cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Food Production Possibilities in the High-Food-Drain Economies

MY assignment is to examine and evaluate that aspect of the report of the President's Science Advisory Committee (PSAC) on the world food supply dealing with the potential for food production in the underdeveloped countries [11]. Because of the size and scope of the report, it will be possible to discuss only some of its major findings. This lengthy report was prepared during 1966 and early 1967, a period during which it was fashionable in both professional and nonprofessional circles to talk about the next great famine [3, 4, 7, 10]. It was, to say the least, a time of mild hysteria with respect to the world food situation.' Now, less than a year later, some impressions of the world food situation have turned nearly a full 180 degrees [5]. There is talk about an agricultural production revolution and problems of surpluses in some of the developing countries. Who knows what the popular conception of the world food problem will be next year? To help achieve some form of balanced perspective as to what the PSAC report says and means, it may be useful to back off from the shortrun, yo-yo-like interpretations of the world food situation and take a long-term view of the problem. One can say that a few years ago we were in the midst of the fifth wave of scare about world food supplies and famine. Merrill K. Bennett discussed the first four waves in a most perceptive article published in 1949: The first [wave] was touched off by Malthus' famous "An Essay on the Principles of Population" . . . published . .. in 1798. The second wave came in the late 1890's in connection with the German controversy about the relative merits of agrarian and industrial national economies.2 Perhaps an ephemeral shortage and high price of wheat was a contributing factor. It was in 1898 that Sir William Crookes delivered his famous address, "The Wheat Problem," to the British Association for the Advancement of Science; some people took it as a "cosmic scare." But again interest in the global food-supply problem waned, only to be stimulated by the third wave, for a few years after World War I. We are now [19491 in the midest of the fourth wave [2, p. 17]. The litany of the late 1940's bears a frightening resemblance to that of 1 The proponents of the possibility of large-scale famine did perform the useful service of alerting many people around the world to the importance of the world food problem and the need for better rates of agricultural development in many less-developed countries.
NUTRITIONAL ECOLOGY OF ENDOPARASITIC INSECTS AND THEIR HOSTS: AN OVERVIEW

Abstract The impact of insect endoparasites (parasitoids) on the physiology and behaviour of their hosts is reviewed within the context of the nutritional ecology of the parasitoids and their hosts. Alterations in the consumption, utilization and allocation of food by parasitized hosts are common, as are internal changes in their metabolic physiology. Gregarious parasitoid species frequently increase feeding by their host larvae whereas solitary parasitoid species often reduce feeding and growth of their hosts. Many parasitoid-associated changes in host physiology and behaviour are interpreted to be of adaptive significance to parasitoids. Substantial circumstantial evidence suggests, and a few direct tests of such adaptive significance indicate, that parasitoids alter their hosts in ways beneficial to their own fitness. However, most of the changes in parasitized hosts are of unknown cause and undocumented significance to the parasitoids. Several relevant hypotheses are presented, and these require extensive evaluation (often requiring novel experimental approaches) before a thorough understanding of parasitoid nutritional ecology is established.
Force-constant model for the vibrational modes in C60.

A force-constant model previously developed for ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ is extended to ${\mathrm{C}}_{70}$. Using the force constants determined for the ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ molecule, the vibrational frequencies for the ${\mathrm{C}}_{70}$ molecule are calculated and are identified with the irreducible representations of the ${\mathit{D}}_{5\mathit{h}}$ symmetry group, according to which the vibrational modes transform. A comparison of the predictions of this model with the experimentally reported values for the Raman- and infrared-actaive modes shows good agreement overall. The effect of doping by alkali-metal atoms is taken into account by modifying the force constants in order to produce a good fit to the available data for doped ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$. The model is then used to predict the frequencies of the Raman- and infrared-active modes in alkali-metal-doped ${\mathrm{C}}_{70}$.
Tax Reform Impacts on Agricultural Production and Investment Decisions

The Tax Reform Act of 1986 (TRA) was the most significant revision of the tax code since 1954. The act was intended to be revenue neutral while broadening the tax base and lowering marginal rates. Two major structural goals of the TRA were to simplify the tax code and to lessen the scope of business practices motivated by tax rather than economic incentives. Thus, investment and production decisions based on maximization of beforeand after-tax profits were anticipated to become less divergent after the TRA. At this time it appears that tax policy changes embedded in the TRA are likely to have a major long-run impact on the structure of the agricultural sector.
Theory of interfacial charge-transfer complex photophysics in π-conjugated polymer-fullerene blends

We present a theory of the electronic structure and photophysics of 1:1 blends of derivatives of polyparaphenylenevinylene and fullerenes. Within the same Coulomb-correlated Hamiltonian applied previously to interacting chains of single-component $\ensuremath{\pi}$-conjugated polymers, we find an exciplex state that occurs below the polymer's optical exciton. Weak absorption from the ground state occurs to the exciplex. We explain transient photoinduced absorptions in the blend, observed for both above-gap and below-gap photoexcitations, within our theory. Photoinduced absorptions for above-gap photoexcitation are from the optical exciton as well as the exciplex while for below-gap photoexcitation induced absorptions are from the exciplex alone. In neither case are free polarons generated in the time scale of the experiment. Importantly, the photophysics of films of single-component $\ensuremath{\pi}$-conjugated polymers and blends can both be understood by extending Mulliken's theory of ground-state charge transfer to the case of excited-state charge transfer.
With Great Control Comes Great Responsibility: The Relationship between Perceived Academic Control, Student Responsibility, and Self-regulation.

