cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Precision Imaging and Control for Machine Vision Research at Carnegie Mellon University

In a perfect world we would be able to use the many possible degrees of freedom in a camera system to do many useful things, such as accommodating for changes or differences in the scenes being imaged, correcting for camera behaviour that isn''t quite ideal, or measuring properties of the scene by noting how the scene''s image changes as the camera''s parameters are varied. Unfortunately the parameters that control the formation of the camera''s images often interact in complex and subtle ways that can cause unforeseen problems for machine vision tasks. To be able to effectively use multi degree of freedom camera systems we need to know how variations in the camera''s control parameters are going to cause changes in the produced images. For this we need to have good mathematical models describing the relationships between the control parameters and the parameters of the resulting images. Ideally we would like to base the form of the models on an understanding of the underlying physical processes involved, but in many cases these are either unknown or are just too complex to model. In these situations experimentation and generalized modeling techniques are necessary. To perform the experiments needed to develop and validate models and to obtain calibration data for the models we need precise automated imaging systems. In this report we describe the camera systems developed for Carnegie Mellon University''s Calibrated Imaging Lab and show how these systems have been used to develop methods for using computer-controlled cameras and lenses.
Distal and Proximal Influences on the Risk of Extramarital Sex: A Prospective Study of Longer Duration Marriages

Previous models of the risk of extramarital sex (EMS) rely largely on cross-section samples and retrospective reporting. This may well conflate causes with consequences of EMS in the same model. Instead, this study employs panel data with an event-history approach to re-assess the influences on the risk of EMS. The sample consists of 1,270 married respondents, with no prior history of EMS, who were followed up in five subsequent surveys spanning a 20-year period. The quality of the conjugal bond emerged as a paramount influence on the outcome. The hazard of EMS was higher for respondents who had ever experienced a trial separation, reported marital violence, scored higher on a marital instability index, or spent less time in activities with the spouse. The risk of EMS was lower the longer respondents had been married at baseline, the longer the duration since baseline, and the greater the respondent's religiosity.
Slow Neutron Velocity Spectrometer Studies. III. I, Os, Co, Tl, Cb, Ge

The $\frac{1}{v}$ thermal line for iodine is $\ensuremath{\sigma}=[(3.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2)+(1.12\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05){E}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2}}]$. Crystal interference effects are apparent at low energies. There is a resonance at (20.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.4) ev with ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{0}{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}^{2}\ensuremath{\sim}4$. A flat-bottomed dip at 37 ev suggests two levels at (32\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2) ev and (42\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2) ev with approximately equal values of ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{0}{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}^{2}\ensuremath{\sim}135$. The $\frac{1}{v}$ thermal line for osmium is $\ensuremath{\sigma}=[(15\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.4)+(2.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1){E}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2}}]$ with crystal interference effects at low energies. There are levels at (6.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3) ev with ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{0}{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}^{2}\ensuremath{\sim}10$, at (8.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3) ev with ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{0}{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}^{2}\ensuremath{\sim}35$, at (20\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1) ev with ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{0}{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}^{2}\ensuremath{\sim}25$, probable levels at (28\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.5) ev with ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{0}{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}^{2}\ensuremath{\sim}8$, at (42\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2) ev with ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{0}{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}^{2}\ensuremath{\sim}10$, at 84 ev and several unresolved levels above 84 ev. The $\frac{1}{v}$ thermal line for cobalt is $\ensuremath{\sigma}=[(6.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3)+(6.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.15){E}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2}}]$. There is an unusually strong dip at (115\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}5) ev with ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{0}{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}^{2}\ensuremath{\sim}200,000$ (if single) and indications of other strong unresolved levels in the region of 1000 to 10,000 ev. The $\frac{1}{v}$ thermal line for thallium is probably [$\ensuremath{\sigma}=(9.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2)+(0.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2){E}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2}}$]. There are strong crystal interference effects at low energies. There is a strong dip in the transmission curve at 270 ev and another broad dip near 1100 ev. Columbium shows only a slight $\frac{1}{v}$ effect $\ensuremath{\sigma}=[(6.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2)+(0.10\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.04){E}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2}}]$ with strong crystal interference effects at lower energies. Only a slight dip at 4.1 ev attributed to a slight Ta impurity was found in the higher energy region. Germanium shows no $\frac{1}{v}$ thermal slope because of the strong crystal interference effects. There is a (perhaps multiple) level at 95 ev with ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{0}{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}^{2}\ensuremath{\sim}800$.
The decomposition of sodium phenobarbital in solutions of aliphatic amines and alkanolamines

The decomposition of aqueous solutions of sodium phenobarbital proceeds at room temperature in the presence of aliphatic amines and alkanolamines to produce the previously reported phenylethylacetylurea. The mixtures had pH values ranging between 10.2 and 10.6, whereas the aqueous solution of sodium phenobarbital had a pH of 9.2. In some cases Crystals of the ureide formed within fifteen minutes after mixing the liquids.
Temperature and Humidity Effects on Noctuidonema (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae), an Ectoparasite of Adult Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and Transfer Success during Host Mating

