cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rotational Error Metrics for Quadrotor Control.

We analyze and experimentally compare various rotational error metrics for use in quadrotor controllers. Traditional quadrotor attitude controllers have used Euler angles or the full rotation to compute an attitude error and scale that to compute a control response. Recently, several works have shown that prioritizing quadrotor tilt, or thrust vector error, in the attitude controller leads to improved position control, especially in situations with large yaw error. We provide a catalog of proposed rotational metrics, place them into the same framework, and show that we can independently reason about and design the magnitude of the response and the direction of the response. Existing approaches mainly fall into two categories: (1) metrics that induce a response in the shortest direction to correct the full rotation error and (2) metrics that combine a response in the shortest direction to correct tilt error with the shortest direction to correct yaw error. We show experimental results to highlight the salient differences between the rotational error metrics. See this https URL for an interactive simulation visualizing the experiments performed.
Establishing an Epidemiologic Profile of Hepatitis C Virus Infection at the Los Angeles County Jail

ObjectiveThe hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common blood-borne infection in the United States. Although 2% to 3% of the global population is estimated to be infected with HCV, an estimated 18%...
Dynamics of measurable functions on the interval

Abstract Let A ⊂ I = [ 0 , 1 ] such that λ A = 0 and A is a dense G δ subset of [ 0 , 1 ] , and take M to be the set of measurable self-maps of I. There exists a residual set R ⊂ M such that for each f in R , the following hold: (1) The range of f is contained in A, and f is a one-to-one function. (2) For any x ∈ [ 0 , 1 ] , the ω-limit set ω ( x , f ) is nowhere dense. (3) The Hausdorff dimension of the ω-limit points Λ ( f ) ‾ = ∪ x ∈ I ω ( x , f ) is zero. (4) The function f is nowhere continuous. Any closed set E contained in [ 0 , 1 ] is an ω-limit set for some measurable function f : I → I . Moreover, there exists a measurable function f : [ 0 , 1 ] → [ 0 , 1 ] such that for any e > 0 , x ∈ [ 0 , 1 ] and closed set E ⊂ [ 0 , 1 ] , there is a function g : I → I such that ∥ g − f ∥ e , and E = ω ( x , g ) .
Peacebuilding in language education: innovations in theory and practice: edited by Rebecca L. Oxford, Maria Matilde Olivero, Melinda Harrison, & Tammy Gregersen, Bristol, UK, Multilingual Matters, 2020, 320 pp., US $49.95, EU 44.95 (paperback); US $149.95, EU 134.95 (hardback), ISBN 978-178-8929783

Globalization has led to a more interconnected world, requiring the ability to communicate in a way to facilitate peace. Language educators have the unique opportunity to weave peace language into ...
Environmental pollution control under alternative incentive structures

The present study examines environmental pollution control under alternative incentive structures with an emphasis on the effectiveness and practicality of alternative policy tools. The focus is on three instruments for controlling pollution: (1) Environmental Bonds; (2) Budget Balancing Incentive Mechanisms; and (3) Environmental Rank Order Tournaments;Environmental bonds typically require more information for implementation than either budget balancing incentive mechanisms or rank order tournaments. However, there is a trade-off between the cost savings from acquiring information and the potential costs from committing an error in assigning pollution control responsibility;Paper I examines the limits to environmental bonds. It identifies three major limitations to environmental bonds: (1) government moral hazard; (2) liquidity constraints; and (3) legal restrictions. Liquidity constraints are a major factor in reducing the attractiveness of applying environmental bonds to the agricultural sector;An additional limitation associated with environmental bonds is that it requires monitoring of individual firms. Xepapadeas (1991) introduced a budget balancing incentive scheme for risk neutral firms, combining subsidies and a random penalty. Paper II shows that, contrary to Xepapadeas, risk aversion is a necessary condition to attain compliance. Using Holmstrom (1982) and Rasmusen (1987), the paper proves that the compliance can be achieved only if the firms are sufficiently risk averse. It also shows that the compliance with the social objectives can be improved by shifting the probability of detection and the fine from a high risk averse firm to a low risk averse firm. The paper also shows that the increase in number of firms has a negative effect on compliance;The problem with the random penalty mechanism is that the firm which is in compliance with optimal pollution abatement objectives, set by the regulator, may still get penalized when the ambient concentration exceeds the optimal level. Rank order tournament is an alternative budget balancing incentive mechanism that induces optimal pollution control effort through tournament among the firms and provides solutions to both complete monitoring and random penalization problems. It is shown that in case of risk neutral firms, rank order tournament can be designed to yield the same efficiency conditions as that of Pigouvian tax when the relation between effort and abatement is nonlinear.
Diagnosis and Cognitive Support in Microworlds and Intelligent Tutoring Systems: Conceptualization, Realization, and Application to Real-World Learning Environments

