cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Right hemisphere control of visuospatial attention: Line-bisection judgments evaluated with high-density electrical mapping and source analysis

The "line-bisection" task has proven an especially useful clinical tool for assessment of spatial neglect syndrome in neurological patients. Here, we investigated the neural processes involved in performing this task by recording high-density event-related potentials from 128 scalp electrodes in normal observers. We characterized a robust net negative potential from 170-400 ms poststimulus presentation that correlates with line-bisection judgments. Topographic mapping shows three distinct phases to this negativity. The first phase (approximately 170-190 ms) has a scalp distribution exclusively over the right parieto-occipital and lateral occipital scalp, consistent with generators in the region of the right temporo-parietal junction and right lateral occipital cortices. The second phase (approximately 190-240 ms) sees the emergence of a second negative focus over the right central parietal scalp, consistent with subsequent involvement of right superior parietal cortices. In the third phase (approximately 240-400 ms), the topography becomes dominated by this right central parietal negativity. Inverse source modeling confirmed that right hemisphere lateral occipital, inferior parietal, and superior parietal regions were the likeliest generators of the bulk of the activity associated with this effect. The line stimuli were also presented at three contrast levels (3, 25, and 100%) in order to manipulate both the latency of stimulus processing and the relative contributions from magnocellular and parvocellular inputs. Through this manipulation, we show that the line-bisection effect systematically tracks/follows the latency of the N1 component, which is considered a temporal marker for object processing in the ventral visual stream. This pattern of effects suggests that this task invokes an allocentric (object-based) form of visuospatial attention. Further, at 3% contrast, the line-bisection effect was equivalent to the effects seen at higher contrast levels, suggesting that parvocellular inputs are not necessary for successful performance of this task.
A bioenergetics model of zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, growth in the Great Lakes

An individual growth model of the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, is presented, based on weight- and temperature-specific physiological parameters taken from the literature on zebra mussels and...
Surrogate Consent for Genomics Research in Intensive Care

Surrogate decision makers may be poorly prepared to give informed consent for genomics research for their loved ones in intensive care. A review of the challenges and strategies associated with obtaining surrogates' consent for genomics research in intensive care patients revealed that few well-controlled studies have been done on this topic. Yet, a major theme in the literature is the role of health care professionals in guiding surrogates through the informed consent process rather than simply witnessing a signature. Informed consent requires explicit strategies to approach potential surrogates effectively, educate them, and ensure that informed consent has been attained.
Simultaneous heat and mass transfer for multicomponent distillation in a wetted-wall column

Abstract A simultaneous heat and mass transfer model was applied to multicomponent distillation in a wetted-wall column. Experiments were carried out, using the benzene-toluene-ethylbenzene ternary system, in a wetted-wall column of 2.2 cm i.d. and 100 cm long equipped with special probes designed for simultaneous liquid sampling and temperature measurements. The experimental results show that the bulk liquid phase was saturated, indicating no resistance to mass transfer in the liquid film. Confirmation of the liquid phase saturation was made through a comparison of the experimentally measured liquid temperature with the calculated bubble point temperature. The average deviation between the measured and calculated temperatures was found to be 0.26°C. Individual mass transfer rates were evaluated locally by measuring compositions and temperatures as functions of column height and were compared to theoretical predictions using the exact film model solution of the Maxwell-Stefan multicomponent equations developed by Krishna and Standart. The comparison shows good agreement with average deviations of 15.76% for benzene, 23.09% for toluene and 23.23% for ethylbenzene.
Cerebrospinal fluid and plasma monoamine metabolites and their relation to psychosis. Implications for regional brain dysfunction in schizophrenia.

• The relationship between central (cerebrospinal fluid [CSF]) and peripheral (plasma) monoaminergic metabolites and psychotic symptoms was examined in 22 drug-free schizophrenic inpatients. The CSF homovanillic acid levels did not differ significantly between patients and normal controls (n = 33). The CSF homovanillic acid levels, however, were negatively correlated with ratings of psychosis and positive symptoms, and the CSF homovanillic acid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels correlated negatively with individual deficit symptoms. Stepwise and hierarchical multiple-regression analysis revealed that among monoaminergic measures, only the CSF and plasma homovanillic acid levels contributed significantly to the total Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and positive symptom variance with negative and positive partial correlations, respectively. Levels of CSF 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol, but not of CSF norepinephrine, were significantly elevated in the schizophrenic patients compared with controls, and plasma 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol levels were positively correlated with negative symptoms. We discuss the potential implications of these findings for a model of dopaminergic dysfunction in schizophrenia involving distinct cortical and subcortical contributions.
Clinical and biological studies of estramustine phosphate as a novel radiation sensitizer

