cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Progressive Loss Of Myogenic Differentiation In Leiomyosarcoma Has Prognostic Value

Aims Well-differentiated leiomyosarcomas show morphologically recognizable smooth muscle differentiation, whereas poorly differentiated tumours may form a spectrum with a subset of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas. The expression of certain muscle markers has been reported to have prognostic impact. We investigated the correlation between the morphological spectrum and the muscle marker expression profile of leiomyosarcoma, and the impact of these factors on patient outcomes. Methods and results Tissue microarrays including 202 non-uterine and 181 uterine leiomyosarcomas with a spectrum of tumour morphologies were evaluated for expression of immunohistochemical markers of muscle differentiation. Poorly differentiated tumours frequently lost one or more conventional smooth muscle markers [smooth muscle actin, desmin, h-caldesmon, and smooth muscle myosin (P < 0.0001)], as well as the more recently described markers SLMAP, MYLK, and ACTG2 (P < 0.0001). In primary tumours, both desmin and CFL2 expression predicted improved overall survival in multivariate analyses (P = 0.0111 and P = 0.043, respectively). Patients with muscle marker-enriched tumours (expressing all four conventional markers or any three of ACTG2, CFL2, CASQ2, MYLK, and SLMAP) had improved overall survival (P < 0.05) in univariate analyses. Conclusions Morphologically and immunohistochemically, poorly differentiated leiomyosarcomas can masquerade as undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas with progressive loss of muscle markers. The expression of muscle markers has prognostic significance in primary leiomyosarcomas independently of tumour morphology.
Cerebral white matter injury of the premature infant-more common than you think

Brain injury in the premature infant consists of multiple lesions, principally germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage, posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus, and periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). The last of these now appears to be the most important determinant of the neurologic morbidity observed in survivors of birth weight <1500 g. Indeed, of these very low birth weight infants, ∼10% later exhibit cerebral palsy, and ∼50%, cognitive and behavioral deficits.1–5 The focal necrotic lesions of PVL deep in the cerebral white matter correlate well with the cerebral palsy, whereas the cognitive/behavioral deficits may relate to more diffuse white matter injury observed with PVL (see below). The nature of the relationship between the diffuse white matter injury and the cognitive/behavioral deficits is complex and not entirely understood (see below). The current report of the Hammersmith group by Counsell et al,6 published elsewhere in this issue, addresses the frequency and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of this diffuse white matter abnormality. The study of Counsell et al6 stimulates further a necessary change in the widely held concept of PVL as principally focal necrotic lesions in the periventricular white matter with subsequent cyst formation. This concept is based on the earlier classic neuropathological description in 1962 of the focal necrotic lesions by Banker and Larroche.7 That landmark work led to the appropriate descriptive term for focal softening in the periventricular white matter, ie, PVL. Indeed, innumerable later in vivo clinical and epidemiologic studies of PVL published in the last decade or so have used the ultrasonographic finding of focal periventricular echolucency as the hallmark of PVL (see ref. 1 for review). However, focal necrotic lesions evolving to cysts, readily identified by cranial ultrasonography, are no longer the principal feature of white matter injury in premature infants. Cystic PVL identified by brain imaging is a … Reprints requests to (J.J.V.) Department of Neurology, Fegan 1103, Children’s Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115. E-mail: joseph.volpe{at}tch.harvard.edu
Synthesizing optimal design configurations for a brayton cycle power plant

Abstract This paper demonstrates the use of the simulated annealing method for the analysis of design configurations for a Brayton cycle power plant. This application centers around a sequential modular chemical process simulator, the Space Nuclear Auxiliary Power System (SNAPS), designed to simulate the operation of power plants with different energy conversion techniques, to find optimal characteristics constrained by feasibility limitations, and to design the plant for maximum flexibility and reliability. The modular nature of SNAPS allows for the analysis of numerous configurations of nuclear power plants. Since the solution space is characterized by a large number of design and structural parameter combinations, it demonstrates the successful applicability of simulated annealing as a synthesis tool for nuclear power plant design problems. Simulated annealing is found to perform very well in the face of a large number of discontinuities in the solution space.
Crystals of a bovine neurophysin II-dipeptide amide complex

Bovine neurophysin II, a hormone carrier protein, has been crystallized as a binary complex with l-phenylalanyl-l-tyrosine amide, a peptide known to bind neurophysin at its hormone binding site. The crystals belong to space group P212121 with cell constants of a = 121.6(10) A, b = 67·9(6) A and c = 62·1(6) A. The density of the crystal is 1.156 g/cm3. There is a tetramer or two dimers in an asymmetric unit.
Cost-minimization analysis of jumbo reusable forceps versus disposable forceps in a high-volume ambulatory endoscopy center

