cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Compact Difference Scheme Applied to Simulation of Low-Sweep Delta Wing Flow.

Computational simulations are presented of the flow over a 50-deg sweep delta wing for angles of attack a = 5,10, and 15 deg. The full Navier-Stokes equations are solved using a sixth-order compact differencing scheme coupled with an eighth-order low-pass spatial filter to provide numerical stability
Review of the interaction between TCDD and glucocorticoids in embryonic palate.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is an environmental contaminant that produces adverse biological effects including developmental toxicity and teratogenesis. In the mouse embryo, TCDD induces cleft palate and hydronephrosis. The synthetic glucocorticoid, hydrocortisone (HC), induces cleft palate and a potent, synergistic interaction has been observed between TCDD and HC in C57BL/6N embryonic mice. The morphology and etiology of TCDD- and HC-induced clefts are distinctly different with formation of small palatal shelves following HC exposure and failure of normally-sized shelves to fuse after TCDD treatment. Each exposure also alters expression of several growth factors. When EGF, TGF alpha, EGF receptor, and the TGF beta's are considered as a combinatorial, interacting set of regulators, TCDD and HC each produce a unique pattern of increased and/or decreased expression across the set. The interaction of HC and TCDD results in a cleft palate whose etiology most closely resembles that observed after HC exposure, i.e. small palatal shelves. HC+TCDD-exposure also produces a pattern of growth factor expression which closely resembles that seen after HC. Both TCDD and HC act through receptor-mediated mechanisms and each compound has its own receptor. The Ah receptor (AhR) binds TCDD and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) binds HC. On gestation day (GD) 14, in the embryonic palate exposed to TCDD, the AhR was downregulated and the GR expression increased. Conversely, following HC exposure, the GR was downregulated and AhR levels were elevated. HC+TCDD produced increased expression of both receptors and this pattern would be predicted to produce HC-like clefts as the GR-mediated responses would result in small palatal shelves. The observed cross-regulation of the receptors is believed to be important in the synergistic interaction between TCDD and HC for the induction of cleft palate.
Effect of Allopurinol (ALLO) and Deferoxamine (DFO) on Electrocortical Brain Activity (ECBA) in Newborn Piglets after Severe Hypoxia Ischemia (HI)

Effect of Allopurinol (ALLO) and Deferoxamine (DFO) on Electrocortical Brain Activity (ECBA) in Newborn Piglets after Severe Hypoxia Ischemia (HI)
Evaluation of Community Climate System Model soil temperatures using observations from Russia

Soil temperatures simulated by the fully coupled Community Climate System Model (CCSM) version 3.0 are evaluated using three gridded climatologies (1951–1980, 1961–1990, 1971–2000) based on data from more than 400 Russian sites. CCSM captures the annual phase of the soil temperature cycle well, but not the amplitude. It provides slightly too high (low) soil temperatures in winter (summer). Root mean square errors, on average, are less than 5 K. Simulated near-surface air temperatures agree well, on average, with near-surface air temperatures from reanalysis data. Errors in simulated atmospheric-temperature forcing correlate statistically significantly (95% or higher confidence level) with soil temperature errors, i.e. contribute to discrepancy in soil temperature simulation. Comparison to International Satellite Cloud Climatology project data shows that errors in simulated cloud fraction explain some soil and near-surface air temperature and precipitation discrepancies. Evaluation by means of Global Precipitation Climatology Centre data identifies inaccurately-simulated precipitation as a contributor to underestimating summer soil temperatures. Comparison to snow-depth observations shows that overestimating snow depth yields winter soil-temperature overestimation. Sensitivity studies show that uncertainty in mineral-soil composition notably, and differences between the vegetation in CCSM and nature marginally contribute to discrepancies between simulated and observed soil-temperature climatology.
A study of the only child at school.

(1931). A Study of the Only Child at School. The Pedagogical Seminary and Journal of Genetic Psychology: Vol. 39, No. 1, pp. 122-126.
Quantitation of trace levels of phenyltin compounds using HPTLC

Mixtures of tetraphenyltin, triphenyltin chloride, diphenyltin dichloride, and monophenyltin trichloride were resolved using high performance thin layer chromatography on silica gel with retention factor values of 0.80, 0.35, 0.20 and 0.01, respectively. Inorganic tin impurities were strongly adsorbed and did not migrate from the origin. Diphenyltin dichloride, monophenyltin trichloride, and inorganic tin components reacted with morin to produce fluorescent complexes. Postdevelopment exposure of the plate to ultraviolet light photodegraded the organic components which, after morin treatment, exhibited greater fluorescence than the organotins. This photolysis technique permitted the visualization of the otherwise non-fluorescent tetraphenyltin and weakly fluorescent triphenyltin spots.
Regression estimation for bivariate normal distributions

