cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Course content or the instructor: which is more important in on‐line teaching?

Explores the impact and relative importance of course content and the role of the instructor on measures of effectiveness for online courses. Uses items from a standard questionnaire to form measures of the quality of course content, the instructor’s role in facilitating the course and a number of global effectiveness measures. Suggests that the results vary depending on the global effectiveness measure being assessed, and identifies the questions which are of greatest importance.
Gag reflex and dysphagia

The gag reflex is a protective response that prevents foreign objects or noxious material from entering the pharynx, larynx, or trachea; it is not elicited during a normal swallow. Although no data have been reported to support a relationship between the gag reflex and dysphagia, the gag reflex is nevertheless routinely assessed during the bedside dysphagia evaluation. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether absence of a gag reflex is a predictor of dysphagia. Method. Fourteen consecutive adult subjects referred for a bedside dysphagia evaluation because they were considered to be at increased risk for aspiration, specifically due to absence of a gag reflex, were investigated. In addition, the gag reflex was assessed in 69 normal adult volunteers. Results. Although all subjects were referred for bedside dysphagia evaluations specifically because they had no gag reflex, 86% (12/14) were nevertheless able to eat at least a puree diet. In addition, 86% (12/14) of subjects with no gag reflex had normal velar movement, reinforcing the physiologic differences between velar functioning during phonation and the gag reflex. The gag reflex, traditionally considered part of the bedside dysphagia evaluation, was absent in 13% (9/69) of nondysphagic subjects, raising further doubts regarding its clinical relevancy.
Self-Assembly of Styrylthiophene Amphiphiles in Aqueous Dispersions and Interfacial Films: Aggregate Structure, Assembly Properties, Photochemistry, and Photophysics

A study of phospholipid and fatty acid amphiphiles containing the isomeric trans-α- and β-styrylnaphthalene chromophores is reported. On the basis of simulations for Langmuir films of fatty acids terminated with the two chromophores, it was anticipated that the β-styrylnaphthalene fatty acids should be able to pack into compact layers, having an extended glide or herringbone arrangement similar to those observed for corresponding stilbene, tolan, or azobenzene amphiphiles. In contrast, the simulations suggested that such an arrangement might be precluded on steric grounds for the isomeric α-styrylnaphthalene derivatives. The experimental studies carried out indicate that the β-styrylnaphthalene fatty acids and phospholipids do in fact exhibit assembly properties and photophysical behavior similar to that observed for the stilbene and tolan amphiphiles; thus we find evidence for aggregates having similar “signatures” to those observed previously for both films at the air−water interface and aqueous suspens...
A 4-year-old male who has a persistent, severe headache.

1. Osman Farooq, MD* 2. Zebunnissa Memon, MD† 3. Nicholas Saikali, MD‡ 4. Thomas J. Langan, MD* 1. *Department of Pediatric Neurology, University of Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, NY. 2. †Department of Pediatrics, University of Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, NY. 3. ‡Department of Neurology, University of Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, NY. A 4-year-old boy presents to the emergency department (ED) with a 10-day history of headaches. He was seen in the same ED 1 week before for a 2- to 3-day history of headache. The patient's headache improved after he was given acetaminophen, and he was discharged from the ED with instructions to parents to administer acetaminophen on an as-needed basis. However, over the following week, the headaches increased in frequency and severity, and the patient was brought to his pediatrician complaining of global headaches, difficulty reading at school, and difficulty walking up and down stairs. The patient was referred for further evaluation. On assessment, vital signs are within normal limits. Physical examination is significant for generalized somnolence, right optic disc pallor, bitemporal hemianopsia, and a slight left-sided facial droop. Mild weakness is noted in the left upper extremity, both proximally and distally. Deep tendon reflexes are appropriate and symmetrical in all extremities. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the head (Fig 1) suggests the diagnosis. Figure 1. CT scan of the head of 4-year-old male with persistent headache. The CT scan of the head (Fig 1) revealed a midline hypodense cystic mass in the sellar region with areas of hyperdensity, suggestive of calcifications. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain further revealed an enhancing heterogeneous mass with solid and cystic components (Fig 2). Based on the location and appearance of the mass, the patient was strongly suspected of having a craniopharyngioma and scheduled for surgical resection. Figure 2. Axial, coronal, and sagittal views of MRI with contrast revealing a heterogeneously enhancing solid and cystic mass extending upward from …
Microfluidic continuous flow digital loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)

Digital nucleic acid detection is rapidly becoming a popular technique for ultra-sensitive and quantitative detection of nucleic acid molecules in a wide range of biomedical studies. Digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) remains the most popular way of conducting digital nucleic acid detection. However, due to the need for thermocycling, digital PCR is difficult to implement in a streamlined manner on a single microfluidic device, leading to complex fragmented workflows and multiple separate devices and instruments. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is an excellent isothermal alternative to PCR with potentially better specificity than PCR because of the use of multiple primer sets for a nucleic acid target. Here we report a microfluidic droplet device implementing all the steps required for digital nucleic acid detection including droplet generation, incubation and in-line detection for digital LAMP. As compared to microchamber or droplet array-based digital assays, the continuous flow operation of this device eliminates the constraints on the number of total reactions imposed by the footprint of the device and the analysis throughput caused by the time for lengthy incubation and transfer of materials between instruments.
Mechanosensitive whole-cell currents in cultured rat somatosensory neurons.