Background Endoscopists worldwide are faced with the challenge of choosing the most cost-effective and durable equipment. There are limited data comparing the 2 major options for endoscopic forceps: disposable and reusable. Disposable forceps are marketed as the cost-effective alternative to reusable forceps. Objective This study was designed to provide a prospective assessment of the survival and cost of reusable versus disposable forceps to allow more educated decisions when purchasing endoscopic equipment. Design A 24-month prospective study in a high-volume ambulatory endoscopy center (AEC) with 71 Olympus jumbo reusable forceps (OJRF). A "cost of OJRF per procedure" was generated to compare to the estimated cost of disposable forceps per procedure. Setting Gastrointestinal Associates PA of Jackson, Mississippi, which performs approximately 24,000 outpatient procedures per year. Patients General patient population of this AEC undergoing colonoscopy. Main Outcome Measurements Mean cost of forceps per procedure and survival of reusable forceps. Cost was derived from purchase price, cleaning costs, repair/maintenance costs, and number of uses. Results Over the 24-month period, the total cost per procedure was $3.27. The mean number of uses per OJRF was 166.3. Sixty-eight percent of the forceps required no repair throughout the 2-year study, and only 1 forceps was deemed beyond repair. For comparison, disposable forceps were assigned a cost per procedure of $10.00 on the basis of conservative market price. Over a 2-year period this cost-per-procedure difference resulted in a cost savings of $79,482. Limitations Failure to determine the average life-span of OJRF because 98% were still functioning properly after 2 years and an average of 166.3 procedures. Evaluation did not include storage and disposal costs, which would add a miniscule additional cost to disposable costs. The study also does not address some of the other arguments for disposables such as performance (quality of specimen) compared with reusables. The estimated average number of uses and durability was only studied for the OJRF. Other forceps may have different average cost per use and durability. Conclusions In a large-volume AEC, OJRF are vastly more durable than resusable forceps reported in prior studies and are vastly more cost-effective than disposable forceps. A longer study period would have only revealed more dramatic cost savings and durability.
Human Factors Issues Surrounding an Automotive Vision Enhancement System

Although night vision systems have been used extensively for a wide variety of military applications, only recently have such systems been considered for automotive applications. This paper provides a technological primer for an automotive application of a vision enhancement system (or VES), and reviews the human factors literature, general human factors issues, and accident data relevant to such a system. The automotive VES consists of two primary components, an infrared sensor and a display. VES information can be displayed to the driver in a contact analog fashion on a head-up display, or in a non-contact analog fashion on either a head-down or head-up display. The primary potential benefit of a VES is to improve the driver's ability to see critical driving events (e.g., pedestrians, bicyclists, roadway direction) under nighttime driving conditions.
Continuous-wave mode-locked and dispersion-compensated femtosecond optical parametric oscillator

We describe dispersion compensation of a cw mode-locked optical parametric oscillator based on a thin crystal of KTiOPO4 pumped intracavity by a standard colliding-pulse mode-locked dye laser, The device provides potential cw tunability from 0.72 to 4.5 μm with milliwatt outputs. Transform-limited pulses should be possible throughout the tuning range;here we report pulse widths of 105 fsec at 840 nm and 108 Hz. Active stabilization of the oscillator cavity is also discussed.
Method of cold smoke generation for vortex core tagging

Attention is given to the flow-visualization problem posed by the 'dark-core' region of the vortices formed on the upper side of a delta wing; the low particle density in the core region minimizes the density of tracing particles whose presence is essential in LDV measurements. An effort is presently undertaken using TiCl4 smoke in subsonic wind tunnel tests of a 70-deg sweep delta wing model.
25-norhopane series in the unbiodegraded oil and the source rocks

HOPANOIDS are important constituents of the cell wall of bacteria. As a kind of important biomarkers indicating the bacterial inputs, their diagenetic derivatives are widely distributed in sedimentary records. 25-norhopane series are one type of geohopanoids whose origins and geochemical significances are still in dispute. 25-norhopane is usually used as the reliable indicators of oil biodegradation. In this study 25-norhopane series and 25, 30-bisnorgammac-...
“Smart Bodies” school wellness program increased children's knowledge of healthy nutrition practices and self-efficacy to consume fruit and vegetables

Diets rich in fruit and vegetables are important for long-term health yet children frequently do not like these foods. The "Smart Bodies" school wellness program sought to increase children's knowledge of healthy nutritional practices, improve psychosocial variables associated with eating fruit and vegetables, and develop preferences for these foods. A randomized controlled intervention trial was conducted in 14 low-income, urban, public elementary schools (seven pairs). Data from 278 fourth and 282 fifth graders (234 boys, 326 girls; 82% Black, 10% White, 1% Hispanic, 5% Asian, 2% Other) were examined using multi-level modeling. The 12-week intervention program included participation in an interactive wellness exhibit and a classroom curriculum that emphasized consumption of fruit and vegetables. After the intervention, children that participated in the "Smart Bodies" program had greater nutrition knowledge and expressed more confidence that they could eat fruit instead of a favorite dessert, drink fruit juice and consume the recommended number of fruits and vegetables servings each day. Preferences for fruit and vegetables did not change as a result of participating in the program. These findings demonstrate that the "Smart Bodies" school-based wellness intervention positively impacted children's nutrition knowledge and psychosocial variables associated with consuming fruit and vegetables.
Studies on the Mechanism of Action of 2-Formyl-4-pyrrolidinopyridine: Isolation and Characterization of a Reactive Intermediate

