cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Further Evidence on the Firm-Size Relation and Stock Market Responses to Changes in Federal Reserve Margin Levels

The virtually monotonic firm-size/price-reactions observed following changes in U.S. Federal Reserve market margin requirements over the post-1962 period provide dramatic new evidence in support of the hypothesis that changes in margin levels are associated with changes in security return behavior. Variance tests of the 1970 and 1971 margin decreases also produce evidence consistent with this hypothesis.
Toward a Dynamical Account of Motor Memory and Control

Investigators of memory for movement believe, or often appear to believe, that verbal memory and motor memory are governed by one set of laws. Concepts and variables of verbal memory are freely applied in experiments on the retention of movement. The three ways that qualitatively different phenomena, like verbal and motor behavior, are integrated in science are examined. They are: Reductionism, widening the scope of theoretical laws, and integration of domains. The integration of domains, where boundaries between dissimilar facts and variables disappear as similarities and principles are found that erase them, is seen as a stronger determiner of scientific activity than the other two ways of integrating qualitatively different phenomena. The conclusion is that verbal memory and motor memory cannot be assumed the same a priori, but that unification, if it ever happens, will come when similarities of knowledge in the domains are perceived. Similarities, if they exist, will become apparent when the level of knowledge in each domain is sufficiently mature. A mature level for the domain of motor retention will come from concentrating retention research on variables and concepts that are significant for motor behavior.
A Generic Approach Towards Image Manipulation Parameter Estimation Using Convolutional Neural Networks

Estimating manipulation parameter values is an important problem in image forensics. While several algorithms have been proposed to accomplish this, their application is exclusively limited to one type of image manipulation. These existing techniques are often designed using classical approaches from estimation theory by constructing parametric models of image data. This is problematic since this process of developing a theoretical model then deriving a parameter estimator must be repeated each time a new image manipulation is derived. In this paper, we propose a new data-driven generic approach to performing manipulation parameter estimation. Our proposed approach can be adapted to operate on several different manipulations without requiring a forensic investigator to make substantial changes to the proposed method. To accomplish this, we reformulate estimation as a classification problem by partitioning the parameter space into disjoint subsets such that each parameter subset is assigned a distinct class. Subsequently, we design a constrained CNN-based classifier that is able to extract classification features directly from data as well as estimating the manipulation parameter value in a subject image. Through a set of experiments, we demonstrated the effectiveness of our approach using four different types of manipulations.
Evaluating MODIS snow products for modelling snowmelt runoff: Case study of the Rio Grande headwaters

Abstract Snow-covered area (SCA) is a key variable in the Snowmelt-Runoff Model (SRM) and in other models for simulating discharge from snowmelt. Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM), Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM + ) or Operational Land Imager (OLI) provide remotely sensed data at an appropriate spatial resolution for mapping SCA in small headwater basins, but the temporal resolution of the data is low and may not always provide sufficient cloud-free dates. The coarser spatial resolution Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) offers better temporal resolution and in cloudy years, MODIS data offer the best alternative for mapping snow cover when finer spatial resolution data are unavailable. However, MODIS’ coarse spatial resolution (500 m) can obscure fine spatial patterning in snow cover and some MODIS products are not sensitive to end-of-season snow cover. In this study, we aimed to test MODIS snow products for use in simulating snowmelt runoff from smaller headwater basins by a) comparing maps of TM and MODIS-based SCA and b) determining how SRM streamflow simulations are changed by the different estimates of seasonal snow depletion. We compared gridded MODIS snow products (Collection 5 MOD10A1 fractional and binary SCA; SCA derived from Collection 6 MOD10A1 Normalised Difference Snow Index (NDSI) Snow Cover), and the MODIS Snow Covered-Area and Grain size retrieval (MODSCAG) canopy-corrected fractional SCA (SCA MG ), with reference SCA maps (SCA REF ) generated from binary classification of TM imagery. SCA MG showed strong agreement with SCA REF ; excluding true negatives (where both methods agreed no snow was present) the median percent difference between SCA REF and SCA MG ranged between −2.4% and 4.7%. We simulated runoff for each of the four study years using SRM populated with and calibrated for snow depletion curves derived from SCA REF . We then substituted in each of the MODIS-derived depletion curves. With efficiency coefficients ranging between 0.73 and 0.93, SRM simulation results from the SCA MG runs yielded the best results of all the MODIS products and only slightly underestimated discharge volume (between 7 and 11% of measured annual discharge). SRM simulations that used SCA derived from Collection 6 NDSI Snow Cover also yielded promising results, with efficiency coefficients ranging between 0.73 and 0.91. In conclusion, we recommend that when simulating snowmelt runoff from small basins ( 2 ) with SRM, we recommend that users select either canopy-corrected MODSCAG or create their own site-specific products from the Collection 6 MOD10A1 NDSI.
Actos de habla egocéntricos y altrocéntricos y su relación con raza y clase social: un ejemplo en la obra literaria venezolana