This paper explores methods for both diagnosing students’ understanding and cognitively supporting students’ problem solving efforts in microworld and intelligent tutoring learning environments. Special attention is given to how such aids for diagnosis and cognitive support are implemented within the microworld and intelligent system tools and the learning contexts in which such tools are applied. Student models are viewed as a subset of the larger set of methods used for diagnosis and cognitive support. Several examples, drawn from microworlds, intelligent tutoring systems and hybrid systems, illustrate these ideas in environments aimed at helping students develop scientific explanations (theories) or solve novel problems. The paper considers how developers of microworlds and intelligent tutoring environments might mutually benefit from each other’s work, and how all such development must co-evolve with the total learning environments in which the tools will be deployed.
The Challenges of Facilitating Effective Legal Defense in Deportation Proceedings: Allowing Nonlawyer Practice of Law Through Accredited Representatives in Removals

Numerous scholars have written about the problems that lack of access to attorneys pose in the criminal and civil justice system, including in the context of proceedings to remove noncitizens from the United States. In response, many “access to justice” activists and scholars have advocated facilitating nonlawyer legal assistance. In immigration administrative practice federal regulations already facilitate nonlawyer practice of law. This essay suggests that nonlawyer practice of law is not the solution to the problem of lack of access to counsel in the context of removal proceedings. The current federal administrative structure not only fails to provide effective legal representation in removal cases brought against persons who cannot afford to hire an attorney, but also fails to adequately monitor and supervise those nonlawyers authorized by regulation to represent persons in removal proceedings. Further, the current regulatory structure may make it easier for nonlawyers to disguise themselves as lawyers, by blurring the line for immigrants between attorneys and non-attorneys. In addition, nonlawyers’ lack of expertise and exposure to legal methodology, practice and the adversarial system, is more likely to exacerbate the problem posed by persons facing deportation without an attorney, than to solve it.
Development of the PCAD Model to Assess Biological Significance of Acoustic Disturbance

Abstract : Assessing the impact of disturbance events on cryptic or far-ranging marine mammal species is critically important to stakeholders who must balance project objectives with the environmental impacts of proposed activities. In recent years, considerable scientific interest in this topic has led to key discoveries relating to species-specific sensitivities, behavioral responses, and the physics of disturbance; however, we still lack the ability to predict the effect of potential disturbance events on a population. To better inform stakeholders about the likely consequences of a specific proposed activity, the PCAD (Population Consequences of Acoustic Disturbance) working group established a conceptual framework detailing the impact of disturbance events and how the effects cascade from individuals altering their behavior all the way to population-level demographic effects. The PCAD working group then developed a more rigorous analytical approach (New et al. Accepted) . These methods require substantial pre-existing knowledge of foraging patterns, life-history schedules, and demographics. Therefore, it is essential to use well-studied species to validate the approach. This is best accomplished by selecting species that are as similar as possible to target species and are also extremely well-studied. We identified northern elephant seals and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins as the best species to parameterize the PCAD model. These species represent two life-history extremes (capital and income breeders), have clear taxonimic separation (pinnipeds and cetaceans), and both species have been studied intensively for several decades, providing unprecedented demographic data. These factors imply that they likely respond to disturbance in unique ways and by developing models for each system, we can effectively bound the input parameters (and expected outputs) for other species of interest.
Thermodynamics of Rock-Forming Crystalline Solutions

Analysis of phase diagrams and cation distributions within crystalline solutions as means of obtaining thermodynamic data on rock forming crystalline solutions is discussed along with some aspects of partitioning of elements in coexisting phases. Crystalline solutions, components in a silicate mineral, and chemical potentials of these components were defined. Examples were given for calculating thermodynamic mixing functions in the CaW04-SrW04, olivine-chloride solution, and orthopyroxene systems.
An analysis of the link between ethanol, energy, and crop markets.

