cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is the Valles caldera entering a new cycle of activity

The Valles caldera formed during two major rhyolitic ignimbrite eruptive episodes (the Bandelier Tuff) at 1.61 and 1.22 Ma, after some 12 m.y. of activity in the Jemez Mountains volcanic field, New Mexico. Several subsequent eruptions between 1.22 and 0.52 Ma produced dominantly high-silica rhyolite lava domes and tephras within the caldera. These were followed by a dormancy of 0.46 m.y. prior to the most recent intracaldera activity, the longest hiatus since the inception of the Bandelier magma system at ∼1.8 Ma. The youngest volcanic activity at ∼ 60 ka produced the SW moat rhyolites, a series of lavas and tuffs that display abundant petrologic evidence of being newly generated melts. Petrographic textures conform closely to published predictions for silicic magmas generated by intrusion of basaltic magma into continental crust. The Valles caldera may currently be the site of renewed silicic magma generation, induced by intrusion of mafic magma at depth. Recent seismic investigations revealed the presence of a large low-velocity anomaly in the lower crust beneath the caldera. The generally aseismic character of the caldera, despite abundant regional seismicity, may be attributed to a heated crustal column, the local effect of 13 m.y. of magmatism and emplacement of mid-crustal plutons. Seismic signals of magma movement in the deep to mid-crust may therefore be masked, and clear seismic indications of intrusion may only be generated within a few kilometres of the surface. We therefore encourage the establishment of a local dedicated volcanic monitoring system.
Effects of somatosensory deafferentation on spectral characteristics of the sensorimotor EEG in the adult cat

Abstract A quantitative assessment of the sensorimotor EEG before and after transection of the dorsal columns at either a high (C1 to C3) or low (C5 to T1) cervical level was undertaken in unrestrained, adult cats. Electroencephalographic signals recorded unilaterally from postcruciate cortex (A:23) at medial (L:2 to 5) and lateral (L: 10 to 12) sites were subjected to bandpass frequency analysis. The incidence of 12- to 15-Hz sleep spindles and sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) activity was evaluated in comparable pre/postlesion EEG segments. Frequency analyses focused on the distribution of voltage in four bands (4 to 7, 8 to 11, 12 to 15, and 18 to 23 Hz). The findings showed that dorsal column transections markedly altered EEG spectral distributions. Most consistently affected was 8- to 15-Hz activity which increased significantly over sites corresponding to peripheral receptive fields below the level of the lesions. Observed increases in sleep spindles and SMR activity contributed to this finding. In prelesion recordings, voltage in all bands increased progressively over the course of slow-wave sleep to REM onset. Abrupt peaks in 12- to 15-Hz and 18- to 23-Hz activity preceded the REM stage. Dorsal column transections eliminated this sequence of frequency/voltage changes. These findings were interpreted in terms of the release of intrinsic rhythmic discharge patterns over ventrobasal thalamocortical projection pathways.
Elevated Blood Urea Nitrogen and Medical Outcome of Psychiatric Inpatients

Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is associated with increased severity of illness and mortality, but its predictive value has not been studied in patients admitted to free-standing psychiatric hospitals. To determine the clinical outcome of psychiatric inpatients with elevated BUN on admission and to create a quantitative method of using BUN for predicting deteriorations requiring transfers of psychiatric inpatients to a general hospital we conducted a retrospective cohort study of 939 adults consecutively admitted to a free-standing psychiatric hospital in 2010. Transfer to a general hospital was used as a proxy marker for poor medical outcome. The score Age (years) plus BUN (mg/dL) was used in sensitivity analyses to identify patients with medical deterioration in derivation (N = 523) and validation (N = 414) samples. Fifty-two (5.5 %) patients had admission azotemia (BUN >25 mg/dL). Medical deteriorations requiring emergency transfer to a general hospital occurred in 24 (46.2 %; 95 % confidence interval = 32.6–49.8 %) of azotemic patients and 112 (12.6 %; 95 % confidence interval = 10.4–14.8 %) of those with normal BUN (p 25 mg/dL or Age + BUN ≥90 are at risk for medical deterioration. Free-standing psychiatric hospitals should develop models of care requiring frequent, scheduled medical follow-up and enhanced monitoring for this vulnerable populations.
PREDICTION OF STABLE CRACK GROWTH IN TYPE 304 STAINLESS STEEL

Crack growth resistance curves using the J integral for Type 304 stainless steel at room temperature and at 400° F were generated using experimental data from center-cracked tension panels. Two methods were used. The first utilized a finite strain based finite element analysis. The second used an estimation procedure. Good agreement was obtained up to maximum load. However, past maximum load, the estimation procedure overestimated the J values. Stable crack growth predictions were made on a center-cracked tension panel with a different initial crack length. Good predictions were obtained up to about maximum load. Limitations on the applicability of the J integral approach to extended amounts of stable crack growth is presented and a possible alternative approach is discussed.
Energy bands of copper chloride

