cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors Associated With Fatalities and Injuries From Hot-Air Balloon Crashes

Context.—Despite the increased popularity of hot-air balloon flight, data on injuries and fatalities associated with hot-air balloon crashes are limited.Objective.—To determine factors associated with injury and death in hot-air balloon crashes.Design.—Retrospective review of data collected from reports and investigations by the Civil Aeronautics Board and the National Transportation Safety Board.Study Subjects.—Individuals involved in US hot-air balloon crashes from 1964 to 1995.Main Outcome Measures.—Total number of crashes and factors associated with fatality or serious injury.Results.—From 1964 to 1995, a total of 495 hot-air balloon crashes involving 1533 persons were reported and included 92 fatalities and 384 serious injuries. Pilot error or incapacitation was determined subjectively by crash investigators to contribute to 85.1% of the crashes. In univariate analysis, collision with the ground was the most significant predictor of a fatality or serious injury (P<.001), and power-line contact was the most significant predictor of fatality (P<.001). In multiple logistic regression, only the type of object struck by a balloon predicted a fatal crash or a fatality or serious injury.Conclusions.—Although a number of factors likely contribute to increased severity of hot-air balloon crashes, the object struck during a crash is most predictive of fatality or serious injury. Preventive efforts are needed to decrease future injuries.
Rytov parameter estimation by use of differential-tilt measurements

The Rytov parameter is a common name given to the log- amplitude variance predicted by an approximate solution to Maxwell's equations for propagation through media with random index of refraction (Rytov theory). Empirical evidence suggests that the Rytov parameter is a non- observable in many practical experiments where the variance of irradiance saturates, an effect not predicted by the standard theory. Nevertheless, the Rytov parameter is useful as an indicator of integrated turbulence strength for extended propagation and thus a desirable experimental quantity to estimate. In this work, we propose an optical configuration and related analysis techniques that provide a practical method for determining the Rytov parameter when scintillometry-based methods fail. This method employs differential-tilt measurements, resulting in a measurable quantity which is proportional to the Rytov parameter and for which Rytov theory is a good approximation. The differential-tilt technique is also insensitive to gimbal motion and additive noise. We illustrate that this method provides approximately 5% relative error in determining the Rytov parameter and may be used to characterize atmospheric turbulence well beyond the limits of conventional scintillometry.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
EASYSTAT: an easy-to-use statistics package

When surveying the available computer statistical packages (see e.g. (1)), one usually has in mind several ideal characteristics which should be possessed by such a package. First, the user envisions that the package will be both easy to learn and natural to use thereafter-hopefully without any help from his local computer specialist and without any knowledge of computers or of programming. Specifically, knowing exactly what particular statistical operation he wants performed by the computer and having his data in hand, the user should have a means by which he can (1) describe in a natural way that operation (e.g., a multiple linear regression) and that data (e.g., 6 variables and 23 observations per variable), and (2) present that data in a reasonable natural and unconstrained way.
A Framework for Running the ADCIRC Discontinuous Galerkin Storm Surge Model on a GPU

Abstract Hybrid architectures utilizing GPUs provide a unique opportunity in a high performance computing environment. However, there are many legacy codes, particularly written in Fortran, that can not take immediate advantage of GPUs. Furthermore, many of these codes are under active development and so completely rewriting the code may not be an option. The advanced circulation and storm surge finite element model (ADCIRC) is one such code base. In this paper we present our semi-automatic methodology for porting portions of ADCIRC to run on the GPU and some preliminary scaling results of these subroutines. We have implemented a C++ array class and pre-processor macros to create a type of application framework to simplify the conversion and maintenance tasks. This allows the C++ syntax to be similar to Fortran, to provide for a more straight forward syntactical conversion from the original Fortran to C++ and simplified calling conventions between the two. After the necessary subroutines are converted to the C++ framework, the CUDA library can be easily used and also we are able to provide a simplified abstraction layer for accessing basic GPU functionality. For example, the problem of transferring the correct data on/o_ the GPU is addressed by our framework by a one time code change and a script to resolve data dependencies. Although it is currently specific to ADCIRC, our framework provides a starting point for utilizing GPUs with legacy Fortran codes, from which more specific GPU optimizations can be implemented.
Geographic divergence in floral morphology and scent in Linanthus dichotomus (Polemoniaceae)

Floral reproductive morphology and scent are of primary importance to pollinators in guiding foraging decisions. We compared the floral scent and reproductive morphology between two subspecies of Linanthus dichotomus (Polemoniaceae) that are taxonomically distinguished by geography and flowering time: the vespertine L. dichotomus subsp. dichotomus and the diurnal L. dichotomus subsp. meridianus. Disparity in flowering time between the two subspecies is accompanied by differences in flower visitors. We collected floral volatiles using dynamic headspace methods and analyzed them using gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy. Together, the subspecies produced a total of 39 floral scent compounds. Subspecies differ in the quantitative pattern of volatiles that attract noctuid moths (e.g., lilac aldehydes) vs. a more general suite of visitors (e.g., phenylacetaldehyde), but not in overall scent emission rates. A discriminant function analysis correctly distinguished between the two subspecies based on scent samples 86% of the time. We measured seven reproductive morphological traits; a discriminant function analysis distinguished between the two subspecies based on morphological samples 81% of the time. We found significant differences between subspecies in scent but not in individual morphological traits. The evidence presented here is most consistent with a hypothesis of pollinator-mediated selection.
Determining Longwave Forcing and Feedback Using Infrared Spectra and GNSS Radio Occultation

