cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perception of nasal pungency in smokers and nonsmokers

Two experiments explored the difference in common chemical sensitivity between smokers and nonsmokers. The first experiment confirmed and extended our previous finding that smokers have a higher threshold than nonsmokers for a short-latency, reflex transitory apnea in response to a nasal irritant (carbon dioxide). The experiment revealed that even short periods of smoking (6-10 min) just before the measurement will further impair the smokers's sensitivity to an irritant. Application of the novel scaling technique magnitude matching, whereby persons judged the perceived magnitude of various levels of an irritant, odorant, and tone in the same session, implied that smokers actually perceive irritation less keenly than nonsmokers. The psychophysical functions for pungency in the two groups suggested that the insensitivity may arise from conductive factors (e.g., thickening of the mucus barrier) rather than from neural factors. The results of the scaling and those for the threshold for transitory apnea showed excellent quantitative agreement and indicated that the threshold for the reflex occurred at a criterion level of perceived pungency.
Deformalizing the international radio arrangements

Abstract With telecommunications technology and patterns of use changing ever more rapidly, formal multilateral Administrative Conferences on radiocommunication are becoming more unmanageable and the results less satisfactory. This article contrasts the formulation of the ITU's radio arrangements with the Consultative Committee process for telecommunication arrangements. The author argues that the time has come to deformalize the radio arrangements. Improvements in flexibility, knowledge level and cost benefits would greatly outweigh any liabilities, and would enhance international cooperation.
A Cineradiographic Study of Articulation in Two Talkers with Temporarily Induced Oral Sensory Deprivation

Cineradiography was used to study the behavior of the lips, tongue, and mandible in two subjects talking normally and under the influence of trigeminal nerve-block anesthesia. The speech sample con...
Effect of grain size and annealing texture on the cyclic response and the substructure evolution of polycrystalline copper

Abstract In attempting to interpret the mechanical response of polycrystalline copper, for which the results in the literature show marked scatter, the effects of microstructure on the cyclic behavior and the substructure evolution of copper polycrystals have been investigated. The microstructure is described by a complex factor—grain size and texture combined. It is found that there is a very significant effect of microstructure in the cyclic response of copper at low and intermediate strain amplitudes, where dislocation structures which localize deformation are expected to be present. In general, the cyclic response of coarse-grained copper shows a much more pronounced cyclic hardening and higher saturation stresses than those for fine-grained copper. This behavior is associated with a well defined hard 〈111〉−〈100〉 fiber texture, inherited in the coarse-grained material after annealing at relatively high temperatures. The multiple slip associated with the 〈111〉−〈001〉 oriented grains homogenizes the deformation very early, resulting in strong cyclic hardening, and a faster substructure evolution into cell structure.
Creative experiences in an interdisciplinary Honors course on mathematics in music

I present six “Creative Experiences” that serve as culminating activities for each of the main units of study in an undergraduate interdisciplinary Honors course of my own design, “Mathematics in Music.” I discuss the rationale and philosophy behind the Creative Experiences, and provide a description and examples of each one. I conclude with some reflections on features that make the Creative Experiences effective learning tools. Supplemental online material for this article can be accessed at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17459737.2014.936916.
The Summation Theory as a multivariate approach to exceptional performers

Abstract Ericsson argues that there may be genetic underpinnings that are related to expert performance but that, to date, with the exception of height and body mass, no research exists to prove a genetic link for complex traits. Yet, contrary to this argument, several genetic studies in the music domain using both familial aggregation of absolute pitch (AP)—a rare talent—and musical ability suggest a heritable component to AP. Furthermore AP is over represented in professional symphonies and musical institutes suggesting that it is an important trait for exceptional musicians. Additionally, a genome wide analysis reported that Copy Number Variations (CNV) are related to both musical aptitude and musical creativity. Finally, the existence of child prodigies who reach professional levels in their domain before the age of ten dispels the need for years or even decades of deliberate practice as Ericsson states are necessary to reach exceptional levels of performance.
An Investigation of the Instrumental Effects on the Historical Sunshine Record of the United States

A statistical analysis indicates that the 1953 change from thermometric recorders to photoelectric switches caused a difference in the registered sunshine that is small compared to natural fluctuations in the data. (AIP)
Latex Allergy in Children on Home Mechanical Ventilation

