cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Realistic rendering of surface appearance using GPU

Summary form only given. We present techniques for realistic modeling surface details and efficient rendering of the associated visual effects using programmable GPUs. An important topic in rendering surface appearance is the treatment of mesostructures, which are responsible for fine-scale shadowing, occlusion, inter-reflectance, and silhouettes. One way to model surface mesostructure is by using the bi-directional texture function (BTF), a 6D function that describes the appearance of a real-world surface as a function of lighting and viewing directions. We describe algorithms for efficient synthesis of BTFs on arbitrary surfaces and for hardware-accelerated rendering. Because the BTF can be measured from real-world surfaces, these algorithms allow us to texture 3D models with real-world textures. One issue with the BTF-based approach is that silhouettes of surface mesostructures are absent in the rendered images. This problem can be addressed by view-dependent displacement mapping, a technique for real-time rendering of displacement mapped surfaces using GPUs. We will present examples of our techniques shipped with major game platforms and some upcoming game titles.
Automated Identification and Measurement of Objects via Populations of Medial Primitives, with Application to Real Time 3D Echocardiography

We suggest that Identification and measurement of objects in 3D images can be automatic, rapid and stable, based on the statistical properties of populations of medial primitives sought throughout the image space. These properties include scale, orientation, endness, and medial dimensionality. The property of medial dimensionality differentiates the sphere, the cylinder, and the slab, with intermediate dimensionality also possible. Endness results at the cap of a cylinder or the edge of a slab. The values of these medial properties at just a few locations provide an intuitive and robust model for complex shape. For example, the left ventricle during systole can be described as a large cylinder with an apical cap at one end, a slab-like mitral valve at the other (closed during systole), and appropriate interrelations among components in terms of their scale, orientation, and location. We demonstrate our method on simple geometric test objects, and show it capable of automatically identifying the left ventricle and measuring its volume in vivo using Real-Time 3D echocardiography.
Cholinergic Integrity And Visual Hallucinations In Parkinson Disease (S18.004)

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between presence of hallucinations, and forebrain cholinergic denervation in PD subjects. BACKGROUND: Hallucinations in Parkinson disease (PD) are mainly visual in nature and may indicate an increased risk of dementia. Concomitant or overlapping mechanisms are probably active during hallucinations, and these include central dopaminergic overactivity, dysfunction of the visual pathways, alterations of brainstem sleep-wake and dream regulation among others. Cholinesterase inhibitor drugs can sometimes alleviate hallucinations in PD dementia suggesting a possible cholinergic contribution. DESIGN/METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Forty-seven PD subjects (F11/M36; age 69.6±10.0; Hoehn and Yahr stages 1-4) underwent a clinical assessment, [C-11]methyl-4-piperidinyl propionate (PMP) acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and [C-11]dihydrotetrabenazine vesicular monoaminergic transporter type 2 (VMAT2) brain PET imaging. The brief neuropsychiatric inventory was used to determine the presence of hallucinations. Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score was used to determine global cognition. RESULTS: Eleven (23.4%) reported a history of (visual) hallucinations and 36 patients had no hallucinations. Analysis of covariance using MMSE, age and striatal VMAT2 scores as covariates showed lower cortical AChE in PD hallucinators (F=6.58; P=0.014) compared to non-hallucinators. No significant effects were seen for pedunculopontine nucleus-thalamic AChE or striatal VMAT2 activity and presence of hallucinations. CONCLUSIONS: These findings implicate basal forebrain cortical cholinergic dysfunction in contributing to the presence of visual hallucinations in PD. Study Supported by: NIH grants PO1 NS015655, RO1 NS070856, Department of Veterans Affairs and the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Disclosure: Dr. Bohnen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Muller has nothing to disclose. Dr. Albin has received personal compensation for activities with Best Doctors. Dr. Frey has received personal compensation for activities with Bayer Schering, Avid Radiopharmaceuticals Inc., MIMVista Inc., and General Electric Healthcare as a consultant. Dr. Frey holds stock and/or stock options in General Electric, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Merck & Co., and Novo-Nordisk.
Effect of pentoxifylline on the intrinsic swimming forces of human sperm assessed by optical tweezers.

