cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comparison of saturation pressure differences and GOES VAS estimates to surface observations of cloudiness

Saturation pressure differences are calculated from upper-air soundings and compared to manual surface observations of cloudiness. The mean saturation pressure difference between 1000 and 700, 700 and 400, and 400 and 300 mb is calculated and compared to the observed composite cloudiness for those layers. Results indicate that as the absolute value of saturation pressure difference decreases toward zero, the resulting ground observed composite cloud amount increases. However, the mean saturation pressure difference for high clouds ranges from 64 mb under clear skies to 16 mb for overcast conditions. This corresponds to relative humidities between 25% and 76%. Most previous studies do not indicate such large cloud amounts at these humidities. Three empirical relationships that define low, middle, and high clouds are developed based on one year of comparisons. These relationships are then tested on an independent dataset that include a wide variety of cloud cover conditions. Qualitative comparisons are made to manual observations of cloudiness and indicate that the relationships overall slightly overestimate the frequency of cloudiness. Cloudiness derived from the Visible-Infrared Spin Scan Radiometer Atmospheric Sounder onboard the Geostationary Environmental Operational Satellite 7 using the CO{sub 2} slicing technique is also compared to surface observations. Results indicate thatmore » the satellite-derived cloudiness overestimates cloudiness compared with surface observations but is also very similar to the saturation pressure difference estimates. 12 refs., 13 figs., 3 tabs.« less
AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF TENDON/RISER PAIRS IN WAVES

Results from a large-scale experimental study to investigate wave interaction with single and paired flexible cylinders are presented. The cylinders were designed to be representative of TLP risers or tendons in 1006 m (3000 ft) of water. The data from the single cylinder tests illustrates the complex, multi-modal nature of the response. Direct comparison of the experimental data with Morison equation based finite element simulations are presented. Analysis of the paired cylinder data shows the importance of modelling the hydrodynamic interference between the cylinders. The importance of accounting for the non-Gaussian nature of the relative displacement between the cylinders in the prediction of collisions between the cylinders. The importance of accounting for the non-Gaussian nature of the relative displacement between the cylinders in the prediction of collisions between the cylinders is discussed.
The effects of four general anesthetics on intracellular [Ca2+] in cultured rat hippocampal neurons.

Abstract It has been suggested that general anesthesia might arise as a consequence of increased cytoplasmic free ionized calcium concentration {[Ca2+]i}. The effect of increased [Ca2+]i might be to activate K+ channels or to modulate other ion channels important for the control of excitability, such as the GABAA receptor. A direct test of this hypothesis has not been reported. Microfluorimetry with the calcium-sensitive dye fura-2 was used to study the effects of four anesthetic agents on the regulation of intracellular free Ca2+ in hippocampal neurons cultured from the embryonic rat hippocampus. Basal intracellular free ionized calcium concentration [Ca2+]i in the neurons was 50–100 nM. Depolarization of the neurons with 50 mM K+ resulted in the elevation of [Ca2+]i to 200–800 nM, with subsequent recovery of [Ca2+]i over several minutes. The volatile anesthetics halothane, enflurane and isoflurane did not alter basal [Ca2+]i even above clinically relevant concentrations; however, they did inhibit elevation of [Ca2+]i by high K+ stimulation. The intravenous anesthetic methohexital caused small increases in basal [Ca2+]i at concentrations ⩾ 50 μM; methohexital (5–50 μM) also inhibited elevations of [Ca2+]i induced by high K+. The evidence presented here suggests that the anesthetics studied do not produce their actions via sustained or transient increases in [Ca2+]i. However, all of the anesthetics studied appear to possess inhibitory effects on hippocampal voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, in addition to their previously described effects at GABAA receptors.
An isolic generalization of Cauchy's theorem for finite groups

In his note [5] Hausner states a simple combinatorial principle, namely: $$(H)\left\{ {\begin{array}{*{20}c} {if f is a function a non - empty finite set \sigma into itself, p a} \\ {prime, f^p = i_\sigma and \sigma _0 the set of fixed points of f, then } \\ {\left| \sigma \right| \equiv \left| {\sigma _0 } \right|(mod p).} \\\end{array}} \right.$$ . He then shows how this principle can be used to prove: Lete=(0,1, ...),ℱ 1−1 the family of all one-to-one functions from a subset ofe intoe andℳ 1−1 the family of all p.r. (i.e., partial recursive) one-to-one functions from a subset ofe intoe. A subsetα of e is finite, ifα is not equivalent to a proper subset under a function inℱ 1−1. The setα is calledisolated, if it is not equivalent to a proper subset under a function inℳ 1−1. An isolated set can also be defined as a subset ofe which has no infinite r.e. (i.e., recursively enumerable) subset. While every finite set is isolated, there are $$c = 2^{\aleph _0 }$$ infinite sets which are isolated; these sets are calledimmune. It is the purpose of this paper to generalize (H) to a principle (H*) for isolated sets and to show how (H*) can be used to prove generalizations of Fermat's little theorem and Cauchy's theorem for finite groups. We have been unable to generalize Lucas' theorem in a similar manner.
Energetics and kinetics of surface states at n-type silicon surfaces in aqueous fluoride solutions

