cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preliminary phytochemical investigation of the stem wood of Suriana maritima linn (simarubaceae)

A study of the stem wood of Suriana maritima L. (Simarubaceae) has indicated the presence of a high molecular weight alkane fraction, β-sitosterol, and a soluble form of lignin, a Brauns' native lignin. No previously reported investigation of this species has been reported in the literature.
Partitioning behavior of an acid-cleavable, 1,3-dioxolane alkyl ethoxylate, surfactant in single and binary surfactant mixtures for 2- and 3-phase microemulsion systems according to ethoxylate head group size.

Abstract Partition coefficients for a pH-degradable 1,3-dioxolane alkyl ethoxylate surfactant, 4-CH3O (CH2CH2O)5.6-CH2, 2,2-(CH2)12CH3, 2-(CH2) CH3, 1,3-dioxolane or “cyclic ketal” surfactant, CK-2,13-E5.6,ave, between isooctane- and water-rich phases of 2- and 3-phase microemulsion systems (Kn) were determined as functions of the ethoxylate size, n, and temperature for the neat surfactant and its binary surfactant mixtures, to understand the partitioning of alkyl ethoxylates possessing a broad distribution of ethoxylate size and to determine conditions required for formation of 3-phase microemulsion systems at an optimal temperature where phase separation occurs rapidly, important for protein purification via proteins’ selective partitioning to the middle phase, driven by affinity to the second surfactant of the binary mixture. A semi-empirical thermodynamic mathematical model described the partitioning data well, provided optimal temperature values consistent with phase diagrams and theory, and demonstrated that the tail region of CK-2,13-E5.6,ave is more polar than the hydrophobes of fatty alcohol ethoxylates. The addition of Aerosol-OT (AOT) removed the temperature sensitivity of CK-2,13-E5.6,aves partitioning, producing 3-phase microemulsion systems between 20 °C and 40 °C. Analysis of the bottom phases of the 2- and 3-phase microemulsion systems formed by CK-2,13-E5.6,ave via small-angle neutron scattering demonstrated the presence of spherical, monodisperse oil-in-water microemulsions.
Difficulties in Sensitivity Calculations for Flows with Discontinuities

The use of flow sensitivities has become an integral part of flow optimization-based aerodynamic design and is useful for the efficient calculation of perturbed flows. However, there are still many issues to be resolved, especially for flows having discontinuities. Flow sensitivities for several numerical methods are calculated using finite difference quotients, automatic differentiation, and the sensitivity equation method. The flow sensitivities are calculated for the Riemann problem of gas dynamics. An attempt is made to expose, explain, and understand difficulties that arise in the calculation of flow sensitivities in flows with discontinuities.
Italy: Renewables Policy as a Barrier to Energy Innovation:

Italy's limited natural energy reserves, high dependency on imports and enormous user costs provide an opportunity to innovate. Yet the 2008-2011 Italian government failed to uphold its legislation permitting construction of innovative nuclear reactors. As this government's popularity dwindled, subsidising low-risk renewable projects appeared more popular, especially for solar installations. European and Italian subsidies for Italian renewable energy encouraged the more widespread application of existing technologies, rather than innovation. During 2012, Italy's technocratic government has debated a new energy law, which will continue incentives for low-capacity, renewable and low-risk energy projects, although with reduced subsidies. The new law will not support serious technological innovation to boost energy production, reduce import dependency or defray high costs. Instead, this paper recommends expanding hydro-electric power, exploiting shale gas, constructing more large-scale solar installations, eq...
How to contain your currents: use gradient guards and charge channels

The classical driven-guard principle applies only to electronic circuit regions that contain a single potential. But a driven outer shield can effectively guard regions within an inner shield that contain a potential gradient. The gradient-guard configuration contains charges within an inner guard and the charge-channel configuration assures that the current entering a conductor at one end will all exit the conductor at its other end even when the conductor and its shields are imbedded in poor insulation resistance to ground.
Case report : crossed testicular ectopia

Crossed testicular ectopia is a rare congenital anomaly in which both testes descend through a single inguinal canal. The typical presentation is that of ipsilateral inguinal hernia and contralateral cryptorchidism. This is a case report of crossed testicular ectopia in a 6-month-old male infant with depiction of herniorrhaphy and laparoscopic intraabdominal findings.
The Harvard Twin Study of Substance Abuse: What We Have Learned

The Harvard Twin Study of Substance Abuse was carried out with the members of the Vietnam Era Twin (VET) Registry. The VET Registry comprises over 8000 male twins who served in the United States military between 1965 and 1975 and were subsequently interviewed regarding their use of licit and illicit substances, as well as various types of psychopathology. Our research has demonstrated significant influences by genetic, shared environmental, and unique environmental factors on the abuse of illicit substances. Multivariate analyses have indicated that the co-occurrence of abuse of various types of illicit drugs reflects a common vulnerability, influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, that cuts across all categories of illicit drugs. We have also demonstrated that some drugs have unique determinants, both genetic and environmental, that are not shared with other drugs. In part, the genetic influence on marijuana abuse is mediated by genetic influence on subjective effects in response to the drug...
Cost-penalized estimation and prediction evaluation for split-plot designs

