cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On Modelling the Frequency Components of Speech with Norm-Invariant Joint Densities

A new independent component analysis (ICA) formulation called independent vector analysis (IVA) was proposed in order to solve the permutation problem in frequency-domain blind source separation. Instead of running ICA in each frequency bin and matching the permutation afterwards, IVA exploits the dependency among the frequency components of a source and deal with them altogether as a multivariate data by capturing the dependency with a multivariate joint probability density function (PDF). For modelling the frequency components of speech, sparse and spherically symmetric PDFs have been chosen. In this paper, we compare the separation performance of IVA with a group of PDFs where the density is uniformly distributed for the data points of the same lp-norm value by changing both the value of p and the sparseness. Also we derive an IVA algorithm from a nonparametric perspective with the constraint of spherical symmetry and high dimension. Simulation results show that sparseness and spherical symmetry together is a good assumption for the speech model in the frequency domain.
Early responses of PC‐12 cells to NGF and EGF: Effect of K252a and 5′‐methylthioadenosine on gene expression and membrane protein methylation

Although epidermal growth factor (EGF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) have markedly different biological effects on PC-12 cells, many of the signaling events following ligand binding are similar. Both EGF and NGF result in the induction of the primary response gene egr-1/TIS8 and increased methylation of a variety of membrane-associated proteins as early as 5 min after EGF or NGF treatment using a methylation assay that detects methyl esters as well as methylated arginine residues. At 20 min after stimulation with these factors, the stimulation of methylation by NGF is greater than that of EGF, especially in the polypeptides of 36-42 and 20-22 kDa. To help dissect the pathways involved in these cellular responses, the protein kinase inhibitor K252a and the methyltransferase inhibitor 5'-methylthioadenosine (MTA) were used. Both K252a and MTA inhibit NGF-, but not EGF-mediated, primary response gene expression. In contrast, MTA, but not K252a, can block NGF-induced membrane associated protein methylation. These data suggest a role for differential protein methylation reactions in EGF and NGF signal transduction.
Effect of putative carcinoid mediators on gastric and small bowel transit in rats and the role of 5-HT receptors.

SUMMARY Whereas serotonin and substance P stimulate in-vivo and in-vitro myoelectric activity in the small intestine, their effects on transit are unclear. We used a validated in-vivo transit model in the chloral hydrate-anaesthetized rat to study the effects of serotonin, substance P and motilin, three putative mediators of carcinoid diarrhoea, on transit through the upper digestive tract. Intra-arterial serotonin accelerated gastric emptying of a radiolabeled liquid, while motilin accelerated overall upper gastrointestinal transit. Substance P slowed overall upper gastrointestinal transit without altering gastric emptying. The antagonists to serotonin receptor subtypes, R-zacopride (5-HT3) and ketanserin (5-HT2), also accelerated rat gastric emptying of liquids; in contrast, a 5-HT4 agonist, SC53116, resulted in a less pronounced effect on gastric emptying at the dose tested. We conclude that circulating substance P is unlikely to be an important accelerator of transit through the upper digestive tract; in contrast, hyperserotoninaemia significantly accelerates transit through the stomach, and 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptor subtypes may play a role in the motor effects of serotonin in the stomach.
The Spread of Scale Insects and their Parasites

MANY years ago I was an industrious collector of scale insects and mealy-bugs, especially in Jamaica. I found them in great abundance on cultivated plants, and obtained many species. When recently travelling in the Oriental tropics, I was struck by the relative scarcity of these insects, and the occurrence of various well-known injurious forms only in small patches or isolated individuals. Perhaps the difference was partly due to the relative poorness of my eyesight, but I could not help speculating on the causes which might lead to a diminution of scale insects on cultivated plants, aside from the operations of economic entomologists. World-wide commerce has spread the injurious Coccidae over the earth, as they are so easily carried with plants. In their native countries they are efficiently controlled by parasitic and predatory enemies. In several well-known cases a plague has been abated by going to these countries and obtaining the natural enemies, which had failed to arrive with the first (accidental) importation of the coccids. Thus, following the modern expansion of trade and rapid transit, there has been in many regions a great increase in the damage done by scale insects, at times reaching the magnitude of a calamity. But by the same process, gradually but surely, the natural enemies will also spread. In the course of time, almost imperceptibly, they will gain the ascendancy, and the coccid plague will cease, never to return unless through the importation of a new sort of cocoid. Thus it may even happen in some cases that a rigid quarantine, after a pest has arrived, may be harmful, preventing natural enemies from following it. These latter may, however, be brought in by entomologists, through special permission, provided they have been found and recognised.
Characterization of human soluble high and low activity catechol-O-methyltransferase catalyzed catechol estrogen methylation.