It is still controversial whether in vitro exposure of sperm to pentoxifylline increases sperm motility and force, which is defined as the product of velocity by beat frequency of the tail. Laser optical tweezers have been successfully used in the past to evaluate sperm force in basal conditions. The aim of this prospective study was to determine whether exposure of human sperm to pentoxifylline has any effect on sperm intrinsic forces. Twelve healthy subjects undergoing routine semen analysis were enrolled in the study. Ten exhibited nor- mal semen parameters, 2 exhibited asthenozoospermia. Each semen specimen was washed and, after swim-up, resuspended in human tubal fluid (HTF) and divided into 2 aliquots. One aliquot was incu- bated with pentoxifylline for 30 minutes (final concentration 3.6 mM); the second aliquot, without pentoxifylline, served as a control. After 30 minutes the pentoxifylline-treated aliquot was divided into 2 portions, 1 of which was washed to remove the pentoxifylline, the other was left in prolonged coincubation with the chemical. The main outcome was the measurement of sperm intrinsic force in milliwatts (mW), which was assessed by means of a noninvasive infrared laser optical trap created by a continuous wave, 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser beam directed in an inverted microscope. Exposure of sperm to pent- oxifylline consistently increased sperm relative escape force from the laser optical trap. The increase ranged from 33% to 154% over base- line force compared with controls. The average absolute increase in sperm force rose from 37 mW to 79 mW (P.05). Specimens with sperm having an initial low relative escape force gained the highest relative increase. The effect of pentoxifylline on sperm force, already apparent after 5 minutes, reached a peak at 30 minutes and persisted for up to 3 hours in sperm that were left in coincubation and in those on which the pentoxifylline had been washed off. In conclusion, pent- oxifylline significantly increases sperm intrinsic relative force in nor- mozoospermic and asthenozoospermic samples. This experiment confirms that optical tweezers can provide an accurate determination of sperm force in in vitro conditions. Clinical data must now establish whether a documented increase in sperm force is an important pa- rameter for assessing sperm fertilizing capacity.
Assessing transitional phenomena with the transitional object memory probe

Winnicott's concept of transitional relatedness has captured the interest of psychoanalysts because it provides an understanding of the dialectical process occurring between inner and outer reality, and by extension, between analyst and analysand. Clinical observations related to transitional phenomena have led the authors to develop a projective early memory probe that assesses transitional phenomena. The transitional object early memory probe was tested both for its empirical validity and for its clinical utility in psychodynamic psychotherapy. Construct validity was assessed by comparing memory scores to the Rorschach Transitional Object Scale, as well as to therapist ratings of patient behaviors. Results demonstrated moderate correlations between early memory scores and Rorschach scale scores. Equally important was the finding that early memory scores were significantly correlated with therapist ratings of key behavioral patterns in therapy. A case vignette highlights the clinical application of the transitional object probe in assessing the capacity for transitional relatedness. In this case, the data gleaned from the patient's memories provided the therapist with a sharper focus on their role in the patient's growing capacity for more vital and creative contact with reality.
Pain Management in Pregnancy: Multimodal Approaches

Nonobstetrical causes of pain during pregnancy are very common and can be incapacitating if not treated appropriately. Recent reports in the literature show that a significant percentage of pregnant women are treated with opioids during pregnancy. To address common pain conditions that present during pregnancy and the available pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment options, for each of the pain conditions identified, a search using MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases was performed. The quality of the evidence was evaluated in the context of study design. This paper is a narrative summary of the results obtained from individual reviews. There were significant disparities in the studies in terms of design, research and methodology, and outcomes analyzed. There is reasonable evidence available for pharmacological approaches; however, these are also associated with adverse events. Evidence for nonpharmacological approaches is limited and hence their efficacy is unclear, although they do appear to be primarily safe. A multimodal approach using a combination of nonpharmacological and pharmacological options to treat these pain conditions is likely to have the most benefit while limiting risk. Research trials with sound methodology and analysis of outcome data are needed.
An Application of Direct-Sequence Spread-Spectrum Ultrasonic to Global Inspection of Bridge Components

Direct-Sequence Spread-Spectrum Ultrasonic Evaluation (DSSSUE) offers solutions to unsolved inspection problems. A “better mouse-trap”, i.e., an improvement in technology that offers an alternative solution to problems that already have adequate solutions, generally does not make it in the market place for economic reasons. We cannot over-emphasize this aspect of the technology as there must be a clear perception of “new technology” and that the new technology is automatically economical, because it offer solutions were none existed before. DSSSUE incorporates a correlation receiver. The correlation peak to correlation noise floor effectively determines the “dynamic range” of the system and, therefore, its sensitivity. The sensitivity of DSSSUE is essentially limited by the cost of the technological implementation (memory and quantization levels) and processing time (length of correlation sequence). This results in a new technology that can be made extremely sensitive to changes in a test object, is operable over a broad range of frequencies, and is adaptable to a large number of inspection scenarios, including bridge components.
Expression of estrogen receptor-beta isoforms in Barrett's metaplasia, dysplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma.