Study objective: Determining the incidence of latexallergy in children receiving home mechanical ventilation. Background: The prevalence of latex allergy in the generalpopulation ranges from 0.1 to 1.0%. However, in patients with spinabifida and other chronic medical conditions associated with repeatedexposure to latex, the prevalence may be as high as 60%. Childrenreceiving home mechanical ventilation are frequently exposed to latexproducts. Therefore, we hypothesized that these children would be atincreased risk for latex allergy. Design: Fifty-sevenchildren receiving home mechanical ventilation (31 boys, 26 girls; mean[±SD] age, 7.8 ± 6.6 years; range, 0.3 to 23.2 years) wereenrolled. A radioallergosorbent test (RAST) for latex was administeredand serum IgE levels were obtained in all patients. Results: Seventeen patients (29.8%) were found to have apositive RAST for latex. Patients with latex allergy had requiredmechanical ventilation for an average of 6.1 ± 4.1 years vs5.5 ± 5.4 years (p = 0.69; not significant) in those without latexallergy. Eleven of 17 patients (64.7%) had elevated serum IgE levelsin the group with latex allergy vs only 14 of 40 patients (35.0%) inthe group with a negative latex RAST (p = 0.04; odds ratio,3.4). Conclusion: We conclude that there is a highincidence of latex allergy in children requiring home mechanicalventilation. We speculate that screening all children receiving homemechanical ventilation may lead to the identification of patients withpreviously undiagnosed latex allergy and the prevention of untowardreactions from exposure to latex.
Algorithm 836: COLAMD, a column approximate minimum degree ordering algorithm

Two codes are discussed, COLAMD and SYMAMD, that compute approximate minimum degree orderings for sparse matrices in two contexts: (1) sparse partial pivoting, which requires a sparsity preserving column pre-ordering prior to numerical factorization, and (2) sparse Cholesky factorization, which requires a symmetric permutation of both the rows and columns of the matrix being factorized. These orderings are computed by COLAMD and SYMAMD, respectively. The ordering from COLAMD is also suitable for sparse QR factorization, and the factorization of matrices of the form ATA and AAT, such as those that arise in least-squares problems and interior point methods for linear programming problems. The two routines are available both in MATLAB and C-callable forms. They appear as built-in routines in MATLAB Version 6.0.
Forest Fire Frequency and Western Spruce Budworm Outbreaks in Western Montana

Abstract Duration and intensity of western spruce budworm ( Christoneura occidentalis Freeman) outbreaks have increased with the decrease in forest fire frequency in western Montana since 1910. Frequency of budworm outbreaks, however, was not affected. Feeding activity and fire occurrence were measured in 20 mixed Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco)-ponderosa pine ( Pinus ponderosa var. ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) stands representing dry Douglas-fir habitat types. Outbreak frequency, duration, and intensity were inferred from analyses of radial increment cores and fire history from basal fire scars on old-growth pines and firs. Data were compared between the pre-fire suppression period (1814–1910) and the fire suppression period (1911–1983). Since 1910, Douglas-fir, a shade-tolerant conifer and host for budworm, has invaded and dominated sites previously occupied by non-host ponderosa pine. This increase in the abundance of host is a response to decreased wildfire frequency and has resulted in stand conditions favorable for budworm populations, an important factor contributing to current widespread and damaging populations of western spruce budworm. Judicious use of ground-fire, thinning, and other silvicultural treatments that favor seral non-host conifers, reduce stand density, and minimize the number of canopy layers in managed stands would reduce the amount and quality of budworm habitat and significantly reduce the risk of damaging outbreaks.
Measurement of the self-phase modulation-induced bandwidth in a 30kJ class laser amplifier chain

Self-phase modulation (SPM) in a multikilojoule laser system was detected spectroscopically and correlated with the time derivative of the intensity measured at the output of the system. This correlation provides an empirical relationship that makes it possible to rapidly determine the magnitude of the SPM being generated using measured experimental data. This empirical relationship was verified by modeling the propagation of an optical pulse in the laser amplifier chain to predict both pulse shape and the SPM.
Analysis of Complex Sample Survey Data Problems and Strategies

Social survey data are often collected using complex sample designs that include unequal selection probabilities stratification and clustering; this departure from simple random sampling assumptions requires special methods for variance estimation and inferential analysis. This article reviews the issues and techniques for analysis of complex survey data; and the application of special techniques is illustrated based on various complex survey data. Discussion centers on methodological and some practical issues in data analysis and the need for proper analysis of complex survey data. 1 approach to estimate standard errors for complex designs is based on the idea of replication. This requires that the sample be split into subsamples each selected independently with an identical selection procedure. The sampling variance is then calculated from the variability of separate estimates from each subsample. Another approach using the concept of pseudoreplication is the jackknife repeated replication (JRR) method. A 3rd approach is the Taylor series approximation which is also known as the delta or linearization method. This method approximates the variance of an estimator using the 1st order Taylor series approximation for the estimator. This method is most widely used in programs for computing variances of relatively simple estimators from complex sample designs.
2-Keto-3-fluoroglutarate: a useful mechanistic probe of 2-keto-glutarate-dependent enzyme systems