In estimating the mean μ y of one variable in a bivariate normal distribution, the experimenter can use the other variable,x, as an auxiliary variable to increase precision. In particular, if μ x is known, he can use the regression estimator. When μ x is unknown, a preliminary test can be performed and the estimator will be made to depend on the result of the preliminary test. The bias and mean square error of the preliminary test estimator are obtained and the relative efficiency is are discussed.
Effects of Na+, H+, and Cl− on alanine transport by lobster hepatopancreatic brush border membrane vesicles

Epithelial brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) of lobster hepatopancreas were formed by a magnesium precipitation technique previously described (Ahearn et al. 1985).3H-l-alanine transport by these vesicles was sodium and potassium insensitive, in contrast to a strong Na-dependency exhibited by3H-d-glucose transport. Initial alanine entry rates (15 s uptake) were stimulated and transient alanine uptake overshoots were observed when external pH was acidic (e. g. pH 4.0, 5.0 or 6.0) and a Cl gradient was imposed across the vesicular wall; at pHo=7.4 alanine uptake was reduced in rate and hyperbolic in character. Alanine uptake from an acidic extravesicular environment in the absence of Cl responded to a transmembrane electrical potential difference created by an outwardly-directed, valinomycin-induced, potassium diffusion potential, suggesting that the alanine molecule alone carried sufficient charge under these conditions to respond to the electrical gradient. External 5.0 mMl-lysine andl-serine similarly inhibited the influx and overshoot properties of 0.05 mM3H-l-alanine uptake, whereas 5.0 mMl-leucine had virtually no effect. Trans-stimulation of alanine initial uptake rates and an enhancement of alanine accumulation against a concentration gradient were observed by vesicles preloaded with 1 mMl-lysine, but not by vesicles lacking amino acids or those containing 1 mMl-leucine orl-serine.3H-l-alanine influx from acidic external environments in the presence of a Cl gradient occurred by a combination of carrier-mediated transfer and ‘apparent diffusion’. Decreasing pHo from 6.0 to 4.0 elevated alanineK t from 0.55 to 2.64 mM, while alanineJ M increased from 55 to 550 pmol/mg protein· 15 s. ‘Apparent diffusional permeability’ of the membranes to alanine under these conditions increased slightly. These results suggest, but do not conclusively prove, that alanine transport across BBMV of lobster hepatopancreas may occur by way of a classical y+ transprot protein at acidic pH. The extent of this transport is determined by the magnitude of the transmembrane chloride gradient which serves as a powerful driving force for cationic amino acids in this tissue.
Genetic control of bud site selection in yeast by a set of gene products that constitute a morphogenetic pathway.

Abstract Yeast cells choose bud sites on their surface in two distinct spatial patterns: axial for a and α cells and bipolar for aα cells. We have identified four genes, BUD1-BUD4 , necessary for the axial pattern by isolating mutants of α cells that do not exhibit this pattern. Mutations in BUD1 (which is the same as the previously identified gene RSR1 ) or BUD2 lead to a random budding pattern in all cell types; mutations in BUD3 or BUD4 lead to a bipolar pattern in all cell types. These observations indicate the existence of a basal budding pattern, requiring no BUD products, that is random; BUD1 and BUD2 act on this basal pattern to create the bipolar pattern; the further action of BUD3 and BUD4 leads to the axial pattern. These studies thus identify a set of gene products that directs cell morphogenesis to a genetically programmed site.
The real-time power of Twitter: Crisis management and leadership in an age of social media

Abstract This article focuses on crisis management and leadership by executives, boards, and institutions and applies research on resilience, power, and sensemaking in the analysis of the ousting and subsequent return of a chief executive by the board of directors. Insights are shared on the transparency of information, the power of social media, the role of leaders in a crisis, and the ability of different voices to be heard and exert influence in our social media age. This case study provides a set of recommendations for leadership and crisis management in the contemporary business environment by showing how a crisis can be fueled by social media. Twitter is analyzed as a source of real-time news and information, which can have a significant impact on organizations and their strategies. Furthermore, implications for new executives are highlighted, with a focus on how their initial sensemaking process shapes the ability to respond to a crisis.
Raman spectral studies of nucleic acids. XI. Conformations of yeast tRNAPhe and E. coli ribosomal RNA in aqueous solution and in the solid state.

Laser-excited Raman spectra of tRNAPhe from yeast and of fractionated 16S and 23S rRNA from E. coli are reported for samples in aqueous solution and in the solid state. The Raman scattering spectrum of each RNA is not significantly altered by the change from an aqueous to a solid environment and displays the same characteristic frequencies and intensities associated with ordered polyribonucleotide structures. Unlike DNA, the backbone conformation of RNA thus appears to be largely insensitive to gross changes in the degree of hydration. Raman scattering from the phosphate group vibrations of aqueous tRNAyeastPhe is qualitatively and quantitatively the same as obtained from previously studied tRNA's and is indicative of a highly ordered conformational structure in which some 85% of the nucleotide residues are in ordered configurations. The major differences observed between spectra of tRNA and rRNA are attributed to differences in base composition of these RNA's.
Cultural Discourse on the Frontline: Preparing and Retaining Urban Teachers

