bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF RAINFALL OVER CENTRAL AND SOUTH FLORIDA1
Authors: Ali Alaa , Abtew Wossenu , Van Horn Stuart , Khanal Nagendra 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT:requency evaluation and spatial characterization of rainfall in Central and South Florida are presented. Point frequency analysis performed at all available sites has shown that the 2‐parameter Gamma probability density function is the best model for monthly rainfall frequency over Central and South Florida. The model's parameters estimated at 145 stations were used to provide monthly rainfall estimates for 10‐ and 100‐year dry and wet return periods. Experimental and theoretical variograms computed for these estimates, as well as the Kriging estimation variance maps, show that the existing rain gage network is less capable of resolving monthly rainfall variation in the wet season than the dry season. May is the dry‐to‐wet transition month, while October is the wet‐to‐dry transition month with average rainfall of 4.5 inches. Monthly average rainfall is above 7 inches during the wet season and below 3 inches during the dry season. Two‐thirds of the annual rainfall is accumulated in the wet season. Annual average rainfall is maximum (above 60 inches) in many areas along the east coast, and is minimum (below 45 inches) in many areas over Lake Okee‐chobee and Central Florida. Rainfall maps show a changing pattern between the wet and the dry seasons. Frontal rainfall occurs in the dry season, while convective rainfall, tropical depression, and hurricanes occur in the wet season. Average rainfall is higher along the east coast area in the dry season and it is higher along the west coast area in the wet season.
APPLICATION OF GPS AND GIS TO MAP CHANNEL FEATURES IN WALNUT CREEK, IOWA1
Authors: Schilling Keith E. , Wolter Calvin F. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT: A 12‐km reach of Walnut Creek was mapped at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Jasper County, Iowa to identify and prioritize areas of the stream channel in need of further investigation or restoration. Channel features, including streambank conditions, bottom sediment materials and thickness, channel cross‐sections, debris dams, tile lines, tributary creeks, and cattle access points, were located to one‐meter accuracy with global positioning system (GPS) equipment and described while traversing the stream. The GPS data were exported into a Geographic Information System (GIS) format, and field descriptions were added to create a series of coverages. Channel features were coupled with existing land cover data for analysis.Left and right streambank erosion rates varied from slight in many areas to severe at outside meander bends, debris dams or cattle access points. Erosion estimates from this study suggest that stream banks contribute about 50 percent of the annual suspended sediment load in the channel. Substrate materials varied from bare or thinly mantled pre‐Illinoian till to thick silty muck (> 0.3 m) behind some debris dams and cattle access points. Occurrences of sand and gravel areas were generally restricted to cattle access areas and bridge crossings. A total of Si debris dams were identified in the stream channel, ranging from fallen trees and beaver dams to several large debris dams. Numerous tile lines (52 total) and tributary creeks (45 total) were mapped as contributing flow to the main channel. Cross‐sections measured at 34 locations indicated Walnut Creek averages 10.64 m wide and 2.77 m deep, with the width and depth increasing downstream. Channelization and tile discharge in row crop land use areas have contributed to increased bed degradation and channel widening throughout the watershed.The results of this study indicate the effectiveness of a one‐time detailed mapping program to characterize stream system variability and identify spatial relationships among many stream characteristics. Stream survey data are being used to model watershed conditions, identify water sampling points and evaluate and select appropriate channel rehabilitation measures.
Decision tables - an effective programming tool
Authors: Langenwalter Daniel F. 
Published: June 2007

