cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Herding and Homicide: An Examination of the Nisbett-Reaves Hypothesis

Replication of the Nisbett-Reaves test of the herding-culture-of-honor hypothesis fails to support expectations derived from Nisbett's culture-of-honor theory. The theory predicts that violent culture has economic advantage in frontier areas with herding economies, because there is a chronic threat of livestock theft. Nisbett and Reaves hypothesize that rural counties in the South, where ecological conditions promote livestock herding, will have especially high white non-Hispanic male homicide rates. Our statistical analysis reproduces the mean homicide rates reported by previous research, but indicates that they are artifacts of skewed distributions, unreliable estimates of homicide rates, and thefailure to controlfor differences in the distribution of white
Curcumin enhances the lung cancer chemopreventive efficacy of phospho-sulindac by improving its pharmacokinetics

Phospho-sulindac (PS) is a safe sulindac derivative with promising anticancer efficacy in colon cancer. We evaluated whether its combination with curcumin could enhance the efficacy in the treatment of lung cancer. Curcumin, the principal bioactive component in turmeric, has demonstrated versatile capabilities to modify the therapeutic efficacy of a wide range of anticancer agents. Here, we evaluated the effect of co-administration of curcumin on the anticancer activity of PS in a mouse xenograft model of human lung cancer. Curcumin enhanced the cellular uptake of PS in human lung and colon cancer cell lines. To assess the potential synergism between curcumin and PS in vivo, curcumin was suspended in 10% Tween-80 or formulated in micellar nanoparticles and given to mice by oral gavage prior to the administration of PS. Both formulations of curcumin significantly improved the pharmacokinetic profiles of PS, with the 10% Tween-80 suspension being much more effective than the nanoparticle formation. However, curcumin did not exhibit any significant modification of the metabolite profile of PS. Furthermore, in a mouse subcutaneous xenograft model of human lung cancer, PS (200 mg/kg) in combination with curcumin (500 mg/kg) suspended in 10% Tween-80 (51% inhibition, p<0.05) was significantly more efficacious than PS plus micelle curcumin (30%) or PS (25%) or curcumin alone (no effect). Consistent with the improved pharmacokinetics, the combination treatment group had higher levels of PS and its metabolites in the xenografts compared to PS alone. Our results show that curcumin substantially improves the pharmacokinetics of PS leading to synergistic inhibition of the growth of human lung cancer xenografts, representing a promising drug combination.
A Direct Reading High-Voltage Capacitanice Bridge

In contrast with the conventional Schering bridge, the network described in this paper is direct reading for both dissipation factor and capacitance, has a fixed guard adjustment, and hence simplified operation. A unique method of phase-angle compensation employs adjustment of the effective phase angle of the standard capacitor. This compensation may be either positive or negative as required. Design is simplified since compensation for stray wiring capacitances is easily accomplished. Simplified operation and elimination of all calculations permit substantial reductions in unit testing time and operation by nontechnical personnel without sacrifice of accuracy.
Petroleum hydrocarbon resistance in the marine worm Neanthes arenaceodentata (polychaeta: annelida), induced by chronic exposure to No. 2 fuel oil.

1. Three successive generations of the marine polychaetous annelidNeanthes arenaceodentata taken from a laboratory population, were continuously exposed to one of three sublethal concentrations of No. 2 Fuel Oil water-soluble-fraction (WSFs). During each generation larvae, juvenile, and immature adult polychaetes were challenged with acute (96 hr) doses of No. 2 Fuel Oil or south Louisiana crude oil WSF to test their sensitivity to petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs). 2. Larvae from all 3 generations, at all exposure concentrations, were no different from control (susceptible) larvae in their sensitivity to the two test oils. F1, F2, and F3 adults exhibited equally increased PHC resistance (X2) compared to control adults. 3. The only evidence of increased resistance beyond that observed in F1 animals was seen in results of bioassays with juvenile worms, wherein PHC resistance increased from slightly below control levels in F1 juveniles to slightly above control tolerance among F3 juveniles. 4. With the exception of F1 worms, removal from chronic exposure 7 or 14 days prior to challenge did not result in termination or reduction of resistance, implicating a genetic mechanism behind PHC resistance inN. arenaceodentata. 5. F3 resistant and unexposed control polychaetes accumulated, metabolized, and excreted a key diaromatic PHC (naphthalene-14C) in quantitatively identical fashion. Mechanisms responsible for resistance appeared unrelated to external permeability and/or excretion rates.
An integral for geodesic length

AbstractUsing a change of variable suggested by P. D. Thomas (1952), the arclength of a segment of a geodesic curve on an ellipsoid becomes an integral having the same form as arclength on an ellipse, a simpler problem. This leads to a succinct theoretical solution to the Direct and Indirect Problems of geodesics. With modern mathematical software, it is also a practical solution.
Treatment of interstitial cystitis with intravesical heparin.

