cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modifying a dynamic global vegetation model for simulating large spatial scale land surface water balances

Satellite-based data, such as vegetation type and fractional vegetation cover, are widely used in hydrologic models to prescribe the vegetation state in a study region. Dynamic global vegetation models (DGVM) simulate land surface hydrology. Incorporation of satellite-based data into a DGVM may enhance a model's ability to simulate land surface hydrology by reducing the task of model parameterization and providing distributed information on land characteristics. The objectives of this study are to (i) modify a DGVM for simulating land surface water balances; (ii) evaluate the modified model in simulating actual evapotranspiration (ET), soil moisture, and surface runoff at regional or watershed scales; and (iii) gain insight into the ability of both the original and modified model to simulate large spatial scale land surface hydrology. To achieve these objectives, we introduce the "LPJ-hydrology" (LH) model which incorporates satellite-based data into the Lund-Potsdam-Jena (LPJ) DGVM. To evaluate the model we ran LH using historical (1981–2006) climate data and satellite-based land covers at 2.5 arc-min grid cells for the conterminous US and for the entire world using coarser climate and land cover data. We evaluated the simulated ET, soil moisture, and surface runoff using a set of observed or simulated data at different spatial scales. Our results demonstrate that spatial patterns of LH-simulated annual ET and surface runoff are in accordance with previously published data for the US; LH-modeled monthly stream flow for 12 major rivers in the US was consistent with observed values respectively during the years 1981–2006 ( R 2 > 0.46, p 0.52). The modeled mean annual discharges for 10 major rivers worldwide also agreed well (differences R 2 = 0.79, p < 0.01) with observed data for the years 1984–2001. Overall, this study justifies both the feasibility of incorporating satellite-based land covers into a DGVM and the reliability of LH to simulate land-surface water balances. To better estimate surface/river runoff at mid-to-high latitudes, we recommended that LPJ-DGVM considers the effects of solar radiation on snowmelt.
Putting the 2007/2008 global food crisis in longer-term perspective: Trends in staple food affordability in urban Zambia and Kenya

Abstract Staple food prices in cities in eastern and southern Africa rose sharply between late 2007 and early 2009, leading to estimates of massive increases in food insecurity and hunger. However, in assessing the impacts of soaring food prices on urban consumers’ access to food it is important to consider food price changes relative to changes in per capita incomes. In this study, we use the case studies of Zambia and Kenya, where data are available on food prices, wage rates, incomes, and other indicators of urban purchasing power to answer two main questions: (i) how did staple food purchasing power at the height of the food price crisis compare to levels over the last 15 years? and (ii) did the food price crisis exacerbate an already declining trend in staple food purchasing power, or did it reverse a trend of stable or improving staple food affordability? Results indicate that staple food purchasing power in urban Zambia and Kenya improved markedly in the 10–12 years prior to the food price crisis. Most measures of bread and maize meal affordability at the start of the crisis in 2007 were at levels 1.0–4.3 times higher than in the mid-1990s. These gains for urban consumers were slashed but not completely reversed during the food crisis. Between 2007 and 2009, maize meal and bread were still more affordable in urban Zambia than all periods between 1994 and 2003. In urban Kenya, staple food purchasing power as of 2008/2009 was comparable to levels in 2000/2001–2004/2005 according to some indicators, while other measures suggest that the food price crisis reduced staple food purchasing power to levels lower than any other year in the period 1994/1995–2007/2008.
Crystallization and Preliminary X-ray Analysis of an Escherichia coli Purine Repressor-Hypoxanthine-DNA Complex

The purine repressor (PurR) is a DNA-binding protein, which together with a purine corepressor serves to regulate de novo purine and pyrimidine biosynthesis in Escherichia coli. PurR belongs to the structurally homologous lac repressor family of transcription regulators. A PurR-hypoxanthine-DNA complex has been crystallized, with DNA encompassing the high affinity purF operator site and which is 16 base-pairs long with 5'-deoxynucleoside overhangs on each complementary strand. The crystals diffract to better than 2.6 A and take the orthorhombic space group C222(1), with unit cell dimensions a = 175.9 A, b = 94.8 A and c = 81.8 A. The structure determination of this PurR-hypoxanthine-DNA complex will provide the first high resolution view of a Lacl member-DNA complex.
Energy Harvesting from Highly Unsteady Fluid Flows using Piezoelectric Materials

In the present work we explore some aspects of energy harvesting from unsteady, turbulent fluid flow using piezoelectric generators. Turbulent flows exhibit a large degree of coherence in their spatial and temporal scales, which provides a unique opportunity for energy harvesting. The voltage generated by short, flexible piezoelectric cantilever beams placed inside turbulent boundary layers and wakes of circular cylinders at high Reynolds numbers is investigated. Matching the fluid flow's predominant frequency with the natural frequency of the piezoelectric generator appears to maximize the piezoelectric output voltage. This voltage is also dependent on the generator's location inside the flow field. A three-way coupled interaction simulation that takes into account the aerodynamics, structural vibration, and electrical response of the piezoelectric generator has been developed. The simulation results agree reasonably well with the experimental data paving the way of using such a tool to estimate the performance of different energy harvesting devices within unsteady flow fields.
Effect of Load on Close-Coupled Post-Injection Efficacy for Soot Reduction in an Optical Heavy-Duty Diesel Research Engine

