cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Bayesian framework for fracture characterization from surface seismic data

We describe a methodology for quantitatively characterizing the fractured nature of a hydrocarbon or geothermal reservoir from surface seismic data under a Bayesian inference framework. Fractures provide pathways for fluid flow in a reservoir, and hence, knowledge about a reservoir’s fractured nature can be used to enhance production of the reservoir. The fracture properties of interest in this study (to be inferred) are fracture orientation and excess compliance, where each of these properties are assumed to vary spatially over a 2D lateral grid which is assumed to represent the top of a reservoir. The Bayesian framework in which the inference problem is cast has the key benefits of (1) utilization of a prior model that allows geological information to be incorporated, (2) providing a straightforward means of incorporating all measurements (across the 2D spatial grid) into the estimates at each grid point, (3) allowing different types of measurements to be combined under a single inference procedure, and (4) providing a measure of uncertainty in the estimates. The observed data are taken from a 2D array of surface seismic receivers responding to an array of surface sources. Well understood features from the seismic traces are extracted and treated as the observed data, namely the Pwave reflection amplitude variation with acquisition azimuth (amplitude versus azimuth, or AvAz, data) and fracture transfer function (FTF) data. AvAz data are known to be more sensitive to fracture properties when the fracture spacing is significantly smaller than the seismic wavelength, whereas fracture transfer function data are more sensitive to fracture properties when the fracture spacing is on the order of the seismic wavelength. Combining these two measurements has the benefit of allowing inferences to be made about fracture properties over a larger range of fracture spacing than otherwise attainable. Geophysical forward models for the measurements are used to arrive at likelihood models for the data. The prior distribution for the hidden fracture variables is obtained by defining a Markov random field (MRF) over the lateral 2D grid where we wish to obtain fracture properties. The fracture variables are then inferred by application of loopy belief propagation (LBP) to yield approximations for the posterior marginal distributions of the fracture properties, as well as the maximum a posteriori (MAP) and Bayes least squares (BLS) estimates of these properties. Verification of the inference procedure is performed on a synthetic dataset, where the estimates obtained are shown to be at or near ground truth for a large range of fracture spacings.
Structural models and design rules for on-chip micro-channels with sacrificial cores

This paper provides a structural analysis of hollow silicon dioxide micro-channels that have applications in microfluidics and photonics. A specific fabrication method is highlighted that uses aluminum as a sacrificial material. Possible causes of failures that occur during fabrication are investigated, and internal pressure produced during the fabrication process is identified as the most likely failure mechanism. Three models are developed for the fabricated micro-channels. Models based on elementary beam theory and energy methods verify a nonlinear finite element model. Design parameters in the finite element model are varied to investigate which have the greatest effect on structural strength and ultimate failure. Experimental results are used with the model to estimate the pressure at failure. Finally, based on the model and experimental results, a rule is developed for the design of the hollow micro-channels described in the paper: maintain the width-to-thickness ratio below 35.
Oxindole N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) antagonists

Abstract Replacement of the phenol group in non-competitive NMDA antagonist ifenprodil with oxindole results in a new series of ′non-traditional′ NMDA antagonists. In combination with threo relative stereochemistry, improved NMDA antagonist potency and selectivity may be achieved.
Pseudomonas putida 06909 genes expressed during colonization on mycelial surfaces and phenotypic characterization of mutants

Aims: The main focus of this study was to gain an overall view of Pseudomonas putida 06909 genes involved in the Pseudomonas–Phytophthora interaction as a biological control mechanism, and to understand the roles of these genes. Methods and Results: Sixteen Ps. putida genes with increased expression on Phytophthora mycelial surfaces were identified using in vivo expression technology (IVET) screening. Sequence analysis of these Phytophthora mycelium-induced (pmi) genes revealed that many of them display similarity to genes known or predicted to be involved in carbohydrate catabolism, energy metabolism, amino acid/nucleotide metabolism, and membrane transport processes. Disruption of three pmi genes encoding succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase, a dicarboxylic acid transporter, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase showed significant phenotypic differences involved in the colonization processes, including motility, biofilm formation on abiotic surfaces, colony morphology, and competitive colonization of fungal mycelia. All three of these pmi genes were induced by glycogen and other substances, such as organic acids and amino acids utilized by Ps. putida. Conclusions: The IVET screening and mutant characterization can be used to identify bacterial genes that are induced on the mycelial surface and provide insight into the possible mechanisms of mycelial colonization by this bacterium. Significance and Impact of the Study: The IVET screening through a bacterial genome library might be a huge task. However, because the genes involved in direct interaction with Phytophthora and in bacterial adaptation can be identified, the IVET system will be a valuable tool in studying biocontrol bacteria at the molecular and ecological levels.
Optimization of planar coils for electromagnetic induction systems

