cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
COMPARING TWO TRANSECT METHODS FOR THE DETECTION OF RED-BACKED SALAMANDERS

Typical monitoring methods for terrestrial salamanders are subject to extensive variation, driven by the environmental conditions in effect during sampling. As rigorous salamander sampling methods are needed to monitor populations, there is a need to assess commonly used methods under a variety of environmental conditions. We hypothesized that of two methods used for capturing red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus), leaf litter searches and natural cover searches, the latter would perform best for adults and in situations where moisture was limiting. We compared captures for paired transect surveys: one a leaf litter search and the other a natural cover search, relative to age, proximity to streams, rainfall events, vapor pressure deficit and season. We found that natural cover searches outperformed leaf litter searches when conducted away from streams and in the absence of rainfall. Natural cover searches performed better regardless of vapor pressure deficit and season (spring or fall). Natural cover searches detected more adults than juveniles. We recommend natural cover searches as more efficient than leaf litter searches.
Microtubule-dependent intracellular trafficking promotes apical constriction during tissue invagination

Abstract The formation of an epithelial tube is a fundamental process for organogenesis. During Drosophila embryonic salivary gland (SG) invagination, Folded gastrulation (Fog)-dependent Rho-associated kinase (Rok) promotes contractile apical myosin formation to drive apical constriction. Microtubules (MTs) are also crucial for this process and are required for forming and maintaining apicomedial myosin. However, the underlying mechanism that coordinates actomyosin and MTs networks is still unclear. Here, we show that MT-dependent intracellular trafficking regulates apical constriction during SG invagination. Key components involved in protein trafficking, such as Rab11, Nuclear fallout (Nuf) and dynein heavy chain, are apically enriched near the SG invagination pit in a MT-dependent manner. Disruption of the MT networks or intracellular trafficking impairs apicomedial myosin formation and apical constriction. We show that MTs and dynein motors regulate Fog signaling activity. We further show that Rab11-dependent protein transport along MTs mediates clustered apical constriction during SG invagination. Key proteins that are transported include the apical determinant protein Crumbs (Crb), the key adherens junction protein E-Cadherin (E-Cad) and the scaffolding protein Bazooka/Par3. Targeted knockdown of these genes in the SG disrupts apical myosin networks and results in apical constriction defects. These results define a role of MT-dependent intracellular trafficking in regulating actomyosin networks and cell junctions, to coordinate cell behaviors during tubular organ formation.
The probability of violating Arrow’s conditions

Abstract Arrow’s impossibility theorem shows that all preference aggregation rules (PARs) must violate a specific set of normative conditions (transitivity, Pareto, IIA, nondictatorship) over an unrestricted domain of preference profiles. However, the theorem does not address which PARs are more likely to violate those conditions across preference profiles. We compare the probabilities that thirteen PARs (anti-plurality, Hare, Nanson, plurality, plurality runoff, Simpson–Kramer, Baldwin, Borda, Coombs, Copeland, Dowdall, pairwise majority, and ranked pairs) violate Arrow’s conditions. We prove that Baldwin, Borda, Coombs, Copeland, Dowdall, and ranked pairs are less likely to violate IIA than the first six PARs, and they are less likely to violate Arrow’s conditions jointly. In contrast, pairwise majority never violates IIA but can violate transitivity. Simulations with three alternatives reveal that among the PARs studied, pairwise majority is the most likely to satisfy Arrow’s conditions jointly. Our results suggest pairwise majority violates transitivity with a small probability, while the other PARs violate IIA with much larger probabilities.
Computer-delivered brief alcohol intervention for patients with liver disease: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Reducing alcohol consumption by liver disease patients can reduce morbidity and mortality. This study compared a computer-delivered brief alcohol intervention (cBAI) with standard care in a sample of US military veterans with liver disease. DESIGN Multi-site, randomized controlled trial of a cBAI plus standard care (n = 67) versus standard care only (n = 71). Participants were assessed at baseline and 3- and 6-month follow-up. SETTING US Veterans Health Administration liver clinics. PARTICIPANTS Participants were mostly male and diagnosed with hepatitis C. INTERVENTIONS AND COMPARATORS A cBAI tailored to veterans with liver disease and consisting of assessment and personalized feedback. Standard care was brief education and advice about alcohol and liver disease. MEASUREMENT Primary outcomes were self-reported number of drinking days and unhealthy drinking days (defined as more than two drinks for men and more than one for women) in the past 30 days at 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes were these two variables at 3-month follow-up, and drinks consumed per drinking day, depression and overall health at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Missing data were imputed using multiple imputation. FINDINGS Compared with standard care, cBAI participants reported significantly fewer drinking days at 6-month follow-up and fewer unhealthy drinking days at both 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Least square means (LS-means) for number of drinking days were 3.78 for the cBAI condition and 6.89 for the standard care condition at 6 months [LS-mean ratio = 3.78/6.89 = 0.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.34, 0.89]. LS-means for number of unhealthy drinking days were 1.04 for the cBAI condition and 2.57 for the standard care condition at 3-month follow-up (LS-mean ratio = 1.04/2.57 = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.19, 0.85). At 6-months follow-up, LS-means were 1.18 for the cBAI condition and 2.75 for the standard care condition (LS-mean ratio = 1.18/2.75 = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.20, 0.91). CONCLUSIONS A computer-delivered brief alcohol intervention reduced drinking days and unhealthy drinking days at 6-month follow up in military veterans with liver disease compared with brief education and advice to reduce consumption.
How addition of a nickel cyclohexyl-salen complex impacts a one-pot synthesis of nickel/hierarchically porous carbon monolith catalyst