The effect of humidity and temperature on development and population growth of Noctuidonema guyanense Remillet & Silvain, an ectoparasitic nematode of adult Spodoptera Frugiperda (J. E. Smith) andrelated moths, was examined using S. frugiperda as the host. N. guyanense was held under low (20%) and high (80%) relative humidity levels, and constant temperature regimes ranging from 7 to 37 o C in, five degree increments. The population increased by 13- to 16-fold under high humidity, and the nematodes survived the low humidity. Development andpopulation growth were optimal at 32 o C. The proportion of nematodes falling off the host was negligible. The nematodes easily transferred to a new host when the moths mated. Many of the transferred nematodes were adults. All attempts to culture N. guyanense on artificial media or fungi were unsuccessful
Multi-Factor Authentication Using Spectral Biometrics

This paper describes the feasibility of enhancing existing biometrics technology with a spectroscopic method in order to prevent spoofing. It goes beyond the simple approach of an aliveness detection technique and proposes the implementation of verification of a person's unique `spectral signatures' or `factors' in addition to currently employed methodologies in a multi-factor manner to reduce the likelihood of an imposter getting authenticated. This paper also shows how to augment two widely used biometrics systems (fingerprint and iris recognition devices) with spectral biometrics capabilities in a practical manner and without creating much overhead or inconveniencing their users.
The legacies of Langmuir, Ising, and Pauling: ligand binding and the helix-coil transition.

Multiple, independent sites or domains behave, on chemical change, in a manner predicted by Langmuir. Distortions of this behavior have been attributed to interactions between the domains, which vary with the progress of the changes occurring at the sites or domains. The two main models for nearest neighbor interactions perturbing the Langmuir prediction for independent domains are those of Ising and Pauling. If we designate the initial site as (−) and the changed site as (+), then the Langmuir requirement for independence of sites yields a set of nearest neighbor interactions such that the (− −), (− +), (+ −), and (+ +) interactions are all identical. This identity is usually characterized as “no interactions.” Ising, in dealing with electron pairs, invoked nearest neighbor interactions such that the interactions of the (− −) pairs equaled those of the (+ +) pairs, but with the (− +) and (+ −) pairs differing from the reference (− −) pair. Pauling, on the other hand, postulated that only the (− −) and (+ +) pairs interacted differently. A dichotomy has arisen in the application of these two models, with some investigators ignoring or overlooking one of the models. We explore these models, alone and combined, with exact partition functions generated in reasonable computer times for hundreds of sites employing our combinatorial algorithm. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopoly 49: 425–440, 1999
High temperature gas desulfurization with elemental sulfur production

Preliminary results on the use of cerium oxide as a high-temperature desulfurization sorbent are presented. The primary advantage of cerium over current zinc-based sorbents is the potential to produce elemental sulfur during the regeneration phase of the process. Although CeO2 is less effective for H2S removal during sulfidation, the sulfided product, Ce2O2S, will react with SO2 to produce elemental sulfur directly. Rapid and complete regeneration is possible over the range of 500 to 700°C, and only elemental sulfur is formed. Elemental sulfur concentrations (considered as S2) as large as 20 mol% have been produced in the regeneration product. The sorbent has been subjected to ten sulfidation–regeneration cycles using a laboratory-scale fixed-bed reactor with negligible activity loss. Effectively complete conversion of CeO2 to Ce2O2S during sulfidation and subsequent regeneration to CeO2 was achieved in each cycle. A two-stage desulfurization process using CeO2 for bulk H2S removal followed by a zinc sorbent polishing step has been proposed to meet specifications of the integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) process. Economic comparison with a single-stage desulfurization process using zinc sorbent followed by elemental sulfur recovery using the direct sulfur recovery process (DSRP) shows that the two-stage cerium process may be less costly if the cerium sorbent is sufficiently durable.
Binary tree eigen solver in finite element analysis

This paper presents a transputer-based binary tree eigensolver for the solution of the generalized eigenproblem in linear elastic finite element analysis. The algorithm is based on the method of recursive doubling, which parallel implementation of a number of associative operations on an arbitrary set having N elements is of the order of o(log2N), compared to (N-1) steps if implemented sequentially. The hardware used in the implementation of the binary tree consists of 32 transputers. The algorithm is written in OCCAM which is a high-level language developed with the transputers to address parallel programming constructs and to provide the communications between processors. The algorithm can be replicated to match the size of the binary tree transputer network. Parallel and sequential finite element analysis programs have been developed to solve for the set of the least-order eigenpairs using the modified subspace method. The speed-up obtained for a typical analysis problem indicates close agreement with the theoretical prediction given by the method of recursive doubling.
Improving floor localization accuracy in 3D spaces using barometer