Objective To control the symptoms of interstitial cystitis with chronic self-administered intravesical heparin and determine whether the drug's continued use can sustain remission. Patients and methods A total of 48 patients were selected to undergo intravesical heparin therapy, 10000 units in 10 ml sterile water, three times per week for 3 months. For patients who attained a good clinical remission, therapy was available for up to a further 9 months. Results At 3 months 27 of 48 patients (56%) attained good clinical remissions. All were offered continuous therapy and 23 elected for an additional 3 months. Twenty of the 23 continued in remission. Sixteen of these patients elected to have a further 6 months of therapy (12 months total) and 15 of 1ft remained in remission. Conclusion In over half of the patients studied, intravesical heparin controls the symptoms of interstitial cystitis with continued improvement even after one year of therapy.
Relationship between alexithymia, dissociation and personality in psychiatric outpatients.

Background: The relationship between alexithymia and dissociation is not known. Both mechanisms ward off overwhelming affective states; hence, this report examines the relationship
Fate of nitrous acid on selected collection surfaces

Glass fiber filters were spiked with a solution containing nitrite (NO2−) and subsequently exposed to various laboratory-prepared atmospheres. Substantial oxidation of NO2− to nitrate (NO3−) was observed in the presence of ozone. Na2CO3-coated glass fiber filters and nylon filters were used to sample ambient air and air from a nitrous acid (HNO2) generator. Substantial amounts of HNO2 collected by Na2CO3-coated filters were oxidized to NO3− upon exposure to ambient air, HNO2 was reversibly and nonquantitatively collected by nylon filters, and appreciable amounts of HNO2 collected by nylon filters were oxidized to NO3− upon exposure to ambient air. Ozone may have been the responsible oxidant. These findings may have important implications on the interpretation of results of integrative ambient air samplers for HNO2 and nitric acid (HNO3) and on the design of these samplers.
A Field Investigation of Dust Devils

Abstract A field observation program was conducted at El Mirage, Calif., to investigate some aspects of the interaction between dust devils and their environment. The outputs of sensors designed to measure vertical vorticity were recorded, together with those of cup anemometers. Analysis of the data indicates that there is no correlation between the sense of rotation of the vorticity meter and that of dust devils crossing the observing area. Tangential velocity, vertical velocity and temperature were determined in 11 dust devils. Maximum vertical velocities were seen to be much less than tangential velocities, indicating that the boundary layer height extended well above the height of measurement.
(Z)-11-Eicosenyl acetate, an aggregation pheromone inDrosophila malerkotliana.

(Z)-11-Eicosenyl acetate (Z11–20:Ac) was identified as the aggregation pheromone inDrosophila malerkotliana. The pheromone (200–300 ng/fly) was isolated from hexane extracts of the ejaculatory bulb of sexually mature male flies. Males released very little, if any,Z11–20:Ac to the food at any time. During mating there was a transfer of ca. 100 ng ofZ11–20:Ac to the female's reproductive tract. The mated female fly transferred theZ11–20:Ac to the surrounding surfaces in just a few hours after mating. In bioassay in a wind-tunnel olfactometer,Z11–20:Ac was not attractive alone, but was synergistic with fermenting food or with acetone. AlthoughD. malerkotliana has no (Z)-11-octadecenyl acetate (Z11–18:Ac), it was as attracted toZ11–18:Ac as to an equal quantity ofZ11–20:Ac.D. melanogaster andD. simulans, however, responded to theZ11–18: Ac that they produced and did not respond toZ11–20:Ac.
Subthreshold Depressive Disorder in Adolescents: Predictors of Escalation to Full-Syndrome Depressive Disorders

Abstract Objectives Subthreshold depressive disorder is one of the best established risk factors for the onset of full-syndrome depressive disorders. However, many youths with subthreshold depressive disorder do not develop full-syndrome depression. We examined predictors of escalation to full-syndrome depressive disorders in a community sample of 225 adolescents with subthreshold depressive disorder. Method Criteria for subthreshold depressive disorder were an episode of depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure lasting at least 1 week and at least two of the seven other DSM-IV–associated symptoms for major depression. Participants were assessed four times from mid-adolescence to age 30 years using semistructured diagnostic interviews. Results The estimated risk for escalation to full-syndrome depressive disorders was 67%. Five variables accounted for unique variance in predicting escalation: severity of depressive symptoms, medical conditions/symptoms, history of suicidal ideation, history of anxiety disorder, and familial loading for depression. Adolescents with three or more risk factors had an estimated 90% chance of escalating to full-syndrome depressive disorder, compared with 47% of adolescents with fewer than three risk factors. Conclusions These data may be useful in identifying a subgroup of youths with subthreshold depressive disorder who are at especially high risk for escalating to full-syndrome depressive disorders.
A vision-based technique for damage assessment of reinforced concrete structures

The most common damage assessment technique for concrete structures is visual inspection (VI). Condition assessed by VI is subjective in nature, meaning it depends on the experience, knowledge, expertise, measurement accuracy, mental attention, and judgment of the inspector carrying out the assessment. In many post-event assessments, cracks data including width and pattern provide the most indicative information about the health or damage state of the structure. Residual cracks are sometimes the only available data for VI. However, due to adjacent elastic members, earthquake displacement spectrum, or re-centering systems, these measurements may lead to erroneous decisions. To overcome this problem, this paper proposes a novel damage index based upon Fractal Dimension (FD) analysis of residual cracks as a complementary method for VI. FD can quantify crack patterns and enhance the routine inspection procedure by establishing a crack pattern recognition system. This algorithm was validated through an experimental study on a large scale reinforced concrete shear wall (RCSW). The results demonstrate the novel technique as a quite accurate estimator for damage grades and stiffness loss of the wall.
A Common β1-Adrenergic Receptor Polymorphism Predicts Favorable Response to Rate-Control Therapy in Atrial Fibrillation