This paper describes the mechanism of action of 2-formyl-4-pyrrolidinopyridine (FPP, 1a) which is a catalyst for the hydroxyl-directed methanolysis of α-hydroxy esters. This species was initially designed to act as a nucleophilic catalyst; however, we have ruled out a nucleophilic mechanism by examining the activity of 6-substituted-FPP derivatives. These compounds are more hindered in the vicinity of the pyridine nitrogen than FPP itself but are also more active catalysts. Furthermore, the presence of p-nitrophenol, a mild acid, was found to accelerate the catalytic reaction. These results are inconsistent with a nucleophilic catalysis mechanism. We provide evidence that the reaction instead proceeds via dioxolanone intermediate 10. Dioxolanone 10 can be obtained by treating either the p-nitrophenyl ester or the pentafluorophenyl ester of glycolic acid with FPP in chloroform in the absence of methanol. It has been isolated, characterized, and shown to be kinetically competent when subjected to the condit...
A Review of: “Stochastic Frontier Analysis”

Stochastic Frontier Analysis by Subal Kumbhakar and C. A. Knox Lovell (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000). As a highly valuable summary of the literature on the stochastic estimation of e...
Germline and somatic SDHx alterations in apparently sporadic differentiated thyroid cancer

Along with breast and endometrial cancers, thyroid cancer is a major component cancer in Cowden syndrome (CS). Germline variants in SDHB/C/D (SDHx) genes account for subsets of CS/CS-like cases, conferring a higher risk of breast and thyroid cancers over those with only germline PTEN mutations. To investigate whether SDHx alterations at both germline and somatic levels occur in apparently sporadic breast cancer and differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), we analyzed SDHx genes in the following four groups: i) 48 individuals with sporadic invasive breast adenocarcinoma for germline mutation; ii) 48 (expanded to 241) DTC for germline mutation; iii) 37 pairs DTC tumor-normal tissues for germline and somatic mutation and mRNA expression levels; and iv) data from 476 patients in the Cancer Genome Atlas thyroid carcinoma dataset for validation. No germline SDHx variant was found in a pilot series of 48 breast cancer cases. As germline SDHx variants were found in our pilot of 48 thyroid cancer cases, we expanded to three series of DTC comprising a total 754 cases, and found 48 (6%) with germline SDHx variants (P<0.001 compared with 0/350 controls). In 513 tumors, we found 27 (5%) with large somatic duplications within chromosome 1 encompassing SDHC. Both papillary and follicular thyroid tumors showed consistent loss of SDHC/D gene expression (P<0.001), which is associated with earlier disease onset and higher pathological-TNM stage. Therefore, we conclude that both germline and somatic SDHx mutations/variants occur in sporadic DTC but are very rare in sporadic breast cancer, and overall loss of SDHx gene expression is a signature of DTC.
Experimentally Based Modeling of Whole Body Movement During Contact

In this paper, we investigated how the assumption of fixed segment lengths in two dimensional whole body dynamic models limits accuracy in reproducing experimental reaction forces and observed kinematics. A six segment whole body dynamic model of the musculoskeletal system was developed to simulate the measured forces and kinematic data during the contact phase of two somersaulting tasks performed by two Olympic level divers. Initial conditions and foot-surface model parameters were refined using optimization to ensure that change in whole body center of mass (CM) linear and angular momenta satisfied the impulse/momentum relationship for both dives and divers. Simulation results indicate that the assumption of fixed segment lengths increases error in prediction of the CM trajectory in the sagittal plane. Sensitivity analysis shows that a foot/surface model high in stiffness is more accurate in reproducing observed foot metatarsal displacement but is also more sensitive to the velocity of the metatarsals at contact than a less stiff foot-surface model. As a result, the assumption of a fixed foot segment length also affects the process of optimizing the initial conditions and foot-surface parameters. These findings suggest that a 2D representation of segment motion using fixed segment lengths is limited accuracy because the fixed length representation of segment kinematics does not reflect out of plane motion. Tracking the effect of error introduced by input kinematics on model performance is essential in the process of validating a 2D model of human movement during contact with the environment.© 2008 ASME
SENSORY FIRMNESS SCALE BASED ON GELATIN GELS

