cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Delta sigma (ΔΣ) based novel modulation technique replacing “analog” amplitude modulation (AM)

This brief presents a novel idea of replacing the purely analog technique of AM modulation with ΔΣ modulation. The idea is to transmit the pulse wave with same amplitude but varying width with respect to the amplitude of the input signal instead of multiplying the input signal with the carrier as is the case in AM modulation. A system level modeling is presented as a proof of concept followed by the MATLAB results. Circuit level implementation of 1st order delta sigma “AM” modulator is also presented, capable of operating within AM broadcast range and above.
Polarization spectroscopy of room temperature emissions from CpC (cytidylyl-3′,5′-cytidine) and CMP (cytidine monophosphate) in aqueous solution

Abstract Corrected emission spectra and polarization of emission have been measured for CMP and CpC at room temperature, pH 6.8. Self-consistent analysis allows resolution of the CpC emission into three components, suggested to be monomer fluorescence, excimer fluorescence and excimer phosphorescence, the latter a new assignment. Poly C, ApA and poly A behave similarly.
Marketing and the Creative Problem-Solving Process:

In the aggregate, marketing may be conceptualized as the process of offering creative solutions to consumer problems. As such, educational emphasis should be given to increasing students’ knowledge...
Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Letters and Papers from Prison: A Biography. By Martin Marty

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Letters and Papers from Prison: A Biography. By Martin Marty (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2011), xii + 275pp. $24.95 cloth. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German Pro...
Relative distribution of estrone, estradiol and estriol between fetal and maternal perfusates during perfusions of human term placentas with labeled C19 precursors

Abstract Published results from in vivo experiments carried out in Rhesus monkeys and from in vitro perfusions of human term placentas have indicated that placental estradiol (E2) is preferentially released towards the mother whereas estrone (E1) is about evenly distributed between fetal and maternal circulation. In order to examine the distribution of estriol, relative to that of E1 and E2, we have now prepared [3H]16-hydroxyandrostenedione by incubation of [6,7-3H]androstenedione with Streptomyces roseochromogenus and perfused placental cotyledons with mixtures of these two labeled precursors. Measurement of the concentrations of tritiated E1, E2 and E3 in the maternal and fetal perfusates, flowing at approx 10 and 5 ml/min, respectively, indicated that the distribution of E3 is different from that of E2 and resembles the distribution of E1. The simple perfusion system being used shows differences in the distribution of various estrogens between fetal and maternal perfusates which may reflect the in vivo situation and offers the opportunity for experimental examination of various explanations for these differences, e.g. existence of specific carrier systems in the syncytial membranes, specific binding of the estrogens to secreted placental proteins, and actions of placental and decidual 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases.
Effects of 5-fluorouracil on flexor tendon repair.

Abstract This study was performed to assess the effects of a single 5-minute exposure of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) applied topically at the time of flexor tendon repair in an attempt to reduce postoperative adhesions. The flexor digitorum profundus tendon to the long and fourth toe of Leghorn chickens was lacerated and primarily repaired using a 2-strand technique. The repair site was then exposed to a single 5-minute application of 5-FU in concentrations of 5, 25, or 50 mg/mL. Legs were casted for 3 weeks. After death the tendon was examined for the work of flexion using a tensile testing machine and examined with light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy for morphologic and histologic differences in adhesion formation. Forty-seven chickens were examined. Average work of flexion values were 0.12 J for normal tendon, 0.31 J for operative controls, 0.34 J for the 5 mg/mL group, 0.15 J for the 25 mg/mL group, and 0.19 J for the 50 mg/mL group. The work of flexion was significantly reduced in the 25 and 50 mg/mL groups compared with the operative controls (p = .008 and p = .03, respectively). Histologic sections as graded by a blinded pathologist revealed decreased adhesion formation in all the 5-FU-treated animals (p
Syntheses and Structures of Phenyl-C81-Butyric Acid Methyl Esters (PCBMs) from M3N@C80

Two new 6,6-open phenyl-C(81)-butyric acid methyl ester metallofulleroids, M(3)N@C(80)PCBM (M = Sc, Y), were synthesized by diazoalkane addition reactions and fully characterized. The results demonstrate that the reactive sites are the same for M(3)N@C(80) (M = Sc, Y) but dramatically different from that of C(60).
Multiplication in vitro of a Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus in Insect Amœbocytes

CULTURE, in vitro, of nuclear polyhedrosis virus has been achieved, so far, in cells derived from what appears to be the outer epithelial sheath of the larval ovariole of Lepidoptera1,2. Grace3 reported virus induction in vitro in cells from explants of the same organ.
MPTP produces a mosaic-like pattern of terminal degeneration in the caudate nucleus of dog

