cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Copper levels in cholestatic infants on parenteral nutrition.

Background: Copper levels are primarily regulated by biliary excretion. In cholestatic patients, there is a concern that the standard dose of copper in parenteral nutrition (PN) will result in excessive copper levels. This study looked retrospectively at cholestatic infants receiving PN with measured copper levels to ascertain if this is an actual clinical concern. Methods: All infants from the previous 10 years receiving PN who had a copper level checked and were cholestatic were reviewed. Children with metabolic or liver structural anomalies were excluded from the review. Of the 28 patients found, 26 had gastrointestinal disorders, and 82% of these infants were on the standard PN copper dose (20 µg/kg/d). Results: Only one elevated copper level was found in a child with congenital heart disease, but 13 low levels were found. A smaller number of follow-up copper levels demonstrated that despite cholestasis, some patients require copper supplementation above standard recommendations. Conclusion: Cholestas...
Evolution of sociality in a primitively eusocial lineage of bees

Eusociality is a major evolutionary innovation involving alterations in life history, morphology, and behavior. Advanced eusocial insects, such as ants, termites, and corbiculate bees, cannot provide insights into the earliest stages of eusocial evolution because eusociality in these taxa evolved long ago (in the Cretaceous) and close solitary relatives are no longer extant. In contrast, primitively eusocial insects, such as halictid bees, provide insights into the early stages of eusocial evolution because eusociality has arisen recently and repeatedly. By mapping social behavior onto well-corroborated phylogenies, I show that eusociality has arisen only three times within halictid bees (contrary to earlier estimates of six or more origins). Reversals from eusocial to solitary behavior have occurred as many as 12 times, indicating that social reversals are common in the earliest stages of eusocial evolution. Important attributes of social complexity (e.g., colony size, queen/worker dimorphism) show no obvious association with phylogeny, and some reversals to solitary nesting are related to host-plant switches (from polylecty to oligolecty). These results provide a glimpse of social evolution in its earliest stages and provide insights into the early evolution of advanced eusocial organisms.
Moist Absolute Instability: The Sixth Static Stability State

It is argued that a sixth static stability state, moist absolute instability, can be created and maintained over mesoscale areas of the atmosphere. Examination of over 130 000 soundings and a numerical simulation of an observed event are employed to support the arguments in favor of the existence of moist absolutely unstable layers (MAULs). Although MAULs were found in many different synoptic environments, of particular interest in the present study are the deep (≥ 100 mb) layers that occur in conjunction with mesoscale convective systems (MCSs). A conceptual model is proposed to explain how moist absolute instability is created and maintained as MCSs develop. The conceptual model states that strong, mesoscale, nonbuoyancy-driven ascent brings a conditionally unstable environmental layer to saturation faster than small-scale, buoyancy-driven convective elements are able to overturn and remove the unstable state. Moreover, since lifting of a moist absolutely unstable layer warms the environment, the temper...
An enlightened genetic switch.

Development of a genetic switch based on a photosensitive protein signals the beginning of light-based biological engineering.
Effects of parental omega-3 fatty acid intake on offspring microbiome and immunity.

The “Western diet” is characterized by increased intake of saturated and omega-6 (n−6) fatty acids with a relative reduction in omega-3 (n−3) consumption. These fatty acids can directly and indirectly modulate the gut microbiome, resulting in altered host immunity. Omega-3 fatty acids can also directly modulate immunity through alterations in the phospholipid membranes of immune cells, inhibition of n−6 induced inflammation, down-regulation of inflammatory transcription factors, and by serving as pre-cursors to anti-inflammatory lipid mediators such as resolvins and protectins. We have previously shown that consumption by breeder mice of diets high in saturated and n−6 fatty acids have inflammatory and immune-modulating effects on offspring that are at least partially driven by vertical transmission of altered gut microbiota. To determine if parental diets high in n−3 fatty acids could also affect offspring microbiome and immunity, we fed breeding mice an n−3-rich diet with 40% calories from fat and measured immune outcomes in their offspring. We found offspring from mice fed diets high in n−3 had altered gut microbiomes and modestly enhanced anti-inflammatory IL-10 from both colonic and splenic tissue. Omega-3 pups were protected during peanut oral allergy challenge with small but measurable alterations in peanut-related serologies. However, n−3 pups displayed a tendency toward worsened responses during E. coli sepsis and had significantly worse outcomes during Staphylococcus aureus skin infection. Our results indicate excess parental n−3 fatty acid intake alters microbiome and immune response in offspring.
Thermal observations of drainage from a mud flat

Incised channels on tidal flats create a complex flow network conveying water on and off the flat during the tidal cycle. In situ and remotely sensed field observations of water drainage and temperature in a secondary channel on a muddy tidal flat in Willapa Bay, Washington (USA) are presented and a novel technique, employing infrared imagery, is used to estimate surface velocities when the water depth in the channel becomes too shallow for ADCP measurements, i.e., less than 10 cm. Two distinct dynamic regimes are apparent in the resulting observations: ebb-tidal flow and the post-ebb discharge period. Ebb tide velocities result from the surface slope associated with the receding tidal elevation whereas the post-ebb discharge continues throughout the low tide period and obeys uniform open-channel flow dynamics. Volume transport calculations and a model of post-ebb runoff temperatures support the hypothesis that remnant water on the flats is the source of the post-ebb discharge.
Evaluation of physical dimension changes as nondestructive measurements for monitoring rigor mortis development in broiler muscles.

