cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A random samples clarification.

The brief report (“Dark memory,” Random Samples, 28 March, p. 1979) on my move from the University of Washington (UW) to the University of California, Irvine (UCI) requires clarification. After an investigation of my activities in regard to a dubious case history, I was completely exonerated. My collaborator, M. J. Guyer, and I published our expose in the Skeptical Inquirer , and we hope that scientists will read this article, which questions the entire use of case histories in science, medicine, and mental health. UW's Dean Hodge wrote to thank me for my “commitment to the maintenance of high ethical standards in research.” Moreover, he wrote that he stood “ready to provide appropriate public documents describing the outcome of the investigation to clarify to any interested parties your exoneration…” He made a generous counteroffer to try to keep me from leaving the University. My attraction to UCI was based on more than freedom to make phone calls. The offer came with a titled professorship, a brand new lab with huge resources, and a chance to have as colleagues some of the most eminent scientists and scholars in the fields of memory, psychology, and law.
Interchanging the order of differentiation and stochastic integration

Abstract Conditions are given under which the order of differentiation with respect to a parameter and integration with respect to a locally square-integrable martingale may be interchanged.
Post-junctional α-adrenoceptors and basal limb vascular tone in healthy men

Previous studies have demonstrated that post-junctional α1- and α2-adrenoceptors mediate vasoconstriction in the human forearm. However, the relative contributions of the α-adrenoceptor subtypes to basal limb vascular tone are unknown. In healthy young men, forearm blood flow (FBF; venous occlusion plethysmography) responses to brachial artery administration of prazosin (an α1-adrenoceptor antagonist), yohimbine (an α2-adrenoceptor antagonist) and phentolamine (a non-selective α-adrenoceptor antagonist) were determined after local β-adrenoceptor blockade with propranolol. In 10 subjects, prazosin increased FBF from 2.4 ± 0.3 to 5.8 ± 1.0 ml (100 ml)−1 min−1 (∼140 %; P < 0.001vs. baseline). Subsequently, phentolamine further increased FBF to 11.7 ± 1.6 ml (100 ml)−1 min−1 (∼ 385 %; P < 0.001vs. baseline). Thus, the average calculated increase in FBF due to removal of α2-vasoconstrictor tone was greater than that due to removal of α1-tone (5.9 ± 0.8 vs. 3.4 ± 0.8 ml (100 ml)−1 min−1; P < 0.01) and represented ∼ 63 % of basal sympathetic tone. Complete α1-adrenoceptor blockade was confirmed by a minimal reduction in FBF in response to phenylephrine after prazosin (46 ± 3 vs. 6 ± 4 %; before vs. after blockade) and in a separate group of four subjects, increasing the dose of prazosin threefold did not evoke further forearm vasodilatation. Additionally, the reduction in FBF in response to tryamine (evokes endogenous noradrenaline release) was abolished after phentolamine (40 ± 3 vs. 2 ± 1 %; before vs. after blockade), documenting complete pharmacological sympathectomy. In another group of seven subjects, administering yohimbine prior to phentolamine resulted in similar findings. These observations indicate that vasoconstricting post-junctional α2-adrenoceptors contribute more to basal vascular tone than α1-adrenoceptors in the forearms of young healthy men. The potential physiological and pathophysiological implications of these findings are discussed.
Phylogenetic analyses of peanut resistance gene candidates and screening of different genotypes for polymorphic markers

The nucleotide-binding-site-leucine-rich-repeat (NBS–LRR)-encoding gene family has attracted much research interest because approximately 75% of the plant disease resistance genes that have been cloned to date are from this gene family. Here, we describe a collection of peanut NBS–LRR resistance gene candidates (RGCs) isolated from peanut (Arachis) species by mining Gene Bank data base. NBS–LRR sequences assembled into TIR-NBS-LRR (75.4%) and non-TIR-NBS-LRR (24.6%) subfamilies. Total of 20 distinct clades were identified and showed a high level of sequence divergence within TIR-NBS and non-TIR-NBS subfamilies. Thirty-four primer pairs were designed from these RGC sequences and used for screening different genotypes belonging to wild and cultivated peanuts. Therefore, peanut RGC identified in this study will provide useful tools for developing DNA markers and cloning the genes for resistance to different pathogens in peanut.
Somatotopic organization of the lateral sulcus of owl monkeys: Area 3b, s‐II, and a ventral somatosensory area

