cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Testing optimal body mass theory: Evidence for cost of fat in wintering birds

Optimal body mass models for small wintering birds are central to animal ecology, and offer insights into maximizing individual fitness in a complex environment. Such models assume both costs and benefits of fat deposition, and consider how they affect winter survival probability. Hypothesized mass-dependent costs of elevated fat include increased wing load and subsequent reduced ability to avoid predators, as well as increased predator exposure while feeding to fatten. A likely benefit of winter fat is increased fasting capacity during resource shortages. Here I test optimal body mass theory by searching for both cost and benefits of winter fattening, utilizing interspecific variation in winter fat in natural populations. If increased predation risk is a mass-dependent cost of fattening, wintering birds occupying dense (closed) winter habitat offering low exposure to predators should show (1) higher fat reserves, and (2) higher wing load, than wintering birds occupying less dense (open) habitat offering ...
A microcomputer lab for psychology based on a hierarchical learning model

This paper describes a psychology laboratory based on a CORVUS-networked system of Apple IIe microcomputers. It also describes the specific software applications used in each of a range of psychology courses, and the skills developed through each of the specific applications. While no empirical data is yet available to support formal evaluation of this type of instruction, initial student and faculty responses to its implementation have been very favorable. The model described here may be useful to other psychologists who are interested in providing microcomputer experiences for their students.
Antithrombotic therapy for secondary stroke prevention.

Purpose of review : Antithrombotic therapy is a key component of any strategy for the secondary prevention of ischemic stroke. A better understanding of the various therapeutic options will lead to improved stroke prevention, better medication adherence, and fewer complications. Recent findings : Antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants are the two major classes of antithrombotic therapy used for stroke prevention. The etiology and mechanism of the stroke must be considered in order to make the best decision regarding which agent(s) to use for secondary stroke prevention. The recent Prevention Regimen for Effectively Avoiding Second Strokes (PRoFESS) study showed that clopidogrel and aspirin plus extended-release dipyridamole had similar event rates in terms of recurrent stroke, but clopidogrel was better tolerated, with fewer bleeding events. Several new anticoagulants are poised to replace warfarin for stroke prevention in the setting of atrial fibrillation. These include dabigatran (a new oral direct thrombin inhibitor) and possibly apixaban (a new oral factor Xa inhibitor). These new medications are much easier to use than warfarin and may be more effective and safer, with fewer drug and food interactions and no need for routine blood monitoring. Thus, these new medications may improve adherence as well as clinicians' inclination to treat with anticoagulation. Summary : Because each antiplatelet agent or anticoagulant has certain advantages and disadvantages, clinicians must choose an agent that the patient can afford and tolerate in terms of side effects and adherence. The hope and expectation is that the proper use of these medications in accordance with current guidelines will reduce the risk of a recurrent stroke.
Penetration of IgGs into the neuraxis of the neonatal rat.

Abstract The permeability of the mammalian blood-brain barrier to macromolecules during prenatal and postnatal development is a controversial issue. We tested the possible access of xenogeneic antibodies to the neuraxis by examining neural tissue of neonatal rats 48 h after intraperitoneal injection of rabbit IgGs, using a modification of the peroxidase antiperoxidase (PAP) technique. The results of the present study indicate diffuse immunoreactivity for rabbit IgGs in the parenchyma in all regions of the neuraxis in neonatal rats. This work suggests that immunoglobulins, both maternal and isogeneic, may affect the nervous system during prenatal and postnatal development.
Simultaneous Binding of Fluoride and NO to the Nonheme Iron of Photosystem II: Quantitative EPR Evidence for a Weak Exchange Interaction between the Semiquinone QA- and the Iron-Nitrosyl Complex

The effects of NO and fluoride on the iron-quinone complex of the acceptor side of Photosystem II (PSII) are examined by X- and Q-band EPR spectroscopy. It is found that the EPR signal of the iron-nitrosyl complex changes upon addition of F-. The change is determined to be due to a superhyperfine interaction between the electronic spin (S = 3/2) and the fluorine nuclear spin (I = 1/2), indicating that both F- and NO are bound to the same nonheme iron. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of simultaneous binding of both F- and NO to the same iron of a mononuclear nonheme protein. On the basis of an analysis of the hyperfine interaction, a cis F−Fe−NO coordination is indicated. Upon illumination of (NO, Cl-)- or (NO, F-)-treated PSII membranes at 200 K, new X- and Q-band EPR signals are observed in B1||B and B1⊥B modes. Quantitative simulations of these signals provide an unambiguous assignment to the iron-quinone complex, QA-{FeNO},7 of the acceptor site of PSII. The exchange interaction ...
Determinants of induction of ventricular tachycardia in nonsustained ventricular tachycardia after myocardial infarction and the usefulness of the signal-averaged electrocardiogram

