cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Water quality modeling of the Cahaba River, Alabama

The Cahaba River, a sixth-order stream, tributary to the Mobile-Alabama River, is one of the few free-flowing rivers in Alabama. The Cahaba River lies in north-central Alabama and its watershed includes a variety of land uses from forested and agricultural to urban. Water quantity and quality modeling of the Cahaba River using several modules of the hydrologic simulation program FORTRAN (HSPF) and the nonpoint source model (NPSM) using the GIS-based BASINS package showed good agreement with measured flow data for low- and high-flow years but poor agreement with total nitrogen concentrations in the water column. Disparities between modeling and measured water quality data are attributed to the limited point source data available for nitrogen inputs to the stream and the lack of nitrogen-transformation process modeling with the NPSM. Future simulations should include use of models with detailed nitrogen transformation modules.
Altered monocyte function in uremia.

Abstract Uremia appears to suppress immune function predisposing patients to infections. When the defect in cellular immunity was studied by exposing mononuclear cells (MNC) from uremic patients and controls to tetanus toxoid, diptheria toxoid, or Candida albicans antigen in vitro, the uremic cells were far less responsive. Monocytes and T cells, which are both involved in the proliferative response to soluble antigens, were isolated from MNC of uremic patients and HLA class II matched controls and incubated with tetanus toxoid. Tetanus toxoid-pulsed uremic monocytes were unable to stimulate the proliferation of HLA identical control T lymphocytes. Lymphocytes from uremic patients, however, were stimulated by tetanus toxoid-pulsed control monocytes. Therefore, the ability of monocytes to function as accessory cells is severely affected by uremia. The uremic monocytes were FcR +, produced IL-1β, and expressed levels of HLA class II antigens comparable to controls. Although the biochemical defect in uremic monocytes remains unknown, the abnormality could explain many of the immunological changes of uremia.
Carcinoma of the Lung and Anthracosilicosis

This study reviews 11 years' experience with carcinoma of the lung in relation to anthracosilicosis at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Wilkes-Barre. Carcinoma of the lung was diagnosed in 7 percent of 2,360 anthracosilliotics compared to 1.08 percent in 31,187 nonanthracosilicotics. Epidermoid carcinoma was the predominant cell type encountered in the anthracosilicotics, but anaplastic carcinoma and adenocarcinoma were not The possible role of immunologic factors, chronic microtrauma by the silica particles and uranium radioactivity in the pathogenesis of bronchogenic carcinoma in these cases is discussed. The difficulties in diagnosis are mentioned and in particular, the lower operability and resectability rates of carcinoma in this group is emphasized.
Lesions of extrastriate cortex and consequences for visual guidance during locomotion

One of the functions of the putative motion pathway in visual cortex may be visual guidance during locomotion. Using cats, we have investigated the role of the first area in this pathway, the lateral suprasylvian visual area (LS, often considered analogous to the primate area MT). Visual function during locomotion was tested by looking at the accuracy of foot placement as cats walked down a cluttered alley. Cats were tested before and after LS was lesioned bilaterally using ibotenic acid. In all four cats tested, partial lesions of LS caused a significant deterioration in the accuracy of foot placement, though cats showed no deficit in acuity or in pattern discrimination. To determine whether the observed deficit was specific to the motion pathway, in two additional cats lesions were made in the central field representation in area 19, which lies adjacent to LS but belongs to the putative object recognition pathway. Surprisingly, both cats showed significant improvements in their accuracy of foot placement during locomotion. The reason for this improvement was unclear.
Inhibition of isolated yeast and mycelial phase RNA polymerases of Histoplasma capsulatum by rifamycin derivatives.

Various derivatives of rifamycin were shown to inhibit the RNA polymerases of the yeast and mycelial phases of Histoplasma capsulatum. The relative potency of each of the derivatives against the isolated polymerases was the same as the potency of each against the viable organism. RNA polymerase PC III from the yeast phase was more susceptible to the rifamycin derivatives than yeast phase polymerases PC I and PC II and the biggest differences in susceptibility were seen with the derivative AF/ABDP (2, 6-dimethyl-4-benzyl-4-demethyl-rifamycin). The susceptibility pattern of the mycelial polymerase activity was identical to the yeast polymerase PC III.
On a Schur-algorithm based approach to spectral factorization: connection with the Riccati equation☆

Abstract This paper points out a connection between the Schur algorithm and the difference Riccati equation arising in linear optimal filtering. It is shown that a special version of the Schur algorithm leads to a Chandrasekhar-type algorithm.
Direct Evidence for a Cause‐Effect Link Between Ethanol Potentiation of GABAA Receptor Function and Intoxication From Hyperbaric Studies in C57, LS, and SS Mice

