cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Life Distributions, Models and Their Characteristics

A typical experiment in life testing of equipment consists of installing a sample of n similar units on appropriate devices and subjecting the units to operation under specified conditions until failure of the equipment is observed. We distinguish between two types of data. The first type is obtained under continuous monitoring of a unit until failure is observed. In this case we have exact information on the length of life, or time till failure, T, of that unit. The observed random variable, T, is a continuous variable, i.e., it can assume any value in a certain time interval. The second type of data arises when the units are observed only at discrete time points t 1, t 2, ···. The number of failures among the n tested units is recorded for each inter-inspection time interval. Let N 1, N 2, ···, denote the number of units failing in the time intervals [0, t1), [t 1, t 2), ···. These are discrete random variables representing failure counts.
System Integration for VLSI Neurocomputing

VLSI neural systems play an important role in real-time signal and image processing. Several neural hardware designs which typically function as direct accelerators for software computation have been reported [1]. These hardware accelerators, including main processors, mathematical coprocessors, and associated memories, solve difference equations of a neural network instead of the original differential equations. The approximation of using difference equations requires a tremendously large computational time and also could lead to a fatal failure caused by numerical errors [2]. The rich properties of neural networks inherent in the massively parallel processing scheme using programmable synapses and neurons are to be fully explored. To make the neurocomputing hardware more powerful, compact and electrically programmable synapses are crucial. Using the programmable neural chip with gain-adjustable neuron and adaptive synapses, reconfigurable neural systems with learning capability can be produced. In addition, hardware annealing can easily be applied to obtain the optimal solutions.
Numerical and Experimental Methods for Dosimetry of RF Radiation: Some Recent Results

Considerable progress has been made in the development of numerical methods for dosimetry of exposure to electromagnetic fields from extra low frequencies (ELF) to microwave frequencies. Even though the fmite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method has been used extensively, several other methods most notably the method of moments (MOM), the conjugate gradient-fast Fourier transform (CG-FFT) and the quasi-static impedance or admittance methods have also been used for a number of exposure conditions [1–3]. Concomitant with the development of these methods, increasing resolution anatomically-based models of the human body have also been developed, initially from anatomical sectional diagrams and, more recently, from MRI scans of living humans [1–5] or cadavers such as “visible man” and “visible woman” developed by National Library of Medicine. With the advent of larger memory PCs, computing work stations, and parallel processors, it is possible to run anatomically-based whole-body models with resolutions on the order of a few millimeters e.g. 2 х 2 х 3 nun resolution model of the human body [6] and submillimeter resolution models for partial body exposures e.g. head and neck for the case of wireless telephones [7]. Anatomically-based models of the commonly used animals such as the rat and rhesus monkey are also being developed [8] and used for dosimetric calculations because of the importance of such subjects for laboratory experiments [9].
Impact of skeletal-related events on multiple myeloma treatment.

e20009Background: Skeletal-related events (SREs), sequelae of bone lesions, are common and devastating complications in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).This study assessed the impact of SREs on...
Numerical modeling of the spray coating of spinning bodies

We derive the lubrication form of the fluid mechanical equations governing the motion of a thin liquid film on an arbitrarily curved, rotating, axisymmetric substrate. The resulting equations are discretized and then solved numerically using an efficient implicit finite difference algorithm. Non-Newtonian effects are included by incorporating an Ellis viscosity model. The primary application for this work is to model the spin coating of the interior of two-piece metal beverage cans, and we consider this problem in some depth. Specifically, we show how adjusting several parameters can eliminate one possible defect in the spin coating process: the tendency for droplets to detach from the substrate when the can is spun at high rotation rates.
Assessing Spectator Response to Sport Sponsorships at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have a strong tradition and football following, yet they struggle financially and lack sponsorship revenue. HBCU fans are understudied, and investigating their behavior would help athletic departments. The purpose of this study was to determine HBCU football consumers’ response to sponsorships. Spectators’ team and university identification, awareness, attitude, loyalty, goodwill, gratitude, and trust of sponsors were examined in relation to purchase intentions and positive word of mouth (WOM) of sponsors. Brand loyalty and gratitude led to increased purchase intentions. Brand attitude, brand awareness, brand loyalty, and goodwill led to positive WOM. Subscribe to JASM
Transgender health education for medical students

Background Transgender individuals face numerous health disparities and report negative experiences with health care providers related to their gender identity. Significant gaps in medical education regarding transgender health persist despite calls for increased sexual and gender minority content. The purpose of this student-led study was to assess the effectiveness of a half-day educational intervention on first- and second-year medical students' attitudes and knowledge of transgender health. Methods Students and faculty members collaborated to develop an educational session on transgender health. This content was presented to first- and second-year medical students at Integrated Grand Rounds, a pedagogical method in which basic science and clinical faculty members co-present didactic content interspersed between live patient interviews and student-led small group discussions. Student participants (n = 138) completed voluntary 9-item pre- and post-session surveys assessing comfort with and knowledge of transgender medicine. Results Students' comfort with and perceived knowledge about transgender patients increased significantly between pre- and post-test. Students' knowledge of transgender medicine standards of care also improved, though not all items reached significance. Discussion A half-day educational intervention improved many facets of medical students' attitudes and knowledge about transgender patients. The significant disparities in physical health, mental health and access to care currently experienced by transgender persons in the United States warrants the continued testing and refinement of educational interventions for future and practising providers. Students' comfort with transgender patients increased significantly between pre- and post-test.
Management strategies for pastures and beef cattle in the Middle-South: The I-20 Corridor