Technologies such as Wifi and BLE have been proven to be effective for indoor localization in two dimensional spaces with sufficiently good accuracy but the same techniques have large margin of errors when it comes to three dimensional spaces. Popular 3D spaces such as malls or airports are marked by distinct structural features - atrium/hollow space and large corridors which reduces spatial variability of WiFi and BLE signal strengths leading to erroneous location prediction. A large fraction of these errors can be attributed to vertical jumps where the predicted location has same horizontal coordinate as the actual location but differs in the vertical coordinate. Smartphones now come equipped with barometer sensor which could be used to solve this problem and create 3D localization solution having better accuracy. Research shows that the barometer can be used to determine relative vertical movement and its direction with nearly 100% accuracy. However exact floor prediction requires repeated calibration of the barometer measurements as pressure values vary significantly across device, time and locations. In this paper we present a method of automatically calibrating smartphone embedded barometers to provide accurate 3D localization. Our method combines a probabilistic learning method with a pressure drift elimination algorithm. We also show that when the floor value is accurately predicted, Wifi localization accuracy improves by 25% for 3D spaces. We validate our techniques in a real shopping mall and provide valuable insights from practical experiences.
Energy relations for SH waves interacting with a frictional contact interface

Abstract The paper considers the partition of energy when an incident SH wave is reflected and refracted by a fricitonal contact interface that slips. The effect of applied shear tractions which cause a slow creeping motion is included in the analysis.
High‐barrier cluster‐free AlxGa1−xAs‐AlAs‐GaAs quantum‐well heterostructure laser

Laser data (77 and 300 K) are presented on an AlxGa1−xAs‐AlAs‐GaAs quantum‐well heterostructure (QWH) grown by metalorganic‐chemical vapor deposition with an active region consisting of 13 AlAs barrier layers of size LB∼10 A and 12 GaAs quantum wells of size Lz∼50 A. This QWH, which is free of alloy disorder and clustering (Al‐Ga clusters) in the active region, emits on the confined particle transitions and not at the lower energies characteristic of QWH’s with AlxGa1−xAs barrier layers (and Al‐Ga clusters).
Building mammalian signalling pathways with RNAi screens

Recent advances in RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated gene-knockdown technologies have opened up the possibility of large-scale functional discovery in mammalian systems. RNAi screening could help us to delineate the architecture of signalling pathways much faster than by using traditional approaches. Technological advances in mammalian systems are providing new tools to identify the molecular components of signalling pathways. Foremost among these tools is the ability to knock down gene function through the use of RNA interference (RNAi). The fact that RNAi can be scaled up for use in high-throughput techniques has motivated the creation of genome-wide RNAi reagents. We are now at the brink of being able to harness the power of RNAi for large-scale functional discovery in mammalian cells.
Geosat crossover analysis in the tropical Pacific: 1. Constrained sinusoidal crossover adjustment

A new method (constrained sinusoidal crossover adjustment) for removing the orbit error in satellite altimetry is tested (using crossovers accumulated in the first 91 days of the Geosat non-repeat era in the tropical Pacific) and found to have excellent qualities. Two features distinguish the new method from the conventional bias-and-tilt crossover adjustment. First, a sine wave (with wavelength equaling the circumference of the Earth) is used to represent the orbit error for each satellite revolution, instead of the bias-and-tilt (and curvature, if necessary) approach for each segment of the satellite ground track. Secondly, the indeterminacy of the adjustment process is removed by a simple constraint minimizing the amplitudes of the sine waves, rather than by fixing selected tracks. Overall the new method is more accurate, more efficient, and much less cumbersome than the old. The idea of restricting the crossover adjustment to crossovers between tracks that are less than certain days apart in order to preserve the large-scale long-term oceanic variability is also tested with inconclusive results because the orbit error was unusually nonstationary in the initial 91 days of the GEOSAT mission.
Aerothermodynamic Analyses of Towed Ballutes

A ballute (balloon-parachute) is an inflatable, aerodynamic drag device for application to planetary entry vehicles. Two challenging aspects of aerothermal simulation of towed ballutes are considered. The first challenge, simulation of a complete system including inflatable tethers and a trailing toroidal ballute, is addressed using the unstructured-grid, Navier-Stokes solver FUN3D. Auxiliary simulations of a semi-infinite cylinder using the rarefied flow, Direct Simulation Monte Carlo solver, DSV2, provide additional insight into limiting behavior of the aerothermal environment around tethers directly exposed to the free stream. Simulations reveal pressures higher than stagnation and corresponding large heating rates on the tether as it emerges from the spacecraft base flow and passes through the spacecraft bow shock. The footprint of the tether shock on the toroidal ballute is also subject to heating amplification. Design options to accommodate or reduce these environments are discussed. The second challenge addresses time-accurate simulation to detect the onset of unsteady flow interactions as a function of geometry and Reynolds number. Video of unsteady interactions measured in the Langley Aerothermodynamic Laboratory 20-Inch Mach 6 Air Tunnel and CFD simulations using the structured grid, Navier-Stokes solver LAURA are compared for flow over a rigid spacecraft-sting-toroid system. The experimental data provides qualitative information on the amplitude and onset of unsteady motion which is captured in the numerical simulations. The presence of severe unsteady fluid - structure interactions is undesirable and numerical simulation must be able to predict the onset of such motion.
Housing Dispersal Programs