Comparisons between different designs have traditionally focused on balancing the quality of estimation or prediction relative to the overall size of the design. For split-plot designs with two levels of randomization, the total number of observations may not accurately summarize the true cost of the experiment, because different costs are likely associated with setting up the whole and subplot levels. In this paper, we present several flexible measures for design assessment based on D-, G- and V-optimality criteria that take into account potentially different cost structures for the split-plot designs. The new measures are illustrated with two examples: a 23 factorial experiment for first-order models, where all possible designs are considered, and selective designs for a three-factor second-order model. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Finding minimum energy configurations for constrained beam buckling problems using the Viterbi algorithm

Abstract In this work, we present a novel technique to find approximate minimum energy configurations for thin elastic bodies using an instance of dynamic programming called the Viterbi algorithm. This method can be used to find approximate solutions for large deformation constrained buckling problems as well as problems where the strain energy function is non-convex. The approach does not require any gradient computations and could be considered a direct search method. The key idea is to consider a discretized version of the set of all possible configurations and use a computationally efficient search technique to find the minimum energy configuration. We illustrate the application of this method to a laterally constrained beam buckling problem where the presence of unilateral constraints together with the non-convexity of the energy function poses challenges for conventional schemes. The method can also be used as a means for generating “very good” starting points for other conventional gradient search algorithms. These uses, along with comparisons with a direct application of a gradient search and simulated annealing, are demonstrated in this work.
A restaining method to restore fluorescence in faded preparations of tissues treated with the indirect immunofluorescence technique

Abstract We report a restaining method for restoring fluorescence in paraffin-embedded tissue sections previously treated with the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Antisera to gastrin and group II pepsinogens were used. Fluorescence was restored in completely faded sections retrieved from storage files, as well as in sections that had faded partially either with exposure to fluorescence microscope illumination or after counterstaining with hematoxylin and eosin.
Artifacts in spatiochromatic stimuli due to variations in preretinal absorption and axial chromatic aberration: implications for color physiology.

The spatiochromatic receptive-field structure of neurons in the macaque visual system has been studied almost exclusively with stimuli based on the human foveal cone fundamentals of Smith and Pokorny [Vision Res.15, 161 (1975)] and generated on cathode ray tube displays. In the current study the artifacts evoked by cone-isolating, spatially structured stimuli due to variations in the eye’s preretinal absorption characteristics and axial chromatic aberration are quantified. In addition, the luminance artifacts evoked by nominally isoluminant sinusoidal grating stimuli due to the same factors are quantified. The results indicate that the spatiochromatic stimuli commonly employed to map receptive fields of neurons at eccentricities >10 deg are especially prone to artifacts and that these artifacts are maximal for the high-contrast S-cone-isolating stimuli that are often used. On the basis of these simulations, a method is introduced that improves spatiochromatic receptive-field estimates by compensating for response contributions from the incompletely silenced cone mosaics during cone-isolating stimulation.
A note on chromospheric fine structure at active region polarity boundaries

High resolution Hα filtergrams from Big Bear Solar Observatory reveal that some filamentary features in active regions have fine structure and hence magnetic field transverse to the gross structure and the zero longitudinal field line. These features are distinct from the usual active region filament, in which fine structure, magnetic field and filament are all parallel to the zero longitudinal field line. The latter occur on boundaries between regions of weaker fields while the former occur at boundaries between regions of stronger field.
Ontogeny of pulmonary alveolar epithelial markers of differentiation.

Abstract We studied differentiation of the pulmonary epithelium in the periphery of fetal rat lung in vivo and in vitro by comparing the ontogeny of cell-surface glycoconjugates with that of surfactant phospholipids. Apical surface binding of the lectin Maclura pomifera agglutinin (MPA) and expression of a 200-kDa MPA-binding glycoprotein (MPA-gp200) was evident at 20 days gestation in type 2 cells, but did not correlate with ultrastructural features of type 2 cell differentiation. Epithelial cells isolated from peripheral lung of 18-day gestation fetal rats displayed hormone-sensitive surfactant synthesis prior to the hormone-insensitive expression of MPA-gp200. Expression of MPA-gp200 occurred in association with the appearance of many new apical surface proteins suggesting a hormone-independent process of polar membrane differentiation. Thus membrane and secretory differentiation are discordant and can be dissociated. In vivo binding of Ricinus communis 1 agglutinin (RCA1), an apical marker of the differentiated alveolar type 1 cell occurred in undifferentiated peripheral lung epithelial cells as early as 18 days gestation, disappeared from differentiating type 2 cells and appeared in differentiated type 1 cells. Both undifferentiated fetal epithelial cells at 18 days gestation and fully differentiated type 1 cells express multiple glycoproteins with terminal β-linked galactose residues which bind RCA1. Some of these RCA1-binding glycoproteins appear to be similar. These observations suggest that alveolar epithelial type 1 cells may derive directly from undifferentiated peripheral lung epithelial cells as well as from fully differentiated type 2 cells. In addition, terminal differentiation of fetal lung peripheral epithelium into type 1 and type 2 cells may involve repression as well as induction of differentiation-related genes.
Deposition of parallel arrays of palladium nanowires on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite

Abstract Template-nanomanufacturing technique has been successfully used to fabricate palladium nanowires. This technique involves electrodepositing palladium on the ‘V’ shaped grooves of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). Freshly cleaved HOPG was exposed to PdCl 2 solution and cyclic voltammetry was used to obtain the deposition of the nanowires. The morphology of the nanowires was analyzed using an atomic force microscope (AFM) in non-contact mode and the diameter of the observed nanowires was measured to be approximately 250 nm. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images revealed that most of the nanowires fabricated by this procedure were parallel and continuous.
Joint Source-Channel Coding for Quasi-Static Fading Channels with Quantized Feedback

We consider the transmission of a Gaussian source over a single-input multiple-output (SIMO) quasi-static fading channel. The goal is to minimize the expected distortion of the reconstructed signal at the receiver. We consider a delay-limited scenario where channel coding is restricted to a single realization of the channel. Channel state information (CSI) is assumed to be known perfectly at the receiver, and a zero-delay, noiseless, fixed-rate feedback link provides a quantized version of the CSI to the transmitter. An upper bound on the performance is derived and it is shown that for practical values of the channel signal to noise ratio (SNR), this bound can be achieved with a very limited knowledge of the channel quality. We show that unlike the rate maximization problems, temporal power adaptation at the transmitter provides significant gains, and the amount of the gain heavily depends on the bandwidth expansion ratio. For asymptotically high SNRs, we derive the distortion exponent of the system, defined as the slope of the expected distortion with respect to the channel SNR. We show that the distortion exponent of limited feedback is equivalent to that of superposition coding without feedback, so long as the number of quantization levels in the feedback scheme is equal to the number of the layers in the superposition coding scheme. For the finite-SNR regime, we propose an optimal and efficient numerical technique to design the feedback scheme. Numerical results for a Rayleigh fading channel are also presented.
Characterizing tree canopy loss using multi-source GIS data in Central Massachusetts, USA

Despite numerous ecosystem services provided by urban trees, they are continually threatened by combined natural disturbances, invasive species, development and negligent management practices. This research characterizes the amount and cause of tree loss in Worcester, Massachusetts, in the northeast United States, and neighbouring towns between 2008 and 2010 using multi-source remotely sensed imagery and historical land cover maps (1976–2009). Historical land-change analysis reveals that proportional forest cover loss in the Worcester County study area exceeds that of the state by 0.26% per year, 67% of which was driven by the expansion of low-density residential land use. Between 2008 and 2010, 2% of Worcester County’s tree canopy was lost to high- and low-density urban development (47% of the total loss), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) tree removal for Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) eradication (25%), timber harvest (15%) and ice storm damage (6%). The use of multi-source geographic infor...
Semileptonic decay modes of the τ lepton

Abstract The semileptonic decay rates of the τ lepton into final states containing up to three pseudoscalar mesons are calculated using a general low energy effective lagrangian for pseudoscalar and vector mesons with U(3) × U(3) chiral symmetry. The results compare well with the measured decay rates. No unexpectedly large branching fractions are found that might account for the “missing” decay modes of the τ.
Decision Trees with Continuous Distribution

Decision trees are often used as a convenient way to visualize, and then solve, a decision problem. A standard problem approached in this way is a decision as to whether or not to sample, followed by a decision whether or not to engage in an activity. This approach has been limited to a small number of sample outcomes to be practical. This paper develops an approach which permits a continuous distribution of sample outcomes to be used. A new distribution, the "skewed parabolic distribution" is introduced as a flexible way of representing the judgemental (probabilistic) beliefs of the assessor. This new distribution is compared with the beta distribution. An algorithm, which is easily programmed and is practical for hand computation with a calculator and logarithm tables, is developed for the complete solution of a decision tree problem using this skewed parabolic distribution. An example is given. It is concluded that the skewed parabolic distribution makes use of continuous distributions practical for decision trees, and has advantages over the beta for this purpose.
Impact of sperm morphology on the likelihood of pregnancy after intrauterine insemination

