cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Models of plant quality and larch budmoth interaction

Abstract We present and investigate two discrete-time models of leaf quality and larch budmoth interaction. In particular, existence and stability of equilibria are studied. For one model, the moth population may grow unboundedly large and the interior steady state is always locally asymptotically stable when it exists. A Hopf bifurcation may occur for the other model when the interior steady state becomes unstable.
The Prehistory of the Tibetan Plateau to the Seventh Century A.D.: Perspectives and Research from China and the West Since 1950

Until recently, there has been no sense of a Tibetan prehistory. Beginning in the 1970s, however, Chinese archaeologists began to systematically explore the plateau, and began to draw an outline of the deep Tibetan past. The pace of research accelerated rapidly in the 1990s, which brought this outline into sharper focus. This paper reviews what is known of Tibetan prehistory until the seventh century A.D., when the Tibetan empire was established. Topics covered in this paper include a consideration of the antiquity of a human presence upon the plateau, changing adaptive strategies following the end of the glacial epoch, the advent of the Neolithic, and the emergence of social and political complexity. Despite significant advances in our knowledge of the Tibetan past, much work remains to be done before models of process can be examined in any detail.
Modern chemical warfare agents: the anesthesiologist’s perspective

o M ecent events including the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York, Washington, DC, and ennsylvania have illustrated the vulnerability of he United States to terrorist activity. Many experts gree that a chemical or biological event is likely o occur within the continental United States durng our lifetime. The anesthesiologist, as well as he emergency medicine provider and critical care pecialist, will be integral to the initial recognition nd medical response to such an attack. A modern chemical attack on the United States ould involve many different agents including As, vesicants, CN compounds, and pulmonary rritants. In this situation, the anesthesiologist will e in a unique position to respond and affect paient outcome. Physicians trained in anesthesiology ossess expertise and knowledge in a variety of reas including airway protection, ventilation, oxgenation, pharmacology, CV physiology, and ulmonary physiology. It is this training that gives he anesthesiologist the flexibility to respond to a hemical threat more effectively than most other edical specialists. We present a history of chemical warfare as racticed in the modern era, focusing on the deelopment and history of the major chemical gents. Aspects of chemical agent insults in the erioperative setting, an area of particular interest o the anesthesiologist, are described.
Stimulation of prostaglandin production in rat glomerular epithelial cells by antidiuretic hormone.

Stimulation of prostaglandin production in rat glomerular epithelial cells by antidiuretic hormone. Prostacyclin (PGI 2 ) and prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) production by rat glomerular epithelial cells in culture were stimulated by arginine vasopressin (AVP) over a dose range of 10 -9 to 10 -6 M, but only if the cells were allowed to recover from trypsin treatment. The effect of AVP was related to its pressor activity since the antidiuretic analogue of AVP, 1-deamino-8-D-Arg-vasopressin (dDAVP) had no effect. Angiotensin II and kallidin (lysyl-bradykinin) did not affect prostaglandin production by these cells. The stimulatory effect of AVP on arachidonate metabolism was inhibited by the calcium channel antagonist, nifedipine, in a dose-dependent fashion suggesting that cellular uptake of calcium was required. Stimulation de la production de prostaglandines dans des cellules glomerulaires epitheliales de rat par l'hormone anti-diuretique. La production de prostacyclines (PGI 2 ) et prostaglandines E 2 (PGE 2 ) par des cellules epitheliales glomerulaires de rat en culture etait stimulee par l'arginine vasopressive (AVP) a des concentrations comprises entre 10 -9 et 10 -6 M, mais seulement si les cellules pouvaient recuperer du traitement par la trypsine. L'effet de AVP etait relie a son activite pressive, puisque l'analogue antidiuretique de l'AVP, la 1-deamino-8-D-Arg-vasopressine (dDAVP) n'avait pas d'effet. L'angiotensine II et la kallidine (lysyl-bradikinine) n'affectaient pas la production de prostaglandines par ces cellules. L'effet stimulateur de l'AVP sur le metabolisme de l'arachidonate etait inhibe par la nifedipine, un antagoniste des canaux calciques, d'une facon dose-dependante, suggerant que la captation cellulaire du calcium etait necessaire.
Transurethral canine prostatectomy with a cylindrically diffusing fiber

In this study, visual laser ablation of the prostate (VLAP) was performed on eight mongrel dogs utilizing a cylindrically diffusing fiber attached to a 1.06 neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser. All dogs received one continuous dose totaling 15,000 J (25 W for 10 min) applied from the vesical neck to the colliculus seminalis. There was no visible hemorrhage from the lasing intraoperatively in any dog. Postoperative recovery was uneventful with no dog experiencing urinary incontinence and only one incident of dysuria with urinary retention during their observation period. Gross and histopathologic examinations of serial sections of the prostate were performed from 2 hours to 7 weeks postoperatively and demonstrated a consistent spherical zone of destruction 2.9 cm (average) in diameter. We believe the simplified fiber placement and complete lack of postoperative complications in this small group of dogs suggest that the cylindrically diffusing fiber offers significant advantage over laterally deflecting fibers for transurethral prostatectomies in the dog.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Background of ABS Buckling Strength Assessment Criteria for Cylindrical Shells in Offshore Structures