Background: This article uses a direct ethanol antagonist, increased atmospheric pressure, to further test the causative link between ethanol potentiation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptor function and ethanol's behavioral effects. This was done by determining whether initial biochemical findings in long-sleep (LS) mice extended to other genotypes and whether the previously reported insensitivity of short-sleep (SS) mice to pressure antagonism of ethanol-induced loss of righting reflex extended to a nonselected ethanol-induced behavior. Methods: The effects of 12 times normal atmospheric pressure of helium-oxygen gas (heliox) versus ethanol (25–200 mM) potentiation of GABA-activated Cl− uptake in brain membranes (microsacs) from C57, LS, and SS mice were tested by using a 36Cl− flux assay. The effects of pressure versus ethanol's (2 g/kg) anticonvulsant effect in SS mice were tested by using time to onset of isoniazid-induced myoclonic seizures. Results: Exposure to 12 times normal atmospheric pressure heliox antagonized ethanol potentiation of GABA-activated Cl− uptake in all three genotypes across a range of ethanol concentrations that cause ethanol's behavioral and anesthetic effects. Pressure did not affect baseline receptor function. The threshold for initiating ethanol potentiation differed between genotypes in accordance with their behavioral sensitivities to ethanol (C57 and LS, ≤25 mM; SS, >50 mM). Pressure antagonized ethanol's anticonvulsant effect in SS mice. Conclusions: The results add important direct evidence supporting the hypothesis that ethanol potentiation of GABAA receptor function is an initial action of ethanol causing its behavioral effects. These findings also provide insight into possible effects of selective breeding on GABAA receptor function.
The Second World War and Soviet accounting

This article examines the rapid changes to Soviet accounting practice during World War II. The adaptation of the pre-war accounting system was required to meet the extraordinary demands of a conflict that saw as much as 40 percent of the national population under German occupation. Many large production facilities were rapidly relocated out of the war zone to the Urals, Central Asia, and the Far East. Soviet wartime accounting was focused only on contributing to victory. Sometimes this meant establishing extremely simplified allocation procedures; sometimes this meant creating new accounts for enterprise assets temporarily under enemy control, and sometimes this meant extensive and thorough procedures to safeguard economic resources and military property. For scholars the war provided an example of how accounting can rapidly evolve to meet changing national priorities.
Surface Imaging Microscope

The three-dimensional shapes of microscopic objects are becoming increasingly important for battlespace CBRNE sensing. Potential applications of microscopic 3D shape observations include characterization of biological weapon particles and manufacturing of micromechanical components. Aerosol signatures of stand-off lidar systems, using elastic backscatter or polarization, are dictated by the aerosol particle shapes and sizes that must be well characterized in the lab. A low-cost, fast instrument for 3D surface shape microscopy will be a valuable point sensor for biological particle sensing applications. Both the cost and imaging durations of traditional techniques such as confocal microscopes, atomic force microscopes, and electron scanning microscopes are too high. We investigated the feasibility of a low-cost, fast interferometric technique for imaging the 3D surface shape of microscopic objects at frame rates limited only by the camera in the system. The system operates at two laser wavelengths producing two fringe images collected simultaneously by a digital camera, and a specialized algorithm we developed reconstructs the surface map of the microscopic object. The current implementation assembled to test the concept and develop the new 3D reconstruction algorithm has 0.25 micron resolution in the x and y directions, and about 0.1 micron accuracy in the z direction, as tested on a microscopic glass test object manufactured with etching techniques. We describe the interferometric instrument, present the reconstruction algorithm, and discuss further development.
Fusion of macrophages on lens implants resulting in the formation of giant cells

Giant cells on lens implants are understood to be a sign of chronic irritation. These multinucleated cells develop from macrophages by fusion and they disappear in successful cases along with the free-moving macrophages, when the fixed fibroblast-like cells and the proteinaceous capsule have succeeded in creating a continuous and effective separation on the surface of a lens implant. Details about the stages in the development of giant cells on lens implants as well as their significance as typical representatives of chronic granulomatous inflammation are discussed.
Symbolic functional and timing verification of transistor-level circuits

We introduce a new method of verifying the timing of custom CMOS circuits. Due to the exponential number of patterns required, traditional simulation methods are unable to exhaustively verify a medium-sized modern logic block. Static analysis can handle much larger circuits but is not robust with respect to variations from standard circuit structures. Our approach applies symbolic simulation to analyze a circuit over all input combinations without these limitations. We present a prototype simulator (SirSim) and experimental results. We also discuss using SirSim to verify an industrial design which previously required a special-purpose verification methodology.
Organic polaritons: Long-distance relationships.