Background Students' perceived control over academic outcomes has been linked to their use of self-regulated strategies. However, students’ sense of responsibility, or internal commitment to produce such outcomes, has not often been considered in this relationship. Aims The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between perceived academic control (PAC), student responsibility (SR), and knowledge building (KB). Sample Participants were 152 undergraduate students enrolled in an educational technology course. Methods An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to demonstrate the distinction between the PAC and SR constructs. A series of regression analyses were conducted to address the research hypotheses, and a bootstrap test was used to assess the mediating role of SR in the relationship between the PAC variables and KB. Results Initial evidence regarding the uniqueness of the PAC and SR constructs was provided. PAC (both primary control and secondary control [SC]) were positively and significantly related to SR. KB was positively and significantly related to SR, as was SC. Additionally, SR partially mediated the relationship between the PAC variables and KB. Conclusions The findings showed that those who perceived the capability to achieve academic outcomes were more likely to feel internally obligated to produce such outcomes. The same was true for students who perceived the capability to psychologically adjust to academic situations. The results also demonstrated that students’ sense of responsibility for academic outcomes played a partially mediating role in the relationship between their perceptions of control and reported use of self-regulated behaviour.
DNA synthesis in vivo in Bacillus subtilis.

Abstract DNA polymerase III is the enzyme responsible for deoxynucleotide addition to nascent DNA fragments in Bacillus subtilis protoplasts. Nascent single-stranded fragments separated from bulk DNA by hydroxyapatite chromatography cannot self-anneal. Partial inhibition of DNA polymerase III by 6-(hydroxyphenylazo)-uracil, a specific inhibitor, slows the rate of nascent fragment synthesis but has no effect on final size. Neither DNA polymerase I nor II can elongate nascent fragments in protoplasts when DNA polymerase III is completely inhibited.
Radiation Risk From Medical Imaging

This review provides a practical overview of the excess cancer risks related to radiation from medical imaging. Primary care physicians should have a basic understanding of these risks. Because of recent attention to this issue, patients are more likely to express concerns over radiation risk. In addition, physicians can play a role in reducing radiation risk to their patients by considering these risks when making imaging referrals. This review provides a brief overview of the evidence pertaining to low-level radiation and excess cancer risks and addresses the radiation doses and risks from common medical imaging studies. Specific subsets of patients may be at greater risk from radiation exposure, and radiation risk should be considered carefully in these patients. Recent technical innovations have contributed to lowering the radiation dose from computed tomography, and the referring physician should be aware of these innovations in making imaging referrals.
Backscatter cross sections for randomly oriented metallic flakes at optical frequencies: full wave approach

The backscatter cross sections for randomly oriented metallic flakes are derived using the full wave approach. The metallic flakes are characterized by their surface height spectral density function. Both specular point and Bragg scattering at optical frequencies are accounted for in a self-consistent manner. It is shown that the average normalized backscatter cross sections (per unit volume) for the randomly oriented metallic flakes are larger than that of metallic spheres.
Monitoring and adjusting forecasts in the presence of additive outliers

The effect of an additive outlier upon the accuracy of forecasts derived from extrapolative methods is investigated. It is demonstrated that an outlier affects not only the accuracy of the forecasts at the time of occurrence but also subsequent forecasts. Methods to adjust for additive outliers are discussed. The results of the paper are illustrated with two examples.
Resistance to ischemic acute renal failure in the Brown Norway rat: A new model to study cytoprotection

