cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimization of the Microstructure of the Cathode Catalyst Layer of a PEMFC for Two-Phase Flow

This paper addresses the problem of electrode flooding in the cathode catalyst layer (CCL) of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) by optimizing the structure and composition of the CCL. By separating the catalyst ink preparation method into two steps, both Nafion, an ionic phase for proton conduction, and Teflon, a hydrophobic phase for gas transport, could be incorporated within the catalyst layer (CL) without Teflon blocking active catalyst sites. A study of 16 different compositions identified two regions in which fuel cells showed good performance, high reliability, and low sensitivity to small composition changes. The study resulted in the following understanding: A sufficient amount of Nafion was needed to create a continuous ionic phase, but excessive Nafion led to increased film thickness, thus poor oxygen diffusivity or even particle insulation. Also, an adequate amount of Teflon was needed to create a continuous hydrophobic phase for gas transport, while too much Teflon resulted in particle separation. The amount of Teflon was highly dependent on the Nafion content, which determined the void volume within the CL. Results showed that a two-step-prepared CL performed better than a conventional one-step-prepared CL, especially at lower air flow rates where flooding is more severe.
Measuring the health of the Chesapeake Bay: toward integration and prediction.

The health of an ecosystem is a function of its vigor (useful productivity), organization (complexity of interspecific interactions), and resilience (ability to maintain itself in the face of disturbance). The health of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem has deteriorated largely as a result of nutrient overenrichment, concomitant reduction in light availability, and loss of habitats that provide complexity. This has resulted in an ecosystem that is a less vigorous producer of valuable fish and shellfish, less diverse and well organized, and more susceptible to and slower to recover from disturbances. It is not clear that degraded ecosystem health directly threatens human health; in fact sanitation and reductions in loadings of potentially toxic substances have reduced human health risks in recent decades. On the other hand, recently observed outbreaks of the toxin-producing dinoflagellate Pfiesteria piscicida could be a result of deteriorated ecosystem health and pose a human health risk. Monitoring of the environmental conditions, ecosystem health, and human health risks is critically important to the adaptive management of the Chesapeake Bay. Although this monitoring has produced very useful information, monitoring can be more effective if it more directly addressed the multiple uses of the resulting information, applied new technologies, and were more effectively integrated across environmental media, among resources, over space and time scales, and with modeling and research.
The Hatteras Front: August 2004 velocity and density structure

The Hatteras Front is a persistent mesoscale cross-shelf oriented front off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. It is the boundary between relatively cool, fresh Mid-Atlantic Bight shelf waters and warmer, saltier shelf waters of the South Atlantic Bight, which both converge along-shelf upon Cape Hatteras year round. The Frontal Interaction Near Cape Hatteras (FINCH) project was conducted in 2004-2005 to intensively sample the Hatteras Front with shipboard ADCP and undulating towed CTD. This paper documents velocity and density structures associated with the cross-shelf oriented zone of Hatteras Front during the August 2004 field season. Property gradients across the Hatteras Front are large, with temperature (T) and salinity (S) differences of ∼4-6°C, 2-5 psu, respectively over distances of 1-2 km. The T and S are not completely compensating, and a strong density (p) gradient also exists, with Ap of∼2 kg/m 3 across a gentler 10 km wide front. The density gradient results in a steric sea-level height gradient of ∼ 1-2 cm across the Front, which is in approximate geostrophic balance with a surface intensified jet, directed shoreward along the cross-shelf oriented Front. The velocity is sheared with depth at 3.0 × 10 -2 to 5.0 x 10- 2 s -1 in the upper 5 m of the jet; a rate consistent with the density gradient according to the thermal wind relationship. Shoreward transport of ∼4.8 x 104 m 3 /s results from the surface intensified jet. The structure of the velocity field associated with the Hatteras Front resembles that of a slope-controlled buoyant plume, as described by Lentz and Helfrich (2002). Velocity and density structures are similar during both advancing (southwestward) and retreating (northeastward) motion of the Front.
Adding Knowledge-Assistance to PC-Based Photographic Image Database Management Systems

Many information technology IT managers are novices when implementing high-resolution, true color, knowledge-assisted microcomputer photographic image database management systems IDBMS. Such systems, involving high capacity image data capture, classification, compression, storage, retrieval, and transmission, have not yet been widely described in the literature nor fully implemented in practice. This paper reviews image management fundamentals for emerging digital photographic image data, discusses a prototype system under development to support NASAKennedy Space Center space shuttle ground processing operations, and focuses on the integration of knowledge-based expert systems embedded in the prototype to assist in image classification and retrieval. The paper concludes with the design for an integrated high capacity networked PC-LAN IDBMS.
Cost-effectiveness analysis in surgery

