cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ramp Operations Monitoring System

United Airlines (UAL) operations estimates that they spent $1.39 million in flight delay costs last year. The SENSIS Corporation was sponsoring the design of a system that would assist airport ramp personnel in the allocation of ramp resources by physically tracking each resource. Through much research and analysis, our group concluded that a good business case could not be made for SENSIS Corporation. Our main sponsor is now United Airlines. The system design described in this paper is an information, resource tracking, and communications system. The key operational benefits of the system include increased situational awareness for ramp personnel and reduced operating costs. A top-down approach was implemented to design the Ramp Operations Monitoring System (ROMS). Research concerning airport operations was conducted to identify the current problems and inefficiencies with ramp resource allocation. Stakeholder interviews were conducted to generate system requirements. The house of quality methodology was used to identify and define the system's functional and physical architecture. Objectives hierarchies were developed to determine the weighting functions for the system's requirements traceability matrix. A model was developed of the aircraft turn process. A model of daily ramp operations was also developed. Stochastic simulations were performed using the two models by using "Arena" to evaluate the proposed design's overall performance. Arena is a discrete event simulation modeling environment. Preliminary results indicate that a business case can be developed for the system described in this paper. Tracking the aircraft turn process appears to be the critical task of the system.
Cooperative and Competitive Substituent Effects on the Cope Rearrangements of Phenyl-Substituted 1,5-Hexadienes Elucidated by Becke3LYP/6-31G* Calculations

B3LYP/6-31G* calculations have been performed on the Cope rearrangements of 1,5-hexadienes that are substituted with up to four phenyl groups. Experimental activation enthalpies are available for a...
Cutaneous manifestations of cryoglobulinemia: clinical and histopathologic study of seventy-two patients.

In the 72 cases of cryoglobulinernia reviewed, erythematous to purpuric macules or papules were present in 92%. Infarction, hemorrhagic crusts, and ulcers were present in 10% to 25% of the patients and were relatively more common in type I cryoglobulinemia than in the other types. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation was noted in 40%. Lesions on the leg were common in all types of cryoglobulinemia; however, lesions on the head and mucosal surfaces suggested type I cryoglobulinemia. Histopathologic features were classified as vasculitis in 50%, inflammatory or noninflammatory purpura in 15%, noninflammatory hyaline thrombosis in 10%, and postinflammatory sequelae in 10%. Noninflammatory hyaline thrombosis was relatively more frequent in type I. Thus erythematous to purpuric lesions on the legs and leukocytoclastic vasculitis are the common cutaneous findings in cryoglobulinemia. Type I cryoglobulinemia is suggested by noninflammatory hyaline thrombosis, cutaneous infarction, hemorrhagic crusts, skin ulcerations, and lesions of the head and neck and of oral or nasal mucosa.
Conformation of fatty acyl chains in α- and β-phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine derivatives in sonicated vesicles

Abstract Mono- and dimethylated derivatives constitute important intermediates in the conversion of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) to phosphatidylcholine (PC) in eucaryote membranes. 1H-NMR techniques were utilized to examine the conformation of the region of the fatty acyl chains that is close to the polar group in the series of α-phospholipids: PE, N- methyl-PE , N,N- dimethyl-PE , and PC. The same series of polar groups, but on phospholipid containing sn-1 and/or sn-3 fatty acyl chains (β-phospholipids) were also examined. All of the phospholipids were in the form of small sonicated vesicles which are widely utilized as membrane models. The α-methylene group of the sn-1 and sn-2 fatty acyl chains of the α-phospholipids give rise to separate signals due to the non-equivalency of these chains with respect to the glycerol phosphate backbone on all α-phospholipids tested. Additionally, differences in the environment of the PC molecules as well as N- methyl-PE , and N,N- dimethyl-PE , but not PE itself on the inside and outside of the vesicles are reflected in the chemical shift of the α-methylene protons. On the other hand, all of the β-phospholipids (including β-PE) were found to reflect the inside/outside packing differences in their α-methylene groups. The bilayer packing does not induce any nonequivalence in the chemically equivalent acyl chains. In mixed micelles with detergents, β-phospholipids showed one α-CH2 signal for all phospholipids. These results are consistent with a common conformational arrangement for the fatty acyl chains in all α-phospholipids that have been investigated no matter what aggregated form. The conformational arrangement in the β-phospholipids is different, but again is similar for all of the compounds tested in various aggregated forms.
Verification of a high-resolution PEB parameter extraction methodology based on double exposure technique

A sequential double exposure technique for characterizing resist materials suggested by the authors is demonstrated experimentally at 248nm lithography. This technique is verified to improve two-dimension pattern and line end shortening. A new PEB parameter extraction method based on the double exposed technique is applied to UV210 and APEX-E and the first round results have been obtained. With the help of the new methodology, Fickean and non-Fickean diffusions are evaluated.
Post-classification approaches to estimating change in forest area using remotely sensed auxiliary data

Multiple remote sensing-based approaches to estimating gross afforestation, gross deforestation, and net deforestation are possible. However, many of these approaches have severe data requirements in the form of long time series of remotely sensed data and/or large numbers of observations of land cover change to train classifiers and assess the accuracy of classifications. In particular, when rates of change are small and equal probability sampling is used, observations of change may be scarce. For these situations, post-classification approaches may be the only viable alternative. The study focused on model-assisted and model-based approaches to inference for post-classification estimation of gross afforestation, gross deforestation, and net deforestation using Landsat imagery as auxiliary data. Emphasis was placed on estimation of variances to support construction of statistical confidence intervals for estimates. Both analytical and bootstrap approaches to variance estimation were used. For a study area in Minnesota, USA, estimates of net deforestation were not statistically significantly different from zero.
Analysis of the mixing matrix in a model with coincident quark electroweak and mass eigenstates.

