cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modes of occurrence of potentially hazardous elements in coal: levels of confidence

Abstract The modes of occurrence of the potentially hazardous elements in coal will be of significance in any attempt to reduce their mobilization due to coal combustion. Antimony and selenium may be present in solid solution in pyrite, as minute accessory sulfides dispersed throughout the organic matrix, or in organic association. Because of these modes of occurrence it is anticipated that less than 50% of these elements will be routinely removed by conventional coal cleaning procedures. Arsenic and mercury occur primarily in late-stage coarse-grained pyrite therefore physical coal cleaning procedures should be successful in removing substantial proportions of these elements. Cadmium occurs in sphalerite and lead in galena. Both of these minerals exhibit a wide range of particle sizes and textural relations. Depending on the particle size and textural relations, physical coal cleaning may remove as little as 25% of these elements or as much as 75%. Manganese in bituminous coal occurs in carbonates, especially siderite. Physical coal cleaning should remove a substantial proportion of this element. More information is needed to elucidate the modes of occurrence of beryllium, chromium, cobalt, and nickel.
Protein Structure Prediction and Interpretation with Support Vector Machines and Decision Trees

Summary form only given. Prediction of protein structures from protein sequences using computers is an important step to discover proteins' 3D conformation structures and their functions and hence has profound theoretical and practical significance in areas such as protein engineering and drug design. In this paper, we discuss our new results in protein secondary structure and transmembrane protein prediction using support vector machines. We also discuss how to use a combination of support vector machine and decision tree to understand how a prediction is reached through rule extraction. Clearly, a good interpretation is useful for guiding biological experiments and may lead further prediction improvement. A novel approach of rule clustering for super-rule generation is also briefly discussed
Area under the Free‐Response ROC Curve (FROC) and a Related Summary Index

Free-response assessment of diagnostic systems continues to gain acceptance in areas related to the detection, localization, and classification of one or more "abnormalities" within a subject. A free-response receiver operating characteristic (FROC) curve is a tool for characterizing the performance of a free-response system at all decision thresholds simultaneously. Although the importance of a single index summarizing the entire curve over all decision thresholds is well recognized in ROC analysis (e.g., area under the ROC curve), currently there is no widely accepted summary of a system being evaluated under the FROC paradigm. In this article, we propose a new index of the free-response performance at all decision thresholds simultaneously, and develop a nonparametric method for its analysis. Algebraically, the proposed summary index is the area under the empirical FROC curve penalized for the number of erroneous marks, rewarded for the fraction of detected abnormalities, and adjusted for the effect of the target size (or "acceptance radius"). Geometrically, the proposed index can be interpreted as a measure of average performance superiority over an artificial "guessing" free-response process and it represents an analogy to the area between the ROC curve and the "guessing" or diagonal line. We derive the ideal bootstrap estimator of the variance, which can be used for a resampling-free construction of asymptotic bootstrap confidence intervals and for sample size estimation using standard expressions. The proposed procedure is free from any parametric assumptions and does not require an assumption of independence of observations within a subject. We provide an example with a dataset sampled from a diagnostic imaging study and conduct simulations that demonstrate the appropriateness of the developed procedure for the considered sample sizes and ranges of parameters.
A class of practical interactive branch and bound algorithms for multicriteria integer programming

Abstract A practical interactive solution approach to multicriteria integer programming problems is developed. The problem is solved by a branch-and-bound method that employs the Zionts and Wallenius procedure [23] for solving the multicriteria linear programming problem. The development of algorithms for multicriteria decision problems itself is a multicriteria problem, which involves the simultaneous minimization of the number of questions asked of the decision maker and the solution time. Two branch-and-bound algorithms that follow different search strategies to meet different levels of these criteria have been developed. Further, two families of hybrid algorithms that incorporate a combination of the strategies of the two algorithms have also been developed. Strategies for the exploration of the decision-maker's preference structure are discussed. Computational experience with the algorithms is presented. The class of algorithms represents a collection of viable solution strategies applicable to a variety of decision-making styles.
Evolutionary relationships in Vibrio and Photobacterium as determined by immunological studies of superoxide dismutase

