cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mineral‐nutrient concentrations in the mountain mahogany species Cercocarpus montanus and Cercocarpus intricatus and in their associated soils

Abstract Data taken from study sites in northeastern Utah and northeastern Arizona were used to describe the mineral‐nutrient relationships of C. montanus and C. intricatus. General habitat and soil relationships are discussed as well as nutrient dynamics with respect to beneath and between plants, uptake patterns ‐soil to plant, transfer within the plant and ideas of leaf duration (evergreen vs. deciduous) in relation to nutrient conservation. The shrubs exhibited three patterns of nutrient concentration along a gradient from shrub to adjacent open area (accumulation, depletion and no change). Nutrient concentrations in the plant were significantly correlated with the “available” minerals in the soil. All ions became concentrated from soil to plant with phosphorus and nitrogen being the most highly magnified and micronutrients being pumped at much higher levels than macronutrients. All nutrients (except iron) concentrated toward stem tip and leaf. Four ions (nitrogen, magnesium, iron, manganese) increase...
Rate Constants and Product Branching Fractions for the Reactions of H3O+ and NO+ with C2−C12 Alkanes

Gas-phase ion molecule reactions of H3O+ and NO+ with a number of C2−C12 alkanes have been studied using a variable temperature-selected ion flow tube instrument. Reaction rate constants and product branching fractions were measured at 300 K, and temperature dependences of the rate constants and product branching fractions for reactions of C7 and C8 alkanes were examined from 300 to 500 K. The threshold size for H3O+ reaction occurs at hexane, with the reaction rate constants increasing steadily with alkane size. Association is the predominant reaction channel at 300 K for C3−C12 alkanes, although these products thermally dissociate back into initial reactants between 300 and 400 K. The proton-transfer reaction channel is expected to be exothermic for large alkanes; however, this reaction channel does not proceed at the collision rate, nor are any direct proton-transfer product ions observed. The presence of smaller alkyl product ions suggests proton-transfer product ions may dissociate into smaller alkyl...
Cilia Biology: Stop Overeating Now!

Knocking out primary cilia of adult mouse tissues or a specific subset of cilia from POMC-expressing neurons in the brain initiates uncontrolled eating. This behavior leads to obesity and kidney disease.
Analytical characterization of the MPDR-based power estimators in snapshot scarce regime

The Minimum Power Distortionless Response (MPDR) beamformer processes the input signal such that the output power is minimized and the signal arriving from a look direction is undistorted. The sample spatial correlation matrix, estimated from snapshots of the received signal, plays a central role in the calculation of MPDR array weights and the estimate of the received signal power from the desired look direction. When the number of available snapshots and the number of array sensors are of similar order, the true and estimated correlation matrices might differ significantly. This paper presents analytical characterization of the MPDR-based power estimators in the snapshot scarce regime and when diagonal loading is used. In this effort, some results from the theory of large dimensional random matrices are exploited. The derived characterizations are validated via simulations.
Dominant lethal mutations induced in mice by orally administered ethyl methanesulfonate

Summary Male mice of the inbred strain DBA/2J were given by gavage 150 mg/kg body weight of ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). The rate of induction of dominant lethal mutations was estimated from uterine scars of parental females after progeny had been weaned. Since 85% of all conceptions took place during the first 7 days postinjection, the estimated rate of occurrence of dominant lethal mutations is based primarily on those mutations which have occurred in spermatozoa in the vas and epididymis. The frequency of dominant lethals in the treated groups was significantly greater than that of the control groups.
Potts flux tube model at nonzero chemical potential

We model the deconfinement phase transition in quantum chromodynamics at nonzero baryon number density and large quark mass by extending the flux tube model (three-state, three-dimensional Potts model) to nonzero chemical potential. In a direct numerical simulation we confirm mean-field-theory predictions that the deconfinement transition does not occur in a baryon-rich environment.
Phytotherapy in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: an update

In the urology practice of one of us (F.C.L.), more than 90% of the newly referred patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to BPH have already tried or are using some form of alternative/complementary medications. 4 The most commonly used agents are saw palmetto berry (SPB) extract, "men's health pills" (which contain multiple botanicals), zinc, selenium, and vitamin E. A recent national survey conducted by National Family Opinion Inc. and reported in JAMA determined that the widespread use of these agents was due to philosophical congruence with peoples' own values, beliefs, and orientation to- ward health and life. 5
Teaching as Art: The Contemporary Lecture-Performance

