cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Discovering Business Intelligence from the Subjective Web Data

The online word-of-mouth behavior that exists today in the Web represents new and measurable sources of information. The automated discovery or mining of consumer opinions from these sources is of great importance for marketing intelligence and product benchmarking. Techniques are now being developed to effectively and easily mine the consumer opinions from the Web data and to timely deliver them to companies and individual consumers. This study investigates this emerging field named â€˜opinion miningâ€™ in terms of what it is, what it can do, and how it could be used effectively for business intelligence (BI). A rigorous review of the research literature on opinion mining is conducted to explore its current state, issues and challenges for its use in developing business applications for competitive advantage. The study aims to assist business managers to better understand the current opportunities and challenges in using opinion mining for deriving BI. Future research directions for further development of the field are also identified.
Steady-state load curves for semi-conductor bolometers

The steady-state load curve, defined as the steady-state relation between the voltage across the bolometer and the current through it, is obtained theoretically for a bolometer whose sensitive material is a semi-conductor. The derivation is based on two physical postulates: (1) The resistivity varies with the absolute temperature T according to the factor eτ/T, where τ is a constant which depends on the nature of the semi-conductor; (2) the bolometer has a steady-state temperature rise above the ambient temperature which is proportional to the power dissipated in the bolometer by the current passing through it. The results are expressed in terms of a parameter x = T0/τ, where T0 is the ambient temperature, and indicate that there is a maximum in the voltage versus current curve when the value of x is less than 14; this prediction is fully confirmed by experiment. Five sets of curves are presented which indicate the form of the relations among the voltage across, the current through, the resistance of, and the power dissipated in, the bolometer.
Bladder and Sphincter Control after Spinal Cord Injury

A new neuroprosthesis to restore both continence and micturition was developed in chronic spinal cord injured (SCI) cats based on pudendal nerve stimulation and blockade. The present mini-review summarizes our progress in the design and development of a new stimulation strategy to implement this new neuroprosthesis. Our studies showed that the pudendal-to-bladder spinal reflex could be either excitatory or inhibitory, depending on the frequency of pudendal nerve stimulation. High-frequency biphasic electrical stimulation can reversibly block pudendal nerve conduction to suppress detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD). By combining the different frequencies of pudendal nerve stimulation, both continence and micturition could be restored in chronic SCI cats, indicating the possibility that a successful clinical application of this new stimulation strategy might be achieved in the near future.
Cellular systems as graphs.

The definition of an (M,R) is formulated in a way that emphasizes its mathematical properties. Neglecting interactions between the components, it is shown that: (1) An (M,R) contains only one non-reestablishable component. (2) If an (M,R) contains only one non-reestablishable component, then that component is central.
Nestmate Recognition in the Bald‐faced Hornet, Dolichovespula maculata (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Abstract and Summary Laboratory studies of nestmate recognition (114 h of blind, behavioral observations) were conducted on gynes (potential queens) of the bald-faced hornet, Dolichovespula maculata. Gynes isolated from their natal nest and nestmates, gynes exposed only to their nestmate gynes, and gynes exposed to both their natal nest and nestmates, later were more tolerant of their nestmates than they were of unrelated gynes. Thus, gynes of D. maculate have the ability to recognize their nestmate gynes apart from the context of the natal nest utilizing individually borne recognition cues. The isolation of a D. maculate gyne from its natal nest at emergence affects its development of recognition ability but, unlike Polistes, does not prevent it from later recognizing nestmates. This apparent difference in the ontogeny of nestmate recognition ability between the primitively eusocial Polistinae and the highly eusocial Vespinae may be at least partly attributable to behavioral differences between emerging gynes of the two subfamilies. Zusammenfassung Laborstudien zum Sippenerkennen (114 h ohne Kenntnis der Verwandtschaft) wurden an Weibchen der Wespe Dolichovespula maculata durchgefuhrt. Es gab drei Gruppen von Weibchen: 1. solche, die vom Geburtsnest und seinen Bewohnern abgesondert wurden (Isolierte); 2. solche, die nur mit ihren Nest-bewohnern Kontakt hatten (Nestkollegen); 3. solche, die mit ihrem Geburtsnest und den Nestbewohnern Kontakt hatten (Kontrollgruppe). Alle waren den Nestkollegen gegenuber toleranter als gegenuber unverwandten Weibchen. Weibchen von D. maculata konnen also ihre Nestkollegen auch auserhalb des Nestes erkennen, sie tragen Erkennungszeichen mit sich. Isolierung eines Weibchens vom Heimatnest nach dem Schlupfen beeintrachtigt zwar die Entwicklung der Erkennungsfahigkeit, verhindert aber — im Gegensatz zu Polistes-Wespen- nicht das spatere Erkennen von Nest-geschwistern. Dieser Unterschied in der Ontogenese des Sippenerkennens zwischen den primitiven Polistinae und den hochentwickelten eusozialen Vespinae mag zum Teil auf Verhaltensunterschiede zwischen den jungen Weibchen der zwei Subfamilien zuruckgehen.
Monkey brain cortex imaging by use of photoacoustic tomography

Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) is adopted to image the brain cortex of monkeys through the intact scalp and skull ex vivo. The reconstructed PAT image shows the main structure of the blood vessels on the monkey brain cortex. For comparison, the brain cortex is imaged without the scalp then imaged again without the scalp and skull. Ultrasound attenuation through the skull is also measured at various angles of incidence to illuminate the effect of the incident angle. This study demonstrates that PAT of the brain cortex is capable of surviving the ultrasound signal attenuation and distortion caused by a considerably thick skull.
An uneasy relationship : the tensions between medicine and the media

The enduring tensions between medicine and the media are largely due to the different perspectives of biomedical scientists and journalists, as this final essay in the series on medicine and the media underscores. These tensions arise because of perceived differences in defining science news, conflicts over styles of science reporting, and most of all disagreement about the role of the media. In the 1990s, scientists are especially concerned by media messages that question their credibility. Since scientists and journalists depend on each other in the communication of science and the shaping of the public meaning of science and medicine, the tensions are likely to increase.
Binding of bivalent ligand to cell surface IgE: can one detect ring formation?

Abstract It is well established that aggregation of cell surface immunoglobulin is involved in signal transduction by cells of the immune system. It is less well understood what special properties of these cell surface aggregates are important in initiating the signal cascade. Several authors have proposed that cells respond to the size (Fewtrell and Metzger (1980) J. Immun. 125 , 701–710) as well as the stereochemistry (Ortega et al. (1989) Eur. J. Immun. 19 , 2251–2256) of receptor aggregates. One approach to arriving at data relevant to this question has been to construct simple bivalent ligands that can bind to surface immunoglobulin. Several authors have suggested that when these bivalent ligands interact with surface immunoglobulin the formation of small stable cyclic complexes is highly favored. In this paper we consider whether it is possible to completely determine the parameters that describe the binding of a bivalent ligand to a bivalent receptor with the available experimental technology. We show that with the appropriate analysis procedure, using a modified equivalent site model, these parameters can be reliably determined from only three experiments even when there is a large amount of ring formation.
Velocity Dispersions In Sandstones

Ultrasonic compressional (V,) and shear (V,) velocities were measured on 69 sandstone samples, at dried and watersaturated states under external confining pressure up to 50 MPa and internal pore pressure 1 MPa. Porosities of the samples ranged from 5 to 30 percent and volume clay content of the samples ranged from 0 to 50 percent. These velocity data were treated to estimate velocity dispersion on saturated sandstones with frequencies from 1 MHz to 1 Hz using the Biot-Gassmann theory proposed by Winkler (1985, 1986). Biot velocity dispersions (BVD) were defined as differences between the highand the low-frequency (say 1 Hz) limits calculated from the Biot theory. Apparent velocity dispersions (AVD) were defined ss discrepancies between the ultrasonic saturated velocity and the low-frequency limit of the Biot theory. Both BVD and AVD are normalized by ultrasonic water-saturated velocity. In our samples, the BVD are about 1 percent or less, increasing with increasing porosity and effective stress, and decreasing with increasing clay content. For well cemented sandstones, especially clean sandstones, the AVD agree well with the BVD, which is similar to dispersion behavior of fused glass beads noted by Winkler (1985). For poorly cemented shaly sandstones, the AVD (4 to 9 percent) are much greater than the BVD. This suggests presence of some non-Biot absorption/dispersion mechanisms. The non-Biot velocity dispersions (NBVD) appear to decrease with increasing porosity and effective stress, and increase with increasing clay content. The effects of porosity, clay content and effective stress are all suppressed by increasing grain cement, contact and compaction.
LibraryFind: System design and usability testing of academic metasearch system

Using off-the-shelf search technology provides a single point of access into library resources, but we found that such commercial systems are not entirely satisfactory for the academic library setting. In response to this, Oregon State University (OSU) Libraries designed and deployed LibraryFind, a metasearch system. We conducted a usability experiment comparing LibraryFind, the OSU Libraries Web site, and Google Scholar. Each participant used all three search systems in a controlled setting, and we recorded their behavior to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of each search system. In this article, we focus on understanding what factors are important to undergraduates in choosing their primary academic search system for class assignments. Based on a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the results, we found that mimicking commercial Web search engines is an important factor to attract undergradu-ates; however, when undergraduates use these kinds of search engines, they expect similar performance to Web search engines, including factors such as relevance, speed, and the availability of a spell checker. They also expected to be able to find out what kinds of content and materials are available in a system. Participants' prior experience using academic search systems also affected their expectations of a new system. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Amorphous solidification of pure metals in submicron spheres