Objective To determine whether there is a difference in ongoing pregnancy rates (PRs) between patients undergoing IUI with strict sperm morphology ≤4% compared with >4% on initial semen analysis. Design Retrospective chart review with multivariate analysis. Setting Academic outpatient reproductive center. Patient(s) A total of 408 couples with male and/or female factor infertility and known strict sperm morphology (SSM). Intervention(s) A total of 856 IUIs with partner's sperm (IUI-P). Main Outcome Measure(s) Ongoing PRs based on ultrasound documentation of intrauterine pregnancy with fetal heart tones. Result(s) There is no statistically significant difference in per cycle PRs when comparing patients with a strict sperm morphology of ≤4% versus >4% who undergo IUI-P (17.3% vs. 16.7%; odds ratio 0.954, 95% confidence interval 0.66–1.37). Multiple potential confounding factors were assessed using multivariate analysis. Conclusion(s) Strict sperm morphology ≤4% is not associated with lower PRs in couples undergoing IUI-P, and thus should not be the sole reason for advancing to IVF.
Theoretical analysis of batch and on-line training for gradient descent learning in neural networks

In this study, we theoretically analyze two essential training schemes for gradient descent learning in neural networks: batch and on-line training. The convergence properties of the two schemes applied to quadratic loss functions are analytically investigated. We quantify the convergence of each training scheme to the optimal weight using the absolute value of the expected difference (Measure 1) and the expected squared difference (Measure 2) between the optimal weight and the weight computed by the scheme. Although on-line training has several advantages over batch training with respect to the first measure, it does not converge to the optimal weight with respect to the second measure if the variance of the per-instance gradient remains constant. However, if the variance decays exponentially, then on-line training converges to the optimal weight with respect to Measure 2. Our analysis reveals the exact degrees to which the training set size, the variance of the per-instance gradient, and the learning rate affect the rate of convergence for each scheme.
Typing of human papillomaviruses by polymerase chain reaction amplification with L1 consensus primers and RFLP analysis

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) cause benign and malignant lesions of the epithelial and mucosal surfaces. Certain virus types are associated with cervical carcinomas, while others are associated with benign condylomata. We have developed a rapid method for determining HPV type that is based on restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis within the L1 region of HPVs that is amplified by PCR using the consensus primers described by Manos et al. Analysis of the product generated by PCR amplification of plasmids containing cloned HPV genomes and of 88 clinical specimens, known to contain HPV viral DNA by previous hybridization analysis, revealed that this method is useful for typing HPV sequences amplified from a variety of sources including cervical lavages, fresh tissue, and paraffin-embedded formalin-fixed biopsy material. The method can differentiate between most known types of HPV and discriminate between infections with single, multiple or novel HPV types. A high correlation (86%) was obtained when this method was compared with PCR amplification and Southern blot hybridization analysis of PCR product, or Southern blot hybridization analysis of total genomic DNA. Differences in typing occurred mostly for specimens that contained multiple or new/unknown HPV types. However, RFLP typing easily identified repeated patterns for new HPV types that were not detected by the other methods. In summary, PCR-RFLP typing is a sensitive and specific method to identify and characterize rapidly HPV DNA in clinical specimens from a variety of sources.
DETECTION PROBABILITY AND PASTEURELLACEAE SURVEILLANCE IN BIGHORN SHEEP

We investigated the influence of detection probability (i.e., the probability of detecting the disease or organism of interest) on the repeatability of results reported from bacterial culture tests used to demonstrate the presence of species in the Pasteurellaceae family that infect bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis). We also estimated occupancy probabilities (i.e., the probability an individual bighorn in a herd is infected) for each cultured biovariant and examined the effects of detection probability on the number of samples needed to detect the Pasteurellaceae biovariants from within an individual sheep as well as from within a herd. We collected 5–15 samples from free-ranging bighorns in Colorado, using oropharyngeal swabs or swabs of lungs, and submitted these swabs either immediately or after 2 days for bacterial culture. We saw significant variability in results for repeated samples from each of the sheep, and detection probabilities were ≤0.71 for all Pasteurellaceae biovariants cultured. The delaye...
Fusion of the primary and accessory navicular bones: a modification of the kidner procedure

Abstract Accessory navicular is a congenital anomaly. Present in about 9% of the population, it is symptomatic in only a small percentage. The pertinent anatomy, clinical presentation, classification system, and conservative treatment are discussed. Surgical options are reviewed. The surgical technique for a modified Kidner procedure in which the primary and accessory naviculars are fused is described in detail.
Gender-Related Traits in Gay Men, Lesbian Women, and Heterosexual Men and Women: The Virtual Identity of Homosexual-Heterosexual Diagnosticity and Gender Diagnosticity