This study analyzes the impact of price shocks in three input and output markets critical to ethanol: gasoline, corn, and sugar. We investigate the impact of these shocks on ethanol and related agricultural markets in the United States and Brazil. We find that the composition of a country's vehicle fleet determines the direction of the response of ethanol consumption to changes in the gasoline price. We also find that a change in feedstock costs affects the profitability of ethanol producers and the domestic ethanol price. In Brazil, where two commodities compete for sugarcane, changes in the sugar market affect the competing ethanol market.
Allocation of health care resources at the point of care.

Second Prize in Hoffman Student Bioethics Writing Competition 2009–2010 Health care providers delivering primary care in no-cost/low-cost outpatient community clinics struggle to meet demands for s...
Axle Load Distribution for Mechanistic — Empirical Pavement Design

Mechanistic.empirical (ME) pavement design often demands default or assumed axle load spectrum data. Using single and tandem axles of the Vehicle Class 9 as examples, this study analyzed the spatial and temporal variations of the load distributions from the long-term pavement performance program traffic database. The study found that both spatial and temporal variations are significant; therefore, it may be questionable to use a single default load distribution factor (LDF) for each axle type of vehicle class in design. However, when conducting cluster analysis, the study found that the large amount of data can be classified into a limited number of clusters, from which multiple load distributions can be developed. These distributions, together with spatial and temporal information, may assist engineers in identifying more accurate load distributions for ME design. Based on trial design results using the mechanistic.empirical pavement design guide software, it was found that different LDFs resulted in months of the difference in predicted pavement lives at the same threshold levels for various types of distresses.
Mutational Activation of ErbB2 Reveals a New Protein Kinase Autoinhibition Mechanism

Autoinhibition plays a key role in the control of protein kinase activity. ErbB2 is a unique receptor-tyrosine kinase that does not bind ligand but possesses an extracellular domain poised to engage other ErbBs. Little is known about the molecular mechanism for ErbB2 catalytic regulation. Here we show that ErbB2 kinase is strongly autoinhibited, and a loop connecting the alphaC helix and beta4 sheet within the kinase domain plays a major role in the control of kinase activity. Mutations of two Gly residues at positions 776 and 778 in this loop dramatically increase ErbB2 catalytic activity. Kinetic analysis demonstrates that mutational activation is due to approximately 10- and approximately 7-fold increases in ATP binding affinity and turnover number, respectively. Expression of the activated ErbB2 mutants in cells resulted in elevated ligand-independent ErbB2 autophosphorylation, ErbB3 phosphorylation, and stimulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase. Molecular modeling suggests that the ErbB2 kinase domain is stabilized in an inactive state via a hydrophobic interaction between the alphaC-beta4 and activation loops. Importantly, many ErbB2 human cancer mutations have been identified in the alphaC-beta4 loop, including the activating G776S mutation studied here. Our findings reveal a new kinase regulatory mechanism in which the alphaC-beta4 loop functions as an intramolecular switch that controls ErbB2 activity and suggests that loss of alphaC-beta4 loop-mediated autoinhibition is involved in oncogenic activation of ErbB2.
Hospital-based primary prevention strategy in child abuse: a multi-level needs addressment

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate a primary prevention effort in child maltreatment, the focus of which was a community-wide endeavor (i.e., subjects were not prescreened for risk potential). Specific components of the planned intervention addressed four causal levels of maltreatment: individual, family, community, and cultural factors. That addressment was intended to build strengths in those parenting areas which are predictive of abusive or neglectful outcomes. Target areas included knowledge of child development, child-rearing attitudes, mother-infant interaction patterns, and parenting skills. A posttest-only control group design was employed. The control postpartum mothers received traditional or routine hospital services; experimental mothers received special in-hospital and aftercare services by trained student nurse volunteers. These volunteers functioned in a dual educative/supportive role. Experimental mothers reported more realistic expectations of behavior, embraced more democratic child-rearing principles, provided more verbal stimulation to their infants (reflecting an increased sensitivity), and displayed increased problem-solving abilities.
A phylogenetic perspective for social behavior in primates.