We have previously shown that the majority of esophageal adenocarcinomas (EA), and its precursor Barrett's metaplasia (BM), express estrogen receptor beta (ER-B). Several isofonns of ER-B have been described and are presumed to have different functions, but their distribution in BM and EA is not known. The aim of this work was to determine which ER-B isofonns are expressed in EA and BM. Sections of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded esophageal tissue from 33 esophageactomy specimens, of which 27 had invasive EA, were stained for the ER-B isofonns ER-B1, ER-B2, ER-B3 and ER-B5 utilizing the immunoperoxidase method. ER-B1 was detected in 23 out of 27 (85%) EA compared to 3 out of 14 (21%) Barrett's metaplasia negative for dysplasia (BMND) (p=0.0001); ER-B2 was expressed in 22 out of 27 (81%) EA in contrast to 3 out of 14 (21%) BMND (p=0.0004); ER-B3 was positive in 27 out of 27 (100%) EA in contrast to only 1 out of 14 (7%) BMND (p<0001); ER-B5 was detected in 27 out of 27 (100%) EA compared to 9 out of 14 (62%) of BMND (p=0.0027). High- and low-grade dysplasia showed a similar ER-beta isoform expression profile to that of EA. Cancers invasive through the esophageal wall had a higher percent of cells with cytoplasmic expression of ER-B1 than tumors limited to the wall (T3 vs. T1 and T2, p=0.051). We conclude that ER-B1, ER-B2, ER-B3 and ER-B5 are overexpressed in EA compared to its precursor lesion BMND, suggesting a significant biological role for steroid hormones in EA.
Minimizing Heterosexism and Homophobia: Constructing Meaning of Out Campus LGB Life

This work investigates how American college students make meaning of the heterosexism and homophobia they encounter in their daily lives. Through interviews and a focus group with 23 out lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) college students, analysis yielded four themes: the overwhelming majority of students minimized incidences of heterosexism and homophobia; there was a desire on the part of many respondents to develop an identity apart from, rather than integrated with, sexual identity; the campus climate was generally portrayed as positive; and some participants expressed resistance, suggesting that heterosexism and homophobia can be countered.
Glucose-fatty acid interactions in prepubertal and pubertal children: effects of lipid infusion

This investigation examined whether puberty differs from prepuberty in regard to the effects of increased free fatty acid (FFA) on in vivo glucose metabolism. Nine prepubertal and 13 pubertal healthy children were studied. Each subject was studied twice, once with 0.9% sodium chloride solution (control study) and once with 20% Intralipid infusion in the basal state and during a 3-h hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, with [6,6-2H2]glucose tracer. During control studies, prepubertal children had lower basal fat oxidation and higher insulin-mediated glucose disposal than pubertal adolescents. During Intralipid infusion, basal glucose uptake increased in prepubertal children but did not change in pubertal adolescents. Insulin-stimulated whole body glucose disposal did not change in prepubertal children (control 77.6 +/- 8.9, Intralipid 84.5 +/- 13.3 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1)) but decreased in pubertal adolescents (control 55.0 +/- 3.6, Intralipid 46.7 +/- 3.4 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1), P = 0.01) despite comparable decrements in glucose oxidaion. We conclude that in prepubertal children lipids exert effects in the basal state by stimulating hepatic glucose production and glucose disposal, whereas in pubertal adolescents they induce peripheral tissue insulin resistance by decreasing insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. This differential response could be due to developmental-maturational changes in tissue sensitivity and/or specificity to the glucose-FFA interaction.
The blood ammonia in congestive heart failure.

Abstract 1. 1. Arterial and venous blood ammonia levels were measured in nine control patients and in nine patients with congestive heart failure. 2. 2. The average arterial and venous ammonia levels of the control patients were 0.79 and 0.83 gamma/c.c., respectively. The average arterial and venous blood ammonia levels of patients with congestive heart failure were 1.33 and 1.06 gamma/c.c., respectively. 3. 3. Patients without liver dysfunction or congestive heart failure show normal blood ammonia values with a negligible arteriovenous difference while patients with congestive heart failure show an elevated blood ammonia with an uptake of ammonia by the tissues. 4. 4. The cerebral manifestations of lassitude, lethargy, and coma seen in congestive heart failure may be due in part to ammonia intoxication, etiologically similar to the cerebral symptoms of hepatic insufficiency. 5. 5. It is suggested that ammonium chloride be used with caution in patients with cardiac failure presenting cerebral manifestations or severe liver dysfunction.
Seed production characteristics of prairie junegrass germplasm accessions

Prairie junegrass [Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Shult.] is a perennial, short-grass prairie species distributed throughout the northern hemisphere. This species is known to require fewer inputs than other cool-season turfgrasses and it demonstrates tolerance to many environmental stresses found in Minnesota. In June 2007, 48 K. macrantha accessions from the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) were grown and evaluated for seed production characteristics in 2 locations (St. Paul, MN, and Becker, MN). Significant variation was found among accessions for several seed production traits including harvest date, plant height, seedhead number, and seed yield. A significant correlation between seedhead number and seed yield was found, which can be utilized for indirect selection in the production nursery. Plant growth and seed yield were highest at the Becker location, demonstrating the species' preference for well-drained soils. Flowering times were significantly different between the locations; however, there were no significant differences in the duration from seedhead emergence to harvest between the locations. Multivariate analysis did not reveal clustering of accessions based on geographic origin, suggesting a diversity of material within collection regions.
Comment on "Detecting Awareness in the Vegetative State"