Actors representing the anonymous collective Bruce High Quality Foundation (BHQF) sang, “Whatever you ask for, that’s what I’ll be,” and the rest of George Michaels’s “Father Figure” in the karaoke ending to their lecture-performance Art History with Benefits. The performance took place at the X Initiative in Chelsea last November, as a part of Performa 09. It was one of many lecture-performances presented at the biennial; William Kentridge, Alexandre Singh, Guillame Desanges, and Terence Koh also performed their own wildly varied takes on the academic lecture. Seeing their work in rapid succession over the course of three weeks brought a few questions to mind: Why, for one, are so many visual artists attracted to this particular form of live performance? What is the precedent in art history, and how does this work compare to the lecture-performance being created in the dance and theatre worlds? I set out to discover the wide range of aesthetic and conceptual possibilities for the increasingly popular form. Twentieth-century artists such Chris Burden, Yvonne Rainer, Robert Morris, Robert Smithson, and Joseph Beuys have used lecture-performance to blur the lines separating art from discourse about art. In contemporary performance, artists are continuing, in this tradition, to push past the boundaries of disciplines (Desanges, for example, is foremost an art critic and curator) as well as the boundaries between art and life. These are popular themes in contemporary art practice in general, but more specific to lecture-performance is the idea of teaching-as-art. The best lecture-performances always seem to originate from artists who believe that teaching itself is a central component of their artwork. Institutional critique also factors heavily in most iterations of the form. Though it is by no means the only conceptual framework for contemporary lecture-performance, I’ve found that the most interesting work of this kind comes from artists who meld a critique of institutional structures with a specific and idealistic view: the belief that consciousness stemming from teaching and learning can lead to a new way to live in society. The BHQF uses the form to illuminate problems in the commercialized structure of the art world and art education. The choreographer Jerome Bel explains the philosophical foundations of his works, which are often about exposing systematic structures in the dance industry, more directly than he has found possible through
Information Hiding Through Errors : A Confusing Approach

A substantial portion of the text available online is of a kind that tends to contain many typos and ungrammatical abbreviations, e.g., emails, blogs, forums. It is therefore not surprising that, in such texts, one can carry out information-hiding by the judicious injection of typos (broadly construed to include abbreviations and acronyms). What is surprising is that, as this paper demonstrates, this form of embedding can be made quite resilient. The resilience is achieved through the use of computationally asymmetric transformations (CAT for short): Transformations that can be carried out inexpensively, yet reversing them requires much more extensive semantic analyses (easy for humans to carry out, but hard to automate). An example of CAT is transformations that consist of introducing typos that are ambiguous in that they have many possible corrections, making them harder to automatically restore to their original form: When considering alternative typos, we prefer ones that are also close to other vocabulary words. Such encodings do not materially degrade the text's meaning because, compared to machines, humans are very good at disambiguation. We use typo confusion matrices and word level ambiguity to carry out this kind of encoding. Unlike robust synonym substitution that also cleverly used ambiguity, the task here is harder because typos are very conspicuous and an obvious target for the adversary (synonyms are stealthy, typos are not). Our resilience does not depend on preventing the adversary from correcting without damage: It only depends on a multiplicity of alternative corrections. In fact, even an adversary who has boldly "corrected" all the typos by randomly choosing from the ambiguous alternatives has, on average, destroyed around w/4 of our w-bit mark (and incurred a high cost in terms of the damage done to the meaning of the text).
Effects of drug changes and physician prescribing practices on the behavior of persons with mental retardation

Psychoactive drugs are often prescribed to control challenging behaviors of individuals with mental retardation. We examined the effects of drug changes and physician’s prescribing behavior on the aggressive and collateral behaviors of three individuals with severe and profound mental retardation. Despite repeated drug changes over the course of 2 years, no decrease in aggression was observed for any of the three subjects. In fact, with one of the clients (X.W.) aggression was more problematic after two years of attempted pharmaceutical control. Observed confounds to assessing behavior control included: the lack of withdrawal phases; unsystematic dosage manipulations; potential history and maturational effects; polypharmacy; and unreliable qualitative measures. Future psychopharmacological research should include the prescribing behavior of physicians as an ecobehavioral variable that may impact treatment outcome.
New measurements of the water vapor continuum in the region from 0.3 to 2.7 THz

Abstract We present a spectroscopic study of the water vapor continuum absorption in the far-IR region from 10 to 90 cm−1 (0.3–2.7 THz). The experimental technique combines a temperature-stabilized multipass absorption cell, a polarizing (Martin–Puplett) interferometric spectrometer, and a liquid-He-cooled bolometer detector. The contributions to the absorbance resulting from the structureless H2O–H2O and H2O–N2 continua have been measured in the temperature range from 293 to 333 K with spectral resolution of 0.04–0.12 cm−1. The resonant water vapor spectrum was modeled using the HITRAN04 database and a Van Vleck–Weisskopf lineshape function with a 100 cm−1 far-wing cut-off. Within experimental uncertainty, both the H2O–H2O and H2O–N2 continua demonstrate nearly quadratic dependencies of absorbance on frequency with, however, some deviation near the 2.5 THz window. The absorption coefficients of 3.83 and 0.185 (dB/km)/(kPa THz)2 were measured for self- and foreign-gas continuum, respectively. The corresponding temperature exponents were found to be 8.8 and 5.7. The theoretically predicted foreign continuum is presented and a reasonable agreement with experiment is obtained.
The reduction of pertechnetate-99 by stannous chloride—I. The stoichiometry of the reaction in HCl, in a citrate buffer and in a DTPA buffer

