cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for environmental monitoring of soil carbon and nitrogen

ABSTRACT Carbon reservoirs at the earths surface comprise the plant and microbial, biomass, and organic and inorganiccarbon in soils, lakes, rivers, and oceans. These reservoirs interact with the atmosphere and affect its CO 2 content. Soilorganic carbon (SOC) is an essential constituent in all ecosystems that can be enhanced by manipulating agricultural andforest lands. A successful strategy is the determination of the amount (quantity) and the chemical composition (quality)of carbon and nitrogen stored within the soil profile. The need for rapid analysis of both the soil quantity and quality isan essential part of determining the techniques of choice for measuring SOC. We have successfully demonstrated thetechnique of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in the determination of the total concentration of carbon andnitrogen in soils and have also been successful in the development of electrochemicalsurface enhanced Ramanspectroscopy (Electro-SERS), the results for which will be reported in another article. In this article we will focus on thedata obtained using the LIBS technique. Our preliminary results suggest that LIBS method can be used for developing afield deployable instrument that can be used for in situ, real time monitoring of total carbon and nitrogen in soil. Wehave determined the total concentration of carbon in 15 soil samples and have obtained a calibration curve for them.Keyword list: Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, LIBS of soils, LIBS for detection of soil carbon and nitrogen.1. INTRODUCTIONThere has been an increase in the international efforts on ways to reduce anthropogenic emissions of greenhousegases particularly carbon dioxide (CO
Autoradiographic studies on metabolism of DNA during thyroxine-induced tadpole metamorphosis.

Abstract The amount of DNA and RNA, and the rate of orotic 14 C-6-acid incorporation into these nucleic acids in tadpole liver do not change during thyroxine-induced metamorphosis. However, autoradiographic studies on liver with 3 H-thymidine revealed that thyroxine treatment increased the number of liver cells in DNA synthesis. On the other hand, 3 H-thymidine incorporation into nuclei of tail cells was not affected. Evidence is also presented to indicate that tadpole liver contains cytoplasmic DNA which incorporated the 3 H-thymidine twice as fast as nuclear DNA.
Pressure-induced crystallization of amorphous red phosphorus

Abstract Structural transitions in amorphous red phosphorus were studied at ambient temperature and pressures up to 12 GPa. Amorphous (red) phosphorus was observed to transform into crystalline black phosphorus at 7.5 ± 0.5 GPa using diamond anvil cell Raman spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction and a direct equation of state (EoS) measurement. The transition was found to be irreversible and the material recovered upon pressure cycling to 10 to 12 GPa was crystalline orthorhombic black phosphorus. A third order Birch–Murnaghan EoS was fit to the data and a bulk modulus (B0) of 11.2 GPa was measured for amorphous red phosphorus.
Graft Orientation Influences the Knee Flexion Moment During Walking in Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

BackgroundAnterior cruciate ligament graft orientation has been proposed as a potential mechanism for failure of single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and has been considered important in the restoration of normal ambulatory knee mechanics.PurposeTo evaluate the possibility that patients adapt their mechanics of walking to the orientation of the anterior cruciate ligament graft. This was determined by testing the hypothesis that peak external knee flexion moment (net quadriceps moment) during walking in patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is correlated with coronal and sagittal anterior cruciate ligament graft orientations.Study DesignCross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.MethodsGait analysis was performed to assess dynamic knee function during walking in 17 subjects with unilateral anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure coronal and sagittal anterior cruciate ligament graft orientations.ResultsA negative correl...
Absence of intermediate filaments in a human adrenal cortex carcinoma-derived cell line.

Abstract Subclones of a human adrenal cortex carcinoma-derived cell line (SW13) are described which by immunofluorescence lack detectable expression of any of the five known classes of intermediate filament (IF) proteins. Further investigation for vimentin and keratins in these subclones by two-dimensional gel analysis and by immunoblotting gave results consistent with the immunofluorescence results. Despite the apparent absence of IFs, SW13 subclones have organized actin and microtubule cytoskeletal networks, maintain an epithelial shape and colony pattern, and grow well in culture. Although a rat hepatoma cell line which similarly appears to have ceased IF expression has been reported [1], this is the first such report of a human cell line. Although rare, these cases provide evidence that IFs in general are not essential to growth in culture, nor are the keratin-containing IFs in particular necessarily responsible for the ‘cobblestone’ morphology or colony-type growth pattern characteristic of cultured epithelial cells.
Dyers and Finishers – Can You Manage to Survive?

This paper was presented at the Thirteenth George Douglas Memorial Lecture, held at the Post House Hotel, Northenden, Manchester, on 5 May 1981. The proceedings were chaired by the President of the Society, Dr J. V. Butcher.
The analysis of retinal isomers by high speed liquid chromatography.