The techniques developed in a preceding paper have been applied to compute the energy bands of CuCI. Results of calculations using Slater, screened Slater, and empirically modified Slater exchange potentials are presented. The valence bands are relatively sensitive to the choice of potential, but the conduction bands are not. The calculated valence bands agree rather well with various experimental data, and slight empirical modifications are suggested to yield even better agreement. The conduction band effective mass and the band gap deformation potential are also calculated and compared with experiment. Die in einer fruheren Arbeit entwickelte Technik wurde zur Berechnung der Energie'bander in CuCl benutzt. Es werden die Ergebnisse von Berechnungen mit Slaterpotentialen, abgeschirmten Slaterpotentialen und empirisch modifizierten Slaterschen Austauschpotentialen angegeben. Die Valenzbander, jedoch nicht die Leitungsbander, sind relativ empfindlich gegenuber der Wahl des Potentials. Die berechneten Valenzbander stimmen ziemlich gut mit verschiedenen experimentellen Werten uberein, und geringe empirische Modifizierungen werden vorgeschlagen, um noch bessere Ubereinstimmung zu erhalten. Die effektive Masse des Leitungsbandes und das Deformationspotential fur die Bandlucke werden ebenfalls berechnet und mit dem Experiment verglichen.
Oxytetracycline Marking of Newly Hatched Walleye Fry

Abstract Newly hatched walleye Sander vitreus (formerly Stizostedion vitreum) fry were treated by immersion in a solution of 700 mg of oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC)/L for 6 h to determine whether walleye fry could be marked at a younger age than previously described in the literature. The resulting marks varied in intensity but were observed on 100% of the fry inspected from groups that were treated at ages less than 24 h posthatch as well as those that were treated at ages less than 3 h posthatch. No false marks were observed on untreated controls in any of the treatment periods, and pond studies indicated no significant differences (P > 0.05) in either survival or growth between OTC-treated fry and untreated controls. The results of this study demonstrate that walleye fry can be successfully marked immediately after hatching and that the entire annual production of walleye fry at a hatchery can be marked without additional fry-holding facilities or significant disruption of routine hatchery operat...
Ethnocentric tendencies of Indian consumers: impact on preference for domestic versus foreign products

India is witnessing a plethora of foreign and domestic products competing against each other in its retail market. In order to understand how ethnocentrism among Indian consumers leads to attitudes toward foreign/domestic products, this study aims to understand the antecedents (socio-psychological and demographic) of consumer ethnocentric tendencies (CET) among Indian consumers, the impact of ethnocentrism on attitude toward domestic versus foreign product and service, and the impact of a moderator (perceived economic threat) on the relationship between ethnocentrism and attitudes. Using a sample of 800 Indian consumers, the relationships among variables were analyzed by means of structural equation modeling (SEM) using one product (soap) and one service (mobile phone service) category. The findings suggest that Indian consumers who are ethnocentric prefer domestic product/service to foreign product/service. Ethnocentrism of Indian consumers is influenced by education, income, cultural openness, and colle...
Mitochondrial Polymorphism inAmoeba proteus

The fine structure of the mitochondria ofAmoeba proteus was studied utilizing several methods of fixation. Different forms of mitochondria were detected within the same ameba following aldehyde fixation. Morphological differences between them were most evident in cells fixed withKarnovsky's glutaraldehyde-formaldehyde mixture. Mitochondria with a dense matrix appeared to be rod-shaped and had tubular cristae of variable width. In comparison, other mitochondria had a lighter matrix, an irregular spherical shape, and narrower more uniform tubular cristae. A small percentage of mitochondria with intermediate characteristics was noted. The results obtained with the various preparative procedures are compared and the possible significance of the morphological types is discussed.
Initialization and Simulation of a Landfalling Hurricane Using a Variational Bogus Data Assimilation Scheme

Abstract The bogus data assimilation (BDA) scheme designed by Zou and Xiao to specify initial structures of tropical cyclones was tested further on the simulation of a landfalling hurricane—Hurricane Fran (1996). The sensitivity of the simulated hurricane track and intensity to the specified radius of maximum wind of the bogus vortex, the resolution of the BDA assimilation model, and the bogus variables specified in the BDA are studied. In addition, the simulated hurricane structures are compared with the available observations, including the surface wind analysis and the radar reflectivity captured onshore during Fran’s landfall. The sensitivity study of the BDA scheme showed that the simulations of the hurricane track and intensity were sensitive to the size of the specified bogus vortex. Hurricanes with a larger radius of maximum sea level pressure gradient are prone to a more westward propagation. The larger the radius, the weaker the predicted hurricane. Results of the hurricane initial structures an...
Determination of the frequency of retroviral recombination between two identical sequences within a provirus.

