limitations are reduced and faster fabrication is possible for harder tool materials. When compared with CNC-machined dies, the discrete die method limits part shape fidelity, maximum forming loads, die geometry and blankholder incorporation. However, the discrete die method excels over the other two methods in terms of lower cost and faster fabrication time. The results of this study make a strong case for the sheet metal forming sector of industry to actively implement the PEL and discrete die methods in their manufacturing operations.
Coverage path planning on three-dimensional terrain for arable farming

Field operations should be done in a manner that minimizes time and travels over the field surface and is coordinated with topographic land features. Automated path planning can help to find the best coverage path so that the field operation costs can be minimized. Intelligent algorithms are desired for both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) terrain field coverage path planning. The algorithm of generating an optimized full coverage pattern for a given 2D planar field by using boustrophedon paths has been investigated and reported before. However, a great proportion of farms have rolling terrains, which have a considerable influence on the design of coverage paths. Coverage path planning in 3D space has a great potential to further optimize field operations. This work addressed four critical tasks: terrain modeling and representation, coverage cost analysis, terrain decomposition, and the development of optimized path searching algorithm. The developed algorithms and methods have been successfully implemented and tested using 3D terrain maps of farm fields with various topographic features. Each field was decomposed into subregions based on its terrain features. A recommended “seed curve” based on a customized cost function was searched for each subregion, and parallel coverage paths were generated by offsetting the found “seed curve” toward its two sides until the whole region was completely covered. Compared with the 2D planning results, the experimental results of 3D coverage path planning showed its superiority in reducing both headland turning cost and soil erosion cost. On the tested fields, on average the 3D planning algorithm saved 10.3% on headland turning cost, 24.7% on soil erosion cost, 81.2% on skipped area cost, and 22.0% on the weighted sum of these costs, where their corresponding weights were 1, 1, and 0.5, respectively. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Beyond Kyoto: Climate Change Policy in Multilevel Governance Systems

Climate change policy has commonly been framed as a matter of international governance for which global policy strategies can be readily employed. The decade of experience following the 1997 signing of the Kyoto Protocol suggests a far more complex process involving a wide range of policy options and varied engagement by multiple levels of governance systems. The respective experiences of the United States and Canada suggest that formal engagement in the international realm of policy is not a good indicator of domestic policy development or emissions reductions. The different contexts of intergovernmental relations, varied resources available to subnational governments for policy development and implementation, and role of subnational leaders in policy formation have emerged as important factors in explaining national differences between these North American neighbors. Consequently, climate change increasingly presents itself as a challenge not only of international relations but also of multilevel governance, thereby creating considerable opportunity to learn from domestic policy experimentation.
Micromechanical modeling of damping in discontinuous fiber composites using a strain energy/finite element approach

The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and demonstrate the application of an efficient method for finite element modeling of damping and stiffness of discontinuous fiber reinforced composites. Dynamic stiffness and damping are defined in terms of the complex modulus, and composite damping is estimated by means of a strain energy method. This technique has the capability of predicting fiber interaction and fiber interface effects on composite damping. The resulting data from the analytical approaches, including the finite element method (FEM) and a “mechanics of materials” analysis, were compared with previous experimental results. These results showed that fiber interaction does affect the damping of discontinuous fiber composites, and that damping can be improved by increasing the fiber end gap size or by decreasing the fiber aspect ratio. It is also shown that the finite element implementation of the strain energy approach is a powerful tool for predicting the damping in composites.
THE EFFECT OF TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE ON CARCINOMA OF THE FEMALE BREAST WITH SOFT TISSUE METASTASES

IN A PREVIOUS communication (1) we reported the results obtained with testosterone therapy in patients with osseous and soft tissue metastases from carcinoma of the breast. The subsequent progress of the group with osseous metastases has been presented elsewhere (3). The present communication gives the subsequent course of the patients with soft tissue disease and also reports a new series of six patients with soft tissue lesions treated with the androgen. S.K., referred to as “Case 1” in the previous report, exhibited a marked regression of the disease in the breast, a disappearance of supraclavicular, cervical and axillary lymph nodes and of skin nodules after receiving 3150 milligrams of testosterone propionate over a period of about two months. She suffered a psychic disturbance two months later and was institutionalized for one month. No androgen therapy was administered during her stay at the institute. She lost 10 pounds during this interval.
Charles Bonnet syndrome: three cases in the emergency department.