Owen et al. (Brevia, 8 September 2006, p. 1402) claimed that a patient's brain activity revealed that she was consciously responding to commands despite being in a vegetative state. However, several alternative explanations were not eliminated. Specifically, the activity could reflect unconscious reactions to the last word in the command, not conscious decisions to respond. A refined experimental design could clarify these issues.
The Impact of Hispanic Ethnicity and Race on Post-Surgical Complications in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Surgery for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is common and represents a large portion of the cost of IBD treatment. There are multiple risk factors for post-operative complications after IBD surgery, but the role of ethnicity remains unclear. The aim of our study was to compare the rate of post-operative complications in Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients with equal access to health care. We designed a case–control study including patients enrolled in a health plan available to uninsured patients at Jackson Memorial Hospital (Miami, FL, USA) who had access to health care for at least 24 consecutive months prior to surgery. Sixty-seven Hispanic patients (cases) and 75 non-Hispanic patients (controls) met criteria and were compared with respect to demographics, type of surgery, disease phenotype, and laboratory markers. Primary outcome was the development of a medical or surgical complication. A slight numerical increase in post-operative complications was seen in Hispanic patients; this did not reach statistical significance [1.06 (95 % CI 0.48–2.36; p = 0.88)]. Factors independently associated with post-operative complications included diagnosis of ulcerative colitis [OR 5.4 (95 % CI 1.67–20.58; p = 0.004)], pre-operative albumin levels <3 mg/dL [OR: 8.2 (95 % CI 2.3–35.5; p < 0.001)], smoking [OR 15.7 (95 % CI 4.2–72.35; p < 0.001)], and use of ≥20 mg of prednisone [OR 6.7 (95 % CI 2.15–24.62; p < 0.001)]. In a group of patients with equal access to medical care and follow-up, Hispanics and non-Hispanics with IBD that underwent surgery had no significant differences in types of IBD surgeries or post-surgical outcomes.
Tests with correct size when instruments can be arbitrarily weak

Abstract This paper applies classical exponential-family statistical theory to develop a unifying framework for testing structural parameters in the simultaneous equations model under the assumption of normal errors with known reduced-form variance matrix. The results can be divided into the limited-information and full-information categories. In the limited-information model, it is possible to characterize the entire class of similar tests in a model with only one endogenous explanatory variable. In the full-information framework, this paper proposes a family of similar tests for subsets of endogenous variables’ coefficients. For both limited- and full-information models, there exist power upper bounds for unbiased tests. When the model is just-identified, the Anderson–Rubin, score, and (pseudo) conditional likelihood ratio tests are optimal. When the model is over-identified, the (pseudo) conditional likelihood ratio test has power close to the power envelope when identification is strong.
Signal detection analyses of delays in neonates' vocalizations.

Signal detection analyses were applied to momentary delays in the regular peeping of newborn chicks that occur in response to acoustic stimuli. Pulsing 1000‐Hz tones at various intensities were repeatedly presented to chicks at 0 and 4 days posthatch. Durations of delays on both stimulus and control (mock) trials were collected in histograms. These histograms were then used to draw receiver operating characteristics (ROC curves) given variable definitions of what constitutes a ‘‘yes’’ response. Areas under these ROC curves were used to evaluate various ways of measuring the delay, as well as the effects of habituation, intensity, and age. Time to the second poststimulus peep was identified as a sensitive indicator of responsiveness. Habituation decreased responsiveness by about 5% per trial over the first three trials. Each dB of intensity increased responsiveness by about 1%. Maturation increased responsiveness by about 21 dB over 4 days. These ROC curves show that momentary delays in the vocalizations o...
Mass Transfer Coefficients and Drying Rates in Through Air Drying: Part II

In this study experimental results and analysis are given of convective heat and mass transfer in the drying of tissue and towel products (25 and 50 g/m2 basis weight) under commercially realistic conditions under through flow. Parameter effects on drying rate include process variables such as refining, shaping, commercial forming, initial moisture content, and drying temperature. Drying rate curves display initial increase, plateau, and final decrease as the paper dries. Nondimensional Sherwood numbers (versus Peclet number) generally agreed with and augment the available dataset on through drying.
Adsorption and catalytic activity of glucose oxidase accumulated on OTCE upon the application of external potential

This article describes the adsorption of glucose oxidase (GOx) onto optically transparent carbon electrodes (OTCE) under the effect of applied potential and the analysis of the enzymatic activity of the resulting GOx/OTCE substrates. In order to avoid electrochemical interferences with the enzyme redox center, control electrochemical experiments were performed using flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and GOx/OTCE substrates. Then, the enzyme adsorption experiments were carried out as a function of the potential applied (ranged from the open circuit potential to +950 mV), the pH solution, the concentration of enzyme, and the ionic strength on the environment. The experimental results demonstrated that an increase in the adsorbed amount of GOx on the OTCE can be achieved when the potential was applied. Although the increase in the adsorbed amount was examined as a function of the potential, a maximum enzymatic activity was observed in the GOx/OTCE substrate achieved at +800 mV. These experiments suggest that although an increase in the amount of enzyme adsorbed can be obtained by the application of an external potential to the electrode, the magnitude of such potential can produce detrimental effects in the conformation of the adsorbed protein and should be carefully considered. As such, the article describes a simple and rational approach to increase the amount of enzyme adsorbed on a surface and can be applied to improve the sensitivity of a variety of biosensors.
Picosecond pulsed laser ablation and micromachining of 4H-SiC wafers