Studies were conducted to develop a nondestructive method for monitoring the rate of rigor mortis development in poultry and to evaluate the effectiveness of electrical stimulation (ES). In the first study, 36 male broilers in each of two trials were processed at 7 wk of age. After being bled, half of the birds received electrical stimulation (400 to 450 V, 400 to 450 mA, for seven pulses of 2 s on and 1 s off), and the other half were designated as controls. At 0.25 and 1.5 h postmortem (PM), carcasses were evaluated for the angles of the shoulder, elbow, and wing tip and the distance between the elbows. Breast fillets were harvested at 1.5 h PM (after chilling) from all carcasses. Fillet samples were excised and frozen for later measurement of pH and R-value, and the remainder of each fillet was held on ice until 24 h postmortem. Shear value and pH means were significantly lower, but R-value means were higher (P < 0.05) for the ES fillets compared to the controls, suggesting acceleration of rigor mortis by ES. The physical dimensions of the shoulder and elbow changed (P < 0.05) during rigor mortis development and with ES. These results indicate that physical measurements of the wings may be useful as a nondestructive indicator of rigor development and for monitoring the effectiveness of ES. In the second study, 60 male broilers in each of two trials were processed at 7 wk of age. At 0.25, 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 h PM, carcasses were evaluated for the distance between the elbows. At each time point, breast fillets were harvested from each carcass. Fillet samples were excised and frozen for later measurement of pH and sacromere length, whereas the remainder of each fillet was held on ice until 24 h PM. Shear value and pH means (P < 0.05) decreased, whereas sarcomere length means (P < 0.05) increased over time, indicating rigor mortis development. Elbow distance decreased (P < 0.05) with rigor development and was correlated (P < 0.01) with shear value (r = 0.2581), sarcomere length (r = -0.3079), and pH (r = 0.6303). These results suggest that elbow distance could be used in conjunction with other detection methods for optically automating measurement of rigor mortis development in broiler carcasses.
Physiological changes in pulmonary development related to passive smoking and its interaction with active smoking

The growth of pulmonary function between ages 5.5 and 25 years was determined in 1502 observations on 362 subjects from a representative population study of non-Mexican American whites in Tucson. There was an average of 8.8 years of follow-up, with a maximum of 12. The model developed was robust for follow-up of 3-7 observations (3 + years). Respiratory illnesses and smoking had the biggest negative impact on growth of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), Vmax 50%/forced vital capacity (FVC) parental smoking and airway obstructive disease (AOD) were important also. Flow measures showed present and more persistent effects of disease and smoking than did FEV1.
Calorimetry Outside the Box: A New Window into the Plasma Proteome

Differential scanning calorimetry provides a new window into the plasma proteome. Plasma from normal individuals yields a characteristic, reproducible thermogram that appears to represent the weighted sum of denaturation profiles of the most abundant constituent plasma proteins. Plasma from diseased individuals yields dramatically different signature thermograms. Thermograms from individuals suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, and Lyme disease were measured. Each disease appears to have a distinctive and characteristic thermogram. The difference in thermograms between normal and diseased individuals is not caused by radical changes in the concentrations of the most abundant plasma proteins but rather appears to result from interaction of as yet unknown biomarkers with the major plasma proteins. These results signal a novel use for calorimetry as a diagnostic tool.
From Types to Populations: A Century of Race, Physical Anthropology, and the American Anthropological Association

In the 1960s, U.S. physical anthropology underwent a period of introspection that marked a change from the old physical anthropology that was largely race based to the new physical anthropology, espoused by Washburn and others for over a decade, which incorporated the evolutionary biology of the modern synthesis. What actually changed? What elements of the race concept have been rejected, and what elements have persisted, influencing physical anthropology today? In this article, I examine both the scientific and social influences on physical anthropology that caused changes in the race concept, in particular the influence of the American Anthropological Association. The race concept is complicated but entails three attributes: essentialism, cladistic thinking, and biological determinism. These attributes have not all been discarded; while biological determinism and its social implications have been questioned since the inception of the field, essentialism and the concomitant rendering of populations as clades persists as a legacy of the race concept. [Keywords: race, essentialism, physical anthropology]
Developmental Changes in Lung cGMP Phosphodiesterase-5 Activity, Protein, and Message