Resistance to ischemic acute renal failure in the Brown Norway rat: A new model to study cytoprotection. Background An in vivo model of intrinsic resistance to ischemia could be invaluable to define how specific pathways to injury or putative protectors from injury affect the severity of acute renal failure (ARF). The purpose of this study was to determine whether separate rat strains had differential sensitivity to renal ischemia, characterize the extent of protection, and begin to define differences in gene expression that might impact on the severity of ARF. Methods The sensitivity to 45 minutes of renal ischemia in Sprague-Dawley rat (SD) was compared with 2 lines of Brown-Norway rats (BN/Mcw, BN/Hsd). Constitutive and inducible stress protein expression was compared between strains. Results At 24hours' reperfusion, SD rats had higher creatinine (3.4mg/dL), elevated Na and water excretion, and proximal tubule necrosis. Both strains of BN rats were resistant to loss of renal function (Scr = 0.9mg/dL at 24hours' reflow) and had preserved renal morphology. BN rats had no redistribution of Na,K-ATPase into detergent-soluble cortical extracts found early (15 minutes) after ischemia in SD rats. Hsc73 expression did not differ between strains and was not induced by ischemia. Compared with SD, induction of Hsp25 and 72 by renal ischemia was blunted in both BN strains. Constitutive Hsp25 was higher in both BN-Mcw and BN-Hsd compared with SD rat kidney. Constitutive Hsp72 was significantly higher only in BN-Mcw kidneys. Immunohistochemistry showed baseline Hsp72 and 25 expression was increased in proximal tubules of BN-Mcw versus SD. Conclusion BN rat kidney is resistant to ischemic injury and provides a new model for studying cytoprotective mechanisms. Initial study of strain-specific gene expression suggests particular stress proteins are among the potential mechanisms contributing to protection against ARF.
Race, Medicine and the South

Three recent studies by historians Todd Savitt, Steven Stowe, and Marie Jenkins Schwartz demonstrated both the importance of social history methods to southern medical studies and the insights that medical history offers to understanding slavery and race in the U.S. South. Todd Savitt’s collection of essays combine the insights of contemporary public health and medical science with meticulous archival research to present an important body of work detailing African American health and medical institutions before and after emancipation. Steven Stowe and Marie Jenkins Schwartz, both of whom produced important earlier works on slavery and southern family life, turn their attention in these volumes to the social relations of antebellum medical practice. While Stowe delves deeply into the “country orthodoxy” of southern doctoring, Schwartz explores the medical practices and contested social relations that surrounded enslaved women’s reproduction. Looking at southern society through the lens of medical knowledge, institutions, and practice, all three works illuminate interconnections between health and power in many aspects of nineteenth-and early twentieth-century southern life.
Stempellia milleri sp. n. (Microsporida: Nosematidae) in the mosquito Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus Say.

SYNOPSIS Stempellia milleri sp. n. was found in blood cells and the adipose tissue of field-collected larvae of Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus Say. Its development is different from other Stempellia species described in that it is dimorphic, producing two types of spores in adipose cells. Both were studied with the electron microscope. One spore is thin-walled and uninucleate; the other is thick-walled and binucleate. The latter spores are produced from sporonts that are somewhat similar to those of Nosema. Sporoblasts and spores of S. milleri were compared to those of Stempellia magna Kudo, and Stempellia lunata Hazard and Savage in both light and electron microscope preparations. S. milleri was transmitted experimentally to Culex pipiens pipiens, C. p. quinquefasciatus, C. salinarius, C. tarsalis, and C. territans. Transmission of S. magna to its host and other mosquito species was not possible. Although, generally low numbers of test larvae became infected with the pathogen, heavy infections were seen occasionally in individual specimens of its natural host, C. p. quinquefasciatus. Species of Aedes, Anopheles, Culiseta, Psorophora, and Uranotaenia exposed to spores of S. milleri were not susceptible to the disease.
The 'Mental Eye' Defence of an Infinitized Version of Yablo's Paradox

Jc. Beall (2001) argues that Yablo's (1993) paradox, despite Sorensen's (1998) defence to the contrary, is circular. The crux of Beall's case is the view that we have but two ways to fix the referent 3(t) of some term t: Demonstration or Description. In the former case we essentially need to 'see' 3(t); in the latter, we let t denote that which satisfies some description D. Beall spends the bulk of his paper attempting to show that there is no non-circular description D of Yablo's paradox, and we think he succeeds. But what about the Demonstration route? Beall, by his own admission, doesn't completely close this route off. He says (2001: 179) that 'Nobody, I should think, has seen a denumerable paradoxical sequence of sentences, at least in the sense of "see" involved in uncontroversial cases of demonstration.' This comment leaves open the possibility that there is a determinate and defensible (but controversial) sense of 'see', seeingm, on which Yablo's paradox can be seen and indeed in S4.1 of his paper, 'Demonstration and mental eyes', Beall does discuss this possibility:
Mass transfer of aerosols with axial diffusion in narrow rectangular channels

The problem of mass transfer of aerosols with axial, as well as radial, diffusion in laminar flow in a narrow rectangular channel is studied. Two cases are investigated. The first case is where all particles enter the channel inlet and none form within the channel; and the second, where no particles enter the channel, and “formation in flight” occurs within the channel. For each case, analyses are made for both slug and Poiseuille flows.
Bisection trees and half-quad trees: memory and time efficient data structures for VLSI layout editors

