cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bats provide a critical ecosystem service by consuming a large diversity of agricultural pest insects

Abstract Biodiversity directly influences the delivery of multiple ecosystem services, most notably within agriculture. Projected future global demands for food, fiber and bioenergy will require enhancement of agricultural productivity, but favoring biodiversity-based ecosystem services generally remains underutilized in agricultural practice. In addition, agricultural intensification is a key driver of biodiversity loss. A significant obstacle preventing the adoption of ecologically sensitive practices is a lack of knowledge of the species delivering the services. Insectivorous bats have long been suggested to regulate insect pest populations and may be a critical component of biodiversity-based ecosystem services. Bats may also serve as agents of insect pest surveillance through environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring approaches. However, the biological and economic importance of bats to agriculture remains under-quantified. Here we catalogued the dietary niche of two North American bats, little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) and big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus), through DNA metabarcoding of guano collected from seven roosting sites over a 26-week period. We measured the frequency of occurrence of known pest species in guano samples, compared interspecific differences in diet, and examined seasonal patterns in prey selection. Overall, we detected 653 unique prey species, 160 of which were known agricultural pests or disease vectors. Species diversity of prey species consumed varied by bat species and across the season, with big brown bats accounting for the majority of arthropod diversity detected. However, little brown bats consumed relatively more aquatic insects than big brown bats, suggesting that increased bat species richness in a landscape can amplify their net pest regulation service. Further, we hypothesized that detection probabilities of target insect pests would be higher in guano samples than in conventional survey methods. Multi-survey occupancy modeling revealed significantly lower detectability in bat guano than in conventional monitoring traps, however, highlighting important tradeoffs in selection of survey methods. Overall, the results presented here contribute to a growing evidence base supporting the role bats play in the provisioning of biodiversity-based ecosystem services.
Video animation for education: a practical approach

A summary is presented of the most important tasks in producing animated videos for educational purposes. These tasks are first ordered into four categories: preproduction, production, postproduction, and distribution. The important steps or processes within each category are then noted. >
Bringing P2P to the web: security and privacy in the firecoral network

Peer-to-peer systems have been a disruptive technology for enabling large-scale Internet content distribution. Yet web browsers, today's dominant application platform, seem inherently based on the client/server communication model. This paper presents the design of Firecoral, a browser-based extension platform that enables the peer-to-peer exchange of web content in a secure, flexible manner. Firecoral provides a highly-configurable interface through which users can enforce privacy preferences by carefully specifying which content they will share, and a security model that guarantees content integrity even in the face of untrusted peers. The Firecoral protocol is backwards compatible with today's web standards, integrates easily with existing web servers, and is designed not to interfere with a typical browsing experience and publishing ecosystem.
Percutaneous absorption of haloacetonitriles and chloral hydrate and simulated human exposures.

Disinfection-by-products (DBPs) have long been a human health concern and many are known carcinogens and teratogens. Skin is exposed to DBPs in water through bathing and swimming; however, dermal uptake of many DBPs has not been characterized. The present studies were initiated to measure the permeation coefficients (Kp) for haloacetonitriles (HANs) and chloral hydrate (CH), important cytotoxic DBPs. The Kp values measured using fully hydrated dermatomed torso skin at 37 °C for the HANs ranged from 0.099 to 0.167 cm/hr, and was 0.0039 cm/hr for CH. Of the HANs, dibromoacetonitrile had the highest permeability while chloroacetonitrile had the lowest permeability and a direct relationship was observed between their Kp and their octanol/water partition coefficients (Kow). The Kps of the HANs were also approximately 30 times that of CH. The monthly dermal and ingestion doses of HANs and CH of an average American population were estimated using Monte Carlo simulations. The dermal doses of HANs ranged from 0.39 to 0.75 times that of their ingestion doses but only approximately 0.02 times their ingestion doses for CH, assuming that the Kp values determined are applicable to shorter water contact times. However, that ratio can vary markedly with chlorinated swimming pool exposures; with a range from 0.304 to 2.25 for HANs and 0.192 to 0.245 for CH. Dermal exposure to HANs and CH seems to be a significant route of exposure and should be considered when evaluating their total exposure during the routine usage of water for bathing and swimming.
A few good agents: multi-agent social learning

In this paper, we investigate multi-agent learning (MAL) in a multi-agent resource selection problem (MARS) in which a large group of agents are competing for common resources. Since agents in such a setting are self-interested, MAL in MARS domains typically focuses on the convergence to a set of non-cooperative equilibria. As seen in the example of prisoner's dilemma, however, selfish equilibria are not necessarily optimal with respect to the natural objective function of a target problem, e.g., resource utilization in the case of MARS. Conversely, a centrally administered optimization of physically distributed agents is infeasible in many real-life applications such as transportation traffic problems. In order to explore the possibility for a middle ground solution, we analyze two types of costs for evaluating MAL algorithms in this context. The quality loss of a selfish algorithm can be quantitatively measured by the price of anarchy, i.e., the ratio of the objective function value of a selfish solution to that of an optimal solution. Analogously, we introduce the price of monarchy of a learning algorithm to quantify the practical cost of coordination in terms of communication cost. We then introduce a multi-agent social learning approach named A Few Good Agents (AFGA) that motivates self-interested agents to cooperate with one another to reduce the price of anarchy, while bounding the price of monarchy at the same time. A preliminary set of experiments on the El Farol bar problem, a simple example of MARS, show promising results.
The relationship of Weyl geometry to quantum electrodynamics