Retroviruses use RNA as their genetic material within viral particles and DNA (provirus) as their genetic material within cells. The rate of recombination during reverse transcription between two identical sequences within the same RNA molecule is very high. In this study, we have developed a sensitive system to study recombination occurring within the proviral sequence. This system includes a murine Moloney leukemia virus vector which contains a neomycin resistance gene (neo) and two mutated green fluorescent protein genes (gfp) in tandem positions. The 3′ end of the first gfp and the 5′ end of the second gfp gene are both mutated, so that neither of these two gfp genes is functional. However, if recombination occurs between the two gfp genes it will create a functional gfp protein. Cells containing such a functional recombinant gfp appear green under fluorescence microscopy. The rate of recombination between the two gfp sequences during a single round of replication is as high as 51%. Green cells appear during proliferation of a clonal clear-cell population and allow a small portion of these recombinations between sequences of proviral DNA to be detected. The frequency of recombination at the proviral DNA level is about 10−5 events/cell division, which is very low compared with the frequency of recombination (51%) caused by reverse transcriptase and/or RNA polymerase II.
Reap what you sow: harvesting the deep Web

This article examines the growth of the invisible Web, and efforts underway to make its contents more accessible. Dynamic Web publishing is described. The Open Archives Metadata Harvesting Protocol is reviewed, as are projects related to OCLC’s implementation of the Open Archives Initiative. Recent Dublin Core activities are reported.
NMR Studies of Drugs. Enantiomeric Excess Determination of N-acetylcathinone with Eu(HFC)3

Abstract A technique for determination of enantiomeric excess of cathinone, 2-amino-1-phenyl-1-propanone, by use of the chiral lanthanide shift reagent (LSR), tris[3-(heptafluoropropylhydroxymethylene)-d-camphorato]europium (III), Eu (HFC)3, is described. The hydrochloride salt of the cathinone sample is first converted directly to the N-acetyl derivative without need for isolation of the potentially unstable cathinone free base. Addition of Eu (HFC)3 to the crude acetylated cathinone resulted in near-baseline resolution of the CH 3CO resonances of the enantiomers. Analytical utility and the sense of magnetic nonequivalence of this signal were demonstrated using “spiked” non-racemic samples.
Mammographic parenchymal texture as an imaging marker of hormonal activity: a comparative study between pre- and post-menopausal women

Mammographic parenchymal texture patterns have been shown to be related to breast cancer risk. Yet, little is known about the biological basis underlying this association. Here, we investigate the potential of mammographic parenchymal texture patterns as an inherent phenotypic imaging marker of endogenous hormonal exposure of the breast tissue. Digital mammographic (DM) images in the cranio-caudal (CC) view of the unaffected breast from 138 women diagnosed with unilateral breast cancer were retrospectively analyzed. Menopause status was used as a surrogate marker of endogenous hormonal activity. Retroareolar 2.5cm 2 ROIs were segmented from the post-processed DM images using an automated algorithm. Parenchymal texture features of skewness, coarseness, contrast, energy, homogeneity, grey-level spatial correlation, and fractal dimension were computed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate feature classification performance in distinguishing between 72 pre- and 66 post-menopausal women. Logistic regression was performed to assess the independent effect of each texture feature in predicting menopause status. ROC analysis showed that texture features have inherent capacity to distinguish between pre- and post-menopausal statuses (AUC>0.5, p<0.05). Logistic regression including all texture features yielded an ROC curve with an AUC of 0.76. Addition of age at menarche, ethnicity, contraception use and hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) use lead to a modest model improvement (AUC=0.78) while texture features maintained significant contribution (p<0.05). The observed differences in parenchymal texture features between pre- and post- menopausal women suggest that mammographic texture can potentially serve as a surrogate imaging marker of endogenous hormonal activity.
Integrating Herbicides and Re-seeding to Restore Rangeland Infested by an Invasive Forb-Annual Grass Complex

predation, dormancy and the soil microbial community. Journal of Ecology 99:89–95. Eldridge, D.J., M.A. Bowker, F.T. Maestre, P. Alonso, R.L. Mau, J. Papadopoulos and A. Escudero. 2010. Interactive effects of three ecosystem engineers on infiltration in a semi-arid Mediterranean grassland. Ecosystems 13:499–510. Evans, A.R.D. and J.R. Ehleringer. 1993. A break in the nitrogen cycle in aridlands? Evidence from δ 15 N of soils. Oecologia 94:314–317. James, J.J., T.J. Svejcar, and M.J. Rinella. 2011. Demographic processes limiting seedling recruitment in arid grassland restoration. Journal of Applied Ecology 48:961–969. Mazor, G., G.J. Kidron, A. Vonshak and A. Abeliovich. 1996. The role of cyanobacterial exopolysaccharides in structuring desert microbial crusts. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 21:121–130. Pointing, S.B. and J. Belnap. 2012. Microbial colonization and controls in dryland systems. Nature Reviews Microbiology 10:551–62. Potts, M. 1999. Mechanisms of desiccation tolerance in cyanobacteria. European Journal of Phycology 34:319–328. Proctor, M., M. Oliver, A. Wood and P. Alpert. 2007. Desiccationtolerance in Bryophytes: A review. The Bryologist 110:595–621. Xu, S., C. Yin, M. He and Y. Wang. 2008. A technology for rapid reconstruction of moss-dominated soil crusts. Environmental Engineering Science 25:1129–1137.
Modelling pesticide run‐off to surface waters. Part II: Model application

A conceptual model of pesticide run-off to surface water from agricultural land has been tested against data collected from a catchment study. In general the model was able to simulate total run-off and pesticide loss and peak pesticide concentrations to an acceptable level (much better than an order of magnitude) for a number of pesticides in run-off events over five seasons. Hour-by-hour variations in pesticide run-off were reasonably well estimated, although the timing of the estimated peak in pesticide concentrations was always in advance of that observed. A simple sensitivity test of the model showed the sorption coefficients and half-lives of the chemicals simulated were important in controlling model outputs, although the impact of the latter was reduced if events occurred soon after application. Other important parameters were the extent of the enhanced conductivity area above the drains and the parameters controlling the rate of flow of water between the model boxes. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry
Immigrant and native financial well-being: The roles of place of education and race/ethnicity.

