cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spatial-temporal multivariate semi-Bayesian hierarchical framework for extreme precipitation frequency analysis

Abstract We present a semi-Bayesian hierarchical modeling framework for conducting space–time frequency analysis of precipitation extremes over a large domain. In this framework, the data layer, the precipitation extreme – i.e., seasonal maximum precipitation, at each station in each year is modeled using a generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution with temporally varying parameters, which are decomposed as linear functions of covariates. The coefficients of the covariates are estimated via maximum likelihood (ML). In the process layer, the estimated ML coefficients of each of the covariates across the stations are spatially modeled with a Gaussian multivariate process which enables capturing the spatial structure and correlation between the spatial model parameters. Suitable priors are used for the spatial model hyperparameters to complete the Bayesian formulation. Since the Bayesian formulation is only at the second level, our model is semi-Bayesian and thus, the posteriors are conditional posterior distributions. With the conditional posterior distribution of spatial fields of the GEV parameters for each time, conditional posterior distribution of the nonstationary space–time return levels of the precipitation extremes are obtained. We demonstrate this framework by application to summer precipitation extreme at 73 stations covering a large domain of Southwest US consisting of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. The results from fitting and cross-validation indicate that our model captures the historical variability at the stations very well. Conditional posterior distributions of return levels are simulated on a grid over the domain, which will be of immense utility in management of natural resources and infrastructure.
The Future of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act: How Automation and Crowdsourcing Can Protect Fair Use

On August 6, 2012, NASA completed one of the most technologically advanced missions in the agency's history. 1 After a decade of work and input from hundreds of employees, NASA successfully landed a robotic rover named Curiosity on the planet Mars. 2 Curiosity travelled over 350 million miles and landed almost flawlessly. 3 NASA anticipated a global audience for this historic event and prepared a YouTube channel to exhibit video taken from this mission. 4 Just one hour after Curiosity landed on Mars, while popping champagne and exchanging high-fives, NASA engineers posted a thirteen-minute video of the extraordinary landing on their YouTube channel. 5 Ten minutes later the video was inaccessible. 6
Cell wall composition of the skin and flesh tissue of crisp and standard texture southern highbush blueberry genotypes

BACKGROUND: Blueberry cultivars with very firm, crisp fruit textures have been developed to increase consumer acceptance and as an aid in production and marketing. The basis for the crisp fruit texture is unknown. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare the bioyield force (BF) and cell wall composition of crisp and standard texture blueberry genotypes. METHODS: Bioyield force of seven southern highbush blueberry genotypes having standard (‘Springhigh’, ‘Star’, Windsor’) and crisp (‘Sweetcrisp’, FL06-561, FL06-562, and FL98-325) fruit texture was measured on fresh, whole fruits. Dry weight, alcohol insoluble residue (AIR), uronic acids (UA), and neutral sugars (NS) were then measured on separated flesh and skin tissue. RESULTS: The BF of the standard texture genotypes was significantly less than all four crisp genotypes. There were differences in the dry weight and AIR among genotypes, but these differences did not correspond to crisp and standard texture classes. There was no significant difference among genotypes in the measurement of UA or NS. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that there is a phenotypic difference between crisp and standard texture blueberry genotypes that can be detected with BF measurements, but that quantitative differences among total cell wall material, pectins, and neutral sugars were not responsible for the variability of these texture types.
The rat facilitated glucose transporter gene: transformation and serum-stimulated transcription initiate from identical sites

Abstract The gene encoding the rat brain facilitated glucose transporter protein was cloned and partially sequenced. The transcribed regions encode 10 exons that span about 30 kilobases of genomic DNA. The intron size is markedly biased, the first two significantly greater in length than the seven others. All of the introns are predicted to occur in regions that encode putative extramembranous domains of the protein, consistent with the proposed topology of 12 alpha-helical membrane-spanning segments. In brain, transcription of the glucose transporter gene initiates at two adjacent adenosine residues located about 30 base pairs 3' to a TATA sequence. In addition, there is at least one minor upstream start site. Both transformation of fibroblasts by the oncogenic retrovirus Fujinami sarcoma virus and stimulation of quiescent fibroblasts with serum increase transcription of the glucose transporter gene from identical initiation sites, which are the same as the predominant start sites in brain. The use of the same promoter for increased transcription under both conditions is consistent with the hypothesis that the regulation of gene expression by normal growth and by oncogenesis is mediated by similar or identical pathways.
Physical and Chemical Correlates of Microbial Activity and Biomass in Composting Municipal Sewage Sludge

