cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Grid Refinement in Numerical Models for Water Flow and Chemical Transport in Soil: A Review

Insufficient spatial or temporal resolution is a common source of errors in numerical solutions for both water flow and solute transport in the variably unsaturated vadose zone. Evaporation near the surface, as well as infiltration into initially dry soil profiles, typically create mobile local regions with large gradients of the pressure head. Convection-dominant transport of solutes during water flow in soil also tends to create steep moving fronts of concentration with large localized concentration gradients. Groundwater flow and solute transport in highly heterogeneous aquifers similarly tend to be preferentially channeled through regions of high flow rates. Without due consideration of special resolution requirements for such critical cases of flow and transport, simulations using traditional finite difference (FDM) and finite element (FEM) numerical methods typically provide inaccurate solutions characterized by undesirable features such as oscillation and numerical dispersion. Incorporation of local adaptive grid refinement (LAGR) algorithms in numerical models for solving such cases is an effective approach that has been used to provide accurate numerical approximations by automated adjustment of local spatial resolution. Local error estimates are typically utilized to optimize spatial resolution. Definite advantages, as well as some limitations, exist for using LAGR algorithms in FDM and FEM numerical models for flow and transport in soils.
Synthetic aperture radar: not just a sensor of last resort

Modern high-performance Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems have evolved into highly versatile, robust, and reliable tactical sensors, offering images and information not available from other sensor systems. For example, real-time images are routinely formed by the Sandia-designed General Atomics (AN/APY-8) Lynx SAR yielding 4-inch resolution at 25 km range (representing better than arc-second resolutions) in clouds, smoke, and rain. Sandia's Real-Time Visualization (RTV) program operates an Interferometric SAR (IFSAR) system that forms three-dimensional (3D) topographic maps in near real-time with National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) Digital Terrain Elevation Data (DTED) level 4 performance (3 meter post spacing with 0.8-meter height accuracy) or better. When exported to 3-D rendering software, this data allows remarkable interactive fly-through experiences. Coherent Change Detection (CCD) allows detecting tire tracks on dirt roads, foot-prints, and other minor, otherwise indiscernible ground disturbances long after their originators have left the scene. Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) radar modes allow detecting and tracking moving vehicles. A Sandia program known as "MiniSAR" is developing technologies that are expected to culminate in a fully functioning, high-performance, real-time SAR that weighs less than 20 lbs. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of recent technology developments, as well as current on-going research and development efforts at Sandia National Laboratories.
The effects of different shape-based metrics on the identification of military targets from 3D ladar data

The choice of shape metrics is important to effectively identify three-dimensional targets. The performance (expressed as a probability of correct classification) of four metrics using point clouds of military targets rendered using Irma, a government tool that simulates the output of an active ladar system, is compared across multiple ranges, sampling densities, target types, and noise levels. After understanding the range of operating conditions a classifier would be expected to see in the field, a process for determining the upper-bound of a classifier and the significance of this result is assessed. Finally, the effect of sampling density and variance in the position estimates on classification performance is shown. Classification performance significantly decreases when sampling density exceeds 10 degrees and the voxelized histogram metric outperforms the other three metrics used in this paper because of its performance in high-noise environments. Most importantly, this paper highlights a step-by-step method to test and evaluate shape metrics using accurate target models.
Metal to Semimetal Transition in CaMgSi Crystals Grown from Mg−Al Flux

Single crystals of CaMgSi were produced using the metal flux synthesis method in a Mg/Al 1:1 mixture. The large rod-shaped crystals measure up to 7 mm in length. This phase crystallizes with the orthorhombic TiNiSi structure type (space group Pnma; a = 7.4752(2) A, b = 4.42720(10) A, c = 8.3149(2) A; R1 = 0.021). Despite its relationship to semiconducting Zintl phases Mg2Si and Ca2Si, CaMgSi is metallic at room temperature; this produces a positive (∼160 ppm) 29Si MAS NMR chemical shift and is supported by DOS calculations. A metal to semimetal electronic transition at around 50 K is evident in the resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements. Low temperature powder X-ray diffraction data indicates that a structural distortion accompanies this transition. The electronic heat capacity coefficient (0.4695 mJ/mol·K2) determined from low temperature heat capacity data supports the designation of CaMgSi as a semimetal at low temperature. The hydrogen storage capacity o...
The impact of attributions about life events on perceptions of foreign products: Contrasts in individualism and collectivism

An event important to a consumer that occurred in a foreign country may serve to affect perceptions about the products from the country. Life events represent important experiences or circumstances that tend to exert a major influence on the individual. This article examines how consumer attributions made about a life event occurring in a foreign country vary across individuals from individualist and collectivist cultures, which serve to moderate the impact of the event on product perceptions. The research literature on life events, attribution theory, and cross-cultural differences are used to formulate propositions regarding the relationship between life-event attributions and subsequent perceptions of products from the foreign country. Implications and research directions are provided. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nerve Cell Spike Train Data Analysis: A Progression of Technique

