cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robust Multiple Car Tracking with Occlusion Reasoning

In this work we address the problem of occlusion in tracking multiple 3D objects in a known environment and propose a new approach for tracking vehicles in road traffic scenes using an explicit occlusion reasoning step. We employ a contour tracker based on intensity and motion boundaries. The motion of the contour of the vehicles in the image is assumed to be well describable by an affine motion model with a translation and a change in scale. A vehicle contour is represented by closed cubic splines the position and motion of which is estimated along the image sequence. In order to employ linear Kalman Filters we decompose the estimation process into two filters: one for estimating the affine motion parameters and one for estimating the shape of the contours of the vehicles. Occlusion detection is performed by intersecting the depth ordered regions associated to the objects. The intersection part is then excluded in the motion and shape estimation. This procedure also improves the shape estimation in case of adjacent objects since occlusion detection is performed on slightly enlarged regions. In this way we obtain robust motion estimates and trajectories for vehicles even in the case of occlusions, as we show in some experiments with real world traffic scenes.
The use of impulse response in electromagnetic scattering problems

It is customary to develop approximate solutions to electromagnetic scattering problems by assuming monochromatic sources and imposing further conditions on the ratio of physical dimensions to wavelength. If the ratio of physical dimension to wavelength is large, the solution is obtained as a perturbation of the geometrical or physical optics solution. If the ratio is small, the solution differs little from that predicted by Rayleigh scattering. It is not usually possible to obtain a single approximate solution which yields the correct result for the limiting cases of zero and infinite source frequencies. This paper presents a method of approximating the exact solution to electromagnetic scattering problems for any source frequency by an approximation to the impulsive response of the scatterer. This approximation is chosen so as to yield the correct solution for the limiting cases of zero and infinite source frequency. The relation between this approach and the physical optics approximation as well as the quasi-static approximation is discussed. The application of this technique is illustrated for several types of scatterers, and the results are compared with those obtained by standard methods.
Conditional infectivity of a human immunodeficiency virus matrix domain deletion mutant.

We constructed a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) matrix (MA) deletion mutant by deletion of about 80% of the HIV type 1 Gag MA domain but retaining myristylation and proteolytic processing signals. The effects of this deletion matrix (dl.MA) mutant on HIV particle assembly, processing, and infectivity were analyzed. Surprisingly, the dl.MA mutant still could assemble and process virus particles, had a wild-type (wt) retrovirus particle density, and possessed wt reverse transcriptase activity. RNase protection experiments showed that dl.MA mutant particles preferentially packaged viral genomic RNA. When both mutant and wt particles were pseudotyped with an amphotropic murine leukemia virus envelope protein, mutant infectivity was about 10% of wt level. In contrast, infectivity of the dl.MA mutant was 1,000-fold less than that of wild-type when mutant and wt particles were pseudotyped with the HIV envelope protein. Protein analyses of pseudotyped virions indicated that there were no major differences between mutant and wt viruses in the efficiency of amphotropic murine leukemia virus envelope protein incorporation. In contrast, there was a reduction in the amount of mutant particle-associated HIV envelope protein gp120. Our results suggest that an intact HIV matrix domain is not absolutely required for reverse transcription, nuclear localization, or integration but is necessary for appropriate HIV envelope protein function. Images
Pronóstico del cáncer cérvico uterino estadios IIB-IIIB tratados con radio quimioterapia: experiencia Hospital Van Buren, Valparaíso, Chile

Objective: a retrospective study analysed results and prognostic factors regarding patients suffering from stage IIB-IIIB cervical carcinoma treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy concurrently with standard radiotherapy.Material and methods: 164 patients were admitted to the hospital from September 1999 to December 2002 who had been diagnosed with cervical cancer; 83 patients suffering from stage IIB-IIIB were selected. Treatment consisted of radiotherapy plus weekly cisplatin-based chemotherapy lasting five weeks.Results: 89.15% of the patients received 5 cycles of chemotherapy. Median overall survival rate was 41 months, with 68.8% 3-year overall survival, 66.3% disease-free survival and 83.1% loco-regional disease-free survival rates. Prognostic factors for survival were: stage IIIB, ≥ 7 cm clinical tumour diameter, patients who had not undergone brachytherapy and biparametrial diseaseConclusions: a radiation treatment and concurrent weekly cisplatin therapy regimen in patients suffering from stage IIB-IIIB cervical carcinoma proved feasible in the Carlos Van Buren Hospital (Chilean public health system) having good tolerance, results and prognostic factors similar to those reported in the international literature.
The Influence of Global Warming Science Views and Sociocultural Factors on Willingness to Mitigate Global Warming

