cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tracking Bare Sand Mobilization Arising from Landscape Manipulations in the Grasslands Destabilization Experiment (GDEX) in the Nebraska Sandhills Using Imaging Spectroscopy

The Grassland Destabilization Experiment (GDEX) is a landscape scale manipulative experiment initiated in 2004 in the Nebraska Sandhills to evaluate changes in surface properties following the abrupt loss of stabilizing vegetation. The GDEX features five treatments allocated among ten plots of 120 m in diameter (1.13 ha). The Aggressive Bare Sand protocol included chemical defoliation and subsequent shallow disking and raking in 2004 to devegetate the plot with periodic physical disturbance to maintain bare sand. The Long Term Disturbance (Press) protocol includes an initial chemical defoliation in May 2005 and seasonal spring reapplications, but no physical disturbance. Short Term Disturbance (Pulse) treatment had chemical defoliation initially in 2005 and again in 2008; thus, 2006, 2007, and 2009 are “recovery” years. There are two sets of controls: Grazed and Ungrazed. Eight plots (two replicates of each treatment) located contiguously within a fence are the focus of our investigation: Ungrazed Control, Pulse, Press, and Bare Sand. (We excluded the two Grazed Control plots that were located outside the fence away from the other treatments.) Erosion pin networks were established in each plot to track net (gain-loss) sand movement. Remote sensing data were acquired using the AISA Eagle imaging spectrometer in late June from 2006 through 2009. We tracked the spread of bare sand within and outside of the treatment plots by thresholding the upper range of values in the green (517 nm), red (666 nm), red edge (713 nm), and near infrared (856 nm) portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The average reflectance across the full spectral range of the imagery (396-980 nm) at the erosion pin locations increased in the Press and Bare Sand treatments from 0.25 in 2006 to 0.30 in 2009; it decreased over the same period in Pulse treatments from 0.19 to 0.17 and in Ungrazed Controls from 0.17 to 0.14. Increases in the areal extent of bare sand in the neighborhood of the plots between 2006 and 2009 were an average of 5,742 m2 for Press treatments and 713 m2 for Bare Sand treatments. Four years elapsed before sustained sand mobilization occurred. We expect sand in the Bare Sand and Press treatments to continue to move as long as experimental treatments are maintained. GS019 JUR10_GS JUR text 1/11/11 11:41 AM Page 65
Suppression of a Fusion Defect by Second Site Mutations in the Ecotropic Murine Leukemia Virus Surface Protein

Entry of ecotropic murine leukemia virus initiates when the envelope surface protein recognizes and binds to the virus receptor on host cells. The envelope transmembrane protein then mediates fusion of viral and host cell membranes and penetration into the cytoplasm. Using a genetic selection, we isolated an infectious retrovirus variant containing three changes in the surface protein—histidine 8 to arginine, glutamine 227 to arginine, and aspartate 243 to tyrosine. Single replacement of histidine 8 with arginine (H8R) resulted in almost complete loss of infectivity, even though the mutant envelope proteins were stable and efficiently incorporated into virions. Virions carrying H8R envelope were proficient at binding cells expressing receptor but failed to induce cell-cell fusion of XC cells, indicating that the histidine at position 8 plays an essential role in fusion during penetration of the host cell membrane. Thus, there is at least one domain in SU that is involved in fusion; the fusion functions do not reside exclusively in TM. In contrast, envelope with all three changes induced cell-cell fusion of XC cells and produced virions that were 10,000-fold more infectious than those containing only the H8R substitution, indicating that changes at positions 227 and 243 can suppress a fusion defect caused by loss of histidine 8 function. Moreover, the other two changes acted synergistically, indicating that both compensate for the loss of the same essential function of histidine 8. The ability of these changes to suppress this fusion defect might provide a means for overcoming postbinding defects found in targeted retroviral vectors for use in human gene therapy.
Heterozygosity and fixation index for ABO gene in barak valley populations vis-a-vis a few exotic populations.

In a genetic study of 26 human populations including 2 major endogamous populations (Hindus and Muslims) of Barak Valley in Assam and 24 exotic populations, observed heterozygosity (Ho), fixation index (F) and Panmictic index (P) for ABO gene were estimated from gene frequency data to reveal the extent of inbreeding that has taken place in each population during evolution. Observed heterozygosity, a measure of genetic variation, ranged from 0.3254 to 0.6086 in these populations. Expected Hardy-Weinberg heterozygosity of ABO gene was estimated as 0.6666 assuming the occurrence of all the three alleles in equal frequency. Fixation index was the highest in the population of Sudan (51.18%) followed by Australia (48.51%) and Iceland (38.28%) indicating the occurrence of high inbreeding and the presence of more homozygosity in these populations during evolution. But the fixation index was the lowest in the population of South China (8.70%) followed by Central Asia (11.82%) and Russia (12.96%). It suggested the occurrence of low inbreeding and hence more outbreeding in these populations resulting in the existence of more heterozygosity (high genetic variation) in these populations. Panmictic index, a measure of outbreeding, is the opposite of fixation index and it varied from 48.82 (Sudan) to 91.30% (South China). The population showing the highest fixation index recorded the lowest panmictic index and vice-versa. In evolutionary context, outbreeding in human populations would be more desirable to reduce the incidence of genetic diseases caused by recessive genes and to enhance heterozygosity for those loci for better adaptation of future generations, possibly at the cost of gradually increasing genetic load in the population.
Variations in the mechanical behavior of the rabbit cervix with endocrine state and anatomic site