Collections of occurrence times of events taking place irregularly in time provide a fairly common, but not broadly discussed, data type. This article is concerned with the particular circumstance of firing times in nerve cells that interact and form networks. The article reviews a progression of statistical analysis techniques: description, association as measured by moments and correlation, regression, and finally likelihood. The data is point process, but may be seen as that of regression and of multivariate analysis in standard parlance. A simple description of data collected simultaneously for one or more cells is provided.
Changes in HIV risk behaviors among patients receiving combined pharmacological and behavioral interventions for heroin and cocaine dependence

Abstract Cocaine use is associated with injecting and sexual HIV risk behaviors. This study was a randomized controlled trial of behavioral interventions for cocaine dependence and HIV risk behaviors among dually (cocaine and heroin) dependent outpatients. Methadone maintenance was augmented with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), contingency management (CM), both (CBT + CM), or neither. The study sample (n = 81) was 52% female, 70% African American, and 37.9 ± 7.0 years old. Proportions reporting HIV risk behaviors at intake were: 96.3% (78 / 81) injection drug use, 56.8% (46 / 81) sharing needles, 30.9% (25 / 81) unprotected sex, 28.4% (23 / 81) trading sex for money or drugs. Proportions who no longer reported behaviors at study exit were: 51.3% (40 / 78) injection drug use, 91.3% (42 / 46) sharing needles, 88% (22 / 25) unprotected sex, 91.3% (21 / 23) trading sex for money or drugs. Participants receiving CBT + CM were more likely to report cessation of unprotected sex relative to control (OR = 5.44, 95% CI 1.14–26.0, p = 0.034) but this effect was no longer significant after adjusting for drug-negative urines. These results suggest broad beneficial effects of methadone maintenance augmented with behavioral interventions for reducing HIV risk behaviors.
Water-Dispersible FePt Nanoparticles Having ω-Mercapto-α-carboxylic Acid Ligands

FePt nanoparticles, ~ 2nm in diameter, were prepared by the polyol reduction of platinum(II) acetylacetonate and iron(III) acetylacetonate in the presence of oleyl amine and oleic acid surfactants. The particles were dispersed in hexane and the dispersion added to a solution of 11- mercaptoundecanoic acid in cyclohexanone. As the 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid ligands replaced the oleic acid ligands, the particles precipitated. The particles could be dispersed in basic water, made basic either with sodium hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide. X-ray photoelectron spectra showed a peak near 164 eV, sulfur (2p) confirming the presence of the thiol ligand. Similarly, the oleic acid ligands were replaced with either 3-mercaptopropionic acid or 16-mercaptohexadecanoic acid to give FePt particles that could be dispersed in water. Dispersions made with FePt nanoparticles having 11-mercaptoundeacnoic acid ligands and ammonium counter ions were dried on TEM grids to give highly ordered films consisting of close-packed arrays of FePt nanoparticles. When the counter ion was sodium, the particles tended to aggregate, instead of forming ordered arrays.
Phase boundaries and thermodynamic analysis of the rare-earth-rich alloys in the La-Tl and Pr-In systems☆

Abstract The phase boundaries in the rare-earth-rich portions of the lanthanumthallium and praseodymium-indium systems were determined using differential thermal methods. The solid solubility of Tl in b.c.c. γ-La is 11.0 at.% at the 655 °C eutectic temperature and that in f.c.c. β-La is 1.9 at.% at the 640 °C eutectoid temperature. The solid solubility of In in b.c.c. β-Pr is 9.8 at.% at the 825 °C eutectic temperature while that in d.h.c.p. α-Pr is 5.6 at.% at the 725 °C eutectoid temperature. The first La-rich compound, La 3 Tl, decomposes peritectoidally at 645 °C and La 2 Tl melts peritectically at 900 °C. The compound Pr 3 In decomposes peritectically at 930 °C. The thermodynamic analyses data for these alloys were compared with those reported for the La-In and Pr-Tl systems.
Taphonomy of the microvertebrate fauna from the early Miocene Thomas Farm locality, Florida (U.S.A.)

Abstract In a taphonomic analysis of the microvertebrate component of the early Miocene Thomas Farm locality, north-central Florida, fossils from four sedimentary layers are analyzed and compared to determine the taphonomic factors that were involved in the formation of the bone accumulations found in the various levels of the site. The lowest layers sampled were deposited under seasonal aquatic conditions and the primary agent of bone sorting was apparently moving water. The abundant microvertebrates in the uppermost sand layer resulted from a combination of both a relatively unmodified coprocoenosis and an attritional assemblage of microvertebrates that frequented cave habitats or lived in the immediate area. Deposition within the sinkhole occurred in a relatively short span of time and the fauna is comprised primarily of those vertebrates that were living in close proximity to the sinkhole.
Radiographic measurement of alveolar bone loss: a perspective in vitro.