The science education field readily recognizes that perceptions about science's claims and nature influence socioscientific decision making. However, sociocultural factors may overshadow these perceptions when people are forced to make personally impacting choices contextualized within actual socioscientific issues. This investigation determined 324 secondary students' perceptions about global warming (GW) science and willingness to mitigate GW across five categories of actions—each requiring varying levels of personal sacrifice (e.g., supporting GW education versus limiting personal reproduction). Identified sociocultural indicators among the students included ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic classification. Results indicate that GW science views and sociocultural factors became less impactful on the participants' willingness to mitigate GW as the GW-mitigating actions required greater personal involvement and sacrifice. However, most consistently significantly predicting willingness to mitigate GW was the participants' perceptions about the validity of GW science claims. Furthermore, while the participants' perceptions about the nature of GW science methods significantly influenced their willingness to enact certain GW-mitigating actions, socioeconomic classification and ethnicity were oftentimes stronger indicators of the participants' inclination to mitigate GW. Implications for education discussed include promoting responsible socioscientific decision making through contextually teaching about how and why GW science is valid while also considering how sociocultural factors can impact socioscientific choices.
Chromatid cohesion during mitosis: lessons from meiosis

The equal distribution of chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis is dependent on the maintenance of sister chromatid cohesion. In this commentary we review the evidence that, during meiosis, the mechanism underlying the cohesion of chromatids along their arms is different from that responsible for cohesion in the centromere region. We then argue that the chromatids on a mitotic chromosome are also tethered along their arms and in the centromere by different mechanisms, and that the functional action of these two mechanisms can be temporally separated under various conditions. Finally, we demonstrate that in the absence of a centromeric tether, arm cohesion is sufficient to maintain chromatid cohesion during prometaphase of mitosis. This finding provides a straightforward explanation for why mutants in proteins responsible for centromeric cohesion in Drosophila (e.g. ord, mei-s332) disrupt meiosis but not mitosis.
Impacts of the December 2006 solar radio bursts on the performance of GPS

[1] Four X class solar flares originated from active sunspot region 10930 on 5, 6, 13, and 14 December 2006. Wideband noise from associated solar radio bursts (SRB) on 6, 13, and 14 December drastically reduced the carrier-to-noise ratio (C/No) of the Global Positioning System (GPS) signals. Using specialized high-rate GPS receivers from the AFRL-SCINDA global network, we investigate the impacts of these SRBs on the performance of GPS and quantify the Sudden Increases in Total Electron Content (SITEC) caused by the solar flares. The C/No reduction experienced by a GPS receiver during a SRB depends on the solar incidence angle due to the anisotropy of the antenna gain. We derive an expression for the vertical equivalent C/No reduction due to a SRB in order to compare measurements collected at locations where the solar incidence angles differ. During the SRB on 6 December we observed C/No reductions exceeding 25 dB, intermittent loss of lock, and complete loss of GPS positioning information lasting for several minutes. Peak positioning errors in the horizontal and vertical directions reached 20 and 60 m, respectively. While deep C/No reductions were observed during the SRBs on 6, 13, and 14 December, only the 6 December event was strong enough to substantially degrade GPS tracking and positioning accuracy.
LEADING REFORM AMIDST TRANSBOUNDARY CRISES: LESSONS FROM GREECE

Applying a leadership–task perspective within the context of the Greek sovereign debt crisis (2009–12), the study finds that the imperatives of short-term crisis management conflict with the ability of Greek leaders to effectively implement long-term reforms. Electoral gains, crisis duration, centralized decision-making, and the degree of external actor involvement explain the choice between credible response and effective recovery. Despite beneficial effects, the activation of external stakeholders ultimately weakens the impetus for reform. The study has implications for political leadership and EU crisis management.
Toward a Development of Psychopathology

Developmental psychopathology can be defined in a variety of ways, all having to do with development on the one hand and the resulting set of maladaptive behaviors on the other. We, too, define developmental psychopathology as focusing on and integrating these two traditional areas; however, a third feature needs to be added, namely, maladaptive processes as well as behaviors. Thus, developmental psychopathology is the study of both the development of maladaptive behaviors (Sroufe & Rutter, 1984) and the maladaptive processes themselves. Underlying much of the study of developmental psychopathology is the principle of predictability (Kohlberg, LaCrosse, & Ricks, 1972). The prediction of maladaptive behavior has been viewed not only as possible, but also as an important feature in the study of developmental psychopathology. With this added feature, we now have a more complete definition: Developmental psychopathology is the study and prediction of maladaptive behaviors and processes across time.
The role of leaf height in plant competition for sunlight: analysis of a canopy partitioning model.

