cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PROTONIC THEORY ON THE ORIGIN OF NEURAL EXCITABILITY

A proposed theory is given to establish a biophysical relationship between the origin of neural excitability IN VIVO and the phenomenon of oxidative-phosphorylation in the mitochondria. The assumptions of the theory are supported by the chemiosmotic theory originated by P. Mitchell. The applications of the proposed theory will be concentrated on the synaptic connections in neural networks. Nevertheless, the results of this theoretical work can be generalized.
PowerBox: A Modern Power Electronics Education Toolbox Using Si and SiC Devices

This paper discusses the need and design for a new power electronics educational board. This teaching board features the ability to be used in DC-DC, DC-AC, and AC-DC instructional labs. The board utilizes silicon (Si) and silicon carbide (SiC) technologies, the latter of which being under minimum examination in existing educational labs. This board is intended to be an open-source product that is available for external ordering at production costs. This paper details the design of the board, including schematics, layouts, and bill of materials. An example lab with the board implemented into a buck converter is also demonstrated.
Water Conservation with Managed Aquifer Recharge under Increased Drought Risk

Economic analysis of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) typically focuses on identifying the quantity of water to add cost-effectively to natural rates of recharge. However, to the extent that MAR is successful, higher groundwater levels or at least slower depletion are likely to influence crop choice and groundwater pumping dynamics. Using a landscape-level model, we maximize farm net returns taking into account MAR and on-farm surface reservoir storage, crop choice, and the impacts of drought on groundwater use in Eastern Arkansas, USA, over 120 years. We find that drought frequency (risk) has a stronger influence on groundwater pumping and MAR use compared with drought severity. There is evidence of a substantial slippage, the percentage of the increase in groundwater use with versus without MAR divided by the MAR use, under a range of MAR cost and drought scenarios. Total slippage ranges from about 32 to 75% of total MAR water, indicating that only 68–25% of the MAR water raises groundwater levels. Even if the costs of MAR are relatively high and slippage is present, the total net returns to farms in this region are higher, and the variability in those returns are less with MAR.
Affinity-Restricted Memory B Cells Dominate Recall Responses to Heterologous Flaviviruses

Memory B cells (MBCs) can respond to heterologous antigens either by molding new specificities through secondary germinal centers (GCs) or by selecting preexisting clones without further affinity maturation. To distinguish these mechanisms in flavivirus infections and immunizations, we studied recall responses to envelope protein domain III (DIII). Conditional deletion of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) between heterologous challenges of West Nile, Japanese encephalitis, Zika, and dengue viruses did not affect recall responses. DIII-specific MBCs were contained mostly within the plasma-cell-biased CD80+ subset, and few GCs arose following heterologous boosters, demonstrating that recall responses are confined by preexisting clonal diversity. Measurement of monoclonal antibody (mAb) binding affinity to DIII proteins, timed AID deletion, single-cell RNA sequencing, and lineage tracing experiments point to selection of relatively low-affinity MBCs as a mechanism to promote diversity. Engineering immunogens to avoid this MBC diversity may facilitate flavivirus-type-specific vaccines with minimized potential for infection enhancement.
Surface heights and crevasse morphologies of surging and fast-moving glaciers from ICESat-2 laser altimeter data - Application of the density-dimension algorithm (DDA-ice) and evaluation using airborne altimeter and Planet SkySat data

Abstract NASA’s Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite ICESat-2, launched September 15, 2018, carries the first space-borne multi-beam micro-pulse photon-counting laser altimeter system, the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS). Observations from ATLAS are acquired in three pairs of weak and strong beams with 0.7 ​m nominal along-track spacing (under clear-sky conditions). The recording of the observations as a photon point cloud, which includes signal and background/noise events, requires a dedicated algorithm for identification of signal photons and determination of surface heights. The objectives of this paper are to demonstrate that measurements from ICESat-2 allow determination of heights over heavily crevassed ice surfaces and yield elevation profiles that present morphological characteristics that are typical of fast-moving and accelerating glaciers. Surface-height determination from the photon point cloud is facilitated by the density-dimension algorithm for ice surfaces, the DDA-ice. The DDA-ice returns surface heights at the 0.7 ​m sensor resolution for strong and weak beams, it utilizes a radial basis function for data aggregation and automatically adapts to changing environmental conditions and background characteristics, including time of day and apparent surface reflectance. In contrast, the official Land-Ice Along-Track Height Product, ATL06, provides surface heights at 40 ​m resolution with 20 ​m postings. The DDA-ice signal classification consistently identifies photons from complex reflectors in both the strong and weak ATLAS beams and hence constitutes a significant advance over the signal classification on the ATL03 Global Geolocated Photons Product. Results are evaluated using (1) airborne laser altimeter data collected during our ICESat-2 validation campaign over Negribreen, Svalbard, during surge, and (2) high-resolution (0.72 ​m or 0.86 ​m) satellite image data from Planet SkySat acquired over Ilulissat Ice Stream (Jakobshavn Isbrae), Greenland. Using DDA-ice analysis, ICESat-2 data allow discrimination of ice-surface types from surging glaciers (Negribreen) and continuously fast-moving and accelerating glaciers (Jakobshavn Isbrae) based on morphological characteristics.
SGLT2 Inhibitors: Physiology and Pharmacology