A new approach to relating quark masses and mixing angles was proposed by del A-acute-accentguila, Kane, and Quiros, in which the mass matrix for the weak eigenstates was assumed to be diagonal in the absence of mixing with heavier quarks. The purpose of this paper is to examine in detail the constraints of CP violation and B/sup 0/-B-bar /sup 0/ mixing on the quark-mixing-angle matrix of the model and the range of m/sub t/ for which the description could hold. For the case where CP violation and B/sup 0/-B-bar /sup 0/ mixing arise from the quark mixing matrix the result is that, for at least some values of the parameters, m/sub t/ can be as small as 85 GeV but not less. In addition, chemically bondV/sub u//sub b/chemically bond/chemically bondV/sub cb/chemically bond is required to be larger than 0.11, an important constraint on the model. Mixing and CP violation arising from flavor-changing currents present in the model are also examined.
Dynamics and Heat Balance of Steady Equatorial Undercurrents

Abstract A two-dimensional (in a vertical and meridional plane) model for steady equatorial undercurrents is described. Compared to the primitive equation model, the zonal pressure gradient and associated zonal temperature gradients (both vary vertically) are prescribed in this model, and all other terms involving zonal variations are ignored. With zonal pressure gradients resembling actual ocean gradients, model undercurrents agree well with observations as far as the main features are concerned. In particular, the model simulates a stronger undercurrent in the Pacific than in the Atlantic, suggesting that a weaker zonal wind stress, a shallower thermocline, a more surface-confined zonal pressure gradient, and an associated larger magnitude of near-surface zonal temperature gradient around 30°W in the Atlantic than around 150°W in the Pacific, which is related to the longitudinal structure of the zonal wind stress and longitudinal basin extent, are the cause of this difference. An argument based on geost...
A Comparison of the Redox Properties of Vanadia-Based Mixed Oxides

The thermodynamics of oxidation and reduction were investigated for a series of vanadium-containing oxides, including CeVO4, LaVO4, ZrV2O7, Mg3(VO4)2, CrVO4, AlVO4, and V2O5, in the temperature range between 873 and 973 K, using coulometric titration to measure oxidation isotherms. For each of the compounds, the oxygen uptakes corresponded to oxidation from V+3 to V+5 as oxygen fugacities increased from 10-25 to 10-2 atm. With V2O5 and ZrV2O7, the only materials in this group that contain V−O−V linkages, there was evidence for two oxidation processes, corresponding to V+3−V+4 and V+4−V+5 equilibria, whereas oxidation occurred in a single step for the other materials. CrVO4 and AlVO4 were unstable to deep reduction, but oxidation enthalpies and entropies were reported for CeVO4, ZrV2O7, Mg3(VO4)2, and V2O5.
Malonate inhibition of α-ketoglutaric oxidase

Abstract 1. 1. Succinate-free α-ketoglutaric acid (m.p. 115–116 ° corr.) was prepared. Ethyl propionate was found to be uniquely suitable for the recrystallization of α-ketoglutaric and oxalacetic acids. 2. 2. An active α-ketoglutaric oxidase was shown to be present in particles from etiolated pea stems; no activity was observed in the Thunberg tube. 3. 3. The oxygen uptake by this enzyme was inhibited by malonate in two ways: low malonate concentrations prevent oxidation beyond the succinate level; higher concentrations, up to 0.03 M, inhibit the disappearance of α-ketoglutarate.
A procedure for the preparation of gram-quantities of bacterial cell walls.

Une methode est decrite, qui permet la rupture de la paroi de bacteries en utilisant des quantites relativement larges a chaque essai, ainsi qu'un equipement de co#x00FB;t modique. La preparation de parois deM. lysodeikticus a partir d'une prise de 15 g de bacteries seches est rapportee en exemple.
Analysis of organoselenium and organic acid metabolites by laser desorption single photon ionization mass spectrometry.