The major detoxification pathway of the carcinogenic catechol estrogens is methylation by catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). It has been hypothesized that the enzyme encoded by the low-activity allele (COMT L ) has a lower catalytic activity for catechol estrogen methylation than that encoded by the high activity allele (COMT H ). We expressed and purified human soluble (S)-COMT H and S-COMT L in Escherichia cola and characterized the methylation of 2- and 4-hydroxyestradiol (2- and 4-OH-E2). There were no differences between the kinetic parameters for COMT H and COMT L . The kinetic parameters for S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), the methyl donor in these reactions, also did not differ for COMT H and COMT L . S-adenosylhomocysteine, the demethylated SAM metabolite, inhibited methylation of the catechol estrogens in a non-competitive manner similarly for COMT H and COMT L . Each COMT substrate tested inhibited the methylation of other substrates in a mixed competitive and non-competitive fashion similarly for COMT H and COMT L . Furthermore, in cytosolic fractions of COMT HH (MCF-10A and ZR-75-1) and COMT LL (MCF-7 and T47D) human breast epithelial cell lines, no differences were detected between the kinetic parameters of COMT with respect to 2-and 4-OH-E2 methylation; nor were COMT protein levels associated with the COMT genotype. These data suggest that the decreased COMT enzymatic activity that has been detected in human tissue in association with the COMT L allele is not reflected by differences in the affinity or capacity of COMT H and COMT L for catechol estrogen methylation. These results raise the question of what accounts for the difference in COMT activity associated with the COMT and COMT LL genotypes in human tissue.
Microhydration of the guanine-cytosine (GC) base pair in the neutral and anionic radical states: a density functional study.

A density functional study of the effects of microhydration on the guanine−cytosine (GC) base pair and its anion radical is presented. Geometries of the GC base pair in the presence of 6 and 11 wat...
Electric field-induced orthogonal polarization switching in morphotropic phase boundary Pb 0.57 Ba 0.43 Nb 2 O 6 (PBN57) single crystals

Tungsten bronze crystals of Pb(0.57)Ba(0.43)Nb(2)O(6) composition near the morphotropic phase boundary were examined for possible switching of the polarization vector. It is demonstrated that for the single crystal lead barium niobate of tetragonal symmetry, the polarization vector can be switched orthogonally to an orthorhombic phase simply by the application of an electric field.
Recognizing Leadership at a Distance A Study of Leader Effectiveness Across Cultures

The present study investigated whether personality and leadership evaluations based on photographs of Chinese CEOs made by Western raters were accurate at predicting organizational outcomes. Consistent with implicit leadership prototypes held by Westerners, perceived effectiveness was associated with higher levels of perceived intelligence, dominance, and positivity. However, actual organization performance was associated with the culturally appropriate leadership trait of risk taking. These findings suggest that although it is possible to use perceptions of personality based on photographs to predict objective leader effectiveness, individuals using a leadership paradigm suited to Western cultures are poor judges of potential success in Eastern cultures.
Diffusion welds between copper and silver alloys

Abstract We describe the diffusion weld process we use to construct a torsional oscillator cell, designed to cool saturated mixture films of3He and4He. We intend to look for the proximity effect across the3He-dilute solution boundary.
Microscopic pick-and-place teleoperation

A three degree-of-freedom direct drive mini robot has been developed for biomedical applications. The design approach of the mini robot relies heavily upon electromechanical components from the Winchester disk drive industry. In the current design, the first joint is driven by actuators from a 5.25' drive, and the following joints are driven by actuators typical of 3.5' drives. The system has 5 - 10 micrometers of position repeatability and resolution in all three axes. A mini gripper attachment has been fabricated for the robot to explore manipulation of objects ranging from 50 micrometers to 500 micrometers . Mounted on the robot, the gripper has successfully performed pick and place operations under teleoperated control. The mini robot serves to precisely position the gripper, and a needle-like finger of the gripper deflects so the fingers can grip a target object. The gripper finger capable of motion is fabricated with a piezoelectric bimorph crystal which deflects with an applied DC voltage. The experimental results are promising, and the mini gripper may be modified for future biomedical and micro assembly applications.
THERMAL RELEASE OF NITRIC OXIDE FROM AMBIENT AIR AND DIESEL PARTICLES

In recent years there have been numerous reports of an association between daily increases in particle air pollution (PM{sub 10}) and daily increases in mortality and morbidity. Despite these reports, there continue to be unresolved issues with these studies, including the issue of a plausible biological mechanism by which small increases in daily particle levels could cause adverse human health effects. Chemical characterization of particles is a critical step in testing any biological mechanism. The authors have characterized gas-phase material associated with particles from various sources and found that measurable amounts of nitric oxide (NO) can be thermally released from these particles. NO is well-known to be an effective vasodilating agent at very low concentrations. In this work, release of NO from four NIST reference materials, two ambient air particulate samples, and two diesel particulate samples was quantified after heating the samples for 1 hr. The amount of NO originating from particles depends on the temperature used to evolve this gas. NO levels ranged from 0.005 ng of NO/mg of sample at 37 C to 1900 ng of NO/mg of sample at 140 C. These experiments demonstrate that nitric oxide can be released from some particles at physiological temperatures (37more » C).« less
Response to clozapine of rapid cycling versus non-cycling patients with a history of mania.