We point out the close relationship between Weyl geometry and the manifestly gauge-independent but path-dependent formalism of quantum electrodynamics of Mandelstam. This comparison shows how the usual Weyl geometry and even the recent modifications of this geometry by Dirac cannot be correct.
Precision of two methods for estimating age from burbot otoliths

Summary Lower reproductive success and older age structure are associated with many burbot (Lota lota L.) populations that are declining or of conservation concern. Therefore, reliable methods for estimating the age of burbot are critical for effective assessment and management. In Lake Erie, burbot populations have declined in recent years due to the combined effects of an aging population ( = 10 years in 2007) and extremely low recruitment since 2002. We examined otoliths from burbot (N = 91) collected in Lake Erie in 2007 and compared the estimates of burbot age by two agers, each using two established methods (cracked-and-burned and thin-section) of estimating ages from burbot otoliths. One ager was experienced at estimating age from otoliths, the other was a novice. Agreement (precision) between the two agers was higher for the thin-section method, particularly at ages 6–11 years, based on linear regression analyses and 95% confidence intervals. As expected, precision between the two methods was higher for the more experienced ager. Both agers reported that the thin sections offered clearer views of the annuli, particularly near the margins on otoliths from burbot ages ≥8. Slides for the thin sections required some costly equipment and more than 2 days to prepare. In contrast, preparing the cracked-and-burned samples was comparatively inexpensive and quick. We suggest use of the thin-section method for estimating the age structure of older burbot populations.
Prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among veterans in primary care referred for a mental health evaluation

BACKGROUND: The Veterans Health Administration has made concerted efforts to increase mental health services offered in primary care. However, few studies have evaluated correlates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in veterans in primary care-mental health integration (PCMHI). The purpose of the present study is to examine associations between suicidal ideation and suicide attempts as dependent variables and demographic and clinical factors as the independent variables. METHODS: Veterans (n=3004) referred from primary care to PCMHI were contacted for further assessment, which included past-year severity of suicidal thoughts (none, low, high) and attempts using the Paykel Suicide Scale, mental health disorders, and illicit drug use. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to identify correlates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. RESULTS: Thoughts of taking one's life was endorsed by 24% of participants and suicide attempts were reported in 2%. In adjusted models, depression, psychosis, mania, PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder were associated with high severity suicidal ideation, but not suicide attempt. Illicit drug use was not associated with suicidal ideation, but was the only variable associated with suicide attempt. LIMITATIONS: The study was cross-sectional, focused on one clinical setting, and the suicide attempt analyses had limited power. CONCLUSIONS: PCMHI is a critical setting to assess suicidal ideation and suicide attempt and researchers and clinicians should be aware that the differential correlates of these suicide-related factors. Future research is needed to identify prospective risk factors and assess the utility of follow-up care in preventing suicide. Language: en
Coupled-spin relaxation of AX2 spin systems in the presence of neighboring spins

Abstract In order to assess the influence of neighboring intramolecular spins on the use of coupled-spin relaxation as a probe of chain motion, the spin relaxation of the central 13CH2 group in [5-13C]nonane and its deuterated isotopomer, C4D9-13CH2-C4D9, is compared. Modeling interactions with neighboring spins as random fields is sufficient to allow reliable evaluation of three of four dipolar spectral densities of the central methylene (JCH, JHCH, and JCHH). If the Cartesian correlation times τxx and τyy, are assumed to be equal (τ⊥), these three dipolar spectral densities can be transformed into three correlation times (τ⊥ , τzz, and τxy). These techniques should be useful in applying coupled-spin-relaxation methods in the absence of rigorously isolated spin systems.
Toeplitz matrices with Toeplitz inverses revisited

Abstract A necessary and sufficient condition derived by Huang and Cline for a nonsingular Toeplitz matrix to have a Toeplitz inverse is shown to hold under more general hypotheses than indicated by them.
Organizing for Local Economic Development: Local Economic Development Networks and Prospecting for Industry:

In this paper, the organization of activities designed to promote local economic development (LED) in the USA is explored. The emergence of local economic development networks (LEDNs) as critical mediators in attracting new business investment into metropolitan areas is addressed. These networks comprise private and state organizations with major institutionalized stakes in LED. Each organization has a distinct set of powers and responsibilities which generate a division of labor with respect to the attraction of investment into a locality. It is argued that LEDNs are a means of integrating the activities of the different agents into this division of labor. Also explored are the conditions that lead to the formation of networks mediated by relations of trust as a principal means of organizing for LED. LEDNs are seen to be characterized by various power asymmetries, and the implications of these asymmetries for the politics of LED are explored in the final section. Empirical material is drawn upon from ext...
Condition bias of hunter-shot ring-necked ducks exposed to lead