Abstract Background: With tighter constraints on health care spending, many recognize the need to identify and restrict clinical interventions that are not cost-effective. As a result, cost-effectiveness analysis is being used increasingly to assess the relative value of surgical interventions. Methods and Results: We first present the general concept of cost-effectiveness analysis and review a recent study of carotid endarterectomy to demonstrate the technique. We next consider the classic application of cost-effectiveness analysis to resource-allocation decisions and use the Oregon Medicaid experiment to illustrate some potential problems with this approach. We then present the current role of cost-effectiveness analysis: informing decisions about individual interventions that are new, controversial, or in direct competition with an accepted alternative treatment. Finally, we review several limitations of the methods used to measure costs and benefits and discuss problems with the interpretation of cost-effectiveness studies. Conclusions: Cost-effectiveness analysis is a systematic approach to assessing the relative value of health care interventions. This technique is being used increasingly to frame clinical policy decisions in surgery. Because of this, surgeons need to understand cost-effectiveness analysis and be prepared to examine these studies critically. (Surgery 1998;123:151-6.)
A new algorithm for L 2 optimal model reduction

In this paper the quadratically optimal model reduction problem for single-input, single-output systems is considered. The reduced order model is determined by minimizing the integral of the magnitude-squared of the transfer function error. It is shown that the numerator coefficients of the optimal approximant satisfy a weighted least squares problem and, on this basis, a two-step iterative algorithm is developed combining a least squares solver with a gradient minimizer. Convergence of the proposed algorithm to stationary values of the quadratic cost function is proved. The formulation is extended to handle the frequency-weighted optimal model reduction problem. Three examples demonstrate the optimization algorithm.
How General Motors used simulators to save time and money creating value for our customers

This case study demonstrates how General Motors benefited by constructing special purpose simulators using ARENA Templates to rapidly model manufacturing systems common in the Automotive Industry. We use real manufacturing examples to demonstrate the enormous flexibility of these simulators while discussing the principles integral to their development. The simulators discussed here reduced model creation time from weeks to hours. Moreover, they eliminated the need for expert simulation engineers while at the same time dramatically improving modeling accuracy. In fact, it became common practice for engineers without any prior simulation experience to be trained and accurately constructing complex Body Shop models within a couple of weeks. For the first time, simulation analysis could be used in real time throughout the engineering development process. Hence, more effort was dedicated to analysis and improving system designs rather than constructing models.
HOM (higher-order mode) test of the storage ring single-cell cavity with a 20-MeV e/sup -/ beam for the Advanced Photon Source (APS)

To test the effectiveness of damping techniques of the APS storage ring single-cell cavity, a beamline has been designed and assembled to use the ANL Chemistry Division linac beam (20-MeV, FWHM of 20 ps). A single-cell cavity will be excited by the electron beam to investigate the effect on higher-order modes (HOMs) with and without coaxial dampers (H-loop damper, E-probe damper), and wideband aperture dampers. In order for the beam to propagate on- and off-center of the cavity, the beamline consists of two sections- a beam collimating section and a cavity measurement section- separated by two double Aluminum foil windows. RF cavity measurements were made with coupling loops and E-probes. The results are compared with both the TBCI calculations and 'cold' measurements with the bead-perturbation method. >
System reconstruction based on selected regions of discretized higher order spectra

We consider the problem of system reconstruction from arbitrarily selected slices of the nth-order output spectrum. We establish that unique identification of the impulse response of a system can be performed, up to a scalar and a circular shift, based on any two one-dimensional (1-D) slices of the discretized nth-order output spectrum, (n/spl ges/3), as long as the distance between the slices and the grid size satisfy a simple condition. For the special case of real systems, one slice suffices for system reconstruction. The ability to choose the slices to be used for reconstruction enables us to avoid regions of the nth-order spectrum, where the estimation variance is high, or where the ideal polyspectrum is expected to be zero, as is the case for bandlimited systems. We show that the obtained system estimates are asymptotically unbiased and consistent. We propose a mechanism for selecting slices that result in improved system estimates. We also demonstrate via simulations the superiority, in terms of estimation bias and variance, of the proposed method over existing approaches in the case of bandlimited systems.
Software Engineering in the Johns Hopkins University Continuing Professional Programs

The need to educate computer professionals about the process, methods and tools used to create and maintain software systems is being met by The Johns Hopkins University at three levels. In the graduate program, which offers an M.S. in computer science to part-time students, a course in software engineering recently has been established as a degree requirement. At a second level, students in the program with an interest in software engineering may choose from a relatively comprehensive group of courses. Finally, at a third level, a short course program makes much of the same material available to non-matriculating professionals in a two to five full-day format. This paper describes the program, details the offerings, provides measures of the size and impact of the software engineering effort, and makes some general observations about the teaching of software engineering to practicing professionals.
Relationships of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae Strains to Hemolytic and Nonhemolytic Haemophilus haemolyticus Strains