Current federal housing policy and the planning approaches of many local governments focus on the dispersal of subsidized families. There have been, in fact, two generations of dispersal policy. The first, occurring in the late 1960s through the mid-1970s, was part of the fair housing movement that was aimed at addressing issues of racial discrimination and suburban exclusionism in housing, and the second, dating from the early 1990s, is focused on deconcentrating poverty in American cities. Both generations of dispersal efforts, regardless of their differing justifications, use roughly the same policy strategies. This article reviews the policy history of housing dispersal and offers a schematic interpretation of different programmatic approaches.
Bacteriophage T4 ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase: on the defect causing decreased formation of the β293 subunit encoded by the nrdB93 mutant gene

Bacteriophage T4 ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase is composed of two proteins, alpha 2 and beta 2, encoded by the nrdA and nrdB genes, respectively. The expression of nrdB is the limiting factor for the assembly of the enzyme. A recently described mutation, nrdB93, may give new insight into the regulation of synthesis of the beta subunit encoded by nrdB. Infection by T4 nrdB93 produced only low concentrations of the beta 2(93) protein. However, a site-specific mutation of phage T4 gene 39, encoding one of the subunits of T4 DNA topoisomerase, phenotypically suppressed the defect. The present work sought to characterize the nature of this defect. The mutation in nrdB93 was a single-base transition (G-->A) resulting in a Gly253-->Asp change. In vivo and in vitro studies provided no evidence of degradation of the beta 2(93) protein. Furthermore, the decrease in beta 2(93) formation was not caused by a delayed onset of transcription, neither by a decreased rate of mRNA formation from the nrdB promoter, nor by a defective intron splicing of the nrdB gene or in the transcription of the terminal segments of the message. These findings are consistent with the concept that the nrdB93 lesion produces a defect at the level of translation.
Targeted Data Adaptive Estimation of the Causal Dose Response Curve

Estimation of the causal dose–response curve is an old problem in statistics. In a non-parametric model, if the treatment is continuous, the dose–response curve is not a pathwise differentiable parameter, and no -consistent estimator is available. However, the risk of a candidate algorithm for estimation of the dose–response curve is a pathwise differentiable parameter, whose consistent and efficient estimation is possible. In this work, we review the cross-validated augmented inverse probability of treatment weighted estimator (CV A-IPTW) of the risk and present a cross-validated targeted minimum loss–based estimator (CV-TMLE) counterpart. These estimators are proven consistent and efficient under certain consistency and regularity conditions on the initial estimators of the outcome and treatment mechanism. We also present a methodology that uses these estimated risks to select among a library of candidate algorithms. These selectors are proven optimal in the sense that they are asymptotically equivalent to the oracle selector under certain consistency conditions on the estimators of the treatment and outcome mechanisms. Because the CV-TMLE is a substitution estimator, it is more robust than the CV-AIPTW against empirical violations of the positivity assumption. This and other small sample size differences between the CV-TMLE and the CV-A-IPTW are explored in a simulation study.
New camera for high-speed, high-dynamic-range digital imaging at 4,000 frames/second (burst rate) and 14-16 bits/pixel

A novel combination of techniques with a proprietary masked CCD allows economical commercial realization of a fast framing camera which can acquire images at 4,000 frames per second while maintaining the low readout noise of a slow scan scientific grade CCD system. A 16 bit gray scale dynamic range has been achieved in production with this system and even higher dynamic ranges appear possible in the near future with this technique. This imaging system can also be combined with a gated image intensifier to provide shutter times in the nanosecond domain.
A result from diophantine approximation which has applications in economics

We say that a real number α allows “poor” approximations if we can find 0 Kn j −l−e where K is a constant depending only on α.
Expectancies of infant-feeding methods among mothers in three ethnic groups

Abstract The psychometric characteristics and construct validity of an inventory of expectancy statements about breast- and formula-feeding were assessed to refine a measure of the predictors of breastfeeding initiation and maintenance. Respondents were a tri-ethnic sample of mostly lower income mothers within two days after delivery. Ninety-six expectancy items reflecting eight hypothesized domains in expectancies of breastfeeding (BF) and formula-feeding(FF) were submitted to maximum likelihood factor analysis. Four factors were determined: “Benefits of BF,” “Relative Advantages of FF,” “Inconveniences of FF,” and “Relative Inconveniences of BF.” All factors were significantly related to actual BF of the new infant in the expected directions using unweighted factor scores in a multiple logistic regression analysis. Predicted BF closely matched actual BF for all ethnicities combined with a total error rate for misclassification of only 14%. This match was high for Anglo- and Black-American mothers. Each ...
Profile: An examination of television motivations and program preferences by Hispanics, blacks, and whites