Cylindrical shells, unstiffened or stiffened with rings and/or stringers are commonly used in offshore structures as main loading-carrying members. Comprehensive theoretical work and experimental studies on the buckling behavior of cylindrical shells have been carried out in the past. The increasing offshore application of stiffened cylindrical shells has raised some new challenges that need to be addressed. This paper provides the fundamental principles and technical background of the ABS buckling strength assessment criteria for cylindrical shells applied in offshore structures. The accuracy of ABS buckling criteria for assessing the cylindrical shells is established by benchmarking the results against an extensive database of test results assembled by American Bureau of Shipping. The results are also compared against current recognized offshore standards, such as API Bulletins 2U and DnV CN30.1. It is demonstrated that the ABS criteria provide very effective and sufficiently accurate predictions for the cylindrical shell buckling calculations.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Improving assessment and treatment of pain in the critically ill

Objective. Efforts to improve pain assessment and treatment in critically ill patients are poorly studied and represent an opportunity to improve quality of care. We sought to improve pain assessment and treatment in patients in a surgical intensive care unit at an academic medical center. Design. We performed a prospective study of pain assessment and treatment in two surgical intensive care units in 2001. We measured pain assessment as the percentage of 4-h intervals where the patient’s pain was measured using a visual analog scale. We measured pain treatment as the percentage of 4-h intervals where the patient’s pain score on the scale was ≤3. We then implemented four separate ‘plan–do–study–act’ cycles to improve pain assessment and treatment. Main outcome measures. We evaluated the percentage of 4-h patient-nursing intervals that were scored numerically pre- and post-intervention. We evaluated the percentage of 4-h patient-nursing intervals where the patients had a pain score of ≤3 preand post-intervention. In addition, we monitored naloxone use as a measure of adverse events related to pain treatment. Results. Our baseline assessment of pain was 42% and the baseline treatment was 59%. After 5 weeks, pain assessment improved to 71% and pain management improved to 97%. Conclusion. Our interventions were associated with signiWcant improvements in pain assessment and treatment without an increase in adverse events related to pain therapy. Our interventions were relatively simple and may be implemented broadly. Our interventions provide insights into the application of complexity theory in improvement efforts.
Closo-alanes (Al4H4, AlnHn+2, 4 <= n <= 8) : a new Chapter in Aluminum Hydride Chemistry

Anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory were employed to study aluminum hydride clusters, AlnHm- (4 <or= n <or= 8, 0 <or= m <or= 10). Photoelectron spectra revealed that Al4H4, Al4H6, and a family of species with general formula AlnHn+2 (5 <or= n <or= 8) have small adiabatic electron affinities and large HOMO-LUMO gaps (ranging from 0.5 to 1.9 eV) relative to those of their stoichiometric neighbors, implying their enhanced stabilities. Formulas reminiscent of boranes led us to investigate whether Wade's rules could be applied to alanes as well. DFT calculations showed that the AlnHn+2 (5 <or= n <or= 8) family adopts n-vertex polyhedral closo-structures with two extra hydrogen atoms occupying opposite bridging positions in agreement with the Wade's (n + 1) rule. These can be viewed as aluminum versions of hypothetical diprotonated closo-borane dianions (BnHn2- + 2H+). In addition, Al4H4 assumes a closo-tetrahedral geometry, while Al4H6 takes on a distorted tetrahedral (D2d) structure with two counter-positioned bridging hydrogen atoms and has the largest HOMO-LUMO gap (1.9 eV) of all the alanes we studied. All of these species can be understood in terms of underlying polyhedral skeletal electron pair theory (PSEPT) concepts. Although, the herein studied alanes do not have direct borane analogues, the ability to understand their structures in terms of the Wade-Mingos rules and the underlying PSEPT concepts suggests that they can be considered as borane analogues, thereby opening a new chapter in aluminum hydride chemistry.
Two-Week Administration of Tempol Attenuates Both Hypertension and Renal Excretion of 8-Iso Prostaglandin F2α

