cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Give a Dog a Bad Name and Hang Him: Evaluating Big, Black Dog Syndrome

Abstract Two studies examined human perceptions of dog personality attributes based upon exposure to pictures of dogs of select breeds. The proposed hypotheses evaluated the validity of “big, black dog syndrome”—whereby large, black dog breeds are reportedly spurned for adoption due to negatively perceived personality attributes—by assessing each dog’s relative trait dominance and affiliation based upon a taxonomy drawn from the eight-factor interpersonal circumplex. Results of two separate studies indicated that among participants’ ratings, breed-specific differences were more powerful predictors of interpersonal trait attributions than the color or size of the dog. In general, with the exception of the golden retriever, black labs were perceived as consistently less dominant and less hostile than other large breeds, contrary to the assumption that large, black dogs are viewed negatively.
Colorimetric Detection of Alkali Metals by Ion-Pair Extraction

An optical absorbance method was developed to measure the concentration of alkali metal ions in aqueous solution at neutral pH. The method was based on the formation of a ternary complex between an ionophore/metal ion complex and the anionic form of 7-(n-decyl)-2-methyl-4-(3',5'-dichlorophen-4'-one)-indonapthl-1-ol (MEDPIN). Detection of the ternary complex was made in the organic phase after ion-pair extraction. Concentrations of sodium and potassium in the aqueous phase were detectable with high sensitivity and selectivity. The absorbance spectrum of MEDPIN in octanol was strongly dependent upon the potassium concentration in the aqueous phase when the octanol contained the potassium ionophore valinomycin; the absorbance at 610 nm increased by 159% upon addition of 4 mM potassium with an isosbestic point at 501 nm. Potassium was detected with a sensitivity of 0.1 mM and a standard error of 3.4% at concentrations below 25 mM. In chloroform, 80 mM sodium in the aqueous phase caused the absorbance of MEDPIN at 620 nm to increase by 830% in the presence of the sodium ionophore hemi-sodium. From studies of the spectroscopic properties of MEDPIN in various solvents, at varying concentrations of MEDPIN, and at different pH values in the aqueous solvent, it was concluded that the mechanism of MEDPIN sensitivity to a cation/ionophore complex involves an ion-exchange transfer reaction in the organic phase, resulting in deprotonation of MEDPIN.
Exploiting coarse-grain speculative parallelism

Speculative execution at coarse granularities (e.g., code-blocks, methods, algorithms) offers a promising programming model for exploiting parallelism on modern architectures. In this paper we present Anumita, a framework that includes programming constructs and a supporting runtime system to enable the use of coarse-grain speculation to improve program performance, without burdening the programmer with the complexity of creating, managing and retiring speculations. Speculations may be composed by specifying surrogate code blocks at any arbitrary granularity, which are then executed concurrently, with a single winner ultimately modifying program state. Anumita provides expressive semantics for winner selection that go beyond time to solution to include user-defined notions of quality of solution. Anumita can be used to improve the performance of hard to parallelize algorithms whose performance is highly dependent on input data. Anumita is implemented as a user-level runtime with programming interfaces to C, C++, Fortran and as an OpenMP extension. Performance results from several applications show the efficacy of using coarse-grain speculation to achieve (a) robustness when surrogates fail and (b) significant speedup over static algorithm choices.
Infant memory for place information.

The present studies were designed to examine the role of place cues in memory retrieval during early infancy. Three-month-old infants were trained to move a mobile by kicking Two weeks later, memory retrieval was disrupted if they were reminded in a location or place different from where they had been trained, but not if they were reminded in the same place (Experiment 1A). The same result was obtained even though highly salient cues in their immediate visual surround remained unchanged during reminding (Experiments 1B and 1C). No disruption was seen, however, when retrieval was cued in a different place after only 1 day (Experiment 2). These findings unequivocally demonstrate that infants as young as 3 months encode incidental information about the place where an event occurs and suggest that early memories are buffered against retrieval in potentially inappropriate contexts over the long term.
Extracting Spread-Spectrum Hidden Data From Digital Media

We consider the problem of extracting blindly data embedded over a wide band in a spectrum (transform) domain of a digital medium (image, audio, video). We develop a novel multicarrier/signature iterative generalized least-squares (M-IGLS) core procedure to seek unknown data hidden in hosts via multicarrier spread-spectrum embedding. Neither the original host nor the embedding carriers are assumed available. Experimental studies on images show that the developed algorithm can achieve recovery probability of error close to what may be attained with known embedding carriers and host autocorrelation matrix.
Neumann receives 2003 Robert E. Horton medal

Shlomo P. Neuman was awarded the Horton Medal at the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, which was held on 10 December 2003, in San Francisco, California. The medal honors “outstanding contributions to hydrology.”
Entanglement decay versus energy change: A model

Abstract We present a simple quantum open system to show quantitatively how entanglement decoherence is related to the energy transfer between the system of interest and its environment. Particularly, in the case of the exact entanglement decoherence of two qubits, we find an upper bound for the energy transfer between the two-qubit system and its environments.
The variation in immunoglobulin heavy chain constant regions in evolution.