The use of close-coupled post injections of fuel is an in-cylinder soot-reduction technique that has much promise for high efficiency, heavy-duty diesel engines. Close-coupled post injections, short injections of fuel that occur soon after the end of the main fuel injection, have been known to reduce engine-out soot at a wide range of engine operating conditions, including variations in injection timing, EGR level, load, boost, and speed. While many studies have investigated the performance of post injections, the details of the mechanism by which soot is reduced remains unclear. In this study, we have measured the efficacy of post injections over a range of load conditions, at constant speed, boost, and rail pressure, in a heavy-duty, optically-accessible research diesel engine. Here, the base load is varied by changing the main-injection duration. Measurements of engine-out soot indicate that not only does the efficacy of a post injection decrease at higher engine loads, but that the range of post-injection durations over which soot reduction is achievable is limited at higher loads. Optical measurements, including natural luminescence of soot and planar laser-induced incandescence of soot, provide information about the spatio-temporal development of in-cylinder soot through the cycle in cases with and without post injections. The optical results indicate that the post injection behaves similarly at different loads, but that its relative efficacy decreases due to the increase in soot resulting from longer main-injection durations.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Mind the gap: academic library outreach and EOP

Purpose – This article aims to describe the many ways academic library outreach practices are evolving through online formats. It underscores the implications of moving communications and resources online for educational opportunity program (EOP) students when considering these students' specific technology usage patterns and the need for face‐to‐face mentoring. The article seeks to make recommendations for libraries that intend to develop successful programming and interactions with transitional students online; and to bring to light the need for future research concerning the creation and usage of online educational support structures that specifically serve the EOP community.Design/methodology/approach – A literature review discusses technology and academic library outreach programming as well as the historic and current digital divide and learning styles of EOP transitional students. Recommendations are made for how to best meet EOP student needs online to support the traditional in‐person programming...
The Evolution of a Migraine Attack – A Review of Recent Evidence

A migraine attack is an extraordinarily complex brain event that takes place over hours to days. This review focuses on recent human studies that shed light on the evolution of a migraine attack. It begins with a constellation of premonitory symptoms that are associated with activation of the hypothalamus and may involve the neurotransmitter dopamine. Even in the premonitory phase, patients experience sensitivity to sensory stimuli, indicating that central sensitization is a primary phenomenon. The migraine attack progresses to a phase that in some patients includes aura, which involves changes in cortical function, blood flow, and neurovascular coupling. The aura phase overlaps with the headache phase, which is associated with further changes in blood flow and function of the brainstem, thalamus, hypothalamus, and cortex. Serotonin receptors, nitric oxide, calcitonin gene-related peptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, and prostanoids are demonstrated specific chemical mediators of migraine based on therapeutic and triggered migraine studies. A number of migraine symptoms persist beyond resolution of headache into a postdromal phase, accompanied by persistent blood flow changes in several brain regions. Although these phases of migraine have substantial temporal, neurochemical, and anatomical overlap, each represents an important window onto the pathophysiology of migraine as well as a target for therapeutic intervention. A comprehensive approach to migraine requires an understanding of the entire range of mechanisms and resultant symptoms that occur throughout the evolution of an attack.
Life behind cell walls: paradigm lost, paradigm regained.

This review of the living cell wall [1] and its protein components is in two parts. The first is anecdotal. A personal account spanning over 40 years research may perhaps be an antidote to one stereotypical view of scientists as detached and humorless. The second part deals with the meaning of function, particularly as it applies to hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins. Function is a difficult word to define objectively. However, with help from such luminaries as Humpty Dumpty: "A word means what I want it to mean, neither more nor less," and Wittgenstein: "Giving examples of usage ... is the only way to talk about meaning," it is possible to construct a ziggurat representing increasingly complex levels of organization from molecular structure to ecology. Forty years ago I suggested that hydroxyproline-rich structural proteins played a key role in cell wall functioning. But because the bulk of the wall is carbohydrate, there has been an understandable resistance to paradigm change. Expansins, paradoxically, contribute greatly to this resistance because their modus operandi as cell-wall-loosening proteins is based on the idea that they break hydrogen bonds between polysaccharide chains allowing slippage. However, this view is not consistent with the recent discovery [Grobe et al. (1999) Eur. J. Biochem 263: 33-40] that β-expansins may be proteases, as it implies that the extensin network is not a straightjacket but a substrate for expansin in muro. Such a direct role for extensins in both negative and positive regulation of cell expansion and elongation may constitute a major morphogenetic mechanism operating at all levels of plant growth and development.
Hepatic gene therapy: Efficient retroviral-mediated gene transfer into rat hepatocytes in vivo