Objectives In this study, we evaluated the impact of 2 common β1-adrenergic receptor (β1-AR) polymorphisms ( G389R and S49G ) in response to ventricular rate control therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Background Randomized studies have shown that ventricular rate control is an acceptable treatment strategy in patients with AF. However, identification of patients who will adequately respond to rate-control therapy remains a challenge. Methods We studied 543 subjects (63% men; age 61.8 ± 14 years) prospectively enrolled in the Vanderbilt AF registry and managed with rate-control strategy. A “responder” displayed adequate ventricular rate control based on the AFFIRM (Atrial Fibrillation Follow-Up Investigation of Rhythm Management) criteria: average heart rate (HR) at rest ≤80 beats/min; and maximum HR during a 6-min walk test ≤110 beats/min or average HR during 24-h Holter ≤100 beats/min. Results A total of 295 (54.3%) patients met the AFFIRM criteria. Baseline clinical characteristics were similar in responders and nonresponders except for mean resting HR (76 ± 20 beats/min vs. 70 ± 15 beats/min; p < 0.01) and smoking (6% vs. 1%; p < 0.01). Multiple clinical variables (age, gender, hypertension) failed to predict response to rate-control therapy. By contrast, carriers of Gly variant at 389 were more likely to respond favorably to rate-control therapy; 60% versus 51% in the Arg389Arg genotype, p = 0.04. This association persisted after correction for multiple clinical factors (odds ratio: 1.42, 95% confidence interval: 1.00 to 2.03, p < 0.05). Among responders, subjects carrying the Gly389 variant required the lowest doses of rate-control medications; atenolol: 92 mg versus 68 mg; carvedilol: 44 mg versus 20 mg; metoprolol: 80 mg versus 72 mg; diltiazem: 212 mg versus 180 mg, and verapamil: 276 mg versus 200 mg, respectively (p < 0.01 for all comparisons). Conclusions We have identified a common β1-AR polymorphism, G389R , that is associated with adequate response to rate-control therapy in AF patients. Gly389 is a loss-of-function variant; consequently, for the same adrenergic stimulation, it produces reduced levels of adenyl cyclase, and hence, attenuates the β-adrenergic cascade. Mechanistically, the effect of rate-control drugs will be synergistic with that of the Gly389 variant, which could possibly explain our findings. These findings represent a step forward in the development of a long-term strategy of selecting treatment options in AF based on genotype.
Neutral SU(2) and neutral currents

Abstract We examine the neutral current structure of a class of topless gauge theories in which b decay and CP violation are mediated by neutral gauge bosons, N. We find a good fit to all data(better than the fit to the standard model) for sin2θ = 0.205 and MN2/MW2 ~ 10.
Development of the 40 Hz steady state auditory evoked magnetic field from ages 5 to 52

Abstract Objective Adults exhibit strong auditory 40 Hz magnetic steady state responses (SSR). Although EEG measured SSR has been studied in children, the developmental course of the magnetic SSR is unknown. Methods Sixty-nine healthy subjects ranging in age from 5 to 52 years participated in a magnetoencephalographic (MEG) study. Stimuli were monaural 500 ms duration click trains with a 25 ms inter-click interval. Contralateral magnetic responses for both hemispheres were recorded with a 37-channel MEG system. Responses were averaged and examined using wavelet-based time-frequency analysis. Source analyses were also conducted on a subset of the data. Results Gamma power from 200 to 500 ms post-stimulus onset was computed and was significantly related to subject age in both hemispheres. Hemispheric asymmetry was observed for the anterior–posterior SSR source locations, suggestive of asymmetry similar to that previously described for the SSR and other auditory evoked magnetic field components. Conclusions The 40 Hz power findings are generally consistent with previous EEG studies of steady state responses in children showing age-related changes in the 40 Hz SSR. Significance Age-related changes in the strength of the magnetic 40 Hz SSR may continue to develop well beyond early childhood, which should be taken into consideration in planning future studies using adolescents and young adults.
Electrically detected electron paramagnetic resonance in germanium single crystals

Abstract The results of ultrahigh sensitivity EPR studies of Ge single crystals are discussed. Maximum sensitivity was achieved by using high Q microwave resonant samples together with an electric detection technique. Under subband-gap optical excitation, two sets of lines were detected: four lines with axial symmetry about the four 〈111〉 axes with g∥ = 0.34 and g⊥ = 1.94, and 24 lines with g∥ = 0.73 and g⊥ = 1.89, axially symmetric about 〈111〉 axes with a sixfold 1.2° distortion. Detection involved monitoring the absorption of energy from the microwave electric field by photoexcited electrons. Due to spin-dependent scattering of the electrons by dangling bonds located in the core of dislocations within the crystal, a resonant change in this absorption was observed on each passage through spin resonance. Both increases and decreases in the absorption were observed, depending on sample characteristics. The spin-dependent scattering was observed to persist for hours after the removal of optical excitation, indicating the existence of a conducting dislocation band with a very long lifetime.
Environmental adaptations in the blood of lizards