Objective: Rapid cycling (RC) bipolar disorder (BD) patients often do not respond fully to mood-stabilizers. Atypical antipsychotics including clozapine may be good candidates as an alternative mood-stabilizer for these patients. Methods: Twenty-eight treatment-resistant patients with either Bipolar Disorder Type I (n = 20), or Schizoaffective Disorder Bipolar Type (n = 8) received clozapine add-on therapy. Patients were followed for up to 1 year. Patients were seen monthly and assessed on a number of symptom domains. Results: Fifteen of 28 patients met RC criteria. Differences between groups was non-significant for reported age of onset, age at study entry, past history of treatment or hospitalization, or diagnosis. However, significantly more women were RC. More than 80% of patients in either group showed at least some improvement over the 1-year study. Random regression analyses found the non-rapid cycling (NRC) group experienced significantly greater improvement than RC patients (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Clozapine is more effective in NRC patients with a history of mania in comparison to patients with a recent history of RC.
Ethics Education in Professional Psychology: A Survey of American Psychological Association Accredited Programs

Professional psychologists are expected to know ethical standards and engage in proactive analysis of ethical considerations across professional roles (e.g., practice, research, teaching). Yet, little is known about the current state of doctoral ethics education in professional psychology, including the content covered and pedagogical strategies used to ensure developing this core component of professional competency (de las Fuentes, Willmuth, & Yarrow, 2005). A survey of ethics educators from APA-accredited programs across the United States and Canada resulted in 136 instructors reporting on their program’s ethics training. The majority of questionnaires returned were from Ph.D. programs (77.9%). A substantial number of programs were clinical (59.6%) and followed a scientist practitioner training model (69.9%). The response rate across specialties ranged from 34.5 % to 41.4%. Nearly all (95.6%) reported having a required ethics course. Lectures (95.6%) were the most common teaching method reported. Fully 100% of ethics educators reported teaching about mandated reporting and informed consent to treatment. An overwhelming majority (90% and above) covered the same 11 other topics, showing notable convergence in content. The most commonly used document across programs (99.3%) was the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (APA, 2010). The most common type of assignment was reading (94.1%), and the most common teaching practice was “teaching by example” (90.4%). Finally the most endorsed teaching goal was advancement of critical thinking (94.9%). Implications for ethics education and future research directions are described.
Additional antigenic sites on human hemoglobin evident upon separation of antibody populations.

Abstract The number of antigenic sites on hemoglobin recognized by an antibody population can be determined by a fluorescence quenching titration of the Fab' monomer with hemoglobin or by a titration of the Fab' monomer with radiolabelled hemoglobin in a modified Farr assay. In spite of the recognized limitations of both methods, the same stoichiometry of a hemoglobin-Fab' reaction was obtained even for a heterogeneous Fab' population. However, the number of antigenic sites on hemoglobin determined by either method is underestimated. The Fab' population was fractionated into four mutually exclusive populations. Fluorescence quenching titrations of each of those fractions with human hemoglobin showed that the sum of the number of antigenic determinants recognized by the Fab' in each of the four fractions exceeded the number of antigenic determinants recognized by the Fab' in the unfractionated population.
Will that be one mentor or two? A cross‐sectional study of women's mentoring during college

College women are positioned at the juncture of adolescence and adulthood, as well as school and work. This study sought to identify whether the structural model underlying the mentoring of college women is dyadic in nature, as it is in adolescence and school settings, or networking in nature, as it is in adulthood and workplace settings. Traditional‐aged college women in their first year (n = 146) and fourth year (n = 115) participated in a mentoring survey. First‐year college students were more likely to seek and experience mentoring in the form of a dyadic relationship with one mentor, often with a family member or a recent high‐school teacher, while fourth‐year college students were more likely to seek and experience mentoring in the form of a network of multiple mentors, which included college faculty, family and peers. Both groups of students experienced psychosocial mentoring functions and sponsorship from mentors, but fourth‐year students reported more challenge from their mentors than first‐year ...
Understanding long run economic development as an evolutionary process

A broad sketch of an evolutionary theory of long run economic development is presented in this article, considering the basic processes and structures involved. The problematic orientation of Neoclassical growth theory is discussed, pointing out its limited macroeconomic perspective, the weak consideration of technological change and of demand, the lack of attention to institutional settings. An explanation of economic development has to consider the key role of innovation and the process of creative destruction, in the context of Schumpeterian insights and evolutionary perspectives. I argue that economists need to consider three somewhat separate bodies of research on economic development. One is the evolutionary analysis that follows Schumpeter. A second is the research on technological advance as an evolutionary process. The third is focused on institutions and how they mold the development process, and how they themselves evolve. Moreover, the role of demand in shaping growth dynamics and business cycles—stressed by Keynes and post-Keynesian approaches—has to be integrated in such evolutionary perspectives in ways that are only now starting to emerge.
An Empirical Likelihood Estimate of the Finite Population Correlation Coefficient