Abstract The sequences of immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain constant (C) region genes do not appear to be well conserved in evolution. The nature of C region change was examined by comparing VH and CH segment variability in the shark, which has numerous Cμ as well as VH genes. The sequence diversity among VH was found to be similar to that among Cμ1, suggesting that one Ig segment does not change faster than the other. Although the frequencies of nucleotide substitution were similar, changes in the form of insertions or deletions in loop segments occurred more often in C; the resulting loss of sequence continuity in C exons would make it more difficult to recover C region sequences by crosshybridization. Thus the C regions would seem to be less well conserved than they are. The C region sequences isolated from different animals are described, and sequence and structure are discussed with respect to functions found in mammalian Ig. It is suggested that, although fish, amphibians and reptiles have fewer Ig classes than mammals, heterogeneous gene products are in fact produced and may mediate different effector functions. A theory based on C region selection is presented to explain antibody maturation in animals with a multicluster Ig gene organization.
Some clinical indices of nutrition and health status among elderly Kentucky residents volunteering to be surveyed: Comparison by sociological factors, life styles and health characteristics

Abstract From a three-county area in central Kentucky, 148 volunteers at least 60 yrs of age were studied to identify nutritional problems in relation to selected socioeconomic factors, life style and health conditions. Anthropometric measurements were made, and one fasting blood specimen from each participant was analyzed. The extent of osteoporosis of the 3-2 phalanx was determined by a densitometric scan of an x-ray of the right hand positioned beside a standard density aluminum stepwedge. Values for mean systolic blood pressure, serum total protein and bone density of blacks were greater (p
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF SUSTAINABILITY: MESOAMERICA

The role of human ecology in a Mesoamerican context requires both rigor and imagination to assess the sophistication and accomplishment of the many diverse groups sharing its varied resources. Three overlapping and complementary ecological orientations from recent literature found generally elsewhere—outside the culture area—are (1) resilience and vulnerability of communities and their landscapes, (2) economic tasking logics, and (3) complexity trajectories. Mesoamerica charted a unique economic, political, and ideological course when compared to the Old World, one significantly affected by its environmental opportunities and constraints. Brief attention is given to lessons learned.
A programmable pulse UWB transmitter with 34% energy efficiency for multichannel neuro-recording systems

This paper describes configurable, 3.6 to 7.5 GHz pulse UWB transmitter IC targeted for neurological implants with high data rate requirements. Each cycle of the RF pulse is digitally programmable in amplitude and duration, enabling a very flexible shaping of the transmitted PSD signal, without the use of an output filter. The transmitter achieves a maximum of 34% of energy efficiency when drawing 8.5 pJ/bit from the supply, with 13 µW of constant static power. This transmitter was implemented in 65nm CMOS and measures 1.0 mm × 0.7 mm. A 32-channel recording experiment using this chip is also reported.
A fracture analysis of cathodic delamination in rubber to metal bonds

The purpose of this paper is to provide a method of characterizing the resistance of various adhesives and surface preparations to cathodic delamination using a fracture mechanics approach. The approach is quite similar to that taken in the stress corrosion cracking of metals although no direct accouting is made of the diffusion processes that are involved. The main emphasis is on the large deformation analysis, including the nonlinear material behavior of the rubber, that is required for determining fracture parameters for correlation with debond growth rates.
Reducing Hemostatic Activation During Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Combined Approach

Interventions such as heparin-coated circuits, e-aminocaproic acid, and reduced shed blood reinfusion have shown mixed results when applied individually for limiting hemostatic activation during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We compared coagulation and fibrinolytic activation during conventional CPB
Control of repetitive firing in Hodgkin–Huxley nerve fibers using electric fields

Abstract The research aims to simulate feedback controlled nerve fiber stimulation where the behavior of the nerve fiber is manipulated by an electrical field generator. The feedback law varies the intensity of the electric field across the membrane of the fiber according to the measured fiber membrane potential. The Hodgkin–Huxley nerve fiber model is used for modeling the membrane potential behavior. The introduced feedback control algorithm controls the bifurcation conditions of the fiber so that the repetitive firing events vanish as a result of stimulation. The feedback control law is based on a washout filter designed by projective control theory.
Lectin binding sites of the mouse ovary, intraovarian and ovulated ova.

Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled lectins were used to study the distribution of specific binding sites in histologic sections of mouse ovaries as well as ovulated ova. Four distinct patterns of reactivity of the components of the follicle (exclusive of the ovum) and the surrounding ovarian stroma were recognized: 1. uniform staining of granulosa cells, theca cells and surrounding stroma; 2. weak to moderate staining of the granulosa cells and strong staining of the theca cells and stromal cells; 3. no reactivity of the granulosa cells coupled with strong reactivity of the theca and stromal cells; 4. no reactivity with any component of thecumulus oophorus. Three lectins (from Triticum vulgare, Arachis hypogaea and Maclura pomifera) distinctly accentuated the basal lamina of thecumulus oophorus. The reaction of lectins with oocytes and zona pellucida revealed six distinct patterns: 1. no reactivity with either structure; 2. weak reactivity with the cytoplasm of the oocyte and no reactivity with the zona pellucida; 3. very strong reactivity with the cytoplasm of the oocyte and no reactivity with the zona pellucida; 4. moderate reactivity with both the oocyte and the zona pellucida; 5. moderate reactivity with the oocyte and very strong reactivity with the zona pellucida; 6. no reactivity with the oocyte and moderate reactivity with the zona pellucida. The same pattern of reactivity was seen in the ovulated ova in the oviduct except for the lectin from Arachis hypogaea, the reactivity of which changed upon ovulation and/or fertilization of the ovum. These data provide a list of lectin markers for distinct components of the mouse ovary.
Effects of oral alanine administration in fasting obese subjects

Abstract The effects of administration of oral alanine to therapeutically starved obese subjects is described. Fifty grams of alanine administered daily in divided doses after 2 wk of fasting caused reversal of hypoglycemia and ketosis. Since urinary and blood urea nitrogen increased, these effects appeared secondary to increased hepatic glucose production from alanine. Reduction of muscle catabolism during alanine administration was suggested by decreased plasma levels of essential branched chain amino acids and diminished urinary losses of phosphorus and potassium. Small rises in plasma insulin occurred and may have mediated these effects. Hyperuricemia was diminished, and urinary uric acid excretion was increased by alanine as ketosis disappeared. These data suggest that alanine supply may be one important regulator of hepatic gluconeogenesis during fasting. Additionally, it was observed that a single oral 50-g dose of alanine produced hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycemia in the postabsorptive state. After 2 wk of fasting, the same dose produced hyperglycemia and lesser hyperinsulinemia.
Assessment of ultrasonic-assisted enzymatic digestion of complex protein mixtures by high-resolution mass spectrometry

Background & Objectives Large-scale proteome analysis by mass spectrometry is commonly preceded by enzymatic digestion of proteins. The conventional protocol for in-solution digest of complex protein mixtures includes trypsin and is performed at room temperature for at least 12h. To improve this time-consuming method we assessed the efficiency of focused ultrasound-assisted enzymatic digest. It has previously been shown that ultrasonication can dramatically reduce digestion time. However, it is not known how this affects protein identification and quantification when applied to complex protein mixtures such as whole cell lysates. Here, we explore in-depth the proteome of embryonic stem cells comparing trypsin-digestion methods with and without ultrasound support side-by-side. Methods In-solution protein digest Protein extracts were digested with sequencing-grade trypsin (Promega) for 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40min and 1h in the presence or absence of focused ultrasonication (Covaris). A conventional digestion ov...
Survival of the recombinant Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron strain BTX in in vitro rumen incubations

The survival of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron strain BTX under rumen-simulating conditions was studied. Strain BTX is a recombinant variant of strain 5482 engineered for the production of high levels of xylanase, an enzyme important in the degradation of hemicellulose. Strain BTX was not inhibited by compounds present in rumen fluid and it grew well in media containing rumen fluid (up to 75%) or high concentrations of volatile fatty acids (total concentration, 100 mmol l−1). The ability of strain BTX to compete with other micro-organisms under rumen-like conditions was studied in in vitro incubations of rumen contents. These experiments employed a consecutive batch culture (CBC) system consisting of alfalfa suspended in a rumen fluid buffer inoculated with blended rumen contents and maintained by transfers (10%, v/v) at 48 h intervals. CBC cultures contained a diversity of microbial morphotypes and accumulated fermentation products in rumen-like proportions. When added alone, the numbers of BTX cells were maintained for only a few hours, and then declined precipitously until undetectable after 48 h. If CBC cultures were also supplemented with chondroitin sulphate (a mucopolysaccharide used by Bact. thetaiotaomicron), strain BTX grew and the pattern of its population generally followed that of the total population of ruminal bacteria in these cultures. When transferred into fresh CBC cultures containing chondroitin sulphate, BTX was again able to grow and increase in numbers, but to a diminished degree. Although BTX was able to survive and maintain itself in chondroitin sulphate supplemented cultures, this was at a very low level (1010 ml−1). The potential for manipulation of rumen function by inoculation with recombinant bacteria is discussed.
A comparative study of high-performance computing on the cloud