Abstract The mechanical tests of stress-strain and stress-relaxation were done on excised cervical strips from New Zealand rabbits in estrus, less than 10 hours after luteinizing hormone (LH), 10 to 18 hours after LH, 18 to 50 hours after LH, 30 days pregnant, and castrate. The stretch moduli obtained from these tests indicated that a significant softening of the cervix occurred at 10 to 18 hours after LH and during pregnancy. Normally, the internal os is stiffer than the external os, but this difference disappears at 30 days of pregnancy, and both values are lower and identical. The changes in the stretch modulus are not thought to be due to smooth muscle, particularly in the external os, because of the low contractility of this tissue. The conclusion reached is that the rabbit cervix is a good model to use in the investigation of the mechanical behavior of the cervix and may be comparable to the human cervix in physiologic responses.
Automated data analysis

What do the data say? Why should we care? The insights of the data are our guiding angels for the decision-making process. Organizations that are successfully able to embrace and evangelize analytics have been able to differentiate themselves from their competition. Where do the insights come from? Insights are extracted from the data through analytics. Did you know that 1.5 million data savvy managers and analysts will be needed in the next 5 years to drive decisions? With a lot of discussion about big data in the past few years, we know that data volume is increasing, the speed of data collection is faster than ever, data types can be really different, and that data veracity is a concern. Companies are already feeling the growing talent gap of people who can manage and manipulate big data to generate valuable business insights. Automated data analysis is the initial step to relieve the burden from humans. It provides a systematic process of inspecting, cleaning, transforming, and modeling data with the goal of discovering useful information, suggesting conclusions and supporting decision making for further analysis. In this article, we will use examples to demonstrate how automated data analysis can be done and what values it will bring to the knowledge consumers. We will also discuss why automated data analysis is important to big data analytics. In the summary, we will discuss the possibility of further research directions. WIREs Comput Stat 2014, 6:359–366. doi: 10.1002/wics.1318 Conflict of interest: The authors have declared no conflicts of interest for this article. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Alejarse como proceso social: niños y ancianos «abandonados» en Ayacucho

In previous research on fostering and adoption in Ayacucho, I explored how amid the creative negotiation of discourses and spaces constructed by institutions, communities, and social structures, Ayacuchanos take up and produce new social relations. This article discusses the opposite process: undoing kinship, and the social process of abandonment or distancing. When a person is withdrawn from his or her family or community, those who remain come to understand themselves as certain kinds of persons. The case studies considered here, collected through careful participant observation and ethnographic interviews recorded between 2001 and 2007, reveal how, after social distancing or abandonment, the individuals who do the distancing reinterpret themselves as subjects who are improving themselves and becoming modern.
Effects of Signal Duration and Rise Time on the Auditory Evoked Potential

Summing computer technique was used to study the effects of signal duration and rise time on evoked auditory responses of 40 adult subjects. An additional objective was to determine whether signal ...
Fitting Johnson distributions using least squares: simulation applications

A weighted least squares regression method is proposed for fitting cumulative probability distributions to data. This technique is illustrated for the Johnson translation system of distributions. The least squares procedure minimizes the distance between the vector of uniformized order statistics and its corresponding expected value to identify the Johnson distribution that provides the best fit. This least squares procedure is shown to be numerically robust and to provide a good fit of the data when compared to the empirical distribution. Two examples illustrate the use of the procedure.
A Survey of Bushing-Type Current Transformers for Metering Purposes

THE BUSHING-TYPE current transformer is a device with exceptional simplicity, convenience, reliability, adaptability to the highest voltages, and economy, and yet it has been disappointing in the first requirement of accuracy: accuracy as to the ratio and phase angle of the indicated current, especially to the smaller line currents. For line currents under 1,000 amperes its accuracy diminishes with diminishing current.
Project scheduling: The effects of problem structure on heuristic performance

Individual characteristics of multiple-constrained resource, project scheduling problems are examined in an attempt to predict the solution obtainable with heuristic methods. Difficulties encountered in performing this type of research are described, and several multiple regression models are developed for predicting heuristic performance. Both single and multiple project data are examined, and results reported demonstrate the efficacy of determining beforehand the method used for problem solution.
Arginine containing peptides as delivery vectors

