cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prevention, early detection, and management of oncologic emergencies.

Oncologic emergencies are complications related to a cancer or its treatment which require immediate action to prevent the suffering and increased mortality associated with them. An oncologic emergency may present as an acute or chronic process and may be mild or severe. Although documentation is difficult, an increase in oncologic emergencies is anticipated since many more individuals are being treated and are living longer with their cancers. Many of the signs and symptoms of oncologic emergencies are common problems experienced by individuals with cancer, such as nausea, pain, irritability and headache. Treatment of these symptoms may mask an impending oncologic emergency, preventing early detection at a time when treatment may be most effective. It is the purpose of this paper to provide an assessment framework to evaluate the person with cancer and to present information about the most common oncologic emergencies.
Abstract 18058: Circulating Tetrahydrobiopterin as a Biomarker for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Development, and a Predictor of Treatment Efficacies, in Angiotensin II-infused hph-1 and apoE Null Mice

Surgical treatment of the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has been met with success for aneurysms larger than 5cm. However, detection of smaller aneurysms, particularly those asymptomatic, has remained problematic, resulting in potential silent growth, sudden rupture and death. We have shown that restoration of tetrahydrobiopterin (H4B) levels via oral folic acid (FA) treatment in a novel murine model of AAA, the hph-1 mice, was successful in the prevention of AAA (Hypertension 2012, 59(1):158-66). Of note, in that study aortic levels of H4B decreased with the treatment of Ang II, which was restored by oral treatment of FA. We therefore investigated whether H4B levels can be used as a biomarker for AAA. In this study, we used both hph-1 mice as well as another established AAA model of Ang II infused apoE null mice. In apoE null mice, H4B measured using HPLC showed that in the aortas, H4B levels decreased with Ang II infusion (4.86±0.32 to 2.72±0.26 pmol/mg, n=6 each), and increased with oral administration of FA (6.60±0.62pmol/mg, n=6). A similar trend was observed when H4B was measured from plasma (3.31±0.13, 1.87±0.11, 5.80±0.30 pmol/mg, vehicle, Ang II, FA, respectively, n=6 each). Identically in hph-1 mice, aortic levels of H4B came out to be at 1.87±0.25, 0.99±0.11, 3.00±0.64, and plasma levels being 1.37±0.05, 0.92±0.06, and 2.36±0.25 pmol/mg (for vehicle, Ang II & AngII/FA respectively, n=3 each). Further, linear correlation between plasma and aortic H4B levels shows a R2 of 0.86 for the apoE null mice, and 0.85 for the hph-1, suggesting a linear relationship between the two measurements. This linear relationship between the two measurements is extremely important, as this will allow for a less invasive method of measuring local vascular H4B bioavailability, which is believed to be essential for predicting AAA development. In conclusion, these data indicate that a decreased H4B bioavailability is associated with AAA formation while a restored H4B bioavailability is associated with prevention of AAA development. Furthermore, changes in aortic H4B values are reflected in the plasma. Taken together, these data suggest that circulating H4B levels can serve as a biomarker for AAA development, as well as a predictor of treatment efficacies.
Joint effects of remanufacturing channel design and after-sales service pricing: an analytical study

We conduct an analytical study on remanufacturing channel design and after-sales service pricing, which jointly affect the sustainability and profitability of the supply chain. We model a supply ch...
A 6 $\mu$ W 95 dB SNDR Inverter Based $\Sigma\Delta$ Modulator With Subtractive Dithering and SAR Quantizer

This brief presents a low-power $ {\Sigma \Delta }$ modulator using the subtractive dither technique. The proposed technique eliminates tones at the $ {\Sigma \Delta }$ modulator’s output by injecting a dither into the quantizer. The injected dither is cancelled at the first integrator’s output, which results in minimal impact on the operational transconductance amplifiers’ (OTAs) output swings and enables the use of energy-efficient inverter-based OTAs. Dither is also subtracted from the digital output and has no impact on the signal-to-quantization-noise ratio. The modulator features a successive approximation register quantizer and a modified DAC which eliminates signal-dependent kick-back to the input and reference buffers. Implemented in 180-nm CMOS, the proposed modulator achieves 95.1 dB signal-to-noise-and-distortion ratio from dc to 1 kHz, and consumes only 6 $ {\mu }\text{W}$ from a 1.2-V supply according to transient noise simulation, leading to a state-of-the-art Schreier figure-of-merit of 177.3 dB. Simulation verifies the effectiveness of subtractive dither.
Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Predictive Models in Software Engineering

Welcome to PROMISE 2010 in Timisoara. We are looking forward to an exciting and productive conference, anchored with keynote addresses by two significant contributors to Software Engineering, Mark Harman of University College London, and Judith Bishop of Microsoft Research. PROMISE received a record number of 53 submitted papers in 2010. After the careful evaluations of the program committee, 19 papers were accepted to be presented at the conference. It is notable that we received many high quality submissions and had to make many difficult decisions this year. We would like to express our gratitude to all authors who submitted their paper to PROMISE 2010. We would also like to thank our program committee members for their meticulous evaluation of the submissions. The success of PROMISE largely stands on their shoulders. As we look forward, we expect to see many more vibrant and exciting PROMISE conferences.
The additive effect of type 2 diabetes on fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, tryptophan and threonine in people living with HIV.