A method for analyzing organoselenium and organic acid metabolites using laser desorption from graphite surfaces coupled to vacuum ultraviolet single photon ionization mass spectrometry (LD/SPI MS) is described. The 1−10-fmol sensitivity and linear dynamic range allows quantitative detection of selenomethionine, trimethylselenonium ion, methylselenogalactosamine, and 1β-methylseleno-N-acetyl-d-galactosamine in complex biological samples such as human urine. In addition, common urinary metabolites such as tartronic, glutaric, orotic, uric, suberic, and hydroxyhippuric acids, are readily detected. Screening and quantitative detection of these organoselenium and organic acid metabolites is achieved within minutes. The results are also consistent with those obtained using high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry techniques. The study demonstrates the viability of matrix-free LD/SPI MS for molecular characterization and quantitive analysis of biological metabolites in the m/z 10−500 rang...
On the empirical relationship between several well-known inequality measures

Abstract This paper presents a new class of weighted geometric mean inequality measures. This class allows us to make explicit the latent weighting other well-known inequality measures are giving to various portions of the observed income graduations under scrutiny. Since policymakers rely on measures such as the Gini coefficient to convey information to them about the level of inequality, knowledge of such implicit weightings is important.
Reduced Apoptosis and Plaque Necrosis in Advanced Atherosclerotic Lesions of Apoe−/− and Ldlr−/− Mice Lacking CHOP

Summary Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is a hallmark of advanced atherosclerosis, but its causative role in plaque progression is unknown. In vitro studies have implicated the ER stress effector CHOP in macrophage apoptosis, a process involved in plaque necrosis in advanced atheromata. To test the effect of CHOP deficiency in vivo, aortic root lesions of fat-fed Chop +/+; Apoe −/− and Chop −/−; Apoe −/− mice were analyzed for size and morphology. Despite similar plasma lipoproteins, lesion area was 35% smaller in Chop −/−; Apoe −/− mice. Most importantly, plaque necrosis was reduced by ∼50% and lesional apoptosis by 35% in the CHOP-deficient mice. Similar results were found in fat-fed Chop −/−; Ldlr −/− versus Chop +/+; Ldlr −/− mice. Thus, CHOP promotes plaque growth, apoptosis, and plaque necrosis in fat-fed Apoe −/− and Ldlr −/− mice. These data provide direct evidence for a causal link between the ER stress effector CHOP and plaque necrosis and suggest that interventions weakening this arm of the UPR may lessen plaque progression.
Behavioral guides for sensory neurophysiology

The study of natural behavior is important for understanding the coding schemes of sensory systems. The jamming avoidance response of the weakly electric fish Eigenmannia is an excellent example of a bottom–up approach, in which behavioral analyses guided neurophysiological studies. These studies started from the electroreceptive sense organs to the motor output consisting of pacemaker neurons. Going in the opposite direction, from the central nervous system to lower centers, is the characteristic of the top–down approach. Although this approach is perhaps more difficult than the bottom–up approach, it was successfully employed in the neuroethological analysis of sound localization in the barn owl. In the latter studies, high-order neurons selective for complex natural stimuli led to the discovery of neural pathways and networks responsible for the genesis of the stimulus selectivity. Comparison of Eigenmannia and barn owls, and their neural systems, has revealed similarities in network designs, such as parallel pathways and their convergence to produce stimulus selectivity necessary for detection of natural stimuli.
Differential Error Types in Second-Language Students’ Written and Spoken Texts Implications for Instruction in Writing

This article reports on an empirical study undertaken at the University of the North, South Africa, to test personal classroom observation and anecdotal evidence about the persistent gap between writing and spoken proficiencies among learners of English as a second language. A comparative and contrastive analysis of speech samples in the study showed a significant higher proportion of morpho-syntactic nonstandard forms in the learners’ written compositions and more nonstandard discourse forms in their oral presentations. As a result, it is argued that this gap may be minimized when learners’written interlanguage variety is used productively as a means toward normative writing proficiency. Recommendations for remedial instruction in second-language writing pedagogy, within the framework of Cummins’s conversational abilities and academic language proficiency, are offered for adaptation in comparable situations.
Decreased glutamic acid decarboxylase mRNA expression in prefrontal cortex in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) patients typically suffer from motor disorders but mild to severe cognitive deficits can also be present. Neuropathology of PD primarily involves loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, pars compacta, although more widespread pathology from the brainstem to the cerebral cortex occurs at different stages of the disease. Cognitive deficits in PD are thought to involve the cerebral cortex, and imaging studies have identified the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) as a possible site for some of the symptoms. GABAergic neurons in the cerebral cortex play a key role in the modulation of pyramidal neurons and alterations in muscimol binding to GABA(A) receptors have been reported in Brodmann area 9 (BA9) of the prefrontal cortex in PD patients (Nishino et al., 1988). In order to further assess the likelihood that GABAergic activity is altered in the prefrontal cortex in PD, gene expression of the 67 kilodalton isoform of the GABA-synthesizing enzyme, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67 encoded by the GAD1 gene), was examined in BA9 of post-mortem brains from 19 patients and 20 controls using isotopic in situ hybridization histochemistry. GAD67 mRNA labeling was examined and quantified on X-ray films and emulsion radioautographs. We show that GAD67 mRNA labeling is significantly lower in PD compared to control cases. Analysis of emulsion radioautographs indicates that GAD67 mRNA labeling is decreased in individual neurons and is not paralleled by a decrease in the number of GAD67 mRNA-labeled neurons. Analysis of expression data from a microarray study performed in 29 control and 33 PD samples from BA9 confirms that GAD67 expression is decreased in PD. Another finding from the microarray study is a negative relationship between GAD67 mRNA expression and age at death. Altogether, the results support the possibility that GABAergic neurotransmission is impaired in the DLPFC in PD, an effect that may be involved in some of the behavioral deficits associated with the disease.
The exceptionally rare (sic) Common Scoter