Abstract Warm-season perennial grasses are the basic forages for pastures in the I-20 Corridor. Bermudagrasses and bahiagrass are the primary perennial grasses used on upland sites, and lowland sites include dallisgrass on more wet-soil conditions. Over-wintering for cows and calves is accomplished using conserved forages such as hay and baleage, overseeding with small grain, ryegrass and/or clovers, and, for some site-specific areas, with tall fescue. Stockpiled bermudagrass pastures can provide grazing without the use of hay during November and December. This mid-South Hardiness Zone is dominated by cow–calf production; however, forage systems and management strategies provide opportunities for stocker calves grazing during summer or winter. Soils are generally acidic with low-organic matter and low-nitrogen content. Fertilizers with nitrogen and limestone are used on many pastures to enhance sustainability and increase forage production for increased carrying capacity.
Rehabbed to Death: Breaking the Cycle

Many older adults transfer from the hospital to a post-acute care (PAC) facility and back to the hospital in the final phase of life. This phenomenon, which we have dubbed "Rehabbing to death," is emblematic of how our healthcare system does not meet the needs of older adults and their families. Policy has driven practice in this area including seemingly benign habits such as calling PAC facilities "rehab." We advocate for practice changes: (1) calling PAC "after-hospital transitional care," rather than "rehab"; (2) adopting a serious illness communication model when discussing new care needs at the end of a hospitalization; and (3) policies that incentivize comprehensive care planning for older adults across all settings and provide broad support and training for caregivers. In realigning health and social policies to meet the needs of older adults and their caregivers, fewer patients will be rehabbed to death, and more will receive care consistent with their preferences and priorities. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:2398-2401, 2019.
Technology‐based contingency management and e‐cigarettes during the initial weeks of a smoking quit attempt

Contingency management (CM) interventions are among the most effective behavioral interventions for smoking. This study assessed the effects of CM and electronic cigarettes (ECs) on smoking reductions and abstinence for durations of 30-36 days. Twelve participants were exposed to Baseline, EC alone, and EC + CM conditions. An internet-based platform was used to monitor smoking via breath carbon monoxide (CO) and deliver CM for smoking abstinence (CO ≤4 ppm). A Bluetooth-enabled EC monitored daily EC puffs. Abstinence rates were equivalent between EC (34.4%) and EC + CM (30.4%) conditions. Both conditions promoted smoking reductions. We observed an inverse correlation between smoking and EC puffs (r = -.62, p < .05). Results suggest the use of electronic cigarettes can promote smoking reductions and abstinence, and CM did not improve these outcomes. Larger magnitude consequences or tailoring EC characteristics (e.g., flavor) may have improved outcomes. Technology-based methods to collect intensive, longitudinal measures of smoking and electronic cigarette use may be useful to characterize their environmental determinants.
Beryllium-7 Elucidate Sediment Dynamics of the Branford River Estuary, Connecticut, USA

Berrylium-7 elucidates sediment dynamics (i.e., sources, sinks, deposition, and resuspension) in a Connecticut estuary. Average annual atmospheric deposition of 7Be is 290 mBq cm−2 year−1. Sediment samples from 43 locations within the estuary show that 7Be deposition is spatially complex, but were statistically indistinguishable a year apart. Weekly time series of sediments indicate that levels are nearly constant on this shorter time scale once radioactive decay is taken into account. 7Be levels in sediments are a balance between steady losses through radioactive decay and periodic pulse inputs following rainstorms. The water column was measured intensively during three rain events, showing that 7Be is removed rapidly from the water column, with a rate constant averaging 1.00 ± 0.12 day−1. A mass balance shows that 7Be is supplied about equally by direct precipitation onto the estuary’s surface and inflow from the watershed. Losses from the water column are split between net sedimentation (43%) and tidal flushing (57%). Variations in sedimentary 7Be levels at very short (meters) and longer (km) distances, and changes at time scales from hours to years, indicate that a large number of samples are required to capture all the variability in these highly dynamic systems. The current study differs from previous research in that a large number of measurements were conducted on a smaller system, and a full mass balance was developed.
Combining automatic plan integrity check (APIC) with standard plan document and checklist method to reduce errors in treatment planning.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To report our experience of combining three approaches of an automatic plan integrity check (APIC), a standard plan documentation, and checklist methods to minimize errors in the treatment planning process. MATERIALS/METHODS We developed APIC program and standardized plan documentation via scripting in the treatment planning system, with an enforce function of APIC usage. We used a checklist method to check for communication errors in patient charts (referred to as chart errors). Any errors in the plans and charts (referred to as the planning errors) discovered during the initial chart check by the therapists were reported to our institutional Workflow Enhancement (WE) system. Clinical Implementation of these three methods is a progressive process while the APIC was the major progress among the three methods. Thus, we chose to compared the total number of planning errors before (including data from 2013 to 2014) and after (including data from 2015 to 2018) APIC implementation. We assigned the severity of these errors into five categories: serious (S), near miss with safety net (NM), clinical interruption (CLI), minor impediment (MI), and bookkeeping (BK). The Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS A total of 253 planning error forms, containing 272 errors, were submitted during the study period, representing an error rate of 3.8%, 3.1%, 2.1%, 0.8%, 1.9% and 1.3% of total number of plans in these years respectively. A marked reduction of planning error rate in the S and NM categories was statistically significant (P < 0.01): from 0.6% before APIC to 0.1% after APIC. The error rate for all categories was also significantly reduced (P < 0.01), from 3.4% before APIC and 1.5% per plan after APIC. CONCLUSION With three combined methods, we reduced both the number and the severity of errors significantly in the process of treatment planning.
Analysis of fuel rod behavior during loss-of-coolant accidents using the BISON code: Fuel modeling developments and simulation of integral experiments