A series of gelatin gels was produced and scaled to resemble the firmness of typical meat samples used in texture evaluation. The maximum force required to cut through the gel sample was determined with a Warner-Bratzler instrument and a TA. TX2 Model Texture Analyzer. Samples were scaled depending on the shear force required to force a blade through the material. An untrained sensory panel of 30 people, and a trained panel of 12, confirmed the sensory scale using a triangle test and unstructured scales. Untrained panelists were able to distinguish a difference between gels in three tenderness categories (P ≤ 0.001) in three consecutive tests. Trained panelists detected significant differences between scaled standards. Results suggest that scaled firmness standards based on gelatin gels provide a good model for meat tenderness sensory training.
Flow-induced structural transition in the β-switch region of glycoprotein Ib

The impact of fluid flow on structure and dynamics of biomolecules has recently gained much attention. In this article, we present a molecular-dynamics algorithm that serves to generate stable water flow under constant temperature, for the study of flow-induced protein behavior. Flow simulations were performed on the 16-residue β-switch region of platelet glycoprotein Ibα, for which crystal structures of its N-terminal domain alone and in complex with the A1 domain of von Willebrand factor have been solved. Comparison of the two structures reveals a conformational change in this region, which, upon complex formation, switches from an unstructured loop to a β-hairpin. Interaction between glycoprotein Ibα and von Willebrand factor initiates platelet adhesion to injured vessel walls, and the adhesion is enhanced by blood flow. It has been hypothesized that the loop to β-hairpin transition in glycoprotein Ibα is induced by flow before binding to von Willebrand factor. The simulations revealed clearly a flow-induced loop→β-hairpin transition. The transition is dominated by the entropy of the protein, and is seen to occur in two steps, namely a dihedral rotation step followed by a side-group packing step.
Catecholamines and cyclic nucleotides in the modulation of superior cervical ganglia

Abstract Four hypotheses have been advanced to explain the relationships between the cholinergic presynaptic afferents, principal ganglionic neurons, and small, intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells in synaptic transmission in the mammalian superior cervical ganglion (SCG). The first hypothesis involves the role of the dopaminergic SIF cell and cyclic AMP in the modulation of ganglionic transmission through the generation of a slow inhibitory postsynaptic potential (s-IPSP). The second concerns the generation of a slow excitatory postsynaptic potential (s-EPSP), and the role of dopamine and cyclic AMP in potentiating it. The third postulates that a presynaptic α-adrenergic receptor is responsible for inhibiting f-EPSP generation. A fourth hypothesis concerns the localization of the β-adrenergic receptor—adenylate cyclase complex in SCG. This paper discusses the evidence for each hypothesis, with special emphasis on species variations in the modulation of ganglionic transmission by catecholamines, adrenergic receptors, and cyclic AMP.
Ad libitum oral glucose-electrolyte therapy for acute diarrhea in Apache children.

Children hospitalized with diarrhea who were strong enough to drink were generally able to take sufficient amounts of a hypotonic glucose-electrolyte solution (GE-SOL) appropriate to their requirements for volume replacement and maintenance. Clinically apparent volume depletion, moderate hypo- and hypernatremia, and acidosis were readily corrected. Children originally in shock could drink GE-SOL after rapid intravenous volume replacement. Two children with severe glucose intolerance recovered after several days' use of a carbohydrate-free formula and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Ad libitum oral therapy is effective, comfortable, and inexpensive, and may reduce the morbidity and mortality rates of infantile diarrhea.
In vitro colony formation by cryopreserved primary human tumor cells.

Abstract The effect of cryopreservation on the ability of primary human cancer cells to form colonies in a two-layer agar system was examined. Although considerable variation occurred, concentrations of 5 or 10% dimethylsulfoxide employed with slow freezing rates allowed survival of colonies in the range 20–40% or greater of nonfrozen controls. The methods used in this study do not require elaborate freezing equipment, and can be used for the cryopreservation of a wide variety of types of cancers.
Covariate Adjusted Correlation Analysis with Application to FMR1 Premutation Female Carrier Data

Motivated by molecular data on female premutation carriers of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene, we present a new method of covariate adjusted correlation analysis to examine the association of messenger RNA (mRNA) and number of CGG repeat expansion in the FMR1 gene. The association between the molecular variables in female carriers needs to adjust for activation ratio (ActRatio), a measure which accounts for the protective effects of one normal X chromosome in females carriers. However, there are inherent uncertainties in the exact effects of ActRatio on the molecular measures of interest. To account for these uncertainties, we develop a flexible adjustment that accommodates both additive and multiplicative effects of ActRatio nonparametrically. The proposed adjusted correlation uses local conditional correlations, which are local method of moments estimators, to estimate the Pearson correlation between two variables adjusted for a third observable covariate. The local method of moments estimators are averaged to arrive at the final covariate adjusted correlation estimator, which is shown to be consistent. We also develop a test to check the nonparametric joint additive and multiplicative adjustment form. Simulation studies illustrate the efficacy of the proposed method. (Application to FMR1 premutation data on 165 female carriers indicates that the association between mRNA and CGG repeat after adjusting for ActRatio is stronger.) Finally, the results provide independent support for a specific jointly additive and multiplicative adjustment form for ActRatio previously proposed in the literature.
Women’s Land Ownership and Relationship Power: A Mixed Methods Approach to Understanding Structural Inequities and Violence Against Women