Abstract A 1-month-old infant with congenital heart disease underwent initial cardiac surgery (Mee Shunt) at day 20 but was later readmitted because of poor shunt flow and hypoxemia. Despite therapy, the infant deteriorated and suffered a cardiopulmonary arrest. After 40 minutes of resuscitation, spontaneous cardiac output was reestablished, and subsequently, the child was placed on extracorporeal circulation membrane oxygen (ECMO) support. The infant deteriorated further over the next 3 days with persistent acidosis, marked abdominal distension associated with significant nasogastric aspirates, and the passage of small amounts of bloodstained stool. The presumed diagnosis was necrotizing enterocolitis, and despite the grave prognostic indicators, the decision was taken to undertake laparotomy. At surgery, there was 350 mL of unclotted venous blood in the peritoneal cavity. The bowel was grossly normal. A ruptured, infarcted, hemorrhagic spleen was discovered to be the cause of the bleeding. A splenectomy was performed, and the child made rapid recovery, sufficiently well to undergo redo Mee shunt 2 days later. A splenic infarct was confirmed at pathological examination. The cause of the splenic infarct and rupture is uncertain in this baby but may have been related to either cardiopulmonary resuscitation and/or ECMO. The importance of this case is the similarity in presentation in a baby with congenital heart disease between necrotizing enterocolitis (which is relatively common) and hemoperitoneum secondary to splenic rupture (which is very rare). Medical practice contains many useful maxims such as, "What walks like a duck, talks like a duck, is often a duck." This case demonstrates that not all ducks are the common Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos ) but occasionally the exceptionally rare (sic) Common Scoter ( Melanitta nigra ). The management of neonatal cardiac patients on ECMO therapy continues to be a challenge, and particular diagnostic rigor should be applied in their care.
Evaluation of High-Purity Germanium by Pulse Measurements on Detectors

Evaluation of high-purity germanium exhibiting acceptor concentrations in the 109 to 1010/cm3 range taxes normal methods of measuring semiconductor material parameters. It has proven difficult to obtain unambiguous measurements by the Hall Effect or conductivity methods. We show that pulse measurements on guard-ring radiation detectors fabricated from high-purity germanium, when properly interpreted, can provide data on acceptor and hole concentrations as a function of temperature that supplement data obtained by Hall Effect and conductivity methods. The method, which is an extension of the technique used for detector capacity measurements, employs injection of electrical pulses via the detector into a charge-sensitive preamplifier. The shape and size of the output pulse permits determination of the characteristics of the depleted and undepleted regions of the detector; variation of the applied detector voltage allows choice of the relative thickness of the two regions. Results of measurements on two germanium crystals, over a broad temperature range, will be presented.
Selecting the optimum k in ridge regression

Two ridge rules are proposed for selecting the optimal k in ridge regression . Since the sampling distribution of the proposed rules are mathematically in tractable , a Monte Carlo study is conducted to examine their statisticl properties . Numerical results of the simulations in dicate that the performance of ridge rules depends upon the risk function used. Nevertheless, one of the ridge rules does produce a smaller mean squared error than the least squares estimator with the probability greater than 0.57 for all situations.
Management of Medial-Sided Knee Injuries, Part 2 Posteromedial Corner

Injury to the posteromedial corner (PMC) of the knee differs anatomically and biomechanically from isolated injury to the medial collateral ligament. Newer anatomic and biomechanical studies are refining the field’s understanding of the medial side of the knee, as well as its role in multiple ligament injuries. Valgus instability places additional strain on a reconstructed anterior or posterior cruciate ligament, which can contribute to late graft failure. Injuries to the PMC may not heal without surgical repair or reconstruction, particularly when part of a multiple-ligament injury. Identification of PMC injury before cruciate reconstruction is important so that appropriate repair or reconstruction of the PMC and medial collateral ligament can be undertaken at the same time. This article reviews the relevant literature on the PMC, discusses reasons for selective operative management, and illustrates reconstructive strategies for PMC injuries occurring as part of a medial-sided or multiligament injury to ...
Outcome and changing cause of unilateral vocal cord paralysis

Unilateral vocal cord paralysis (UVCP) is relatively common, and previously, thyroidectomy used to be the leading cause. We retrospectively reviewed 98 cases of UVCP. The left vocal cord was involved in 70% of the cases and the right vocal cord in 30%. The cause was neoplastic in 32%, surgical in 30%, idiopathic in 16%, traumatic in 11%, central in 8%, and infectious in 3% of the cases. Only 4 cases were the result of thyroid surgery. Evaluation consisted of a review of the history, a physical examination, and computerized scanning or magnetic resonance imaging, as needed. The functional recovery rate as related to the cause was as follows: surgery 31%, idiopathic 19%, traumatic 18%, and neoplastic 0%. Thirty-five percent of patients required medialization laryngoplasty or Teflon injection. Lung and skull base tumors and their surgical treatment are the most common causes of UVCP.
A Knowledge-Anchored Integrative Image Search and Retrieval System