Abstract Purpose: Estramustine phosphate (EMP), a nor-nitrogen mustard carbamate derivative of estradiol-17β-phosphate, causes G 2 /M phase arrest in treated cells through its specific binding to microtubule associated proteins. Since cells in the G 2 /M phase are the most radiosensitive, cell culture experiments were performed to determine whether EMP would enhance the radiosensitivity of related human tumor cells. Based on the cell culture findings and well known pharmacokinetic data in humans, a Phase II prospective study of concomitant radiotherapy (RT) and EMP plus Velban for locally advanced carcinoma of the prostate was carried out. Methods and Materials: Three established human tumor cells, DU-145 cells (prostate), MCF-7 cells (breast), and U-251 cells (malignant glioma), were used to determine cell survival curves with and without the drug. Flow cytometry was used to obtain the cell cycle distribution of cells that were exposed to the drug for periods of 1 day to 1 week. Patients with locally advanced prostate cancer (Stages B 2 , C, D 1 ) were entered into the Phase II study. All patients received a total tumor dose of 65–70 Gy over 7 weeks. Oral EMP was administered daily and Velban was administered weekly, concomitantly during the course of RT. Results: Radiosensitization was dependent on the exposure time and the drug concentration prior to radiation. No radiosensitization was obtained when cells were exposed to the drug after irradiation. The enhancement ratios varied from 1.3–1.6 at the 10% survival level. All patients who received the combined RT and EMP plus Velban achieved complete response ( n = 27). The rate of PSA (prostate specific antigen) reduction was very prompt compared to that of the RT alone group. There were not disproportionately enhanced side effects for the combined regimen. Conclusion: EMP enhances radiation induced cytotoxicity in several human tumor cells in culture. The effect is most significant after prolonged exposure to the drug before irradiation. Documented G 2 /M phase cell cycle block by EMP is the likely mechanism of radiosensitization. The preliminary clinical findings with the combined RT and drugs are highly encouraging.
Orographic effects on a conditionally unstable flow over an idealized three-dimensional mesoscale mountain

Idealized numerical simulations using the Weather and Research Forecast (WRF) model indicate that three flow regimes, based on the moist Froude number, can be identified for a conditionally unstable, rotational, horizontally homogeneous, uniformly stratified flow over an idealized, three-dimensional, mesoscale mountain stretched spanwise to the impinging flow: (I) a quasi-stationary upslope convective system and an upstream-propagating convective system, (II) a quasi-stationary upslope convective system, and (III) a stationary upslope convective system and a quasi-stationary downstream convective system. Several major differences from a similar type of flow with no rotation over a two-dimensional mountain range are found. One important finding is that relatively strong mean flow produces a quasi-stationary mesoscale convective system (MCS) and maximum rainfall on the windward slope (upslope rain), instead of on the mountain peak or over the lee side.
Growing what you eat: Developing community gardens in Baltimore, Maryland

Food insecurity is a growing concern in the United States as it has been linked to increased health problems including obesity and diabetes. The community food security movement was created in an attempt to overcome this unequal distribution of food by localizing food production through approaches such as community gardening. The popularity of community gardening and the localization of food production are evident across the country, especially in central cities hoping to clean up vacant lots and in areas hoping to narrow the gap between production and consumption. Qualitative data from in-depth interviews with gardeners and a non-profit organization and field observations from food stores and community gardens in Baltimore, Maryland were used in this study to determine the extent to which community gardens contribute to food security. The selected study site represents different approaches to community gardening and different perceptions of healthy food. While it is evidenced that the community garden in this study contributes to individual, household, and community food security, additional help is needed in the form of education, policy, and funding to increase food security and promote healthy lifestyles.
Visceral muscles and myogenic activity in the hindgut of the cockroach,Leucophaea maderae

The hindgut of the Madeira cockroach contains an intricate network of longitudinal and circular muscles that are distinctive for each region. In the rectum, the longitudinal muscles are symmetrically arranged in 6 distinct bands, while the circular muscles appear as a uniform layer over the rectal pads. In the colon, the muscle fibers are arranged in an irregular lattice with the longitudinal fibers generally superimposed on the circular ones but with an evident weaving between the layers. In addition to these muscle layers, a delicate, superficial network of muscle-like fibers covers many portions of the colon and rectum.
The hemodynamic and cardiovascular effects of near-drowning in hypotonic, isotonic, or hypertonic solutions.