In the present study, radiographs of a model simulating several degrees of alveolar bone height were taken at different vertical projection angles. Bone height was measured by three examiners utilizing a projection technique similar to that originally employed by Bjorn et al. (1966, 1969). Correlation coefficients of inter- and intra-examiner readings were found to be statistically significant. The 95% confidence interval of the mean deviation between the observed bone height and the true bone height was less than 5.5%. Further investigations are planned to determine whether this method of quantitating the information on radiographs exposed under various conditions is applicable in clinical practice.
Painful tumors of the skin.

BACKGROUND. Several cutaneous tumors are characteristically associated with considerable and sometimes incapacitating pain. OBJECTIVE. A review of the histologic features of these tumors, subjective characteristics of the pain, hypotheses proposed to explain the mechanism of pain production by the tumor, and treatments that have been effective in abolishing or relieving the patient's perception of the stimulus. METHODS. Review of case reports as well as studies that have proposed mechanisms of pain production based on histologic, electron microscopic, and pharmacologic studies. RESULTS. Several hypotheses may be equally valid in explaining the cause of pain of a single tumor type, while no apparent cause is found in other types of tumors. There is variability in the success of a treatment between patients. CONCLUSION. Our understanding of the mechanism of pain production by cutaneous tumors is limited by the small number of studies (and sample size) addressing the issue as well as by our incomplete general understanding of pain production.
Localization Algorithms in Wireless Sensor Networks: Current Approaches and Future Challenges

Recent advances in radio and embedded systems have enabled the proliferation of wireless sensor networks. Wireless sensor networks are tremendously being used in different environments to perform various monitoring tasks such as search, rescue, disaster relief, target tracking and a number of tasks in smart environments. In many such tasks, node localization is inherently one of the system parameters. Node localization is required to report the origin of events, assist group querying of sensors, routing and to answer questions on the network coverage. So, one of the fundamental challenges in wireless sensor network is node localization. This paper reviews different approaches of node localization discovery in wireless sensor networks. The overview of the schemes proposed by different scholars for the improvement of localization in wireless sensor networks is also presented. Future research directions and challenges for improving node localization in wireless sensor networks are also discussed.
Nano- and Microindentation Testing of UHMWPE

Abstract Previous chapters in this book have focused on the engineering aspects of tribological testing of UHMWPE for hip and knee implants and the methods used to characterize wear particles have been reviewed. An area that lacks in our overall analysis of the process of wear in UHMWPE is the study of fundamental aspects of wear behavior by way of the structure, properties, and performance of UHMWPE on the scale of both the deformation events that lead to wear, and the particles that are formed from the wear of UHMWPE. Wear processes of UHMWPE include abrasive (both two and three body), adhesive, and fatigue wear, and each of these results in the development of particles of UHMWPE that are on the scale of microns or smaller. It is only logical, therefore, to be concerned with the mechanical behavior of UHMWPE on the scale of particles generated in vivo during normal wear generation. That is, since the process of wear particle generation takes place on the scale of microns and smaller, the structure, properties, and performance of UHMWPE on the scale of microns or smaller are all critical to understand how UHMWPE wears. Therefore, the goal of this chapter is to describe the work that has been done to explore the structure, properties, and performance of UHMWPE on the scale of microns or smaller. The chapter will focus on work that has involved in the use of mechanical test methods like nanoindentation, microindentation, or, in general, depth-sensing indentation (DSI) testing along with techniques that require the atomic force microscope (AFM), and/or other high magnification imaging methods (e.g., scanning electron microscopy (SEM)). Thus, this work will describe indentation testing/SEM/AFM characterization of UHMWPE and will review various testing approaches and the effects of geometry, processing, degradation, and deformation. Briefly, the geometric relationship between the tip and sample plays a role in the analysis of indentation data.
Replacement of the aortic valve with cryopreserved aortic allograft: the procedure of choice for young patients.

The results of replacement of the aortic valve with cryopreserved aortic allograft are reviewed. There were no operative deaths in 88 patients. Thromboembolism did not occur in any patient and no anticoagulant medications were used. Actuarial freedom from reoperation for any reason was 89%; for structural deterioration it was 93% at 7.5 years. Infection was cured in all patients with endocarditis. Aortic allografts may be inserted by: (1) 120° rotation freehand technique; (2) Intact noncoronary sinus freehand technique; (3) aortic root enlargement technique; and (4) aortic root replacement technique. Zero thromboembolism without anticoagulants, high rate of cure of endocarditis, and the versatility of the tissue with a variety of methods for Insertion to rebuild and remodel the aortic root to provide normal hemodynamic characteristics make aortic allograft the device of choice for replacement of the aortic valve in young patients. (J Card Surg 1994;9[Suppl]:192–195)
The Etiology of Public Support for the Designated Hitter Rule

Since its introduction in 1973, major league baseball’s designated hitter (DH) rule has been the subject of continuing controversy. Here, we investigate the political and socio–demographic determinants of public opinion toward the DH rule, using data from a nationwide poll conducted during September 1997. Our findings suggest that it is in fact Democrats, not Republicans, who tend to favor the DH. In addition, we find no effect for respondents’ proximity to American or National League teams, though older respondents were consistently more likely to oppose the rule.
“Show Me the Money”: Vulnerability to Gambling Moderates the Attractiveness of Money Versus Suspense

