cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling spatial dependencies in high-resolution overhead imagery

Human settlement regions with different physical and socio-economic attributes exhibit unique spatial characteristics that are often illustrated in high-resolution overhead imageries. For example-size, shape and spatial arrangements of man-made structures are key attributes that vary with respect to the socio-economic profile of the neighborhood. Successfully modeling these attributes is crucial in developing advanced image understanding systems for interpreting complex aerial scenes. In this paper we present three different approaches to model the spatial context in the overhead imagery. First, we show that the frequency domain of the image can be used to model the spatial context [1]. The shape of the spectral energy contours characterize the scene context and can be exploited as global features. Secondly, we explore a discriminative framework based on the Conditional Random Fields (CRF) [2] to model the spatial context in the overhead imagery. The features derived from the edge orientation distribution calculated for a neighborhood and the associated class labels are used as input features to model the spatial context. Our third approach is based on grouping spatially connected pixels based on the low-level edge primitives to form support-regions [3]. The statistical parameters generated from the support-region feature distributions characterize different geospatial neighborhoods. We apply our approaches on high-resolution overhead imageries. We show that proposed approaches characterize the spatial context in overhead imageries.
Synthesis and properties of superconducting lanthanum sulfide films

Abstract We report the structural and transport properties of La-S films prepared by reactive planar magnetron sputtering. The La-S (Th 3 P 4 cubic structure) can be prepared over a range of compositions with the electronic properties varying from a low electron density superconductor ( T c ≈ 7 K ) to a semiconductor which shows thermally activated transport at low temperature. This method of deposition produces small grained (≈ 200 A) polycrystalline films whose composition can be varied continuously by tuning the deposition parameters. We discuss the TEM and X-ray data as well as the resistivity, Hall effect and superconducting properties of these films. We find that the superconducting transition temperature of the films is the same as that of bulk single crystals; however the mobility is a factor of 2 to 300 lower than that found in bulk specimens.
Computational Methods for Semiparametric Linear Regression with Censored Data

Abstract Semiparametric linear regression with censored data assumes a linear relationship between failure time and covariates without specifying the distributional form of the error term. This approach has attracted considerable attention recently. Most notably, rank regression methods have been derived for parameter estimation, hypothesis testing, and goodness-of-fit analysis. The implementation of these methods requires minimizing discrete objective functions with multiple local minima. Conventional optimization algorithms cannot be used to solve such minimization problems. We develop computational methods to implement rank regression procedures using simulated annealing. Two real data sets are used for illustration. Applications of the new algorithms to the modified least squares estimator of Buckley and James and several other related problems are also described.
A re-examination of the palladium-catalyzed cross coupling of alkyl iodides with alkyl Grignard reagents

Abstract Reaction of primary alkyl halides with Grignard reagents in the presence of (dppf)Pd(O) or (dppf)PdCl2 leads to the reduction of the halide.
Effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on neuropsychological functioning

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can have devastating effects on cognitive and adaptive function. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is one of the leading causes of mental retardation in the Western world. Studies focusing on the cognitive and adaptive function of individuals with FAS and fetal alcohol effects are reviewed, followed by a summary of findings from prospective longitudinal studies of PAE. These are considered in light of brain‐behavior relations and results of animal studies of PAE. There is converging evidence that PAE adversely impacts response inhibition, visuomotor abilities, and visual memory.
BIOCHEMISTRY OF THE DEVELOPING RAT BRAIN. III. MITOCHONDRIAL OXIDATION OF CITRATE AND ISOCITRATE AND ASSOCIATED PHOSPHORYLATION.

Abstract Oxygen uptake, reduction of added pyridine nucleotides and enzyme activities concerned with isocitrate oxidation show that aged mitochondria from both neonatal and adult rat brain oxidize isocitrate by two separate and independent pathways, one mediated by NAD and NADH 2 -oxidase system and the other by NADP and NADPH 2 -oxidase system. The neonatal and adult brain mitochondria contain equal concentrations of NAD-isocitrate dehydrogenase ( l S -isocitrate: NAD oxidoreductase (decarboxylating), EC 1.1.1.41) and NADH 2 -cytochrome c reductase (NADH 2 : cytochrome c oxidoreductase, EC 1.6.2.1) activities. However, the neonatal mitochondria have a much greater NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase ( l S -isocitrate: NADP oxidoreductase (decarboxylating), EC 1.1.1.42) activity and much lower NADPH 2 -cytochrome c reductase (NADPH 2 : cytochrome c oxidoreductase, EC 1.6.2.3) activity than the adult. Oxidation of citrate occurred at a lower rate than isocitrate oxidation in intact mitochondria from both neonate and adult brains. But in aged mitochondria from the adult, citrate was oxidized at a higher rate than isocitrate indicating an alternate pathway for citrate oxidation in this preparation in addition to the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Intact mitochondria from adult rat brain oxidized citrate and isocitrate with a P:O ratio of 2. This ratio was increased by added NAD and decreased by added NADP. Mitochondria aged in phosphate buffer failed to oxidize either citrate or isocitrate unless pyridine nucleotides were supplemented. Addition of either NAD or NADP restored oxidation completely, but the oxidative phosphorylation did not exceed a ratio of 1.
Ideology and terrorism in Italy autobiography as historical source