Mechanosensitive currents in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were analyzed by whole-cell patch clamp experiments. A positive pressure applied through a patch electrode induced an inward current in neurons 20 μm or larger in diameter. Ca2+- and Na+-depletion experiments revealed two kinds of channels involved in the mechanotransduction. One type of cells (type A) displayed blockade of the inward current in the absence of external Ca2+; namely, the positive pressure of 10 cmH2O induced an inward current of 0.45±0.14 nA (mean±S.D., n=6) in the normal medium, and 0.08±0.07 nA (n=6) in the Ca2+-free solution. The current was influenced only a little by the depletion of external Na+ in type A; the positive pressure induced an inward current of 0.48±0.04 nA (n=6) in the normal medium, and 0.39±0.06 nA (n=6) in the Na+-free solution. In the other type of cells (type B), the current persisted in the absence of Ca2+; 0.52±0.09 nA (n=6) in the normal medium, and 0.35±0.09 nA (n=6) in the Ca2+-free solution. This type displayed a significant decrease in the inward current in the absence of Na+; 0.42±0.09 nA (n=6) in the normal medium, and 0.23±0.08 nA (n=6) in the Na+-free solution. We concluded that there are two types of mechanosensitive channels in cultured DRG neurons, a Ca2+-selective channel and a non-selective cation channel.
Intergenerational Programming: Older Persons' Perceptions of Its Impact:

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine perceptions held by recipients of adult day services about the impact of intergenerational programming on their emotional well-being. Thirteen recipients of adult day services in a center that provided intergenerational programming participated in guided interviews. These interviews were transcribed and coded for emerging themes. Themes were contextualized in terms of the degree of involvement among study participants. Major themes included peer support, youth and enthusiasm, freedom of choice, familial connections, and being needed. Participants reported overwhelmingly positive experiences in regards to intergenerational programming. Implications for practice include validating the importance of older adults' contributions, encouraging familial connections, and allowing participants to choose their own level of involvement.
Time Resolved Measurements in a Low Aspect Ratio Transonic Compressor Stage

The time resolved flowfield in a low aspect ratio transonic compressor stage has been studied using a high frequency response sphere probe with a bandpass of D.C. to 20 kHz in a blowdown compressor facility. Averaged over the compressor annulus, the data agree well with those measured with standard pitot type probes on the same stage in a conventional test rig. Not all the spanwise distributions agree, however. These differences are explained as errors in the pitot probe readings due to fluctuations in the flow. The experimental data are compared to the results of a three-dimensional inviscid Euler calculation.
The Influence of Spatial Ability on Multimedia Learning

Multimedia instructions, in which information is presented in multiple formats, afford better learning than instructions presented in a single format. Multimedia formatting is either multimodal, using audition (e.g., spoken words) and vision (e.g., pictures), or unimodal, using text and pictures. Spatial ability has been found to moderate the multimodal multimedia effect, but not the unimodal effect with visual materials. In the current study, participants received unimodal lessons about three physical systems in textual or pictorial-and-textual format. The multimedia effect was greater for participants who performed well on a cube rotation task. A second measure of spatial ability, the surface development task, did not interact significantly with instructional format. We discuss the factors that might lead to a discrepancy between the two measures of spatial ability in predicting the effects of instructional format. Results suggest that high spatial ability learners, in particular, benefit from the addit...
FK506 inhibits the differentiation of developing thymocytes but not negative selection of T cell receptor V beta 5+ and V beta 11+ T lymphocytes in vivo.