The amino acid sequence divergence of superoxide dismutases (SODs) from 22 species and five groups of Vibrio, Photobacterium, and a number of related organisms was determined by means of the microcomplement fixation technique and the Ouchterlony double diffusion procedure. Five reference antisera were used which had been prepared against the purified SODs from V. alginolyticus, V. splendidus II, V. fischeri, V. cholerae, and P. leiognathi. With a few exceptions the results were in agreement with past studies of other informational molecules and provided a comprehensive overview of evolutionary relationships in Vibrio and Photobacterium. The genus Vibrio was found to consist of a major group of primarily marine species which included V. fischeri, V. logei, V. splendidus, V. pelagius, V. nereis, V. campbellii, V. harveyi, V. natriegens, V. alginolyticus, V. parahaemolyticus, V. proteolyticus, V. fluvialis, V. vulnificus, V. nigripulchritudo, and V. anguillarum. On the outskirts of this large and relatively heterogeneous group were the fresh water and estuarine species V. cholerae and V. metschnikovii as well as the marine species V. gazogenes. A considerable distance from Vibrio were the related species of Photobacterium: P. phosphoreum, P. leiognathi, and P. angustum. Both genera were distant from species of Aeromonas as well as from Plesiomonas shigelloides, Escherichia coli, and Alteromonas hanedai, a luminous strict aerobe. The agreement between these and previous studies of evolution of informational molecules in Vibrio and Photobacterium is best explained by vertical evolution (involving no genetic exchange between species) rather than by its opposite — horizontal evolution.
Work-related fatal injuries in parking lots, 1993-2002.

Abstract Problem Although parking facilities are a common feature of the landscape in the United States, little is known about their safety. Method A dataset of parking lot fatalities for 1993–2002, created from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injury (CFOI) research file, was analyzed. Results The most common events in parking lots were contact with objects (15%), pedestrian fatalities (13%), homicides (36%), and suicides (11%). The perpetrators of parking lot fatalities, compared to all workplace homicides, were more likely to be known to the victim. Conclusion The 206 work–related fatalities per year in parking lots present challenges to the safety community. Although much of the risk results from the usage of motor vehicles, violent acts are even more prominent. Impact on industry Because homicides are most prevalent in parking lots, both administrative and environmental measures may lower the risk of homicide. Although difficult to assess, various elements of the design of parking facilities may have an influence on the occurrence of injuries.
Pulmonary function and pathology in hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextin-treated and untreated Npc1−/− mice

Abstract Lung dysfunction is an important part of the pathology of the neurodegenerative disorder, Niemann–Pick C1 (NPC1). We have studied the pulmonary disease in the Npc1NIH/NIH mouse model. On histology, we find large numbers of alveolar foamy macrophages but no alveolar proteinosis. Lung weight as percent of body weight was markedly increased; using the flexiVent small animal ventilator (SCIREQ, Inc.), we find inspiratory capacity, elastance and hysterisivity to be increased while resistance was not changed. Cholesterol measurements show a doubling of lung cholesterol levels. Collagen is also increased. Treatment of Npc1−/− mice with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPBCD), despite efficacious effects in brain and liver, results in little difference from age-matched controls (using a CNS-expressed transgene to extend the life expectancy of the Npc1−/− mice) for these variables.
Effects of ethanol on persistent activity and up-States in excitatory and inhibitory neurons in prefrontal cortex.

Background: Elucidating mechanisms that underlie the neural actions of ethanol is critical for understanding how this drug affects behavior. Increasing evidence suggests that, in addition to mid-brain dopaminergic regions, higher cortical structures play an important role in the pathophysiology associated with alcohol abuse. Previous studies from this laboratory used a novel slice co-culture system to demonstrate that ethanol reduces network-dependent patterns of activity in excitatory pyramidal neurons of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). In the present study, we examine the effect of ethanol on the activity of fast-spiking (FS) interneurons, a sub-population of neurons critically involved in shaping cortical activity. Methods: Slices containing the dorsolateral PFC were prepared from neonatal C57 mice and maintained in culture. After 2 to 3 weeks in vitro, whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology was used to monitor spontaneous episodes of persistent activity in prelimbic PFC neurons. In some experiments, the use-dependent NMDA receptor blocker, MK801, was included in the pipette recording solution to assess the contribution of NMDA receptors to up-states. Results: MK801 reduced up-state amplitude and revealed underlying fast EPSPs in excitatory pyramidal neurons while having little effect on these parameters in FS interneurons. Despite this difference, ethanol (44 mM), significantly reduced up-state duration and up-state area in both pyramidal and FS interneurons. Conclusions: These results suggest that ethanol reduces the activity of FS interneurons due to disruption of network-dependent activity. This would be expected to further impair the ability of PFC networks to carry out their normal function and may contribute to the adverse effects of ethanol on PFC-dependent behaviors.
Temperature Dependence of IP3-Mediated Local and Global Ca2+ Signals

We examined the effect of temperature (12–40°C) on local and global Ca2+ signals mediated by inositol trisphosphate receptor/channels (IP3R) in human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells. The amplitudes and spatial spread of local signals arising from single IP3R (blips) and clusters of IP3R (puffs) showed little temperature dependence, whereas their kinetics (durations and latencies) were markedly accelerated by increasing temperature. In contrast, the amplitude of global Ca2+ waves increased appreciably at lower temperatures, probably as a result of the longer duration of IP3R channel opening. Several parameters, including puff and blip durations, puff latency and frequency, and frequency of repetitive Ca2+ waves, showed a biphasic temperature dependence on Arrhenius plots. In all cases the transition temperature occurred at ∼25°C, possibly reflecting a phase transition in the lipids of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Although the IP3-evoked Ca2+ signals were qualitatively similar at 25°C and 36°C, one should consider the temperature sensitivity of IP3-mediated signal amplitudes when extrapolating from room temperature to physiological temperature. Conversely, further cooling may be advantageous to improve the optical resolution of channel gating kinetics.
Education and intergroup attitudes: More on the Jackman and Muha thesis