Abstract Submicron droplets of high purity elemental metals have been sprayed in high vacuum by electrohydrodynamic atomization. It is found that under these extreme conditions of high cooling rate and very small liquid volume, some pure metals solidify from the melt as an amorphous phase. A systematic study has been conducted for 15 metals plus silicon and germanium of the distribution of the amorphous phase with droplet size, f.c.c., b.c.c. and h.c.p. metals have been studied and it is found that the b.c.c. metals form an amorphous phase much more readily. The observed maximum diameter of amorphous spheres is less than 100 nm in all cases and is used as experimental input to an analytical simulation to determine the glass transition temperatures of the metals in each case. In general, amorphous phases are found in metals that have a reduced glass transition temperature of greater than 0.44. The dependence of glass transition temperature on other physical properties such as enthalpy of fusion and enthalpy of vaporization is also presented.
Becoming Who We Are: Democracy and the Political Problem of Hope

In this article I argue that hope is rightly numbered by Hesiod among the evils, as hope cannot be separated from an awareness of the inadequacy of one's current state. Political hope for democrats in particular is tied to the awareness that we have not yet realized ourselves, that, to paraphrase Pindar, we have not yet become who we are. I argue that, although Rorty comes close to articulating this in his book Achieving Our Country, his emphasis on pride ultimately obscures more than it reveals. I conclude that Thoreau's anguished reflection in Walden on the failures of his fellow citizens is a better place to look for instruction on the question of political hope.
Animal models for AIDS

Animal models will play a central role in AIDS research in the coming years. Important models for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-induced disease in humans include HIV-infected great apes, simian immunodeficiency virus-infected Asian monkeys and infections of ungulates and cats with HIV-related lentiviruses. The nature of the diseases induced by these viruses are described here by Norman Letvin, emphasizing aspects with particular relevance to human HIV infections.
Reduced prostaglandin synthesis by renal and aortic tissues from adult rats fed essential fatty acid-deficient diet after food deprivation.

Abstract Studies were conducted to determine the efficacy of a dietary technique for reducing prostaglandin (PG) synthesis in adult rats. Rats weighing 280–318 g were fed either essential fatty acid (EFA)-deficient or EFA-adequate diets for 10–17 days after a period of food deprivation. Synthesis of renal papillary PGE 2 and aortic PGI2 from endogenous precursor in vitro were estimated by liquid chromatographic and bioassay/radioimmunoassay techniques, respectively, as indices of the capacity of the technique to induce EFA deficiency. PGE synthesis and PGI2 synthesis by isolated tissues from rats fed the EFA-deficient diet were significantly decreased (ca. 50%) relative to control rats fed an EFA-adequate diet. Body and renal papillary weights were not significantly altered by the EFA-deficient diet.
Stimulus, response, and reward contiguity in pattern discrimination by children

Abstract Eighty fourth-grade children discriminated patterns when cues were located either on the periphery or center of stimulus cards and when spatial contiguity between stimulus and response, and stimulus and reward was systematically varied. Discrimination was easier when peripheral cues rather than center cues were relevant, and also when stimulus-response contiguity rather than discontiguity was presented. These results complemented those of younger children and lower primates and are discussed in the context of attention theory.
Is there a correlation between serum antifungal drug concentration and clinical outcome

Summary Effective broad spectrum antifungal therapy has been available since the introduction of amphotericin B three decades ago. Amphotericin B must be given intravenously, and thus access to the bloodstream is assured. Because of the great toxicity of this agent, initial studies were directed at determining a dose which was tolerable and clinically effective. In part because of few data and in part because of major concerns with toxicity, there is at present no established relationship with amphotericin B serum concentrations and clinical outcome, and there is no clear indication for measurement of serum concentrations of this drug. More recently there has appeared a variety of orally administered antifungal azole derivatives. Oral absorption is affected by a variety of factors, and drug access to the blood stream is not readily predictable for some of these drugs. Serum concentrations have not been consistently assessed in clinical studies. Where they have been measured, there does appear to be a loose correlation of clinical response with the detection of some amount of drug in the bloodstream. However, beyond this ‘threshold’ concentration, there is no compelling evidence for a correlation of serum concentration and clinical outcome. While serum concentration of azoles may be useful in determining absorption of drug, at present there is no impetus for achieving a given concentration in the blood to improve chances of a good outcome.
Predicting Outcome in Child and Adolescent (Early Onset) Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder

Abstract Fifty-nine patients with DSM-III-R early onset (mean, 13.9 years) psychoses of schizophrenia ( N = 30) or bipolar disorder ( N = 23) were seen at follow-up (mean interval, 5 years; mean age, 19 years). About 50% of the variance in outcome was predictable using stepwise multiple correlation, which has the advantage of eliminating redundancy among variables and giving a quantitative estimate for each predictor. Abnormal premorbid adjustment/personality and degree of recovery after initial hospitalization were the substantial predictors in schizophrenia, whereas in bipolar disorder, they were premorbid adjustment and IQ. Other items such as diagnosis (bipolar or schizophrenia), symptoms, and gender predicted at too low a level to be useful clinically. Though psychosis is necessary for diagnosis, premorbid personality abnormality may be an indicator of an early onset, developmental type schizophrenia with poor prognosis. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry , 1992, 31, 1:147–150.
Fluid Mechanics of Train-Tunnel Svstems in Unsteady Motion