Various physical and chemical parameters were monitored to evaluate their influence on the microbial communities present in composting municipal sewage sludge. Temperature, moisture content, depth, pH, protein content, total nitrogen, total carbon, lipid phosphate biomass, and the rates of microbial incorporation of substrates into lipids were measured at several times throughout the 17- to 19-day composting runs. Temperature was found to have the most consistent and dramatic effect on microbial activity and biomass. When temperatures exceeded 55 to 60°C, microbial activity fell dramatically, usually by more than 1 order of magnitude. Microbial activity was generally greatest in samples taken from the 35 to 50°C areas of the composting piles. Changes in the composition of the compost over time included increased pH, increased protein content, and decreased total organic content. The changes in these parameters appeared to reflect the microbial activity and biomass present. The results of this study indicate that the rate of composting may best be optimized by controlling the composting temperatures, provided that the other parameters fall within reasonable limits in the starting material.
Comparison of structural allograft and traditional autograft technique in occipitocervical fusion: radiological and clinical outcomes from a single institution

OBJECT The authors’ objectives were to compare the rate of fusion after occipitoatlantoaxial arthrodesis using structural allograft with the fusion rate from using autograft, to evaluate correction of radiographic parameters, and to describe symptom relief with each graft technique. METHODS The authors assessed radiological fusion at 6 and 12 months after surgery and obtained radiographic measurements of C1–2 and C2–7 lordotic angles, C2–7 sagittal vertical alignments, and posterior occipitocervical angles at preoperative, postoperative, and final follow-up examinations. Demographic data, intraoperative details, adverse events, and functional outcomes were collected from hospitalization records. Radiological fusion was defined as the presence of bone trabeculation and no movement between the graft and the occiput or C-2 on routine flexion-extension cervical radiographs. Radiographic measurements were obtained from lateral standing radiographs with patients in the neutral position. RESULTS At the Universit...
Three fermions in a box

I calculate finite-volume effects for three identical spin-1/2 fermions in a box assuming short-ranged repulsive interactions of `natural size'. This analysis employs standard perturbation theory in powers of 1/L, where L^3 is the volume of the box. I give results for the ground states in the A_1, T_1, and E cubic representations.
An investigation of the gestational increase in serum hexosaminidase B.

Abstract Serum hexosaminidase B, which is known to be increased during pregnancy, was found not to be increased during the administration of oral contraceptives or of estrogens for replacement therapy. Sera from patients with augmented gonadotropins, whether due to exogenous administration or to choriocarcinoma, likewise showed no increase in hexosaminidase B. This serum isoenzyme was, however, increased in 4 patients with hepatitis; this suggests that the gestational increase may be of hepatic origin. No detectable differences in the level of hexosaminidase A were found in any of the sera examined.
Method to improve ball grid array Imax distribution for small form factor package design

Maximum current (Imax) distribution across substrate has been one of the major design factors that govern the electronic package form factor. Particularly on ball grid array (BGA) package design, often times Imax distribution determines the number of solder balls required for each interface to sustain respective workloads hence defines the total ball count and the x-y dimension of the electronic package. This paper introduces a new method to improve BGA Imax distribution while keeping ball count minimal for to enable small form-factor package design. The proposed solution utilizes fundamental of electrical resistance control through on-board BGA pad design customization to achieve more uniform Imax distribution across solder balls and enable up-to 25% Imax reduction with negligible IR drop impact. Power losses across plane were also simulated and compared against conventional design in this study.
The vacuum effect of femtosecond LIDT measurements on dielectric films

At ~10 -7 Torr, the multiple femtosecond pulse LIDT, F (∞), is about 10% of the single pulse damage fluence for hafnia and silica films compared to ~75% at 630 Torr. The 1-on-1 LIDT is pressure independent. The decrease of F (∞) is related to the water vapor and oxygen content of the ambient gas with the former having the largest effect. The decrease of F (∞) is associated with a change in damage morphology. In air, the damage "crater" starts at the center of the beam and grow in diameter as the fluence increases. In contrast, the damage starts at random "sites" within the exposed area under vacuum. Absorbing centers are created by the removal of oxygen from predisposed sites (for example grain boundaries) on the film surfaces, producing absorbing states.
Cognitive dissonance and communication theory

The theory of cognitive dissonance and a theory of human communication are compared and contrasted in terms of definitions and implications for research.
The influence of surgery in MEN-1 syndrome: observations over 150 years.

Background Efficacy and timing of operative intervention in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1) syndrome remains controversial. This report utilizes a novel approach to evaluate the influence of evolving operative interventions for patients with MEN-1 syndrome. Methods Six generations from a large MEN-1 family pedigree were studied. The number of operations for MEN-1 related pathology was recorded according to birth eras over 150 years. Length of life was a primary outcome measurement. Results Inheritance of the MEN-1 trait was near 50%. There were no instances of a skipped generation. Affected individuals born before 1900 died from gastrointestinal hemorrhage and without any surgical intervention. After 1900, there were increasing numbers of gastric, parathyroid, and pancreatic operations in successive eras. Death occurred >20 years earlier in MEN-1 individuals than unaffected family members in eras 1 and 2. Family members with MEN-1 lived longer in succeeding eras with increasing number of operative and pharmacologic interventions. Conclusion MEN-1 family members invariably have pathologic changes in pituitary, parathyroid, and pancreatic islets when long lived, the “all-or-none” phenomenon. Patients are not cured with operative interventions, although they may live longer and without symptoms with a good quality of life. This model may allow better comparisons with other MEN-1 patients when evaluating outcomes of new medical and operative management schemes and long-term follow-up.
Prospects for Improving Subseasonal Predictions