Abstract Background: Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) is a cause of visual hallucinations in elderly patients that is often unrecognized by emergency physicians and has a relatively benign course. As the population ages, it is likely that the number of cases of CBS will increase (and thus, the numbers of those who present to an Emergency Department [ED] will be increasing). Objectives: The case reports presented in this article will facilitate the recognition of CBS by the emergency physician. Case Report: We describe 3 patients who presented to one ED for visual disturbances and were diagnosed with CBS in a 4-month time period. Conclusion: Recognition of this unusual but stereotypical cause of visual disturbances facilitates an accurate diagnosis, and spares patients the time and expense of blood testing, imaging, and consultations. If emergency physicians begin to recognize this benign entity, we can provide improved (and safer) patient care with appropriate ED interventions.
The role of turbulent diffusion for copepods with feeding currents

The encounter rate between predator and prey is frequently modeled in terms of the 'swept volume' associated with the relative velocity of the two organisms and an appropriate cross-sectional area. For the copepods which use feeding currents, an alternative conceptual model of the process is that the food particles are diffusing towards the predators. Their feeding currents trap the prey (even though they are well beyond the range of either visual or chemical detection) and entrain them towards their waiting arms. The predators thus benefit from the turbulent motion and diffusion, even though much of it is due to motions with scales significantly larger than their body's size. The feeding currents serve to dramatically increase the flux of food.
Effects of the 2006 El Niño on tropospheric composition as revealed by data from the Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES)

[1] The Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES) is unique in providing multi-year coincident tropospheric profiles of CO, O 3 and H 2 O. TES data show large differences in these gases over Indonesia and the eastern Indian Ocean in October-December 2006 relative to 2005. In 2006, O 3 was higher by 15-30 ppb (30-75%) while CO was higher by >80 ppb in October and November, and by ∼25 ppb in December. These differences were caused by high fire emissions from Indonesia in 2006 associated with the lowest rainfall since 1997, reduced convection during the moderate El Nino, and reduced photochemical loss because of lower H 2 O. The persistence of the O 3 difference into December is consistent with higher NO x emissions from lightning in 2006. TES CO and O 3 enhancements in 2006 were larger than those observed during the weak El Nino of 2004.
Endosymbiotic fungi structurally integrated with leaves reveals a lichenous condition of C4 grasses

This paper addresses the assumed autonomy of vascular plants by revealing the presence of an obligate fungus structurally integrated with leaf anatomy of C4 grasses. We examined leaf surfaces of 26 species representing 14 genera of C4 grasses. In all species, we found similarities between leaf surface microhair-like structures and Uredomycete teliospores. These bicellular structures produced hyphae and spores, confirming they were fungal, rather than plant tissue. The plant-fungus structural morphology was also observed in Bouteloua eriopoda plants regenerated from embryonic meristem cells. The conserved symbiosis between fungi and C4 grasses suggests a lichenous association with evolutionary significance. The structural integration of endosymbiotic fungi with cells and tissues offers novel and unexplored approaches to developing physiological, ecological, and systematic models of C4 grasses.
Coding of acoustic particle motion by utricular fibers in the sleeper goby, Dormitator latifrons

It is unknown whether the fish utricle contributes to directional hearing. Here, we report response properties of single utricular fibers in a teleost fish (Dormitator latifrons) to linear accelerations at various stimulus frequencies and axes. Characteristic frequencies ranged from ≤50–400 Hz (median=80 Hz), and best frequencies shifted from 50 to 250 Hz with stimulus level. Best sensitivity of utricular fibers was distributed from −70 to −40 dB re: 1 g (mean=−52 dB), which is about 30 dB less sensitive than saccular fibers. Q50% fell between 0.16 and 11.50 (mean=2.04) at 15 dB above threshold. We observed temporal response patterns of entrained phase-locking, double phase-locking, phase-locked bursting, and non-phase-locked bursting. Most utricular fibers were directionally selective with various directional response profiles, and directional selectivity was stimulus-level dependent. Horizontal best-response axes were distributed in a 152° range while mid-sagittal best-response axes were clustered around the fish longitudinal axis, which is consistent with the horizontal orientation of the utricle and morphological polarizations of utricular hair cells. Therefore, results of this study indicate that the utricle in this vertebrate plays an auditory role in azimuth and that utricular fibers extend the response dynamic range of this species in directional hearing.
A DEEP-OCEAN MASS SPECTROMETER TO MONITOR HYDROCARBON SEEPS AND PIPELINES