The shortage of highly qualified teachers who choose to teach in urban schools on a long-term basis is a chronic problem. Preparing teachers who will flourish in city schools requires attention to cultural discourses on several levels. Candidates who learn to think critically are able to recognize and interrogate the stereotypes they bring. Once hired, urban teachers need to be supported by professional development built on intellectual work and continued development of a critical perspective. Strategies from a university program that has been successful in preparing and staying connected to successful urban teachers are described.
LOSS OF THE CDKN2A/p16 LOCUS DETECTED IN BLADDER IRRIGATION SPECIMENS BY FLUORESCENCE IN SITU HYBRIDIZATION

AbstractPurpose: We measured the CDKN2A/p16 tumor suppressor gene locus in bladder irrigation specimens and correlated the measurement with the clinical status of patients with bladder cancer.Materials and Methods: Irrigation specimens were obtained at cystoscopy from 10 normal controls, 21 patients with bladder cancer in whom no concurrent bladder tumor was seen and 23 patients with bladder tumors. Deoxyribonucleic cytometry and fluorescence in situ hybridization measurements were made. One fluorescence in situ hybridization probe was specific to the chromosome 9 centromere and the other, COSp16, targeted the CDKN2A/p16 region on chromosome 9p21. Three rates were calculated, including the hyperdiploid fraction from deoxyribonucleic acid cytometry, disomic fraction from the 9 centromere count and COSp16F, the frequency of COSp16 in association with 9 centromere. Specimens were classified as positive or negative for each of these rates using cutoff points based on previous studies and the distribution of v...
Compression of multispectral fluorescence microscopic images based on a modified set partitioning in hierarchal trees

Modern automated microscopic imaging techniques such as high-content screening (HCS), high-throughput screening, 4D imaging, and multispectral imaging are capable of producing hundreds to thousands of images per experiment. For quick retrieval, fast transmission, and storage economy, these images should be saved in a compressed format. A considerable number of techniques based on interband and intraband redundancies of multispectral images have been proposed in the literature for the compression of multispectral and 3D temporal data. However, these works have been carried out mostly in the elds of remote sensing and video processing. Compression for multispectral optical microscopy imaging, with its own set of specialized requirements, has remained under-investigated. Digital photography{oriented 2D compression techniques like JPEG (ISO/IEC IS 10918-1) and JPEG2000 (ISO/IEC 15444-1) are generally adopted for multispectral images which optimize visual quality but do not necessarily preserve the integrity of scientic data, not to mention the suboptimal performance of 2D compression techniques in compressing 3D images. Herein we report our work on a new low bit-rate wavelet-based compression scheme for multispectral fluorescence biological imaging. The sparsity of signicant coefficients in high-frequency subbands of multispectral microscopic images is found to be much greater than in natural images; therefore a quad-tree concept such as Said et al.'s SPIHT1 along with correlation of insignicant wavelet coefficients has been proposed to further exploit redundancy at high-frequency subbands. Our work propose a 3D extension to SPIHT, incorporating a new hierarchal inter- and intra-spectral relationship amongst the coefficients of 3D wavelet-decomposed image. The new relationship, apart from adopting the parent-child relationship of classical SPIHT, also brought forth the conditional "sibling" relationship by relating only the insignicant wavelet coefficients of subbands at the same level of decomposition. The insignicant quadtrees in dierent subbands in the high-frequency subband class are coded by a combined function to reduce redundancy. A number of experiments conducted on microscopic multispectral images have shown promising results for the proposed method over current state-of-the-art image-compression techniques.
In vitro and in vivo differentiated effector CD8 T cells display divergent histone acetylation patterns within the Ifng locus

Epigenetic remodeling of genes encoding effector cytokines that permit accessibility to the transcriptional machinery is a central event in the differentiation of naive T cells into effectors that can attack pathogens and tumors. Covalent modifications of histones that cause a loosening of nucleosomal structures occur not only in promoter regions, but also at upstream and downstream enhancer elements that integrate various cellular stimuli to modulate the rate of transcriptional initiation. This knowledge derives mostly from the analysis of in vitro differentiated effector T cells. Here, we compared acetylation of histone H3 (AcH3) at several sites within the Ifng locus in CD8 T cells that underwent effector differentiation in vitro vs. in vivo. While AcH3 was similar at the proximal promoter, it displayed a reciprocal pattern at two well-characterized upstream and downstream sites. These data suggest that certain epigenetic remodeling events may be artifactual consequences of in vitro culturing conditions, and indicate the importance of using in vivo models to study effector cytokine gene remodeling.
Femoral Resurfacing in Young Patients with Hematologic Cancer and Osteonecrosis