A culture of anti‐democratic violence existed on both political extremes in Italy, and any attempt to understand the problem of contemporary Italian terrorism must begin with a historical examination of the ideas and values that motivated the terrorists. This is a conclusion supported by the autobiographical literature of Italian terrorists on the left and right. The author analyzes representative samples of these writings.
Near-uv photon efficiency in a TiO2 electrode - Application to hydrogen production from solar energy

An n-type (001) TiO2 electrode irradiated at 365 nm was tested under anodic polarization. A saturation current independent of pH and proportional to light intensity has been observed. Accurate measurements of the incident power lead to a 60 per cent photon efficiency. A photoelectrochemical cell built with such an electrode, operated under solar irradiation without concentration, produced an electrolysis current of 0.7 mA/sq cm without applied voltage.
Comorbid Symptoms of Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Behavioral Sleep Problems From 18–57 Months of Age: A Population-Based Study

Research suggests that in clinical samples, almost 1/2 of children with obstructive sleep apnea have a behavioral sleep problem, and of those, most do not receive behavioral recommendations. This study extends previous research via a longitudinal investigation of the presence and comorbidity of symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and behavioral sleep problems in a non-clinical sample. Findings were that the prevalence of symptoms of SDB and behavioral sleep problems at each of the 4 time points was nearly identical, with a peak age of 30 months, and that 25% to 40% of children with symptoms of SDB had behavioral sleep problems. Results suggest that an interdisciplinary approach, including behavioral expertise, is warranted even if the referral concern is solely SDB.
On weighted mean convergence of Lagrange interpolation for general arrays

For n ≥ 1, let {xjn}j=1n be n distinct points and let Ln[.] denote the corresponding Lagrange Interpolation operator. Let W : R → [0, ∞). What conditions on the array {xjn}1 ≤ j ≤ n, n ≥ 1 ensure the existence of p > 0 such that limn→∞ || (f - Ln[f])W φb ||Lp(R) = 0 for every continuous f : R → R with suitably restricted growth, and some "weighting factor" φb? We obtain a necessary and sufficient condition for such a p to exist. The result is the weighted analogue of our earlier work for interpolation arrays contained in a compact set.
Leaf wax biomarkers in transit record river catchment composition

Rivers carry organic molecules derived from terrestrial vegetation to sedimentary deposits in lakes and oceans, storing information about past climate and erosion, as well as representing a component of the carbon cycle. It is anticipated that sourcing of organic matter may not be uniform across catchments with substantial environmental variability in topography, vegetation zones, and climate. Here we analyze plant leaf wax biomarkers in transit in the Madre de Dios River (Peru), which drains a forested catchment across 4.5 km of elevation from the tropical montane forests of the Andes down into the rainforests of Amazonia. We find that the hydrogen isotopic composition of leaf wax molecules (specifically the C28 n-alkanoic acid) carried by this tropical mountain river largely records the elevation gradient defined by the isotopic composition of precipitation, and this supports the general interpretation of these biomarkers as proxy recorders of catchment conditions. However, we also find that leaf wax isotopic composition varies with river flow regime over storm and seasonal timescales, which could in some cases be quantitatively significant relative to changes in the isotopic composition of precipitation in the past. Our results inform on the sourcing and transport of material by a major tributary of the Amazon River and contribute to the spatial interpretation of sedimentary records of past climate using the leaf wax proxy.
Spectroscopic properties of photorefractive BaTiO 3 double doped with cerium and rhodium

We have grown and characterized crystals of ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$ double doped with Ce and Rh. This material has defect charge states that can easily be manipulated by illumination with different wavelengths of light and may have potential for nonvolatile holographic storage using a two-step, sensitized recording scheme. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), photo-EPR, optical absorption, and light-induced optical-absorption measurements were used to identify the charge states, probe the electronic structure, and locate the ionization levels associated with the Ce and Rh centers relative to the band edges of the ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$ host. In addition, the effects of illumination at various wavelengths on the defect states were used to develop a qualitative sensitization model.
PDGF-BB and TGF-α rescue gastrulation, spiculogenesis, and LpS1 expression in collagen-disrupted embryos of the sea urchin genus Lytechinus

Abstract Development and LpS1 transcription in Lytechinus embryos are arrested at the mesenchyme blastula stage when collagen deposition is inhibited by the lathrytic agent β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) or by proline analogs. We found that human recombinant platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) synergistically rescue collagen disrupted/developmentally arrested L. pictus and L. variegatus embryos so that development and RNA accumulation of LpS1 proceed. In addition, nonspecific antagonists of PDGF block gastrulation and LpS1 RNA accumulation. The embryos recover and LpS1 RNA accumulation resumes when the antagonists are removed. These data suggest that a growth factor mediated pathway, associated with the ECM, is required for sea urchin gastrulation, spiculogenesis, and LpS1 gene activation.
Axonal transport and neurodegenerative disease: Can we see the elephant?