The popularity of Amazon's EC2 cloud platform has increased in recent years. However, many high-performance computing (HPC) users consider dedicated high-performance clusters, typically found in large compute centers such as those in national laboratories, to be far superior to EC2 because of significant communication overhead of the latter. Our view is that this is quite narrow and the proper metrics for comparing high-performance clusters to EC2 is turnaround time and cost. In this paper, we compare the top-of-the-line EC2 cluster to HPC clusters at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) based on turnaround time and total cost of execution. When measuring turnaround time, we include expected queue wait time on HPC clusters. Our results show that although as expected, standard HPC clusters are superior in raw performance, EC2 clusters may produce better turnaround times. To estimate cost, we developed a pricing model---relative to EC2's node-hour prices---to set node-hour prices for (currently free) LLNL clusters. We observe that the cost-effectiveness of running an application on a cluster depends on raw performance and application scalability.
Assessment of the Methods and Extents of the Usage of Urban Modeling in Urban Design Practice in US Cities

Literature suggests that present urban design plans and methods are inadequate to deal with the scale and complexity of contemporary urban form and multidisciplinary collaborative practice. Although recent developments in urban modeling technologies have brought about a wide range of different techniques and potential implementations that may help address this inadequacy, they have not yet made their desired impact on the design process. Failure to use these capabilities extensively in actual practice may result primarily from a limited understanding of the proper role these tools should play or the impact they may have. There is also hesitation about which are appropriate and effective applications, and little consensus on the methods with which these capabilities should be used in core design activities. More investigation is needed to understand fully their application in urban design practice. This research suggests a methodological framework underlying the methods of using various urban modeling func...
Using outcome data and patient satisfaction surveys to develop policies regarding minimum length of hospitalization after radical prostatectomy

Abstract Objectives. Changes in health care economics have prompted new clinical pathways for radical prostatectomy to reduce length of hospitalization after surgery to 1 day. We evaluated satisfaction, outcomes, and short-term morbidity in 187 consecutive patients with overnight hospitalization after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). Methods. In 1995, we initiated a critical pathway for RRP that included epidural anesthesia with or without spinal anesthesia and postoperative methadone, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen for pain control. Patients were discharged when they were afebrile, tolerating a regular diet, ambulating without assistance, and using oral medications for analgesia. An 18-item satisfaction survey was mailed to each patient 3 weeks after discharge. Responses to the postoperative survey, morbidity, blood loss, and use of transfusions were recorded. Results. Of 252 patients who underwent RRP, 187 (74.2%) were discharged 1 day after surgery. The mean age of patients was 61.4 years (range 42 to 73). A pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed in addition to the RRP in 32 men (17%). Epidural anesthesia with or without spinal anesthesia was used for all but 3 patients. The mean estimated blood loss was 1166 mL, and 24 patients (12.8%) required transfusion, with a mean of 1.9 U (range 1 to 6) of packed red blood cells. The postoperative complication rate was 11.8%, of which 2.1% (n = 4) were definitely or probably related to our protocol. These complications included clot retention (n = 2), gastrointestinal bleeding (n = 1), and spinal headache (n = 1). Three of 187 patients were readmitted to the hospital within 30 days but only one (0.5%) required admission because of our protocol. The survey response rate was 91.4%. No patient was dissatisfied with his overall care, and only 10.5% of patients would have preferred to stay in the hospital longer. Conclusions. One-day hospitalization after RRP is associated with minimal postoperative morbidity and high patient satisfaction. Similar data are needed for RRP from other centers before policy decisions regarding the length of stay after this procedure are made.
WebCapsule: Towards a Lightweight Forensic Engine for Web Browsers

Performing detailed forensic analysis of real-world web security incidents targeting users, such as social engineering and phishing attacks, is a notoriously challenging and time-consuming task. To reconstruct web-based attacks, forensic analysts typically rely on browser cache files and system logs. However, cache files and logs provide only sparse information often lacking adequate detail to reconstruct a precise view of the incident. To address this problem, we need an always-on and lightweight (i.e., low overhead) forensic data collection system that can be easily integrated with a variety of popular browsers, and that allows for recording enough detailed information to enable a full reconstruction of web security incidents, including phishing attacks. To this end, we propose WebCapsule, a novel record and replay forensic engine for web browsers. WebCapsule functions as an always-on system that aims to record all non-deterministic inputs to the core web rendering engine embedded in popular browsers, including all user interactions with the rendered web content, web traffic, and non-deterministic signals and events received from the runtime environment. At the same time, WebCapsule aims to be lightweight and introduce low overhead. In addition, given a previously recorded trace, WebCapsule allows a forensic analyst to fully replay and analyze past web browsing sessions in a controlled isolated environment. We design WebCapsule to also be portable, so that it can be integrated with minimal or no changes into a variety of popular web-rendering applications and platforms. To achieve this goal, we build WebCapsule as a self-contained instrumented version of Google's Blink rendering engine and its tightly coupled V8 JavaScript engine. We evaluate WebCapsule on numerous real-world phishing attack instances, and demonstrate that such attacks can be recorded and fully replayed. In addition, we show that WebCapsule can record complex browsing sessions on popular websites and different platforms (e.g., Linux and Android) while imposing reasonable overhead, thus making always-on recording practical.
Implicit feedback for inferring user preference: a bibliography