Clinical data that may be used in a secondary capacity to support research activities are regularly stored in three significantly different formats: (1) structured, codified data elements; (2) semi-structured or unstructured narrative text; and (3) multi-modal images. In this manuscript, we will describe the design of a computational system that is intended to support the ontology-anchored query and integration of such data types from multiple source systems. Additional features of the described system include (1) the use of Grid services-based electronic data interchange models to enable the use of our system in multi-site settings and (2) the use of a software framework intended to address both potential security and patient confidentiality concerns that arise when transmitting or otherwise manipulating potentially privileged personal health information. We will frame our discussion within the specific experimental context of the concept-oriented query and integration of correlated structured data, narrative text, and images for cancer research.
Failure of family-planning referral and high interest in advanced provision emergency contraception among women contacted for STD partner notification.

Abstract Background Few data are available on the risk of unintended pregnancy in women with STD or how contraceptive services can be integrated into STD control activities. Objective To define the risk for unintended pregnancy and assess the effectiveness of family-planning (FP) referral and interest in advanced provision emergency contraception (APEC) among women with gonorrhea or chlamydial infection. Methods Female participants in a randomized trial of different approaches to partner notification were interviewed, offered referral for FP services and asked if they would want APEC. Results Among participants ages 14–24, the observed past pregnancy rate and age-adjusted anticipated past pregnancy rate were, respectively, 196 and 72 per 1000 women-years. Of 474 nonpregnant participants who did not desire pregnancy, 127 (34%) were using no contraception or condoms alone, of whom 8 (6%) requested a FP appointment and 81% wanted APEC. Conclusions Women treated for STD are at high-risk for unintended pregnancy. Although referral for FP was ineffective, interest in APEC was very high.
The structural variation of rhombohedral LaAlO3 perovskite under non-hydrostatic stress fields in a diamond-anvil cell

The structural variation of LaAlO3 perovskite under non-hydrostatic stress developed in the pressure medium within a diamond-anvil cell was determined using single-crystal x-ray diffraction. The experimental results show that the lattice of LaAlO3 becomes more distorted and deviates from the hydrostatic behavior as pressure is increased up to 7.5 GPa. The determination of the crystal structure further confirms that the octahedral AlO6 groups become more distorted, but the octahedral rotation around the threefold axis decreases as under hydrostatic conditions. These experimental results can be reproduced from knowledge of the elastic tensor of the sample at ambient conditions and the stress state within the pressure medium. Further calculations for two other orientations also indicate that non-hydrostatic stress has only a small effect on the rotation of the AlO6 octahedra towards zero, but non-hydrostatic stress inevitably leads to distortions in the crystal lattice and the AlO6 octahedra. As a result, the crystal structure is eventually driven away from cubic symmetry under non-hydrostatic conditions, whereas it evolves towards cubic symmetry under hydrostatic pressure.
THE CHARACTER OF TOBACCO BARNS AND THEIR ROLE IN THE TOBACCO ECONOMY OF THE UNITED STATES

In general, settlement geography has to do with the facilities men build in the process of occupying an area.... Studies of the character and distribution of specific facilities are beginning to receive more and more attention in the United States.... Specific settlement features, such as house types, the shapes of barns, and the distinctive structures associated with different kinds of agriculture or industry have been examined in detail.'
Expression of mRNAs encoding subunits of the NMDA receptor in developing rat brain.

Developmental changes in the levels of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit mRNAs were identified in rat brain using solution hybridization/RNase protection assays. Pronounced increases in the levels of mRNAs encoding NR1 and NR2A were seen in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum between postnatal days 7 and 20. In cortex and hippocampus, the expression of NR2B mRNA was high in neonatal rats and remained relatively constant over time. In contrast, in cerebellum, the level of NR2B mRNA was highest at postnatal day 1 and declined to undetectable levels by postnatal day 28. NR2C mRNA was not detectable in cerebellum before postnatal day 11, after which it increased to reach adult levels by postnatal day 28. In cortex, the expression of NR2A and NR2B mRNAs corresponds to the previously described developmental profile of NMDA receptor subtypes having low and high affinities for ifenprodil, i.e., a delayed expression of NR2A correlating with the late expression of low-affinity ifenprodil sites. In cortex and hippocampus, the predominant splice variants of NR1 were those without the 5' insert and with or without both 3' inserts. In cerebellum, however, the major NR1 variants were those containing the 5' insert and lacking both 3' inserts. The results show that the expression of NR1 splice variants and NR2 subunits is differentially regulated in various brain regions during development. Changes in subunit expression are likely to underlie some of the changes in the functional and pharmacological properties of NMDA receptors that occur during development.
The effect of earth orientation errors in baseline determination