Continuous-wave electromagnetic induction systems used for subsurface sensing often employ separate transmit and receive coils. In these systems, it is desirable to have zero mutual coupling between the transmit and receive coils and for the coils to have maximum sensitivity at a specific location. A representation of a pair of coils as stream functions on planar surfaces is created, and then a method of optimizing these stream functions for minimum mutual coupling and maximum sensitivity using a convex solver is developed. A pair of coils is optimized for varying amounts of dissipated power and stored energy, and the solutions are categorized. The sensitivity of the optimized coils is then compared to other common coil types.
Implicit Tax Rates of the Expanded Earned Income Tax Credit for Welfare Recipients in North Carolina

High implicit tax rates for welfare recipients have been cited as a deterrent to additional work effort by these households. The expanded earned income tax credit (EITC), passed by Congress in 1993, was enacted in part to reduce the implicit tax rates and increase work effort by very low income households. This paper calculates implicit tax rates for a typical welfare family in North Carolina before and after the expanded EITC. Although the expanded EITC reduces implicit tax rates for the typical welfare household at very low levels of earnings, implicit tax rates are still found to be substantial, especially when work and child care costs are included.
Cost Analysis of Leading Causes for LVAD Patient Readmissions

Purpose: This single-center retrospective study addresses cost and net income for leading causes of readmissions for patients supported by continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). Methods: Leading causes of readmissions were identified, along with baseline characteristics of the patient population. Length of stay (LOS) and financial data were collected for direct costs, indirect costs, contribution margin and net income, per readmission (n= 153 events). LOS, cost and net income per type of readmission were characterized. ANOVA was used to test for significance between readmission types (p< 0.05). Results: Leading causes of readmissions were identified as GI bleeding, “other” (per INTERMACS definition), CVA/TIA symptoms, VT and/or AICD fire, other infection, and hemolysis. Combined causes accounted for 64.3% of readmissions. Payer mix was composed of 55.2% Medicare, 28.4% private insurance and 16.4% Medicaid. Patients in the hemolysis group had the largest average cost (average direct + indirect cost $141,791, LOS 8 days), which was significant in comparison to patients with CVA/TIA symptoms (average direct + indirect cost $15,690, LOS 4 days) (p= 0.043). The category “other” resulted in the highest contribution margin (average $6,195 per readmission). Surprisingly, categories of GI bleed, CVA/TIA symptoms, and hemolysis all had an average contribution margin of approximately +/$1,000. The average LOS for the combined causes of readmissions was 6 days, contribution margin was $2,425 and net income was -$13,744. Conclusion: This study offers for the first time an insight into the financial implications of the leading causes of readmissions for LVAD patients. Analysis shows a small contribution margin can be attained from treating LVAD patients for common types of readmissions. By identifying costs and net income associated with specific types of readmissions, financial and clinical strategies can be employed to improve screening and treatment efficiency.
Evaluation of methods to obtain geosorbent fractions enriched in carbonaceous materials that affect hydrophobic organic chemical sorption.

To better understand sorption, separation methods are needed to enrich soils and sediments in one or more types of carbonaceous materials (CM), especially in fine grain materials where physical sep...
A Review of Thirty Cases of Rhabdomyolysis-Associated Acute Renal Failure among Phencyclidine Users

AbstractFifteen cases of rhabdomyolysis-associated acute renal failure among phencyclidine (PCP) users were seen at our institution between 1979-1984. An additional 15 cases were found from the literature. These 30 cases are reviewed here with respect to the incidence of acute renal failure among PCP users, its possible pathogenesis, clinical and biochemical features, and treatment.
Survey of r-Process Models

We present a large survey of r-process nucleosynthesis models. The parameters varied are the initial electron-to-baryon ratio, Ye, the entropy per baryon, s, and the dynamical timescale, τ0. These quantities usefully characterize the abundances expected from any explosive event. The calculations were strictly adiabatic in the sense that s was held constant throughout, which is more realistic than the standard ρ ∝ T3 parameterization. We also assumed steady mass loss and a radial outflow at constant velocity. By focusing on production of the r-process isotopes with mass near A = 195, one of the peaks in the solar system's r-process distribution, we provide constraints on the conditions necessary for production of these isotopes. These constraints should prove useful to supernova modelers seeking the r-process site.
Thermosphere and F-region plasma dynamics in the equatorial region

The dynamics of the equatorial thermosphere and the F-region plasma are reviewed, highlighting some features observed with the San Marco satellite, the AE-E, and the DE-2, as well as with ground-based facilities at Arecibo and Jicamarca. Particular attention is given to the midnight temperature maximum and related phenomena, and to results on zonal neutral and plasma flows at F-region heights.
Field-ion microscopy of ferrous martensite

Abstract Fine structures of as-quenched martensite in an Fe-0.8% C-0.4% Mn steel were investigated using field-ion microscopy techniques. Both untwinned and twinned martensite regions were detected. Differences in image contrast and regularity of net plane edges were found in the hydrogen-ion images of pure iron and untwinned martensite. It is proposed that in the twinned martensite images the twins appear as bright bands while dark bands represent the intersection of twin boundaries with the specimen surface. The twins were found to have a {112} orientation and a width of 25–100 A.
Supersymmetric Axion-Neutrino Model with a Higgs Hybrid