SGLTs are sodium glucose transporters found on the luminal membrane of the proximal tubule, where they reabsorb some 180 grams (one mole) of glucose from the glomerular filtrate each day. The natural glucoside phlorizin completely blocks glucose reabsorption. Oral SGLT2 inhibitors are rapidly absorbed into the blood stream where they remain in in the circulation for hours. On glomerular filtration, they bind specifically to SGLT2 in the luminal membrane of the early proximal tubule to reduce glucose reabsorption by 50-60%. Because of glucose excretion, these drugs lower plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The drugs also protect against heart and renal failure. The aim of this review is to summarize what is currently known about the physiology of renal SGLTs and the pharmacology of SGLT drugs.
Repeatability of Cone Spacing Measures in Eyes With Inherited Retinal Degenerations.

PURPOSE To determine short-term variability of adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO)-derived cone spacing measures in eyes with inherited retinal degenerations (IRD) and in normal eyes. METHODS Twenty IRD patients and 10 visually normal subjects underwent AOSLO imaging at two visits separated by no more than 1 month (NCT00254605). Cone spacing was measured in multiple macular regions in each image by three independent graders. Variability of cone spacing measures between visits, between graders, and between eyes was determined and correlated with standard clinical measures. RESULTS Cone spacing was measured in 2905 regions. Interobserver agreement was high both in normal eyes and eyes with IRD (mean intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.838 for normal and 0.892 for eyes with IRD). Cone spacing measures were closely correlated between visits (ICC > 0.869 for both study groups). Mean relative intervisit spacing difference (absolute difference in measures divided by the mean at each region) was 4.0% for normal eyes and 4.9% for eyes with IRD. Cone spacing measures from fellow eyes of the same subject showed strong agreement for all subjects (ICC > 0.85 for both study groups). CONCLUSIONS Adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy-derived macular cone spacing measures were correlated between observers, visits, and fellow eyes of the same subject in normal eyes and in eyes with IRD. This information may help establish the role of cone spacing measures derived from images of the cone mosaic obtained with AOSLO as a sensitive biomarker for longitudinal tracking of photoreceptor loss during disease progression and in response to treatment. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00254605.).
Synthetic Somatomedin C/Insulinlike Growth Factor I

Insulinlike growth factors (IGF’s) and somatomedin C (SMC) have been isolated in pure form from human plasma(1,2) Complete amino acid sequences for IGF-I,(3) IGF-II,(4) and SMC(5) have been determined. From these structural data and various biological studies,(6) SMC and IGF-I are identical peptides consisting of 70 amino acids with three disulfide bridges as shown in Fig. 1.
What Early Childhood Educators Need to Know About Divorced Fathers

Early childhood professionals can play an important role in helping divorced fathers to be more involved in the lives of their children. They can include involving fathers in all school and classroom activities from parent conferences to class celebrations. Educators can also serve as child care consultants to help fathers become better caretakers. By taking these measures, teachers will not only improve the emotional health of children and their fathers, but will also improve the educational experiences of children
Information discovery and retrieval tools

Due to the rapid growth of electronically accessible content from the Internet, there is a corresponding increase in demand for information of all types from a number of diverse users. Although the World-Wide Web presents tremendous opportunities to users for access to this wealth of information, the quantity of that information can be overwhelming. The user who attempts to find information can become confounded by the sheer volume of data and information returned as “pertinent” to his/her need. In addition, current awareness becomes an obstacle, as variations in search engine crawls of the Web, as well as the user's own ability to keep up with frequent queries to multiple search tools, can prevent timely access to and knowledge of pertinent information. This session will focus on the various Internet search engines, directories, and how to improve the user experience through the use of such techniques as metadata, meta-search engines, subject specific search tools, and other developing technologies.
Becoming Architects of Communities of Learning: Addressing Academic Diversity in Contemporary Classrooms

Increasingly, general classroom teachers are expected to be primary service providers for a full range of learners in inclusive classrooms. Research indicates that many veteran teachers are reluctant or unable to differentiate instruction for academically diverse learners in heterogeneous settings. This qualitative study examined the preservice experiences of 70 novice teachers at six university sites to determine conditions that may inhibit or facilitate their progress toward differentiation for academically diverse learners. Themes emerging from this investigation provide important guidelines for assisting beginning teachers in differentiating instruction in inclusive classrooms.
The effects of bFGF, IGF-I, and TGF-β on RMo skeletal muscle cell proliferation and differentiation