Assessment of the implications of clinical and noninvasive variables, including the results of signal-averaged electrocardiography, was performed > or = 3 weeks after myocardial infarction in 57 patients with nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) who underwent programmed ventricular stimulation to guide antiarrhythmic therapy. The clinical and noninvasive parameters assessed included ages, left ventricular ejection fractions, sites of infarction, presence of akinetic or dyskinetic left ventricular segments, history of syncope, history of coronary artery bypass surgery, and presence or absence of late potentials from signal-averaged electrocardiography. Other than the presence of late potentials, no clinical or noninvasive parameters identified such persons with a significantly higher likelihood of inducible VT. When assessed as positive if 1 or more variables were abnormal, 16 of 16 (100%) patients with versus 17 of 41 without inducible VT had late potentials (p < 0.002). With more stringent criteria required (defined as prolongation of the QRS vector complex duration and low root-mean-square voltage of the terminal 40 ms of the vector complex) 8 of 16 patients (50%) with and 4 of 41 (10%) without inducible VT had late potentials recorded (p < 0.002). Thus, the signal-averaged electrocardiogram may enable identification of persons with nonsustained VT after myocardial infarction who are most likely to have VT induced at programmed ventricular stimulation.
Removal of radon from air by oxidation with bromine trifluoride.

Abstract An oxidation method for removing radon from air with liquid bromine trifluoride was tested with samples of ambient air containing 0·098–0·189 pCi/1 of 222 Rn. Ninety-five % of the radon was removed in a two-stage gas-scrubbing unit (20 ml liquid volume) at a flow rate of 130 ml/min, and smaller percentages were removed at higher flow rates (minimum of 76% at 640 ml/min). The possibility of purifying air in uranium mines with bromine trifluoride and other oxidants is discussed.
Resource dimensioning in WDM networks under state-based routing schemes

Network dimensioning for wavelength-routed WDM networks has been extensively studied to maximize connection acceptance rate while minimizing the total cost. However, Internet services are increasingly generating more demands that have high-bandwidth requirements with relatively short holding times. As globalization of companies or organizations becomes a new trend, the variety of Internet service demands, in space and time, creates a more variable and unpredictable traffic model for long term network provisioning. At the same time, upgrading backbone networks remains expensive and infrequent. It is important to be able to efficiently utilize precious network resources so that low call blocking is achieved while requiring fewer upgrades when the traffic model changes. There are two kinds of dimensioning problems. First, basic dimensioning allocates network resources for a newly built network. Second, incremental dimensioning allocates extra resources for an already built network without affecting currently available resources. Historically, routing and dimensioning problems are studied together as an optimization problem. However, as integrating multiple network layers into one control platform becomes a common trend, and as higher-layer traffic that currently utilize dynamic routing imposed on logical layers increases, it is essential to plan the underlying network based on dynamic routing schemes, such as open shortest path routing (SPF). In this paper, we study basic and incremental dimensioning for dynamic routed traffic. We propose a simulation based basic dimensioning approach and introduce two new incremental dimensioning techniques: MEAN and SD. We also introduce an evolutionary traffic model and traffic load computation criteria. Simulation results show that basic dimensioning effectively reduces the topological bottlenecks, rendering 7% less blocking compared to uniform allocation. With the evolutionary traffic model, SD incremental dimensioning shows advantages over the MEAN method on most practical networks. We also compare our results with fixed routing and dimensioning approaches, showing that dynamic approaches provide better network balance and utilization.
The Influence of Comb Genotype on Mating Behavior in the Domestic Fowl

Abstract ALTHOUGH there are many reports in the literature concerning the genetic basis for differences in behavior in the domestic fowl, relatively few cases have been described in which single pairs of alleles have been found to be associated with these differences. Siegel and Dudley (1963) reported that in intermingled flocks of chicks from the same strain, males with pea combs were socially subordinate to those with single combs. Marked differences in social and sexual behavior associated with plumage pattern have been described by Crawford and Smyth (1964c) in a segregating strain of Fayoumis. In a study concerning behavior of turkeys, Hale and Buss (1960) found significant differences in social rank between black and bronze sisters, and between white and bronze sisters, in populations designed to segregate for these plumage color genes. In the present report, data are presented concerning differences in mating behavior between rose and single comb birds of…
Spectral target detection using a physical model and a manifold learning technique

Identification of materials from calibrated radiance data collected by an airborne imaging spectrometer depends strongly on the atmospheric and illumination conditions at the time of collection. This paper presents a methodology for identifying material spectra using the assumption that each unique material class forms a lower-dimensional manifold (surface) in the higher-dimensional spectral radiance space and that all image spectra reside on, or near, these theoretic manifolds. Using a physical model, a manifold characteristic of the target material exposed to varying illumination and atmospheric conditions is formed. A graph-based model is then applied to the radiance data to capture the intricate structure of each material manifold followed by the application of the commute time distance (CTD) transformation to separate the target manifold from the background. Detection algorithms are than applied in the CTD subspace. This nonlinear transformation is based on a Markov-chain model of a random walk on a graph and is derived from an eigendecomposition of the pseudoinverse of the graph Laplacian matrix. This paper discusses the properties of the CTDtransformation, the atmospheric and illumination parameters varied in the physics-based model and demonstrates the influence the target manifold samples have on the orientation of the coordinate axes in the transformed space. A comparison between detection performance in the CTD subspace and spectral radiance space is also given for two hyperspectral images.
Semantic evaluation for spoken-language systems