8-Iso prostaglandin F2alpha (8-ISO) is formed nonenzymatically from the attack of superoxide radical on arachidonic acid. Therefore, 8-ISO is a marker of oxidative stress in vivo. We have recently shown that short-term administration of the membrane-permeable, metal-independent superoxide dismutase mimetic tempol (4-hydroxy-2, 2, 6, 6-tetramethyl piperidinoxyl) normalizes blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The present study was designed to test whether prolonged administration of tempol ameliorates oxidative stress and hypertension in SHR. In control SHR (n=8), mean arterial pressure and heart rate were increased and renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate were reduced compared with control Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) (n=7). Twenty-four-hour renal excretion of 8-ISO was significantly increased in SHR compared with WKY. Two weeks of tempol administration in the drinking water (1 mmol/L) to SHR (n=8) decreased mean arterial pressure by 18% (162+/-8 to 134+/-6 mm Hg, P<0.05), increased glomerular filtration rate by 17% (1.6+/-0.2 to 1. 9+/-0.3 mL/min), and decreased renal excretion of 8-ISO by 39% (9. 8+/-0.7 to 6.0+/-0.7 ng/24 hours, P<0.05). In contrast, tempol administration to WKY (n=6) had no significant effect on mean arterial pressure (115+/-5 versus 118+/-8 mm Hg), glomerular filtration rate (3.0+/-0.4 versus 2.5+/-0.5 mL/min), or renal excretion of 8-ISO (7.9+/-0.4 versus 6.8+/-0.7 ng/24 hours). In conclusion, the SHR is a model of hypertension and renal vasoconstriction associated with oxidative stress. Because long-term administration of a superoxide scavenger reduces blood pressure and oxidative stress in vivo, this study suggests a role for oxygen radicals in the maintenance of hypertension in SHR.
Transient analysis to design buffer capacity in dairy filling and packing production lines

In dairy filling and packing lines, due to line unbalance, extra time is required for the upstream filling station with lower production rate to work in advance to build work-in-process so that the downstream packing station can operate at a higher productivity during a shift to achieve the desired production volume. In this paper, we present a study to determine the buffer capacity in such lines through transient analysis. We evaluate the system production rate and work-in-process during transients, the necessary extra time of the filling station, the system operating time, and the blockage and starvation of the filling and packing stations, respectively, for different buffer capacities. In addition, we investigate the impacts of filling station efficiency and initial inventory on system performance.
A Sport and Exercise Psychology Perspective on Stress

My purpose is to introduce the psychological perspective (or perspectives) on stress. In doing so, I will focus on conceptual models or frameworks that guide sport and exercise psychology work on stress, leaving the details of the research findings and implications to the later papers (Berger, 1994; Dishman, 1994; Wrisberg, 1994). Rather than detailed research, this paper presents a framework or context for those subsequent papers.
Fluid flow in an idealized spiral wound membrane module

Abstract Analytical and numerical solutions for steady laminar incompressible flow in an idealized spiral wound membrane (annular) duct are developed and computed. Axial and radial velocity profiles and axial pressure distributions for injection and suction are presented. The analytical method uses a perturbation technique in wall Reynolds number ( Re w ) to solve the Navier--Stokes problem. The usual assumptions of uniform injection or suction and similar velocity profiles with axial distance are invoked. For most membrane processes where Re w Re w > 1, numerical calculations reveal that similarity in the velocity profiles (assumed for the analytical development) disappear and that the radial velocity profile exhibits inflections. These results could be used for estimating pumping requirements and for effecting design changes in spiral wound modules.
Efficient nonviral Sleeping Beauty transposon-based TCR gene transfer to peripheral blood lymphocytes confers antigen-specific antitumor reactivity

Genetically engineered lymphocytes hold promise for the treatment of genetic disease, viral infections and cancer. However, current methods for genetic transduction of peripheral blood lymphocytes rely on viral vectors, which are hindered by production and safety-related problems. In this study, we demonstrated an efficient novel nonviral platform for gene transfer to lymphocytes. The Sleeping Beauty transposon-mediated approach allowed for long-term stable expression of transgenes at ~50% efficiency. Utilizing transposon constructs expressing tumor antigen-specific T-cell receptor genes targeting p53 and MART-1, we demonstrated sustained expression and functional reactivity of transposon-engineered lymphocytes on encountering target antigen presented on tumor cells. We found that transposon- and retroviral-modified lymphocytes had comparable transgene expression and phenotypic function. These results demonstrate the promise of nonviral ex vivo genetic modification of autologous lymphocytes for the treatment of cancer and immunologic disease.
The Utility of 320 Row Multi-Detector Computed Tomography in Evaluating Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Purpose The number of patients undergoing implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) as either a bridge to transplant, or increasingly as destination therapy is increasing. Evaluation of these patients with standard diagnostic tests such as echocardiography, catheterization, or nongated computed tomography is very difficult due to imaging challenges. We present the use of 320 row MDCT for the imaging evaluation of LVAD patients. Methods and Materials Between March and November 2012, 17 patients were referred for MDCT evaluation. CT parameters were: Collimation- 320 X 0.5mm, Voltage- 120kV, Tube Current- 300-500 mA. The average radiation dose was 10 mSv. Results All 16 patients undergoing MDCT evaluation had good quality studies. The LV and LA were able to be evaluated for thrombus. The inflow cannula and its position were able to be seen as well as the outflow graft to the aorta. [ figure 1 ] The driveline was also able to be seen and evaluated. [ figure 2 ] One patient was found to have LV apical thrombus. One patient had significant LV remodeling that significantly changed her cannula position in the LV. No other abnormalities were discovered. Conclusions The number of patients with LVADs is increasing. Current imaging methods are inadequate for evaluation and troubleshooting of these device. 320 row MDCT may be useful as an imaging modality for LVAD evaluation.
Assertive speaking: An approach to communication education for the future