In this article, the problem of the estimation of finite population correlation coefficient is considered using the empirical likelihood method. A new estimator that makes the use of both the known mean and variance of an auxiliary variable is proposed. The percent relative bias and percent relative efficiency of the proposed new estimator with respect to the usual estimator of the correlation coefficient is investigated through extensive simulation study for values of the correlation coefficient from −0.90 to +0.90. The proposed estimator is found to perform better than the simple correlation coefficient from both the bias and relative efficiency points of views, for the population, considered in the investigation. At the end, the proposed estimator has been extended to complex survey designs. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.
A formalization of measurement scale forms

The general measurement scale hierarchy developed by S. S. Stevens has had widespread use and discussion, but has suffered from various criticisms, many of which may be traced to the informal descriptions and minimal mathematical formulations used in the original definitions and claims. In this paper, a mathematical model of measurement and specific scale forms is developed, using the minimum mathematical structure necessary to define each scale type. Measurement is defined, and a series of restrictions are applied to measurements to yield a precisely specified hierarchy of measurement scale forms including nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio scales, as well as several others. Equivalences are mathematically denned for each scale form, and theorems are presented specifying the sets of transformations under which equivalence is preserved, thus yielding the scale form invariances discussed by Stevens. The hierarchy of measurement scale forms is summarized in a pictorial ‘spectrum’ diagram. The development...
Sensitivity of Drug-Resistant Human Ovarian Tumor Cell Lines to Combined Effects of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF-α) and Doxorubicin: Failure of the Combination to Modulate the MDR Phenotype

Abstract We have examined four human ovarian tumor lines (A2780, AD10, OVC-8, and SKOV-3) selected for their sensitivity and/or resistance to the recombinant human tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOXO). The tumor lines were either sensitive to both agents, resistant to one or the other, or resistant to both. Of the four lines examined only the DOXO-resistant line AD10 exhibited the multidrug-resistance (MDR) phenotype. Enhanced cytotoxicity was seen with the combination of TNF-α and DOXO in each line regardless of their sensitivity or resistance patterns and, thus, demonstrates that drug resistance due to the expression of the MDR phenotype or its absence can be overcome by TNF-α and DOXO. We then examined whether TNF-α or TNF-α and DOXO modulated the MDR phenotype in AD10 as a possible mechanism of overcoming drug resistance. TNF-α had no effect on either DOXO intake or efflux as measured by flow cytometry. Further, TNF-α treatment showed no effect on the level of MDR-1 mRNA. These results suggest that the enhanced cytotoxicity seen with the combination of TNF-α and DOXO is not the result of any modulation of drug influx or efflux levels by TNF-α. Overall, these findings suggest that combination treatment with TNF-α and DOXO can overcome resistance inflicted by different mechanisms.
Distribution of the chalcone, isosalipurposide, in the onagraceae

Abstract Isosalipurposide was present in 13 species and absent from 27 other species of the Onagraceae.
Differential expression of the nerve growth factor receptor gene in multiple brain areas

Abstract Recent work has indicated that the trophic protein, nerve growth factor (NGF), is detectable in several brain regions, in addition to its well-known localization to the periphery. In addition, a number of cholinergic populations in the brain respond to NGF by increasing enzymes involved in acetylcholine metabolism. It is well recognized that responsiveness to NGF is dependent on expression of specific receptors; we have recently detected expression by the responsive rat basal forebrain/septal, cholinergic neurons, suggesting that NGF plays a physiologic role in the development of this brain pathway. To define a potential role for NGF in other rat brain regions, we isolated a rat receptor cDNA clone to use as a probe to detect receptor message by sensitive SI nuclease protection experiments. Our studies indicate that the NGF receptor (NGF-R) gene is expressed by anatomically, functionally and biochemically diverse populations, widely distributed in the rat brain, and is not restricted to the basal forebrain/septal region. We detect NGF receptor message in frontal cortex, hippocampus, caudate, cerebellum and olfactory bulb. Moreover, developmental profiles of steady-state quantities varied differently for each area. Our observations support the contention that NGF regulates multiple brain systems, in addition to forebrain cholinergic pathways.
Multiple sources of dietary calcium-some aspects of its essentiality.