Abstract 1. 1. Oxygen affinity of blood of five lizard species was measured at 25, 35 and 40°C and p CO 2 's of 38 and 76 mm Hg. 2. 2. At its activity temperature each species had a P 50 of 68–72 mm Hg. Oxygen affinity was also related to body size. 3. 3. There was a seasonal shift in oxygen affinity in Dipsosaurus dorsalis . 4. 4. There was no difference in oxygen affinity of blood of Sceloporus occidentalis from sea level and from 6000 ft. 5. 5. There was no correlation between sensitivity to CO 2 and fossorial habits. 6. 6. An anguid ( Gerrhonotus multicarinatus ) showed less sensitivity to changes in temperature and p CO 2 than iguanids.
Surgery: New indications for laparoscopic sigmoidectomy.

Current recommendations for the performance of laparoscopic sigmoidectomy in patients with diverticulitis reserve this procedure for individuals who have complications of the disease or have had numerous, severe disease episodes. Findings from a 2009 study challenge this dogma and suggest that patients' quality of life should also be considered.
Sulfur dioxide on Io: Spatial distribution and physical state

Observations of the 4-micron SO2 band on Jupiter's satellite Io and laboratory measurements of SO2 frost are presented. The observations confirm the existence of a large longitudinal variation in band strength, but show no evidence of temporal changes. Comparison of the band position and shape in Io's spectrum with those in the laboratory frost's suggests that the bulk of the absorption on Io is due to frost, not adsorbed gas. The derived SO2 coverage is large enough to require that SO2 be present in most terrain types on Io and not just in the white plains unit. To reconcile the infrared observations that indicate large amoutns of SO2 with the ultraviolet observations of Voyager and IUE that show little, the SO2 must be mixed intimately with the sulfur (or other material) so that at each wavelength the darker component dominates the spectrum.
The characteristics of coarse particulate matter air pollution associated with alterations in blood pressure and heart rate during controlled exposures

Although fine particulate matter (PM) air pollution <2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, the potential health effects of coarse PM (2.5-10 μm in aerodynamic diameter; PM10-2.5) remain less clearly understood. We aimed to elucidate the components within coarse PM most likely responsible for mediating these hemodynamic alterations. Thirty-two healthy adults (25.9 ± 6.6 years) were exposed to concentrated ambient coarse PM (CAP) (76.2 ± 51.5 μg/m(3)) and filtered air (FA) for 2 h in a rural location in a randomized double-blind crossover study. The particle constituents (24 individual elements, organic and elemental carbon) were analyzed from filter samples and associated with the blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) changes occurring throughout CAP and FA exposures in mixed model analyses. Total coarse PM mass along with most of the measured elements were positively associated with similar degrees of elevations in both systolic BP and HR. Conversely, total PM mass was unrelated, whereas only two elements (Cu and Mo) were positively associated with and Zn was inversely related to diastolic BP changes during exposures. Inhalation of coarse PM from a rural location rapidly elevates systolic BP and HR in a concentration-responsive manner, whereas the particulate composition does not appear to be an important determinant of these responses. Conversely, exposure to certain PM elements may be necessary to trigger a concomitant increase in diastolic BP. These findings suggest that particulate mass may be an adequate metric of exposure to predict some, but not all, hemodynamic alterations induced by coarse PM mass.
GLUTARALDEHYDE STABILIZATION AS AN AID TO GOLGI APPARATUS ISOLATION.

Abstract Addition of glutaraldehyde to the homogenization medium stabilizes the Golgi apparatus of plant tissues during isolation. Membrane integrity is maintained and the characteristic fenestrated structure is preserved during isolation and subsequent purification steps. As a result of the enhanced stabilization, purification techniques can be used which provide preparations suitable for chemical analysis.
Primary bronchogenic carcinoma in the heart transplant recipient

Abstract An increased risk of neoplasia is a well-recognized complication of chronic immunosuppression. Although lung cancer has been sporadically reported in the transplant population, it has not been recognized widely as a specific risk among heart transplant recipients. We present 3 cases of bronchogenic carcinoma in cardiac transplant patients, discuss possible risk factors, and outline recommendations for diagnosis and management of new lung lesions discovered during routine followup.
An off-the-shelf sensing system for physiological phosphates

An off-the-shelf supramolecular sensing system was designed to discriminate biologically relevant phosphates in neutral water using multivariate data analysis. The system is based on an indicator displacement assay comprising only two unmodified commercially available components: a dendritic poly-electrolyte and a common fluorescent dye. Effective discrimination of nucleotide diphosphates and inorganic diphosphate was achieved through principal component analysis (PCA).
Nondestructive determination of flesh color in clingstone peaches