Haemophilus influenzae is both a human respiratory pathogen and pharyngeal commensal, while H. haemolyticus, the closest phylogenetic relative of H. influenzae, is arguably a strict pharyngeal commensal. A hemolytic phenotype has historically differentiated H. haemolyticus from H. influenzae, but the recent recognition of significant nonhemolytic H. haemolyticus colonization has decreased this trait's resolvability. Given this and the potential of recombination between the species, we examined the distribution of microbiologic and molecular traits between collections of H. influenzae and H. haemolyticus strains separated within a dendrogram obtained by multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA). All strains hybridizing with a probe to iga, a gene encoding an immunoglobulin A protease of H. influenzae, clustered apart from strains that did not hybridize with the probe. Other traits also segregated significantly along this division, suggesting a separation of the species. Of note, the LOS genes licA, lic2A, and lgtC of H. influenzae were approximately 2, 6, and 54 times, respectively, more prevalent in H. influenzae than in H. haemolyticus. In contrast to species separation, interspecies recombination was evidenced by the inability of single gene sequences to phylogenetically separate the species and by the "fuzzy" distribution of some species-specific traits across the species dividing line. Together, these data support the historically accurate and pragmatic division of these species while recognizing their potential for recombination. Future comparative genomic studies identifying common and distinctive genes could be useful in evaluating their role in the commensal or virulent growth, respectively, of H. influenzae.
Multilook SAR Tomography for 3-D Reconstruction and Monitoring of Single Structures Applied to COSMO-SKYMED Data

With reference to the application to the imaging and monitoring of infrastructures and buildings in urban areas, SAR tomography has been mainly developed and tested at full resolution. In this work, we investigate the possibility related to the use of a multilook approach for fine resolution analysis of ground structures that combines SAR tomography and a method, CAESAR, recently proposed for classical DInSAR analysis at coarse resolution over large areas. Shown results, achieved by processing two 3 m spatial resolution (stripmap mode) COSMO-SKYMED datasets relative to the urban areas of Naples and Rome (Italy), clearly indicate that the proposed multilook-based method allows achieving an impressive density of detected scatterers over buildings and infrastructures, much higher than those achievable with standard full-resolution methods.
Post-Training Cocaine Exposure Facilitates Spatial Memory Consolidation in C57BL/6 Mice

In this study, we examined the ability of post-training injections of cocaine to facilitate spatial memory performance using the Morris water maze (MWM). We also investigated the role that hippocam- pal protein kinase A (PKA) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK) signaling may play in cocaine-mediated spatial memory consolida- tion processes. Male and female C57BL/6 mice were first trained in a MWM task (eight consecutive trials) then injected with cocaine (0, 1.25, 2.5, 5, or 20 mg/kg), and memory for the platform location was retested after a 24 h delay. Cocaine had a dose-dependent effect on spatial mem- ory performance because only the mice receiving 2.5 mg/kg cocaine dis- played a significant reduction in latency to locate the platform. No sex differences in MWM performance were observed; however, females showed higher hippocampal levels of PKA when compared with males. A second experiment demonstrated that 2.5 mg/kg cocaine enhanced MWM performance only when administered within 2, but not 4 h after spatial training. We also found that cocaine (2.5 mg/kg) increased ERK2 phosphorylation within the hippocampus and one of its downstream tar- gets (ribosomal S6 kinase), a mechanism that may be responsible, at least in part, for the enhanced cocaine-mediated spatial memory performance. Overall, these data demonstrate that a low dose of cocaine (2.5 mg/kg) administered within 2 h after training facilitates MWM spatial memory performance in C57BL/6 mice. V C 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
How to effectively manage invasive predators to protect their native prey

Abstract Invasive predators can have substantial effects on their native prey and often there is a need for rapid action to quell this impact. Conservation action is often employed on behalf of the native prey by means of predator removal or birth control. The decision to employ such actions is often based on the outcome of a population viability analysis (PVA) or similar method aimed at reducing the predator population. These models typically focus on one species and ignore the effects of that species’ interaction with others. Thus, there is inherently a disconnect between what is being managed (the predator population) and the desired outcome of the management (the persistence of a prey population). We built stage-based, stochastic matrix models of an invasive generalist predator and its native prey and coupled these using a functional response. We generated management recommendations based on the number of times the prey population persisted, and considered a range of life history types for predators and prey. We compared the results of our model to those generated by a traditional elasticity analysis commonly used in PVA. Recommendations from our model disagreed with those made by traditional elasticity most often when considering management of short-lived predators, and showed complete agreement between methods when considering long-lived predators. We illustrate that traditional PVA approaches to managing predators for the benefit of prey can provide inefficient control recommendations. Our coupled predator–prey model provides a flexible yet comprehensive approach to exploring management actions designed to benefit native prey species, including the option of ‘do nothing’.
Measures of material hardship: Rationale and recommendations