The rat is an excellent model for gene therapy because there are many rat models for human diseases. We have developed a simple and efficient method to deliver genes to the rat liver using recombinant retroviral vectors. A 70% partial hepatectomy followed by retroviral infusion into the portal vein results in 10–15% hepatocyte transduction in vivo. This is 10 times more efficient than in the mouse due partially to the observation that the rat livers have much more synchronous hepatocyte replication after partial hepatectomy. Using a recombinant retroviral vector containing the human α1-antitrypsin cDNA, persistent expression of the human protein in recipient rat plasma was observed for at least six months and at a level that is 10 times greater than the mouse. Thus, rats can serve as an excellent model for gene therapy of metabolic disorders secondary to hepatic deficiencies.
3-D imaging in gastrointestinal laparoscopy.

This section is designed to bring forward some of the latest innovative technology with explanations in terms that will clarify their importance to the discipline of surgery. Through the efforts of the Innovative Technology Committee of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), leading experts in various areas will be invited to present a summary of new technology, often including their pioneering work.
Imperfection-sensitivity in the plastic range

The effect of small imperfections on the buckling of continuous structures loaded into the plastic range is studied. A simple model study is presented and several additional examples are discussed. The role of the load at which elastic unloading first occurs is emphasized, and a general asymptotic analysis is given for the behavior prior to the onset of elastic unloading for a class of elastic-plastic solids subject to loads characterized by a single load parameter. Asymptotic imperfection-sensitivity formulae are obtained whose features are similar to analogous formulae for elastic structures.
Discrete-time growth-dispersal models with shifting species ranges

Many species are responding to global climate change by shifting their ranges poleward in latitude or upward in elevation. We analyze an integrodifference equation that combines growth, dispersal, and a constant-speed, climate-induced range shift and find that a shifting population can die out, even if the width of its range remains constant. We show how to determine the critical range-shift speed (for extinction) and study the effects of the growth rate and of the shape and scale of the dispersal kernel on persistence.
Convenient, asymmetric synthesis of enantiomerically pure 2',6'- dimethyltyrosine (DMT) via alkylation of chiral equivalent of nucleophilic glycine

Abstract Asymmetric synthesis of ( S )-2′,6′-dimethyltyrosine (DMT) via reactions of 4′-benzyloxy-2′,6′-dimethylbenzyl bromide with Ni(II)-complexes of the chiral Schiff base of glycine with ( S )- o -[ N -( N -benzylprolyl)amino]benzophenone was developed. Inexpensive and readily available reagents and solvents involved, including recyclable chiral auxiliary, simplicity of the experimental procedures and high chemical yields, make this method synthetically attractive for preparing the target amino acids on a multi-gram scale.
A Collaborative Adaptive Wiener Filter for Multi-frame Super-resolution

Factors that can limit the effective resolution of an imaging system may include aliasing from under-sampling, blur from the optics and external factors, and sensor noise. Image restoration and super-resolution (SR) techniques can be used to improve image resolution. One SR method, developed recently, is the adaptive Wiener filter (AWF) SR algorithm. This is a multi-frame SR method that combines registered temporal frames through a joint nonuniform interpolation and restoration process to provide a high-resolution image estimate. Variations of this method have been demonstrated to be effective for multi-frame SR, as well demosaicing RGB and polarimetric imagery. While the AWF SR method effectively exploits subpixel shifts between temporal frames, it does not exploit self similarity within the observed imagery. However, very recently, the current authors have developed a multi-patch extension of the AWF method. This new method is referred to as a collaborative AWF (CAWF). The CAWF method employs a finite size moving window. At each position, we identify the most similar patches in the image within a given search window about the reference patch. A single-stage weighted sum of all of the pixels in all of the similar patches is used to estimate the center pixel in the reference patch. Like the AWF, the CAWF can perform nonuniform interpolation, deblurring, and denoising jointly. The big advantage of the CAWF, versus the AWF, is the CAWF can also exploit self-similarity. This is particularly beneficial for treating low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) imagery. To date, the CAWF has only been developed for Nyquist-sampled single-frame image restoration. In this paper, we extend the CAWF method for multi-frame SR. We provide a quantitative performance comparison between the CAWF SR and the AWF SR techniques using real and simulated data. We demonstrate that CAWF SR outperforms AWF SR, especially in low SNR applications.
Intererence analysis tools for parallelizing programs with recursive data structures