Summary Three selected groups of studies of primate social behavior and development are discussed. In the first group of studies the social development of rhesus monkeys reared in different environments is considered. Rhesus show remarkable similarity in behavior in diverse environments, demonstrating a phylogenetic set, to develop species-typical behavioral repertoires. The second set of studies reports on three species (Macaca mulatta, Macaca fasicularis, and Erythrocebus patas) reared in similar settings. Species differences observed in these settings were a result of phylogenetic set. Finally, mother-infant separation studies conducted with several monkey species are reviewed. The results of these studies were interpreted to be the product of interactions of the species-typical behavior and social organization of each species, the specific setting or apparatus used, and the independent variable manipulation employed. Caution is recommended in cross-species generalization within primates.
Basic N-Terminus of Yeast Nhp6A Regulates the Mechanism of Its DNA Flexibility Enhancement

HMGB (high-mobility group box) proteins are members of a class of small proteins that are ubiquitous in eukaryotic cells and nonspecifically bind to DNA, inducing large-angle DNA bends, enhancing the flexibility of DNA, and likely facilitating numerous important biological interactions. To determine the nature of this behavior for different HMGB proteins, we used atomic force microscopy to quantitatively characterize the bend angle distributions of DNA complexes with human HMGB2(Box A), yeast Nhp6A, and two chimeric mutants of these proteins. While all of the HMGB proteins bend DNA to preferred angles, Nhp6A promoted the formation of higher-order oligomer structures and induced a significantly broader distribution of angles, suggesting that the mechanism of Nhp6A is like a flexible hinge more than that of HMGB2(Box A). To determine the structural origins of this behavior, we used portions of the cationic N-terminus of Nhp6A to replace corresponding HMGB2(Box A) sequences. We found that the oligomerization and broader angle distribution correlated directly with the length of the N-terminus incorporated into the HMGB2(Box A) construct. Therefore, the basic N-terminus of Nhp6A is responsible for its ability to act as a flexible hinge and to form high-order structures.
Analysis and Design of Digital Simulation via Control Theory

It is critical that computer usage be integrated into assignments that involve the application of basic concepts in electrical engineering. Digital simulation of systems of first-order differential equations can be viewed as an appropriate use of the computer in simulation of physical systems. Some recent results demonstrating the usefulness of the control theory approach will be discussed to provide more insights into the problem of digital simulation. Then new techniques, based on estimation and adaptive filtering, will be presented and shown to be superior to other popular methods, especially for real-time simulation of physical systems.
Implementation and assessment of a curriculum for bedside ultrasound training.

OBJECTIVES This study assessed a curriculum for bedside ultrasound (US) and compared outcomes from 2 common training pathways. METHODS The program consisted of e-learning paired with expert-led hands-on training administered to pulmonary/critical care and cardiology fellows with no prior formal training in bedside US. This "simulation-based learner" group completed a survey of attitudes and confidence before and after training, and knowledge and skills were assessed after training. The surveys and scores of the simulation-based learners were compared to the scores of "experts," who were US-trained emergency physicians, and "apprentice learners," who were intensivist physicians informally trained in bedside US on the job during fellowships. RESULTS There was a significant difference in the self-reported level of prior training between the groups (simulation-based learners, 2.8; apprentice learners, 3.7; experts, 4.1, on a scale of 1-5 [P= .02]) but no difference in the interest level or perceived importance of bedside US. The study curriculum was successful, as shown by scores that exceeded the comparison groups in the cardiac and pulmonary courses (cardiac: simulation-based learners, 80%; apprentice learners, 73%; experts, 62% [P= .001]; pulmonary: 84%, 75%, and 72%, respectively [P =.02]). The simulation-based learners gained confidence in skills, whereas the comparison groups lost confidence after testing (P < .005); however, the simulation-based learners gained confidence in US subject areas that were not taught (abdomen [P <.002] and miscellaneous [P =.005]). CONCLUSIONS The simulation-based learner curriculum resulted in comparable or greater knowledge and confidence in each area of US versus the comparison groups. Findings of overgeneralization of confidence highlight the importance of quality assurance and supervision in bedside US training programs.
Indoor tanning addiction tendencies: Role of positive tanning beliefs, perceived vulnerability, and tanning risk knowledge