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to analyze the energetics and kinetics of processes occurring at n-type silicon (111) surfaces in 1 M NH4F solutions in the pH range 3−11 in the dark. An additional impedance parallel to that of the space charge layer was observed due to electrically active surface states. The surface states are located energetically at about 0.38 eV below the conduction band and have a capture cross section of 1 × 10-16 cm2. The rate constant for thermal excitation of electrons from the surface states into the conduction band is essentially independent of pH, indicating the surface states are physically the same on both hydrogen terminated and oxidized silicon surfaces. The density of surface states is 2 × 1010 cm-2 at pH 3, characteristic of the hydrogen terminated surface, and increases to 1 × 1012 cm-2 at pH 11, corresponding to an oxide passivated surface.
Scaling of Structural Strength

1. Introduction 2. Asymptotic Analysis of Size Effect 3. Randomness and Disorder 4. Energetic Scaling for Sea Ice and Concrete Structures 5. Energetic Scaling of Compression Fracture and Further applications to Concrete, Rock and Composites 6. Scaling via J-Integral, with applications to Kink Bands in Fibre Composites 7. Time Dependance, Repeated Loads and Energy Absorption Capacity 8. Computational Approaches to Quasibrittle Fracture and its Scaling 9. New Asymptotic Scaling Analysis of Cohesive Crack Model and Smeared-Tip Method
Youth Violence in the City: The Role of Educational Interventions

Interpersonal violence is a major cause of ill health in urban communities and a significant social and political problem. The epidemiology of interpersonal violence is summarized, highlighting the fact the youth are overrepresented as victims and perpetrators of violence. General areas of agreement and disagreement about programmatic approaches to reducing youth violence are summarized, emphasizing that the most effective programs are comprehensive and integrated and incorporate multiple strategies at multiple levels in multiple settings. Four types of educational strategies to reduce youth violence are summarized: conflict management skills training, youth-operated programs, psychoeducational strategies, and family-based educational strategies. Exemplars of each are presented, and their strengths and weaknesses are discussed. Strategies to implement effective programs are summarized, and the policy and program planning implications of what is known are discussed.
Cloud liquid water path comparisons from passive microwave and solar reflectance satellite measurements: Assessment of sub-field-of-view cloud effects in microwave retrievals

Satellite observations of the cloud liquid water path (LWP) are compared from special sensor microwave imager (SSM/I) measurements and GOES 8 imager solar reflectance (SR) measurements to ascertain the impact of sub-field-of-view (FOV) cloud effects on SSM/I 37 GHz retrievals. The SR retrievals also incorporate estimates of the cloud droplet effective radius derived from the GOES 8 3.9-μm channel. The comparisons consist of simultaneous collocated and full-resolution measurements and are limited to nonprecipitating marine stratocumulus in the eastern Pacific for two days in October 1995. The retrievals from these independent methods are consistent for overcast SSM/I FOVs, with RMS differences as low as 0.030 kg m−2, although biases exist for clouds with more open spatial structure, where the RMS differences increase to 0.039 kg m−2. For broken cloudiness within the SSM/I FOV the average beam-filling error (BFE) in the microwave retrievals is found to be about 22% (average cloud amount of 73%). This systematic error is comparable with the average random errors in the microwave retrievals. However, even larger BFEs can be expected for individual FOVs and for regions with less cloudiness. By scaling the microwave retrievals by the cloud amount within the FOV, the systematic BFE can be significantly reduced but with increased RMS differences of 0.046–0.058 kg m−2 when compared to the SR retrievals. The beam-filling effects reported here are significant and are expected to impact directly upon studies that use instantaneous SSM/I measurements of cloud LWP, such as cloud classification studies and validation studies involving surface-based or in situ data.
Do you speak Arabic? Managing axes of adequation and difference in pan-Arab talent programs

Abstract This article explores pan-Arab corporate media management of linguistic diversity in televised talent show competitions from 2003 to 2013. Pan-Arab television operates on an ideology and profit logic of transnational Arab ethnolinguistic unity. However, entertainment programming does not utilize Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) as the interactional norm, despite state linguistic regimes. Instead, entertainment media has discursively constructed Mashreqi (eastern) Arabic as unmarked media Arabic. I argue that changes in talent program participation tactics are widening corporate media inclusion and legibility of non-“core” Arabics (such as Tunisian, Fessi, Emirati, non-standard social registers) in recognition of changing market sensibilities.
Estimating sequential bias in online reviews: A Kalman filtering approach

Online reviews of products along with reviewer related data are regarded by many as one of the most significant knowledge base systems created by online commerce websites. They have played a big role in fueling the popularity and growth of electronic marketplaces like Amazon and eBay. Although the main attraction of online reviews is that they are perceived by most consumers to be independent and unbiased, many studies have shown the existence of various types of biases inherent in the product reviews. In this paper we present a novel approach of estimating the bias in reviews using Kalman filtering technique that is computationally feasible and can update the estimation of bias with every new review without having to store all the past ratings information. We further extend our model to study the existence of sequential bias in the reviews. We use panel data from 19 different products collected from Amazon.com and show the existence of sequential bias in ratings that depends on previous review and reviewer characteristics.
Structure and composition of hydrocarbons and fatty acids from a marine blue-green alga, Synechococcus sp.