Chronic immune activation and ensuing inflammation that accompany HIV infection lead to adverse metabolic consequences and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). We examined the additive effects of T2D on circulating biomarkers involved in inflammation, coagulation, and vascular function along with plasma amino acids in people living with HIV (PLWH). This cross-sectional study included PLWH with and without T2D (n = 32 total). Analyses involved a multiplex platform for circulating biomarkers and gas chromatography–vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy for plasma amino acids. In PLWH and T2D, both fibrinogen (2.0 ± 0.6 vs 1.6 ± 0.4 µg/mL, p = 0.02) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) (40.8 ± 17.2 vs 26.7 ± 13.8 µg/mL, p = 0.02) were increased and tryptophan (47 ± 6 vs 53 ± 8 nmol/mL, p = 0.03) and threonine (102 ± 25 vs 125 ± 33 nmol/mL, p = 0.03) were decreased. Fibrinogen, as a biomarker of inflammation, and vWF, as a biomarker of endothelial dysfunction, are augmented by the combined effects of HIV and T2D and may contribute to the pathogenesis of T2D in PLWH. Chronic immune activation and inflammation compromise the integrity of the intestinal mucosa, which increases mucus production. Tryptophan metabolism is altered by a loss of intestinal membrane integrity and threonine is consumed in the production of mucus. Metabolic competition arising from increased protein synthesis in the setting of chronic inflammation along with the associated loss in intestinal membrane integrity may be a primary mechanism in the pathogenesis of T2D in PLWH and requires further investigation.
(S)-4-amino-5-chloro-3-iodo-2-methoxy-N-(1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)benzamide (TRIZAC), a high-affinity ligand for the 5-HT-3 receptor

Abstract TRIZAC is one of the most potent 5-HT-3 receptor antagonist reported to date, having 20-fold higher affinity than (S)-5-todozacopride. This high affinity (K1 0.05 ± 0.01 nM) and a moderate apparent lipophilicity (log Papp 2.12) makes TRIZAC a promising ligand for studying 5-HT-3 receptors.
Swimming, Not Sinking: Pedagogical Creativity and the Road to Becoming an Effective IR Teacher

Like many in the discipline, my journey into teaching was more like a newborn baby being thrown into a swimming pool, where I had to “sink or swim.” Because most doctoral programs invest little time into teacher preparation, many, like me, step into a university classroom for the first time with little training. Through trial and error, and by mimicking the techniques of professors I supported as a teaching assistant, I muddled through the beginning of my academic career. It was only after being awarded teacher of the year and tenure that I became more creative in the classroom. Thinking out of the box, I started incorporating unconventional films into my courses. Today I use big popcorn movies to teach Theories of International Relations in a novel way.
Pharmaceutical Intervention for the Prevention of Post-Ischemic Reperfusion Injury

In many organs a substantial proportion of the injury sustained as a consequence of ischemia is actually caused by a cascade of toxic oxygen metabolites, triggered by the generation of the superoxide by xanthine oxidase at the time of reperfusion. This mechanism, first elucidated in the feline small intestine, has also been found to be operative in the heart, lung, stomach, liver, pancreas, kidney, skin, skeletal muscle, central nervous system and other organs. Its ubiquity is based upon the ubiquity of endothelial cell xanthine oxidase in the microvasculature. Pre-clinical studies in animal models of human disease have demonstrated a variable contribution of this reperfusion injury mechanism to the total injury sustained consequent to ischemia. While ill-conceived and poorly designed clinical trials, which have failed to take this into account, and therefore have included heterogeneous and unstratifiable patient populations, have been predictably unenlightening, a few well-designed clinical trials, particularly in renal transplantation and in elective cardioplegia for cardiopulmonary bypass have confirmed the efficacy of free radical ablation for the prevention of reperfusion injury in man.
Properties of decision-making tasks govern the tradeoff between model-based and model-free learning

Abstract When decisions must be made between uncertain options, optimal behavior depends on accurate estimations of the likelihoods of different outcomes. The contextual factors that govern whether these estimations depend on model-free learning (tracking outcomes) vs. model-based learning (learning generative stimulus distributions) are poorly understood. We studied model-free and model-based learning using serial decision-making tasks in which subjects selected a rule and then used it to flexibly act on visual stimuli. A factorial approach defined a family of behavioral models that could integrate model-free and model-based strategies to predict rule selection trial-by-trial. Bayesian model selection demonstrated that the subjects strategies varied depending on lower-level task characteristics such as the identities of the rule options. In certain conditions, subjects integrated learned stimulus distributions and tracked reward rates to guide their behavior. The results thus identify tradeoffs between model-based and model-free decision strategies, and in some cases parallel utilization, depending on task context.
Local and Systemic Analgesic Effects of Nerve-Specific Acupuncture in Healthy Adults, Measured by Quantitative Sensory Testing

OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess whether acupuncture analgesia's effects are local or systemic and whether there is a dose response for these effects. METHODS Twenty-eight healthy volunteers aged 18-45 were randomized to two doses of acupuncture using points closely associated with peripheral nerves in the legs. The lower-dose group involved acupoints overlying the deep peroneal nerve (DP), and the higher-dose involved acupoints overlying the deep peroneal and posterior tibial nerves (DPTN). Baseline and acupuncture quantitative sensory testing (QST) assessments were obtained locally in the calf and great toe and systemically in the hand. Results were analyzed using factorial repeated-measures analysis of variance for each of the QST variables-cold detection threshold (CDT), vibration detection threshold (VDT), heat pain threshold (HP0.5), and heat pain perception of 5/10 (HP5.0). Location (leg/hand) and time (baseline/acupuncture) were within-subject factors. Intervention (DP/DPTN) was a between-subject factor. RESULTS CDT was increased in the calf (P < 0.001) and in the hand (P < 0.001). VDT was increased in the toe (P < 0.001) but not in the hand. HP0.5 was increased in the calf (P < 0.001) and in the hand (P < 0.001). HP5.0 was increased in the calf (P = 0.002) and in the hand (P < 0.001), with the local effect being significantly greater than the systemic (P = 0.004). In all of the above QST modalities, there was no difference between the low-dose (DP) and high-dose (DPTN) acupuncture groups. CONCLUSIONS Acupuncture caused comparable local and systemic analgesic effects in cold detection and heat pain perception and only local effects in vibration perception. There was no clear acupuncture dose response to these effects.
An Experimental Study of Magnetic Field Coupling from Proximity Detection Systems to Trailing Cables

Some of the common and serious hazards in underground mines are the dangers of being pinned, crushed, or struck by a large mining machine such as a scoop or a continuous mining machine (CMM). Proximity detection systems (PDSs) have been applied to protect miners from these hazards. The primary components of PDSs that are currently approved by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) for use in underground coal mines are machine-mounted magnetic field generators and a miner wearable component (MWC) which measures the strength of the magnetic fields produced by the generators to determine distance from the machine. Since these systems are magnetic-field-based, they can be adversely impacted by nearby cables due to parasitic coupling. Some mining equipment in underground mines is electrically powered by long trailing cables that are pulled through the mine behind the equipment. Because the components of the PDS (generators and MWC) are frequently in close proximity to these cables, parasitic coupling can occur. Researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) investigated the influence of trailing cables on the performance of PDSs. In particular, a three-phase model was proposed to describe the coupling process. The factors for controlling the magnetic field coupled from a field generator to a trailing cable were experimentally studied. The results show that the coupling is primarily controlled by two factors: the distance between the PDS components and the cable, and the impedance between the cable and the ground. The coupling can be mitigated by either maintaining some minimum separation distance between the PDS components and the cable or increasing the impedance between the cable and the ground. The results presented in this paper can help PDS manufacturers to design systems that are more immune to these effects.
Free fatty acids, cardiovascular disease, and mortality in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Background Fasting free fatty acid (FFA) levels may be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality, but research among generally healthy adults, females, and racially/ethnically diverse populations is lacking. Objective The primary aim of this project was to investigate prospective associations between fasting FFAs and coronary heart disease (CHD) and CVD incidence and CVD-specific and all-cause mortality in a generally healthy age, sex, and racially/ethnically heterogeneous population. Methods This study was conducted in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis cohort using baseline (2000–2002) fasting FFAs and outcome data through 2015 (N = 6678). Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate hazard ratios for associations between FFAs and CHD, CVD, CVD-specific mortality, and all-cause mortality. Interactions by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and metabolic syndrome were evaluated by stratification and cross-product terms. A secondary analysis was conducted to evaluate associations between FFAs, and inflammatory and endothelial activation biomarkers were evaluated using linear regression (analytic N range: 964–6662). Results FFA levels were not associated with CHD or CVD incidence. Higher FFAs were associated with CVD-specific and all-cause mortality, but associations were attenuated in fully adjusted models with a borderline significant association remaining only for all-cause mortality (fully adjusted, per standard deviation increase hazard ratio = 1.07, 95% confidence interval: 1.00–1.14). Associations did not differ by age, sex, race/ethnicity, or metabolic syndrome. Conclusions Fasting FFAs were not associated with CHD, CVD, or CVD-specific mortality and were modestly associated with all-cause mortality, regardless of age, sex, race/ethnicity, or metabolic syndrome status.
Human Factors Considerations in Cardiac Surgery

The complexity of cardiac surgical care requires life-sustaining interventions that are dynamic, complex, and critical to patient survival. Cardiac surgery is a team endeavor where success requires effective communication and coordination. The cardiac surgical operating room is crowded with more personnel and equipment than other operating rooms. As such, the risk of excessive noise and traffic congestion is exacerbated. Information sharing is challenging as all members of the team are physically present in the same space, treating the same patient at the same time. Teams that work together frequently achieve better outcomes. Complete yet succinct handoffs between multidisciplinary teams are critical for patient safety. Each phase of a cardiac surgical procedure places differing sets of demands on different operating room team members.
Lower bounds on the Erd\H{o}s-Gy\'arf\'as problem via color energy graphs.