Three studies investigated the relationship between gender-related traits and sexual orientation. Study 1 showed that gay men and lesbians in an unselected sample of 721 college students differed from same-sex heterosexuals most strongly on gender diagnosticity (GD) measures, which assess male- versus female-typicality of interests (effect sizes of 2.70 for men and .96 for women) and least strongly on measures of instrumentality (I) and expressiveness (E). In Study 2, GD measures showed large differences between 95 gay and 136 heterosexual men (effect sizes of 1.61 and 1.83) and between 46 lesbian and 225 heterosexual women (effect sizes of .98 and 1.28), whereas I and E showed much smaller differences. In Study 3, GD showed large differences between 90 gay and 81 heterosexual men (effect sizes of 1.76 and 1.97) and between 82 lesbians and 108 heterosexual women (effect sizes 1.67 and 1.70). whereas I and E showed much smaller differences. Using data from Studies 2 and 3, "gay-heterosexual diagnosticity" measures were computed for men and "lesbian-heterosexual diagnosticity" measures for women, based on occupational and hobby preferences. These measures correlated very strongly with GD measures.
Periphyton Assemblages as Bioindicators of Mine-Drainage in Unglaciated Western Allegheny Plateau Lotic Systems

In order to determine the influence of geologic patterns and coal mining on benthic algal assemblages, 56 stream sites throughout the unglaciated Western Allegany Plateau were investigated. These sites were categorized based upon catchment mining/reclamation history. At each site, select environmental parameters such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, metallic salts concentration, turbidity, maximum wetted width, and average thalweg depth were measured. Periphyton from riffle areas and macroscopic algal taxa from a 20 m segment were collected. Relative importance values were developed and calculated for both the periphyton and macroalgal communities. Canonical correspondence analyses of the periphyton and macroalgal data set each showed five major groups of stream reaches that were defined by specific algal taxa and environmental characteristics. Two of the groups were dominated by variables associated with acid mine drainage (AMD) and had taxa known from very acidic waters. One group was entirely composed of sites receiving treated waters from active coal mines. Another group was dominated by sites classified as alkaline mine drainage (AkMD) and the last group was primarily reference sites with a few reclaimed reaches. The AMD impacted groups had a significantly lower species richness and diversity than the other three groups. Species-based models for inferring the level of critical environmental parameters related to mining showed the periphyton-based inference model for pH was highly predictable and may be quite useful for evaluation of coal mine remediation. Other promising periphyton- and macroalgal-based models, yielded poor r2 and root mean square error (RMSE) after cross-validation. Comparison of the relative importance values with more traditional assessments of community structure showed similar results with the diatoms and chlorophytes dominating the periphyton and macroalgae, respectively.
The seed stock concept and quality control for cell lines

Procedures for the characterization of cell culture lines are reviewed. It is recommended that seed stocks be developed and that major quality-control efforts be applied first to those holdings, with essential tests repeated on cultures from working or distribution stocks prepared subsequently. Steps are taken throughout to ensure absence of microbial contaminants. Mycoplasma are especially troublesome. Investigators need also to be aware of potential endogenous viruses which may be hazardous or interfere with interpretation of results. Cell line species and absolute identities are established by fluorescent antibody staining, by determination of isoenzyme profiles, and by cytogenetic analyses. Additional characterizations will vary with cell type but may include tests for specific products, cytoskeletal proteins, tissue specific antigens, or immunoglobulins. Credentials of lines added to a collection plus representative cultures can be returned to the originators for concurrence before distribution. Advisory committees may be established as circumstance dictates to provide additional expertise regarding quality control for the specific collection being developed.
A ribosome binding site from the PR RNA of bacteriophage lambda

Abstract A region of bacteriophage lambda P R RNA which binds efficiently to Escherichia coli ribosomes has been isolated from the 5′ end of an in vitro transcript. Analysis of the 45 nucleotides protected by ribosomes from nuclease digestion reveals a central AUG triplet and a stretch of nine bases which are complementary to the 3′ end of E. coli 16 S ribosomal RNA. The nine base complementarity is the longest among known initiator regions from E. coli and bacteriophage messenger RNAs. The existence of a strong ribosome binding site at the 5′ end of P R RNA potentially locates the translation initiation site for the λ cro gene product. The nucleotide sequence beyond the AUG initiation codon predicts an N-terminal amino acid sequence for the Cro protein of (Met)-Glu-Gln-Arg-Ile-Thr-Leu-Lys-Asp.
Avoiding lying: The case of delegated deception.