A global method of nullcline endpoint analysis is employed to de- termine the outcome of competition for sunlight between two hypothetical plant species with clonal growth form that differ solely in the height at which they place their leaves above the ground. This difference in vertical leaf placement, or canopy partitioning, produces species differences in sunlight energy capture and stem metabolic maintenance costs. The competitive interaction between these two species is analyzed by considering a special case of a canopy partitioning model (RR Vance and AL Nevai, J. Theor. Biol. 2007, 245:210-219; AL Nevai and RR Vance, J. Math. Biol. 2007, 55:105-145). Nullcline endpoint analysis is used to partition parameter space into regions within which either competitive exclusion or competitive coexistence occurs. The principal conclu- sion is that two clonal plant species which compete for sunlight and place their leaves at different heights above the ground but differ in no other way can, un- der suitable parameter values, experience stable coexistence even though they occupy an environment which varies neither over horizontal space nor through time.
Honesty: One Effect of Primed Religious Representations

Most demonstrations of the automatic activation of mental representations and resulting behavioral effects have been conducted in the context of specific stereotypes. The main purpose of these studies was to test whether primed religious representations can have automatic influences on relevant (prosocial) behavior (Study 1) regardless of prior religious belief (Study 2). Study 1 found that participants primed with religious representations (religious words) cheated significantly less on a subsequent task. Study 2 replicated the results of Study 1 with subliminal presentations of religious words and further found that participant's intrinsic religiosity had no influence on rates of cheating with the prime received. These results provide the first known demonstration of religious representations automatically influencing behavior. Implications for the psychology of religion are discussed.
Effects of relative nurturance and social power on observational learning and imitation

Abstract Preschool children observed two models, one of whom (controller of resources) controlled rewards dispensed to the child and to the other model (rival consumer of resources). The nurturance of the controller was varied in terms of his relative generosity towards the subject and rival consumer. Controllers were imitated to a greater extent than consumers only when the controller had been more nurturant to the child than to the rival consumer. Imitation of the controller and consumer were affected differently by the various conditions of nurturance, but children's learning of each model's behaviors were affected similarly by the conditions. The learning and imitative performance of each model's behaviors were uncorrelated, and imitation of one model did not correlate with imitation of the other. However, the learning of the two models' behaviors was highly correlated.
Rapid modeling of air flow through perforated tiles in a raised floor data center

Generally, a porous jump model is used for rapid air flow simulations (without resolving the tile pore structure) through perforated tiles in data centers. The porous jump model only specifies a step pressure loss at the tile surface, without any influence on the flow field. However, in reality, the downstream flowfield is affected because of the momentum rise of air due to acceleration of air through the pores, and interaction of air jets emerging from the pores. The momentum rise could be captured by either directly resolving the tile pore structure, or simulated by specifying a momentum source above the tile surface. Specification of the momentum source obviates the need of resolving the tile pore geometry, and hence requires considerably lower computational effort. In previous investigations a momentum source in a specific region above the tile surface was imposed without providing a physical basis for its selection. The width and length of the momentum source region was the same as the tile dimensions. This model showed improved prediction with the experimental data, as well as with the model resolving the tile pore geometry. In the present investigation, we present a detailed analysis for obtaining the momentum source region dimensions and other associated input variables. The results from this rapid model are compared with the model resolving tile geometry and good agreement was obtained.
Listener agreement on phonetic segments in early infant vocalizations

Noncry, nonlanguage vocalizations were sampled from four female babies between the ages of 7 and 21 months. Three trained listeners' phonetic transcriptions of more than 1,000 vocalizations were compared for interjudge and intrajudge agreement. The amount of agreement varied with the child's age and the criterion of agreement. The tendency toward somewhat greater interjudge agreement in the older than in the younger sampled months was attributed to the possibility that the child's vocal output becomes more speechlike with increasing age. Using an identical segment match criterion, interjudge and intrajudge agreement rarely exceeded 60% of the total number of segment comparisons made at any age. A feature-match criterion applied just to oral stops yielded higher agreement than did the identical segment match criterion. The results underscore the importance of considering listener reliability in assessing the validity of auditory descriptions of early vocal behavior and have implications for the methods used to describe auditory impressions.
Theoretical modeling of dark current and photo-response for quantum well and quantum dot infrared detectors

Abstract Dark currents (due to direct tunneling process) and photo-response for both quantum well (QW) and quantum dot (QD) systems are calculated. A stabilization method (SM) is used to study the dynamic behavior and photo-response of an electron in an isolated QW, coupled QW or QD (with conical shape) under uniform electric field. A stabilization graph is obtained by plotting the eigenvalues of a QW or QD embedded in a confining box made of barrier material as functions of the size of the box. The eigenvalues of the system are calculated within the effective mass approximation via the Rayleigh–Ritz variational method. Density of states (DOSs) and time-dependent wave functions associated with the quasi-bound state are constructed via the SM. It is shown that the DOSs have a Lorentzian profile and the width of the Lorentzian profile gives the tunneling rate. The photo-response for QWs and conical QDs are studied and implications for device applications are discussed.
Interleukin 2 inhibits migration and stimulates respiratory burst and degranulation of human neutrophils in vitro