By embedding organic dyes in a suitably designed optical microcavity it is possible to strongly mix light and matter excitations, forming states known as microcavity polaritons. These hybrid light–matter states are used to demonstrate energy transfer between organic molecules over long distances.
On The So-Called “Huber Sandwich Estimator” and “Robust Standard Errors”

The “Huber Sandwich Estimator” can be used to estimate the variance of the MLE when the underlying model is incorrect. If the model is nearly correct, so are the usual standard errors, and robustification is unlikely to help much. On the other hand, if the model is seriously in error, the sandwich may help on the variance side, but the parameters being estimated by the MLE are likely to be meaningless—except perhaps as descriptive statistics.
Grammatical comprehension, aphasic syndromes and neuroimaging

Abstract This paper presents grammatical comprehension, computerized tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) data from a group of 43 aphasic patients. Comparison of comprehension performance with structural lesion (CT) revealed a correlation between comprehension of syntax and one inferior frontal lobe region (Broca's area) and one temporal lobe region (Wernicke's area). In contrast, comparison between comprehension performance and metabolic data demonstrated strong correlations between morphology and syntax comprehension and regional measures throughout the temporal, parietal and occipital lobes. The second aspect of the study looked at performance differences between diagnostic groups of aphasic patients. Very few behavioral differences were observed between aphasic groups (Broca's, Anomic, Conduction and Wernicke's), other than differences in severity. On all measures, Broca's and Wernicke's patients performed similarly. Overall, the findings support a model of brain—behavior relations in which language comprehension is represented by more widespread regions of the left hemisphere than is traditionally thought, and the aphasie syndromes differ from each other less than is traditionally believed.
Setting up Internships in Technical Writing

Only recently has anything been written about internships in technical writing; however, teachers interested in setting up internship programs can learn from papers written on the experience of teachers of journalism and from cooperative education programs. Internship programs vary widely–some offer academic credit, some do not. Students work from four to forty hours per week for credit of one to fifteen hours; some internships pay students; some provide them with samples of their work; some use contracts, some do not; some are located on campus, some off campus; some are part of cooperative education programs; different programs require different prerequisites; and students do a number of different types of jobs. Sourcebooks can provide information about how to locate employers, how to administer programs, how to evaluate programs, and what other people's solutions to common problems have been.
Scattering theory for long range potentials

It is embarrassing that the well-developed theory of quantum mechanical potential scattering (see [6]) does not apply to long range potentials, including the important Coulomb potential [I]. We propose a certain weakening of the standard criterion for scattering which allows us to treat long range potentials. The standard theory applied to a differential operator can determine the unitary equivalence class of the absolutely continuous part of the operator. Our theory provides only information about the multiplicity of the operator. Let Z? be the Hilbert space L,(Rn), with the inner product of vectors 9 and # written (v, #) (1 inear in v). Let H,, be the free Hamiltonian operator in Z given by the usual self-adjoint extension of the negative of the Laplacian operator. Let H = H, + V, where V is the potential-multiplication by the real function Y on R”. We shall always assume that V(H,, + i)-’ is compact, which insures that H is self adjoint on 9, the domain of H,, [9, Lemma 1.11. (See [9, Theorem 2. l] for sufficient conditions on V. For dimension n < 3 it suffices to assume that V(X) -+ 0 as 1 x 1 + co and V is locally square integrable.) If A is a self adjoint operator, write E,(F) for the spectral projection corresponding to a measurable set F in R. Let X&.(A) be the subspace of vectors p such that the measure (E,(*b, p’) is absolutely continuous (with respect to Lebesgue measure). Then tia,(H,,) = 8. Call Y&(H) = =7&, and let E be the projection on sa, . The standard criterion for scattering is the existence of the wave operators Q*(H , NJ = f2* = lim fPteeiHot.
Sexual interactions of maturing male guinea pigs with their mothers, sisters, and unfamiliar adult females in the home cage.

During observations in the home cage in the light and dark on days 5, 15, 25, 35, and 45, male guinea pigs mounted and exhibited anogenital investigation of the mother, though appropriately directed mounting occurred infrequently and was not shown by all males. Mothers nipped and kicked advancing males. No mounting of a female sibling was observed. When behavioral interactions of approximately 35-day-old males with the mother or an unfamiliar adult female were compared during 1-hr tests in the home cage, males exhibited much higher levels of mounting and anogenital investigation, and received many more nips and kicks, when with the unfamiliar female. The results 1) demonstrate that limited maternally directed sexual behavior occurs in the home cage, 2) support earlier findings indicating that continuous housing with the mother suppresses maternally directed sexual behavior in periadolescent guinea pig males, and 3) suggest that sexual behavior toward female siblings also is suppressed.
The Solution of a Toeplitz Set of Linear Equations

The solution of a set of m linear equations with a non-Hermitian Toeplitz associated matrix is considered. Presently available fast algorithms solve this set with 4m2 “operations” (an “operation” is defined here as a set of one addition and one multiplication). An improved algorithm requiring only 3m2 “operations” is presented.
An analysis of multiplicity dependence on pseudorapidity intervals at high energy collisions