Abstract 2-Keto-3-fluoroglutaric acid prepared by acid hydrolysis of its diethyl ester is stable, as the free acid in aqueos solution at pH 2, and can be stored at − 20°C for several years. Both enantiomers are reduced by NADH in the presence of glutamate dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.2) to the two diasetereomers of 3-fluoro- l -glutamate, which are stable at neutral pH and at high pH unless heated. 2-Keto-3-fluoroglutarate exists in solution almost entirely as a hydrate both at low and neutral pH. Both enantiomers of ketofluoroglutarate react with the pyridoxamine forms of aspartate, alanine and 4-aminobutyrate transaminases to give fluoride release. 2 mol of cosubstrate amino acid react for each mol of ketofluoroglutarate (KFG) when starting from the pyridoxamine from of the enzyme: 2 RCHNH2COOH + KFG + H2O → F− + NH4+ + glutamate + 2 RCOCOOH. Both diastereomers of fluoroglutamate are decarboxylated by glutamate decarboxylate (EC 4.1.1.15) with fluoride release: KFG + H2O → CO2 + F− + HCOCH2CH2COOH. By contrast, only one isomer of fluoroglutamate will react with the pyridoxal form of glutamate-oxalacetate transaminate to give fluoride release: HOOCCHNH2CHFCH2COOH + H2O → 4F− + HOOCCOCH2CH2COOH. The enzymatic decarboxylation of 3-fluoroisocitrate produces only one enantiomer of ketofluoroglutarate, which is reduced to threo (2,R,3R)-3-fluoroglutamate by NADH and glutamate dehydrogenase: [2R,3S]-HOOCCH(OH)CF(COOH)CH2COOH + NADP+ → [3R]-KFG + CO2 + NADPH + H+. The proton, 13C, and 19F-NMR parameters of ketofluoroglutarate and the two fluoroglutamate diastereomers are presented. These molecules are useful probes of enzymatic mechanisms thought to involve carbanion intermediates.
Augmentation of Distal Radius Fracture Fixation With Coralline Hydroxyapatite Bone Graft Substitute

We implanted coralline hydroxyapatite bone graft as a substitute for autogenous bone graft to support the reduced articular surface of 21 consecutive patients with distal radius fractures treated with external fixation and K-wires. The purpose of this single-cohort retrospective study was to report the outcomes of treatment with this material, complications associated with its use, and its efficacy in supporting the articular surface reduction. Eighteen patients were available for independent evaluation of motion, subjective outcome analysis, and final radiographic analysis at an average of 35 months after surgery. Wrist motion averaged 90% of the uninjured wrist and grip strength measured 75% of the uninjured side. Results in 17 of the 18 cases were rated as good or excellent by the criteria of Gartland and Werley; 12 by the criteria of Green and O'Brien. Seventeen had good or excellent radiographic results by the modified Lidstrom radiographic scoring system. The average DASH functional/symptom score was 90.3 (maximum, 100). Radiographic parameters were restored to an average of 12 mm radial length, 4° volar tilt, 23° radial inclination, and 0.6 mm positive ulnar variance. Articular reduction was maintained in all patients. A complication related to the use of coral was a 0.5 mm prominence of coralline hydroxyapatite beyond the subchondral line at the radiocarpal joint in 1 patient, which was not present on final radiographs. Coralline hydroxyapatite was effective at maintaining articular surface reduction when used in combination with external fixation and K-wires and had a safety profile comparable to other forms of treatment.
A three-source multirate model for image compression

Current work in combining multirate filtering techniques with a three-source (low pass, edge, and texture) image model designed to increase control over perceptual edge quality is described. The model employs multirate subband filtering to code the low-pass source efficiently and to reconstruct the image from the sources. Spline modeling can be used to exploit the two-dimensional connectivity of the edge source. Parameters of the edge profile (edge-source values along the perpendicular direction) are chosen so that coding errors are not too perceptually objectionable. Using a two-level octave band frequency configuration and without coding the sources, the SNR is 57.0 dB, perceptually indistinguishable from the original. >
Ebersole's Philosophical Treasure Hunt

Frank Ebersole's extraordinary investigations of certain key philosophical ideas behind problems in epistemology and metaphysics are the subject of this article-review. I have resisted providing what many readers will expect me to provide, namely, a critical examination of his philosophical methodology. I do question his unwilligness to say why his investigations only yield I negative results, and I do have something to say about classifying him as an ordinary language philosopher. However, my main focus is on trying to engage critically with what he actually does in his work. To this end, I provide a narrative of the investigation he carries out into the possibility of comparing the objects of perception and dreams, and I cite other works of his in support of my understanding of that investigation. Although one of his lengthiest essays seems to be devoted to an anticipation of an objection to his approach, I explain why even there he is not concerned with the question of why he always seems to get negative results. After suggesting why some of his later essays seem to be so hard to read, I conclude by saying something about what I take to be his achievement.
Multi-grid methods for power grid simulation

Power grids for sub-micron large integrated circuits are performance limiting factors due to the large power dissipated (e.g. 100 W at 1.8 V). The analysis of such power grids is important in order to predict and possibly improve the performance. Current classical analysis methods are falling behind as grids become ever larger. This paper proposes a new efficient analysis method suitable for both DC and transient simulation of large power grids.
Effect of temperature on transition in failure modes for high speed impact test of solder joint and comparison with board level drop test