Abstract In this paper, we present two new tree structures, bisection trees and half-quad trees that can be used as data structures for storing VLSI layouts. The bisection tree is based on the structure of a 2-d tree and the half-quad tree is constructed based on the bisection tree and the quad tree. These two trees perform as good as of 4-d tree in terms a speed but require less memory. Specifically, our experimental results show that, for region queries, the bisection tree has approximately the same nodes visited as the 4-d tree. In addition, the bisection tree requires less memory space and simpler procedures. For the half-quad tree, it is shown that it approximately 50% memory of that used by the 4-d tree which is approximately the same as the memory used by the quad tree. In addition, the half-quad tree achieves a much better speed than the quad tree.
Kinetics of emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization of styrene in the presence of chain-transfer agents

Abstract The influence of chain-transfer agent on the kinetic behavior of emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization of styrene using potassium persulfate as initiator has been investigated. the presence of a small amount of a chain-transfer agent such as carbon tetrabromide or a mercaptan in the system increased the reaction rate. This rate increase is believed to be caused by a large number of precursor particles which exist in dynamic equilibrium with the mature latex particles in the reacting system. These precursor particles, although colloidally unstable and unable to be detected with an electron microscope, are believed to be an important locus for polymerization. the size of the monomer-swollen polymer particles obtained when CBr4 or ethyl mercaptan (ESH) are used is sensitive to agitation conditions. Large monodisperse polymer particles can be obtained in the presence of CBr4 or ESH under some agitation conditions.
A photodynamical model for the excited state electron transfer of bianthryl and related molecules

Abstract The underlying chemical dynamics of the excited state electron transfer of electronically excited 9,9′-bianthryl in polar solvents is explored via a semi-empirical comprehensive theoretical model for the reaction coordinate energy profile and the dynamics along the reaction coordinate. The predictions of the model are in excellent agreement with new femtosecond fluorescence data on bianthryl, which are presented in this paper. The model is comprised of several key elements, including: (i) an Onsager cavity/ semi-empirical treatment for the solvent coordinate; (ii) an electronically adiabatic description of the mixing between the reactant and product zero-order states; (iii) a generalized Langevin equation treatment of the reaction coordinate dynamics where the friction kernel is determined using independent experimental results on solvation dynamics of coumarin probes; and (iv) an empirical solvatochromic/vibronic description for predicting fluorescence and absorption spectra. With a limited amount of parameterization the overall model is able to account in detail for many observables for bianthryl, including the static absorption spectra, the solvent dependence of the static fluorescence spectra, and the time resolved fluorescence spectra. The model supports our previous proposal that the electron transfer kinetics of bianthryl is controlled by polar solvation dynamics.
Transfer of powdery mildew resistance from Brassica carinata to Brassica oleracea through embryo rescue

Interspecific hybrid plants and backcross I (BC 1 ) progeny were produced through sexual crosses and embryo rescue between Brassica carinata accession PI 360883 and B. oleracea cvs 'Titleist' and 'Cecile' to transfer resistance to powdery mildew to B. oleracea. Four interspecific hybrids were obtained through application of embryo rescue from crosses with B. carinata as the maternal parent, and their interspecific nature confirmed through plant morphology and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Twenty-one BC 1 plants were obtained through sexual crosses and embryo rescue although embryo rescue was not necessary to produce first backcross generation plants between interspecific hybrids and B. oleracea. All interspecific hybrids and eight of the BC, plants were resistant to powdery mildew.
Global Change, Local Angst: Class and the American Patriot Movement

In this paper I examine the Patriot Movement, a broad, right-wing social movement in the USA that emerged in response to the economic insecurities of globalization. The purpose of this paper is to ...
In situ disappearance of dry matter and fiber from fall-grown cereal-grain forages from the north-central United States.

Recent research has demonstrated that fall-grown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack), and oat (Avena sativa L.) forages contain limited lignin and exhibit relatively stable estimates of in vitro true DM disappearance, as well as TDN, across a wide fall-harvest window. These traits suggest that ruminal availability of forage fiber is extensive. Our objectives were to evaluate this premise by assessing in situ DM and NDF disappearance for Kaskaskia wheat, Trical 2700 triticale, Ogle oat (grain-type, mid-maturity rating), and ForagePlus oat (forage-type, late maturity rating) grown and harvested during fall in Wisconsin. During 2006, ruminal disappearance rate (K d ) of DM declined linearly (P < 0.002) across fall harvest dates for all cultivars; K d ranged narrowly (0.091 to 0.100/h) on the initial September 15 harvest date, but by October 30, K d generally was slower for oat (0.042 to 0.053/h) than for triticale (0.069/h) or wheat (0.072/h). Estimates of effective ruminal disappearance of DM (RDDM) were large for all cultivars (72.0 to 82.8% of DM), and generally exhibited polynomial trends over harvest dates that displayed both linear (P < 0.003) and quadratic (P < 0.004) character. For 2007, RDDM was extensive across all forages (70.5 to 83.1%), except for Ogle oat harvested on October 10 (61.5% of DM) or November 7 (57.0% of DM), at which time tillers had reached the boot- and fully headed stages of growth, respectively. For ruminal disappearance of NDF, K d declined linearly (P < 0.002) across harvest dates for all cultivars during 2006 and 2007; a quadratic (P < 0.033) effect also was detected for ForagePlus oat, but not for other cultivars (P ≥ 0.072). During both years, effective ruminal disappearance of NDF (RDNDF) declined linearly (P < 0.008) over harvest dates for all cultivars, but detection of additional quadratic responses was dependent on cultivar and year. Concentrations of RDNDF for all cultivars ranged from 60.5 to 68.8% of NDF on mid-September harvest dates. Generally, these estimates declined to 51.4 to 60.0% of NDF by the final harvest date for all cultivars except Ogle oat, which reached numerical minimums of 46.8 and 37.2% of NDF on the final harvest dates of 2006 and 2007, respectively. Cereal-grain cultivars that elongate during fall will exhibit relatively stable RDDM and RDNDF through stem elongation; however, these estimates may decline substantially after tillers exhibit visible seedheads.
A method for the determination of lecithin in plasma as choline.