In 2001, a supersymmetric model was proposed to relate the axion scale to that of neutrino mass seesaw. Whereas this scenario is realistic, the particles associated with this mechanism are either too heavy or too weakly coupled for them to be observed (other than the axion itself or perhaps the axino). A variation of that model is here proposed which allows significant mixing of the Higgs boson with a new singlet related to the saxion (the scalar partner of the pseudoscalar axion), rendering it possible to be observed at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). With the addition of exotic color superfields, this also becomes a specific realization of how the production of such a Higgs hybrid may be suppressed or enhanced at the LHC, which is very relevant to ongoing experimental efforts to find the Higgs boson.
A New Jersey Printer's "Pocket Memorandum" for 1795.

Hixson looks at Isaac Collins's personal copy of a 1795 pocket almanac in which he wrote of business activity in his Trenton printing shop. The almanac is useful in providing insight into certain aspects of the printing trade in New Jersey during the closing years of the 18th century. Isaac Collins (1746-1817) is considered to be New Jersey's senior printer.
Chlorophyll distributions in the Delaware estuary: Regulation by light-limitation

Phytoplankton chlorophyll concentrations in the Delaware estuary range over two orders of magnitude and display several maxima over the seasonal cycle. These maxima were found to be regulated both spatially and temporally by light availability. Both the spring chlorophyll maximum, which reaches 50–60 μg chlorophyll l−1 during a Skeletonema costatum dominated bloom, and transient fall blooms (15–20 μg l−1) are focused in mid-estuary. These blooms are regulated spatially by settling out of suspended sediment below the turbidity maximum and both spatially and temporally by physical factors (e.g. river flow) that cause vertical stratification in mid-estuary. In freshwater regions, chlorophyll concentrations display seasonal periodicity correlated with solar irradiance; summer chlorophyll concentrations average 30 μg l−1. These freshwater and mid-estuarine biomass maxima may be correctly predicted using a steady-state light-limitation model. In contrast, summer chlorophyll concentrations in the lower estuary remain below 10 μg l−1 and are not correctly modeled, despite minimum turbidity, and non-nutrient limiting conditions. These chlorophyll concentrations appear to be regulated by a combination of light availability and grazing. Although extremely high anthropogenic nutrient inputs in the freshwater region of the Delaware River provide non-limiting nutrient concentrations throughout the estuary, regulation of phytoplankton growth by light-limitation restricts chlorophyll concentrations below the nuisance levels found in many eutrophic systems.
Immobilization of rhodium complexes in aqueous HBF4. The enantioselective hydrogenation of prochiral olefins with {[CH3CHP(p-C6H4NMe2H)2CH2CHP(p-C6H4NMe2H)2CH3]RhNBD}5+

The complex {[CH3CHP(p-C6H4NMe2H)2CH2CHP(p-C6H4NMe2H)2CH3]RhNBD}5+ is active for the enantioselective hydrogenation of cinnamic acid derivatives at low pH in aqueous solutions of the noncoordinating acid HBF4. Analytical data are consistent with protonation occurring exclusively at the dimethylamino groups and not at the metal. Enantiomeric excesses of 67 to 97% are obtained for the hydrogenation of Z-(4-OMe, 3-OAcC6H3CHC(NHC(O)Me)COOH in aqueous HBF4 at 14 bar H2. The use of aqueous acidic solutions allows for the convenient workup of the product and recycling of the catalyst.
Generalized Multistage Compressor Characteristics

Presented below is a method of calculating the off design performance of multistage axial compressor characteristics that differs in concept from previous methods. A set of resulting calculations has certain general properties, namely, that it is independent of absolute stage work and flow coefficients, number of stages, and annulus geometry. Each set depends only on a stage characteristic “shape” which is normalized so that the work coefficient is unity when the flow coefficient is unity. The principle restrictive assumption that has been made is that the effect of Mach number on the density is negligible.Copyright © 1960 by ASME
Substrate selectivity of high-activity mutants of human butyrylcholinesterase

Cocaine is one of the most addictive drugs, and there is still no FDA (Food and Drug Administration)-approved medication specific for cocaine abuse. A promising therapeutic strategy is to accelerate cocaine metabolism, producing biologically inactive metabolites via a route similar to the primary cocaine-metabolizing pathway, i.e. cocaine hydrolysis catalyzed by butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in plasma. However, the native BChE has a low catalytic efficiency against the abused cocaine, i.e. (−)-cocaine. Our recently designed and discovered A199S/F227A/S287G/A328W/Y332G mutant and other mutants of human BChE have a considerably improved catalytic efficiency against (−)-cocaine. In the present study, we carried out both computational modeling and experimental kinetic analysis on the catalytic activities of these promising new BChE mutants against other known substrates, including neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), acetylthiocholine (ATC), butyrylthiocholine (BTC), and (+)-cocaine, in comparison with the corresponding catalytic activity against (−)-cocaine. Both the computational modeling and kinetic analysis have consistently revealed that all the examined amino acid mutations only considerably improve the catalytic efficiency of human BChE against (−)-cocaine, without significantly improving the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme against any of the other substrates examined. In particular, all the examined BChE mutants have a slightly lower catalytic efficiency against neurotransmitter ACh compared to the wild-type BChE. This observation gives us confidence in developing an anti-cocaine enzyme therapy by using one of these BChE mutants, particularly the A199S/F227A/S287G/A328W/Y332G mutant.
Fabrication of Vascular Replicas From Magnetic Resonance Images