Abstract A new skeletal muscle cell line, rat myoblast ω or RMo, has been characterized with regard to the effects of three growth factors: basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). Results indicate a differential response of these factors on both cell proliferation and differentiation. Exposure to bFGF and IGF-I stimulate proliferation, while TGF-β has no effect on cell number. RMo cell differentiation, as indicated by skeletal myosin synthesis, is enhanced by IGF-I, whereas both bFGF and TGF-β suppress differentiation. These responses are in agreement with the effects of bFGF, IGF-I, and TGF-β on myogenic cells cultured from fetal and postnatal muscle, thereby suggesting that RMo cells can serve as a model system for the study of growth factor effects on skeletal muscle cells.
Orientation of comb building by honeybees

Upon entering a new home site a honeybee swarm is faced with the task of organizing the building activities of thousands of component bees so that several straight and parallel vertically oriented combs can be quickly and efficiently built. As a part of this organization process it is necessary for the bees to select and agree upon a planar orientation for the new combs. This paper presents evidence that memory of a previously used comb direction influences the building of the new set of combs. Swarms which have recently moved into bait-hives (empty boxes placed in trees to attract feral swarms) tend to maintain the previously used comb direction when removed and forced to build new combs, whereas swarms which have occupied the bait-hives for a longer period (over 9 days) do not. Recent swarms predictably alter their comb building direction within the influence of an applied earthstrength magnetic field, indicating that honey bees are able to use the earth's magnetic field as a reference at the commencement of comb construction in a new hive.
Deafferentation Enhances Neurogenesis in the Young and Middle Aged Hippocampus but not in the Aged Hippocampus

Increased neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus (DG) after brain insults such as excitotoxic lesions, seizures, or stroke is a well known phenomenon in the young hippocampus. This plasticity reflects an innate compensatory response of neural stem cells (NSCs) in the young hippocampus to preserve function or minimize damage after injury. However, injuries to the middle-aged and aged hippocampi elicit either no or dampened neurogenesis response, which could be due to an altered plasticity of NSCs and/or the hippocampus with age. We examined whether the plasticity of NSCs to increase neurogenesis in response to a milder injury such as partial deafferentation is preserved during aging. We quantified DG neurogenesis in the hippocampus of young, middle-aged, and aged F344 rats after partial deafferentation. A partial deafferentation of the left hippocampus without any apparent cell loss was induced via administration of Kainic acid (0.5 μg in 1.0 μl) into the right lateral ventricle of the brain. In this model, degeneration of CA3 pyramidal neurons and dentate hilar neurons in the right hippocampus results in loss of commissural axons which leads to partial deafferentation of the dendrites of dentate granule cells and CA1-CA3 pyramidal neurons in the left hippocampus. Quantification of newly born cells that are added to the dentate granule cell layer at postdeafferentation days 4-15 using 5'-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling revealed greatly increased addition of newly born cells (∼three fold increase) in the deafferented young and middle-aged hippocampi but not in the deafferented aged hippocampus. Measurement of newly born neurons using doublecortin (DCX) immunostaining also revealed similar findings. Analyses using BrdU-DCX dual immunofluorescence demonstrated no changes in neuronal fate-choice decision of newly born cells after deafferentation, in comparison to the age-matched naive hippocampus in all age groups. Thus, the plasticity of hippocampal NSCs to increase DG neurogenesis in response to a milder injury such as partial hippocampal deafferentation is preserved until middle age but lost at old age.
Haptic sculpting of dynamic surfaces

Abstract Conventional free-form surface design usually require tedious control-point manipulation and/or painstaking constraint specifica- tion via unnatural mouse-based interfaces. This paper presents a novel haptic approach for the direct manipulation of physics-based B-spline surfaces. Our method permits users to interactively sculpt virtual yet real material with a standard haptic device, and feel the physically realistic presence of virtual B-spline objects with force feedback throughout the design process. We aim to develop var- ious haptic sculpting tools to expedite the direct manipulation of B-spline surfaces with haptic feedback and constraints. One signif- icant contribution of this paper is that point, normal, and curvature constraints can be specified interactively and modified naturally us- ing forces. We propose and formulate a dual representation for B- spline surfaces in both physical and mathematical space. This mass- spring model is mathematically constrained by the B-spline surface throughout the sculpting session. The equations of motion control- ling the physical behavior of the B-spline surface are solved using a tractable numerical solver in real-time. The integration of haptics with traditional geometric modeling will increase the bandwidth of human-computer interaction, and thus shorten the time-consuming design cycle. We envision that this integrated approach promises a much greater potential in computer-integrated design and manufac- turing, haptic interface, interactive graphics, medical applications, and virtual environments. CR Categories: 1.3.5 [Computer Graphics]: Physics-based mod- eling; 1.3.3 [Computer Graphics]: Modeling packages; 1.3.6 [Com- puter Graphics]: Interaction techniques; 1.3.7 [Computer Graph- ics]: Virtual reality; 1.3.7 [Computer Graphics]: Animation;
A new edge detection algorithm in image processing based on LIP-ratio approach