Baselines estimated from certain space techniques are susceptible to systematic errors affecting the relative coordinates. The set of parameters that describes the continuously changing relative orientation of the conventional terrestrial (CTS) and inertial (CIS) reference frames is one source of error. As a result of these errors, the coordinates of each terminal station may actually refer to a slightly different coordinate system and therefore errors will result when these coordinates are used to compute the length between the stations. The present paper examines the expected magnitudes of these errors and their possible presence in current solutions. To test for the presence of such errors, some of the NASA/GSFC preliminary SL5 monthly baseline variations during 1979-1981 were analyzed. It is found that the present level of accuracy and stability of the available parameters linking the CTS and CIS is unsatisfactory for centimeter level baseline length determinations. It is noted that the available options are either the use of strictly simultaneous SLR data sets or the improvement of the parameters linking the CTS and CIS.
Argo array observation of ocean heat content changes induced by tropical cyclones in the north Pacific

[1] In situ observations from the autonomous Argo float array are used to assess the basin-averaged ocean heat content change driven by tropical cyclones (TCs) in the North Pacific for 2000–2008. A new statistical approach based on pairs of profiles before and after each TC event is employed here to estimate the near-surface and subsurface heat content changes. Previous studies have suggested a dominant role for vertical mixing in the SST cooling response during TC passages. The Argo float observations show that, under strong TCs (greater than or equal to category 4), the subsurface warming expected from vertical mixing occurs with comparable magnitude to near-surface cooling. However, when weak TCs (less than or equal to category 3, which are about 86% of the total of TCs) were also considered, the subsurface warming was not detectable in the Argo data set, while near-surface cooling was still significant. Therefore, these results suggest that air-sea heat exchange and (upward) vertical advection likely play a somewhat greater role in the case of weak TCs. Additionally, Argo observations suggest that the restoring time scale of the near-surface heat content is greater than 30 days, which may be compared with the approximately 10 day time scale for the restoration of sea surface temperature. The mixed layer temperature and mixed layer depth evolutions also estimated from Argo data support the notion that only a thin surface layer is restored quickly to pre-TC conditions, while the rest of the cooled near-surface layer retained the TC-induced response for a good deal longer.
Cross Entropy Optimization of the Random Set Framework for Multiple Instance Learning

Multiple instance learning (MIL) is a recently researched technique used for learning a target concept in the presence of noise. Previously, a random set framework for multiple instance learning (RSF-MIL) was proposed; however, the proposed optimization strategy did not permit the harmonious optimization of model parameters. A cross entropy, based optimization strategy is proposed. Experimental results on synthetic examples, benchmark and landmine data sets illustrate the benefits of the proposed optimization strategy.
Relationship between CT coronary angiography and stress perfusion imaging in patients with suspected ischemic heart disease assessed by integrated PET-CT imaging.

Background Although computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography (CTA) provides detailed assessments of the anatomic extent of coronary artery disease (CAD), its value for predicting myocardial ischemia is unclear. We examined the value of CTA to identify the presence of ischemia, as determined by stress perfusion imaging, using integrated positron emission tomography (PET)-CT imaging. Methods and Results We studied 110 consecutive patients (median age, 57 years; 55% male) with suspected CAD undergoing stress rubidium 82 myocardial perfusion PET imaging and CTA in the same setting. Increasing degrees of CTA-detected luminal narrowing ( 70%) were associated with reduced sensitivity with commensurate improvements in specificity for identifying myocardial ischemia both on a per-vessel basis and on a per-patient basis. Consequently, with increasing degrees of CTA-detected stenosis severity, the positive predictive value increased (14%, 26%, and 53%, respectively, on a per-vessel basis [P<.001] and 29%, 44%, and 77%, respectively, on a per-patient basis [P=.005]), whereas the negative predictive value was unchanged (97%, 97%, and 96%, respectively, on a per-vessel basis [P=not significant (NS)] and 92%, 91%, and 88%, respectively, on a per-patient basis [P=NS]). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed no differences between these 3 anatomic criteria (receiver operating characteristic areas of 0.66±0., 0.73±0.06, and 0.71±0., respectively [P=NS]) for identifying ischemia. Nearly half of significant angiographic stenoses (47%) occurred without evidence of myocardial ischemia, whereas 50% of normal PET studies were associated with some CTA abnormality. Conclusions Despite an excellent negative predictive value, CTA is a poor discriminator of patients with myocardial ischemia. Conversely, a normal stress PET study is a poor discriminator of patients without evidence of non—flow-limiting (subclinical) coronary atherosclerosis. These results suggest potentially complementary roles of CT and perfusion imaging in the evaluation of patients with suspected CAD.
Monte Carlo Implementation on the Connection Machine 2; Water in Graphite Pores

Abstract The implementation of Monte Carlo (Canonical and Grand Canonical Ensembles) codes on the Single Instruction Multi Data parallel supercomputer Connection Machine 2 are discussed and demonstrated. The program was developed for the simulation of water behavior in slit graphite pores in CM FORTRAN. A one dimensional data layout is the most suitable for MC realization on the CM-2. The code performance is compared with the performance of sequential and parallel codes on other computers. Preliminary results of the simulations are reported.
Serotonin transporter polymorphisms, microstructural white matter abnormalities and remission of geriatric depression.