Drawing on the recent work of Jackman and Muha (1984), three views on the relationship between education and intergroup attitudes about social inequalities are presented, discussed, and empirically evaluated using probability samples of adult members of socially advantaged groups (males, whites, and non‐poor). The first view maintains that education leads to “moral enlightenment,” which in turn produces deeply‐held democratic and egalitarian attitudes and policy positions. No empirical support for this view was found. The second view states that education produces superficial commitment to democratic and egalitarian attitudes. Again, no empirical support was found. The last view, and the one supported by the research, maintains that education contributes to the sophistication and pervasiveness of ideologies of group domination. Discussion and future research suggestions are offered.
On superresolution effects in maximum likelihood adaptive antenna arrays

The superresolution performance of maximum likelihood (Frost) adaptive antennas is analyzed. Assunming that the adaptive weights have had enough time to converge to the optimal (Wiener) solution, the beampattern and spatial resolution of the array are computed. Simple expressions are derived which allow close-approximation computations of converged adaptive beampatterns using only scalar operations. The analysis applies to narrow-band line-array adaptive beamformers. Computer simulations are presented to verify the excellent match between theoretical and measured beampatterns for small angle deviations from the look direction.
Isoform‐specific distribution of the plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase in the rat brain

Regulation of cytoplasmic calcium is crucial both for proper neuronal function and cell survival. The concentration of Ca 2 in cytoplasm of a neuron at rest is 10,000 times lower than in the extracellular space, pointing to the importance of the transporters that extrude intracellular Ca 2 . The family of plasma membrane calcium-dependent ATPases (PMCAs) represent a major component of the Ca 2 regulatory system. However, little information is available on the regional and cellular distribution of these calcium pumps. We used immunohistochemistry to investigate the distribution of each of the four PMCA isoforms (PMCA1– 4) in the rat brain. Each isoform exhibited a remarkably precise and distinct pattern of distribution. In many cases, PMCA isoforms in a single brain structure were differentially expressed within different classes of neurons, and within different subcellular compartments. These data show that each isoform is independently organized and suggest that PMCAs may play a more complex role in calcium homeostasis than generally recognized. J. Comp. Neurol. 467:464 – 476, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Control of directionality in lambda site specific recombination

The simple relation between the substrates and products of site-specific recombination raises questions about the control of directionality often observed in this class of DNA transactions. For bacteriophage lambda, viral integration and excision proceed by discrete pathways, and DNA substrates with the intrinsic property of recombining in only one direction can be constructed. These pathways display an asymmetric reliance on a complex array of protein binding sites, and they respond differently to changes in the concentrations of the relevant proteins. The Escherichia coli protein integration host factor (IHF) differentially affects integrative and excisive recombination, thereby influencing directionality. A four- to eightfold increase in intracellular IHF coincides with the transition from exponential to stationary phase; this provides a mechanism for growth phase-dependent regulation of recombination that makes the cellular physiology an intrinsic part of the recombination reaction.
GNARE: an environment for grid-based high-throughput genome analysis

Recent progress in genomics and experimental biology has brought exponential growth of the biological information available for computational analysis in public genomics databases. However, applying the potentially enormous scientific value of this information to the understanding of biological systems requires computing and data storage technology of an unprecedented scale. The grid, with its aggregated and distributed computational and storage infrastructure, offers an ideal platform for high-throughput bioinformatics analysis. To leverage this we have developed the Genome Analysis Research Environment (GNARE) - a scalable computational system for the high-throughput analysis of genomes, which provides an integrated database and computational backend for data-driven bioinformatics applications. GNARE efficiently automates the major steps of genome analysis including acquisition of data from multiple genomic databases; data analysis by a diverse set of bioinformatics tools; and storage of results and annotations. High-throughput computations in GNARE are performed using distributed heterogeneous grid computing resources such as Grid2003, TeraGrid, and the DOE science grid. Multi-step genome analysis workflows involving massive data processing, the use of application-specific toots and algorithms and updating of an integrated database to provide interactive Web access to results are all expressed and controlled by a "virtual data" model which transparently maps computational workflows to distributed grid resources. This paper describes how Grid technologies such as Globus, Condor, and the Gryphyn virtual data system were applied in the development of GNARE. It focuses on our approach to Grid resource allocation and to the use of GNARE as a computational framework for the development of bioinformatics applications.
Helicobacter pylori and gastric cancer: what are the benefits of screening only for the CagA phenotype of H. pylori?