Television motivations and viewing preferences for 12 program categories were examined in a survey of 1,241 adults representing three ethnic groups (whites, blacks, and Hispanics). Key differences were observed in terms of motivations for using television and program preferences. Blacks and Hispanics reported higher levels of satisfaction with television than whites. This study suggests that blacks use television to satisfy entertainment and diversionary motivations, while Hispanics use television for information and entertainment.
Multiple Hits during Early Embryonic Development: Digenic Diseases and Holoprosencephaly

Multiple genetic and environmental factors likely play a role in the phenotypic expression of many Mendelian disorders. Understanding the biologic role of the genes associated with human disease may guide future explorations of additional modifier genes. For example, with HPE, there are several possible categories of additional candidate genes and potential sites of interaction. First, there are genes encoding proteins that are in the signaling pathways for identified disease genes (e.g., Shh and nodal signaling). Second, genes involved in the relevant developmental processes are potential candidate genes for human diseases (dorsal-ventral patterning of the forebrain, other processes in midline forebrain development, prechordal mesoderm induction). Third, genes involved in synthesis or metabolism of teratogenic agents (cholesterol biosynthesis, retinoic acid metabolism) could also be potential genetic contributors. Multiple genetic hits or environmental exposures may be required for clinical expression of many Mendelian disorders. Conceptions of a disease being the result of mutations in a single gene should take into account the overlap between Mendelian and multifactorial disorders. Indeed, as more detail emerges demonstrating the impact of genomic and environmental variability on phenotype, we may reconceptualize classic Mendelian and complex multifactorial disorders as two ends of a continuum of disease causation, with the gradient reflecting the relative independence of a given mutation in producing the disease phenotype. It may be useful to remember that “genomes speak biochemistry, not phenotype” (Plasterk 1999). Future studies will focus both on the identification of additional genes involved with these human diseases and on the understanding of their biologic interactions. Such information will lend greater insight into the complex genetic and environmental influences that lead to phenotypic expression of a trait.
Associations between self-reported pest treatments and pesticide concentrations in carpet dust

Recent meta-analyses demonstrate an association between self-reported residential pesticide use and childhood leukemia risk. Self-reports may suffer from recall bias and provide information only on broad pesticide categories. We compared parental self-reported home and garden pest treatments to pesticides measured in carpet dust. Parents of 277 children with leukemia and 306 controls in Northern and Central California (2001–2007) were asked about insect and weed treatments during the previous year. Carpet dust samples were analyzed for 47 pesticides. We present results for the 7 insecticides (carbaryl, propoxur, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, permethrin), 5 herbicides (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid [2,4-D], chlorthal, dicamba, mecoprop, simazine), and 1 synergist (piperonyl butoxide) that were present in home and garden products during the study period and were detected in ≥25% of carpet dust samples. We constructed linear regression models for the relative change in pesticide concentrations associated with self-reported treatment of pest types in cases and controls separately and combined, adjusting for demographics, housing characteristics, and nearby agricultural pesticide applications. Several self-reported treatments were associated with pesticide concentrations in dust. For example, households with flea/tick treatments had 2.3 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.4, 3.7) times higher permethrin concentrations than households not reporting this treatment. Households reporting treatment for ants/cockroaches had 2.5 (95% CI: 1.5, 4.2) times higher cypermethrin levels than households not reporting this treatment. Weed treatment by a household member was associated with 1.9 (1.4, 2.6), 2.2 (1.6, 3.1), and 2.8 (2.1, 3.7) times higher dust concentrations of dicamba, mecoprop, and 2,4-D, respectively. Weed treatments by professional applicators were null/inversely associated with herbicide concentrations in dust. Associations were generally similar between cases and controls and were consistent with pesticide active ingredients in these products during the study time period. Consistency between self-reported pest treatments, concentrations in dust, and pesticides in products lends credibility to the exposure assessment methods and suggests that differential recall by case–control status is minimal.
Engineering of a 129-residue tripod protein by chemoselective ligation of proline-II helices