The manager or owner of a small to medium size business often has strong ideas on how he wants to run his business. The “packaged” software to go with the mini computer that he can afford just doesn't give him the flexibility he wants. To keep the software costs down and still be able to get the desired programs, a programming method that gets the results at low cost is needed. Two companies reported reductions of 3 to 1, i.e. costs were down to one-third of the previous methods, by using decision tables to write the logic. With such substantial reductions in costs, the mini computer owner can have the tailored programs he wants with a reasonable investment.
A decision table processor, MUSCL, has been developed and is implemented on mini computers. This paper shows how to write and solve decision tables as implemented.
Ideally problems are solved in steps. The problem is defined clearly. Criteria or conditions are established. Then a series of actions is taken. The expression that describes the conditions and actions is a “decision rule”. A decision table is the structure for describing a set of decision rules. A decision table gives us a way of recording decision patterns so that we can make consistent decisions and see how to change the patterns to meet changing conditions.
Implementing SMART for minicomputers via relational processing With abstract data types
Authors: Fox Edward A. 
Published: June 2007

Designed during the 1960's as a research tool for the field of information retrieval, the SMART system has been operating on an IBM 370 since 1974. SMART is now being enhanced, redesigned, and programmed under the UNIX operating system [28] on a DEC VAX 11/780. The techniques used should allow real-time operation on smaller minicomputers in the PDP 11 family. The implementation provides for a combination of database and information retrieval operations which make it applicable to office automation, personal information system management, and research studies.
The SMART vector space model, which treats information requests and stored information records as vectors in an n-space (of terms), is integrated into the relational database model using the concepts of abstract data types (ADTs). Domains of relations are allowed to be any ADT; an extended relational algebra is described with operators that manipulate many complex data structures. After illustrating the application of these concepts to typical SMART tasks, a prototype implementation is outlined. Also included is a discussion of techniques to be employed in a more efficient version.
EMACS the extensible, customizable self-documenting display editor
Authors: Stallman Richard M. 
Published: June 2007

EMACS is a display editor which is implemented in an interpreted high level language. This allows users to extend the editor by replacing parts of it, to experiment with alternative command languages, and to share extensions which are generally useful. The ease of extension has contributed to the growth of a large set of useful features. This paper describes the organization of the EMACS system, emphasizing the way in which extensibility is achieved and used.
This report describes work done at the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Support for the laboratory's research is provided in part by the Advanced Research Projects Agency of the Department of Defense under Office of Naval Research contract N00014-80-C-0505.
LAN based real time audio-data systems
Authors: Soares L. F. G. , Martins S. L. , Bastos T. L. P. , Ribeiro N. R. , Cordeiro R. C. S. 
Published: June 2007

One of the greatest demands for better communication services comes from the office automation area. The functions related to electronic mail, telephony, and teleconferencing are among these services, due to advantages it creates, such as reduction of cost and time.
LANBRETAS is a LAN-based real-time audio/data system that is being developed by the Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro and the Rio Scientific Center of IBM-Brasil and is the subject of this paper. The first part of the paper introduces the motivations to implement the system as well as the implementation environment. The second part presents the system. At first the electronic mail system LANBRETA-DMS, then the telephony system LANBRETA-DTS, and at last, the teleconferencing system LANBRETA-GCS.
High-speed image scaling for integrated document management
Authors: Tabata Kuniaki , Machida Tetsuo , Takeda Haruo , Kambayashi Hiroaki 
Published: June 2007

Document information often includes image data (eg. handwritten annotations, signatures, maps, sketches and photos) as well as alphanumeric and other coded data. Thus, the capability of handling these image data plays an important role in reforming current office-work activities.
This paper presents a high-speed scaling method to enlarge or reduce digital images defined as two-dimensional pixel arrays. Scale factors are assumed to be rational numbers R/r and S/s for the vertical and horizontal directions, respectively, where R, S, r, s denote positive integers. Under this assumption, coordinate determination for image scaling is performed by simple table look-up and shift operations. This method excludes time-consuming arithmetic operations for coordinate determination. Thus, high-speed scaling is realized. Experiments showed that the execution time per output pixel is about 150 ns when the shift clock frequency is 8 MHz.
The proposed algorithm has been successfully applied to a multi-functional office workstation featuring integrated functions of data processing, document processing and image processing.
Mnemonic strategies in word processing systems
Authors: Aderet Avshalom , Hoffman Paul J. 
Published: June 2007