Abstract This paper describes the spatial pattern of terminal degeneration in the caudate nucleus and putamen of the dog following an injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Marked inhomogeneities in the field of terminal degeneration were found in the head of the caudate nucleus, which are reminiscent of the fundamental patch/matrix organization of the striatum. Using MPTP as a selective lesioning method, our results provide further evidence that the dopaminergic, nigrostriatal projection has a heteregeneous organization.
IQ and Economic Development: A Critique of Lynn and Vanhanen

We re-examine Lynn and Vanhanen's argument that gross domestic product (GDP) depends upon IQ. We argue that their analysis suffers from three types of biases, each of which would tend to erroneously favor their hypothesis. Despite this stacked deck, we find that their results are rather fragile. Rather, education has a stronger impact on GDP than does IQ, whose effect we find to be insignificant. In other words, it is a country's actual human capital, rather than its potential human capital, which determines its GDP. In short, we are unable to replicate their results.
Effect of Triton X-100 on the electrophoretic mobility of solubilized intestinal brush border membrane dipeptidyl peptidase IV

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (dipeptidylpeptide hydrolase, EC 3.4.14.-) was solubilized from a rat intestinal mucosal brush border membrane preparation in varying concentrations of Triton X-100. Samples of a solubilized supernatant fraction were subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the activities of several brush border enzymes were measured in gel slices following elution of the enzymes from the gel. At low concentrations of Triton X-100 (0.5%), two peaks of dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity were observed suggesting the presence of two electrophoretically distinct enzymes. However with increasing Triton X-100 concentrations, the slower migrating species was converted to a faster migrating form and only one major band of activity was observed at 10% Triton. These results indicate that there is only one form of the enzyme and that care must be taken when interpreting the electrophoretic patterns of detergent solubilized membrane bound enzymes.
Evaluation of Agronomic and Seed Characteristics in Elevated Oleic Acid Soybean Lines in the South-Eastern US

Increasing oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid, is reported to strike the best balance between cold flow properties and oxidative stability in soybean seed oil to enhance biodiesel and produce a better burning fuel. In addition, it is important that elevated oleic acid soybeans have the agronomic traits of local cultivars and maintain oleic acid stability across environments. Research was conducted in 2007–2008 to evaluate six Roundup Ready® soybean recombinant inbred lines exhibiting enhanced levels of oleic acid. The six elevated oleic lines averaged a 55% increase in oleic acid and a 43% decrease in linolenic acid over the two commercial cultivars (AG3906 and AG4103). Some elevated oleic acid genotypes fulfilled the linear regression definition of a stable genotype. TN03-93RR was the best genotype because of its oleic acid content (397 g kg−1) and desirable regression estimates for stability. Iodine value (IV), peroxide value (PV), and induction period (IP) were used to evaluate the fuel properties of the two lines with the highest oleic acid content and the two commercial cultivars. The elevated oleic acid lines had significantly better IP, PV and IV for better biodiesel properties and oxidative stability than the two commercial cultivars.
Measurement program for the Green Bank Telescope

The development of metrology instrumentation needed for realization of the active surface and precision pointing for the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) presents the opportunity for a complete characterization of this complex structure prior to the first astronomical observations. It is our intention to use the metrology program to evaluate the completed telescope and to point the way to improvements in performances. We also anticipate using the instrumentation for early detection of possible developing faults in the structure and the foundation. For the first time, it should be possible to derive parameters that determine the repeatable pointing variations as a function of elevation and azimuth position prior to astronomical observations. The measurement program will also give an estimate of the non-repeatable pointing errors resulting from thermal gradients within the structure. Laser rangefinders surrounding the telescope permit the non- invasive measurement of thermal and gravitationally induced deformations within the structure at the 100 micron accuracy level. These measurements, and others, will be used to confirm the finite element analysis of the structure and to predict the performance of the completed telescope. This paper outlines the instrumentation used in the measurement program and gives the results obtained to date. These include dominant modal resonances in the structure, along with the damping coefficients associated with these resonances.
Perceptions and Usability of a Mining Vest High and Low Seam Heights

As miners are expected to wear more and more equipment, space and capacity on their mining belt is becoming scarce. To combat this, several companies have recently developed vests for mining. We explored the usability, acceptance, and performance of one of the mining vests through a field evaluation. A total of 18 miners across various positions were recruited from high and med/low seam underground coal mines to wear a mining vest over a six-week period. Results confirm that comfort, especially related to overhead work, was a key factor to the usability of the vests, and comfort was a bigger factor in the lower seam mine than the higher. Reports of various other factors are included in this publication. Despite other concerns, the miners remained positive and interested in the concept of a mining vest, especially for certain occupations. With some modification, the mining vest could be an effective way to house the necessary equipment traditionally worn on a belt.
On selecting the largest success probability under unequal sample sizes