Abstract Geometrical isomers of retinal (9- cis , 11- cis , 13- cis and all- trans ) have been completely separated and quantitatively analyzed, using high pressure liquid chromatography with photometric detection at 254 and 365 nm. The method is sensitive, reproducible and rapid. Elution of all isomers takes less than 10 min. The method uses a 30-cm-long stainless steel column packed with small particle, activated silica (μPorasil) and isocratic elution with 2% diethyl ether in petroleum ether.
Probability density function method for turbulent hydrogen flames

Abstract Hydrogen combustion attracted much attention recently because of the need for a clean alternative energy. For the theoretical/numerical study of hydrogen combustion, there is a need for modeling capabilities for turbulent hydrogen flames. The present work examines the applicability of probability density function (pdf) turbulence models. For the purpose of accurate prediction of turbulent combustion, an algorithm that combines a conventional CFD flow solver with the Monte Carlo simulation of the pdf evolution equation has been developed. The algorithm is validated using experimental data for a heated turbulent plane jet. A study of H2–F2 diffusion flames has been carried out using this algorithm. Numerical results show that the pdf method is capable of correctly simulating turbulence effects on hydrogen combustion. © 1999 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Type specimens of Rhynchospora (Cyperaceae) In an unstudied collection of William Baldwin

William Baldwin, M.D., conducted extensive studies of the Cyperaceae early in the nineteenth century, but most of his botanical knowledge was left in his herbarium or in manuscript form when he died at the age of 41. This collection of 18 specimens ofRhynchospora was donated by Baldwin to the American Philosophical Society shortly before his death in 1819. Later these collections were transferred to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia where they now reside. The plants are from southeastern Georgia and eastern Florida. Eight of the specimens represent duplicate type material of species described by Stephen Elliott (1816) in hisSketch of the Botany of South-Carolina and Georgia, and by Asa Gray (1835) in hisMonograph of the North American species of Rhynchospora. Commentary on these eight specimens is presented in this paper.
Evaluation of Third Nerve Palsy in the Emergency Department

Third nerve palsy is an uncommon condition that carries significant risk of serious disease due to both the variability of its presentation and its association with intracranial aneurysms. In this article, we review the existing literature on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of third nerve palsy presenting to the Emergency Department.
Singularities of the complex korteweg‐de vries flows

On etudie le probleme isospectral de l'equation de Hill complexe: etant donne 2g=1<∞ valeurs propres simples dans le plan complexe, trouver la classe spectrale correspondante Q. On considere la caracterisation de la classe isospectrale et ses sections singulieres. On construit Q a l'aide des flots non lineaires de Korteweg de Vries dans C 1 ∞ , les fonctions regulieres de periode 1
Thermochemische, kristallographische und infrarotuntersuchungen an calciumkupferhydroxychlorid-hydraten

Abstract Copper immersed in 1 N CaCl 2 solution containing NH 3 corrodes in the presence of oxygen with the formation of blue crystals of the compound 4 Cu(OH) 2 · CaCl 2 · 3.5 H 2 O. The unit cell is tetragonal with a = 9.392 A, c = 15.077 A, c/a = 1.605; Z = 4. The calculated density is 2.818 g cm −3 and the observed density 2.80 g cm −3 at 22°C. The crystallographic aspect is P 4 2 **. Heating up to 400°C results in stepwise decomposition without sharp separation of the steps. The first step (165°C) gives 4 Cu(OH) 2 · CaCl 2 · 0.5 H 2 O, tetragonal body centered, a = 9.34 2 A, c = 7.53 3 A, c/a = 0.806 4 . The second step (215°C) gives CuO + 2 Cu(OH) 2 · CuO · CaCl 2 · H 2 O, cubic primitive (pseudocubic?) a = 5.74 ± 0.017 A and the third step (260°C): 4 CuO + CaCl 2 . The first and the third step rehydrate in air at ambient temperature, the first step to the original material and the 3rd step to CuO + 3 Cu(OH) 2 · CaCl 2 · H 2 O. This compound is hexagonal a = 6.66 3 A, c = 5.81 5 A, c/a = 0.872 7 . The decomposition process is characterized by pseudomorphosis. At least for the first decomposition step, a topotaxial relationship is assumed. Diffraction and infrared data of the different compounds are given.
Calculation of indices of refraction of photonic polymers

For the design of polymeric electrooptic devices, the indices of refraction of each layer are needed. There are a number of experimental techniques that can be used to determine these values for available polymers. Methods for the estimation are also possible for many proposed systems. We will explain these approximate methods for single systems, dispersion to the currently useful wavelengths in the IR, and the estimation of indices of refraction for composite system of either two polymers or a polymer and a nonlinear optically active chromophore. By these methods the design of new optoelectronic devices can be accelerated.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Mechanofused powders for thermal spray