Abstract The authors investigate whether combining a data type derived from radio occultation (RO) with the infrared spectral data in an optimal detection method improves the quantification of longwave radiative forcing and feedback. Signals derived from a doubled-CO2 experiment in a theoretical study are used. When the uncertainties in both data types are conservatively estimated, jointly detecting the feedbacks of tropospheric temperature and water vapor, stratospheric temperature, and high-level cloud from the two data types should reduce the mean errors by more than 50%. This improvement is achieved because the RO measurement helps disentangle the radiance signals that are ambiguous in the infrared spectrum. The result signifies the complementary information content in infrared spectral and radio occultation data types, which can be effectively combined in optimal detection to accurately quantify the longwave radiative forcing and feedback. The results herein show that the radiative forcing of CO2 and...
Correction to "Modeling of Non-Line-of-Sight Ultraviolet Scattering Channels for Communication" [Dec 09 1535-1544]

In the above titled paper (ibid., vol. 27, no. 9, pp. 1535-1544, Dec. 09), two figures were inaccurate due to a software programming error when implementing the path loss prediction algorithm. The corrected Figs. 4 and 6 are presented here. The correction does not otherwise affect results in the above paper.
Determination of leading coefficients in Sturm-Liouville operator from boundary measurements. I. A stripping algorithm

We present a stripping algorithm for determination of the unknown coefficient k=k(x) in the Sturm-Liouville operator Au=(k(x)u^'(x))^'+q(x)u(x), [email protected]?(a,b), form boundary measurements. Due to the only two physically possible measured data at the boundary, the problem is of strong unstable. The formulation of the problem based on the Tikhonov's quasisolution approach. The coefficient k(x)@?L"2[a,b] is assumed to be a monotone and uniform bounded function. This class of functions K"c is compact in L"2[a,b] and hence the inverse problem has at least one quasisolution in K"c. The stripping algorithm is implemented for the cases, when the unknown function k(x) is interpolated by the first- and second-order polynomials. Effectiveness of the method is demonstrated on concrete numerical examples with exact and noisy data.
Dependence of Secondary Electron Emission upon Angle of Incidence of 1.3-Mev Primaries

Utilizing a high-energy beam and targets sufficiently thin to permit the primary electrons to pass through with negligible scattering and energy loss, the secondary electron yield has been observed to vary with the angle of incidence of the primaries in accordance with the relationship $\ensuremath{\delta}(\ensuremath{\theta})={\ensuremath{\delta}}_{0}sec\ensuremath{\theta}$. This angular dependence is predicted theoretically on the basis of the single assumption that the secondary electrons can be treated as though they were produced with an isotropic velocity distribution. At large angles of incidence, the variation is slightly greater as a consequence of scattering effects which are larger in Ni than in an approximately equal thickness in mg ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{---}1}$ of Al. The experimentally observed equality of the yields in the forward and backward directions is consistent with the conclusion that the angular distribution of the secondaries is effectively isotropic.
Local Production of the Alternative Pathway Component Factor B Is Sufficient to Promote Laser-Induced Choroidal Neovascularization

Purpose. Complement factor B (CFB) is a required component of the alternative pathway (AP) of complement, and CFB polymorphisms are associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) risk. Complement factor B is made in the liver, but expression has also been detected in retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-choroid. We investigated whether production of CFB by the RPE can promote AP activation in mouse choroidal neovascularization (CNV).
ABCB1 (MDR1) predicts remission on P-gp substrates in chronic depression

The hypothesis that allelic variation in the multidrug resistance-1 (MDR1 or ABCB1) gene encoding the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) blood–brain barrier efflux pump is associated with remission and side effects was tested in chronic major depression patients treated with P-gp substrates. In 83 patients from the REVAMP trial, frequency of and time to remission as well as side effects was tested among genotype groups at 6 ABCB1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). These six SNPs are significantly associated with remission and time to remission, with minor allele carriers on rs2235040 and rs9282564 attaining statistical significance after controlling for the other ABCB1 SNPs. The six ABCB1 SNPs are also significantly associated with the average side effects. However, here common homozygotes on rs2235040 and rs9282564 demonstrated significantly higher side effects after controlling for the effects of the other ABCB1 SNPs. These findings confirm and extend previous observations that minor alleles of two ABCB1 SNPs predict remission to treatment with substrates and demonstrate that common homozygotes on these SNPs experience greater side effects. Results point to the potential importance of ABCB1 variation for personalized medicine approaches to treating depression.
The absence of an identifiable single catalytic base residue in Thermobifida fusca exocellulase Cel6B