An effort has been made in this study to evaluate the characteristics of solder joint failure by using a new high speed impact tester. Here, a more thorough understanding of the solder joint behavior is examined by characterizing the behavior with respect to varying temperature and impact profiles. This is done in an attempt to address solder joint failures in actual product that may be under operating temperatures and environments. Comparison between the high speed pendulum impact test and drop test was primarily made by evaluating the failure modes from these two tests. Energy absorbed by the solder in a single impact has been used to predict the reliability in a board level test. Also the effect of temperature on the reliability of solder interconnects and on the strain rate induced in the PCB during a drop test has been studied.
A Comprehensive Habit Diagram for Atmospheric Ice Crystals: Confirmation from the Laboratory, AIRS II, and Other Field Studies

Abstract Recent laboratory experiments and in situ observations have produced results in broad agreement with respect to ice crystal habits in the atmosphere. These studies reveal that the ice crystal habit at −20°C is platelike, extending to −40°C, and not columnar as indicated in many habit diagrams found in atmospheric science journals and texts. These diagrams were typically derived decades ago from laboratory studies, some with inherent habit bias, or from combinations of laboratory and in situ observations at the ground, observations that often did not account for habit modification by precipitation from overlying clouds of varying temperatures. Habit predictions from these diagrams often disagreed with in situ observations at temperatures below −20°C. More recent laboratory and in situ studies have achieved a consensus on atmospheric ice crystal habits that differs from the traditional habit diagrams. These newer results can now be combined to give a comprehensive description of ice crystal habits ...
Sensing mechanisms of high temperature silicon carbide field-effect devices

Metal-insulator-silicon carbide devices have been used for gas sensing in automotive exhausts, because the large band gap of SiC allows high temperature operation up to 1200 K in chemically reactive environments. The sensor response to hydrogen containing species is due to two mechanisms whose effects are difficult to distinguish: the chemical modification of the barrier height at the metal-insulator interface and the creation/passivation of charged states at the insulator-silicon carbide interface. We describe an experimental technique combining in-situ photoemission and in-situ capacitance-voltage spectroscopy to separate the contribution of each phenomenon. Our experiment elucidates the sensing mechanism of high temperature SiC based gas sensors.
Space-time considerations for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

The mammalian blood system contains a multitude of distinct mature cell lineages adapted to serving diverse functional roles. Mutations that abrogate the development or function of one or more of these lineages can lead to profound adverse consequences, such as immunodeficiency, autoimmunity, or anemia. Replacement of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) that carry such mutations with HSC from a healthy donor can reverse such disorders, but because the risks associated with the procedure are often more serious than the blood disorders themselves, bone marrow transplantation is generally not used to treat a number of relatively common inherited blood diseases. Aside from a number of other problems, risks associated with cytoreductive treatments that create "space" for donor HSC, and the slow kinetics with which immune competence is restored following transplantation hamper progress. This review will focus on how recent studies using experimental model systems may direct future efforts to implement routine use of HSC transplantation to cure inherited blood disorders.
The Impact of Paroxetine Coadministration on Stereospecific Carvedilol Pharmacokinetics

Study Objective: To assess the impact of paroxetine coadministration on the stereoselective pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of carvedilol. Design: Prospective, randomized, 2-phase crossover. Setting: The University of Michigan General Clinical Research Unit and Michigan Clinical Research Unit. Participants: Twelve healthy volunteers aged 18 to 45 years, male and female, receiving no treatment with prescription or nonprescription medications. Interventions: Participants received single dose oral carvedilol (12.5 mg) with and without coadministration of immediate-release paroxetine (10 mg orally twice daily), in random order. Blood samples were collected at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24 hours post-carvedilol dose for determination of R and S carvedilol plasma enantiomer concentrations by high pressure liquid chromatography. Measurements and Main Results: Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated for each enantiomer by noncompartmental methods and compared between study phases ...
An exact input encoding algorithm for BDDs representing FSMs

We address the problem of encoding the state variables of a finite state machine such that the BDD representing its characteristic function has the minimum number of nodes. We present an exact formulation of the problem. Our formulation characterizes the two BDD reduction rules by deriving conditions under which these reduction rules can be applied. We then provide an algorithm that finds these conditions and solves the problem by formulating it as a 2-CNF formula and extracting all its prime implicants. In addition to this, we implemented a simulated annealing algorithm for this problem and provide a thorough experiment of the impact of encoding on a BDD representing an FSM with different orderings.
Robust dissipative compensators for flexible spacecraft control

The problem of controller design for flexible spacecraft is addressed. Model-based compensators, which rely on the knowledge of the system parameters to tune the state estimator, are first considered, and are shown to have high sensitivity to parameter uncertainties. Three types of dissipative controllers, which use collocated actuators and sensors, are next considered. These controllers guarantee stability in the presence of unmodeled elastic modes and parameter uncertainties. A procedure is given for designing an optimal dissipative dynamic compensator, which can provide better performance while still retaining robust stability. >
Framework for Finite-Element–Based Large Increment Method for Nonlinear Structural Problems