Abstract A method is described using lecithinase D in an in vitro system for the hydrolysis of plasma lecithin to choline. After the enzymatic reaction, the ether-soluble phosphatidic acid is removed and the choline is precipitated from the aqueous phase as the reineckate. The acetone-soluble reineckate is then measured colorimetrically.
P selectin, pioneer cells and the path to inflammation.

In this issue of Brain , the report by Carrithers et al. provides the first answer to a question that has long been of interest in neuroimmunology: What adhesion molecules do activated T-lymphocytes utilize to penetrate a normal, non-inflamed endothelium (Carrithers et al ., 2000)? Their study gives some interesting insights into the earliest phases of the process of central nervous system (CNS) inflammation. It appears that P selectin, either expressed constitutively at very low levels or rapidly induced by activated T cells, on CNS endothelia plays a significant role in the early entry of encephalitogenic T cells into the CNS. VCAM-1–VLA-4 interactions, which have been noted previously to play some critical role in the evolution of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) (Yednock et al ., 1989; Baron et al ., 1993; Steffen et al ., 1994), do not appear to participate in this early entry. It is of great interest that P selectin has previously been shown to play little, if any, role in the entry of T …
Efficiency of a Procedure for Near-Minimax Approximation

A procedure using the minimax polynomial fit of degree n on the set of extrema of the Chebyshev polynomial Tn+1 is examined for its effectiveness in generating near-minimax fits on [-1, 1]. It is compared to Powell's results for interpolation at the zeros of Tn.
Measurement of the registration temperature effect in BP-1 glass

Abstract In order to determine its effect on mass measurements and charge measurements for the cosmic-ray experiments ANTIPODE and TREK, I have measured the change in detector response with temperature (the so-called registration temperature effect, or RTE) for BP-1 glass responding to relativistic gold ions and to stopping argon ions. I measure a small but finite RTE for relativistic gold, and conclude that thermal regulation is necessary for the large collector of TREK, which is being exposed outside of the Russian space station Mir. I set a small upper limit for the magnitude of RTE for stopping argon, and conclude that the thermal variations experienced by ANTIPODE in its balloon flight over Antarctica were not large enough to degrade its mass resolution; I further conclude that the thermal variations that we anticipate for the small collector of TREK, which is being exposed inside the Russian space station, will not degrade its mass resolution.
A sensitive estimation of the percentage of guanine plus cytosine in deoxyribonucleic acid by high performance liquid chromatography

Abstract A rapid high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method is deseribed which offers a fast quantitative procedure for determining the percentage of guanine (G) plus cytosine (C) in DNA preparations after acid hydrolysis in 88% formic acid. As little as 10 μg of DNA is amenable to this analysis. Although thymine is sometimes poorly resolved from impurities at the solvent front, the percentage of G + C was found to be accurately determined using adenine (A) simply from the ratio of concentrations from C/(A + C) or (G + C)/(2 A + G + C). The HPLC method gave values for the percentage of G + C in close agreement with thermal melting point and buoyant density values determined for the DNA of ten bacterial species and two fungi.
Time course of congener uptake and elimination in rats after short-term inhalation exposure to an airborne polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixture.