Given positive integers $p$ and $q$, a $(p,q)$-coloring of the complete graph $K_n$ is an edge-coloring in which every $p$-clique receives at least $q$ colors. Erdős and Shelah posed the question of determining $f(n,p,q)$, the minimum number of colors needed for a $(p,q)$-coloring of $K_n$. In this paper, we expand on the color energy technique introduced by Pohoata and Sheffer to prove new lower bounds on this function, making explicit the connection between bounds on extremal numbers and $f(n,p,q)$. Using results on the extremal numbers of subdivided complete graphs, theta graphs, and subdivided complete bipartite graphs, we generalize results of Fish, Pohoata, and Sheffer, giving the first nontrivial lower bounds on $f(n,p,q)$ for some pairs $(p,q)$ and improving previous lower bounds for other pairs.
Review on socio-economic impacts of 'Triple Threats' of COVID-19, desert locusts, and floods in East Africa: Evidence from Ethiopia

East Africa region is facing an unprecedented triple socio-economic threat caused by the combined effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the upsurge of desert locusts, and recent severe floods. ...
Visualizing temporal brain-state changes for fMRI using t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding.

Purpose: Currently, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is the most commonly used technique for obtaining dynamic information about the brain. However, because of the complexity of the data, it is often difficult to directly visualize the temporal aspect of the fMRI data. Approach: We outline a t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE)-based postprocessing technique that can be used for visualization of temporal information from a 4D fMRI data. Apart from visualization, we also show its utility in detection of major changes in the brain meta-states during the scan duration. Results: The t-SNE approach is able to detect brain-state changes from task to rest and vice versa for single- and multitask fMRI data. A temporal visualization can also be obtained for task and resting state fMRI data for assessing the temporal dynamics during the scan duration. Additionally, hemodynamic delay can be quantified by comparison of the detected brain-state changes with the experiment paradigm for task fMRI data. Conclusion: The t-SNE visualization can visualize help identify major brain-state changes from fMRI data. Such visualization can provide information about the degree of involvement and attentiveness of the subject during the scan and can be potentially utilized as a quality control for subject’s performance during the scan.
CÓLERA E INGENIO EN ENRIQUE FI DE OLIVA

Enrique Fi de Oliva, alabado por Cervantes en Don Quijote, es una de las fuentes de esta obra, cuyo protagonista es ingenioso y colerico, rasgos que comparte con Enrique. Este articulo analiza la personalidad un tanto extrema de este, quien sufre frecuentes y abruptos cambios de humor que lo convierten en uno de los mas agresivos y creativos, alocados y desaforados heroes caballerescos de la literatura hispanica medieval
Implications of spring water levels on the production of American white pelicans nesting at marsh lake, Minnesota

We investigated the relationship between spring water levels and production of American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) nesting colonially at Marsh Lake in southwest Minnesota during 2003–2012. We obtained estimates of pelican nest and chick numbers from aerial photographs to determine population levels. We used historical streamflow data to characterize April water conditions, a period when nest-site selection typically occurs. Pelicans used 4 islands and 1 peninsula for nesting, ranging from relatively high-elevation sites connected to or near the mainland to more distant low-elevation sites in the middle of the lake. The number and proportion of nests on high-elevation sites are positively related to discharge in the Upper Minnesota River during April. In years when high water inundates low-elevation sites during pelican nest-site selection, pelican nests were located on the high-elevation locations near or connected to the mainland. Over 90% of the variation in the number of nests on high-elevation sites is related to the mean daily discharge in the Upper Minnesota River during April. In addition, the proportion of nests on high-elevation sites also increases as mean daily discharge during April increases. However, chick production was negatively related to discharge during April. More than 84% of the variation in the number of near-fledged chicks produced per nest was related to mean daily discharge during April. Although high-elevation sites in close proximity to the mainland offered nesting pelicans refuge from high water levels, they also expose American white pelican nests to greater predator risk. Nest camera monitoring indicated that high-elevation sites exhibited significantly higher predator activity than low-elevation sites, and experienced lower nest success (i.e., probability that at least 1 egg from the nest hatched). Proposed changes in the management of Marsh Lake call for the installation of a water control structure at the Marsh Lake dam that will allow for active management of lake levels. Our study provides managers with models for predicting impacts of water levels on American white pelican production. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
Visible Spectra and Optical Rotatory Properties of Cupric Ion Complexes of l-Histidine-containing Peptides

Abstract The visible absorption spectra and optical rotatory dispersion spectra of l-histidine-containing peptides and copper(II) have been investigated. A knowledge of the equilibrium constants involved has enabled the spectra to be resolved into contributions from individual species. With the particular choice of peptides it has been possible to assess the contribution of different bonded groups to the magnitude of the ligand field around the central copper(II), which is reflected in the λmax values. The order of relative effectiveness is found to be: α-amino nitrogen g peptide nitrogen g imidazole nitrogen. Decisions can thus be made among alternative structures by measurement of the absorption spectra. The optical rotatory spectra show that the anomalous dispersion around the absorption band in the visible region is the resultant of two overlapping Cotton effects. When the l-histidyl residue is carboxyl terminal, these Cotton effects are of opposite sign. In the one example in which the l-histidyl residue was penultimate from the carboxyl terminus, both Cotton effects appeared to be negative. An explanation for the Cotton effects in the visible region has been given, postulating that interaction between the carbonyl oxygen of the l-histidyl carboxyl group and the copper(II) is responsible for predominance of one of the possible configurations of ligands around the metal ion.
A Transaction Processing Model for the Mobile Data Access System