Background. Strains of Helicobacter pylori that express the CagA protein are associated with a threefold increased gastric cancer risk as compared to H. pylori strains that do not express CagA. Screening and treatment only for CagA antibodies should target those individuals at highest gastric cancer risk while reducing the number of patients requiring antibiotics. We compared the costs and benefits of screening asymptomatic 50-year-old individuals for CagA, screening for all H. pylori strains, and no screening, both in the United States and abroad. Materials and Methods. We employed Markov cost-effectiveness analysis using data from randomized, case-control, and cohort studies. Results. In the United States, CagA screening would result in 1.5 million fewer antibiotic treatments but would prevent 1,400 fewer gastric cancers than would screening for all H. pylori. The incremental cost-effectiveness of CagA screening is $23,900 per life-year gained; for H. pylori screening, it is $25,100. Screening in countries with epidemiological characteristics similar to those of Colombia, Finland, and Japan costs less than $5,000 per life-year gained, and the difference between CagA and H. pylori screening is smaller than that in the United States. Conclusions. Screening only for CagA-positive H. pylori is not substantially better than is screening for all H. pylori, either in the United States nor abroad. Screening is substantially more cost-effective outside the United States. Whether population screening is justified, however, is uncertain pending conclusive data regarding the reduction in gastric cancer risk from antibiotics.
Reciprocal de Haas–van Alphen oscillations in two-dimensional electron superlattice

Abstract When electrons are subject simultaneously to a magnetic field and a periodic potential with the lattice spacing comparable to the cyclotron radius, the energy states can be characterized by the Hofstadter states at integer and fractional flux quanta. The magnetization oscillation of the electrons may exhibit a constant period as a function of the magnetic field, as opposed to the 1/H periodicity in the conventional de Haas–van Alphen effect. Experimental results supporting the theoretical model will be discussed.
A method to calibrate a solar pyranometer for measuring reference diffuse irradiance

Abstract Accurate pyranometer calibrations, traceable to internationally recognized standards, are critical for solar irradiance measurements. One calibration method is the component summation, where the pyranometers are calibrated outdoors under clear sky conditions, and the reference global solar irradiance is calculated as the sum of two reference components, the diffuse and subtended beam solar irradiances. The beam component is measured with pyrheliometers traceable to the World Radiometric Reference, while there is no internationally recognized reference for the diffuse component. In the absence of such a reference, we present a method to consistently calibrate pyranometers for measuring the diffuse component with an estimated uncertainty of ±(3% of reading+1 W/m 2 ). The method is based on using a modified shade/unshade method, and pyranometers with less than 1 W/m 2 thermal offset errors. We evaluated the consistency of our method by calibrating three pyranometers four times. Calibration results show that the responsivity change is within ±0.52% for the three pyranometers. We also evaluated the effect of calibrating pyranometers unshaded, then using them shaded to measure diffuse irradiance. We calibrated three unshaded pyranometers using the component summation method. Their outdoor measurements of clear sky diffuse irradiance, from sunrise to sundown, showed that the three calibrated pyranometers can be used to measure the diffuse irradiance to within ±1.4 W/m 2 variation from the reference irradiance.
The relationship of marital satisfaction and social support to depressive symptomatology

The relationship between depressive symptomatology, as measured by the short-form Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and two social support variables was assessed. Based on a sample of 131 married men and 136 married women, the results indicated that the quality of the marital relationship and the frequency of positive social contact with adults other than the spouse were significantly related to depressive symptomatology for both men and women. These two variables accounted for 16% of the variance in BDI scores. Further, analyses of risk for high BDI scores showed that individuals having the least support were 13 times more likely to be in the high-BDI group than individuals with the highest levels of social support. These results suggest that social isolation and marital discord are related to high BDI scores among married adults.
Computed Tomography for Triage of Suspected Scaphoid Fractures

The use of computed tomography (CT) to triage suspected scaphoid fractures is appealing because it is more readily available and less expensive than magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Twenty-eight patients with suspected scaphoid fractures (defined as tenderness in the area of the scaphoid and initial scaphoid-specific radiographs interpreted as normal) were enrolled in a prospective protocol evaluating triage with CT. Twenty patients reached an endpoint consisting of either (1) identification of a fracture accounting for the patient’s symptoms on CT or (2) normal radiographs 6 weeks or more from the time of injury. Only 2 of 28 patients (7%) were diagnosed with a nondisplaced fracture of the scaphoid waist. CT revealed an avulsion fracture of the distal pole of the scaphoid in two patients, nondisplaced fractures of the distal radius in six patients, and nondisplaced fractures of other carpal bones in four patients. Radiographs of the scaphoid taken 6 weeks or greater from the time of injury were interpreted as normal in the six patients with normal CT scans that completed the study. True scaphoid waist fractures are uncommon among patients with suspected scaphoid fractures. CT scans are useful for triage of suspected scaphoid waist fractures because alternative, less-troublesome fractures were identified in 43% of patients and no fractures were missed or undertreated. Immediate triage of suspected scaphoid fractures using CT in the emergency room has the potential to reduce unnecessary immobilization and diminish overall costs associated with treatment.
Quantifying skeletal muscle recovery in a rat injury model using ultrasound imaging