It has been postulated that near-drowning in fresh water may cause hemodilution and hypervolemia due to the hypotonicity of the aspirated water. In contrast, near-drowning in seawater, because of its hypertonicity, may lead to hypovolemic shock. We evaluated the hemodynamic effects of the instillation of 20 mL/kg of solutions of various tonicities (sterile water, 0.225% sodium chloride, 0.45% sodium chloride, normal saline, 2% sodium chloride, and 3% sodium chloride) into the lungs of anesthetized dogs and compared the results with those for control animals who were made anoxic for five minutes. There was no difference in the hemodynamic effects of hypotonic, isotonic, or hypertonic solutions when compared with anoxic controls. There was an immediate fall in cardiac output and increase in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, central venous pressure, and pulmonary vascular resistance, regardless of the solution, which was statistically the same as the changes in the anoxic controls (P greater than .02). Likewise, the effective dynamic compliance of the lungs decreased precipitously, was indistinguishable between solutions, and was not statistically different from the anoxic controls (P greater than .10). The pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and central venous pressure peaked at ten minutes and then declined gradually over four hours independent of the tonicity of the aspirated fluid. The cardiac output and effective dynamic compliance of the lung dropped rapidly and remained depressed throughout the experiment, and the pulmonary vascular resistance gradually worsened throughout the four hours of study. Similar results occurred with the anoxic controls. The cardiovascular changes that occur with near-drowning and aspiration of water are not dependent on the tonicity of the aspirated fluid but are the direct result of anoxia.
The Effect of Observation Focus on Evaluations of Choral Rehearsal Excerpts

Seven rehearsal excerpts demonstrating research-identified teaching characteristics were presented to university music majors (N = 176) for ratings. Subjects watched either a videotape focused on the teacher or another focused on students. Numerical ratings from 1 to 10 were assigned by subjects to 10 categories of student and teacher behavior: time use, musicianship, accuracy of presentation, student attentiveness, student performance quality, enthusiasm, intensity, pacing, personality, and overall effectiveness. Results demonstrated that subjects gave their highest ratings when viewing the teacher and lowest ratings when viewing students. The highest-rated excerpt contained a hw percentage of student off-task behavior (6.53%), a high percentage of approvals (71%), moderate eye contact (2730%), many activity changes (27), a high percentage of student response time (66%), and rapid pacing, as indicated by an average length of both teacher and student activities of 5-6 seconds.
Spectrum deterioration caused by virtual cathodes in the subsynchronous region of a microwave magnetron

Experimental data on spectrum deterioration in a pulsed magnetron oscillator exhibited a correlation with the theory of the striated space-charge distribution in a smooth-bore magnetron. This correlation led to a formula which defines a region on the performance chart where spectrum deterioration can be expected. The validity of the formula was confirmed for four different magnetrons.
A Survey of Integrated RF Power Measurement and Control Components for Communications

The accurate measurement of power and other attributes of signals used in communications systems has become a necessary aspect in optimizing power consumption and data throughput. From simple portable, battery-powered devices to large scale base-stations and routers, knowledge of the signal characteristics and its environment enables the system to reconfigure itself and allocate power and bandwidth as needed. A combination of high-speed silicon-based process technologies and an unrelenting focus on precision circuit design have enabled the in-situ analog signal processing of signals to be performed accurately and practically non-invasively. A review of numerous signal measurement techniques developed at Analog Devices reveals an unusual combination of high-speed and precision design techniques.
Antiangiogenic activity of a matrix protein.

Commentary to: Endostatin Expression by MDA-MB-435 Breast Cancer Cells Effectively Inhibits Tumor Growth Karen Liby, Bonnie Neltner, Lisa Mohamet, Craig Burd and Nira Ben-Jonathan
Influence of blood flow and millimeter wave exposure on skin temperature in different thermal models

Recently we showed that the Pennes bioheat transfer equation was not adequate to quantify mm wave heating of the skin at high blood flow rates. To do so, it is necessary to incorporate an “effective” thermal conductivity to obtain a hybrid bioheat equation (HBHE). The main aim of this study was to determine the relationship between non-specific tissue blood flow in a homogeneous unilayer model and dermal blood flow in multilayer models providing that the skin surface temperatures before and following mm wave exposure were the same. This knowledge could be used to develop multilayer models based on the fitting parameters obtained with the homogeneous tissue models. We tested four tissue models consisting of 1 to 4 layers and applied the one-dimensional steady-state HBHE. To understand the role of the epidermis in skin models we added to the one- and three-layer models an external thin epidermal layer with no blood flow. Only the combination of models containing the epidermal layer was appropriate for determination of the relationship between non-specific tissue and dermal blood flows giving the same skin surface temperatures. In this case we obtained a linear relationship between non-specific tissue and dermal blood flows. The presence of the fat layer resulted in the appearance of a significant temperature gradient between the dermis and muscle layer which increased with the fat layer thickness.
Design and performance of an astrometric beam combiner for space interferometry