Abstract In the first part of this work, we discussed BISON fuel performance code developments for Zircaloy cladding behavior under loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) conditions and validation to separate-effects experiments. In this paper, we present modeling developments for UO2 fuel behavior during LOCAs and validation to integral experiments. Code developments are related in particular to modeling axial relocation of fuel fragments during cladding ballooning. Code validation is performed against three integral fuel rod LOCA tests from the Halden IFA-650 series, covering fresh and pre-irradiated fuel rods with and without significant axial fuel relocation observed. Calculated results are systematically compared to experimental data of fuel rod inner pressure evolution during the LOCA transients, time to cladding burst and post-test cladding diameter profile. Comparisons in terms of rod pressure evolution and time to burst appear adequate. Also, the ability to reproduce axial relocation of fuel fragments is demonstrated. Calculated cladding diameter profiles are shown to be considerably sensitive to the selection of the burst failure criterion, highlighting the difficulty to accurately evaluate cladding strains at burst during postulated LOCA scenarios with fuel performance codes.
Improved prognostic stratification using circulating tumor cell clusters in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

Liquid biopsy-based biomarkers have advantages in monitoring the dynamics of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), a bone-predominant metastatic disease. Previous studies have demonstrated associations between circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and clinical outcomes of mCRPC patients, but little is known about the prognostic value of CTC-clusters. In 227 longitudinally collected blood samples from 64 mCRPC patients, CTCs and CTC-clusters were enumerated using the CellSearch platform. The associations of CTC and CTC-cluster counts with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), individually and jointly, were evaluated by Cox models. CTCs and CTC-clusters were detected in 24 (37.5%) and 8 (12.5%) of 64 baseline samples, and in 119 (52.4%) and 27 (11.9%) of 227 longitudinal samples, respectively. CTC counts were associated with both PFS and OS, but CTC-clusters were only independently associated with an increased risk of death. Among patients with unfavorable CTCs (≥5), the presence of CTC-clusters signified a worse survival (log-rank p = 0.0185). mCRPC patients with both unfavorable CTCs and CTC-clusters had the highest risk for death (adjusted hazard ratio 19.84, p = 0.0072), as compared to those with <5 CTCs. Analyses using longitudinal data yielded similar results. In conclusion, CTC-clusters provided additional prognostic information for further stratifying death risk among patients with unfavorable CTCs.
Effects of Mass Shootings on the Mental Health of Children and Adolescents

To examine mass shootings in youth including mass shooting trends, risk and protective factors for emotional sequelae, mental health, prevention of mass shootings, and the assessment and treatment of survivors. Many youth are exposed to gun violence, with a smaller subset exposed to mass shootings. While youth have varying responses to mass shootings, possibly due to risk and protective factors as well as level of exposure, the mental health outcomes are significant and include posttraumatic stress, suicide, depression, substance abuse, and anxiety. Efforts at developing effective prevention and treatment programs are still underway but generally take a tiered public health approach. Mass shootings have significant mental health outcomes for youth survivors, particularly those with direct exposure or risk factors. Continued efforts are needed to better understand the effects of mass shootings and how to prevent them from occurring as well as how to best address the needs of survivors.
Disentangling Racial, Ethnic, and Socioeconomic Disparities in Treatment for Colorectal Cancer.