Abstract The reduction of pertechnetate-99 by excess stannous chloride in several media was investigated as a possible model for radiopharmaceutical preparations which are based on the reduction of pertechnetate-99m by the same reagent. Polarographic and idiometric techniques were used to analyze for unreacted stannous ion. It was found that pertechnetate is reduced to the +4 state in a citrate buffer at pH 7, to the +3 state in a DTPA buffer at pH4, and possibly to the +4 state in HCl. The reaction in DTPA solution was found to be complete within several minutes. The reduction in the citrate buffer proceeded rapidly to the +5 state, and much more slowly to the +4 state. The implications of these rate studies for the radiopharmaceutical preparations were discussed. Direct potentiometric titrations of pertechnetate-99 with stannous chloride showed that the technetium was in the +4 state in HCl, in the +5 state in citrate solution, and in both the +3 and +4 states in DTPA.
Comparison of solar-thermal and solar-electrical-thermal propulsion methods

Solar propulsion concepts recently have received increased interest, based on the intriguing simplicity of proposed designs and the availability of the free solar energy. The direct solar propulsion method has been studied in detail, whereas the indirect method has not been investigated in this country. Based on experience in direct solar propulsion systems and solar power-con version methods, a preliminary analysis is presented in the following, which demonstrates the advantages of either system.
Metal ion and DNA binding by single-chain PvuII endonuclease: lessons from the linker.

Understanding the roles of metal ions in restriction enzymes has been complicated by both the presence of two metal ions in many active sites and their homodimeric structure. Using a single-chain form of the wild-type restriction enzyme PvuII (scWT) in which subunits are fused with a short polypeptide linker (Simoncsits et al. in J. Mol. Biol. 309:89–97, 2001), we have characterized metal ion and DNA binding behavior in one subunit and examined the effects of the linker on dimer behavior. scWT exhibits heteronuclear single quantum coherence NMR spectra similar to those of native wild-type PvuII (WT). For scWT, isothermal titration calorimetry data fit to two Ca(II) sites per subunit with low-millimolar Kds. The variant scWT|E68A, in which metal ion binding in one subunit is abolished by mutation, also binds two Ca(II) ions in the WT subunit with low-millimolar Kds. When there are no added metal ions, DNA binding affinity for scWT is tenfold stronger than that of the native WT, but tenfold weaker at saturating Ca(II) concentration. In the presence of Ca(II), scWT|E68A binds target DNA similarly to scWT, indicating that high-affinity substrate binding can be carried energetically by one metal-ion-binding subunit. Global analysis of DNA binding data for scWT|E68A suggests that the metal-ion-dependent behaviors observed for WT are reflective of independent subunit behavior. This characterization provides an understanding of subunit contributions in a homodimeric context.
Approaches for Longitudinally Tracking Graduates of NCI-Funded Short-Term Cancer Research Training Programs

Short-term cancer research programs for health professions students typically state goals of encouraging and fostering interest in pursuing cancer research-based careers. Evaluating career choices and professional achievements of these trainees has been problematic. Well-designed program evaluation is a key element in determining successful training experiences, and program-specific outcome measures are typically used to assess the effectiveness of each short-term cancer research experience. We describe evaluation approaches for longitudinal tracking of participants of our National Cancer Institute-sponsored Cancer Research Experiences for Students program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, emphasizing those approaches that demonstrated greatest effectiveness. We also evaluate the various methods we used in terms of cost, efficiency, and effectiveness. Recommendations are provided to assist comparable training programs facing the challenges of longitudinal tracking and program evaluation.
The organization of projection neurons in the opossum red nucleus.

Abstract The opossum red nucleus is populated by neurons encompassing a considerable size range. The largest neurons (giant neurons, 45–70 μm) are restricted to its caudal, medial third, whereas those in the large-medium category (25–40 μm) are located throughout the nucleus. The smallest neurons (less than 20 μm) are relatively achromatic and few in number, but are also scattered throughout the nucleus. Evidence from both retrograde and orthograde degeneration studies shows that rubrospinal fibers arise from both giant and large-medium neurons in the caudal third of the nucleus and from large-medium neurons in its rostral two-thirds (mainly the ventral part). Neurons in the medial part of the caudal red nucleus (giant neurons particularly) contribute relatively few fibers to contralateral brain stem nuclei, whereas, large-medium neurons residing in its rostral two-thirds and in the lateral extreme of its caudal third project more extensively to such areas and appear to be the main source of fibers to the chief sensory and spinal trigeminal nuclei, the facial nucleus and the parvicellular reticular formation. Some of these rubrobulbar fibers are likely collaterals of spinal axons. The experimental results further suggest that (1) rubrocerebellar axons arise from both caudal and rostral areas of the nucleus, (2) some large-medium neurons project only to the contralateral brain stem and/or cerebellum, and (3) the ipsilateral rubrobulbar bundle arises from large-medium neurons which are located within the rostral red nucleus. Previous experimental light and electron microscopic studies, together with observations made from Golgi impregnated sections, provide evidence that the small neuron is intrinsic to the nucleus. The organization of the opossum red nucleus revealed by the origin of the various descending projections is generally reflected by its cortical and cerebellar inputs and by its histochemistry.
Haloperidol Blocks Increased Locomotor Activity Elicited by Carbachol Infusion Into the Ventral Hippocampal Formation