During transitional circulation, the pulmonary vascular bed undergoes a rapid and profound reduction in both tone and vascular smooth-muscle (VSM) content. 3',5'-Guanylate cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) is a crucial mediator in the regulation of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and VSM proliferation. Hydrolysis of cGMP is achieved predominately by cGMP-specific phosphodiesterases (PDEs). Among the cGMP-specific PDEs, PDE5 is quantitatively prevalent in lung tissue. We have investigated the levels of pulmonary PDE5 enzymatic activity, protein, and messenger RNA (mRNA) in ovine and mouse lung during perinatal development. We report that within 1 h following birth, PDE5 activity, protein, and mRNA levels decrease in both species, in a manner that correlates with known decreases in PVR in early transition. However, from 4 to 7 d following birth, a secondary increase in PDE5 activity, protein, and mRNA occurs in both ovine and mouse lung, suggesting a complex regulation of PVR and VSM proliferation in late perinatal development. Our data imply that PDE5 may be an important mediator in the regulation of PVR in normal and possibly in pathologic states, and may ultimately provide a basis for PDE5 inhibitors as a treatment for pulmonary hypertension.
The alarm cue obstruction hypothesis: isopods respond to alarm cues, but do not respond to dietary chemical cues from predatory bluegill

Predator avoidance behaviours occur when prey detect a predator but the predator has not yet detected and identified prey. These defences are critical because they prevent predation at the earliest possible stages when prey have the best chance of escape. We tested for predator avoidance behaviours in an aquatic macroinvertebrate (Caecidotea intermedius; order Isopoda) in a series of three experiments. The first experiment attempted to determine if isopods possess alarm cues by exposing them to stimuli from macerated conspecifics. We then exposed isopods to kairomones from non-predatory tadpoles (Rana catesbiana) and predatory fish (Lepomis macrochirus) that had been fed a benign diet. Finally, we exposed isopods to kairomones of predatory fish that had been fed a diet exclusively of isopods. We found that isopods did not respond to any kairomone cues or dietary cues from any potential predator, but did reduce activity in response to alarm cues. These results suggest that isopods exhibit predator avoidance responses toward chemical cues in a limited setting (they do not respond unless the information suggests an attack has occurred in the immediate past) or that bluegill have the ability to modify or mask the alarm cues from their prey.
Synthesis of 3,7,8-15N3-N1-(β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-5-guanidinohydantoin

3,7,8- 15 N 3 -N'-(β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-5-guanidinohydantoin was synthesized from the oxidation of 1,7,NH 2 - 15 N 3 -8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine with 2 equivalents of Ir(IV) in pH 4.5 potassium phosphate buffer. The synthesis of 1,7,NH 2 - 15 N 3 -8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine started with bromination of 1,7,NH 2 - 15 N 3 -2'-deoxyguanosine. The resulting 1,7,NH 2 - 15 N 3 -8-bromo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine reacted with sodium benzyloxide to afford 1,7,NH 2 - 15 N 3 -8-benzyloxy-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine. Subsequent catalytic transfer hydrogenation of 1,7,NH 2 - 15 N 3 -8-benzyloxy-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine with cyclohexene and 10% Pd/C yielded 1,7,NH 2 - 15 N 3 -8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine. Purification of 3,7,8- 15 N 3 -N'-(β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-5-guanidinohydantoin was first carried out on a C18 column and the product was further purified on a graphite column. ESI-MS was used to confirm the identity and to determine the isotopic purity of all the labeled compounds. The isotopic purity of 3,7,8- 15 N 3 -N'-(β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-5-guanidinohydantoin was 99.4 atom% based on LC-MS measurements.
Nonlinear large displacement and moderate rotational characteristics of composite beams incorporating transverse shear strain

Abstract This research was directed toward the investigation of nonlinear large displacements and moderate rotations of composite beam structures considering a finite element potential energy approach incorporating through-the-thickness shear strain as an analytical function. This approach was compared to large rotation theories. Test cases were run to evaluate numerical algorithms. Riks method and displacement imposed techniques were employed. The limitations and advantages of both methods were considered. Loading arrangements included concentrated forces as well as moments.
Physiological Effects of Gibberellic Acid. VII. Electron Microscopy of Barley Aleurone Cells.

Earlier work indicated that barley endosperm, freed from the embryo, responds to gibberellic acid (GA3) treatment with a loss in dry weight accompanied by release of reducing sugars and protein nitrogen ( 19, 20, 21). These results lead to the conclusion that the effects of the embryo and GA3 on the endosperm are identical, and suggest that endogenous gibberellin may be the hormone produced in the embryo which initiates the breakdown of endospermal reserves. In an attempt to trace the action of GA3 to a locus within the barley endosperm it was shown that the aleurone layer was the tissue directly affected (23). Isolated segments of aleurone tissue, peeled away from the starchy endosperm, have demonstrated the ability to produce and release a-amylase as a result of GA3 treatment. The results prompted the conclusion that it is this amylase, as it diffuses from its site of production in the intact germinating seed which causes the release of reducing sugar by acting on starch in the inner portion of the endosperm. Identification of the aleurone layer as the cellular locus of GA3 action, and the development of techniques for its isolation have made it possible to follow, visually, the GA3-induced changes within this tissue. This report deals with ultrastructural manifestations of GA3 treatment, as observed with the electron microscope. A preliminary report has been presented elsewhere (12).
Three-dimensional quantum mechanical study of the F + H2 reactive scattering