Development has begun on a semantic evaluation (SemEval) methodology and infrastructure for the ARPA Spoken Language Program. SemEval is an attempt to define a task-independent technology-based evaluation for language-understanding systems consisting of three parts: word-sense identification, predicate-argument structure determination, and identification of coreference relations. An initial spoken-language SemEval on ATIS data is planned for November/December 1994, concurrent with the next ATIS CAS (database answer) evaluation.
Birds of a feather flock together: the importance of seating location with active learning in the professional classroom

ask any professor to describe a “first-row student,” and you will likely hear a description of an engaged learner who pays attention during class, takes notes, and asks questions. A research study ([3][1]) from the 1980s has indicated that undergraduate students sitting in the front and center
Update on Human Papillomavirus Vaccines: Life Saver or Controversy Magnet?

Abstract Two vaccines are now available for the prevention of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the United States. The quadrivalent vaccine protects from HPV genotypes most likely to cause genital warts and cervical cancer, HPV 6, HPV 11, HPV 16, and HPV 18. The bivalent vaccine provides immunity for only the HPV genotypes highly associated with a high oncogenic risk, HPV 16 and HPV 18. Both vaccines have proven to be safe and efficacious at reducing the rates of persistent infection and Pap smear abnormalities from HPV in large-scale clinical trials, but the long-term impact on cervical cancer and death remains to be seen. Since these vaccines are most effective when administered before a person is sexually active, the ideal age group is girls from 12 to 13 years of age. This young target age for preventing a sexually transmitted disease, combined with the high costs and heavy marketing of these vaccines, has led to a certain amount of controversy.
Effective surface sterilization of gutta-percha points

A bacteriologic investigation was conducted to determine the sterilizing effectiveness of various germicidal endodontic irrigants on gutta-percha points. It was found that most effective in surface sterilization was a 5-minute treatment using sodium hypochlorite, Zephiran, and hydrogen peroxide in concentrations of 4.50 percent, 0.53 percent, and 3.00 percent, respectively. These agents were potent against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria as well as endospore-forming microorganisms. Fungal spores were killed only by the first two but not by the latter germicidal agents. On the other hand, ethanol, chloroform, eugenol, betadine, and Gram's iodine solution were found not to be effective for surface sterilization.
Hierarchical concept indexing of full-text documents in the Unified Medical Language System information sources map

Full-text documents are a vital and rapidly growing part of online biomedical information. A single large document can contain as much information as a small database, but normally lacks the tight structure and consistent indexing of a database. Retrieval systems will often miss highly relevant parts of a document if the document as a whole appears irrelevant. Access to full-text information is further complicated by the need to search separately many disparate information resources. This research explores how these problems can be addressed by the combined use of two techniques: 1) natural language processing for automatic concept-based indexing of full text, and 2) methods for exploiting the structure and hierarchy of full-text documents. We describe methods for applying these techniques to a large collection of full-text documents drawn from the Health Services/Technology Assessment Text (HSTAT) database at the National Library of Medicine (NLM), and examine how this hierarchical concept indexing can assist both document- and source-level retrieval in the context of NLM's Information Sources Map project.
HαB-Crystallin Suppresses The Aggregation Upon Refolding Of Its Physiological Substrates HγD-, HγC- And HγS-Crystallin

The passive chaperone α-crystallin, a small heat shock protein, is one of the ubiquitous crystallins in vertebrate lenses, along with the βγ-crystallins. It is composed of two subunits (∼ 20 kDa) αA- and αB-crystallin (αA- and αB-crys), which form an hetero-oligomeric, polydisperse complex of ∼ 800 kDa in the lens. Aggregates isolated from mature-onset cataracts, the major cause of sight loss worldwide, contain damaged and misfolded forms of βγ-crystallins, as well as α-crystallins. We have studied the chaperone function of Human αB-crystallin interacting with its physiological Human γ-crystallin substrates. Human γD-crystallin (HγD-crys) and γC-crystallin (HγC-crys) are stable and long-lived mammalian γ-crystallins localized in the lens nucleus. Human γS-crystallin (HγS-crys) is abundant in the lens outer cortex. All three γ-crystallins can refold in vitro to their native state after unfolding in high concentrations of GdnHCl. However, at very low denaturant concentrations (< 1 M GdnHCl) aggregation of refolding HγC- and HγD-Crys intermediates competes with productive refolding. Diluting unfolded HγC-, HγD-, or HγS-crys to low GdnHCl concentrations (100 μg/ml, 37°C) resulted in the protein population partitioning between productive refolding and aggregation pathways. HγD-, HγC- or HγS-Crys protein was allowed to refold and aggregate in the presence of HαB-Crys homo-oligomers at different monomer-to-monomer ratios of γ-Crys to αB-Crys. HγD- and HγC-Crys aggregation was suppressed to similar levels, whereas HγS-Crys aggregation was not suppressed as strongly in assays measuring solution turbidity at 350 nm. SEC chromatograms of the products of suppression reactions showed the presence of a high molecular weight complex containing the chaperone-substrate complex in ratios of 1γC:5αB and 1γD:5αB chains. This complex was still present 4 days after the suppression reaction was initiated. These results provide a model for how α-crystallin interacts with aggregation-prone substrates in vivo.
Managing Windows As Transparent PAGEs In A Stereoscopic Display