This paper describes the design and performance of a brassboard astrometric beam combiner. The beam combiner was developed as part of the JPL Interferometry Technology Program . The purpose of this program is to test out design concepts in hardware that will eventually be used for the Space Interferometry Mission. The label brassboard implies that the beam combiner is flight-like in terms of fit and function. The beam combiner met its design performance except for fringe visibility. Although it has not been environmentally tested as an assembly, the beam combiner was designed to survive the appropriate thermal and vibration tests.
Expansion of the Fisheries Management Paradigm to Include Institutional Structure and Function

Abstract The historical development of a fisheries management paradigm from the biological to the bioeconomic approach is traced and the types of research questions motivated by each are identified. A new paradigm is proposed which, in addition to the fish stock and the fishing industry, includes the institutional structure that produces, implements, and enforces management regulations. This broadening allows for questions such as, “Why do we get the types of regulations we do and what can be done to improve things?” in addition to the standard research question, “What type of regulation will work best, all else being equal?”
A workable interpreter project for a “Structured Programming” course

Construction of a programming language interpreter has many beneficial aspects as a project for an intermediate level course. It provides a taste of the compilation process and an understanding of many issues involved in the structure and analysis of programming languages, all in a framework of an interesting, moderately large programming project. Over the past several years I have developed a workable interpreter, demanding a month or less, which successfully exhibits many important concepts. I hope that the presentation of this specific formulation, in detail, will prove of value to others.This project provides an interpreter for a simple, statement-oriented language.
Perceived benefits and costs of romantic relationships for women and men: Implications for exchange theory

This investigation examined the perceived benefits and costs of romantic (i.e., reciprocal dating) relationships. In Study 1, subjects provided open-ended reports regarding the benefits and costs associated with romantic involvement. Different groups of subjects ranked (Study 2) and rated (Study 3) these benefits and costs for importance. Companionship, happiness, and feeling loved or loving another were among the most important benefits accompanying romantic involvement. The most serious costs included stress and worry about the relationship, social and nonsocial sacrifices, and increased dependence on the partner. Compared to males, females regarded intimacy, self-growth, self-understanding, and positive self-esteem as more important benefits, and regarded loss of identity and innocence about relationships and love as more important costs Alternatively, males regarded sexual gratification as a more important benefit, and monetary losses as a more serious cost than did females Implications for exchange theory are highlighted.
Evolution of advertisement signals in North American hylid frogs: vocalizations as end-products of calling behavior

We studied the advertisement signals in two clades of North American hylid frogs in order to characterize the relationships between signal acoustic structure and underlying behavior. A mismatch was found between the acoustic structure and the mechanism of sound production. Two separate sets of phylogenetic characters were coded following acoustic versus mechanistic criteria, and exploratory treatments were made to compare their respective phylogenetic content in comparison with the molecular phylogeny (Faivovich et al., 2005). We discuss the consequences of the acoustic ⁄ mechanistic mismatch in terms of significance of acoustic characters for phylogenetic and comparative studies; and the evolution of vocalizations in North American treefrogs. Considering only the acoustic structure of frog vocalizations can lead to misleading results in terms of both phylogenetic signal and evolution of vocalizations. In contrast, interpreting the acoustic signals with regard to the mechanism of sound production results in consistent phylogenetic information. The mechanistic coding also provides strong homologies for use in comparative studies of frog vocalizations, and to derive and test evolutionary hypotheses. � The Willi Hennig Society 2006.
Does Pc-Spes Interact With Warfarin?

Complementary/alternative medicines are used by up to 64% of patients with cancer.1 Little is known regarding interactions between multi-agent complementary/alternative medicines and single agent pharmaceuticals. The former may either mask or potentiate beneficial or adverse effects of conventional pharmaceuticals. Studies to address this issue have rarely been performed, and many physicians remain unaware that patients use complementary/alternative medicines due to lack of direct questioning or reporting. Despite the potential for harmful drug-herb-vitamin interactions, patients believe complementary/alternative medicines are nontoxic and may not report adverse effects. PC-SPES (Botanic Lab, Brea, California), a combination herbal preparation that is effective against prostate cancer, may interact with conventional pharmaceuticals. We report the difficulties of maintaining a therapeutic level of warfarin anticoagulation in a patient taking PC-SPES. CASE REPORT
Optics Goes Where No Electronics Can Go: Zero-Energy-Dissipation Logic