This paper addresses the formulation and application of a finite-element--based large increment method for solving nonlinear structural problems. In a step-by-step solution of a nonlinear problem based on the displacement method, the main unknown variables are the system displacements. Therefore, to represent the general force in terms of general deformation, the constitutive relations have to be linearized. As such, a step-by-step incremental procedure is often used, where the solution at the current step is added to the solution of the previous step; thereby, successive steps are eventually used to achieve a solution. However, a flexibility-based large increment method can be useful to solve nonlinear problems if linearization of the constitutive relationship can be avoided. This paper presents a novel methodology based on the flexibility method to solve nonlinear problems with a large increment methodology. The idea is built on using a nonlinear material model without the need for linearization and a step-by-step approach. In doing so, the mathematical background, governing equations, solution methodology, and framework to implement the method on a parallel computation platform are presented in detail. The methodology has is demonstrated using a simple nonlinear problem. The example clearly reveals the accuracy and the efficiency of the method.
Landscape scale controls on the vascular plant component of dissolved organic carbon across a freshwater delta

Lignin phenol concentrations and compositions were determined on dissolved organic carbon (DOC) extracts (XAD resins) within the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta (the Delta), the tidal freshwater portion of the San Francisco Bay Estuary, located in central California, USA. Fourteen stations were sampled, including the following habitats and land-use types: wetland, riverine, channelized waterway, open water, and island drains. Stations were sampled approximately seasonally from December, 1999 through May, 2001. DOC concentrations ranged from 1.3 mg L 1 within the Sacramento River to 39.9 mg L 1 at the outfall from an island drain (median 3.0 mg L 1 ), while lignin concentrations ranged from 3.0 l gL 1 within the Sacramento River to 111 l gL 1 at the outfall from an island drain (median 11.6 l gL 1 ). Both DOC and lignin concentrations varied significantly among habitat/land-use types and among sampling stations. Carbon-normalized lignin yields ranged from 0.07 mg (100 mg OC) 1 at an island drain to 0.84 mg (100 mg OC) 1 for a wetland (median 0.36 mg (100 mg OC) 1 ), and also varied significantly among habitat/land-use types. A simple mass balance model indicated that the Delta acted as a source of lignin during late autumn through spring (10–83% increase) and a sink for lignin during summer and autumn (13–39% decrease). Endmember mixing models using S:V and C:V signatures of landscape scale features indicated strong temporal variation in sources of DOC export from the Delta, with riverine source signatures responsible for 50% of DOC in summer and winter, wetland signatures responsible for 40% of DOC in summer, winter, and late autumn, and island drains responsible for 40% of exported DOC in late autumn. A significant negative correlation was observed between carbon-normalized lignin yields and DOC bioavailability in two of the 14 sampling stations. This study is, to our knowledge, the first to describe organic vascular plant DOC sources at the level of localized landscape features, and is also the first to indicate a significant negative correlation between lignin and DOC bioavailability within environmental samples. Based upon observed trends: (1) Delta features exhibit significant spatial variability in organic chemical composition, and (2) localized Delta features appear to exert strong controls on terrigenous DOC as it passes through the Delta and is exported into the Pacific Ocean. � 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
The Effect of Medium Modification and Selected Precursors on Sterol Production by Short-Term Callus Cultures of Euphorbia tirucalli

Latex from E. Tirucalli, a potential rubber source, contains steroidal alcohols that are high in energy and thus of value in biomass conversion to fuels. Euphol was present in large amounts in the latex, but tirucallol predominated in greater quantities in explants and callus indicating synthesis and/or accumulation of tirucallol by cells other than the laticifer cell. Sterol production was significantly enhanced by certain nutrient media, as well as indole-3-acetic acid, and depressed by benzyladenine. Precursor stimulation of product synthesis was successful only with squalene, which promoted sterol production at 1.0 mg/liter but inhibited cell growth at higher concentrations. DL-mevalonic acid and lanosterol promoted neither growth nor sterol production. DL-(214C) mevalonate was used to confirm the biosynthesis of sterols in both latex and callus cultures.
Legal aspects of the IWC decision on the Southern Ocean sanctuary

This comment is based on, and largely incorporates, a memorandum by the author submitted by Japan to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) at its forty‐eighth meeting in June 1996, in Aberdeen...
Modeling approaches to estimate effective leaf area index from aerial discrete-return LIDAR