Abstract Let π1,…,πk be k≥3 independent binomial populations, from which Xi∼B(ni,Pi), i = 1,…,k, respectively, have been observed. The problem under concern is to find that population which is associated with the largest of the unknown ‘success probabilities’ p1,…,pk. Under the ‘0–1’ loss, some linear loss which occurs in gambling, and a general monotone, permutation invariant loss, interesting properties of Bayes rules are studied for priors which are permutation invariant, as well as for priors which are not invariant but have a (DT)-posterior density with respect to some symmetric measure. Examples of independent beta-priors are included.
Diversification of Cyclooxygenase-2-Derived Prostaglandins in Ovulation and Implantation

Previous observations of ovulation and fertilization defects in cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-deficient mice suggested that COX-2-derived ovarian prostaglandins (PGs) participate in these events. However, the specific PG and its mode of action were unknown. Subsequent studies revealed that mice deficient in EP(2), a PGE(2)-receptor subtype, have reduced litter size, apparently resulting from poor ovulation but more dramatically from impaired fertilization. Using a superovulation regimen and in vitro culture system, we demonstrate herein that the ovulatory process, not follicular growth, oocyte maturation, or fertilization, is primarily affected in adult COX-2- or EP(2)-deficient mice. Furthermore, our results show that in vitro-matured and -fertilized eggs are capable of subsequent preimplantation development. However, severely compromised ovulation in adult COX-2- or EP(2)-deficient mice is not manifested in immature (3-wk-old) COX-2- or EP(2)-deficient mice, suggesting that the process of ovulation is more dependent on PGs in adult mice. Although the processes of implantation and decidualization are defective in COX-2(-/-) mice, our present results demonstrate that these events are normal in EP(2)-deficient mice, as determined by embryo transfer and experimentally induced decidualization. Collectively, previous and present results suggest that whereas COX-2-derived PGE(2) is essential for ovulation via activation of EP(2), COX-2-derived prostacyclin is involved in implantation and decidualization via activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta.
Spin-polarized two-dimensional electron gas through electrostatic doping in LaAlO 3 / EuO heterostructures

We carry out a first-principles study of stoichiometric heterostructures composed of polar oxide ${\text{LaAlO}}_{3}$ and ferromagnetic semiconductor EuO. We show that electrostatic doping achieved by an electric field in the polar oxide leads to a fully spin-polarized two dimensional electron gas at the interface. This mechanism contrasts with a previous calculation of the ${\text{LaAlO}}_{3}/\text{EuO}$ interface in which electron doping is introduced through a nonstoichiometric ${\text{LaAlO}}_{3}$ layer. Our system allows a low level of doping in EuO that is comparable to the Gd-doped EuO found in recently reported experiment, and is thickness controllable. We predict a change of magnetic moment of Eu and increase of the Curie temperature in the doped layers of EuO.
An Unusual Cause of Progressive Head Enlargement following Proteus Mirabilis Meningitis

SUMMARY A treated case of Proteus mirabilis meningitis complicated by multiple intracranial arachnoid cysts is reported. These cysts, acting as space-occupying lesions, gave rise to progressive head enlargement and an initial misdiagnosis of hydrocephalus. The importance of recognising the possibility of this complication is stressed in order to initiate appropriate investigation and treatment for progressive head enlargement in the post-meningiticperiod.
Is America Coming Apart

In his recent book Coming Apart: The State of White America, Charles Murray looks at both trends in behavior and differences in behavior between those with high education and occupational prestige and those with low. According to his indicators, the trends in the last half-century show a falling away from traditional values and widening disparities in behavior between the upper and lower classes. After briefly reviewing his main evidence, I turn to more extensive data that, by and large, support his claims about trends. However, they provide less support for his claims about a divergence in the values between those with high and low educational levels.
Anatomy and surgery of the inferior oblique muscle: Recent findings

Background: Surgery of the inferior oblique muscle (IO) has undergone significant changes in the past 160 years. Many investigators have contributed to our understanding of the action of this muscle and to the surgical options that have developed. This article reviews the history of IO surgery with particular emphasis on the anterior transposition procedure. Methods: Anatomic and physiologic studies on the neurofibrovascular bundle of the IO are presented. Results: The ligamentous structure of the neurofibrovascular bundle of the IO provides the ancillary origin for the posterior temporal fibers of the IO when its insertion is transposed anteriorly. Discussion: Recent anatomic findings have helped explain the effects of the anterior transposition procedure and allow further development of our surgical armamentarium for vertical strabismus problems. Further nasal transposition of that insertion should reduce or eliminate the incidence of the antielevation syndrome. If transposed far nasally, the IO could convert to an intorter, as well as to an antielevator and tonic depressor. (J AAPOS 2001;5:203-8)
An all-fiber high-energy cladding-pumped 93 nanosecond Q-switched fiber laser using an Y 3+-doped fiber saturable absorber