Image processing and Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machining techniques have been used to prepare a larger-than-life investment cast of an aortic bifurcation from magnetic resonance images of a replica of the vessel. The technique will facilitate experimental studies of vascular fluid dynamics and permit the in vitro reproduction of flows in living subjects.
Atypical PKC ζ is activated by ceramide, resulting in coactivation of NF‐κb/JNK kinase and cell survival

Both protein kinase C (PKC) and ceramide play a critical role in cell signaling, but the relationship between PKC and ceramide is unclear. Low concentrations of ceramide were observed to transiently stimulate PKC zeta activity in vitro and in vivo, whereas high doses of ceramide lead to inhibition of PKC zeta. Inhibition of activity was accompanied by enhanced binding of the negative regulator, Par4 to PKC zeta. Treatment of PC12 cells with low doses of ceramide promoted survival in serum-free media and activation of nuclear factor-KB, whereas higher doses (>2.5 microM) resulted in cell death. Overexpression of either aPKC isoform, PKC zeta or iota, resulted in enhanced survival of PC12 cells at high doses of ceramide and in ceramide-stimulated Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), without any apparent effect on mitogen-activated kinase. These findings support a role for ceramide-induced PKC zeta activity in the control of cell survival signaling via a pathway that also activates JNK kinase.
CDNA AND GENOMIC CLONES FOR HUMAN PLATELET GLYCOPROTEIN lib (GPIIb)

The platelet GPIIb-IIIa heterodimer complex is essential for platelet aggregation and is a member of a family of adhesive protein receptors. GPIIb, the larger component of this complex, is composed of two disulfide-linked subunits: GPIIbα and GPHbβ. A cDNA expression library was constructed using mRNA from a human erythroleukemia (HEL) cell line expressing GPIIb-IIIa in λgt11, and the library was screened using a polyclonal antibody against GPIIb. Positive clones were isolated and a 3.3 kb cDNA clone was shown to contain DNA sequence information for the amino acids at the N-termini of both GPIIbα and GPIIbβ. The IIbα sequence begins 30 bp downstream from the 5′-end of the clone, while the IIbβ starts 700 bp upstream from the poly-A tail at the 3′-end of the clone. Northern blot analysis indicates a GPIIb mRNA of 4.1 kb. Analysis of the DNA sequence provides the first complete amino acid sequence for GPIIbα and GPIIbβ, including hydrophobic domains, glycosylation sites, and proline-rich areas. A 16.3 kb human genomic clone has been isolated; exons span at least 12 kb of this clone. Current studies are defining the intron-exon organization of the gene. These findings will allow a direct approach to analysis of the genetic defect(s) causing thrombasthenia, and may lead to means for prenatal diagnosis of this platelet defect.
Effects of inhalation exposure to a high-boiling (288 to 454°C) coal liquid☆

Abstract Coal liquids have been evaluated in a variety of short-term toxicological assays; however, few studies have been conducted to determine the systemic effects after inhalation exposure to these materials. To extend the data base on potential health effects from coal liquefaction materials, we performed a study with solvent refined coal (SRC)-II heavy distillate (HD). Fischer-344 rats were exposed for 6 hr/day, 5 days/week for 5 or 13 weeks to an aerosol of HD (boiling range, 288 to 454°C) at concentrations of 0.69, 0.14, 0.03, or 0.0 mg/liter of air for the high, middle, low, and control groups, respectively. Survival through 13 weeks of exposure was greater than 90% for all groups; body weights for exposed animals were decreased in a dose-dependent manner. significant increases in liver weights and decreases in thymus and ovary weights were observed for treated animals compared with controls. There were also significant treatment-related decreases in erythrocytes, hemoglobin, volume of packed red blood cells, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and total white blood cells. After 5 weeks of exposure serum cholesterol concentrations increased in a dose-dependent manner for both sexes and serum triglyceride amounts decreased for males but not for females. After 13 weeks of exposure, high-dose animals had significant increases in cholesterol (males only), triglycerides, blood urea nitrogen, and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT; males) and significant decreases in albumin, SGPT (females), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Examination of bone-marrow preparations from exposed animals demonstrated consistent decreases in the degree of cellularity, suggesting that this organ is a target for HD. Microscopic evaluation of organ sections indicated exposure-related changes for nasal mucosa, pulmonary macrophages, thymus, liver, kidney, bone marrow, ovaries, and cecum. Results from this study indicated dose-dependent increases in the severity of the lesions observed, with few effects in the low-exposure group that were attributable to the exposure.
Iterative procedure for generating trees and directed trees