Abstract Pseudorapidity-interval dependence of multiplicity distributions of shower particles produced in high energy interactions of protons at 800 GeV, 4 He at ≈ 11 A GeV, and 28 Si at 14.5 A GeV in nuclear emulsions have been investigated. The multiplicity distributions and correlated moments are parametrised successfully in terms of a negative binomial distribution (NBD). The heavy-ion data for NBD agree well with the predictions of the multistring Monte Carlo code VENUS.
An Analysis of Patients Transferred to a Tertiary Oncological Intensive Care Unit for Defined Procedures

BACKGROUND Up to 50 000 intensive care unit interhospital transfers occur annually in the United States. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence, characteristics, and outcomes of cancer patients transferred from an intensive care unit in one hospital to another intensive care unit at an oncological center and to evaluate whether interventions planned before transfer were performed. METHODS Data on transfers for planned interventions from January 2008 through December 2012 were identified retrospectively. Demographic and clinical variables, receipt of planned interventions, and outcome data were analyzed. RESULTS Of 4625 admissions to an intensive care unit at the oncological center, 143 (3%) were transfers from intensive care units of other hospitals. Of these, 47 (33%) were transfers for planned interventions. Patients' mean age was 57 years, and 68% were men. At the time of intensive care unit transfer, 20 (43%) were receiving mechanical ventilation. Interventions included management of airway (n = 19) or gastrointestinal (n = 2) obstruction, treatment of tumor bleeding (n = 12), chemotherapy (n = 10), and other (n = 4). A total of 37 patients (79%) received the planned interventions within 48 hours of intensive care unit arrival; 10 (21%) did not because their signs and symptoms abated. Median intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay at the oncological center were 4 and 13 days, respectively. Intensive care unit and hospital mortality rates were 11% and 19%, respectively. Deaths occurred only in patients who received interventions. CONCLUSIONS Interhospital transfers of cancer patients to an intensive care unit at an oncological center are infrequent but are most commonly done for direct interventional care. Most patients received planned interventions soon after transfer.
The actions of three hamstring muscles of the cat: a mechanical analysis.

An analysis of mechanical and architectural aspects of three hamstring muscles in the cat, semitendinosus (ST), semimembranosus anterior (SMa), and semimembranosus posterior (SMp), is presented based on whole muscle tetanic tension profiles. Length-active tension curves for each muscle were obtained by electrical stimulation of the whole muscle with a train of stimuli at 100 pulses per second (pps) for 600 milliseconds. Information from motion picture analysis (Goslow et al., '73) and electromyographic (EMG) activity (Engberg and Lundberg, '69) as seen during the step cycle is combined with analysis of joint torques to present a picture of the differential functions of the three muscles. The length-active tension characteristics of ST and SMa are such that they develop high amounts of tension throughout their physiological excursions. Maximal tension is produced over a much more limited range by SMp. A division of labor for the three muscles is proposed: the one-joint SMa is shown to be a primary hip extensor whose action facilitates smooth oscillation of the leg. Torque and electrical activity during the step cycle indicate the two-joint ST is a primary knee flexor. The more limited range of maximum torque and variable EMG pattern of the other two-joint muscle, SMp, relate to the fact that it has primary activity during high speed gaits when it may act to initiate spine flexion and assist in hip extension. Excursion and activity data have led to the conclusion that biarticular muscles (ST and SMp) may benefit from the combined action of two joints to maintain near maximal tension and torque during active phases of the step cycle. Thus, biarticular muscles may have evolved as much for the mechanical and physiological benefits they derive as for two-joint action itself.
Socioeconomic status, height, and obesity in children

The substantial increase in the prevalence of child obesity over recent decades and its association with a number of negative health and economic outcomes suggests its strong potential as an influence on the lifecourse development of health and productivity. This paper evaluates interactive effects between family socioeconomic status (SES) and height on child obesity in the United States. Using the 1999-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), the results of this paper confirm previous findings that taller children exhibit greater propensity towards obesity as measured by body mass index (BMI) and that obesity is inversely related to family SES as measured by poverty status. The analysis adds to the existing literature by showing that the magnitude of the SES-obesity association is larger in taller children. Age and sex patterns are evaluated that suggest the SES-height interaction persists through childhood and adolescence in males but is only evident in females during adolescence. Interaction effects are also shown to be most evident in white males and Hispanic females. Policy implications are discussed and directions for future work are suggested.
The Determination of Low Molecular Weight Aldehydes in Rain, Fog and Mist by Reversed Phase Liquid Chromatography of the 2, 4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone Derivatives

Abstract An improved analytical procedure has been developed for the detection and identification of volatile carbonyl compounds in wet deposition. The procedure is based on the reversed phase liquid chromatographic separation of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone derivatives. Both the reproducibility and the precision of the procedure are better than ±10%. Four aldehydes have been identified in rainwater samples from Los Angeles. The identities of the compounds were verified by mass spectrometry.
The syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion secondary to vinblastine-bleomycin therapy