The major hydrocarbons of Synechococcus sp., a marine blue-green alga isolated from the Gulf of Mexico, were identified as 1-nonadecene and 1,14-nonadecadiene. The content of 1-nonadecene increased with culture age from about 0.5 mg/g dry weight in young cells to about 2.3 mg/g dry weight in old cells, while the content of 1,14-nonadecadiene remained constant with culture age at about 1 mg/g dry weight. Both [1-14C]acetate and [2-14C]acetate were incorporated to equal extents into the hydrocarbons. [1-14C]Stearate was incorporated into the hydrocarbons, but [3H]arachidate was not. The fatty acids of Synechococcus sp. were typical of blue-green algae, consisting of C16:0, C16:1, C16:1, C16:0, C18:0, C18:1, C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids were detected. The hexadecenoic acid was shown to be 9-C16:1 while the octadecenoic acid was a mixture of 93% 11-C18:1 and 7% 9-C18:1. The fatty acid content increased during the first 4 days of growth and then decreased slightly.
Long-term results of side-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy.

Chronic alcoholism is the etiologic factor initiating most instances of chronic pancreatitis and its complications in the United States of America. The goal of operative intervention is to relieve incapacitating abdominal and back pain, while preserving as much endocrine and exocrine function as possible. Ultrasound and computed tomography scans are helpful for the identification of gross anatomical changes in the pancreas, but endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is critical for the precise delineation of pancreatic ductal anatomy. In patients who exhibit dilation of the pancreatic duct secondary to single or multiple sites of obstruction, pancreatic ductal drainage will provide complete or significant relief of pain in greater than 80% of patients. Side-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy has evolved as the operation which permits the widest drainage of the entire pancreatic ductal system. Although, initially, it was hoped that pancreatic exocrine and endocrine function would improve or stabilize after pancreatic ductal drainage, follow-up studies show that the destructive process in the pancreatic islets and acinar cells initiated by chronic alcoholism continues during the years after operation with an increasing incidence of diabetes and steatorrhea. Late mortality is primarily related to continued alcoholism and death secondary to alcohol-(and smoking-) associated diseases. Correction of coexistent complications secondary to chronic pancreatitis including pseudocyst and biliary and/or duodenal obstruction should be considered at the time of pancreatic ductal drainage.
Zur Auswertung von UV‐Vis‐Spektren schwacher organischer π‐π‐Molekülkomplexe. X Die Beeinflussung der spektroskopischen und thermo‐dynamischen Charakteristika der Komplexbildung bei sterischer Hinderung

Fur die TCNQ-Komplexe des Anthracens sowie dessen 9-Methyl-, 9,10-Dimethyl-, 9-Phenyl- und 9,10-Diphenylderivate wurden die Assoziationskonstanten, Komplex-bildungsenthalpien und -entropien bestimmt. Es zeigt sich eine Abnahme der Komplexbildungs-fahigkeit bei zunehmender Phenylsubstitution, hervorgerufen durch eine sterische Hinderung der Komplexbildung. Letzteres fuhrt zu groseren Werten fur die Reaktionsentropie und infolge groserer Gleichgewichtsabstande zu kleineren Bildungsenthalpien im Vergleich zum Anthracen/TCNQ-Komplex. Die erhaltenen Ergebnisse fur die Molekulkomplexe im Grundzustand stehen in Einklang mit der Fahigkeit der Donatoren zur Photodimerisierung. Analysis of the U.V.-Vis Spectra of Weak Organic π-π-Molecular Complexes. X. The Influence of Steric Hindrance on Spectroscopic and Thermodynamic Data of Complex Formation The association constants, formation enthalpies and entropies of TCNQ complexes of anthracene and its 9-methyl, 9,10-dimethyl, 9-phenyl and 9,10-diphenyl derivatives are determined. Phenylsubstitution effects a decrease of complex stability, induced by a steric hindrance of the complex formation. An increase of the formation entropy and decrease of enthalpy in comparison with the anthracene complex result. The decrease of formation enthalpy is a consequence of the greater equilibria distances in case of phenylsubstituted anthracene complexes. The obtained results for the ground state molecular complexes are in keeping with the donators' ability to photodimerise.
Neutron therapy and dosimetry at the UCLA neutron therapy facility

On July 1, 1986, just short of 7 years from the date of contract award. The UCLA Neutron Therapy Facility began patient treatment. The facility, one of four supported by The National Cancer Institute neutron therapy clinical trials program, uses a 46 MeV negative-ion-proton cyclotron and the reaction {p, Be(26)} [the target is sufficiently thick to absorb 26 MeV of the incident proton energy], to create a spectrum of neutrons having a mean energy of approximately 20 MeV. Dosimetric calibration of the beam is performed using A-150. “Tissue Equivalent Plastic” ion chambers and the methods contained in The AAPM Task Group 18, Neutron Dosimetry Protocol. Clinical treatment planning is accomplished using the Tissue Air Ratio techniques developed for photon dosimetry and adapted for the UCLA neutron spectrum. Dosimetric results and clinical experience up to the time of presentation will be discussed.
Further environmental factors affecting the antigenicity of Trichophyton rubrum.