Synthesis of hierarchically porous carbons incorporating metal nanoparticles can be carried out by a “one-pot” process in which the metal precursor is mixed with polymer precursors and structure directing agents, that undergoes a sol-gel self-assembly polymerization and then pyrolyzed under an inert atmosphere. Such syntheses are potentially cheaper and could make carbon catalysts more compatible with organic solvents. Previous work had shown that addition of metal salts interfered with the self-assembly process. To prevent this interference, and increase thermal stability, a nickel cyclohexyl salen complex was used as metal precursor. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) of the precursor solutions shows the presence of micelles in the absence of added complex. Addition of the complex is observed to give large agglomerates and a reduction in micelle concentration. SEM of the carbons formed shows that the nickel particles have a wide distribution of particle sizes and a heterogenous spatial distribution. Gas adsorption showed only modest changes resulting from nickel complex addition. XRD confirms the formation of nickel nanoparticles. The heterogenous distribution of nanoparticles observed in SEM is consistent with the large agglomerates observed in DLS being nickel cyclohexyl-salen complex which is not fully dispersed in the polymer and therefore gives heterogenous dispersion in the resulting carbon. The metal dispersion and stability of the carbon were improved over that observed with other salen complexes. The resulting catalysts were found to be catalytically active for the reduction of p-nitrophenol by sodium borohydride with catalytic activity consistent with the particle size distributions.
THE TRUE DURATIONS OF STARBURSTS: HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVATIONS OF THREE NEARBY DWARF STARBURST GALAXIES

The duration of a starburst is a fundamental parameter affecting the evolution of galaxies yet, to date, observational constraints on the durations of starbursts are not well established. Here we study the recent star formation histories of three nearby dwarf galaxies to rigorously quantify the duration of their starburst events using a uniform and consistent approach. We find that the bursts range from ~200 to ~400 Myr in duration resolving the tension between the shorter timescales often derived observationally with the longer timescales derived from dynamical arguments. If these three starbursts are typical of starbursts in dwarf galaxies, then the short timescales (3-10 Myr) associated with starbursts in previous studies are best understood as "flickering" events which are simply small components of the larger starburst. In this sample of three nearby dwarfs, the bursts are not localized events. All three systems show bursting levels of star formation in regions of both high and low stellar density. The enhanced star formation moves around the galaxy during the bursts and covers a large fraction of the area of the galaxy. These massive, long-duration bursts can significantly affect the structure, dynamics, and chemical evolution of the host galaxy and can be the progenitors of "superwinds" that drive much of the recently chemically enriched material from the galaxy into the intergalactic medium.
On the occurrence of a highly localized outbreak of a saturniid in lowland east Ecuador: a case study and literature review

For decades, outbreaks of insect herbivores in tropical forests were considered unusual or rare events primarily because of high plant diversity and the top-down impact of enemies. An alternative e...
Melt-Processable Shape-Memory Elastomers Containing Bisurea Segments

Cross-linked semicrystalline shape-memory networks are capable of storing large amounts of elastic energy with negligible plastic deformation; however, thermosets are not easily melt-processed or r...
To Pre-req or Co-req: An Assessment of Why Chemical Engineering Students Elect to Take a Course as a Prerequisite or as a Corequisite

In our chemical engineering curricula, students may enroll in introductory thermodynamics as a prerequisite to or as a corequisite with material and energy balances (MEB). We sought to determine why students enrolled in these courses in a given sequence whether it impacts performance. Students’ enrollment decisions were mostly based on logistics such as curriculum guides and scheduling issues. Students who enrolled in thermodynamics before MEB may have outperformed students who took them together.
The 3D printing and modeling of functionally graded Kelvin foams for controlling crushing performance