Abstract Immigrants’ integration into U.S. society has occupied the interest of both scholars and the general public throughout the nation’s history. This paper draws on and refines dominance-differentiation theory to explore how immigrants’ place of education (whether they completed their education in the United States or abroad) and racial/ethnic status differentially affect their ability to integrate into U.S. society. Using the Survey of Income and Program Participation and wealth attainment as an indicator of economic integration, this paper finds mixed evidence for dominance-differentiation theory. Foreign education is associated with lower wealth attainment and race/ethnicity serves as an important stratifying factor for blacks and Latinos; however, there is little support for the theory when comparing the wealth attainment of immigrants with their same-race/co-ethnic native-born peers. This paper concludes with a discussion of why place of education matters for wealth attainment in the United States and explores its implications for both educational and racial/ethnic stratification among U.S. immigrants.
A computer-oriented task analysis method for mathematics instruction

Components of a computer solution for fraction problems in arithmetic have an analog in a new approach to educational task analysis. The components may be called goal-setting or planning elements, in contrast to the goal-satisfying or behavioral steps emphasized in much contemporary task analysis. A hypothetical tutorial dialogue in which a student is asked to tell a tutor what step to perform next is presented as an example of the emphasis of the planning side of computation. Explicit identification of goal-setting elements of a task is illustrated by analysis of the task of converting a pair of fractions to a new pair with a common denominator. The decomposition thus produces is simulated with two computer programs: (1) a LISP program using a set of production rules consisting of conditions to be met and subsequent actions to be taken and (2) a PROLOG program stating goals and solving goals explicitly.
Improved Superconductivity Approximation for the Pairing Interaction in Nuclei

The pairing interaction in nuclei is investigated by using a model hamiltonian H -- lambda /sub 1/N- /sub lambda /sub 2/N/sup 2/, where H is the ori ginal hamiltonian and N is the nucleon-number operator. The introduction of the term lambda /sub 2/N/sup 2/ enables one to suppress the effect of the nucleon-number fluctuation, which is inherent in the Bardeen-Cooper Schrieffer (BCS) approximation and is a main source of its inaccuracy. A prescription is given to determine the parameters lambda /sub 1/ and lambda /sub 2/. The method is first illustrated in the case where all levels are degenerate, and then applied to realistic cases with nondegenerate levels. Quadrupole and other interactions are not considered. Excited states with seniority zero as well as those with nonzero seniority are discussed. The results obtained by this method are compared with those of Kisslinger and Sorenson and of Kerman, Lawson, and Macfarlane. For the ground-state energy an excellent accuracy is attained easily. It is observed that the BCS states obtained by Kisslinger and Sorenson are much better approximations to eigenstates of our model hamiltonian rather than to those of their hamiltonian. A new light is shed on the problem as to why themore » projected and renormalized BCS states are very good approximations to the true eigenstates. (auth)« less
Depressive and manic-hypomanic spectrum psychopathology in patients with anorexia nervosa.

Objective: We used a dimensional measure of mood psychopathology to document lifetime depressive and manic-hypomanic spectrum symptoms in 50 patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). Method: Participants provided demographic information and completed the Self-Report Questionnaire for Mood Spectrum, a 161-item instrument that documents lifetime symptoms, traits, and behaviors characteristic of threshold and subthreshold mood episodes. Analyses focused on the association of depressive and manic-hypomanic component scores with indicators of clinical severity in AN. Results: Lifetime severity of depressive (M[SD] = 39.1[13.9]) and manic-hypomanic (M[SD] = 23.8[12.1]) spectrum symptoms exceeded the established thresholds for clinical significance on these scales (ie, score ≥22). There was a positive correlation between the number of manic-hypomanic items endorsed and the number of depressive items endorsed. After controlling for lifetime history of mood disorder, severity of depressive and manic-hypomanic spectrum symptomatology also was associated with a history of self-induced vomiting and suicidality in patients with AN. Conclusion: These data provide initial evidence for the clinical significance of depressive and manic-hypomanic spectrum symptoms in patients with AN. Future work is needed to determine how mood spectrum psychopathology might impact the course and treatment of AN.
Challenges in modeling disturbances' effects on terrestrial carbon cycling