Abstract Three-dimensional quantum mechanical calculations for the exoergic reactive scattering of F + H 2 → FH + H are carried out in the framework of the distorted wave approximation. Vibration—rotation distributions of the product molecule obtained in the present calculation are discussed in terms of available experimental results.
Tissue factor activity is increased in a combined platelet and microparticle sample from cancer patients

Abstract Background Cancer patients have an increased risk of thrombosis. Tissue factor (TF) antigen and TF activity associated with microparticles in plasma are elevated in patients with various types of cancer. Of these two measurements, TF activity is considered superior to TF antigen levels because the activity more closely reflects the ability of TF to initiate coagulation. Recent studies showed that platelets also express TF. Objective To determine the level of TF activity associated with a combined platelet and microparticle sample from cancer patients (n = 20) and healthy individuals (n = 23). Methods TF activity was measured using a two step chromogenic assay and soluble P-selectin was measured by ELISA in healthy controls and metastatic cancer patients. Results We determined the composition of a combined platelet and microparticle sample. The sample consisted of platelets, large microparticles (30–200 nm) and membrane debris. We compared the TF activity of a combined platelet and microparticle sample from cancer patients with that from healthy individuals. We found that TF activity in a combined platelet and microparticle sample from cancer patients was higher than in samples from healthy individuals (21.5 ± 12.3 pM (n = 20) versus 8.6 ± 6.8 pM (n = 23), mean ± SD, p Conclusion This study indicates that measurement of TF activity in a combined platelet and microparticle sample can be used as a simple assay to determine the level of circulating TF.
Power Consumption Analysis of Maximum A Posterior Classifier Using LU Decomposition and Jacobi Iterations

In tracking applications of wireless sensor networks (WSNs), the classification of an object or event of interest is envisaged to be one of the most computationally intensive tasks that recur frequently over the lifetime of the network. It is imperative that the implementations of such tasks be power efficient and computationally feasible for resource-constrained WSNs. Existing implementations of the best known classifiers such as maximum Aposterior (MAP) classifier are computationally infeasible for WSN environments. The focus of this paper is to investigate computational techniques to realize power efficient distributed implementation of the MAP classifier. In the MAP classifier, one of the most computationally challenging steps is the computation of the inverse of the covariance matrices. In this paper, we study computationally efficient methods for realizing the inverse of a matrix. We present a detailed discussion of one-sided Jacobi Iterations and LU Decomposition for approximating and computing the inverse of the covariance matrices. For LU Decomposition-based solutions, we also apply folding techniques to ensure equal power dissipation among the sensor network nodes. Our contribution lies in the power consumption analysis of executing the MAP classifier using LU decomposition and one-sided Jacobi Iterations to substitute the inverse of the covariance matrices. We show that MAP with one-sided Jacobi Iterations greatly simplifies classification process and makes it more feasible and efficient choice for sensor network applications.
New foundations for efficient authentication, commutative cryptography, and private disjointness testing

This dissertation presents new constructions and security definitions related to three areas: authentication, cascadable and commutative crytpography, and private set operations. Existing works relevant to each of these areas fall into one of two categories: efficient solutions lacking formal proofs of security or provably-secure, but highly inefficient solutions. This work will bridge this gap by presenting new constructions and definitions that are both practical and provably-secure. The first contribution in the area of efficient authentication is a provably-secure authentication protocol named HB+. The HB+ protocol is efficient enough to be implemented on extremely low-cost devices, or even by a patient human with a coin to flip. The security of HB+ is based on the hardness of a long-standing learning problem that is closely related to coding theory. HB+ is the first authentication protocol that is both practical for low-cost devices, like radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, and provably secure against active adversaries. The second contribution of this work is a new framework for defining and proving the security of cascadable crypt osystems, specifically commutative cryptosystems. This new framework addresses a gap in existing security definitions that fail to handle cryptosystems where ciphertexts produced by cascadable encryption and decryption operations may contain some message-independent history. Several cryptosystems, including a new, practical commutative cryptosystem, are proven secure under this new framework. Finally, a new and efficient private disjointness testing construction named HW is offered. Unlike previous constructions, HW is secure in the face of malicious parties, but without the need for random oracles or expensive zero-knowledge protocols. HW is as efficient as previous constructions and may be implemented using standard software libraries. The security of HW is based on a novel use of subgroup assumptions. These assumptions may prove useful in solving many other private set operation problems. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
Multidimensional recursive filters via a helix