ABSTRACTThis study explored the utility of mCAGE in identifying individuals who display tanning addiction tendencies and examined correlates of indoor tanning addiction tendencies including (a) demographic variables, (b) use patterns and future intentions, and (c) attitudinal and knowledge constructs in a young adult college sample. Participants (n = 587 undergraduate students at a large university in the North-Eastern United States) completed paper-and-pencil surveys about indoor tanning and sunbathing behaviours, past use and future intentions, modified CAGE screener adapted for indoor tanning addiction, positive tanning beliefs, perceived vulnerability, and tanning knowledge. Higher indoor tanning addiction tendencies were indicated for (a) younger participants; (b) participants reporting higher frequency of past indoor tanning and higher indoor tanning intentions; and (c) participants reporting positive tanning beliefs. The findings indicate a need for clinical identification of indoor tanning addicti...
HLA and urolithiasis.

Frequencies of persons having particular HLA-A, -B, and -C antigens were compared for 113 urolithiasis clinic patients, a subset of 24 patients who had hypercalcuria , and 225 controls. The frequency of HLA- A30 was significantly elevated among the patients. A suggestion (S afwenberg et al. 1978) that HLA-B27 frequency is elevated among hypercalcuric patients with recurrent kidney stones was not confirmed.
An alumina column 82Rb generator

Abstract The use of an alumina column for the adsorption of radioactive Sr for the generator production of 75-s 82 Rb was evaluated in both batch and column experiments using commercially available 85 Sr and cyclotron-produced 82 Sr. Comparisons of alumina, Bio-Rex 70 and Chelex 100 ion exchangers were made to determine Sr adsorption, 82 Rb elution yield and Sr breakthrough. The adsorption of Sr is similar for alumina and Chelex 100 but different for Bio-Rex 70. Alumina and Chelex 100 have a higher breakthrough of Sr in the early elution volumes. After continued elution with 200–300 ml of solution the breakthrough of 82 Sr decreases and remains stable at a lower breakthrough value through a large number of elutions. However, with Bio-Rex 70 the breakthrough of 82 Sr remains the lowest of the three ion exchangers in the early elution volumes and remains low through a moderate number of elutions after which Sr breakthrough begins to increase steadily. The alumina-column 82 Rb generator was found to be superior to Bio-Rex 70 or Chelex 100 for low breakthrough of 82 Sr after many elutions of 82 Rb with up to 3.1. of eluent solution.
Fate during cell growth of yeast mitochondrial and nuclear DNA after photolytic attachment of the monoazide analog of ethidium

Abstract The 14C-labeled photosensitive monoazide analog of ethidium, 3-amino-8-azido-5-ethyl-6-phenylphenanthridinium chloride, produced covalent adducts in yeast cells with both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA on photolysis by visible light. With subsequent cultivation in nutrient medium, drug molecules on mitochondrial DNA were removed only through extensive mitochondrial DNA degradation. In contrast, drug attached to nuclear DNA was eliminated with conservation of DNA, presumably through a repair process.
The LG3 Module of Laminin-5 Harbors a Binding Site for Integrin α3β1 That Promotes Cell Adhesion, Spreading, and Migration