Abstract People do not always lie, even when lying increases their monetary payoffs. Still, even when lying is aversive, can hiring someone to lie for you allow a person to avoid the disutility from lying, while at the same time ensuring higher payoffs? The current article investigates this empirical question – the possibility of delegated deception – through a laboratory experiment. The results indicate that a significant fraction of people employ an agent (to lie) even when they could lie themselves. Moreover, the likelihood of delegating to an agent depends on the incentives, with more people choosing to delegate when the lie hurts to a greater extent the person being lied to. Finally, analysis of gender differences in the tendency to use an agent revealed that that women are more likely to delegate to an agent compared to men, especially so when the harm inflicted by the lie is larger.
Radiochemical separation of antimony and tellurium in isotope production and in radionuclide generators

A potentially useful radionuclide generator for PET studies is based on 118Te/118Sb. A novel single-step approach using anion-exchange chromatography was developed to separate the 118Te parent activity from proton-irradiated targets. The average yield of radiotellurium using this method was 88%, with no detectable radioantimony contamination. A generator system employing activated carbon as a column chromatography adsorbent was studied. An 118Sb elution yield of 87%, with a radiotellurium breakthrough of less than 0.1%/ml, was achieved. Oxidation state studies indicate that approximately 39% of the 118Sb formed in the decay of 118Te is in the form of Sb(V). Details of these separations are presented.
Second Order Numerical Methods for First Order Hamilton--Jacobi Equations

We present practical numerical methods which produce provably second order approximations for a class of stationary first order Hamilton--Jacobi partial differential equations. Using probabilistic methods, we derive high order asymptotic expansions for a first order method and then use those results to design second order methods. We prove second order convergence for the solution and for its gradient on a subset of the domain where the solution is smooth. Although we limit our attention to second order schemes, in principle the techniques in this paper can be extended to arbitrarily high order methods. Examples illustrate the rate of convergence as well as global sharp resolution of discontinuities. The Hamilton--Jacobi equations we consider correspond to deterministic optimal control problems, and our rate of convergence results are valid for the value functions and for the optimal feedback controls.
Metacontrast and brightness discrimination

An attempt was made to obtain Ll-shaped masking functions in two metacontrast experiments. Trained Ss judged whether a square test stimulus (TS) was bright or dim. The TS was presented alone or in conjunction with an adjacent pair of square masking stimuli (MS) whose energy equaled the bright TS. The stimulus onset asynchronies (SOA) ranged from 0 to 125 msec. The task minimized the role of apparent movement cues as a reliable basis for judgment. Similar studies have employed TS plus MS vs MS alone as the alternatives, allowing apparent movement to be a cue. Brightness accuracy was a If-shaped function of SOA. This finding is consistent with neural-net models (Weisstein, 1968). However, analysis of Ss' response bias suggested an alternative explanation involving the MS as a comparison stimulus at short SOA. It was concluded that U-shaped masking functions are also consistent with theories based upon independent component processes, e.g., Schurman and Eriksen (1970) and Uttal (1970).
The problem of routine work: Western and Eastern perspectives

Routine work includes both repetitive activities in manufacturing and monotonous work in service systems. The familiar psychological consequences of routine work are mental fatigue, boredom, apathy, and alienation, which lead to diminished motivation, creativity, and job satisfaction. Behavioural effects are absenteeism, carelessness and negligence, which diminish the intended efficiencies to be had from the separation of functions in routinised work systems. The Western approach to solving the problems of routine work is to modify the job or job context or to select employees around individual characteristics that affect proneness to boredom. The Eastern approach, here represented by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s Vedic perspective on management, brings new light to an old problem. This approach is to develop the consciousness of the individual, which increases psychophysiological flexibility, heightens alertness, creativity, and intelligence, and enhances self-actualisation, making fulfilment a state of being rather than an outcome of activity.
Hierarchical Bayesian meta-analysis models for cross-platform microarray studies

The development of new technologies to measure gene expression has been calling for statistical methods to integrate findings across multiple-platform studies. A common goal of microarray analysis is to identify genes with differential expression between two conditions, such as treatment versus control. Here, we introduce a hierarchical Bayesian meta-analysis model to pool gene expression studies from different microarray platforms: spotted DNA arrays and short oligonucleotide arrays. The studies have different array design layouts, each with multiple sources of data replication, including repeated experiments, slides and probes. Our model produces the gene-specific posterior probability of differential expression, which is the basis for inference. In simulations combining two and five independent studies, our meta-analysis model outperformed separate analyses for three commonly used comparison measures; it also showed improved receiver operating characteristic curves. When combining spotted DNA and Combi...
Effects of trans-clomiphene in combination with AY-9944 on rat CNS morphology and biochemistry.

Developing rats were injected intraperitoneally twice weekly with a combination of two hypocholesterolemic agents:trans-clomiphene, 50 mg per kg body weight, and AY-9944, 5 mg per kg body weight. Treatment was initiated at 5 days of age. Biochemical and electron microscopic examination was carried out on animals sacrificed at 20 days of age. Only rarely were cytoplasmic inclusion bodies seen in the CNS. Biochemical analysis of the brain and spinal cords of treated animals indicated the abnormal accumulation of three sterols, zymosterol (5α-cholesta-8,24-dien-3β-ol), 7-dehydrocholesterol (cholesta-5,7-dien-3β-ol) and 7-dehydrodesmosterol (cholesta-5,7,24-trien-3β-ol). The 7-dehydrosterols constituted from 56–66% of the total CNS sterol component. Zymosterol was a relatively minor (2.4–5.0%) component.
Application of Process Improvement Principles to Increase the Frequency of Complete Airway Management Documentation