Abstract Ultra-short pulsed laser ablation and micromachining of n-type, 4H-SiC wafer was performed using a 1552 nm wavelength, 2 ps pulse, 5 μJ pulse energy erbium-doped fiber laser with an objective of rapid etching of diaphragms for pressure sensors. Ablation rate, studied as a function of energy fluence, reached a maximum of 20 nm per pulse at 10 mJ/cm2, which is much higher than that achievable by the femtosecond laser for the equivalent energy fluence. Ablation threshold was determined as 2 mJ/cm2. Scanning electron microscope images supported the Coulomb explosion (CE) mechanism by revealing very fine particulates, smooth surfaces and absence of thermal effects including melt layer formation. It is hypothesized that defect-activated absorption and multiphoton absorption mechanisms gave rise to a charge density in the surface layers required for CE and enabled material expulsion in the form of nanoparticles. Trenches and holes micromachined by the picosecond laser exhibited clean and smooth edges and non-thermal ablation mode for pulse repetition rates less than 250 kHz. However carbonaceous material and recast layer were noted in the machined region when the pulse repetition rate was increased 500 kHz that could be attributed to the interaction between air plasma and micro/nanoparticles. A comparison with femtosecond pulsed lasers shows the promise that picosecond lasers are more efficient and cost effective tools for creating sensor diaphragms and via holes in 4H-SiC.
A phase I trial of intrapleural recombinant human interferon α (rHuIFNα2b) in patients with malignant pleural effusions

The use of intrapleural sclerosing agents to control reaccumulation of pleural fluid in patients with malignant effusions has been widely investigated. A phase I trial of intrapleural recombinant human interferon α (rHuIFNα2b) was initiated to determine the toxicity and maximal tolerated dose in this group of patients. rHuIFNα2b was instilled as a single dose following chest tube (15/16) or percutaneous (1/16) drainage of cytologically proven malignant effusions. Doses of rHuIFNα2b were escalated from 25×106 to 200×106 U/m2 in cohorts of three to four patients. Toxicity was mild to moderate, and included chills, fever and chest pain, and resembled that produced by systemic administration of rHuIFNα2b. Dose-limiting toxicity occurred at 200×106 U/m2 and consisted of hepatic enzyme elevations and renal failure. Partial control of the effusions was noted in two patients, with two additional patients having stable disease. Phase II trials of rHuIFNα2b should utilize up to 150×106 U/m2 for intrapleural instillation.
Delivery of the marginally preterm infant: what are the minor morbidities?

Abstract Objective: We sought to determine frequencies of minor morbidities associated with delivery between 32 and 36 weeks' gestation. Study Design: The study population consisted of all infants delivered between 32 and 36 weeks' gestation at a tertiary care hospital during 1997. Maternal and neonatal charts were abstracted for maternal history, pregnancy complications, and neonatal demographics comparing complications present at each gestational week. The Student t test, χ 2 analysis, and stepwise regression analysis were used to assess statistical significance. Odds ratios were calculated. Results: There were 553 patients eligible for study. There was increased risk of neonatal intensive care unit admission with delivery before 34 weeks' gestation ( P P P Conclusion: Although the incidences of major morbidities decline after 32 weeks' gestation, minor morbidities continue up to 35 to 36 weeks' gestation and may lengthen neonatal hospitalization. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;181:1087-91.)
Selection of the Mayfly Rithrogena hageni as an Indicator of Metal Pollution in the Upper Arkansas River

ABSTRACT Macroinvertebrates from the upper Arkansas River were studied to identify taxa sensitive to heavy metal (zinc) impacts. Field collections and introduced substrates indicated that Rithrogena hageni was intolerant of conditions caused by mine drainage into the Arkansas River. Numbers of R. hageni at the impacted site increased significantly after treatment of mine drainage water was initiated. Data collected from this study suggest that the use of colonized substrates may be useful in studying metal impacts on macroinvertebrate communities.
RAPID FORMATION OF OUTER GIANT PLANETS BY DISK INSTABILITY