Assertive speaking is a concept with ethical importance and practical applications in communication instruction. Derived from the literature of assertion training, the concept of assertive speaking is defined as the clear, direct, and appropriate expression of personal opinions, feelings, and purposes without undue anxiety and with respect for oneself and others. The assertive speaking idea applies to communication education in two ways: as a communication goal for both women and men in a time of major social change; and as an instructional approach that employs a variety of learning techniques for improving interpersonal communication.
Three-dimensional viscous design methodology for advanced technology aircraft supersonic inlet systems

A broad program to develop advanced, reliable, and user oriented three-dimensional viscous design techniques for supersonic inlet systems, and encourage their transfer into the general user community is discussed. Features of the program include: (1) develop effective methods of computing three-dimensional flows within a zonal modeling methodology; (2) ensure reasonable agreement between said analysis and selective sets of benchmark validation data; (3) develop user orientation into said analysis; and (4) explore and develop advanced numerical methodology.
NTSC: nice technology, super color

The National Television System Committee's (NTSC's) color TV encoding scheme is discussed. The history and theory of NTSC are reviewed. The operations of the NTSC coders and decoders are described. Results of some semiscientific experiments on the NTSC signal are presented. >
Modeling the local structure and energetics of protozeolitic nanoclusters in hydrothermally stable aluminosilicate mesostructures.

The density functional theory (DFT) method is used to investigate the structure and bonding of silica and aluminosilicate nanoclusters containing five- and six-membered oxygen rings. The clusters, ...
Search for center-of-mass excitation free states in the SU(3) no-core shell model space

We address the removal of states with center-of-mass excitation from the SU(3) no-core shell model [SU(3)-NCSM] space. After these spurious states have been removed, the remaining center-of-mass excitation free (CMF) states form a suitable model space for describing the intrinsic dynamics of nuclei. We formulate the problem of finding the CMF states as a null-space problem for the center-of-mass harmonic oscillator lowering operator , acting on the SU(3)-NCSM many-body space. We outline the construction process for the matrix representation of and provide a simple application of the method to the deuteron.
Revision of Cucumella (Cucurbitaceae, Cucurbitoideae, Melothrieae, Cucumerinae)

The genusCucumella is closely related toCucumis. It consists of 11 taxa found in southern and eastern Africa and India.Cucumella jeffreyana andC. clavipetiolata are described as new species, and subgenusLeptopericarpia, sectionAculeatae, and seriesEporcatae are also described as new.Cucumella (Kedrostis) engleri is lectotypified. A description of the genus, a key to its species, and a description, the distribution, and a discussion of each species are presented.
Classification of breast abnormalities under different detection cueing environments

Eight radiologists interpreted 110 subtle cases in an observer performance study. The database includes 51 verified masses and 44 microcalcification clusters. Of these, 35 masses and 29 clusters were associated with malignancy. Two computer-aided detection (CAD) cueing conditions involving the same case-based sensitivity of 73% and two false-positive rates (0.8 or 2 per image) were applied. In each condition, radiologists interpreted 110 cases twice. In one reading mode radiologists first interpreted images without viewing CAD cues and then they could revise their initial interpretation after reviewing CAD cues. In another reading mode, radiologists viewed cues as soon as the images were displayed. Abnormalities were first detected by the radiologists and then classified as benign or malignant. The results demonstrated that these two cueing modes had little impact on radiologists performance after they have already made initial interpretation. However, displaying a large number of false-positive cues simultaneously with the images significantly reduced radiologists' performance in the classification of masses (p < 0.05). As false-positive cueing rate decreased the negative effect on classification performance decreased as well. Hence, inappropriate use of or reliance on CAD results with high false-positive rate could interfere with radiologists' attention to the classification task.
Retention of habituation of exploratory behavior

Two groups of rats were tested in an open field. One group was exposed to a novel stimulus change with the field. After 90 days, animals were retested with both groups experiencing the stimulus change. The group having had prior exposure showed retention of the habituation of exploratory behavior.
Integrated micro-/nanofabrication of cell culture scaffolds with selective cell adhesion and fluorescent indicators

This work reports the micro- and nano-fabrication of substrates obtained by coupling conventional photolithography and layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly technologies, and the application for building in vitro cell culture scaffolds. Using photolithography, cell culture scaffolds of various shapes (circles, squares, and rectangles) and sizes (10 to 300 μm) were obtained using direct and soft lithography methods in SU-8, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Using LbL technology, patterned polyelectrolyte ultrathin multilayer films, containing gelatin to promote cell adhesion, were then deposited on or between raised microstructures, depending on the intended application of the cell culture scaffolds. Fluorescent indicator dyes are integrated onto the microstructures to allow monitoring changes of pH and oxygen in the cell culture media. Thus, cell activity may be monitored by using the fluorescent film properties, enabling a high-throughput cell-based in vitro screening system. The findings indicate that combining conventional photolithography and LbL technologies is an efficient method to fabricate micro- and nanoscale patterns as substrates to modulate the surface properties of in vitro cell culture scaffolds.
Graph Minors. XXII. Irrelevant vertices in linkage problems

In the algorithm for the disjoint paths problem given in Graph Minors XIII, we used without proof a lemma that, in solving such a problem, a vertex which was sufficiently ''insulated'' from the rest of the graph by a large planar piece of the graph was irrelevant, and could be deleted without changing the problem. In this paper we prove the lemma.
Determining the energy gap between the cis and trans isomers of HO3- using geometry optimization within the anti-Hermitian contracted Schrödinger and coupled cluster methods.