In this paper, we propose a new edge detection method that combines the concepts of Logarithmic Image Processing (LIP) and gray level ratio operations. The presented method provides a new approach in edge detection where edges are detected at different ratios of gray levels independently. The proposed method detects edge details based on the band of gray levels ratio of interest that these details lie within, while current edge detection algorithms control such edge details by threshold variations. In the proposed algorithm, variations of some introduced constant value introduce different edge details and not necessarily more or less details. Extensive simulations demonstrate that this method produces competitive results by suppressing impulsive noise, the ability to trace the development of certain object structures, and segmenting objects that belong to a certain area of interest.
Identification of candidate growth-regulating genes that are overexpressed in late gestation fetal liver in the rat.

Abstract We have shown previously that hepatocyte proliferation in the late gestation fetal rat is mediated by growth factor-independent mechanisms that are distinct from the signaling pathways that promote proliferation of adult rat hepatocytes. In the present studies, we identified six candidate growth-regulating genes that are overexpressed in fetal rat liver (embryonic day 19, 2 days pre-term) relative to adult rat liver using suppressive subtractive hybridization. These included the following: Grb10, a growth factor receptor binding protein; eps15, a growth factor receptor substrate; nuc2+, a retinoblastoma protein binding protein; cdc25B, a cell cycle tyrosine phosphatase; the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor PPARα; and a deoxyuridine triphosphatase that functions as a PPARα binding partner. In every case, the ontogeny of the expression of these genes declined postnatally in a manner consistent with the transition from a fetal to an adult hepatocyte phenotype. None were found to be cell cycle-dependent, in that they did not show expression that followed perinatal changes in hepatocyte cell cycle activity. Based on our identification of these genes and previous work characterizing their role in growth regulation, we conclude that they may contribute to the mitogenic signaling phenotype of fetal rat hepatocytes.
Measurement Procedures for Characterization of High Voltage Spark Sources

Procedures are presented for calibration of electronic adjustable waveform capacitor discharge spark sources. Both individual component measurements and system measurements are discussed. Characterization of components and subsystems involved in capacitor charging, spark formation, and discharge current control is described. Specific measurement devices and techniques are discussed, and precision requirements for various degrees of characterization of both components and systems are given. Application of the characterization procedures to routine source monitoring and to source development are also presented.
P- and N-type doping of GaN and AlGaN epitaxial layers grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

Mg- and Si-doped GaN and AlGaN films were grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition and characterized by room-temperature photoluminescence and Hall-effect measurements. We show that the p-type carrier concentration resulting from Mg incorporation in GaN:Mg films exhibits a nonlinear dependence both on growth temperature and growth pressure. For GaN and AlGaN, n-type doping due to Si incorporation was found to be a linear function of the silane molar flow. Mg-doped GaN layers with 300K hole concentrations p ∼2×1018 cm−3 and Si-doped GaN films with electron concentrations n∼1×1019 cm−3 have been grown. N-type Al0.10Ga0.90N:Si films with resistivities as low as p ∼6.6×10−3 Ω-cm have been measured.
Nodal osteoarthritis and gout: a report of four new cases

Recently gout has been recognized as a cause of inflammation in patients with nodal osteoarthritis. We reviewed the clinical data and radiographs of four patients with known osteoarthritis of the interphalangeal joints of the hands who developed gout. Radiographic changes of osteoarthritis in the affected interphalangeal joint were present in all four patients. In our cases, radiographic findings were typical of gout in one patient, including the presence of large eccentric soft tissue masses and periarticular erosions. In three patients, radiographic findings were non-specific, including only a small eccentric nodule in one patient, diffuse soft tissue swelling in a second, and a large calcified soft tissue mass with bony erosions in a third. Whenever a patient with interphalangeal joint osteoarthritis presents with an acute episode of inflammation the possibility of gout should be considered. Recognition of gout will allow the timely initiation of appropriate therapy.
Neglected variables in behavioral case assessment

In response to research studies documenting the low predictive utility, questionable validity, and infrequent applicability of data obtained from traditional psychodiagnostic testing, behavioristic clinicians have eschewed the familiar tests of personality traits. It is clear that internal variables do play an integral part in many behavioristic treatment techniques, but there has been little systematic attention to including such mediational factors in the diagnostic phase of clinical work. Rather, behavior therapists' psychological assessments are conducted towards the goal of determining the antecedent conditions and the consequent reinforcing stimuli which maintain the problematic behavior. It is emphasized that a comprehensive functional analysis of behavior must also include the influential class of “O-variables.”
Comments on ‘output feedback adaptive command following and disturbance rejection for nonminimum phase uncertain dynamical systems’

We provide numerical examples and analysis to show that the adaptive controller given by Theorem 3.1 of Yucelen et al.1 may fail to stabilize plants under the stated conditions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cinema PIV and Its Application to Impinging Vortex Systems