Abstract A 129-residue tripod protein was designed, synthesized, and biophysically characterized. This receptor-adhesive modular protein contained three 30-residue proline-II helices linked to a 9-residue proline-II helix through thioether bonds. Coupling of 6-maleimidohexanoic acid succinimido ester to cis - N α -Boc-4-amino-L-proline furnished in 77% yield the maleimido acid cis - N -Boc-4-(6-maleimidohexanamido)-L-proline (Boc-Prm), which was used in the solid-phase synthesis of the linker peptide CH 3 -CO-Pro 3 -Prm 3 -Pro 3 -***NH 2 . The leg peptide, the 40-residue thiol Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro-Gly-Tyr-Gly-Pro 30 -Cys-NH2, was also made by solid-phase synthesis. The tripod protein was prepared by Michael addition of the thiol groups of three leg peptides to the three maleimide groups of the linker peptide. By 13 C NMR spectrometry, the linker peptide was a proline-II helix, as indicated by the presence of only trans Pro-Pro resonances for its β and γ carbons. By circular dichroic spectroscopy, the model peptide CH 3 -CO-Pro 9 -NH 2 , the linker peptide, the leg peptide, and the tripod protein each contained substantial proline-II helix, as indicated by a strong negative band at 205 nm and a weak positive band at 226 nm. Since the Pro 30 proline-II helix of each leg is about 93 A long, two Arg-Gly-Asp sites on different legs of the tripod protein could be as much as ≈250 A apart.
Mice deficient in the St3gal3 gene product α2,3 sialyltransferase (ST3Gal-III) exhibit enhanced allergic eosinophilic airway inflammation

Background Sialic acid–binding immunoglobulin-like lectin (Siglec)-F is a proapoptotic receptor on mouse eosinophils, but little is known about its natural tissue ligand. Objective We previously reported that the St3gal3 gene product α2,3 sialyltransferase (ST3Gal-III) is required for constitutive Siglec-F lung ligand synthesis. We therefore hypothesized that attenuation of ST3Gal-III will decrease Siglec-F ligand levels and enhance allergic eosinophilic airway inflammation. Methods C57BL/6 wild-type mice and St3gal3 heterozygous or homozygous deficient ( St3gal3 +/− and St3gal3 −/− ) mice were used. Eosinophilic airway inflammation was induced through sensitization to ovalbumin (OVA) and repeated airway OVA challenge. Siglec-F human IgG 1 fusion protein (Siglec-F-Fc) was used to detect Siglec-F ligands. Lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were analyzed for inflammation, as well as various cytokines and chemokines. Serum was analyzed for allergen-specific immunoglobulin levels. Results Western blotting with Siglec-F-Fc detected approximately 500-kDa and approximately 200-kDa candidate Siglec-F ligands that were less abundant in St3gal3 +/− lung extracts and nearly absent in St3gal3 −/− lung extracts. After OVA sensitization and challenge, Siglec-F ligands were increased in wild-type mouse lungs but less so in St3gal3 mutants, whereas peribronchial and BALF eosinophil numbers were greater in the mutants, with the following rank order: St3gal3 −/− ≥ St3gal3 +/− > wild-type mice. Levels of various cytokines and chemokines in BALF were not significantly different among these 3 types of mice, although OVA-specific serum IgG 1 levels were increased in St3gal3 −/− mice. Conclusions After OVA sensitization and challenge, St3gal3 +/− and St3gal3 −/− mice have more intense allergic eosinophilic airway inflammation and less sialylated Siglec-F ligands in their airways. One possible explanation for these findings is that levels of sialylated airway ligands for Siglec-F might be diminished in mice with attenuated levels of ST3Gal-III, resulting in a reduction in a natural proapoptotic pathway for controlling airway eosinophilia.
The aquatic turtle assemblage inhabiting a highly altered landscape in southeast Missouri

Abstract Turtles are linked to energetic food webs as both consumers of plants and animals and prey for many species. Turtle biomass in freshwater systems can be an order of magnitude greater than that of endotherms. Therefore, declines in freshwater turtle populations can change energy transfer in freshwater systems. Here we report on a mark–recapture study at a lake and adjacent borrow pit in a relict tract of bottomland hardwood forest in the Mississippi River floodplain in southeast Missouri, which was designed to gather baseline data, including sex ratio, size structure, and population size, density, and biomass, for the freshwater turtle population. Using a variety of capture methods, we captured seven species of freshwater turtles (snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina; red-eared slider Trachemys scripta; southern painted turtle Chrysemys dorsalis; river cooter Pseudemys concinna; false map turtle Graptemys pseudogeographica; eastern musk turtle Sternotherus odoratus; spiny softshell Apalone spinifer...
Direct numerical simulation of top-down and bottom-up diffusion in the convective boundary layer

A direct numerical simulation (DNS) of an unstably stratified convective boundary layer with system rotation was performed to study top-down and bottom-up diffusion processes. In order to better understand near-wall dynamics associated with scalar diffusion in the absence of surface roughness, direct simulation is utilized to numerically integrate the governing equations that model the atmospheric boundary layer. The ratio of the inversion height to Obukhov length scale, , indicates moderately strong heating for the case studied. Two passive scalars were initialized in the flow field: the first with a zero gradient at the wall ( , top-down diffusion), and the second with a non-zero wall gradient and a close-to-zero gradient at the height of the temperature inversion ( , bottom-up diffusion). Scalar flux, variance and covariance profiles show good agreement between the DNS and rough-wall large-eddy simulation (LES). The top-down gradient function displays a slight increase in amplitude, indicating reduced mixing efficiency for the smooth-wall, low-Reynolds-number convective boundary layer. For the bottom-up process, the gradient matches other rough-wall simulations. The only notable difference between the smooth-wall DNS data and other rough-wall simulations is an increase in the gradient function near the wall. This indicates that the bottom-up gradient functions for a rough wall and a smooth wall are nearly identical except as the viscous sublayer is approached. Finally, a new empirical model for the scalar variance of a bottom-up scalar is proposed: here, a single function replaces two piecewise relationships to accurately capture the DNS results up to the viscous sublayer. The scalar covariance between top-down and bottom-up processes agrees with rough-wall and tree-canopy LES results; this indicates that the scalar covariance is independent of both Reynolds number and surface friction.
Anadamide, an endogenous cannabinoid receptor agonist inhibits lymphocyte proliferation and induces apoptosis