New developments in instrumentation for ocean environmental engineering are allowing unprecedented levels of tr ace contaminant measurement in the deep ocean. With funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), our engineering design team constructed a new mass spectrometerbased in situ analysis system for work in the deep ocean environment over prolonged deployment periods. Our design goals were a depth capability of up to 4,000 m water depth (400 bars hydrostatic pressure) and autonomous operation for periods of up to six months to a year, depending upon the type of external battery system used or other deployment circumstances, e.g., availability of a power cable or fuel cell power source. We chose a membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS) sampling approach, which allows for dissolved gases and volatile organics introduction into the mass spectrometer vacuum system. The MIMS approach and the hydrophobic, silicon-coated membrane chosen both draw upon our previous experience with this technology in the deep ocean. The membrane has been tested to 400 bars in a series of longterm hydrostatic pressure tests, which extend the 200-bar working depth rating of this membrane by a factor of 2. Longterm deployment capability of the moderately powered, approximately 100 W system, was accomplished by power management of the embedded computer system and custom electronics with Windows-based and custom software now fully-developed and bench tested. The entire system fits within a 6.5 -inch outside diameter pressure housing that is approximately five feet long. It consists of a 1 to 200 amu range quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with Faraday and electron multiplier detectors, compact turbo-molecular and backing diaphragm vacuum pumps, internal rechargeable batteries, and internal waste vacuum chamber. Sample routing past the MIMS is accomplished by computer -controlled solenoid valves. We designed the pressure housings of both 6AL4V and type 2 titanium alloys that are rated to working depths of >4,000 m and are essentially corrosion proof over long-term deployments. We designed and integrated a fail -safe valving system for both rapid response to high -pressure MIMS failure and a pressure -switch circuit and high-pressure solenoid valve to detect and protect against slow leaks of the MIMS. To route sample waters to the MIMS-based instrument, we also designed and built a rugged plastic plenum that couples to the face of the sampler head, the latter of which consists of the MIMS inlet and a full -ocean rated thermister temperature probe with an operational range from -5 to 50°C. These instrumentation innovations will be described in the paper.
SYNTHESIS OF CHIRAL PYRIDINE BIS(OXAZOLINE) LIGANDS FOR NICKEL-CATALYZED ASYMMETRIC NEGISHI CROSS-COUPLINGS OF SECONDARY ALLYLIC CHLORIDES WITH ALKYLZINCS: 2,6-BIS[(4S)-4,5-DIHYDRO-4-(2-PHENYLETHYL)-2-OXAZOLYL]-PYRIDINE

[Pyridine, 2,6-bis[(4R)-4,5-dihydro-4-(2-phenylethyl)-2-oxazolyl]-] 1. Procedure A. (S)-2-Amino-4-phenylbutan-1-ol (1) An oven-dried, 250-mL, two-necked, round-bottomed flask equipped with a condenser fitted with an argon inlet and a magnetic stirbar was purged with argon for 10 min. Anhydrous THF (200 mL) (Note 1) was added into the flask by syringe through the open neck under a positive pressure of argon. Next, lithium aluminum hydride (3.98 g, 105 mmol, 1.50 equiv) (Note 2) was added through the open neck under a positive pressure of argon, and the solution was stirred at rt until bubbling had ceased. L-Homophenylalanine (12.5 g, 70.0 mmol, 1.00 equiv) (Note 3) was added in portions (500 mg per portion) over 10 min through the open neck under a positive pressure of argon, during which time the solution gently refluxed. Upon completion of the addition, the open neck was capped, and the heterogeneous gray reaction mixture was heated at reflux in an oil bath for 24 h. Next, the mixture was allowed to cool to rt, THF (100 mL) was added, and the solution was cooled to 0 °C in an ice bath. Water (10 mL) was added dropwise over 10 min (Note 4), and then a solution of NaOH (2.5 M, 20 mL) was added in one portion. The resulting mixture was heated at reflux for 20 min until the color of the precipitate changed from gray to white. The warm solution was filtered through a Buchner funnel that contained a bed of celite (1.0 cm height), and the precipitate was washed with warm THF (100 mL). The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure (20 torr) to remove the THF and most the water. The residue was dried azeotropically with toluene (two 50-mL portions) by rotary evaporation (20 torr) and then under high vacuum (0.5 torr) for 2 h, which yielded the desired β-amino alcohol 1 as a white solid (10.6-11.0 g, 92-95% yield) (Note 5) that was used in the next step without further purification. B. (R)-2-Amino-4-phenylbutan-1-ol (2) An oven-dried, 250-mL, two-necked, round-bottomed flask equipped with a condenser fitted with an argon inlet and a magnetic stirbar was purged with argon for 10 min. Anhydrous
When Watchdog Meets Coding