An integrated cinema PIV-pressure measurement system allows detailed insight into impinging vortex systems. It employs a high framing rate camera in conjunction with a scanning-laser version of high-image-density particle image velocimetry, thereby generating space-time representations of the flow. Simultaneously, instantaneous surface pressures are acquired. This approach allows the instantaneous velocity and vorticity fields to be related to the induced loading. The instantaneous structure of vortex systems arising from an initially turbulent jet impinging upon an edge and an initially turbulent shear layer past a cavity are quantitatively characterized for the first time. In addition, distinctive mechanisms of vortex-wedge and vortex-corner interactions are related to the occurrence of peak values of instantaneous surface pressure
A rapid evolution mechanism may contribute to changes in sex ratio, multiple birth incidence, frequency of auto-immune disease and frequency of birth defects in Clomid conceptions.

Abstract Under conditions favourable to the horizontal transmission of genetic material, a clomiphene isomer is hypothesized to encourage an alternate ovultary route, with consequence for the sex ratio, multiple birth incidence, incidence of auto-immune disease, and frequency of malformations.
Stability of frames subjected to a white noise base excitation

Dynamic stability of elastic frames subjected to an earthquake Gaussian white noise base excitation is considered. Different necessary and sufficient conditions for the mean-square stability of the equilibrium state are developed. Several examples concerning the stability of the equilibrium state of single and multi-degree-of-freedom structures are studied. The results are compared with those obtained by a digital simulation technique and the existing almost-sure stability criteria. The simulation results suggest that the mean-square stability is more reliable when compared with the almost-sure one.
Stiffness of Grain‐Bridging Elements in a Monolithic Alumina

The postfracture tensile (PFT) technique isolates the crack wake to characterize the mechanical behavior of the grain-bridging elements as a function of crack-opening displacement. Incorporating the PFT stiffnesses into a Hooke's law-based model provides insight to the nature of the active bridging mechanism. The conventional model, which presumes to extract prismatic grains from sockets in the mating fracture face, is not consistent with the low wake stiffnesses presented here. In conjunction with fractographic evidence, such low wake stiffnesses suggest the strong influence from other, more compliant, mechanisms such as grain rotation, asperity loading, and ligament bending.
On the energy transfer to small disturbances in fluid flow (Part I)

The “energy in a small disturbance” in a viscous compressible heat-conductive medium is defined as a positive definite quantity characterizing the mean level of fluctuation in the disturbance which, in the absence of heat transfer at the boundaries and of work done by boundary forces or body forces, and in the absence of heat and material sources, is a monotone non-increasing function of time. For small disturbances a quantity satisfying these requirements is found. When viscosity and heat conductivity are neglected, it reduces to the familiar acoustic energy in the theory of sound. Stability in the mean of such a fluid system can thus be discussed with reference to the growth and decay of the energy in the disturbance.
Inclusion of a simple multiple scattering model into a microwave canopy backscatter model.

Abstract A simple multiple scattering model has been incorporated into a microwave canopy backscatter model for forest stands with continuous or discontinuous tree canopies. The multiple scattering model was empirically derived using available calculated multiple scattering values and Monte Carlo simulation. All orders of scattering within canopies beyond single scattering were assumed to be isotropic. Multiple scattering was divided evenly among HH, HV, VH, and VV polarizations. The corresponding single scattering term was polarization-sensitive. The effect of the multiple scattering term on modeled canopy backscatter was less at long wavelengths than at short wavelengths. At a given wavelength, the multiple scattering term affected copolarized scattering less than cross-polarized scattering. These predictions were consistent with calibrated SAR observations and with our understanding of microwave scattering in forested environment. Including multiple scattering effects improved the agreement between modeled and measured canopy backscatter particularly for cross-polarized backscatter at short wavelengths.
Molecular diodes based on conjugated diblock co-oligomers.

This report describes synthesis and characterization of a molecular diode based upon a diblock conjugated oligomer system. This system consists of two conjugated blocks with opposite electronic demand. The molecular structure exhibits a built-in electronic asymmetry, much like a semiconductor p−n junction. Electrical measurements by scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) clearly revealed a pronounced rectifying effect. Definitive proof for the molecular nature of the rectifying effect in this conjugated diblock molecule is provided by control experiments with a structurally similar reference compound.
Electronic band structure of cesium gold

Abstract The lower-lying electron energy bands in CsAu are computed using the cellular method. The radial parts of the wave functions required are determined by the quantum defect method. CsAu is assumed to be completely ionic. Calculations are carried out for the points in k -space at the centre of the first Brillouin zone and at its extrema in the 〈100〉 and 〈111〉 directions. The calculations indicate that CsAu is a semiconductor, in agreement with experiment, with a minimum energy gap, which is vertical, of about 2.3 eV located at the extremum of the 〈111〉 direction of the first zone. Limitations and some possible extensions of the calculations are discussed.
On multiple-level excursions by stationary processes with deterministic peaks