Background: Colorectal cancer is curable if diagnosed early and treated properly. Black and Hispanic patients with colorectal cancer are more likely to experience treatment delays and/or receive lower standards of care. Socioeconomic deprivation may contribute to these disparities, but this has not been extensively quantified. We studied the interrelationship between patient race/ethnicity and neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES) on receipt of timely appropriate treatment among patients with colorectal cancer in California. Methods: White, Black, and Hispanic patients (26,870) diagnosed with stage I–III colorectal cancer (2009–2013) in the California Cancer Registry were included. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association of race/ethnicity and nSES with three outcomes: undertreatment, >60-day treatment delay, and >90-day treatment delay. Joint effect models and mediation analysis were used to explore the interrelationships between race/ethnicity and nSES. Results: Hispanics and Blacks were at increased risk for undertreatment [Black OR = 1.39; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.23–1.57; Hispanic OR = 1.17; 95% CI = 1.08–1.27] and treatment delay (Black/60-day OR = 1.78; 95% CI = 1.57–2.02; Hispanic/60-day OR = 1.50; 95% CI = 1.38–1.64) compared with Whites. Of the total effect (OR = 1.15; 95% CI = 1.07–1.24) of non-white race on undertreatment, 45.71% was explained by nSES. Conclusions: Lower nSES patients of any race were at substantially higher risk for undertreatment and treatment delay, and racial/ethnic disparities are reduced or eliminated among non-white patients living in the highest SES neighborhoods. Racial and ethnic disparities persisted after accounting for neighborhood socioeconomic status, and between the two, race/ethnicity explained a larger portion of the total effects. Impact: This research improves our understanding of how socioeconomic deprivation contributes to racial/ethnic disparities in colorectal cancer.
On Wavelet Neural Networks and River Flow Forecasting

A method of river flow modeling and forecast is implemented, and results are presented to provide comparisons based on different techniques and training parameters. Here we implement a forecast based on the well-established feed forward back propagation design multilayer perceptron artificial neural network. In order to improve predictive ability, two new methods are designed to incorporate the multi-resolution information from a Daubechies type wavelet transform as input to the network. The novel methods are compared with the existing one in a case study to assess the performance of the wavelet neural networks, and to obtain results to help guide future network design and select of training parameters. The new predictive network design is inspired by existing methods but adds more repeatability and stability to the result. By using a genetic algorithm for selecting trained networks and averaging the results of many trials, we can incorporate the inherent randomness created from network training. In this case study, we combine wavelet analysis and artificial neural networks to perform river flow forecasting of the Tittabawassee River. Our results are superior to some existing methods.
Temporal Response of Gafchromic EBT2 Radiochromic Film in Proton Beam Irradiation

Introduction: Gafchromic EBT2 is being used for radiation dosimetry including photon, electrons and recently in proton beams, based on its color changes from transparent to blue due to polymerization. It is critical to understand the temporal response of the polymerization after irradiation to proton beam.
Partial Purification and Characterization of Acetyl-CoA Synthetase from Mature Spinach Leaves

Acetyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) catalyzes the conversion of acetate to acetyl-CoA. In photosynthetic tissue, this enzyme is localized in the chloroplast (1) where it potentially provides a key source of acetyl-CoA for fatty acid, isoprenoid, and branch-chain amino acid biosynthesis. Acetyl-CoA synthetase’s contribution to chloroplast acetyl-CoA is presently controversial because of the identification of alternative sources of acetyl-CoA (i. e. pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (2, 3), and carnitine acyltransferase (4)), in the chloroplast. To further elucidate the role of ACS in chloroplast acetyl-CoA metabolism we have partially purified and characterized ACS from mature spinach leaves.
Psychosocial and genetic risk markers for longitudinal trends in delinquency: an empirical assessment and practical discussion

The increased use of biosocial perspectives in criminological research has expanded the scope of factors considered in understanding the etiology of adolescent antisocial behavior. At the same time, its practical utility for preventive and remedial intervention has not been examined to the same degree. Using a large, nationally representative sample of youth (N = 2573) and a series of latent growth curve models, this study examines the relative utility of a psychosocial risk composite and genetic indicators (DRD2, DRD4, DAT1, 5-HTTLPR, MAO-A) in predicting the onset and later developmental patterns of adolescent and early adult delinquency and criminal behavior. The results show that the psychosocial risk composite measure has significant effects on the latent growth factors, while the main and interactive effects of the genetic indicators do not. The subsequent discussion considers the practical implications of these empirical findings in the context of extant research and pinpoints some possible future ...
Single-shot characterization of optical pulses below the resolution limit by phase-diversified photodetection

Picosecond optical pulses are characterized by directly photodetecting, with low resolution, 64 ancillary pulses with different chromatic dispersions generated in an all-fiber, high-sensitivity diagnostic, with application to the single-shot characterization of high-energy lasers.
Synchronized oscillations and chaos in coupled genetic repressilators