Biochemical determinations performed on ammonium sulfate soluble and insoluble fractions of crude mycelial extracts ofTrichophyton rubrum indicated that these antigens were either carbohydrates or carbohydrates with peptide side chains. The antigens contained considerable amounts of galactose and mannose.
LEUKEMIA TREATMENT IN SEVERE COMBINED IMMUNODEFICIENCY MICE BY ANTISENSE OLIGODEOXYNUCLEOTIDES TARGETING COOPERATING ONCOGENES

Transformation of hematopoietic cells by the p210bcr/abl tyrosine kinase appears to require the expression of a functional MYC protein, suggesting that simultaneous targeting of BCR-ABL and c-myc might be a rational strategy for attempting treatment of Phil-adelphia leukemia. To test this hypothesis, severe combined immunodeficiency mice injected with Philadelphia leukemic cells were treated systemically with equal doses of bcr-abl or c-myc antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) or with both ODNs in combination. Compared with the mice treated with individual agents, the disease process was much slower in the group treated with both ODNs, as revealed by flow cytometry, clonogenic assay, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis to detect leukemic cells in mouse tissue cell suspensions, and by enumeration of liver metastases. The retardation of the disease process was positively correlated with a markedly increased survival of leukemic mice treated with both ODNs. These data demonstrate the therapeutic potential of targeting multiple cooperating oncogenes.
Synthesis of tigogenyl β-O-cellobioside heptaacetate and glycoside tetraacetate via Schmidt's trichloroacetimidate method; some new observatons.

Abstract In studying the synthesis of tigogenyl β-O-cellobioside 1 via the trichloroacetimidate method of Schmidt, cesium carbonate was found to be an efficient reagent for the synthesis of peracetylated disacchadde α-trichloroacetimidates. Zinc bromide was superior to BF3·Et2O for coupling these disaccharide α-trichloroacetimidates with the steroid tigogenin.
Evaluation of techniques for correction of entropion in lambs

Abstract Purebred and crossbred lambs exhibiting signs of entropic eyelids with varying levels of severity were treated by four different treatment techniques. Of the 274 entropic eyes, a vast majority (83.9%) was treated adequately by one of the four treatment techniques. Excision was the most efficacious method (92.4%), followed by injection (84.3%), pinching (78.9%) and wound clip (66.7%). Only 3.7% of the cases treated with excision required retreatment. However, the percentage of overcorrection was the highest (17.1 %) with this technique, mainly due to variation among technicians administering the treatments. It was observed that there was a large between-breed variation, and certain rams sired most of the entropic progenies within some breeds. The possible inherited nature of entropion is being studied in this flock and will be reported separately. In conclusion, frequency of retreatment and overcorrection, as well as suitability of these techniques to general management practices in a flock, should be considered before choosing the appropriate technique.
An advertisement-based peer-to-peer search algorithm

Most of the existing search algorithms for unstructured peer-to-peer (P2P) systems share one common approach: the requesting node sends out a keyword search query and the query message is repeatedly routed and forwarded to other peers in the overlay network. Due to multiple hops involved in query forwarding, the search may result in a long delay before it is answered. Furthermore, some incapable nodes may be overloaded when the query traffic becomes intensive or bursty. In this paper, we present a novel content-pushing, Advertisement-based Search Algorithm for unstructured Peer-to-peer systems (ASAP). An advertisement (ad) is a synopsis of contents a peer tends to share, and appropriately distributed and selectively cached by other peers in the system. In ASAP, nodes proactively advertise their contents by delivering ads, and selectively storing interesting ads received from other peers. Upon a request, a node can locate the destination nodes by looking up its local ads repository, and thus obtain a one-hop search latency with modest search cost. Comprehensive experimental results show that, compared with traditional query-based search algorithms, ASAP achieves much better search efficiency, and maintains system load at a low level with small variations. In addition, ASAP works well under node churn.
Error analysis of difficult TREC topics

Given the experimental nature of information retrieval, progress critically depends on analyzing the errors made by existing retrieval approaches and understanding their limitations. Our research explores various hypothesized reasons for hard topics in TREC-8 ad hoc task, and shows that the bad performance is partially due to the existence of highly distracting sub-collections that can dominate the overall performance.
Scrambling of pseudohalogen groups on the dimethylsilicon moiety

Abstract Proton nuclear magnetic resonance was employed in a quantitative study of most of the equilibria resulting from scrambling on dimethylsilicon of isocyano, isocyanato, and isothiocyanato groups with each other and with the chloro, bromo methoxy, and methylthio groups. The pseudohalogen groups behave similarly to the halogens with respect to deviations from additivity in Pauling-type bond energies.
Capacity Reduction and Fire Load Factors for Design of Steel Members Exposed to Fire