Monitoring skeletal muscle health during recovery or degeneration is of great interest both clinically and in research settings. This type of monitoring requires health measurements be taken at multiple time points. Contraction strength is a commonly used metric for quantifying muscle health, but it requires invasive in vitro or in situ procedures that may further damage the tissue. Ultrasound imaging can be used to visualize muscle damage, and semi-quantitative grading scales have been shown to be effective at characterizing abnormalities. Using an established functional testing procedure in a rat model as a baseline measurement of muscle strength, we show that ultrasound imaging combined with a semi-quantitative grading scale can be used to monitor recovery after contusion injury. Although additional work is needed to refine the imaging and grading procedures, ultrasound promises a fast and non-invasive alternative to functional testing for characterizing skeletal muscle health.
Prospective Effects of Method of Coercion in Sexual Victimization Across the First College Year

Women who enter college with a sexual victimization (SV) history may be at particular risk for deleterious outcomes including maladaptive alcohol involve posttraumatic stress, and re-victimization. Further, pre-college SV may be an impediment for the achievement of academic mile and may negatively impact the transition into college. Recent work shows that the method of coercion used in SV may be an important predictor of post-victimization outcomes. As such, the identification of pathways between type of SV and outcomes can aid in early identification and intervention for those at highest risk. In a sample of newly-matriculated female college students, this study examined unique outcomes associated with two specific types of SV, (1) threats/use of physical force (Force SV) or (2) incapacitation (Incap SV). Participants completed assessments of SV, alcohol involvement, posttraumatic stress, and academic outcomes at 6 time-points over their first year of college. Results showed differential outcomes based on pre-matriculation exposure to Force SV or Incap SV. Women with Incap SV were higher on problem drinking indices whereas women with Force SV were at greater risk for re-victimization and marginally more PTSD symptoms. Having a history of either type of SV predicted attrition, but there were no differences when comparing Force SV to Incap SV. Overall, results from this study support the utility of delineating SV experiences by method of coercion, and point to the potential of highlighting different outcomes in tailored intervention programs.
Pain and the marital relationship: Psychiatric distress

Psychologic assessment and treatment of the family of the chronic pain patient has been thought to be of benefit in the outcome of pain therapy. The present study was designed to determine the presence of psychologic symptoms in the spouses of pain patients and the relationship of distress levels between the marital pair. Forty-four couples were studied. Demographic data was collected and each indicidual completed the SCL-90, a widely used and validated measure of psychologic symptom severity. There was a significant correlation (P = < 0.001) on psychiatric distress scores between pain patients and their spouses particularly when pain patient distress scores were high. Distress levels tended to decrease with age and were highest among the unemployed and lowest in the retired. In addition spouses were significantly higher than nonpatient norms on most sympton suscales. These data underline the importance of conjoint assesement of the chronic pain patient and the spouse, and have implications for treatment.
Low-temperature susceptibility of the noncentrosymmetric superconductor CePt3Si.

We report ac susceptibility measurements of polycrystalline ${\mathrm{CePt}}_{3}\mathrm{Si}$ down to 60 mK and in applied fields up to 9 T. In a zero applied field, a full Meissner state emerges at temperatures $T/{T}_{c}l0.3$, where ${T}_{c}=0.65\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{K}$ is the onset transition temperature. Though transport measurements show a relatively high upper critical field ${B}_{c2}\ensuremath{\sim}4\char21{}5\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{T}$, the low-temperature susceptibility ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ is quite fragile to the applied field, with ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ diminishing rapidly in fields of a few kG. Interestingly, the field dependence of ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ is well described by the power law $4\ensuremath{\pi}{\ensuremath{\chi}}^{\ensuremath{'}}+1=(B/{B}_{c}{)}^{1/2}$, where ${B}_{c}$ is the field at which the onset of resistance is observed in transport measurements.
Flying the North American Adirondack whitetail on instruments: A multi-parameter modeling approach to ecosystem-based wildlife management