Optical computing has a seemingly eternal problem. It always appears to be in competition with electronic computing. Moore's law and the advantages of digital over analog processing make pure electronics superior in almost every case. Optical computing uses come when the signal is already in the optical domain or when it is used to reduce the heat load in hybrid optical-electronic chips. I describe here work done with a number of bright opticists and logicians over the last four years that produces using optics logic that dissipates no energy and accommodates whatever bandwidth the input and output laser modulation affords. Moreover, we can show why electronics alone can never accomplish those important properties.
Human parental effort and environmental risk

Parental investment decisions depend on multiple factors, including the extent that parental care benefits offspring. Humans should show reduced parental effort in environments where parenting cannot improve offspring survival. Data from the standard cross-cultural sample are used to test this prediction. The results show that maternal care was inversely associated with famine and warfare, and also showed a quadratic association with pathogen stress, increasing as pathogen stress increased to moderate levels, but decreasing at higher levels. Age at weaning showed a similar quadratic relation with pathogens. The curvilinear associations between parental effort and pathogen stress may reflect that the saturation point of parental care is a function of environmental hazards. Paternal involvement was also inversely related to pathogen stress. The association between pathogens and paternal involvement was partially mediated by polygyny. In sum, maternal and paternal care appears to have somewhat different relations with environmental hazards, presumably owing to sex-specific tradeoffs in reproductive effort.
Social influence and motivation to change health behaviors among Mexican-origin adults: implications for diet and physical activity.

Abstract Purpose . To evaluate whether influence from social network members is associated with motivation to change dietary and physical activity behaviors. Design . Baseline assessment followed by mailing of family health history-based personalized messages (2 weeks) and follow-up assessment (3 months). Setting . Families from an ongoing population-based cohort in Houston, Texas. Subjects . 475 adults from 161 Mexican-origin families. Out of 347 households contacted, 162 (47%) participated. Measures . Family health history, social networks, and motivation to change behaviors. Analysis . Two-level logistic regression modeling. Results . Having at least one network member who encourages one to eat more fruits and vegetables (p = .010) and to engage in regular physical activity (p = .046) was associated with motivation to change the relevant behavior. About 40% of the participants did not have encouragers for these behaviors. Conclusions . Identification of new encouragers within networks and targeting natural encouragers (e.g., children, spouses) may increase the efficacy of interventions to motivate behavioral changes among Mexican-origin adults.
The “Dispensable” Portion of RAG2 Is Necessary for Efficient V-to-DJ Rearrangement during B and T Cell Development

Previous in vitro studies defined the minimal regions of RAG1 and RAG2 essential for V(D)J recombination. In order to characterize the role of the C-terminal "dispensable" portion of RAG2, we generated core-RAG2 knock-in mice. We found that the core-RAG2-containing recombinase complex is selectively defective in catalyzing V-to-DJ rearrangement at the IgH and TCRbeta loci, resulting in partial developmental blocks in B and T lymphopoiesis. Analysis of recombination intermediates showed defects at the cleavage phase of the reaction. We also observed a reduction in overall recombinase activity in core-RAG2-expressing thymocytes, leading us to suggest that the interaction of a defective recombinase with RSS sequences unique to VH and Vbeta gene segments may underlie the specific V-to-DJ rearrangement defect in core-RAG2 mice.
Control of a Scalable Matrix Vasoconstrictor Device for Wet Actuator Arrays

The matrix vasoconstriction device (MVD) is a scalable mechanism than can control the fluid flow through a vascular network with n2 wet shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators using 2n+2 constrictors (control elements). This vascular network delivers hot and cold fluid to conductively heat and cool shape memory alloy (SMA) muscles embedded in compliant vessels. The MVD mimics smooth muscles found in biological systems by constricting fluidic vessels to prevent flow. When released, the MVD does not add any fluidic resistance to the system, which has reduced the effective fluid resistance of the vascular network to 20% of the previous vascular system controlled by solenoid valves, therefore increasing the flow rate by a factor of 5. With the MVD's increased flow rates, a cycling rate of one Hz has been achieved for a single actuator. The MVD has (2n - 1)2 possible configurations, which allow fluid flow through a single or multiple vessels at the intersection of one or more released row and column constrictors. As the number of released vessels increases, the total fluid resistance of the system decreases and the total flow through the system increases. Releasing all the constrictors, the flow through a 4 times 4 array can produce 3.5 actuations per unit time (where the unit time is the time necessary to drive a single actuator). This paper examines the operation of the MVD as it controls the ternary fluid flow (hot, cold, no flow) to an n times n array of wet SMA actuators operating independently and operating columns of actuators that are connected mechanically series with each other
Assessment of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in healthy, full-term neonates.