Advances in wireless networking technology and portable computing devices have led to the emergence of a new computing paradigm known as mobile computing and a number of applications. As a result, software applications have to be redesigned to take advantage of this environment while accommodating the new challenges posed by mobility. As mobile users wander about, they are bound to encounter a variety of different information sources (databases) that are often autonomous and heterogeneous in nature. Such a collection of autonomous and heterogeneous database is often known as a multidatabase. The existing multidatabase systems do not readily support mobile computing. A new class of multidatabase that provides access to a large collection of data via a wireless networking connection is proposed -- a Mobile Data Access System (MDAS). Within the scope of MDAS, a new transaction-processing model is proposed that allows timely and reliable access to heterogeneous and autonomous data sources while coping with the mobility issue. The proposed model extends the existing multidatabase system without any adverse effect to the preexisting local and global users. This is accomplished through the implementation of multi tiered mobile transaction proxies that manage the execution of mobile transactions on behalf of the mobile user. The proposed transaction-processing model is simulated and the results are analyzed.
It Might Have Been: Risk, Precaution, and Opportunity Costs

This Article, which is part of a larger project on the competing merits of cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and the precautionary principle (PP) as competing policymaking paradigms for environmental, health, and safety regulation, examines one specific plank of the case against the PP: the claim that the principle's ignorance of the opportunity costs of precaution leads to indeterminate or impoverishing policy advice. Because PP defenders emphasize the limits of human knowledge and the frequency of unpleasant surprises from technology and industrial development, they prefer an ex ante stance of precaution whenever a proposed activity meets some threshold possibility of causing severe harm to human health or the environment. Importantly, they prefer this stance even in the face of potential benefits that may themselves be ameliorative of environmental, health, and safety dangers. Naturally, this asymmetric aspect of the PP generates strident criticism, particularly from consequentialist-utilitarian thinkers such as those who advocate CBA. Along with substitute risks, lulling effects, and other purportedly overlooked health consequences of precautionary regulation, these critics argue that the PP's failure to treat opportunity costs pari passu with the primary risks targeted by policy measures is simply indefensible. Despite the seemingly unimpeachable logic of this critique, the role of opportunity costs in environmental, health, and safety regulation actually turns out to be much more complicated and interesting than the CBA proponents' account reveals. As this Article demonstrates, the question of opportunity costs in risk regulation turns out to raise profound questions regarding the meaning and significance of uncertainty and rationality, the nature and extent of a society's moral obligation to other nations, other generations, and other life forms, and the very possibility of conceiving of political decisionmaking in the purely agent-neutral manner presupposed by CBA.
Microanalysis: Acquiring Database Semantics in Conceptual Graphs

Relational databases are in widespread use, yet they suffer from serious limitations when one uses them for reasoning about real-world enterprises. This is due to the fact that database relations possess no inherent semantics. This paper describes an approach called microanalysis that we have used to effectively capture database semantics represented by conceptual graphs. The technique prescribes a manual knowledge acquisition process whereby each relation schema is captured in a single conceptual graph. The schema's graph can then easily be instantiated for each tuple in the database forming a set of graphs representing the entire database's semantics. Although our technique originally was developed to capture semantics in a restricted domain of interest, namely database inference detection, we believe that domain-directed microanalysis is a general approach that can be of significant value for databases in many domains. We describe the approach and give a brief example.
Near-orthogonal randomized space-time block codes for multi-hop cooperative networks

In this paper, near-orthogonal random space-time block codes (STBCs) are used to design near-orthogonal channels to transmit information independently in a fully opportunistic multi-hop strip-shaped cooperative wireless network. This opportunistic large array (OLA) network is considered to have fixed hop boundaries having constant node density and operating on decode-and-forward (DF) relaying mode. To deal with random number of DF nodes, in each hop, directional statistical concepts are used for the randomization of underlying deterministic STBC letting each node to transmit linear combination of symbols or STBC columns. The transmissions are modeled stochastically with Markov chain. Network performance is evaluated on the basis of one-hop success probability and coverage for different number of nodes per hop, and dimensions of STBCs.
ADIMEW Project: Ductile Tearing Prediction of a Cracked 16 Dissimilar Metal Weld Junction

ADIMEW (A ssessment of aged piping DI ssimilar ME tal W eld integrity) EC project aimed to quantify the accuracy of structural integrity procedures used in the European nuclear industry to ensure the safety of defect-containing dissimilar metal welds in aged PWR Class 1 piping. A 16 inch diameter DMW weld junction containing a large machined crack has been tested successfully under bending at 300°C to determine the actual behaviour of cracks close to the interface. The 16” Dissimilar Metal Weld mock-up (Pressurizer DMW type) has been manufactured according to nuclear industry specifications by FRAMATOME-ANP and the four point bending test has been performed by EDF. The fracture behaviour of the cracked pipe test is rather complex since the crack is not located where large yielding develops in the pipe, the crack surface is conical but its front is straight, the crack is loaded under mixed mode and is parallel to the interface between ferritic and austentic weld metal where strain concentration develops. Furthermore the welding process induces residual stresses only partially released by the post weld heat treatment. This paper presents ductile fracture analyses of the test and comparisons to experimental measurements. Framatome-ANP and ESI performed a J based analysis up to initiation and a ductile crack growth simulation using the Rice and Tracey criterion.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Detecting and Explaining Dependencies in Execution Traces