La obra literaria es generadora de conocimiento sobre la lengua y de ella pueden extraerse datos sobre la actividad linguistica en todos sus niveles, incluyendo el pragmatico-discursivo. Autores como Brown y Gilman (1989); Gancedo Ruiz (2016); Haverkate (2001); Zamora (2014), entre otros, han llevado a cabo analisis en textos narrativos de ficcion. Este tipo de material resulta unafuente de datos accesibles y confiableS para la observacion de ciertos patrones linguisticos, en comparacion a los datos que puedan obtenerse de la lengua hablada, cuyo tiempo de recoleccion resulta poco practico. Por tanto, el corpus de este trabaj o de investigacion es la novela venezolana Ana Isabel, una nina decente, de Antonia Palacios (1949), y se centra en el analisis de aspectos sociopragmaticos, tales como la manifestacion de las variables de raza y clase social a traves de actos de habla representativos y directivos. Asimismo, empleando la Teoria de la Cortesia (Brown y Levinson, 1987) y los conceptos delineados por Haverkate(2001) se busca definir si estos actos de habla son egocentricos o altrocentricos. Por ultimo, se examina el papel de la mitigacion en ambos casos. Se vera que, en su mayoria, se hallaron actos habla egocentricos sin mitigacion, lo cual difiere de lo propuesto por Haverkate (2001) en cuanto a la mitigacion como acompanante del acto de habla egocentrico.
In vivo confocal microscopy characteristics of equine epithelial and subepithelial nonulcerative keratomycosis.

Objective To describe the in vivo confocal microscopy features of horses with epithelial and subepithelial nonulcerative keratomycosis. Animals studied Four horses with a clinical diagnosis of epithelial or subepithelial keratomycosis. Procedures Horses were examined on one or more occasions by in vivo laser scanning confocal microscopy of the cornea. Confocal microscopic examination characteristics were correlated with clinical, cytological, and histopathological findings for the horses. Results All horses had an irregular corneal epithelial surface during slit-lamp biomicroscopy examination. Epithelial or subepithelial corneal opacities were present in multifocal or diffuse patterns. Positive rose bengal corneal staining was present focally or diffusely in all cases. Fungal hyphae were detected in cytological or histopathological corneal samples from all horses. Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium spp. were cultured from corneal samples. Confocal microscopy detected hyphae diffusely distributed over the axial cornea in horses with epithelial clinical disease. Fungal hyphae were present in all layers of the corneal epithelium and associated with disorganized and sloughing epithelial cells with minimal leukocytes. Subepithelial keratomycosis was correlated with focal, dense accumulations of hyphae in the immediate subepithelial anterior stroma that were surrounded by moderate numbers of leukocytes. Two horses were examined by confocal microscopy on multiple occasions during the course of medical therapy, and fungal hyphae were observed to migrate from the epithelium into the subepithelial stroma as the clinical corneal disease progressed. Conclusions With in vivo confocal microscopy, both epithelial and subepithelial keratomycosis appear as unique clinical entities. Equine epithelial keratomycosis is a potential precursor to subepithelial keratomycosis.
A robust and efficient finite volume method for compressible inviscid and viscous two-phase flows

Abstract A robust and efficient density-based finite volume method is developed for solving the six-equation single pressure system of two-phase flows at all speeds on hybrid unstructured grids. Unlike conventional approaches where an expensive exact Riemann solver is normally required for computing numerical fluxes at the two-phase interfaces in addition to AUSM-type fluxes for single-phase interfaces in order to maintain stability and robustness in cases involving interactions of strong pressure and void-fraction discontinuities, a volume-fraction coupling term for the AUSM + -up fluxes is introduced in this work to impart the required robustness without the need of the exact Riemann solver. The resulting method is significantly less expensive in regions where otherwise the Riemann solver would be invoked. A transformation from conservative variables to primitive variables is presented and the primitive variables are then solved in the implicit method in order for the current finite volume method to be able to solve, effectively and efficiently, low Mach number flows in traditional multiphase applications, which otherwise is a great challenge for the standard density-based algorithms. A number of benchmark test cases are presented to assess the performance and robustness of the developed finite volume method for both inviscid and viscous two-phase flow problems. The numerical results indicate that the current density-based method provides an attractive and viable alternative to its pressure-based counterpart for compressible two-phase flows at all speeds.
Food and Abuse

Excessive food consumption, leading to an epidemic of overweight and obesity, is the most serious public health problem facing the USA and is one of the top modifiable determinants of health. It shares many of the characteristics of substance abuse. Current conservative therapies have poor outcomes. Alternative approaches are needed to combat this expensive and deadly disease. Reframing the obesity issue from the addiction perspective may lead to new treatment paradigms. A solution that integrates public health approaches, environmental modifications, corporate and individual responsibilities is recommended to modify this significant behavioral determinant of health.
AN ANALYSIS OF NUCLEON-DEUTERON SCATTERING LEADING TO A MEASUREMENT OF THE DEUTERON'S D-STATE PERCENTAGE