abstract We compare ecosystem-based wildlife management to instrument flight of aircraft. Airplanes cannot be controlled without visual ground reference, or if this is impossible to a cluster of flight instruments. Instrument pilots are trained to develop a rhythmic scan of the cluster to monitor and correct flight path and attitude. The untrained tendency is to fixate on a single gauge. Then, the aircraft deviates from its desired attitude and trajectory, and control may be lost. Fixation is like single-factor management wherein variables like habitat quality, recruitment, predator control, or harvest rates are singled out for adjustment without considering the others. Ungulate populations are no less complex than aircraft in flight. They are multifactorial and move through time and space. To be managed effectively they must be guided in these movements through the monitoring and control instruments nature has provided. These are not necessarily proximate because populations are embedded in ecosystems and cannot be isolated from systemic complexity. Holistic management is needed, which requires a suite of monitoring and control parameters analogous to those in instrument flight. We hold that every institution serving the interests of wise resource use should employ comprehensive, large-scale, ecosystem-based models built, tested, and perfected as a committed institutional activity over long periods of time. We call this Institutionalized Model-Making (IMM), and see models drawn from the collective expertise of scientists and their data in the same relation to nature as flight simulators are to actual aircraft. They mimic responses to control actions, and enable training in multifactorial management analogous to the instrument scans and control actions of the instrument pilot. A model comprehensive enough for institutional use has not been built. We call attention to our efforts to develop such a model at the Huntington Wildlife Forest in New York's Adirondack Mountains. This is a model of the North American whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus Miller). It is too complex and incomplete for use in this paper, so a smaller-scale model is employed to make the case. In simulation trials parameters are ranked as to control sensitivity, then manipulated singly and multiply to demonstrate the superiority of the multiparameter approach.
Delayed neuroprotection induced by sevoflurane via opening mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels and p38 MAPK phosphorylation

This study aimed to investigate the role of p38 MAPK phosphorylation and opening of the mitoK(ATP) channels in the sevoflurane-induced delayed neuroprotection in the rat brain. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300 g) were randomly assigned into four groups: ischemia/reperfusion (Control), sevoflurane (Sevo), 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD) + sevoflurane (5-HD + Sevo) and 5-HD groups and were subjected to right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 h. Sevoflurane preconditioning was induced 24 h before MCAO in sevoflurane and 5-HD + sevoflurane groups by exposing the animals to 2.4% sevoflurane in oxygen for 60 min. In control and 5-HD groups: animals were exposed to oxygen for 60 min at 24 h before MCAO. A selective mitoK(ATP) channel antagonist, 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD, 40 mg/kg, i.p.), was administered 30 min before sevoflurane/oxygen exposure in the 5-HD + sevoflurane and 5-HD groups, respectively. Neurological deficits scores and the protein expression of phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38 MAPK) were evaluated at 24 and 72 h after reperfusion. Cerebral infarct size was evaluated at 72 h after reperfusion by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Sevoflurane preconditioning produced marked improvement neurological functions and a reduction in brain infarct volumes than animals with brain ischemia only. Sevoflurane treatment also caused increased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK at 24 and 72 h after reperfusion. These beneficial effects were attenuated by 5-HD. Blockade of cerebral protection with 5-HD concomitant with decrease in p38 phosphorylation suggests that mitoK(ATP) channels opening and p38 phosphorylation participate signal transduction cascade of sevoflurane preconditioning and p38 MAPK activation may be a downstream of opening mitoK(ATP) channels.
Ambient air styrene levels in communities near reinforced plastic processors

Abstract Ambient air styrene levels were sampled from the vicinity of reinforced plastic processors and from communities near these processors. Samples were obtained from six processors located in three different states (Florida, Michigan and Ohio, USA). Processors located in large urban and manufacturing areas were excluded from the study. Ambient air styrene concentrations were higher downwind for all processors and ranged from 0·29 to 2934 μg m −3 when measured as a time weighted average. Four of five community air samples collected farther downwind of these processors detected styrene concentrations between 1·67 to 23·8 μgm −3 . This paper demonstrates the potential for low level chronic styrene exposure to those living near reinforced plastic processors.
FERMENTATIVE AND PHOTOCHEMICAL PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN IN ALGAE

1.. After 2 hours of fermentation in nitrogen the metabolism of those algae which were found capable of photoreduction with hydrogen changes in such a way that molecular hydrogen is released from the cell in addition to carbon dioxide. 2. The amount of hydrogen formed anaerobically in the dark depends on the amount of some unknown reserve substance in the cell. More hydrogen is formed in presence of added glucose, but no proportionality has been found between the amount of substrate added and that of hydrogen formed. This is probably due to the fact that two types of fermentation reactions exist, with little or no connection between them. Whereas mainly unknown organic acids are formed during the autofermentation, the addition of glucose causes a considerable increase in the production of lactic acid. 3. Algae which have been fermenting for several hours in the dark produce upon illumination free hydrogen at several times the rate observed in the dark, provided carbon dioxide is absent. 4. Certain concentrations of dinitrophenol strongly inhibit the evolution of hydrogen in the dark. Fermentation then continues mainly as a reaction leading to lactic acid. In such poisoned algae the photochemical liberation of hydrogen still continues. 5. If the algae are poisoned with dinitrophenol the presence of carbon dioxide will not interfere with the photochemical evolution of hydrogen. 6. The amount of hydrogen released in this new photochemical reaction depends on the presence of an unknown hydrogen donor in the cell; it can be increased by the addition of glucose but not in proportion to the amount added. 7. The results obtained allow for a more correct explanation of the anaerobic induction period previously described for Scenedesmus and similar algae. The possibility of a photochemical evolution of hydrogen had not been taken into account in the earlier experiments. 8. The origin of the hydrogen released under the influence of light is discussed.
Possible Mechanism of Wide Splitting of the Second Sound in Idiopathic Dilatation of the Pulmonary Artery

A patient with idiopathic dilatation of the pulmonary artery is presented. Simultaneous pressure tracings of the ventricles (right and left) and the two arteries (aortic and pulmonary) together with an external phonocardiogram, revealed no asynchronism in the closure of the two semilunar valves. The mechanism of the wide splitting of the second sound is discussed and is related to peripheral factors.
Growth, protein content and distribution of early pig embryos.