Resurfacing hemiarthroplasties were performed to treat advanced osteonecrosis of 20 femoral heads in 14 patients (median age, 19.8 years; range, 15.1–27.4 years), treated for hematologic cancer in childhood or adolescence. Seven hips in five patients were revised to total hip arthroplasties (THA) because of pain; three of these showed radiographic loosening of the femoral head resurfacing component. The median time from resurfacing to revision was 2.4 years (range, 0.9–4.8 years). Marginal Cox-regression analysis, adjusting for correlations owing to bilateral involvement, showed positive association of revision-free survival of the prosthesis with patient’s age; time from resurfacing to the end of anticancer therapy, end of glucocorticosteroid therapy; percentage of joint space at the last radiograph; and size of the lesion has a negative association with revision-free survival. Because of this study’s exploratory nature, p values were not adjusted for the number of statistical comparisons. Among 14 patients, the probability of not requiring resurfacing prosthesis revision was 66% (SE, ±15%; 95% CI, 44%–100%) at 3 years. Osteonecrosis of the femoral head in young patients treated for hematologic cancer in childhood or adolescence poses a serious challenge to the orthopaedic surgeon. The data of this preliminary study suggest that in selected patients resurfacing hemiarthroplasty may delay the need for THA for 3–7 years. Level of Evidence: Level II, prognostic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
On Linking Social Performance with Social Competence: Some Relations between Communicative Style and Attributions of Interpersonal Attractiveness and Effectiveness.

This paper attempts to explore the process of impression formation in initial interactions as a function of an individual's communicative style. Specifically, an attempt is made to identify relations between communication style and observers'perceptions of an interactant's interpersonal attractiveness and communicative effectiveness. Current literature pertaining to communicative competence and literature pertaining to communicator style are reviewed, and an attempt is made to demonstrate their interconnectedness. A precise method for the measurement of communicative/interactive style is described. Subsequently, a study designed to empirically assess the relation between style and perceived attractiveness and communicative effectiveness, in which the above measurement system was employed, is also described. The results indicate that there are at least two interactive styles which are related to two types of perceived attractiveness and effectiveness. The implications of the findings and some suggestions for future inquiry in the areas of communicative style and social competence are discussed.
Trends in survival of patients with Burkitt lymphoma/leukemia in the USA: an analysis of 3691 cases

It is unknown whether the high rates of cure reported for Burkitt lymphoma/leukemia (BL) patients treated with chemoimmunotherapy can be verified outside published series and clinical trials. We used the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database to describe time trends in outcomes of BL in the United States. Cases were divided into 2 eras based on year of diagnosis, reflecting improvements in HIV management, BL treatment, and supportive care. There was a marked improvement in survival among BL cases diagnosed in the 2002-2008 era (n = 1922) relative to 1973-2001 (n = 1769) with 5-year relative survival estimates of 56% and 43%, respectively (P < .001). Five-year relative survival improved from 71% to 87% for ages 0 to 19 (n = 970), 35% to 60% for ages 20 to 39 (n = 897), 28% to 48% for ages 40 to 59 (n = 1047), and from 25% to 33% for ages ≥60 (n = 777). In multivariable analysis, the 2002-2008 era (HR = 0.76, P < .001) was associated with lower mortality. Conversely, older age, black race, and advanced stage were associated with higher mortality. More effective therapies are needed for older patients with BL, along with improved access to modern therapy for younger patients.
Decentralisation, governance and health-system performance: 'where you stand depends on where you sit'.

Advocates of local government often argue that when decentralisation is accompanied by adequate mechanisms of accountability, particularly those responsive to local preferences, improved service delivery will result. From the perspective of the health sector, the appropriate degree of decentralisation and the necessary mechanisms of accountability depend upon the achievement of health system goals. Drawing on evidence from six countries (Bolivia, Chile, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Uganda), this article comes to the conclusion that a balance between centralisation of some functions and decentralisation of others, along with improved mechanisms of accountability, is needed to achieve health system objectives.
"Sex Ratio" in Drosophila pseudoobscura: Spermiogenic Failure

Contrary to earlier reports, testes of "sex ratio" Drosophila pseudoobscura males have only half as many sperm per bundle as testes of normal males do. This fact, determined from electron micrographs, indicates that the functional pole hypothesis is not applicable to the action of "sex ratio."
Systematic design strategy for concurrent error diagnosable iterative logic arrays

An in-depth study of RESO (re-computing with shifted operands) theory is conducted which leads to the extension of the theory so that efficient CED designs for two-dimensional array structures and complex functions can be achieved. Based on the enhanced version of RESO, a systematic design strategy has been developed to allow the designer to take advantage of knowledge of fault configurations.
Osmotic water permeabilities of human placental microvillous and basal membranes