We evaluated the condition bias hypothesis for ring-necked ducks (Aythya collaris) exposed to lead by testing the null hypothesis that ducks shot by hunters do not differ in physiological condition from those collected randomly from the same location. After adjusting for structural body size and log e concentration of blood lead, we found that overall body condition differed significantly between collection types and age classes, and marginally between sexes. Ingesta-free body mass of ring-necked ducks sampled randomly averaged 8.8% greater than those shot over decoys, and 99% of this difference was accounted for by lipid reserves. Ingesta, ash, and protein did not differ between collection types; however, after-hatching-year (AHY) birds had 5.1% more ash and 4.8% more protein than did hatching-year (HY) birds. The only sex difference was that males had 4.1% more protein than'did females. Ingesta-free body mass, lipids, and protein were negatively related to concentration of blood lead. Collection type-by-concentration of blood lead and age-by-sex-by-concentration of blood lead interactions were not significant. To the extent that lead pellets persist as a cause of disease or mortality, waterfowl biologists should account for lead exposure as a possible source of condition bias when estimating population parameters and modeling survival of ring-necked ducks and other waterfowl species prone to ingest lead. These findings further underscore the problem that ingested lead shotgun pellets pose for waterfowl.
Substance use under conditions of uncertainty and trauma: an introduction.

Numerous man-made and natural events can produce uncertainty and trauma in human populations. This special issue focuses on potential linkages between these events and substance use and misuse. Alt...
The Effect of Loading on Yaw Dynamics of Buses

Vehicle dynamics is closely related to traffic safety, especially in emergency situations. The behavior of a vehicle needs to be stable, predictable, and responsive in all situations to guarantee the safety of the vehicle and that of the overall transportation system. During daily services, the static axle loads of a transit bus can change by almost 100% on the front axle and 40% on the rear axle. As a result, the location of center of gravity, suspension compliance, tire cornering stiffness, the yaw moment of inertia, and many other vehicle parameters vary significantly, which will directly influence the dynamical properties of the vehicle. In this paper, the effects of changes in weight and weight distribution on the yaw characteristics of a 12-meter transit bus are investigated both analytically and numerically. Results obtained using both methods show a good match.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
The Influence of Surface Roughness on Resistance to Flow Through Packed Beds

Experiments were performed to determine the effect of roughness on flow through randomly packed beds of spheres. Three different packings were investigated, one of smooth spheres, and two others composed of spheres with roughness elements added to the surface. The relative roughness, defined as the height of the added elements divided by the diameter of the smooth spheres, was .012 and .026 for these two cases. The experiments covered a range of Reynolds numbers based on the sphere diameter from near unity where the flow is dominated by viscosity to 1600 where the flow is dominated by inertia. It was found that the pressure drop is substantially increased by the presence of surface roughness over the entire range of Reynolds numbers studied. The observed behavior is quite different from that which has been proposed previously by drawing analogy with flow in rough pipes, since the flow at low Reynolds number as well as high Reynolds number was affected by roughness.
In search of Europe's information technology leaders: review of methods and empirical evidence

. Information technology (IT) leaders — companies that successfully exploit IT to achieve business results — generate immense interest among practitioners and academics. From a practitioner's perspective, IT leaders provide benchmarks of leading IT management practices which others may emulate to achieve success. From an academic perspective, IT leaders provide the ‘data’ for the creation of frameworks and theories of IT management. While US IT leaders are regularly assessed by academics, trade magazines, consultants and benchmarking firms, there has been no Europe-wide assessment of IT leadership. This neglect is detrimental to European IT practitioners and academics who may discover that American IT management practices are not transferrable in the European context. In this article, we analyse the construct, context and statistical validity of six methods for identifying European IT leaders. Based on this analysis, two methods (expert ratings and citation counts) were used to generate a preliminary list of European IT leaders and laggards. While individual experts were reticent about volunteering their ratings, their collective view appears to generate a worthwhile list with high construct validity. Citation counts represent a more accessible process for list generation, with high statistical validity. However, an attempt to correlate expert ratings with a list based on citation counts confirms that the latter has questionable construct validity.
Characterization of cross-hatch morphology of MBE (211) HgCdTe