Multiunit microelectrode recordings and injections of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were used to reveal neuron response properties, somatotopic organization, and interconnections of somatosensory cortex in the lateral sulcus (sylvian fissure) of New World owl monkeys. There were a number of main findings. (1) Representations of the face and head in areas 3b, 1, and S-II are found on the upper bank of the lateral sulcus. Most of the mouth and lip representations of area 3b were found in a rostral extension along the lip of the lateral sulcus. Adjacent cortex deeper in the lateral sulcus represented the nose, eye, ear, and scalp. (2) S-II was located on the upper bank of the lateral sulcus and extended past the fundus onto the deepest part of the lower bank. The face was represented most superficially in the sulcus, with the hand, foot, and trunk located in a rostrocaudal sequence deeper in the sulcus. The orientation of S-II is “erect,” with the limbs pointing away from area 3b. (3) Neurons in S-II were activated by light tactile stimulation of the contralateral body surface. Receptive fields were several times larger than for area 3b neurons. (4) A 1-2-mm strip of cortex separating the face and hand representations in S-II was consistently responsive to the stimulation of deep receptors but was unresponsive to light cutaneous stimulation. (5) Injections of horseradish peroxidase in the electrophysiologically identified hand or foot representations of area 3b revealed somatotopically matched interconnections with mapped hand and foot representations in S-II. (6) A systematic representation of the body, termed the “ventral somatic” area, VS, was found extending laterally from S-II on the lower bank of the lateral sulcus. Within VS, the hand and foot were represented deep in the sulcus along the hand and foot regions of S-II, and the face was lateral near the ventral lip of the sulcus. (7) Neurons at most recording sites in the VS region were activated by contralateral cutaneous stimuli. However, a few sites had neurons with bilateral receptive fields. Receptive field sizes were comparable to those in S-II. In addition, neurons in islands of cortex in the VS region had properties that suggested that they were activated by pacinian receptors, while other regions were difficult to activate by light tactile stimuli but responded to stimuli that would activate deep receptors. (8) A few recording sites caudal to S-II on the upper bank of the lateral sulcus were responsive to somatic stimuli. (9) Finally, some recording sites rostral to S-II in the vicinity of the granular insular region were responsive to cutaneous stimuli. This cortex had sparse interconnections with area 3b. Overall the results provide a detailed understanding of how the face and head are represented in the lateral part of area 3b, reveal body surface representations in S-II and an adjoining ventral somatic field (VS), locate neurons with pacinianlike features in or about VS, and demonstrate somatotopic interconnections between S-II and area 3b (S-I proper).
An outgassing release factor for nonradiogenic volatiles on Mars

The outgassing release factor for nonradiogenic volatiles (such as water) on Mars since the end of accretion is calculated using the current value of the Ar-40 release factor and a correction coefficient derived from the history of volcanism on Mars. The Ar-40 release factor is calculated from the bulk K content of the planet and its current atmospheric inventory of Ar-40. The correction coefficient compensates for the variable abundance of Ar-40 in the Martian mantle through time versus the relatively constant nonradiogenic volatile abundance, and for the variable rate at which outgassing has occurred on Mars. The results yield a nonradiogenic release coefficient between 1.4 and 2.8. The outgassing release factor for nonradiogenic volatiles is calculated to be between 0.017 and 0.112.
INDEMNITY FOR COMPANIES ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION CHANGES

The problem addressed by this paper is the conditions under which the government may wish to indemnify firms for losses suffered when environmental regulations are revised. Larger firms are likely to be in a better competitive position than smaller firms when environmental standards are raised. Financial risks discourage firms from investing in environmental capital unless some of the cost is shared by the public. Not having a compensation program will slow compliance with new regulations and make markets less competitive. The examples o f TRIS and the herbicides 2,4,5-T and Silvex are described.
Listening Comprehension, Oral Expression, Reading Comprehension, and Written Expression: Related Yet Unique Language Systems in Grades 1, 3, 5, and 7

Age-normed tests of listening comprehension, oral expression, reading comprehension, and written expression were administered in Grades 1 (n = 128), 3, and 5, or 3 (n = 113), 5, and 7. Confirmatory factor analyses compared 1- and 4-factor models at each grade level and supported a 4-factor model of language by ear, mouth, eye, and hand. Multiple regressions identified which of the 3 other language skills explained unique variance in each of the 4 language skill outcomes and provided additional evidence that language is not a single skill. Individuals' ipsative scores (amount that the standard score for age on each language measure deviated from individual's mean for all 4 measures) showed that 25% to 30% of individuals showed relative strengths or weaknesses (±1 SD) in specific language skills, but only 7% were stable across Grades 3 and 5. Findings are discussed in reference to (a) theoretical implications for idea comprehension and expression via language by ear, mouth, eye, and hand; and (b) educational applications of observed developmental and individual differences for general, special, and gifted education.
A rabbit model for bacteria-induced preterm pregnancy loss

Abstract Bacterial infection has been implicated in premature labor in humans. To elucidate mechanisms and potential intervention strategies, we sought to develop a model of infection-induced pregnancy loss in rabbits. On day 21 (70% of gestation), each uterine horn was inoculated hysteroscopically with 0.2 ml containing saline solution or 106 cfu Escherichia coli or Bacteroides bivius or Fusobacterium necrophorum. Fetal viability was assessed. Animals were sacrificed at various times or as delivery occurred. Serum progesterone and amniotic fluid prostaglandins were measured. Cultures and histologic sections were prepared. Compared with the saline solution group, E. coli and F. necrophorum-inoculated rabits were significantly more likely to deliver (16 of 16 and six of seven with mean times of 31.9 ± 10.7 and 28.3 ± 11.5 hours, respectively for E. coli and F. necrophorum). Positive amniotic fluid cultures for the E. coli group were found in 11 of 12 (92%) and for the F. necrophorum group in three of three cases (100%). Histologic inflammation was seen heavily in both the E. coli and F. necrophorum groups, whereas it was absent in the saline solution group. Inoculation with B. bivius led to a much lower pregnancy loss rate (eight of 32) and less histologic inflammation despite positive uterine cultures in most animals. This model may provide an opportunity to determine mechanisms of clinical or subdinical intraamniotic infection and to test intervention strategies.
Measures of heart rate and skin conductance to orienting stimuli during repetitive administration of marijuana.