Literature data suggest that water accumulation by the human fetus is driven by osmotic gradients of small solutes. However, the existence of such gradients has not been supported by prior measurements. Attempts to estimate the size of the gradient necessary to drive net water movement have been seriously hampered by the lack of permeability data for the syncytiotrophoblast membranes. Stopped-flow light scattering techniques were employed to measure the osmotic water permeability (P f )of microvillous (MVM) and basal membrane (BM) vesicles isolated from human term placenta. At 37°C, the P f was determined to be 1.9±0.06 × 10+−3 cm/sec for MVM and 3.1±0.20 × 10+−3 cm/sec for BM (mean ±SD, n = 6). At 23°C, P f was reduced to 0.7±0.04 × 10+−3 cm/sec in MVM and 1.6±0.05 × 10+−3 cm/sec in BM. These P f values are comparable to those observed in membranes where water has been shown to permeate via a lipid diffusive mechanism. Arrhenius plots of P f over the range 20–40°C were linear, with activation energies of 13.6 ± 0.6 kcal/mol for MVM and 12.9±1.0 kcal/mol for BM. Water permeation was not affected by mercurial sulfhydryl agents and glucose transport inhibitors. These data clearly suggest that water movement across human syncytiotrophoblast membranes occurs by a lipid diffusion pathway. As noted in several other epithelial tissues, the basal membrane has a higher water permeability than the microvillous membrane. It is speculated that water accumulation by the human fetus could be driven by a solute gradient small enough to be within the error of osmolarity measurements.
Spectroscopic and enzymatic evidence for membrane bound electron transport carriers and hydrogenase and their relation to cytochrome b function in methanosarcina barkeri

Membranes prepared from Methanosarcina barkeri cultured on acetate were examined for electron carriers using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and optical spectroscopy. EPR analysis of membrane suspensions demonstrated multiple iron-sulfur centers of the 4Fe-4S type, a hihg-spin heme-like species and possibly rebredoxin. Optical spectroscopy demonstrated that a b-type cytochrome was reduced by molecular hydrogen and oxidized by methyl coenzyme M. A membrane-bound hydrogenase activity (14 μM · min−1 (mg protein)−1) was detected. This suggests a putative role for cytochrome b and hydrogenase in electron transfer and methyl-group reduction during aceticlastic methanogenesis.
Suppression of mating and oviposition by fall armyworm and mating by corn earworm in corn, using the air permeation technique.

Mating and oviposition by the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), were reduced by an average of 86 and 84%, respectively, in a 12-ha cornfield after aerial applications of ( Z )-9-tetradecen-l-ol acetate formulated in hollow fibers. Mating by the corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), was reduced ca. 50% in a second 12-ha cornfield similarly treated with hollow fibers containing ( Z )-9-tetradecen-1-ol formate. These results demonstrate that the mating disruption technique can be used successfully against highly mobile pests such as the fall armyworm and corn earworm on much smaller acreages than heretofore believed possible. Possible applications of the air permeation technique in suppressing the fall armyworm in its overwintering refugia and in multicropping situations are discussed.
Anemia in the elderly.

As the population ages, increasing attention has become focused on the prevalence of anemia in elderly individuals. Anemia occurs in more than 10% of individuals who are older than the age of 65 years, and it increases to more than 50% in individuals who are older than the age of 80 years. Although the anemia is typically mild and unlikely to result in symptoms, it is uniformly associated with increased morbidity and mortality as assessed in large cohort studies. Anemia is an independent predictor of these adverse outcomes both in healthy community-dwelling subjects and in patients with significant co-morbidities. Efforts to understand the pathophysiology of anemia in this population, especially the one third of patients with “unexplained” anemia, have focused on the potential contributions of inflammatory pathways, erythropoietin resistance, and changes in hematopoietic stem cells to the age-dependent decrease in red cell mass. We would argue that these pathways are closely interrelated and combine to lead to anemia in aging individuals. This brief review summarizes the current understanding of this entity and our studies aimed at further delineating its pathophysiology.
Distributed Feasibility Algorithms with Application to Power Flow Problems

Abstract Given a network of interconnected nodes, each with its own value (such as a measurement, position or vote) and with constraints between each node and its neighbors, a feasibility algorithm assigns a value to each node such that constraints between neighboring nodes are satisfied simultaneously. This paper presents two novel feasibility algorithms that are based on the Method of Alternating Projections (MAP) and the Projected Consensus algorithm. Our algorithms solve convex feasibility problems by distributing computation among nodes and require only local information exchanges. A well-motivated application discussed throughout the paper is the power flow problem, which is vital to the operation of electric power grids. Although the power flow problem is a non-convex feasibility problem, our algorithms are demonstrated to be effective heuristics using various IEEE test beds.
Evaluating GPUs for network packet signature matching

Modern network devices employ deep packet inspection to enable sophisticated services such as intrusion detection, traffic shaping, and load balancing. At the heart of such services is a signature matching engine that must match packet payloads to multiple signatures at line rates. However, the recent transition to complex regular-expression based signatures coupled with ever-increasing network speeds has rapidly increased the performance requirements of signature matching. Solutions to meet these requirements range from hardwarecentric ASIC/FPGA implementations to software implementations using high-performance microprocessors. In this paper, we propose a programmable signature matching system prototyped on an Nvidia G80 GPU. We first present a detailed architectural and microarchitectural analysis, showing that signature matching is well suited for SIMD processing because of regular control flow and parallelism available at the packet level. Next, we examine two approaches for matching signatures: standard deterministic finite automata (DFAs) and extended finite automata (XFAs), which use far less memory than DFAs but require specialized auxiliary memory and small amounts of computation in most states. We implement a fully functional prototype on the SIMD-based G80 GPU. This system out-performs a Pentium4 by up to 9X and a Niagara-based 32-threaded system by up to 2.3X and shows that GPUs are a promising candidate for signature matching.
Lower Crustal Magma Genesis and Preservation: a Stochastic Framework for the Evaluation of Basalt–Crust Interaction