Abstract Although there has been much discussion in the United States regarding the definition of economic poverty, we continue to measure poverty almost exclusively in terms of current income. However, there are many reasons to supplement measures of income-poverty with measures of material hardship. First, material hardship and income-poverty represent alternative conceptions of poverty. Second, material hardship is of both normative and instrumental concern. Third, hardship measures are useful tools for policy analysis, particularly in the context of welfare reform. Specific recommendations for developing and using hardship measures are presented.
Fluctuations in nucleus accumbens extracellular glutamate and glucose during motivated glucose-drinking behavior: dissecting the neurochemistry of reward

While motivated behavior involves multiple neurochemical systems, few studies have focused on the role of glutamate, the brain's excitatory neurotransmitter, and glucose, the energetic substrate of neural activity in reward-related neural processes. Here, we used high-speed amperometry with enzyme-based substrate-sensitive and control, enzyme-free biosensors to examine second-scale fluctuations in the extracellular levels of these substances in the nucleus accumbens shell during glucose-drinking behavior in trained rats. Glutamate rose rapidly after the presentation of a glucose-containing cup and before the initiation of drinking (reward seeking), decreased more slowly to levels below baseline during consumption (sensory reward), and returned to baseline when the ingested glucose reached the brain (metabolic reward). When water was substituted for glucose, glutamate rapidly increased with cup presentation and in contrast to glucose drinking, increased above baseline after rats tasted the water and refused to drink further. Therefore, extracellular glutamate show distinct changes associated with key events of motivated drinking behavior and opposite dynamics during sensory and metabolic components of reward. In contrast to glutamate, glucose increased at each stimulus and behavioral event, showing a sustained elevation during the entire behavior and a robust post-ingestion rise that correlated with the gradual return of glutamate levels to their baseline. By comparing active drinking with passive intra-gastric glucose delivery, we revealed that fluctuations in extracellular glucose are highly dynamic, reflecting a balance between rapid delivery because of neural activity, intense metabolism, and the influence of ingested glucose reaching the brain.
Municipal Ransoming Law on the Medieval Spanish Frontier

A serious yet unstudied consequence of the Christian-Muslim conflict in medieval Spain was the capture and enslavement of soldiers and civilians. Men, women, and children who were seized on raids, taken in battle, or pirated off ships were regarded by their captors as booty, to be used as slaves or to be sold for profit. Since warfare in twelfth-century Spain pitted Christians against Muslims, the usual prohibitions against enslavement of coreligionists clearly did not apply.' For Muslims and Christians alike, capture meant a life of slavery. Christian chronicles of this era are replete with stories of captives taken off to be sold in the slave markets of al-Andalus in southern Spain or, even worse, in those of North Africa.2 Some of these slaves, however, were able to regain their freedom through redemption that is, to purchase their liberty by paying a ransom. Since the ransom price frequently exceeded what could be gained in the slave auctions, redemption became an attractive option to both captor and captive. Ransoming is probably as old as slavery, and in Spain prior to the twelfth century there are numerous instances of kings ransoming their soldiers and parents their sons.3 It was not until the twelfth century, however, that the practice of redemption became institutionalized. This attempt at systematization coincided with the extension of Leon-Castile into the trans-Tagus and of Aragon into the middle Ebro valley at the end of the eleventh and the beginning of the twelfth centuries. Here, at the peninsula's center, new Christian communities were planted on what would be a shifting and volatile frontier with the fierce Murabits (or Almoravids) and Muwahhids (or Almohads), those Berbers of North Africa who had absorbed the fragments of the old Islamic caliphate in Spain. Thus, until Islam's decisive defeat at Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212 and the transfer of the conflict to Andalusia and Murcia, there existed in central Spain a Muslim-Christian frontier across which the military forces of both sides attacked and raided.4
On representing homology classes of 4-manifolds

In particular this means that homotopic knots in the homology sphere (~W o are not necessarily P.L. concordant (in ? W o x I). We are informed that these results are also obtained by C.McA. Gordon. The main point of this paper is to describe geometrically the handlebody pictures of non-abelian covering spaces of 3 and 4 manifolds. The above theorem follows by explicitly calculating a certain invariant from these pictures.
Phenotypic plasticity of native vs. invasive purple loosestrife: a two-state multivariate approach.