Thermobifida fusca exocellulase Cel6B acts by an inverting hydrolysis mechanism; however, the catalytic acid and base residues for this enzyme have not been confirmed. Site-directed mutagenesis and kinetic studies were used to show that Asp274 is the catalytic acid, which is consistent with what is found for other members of family-6 glycoside hydrolases; however, a single catalytic base was not identified. Mutation of all putative catalytic base residues, within 6 A of the −1/+1 glucose subsites, including the highly conserved Asp226, Asp497 and Glu495, as well as Ser232 and Tyr220, did not reveal a catalytic base, although these residues are all important for activity. We propose a novel hydrolysis mechanism for T. fusca Cel6B involving a proton-transferring network to carry out the catalytic base function.
Agglutinins in Chickens Infected with JM Leukosis Virus

Abstract JM-type leukosis infections (type II leukosis, Marek’s disease) in poultry is common and widespread. When Single Comb White Leghorn (susceptible S-line) chickens were inoculated with JM-infected whole blood or naturally exposed to JM-infected chickens paralysis and/or tumors of the gonads and dorsal root ganglia with ensuing mortality in many affected birds appeared within 3 to 5 weeks (Sevoian et al., 1962; Sevoian and Chamberlain, 1964). Control birds inoculated with non-infected blood had no comparable signs or lesions within the same period. Anti-JM rabbit serum was prepared by six weekly inoculations of the virus propagated in tissue culture and by withdrawing blood one week after the last inoculation. Tanned sheep red blood cells (SRBC) sensitized with JM virus from infected chicken plasma were suspended in twenty volumes of phosphate buffered saline (PBS), pH6.4. Twenty-five microliters of SRBC suspension were added to two fold dilutions of inactivated rabbit anti-JM sera or to…
A Survey of Tremetone, Dehydrotremetone, and Structurally Related Compounds in Isocoma spp. (Goldenbush) in the Southwestern United States

Isocoma pluriflora, a plant prevalent on land used for livestock production and native to Arizona, New Mexico, West Texas, and Northern Mexico, is poisonous and causes trembles in livestock. Tremetone and dehydrotremetone have been suggested as the toxic compounds in I. pluriflora. In this study several different Isocoma spp., including I. pluriflora, I. tenuisecta, I. azteca, I. acradenia, and I. rusbyi, that are native to land used for grazing livestock in the southwestern United States were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for tremetone, dehydrotremetone, and other structurally related compounds. This is the first report of tremetone, dehydrotremetone, and 3-oxyangeloyltremetone in I. tenuisecta, I. azteca, I. acradenia, I. rusbyi, and several other Isocoma spp. In addition, this is the first report of 4-hydroxy-3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)acetophenone and 7-isopentenyloxycoumarin in Isocoma spp.
Automatic detection of endobronchial lesions using virtual bronchoscopy: comparison of two methods

3D reconstruction of medical images is increasingly being used to diagnose disease and to direct therapy. Virtual bronchoscopy is a recently developed type of 3D reconstruction of the airways that may be useful for diagnosis of lesions of the airway. In this study, we compare two methods for computer-aided diagnosis of polypoid airway tumors: a parametric (`patch') and non-parametric ('grey-scale') algorithm. We found that both methods have comparable specificities. Although the non-parametric method is twelve times faster than the parametric method, we found that is sensitivity lags behind that of the parametric method by 3 to 16% when lesions of all sizes are considered. For lesions at least 5 mm in size, the sensitivities are comparable if a small convolution kernel is used.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The role of cloud microphysical processes in climate: an assessment from a one-dimensional perspective

A one-dimensional climate model with an interactive cloud formation and precipitation program is used to study the relationship between cloud microphysical processes and climate. It is shown that the rate of precipitation is directly proportional to the fourth power of the mean cloud particle radius. The effects of CO2 doubling on the climate are examined. It is suggested that smaller cloud droplets may be produced by condensation nuclei over the oceans, as a result of greenhouse warming and pollution over land. Larger cloud droplets could be caused by the removal of cloud-forming nuclei, resulting from enhance precipitation due to greenhouse perturbations.
Satellite‐based monitoring of intraseasonal variations in tropical Pacific and Atlantic convection

An automated Convection Classification, Analysis and Tracking Scheme (CCATS) is used to diagnose spatial and temporal variability of convection in the tropical western Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Three organized convection classes are differentiated; degree of organization is related to lifetime, symmetry and peak system size. A fourth category of short-lived thunderstorms is also detected. Two cycles of the Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) are tracked across the Pacific basin. The degree of organization of the convective systems increases as the MJO progresses through the region, preconditioning the environment for tropical cyclogenesis. Satellite-inferred rainfall budgets reveal that tropical western Pacific and Atlantic rainfall is dominated by organized convection. This has potentially important implications for representation of the hydrologic cycle in numerical simulations of the tropics, particularly for models that do not explicitly resolve the mesoscales.
Traumatic bone cyst: report of case

A case of traumatic bone cyst has been presented that illustrates the less common findings of cortical expansion, inferior alveolar paresthesia, and multiplicity of lesions. A brief review of the literature is also presented.
ADRENOCORTICAL, ANTERIOR PITUITARY AND GONADAL ACTIVITY IN AN EXTREMELY OBESE MALE.