We present a quantitative assessment of the thermal and dynamic response of an amphibolitic lower crust to the intrusion of basaltic dike swarms in an arc setting. We consider the effect of variable intrusion geometry, depth of intrusion, and basalt flux on the production, persistence, and interaction of basaltic and crustal melt in a stochastic computational framework. Distinct melting and mixing environments are predicted as a result of the crustal thickness and age of the arc system. Shallow crustal (� 30km) environments and arc settings with low fluxes of mantle-derived basalt are likely repositories of isolated pods of mantle and crustal melts in the lower crust, both converging on dacitic to rhyodacitic composition. These may be preferentially rejuvenated in subsequent intrusive episodes. Mature arc systems with thicker crust (� 50km) produce higher crustal and residual basaltic melt fractions, reaching � 0� 4 for geologically reasonable basalt fluxes. The basaltic to basaltic andesite composition of both crustal and mantle melts will facilitate mixing as the network of dikes collapses, and Reynolds numbers reach 10 � 4 –1� 0 in the interiors of dikes that have been breached by ascending crustal melts. This may provide one mechanism for melting, assimilation, storage and homogenization (MASH)-like processes. Residual mineral assemblages of crust thickened by repeated intrusion are predicted to be garnet pyroxenitic, which are denser than mantle peridotite and also generate convective instabilities where some of the crustal material is lost to the mantle. This reconciles the thinner than predicted crust in regions that have undergone a large flux of mantle basalt for a prolonged period of time, and helps explain the enrichment of incompatible elements such as K2O, typical of mature arc settings, without the associated mass balance problem.
An hp‐adaptive finite element method for electromagnetics—part II: A 3D implementation

This is the second of papers describing implementations of the hp-adaptive, mixed finite element (FE) method for the solution of steady-state Maxwell's equations proposed in Demkowicz and Vardapetyan (Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Engng. 1998; 152(1–2):103–124). The paper presents a three-dimensional version of the method based on hexahedral elements of possibly variable order. The elements can be subsected (isotropically or anisotropically), and their orders can be enriched, which allows for non-uniform distribution of element sizes h and orders p—the hp adaptation. A few numerical examples illustrate the capability of the method. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sequential method of estimating the LD50 using a modified up-and-down rule.

In this paper, the original up-and-down method, modified up-and-down method, the Robbins-Monro method, and a fixed-sample Spearman-Karber method are compared for the point estimator as well as the confidence interval of LD50. In particular, three different designs of the modified up-and-down approach based on the combination of experiments on one test space and reduced test space are investigated. The standard normal distribution and chi-square distribution are used as tolerance distributions. Simulation results indicate that the modified up-and-down method tends to be somewhat better than the original up-and-down method in terms of the mean squared error under normal tolerance distribution. In case of chi-square distribution, the modified method is shown to be substantially better when the test space is wide and the initial dose is further away from the LD50.
Biomarkers for ectopic pregnancy and pregnancy of unknown location

Early pregnancy failure is the most common complication of pregnancy, and 1% to 2% of all pregnancies will be ectopic. As one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality, diagnosing ectopic pregnancy and determining the fate of a pregnancy of unknown location are of great clinical concern. Several serum and plasma biomarkers for ectopic pregnancy have been investigated independently and in combination. The following is a review of the state of biomarker discovery and development for ectopic pregnancy and pregnancy of unknown location.
Blue upconversion laser based on thulium-doped silica microcavity

Whispering gallery mode optical resonant cavities fabricated from rare-earth-doped silica glasses have demonstrated lasing from the visible through the near-IR. However, achieving lasing in the blue has been elusive. In this Letter, thulium-doped silica films are synthesized and used to fabricate toroidal optical microcavities with quality factors in excess of 10 million. Despite the high phonon energy of silica, the high circulating optical intensities present in the microcavities enable upconversion of the thulium, resulting in emission in the blue and near-IR with microwatt threshold powers that scale linearly with the concentration of the thulium.
Assessment Advice for Beginners

There is a great deal of unnecessary confusion out there about assessment of student learning. The theories are inconsistent, the processes are overly complex, and the advice is contradictory. There are national assessment experts telling us what to do, discipline-specific assessment experts telling us what to do, and institution-based assessment experts telling us what to do. And they all seem to speak a different language. The one point on which they all seem to agree is that we have to begin doing it; no more stalling. For further information about simple, practical assessment, see Linda Suskie, Assessing Student Learning: A Common Sense Guide (Bolton, MA: Anker Publishing, 2004).
Errors Associated with Three Methods of Assessing Respirator Fit