The useability of character mnemonics in office information systems is discussed and several issues involved in the use of mnemonics as effective design concept are highlighted in the context of word processing tasks.
In a series of studies, the mnemonics technique was compared to other user interfaces, such as function-key interface or menu-driven interface. In these studies we found significant differences between novices and experienced operators with respect to ease of performance and ease of recall of word processing operations. Our results suggest that experience plays an important role in operating a mnemonics-driven system compared to a non-mnemonics driven system. Additional research is needed in order to understand the ways by which mnemonics strategies affect the performance of office information systems.
OfficeTalk-D
Authors: Ellis Clarence A. , Bernal Marc 
Published: June 2007

WHAT: Herein is described an experimental Office Information System designed and built at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center to allow multi-computer experiments in distribution and sharing of control within an office environment.
WHY: Current office systems go a long way toward aiding the individual user to transact his/her personal office work. Future office information systems need to aid tightly coupled communities of users. Thus, this investigation into communal computing systems is motivated.
HOW: Using the Alto/Dorado machines, and the Cedar database and programming environment, we have devised a system which allows the flexible manipulation of electronic forms on the display screen of users and helps to coordinate and control the flow of forms between user workstations. Novel facilities implemented in the system include distributed schedulers, dispatchers, office observer workstations, alerters, a data dictionary synthesizer, change agents, and on-line office modeling, simulation and design facilities.
Bio::NEXUS: a Perl API for the NEXUS format for comparative biological data
Authors: Hladish Thomas , Gopalan Vivek , Liang Chengzhi , Qiu Weigang , Yang Peter , Stoltzfus Arlin 
Published: June 2007

Abstract

Background
Evolutionary analysis provides a formal framework for comparative analysis of genomic and other data. In evolutionary analysis, observed data are treated as the terminal states of characters that have evolved (via transitions between states) along the branches of a tree. The NEXUS standard of Maddison, et al. (1997; Syst. Biol. 46: 590–621) provides a portable, expressive and flexible text format for representing character-state data and trees. However, due to its complexity, NEXUS is not well supported by software and is not easily accessible to bioinformatics users and developers.

Results
Bio::NEXUS is an application programming interface (API) implemented in Perl, available from CPAN and SourceForge. The 22 Bio::NEXUS modules define 351 methods in 4229 lines of code, with 2706 lines of POD (Plain Old Documentation). Bio::NEXUS provides an object-oriented interface to reading, writing and manipulating the contents of NEXUS files. It closely follows the extensive explanation of the NEXUS format provided by Maddison et al., supplemented with a few extensions such as support for the NHX (New Hampshire Extended) tree format.

Conclusion
In spite of some limitations owing to the complexity of NEXUS files and the lack of a formal grammar, NEXUS will continue to be useful for years to come. Bio::NEXUS provides a user-friendly API for NEXUS supplemented with an extensive set of methods for manipulations such as re-rooting trees and selecting subsets of data. Bio::NEXUS can be used as glue code for connecting existing software that uses NEXUS, or as a framework for new applications.
Comparison of morning versus afternoon cecal intubation rates
Authors: Wells Christopher D , Heigh Russell I , Sharma Virender K , Crowell Michael D , Gurudu Suryakanth R , Leighton Jonathan A , Mattek Nora , Fleischer David E 
Published: June 2007

Abstract

Background
Many factors impacting cecal intubation rates have been examined in detail; however, little information exists regarding the effect of the timing of the procedure. We sought to examine any difference in cecal intubation rates between morning and afternoon colonoscopies and identify factors contributing to a discrepancy.

Methods
Retrospective, single-center study comparing cecal intubation rates for colonoscopies performed in the morning (begun prior to 12 noon) and colonoscopies performed in the afternoon (begun after 12 noon) over an approximately 12 month period. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed evaluating patient demographics, procedure indication(s), endoscopist, bowel preparation type and quality, and participation by a gastroenterology fellow.