This study examined the immunoregulatory effects of anadamide, the recently identified first endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligand. Anadamide caused dose-dependent inhibition of mitogen-induced T and B lymphocyte proliferation. Its potency was 3- and 10-fold less than that of the synthetic cannabinoids delta 8-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 8-THC) and CP55940, respectively. Anadamide effects on DNA synthesis in T and B lymphocytes occurred rapidly as exposure of the cells during the final 4 h of culture was sufficient to achieve > 40% inhibition. Low doses of anadamide which caused significant inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation caused DNA fragmentation as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry, FACS analysis and Southern blotting. Apoptosis was also induced by high concentrations of delta 8-THC, but not by CP55940. Brain and peripheral cannabinoid receptor mRNA was expressed in PBMC with varying levels between individual donors. In summary, these findings demonstrate immunosuppressive effects of anadamide which are associated with inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation and the induction of cell death by apoptosis.
The Africa of Two Western Women Writers: Barbara Kingsolver and Margaret Laurence

Abstract Among Western women who have written about Africa, Margaret Laurence, in This Side Jordan, and Barbara Kingsolver, in The Poisonwood Bible, have both chosen to write of an African country on the eve of independence. Laurence's novel, set in Ghana and drafted while she was living there in the late 1950s, was her first; though she went on to write five novels set in Canada, she continued to develop themes that grew out of her experiences in Africa.1 The African setting—the Congo—of Kingsolver's novel marks a departure from the American Southwest venue of her three earlier novels; yet this novel likewise draws on issues important in her earlier works. A key concern in both This Side Jordan and The Poisonwood Bible is the relationship between those in power and those subordinated to that power. Laurence explores the colonizer-colonized dichotomy from the perspectives of both sides, whereas King-solver focuses on America's abuse of its power in the subversion of Congolese independence.
Personal Group-Self and Transpersonal Groupobject

Two usages of the term `group self' are delineated: (1) an individual's `personal group-self' or personal identity as a member of a group; and (2) the `transpersonal group's self' or members' personifications of the group as though it had its own consciousness and personal agency. We do not imply any notion of a `group mind' or `collective consciousness' as objective truth. We refer instead to beliefs about persons by persons. In this constructivist sense, we describe the `groupobject' function of the personified group, outline some common archaic and mature patterns of its expression in therapy groups, and derive some therapeutic implications of our formulation.
Labrador Sea Water property variations in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean

[1] Labrador Sea Water (LSW) property variations are analyzed using data from four hydrographic sections occupied along 20°W, from Iceland south toward the equator in 1988, 1993, 1998, and 2003. LSW between the Azores-Biscay Rise and the Rockall Plateau steadily becomes deeper, colder, fresher, denser, and thicker over the 15-year time series. LSW apparent oxygen utilization (AOU) remains unchanged during this time period. The changes analyzed are consistent with previously published spreading rates of 8 years for LSW from the Labrador Sea to 20°W, and emphasize the long reach of decadal LSW variability.
Psychological Time in India and America

(1968). Psychological Time in India and America. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 76, No. 2, pp. 169-174.
A Computational Model of Multidimensional Shape

We develop a computational model of shape that extends existing Riemannian models of curves to multidimensional objects of general topological type. We construct shape spaces equipped with geodesic metrics that measure how costly it is to interpolate two shapes through elastic deformations. The model employs a representation of shape based on the discrete exterior derivative of parametrizations over a finite simplicial complex. We develop algorithms to calculate geodesics and geodesic distances, as well as tools to quantify local shape similarities and contrasts, thus obtaining a formulation that accounts for regional differences and integrates them into a global measure of dissimilarity. The Riemannian shape spaces provide a common framework to treat numerous problems such as the statistical modeling of shapes, the comparison of shapes associated with different individuals or groups, and modeling and simulation of shape dynamics. We give multiple examples of geodesic interpolations and illustrations of the use of the models in brain mapping, particularly, the analysis of anatomical variation based on neuroimaging data.
Fathers’ Perspectives on Supports and Barriers That Affect Their Fatherhood Role