We present the results of a detailed study of the nature and origin of cross-hatch patterns commonly observed on (211) HgCdTe epilayers deposited by molecular beam epitaxy. Cross-hatch patterns were examined using x-ray topography as well as Nomarski, interferometric, and atomic force microscopies. Cross-hatch patterns were generally comprised of three sets of lines, parallel to the [231],, [213], and [011] directions. The lines parallel to the [011] direction exhibited distinct properties compared to the two sets of lines parallel to [231] and [213]. Under growth conditions characterized by excessive Hg flux (low temperature), lines parallel to [011] were periodic and tended to dominate the cross-hatch pattern. In some cases, bands of dislocations, 10–100 m in width, formed parallel to [011]. Under optimized growth conditions, on very closely lattice-matched substrates, (dislocation densities <105 cm−2) lines parallel to [011] vanished entirely, and lines parallel to [231] and [213] became sparse. The remaining lines were typically fragments terminated by either a single dislocation, a cluster of dislocations (micro-void), or the wafer's edge. The density of these line fragments tended to decrease as the dislocation density decreased. Under the best growth conditions on very closely lattice-matched substrates we have achieved dislocation densities of 5 104 cm−2, which is comparable to the dislocation density of the CdZnTe substrate.
Effects of deposition termination on Cu2ZnSnSe4 device characteristics

Abstract Co-evaporated Cu 2 ZnSnSe 4 (CZTSe) is used to examine sensitivities to the device performance that originate from variations in Zn content very near the surface. While integral Zn content of the film is held approximately constant, the surface composition is manipulated via changes to the Zn flux at the end of the deposition. Surface composition, device performance, and open-circuit voltage extrapolated to zero temperature are measured as a function of deposition termination. Origins of the apparent reduction in surface recombination with increasing Zn are discussed.
Model-based integration technology for next generation electric grid simulations

Simulation-based evaluation of the behavior of the electric grid is complex, as it involves multiple, heterogeneous, interacting cyber-physical system like domains. Each simulation domain has sophisticated tools, but their integration into a coherent framework is a very difficult, time-consuming, laborintensive, and error-prone task. This means that computational studies cannot be done rapidly and the process does not provide timely answers to the planners, operators and policy makers. Furthermore, grid behavior has to be tested against a number of scenarios and situations, meaning that a huge number of simulations must be executed covering the potential space of possibilities. Designing and efficiently deploying such computational experiments by utilizing multi-domain tools for integrated smart grid is a major challenge. This paper addresses these important issues by integrating multiple modeling tools from diverse domains in a single coherent framework for integrated simulation of smart grids.
What predicts student performance in the first college-level IS course?: is it different for men and women?

The information systems (IS) profession is one of the fastest growing occupations and the demand for IS professionals is expected to continue growing over the next several years [3]. However, many sources report a growing gap between the demand for IS workers and the supply of such workers [3]. Further exacerbating this gap is the fact the percentage of women earning degrees in the field has declined since 1986 [5]. In order to adequately staff the IS profession, we need to make sure that a sufficient number of both male and female students are completing information systems degrees. Low grades in the early required classes account for much of the attrition of women from scientific and mathematics classes [9]. Therefore, one of the ways to ensure students complete an information systems degree is to assure success in the early information systems classes.This paper proposes a way to predict academic performance in the first college-level information systems class. In earlier research [8], we developed a model to measure performance in this class based on models used in accounting classes [6]. When we used this model we found different patterns than had been found in accounting classes. Our results showed that the Eskew and Faley [6] model predicted male student performance in the class but did not predict female performance. In this paper, we extend the model to try to improve the prediction. This model will be compared for male and female students. We hope to show what determines performance and thus better understand how students of both genders can be successful in the first college-level IS course.
Contraceptives and the conceptus II. Sex of the fetus and neonate after oral contraceptive use

Abstract The sex distribution of 1421 induced abortuses and 2986 newborn infants was correlated with maternal contraceptive histories. Sex of abortuses was determined by chromosome and sex chromatin analyses. No statistically significant differences ( P >.10) were found between the sex ratios either of the fetuses or of the infants of women who used hormonal (oral) contraceptives as compared to those of noncontraceptive controls nor between the induced and newborn series. Also, no correlation was found between sex of the conceptus and total duration of oral contraceptive use, or interval between termination of contraceptive use and conception. Therefore, if the use of low dose oral hormonal contraceptives has an effect on the sex of subsequent offspring, it is likely to be small since the 95% confidence interval for the sex ratios for the oral contraceptive groups divided by the sex ratios of the noncontraceptive group (odds ratio) are 0.80 to 1.22 for induced abortions, and 0.82 to 1.10 for newborns. These conclusions are not in agreement with some earlier reports, generally of small samples, but they are consistent with the results of Rothman and Liess (1976) from a sample of 6109 infants born to oral contraceptive users.
Optimum bunker size and location in underground coal mine conveyor systems

The transportation of coal out of a mine is usually done by a serially linked system of conveyors. It is apparent that in a serially dependent system of this type the failure of any one component (conveyor) causes the complete system to be shut down. The provision of bunkers at strategically located points in the conveyor system can result in the production of coal even in the event of failure of some outbye conveyors. Although the use of bunkers can increase mine system availability, the maximum possible system availability may not be attained if the bunker capacity is inadequate and/or the location of these bunkers in the system is inappropriate. This paper presents a stochastic model by which the optimum capacities and locations of bunkers can be determined for a system consisting of a single production section and a system of serially linked conveyors.
Reliability and fault tolerance of coverage models for sensor networks