Wind a wire onto a cylinder to create a helix. I show that a filter on the 1-D space of the wire mimics a 2-D filter on the cylindrical surface. Thus 2-D convolution can be done with a 1-D convolution program. I show some examples of 2-D recursive filtering (also called 2-D deconvolution or 2-D polynomial division). In 2-D as in 1-D, the computational advantage of recursive filters is the speed with which they propagate information over long distances. We can estimate 2-D prediction-error filters (PEFs) that are assured of being stable for 2-D recursion. Such 2-D and 3-D recursions are general-purpose preconditioners that vastly speed the solution of a wide class of geophysical estimation problems. The helix transformation also enables use of the partial-differential equation of wave extrapolation as though it were an ordinary-differential equation.
Acanthocephala from Amphibians in China with the Description of a New Species of Pseudoacanthocephalus (Echinorhynchida)

Abstract Amphibians of 24 species were surveyed for acanthocephalans in 4 nature reserves in 2 Chinese provinces during 2004–2006. Pseudoacanthocephalus bufonis (Echinorhynchida) occurred in both nature reserves in Guangxi Province. In the Jing Xi County Provincial Nature Reserve, P. bufonis infected 36 of 62 amphibians at a mean intensity of 9.9. Less than 250 km away, at Shiwandashan National Nature Reserve, 5 of 20 amphibians were infected at a mean intensity of 6.2. Pseudoacanthocephalus bufonis was not found in either of the reserves in Guizhou Province. In the Kuan Kuoshui Nature Reserve, 9 of 28 amphibians were parasitized at a mean intensity of 2.0 by a previously undescribed species of Pseudoacanthocephalus, and no acanthocephalan occurred in a small sample of 2 toads at Dashahe Nature Reserve. The new species, Pseudoacanthocephalus reesei n. sp., differs from all others in the genus by typically having 14 longitudinal rows of 4 hooks, each of which is much longer than corresponding hooks of any ...
Cadmium and associated metals in soils and sediments of wetlands across the Northern Plains, USA.

Abstract Cadmium, present locally in naturally high concentrations in the Northern Plains of the United States, is of concern because of its toxicity, carcinogenic properties, and potential for trophic transfer. Reports of natural concentrations in soils are dominated by dryland soils with agricultural land uses, but much less is known about cadmium in wetlands. Four wetland categories – prairie potholes, shallow lakes, riparian wetlands, and river sediments – were sampled comprising more than 300 wetlands across four states, the majority in North Dakota. Cd, Zn, P, and other elements were analyzed by ICP-MS, in addition to pH and organic matter (as loss-on-ignition). The overall cadmium content was similar to the general concentrations in the area's soils, but distinct patterns occurred within categories. Cd in wetland soils is associated with underlying geology and hydrology, but also strongly with concentrations of P and Zn, suggesting a link with agricultural land use surrounding the wetlands.
Old maps help interpret Icelandic eruption

The two maps on the cover show an interesting feature that helps explain one of the mysteries of the 1783–1784 Skaftar Fires fissure basalt eruption. Contemporary reports of the eruption refer to the “east northeastern fires” (fire fountains or other explosive activity), well to the east of the Skaftar Fires crater row. The fires recurred several times between May 1783 and May 1785 (see dates at top of Figure 1). That activity persisted for a little more than a year after the fissure eruption stopped.
Characterization of leakage current in buried-oxide SOI transistors

The junction leakage current of MOSFETs built in oxygen-implanted silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates has been measured as a function of terminal voltages and temperature. Analysis of the results indicates that the physical mechanism causing the high junction leakage current, typically seen in SOI MOSFETs, is field-enhanced emission of carriers through traps near the buried-oxide/silicon interface. These traps are a consequence of the incorporation of metal impurities during oxygen implantation. The effects of conventional gettering techniques, oxygen dose, and control of metal contamination by modification of implanter design on leakage current are discussed. >
Fundamentals of Plastics Thermoforming

Abstract The process of heating and reshaping plastics sheet and film materials has been in use since the beginning of the plastics industry. This process is known as thermoforming. Today this process is used for industrial products including signage, housings, and hot tubs. It also produces much of the packaging in use today including blister packs, egg cartons, and food storage containers. This process has many advantages over other methods of producing these products, but it has some limitations. This book has a twofold purpose. It is designed to be used as a text book for a course on thermoforming. It is also intended to be an application guide for professionals in the field of thermoforming including manufacturing, process and quality engineers, and managers. This book is focused on process application rather than theory. It refers to real products and processes with the intent of understanding the real issues faced in this industry. In addition to materials and processes, part and tool design are co...
CONNECTIVITY AND DENSITY IN THE SET OF FRAMELETS

We show that the set of all framelets is pathwise connected and dense both in $L^2(\br, dx)$ and $L^2(\br, d\xi/|\xi|)$ norms. This answers an open problem posed by Larson \cite{La1, La2}.
Optimal and suboptimal micro-Doppler estimation schemes using carrier diverse Doppler radars