Do people take risks to obtain rewards or experience suspense? We hypothesized that people vulnerable to gambling are motivated more by the allure of winning money whereas people less vulnerable to gambling are motivated more by the allure of suspense. Consistent with this hypothesis, participants with high scores on a subscale of the Gambling Attitudes and Beliefs Survey—a measure of vulnerability to gambling— reported more of a motivation to earn money (pilot study), were more likely to accept a certain or near-certain amount of money than to gamble for that same amount (Studies 1-2), and worked harder to earn money (Study 3). People vulnerable to gambling also made more accurate predictions about how much they would gamble. People less vulnerable to gambling, in contrast, gambled more than people vulnerable to gambling, but did not know that they would.
Policing Juveniles: Domestic Violence Arrest Policies, Gender, and Police Response to Child–Parent Violence

This study analyzed the National Incident Based Reporting System data from 2000 to 2004 to determine how domestic violence arrest policies, along with incident, offender, and victim characteristics, influence arrest outcomes in violent incidents committed by juveniles against their parents. The authors’ primary interest was to assess whether the enforcement of domestic violence arrest laws, coupled with increased police involvement in familial disputes, has contributed to the decreasing gender gap in juvenile arrests for violent offenses. Results indicated that domestic violence arrest policies had positive effects on arrest outcomes both for juvenile females and males accused of assaulting a parent, as juveniles were more likely to be arrested in states with mandatory or pro-arrest policies than in states with discretionary arrest policies. However, there was also evidence that, beyond the effects of the domestic arrest laws, girls became increasingly more likely to be arrested for assaults against paren...
Interaction of abiotic and microbial processes in hexachloroethane reduction in groundwater

In order to gain insight into mechanisms of hexachloroethane reduction, hexa- and pentachloroethane transformation rates were measured in anaerobic groundwater samples. For samples spiked with pentachloroethane, disappearance of pentachloroethane was accompanied by tetrachloroethylene production. Transformation rates were similar in unpoisoned and in HgCl2-poisoned samples, and rates were within ±20% of predictions based on measured pH and second-order dehydrochlorination rate constants determined in clean laboratory systems, indicating that the fate of pentachloroethane in this system is dominated by abiotic reactions. No hexachloroethane transformation was observed in HgCl2-poisoned samples, whereas in unpoisoned samples, hexachloroethane disappearance was accompanied by production of tetrachloroethylene as well as traces of pentachloroethane. Although only minor amounts of pentachloroethane accumulated, as much as 30% of the hexachloroethane transformation pathway proceeds via a pentachloroethane intermediate. This suggests that the microbial reduction of hexachloroethane proceeds at least in part through a free-radical mechanism. To the extent that hexachloroethane reduction to tetrachloroethylene occurs through a pentachloroethane intermediate, the first step in the sequence, the microbially-mediated step, is the slow step; the subsequent abiotic dehydrohalogenation step occurs much more rapidly.
Classical Duality Symmetries in Two Dimensions

Many two-dimensional classical field theories have hidden symmetries that form an infinite-dimensional algebra. For those examples that correspond to effective descriptions of compactified superstring theories, the duality group is expected to be a large discrete subgroup of the hidden symmetry group. With this motivation, we explore the hidden symmetries of principal chiral models and symmetric space models.
Acoustic approach to thermal management

Miniature thermoacoustic engines can be used quite effectively for thermal management of certain systems. Heat applied to a stack of high surface area material inside an acoustic resonator generates sound when the temperature gradient along the stack exceeds a critical value. Here heat is injected to a hot heat exchanger in thermal contact to one end of the stack. A cold heat exchanger in contact with the other end of the stack is anchored to ambient temperature by means of cooling fins. When heat is coupled to a ¼ wave resonator, 4.3cm long, an intense sound is generated at ∼2.0kHz. An acoustic cavity is attached to the open end of the resonator to provide extra positive feedback for oscillation. This self sustained oscillator starts at a temperature difference along the stack of ΔT ≈ 100°C, about 15 seconds from the time heat is applied to the hot heat exchanger. The generated sound is converted to electricity using a 3cm diameter piezoelectric material, PZT, in the unimorph configuration. Thus the device provides thermal management for the source of heat by converting heat to sound at an efficiency, which is a substantial fraction of the Carnot efficiency and directly converting the sound to electricity.
The Steady-State Antenna Patterns of Adaptive Arrays