Ecosystem disturbance presents modelers with a number of problems, of which the disturbance event itself may be the least problematic. First, most ecosystem models depend on reaching a steady state before the main computation begins; this already-tricky initial value problem is complicated by disturbances during spinup, which may prevent steady state from being reached. Second, vegetation dynamics becomes more important in disturbed ecosystems, with nutrient cycling, albedo, and evapotranspiration all changing markedly. Succession is handled crudely (or not at all) by many large-scale models, however. Third, disturbances tend to export the carbon--and its climate forcing potential--from the system under study, complicating and expanding the scope of the problem at hand, whether the modeler likes it or not. And finally, humans tend to be intimately involved in disturbances in many ecosystems in some surprising ways. This talk looks at each of these factors in turn, with reference to specific modeling examples or problems, and considers their consequences for the modeling of the North American carbon cycle and the increasing disturbances that affect it.
Leading American Statisticians in the Nineteenth Century

T HIS article aims to present leading American statisticians in the nineteenth cent,ury and to indicate their contributions to the field of statistics. Other disciplines have already developed such a history, one example being that of economics [14], [18]. Yet so far, no history has ever been written about American statistical thought. The winning of our independence in 1783 brought forth many problems, political, social and economic. To solve these problems we had at that time very little statistical data and records available. Hence it was a difficult situation to solve these problems objectively. It became necessary to take an inventory of our resources, both human and material. Our earlier federal censuses were chiefly concerned with only a few phases of our population. Thus a number of statistical almanacs or yearbooks gradually appeared such as: A View of the United States of America (Philadelphia, 1794) by Tench Coxe, Assistant Secretary of the United States Treasury; Thoughts on the Increasing Wealth and National Economy of the United States of America (Washington, 1801), and Economica: A Statistical Manual for the United States of America (Washington, 1806) both by Samuel Blodget, architect, economist and merchant; A Statistical View of the Commerce of the United States of America (Hartford, 1816), a second edition (New York, 1817), and a third edition (New Haven, 1835) by Timothy Pitkin, a prominent Federalist congressman from Connecticut, regarded as an authority on the political history of the country. Congress authorized the purchase of 250 copies; The Resources of the United States of America (New York, 1818) by Rev. Mr. John Bristed, editor, lawyer, and Episcopal clergyman; Statistical Annals (Philadelphia, 1818) by Adam Seybert, M.D., democratic congressman from Pennsylvania. Congress authorized the purchase of 500 copies; Statistical, Political and Historical Account of the United States of North America (3 volumes, Philadelphia, 1819) by David B. Warden, author and diplomat; View of the United States: Historical, Geographical, and Statistical (Philadelphia, 1828) by William Darby, a surveyor and one of America's leading geographers for a quarter of a century. Tabular Statistical Views (Washington, 1829 and 1833) by George Watterston and Nicholas Biddle Van Zandt, "published under the patronage of the Congress of the United States." Congress
Inhibition of Photosystem II in Isolated Chloroplasts by Lead

Inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport in isolated chloroplasts by lead salts has been demonstrated. Photosystem I activity, as measured by electron transfer from dichlorophenol indophenol to methylviologen, was not reduced by such treatment. However, photosystem II was inhibited by lead salts when electron flow was measured from water to methylviologen and Hill reaction or by chlorophyll fluorescence. Fluorescence induction curves indicated the primary site of inhibition was on the oxidizing side of photosystem II. That this site was between the primary electron donor of photosystem II and the site of water oxidation could be demonstrated by hydroxylamine restoration of normal fluorescence following lead inhibition.
Preservice Elementary Teachers’ Voices Describe How Their Teacher Motivated Them to do Mathematics

In this study, data in the form of (preservice teacher) student voices taken from mathematical autobiographies, written at the beginning of the semester, and end-of-semester reflections, were analyzed in order to examine why preservice elementary school teachers were highly motivated in a social constructivist mathematics course in which the teacher emphasized mastery goals. The findings suggest that students entered the course with a wide variety of feelings about mathematics and their own mathematical ability. At the end of the semester, students wrote about aspects of the course that “led to their growth as a mathematical thinker and as a mathematics teacher…” Student responses were coded within themes that emerged from the data: Struggle; Construction of meaning [mathematical language; mathematical understanding]; Grouping [working in groups]; Change [self-efficacy; math self-concept]; and the Teacher’s Role. These themes are described using student voices and within a motivation goal theory framework. The role of struggle, in relation to motivation, is discussed.
Communication apprehension, student attitudes, and levels of satisfaction

(1977). Communication apprehension, student attitudes, and levels of satisfaction. Western Journal of Speech Communication: Vol. 41, No. 3, pp. 188-198.
The effect of long-term methotrexate therapy on hepatic fibrosis in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective. To evaluate the progression of hepatic fibrosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with methotrexate (MTX). Methods. Fifteen patients receiving MTX for RA were prospectively studied by electron microscopic analysis of biopsy specimens. Results. Five of the 15 patients had evidence of increased hepatic collagen after 2 years of MTX therapy. Conclusion. Hepatic fibrosis may progress in a subgroup of RA patients treated with MTX.
Intelligent systems for the autonomous exploration of Titan and Enceladus