A general reliability-based methodology is proposed for developing capacity reduction and fire load factors for design of steel members exposed to fire. The effect of active fire protection systems (e.g., sprinklers, smoke and heat detectors, fire brigade, etc.) in reducing the probability of occurrence of a severe fire is included. The design parameters that significantly affect the fire design of steel members are chosen as random variables. Raw experimental data published in the literature was analyzed to obtain the statistics of parameters for which no statistical information was available in the literature. Model errors associated with the thermal analysis models are also characterized based on experimental data. It is found that uncertainty associated with the fire design parameters is significantly higher than that of room temperature design parameters. To illustrate the proposed methodology, capacity reduction and fire load factors are developed for simply supported steel beams in U.S. office buildings, and it is shown that for consistent reliability these factors should vary depending on the presence of active fire protection systems in a building.
Concurrent multi-channel time-resolved NIR with MR mammography: Instrumentation and initial clinical results

We report the development of a multi-channel NIR imager-spectrometer based on the time-correlated single photon counting technique1 for breast imaging. The instrument is capable of operating as a stand-alone modality or coupled to a MR scanner. Initial clinical results are also presented.
Rac2 stimulates Akt activation affecting BAD/Bcl-XL expression while mediating survival and actin function in primary mast cells.

Abstract Mast cells generated from Rac2-deficient (−/−) mice demonstrated defective actin-based functions, including adhesion, migration, and degranulation. Rac2 −/− mast cells generated lower numbers and less mast cell colonies in response to growth factors and were deficient in vivo. Rac2 −/− mast cells demonstrated a significant reduction in growth factor–induced survival, which correlated with the lack of activation of Akt and significant changes in the expression of the Bcl-2 family members BAD and Bcl-X L , in spite of a 3-fold induction of Rac1 protein. These results suggest that Rac2 plays a unique role in multiple cellular functions and describe an essential role for Rac2 in growth factor–dependent survival and expression of BAD/Bcl-X L .
Single-loop ΔΣ modulator with extended dynamic range

A single-loop delta-sigma modulator with extended dynamic range is proposed. It employs an auxiliary quantiser to process the quantisation error of the main quantiser. This simple addition guarantees improved stability over a wider signal input range and also reduces the sensitivity to the front-end DAC nonlinearity. Simulation results are provided to verify the effectiveness of this structure.
ANALYSIS OF MULTIVARIATE MATCHED-PAIRED DATA: A FORTRAN 77 PROGRAM

The FORTRAN program MVMPT is described which computes Hotelling's multivariate matched-pair T2 test and three permutation tests described by Miellte, et al. in 1996: an exact multivariate matched-p...
Videotex: creating and examining experienced users

Abstract Changes in subjects' impressions of and desire for videotex as they became more experienced with the medium were examined. Subjects indicated that content and function were more important than form and they demonstrated a highly favorable attitude toward this new medium.
The metabolism of lactose and galactose in the chick.

Abstract A STUDY of the utilization of lactose by the chick is of practical importance since milk and milk products are often fed to poultry, and of theoretical interest since this compound presumably plays a natural role only in the nutrition of mammals. The utilization of lactose must be considered not only in terms of rupturing the linkage which joins the galactose and glucose moieties, but also in terms of the utilization of the products derived therefrom. As glucose is a normal metabolite, the peculiar aspects of the problem may be related to lactose and galactose. Many animals have a limited ability to tolerate these sugars in the diet. One of the important factors which limits lactose utilization seems to be its effect on gastrointestinal motility (Fischer and Sutton, 1949). Apparently there are species differences and other factors which influence the level at which lactose produces diarrhea, but the symptom itself …
Connecting implants to teeth

Implants Osseointegrated implants have proven to have a high degree of success in the edentulous arches.1 This success has been replicated in partially edentulous arches.2,3,4,5,6,7 When natural teeth are present, it can be tempting to fabricate restorations using support from both implants and natural teeth. The mechanism of attachment and the perceived problem of the differential support provided by the implant and the tooth have been discussed by many authors.8,9,10,11,12,13
Formulation, analysis and numerical study of an optimization-based conservative interpolation (remap) of scalar fields for arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian methods

We develop and study the high-order conservative and monotone optimization-based remap (OBR) of a scalar conserved quantity (mass) between two close meshes with the same connectivity. The key idea is to phrase remap as a global inequality-constrained optimization problem for mass fluxes between neighboring cells. The objective is to minimize the discrepancy between these fluxes and the given high-order target mass fluxes, subject to constraints that enforce physically motivated bounds on the associated primitive variable (density). In so doing, we separate accuracy considerations, handled by the objective functional, from the enforcement of physical bounds, handled by the constraints. The resulting OBR formulation is applicable to general, unstructured, heterogeneous grids. Under some weak requirements on grid proximity, but not on the cell types, we prove that the OBR algorithm is linearity preserving in one, two and three dimensions. The paper also examines connections between the OBR and the recently proposed flux-corrected remap (FCR), Liska et al. [1]. We show that the FCR solution coincides with the solution of a modified version of OBR (M-OBR), which has the same objective but a simpler set of box constraints derived by using a ''worst-case'' scenario. Because M-OBR (FCR) has a smaller feasible set, preservation of linearity may be lost and accuracy may suffer for some grid configurations. Our numerical studies confirm this, and show that OBR delivers significant increases in robustness and accuracy. Preliminary efficiency studies of OBR reveal that it is only a factor of 2.1 slower than FCR, but admits 1.5 times larger time steps.
The FALCON decision support system: Preparing communities for weapons of opportunity