The antenna pattern of a receiving adaptive array of arbitrary three-dimensional geometry operating in an environment of K sources, one desired signal and (K - 1) jammers, is considered. It is shown that the adapted (voltage) antenna pattern of the array is a linear combination of K (or less) basis patterns, each of which is a function of one source only. We find that these basis patterns have a simple physical meaning, namely, the kth basis pattern is the pattern realized by the array when the transmission of source k is considered a desired signal and all other sources are turned off. When the array elements are isotropic, these basis patterns are retrodirective (that is, the mainlobe of the kth basis pattern points at source k). It had been shown that this property is also exhibited by a different decomposition of the adapted pattern in the special case of a single jammer (K = 2). In contrast, our decomposition which is simpler than the earlier one, yields retrodirective beams for all K. The simple, physically meaningful, pattern decomposition developed here is quite significant in the insight it provides regarding the basic underlying principles of adaptive arrays. It is also instrumental in elucidating their capabilities and limitations.
The Need for Thin Description

Qualitative researchers tout the distinctive character of their work as thickly descriptive of the subject matter. They evaluate published results in the same terms, giving high marks to the richness of the best research. This article unpacks this universal standard and discusses the influence of preinvestigative empirical purview, analytic aims, and available data in addressing the question of why there is a need for thin as well as thick description in the enterprise. Laud Humphreys’s book Tearoom Trade, its research project, and unpublished observational notes are used as case material for considering the relative effects of the latter two influences on richness. The purpose is not to devalue thick description but to turn critical attention to the various influences at play in the realization of richness.
Developing a Supply Partner: The Case of Black & Decker and TEMIC Telefunken (1992–1994)

In 1987, Rosemary Smith, a representative of AEG (Germany) in the U.S., contracted Black & Decker (B&D) to solicit business. She talked to Bob Wall, manager of corporate commodities purchasing, at B&D’s Towson, Maryland, corporate headquarters. She communicated directly with TEMIC regarding several possible programs at B&D, which eventually resulted in the program described below.
Ultrafast energy relaxation and carrier trapping dynamics in semiconductor nanocrystals

In the present paper we report femtosecond (fs) transient absorption (TA) and time resolved photoluminescence (PL) studies of ultrafast energy relaxation and recombination in II-VI semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) with a variety of sizes, spanning different confinement regimes. In particular, we will address the issue on the existence of the "phonon bottleneck" in carrier relaxation dynamics predicted for quantum confined systems.
Superpixels using morphology for rock image segmentation

Detection and segmentation of rocks is an important first task in many applications such as geological analysis, planetary science and mining processes. Rocks are usually segmented using a variety of features such as texture, shading, shape and edges. It is easier to compute these features for rock superpixels rather than every pixel in the image. A superpixel is a group of spatially coherent pixels that form a meaningful homogeneous region, usually belonging to the same object. In this paper, we perform a comparative study of some of the current superpixel algorithms on rock images with regard to their ability to adhere to image boundaries, their speed, and their impact on rock segmentation performance. Also, we propose a new and very simple superpixel algorithm, Superpixels Using Morphology (SUM), which permutes a watershed transformation approach to efficiently generate superpixels. We show that SUM achieves a performance comparable to the recent superpixel algorithms on the rock images.
High-voltage atmospheric breakdown across intervening rutile dielectrics

The electrical power grid, aircraft, and defense systems are potentially subject to damage from lightning strikes. Surge arresters are high-voltage safety components used to mitigate damage to many critical systems by diverting transient currents to ground via breakdown. Some arresters utilize high-permittivity dielectric materials, such as rutile (TiO2), to ensure breakdown occurs at a prescribed voltage and prevent a transient voltage pulse from affecting downstream components. Though widely used, the physical mechanisms for surface breakdown in surge arresters are not well understood. Electrical discharge experiments are being conducted to help develop predictive computational models of the fundamental processes of surface breakdown in the vicinity of high-permittivity material interfaces. Discharge path imaging and electrical data are presented. Results are compared to electrostatic calculations using an ionization coefficient-based approach and Townsend-breakdown criteria for non-uniform fields and the observed breakdown path. It is shown that rutile reduced the breakdown voltage of an electrode gap by ~50% even when the visible discharge path did not interact directly with the sample.
Extended surface exposures of granitoid compositions in Syrtis Major, Mars

[1] The number of quartz and feldspar rich surfaces identified in northwestern Syrtis Major has been extended beyond previously reported results to a region of about 230 by 125 km. Thermal Emission Imaging System infrared data were used to locate surfaces spectrally identical to previously reported central peak units in Syrtis Major. These surfaces are indicative of the production of highly differentiated magmas. Though it is possible that the granitoid exposures add to the variety of igneous compositions associated with the Syrtis Major volcanic construct, the geologic context of these exposures suggests a formation that predates Syrtis Major.
Metachronous second primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma in two skeletal muscles

The first recorded case of a metachronous second primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of soft tissue is presented. The patient, who has been followed every two months since the treatment of his buttock sarcoma by neoadjuvant therapy, is free of disease 24 months later. The clinical presentations, different histologies, and DNA contents of these two MFHs are consistent with metachronous primary sarcomas. The literature on second primary neoplasms is discussed. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
On the Structure of Analyst Research Portfolios and Forecast Accuracy