Interleukin 2 (IL2) is a lymphocyte product recognised for its role as a T lymphocyte growth factor. Since some other lymphokines and monokines can modulate the function of granulocytes we examined the effects of natural and recombinant human IL2 on neutrophil locomotion, respiratory burst and degranulation. Purified T cell-derived IL2 inhibited both random and chemotactically-directed migration of neutrophils. IL2 induced a respiratory burst and release of lysosomal enzymes in neutrophils and increased these responses in classically stimulated neutrophils. Recombinant IL2 was also effective in altering neutrophil functions. We conclude that IL2 modulates neutrophil function.
Chemical disaster preparedness at the local community level

Abstract The results of a four-year study in the United States of organizational preparedness in local communities for actual and potential sudden disasters resulting from chemical agents, are reported. Especially noted are the problems in planning which stem from the fact that the operative local community is seldom congruent with the formal jurisdictional area of a community. Differences between planning for chemically-based disasters and for natural disasters are also discussed.
A Nonparametric Version of the Bartlett-Nanda-Pillai Multivariate Test. Asymptotics, Approximations, and Applications

SYNOPTIC ABSTRACTWe consider a nonparametric version of the Bartlett-Nanda-Pillai multivariate test that has been introduced in Bathke and Harrar (2008) in the asymptotic context of a large number of treatments and small sample sizes per treatment (large a, small n). The test is based on separate rankings for the different variables. Here, we derive its asymptotic distribution for large ni and small a. Also, two small sample approximations are presented, and their performance is investigated in a simulation study. In the presence of outliers, the proposed nonparametric version shows far superior power than the parametric Bartlett-Nanda-Pillai test. Similar to the parametric case, there is no clear ordering when comparing the nonparametric versions of Bartlett-Nanda-Pillai, Lawley-Hotelling, and ANOVA type test.We show how to apply the test in practice, using SAS. The application is demonstrated with two different data sets conforming to the two different asymptotic frameworks, large a and large ni respect...
STRUCTURE OF A MAIZE TRYPTOPHAN SYNTHASE ALPHA SUBUNIT GENE WITH PITH ENHANCED EXPRESSION

A cDNA derived from an abundant maize pith mRNA transcript and its corresponding genomic equivalent have been isolated and characterized. High transcript levels are seen in the pith and young leaves of maize plants, while no transcript is detected in seed tissue of any age. The protein encoded by the isolated gene has considerable homology with tryptophan synthase alpha subunit (trpA) from other organisms and the cDNA clone can complement an E. coli trpA mutant. These data support the conclusion that this cDNA and the corresponding genomic clone encode a maize trpA protein.
Change driven by nature: A meta-analytic review of the proactive personality literature

Abstract This study provides the first comprehensive review of literature examining proactive personality. The authors use career success as a broad organizing framework, meta-analyzing 313 correlations from 107 studies. Results indicate proactive personality is positively related to objective and subjective career success. Further, results indicate proactive personality relates to variables consistent with contest mobility (e.g., job performance) and sponsored mobility (e.g., taking charge/voice behavior) avenues to career success. Proactive personality’s relationship with supervisor-rated overall job performance is particularly noteworthy in that it is stronger than that reported for any of the Big Five factors or the Big Five collectively. Proactive personality is positively related to a variety of employability-related variables (e.g., learning goal orientation, career self-efficacy), four Big Five trait factors (extraversion, openness to experience, conscientiousness, and neuroticism), but is unrelated to social desirability. The authors’ literature review indicates only the original 17-item scale and 10-item scale tend to exhibit good internal consistency.
Studies of confined states and quantum size effects with scanning tunneling microscopy

Abstract Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) provides new ways for studying electron confinement and quantum size effects and expands the range of materials and conditions under which such effects can be observed. Here we discuss three applications: (a) The confinement of electrons in metal surface states by surface steps or by corrals fabricated using single atoms, and the imaging of the probability amplitudes of the resulting confined states; (b) the detection of electron states involving confinement between the surface layer and sub-surface interfaces; (c) the observation of quantized conductance at room temperature using metal structures formed by the STM tip.
Citizens of a Fictional Nation: Ottoman-born Jews in France during the First World War