Results
6087 colonoscopies were evaluated in this study. Colonoscopies (n = 3729) performed in the morning were compared to colonoscopies performed in the afternoon (n = 2358). The crude completion rate to the cecum was 95.0% in the morning group while the completion rate to the cecum was 93.6% of the afternoon exams (p = 0.02). The morning colonoscopies had better bowel preparation quality (p < 0.001). The multivariate analyses demonstrated that gender, age, and bowel preparation quality impacted completion rates. After correcting for these factors, there was no significant difference in completion rates in the morning versus afternoon.

Conclusion
Uncorrected cecal intubation rates were lower in the afternoon compared to the morning in outpatients undergoing colonoscopy. Bowel preparation quality was worse in the afternoon compared with the morning. Efforts at improving afternoon bowel preparation may improve the outcome of afternoon colonoscopies.
HIV-1 Vpr activates the G2 checkpoint through manipulation of the ubiquitin proteasome system
Authors: DeHart Jason L , Zimmerman Erik S , Ardon Orly , Monteiro-Filho Carlos MR , Argañaraz Enrique R , Planelles Vicente 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
HIV-1 Vpr is a viral accessory protein that activates ATR through the induction of DNA replication stress. ATR activation results in cell cycle arrest in G2 and induction of apoptosis. In the present study, we investigate the role of the ubiquitin/proteasome system (UPS) in the above activity of Vpr. We report that the general function of the UPS is required for Vpr to induce G2 checkpoint activation, as incubation of Vpr-expressing cells with proteasome inhibitors abolishes this effect. We further investigated in detail the specific E3 ubiquitin ligase subunits that Vpr manipulates. We found that Vpr binds to the DCAF1 subunit of a cullin 4a/DDB1 E3 ubiquitin ligase. The carboxy-terminal domain Vpr(R80A) mutant, which is able to bind DCAF1, is inactive in checkpoint activation and has dominant-negative character. In contrast, the mutation Q65R, in the leucine-rich domain of Vpr that mediates DCAF1 binding, results in an inactive Vpr devoid of dominant negative behavior. Thus, the interaction of Vpr with DCAF1 is required, but not sufficient, for Vpr to cause G2 arrest. We propose that Vpr recruits, through its carboxy terminal domain, an unknown cellular factor that is required for G2-to-M transition. Recruitment of this factor leads to its ubiquitination and degradation, resulting in failure to enter mitosis.
Regulation of the JNK pathway by TGF-beta activated kinase 1 in rheumatoid arthritis synoviocytes
Authors: Hammaker Deepa R , Boyle David L , Inoue Tomoyuki , Firestein Gary S 
Published: June 2007