This study provides insights into the forces and constraints that shape analyst research coverage along country and sector dimensions and the impact of the structure of an analyst's portfolio on forecast accuracy. We find that analyst specialization by country and sector is sensitive to the extent to which firms within a country or sector and firms across country-sectors are exposed to common economic forces, the potential for revenue generation, and broker culture. Our tests indicate that existing research on the relation between analyst portfolio structure and forecast accuracy may suffer from an endogeneity bias. We use our analysis of analyst specialization to develop controls for this bias. Once we employ these controls, we find that country diversification is associated with superior forecast accuracy. However, the relation between sector diversification and forecast accuracy is context-specific. Specifically, sector diversification enhances forecast accuracy in an international context, while it detracts from forecast accuracy in a domestic U.S. context.
The Impact of Alternative Objectives on Feedlot Rations for Beef Steers

The specification of an objective receives little attention in most agricultural production analyses. Despite general agreement among agricultural economists that few, if any, farmers are motivated exclusively by magnitude of profits, it is common simply to assume an objective of profit maximization. (Anderson, Dillon, Hardaker; Heady and Dillon). Use of this objective is sufficient for some analyses. For other analyses, however, the observed diversity of production practices makes this simple approach inappropriate. Beef production falls into the latter category. Even if we ignore beef marketed as mature animals from the culling of breeding herds, the diversity of production practices is obvious. A 20,000-head commercial feedlot manager on the Texas plains and an Iowa farmer feeding 100 head per year do not operate similarly and probably are not motivated by the same objectives. We attempt to quantify some of the objectives that are relevant for various groups of beef producers and to analyze the impact of these alternative objectives on beef production strategies. Five alternative objectives are defined for the feeding of a roughage (corn silage) and a corn-grain-based concentrate to beef steers to produce carcass weight gain. Additionally, using a fixed initial age and carcass weight (196 kg) and a fixed final carcass weight (295 kg), each objective is evaluated for a specific gain or over a fixed region of the response surface (see Melton). The assumption of a fixed slaughter weight is generally consistent with production of animals of a fixed U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) quality grade. It is appropriate to apply the analyses to carcass weight gain because the lower digestibility of roughages causes a greater portion of live weight to be undigested feed rather than beef.
gyrA Mutations Associated with Fluoroquinolone Resistance in Eight Species of Enterobacteriaceae

Fluoroquinolone resistance (FQ-R) in clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae species has been reported with increasing frequency in recent years. Two mechanisms of FQ-R have been identified in gram-negative organisms: mutations in DNA gyrase and reduced intracellular drug accumulation. A single point mutation in gyrA has been shown to reduce susceptibility to fluoroquinolones. To determine the extent of gyrA mutations associated with FQ-R in enteric bacteria, one set of oligonucleotide primers was selected from conserved sequences in the flanking regions of the quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDR) of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. This set of primers was used to amplify and sequence the QRDRs from 8 Enterobacteriaceae type strains and 60 fluoroquinolone-resistant clinical isolates of Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterobacter cloacae, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Providencia stuartii, and Serratia marcescens. Although similarity of the nucleotide sequences of seven species ranged from 80.8 to 93.3%, when compared with that of E. coli, the amino acid sequences of the gyrA QRDR were highly conserved. Conservative amino acid substitutions were detected in the QRDRs of the susceptible type strains of C. freundii, E. aerogenes, K. oxytoca (Ser-83 to Thr), and P. stuartii (Asp-87 to Glu). Strains with ciprofloxacin MICs of >2 μg/ml expressed amino acid substitutions primarily at the Gly-81, Ser-83, or Asp-87 position. Fluoroquinolone MICs varied significantly for strains exhibiting identical gyrA mutations, indicating that alterations outside gyrA contribute to resistance. The type and position of amino acid alterations also differed among these six genera. High-level FQ-R frequently was associated with single gyrA mutations in all species of Enterobacteriaceae in this study except E. coli.
SMALL-ANGLE MEASUREMENT BY USE OF A SINGLE PRISM

A new method of angle measurement based on the internal reflection effect is proposed that uses a single right-angle prism. We measure the angular displacement between a laser beam and the prism by detecting the changes in reflectance as a function of the angle of incidence. We achieve high linearity of measurement by taking the inverse of reflectance as the output. The inverse of reflectance is obtained from the intensities of the reflected and the transmitted beams measured by two photodiodes. Experiments with a prototype device have demonstrated that angle measurement with a range of ?500 arc sec, a nonlinearity error of ?0.1%, and a resolution of 0.1 arc sec can be readily achieved. The measurement range can be further increased with some sacrifice of linearity.
A Spatiotemporal Database for Ozone in the Conterminous U.S.