Abstract The increasing recognition of the important role of calcium in the myriad regulation of cellular processes in the health and well being throughout one’s lifetime has focused on the need to ensure a sufficiency of its intake for nutritional, physiological, and medical reasons. Additionally, the recognizion of the dynamic dietary changes and preferences of various populations in terms of their consumption of calcium-containing products coupled with large variations of food patterns and availability of calcium, highlights the need to consider and evaluate multiple sources of calcium (dairy, non-dairy, fortified foods, and supplemental). Aspects of the essentiality of calcium are thus considered via an initial consideration of: the salient aspects of absorption and bioavailability, changes in individual and societal dietary habits and preferences and the evaluation of various RDAs, AIs, and DRIs for calcium.
Blood and liver cyanide concentrations in rats poisoned with oral doses of potassium cyanide

Abstract Male rats were employed to study the blood and liver cyanide (CN) concentrations after oral doses of 6, 10 and 14 mg potassium cyanide (KCN)/kg body weight. Animals killed 10 min after administration had higher blood CN concentrations than those killed near death or at survival. The minimum lethal blood CN concentration in rats was found to be in the range 2.60–2.92 μg/ml. Liver CN concentrations were generally lower than the corresponding blood CN concentration for all dosage groups studied. This was probably due to the CN detoxification capability of the liver. Lethal liver CN concentrations were in the range 0.54–6.05 μg/g.
Technology Asymmetries, Group Algebra, and Multiplant Cost Minimization

For a homogeneous good, this article studies firm-level production activities when the firm controls a plural number of plants. Through careful construction of cost function technology asymmetries, we inquire into the ordinal structure of the production vector for multiplant cost minimizers. When Schur-convexity of a reference pseudo-cost technology is the principal functional assumption, then ordinal concepts of technical asymmetries map into rank order on the equilibrium production vector. Under a more generalized characterization of the technical asymmetries a multiplant firm encounters, group theory is used to map a cardinal concept of asymmetries into cardinal bounds on the optimum allocation.
Graph-Based Approaches to Placement of Processing Element Networks on FPGAs for Physical Model Simulation

Physical models utilize mathematical equations to characterize physical systems like airway mechanics, neuron networks, or chemical reactions. Previous work has shown that field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) execute physical models efficiently. To improve the implementation of physical models on FPGAs, this article leverages graph theoretic techniques to synthesize physical models onto FPGAs. The first phase maps physical model equations onto a structured virtual processing element (PE) graph using graph theoretic folding techniques. The second phase maps the structured virtual PE graph onto physical PE regions on an FPGA using graph embedding theory. A simulated annealing algorithm is introduced that can map any physical model onto an FPGA regardless of the model's underlying topology. We further extend the simulated annealing approach by leveraging existing graph drawing algorithms to generate the initial placement. Compared to previous work on physical model implementation on FPGAs, embedding increases clock frequency by 25p on average (for applicable topologies), whereas simulated annealing increases frequency by 13p on average. The embedding approach typically produces a circuit whose frequency is limited by the FPGA clock instead of routing. Additionally, complex models that could not previously be routed due to complexity were made routable when using placement constraints.
Identification of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase RNA in rodent brain

The gene for tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) heretofore was believed to be expressed only in liver. The data presented here demonstrate that RNA encoding TDO is present in rodent brain. Oligonucleotide primers based on the rat liver TDO cDNA sequence were synthesized and used to amplify RNA derived from mouse whole brain and liver and rat brain regions by the RNA-PCR. Reaction products were purified and subjected to DNA sequencing. Identical sequences were obtained when mouse whole brain and liver RNAs were amplified, and these sequences were shown to be 96% identical to the published rat liver tryptophan TDO cDNA sequence. In addition, TDO sequences were found in RNA derived from rat brainstem, cerebellum, cortex, hypothalamus, and the remainder of the brain.
Increased apoptosis in acquired sideroblastic anaemia.

Idiopathic acquired sideroblastic anaemias (IASAs) form a subgroup of the myelodysplastic syndromes and are characterized by mitochondrial iron accumulation, bone marrow erythroid hyperplasia and decreased peripheral red blood cell counts. Increased intramedullary apoptosis of erythroid precursors is presumed to constitute the pathophysiological mechanism explaining this ineffective erythropoiesis, but if and how mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in this process is currently unknown. We therefore studied bone marrow precursor cells obtained from nine patients with IASA for (i) caspase 3 activity, (ii) numbers of Annexin V- and 7-amino-actinomycin-positive cells, (iii) numbers of cells with diminished mitochondrial membrane potential, Delta Psi(m), and (iv) numbers of cells producing reactive oxygen species (ROS), and we compared the results with those of five normal bone marrow samples. Compared with controls, we found increased caspase 3 activity in all IASA samples, which correlated with increased numbers of Annexin-V-positive cells (r = 0.7). Analysis of different subpopulations showed increased apoptosis in erythroid populations compared with myeloid and/or lymphoid populations in five out of nine cases, and increased apoptosis in the last two populations in four out of nine cases. As evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction, Delta Psi(m) was found to be diminished in the erythroid subpopulations of all cases of IASA (66.6 +/- 17% vs. 34.6 +/- 12% in normals). Delta Psi(m) decrease was correlated to Annexin V positivity (r = 0.7). Astonishingly, no difference was found between IASA and normal bone marrows with regard to the number of ROS-producing cells. In fact, both groups exhibited a similar low proportion of ROS production (10.3 +/- 7% in normals vs. 6.8 +/- 5% in IASA). Taken together, our results show that mitochondria are clearly implicated in the apoptotic process in IASA patients. Whether this is a result of an intramitochondrial defect (e.g. Fe accumulation, secondary to mitochondrial or nuclear DNA mutations) or is secondary to an extracellular stimulus [e.g. tumour necrosis factor (TNF), Fas ligand (FasL)] remains to be determined.
Azimuthal variations in attributes for induced fracture detection in the Barnett Shale