Publisher Summary This chapter describes an analysis to analyze the nucleon–deuteron elastic scattering data at intermediate energies by using the available data at l46 MeV 3/4 to attempt an approximate evaluation of the D-state percentage (P D ). It reviews the general procedure and then discusses the results particular to evaluation of P D. In the analysis, one nucleon exchange contribution to the elastic neutron–deuteron transition matrix (Τ x ) and the single scattering contribution T 1 were evaluated. T 1 was calculated by direct numerical integration and includes anti-symmetrization. While there are very many other types of processes involved in elastic scattering, the most important are undoubtedly the ones that include higher order multiple scatterings.
Multifunctional APJ Pathway Promotes Ovarian Cancer Progression and Metastasis

High mortality rates in ovarian cancer are due to late-stage diagnosis when extensive metastases are present, coupled with the eventual development of resistance to standard chemotherapy. There is, thus, an urgent need to identify targetable pathways to curtail this deadly disease. In this study, we show that the apelin receptor, APJ, is a viable target that promotes tumor progression of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). APJ is specifically overexpressed in tumor tissue, and is elevated in metastatic tissues compared with primary tumors. Importantly, increased APJ expression significantly correlates with decreased median overall survival (OS) by 14.7 months in patients with HGSOC. Using various ovarian cancer model systems, we demonstrate that APJ expression in cancer cells is both necessary and sufficient to increase prometastatic phenotypes in vitro, including proliferation, cell adhesion to various molecules of the extracellular matrix (ECM), anoikis resistance, migration, and invasion; and these phenotypes are efficiently inhibited by the APJ inhibitor, ML221. Overexpression of APJ also increases metastasis of ovarian cancer cells in vivo. Mechanistically, the prometastatic STAT3 pathway is activated downstream of APJ, and in addition to the ERK and AKT pathways, contributes to its aggressive phenotypes. Our findings suggest that the APJ pathway is a novel and viable target, with potential to curb ovarian cancer progression and metastasis. IMPLICATIONS: The APJ pathway is a viable target in HGSOC.
Labor Demand Shocks and Housing Prices Across the United States: Does One Size Fit All?:

This study examines whether effects of labor demand shocks on housing prices vary across time and space. Using data on 321 U.S. metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), the authors estimate the mediu...
Improving Human Papillomavirus-Related Knowledge and Attitudes Among Ethnically Diverse Young Adults.

Abstract Purpose: To make baseline comparisons and evaluate the efficacy of an intervention designed to improve human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccine awareness, knowledge, and attitudes among ...
Ecological Sustainability, Intergenerational Resource Transfer and Economic Development

This chapter explores the implications for sustainable economic development of two important global trends: the increasing link between ecological scarcity and poverty in developing countries, and the growing calls to respect the “sustainability” and resilience of the Earth’s remaining ecosystems. The chapter provides an overview of current economic thinking on sustainability, which is captured in the capital approach to sustainable economic development. In recent years, this approach has been extended to incorporate ecosystems—or ecological capital—as an important yet unique form of economic wealth. But ecosystems are subject to irreversible conversion, and are prone to collapse. Thus, there are concerns that sustainability must encompass limits on the exploitation or irrevocable loss of this essential ecological capital, and a growing scientific literature suggests that there are “planetary boundaries” to the expansion of economic activity and populations. In addition, the economic consequences of ecological decline are not distributed equally across all individuals. Poor people in the rural areas of developing countries are disproportionately affected by the increasing scarcity of ecosystems and their vital goods and services. The chapter therefore explores the policy challenges posed by these two inter-related problems—ecological scarcity and poverty, and ecological sustainability and planetary boundaries. Overcoming these challenges not only is an important strategy for economic development and poverty alleviation but also represents an important a necessary form of intergenerational resource transfer for global sustainability. Finally, the chapter discusses options for dealing with this global market failure through compensating developing countries for conserving ecosystems and biodiversity, international payments for ecosystems services, and new international environmental agreements.
Trends in Breastfeeding Interventions, Skin-to-Skin Care, and Sudden Infant Death in the First 6 Days after Birth.

Objective To determine if implementation of skin-to-skin care and the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) contributes to sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) and asphyxia in the first 6 days after birth. Study design Survey data were used to determine a correlation between BFHI and deaths from SUID and asphyxia among infants Results Nationally, births in Baby-Friendly facilities rose from 1.8% to 18.3% and the percentage of facilities in which most dyads experienced skin-to-skin care rose from 40% to 83%. SUID prevalence among infants Conclusion Increasing rates of breastfeeding initiatives and skin-to-skin care are temporally associated with decreasing SUID prevalence in the first 6 days after birth in the US and Massachusetts.
FORMING A BIOMATHEMATICAL LEARNING ALLIANCE ACROSS TRADITIONAL ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS

Across the United States, many generalized programs have focused on retention of minority students in the sciences with varying degrees of success. Paradoxically, this challenge exists despite expanding career opportunities in industry, academia, and government for those skilled at the intersection of biology and mathematics. Here we describe a cross-departmental learning alliance (iBLEND- an Integrative Biomathematics Learning and Empowerment Network for Diversity) which directly targets these recognized challenges. Our goal is for the iBLEND project to have significant spillover effects for our university by developing new interdisciplinary collaborations that benefit our students. The iBLEND is a proactive, intensive approach in order to bridge campus chasms for both faculty and undergraduate students by positively influencing academic programs through interdisciplinary training coupled with strong evaluation and assessments. By leveraging our recent surge of competitive research activity, innovative instruction, and collaboration, the iBLEND advances our transformation to the next level by establishing a broader bridge for our undergraduates at the interface of mathematics and biology. In working together, the math and biology students learned to bridge language barriers inhibiting interdisciplinary explorations. Students were closely involved with faculty mentors in core laboratories and developed cross-disciplinary research skills that enhanced their post-graduate career opportunities. Using systems biology tools combined with targeted mathematics classroom work, students merged data from their lab bench experiments with mathematical models to determine how various changes impacted an overall organism and its functions. The students had hands-on training with a myriad of computational, simulations, data mining and data analysis tools needed in approaching their projects.
“These aren’t the SLOC’s you’re looking for”: mirror-imaging battles of the Atlantic won’t solve current Atlantic security needs

ABSTRACTDiscussion surrounding the announcement of a new NATO Maritime Command for the North Atlantic seems to have settled on the assumption that there is again a vital “sea-line of communication”...
Nano gel filtration reveals how fish hemoglobins release oxygen: The Root Effect.

Abstract The Root Effect is to many species of fish what the Bohr Effect is to humans regarding the release of O2 from their hemoglobins at low pH. However, Root Effect hemoglobins accomplish this more extensively than human adult hemoglobin in order to satisfy the diverse oxygen requirements in fish. To understand this difference between fish and human hemoglobins, we studied their subunit interface strengths using very low (nanomolar) concentrations, referred to as nano gel filtration. Root Effect hemoglobins in their CO form dissociate in a tetramer-monomer equilibrium. In contrast, tetramers and dimers but no monomers are found for adult human hemoglobin consistent with its well known tetramer-dimer equilibrium. By analogy to the human variant Hb Kansas and a similar recombinant Hb, both of which readily release oxygen due to an unstable oxygenated structure, the mechanism proposed is that oxygenated Root Effect tetramers release their oxygen to form energetically stable deoxygenated tetramers rather than dissociate to energetically unfavorable oxygenated dimers with labile interfaces. In contrast, the strong binding of CO permits observation of dissociation to monomers, thus revealing an intrinsic property of Root Effect fish hemoglobins enabling it to function as an oxygen pump.
Interleukin-10 suppression enhances T-cell antitumor immunity and responses to checkpoint blockade in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Abstract T-cell dysfunction is a hallmark of B-cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). CLL cells downregulate T-cell responses by expressing regulatory molecules including programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10). Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) aims to restore T-cell function by preventing the ligation of inhibitory receptors like PD-1, however most CLL patients do not respond well to this therapy. Thus, we investigated whether IL-10 suppression could enhance antitumor T-cell activity and improve responses to ICB. Since CLL IL-10 expression depends on Sp1, we utilized a novel, better tolerated mithramycin analogue, MTMox32E, to suppress CLL IL-10. We found MTMox32E inhibited mouse and human CLL IL-10 production and maintained T-cell effector function. In the Eμ-Tcl1 mouse model, treatment reduced plasma IL-10 and CLL burden while it increased CD8+ T-cell proliferation, effector and memory cell prevalence, and interferon-γ production. When combined with ICB, suppression of IL-10 improved responses to anti-PD-L1 as shown by a 4.5-fold decrease in CLL cell burden compared with anti-PD-L1 alone. Combination therapy also produced more interferon-γ+, cytotoxic effector KLRG1+, and memory CD8+ T-cells, with fewer exhausted T-cells than ICB alone. Since current therapies for CLL do not target IL-10, this provides a novel strategy to increase the efficacy of T-cell-based immunotherapies.
Ketorolac Is Not More Effective Than Flunixin Meglumine or Phenylbutazone in Reducing Foot Pain in Horses.