Summary To study cumulative effects of marijuana on basal measures of heart rate and skin conductance (SC) and phasic SC, 24 human males were randomly assigned to three groups of ft subjects each. Subjects lived on an experimental ward for 36 days. For the first 4 and the lost 4 days, no marijuana was administered. During the intervening 28 days, subjects smoked one marijuana cigarette daily which weighed approximately 0.5 grams. Dosage of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), depending on group membership, was either placebo, 1% THC or 2% THC. Each subject was seen for psychophysiological testing during one initial baseline day, four intoxication days, and two post-intoxication days. Testing was done at a time when acute marijuana effects were minimal, and consisted of presenting a 67 Db tone orienting sequence under both nonsignal and signal conditions. Basically, the results indicated no detectable differences among the groups, due to the chronic administration of marijuana, on either of the physiological systems measured. The results were related to the effects of acute marijuana intoxication and Sokolov's theory of the orienting response.
A Hybrid Approach to Natural Language Web Search

We describe a hybrid approach to improving search performance by providing a natural language front end to a traditional keyword-based search engine. The key component of the system is iterative query formulation and retrieval, in which one or more queries are automatically formulated from the user's question, issued to the search engine, and the results accumulated to form the hit list. New queries are generated by relaxing previously-issued queries using transformation rules, applied in an order obtained by reinforcement learning. This statistical component is augmented by a knowledge-driven hub-page identifier that retrieves a hub-page for the most salient noun phrase in the question, if possible. Evaluation on an unseen test set over the www.ibm.com public website with 1.3 million webpages shows that both components make substantial contribution to improving search performance, achieving a combined 137% relative improvement in the number of questions correctly answered, compared to a baseline of keyword queries consisting of two noun phrases.
Reversible leukoencephalopathy associated with re-infusion of DMSO preserved stem cells.

We report a case of posterior reversible leuko- encephalopathy (PRL) following the infusion of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) cryopreserved autologous stem cells in the setting of myeloablative chemotherapy in a patient with recurrent Ewing’s sarcoma. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed white matter changes which resolved over the next 2 months. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2000) 26, 797–800.
Synthesis and characterization of ring-coupled cyclopentadienyl and indenyl bimetallic derivatives of Cr, Mo and W

Abstract A series of new ring-coupled bimetallic complexesM2(CO)6[η5,η5-C5H4 C(CH3)2 C5H4], where M Cr, Mo, W, was synthesized by reaction of the dianion of the ligand 2,2-bis(cyclopentadienyl)propane and M(CO)3(CH3CN)3, M Cr, Mo, W. Oxidation with acetic acid-Fe(III) produced the bimetallic complexes in moderate yields. Using the same strategy, reactions of Mo(CO)3(CH3CN)3 with the dianion of 2-cyclopentadienyl-2-indenylpropane produced only the dimer[Mo(CO)3[η5-C5H4 C(CH3)2 C9H7]2 in which the indenyl ring was unmetallated. Subsequent detailed studies revealed that the desired dimetalloanion was initially formed, but that the indenyl bound metal was lost upon protonation. Evidence for the mechanism of this demetallation process is presented. The dimetalloanion could be intercepted by methyl iodide to form[Mo(CO)3CH3]2[η5,η5-C5H4 C(CH3)2 (C9H6)]. Synthesis of Mo2(CO)6[η5,η5 C5H4 C(CH3)2−(3-RC9H5)], where R H, CH3, was achieved by aprotic oxidation of the intermediate dimetalloanion by ferricinium tetraphenylborate. The molecular structures of two compounds are reported: Mo2(CO)6[η5,η5 C5H4 C(CH3)2−(3-CH3C9H5)]: triclinic,P1, a = 8.777(3)A˚, b = 9.428(4)A˚, c = 14.915(4)A˚, α = 91.42(3)°, β = 102.04(3)°, γ = 114.69(3)°, V = 1087.9(8)A˚3, Z = 2, R(F) = 3.03%.[Mo(CO)3CH3]2[η5,η5 C5H4 C(CH3)2 (C9H6)]: triclinic,P1, a = 8.298(6)A˚, b = 11.662(6)A˚, c = 13.241(8)A˚, α = 100.28(1)°, β = 93.02(1)°, γ = 99.72(1)°, V = 1238(1)A˚3, Z = 2, R(F) = 3.99%.
Modeling Polydimethylsiloxane Degradation Based on Soil Water Content

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a widely used silicone polymer that is introduced into wastewater treatment systems where it is removed with sludge. PDMS subsequently enters the terrestial environme...
Growth and biochemical effects of unsymmetrically substituted polyamine analogues in human lung tumor cells 1