AbstractWide azimuth seismic data acquisition has become standard in many plays where azimuthal characterization of fractures or stress is important for fully understanding reservoir behavior. Usually, the desire is to image preexisting fracture networks, but, in artificially stimulated reservoirs, it is also desirable to understand the fracture state after completion. To characterize the induced fractures in a heavily drilled area of the Barnett Shale, a wide azimuth survey was acquired and processed to generate four separate azimuthal stacks. Attributes exploiting variations in amplitude and waveform were independently calculated for each azimuthal stack. Azimuthal variations in the attributes were then quantified through ellipse fitting. The attributes with the most statistical significance in azimuthal variability were those related to frequency such as the wavelet dominant frequency. These attributes were consistent with each other but show a wide distribution over azimuths across the survey. In addi...
Interaction of force-fitting and surface roughness of implants.

Background: Increased surface roughness may increase installation torque and thus appear to increase the initial stability of an implant. However, it is not immediately clear if the increased torque is attributable to an increase in the effective diameter of the implant or to increased resistance of the bone because of the greater roughness. Purpose: Force-fitting stresses arise when an implant is placed into a predrilled hole of smaller-diameter in bone. The purpose of this report is to discuss the interaction of force-fitting stresses and surface roughness effects and to develop some general guidelines as to clinical procedures based on this theory. Materials and Methods: Solutions for the force-fitting stresses are derived from well-known equations of elasticity. Results: Substantial force-fitting stresses on the order of several tens of MPa can be generated when a titanium cylinder is placed into a hole in bone, the diameter of which is only 100 m smaller. Conclusion: When a hole slightly smaller than the implant diameter is prepared for implant placement, force-fitting stress increases installation torque and stability can be induced. Thus, large surface roughness of implants should not be viewed as an exclusive mechanism for providing a desirable level of initial fixity. Smaller roughness with the same mean diameter is equally effective.
Resolution of refractory, classic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura after staphylococcal protein A immunoadsorption.

Background: Multiple therapeutic interventions are available for treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Resolution of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura may require use of several of these interventions. Case Report: A patient presenting with classic (non- cancer chemotherapy-associated) thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura had an initial response to intensive, daily plasma exchange with fresh- frozen plasma and cryosupernatant. Multiple attempts over a period of 2 months to decrease the frequency of plasma exchange resulted in exacerbations of disease activity, indicated by increased schistocytosis, decreased hematocrit, increased serum lactate dehydrogenase, and decreased platelet counts. After a total of 39 plasma exchanges, the patient was begun on immunoadsorption therapy utilizing a staphylococcal protein A immunoadsorption treatment column. After six 2000-mL protein A immunoadsorption treatments, the patient's platelet count, lactate dehydrogenase, and peripheral smear normalized, and they have remained normal over nearly 4 months of follow-up. Conclusion: Treatment by protein A immunoadsorption may be of benefit in patients with classic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura who are not achieving a sustained remission with conventional plasma exchange therapy.
Good Mother, Bad Mother: Perception of Mothering by Rural African-American Women Who Use Cocaine

To understand the culture of rural African-American women who use cocaine, ethnographic research was conducted in a rural county by means of in-depth interviews and participant observation with 30 ...
A note on the use of industry-relative ratios in bankruptcy prediction

Abstract The potential for industry-relative financial ratios to improve the prediction of firms in financial distress motivated this comparison of model specifications based on either unadjusted or industry-relative ratios. Both specifications yielded stable parameter estimates over the time periods examined. However, the industry-relative specification appeared to add incremental information not contained in the model based on the unadjusted financial ratios; the converse case did not hold. In addition, with the industry-relative specification, ex post forecast accuracy was slightly improved relative to the ex ante forecast, while with the unadjusted model specification, ex post forecast accuracy declined from that obtained ex ante.
A Bayesian network of eutrophication models for synthesis, prediction, and uncertainty analysis