Previous studies have demonstrated that stimulation of the ventral hippocampal (VH) formation (including the ventral CA1 and subicular areas) elicits increased locomotor activity in rats. The locomotor-activating effects of VH stimulation have been hypothesized to be mediated via hippocampal output to cortical and subcortical dopamine (DA) systems. This study examined whether increased locomotor activity produced by VH stimulation was blocked by pretreatment with a DA receptor antagonist, and whether DA metabolism in subdivisions of the nucleus accumbens, caudate-putamen, and prefrontal cortex was elevated by VH stimulation. Stimulation of the VH (defined as the ventral CA1 and its borders, ventral subiculum, and entorhinal cortex) with the cholinergic agonist carbachol was found to elevate locomotor activity, while pretreatment with the D2 receptor antagonist haloperidol blocked this effect. Stimulation of the VH did not alter DA metabolism (i.e., ratio of the DA metabolites DOPAC or HVA/DA) in any of the brain regions studied. These results indicate that the increased locomotor activity elicited by VH stimulation is not associated with dramatic increases in DA metabolism, but that it does require tonic activation of D2 receptors.
Incidence and correlates of major bleeding after percutaneous coronary intervention across different clinical presentations

Background Bleeding after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is identified as a strong predictor for adverse events, including mortality. This study aims to compare the incidence and correlates of post-PCI bleeding across different clinical presentations. Methods The study included 23,943 consecutive PCI patients categorized according to their clinical presentation: stable angina pectoris (n = 6,741), unstable angina pectoris (UAP) (n = 5,215), non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) (n = 8,418), ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (n = 2,721), and cardiogenic shock (CGS) (n = 848). Results Severity of clinical presentation was associated with a greater use of preprocedural anticoagulation, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, and intraaortic balloon pump (IABP). TIMI-defined major bleeding increased with increasing severity of clinical presentation: stable angina pectoris, 0.7%; UAP, 1.0%; NSTEMI, 1.6%; STEMI, 4.6%; and CGS, 13.5% ( P Conclusions In patients undergoing PCI, the worsening severity of clinical presentation corresponds to an increase in incidence of post-PCI major bleeding. The increased risk with CGS, STEMI, and NSTEMI persisted despite adjusting for more aggressive pharmacotherapy and use of IABP. Careful attention to antithrombotic pharmacotherapy is warranted in this high-risk population.
Induction of muscle weakness by local inflammation: an experimental animal model.

Objective and design: The objective of this study was to characterize the response of skeletal muscle to a localized inflammation induced by the inflammatory agent casein.
Angle Resolved Scattering from Optical Filters for Space Applications

Multilayer dielectric bandpass coatings were deposited on a variety of substrates to assess the effect of surface condition on out-of-band angle resolved scattering (ARS).
Cap and Trade Contains Global Warming Better Than a Carbon Tax

The best way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on a sustained basis, says the author, is a cap-and-trade policy. Prices may fluctuate, but at least we get at the heart of the problem—steadily reducing emissions. A carbon tax will allow emissions to fluctuate as economic conditions cyclically turn from strong to weak and back again.
Questionnaire based assessment of risk factors for primary biliary cirrhosis

Abstract Background Primary biliary cirrhosis is a cholestatic liver disease characterized by immune-mediated destruction of bile ducts. Its pathogenesis is largely unknown, although complex interactions between environment and genetic predisposition are proposed. Aims Identify disease risk factors using a detailed patient questionnaire and compare study findings to 3 published reports. Methods Questionnaire data were prospectively collected from 522 cases and 616 controls of the Mayo Clinic Primary Biliary Cirrhosis Genetic Epidemiology Registry. Case and control responses were compared using logistic regression, adjusting for recruitment age, sex, and education level. Results Cases reported ever regularly smoking cigarettes more frequently than controls (P Conclusions Our study confirms prior reported risk factors associated with disease risk. Given the potential importance of gene and environment interactions, further examination of environmental risk factors considering genetic background may provide new insight into primary biliary cirrhosis pathogenesis.
The Importance of Conscientiousness in Adolescent Interpersonal Relationships

This research examined how conscientiousness contributes to adolescents' positive peer relationships and vulnerability to poorer ones. Given its temperamental origins in effortful control, conscientiousness was expected to be particularly important. A total of 256 fifth to eighth graders completed personality, peer-relationship, and victimization measures. Peers, parents, and teachers also completed assessments. Adolescents higher on conscientiousness experienced less victimization, better quality friendships, and higher peer acceptance even after controlling for the other Big Five dimensions. Externalizing and/or attention problems mediated the link between conscientiousness and peer relations. Conscientiousness moderated the relation between internalizing problems and poor interpersonal functioning. Results suggest that self-control processes associated with conscientiousness are important in developing and maintaining relationships in adolescence.
Long-term feeding of high zinc sulfate diets to lactating and gestating dairy cows.