Purpose To measure average retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thicknesses in healthy, full-term neonates. Design Descriptive research to develop normative data. Methods Healthy infants born between 37 and 42 weeks postmenstrual age were imaged with hand-held spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. A custom script segmented the RNFL; the fovea and optic nerve center were manually selected. A second script measured the average RNFL thickness along the papillomacular bundle, defined as the arc from −15 degrees to +15 degrees on the axis from the optic nerve to fovea, with radii of 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, and 1.7 mm from the center of the optic disc. Shapiro-Wilk W tests assessed these measurements for normality to determine the age-appropriate radial distance for subsequent analyses. Average RNFL thicknesses for four temporal 45-degree sectors (superior temporal, temporal superior, temporal inferior, and inferior temporal) and the temporal quadrant were calculated and compared to demographic parameters for all infants. Results Fifty full-term infants were adequately imaged for RNFL analysis. RNFL thicknesses at 1.5 mm radial distance from the optic nerve were the most normally distributed. While there was a trend toward greater mean superior temporal RNFL thickness for both black and Hispanic vs white infants (128 ± 27 μm, 124 ± 30 μm, and 100 ± 19 μm, respectively, P = .04 for both comparisons), there were no other significant differences noted in RNFL thicknesses by race, sex, gestational age, or birth weight. Conclusions We present RNFL thickness measurements for healthy, full-term infants that may serve as normative data for future analyses.
The US Navy's RELO ensemble prediction system and its performance in the Gulf of Mexico

The US Navy's relocatable (RELO) ensemble prediction system is fully described and is examined in the Gulf of Mexico for 2010. After briefly describing the ensemble transfer (ET) method for the initial perturbation generation, we introduce a new time-deformation technique to generate the surface forcing perturbations from the atmospheric model fields. The extended forecast time (EFT) is introduced to quantify the advantages of the ensemble mean forecasts over a single deterministic forecast. The ensemble spread and its growth are investigated together with their relations with the ensemble forecast accuracy, reliability and skill. Similar to many other operational ensemble forecast systems at numerical weather prediction (NWP) centres, the initial analysis error is underestimated by the technique used in the data assimilation (DA) system. Growth of the ocean ensemble spread is also found to lag the growth of the ensemble mean error, a tendency attributed to insufficiently accounting for model-related uncertainties. As an initial step, we randomly perturb the two most important parameters in the ocean model mixing parametrizations, namely the Smagorinsky horizontal and Mellor–Yamada vertical mixing schemes. We examine three different parameter perturbation schemes based on both uniform and Gaussian distributions. It is found that all three schemes improve the ensemble spread to a certain extent, particularly the scheme with Gaussian distribution of perturbations imposed on both the horizontal and vertical mixing parameters. The findings in this article indicate that the RELO ensemble forecast demonstrates superior accuracy and skill relative to a single deterministic forecast for all the variables and over all the domains considered here. The ensemble spread provides a valuable estimate of forecast uncertainty. However, the RELO uncertainty forecast capability could be further improved by accounting for more model-related uncertainties, for example, by the development of an error parametrization that imposes stochastic forcing at each model grid point.
Improved legal status as the major source of earnings premiums associated with intermarriage: evidence from the 1986 IRCA amnesty

Exploiting a natural experiment, this paper uses the 1990 US Census data and the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act amnesty to investigate the major mechanism through which intermarriage influences immigrant earnings. My strategy involves comparing international marriage premiums received by two groups of Mexican immigrants who arrived before and after the cutoff date of eligibility. Both groups face similar language and culture related obstacles and have to adapt themselves to the new environment, except that unauthorized Mexican workers who arrived before 1982 could obtain legal status through the amnesty while those who arrived after the cutoff date obtained legal status through marriage to a US citizen. Instrumental variables estimates show a significantly larger intermarriage premium for Mexican immigrants who migrated after the cutoff date and no statistically significant intermarriage premium is found in the pre-1982 group. The 35 % premium gap indicates a large effect of intermarriage on immigrant labor market outcomes, operating primarily through an improvement of legal status.
Career Issues in International Assignments