Three unsymmetrically substituted polyamine analogues demonstrate significant and selective antitumor effects. Each of the analoguesN 1-ethyl-N 11-propargyl-4,8-diazaundecane (PENSpm),N 1-ethyl-N 11-(cyclobutyl)methyl-4,8-diazaundecane (CBENSpm), andN 1-ethyl-N 11-(cyclopropyl)methyl-4,8-diazaundecane (CPENSpm) is cytotoxic to a representative non-small-cell lung carcinoma line, NCI H157, while being only growth-inhibitory to a representative small-cell-lung carcinoma line, NCI H82. Cytotoxicity is accompanied by a significant increase in expression of the polyamine catabolic enzyme spermidine/spermineN 1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) at the levels of activity and steady-state mRNA. These new analogues are significant both for their cell-type-specific activity and as synthetic prototypes for the addition of SSAT-activated functional groups.
Percolation, statistical topography, and transport in random media

A review of classical percolation theory is presented, with an emphasis on novel applications to statistical topography, turbulent diffusion, and heterogeneous media. Statistical topography involves the geometrical properties of the isosets (contour lines or surfaces) of a random potential $\ensuremath{\psi}(\mathrm{x})$. For rapidly decaying correlations of $\ensuremath{\psi}$, the isopotentials fall into the same universality class as the perimeters of percolation clusters. The topography of long-range correlated potentials involves many length scales and is associated either with the correlated percolation problem or with Mandelbrot's fractional Brownian reliefs. In all cases, the concept of fractal dimension is particularly fruitful in characterizing the geometry of random fields. The physical applications of statistical topography include diffusion in random velocity fields, heat and particle transport in turbulent plasmas, quantum Hall effect, magnetoresistance in inhomogeneous conductors with the classical Hall effect, and many others where random isopotentials are relevant. A geometrical approach to studying transport in random media, which captures essential qualitative features of the described phenomena, is advocated.
Optimal integration time for energy-detection PPM UWB systems

UWB receivers based on energy detection (ED) are often an excellent choice for short-range wireless applications that require low-power and low-complexity architectures. However, this type of receiver is very sensitive to channel noise as well as inter-symbol (ISI) and inter-frame (IFI) interference caused by multipath fading. Therefore, the integration window becomes an important design parameter since the noise energy, ISI, and IFI are proportional to the integration time. This work presents analytical expressions that are corroborated with simulations to determine the optimal integration time of an ED receiver employing pulse-position modulation. The equations presented in this work are especially helpful when designing a system since they simplify calculations and trade-off decisions.
On modular invariant partition functions in non-unitary theories

Abstract Using the classification and character formula of modular invariant representations discovered recently by Kac and Wakimoto, a complete list of modular invariant partition functions in the non-unitary field theory of A 1 (1) is obtained from their modular invariant properties. This generalizes the A-D-E classification of unitary field theory by Cappelli, Itzykson and Zuber.
On the Information Content of Bank Loan-loss Disclosures: A Theory and Evidence from Japan

We develop a model in which banks use loan-loss disclosures to signal private information about the credit quality of their loan portfolios. The cross-sectional predictions generated by the model are shown to help to explain previously documented counterintuitive empirical regularities for US banks. We also take advantage of a recent Japanese regulatory policy shift, which first forbade the reporting of restructured loan balances and then forced full disclosure. This policy shift allows us to address a common difficulty in testing signalling theories, in that we are able to construct a timely proxy for the private information that we allege is being signalled. Consistent with our signalling model, we find that banks taking the largest write-offs turn out later to be the strongest banks, with the fewest restructured loans.
A novel approach for needs assessment to build global orthopedic surgical capacity in a low-income country.

Objective Visiting surgical teams are a vital aspect of capacity-building continuing medical education (CME) in low-income countries like Haiti. Imperfect understanding of the genuine needs of local surgeons limit CME initiatives. Previous paper-based needs assessment efforts have been unsuccessful because of low response rates. We explored using an electronic audience response system (ARS) during a Haitian CME conference to improve the response rates and better assess needs. Methods Data were prospectively collected using an ARS from 78 conference participants (57 Haitian and 21 foreign) about current and desired knowledge of 7 topic and 8 skill areas using a 5-point Likert scale presented in English and in French. The response rates using ARS vs a similar paper survey were compared using a 2-sample test of proportions. The current and desired knowledge levels were compared using paired t tests. Analysis of variance and post hoc unpaired t tests were used to compare between demographic groups. Results The response rates were significantly greater for ARS vs a paper survey (87.7 vs 63.2%, p = 0.002). The 4 areas of least self-confidence for Haitians were pelvic and articular injury, joint dislocation, and osteomyelitis. The 4 skills of least self-confidence for Haitians were arthroscopy, open reduction and internal fixation-plate, external fixation, and fasciotomy. Haitians desired improvements in knowledge and management of articular, diaphyseal, and pelvic injury, joint dislocation, and osteomyelitis to a greater extent than foreigners (p Conclusions We are the first to show that an ARS improves response rates to allow for better characterization of surgeon needs in the developing world. We also demonstrate the importance of skill building paired with topic area teaching. Lastly, we show how a CME conference is an effective tool to build surgical capacity and increase confidence level.
Late potentials are unaltered by ventricular filling pressure reduction in heart failure.