AbstractExtending atmospheric prediction skill beyond the predictability limit of about 10 days for daily weather rests on the hope that some time-averaged aspects of anomalous circulations remain predictable at longer forecast lead times, both because of the existence of natural low-frequency modes of atmospheric variability and coupling to the ocean with larger thermal inertia. In this paper the week-2 and week-3 forecast skill of two global coupled atmosphere–ocean models recently developed at NASA and NOAA is compared with that of much simpler linear inverse models (LIMs) based on the observed time-lag correlations of atmospheric circulation anomalies in the Northern Hemisphere and outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) anomalies in the tropics. The coupled models are found to beat the LIMs only slightly, and only if an ensemble prediction methodology is employed. To assess the potential for further skill improvement, a predictability analysis based on the relative magnitudes of forecast signal and forecas...
Information, addiction, and ‘bad choices’: lessons from a century of cigarettes

Abstract This study describes government interventions during the 1900s and their effects on cigarette consumption within a rational addiction framework. With annual data for the 20th century, impacts of specific antismoking information events disappear. U.S. per capita cigarette demand changed before any information about health effects of smoking was widely distributed.
The stability of line start suspension systems in the centrifugal disc photosedimentometer

Abstract The stability of line start methods in centrifugal, disk photosedimentometers was investigated using Dow Latex. Experiments confirm earlier experiments demonstrating the presence of doublets in the latex. Increased resolution obtained using very dilute suspensions and/or very thin suspension layers confirm that the standard deviations quoted by Dow Chemical Co. are low. There are indications that at this increased level of resolution it is possible to determine the orientation of the doublets as they travel in a radial direction. An extended series of experiments at various concentrations confirm the statistical nature of the clustering phenomena and elucidate factors affect the stability of the suspension system.
Branched affine and projective structures on compact Riemann surfaces

Abstract It is first established that there exist linear manifolds of branched affine structures having certain nonpolar branch divisors and simple polar divisors on an arbitrary compact Riemann surface M of genus g≤1 . When ≥2 , it is shown that these linear manifolds form a complex analytic vector bundle over the manifold of simple polar divisors on M . When g=1 , elliptic functions are used to construct certain projective structures on M . A partial determination is made as to which of these projective structures are affine and which are not.
Interferometric method for checking the mask alignment precision in the lithographic process.

An interferometric method is presented that has been successfully used to measure the alignment precision of different mask patterns superimposed on a silicon wafer in the lithographic process. Based on an extremely precise electrooptical phase measurement technique this method is capable of measuring the relative pattern displacement with precision in the nanometer region. The principle of the measurement technique is described. Results of experiments are discussed including suggestions for improving the measurement precision.
The effects of different eggshell temperatures on embryonic development, hatchability, chick quality, and first-week broiler performance

The aim of the current study was to determine the effects of different eggshell temperatures (EST) during 10 to 18 d of incubation on embryonic development, hatchability, chick quality, first-week broiler performance. The EST were maintained within the temperature ranges of 33.3 to 36.7, 37.8 to 38.2, and 38.9 to 40.0°C for the low, control, and high EST treatments, respectively. From d 15 to 18, embryo weight and relative embryo weight were found to be similar in the low and high EST groups. Salable chicks and hatchability of total eggs was found to be higher in the control EST group. Between d 10 and 17 of incubation, embryonic mortality in low, control, and high EST groups was determined to be 1.6, 0.8, and 2.0%, respectively. From d 18 to hatch, embryonic mortality and rate of dead and cull chicks were found to be significantly different. Hatching in high EST group was completed 26 h early, although hatching in low EST group was completed 10 h later than the control EST group. On the of hatching day, chick weight and length were found to be 39.5, 41.0, and 42.5 g, and 18.5, 21.4, and 19.1 cm in low, control, and high EST groups, respectively. The highest residual yolk sac weight and relative residual yolk sac weight were observed in high EST group as 7.7 g and 18.7%. Yolk-free chick weight and relative yolk-free chick weight were highest in the control EST group. At 1 wk of age, the BW in low, control, and high EST groups were determined as 131.1, 140.0, and 140.8 g, respectively. No significant difference was found for feed intake and feed conversion among treatments for wk 1. The mortality during the first week did not differ among groups; however, a higher mortality rate was observed numerically in the high EST group. In conclusion, embryo development, incubation parameters, chick quality, and the first week performance are affected by small changes in the EST.
Genetic variation for seed dormancy in Cuphea laminuligera and Cuphea lanceolata