Living organisms are complex, and are typically composed of many interacting subsystems. In order to understand the complex genetic networks present in the whole cell, it is of crucial importance to first understand the dynamic behavior of modular genetic circuits. Recently a few subsystems on the genetic level, namely, genetic repressilators or oscillators, and bi-stable gene circuits, have been constructed and manipulated. In the former case, while mathematical model predicts simple oscillations, it has been observed that period varies from one oscillation to another considerably. Realizing that laboratory biochemical experiments take place in space in a distributed way, we study coupled repressilators. Let the repressilator of Elowitz and Leibler [1] be described by the following set of 6 ordinary differential equations:
Using memory aid to build memory independence

Memory aids provide useful assistance for forgetful people. However, the inherent concern is that the convenience of memory aids can also create detrimental user dependency; thereby creating forgetful people. As a case study, I investigate how an example cooking memory aid that summarizes which ingredients have been added how many times could avoid user dependency that would otherwise atrophy the cook's ability of short-term memory recall. How does the cook rely on the memory aid to complete the cooking task? Does the cook use the memory aid more frequently over time? From a group of three young adult participants across five cooking sessions, I report changes in their use and nonuse of the memory aid over two weeks. The findings suggest that the young adults used the memory aid to confirm their own memory recall, thereby bolstering their self-confidence. Consequently, they came to rely on the memory aid less because they learned to trust their own memory recall more, thereby building memory independence from using the memory aid.
Elementos de literaturización en un Diálogo de Bartolomé Hidalgo

Ciertas formas de literatura hay que, gracias a su insercion en un contexto sociohistorico bien configurado, se prestan a analisis criticos mas de contenido que estructuralistas. Este pareciera ser el caso de las cronicas de la Conquista, de la novela de denuncia social-realista, y de cierta vertiente de la actual literatura feminista. Y es, indudablemente, el caso de mucha de la literatura gauchesca, en particular de aquellos textos en que el elemento mas explicito pareciera ser la identificacion y la resolucion de preocupaciones politicas de la Independencia del Rio de la Plata y las subsiguientes luchas entre distintas facciones politicas. De ahi que urja reconocer el notable ardid (directamente romantico, por cuanto que representa la americanizacion del concepto de la Volkspoesie) de manifestar comentarios tendenciosos en formas (pseudo-) populares.
Regulatory and Structural Genes for Lysozymes of Mice

The molecular and genetic basis of large differences in the concentration of P lysozyme in the small intestine has been investigated by crossing inbred strains of two species of house mouse (genus Mus). The concentration of P in domesticus is about 130-fold higher than in castaneus . An autosomal genetic element determining the concentration of P has been identified and named the P lysozyme regulator, Lzp-r . The level of P in interspecific hybrids (domesticus x castaneus) as well as in certain classes of backcross progeny is intermediate relative to parental levels, which shows that the two alleles of Lzp-r are inherited additively. There are two forms of P lysozyme in the intestine of the interspecific hybrid—one having the heat stability of domesticus P, the other being more stable and presumably the product of the castaneus P locus. These two forms occur in equal amounts, and it appears that Lzp-r acts in trans. The linkage of Lzp-r to three structural genes (Lzp-s, Lzm-s1, and Lzm-s2), one specifying P lysozyme and two specifying M lysozymes, was shown by electrophoretic analysis of backcrosses involving domesticus and castaneus and also domesticus and spretus . The role of regulatory mutations in evolution is discussed in light of these results.
Interactions between fluorescent pseudomonads and VA mycorrhizal fungi

SUMMARY Cucumber seeds were treated with rifampin-resistant derivatives of Pseudomonas putida (A12, NI or R-20) or R-20 or P. fluorescens (2–79 or 3871) and planted in soils with and without added inoculum of the VA mycorrhizal fungi Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith or G. etunicatum Becker & Gerdemann. Populations of Pseudomonas spp. in the combined rhizosphere-rhizoplane soil were determined at 1–9 weeks after planting by dilution plating on a selective medium. At 1–3 weeks, the populations of all strains except R–20 were 1.5 to 7 times lower in the rhizosphere of cucumber roots colonized by G. intraradices, when compared to nonmycorrhizal plants. However, this effect was less consistent in 3- to 9-week-old plants. No significant difference was detected in populations of Pseudomonas strains between roots colonized by G. etunicatum and nonmycorrhizal roots. Strains 3871 and 2-79, which are antibiotic producers, delayed the germination of G. etunicatum spores in raw soil, but by seven days no significant differences in frequency of germination were detected. None of the fluorescent Pseudomonas strains affected the colonization of cucumber roots by G. etunicatum, as determined by measurements of mycorrhizal inoculum density root colonization relationships.
Electroweak radiative corrections and unitarity of Standard Model

Abstract Electroweak corrections to longitudinal gauge and Higgs boson scattering amplitudes are calculated. Due to Sudakov double logarithms, the effect is a suppression of amplitude that grows rapidly with increasing center of mass energy leading to significant reduction of cross sections compared to tree level results. For example, the suppression factor for the cross section of W L + W L − scattering due to these corrections varies from 0.3 at the center of mass energy of 100 TeV to a factor of 10 − 12 at the center of mass energy of 10 13 TeV . The modification of SM unitarity bound due to these corrections is obtained.
Religious change in Indonesia