Carrier diverse radars employing two different frequencies, termed as dual-frequency radars, prove effective in determining the target range in urban sensing and through-the-wall applications. In this paper, we derive the maximum likelihood (ML) estimator for the dual frequency radar returns for a micro-Doppler motion profile, which is commonly exhibited by indoor moving targets. Unlike linear models, the respective ML estimator does not have a closed form. We solve the ML estimator for dual frequency radar operations, using iterative reweighted least squares (IRLS). The ML-IRLS algorithm is applied to experimental radar returns for estimating the motion parameters of indoor targets.
The Cost-Effectiveness of Cyclooxygenase-2 Selective Inhibitors in the Management of Chronic Arthritis

The reduced risk for gastrointestinal complications seen with rofecoxib and celecoxib in average-risk patients with chronic arthritis does not offset their increased costs relative to nonselective ...
Lot's Wife on the Border

In January or February of 384 c.e., the Christian pilgrim known to us as Egeria left Jerusalem, where she had been based, and headed east. According to her own account, she felt impelled by God to climb Mount Nebo. With her traveled “some holy men from Jerusalem, a presbyter and deacons, and several brothers (monks).” The trip, which took them through Jericho and Livias, went very well. Her guides were able to point out further local sites, and, after some instructive detours, they reached their goal. Mount Nebo was high and steep, but the group of pilgrims, now swollen in number by the addition of local monks, made the climb successfully. Close to the summit they found a church commemorating the site of Moses's death. After a short service consisting of readings from Scripture and prayers, the local holy men asked Egeria if she would like to see “the places which are described in the Books of Moses.” This proposal “delighted” her, and together they climbed up to the actual summit.
A model of dopamine modulated cortical activation

Standard techniques from pharmacology and current theories on the biochemistry of dopamine (DA) are used to derive a new model of how DA modulates cortical activation. The model assumes that DA potentiates the glutamate response through the NMDA receptor and depresses the glutamate response through non-NMDA receptors. A static version of the model is used to examine the neurobiological plausibility of the Servan-Schreiber, Printz, and Cohen model [Science 249 (1990) 892]. A dynamic version can be used to model many behaviors that are outside the domain of the static [Science 249 (1990) 892] model, including single-cell recording data. As a preliminary test of the model, we show that it can account for some single-cell recording data that examined the effects of DA on the firing rate of glutamatergic cortical cells.
Comparison between measured tissue phantom ratio values and calculated from percent depth doses with and without peak scatter correction factor in a 6 MV beam

The purpose of this study is to examine the accuracy of calculated tissue phantom ratio (TPR) data with measured TPR values of a 6MV photon beam. TPR was calculated from the measured percent depth dose (PDD) values using 2 methods – with and without correcting for the differences in peak scatter fraction (PSF). Mean error less than 1% was observed between the measured and calculated TPR values with the PSF correction, for all clinically relevant field sizes and depths. When not accounting for the PSF correction, mean difference between the measured and calculated TPR values was larger than 1% for square field sizes ranging from 3 cm to 10 cm.
Knowledge work artifacts: kernel cousins for free/open source software development

Most empirical studies of peer production have focused on the final products of these efforts (such as software in Free/Open Source projects), but there are also many other knowledge artifacts that improve the effectiveness of the project. This paper presents a study of an intermediate work product, or informalism, used in a Free/Open Source Software project, GNUe. A digest-like artifact called the Kernel Cousin (KC) was used extensively in the project. These KCs allowed critical coordination and memory, but at the cost of considerable effort. The paper presents two examples of the KCs' use in the project as well as an analysis of their benefits and costs.
Photogrammetric Techniques Using High Speed Cineradiography

A high speed 16 mm cineradiographic system originally developed at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) for use in biomechanics research has been undergoing continuous upgrading in capability. In addition to changes in the structural aspect of the cineradiography, improvements have been made in the procedures used to obtain better image quality, as well as in the methods for interpretation of the digitized results. The current improvements in the system include (1) filtering of the x-ray source before penetration of the subject to increase image contrast and to protect the image tube; (2) hypersensitization of the film to increase its effective speed; (3) development of a neutral density radio-contrast medium for outlining anatomic structure without using the vascular system; and (4) development of procedures for obtaining analytic information about motion of nonrigid anatomic structures from digitized film. This system now consists of cameras that view a 50 mm (2 in.) diameter output of a P-11 phosphor of a high gain, four-stage magnetically focused image intensifier tube, gated on and off synchronously with the motion picture camera shutter. A lens optically couples the input photocathode of the image tube to an x-ray fluorescent (rare earth) screen image produced by a smoothed dc x-ray generator of a conventional type. The system is capable of looking at a large variety of anatomic structures under a wide range of dynamic loading conditions.
Basalt from the Axial Trough of the Red Sea