The objective was to compare the analgesic efficacy of ketorolac tromethamine (KT) and two other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including flunixin meglumine (FM) and phenylbutazone (PB), using a heart bar shoe (HBS) model of reversible foot lameness in horses. Nine adult horses were used in a blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study. After induction of left front limb lameness using a modified HBS model, one of three NSAIDs (KT, 2.0 mg/kg IV; FM, 1.1 mg/kg IV; PB, 4.4 mg/kg IV) or saline (placebo) was administered IV as a single dose. Lameness was assessed every 30 minutes for 2 hours, then every hour up to 12 hours using both a lameness grading scale (lameness score; LS) and a body-mounted inertial sensor system (lameness locator; LL). High-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry were used to measure plasma drug concentration at various time points. There was no difference in percent reduction of LS or LL value between KT and any other group, or between FM and placebo. The PB group showed a significantly higher percentage in LS reduction than the placebo and FM groups. The mean percent reduction in LL value was greater for the PB group than that for the placebo and FM groups. Plasma drug concentration was similar among horses for each drug at each time point, with drug concentrations decreasing over time. Thus, variation in plasma drug concentration did not influence lameness reduction for any drug. Ketorolac tromethamine was not superior to FM or PB in reducing lameness using a HBS model.
Testicular Myofibroma in Children: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Abstract Testicular tumors are rare in the prepubertal population and often are germ cell tumors. Myofibroma is a rare spindle cell neoplasm composed of myofibroblasts, which are intermediate cells between fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. Only two prepubertal testicular myofibromas have been previously reported. While cryptorchidism is a risk factor for testicular germ cell tumors, the exact etiology of testicular myofibroma is unknown. We report a case of testicular myofibroma in a six-year-old male with a history of undescended testes, as well as a review of the literature. This case suggests a possible connection between undescended testes and testicular myofibroma.
Screening for gestational diabetes mellitus: a decision and cost-effectiveness analysis of four screening strategies.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), defined as carbohydrate intolerance of variable degree with onset or first recognition during pregnancy, is the most common medical condition of pregnancy. GDM affects ∼190,000 (4–5%) of the >4 million births occurring annually in the U.S. and is associated with several maternal and infant complications (1). Worldwide, the three primary screening strategies for GDM are the sequential strategy (initial 50-g glucose challenge test followed by, in those who test positive, a 100-g glucose tolerance test [GTT]), the 75-g GTT strategy, and the 100-g GTT strategy (2). The efficacy of these strategies, however, is debated. There are few randomized trials on the effectiveness of GDM screening (3). Yet, the majority of U.S. obstetricians provide universal screening for GDM (4). We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis to compare four screening strategies for universal screening of GDM, including the sequential strategy, the 75- and 100-g GTT, and a no-screening strategy. We assessed the relative cost and effectiveness (quality-adjusted life-years [QALYs]) of each strategy relative to the sequential strategy using a decision model. We performed a decision and cost-effectiveness analysis from a societal perspective that incorporates all health effects and medical resources consumed regardless of who pays (5). Separate cost-effectiveness ratios were estimated for mothers and infants. Maternal outcomes were hypertensive disease, polyhydramnios, cesarean or vaginal delivery, …
Bike Count Forecast Model with Multimodal Network Connectivity Measures

With the rise of cycling as a mode choice for commuting and short-distance delivery, as well as policy objectives encouraging this trend, bike count models are increasingly critical to transportati...
Practitioner use of and attitudes towards videoconferencing for the delivery of evidence-based telemental health interventions: A mixed methods study.

Abstract The implementation of evidence-based psychosocial interventions using video-conference delivery (VCD) has the potential to increase accessibility to effective treatments, although its use remains limited and understudied. This study employed a mixed methods approach in surveying mental health practitioners about their attitudes regarding VCD of interventions that are considered evidence-based (i.e., have been shown to improve targeted outcomes in rigorous research). One hundred and eleven practitioners were sampled from several national and regional U.S. practice organizations and were administered quantitative surveys about their use of and attitudes towards VCD of evidence-based interventions (EBI). We examined the relationship between practitioner-level technology access, experience, and training with technology fluency and acceptability of using VCD. Quantitative results indicated the most frequently used adaptation for VCD was Tailoring and that practitioner education predicted attitudes towards EBIs. A subset (n = 20) of respondents were then purposively selected for qualitative interviews to further investigate accessibility, appropriateness, and feasibility of delivering EBIs via video conference. A conventional content analysis revealed that VCD was appropriate and acceptable for EBIs; however, many practitioners also described barriers related to feasibility of implementation. The results of this study have important implications for telemental health dissemination efforts which seek to extend services to populations not served well by traditional, in-person mental health services.
Evaluating the impact of assimilating CALIOP-derived aerosol extinction profiles on a global mass transport model

[1] Coupled two/three-dimensional variational (2D/3DVAR) assimilation of aerosol physical properties retrieved from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Multi-angle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR) and Cloud Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) satellite-borne instruments is described for the U. S. Navy Aerosol Analysis and Prediction System (NAAPS) global aerosol mass transport model. Coupled 2D/3DVAR assimilation for NAAPS is evaluated for 48-hr forecast cycles, computed four times daily in six-hour intervals, versus stand-alone 2DVAR assimilation of MODIS and MISR aerosol optical depths (AOD). Both systems are validated against AERONET ground-based sun photometer measurements of AOD. Despite a narrow nadir viewing swath and more than 2700 km of equatorial separation between orbits, satellite lidar data assimilation elicits a positive model response. Improvements in analysis and forecast AOD absolute errors are found over both land and maritime AERONET sites. The primary impact to the model from 3DVAR assimilation is the redistribution of aerosol mass into the boundary layer, though the process is sensitive to parameterization of vertical error correlation lengths.
Shopping Center Financing: Pricing Loan Default Risk