Riarata Smith Kipp and Susan Rodgers (eds), Indonesian Religions in Transition, University of Arizona Press, Tucson, 1987, x + 304 pp.
A quasi likelihood for integral data on birth and death on flows

Abstract Birth and Death on a flow refers to a particle system on a stochastic flow. Particles are born in a point process and move on the flow subject to position-dependent killing. They die eventually and leave the flow. The particle process is a measure-valued, Markov process tracking these motions. Its law depends on the distribution of births, the coefficients of the flow, and the rate of killing. We parametrize the system and derive a quasi-likelihood for chronicles of integral data on the particle process.
Experimental Evidence for Self-Generated Magnetic Fields and Remote Energy Deposition in Laser-Irradiated Targets

In a series of experiments using two-, four-, and eight-beam 10.6-\ensuremath{\mu}m-laser irradiation of a variety of target geometries, a significant amount of energy was found to be deposited in regions remote from the focal spots. The deposition patterns can be predicted with a self-generated magnetic field model.
Electron Beam Exposure Of GeSe x

Electron beam writing of fine features usually requires correction of proximity effects to achieve accurate edge placement. One scheme to reduce proximity effects is to increase the accelerating voltage (> 40 keV) [1]. We have chosen to look the other way, at low energy (< 5 keV) electron beam exposure. Retarding field electron optics enables one to form fine beams of low energy electrons. The inorganic resist system Ag2Se/GeSex is well suited for low energy electron beam exposure due to its thin active region and conductive top layer. We report here on the effects of reducing the landing energy of the exposing electrons both in terms of sensitivity and proximity effects. Also we report on the absence of any edge sharpening effects for electron beam exposure and the effect of exposure rate on the required dose.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An Examination of Some ENSO Mechanisms Using Interannual Sea Level at the Eastern and Western Equatorial Boundaries and the Zonally Averaged Equatorial Wind

Abstract Theory suggests that the interannual equatorial Kelvin wave sea level (ηW) in the western Pacific should be directly proportional to the interannual western Australian sea level, and the interannual equatorial Kelvin wave sea level (ηE) in the eastern Pacific should be directly proportional to the equatorial interannual sea level at the South American coast. Forced equatorial Kelvin wave dynamics implies, approximately, that ηE(t + Δt) − ηW(t) = Bτ¯(t + θΔt),where Δt, τ¯, B, and θ, are, respectively, a lag corresponding to equatorial Kelvin wave propagation, zonally averaged equatorial interannual eastward wind stress, a forcing coefficient and a number between 0 and 1. A regression analysis of the sea level difference above using western Australian and South American sea levels against τ¯ shows that the correlation is high and is highest (0.83) when &Deltat=3 months and θ&Deltat=1 month. The values for &Deltat, θ, and B are reasonable for they are appropriate for a signal dominated by the first ...
Actor Networks, Modes of Production, and Waste Regimes: Reassembling the Macro-Social:

The author argues for the necessity of a macro-theoretical framework for a systematic understanding of the waste–society relationship—a synthesis of the Marxist mode of production concept and the posthumanist concept of actor networks, sociomaterial assemblages, or collectives. Based on empirical data on Hungary's socialist and capitalist waste history (1948 to the present), it is shown that macro dynamics are qualitatively different from micro ones and thus their analytical separation is retained. At the same time, it is demonstrated that the common fallacy of Marxist and posthumanist theories to conflate social scale with level of abstraction unduly demonized macro-level concepts. Finally it is shown that existing syntheses of Marxism and actor-network theory cannot but treat waste as a theoretical derivative of the concept of value, and thus elide waste's concrete materiality. The concept of waste regime is proposed to resolve these shortcomings.
A New Perspective on the Mathematical Modeling of Highly Nonlinear Anisotropic Plastic Flows in a Heterogeneous Solid

A new mathematical formulation is presented for describing the three-dimensional anisotropic plastic flow behavior of a heterogeneous polycrystalline solid. By using three principal stresses, three loading orientation angles, and a generally non-quadratic, real-valued stress exponent, a mathematical theory of anisotropic plasticity is formulated as two coupled orthogonal series expansions in both the 3D principal stress space (the p–plane) and the 3D loading orientation space. A geometrical interpretation of the new mathematical representation of anisotropic plasticity is offered. Specific examples are given to illustrate the application of the proposed theory for modeling the plastic anisotropy of orthotropic polycrystalline sheets under uniaxial and biaxial tension.
Ascites fluid as a possible origin for hyperfibrinolysis in advanced liver disease