We study the coverage problem for sensor networks from the fault tolerance and reliability point of view. Fault tolerance is a critical issue for sensors deployed in places where they are not easily replaceable, repairable and rechargeable. Failure of one node should not incapacitate the entire network. We propose three 1-fault tolerant topologies, namely square, hexagonal and improved 8-node. We show how to extend these to k-fault tolerant schemes and calculate reliabilities using Markov models. The proposed models are compared to one another, as well as with the minimal coverage model of Zhang and Hou. The minimum coverage model is the most unreliable among the models, whereas the improved 8-node model is the most reliable except at the very beginning of the system, where the square model is more reliable. To our knowledge, this is the first paper which studies a pattern from the perspective of reliability.
Intraoperative hemodilution is more cost-effective than preoperative autologous donation for patients undergoing procedures associated with a low risk for transfusion

Study Objective To determine the utilization and cost of autologous blood that was donated preoperatively, and to compare it to the cost of employing intraoperative hemodilution to provide autologous blood for patients undergoing surgical procedures with a low risk for the need for transfusion. Design Retrospective chart review. Setting University medical center. Patients All ASA physical status I and II patients who underwent nononcologic gynecologic procedures and preoperatively donated autologous blood between July 1993 and June 1994. Measurements and Main Results The utilization and overall cost of predonated autologous blood was determined. The cost for employing intraoperative hemodilution and potential cost saving was then calculated. Of the 234 units of preoperatively donated autologous blood, 38 units were returned to patients who had an estimated blood loss of at least 500 ml, 32 units returned to patients who had an estimated blood loss less than 500 ml, and 164 units were wasted. No patient received allogeneic blood. The estimated total cost for all preoperatively donated autologous blood was $23,274.62. Employing hemodilution for those same patients would have cost $5,574.74, and resulted in a potential 75.6% savings. Conclusions Inappropriate selection of patients for preoperative blood donation is costly. For those patients scheduled to undergo surgical procedures associated with a low probability for the need for blood transfusion, but who desire that autologous blood be available, hemodilution provides fresh whole blood, free from the possibility of processing or clerical errors, while decreasing blood bank utilization and affording substantial cost savings.
Growth factor assays for normal human hepatocytes and hepatoma cells

An improved assay procedure of growth factors for normal human hepatocytes and hepatoma cells is reviewed. The combined use of improved cell isolation and dispersion procedures and a selective culture medium supports the response of human parenchymal cells homogenous to growth factors under serum-free culture conditions. Differentiated human hepatoma cells (HepG2), which synthesize and secrete the liver-specific plasma proteins and enzymes, provide a useful model for comparative study of growth factor requirements of hepatoma cells to normal hepatocytes. HepG2 cells grow in protein-free, defined medium at high cell density. This indicates that the hepatoma cells may secrete autocrine growth factors into the medium. HepG2 cells at low cell density permit detection of exogeneous growth factors that may be secreted by HepG2 cells at high cell density. HepG2 cells at high cell density are a useful assay for growth inhibitory activities for hepatoma cells.
Evolution of expression of cardiac phenotypes over a 4-year period in the β-myosin heavy chain-Q403 transgenic rabbit model of human hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in the young, is characterized by a diverse array of cardiac phenotypes evolving over several decades. We have developed transgenic rabbits that fully recapitulate the phenotype of human HCM and provide for the opportunity to delineate the sequence of evolution of cardiac phenotypes, and thus, the pathogenesis of HCM. We determined evolution of biochemical, molecular, histological, structural and functional phenotypes at 4 age-periods in 47 beta-myosin heavy chain-glutamine (MyHC-Q)-403 transgenic rabbits. Ca(+2) sensitivity of myofibrillar ATPase activity was reduced very early and in the absence of other discernible phenotypes. Myocyte disarray also occurred early, prior to, and independent of hypertrophy and fibrosis. The latter phenotypes evolved predominantly during puberty in conjunction with activation of stress-related signaling kinases. Myocardial contraction and relaxation velocities were decreased early despite normal global cardiac function and in the absence of histological phenotype. Global cardiac function declined with aging, while left atrial size was increased along with Doppler indices of left ventricular filling pressure. Thus, Ca(+2) sensitivity of myofibrillar ATPase activity is a primary phenotype expressed early and independent of the ensuing phenotypes. Pathogenesis of myocyte disarray, which exhibits age-independent penetrance, differs from those of hypertrophy and fibrosis, which show age-dependent expression. Myocardial dysfunction is an early marker that predicts subsequent development of hypertrophy. These findings in an animal model that recapitulates the phenotype of human HCM, implicate involvement of multiple independent mechanisms in the pathogenesis of cardiac phenotypes in HCM.
Computing the Brauer-Long group of Z/2 dimodule algebras