The differences in phenotypic plasticity between invasive (North American) and native (German) provenances of the invasive plant Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife) were examined using a multivariate reaction norm approach testing two important attributes of reaction norms described by multivariate vectors of phenotypic change: the magnitude and direction of mean trait differences between environments. Data were collected for six life history traits from native and invasive plants using a split-plot design with experimentally manipulated water and nutrient levels. We found significant differences between native and invasive plants in multivariate phenotypic plasticity for comparisons between low and high water treatments within low nutrient levels, between low and high nutrient levels within high water treatments, and for comparisons that included both a water and nutrient level change. The significant genotype 3 environment (G 3 E) effects support the argument that invasiveness of purple loosestrife is closely associated with the interaction of high levels of soil nutrient and flooding water regime. Our results indicate that native and invasive plants take different strategies for growth and reproduction; native plants flowered earlier and allocated more to flower production, while invasive plants exhibited an extended period of vegetative growth before flowering to increase height and allocation to clonal reproduction, which may contribute to increased fitness and invasiveness in subsequent years.
Possible universalities in the ac frequency response of dispersed, disordered materials

Abstract The plausibility of recent suggestions that the electrical conductivity of crystalline and glassy disordered materials may often arise from two separate physical processes, each involving dispersed response, is examined by means of a detailed, complex-non-linear-least-squares analysis of small-signal frequency-response data on CaTiO 3 :30%Al 3+ over a temperature range from 51 to 626 K. Earlier preliminary analysis on a few of the available 16 data sets, which showed that they could indeed be described by a combination of conductive-system dispersion and dielectric-system dispersion, is confirmed and extended. Complex non-linear least squares analysis provides a high-resolution method of isolating, identifying, and examining these separate response contributions. It was found that the conductive-system part of the full response could be well represented over a wide temperature range by a power-law model with an exponent close to 0.5, suggesting the presence of diffusion. A new analysis procedure showed that the relaxation time and dc conductivity exhibited the same thermally activated temperature response with no pre-exponential T dependence. The dielectric-system dispersion was well described by a thermally activated exponential-distribution-of-activation-energies model, whose effective power-law exponent exhibited [1−( T / T 0 )] temperature dependence from 51 to 296 K. Thus, when the present analysis methods were applied to these data, the constant-loss `second universality', found earlier for this and other materials, one which involves a power-law exponent of unity, did not appear in the 64 to 224 K region where it was previously identified for the present material.
Athermal division and selective suture ligation of the dorsal vein complex during robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: description of technique and outcomes.

Abstract Background Apical dissection and control of the dorsal vein complex (DVC) affects blood loss, apical positive margins, and urinary control during robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP). Objective To describe technique and outcomes for athermal DVC division followed by selective suture ligation (DVC-SSL) compared with DVC suture ligation followed by athermal division (SL-DVC). Design, settings, and participants Retrospective study of prospectively collected data from February 2008 to July 2010 for 303 SL-DVC and 240 DVC-SSL procedures. Surgical procedure RALP with comparison of DVC-SSL prior to anastomosis versus early SL-DVC prior to bladder-neck dissection. Measurements Blood loss, transfusions, operative time, apical and overall positive margins, urine leaks, catheterization duration, and urinary control at 5 and 12 mo evaluated using 1) the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index (EPIC) urinary function scale and 2) continence defined as zero pads per day. Results and limitations Men who underwent DVC-SSL versus SL-DVC were older (mean: 59.9 vs 57.8 yr, p p p p =0.033), and one DVC-SSL versus zero SL-DVC were transfused ( p =0.442). Overall (12.2% vs 12.0%, p =1.0) and apical (1.3% vs 2.7%, p =0.361) positive surgical margins were similar for DVC-SSL versus SL-DVC. Although 5-mo postoperative urinary function (mean: 72.9 vs 55.4, p p p p p Conclusions DVC-SSL versus SL-DVC improves early urinary control and shortens operative times due to fewer instrument changes with late versus early DVC control.
Multi-targeted multi-color in vivo optical imaging in a model of disseminated peritoneal ovarian cancer

Commonly used in flow cytometry, multiplexed optical probes can diagnose multiple types of cell surface marker, potentially leading to improved diagnosis accuracy in vivo. Herein, we demonstrate the targeting of two different tumor markers in models of disseminated ovarian cancer. Two ovarian cancer cell lines (SKOV3 and SHIN3) were employed; both overexpress D-galactose receptor (D-galR), but only SKOV3 overexpresses HER2/neu. Additionally, fusion tumors composed of SKOV3 and SHIN3/RFP were evaluated. Both galactosyl serum albumin-rhodamine green (GSA-RhodG), which binds D-galR, and trastuzumab-Alexa680, which binds HER2/neu, were administered to tumor-bearing mice for in vivo fluorescence imaging and in situ fluorescence microscopy. In vivo fluorescence imaging depicted 64 of 69 SKOV3 tumors (94.2%) based on their dual spectra corresponding to both RhodG and Alexa680, while all 71 SHIN3 tumors (100%) were detected based on their single spectrum corresponding only to RhodG. All 59 SHIN3 and 36 SKOV3 tumors were correctly diagnosed with in situ microscopy. Additionally, in the mixed tumor model, all tumors could be depicted using the RhodG spectrum, but only SKOV3 components also showed the Alexa680 spectrum. In conclusion, multitargeted multicolor optical imaging enabled specific in vivo diagnosis of tumors expressing distinct patterns of receptors, leading to improved diagnostic accuracy.
Early retinoic acid deprivation in developing zebrafish results in microphthalmia