Recently several membrane translocalizational signals (MTS) have been identified and applied to various applications. These peptide signals, ranging between nine and 30 amino acid residues in length, have the capability of crossing plasma membrane, in addition to delivering other biological molecules into cells. To date, small molecules, peptides, proteins, oligonucleotides, plasmids and even nanometer-sized particles have been delivered. These MTS sequences vary from hydrophobic to purely hydrophilic, and, surprisingly, all of them are able to penetrate cellular membrane in an energy-independent pathway. Potentially, MTS could be used as delivery vectors for a number of therapeutic agents. In this review, we specifically focus on arginine-containing MTS, and their properties, characteristics, in vitro and in vivo applications are discussed in detail.
Calcium ion activation of lipoxidase

Abstract Fresh extracts of ground navy beans had very low activity for peroxidation of linoleic acid at pH 7.5. The addition of calcium ions to the reaction mixture prior to the addition of extract caused a large increase in the rate of production of linoleic acid hydroperoxides and diene conjugation. Calcium ions had no effect on the rate of production of hydroperoxides from linoleic acid at pH 5.5 or from a trilinolein substrate at either pH tested. Sodium deoxycholate and EDTA affected the rate of linoleic acid lipoxidase activity at pH 7.5 when calcium ions were present. Soybean extracts also possessed a calcium ion stimulated lipoxidase.
Aging, cancer and nutrition: the DNA methylation connection

Cancer and aging are two coupled developmental processes as reflected by the higher incidence of cancer in the elderly human population group. Genetic mutations accumulate in somatic cells with age, which may explain in part the association of age with cancer. Epigenetic mechanisms are also frequently involved in controlling gene functions during development and tumorigenesis. A common molecular feature associated with both aging and tumorigenesis is global hypomethylation of the genomic DNA. The contributing mechanisms underlying this hypomethylation are not yet well understood. Epigenetic investigation of cancer and aging has recently emerged as a fruitful area of study and has added exciting insights into some of the mysteries surrounding aging and cancer. Recent studies have also shown that dietary factors can modulate DNA methylation and thereby contribute to aging and tumorigenesis. Thus, DNA methylation provides an important common link between aging, cancer and nutrition.
Estimating paternity with spatial behaviour and DNA fingerprinting in the striped plateau lizard, Sceloporus virgatus (Phrynosomatidae)

The association between spatial proximity and paternity was studied in a population of the striped plateau lizard, Sceloporus virgatus. The relationship between estimated mating success and male phenotypic traits was examined for a sample of 55 males. DNA samples were obtained from 13 female-offspring families. The males with the closest spatial proximity to each female were tested as possible sires within each family. Fingerprinting with two multilocus hypervariable minisatellite probes revealed a strong correspondence between male-female spatial proximity and actual paternity. Paternity could be assigned for 72 of the 100 hatchlings. Most hatchlings with identifiable sires were attributed to a male with the highest category of spatial proximity to the mother. However, there was a low to moderate level of multiple paternity within clutches, and for some clutches probable sires could not be identified even though the most likely behavioural candidates were tested. Thus, nonterritorial males or other males lacking strong social and spatial relationships with females may achieve some degree of reproductive success. Analysis of mating success revealed that male success increased with body size, up to a point beyond which larger size conferred no advantage.
Efficient bilateral trade with statistically dependent beliefs

Abstract This paper derives a necessary and sufficient condition for ex post efficient trade to be feasible when trader beliefs can be statistically dependent. Allowing for dependent beliefs produces equilibrium and comparative statics behavior that differs qualitatively from that observed in bilateral trade models in which traders have independent beliefs.
VISUAL IMAGERY OF TEXT AND CHILDREN'S PROCESSING

The major purpose of this study was to validate use of an “a priori”, imagery rating system of text. Pupil comprehension of high or low imagery social science text rated “a priori”, was the dependent variable. The relationship of interest and subject matter to comprehension of high or low imagery text was also determined. Sixty‐five fifth grade pupils were ad ministered the comprehension portion of a standard ized test; they rank ordered 20 pictures, equal in imagery quality, depicting the jist of stories to be read; and they read 20 stories silently, four per day for five days. Of the 20 stories, ten were rated high imagery and ten were rated low imagery. Six compre hension questions were asked after each story. Re peated measures analysis of variance was used to an alyze the data. Total comprehension was significant ly better for high imagery passages (p < .OOOl), and interest was not significantly related to comprehen sion. Social science was comprehended better than science (p< .0003). The “a priori” ...
The photolysis of octachlorodirhenate(III) in chloroform

Abstract Under 254 nm irradiation in chloroform, [Re 2 Cl 8 ] 2− is converted cleanly to [Re 2 Cl 9 ] − . The reaction is initiated primarily through light absorbed by the chloroform. The experimental rate expression is a ( I 0 f S [ Re 2 Cl 8 2 - ] ) 1 / 2 , where I 0 is the incident light intensity and f S is the fraction of light absorbed by the solvent. The rate law is consistent with mechanisms involving either [Re 2 Cl 8 ] − or [Re 2 Cl 9 ] 2− as an intermediate.
Evidence against Functional Heteromultimerization of theK ATP Channel Subunits Kir6.1 and Kir6.2