A clinical picture compatible with the syndrome of inappropriate ADH (antidiuretic hormone) secretion was observed in two patients receiving vinblastine-bleomycin chemotherapy. The mechanism by which this response is brought about is unclear. Penetration of Vinka alkaloids into CSF of humans is poor in the absence of extensive meningeal involvement, and hence an indirect method of action by a reduction in the osmotic threshold for vasopressin release has been suggested. By administering vinblastine on days 1 and 4 (instead of days 1 and 2, as suggested in the high-response regimen consisting of vinblastine, bleomycin, and cis-platinum) we have found better bone marrow tolerance and have not noticed the inappropriate ADH syndrome.
Analog image backup with steganographic halftones

Hardcopy (analog) backup of photographs is an important addition to digital storage. It offers a means to visually enjoy the "storage format" decoupled from a digital storage media which can have a shorter archival life than hardcopy, along with shorter lifetime of hardware support. The paper describes a means to eliminate the need to include unsightly text that is part of earlier solutions by embedding all required metadata in a small steganographic halftone with the print. The solution works with any image scanner, which we can safely assume will be available far into the future, when readers of today's digital storage media will be long gone. Examples of the resulting archival compositions and metadataembedded halftones are included.
History of acid suppression: focus on the hospital setting.

In the hospital setting, prophylactic acid suppression is an important part of care for many critically ill patients. It may also prevent rebleeding in patients admitted with acute upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding. Effective treatments for these conditions stemmed from our increased understanding of the gastric acid secretory pathway and target pH values. The late 1970s saw the introduction of histamine2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs), which partially suppress basal and meal-stimulated acid secretion. Some of these agents can induce an intragastric pH greater than 3, lasting for approximately 10 hours/day when given twice/day at recommended doses. This level of acid suppression can facilitate healing of duodenal ulcers but has limited efficacy for other indications (e.g., gastrointestinal bleed). In the late 1980s a more potent class of acid-suppressing agents was developed, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). The PPIs can induce an intragastric pH above 3 lasting for approximately 17 hours/day, and an intragastric pH above 5 for approximately 9 hours/day after once-daily oral administration of recommended doses. It is possible to attain even higher target pH values with large doses and with continuous intravenous infusion. Thus, PPIs are agents of choice for treatment of many acid-related disorders including peptic ulcer disease and moderate-to-severe gastroesophageal reflux disease, and for prevention of rebleeding in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Availability of an intravenous formulation, pantoprazole, enables hospitalized patients for whom oral administration is not feasible to benefit from the superior potency of PPIs. Preliminary data suggest that intravenous PPIs may be more effective than H2RA prophylaxis against stress-related ulcer bleeding for intensive care patients and should facilitate healing in those with bleeding ulcers of the upper gastrointestinal tract.
The Dynamics of Racialized Media Coverage in Congressional Elections

Research examining press coverage of African-American candidates has put forth conflicting explanations to account for the use of race by the media in campaigns involving black politicians: the media act as racial arbitrators by limiting racial emphases; the media bring race to the forefront of campaigns by highlighting candidate race. In contrast, both phenomenon may occur simultaneously-i.e., media coverage of elections involving African-American candidates suppresses the use of race among the candidates themselves, but accents the race of black candidates and their constituents. Based on a content analysis of newspaper articles occurring during the 1990 and 1992 congressional election cycles, we find support for our racial dualism hypotheses, with the effect particularly strong in competitive biracial elections and in those contests occurring during the 1992 election cycle.
O-Minimal Hybrid Systems

An important approach to decidability questions for verification algorithms of hybrid systems has been the construction of a bisimulation. Bisimulations are finite state quotients whose reachability properties are equivalent to those of the original infinite state hybrid system. In this paper we introduce the notion of o-minimal hybrid systems, which are initialized hybrid systems whose relevant sets and flows are definable in an o-minimal theory. We prove that o-minimal hybrid systems always admit finite bisimulations. We then present specific examples of hybrid systems with complex continuous dynamics for which finite bisimulations exist.
Dynamic analysis using a reduced basis of exact modes and Ritz vectors

The problem of obtaining an approximate solution for the response of a structure under dynamic forces is addressed. The structure is modeled using mass and stiffness matrices and has n degrees of freedom. An ///-dimensional approximation is sought in a subspace defined by an arbitrary M-orthogonal array £. A residual vector, which is smaller in magnitude the more accurate the approximation, is derived. The residual contains two terms: one is the error involved representing the force vector in the £ subspace; the other is smaller the better the £ array leads to m approximate solutions of the exact eigenproblem. Numerical experiments are performed using £ arrays that are combinations of exact eigenvectors and of Ritz vectors. In one case, when 11 different 10-dimensional bases are used to approximate the solution of a 60 degree of freedom problem, it is found that a root-mean-square measure of relative error is smallest for the basis formed using the 6 lowest exact eigenvectors plus 4 Ritz vectors generated from the spatial distribution of the loading.
Protein farnesylation: Implications for normal physiology, malignant transformation, and cancer therapy