Despite the continued presence of PCBs in indoor and ambient air, few studies have investigated the inhalation route of exposure. While dietary exposure has declined, inhalation of the semivolatile, lower-chlorinated PCBs has risen in importance. We measured the uptake, distribution, and time course of elimination of inhaled PCB congeners to characterize the pulmonary route after short-term exposure. Vapor-phase PCBs were generated from Aroclor 1242 to a nose-only exposure system and characterized for congener levels and profiles. Rats were exposed via inhalation acutely (2.4 mg/m3 for 2 h) or subacutely (8.2 mg/m3, 2 h × 10 days), after which pulmonary immune responses and PCB tissue levels were measured. Animals acutely exposed were euthanized at 0, 1, 3, 6, and 12 h post exposure to assess the time course of PCB uptake and elimination. Following rapid absorption and distribution, PCBs accumulated in adipose tissue but decayed in other tissues with half-lives increasing in liver (5.6 h) < lung (8.2 h) <...
Anvil Clouds of Tropical Mesoscale Convective Systems in Monsoon Regions

The anvil clouds of tropical mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) in West Africa, the Maritime Continent and the Bay of Bengal have been examined with TRMM and CloudSat satellite data and ARM ground-based radar observations. The anvils spreading out from the precipitating cores of MCSs are subdivided into thick, medium and thin portions. The thick portions of anvils show distinct differences from one climatological regime to another. In their upper portions, the thick anvils of West Africa MCSs have a broad, flat histogram of reflectivity, and a maximum of reflectivity in their lower portions. The reflectivity histogram of the Bay of Bengal thick anvils has a sharply peaked distribution of reflectivity at all altitudes with modal values that increase monotonically downward. The reflectivity histogram of the Maritime Continent thick anvils is intermediate between that of the West Africa and Bay of Bengal anvils, consistent with the fact this region comprises a mix of land and ocean influences. It is suggested that the difference between the statistics of the continental and oceanic anvils is related to some combination of two factors: (1) the West African anvils tend to be closely tied to the convective regions of MCSs while the oceanic anvils are more likely to be extending outward from large stratiform precipitation areas of MCSs, and (2) the West African MCSs result from greater buoyancy, so that the convective cells are more likely to produce graupel particles and detrain them into anvils
NuActiv: recognizing unseen new activities using semantic attribute-based learning

We study the problem of how to recognize a new human activity when we have never seen any training example of that activity before. Recognizing human activities is an essential element for user-centric and context-aware applications. Previous studies showed promising results using various machine learning algorithms. However, most existing methods can only recognize the activities that were previously seen in the training data. A previously unseen activity class cannot be recognized if there were no training samples in the dataset. Even if all of the activities can be enumerated in advance, labeled samples are often time consuming and expensive to get, as they require huge effort from human annotators or experts. In this paper, we present NuActiv, an activity recognition system that can recognize a human activity even when there are no training data for that activity class. Firstly, we designed a new representation of activities using semantic attributes, where each attribute is a human readable term that describes a basic element or an inherent characteristic of an activity. Secondly, based on this representation, a two-layer zero-shot learning algorithm is developed for activity recognition. Finally, to reinforce recognition accuracy using minimal user feedback, we developed an active learning algorithm for activity recognition. Our approach is evaluated on two datasets, including a 10-exercise-activity dataset we collected, and a public dataset of 34 daily life activities. Experimental results show that using semantic attribute-based learning, NuActiv can generalize knowledge to recognize unseen new activities. Our approach achieved up to 79% accuracy in unseen activity recognition.
Visibility on cathode-ray tube screens; the effects of light adaptation.

An intensity modulated cathode-ray screen of the PPI type used in radar depends on differential brightness discrimination for detection of weak signals. The brightness quantities have been largely unknown, because of photometric difficulties, but it has commonly been assumed that dark-adaptation is required for efficient visual detection. Therefore, an experimenal test was undertaken of the effects of light- and dark-adaptation on the contrast threshold and on time required for detection of supra-threshold signals appearing on a typical screen (P7 phosphor). Adapting brightnesses ranged from zero to 2000 millilamberts (ml.). By special photometry, the four screen intensities used were estimated as ranging from 0.0001 ml. to 0.22 ml. Length of exposure to the brightest adapting light and the degree of contrast between signal and background were also varied. The lowest contrast thresholds and the shortest detection times were found to occur when the test and adapting illuminations were equal or nearly so. When the two illuminations were unequal, the loss in sensitivity was roughly in proportion to their difference. The optimal field brightness of the phosphor screen used was on the order of 0.1 ml. With this field the level of adaptation of the eye can be a relatively insignificant factor in radar detection, even of weak signals. Increasing values of signal contrast allow progressive reduction in detection delay after exposure to the highest brightness.
La France devant les questions linguistiques . Discours prononcé par M. Jacques Chirac