Development of porcine conceptuses included transitions of five stages: blastocysts of spherical, ovoid, and tubular forms containing an embryonic disc and trophoblast, extremely elongated filamentous blastocysts, and stages of embryogenesis between days 9 and 18 after mating. Embryonic survival was reduced by 17% during this period. In this litter-bearing species, intense alteration in distribution patterns occurred at days 11 and 12, when blastocysts rapidly elongated to filamentous forms. Increased embryo mortality did not result from rapid changes in distribution patterns of conceptuses within the same uterine horn at this time. Filamentous blastocysts quickly reached lengths often exceeding 60 cm, and these conceptuses became regularly spaced with no overlap of tubular membranes from other embryos in that horn. The number of concep-tuses within a uterine horn ranged from 1 to 13. Protein in individual concep-tuses was used as an indicator of growth and denoted exponential increase, but at a lower rate for blastocysts of spherical, ovoid, and tubular forms as compared with that found in filamentous blastocysts and embryogenesis stage conceptuses. Growth of a conceptus, based upon its protein content, was independent of the developmental stage or potential loss of those neighbors nearest that conceptus.
Geometric Hermite approximation of surface patch intersection curves

Abstract This paper introduces two new tools for attacking the problem of approximating the intersection curve of two parametric surface patches: the Bezier clipping algorithm for curve⧸surface intersection, and geometric Hermite approximation of surface⧸surface intersection curves. The curve⧸surface intersection algorithm is used to compute a set of endpoint pairs for all components of the intersection curve. Thereafter, a G k piecewise parametric approximation of the intersection curve is directly computed with no further subdivision or marching. An error bound is determined directly from the approximation. If the error is too large, each unsatisfactory approximating curve is split in half and new approximations are made directly. This procedure is O( h 2 k +2 ) convergent, which means that each time the members of a G k sequence of approximating curves are split in half, the new error is 2 −(2 k +2) of the previous error (in the limit). Thus, doubling the number of approximating curves in a G 3 sequence reduces the error typically by two orders of magnitude (1⧸256).
Dual-wavelength radiation thermometry: Emissivity compensation algorithms

The traditional contact methods of temperature measurement for metal processing applications provide accuracies of ±10 K. Noncontact methods based upon emissivity compensation techniques have the potential for improved accuracy with greater ease of use but require prior knowledge of the target emissivity behavior. The features of the basie spectral and ratio methods and five dualwavelength methods are reviewed. Experiments were conducted on a series of aluminum alloys with different surface treatments characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in the temperature range 600 to 750 K. Compensation algorithms that account for surface characteristics are required to achieve improved accuracy.
Homo erectus and Middle Pleistocene hominins: brain size, skull form, and species recognition.

Abstract Hominins that differ from Homo erectus, the Neanderthals, and recent humans are known from Middle Pleistocene localities across the Old World. The taxonomic status of these populations has been clouded by controversy. Perhaps the most critical problem has been an incomplete understanding of variation in skull form. Here, both H. erectus and later mid-Pleistocene hominins are the focus of an investigation aimed at clarifying the relationships among brain volume, basicranial dimensions, neurocranial shape, and certain facial characters. Brain size in H. erectus averages about 950 cm3, while in a series of Middle Pleistocene crania from Africa and Europe, volume is about 1230 cm3. If encephalization is the primary mechanism operating in the mid-Pleistocene, then diverse aspects of cranial form cannot all be treated as independent variables. Correlation is utilized to examine the associations among measurements for more than 30 H. erectus crania that are reasonably well preserved. A similar approach is used with the Middle Pleistocene sample. Patterns of covariation are compared in order to assess integration. Next, factor analysis is applied to the H. erectus specimens in an attempt to identify modules, tightly integrated traits that can evolve independently. Studies of the variation within H. erectus are followed by direct comparisons with the Middle Pleistocene population. Discriminant functions facilitate the description of intergroup differences. Traits that vary independently from brain volume include anterior frontal broadening, lateral expansion of the parietal vault, elevation of the lambda–inion chord, and rounding of the sagittal contour of the occipital. This finding helps to resolve the problem of species recognition. Neurocranial proportions as well as characters from the cranial base and face can be incorporated into a differential diagnosis for the mid-Pleistocene sample. Evidence presented here supports arguments for speciation in the Middle Pleistocene.
Performance monitoring following conflict: Internal adjustments in cognitive control?