To examine the influence of FK506 on lymphocyte development, we employed a syngeneic bone marrow transplantation model using MHC-disparate B10 (H-2b, I-Ab) and B10.BR (H-2k, I-Ak, I-Ek) mice. B10 mice, which do not express class II I-E, do not delete any known T cell receptor (TCR)-V beta, while B10.BR mice (MHC class II I-Ek, I-Ak) delete V beta 5+ and V beta 11+ TCR. Continuous daily treatment of syngeneically reconstituted B10 mice with FK506 delayed the development of thymocytes from the CD4+CD8+ to CD4+CD8- stage, while no effect was observed at the earlier CD4-CD8- to CD4+CD8+ stage. At the same time, there was a significant reduction in TCRhigh thymocytes compared with untreated, syngeneically reconstituted controls. These results suggest that FK506 treatment interfered with thymic positive selection. We also examined whether FK506 treatment would influence negative selection. Levels of expression of V beta 5+ and V beta 11+ T cells in FK506-treated B10.BR-->B10.BR recipients were similar to those observed in unmanipulated, syngeneically reconstituted B10.BR-->B10.BR controls. This was not due to the inhibition of clonal proliferation by FK506, since 35 days after drug withdrawal complete recovery of the peripheral Thy1.2+ population was observed, while the percentages of V beta 5+ and V beta 11+Thy1.2+ T cells were maintained at values similar to controls. Surprisingly, clonal proliferation stimulated by monoclonal antibody against V beta 5 and V beta 11 TCRs was observed in CsA-treated, syngeneically reconstituted B10.BR mice but not in FK506-treated mice, suggesting that CsA may be more likely to induce autoreactivity. Differences in thymic architecture between FK506- and CsA-treated animals further suggested that the drugs may differ in their effects on T cell development in vivo.
Moderate Compared to Low Dietary Intake of trans -Fatty Acids Impairs Strength of Old and Aerobic Capacity of Young SAMP8 Mice in Both Sexes

The senescence accelerated SAMP8 mouse is a model for sarcopenia and provides an opportunity to study the effects of lifelong dietary composition on the loss of physical function with age. We studied the effects of trans-fatty acids (2 % of total energy, TFA diet) on the loss of strength and aerobic exercise capacity (VO2peak) with age. SAMP8 mice were studied at two ages (young, 25 weeks; old, 60 weeks) and on two diets (control vs TFA). Body composition, grip strength, VO2peak, blood metabolites, and biochemical parameters were assessed. Body weight, fat mass, and body fat percentage all increased with age (p < 0.05) but were not significantly impacted by diet. There was a significant age-related decline in total grip strength as well as that normalized to fat-free mass (FFM) (p < 0.05) with a further decrease at old age in these metrics of strength on the TFA diet vs control diet (p < 0.05). Total VO2peak exhibited no change with age or diet, but when normalized to FFM, VO2peak exhibited age and TFA-related declines (p < 0.05). Intramuscular triacylglycerol (p < 0.05) and collagen content (p < 0.05) significantly increased with age, while blood triacylglycerol was increased by the TFA diet (p < 0.05). These data further characterize the SAMP8 mouse as a model for sarcopenia and indicate that dietary fatty acid composition can impact the degree of this age-related loss of physical function.
The core enhancer is essential for proper timing of MyoD activation in limb buds and branchial arches

Transgenic analyses have defined two transcriptional enhancers that regulate MyoD expression in mammals, the core enhancer and distal regulatory region; these enhancers exhibit complementary activities and together are sufficient to recapitulate MyoD expression in developing and mature skeletal muscle. The core enhancer is activated in presumptive muscle cells and determined myoblasts, suggesting an important role in initiating MyoD expression. Here, targeted mutagenesis in the mouse is used to identify necessary and redundant core enhancer functions. The core enhancer is essential for the timely initiation of MyoD expression in limb buds and branchial arches, as enhancer deletion delayed MyoD activation by 1 to 2 days in these muscle lineages. Functionally, this delay in MyoD transcription delayed the onset of muscle differentiation, as assayed by expression of the gene encoding for the early differentiation marker, Myogenin. In addition to these lineage-specific defects, a generalized, modest reduction in MyoD expression was observed in all muscle lineages and at all embryonic stages examined. Interestingly, however, a specific defect was not observed in the nascent myocytes at the medial and lateral aspects of the myotome, suggesting the existence of at least one other enhancer with this specificity. The core enhancer was also dispensable for Myf-5- and Pax-3-dependent regulation of MyoD transcription. These data demonstrate a differential requirement for core enhancer activity in muscle lineages derived from migratory precursors and suggest redundancy in cis regulatory mechanisms controlling myotomal MyoD expression.
Influence of dry soil on the ability of Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus, to locate food sources

The effect of barriers of dry soil on the ability of Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), to construct tunnels and find food was evaluated. Termite movement and wood consumption in a three—chambered apparatus were compared between treatments with dry soil in the center container and treatments where the soil in the center container was moist. When a wood block was located in the release container, termites fed significantly more on that block, regardless of treatment or soil type. In the treatment with dry clay, none of the termites tunneled through the dry clay barrier to reach the distal container. When termites had to tunnel through a barrier of dry sand, topsoil, or clay to reach the sole wood block, there was no effect on wood consumption for the sand treatment, but there was significantly less feeding on wood in the treatments with dry topsoil or clay. When foraging arenas had a section of dry sand in the center, the dry sand significantly reduced tunneling in the distal section after 3 days, but not after 10 days. There was a highly significant effect on the ability of termites to colonize food located in dry sand. Only one feeding station located in dry sand was colonized by termites, compared with 11 feeding stations located in moist sand.
Constructing a Security Community in Southeast Asia: ASEAN and the Problem of Regional Order. By Amitav Acharya. New York: Routledge, 2001. 234p. $90.00 cloth, $29.95 paper.