Relevance feedback has a history in information retrieval that dates back well over thirty years (c.f [SL96]). Relevance feedback is typically used for query expansion during short-term modeling of a user's immediate information need and for user profiling during long-term modeling of a user's persistent interests and preferences. Traditional relevance feedback methods require that users explicitly give feedback by, for example, specifying keywords, selecting and marking documents, or answering questions about their interests . Such relevance feedback methods force users to engage in additional activities beyond their normal searching behavior . Since the cost to the user is high and the benefits are not always apparent, it can be difficult to collect the necessary data and the effectiveness of explicit techniques can be limited.
The mechanical performance of fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites

Abstract This article evaluates the current understanding of relationships between microstructure and mechanical properties in ceramics reinforced with aligned fiber. Emphasis is placed on definition of the micromechanical properties of the interface that govern the composite toughness. Issues such as the debond and sliding resistance of the interface are discussed based on micromechanics calculations and experiments conducted on both model composites and actual composites.
Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Benzoylated Sialooligosaccharides and Differentiation of Terminal α2→3 and α2→6 Sialogalactosylated Linkages at Subpicomole Levels

Perbenzoylated sialooligosaccharides were found to be stable derivatives, giving intense signals during the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometric analysis in the positive-ion mode. Terminal Neu5NAcα2→3 and α2→6Gal units of oligosaccharides undergo characteristic structural changes during benzoylation, yielding easily recognizable mass spectral patterns. Subpicomole carbohydrate samples were successfully benzoylated and analyzed through MALDI mass spectrometry.
Multimodal Imaging And Multifocal Electroretinography Demonstrate Autosomal Recessive Stargardt Disease May Present Like Occult Macular Dystrophy

Purpose: To describe multimodal imaging and electrophysiologic characteristics of an unusual subset of patients with genetically confirmed autosomal recessive Stargardt disease (STGD1) who exhibited a central form of cone dysfunction resembling occult macular dystrophy that preceded the development of lipofuscin flecks, atrophy of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), or full-field electroretinography abnormalities. Methods: Retrospective, observational descriptive case series. Results: Five patients with compound heterozygous ABCA4 mutations presented with bilateral visual acuity reduction, normal-appearing fundi, and blocked choroidal fluorescence on fluorescein angiography. One sibling each of two probands with identical genotypes was also included for analysis. Full-field electroretinography testing was normal in all patients, but multifocal electroretinography demonstrated centripetally depressed amplitudes exceeding areas of fundus autofluorescence, infrared imaging, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography abnormalities. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography initially revealed disruption of the inner segment ellipsoid band accompanying an ovoid hypofluorescent foveolar lesion. Progression to later stages was accompanied by the loss of the foveal photoreceptor outer segments, creating foveal cavitation with preservation of the RPE. Fundus autofluorescence and infrared imaging demonstrated corresponding bull's eye lesions. Over time, the foveal potential space on spectral domain optical coherence tomography collapsed, and three patients developed RPE atrophy and visible lipofuscin flecks. The flecks were detectable by fundus autofluorescence and infrared imaging earlier than by biomicroscopy. From these findings, a staging system for this subset of Stargardt disease presenting with central cone dysfunction was developed and presented herein. Conclusion: Autosomal recessive Stargardt disease may present as a central cone dysfunction syndrome before the development of lipofuscin flecks, atrophy of RPE, or full-field electroretinography abnormalities. If emerging therapies for Stargardt disease succeed, early recognition and treatment of patients with preserved foveal photoreceptor and RPE cell bodies may yield a more favorable visual prognosis.
Role of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in ovarian cancer.

Abstract Objectives Safe, effective treatments are needed for relapsed ovarian cancer. Goals include improving symptoms, enhancing quality of life, and prolonging survival. The plethora of agents currently available present difficult choices for physicians. The present effort seeks to examine the role of one of these agents, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin. Methods A roundtable meeting of experts in the management of ovarian carcinoma was held to build consensus around the present and future role of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin for ovarian cancer and other gynecologic malignancies. Results Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin is effective and well tolerated in relapsed ovarian cancer. When compared with topotecan in a phase III randomized trial, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin showed several advantages: improved quality of life, fewer severe adverse events, fewer dose modifications, less hematologic support, and lower total cost per patient. In platinum-sensitive patients, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin also produced a survival advantage. Results from prospective and retrospective studies further demonstrate the improved cardiac safety of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin compared to conventional anthracyclines. Conclusions Based on survival and toxicity advantages and a once-monthly administration schedule, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin is the first-choice nonplatinum agent for relapsed ovarian cancer. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin may also have clinical application in combination regimens for platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer, as consolidation/maintenance therapy for ovarian cancer, as a component of first-line therapy for ovarian cancer, and in the treatment of other gynecologic malignancies. Future clinical trials will further define and maximize the role of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in the treatment of ovarian cancer and other gynecologic malignancies.
Variability in stream macroinvertebrates at multiple spatial scales