Abstract Mechanical impact protection is an important consideration in many applications, ranging from product transportation to sports. Cellular materials are typically used due to their desirable energy absorption properties and light weight. However, their large deformation and rate dependent responses (especially of polymer foams) are challenging to consider in design. Additionally, the use of foams with uniform properties, such as uniform density and uniform stiffness, often restricts the designed foams to only be suitable for a narrow range of mechanical impact conditions whereas real applications commonly face unpredictable situations. 3D printing offers fabrication flexibility and thus opens the door to create foams with tailored properties. In this work, we investigate the feasibility of using 3D printing for functionally graded foams (FGFs) that are optimal over a broad range of mechanical environments. The foams are fabricated by the recently developed grayscale digital light processing (g-DLP) method which can print parts with locally designed properties. These foams are tested under drop test conditions and with slower displacement control. We also model the large deformation behavior of FGFs using finite element analysis in which we account for the different viscoelastic behaviors of the distinct grayscale regions. We then use the model to examine the impact mitigation capabilities of FGFs in different loading scenarios. Finally, we show how FGFs can be used to satisfy real-world design goals using the case study of a motorcycle helmet. In contrast to prior work, we investigate continuous, functionally graded foams of a single density that differ in their viscoelastic responses. This work provides further insight into the benefits of viscoelastic properties and modulus graded foams and presents a manufacturing approach that can be used to produce the next generation of flexible lattice foams as mechanical absorbers.
Using Technologies to Uncover Patterns in Human Trafficking

In this paper, the researchers provide a background of human trafficking, review the use and implications of digital currency, and apply machine learning techniques to analyze publicly available trafficking datasets. The study also provides recommendations related to data collection, management, and analysis to aid the vital fight against individuals’ exploitation. The researchers conducted an exploratory data analysis using Python, RapidMiner, and Microsoft Excel towards an iterative review and interpretation of the dataset from the Counter Trafficking Data Collaborative (CTDC). The researchers found that there are more female victims of human trafficking in most age groups than male victims. However, for the age group between 39–47, there was a higher male victim count. Additionally, researchers found that the top five countries affected by human trafficking were the Philippines, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova, USA, and Cambodia. However, it must be noted that there are limitations to the overall data because they are provided voluntarily by organizations, and therefore, there is no equitable distribution of actual results from all countries and players. After mapping the country of origin and country of exploitation, it was made clear that there is a movement of victims from the country of origin to the country of exploitation. Lastly, researchers found that a complex combination of different variables is needed to provide accurate predictions for law enforcement and anti-trafficking organizations to aid them in fighting human trafficking, including country of exploitation and type of exploitation being the most important features in the prediction.
Bridging the 12-6-4 Model and the Fluctuating Charge Model.

Metal ions play important roles in various biological systems. Molecular dynamics (MD) using classical force field has become a popular research tool to study biological systems at the atomic level. However, meaningful molecular dynamics simulations require reliable models and parameters. Previously we showed that the 12-6 Lennard-Jones nonbonded model for ions could not simulate the experimental hydration free energy (HFE) and ion-oxygen distance (IOD) values simultaneously when ion has a charge of +2 or higher. We discussed that this deficiency arises from the overlook of the ion-induced dipole in the 12-6 model, and this term is proportional to 1/r4 based on theory. Hence, we developed the 12-6-4 model and showed it could solve this deficiency in a physically meaningful way. However, our previous research also found that the 12-6-4 model overestimated the coordination numbers (CNs) for some highly charged metal ions. And we attributed this artifact to that the current 12-6-4 scheme lacks a correction for the interactions among the first solvation shell water molecules. In the present study, we considered the ion-included dipole interaction by using the 12-6 model with adjusting the atomic charges of the first solvation shell water molecules. This strategy not only considers the ion-induced dipole interaction between ion and the first solvation shell water molecules but also well accounts for the increased repulsion among these water molecules compared to the bulk water molecules. We showed this strategy could well reproduce the experimental HFE and IOD values for Mg2+, Zn2+, Al3+, Fe3+, and In3+ and solve the CN overestimation issue of the 12-6-4 model for Fe3+ and In3+. Moreover, our simulation results showed good agreement with previous ab initio MD simulations. In addition, we derived the physical relationship between the C4 parameter and induced dipole moment, which agreed well with our simulation results. Finally, we discussed the implications of the present work for simulating metalloproteins. Due to the fluctuating charge model uses a similar concept to the 12-6 model with adjusting atomic charges, we believe the present study builds a bridge between the 12-6-4 model and the fluctuating charge model.
Di(hydroperoxy)adamantane adducts: synthesis, characterization and application as oxidizers for the direct esterification of aldehydes.

The di(hydroperoxy)adamantane adducts of water (1) and phosphine oxides p-Tol3PO·(HOO)2C(C9H14) (2), o-Tol3PO·(HOO)2C(C9H14) (3), and Cy3PO·(HOO)2C(C9H14) (4), as well as a CH2Cl2 adduct of a phosphole oxide dimer (8), have been created and investigated by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and by Raman and IR spectroscopy. The single crystal X-ray structures for 1–4 and 8 are reported. The IR and 31P NMR data are in accordance with strong hydrogen bonding of the di(hydroperoxy)adamantane adducts. The Raman ν(O–O) stretching bands of 1–4 prove that the peroxo groups are present in the solids. Selected di(hydroperoxy)alkane adducts, in combination with AlCl3 as catalyst, have been applied for the direct oxidative esterification of n-nonyl aldehyde, benzaldehyde, p-methylbenzaldehyde, p-bromobenzaldehyde, and o-hydroxybenzaldehyde to the corresponding methyl esters. The esterification takes place in an inert atmosphere, under anhydrous and oxygen-free conditions, within a time frame of 45 minutes to 5 hours at room temperature. Hereby, two oxygen atoms per adduct assembly are active with respect to the quantitative transformation of the aldehyde into the ester.
The Drive to Lower Lead Levels in Food Chemicals