5) The assumption of thermodynamic equilibrium for the analysis of fluctuation effects is more applicable at very high temperatures. 6) The application of this method of analysis for re-entry flight conditions requires an estimate of the temperature fluctuation magnitudes, statistical distribution function, and optimum autocorrelation which are presently not available from experimental measurements.
Data of scattered electron characteristics in 100-kV EB stepper

Nikon is developing an Electron Beam (EB) stepper as one of the next-generation lithography systems for feature sizes of less than 100 nm. As a reticle for the EB stepper using a high power EB (acceleration voltage: 100 kV, current on reticle: 100 (mu) A), a scattering stencil reticle with a grid-grillage structure has been investigated, EB projection experimental column which operates a high power EB was constructed. Some experimental data of scattered electron characteristics using the EB projection experimental column are given as follows: (1) Scattering contrast of 99.9% can be obtained using 100 kV electron beam (membrane thickness; 2 micrometer, aperture half angle onto reticle; 2 mrad). (2) Changes of resist pattern width of 1:1 and 1:2 lines and spaces are around 40% and around 20% respectively due to the proximity effects by backscattered electrons form the silicon substrate. (3) Contrast of EB mark detection for the system calibration, the reticle alignment, and the wafer registration is obtained. Comparing with the values that be obtained by theoretical calculation, some of experimental data gave good agreement.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The use of a uniquely encoded light pattern for range data acquisition

Abstract Building a three-dimensional vision system requires three-dimensional scene information in the form of range data. Using a structured light system accompanied by the triangulation method is a typical approach to obtain such data. In this paper, we present a ranging method using an encoded grid light pattern. Our method is different from the previous approaches in such a way that the codes are unique for any grid intersection points and maximal for a given set of code primitives. An efficient data acquisition procedure is obtained by applying the uniqueness of a code. The encoding scheme for the light pattern and the decoding scheme for the imaged illuminated pattern are presented. We also discuss a fault-tolerant approach which makes the ranging system robust.
The Struggle for Academic Democracy. Lessons from the 1938 "Revolution" in New York's City Colleges.

On June 20,1938, the trustees of the City Colleges of New York changed the by-laws on the governance of the colleges. The transformation of New York City's colleges from autocratic to democratic rule virtually overnight was a revolutionary event in American higher education within the context of the 1930s. Abraham Edel writes of this revolution as an active participant and as an eminent philosopher who has experienced more than a half century of educational reform. The book focuses on the meaning and import of democratic organization in the governance of universities, but, at the same time, the author's personal reflections make it an intellectual memoir that charts the evolution of an idea. Labor unionism, the Great Depression, and the rise of fascism shaped the political, social, economic, and intellectual climate of the 1930s. Edel relates this milieu to the authoritarian system of governance in the City Colleges. He describes the growth of a college teachers union, a sit-down strike by students, and the controversy, agitation, and organizing that hurled the teaching staff into political action. He identifies the pioneering significance of this revolution this experiment in democracy at a time when dictatorship was viewed as more efficient and examines the lessons learned by sudden rather than piecemeal reform, by human responses to institutional change, and by the relation of ideas to social movements. After tracing the history of this transformation, Edel works toward a philosophy of democratic governance by evaluating the variety of claims for participation in terms of the ultimate mission of the university. Admitting a preference for democratic forms, Edel examines current issues in academic governance and the often acrimonious debate over participation by various groups. Abraham Edel is Research Professor of Philosophy, University of Pennsylvania, and Distinguished Professor of Philosophy Emeritus, City University of New York.
Electrophysiologic depression in myocardium by defibrillation-level shocks

The authors investigated the electrophysiological consequences of high currents on isolated strips of cardiac muscle. The objective was to measure the graded changes in intracellular action potentials-amplitude, duration, excitability, conduction velocity-resulting from the various levels of electrical shock typically used in defibrillation, cardioversion, and ablation. Following the shock, reversible injury is observed, whose severity is graded in proportion to shock strength. Smaller shocks (below 500 ma/cm/sup 2/, 10 ms) caused depression in action potential amplitude, duration, and propagation velocity. The degree of depression and the time course for complete recovery (0-50-s duration), followed by an action potential recovery phase similar to that observed for the smaller shocks. These graded effects can in conjunction with the whole heart description, of the current densities during defibrillation, permit an estimation of the total volume of tissue subject to inexcitability, reduced propagation velocity, shortened duration, and depressed action potentials. >
A Computational Investigation of Various Water-Induced Explosion Mitigation Mechanisms