Thirty dairy cows, fed a control diet consisting of silage and concentrates, were given either 0, 1000, or 2000 ppm of supplemental Zn (DM basis), from zinc sulfate monohydrate (ZnSO4.H2O) for most of a lactation. Feeding 2000 ppm Zn decreased milk yield and feed intake after several weeks. Some cows were affected more severely than others. Generally, primiparous animals were more tolerant of the high Zn diet than multiparous cows. Milk Zn was materially higher for cows fed 1000 ppm added Zn than controls. With 2000 ppm Zn, milk Zn was elevated further but returned to control values when the high Zn diet was discontinued. Plasma Zn was higher in cows fed supplemental Zn with the increase from 1000 to 2000 greater than that for the first addition. Plasma Cu was lower in cows feed 2000 ppm Zn but milk Cu was not reduced. Milk fat content was not affected, but protein and SNF were reduced by the 12th wk with the 2000 ppm Zn diet. There was no apparent effect on long-term health or performance after the cows were removed from the 2000 ppm Zn diet. Except for lower calf weights with 2000 ppm Zn, reproductive performance was not measurably affected by the dietary treatments. The 1000 ppm added Zn diet had no adverse effect on the cows in any parameter measured.
3-D hemispherical micro glass-shell resonator with integrated electrostatic excitation and capacitive detection transducers

This paper reports the development and performance of a 3-D hemispherical micro glass-shell resonator with integrated electrostatic excitation and capacitive detection transducers. A new fabrication method has been developed for a hemispherical micro glass-shell resonator with glass ball molding as well as a self-guided-alignment process to maintain the gap distance between the electrodes and the shell uniform. The fabricated micro glass-shell resonator produced the first vibration mode of resonance at 5.843KHz with a quality factor of 730 at atmosphere with the time decay constant of 39.78ms. The diameter of the fabricated glass-shell resonator was measured as 1mm with shell thickness of 1.2μm.
Complexation of dextran and glucose with thiolate boronic acid capped on nanoparticle

Tiopronin-monolayer protected silver nanoparticles (average diameter = 5 nm) were partially replaced by thiolate boronic acid via ligand exchange. The uncapped boronic acids could be coupled with both a polysaccharide (Dextran) and a monoaccharide (glucose). Boronic acids capped on the particle were coupled selectively only by Dextran. With the decrease of charge on particle surface at pH = 5, boronic acids capped on the particle could be coupled with glucose. The particles were observed to aggregate along the Dextran chain, resulting in an absorbance decrease of the transverse plasmon at 397 nm and simultaneous rising of longitudinal plasmon at 640 nm. The aggregation increased with the concentration of Dextran. Luminescence intensity of phenyl boronic acid was enhanced by an upward deviation from a line with the concentration of Dextran in solution but the decay time was decreased, principally by the aggregation of the metallic cores.
Differences Between Depressed Patients With Heart Failure and Those With Pulmonary Disease

Objective The objective of this study was to examine differences between depressed medical inpatients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and chronic pulmonary disease (CPD) that could impact the etiology and management of depression in this setting. Methods Patients aged 50 years or over consecutively admitted to Duke University Medical Center and three community hospitals were screened for depressive disorder using the Structured Clinical Interview for Depression (SCID-IV). Characteristics of depressed patients with CHF (N = 174) and CPD (N = 527) were compared. Analyses were stratified by type of depressive disorder (major versus minor). Results Depressed hospitalized medical patients with CHF and CPD are similar to one another in many respects, particularly with regard to severity of depressive symptoms and shortness of breath. However, patients with CHF in this study had greater medical comorbidity and overall more severe medical illnesses but less severe CHF-specific disease severity compared with patients with CPD. Patients with CPD, however, were more likely to have psychologic risk factors such as a psychiatric history, comorbid psychiatric illness, and stressful life events. Conclusion These findings suggest important differences between depressed patients with CHF and those with CPD, perhaps reflecting differences in depression etiology and need for specific strategies for managing depression in each of these conditions.
Guiding a self-adjusting system through chaos

The authors studied the parametric controls of self-adjusting systems with numerical models. The authors investigated the situation where the target dynamics changes slowly and passes through a chaotic region. The authors found that feedback destabilizes controls if the target is chaotic. If the control is unstable, the system migrates to the closest nonchaotic target, i.e., it adapts to the edge of chaos. For weak controls, the deviation between system dynamics and target is larger, but the system dynamics is less chaotic and therefore more predictable. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity, 2007
Automatic focus quality analysis for managing large collection of digital photographs