An iterative procedure for generating trees and directed trees is described. The procedure will not introduce any redundancies, duplications, or cancellations of terms, and is readily adaptable for a digital computer. With minor modifications, the process may also be used to generate 2-trees and directed 2-trees, and for the evaluation of the numbers of trees, directed trees, 2-trees and directed 2-trees efficiently.
Robust Multi-Camera 3D People Tracking with Partial Occlusion Handling

This paper presents an approach to robust 3D people tracking using multiple synchronized and calibrated cameras. The goal is to improve people tracking accuracy when the subjects being tracked partially occlude each other in some of the camera views. To achieve this goal, Monte Carlo fine-tuning is deployed to rectify 3D people locations obtained from partially occluded image observations. In our approach, Gaussian mixture models and axis-parallel ellipsoids are used to represent the appearance and the 3D body structures of the subjects, respectively. Related parameters are learned off-line. Experimental results obtained using real videos illustrate that the proposed approach is capable of accurate and robust 3D people tracking under partial or complete occlusions.
Basic design features of a nonimpacting, pneumatically driven, hydraulically damped high speed tester

The significance of the time to acquire constant velocity in high speed testing is discussed. It is pointed out that the border line between impact and nonimpact testing depends on this time as well as the length of the test specimen and the velocity of sound in the material being tested. Equations relating force, mass, velocity, damping, and time are worked out for a pneumatically driven, hydraulically damped piston-type machine. These equations afford a basis for the design of a high speed tester. Practical values of parameters are given for a machine which will acquire a uniform velocity of 50 ft./sec. in about 3 × 10−4 sec. Design data for a damping system are also given.
Argumente gegen eine drucksenkende Behandlung der okulären Hypertension

Das Hauptargument gegen eine drucksenkende Behandlung der okularen Hypertension (OHT) ist „primum nihil nocere“. Die Ungenauigkeit der Augeninnendruckmessung und die Tatsache, dass der erhohte Augendruck nur ein Risikofaktor fur das Glaukom ist, verunmoglichen eine klinisch sinnvolle Definition der OHT. Eine drucksenkende Behandlung, ohne dass funktionelle oder morphologische Veranderungen vorliegen, sollte nur bei extrem hohen Druckwerten (>32 mmHg) begonnen werden. Bei Druckwerten zwischen 21 und 32 mmHg sollte das Konversionsrisiko des individuellen Patienten anhand der aus den grosen prospektiven Studien (OHTS/EGPS) bekannten Risikofaktoren mithilfe des Risikorechners ermittelt werden. Nur Patienten mit einem deutlich erhohten Risiko (>13%) profitieren eindeutig von einer prophylaktischen Behandlung. Bei allen Patienten mit einem geringen oder masigen Risiko sind die potenziellen Nebenwirkungen der Therapie relevanter als deren moglicher Nutzen, sodass das Prinzip des „aggressiven Abwartens“ bei der OHT mehr als berechtigt ist. Wenn eine eindeutige Progression nachgewiesen werden kann, sollte unmittelbar mit einer drucksenkenden Behandlung begonnen werden.
Collaboration using OSSmole: a repository of FLOSS data and analyses

This paper introduces a collaborative project OSSmole which collects, shares, and stores comparable data and analyses of free, libre and open source software (FLOSS) development for research purposes. The project is a clearinghouse for data from the ongoing collection and analysis efforts of many disparate research groups. A collaborative data repository reduces duplication and promote compatibility both across sources of FLOSS data and across research groups and analyses. The primary objective of OSSmole is to mine FLOSS source code repositories and provide the resulting data and summary analyses as open source products. However, the OSSmole data model additionally supports donated raw and summary data from a variety of open source researchers and other software repositories. The paper first outlines current difficulties with the typical quantitative FLOSS research process and uses these to develop requirements for such a collaborative data repository. Finally, the design of the OSSmole system is presented, as well as examples of current research and analyses using OSSmole.
Guided-wave magnetooptic Bragg cell modules using compact tunable magnetic housing

Compact magnetostatic forward volume wave-based guided-wave magnetooptic (MO) Bragg cell modules have been realized by utilizing a pair of samarium-cobalt (Sm-Co) permanent magnets together with a pair of current-carrying coils. Detailed design procedures of this compact magnetic housing are presented. A tunable DC magnetic field as large as 2446 Oe corresponding to a tunable carrier frequency band of 6.85 GHz has been achieved. The resulting MO Bragg cell modules with carrier frequencies ranging from 2.0 to 12.0 GHz have provided performance characteristics comparable to those obtained by using a bulky electromagnet at the optical wavelength of 1.303 mu m. Compact MO Bragg cell modules of even higher carrier frequency, larger range of tunable carrier frequency, and smaller size can be constructed to facilitate other potential applications. >
Inside dialogical realities: From an abstract‐systematic to a participatory‐wholistic understanding of communication