The cis and trans isomers of the HO3- anion, which are important in proposed mechanisms for ozonization, are studied computationally. Relative energies, geometries, and normal-mode frequencies are calculated with anti-Hermitian contracted Schrodinger equation (ACSE) and coupled cluster methods. Both the ACSE method and the coupled cluster method with single and double excitations (CCSD) are applied in a correlation-consistent polarized double-zeta basis set (cc-pVDZ). Using coupled cluster with singles, doubles, and perturbative triples (CCSD(T)), we treat the problem with larger basis sets than those in previous work, including correlation-consistent polarized quadruple-zeta basis sets with (aug-cc-pVQZ) and without (cc-pVQZ) diffuse functions, which permit extrapolation of the cis and trans energies to the complete-basis-set limit. The cis isomer is found to be lower in energy than the trans isomer by -3.5 kcal/mol, which is 50% larger in magnitude than the best previous result of -2.2 kcal/mol. The bond lengths between the O2 and OH fragments of the cis- and trans-HO3 are calculated to be 1.713 and 1.857 A, respectively, where both bond lengths are significantly longer than the 1.464 A O-O bond in hydrogen peroxide. In this paper, we extend the ACSE method [Mazziotti, D. A. J. Chem. Phys. 2007, 126, 184101], which computes the two-electron reduced density matrix directly, to include geometry optimization by a Newton's method with numerical derivatives. Calculation of the cis- and trans-HO3- isomers by the ACSE yields energies, geometries, and frequencies that are closer to those from CCSD(T) than those from CCSD.
Topology of gel-phase domains and lipid mixing properties in phase-separated two-component phosphatidylcholine bilayers

The influence of the lipid mixing properties on the lateral organization in a two-component, two-phase phosphatidylcholine bilayer was investigated using both an experimental (fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP)) and a simulated (Monte Carlo) approach. With the FRAP technique, we have examined binary mixtures of 1-stearoyl-2-capryl-phosphatidylcholine/1,2-distearoyl-phosphat idylcholine (C18C10PC/DSPC), and 1-stearoyl-2-capryl-phosphatidylcholine/1,2-dipalmitoyl-phospha tid ylcholine (C18C10PC/DPPC). Comparison with the 1,2-dimyristoyl-phosphatidylcholine/1,2-distearoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DMPC/DSPC) previously investigated by FRAP by Vaz and co-workers (Biophys. J., 1989, 56:869–876) shows that the gel phase domains become more effective in restricting the diffusion coefficient when the ideality of the mixture increases (i.e., in the order C18C10PC/DSPC-->C18C10PC/DPPC-->DMPC/DSPC). However, an increased lipid miscibility is accompanied by an increasing compositional dependence: the higher the proportion of the high-temperature melting component, the less efficient the gel phase is in compartmentalizing the diffusion plane, a trend that is best accounted for by a variation of the gel phase domain shape rather than size. Computer-simulated fluorescence recoveries obtained in a matrix obstructed with obstacle aggregates of various fractal dimension demonstrate that: 1) for a given obstacle size and area fraction, the relative diffusion coefficient increases linearly with the obstacle fractal dimension and 2) aggregates with a lower fractal dimension are more efficient in compartmentalizing the diffusion plane. Comparison of the simulated with the experimental mobile fractions strongly suggests that the fractal dimension of the gel phase domains increases with the proportion of high-temperature melting component in DMPC/DSPC and (slightly) in C18C10PC/DPPC.
Duration of progesterone-in-oil support after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer: a randomized, controlled trial.

Objective To determine the efficacy of a short P-in-oil protocol (11 days) in comparison with a traditional P-in-oil protocol (6 weeks) after IVF and embryo transfer. Design Prospective randomized, controlled trial. Setting Tertiary referral reproductive medicine unit. Patient(s) The first IVF-embryo transfer cycle of women ≤37 years old. Intervention(s) Either the standard protocol, 50 mg of IM P-in-oil daily for 6 weeks (group 1) or the study protocol, 50 mg of IM P-in-oil daily for 11 days (group 2). Main Outcome Measure(s) Clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, and live birth rates. Result(s) One hundred one patients were enrolled (48 in group 1, 53 in group 2). Mean age (31.8 years vs. 32.7 years) and reasons for infertility were not different between the groups. Despite higher embryo quality in group 1 than in group 2 (60.3 vs. 51.6), clinical (63.0% vs. 62.7%) and ongoing (58.7% vs. 51.0%) pregnancy rates (PR) were not significantly different. Live birth rates (52.2% vs. 49.0%) were not significantly different. Conclusion(s) Pregnancy and live birth rates were not different between the two groups, suggesting that the common practice of lengthy (≥6 weeks) P support of IVF pregnancies may be unnecessary.
Restoration of blurred images due to linear motion using a joint transform processor