K(ATP) channels consist of pore-forming potassium inward rectifier (Kir6.x) subunits and sulfonylurea receptors (SURs). Although Kir6.1 or Kir6.2 coassemble with different SUR isoforms to form heteromultimeric functional K(ATP) channels, it is not known whether Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 coassemble with each other. To define the molecular identity of K(ATP) channels, we used adenoviral gene transfer to express wild-type and dominant-negative constructs of Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 in a heterologous expression system (A549 cells) and in native cells (rabbit ventricular myocytes). Dominant-negative (DN) Kir6.2 gene transfer suppressed current through heterologously expressed SUR2A + Kir6.2 channels. Conversely, DN Kir6.1 suppressed SUR2B + Kir6.1 current but had no effect on coexpressed SUR2A + Kir6. 2. We next probed the ability of Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 to affect endogenous K(ATP) channels in adult rabbit ventricular myocytes, using adenoviral vectors to achieve efficient gene transfer. Infection with the DN Kir6.2 virus for 72 h suppressed pinacidil-inducible K(ATP) current density measured by whole-cell patch clamp. However, there was no effect of infection with the DN Kir6.1 on the K(ATP) current. Based on these functional assays, we conclude that Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 do not heteromultimerize with each other and that Kir6.2 is the sole K(ATP) pore-forming subunit in the surface membrane of heart cells.
The Historians of the Constitutional Movement and the making of the Iranian Populist Tradition

An Iranian born in 1906, when the constitution was granted, would have had to wait until he was thirty-four to find a history of what was happening at the time of his birth. Kasravi's first volume appeared in 1940 and Malikzada's in 1948. Censorship was not the cause of this strange delay. Could it be that disillusion with the outcome of the movement ran so deep in the minds of intellectuals that no one wished to relive the story by writing it? The newly established Pahlavi state tried to glorify the ancient heritage of Persia and to shift the historical landscape from the immediacy of the constitutional era to the politically irrelevant past of pre-Islamic Iran. It is somehow peculiar—and perhaps a measure of the time—that an author of the Iranian constitution, the Mushir al-Daula (Hasan Pirniya) undertook, when in political retirement, to write not a history of the constitutional movement but a monumental work on ancient Iran. Kasravi speculated about the reasons for the nonexistence of a reliable history. The opportunist elitist reformers (“carpetbaggers”) who shifted sides during the movement “were reluctant to see the history of that movement truthfully written.” The Mushir al-Daula was one of them. Kasravi complained that when he began publishing his history, the sons, relatives, and followers of these men objected to his critical historical evaluation.
Electrical characteristics of thin film cubic boron nitride

Abstract Cubic boron nitride (c-BN), if properly developed, can be a very promising material for electronic applications, such as ultraviolet (UV) detectors and UV light emitting diodes operable at wavelengths in the deep UV regime. Its energy bandgap is favorable also for field-effect transistors for high-power microwave applications. Yet, electrical characteristics of c-BN have hardly been reviewed during the past years putting together its important features. The present article attempts to describe the latest developments in electrical properties of c-BN taking into account metal–semiconductor contacts, interface states, lattice relaxation and impurity states, NEA, and other related topics. In conclusion, current status and the future prospects for c-BN films have been discussed.
Computer-aided methods of determining thyristor thermal transients

An accurate tracing of the thyristor thermal response for determination of the rating of the thyristor and prediction of its performance is investigated. Several alternatives to thyristors for thermal modeling and analysis by using an electrical circuit analog are offered. These methods are adaptable to numerical solutions and well suited to the use of the digital computer. The thermal analysis of thyristors was performed for the 1000 MVA converter system at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. Transient thermal impedance curves for individual thyristors in a given cooling arrangement were known from measurements and from manufacturer's data. The analysis pertains to almost any loading case, and the results are obtained in a numerical or a graphic format. >
Presence of Both Photosystems in Guard Cells of Vicia faba L: IMPLICATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNAL PROCESSING

A new procedure is reported for high-yield isolation of guard cell protoplasts from Vicia faba L. Delayed light emission and P700 content plus absorption and fluorescence emission spectra of these protoplast extracts are reported. It is concluded that both photosystems are present. The presence of photosystem II and the absence of the reductive-step enzyme of the Calvin-Benson Cycle (Outlaw WH Jr, J Manchester, CH DiCamelli, DD Randall, B Rapp, GM Veith 1979 Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 76: 6371-6375) in a cell has no precedent in the literature. It is speculated that noncyclic photosynthetic electron flow is an environmental sensor which causes stomata to remain open in light.
Segregation and Wetting Transition at Dislocations

We investigate solute segregation and wetting transition at dislocations and the corresponding drag effect on dislocation glide using a continuum model developed previously for grain boundary and based on gradient thermodynamics. The dislocation core structure and stress field are described by the newly developed phase field model. This study differs from much previous work because it takes into account not only the long-range elastic interactions but the short-range chemical interactions between solute atoms and dislocation core as well as among solute atoms themselves. The latter leads to the prediction of a wetting transition at the dislocation core with respect to varying temperature, solute concentration, or dislocation velocity. The transition temperatures obtained during heating and cooling are different from each other, leading to a hysteresis loop in the solute concentration-temperature plot and the solute concentration-velocity plot. These predictions could provide new insights into the phenomena of sharp yield point drop and strain aging observed in metal alloys.
A sensitivity analysis of a new hardware-supported Global Synchronization Unit