It has been suggested that excretion levels of 17-ketosteroids and 17-hydroxyeorticosteroids are related to body weight. Adrenal overactivity as measured by 17-hydroxycorticosteroids has been ascribed to obesity. In this case the urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteriods, 17-ketosteroids, and gonadotropins were estimated in a 525 pounds, young, apparently well male. The mean values of the urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (15.4 mg./24 hr.) indicated some degree of adrenal overactivity, and the mean values for the 17-ketosteroids and gona-dotropins (14.3 mg./24 hr. and 28MU/ 24 hr., respectively) indicated that there was no evidence of hypogonadotropic or hypogonadal function. It is concluded that while there was evidence of some adrenal overactivity as measured by 17-hydroxycorticosteroids, the magnitude of this steroid production did not exceed that of far less obese subjects as reported by others 7 . Thus there appears to be no correspondence between steroid excretion levels and absolute body weight.
Suppression of opiate withdrawal by cyclosporin A and dietary modification

It has been demonstrated in a murine model that a defined diet (Purina Basal Diet 5755) has immunosuppressive effects similar to cyclosporin A (CsA). It was also shown that CsA treatment in opiate dependent rats can attenuate the severity of opiate withdrawal. In this study, an opiate dependence model was established in Balb/c mice to assess the effects of the 5755 diet and CsA on morphine withdrawal - a CNS mediated phenomenon. Three groups of mice were used; a chow-fed control group (Purina 5008), a chow fed CsA treated group, and a group maintained on the 5755 diet. Morphine dependence was established by subcutaneous implantation of a 100 mg morphine base pellet under ether anesthesia. Seventy-two hours after pellet implantation, withdrawal was precipitated by a single injection of the opiate antagonist naloxone (2 mg/kg ip). Two indicators of withdrawal were assessed; jumping and diarrhea. The data demonstrated that both CsA and the 5755 diet resulted in significant attenuation of withdrawal symptoms with the 5755 diet being the most effective of the two. These findings suggest that immune modulation elicited by the 5755 diet and CsA treatment has a direct impact on the CNS opioid function.
Esker characteristics in terms of glacier physics, Katahdin esker system, Maine

The characteristics of large, subglacially formed eskers, such as the Katahdin system, are closely related to two special peculiarities of water-filled tunnels along the beds of ice sheets: (1) the water pressure approximates the weight of the overlying ice; and (2) in tunnels that descend and those that ascend less steeply than ∼1.7 times the ice-surface gradient, the walls melt, producing a sharply arched tunnel cross section, whereas in those that ascend more steeply, they freeze, producing a wide, low one. The first peculiarity primarily governs the paths of these eskers. It causes the tunnels to follow the paths ordinary rivers would follow were the land tipped downglacier ∼11 times the local ice-surface gradient. The paths therefore trend in the general direction of the former ice flow but tend to deviate so as to follow valleys and to cross divides at the lowest passes, as observed. Ice-surface gradients calculated from path deviations at two localities on the Katahdin esker system indicate relatively thin, sluggish ice the surface of which lay ∼200 m below the summit of Mount Katahdin, in agreement with independent geologic evidence. The second peculiarity primarily governs the form, composition, and structure of these eskers. Strong melting causes a large inflow of basal ice and entrained debris to the tunnel and produces sharp-crested eskers of poorly sorted, poorly bedded sand, gravel, and boulders with lithologies like the adjacent till, whereas weaker melting produces multiple-crested ones of similar composition. Freezing precludes inflow and produces broad-crested eskers of fairly well-sorted, well-bedded, more water-worn, coarse sand with few large clasts. Ice-surface gradients calculated from transitions from the multiple-crested type to small areas of broad-crested type on the Katahdin system agree closely with those computed from the paths at nearby localities. An anomalously low gradient calculated from a transition to an area of broad-crested type approximately twice as wide and long as the probable ice depth apparently confirms that, as expected, the basal ice was supported by water pressure over most, if not all, of the width of the esker.
Rotavirus vaccination programmes.