Violence against women is a widespread societal problem substantiated and perpetuated through inequities that operate within numerous levels of the society. Challenging and ending gender-based viol...
Introducing Memory Into The Switch Elements Of Multiprocessor Interconnection Networks

As VLSI technology continues to improve, circuit area is gradually being replaced by pin restrictions as the limiting factor in design. Thus, it is reasonable to anticipate that on-chip memory will become increasingly inexpensive since it is a simple, regular structure than can easily take advantage of higher densities. In this paper we examine one way in which this trend can be exploited to improve the performance of multistage interconnection networks (MINs). In particular, we consider the performance benefits of placing significant memory in each MIN switch. This memory is used in two ways: to store (the unique copies of) data items and to maintain directories. The data storage function allows data to be placed nearer processors that reference it relatively frequently, at the cost of increased distance to other processors. The directory function allows data items to migrate in reaction to changes in program locality. We call our MIN architecture the Memory Hierarchy Network (MHN), In a preliminary investigation of the merits of this design [8] we examined the performance of MHNs under the simplifying assumption that an unlimited amount of memory was available in each switch. We found that despite the longer switch processing times of the MHN, system performance is improved over simpler, conventional schemes based on caching. In this paper we refine the earlier model to account for practical storage limitations. We study ways to reduce the amount of directory storage required by keeping only partial information regarding the current location of data items. The price paid for this reduction in memory requirement is more complicated (and in some circumstances slower) protocols. We obtain comparative performance estimates in an environment containing a single global memory module and a tree-structured MIN. Our results indicate that the MHN organization can have substantial perfor- mance benefits and so should be of increasing interest as the enabling technology becomes available.
Bioassay technique to assess acid soil constraints for growth of wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) roots

A root bioassay technique was adapted to evaluate the relationship between average longest root length (ALRL) of 4 day old wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and soil and soil solution chemical properties of 55 surface and subsurface horizons from fourteen hill land soils of the Appalachian region. The soil pH ranged from 3.6 to 6.7, while exchangeable Al and Ca were to 0.0 to 8.5 and 0.02 to 7.7 cmol kg−1 respectively.
Early planned institution of biventricular mechanical circulatory support results in improved outcomes compared with delayed conversion of a left ventricular assist device to a biventricular assist device

Objective It is generally accepted that patients who require biventricular assist device support have poorer outcomes than those requiring isolated left ventricular assist device support. However, it is unknown how the timing of biventricular assist device insertion affects outcomes. We hypothesized that planned biventricular assist device insertion improves survival compared with delayed conversion of left ventricular assist device support to biventricular assist device support. Methods We reviewed and compared outcomes of 266 patients undergoing left ventricular assist device or biventricular assist device placement at the University of Pennsylvania from April 1995 to June 2007. We subdivided patients receiving biventricular assist devices into planned biventricular assist device (P-BiVAD) and delayed biventricular assist device (D-BiVAD) groups based on the timing of right ventricular assist device insertion. We defined the D-BiVAD group as any failure of isolated left ventricular assist device support. Results Of 266 patients who receivd left ventricular assist devices, 99 (37%) required biventricular assist device support. We compared preoperative characteristics, successful bridging to transplantation, survival to hospital discharge, and Kaplan–Meier 1-year survival between the P-BiVAD (n = 71) and D-BiVAD (n = 28) groups. Preoperative comparison showed that patients who ultimately require biventricular support have similar preoperative status. Left ventricular assist device (n = 167) outcomes in all categories exceeded both P-BiVAD and D-BiVAD group outcomes. Furthermore, patients in the P-BiVAD group had superior survival to discharge than patients in the D-BiVAD group (51% vs 29%, P P = .10). Conclusion When patients at high risk for failure of isolated left ventricular assist device support are identified, proceeding directly to biventricular assist device implantation is advised because early institution of biventricular support results in dramatic improvement in survival.
Biases in regional carbon budgets from covariation of surface fluxes and weather in transport model inversions