Abstract Exacerbation of heart failure may increase susceptibility to arrhythmias. Therefore tests to assess the risk of arrhythmia, performed after hemodynamic improvement, may be of limited value. To determine whether hemodynamic improvement alters ventricular late potentials detected by signal-averaged ECG, we studied 27 consecutive patients with dilated heart failure (left ventricular ejection fraction 0.20 ± 0.06, 15 with coronary artery disease) before and 3 ± 2 days after tailored vasodilator and diuretic therapy reduced ventricular filling pressures. QRS duration, terminal QRS amplitude (root mean square [RMS]), and low-amplitude ( p p
The truth shall set you free [development of the polygraph]

Originally called the "Lie Detector" and sometimes the "Lie Box," the polygraph does not detect lies, it detects emotional responses. In other words, the polygraph is a multichannel recorder that displays respiration, the pressure in a partially inflated arm cuff (which indicates a change in blood pressure and pulse rate), and a change in skin resistance. The history and the value of the polygraph are discussed. Although not providing admissible evidence in court, the polygraph has a role as a useful tool in directing an investigator where to seek further information. Equally as important as the development of the technology was the development of the type of question to be asked. If polygraphic information is not admissible as legal evidence, what value is the examination? There are three principal benefits: 1) it can eliminate a subject as a suspect, 2) the answers to questions can indicate in which direction further information is needed, and 3) the willingness to undergo an examination conducted by an approved, experienced examiner, chosen by a law-enforcement agency, provides evidence that the suspect has nothing to conceal. However, beyond its use in criminal investigation, it is widely used as a screening tool by employers.
A Predictive View of the Detection and Characterization of Influential Observations in Regression Analysis

Abstract Assuming a set of observations is available from the general linear model, and assuming prior information about parameters, we propose a method of assessing the influence of specified subsets of the data when the goal is to predict future observations.
A NOVEL MADS-BOX GENE OF POTATO (SOLANUM TUBEROSUM L.) EXPRESSED DURING THE EARLY STAGES OF TUBERIZATION

A potato MADS-box gene cDNA (POTM1-1) from an early tuber cDNA library has been isolated and characterized. The deduced amino acid sequence of POTM1-1 cDNA encodes 250 amino acids of a putative transcription factor containing a MADS-box domain and a K-box domain. These conserved domains share high homologies to those of flower-specific homeotic proteins, TM4 of tomato and AP1 of Arabidopsis, indicating that POTM1-1 gene is a homologue of the AP1 gene family. The levels of POTM1-1 transcripts were high in axillary buds, underground stolon tips, and newly formed tubers, but relatively low in mature tubers. During axillary bud development in a model petiole-leaf cutting system, the levels of POTM1-1 transcripts were abundant in actively growing shoots and during the early stages of microtuber development. It is possible that POTM1-1 functions as a transcription factor that regulates plant developmental processes in a number of tissue types.
Three-dimensional morphology and gene expression in the Drosophila blastoderm at cellular resolution I: data acquisition pipeline

To model and thoroughly understand animal transcription networks, it is essential to derive accurate spatial and temporal descriptions of developing gene expression patterns with cellular resolution. Here we describe a suite of methods that provide the first quantitative three-dimensional description of gene expression and morphology at cellular resolution in whole embryos. A database containing information derived from 1,282 embryos is released that describes the mRNA expression of 22 genes at multiple time points in the Drosophila blastoderm. We demonstrate that our methods are sufficiently accurate to detect previously undescribed features of morphology and gene expression. The cellular blastoderm is shown to have an intricate morphology of nuclear density patterns and apical/basal displacements that correlate with later well-known morphological features. Pair rule gene expression stripes, generally considered to specify patterning only along the anterior/posterior body axis, are shown to have complex changes in stripe location, stripe curvature, and expression level along the dorsal/ventral axis. Pair rule genes are also found to not always maintain the same register to each other. The application of these quantitative methods to other developmental systems will likely reveal many other previously unknown features and provide a more rigorous understanding of developmental regulatory networks.
The Doubly Correlated Nonparametric Topic Model

Topic models are learned via a statistical model of variation within document collections, but designed to extract meaningful semantic structure. Desirable traits include the ability to incorporate annotations or metadata associated with documents; the discovery of correlated patterns of topic usage; and the avoidance of parametric assumptions, such as manual specification of the number of topics. We propose a doubly correlated nonparametric topic (DCNT) model, the first model to simultaneously capture all three of these properties. The DCNT models metadata via a flexible, Gaussian regression on arbitrary input features; correlations via a scalable square-root covariance representation; and nonparametric selection from an unbounded series of potential topics via a stick-breaking construction. We validate the semantic structure and predictive performance of the DCNT using a corpus of NIPS documents annotated by various metadata.
Work in Progress: Using Mock Telephone Interviews with Alumni to Teach Job Search Communication

In this pilot project, engineering students in a technical communication course at Vanderbilt University paired with engineering alumni to participate in mock telephone interviews. The purpose of the project was to prepare engineers for job search communication, particularly interviewing techniques, and to establish a networking relationship with alumni. A total of 75 students and 33 alumni participated over two semesters. The project included an alumnus guest speaker, a training workshop in interview techniques, an interview chart assignment, the telephone interview with an assigned alumnus/alumna, and a memo summarizing the experience. Students and alumni completed questionnaires to assess the project. Both groups rated the project very highly and recommended continuing it in the next semester with a student rating of 4.7 and alumni rating of 4.9 on a 5-point scale. In their end-of-course, anonymous self-assessment of meeting course objectives, students rated their knowledge of interviewing techniques before the project as 2.1/5.0 and afterward as 4.4/5.0.
Frequent Self-Weighing with Electronic Graphic Feedback to Prevent Age-Related Weight Gain in Young Adults.