Amitav Acharya has produced an innovative and stimulating evaluation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at a crucial juncture in that organization's development. Acharya does not shrink from the challenge of measuring ASEAN's rhetoric of regional cooperation against its actual accomplishments, and the theoretical and empirical sophistication that Acharya displays makes this book sure to be a key work on the security and political aspects of ASEAN for academics and policymakers.
Path analysis of dry period nutrition, postpartum metabolic and reproductive disorders, and mastitis in Holstein cows.

Abstract Path analysis and logistic regression were used to model direct and indirect relationships among clinical periparturient (within 30 d after calving) retained placenta, metritis, veterinary-assisted dystocia, uncomplicated and complicated ketosis, left displaced abomasum, parturient paresis, mastitis, and estimated nutrient intakes (protein, calcium, phosphorus, energy; coded into terciles) in the last 3 wk of the dry period. Data were from 1,374 multiparous Holstein lactations for calvings from March 1981 through February 1982 in 31 commercial herds in central New York. Periparturient disorders occurred as a complex. Odds ratios for the multiplicative effects of parturient paresis on incidence of veterinary-assisted dystocia, retained placenta, complicated ketosis, and clinical mastitis were 7.2, 4.0, 23.6, and 5.4, respectively. Reproductive disorders were interrelated. Retained placenta, left displaced abomasum, and parturient paresis directly increased risk of complicated ketosis (odds ratios were 16.4, 53.5, and 23.6, respectively). Higher terciles of estimated energy intake in the last 3 wk of the dry period decreased risk of veterinary-assisted dystocia and left displaced abomasum, while higher terciles of estimated protein intake decreased risk of retained placenta and uncomplicated ketosis. Estimated nutrient intakes were directly related to subsequent metabolic disorders and directly and indirectly related (mediated by metabolic disorders) to reproductive disorders. The study suggests that feeding higher intakes (relative to National Research Council recommendations) of protein and energy in the last 3 week of the dry period may reduce the incidence of metabolic and reproductive disorders. Exact recommendations as to the amounts and types of feed cannot be made from our results.
Effect of field irregularities on the dose distribution of 4 MVphoton beam

Summary Complex irregular fields are often used for the treatment of tumors in radiation therapy. The dose distributionof irregularly shaped fields depend strongly on the shape of field irregularities. The effect of field irregularities on the uniformity of the dose distribution of a 4 MV photon beam has been studied. The uniformity index of the blocked field which is a measure of the dose uniformity of the field has been compared to its corresponding unblocked field. The measured and computer calculated dose are compared for points within 1 and 2 cm from the edge of the field irregularities at the depth of 10 cm. The discrepancies between the computer calculated dose and the measured dose are discussed. Some suggestions are made to improve the dose uniformity of the irregularly shaped blocked fields.
On the affinity of rabbit-muscle glycogen phosphorylase for highly branched macromolecular subtrates

Abstract The rapid actions of mammalian muscle phosphorylases on glycogen and amylopectin may not result from their high affinity for the polysaccharide unit chains but from the high concentration of chain ends at the polysaccharide surface. When set free by the debranching action of pullulanase the linear unit chains of amylopectin are acted on at a low rate by the mammalian enzymes in contrast to the rapid rate of reaction catalyzed by potato phosphorylase. These findings suggest that the conformation of the active site of the mammalian phosphorylases compensates for the weak binding of individual chain ends by allowing the enzyme to act, without hindrance, on the densely packed polysaccharide chain ends at a near-maximum velocity.
Combined Valve and Coronary Artery Surgery

From 1970 to 1978, 79 patients (Group 1) underwent combined valve replacement and coronary bypass operation. They were compared with 79 consecutive subsequent patients (Group 2) undergoing similar valve replacement. In Group 1, 73% were men compared with 48% in Group 2. The average age in Group 1 was 60 years (range, 42 to 84 years) and in Group 2, 57 years (range, 29 to 74 years). When the patients were first seen, angina was present in 49% in Group 1 and only 24% in Group 2. More than 95% of the patients in both groups were in New York Heart Association Functional Class III or IV. Areas of abnormal contraction were twice as frequent in the angiograms of patients in Group 1 (43%). Thirty-three mitral, 44 aortic, and 2 aortic plus mitral valve replacements were performed in each group. One to 4 grafts were placed in each patient group. One to 4 grafts were placed in each patient in Group 1, and most had single or double grafts. Early morbidity was more frequent in Group 1. Early mortality was 5 to 6% in each group. Late mortality (average, 3.5 years after operation) was 16 to 17% in each group. The working status and Functional Classification at follow-up were similar for patients in both groups. Combined valve and coronary operation carried a similar operation risk and had similar late results as valve replacement alone.
Polo-like kinase 1, on the rise from cell cycle regulation to prostate cancer development