BACKGROUND Process improvement in healthcare delivery settings can be difficult, even when there is consensus among clinicians about a clinical practice or desired outcome. Airway management is a medical intervention fundamental to the delivery of anesthesia care. Like other medical interventions, a detailed description of the management methods should be documented. Despite this expectation, airway documentation is often insufficient. The authors hypothesized that formal adoption of process improvement methods could be used to increase the rate of "complete" airway management documentation. METHODS The authors defined a set of criteria as a local practice standard of "complete" airway management documentation. The authors then employed selected process improvement methodologies over 13 months in three iterative and escalating phases to increase the percentage of records with complete documentation. The criteria were applied retrospectively to determine the baseline frequency of complete records, and prospectively to measure the impact of process improvements efforts over the three phases of implementation. RESULTS Immediately before the initial intervention, a retrospective review of 23,011 general anesthesia cases over 6 months showed that 13.2% of patient records included complete documentation. At the conclusion of the 13-month improvement effort, documentation improved to a completion rate of 91.6% (P<0.0001). During the subsequent 21 months, the completion rate was sustained at an average of 90.7% (SD, 0.9%) across 82,571 general anesthetic records. CONCLUSION Systematic application of process improvement methodologies can improve airway documentation and may be similarly effective in improving other areas of anesthesia clinical practice.
Dental extractions in the irradiated head and neck patient: a retrospective analysis of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center protocols, criteria, and end results.

Abstract Background This study was designed to use our institutional experience with irradiated head and neck patients to evaluate 1) dental extraction incidence and sequelae; 2) those patients who developed osteoradionecrosis via extraction and the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy; and 3) guidelines for extraction protocols in this population. Materials and methods A group of 1,194 patients with a history of radiation to the head and neck, who were evaluated and treated in the Dental Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, were reviewed. The 187 who required dental extractions were analyzed using patient demographics, tumor location, staging, histopathology, radiation dosage, field, and timing, dental extraction indications, location, surgical methods, and sequelae. Results Almost 85% of the patients reviewed did not require extraction. Only 4 of those who underwent extractions at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center developed osteoradionecrosis. Conclusions The use of multidisciplinary team communications and careful extraction selection by prognosis and symptomatology regardless of preexisting dental pathologies, atraumatic extraction procedures, and meticulous follow-up can lower both extraction and osteoradionecrosis rates.
Deformations of secondary characteristic classes

IN THIS paper we exhibit a formula for the derivative of a deformation of a secondary characteristic class. These classes were originally defined by Godbillon and Vey [7] and Chern and Simons [6] and have been the subject of great interest in the theory of foliations. See, for example, Bott and Haefliger [4] and Simons [IO]. The formula implies that certain of the generalized Godbillon and Vey characteristic classes for foliations are invariants of the connected components of the space of foliations on a manifold. In [12], D. Lehmann gives a proof of this theorem without using the derivative formula. We remark that the cohomology classes of a codimension q foliation coming from the Simons characters [IO] are also constant on connected components unless the character occurs in dimension 2q + 1. For real foliations, the examples of Thurston [I l] show that in dimension 2q + 1 it is possible to have classes which vary continuously. For examples in the complex case see Bott [2]. The formula is a generalization of a formula of Chern and Simons [6]. However, their formula was for forms defined on the principal bundle over a manifold, while ours is for forms defined on the manifold itself and so can be applied to the theory of secondary classes. The reader should also note that while the results here are stated only for BT, and WO,, similar results hold for the spaces associated to complex foliations and foliations with trivial normal bundles.
Adaptive cascade architectures for image compression

A novel image compression technique is introduced based on adaptive rather than fixed transforms. Fast parameter adaptation allows training to be part of coding. The proposed technique provides higher peak-signal-to-noise ratio than JPEG with a moderate increase in computational complexity, and neural network techniques.
Growth of lepidopteran epithelial cells and hemocytes in primary cultures

Abstract Cells from four species of Lepidoptera larvae known to be susceptible to several intracellular pathogens were cultured in vitro. Undifferentiated cells had the greatest potential for growth and survival. Imaginal wing disc explants formed extensive monolayers as a result of cell migration and mitosis. Mitoses were abundant in prohemocytes but not in other types of hemocytes. Differentiated larval tissues were unsuitable sources of cells for continuous culture. Migration of cells from these tissue explants was limited, and those cells which isolated themselves from the explant did not divide.
Mathematical values of the snellen notations