The financing structure of a shopping center loan is decomposed into an income security and two put options. These put options are respectively held by the borrower against the lender for default, ...
Infraslow Delta Co-exists with High Frequency Oscillation in Cases of Ictal Internal Vibration Aura (P5.058)

OBJECTIVE: Two cases of paroxysmal alteration of consciousness with sensation of internal vibration relating TBI are presented. BACKGROUND: There is an unexpected common finding of co-existence of Infra Slow Delta (ISD) EEG findings and concurrent High Frequency Oscillation (HFO). DESIGN/METHODS: Two cases are presented with EEG recordings. RESULTS: Case 1 : 46 year old black woman who was diagnosed psychogenic seizure since suffering TBI in MVA and was subsequently admitted to EMU. Her ictal manifestation was internal vibrating sensation without loss of consciousness. During ictal event, the EEG demonstrated progressive ISD of 0.1-0.15 Hz overridden by 120Hz HFO starting from left frontal lobe, which propagated into bifrontal ISD sustained for 30 minutes. Case 2 : 63 year old veteran who has a history of seizure with aura of sensation of internal vibration. His last seizure was 2 years ago while taking phenytoin. EEG demonstrated bifrontal sustained ISD with frequency 0.2 to 0.4 Hz, that was over ridden by HFO of 150 to 180 Hz. The patient was awake and alert during the EEG recording. CONCLUSIONS: HFO and ISD attracts attensions in digital EEG recording prevails. ISD is defined as slower frequency EEG activity less than 1 Hz. It has been easily disregarded as artifacts by sweat or eye movements in scalp EEG recordings. Scalp permeating ISD and HFO are recordable with DC amplifier. ISD is distinctive from such artifacts by rhythmicity, sustained nature, and sometimes a feature of progression and propagation to the contralateral hemisphere. It is associated with overriding scalp permeating HFO. The distribution of ISD is more likely in frontal cortex, either unilateral or bilateral. Unlike FIRDA, these patients were not obtunded and were awake and alert during the sustained ISD. ISD run may be episodic and may be seen in presence of interictal epileptiform discharges. Disclosure: Dr. Hasegawa has nothing to disclose.
Some remarks and problems on complex homogeneous domains

We discuss some problems on rigidity of canonical realizations of complex homogeneous domains at ℂn
Regulation of the pattern of basal bodies within the oral apparatus of Tetrahymena thermophila

The number and arrangement of basal bodies included in the four compound ciliary organelles making up the mature oral apparatus of Tetrahymena thermophila ordinarily vary only slightly. Severe starvation brings about formation of oral structures with a reduced number of basal bodies within these organelles, and sometimes with a complete loss of one of the component organelles. Such reductions are stringently specified in spatial terms, but they do not represent simple and proportional shrinkage of the organelle complex. Instead, certain spatial features remain essentially unaltered, while others undergo major quantitative reductions, resulting in large changes in the internal proportions of the structures. This selective regulation can be explained in terms of the different parallel and sequential processes taking place during the development of this organelle complex. There is also no strict proportionality between the size of the oral apparatus and that of the cell; instead, oral apparatuses become relatively larger as cells become smaller. This is due in part to the inherent temporal discontinuity of oral development, but there is probably also a real change in the oral/body size relation at the time of oral development. The ‘French flag’ rule fails when applied to the relative sizes and internal proportions of organelle systems in this and in other ciliates.
Effects of aluminum and manganese on the growth of ectomycorrhizal fungi

Cenococcum graniforme, Suillus luteus, Thelephora terrestris, and three isolates of Pisolithus tinctorius were cultured on modified Melin-Norkrans medium at pH 3.4 and adjusted to 0 to 500 ppm (0 to 500 μg/ml) of aluminum or manganese sulfate. Except for T. terrestris, which was intolerant of aluminum at 150 and 250 to 500 ppm, and P. tinctorius isolate 250, which was intolerant of aluminum at 450 ppm, all fungi showed some growth at all concentrations of aluminum. S. luteus was the most tolerant to aluminum. Manganese was less fungitoxic than aluminum, with all fungi showing at least 65% growth at 500 ppm as compared with the control. C. graniforme was not inhibited at any concentration of manganese, and S. luteus was only affected at 500 ppm. P. tinctorius isolate 230 showed no significant variation in growth when subjected to various concentrations of three forms of manganese salts. Significant differences in growth were detected in response to three aluminum salts, but no detectable pattern was apparent. Genotypic responses to aluminum and manganese were evident for P. tinctorius. Isolates 210 and 230 were more tolerant to manganese than was isolate 250. Aluminum tolerance was in the order of isolate 230 > 210 > 250. Results of in vitro studies concerning tolerance responses of ectomycorrhizal fungi to aluminum and manganese were not consistent with field observations of the successional sequence of these fungi on acid coal spoils.
An extension of construct validity for personality scales using twin-based criteria