Abstract Leaf area index (LAI) has traditionally been difficult to estimate accurately at the landscape scale, especially in heterogeneous vegetation with a range in LAI, but remains an important parameter for many ecological models. Several different methods have recently been proposed to estimate LAI using aerial light detection and ranging (LIDAR), but few systematic approaches have been attempted to assess the performance of these methods using a large, independent dataset with a wide range of LAI in a heterogeneous, mixed forest. In this study, four modeling approaches to estimate LAI using aerial discrete-return LIDAR have been compared to 98 separate hemispherical photograph LAI estimates from a heterogeneous mixed forest with a wide range of LAI. Among the four approaches tested, the model based on the Beer–Lambert law with a single parameter (k: extinction coefficient) exhibited highest accuracy (r2 = 0.665) compared with the other models based on allometric relationships. It is shown that the theoretical k value (=0.5) assuming a spherical leaf angle distribution and the zenith angle of vertical beams (=0°) may be adequate to estimate effective LAI of vegetation using LIDAR data. This model was then applied to six 30 m × 30 m plots at differing spatial extents to investigate the relationship between plot size and model accuracy, observing that model accuracy increased with increasing spatial extent, with a maximum r2 of 0.78 at an area of 900 m2. Findings of the present study can provide useful information for selection and application of LIDAR derived LAI models at landscape or other spatial scales of ecological importance.
Monitoring flight calls of migrating birds from an oil platform in the northern Gulf of Mexico

ABSTRACT Millions of birds migrate across the Gulf of Mexico each year. However, most studies of migration in this region involve sampling onshore locations during the day, potentially underrepresenting the diversity and abundance of migrants passing the region. We evaluated a potential solution to this problem by recording the flight calls of passing migrants from an oil platform located southeast of the Alabama coast in the Gulf of Mexico. We detected 2762 calls during 30 nights from 9 September to 2 November 1999, and were able to identify 2329 calls to species. Flight calls by nine species of birds represented 23% of all identified calls. The greatest number of calls during one night (1017 calls) and during a 1-h period (257 calls) were recorded on 10 September. The greatest number of calls was recorded 8 h after sunset, with a secondary peak 2 h after sunset. The peak prior to sunrise may indicate the formation of flocks at dawn, and the peak after sunset may have been caused by the first wave of migrants reaching the platform. However, call counts varied extensively, with 98% of all calls recorded during 13 nights and 40% on a single night, possibly resulting from hourly and nightly differences in bird numbers aloft, atmospheric conditions, and artificial lighting conditions. Although recording on oil platforms can be difficult because of mechanical, wind, and wave noise, our results suggest great potential for describing the species composition of passing vocal migrants and the temporal patterns of flight-calling behavior if quiet recording locations can be found. Moreover, flight call monitoring could be a critically important tool for bird conservation in this region, given recent proposals to develop wind power and the potential bird mortality associated with such developments.
Collaboration Between Management and Anthropology Researchers: Obstacles and Opportunities

Management scholarship is built on a foundation imported from older disciplines, particularly economics, psychology, and sociology. Anthropology also once played an important role in the history of management thought, and currently includes many “practicing” anthropologists who work in the private sector. Yet anthropology now has a demonstrably marginal influence. Why is this so? What is the potential for greater collaboration with anthropology? Pursuing these questions, we draw on recent writings in applied, business, and practicing anthropology. On this basis, we identify eight properties of anthropology that affect the potential for collaboration. For each property, we consider the extent to which it presents obstacles for management scholars to work together with practicing anthropologists. We find that with patience and preparation, these impediments can largely be overcome, and we offer suggestions for greater collaboration.
Growth characteristics and protein content of tissue-cultured fibroblasts from cystic fibrosis patients.

SummaryProliferation rates and cellular protein content have been measured in cultured fibroblasts derived from the skin of normal volunteers and cystic fibrosis patients. Three methods of measuring growth indicated that under our conditions, CF fibroblasts divide normally with a mean doubling time of 29 hr. During the logarithmic growth phase, however, lower cell protein/DNA ratios were observed consistently in CF cultures. This difference was not present in contact-inhibited, confluent fibroblasts. The finding of an apparent reduction in protein synthesis during rapid division, coupled with an observation by others that CF fibroblasts fail to normally induce collagen formation, suggests the possibility of a disturbance in the biochemical regulation of protein synthesis.Special thanks are extended to Dr. Paul A. di Sant’Agnese, Chief, Pediatric Metabolism Branch, NIAMDD for his continued support, encouragement, and guidance in this study. In addition, we gratefully acknowledge the skillful assistance of ...
Neurohormonal activation in canine degenerative mitral valve disease: implications on pathophysiology and treatment

Neurohormonal systems play a critical role in canine degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD). DMVD results in mitral regurgitation, which reduces forward cardiac output and increases intracardiac pressures. These changes trigger neurohormonal responses that ultimately result in maladaptive cardiac remodelling, congestion and heightened morbidity and mortality. Medical therapies such as ACE inhibitors and spironolactone derive their benefit by interrupting or suppressing these neurohormonal responses. Thus, knowledge of neurohormonal mechanisms can lead to a better understanding of how to treat DMVD.
Entorhinal volume, aerobic fitness, and recognition memory in healthy young adults: A voxel-based morphometry study