The Brauer-Long group of Z/2 dimodule algebras over a connected commutative ring R in which 2 is invertible is computed in terms of the cohomology of R. Consequences of this calculation are given.
A cellular automaton for the development of crustal shear zones

Abstract A 2-D computer automaton is developed which simulates the growth and coalescence of a network of faults, leading to the formation of a large, through-going shear zone. The simulation begins with a field of initial fault seeds which have a power-law size distribution of the form N∝L−m, were N is the number of fault seeds of length L and m a constant. Following fracture mechanics, the growth rate v of each fault is assumed to be a power law of its length L ( v∝L n 2 ) where n is a constant. Based on simple shear experiments with moist clay and gouge layers, faults are assumed to propagate obliquely to the simple shear direction (15° from the simple shear and 30° to the maximum compression σ1). The rules governing fault interaction are developed by observations of the simple shear experiments and a statistical study of strike-slip faults. The extent of the interaction zone W of a fault is assumed to be proportional to the fault length L, i.e., W = RL where R is a constant. Parameters n and R are determined by comparing the automaton simulations with regional fault patterns, which gives n to be about 2 and R to be about 0.1. The resultant fault pattern is also sensitive to the initial fault seed distribution for which the acceptable range of the power-law parameter is 1 Analysis of the results indicates that the through-going shear zone which develops is fractal with a dimension of 1.02, consistent with that found by mapping natural shear zones. The length distribution of fault segments is found to be approximately log-normal and to be consistent with the displacement scaling relation observed by Wesnousky (1989) for natural faults.
Random polytopes: Their definition, generation and aggregate properties

The definition of random polytope adopted in this paper restricts consideration to those probability measures satisfying two properties. First, the measure must induce an absolutely continuous distribution over the positions of the bounding hyperplanes of the random polytope; and second, it must result in every point in the space being equally as likely as any other point of lying within the random polytope. An efficient Monte Carlo method for their computer generation is presented together with analytical formulas characterizing their aggregate properties. In particular, it is shown that the expected number of extreme points for such random polytopes increases monotonically in the number of constraints to the limiting case of a polytope topologically equivalent to a hypercube. The implied upper bound of 2n wheren is the dimensionality of the space is significantly less than McMullen's attainable bound on the maximal number of vertices even for a moderate number of constraints.
Hematologic Changes in Chronic Arthritis of Mice Induced by Mycoplasma arthritidis

SummaryThe arthritis caused by iv injection of M. arthritidis in mice was found to be associated with neutrophilia and lymphopenia without a change in the total WBC concentration. A mild anemia developed which was characterized by hypoferremia and plentiful RE iron but with an increased plasma total iron-binding capacity. This anemia therefore differs from the anemia of chronic disorders and indeed from any anemia which occurs in man.We wish to express our appreciation to Arthur C. Claerhout, Mrs. Alice Tustison, and Ben J. Santistevan for technical assistance. Heparin was generously supplied by the Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Frost, defrost, and refrost and its impact on the air-side thermal-hydraulic performance of louvered-fin, flat-tube heat exchangers

The thermal-hydraulic performance under conditions of an initial frost growth on the air-side surface, and for subsequent ‘refrosting’ after a defrost period is experimentally studied for folded-louvered-fin, microchannel heat exchangers. In total, five heat exchangers are considered; the thermal performances during one frost-growth cycle for four different fin geometries are compared in terms of overall heat transfer coefficient, pressure drop, and j and f factors; the defrost and refrost characteristics of two heat exchangers are compared to explore geometry effects. Typically, the performance under refrosting conditions becomes periodic and repeatable after the third or fourth refrosting cycle. The allowable frost growth period (before a defrost is required), the defrost requirement, and the thermal-hydraulic performance depend on heat exchanger geometry for the specimens used in this study.
U.S. Department of Transportation: A Reference History

Preface The Road to DOT Gerald Ford and Deregulation Debate in 1978 Federal Railroad Administration Highway Controls Scrutiny of Trucking ICC's Legacy On the Waterways Universities and Aviation DOT-FAA, Stormy Years Progress with Problems Reflections-Conclusions Biographical Profiles Bibliography Index
Non-linear tidal distortion in shallow well-mixed estuaries: a synthesis☆