Abstract A nondestructive optical method, based upon visible and near infrared interactance spectroscopy, was developed for rapid determination of flesh color in clingstone peaches. Flesh color is currently used by the Californian canning peach industry as a destructive maturity index for clingstone peaches inspected at harvest and as a predictor of sensory flavor quality. Results show that skin ground color becomes uncorrelated with flesh color for skin ground color hue angles below 70°. Cultivar-specific models using nondestructive, log-transformed, interactance measurements at two wavebands in the visible region produced good predictive performance of flesh hue (r = 0.92), while a global model required information at five wavebands to achieve this same level of performance (r = 0.92 and RMSECV = 1.35° hue). The nondestructive method does not require a separate measurement of skin reflectance and is suitable for flesh color grading tasks at inspection stations prior to canning and shows good potential for on-line sorting tasks.
Construction litigation prediction system using ant colony optimization

The frequency of construction litigation has increased over the years, making litigation a costly and time‐consuming activity. It is in the interests of all parties to a construction contract to avoid litigation. A tool (Ant Miner) is proposed to predict the outcome of construction litigation, hence encouraging the parties to settle out of court. Ant Miner, a rule‐based classification system extracts classification rules by using ant colony optimization. It is used on 151 Illinois circuit court cases filed in the period 1987–2005. The prediction model is composed of data consolidation, attribute selection, classification and assessment. The results provide evidence that Ant Miner performs better than models used in earlier studies and that the rule sets discovered by this tool are highly interpretable, but that this tool suffers a great deal from noisy data. If the parties involved in a dispute have access to the proposed system that predicts the decision of the courts with higher accuracy and reliability...
Near-field optics: a new tool for data storage

Evanescent energy can be used to produce extremely small optical spots. Two practical implementations that use evanescent energy are aperture probes and solid immersion lenses (SILs). For data storage, the optical near field is defined in terms of evanescent coupling between the system used to read data and the recording layer. Because of the small spot size, near-field techniques are applied to optical data storage systems in order to increase recording density. Both aperture-type systems and SIL systems show good promise of achieving densities of more than 150 Gb/in/sup 2/. The characteristics and performance of several systems are compared, and future near-field technologies are discussed.
Relation Between "Minority" Hooks and Neps in the Card Web

Schematic diagram of cylinder and doffer explains the relationship between the minority hooks and neps. The cylinder- to-doffer fiber transfer region is divided into two zones, upper and lower.
Archaeal and Bacterial SecD and SecF Homologs Exhibit Striking Structural and Functional Conservation

The majority of secretory proteins are translocated into and across hydrophobic membranes via the universally conserved Sec pore. Accessory proteins, including the SecDF-YajC Escherichia coli membrane complex, are required for efficient protein secretion. E. coli SecDF-YajC has been proposed to be involved in the membrane cycling of SecA, the cytoplasmic bacterial translocation ATPase, and in the stabilizing of SecG, a subunit of the Sec pore. While there are no identified archaeal homologs of either SecA or SecG, many archaea possess homologs of SecD and SecF. Here, we present the first study that addresses the function of archaeal SecD and SecF homologs. We show that the SecD and SecF components in the model archaeon Haloferax volcanii form a cytoplasmic membrane complex in the native host. Furthermore, as in E. coli, an H. volcanii ΔsecFD mutant strain exhibits both severe cold sensitivity and a Sec-specific protein translocation defect. Taken together, these results demonstrate significant functional conservation among the prokaryotic SecD and SecF homologs despite the distinct composition of their translocation machineries.
Nonparametric Regression for Estimation of Spatiotemporal Mountain Glacier Retreat From Satellite Images

Historical variations in the extent of mountain glaciers give insight into natural and forced changes of these bellwethers of the climate. Because of the limited number of ground observations relative to the number of glaciers, it is useful to develop techniques that permit for the monitoring of glacier systems using satellite imagery. Here, we propose a new approach for identifying the glacier terminus over time from Landsat images. The proposed method permits for detecting inflection points in multispectral satellite imagery taken along a glacier's flow path in order to identify candidate terminus locations. A gated tracking algorithm is then applied to identify the best candidate for the glacier terminus location through time. Finally, the long-term trend of the terminus position is estimated with uncertainty bounds. This is achieved by applying nonparametric regression to the temporal sequence of estimated terminus locations. The method is shown to give results consistent with ground-based observations for the Franz Josef and Gorner glaciers and is further applied to estimate the retreat of Viedma, a glacier with no available ground measurements.
Interactive stereoscopic rendering of voxel-based terrain

Presents an interactive stereoscopic rendering algorithm of voxel-based terrain. It provides unambiguous depth information of a terrain scene by generating perspective images for a pair of eyes with a horizontal parallax. The left-eye image is generated using a fast ray-casting algorithm accelerated by exploiting a specific ray coherence method in the voxel-based terrain scene. The right-eye image is obtained by exploiting the frame coherence between the two views. Most of the pixel values are directly obtained from the left image by re-projection. The remaining pixels are computed by ray casting, which is further accelerated with ray coherence. An A-buffer is employed to reduce the image error caused by re-projection to non-integer pixel locations. Image-based task partitioning schemes are explored to effectively parallelize our algorithm on a multiprocessor.
Aboveground net primary production dynamics in a northern Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem

Aboveground net primary production (ANPP) dynamics are a key element in the understanding of ecosystem processes. For semiarid environments, the pulse-reserve framework links ANPP to variable and unpredictable precipitation events contingent on surficial hydrology, soil moisture dynamics, biodiversity structure, trophic dynamics, and landscape context. Consequently, ANPP may be decoupled periodically from processes such as decomposition and may be subjected to complex feedbacks and thresholds at broader scales. As currently formulated, the pulse-reserve framework may not encompass the breadth of ANPP response to seasonal patterns of precipitation and heat inputs. Accordingly, we examined a 6-year (1999–2004), seasonal record of ANPP with respect to precipitation, soil moisture dynamics, and functional groups in a black grama (Bouteloua eriopoda) grassland and a creosotebush (Larrea tridentata) shrubland in the northern Chihuahuan Desert. Annual ANPP was similar in the grassland (51.1 g/m2) and shrubland (59.2 g/m2) and positively correlated with annual precipitation. ANPP differed among communities with respect to life forms and functional groups and responses to abiotic drivers. In keeping with the pulse-reserve model, ANPP in black grama grassland was dominated by warm-season C4 grasses and subshrubs that responded to large, transient summer storms and associated soil moisture in the upper 30 cm. In contrast, ANPP in creosotebush shrubland occasionally responded to summer moisture, but the predominant pattern was slower, non-pulsed growth of cool-season C3 shrubs during spring, in response to winter soil moisture accumulation and the breaking of cold dormancy. Overall, production in this Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem reflected a mix of warm-temperate arid land pulse dynamics during the summer monsoon and non-pulsed dynamics in spring driven by winter soil moisture accumulation similar to that of cool-temperate regions.
Modeling the quantizer in higher-order delta-sigma modulators

Existing design methodologies do not provide adequate insight into the cause of instability in higher-order delta-sigma modulators (DSMs) used for digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital conversion. The authors present a quasistatic approach to modeling the quantizer as a method for determining DSM loop stability. Signals in the DSM loop are separated into low-frequency (signal-related) and high-frequency (loop-noise-related) components. The quantizer is modeled as a memoryless sigmoidal nonlinearity whose shape depends on the high-frequency noise components. Stability of the DSM is determined by linearizing the quantizer at a particular DC input level. The shape of the quantizer nonlinearity, the probability density function (pdf) of the high-frequency noise components, and the range of stability for DSM loops were determined both by simulation and by experimental measurements. The range of stability determined by the quantizer model was shown to accurately predict the actual stability range. >
An instrumented shoe—A portable force measuring device

Abstract Effective protection from fracture for diseased or partially healed bones can be quantitatively developed only with a knowledge of the external forces applied to the bone. While force studies using force plates have documented the forces for certain activities, a more portable force measuring device is required to determine forces during most daily activities. The authors have developed an instrumented shoe with load cells attached directly to the shoe which measured orthogonal components of foot-to-ground forces and moments. Goniometers simultaneously monitor the position of the lower leg. The signals are transported to a system of loads acting at the lower leg. Typical load curves are presented.
Uncertainty about effects is a key factor influencing institutional review boards' approval of clinical studies

Abstract Purpose To investigate factors, which influence institutional review boards' (IRBs') decision to approve or not approve clinical studies, a nationwide vignette-based online survey of IRB members was conducted. Methods A factorial design was used, whereby seven aspects of each hypothetical study were randomly varied in 15 phrases in each vignette to produce unique vignettes. Participants indicated the degree of study approval and described factors influencing approval decision. Qualitative responses were thematically content analyzed. Results Sixteen themes were obtained from 208 participants from 42 institutions. Uncertainty, adherence, study design, and harms were frequently and intensely cited to influence study approval. Analysis of two extreme subgroups (approvers vs. nonapprovers) showed that uncertainty influenced approval decisions, odds ratios (OR) = 3.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3–9.8) and OR = 3.2 (95% CI, 1.1–8.9), respectively, based on theme frequency and theme intensity, ignoring multiple observations per person. Taking into consideration multiple observations per person, similar results were obtained for uncertainty: OR = 8.9 (95% CI, 0.93–85.4). Conclusions Perceived uncertainty about benefits and harms of a proposed intervention is a key driver in IRB members' approval of clinical trials. This, in turn, calls for improved standardization in the communications of information on benefits and harms in the research protocols considered by the IRBs.
Thermal management in PowerPC microprocessor multichip modules applications

Thermal management considerations of PowerPC microprocessor multichip modules are discussed in this paper. Flow bypass effects on both PowerPC 603 and PowerPC 604 MCM heat sink and module thermal performance were quantified by computational fluid dynamics and conjugate conduction analysis. In PowerPC 603 MCM application, the heat sink thermal resistance can vary as large as 80% due to such effects, while in PowerPC 604 MCM application, the variation in thermal resistance can be as large as 100%. The conjugate heat transfer features in both PowerPC 603 and PowerPC 604 MCM were examined. Results show that the percentage of module power entering into the heat sink seems quite independent of the module component thermal properties. In general, about 70% of the module heat enters into the heat sink for PowerPC 603 MCM and about 85% of the module heat enters into the heat sink for PowerPC 504 MCM. Both module thermal resistances and the percentage of chip and module power distributions are affected by those material properties. Their effects were studied to understand the MCM thermal characteristics and to define the critical design parameters for thermal performance optimization.
Scalable Modeling and Performance Evaluation of Wireless Sensor Networks