Kiel reprezentanto de sia registaro, parolanta al la franclingvaj jurnalistoj, J. Chirac respondas iom sindefende al akuzoj kontrau la franca lingvopolitiko. Li pritraktas la francan en kvar kuntekstoj: en la lando mem, en la franclingva mondo, fronte al la lingvoj de internacia komunikado, kaj rilate al la instruado de fremdaj lingvoj. Li ciam provas pozitive prezenti la francan lingvopolitikon, sed atentante al eventualaj dangeroj minacantaj la francan. Li certigas estimon al la francujaj 'lokaj lingvoj', sed enkadre de registara politiko. La franca lingvo rajtas disvolvigi, sed en sia 'propra spirito', sen troaj teknikaj kaj fremdaj vortoj. Li aludas trankvilige al la politiko de franclingveco en la mondo. Fronte al la 'internaciaj lingvoj' (angla-usona kaj rusa), la franca povas senti sin minacita. La franca cefministro esprimas sin favore al la plur-lingvismo. Defendante la francan li tiel defendas la germanan, la japanan, "ciun cefan lingvon de Europo kaj Azio". Krome, necesas plibonigi la kvaliton de la fremdlingva instruado. Oni multe studas la anglan, sed parolas gin tre malbone. Entute, Chirac provis montri, ke la franca lingvopolitiko ne estas fermita, kaj apogas la lingvan divers-econ enlande kaj eksterlande.
Validating Geologic Storage Potential in the Midwestern USA through Multiple Field Demonstrations

Abstract The Midwestern Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (MRCSP) is implementing an integrated effort to validate the geologic storage potential in the Midwestern states within the USA through multiple field demonstrations. Validation of the geologic storage potential in this area requires regional geologic exploration along with site-specific demonstrations of CO 2 injection and monitoring. These demonstrations are being conducted in collaboration with energy companies in Appalachian Basin, Michigan Basin, and Cincinnati Arch geologic regions. Each field test incorporates extensive characterization, reservoir modeling, permitting, outreach, injection and monitoring in a deep saline reservoir setting. The progress that has been achieved during the past year, including the evaluation of injection at two test sites, is presented.
Surface Mesh to Volumetric Spline Conversion with Generalized Polycubes

This paper develops a novel volumetric parameterization and spline construction framework, which is an effective modeling tool for converting surface meshes to volumetric splines. Our new splines are defined upon a novel parametric domain called generalized polycubes (GPCs). A GPC comprises a set of regular cube domains topologically glued together. Compared with conventional polycubes (CPCs), the GPC is much more powerful and flexible and has improved numerical accuracy and computational efficiency when serving as a parametric domain. We design an automatic algorithm to construct the GPC domain while also permitting the user to improve shape abstraction via interactive intervention. We then parameterize the input model on the GPC domain. Finally, we devise a new volumetric spline scheme based on this seamless volumetric parameterization. With a hierarchical fitting scheme, the proposed splines can fit data accurately using reduced number of superfluous control points. Our volumetric modeling scheme has great potential in shape modeling, engineering analysis, and reverse engineering applications.
On the modal resolution of kernel density estimators

Abstract The ability of a kernel density estimator to resolve modes of the underlying density is investigated. For various bimodal densities and three different kernels, the smallest sample size required for the expectation of an optimally smoothed kernel estimator to be bimodal is determined. The optimality criterion employed is equivalent to asymptotic mean integrated squared error for sufficiently smooth densities.
Effect of lead (Pb) on the systemic movement of RNA viruses in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum var. Turkish)

Effect of various lead (Pb) concentrations on the systemic movement of RNA viruses was examined in tobacco plants. Prior to inoculation, plants were grown hydroponically for 6 days in Hoagland’s solution supplemented with five concentrations of lead nitrate [Pb(NO3)2]: 0.0 (control), 10, 15, 50, and 100 μM. Four different RNA viruses with different cell-to-cell movement mechanisms were used. Two weeks after inoculation lower and upper leaves of each treatment were harvested and examined for the presence of viral coat protein. In plants inoculated with Tobacco mosaic virus, Potato virus X, and Tobacco etch virus, TEM images and western blot assays confirmed the presence of viral coat proteins in the upper leaves of all lead treatments. However, in plants inoculated with Turnip vein-clearing virus (TVCV), no signs of viral particles were detected in the upper leaves of plants treated with 10 μM or 15 μM lead nitrate. In contrast, plants treated with high concentrations of lead nitrate (50 μM or 100 μM) showed viral particles in their upper leaves. In plants treated with 10 μM or 15 μM lead nitrate, callose accumulation was the same as in control plants. This suggests that non-toxic concentrations of lead nitrate may trigger the production of putative cellular factors in addition to callose that interfere with the TVCV systemic movement. In contrast, plants treated with 100 μM lead nitrate showed less callose as compared to control plants, facilitating the systemic movement of TVCV.
What Does Remediation and Probation Status Mean? A Survey of Emergency Medicine Residency Program Directors