Although it is well established that axonal transport defects are part of the initiation or progression of some neurodegenerative diseases, the precise role of these defects in disease development is poorly understood. Thus, in this article, rather than enumerate the already well-reviewed evidence that there are transport deficits in disease, I will focus on a discussion of two crucial and unanswered questions about the possible role of axonal transport defects in HD and AD. (1) Are alterations in axonal transport caused by changes in the normal function of proteins mutated or altered in HD and AD and/or do such alterations in transport occur as a result of the formation of toxic aggregates of peptides or proteins? (2) Do alterations in axonal transport contribute to the causes of HD and AD or are they early, or late, secondary consequences of other cellular defects caused by disease-induction?
Formation of the lignan, (-) secoisolariciresinol, by cell free extracts of Forsythia intermedia.

Abstract A crude cell-free extract from Forsythia intermedia catalyses the formation of (−)secoisolariciresinol, and not its (+) enantiomer, when incubated with coniferyl alcohol in the presence of NAD(P)H and H2O2. This is the first report of an enzyme reaction specifically involved in the coupling reaction between two phenylpropanoid monomers to afford an optically pure lignan.
The precision of angular extrapolation for determining the deuteron asymptotic D- to S-state ratio

Abstract We consider the effects of truncating the polynomial series used to obtain the deuteron D- to S-state ratio from the angular extrapolation of σT 22 in d + p elastic scattering. A model incorporating the cos θ -dependence of the Coulomb, neutron-exchange, nucleon rescattering, and pionic amplitudes is used to estimate the truncation correction. This correction may be enhanced by Coulomb effects, which can be simply removed from the extrapolation procedure.
The TASER as a Less Lethal Force Alternative: Findings on Use and Effectiveness in a Large Metropolitan Police Agency

Despite its adoption by more than 8,000 law enforcement agencies in the United States and abroad, there is little empirical research examining use of the TASER by police officers. This article investigates the use and effectiveness of the weapon by examining all TASER deployments by police officers in a large metropolitan department during a 3-year period (2002 to 2004; n = 243). Findings indicate that the TASER was used almost exclusively against violent suspects classified as “emotionally disturbed” by emergency service officers with supervisors present. Despite use on a population perceived as being higher risk for injury, findings indicate that the TASER was effective, as 85% of suspects were incapacitated and taken into custody without further incident. The article concludes with a discussion of implications for continued use of the TASER and the need for additional research before any definitive conclusions about use and effectiveness of the weapon can be drawn.
Bacterial exotoxins: how they work.

Article de synthese suyr la biochimie des exotoxines bacteriennes: classification, structure, fonction
Referenzmodell für das Relationship Banking

Die gegenwartige Praxis im bankbetrieblichen Kundenbeziehungsmanagement (Relationship Banking) ist vielfach von methodischen Defiziten bei der Organisationsgestaltung gepragt. In solchen Projekten kann ein Bedarf nach einem Referenzmodell fur das Kundenbeziehungsmanagement — wie es in diesem Beitrag in Auszugen vorgestellt wird — beobachtet werden. Ein solches Referenzmodell dokumentiert integrierend wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse und Best Practices. Zugleich stellt es vor allem fur Banken sowie Managementberater ein wertvolles Hilfsmittel bei der Neugestaltung der CRM-spezifischen Funktionen und Prozesse dar, was auch der Einsatz des vorgestellten Modells in einem Pilotprojekt in der Praxis bestatigt.
Juvenile hyaline fibromatosis

A case of juvenile hyaline fibromatosis in a 7-year-old Asian boy is presented. This autosomal recessive inherited condition has not been described in the otolaryngology literature before. We demonstrate the benefits surgical intervention, for treatment of gingival hypertrophy, can bring to the patient and outline the other features of this rare condition. The literature on juvenile hyaline fibromatosis and infantile systemic hyalinosis is also reviewed.
A structural understanding of the dynamic ribosome machine

Ribosomes, which are central to protein synthesis and convert transcribed mRNAs into polypeptide chains, have been the focus of structural and biochemical studies for more than 50 years. The structure of its larger subunit revealed that the ribosome is a ribozyme with RNA at the heart of its enzymatic activity that catalyses peptide bond formation. Numerous initiation, elongation and release factors ensure that protein synthesis occurs progressively and with high specificity. In the past few years, high-resolution structures have provided molecular snapshots of different intermediates in ribosome-mediated translation in atomic detail. Together, these studies have revolutionized our understanding of the mechanism of protein synthesis.
1/N circuit and device technology