AbstractBecause chemicals that are intentionally added to food during its production constitute a significant portion of the US diet, reducing lead levels in them is one of the long-term objectives of the Committee on Food Chemicals Codex, a committee of the Food and Nutrition Board within the Institute of Medicine. The Committee recommends limits for lead, as well as for other heavy metals, arsenic, and other potentially hazardous constituents in chemicals used in food production. The Food Chemicals Codex is a compendium of purity specifications that often become legal standards for food chemical purity in the United States and in many countries worldwide. The Committee plans to lower existing lead limits for food chemicals based on their level of consumption or reported use. Data regarding food chemical use is available from the 1987 Poundage and Technical Effects Update of Substances Added to Food. Because of their high level of consumption, sweeteners constitute a group of food chemicals in which lead...
With or without intent: how racial disparities prevent effective implementation of care.

Background: The limited affects of translation within the United States remains a central issue for the medical profession. Racial disparities are noted as a significant factor contributing to this problem.Objective: This pilot study sought to explore how racial barriers limit the effective implementation of health care by examining the barriers that affect health care among African-Americans in Dayton, Ohio through their expression of experiences on the subject.Method: This qualitative study relied on the focus group method to accomplish its objective. Both African-American (Black) and White (non-Hispanic White) individuals were invited to participate in the focus group to facilitate comparison between the experiences of the two groups and identify experiences that are uniquely African-American. Of the 18 individuals who participated in the study, 16 were African-American and 2 were White. Participants were selected using the purposive sampling method which drew participants from a list of individuals who had received health services from a public health clinic in Dayton, Ohio, and who had not returned for care during a 12–18 month period prior to their participation in the study. These participants represent some of the most vulnerable members of US society when it comes to access to health care. The focus group conversation was audio taped, recorded on flip charts, and transcribed by an observer to ensure data accuracy. Focus group participants had immediate access to the flip chart notes and were asked to correct inaccurate recordings. The data was analyzed using the grounded theory approach.Results: According to participants, the key barriers they experienced to effective health care were economic factors; the quality of care they received and the disrespect of medical practitioners; accessibility to health services based on location, cost, and decentralized services; lower literacy and education levels; and cultural differences and the related factors of discrimination and racism embedded in the health system.Conclusion: This study suggests that without addressing racial, cultural and ethnic disparities in health care, efforts at translation will continue to be thwarted. Moreover, physicians’ efforts at translation must be matched by changes to the institutional arrangements within health care systems.
Quantum Hard-Sphere Gas. I

We pose the problem of finding an operator, defined for all relative distances of two particles, which plays the role of a Hamiltonian such that the subsequent eigenvalue problem has as its only solutions precisely the eigenfunctions for two hard spheres, each of core diameter $a$. This operator is explicitly constructed. Its crucial aspect is that, despite its being defined for all relative distances ${r}_{12}$, its eigenfunctions serve as a complete set for expressing a two-particle wave function only in the restricted interval ${r}_{12}\ensuremath{\ge}a$. Subsequent papers of this series will be devoted to the application of these results to the problem of quantum hard-sphere gases.
MAKING A JOYFUL NOISE

This article explores how early North American Methodism became a site of postcolonial negotiation between American Indians and Christianity. It particularly focuses on Methodism's thick orality through the figure of William Apess, a nineteenth-century Pequot, who became a convert to Methodism as well as one of this movement's itinerant preachers. Through the example of Apess, as well as an unnamed, seventeenth-century Mi'kmaw woman, the article argues that the available critical vocabularies for analyzing the Native-Christian encounter are inadequate: neither syncretism-acculturation nor postcolonial notions of hybridity capture the complexity of conversion's exchanges. The article proposes retraditionalization, a concept that emerges from indigenous theory, as an alternative to syncretism, acculturation or hybridity.
Multi-view multi-class object detection via exemplar compounding

To address the multi-view multi-class object detection problem, we propose a method named Vector Array Recognition by Indexing and Sequencing (VARIS). VARIS is able to find optimal similarity matching between the input image and pre-stored exemplars while allowing wide geometrical variations which are limited only by topology constraints. Aggregated similarity is further enhanced by matching the input image with compound exemplars. The exemplar compounding procedure also reduces the number of exemplars necessary for each class. Our experiments show that VARIS with exemplar compounding achieves state-of-the-art performance on PASCAL VOC2007 dataset with a reasonable computational cost.
A Brief History of Item Theory Response

How did early work of Binet and Thurstone foreshadow item response theory? What connections to work in other areas are not widely recognized? What are current application trends?
Evidence for correlated double-electron capture in slow collisions of multicharged ions with He and H2☆