The formation mechanism of the ice giant planets is uncertain. A new hypothesis envisions rapid formation of several gaseous protoplanets in a marginally gravitationally unstable protoplanetary disk, and coagulation and settling of dust grains within the protoplanets to form rock and ice cores, followed by the loss of the outer disk gas and the gaseous envelopes of the protoplanets through photoevaporation driven by nearby OB stars. We demonstrate here that the first part of this new scenario for ice giant planet formation is feasible in a disk with a gas density similar to that believed to be necessary to form the giant planets. A three-dimensional gravitational hydrodynamics code, including a full treatment of thermodynamics and radiative transfer in the diffusion approximation, is used to show that a disk is likely to form two or more gravitationally bound clumps, with masses on the order of 2 Jupiter masses, between 20 and 30 AU from a solar-mass star. Such protoplanets could be massive enough to explain the production of Uranus and Neptune following photoevaporation of most of their gaseous envelopes. This scenario implies that planetary systems similar to our own could form even in seemingly hostile regions of high-mass star formation.
Structure of Continental Margin off Atlantic Coast of United States

Seismic profiler recordings in 44 profiles between Nova Scotia and the Florida Keys indicate that the continental margin was formed by upbuilding on the shelf and prograding on the slope. Upbuilding on the shelf during the Tertiary and Quaternary Periods ranged from 200 to 1,000 meters, and seaward prograding on the slope during the same span of time was from 5 to more than 35 kilometers. The greatest progradation occurred where the slope is flanked by the Blake Plateau rather than by the deep sea. The beds are truncated along some sections of the slope as though the slope had been steepened by submarine erosion. Off Nova Scotia the beds of the slope continue into the continental rise; off New England the rise consists of sedimentary layers that have buried the base of th continental slope; and off southeastern United States the beds of the Florida-Hatteras Slope have prograded atop the older surface of the Blake Plateau.
Haploidentical transplantation using G-CSF-mobilized T-cell replete PBSCs and post-transplantation CY after non-myeloablative conditioning is safe and is associated with favorable outcomes.

Haploidentical transplantation using G-CSF-mobilized T-cell replete PBSCs and post-transplantation CY after non-myeloablative conditioning is safe and is associated with favorable outcomes
On Dynamic Multi-Rigid-Body Contact Problems with Coulomb Friction

This paper is a summary of a comprehensive study of the problem of predicting the possible acceleration(s) of a set of rigid, three-dimensional bodies in contact in the presence of Coulomb friction. We begin with a brief introduction to this problem and a survey of related work and previous approaches. This is followed by the introduction of two novel complementarity formulations for the contact problem under two friction laws: Coulomb''s Law and an analogous law in which Coulomb''s quadratic friction cone is approximated by a pyramid. Under a full co umn rank assumption on the system Jacobian matrix, we establish the existence and uniqueness of a solution to our new models in the case where the friction coefficients are nonnegative and sufficiently small. For the model based on the friction pyramid law, we also show that the classical Lemke almost-complementary pivot algorithm and our new feasible interior point method are guaranteed to compute a solution. Extensive computational results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and characteristics of these solution methods for solving the model with friction pyramids. Finally, results are summarized and conclusions are drawn.
Spatial resolution of parallel hot-wire probes for derivative measurements

Abstract The spatial resolution of a parallel-wire probe is studied to evaluate the effect of finite wire spacing and wire length on the measurement of turbulence derivative quantities. The study considers the measurement of velocity and temperature derivatives in an isotropoic field. Different spectral models are used for each case to determine if the amount of spatial filtering is sensitive to changes in the shape of the three-dimensional spectrum that is being measured. The data demonstrate that the separation distance is the critical dimension in probe design if the wire length and separation are of comparable magnitude. The amount of spatial filtering predicted is highly sensitive to the spectral model for separation distances greater than 2–3 times the Kolmogorov length scale.
Higher-order factors of the Big Five predict exploration and threat in life stories

Abstract Research has not previously examined whether higher-order traits of the Big Five are related to characteristics of life story narratives. The current study explored possible links between the broad dispositions of Stability (comprising the shared aspects of Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Emotional Stability) and Plasticity (comprising the shared aspects of Extraversion and Openness) with narrative accounts of threat and exploration in the life-stories of 128 adults. Stability was inversely related to construals of threat in narratives, and Plasticity was positively related to exploration in narratives after controlling for the suppressor effects of demographic variables. These findings add to the research linking higher-order factors of the Big-Five to important domains as well as research linking dispositional traits to narrative identity.
Atmospheric pressure patterns, climatic change and winter wheat yields in North America

Abstract Winter wheat yields over a large area of the United States Great Plains are described as functions of the monthly surface atmospheric pressure pattern over North America. Seventy-eight years of pressure data were spatially decomposed with principal components analysis, and linear combinations of the resulting eigenvectors were used to fit a time series of five sensible climatic variables that are generally considered to be important to wheat yields. This surrogate data set was then used to fit the yield time series. The yield data were initially detrended with a simple linear estimator and adjusted with base constants specific for each crop reporting district. Interannual variation in the pressure field explains approximately 40% of the remaining variance in the yield data over the states of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas. When a reduced model was tested on five years of data simultaneously withheld, a similar amount of the variance was explained. Twentyone eigenvectors are consistently associated with the twelve sensible climatic parameters to which yields are most sensitive. Of these, five were found to be significantly changing (at between the 95 and 99% levels), in either linear or quadratic fashion, over the length of the pressure record. It is concluded that long-term change can and does take place in features of the general circulation that are important determinants of large area crop yields.
Daily Stress, Illness, and Use of Health Services in Young Families