A Bayesian network consists of a graphical structure and a probabilistic description of the relationships among variables in a system. The graphical structure explicitly represents cause-and-effect assumptions that allow a complex causal chain linking actions to outcomes to be factored into an articulated series of conditional relationships. Each of these relationships can then be independently quantified using a submodel suitable for the type and scale of information available. This approach is particularly useful for ecological modelling because predictable patterns may emerge at a variety of scales, necessitating a multiplicity of model forms. As an example, we describe a Bayesian network integrating models of the various processes involved in eutrophication in the Neuse River estuary, North Carolina. These models were developed using a range of methods, including: process-based models statistically fit to long-term monitoring data, Bayesian hierarchical modelling of cross-system data gathered from the literature, multivariate regression modelling of mesocosm experiments, and judgements elicited from scientific experts. The ability of the network to accommodate such a diversity of methods allowed for the prediction of policy-relevant ecosystem attributes not normally included in models of eutrophication. All of the submodels in the network include estimates of predictive uncertainty in the form of probability distributions which are propagated to model endpoints. Predictions expressed as probabilities give stakeholders and decision-makers a realistic appraisal of the chances of achieving desired outcomes under alternative nutrient management strategies. In general, the further down the causal chain a variable was, the greater the predictive uncertainty. This suggests that a compromise is necessary between policy relevance and predictive precision, and that, to select defensible environmental management strategies, public officials must adopt decision-making methods that deal explicitly with scientific uncertainty. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Circadian Rhythms in Step-input Pursuit Tracking

Subjects performed a stop-input pursuit tracking task at regular intervals over two clays. Performance varied with time of day in a manner and to an extent dependent upon the choice of index so that circadian rhythms for speed scores were in inverse phase with those for accuracy scores. Presence or absence of knowledge of results made no significant difference to the time of day effect but increased short term memory demands disturbed the movement time rhythm supporting the hypothesis that psychomotor and short term memory functions vary in inverse phase with time of day.
Assessment of International Psychogeriatrics : The Journal of the International Psychogeriatric Association

In 1996, new editorial management took over International Psychogeriatrics (IP), only a year after the frequency of its publication increased from semiannual to quarterly. At the request of the editorial board, an assessment of the journal was conducted by comparing it to other journals in the field of geriatrics and, specifically, geriatric psychiatry. The evaluation included both a modified citation analysis and a review of journal content. The study was undertaken in order to identify the position the journal has within its discipline. Further, it was to identify the journal's strengths and weaknesses with the overall goal of recommending changes to IP's current content and format. IP ranked seventh of 15 journals in terms of impact factor. It is primarily oriented towards the publication of original research, and features fewer longer articles than others in the field. Adding a wider variety of content may increase the overall interest in the journal. However, these changes must be weighed against the goals of the journal and its reputation as a source of original research in the field of geriatrics.
Manufacture and Characterization of Gua-Nai: A New Dairy Food Produced with an Oriental-Type Culture

Abstract Gua-nai is a sweet-set gel produced from pasteurized whole or skim milk. The milk-clotting enzymes were elaborated from Chinese wine cake culture raised on steamed glutinous rice (sweet rice). The organisms involved were isolated and identified as Amylomyces rouxii, Rhizopus oryzae, Aspergillus oryzae , and a single yeast, Endomycopsis burtonii . These organisms were employed in the reconstitution of the wine cake culture using sweet rice flour as the medium. During the rice fermentation, a clear, effervescent, pale yellow liquid phase appeared exhibiting both proteolytic and milk-clotting activities and containing ethanol. Taxonomic studies of the mycoflora of the fermenting rice also revealed a gradual disappearance of the filamentous molds, leaving only the yeast in the medium at completion of fermentation. A consumer taste panel did not indicate significant differences between gua-nai made with commercial wine cake culture and that made with the culture reconstituted from isolated microorganisms.
ADJUSTING THE TOP END OF THE ALKYL RADICAL KINETIC SCALE. LASER FLASH PHOTOLYSIS CALIBRATIONS OF FAST RADICAL CLOCKS AND RATE CONSTANTS FOR REACTIONS OF BENZENESELENOL

Rate constants for 5-exo cyclizations of the 6,6-diphenyl-5-hexenyl radical (1a), the 1-methyl-6,6-diphenyl-5-hexenyl radical (1b), and the 1,1-dimethyl-6,6-diphenyl-5-hexenyl radical (1c) were measured by laser flash photolysis methods, and Arrhenius parameters for these cyclizations were determined. Relative rate constants for cyclizations of radicals 1 and reactions with benzeneselenol were determined by indirect kinetic methods, and the relative Arrhenius parameters for the competing reactions were combined with the parameters for the cyclization reactions to give absolute Arrhenius parameters for the PhSeH reactions. At 20 °C, PhSeH reacts with the 1°, 2°, and 3° radicals 1 with nearly the same rate constants, (1.2 ± 0.1) × 109 M-1 s-1. Absolute Arrhenius parameters for reactions of PhSH and t-BuSH with the primary alkyl radical 1a were calculated using literature values for the competition between cyclization of 1a and reactions with the appropriate thiol and the absolute values for cyclization of 1...
Development of trail network model and web-based bikeway routing service system

A trail network data model provides an infrastructure that can be used for non-motorized transportation analysis and decision making. In this paper, a trail network model, TNM, is discussed, and a web-based bikeway routing service system, BikerRouting, is presented to provide routing services to bikers on the Virginia trail network implemented based on TNM. In this paper, 1) the trail network model design is presented and its differences from a standard street network model are analyzed, and 2) the online bikeway routing service system is discussed.
Volatile organic compounds in coastal seawater