Objective An intervention using Wi-Fi scales and graphic e-mail feedback, the caloric titration method (CTM), to reduce age-related weight gain over 1 year among college students was evaluated. Methods First-year college students (n = 167) were randomized to CTM or control (C) groups and provided Wi-Fi scales. The CTM group was instructed to weigh daily, view a weight graph e-mailed to them after weighing, and try to maintain their weight. The C group could weigh at any time but did not receive feedback. At 6 months and 1 year, the C group provided weights. For intention to treat analysis, an adjusted mixed model was used to analyze the effect of the intervention. Results Baseline body mass index was 22.9 ± 3.0 kg/m2. Ninety-five percent of the CTM participants weighed ≥3 times/week, compared to 15% in the C group (P < 0.001). After 1 year, the C group had gained 1.1 ± 4.4 kg whereas the CTM group lost 0.5 ± 3.7 kg (F = 3.39, P = 0.035). The difference in weight change between the two groups at 1 year was significant (P = 0.004). Retention was 81%. Conclusions CTM intervention was effective in preventing age-related weight gain in young adults over 1 year and thus offers promise to reduce overweight and obesity.
Measurements and modeling of the target strength of divers

Acoustic methods (sonars) offer a potential tool for detecting and tracking of underwater swimmers. The main unknown in assessing the feasibility of using sonar to detect swimmers is their target strength. The target strength of diver with tanks, buoyancy control, wet or dry suit, etc. is a complicated function of aspect angle and frequency. The detection range for a diver will depend strongly on the target strength and very little data are available in the literature on this topic. This dearth of information limits the ability of sonar engineers to design a detection system. Our study addresses this issue both experimentally and theoretically. As part of this study target strength measurements made in the field were compared with theoretical models. Measurements are being conducted using Farsounder FS-3 phased array sonar with a center frequency of 60 kHz. Tests will be carried out in shallow water using a diver at different orientations, depths and ranges. Target strength modeling was performed using simple cylindrical models and more sophisticated techniques. Existing target strength models for finite cylindrical shapes derived by Gaunaurd (1985) were used as initial approximations. A relatively new technique for modeling acoustic scattering by axisymmetric finite-length bodies using a three-dimensional Fourier mapping method developed by Reeder and Stanton (2004) was compared to the data.
RPO41-independent maintenance of [rho-] mitochondrial DNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract A subset of promoters in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been proposed to participate in replication initiation, giving rise to a primer through site-specific cleavage of an RNA transcript. To test whether transcription is essential for mtDNA maintenance, we examined two simple mtDNA deletion ([rho-]) genomes in yeast cells. One genome (HS3324) contains a consensus promoter (ATATAAGTA) for the mitochondrial RNA polymerase encoded by the nuclear gene RPO41, and the other genome (4a) does not. As anticipated, in RPO41 cells transcripts from the HS3324 genome were more abundant than were transcripts from the 4a genome. When the RPO41 gene was disrupted, both [rho-] genomes were efficiently maintained. The level of transcripts from HS3324 mtDNA was decreased greater than 400-fold in cells carrying the RPO41 disrupted gene; however, the low-level transcripts from 4a mtDNA were undiminished. These results indicate that replication of [rho-] genomes can be initiated in the absence of wild-type levels of the RPO41-encoded RNA polymerase.
Ground grid design in large industrial plants

IEEE Standard 80-1976 is primarily concerned with ground gradient of substation installations. Large industrial petrochemical plants demand bulk power supply from substations and, coupled with cogeneration plants, make the design of the grounding system rather complex and costly due to high ground fault currents. The basic design criteria in grounding are clarified and a step-by-step procedure in designing a safe and economical ground grid for such plants is provided. >
Antroduodenal Manometry in Children and Adults with Severe Nonulcer Dyspepsia

Di Lorenzo C, Hyman PE, Flores AF, Kashyap P, Tomomasa T, Lo S, Snape WJ Jr. Antroduodenal manometry in children and adults with severe nonulcer dyspepsia. Scand J Gastroduodenal 1994;29:799-806.Ba...
Spectropolarimetric assay of dextroamphetamine

Abstract A rapid, simple and specific procedure for the simultaneous assay and determination of enantiomeric purity of pharmaceutical grade dextroamphetamine is described. The procedure is faster, more precise and more specific for the dextroisomer than the U.S.P. method.
Optical membrane technology for deep space optical communications filters