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1), a well-characterized member of serine/threonine kinases Plk family, has been shown to play pivotal roles in mitosis and cytokinesis in eukaryotic cells. Recent studies suggest that Plk1 not only controls the process of mitosis and cytokinesis, but also, going beyond those previously described functions, plays critical roles in DNA replication and Pten null prostate cancer initiation. In this review, we briefly summarize the functions of Plk1 in mitosis and cytokinesis, and then mainly focus on newly discovered functions of Plk1 in DNA replication and in Pten-null prostate cancer initiation. Furthermore, we briefly introduce the architectures of human and mouse prostate glands and the possible roles of Plk1 in human prostate cancer development. And finally, the newly chemotherapeutic development of small-molecule Plk1 inhibitors to target Plk1 in cancer treatment and their translational studies are also briefly reviewed.
Novel polymers based on poly(fluorene)s for LED applications

The emission color stability of poly(fluorene) derivatives upon thermal annealing or passage of current in an electroluminescent device is affected by the polymer molecular wight, the structure of the main chain polymer unit and particularly by the polymer chain end substituents. Proper attention to these features leads to colorfast blue emission in both photo and electroluminescence. Furthermore, the spectral emission characteristics can be tuned by the incorporation of various comonomers. Preliminary single layer device studies validate the potential utility of poly(fluorene) homo and copolymers for OLED applications.
Neutron Diffraction Studies of Intercritically Austempered Ductile Irons

Neutron diffraction is a powerful tool that can be used to identify the phases present and to measure the spacing of the atomic planes in a material. Thus, the residual stresses can be determined within a component and/or the phases present. New intercritically austempered irons rely on the unique properties of the austenite phase present in their microstructures. If these materials are to see widespread use, methods to verify the quality (behavior consistency) of these materials and to provide guidance for further optimization will be needed. Neutron diffraction studies were performed at the second generation neutron residual stress facility (NRSF2) at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory on a variety of intercritically austempered irons. For similar materials, such as TRIP steels, the strengthening mechanism involves the transformation of metastable austenite to martensite during deformation. For the intercritically austempered ductile irons two different deformation/strengthening mechanisms, phase transformation and slip, dependent upon the iron chemistry, were observed. Lattice strain and phase fraction data as a function of applied stress are presented.
Phytoplankton response to light and internal phosphorus loading from sediment release

SUMMARY 1. A 2 · 2 factorial design was employed to look at the influence of two levels of phosphorus (P; high and low) and two levels of light (high and low) and their interactions, on phytoplankton abundance, elemental tissue composition and community structure in two seasons (April and June) of 2005. 2. A novel feature of the experiment was the creation of high and low P levels by manipulating sediment core conditions in the laboratory. Sediment cores were incubated with their associated overlaying water column from four different sites in Mona Lake, Michigan, under anaerobic or aerobic conditions, respectively. 3. After 24 days, the water overlaying the sediment cores was collected and used as growth media for phytoplankton collected from Mona Lake. Phytoplankton communities were grown in the laboratory in the high or low P water, and subjected to high (250 lmol m )2 s )1 ) or low (10 lmol m )2 s )1 ) light for 9 (April) or 14 (June) days. 4. In the April experiment, high P treatments resulted in significantly higher chlorophyll-a concentrations, significantly lower C : P ratios from two of the four sites, and greater dominance by Scenedesmus at all sites relative to low P treatments. High light generally led to higher chlorophyll-a concentrations, higher C : P ratios and greater Scenedesmus and Fragilaria biovolume at all sites. A significant interaction was measured between P and light for chlorophyll-a and Scenedesmus biovolume, suggesting the influence of P was more apparent at high light than at low light levels. 5. In the June experiment, high P increased ash-free dry mass (AFDM), lowered C : P ratios andresultedinincreasedPediastrumbiovolume.Highlightlevelsledtogreaterchlorophyll-a concentrations, AFDM and C : P ratios, as well as increased biovolumes of Scendesmus, PediastrumandFragilaria.AsignificantinteractionwasfoundbetweenPandlightforallthree taxa, as the positive influence of P was more pronounced at high light levels. 6. The results of our study demonstrate that sediment-derived P stimulates phytoplankton growth, but that its effect on phytoplankton dynamics is modulated by other factors, such as light.
A ray tracing approach to diffusion curves