A notable features of many proposed Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) deployments is their scale: hundreds to thousands of nodes linked together. In such systems, modeling the state of the entire system as a cross-product of the states of individual nodes results in the well-known state explosion problem. Instead, we represent the system state by the probability distribution on the state of each node. In other words, the system state represents the probability that a randomly picked node is in a certain state. Although such statistical abstraction of the global state loses some information, it is nevertheless useful in determining many performance metrics of systems that exhibit Markov behavior. We have previously developed a method for specifying the performance metrics of such systems in a probabilistic temporal logic called iLTL and for evaluating the behavior through a novel method for model checking iLTL properties. In this paper, we describe a method for estimating the probabilities in a Discrete Time Markov Chain (DTMC) model of a large-scale system. We also provide a statistical test so that we can reject estimated DTMCs if the actual system does not have Markov behavior. We describe results of experiments applying our method toWSNs in an experimental test-bed, as well as using simulations. The results of our experiments suggest that our model estimation and model checking method provides a systematic, precise and easy way of evaluating performance metrics of some large-scale WSNs.
A Reexamination of the Continuum Approach to the Calculation of Lattice Sums

The continuum approach of Born and his collaborators to the calculation of simple lattice sums, originally suggested for large-inverse-power interatomic potentials in cubic crystals, is reexamined. Explicit calculations show that the model is an effective approximation not only for large powers of the inverse interatomic potential, but for all powers as low as n = 4. Furthermore, the method is shown to be applicable to any solid regardless of its crystal structure. The hexagonal close-packed case is considered as an example. The model is expected to be useful for amorphous solids and liquids. Das Kontinuumverfahren von Born und Mitarbeitern fur die Berechnung einfacher Gittersummen, das ursprunglich fur grose Potenzen der inversen interatomaren Potentiale in kubischen Kristallen vorgeschlagen wurde, wird erneut untersucht. Explizite Berechnungen zeigen, das das Modell eine effektive Naherung nicht nur fur grose Potenzen des inversen interatomaren Potentials, sondern fur alle Potenzen bis herab zu n = 4 darstellt. Daruber hinaus wird gezeigt, das die Methode fur jeden Festkorper ungeachtet seiner Kristallstruktur anwendbar ist. Der Fall hexagonal dichter Packung wird als Beispiel betrachtet. Es wird erwartet, das das Modell fur amorphe Festkorper und Flussigkeiten anwendbar ist.
Intracerebral Hemorrhage Effects of Aging on Brain Edema and Neurological Deficits

Background and Purpose— Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is mostly a disease of the elderly, but most current experimental ICH models have used young animals. Age is an important factor in other forms of brain injury, affecting microglia and astrocyte reactions and plasticity. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of aging on brain injury after ICH. Methods— Young and aged (3 and 18 months old, respectively) male Sprague-Dawley rats received an intracerebral infusion of 100 μL autologous blood. Age-related changes in brain swelling, glial reaction, stress protein (heat shock proteins [HSPs] 27 and 32), and neurological deficits were examined. Results— Brain swelling was more severe in old rats compared with young rats at 3 days after ICH ( P P P Conclusions— ICH causes more severe brain swelling and neurological deficits in old rats. Clarification of the mechanisms of brain injury after ICH in the aging brain should help develop new therapeutic strategies for hemorrhagic brain injury.
Diverse Borrelia burgdorferi strains in a bird-tick cryptic cycle.

The blacklegged tick Ixodes scapularis is the primary vector of the most prevalent vector-borne zoonosis in North America, Lyme disease (LD). Enzootic maintenance of the pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi by I. scapularis and small mammals is well documented, whereas its “cryptic” maintenance by other specialist ticks and wildlife hosts remains largely unexplored because these ticks rarely bite humans. We quantified B. burgdorferi infection in a cryptic bird-rabbit-tick cycle. Furthermore, we explored the role of birds in maintaining and moving B. burgdorferi strains by comparing their genetic diversity in this cryptic cycle to that found in cycles vectored by I. scapularis. We examined birds, rabbits, and small mammals for ticks and infection over a 4-year period at a focal site in Michigan, 90 km east of a zone of I. scapularis invasion. We mist netted 19,631 birds that yielded 12,301 ticks, of which 86% were I. dentatus, a bird-rabbit specialist. No resident wildlife harbored I. scapularis, and yet 3.5% of bird-derived ticks, 3.6% of rabbit-derived ticks, and 20% of rabbit ear biopsy specimens were infected with B. burgdorferi. We identified 25 closely related B. burgdorferi strains using an rRNA gene intergenic spacer marker, the majority (68%) of which had not been reported previously. The presence of strains common to both cryptic and endemic cycles strongly implies bird-mediated dispersal. Given continued large-scale expansion of I. scapularis populations, we predict that its invasion into zones of cryptic transmission will allow for bridging of novel pathogen strains to humans and animals.
Mechanism for complement-mediated, antibody-dependent enhancement of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in MT2 cells is enhanced entry through CD4, CD21, and CXCR4 chemokine receptors.