Interference estimation is a useful tool in developing parallel programs and is a key aspect of automatically parallelizing sequential programs. Interference analysis and disambiguation mechanisms for programs with simple data types and arrays have become a standard part of parallelizing and vectorizing compilers. However, efficient and implementable techniques for interference analysis in the presence of dynamic data-structures have yet to be developed. In this paper we study the problem of estimating interference in an imperative language with dynamic data-structures. We focus on developing efficient and implementable methods for regular recursive data-structures. We illustrate the approach by presenting a method for analysing trees and DAGs. In particular, we develop a structural flow-analysis technique that allows us to estimate whether two statements affect disjoint sub-trees of a forest of dynamically-allocated trees and DAGs. The method is based on a regular-expression-like representation of the relationships between accessible nodes in the forest. We have implemented our analysis and have obtained some very promising preliminary results.
LESSONS LEARNED FROM LOOSENING OF THE MCKEE-FARRAR METAL-ON-METAL TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT

Clinical and radiographic data for 15 McKee-Farrar hip replacements that had failed because of aseptic loosening (4 stem loosening, 9 cup loosening, and 2 loosening of both components) between 0.6 and 21 years (average, 8.3 years) were compared with 15 hips in which the McKee-Farrar total hip replacement has survived between 21 and 26 years. Hips that loosened were biomechanically disadvantaged compared with those that demonstrated long-term survival. Radiographic evaluation demonstrated that in hips that were revised for aseptic femoral loosening, the offset was decreased by a mean of 1.4, whereas it was increased by a mean of 4.9 mm in the surviving hips (P = .04). Further, in hips revised for aseptic loosening, the center of rotation was medialized by a mean of only 1.4 mm, whereas the center of rotation was medialized by a mean of 6.4 mm in the surviving hips (P = .1). Unfavorable biomechanics results in increased joint reaction forces that could contribute to loosening of these prostheses. Five of 6 McKee-Farrar stems revised for aseptic loosening compared with 7 of 15 surviving stems were in varus (P = .1) and, as a result, had cement mantle defects in zones III and VII. Thus, in the McKee-Farrar, similar to what has been seen in hips with metal-on-plastic bearings, curved stems are associated with varus positioning, cement mantle defects, and loosening. Wear of the metal-on-metal articulation does not appear to be the cause of failure in these cases. Wear could not be detected radiographically. At revision surgery, there was no indication of excessive bearing wear or gross metal staining of periprosthetic tissues. Microscopic analysis of tissue sections demonstrated both metal and polymethylmethacrylate particles of variable size and shape. The variability of the particles suggests that they are likely the result of loosening and that they were not generated by bearing surface wear that could cause loosening. Although it is hoped that improvements in the wear resistance of the bearing will increase survivorship, this experience and analysis of the McKee-Farrar total hip replacement illustrates the importance of the implant design, biomechanics of the reconstruction, and role of surgical implantation technique.
Exploratory study into the effects of an electric field and of high current density electropulsing on the plastic deformation of TiAl

Abstract The effects of an external electric field (2 kV/cm) and of high density electric current pulsing (2×104 A/cm2, 60 μs duration and 20 pulses per second) on the stress–strain curve of TiAl in compression at 600 °C were determined. The field gave a significant reduction in yield stress followed by a moderate increase in strain hardening. In contrast, electropulsing increased the yield stress and gave a smaller increase in strain hardening. The effects of the electric field and of electropulsing developed during the early stages of plastic deformation (e
Mechanistic study of Borosilicate glass growth by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition from tetraethylorthosilicate and trimethylborate

A reaction mechanism and film morphology as a function of reactor conditions and post growth thermal annealing for borosilicate glass (BSG), (SiO2)x(B2O3)1−x, films deposited from tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), trimethylborate (TMB), and oxygen (O2) precursors by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) was determined. An empirically derived reaction model for BSG film growth is proposed that predicts the growth rate and composition of BSG films up to 70 mole% B2O3. The BSG reaction model includes a strongly adsorbed TEOS-derived intermediate that forms SiO2 and a direct surface reaction of TMB, in O2, to form B2O3. This model is supported by growth rate and mass spectroscopic data. The BSG film morphology, investigated using atomic force microscopy, was found to have a root-mean-square roughness of 0.5 nm, with the precise film morphology being a function of reactor conditions. The BSG film roughness increases with film thickness, temperature, and boron content. Thermal annealing of the films in a water-free environment leads to planarization of the BSG governed by the film composition and anneal temperature.
Differentiation, perceived stress and therapeutic alliance as key factors in the early stage of couple therapy

A sample of 168 couples were assessed at intake and over the first six sessions of treatment providing the opportunity to investigate not only the impact of client and common factors on initial levels of satisfaction, but also trajectories of change in satisfaction over time. The study used multi-level modelling to examine changes in relationship satisfaction for both partners, thus enabling the couple to be maintained as the unit of analysis. We first examined changes in satisfaction and, having discovered differences there, we then investigated the impact of client factors of differentiation and stress in explaining these differences in relationship satisfaction. Finally we explored the additional influence of the common factor, therapeutic alliance, while controlling for the client factors, on relationship satisfaction.
Psychosocial Factors and Interleukin-6 among Women with Advanced Ovarian Cancer