Interactions of the detonation-product gas, shell-casing fragments, soil ejecta and various other debris with bulk water barriers surrounding the explosive have been demonstrated to have a potentially major beneficial effect in mitigation of the effects of an explosion. In the present work, various computational methods ranging from those based on thermo-chemistry of the detonation/combustion chemical reactions to those involving transient, nonlinear-dynamics based mechanical interactions between detonation products, air and water are used to better understand and quantify the beneficial effects of various potential explosion-mitigation mechanisms. In particular, the absorption of the detonation energy by water, water-aerosolization induced reduction in the shock speed, transfer of momentum from the explosion products to water and deceleration/suppression of the combustion reactions are examined computationally. The results obtained show that water evaporation which consumes a substantial portion of the detonation energy plays a dominant role in the overall water-induced explosion-mitigation process. The detonation-product-to-water momentum transfer which causes water aerosolization, on the other hand, is found to be a key prerequisite for efficient explosion mitigation.
Diagnosing jaundice expert system

Abstract DIJEST (DIagnosing Jaundice Expert SysTem) is a medical expert system which produces a differential diagnosis of a patient presenting with jaundice. DIJEST is written in Prolog, and illustrates the use of the language for clearly expressing knowledge. Specifically, the expert system contains explicit declarative knowledge of anatomy and physiology which is used by clinicians when diagnosing obstructive jaundice. The inference engine matches patient records against expected manifestations of symptoms in diseases. Novel in DIJEST is the uncertainty reasoning scheme, using contribution and absence factors, which places equal importance to symptoms present, absent and unknown in the patient's medical record. Domain specific reasoning and domain specific knowledge are clearly separated from general inference capabilities and knowledge representation schemes. DIJEST has performed well in preliminary tests, being particularly impressive for patients with multiple diseases.
Evidence that Organic Iodine Attenuates the Adenosine 3″,5″-Monophosphate Response to Thyrotropin Stimulation in Thyroid Tissue by an Action at or near the Adenylate Cyclase Catalytic Unit*

Studies were conducted to define more clearly the site in the thyroid adenylate cyclase complex at which iodine exerts its inhibitory effect on activation of this enzyme by TSH. Iodine- and TSH-induced desensitization were additive. Dissociation was observed between the rates of recovery from TSH-and iodine-induced desensitization. Cycloheximide (10–4 M)prevented recovery from the inhibitory effect of iodine on thyroid adenylate cyclase activation. Preincubation of freshlyisolated dog thyroid follicles in 10–4 M iodide decreased the subsequent cAMP response to cholera toxin (0.5 μg/ml)stimulation. This effect of iodide was prevented by 3 mM methimazole. Thyroid adenylate cyclase regulatory protein (Ns) activity was assessed by the ability of detergent extracts of thyroid plasma membranes to reconstitute adenylate cyclase responsiveness to isoproterenol in N-deficient S49 eye– plasma membranes. Thyroid Ns activities were similar in control and iodide-pretreated thyroid cells. The inhibitory effect of iodin...
Barriers to Strain Relaxation in Epitaxial Fluorides on Si(111)

The mechanical stress of epitaxial SrF2 and CaF2 films on Si(111) substrates has been measured as a function of temperature by the substrate curvature technique. The temperature dependence of the stress in the SrF2 film is interpreted in terms of an energy barrier to dislocation motion. When the strain energy is smaller than the value needed to overcome the barrier, the change in stress is due mainly to elastic deformation. As the temperature change increases, the strain energy becomes large enough to overcome the barrier, at which point plastic deformation initiates. Unlike SrF2, the stress behavior of the CaF2 film for increasing temperature is quite different from its behavior for decreasing temperature. This unusual behavior is not understood at this time.
Terrorism and Party Systems in the States of India

The incidence of domestic terrorism varies dramatically across the states of India. This study demonstrates that important state-level differences in political party systems help to explain different levels of terrorist activity within the Indian states. Analysis of statistical data on terrorist attacks as well as other political, social, and macroeconomic indicators of the twenty-seven Indian states and the Delhi municipality from 1998 to 2006, determines that Indian states characterized by multiparty electoral competition, a diffusion of legislative seat distribution among parties, and minority party government are more likely to experience terrorist attacks than states with stable, two-party systems and majority party rule. These party system features increase the likelihood that terrorism will occur because they nurture the political conditions under which terrorism is likely to flourish and because they impair government ability to craft coherent and effective responses to terrorism.
Subclinical Vitamin D Deficiency in Postmenopausal Women with Low Vertebral Bone Mass