Converging evidence supports the hypothesis effects of aerobic exercise and environmental enrichment are beneficial for cognition, in particular for hippocampus-supported learning and memory. Recent work in humans suggests that exercise training induces changes in hippocampal volume, but it is not known if aerobic exercise and fitness also impact the entorhinal cortex. In animal models, aerobic exercise increases expression of growth factors, including brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This exercise-enhanced expression of growth hormones may boost synaptic plasticity, and neuronal survival and differentiation, potentially supporting function and structure in brain areas including but not limited to the hippocampus. Here, using voxel based morphometry and a standard graded treadmill test to determine cardio-respiratory fitness (Bruce protocol; ·VO2 max), we examined if entorhinal and hippocampal volumes were associated with cardio-respiratory fitness in healthy young adults (N=33). In addition, we examined if volumes were modulated by recognition memory performance and by serum BDNF, a putative marker of synaptic plasticity. Our results show a positive association between volume in right entorhinal cortex and cardio-respiratory fitness. In addition, average gray matter volume in the entorhinal cortex, bilaterally, was positively associated with memory performance. These data extend prior work on the cerebral effects of aerobic exercise and fitness to the entorhinal cortex in healthy young adults thus providing compelling evidence for a relationship between aerobic fitness and structure of the medial temporal lobe memory system.
Introduction to the Journal of World Systems Research

Welcome to the Journal of World-Systems Research. This is our first "batch" of articles and book reviews. Electronic journals do not have issues as print journals do. Rather articles will usually be added to the journal individually as they become ready for publication. Volume 1 will be composed of all those articles that will be published in 1995. Each article has its own unique Number. Future articles will be added to the Volume as they become available, though we may again produce more "batches" in connection
Combining Passion with Fundamentals - Applying Model-Based Design to Education

Model-Based Design is increasingly prevalent in industrial sectors including aerospace and automotive, but lacking from college and university curricula. The need for students to be adept at the modeling of systems, their associated subsystems, and overall system controller as per the standard industry practice is the impetus for The MathWorks, Freescale, and MotoTron to partner with Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology to address the lack of students familiar with this industry standard practice. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has created the Model-Based-System Design Center with the express purpose of introducing the philosophy of Model-Based Design to the educational community. This paper describes the function of the Center and the teaching materials currently being generated.
Transitioning from Expository Laboratory Experiments to Course-Based Undergraduate Research in General Chemistry

General chemistry courses predominantly use expository experiments that shape student expectations of what a laboratory activity entails. Shifting within a semester to course-based undergraduate research activities that include greater decision-making, collaborative work, and “messy” real-world data necessitates a change in student expectations and epistemology. Design considerations for laboratories that transition students and teaching assistants from one format to another are described here along with experiences when implemented in the second semester of a large-enrollment general chemistry course.
Sensitivity Analyses of FORM-Based and DRM-Based Performance Measure Approach for Reliability-Based Design Optimization

In a gradient-based design optimization, it is necessary to know sensitivities of the constraint with respect to the design variables. In a reliability-based design optimization (RBDO), the constraint is evaluated at the most probable point (MPP) and called the probabilistic constraint, thus it requires the sensitivities of the probabilistic constraints at MPP. This paper presents the rigorous analytic derivation of the sensitivities of the probabilistic constraint at MPP for both First Order Reliability Method (FORM)-based Performance Measure Approach (PMA) and Dimension Reduction Method (DRM)-based PMA. Numerical examples are used to demonstrate that the analytic sensitivities agree very well with the sensitivities obtained from the finite difference method (FDM). However, since the sensitivity calculation at the true DRM-based MPP requires the second-order derivatives and additional MPP search, the sensitivity derivation at the approximated DRM-based MPP, which does not require the second-order derivatives and additional MPP search to find the DRM-based MPP, is proposed in this paper. A convergence study illustrates that the sensitivity at the approximated DRM-based MPP converges to the sensitivity at the true DRM-based MPP as the design approaches the optimum design. Hence, the sensitivity at the approximated DRM-based MPP is proposed to be used for the DRM-based RBDO to enhance the efficiency of the optimization.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Field epidemiological investigation on TB outbreak in a middle school of Shaoxing City

[Objective]To understand the incidence of a tuberculosis(TB) outbreak,to find out the outbreak causes and risk factors,and take corresponding control measures to reduce the occurrence of similar outbreaks. [Methods]According to the field epidemiology survey methods,unified cases definition was adopted.Cases were searched through interviews,PPD screening,imaging and sputum examination of tubercle bacillus,suspicious symptom screening.Furthermore,the epidemiological association between incidences and possible exposure history was investigated to find out the infection causes and risk factors.[Results] From the grade of outbreak,9 cases were identified as cases from 194 students: 8 cases were in class 8-3,-and 1 case in class 8-1,with the attack rate was 4.6%.Among this grade,TB incidence of class 8-3 was higher than other classes in grade 8(RR=24,95%CI=3.0-184);TB infection rate of class 8-3 was higher than other classes of grade 8(RR=1.8,95%CI=1.3-2.5);TB infection rate of boarders in class 8-3 was higher than externs(RR=2,95%CI=1.3-3.2);in class 8-3,the distance to initial case within ≤ 4 spots was a risk factor,the attack rate was significantly higher than that of whose distance 4 spots(RR=6.2,95%CI=1.4-27). [Conclusion]This outbreak of tuberculosis is due to delayed detection and treatment of initial case,who was infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis after visiting a case of tuberculosis.Classmates,accommodation,seating nearly(less than 4 seats) are risk factors of infection.
CMS-RCNN: Contextual Multi-Scale Region-Based CNN for Unconstrained Face Detection