A window manager for a volumetric workstation is under development. Based on experience with displaying transparent cubes of sampled data, the window manager treats windows as transparent PAGEs, and allows multiple PAGEs to be displayed simultaneously on a stereoscopic display. The users perceive this volume space and interacts with it with keyboard, voice input, mouse and 3 dimensional (3D) pointer. The overall design of the volumetric workstation and results from preliminary studies with transparent PAGEs are presented.
Competitive reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction without an artificial internal standard.

Advances in our understanding of molecular and cellular physiology necessitate that mRNA levels for specific growth factors and other rare transcripts be measured quantitatively in small samples. Conventional methods such as Northern blot analysis and solution hybridization/ribonuclease protection are not sufficiently sensitive. We now report the theory, development, and validation of a rapid and highly sensitive assay, the RNA/DNA quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RD-PCR), which uses a competitive PCR approach to measure the number of copies of a specific mRNA per cell. Total nucleic acid (RNA and genomic DNA) is isolated from cells in culture. The mRNA of interest is first reverse-transcribed with an oligomer bearing a complementary sequence specific for the mRNA at its 3′-end, and a sequence complementary to an intron of the desired gene at the 5′-end. Competitive PCR is then performed in the presence of the cDNA product and endogenous genomic DNA, with an upstream primer complementary to the exon sequence of the gene of interest, and a downstream primer complementary to the intron sequence that was tagged to the cDNA. The cell′s own genomic DNA is thereby used as the internal standard. To control for the efficiency of reverse transcription, a standard curve is used in each assay. The technique was validated by comparing the quantitation of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) mRNA in two human cell lines by RD-PCR and by RNase protection analysis. Both methods gave similar numbers of copies of IGF-I mRNA per cell. For accurate analysis, RNase protection required at least 107 cells; RD-PCR required as little as 102 cells. We conclude that RD-PCR is a rapid and highly sensitive method to quantitate low abundance mRNA from small numbers of cells and is especially versatile when quantitation is necessary in multiple samples.
The Economic Benefits of Green Buildings: A Comprehensive Case Study

Several studies suggest green construction can result in significant economic savings by improving employee productivity, increasing benefits from improvements in health and safety, and providing savings from energy, maintenance, and operational costs. This article quantifies these benefits by establishing a set of measurable performance and building attribute variables, collecting longitudinal data, statistically analyzing the results, and performing sensitivity analyses for a precast concrete manufacturing facility located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Productivity, absenteeism, energy, and financial data are presented and an engineering economic analysis is reported. Results show that in the new facility manufacturing productivity increased by about 25%; statistically significant absenteeism results varied; and energy usage decreased by about 30% on a square foot basis. Considering all aspects, the economic analysis showed that the company made the correct decision to build a new green facility.
An interference matching technique for inducing abstractions

A method for inducing knowledge by abstraction from a sequence of training examples is described. The proposed method, interference matching, induces abstractions by finding relational properties common to two or more exemplars. Three tasks solved by a program that uses an interference-matching algorithm are presented. Several problems concerning the description of the training examples and the adequacy of interference matching are discussed, and directions for future research are considered.
R.E.N.A.L. (Radius, Exophytic/Endophytic, Nearness to Collecting System or Sinus, Anterior/Posterior, and Location Relative to Polar Lines) Nephrometry Score Predicts Early Tumor Recurrence and Complications after Percutaneous Ablative Therapies for Renal Cell Carcinoma: A 5-Year Experience

Abstract Purpose To investigate the prognostic value of R.E.N.A.L. (radius, exophytic/endophytic, nearness to collecting system or sinus, anterior/posterior, and location relative to polar lines) nephrometry score after percutaneous ablation of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Materials and Methods A retrospective 5-year study was performed. Participants were 87 consecutive patients (median age, 67.1 y; 59.7% male, 40.3% female) with 101 biopsy-proven RCCs who underwent percutaneous ablation (54.0% cryoablation, 46.0% radiofrequency ablation). Follow-up computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging was performed in all cases (mean follow-up, 34.6 mo ± 23.5). R.E.N.A.L. scores were analyzed to determine the association of the score with treatment outcomes and complications. Results All tumors corresponded to stage 1A disease. Mean tumor size was 2.05 cm (range, 0.7–3.9 cm), and 50.5% of the lesions measured > 2 cm. Nephrometry score was > 8 in 31.4% of lesions. Overall recurrence rate was 16.8%, first-year recurrence rate was 7.9%, and complication rate was 9.9%. A nephrometry score > 8 was associated with increased complications after percutaneous ablation ( P P P 2 cm ( P P P = .199). Conclusions A R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score ≥ 8 predicts recurrence and complications after percutaneous renal ablation.
Fiber-Rotation-Induced Vortex Turbulence in Thick Myocardium