Early results are promising and programmes should be adopted more widely In a linked research paper (doi:10.1136/bmj.e4752), Braeckman and colleagues analyse the effectiveness of a monovalent rotavirus vaccine after its routine introduction in Belgium.1 This is the first study of its kind from Europe, and the new data offer robust evidence on the effectiveness of the vaccine in a real life setting. Public health problems are tackled by defining the extent of the problem, developing an intervention, and then deploying and evaluating the intervention. Each step is necessary for optimal control of the problem. Belgium is one of several countries that has recently implemented a nationwide rotavirus vaccination programme for controlling severe diarrhoea in children and it is currently evaluating the programme.1 Efforts to control rotavirus began in 1973, when Ruth Bishop identified wheel shaped (rota) virus-like particles in the intestinal mucosa of infants with diarrhoea.2 In the ensuing decades rotavirus was confirmed as the main cause of severe diarrhoea in children under 5 years, accounting for nearly 40% of hospital admissions and 450 000 deaths related to diarrhoea every year.3 Several decades of research resulted in the development of two new rotavirus vaccines (monovalent and pentavalent vaccines), which are now recommended by the World Health Organization …
Distal Femoral Varus Osteotomy for Osteoarthritis of the Knee

BACKGROUND: Distal femoral varus osteotomy is a procedure that is performed for the treatment of lateralcompartment osteoarthritis of the knee as well as for correction of the associated valgus deformity. However, its role remains controversial and its efficacy in the treatment of associated patellofemoral arthritis has not been well studied. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the outcome after distal femoral osteotomy performed for the treatment of painful genu valgum and to assess the influence of patellofemoral arthritis on the results. METHODS: Thirty patients (thirty knees) were managed with distal femoral varus osteotomy for the treatment of noninflammatory lateralcompartment arthritis of the knee associated with a valgus deformity. Twelve knees had isolated lateral-compartment arthritis, ten had mild-to-moderate degenerative changes in the other two compartments, and eight knees had severe patellofemoral arthritis in addition to lateral-compartment disease. The osteotomy site was fixed with a 90° blade-plate. After a mean duration of follow-up of ninety-nine months, all patients were evaluated with use of the Hospital for Special Surgery knee-rating system and a physical examination. RESULTS: At the time of the most recent follow-up, twenty-five patients (83%) had a satisfactory result and two had a fair result according to the Hospital for Special Surgery rating system. The remaining three patients had had a conversion to a total knee arthroplasty. With conversion to total knee arthroplasty as the end point, the cumulative ten-year survival rate for all patients was 87% (95% confidence interval, 69% to 100%). Improvement in patellar tracking, which persisted at the time of the latest follow-up, was observed in seven of the eight knees with associated severe patellofemoral arthritis. CONCLUSIONS: Distal femoral varus osteotomy with blade-plate fixation can be a reliable procedure for the treatment of lateral-compartment osteoarthritis of the knee associated with valgus deformity. The result of the osteotomy does not appear to be affected by the presence of severe patellofemoral arthritis.
Morphology and origin of palimpsests on Ganymede based on Galileo observations

Palimpsests are large, circular, low-relief impact scars on Ganymede and Callisto. These structures were poorly understood based on Voyager-era analysis, but high-resolution Galileo images allow more detailed inspection. We analyze images of four Ganymedean palimpsests targeted by Galileo: Memphis and Buto Faculae, Epigeus, and Zakar. Ganymedean craters and Europan ring structures are used as tools to help better understand palimpsests, based on morphologic similarities. From analysis of Galileo images, palimpsests consist of four surface units: central plains, an unoriented massif facies, a concentric massif facies, and outer deposits. Using as a tie point the location in these structures where secondary craters begin to appear, outer deposits of palimpsests are analogous to the outer ejecta facies of craters; the concentric massif facies of palimpsests are analogous to the pedestal facies of craters; and the unoriented massif facies and central plains are analogous to crater interiors. These analogies are supported by the presence of buried preexisting structure beneath the outer two and absence of buried structure beneath the inner two units. Our observations indicate that palimpsest deposits represent fluidized impact ejecta, rather than cryovolcanic deposits or ancient crater interiors.
First molecular evidence that inositol trisphosphate signaling contributes to infarct size reduction with preconditioning

Considerable attention has focused on the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in triggering the profound infarct-sparing effect of ischemic preconditioning (PC). In contrast, the involvement of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3], the second messenger generated in parallel with the diacylglycerol-PKC pathway, remains poorly understood. We hypothesized that, if Ins(1,4,5)P3 signaling [i.e., release of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and subsequent binding to Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptors] contributes to PC-induced cardioprotection, then the reduction of infarct size achieved with PC would be attenuated in mice that are deficient in Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor protein. To test this concept, hearts were harvested from 1) B6C3Fe-a/a-Itpr-1opt+/−/J mutants displaying reduced expression of Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor-1 protein, 2) Itpr-1opt+/+ wild types from the colony, and 3) C57BL/6J mice. All hearts were buffer-perfused and randomized to receive two 5-min episodes of PC ischemia, pretreatment with d-myo-Ins(1,4,5)P3 [sodium salt of native In...
Preparing for rainfall nowcasting in the GOES-R era using SEVIRI and polar-orbiting microwave data over Africa

The Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) onboard the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-R platform will offer enhanced capabilities for satellite-based rainfall estimation and nowcasting over the current-generation GOES. The development of a rainfall nowcasting algorithm for GOES-R has relied extensively on proxy data from the Spinning Enhanced Infrared Visible Imager (SEVIRI) over Europe and Africa, since its 11 spectral bands are similar to bands that will be available on GOES-R. This rainfall nowcasting framework starts with estimates of current rain rate derived from visible and infrared data using an algorithm calibrated against rain rates from polar-orbiting microwave sensors. This current rain rate estimate and its immediate predecessor are analyzed using a K-Means feature detection technique to determine the motion of the identified precipitation features, and these motions are extrapolated forward in time to produce nowcasts of both accumulated 0–3 h future rainfall and the probability of measurable rainfall during the same time period. This paper describes the development of this algorithm framework.
Cell fission and formation of mini cell bodies by high frequency alternating electric field.