SUMMARY 1. We intensively sampled 16 western Oregon streams to characterize: (1) the variability in macroinvertebrate assemblages at seven spatial scales; and (2) the change in taxon richness with increasing sampling effort. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) model calculated spatial variance components for taxon richness, total density, percent individuals of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT), percent dominance and Shannon diversity. 2. At the landscape level, ecoregion and among-streams components dominated variance for most metrics, accounting for 43‐72% of total variance. However, ecoregion accounted for very little variance in total density and 36% of the variance was attributable to differences between streams. For other metrics, variance components were more evenly divided between stream and ecoregion effects. 3. Within streams, approximately 70% of variance was associated with unstructured local spatial variation and not associated with habitat type or transect position. The remaining variance was typically split about evenly between habitat and transect. Sample position within a transect (left, centre or right) accounted for virtually none of the variance for any metric. 4. New taxa per stream increased rapidly with sampling effort with the first four to eight Surber samples (500 ‐1000 individuals counted), then increased more gradually. After counting more than 50 samples, new taxa continued to be added in stream reaches that were 80 times as long as their mean wetted width. Thus taxon richness was highly dependent on sampling effort, and comparisons between sites or streams must be normalized for sampling effort. 5. Characterization of spatial variance structure is fundamental to designing sampling programmes where spatial comparisons range from local to regional scales. Differences in metric responses across spatial scales demonstrate the importance of designing sampling strategies and analyses capable of discerning differences at the scale of interest.
Basolateral K-Cl cotransporter regulates colonic potassium absorption in potassium depletion.

Active potassium absorption in the rat distal colon is electroneutral, Na+-independent, partially chloride-dependent, and energized by an apical membrane H,K-ATPase. Both dietary sodium and dietary potassium depletion substantially increase active potassium absorption. We have recently reported that sodium depletion up-regulates H,K-ATPase α-subunit mRNA and protein expression, whereas potassium depletion up-regulates H,K-ATPase β-subunit mRNA and protein expression. Because overall potassium absorption is non-conductive, K-Cl cotransport (KCC) at the basolateral membrane may also be involved in potassium absorption. Although KCC1 has not been cloned from the colon, we established, in Northern blot analysis with mRNA from the rat distal colon using rabbit kidney KCC1 cDNA as a probe, the presence of an expected size mRNA in the rat colon. This KCC1 mRNA is substantially increased by potassium depletion but only minimally by sodium depletion. KCC1-specific antibody identified a 155-kDa protein in rat colonic basolateral membrane. Potassium depletion but not sodium depletion resulted in an increase in KCC1 protein expression in basolateral membrane. The increase of colonic KCC1 mRNA abundance and KCC1 protein expression in potassium depletion of the rat colonic basolateral membrane suggests that K-Cl cotransporter: 1) is involved in transepithelial potassium absorption and 2) regulates the increase in potassium absorption induced by dietary potassium depletion. We conclude that active potassium absorption in the rat distal colon involves the coordinated regulation of both apical membrane H,K-ATPase and basolateral membrane KCC1 protein.
Retrieval effectiveness of surname-title-word searches for known items by academic library users

This article reports the findings of an experiment using a simulated title page, author surnames, and title words, one-third of which were selected by each of the three authors, to determine the frequency of one-screen displays when used to search for known items in an implied boolean retrieval system. Searches comprising surname plus one significant title word produced one-screen displays 78% of the time; surname plus two words 97% of the time; and surname plus three words 98.5%. Three-quarters of the significant words were nouns.
A low voltage CMOS current source

A low voltage current source is described that has a minimum input voltage of less than 0.1 V and a minimum output voltage swing of 0.2 V. Although this current source has an output voltage range equivalent to a simple current mirror, the output resistance is amplified by a feedback amplifier to produce an output resistance on the order of a cascode current source. The low voltage current source was fabricated in a 2 micron n-well CMOS process. The measured minimum output voltage is 0.2 V and the measured output resistance is 11 M/spl Omega/. Using this current source, a 1.8 V folded-cascode op amp was designed. The simulated open loop gain was 50 dB with a nearly rail-to-rail output linear range.
High Foliar and Soil Nitrogen Concentrations in Central Appalachian Forests