The 1/N memory cell is the bipolar analog of the FET one-device cell. A thin dielectric and doped polysilicon are combined with bipolar technology to achieve a vertically integrated, high-density, fast-performance memory chip. The circuit design, device structure, and processing implementation for a 64K-bit dynamic, 1/N fractional-device, experimental bipolar memory are presented. Test results for several geometrical and structural variations, including 16K-bit storage arrays, are given.
The long term successful treatment of the aggressive/destructive behaviors of a preadolescent with autism

A program was developed for reducing the aggressive/destructive behavior of a 13-year-old boy with autism. All previous interventions had been ineffective. The program included a high density of positive reinforcement, tokens, choice making, response cost, overcorrection, and physical restraint. Treatment occurred in a self-contained classroom at a school for children with special needs. All of the boy's aggressive/destructive behaviors were reduced to at or near zero levels and these effects have been maintained for over a year. He has made excellent progress in a number of academic areas. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Radiotracer studies of soot formation in diffusion flames

Carbon-14 has been used as a radiotracer to study the production of soot from three representative hydrocarbon fuels burning in diffusion flames in air. The objective of the experiments is to determine the relative probabilities R (actual probability/statistical probability) of incorporating carbon atoms from specific locations in the fuel molecule into the soot. Results are: methyl carbon in toluene R=(0.80–0.85)±0.06, dependent on flame conditions; carboxyl carbon in benzoic acid R=0.008±0.001; hydroxyl carbon in 1-butanol R=0.51 ±0.06. These results provide new tests of models of the sooting mechanism for these flames.
The Response of c-Jun/AP-1 to Chronic Hypoxia Is Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α Dependent

Hypoxia (low-oxygen tension) is an important physiological stress that influences responses to a wide range of pathologies, including stroke, infarction, and tumorigenesis. Prolonged or chronic hypoxia stimulates expression of the stress-inducible transcription factor gene c-jun and transient activation of protein kinase and phosphatase activities that regulate c-Jun/AP-1 activity. Here we describe evidence obtained by using wild-type and HIF-1 alpha nullizygous mouse embryonic fibroblasts (mEFs) that the induction of c-jun mRNA expression and c-Jun phosphorylation by prolonged hypoxia are completely dependent on the presence of the oxygen-regulated transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha). In contrast, transient hypoxia induced c-jun expression in both types of mEFs, showing that the early or rapid induction of this gene is independent of HIF-1 alpha. These findings indicate that the c-jun gene has a biphasic response to hypoxia consisting of inductions that depend on the degree or duration of exposure. To more completely define the relationship between prolonged hypoxia and c-Jun phosphorylation, we used mEFs from mice containing inactivating mutations of critical phosphorylation sites in the c-Jun N-terminal region (serines 63 and 73 or threonines 91 and 93). Exposure of these mEFs to prolonged hypoxia demonstrated an absolute requirement for N-terminal sites for HIF-1 alpha-dependent phosphorylation of c-Jun. Taken together, these findings suggest that c-Jun/AP-1 and HIF-1 cooperate to regulate gene expression in pathophysiological microenvironments.
Power sums with applications to multizeta and zeta zero distribution for Fq[t]

We study the sum of integral powers of monic polynomials of a given degree over a finite field. The combinatorics of cancellations are quite complicated. We prove several results on the degrees of these sums giving direct or recursive formulas, congruence conditions and degree bounds for them. We point out a 'duality' between values for positive and negative powers. We show that despite the combinatorial complexity of the actual values, there is an interesting kind of a recursive formula (at least when the finite field is the prime field) which quickly leads to many interesting structural facts, such as Riemann hypothesis for Carlitz-Goss zeta function, monotonicity in degree, non-vanishing and special identity classification for function field multizeta, as easy consequences.
Solutions and Dissolutions of the Underdetermination Problem

If by some oracle the physicist could identify outright all the truths that can be said in common-sense terms about ordinary things, still his separation of statements about molecules into true and false would remain largely unsettled. We can imagine him partly settling that separation by what is vaguely called scientific method: by considerations of simplicity of the joint theory of ordinary things and molecules. But conceivably the truths about molecules are only partially determined by any ideal organon of scientific method plus all the truths that can be said in common-sense terms about ordinary things; for in general the simplest possible theory to a given purpose need not be unique. (Quine 1960, pp. 21-22) Physical theories can be at odds with each other and yet compatible with all possible data even in the broadest sense. In a word, they can be logically incompatible and empirically equivalent. This is a point on which I expect wide agreement, if only because the observational criteria of theoretical terms are commonly so flexible and fragmentary. (Quine 1970a, p. 179)
Teacher-driven: web-based learning system

This paper reports a web-based platform-independent adaptive learning system dedicated to both students and teachers. For a student who uses the system, the content in the system is individually tailored toward his or her knowledge, which makes learning more personal, adaptive towards individual needs, and specialized. For a teacher, the system provides generic rule-based library to supervise students' learning. These rules enable teachers to choose different assessment, assignment, and learning strategies to be enforced automatically on students according to the teacher's selections and the student's performance. We believe that our system is an original and important contribution to supervised learning using web-based technologies, and future students will benefit from this new system.
The Effect of Inadequate Convergence Criteria in Automatic Routines