Mechanofusion is a novel powder processing technique, in which raw powdered materials are fed into the apparatus, and through mechanical-thermal interactions, the powder characteristics are changed, e.g., shape, size, and composition distribution. Mechanofusion has been used in this study to produce intermetallic nickel aluminide compounds and composite powders as feedstock for vacuum plasma spraying. Significant effects of the mechanofusion production route on the powder characteristics and spray deposition features have been observed.
Determination of energy differences between rotational isomers of chloroacetyl chloride, bromoacetyl bromide and dichloroacetyl chloride by the absolute infrared intensity method

Abstract In order to determine the dihedral angle of the gauche isomer of CH 2 ClCOCl, normal frequencies and band intensities have been calculated at various assumed rotational angles of the gauche form. It has been shown by these calculations that the most probable value of the dihedral angle is about 105°. By applying the “absolute intensity method” and using the observed intensities of CH 2 C1COC1 and CH 2 BrCOBr measured in solution, the energy differences between, the rotational isomers of these molecules have been evaluated. The “direct intensity ratio method” has also been proposed as a simplified method to obtain the energy difference, and its applicability has been discussed. The energy differences of CH 2 ClCOCl, CH 2 BrCOBr and CHCl 2 COCl determined by these two methods have been compared with those determined previously by the temperature variation method.
Measuring edge contrast using biotic criteria helps define edge effects on the density of an invasive plant

Habitat edges can alter population dynamics, influence community structure, determine the success of conservation efforts, and facilitate the spread of invasive species. Despite recognition that edges influence the nature and strength of ecological interactions, edges are generally characterized using abiotic measures that likely capture habitat quality for only the focal taxa, and ignore the potential for biotic interactions to explain edge effects. Here we describe the association between edges and the density of an invasive shrub, Lonicera maackii, and infer the functional role of edges by using multiple criteria to weight edge contrast. We define edge contrast using both an abiotic criterion in which contrast is weighted by differences in light availability, and a biotic criterion in which edge contrast is weighted by the association between edges and the abundance of the American Robin (Turdus migratorius), an important avian seed disperser. Biotically defining edge contrast significantly improved model fit in all cases, demonstrating that the large-scale distribution of an invasive shrub is best predicted using both abiotic and biotic edge characterization. More generally, our work suggests that weighting edge contrast using key biological interactions in addition to abiotic criteria may be a promising way to understand the multiple pathways by which edges influence the distribution and abundance of organisms.
Space of Risk: The Contribution of Planning Policies to Conflicts in Cities, Lessons from Nazareth

This article defines a new concept, ‘Space of risk’, as a lived space that has low levels of trust among different urban groups; where people feel vulnerable and defenseless against terrorizing, urban clashes and riots. Based on a qualitative study, the article examines this concept in the city of Nazareth, which has been in turmoil since the introduction of a plan for a plaza. The article concludes that the reasons that may strongly contribute to the production of spaces of risk are: lack of the right to the city for urban inhabitants; the hegemony of the state over the city through ‘ethnocratic’ urban policies; the hegemony of global forces and neo-liberal agendas over the locale; deficient local politics; absence of communicative planning procedures; and contradictions between planners conception of the place and the way inhabitants conceive and experience it in their daily life practices. As planning has the power of creating and triggering risks in cities, the article suggests some practical ways for...
Pschotropic prescribing for the elderly in office-based practice

This study employed data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) 1995 to (1) determine the prevalence of the prescribing of psychotropic drugs for elderly patients by office-based physicians in the United States; (2) estimate the prevalence of the prescribing of potentially inappropriate psychotropic drugs in this patient population; and (3) identify any factors that predict such prescribing. For the purposes of this study, previously developed consensus criteria were adopted defining inappropriate psychotropic drugs as those that should be avoided in the elderly. According to the NAMCS data, psychotropic medications were prescribed in an estimated 12.02 million visits by elderly patients (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.07-12.97 million). The psychotropic medications most frequently prescribed for elderly patients by office-based physicians were antidepressants and antianxiety agents. The occurrence of visits at which psychotropic medications were prescribed was greater in patients who were over 84 years of age, female, white, or from the western United States. Primary care physicians prescribed the majority of these psychotropic drugs, and most visits to psychiatrists by elderly patients resulted in the prescribing of psychotropic drugs. Office-based physicians prescribed at least one potentially inappropriate psychotropic medication in 2.03 million visits by the elderly (95% CI, 1.70-2.36 million), or 16.87% of visits by the elderly involving prescriptions for psychotropic drugs. The most frequently prescribed potentially inappropriate psychotropic drugs were amitriptyline and long-acting benzodiazepines such as diazepam, chlordiazepoxide, and flurazepam. Logistic regression analyses revealed that inappropriate prescribing of psychotropic drugs for elderly patients was associated with particular patient characteristics (visit due to an injury), drug characteristics (number of medications prescribed and the drug being an antidepressant or antianxiety agent), and physician characteristics (psychiatric specialty and location in the South or Northeast). The patterns of psychotropic prescribing found in the ambulatory setting raise concerns about the quality of care being received by elderly patients with psychiatric illnesses.
Endovascular closure of a patent foramen ovale in the fat embolism syndrome: changes in the embolic patterns as detected by transcranial Doppler.