Robust face detection in the wild is one of the ultimate components to support various facial related problems, i.e., unconstrained face recognition, facial periocular recognition, facial landmarking and pose estimation, facial expression recognition, 3D facial model construction, etc. Although the face detection problem has been intensely studied for decades with various commercial applications, it still meets problems in some real-world scenarios due to numerous challenges, e.g., heavy facial occlusions, extremely low resolutions, strong illumination, exceptional pose variations, image or video compression artifacts, etc. In this paper, we present a face detection approach named Contextual Multi-Scale Region-based Convolution Neural Network (CMS-RCNN) to robustly solve the problems mentioned above. Similar to the region-based CNNs, our proposed network consists of the region proposal component and the region-of-interest (RoI) detection component. However, far apart of that network, there are two main contributions in our proposed network that play a significant role to achieve the state-of-the-art performance in face detection. First, the multi-scale information is grouped both in region proposal and RoI detection to deal with tiny face regions. Second, our proposed network allows explicit body contextual reasoning in the network inspired from the intuition of human vision system. The proposed approach is benchmarked on two recent challenging face detection databases, i.e., the WIDER FACE Dataset which contains high degree of variability, as well as the Face Detection Dataset and Benchmark (FDDB). The experimental results show that our proposed approach trained on WIDER FACE Dataset outperforms strong baselines on WIDER FACE Dataset by a large margin, and consistently achieves competitive results on FDDB against the recent state-of-the-art face detection methods.
Prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni at Different Sampling Sites in Two California Turkey Processing Plants

A prevalence survey for Campylobaeter jejuni from 12 sites was made in two turkey processing plants. Both plants are federally inspected but differ in the age of birds slaughtered (18 and 24 wk for plant A and B, respectively) and scald water temperatures (2.5 min at 60°C and 3 min at 57.2°C for plants A and B, respectively). A total of 594 samples were taken during the period May to July 1982. Isolation rates for individual sites and plant A and B, respectively, were as follows: feathers 23.3 and 3.3%, scald water overflow 5.7 and 5.6%, feather picker drip water 66.7 and 94.4%, recycled water for cleaning gutters 77.8 and 77.8%, ceca 86.7 and 93.3%, final carcass wash water 61.1 and 27.8%, neck skin before chiller 36.7 and 10%, chiller water overflow 0 and 44.4%, neck skin after chiller, hearts, livers, wings and mechanically deboned meat 0 and 0%. These isolation rates were based on detection levels of > 10 cells/ml or g for all water samples, skin and deboned meat, > 100 cells/g for feathers, heart, liver or wing and > 1000 cells/g for fecal samples. Mean cell counts per gram of feces were log10 5, with a range of log10 3.4 to log10 6.8. The defeathering equipment contributed significantly to cross-contamination. Use of chlorinated water in the chillers at 14 to 18 ppm levels may be responsible for the absence of C. jejuni in the edible turkey parts.
Abstract 15574: A Subcutaneous Platform for RNAi Therapeutics Targeting ANGPTL3

RNAi therapeutics have gone from an idea in 2002 to positive clinical trial results in phase 1 and 2 by 2013, remarkable progress for a novel technology. Our initial clinical delivery systems consisted of siRNA formulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) dosed via an intravenous route. Utilizing this system we were able to demonstrate proof of concept in humans with ALN-PCS, an RNAi therapeutic targeting PCSK9, which reduced both plasma PCSK9 as well as the clinically validated endpoint of LDL-C. For many metabolic diseases, however, a subcutaneous route of administration is much preferred. We have recently demonstrated that subcutaneous delivery of siRNA conjugated to a triantennary N -acetylgalactosamine ligand enables robust and sustained target silencing with siRNA uptake mediated by the hepatocyte-specific asiologlycoprotein receptor (ASGPR). Angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) was recently implicated via human genetic studies in the regulation of lipoprotein levels. We have identified active siRNA molecules targeting ANGPTL3 and have demonstrated their ability to lower circulating ANGPTL3 protein, resulting in the reduction of Total-cholesterol, Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Triglycerides in various animal models of metabolic disease. In addition, we have identified several potent siRNA-GalNAc conjugates capable of lowering ANGPLT3 via subcutaneous dosing. Results from pre-clinical studies on ANGPTL3 and the application of a subcutaneous platform for RNAi therapeutics targeting genes implicated in metabolic disease will be presented