Regional topography and climate variation yield differences in ecosystem attributes that make spatially scaled estimates of forest productivity challenging. Foliar nitrogen is a primary indicator of forest ecosystem productivity and is used in regional estimates of terrestrial productivity, but this characteristic has not been well described in the Central Appalachian region. Here we describe foliar and soil N variation among species and elevations at two spatial scales in the Central Appalachian region: (1) across the Elklick watershed in the Fernow Experimental Forest and (2) across the state of West Virginia. We found higher foliar N concentrations at both scales than those previously reported for other temperate forest regions. Canopy and soil nitrogen concentrations were also much greater in the Fernow than generally observed across West Virginia. Soil N concentrations in the Fernow were two times greater than those observed across West Virginia. Species-related differences were observed at both spatial scales, but were not always consistent. Canopy N ranges are generally consistent across elevations throughout the state of West Virginia, but should be scaled according to species-related elevation effects for studies that estimate productivity differences in response to harvest or changing species composition. The incongruence of foliar and soil N concentrations at the Fernow Experimental Forest are not explained by elevation or species composition, but are likely a consequence of greater historical N and H+ deposition relative to the surrounding West Virginia region.
Assessing the energy and greenhouse gas emissions mitigation effectiveness of potential US modal freight policies

Abstract This paper estimates the total embodied energy and emissions modal freight requirements across the supply chain for each of over 400 sectors using Bureau of Transportation Statistics Commodity Flow Survey data and Bureau of Economic Analysis economic input–output tables for 2002. Across all sectors, direct domestic truck and rail transportation are similar in magnitude for embodied freight transportation of goods and services in terms of ton-km. However, the sectors differ significantly in energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and costs per ton-km. Recent pressure to reduce energy consumption and emissions has motivated a search for more efficient freight mode choices. One solution would be to shift freight transportation away from modes that require more energy and emit more (e.g., truck) to modes that consume and emit less (e.g., rail and water). Our results show there are no individual sectors for which targeting changes would significantly decrease the total freight transportation energy and emissions, therefore we have also looked at the prospect of policies encouraging many sectors to shift modes. There are four scenarios analyzed: (1) shifting all truck to rail, shifting top 20% sector mode choice, (2) based on their emissions, (3) based on a multi-attribute analysis, and (4) increasing truck efficiency (e.g., mpg). Increasing truck efficiency by 10% results in similar energy and emissions reductions (approximately 7% for energy and 6% for emissions) as targeting the top 20% of sectors when selected based on emissions, whereas selecting the top 20% based on availability to shift from truck results in slightly less reductions of energy and emissions. Implementing policies to encourage higher efficiency in freight trucks may be a sufficient short term goal while efforts to reduce truck freight transportation through sectoral policies are implemented in the long term.
High-Temperature Energy Relations in the Alkali Borates: Binary Alkali Borate Compounds and Their Glasses

The energy relations existing between the congruently melting compounds Li2O -2B2O3, Na2O–2B2O3, Na2O-4B2O3, and K2O-4B2O3 and their glasses have been determined for the temperature range 25° to 1100°C. High-temperature heat-content, entropy, and heat of solution data are given for both the glasses and the corresponding devitrified materials. A comparison of the heats of fusion of the alkali borates on a gram atom of oxygen basis shows that they follow the order Li > Na > K. The entropy differences between the glass and the corresponding crystalline material have been determined at 25°C. The free-energy change at 25°C. for the reaction crystal → glass has been calculated for the four compounds.
Dynamic models of friction wedge dampers

Friction wedges play a central role in the vertical dynamics of railroad freight cars. They also play a role in lateral dynamics and stability. While friction wedges are mechanically very simple, their inherent nonlinearities lead to complications in modeling and dynamics. In this paper we present two simplified models of the fundamental physics of friction wedge dampers in the geometry typical of a three-piece truck. We also review the friction wedge model used in NUCARS and compare the three.
Cubic linear Keller maps

Abstract Let F=(X 1 +A 1 3 ,X 2 +A 2 3 ,…,X n +A n 3 ) : C n → C n be a polynomial map with Jacobian determinant 1 where Ai is a linear homogeneous polynomial in X1,X2,…,Xn. Let M denote the coefficient matrix of the linear forms A1,A2,…,An. If rank M≤2 or rank M≥n−2 then F is linearly triangularizable.
Brief Report: Psychosocial Functioning of Fathers as Primary Caregivers of Pediatric Oncology Patients

Objective To evaluate the psychosocial functioning of fathers as primary caregivers of pediatric oncology patients. Methods Fathers who identified themselves as the primary medical caregivers were given a packet of questionnaires, including the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), the Impact of Event Scale (IES), the Impact on Family Scale (IFS), the Caregiver Strain Questionnaire (CGSQ), and the Parent Experience of Child Illness (PECI) scale, to complete and return by mail. The 23 fathers who returned the questionnaire packets were compared with 23 mothers who were matched on demographic variables. Results There were no differences between groups on self-report measures of distress or illness-related parenting stress. Descriptively, however, the majority of parents were above normative means on measures of psychological distress with a significantly greater proportion of fathers endorsing elevated levels of depression on the BSI. Conclusion Including fathers in pediatric psychosocial research is important and represents a growing trend in psycho-oncology.
Toward explicit policy management for virtual organizations