Various Cuphea species are adapted to temperate climates and characterized by caprylic, capric, and lauric acid-rich seed oils. These fatty acids are solely commercially available from palm kernel and coconut oils; thus, there is considerable interest in Cuphea as an alternative source of these fatty acids. Cuphea is a genus of undomesticated species characterized by seed dormancy and seed shedding. Our goal is to eliminate these domestication barriers in a few species with agronomic potential. Our objective was to survey existing Cuphea laminuligera and C. lanceolata germplasm for genetic variation for seed dormancy (germination percentage after a certain seed storage period). Recurrent half-sib family selection was practiced in various open-pollinated and synthetic populations. Half-sib family seed were evaluated for germination percentages at 26° C after various seed storage periods. There was significant genetic variation among families in every population. Additive genetic variance, half-sib family-mean heritability, and expected selection response magnitudes depended on the length of the seed storage period within a given population. Estimates of these parameters were significantly greater for longer seed storage periods within a population. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.00 to 0.79. Expected half-sib family selection responses ranged from 0.0 to 23.9%. Our study demonstrated there is substantial genetic variation for seed dormancy in C. laminuligera and C. lanceolata.
Social Attitudes Toward Discharged Mental Patients

17. , "Epilogue: Something New in History ?" The Journal of Social Issues, 13 (3, 1957), 56-60. i8. Segal, Julius, Factors Related to the Collaboration and Resistance Behavior of U. S. Army PW's in Korea (Washington, D. C.: Human Resources Research Office, George Washington University, December, 1956), HumRRO Technical Report 33. '9. Sumner, William G., Folkways (Boson: Ginn, 1940). 20. U. S. Congress. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Committee on Government Operations, Hearings, June 26, 1956 (Washington, D. C.: Government Printing Office, 1956). 21. U. S. Department of Defense, Secretary of Defense's Advisory Committee on Prisoners of War, POW: the Fight Continues After the Battle; The Report of the Committee (Washington, D. C.: Government Printing Office, 1955).
Colony formation and valve morphology in the marine benthic diatom Dimeregramma fulvum

Acid-cleaned cells of Dimeregramma fulvum collected from anchialine pools on Ascension Island were examined with light and scanning electron microscopy to elucidate their valve structure. Cells occur in zigzag-shaped colonies interconnected by mucus cushions, rather than forming ribbon-shaped colonies involving linking spines as seen in the type species of the genus, D. minor. Apical pore fields are the prominent feature of the valves. There is no evidence of rimoportulae present in the specimens examined. In light of the studies conducted thus far, we recognize two groups of species in the genus Dimeregramma, which differ in their valve morphology and thus in basic growth form. The characters used for their distinction are outlined.
Finite-temperature properties of materials from analytical statistical mechanics

Abstract An approximate and yet highly accurate analytical method for obtaining fundamental material properties over a wide range of temperatures from the interatomic potential without resorting to numerical simulation is presented. In this approach, classical statistical mechanics are combined with the local-harmonic method in order to obtain thermodynamic and mechanical properties of solids, including the free energy. Specifically, we present results for a general Mie (Lennard-Jones m, n) potential. The dependence of these properties on potential parameters is examined and a number of results are summarized. We find that the analytical theory yields remarkably accurate results for such thermodynamic quantities as volume, energy, free energy and bulk modulus to temperatures approaching the melting point.
The Placement of Computer Logic Modules

The object of the work described was to develop a procedure for the allocation of logic to cards, boards, platters and so on which utilize modular circuit design and etched wiring techniques.A chain of logic elements is a set of interconnected (logic) elements two of which connect to, at least, the remaining elements of this set. Every logic diagram has a characteristic set of chains. A subset of these chains is selected to initiate the determination of the locations of each element on a card. The elements of a chain are assigned to one row or column of platter locations. The positions of the chains in relation to one another are determined by such criteria as total wire length reduction, proximity requirements between gates based on electrical considerations and the proximity requirements between elements and pins based on timing considerations.The effectiveness of the automatic procedure was tested during the design of small cards (mounting 16 modules, up to 64 gates). In these circumstances human experience and insight are at their best. The layouts of experienced technicians and engineers were compared with the layouts produced by the program. Significant similarities between the determinations were found in all cases tested.
Nonprint Media and Technology Literacy Standards for Assessing Technology Integration

This article suggests a set of cumulative standards for assessing the use of nonprint media and electronic technologies in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms. The proposed standards are...
Air force research laboratory program in active tracking