'The aim of an automatic integration scheme is to relieve the person who has to compute an integral-[the user] of any need to think.' This is the opening sentence of Chapter 6, 'Automatic Integration' of the standard textbook Numerical Integration, by P. Davis and P. Rabinowitz (1967). Informal discussion indicates that views about this aim vary from extreme to extreme. Some say the user should be made to think; others, that it is impossible to relieve him of all need to think and 'consequently' no attempt should be made to relieve him of any need to think. Another view is that this should be the aim of all numerical analysis or at least the aim of any published algorithm. Occasionally the same individual subscribes to all of these views. However, the present author accepts the opening sentence as a laudable aim, and discusses below the presently available implementations of this aim. The textbook goes on to describe an automatic integration scheme in general terms (as it appears to the user). The user is to provide the upper and lower limits B and A, a tolerance EP, a subroutine FUN(A') and N, an upper limit on the number of function evaluations to be used. After using N function evaluations the routine gives up and provides the best result available and some indication or message to this effect. Although in the text it is suggested that N be provided by the user, in the examples in the same book, N is usually provided by the program. In the Romberg Integration Code N = 2 + 1 = 32,769, and in the Adaptive Simpson Code N = 2-3 + 1 ~ 4 X 10. Presumably experience has shown that it is difficult enough to get the average user to think out what value EP he requires. (This is the author's experience.) When asked in addition for a value of TV, mental exhaustion leads him to make some wild guess. Thus in the present state of the art, the aim (which is to relieve the user of any need to think) has been attained to the following extent. He does not have to think (at least not at this stage) about A, B, or FUN(JT). He is forced to give some thought to EP. He has refused to think about N and the programmer has usually done it for him. An automatic quadrature routine may be considered as containing two essential ingredients. One is the standard rule evaluation part, which is capable of obtaining numerical approximations in terms of function values. The other is the 'strategy component' using which the routine considers the results it has already obtained and decides what further calculation is necessary to obtain a result of the desired accuracy. An example is the automatic routine ROMBERG {A, B, EP, FUN). The rule evaluation part is capable of calculating successive approximations R{f R2f, •.., R\5f to the required integral. Here Rjf is the standard Romberg approximation requiring 2+ 1 function values (Bauer, Rutishauser, and Stiefel, 1963). The strategy section is particularly simple. After each evaluation Rjf, 2 > j > 14, the number
Injection-site Malignant Fibrous Histiocytomas in a Pegvisomant Carcinogenicity Study in SD Rats

In a 2-year rat carcinogenicity study, pegvisomant injected subcutaneously on a daily basis at doses of 0, 2, 8, or 20 mg/kg/day produced malignant fibrous histiocytomas (MFHs) at the injection sites of 3 male rats (5%) given 8 mg/kg/day and 5 males (8%) given 20 mg/kg/day. MFH was characterized by unencapsulated dermal and subcutaneous sheets of fusiform and spindle-shaped cells sometimes with areas of round and/or irregular, pleomorphic cells and variable numbers of large multinucleated giant cells. Some regions of MFH had a fibroblastic appearance with streaming cells forming storiform patterns, while other areas consisted primarily of round to plump irregular cells with more giant cells. Pegvisomant did not increase the incidence of MFH in female rats and did not produce any other neoplastic responses in rats. In the dermis and subcutis at the injection sites of many males and females, pegvisomant produced dose-related increased incidences and severity of histiocytic infiltrates consisting of vacuolated macrophages with variable mature or immature fibrous tissue. Neoplasms at injection sites did not result in marketing restrictions or a label warning for human cancer risk, highlighting that injection-site neoplasms in rats have low relevance for human risk assessment.
Directional wavelet transforms for prediction residuals in video coding

Various directional transforms have been developed recently to improve image compression. In video compression, however, prediction residuals of image intensities, such as the motion compensation residual or the resolution enhancement residual, are transformed. The applicability of the directional transforms on prediction residuals have not been carefully investigated. In this paper, we briefly discuss differing characteristics of prediction residuals and images, and propose directional transforms specifically designed for prediction residuals. We compare these transforms with the directional transforms proposed for images using prediction residuals. The results of the comparison indicate that our proposed directional transforms can provide better compression of prediction residuals than the directional transforms proposed for images.
Surface Reactions During the Deposition of Ge from Chemical Sources on Ge(100)-(2×1)