Vitamin A deficiency causes impaired vision and blindness in millions of children around the world. Previous studies in zebrafish have demonstrated that retinoic acid (RA), the acid form of vitamin A, plays a vital role in early eye development. The objective of this study was to describe the effects of early RA deficiency by treating zebrafish with diethylaminobenzaldehyde (DEAB), a potent inhibitor of the enzyme retinaldehyde dehydrogenase (RALDH) that converts retinal to RA. Zebrafish embryos were treated for 2 h beginning at 9 h postfertilization. Gross morphology and retinal development were examined at regular intervals for 5 days after treatment. The optokinetic reflex (OKR) test, visual background adaptation (VBA) test, and the electroretinogram (ERG) were performed to assess visual function and behavior. Early treatment of zebrafish embryos with 100 μM DEAB (9 h) resulted in reduced eye size, and this microphthalmia persisted through larval development. Retinal histology revealed that DEAB eyes had significant developmental abnormalities but had relatively normal retinal lamination by 5.5 days postfertilization. However, the fish showed neither an OKR nor a VBA response. Further, the retina did not respond to light as measured by the ERG. We conclude that early deficiency of RA during eye development causes microphthalmia as well as other visual defects, and that timing of the RA deficiency is critical to the developmental outcome.
Testing flight systems with machine executable scripts

The MSAP project at JPL has been testing spacecraft avionics and flight software since 2005, in part using computer executable scripts. The scripts are document files of a common word processor and comply with the format of a traditional, formal test procedure common at JPL. These procedures use keywords to issue commands and evaluate responses, mimicking a human test operator. In effect, script lines are inserted into a normal procedure. Even though the executable structure of the procedures is limited to linear sequences of fairly simple operations, we have found significant value in certain test regimes given the repeatability, ease of execution, and readily understandable intent of these procedures.
An assumption-based TMS

Abstract This paper presents a new view of problem solving motivated by a new kind of truth maintenance system. Unlike previous truth maintenance systems which were based on manipulating justifications, this truth maintenance system is, in addition, based on manipulating assumption sets. As a consequence it is possible to work effectively and efficiently with inconsistent information, context switching is free, and most backtracking (and all retraction) is avoided. These capabilities motivate a different kind of problem-solving architecture in which multiple potential solutions are explored simultaneously. This architecture is particularly well-suited for tasks where a reasonable fraction of the potential solutions must be explored.
A Neural Network Model for Estimating Sea Surface Chlorophyll and Sediments from Thematic Mapper Imagery

Abstract Two important parameters used for monitoring coastal water quality are the concentrations of chlorophyll and suspended sediment in surface waters. Ocean color remote sensing provides a convenient method of determining these concentrations from upwelling radiances. In the open ocean, it is not difficult to derive empirical algorithms relating the received radiances to surface concentrations of chlorophyll. In turbid coastal waters, however, this is much more difficult due to the presence of high concentrations of suspended sediments and dissolved organic material, which overwhelm the spectral signal of chlorophyll. Neural networks have been proven successful in modeling a variety of geophysical transfer functions. Here, a neural network is employed to model the transfer function between the chlorophyll and sediment concentrations and the satellite-received radiances. It was found that a neural network with two hidden nodes, using the three visible Landsat Thematic Mapper bands as inputs, was able to model the transfer function to a much higher accuracy than multiple regression analysis. The RMS errors for the neural network were 25%.
Oil for What?-Illicit Iraqi Oil Contracts and the U.N. Security Council

The Oil-For-Food program was established by United Nations Security Council Resolution 986 in 1995 as a means of providing humanitarian relief to Iraq, which had been under U.N. economic sanctions since the Persian Gulf War in 1991. After the invasion of Iraq, considerable evidence emerged suggesting that Saddam Hussein was able to subvert the Oil-For-Food program to obtain hard currency as well as items on the United Nation's prohibited transfer list. In this paper, I use recently available data to examine how the Iraqi government used illicit contracts for underpriced oil to reward supporters. Although it may never be possible to prove conclusively that the Iraqi government used oil contracts as a mechanism to trade bribes for votes in the U.N. Security Council, I demonstrate that nations with seats on the Security Council received a greater number and a greater value of these contracts and that receipt of the contracts was positively associated with pro-Iraqi votes. I also find that Iraq was more likely to give contracts to countries on the Council that had exhibited prior support for the Iraqi regime.
A methodology for knowledge discovery to support product family design