Large laser systems have historically been considered as weapons, but recently, the Air Force has pursued lower power lasers for the purpose of actively tracking targets of interest. In this paper, we will apply some recent results in active tracking system design to the problem of precisely tracking small objects at low elevations from the AFRL Maui site. The intent is to develop technology that applies not only to the higher power laser systems, but also for stand-alone purposes such as precision tracking and target stabilization. We will also indicate some potential benefit to a relay mirror hovering directly above the Maui site as a way around the very strong atmospheric effects encountered in low-elevation engagements. Progress has also permitted us to consider using lasers for more subtle applications such as target designation, tracking, and discrimination. In this paper, we will review the state of the art of active tracking, including effects such as laser beam quality, diffraction, atmospheric turbulence, and other aspects of laser interactions with the propagation environment. We will present the theory for using relatively low-power lasers in tracking applications.
Intersex Condition of Shoal Bass in the Flint River, Georgia

Abstract We examined male shoal bass Micropterus cataractae from the Flint River, Georgia, to determine the prevalence of intersex. During March and April 2010, we sampled 61 shoal bass from six sites along the Flint River. Testes were examined histologically and classified as intersex if the presence of oocytes was noted. Using a severity index, we compared samples collected on different dates and from different locations according to age and testis weight. No significant variations were noted among any of the groupings. Further investigation is needed to determine whether the intersex condition in shoal bass is severe enough to warrant concern and whether it is a natural phenomenon. Received January 20, 2011; accepted July 22, 2011
Conditional distance based matching for one-shot gesture recognition

A problem of matching gestures, where there are one or few samples per class, is considered in this paper. The proposed approach shows that much better results are achieved if the distance between the pattern of frame-wise distances of two gesture sequences with a third (anchor) sequence from the modelbase is considered. Such a measure is called as conditional distance and these distance pattern are referred to as "warp vectors". If these warp vectors are similar, then so are the sequences; if not, they are dissimilar. At the algorithmic core, there are two dynamic time warping processes, one to compute the warp vectors with the anchor sequences and the other to compare these warp vectors. In order to reduce the complexity a speedup strategy is proposed by pre-selecting "good" anchor sequences. Conditional distance is used for individual and sentence level gesture matching. Both single and multiple subject datasets are used. Experiments show improved performance above 82% spanning 179 classes. HighlightsWe propose a new distance measure called conditional distance between two gestures sequences when we have only one or a few samples per gesture class.Conditional distance is the distance between query and model gesture sequences in the presence of a third (anchor) gesture sequence.We propose speedup strategy for computing conditional distances by pre-selecting the anchor.We also propose a condition distance based simultaneous gesture segmentation and recognition called conditional level building.We show results of 82% on a multiple subject dataset spanning 179 classes.
Argument in favor of performing partial nephrectomy for tumors greater than 7 cm: The metastatic prescription has already been written

The acceptance of partial nephrectomy over the past few decades has been gradual with initial utilization of nephron sparing approach for tumors up to 4 cm and more recently up to 7 cm. The arbitrary cutoff values used in the historic recommendations are based on the oncologic outcomes documenting the increase in metastatic potential of renal lesions that is strongly associated with increase in tumor size. Despite these observations, radical nephrectomy has not been found to be protective from development of metastatic disease, and oncologic outcomes of partial nephrectomy for tumors matched for size or stage have not been inferior to radical nephrectomy. The present manuscript argues for avoidance of specific size cutoffs as patients with larger masses may benefit from maximal preservation of nephrons. These are the very patients at higher risk for metastatic disease, who may benefit from preserved renal function to allow for future additional therapies or adjuvant trials.
Effective information‐searching strategies without “perfect” indexing

Computer searching of an information file offers significant advantages over manual searching when it can utilize strategies that are impractical for a human searcher to use. This paper examines several existing strategies, and then suggests that increased emphasis be placed on one that is relatively tolerant of “imperfect” indexing. Since “perfect” indexing does not exist, such a strategy would have considerable value. The general procedure consists of counting the number of search-matched index terms and then calculating a relevance factor for each item found, thus enabling the final search-output listing to be prepared in order of probable relevance. This technique is essentially the same as the strategy used successfully in such diverse tasks as identifying criminal suspects by their modus operandi, selecting suitable gifts for department store shoppers, and locating misspelled names in an airlines reservation file.
An empirical investigation of attitudes toward waiting on the part of Northern California commuters

Abstract Using a sample of 2849 commuters in Northern California, this paper offers a first effort to identify latent constructs associated with a general orientation toward waiting. The bi-factor analysis of 11 items revealed a single dimension capturing a general like/dislike of waiting, together with two domain-specific factors representing attitudes of “waiting is OK if I expect it” and “I don’t need to be equipped when waiting”. We compared mean factor scores across socio-economic groups based successively on gender, income, presence of children, primary commute mode, and the number of productivity tools carried on the commute. Although sample size contributed to statistical significance, effect sizes in most cases were modest. Nevertheless, women tended to have more favorable attitudes toward waiting than men (including a greater tolerance of expected waiting and a greater inclination to be equipped). Higher-income respondents tended to view waiting less favorably, and were more inclined to be equipped to wait. Those with children at home were less tolerant of expected waiting than others. Users of public transit or active commute modes (walking/biking) tended to view waiting more positively. Respondents who are more tolerant of waiting and have a proclivity to be equipped for a wait event tend to carry more productivity tools during their regular commute, such as books and magazines, tablets, smartphones, and music players.
Changes in free radicals in coal-derived pyrites upon heating in N2, H2, and vacuum: Role of pyrite—pyrrhotite conversion