This qualitative study explored resident and nonresident fathers’ perspectives about factors that facilitated and inhibited their ability to play a positive and active role in their children’s lives. A total of 30 fathers were recruited from a support/mentoring group and from the general population to complete a semi-structured, audio-taped interview. A content analysis revealed that both groups of fathers were committed to maintaining a relationship with their children, and that by being present, they protected their children, helped them emotionally and financially, helped in their overall development, acted as a role model, and shared parenting responsibilities with their children’s mothers. Factors that facilitated parenting for resident and nonresident fathers included receiving proper guidance about fathering, a positive mother−father relationship, support from family, and church. Inhibiting factors were more prevalent for nonresident fathers that included mothers obstructing the father−child relationship, negative views/remarks about them as fathers, father−child visitation that is contingent upon child support, and fathers’ financial difficulties. The findings suggest a need for coparenting counseling, faith-based interventions, and employment services to address the complex socio-economic challenges that fathers face.
Blind resampling parameter estimation for doubly selective underwater acoustic channels (Invited Paper)

Underwater acoustic channels are well modeled by different Doppler scaling per path, a generalization of the commonly employed model with equal Doppler scaling on all paths. The path dependent Doppler shifts and wideband channel, destroy carrier orthogonality and yield severe inter-carrier interference in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing system. Resampling is typical front-end processing for signals over a common Doppler shift channel and this work examines the choice of resampling factor for the distinct Doppler per path scenario. Two criteria are derived to evaluate the optimal resampling parameter, one using sufficient statistics and the second using a matched filtering interpretation of resampling. The filtering interpretation is then used to derive a blind estimator for the optimal resampling parameter. Simulation results show the for small to moderate Doppler spreads, the blind estimator significantly outperforms the classical packet length based Doppler scaling estimator in many operating regimes.
Strong effects of molecular structure on electron transport in carbon/molecule/copper electronic junctions.

Carbon/molecule/copper molecular electronic junctions were fabricated by metal deposition of copper onto films of various thicknesses of fluorene (FL), biphenyl (BP), and nitrobiphenyl (NBP) covalently bonded to flat, graphitic carbon. A “crossed-wire” junction configuration provided high device yield and good junction reproducibility. Current/voltage characteristics were investigated for 69 junctions with various molecular structures and thicknesses and at several temperatures. The current/voltage curves for all cases studied were nearly symmetric, scan rate independent, repeatable at least thousands of cycles and exhibited negligible hysteresis. Junction conductance was strongly dependent on the dihedral angle between phenyl rings and on the nature of the molecule/copper “contact”. Junctions made with NBP showed a decrease in conductivity of a factor of 1300 when the molecular layer thickness increased from 1.6 to 4.5 nm. The slope of ln(i) vs layer thickness for both BP and NBP was weakly dependent on ...
Ten-year experience with abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in octogenarians: early results and late outcome.

Purpose: This study was undertaken to determine the mortality and morbidity rates associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in octogenarians and to identify factors that may influence survival in this age group. Methods: One hundred fourteen patients (mean age 83 years) were admitted consecutively with 106 infrarenal and eight juxtarenal AAAs from 1984 through 1993. Ninety-four AAAs were asymptomatic, whereas 20 patients with symptoms had 11 intact and nine ruptured AAAs. The mean AAA diameter was 6.7 cm. Repair consisted of aortic bifurcation grafts in 77 patients (67%), tube grafts in 35 (31%), and extraanatomic procedures in 2 (2%). A total of 29 patients (25%) had undergone previous coronary artery bypass (24 patients) or transluminal coronary angioplasty (five patients) either incidentally or as a preliminary procedure before resection of their AAAs. Results: The 30-day mortality rate for the entire series was 14%, but it declined from 23% (11/48) during the first 5 years to 8% (5/66) during the second 5 years of the study period ( p =0.028). Fatal complications occurred in nine (9.6%) of the 94 patients with asymptomatic AAAs and in seven (35%) of the 20 patients who had symptomatic AAAs ( p =0.008). Considering only patients with asymptomatic AAAs, the early mortality rate in the second 5 years (4%) improved significantly ( p =0.038) in comparison to that (17%) for the first 5 years of the study period. The cumulative 5-year survival rate of 48% for 97 available operative survivors was not quite so good as that (59%) for the normal male population of the United States at the age of 80 years ( p p =0.0077). Multiple Cox-regression analysis identified the perioperative homologous blood requirement ( p =0.03) and a history of previous myocardial revascularization ( p =0.03) as significant independent factors influencing late survival. Conclusions: Repair of AAAs in properly selected octogenarians is safe and durable. When otherwise indicated, it should not be withheld on the basis of advanced age alone. Prior treatment of severe coronary artery disease is associated with enhanced late survival, but patient selection probably is an important consideration in this respect.
Déjà Vu? An Updated Analysis of the Gender Wage Gap in the U.S. Hospitality Sector:

Drawing on a random sample of 112,990 people working in the U.S. hospitality sector in 2010, this study found strong evidence that there remains a significant difference in the income of women and ...