In managing large collections of digital photographs, there have been many research efforts to compute low level image features such as texture and color to aid different managing tasks (e.g. query-by-example applications or scene classification for image clustering). In this paper, we focus on the assessment of image quality as a complementary feature to improve the manageability of images. Specifically, we propose an effective and efficient algorithm to analyze the focus quality of the photographs and provide quantitative measurement of the assessment. In this algorithm, global figure-of-merits are computed from matrices of the local image statistics such as sharpness, brightness and color saturation. The global figure-of-merits represent how well each image meets the prior assumptions about focus quality of natural images. Then, a collection of the global figure-of-merits are used to decide how well-focused an image is. Experimental results show that the method can detect 90% of the out-of-focus photographs labeled by experts while producing 11% of false positives. We further apply this quantitative measure in image management tasks, including image content filtering/sorting based on the focus quality and image retrieval.
Evaluating the absolute quality of a single protein model using structural features and support vector machines.

Knowing the quality of a protein structure model is important for its appropriate usage. We developed a model evaluation method to assess the absolute quality of a single protein model using only structural features with support vector machine regression. The method assigns an absolute quantitative score (i.e. GDT-TS) to a model by comparing its secondary structure, relative solvent accessibility, contact map, and beta sheet structure with their counterparts predicted from its primary sequence. We trained and tested the method on the CASP6 dataset using cross-validation. The correlation between predicted and true scores is 0.82. On the independent CASP7 dataset, the correlation averaged over 95 protein targets is 0.76; the average correlation for template-based and ab initio targets is 0.82 and 0.50, respectively. Furthermore, the predicted absolute quality scores can be used to rank models effectively. The average difference (or loss) between the scores of the top-ranked models and the best models is 5.70 on the CASP7 targets. This method performs favorably when compared with the other methods used on the same dataset. Moreover, the predicted absolute quality scores are comparable across models for different proteins. These features make the method a valuable tool for model quality assurance and ranking. Proteins 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The effects of sexual orientation and marital status on how couples hold their money

Previous research has shown that intrahousehold bargaining power in different-sex couples affects household expenditures and how families hold their money. This article examines the portfolio of bank accounts held by same-sex and different-sex couples and its relationship to bargaining power and individual and relationship characteristics. Data from the U.S. Survey of Consumer Finances suggest that married couples are much more likely to hold money jointly than are same-sex or unmarried different-sex couples, even after accounting for the effects of other characteristics. However, many couples of all types hold money in joint accounts and do so more often in longer term relationships and when rearing children. Proxies for bargaining power help predict whether money will be held in individual accounts for unmarried different-sex and same-sex couples, but not for married couples. These patterns could reflect greater matching of married couples on preferences or the effects of legal and social institutions that differ by marital status and sexual orientation.
The stability of Lomer–Cottrell jogs in nanopillars

Single arm spiral sources, or truncated Frank–Read sources, have been used frequently to interpret the size dependent plasticity in micropillars. The basis for these sources is strong pinning points which have been proposed to exist based on immobile Lomer–Cottrell jogs. Here, we show, using molecular dynamics of face-centered cubic nanopillars, that Lomer–Cottrell jogs are not as immobile as initially thought and that they do not provide strong pinning points for single arm sources.
Toward a Meta-Model of Behavioral Interaction for Designing Complex Adaptive Systems

Future complex engineered systems must be adaptable to, and function in, unpredictable situations, such as deep space or ocean explorations, hazardous waste cleanups, and search-and-rescue missions. To increase system adaptability, various multi-agent system approaches have been developed. From a design point of view, a critical question in developing such systems is: how can system adaptability be designed into complex systems based only on local interactions between (many) simple cells or agents? Although explicit cooperative methods have been applied to answer this question, their limitation in scaling-up has been recognized. In this paper, we introduce a meta-interaction model that can be used as a design approach towards multi-agent complex systems. The approach parameterizes behavioral interactions extended from the Boids swarm intelligence model by introducing dynamical variables into the system. The goal of the meta-interaction model is to provide a mapping for the prediction of collective functionality from local interactions and for the indication of local interactions based on desired functionality. The proposed model is described in detail and a computer simulation based case study of search-and-surround is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed approach to designing complex adaptive systems.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Sorption and desorption dynamics of bulk dissolved organic matter and amino acids in the Mississippi River plume - a microcosm study.