To define the potential role of subclinical vitamin D deficiency in postmenopausal bone loss, we analyzed the levels of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) in 539 midwestern caucasian women screened for osteoporosis. Low 25OHD (less than 38 nmol/L) was found in 49 subjects (aged 52-77 yr). Women with low 25OHD had a reduced vertebral bone density (VBD), assessed by quantitative computed tomography, compared to age-matched controls (P less than 0.001). They also had significantly lower levels of serum calcium and phosphate, lower urinary calcium, higher serum alkaline phosphatase, and, in most cases, increased immunoreactive PTH (iPTH) concentrations, suggesting secondary hyperparathyroidism. Furthermore, only in the low 25OHD group did VBD correlate directly with 25OHD (r = 0.41; P less than 0.01), and inversely with iPTH (r = -0.47; P less than 0.01). Multivariate analyses revealed that iPTH was the major determinant of the observed decrease in VBD. Seasonal variations of serum 25OHD were noted only in the control population; in this group the 25OHD levels also correlated with sunlight exposure (r = 0.48; P less than 0.01), as assessed by an outdoor score. Thus, vitamin D deficiency develops when both the endogenous and exogenous sources are insufficient and contributes to a reduced bone mass in elderly women.
Optical rectification as a probe of quantum dynamics in a heterostructure

Abstract We have measured the rectification of far-infrared radiation resonant with the lowest intersubband transition of an AlGaAs/GaAs asymmetric coupled double-quantum well in which the subband spacing is 11meV. From these measurements we can extract an intersubband lifetime of 1.2±0.4 ns at low excitation intensity and T=10 K, which appears promising for devices which can operate at low excitation and temperature, such as FIR detectors or mixers. At high intensities saturation of the rectified signal is observed due to saturation of the two level system.
Alternating Current Spectroscopy of Biological Substances

The electrical properties of live matter are analyzed. The article first summarizes general principles which pertain to the frequency dependence of the electrical properties of any type of matter. It then states the particular mechanism which, at various parts of the total frequency spectrum, are predominantly responsible for observed data. They include time-dependent interface polarization, accumulation of charges due to inhomogeneous structure and orientation of polar molecules. The electrical properties of water and electrolytes, of protein suspensions, of subcellular and cellular structures are outlined in terms of previously mentioned mechanism. This, in turn, permits synthesis of the experimentally observed dielectric parameters of tissues. The treatment encompasses the total range of frequencies, from 1 cps to 100,000 mc. The article concludes with a chapter which outlines the application of the data and pertinent impedance techniques to a variety of basic and applied problems in biology and medicine.
Centroid tracking using a probability map for target segmentation

The central problem of image based centroid tracking is that of target segmentation, that is, determining which pixels belong to the target and which belong to the background. Once the target pixels are identified, the centroid (the center of gravity) of these pixels can be used as the estimated target position. The underlying assumption made in centroid tracking is that the target image contains intensity values that are unlikely to occur in the background. Based on this assumption, the centroid tracker uses three concentric gates to determine which pixels are target pixels. The areas bounded by these gates form three disjoint regions; the inner region, the track region, and the outer region. An inner histogram is collected over inner region that should contain mostly target pixels. An outer histogram is collected over the outer region that should contain only background pixels. These histograms are then used to generate a probability map that indicates the probability that a pixel with a given intensity is part of the target. This probability map is then used to segment the target and find its centroid. This paper describes the methods used to generate the probability map and its use in the centroid tracking algorithm. The performance of this algorithm is compared to that of the previously used dual-threshold segmentation algorithm.
Mating Strategy and Reproductive Success in the Teiid Lizard, Ameiva Plei

Current selection on sexual size dimorphism was studied in a widely foraging non-territorial lizard, Ameiva plei. Males were significantly larger than females. Large males won intrasexual agonistic encounters and guarded females during their entire receptive period (1-4 days). Guarding males spent significantly less time foraging than males who were alone. Only males that guarded females were observed to mate. Mating success was highly skewed with only six of 21 mature males in the study site observed mating. All six males who mated were 141 mm SVL (males mature at 62 mm SVL). The four largest males obtained 84% of all observed matings and were estimated to have fertilized 88% of the eggs. Sexual selection appears to favor large size in males due to competition among males to guard females. Large females on Anguilla also had higher reproductive success bccause SVL was positively correlated with clutch size and number of clutches in a season. It appears that natural selection has favored different trade-offs between growth and reproduction in males and females.
The ability of deoxyribonucleic acid from various organs of the axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum, to prime ribonucleic acid synthesis in vitro