Abstract Through electron spin resonance (e.s.r.) studies, three different kinds of free radicals have been identified in pyrite samples containing coal impurities. Changes in the e.s.r. parameters ( g -value, linewidths, and concentration n ) of free radicals have been monitored as the coal-derived pyrites are heated in different atmospheres (vacuum, N 2 and H 2 ) from room temperature to 500°C in 50°C steps for a residence time of 30 min at each temperature. Changes in n (concentration/g) and other parameters begin to occur at 300°C in vacuum, at 200°C in N 2 , and at 100°C in H 2 amtospheres. At these temperatures conversion of pyrite to pyrrhotite is also observed to occur. It is argued that the enhancement of n in these samples is related to the conversion mechanism of pyrite to pyrrhotites. The maximum relative increase in n follows the sequence n (vacuum)> n (N 2 )> n (H 2 ). At high temperature n decreases due to recombination of free radicals formed so that at 500°C, all three types of radicals have small but equal concentrations.
Attenuation of heavy metal toxicity of the activated sludge process by treatment with ferric chloride

Industrial wastes containing heavy metals can interfere with the normal operation of municipal wastewater treatment plants utilizing biological treatment processes. It is well known, however, that activated sludge can become acclimated to toxic levels of heavy metals if the dosages are increased gradually. Although such an acclimation procedure could prevent inhibitory effects of slug loads of toxins, the use of toxic heavy metals for normal plant operation is too perilous for consideration. It is, however, acceptable to utilize a nontoxic metal that may give general tolerance to toxic metals. Laboratory experiments were conducted to examine the use of ferric chloride acclimation for treatment against heavy metal toxicity of an activated sludge process. The oxygen uptake of acclimated and unacclimated seed was measured by respirometry to determine the inhibitory effects of Ag and Pb. The toxic effects of Ag and Pb were greatly reduced for acclimated seed. The experimental data area utilized in kinetic rat...
MRI description of knee medial collateral ligament abnormalities in the absence of trauma: edema related to osteoarthritis and medial meniscal tears

A retrospective case series regarding the knees of 12 adult patients with MRI abnormalities of the medial collateral ligament (MCL), but without clinical history of trauma to the MCL, were collected and compared with six knee MR images from patients with clinical traumatic injuries to their MCLs. The MR images were studied for the extent of edema of the MCL, as well as other associated findings. Edema of the MCL on MRI could be found in three distinct categories of patients: (a) those with trauma to the MCL, which was an expected finding; (b) those without trauma but with medial compartment osteoarthritis; and (c) those without trauma but with degenerative medial meniscal tears. The clinical significance, if any, of the edema found in MCLs without trauma remains unclear. Atraumatic MCL edema may serve as a marker for medial knee compartment osteoarthritis or for a degenerative medial meniscal tear and should not be confused with traumatically induced MCL injuries, although this distinction can often be difficult to make based on MRI findings alone.
Intraperitoneal chemotherapy for advanced ovarian cancer

Treatment of patients with advanced ovarian cancer who have failure of first-line chemotherapy is rarely effective. Preliminary pharmacokinetic and phase II clinical studies established the feasibility of delivering relatively high concentrations of cisplatin intraperitoneally via a semipermanent catheter, while using intravenous sodium thiosulfate as a neutralizing agent to decrease the nephrotoxicity of cisplatin. Sixty patients with advanced ovarian cancer, all of whom had failure of first-line chemotherapy (including cisplatin in 56 of 60), were treated with high-dose intraperitoneal cisplatin in combination with doxorubicin and/or cytarabine. Of the 46 patients evaluable for response, 19 (42%) showed an objective response, most often (12/19) disappearance of malignant ascites. No serious drug-associated morbidity was observed aside from three cases of intestinal obstruction which may have been due in part to drug-induced adhesions. It is felt that prospective studies to compare the efficacy of intraperitoneal chemotherapy with other forms of "salvage" therapy, as well as its use as initial chemotherapy for advanced ovarian cancer, need to be done.
The time diversification monitoring of a stock portfolio: an approach based on the fractal dimension

Diversification is a technique used to reduce the risk of investment and is accomplished by including uncorrelated and independent stocks in one's portfolio. By diversifying, the investor aims to reduce the risk of an entire portfolio depreciating in value, if a few of the assets within the portfolio are depreciated. In the past, the correlation coefficient has been used as a basis for diversification. However, the correlation coefficient is problematic since it can not capture nonlinear dependency, and analyzing pair-by-pair stocks in the portfolio does not always give the best estimation of diversification for the entire portfolio.In this paper we present a simple, but efficient methodology for monitoring portfolio diversification, which can capture most of the nonlinear phenomena in a portfolio. We propose a measurement of portfolio diversification through the fractal dimension parameter. Monitoring this parameter in a time domain represents the basis for automatic detection of significant changes in portfolio diversification. When the fractal dimension is significantly reduced, the algorithm eliminates stocks that are highly correlated and adds new uncorrelated stocks to the portfolio. We tested our method using real historical stock data and obtained significant improvements in the time diversification of selected stock portfolios.
Changes in parietal cell structure and function in HIV disease.