Historically, large-scale low-lookahead parallel simulation has been a difficult problem. As a solution, we have designed a Global Synchronization Unit (GSU) that would reside centrally on a multi-core chip and asynchronously compute the Lower Bound on Time Stamps (LBTS), the minimum timestamp of all unprocessed events in the simulation, on demand to synchronize conservative parallel simulators. Our GSU also accounts for transient messages, messages that have been sent but not yet processed by their recipient, eliminating the need for the simulator to acknowledge received messages. In this paper we analyze the sensitivity of simulation performance to the time required to access the GSU. The sensitivity analysis revealed that with GSU access times as high as hundreds of cycles, there was still a significant performance advantage over the baseline shared-memory implementation.
Osteoclastic features of cells that resorb bone implants in rats.

The subcutaneous implantation of devitalized, mineral-containing bone particles in rats elicits the recruitment and differentiation of multinucleated cells and the rapid resorption of the bone. Cytochemical and ultrastructural characteristics were studied 12 days after implantation of bone. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity was demonstrated in these cells, especially at the cell/bone interface. Mast cells were seen vicinal to, but not in contact with the osteoclasts and the bone particles. Electron microscopic evaluation revealed that many multinucleated cells in lacunae on the surfaces of the bone particles displayed features characteristic ofin osso osteoclasts, including clear zones of attachment to the bone substrate, and ruffled borders overlying bone with frayed collagen fibers. Many cells contained multiple giant centrospheres; this finding suggests that fusion can occur between multinucleated cells. This model may be useful to characterize the differentiation and regulation of bone-resorbing cells.
Concentric left ventricular hypertrophy as assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and risk of death in cardiac transplant recipients.

Background Although risk factors for left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in the native heart are well known, as is its association with increased risk of adverse outcomes, such information is poorly defined in heart transplant (HTx) recipients. We determined whether increased LV mass and concentricity (mass/volume) were associated with death in patients after HTx. Methods Between May 2003 and May 2006, 140 HTx recipients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Clinical characteristics associated with increased LV mass were determined. Cox proportional hazard models were constructed to assess the relationship of LV mass and concentricity with death. Results MRIs were acquired a median of 6.0 years after transplant. The top quartile of indexed LV mass and concentricity were 35.8 g/m 2.7 or higher and 1.5 g/ml or higher, respectively. History of rejection (odds ratio [OR], 5.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1–16.4; p p = 0.01), and post-transplant year of MRI acquisition (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1–1.4; p 2.7 HR, 10.1 per g/ml, p ≤ 0.01, respectively). LV concentricity was independently associated with all-cause mortality (HR, 4.4 per g/ml, p Conclusion A history of rejection and diabetes are associated with increased LV mass. Increased LV mass, particularly of a concentric phenotype, is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and all-cause mortality after HTx.
Evidence for two classes of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 binding sites in classical vs. nonclassical target tissues.

Possible differences in 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3 [1,25(OH) 2 D 3 ] binding sites in classical and nonclassical target tissues were tested by Scatchard analysis of [ 3 H]1,25(OH) 2 D 3 binding in parallel chromatin preparations of rat kidney vs. testis. Two distinct binding components were resolved in kidney (p d (p 3 H]1,25(OH) 2 D 3 binding sites also differed. 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 injection resulted in increased 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 binding (p 2 D 3 binding sites in classical targets kidney and intestine may be intrinsically different from those in at least some nonclassical targets.
Estimating the amount of mental effort required for independent mobility : Persons with glaucoma

PURPOSE: To validate the use of the secondary-task method to estimate the amount of mental effort required for independent travel and to determine how the amount of mental effort varies with characteristics of the environment. METHODS: Reaction time (RT) to a secondary task (randomly presented vibrations) was obtained in 28 persons with glaucoma as they walked in four different environments: hallway, high-pedestrian area, approach-to-stairs area, and stairs. Cronbach's alpha was used to assess the reliability of the secondary-task RT measures from the split-half measures of the high-pedestrian area. The construct validity of the RT measures as an estimate of mental effort was assessed by (1) the association between the RT scores and the item measure scores for similar environments derived from a Rasch analysis of perceived difficulty ratings obtained in a separate group of 83 persons with glaucoma and (2) the association between the RT scores and the severity of visual field loss. RESULTS: Reliability was supported by a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.89. Construct validity was also supported by the data: (1) Log RT scores were linearly related to the Rasch analysis item measures for comparable mobility situations (P = 0.008), and (2) the log RT, averaged across the four environments, was linearly related to the mean deviation score of the Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer (estimate of visual field loss; P = 0.003; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Dublin, CA). A comparison of the log RT scores obtained in the four environments showed significantly higher log RT scores in the stairs area than in the high-pedestrian and hallway environments, whereas the log RT scores in the high-pedestrian and hallway environments were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: The findings in this study demonstrate the reliability and construct validity of the secondary-task RT measure as an estimate of the amount of mental effort required to travel independently. It is sensitive to environmental characteristics and the loss in a walker's visual field. The method could be an objective way to document those who may benefit from professional intervention and to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention. Language: en
The clark phase-able sample size problem: long-range phasing and loss of heterozygosity in GWAS