As participants in a ceaseless flow of speech entwined, dialogically‐structured, social activity, what matters to us are “once‐occurrent events of Being” (Bakhtin, 1993). Such events are meaningful to us from within that flow in terms of the further specification they give to it. Due to its internal structuring as an indivisible whole, all our traditional attempts to understand this flow and the events specifying it from the outside, in terms of abstract‐systematic frameworks of our own devising, are bound to fail. We need to set ourselves new goals in our research: that of critically refining and elaborating our already existing practices by intertwining into them reflective practices of a dialogical kind. The work of Bakhtin, Wittgenstein, and Goethe orients us toward the kind of practices required.
Pedestrian tracking from a stationary camera using active deformable models

The system proposed in this paper uses active deformable models to track pedestrians moving in dynamic real-world scenes. First, figure pixels are separated from a fixed or slowly evolving ground image. Then, an initial segmentation process identifies interesting pixel blobs for tracking. The output of the segmentation process is used to choose the starting position of the control points of the active deformable model. Once tracking has begun, the control points are updated at frame rates by minimizing an energy function involving the relative position of model points, image data, and the characteristics of figure pixels.
The brain's default network: origins and implications for the study of psychosis

The brain's default network is a set of regions that is spontaneously active during passive moments. The network is also active during directed tasks that require participants to remember past events or imagine upcoming events. One hypothesis is that the network facilitates construction of mental models (simulations) that can be used adaptively in many contexts. Extensive research has considered whether disruption of the default network may contribute to disease. While an intriguing possibility, a specific challenge to this notion is the fact that it is difficult to accurately measure the default network in patients where confounds of head motion and compliance are prominent. Nonetheless, some intriguing recent findings suggest that dysfunctional interactions between front-oparietal control systems and the default network contribute to psychosis. Psychosis may be a network disturbance that manifests as disordered thought partly because it disrupts the fragile balance between the default network and competing brain systems.
Stable isotope tracer reveals that viviparous snakes transport amino acids to offspring during gestation.

SUMMARY Viviparity and placentation have evolved from oviparity over 100 times in squamate reptiles (lizards and snakes). The independent origins of placentation have resulted in a variety of placental morphologies in different taxa, ranging from simple apposition of fetal and maternal tissues to endotheliochorial implantation that is homoplasious with mammalian placentation. Because the eggs of oviparous squamates transport gases and water from the environment and calcium from the eggshell, the placentae of viviparous squamates are thought to have initially evolved to accomplish these functions from within the maternal oviduct. Species with complex placentae have also been shown to rely substantially, or even primarily, on placental transport of organic nutrients for embryonic nutrition. However, it is unclear whether species with only simple placentae are also capable of transporting organic nutrients to offspring. Among viviparous squamates, all of the snakes that have been studied thus far have been shown to have simple placentae. However, most studies of snake placentation are limited to a single lineage, the North American Natricinae. We tested the abilities of four species of viviparous snakes – Agkistrodon contortrix (Viperidae), Boa constrictor (Boidae), Nerodia sipedon (Colubridae: Natricinae) and Thamnophis sirtalis (Colubridae: Natricinae) – to transport diet-derived amino acids to offspring during gestation. We fed [ 15 N]leucine to pregnant snakes, and compared offspring 15 N content with that of unlabeled controls. Labeled females allocated significantly more 15 N to offspring than did controls, but 15 N allocation did not differ among species. Our results indicate that viviparous snakes are capable of transporting diet-derived amino acids to their offspring during gestation, possibly via placentation.
Biomimetic grasp planning for cortical control of a robotic hand

In this paper we outline a grasp planning system designed to augment the cortical control of a prosthetic arm and hand. A key aspect of this system it the ability to combine online user input and autonomous planning to enable the execution of stable grasping tasks. While user input can ultimately be of any modality, the system is being designed to adapt to partial or noisy information obtained from grasp-related activity in the primate motor cortex. First, principal component analysis is applied to the observed kinematics of physiologic grasping to reduce the dimensionality of hand posture space and simplify the planning task for on-line use. The planner then accepts control input in this reduced-dimensionality space, and uses it as a seed for a hand posture optimization algorithm based on simulated annealing. We present two applications of this algorithm, using data collected from both primate and human subjects during grasping, to demonstrate its ability to synthesize stable grasps using partial control input in real or near-real time.
THE CONJUNCTION EFFECT AND CLINICAL JUDGMENT

Judgments made by clinicians may sometimes violate an axiom of probability theory, which dictates that neither the probability of event A, P(A) nor the probability of event B, P(B), can be less than the probability of the conjunction of events A and B, P(A [.intersection] B). In the following study, 40 psychologists and psychology interns estimated the probability of one of their clients obtaining (a) a particular result on the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI; Morey, 1991), (b) a particular result on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2 (MMPI–2; Butcher, Dahlstrom, Graham, Tellegen, & Kaemmer, 1989), and (c) the same specified results on both the PAI and MMPI–2. Violations of the conjunction rule occurred for 58% of the clinicians and were relatively large in size.
Persistent stores and hybrid systems