This paper considers a set of ozone data in the conterminous U.S., which records the ozone concentration levels at a set of monitoring sites during 1994 and 1999. Existing GIS techniques are insufficient in handling such kind of spatiotemporal data in terms of data interpolation, visualization, representation and querying. We adopt 3-D shape functions from finite element methods for the spatiotemporal interpolation of the ozone dataset and analyze interpolation errors. The 3-D shape function based method estimates ozone concentration levels with less than 10 percent Mean Absolute Percentage Error. We give two approaches for visualizing the data: (i) combining the ArcGIS visualization tool with shape function interpolation results to visualize the ozone data for each year from 1994 and 1999, (ii) using Matlab to visualize the interpolated ozone data in a 3-D vertical profile display. For the spatiotemporal data representation, we use the constraint data model, because it can give an efficient and accurate representation of interpolation results. Finally, we give some practical query examples.
Empiricism versus Rationalism

The contrast between Empiricism and Rationalism originated in a classification of certain seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Western European philosophers. Since that time, empiricism especially has developed in ways that blur the original distinction. Keywords: Hume, David; Kant, Immanuel; Locke, John; Quine; Sellars; Wittgenstein; empiricism; rationalism; rationality
Genetic effects of bisulfite: implications for environmental protection.

Sulfur dioxide is unique among environmental substances because of the many routes of human exposure to it. Combustion of coal and oil releases SO2 into urban atmospheres. It is added to foods, beverages, and pharmaceuticals and we produce it within our bodies as a product of the catabolism of sulfur containing amino acids. It is short-lived within us, as it is rapidly oxidized to sulfate by sulfite oxidase.
Refugee flows and state contributions to post-Cold War UN peacekeeping missions

Why do states participate in United Nations peacekeeping missions? Extant theory revolves around two benefits states derive from participation: the financial benefits participants receive for their...
High- versus standard-dose megestrol acetate in women with advanced breast cancer: a phase III trial of the Piedmont Oncology Association.

One hundred seventy-two patients with advanced breast cancer were randomized to receive oral standard-dose megestrol acetate (MA), 160 mg/d or high-dose MA, 800 mg/d. All but two patients had one prior trial of tamoxifen therapy for either metastatic disease (74%) or as adjuvant treatment (26%). Pretreatment characteristics were similar for both arms. High-dose MA resulted in a superior complete plus partial response rate (27% v 10%, P = .005), time to treatment failure (median, 8.0 v 3.2 months, P = .019), and survival (median, 22.4 v 16.5 months, P = .04) when compared with standard-dose therapy. These differences remained significant after adjustment for other covariates. Thirty-four patients were given high-dose MA after failure of standard-dose MA treatment, and none responded. Weight gain was the most distressing side effect, with 13% of standard-dose and 43% of high-dose patients gaining more than 20 lbs. Four major cardiovascular events occurred in patients receiving high-dose treatment and one in...
PYLORIC STENOSIS AND MATERNAL BENDECTIN EXPOSURE

Abstract As part of a long-term follow-up of structural disorders present at birth or shortly thereafter in infants born at Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, all infants with a diagnosis of pyloric stenosis born between July 1, 1977 and June 30, 1982, were identified. Automated pharmacy profiles were examined to determine whether an association between maternal Bendectin use in the first trimester and infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis existed. Among the 3,835 women exposed to Bendectin while pregnant, in this group of 13,346 births, 13 had infants who developed pyloric stenosis, and among the 9,511 women not exposed, 13 had infants who developed pyloric stenosis, resulting in a risk ratio estimate of 2.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-5.2). When mothers were divided according to the number of prescriptions for Bendectin filled, the relative risk estimate increased from 1.2 (95% CI 0.4-4.4) in women who filled only one prescription to 7.6 (95% CI 4.9-11.6) in women who filled five or more prescriptions for Bendectin during their pregnancy.
A Moving Boundary Problem Describing Oxygen Consumption in Soil

This paper presents some preliminary results in a numerical study of a moving boundary problem modeling the consumption of oxygen by microbiol respiration in soil.
N 15 ( p , γ 2 γ ) O 16 and the Deformed Giant Resonance in O 16

The cascade $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray decay of states at 19.9 and 20.4 MeV in $^{16}\mathrm{O}$ has been observed using the reaction $^{15}\mathrm{N}(p,{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{2}\ensuremath{\gamma})^{16}\mathrm{O}$. These states appear to have the properties expected of giant dipole states based on the ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={3}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ state at 6.13 MeV. Together with earlier work, the result implies that giant dipole states based on the ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={0}^{+}$ state at 6.05 MeV are displaced significantly from the energies expected from a simple weak-coupling model.
Effect of compound fumigant against germs and insects