Future planetary exploration of the outer satellites of the Solar System will require higher levels of onboard automation, including autonomous determination of sites where the probability of significant scientific findings is highest. Generally, the level of needed automation is heavily influenced by the distance between Earth and the robotic explorer(s) (e.g. spacecraft(s), rover(s), and balloon(s)). Therefore, planning missions to the outer satellites mandates the analysis, design and integration within the mission architecture of semi- and/or completely autonomous intelligence systems. Such systems should (1) include software packages that enable fully automated and comprehensive identification, characterization, and quantification of feature information within an operational region with subsequent target prioritization and selection for close-up reexamination; and (2) integrate existing information with acquired, "in transit" spatial and temporal sensor data to automatically perform intelligent planetary reconnaissance, which includes identification of sites with the highest potential to yield significant geological and astrobiological information. In this paper we review and compare some of the available Artificial Intelligence (AI) schemes and their adaptation to the problem of designing expert systems for onboard-based, autonomous science to be performed in the course of outer satellites exploration. More specifically, the fuzzy-logic framework proposed is analyzed in some details to show the effectiveness of such a scheme when applied to the problem of designing expert systems capable of identifying and further exploring regions on Titan and/or Enceladus that have the highest potential to yield evidence for past or present life. Based on available information (e.g., Cassini data), the current knowledge and understanding of Titan and Enceladus environments is evaluated to define a path for the design of a fuzzy-based system capable of reasoning over collected data and capable of providing the inference required to autonomously optimize future outer satellites explorations.
Seasonality of Air−Water Fluxes of Hexachlorocyclohexanes in Lake Ontario

We investigated the seasonality of the air−water gas transfer of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCH) in Lake Ontario. These organochlorine pesticides were measured in air and water samples collected on weekly cruises on Lake Ontario from May to October 1993. Air concentrations ranged from 51 to 200 pg m-3 for α-HCH and from 8 to 133 pg m-3 for γ-HCH. Surface water concentrations of α-HCH showed a small seasonal variation: mean values decreased from 922 ± 73 pg L-1 in May to 679 ± 47 pg L-1 in August and gradually increased to 897 ± 76 pg L-1 by October. Levels of γ-HCH did not show seasonal differences and averaged 357 ± 25 in surface waters. Air−water fugacity gradients of α- and γ-HCH were used to predict the direction of air−water gas exchange of these isomers. Reversals in exchange direction were observed for both compounds on time scales of days, weeks, and months. On average, air−water gas transfer of HCH was depositional in May and early June, reversed to volatilizational by August, and returned to depos...
Respiration rates predict differences in growth of coast redwood

The relation between growth rate traits (height, basal diameter, stem volume and branch diameter) and two measures of respiration rate [metabolic heat rate (q) and CO2 production rate (Rco2)] and their ratio (q/Rco2) was examined on a collection of 192 different genotypes of coast redwoods [Sequoia sempervirens (D.Don) Endl.]. Branch diameter was not correlated with any of the respiratory measures, but the other three growth traits gave highly significant (P < 0.001) correlations with positive slopes. Combining the four growth traits and the three respiratory variables (q, RCo2 and q/Rco2) to give two canonical variates, one representing growth and one representing respiration, gives an even stronger linear correlation (r= 0–85). These data suggest that simultaneous assay of multiple respiratory measures on juvenile trees can be used to predict their longer-term growth rates.
Ground state vs. transition state substituent effects on reactions of aziridinium salts

The possibility that the similarity of Hammett ρ values for several very different reactions of 2-arylaziridinium salts is due to ground state effects was investigated by MO methods and ESCA. Minimum energy structures of p-nitrophenyl-, phenyl-, and p-methoxyphenyl-substituted ions, however, have the same C2N bond lengths. This result shows that substituent effects are primarily a transition state phenomenon, even in the three-membered ring heterocycles. In agreement, the ground state does not have significant amino carbocation character based on similar charge distributions of 2-phenyl-N,N-dimethylaziridinium ion and N,N,N-trimethylbenzylammonium ion as well as the same nitrogen ls binding energies by ESCA studies on corresponding salts.
Two Sides of Any Issue

Seneca in his Moral Epistles to Lucilium ridicules Protagoras’ claim that both sides of any position can be equally well argued. Cicero, on the contrary, in the surviving fragments of his dialogue, the Republic, maintains in the person of Laelius that the thorough exploration of the strengths and weaknesses of any position pro and con is the best and often the only dialectical avenue to the discovery of difficult truths. There are therefore at least two sides to the issue of whether philosophers ought to address their arguments to the two sides of any issue. This paper examines the epistemic advantages and disadvantages of the same reasoning agent playing both roles of advocate and critic, as opposed to encouraging only distinct independently minded reasoning agents each to consider any of the opposing sides of an issue in dispute. The question in argumentation theory posed by this inquiry in simplest terms is whether a single thinker considering both sides of an issue is more able to arrive at truth, or whether, as the popular adage has it, two minds are inherently dialectically better than one. The answer proposed here is that it does not matter provided that the conflict of opposing views are in some manner resolved with the sincere intention of arriving at the truth.
Anterior tibial artery and its actual projection on the lateral aspect of the tibia: a cadaveric study