Some antibodies neutralize Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). However, antibody to HIV and complement can enhance HIV replication if cells express both complement receptors and CD4, a phenomenon described as complement-mediated, antibody-dependent enhancement (C'ADE). Although increased binding of opsonized virions has been reported, the mechanism by which C'ADE enhances HIV replication remains unproven. In this study, real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect HIV cDNA indicates that complement and anti-HIV antibodies enhance HIV entry 8- to 30- fold with similar increases in integrated provirus. Thus, complement increases HIV replication through a mechanism of enhanced entry. To further refine the mechanism of C'ADE, chemokine receptor antagonists were employed. JM2987, a CXCR4 chemokine receptor antagonist, blocked HIV infection and C'ADE; thus CD4, complement receptors, and CXCR4 chemokine receptors are required for enhanced entry of HIV into MT2 cells. Finally, anti-HIV immunoglobulin enhanced re...
Public Value Mapping and Science Policy Evaluation

Here we present the framework of a new approach to assessing the capacity of research programs to achieve social goals. Research evaluation has made great strides in addressing questions of scientific and economic impacts. It has largely avoided, however, a more important challenge: assessing (prospectively or retrospectively) the impacts of a given research endeavor on the non-scientific, non-economic goals—what we here term “public values”—that often are the core public rationale for the endeavor. Research programs are typically justified in terms of their capacity to achieve public values, and that articulation of public values is pervasive in science policy-making. We outline the elements of a case-based approach to “public value mapping” of science policy, with a particular focus on developing useful criteria and methods for assessing “public value failure,” with an intent to provide an alternative to “market failure” thinking that has been so powerful in science policy-making. So long as research evaluation avoids the problem of public values, science policy decision makers will have little help from social science in making choices among competing paths to desired social outcomes.
The John A. Hartford Foundation Hartford gerontological nursing leaders: improving care for older adults across the health care continuum.

In 2000, the National Hartford Centers of Gerontological Nursing Excellence (formerly known as the Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity Initiative [BAGNC]), funded generously by the John A. Hartford Foundation, made the first call for preand postdoctoral applicants to a unique program designed specifically to support 2-year preand postdoctoral education for nurses interested in and committed to geriatric nursing (Franklin et al., 2011). The program augmented the initial investment by the John A. Hartford Foundation in five Centers of Geriatric Nursing Excellence funded in 2000, which has grown to nine in partnership with the Coordinating Center at the Gerontological Society of America (GSA). The primary goal was to develop and support nurse faculty who would be in the classroom educating all nurses to be competent to provide care for older adults, in addition to growning nurse scientists and leaders. The BAGNC program awarded 216 preand postdoctoral awards in the first 10 years of the program (Franklin et al., 2011). In 2009, the BAGNC Alumni was formed, now known as Hartford
Prediction of delayed renal allograft function using an artificial neural network

BACKGROUND Delayed graft function (DGF) is one of the most important complications in the post-transplant period, having an adverse effect on both the immediate and long-term graft survival. In this study, an artificial neural network was used to predict the occurrence of DGF and compared with traditional logistical regression models for prediction of DGF. METHODS A total of 304 cadaveric renal transplants performed at the Jewish Hospital, Louisville were included in the study. Covariate analysis by artificial neural networks and traditional logistical regression were done to predict the occurrence of DGF. RESULTS The incidence of DGF in this study was 38%. Logistic regression analysis was more sensitive to prediction of no DGF (91 vs 70%), while the neural network was more sensitive to prediction of yes for DGF (56 vs 37%). Overall prediction accuracy for both logistic regression and the neural network was 64 and 63%, respectively. Logistic regression was 36.5% sensitive and 90.7% specific. The neural network was 63.5% sensitive and 64.8% specific. The only covariate with a P < 0.001 was the transplant of a white donor kidney to a black recipient. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to test for the negative effect of DGF on long-term graft survival. One year graft survival in patients without DGF was 92 +/- 2% vs 81 +/- 3% in patients with DGF. The 5-year graft survival was not affected by DGF in this study. CONCLUSION Artificial neural networks may be used for prediction of DGF in cadaveric renal transplants. This method is more sensitive but less specific than logistic regression methods.
Large hiatal hernia with floppy fundus: Clinical and radiographic findings

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and barium radiographic findings for 17 patients with large hiatal hernias and a floppy fundus with those for 61 patients with large hiatal hernias but no floppy fundus.CONCLUSIONS. Patients with large hiatal hernias can develop a floppy fundus, which has a characteristic appearance on barium studies because it droops below the most superior portion of the herniated gastric body. Distortion of the gastric anatomy in patients with this type of hernia can cause mechanical symptoms that usually resolve after surgical repair of the hernia. Radiologists should be aware of the barium radiographic findings associated with a floppy fundus and of the potential role of surgery in the treatment of patients with symptoms.