Objective This study compared microstructural abnormalities in depressed elders and controls and studied the association of the serotonin transporter gene status to white matter abnormalities and to remission of depression. Methods The subjects were Caucasians with non-psychotic major depression and normal elders. Depressed subjects received escitalopram 10 mg daily for 12 weeks. Remission was defined as a HDRS score of 7 or below for 2 consecutive weeks. Diffusion tensor imaging was performed and voxel-based analysis of fractional anisotropy (FA) was conducted using age and mean diffusivity as covariates. Results Depressed elders ( N = 27) had lower FA than controls ( N = 27) in several frontolimbic areas. Depressed elderly S-allele carriers also had lower FA than L homozygotes in frontolimbic brain areas, including the dorsal and rostral anterior cingulate, posterior cingulate, dorsolateral prefrontal and medial prefrontal regions, thalamus, and in other regions. S-allele carriers had a lower remission rate than L homozygotes. Limitations Small number of subjects, lack of random sampling, fixed antidepressant dose, short follow-up. Conclusions Lower FA was observed in several frontolimbic and other regions in depressed elders compared to controls. Depressed S-allele carriers had both microstructural white matter abnormalities in frontolimbic networks and a low remission rate. It remains unclear whether the risk for chronicity of geriatric depression in S-allele carriers is mediated by frontolimbic compromise. However, these observations set the stage for studies aiming to identify the relationship of S allele to impairment in specific frontolimbic functions interfering with response of geriatric depression to antidepressants.
Mammalian responses to Middle Holocene climatic change in the Great Basin of the western United States

In spite of decades of intense research directed toward understanding the climates and ecology of the Great Basin (western United States) during the past 10,000 years, the responses of mammals to the extreme aridity of the Middle Holocene ( c. 8000‐ 5000 years ago) in this region have been poorly understood. Using a well-dated small mammal sequence from Homestead Cave, north-central Utah, I show that the Middle Holocene small mammal faunas of this area underwent a decrease in species richness and evenness, driven largely by a series of local extinctions and near-extinctions coupled with a dramatic increase in the abundance of taxa well-adapted to xeric conditions. At the end of this period, some taxa that require relatively mesic habitats began to increase in abundance immediately, others did not rebound in abundance until several thousand years later, while still others have not returned at all. This suite of responses has been difficult to detect because climatic change at the beginning of the Middle Holocene was so much more substantial than that which occurred toward its end.
Population density and larval competition in Diptera

The biological effects of larval interspecific competition were evaluated between three species of manure breeding muscid flies, the house fly, Musca domestica L., the face fly, M. autumnalis DeGeer and Orthellia caesarion (Meig.). Two day old larvae of the three species were placed in interspecific competition in bovine manure in densities of 20, 60 and 100 larvae per 30 g of manure. The effects of density and interspecific competition on pupation, emergence, pupal weights and length of developmental time for pupation and emergence as well as comparisons with the effects of intraspecific competition were assessed. Pupation and emergence rates in the threee species were affected more by autogeny than interspecific competition, total survival was variable, the house fly (HF) was influenced more by Orthellia (OR) than by autogeny or the face fly (FF). Autogeny is a more important factor for the FF and OR. Pupal weights were highest for the FF, then the OR and finally the HF. Developmental time was affected in all 3 species and the effects varied with the species. The densities in the tests were not high enough to overwhelm any of the three species, but interspecific competition does influence the various biological effects in the three species. Zusammenfassung Populationsdichte und Larvenkonkurrenz bei Dipteren. II. Interspezifische Konkurrenz bei 3 Musciden-Arten Die biologischen Wirkungen von larvaler Konkurrenz wurden bei drei sich in Dung entwickelnden Musciden-Arten, Musca domestica L., M. autumnalis DeGeer und Orthellia caesarion (Meig.) untersucht. Zwei Tage alte Larven der 3 Spezies wurden in Konkurrenz in Kuhdung bei Dichten von 20, 60 und 100 Larven pro 30 g Dung gehalten. Die Wirkungen der Dichtc und der interspezifischen Konkurrenz auf Verpuppungs- und Schlupfrate, Puppengewicht sowie Puppenschlupfzeit wurden mit den entsprechenden Wirkungen von intraspezifischer Konkurrenz verglichen. Die Verpuppung und Schlupfrate der 3 Arten wurden im allgemeinen mehr von Eigenfaktoren als von der interspezifischen Konkurrenz beeinflust. Das Uberlebensprozent war variabel. Die Hausfliege wurde mehr durch Orthellia als durch Eigenfaktoren oder M. autumnalis beeinflust. Bei M. domestica und Orthellia hatten die Eigenfaktoren das groste Gewicht. Das Puppengewicht war am grosten bei M. autumnalis und am kleinsten bei M. domestica. Die Entwicklungszeit wurde bei allen 3 Arten, jcdoch in verschiedenem Mase, durch die Konkurrenz beeinflust. Die Populationsdichte in den Versuchen war nicht hoch genug, um eine der 3 Arten auszuschalten, doch beeinfluste die interspezifische Konkurrenz die verschiedenen biologischen Effekte bei allen 3 Arten.
The Factor Structure and Internal Consistency of the Self-Concept and Motivation Inventory: What Face would you Wear? Preschool/Kindergarten Form