Fragments of volcanic glass and basalt raised in six cores between 19° and 23°N, two from Atlantis II Deep, are Recent or sub-Recent in age, have specific gravity between 2.5 and 2.7 and refractive index of 1.607 ±.003. One sample contained laths of plagioclase (An 60–82). The rocks contain no normative nepheline and are poor in K2O (0.2 wt per cent). In these respects they resemble subalkaline oceanic basalts and the basalts of the island of Jebel Teir at the southern end of the axial trough. Their titania content is intermediate between that of alkaline basalts and oceanic subalkaline basalts and comparable with that of Ethiopian rift basalts. Their phosphorus and total iron contents are higher than that of oceanic subalkaline basalts and comparable to alkaline basalts of the African Rifts. Petrologically, as structurally, the axial trough of the Red Sea seems to be intermediate between rift valley and ocean.
The relative influences of climate and competition on tree growth along montane ecotones in the Rocky Mountains

Distribution shifts of tree species are likely to be highly dependent upon population performance at distribution edges. Understanding the drivers of aspects of performance, such as growth, at distribution edges is thus crucial to accurately predicting responses of tree species to climate change. Here, we use a Bayesian model and sensitivity analysis to partition the effects of climate and crowding, as a metric of competition, on radial growth of three dominant conifer species along montane ecotones in the Rocky Mountains. These ecotones represent upper and lower distribution edges of two species, and span the distribution interior of the third species. Our results indicate a greater influence of climate (i.e., temperature and precipitation) than crowding on radial growth. Competition importance appears to increase towards regions of more favorable growing conditions, and precise responses to crowding and climate vary across species. Overall, our results suggest that climate will likely be the most important determinant of changes in tree growth at distribution edges of these montane conifers in the future.
EDGEWORTH EXPANSIONS: A BRIEF REVIEW OF ZHIDONG BAI'S CONTRIBUTIONS

Professor Bai's contributions to Edgeworth Expansions are reviewed. Author's collabo- rations with Professor Bai on the topic are also discussed. I have the pleasure of collaborating with Professor Bai Zhidong on many papers including three (2-4) on Edgeworth expansions. The earliest work of Bai on Edgeworth expansions that I came across is the English translation (10) of his joint work with Lin Cheng, which was first published in Chinese. They investigate expansions for the distribution of sums of independent but not necessarily identically distributed random variables. The expansions are obtained in terms of truncated moments and characteristic functions. From this, they derive an ideal result for non-uniform estimates of the residual term in the expansion. In addition they also derive the non-uniform rate of the asymptotic normality of the distribution of the sum of independent but identically distributed random variables, extending some of the earlier work by A. Bikyalis (13) and L. V. Osipov (17). Few years later Bai (7) obtains Edgeworth expansions for convolutions by providing bounds for the approximation of Fn by Ukn, where Fn denotes the distribution function of the sum of n independent random variables, is a function of bounded variation and Ukn denotes the "formal" Edgeworth expansion of Fn up to the kth order. Many important statistics can be written as functions of sample means of ran- dom vectors. Bhattacharya and Ghosh (11) made fundamental contributions to the theory of Edgeworth expansions for functions of sample means of random vectors. Their results are derived under Cramer's condition on the joint distribution of all the components of the vector variable. However, in many practical situations, such as ratio statistics (6) and survival analysis, only one or a few of the components satisfy Cramer's condition while the rest do not. Bai along with Rao (8) estab-
Terminal Area Energy Management Trajectory Planning for an Unpowered Reusable Launch Vehicle

A guidance scheme that employs a trajectory-planning algorithm has been developed for the terminal area energy management phase of an unpowered reusable launch vehicle. The trajectory-planning scheme computes a reference flight profile by piecing together several flight segments that are defined by a small set of geometric parameters. Iterating on three geometric parameters and propagating a test matrix of trajectories produces a set of feasible reference profiles that bring the vehicle from its current state to a desired approach and landing target state. Path constraints on states and controls are easily implemented in the propagation scheme, and simple numerical sorting is used to identify the optimal feasible path. Open- and closed-loop guidance commands are readily available once the best reference trajectory is determined. The trajectory-planning algorithm is able to quickly generate new reference profiles for test cases with large variations in initial vehicle energy, initial heading, and vehicle drag. The effectiveness of the trajectory-planning algorithm is demonstrated by several numerical simulations, which show that the guided vehicle is able to successfully reach the desired approach and landing glideslope target with small tracking errors.
The cattle grub problem in Arizona. II. Phenology of common cattle grub infestations and their effects on weight gains of preweaning calves.