The adsorption and decomposition of diethylgermane, triethylgermane, and digermane on the Ge(100) surface are investigated with the intent of elucidating the surface processes leading to the deposition of epitaxial Ge films. Room temperature adsorption of diethylgermane or triethylgermane leads to the formation of surface germanium hydrides and ethyl groups. The ethyl groups decompose at higher temperatures and form ethylene via a β-hydride elimination reaction. Isotopic labeling experiments are used to confirm this reaction step. This is in contrast to the Si(100) surface where both α- and β-hydride elimination is observed for the decomposition of surface ethyl groups. The adsorption and reaction of digermane with the Ge surface is also determined to help provide a comparison with the ethylgermanes. Low energy electron diffraction is used to evaluate the quality of the deposited germanium films.
Beam-Type Modeling of Adaptive Inflatable Tubes

An analytical beam-type model of an inflatable, piezoactuated, cantilever tube is developed. Perturbation methods are utilized to determine the system response. The results are compared to experimental data.
Large-system performance analysis of blind and group-blind multiuser receivers

We present a large-system performance analysis of blind and group-blind multiuser detection methods. In these methods, the receivers are estimated based on the received signal samples. In particular, we assume binary random spreading, and let the spreading gain N, the number of users K, and the number of received signal samples M all go to infinity, while keeping the ratios K/N and M/N fixed. We characterize the asymptotic performance of the direct-matrix inversion (DMI) blind linear minimum mean-square error (MMSE) receiver, the subspace blind linear MMSE receiver, and the group-blind linear hybrid receiver. We first derive the asymptotic average output signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) for each of these receivers. Our results reveal an interesting "saturation" phenomenon: The output SINR of each of these receivers converges to a finite limit as the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the desired user increases, which is in stark contrast to the fact that the output SINR achieved by the exact linear MMSE receiver can get arbitrarily large. This indicates that the capacity of a wireless system with blind or group-blind multiuser receivers is not only interference-limited, but also estimation-error limited. We then show that for both the blind and group-blind receivers, the output residual interference has an asymptotic Gaussian distribution, independent of the realizations of the spreading sequences. The Gaussianity indicates that in a large system, the bit-error rate (BER) is related to the SINR simply through the Q function.
A new approach to semantics – Part I

This is the first in a series of articles outlining a new approach to Semantics. The novelty in the approach is that the concept of an interpretation of a logical system is taken as the central concept of Semantics. I hope to show that by means of this approach a satisfactory definition can be given for such controversial concepts as analyticity, and at the same time the approach leads to a unified foundation for formalized Semantics.As the possibility of such definitions has been questioned in recent years, it is an important task to try to give precise definitions. Clearly, this is the task of those philosophers who believe that concepts like analyticity should play a fundamental role in Semantics. On the other hand, the philosophers who have criticized these concepts will now be able to tell just exactly why these definitions are unacceptable to them — instead of being forced to talk in generalities. It seems to me that no further progress is possible until we have precise definitions available for discussion.The fundamental semantic concepts fall into two classes: those, like truth, for which Tarski has offered definitions; and those additional ones, like analytic truth, for which we have Carnap's proposed definitions.
Pro-sterol carrier protein-2: role of the N-terminal presequence in structure, function, and peroxisomal targeting.

Abstract Although the 20-amino acid presequence present in 15-kDa pro-sterol carrier protein-2 (pro-SCP-2, the precursor of the mature 13-kDa SCP-2) alters the function of SCP-2 in lipid metabolism, the molecular basis for this effect is unresolved. The presequence dramatically altered SCP-2 structure as determined by circular dichroism, mass spectroscopy, and antibody accessibility such that pro-SCP-2 had 3-fold less α-helix, 7-fold more β-structure, 6-fold more reactive C terminus to carboxypeptidase A, 2-fold less binding of anti-SCP-2, and did not enhance sterol transfer from plasma membranes. These differences were not due to protein stability since (i) the same concentration of guanidine hydrochloride was required for 50% unfolding, and (ii) the ligand binding sites displayed the same high affinity (nanomolar K d values) in the order: cholesterol ≫ straight chain fatty acid > kinked chain fatty acid. Laser scanning confocal microscopy and double immunofluorescence demonstrated that pro-SCP-2 was more efficiently targeted to peroxisomes. Transfection of l-cells or McAR7777 hepatoma cells with cDNA encoding pro-SCP-2 resulted in 45% and 59% of SCP-2, respectively, colocalizing with the peroxisomal marker PMP70. In contrast, l-cells transfected with cDNA encoding SCP-2 exhibited 3-fold lower colocalization of SCP-2 with PMP70. In summary, the data suggest for the first time that the 20-amino acid presequence of pro-SCP-2 alters SCP-2 structure to facilitate peroxisomal targeting mediated by the C-terminal SKL peroxisomal targeting sequence.
The Evolution and Organization of Sentient Biological Behavior Systems

Ideas about the evolution of psychological behavior systems are intertwined with notions about their organization and the design of “machine intelligence” systems to model them. Underlying all three is a “conventional wisdom” (Galbraith, 1958) seldom explicitly elaborated and without compelling theoretical or experimental basis. It has nevertheless exerted a profound influence on thinking in these areas. In this article I want to develop some notions which diverge substantially from this conventional wisdom and present a unifying conception of behavioral organization on a transphyletic basis.
Nanomechanical resonant structures in silicon nitride: fabrication, operation and dissipation issues