Abstract The importance of asymmetric tidal cycles in the transport and accumulation of sediment in shallow well-mixed estuaries is well established. Along the U.S. Atlantic Coast, tidal amplitude, bottom friction, and system geometry determine tidal distortion as documented at 54 tide gauges in 26 tidally dominated estuaries of varying geometry having negligible freshwater inflow. Analyses of sea-surface heights are compared to the results of one-dimensional numerical modelling to clarify the physics of tidal response in well-mixed estuaries. Concise measurements of estuarine geometry and ocean tidal range are used to predict consistently the nature of tidal sea-surface distortion. Numerical modelling then is utilized to extend theoretical and observational relationships between geometry and sea-height to predict trends in velocity distortion and near-bed sediment transport. Non-linear tidal distortion is a composite of two principal effects: (1) frictional interaction between the tide and channel bottoms (reflected in a h = tidal amplitude channel depth ) causes relatively shorter floods; (2) intertidal storage (measured by V s V c = volume of intertidal storage volume of channels at mean sea level) causes relatively shorter ebbs. Variations in V s V c and a h trigger consistent and predictable changes in tidal distortion as measured through the first harmonic of the principal tidal constitutent.
Small-scale Heterogeneities and Buoyancy-driven CO2 Migration in Geological Storage☆

Abstract It is well understood that spatially correlated heterogeneities can affect large-scale CO 2 migrations in geological sequestration. However, recent experimental observations from high resolution Computed Tomography (CT) imaging have shown heterogeneities at the millimeter scale in natural sandstone core samples. These heterogeneities have a high degree of randomness without distinct spatial patterns, and they appear relatively homogeneous at a larger scale. As a result, such heterogeneities tend to be ignored in core analysis and in flow simulations. In this study, we show that ignoring such small-scale heterogeneities can lead to significant overestimations of CO 2 plume speed in modeling buoyancy-driven CO 2 migrations. For the representative examples we study, the overestimation can be a factor of two or larger.
Incremental back‐up procedures

Back-up and archival storage is safer and quicker if knowledge of the absent files is retained and exploited. The method has been applied to the reconciliation of two active discs, as well as the security back-up of and retrieval of files from a single disc.
The Effects of Victimization on Drug Use : A Multilevel Analysis

Agnew's general strain theory suggests that negative life experiences constitute stress that may lead to deviance, unless effective coping strategies are forthcoming. In the present study, the principles of general strain theory were employed to examine the age-varying effects of three types of victimization on drug-using behavior: sexual victimization, physical victimization, or other victimization. Study data came from seven waves of the National Youth Survey, a longitudinal survey of youth ages 11 to 17 years when the study began in 1976. The broad hypotheses of general strain theory were supported, by the data, with some qualifications. Results of the data analysis also showed that victimization's impact on drug use is type-specific and/or drug-specific. Further studies with more sophisticated measures of drug use should clarify the role of victimization (by type) in various drug-using behaviors. The study's limitations are noted.
A family of Koszul algebras arising from finite-dimensional representations of simple Lie algebras☆

Abstract Let g be a finite-dimensional simple Lie algebra and let S g be the locally finite part of the algebra of invariants ( End C V ⊗ S ( g ) ) g where V is the direct sum of all simple finite-dimensional modules for g and S ( g ) is the symmetric algebra of g . Given an integral weight ξ, let Ψ = Ψ ( ξ ) be the subset of roots which have maximal scalar product with ξ. Given a dominant integral weight λ and ξ such that Ψ is a subset of the positive roots we construct a finite-dimensional subalgebra S Ψ g ( ⩽ Ψ λ ) of S g and prove that the algebra is Koszul of global dimension at most the cardinality of Ψ. Using this we construct naturally an infinite-dimensional non-commutative Koszul algebra of global dimension equal to the cardinality of Ψ. The results and the methods are motivated by the study of the category of finite-dimensional representations of the affine and quantum affine algebras.
Behavioral Parent Training in Child Welfare: Maintenance and Booster Training:

Previous research has demonstrated the efficacy of a 30-hr behavioral parent training program at increasing skill accuracy. However, it remains unknown whether skills acquisitions are maintained on...
Serologic survey of wild cervids for potential disease agents in selected national parks in the United States

Abstract A total of 589 serum specimens were collected from mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) (133) and wapiti (Cervus elaphus) (456) in eight national parks and/or adjacent lands in the western USA. Thirty two percent of the samples were collected from immobilized animals and 68% from hunter-killed animals in or near Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Bryce Canyon National Park (NP), and Zion NP, Utah; Yosemite NP, California; Rocky Mountain NP, Colorado; Upper Yellowstone NP, Montana, and Grand Teton NP, Wyoming. Serum specimens were tested for the presence of antibodies against selected disease agents. Overall seroprevalences for mule deer were 77 133 (58%) for parainfluenza-3 virus (PI-3), 42 133 (32%) for bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1), 79 133 (59%) for bovine virus diarrhea virus (BVD), 73 133 (55%) for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), 14 133 (11%) for bluetongue virus (BT), 18 133 (14%) for epizootic hemorrhagic disease vims (EHD), 3 133 (2%) for Borrelia burgdorferi, and 1 133 (1%) for Francisella tularensis. None of the deer sera presented antibodies for Leptospira spp., Brucella abortus and Anaplasma marginale. For wapiti, overall prevalences were 262 456 (57%) for PI-3, 211 456 (46%) for BHV-1, 251 456 (55%) for BVD, 247 456 (54%) for RSV, 1 456 ( 16 456 (4%) for Leptospira pomona, 13 456 (3%) for Leptospira hardjo, and 8 456 (2%) for B. abortus. No antibody titers were detected for EHD, A. marginale, and other Leptospira serotypes. This survey documents seroprevalence of selected park cervid populations to domestic livestock pathogens. Further research on the epidemiology of these potential pathogens in wild ungulates in national parks is recommended.
Noninvasive neuroimaging of basilar artery dolichoectasia in a patient with an isolated abducens nerve paresis.