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of strategic conflict-related adjustments in cognitive control processes on indices of performance monitoring. Previous research has examined the ability of parametric task-related manipulations to bias attention to errors; however, the present study sought to elucidate the effects of internal adjustments in control mediated by the anterior cingulate cortex on error-related conflict processing. High-density event-related potentials (ERPs) were obtained from 124 healthy individuals (68 female, 66 male) during a modified Eriksen flanker task. Behavioral measures (i.e., error rates, response times [RTs]) and N2 amplitudes showed significant conflict adaptation (i.e., previous-trial congruencies influenced current-trial measures). For error trials, the error-related negativity (ERN) was more negative for errors on high-conflict (i.e., incongruent) trials following high-conflict trials relative to errors on high-conflict trials following low-conflict (i.e., congruent) trials. These findings indicate that error-related conflict-monitoring processes adjust according to the post-conflict recruitment of strategic cognitive control and suggest an ongoing interplay between conflict and internal adjustments in control resources. Interpretations from the perspective of the conflict monitoring theory of cognitive control, the reinforcement learning theory, and the response-outcome theory of the ERN are discussed.
Sleep seizures versus wake seizures: A comparative hospital study on clinical, electroencephalographic and radiological profile

Background: Epileptic seizures, predominantly or exclusively during sleep had been the focus of attention for many electroencephalographers. Though few epileptic syndromes are associated with sleep seizures (SS) its frequencies in Indian patients is still unknown. Aim: To find out the patterns of epilepsies in patients having SS and compare them with patients having wake seizures (WS). Setting and Design : Open label hospital based study. Materials and Methods: One hundred and forty-four (13%) patients having predominantly SS were compared with 976 (87%) patients of WS by various clinical, electrophysiological and radiological factors. Statistical Analysis: Chi square test and student T test, using software SPSS (version 10, 1999) was applied to compare various parameters. Relative risk was calculated by 2 x 2 contingency table. Results: The seizure semiology was better defined in patients with WS and GTCS was more common in SS ( P = 0.001). Wake-electroencephalogram (EEG) was abnormal in significantly ( P = 0.001) higher number of patients with WS. Symptomatic etiologies were found in more than half patients. Left lobe involvement was more common in patients having SS ( P = 0.000). After symptomatic, idiopathic generalized and frontal lobe epilepsy were most frequent with SS. Undetermined epilepsy was found in 37 (25.7%) patients with SS. Conclusion: Epilepsies associated with SS were less frequent and had symptomatic cause in most cases. Left hemispherical and frontal lobe lesion were more commonly associated with SS. Frontal lobe and idiopathic generalized epilepsy was most frequent in patients of SS. Sleep EEG should always be done in patients with sleep seizures.
Chloroflexus aurantiacus and ultraviolet radiation: Implications for archean shallow-water stromatolites

The phototrophic growth ofChloroflexus aurantiacus under anoxic conditions was determined as a function of continuous UV irradiance. Cultures grown under an irradiance of 0.01 Wm−2 exhibited a slightly depressed yield over the nonirradiated control. Yields decreased further with increasing irradiance. Inhibition was severe at an irradiance of 0.66 Wm−2. Growth ofE. coli cultures was severely depressed at UV-C irradiances that permitted good growth ofC. aurantiacus. Low levels of Fe3+ provided a very effective UV absorbing screen. The apparent UV resistance ofChloroflexus and the effectiveness of iron as a UV-absorbing screen in sediments and microbial mats are suggested to be likely mechanisms of survival of early phototrophs in the Precambrian in the absence of an ozone shield.
A Strategy to Protect and Sensitize Near-Infrared Luminescent Nd3+ and Yb3+: Organic Tropolonate Ligands for the Sensitization of Ln3+-Doped NaYF4 Nanocrystals

A strategy to sensitize and protect near-infrared (NIR) emitting Nd3+ and Yb3+ is presented. Combining protection provided by the inorganic matrix of NaYF4 nanocrystals and sensitization from tropolonate ligands capped on their surface, the lanthanide cation centered luminescence was observed through the ligand excitation. The extended lanthanide luminescence lifetimes indicate the success of this strategy.
Symptom‐validity testing of feigned sensory or memory deficits: A further elaboration for subjects who understand the rationale

Symptom-validity testing has been used to detect feigning in patients claiming sensory and memory deficits. Such patients typically give significantly fewer correct responses on forced-choice testing than would be expected by chance. Some subjects have been able to understand the rationale and respond at the chance level. Some have evaded detection by elaborations of the technique which seek evidence of non-randomness in the sequence of correct and incorrect responses. This paper reports the stratagem used by one such subject and a further elaboration of the technique by which it was detected.