The ventricle is a strongly anisotropic three-dimensional excitable medium. Waves of electrical activity propagate faster parallel to the long axis of the muscle fibers. Moreover, this axis rotates intramurally across the ventricular wall. It is demonstrated that this rotating anisotropy can cause a transmural scroll vortex filament to spontaneously decay into wave turbulence above a minimum wall thickness comparable to the one necessary to sustain ventricular fibrillation. Moreover, the instability that produces this decay is shown to be associated with the propagation of localized twist-induced disturbances along the filament.
Monitoring the formation of soluble immune complexes composed of idiotype and anti-idiotype antibodies by electron microscopy.

We have previously used immunoelectron microscopy (IEM) to generate a three-dimensional map of idiotypic (Id) and isotypic epitopes on the Fab arms of HGAC 39 (Roux et al., 1987, Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 84, 4984-4988), a mouse IgG3 monoclonal antibody (Mab). In this report, we analyse the geometry of the various types of immune complexes formed by the interaction of HGAC 39 with Mab directed against four mapped epitopes. Moreover, by sampling of reaction mixtures over time, we show that the kinetics of each of the subpopulations of immune complexes, as defined by geometric configuration, can be determined. The data show that for each antibody (Ab)-HGAC 39 combination the rate of immune complex formation was greatest during the first 1.5-3.5 min but that additional complexes formed through the remainder of the half hour assay period. As anticipated, complexes composed of even number units predominated (primarily dimers and tetramers) and most of these were in the form of closed rings. The data also suggest that the location and orientation of the epitopes on HGAC 39 to which the monoclonal antibodies were bound has an influence on the types of immune complexes generated. Specifically we observed that those anti-idiotype Abs that bind to the distal tip of Fab arms (i.e. in the CDR) are less likely to produce bivalently associated ringed dimers than antibodies that bind to epitopes that are proximal to the CDR and that project laterally from the surface of the Fab arms. These data are interpreted in terms of restrictions on hinge mediated flexibility and steric inhibition between adjacent Fab arms on HGAC 39.
A new colour assay for [URE3] prion in a genetic background used to score for the [PSI+] prion

Most scoring assays for yeast prions are dependent on specific genetic markers and constructs that differ for each prion. Here we describe a simple colour assay for the [URE3] prion that works in the 74D-964 strain frequently used to score the [PSI+] prion. Although this assay can only be used to score for [URE3] in the [psi−] version of the strain, it makes it easier to examine the effects of host mutations or environmental changes on [URE3] or [PSI+] using a colour assay in the identical genetic background. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Light and electron microscopic study of the effects of ZnSO4 on mouse nasal respiratory epithelium and subsequent responses.

The effects of ZnSO4 irrigation on mouse nasal respiratory epithelium (NRE) and subsequent responses of the tissue were studied at the light and electron microscopic levels in two different strains of mice (C57B1/6J and SWR/J). The most marked effect of the ZnSO4 took the form of necrosis and sloughing of surface cells in both strains one-half day after ZnSO4 irrigation. This treatment caused maximal change in a different cell type in each of the two strains. Ciliated cells were most noticeably affected in the C57B1/6J strain, secretory cells in the SWR/J strain. Subsequent manifestations of recovery differed accordingly in each strain. In the C57B1/6J mice numerous dividing surface cells and large areas of tall nonciliated and ciliating cells were prominent two to five days after treatment. Secretory cells appeared normal but were reduced in numbers during this time, indicating that they were also affected by the treatment. The NRE of this strain was normal by the fourteenth day following treatment. The NRE of SWR/J animals, on the other hand, contained no visibly dividing cells and no large areas of nonciliated cells during the first four days following treatment, although a few ciliating cells were present at this time. The secretory cell population in these animals was normal after five days but individual cells deviated from normalcy by containing numerous dilated cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum which persisted in the secretory cells during the remainder of the experiment.
Fairweather and ESID: contemporary impact and a legacy for the twenty-first century.