The anterior tibial artery (ATA) is at risk of injury during high tibial osteotomy, Ilizarov wire placement, pin placement in external fixation, or proximal locking screw insertion, as the artery is not visualized intraoperatively. The ATA is anchored to the oval foramen of the interosseous membrane on the proximal tibia by the deep fascia and recurrent genicular vascular branches. Segment 1 (from the bifurcation of the popliteal artery to the level of the interosseous foramen) and the proximal part of segment 2 (from the interosseous foramen to the level where the artery crosses the anterior border of the tibia) may be damaged when pin, wire or screw placement is directed posterolaterally at that level. Distally, a straight mediolateral pin or Ilizarov wires may lacerate the artery. Segment 2 of the ATA descends against the interosseous membrane in its proximal part, which is projected on the posterior third of the tibia relative to the sagittal plane; in its middle part, it runs close to the lateral cortex of the tibia, it is projected on the middle third of the tibia; in its distal part it runs gradually towards the anterior third of the tibia and contacts with the anterior third of the tibial cortical surface. This information may help reduce risk of injury to the ATA during high tibial osteotomy, external fixation and pin placement or insertion of locking screws.
THE WORLD OIL CRISIS: A PORTFOLIO INTERPRETATION REEXAMINED

This paper examines the portfolio interpretation of the disparate output behavior of the two groups of countries comprising the OPEC cartel. According to some authors, the theory of portfolio balance under uncertainty helps explain why one group of countries in OPEC have curtailed oil production by a substantially larger fraction than the other group. The paper points out a critical mathematical error in such an analysis, and offers an alternative explanation of these differential cutbacks. (KRM)
Cancer, aging and the optimal tissue design.

Division patterns or mammalian tissues, like every other feature of life, have been subject to evolutionary pressures throughout the natural history. A particular and very important design principle that we discuss in this paper is the protective role of tissue architecture against cancer. We present a stochastic dynamical model of cell renewal of epithelial tissue (colonic crypts) which explicitly includes asymmetric indefinite divisions of stem cells and symmetric, finite divisions of daughter cells. We find that the hierarchical structure of crypts plays a protective role against accumulation of double-mutants. We argue that daughter cells, and not only stem cells, can play a role in carcinogenesis. Our model also predicts the optimum number of stem cells per crypt. In most cases, higher numbers of stem cells per crypt correspond to lowering the chance of colon cancer initiation (except if mutation rates associated with daughter cells are a lot lower than those associated with stem cells). Finally, we argue that the evolutionarily optimum which corresponds to a large number of stem cells per crypt, pushes the onset of cancer to an olderx age, but it actually acts against older individuals by increasing their chance of developing cancer.
Thirty-day readmission after ventral hernia repair: predictable or preventable?

Introduction Thirty-day readmission has become an increasingly scrutinized event in the field of surgery, especially in light of projected cuts in reimbursement. Although studies have evaluated large populations, little work has been done on procedure-specific populations. Our objective is to determine if any factors are predictive of 30-day readmission in patients undergoing ventral hernia repair.
Ontogenetic constructions of some fossil plants

Abstract This article presents a survey of ontogenetic studies in paleobotany, and of biologically relevant mathematical results available from such techniques as finite element analyses, algorithmic systems, and computer simulation. Dynamic representations of growth are possible when the observed cellular arrangements in fossils are mathematically described. Successive computer solutions of parameterizing equations allow for the extrapolation of ontogenetic trends forwards and backwards in time (i.e., more and less mature stages, respectively), as well as the interpolation of missing stages or portions of an organism's development. The hypothetical constructions derived from these techniques may be tested against direct comparisons with the fossil being simulated and/pr proposed modern analogues. Similarly, multicellular organisms or portions of organisms (e.g., leaves, sporangia) may be constructed as arrays of symbols — each symbol representing a cell or group of cells. Development in such models is simulated by providing instructions for cell division, cell death, or alteration in cellular states, e.g., vegetative to reproductive. Illustrative simulations of Parka, Mastopora, Rhynia and Calamites are presented and paleobotanical conclusions concerning their respective growth patterns are drawn.
Anatomic Changes in Involutional Blepharoptosis

Involutional blepharoptosis is a degenerative process involving the levator aponeurosis. Clinical and histopathologic evidence for involvement of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle has not been firmly established. We examined 20 patients with involutional blepharoptosis who demonstrated additional clinical, anatomic, and histopathologic findings consisting of a dehiscence of the medial limb of Whitnall's ligament, a lateral displacement of the tarsal plate of the upper eyelid, and a fatty degeneration of the levator muscle in the area of Whitnall's ligament. These findings suggest that a primary myopathic process may be involved in some cases of involutional blepharoptosis. The tarsal displacement complicates surgical correction of eyelids with blepharoptosis secondary to this myopathic process.
Ethical Reasoning of U.S. High School Seniors Exploring Just Versus Unjust Laws

AbstractBecause a pluralistic democracy is inherently conflictual, public deliberation of issues holds the potential to expand the thinking of participants by revealing new insights, perspectives, information, or logics into the participants’ consideration. These are ethical questions that ask citizens to decide whether policies, actions, and decisions are “right” or “wrong.” The Persistent Issues in History (PIH) Network (www.pihnet.org) is a decade-long professional development community of practice encouraging, modeling, and supporting teachers in increasing inquiry-based social studies teaching. For this qualitative study, we created a professional community of practice including 4 U.S. government teachers, a university researcher, and a political science professor. This team created lessons enabling high school seniors to dissect and apply Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail to 3 specific scenarios to explore the students’ moral reasoning on just versus unjust laws.
In my era: evidence for the perception of a special period of the past.