We report an all-fiber passively Q-switched laser using a large mode area (LMA) Yb 3+ -doped fiber claddingpumped at 915 nm and an unpumped single-mode (SM) Yb3 + -doped fiber as the saturable absorber (SA). The saturable absorber SM fiber and LMA gain fiber were coupled with a fiber taper designed to match the fundamental spatial mode of the LMA fiber and the expanded LP01 mode of the single mode fiber. The amplified spontaneous (ASE) intensity propagating in the single mode SA saturates the absorption before the onset of gain depletion in the pumped fiber, switching the fiber cavity to a high Q-state and producing a pulse. Using this scheme we demonstrate a Q-switched all-fiber oscillator with 32 μJ 93 ns pulses at 1030 nm. The associated peak power is nearly two orders of magnitude larger than that reported in previous experimental studies using a single Yb +3 saturable absorber fiber. The pulse energy was amplified to 0.230 mJ using an Yb 3+ -doped cladding pumped fiber amplifier fusion spliced to the fiber oscillator, increasing the energy by eight fold while preserving the all-fiber architecture.
Chromatin features and the epigenetic regulation of pluripotency states in ESCs

In pluripotent stem cells, the interplay between signaling cues, epigenetic regulators and transcription factors orchestrates developmental potency. Flexibility in gene expression control is imparted by molecular changes to the nucleosomes, the building block of chromatin. Here, we review the current understanding of the role of chromatin as a plastic and integrative platform to direct gene expression changes in pluripotent stem cells, giving rise to distinct pluripotent states. We will further explore the concept of epigenetic asymmetry, focusing primarily on histone stoichiometry and their associated modifications, that is apparent at both the nucleosome and chromosome-wide levels, and discuss the emerging importance of these asymmetric chromatin configurations in diversifying epigenetic states and their implications for cell fate control.
Towards discovering organizational structure from email corpus

Email logs people's communication history which provides valuable information regarding the infrastructure of an organization. In this paper, a two-phase framework is introduced to attack the problem of leadership discovery in an organization based on email communication history among the employees. Two heuristic metrics are proposed for evaluating pair-wise leadership factors among a group of employees. We also address several issues in discovering the organization's structure through mining leadership graph constructed from the leadership factors. Experimental studies are carried out by applying the framework to Enron email corpus.
Game-Theoretic Approach for Primary-Secondary User Power Control Under Fast Flat Fading Channels

Power control is an important concern in cognitive radio networks in which secondary users compete to access spectrum allocated to primary users. However, most existing studies have ignored the impact of primary users and only considered the interactions between secondary users. Hence in this study a realistic primary-secondary game-theoretic scheme is proposed in which primary users are rewarded for sharing their spectrum. The proposed model is analyzed for Rician and Rayleigh fast flat fading channels. In addition, closed-form expressions are also derived for the average utility functions and the existence of a unique Nash equilibrium is also shown. Finally, detailed simulation results are presented to verify the realistic performance of the scheme under those new channel conditions.
Can Assessment Drive Instruction? Understanding the Impact of One State's Alternate Assessment

Connecticut's Skills Checklist was developed in response to federal policy that requires all students with significant cognitive disabilities participate in state assessments and be included in measures of adequate yearly progress. Test developers had high expectations for this assessment. In addition to its function as an accountability measure, the assessment was designed to change the nature of classroom instruction for this population. In this study, special education teachers in Grades 4, 6, and 10 completed a survey of their instructional practices after submitting accountability data. Combined survey and accountability data indicated that teachers did not instruct students on the breadth of content included on the Skills Checklist. Study data suggest patterns of academic content that are accessible not only for this population of students but for their teachers as well. Moreover, findings from this study have profound implications on the validity of the assessment data.
Disaster Preparedness and Families of Children with Special Needs: A Geographic Comparison

Over eleven million children in the United States have special health care needs. These unique needs can burden community and emergency responders after a disaster, complicating rescue and recovery efforts and generating reunification needs. Family disaster preparedness can help to moderate the extent that community resources are utilized by preparing families to be self-sustaining after a disaster and streamline access to medical care when needed. This study explored differences in two populations of families of children with special health care needs to determine if geographic differences exist in preparedness levels and whether a brief education intervention would prove successful in increasing baseline preparedness levels across both populations. A brief education intervention was delivered by trained community health educators to 210 families of children with special health care needs. A quasiexperimental pre-posttest design was used to compare baseline preparedness levels and 1 month follow-up levels. Although there was no difference in preparedness levels based on geographic location, both populations demonstrated a statistically significant increase in preparedness levels post-intervention. This study provides additional evidence that a brief education intervention helps to increase preparedness levels among families of children with special health care needs.
A randomized trial of two print interventions to increase colon cancer screening among first-degree relatives