Extract: Family life crises have been suggested as etiologic factors in common illness and in precipitating the use of health services. In this study both relations were studied by means of a daily diary kept by 512 families. Comparison of the observed onset of illness in mothers on the first day of a stress episode with the expected onset revealed that illness was 2.5 times more likely than expected by chance. If no illness was present, stress increased utilization of medical services. If there was illness, it decreased utilization for mothers and increased it for young children. The site of care was an important variable. The probability of telephone calls, visits to the outpatient department (OPD) and emergency department (ED) was doubled in “stress-combined illnesses,” although there was little change in the probability of office visits or visits to other clinics at these times. Length of illness was also relevant. One-day-illness episodes have lower chances of medical contact with stress than without, for both mother (1.5% with stress and 2.1% without) and child (4.0% with stress and 6.4% without). For longer illness episodes (2–5 days) the probability of utilization increases for the child when stress is present (from 0.9% to 15.5%), but decreases for the mother (from 10.4% to 8.4%). Speculation: The greatest future challenge lies in controlled trials of methods to reduce internal stress and the resultant perceived illness. This would reduce acute illnesses and place fewer and more rational demands on the health care system. Finally, we have to face the question of whether we should work towards reducing the external stresses of life or limit ourselves to “immunizing” people against inevitable life crises by strengthening their ability to handle stress without becoming physically or mentally ill and without making undue demands on the health care system.
Optimal Clustering in Graphs with Weighted Edges: A Unified Approach to the Threshold Problem.

Relations on a finite set V are viewed as weighted graphs. Using the language of graph theory two methods of partitioning V are examined. In one method, partitionings of V are obtained by selecting threshold values and applying them to a maximal weighted spanning forest. In another method a parametric linear program is used to obtain a “most adhesive” partition. © 1987 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Independent or dependent competing risks: does it make a difference

This article investigates the consequences of departures from independence when the component lifetimes in a series system are exponentially distributed. Such departures are studied when the joint distribution is assumed to follow either one of the three Gumbel bivariate exponential models, the Downton bivariate exponential model, or the Oakes bivariate exponential model. Two distinct situations are considered. First, in theoretical modeling of series systems, when the distribution of the component lifetimes is assumed, one wishes to compute system reliability and mean system life. Second, errors in parametric and nonparametric estimation of component reliability and component mean life are studied based on life-test data collected on series systems when the assumption of independence is made
Design and experimental evaluation of a pilot tone aided carrier recovery system for wireless personal communications

Following a review of the design and construction of a prototype circuit for pilot tone aided carrier recovery, experimental test results are presented. These results demonstrate the circuit's ability to provide a feasible, reliable and economic solution for reference signal recovery. The many potential applications benefits of reference signal recovery include improved bit error rate performance for wireless modems. >
Collecting Data to Determine the Ca2+-Binding Properties of DM-Nitrophen and Proteins

Conventional techniques used to measure Ca(2+) binding are too slow to determine accurately the fast binding kinetics of most molecules such as Ca(2+)-binding proteins (CBPs). We have developed an ultra-fast in vitro technique for measuring the Ca(2+)-binding properties of CBPs following flash photolysis of caged Ca(2+). Although the details of the setup, the mathematics, and the analysis involved in this technique have been published elsewhere, many of the practical details regarding the actual measurements have, until now, only been described minimally. Here, we present a protocol to gather the data necessary to determine the kinetic properties of a caged-Ca(2+) compound and a CBP.
Adeno-Associated Virus Type 12 (AAV12): a Novel AAV Serotype with Sialic Acid- and Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan-Independent Transduction Activity

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) is a promising vector for gene therapy. Recent isolations of novel AAV serotypes have led to significant advances by broadening the tropism and increasing the efficiency of gene transfer to the desired target cell. However, a major concern that remains is the strong preexisting immune responses to several vectors. In this paper, we describe the isolation and characterization of AAV12, an AAV serotype with unique biological and immunological properties. In contrast to those of all other reported AAVs, AAV12 cell attachment and transduction do not require cell surface sialic acids or heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Furthermore, rAAV12 is resistant to neutralization by circulating antibodies from human serum. The feasibility of rAAV12 as a vector was demonstrated in a mouse model in which muscle and salivary glands were transduced. These characteristics make rAAV12 an interesting candidate for gene transfer applications.
Variables associated with outcome in dogs undergoing extrahepatic biliary surgery: 60 cases (1988-2002).