We consider the problem of misbehavior detection in wireless networks. A commonly adopted approach is to exploit the broadcast nature of the wireless medium, where nodes monitor their downstream neighbors locally using overheard messages. We call such nodes the Watchdogs. We propose a lightweight misbehavior detection scheme which integrates the idea of watchdogs and error detection coding. We show that even if the watchdog can only observe a fraction of packets, by choosing the error detection code properly, an attacker can be detected with high probability while achieving throughput arbitrarily close to optimal. Such properties reduce the incentive for the attacker to attack. We then consider the problem of locating the misbehaving node and propose a simple protocol, which locates the misbehaving node with high probability. The protocol requires exactly two watchdogs per unreliable relay node.
A regularization approach to joint blur identification and image restoration

The primary difficulty with blind image restoration, or joint blur identification and image restoration, is insufficient information. This calls for proper incorporation of a priori knowledge about the image and the point-spread function (PSF). A well-known space-adaptive regularization method for image restoration is extended to address this problem. This new method effectively utilizes, among others, the piecewise smoothness of both the image and the PSF. It attempts to minimize a cost function consisting of a restoration error measure and two regularization terms (one for the image and the other for the blur) subject to other hard constraints. A scale problem inherent to the cost function is identified, which, if not properly treated, may hinder the minimization/blind restoration process. Alternating minimization is proposed to solve this problem so that algorithmic efficiency as well as simplicity is significantly increased. Two implementations of alternating minimization based on steepest descent and conjugate gradient methods are presented. Good performance is observed with numerically and photographically blurred images, even though no stringent assumptions about the structure of the underlying blur operator is made.
Notes on Queer 'sN Asian Virtual Sex

(1994). Notes on Queer ‘N Asian Virtual Sex. Amerasia Journal: Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 117-128.
Simulating the effects of cool roof and PCM (phase change materials) based roof to mitigate UHI (urban heat island) in prominent US cities

Abstract UHI (Urban Heat Island) has become a serious concern within major cities due to the increased threat of climate change over time. As UHI intensifies, the energy consumed in urban areas increases through an increase in the cooling demand, and restricts the overall comfort and quality of life in urban regions. UHI mitigation approaches have been widely studied over the past few decades. However, the work presented here evaluates and compares how cool roof and PCM (Phase Change Materials) based roof technologies may perform as UHI mitigation strategies. Detailed thermal energy simulations were conducted with these two strategies over a range of seven climatic zones within the United States. For each mitigation strategy, five different roof types were chosen for the analysis. The results indicate that a higher albedo led to superior energy saving and UHI mitigation for all types of roofing materials. Also, asphalt roofs produced the best results of all the roof types. It was found that insulation did not play a significant role in the reduction of UHI effects. The maximum TRHG (through roof heat gain) flux was 54% lower for the PCM roof than the cool roof at a wide range of albedo. Similarly, the maximum sensible heat flux for the PCM roof type 40% lower than the cool roof technology for varying albedo.
Respecting Other Cultures.

INTRODUCTION Military and civilian providers frequently confront profound cultural challenges both here and abroad. One example recently occurred in a small medical clinic in a remote village in the Middle East. A father brought his daughter in with appendicitis, but said that he would allow her to have an appendectomy only if the surgeon was a woman. The only surgeon in that clinic was male. Out of concern for the girl’s life the clinic staff decided that they could carry out the surgery behind closed doors so that the father wouldn’t know and then lie about the sex of the surgeon. They were also very aware of a similar incident, which occurred in clinic similar to theirs in the same country. There, a father made this same request but a male surgeon did the surgery nevertheless and informed the father afterwards. The surgery was successful, but the daughter was thrown to her death out of a speeding car on the way home from the clinic. With full understanding of the risks, the treatment team chose to do the surgery and their fabrication of the events apparently was successful. This case illustrates starkly how critical momentous cultural conflicts can be. The starting presumption of providers usually should be to respect others’ cultural beliefs, but as this case illustrates, there are times that accommodation of patients’ and the providers’ beliefs cannot be reconciled. In this column I shall consider a range of cases that pose this conflict; some with straightforward ethical answers, others with no clear answers.
Formal definitions of information and knowledge and their role in growth through structural change