Objectives Emergency medicine (EM) residency program directors (PDs) nationwide place residents on remediation and probation. However, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and the EM PDs have not defined these terms, and individual institutions must set guidelines defining a change in resident status from good standing to remediation or probation. The primary objective of this study was to determine if EM PDs follow a common process to guide actions when residents are placed on remediation and probation. Methods An anonymous electronic survey was distributed to EM PDs via e-mail using SurveyMonkey to determine the current practice followed after residents are placed on remediation or probation. The survey queried four designations: informal remediation, formal remediation, informal probation, and formal probation. These designations were compared for deficits in the domains of medical knowledge (MK) and non-MK remediation. The survey asked what process for designation exists and what actions are triggered, specifically if documentation is placed in a resident's file, if the graduate medical education (GME) office is notified, if faculty are informed, or if resident privileges are limited. Descriptive data are reported. Results Eighty-one of 160 PDs responded. An official policy on remediation and/or probation was reported by 41 (50.6%) programs. The status of informal remediation is used by 73 (90.1%), 80 (98.8%) have formal remediation, 40 (49.4%) have informal probation, and 79 (97.5%) have formal probation. There was great variation among PDs in the management and definition of remediation and probation. Between 81 and 86% of programs place an official letter into the resident's file regarding formal remediation and probation. However, only about 50% notify the GME office when a resident is placed on formal remediation. There were no statistical differences between MK and non-MK remediation practices. Conclusions There is significant variation among EM programs regarding the process of remediation and probation. The definition of these terms and the actions triggered are variable across programs. Based on these findings, suggestions toward a standardized approach for remediation and probation in GME programs are provided.
Magnet and gradient coil system for low-field EPR imaging

Air-core coils are more practical than iron-core magnets for producing the required magnetic field distribution for electron paramagnetic resonance imaging at frequencies of a few hundred megahertz. An air-core, air-cooled magnet/gradient coil system is presented in this paper, which is optimum in the sense that mathematically it produces fields, which for the number of coils specified, are as uniform (for the magnet) and as linear (for the gradient coils) as is possible over a spherical volume. The magnet is four-coil (eighth-order), the z-coordinate gradient coil system is two-coil, Maxwell (fifth order), and the transverse gradient coils are four-coil, Anderson (fifth order). The design tradeoffs included homogeneity and linearity specifications, compatibility with access needed for physiological studies, power requirements, and provisions for rapid scanning. Incremental adjustments of the positions of the magnet coils, based on uniformity measurements, facilitated the meeting of design specifications at a reasonable cost. The 81 cm magnet can operate continuously at 90 G and can scan to 140 G. A 15 cm diameter working volume has a homogeneity of about 40 ppm. Three-dimensional gradient coils are designed for 10 G/cm. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts in Magnetic Resonance (Magn Reson Engineering) 15: 51–58, 2002.
Correlation of post-foil Ne Kα X-ray emission with empirical charge state distributions

Abstract The post-foil emission of Ne Kα X-rays at 4 MeV is well described by a statistical population of states and implies an L-electron population diminished from that indicated by the measured equilibrium charge state distribution.
Development of a strain-specific assay for detection of viable Lactobacillus sp. HOFG1 after application to cattle feed

A strain-specific assay was developed for the detection of viable Lactobacillus on cattle feed. The DNA sequences of the 16S rRNA gene and four different 16S/23S rRNA intergenic spacer regions (ISR) from Lactobacillus sp. HOFG1 were determined. Based on these sequences, a strain-specific primer was designed for the amplification of one of the ISRs. When combined with a Lactobacillus group primer, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay detected only Lactobacillus sp. HOFG1 and not other closely related L. animalis or L. murinus strains. The feed assay uses a combination of enrichment culturing and PCR to detect and enumerate viable Lactobacillus sp. HOFG1 after its application onto cattle feed. The high degree of primer specificity and use of selective culturing allows for the detection of viable Lactobacillus which is useful in tracking bacteria applied to complex feed mixtures that contain a high background of endogenous bacteria.
Synthesis and opioid activity of conformationally constrained dynorphin A analogues. 2. Conformational constraint in the 'address' sequence

Several cyclic lactam analogues of Dyn A-(1−13)NH2 were prepared in order to reduce the conformational flexibility in different regions of the native linear peptide. Cyclo[d-Aspi,Dapi+3]Dyn A-(1−13)NH2 (Dap = α,β-diaminopropionic acid) analogues were designed on the basis of molecular modeling using AMBER, which suggested that this constraint may be compatible with an α-helix. The cyclic portion of these constrained analogues spanned from residues 3 to 9, a region proposed by Schwyzer (Biochemistry 1986, 25, 4281) to adopt a helical conformation at κ receptor sites. Analogues containing Dab (α,γ-diaminobutyric acid) or Orn in position i + 3 were also synthesized to examine the effects of larger ring size. The cyclic peptides exhibited marked differences in binding affinities for κ, μ, and δ receptors and in opioid activity in the guinea pig ileum (GPI). Cyclo[d-Asp6,Dap9]Dyn A-(1−13)NH2 showed both high κ receptor affinity and potent agonist activity in the GPI, while cyclo[d-Asp3,Dap6]Dyn A-(1−13)NH2 exh...