Particulate and dissolved carbon, nitrogen and amino acids were analysed in a microcosm experiment where particulate material from the Mississippi River was mixed with surface waters of different salinities (2.0, 20.4 and 28.9) collected from the Mississippi River plume. There was evidence for the partitioning of amino acids in different salinity treatments during a 24-h period. Dissolved amino acids in the productive mid-salinity region of the plume had higher binding efficiencies than did amino acids from non-productive waters, indicative of the relative importance of phytoplankton sources of reactive amino acids. Basic amino acids were adsorbed more readily to particles, whereas acidic amino acids remained in the dissolved pool, indicating that electrostatic mechanisms affected amino-acid partitioning. Neutral amino-acid enrichment onto the particles was proportional to their respective hydrophobicity. Because riverine particles enter the higher salinity-shelf waters of the Mississippi River plume, changing ionic strength is a key in controlling amino-acid sorption and desorption kinetics. We propose that the short-term partitioning of amino acids between dissolved and particulate amino-acid pools across salinity gradients in the plume were affected by (1) electrostatic characteristics of suspended riverine sediment surfaces, (2) the availability of 'freshly' produced amino acids from phytoplankton and (3) the functional groups of amino acids.
In vivo effect of 17β-estradiol on intestinal calcium absorption in rats

Previously we reported that intestinal cells contain estrogen receptors, and that 17β-estradiol enhanced calcium uptake by these cells in vitro. The current study was undertaken to examine the in vivo effects of 17β-estradiol on intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus. Three groups of rats were studied. Group 1 received solvent vehicle. Groups 2 and 3 received 5 μg and 40 μg 17β-estradiol/kg body weight/day, respectively, for 21 days. Hormone and solvent vehicle injections were given subcutaneously. Rats were fed a Teklad diet containing 0.4% Ca, 0.3% P and 3.0 U vitamin D/g during the study. Intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus was assessed over a 5-day period from day 15–19. Carmine red (25 mg/100 g diet) was added to the rat feed to mark the beginning and end of fecal collections. Administration of 17β-estradiol caused an increase in intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus. The increase was significant only for calcium, and in the animals that received high-dose 17β-estradiol (P < 0.05). Serum calcium and phosphorus levels were significantly greater in 17β-estradiol treated than in control animals. The urinary excretion of calcium and phosphorus was also increased in a dose-dependent manner by 17β-estradiol, and was significant for both calcium and phosphorus in animals that received high-dose 17β-estradiol (P < 0.05). In contrast, 17β-estradiol treatment did not significantly alter the serum levels of parathyroid hormone and l,25(OH)2vitamin D. These findings indicate that estrogen administration promotes intestinal absorption of calcium in vivo. The enhanced calcium absorption, in spite of unaltered serum l,25(OH)2vitamin D levels, suggests that estrogen does not promote calcium absorption mainly by increasing the circulating levels of l,25(OH)2vitamin D.
Minorities, tourism and ethnic theme parks: employees' perspectives from Yunnan, China

Ethnic tourism has been promoted and widely adopted as a strategy for economic development and cultural preservation. Employing surveys, interviews, observations and secondary sources, this study explores tourism employees' perceptions of tourism, park and cultural representation using a case study at an ethnic theme park in Yunnan, China. The employees generally have favorable perceptions of tourism. Many expressed positive views of the site and indicated that the folk villages in the park are authentic and reflect essential elements of minority culture. However, some employees perceived negative aspects of tourism, including cultural commercialization, acculturation, misrepresentation, inappropriate visitor behavior, heavy workload and low pay. The park is operated by Han entrepreneurs, while the minority workers who are paid low wages are mainly involved in providing entertainment for tourists. Tourism developers and operators should consider the perceptions and attitudes of minorities when creating et...
EPR study of divalent manganese in northupite single crystal

EPR spectra of Mn 2+ in northupite single crystals were measured at X-hand and room temperature. Only one isotropic sextet is recorded for all orientations. The hyperfine splitting constant of 81.10 -4 cm -1 is in the expected range for Mn 2+ in six-fold coordination. The very small zero field splitting gives a strong evidence that the occupied site by Mn-ion is the Mg-site in consistence with the preference of Mn 2+ for such a substitution
Relationship of Auxin Transport to Branch Dimorphism in Cordyline, a Woody Monocotyledon

Lanolin containing 3H-IAA was applied to apical cut ends of stem segments and decapitated plants of Cordyline terminalis, a monocotyledon possessing true secondary growth. Distribution of extracted label showed that: 1) in horizontal stems up to 7 times as much label accumulates in the lower surface compared to the upper surface, and this ratio increases with distance from the cut apical surface; 2) in upright stems most label (62%) occurs in the cambial and cortical regions, external to the primary and secondary vascular tissues; and 3) in upright stems having the cambium and cortical regions removed by a girdle, label accumulates above the girdle (c. 10 times greater than the control). These data are in accord with a theory of branch dimorphism derived from morphological studies, which suggested that high auxin levels initiate and maintain rhizomes and low levels initiate leafy shoots.
Sea ice index monitors polar ice extent

In September 2002, Arctic sea ice extent reached a minimum unprecedented in 24 years of satellite passive microwave observations, and almost certainly unmatched in 50 years of charting Arctic ice [Serreze et al., 2003]. Again, in September 2003, ice retreated to an unusually low extent, almost equaling the previous year's minimum (Figure l). The Sea Ice Index (http://nsidc.org/data/seaice_index/), an easy-to-use source of information on sea ice trends and anomalies, assists in observing these minima. The Sea Ice Index is intended for both researchers and the scientifically inclined general public.
Inverse Problems of Thermoelectricity