Abstract A well-known property of stationary Gaussian processes is that the excursions over high levels (“peaks”) have a limiting parabolic shape, each determined by a single random parameter. This means, in particular, that (in the limit) the length of a single excursion above a high level determines the length of the (shorter) excursion above each higher level. In this paper we consider a general class of stationary processes with this property. Results of Leadbetter and Hsing (1990) for convergence of exceedance random measures are generalized to include multiple-level exceedances and developed further for the above class of processes. Specific application is made to stationary normal processes.
How to Judge Voting Schemes

This symposium on voting procedures presents many interesting findings and insights. This note scrutinizes them and discusses two general issues. First, the assumption that voters' preferences are menu-independent (and based on one canonical ordering of the alternatives) underestimates the importance of the process of voting (voting for x, against y). Second, evaluation can be a two-way process, including the axiomatic method (of social choice theory), going from isolated properties to voting schemes, and the converse method of first identifying attractions and perversities of particular voting schemes (as in this symposium) and then using properties for later axiomatic use.
A study of the minimum energy path of the reaction N(4S) + O2(3Σ−g) → NO(2Πu) + O(3P)

Abstract A new method of calculating polyatomic surfaces is used to obtain minimum energy paths for the reaction N + O 2 → NO + O. The calculated barrier height is nearly 14 kcal/mole for the doublet surface whereas that of the quartet surface 18 kcal/mole.
Isolating the Random Ramstorm Component from Basin Response Factors in Rainfallrunoff Data

: Gaged watersheds can provide information as to geomorphic, and geologic influence on the spatial variability of rainfall-runoff relationships. However, correlations between raingages distributed throughout the basin, and stream discharge are influenced by both storm patterns and drainage basin characteristics. Factor analysis has been applied to rainfall-runoff relationship to isolate the storm pattern from a basin response factor. Comparing two periods of time separated by eight years reveals relative stability in the rainfall attenuation (basin response) factor, while storm patterns for the two periods of record are quite disparate.
Effect of Recycled Asphalt Pavement on Thermal Cracking Resistance of Hot-Mix Asphalt

AbstractThis study explored the thermal cracking resistance of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixes containing recycled asphalt pavement (RAP). One RAP source was used to design two types of Superpave mixes, namely, Oklahoma S3 base and Oklahoma S4 surface course. Four mixes containing different percentages of RAP, namely, 25 and 40% RAP for S3 base courses and 0 and 10% RAP for S4 surface courses, were designed and tested. It was found that at lower temperatures, the mix containing a lower RAP content was stiffer, as indicated by higher creep compliance and indirect tensile strength values. At higher temperatures, however, the mix containing a higher content of RAP was also stiffer. Furthermore, the measured creep compliance values were compared with current predicted compliance values. The influence of RAP content on thermal cracking resistance was also evaluated through thermal stress analysis within the mechanistic framework.
Approximation-based global optimization strategy for structural synthesis

A global optimization strategy for structural synthesis based on approximation concepts is presented. The methodology involves the solution of a sequence of highly accurate approximate problems using a global optimization algorithm. The global optimization algorithm implemented consists of a branch and bound strategy based on the interval evaluation of the objective function and constraint functions, combined with a local feasible directions algorithm. The approximate design optimization problems are constructed using first order approximations of selected intermediate response quantities in terms of intermediate design variables. Some numerical results for example problems are presented to illustrate the efficacy of the design procedure setforth.
PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A MOUSE MODEL OF GYRATE ATROPHY OF THE CHOROID AND RETINA. • 879

PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A MOUSE MODEL OF GYRATE ATROPHY OF THE CHOROID AND RETINA. • 879
Monitoring Populations of Saddled Prominent (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) with Pheromone-Baited Traps

Abstract Field trials with three types of pheromone traps were performed in eight northern hardwood stands in northern New York state to develop a population-monitoring tool for the saddled prominent, Heterocampa guttivitta (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae). Lure specificity and the relationship between pheromone trap catch and subsequent egg density were examined. A study of moth emergence in relation to temperature was designed to determine whether moth activity throughout the flight season can be predicted using a growing degree-day (DD) model. Pherocon 1C wing traps were significantly more effective than the green Unitrap bucket style. Catch was not affected by position when traps were ≥20 m from an opening (road), and lures were specific to saddled prominent. Lure specificity was examined using green Multipher bucket traps, which effectively attracted and held moths. In the first year of the study, number of viable eggs per 10 leaf clusters was significantly correlated (r2 = 0.59) with average mot...
Molecular basis for the properties of the thyroxine-binding globulin-slow variant in American blacks