Abstract Since September 11, 2001, awareness of potential terrorist targets has increased greatly. Industrial chemicals, either in storage or transport, are now considered dangerously accessible materials that could be used to cause substantial harm. In response to this new threat, emergency organizations are beginning to plan for such possible chemical releases. Currently there is no tool that allows a community to track, analyze, query, and display data about these chemical “weapons of opportunity” and the readiness of the communities around them. Decision support systems are computer environments designed to assist decision makers within a particular problem-solving context. A particular type of DSS, environmental decision support systems (EDSS), assists environmental scientists and planners in making environmental management decisions. A hazardous materials decision support system called “FALCON” will assist emergency organizations by integrating information describing chemical inventories, security, health readiness, geography, and population into one information system. Emergency organizations will be able to assess response readiness of a community for chemical releases and prioritize antidote stockpiling, training, and security. Emergency organizations and first responders will use the FALCON DSS to simulate and prepare for real-time events, assess possible casualties, and receive emergency contact information. And with the help of FALCON, law enforcement and security personnel will be able to evaluate and augment protection of the most dangerous facilities.
Mortality and discharge to home after closed brain biopsy: analysis of 3523 cases from the State of California, 2003-2009.

Objective Closed (percutaneous) brain biopsy is an important diagnostic procedure. Information on patient outcomes after biopsy come largely from single-institution series or population-based samples that include patients treated during periods that may not reflect current neurosurgical practice. We sought to determine the rates of in-hospital mortality and discharge to home after closed brain biopsy, and predictors of these outcomes by using a large population-based hospital discharge database with near-complete case ascertainment. Methods All closed brain biopsies performed in nonfederal hospitals within the State of California between 2003 and 2009 were identified from a discharge database. Adult patients admitted from home were analyzed; patient-level and hospital-level factors were reviewed for predictors of in-hospital mortality and discharge to home. Logistic regression was used to determine significant predictors of outcome. Results During the 7-year period, 3523 hospitalizations, including closed brain biopsy, met our inclusion criteria. Overall in-hospital mortality rate was 3.5%, and 67.2% of hospitalizations were followed by discharge directly to home. Scheduled versus unscheduled admission and patient race were predictors of mortality in multivariate analysis. Patient age, hospital biopsy volume, scheduled versus unscheduled admission, and patient race were predictors of discharge to home. Conclusions Closed brain biopsy is associated with a greater rate of mortality than is generally recognized. Most patients are able to return to home directly after biopsy, but the rate of discharge to home is lower at hospitals with lower procedure volumes.
Protest: Random or Contagious? The Postwar United Kingdom

This paper tests the argument that outbreaks of protest occur contagiously over time against the alternative expectation that protest occurs randomly over time. Using univariate ARIMA models, it analyzes a time series of protest in the postwar United Kingdom, consisting of the number of day/locales of protest events. The (logged) data are probed for three periods of temporal aggregation: annual, quarterly, and monthly. Five principal findings emerge: (1) The best yearly model was (0, 1, 0); the best quarterly and monthly models (0, 1, 1). Thus, annual protest displays a random walk with a slight upward trend, while quarterly and monthly protest display, after differencing, a first-order moving average process. (2) Nonstationarity in protest, indicated by the differencing of protest, appears in all three temporal aggregations. (3) Cycles appear very weakly with quarterly aggregations and not with monthly aggregations. (4) The 1950s had less protest than the 1970s; the 1960s were a time of increasing protes...
Ductility improvement of amorphous steels: Roles of shear modulus and electronic structure

Abstract Metal–metalloid composition effects on the mechanical properties of Fe–Cr–Mo–P–C–B amorphous steel alloys have been investigated. Compressive plastic strain, elastic moduli and microhardness were measured. The present amorphous steels were found to exhibit enhanced plastic strains up to ∼3.6% and fracture strengths up to ∼3.5 GPa. Moreover, the plastic strain increased quite rapidly with the decrease in shear modulus. The shear modulus values measured are appreciably lower than those reported for previous amorphous steel compositions that did not contain phosphorus; and the Poisson’s ratios obtained are in the range ∼0.33–0.34. The present findings indicate that the ductility of amorphous steels can be significantly improved by chemically tuning the elastic properties which are determined by the amorphous structure and chemical bonding. First-principles electronic structure calculations show that ductility can be improved by partially replacing elements that create ionic and covalent bonds with other elements that favor metallic cohesion.
Die Identifizierung der Aurorastrahlung

Die von Vegard und seinen Mitarbeitern herruhrende Identifizierung gewisser Aurorastrahlen mit Gliedern des A3∑ → X′∑-Uberganges in Stickstoff wird kritisch behandelt. Es wird gezeigt, das acht von den Zuordnungen unrichtig sind, weil das Auroraspektrum gleichgesetzt wurde mit dem ɛ-System des festen Stickstoffs. Es wird eine Benennung fur die Banden im Spektrum des festen und des gasformigen Stickstoffs vorgeschlagen „A3∑ → X′ ∑ (fest)“ bzw. „A3∑ → X′ ∑ (gasformig)“.
Whole-plant carbon relations and root respiration associated with root tolerance to high soil temperature for Agrostis grasses