M uch research in international human resource management has focused on the selection and training of personnel for overseas assignments, such as the criteria for selecting candidates and training programs to prepare personnel for cross-cultural encounters. An often neglected area of research in international human resource management is what happens to the subsequent career path of the individual upon return. In other words, did the international assignment have a positive impact on the person's overall career development and subsequent advancement in the organization? In this article I will explore some of the career issues associated with repatriation. The findings presented here are based on in-depth interviews with the vice-president of foreign operations or the vice-president of human resources in 17 European, 18 Japanese, and 11 Australian multinationals. In many cases, people who have served on overseas assignments in their respective companies were also interviewed. These findings were compared with those from interviews with the director of human resource management in 20 U.S. multinationals and a questionnaire survey of 80 U.S. multinationals. (The multinationals from the various countries came from a variety of industries and services, including automobiles, banking and finance, steel and chemical manufacturing, general trading, and so on.) Career Issues in Repatriation
Least-squares font metric estimation from images

The problem of determining font metrics from measurements on images of typeset text is discussed, and least-squares procedures for font metric estimation are developed. When it is shown that kerning is not present, sidebearing estimation involves solving a set of linear equations, called the sidebearing normal equations. More generally, simultaneous sidebearing and kerning term estimation involves an iterative procedure in which a modified set of sidebearing normal equations is solved during each iteration. Character depth estimates are obtained by solving a set of baseline normal equations. In a preliminary evaluation of the proposed procedures on scanned text images in three fonts, the root-mean-square set width estimation error was about 0.2 pixel. An application of font metric estimation to text image editing is discussed. >
Implementation of Donald elliptic projection for VH coordinates and calculation of air mileage

Geographic coordinate system (represented in latitude and longitude) considers earth as a perfect sphere. But in fact its shape is slightly elliptical. This assumption puts limitations on the accuracy of distance calculated between any two points on earth. While this small error is neglected in most distance calculator algorithms, applications demanding perfect distance between any two points need alternative way to compute that. One approach to solve this problem is Jay K. Donald's elliptic projection. In this paper we briefly describe the back-ground of elliptical projection and presents an implementation of the algorithm that yields geographical coordinates from given vertical-horizontal pair. The vertical and horizontal coordinates can be used to calculate near perfect air mileage between two points. Experiments on some sample real addresses show that the calculated aerial distances are more accurate than the ones calculated by methods that do not consider earth's oblate spheroid shape.
Cardiovascular teratogenicity of terbutaline and ritodrine in the chick embryo

Objective: We determined the teratogenic effects of terbutaline and ritodrine, both β 2 -sympathomimetic agonists, on the stage 24 (4-day) chick embryo. Study Design: We used a topical method of application of terbutaline or ritodrine to the stage 24 chick embryo in ova. Doses of terbutaline ranged from 5.5 x 10 -10 to 6.5 × 10 -9 mol per embryo, and ritodrine doses ranged from 4.6 × 10 -11 to 4.6 × 10 -8 mol per embryo. To further determine the pharmacologic nature of the teratogenic potential of terbutaline or ritodrine, the experiments were repeated after pretreatment with butoxamine hydrochloride, a preferential β 2 -antagonist, or metoprolol tartrate, a preferential β 1 -antagonist, 4 hours before application of terbutaline or ritodrine. Results: Terbutaline treatment was associated with significantly higher rates of anomalies than in controls at all dosages used, whereas ritodrine induced significantly more anomalies at or above doses of 4.6 × 10 -9 mol per embryo. At an equimolar dose pretreatment with butoxamine hydrochloride significantly reduced the cardiovascular teratogenic effects of terbutaline and ritodrine. Pretreatment with metoprolol tartrate at any dose did not significantly reduce terbutaline's potential. Metoprolol, at doses tenfold or 100-fold higher than ritodrine, was able to significantly reduce the teratogenic effects of ritodrine. Conclusions: Our data suggest that terbutaline and ritodrine are teratogenic in the chick and that these agents exert their teratogenic effects primarily through stimulation of the β 2 -adrenergic receptor.
Synchronous perforation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the small intestine and colon: a case report

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the small and large bowel presenting as a perforated viscus entity with peritonitis is extremely rare. A thorough literature review did not reveal any cases where primary lymphoma of the jejunum presented with perforation and peritonitis synchronously with primary lymphoma of the descending colon. This report concerns a 64-year-old Caucasian woman admitted with severe abdominal pain and fever. An emergency laparotomy revealed a large mass with perforation in the proximal jejunum with intense mesenteric thickening and lymphadenopathy. The descending colon was edematous and covered with fibrinous exudate. Histopathological examination of the resected segment of jejunum revealed a T cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. On post-operative day 10, a computed tomography scan of our patient's abdomen and pelvis showed leakage of contrast into the pelvis. Re-exploration revealed perforation of the descending colon. The histopathology of the resected colon also showed T cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Her post-operative course was complicated by acute renal and respiratory failure. The patient died on post-operative day 21. Lymphoma of the small intestine has been reported to have a poor prognosis. The synchronous occurrence of lesions in the small intestine or colon is unusual, and impacts the prognosis adversely. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to improve the prognosis of bowel perforation in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Identifying Priority Species and Conservation Opportunities Under Future Climate Scenarios: Amphibians in a Biodiversity Hotspot