Abstract Objective First-degree relatives (FDRs) of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) have a two- to threefold increased risk of developing the same disease. Tailored print interventions based on behavior change theories have demonstrated considerable promise in facilitating health-promoting behaviors. This study compared the impact of two mailed print interventions on CRC screening outcomes among FDRs. Methods This randomized trial compared effects of two mailed print interventions – one tailored and one nontailored – on participation in CRC screening among FDRs of CRC survivors. Data collected via phone interviews from 140 FDRs at baseline, 1 week post-intervention, and 3 months post-intervention. Results At 3 months, both the tailored and nontailored interventions yielded modest but statistically insignificant increases in adherence to any CRC screening test (14% vs. 21%, respectively; p = 0.30). While there were no main effects for tailored versus nontailored interventions, there were significant interactions that showed that the tailored print intervention had significantly greater effects on forward stage movement for CRC screening depending on stage of adoption at baseline, race, and objective CRC risk. Receipt of the tailored intervention was 2.5 times more likely to move baseline precontemplators and contemplators forward in stage of adoption for colonoscopy (95% CI: 1.10–5.68) and was three times more likely to move Caucasians forward in stage of adoption for FOBT (95% CI: 1.00–9.07). In addition, the tailored intervention was 7.7 times more likely to move people at average risk forward in stage of adoption for colonoscopy (95% CI: 1.25–47.75). Conclusion The tailored print intervention was more effective at moving Caucasians, those in precontemplation and contemplation at baseline, and those at average risk forward in their stage of adoption for CRC screening. Practice implications Both tailored and nontailored print interventions showed moderate effects for increasing CRC screening participation. Tailored print interventions may be more effective for certain subgroups.
Acceptability of Freeze-dried Pheasant Meat

Abstract Freeze-drying was studied as a means of preservation for pheasant meat. Variables evaluated were raw versus cooked meat (freeze-dried, and fresh dressed birds versus raw frozen birds (freeze-dried). A taste panel indicated preference for the cooked, freeze-dried meat. Flavor differences were the primary determinant, with few other differences noted between the raw (freeze-dried) and the cooked (freeze-dried) products. Although the fresh freeze-dried samples and the frozen freeze-dried meat appeared to reconstitute similarly and exhibited identical shear tenderness values, the panel preferred the fresh product. The cooked freeze-dried meat was more readily rehydrated; however, by comparison of shear values, the raw freeze-dried meat was more tender.
Research Resource Facility Satellite Meeting

More than 100 attendees from 13 different countries participated in discussions of problems found in the operation of core laboratories. The meeting was opened by Ron Niece who described how this meeting grew out of the realization at the Symposium of American Protein Chemists in San Diego in 1985 that many protein sequencing service facilities share common problems. A survey of interested facility directors identified topics for discussion at this meeting.
Association between statin therapy and reductions in atrial fibrillation or flutter and inappropriate shock therapy

Aims In patients without implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), statins have been shown to reduce the incidence of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter (AF/AFL). We sought to determine if statin therapy could reduce the occurrence of AF/AFL with rapid ventricular rates with and without inappropriate shock therapy among a large heterogeneous ICD cohort. Methods and results We prospectively followed 1445 consecutive patients receiving an ICD for the primary (n ¼ 833) or secondary (n ¼ 612) prevention from December 1997 through January 2007. Outcome measures include incidence of AF/AFL that initiated ICD therapy or was detected during ICD interrogation. Cox hazard regression analyses were conducted to determine the predictors of AF/AFL with and without inappropriate shock delivery and did not include inappropriate shocks resulting from lead dysfunction or other exogenous factors. Patients in this study (n ¼ 1445) were followed over a mean follow-up period of (mean+ SD) 874+ 805 days. There were 563 episodes of AF/AFL detected, with 200 episodes resulting in inappropriate shock therapy. Overall, 745 patients received statin therapy and 700 did not. The use of statin therapy was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.472 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.349–0.638, P , 0.001] for the development of AF/AFL with shock therapy and 0.613 (95% CI, 0.496–0.758, P , 0.001) without shock therapy when compared with the group without statin use. Conclusion Among a cohort with ICDs at high risk for cardiac arrhythmias, statin therapy was associated with a reduction in AF/AFL tachyarrhythmia detection and inappropriate shock therapy.
Unifying multi-paradigms in software system design

Large software systems are often aimed to deal with problems of multi-application domains or disciplines, where each class of problems has its own defining features, difficulties and emphases. No existing computation model or design paradigm is appropriate for all varieties of problems faced in software design. A unification of existing computation paradigms is thus necessary to accommodate the diverse needs in system design. In this paper, the authors propose a framework based on the notions of logical entity abstraction and instantiation (LEAI), which enables a user to select appropriate computation paradigms to design various parts (or subsystems) of a software system, and to compose the parts into a integrated system. An example is given to illustrate the application of the framework. >
Theory, simulation and measurement of chemical mass shifts in RF quadrupole ion traps