AI systems in complex environments can be hard to understand. We present a simple method for finding dependencies between actions and later failures in execution traces of the Phoenix planner. We also discuss failure recovery analysis, a method for explaining dependencies discovered in the execution traces of Phoenix’s failure recovery behavior.
The Comparison of Microstructure and Nanocluster Evolution in Proton and Neutron Irradiated Fe–9%Cr ODS Steel to 3 DPA at 500 °C

Abstract A model Fe–9%Cr oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steel was irradiated with protons or neutrons to a dose of 3 displacements per atom (dpa) at a temperature of 500 °C, enabling a direct comparison of ion to neutron irradiation effects at otherwise fixed irradiation conditions. The irradiated microstructures were characterized using transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography including cluster analysis. Both proton and neutron irradiations produced a comparable void and dislocation loop microstructure. However, the irradiation response of the Ti–Y–O oxide nanoclusters varied. Oxides remained stable under proton irradiation, but exhibited dissolution and an increase in Y:Ti composition ratio under neutron irradiation. Both proton and neutron irradiation also induced varying extents of Si, Ni, and Mn clustering at existing oxide nanoclusters. Protons are able to reproduce the void and loop microstructure of neutron irradiation carried out to the same dose and temperature. However, since nanocluster evolution is controlled by both diffusion and ballistic impacts, protons are rendered unable to reproduce the nanocluster evolution of neutron irradiation at the same dose and temperature.
Dual- and Multi-Energy CT: Principles, Technical Approaches, and Clinical Applications

The ability of dual- and multi-energy CT to differentiate materials of different effective atomic numbers makes possible several new and clinically relevant CT applications.
Particle Dispersion and Mixing of Conservative Properties in an Eddy-Resolving Model

We examine the diffusive behavior of the flow field in an eddy-resolving, primitive equation circulation model. Analysis of fluid particle trajectories illustrates the transport mechanisms, which are leading to uniform tracer and potential vorticity distributions in the interior of the subtropical thermocline. In contrast to the assumption of weak mixing in recent analytical theories, the numerical model indicates the alternative of tracer and potential vorticity homogenization on isopycnal surfaces taking place in a nonideal fluid with strong, along-isopycnal eddy mixing. The eastern, ventilated portion of the gyre appears to be sufficiently homogeneous to allow the concept of an eddy diffusivity to apply. A break in a random walk behavior of particle statistics occurs after about 100 days when along-flow dispersion sharply increases, indicative of mean shear effects. During the first months of particle spreading, eddy dispersal and mean advection are of similar magnitude. Eddy kinetic energy is of O(60–80 cm2 s−2) in the model thermocline, comparable to the pool of weak eddy intensity found in the eastern parts of the subtropical oceans. Eddy diffusivity in the model thermocline (Kxx = 8 × 107, Kyy = 3 × 107 cm2 s−1) seems to be higher by a factor of about 3 than oceanic values estimated for these area. Below the thermocline, model diffusivity decreases substantially and becomes much more anisotropic, with particle dispersal preferentially in the zonal direction. The strong nonisotropic behavior, prominent also in all other areas of water eddy intensity, appears as the major discrepancy when compared with the observed behavior of SOFAR floats and surface drifters in the ocean.
On ergodic quasi-invariant measures on the circle group

Abstract : The paper studies the structure of measures on a circle, quasi-invariant and ergodic under translation by a dense subgroup. (Author)
Adsorption of parathion in a multicomponent solution

Abstract Parathion adsorption was studied with emphasis on the effect of the presence of a secondary adsorbate. With rhodamine B, the quantity of parathion adsorption on different clay minerals increased two-to four-fold, while methylene blue and phenol had little or no effect. Rhodamine B was readily sorbed by clay minerals and the formed organoclay complex also enhanced the parathion adsorption more than two-fold. Lake sediments, on the other hand, increased their parathion adsorption capacity when the organic matter was partially extracted from the sediment particles.
High dynamic polarization of protons