Diffusion curves [OBW*08] provide a flexible tool to create smooth-shaded images from curves defined with colors. The resulting image is typically computed by solving a Poisson equation that diffuses the curve colors to the interior of the image. In this paper we present a new method for solving diffusion curves by using ray tracing. Our approach is analogous to final gathering in global illumination, where the curves define source radiance whose visible contribution will be integrated at a shading pixel to produce a color using stochastic ray tracing. Compared to previous work, the main benefit of our method is that it provides artists with extended flexibility in achieving desired image effects. Specifically, we introduce generalized curve colors called shaders that allow for the seamless integration of diffusion curves with classic 2D graphics including vector graphics (e.g. gradient fills) and raster graphics (e.g. patterns and textures). We also introduce several extended curve attributes to customize the contribution of each curve. In addition, our method allows any pixel in the image to be independently evaluated, without having to solve the entire image globally (as required by a Poisson-based approach). Finally, we present a GPU-based implementation that generates solution images at interactive rates, enabling dynamic curve editing. Results show that our method can easily produce a variety of desirable image effects.
Homogeneity tests based upon Gumbel distribution and a critical appraisal of Dalrymple's test

Abstract Homogeneity tests are an important component of many regional flood frequency analysis methods, particularly index flood methods. The index flood method was first suggested by Dalrymple, who also proposed a homogeneity test. Dalrymple's test has been widely used in hydrologic practice for more than 30 years. This paper analyzes the relative performance of Dalrymple's test, a normalized quantile test based upon L-moment parameter estimation ( X -10 test), and a method of moment C ν test (MoM- C ν test). Dalrymple's original test is shown to be in error and a corrected version is developed. A Monte Carlo study compares the power of these three tests, after applying correction factors to the test statistics to achieve a 5% Type I error. The L-moment X -10 test was always more powerful then Dalrymple's test or the MoM- C ν test. Moreover, the X -10 test needs much less correction to achieve the specified Type I error. An analytical analysis of the power of the tests is consistent with the Monte Carlo results. The superior performance of the X -10 test is due to its L-moment estimation procedure, which yields a smaller sampling variance and a sampling distribution closer to normality than classical product moments. The relationship of the X -10 test with other L-moment based tests proposed by other workers is discussed. The original version of Dalrymple's test should not be used.
Differences in epinephrine and substrate responses between arm and leg exercise.

The purpose of this study was to determine epinephrine (EPI) and selected substrate responses during arm crank (AC) and leg cycle (LC) exercise at the same absolute and relative exercise intensity. Nine males performed 30 min AC and LC tests at 70% of ergometer-specific peak oxygen uptake (JOURNAL/mespex/beta/00005768-199012000-00021/ENTITY_OV0312/v/2017-05-02T160614Z/r/image-pngO2), and a 30 min LC test eliciting a similar JOURNAL/mespex/beta/00005768-199012000-00021/ENTITY_OV0312/v/2017-05-02T160614Z/r/image-pngO2 required during the AC test. Blood samples (30 ml) were collected via an indwelling arm catheter at rest, and at minutes 13 and 28 of exercise for determinations of plasma EPI, serum free fatty acid (FFA), serum glycerol (GLY), blood glucose (GLU), and blood lactate (LA) concentrations. At equivalent JOURNAL/mespex/beta/00005768-199012000-00021/ENTITY_OV0312/v/2017-05-02T160614Z/r/image-pngO2, higher (P < 0.05) EPI, LA, and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) responses were obtained during AC than LC exercise. However, these physiologic responses were similar during AC and LC exercise at the same relative intensity. No significant differences over time were observed for FFA, GLY, and GLU between AC and LC exercise at either the same absolute or relative intensity. The results support previous hypotheses that AC exercise is physiologically more stressful than LC exercise at the same JOURNAL/mespex/beta/00005768-199012000-00021/ENTITY_OV0312/v/2017-05-02T160614Z/r/image-pngO2. The data further indicate that adrenomedullary activity (EPI response) and substrate utilization (LA and RER responses) are regulated by relative exercise intensity and not the exercising muscle mass.
Joint IMM/MHT tracking and identification with confusers and track stitching

It is widely accepted that Classification Aided Tracking (CAT) has the potential to maintain continuous tracks on important targets. Moreover, when augmented with target behavior, a joint tracking and ID system can enhance the data association process for ground tracking systems. It is also recognized that it is likely that some targets in any scenario may not be included in a database, and the presence of such confusers would diminish both tracking and ID performance. Moreover, even with ID information, tracks may switch targets. Thus, a joint tracking and identification architecture has been developed which addresses the issues of both confusers and track ID switching. These methods are being tested using simulated dynamic ground targets and radar High Range Resolution (HRR) data provided by the Moving and Stationary Target Acquisition and Recognition (MSTAR) project. The paper begins by giving an overview of the IMM/MHT tracker that has been designed to handle the unique characteristics (such as on-off road behavior) of the ground target tracking problem. Then, a joint tracking identification methodology is described. Implementing this approach, target behavior (such as being part of a group, speed, and on/off road motion) can be used both in the data association and for target type information. A Dempster-Shafer method is used for combining all classification-related data. In addition, confusers are taken into account by incorporating the information from targets that are in the database. The track score, required in all MHT data association decisions, is augmented with a feature-related term derived from the conflict term computed from an application of Dempster's Rule. The histories of the most likely ID for each track are checked to identify possible switches, and if tracks are believed to have switched IDs, then the state and the covariances of these tracks are exchanged so that future observations may be consistent with the original targets. Finally, the paper illustrates the proposed methods using results from a detailed simulation of target convoys, with and without confuser targets, that perform on and off road maneuvers. Results using MSTAR HRR data are presented for Classification-Aided (CAT) approaches to feature-aided tracking.
Historic Fire Regime in Southern California Shrublands