This paper introduces a methodology for knowledge discovery related to product family design that integrates an ontology with data mining techniques. In the proposed methodology, the ontology represents attributes for the components of products in functional hierarchies. Fuzzy clustering is employed for data mining to first partition product functions into subsets for identifying modules in a given product family and then identify the similarity level of components in a module. Module categorization is introduced to support association rule mining for knowledge discovery related to platform design. We apply the proposed methodology to first develop and then utilize design knowledge for a family of power tools. Based on the developed design knowledge, a new platform is suggested to improve commonality in the power tool family.
Rational Choice Inside and Out

Beyond Self-Interest. Edited by Jane J. Mansbridge. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1990. Pp. xiii, 402. $55.00 cloth, $15.95 paper.) The Limits of Rationality. Edited by Karen Schweers Cook and Margaret Levi. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1990. Pp. ix, 426. $49.95 cloth, $19.95, paper.) Perspectives on Positive Political Economy. Edited by James E. Alt and Kenneth A. Shepsle. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990. Pp. x, 268. $49.50 cloth, $16.95 paper.)
Single-Incision Total Proctocolectomy and Ileal Pouch Anal Anastomosis in Pediatric Patients: Lessons Learned.

Abstract Background: Total proctocolectomy (TPC) and ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) have become the standard of care for patients with ulcerative colitis refractory to medical management. The purpose of our study is to show our single-site approach and to identify maneuvers that improve efficiency. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent single-site three-stage TPC-IPAA for ulcerative colitis at our institution. Primary outcomes included operative time, conversion from single site to standard laparoscopy, time to oral intake and stoma function, postoperative complications, and length of stay. The GelPOINT™ Advanced Access Platform (Applied Medical, Santa Margarita, CA) was used. Results: Eight patients were identified who had undergone single-site surgery with the GelPOINT platform. Six of the 8 patients underwent the first stage, total abdominal colectomy (TAC), and all 8 underwent the second stage (proctectomy/IPAA). The mean operating time for TAC was 242 ± 32 min...
The cooperative development of Linux

Linux is a UNIX clone being developed by a cooperative of software authors. The entire source code is freely distributable, protected by the Free Software Foundation "copyleft." The cooperative development of Linux is examined in detail. Emerging group dynamics are surveyed to find how the current Linus "club" came to assemble itself. The "club" model shows how the facilities of the Internet and USENET became their virutal meeting place. Analysis of current projects shows how the participants divide themselves into groups according to their interest, and work in these interlocked circles to add to the entire effort. The "club" model serves as a model for future software development using electronic communications.
Differential acute and chronic effects of burn trauma on murine skeletal muscle bioenergetics

Altered skeletal muscle mitochondrial function contributes to the pathophysiological stress response to burns. However, the acute and chronic impact of burn trauma on skeletal muscle bioenergetics remains poorly understood. Here, we determined the temporal relationship between burn trauma and mitochondrial function in murine skeletal muscle local to and distal from burn wounds. Male BALB/c mice (8-10 weeks old) were burned by submersion of the dorsum in water (∼ 95 °C) to create a full thickness burn on ∼ 30% of the body. Skeletal muscle was harvested spinotrapezius underneath burn wounds (local) and the quadriceps (distal) of sham and burn treated mice at 3h, 24h, 4d and 10d post-injury. Mitochondrial respiration was determined in permeabilized myofiber bundles by high-resolution respirometry. Caspase 9 and caspase 3 protein concentration were determined by western blot. In muscle local to burn wounds, respiration coupled to ATP production was significantly diminished at 3h and 24h post-injury (P<0.001), as was mitochondrial coupling control (P<0.001). There was a 5- (P<0.05) and 8-fold (P<0.001) increase in respiration in response to cytochrome at 3h and 24h post burn, respectively, indicating damage to the outer mitochondrial membranes. Moreover, we also observed greater active caspase 9 and caspase 3 in muscle local to burn wounds, indicating the induction of apoptosis. Distal muscle mitochondrial function was unaltered by burn trauma until 10d post burn, where both respiratory capacity (P<0.05) and coupling control (P<0.05) were significantly lower than sham. These data highlight a differential response in muscle mitochondrial function to burn trauma, where the timing, degree and mode of dysfunction are dependent on whether the muscle is local or distal to the burn wound.
The incorporation of N15-labeled glycine in the plasma protein, plasma phospholipids, blood nonprotein nitrogen, and splenic tissue in man.