Laminins are a family of extracellular matrix glycoproteins involved in cell adhesion and migration. A major obstacle to understanding their structure-function relationships is the lack of small laminin domains capable of replicating integrin-binding, cell-adhesive, and migratory functions of the intact molecule. Here, we show that the recombinant LG3 (rLG3) module (26 kDa) of laminin-5 (Ln-5) α3 chain replicated key Ln-5 activities. rLG3 but not rLG1 or rLG2 supported cell adhesion and migration of at least two distinct cell lines, in an integrin α3β1-dependent manner. Cell adhesion to rLG3 was regulated by divalent cations and accompanied by cell spreading and tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK focal adhesion kinase. The integrin binding activity of rLG3 was confirmed by rLG3 affinity chromatography of detergent cell lysates, which resulted in specific purification of integrin α3β1. To our knowledge, this is the first report directly demonstrating that a recombinant laminin LG module is an active domain capable of supporting integrin-dependent cell adhesion and migration.
Surface Micro-Scale Patterning for Biomedical Implant Material of Pure Titanium via High Energy Pulse Laser Peening

Pure titanium (commercial pure cpTi) is an ideal dental implant material without the leeching of toxic alloy elements. Evidence has shown that unsmooth implant surface topologies may contribute to the osteoblast differentiation in human mesenchymal pre-osteoblastic cells, which is helpful to avoid long-term peri-abutment inflammation issues for the dental implant therapy with transcutaneous devices. Studies have been conducted on the grit blasted, acid etched, or uni-directional grooved Ti surface. However, for these existing approaches, the surface quality is difficult to control or may even damage the implant. A novel idea has been studied in which more complex two-dimensional (2D) patterns can be imprinted into the dental implant material of cpTi by high energy pulse laser peening (HEPLP). The strong shock wave generated by HEPLP press a stainless steel grid, used as a stamp, on Ti foils to imprint a 2D pattern. In this study, the multiple grid patterns and grid sizes were applied to test the cell’s favor. The HEPLP induced shock wave pressure profile and history were simulated by a 2D multi-physics hydrodynamic numerical analysis for a better understanding of this technique. Then, the cell culture tests were conducted with the patterned surface to investigate the contribution of these 2D patterns, with the control tests of the other existing implant surface topography forming approaches.© 2014 ASME
α1-Proteinase Inhibitor Forms Initial Non-covalent and Final Covalent Complexes with Elastase Analogously to Other Serpin-Proteinase Pairs, Suggesting a Common Mechanism of Inhibition

Abstract Despite several concordant structural studies on the initial non-covalent complex that serpins form with target proteinases, a recent study on the non-covalent complex between the serpin α1-proteinase inhibitor (α1PI) and anhydroelastase (Mellet, P., and Bieth, J. G. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 10788–10795) concluded that translocation of the proteinase precedes cleavage of the reactive center loop and formation of the acyl ester. Because this conclusion is diametrically opposite to those of the other structural studies on serpin-proteinase pairs, we proceeded to examine this specific serpin-proteinase complex by the same successful NMR approach used previously on the α1PI-Pittsburgh-S195A trypsin pair. Both non-covalent complex with anhydroelastase and covalent complex with active elastase were made with 15N-alanine-labeled wild-type α1PI. The heteronuclear single quantum correlation spectroscopy (HSQC) NMR spectrum of the non-covalent complex showed that the entire reactive center loop remained exposed, and the serpin body maintained a conformation indistinguishable from that of native α1PI, indicating no movement of the proteinase and no insertion of the reactive center loop into β-sheet A. In contrast, the HSQC NMR spectrum of the covalent complex showed that the reactive center loop had fully inserted into β-sheet A, indicating that translocation of the proteinase had occurred. These results agree with previous NMR, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, and x-ray crystallographic studies and suggest that a common mechanism is employed in formation of serpin-proteinase complexes. We found that preparations of anhydroelastase that are not appropriately purified contain material that can regenerate active elastase over time. It is likely that the material used by Mellet and Bieth contained such active elastase, resulting in mistaken attribution of the behavior of covalent complex to that of the non-covalent complex.
Multiple forms of invertase from Daucus carota cell cultures