Do individuals perceive a time of their lives that is special with regard to their identity as part of a generation or era? In an interview study, 89 subjects were asked to list favourite films (and the ages at which they saw them) and to list films that defined their era (and the ages at which they saw them). Subjects also stated the years that they felt began and ended their eras. Additional age-information questions about ages of schooling and co-workers and friends were asked. Results suggest that subjects perceive their era to be between ages 14 and 24; the mean age at which subjects viewed era films was 21.85 (inside the era), whereas the mean age at which subjects viewed favourite films was 27.59 (outside the era). Although most subjects perceived their eras to begin at approximately the same age (14), those subjects who attended college perceived extended era periods (by 2.5 years). Relationships between an era and social identity are discussed, as well as the relationship between the era and the ...
The sympathetic nervous system in essential hypertension

Abstract Enhanced activity of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) could contribute to essential hypertension (EH). Resuts of over 80 studies measuring norepinephrine (NE) in EH patients show that only a minority of younger EH patients have elevated plasma NE. Younger EH patients also have increased renal NE spillover and elevated 24-hour NE levels. Another method to evaluate SNS in EH patients is examination of depressor responses to SNS blocking agents. The level of plasma NE predicts the degree of depressor response after acute clonidine administration in EH patients, suggesting increased SNS outflow in EH. Stimulation of SNS activity by stress, isometric exercise, or tilt table shows exaggerated NE responses in EH patients and young normotensive individuals from hyprtensive-prone families. EH patients with high plasma NE tend to be younger, thinner, have higher pulse rates, greater cardiac indices, accentuated depressor responses to SNS inhibition, and blunted baroreflex sensitivity. Patients with EH also display enhanced vascular reactivity to infused NE despite high plasma NE, which should normally blunt vascular reactivity. Baroreceptors modulate blood pressure increases through central inhibition of SNS outflow. EH patients display diminished baroreceptor control early in the development of EH, as seen in younger patients with borderline or mild EH. However, most evidence indicates that baroreflex abnormalities in EH are a secondary event. Elevations of plasma epinephrine (E) are also seen in EH. Stress in EH subjects causes increases in plasma E, accompanied by sodium retention and enhanced vascular reactivity. Stress-induced increases in plasma E may result in prejunctional uptake of E in nerve terminals with release of E as a cotransmitter with NE—i.e., facilitation of NE release leading to postjunctional vasoconstriction and hypertension. Another catecholamine product of SNS activity, dopamine (DA), may contribute to EH by its effects on aldosterone and sodium excretion. DA inhibits aldosterone secretion and enhances sodium excretion. Studies in EH patients show reduced urinary-free DA responses to salt loading. This suggests an intrinsic deficiency of DA-modulated natriuretic mechanisms in EH.
The use of measurements to detect electrical problems in operational photovoltaic arrays

Abstract The U.S. Department of Energy has set a 20 year lifetime goal for terrestrial photovoltaic modules. In its capacity as a photovoltaics field tests and applications center, the Lincoln Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has established various experimental test sites throughout the U.S.A., ranging in size from 1.5 to 100 kWp. These sites contain modules from several manufacturers and serve as test beds for photovoltaic system components. Since May 1977, over 11 000 modules have been placed in service at these sites, of which a total of 250 have suffered electrical failures. In previous reports, emphasis has been placed on failure modes and the types of physical and electrical degradation found in modules. In this paper the methods used to detect failures in operational photovoltaic power-generating systems are reported for several Lincoln Laboratory test sites.
The Other Rabī': Biographical Traditions and the Development of Early Shāfi'ī Authority

This article examines the biographical traditions that developed around al-Rabī b. Sulaymān al-Jīzī (d. 256/872) who, by the Mamlūk period, was widely viewed as a disciple of Muhammad b. Idrīs al-Shāfi'ī (d. 204/820). Against this view, I demonstrate that scholars working in the 4th/10th century depicted al-Jīzī as a follower of the Mālikī movement in Egypt. These scholars also suggested that some traditions transmitted by al-Rabī' b. Sulaymān al-Murādī (d. 270/884) were mistakenly attributed to al-Jīzī. By the 5th/11th century, new legal ideas had surfaced that conflicted with those said to have been transmitted by al-Murādī from al-Shāfi'ī. In order to save al-Murādī's reputation as the faithful and trustworthy transmitter of al-Shāfi'ī's final legal views, al-Jīzī was reinvented as a companion of al-Shāfi'ī so that legal ideas that conflicted with those found in the Kitāb al-umm could be attributed to him instead of al-Murādī.