Abstract From the present type of study only a general consideration of the labeled constituent can be made. The feeding of a substrate labeled with a universal atom of the body, such as isotopic C, N, S, or H, creates a complex system since these atoms enter into many metabolic pathways of the body. The disappearance rates of the atom per cent N 15 excess in plasma protein were approximately 43, 13, and 1.8 per cent per day. The fast rate of disappearance may represent body distribution and the initial tissue absorption, while the slower rate may represent body conservation of nitrogen. The disappearance rate of the atom per cent excess of nitrogen in plasma phospholipid was also of a similar magnitude.
Californium Recovery from Palladium Wire

The recovery of 252Cf from palladium-252Cf cermet wires was investigated to determine the feasibility of implementation into the cermet wire production operation at the Radiochemical Engineering Development Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The dissolution of Pd wire in 8 M HNO3 and trace amounts of HCl was studied at both ambient and elevated temperatures. These studies showed that it took days to dissolve the wire at ambient temperature and only 2 hours at 60°C. Adjusting the ratio of the volume of solvent to the mass of the wire segment from 0.176 mL/mg down to 0.019 mL/mg resulted in little change in the kinetics of dissolution. A successful separation of 153Gd, a surrogate for 252Cf, from Pd was demonstrated using ion exchange chromatography.
Recap and Concluding Observations

This book has focused on metropolitan traffic congestion in the US and Canada. Its various chapters have described and analyzed the nature, causes, and consequences of traffic congestion in cities and suburbs, and they have set forth the various strategies and actions that can be taken to provide congestion relief. This concluding chapter summarizes the key findings, gives guidelines for congestion management and illustrates possible applications of congestion relief strategies in different settings.
Electrical, Micro-Power Generation Using a Fluidic Oscillator

This paper presents a fluidic device capable of generating electrical micro-power from a steady air pressure source. The Fluidic Driven Piezoelectric Generator (FDPG) relies on a fluidic pressure-controlled oscillator, a fluidic linear proportional amplifier with its output ports connected to its input ports, to convert a steady air pressure into an oscillating air pressure. The piezoelectric device then converts the oscillating air pressure into an AC electrical voltage that is available for rectification and subsequent source of electrical power. This project has demonstrated that the FDPG produces 0.55W of electrical power, with an air pressure supply of 2.0 psig. This translates to an efficiency of 35%. This paper compares the predicted power level output of an analytical model to the proof-of-concept plastic model. The fluidic oscillator model was implemented in an equivalent electrical circuit using PSPICE. This approach has applications in remote or portable pneumatic applications where intelligent instrumentation and control are needed yet no battery or auxiliary electrical power is available to drive an electronic microcontroller.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Size Effect and Odd–Even Alternation in the Melting of Single and Stacked AgSCn Layers: Synthesis and Nanocalorimetry Measurements

We report a systematic study of melting of layered lamella of silver alkanethiolates (AgSCn). A new synthesis method allows us to independently change the thickness of the crystal in two ways—by mo...
A protocol for initiation of nasal positive pressure ventilation.

BACKGROUND Respiratory failure related to neuromuscular weakness has commonly been managed with long-term ventilation by tracheostomy. Currently, nasal positive pressure ventilation is being used with success in this patient population. It has been suggested that initiation of nasal positive pressure ventilation is best done in an intensive care setting. METHOD Nine patients were placed on nasal ventilation during a brief admission to a medical floor staffed by nurses trained in respiratory care. This process was facilitated by use of a standardized protocol for nursing staff that identified treatment objectives. RESULTS Following the initiation of nasal positive pressure ventilation, this group of patients experienced near normalization of daytime measurements of partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide, reported increases in daytime energy levels, and relief of nighttime signs and symptoms. These objectives were accomplished with no significant complications. Use of this protocol may also decrease length and cost of hospitalization and improve patient acceptance of noninvasive ventilatory assistance.
Frontiers of Optical Networks

Future optical networks will integrate multi-layer functions in a fast adapting infrastructure. When data and control dynamics speed-up by 103-4, the entire architecture, from physical to application layers, must be redesigned to be scalable.
Natural Exposure of Hippelates Eye Gnats to Field Parasitization and the Discovery of One Pupal and Two Larval Parasites

A practical method was sought for exposing all instars of Hippelates larvae and pupae to field parasitization in the West Indies in 1963. Suitable seedling plants were selected which would grow adequately and support eye gnat development in the tropical situation. Small waxpaper cup units containing beach sand and growing seedlings were artificially infested with eye gnat eggs and these were exposed in natural eye gnat breeding areas for 1 to 2 weeks. During this time the Hippelates larvae fed and developed on the roots in the units, and pupated. Parasitized pupae were recovered from the sand inside the cups by water flotation. Eighty-seven parasitized Hippelates were recovered with this technique in Jamaica and Puerto Rico; 2 species of Cynipidae (Trybliographa spp.) and Spalangia drosphilae Ashmead were involved.
COMPLETE BUDGET MANAGEMENT APPLICATION IN NOT-FOR-PROFIT HOSPITALS

Complete budget management in modern enterprise management plays an important role,but because of the properties and characteristics of not-for-profit hospitals,overall budget management in the not-for-profit hospital management is still at the initial stage and also exhibits a lot of different characteristics.Based on the basic principles of complete budget management,combined with the budget management experience in not-for-profit hospitals of the author,this article discussed the implementation conditions of budget management,budgeting procedures and the key points in comprehensive budget management.