CITIZENS OF A FICTIONAL NATION: OTTOMAN-BORN JEWS IN FRANCE DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR * * My appreciation is due to Jordanna Bailkin, Paris Papamichos Chronakis, David Myers, Aron Rodrigue, Richard Stein and Fred Zimmerman, all of whom read and commented upon earlier drafts of this article. Versions of this essay were presented as a component of the 2014 George L. Mosse Lectures at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, at the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of California Santa Barbara, and at the Center for European Studies at Harvard University. I extend thanks to my hosts at these institutions for their hospitality and engagement, especially Tony Michels, Mary Louise Roberts and John Tortorice (in Madison); Peter Gordon and Mary Dewhurst Lewis (in Cambridge); and Erika Rappaport and Dwight Reynolds (in Santa Barbara). On Azose’s illegal emigration: University of Washington Special Collections, Jack Azose papers, 1978, accession no. 2795–001: transcript of tape-recorded interview conducted by F. Roberts in February 1978 [hereafter, UWSC, Azose interview], 1–7. Past and Present, no. 226 (Feb. 2015) doi:10.1093/pastj/gtu039 s The Past and Present Society, Oxford, 2014 Advance Access published on 19 December 2014 Downloaded from http://past.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of California, Los Angeles on April 14, 2015 Before he was a stowaway, Jack Azose was an Ottoman subject. Upon his arrival in France he was undocumented and a suspected spy until, with the assistance of Paris’ Prefecture of Police, he became ‘ . . . a foreigner of Jewish nationality from the Levant’ (un e´tranger de nationalite´ Israe´lite du Levant) in the eyes of the law. It was the time of the First World War. Jack was fifteen, claiming to be eighteen. 1 The legal nomenclature that was granted him had not existed prior to the First World War and would disappear soon after the war’s end. The fact of being Jewish was not yet a guarantor of citizenship to any national or international body, and the Levant was an amorphous geographic entity. And yet, in the course of the First World War and its immediate aftermath, thousands of Jews who were Ottoman by birth but extraterritorial by circumstance came to be codified in a new and inventive fashion in France and its colonies. Immediately after the Ottoman Empire’s entry into the First World War, the Third Republic determined that most of the 7,000 Ottoman subjects living in France, the majority of whom were Jewish and a significant minority of whom were Armenian Christian, would be deemed prote´ge´s spe´ciaux (special prote´ge´s). The formulation and application of this nomenclature was the result of careful orchestration by the Prefecture of Police, the Foreign Ministry,
Regulation of Innate Immunity Signaling and Its Connection With Human Diseases

Human innate immunity can respond to diverse microbial products, as well as other substances such as heat shock proteins, taxol, and unsaturated fatty acids. Mediated largely by a family of Toll-like-receptors (TLR) and associated intracellular downstream signaling molecules, human innate immune response serves multiple functions ranging from providing the first line of defense to coordinating cellular growth as well as other cellular functions. To date, about 10 distinct human TLR receptors have been identified in the human genome. Biochemical studies and genetic analyses using transgenic mice have revealed specific ligands for several TLR receptors. TLR intracellular domains could then specifically recruit several adaptor proteins including MyD88, TIRAP/MAL, TRIF, and TOLLIP. These adaptor proteins subsequently associate with a family of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinases (IRAK1, 2, M, and 4). Recruitments of numerous downstream signaling proteins lead to activation of a range of transcription factors such as NF kappa B, AP-1, and IRFs, which are responsible for specific gene transcriptions. Human innate immunity is manifested in diverse cells and tissues. Well-coordinated innate immunity signaling enables human cells and tissues to properly respond to various substances. Improper regulations of such event have been shown to cause various diseases including asthma, atherosclerosis, and cancer. TLR receptors as well as other intracellular signaling proteins can potentially serve as therapeutic targets for numerous human diseases. This review will discuss at the molecular level, regulation of innate immunity signaling as well as its intricate connection with human diseases.
Trapped neon in meteorites

Abstract The diffusive fractionation and two-component models for trapped meteoritic neon are re-examined in terms of the isotopic composition of neon in carbonaceous chondrites. Strong evidence is found for the presence of two independent neon components in these meteorites. Murray contains variable amounts of “solar” neon with 20Ne22Ne= 14.3. All carbonaceous chondrites appear to contain a second neon component with 20Ne22Ne= 8.21. The observed ranges of trapped20Ne/22Ne ratios in the carbonaceous chondrites are reflections of varying degrees of mixing of these two types of neon. There is no evidence for severe diffusive losses. The isotopic composition of trapped solar neon in gas-rich meteorites indicates that terrestrial neon as well may not have been produced by the diffusive fractionation of solar neon. Variations in the composition of neon in certain gas-rich chondrites and achondrites suggest that a two-component trapped neon mixture may also be present in these meteorites.
Knowledge capture for bootstrapping intelligent systems

Knowledge is the fuel for intelligent systems. Building software that comes closer to the breadth and flexibility of human reasoning will require substantially larger knowledge bases than any that have been built to date. This talk describes two ways we are exploring for bootstrapping intelligent systems via knowledge capture. First, analogy is useful for knowledge capture because people find it easier to articulate examples than universally valid principles. By exploiting recent advances in cognitive science, we are creating a technology of analogical processing that can (and has) been used with multiple large knowledge bases. Second, sketching is useful for knowledge capture because people find it easier to express many things spatially. By focusing on deeper visual and conceptual understanding of the contents of sketching, instead of recognition, we are building sketching systems that can be broadly applied in many domains. These efforts have benefited substantially from involvement with DARPA research communities, and some lessons learned from those experiences will be discussed.
New Materials of Estesia mongoliensis (Squamata: Anguimorpha) and the Evolution of Venom Grooves in Lizards