Abstract The article provides a way to quantify the role of information and knowledge in growth through structural adjustments. The more is known about environmental patterns, the more growth can be obtained by redistributing resources accordingly among the evolving sectors (e.g. bet-hedging). Formal equations show that the amount of information about the environmental pattern is directly linked to the growth potential. This can be quantified by treating both information and knowledge formally through metrics like Shannon's mutual information and algorithmic Kolmogorov complexity from information theory and computer science. These mathematical metrics emerge naturally from our evolutionary equations. As such, information becomes a quantifiable ingredient of growth. The policy mechanism to convert information and knowledge into growth is structural adjustment. The presented approach is applied to the empirical case of U.S. export to showcase how information converts into growth potential.
The relation of reduction of leukocytes and platelets to complementing power of serum

The role of the leukocytes in the production of complement has been a matter of considerable study and dispute. The greater bulk of work on the subject was done when no clear differentiation had been made between amboceptor and complement, and by various methods of making extracts of white blood corpuscles. In vivo experiments have not received sufficient consideration, and it* is with this point in view that we have attempted to reduce the number of the circulating leukocytes to ascertain whether or not a parallel reduction of complement could be demonstrated.
Population Ecology of Culex tarsalis (Diptera: Culicidae) in a Foothill Environment of Kern County, California: Temporal Changes in Female Relative Abundance, Reproductive Status, and Survivorship

Temporal variations in the relative abundance and reproductive status of a female Culex tarsalis Coquillett population were studied in the arid Sierra Nevada foothills of Kern County, Calif., during the spring, summer, and fall of 1981. Relative abundance patterns in light and CO2 traps and in red box shelters were correlated positively throughout and covaried positively with temperature and C. tarsalis abundance in light traps operated at 22 other sites in rural Kern County. The proportions of empty, virgin, and nulliparous females remained relatively constant from May through late August, after which the proportions of empty and virgin females increased markedly. During autumn the population bifurcated into reproductively inactive (presumably overwintering) and reproductively active components. Release-recapture and laboratory observations indicated that during summer the average duration of the nulliparous period was 6 days and the duration of the gonotrophic cycle was 4 days. Daily survivorship of resting females during May–August was estimated vertically to be 0.74 and 0.87 using two calculation methods. The relationship of these estimates to arbovirus transmission is discussed.
Serial transvaginal ultrasound scans and β-human chorionic gonadotropin levels in early singleton and multiple pregnancies *

Objective To determine if serum β -hCG levels are higher in multiple gestations than in singleton pregnancy at the time of intrauterine sac visualization and the first appearance of fetal heart activity as documented by serial transvaginal ultrasound (US). Design Prospective analysis of serial transvaginal US findings in 19 pregnancies correlated with serum hCG levels during early gestation. Setting Reproductive endocrinology division of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas. Patients Nineteen infertility patients were studied after conceiving. Thirteen underwent IVF or GIFT, 4 received hMG therapy, 1 was treated with clomiphene citrate, and 1 pregnancy followed spontaneous ovulation. Interventions Transvaginal US and hCG levels were obtained every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 20 to 22days after ovulation until the appearance of fetal heart activity. Results Initial sac visualization occurred at lower serum hCG levels in singleton versus multiple pregnancies (2,180±1,170 versus 7,028±4,280 mIU/mL, mean±SD). Sacs were always seen when the serum hCG level (mIU/mL) was ≥1,161 in singleton, 1,556 in twin, 3,372 in triplet, and 9,399 in quadruplet pregnancies. Conclusion Failure to observe an intrauterine sac by transvaginal US in the presence of serum hCG levels in the 1,000 to 2,000 mIU/mL range is not pathognomonic for an ectopic gestation. Clinical symptomatology, risk of multiple pregnancies, and gestational age must also be considered.
Comparative analysis of X-ray emission and dynamics of Cu foil and wire X-pinches