Abstract High resolution measurements of the production of L 1 L 23 X Coster-Kronig and LMX-Auger electrons in slow collisions of C 4+ , N 5+ , O 6+ , and O 7+ with He and H 2 have been performed, using the method of 0° Auger spectroscopy. For the latter three projectiles, strong Coster-Kronig lines are observed, which are attributed to the configurations (core)2p nl , produced by double-elec- tron capture. It is argued that production of these nonequivalent electron configurations must involve electron-electron correlation. From a comparison of the production cross sections for these Coster-Kronig electrons and the LMX-Auger electrons, it is further argued that correlation plays a significant role in two-electron transfer processes.
Aerodynamic Shape Optimization Using Hybridized Differential Evolution

An aerodynamic shape optimization method that uses an evolutionary algorithm known at Differential Evolution (DE) in conjunction with various hybridization strategies is described. DE is a simple and robust evolutionary strategy that has been proven effective in determining the global optimum for several difficult optimization problems. Various hybridization strategies for DE are explored, including the use of neural networks as well as traditional local search methods. A Navier-Stokes solver is used to evaluate the various intermediate designs and provide inputs to the hybrid DE optimizer. The method is implemented on distributed parallel computers so that new designs can be obtained within reasonable turnaround times. Results are presented for the inverse design of a turbine airfoil from a modern jet engine. (The final paper will include at least one other aerodynamic design application). The capability of the method to search large design spaces and obtain the optimal airfoils in an automatic fashion is demonstrated.
Optimal Manufacturing of a Two Product Mix

We consider a machine that works constantly and produces two types of fluid products, one type of product at a time. Whenever there is a positive amount of both types of products, the products are mixed immediately and shipped away. Whenever mixing is infeasible the product that is currently being produced accumulates inventory. The goal is to minimize the long-run average as well as the discounted costs of running such an operation. Inventory incurs a linear holding cost for each type of product. Also, whenever switching from the production of one type of product to the other, a fixed switching cost is incurred. It is found that a stationary periodic policy is optimal. The optimal solution for the long-run average cost criterion is described by closed form formulas. As a special case, we show that the s, S policy for the textbook EOQ inventory model is indeed optimal over the class of all policies. Also, a theorem that proves the optimality of cyclic policies within a particular set of policies is introduced in a very general setting.
G359.95-0.04: an energetic pulsar candidate near Sgr A*

We report the discovery of a prominent non-thermal X-ray feature located near the Galactic centre that we identify as an energetic pulsar wind nebula. This feature, G359.95-0.04, lies 1-lyr north of Sgr A* (in projection), is comet like in shape, and has a power-law spectrum that steepens with increasing distance from the putative pulsar. The distinct spectral and spatial X-ray characteristics of the feature are similar to those belonging to the rare class of ram-pressure confined pulsar wind nebulae. The luminosity of the nebula at the distance of Sgr A*, consistent with the inferred X-ray absorptions, is L(x)similar to 1 x 10(34) erg s(-1) in the 2-10 keV energy band. The cometary tail extends back to a region centred at the massive stellar complex IRS 13 and surrounded by an enhanced diffuse X-ray emission, which may represent an associated supernova remnant. Furthermore, the inverse Compton scattering of the strong ambient radiation by the nebula consistently explains the observed TeV emission from the Galactic centre. We also briefly discuss plausible connections of G359.95-0.04 to other high-energy sources in the region, such as the young stellar complexes IRS 13 and SNR Sgr A East.
Preparation of 1,6-anhydro-3,4-dideoxy-β-D-glycero-hex-3-enopyranos-2-ulose (levoglucosenone) and some derivatives thereof

Abstract 1,6-Anhydro-3,4-dideoxy-β- D - glycero -hex-3-enopyranos-2-ulose (levoglucosenone) was prepared on a laboratory scale by pyrolysis of H 3 PO 4 -treated, Kraft waste-paper. The aldehyde components of the pyrolyzate were removed by reaction with 5,5-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione (dimedone), and levoglucosenone was obtained in 3.3% yield by distillation of the remaining material. A variety of deoxy, keto, and branched-chain sugars was obtained by reduction of levoglucosenone, and by its reaction with Grignard reagents under different conditions.
Map features and the recall of discourse

Abstract College undergraduates heard a 1760-word narrative which described events occurring on an imaginary island. As they listened, learners studied either a map of the island with features located spatially, a map—outline with features listed next to it, or just an outline without feature information. People who saw the map recalled more idea units and feature-related information on both free- and cued-recall tests. There was also a significant relation between correct recall and the ability of a subject to reconstruct the spatial relations on the map. The data were interpreted in terms of a feature-location model of map—discourse memory.
Soft-tissue signs of the upper extremity revisited: radiologic and magnetic resonance imaging correlation

More modern imaging techniques allow us to supplement the information available on soft-tissue signs seen on radiographs. This improves our diagnostic capability, as demonstrated here in the upper extremity.
The Evaluation of Aircraft Collision Probabilities at Intersecting Air Routes