Abstract A comprehensive description of chemical mass shifts in the RF quadrupole ion trap (Paul trap) is given and their origin is explained. Extending a previously proposed model, it is shown that chemical mass shifts are a result of an ejection delay caused by field imperfections in RF ion traps with non-optimized geometry, in particular, field imperfections resulting from holes in the end-cap electrodes, and of compound-dependent modifications of this ejection delay by collisions of the ions with the buffer gas. Elastic collisions change peak shapes and peak widths, but give rise to only very small chemical mass shifts. Inelastic collisions, which result in dissociation, can lead to large chemical mass shifts. The field imperfections present in real ion traps are examined, and differences in the ion ejection behavior and in the chemical mass shifts occurring in boundary ejection and resonance ejection scans are investigated. The dependence of the shifts on the trap geometry, on the buffer gas pressure, on the RF amplitude scan rate, on ion mass, and on ion chemical structure, are explained. The proposed model for chemical mass shifts is validated through experimental measurements and quantitative simulations using the ion trap simulation program ITSIM. It is shown that peak shapes in mass spectra can be reproduced or predicted by simulations, for ion traps with a variety of geometries and operating conditions. Very good agreement between simulations and experiments is found, provided experimental and simulated geometries differ slightly in the end-cap separation, indicating that additional previously neglected field imperfections may be present in common RF ion traps.
Human CD34+ cell preparations contain over 100-fold greater NOD/SCID mouse engrafting capacity than do CD34− cell preparations

Abstract Objective The CD34 cell surface marker is used widely for stem/progenitor cell isolation. Since several recent studies reported that CD34 − cells also have in vivo engrafting capacity, we quantitatively compared the engraftment potential of CD34 + vs CD34 − cell preparations from normal human placental/umbilical cord blood (CB), bone marrow (BM), and mobilized peripheral blood (PBSC) specimens, using the nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mouse model. Methods CD34 + and CD34 − cell preparations were purified by four different approaches in 14 individual experiments involving 293 transplanted NOD/SCID mice. In most experiments, CD34 + cells were depleted twice (CD34 = ) in order to obtain efficient depletion of CD34 + cells from the CD34 − cell preparations. Results Dose-dependent levels of human hematopoietic cells were observed after transplantation of CD34 + cell preparations. To rigorously assess the complementary CD34 − cell preparations, cell doses 10- to 1000-fold higher than the minimum dose of the CD34 + cell preparations necessary for engraftment were transplanted. Nevertheless, of 125 NOD/SCID mice transplanted with CD34 − cell preparations purified from the same starting cells, only six mice had detectable human hematopoiesis, by flow cytometric or PCR assay. Conclusions CD34 − cells provide only a minor contribution to hematopoietic engraftment in this in vivo model system, as compared to CD34 + cells from the same samples of noncultured human cells. Hematopoiesis derived from actual CD34 − cells is difficult to distinguish from that due to CD34 + cells potentially contaminating the preparations.
Evaluation of standard product models for supporting automated erection of structural steelwork

Automation is being increasingly explored as a possible solution for safely increasing productivity in structural steelwork erection. A piece of automation equipment has no intrinsic knowledge of the steel erection process. Thus, geometric and spatial member information, and the motion sequences that must be executed to install steel members must both be programmed into the equipment. This research investigates the extent to which the CIMsteel Integration Standards (CIS/2) can support automated steelwork erection. Algorithms to interpret steel member geometry and spatial configuration from CIS/2 files were designed. Then, using inverse kinematics principles from robotics literature, a kinematically smart crane capable of accepting robot-like instructions was implemented in 3D virtual reality. The crane was programmed to utilize the algorithms to automatically extract member information from CIS/2, and to use that information to compile assembly instructions for erecting the structure in the virtual world. Based on the obtained results, it was found that CIS/2 does encapsulate the basic geometry and position and orientation of steel members in a format that, after geo-referencing, can be used to support automated steelwork erection. However, several processing steps are necessary to compute the information needed from the CIS/2 model for the process description of erection needed by the automation equipment.
Quantum well modulators for optical beam steering applications

The authors demonstrate the possibility of laser beam control with a dynamic grating constructed of Fabry-Perot reflection modulators. Individually addressed stripes composed of quantum well reflection modulators form a diffraction grating capable of high resolution and large scanning angles. The authors obtained control of the far field pattern in the optical regime. Since the far field is a Fourier transform of the spatial reflectivity of the device, it was possible to steer a laser beam by imposing a pattern that oscillates spatially on the stripes. A simple setup results in a continuous scanning angle of 2 degrees and an output beam width of about 0.1 degrees . >
Distributed joint source-channel coding of video

Based on recent works on source-channel coding for Wyner-Ziv coding, we consider the case with noisy channel in Wyner-Ziv coding and address distributed joint source-channel coding, while targeting at the important application of video transmission over packet erasure channels. The idea is to use a single channel code for both Slepian-Wolf coding (or source coding with side information at the decoder) and erasure protection. We choose Raptor codes - the best approximation to a digital fountain - for the targeted application and study both encoder and decoder designs under the new setting of distributed joint source-channel coding. Our work represents the first in capitalizing the latest in distributed source coding (e.g., Wyner-Ziv video coding) and near-capacity channel coding (e.g., fountain codes) for robust video transmission over erasure channels.
Adaptive Unification of Diverse, Distributed Computing Resources for IT Convergence