Large filters are being considered to allow large Earth-based optical communication receiver apertures to maintain communication with deep-space terminals as their orbits take them around the Sun. Optical membranes have been investigated as a promising substrate for such filters; their low weight offers great flexibility in mounting, while their ~10 micron thickness should be helpful in avoiding optical aberrations. Critical performance parameters of membrane filter samples are presented. Interferometry has shown generally good performance of the material for transmission applications, though aberrations near membrane seams are currently excessive. Scattering measurements at 1.064 microns show scatter of .05-.15 sr-1, though variations of the plastic formulation show promise for reducing this to .01 sr-1 . Finally, in-situ application of filter samples have demonstrated that their insertion currently results in an increase to stellar point spread functions of ~3-4 arcseconds at the intended 1.064 micron transmission wavelength. Filter designs concentrating on metallic induced-transmission filters are presented for application as a solar rejection filter on membrane substrates. Accomplishing efficient rejection of solar radiation, and high throughput at the communication wavelength with relatively few layers, these filter designs appear ideal for application to large filters for earth-based optical communication receivers
The Liminality of Creative illness

Henri Ellenberger argued that in many instances, illness serves as an integral stage in the creative process. This paper begins by contrasting the simplistic image of cause-and-effect with Ellenberger's three-part model, with illness in the middle. Then, it sets forth five different ways to construe the period of illness as a contribution to a creative process that will have begun before the illness. It concludes by introducing a familiar example from Western history of a leader whose contributions might have built upon years of exemplary preparation, but actually began in earnest only after a defining period of sudden illness.Henri Ellenberger [1] wrote an influential essay in the 1960s titled "The Concept of Creative Illness." Part of its brilliance is due to the fact that it took a relatively common model of cause-and-effect and added something to it, presenting a slightly more sophisticated model that raised interesting new questions about the relationship between illness and creativity. This paper co...
Public subsidies for private schooling: A comparative analysis of Argentina and Chile

Argentina and Chile have long-standing policies that award public subsidies to private schools. This article compares the academic outcomes of seventh- and eighth-graders in public and private schools in each country. Three types of private schools are analyzed: Catholic schools that are subsidized by the government, nonreligious schools that are subsidized, and private schools that receive no subsidies. Ultimately, the analyses suggest a mixed portrait of private school effectiveness, in which Catholic schools have the most consistent links to achievement. Nonreligious subsidized schools in Chile, often operated by for-profit corporations, produce outcomes no different from public schools.
Estimation of parameters appearing in the level set evolution equation

Level sets are a robust and flexible mathematical framework for the representation of evolving curves and surfaces. At the heart of the level set approach is the PDE governing the evolution of the level set function describing a particular surface. In this paper we address the question of estimating parameters in that PDE, given knowledge of the curve evolution. In practice, this procedure could be useful for formulating low-order models of complex physical phenomena. One possible area of application is thin film manufacturing processes such as etching and deposition. Level set methods are already in use in this area for topography simulation. The parameter estimation approach presented consists of a geometrical measure of the distance between the estimated and measured curves, and an expression for the gradient of that distance with respect to the unknown parameters.
Radar Reconnaissance of Near-Earth Asteroids

Groundbased radar observations of NEAs can help identify space resources with commercial potential and can dramatically reduce the cost and risk of the initial spacecraft missions to those objects. The near-Earth asteroid (NEA) population is thought to contain approximately 1500 objects as large as a kilometer, approximately 300,000 as large as 100 meters, and more than 100,000,000 as large as 10 meters. More than 10% of the NEAs are more accessible in terms of mission delta-V (i.e., fuel required) than the Moon, Mars, or the moons of Mars. Fewer than 1000 NEAs have been found, but the discovery rate is increasing rapidly. Once an asteroid is discovered (necessarily by wide-field optical telescopes), radar can provide otherwise unavailable information about its size, shape, spin state, and surface properties if it approaches within the range of the Goldstone (California) or Arecibo (Puerto Rico) radar telescopes. Asteroids generally appear as unresolved points through groundbased optical telescopes, but radar measurements of the distribution of echo power in time delay (range) and Doppler frequency (radial velocity) can yield images with resolution as fine as a decameter. Image sequences that furnish adequate orientational coverage can be inverted to construct geologically detailed 3-D models, to define the rotation state precisely, and to constrain the object's internal density distribution. Estimates of radar scattering properties characterize the surface's cm-to-m-scale roughness as well as its bulk density, which for asteroids depends primarily on porosity and metal concentration. A useful spin-off of radar detection is orbit refinement that simplifies navigation of flyby and rendezvous spacecraft.
Equatorial Superrotation and the Factors Controlling the Zonal-Mean Zonal Winds in the Tropical Upper Troposphere