Studies were comlucted to determine dates of cessation of adult Hypoderma lineatum (de Villers) activity and effects of larval infestations on weight gains of cattle. The cattle were maintained on un supplemented range pastures at 5000 feet elevation in east-central Arizona. The numbers of hypo dermal grubs ill calves of known age born in 1965, 1967, 1968, and 1969 were ascertained during the winter and spring following their births. All calves born after a certain date each year (fly-free date) were free or hypodermal grubs when examined and obviously were born after oviposition activity of H. lineatum had ceased. fly-free dates ranged from Apr. 1 to May 4, and all preceded the recommended date, May 28, for treatment with systemic insecticides at this elevation. Several systemic insecticides were applied to calves born in 1967, 1968, and 1969 to evaluate effects of common cattle grub infestations on average daily weight gains (ADG). Each year. about 375 calves were selected randomly for insecticidal treatment or retained as untreated controls. Treatment dates were about June 1 and coincided with the usual practice of spring vaccinations. Calves ranged from 6 to 126 days old when treated. Individual weights were obtained when treated, at weaning in mid-November, and again when 12, 20, and 24 months old. No signs of insecticidal toxicity were observed. Statistically and economically significant increases in ADG were obtained at weaning in treated calves born in 1967 and 1969. Variations in ADG response to grub control between sexes and insecticides also were noted. Of the systemic insecticides used, trichlorfon produced the best results ill terms of increased ADG and resulted in 0.08 and 0.09 pounds per day in 1967 and 1969, respectively, over the preweaning periods of about 162 days. No significant alterations of ADG were noted in 1968 or at any of the post weaning weighing periods. Control of common cattle grubs in preweaning calves is safe and economically advantageous, provided the calves are treated soon after the fly-free date and if the treatment date coincides with other management practices.
Imaging of Metal/Semiconductor Interface by Ballistic-Electron-Emission Microscopy (BEEM)

Studies in ballistic-electron-emission spectroscopy (BEES) have enabled precise energy measurements of Schottky barrier heights with excellent spatial resolution and, more recently, it was shown that even scattering at the metal/semiconductor interface affects the BEES spectrum [1]. Monte Carlo simulations have been done to predict the spatial resolution of ballistic-electron-emission microscopy (BEEM) [2]. In this paper, we will discuss the experimental spatial resolution of BEEM, and we will also give some of our BEES results for Au/Si and for Au/PtSi/Si. Our experimental BEEM studies indicate that, for Au/Si, hot electron transport is diffusive rather than ballistic, because the inelastic mean free path length (~100 nm) is much larger than the elastic mean free path length (~10 nm). This is in agreement with existing theories and with the literature on the internal photoemission method of studying the transport. Even in this diffusive regime, the spatial resolution of BEEM is still expected to be very good, being on the order of 10 nm [2]. Our preliminary work on PtSi shows that it has an attenuation length of 4 nm, which differs significantly from that of Au.
Tuning a Lanthanide Complex To Be Responsive to the Environment in Solution

The f–f emissions of lanthanide-ion complexes have predictable emission energies and many practical applications, but the emitting states are generally impervious to the surroundings. This investigation explores ligand- and metal-centered emission processes for a series of mixed-ligand complexes of composition M(X-T)(NO3)3, where the metal ion is europium, gadolinium, terbium, or lutetium, and X-T denotes the tridentate ligand 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (H-T), 4′-phenyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (Ph-T), or 4′-pyrrolidin-N-yl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (pyrr-T). The presence of the pyrrolidinyl substituent imparts intraligand charge-transfer (ILCT) character to the ligand-based excited states and reduces the energy gap between the singlet and the triplet excited states. An enhanced rate of intersystem crossing results in a lutetium complex with a relatively small fluorescence quantum yield (0.15%) and a gadolinium complex with an impressive phosphorescence yield of 9.6% in deaerated solution. The Tb(pyrr-T)(NO3)3 sys...
Public Learning,Information Disclosure of Media and Inflation Expectation Formation

Based on the information disclosure index of media generated by the phrase extraction method,this paper focuses on the effect of the information disclosure on inflation expectation formation through a structural VAR model.It shows that the information disclosure of media has a positive relationship with inflation expectation in the short term,and the more information the media discloses,the greater the effect on the fonnation of inflation expectation is.In the comparative analysis of the impact on inflation expectation between media information disclosure and the bank information disclosure,it turns out that the former has a greater influence than the later one in the short term,and residuals pay more attention to the price information released by the media press.
Investigation of sweetener residue in pickled vegetables from sales link in Yantai City

[Objective]To understand the sweetener residue level of pickled vegetable sampled from sales territory in Yantai City.[Methods]The sweetener residue,saccharin sodium salt and Acesulfame K,were detected with Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography(UPLC),by diode array detector and fluorescence detector.The results were judged on GB 2760-2011"Hygienic Standards for Uses of Food Additives".[Results]Of 300 pickled vegetable samples,the total qualified rate was 76.67%;70 were not qualified,with sample mean of 0.60 g/kg;the maximum detection value was 5.81 g/kg which was 4 times of limit value of GB 2760-2011;the qualified rate of Acesulfame K was 99.33%,2 were not qualified,with maximum detected value of 0.45 g/kg.[Conclusion]The sweetener residue level of pickled vegetable is generally detected in pickled vegetable,especially for saccharin sodium salt and its mean value.Therefore,the supervision and monitoring should be enhanced.
New integrated modes to improve efficiency of drug discovery

To eliminate the bottlenecks and improve efficiency in new drug RD,pharmaceutical companies are currently evaluating all phases of discovery and development from validating targets,desig- ning compounds,clinical trials to producing process using novel integrated approaches to speed them up.It is necessary to use new integrated modes to improve efficiency of drug discovery.