Background The posttraumatic fat embolism syndrome (FES) is characterized by petechiae and pulmonary and cerebral dysfunction. A patent foramen ovale (PFO) could worsen the prognosis of FES by allowing larger emboli to reach the systemic circulation. Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography can be used to diagnose and monitor cerebral microembolism in FES. Objective To describe a case of successful percutaneous closure of PFO in a patient with posttraumatic FES with excellent clinical outcome. Patient and Methods A 17-year-old girl presented with a posttraumatic long-bone fracture complicated by typical severe FES. Transcranial Doppler disclosed multiple microembolic signals over both middle cerebral and basilar arteries. A large PFO was diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiogram. A brain magnetic resonance image with diffusion-weighted sequences showed multiple bilateral areas of abnormal diffusion in watershed territories. Percutaneous PFO closure with a buttoned device was successfully performed. Results Closure of PFO was associated with marked reduction in the number and intensity of microembolic signals. Subsequent surgical repair of the fracture with the patient under transcranial Doppler monitoring was uneventful. There was excellent correlation between clinical course and microembolic signal load by transcranial Doppler. Conclusions Cerebral fat embolism after long-bone fractures can be detected in vivo and monitored over time with the use of transcranial Doppler techniques. If a PFO is present, its closure before surgical manipulation of the fracture is feasible and could have important protective effects against massive systemic embolization.
Projectile dependence of K-shell ionization in Cl and Ca at 200 keV/amu

Abstract Relative K-shell ionization cross sections of Cl and Ca measured with 200 keV/amu singly ionized projectiles of 2 H, 4 He, 12 C, 14 N, 16 O and 20 Ne exhibit features which are adequately described by the combination of binding effect in Coulomb ionization and charge exchange to the empty orbitals of the projectile.
Ammonium bicarbonate‐DTPA extraction of elements from waste‐amended calcareous soil

Abstract Use of soil testing for both nutrient and heavy metal interpretations could prove to be a readily available tool for management of calcareous soils amended with solid waste products. The ammonium bicarbonate‐DTPA (di‐ethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) [AB‐DTPA] extradant was used in this study, based on its successful use in other calcareous regions, and existence of interpretations for both nutrients and selected heavy metals. In southern Florida, addition of large volumes of composted waste products to shallow agricultural soils formed from crushed Oolitic limestone appears to be a viable disposal alternative to rapidly expanding lanfills or incineration. For two years, the effects of processed wastes (PW) on selected, AB‐DTPA‐extractable soil mineral element concentrations were determined for tomato (Lycospresicon esculentum Mill.) and squash (Cucurbita maxima Duch. Ex Lam.) grown with three different irrigation rates (3.78, 2.53, or 1.25 L/min). The PW composts were added at supplier‐recommend...
Automatically detecting the quality of the query and its implications in IR-based concept location

Concept location is an essential task during software maintenance and in particular program comprehension activities. One of the approaches to this task is based on leveraging the lexical information found in the source code by means of Information Retrieval techniques. All IR-based approaches to concept location are highly dependent on the queries written by the users. An IR approach, even though good on average, might fail when the input query is poor. Currently there is no way to tell when a query leads to poor results for IR-based concept location, unless a considerable effort is put into analyzing the results after the fact. We propose an approach based on recent advances in the field of IR research, which aims at automatically determining the difficulty a query poses to an IR-based concept location technique. We plan to evaluate several models and relate them to IR performance metrics.
Complexes of ditertiary stibines: Group VIB metal carbonyl derivatives of bis(diphenylstibino)methane

Abstract The potentially bidentate antimony ligand (C6H5)2SbCH2Sb(C6H5)2 (Dpsm) has been allowed to react with the Group VIB metal carbonyls and some of their derivatives under a variety of synthetic conditions. Molecular structures and bonding behavior of the substituted complexes M(CO)5(Dpsm), M(CO)4(Dpsm), [M(CO)4(Dpsm)]2, and Mo(CO)3(Dpsm)2 are based upon NMR and infrared spectral studies and molecular weight measurements.
Problems In Three-Dimensional Imaging

The addition of vision or three-dimensional imagery to a robot significantly enhances its capabilities to perform not only well-defined tasks, but new tasks as well -- tasks that could not be done by a "blind" robot. At the next level, the robot would have a capability of acquiring, processing and analyzing a three-dimensional image of a "real" scene. This paper presents several alternate ways that such three-dimensional imagery can be acquired and represented. Some emphasis will be placed on one approach -- the use of laser radar to obtain range data. However, the primary objective in this paper is to identify and discuss the major problems associated with the acquisition and effective use of this type of imagery, especially in robot vision applications.
An exact bootstrap approach towards modification of the Harrell–Davis quantile function estimator for censored data