BACKGROUND Relations among psychological stress, depression, social support, and interleukin-6 (IL-6, a proinflammatory cytokine) have been documented in humans and animals. Because elevated IL-6 is associated with a poorer prognosis among ovarian cancer patients and has been implicated in the metastasis of ovarian cancer, the current study examined relations between psychosocial factors and IL-6 among women with advanced-stage ovarian cancer. METHODS Sixty-one ovarian cancer patients completed assessments of social support, distressed mood, and quality of life before surgery. Peripheral blood was drawn preoperatively, and the plasma was assayed for IL-6. Ascites samples were also assayed for IL-6 for a subset of patients. RESULTS Both IL-6 levels and distressed mood were elevated among patients. After statistically adjusting effects of age and disease stage, social attachment was associated with lower levels of IL-6 in peripheral blood (P = 0.03), whereas poorer health-related quality of life was associated with higher IL-6 (P values ranged from 0.01 to 0.03 on different measures). This pattern of relations was also found in the ascites. Moreover, IL-6 levels in peripheral blood plasma correlated significantly with IL-6 in the ascites (P < 0.001), suggesting that peripheral IL-6 reflects IL-6 levels at the site of the tumor. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that social support may play a protective role with respect to IL-6 elevations, and IL-6 may be an independent marker of health-related quality of life among ovarian cancer patients. Processes involving IL-6 represent possible pathways by which behavioral factors may contribute to disease outcomes among women with ovarian cancer. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
A new structurally constrained dioxocyclam ligand: synthesis, characterization and molecular structure comparison of its nickel(II) complex with the nickel(II) complex of dioxocyclam

Abstract The structurally constrained dioxocyclam ligand, 1,4,8,11-tetraazabicyclo[9.3.3]heptadecane-5,7-dione, H2dc3, was prepared by refluxing 1,3-propanediol di-p-tosylate with dioxocyclam. The corresponding Ni(II) complex, Ni(dc3), has been prepared and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. In addition, the structure of the dioxocyclam complex of Ni(II), Ni(dc), has been determined for comparison with Ni(dc3). In both cases, the Ni(II) sits in a square planar array of four nitrogens. However, the constraint imposed by the additional trimethylene strap in Ni(dc3) causes the Ni(II) to be farther out of the plane of the four nitrogens (0.089(1) A) than in Ni(dc) (0.039(1) A), resulting in a lower than expected ligand field strength for Ni(dc3). The arrangement of the three carbon straps and their potential to interact with the metal center are also discussed.
Effect of Salt Concentration on the Drag Reduction Efficiency of Polyethylene Oxide Polymers

THE effect of salt concentration on the drag reduction of non-ionic polymers such as polyethylene oxide has been briefly discussed1,2 and it is generally accepted that the presence of salt to the extent typical of the world oceans has little or no effect on the drag reduction observed. It is known, however, that the presence of salts in general has a decided effect on polyethylene oxide solution characteristics such as precipitation temperature and intrinsic viscosity3, particularly at higher salt concentrations. It would be reasonable to suspect therefore that salinity will have an analogous effect on the drag reduction characteristics of these polymers.
Robotic-assisted cystogastrostomy for a patient with a pancreatic pseudocyst

Pancreatic pseudocysts are generally treated by endoscopic cystogastrostomy. However, difficult cases involving abscess, necrosis, or risk of hemorrhage often require surgical intervention. Here, we report a case of a robotically assisted cystogastrostomy. The patient presented with an infected pseudocyst with adjacent varices. Use of the da Vinci Surgical System allowed us to create a widely patent anastomosis between the pseudocyst and the stomach. The patient tolerated the procedure well without any complications. This report demonstrates the feasibility of robotic cystogastrostomy.
Distribution of mtDNA haplogroup X among Native North Americans.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) samples of 70 Native Americans, most of whom had been found not to belong to any of the four common Native American haplogroups (A, B, C, and D), were analyzed for the presence of Dde I site losses at np 1715 and np 10394. These two mutations are characteristic of haplogroup X which might be of European origin. The first hypervariable segment (HVSI) of the non-coding control region (CR) of mtDNA of a representative selection of samples exhibiting these mutations was sequenced to confirm their assignment to haplogroup X. Thirty-two of the samples exhibited the restriction site losses characteristic of haplogroup X and, when sequenced, a representative selection (n = 11) of these exhibited the CR mutations commonly associated with haplogroup X, C --> T transitions at np 16278 and 16223, in addition to as many as three other HVSI mutations. The wide distribution of this haplogroup throughout North America, and its prehistoric presence there, are consistent with its being a fifth founding haplogroup exhibited by about 3% of modern Native Americans. Its markedly nonrandom distribution with high frequency in certain regions, as for the other four major mtDNA haplogroups, should facilitate establishing ancestor/descendant relationships between modern and prehistoric groups of Native Americans. The low frequency of haplogroups other than A, B, C, D, and X among the samples studied suggests a paucity of both recent non-Native American maternal admixture in alleged fullblood Native Americans and mutations at the restriction sites that characterize the five haplogroups as well as the absence of additional (undiscovered) founding haplogroups.
Instrumental values: a five‐nation comparative study