ABSTRACT New specimens of the fossil lizard Estesia mongoliensis are described from the Upper Cretaceous of Mongolia. Phylogenetic analysis of 86 anguimorph taxa coded with 435 morphological characters and four genes confirms the placement of Estesia mongoliensis in a monophyletic Monstersauria. Extant monstersaurs, the genus Heloderma, are the only extant lizards bearing venom-transmitting teeth with a deep venom grove in the rostral carina. Compared to the crown group, stem monstersaurs are morphologically more variable in venom-delivery apparatus. This study has found that Estesia mongoliensis has two shallow grooves in the rostral and caudal carinae of its dentary teeth, demonstrating a primary venom-delivery apparatus. A summary of venom-delivering tooth specialization in the Anguimorpha is provided, and related morphological characters are optimized on the strict consensus tree resulting from the combined morphological and molecular analysis of anguimorph phylogeny The phylogeny supports a single or...
Higher order effects in thick rectangular elastic beams

Abstract Governing equations for the rectangular strip are investigated to obtain solutions which show the relationship between classical beam theory and higher order theories. The exact equations of plane elasticity are reduced to a coupled set of ordinary differential equations by expressing all dependent variables as series solutions containing Legendre Polynomials in the thickness coordinate. Legendre Polynomials are particularly advantageous for this analysis because their completeness, convergence and orthogonality properties are well formulated, and because the usual stress resultants of classical beam theory appear naturally as coefficients of the polynomials P0 and P1. The coupled ordinary differential equations are obtained in a form such that proper truncation of the series to obtain approximate theories is immediately apparent. The coupling effects are investigated and a possible method of obtaining an approximate solution to the fully coupled equations without truncation of the series solutions is suggested. A sample problem is worked out in detail to illustrate the application of a new approximate theory.
Synthesis and properties of highly mismatched II-O-VI alloys

Ternary and quaternary dilute II–VI oxides were synthesised using a highly non-equilibrium method: the combination of O ion implantation and pulsed-laser melting. CdOxTe1−x thin films have been produced with x up to 0.015 and with the energy gap reduced by 0.15 eV. Optical transitions corresponding to both the lower (E−) and upper (E+) conduction sub-bands, resulting from the anticrossing interaction between the localised O states and the extended conduction states of the matrix, are clearly observed in quaternary Cd0.6Mn0.4OxTe1−x and Zn0.88Mn0.12OxTe1−x layers. These results have important implications for the existing theoretical models of the electronic structure of the highly mismatched alloys. In Zn1−xMnxTe, where the O level lies below the conduction band edge, it was demonstrated that incorporation of a small amount of oxygen leads to the formation of a narrow, oxygen-derived band of extended states located well below the conduction band edge of the ZnMnTe matrix. The three absorption edges of this material (∼0.73, 1.83 and 2.56 eV) cover the entire solar spectrum providing a material envisioned for multiband, single-junction, high-efficiency photovoltaic devices.
Knowledge and Attitudes of Adults towards Smoking in Pregnancy: Results from the HealthStyles© 2008 Survey

Smoking during pregnancy is causally associated with many adverse health outcomes. Quitting smoking, even late in pregnancy, improves some outcomes. Among adults in general and reproductive-aged women, we sought to understand knowledge and attitudes towards prenatal smoking and its effects on pregnancy outcomes. Using data from the 2008 HealthStyles© survey, we assessed knowledge and attitudes about prenatal smoking and smoking cessation. We classified respondents as having high knowledge if they gave ≥ 5 correct responses to six knowledge questions regarding the health effects of prenatal smoking. We calculated frequencies of correct responses to assess knowledge about prenatal smoking and estimated relative risk to examine knowledge by demographic and lifestyle factors. Only 15 % of all respondents and 23 % of reproductive-aged women had high knowledge of the adverse effects of prenatal smoking on pregnancy outcomes. Preterm birth and low birth weight were most often recognized as adverse outcomes associated with prenatal smoking. Nearly 70 % of reproductive-aged women smokers reported they would quit smoking if they became pregnant without any specific reasons from their doctor. Few respondents recognized the benefits of quitting smoking after the first trimester of pregnancy. Our results suggest that many women lack knowledge regarding the increased risks for adverse outcomes associated with prenatal smoking. Healthcare providers should follow the recommendations provided by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which include educating women about the health risks of prenatal smoking and the benefits of quitting. Healthcare providers should emphasize quitting smoking even after the first trimester of pregnancy.
Analysis of Fire Blight Shoot Infection Epidemics on Apple