We report the use of high frequency alternating electric fields (AC) to induce deformation of sea urchin eggs, leading to budding of membrane vesicles or fission of cells. Several mini cell bodies can be prepared from a single egg by carefully manipulating the frequency and amplitude of the AC field and the ratio between the interelectrode spacing and the cell diameter, alpha. alpha values between 2.2 and 3.5 have been found to be optimal for inducing fission of sea urchin eggs. In a typical experiment, a sea urchin egg (diameter = 75 microns), suspended in a low ionic medium (conductance
Role of an Anthropomorphic Agent in Environmental Decision Making

Computer agents can significantly impact the manner in which people perceive information and make choices. This study examined the effectiveness of an anthropomorphized computer agent (a Polar Bear) versus a simple text box at two levels of reliability on participants’ receptiveness to information about climate change and subsequent environmentally friendly behavior. Participants (N=110) answered questions about climate change while receiving the assistance of one of four computer agents comprising either an anthropomorphic agent (Polar Bear) or text box at 90% or 60% reliability. Results revealed that dependence on the anthropomorphic Polar Bear agent did not significantly differ from dependence on information conveyed via the Text Box agent; however, accuracy on the environmental quiz was greater for participants assisted by the Polar Bear agent under 90% reliability but lower than those assisted by the Text Box under 60% reliability. This study demonstrates that in some contexts the decision aiding adv...
Crucial Role of CD40 Signaling in Vascular Wall Cells in Neointimal Formation and Vascular Remodeling After Vascular Interventions

Objective— It has been shown that CD40-TRAF6 axis in leukocytes plays a significant role in neointimal formation after carotid ligation. Because CD40 and TRAF6 are expressed not only in leukocytes but also in vascular cells, we examined the role of CD40 contributed by vascular wall cells in neointimal formation after carotid ligation in an atherogenic environment. Methods and Results— Both CD40 and TRAF6 in medial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) was upregulated significantly at 3 days and more prominently at 7 days after injury in wildtype mice, but the TRAF6 upregulation was abolished in CD40 −/− mice. In vitro, TRAF6 expression was induced by cytokines (tumor necrosis factor -α, interleukin-1β) via a NF-κB–dependent manner in wildtype SMCs, but this induction was blocked in CD40-deficient SMCs. Bone marrow chimeras revealed a comparable reduction in neointimal formation and lumen stenosis in mice lacking either vascular wall- or bone marrow-associated CD40. Lacking vascular wall-associated CD40 resulted in a significant reduction in monocyte/macrophage accumulation, NF-κB activation, and multiple proinflammatory mediators (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MCP-1, MMP-9, tissue factor). In vitro data confirmed that CD40 deficiency or TRAF6 knockdown suppressed CD40L-induced proinflammatory phenotype of SMCs by inhibition of NF-κB activation. Moreover, both in vivo and in vitro data showed that CD40 deficiency prevented injury-induced SMC apoptosis but did not affect SMC proliferation and migration. Conclusion— CD40 signaling through TRAF6 in vascular SMCs seems to be centrally involved in neointimal formation in a NF-κB–dependent manner. Modulating CD40 signaling on local vascular wall may become a new therapeutic target against vascular restenosis.
The Effect of Partial or Whole-body Irradiation of Pupal or Adult Female House-flies on Ovarian Maturation and Retention of Pupal Fat Body

SummaryIrradiation of late pupae or newly-emerged adults of Musca domestica L. with 1·8 to 2·25 kR of x-irradiation prevented ovarian development but had no effect on the disappearance of the pupal fat body; irradiation of 24-hour-old pupae with 1·5 kR caused 53 per cent mortality, stuted ovaries and retention of the pupal fat body by 69 per cent of the subsequent adults 96 hours after emergence. Shielding experiments showed that irradiation of the anterior one-third of the body of young pupae reduced emergence but had no effect on the ovaries or on the disappearance of the pupal fat body in the subsequent adults; irradiation of the posterior portion of the body stunted the ovaries and caused the retention of the pupal fat body in the subsequent adults.
Quaternion-Based LQR Spacecraft Control Design Is a Robust Pole Assignment Design

AbstractRecently, a fully controllable quaternion spacecraft model was proposed. Based on this controllable quaternion model, an analytic linear-quadratic regulator (LQR) design for a spacecraft control system was obtained. Although the LQR design is based on the linearized quaternion model, it was shown that the design of the LQR control system globally stabilizes the original nonlinear spacecraft system. Because in spacecraft design practice engineers normally use models with simplified system dynamics and cost function (which has diagonal structure and excludes external torques) to make the design complexity manageable, this paper will show that the LQR control design is a robust pole assignment design; therefore, the controller is insensitive to the modeling error and external disturbances of nonlinear spacecraft systems. All these properties make this design very attractive. First, the designed controller locally achieves the desired performance because LQR design is optimal for the linearized system...
Interpersonal Trust: A Comparison of Attitudinal and Situational Factors