Thyroxine-binding globulin-slow (TBG-S), a variant found in 4-12% of Black and Pacific Island populations, is inherited as an X-chromosome linked trait. This variant is detected on isoelectric focusing by the characteristic cathodal shift of all its isoforms, suggesting that the difference resides in the core protein. In addition, TBG-S is slightly more thermolabile, which explains why subjects expressing TBG-S have on the average lower serum TBG, and thus reduced T4, concentrations. We now report the molecular basis for this TBG variant, deduced from sequencing the TBG-S gene of an American Black man. Sequencing of the four coding regions and all intron/exon junctions revealed a single nucleotide substitution in the codon for amino acid 171 of the mature protein. The resulting change of the codon GAC to AAC results in replacement of the normal aspartic acid by asparagine. Since the negative charge provided by the aspartic acid is lost when replaced by the neutral asparagine, this substitution seems responsible for the cathodal shift on isoelectric focusing and slower electrophoretic mobility of TBG-S. An identical nucleotide substitution was identified in an unrelated American Black man expressing TBG-S. Whether the TBG-S phenotype observed in populations from the Pacific Islands is caused by the same mutation remains to be determined.
Chemical constituents of body fluids and urine of the holocephalan Hydrolagus colliei

Abstract 1. 1. Levels of most of the major inorganic and organic substances were determined in serum, cranial fluid and urine of the holocephalan Hydrolagus colliei. 2. 2. Levels of urea and trimethylamine oxide are lower and sodium and chloride higher in body fluids of Hydrolagus than generally found in marine elasmobranchs. 3. 3. However, similarities in the distribution of urea and the various electrolytes between the body fluids and urine of Hydrolagus and marine elasmobranchs may indicate that there is a similar pattern of renal and possibly extrarenal function in these diverse forms.
Quantification of the task performance of a uniformed police patrol officer: A group process approach

Abstract This paper describes the development of a police task performance index (PTPI). This measure, a quantitative indicator of task performance, consists primarily of a ratio of weighted tasks performed to weighted tasks required for a particular situation. Quantification of the index was based on the consensus of an expert panel of police officers. Consensus was obtained through the use of both the Delphi technique and a modified nominal group process. The PTPI was developed for the special case of those police tasks performed by a uniformed patrolman at the scene of a medical emergency. Four categories of medical emergencies were examined—medical emergency only, crime scene with injuries, traffic accident with injuries, and a situation with injuries involving a threat to public safety (e.g. a fire). Application of the index is illustrated in two case examples.
Musculoskeletal: what is different in children? Playing at school: falls into bleachers: left arm pain

This 11-year-old male was playing at school when he tripped while running and fell onto a cement floor with his arm outstretched. On the way down, he hit the bleachers and then was deflected to the floor. He felt pain in his left elbow immediately. Swelling started right after the injury. He was taken to the school nurse, and she put ice packs on the affected area and called the parents. When the parents came in to pick up their child, it was decided that he should go to our emergency room (ER). On arrival to the ER, he was in good health, and all positive findings were related to the left arm/elbow. There were bruising, ecchymosis, and swelling along the “left external aspect” of the arm and elbow. There was slight pain with pronation and supination. Otherwise, his physical examination was completely normal. Radiographs were obtained of his elbow (Fig. 1). What do you see?
The kinetics of the reaction between oxygen and sulfur on a Ni/111/ surface.

Abstract We have observed the segregation of sulfur to the surface of a (111) oriented nickel single crystal, and the kinetics of the reaction of this sulfur with oxygen at temperatures near ambient. LEED studies indicate the formation of two sulfur rich surface structures, having symmetries (5 √3 × 2) and (8 √3 × 2). Exposure of these structures to oxygen gas results in removal of the sulfur as SO2 at a rate proportional to the gas-phase oxygen pressure. The kinetics of the removal process, for the case of the (8 √3 × 2) structure, can be described by a model assuming initial attack by physisorbed molecular oxygen at surface defect sites followed by growth around these sites of “holes” in the sulfur structure.
A Strategy to Locate Cysteine Residues in Proteins by Specific Chemical Cleavage Followed by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

A simple methodology has been developed to characterize the number and location of free cysteine and cystine groups in peptides and proteins, using chemical modification and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ ionization time-of flight mass spectrometry (MALDITOF MS). This new approach employs a specific reaction between free sulfhydryls and 2-nitro-5-thiocyanobenzoic acid (NTCB) to selectively cyanylate cysteine thiols. The N-terminal peptide bond of the modified cysteinyl residue can then be cleaved under alkaline conditions to form an amino-terminal peptide and a series of 2-iminothiazolidine-4-carboxylyl peptides which can be mapped to the sequence by MALDI-MS. The number and location of cysteines can be deduced from mass analysis of the peptide mixture resulting from NTCB chemical processing of the original protein of known sequence under nonreducing conditions. Similar experiments are then performed following disulfide bond reduction to further characterize both cysteine and cystine groups. Experimental conditions are described for protein disulfide bond reduction, sulfhydryl cyanylation, and cleavage reactions performed both in solution and on Zetabind membranes.
Scanning electron microscopic examination of third metacarpal/third metatarsal bone failure surfaces in thoroughbred racehorses with condylar fracture.