Abstract Plant tolerance to high soil temperature may be related to the adjustment in carbon production and utilization. The objective of this study was to determine changes in whole-plant carbon balance and root respiration rate in relation to root tolerance to high soil temperature for two Agrostis grass species varying in heat tolerance. Plant tolerance to high soil temperature was compared between Agrostis scabra , a thermal grass species adapted to chronic high-temperature soils in the geothermal areas in Yellowstone National Park, and creeping bentgrass ( Agrostis stolonifera ), a cultivated grass species adapted to cool climatic regions. Plant roots were exposed to low soil temperature (20 °C) or high soil temperature (37 °C) for 17 days in water baths placed in a controlled-environment growth chamber. Root biomass and cell membrane stability were determined to evaluate root thermotolerance of both species. Canopy photosynthetic rate (Pn), whole-plant respiration rate, root respiration rate, and total non-structural carbohydrate (TNC) content were measured to assess changes in carbon production and utilization in response to high soil temperature. Root biomass and cell membrane stability declined with increasing soil temperature, but the decline was much less for A. scabra than A. stolonifera , suggesting that roots of A. scabra were more tolerant to heat stress. Canopy Pn decreased and whole-plant respiration rate increased for A. stolonifera , but canopy Pn and respiration rate were unchanged for A. scabra in response to increasing soil temperature. After 17 days of high soil temperature treatment, A. stolonifera exhibited carbon deficit at the whole-plant level, whereas A. scabra maintained positive carbon gain. Root respiration of plants previously grown at 20 °C increased after a short-term treatment (24 h) at 37 °C, but the increase was significantly lower for A. scabra than for A. stolonifera . TNC content in roots did not show response to short-term (24 h) changes in temperature and did not exhibit species variations. Leaves of A. scabra , however, maintained TNC content under both low and high temperature regimes. Our results suggest that root thermotolerance of cool-season grasses could be related to the maintenance of positive whole-plant carbon balance, and down-regulation of whole-plant and root respiration rates in response to increasing soil temperature.
SU-E-T-299: Verification of High Density Concrete Transmission Characteristics under User Beams

Purpose: To verify transmission factors of the high density concrete (HDC) used in modification of an existing radiation shielding for a new linear accelerator and to measure transmission factors of other types of HDC under user beams before shielding construction started. Method and Materials:Six HDC 300 PCF (Pounds per Cubic Feet) blocks in size of 6″×6″×12″, randomly picked up from a shipment for radiation shielding at the user site, in addition to one sample of each 288 PCF, 250 PCF and 240 PCF were measured for their transmission factors using a 0.6 cc Farmer chamber and the Dose 1 electrometer. User beams used for measurement includes 6MV, 10 MV and 18 MV photon beams from an Elekta Synergy machine. Transmission factors are measured under both narrow (3×3 cm2)(NBG) and broad beam geometry (40×40 cm2)(BBG) with a close condition to a real shielding geometry. Results: Weight measurement indicates that the actual PCF is higher than stated: 313.3±4.5 (one SD) in the range from 306 to 318 PCF for 300 PCF and 291 PCF for 288 PCF, 251 PCF for 250 PCF, 247 PCF for 240 PCF. Transmission measured at seven spots under NBG (18 MV) for one 300 PCF sample is 0.087±0.002 (Min: 0.084 and Max: 0.089). Transmission measured under NBG (18 MV) for six 300 PCF sample blocks is 0.089±0.004 (Min: 0.086 and Max: 0.096). The first tenth value layer under BBG (18 MV) is determined as 7.4″, which is smaller than 8.5″ used in the shielding design calculation. Conclusions: We have confirmed that the HDC blocks used in constructing the radiation shielding meet and actually succeeded the transmission requirement in the shielding calculation. We provided the commercial company with updated measurement of its shielding materials under our user beams.
Further Studies on the Bioassay of Veratrum viride

The results of an attempt to employ the emetic response of the common pigeon to establish a biological unit of Veratrum viride, based on its therapeutic activity, are described. Interrelationships between the amounts of tinctures required to produce a 50 per cent response in pigeons and the amounts of these tinctures required to produce equivalent percentage maximum blood pressure reductions in both the dog and the human are found to obtain.
The role of salience in conceptual combination

The present study investigated three factors that affect the interpretation of novel noun-noun (N-N) combinations: simple feature salience, ontological category, and assessed similarity. Participants read and defined a series of novel N-N combinations in which the feature salience of N1 and N2 was manipulated. Participants also rated the combinations for similarity. The combinations were constrained to be within ontological category. All interpretations were scored in terms of the strategies (property mapping vs. relation linking) used to produce the given interpretations. Highly salient features drove property-mapping interpretations based on those features. Natural kinds produced more propertymapping interpretations than did artifacts. There was no correlation between the proportion of propertymapping interpretations and the assessed similarity of the N-N combinations. These results are discussed as an extension of Estes and Glucksberg’s (2000) interactive theory of conceptual combination and argue for the importance of feature salience as a factor in conceptual combination.
Model systems for flavoenzyme activity. The effects of specific hydrogen bonds on the 13C and 1H NMR of flavins