Objective To compare the effect by using the compound fumigant including ProFume,ethylene oxide and d-cyphenothrin with the celfume fumigant.Methods The method of disinfection is according to "Technical Standard For Disinfection",version of 2002 and section of 2.1.3.4.The method of deinsectization is according to"Efficacy test methods of public health insecticides for pesticide registration".Results The killing rate was 100% of escherichia coli and staphylococcus aureus in the aerosol chamber(1 m3) which contains the fumigant including ProFume,ethylene oxide and d-cyphenothrin(100 g/m3) after 9 hours.This fumigant has 100% killing rate of escherichia coli and staphylococcus aureus in a aerosol room(20 m3) containing the concentration of 100 g/m3 after 24 hours.The 24 hours death rates of Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus,Musca domestica,Blattella germanica,Attagenus minutus and other insects were 100% when they were exposured to this fumigant with concentration of 55 g/m3 in a glass square box for 30 minutes.The 24 hours death rate of Culex pipens quinquefasciatus,Musca domestica,Blattella germanica,Attagenus minutus and other insects were 100% when they were exposured to this fumigant(55 g/m3) in a simulation field(28 m3)for 30 minutes.Conclusion This compound fumigant including ProFume,ethylene oxide and d-cyphenothrin has good efficacy of killing Escherichia coli,Staphylococcus aureus,Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus,Musca domestica,Blattella germanica,Attagenus minutus and other insects.It can be used for insecticide fumigation to the container instead of using celfume fumigant and it has good effect.
Investigation into Influence of SiO_2 Mass Fraction on Coating Performance of RTV Silicone Rubber Based on Inclined Plane Test

To solve the problems of poor adhesion and easy scratching while applying coating of room temperature vulcanization(RTV) silicone rubber,the use of silica is proposed to improve the mechanical strength of silicone rubber as well as the material's resistance to electrical tracking and erosion.Therefore,combined with the concept of thermal conductivity,the influence of silica on performance of RTV silicone rubber is investigated by inclined plane test.High-precision AC tracking tester developed by Institute of Electrical and Electronic Equipment,Xi'an Jiaotong University is used in the test together with independently developed multiple leakage current real-time monitoring and acquisition device,so as to test the three prepared RTV silicone rubber coating specimens(only adding silica,mass fractions thereof being 20%,30%,50%) according to GB/T 6553-2003 Test Methods for Evaluating Resistance to Tracking and Erosion of Electrical Insulating Materials Used under Severe Ambient Conditions.It is concluded that the higher the mass fraction of silica,the greater the thermal conductivity of silicone rubber,the easier the heat transfer,and the stronger the resistance to tracking and electrical arc erosion;when reaching the critical state that actuates the overcurrent protection,the silicone rubber specimen with high silica content and large thermal conductivity has greater eroded area and depth than the specimen with low silica content;the increase of silica filler slows down the hydrophobicity recovery process of eroded silicone rubber.
Nucleic Acid Delivery via Polymer Vehicles

Structure–property relationships between polymers and their ability to interact with nucleic acids such as oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs, and plasmid DNAs in order to deliver them into cells in culture and in mammals are described. The structure of the polymers has a strong influence on their ability to bind to nucleic acids and function as delivery agents. Numerous structural features are illustrated and their effects on nucleic acid delivery into cultured cells are described. The features necessary for systemic delivery of nucleic acids in mammals are outlined, and examples of polymer delivery systems and their function in mice are illustrated. Finally, the very few examples of polymer-based delivery of nucleic acids in humans are presented.
Perioperative management of pediatric en-bloc combined heart-liver transplants: a case series review.

SummaryBackground Combined heart and liver transplantation (CHLT) in the pediatric population involves a complex group of patients, many of whom have palliated congenital heart disease (CHD) involving single ventricle physiology. Objective The purpose of this study was to describe the perioperative management of pediatric patients undergoing CHLT at a single institution and to identify management strategies that may be used to optimize perioperative care. Methods We did a retrospective database review of all patients receiving CHLT at a children's hospital between 2006 and 2014. Information collected included preoperative characteristics, intraoperative management, blood transfusions, and postoperative morbidity and mortality. Results Five pediatric CHLTs were performed over an 8-year period. All patients had a history of complex CHD with multiple sternotomies, three of whom had failing Fontan physiology. Patient age ranged from 7 to 23 years and weight from 29.5 to 68.5 kg. All CHLTs were performed using an en-bloc technique where both the donor heart and liver were implanted together on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The median operating room time was 14.25 h, median CPB time was 3.58 h, and median donor ischemia time was 4.13 h. Patients separated from CPB on dopamine, epinephrine, and milrinone infusions and two required inhaled nitric oxide. All patients received a massive intraoperative blood transfusion post CPB with amounts ranging from one to three times the patient's estimated blood volume. The patient who required the most transfusions was in decompensated heart and liver failure preoperatively. Four of the five patients received an antifibrinolytic agent as well as a procoagulant (prothrombin complex concentrate or recombinant activated Factor VII) to assist with hemostasis. There were no 30-day thromboembolic events detected. Postoperatively the median length of mechanical ventilation, ICU stay and stay to hospital discharge was 4, 8, and 37 days, respectively. All patients are alive and free from allograft rejection at this time. Conclusion Combined heart and liver transplantation in the pediatric population involves a complex group of patients with unique perioperative challenges. Successful management starts with thorough preoperative planning and communication and involves strategies to deal with massive intraoperative hemorrhage and coagulopathy in addition to protecting and supporting the transplanted heart and liver and meticulous surgical technique. An integrated multidisciplinary team approach is the cornerstone for successful outcomes.