Three existing models of interpersonal trust are tested: (1) attitudinal, (2) situational, and (3) combined. Forty-four subjects were divided into five test groups and a control group. Interpersonal trust scores collected before and after a trust-building t group were analyzed by two-way ANO VA and F ratio. There was a significant increase in trust, measured by t test, in all test groups (p < .05), but no significant change in the control group. The ANO VA findings confirmed the existence of both attitudinal and situationalfactors present in interpersonal trust scores (p < .001) in all test groups. The F ratio demonstrated the situationalfactor as more important in explaining variations in interpersonal trust scores both before and after training (p < .01). Implications of these findings are discussed for traditional attitude theory and more recent contingency (situational) theory.
Two-dimensional polynomial interpolation from nonuniform samples

A number of results are presented concerning sufficient conditions under which the two-dimensional (2-D) polynomial interpolation problem has a unique or nonunique solution. It is found that unless an appropriate number of interpolation points are chosen on an appropriate number of irreducible curves, the resulting problem might become singular. Specifically, if the sum of the degrees of the irreducible curves on which the interpolation points are chosen is small compared to the degree of the interpolating polynomial, then the problem becomes singular. Similarly, if there are too many points on any of the irreducible curves on which the interpolation points are chosen, the interpolation problem runs into singularity. Examples of geometric distributions of interpolation points satisfying these conditions are shown. The examples include polynomial interpolation of polar samples, and samples on straight lines. The author proposes a recursive algorithm for a class of interpolation points. >
Optimal code rates for concatenated codes on a PR4-equalized magnetic recording channel

At some nominal recording density, the read signal in digital magnetic recording resembles a Class IV partial response (PR4) signal and, hence, may be equalized to the PR4 shape with relatively little noise enhancement. When coding is added, for a fixed user density, the recording density must increase as a result of coding overhead, and the read signal will resemble PR4 to a lesser extent. Equalization to PR4 in this case will produce excessive noise enhancement. Thus, coding overhead (or rate) must be selected for optimum tradeoff between code strength and noise enhancement. Toward this end, we provide results for high-rate concatenated codes, assuming a Lorentzian recording channel model. In addition to examining optimal code rates, we compare parallel and serial concatenated code performance on the PR4 channel.
Ecological responses to simulated benthic-derived nutrient subsidies mediated by omnivorous fish

SUMMARY 1. Fish can play an important role in coupling benthic and pelagic habitats by consuming benthic prey and providing essential nutrients to algae in dissolved form. However, little is known about the factors affecting the magnitude of this nutrient subsidy. 2. Using laboratory and mesocosm experiments we evaluated how varying ingestion rates of bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) affects fish excretion rates of both nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). During the 10-week mesocosm experiment, we also evaluated how varying ingestion rates may affect plankton community dynamics, and nutrient flux between pelagic and benthic habitats. Lastly, bioenergetic/mass balance models were used to examine the nutrient stoichiometry of fish body composition and excretion products. 3. Under laboratory conditions, both N and P excretion rates increased with increased ingestion of benthic prey surrogates (earthworms). This effect was more pronounced for N than P. Furthermore, under the more realistic conditions of the mesocosm experiment ingestion rate had no significant effect on P excretion rate. 4. Increased fish ingestion rate in the mesocosm experiment increased total algal biomass and the flux of nutrients from the water column to sediments. Effects of variable ingestion were much stronger on periphyton biomass and algal sedimentation rates than on phytoplankton or zooplankton biomass or composition. 5. Fish body nutrient composition was greatly affected by ingestion rate. N content increased and P content decreased with ingestion rate. As a result, the N : P ratio of fish bodies also increased with ingestion rate. The N : P ratio of nutrients excreted by fish also increased with ingestion rate, counter to predictions of stoichiometric theory, which predicts that excreted N : P ratio is negatively correlated to body N : P. However, this finding can be explained by relaxing the assumption of constant nutrient assimilation rates, and our mass balance data suggest that assimilation rates vary indeed with ingestion rate. 6. Our study provides experimental evidence that translocation of benthic-derived nutrients by fish can affect the flux of nutrients among habitats, while also suggesting that stoichiometry models need to better incorporate how variable ingestion rates affect nutrient assimilation and excretion rates.
Preoperative risk stratification and risk reduction for total joint reconstruction: AAOS exhibit selection.