Biggs, A. R., Turechek, W. W., and Gottwald, T. R. 2008. Analysis of fire blight shoot infection epidemics on apple. Plant Dis. 92:1349-1356. Fire blight incidence and spread of the shoot blight phase of the disease was studied in four apple cultivars in replicated blocks over 4 years (1994 to 1997). Cv. York was highly susceptible, followed by ‘Fuji’ and ‘Golden Delicious,’ which were moderately susceptible, and ‘Liberty,’ which was least susceptible. On York, the first appearance of shoot blight was within 48 h of its predicted appearance according to the Maryblyt model in 3 of the 4 years studied. Shoot blight epidemics in York in 1995 and 1996, and Fuji in 1995, were best described with a logistic model that showed apparent infection rates ranging from 0.05 to 0.20, indicating a low to moderately high rate of disease increase. The spatial positions (row and column) of all infected plants in each subplot were recorded on plot maps on each sampling date. The binomial and β-binomial distributions were fit to the data to test for spatial aggregation of disease incidence for each cultivar plot. Maximum likelihood estimation was possible for 92 (43.6%) of the 211 data sets subjected to this analysis. Of these, 35 data sets were better fit by the β-binomial distribution than the binomial distribution. The binary power law was used to characterize the relationship between the variance among quadrats within each plot to the variance expected for that plot given the observed level of disease incidence. The binary power law provided an excellent fit to the full data set and to nearly all of the subsets and, with b > 1, indicated that heterogeneity changed systematically with disease incidence. A covariance analysis was conducted to determine the effect of the factors ‘year,’ ‘cultivar,’ ‘orchard plot,’ and ‘observation date’ on the intercept and slope parameters of the binary power law. In general, plot followed by year had the greatest impact on parameter estimates and is an indication that location and seasonal factors impact heterogeneity of disease, although the specifics could not be ascertained from this study. Ordinary runs analysis was used to analyze the pattern of diseased trees within rows and detected significant nonrandom patterns of disease incidence in 63.5% of the orchard plots over the 4year study. From these data sets, 68.7% had significantly fewer runs, particularly at disease incidences greater than 0.1. The fewer-than-expected runs at incidences greater than 0.10 provides strong evidence of localized spread. Additional keywords: Erwinia amylovora
Deviations from T 3 2 Law for Magnetization of Ferrometals: Ni, Fe, and Fe+3% Si

The variation with temperature of the magnetizations of single crystals of Ni, Fe, and Fe+3 wt% Si are studied. New data for Fe and Fe(Si) is presented along with previously reported measurements for Ni. These data were obtained by means of the pyromagnetic effect at various applied fields and in the temperature range 4.2-140, 30, and 120\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K for the Fe, Fe(Si), and Ni crystals, respectively. The observed departures from ${T}^{\frac{3}{2}}$ behavior are well described by spin-wave theory. Attempts to ascribe some of the measured variation of the magnetization to Stoner-type excitations or to variation of the moment per atom due to lattice expansion are mainly unsuccessful. The coefficients of the ${T}^{\frac{3}{2}}$ term appropriate for zero spin-wave energy gap are $C=7.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2, 3.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2, \mathrm{and} 4.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}6} {\mathrm{deg}}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{3}{2}}$ for Ni, Fe, and Fe(Si), respectively. The coefficients of the ${T}^{\frac{5}{2}}$ term for zero gap are determined only for the Ni and Fe crystals as $D=(1.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}8} {\mathrm{deg}}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{5}{2}} \mathrm{and} (1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}9} {\mathrm{deg}}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{5}{2}}$, respectively. The measured variation of the spin-wave energy gap with applied field is consistent with the known $g$ values of 2.19 and 2.09 for Ni and Fe. The magnitude of the gap at zero field is fully explained by the effects of magnetocrystalline anisotropy and magnetic-dipolar coupling. The values of the $C$ and $D$ coefficients are compared with results from independent experiments and are discussed in relation to theories of ferromagnetism in metals.
Protection of mice with polyvinylpyrrolidone against lethal doses of tetanus toxin.

SummaryIntravenous injection of polyvinylpyrrolidone (P VPN-molecular weight 12,600) caused urinary excretion of trypan blue in rabbits, even when given 48 hours following injection of the dye. PVPN also protected mice against tetanus toxin but only when both toxin and PVPN were given intravenously at the same time. Since no protection was observed when therapy with PVPN was delayed or when the toxin was given in-traperitoneally, it was suggested that PVPN was ineffective against tetanus toxin fixed in the tissues.
Multi-robot map-merging-free connectivity-based positioning and tethering in unknown environments

We consider a set of static towers with communication capabilities, but not within range of each other, i.e., sparsely positioned in an environment with obstacles that degrade the communication signal, e.g., emergency teams in areas where connectivity has been lost. We address the problem of deploying mobile robots, initially not necessarily within range of each other or of the static towers, to be communication gateways among the towers. The robots do not know the environment, the tower positions, nor their own initial position in global coordinates. After connectivity is achieved, we use this team of robots to locate and tether to an autonomous agent, using only measurements of signal strengths, without the need for the agent to communicate with the team of robots. We first discuss the challenges of the domain. We then contribute our distributed algorithm, where robots share connectivity information without merging maps, acquire information through their navigation, and heuristically plan their exploration. The robots analyze their own accumulated knowledge and determine if a positioning plan exists to achieve the joint connectivity goal. We introduce different navigation heuristics for achieving the connectivity goal. We formally define the multi-robot tethering problem, and contribute our 2-step algorithm to solve this problem using a data-driven RSSI-distance model. We illustrate our connectivity algorithm in simulation and compare the efficiency of the proposed heuristics. We apply the most promising heuristic in a variety of realistic indoor scenarios, demonstrating its efficacy. We then perform experiments of our tethering algorithm in simulation and with real robots in an actual office environment and show that we successfully solve the tethering problem.
Uncertainty and risk: purchase intentions of new and expectant adopting parents