The mechanisms underlying acid secretory failure in patients with HIV disease are unknown. We evaluated, in a series of preliminary studies, changes associated with parietal cell structure and function in early and late HIV disease, in an attempt to elucidate possible underlying mechanisms. Gastric acid and intrinsic factor secretion, vitamin B12 absorption, and light and electron microscopic evaluation of gastric mucosa were evaluated in patients with early and late HIV infection (AIDS) and compared to non-HIV-infected controls. Immunolocalization of HIV-related antigens in gastric mucosa was also examined. Fasting gastric juice pH and intrinsic factor (IF) concentration in AIDS and HIV infected subjects were significantly different from controls (P=0.012 andP=0.025, respectively for pH, and 0.029 and 0.035 for IF; ANOVA LSD test). By contrast, maximal acid output (MAO) was significantly lower in AIDS, but not HIV-infected subjects (P=0.043 andP=0.322, respectively). Similarly, Schilling test phases 1 and 2 results were significantly lower in AIDS, but not HIV-infected subjects. Varying degrees of vacuolar degeneration of parietal cells were seen on light microscopy. On electron microscopy (EM), tubulovesicles were reduced and intracellular canaliculi dilated with striking loss of microvilli. Immunofluorescent staining with antibodies to gp120, gp41, p24, and p17 demonstrated positive punctate signals in the cytoplasm of gastric glands, which includes parietal cells. Immunogold EM with anti-gp120, localized predominantly to the microvilli of intracellular canaliculi in parietal cells. Abnormal secretory function of parietal cells occurs early in HIV disease, affects acid as well as intrinsic factor secretion, and is associated with morphological changes in the acid secretory apparatus.
Effect of root temperature, rootstock and fertilization on bud-break, shoot growth and composition of ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ grapevines

Abstract Two-year-old ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ grapevines on own-roots or on A×R No. 1 (Ganzin 1) rootstock were grown at low (12°C) or high (25°C) root temperatures in combination with 2 fertilizer treatments (0 and 2.4, 1.2 and 1.2 grams of N,P,K, respectively, per 20-liter pot) in a greenhouse for a period of 15 weeks. The dormant vines were pruned to two 10-node canes just prior to initiation of temperature and fertilizer treatments. Air temperatures ranged between 15°C at night and 30°C during the day, and were the same for all treatments. The time of bud-break was earlier at high root temperature than at low temperature, with fertilization than without fertilization, and with own-rooted vines than with vines on A × R stock. The number of buds that broke and total shoot growth were significantly higher at 25°C than at 12°C. Fertilized vines also had significantly greater bud-break and shoot growth than unfertilized vines at both 12 and 25°C root temperatures. More buds broke and developed on A × R vines than on own-rooted vines at 12°C; whereas, at 25°C they did not differ significantly. Shoot growth of own-rooted vines, on the other hand, was significantly greater than vines on A × R stock at both low and high root temperatures. The levels of arginine, NO 3 and total N in roots was greater at low root temperature than at high root temperature. High root temperature, however, increased the concentration of total N in leaf blades and NO 3 in blades and petioles of own-rooted vines compared to low root temperature. Fertilization increased the concentration of nitrogenous substances in leaves and roots of all vines. The levels of K, Ca and Mg in leaf blades, petioles and roots were generally higher at 25 than at 12°C root temperature. The level of K was higher in leaves and roots of vines on own-roots than vines on A × R; however, the Ca and Mg content of these tissues did not show any consistent trends between A × R and own-rooted vines.
Spacetime and conventionalism

Salmon, following Reichenbach and others, maintained that distant simultaneity was conventional in a special relativistic world in a way in which this was not so in prerelativistic spacetime. This paper surveys and criticizes a number of proposals to unpack this claim. It goes on to argue that if the claim has validity, it rests upon differing facts about epistemic accessibility of temporal relations in the different spacetimes, and not directly upon any facts about differing causal structures in these worlds.
Understanding the value proposition of health information exchange: the case of uncompensated care cost recovery