Protein farnesylation is a lipid posttranslational modification required for the cancer-causing activity of proteins such as the GTPase Ras. Although farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) are in clinical trials, their mechanism of action and the role of protein farnesylation in normal physiology are ill understood. In this issue of Cancer Cell, two articles shed light on these important issues. Protein farnesylation was found to be essential for early embryogenesis, dispensable for adult homeostasis, and critical for progression but not initiation of tumorigenesis. Furthermore, Rab geranylgeranyltransferase was identified as a target for some FTIs. This minireview discusses the implications of these findings on normal physiology, malignant transformation, and cancer therapy.
Mitral valve prolapse in persons with Down syndrome.

Abstract This study was designed to determine the prevalence of mitral valve prolapse and aortic insufficiency in home-reared, young persons with Down syndrome. Of the 36 individuals (ages 20–32 years) enrolled in this study, 20 had abnormal echocardiographic findings. Thirteen patients had mitral valve prolapse, 3 had both mitral valve prolapse and aortic insufficiency, 2 had only aortic insufficiency, and 2 had other mitral valve disorders. In 14 of the 16 patients with mitral valve prolapse, a midsystolic click was heard. Theories of the pathogenesis and possible complications of mitral valve prolapse and its relationship to exercise and sport activities are discussed.
Distribution of Cladoceran Zooplankton Among Prairie Pothole Wetlands in Northwest Iowa

ABSTRACT Cladoceran zooplankton were collected and identified from spring and summer samples from vegetated and open water areas of 26 remnant glacial lakes in Dickinson County, Iowa. The purpose of the study was to determine the factors influencing the structure and composition of zooplankton assemblages as a tool for aiding environmental management of the region's prairie pothole wetlands and ponds. The ponds were assorted into five categories based on morphometric features and productivity: ‘chain lakes’ defined large, deep, interconnected lakes; ‘algal potholes’ were small pothole wetlands dominated by algal primary producers; ‘weedy potholes’ denoted similar ponds dominated by macrophytic vegetation; ‘sloughs’ were similarly dominated by macrophytes, but found along intermittent waterways subject to drying; and ‘walleye ponds’ were kettle-hole ponds modified for the production of gamefish. Multivariate analyses and similarity indices were used to determine the relationship between cladoceran assembla...
Tribute to Horst R. Thieme on the occasion of his 60th birthday

It is a great pleasure to congratulate Horst on his 60th birthday and to dedicate this volume to him in honor of his many contributions to the field of mathematical biology. Horst Thieme has been, over a period of thirty years, one of the most productive scientists in Mathematical Biology, with numerous works on subjects centered on population biology and transmission and control of infectious disease. He has provided a number of rigorous mathematical tools for the study of structured populations, the problem of biological invasion, and the limiting behavior of epidemic and other population models. Horst Thieme's work can be characterized by deep insight into the underlying structure of biological phenomena and mechanisms, great skills in entering these insights into feasible models, and by rigorous mathematics validating or sometimes rejecting modeling approaches. For more information please click the “Full Text” above.
Effects of pre-culture holding time and temperature on interferon-γ responses in whole blood cultures from Mycobacterium bovis-infected cattle

The Bovigam assay is approved for use within the United States as a complementary tuberculosis test. Prior to whole blood culture and the ensuing ELISA to detect interferon-(IFN)-gamma, samples are subjected to various holding time/temperature combinations due, in part, to practical constraints associated with shipment of samples to approved laboratories. To evaluate these effects, 5-month-old Holstein calves (n = 7) received 10(3) cfu Mycobacterium bovis by aerosol. Heparinized blood was collected 2 months after challenge and held at 4 or 22 degrees C for 0, 8 or 24 h prior to culture with mycobacterial antigens or pokeweed mitogen (PWM). Responses of samples held for 8 or 24 h were comparable and lower than responses of cultures prepared immediately after collection, regardless of holding temperature. Differences in responses of samples held at 4 degrees C versus 22 degrees C were also minimal. A subset of samples was held for 2 h at 37 degrees C at the beginning of the holding period. This subset of samples had diminished responses to all stimulants and increased holding times (i.e., 24 h versus 8 h) negatively impacted the response. Pre-processing conditions, particularly delays in set-up and initial high sample temperatures, reduces IFN-gamma responses of cells from infected cattle increasing the risk of false negatives in this assay of regulatory importance.
Comparison of measured and predicted energy expenditure in mechanically ventilated children