Abstract A twin-based analysis of personality inventory scales yields information relevant to construct validity. If scales validly measure dimensions influenced developmentally either by environmental factors common to cotwins or by genetic similarities, these influences should be apparent in patterns of intraclass correlations and within-pair variance ratios for monozygotic and dizygotic pairs. Criteria for construct validity derived from adolescent twin statistics are illustrated with Wiggins' MMPI Content Scales. A type of discriminant validity indicates that some scales are not distinct in terms of the influences of familial similarity. Sex differences are examined.
New insights in measurement of myocardial ischemia

Abstract Myocardial ischemia may be defined as myocellular dysfunction resulting from hypoxia usually due to limited coronary blood flow. The methods commonly used to make a diagnosis of myocardial ischemia employ either clinical findings (e.g., angina, myocardial infarction) or signals from laboratory tests. Since ischemia is often clinically silent and since clinical events related to ischemia may be catastrophic (i.e., myocardial infarction and sudden death), physicians are dependent on tests using various targeted signals. These signals, however, do not actually provide quantitative measurements of the degree of ischemia or related myocardial dysfunction. Nevertheless, the functional abnormalities reflected by these signals can identify patients at high or low risk for adverse outcomes related to ischemia. So, in this sense, these signals can be used to support the diagnosis of ischemia as well as evaluate its importance in a given patient. The most commonly used signal is an ST-segment shift evident on the electrocardiogram (ECG). When this is horizontal or downsloping and ≥1.0 mm, this is often, but not always, due to myocardial ischemia. Although assessment of the exercise-stress ECG offers several advantages over assessment of the resting ECG, the standard Bruce protocol is associated with notable shortcomings that become apparent when an attempt is made to assess the effects of a treatment on the ST-segment signal. These might be surmounted by use of a continuous ramp-type protocol. Ambulatory ECG monitoring is growing in importance in the wake of increasing awareness of the different daily life circumstances that are associated with ischemia. In addition, some differences have become noticeable when ischemia that occurs during exercise testing and ischemia that occurs during daily activities are compared. Results of ambulatory ECG studies have underscored the importance of tailoring diagnostic procedures and therapies to the observed circadian variation in myocardial ischemia as well as to daily life experiences. Assessments of ischemia can also be based on a blood flow signal. The one most commonly used is a reversible perfusion defect detected with injection of certain radionuclides. Another signal is a reversible left ventricular regional wall-motion abnormality detected with radionuclide angiocardiography, echocardiography, or contrast angiography. At present the information gained from these studies is more important from the standpoint of risk stratification than as a guide to numerically accurate measurements of myocardial ischemia.
Asymmetric Hybridization and Introgression between Pink Salmon and Chinook Salmon in the Laurentian Great Lakes

Abstract Among Pacific salmon collected in the St. Marys River, five natural hybrids of pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha and chinook salmon O. tshawytscha and one suspected backcross have been detected using morphologic, meristic, and color evidence. One allozyme (LDH, l-lactate dehydrogenase from muscle) and one nuclear DNA locus (growth hormone) for which species-specific fixed differences exist were analyzed to detect additional hybrids and to determine if introgression had occurred. Restriction fragment length polymorphism of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was used to identify the maternal parent of each hybrid. Evidence of introgression was found among the five previously identified hybrids. All hybrid specimens had chinook salmon mtDNA, indicating that hybridization between chinook salmon and pink salmon in the St. Marys River is asymmetric and perhaps unidirectional. Ecological, physiological, and sexual selection forces may contribute to this asymmetric hybridization. Introgression between these high...
Nitric oxide and peroxynitrite production in ocular inflammation.

Recent studies have implicated nitric oxide and peroxynitrite in the pathogenesis of many diseases, such as septic shock, arthritis, lung disease, and atherosclerosis. Nitric oxide (.NO) exerts man...
Genetic basis of XX male syndrome and XX true hermaphroditism: evidence in the dog

Serological analysis of white blood cells from the members of a family of American cocker spaniels indicates that a form of abnormal sexual development, in which individuals with a female karyotype have testes or ovotestes, is caused by anomalous transmission of male-determining H-Y genes.
Role of Vernix caseosa in the neonate: potential application in the adult population.

Vernix caseosa is a naturally occurring fetal barrier film produced in late pregnancy as a result of sebaceous and epidermal lipids combined with desquamation of maturing fetal corneocytes. Vernix lacks desmosomal interconnections between corneocytes as demonstrated in adult stratum corneum and is,
Enron as a symptom of audit process breakdown: can the Sarbanes-Oxley Act cure the disease?