In this paper we shall show that blurred photographic images due to linear motion can be restored with a joint transform processor (JTP). The deconvolution function for the image deblurring can be directly implemented at the input plane of a JTP. The bipolarity of the deconvolution function can be accomplished by encoding with a ±-shifted grating structure. Computer simulations to test the feasibility of the scheme are given.
Comparison of missing value imputation methods for crop yield data

Most ecological data sets contain missing values, a fact which can cause problems in the analysis and limit the utility of resulting inference. However, ecological data also tend to be spatially correlated, which can aid in estimating and imputing missing values. We compared four existing methods of estimating missing values: regression, kernel smoothing, universal kriging, and multiple imputation. Data on crop yields from the National Agricultural Statistical Survey (NASS) and the Census of Agriculture (Ag Census) were the basis for our analysis. Our goal was to find the best method to impute missing values in the NASS datasets. For this comparison, we selected the NASS data for barley crop yield in 1997 as our reference dataset. We found in this case that multiple imputation and regression were superior to methods based on spatial correlation. Universal kriging was found to be the third best method. Kernel smoothing seemed to perform very poorly. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proportional Myoelectric Control of Robots: Muscle Synergy Development Drives Performance Enhancement, Retainment, and Generalization

Proportional myoelectric control has been proposed for user-friendly interaction with prostheses, orthoses, and new human–machine interfaces. Recent research has stressed intuitive controls that mimic human intentions. However, these controls have limited accuracy and functionality, resulting in user-specific decoders with upper-bound constraints on performance. Thus, myoelectric controls have yet to realize their potential as a natural interface between humans and multifunctional robotic controls. This study supports a shift in myoelectric control schemes toward proportional simultaneous controls learned through the development of unique muscle synergies. A multiple day study reveals natural emergence of a new muscle synergy space as subjects identify the system dynamics of a myoelectric interface. These synergies correlate with long-term learning, increasing performance over consecutive days. Synergies are maintained after one week, helping subjects retain efficient control and generalize performance to new tasks. The extension to robot control is also demonstrated with a robot arm performing reach-to-grasp tasks in a plane. The ability to enhance, retain, and generalize control, without needing to recalibrate or retrain the system, supports control schemes promoting synergy development, not necessarily user-specific decoders trained on a subset of existing synergies, for efficient myoelectric interfaces designed for long-term use.
Multiple loci influencing hippocampal degeneration identified by genome scan

Objective Large genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified many novel genes influencing Alzheimer disease (AD) risk, but most of the genetic variance remains unexplained. We conducted a two-stage GWAS for AD-related quantitative measures of hippocampal volume (HV), total cerebral volume (TCV), and white matter hyperintensities (WMH).
The use of remote sensing data for advancing America'S Energy Policy

After briefly reviewing America's Energy Policy laid out by the Obama Administration, we outline how a Global Carbon Observing System designed to monitor Carbon from space can provide the necessary data and tools to equip decision makers with the knowledge necessary to formulate effective energy use and practices policy. To stabilize greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere in a manner that it does not interfere with the Earth's climate system (which is one of the goals of United Nations Framework for Convention on Climate Change) requires vastly improved prediction of the atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) concentrations. This in turn requires a robust understanding of the carbon exchange mechanisms between atmosphere, land, and oceans and a clear understanding of the sources and sinks (i.e. uptake and storage) of CO 2 . We discuss how the Carbon Observing System from space aids in better understanding of the connection between the carbon cycle and climate change and provides more accurate predictions of atmospheric CO 2 concentration. It also enables implementation of greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation policies such as cap and trade programs, international climate treaties, as well as formulation of effective energy use policies.
Libration in the Earth's rotation

External luni-solar torque exerted on the difference (B-A) of the earth's two equatorial principal moments of inertia gives rise to two types of librational motions in the earth's rotation: the semidiurnal libration in spin and the prograde diurnal libration in polar motion. Formulas for the librations considering a realistic earth model and their tidal decompositions are derived and evaluated. The spin libration has a maximum peal-to-peak amplitude of 0.90 milliarcseconds, that of the polar libration is 0.06 milliarcseconds. Implications concerning their detectability and role in the tidal variation of earth rotation are discussed.
Statistical Issues in fMRI for Brain Imaging

Summary Functional magnetic resonance imaging is a technique developed in the last decade and used in the fields of cognitive psychology and neuroscience, among others, to study the processes underlying the working of the human brain. In this paper we examine some of the statistical issues in functional magnetic resonance imaging for brain research. We start by giving a brief introduction to the physics of magnetic resonance imaging. Using a psychological experiment as a case study, we then describe questions of design and statistical analysis. The data obtained from functional magnetic resonance imaging studies are of a highly complex nature, displaying both spatial and temporal correlation, as well as high levels of noise from different sources. Given this, the scope for statistics is vast, and is not limited to simple analysis of the data, once collected.
AUTOMATIC SCORING OF PAPER-AND-PENCIL FIGURAL RESPONSES