In this article formulas useful for the calculation of aircraft mid-air collision probabilities at intersecting air routes are developed. The aircraft overlap density, a key parameter in the calculation, is expressed as a function of the intersection angle of air routes, aircraft speeds, the nominal separation, and parameters in the position-error distribution. Two representative probability models for position errors are used to illustrate the computational procedures suggested. A method of approximation over large navigation systems is also proposed.The calculation of aircraft mid-air collision probabilities is an important step in the design of air-route structure and is a key element in the specification of separation standards and minimum requirements of facilities reliability and accuracy. A thorough analysis of collision probabilities for long-range parallel air routes over oceanic areas was reported by P. G. Reich in three research documents and in a series of papers published in this Journal in 1966. Analysis of collision probabilities at intersecting air routes typical in off-shore and continental areas, however, has not been fully explored to date. The only direct reference available on this subject appears to be the work by Bellantoni,7 in which a collision problem was formulated in the three-dimensional space and was apt to deal with airport terminal landing or take-off situations. For circumstances where horizontal linear air routes intersect one another at preassigned positions, the analysis provided by Bellantoni needs to be simplified and refashioned for use in extensive applications.
Denoising of imagery for inspection tasks using higher-order statistics

We reduced noise in images using a higher-order, correlation-based method. In this approach, wavelet coefficients were classified as either mostly noise or mostly signal based on third-order statistics. Because the higher than second-order moments of the Gaussian probability function are zero, the third-order correlation coefficient may not have a statistical contribution from Gaussian noise. Using a detection algorithm derived from third-order statistics, we determined if a wavelet coefficient was noisy by looking at its third-order correlation coefficient. Using imagery of space shuttle tiles, our results showed that the minimum mean-squared error obtained using third-order statistics was often less than that using second-order statistics.
Characteristics of [3H]prazosin binding to guinea pig brain α-adrenergic receptors: effects of estradiol and progesterone

Abstract [ 3 H]Prazosin was found to bind to sites on guinea pig brain membranes with α 1 -adrenergic receptor characteristics. Treatment of ovariectomized guinea pigs with estradiol benzoate (EB) or EB followed by progesterone (P) did not affect [ 3 H]prazosin binding to membranes from hypothalamus, preoptic area, amygdala or cerebral cortex. When added to the incubation mixture of the assay, estradiol, P, and other steroids decreased [ 3 H]prazosin binding but only at high concentrations. These results do not support the idea that estrogen and progestin influence reproductive physiology through effects on brain α 1 -receptors, although limitations of the methodology employed do not completely rule out this possibility.
Veratrum‐Alkaloide. 9. Mitteilung. Absolute Konfiguration des Kohlenstoffatoms 10 in Cevin und verwandten Alkaloiden

Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass das Kohlenstoffatom 10 in den Veratrum-Alkaminen Cevin und Germin die gleiche absolute Konfiguration besitzt wie das Kohlenstoffatom 10 bei Steroiden und Polyterpenen.
Assessing the feasibility of increasing engine efficiency through extreme compression

Operating simple-cycle chemical engines at extremely high compression ratios can, theoretically, increase thermal efficiency by nearly a factor of two. To operate at these significantly higher comp...
Atomic force microscopy and dissection of gap junctions

An atomic force microscope (AFM) was used to study the structure of isolated hepatic gap junctions in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The thickness of these gap junctions appears to be 14.4 nanometers, close to the dimensions reported by electron microscopy (EM). When an increasing force is applied to the microscope tip, the top membrane of the gap junction can be "dissected" away, leaving the extracellular domains of the bottom membrane exposed. When such "force dissection" is performed on samples both trypsinized and fixed with glutaraldehyde, the hexagonal array of gap junction hemichannels is revealed, with a center-to-center spacing of 9.1 nanometers.
Cosensitized Electron‐Transfer Photooxygenation of Epoxides. A New Synthesis of Ozonides

9,10-Dicyanoanthracene (DCA) and biphenyl (BP) cosensitize the electron-transfer photooxygenation of epoxides in oxygen-saturated acetonitrile to form ozonides. These epoxides do not measurably quench the fluorescence of DCA and are, therefore, relatively unreactive under standard photooxygenation conditions with only DCA as sensitizer. However, a dramatic increase in the rate of reaction is observed upon the addition of BP as a non-light-absorbing cosensitizer. An investigation of the stereochemistry of the reaction with cis- and trans-2,3-diphenyloxiranes has shown that both epoxides are converted exclusively to the cis-ozonide. This striking stereochemical result is consistent with a proposed mechanism involving singlet oxygen addition to an intermediate carbonyl ylide.
Image processing algorithms for eye movement monitoring.