Abstract. Recent advances in atmospheric transport model inversions could significantly reduce uncertainties in land carbon uptake through the assimilation of CO2 concentration measurements at weekly and shorter timescales. The potential of these measurements for reducing biases in estimated land carbon sinks depends on the strength of covariation between surface fluxes and atmospheric transport at these timescales and how well transport models represent this covariation. Daily to seasonal covariation of surface fluxes and atmospheric transport was estimated in observations at the US Southern Great Plains Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Climate Research Facility, and compared to an atmospheric transport model inversion (CarbonTracker). Covariation of transport and surface fluxes was stronger in CarbonTracker than in observations on synoptic (daily to weekly) timescales, with a wet year (2007) having significant covariation compared to a dry year (2006). Differences between observed and CarbonTracker synoptic covariation resulted in a 0.3 ppm CO2 enhancement in boundary layer concentrations during the growing season, and a corresponding enhancement in carbon uptake by 13% of the seasonal cycle amplitude in 2007, as estimated by an offline simplified transport model. This synoptic rectification of surface flux variability was of similar magnitude to the interannual variability in carbon sinks alone, and indicates that interannual variability in the inversions can be affected by biases in simulated synoptic rectifier effects. The most significant covariation of surface fluxes and transport had periodicities of 10 days and greater, suggesting that surface flux inversions would benefit from improved simulations of the effects of soil moisture on boundary layer heights and surface CO2 fluxes. Soil moisture remote sensing could be used along with CO2 concentration measurements to further constrain atmospheric transport model inversions.
Automatic modulation classification for rapid radio deployment

Cognitive Radio and signal intelligence (SIGINT) applications require radios to perform situation-awareness functions, as spectrum sensing to detect the spectral occupation. In more advanced systems, for SIGINT and for interference cancellation purposes, a radio receiver may need to classify an otherwise unknown signal without prior information about its modulation type, and rapidly synthesize, prototype, and deploy a suitable demodulator. The Rapid Radio framework uses a signal analysis stage to obtain the parameters of the signal of interest, to quickly prototype a suitable radio demodulator using the reconfiguration features and processing capabilities of FPGAs. This paper presents the techniques devised to perform the Automatic Modulation Classification stage of the framework, considering its interaction with the parameter estimation and signal synchronization stages, and presents performance results obtained under simulation conditions as well as in over-the-air transmissions.
Subject and system in international interaction

Recent interest in cognitive approaches to international interaction in general and international regimes in particular has not been matched by development in theory and methodology. This article details a systematic “subjective” approach that seeks to meet this need. Its claims are developed through its comparison with the accomplishments and shortcomings of more established approaches to the study of international interaction and, in particular, microeconomic formal theory. The subjective alternative can model both individual subjects and the systems in which they are participating. As such, it offers much more in terms of continuities and connections between agents and system structure than do traditional psychological analyses in international relations. The theoretical arguments proceed in the context of a study of cooperation and conflict over Antarctica and its evolving regimes.
Antimisting action of polymeric additives in jet fuels

Polymeric solutes in jet fuel can serve to increase greatly the droplet size and reduce flammability in fuel sprays created by high-velocity wind shear. Photographic and spark-ignition studies show that high molecular weight polyisobutylenes can be effective at levels below 100 ppm, where they cause only slight increases in fuel viscosity. The effectiveness of the polymers increases with molecular weight and is very well correlated by the elongational viscosity of the solution, as measured by the ductless siphon height.
Processing-Property Relationships in Advanced Multi-Functional Composite Materials: Management of Dielectric Behavior

Many of the advanced composite materials used in aerospace, energy storage and conversion, and electrical devices are multifunctional, i.e., they operate on (or in the presence of) some combination of mechanical, thermal, electrical, chemical, and magnetic fields. Designing composite materials for airplanes, for example, must include not only structural, but also thermal and electrical considerations. Most energy storage and conversion devices are made from advanced composite materials, and they must be designed to interact and sustain their functions in multiple fields, often mechanical, electrical, electrochemical, and thermal. The functional characteristics of such materials are not only controlled by the constituent properties, but are highly dependent on the size, shape, geometry, arrangement, and interfaces between the constituent materials, the extrinsic factors controlled by processing. That is the subject of the present paper. In particular, we will focus on the design of microstructure in heterogeneous materials to manage the dielectric properties and character of such materials.
Protecting the social body: use of the organism metaphor in fighting the "menace of the feebleminded"

Although persons with developmental disabilities living in the United States have been treated in a pejorative manner at various times throughout the nation's history, the eugenics era (1900-1930) stands out as a time when such individuals-then referred to as "feebleminded"--were subject to particularly extreme indignities. Numerous methods of dehumanizing such persons were employed during this era. Of special significance was the use of the organism metaphor, whereby the "unfit" members of society were compared to a parasite, cancer, virus, or plague infecting the social body. The use of rhetoric advancing the organism metaphor in eugenic writing is described in this paper as is the effect that such rhetoric had on the societal response to such persons.
Controlling the excited state charge transfer in DMABN using shaped femtosecond pulses