The response of the zonal-mean zonal winds in the tropical upper troposphere to thermal forcing in the Tropics is studied using an idealized general circulation model with 18 vertical levels and simplified atmospheric physics. The model produces a conventional general circulation, with deep easterly flow over the equator, when integrated using zonally invariant and hemispherically symmetric boundary conditions, but persistent equatorial superrotation (westerly zonal-mean flow over the equator) is obtained when steady longitudinal variations in diabatic heating are imposed at low latitudes. The superrotation is driven by horizontal eddy momentum fluxes associated with the stationary planetary wave response to the applied tropical heating. The strength of the equatorial westerlies is ultimately limited by vertical steady eddy momentum fluxes, which are downward in the tropical upper troposphere, and by the zonally averaged circulation in the meridional plane, which erodes the mean westerly shear via vertical advection. The transition to superrotation can be prevented by specifying offsetting zonally invariant heating and cooling anomalies on either side of the equator to create a “solstitial” basic state with a single dominant Hadley cell straddling the equator. Superrotation is restricted in the solstitial climate because the strength of the mean meridional overturning is enhanced, which increases the efficiency of vertical advection, and because the cross-equatorial flow in the upper troposphere provides an easterly zonal acceleration that offsets some of the momentum flux convergence associated with tropical eddy heating. The cross-equatorial flow aloft also reduces the stationary planetary wave response in the summer hemisphere. These results suggest that hemispheric asymmetry in the mean meridional circulation is responsible for maintaining the observed mean easterly flow in the tropical upper troposphere against the westerly torques associated with tropical wave sources.
Partial evaluation for code generation from domain-specific languages

Partial evaluation has been applied to compiler optimization and generation for decades. Most of the successful partial evaluators have been designed for general-purpose languages. Our observation is that domain-specific languages are also suitable targets for partial evaluation. The unusual computational models in many DSLs bring challenges as well as optimization opportunities to the compiler. To enable aggressive optimization, partial evaluation has to be specialized to fit the specific paradigm of a DSL. In this dissertation, we present three such specialized partial evaluation techniques designed for specific languages that address a variety of compilation concerns. The first algorithm provides a low-cost solution for simulating concurrency on a single-threaded processor. The second enables a compiler to compile modest-sized synchronous programs in pieces that involve communication cycles. The third statically elaborates recursive function calls that enable programmers to dynamically create a system's concurrent components in a convenient and algorithmic way. Our goal is to demonstrate the potential of partial evaluation to solve challenging issues in code generation for domain-specific languages. Naturally, we do not cover all DSL compilation issues. We hope our work will enlighten and encourage future research on the application of partial evaluation to this area.
Accurate two-transistor current mirrors

A tuning method for current mirrors has been proposed and tested in a 2-/spl mu/m CMOS process. The method compensates for mismatches in both the transconductance and threshold voltage of the transistors. Results show that with a transconductance tuning resolution of 0.78% and a threshold voltage tuning resolution of 0.088%, the mirrors can be tuned to an average accuracy of 0.25% even though the untuned circuits have current gain errors as high as 6.59%.
The Molecular Conformation of Non-Doped Polyaniline and its Effect on the Properties of Doped Polyaniline

When thin films of polyaniline (emeraldine base, EB) are deposited on glass substrates from aqueous solutions of polymerizing aniline (″in-situ″EB-I film), they exhibit a Vis/UV spectrum in which the exciton peak has an absorption maximum at ~600 nm; exposure to NMP vapor results in a shift of this peak to ~650 nm (EB-II film). Doping of EB-I film by aq. HCl gives the characteristic Vis/UV spectrum of “tight coil” doped polyaniline with a localized polaron peak at ~820 nm. Treatment of EB-II film with HCl in a similar manner gives the characteristic spectrum of “expanded coil” doped polyaniline in which the ~820 nm peak has disappeared and is replaced by a free carrier tail. It is concluded that EB-I and EB-II exist in “tight coil” and “expanded coil” molecular conformations respectively which do not change on doping in aqueous HCl.
Lymphosarcoma of the Mediastinum with Metastases to the Skeleton: Report of a Case

Lymphosarcoma, as originally described by Kundrat, is an invasive tumor composed of lymphocytes or their forbears. Grossly it consists of a localized tumor involving a group of lymph nodes and invading the surrounding tissues. There may be metastases of varying extent. Microscopically the cell type is usually fairly uniform in a single case, but varies in different cases from a primitive cell or lymphoblast to an apparently mature lymphocyte. Some authorities conceive of reticulo-endothelioma of the lymph nodes as an extremely primitive lymphosarcoma, whereas others prefer to regard this as a separate type. Lymphosarcoma partakes somewhat of the character of leukemia, in that it may infiltrate tissues with very little destruction. It resembles the sarcomata in (1) its localization to one group of nodes, to which the lesion remains confined longer than is the case in other proliferative lymph node lesions, and (2) its definite invasive properties. A leukemic blood picture may be present, (Sternberg's leukosarcomatosis). A case belonging to this group was observed recently on the Medical Service of the State of Wisconsin General Hospital, having been referred by Dr. Oscar Lotz of Milwaukee.
A Perfectly Transparent Spectral Shell for Unsteady Wave-Body Interactions

A general outer boundary condition for time-dependent wave-body interaction problems is developed. The technique is based on domain decomposition and the unsteady free-surface Green function solution of the flow in an outer region. The boundary condition results in a shell condition which may be applied to a variety of interior solution methods. When the interior solution method is a boundaryintegral method, an implicit matching can be done. When a volume-discretization method is used in the interior region, a newly developed explicit matching procedure is performed. Demonstrations of the transparent properties of this shell are made for several unsteady problems.Copyright © 2002 by ASME