Compares the values underlying the behaviour of a sample of 87 US, 56 Jamaican, 42 Bahamian, 106 Colombian, and 12 Israeli managers and professional staff. Refers to literature defining individualism and collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, power distance, and masculinity/femininity; as well as literature establishing these values as instrumental or terminal. Hypothesizes that each country‘s respondents will record different instrumental values, with the US respondents being ambitious, independent, intellectual and logical (vertically individualist); the Colombian, Jamaican and Bahamians being ambitious, cheerful, forgiving, helpful, loving, obedient and polite; and the Israelis also valuing the latter six qualities. Describes the methodology used and data analysis. Indicates expected results from the findings, other than the Jamaicans and Bahamians were found to value ambition and independence more highly than hypothesized, and the Israelis valued love and obedience but not cheerfulness and forgiveness. Discusses the implications of the findings in the light of the high failure rate of expatriate assignments.
A kinematic analysis of the Indian/Atlantic interocean exchange

We analyze the Indian/Atlantic interocean exchanges in an eddy-permitting numerical simulation focusing on the Cape Basin, a region of the southeastern Atlantic bounded on the northwest by the Walvis Ridge and on the south by the Agulhas Ridge (near 40°S). To quantify the relative importance of the different dynamical mechanisms involved in the interocean exchange, we separated the climatological mean circulation from the transients. The analysis indicates that Agulhas eddies influence not only the transient but also fluxes associated with the mean circulation (eddy fluxes, for example, supply most of the energy of the Benguela Current). A distinctive characteristic of the eddy variability within the Cape Basin is the co-existence of cyclonic and anticyclonic vortices in dipole structures that resemble the Heton model of Hogg and Stommel (Proc. R. Soc. London. A 397 (1985) 1). Anticyclones are surface-intensified vortices that, in spite of their baroclinic structure, reach to deep layers. Cyclones are bottom-intensified vortices with dominant barotropic structure that projects into the upper layer. The propagation of both cyclones and anticyclones is strongly affected by the bottom topography. Our analysis shows that the Walvis Ridge and the Vema Seamount block the passage of bottom-intensified cyclones and changes the trajectories of the upper-intensified anticyclones. Although most anticyclones are able to escape the basin, the deep compensation generated by the ridge generates an energy loss of approximately 30%, and a change of the eddy trajectory to a more westward direction.
The behaviour of California ground squirrels

Abstract This report describes the general behaviour patterns, spacing patterns and alarm vocalizations of California ground squirrels ( Spermophilus beecheyi ) as observed in three successive springs of research. Functions are suggested for most behaviour patterns. Males maintain home ranges relatively exclusive of other males via site-specific aggression. Female home ranges overlap extensively with those of other females, and defence is confined to the immediate vicinity of the burrow. Both sexes respond to avian and mammalian predators with relatively predator-specific vocalizations.
Differences in food consumption under intermittent and continuous reinforcement schedules of water delivery: Some implications for schedule-induced behavior

Consumption of food pellets was examined in four water-deprived rats during 1-h sessions in which water was presented once every 30, 60, or 120 sec independently of the rats’ behavior according to three fixed-time (FT) schedules. Correlated with each FT condition was a continuous reinforcement (CRF) control condition in which the rats received, at the start of the session, the number of dipper presentations that were programmed to occur during the corresponding FT condition. During both the FT and CRF conditions, pellets per dipper presentation decreased and food intake rate increased with rate of water presentation, and there was a direct linear relation between log food intake and log water intake. For each of these three measures there was less eating under the FT condition than under the CRF condition, but the difference between the FT and CRF functions decreased at shorter FT values. These data are discussed in terms of the effects of amount of water on food consumption and the principle of temporal summation.
A Comparison of Seeded and Nonseeded Orographic Cloud Simulations with an Explicit Cloud Model

Abstract Ice initiation by specific cloud seeding aerosols, quantified in laboratory studies, has been formulated for use in mesoscale numerical cloud models. This detailed approach, which explicitly represents artificial ice nuclei activation, is unique for mesoscale simulators of cloud seeding. This new scheme was applied in the simulation of an orographic precipitation event seeded with the specific aerosols on 18 December 1986 from the Sierra Cooperative Pilot Project using the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS). Total ice concentrations formed following seeding agreed well with observations. RAMS's three-dimensional results showed that the new seeding parameterization impacted the microphysical fields producing increased pristine ice crystal, aggregate, and graupel mass downstream of the seeded regions. Pristine ice concentration also increased as much as an order of magnitude in some locations due to seeding. Precipitation augmentation due to the seeding was 0.10.7 mm, similar to values in...
Creep behavior of a reinforced Al-7005 alloy: Implications for the creep processes in metal matrix composites