Objective: To determine the energy requirements in mechanically ventilated pediatric patients using indirect calorimetry and to compare the results with the predicted metabolic rate. Design: In 50 mechanically ventilated children with a moderate severity of illness, energy expenditure was measured by indirect calorimetry. Daily caloric intake was recorded for all patients. Total urinary nitrogen excretion was determined in 31 patients. Results: Although there was a close correlation between the measured total energy expenditure (mTEE) and the predicted basal metabolic rate (pBMR) (r = 0.93, p < 0.001), Bland–Altman analysis showed lack of agreement between individual mTEE and pBMR values. The ratio of caloric intake/mTEE was significantly higher in the patients with a positive nitrogen balance (1.4 ± 0.07) compared with those with a negative nitrogen balance (0.8 ± 0.1; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Standard prediction equations are not appropriate to calculate the energy needs of critically ill, mechanically ventilated children. Individual measurements of energy expenditure and respiratory quotient by means of indirect calorimetry in combination with nitrogen balance are necessary for matching adequate nutritional support.
Fathering relationships and their associations with juvenile delinquency

Cette etude explore la transmission transgenerationnelle du paternage en explorant les associations entre les relations des hommes avec leur pere, leur attachement a leurs enfants, leur auto-evaluation en tant que pere et leur comportement antisocial. Les sujets de cette etude etaient 87 hommes ayant ete identifies comme pere ou figure de pere par des femmes participant a un programme Early Head Start dans deux centres a Denver, dans le Colorado, aux Etats-Unis. Les peres ont ete interviewes sur leurs experiences quand leur enfant avait entre deux et trois ans. L'etude a trouve que les hommes faisant etat d'un grand comportement antisocial durant leur jeunesse se sont decrits comme n'ayant pas une haute opinion d'eux-memes en tant que peres, alors que les peres qui avaient eu une relation positive avec leur propre pere se sont decrits comme ayant une haute opinion d'eux-meme en tant que peres.
PV output variability modeling using satellite imagery and neural networks

High frequency irradiance variability measured on the ground is caused by the formation, dissipation, and passage of clouds in the sky. Variability and ramp rates of PV systems are increasingly important to understand and model for grid stability as PV penetration levels rise. Using satellite imagery to identify cloud types and patterns can predict irradiance variability in areas lacking sensors. With satellite imagery covering the entire U.S., this allows for more accurate integration planning and power flow modelling over wide areas. Satellite imagery from southern Nevada was analyzed at 15 minute intervals over a year. Methods for image stabilization, cloud detection, and textural classification of clouds were developed and tested. High Performance Computing parallel processing algorithms were also investigated and tested. Artificial Neural Networks using imagery as inputs were trained on ground-based measurements of irradiance to model the variability and were tested to show some promise as a means for predicting irradiance variability. Artificial Neural Networks, cloud texture analysis, and cloud type categorization can be used to model the irradiance and variability for a location at a one minute resolution without needing many ground based irradiance sensors.
The Birthday Problem Anew.

Accurate and accessible expressions for the probability of having a matching birthday are obtained by using Stirling's formula and Taylor series. For interest, the results are applied to the planets of our solar system.
FRACTURE TESTING OF NANOSCALE THIN FILMS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPE

To visualize the fracture mechanisms in nanoscale thin films while measuring their fracture properties, we developed an experimental setup to carry out the experiments in-situ in the transmission electron microscope. The setup includes a 3 mm × 5 mm micro-electro-mechanical testing chip with actuators and sensors to measure fracture toughness of notched specimens. Fracture experiments were performed on about 125 nm thick free-standing aluminum thin film specimens with average grain size of about 50 nm. The specimens fractured at uniform far field stress of 470 MPa with stress intensity factor of 0.8–1.1 MPa m1/2. Commonly cited deformation mechanisms, such as dislocation-based plasticity and grain boundary sliding processes were not observed even at the notch tip, where the calculated stress considering the concentration factor exceeded 4 GPa. We propose that for grain sizes below 50 nm, dislocation motion confined at grain boundaries and grain rotation emerge to be significant processes in thin film deformation.
A self-paced approach to hypermedia design for patient education

Traditional theories on multimedia design have considered the importance of modality effect to a large extent. The stress on modality effect has often de-emphasized the importance of what information architecture can do to control modality effect if information presentation is self-paced instead of system paced. We have considered a patient education module as our case study. I propose a conversational interactive patient education module as a solution which responds to individual reader needs during hypermedia interaction. In this article, I take an initial step towards this approach, testing patient education modules with and without narration to support text and static graphics. Our results suggest that levels of reader comprehension and accuracy for modules with and without narration have similar performance. Readers have shown a preference towards using narration, online text and graphics based on individual task, if the system permits a self-paced interaction. Thus, we argue that modality effect may be influenced with a self-paced system.
Absolute Distance Interferometry

Measurements of distance obtained interferometrically are modulo(X) but can be made with accuracy of a fraction of the wavelength of the light used. Various techniques have been developed to overcome this limitation and obtain an absolute distance measurement with interferometric accuracy. To accomplish this, it is necessary to make measurements with more than one wavelength. The basic principles of absolute distance interferometry are discussed and the current state of the technology is reviewed.
AUTOCORRELATION AND VARIANCE SPECTRAL ANALYSIS OF RAINFALL AND RUNOFF IN NEW JERSEY BASINS