Purpose – The consumer culture for expectant parents has changed considerably over the past few decades. Culturally, society places a great deal of emphasis and attention on traditional families and often neglects to recognize non‐traditional families. Although previous consumer literature examines purchase intentions in preparation for parenthood through the traditional biological lens, there have yet to be studies that observe this phenomenon in the context of adoption. This study aims to provide an understanding of the consumer uncertainty and risk that affect purchase intention in this family dynamic.Design/methodology/approach – This study focuses on the psychological dimensions of risk to examine consumer uncertainty as it relates to purchase decisions during the expectant stage of adoption. A literature review was conducted in order to provide a foundation for the study. After finding gaps in the current literature, a mixed approach qualitative study was conducted. Through extensive interviews and ...
The effects of country return and risk differences on predication performance of earnings forecasts

Summarizes previous research on financial analysts’ forecasts and the segmentation of international finance markets. Hypothesizes that the accuracy of earnings forecasts in a country is negatively related to the country return, and positively to the country risk. Uses 1992‐94 data from 12 countries to test this, supports the hypothesis and calls for further research.
A Case Study of the Interaction of a Mesoscale Gravity Wave with a Mesoscale Convective System

AbstractThis study documents the high-amplitude mesoscale gravity wave (MGW) event of 7 March 2008 in which two MGWs strongly impacted the sensible weather over a large portion of the Southeast United States. These MGWs exhibited starkly contrasting character despite propagating within similar environments. The primary (i.e., long lived) MGW was manifest by a solitary wave of depression associated with rapid sinking motion and adiabatic warming, while the secondary (short lived) MGW was manifest by a solitary wave of elevation (“MGWEL”), dominated by rising motion and moist adiabatic cooling. Genesis of the primary MGW occurred as a strong cold front arrived at the foot of Mexico’s high terrain and perturbed the appreciable overriding flow. The resulting gravity wave became ducted in the presence of a low-level frontal stable layer, and caused surface pressure falls up to ~4 hPa. The MGW later amplified as it became coupled with a stratiform precipitation system, which led to its evolution into an intense...
Cloning, Expression, and Cellular Localization of a Human Prenylcysteine Lyase*

Prenylated proteins contain either a 15-carbon farnesyl or 20-carbon geranylgeranyl isoprenoid covalently attached to cysteine residues at or near their C terminus. These proteins constitute up to 2% of total cellular protein in eukaryotic cells. The degradation of prenylated proteins raises a metabolic challenge to the cell, because the thioether bond of the modified cysteine is quite stable. We recently identified and isolated an enzyme termed prenylcysteine lyase that cleaves the prenylcysteine to free cysteine and an isoprenoid product (Zhang, L., Tschantz, W. R., and Casey, P. J. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 23354–23359). To facilitate the molecular characterization of this enzyme, its cloning was undertaken. Overlapping cDNA clones encoding the complete coding sequence of this enzyme were obtained from a human cDNA library. The open reading frame of the gene encoding prenylcysteine lyase is 1515 base pairs and has a nearly ubiquitous expression pattern with a message size of 6 kilobase pairs. Recombinant prenylcysteine lyase was produced in a baculovirus-Sf9 expression system. Analysis of both the recombinant and native enzyme revealed that the enzyme is glycosylated and contains a signal peptide that is cleaved during processing. Additionally, the subcellular localization of this enzyme was determined to be lysosomal. These findings strengthen the notion that prenylcysteine lyase plays an important role in the final step in the degradation of prenylated proteins and will allow further physiological and biochemical characterization of this enzyme.
Excited states and reactivity of carcinogenic benzpyrene; a comparison with skin-sensitizing coumarins.

— Significant spectroscopic difference was found between the 3(π, π*) state of coumarins and the 3La state of benzpyrene. No analogy of the partially localized triplet state associated with the coumarin chromophore was revealed in the case of the potent carcinogen, benzo[a]pyrene. Instead, the 3La state of benzo[a]pyrene is characterized by more derealization than that of the non–carcinogenic benzo[e]pyrene. Therefore, the predominant photoreaction between benzo[a]pyrene and DNA bases does not seem to involve cycloaddition in contrast to the coumarin-pyrimidine system. Reactivity indices have been calculated, and results are consistent with recent experimental findings. In addition, spectroscopic properties of benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[e]pyrene have been comparatively described in terms of relatively high-resolution spectra, polarization measurements, and molecular orbital calculations.