Creep tests were conducted on an Al-7005 matrix alloy reinforced with 20 vol.% of irregularly shaped Al2O3 particulates. The results, which cover almost six orders of magnitude of strain rate, give high values for the apparent stress exponent and the apparent activation energy for creep. The introduction of a threshold stress into the analysis leads to a stress exponent of ∼4.4 and data which are consistent with creep controlled by a dislocation climb process and class M behavior in the Al-7005 matrix alloy. These results are compared with an earlier report of creep behavior in an Al-6061 matrix composite, also reinforced with 20 vol.% of irregularly shaped Al2O3 particulates, where the stress exponent was close to three and the data were consistent with control by a dislocation glide process and class A behavior in the Al-6061 matrix alloy. It is shown that the creep of metal matrix composites is controlled by creep of the matrix alloys and there is a consequent division of the creep behavior of the composites into two types, class M and class A, as in the creep of solid solution alloys.
IMAGES AND MENTAL MAPS

ABSTRACT “Image'’and “mental map'’appear frequently in the literature of environmental perception, often in an abstract or metaphorical sense. As psychological phenomena mental images do not play any essential role in spatial behavior, nor in abstract thinking. To account for spatial ability we need to postulate “schemata,'’rather than images and mental maps. The mental map, a special kind of image, does have its functions: for example, it is a mnemonic device; it allows mental practice which promotes assurance in subsequent physical performance; it is, like the real map, a way to organize data; it is an imaginary world, complex and attractive enough to tempt people out of their habitual rounds. To generate images focal attention seems necessary. In an inattentive state, skillful behavior in space is still possible under the guidance of somatic intelligence or schemata.
Modularity, flexibility, speed and stability: compromises in spinal reflex behaviours

The motor primitive concept has proven a useful one. It may be most effective to describe reflexes. The success of a force-field description for capturing multi-joint dynamic feedback effects in reflex behaviors in a simple way supports the force-field primitive framework. In the work summarized here reflexes can be expressed as a superposition of fields. It is possible that the primitives found at the spinal level in frogs and rats in reflex behaviors could also be directly incorporated in higher motor learning. Alternatively the primitives could form a way station that has been used in evolution and/or transiently during ontogeny to bootstrap stable learning systems which ultimately produce the collection of adult motor processes we think of as human motor learning, while primitives remain as the basis of the reflex repertoire of the unperturbed spinal cord.
Veritas: Combining Expert Opinions without Labeled Data

We consider a variation of the problem of combining expert opinions for the situation in which there is no ground truth to use for training. Even though we don't have labeled data, the goal of this work is quite different from an unsupervised learning problem in which the goal is to cluster the data into different groups. Our work is motivated by the application of segmenting a lung nodule in a computed tomography (CT) scan of the human chest. The lack of a gold standard of truth is a critical problem in medical imaging. A variety of experts, both human and computer algorithms, are available that can mark which voxels are part of a nodule. The question is, how to combine these expert opinions to estimate the unknown ground truth. We present the Veritas algorithm that predicts the underlying label using the knowledge in the expert opinions even without the benefit of any labeled data for training. We evaluate Veritas using artificial data and real CT images to which a synthetic nodule has been added, providing a known ground truth.
Note---Effects of Centralization on Expected Costs in a Multi-Location Newsboy Problem

This paper concerns a multilocation newsboy problem with normal demand at each location and identical linear holding and penalty cost functions at each location. Consolidation of demand from several facilities is considered, and an expression is derived for the resulting expected holding and penalty costs as a function of the demand parameters for each location means, variances, and correlation coefficients. The expression is used to demonstrate that i the expected holding and penalty costs in a decentralized system exceed those in a centralized system; ii the magnitude of the saving depends on the correlation of demands; and iii if demands are identical and uncorrelated, the costs increase as the square root of the number of consolidated demands.
Complications after preoperative combined modality therapy and radical resection of locally advanced rectal cancer: a 14-year experience from a specialty service.

Background Preoperative combined modality therapy followed by total mesorectal excision has emerged as the optimal treatment paradigm for locally advanced rectal cancer (T3 to 4, N1, or both). But its impact on postoperative complications has not been adequately evaluated. Our aims were to evaluate our comprehensive experience and identify factors predictive of complications in this patient population. Study design The study group consisted of 297 consecutive patients with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma treated with preoperative combined modality therapy (radiation: 5,040 cGy; chemotherapy: 5-FU-based) and then operation. Major complications were defined as those requiring medical or surgical treatment. A prospectively collected database was queried to determine the incidence of postoperative complications and associated clinicopathologic factors. Results Median followup was 43.9 months (range 0.8 to 128.6 months). There were no postoperative mortalities (within 30 days of operation). But there were 145 major complications in 98 patients (33% of study population). The most common complications were small bowel obstruction (n = 32 [11%]) and wound infection (n = 31 [10%]). There were eight anastomotic leaks (4%) and nine pelvic abscesses (4%) in patients treated with low anterior resection (n = 210). Preoperative comorbidity was the only clinicopathologic factor associated with postoperative complications (p = 0.02). Postoperative complications had no significant impact on oncologic outcomes. Conclusions Although postoperative mortalities are rare, complications requiring treatment can be anticipated in one-third of patients undergoing preoperative combined modality therapy and total mesorectal excision. A policy of selective fecal diversion after preoperative combined modality therapy and total mesorectal excision for locally advanced rectal cancer can achieve low rates of pelvic sepsis, but may lead to an increased incidence of small bowel obstruction.
Distribution, Status, and Likely Future Trends of Bull Trout within the Columbia River and Klamath River Basins