Large-scale testing is dominated by the multiple-choice question format. Widespread use of the format is due, in part, to the ease with which multiple-choice items can be scored automatically. This paper examines automatic scoring procedures for an alternative item type: figural response. Figural response items call for the completion or modification of figural material, including illustrations, diagrams, and graphs. Twenty-five science items were written in cooperation with the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and printed with an ink that was invisible to scanning equipment. The items were answered with pencils; response sheets were scanned and the resulting data were processed by computer-based scoring algorithms. The paper describes the technology that lead to successful pilot scoring of seven items for ten subjects. Implications of this technology for the future of large-scale testing are discussed.
Second-Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing Students' Preconceived Attitudes Toward the Homeless and Poor: A Pilot Study

The current economic climate of the United States has contributed to the crisis in health care delivery services. As a result, an increasing number of individuals present as poor and vulnerable. Currently, poverty rates in the United States are climbing, with literature clearly reflecting an association between poverty and ill health. With a number of economic barriers to health care, it has been suggested that health care providers' attitudes and subtle prejudices have also contributed to access. These preconceived negative attitudes can shame and embarrass vulnerable, homeless, immigrant, and poor individuals from attempting to access care. This research attempted to identify preconceived attitudes that second-degree baccalaureate nursing students possess prior to clinical exposure to poor and homeless populations through qualitative and quantitative investigative methods. Senior-level community health students preparing to deliver health care at a suburban homeless day shelter were asked to describe their experiences and opinions relative to homeless and poor persons before and after their actual contact with this population. Collected data suggest that there are subtle stereotyping and negative attitudes regarding the plight of overtly impoverished individuals before rendering care. After an 8-hour clinical experience with the aforementioned population, attitudes toward the vulnerable slightly improved, suggesting that clinical and didactic exposure to the plight of poor populations may assist to sensitize student nurses to exude compassion through a holistic therapeutic nurse–client relationship.
Design of a gigawatt space solar power satellite using optical concentrator system

A 1-gigawatt space solar power satellite using a large array of individually pointable optical elements is identified as the key mass element of a large scale space solar power architecture using the Space Power Grid concept. The proposed satellite design enables a significant increase in specific power. Placed in sun-synchronous dynamic orbits near 2000km altitude, these satellites can maintain the constant solar view requirement of GEO-based architectures, while greatly reducing the beaming distance required, decreasing the required antenna size and in turn the overall system mass. The satellite uses an array of individually pointable optical elements (which we call a Mirasol Concentrator Array) to concentrate solar energy to an intensified feed target that feeds into the main heater of the spacecraft, similar conceptually to heliostat arrays. The spacecraft then utilizes Brayton cycle conversion to take advantage of non-linear power level scaling in order to generate high specific power values. Using phase array antennas, the power is then beamed at a millimeter wave frequency of 220GHz down to Earth. The design of the Mirasol concentrator system will be described and a detailed mass estimation of the system is developed. The technical challenges of pointing the elements and maintaining constant solar view is investigated. An end-to-end efficiency analysis is performed. Subsystem designs for the spacecraft are outlined. A detailed mass budget is refined to reflect reductions in uncertainty of the spacecraft mass, particularly in the Mirasol system. One of the key mass drivers of the spacecraft is the active thermal control system. The design of a lightweight thermal control system utilizing graphene sheets is also detailed.
The Media as a System of Racialization: Exploring Images of African American Women and the New Racism

Historically, the media perpetuate ideas about race and ethnicity that place African American women at a clear disadvantage. Beginning with the welfare queen image during the Reagan administration and moving to the porno chick represented in current videos, society views a daily discourse on race, gender, and class that continues to reproduce dominant and distorted views of African American womanhood and sexuality. The overabundance of this portrayal in popular culture raises serious implications associated with linking sexual promiscuity to the nature and identity of African American women. These popular representations of African American women and men are mostly unchallenged by larger society and the African American community. This article discusses the media as a system of racialization and proposes to challenge this system as a method of social justice and social change.
Strategic Environmental Assessment in China : Motivations, Politics, and Effectiveness

This paper examines how strategic environmental assessment has been practiced at the national level in China through 2005 and why it has been practiced in the manner observed. Based on literature reviews and interviews carried out in 2005 and 2006, we find that bureaucratic politics between environmental and nonenvironmental ministries has limited the legislation and implementation of strategic environmental assessment to environmental assessment (EA) for a set of government plans defined in the 2003 Environmental Impact Assessment Law. Interviewees from environmental and nonenvironmental ministries and key research institutes have reported that few planning EAs have been performed at the sectoral level. Nonenvironmental ministries have either evaded the 2003 Environmental Impact Assessment Law and have not undertaken required planning EA or have organized planning EA on their own without participation by the State Environmental Protection Administration. The rising tension between the environmental and nonenvironmental ministries has limited the role of planning EA as a participatory decision-making tool. In addition to bureaucratic politics, we find that weak public participation and underemphasis on social analysis in planning EA may have further compromised the utility of planning EA.
Designing secure sensor networks