Abstract Andersen’s deficiency in the Enron case mainly involved an unwillingness to stand up to Enron management regarding accounting issues. This is a critical phase of the audit; however, it is only one phase of an audit. This paper presents a model of the auditor’s misstatement detection and reporting process, which consists of three steps: (1) awareness of the transaction, (2) recognition that the transaction’s accounting treatment results in a misstatement, and (3) a willingness to modify the audit opinion to disclose the nature of misstatement if management does not correct the misstatements. For an auditor to best serve the public interest, he or she would need to carry through all three steps of the model. Five recent financial statement misstatements are then addressed: Sunbeam, Cendant, Waste Management, Enron and Worldcom. What emerges from a review of these recent cases is that the failure point in the misstatement detection and reporting process varies among these cases and there are often multiple points of failure, suggesting the need for multiple approaches to improving the process. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, passed largely as a result of the Enron failure, attempts to improve the audit process for public companies in the US. The relationship of the act’s provisions to the misstatement detection and reporting process, and their potential efficacy in preventing cases similar to the recent frauds are addressed. From this analysis, the paper concludes that most of the audit-related provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act are concerned with strengthening auditor independence. Because other aspects of the audit model have been responsible for some recent frauds, the Act may be treating the symptoms of the audit breakdown which appear to have caused the Enron failure, while missing an opportunity for more meaningful legislative reform of other aspects of the audit process which are associated with other recent frauds.
Nanotribological and nanomechanical characterization of human hair using a nanoscratch technique.

Abstract Human hair (∼50–100 μm in diameter) is a nanocomposite biological fiber with well-characterized microstructures, and is of great interest for both cosmetic science and materials science. Characterization of nanotribological and nanomechanical properties of human hair including the coefficient of friction and scratch resistance is essential to develop better shampoo and conditioner products and advance biological and cosmetic science. In this paper, the coefficient of friction and scratch resistance of Caucasian and Asian hair at virgin, chemo-mechanically damaged, and conditioner-treated conditions are measured using a nanoscratch technique with a Nano Indenter II system. The scratch tests were performed on both the single cuticle cell and multiple cuticle cells of each hair sample, and the scratch wear tracks were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after the scratch tests. The effect of soaking on the coefficient of friction, scratch resistance, hardness and Young's modulus of hair surface were also studied by performing experiments on hair samples which had been soaked in de-ionized water for 5 min. The nanotribological and nanomechanical properties of human hair as a function of hair structure (hair of different ethnicity), damage, treatment and soaking are discussed.
Uncertainty quantification in structural damage diagnosis

This paper develops methods for the quantification of uncertainty in each of the three steps of damage diagnosis (detection, localization and quantification), in the context of continuous online monitoring. A model-based approach is used for diagnosis. Sources of uncertainty include physical variability, measurement uncertainty and model errors. Damage detection is based on residuals between nominal and damaged system-level responses, using statistical hypothesis testing whose uncertainty can be captured easily. Localization is based on the comparison of damage signatures derived from the system model. A metric based on least squares is proposed to assess the uncertainty in damage localization, when the damage signatures fail to localize the damage uniquely. The uncertainty in damage quantification is evaluated through statistical non-linear regression, resulting in confidence bounds for the damage parameter. The uncertainties in damage detection, isolation and quantification are combined to quantify the overall uncertainty in diagnosis. The proposed methods are illustrated using two types of example problems, a structural frame and a hydraulic actuation system. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biological Effects of Non-Ionizing Radiations : Cellular Properties and Interactions

The Lauriston Taylor lectures honor the founder of the National Committee on Radiation Protection and Measurement, soon to be followed by the corresponding international organization. These standard setting bodies had a vast influence on proper recognition of radiation hazards. The lOth Taylor lecture is the first to deal with nonionizing radiations and may be, therefore, of particular interest to the bioengineer. During early history biophysics and bioengineering were primarily concerned with ionizing radiation bioeffects and electrophysiology. The nonionizing part of the radiation field and electrophysiology are closely related. Biomedical observation, biophysical and bioengineering efforts in the nonionizing radiation field are defined and complement each other. Topics concentrate on the relevant biophysical and bioengineering efforts of the author and his colleagues. They include: electrical properties of biological systems; established electrical field interactions (excitation, macromolecular responses and cellular responses); problems of dosimetry (macroscopic and microscopic considerations); conclusions about relative merits of various research approaches.
Geophysical Electromagnetic Survey Methods Applied to Agricultural Waste Sites

This paper reports the use of electromagnetic (EM)instrumentation for surveying agronomic and waste treatment sites at locations previously profiled by soil coring for evaluation of nutrients in the soil profile. Surveys were made using a geophysical EM instrument capable of measuring conductivity 3 to 6 m below the surface of the ground with horizontal or vertical polarization. Two specific sites were analyzed to evaluate the effects of management practices: (i) An animal waste composting site with one section in use since 1985 and with expanded operation to another section in 1989 and (ii) A waste storage pond (operational in 1973) holding precipitation runoff from a cattle feedlot. Correlation analysis between the EM conductivity measurements and chemical analysis at both sites (concentrations of NH 4 + , NO 3 - , CL - , and P) show significant (P < 0.05) correlations for the ions while P did not show a significant correlation. The EM measures were able to distinguish the 6-yr-old site from the 10-yr-old site (P < 0.05). The results indicate that EM methods provide useful information for shallow subsurface surveys of livestock waste management facilities.