We describe a proof of concept implementation of software tools for the simulation, analysis, and real-time control of flows of hybrid systems. Using these tools, one can create persistent object stores containing trajectories of hybrid systems and control such systems with an appropriate query on the store. To illustrate these ideas, we describe how to use object stores to solve path planning problems for hybrid systems. >
The march of an economic idea? Protectionism isn't counter-cyclic (anymore)

Conventional wisdom holds that protectionism is counter-cyclic; tariffs, quotas and the like grow during recessions. While that may have been a valid description of the data before the First World War, it is now inaccurate. Since the Second World War, protectionism has not been counter-cyclic; tariffs and non-tariff barriers simply do not rise systematically during downturns. I document this new stylised fact with a panel of data covering over 180 countries and 40 years, using over a dozen measures of protectionism and six of business cycles. I test and reject a number of potential reasons why protectionism is no longer counter-cyclic. A ‘diagnosis of exclusion’ leads me to believe that modern economics may well be responsible for the decline in protectionism's cyclic behaviour; economists are more united in their disdain for protectionism than virtually any other concept. This in turn leaves one optimistic that the level of protectionism will continue to decline along with its cyclicality. — Andrew K. Rose
A Phantom Case of Coarctation of the Aorta

A 9-month–old infant girl was referred for management of transverse aortic arch hypoplasia in the setting of a right arch with mirror-image branching of the brachiocephalic vessels and an aberrant left subclavian artery originating from the descending aorta. Because she was asymptomatic and without left ventricular hypertrophy on echocardiogram, no interventions were undertaken. At multiple subsequent clinic visits through 4 years of age, extremity pulses and blood pressures continued to be normal and equal despite persistent arch hypoplasia and Doppler evidence of arch obstruction on serial echocardiograms. At 4.5 years of age, her left radial pulse was noted to be relatively weaker for the first time, but 4-extremity blood pressures remained equal. An echocardiogram with Doppler revealed a continuous systolic-diastolic forward flow waveform in the abdominal aorta. One year later, her left radial pulse remained relatively weak, and her right leg systolic blood pressure was 30 mm Hg lower than that in her upper extremities. These findings prompted magnetic resonance angiography, which revealed a complex form of right aortic arch with moderate transverse aortic arch hypoplasia measuring 6 mm in diameter, narrowing to 4 mm at the isthmus. Distal to the coarctation, the proximal descending aorta was 11 mm in diameter. Both common carotid arteries arose proximal to the hypoplastic transverse aortic arch. There were no significant aortic-intercostal collateral arteries (Figure 1 and online-only Data Supplement Movie I). Figure 1. Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of …
Effect of dietary proline and hydroxyproline on tensile strength of healing wounds.

SummaryProtein depleted rats were given dietary supplements of .5% synthetic d-l hydroxyproline and 1% synthetic d-l proline. Guinea pigs on an ascorbic acid deficient diet were given a dietary supplement of .5% d-l hydroxyproline. The animals were wounded by a standard technic and the tensile strength of their healing wounds was tested at 48-hour intervals between the 6th and 21st postoperative days. Neither hydroxyproline nor proline exerted a significant effect upon the rate of gain of tensile strength in the wounds of protein deficient rats or scorbutic guinea pigs.
Mutational analysis of the intramembranous H10 loop of yeast Nhx1 reveals a critical role in ion homoeostasis and vesicle trafficking.

Yeast Nhx1 [Na+(K+)/H+ exchanger 1] is an intracellular Na+(K+)/H+ exchanger, localizing to the late endosome where it is important for ion homoeostasis and vesicle trafficking. Phylogenetic analysis of NHE (Na+/H+ exchanger) sequences has ident-ified orthologous proteins, including HsNHE6 (human NHE6), HsNHE7 and HsNHE9 of unknown physiological role. These appear distinct from well-studied mammalian plasma membrane isoforms (NHE1–NHE5). To explore the differences between plasma membrane and intracellular NHEs and understand the link between ion homoeostasis and vesicle trafficking, we examined the consequence of replacing residues in the intramembranous H10 loop of Nhx1 between transmembrane segments 9 and 10. The critical role for the carboxy group of Glu355 in ion transport is consistent with the invariance of this residue in all NHEs. Surprisingly, residues specifically conserved in the intracellular isoforms (such as Phe357 and Tyr361) could not be replaced with closely similar residues (leucine and phenylalanine) found in the plasma membrane isoforms without loss of function, revealing unexpected side chain specificity. The trafficking phenotypes of all Nhx1 mutants, including hygromycin-sensitivity and missorting of carboxypeptidase Y, were found to directly correlate with pH homoeostasis defects and could be proportionately corrected by titration with weak base. The present study demonstrates the importance of the H10 loop of the NHE family, highlights the differences between plasma membrane and intracellular isoforms and shows that trafficking defects are tightly coupled with pH homoeostasis.
A Massachusetts and Multi-State Approach to Statewide Assessment of Student Learning