Abstract We report the fabrication of silicon nitride mechanical devices with lateral dimensions as small as 50 nm. The measured resonant frequencies of these devices (8.5–171 MHz) are the highest reported for silicon nitride structures. We have employed both electrostatic and piezoelectric excitation of these structures. We have also studied the effects of thin metal films on dissipation in these structures and found that the absence of these metal coatings results in a three to four times higher quality factor of the structures.
A Heuristic Algorithm for the Traveling Salesman Location Problem on Networks

In this paper, we present a heuristic for the traveling salesman location problem on a network. Each day the salesman e.g., a repair vehicle must visit all the calls that are registered in a service list. Each call is generated with a given probability and the service list contains at most n calls. The heuristic requires On3 time to find the location that "minimizes" the expected distance traveled. A worst case analysis of the heuristic indicates that it will produce a solution which is at most 50% worse than the optimal solution. The paper also contains several asymptotic results for the problem in the plane.
An efficient VLSI implementation of real-time Kalman filter

An efficient systolic implementation for a real-time Kalman filter is presented. The filter is implemented by propagating the error information matrix. The whole computation for each estimate is done in five processing steps instead of eight by exploiting inherent parallelism in the algorithm. This is achieved by dividing the eight steps into two groups, each of which can be computed simultaneously on a systolic array, thereby reducing the total computation time by 40%. Each processing step follows a modified Faddeev's algorithm which is implemented on a bitrapezoidal array. Using a bitrapezoidal array doubles the throughput obtained by a single trapezoidal array. Techniques used for data skewing and storage organization are efficient, thus reducing the silicon area and complexity of control, and increasing the speed of computation. >
Does Greater Continuity of Veterans Administration Primary Care Reduce Emergency Department Visits and Hospitalization in Older Veterans

Objectives To evaluate the association between longitudinal continuity of primary care and use of emergency department (ED) and inpatient care in older veterans. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care clinics in 15 regional health networks, ED and inpatient facilities. Participants Medicare-eligible veterans aged 65 and older with three or more VA primary care visits during fiscal year 2007–08 (baseline period) (N = 243,881). Measurements Two measures of longitudinal continuity were estimated using merged VA–Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrative data: Usual Provider of Continuity (UPC) and Modified Modified Continuity Index (MMCI). Negative binomial and multivariable logistic regression models were used to predict ED use and inpatient hospitalization during fiscal year 2009, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, medical and psychiatric comorbidity, and baseline use of health services. Results The incidence rate ratio (IRR) of ED visits was greater in patients with high (IRR = 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02–1.07), intermediate (IRR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.02–1.07), and low (IRR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.03–1.09) UPC than in those with very high UPC (0.9–1.0). Patients with high (odds ratio (OR) = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01–1.07), intermediate (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.00–1.06), and low (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01–1.07) UPC were also more likely to be hospitalized during follow-up. Results were similar for MMCI continuity scores. Conclusion Even slightly lower primary care provider (PCP) continuity was associated with modestly greater ED use and inpatient hospitalization in older veterans. Additional efforts should be made to schedule older adults with their assigned PCP whenever possible.
Network Robustness Index Application at Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, Colorado Springs, Colorado

The evaluation and prioritization of highway segments is a key task in the allocation of transportation planning resources at metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). The network robustness index (NRI) is a new and evolving transportation planning measure that is based on changes in travel time that result from the removal of one highway link segment. In Colorado Springs, Colorado, the MPO applied the NRI measure, first on the National Highway System (NHS) and then on a small set of highway project links. The use of the NRI on the NHS made clear a ranking system for high-level criticality in the region, with four categories emerging: low, medium, high, and critical. This criticality assessment function of the NRI is effective in road segment evaluation for evacuation, resilience, and emergency preparedness. The NRI was also tested for planning. A small set of regional highway projects was tested with increases in capacity or speed to rank the projects numerically by vehicle hours saved. This use of the...
PRICE-SETTING WITH UNOBSERVABLE ELASTICITIES OF DEMAND: THE BUSINESS-CYCLE EFFECTS OF HETEROGENEOUS EXPECTATIONS

In a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model with monopolistic competition and flexible prices, we assume that producers must estimate their demand elasticities, which leads to heterogeneous expectations because of idiosyncratic shocks. I argue that these expectations shape firms' perceptions of relative prices, market shares, and individual demand elasticities, thereby distorting their price-setting and production. This model concludes that discarding the conventional assumption of known and exogenous demand elasticity generates business cycle fluctuations indistinguishable from those produced by traditional productivity shocks.
Psychosocial Assessment in Chronic and Fatal Illness

Children with chronic diseases comprise a sizable population who may at some time require the intervention of a mental health professional. One estimate places the proportion of chronically ill children in the private practices of pediatricians and general practitioners at around 6% (Froom, 1974). Many more receive care in special centers or hospital-based clinics.
The influence of nozzle-to-plate spacing on heat transfer and fluid flow of submerged jet impingement