Objective— To report clinical findings and define clinical variables associated with outcome in dogs undergoing extrahepatic biliary surgery. Study Design— Retrospective study. Animals— Sixty dogs that had extrahepatic biliary tract surgery. Results— Primary diagnoses included necrotizing cholecystitis (36 dogs, 60%), pancreatitis (12 dogs, 20%), neoplasia (5 dogs, 8%), trauma (4 dogs, 7%), and gallbladder rupture from cholelithiasis without necrotizing cholecystitis (3 dogs, 5%). Bile peritonitis occurred in 19 (53%) dogs with necrotizing cholecystitis, 4 dogs with trauma, and 3 dogs with cholelithiasis without evidence of necrotizing cholecystitis. Cholecystectomy (37 dogs, 62%) and cholecystoduodenostomy (14 dogs, 23%) were the 2 most commonly performed procedures. Median hospitalization for survivors was 5 days (range, 1–15 days). There were 43 surviving dogs (72%) and 17 nonsurvivors (28%, 4 died, 13 euthanatized). Presence of septic bile peritonitis (P=.038), elevation in serum creatinine concentration (P=.003), prolonged partial thromboplastin times (PTTs; P=.003), and lower postoperative mean arterial pressures (P=.0001) were significantly associated with mortality. Conclusions— Extrahepatic biliary surgery is associated with high mortality and a relatively long hospitalization time for survivors. Cholecystectomy and cholecystoduodenostomy were the most common surgical procedures to treat the 4 major biliary problems (necrotizing cholecystitis, pancreatitis, neoplasia, and trauma) observed in this cohort of dogs. The relatively high mortality rate likely reflects the underlying diseases and their effects on the animal (septic bile peritonitis, higher serum creatinine, prolonged PTT, and lower postoperative mean arterial pressure) rather than complications of surgery. Clinical Relevance— Septic bile peritonitis, preoperative elevated creatinine concentration, and immediate postoperative hypotension in dogs undergoing extrahepatic biliary tract surgery are associated with a poor clinical outcome. Adequate supportive care and monitoring in the perioperative period is critical to improve survival of dogs with extrahepatic biliary disease.
The dynamic expansion and relocation of capacitated public facilities: a multi-objective approach

Abstract This paper presents an interactive fuzzy goal programming model that will aid the public administrator in determining the dynamic relocation and expansion of capacitated public facilities. Since the general public usually views a public facility as a service institution, the proposed model explicitly considers multiple competing objectives including the service-related qualitative objective. To demonstrate the practicality of the model, the model has been applied to an actual two period expansion and relocation problem of Columbus public library facilities.
The Politics of Reform in Spain's Atlantic Empire during the Late Bourbon Period: The Visita of José García de León y Pizarro in Quito

This article examines the political imbroglios surrounding the tenure of Jose Garcia de Leon y Pizarro (1778–84) as visitador and president-regent of the Audiencia or Kingdom of Quito, in order to demonstrate the deep political divisions that emerged in Spain's Atlantic empire over the Bourbon Reforms. Garcia Pizarro's policies strengthened the colonial state and produced a dramatic increase in crown revenues, but they also led to a groundswell of protest from local elites and even provoked the condemnation of his successors. These political struggles in Quito reveal the many competing viewpoints about the reform and renovation of Spanish Empire. The Bourbon Reforms emerged from a series of hotly contested political struggles on both sides of the Atlantic, leading to patchy and even distinctive outcomes in different regions of the empire. This political contestation also helps to explain why no coherent, commonly accepted plan for the reform of Spain's Atlantic empire ever emerged during the century.
Efficient and practical constructions of LL/SC variables

Over the past decade, a pair of synchronization instructions known as LL/SC has emerged as the most suitable set of instructions to be used in the design of lock-free algorithms. However, no existing multiprocessor system supports these instructions in hardware. Instead, most modern multiprocessors support instructions such as CAS or RLL/RSC (e.g. POWER4, MIPS, SPARC, IA-64). This paper presents two efficient algorithms that implement 64-bit LL/SC from 64-bit CAS or RLL/RSC. Our results are summarized as follows.We present a practical algorithm for implementing a 64-bit LL/SC object from 64-bit CAS or RLL/RSC objects. Our result shows, for the first time, a practical way of simulating a 64-bit LL/SC memory word using 64-bit CAS memory words (or 64-bit RLL/RSC memory words), incurring only a small constant space overhead per process and a small constant factor slowdown.Although our first solution performs correctly in any practical system, its theoretical correctness depends on unbounded sequence numbers. We present a bounded algorithm that implements a 64-bit LL/SC object from 64-bit CAS or RLL/RSC objects, and has the same time and space complexities as the first algorithm.This and the previous algorithm improve on existing implementations of LL/SC objects by Anderson and Moir in 1995, and Moir in 1997.
Optimal scale for research and development in foreign environments—an investigation into size and performance of research and development laboratories abroad

Abstract This paper examines the relationship between performance and size of R&D laboratories operated abroad. Based on a theoretical argument, the paper proposes a concave relationship between laboratory size and performance, as well as a linear relationship between firm learning and laboratory performance. Empirical tests with 129 laboratories established by 27 multinational companies in the pharmaceuticals and electronics industries support these conjectures.