Abstract Image processing algorithms useful for the optical monitoring of eye movements have been developed and evaluated. Specifically, algorithms have been developed which track the positions of moving convex targets. Three search strategies are considered which make varying use of a priori knowledge of target position and require varying levels of random access to the image space. Results indicate that straightforward algorithms implemented with relatively slow microcomputers can yield sample rates well in excess of standard TV fied rates.
Seroprevalence of markers for hepatitis B viral infection

Summary Objectives To provide a comprehensive review of the prevalence of selected hepatitis B virus (HBV) seromarkers and to identify variability in seroprevalence across the 14 World Health Organization (WHO) sub-regions and among special groups and populations. Methods Analyses involved 568 papers and 736 population studies. The complete data set included 21, 838, 249 individuals and covered the 14 WHO sub-regions. Results Of the 687 studies that assessed hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroprevalence, 30% had low ( 8% affected) endemicity. Median HBsAg seroprevalence differed by selected populations and among geographic regions. Overall, median seroprevalence was highest for ‘other' populations, followed by patients, then by pregnant women and children. Median seroprevalence of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) followed a similar endemicity pattern to that of HBsAg across the 14 WHO sub-regions. Median seroprevalence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) showed considerable variability within each population group, with the greatest potential for infectivity seen among children. Conclusions This population-based review provides a comprehensive assessment of the burden of HBV throughout the world. Significant differences in seroprevalence exist between WHO regions, study populations, and seromarker testing methods. The results presented in this study will enable health professionals to track worldwide reported seroprevalence of hepatitis B markers.
Hylastes nigrinus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), Pissodes fasciatus, and Steremnius carinatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) as Vectors of Black-stain Root Disease of Douglas-fir

This study demonstrates that Hylastes nigrinus (Mannerheim), Pissodes fasciatus LeConte, and Steremnius carinatus (Boheman) are vectors of Verticicladiella wageneri Kendrick, the causal agent of black-stain root disease of Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco. These insects, known associates of diseased hosts, wound and create suitable infection courts in susceptible hosts, carry inoculum in the field, and transmit the pathogen to hosts under laboratory conditions. Root systems of 12-year-old Douglas-fir, cut during precommercial thinning, were infested by these insects and were susceptible to V. wageneri infection for at least 7 months, confirming that V. wageneri may be introduced to thinned stands via these hosts. Male and female H. nigrinus created wounds suitable as infection courts on roots and root collars of crop trees for 1–2 years after precommercial thinning and may, therefore, introduce V. wageneri to thinned stands via these hosts. Insect-mediated transmission of V. wageneri to Douglas-fir by H. nigrinus in the field is documented.
Multiple molecular forms of rat brain enkephalinase

Rat brain enkephalinase has been partially purified by ion exchange chromatography, chromatofocusing, and affinity chromatography on immobilized lectins. Ion exchange chromatography resolved two principle forms of enkephalinase designated A1 and A2. Both enkephalinase A1 and A2 are bound to immobilized lentil lectin while chromatography on immobilized wheat germ lectin resolved each of the principle forms into two subforms, A1, 1, A1, 2, A2, 1, and A2, 2. All four enkephalinase forms have similar, if not identical kinetic properties. The possible implications of multiple molecular forms of enkephalinases are discussed.
THE WINDS OF CHANGE IN ADOPTIONS LAWS:Should Adoptees Have Access to Adoption Records?

The author focuses on the issues involving the unsealing of adoption records—allowing adoptees to discover who their birth parents are. He first examines the history of adoption and the development of adoption laws in the United States and then discusses currently enacted adoption statutes. Next, the author considers the benefits and disadvantages of unsealing adoption records to the birth parents, the adoptee, and the adoptive parents. He suggest a model law and offers an analysis of its advantages and problems. Through this proposal, the author hopes to assuage many of the problems existing in adoption laws now.
Effects of chronic infusion of dibutyryl c-AMP or adenosine on luteal function in sheep.

Adenosine or vehicle; dibutyryl c-AMP, a c-AMP analogue, or vehicle in two separate experiments were infused through an indwelling cannula every four hours around the ovarian vascular pedicle of ewes unilaterally ovariectomized on day 8 postestrus. Adenosine or vehicle was infused from day 8 through 22 postestrus and dibutyryl-cAMP was infused from day 8 through 20 postestrus or until the ewes returned to estrus. Interestrous intervals were greater (p≤0.05) in ewes receiving adenosine (27.3±2.4 days) than in control ewes (17.2±1.3 days). The length of the estrous cycle of ewes receiving dibutyryl c-AMP was greater (22.4±1.1; p≤0.05) than in control ewes which averaged 16.7±0.6 days. Profiles of progesterone were different (p≤0.05) for ewes receiving adenosine or dibutyryl c-AMP when compared to their respective controls. In addition, the overall mean concentrations of progesterone were greater (p≤0.05) in dibutyryl c-AMP or adenosine-treated ewes than in controls. In a third experiment, infusions of adenosine or dibutyryl c-AMP intrauterine every 4 hours through a cannula from day 8 through 22 postestrus had no effect (p≤0.05) on the interestrous interval or profiles of progesterone. It is concluded that dibutyryl c-AMP or adenosine in vivo can delay luteolysis and adenosine and c-AMP may play roles in luteal secretion of progesterone in sheep but are probably not the uterine embryonic antiluteolysin of early pregnancy in sheep.
Maintaining femoral bone density in adults: how many steps per day are enough?