A new kernel quantile estimator is proposed for right-censored data, which takes the form of , where w j(u, c) is based on a beta kernel with bandwidth parameter c. The advantage of this estimator is that exact bootstrap methods may be employed to estimate the mean and variance of [Qcirc](u; c). It follows that a novel solution for finding the optimal bandwidth may be obtained through minimization of the exact bootstrap mean squared error (MSE) estimate of [Qcirc](u; c). We prove the large sample consistency of [Qcirc](u; c) for fixed values of c. A Monte Carlo simulation study shows that our estimator is significantly better than the product-limit quantile estimator [Qcirc] KM(u)=inf{t:[Fcirc] n (t)≥u}, with respect to various MSE criteria. For general simplicity, setting c=1 leads to an extension of classical Harrell–Davis estimator for censored data and performs well in simulations. The procedure is illustrated by an application to lung cancer survival data.
Cutting the Grass: A Reexamination of the Link between Marital Attachment, Delinquent Peers and Desistance from Marijuana Use

Recent work indicates that marriage contributes to desistance from crime. However, two prominent interpretations of this relationship have been offered. The first, rooted in informal control theory, suggests that the “marriage effect” is a direct result of social bonds that tend to accompany matrimony. The second contends that the effect is indirect and due to the impact of marriage on patterns of delinquent peer association. Using data from waves 5 and 6 of the National Youth Survey, this study re-analyzes these interpretations by examining the relationship between marital attachment, delinquent peer association and desistance from marijuana use. Although change in delinquent peer association is a powerful predictor of marijuana desistance, findings are also consistent with the control theory interpretation of the marriage effect. Implications and limitations of the current study are noted.
Neighborhood Structural Inequality, Collective Efficacy, and Sexual Risk Behavior among Urban Youth

We draw on collective efficacy theory to extend a contextual model of early adolescent sexual behavior. Specifically, we hypothesize that neighborhood structural disadvantage--as measured by levels of concentrated poverty, residential instability, and aspects of immigrant concentration--and diminished collective efficacy have consequences for the prevalence of early adolescent multiple sexual partnering. Findings from random effects multinomial logistic regression models of the number of sexual partners among a sample of youth, age 11 to 16, from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (N = 768) reveal evidence of neighborhood effects on adolescent higher-risk sexual activity. Collective efficacy is negatively associated with having two or more sexual partners versus one (but not zero versus one) sexual partner. The effect of collective efficacy is dependent upon age: The regulatory effect of collective efficacy increases for older adolescents.
The Influence of Electron Beam Irradiation on the Effectiveness of Trans-cinnamaldehyde-coated LDPE/Polyamide Films

We have evaluated the effect of electron beam irradiation (up to 20 kGy) on the imictional and barrier properties of trans-cinnamaldehyde-coated low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/polyamide films. Irradiation did not affect the tensile strength and toughness of the films, but the 20 kGy treatment increased the percent elongation-at-break significantly. The barrier properties were also enhanced (approximately 18.8%) when the films were exposed to 20 kGy. Addition of trans-cinnamaldehyde with 3% of polyamide coating solution (w/w) did not affect the tensile strength and barrier properties of the films, but significantly decreased the percent elongation-at-break and toughness. Flims with 3% and 10% coating were used to wrap fresh-cut romaine lettuce samples to determine their antimicrobial activity. Total aerobic plate count (APC) and yeast and mold growth were determined as a function of dose (0, 0.5, and 1.0 kGy) for 14 d of storage at 4 °C. Irradiation reduced the total APC and yeast and mold counts (YMC) as dose increased. The 0.5- and 1.0-kGy treatments decreased initial APCs by 1.2- and 1.5-logs, and no YMCs were observed in the 1.0-kGy treated samples at day 0. Irradiation exposure significantly lowered APCs of lettuce samples by almost 1-log colony-forming unit (CFU)/g compared to the nonirradiated controls, though it only slightly reduced YMCs. The effectiveness of using irradiation with antimicrobial films was enhanced with increased radiation dose and trans-cinnamaldehyde concentration (3% to 10%). antimicrobial activity, electron beam irradiation, mechanical properties, romaine lettuce, translated.
HOW THE INCOME TAX TREATMENT OF SAVING AND SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS MAY AFFECT BOOMERS' RETIREMENT INCOMES

Income tax provisions affect the buildup of retirement assets during workers' careers and after-tax income following retirement. This paper uses the Urban Institute's DYNASIM model to simulate how potential changes in the tax treatment of retirement saving, Social Security benefits, and income from assets outside retirement accounts may affect boomers' retirement incomes. Changes in the income thresholds for taxing Social Security benefits have the largest impact on middle-income boomers, while changes in contribution limits for retirement saving plans and tax rates on capital gains and dividends have the largest impact on the highest-income boomers.
More Misleading Trend Analysis of Hawaiian Forest Birds