Abstract OBJECTIVES: Advanced liver disease is associated with both exaggerated fibrinolysis and with ascites. This study was undertaken to determine whether fibrinolytic activity exists in the ascites fluid of patients with liver disease and to see whether such activity is associated with evidence of plasma fibrinolysis. METHODS: Both the ascites fluid and plasma from 15 patients with cirrhotic ascites (group A) were evaluated for markers of fibrinolysis: fragment d -dimer, plasminogen, fibrinogen, and fibrin split products. In addition, the euglobulin lysis time, a test highly specific for fibrinolysis, was evaluated in the ascites fluid samples. As a control group, the plasma from 15 cirrhotic patients without ascites (group B) was evaluated for markers of fibrinolysis. RESULTS: In group A, elevated fragment d -dimer and fibrin split products were uniformly found in ascites fluid in concentrations that would be considered pathologically elevated if in plasma. Ascites fluid was also depleted, compared with plasma, of both plasminogen and fibrinogen. These results, along with the short euglobulin lysis time in 83% of the patients, suggest that increased fibrinolytic activity is present in ascites fluid. In 93% of these patients, plasma d -dimer was elevated. The mean plasma plasminogen was also low in these patients. In group B, only 33% of patients had elevated plasma d -dimer. CONCLUSIONS: Ascites fluid has fibrinolytic activity. Because ascites fluid reenters the systemic circulation via the thoracic duct, via a natural peritoneovenous shunt, ascites fluid warrants serious consideration as a pathological fluid that contributes to the systemic fibrinolytic state found in the majority of our patients with ascites.
A rechargeable lithium-ion battery module for underwater use

Abstract Portable underwater electrical power is needed for many commercial, recreational and military applications. A battery system is currently not available to meet these needs, which was the aim of this project. Lithium-ion battery cells (Panasonic (CGR18650E)) were chosen, based on their high energy density and availability. To increase their voltage, 8 battery cells were connected in series (“sticks”) and protected by encapsulating them into a polycarbonate tube; and 6 sticks were housed inside a triangular aluminum case (module). Testing was performed to determine the consistency of individual cells, sticks and module and during discharge/charging cycles. The effect of ambient temperature ( T A ) was determined by instrumenting them with thermocouples. In addition, voltage and current were measured and used to determine the heat generated within the battery cell and were compared to theory. From these data, a radial temperature profile was determined for two battery sticks in the battery module. Collapse pressure was determined and compared to theory. The Panasonic (CGR18650E) cells delivered 2291 mAh each over a wide range of T A and discharge/charge rates. The theoretical and experimental data showed that the temperature within the battery sticks and modules did not rise above or below their operating temperature range (−20 and 60 °C), in agreement with the models. The tubes encapsulating the sticks withstood pressures down to 305 m of sea water (msw) which was predicted by modeling. The Panasonic (CGR18650E) cells, sticks and module demonstrated that they provided sufficient electrical power, reliably and safely to be used in the underwater environment (1800–2000 kPa, 305 msw) over a wide range T A , including high power requirement systems like an active thermal protection system that keeps a diver comfortable in extreme temperature conditions. The concept developed here can be modified to meet specific power requirements by varying the number of cell in series to achieve the desired voltage, and the number of sticks in parallel to provide the current capacity required.
A parallel Monte Carlo search algorithm for the conformational analysis of proteins

The EDMC (electrostatically driven Monte Carlo) method has proven to be an effective computational tool for searching the potential energy hypersurface of polypeptide molecules consisting of up to 20 amino acid residues. Such a Monte Carlo search combined with gradient-based energy minimization of molecular conformations results in the need for 100 gigaflop or higher performance levels. The parallel EDMC algorithm has been designed to exploit currently available supercomputing technology. The implementation on the iPSC/2 described appears to represent an improvement over the original version for the IBM 3090. A performance analysis indicates that the attainable parallelism is limited by the underlying acceptance rate of search. It is demonstrated that a coarse-grained approach is suitable for architectures such as the CRAY-XMP, particularly if vectorization techniques can be exploited. Tests on the Intel iPSC/2-VX computer have shown, however, that even the easily vectorized parts of the computation may not overcome a large vector pipeline latency. >
Properties of starch-based foam formed by compression/explosion processing

Abstract Single-use foam packaging is used by manufacturers to protect and preserve a wide array of food and industrial products. Starch is one possible alternative material for making foam products. Starch-based foam was made using a compression/explosion process to study its properties and potential for single-use packaging. A feedstock was first prepared which consisted of wheat (WS), corn (CS) or potato starch (PS) that was formed into aggregates (1–3 mm) and conditioned to moisture levels ranging from 8 to 20%. The conditioned aggregates were loaded in an aluminum compression mold heated to 230°C and compressed for 10 s with 3.5 MPa force. The force was instantaneously released resulting in an explosive release of steam as the starch feedstock expanded and filled the mold. The moisture content of the feedstock influenced the density and compressive properties of the foam. Wheat, corn and potato starch feedstock with 17, 17 and 14% moisture content, respectively, produced foam with some physical and mechanical properties similar to those of commercial food containers. The starch foam had the general shape of the mold and appeared similar to polystyrene. The microstructure of the foam revealed a cellular structure with mostly closed cells less than 1 mm in diameter. However, some regions of the foam had a microstructure similar to that of expanded polystyrene except that the cells were much smaller (
Sensor-Driven Reliability and Wearout Management