Modern businesses face significant obstacles in fully leveraging the increasing amount of diverse, distributed, and dynamic computing resources. IT convergence requires collaborative, adaptive distributed processing combined with a rich knowledge structure to dynamically integrate the diverse resources and efficiently forge them into useful business tools. This study presents an integrated framework, called Semantic Multi-agent Overlay Network (SMAON), for effectively unifying diverse, distributed computing resources for IT convergence. SMAON forms agent technology and the semantic web into a unified overlay network. The SMAON framework is currently in an early-deployed stage and shows promise in selectively leveraging the full potential of computing resources.
Asynchronous interference suppression in broadband cyclic-prefix communications

This paper explores asynchronous interference suppression in cyclic prefix communication systems such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). An asynchronous interferer is defined as a signal whose cyclic prefix does not line up in time with the desired signal's cyclic prefix. First, this paper presents an analysis of frequency-domain approaches to show that traditional circular-convolution based approaches cannot perfectly suppress the asynchronous interferer unless the number of receive elements is greater than the number of spatially distinct multipath rays. Second, this paper exploits the cyclic redundancy to design semi-blind space-time weights that are very effective at combating both synchronous and asynchronous interference. Simulation results demonstrate that frequency-domain weights have difficulty in suppressing asynchronous interference and also show the effectiveness of the proposed semi-blind suppression technique.
Pharmacokinetic - pharmacodynamic modeling of analgesic drugs in beef cattle

Bovine castration is performed on approximately 15 million cattle in the United States annually. Surgical castration with a scalpel followed by testicular removal using manual twisting (cattle 90 kg) are the most common methods of castration performed in the USA. A survey of US veterinarians found that one in five practitioners report using analgesics or a local anesthetic at the time of castration. However, these drugs have not been formally approved by the FDA for pain relief. Validated methods of pain assessment are required in order to determine if analgesic drugs are efficacious. Potential pain assessment methods include plasma cortisol determination, plasma Substance P determination, accelerometers, thermography, chute exit speed, heart rate determination and electrodermal activity measurements. Studies have shown that a combination of butorphanol (0.01 - 0.025 mg/kg); xylazine (0.02 - 0.05 mg/kg) and ketamine (0.04 - 0.1 mg/kg) can mitigate these responses. Research is underway to further characterize the activity of analgesic drugs administered prior to castration.
Safe use of glucocorticoids. How to monitor patients taking these potent agents.

PreviewGlucocorticoids must be used with extreme caution. They are very powerful on their own and can become even more so if taken in combination with drugs (eg, estrogens) or in the presence of conditions (eg, liver disease) that prolong drug clearance. Dr Cook explains properties of glucocorticoids and aspects of their administration that should be understood by all physicians who prescribe these agents.
The Portrayal of Power: The Framing of EMILY's List in the News Media

In recent years, EMILY’s List has emerged onto the political scene by raising huge bucks for pro-choice Democratic women candidates. Little is known, however, about the news coverage of EMILY’s List as a political organization. This paper explores the portrayal of EMILY’s List in the news media through a two-pronged qualitative content analysis. I first examine New York Times coverage of EMILY’s List from 1985 to 2006; then, I analyze the media response to EMILY’s List involvement in six U.S. Senate campaigns in 2006. I find that EMILY’s List is often portrayed within an opposition frame that focuses on three main competitors: Republican women, the pro-life faction, and the conservative right. Furthermore, media coverage is largely balanced, causing EMILY’s List to appear as a viable competitor with these counterparts. In actuality, EMILY’s List is one of the nation’s leading political action committees, and its fundraising figures dwarf those of their 'opponents.' Inaccurate and misleading comparisons of EMILY’s List are indicative of the enduring second-class status of women in the political sphere.
A Networked Boost Burglary Co-Offending and Repeat Victimization Using a Network Approach

Burglarized locations are at an elevated risk of re-victimization soon after an initial offense. The current study uses a two-mode network approach to examine three possible mechanisms of repeat victimization: (a) The characteristics of a location make the target attractive to all motivated offenders, (b) the same offender returns to the offense location multiple times, or (c) other offender(s), to whom the primary offender is connected, commit subsequent offenses. The results support all three mechanisms, but particularly the same offender returning for subsequent offenses. These “returners” are generally more experienced, more connected burglary offenders. Significantly, however, repeat victimizations not committed by the same offender(s) often involve connected co-offenders, a mechanism for repeat victimization that has not been previously demonstrated empirically.
Where We Get Thucydides Wrong: The Fallacies of History’s First “Hegemonic” War

ABSTRACTThucydides’ History remains the basis for numerous claims within International Relations Theory, contributing to defining concepts from the security dilemma to the dynamics of bi-polarity and hegemonic transition theory. But the historical record that underpins Thucydides’ History provides a more complex view of the rivalry between Athens and Sparta. This analysis argues that basing explanations for the Great Peloponnesian War on the premise of Spartan “fear” is incomplete. A bi-polar, hegemonic rivalry did not lock-in the two states; they existed in a complex multi-polar system. This multi-polarity allowed other actors—notably Corinth—to play a key role in the outbreak of war. It was consideration for alliances, empires, and political rivalries within the context of multi-polarity, rather than a prosaic Spartan “fear,” that were at the heart of the war. These unique characteristics combined with the misrepresentation of the historical record, make generalising from the Peloponnesian War dangerous.
Calculations on tunneling in the reactions of noradamantyl carbenes.