Three fit test methods (Bitrex, saccharin, and TSI PortaCount Plus with the N95-Companion) were evaluated for their ability to identify wearers of respirators that do not provide adequate protection during a simulated workplace test. Thirty models of NIOSH-certified N95 half-facepiece respirators (15 filtering-facepiece models and 15 elastomeric models) were tested by a panel of 25 subjects using each of the three fit testing methods. Fit testing results were compared to 5th percentiles of simulated workplace protection factors. Alpha errors (the chance of failing a fit test in error) for all 30 respirators were 71% for the Bitrex method, 68% for the saccharin method, and 40% for the Companion method. Beta errors (the chance of passing a fit test in error) for all 30 respirator models combined were 8% for the Bitrex method, 8% for the saccharin method, and 9% for the Companion method. The three fit test methods had different error rates when assessed with filtering facepieces and when assessed with elasto...
Oil, migration, and the political economy of HIV/AIDS prevention in Nigeria's Niger Delta.

In most of sub-Saharan Africa, HIV/AIDS is driven by endemic structural problems such as unemployment, poverty, forced migration, sexual exploitation, and concurrent sexual partnerships. In the Niger Delta of Nigeria, the epidemic is exacerbated by recurring regional conflict and negative environmental externalities resulting from 50 years of oil exploration. This article seeks to identify and analyze potential barriers to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment from oil pollution and other environmental stressors in Nigeria's Niger Delta. We develop a conceptual framework to understand how oil politics and economic systems affect HIV risks in Nigeria. We then evaluate evidence of how environmental exposures can amplify risks. Using 10 semi-structured interviews, with 85 focus group participants, we test the argument that HIV transmission in the Niger Delta is related to a manipulative “divide and rule” power dynamic that characterizes multinational oil companies' role in shaping conflict contours in oil commun...
Flow of viscoelastic fluids past a flat plate

The flow of viscoelastic fluids past a flat plate has been investigated. Experimental studies were performed with aqueous solutions of sodium carboxymethylcellulose used as viscoelastic fluids and corn syrup as a viscous Newtonian fluid. It was observed that the flow patterns of elastic and inelastic fluids are markedly different. Tracer particles placed in the approaching viscoelastic fluids to follow their motion were seen to first decelerate and then to accelerate until a nearly constant velocity was reached. On the other hand tracer particles in the Newtonian fluid were observed merely to decelerate smoothly to the constant velocity. The drag force measured for the viscoelastic fluids was found to be roughly twice that predicted by inelastic models of fluid behavior. Predicted and measured values of the drag force for the Newtonian fluid agreed well. A discussion of mathematical solutions to the problem of flow of viscoelastic fluids past a flat plate is given. Solutions are obtained for a prototype of flow past a flat plate, the suddenly accelerated flat plate (Stokes' problem) with linear viscoelastic models used. The results from Stokes' problem qualitatively explain the anomalous kinematical behavior and the large drag force.
A Bandwidth Efficient Constant Envelope Modulation with Reed-Solomon Coding

This paper presents Reed-Solomon (RS) coding applied to an innovative, constant envelope modulation technique that was originally developed by Resnikoff and Tigerman [1]. The general waveform and phaseform are presented as-well-as probability of bit error and symbol error expressions for uncoded binary and uncoded M-ary modulation, respectively. Bit error performance analysis is presented for the case of RS coded waveforms when the modulation symbol size (M) is less than the RS coded symbol size (Q). In addition, upper and lower performance bounds are derived for RS coded waveforms for M less than Q. Performance analysis curves are presented for the M = 8 and Q = 64 case. Finally, simulation results are also presented for the M = 8 and Q = 64 case that strongly agree with analysis.
Emerging themes in cryptococcal capsule synthesis

Cryptococcus neoformans , a basidiomycete yeast and opportunistic pathogen, expends significant biosynthetic effort on construction of a polysaccharide capsule with a radius that may be many times that of the cell. Beyond posing a stimulating challenge in terms of defining biosynthetic pathways, the capsule is required for this yeast to cause fatal disease. This combination has focused the attention of researchers on this system. Here we briefly review two aspects of the rapidly advancing field of capsule synthesis: the extensive variation that occurs in capsule polymers and the regulation of capsule biosynthesis.
Automatic construction of active appearance models as an image coding problem

The automatic construction of active appearance models (AAMs) is usually posed as finding the location of the base mesh vertices in the input training images. In this paper, we repose the problem as an energy-minimizing image coding problem and propose an efficient gradient-descent algorithm to solve it.
Structural reliability methods for seismic safety assessment: a review

Recent developments in structural reliability that are relevant to earthquake engineering problems are reviewed. The paper begins with a discussion of types of uncertainties and methods for their quantification and analysis. The mathematical formulation of the structural reliability problem and existing methods for computation of failure probabilities are then reviewed. Included are methods based on first- and second-order approximations, simulation, and various hybrid methods. The topics of reliability sensitivity, updating of reliability, and the treatment of uncertainties in the estimation of reliability are discussed. A brief account of recent developments that combine these probabilistic methods with the finite element method, together with two numerical examples, conclude the paper.
Using Bibliometrics to Support the Facilitation of Cross-Disciplinary Communication