A phase transition is taking place today The amount of data generated by genome resequencing technologies is so large that in some cases it is now less expensive to repeat the experiment than to store the information generated by the experiment In the next few years it is quite possible that millions of Americans will have been genotyped The question then arises of how to make the best use of this information and jointly estimate the haplotypes of all these individuals The premise of the paper is that long shared genomic regions (or tracts) are unlikely unless the haplotypes are identical by descent (IBD), in contrast to short shared tracts which may be identical by state (IBS) Here we estimate for populations, using the US as a model, what sample size of genotyped individuals would be necessary to have sufficiently long shared haplotype regions (tracts) that are identical by descent (IBD), at a statistically significant level These tracts can then be used as input for a Clark-like phasing method to obtain a complete phasing solution of the sample We estimate in this paper that for a population like the US and about 1% of the people genotyped (approximately 2 million), tracts of about 200 SNPs long are shared between pairs of individuals IBD with high probability which assures the Clark method phasing success We show on simulated data that the algorithm will get an almost perfect solution if the number of individuals being SNP arrayed is large enough and the correctness of the algorithm grows with the number of individuals being genotyped. We also study a related problem that connects copy number variation with phasing algorithm success A loss of heterozygosity (LOH) event is when, by the laws of Mendelian inheritance, an individual should be heterozygote but, due to a deletion polymorphism, is not Such polymorphisms are difficult to detect using existing algorithms, but play an important role in the genetics of disease and will confuse haplotype phasing algorithms if not accounted for We will present an algorithm for detecting LOH regions across the genomes of thousands of individuals The design of the long-range phasing algorithm and the Loss of Heterozygosity inference algorithms was inspired by analyzing of the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) GWAS dataset of the International Multiple Sclerosis Consortium and we present in this paper similar results with those obtained from the MS data.
The infusion drain: an approach to treatment of intranasal abscesses.

INTRODUCTION Nasal septal abscesses are associated with a high level of morbidity from cartilage loss and may even be life threatening due to intracranial spread of the infection. It is generally agreed upon in the literature that treatment of these abscesses should not be delayed. Standard treatment involves incision and drainage of the abscess, with or without drain placement, and culture-directed antibiotic treatment. Previous reports favor treatment of intranasal abscesses either in the operating room or under moderate sedation with local anesthetic. Here, we describe a novel method for bedside drainage and treatment of nasal septal abscesses without the need for sedation or general anesthetic. The technique presented has been used across all age groups at our institution to effectively treat several nasal and septal abscesses as well as an intranasal hematoma.
Interpretive Treatments of Genesis in Comics: R. Crumb & Dave Sim

Abstract: In recent years, several interesting and complex exegetical works have been produced in the comic book format. The most notable are Robert Crumb’s Illustrated Book of Genesis, and the elaborate Genesis commentary by Dave Sim as part of his long-running independent series Cerebus. Crumb, I argue, uses the comic book format as a means to limit the theological dimension of the text. Sim, by contrast, subordinates the elements of his form to the creation of a highly idiosyncratic exegesis. A close examination of both works charts two radically different and innovative exegetical styles, united by the use of the novel methods of visual storytelling and existence within the context of previous Bible comics. This examination seeks to make these methods accessible to the religious scholar, thus opening the field of graphic exegesis to further examination.
Media engagement and advertising: Transportation, matching, transference and intrusion

Abstract Three studies show that consumer response to advertising depends on engagement with the media content, in this case a television program, in which the advertising appears. The specific form of engagement studied is the experience of narrative transportation, of being absorbed into the narrative world of the program. If an ad is not intrusive, by virtue of where it occurs in a narrative, high transportation is shown to positively impact an ad. This impact is obtained if the ad matches the narrative (thematically compatible), supporting the hypothesis that transportation can act as a message frame that increases processing. If a compatible ad is intrusive, however, it is shown that high transportation is disrupted and this negatively impacts an ad. A third study proposes and finds an additional mechanism, called transportation transference, in which high narrative transportation increases the transportation with an ad that is not intrusive and this increase in ad transportation in turn increases advertising effectiveness.
Geometry and dimensions of the pulmonary artery bifurcation in children and adolescents: assessment in vivo by contrast-enhanced MR-angiography