This paper illustrates how the articles in this special issue demonstrate the central values, research, and action principles inherent in Fairweather's ESID model. The programs described in these articles address earlier social problems in new forms (e.g., previously, institutionalized mentally ill patients and now, the homeless mentally ill) and new issues (e.g., HIV prevention). Dissemination of innovative programs is abundant, but only recently has research begun in earnest to study the critical processes of dissemination. Moreover, Fairweather has pointed us in important, but yet unrealized directions for how to pursue a theory of social change on the basis of ecological concepts, innovative research methods and data analytic techniques, and salient change agent behaviors and principles.
Pattern recognition in highly-integrated circuits

Abstract Possibilities for the implementation of pattern recognition in highly-integrated circuits are explored. As an example, a specific system for the recognition of handwritten letters is modeled. This model employs the basic operations of a cellular array of coupled devices for feature extraction, i.e. tesselation or the shifting of information between neighboring cells.
Celite column chromatography followed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography: a simple two-step method for separating 14 testicular steroids

The separation of 14 major testicular steroids has been effected by a simple, two-step procedure involving Celite column chromatography followed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The technique does not alter the resolved steroids, which are then available for subsequent analysis.
Changes in thermospheric molecular oxygen abundance inferred from twilight 6300 A airglow

Abstract When the local solar zenith angle, χ L , is F region ionic recombination alone. Between 95 and 105° the additional intensity is quantitatively explained by production of O( 1 D ) from photolysis of O 2 in the Schumann-Runge continuum, (λλ 1300–1750 A) using current values for solar flux, atmospheric composition and quenching of O( 1 D ) by N 2 . The Schumann-Runge (SR) component exhibits a large seasonal variation with a maximum in summer. We interpret this variation as implying a seasonal change in thermospheric O 2 abundance; the change seems largely to reflect a variation in O 2 density at the base of the diffusive regime although some contribution may come from changes in thermospheric temperature structure. Large changes in the SR component exist from day to day and with a 27 day period following a major magnetic storm. The photodissociation source becomes inadequate when x l
Project MISTT: Mesoscale plume modeling of the dispersion, transformation and ground removal of SO2

A diagnostic β-mesoscale (25–250 km) plume model is developed using an existing steadystate model as a building block. This quasi-steady. Lagrangian model incorporates the diurnal variability of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) structure and of the parameters governing the chemical conversion and ground removal of SO2. The vertical inhomogeneity of atmospheric dispersion is simulated by the use of an assumed height- and stability-dependent profile of the eddy diffusion coefficient. Two important dimensionless system parameters are identified which govern pollutant dilution and ground removal. Model inputs are derived from Project MISTT aircraft data and the ground monitoring data of the St. Louis Regional Air Pollution Study (RAPS). On 9 and 18 July 1976, the plume of the 2400 MW, coal-fired Labadie power plant near St. Louis was sampled from aircraft out to 300 km. Model application is considered specifically for the data of these two days and corresponding quantitative information about the dispersion, transformation and ground removal of SO2 is extracted. The results show that peak daytime SO2 conversion rates reached 1.8 and 3.0% h−1 on 9 and 18 July, respectively; the corresponding peak dry deposition velocities were between 1.5 and 2.0cms−1. The model is used to investigate the effects of source height, time of SO2 release and eddy diffusion on the overall sulfur budget of the plume. The mid- and late-afternoon plumes appear to have the highest potential for long range transport and sulfate formation. Ground removal is strongly influenced by the profile of vertical eddy diffusion in the surface layer and much less by the profile shape and magnitude higher up.
HgCdTe Photovoltaic Detectors On Si Substrates

HgCdTe photovoltaic detectors have been fabricated on Si substrates through intermediate CdTe/GaAs layers. Encapsulation of the GaAs between the CdTe and Si prevents uninten tional doping of the HgCdTe by Ga and As. Uniform epitaxial GaAs is grown on three inch diameter Si substrates. Detectors on such large area Si substrates will offer hybrid focal plane arrays whose dimensions are not limited by the difference between the coefficients of thermal expansion of the Si signal processor and the substrate for the HgCdTe detector array. The growth of HgCdTe detectors on the Si signal processors for monolithic focal plane arrays is also considered.
Use of PCR in the field

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) represents a powerful new technology with a variety of field applications. While most of these are still experimental, implementation of PCR-based detection of Onchocerca volvulus in black flies, and subspecific differentiation strongly suggest that potential problems can be overcome. Because of high sensitivity and specificity, PCR provides in some cases the only means to address central parasitological questions, and may well become the 'gold standard' by which other diagnostic techniques are measured. In spite of these advantages, routine implementation of PCR,at present,requires transportation of samples to a central facility for processing, and personnel whose technical competence is high. In addition, reagents are expensive. Robert Barker here weighs up these considerations with regard to the potential utility of PCR assays for some applications.
Experimental and Numerical Film Effectiveness Downstream a Row of Compound Angle Film Holes