Abstract. Accurate analysis of trends in densities estimated from survey data depends on selection of a model that fits the data. When such analysis uses data recorded at different times in the same area but from different transects, then the target species' density and spatial heterogeneity become an issue. It is possible, even in the absence of environmental change, that one set of transects may underestimate or overestimate the density entirely on the basis of location. The resulting risk is that the density estimated earlier may falsely indicate a decline or an increase when compared to the densities estimated later. We investigate this problem for trend analysis of two species of endangered Hawaiian birds at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, island of Hawaii. Assertions based on Bayesian regression, and accepted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, purportedly indicate increases in the density of the endangered Hawaii Akepa (Loxops coccineus coccineus) from 1977 to 2007 and of the endangered...
Chinese Medicine: A Cognitive and Epistemological Review

In spite of the common belief that Chinese natural philosophy and medicine have a unique frame of reference completely foreign to the West, this article argues that they in fact have significant cognitive and epistemic similarities with certain esoteric health beliefs of pre-Christian Europe. From the standpoint of Cognitive Science, Chinese Medicine appears as a proto-scientific system of health observances and practices based on a symptomological classification of disease using two elementary dynamical-processes pattern categorization schemas: a hierarchical and combinatorial inhibiting–activating model (Yin-Yang), and a non-hierarchical and associative five-parameter semantic network (5-Elements/Agents). The concept-map of the five-parameter model amounts to a pentagram, a commonly found geomantic and spell casting sigil in a number of pre-Christian health and safety beliefs in Europe, to include the Pythagorean cult of Hygieia, and the Old Religion of Northern Europe. This non-hierarchical pattern-recognition archetype/prototype was hypothetically added to the pre-existing hierarchical one to form a hybrid nosology that can accommodate for a change in disease perceptions. The selection of five parameters rather than another number might be due to a numerological association between the integer five, the golden ratio, the geometry of the pentagram and the belief in health and wholeness arising from cosmic or divine harmony. In any case, this body of purely empirical knowledge is nowadays widely flourishing in the US and in Europe as an alternative to Western Medicine and with the claim of being a unique, independent and comprehensive medical system, when in reality it is structurally—and perhaps historically—related to the health and safety beliefs of pre-Christian Europe; and without the prospect for an epistemological rupture, it will remain built upon rudimentary cognitive modalities, ancient metaphysics, and a symptomological view of disease.
Optimal Capacity Expansion Over an Infinite Horizon

The problem of choosing an optimal initial capacity expansion from a finite number of durable facility sizes is affected by potential future expansion decisions. As we consider such expansions over longer and longer study horizons, the optimal initial facility choice can fluctuate due to end-of-study effects. We discuss an algorithm that will determine, for arbitrary deterministic demand profiles, how long a horizon is sufficient to reach stability in the first facility choice. Moreover, it is shown that this first choice is the optimal first choice for the infinite horizon problem. We also establish an explicit analytical formula for a study horizon guaranteed to provide a first facility size that, followed by an infinite horizon expansion strategy, will attain a discounted cost within a predetermined maximal error of the optimal infinite horizon cost.
Experimental investigation of flow and heating in a resonance tube

Experiments have been performed to determine the basic mechanism of heating in resonance tubes of square section with constant area excited by underexpanded jet flows. The jet flow between the nozzle exit and the tube inlet plays a key role in the performance of a resonance tube. A detailed and systematic investigation of the unsteady complex shock structure in this part of the flow region has led to a better understanding of the fundamental mechanisms associated with the gas heating in such tubes. A study of the effects of tube location in relation to free-jet shock location (without the presence of the resonance tube) has shed further light on the underlying mechanism of sustained oscillations of the flow in a resonance tube.
Five Years of Groups Research: What We Have Learned and What Needs to Be Addressed

This article reports the principal findings of over 250 studies published between January, 1986 and October, 1989 that address the dynamics of small social groups. The reviewed work falls into four broad areas that together provide insight and knowledge of group behavior Studies in the first section explore the fundamental tension between individuals and groups, how group members form a common understanding of their world, and how groups develop and change over time. The second section examines how the group's interaction context, (i.e., its structure, technology environment, size, and composition) affects group processes and outcomes. The third and fourth sections summarize the recent findings in each of seven areas of traditional interest in social psychology: group polarization, social influence, social loafing, group cohesion, commitment, conflict, and goal setting. Finally, research that specifically addresses work group effectiveness, self-managed teams, quality circles and team building interventio...
The Effect of Rh and Sr Substitution on the Thermoelectric Performance of LaCoO3