A virtual organization (VO) is a dynamic collection of distributed resources that are shared by a dynamic collection of users from one or more physical organizations. As grid computing technology is starting to facilitate truly large-scale VOs, issues are being raised regarding the purpose, architecture and operational mechanism of the VO. The emerging approach is essentially to define the VO as a particular set of users, whereby a "VO server" issues tokens to humans attesting to their membership in the VO. The problem with this approach is that there is little in the way of rules that describe the operation of the virtual organization or rules that govern the behavior of VO users and resources (and the ramifications of failing to meet the intent of the VO itself). Where such rules exist, they are implicit and therefore difficult to enforce in a consistent or automated manner. We identify two representative policies for existing and future VOs and, more generally, identifies issues and approaches for addressing the practical concerns for implementing any explicit VO policy: utilization measurement, accounting, enforcement conditions, enforcement actions, and security. A prototype implementation using .NET is described.
What CPR means to surrogate decision makers of ICU patients.

Abstract Aim of the study The decision to accept or decline cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by surrogate decision makers on behalf of a family member is a common and important component of end-of-life decision-making in the ICU. While many determinants influence this decision, surrogates’ understanding of CPR may be a major guiding factor. However, little is known about surrogates’ knowledge and perceptions of CPR during the periods of time when their family member is critically ill. We conducted this study to explore surrogates’ understanding of some basic concepts of CPR. Methods This is a descriptive, survey-based exploratory study of understanding of CPR concepts and outcomes conducted in a single-center medical ICU at a tertiary academic hospital in the United States. Study subjects were surrogate decision-makers of critically ill ICU patients who participated in an interview-format survey within 24 h of the patient's ICU admission. Results Of 97 eligible subjects (surrogates), 50 were enrolled in this study and represented a wide spectrum of demographics. All subjects had heard of CPR. The main source of information about CPR was a course. While 46% identified cardiac arrest as a main indication for CPR, only 8% identified at least 2 of the 3 main components of CPR. The majority (72%) believed survival after CPR was ≥75%. Forty-two percent of surrogates had spoken to the patient about CPR prior to coming to the hospital, and 57% had spoken to the physician during this hospitalization. Twenty-six percent changed their decision on CPR during the ICU stay. Conclusion There is a wide variation in surrogates’ understanding and knowledge of CPR concepts and outcomes.
Category discriminability, base-rate, and payoff effects in perceptual categorization

The optimality of perceptual categorization performance under manipulations of category discriminability (i.e.,d’ level), base rates, and payoffs was examined. Base-rate and payoff manipulations across two category discriminabilities allowed a test of the hypothesis that the steepness of the objective reward function affects performance (i.e., theflat-maxima hypothesis), as well as the hypothesis that observers combine base-rate and payoff information independently. Performance was (1) closer to optimal for the steeper objective reward function, in line with the flat-maxima hypothesis, (2) closer to optimal in base-rate conditions than in payoff conditions, and (3) in partial support of the hypothesis that base-rate and payoff knowledge is combined independently. Implications for current theories of base-rate and payoff learning are discussed.
The Impact of Airmass Boundaries on the Propagation of Deep Convection: A Modeling-Based Study in a High-CAPE, Low-Shear Environment

A suite of experiments conducted using a cloud-resolving model is examined to assess the role that preexistingairmassboundariescanplayinregulatingstormpropagation. The27May1997centralTexastornadic event is used to guide these experiments. The environment of this event was characterized by multiple preexisting airmass boundaries, large CAPE, and weak vertical shear. Only the experiments with preexisting airmass boundaries produce back-building storm propagation (storm motion in opposition to the mean wind). When both the cold front and dryline are present, storm maintenance occursthroughthe quasi-continuousmaintenance ofa setoflong-livedupdraftsandnotthrough discrete updraft redevelopment. Since the cold front is not required for back building, it is clear that back building in this environment does not require quasi-continuous updraft maintenance. The back-building storm simulated with both the cold front and dryline is found to be anchored to the boundary zipper (the intersection of the cold front and dryline). However,multiplepreexisting airmass boundaries are not required for back building since experiments with only a dryline also support back building. A conceptual model of back building and boundary zippering is developed that highlights the important role that preexisting boundaries can play in back-building propagation.
Seismic signature of reservoir recovery processes

Summary Recovery processes are complex and usually oversimplified in geophysics. Time lapse seismic monitoring of these different processes will often be complicated and lead to conflicting interpretations. Pressure, temperature, or density changes can out weigh effects due to fluid replacement. Small concentrations of free gas can appear even during liquid or supercritical injection and will lower velocities unexpectedly. Fluid compositional and phase analysis can help predict the seismic response.