The ability of multiphoton intrapulse interference (MII) to regulate the formation of the twisted charge transfer state in DMABN upon three-photon excitation is explored and monitored via fluorescence.
Isotopic evidence for cooler and drier conditions in the tropical Andes during the last glacial stage

Documentation of paleoclimatic conditions during the last glacial stage in the tropical Andes is sparse despite the importance of understanding past climate changes in the tropics. To reconstruct paleoenvironmental conditions in the alpine neotropics, we measured the oxygen (δ18O) and hydrogen (δD) isotopic composition of authigenic kaolinite within weathering profiles of the Bogota basin (Colombia) because of the strong dependence of isotopic values on both surface temperature and rainfall. While kaolinite isotope data from Holocene soils in the basin reflect modern mean annual temperature and mean weighted rainwater isotopic composition of the basin, kaolinite isotope data from paleosols developed during the last glacial stage suggest 6 ± 2 °C cooler temperatures. Moreover, the isotope data indicate higher isotopic values of paleorainwater, interpreted to reflect drier conditions. The combination of reduced rainfall, temperature, and p CO2 significantly affected the distribution of tropical montane flora during the last glacial stage.
Atmospheric distributions of HCFC 141b

In recent years, HCFC 141b (CH{sub 3}CCl{sub 2}F) has become commercially available as a replacement for CFC 11 (CCl{sub 3}F) in closed-cell foam blowing applications and as a partial replacement for CFC 113 (CCl{sub 2}FCClF{sub 2}) in solvent and cleaning applications. Measurements of the atmospheric distribution and rate of growth of HCFC 141b reported here provide initial data to begin evaluation of the atmospheric fate of this replacement compound. HCFC 141b measurements in March 1992 and from various periods in 1993 indicate a strong interhemispheric gradient and rapid growth in tropospheric mixing ratios during this time. Average HCFC 141b mixing ratios in April 1993 in the northern and southern hemispheres were 0.83{+-}0.23 pptv and 0.28{+-}0.07 pptv, respectively. HCFC 141b mixing ratios increased in the mid-latitude northern hemisphere from 0.26 pptv in late March 1992 to 1.41 pptv in late September 1993. Southern hemisphere mixing ratios increased from approximately 0.28 pptv in April 1993 to 0.45 pptv in October 1993. Emissions estimates, based on the observations, were calculated using a two box model and for 1990-1993 were 0.5, 2.5, 7, and 15 kT, respectively. 20 refs., 1 fig., 1 tab.
Bubble Dynamics During Boiling in Enhanced Surface Microchannels

An experimental investigation is presented on flow boiling of deionized water in 227-mum hydraulic diameter microchannels with reentrant type cavities. Key features of nucleate boiling are discussed. Active nucleation site density, bubble frequency and departure diameter, and flow patterns over mass velocities ranging from 41 kg/m2-s to 302 kg/m2-s and heat fluxes ranging from 28 to 445 W/cm2 are studied. Similarities and differences with results obtained on large-scale systems and unenhanced microchannels are discussed
Effects of Systematic Self-Monitoring and Self-Reinforcement in Children's Management of Test Performances

Summary The effects of systematic self-monitoring and self-reinforcement components within children's management of test performance were studied. Fourth grade children's (N = 85) test performances were measured on an experimenter-constructed curriculum of history facts, Spanish-English word pairs, and reading comprehension passages for six sessions. Children who systematically self-monitored did not increase their test performance over time and did not score differently from children who did not systematically self-monitor. Self-reinforcement resulted in significant increases over baseline whether or not children systematically self-monitored. The role of self-monitoring in assessment and in relation to self-reinforcement is discussed.
Joint center longitudinal positions computed from a selected subset of Chandler's data

Mathematical models of the human body are indispensable tools for studying the biomechanics of human movement. The geometrical centers of the 12 main joints (shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees ankles), modeled as simple mechanical joints, are widely used as reference points for building mathematical models of the human body. These reference points, typically defined as "joint centers", are assumed to maintain a fixed 3D position relative to both the segments forming the joint, throughout the range of joint motion. No single point in a human joint perfectly meets this assumption, and no simple method is available for locating the points that are closest to meet it. Researchers often have recourse to subjective methods, based on their knowledge of anatomy. Objective estimates are easily attainable if the positions of a few bony landmarks can be measured on the subject, and the longitudinal distances of the joint centers from these landmarks are known. A subset of the anthropometric measurements performed by Chandler et al. (NTIS No. AD 710-622, 1975) on six cadavers was critically selected and utilized to compute the percent longitudinal distances of the 12 main joint centers from neighboring bony landmarks, relative to the lengths of the respective proximal and/or distal segments. Three-dimensional positions are attainable as well, by assuming joint centers lay on the respective segment longitudinal axes. The use of a method for accurately locating joint centers is recommended, particularly when they are used as reference points for defining a personalized geometrical model of a subject's body.
Desiring to be in touch in a changing communications landscape: attitudes of older adults