In this article, we propose two new approaches to improve existing DRM (dynamic reliability management) methodology First, we propose reliability sensors that use small replicated circuits to directly measure device wearout on the chip. A direct degradation measurement by these sensors removes a layer of uncertainty introduced because of inaccurate calibration of the degradation models. Note that, despite using the degradation sensors, we still require the degradation models in order to make reliability projections for the chip's remaining lifetime. Aggressive oxide thickness scaling has caused large vertical electric fields in MOSFET devices, a situation that makes oxide breakdown a crucial issue when supply voltage is not scaled as aggressively as transistor feature size. It therefore becomes increasingly difficult to ensure the reliability of ICs over their lifetime.
Phenylhydrazine-induced changes in erythrocyte membrane surface lipid packing.

Abstract Phenylhydrazine-induced oxidative damage in red cells results in increased binding of merocyanine 540, a fluorescence probe sensitive to changes in lipid packing. Fluorescence polarization studies with diphenyl-hexatriene did not reveal major changes in order parameters both in intact red cells and lysates treated with phenylhydrazine. These fluorescence studies indicate that major changes are observed in membrane lipids. Analytical studies of membrane phospholipids revealed a significant decrease in phosphatidylethanolamine. The results of the fluorescence and lipid studies, taken in association with our previously reported findings on spectrin and other cytoskeletal protein degradation in red cells exposed to phenylhydrazine, suggests that degradation of cytoskeleton membrane proteins is also responsible for changes in the lipid bilayer surface of the red cell membrane.
First Report of Fusarium Yellows of Sugar Beet Caused by Fusarium oxysporum in Michigan.

Fusarium yellows of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), caused by Fusarium oxysporum Schlechtend.Fr. f. sp. betae (Stewart) Snyd & Hans., has been a long-term problem in the western United States (3) and recently was reported in Minnesota and North Dakota (4). This disease is typified by interveinal yellowing and wilting of the foliage. Roots have no external symptoms but show internal vascular discoloration. In 2005, 12 sugar beet roots from Michigan with yellows-type symptoms were received by the author. Isolations were made from the cortical and vascular tissue of the crown and tap root. Fusarium spp. isolates were obtained from 10 of the beets, and 16 isolates were identified as Fusarium oxysporum on the basis of morphology and pigmentation on potato dextrose agar and spores and phialides on carnation leaf agar (2). F. oxysporum isolates were tested for pathogenicity by dipping roots of 5-week-old susceptible sugar beet plants (FC716) in a suspension of 104 spores per ml for 8 min, 10 plants per isolate. T...
Reliable relay-aided underwater acoustic communications with hybrid DLT codes

Due to the long propagation delay inherent in underwater acoustic transmissions, forward error correction (FEC) is a preferable technique for end-to-end reliability control in relay-aided underwater acoustic communications (RA-UAC). Among all error-correcting codes, rateless fountain codes, such as Luby Transform (LT) codes, are attractive for their low computational complexity and rate adaptability to channel fading dynamics. For dual-hop communications, decomposed LT (DLT) codes have also been developed in the literature. However, when applying DLT codes in RA-UAC, one also needs to ensure small end-to-end communication latency and flexible computation cost balance between the source and the relays, in order to cope with the long propagation delay and heterogeneous node energy. For these purposes, we propose hybrid DLT (h-DLT) codes in this paper. In h-DLT codes, data encoding is performed in hybrid modes: cooperative DLT mode and direct LT mode. By choosing different combination ratio, the coding system can flexibly assign different computation load to the two DLT encoders. Based on the analysis of the resultant degree distribution of h-DLT codes, we develop algorithms to determine the encoding degree distributions of each mode of an h-DLT code with a specific computation requirement. Additionally, an h-DLT based RA-UAC (hR-UAC) protocol is proposed. To illustrate the system performance, we will evaluate the decoding probability and computation cost of h-DLT codes by comparing with primitive DLT codes and LT codes. In addition, analysis will be shown to demonstrate the benefits of the hR-UAC system in terms of both the relay computation cost and the end-to-end transmission latency.
Blinded by Science The Social Construction of Reality in Forensic Television Shows and its Effect on Criminal Jury Trials

Using a social construction of reality perspective, this article examines the social distance between popular media depictions of criminal investigations and reality, and the extent to which these depictions influence criminal jury trials. Data were collected from a nationally representative, random sample of trial counsel and judges and was analyzed using qualitative methods. Results indicate there is a great deal of social distance between popular media depictions of criminal investigation and reality. Moreover, jurors appear to have no tools to assess the credibility of forensic testing on television shows or in trials. Furthermore, the social construction of reality on forensic television shows has not only influenced jury decisions but has also affected the ways in which trial counsel and judges do their jobs. Suggestions for further research and discussion of public policy implications are included in the study.
History and Holocaust Representation

Books reviewed in this article: Michael Rothberg, Traumatic Realism: The Demands of Holocaust Representation