Historical variability in fire regime is a conservative indicator of ecosystem sustainability, and thus understanding the natural role of fire in chaparral ecosystems is necessary for proper fire management. It has been suggested that the "natural" fire regime was one of frequent small fires that fragmented the land- scape into a fine-grained mixture of age classes that precluded large, catastrophic fires. Some researchers claim that this regime was lost because of highly effective fire suppression and conclude that if fire managers could "restore" a regime of frequent fires with widespread prescription burning, they could eliminate the haz- ard of catastrophic fires. The primary evidence in support of this model is a study that compared contempo- rary burning patterns in southern California, U.S.A., a region subject to fire suppression, with patterns in northern Baja California, Mexico, where there is less effective fire suppression. We found that differences in fire regime between these two regions are inconclusive and could not be ascribed conclusively to differences in fire suppression. Historical records suggest that the natural fire regime in southern California shrublands was rather coarse-grained and not substantively different from the contemporary regime. There is no evi- dence that fire-management policies have created the contemporary fire regime dominated by massive Santa Ana wind-driven fires. Increased expenditures on fire suppression and increased loss of property and lives are the result of human demographic patterns that place increasing demand on fire-suppression forces.
Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication: Operative results and short-term follow-up

The operative results, outcome, and short-term follow-up after laparoscopic exploration for Nissen fundoplication were evaluated in 35 patients with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux and reflux-induced pulmonary disease. There were 19 female and 16 male patients, ranging in age from 17 to 72 years (mean: 42 years, SD: 11.6 years). In 20 patients, the symptoms were predominantly of regurgitation and heartburn; the remaining 15 patients had mixed regurgitation/heartburn and pulmonary symptoms. All patients underwent 24-hour pH monitoring, upper endoscopy, and manometry. The indication for surgery was medical failure or the need for long-term medical management with omeprazole. The operation, which was performed laparoscopically, is identical to the conventional Nissen fundoplication. There was a mortality rate of 0% and a morbidity rate of 25.7%. Five patients required conversion to open Nissen fundoplication, which was due to hemodynamic instability secondary to presumed pneumothorax in three patients and colotomy and a distal esophageal perforation in the other two patients. Thirty patients underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Three patients developed early dysphagia, and one patient experienced a perforation of the piriform sinus due to nasogastric tube manipulation under anesthesia. All these patients had an uncomplicated postoperative course, and there was no long-term disability. The total surgical time of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication was on average 107 minutes (SD: 35.3 minutes). Discharge usually occurred on the evening of postoperative day 2 (mean: 3.3 days; SD: 1.5 days). Twenty-six of the 30 patients who underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication described the outcome as excellent and good (87%); however, 4 patients (13%) were unsatisfied. Fifteen patients (50%) had difficulty belching or vomiting, and moderate dysphagia was described by 7 patients (24%) in follow-up. Regurgitation and heartburn were cured in 96%, whereas reflux-induced pulmonary disease was cured in 50%. The results of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication compare favorably with those of conventional Nissen fundoplication with respect to mortality, complications, and outcome.
An investigation of the effectiveness of fixture layout optimization methods

Abstract Deriving the optimal layout of fixture elements is critical to minimizing the impact of fixture–workpiece deformation on machined feature error. Various optimization methods for solving this problem have been reported. Unfortunately no investigation has been executed to compare their relative performance. This paper presents the methodology and results of an extensive investigation into the relative effectiveness of the main elements of these competing methods. All methods were tested over a broad range of conditions. Performance measures that were tracked included solution quality, solution repeatability, and computation time. The results of this investigation show that the best overall performance is provided by optimization methods that use both the genetic algorithm and continuous interpolation for the distribution of boundary conditions.
Electrodynamics of bounded spatially dispersive media: The additional boundary conditions

Abstract The eigenfunction for the center of mass motion of a Mott-Wannier exciton in a bounded medium has been determined by solving asymptotically an effective mass equation, assuming electron and hole reflect perfectly from the surface: the surface potential is taken as an infinite barrier. Using this eigenfunction, the non-local susceptibility was determined. From it the relevant additional boundary condition for this model follows: the total flux associated with the sum of the polarization waves vanishes at the surface.
Adolescent Suicide Risk and Peer-Related Violent Behaviors and Victimization:

This exploratory study seeks to better understand the link between peer-related violence (perpetration and victimization) and suicide risk among youth. The study uses data gathered from Arizona, Nevada, and Wyoming, where the highest rates of adolescent suicide in the United States are found. The data derive from in-school surveys of eighth-grade students conducted during 1998 and 1999. Higher levels of reported suicide risk were prominent among the multiethnic, urban, and female respondents. Male and female respondents who perpetrated violence by initiating fights, threatening to use weapons, and using weapons to assault others were more likely to be classified in the high-risk suicide group than those who did not. General results were similar for victims and those witnessing violence. Implications for prevention programming and future research are discussed.
Degradation of vacuum-exposed SiO2 laser windows

Abstract : Observations of a damage phenomenon at the surface of fused silica and crystalline quartz windows are presented. Uncoated windows were mounted at Brewster's angle to facilitate the introduction of a vacuum chamber directly into the cavity of an Ar-ion laser (488 - 514 nm). The transmission of these windows, prior to evacuating, the chamber to less than 1 Torr, approaches the theoretical value of > 99.9%, remaining constant indefinitely. However in our normal usage, the chamber is evacuated (P < 10(exp-7) Torr), exposing the windows to high vacuum as well as UV borelight from the laser discharge. After several hours of operation, the intracavity power is observed to decrease monotonically (by approximately 15 % per hour) accompanied by the development of a red fluorescence on the inside window surface where exposed to the visible laser radiation. Partial rejuvenation of the windows can be accomplished by reintroduction of gas into the vacuum chamber. Possible damage mechanisms will be presented.
Debt, Diversification, and Valuation

The separate associations between financial leverage and valuation and between diversification and valuation have been widely researched. The joint function of leverage, diversification, and valuation, however, has received much less attention. Previous research shows that compared to specialized firms, diversified firms tend to have higher free cash flows and fewer high net present value investment opportunities. Consequently, the agency costs associated with potential overinvestment are greater for diversified firms. The literature also proposes that financial leverage should reduce agency costs. Consequently, we expect that the values of diversified firms increase with leverage. Our tests provide strong support for the hypothesis that the values of diversified firms increase with leverage. This tendency is not observed for specialized firms.
Expertise for upright faces improves the precision but not the capacity of visual working memory.

Considerable research has focused on how basic visual features are maintained in working memory, but little is currently known about the precision or capacity of visual working memory for complex objects. How precisely can an object be remembered, and to what extent might familiarity or perceptual expertise contribute to working memory performance? To address these questions, we developed a set of computer-generated face stimuli that varied continuously along the dimensions of age and gender, and we probed participants’ memories using a method-of-adjustment reporting procedure. This paradigm allowed us to separately estimate the precision and capacity of working memory for individual faces, on the basis of the assumptions of a discrete capacity model, and to assess the impact of face inversion on memory performance. We found that observers could maintain up to four to five items on average, with equally good memory capacity for upright and upside-down faces. In contrast, memory precision was significantly impaired by face inversion at every set size tested. Our results demonstrate that the precision of visual working memory for a complex stimulus is not strictly fixed but, instead, can be modified by learning and experience. We find that perceptual expertise for upright faces leads to significant improvements in visual precision, without modifying the capacity of working memory.
Illustrating client and implementation readability tradeoffs in Ada and C

The relative merits of Ada and C++ have fostered numerous discussions among software developers. With the release of Ada 95 and its object-oriented features, we expect these discussions to intensify, particularly given the increasing number of features for which there are implementations in both languages. In this paper, we compare Ada and C++ based on the readability of class and client implementations. We examine this issue using a case study. Our case study illustrates a partial tradeoff that exists between the readability of a class and the readability of its clients. This tradeoff depends on the degree to which overloading is used; extensive use of overloading adds to class complexity, although it increases client readability.
After “Paul after Paul”

E Reviewing the Reviewer: A Scholarly Dilemma The independence of a reviewer is essential. But there should be some limitation to the power of his/her words. In particular, there should be a possible "droit de reponse" as is the journalistic custom in many countries. An unfortunate, recent experience shows that such a custom does not currently exist in contemporary American scholarship, and this lack has prompted my brief editorial. Yann Redali6, now professor of New Testament on the Italian Protestant Faculty of Theology in Rome, the so-called Facolta Valdese di Teologia, wrote his dissertation on the Pastoral Epistles under my supervision at the University of Geneva. As a director, I was very pleased by his work. The dissertation was accepted with distinction by the Faculty and subsequently published under the title Paul apres Paul. Le temps, le salut, la morale selon les epitres a Timothee et a Tite (Le monde de la Bible, 31; Geneva: Labor et Fides, 1994). If the reviews of this work have been generally favorable, as one can judge by the last issue of the Journal for Biblical Literature 115 (1996) 768-70, the Catholic Biblical Quarterly 58 (1996) 355-57, under the signature of Luke Timothy Johnson, published, in my view, not only a negative critique, but a biased and unjust one. Because the opinions of a scholar like Johnson carry such weight in this country, and because of the excellent reputation of the periodical in which his review was published, I wrote a