Abstract Climate change is driving shifts in the distribution of plants and animals, and prioritizing management actions for such shifts is a necessary but technically difficult challenge. We worked with state agencies in the southeastern United States to identify high-priority amphibian species, to model the vulnerabilities of those species to regional climate change, and to identify long-term climatic refugia within the context of existing conservation lands. Directly interfacing with state natural resource experts ensured that 1) species prioritization schemes extend beyond political boundaries and 2) our models resulted in conservation-relevant applications. We used a correlative model to project midcentury distributions of suitable climate for priority species and to evaluate each species' vulnerability to climate change. Using spatially explicit projected climate distributions, we ranked existing protected areas relative to their ability to provide climatic refugia for priority species in 2050. We i...
Melting Behavior of Simplified Lherzolite in the System CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-Na2O from 7 to 35 kbar

Phase equilibrium data have been collected for isobarically univariant melting of simplified lherzolite compositions in the system CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-Na2O over a pressure range of 7-35 kbar. These data permit the melting behavior of a wide variety of model lherzolite compositions to be determined quantitatively by algebraic methods. Two P-T univariant melting reactions, corresponding to plagioclase to spinel lherzolite and spinel to garnet lherzolite, are identified as peritectic-ty pe transitions and have positive Clapeyron slopes. The univariant curves move to higher pressures and temperatures with increasing Na2O in the liquid. The effect of the univariant curves on melting is to produce low-temperature regions and isobarically invariant melting intervals along lherzolite solidi. In the plagioclase lherzolite stability field, melting of four-phase model lherzolite is pseudo-invari ant, occurring over small temperature intervals (~ 5 °C) and producing liquids that are quartz tholeiites at 8 kbar. Calculated equilibrium constants for plagioclase-liquid equilibria show both temperature and pressure dependence. Plagioclase with anorthite content (AN) >90 mol%, as observed in some oceanic basalts, can crystallize from liquids with 10%). On the basis of limited data in the garnet lherzolite field, melts from garnet lherzolite are more silica rich for a given degree of melting than melts from spinel lherzolite, and liquid compositions trend toward enstatite with increase in pressure. Source fertility (especially Na2O content) has a strong control on the temperature of melting and liquid composition. Less fertile sources produce smaller amounts of liquids richer in normative silica. For certain bulk compositions (high SiO2 and low A12O3), spinel is not a stable phase along the lherzolite solidus.
Simulated thrombin responses in venous valves.

Objective Venous thromboembolism frequently results in thrombi formation near or within the pocket of a venous valve due to recirculating hemodynamics, which has been largely attributed to hypoxia-induced tissue factor (TF) expression. Numerical models are now capable of assessing the spatiotemporal behavior of the TF-initiated coagulation cascade under nonuniform hemodynamics. The aim of this study was to use such a numerical simulation to analyze the degree and location of thrombin formation with respect to TF position in the presence of disturbed flow induced by an open venous valve. Methods Thrombin formation was simulated using a computational model that captures the hemodynamics, kinetics, and chemical transport of 22 biochemical species. Disturbed flow is described by the presence of a valve in the equilibrium phase of the valve cycle with leaflets in a fully open position. Three different positions of TF downstream of the valve opening were investigated. Results The critical amount of TF required to initiate a thrombotic response is reduced by up to 80% when it is positioned underneath the recirculating regions near the valve opening. In addition, because of the increased surface area of the open valve cusp in conjunction with recirculating hemodynamics, it was observed that thrombin is generated inside the valve pocket even when the exposed region of TF is downstream of the valve. Conclusions The presence of prothrombotic surface reactions in conjunction with recirculating hemodynamics provides an additional mechanism for thrombus formation in venous valves that does not require direct damage or dysfunction to the valve itself.
Termination of Pupal Diapause in Cuterebra Tenebrosa (Diptera: Cuterebridae) with Injections of Ecdysterone

Pupal diapause in Cuterebra tenebrosa Coquillett was terminated by injections of 0.1 to 0.6 μg of ecdysterone per pupa. Treated pupae resumed development 2–3 days after injection and emerged as adults in 44 days independent of prior time in diapause. Controls remained in diapause. Reproductive capability of the resulting flies was normal. This technique is practical and useful in shortening the long pupal diapause and Serves to coordinate development of pupae of different ages so adults emerge within a limited time range.