Abstract We summarized existing knowledge regarding the distribution and status of bull trout Salvelinus confluentus across 4,462 subwatersheds of the interior Columbia River basin in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada and of the Klamath River basin in Oregon, a region that represents about 20% of the species' global range. We used classification trees and the patterns of association between known distributions and landscape characteristics to predict the likely distribution of bull trout in unsampled subwatersheds. Bull trout are more likely to occur and the populations are more likely to be strong in colder, higher-elevation, low- to mid-order watersheds with lower road densities. Our results show that bull trout remain widely distributed and occur in most of the subbasins representing the potential range. Some strong and relatively secure populations exist. In general, bull trout are better represented in the region as a whole than many other native species. Important declines in distributi...
Research Report: Better Theory Through Measurement-Developing a Scale to Capture Consensus on Appropriation

Proper measurement is critical to the advancement of theory (Blalock 1979). Adaptive Structuration Theory (AST) is rapidly becoming an important theoretical paradigm for comprehending the impacts of advanced information technologies (DeSanctis and Poole 1994). Intended as a complement to the faithfulness of appropriation scale developed by Chin et al. (1997), this research note describes the development of an instrument to capture the AST construct of consensus on appropriation. Consensus on appropriation (COA) is the extent to which group participants perceive that they have agreed on how to adopt and use a technology. While consensus on appropriation is an important component of AST, no scale is currently available to capture this construct. This research note develops a COA instrument in the context of electronic meeting systems use. Initial item development, statistical analyses, and validity assessment (convergent, discriminant, and nomological) are described here in detail. The contribution of this effort is twofold: First, a scale is provided for an important construct from AST. Second, this report serves as an example of rigorous scale development using structural equation modeling. Employing rigorous procedures in the development of instruments to capture AST constructs is critical if the sound theoretical base provided by AST is to be fully exploited in understanding phenomena related to the use of advanced information technologies.
The Multiple Paradoxes of the Agriculture Issue in Central Asia

The European Education Initiative was launched as part of the EU-Central Asia Strategy in 2007. By 2009, the initiative had prioritised higher and vocational education and emphasised links with the Bologna Process. Attempts were made to establish the EU-Central Asia Education Platform - a re-branding of Tempus and Erasmus Mundus programmes within a set of specific activities - and outline the ways in which internal EU education policy development processes could be externalised to the Central Asia region. However, the slow and uncertain pace of development of the Education Initiative, with the exception of the CAREN programme, calls for analysis of the logic, content and practice of what has been attempted. It is also necessary to examine the political and institutional context that explains the lack of traction gained with education policy actors in the EU and Central Asia, and the prospects for a more compelling vision and concrete programme of implementation that could meet the real and urgent needs of Central Asian countries. Drawing on the evidence provided by participants in the development of the Education Initiative, this paper concludes by outlining an agenda for addressing its weaknesses.
Difference between the Brewster angle and angle of minimum reflectance for incident unpolarized or circularly polarized light at interfaces between transparent media.

For reflection at interfaces between transparent optically isotropic media, the difference between the Brewster angle ϕB of zero reflectance for incident p-polarized light and the angle ϕu min of minimum reflectance for incident unpolarized or circularly polarized light is considered as function of the relative refractive n in external and internal reflection. We determine the following. (i) ϕu min 1), the maximum difference (ϕB - ϕu min)max = 75° at n = 2 + √3. (iii) In internal reflection and 0 < n ≤ 2 - √3, (ϕB - ϕu min)max = 15° at n = 2 - √3; for 2 - √3 < n < 1, ϕu min = 0, and (ϕB - ϕu min)max = 45° as n → 1. (iv) For 2 - √3 ≤ n ≤ 2 + √3, the intensity reflectance R0 at normal incidence is in the range 0 ≤ R0 ≤ 1/3, ϕu min = 0, and ϕB - ϕu min = ϕB. (v) For internal reflection and 0 < n < 2 - √3, ϕu min exhibits an unexpected maximum (= 12.30°) at n = 0.24265. Finally, (vi) for 1/3 ≤ R0 < 1, Ru min at ϕu min is limited to the range 1/3 ≤ Ru min < 1/2.