A series of LaCo1-xRhxO3 (x=0-1) samples and La1-ySryCo1-xRhxO3 (y = 0.05, 0.15 and x = 0.1-0.3) samples were prepared to study the effect of Rh substituion for Co in the four component system and Sr substitution for La in the five component system on the crystal structure and thermoelectric performance of the LaCoO3. At Rh substitution for Co of x=0.2 greater, the crystal structure shifts from rhombohederal (LaCoO3) to orthorhombic (LaRhO3). Thermoelectric evaluation revealed that Rh doped samples (0.3 <x <1) show large positive seebeck coefficients indicating a P-type conduction in the temperature range of the tests (273 to 775K). Rh substitution for Co decreases thermal conductivity, increases Seebeck coefficient and consequently increases the theroelectric figure of merit ZT. Sr substitution for La increases thermal and electrical conductivity and consquenently negligiblely decreases the seebeck coefficient. A thermoelectric figure-of-merit (ZT) around 0.075 has been achieved for LaCo0.5Rh0.5O3 at 775 K, and is expected to be above 0.1 at 1000 K. Sr substitution improved the TE properties throughout the lower temperature range with a ZT =0.045 observed for La0.95Sr0.05Co0.9Rh0.1O3 at 425 K and ZT = 0.05 for La0.85Sr0.15Co0.5Rh0.5O3 at 775 K. These findings provide new insight into thermoelectric perovskite oxides containing rhodium and strontium.
Glomerular cytoplasmic tubular structures in renal biopsies of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and other diseases

Virus-like structures were present in all of 42 renal biopsies from 35 patients with SLE, five of whom had normal kidney tissue by light microscopy. Structures were also present in biopsies from 24 of 113 patients with renal disease other than SLE who had been selected at random. Fourteen of these were children, and three had normal kidney tissue by light microscopy. In biopsies from eight normal volunteers, there was no evidence of the structures. Although the structures were uniformly present in the kidneys of patients with SLE, they were not specific for SLE.
Motivating Computer Engineering Freshmen Through Mathematical and Logical Puzzles

As in many other fields of science and technology, college students in computer engineering do not come into full contact with the key ideas and challenges of their chosen discipline until the third year of their studies. This situation poses a problem in terms of keeping the students motivated as they labor through their foundational, basic science, and general education coursework. At the University of California, Santa Barbara, the computer engineering program has sought to remedy this problem by offering a required freshman seminar, entitled "ten puzzling problems in computer engineering." This pass/not-pass seminar, which meets once a week and is graded based solely on attendance, introduces the students to some of the most challenging problems faced by computer engineers in their daily professional endeavors and at the frontiers of research. To accomplish this feat in a nontechnical way, these problems are related to popular mathematical and logical puzzles. Each class session (60-75 min) begins by introducing the students to puzzles of a particular kind and letting them participate in formulating solutions. General solution methods for the puzzles are then discussed by the instructor, who then proceeds to demonstrate how the puzzles and their solution strategies are related to real technical challenges in computer engineering. The new one-unit course was well received during its first two offerings in spring 2007 and spring 2008, and its continuation is planned.
A model-based approach for mining membrane protein crystallization trials

Motivation: Membrane proteins are known to play crucial roles in various cellular functions. Information about their function can be derived from their structure, but knowledge of these proteins is limited, as their structures are difficult to obtain. Crystallization has proved to be an essential step in the determination of macromolecular structure. Unfortunately, the bottleneck is that the crystallization process is quite complex and extremely sensitive to experimental conditions, the selection of which is largely a matter of trial and error. Even under the best conditions, it can take a large amount of time, from weeks to years, to obtain diffraction-quality crystals. Other issues include the time and cost involved in taking multiple trials and the presence of very few positive samples in a wide and largely undetermined parameter space. Therefore, any help in directing scientists’ attention to the hot spots in the conceptual crystallization space would lead to increased efficiency in crystallization trials. Results: This work is an application case study on mining membrane protein crystallization trials to predict novel conditions that have a high likelihood of leading to crystallization. We use suitable supervised learning algorithms to model the data-space and predict a novel set of crystallization conditions. Our preliminary wet laboratory results are very encouraging and we believe this work shows great promise. We conclude with a view of the crystallization space that is based on our results, which should prove useful for future studies in this area. Contact: Srinivasan Parthasarathy, 693 Dreese Lab, 2015 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH-43210, USA, Email: srini@cse.ohio-state.edu
Fundamentals of plasticating extrusion. II. Experiments

Experiments were performed to develop quantitative information for designing plasticating extruders for low density polyethylene. Screw design variables explored included feed section length, compression section taper, and minimum channel depth. Operating variables included were screw speed, barrel temperature, and back pressure. A moving picture film illustrates temperature action and cross-channel temperature distribution for some typical experiments using a new type of extruder screw for 2.5 inch and 8 inch diameter extrusion. The information gathered was used to obtain relations between performance and screw dimensions and revealed an optimum combination of feed section length and compression taper.
Selecting information systems projects: problems, solutions and challenges