Summary The amount and intensity of walking to maintain a healthy skeleton is unknown. This study examined the relationship between habitual walking activity and femoral bone mineral density (BMD) in healthy individuals using a quantitative theory for bone maintenance. Our results suggest a gender, weight, and speed sensitivity of walking interventions.
Progesterone Receptors as Neuroendocrine Integrators

Abstract Intracellular progesterone receptors (PRs) are ligand-inducible transcription factors that mediate the majority of the effects of progesterone (P) on neuroendocrine functions. During the past decade, evidence has accumulated which suggest that PRs can also be activated independently of P, by signals propagated through membrane-bound receptors to the interior of cells. The activation of PRs by this type of “cross-talk” mechanism has been implicated in the physiological regulation of several important neuroendocrine processes, including estrous behavior and periovulatory hormone secretions. We review evidence that both ligand-dependent and ligand-independent activation of PRs occurs in central neurons and in anterior pituitary cells and that the convergence and summation of these signals at the PR serves to integrate neural and endocrine signals which direct several critically important neuroendocrine processes. An integrative function for PRs is reviewed in several physiological contexts, including the display of lordosis behavior in female rodents, the neurosecretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone surges, secretion of preovulatory gonadotropin surges, and release of periovulatory follicle stimulating hormone surges. The weight of evidence indicates that cross talk at the intracellular PR is an essential component of the integrative mechanisms that direct each of these neuroendocrine events. The recurrence of PR's integrative actions in several different physiological contexts suggests that other intracellular steroid receptors similarly function as integrators of neural and endocrine signals in other neuroendocrine processes.
Diffusion Layer Theory for Turbulent Vapor Condensation With Noncondensable Gases

In turbulent condensation with noncondensable gas, a thin noncondensable layer accumulated and generates a diffusional resistance to condensation and sensible heat transfer. By expressing the driving potential for mass transfer as a difference in saturation temperatures and using appropriate thermodynamic relationships, here an effective condensation thermal conductivity is derived. With this formulation, experimental results for vertical tubes and plates demonstrate that condensation obeys the heat and mass transfer analogy, when condensation and sensible heat tranfer are considered simultaneously
Evaluation of agar diffusion bioassay for nisin quantification.

The agar diffusion bioassay is the most widely used method for the quantification of nisin, due to its high sensitivity, simplicity, and cost-effectiveness. This method is based on the measurement of the inhibition zone produced in nisin-sensitive microorganisms. The size of the zone is affected by many factors, such as nisin-sensitive strain, amount of added agar and surfactant, and pre-diffusion step. This research aims to evaluate the effects of nisin-sensitive strains and pre-diffusion on the accuracy and precision of nisin quantification. Three strains of nisin-sensitive microorganisms (Micrococcus luteus, Lactobacillus sakei, Brochothrix thermosphacta) were tested along with three different incubation processes. The best combination was the method using L. sakei as an indicator strain with pre-diffusion at 4 °C for 24 h. Compared with M. luteus and B. thermosphacta, L. sakei gave more accurate and reproducible results. Moreover, the pre-diffusion step resulted in larger inhibition zones and more precise results. Finally, the best combination was validated and compared with the method that is usually used and the result showed that the method using L. sakei with pre-diffusion gave more accurate and precise results.
LACTIC ACID DIPPING FOR INHIBITING MICROBIAL SPOILAGE OF REFRIGERATED CATFISH FILLET PIECES

Subdivided catfish fillets were dipped in chilled (7°C) solutions of 1.70% and 2.55% (v/v) lactic acid (LA) for 10 min. Control pieces were not dipped. All pieces were individually placed in sterile plastic bags and stored either at 7°C for 3 days or on ice in a 2°C cold room for 6 days. Aerobic plate count (APC) was periodically determined using plate count agar pour plate and Petrifilm™ film methods. At 7°C, APC for both LA treatments was significantly (P<0.05) lower than for controls during 3 days of storage. Day 3 APC values for 1.70% and 2.55% LA samples were lower than controls by 1.3 and 2.3 logs, respectively. Similarly, after 6 days at 2°C the APC values for 1.70% and 2.55% LA samples were 1.3 and 3.1 logs lower, respectively, than for control samples. Throughout storage at both temperatures, 2.55% LA samples had significantly (P<0.05) lower APC than 1.70% LA samples. No significant (P<0.05) difference was observed between pour plate and Petrifilm™ APC methods, although APC values for the latter method were consistently slightly higher. Untrained sensory evaluation panelists could not consistently distinguish between control and 1.70% LA catfish pieces that were dipped in batter, breaded, and fried. Control, 1.70% LA, and 2.55% LA-dipped pieces were not rated as significantly different (P<0.05) in whiteness of flesh, tartness, and overall flavor acceptability. Acid dipping of catfish could be useful for extending the refrigerated shelf-life of unfrozen catfish fillets.