We sought to establish normal values for the diameters of the main (MPA), right (RPA), and left (LPA) pulmonary arteries and for the angles describing the geometry of the pulmonary artery bifurcation in children by using contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA). CE-MRA was performed in 69 children without cardiovascular disease. The median age was 10 ± 4.9 years (range 2–20), weight 37.4 ± 18.5 kg (10–82), body surface area (BSA) 1.18 ± 0.4 m2 (0.48–2.07). The pulmonary artery diameters and angles were measured at standardized sites and projections. Regression analysis of diameters and angles in relation to BSA demonstrated linear relationship between the cross-sectional diameters of the pulmonary arteries and the square root of BSA (BSA0.5). Normalized mean diameters were for the MPA 17.6 ± 5.1 mm/m2, origin of RPA 13.1 ± 2.9 mm/m2, origin of LPA 14.2 ± 2.9 mm/m2. The MPA showed a mean antero-posterior inclination of 33° ± 8° and a lateral leftward angulation of 18° ± 5°. The mean angle of the bifurcation was 99.5° ± 10.3°. Both side branches showed a supero-inferior course of the proximal segments, steeper for the RPA (7.7° ± 6.5°) than for the LPA (2.1° ± 7.8°). Normative curves in relation to BSA are presented for all measurements. This study provides normative values by CE-MRA for the main pulmonary artery and its side branches in children during somatic growth. These data can be used for identifying pulmonary arteries anomalies in children, and evaluate the need and the modality for treatment.
Iron mobilization from asbestos by chelators and ascorbic acid

Abstract The ability of chelators and ascorbic acid to mobilize iron from crocidolite, amosite, medium- and short-fiber chrysotile, and tremolite was investigated. Ferrozine, a strong Fe(II) chelator, mobilized Fe(II) from crocidolite (6.6 nmol/mg asbestos/h) and amosite (0.4 nmol/mg/h) in 50 m m NaCl, pH 7.5. Inclusion of ascorbate increased these rates to 11.4 and 4.9 nmol/mg/h, respectively. Ferrozine mobilized Fe(II) from medium-fiber chrysotile (0.6 nmol/mg/h) only in the presence of ascorbate. Citrate and ADP mobilized iron (ferrous and/or ferric) from crocidolite at rates of 4.2 and 0.3 nmol/mg/h, respectively, which increased to 4.8 and 1.0 nmol/mg/h in the presence of ascorbate. Since ascorbate alone mobilized iron from crocidolite (0.5 nmol/mg/h), the increase appeared to result from additional chelation by ascorbate. Citrate also mobilized iron from amosite (1.4 nmol/mg/h) and medium-fiber chrysotile (1.6 nmol/mg/ h). Mobilization of iron from asbestos appeared to be a function not only of the chelator, but also of the surface area, crystalline structure, and iron content of the asbestos. These results suggest that iron can be mobilized from asbestos in the cell by low-molecular-weight chelators. If this occurs, it may have deleterious effects since this could result in deregulation of normal iron metabolism by proteins within the cell resulting in iron-catalyzed oxidation of biomolecules.
A phase II trial of thalidomide and cyclophosphamide in patients with recurrent or refractory pediatric malignancies.

Background Previous clinical and pre-clinical research has demonstrated synergy between anti-angiogenic agents and cytotoxic chemotherapy. This trial was undertaken to investigate whether the combination of cyclophosphamide and thalidomide would be active against pediatric tumors. Procedure Patients with pediatric malignancies who had no remaining conventional therapeutic options were recruited from January 1999 to May 2001. They received thalidomide (6–12 mg/kg po every day; maximum daily dose 800 mg) and cyclophosphamide (1,200 mg/m2 IV every 28 days). Results Twenty-seven patients were enrolled on the study. Seventeen were male and 10 were female. Median age at the time of registration was 15 years (range 1–54 years). The median number of prior treatment regimens was four. Twenty-one patients were evaluable for response; 1 had a partial response (Hodgkin disease), 1 demonstrated stable disease (neuroendocrine tumor), and 19 had progressive disease. The most common toxicities were hematological (leukocytopenia and neutropenia) and gastrointestinal. One patient experienced a grade 3 rash. Fatigue and daytime somnolence were variable. No peripheral neuropathy was observed. Conclusion The combination of thalidomide and cyclophosphamide as described herein has a modest and tolerable toxicity profile but little evidence of efficacy. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:261–265. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Tool design problems in a punch press flexible manufacturing system.

In this paper, we study tool design problems encountered in using a punch press Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) for producing flat sheet-metal parts. We consider the problem of designing the minimum number of tools needed to punch a given set of holes in the parts. Holes described by a single attribute as well as two attributes are considered. We model the tool design problems as graph theoretic problems. Such an approach is believed to be new for the problem studied. We have made the following major contributions: First, we show that the two-attribute tool design problem is equivalent to the minimum clique cover problem on the intersection graph of rectangles, which is a well known NP-complete problem. Second, we develop a fast algorithm to construct a set-covering formulation from the underlying graph model. In addition, we show that our approach has applications beyond the tool design problem (e.g., location problems).
Index of Refraction and Coefficients of Expansion of Optical Glasses at Low Temperatures