Given the importance of cross-disciplinary research (CDR), facilitating CDR effectiveness is a priority for many institutions and funding agencies. There are a number of CDR types, however, and the effectiveness of facilitation efforts will require sensitivity to that diversity. This article presents a method characterizing a spectrum of CDR designed to inform facilitation efforts that relies on bibliometric techniques and citation data. We illustrate its use by the Toolbox Project, an ongoing effort to enhance cross-disciplinary communication in CDR teams through structured, philosophical dialogue about research assumptions in a workshop setting. Toolbox Project workshops have been conducted with more than 85 research teams, but the project's extensibility to an objectively characterized range of CDR collaborations has not been examined. To guide wider application of the Toolbox Project, we have developed a method that uses multivariate statistical analyses of transformed citation proportions from published manuscripts to identify candidate areas of CDR, and then overlays information from previous Toolbox participant groups on these areas to determine candidate areas for future application. The approach supplies 3 results of general interest: A way to employ small data sets and familiar statistical techniques to characterize CDR spectra as a guide to scholarship on CDR patterns and trends. A model for using bibliometric techniques to guide broadly applicable interventions similar to the Toolbox. A method for identifying the location of collaborative CDR teams on a map of scientific activity, of use to research administrators, research teams, and other efforts to enhance CDR projects.
Diminishing Returns from Higher Density Restoration Seedings Suggest Trade‐offs in Pollinator Seed Mixes

Native forbs have become a more central component of restoration programs, especially because of their role in supporting crop pollinators. This study evaluates the success of different native forb mixes and seeding rates using shared goals of restoration practitioners and agroecologists, namely percent native species cover, floral resources, native diversity, and cost-effectiveness. At 6 sites with hedgerows adjacent to agricultural lands in California’s Central Valley, we planted 3 native forb seed mixes at 3 seeding rates and monitored germination, percent cover, and floral resources for 2 to 3 years. We also evaluated the cost of the mixes based on seeding rates and original seed prices. More than mix type, relative seeding rate strongly affected germination, cover, and floral resource success. The relative benefits of seeding with more species diminished at higher seeding rates, especially when cost was considered. Cover increased significantly over the years but diversity declined sharply after the first year. Increased cover of target species was mainly due to the effect of 1 dominant species Grindelia camporum, common gumplant. We summarize data from a similar forb restoration study showing that the species that dominated in our mix-and-rate experimental sites also attracted the greatest diversity and abundance of pollinators. These findings highlight trade-offs and balance-points within restoration and pollination services goals. We offer suggestions on how to weigh those trade-offs, given particular priorities and how native forb plantings can support combined goals of pollination services and restoration.
Artificial neural-network-based diagnosis of CVD barrel reactor

This paper presents an artificial neural network (ANN) based diagnostic strategy applied to a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) barrel reactor of the type commonly used in silicon epitaxy. The strategy is based on the spatial variation of the rate of deposition of silicon on a facet of the reactor. Our hypothesis is that this spatial variation, quantified as a vector of variously measured standard deviations, encodes a pattern reflecting the state of the reactor. Therefore, a process fault (event) can be diagnosed by decoding the pattern by an ANN. We implemented this simple scheme by simulating different events by means of a regression model relating the rate of deposition to the process settings. Three different events were simulated and various ANNs were trained to detect and classify these events. It is shown that a single ANN or a combination of ANNs does an excellent job. We also demonstrate that the threshold rule for setting the threshold of a binary output neuron performing a classification task enhances the diagnostic performance. A novel multiple expert scheme that refers to several ANNs trained in the same classification task for decision-making in order to resolve ambiguities and improve the reliability of the final decision is presented and shown to be effective.
Methodological issues in using multiple years of the Medicare current beneficiary survey.

Background The analysis presented in this paper examines the multi-year capacity of the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS). Methods We systematically reviewed the literature for methodological approaches in research using multiple years of the MCBS and categorized the studies by study design, use of survey sampling weights, and variance adjustments. We then replicated the approaches in an empirical demonstration using functional status (activities of daily living (ADL) and 2005-2007 MCBS data. Results In the systematic review, we identified 22 pooled, 17 repeated cross-sectional, and 17 longitudinal studies. Less than half of these studies explicitly described the weighting approach or variance estimation. In the empirical demonstration, we showed that different study designs and weighting approaches will yield statistically different estimates. Conclusion There is a variety of methodological approaches when using multiple years of the MCBS, and some of them provide biased results. Research needs to improve in describing the methods and preferred approaches for using these complex data.
Pseudosarcoma botryoides of the vagina in pregnancy

Abstract Polypoid masses that protrude into the vaginal canal always raise the suspicion of sarcoma botryoides. It is our purpose to report a case of the benign vaginal polypoid lesion, pseudosarcoma botryoides, and to review the literature concerning this lesion. Hormonal milieu appears to play a role in their etiology. The criteria for distinguishing benign vaginal polyp from sarcoma botryoides and mixed mesodermal sarcoma are discussed.