Classical thermoelectricity is based on the use of the Seebeck and Thomson effects that occur in the near-contact areas between n- and p-type materials. A conceptually different approach to thermoelectric power converter design that is based on the law of thermoelectric induction of currents is also known. The efficiency of this approach has already been demonstrated by its first applications. More than 10 basically new types of thermoelements were discovered with properties that cannot be achieved by thermocouple power converters. Therefore, further development of this concept is of practical interest. This paper provides a classification and theory for solving the inverse problems of thermoelectricity that form the basis for devising new thermoelement types. Computer methods for their solution for anisotropic and inhomogeneous media are elaborated. Regularities related to thermoelectric current excitation in anisotropic and inhomogeneous media are established. The possibility of obtaining eddy currents of a particular configuration through control of the temperature field and material parameters for the creation of new thermo- element types is demonstrated for three-dimensional (3D) models of anisotropic and inhomogeneous media.
Afterword: To the Next 50 Years

The author offers opinions on the articles published in this issue and on the future of the discipline of management science and its role in business education. A common theme of whether management...
A randomized trial to promote pharmacotherapy use and smoking cessation in a Medicaid population (United States).

Objective: To evaluate the impact of three different intervention conditions designed to increase use of the Medicaid smoking cessation pharmacotherapy benefit and promote smoking cessation among Medicaid clients. Methods: In 2002, 608 current smokers receiving Medicaid benefits were recruited from the reception areas at the Department of Social Services in Erie County, New York, USA. Participants were randomized to one of three interventions: Minimal (verbal information on the Medicaid pharmacotherapy benefit), Self Help (verbal information plus self-help information materials), or Case Management (verbal information, self-help information, plus case management assistance to facilitate access to the pharmacotherapy benefit). Outcomes included (a) use of a stop smoking medication during the three month follow-up period, (b) self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence at three months and (c) bioverified non-smoking status at three months (bio-chemically validated by expired Carbon Monoxide (CO) ≤8 ppm). Results: 14.6% reported using a stop smoking medication and staying off cigarettes for 24 h, 4.6% self-reported being smoke-free at three months, and 1.8% were bioverified as smoke-free. There were no differences by intervention group for these outcomes. Conclusions: An intensive intervention designed to promote pharmacotherapy use and smoking cessation among Medicaid smokers was no more effective than less intensive interventions.
ELISA underestimates measles antibody seroprevalence in US military recruits

Abstract The prevalence of antibodies to measles, mumps, and rubella in US military recruits is of importance to public health leaders. We performed ELISA testing using a commercially available product on samples from 537 recruits obtained in 1998, of which 437 were positive (81%). We then performed a validation study in a subsample of the population using plaque reduction neutralization (PRN) to assess misclassification error. This resulted in a corrected estimate of the prevalence of immunity to measles of 96% (95% CI: 92–100%). The military vaccinates a percentage of recruits who are likely to be immune if more sensitive testing, such as PRN, was used.
Vaginal Symptoms and Sexual Function After Tension-free Vaginal Tape-obturator Placement: Minimum 12-Month Follow-up

Objective To examine the effect of the tension-free vaginal tape-obturator (TVT-O) on sexual function and vaginal symptoms. The effect of anti-incontinence surgery on vaginal symptoms and sexual function is controversial; these assessments are increasingly important given the Food and Drug Administration warning regarding the use of transvaginal surgical mesh. Materials and Methods A retrospective review of 42 patients undergoing TVT-O with a minimum 1-year follow-up data was performed. The outcomes were assessed at baseline and 1 year postoperatively using validated questionnaires, including the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Vaginal Symptoms, a validated measure assessing the impact of vaginal symptoms and sexual matters on quality of life and treatment outcomes. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, Short Form were used to assess the incontinence and quality of life outcomes, respectively. Results Statistically significant improvements were seen in the vaginal symptoms (from 9.7 to 6.0, P = .01), sexual matters (from 16.7 to 6.9, P = .01), and quality of life (from 3.0 to 1.1, P = .001) domains on the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Vaginal Symptoms from the baseline to 1-year assessment. Of 20 sexually active patients at baseline, 18 reported continued sexual activity postoperatively, with 2 patients reporting an absence of sexual activity because of other factors. Six patients who were not sexually active at baseline because of vaginal symptoms had resumed sexual activity at 1 year. Statistically significant improvement in vaginal soreness and a trend toward improvement in the abdominal pain domain score were seen. Conclusion TVT-O sling placement was associated with symptom stability or improvement in validated measures of sexual function and vaginal symptoms. These data do not support the concerns regarding worsening sexual function and vaginal symptoms after TVT-O sling placement.