Abstract Purpose To describe the neuroimaging findings in a patient with an isolated abducens nerve palsy caused by a dolichoectatic basilar artery. Design Retrospective case report. Methods A 65-year-old man presented with a 3-year history of gradually worsening horizontal double vision. He subsequently underwent magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance angiography, and computed tomographic angiography. Results Neuroimaging revealed dolichoectasia of the basilar artery. The enlarged, tortuous vessel appeared to be compressing the subarachnoid portion of the nerve at its exit from the brainstem. Conclusion Noninvasive neuroimaging studies are sufficient to establish a diagnosis of basilar artery dolichoectasia in patients with isolated cranial neuropathies.
A Final Approach Trajectory Model for Current Operations

Predicting accurate trajectories with limited intent information is a challenge faced by air traffic management decision support tools in operation today. One such tool is the FAA's Terminal Proximity Alert system which is intended to assist controllers in maintaining safe separation of arrival aircraft during final approach. In an effort to improve the performance of such tools, two final approach trajectory models are proposed; one based on polynomial interpolation, the other on the Fourier transform. These models were tested against actual traffic data and used to study effects of the key final approach trajectory modeling parameters of wind, aircraft type, and weight class, on trajectory prediction accuracy. Using only the limited intent data available to today's ATM system, both the polynomial interpolation and Fourier transform models showed improved trajectory prediction accuracy over a baseline dead reckoning model. Analysis of actual arrival traffic showed that this improved trajectory prediction accuracy leads to improved inter-arrival separation prediction accuracy for longer look ahead times. The difference in mean inter-arrival separation prediction error between the Fourier transform and dead reckoning models was 0.2 nmi for a look ahead time of 120 sec, a 33 percent improvement, with a corresponding 32 percent improvement in standard deviation.
Insulin/Insulin-Like Growth Factors in Cancer: New Roles for the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor, Tumor Resistance Mechanisms, and New Blocking Strategies

The insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) and the insulin receptor (IR) are receptor tyrosine kinases that are expressed in cancer cells. The results of different studies indicate that tumor proliferation and survival is dependent on the IGF1R and IR, and that their inhibition leads to reductions in proliferation and increases in cell death. Molecular targeting therapies that have been used in solid tumors include anti-IGF1R antibodies, anti-IGF1/IGF2 antibodies, and small molecule inhibitors that suppress IGF1R and IR kinase activity. New advances in the molecular basis of anti-IGF1R blocking antibodies reveal they are biased agonists and promote the binding of IGF1 to integrin β3 receptors in some cancer cells. Our recent reports indicate that pharmacological aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) ligands inhibit breast cancer cell responses to IGFs, suggesting that targeting AHR may have benefit in cancers whose proliferation and survival are dependent on insulin/IGF signaling. Novel aspects of IGF1R/IR in cancer, such as biased agonism, integrin β3 signaling, AHR, and new therapeutic targeting strategies will be discussed.
Normalization of subtype-specific muscarinic receptor binding in the denervated hippocampus by septodiagonal band grafts

Unilateral fimbria-fornix lesions were made by aspiration in female Sprague-Dawley rats. In a group of these rats, fetal septal tissue was transplanted into the lesion cavity. Lesion of the fimbria-fornix resulted in a reduction of cholinergic input to the hippocampal formation as indicated by the loss of acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-positive staining in all ipsilateral hippocampal laminae and a loss of [3H]hemicholinium-3 binding to cholinergic terminals in the strata oriens (82% reduction) and radiatum (77% reduction) of areas CA2 and CA3 and in the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus (83% reduction). In contrast, the density of muscarinic receptor binding ([3H]QNB) increased in the strata oriens (80% increase) and radiatum (70% increase) in areas CA2-CA4. This was shown to be due to an actual increase in receptor number (Bmax) and not to a change in affinity (KD). Analysis of muscarinic receptor subtypes indicated that the increase in receptor binding in the stratum radiatum was of the M-1 subtype ([3H]-pirenzepine) and in the stratum oriens was of the M-2 subtype ([3H]QNB + 100 nM pirenzepine). In the host hippocampus after fetal septal graft, the staining for AChE, the binding of [3H]hemicholinium-3, and the binding of muscarinic receptors (both the M-1 and M-2 receptor subtypes) were all comparable to nonlesioned control values. These data indicate that the fetal septal grafts have reinnervated the host hippocampus and have made synaptic contact with host cells in a manner capable of regulating postsynaptic muscarinic receptors.