Abstract In this study, heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics of a submerged jet impinging on a flat plate surface are experimentally investigated. The working fluids are air and water. The effects of a wide range of nozzle-to-plate spacing ( H / d = 0.1 − 40) on the Nusselt number and pressure at stagnation point are considered. The results show that the Nusselt number and pressure are divided into three regions; region (I) jet deflection region ( H / d ⩽ 0.6), region (II) potential core region (0.6 H / d ⩽ 7), and region (III) free jet region (7 H / d ⩽ 40). In region I, the Nusselt number and pressure drastically increase with decreasing the nozzle-to-plate spacing. In region II, the effect of the nozzle-to-plate spacing is negligible on the Nusselt number and pressure. In region III, the Nusselt number and pressure monotonically decrease with increasing the nozzle-to-plate spacing. Based on the experimental results, new correlations for the normalized stagnation Nusselt number and pressure are developed as a function of the nozzle-to-plate spacing alone.
SEROLOGIC PROFILE OF CHILDREN IN A MEXICAN HIGHLAND COMMUNITY: PREVALENCE OF COMPLEMENT-FIXING ANTIBODIES TO MYCOPLASMA PNEUMONIAE RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS AND PARAINFLUENZA VIRUSES

The study investigated the prevalence of antibodies to five leading agents of childhood respiratory disease in the county of Huixquilucan, Mexico. Tests of sera from a random sample of children between 3 months and 18 years of age confirmed serologically the presence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, respiratory syncytial (RS) virus and parainfluenza 1, 2 and 3 viruses in this relatively isolated highland community. Highest overall antibody frequency of 64.2% was seen for parainfluenza 3, and antibody to this virus was acquired early in life. Antibody to M. pneumoniae was least prevalent among children surveyed; this rate was 15.5% overall. This was only slightly below the prevalence rates for antibodies to RS virus and parainfluenza 1 and 2 viruses, which had intermediate frequency rates of 23%, 32%, and 22.9%, respectively. The relatively low prevalence of antibody to RS virus was unexpected. Differences in prevalence rates in regard to location of residence or family size were insignificant. Statistically significant differences in age-specific antibody prevalence rates in respect to sex were noted only for the 5- to 9-year-old group to M. pneumoniae and to parainfluenza 3.
Detail and Delegation: A Study in Statutory Specificity

Congress included much detail in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977 in order to curb administrative discretion. Taking the Clean Air Act, Prevention of Significant Deterioration provisions as an example, I show how often detailed provisions failed to work in practice, or in actuality delegated power to the agency. I suggest that Congress might wish to consider trying not to micro-manage in environmental and other statutes.
Quantifying distribution in carbon uptake and environmental measurements with the Gini coefficient

The Gini coefficient is a measure used in economics to evaluate the equitability of the distribution of a resource across a population. This project applied the Gini coefficient as a classification method for a decade-long data set consisting of environmental observations and carbon flux data for a coniferous forest in Finland. Our results show consistency in the Gini coefficient for environmental variables, even with interannual variation in the measurements during the carbon uptake period or when the ecosystem is absorbing carbon from the atmosphere. The Gini coefficient calculations showed this ecosystem has an inequitable distribution of carbon uptake and release within the carbon uptake period, which is comparable to the inequitable distribution of temperature and precipitation during the same time period. We also calculated the percentage of the carbon uptake period that has passed for different cumulative proportions of a measurement. Future applications of the Gini coefficient to other ecosystems ...
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM MEDIATED CARDIAC ASYSTOLE IN SETTING OF PARANEOPLASTIC N-METHYL-D-ASPARTATE RECEPTOR ANTIBODY ENCEPHALITIS

Sinus bradycardia (SB) and sinus node arrest (SNA) with absence of escape are features of hyper-vagotonia and are seen with central nervous system pathology affecting the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. A 37-year-old female with no history presented with fever and
Deterioration and Retention on Coated and Uncoated Compressor and Turbine Blades

The design and development of high-performance turbomachinery operating in an environment with solid particles requires a thorough knowledge of the fundamental phenomena associated with solid particulate flows. Because of the serious consequences of turbomachinery erosion on engine performance and life, it is important to have reliable methods for predicting erosion when solid particles are ingested. Many of these studies, essential to predicting blade surface erosion intensity and pattern, have been conducted at the University of Cincinnati’s Turbomachinery Erosion Laboratory over the past thirty years. This presentation will encompass experimental compressor and turbine blade erosion data for coated blade materials due to high velocity solid particle impacts at ambient and elevated temperatures. Tests were conducted in an erosion wind tunnel that simulated the aerodynamic effects of varying conditions on blade surfaces using different air velocities (300 to 1,850 ft/sec), solid particles ranging from 10 to 1,000 microns in diameter, and impact angles ranging from 0 o to 90 o on blades with PVD and CVD coatings.