High component lifetimes of modern gas turbines can be achieved by cooling the airfoils effectively. Film cooling is commonly employed on the airfoils and other engine hot section surfaces in order to protect them from the high thermal stress fields created by exposure to combustion gases. Complex geometries as well as optimized cooling considerations often dictate the use of compound-angled film cooling hole. In the present experimental and computational study, the effects that two different compound angle film cooling hole injection configurations have on film cooling effectiveness are investigated. Film cooling effectiveness measurements have been made downstream of a single row of compound angle cylindrical holes with a diameter of 7.5 mm, and a single row of compound angle, diffuser-shaped holes with an inlet diameter of 7.5 mm. The cylindrical holes were inclined (α=25°) with respect to the coverage surface and were oriented perpendicular to the high-temperature airflow direction. The diffuser-shaped holes had a compound angle of 45 degrees with respect to the high temperature air flow direction and, similar to the cylindrical film holes, a 25-deg angle with the coverage surface. Both geometries were tested over a blowing ratio range of 0.7 to 4.0. Surface temperatures were measured along four longitudinal rows of thermocouples covering the downstream area between two adjacent holes. The results showed that the best overall protection over the widest range of blowing ratios was provided by the diffuser-shaped film cooling holes. Compared with the cylindrical hole results, the diffuser-shaped expansion holes produced higher film cooling effectiveness downstream of the film cooling holes, particularly at high blowing ratios. The increased cross sectional area at the shaped hole exit compared to that of the cylindrical hole lead to a reduction of the mean velocity, thus the reduction of the momentum flux of the jet exiting the hole. Therefore, the penetration of the jet into the main flow was reduced, resulting in an increased cooling effectiveness. A commercially available CFD software package was used to study film cooling effectiveness downstream of the row of holes. Comparisons between the experimentally measured and numerically calculated film effectiveness distributions showed that the computed results are in reasonable agreement with the measured results. Therefore, CFD can be considered as a viable tool to predict the cooling performance of different film cooling configurations in a parametric study. A more realistic turbulence model, possibly adopting a two-layer model that incorporates boundary layer anisotropy, in the computational study may improve the predicted results.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Staging of cerebral hemispheric tumors.

There is currently no adequate staging system for cerebral astrocytomas. A scheme for acquiring data that can be used to stage cerebral hemisphere tumors is suggested. This data base, in conjunction with treatment and survival information, may be useful in the management of childhood hemispheric tumors. Cancer 56: 1784-1785, 1985.
Enhancing engineering education using project-based learning for Lean and Six Sigma

Purpose – The aim of this research is to determine the importance and impact of project-based learning (PBL) on students' knowledge in Lean and Six Sigma courses where practical application of theoretical knowledge is necessary. Design/methodology/approach – Students teams were given hands-on collaborative projects conducted with local companies. After the completion of the project, a student evaluation survey was conducted and the responses were analysed in two different phases. The first phase consisted of collecting responses from the Lean and Six Sigma courses; observing the impact of the semester project on students' knowledge based on the response percentages. The second phase analyses the responses from both the Lean and Six Sigma courses, by performing a Fisher's exact test to examine how similar the students received knowledge from the use of the semester project. Findings – Results showed that the inclusion of the semester project in the courses had a positive impact on the students' knowledge i...
Humidity Swelling/Deswelling Hysteresis in a Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Film

We demonstrate that polyelectrolyte multilayer film (PEM) systems constructed using layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) exhibit significant swelling/deswelling hysteresis in humid air environments, swelling less upon absorption of water from a dry state than upon deswelling from a hydrated (≈100% RH) state. The hysteretic swelling, measured utilizing in-situ reflectometry, is reproducible over multiple absorption−desorption cycles and is essentially absent in spin-coated films of either pure polyelectrolyte. Kinetic swelling measurements support the notion that the structural response to humidity in PEMs can occur over two distinct regimes: an initial swelling response on the order of seconds to minutes as water enters the film and a longer time scale structural relaxation on the order of hours to days. While the structural relaxation appears to influence the magnitude of the hysteresis effect, it cannot account for it entirely; rather, upon l...
BOOK REVIEW: The Mosquitoes of New Mexico . T. A. Wolff and L. T. Nielsen. 2007. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, NM. 128 pp. $49.95 cloth

This book is primarily a mosquito identification manual (70 of its pages) and follows dichotomous couplet formatting, which is common to insect identification keys and should be familiar to the boo...
Time- and temperature-dependent fluorescence anisotropy study of a single-tyrosne protein and a model compound

A possible ultrafast rotational motion of the phenol ring of buried tyrosine residue 69 in lima bean trypsin/chymotrypsin inhibitor (LBI) was observed in addition to a 40-ps restricted rotational motion and the overall nanosecond protein rotation. A picosecond laser-streak camera system was used for short time resolution and measurements of the fluorescence anisotropy, r, vs. temperature, time and glycerol concentration were done by simultaneously recording both polarized tyrosine emission components. A variable-width square well was used to describe the temperature-dependent amplitude of the ultrafast process.
Parking Preferences Among Tourists in Newport, Rhode Island