The Self-Concept and Motivation Inventory: What Face Would You Wear? Preschool/Kindergarten Form has the potential to be of use in measuring the academic self-concept of preschoolers. This study sought to determine if the theoretical, three-factor structure of the SCAMIN could be recovered in a state-wide sample of kindergarten students. In 1986, 5742 kindergarteners from Tennessee schools participating in the Reduced Pupil/Teacher Ratio Project were given the Preschool/Kindergarten form of the SCAMIN. The sample was drawn from 42 school districts in all geographic regions of Tennessee and represented a mix of inner-city, urban, rural, and suburban schools. The intercorrelation matrix of the 24 SCAMIN items was analyzed by the principal components method and extracted factors were rotated to a varimax solution. An initial analysis suggested the presence of an atheoretical factor, and two items which appeared to be unrelated to any obtained factor. Subsequent refactoring of the SCAMIN resulted in the succe...
Preterm Delivery and Low Birth Weight among First-Born Infants of Black and White College Graduates

Reproductive outcomes were investigated in black and white female college graduates, presumed to be of similar socioeconomic status and similar risk profile with respect to environmental factors. Data were gathered by mail survey from graduates (1973-1985) of four Atlanta, Georgia, colleges between February and June 1988. Of 6,867 alumnae to whom questionnaires were mailed, 3,084 responded. A follow-up study of black nonrespondents yielded responses from 14% (335) of those who did not respond to the mail survey. For all graduates with a first live born at the time of survey (n = 1,089), the rates of preterm delivery, low birth weight, and infant mortality were 80.8, 82.6, and 14.6 per thousand births (primigravida), respectively. Compared with white graduates, black graduates had 1.67 times the risk of preterm delivery and 2.48 times the risk of low birth weight. Measures of social and economic status differed significantly by race. However, adjustment for these variables did not reduce the estimated risk for black graduates compared with whites. Analysis of the nonresponder survey suggested that respondent data alone overestimates the incidence of adverse outcomes in blacks; using nonresponder data, relative risks of 1.28 (preterm delivery) and 1.75 (low birth weight) were calculated as lower limits of the increased risk for blacks.
Differential responses of root uptake kinetics of NH4+ and NO3− to enriched atmospheric CO2 concentration in field‐grown loblolly pine

The nitrogen requirement of plants is predominantly supplied by NH 4 + and/or NO 3 - from the soil solution, but the energetic cost of uptake and assimilation is generally higher for NO 3 - than for NH 4 + . We found that CO 2 enrichment of the atmosphere enhanced the root uptake capacity for NO 3 - , but not for NH 4 + , in field-grown loblolly pine saplings. Increased preference for NO 3 - at the elevated CO 2 concentration was accompanied by increased carbohydrate levels in roots. The results have important implications for the potential consequences of global climate change on plant- and ecosystem-level processes in many temperate forest ecosystems.
Notification and awareness: synchronizing task-oriented collaborative activity

People working collaboratively must establish and maintain awareness of one another's intentions, actions and results. Notification systems typically support awareness of the presence, tasks and actions of collaborators, but they do not adequately support awareness of persistent and complex activities. We analysed awareness breakdowns in use of our Virtual School system--stemming from problems related to the collaborative situation, group, task and tool support--to motivate the concept of activity awareness. Activity awareness builds on prior conceptions of social and action awareness, but emphasizes the importance of activity context factors like planning and coordination. This work suggests design strategies for notification systems to better support collaborative activity.
Standardized method for solubility and storage of capsaicin-based solutions for cough induction

Preparation of inhaled capsaicin solutions for cough induction varies greatly from one lab to another, which creates inconsistencies between tussigenic challenge results. The addition of Tween to these capsaicin solutions provides increased solubility and stability; however, the foul taste of Tween makes inhaling the solution for any prolonged period of time unpleasant. We sought to create a standard method for preparing soluble and stable capsaicin-based solutions (in 10% ethanol/water), without the addition of Tween. Capsaicin solutions were created at concentrations ranging from 0 to 500 μM in a variety of solvent systems, with and without Tween. Samples were stored in four different environments (-20°C, 3°C, and room temperature, protected from light; and room temperature, exposed to light) to test stability. Detection of capsaicin was carried out by UV absorption. A Grubb’s test was performed on all data to remove statistical outliers. Similar capsaicin concentrations were seen for solutions prepared with or without Tween (Tween provided a slight increase in solubility), with neither solvent system providing complete solubility. Of the four environments tested, storing capsaicin solutions at 3°C while protected from light afforded the greatest stability, for a minimum of 30 weeks. We recommend the use of a 10% ethanol/water solvent system without Tween in the preparation of capsaicin solutions for tussigenic challenges. While this solvent system does not provide complete solubility, we have detailed a method for capsaicin solution preparation that will account for this loss of solubility, while maintaining a solution that is Tween-free and safe for human inhalation.