Sensor networks are expected to play an essential role in the upcoming age of pervasive computing. Due to their constraints in computation, memory, and power resources, their susceptibility to physical capture, and use of wireless communications, security is a challenge in these networks. The scale of deployments of wireless sensor networks require careful decisions and trade-offs among various security measures. The authors discuss these issues and consider mechanisms to achieve secure communication in these networks.
A normal coordinate analysis of trans-1,4-polychloroprene

The fundamental vibrational frequencies of an isolated chain of trans-1,4-polychloroprene have been calculated. The agreement between the calculated and experimentally observed crystalline frequencies supports the molecular model for the structure of trans-1,4-polychloroprene and the force field employed in the calculations. The results of the normal coordinate analysis indicate that there is essentially no coupling between adjacent translational repeat units of trans-1,4-polychloroprene.
Ground water discharge and the related nutrient and trace metal fluxes into Quincy bay, Massachusetts.

Measurement of the rate and direction of ground water flow beneath Wollaston Beach, Quincy, Massachusetts by use of a heat-pulsing flowmeter shows a mean velocity in the bulk sediment of 40 cm d−1. The estimated total discharge of ground water into Quincy Bay during October 1990 was 1324–2177 m3 d−1, a relatively low ground water discharge rate. The tides have only a moderate effect on the rate and direction of this flow. Other important controls on the rate and volume of ground water flow are the limited thickness, geographic extent, and permeability of the aquifer. Comparisons of published streamflow data and estimates of ground water discharge indicate that ground water makes up between 7.4–12.1% of the gaged freshwater input into Quincy Bay. The data from this study suggest the ground water discharge is a less important recharge component to Quincy Bay than predicted by National Urban Runoff Program (NURP) models. The high nitrate and low nitrite and ammonia concentrations in the ground water at the backshore well sites and low nitrate and high nitrite and ammonia concentrations in the water flowing from the foreshore suggests that denitrification is active in the sediments. The low ground water flow rates and low nitrate concentrations in the foreshore samples suggest that little or no nitrate is surviving the denitrification process to affect the planktonic community. Similarly, oxidizing conditions in the aquifer and low trace metal concentrations in the ground water samples suggest that the metals may be precipitating and binding to sedimentary phases before impacting the bay.
Impact of Five Commercial Baits Containing Chitin Synthesis Inhibitors on the Protist Community in Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), workers were continuously exposed to one of five chitin synthesis inhibiting (CSI) active ingredients and the protist community from the hindgut quantified biweekly for 21 d. The CSIs tested included commercially available formulations of diflubenzuron, hexaflumuron, lufenuron, noviflumuron, and novaluron. Results showed termites exposed to CSIs had a significant decrease (≥30%) in the estimated total protist population after 3 d, regardless of treatment. Protist species impacted were Dinenympha fimbriata, D. gracilis, Microjoenia fallax, Pyrsonympha vertens, and Trichonympha agilis and could be indicative of weakened digestive homeostasis, but further studies are needed. We also provide evidence that lufenuron is highly toxic and discuss some of the implications this might have on termite management practices.
Epilesional scarification. Preliminary report of a new approach to local immunotherapy with BCG.

Because of the serious toxicity of intralesionally injected BCG, including high fever, local ulceration, chronic drainage, and disseminated BCG disease, 13 patients received local BCG immunotherapy by the new approach of epilesional scarification. Three patients had complete responses, four had partial responses, and six had no response. Toxic reactions were minimal compared to those reported for intralesionally given BCG. ( JAMA 234:1233-1235, 1975)
Glory scattering by black holes.

We present a physically motivated derivation of the JWKB backward glory-scattering cross section of massless waves by Schwarzschild black holes. The angular dependence of the cross section is identical with the one derived by path integration, namely, d\ensuremath{\sigma}/d\ensuremath{\Omega}=4${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{2}$${\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$${B}_{g}$${}^{2}$(dB mW\ensuremath{\pi}, where \ensuremath{\lambda} is the wavelength, B(\ensuremath{\theta}) is the inverse of the classical deflection function CTHETA(B), ${B}_{g}$ is the glory impact parameter, s is the helicity of the scattered wave, and ${J}_{2s}$ is the Bessel function of order 2s. The glory rings formed by scalar waves are bright at the center; those formed by polarized waves are dark at the center. For scattering of massless particles by a spherical black hole of mass M, B(\ensuremath{\theta})/M\ensuremath{\sim}3 \ensuremath{\surd}3 +3.48 exp(-\ensuremath{\theta}), \ensuremath{\theta}gowig\ensuremath{\pi}. The numerical values of d\ensuremath{\sigma}/d\ensuremath{\Omega} for this deflection function are found to agree with earlier computer calculations of glory cross sections from black holes.