This case study examined the use of the Nationwide Health Information Network as a mechanism for secure and interoperable transport of existing clinical data from electronic health records. The context for this study was the secondary use of existing data from MedVirginia, a Virginia Health Information Exchange, for Social Security Administration disability determination. The study found that an estimated U.S. $1.9 million in uncompensated care costs were recovered over a 12-month period from August 2009 to July 2010, and serves as an example demonstrating that uncompensated care cost recovery is a promising means by which a health information exchange can provide value to healthcare providers.
Effects of mental stressors on mitogen induced lymphocyte responses in the laboratory

Abstract There is considerable evidence from naturalistic studies that psychosocial stressors affect human immune function. To achieve control over factors that could bias naturalistic studies, laboratory stressors developed by cardiovascular researchers were tested to determine if they affected immune function. Thirty volunteer students were exposed to 20 minutes of mental tasks. Psychophysiological indices (heart rate, blood pressure, skin conductance) and subjective responses were monitored prior to, during, and 1-hour after the tasks, blood, samples for immunological analyses were also drawn at these times. Thirteen subjects who were not exposed to the tasks served as controls. Subjects exposed to the tasks showed increased levels of subjective distress and increased psychophysiologic responses (except diastolic blood pressure) during the tasks. Relative to controls, stressed subjects had reduced lymphocyte proliferative responses to classic T cell mitogens both immediately after and 1-hour after the ...
Repeatability of an Exposure Assessment Method for Job Rotation

As job rotation has become a widely used intervention strategy for the prevention of a wide variety of musculoskeletal disorders, there is a need for the development of assessment techniques that take into account the complexities of multiple body region stressors. The current study investigates the repeatability of a video-based analysis method that combines the exposure measure of four body regions: neck, shoulder, low back, and hand/wrist. Twelve analysts completed the assessment twice for 15 different job rotation schemes. The repeatability was found to be strong (ICC > 0.53) in many of the body regions when individual jobs were evaluated with minimal decrease in repeatability when the entire rotation scheme was considered. Overall, the video-based method provides a potential quick and easy method that will allow for the versatile evaluation needed for practitioners when quantifying exposure for job rotation schemes.
Host-Microbe Interactions in Caenorhabditis elegans

A good understanding of how microbes interact with hosts has a direct bearing on our capability of fighting infectious microbial pathogens and making good use of beneficial ones. Among the model organisms used to study reciprocal actions among microbes and hosts, C. elegans may be the most advantageous in the context of its unique attributes such as the short life cycle, easiness of laboratory maintenance, and the availability of different genetic mutants. This review summarizes the recent advances in understanding host-microbe interactions in C. elegans. Although these investigations have greatly enhanced our understanding of C. elegans-microbe relationships, all but one of them involve only one or few microbial species. We argue here that more research is needed for exploring the evolution and establishment of a complex microbial community in the worm’s intestine and its interaction with the host.
Rheological properties of canine anterior cruciate ligaments.

Abstract The mechanical properties of canine anterior cruciate ligaments are studied at different strain rates in different environments. A tibia-anterior cruciate ligament-femur preparation is tested preventing rupture at points of attachment. The data is compared with other investigations of ligaments and tendons and is plotted by use of the constitutive equation proposed by Y. C. Fung. Good agreement is obtained using Fung's exponential relationship and two numerical parameters are suggested for evaluation of future test data.
Analytic evaluation of energy gradients for the single and double excitation coupled cluster (CCSD) wave function: A comparison with configuration interaction (CCSD, CISDT, and CISDTQ) results for the harmonic vibrational frequencies, infrared intensities, dipole moment, and inversion barrier of ammonia

The analytic energy gradient method that we have recently implemented for CCSD wave functions is applied to fully optimize the pyramidal C3v and planar D3h structures of ammonia. Using a double-zeta plus polarization basis set, results for harmonic vibrational frequencies, infrared intensities, and dipole moments have been obtained. Comparison with different levels of truncated configuration interaction suggests that CCSD values are of better than CISD quality and generally closer to CISDTQ results.
Composition and decomposition of peanut residues in Georgia.

Abstract Legumes typically mineralize rapidly and can contribute to nitrogen (N) requirements of succeeding crops, but limited information exists on the mineralizable N content of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) residue. The objective of this study was to determine net N mineralization from two types of peanut residue for two soil types. Aboveground peanut residue (cv. Georgia Green) was collected 1 d prior to digging (PRE) and immediately after peanut threshing (POST). Leaf and stem residues were mixed and analyzed for carbon (C), N, lignin, and cellulose. Peanut residue equivalent to 4.5 Mg/ha was applied to a Greenville fine sandy loam (fine, kaolinitic, thermic Rhodic Kandiudults) and a Tifton loamy sand (fine-loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Plinthic Kandiudult) and aerobically incubated for 98 d in the dark at 25 C to determine C and N mineralization. Each soil was incubated simultaneously, with and without residue. PRE harvest residue had lower C, lignin, and cellulose concen-trations, but higher N concentr...