This paper is a detailed study of the dynamic polarization of the protons in the waters of hydration in the crystal ${(\mathrm{N}\mathrm{d},\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{L}\mathrm{a})}_{2}$${\mathrm{Mg}}_{3}$${(\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{O}}_{3})}_{12}$\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}24${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$O, which occurs when one saturates a microwave "forbidden" transition that simultaneously flips a proton and a ${\mathrm{Nd}}^{3+}$ ion. The proton relaxation, as well as the dynamics of the polarization process, is discussed in terms of a phenomenological shell-of-influence model. A polarization apparatus is described for use at frequencies up to 75 kMc/sec and temperatures $1.3lTl4.2$\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. Proton relaxation rates ${{T}_{1p}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ are measured over a wide range of fields $H$ and temperatures, and are found to be in agreement with the predicted rate ${{T}_{1p}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}\ensuremath{\approx}{{T}_{1e}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}{(\frac{{g}_{\mathrm{Nd}}\ensuremath{\beta}}{H})}^{2}{〈{r}^{\ensuremath{-}6}〉}_{\mathrm{av}}$ where ${{T}_{1e}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ is the relaxation rate for the ${\mathrm{Nd}}^{3+}$ ion, $r$ is the separation between proton and ion, and the average is taken over the shell of influence. At the Nd concentration studied (\ensuremath{\sim}1%), the local fields apparently prevent the free diffusion of spin temperature. Dynamic proton polarization measurements are made over a wide range of frequencies and temperatures: at 75 kMc/sec and 1.5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K a polarization of at least 70% is observed. At these high polarizations, the proton magnetic-resonance line shape changes and a structure appears, due to the freezing-in of the local dipolar fields. At still higher polarizations a local-field computation predicts a series of sharp proton lines, suggesting the possibility of high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance in solids. The crystal studied is a favorable one for construction of polarized proton targets.
Dose measurements of bremsstrahlung-produced neutrons from thick targets

Abstract Photons of sufficiently high energies (Eγ≥5–15 MeV) can produce neutrons by means of photonuclear interactions. Bremsstrahlung from high energy electron storage rings, which have an energy range of zero to the maximum energy of the particle beam, can interact with beamline components like beam stops and collimators generating photoneutrons of varying energies. This paper presents the results of simultaneous measurements of bremsstrahlung power and corresponding photoneutron dose equivalent rate at the insertion device beamlines of the Advanced Photon Source, using a lead-glass calorimeter and an Andersson–Braun remmeter. Targets made of Fe, Cu, W, and Pb are placed in the bremsstrahlung beam inside the first optics enclosure of the insertion device beamlines. The photoneutron dose equivalent rates, normalized to bremsstrahlung power, beam current, and storage ring pressure, are measured for the four targets. The photoneutron dose equivalent rates, normalized to the bremsstrahlung power and corrected for systematic variations, are given as 2.2±0.5 rem/h/W for Fe,3.0±0.5 rem/h/W for Cu, 3.8±0.5 rem/h/W for W, and 3.7±0.8 rem/h/W for Pb targets, at a distance of 0.8 m perpendicular from the target center.
FlyFactorSurvey: a database of Drosophila transcription factor binding specificities determined using the bacterial one-hybrid system

FlyFactorSurvey (http://pgfe.umassmed.edu/TFDBS/) is a database of DNA binding specificities for Drosophila transcription factors (TFs) primarily determined using the bacterial one-hybrid system. The database provides community access to over 400 recognition motifs and position weight matrices for over 200 TFs, including many unpublished motifs. Search tools and flat file downloads are provided to retrieve binding site information (as sequences, matrices and sequence logos) for individual TFs, groups of TFs or for all TFs with characterized binding specificities. Linked analysis tools allow users to identify motifs within our database that share similarity to a query matrix or to view the distribution of occurrences of an individual motif throughout the Drosophila genome. Together, this database and its associated tools provide computational and experimental biologists with resources to predict interactions between Drosophila TFs and target cis-regulatory sequences.
PNEUMOTHORAX AND SURGICAL EMPHYSEMA IN A NEWBORN BABY CAUSED BY AMNIOCENTESIS

Summary A report is presented of a newborn baby who developed a pneumothorax and extensive surgical emphysema after being delivered by Caesarean section for fetal distress soon after the mother had an amniocentesis.
Analysis of low energy heavy ion multiparticle transfer reactions in terms of entrance and exit doorways

A projection operator method is developed for the analysis of low energy heavy ion multiparticle transfer reactions. Entrance doorways introduce structure which is transferred sequentially via reaction (or exit) doorways to the reaction channel of interest. The theory treats both gross and intermediate structure, and the coupling from entrance to exit doorways introduces additional spreading and rather narrow structure in the reaction cross section. Consistent with experiment, energy shifts of reaction channel resonances relative to each other and to the elastic are present. The theory is suggested as a means of studying, for example, $^{12}\mathrm{C}+^{12}\mathrm{C}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{20}\mathrm{Ne}^{*}+\ensuremath{\alpha}$ in the range of 10-30 MeV (c.m.) where the ${0}_{2}^{+}$ state of $^{12}\mathrm{C}$* would play an important role.
Syntheses of monomeric iron and manganese complexes using bulky tripodal ligands: catalytic alkene epoxidations