The Snellen notation of visual acuity was not intended for a fractional expression of the proportion of full vision found. Its use in that sense gives a false impression. A series of test type, arranged on the plan of a unit of difference between the different sizes of the letters, is inferior to one arranged with the unit of proportion of one size to the letters next larger or smaller. For industrial estimations of impairment of vision an assumed zero and maximum of full vision, are necessary. Those recommended are 20/32 for the maximum and 20/320 for the zero of industrial vision. Read before the Buffalo Ophthalmological Club, Dec. 20, 1923.
Physiological and production responses of plant growth forms to increases in limiting resources in alpine tundra: implications for differential community response to environmental change

Physiological and growth measurements were made on forbs and graminoids following additions of water and N+water in a graminoid-dominated dry meadow and a forb-dominated moist meadow, to determine if the community-level response was related to differential responses between the growth forms. Graminoids had higher photosynthetic rates and lower transpiration rates and foliar N concentrations than forbs, and consequently maintained higher photosynthetic N- and water-use efficiencies. Photosynthetic rates, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rates increased significantly only in response to N fertilization and only in moist meadow species. The increase in photosynthetic rates was unrelated to variation in foliar N concentration, but instead correlated with variation in stomatal conductance. Growth based N-use efficiency was higher in moist meadow graminoids than in moist meadow forbs, but did not differ between the growth forms in the dry meadow. The moist meadow community had higher biomass and N standing crops, but the relative increase in these factors in response to N fertilization was greater in the dry meadow. Graminoids had a greater relative increase in biomass and N accumulation than forbs following N fertilization, but moist meadow graminoids exhibited a greater response than dry meadow graminoids. The difference in the growth response between the dry meadow and moist meadow graminoids to N fertilization was correlated with more conservative leaf gas exchange responses in dry meadow species, presumably related to a higher frequency of soil water deficits in this community. Community-level response to the resource additions was therefore mediated by the plant growth form response, corresponding with differences between the growth forms in physiological factors related to resource acquisition and use.
Effects of breech bolt movement on felt recoil of a gas-operated semi-automatic sporting gun

The recoil forces characteristic of shoulder-mounted firearms can create discomfort and distraction for the shooter. A modified version of a previously developed system for measuring felt recoil was adapted to approximate the force interaction between gun and shooter with the aid of high-speed imaging. The high-speed imaging was used to find a combination of damping materials for the measurement system that would approximate the gun dynamics of a particular shooter. The recoil measurement system was then used to characterize the recoil of a gas-operated semi-automatic shotgun, comparing the recoil to a fixed breech version, quantifying the effect of the bolt movement on recoil forces. It was found that the time scale of the bolt movement relative to the main recoil event was important to the recoil force profile, increasing its duration, and for the particular gun examined, peak recoil forces were reduced between 20% and 25% by the bolt movement. Language: en
Possible PET isotope production using linear deuteron accelerators

Abstract PET isotopes like 11 C and 18 F may be produced in deuteron-induced reactions using linear deuteron accelerators for energies 2–2.5 MeV. It is shown that the yield of PET isotopes in reactions 10 B(d,n) 11 C and 20 Ne(d,a) 18 F may be higher than the yield of the same isotopes in proton-induced reactions at higher energies, where protons are accelerated by a cyclotron. The lower cost and smaller size of linear accelerators make deuteron-induced reactions very promising for industrial PET production.
The effects of extinction of food-reinforced responding on schedule-induced polydipsia

The polydipsic behavior of three male albino rats was studied under conditions of extinction of a fixed-interval 128-sec food reinforcement inducing schedule (Ext 1). The inducing schedule was then reinstated and the chronic extinction procedure repeated (Ext 2). During Day 1 of Ext 1, water responding fell markedly and remained virtually unchanged during Day 2. On the third day, water responding declined to 1/3–1/9 of the Day 1 or Day 2 level. Ext 2 differed from Ext 1 in that fewer total water responses were emitted, responding fell sharply on Day 2, and a generally lower level of water responding occurred on Day 3. Spontaneous recovery of polydipsia was consistently observed.
Probabilistic state space search

This paper describes a probabilistic approach to state space search. The presented method applies a ranking of the design states according to their probability of reaching a given target state based on a random walk model. This ranking can be used to prioritize an explicit or partial symbolic state exploration to find a trajectory from a set of initial states to a set of target states. A symbolic technique for estimating the reachability probability is described which implements a smooth trade-off between accuracy and computing effort. The presented probabilistic state space search complements incomplete verification methods which are specialized in finding errors in large designs.
The impact of family structure during adolescence on deviance in early adulthood

Using three waves of panel data (N = 2,931), the authors estimated a structural equation model to test the direct and indirect effect of family structure during early adolescence on forestalling deviance in early adulthood. Family structure is hypothesized to affect young adult deviance through four intervening processes during adolescence: parent‐child relationship, commitment to conventional values, association with deviant peers, and subjective distress. The direct effect from family structure on deviance in early adulthood was found to persist after the significant mediating processes during adolescence were taken into account. The results are consistent with the view that considers family disruption as a gradual disintegration process as opposed to a fatal accident with an immediate impact.