Here we present data from copper foil X-pinch experiments conducted on the 250kA, 150ns rise-time GenASIS driver at UCSD. Previous laser-cut foil experiments on this driver showed that foil X-pinches produced micron-order spot sizes and nanosecond-order single emission pulses1. For the current experiments, three different designs of foils were cut using two different laser-cutting platforms at the General Atomics Laser Micro-Machining (LMM) Center. From these targets we present a dataset including absolutely calibrated flux and both L-shell and K-shell spectroscopy comparing the parameters of foils of different designs to one another and to Cu wire X-pinches of comparable cross-point mass. The foil X-pinches show improved reliability over the wire X-pinches in emission timing, pulse width, source location, single-source production.
Ganglioside GM3 synthase depletion reverses neuropathic pain and small fiber neuropathy in diet-induced diabetic mice

BackgroundSmall fiber neuropathy is a well-recognized complication of type 2 diabetes and has been shown to be responsible for both neuropathic pain and impaired wound healing. In previous studies, we have demonstrated that ganglioside GM3 depletion by knockdown of GM3 synthase fully reverses impaired wound healing in diabetic mice. However, the role of GM3 in neuropathic pain and small fiber neuropathy in diabetes is unknown.PurposeDetermine whether GM3 depletion is able to reverse neuropathic pain and small fibers neuropathy and the mechanism of the reversal.ResultsWe demonstrate that GM3 synthase knockout and the resultant GM3 depletion rescues the denervation in mouse footpad skin and fully reverses the neuropathic pain in diet-induced obese diabetic mice. In cultured dorsal root ganglia from diet-induced diabetic mice, GM3 depletion protects against increased intracellular calcium influx in vitro.ConclusionsThese studies establish ganglioside GM3 as a new candidate responsible for neuropathic pain an...
Large Cavity-Optomechanical Coupling with Graphene at Infrared and Terahertz Frequencies

Graphene exhibits many unusual elastic properties, making it an intriguing material for mechanical measurement and actuation at the quantum limit. We theoretically examine the viability of graphene for cavity optomechanics from near-infrared to terahertz wavelengths, fully taking into account its large optical absorption and dispersion. A large optomechanical coupling coefficient, on the same order of that observed in state-of-the-art optomechanical materials, can be realized in the mid-infrared spectrum with highly doped graphene, a high optical quality factor, and optimal positioning of graphene. Around 100 THz, the dispersive coupling coefficient reaches 180 MHz/nm and 500 MHz/nm in the resolved and unresolved sideband regimes, respectively. We find that predominantly dispersive coupling requires a high graphene Fermi level and mid-infrared excitation, while predominantly dissipative coupling favors a moderate graphene Fermi level and near-infrared excitation.
Using a Narrative Film to Increase Knowledge and Interpersonal Communication About Psychosis Among Latinos

Narrative communication is effective in increasing public awareness while generating dialogue about varied health topics. The current study utilized narrative communication in the form of a 15-minute motivational film titled La CLAve to help Latinos recognize symptoms of psychosis and begin a discussion about serious mental illness. The study aimed to explore the participants’ response to the film and whether the film led to further dialogue about psychosis. Four focus groups were conducted with 40 Spanish-speaking participants, mostly foreign-born Latinas, with a mean age of 49 years. Results indicate that participants engaged with the film as reflected in their ability to recall the storyline in detail. Reports of psychosis knowledge gains included recognition of key symptoms, such as hallucinations and disorganized speech. Participants attributed symptoms of psychosis, observed in a film character, to social stressors and other previously constructed views of mental illness. Many participants discussed...
How to avoid and treat endoscopic complications

Abstract Colonoscopy is a common procedure performed for screening, diagnostic, or therapeutic indications; nevertheless, it is an invasive procedure that has associated risks. Complications of colonoscopy can be divided into four main categories: (1) bleeding, (2) postpolypectomy syndrome, (3) perforation, and (4) rarely, solid organ injury. In this review, we discuss strategies to avoid and treat complications of colonoscopy. Diligent biopsy and use of electrocautery and avoiding looping and blind advancement of the colonoscope minimize the risk of these complications. Management of complications ranges from non-operative conservative management, to minimally invasive endoscopic or laparoscopic techniques, to operative exploration.