Abstract A system for the synthesis of RNA in vitro ( Stevens and Henry 1,) was used to test the ability of axolotl DNA to prime RNA synthesis. When the RNA polymerase (nucleosidetriphosphate: RNA nucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.6) in this system was limiting, the same concentration of DNA from different tissues primed RNA synthesis to different extents: the amount of RNA synthesized when testicular or splenic DNA's were used as primers was 2–5 times greater than that synthesized when renal and hepatic DNA's were used. DNA deproteinized with chloroform-isoamyl alcohol gave the same results as DNA deproteinized by centrifugation in high molarity saline. The s20,w of hepatic and testicular DNA deproteinized by either method was the same, namely 19. Differences in size of the DNA molecules did not, therefore, account for the difference in priming ability. Heat-denaturation studies showed both hepatic and testicular DNA to be double stranded and to have identical melting temperatures of 85° in 0.15 M NaCl-0.015 M sodium citrate, corresponding to a (guanosine plus cytidine)/(adenosine plus ribosylthymine) ratio of 0.41. DNA extracted from livers and spleens of 2 to 3-month-old larvae, which were growing rapidly, primed RNA synthesis to approximately the same extent as that from adult spleen and testis and considerably better than DNA from adult liver and kidney. A possible relationship between the rate of DNA synthesis (or cell multi-plication) to priming ability is discussed. Similar experiments using DNA extracted from cockerel testis, spleen, and kidney showed that cockerel DNA's exhibited the same differences in priming ability as did axolotl DNA's.
How secure are your check transactions

Check fraud is one of the most common forms of white-collar crime (WCC). And it is one of the fastest-growing WCC problems facing business today. The authors detail the types of check fraud that can damage your company and explain how to detect and prevent them. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simultaneous Optical Mapping of Transmembrane Potential and Intracellular Calcium in Myocyte Cultures

Simultaneous Mapping of Vm and Cai2+. Introduction: Fast spatially resolved measurements of transmembrane potential (Vm) and intracellular calcium (Cai2+) are important for studying mechanisms of arrhythmias and defibrillation. The goals of this work were (1) to develop an optical technique for simultaneous multisite optical recordings of Vm and Cai2+, and (2) to determine the relationship between Vm and Cai2+ during normal impulse propagation in myocyte cultures. Methods and Results: Monolayers of neonatal rat myocytes were stained with fluorescent dye RH-237 (Vm) and Fluo-3AM (Cai2+). Both dyes were excited at the same wavelength range. The emitted fluorescent was optically separated into components corresponding to changes in Vm, and Cai2+ and measured using two 16 × 16 photodiode arrays at a spatial resolution of up to 27.5 μm per diode and sampling rate of 2.5 kHz. The optical setup was adjusted so that there was no optical cross-talk between the two types of measurements, which was validated in experiments involving staining with either RH-237 or Fluo-3. The amplitude of Fluo-3 signals rapidly decreased during experiments due to dye leakage. Dye leakage was substantially reduced by application of 1 mM probenecid, a blocker of organic anion transport, which had no effect on action potential duration and only minor effect on conduction velocity. In double-stained preparations, during regular pacing Cai2+ transients had a rise time of 14.2 ± 2 msec, and they followed Vm upstrokes with a delay of 5.3 ± 1 msec (n = 9). Durations of Vm, and Cai2+ transients determined at 50% level of signal recovery were 54.6 ± 10 msec and 136 ± 8 msec, respectively. Application of 2 μM nifedipine reduced the amplitude and duration of Cai2+ transients without significantly affecting conduction velocity. Conclusion: The results demonstrate feasibility of simultaneous optical recordings of Vm and Cai2+ transients with high spatial and temporal resolution.
Motor and cargo interactions

The movements of intracellular cargo along microtubules within cells are often saltatory or of short duration. Further, calculations of the fraction of membrane vesicles that are moving at any period, indicate that active motor complexes are rare. From observations of normal vesicle traffic in cells, there appears to be position-dependent activation of motors and a balance of traffic in the inward and outward directions. In-vitro binding of motors to cargo is observed under many conditions but motility is not. Multi-component complexes appear to be involved in producing active organelle movements by a graded activation system that is highly localized in the cell. The basis of the activation of motility of the organelle motor complexes is still unknown but phosphorylation has been implicated in many systems. In the case of the motor-binding protein, kinectin, it has been linked to active organelle movements powered by conventional kinesin. From the coiled-coil structure of kinectin and the coiled-coil tail of kinesin, it is postulated that a coiled-coil assembly is responsible for the binding interaction. Many other cargoes are transported but the control of transport will be customized for each function, such as axonemal rafts or cytoskeletal complexes. Each function will have to be analyzed separately and motor activity will need to be integrated into the specific aspects of the function.
Pixels, blocks of pixels, and polygons: Choosing a spatial unit for thematic accuracy assessment