Allocating scarce resources to information systems (IS) projects is a critical problem for most organizations. The IS project selection literature has focused on the selection of independent projects. Frequently, however, the costs and benefits of IS projects are affected by other projects under consideration. Neglecting these interdependencies can result in poor selection decisions. In addition, in estimating a project's value, the emphasis has been on user-oriented benefits. Project benefits resulting from a project's impact on future projects are not considered. Failure to consider these benefits can result in a selection bias against projects that have a greater long-run impact on the organization. Addressing these issues presents both theoretical and practical problems. How these problems can be addressed and the challenges they present are discussed. >
Bifurcation with Symmetry in Multi-Phase Flows

A common approach to describe particulate flows consists in the use of (volume or ensemble) averaged equations of motion. These are coupled sets of compressible Navier-Stokes equations representing a typical wave-hierarchy problem with dissipation and expressing another hierarchy of symmetry-breaking instabilities. The general features of these hierarchies, their connection, and the details of the first two stages of instabilities are discussed.
Enzymatic properties of the RecA803 protein, a partial suppressor of recF mutations.

The RecA803 protein suppresses the recombinational repair defect of recFmutations and displays enhanced joint molecule formation in vitro (Madiraju et al., 1988). To understand the physical basis for these phenomena, the biochemical properties of RecA803 protein were compared with those of the wild-type protein. The RecA803 protein shows greater DNA-dependent ATPase activity than the wild-type protein with either M 13 single-stranded (ss) DNA, which contains secondary structure, or double-stranded DNA. This increased activity reflects an enhanced ability of the mutant protein to form active complexes with these DNA molecules rather than an enhanced catalytic turnover activity, because identical k,,, values for ATP hydrolysis are obtained when DNA substrates lacking secondary structure are examined. In addition, the ssDNA-dependent ATPase activity of RecA803 protein displays greater resistance to inhibition by SSB (single-stranded DNA binding) protein. These properties of the RecA803 protein are not due to either an increased binding affinity for ssDNA or an increased kinetic lifetime of RecA803 protein-ssDNA complexes, demonstrating that altered protein-DNA stability is not the basis for the enhanced properties of RecA803 protein. However, the nucleation-limited rate of association with ssDNA is more rapid for the RecA803 protein than for wild-type RecA protein. Consequently, we suggest that altered protein-protein interactions may account for the differences between these two proteins. The implications of these results with regard to the partial suppression of recF mutations by recA803 are discussed (Madiraju et al., 1988).
Do Multiple Source Appeals Enhance the Confidence Level of Message Recipients

Cette etude examine dans quelle mesure la confiance dans leurs jugements de recepteurs de message peut etre influencee, par l'accroissement du nombre des sources et la variation de la qualite des arguments presentes dans le message. Utilisant l'approche des processus d'information proposee par Harkins et Petty (1981a), il est demontre que la polarisation des niveaux de confiance en reponse aux arguments, forts contre faibles, est plus grande quand les sujets sont exposea de multiples sources plutot qu'a des messages de source unique. S'ensuit une discussion sur les implications et les developpements d'une recherche future.
Forensic Applicability of Femur Subtrochanteric Shape to Ancestry Assessment in Thai and White American Males

Ancestry assessment from the postcranial skeleton presents a significant challenge to forensic anthropologists. However, metric dimensions of the femur subtrochanteric region are believed to distinguish between individuals of Asian and non-Asian descent. This study tests the discriminatory power of subtrochanteric shape using modern samples of 128 Thai and 77 White American males. Results indicate that the samples' platymeric index distributions are significantly different (p≤0.001), with the Thai platymeric index range generally lower and the White American range generally higher. While the application of ancestry assessment methods developed from Native American subtrochanteric data results in low correct classification rates for the Thai sample (50.8-57.8%), adapting these methods to the current samples leads to better classification. The Thai data may be more useful in forensic analysis than previously published subtrochanteric data derived from Native American samples. Adapting methods to include appropriate geographic and contemporaneous populations increases the accuracy of femur subtrochanteric ancestry methods.
Interactive color palette tools

Color is one of the basic building blocks of image creation, yet many computer-based methods for selecting and working with colors remain unchanged from the time of their invention two decades ago. Although some advanced color tools are available for specific tasks, such as color correction, virtually none exist to help users select a set of colors and work with them effectively. The author's tool set extends graphics applications ability to mix and organize colors; explore color combinations; and solicit historical, theoretical, or expert sources.
Sevoflurane and bradycardia in infants with trisomy 21: A case report and review of the literature

Various perioperative concerns have been reported in patients with trisomy 21 including associated congenital heart disease, atlantoaxial instability, tracheal and subglottic stenosis, a predisposition to respiratory complications, hypothyroidism, and macroglossia leading to sleep disordered breathing. The recent literature has also suggested a propensity for the development of significant bradycardia during inhalation induction with sevoflurane. We present a 2-year-old girl with trisomy 21 who developed the rapid onset of bradycardia during anesthetic induction with sevoflurane. Previous reports are reviewed, postulated mechanisms discussed, and preventative strategies presented.