Demand for primary total hip arthroplasty and demand for total knee arthroplasty in the United States are anticipated to grow by 174% and 673%, respectively, over the next twenty years1. Satisfaction rates are good to excellent in most patients2-4. Modern techniques and perioperative care have reduced systemic and local complications5-7. Nevertheless, the risks of major adverse outcomes (2.2% to 7.4%)8-10 and death (0.1% to 0.8%)5,7-9,11-19 remain real. Careful preoperative clearance and targeted therapeutic interventions are necessary to minimize complications. Studies have demonstrated total joint arthroplasty to be a highly cost-effective procedure. Nevertheless, many payers, especially the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), have targeted total joint arthroplasty for cost control20. Adoption of a pay-for-performance program by CMS21 has created a zero-sum game to reward overachievers and penalize underachievers. The current literature lacks a detailed, comprehensive approach for risk-stratifying total joint arthroplasty patients and a systematic method for preoperatively allaying these risks. Popular tools such as the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification system may be effective in predicting the overall outcome of surgery, but they cannot predict specific complications22 and they do not facilitate further preparatory action23-25. Although medical evaluation should be performed in collaboration with the internist, evidence-based guidelines provide standardization and comprehensiveness. Conditions necessitating postponement or cancellation of total joint arthroplasty are present in approximately 4% of patients26. Complications related to the cardiovascular system represent 42% to 75% of major systemic adverse events and deaths following total joint arthroplasty7,13,27,28, and cardiovascular comorbidities are a significant risk factor for these events14,29. Intramedullary instrumentation …
Surgical intervention in the setting of parenteral nutrition–associated cholestasis may exacerbate liver injury

Abstract Purpose This study compares postoperative markers of liver injury in patients receiving intravenous fish oil (IFO) with parenteral nutrition (PN)–associated cholestasis (PNAC) to patients with resolved PNAC. Methods A retrospective review of all cholestatic-IFO patients undergoing abdominal laparotomy between March 1, 2007, and July 1, 2009, led to inclusion of 23 patients who collectively underwent 27 abdominal operations (13 pre-PNAC resolution and 14 post-PNAC resolution). Direct bilirubin (DB), total bilirubin, and alanine aminotransferase levels were examined over time in relation to operations. The time to resume presurgical trend of decreasing DB was calculated. Results Sixty-nine percent (9/13) of pre-PNAC resolution procedures were associated with postoperative increase in DB compared with 7% (1/14) of post-PNAC resolution procedures associated with a recurrence of cholestasis ( P = .02; odds ratio, 29.3; 95% confidence interval, 2.79-306.8). The median time to return to the preoperative downward trend of DB was 21 days. Conclusions Operations before PNAC resolution may be associated with an increased postoperative DB, possibly reflecting an exacerbation of liver injury. Operations post-PNAC resolution on IFO had a comparatively low incidence of postoperative cholestasis recurrence. Excepting clinical indication otherwise, it may be advisable to delay surgical intervention in the setting of PNAC in certain cases.
Failure of non-invasive ventilation in patients with acute lung injury: observational cohort study.

The role of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) in the treatment of acute lung injury (ALI) is controversial. We sought to assess the outcome of ALI that was initially treated with NIPPV and to identify specific risk factors for NIPPV failure. In this observational cohort study at the two intensive care units of a tertiary center, we identified consecutive patients with ALI who were initially treated with NIPPV. Data on demographics, APACHE III scores, degree of hypoxemia, ALI risk factors and NIPPV respiratory parameters were recorded. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for NIPPV failure. Of 79 consecutive patients who met the inclusion criteria, 23 were excluded because of a do not resuscitate order and two did not give research authorization. Of the remaining 54 patients, 38 (70.3%) failed NIPPV, among them all 19 patients with shock. In a stepwise logistic regression restricted to patients without shock, metabolic acidosis (odds ratio 1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03 to 0.07 per unit of base deficit) and severe hypoxemia (odds ratio 1.03, 95%CI 1.01 to 1.05 per unit decrease in ratio of arterial partial pressure of O2 and inspired O2 concentration – PaO2/FiO2) predicted NIPPV failure. In patients who failed NIPPV, the observed mortality was higher than APACHE predicted mortality (68% versus 39%, p < 0.01). NIPPV should be tried very cautiously or not at all in patients with ALI who have shock, metabolic acidosis or profound hypoxemia.
Teletraffic analysis and mobility modeling of PCS networks

Channel holding time is of primary importance in teletraffic analysis of PCS networks. This quantity depends on user's mobility which can be characterized by the cell residence time. We show that when the cell residence time is not exponentially distributed, the channel holding time is not exponentially distributed either, a fact also confirmed by available field data. In order to capture the essence of PCS network behaviour, including the characterization of channel holding time, a correct mobility model is therefore necessary. The new model must be good enough to fit field data, while at the same time resulting in a tractable queueing system. We propose a new mobility model, called the hyper-Erlang distribution model, which is consistent with these requirements. Under the new realistic operational assumption of this model, in which the cell residence time is generally distributed, we derive analytical results for the channel holding time distribution, which are readily applicable to the hyper-Erlang distribution models. Using the derived analytical results we demonstrate how the distribution of the cell residence time affects the channel holding time distribution. The results presented in this paper can provide guidelines for field data processing in PCS network design and performance evaluation.