Noradamantylchlorocarbene has been found experimentally to undergo ring expansion to 2-chloroadamantene at cryogenic temperatures. The rate constant, calculated with inclusion of small-curvature tunneling, is within a factor of 2 of the rate constant measured at 9 K in a nitrogen matrix. Our calculations predict that noradamantylfluorocarbene will not be found to rearrange under these conditions. The rate constant for carbon tunneling in the ring expansion of noradamantylmethylcarbene (1d) to 2-methyladamantene at T ≲ 10 K is calculated to be lower by more than 8 orders of magnitude than the rate constant for formation of 3-vinylnoradamantane from 1d by hydrogen migration.
Matching residents to pathology fellowships: the road less traveled?

Mandates for pathology training are a topic sure to surface “hot button” issues whatever the venue or whatever the combination of viewpoints gathered around the water cooler. A national pathology fellowship match administered by the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) is the latest in a series of controversies affecting residents preparing for a future in our discipline and the programs entrusted with their education and professional development. Crawford and coauthors,1 representing the Association of Pathology Chairs (APC) and its program directors section (PRODS), argue in this issue of the Journal that a pan-pathology fellowship match is the best solution for problems exacerbated by changes in credentialing requirements for board certification in pathology. Other opinion leaders and organizations, including the Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology (ADASP), are unconvinced. The primary rationale for a pan-pathology fellowship match offered by Crawford and colleagues1 is the perception of “widespread dissatisfaction” among affected residents driven primarily by a single event in 2007 at which only a small fraction of the national resident pool was present and fewer still accounted for the residents sufficiently motivated to “overrun” the microphone. More inclusive data drawn from American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Resident In-Service Examination surveys showed that, in fact, only a minority of pathology residents were in favor of a fellowship match when asked in 2007 (39%), 2008 (26%), and 2010 (47%).1 Paradoxically, the same survey results showed that a consistent majority supported having a uniform fellowship application timeline. In an independent survey targeting members of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Residents Forum and the ASCP Resident Liaison Network, only 43% of resident respondents were in favor of a match despite also identifying absence of clear and consistent application deadlines as an issue for fellowship applicants.2 These results resonate …
Anti-kidney cytotoxic antibodies in human renal allografts.

Periodic comparisons were made of sera from two groups of patients, ten who rejected their renal transplants within a year after transplantation and ten who successfully maintained their transplanted kidneys for five years or more. What appeared to be anti-kidney cytotoxic antibodies were found in much higher levels in the sera of those patients with the short-lived transplants, the difference in titer levels between the two groups being significant at the .0001 levels. This antibody showed no correlation with either the presence or the absence of lymphocytotoxic antibodies, nor did it appear to have any relationship to the HL-A antigens or the previous renal disease of the recipient patient. While it was cytotoxic to tissue cultures of cells obtained from random human kidneys, human kidney tumor cells (Wilms), and human embryonic kidneys, this antibody did not react with non-renal human tissues (lung, spleen, deltoid muscle, foreskin). It did not react with nonhuman (simian) kidney tissue culture cells. The findings suggest the appearance of an organ-specific, cytotoxic anti-kidney antibody in patients undergoing renal homograft rejection.
Complete Conformal Metrics of Negative Ricci Curvature on Euclidean Spaces

We show the existence and nonexistence results of complete conformal metrics with prescribed symmetric functions of the eigenvalues of the Ricci tensor defined on negative cones on Euclidean spaces. Our results are sharp under certain decay conditions of the prescribed curvature functions.
17O-NMR spectroscopy to study the coordination of oxygen-based ligands to lanthanide ions in solution

AbstractThe number of oxygen-based ligands coordinated to lanthanide ions influences the physical and chemical properties of lanthanide complexes, making this number important to study. We used peak shifts in 17O-NMR spectroscopy to determine the number of individual nonhydroxyl-oxygen-based ligands coordinated to Dy3+. Oxygen-containing organic solvents were used as models to represent oxygen-based ligands to explore the scope of the technique because they contain a range of functional groups that have different electron-donating abilities and steric bulk. The measured coordination numbers of dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, acetone, diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, di-isopropyl ketone, and hexamethyl acetone were consistent with reasonable values, indicating that 17O-NMR spectroscopy is a useful technique to study the coordination chemistry of nonhydroxyl ligands to lanthanide ions in solution.