Abstract The occurence and temporal variations of a variety of low to medium polarity organic compounds in the volatility range bracketed by n -heptane and n -octadecane have been studied in seawater from a station in Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts, and from a tidal creek in Sippewisset Marsh, Massachusetts. The closed-loop vapor phase stripping method of Grob and Zurcher ( J. Chromatogr. , v. 117, p. 285–294), high resolution glass capillary gas chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used. Approximately 50 compounds were found at ≥ 2 ng/kg; most were recovered at less than 10 ng/kg, while the 20 ng/kg level was only rarely exceeded by a few components. The total material recovered was 0.2–1.0 μg organic carbon equivalent/kg seawater. The major compound classes found were normal alkanes, alkenes, aromatic and alkylaromatic hydrocarbons, n -aldehydes, dimethyldisulfide and dimethyltrisulfide, and a few halogenated hydrocarbons. The preliminary results suggest that both biogenic and anthropogenic sources were representted. Also, air-sea gas exchange and other physical processes may be important non-biological sinks.
Assessment of compositional relatedness between proteins.

IT is sometimes desirable to study the possible relationship of two proteins when sequence data are unavailable. Few methods are useful for such an analysis: molecular size, functional criteria, genetic localization, end group analysis, tryptic fingerprints all have serious shortcomings. Immunological criteria may be useful when cross-reactivity is found, but such cross-reactivity is frequently one of the earliest common features to be lost. A possible useful criterion is amino-acid composition. Despite considerable changes in protein structure brought about by a limited number of sequence changes, the overall composition of evolutionary related proteins can be expected to remain quite similar. We wish to present a simple method for assessing and describing such compositional relatedness.
Lord Jim, Paul de Man, and the debate between deconstructive and humanistic criticism

(1998). Lord Jim, Paul de Man, and the debate between deconstructive and humanistic criticism. Lit: Literature Interpretation Theory: Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 65-84.
Burnout in chairs of obstetrics and gynecology: diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of burnout in chairs of academic departments of obstetrics and gynecology, identify important stressors, and develop strategies to treat and prevent burnout. Study design: We performed a cross-sectional study of 131 chairs in the United States and Puerto Rico. We used a 6-part questionnaire focusing on demographics, potential stressors, satisfaction with personal and professional life, self-efficacy, burnout as measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS), and support from the spouse/partner and family. Statistical analyses were performed with the χ 2 test for categorical variables and t test or analysis of variance for continuous variables. Results: Questionnaires were returned from 119 chairs, 110 men and 9 women, a response rate of 91%. Chairs had served an average of 7.2 years. They worked an average of 67.4 hours each week, spending 45% of their time in administrative duties, 31% in patient care, 15% in teaching, and 8% in research. Female chairs worked significantly more hours per week than male chairs, 76.9 versus 66.7 hours ( P = .005). Chairs who had served >10 years worked significantly fewer hours each week than did those who had been chairs P = .04). The most significant stressors were hospital/departmental budget deficits, Medicare/Medicaid billing audits, loss of key faculty, union disputes, and faculty, resident, and staff dismissals. To deal with stress, chairs most often spent time with family and friends. Twenty-two percent of chairs were somewhat-very dissatisfied with their positions. The MBI-HSS revealed a high subscale score for emotional exhaustion, moderate-high for depersonalization, and high for personal accomplishment. High emotional exhaustion was observed in younger chairs, those who worked nearly 70 hours each week, and those with less spouse/partner support. Burnout was more common in new chairs. Conclusion: Burnout in chairs of obstetrics and gynecology is characterized by a high level of emotional exhaustion, moderate-high depersonalization, and high personal accomplishment. These findings should be used to develop programs to improve the psychologic well-being of our academic leaders. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;186:601-12.)
Analytic S-matrix considerations and time delay in resonant tunneling

Abstract General properties of resonant tunneling are discussed from the point of view of analytic S-matrix theory and illustrated through an examination of explicit cases. Most of the illustrated properties have a general character in the sense that they are independent of the details of barrier shapes. Breit-Wigner-like expressions are obtained for resonant tunneling and issues related to unitarity, factorization of residues, partial widths and resonant tunneling time delay are discussed. Special attention is given to the physics of time delay.
The pathophysiology of the ocular microenvironment. I. Preliminary report on the possible involvement of copper in ocular inflammation.

The concentration of copper ([Cu]) in the extracellular fluid compartments of rabbit eyes was found to increase approximately 30-fold during experimental uveitis, generally paralleling increases in [protein]. However, during the recovery phase the decrease in [Cu] lags behind the decrease in [protein] in some rabbits, suggesting the presence of abnormally high levels of non-protein-associated Cu. Intravitreal injection of CuSO4 (6 μg of Cu/eye) causes an inflammatory response and evidence of tissue damage. A better understanding of trace element metabolism is clearly required to further elucidate the mechanism of ocular inflammation and associated tissue damage.