We have developed a family of receptors designed to bind flavin derivatives using specific hydrogen bond interactions. These synthetic host molecules provide a model for specific flavoenzyme-cofactor interactions, allowing isolation and observation of the effects of hydrogen bonding on flavin NMR. We describe here the use of one of these receptors to study the effects of hydrogen bonding to O(2), N(3), and O(4) on flavin 1H and 13C NMR.
DVD Training for Depression Identification and Treatment in Older Adults: A Two-Group, Randomized, Wait-List Control Study

OBJECTIVE. To test the effectiveness of an educational intervention aimed at improving mental health knowledge and skills in occupational therapists working with older rehabilitation patients. METHOD. The DVD-format educational intervention was evaluated using a two-group randomized wait-list control design. Occupational therapists (n = 75) completed a 32-item knowledge questionnaire at three time points. Patient charts were reviewed (n = 960) at 3 months before and 3 and 6 months after DVD training to evaluate clinical practice change. RESULTS. A two-way analysis of variance showed knowledge scores increased significantly for both groups after DVD training. A significant Group × Time interaction and significant main effects for time and group were found. Chart review data also showed significant increases in desired clinical behaviors in both groups after training. The greatest single item of clinical practice change was use of a standardized depression screen. CONCLUSION. DVD-based training can significantly improve mental health practice
Reversal of Severe Cerebral Vasospasm in Three Patients after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Initial Observations Regarding the Use of Intraventricular Sodium Nitroprusside in Humans

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: The chronic delayed type of cerebral vasoconstriction that occurs after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is now the most important cause of mortality and neurological morbidity for patients who initially survive the rupture of cerebral aneurysms. Although intravascular volume expansion and cardiac performance enhancement have had a profound impact on the treatment of the chronic delayed type of cerebral vasoconstriction, this form of treatment is not tolerated by all patients and is unhelpful in some. A more specific and more reliable treatment for this condition has not been previously reported. Previous work in an animal model has demonstrated the efficacy of nitric oxide-donating compounds in reversing severe cerebral vasoconstriction when delivered to the adventitial side of the blood vessel. A clinical study was initiated after receiving approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration and the institutional review board. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Three cases of prompt and substantial reversal of medically refractory vasospasm occurring after aneurysmal SAH in humans using an intrathecally administered nitric oxide donor and clinical, angiographic, and ultrasonographic documentation are presented. All patients developed severe vasospasm refractory to medical treatment 5 to 12 days after sustaining aneurysmal SAH. All patients manifested stupor of new onset (Glasgow Coma Scale score of 7) and new focal neurological deficit (hemiplegia). The condition was angiographically demonstrated in all cases. INTERVENTION: The patients were treated with intrathecally administered sodium nitroprusside, which caused the reversal of vasospasm, which was documented by angiography and transcranial Doppler ultrasonography up to 54 hours later and also by dramatic clinical improvement. Complications related to intracranial pressure elevation, changes in vital signs, and hemodynamic parameters were not observed during or after the procedures. Radiographic evidence of the reversal of vasospasm and brain ischemia was obtained. The clinical outcomes of the treated patients were excellent. All patients presented with hemiplegia and stupor that resolved or markedly improved (within several days, two patients; within 12 hours, one patient). All three patients were discharged and were living at home at the time of manuscript submission. CONCLUSION: These preliminary observations suggest that sodium nitroprusside delivered by an intrathecal route of administration may be a useful treatment for severe vasospasm complicating SAH in humans.
Paclitaxel-Associated Hypersensitivity Reaction despite High-Dose Steroids and Prolonged Infusions

The development of paclitaxel-containing chemotherapeutic regimens has been hindered by the frequent occurrence of allergic-type reactions to the drug or its diluent. Fortunately, current pretreatment regimens are associated with a reduced risk of major hypersensitivity reactions. However, there is still a group of patients that may experience these reactions from Taxol despite the use of prechemotherapy steroids and antihistamines. In a recent report, patients with prior reactions to Taxol were successfully retreated utilizing 24 hr of high-dose steroids and a very prolonged infusion regimen. We now report on two patients with major hypersensitivity reactions despite the use of this regimen. We conclude that not all Taxol-associated hypersensitivity reactions are preventable with current drug regimens. In addition, there is little evidence to support continued or exclusive use of the suggested rechallenge premedication schedule or the prolonged infusion rate.
Androgens inhibit estrogen action in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Abstract We have observed that the estrogen-dependent augmentation of cytoplasmic progesterone receptor (PR c ) content in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells is completely inhibited in the presence of testosterone (T) or dihydrotestosterone (DHT) 1 . This effect is neither a result of altered PR c affinity for test ligand nor a result of the direct interaction of either androgen with PR c . Furthermore, the antiestrogenic activity of DHT is blocked in the presence of the antiandrogen, cyproterone, indicating that it is mediated through the androgen receptor. Further investigations of this cell line may provide important insights into the effects of sex steroids upon the hormonal regulation of a variety of healthy and malignant human tissues.