Like many tourist destinations, Newport, Rhode Island relies upon high season tourist volumes for its economic health. Most visitors arrive by car, concentrated during certain hours on summer weekends, severely congesting the town’s major arteries and forcing many visitors to spend considerable time in their car. A transportation planning strategy which reduced congestion would enhance the quality of the visiting experience, increase the time visitors are able to spend in shops and at attractions, and draw additional visitors. However, identifying effective solutions requires understanding factors that affect tourists’ transit choices. We develop a conceptual model of Newport visitors’ parking and transit choices, expanding traditional transit choice models to include features such as scenery we expect to influence tourists. Using a stated preference survey of visitors, we find scenery, transit mode options and congestion are the major drivers of tourists’ parking choices. We also develop welfare estimates to enable analysis of proposed transportation plans.
Copulatory patterns of primates as viewed in broad mammalian perspective

The goals of this review are to classify the patterns of copulatory behavior displayed by various species of primates, to compare them to the patterns of nonprimate mammalian species, and to search for correlates of the various patterns. Copulatory patterns are classified in relation to the presence or absence of four defining attributes: a lock, thrusting during intromissions, multiple intromissions, and multiple ejaculations. Literature on copulation in 67 primate species is reviewed, and a tentative classification is proposed for 33 primate species. Although neither social organization nor genital morphology provides a fully satisfactory relationship, there are indications that variations in copulatory behavior are related to variations in genital morphology.
Voltammetric and force spectroscopic examination of oxide formation on Cu(111) in basic solution

Voltammetry and potential-dependent forces between a Si3N4 cantilever and a Cu(111) surface are used to probe the oxidation and reduction of this material in basic solution. In the anodic sweep, potential-dependent adhesive forces obtained from the cathodic limit to the first anodic peak indicate the occurrence of hydroxide adsorption at more negative potentials than the formation of Cu2O. The reactions through the Cu2O formation peak are diagnosed as competing scan-rate-dependent reactions that include the oxidation of Cu with both adsorbed OH- and solution OH-. The formation of Cu2O and soluble materials is evident from force measurements. The second anodic peak is associated with a two-electron-transfer reaction along with irreversible reactions producing soluble copper oxide species. The change of adhesive forces in the region of this peak indicates that Cu(OH)2 is formed first and converted to more stable CuO on the surface. Force and scan-rate-dependent voltammetric measurements indicate that the tw...
Disentangling Interfirm and Intrafirm Causal Ambiguity: A Conceptual Model of Causal Ambiguity and Sustainable Competitive Advantage

Causal ambiguity is a well-established construct in the strategy literature. Theorists have yet to differentiate and fully refine the construct in ways that clearly demonstrate its influence on sustainable competitive advantage. To address this limitation, I develop a theoretical model that partitions causal ambiguity based on firm boundaries and specifies the organizational implications of this distinction. This model deepens our understanding of causal ambiguity and provides guidance about promising avenues for future research.
Persistence of trions and quenching of excitons in optically induced two-dimensional electron gases in mixed-type GaAs/AlAs quantum wells

We report experimental studies of absorption spectra of two-dimensional electron gases (2DEGs) in a GaAs/AlAs mixed-type quantum well (MTQW) structure. The 2DEGs are induced and the corresponding Landau level filling factor is controlled through optical excitations of the narrow well in the MTQW. In an external magnetic field normal to the quantum well plane, the absorption spectra of the 2DEGs are characterized by both exciton and trion resonances. As the filling factor approaches 1, exciton resonances are quenched, while a strong trion resonance persists. These properties make 2DEGs in MTQWs a promising ensemble spin system for pursuing electromagnetically induced transparency and related applications in semiconductors.
Transcend: Initial outcomes from a posttraumatic stress disorder/substance abuse treatment program

This paper describes the development of a comprehensive treatment program for combat veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse (SA). Outcome data are presented on 46 male patients who completed treatment between 1996 and 1998. The treatment approach, defined by a detailed manual, integrates elements of cognitive-behavioral skills training, constructivist theory approaches, SA relapse prevention strategies, and peer social support into a group-focused program. The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) were used to assess treatment effectiveness at discharge and 6- and 12-month follow-up. Significant symptom changes revealed on CAPS and ASI scores at discharge and follow-up are analyzed. Discussion focuses on hypotheses regarding treatment effectiveness, study limitations, and suggestions for further research.
Surgical Repair of Lateral Canthal Web

Purpose To present a complication of combined upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty and its surgical correction. Design Observational case report. Methods A lateral canthal web that resulted from upper and lower blepharoplasty was treated using the del Campo tissue transposition technique, previously described for repair of epicanthal folds. Results The transposition flap corrected the lateral canthal web, improving the patient's symptoms and the appearance of the eyelids. Conclusions A lateral canthal web may form as a consequence of vertical tissue insufficiency after blepharoplasty. A vertical lengthening procedure can correct the lateral canthal web.
The Composite Marginal Likelihood (CML) Inference Approach with Applications to Discrete and Mixed Dependent Variable Models

The Composite Marginal Likelihood (CML) Inference Approach with Applications to Discrete and Mixed Dependent Variable Models