This paper offers an exploration of the attitudes of older adults to keeping in touch with people who are important to them. We present findings from three focus groups with people from 55 to 81 years of age. Themes emerging from the findings suggest that older adults view the act of keeping in touch as being worthy of time and dedication, but also as being something that needs to be carefully managed within the context of daily life. Communication is seen as a means through which skill should be demonstrated and personality expressed, and is understood in a very different context to the lightweight interaction that is increasingly afforded by new technologies. The themes that emerged are used to elicit a number of design implications and to promote some illustrative design concepts for new communication devices.
Benefits of a poetry writing intervention for family caregivers of elders with dementia.

This pilot clinical trial tested effectiveness of a poetry writing intervention for family caregivers of elders with dementia. This paper presents findings from a larger study using mixed methods to examine outcome variables of self-transcendence, resilience, depressive symptoms, and subjective caregiver burden. Findings reported here focus on qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews conducted with participants following their poetry writing experience. A grounded theory approach was used. Themes that arose from the data support a mid-range Theory of Self-Affirmation in Caregivers with subthemes of achievement, catharsis, greater acceptance, empathy, self-awareness, reflection, creative and fun, positive challenge, and helping others.
Flashover Prevention of High Voltage Piezoelectric Transformers by Thin Film Encapsulation

Piezoelectric transformers (PTs) are used as step-up voltage elements in many devices. The University of Missouri is developing a PT as an accelerator for an ion beam. In cases where high-voltage pulses are desired, discharges can result from a large electric field near triple point junctions. Due to the small scale of the device, conductive triple point shields are difficult to employ to prevent flashover. This paper presents an investigation of piezoelectric flashover prevention by thin film encapsulation. Dielectric material was deposited on the PT both over the entire device and at specific regions of interest. The dielectric was deposited by evaporation to eliminate gaps at the triple point. The flashover strength is evaluated depending on the dielectric type, thickness, and length. The mechanical loss incurred by the deposition is evaluated to determine if it hinders the motion of the transformer.
Inference for the identified set in partially identified econometric models

distribution of the observed data. The class of models we consider is defined by a pop ulation objective function Q(6, P) for 6 e 0. The point of departure from the classical extremum estimation framework is that it is not assumed that Q(6,P) has a unique minimizer in the parameter space 0. The goal may be either to draw inferences about some unknown point in the set of minimizers of the population objective function or to draw inferences about the set of minimizers itself. In this paper, the object of interest is 0o(P) = argminee(9 Q(0, P), and so we seek random sets that contain this set with at least some prespecified probability asymptotically. We also consider situations where the object of interest is the image of 0o(P) under a known function. Random sets that satisfy the desired coverage property are constructed under weak assumptions. Condi tions are provided under which the confidence regions are asymptotically valid not only pointwise in P, but also uniformly in P. We illustrate the use of our methods with an empirical study of the impact of top-coding outcomes on inferences about the parame ters of a linear regression. Finally, a modest simulation study sheds some light on the finite-sample behavior of our procedure.
Real-time video surveillance system architecture

This paper presents some approaches intended to maximize the available processor bandwidth of a real time video surveillance system. The techniques approach this goal from data centric and process centric perspectives. Data vectorization focuses on organizing and transformign data to more efficiently process it. Some cache considerations and compressed data analysis techniques are therefore reviewed. Dynamic scheduling focuses on using application specific information to reduce the iterations are complexity of repeated processes. Some novel applications of these techniques to video tracking gand recognition are presented. Some implementation examples are also provided indicating that the trade-offs in such an implementation are economically viable.
The Environment and the World Trade Organization

The meeting of the members of the World Trade Organization ("WTO") in Seattle in late 1999 was seriously disrupted by street demonstrations which turned the meeting into a disaster. Prominent among the demonstrators were people purporting to be from environmental non-governmental organizations (or "NGOs"). A number of these protestors costumed themselves as sea turtles and received considerable attention on television as well as from the Seattle police department. Dissemination by the media of images of people masquerading as sea turtles was expected to, and did, seriously taint the image of the WTO, causing it to be seen as the headquarters of forces hostile to the environment. The purpose of this article is not to defame environmental NGOs. Indeed, so far as the author knows, they did nothing more in respect of the Seattle fiasco than to countenance, or subsequently to refrain from disavowing, the antics of protestors cavorting as anthropoid sea turtles. Rather, the purpose of this article is to argue that the WTO was badly used by the Seattle demonstrators, that its role as regards sea turtles has been quite the opposite of what those demonstrators were suggesting, and that environmental NGOs should exert informed efforts on behalf of the WTO, because it is the very type of multilateral body that they should support if they expect to succeed in protecting the world's environment.