Objective— To examine the fracture failure surfaces from Thoroughbred horses that had sustained a catastrophic condylar fracture. Sample Population— Bone specimens from the failure surface were obtained from 12 Thoroughbred racehorses with catastrophic injury and 2 non-racing horses with accidental long bone fracture. Methods— Bone specimens from the failure surface of each fracture were incubated with gold microspheres to label microcracks before examination at ×50 to ×60,000 using scanning electron microscopy. Microcracking at the failure surface was assessed using a visual analog scale. Results— Branching arrays or clusters of microcracks were seen over a range of magnifications in adapted subchondral bone in the distal end of the MC3/MT3 bone from racing Thoroughbreds with a catastrophic displaced condylar fracture. In the palmar/plantar region, microcracking was associated with the formation of an array of macroscopic cracks in the condylar groove. A different pattern of microcracking was seen in specimens of bone from distal metaphyseal and diaphyseal MC3/MT3 failure surfaces from Thoroughbred racehorses with catastrophic fracture and non-racing horses with an accidental diaphyseal long bone fracture. Few microcracks were seen and typically did not form branching arrays. Conclusion— These data suggest that propagation of condylar fracture in Thoroughbred racehorses is initiated by the formation of nanoscale microcracks in adapted subchondral bone that form during exercise-induced bone adaptation. Clinical Relevance— Accumulation and coalescence of branching microcracks into arrays or clusters appears to eventually lead to the development of macroscopic subchondral cracks in the condylar groove and initiation of a condylar fracture.
Expected search length: A single measure of retrieval effectiveness based on the weak ordering action of retrieval systems

A measure of document retrieval system performance called the “expected search length reduction factor” is defined and compared with indicators, such as precision and recall, that have been suggested by other workers. The new measure is based on calculations of the expected number of irrelevant documents in the collection which would have to be searched through before the desired number of relevant documents could be found. Its advantages are: (1) it provides a single index for the property it attempts to measure; (2) it allows for gradations of retrieval status, through the mathematical concept of a “weak ordering”; (3) it evaluates retrieval performance relative to random searching; and (4) it takes into account the amount of relevant material desired by the requester.
Gender and the attributions of chief executive responsibility for successful or unsuccessful organizational outcomes

This study addresses the effects of gender upon the attributions of responsibility for success and failure by chief executives in an organizational setting. Prior laboratory studies verify that some sex-related differences exist, although their importance and causes have been subject to controversy. In general, gender seems to make a difference in two respects. Men tend to make stronger attributions to their own ability than women and men are less likely than women to attribute their own performance to luck. In short, women are more likely to derogate their own efforts than are men. In this study no major gender-related differences were found in the patterns of attribution of the causes given for success or failure. These results indicate that if a general model of gender-related attributional differences is to be developed, additional studies from natural settings are needed.
RF ion carpets: The electric field, the effective potential, operational parameters and an analysis of stability

Abstract Analytical solutions for the electric field of radiofrequency (RF) carpets are presented. The formulas have been applied to calculate the effective repulsive potential with the Dehmelt model. The resulting formulas have been used to investigate operational conditions such as the average distance of ions from the carpet in the presence of an attractive static electric field. The equations of motion of ions in the electric fields have been integrated using the developed formulas to determine the parameter space for carpet operation. The operational parameters have been reduced to three dimensionless parameters and a stability analysis is carried out in these terms.
Maternal nutrition during pregnancy influences offspring wool production and wool follicle development.

The effects of maternal nutrition on offspring wool production (quality and quantity) were evaluated. Primiparous Rambouillet ewes (n = 84) were randomly allocated to 1 of 6 treatments in a 2 × 3 factorial design. Selenium treatment [adequate Se (ASe, 9.5 μg/kg of BW) vs. high Se (HSe, 81.8 μg/kg of BW)] was initiated at breeding, and maternal nutritional intake [control (CON, 100% of requirements) vs. restricted (60% of CON) vs. overfed (140% of CON)] was initiated at d 50 of gestation. Lamb birth weight was recorded at delivery, and all lambs were placed on the same diet immediately after birth to determine the effects of prenatal nutrition on postnatal wool production and follicle development. At 180 ± 2.2 d of age, lambs were necropsied and pelt weights were recorded. Wool samples were collected from the side and britch areas, whereas skin samples were collected from the side of each lamb only. Although Se status did not influence side staple length in males, female lambs born from ewes on the ASe treatment had a shorter staple length (P 0.13) on primary (29.10 ± 1.40/100 µm(2)) and secondary (529.84 ± 21.57/100 µm(2)) wool follicle numbers. Lambs from ASe ewes had a greater (P = 0.03) secondary:primary wool follicle ratio compared with lambs from HSe ewes (20.93 vs. 18.01 ± 1.00). Despite similar postnatal diets, wool quality was affected by maternal Se status and the maternal nutritional plane.