Abstract Pixels, blocks of pixels, and polygons are all potentially viable spatial assessment units for conducting an accuracy assessment. We develop a population-based statistical framework to examine how the spatial unit chosen affects the outcome of an accuracy assessment. The population is conceptualized as a difference map created by overlaying a complete coverage reference classification and the target map being evaluated. The per-class areas of agreement and disagreement derived from this population are summarized by a population error matrix and accuracy parameters (e.g., overall, user's and producer's accuracies). The population and values of the accuracy parameters are strongly affected by the protocols implemented for the response design which include the choice of spatial unit, how within-unit homogeneity is addressed when assigning class labels, and the definition of agreement between the reference and map classification. Several complete coverage populations are used to illustrate how accuracy results are affected by the spatial unit chosen for the assessment and also to evaluate how spatial misregistration of the map and reference locations impacts accuracy results for different spatial units. The sampling design implemented for accuracy assessment does not change the population or values of the accuracy parameters, but the choice of spatial unit will influence decisions regarding use of strata and clusters in the design. A universally best spatial assessment unit does not exist, so it is critical to recognize how the population, values of the accuracy parameters, and sampling design are impacted by the choice of spatial unit.
Multi-story base-isolated buildings under a harmonic ground motion — Part I: A comparison of performances of various systems

Abstract The performances of several leading base-isolation devices (Pure-Friction/Sliding-Joint, Rubber Bearing, French System, New Zealand System, and Resilient-Friction) and a newly proposed system (Sliding Resilient-Friction) for a multi-story building subject to a horizontal harmonic ground motion are studied. The governing equations of motion of various systems and the criteria for stick-slip transition are described and a computational algorithm for obtaining their numerical solutions is developed. The responses of the structure with different base-isolation systems under various conditions are analyzed. The peak absolute acceleration, the maximum structural deflection, and the peak base-displacement responses are obtained. The effectiveness of various base isolators are studied and advantages and disadvantages of different systems are discussed. The results show that the base-isolation devices effectively reduce the column stresses and the acceleration transmitted to the superstructure.
Demographic and experiential correlates of public attitudes towards cell-free fetal DNA screening.

This study seeks to inform clinical application of cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) screening as a novel method for prenatal trisomy detection by investigating public attitudes towards this technology and demographic and experiential characteristics related to these attitudes. Two versions of a 25-item survey assessing interest in cffDNA and existing first-trimester combined screening for either trisomy 13 and 18 or trisomy 21 were distributed among 3,164 members of the United States public. Logistic regression was performed to determine variables predictive of interest in screening options. Approximately 47 % of respondents expressed an interest in cffDNA screening for trisomy 13, 18, and 21, with a majority interested in cffDNA screening as a stand-alone technique. A significantly greater percent would consider termination of pregnancy following a diagnosis of trisomy 13 or 18 (52 %) over one of trisomy 21 (44 %). Willingness to consider abortion of an affected pregnancy was the strongest correlate to interest in both cffDNA and first-trimester combined screening, although markedly more respondents expressed an interest in some form of screening (69 % and 71 %, respectively) than would consider termination. Greater educational attainment, higher income, and insurance coverage predicted interest in cffDNA screening; stronger religious identification also corresponded to decreased interest. Prior experience with disability and genetic testing was associated with increased interest in cffDNA screening. Several of these factors, in addition to advanced age and Asian race, were, in turn, predictive of respondents’ increased willingness to consider post-diagnosis termination of pregnancy. In conclusion, divergent attitudes towards cffDNA screening—and prenatal options more generally – appear correlated with individual socioeconomic and religious backgrounds and experiences with disability and genetic testing. Clinical implementation and counseling for novel prenatal technologies should take these diverse stakeholder values into consideration.
XXX. On Mr. Glazebrook's Paper on the aberration of concave gratings

(1883). XXX. On Mr. Glazebrook's Paper on the aberration of concave gratings. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 16, No. 99, pp. 210-210.
Location-allocation models as decision aids in delineating administrative regions

Abstract This paper presents a model that can be used as a tool in a spatial decision support system to help decision-makers analyze administrative regionalization problems in which efficiency in the provision of services and uniformity of regions are the main decision criteria. Efficiency is measured by savings in transportation costs, and regional uniformity is determined by applying multivariate statistical techniques to the physical, social, and economic characteristics of a study area. The problem is formulated as an extended version of the p-median model. Noncontiguous regions, which arise when an ordinary location-allocation algorithm is used to solve this problem, are avoided by modifying the algorithm to restrict the allocation of spatial units to regional centers only if regional contiguity is preserved. Using these criteria, administrative regions are delineated in a case study for Greece. A sensitivity analysis is performed to examine how the values of each objective and the spatial configuration of regions change as the parameters of the model take different values.
Persistent immune activation associated with a mouse model of Staphylococcus aureus-induced experimental brain abscess

Abstract We have established a mouse experimental brain abscess model using Staphylococcus aureus where lesion sites are greatly exaggerated compared to the localized area of initial infection, reminiscent of an overactive immune response. Here we demonstrate the prolonged expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2/CXCL2), concomitant with a chronic disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) in mice with S. aureus-induced brain abscess. These changes correlated with the continued presence of infiltrating neutrophils and macrophages/microglia. Collectively these findings suggest that the excessive tissue damage that often results from brain abscess may be mediated, in part, by the perpetuation of antibacterial immune responses that are not downregulated in a timely manner.