For almost three decades, ever-broader segments of the population have, with mounting stridency, called for greater focus on the quality of student learning in colleges and universities and for pub...
The Intellectual Commons and Property in Synthetic Biology

Is the development of synthetic biology threatened by sharing and ownership issues? What measures are synthetic biologists taking to address intellectual property and commons issues that may threaten development of the field? Part I presents a conceptual framework for the analysis of ownership and sharing in emerging technologies, organized around two dimensions – a private ownership vs commons axis and a clarity vs ambiguity axis. It then uses the framework to assess the fit between conventions governing intellectual property and elements of synthetic biology. Part II describes internal positions on ownership and sharing within the community of synthetic biologists, highlighting areas of agreement on common ownership of registries of parts for basic research and education, standards for performance and interoperability, and design and testing methods; and agreement on private ownership of designs of devices ripe for commercialization. Part II also discusses the varied views of synthetic biologists on precisely where to draw the line on public vs private ownership of biological parts and design principles. The conclusions examine domestic and international forces that may shape the evolution of formal legal conventions and informal practices in synthetic biology.
Social Skills Training Approaches

In this chapter we outline the application of social skills training approaches to the treatment of nonpsychotic unipolar depressive disorder. Social skills training is a collection of techniques including instructions, modeling, behavior rehearsal, corrective feedback, social reinforcement, and selected cognitive restructuring techniques that have been effectively utilized to modify the social behavior of clients with a broad range of interpersonal difficulties. Social skills training has been applied to the treatment of persons suffering from major depressive episodes, and preliminary results suggests that it may be as effective in remediating depressive symptoms as some pharmacologically based treatment approaches (Bellack, Her-sen, & Himmelhoch, 1983; Hersen, Bellack, Himmelhoch, & Thase, 1984). At the Mood Disorders Clinic of Albany Medical College, we are currently engaged in a study of the effectiveness of social skills training and antidepressant medication for the treatment of chronic intermittent depressive disorder. In addition to cognitive therapy (see Chapter 7, this volume), social skills training may represent a viable alternative to drug treatment for some depressed individuals.
Crohn’s Disease: Gastrointestinal Features

Crohn’s disease has been estimated to affect two per 1,000 individuals in the United States. It presents primarily in young adults, but can occur in the elderly. The gastrointestinal symptoms are often nonspecific, but may be debilitating:
Why Iraq Needs a Federal System Such as the Federalism of the United States

This Paper resolves Iraqi problem about the power which end sectarian conflict and show the correct legal system in Iraq comparing with the system of the United States of America. This paper argues that by establishing a federal system of law, Iraq will no longer be a prisoner of its recent past. Federalism is a key feature of modern political structures, especially in pluralistic, multi-ethic states.
Disturbance, Coping, and Innovation: A Phenomenology of Terror

Is there an escape from terror? Beyond loss of life, terrorism aims to undermine the meaning of life. Policy responses are based on flight, paralysis, or fight-responses ranging from war to containment .What, however, if even normal life already "contains" terror? If so, how we deal with the small disturbances in everyday coping may tell us something about what it takes to build a world beyond terror. For this purpose we pay special attention to the concepts of coping, theorizing, and contemplation used by Martin Heidegger and Hubert Dreyfus to describe recovery from breaches of everyday life and work.
Confocal Microendoscopy: An Emerging Tool for In Situ Disease Diagnosis

The confocal microendoscope is an instrument for optical biopsy that allows in situ imaging of tissue at the cellular level. Several promising clinical applications are emerging for this type of novel instrumentation.
Biology and Larval Host Range of the Flea Beetle Disonycha argentinensis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on Alligatorweed in Argentina

Larvae of the flea beetle Disonycha argentinensis Jacoby from Argentina completed their development and produced adults on only 3 of 57 South American plant species tested: its natural host Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb. (alligatorweed), which is a pest in North America; A. paronychioides St. Hilaire, which does not occur in North America; and Beta vulgaris L. Cicla group (leaf beet). The few eggs laid by adults reared on leaf beet did not hatch. In the laboratory, adults lived an average of 147 days (maximum 306 days) and females laid an average of 409 eggs each. A generation in the laboratory (at mean temperatures of 25.9°C for immature and 22.6°C for adults) required 49 days: 4.0 days for the egg, 10.0 days for the feeding larva, 11.0 days for the prepupa and pupa, 11.4 days for pre-ovipositing adults, and 12.6 days for adults from beginning to peak oviposition. The larvae had three instars and pupated under litter. Both adults and larvae fed on the youngest leaves and the growing bud, but not on flowers and little on stems. In field cages, females oviposited under litter at the base of the plants. Populations were low in the field.