Abstract Sterically encumbered monomeric transition-metal complexes were examined as epoxidation catalysts. Bulky ligands such as tetradentate triamidoamines of the type [(RNCH 2 CH 2 ) 3 N] 3− and tridentate tris(3- t -butylpyrazolyl)borate were used to diminish the deactivation of the catalysts via μ-oxo dimerization. Several monomeric manganese and iron complexes, including M[(RNCH 2 CH 2 ) 3 N] [R=trimethylsilyl: M=Mn 3+ ( 1 ); R=C 6 F 5 : M=Fe 3+ ( 2 ), Mn 3+ ( 3 )], {η 3 -HB(3- t BuPz) 3 }MCl [M=Fe 2+ ( 4 ), Mn 2+ ( 6 )] and {η 3 -HB(3- t BuPz) 3 }FeOTf ( 5 ), were synthesized and examined as possible catalysts for the selective epoxidation of norbornylene and styrene. Oxygen atom sources were PhIO or molecular O 2 –isobutyraldehyde. With PhIO as the oxidant, complexes 1 , 3 , and 6 oxidized norbornylene and styrene catalytically to the corresponding epoxides in high selectivity, while complexes 2 and 4 exhibited low epoxidation activity. By using O 2 with isobutyraldehyde as a co-reductant, complexes 1 , 3 , 4 , and 6 showed efficient catalytic activity with high selectivity and reaction rate for epoxidation, in comparison to control experiments without a catalyst. Complex 4 with O 2 and isobutyraldehyde also catalyzed the epoxidation of stilbenes to epoxides. Both cis - and trans -stilbenes are converted mainly to the trans -stilbene oxide. The possible role of the metal complexes as the active epoxidation catalysts is discussed.
A previously unrecognized Isidrogalvia (Liliaceae) from Bolivia

Isidrogalvia longiflora, a new combination based onAsagraea longiflora, is proposed. It is the first record ofIsidrogalvia from Bolivia.
Lifting In Stooped And Kneeling Postures: Effects On Lifting Capacity, Metabolic Costs, And Electromyography Of Eight Trunk Muscles

Twelve healthy, experienced underground coal miners performed lifting capacity tests in stooped and kneeling postures using a modified psychophysical, procedure. Subjects adjusted weight in a lifting box to the maximum they could handle without undue fatigue in an asymmetric lifting task. Lifting periods were 20 min in duration and the frequency was 10 lifts/min. Tests were performed under a 48-in. roof that restricted the subject's posture. Psychophysical, physiological, and biomechanical dependent measures included the maximum acceptable weight of lift (MAWL), heart rate (HR), rate of oxygen consumption (VO2), ventilation volume rate (VE), respiratory exchange ratio (R), and integrated electromyography (EMG) of eight trunk muscles. Results indicated that the MAWL was significantly lower when kneeling than when stooped (p < 0.05). Furthermore, metabolic demands were greater in terms of HR (p < 0.005) and VO2 (p < 0.05) when kneeling. Left and right erectores spinae muscles exhibited increased EMG activity in the kneeling posture (p < 0.001). It was concluded that psychophysical lifting capacity is decreased, while the metabolic stress and internal load on the spine are increased, in the kneeling posture. Results of this Bureau of Mines study indicate that it may be advisable to reduce the weight of materials that are handled repetitively in the kneeling posture.
The “Achievement by Proxy” Spectrum: Recognition and Clinical Response to Pressured and High-Achieving Children and Adolescents

What is required to produce a 6-year-old beauty queen. a 7year-old pilo t. a I4-year-old Olympic gold medalist gymnast. a l S-year-old champion ice hockey player. a 16-year-old Rachmaninoff virtuoso. a 12-year-old movie actor, or a 15year-old university student? We may admire, envy. or even attempt to emulate these children and their parents. Nevertheless. medical and mental health professionals should also consider the realistic dangers and potential costs children may incur in the process of fostering their precociousness and exceptional talents. In this article, we review the potential problems these children face by conceptualizing a spectrum of achievement by proxy (ABP) behavior. (Ogilvie et al., 1998; Tofler et al., 1998).
Metal-insulator transition in quasi-two-dimensional Mo-C films

We have studied the insulator-to-metal transition in Mo-C films by tuning the thickness from 2.6 to 20 A. The temperature dependence of the conductivity evolves from hopping transport, for the thin insulating films, to a ln{ital T} dependence for the thicker metallic films. In the insulating regime we find a variable range Mott hopping law at high temperatures crossing over to Efros-Shklovskii hopping at lower temperatures with the opening of a soft Coulomb gap. We also obtain the dependence of the characteristic parameters on the film thickness.
Parent-child aggression: association with child abuse potential and parenting styles

The present investigation predicted that greater use of corporal punishment as well as physical maltreatment would be associated with child abuse potential and selected parenting styles. Three independent studies were examined, two with community samples and a third with a clinical at-risk sample of parents. Parents across all studies anonymously completed the Child Abuse Potential Inventory, the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scale to assess physical discipline and maltreatment, as well as the Parenting Scale to measure dysfunctional parenting styles. Findings support that overall parent-child aggression, as well as physical maltreatment behaviors specifically, were associated with child abuse potential. Parent-child aggression was also related to dysfunctional parenting styles, particularly an overreactive, authoritarian parenting style. Permissive parenting was also identified as potentially associated with physical maltreatment, although the findings regarding such lax parenting styles are less clear. Intriguing findings emerged regarding the connection of psychological aggression to both child abuse potential and dysfunctional parenting style. Child abuse potential was also associated with dysfunctional parenting style, particularly harsh, overreactive approaches. Recommendations for future study with at-risk samples and additional research on permissive parenting and psychological aggression are discussed.