Abstractc-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) contributes to metalloproteinase (MMP) gene expression and joint destruction in inflammatory arthritis. It is phosphorylated by at least two upstream kinases, the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases (MEK) MKK4 and MKK7, which are, in turn, phosphorylated by MEK kinases (MEKKs). However, the MEKKs that are most relevant to JNK activation in synoviocytes have not been determined. These studies were designed to assess the hierarchy of upstream MEKKs, MEKK1, MEKK2, MEKK3, and transforming growth factor-β activated kinase (TAK)1, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Using either small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown or knockout fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs), MEKK1, MEKK2, or MEKK3 deficiency (either alone or in combination) had no effect on IL-1β-stimulated phospho-JNK (P-JNK) induction or MMP expression. However, TAK1 deficiency significantly decreased P-JNK, P-MKK4 and P-MKK7 induction compared with scrambled control. TAK1 knockdown did not affect p38 activation. Kinase assays showed that TAK1 siRNA significantly suppressed JNK kinase function. In addition, MKK4 and MKK7 kinase activity were significantly decreased in TAK1 deficient FLSs. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated a significant decrease in IL-1β induced AP-1 activation due to TAK1 knockdown. Quantitative PCR showed that TAK1 deficiency significantly decreased IL-1β-induced MMP3 gene expression and IL-6 protein expression. These results show that TAK1 is a critical pathway for IL-1β-induced activation of JNK and JNK-regulated gene expression in FLSs. In contrast to other cell lineages, MEKK1, MEKK2, and MEKK3 did not contribute to JNK phosphorylation in FLSs. The data identify TAK1 as a pivotal upstream kinase and potential therapeutic target to modulate synoviocyte activation in RA.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Cervicovaginal Interleukin-6 and Interleukin-6:Albumin Ratio as Markers of Preterm Delivery
Authors: Woodworth Alison , Moore Jennifer , G’Sell Christopher , Verdoes Abraham , Snyder Jennifer A , Morris Lee , Wares Catherine , Grenache David G , Gronowski Ann M 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
Background: Absence of fetal fibronectin (fFN) in the cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) of women with symptoms of preterm labor is an excellent predictor of women who will not deliver within 2 weeks of testing. Preliminary studies suggest interleukin (IL)-6 performs similarly to fFN. The positive predictive values of both these assays are poor. Inconsistent specimen collection may explain this poor performance. The objective of this study was to validate the clinical utility of cervicovaginal IL-6 and investigate the utility of the IL-6:albumin ratio to predict delivery within 14 days.
Methods: We quantified albumin and IL-6 with the DPC Immulite® in 660 CVF specimens collected for physician-ordered fFN analysis. The clinical utility of IL-6 and IL-6:albumin to predict delivery within 14 days of collection was determined.
Results: The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios for delivery within 14 days were 65%, 87%, 4.8, and 0.4, respectively, for fFN and 35%, 91%, 3.8, and 0.7 for IL-6, with a 250 ng/L cutoff. With a preterm delivery prevalence of 4.7%, positive and negative predictive values were 19% and 98%, respectively, for fFN and 16% and 97% for IL-6. The areas under the ROC curves were 0.71 and 0.51 for IL-6 and IL-6:albumin, respectively. Odds ratios for delivery within 14 days of collection were 11.8 (P &lt;0.0001), 5.5 (P = 0.0001), and 2.4 (P = 0.06) for fFN, IL-6, and IL-6:albumin, respectively.
Conclusions: Cervicovaginal IL-6 may have utility for predicting preterm labor while offering the potential for substantial cost savings. Assay performance characteristics are not improved by normalizing IL-6 to albumin.
Mucuna gum microspheres for oral delivery of glibenclamide: In vitro evaluation
Authors: Attama Anthony , Nwabunze Obichukwu 
Published: June 2007

Mucuna gum microspheres for oral delivery of glibenclamide:In vitroevaluationAn investigation into the suitability of mucuna gum microspheres for oral delivery of glibenclamide is presented. Mucuna gum microspheres were formulated under different conditions of polymer concentration and crosslinking time at constant speed. The formulated microspheres were thereafter loaded with glibenclamide by the remote loading process. The microspheres were evaluated according to particle size, yield, loading efficiency and swelling.In vitrorelease of glibenclamide from the microspheres was studied in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF, pH 7.4). The release data was fitted into two release models to investigate the mechanism of glibenclamide release from the microspheres. All the microspheres showed good swelling characteristics in distilled water. The investigation revealed that the microspheres produced with 5% (m/V) mucuna gum with a crosslinking time of 5 h had the optimum prolonged release pattern. The microspheres produced using 10% (m/V) mucuna gum with a crosslinking time of 1 h had the highest delayed release of the incorporated drug, whereas those without crosslinking had the fastest release. The Ritger-Peppas case I transport model appeared to have adequately described the release process as about 54% of the batches of microspheres conformed to this model. This implies that a formulation of glibenclamide-loaded mucuna gum microspheres is likely to offer a reliable means of delivering glibenclamide by the oral route.