It is found that the absolute refractive index of any optical glass studied attains a minimum value at some temperature, and that the minimum refractive index is attained at decidedly higher temperatures with long wave-lengths than with short wave-lengths. Absorption bands in the ultraviolet are known to advance toward longer wave-lengths when an absorbing glass is warmed from liquid air temperature. Because of its closer proximity, the absorption band’s advance would be accompanied by a more rapid increase of absolute refractive index N in the short wave end than in the long wave end of the spectrum, with rising temperature. At the same time expansion decreases the physical density and so tends to diminish N with rising temperature. At some particular temperature the two effects of temperature change may cancel each other. At lower temperatures than this, the density effect may prevail and N fall with rising temperature, while at higher temperatures than that for minimum N, the absorption effect may exceed the density effect, and the N must rise with rising temperature.
A distributed approach to job scheduling in a flexible manufacturing system

Abstract Several Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) have been developed in recent years and it is likely that many more will be developed in the future. This paper presents a distributed approach to job scheduling in an FMS. Because of the characteristics of an FMS, the proposed model assumes that each machine tool (node) in an FMS is equipped with a general purpose computer capable of controlling the node and communicating with the other nodes in the system. At first the system is assumed to be operating normally and a linear programming model is formulated to solve the job scheduling problem. When the system malfunctions, the job rescheduling is based on a non-linear programming model. A strategy matrix is utilized and maintained at each node to monitor the system. All scheduling decisions are made in a distributed manner by each node in the network. Such an approach frees up the main processor for other task and is well suited for a large and complex manufacturing system. A simple hypothetical FMS is utilized to illustrate the formulation and the utilization of the proposed model.
Nucleation phenomena in electron–hole drop formation in Ge and Si. III. Experimental results for Ge†

A systematic experimental study and theoretical analysis of hysteresis and threshold phenomena in the luminescence of electron–hole drops (EHD) and free excitons (FE) in volume-excited crystals of ultrapure Ge is presented. Data are given between 1.2 and 2.0 K for 1) hysteresis curves for the EHD and FE luminescence intensity obtained by cycling the excitation; 2) metastable time development of the EHD signal for times ≈ 4 × 103 s; and 3) a calibrated phase diagram for the FE density thresholds n+ and n− for the creation and destruction of EHD vs. T. Excellent agreement between these data and nucleation theory is found. The principal experimental results are: 1) reproducible hysteresis curves for EHD exhibiting well-defined excitation thresholds; 2) logarithmic variation of the EHD signal with time and direct evidence that individual EHD can exist for times ≈ 6 × 104 s; 3) the first measurement φ0 = (1.9 ± 0.2) meV of the EHD condensation energy from threshold data which correctly accounts for non-equilibrium effects, resolving previous discrepancies with spectroscopic data; and 4) an accurate measurement of the EHD surface energy w = (2.6 ± 0.3) × 10−4 erg cm−2. Die Hystereseerscheinungen und Schwellenphanomene der Lumineszenz von Elektronen–Loch-Tropfen (EHD) und freien Exzitonen (FE) in volumenangeregten Kristallen von ultrareinem Ge werden systematisch experimentell untersucht und theoretisch analysiert. Zwischen 1,2 und 2,0 K werden Werte fur 1) Hysteresekurven fur die EHD- und FE-Lumineszenzintensitat bei zyklischer Anregung, 2) die metastabile zeitliche Entwicklung des EHD-Signals fur Zeiten von ≈ 4 × 103 s und 3) ein geeichtes Phasendiagramm fur die FE-Schwellendichten n+ und n− fur die Bildung und Zerstorung von EHD uber T angegeben. Es wird ausgezeichnete Ubereinstimmung zwischen diesen Werten und der Keimbildungstheorie gefunden. Die hauptsachlichen experimentellen Ergebnisse sind: 1) reproduzierbare Hysteresekurven fur EHD, die wohldefinierte Anregungsschwellen zeigen, 2) logarithmische Anderung des EHD-Signals mit der Zeit und direkter Nachweis, das individuelle EHD fur Zeiten von ≈ 6 × 104 s existieren konnen, 3) die erste Messung, φ0 = (1,9 ± 0,2) meV der EHD-Kondensationsenergie aus Schwellenwerten, die die Nichtgleichgewichtsdefekte korrekt erklaren und fruhere Widerspruche mit spektroskopischen Ergebnissen losen, und 4) eine genaue Messung der EDH-Oberflachenenergie w = (2,6 ± 0,3) × 10−4 erg cm−2.
The relationship of ethnicity-related stressors and Latino ethnic identity to well-being.

Based on the risk and resilience model, the current study examined the effect of ethnicity-related stressors (perceived discrimination, stereotype confirmation concern, and own-group conformity pressure) and ethnic identity (centrality, private regard, public regard, and other-group orientation) on the well-being of 171 Latino American college students. The study also examined the moderating role of ethnic identity on the relationship between ethnicity-related stressors and well-being. Findings showed that stereotype confirmation concern significantly predicted less well-being, whereas a positive ethnic identity predicted greater well-being. Ethnic identity also moderated the effect of ethnicity-related stressors on well-being. Different patterns emerged for the moderating effect of different ethnic identity dimensions and different ethnicity-related stressors. Findings are discussed in terms of the acculturative and ethnic diversity context of the college students.