Prediction of future hydrologic events and behavior in a river basin is the basis for efficient planning, economic design and control in water resources. Linear regression has shown stationarity of hydrologic data for Raritan and Mullica River Basins in New Jersey. Harmonic analysis has been applied to describe monthly periodic movement of runoff and precipitation. Removal of the deterministic periodic component has resulted in a random residual component. Autocovariance and spectral techniques have been employed in correlation analysis of the stochastic series of runoff and rainfall. A first-order linear auto-regressive (Markov) model for runoff has been established. High peaks of the spectra for runoff and precipitation at frequencies that are multiples of 0.083 cycle/month are associated with the annual cycle. Difference in explained variance, of runoff and precipitation spectra, reflects different geologic and watershed structure and different levels of evapotranspiration and urbanization between the two basins.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Insights From Genetics

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is among the most dire neurological diseases. The essential clinical feature of the disorder is relentless, lethal paralysis, usually beginning in midadult years. The disease is caused by a slow, progressive loss of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. It usually begins focally and then spreads. In most cases, there is concurrent involvement of corticospinal (upper) and spinal (lower) motor neurons, although in some instances the spinal motor neuron features predominate. Involvement of the spinal motor neurons produces muscle denervation of the affected muscles and fasciculations, followed by muscle atrophy. When corticospinal motor neurons degenerate, the weakness is accompanied by spasticity. The mean age at onset of ALS is 55 years; the mean duration is about 4 years. The incidence of new cases is approximately 1 per 100 000 population. The total number of cases is about 5 per 100 000 population. In the United States, it is estimated that there are 20 000 to 30 000 cases. About 10% of cases are inherited as an autosomal dominant trait 1 ; familial and sporadic ALS are clinically indistinguishable.
Impact of dysphoria and self-consciousness on perceptions of social competence: Test of the depressive realism hypothesis

Abstract Depressive realism refers to a cognitive style wherein depressed people sometimes have more accurate perceptions of reality than nondepressed people. The notion of depressives being “sadder yet wiser” was controversial when first presented, and continues to be heavily debated. Self-perception studies provide maximum external validity, but have been characterised by methodological limitations and consequently have yielded contradictory results. This study was designed to address limitations of past research. Seventy-two female participants were paired into dysphoric, nondysphoric or dysphoric – nondysphoric dyads to engage in 20-min social interactions. Thereafter, they rated their partners on social competence, as well as how they believed their partners would rate them. Accuracy was determined by comparing participants' perceptions of their conveyed impressions with actual ratings given to them by their partners. Results challenge the depressive realism hypothesis.
Accuracy of North American human skeleton ages

Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dates fail to provide conclusive evidence that all New World human fossils are younger than approximately 11,000 yr. Because fossil bones vary widely in preservation, their radiocarbon dates are not equally accurate. Molecular-level radiocarbon dating, which used individual amino acids to assess fossil diagenesis, revealed that dates on known-age, noncollagenous bone were underestimated by at least 2000 to 9000 yr. The significance is that >11,000-yr-old fossil bones with poor preservation would yield Holocene and not Pleistocene radiocarbon ages, regardless of what chemical pretreatment or 14C counting method was used. Irreplaceable evidence for Pleistocene-age fossils in the New World could be lost if the diagenesis of fossil bones is not evaluated before the bones are radiocarbon dated. In contrast, radiocarbon ages for collagenous fossils can be determined more accurately if 14C is measured in several individual amino acids that are isolated from collagenous bone protein. Molecular-level radiocarbon dating will greatly improve not only the accuracy of chronologies for human migrations and animal extinctions, but of all late Quaternary chronologies that are based upon the 14C dating of fossil proteins.
PERIPHERAL VISION AND BACK TUCK SOMERSAULTS

Although vision appears to enhance performance of somersaulting skills, few studies have investigated the source (foveal or ambient) of useful visual cues that can potentially be used by gymnasts d...
Quantitative Structure Activity Relationships of Anthracycline Antitumor Activity and Cardiac Toxicity Based Upon Intercalation Calculations

Calculated physicochemical properties of the successfully predicted mode of intercalation of anthracyclihes with d(CpG) dimers have been correlated with corresponding thermodynamic and biological features. It is found that the calculated intercalation energies have a high correlation to the observed apparent binding constants of eight antra-cyclines with DNA. This suggests the calculated intercalation energies are meaningful on a relative basis. Moreover, highly significant quantitative structure activity relationships, QSARs, relating antitumor potency and cardiotoxicity of a set of anthracyclines to physico-chemical properties have been determined. The intercalation energy is again found to be a key ingredient in these correlations. Prescriptions for maximizing the difference in antitumor and cardiotoxic activities are presented.