Abstract A 400-fold purification of two isoenzymes of acid invertase (pH optima 4.5) and a two- to three-fold purification of alkaline (pH optima 7.5) invertase from suspension cultured carrot cells was obtained using ion-exchange (DEAE cellulose) and affinity (concanavalin-A) column chromatography. SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis resolved major polypeptide bands at 61 000 and 49000 corresponding to the two isoenzymes of acid invertase, designated acid- 1 and acid-2, respectively. The acid invertase isoenzymes, in contrast with alkaline invertase, are likely glycoproteins based on their ability to bind the lectin concanavalin-A.
In vivo measurement of the average refractive index of the human crystalline lens using optical coherence tomography

We present a method for measuring the average group refractive index of the human crystalline lens in vivo using an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system which allows full-length biometry of the eye. A series of OCT images of the eye including the anterior segment and retina were recorded during accommodation. Optical lengths of the anterior chamber, lens and vitreous were measured dynamically along the central axis on the OCT images. The group refractive index of the crystalline lens along the central axis was determined using linear regression analysis of the intraocular optical length measurements. Measurements were acquired on three subjects of age 21, 24 and 35 years. The average group refractive index for the three subjects was, respectively, n = 1.41, 1.43 and 1.39 at 835nm.
Social and institutional challenges in species and ecosystem conservation: an appraisal of the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission

In the pantheon of U.S. environmental law, only one federal statute—the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972—has created an independent oversight agency with explicit authority to conduct appraisals of and make recommendations on all regulatory agency actions under the law. That agency, the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission, is the subject of our analysis. Using a semi-structured survey and participant observation, we assess the commission’s operations under its legislative mandate, using criteria from the literature on policy-oriented professionalism. Our findings indicate a dichotomy between the Commission’s oversight of other agencies’ marine mammal programs and the manner in which it self-evaluates, learns, and evolves on the basis of its experience, with strongly pragmatic approaches to its appraisal of other agencies’ programs, contrasted with weak appraisal of its own operations.
Visual impairment in hysteria

We have reviewed the charts of 45 neuro-ophthamological patients diagnosed with 79 monocular visual field or visual acuity losses secondary to non-organic etiology. Our aim was to determine the percentage of patients that have improvement in vision. As part of the protocol, all patients had magnetic resonance images, pattern visual evoked potentials, and flash electroretinography in addition to complete neuro-ophthalmological examinations. A single physician performed both the initial and follow-up examinations of all patients. Thirty-three percent of these patients had visual field defects only, 62% had both visual field defects and visual acuity defects, and 5% had only visual acuity defects. After organic disease was ruled out, all were given a timetable for recovery and clear reassurance regarding their prognoses for visual recovery. Seventy-eight percent of these patients showed improvement or were normal, while 22% showed no improvement. Younger patients without obvious psychiatric disorder had better prognoses than older patients.
Fast spot-based multiscale simulations of granular drainage

We develop a multiscale simulation method for dense granular drainage, based on the recently proposed spot model, where the particle packing flows by local collective displacements in response to diffusing"spots'" of interstitial free volume. By comparing with discrete-element method (DEM) simulations of 55,000 spheres in a rectangular silo, we show that the spot simulation is able to approximately capture many features of drainage, such as packing statistics, particle mixing, and flow profiles. The spot simulation runs two to three orders of magnitude faster than DEM, making it an appropriate method for real-time control or optimization. We demonstrateextensions for modeling particle heaping and avalanching at the free surface, and for simulating the boundary layers of slower flow near walls. We show that the spot simulations are robust and flexible, by demonstrating that they can be used in both event-driven and fixed timestep approaches, and showing that the elastic relaxation step used in the model can be applied much less frequently and still create good results.
The parametric analysis of self-freezing in an initially wet porous medium

Abstract The problem of freeze-drying during the self-freezing of a wet porous medium where the freezing and sublimation drying processes occur simultaneously is studied. Analytical solutions of self-freezing in an initially wet semi-infinite porous region are developed by the similarity variable method. The sublimation interface temperature, pressure, and vapor concentration are determined in addition to the positions of the freezing and sublimation interfaces. The vapor transfer in the dried region is modeled by the application of Darcy's and Fick's laws coupled with an additional model for the pressure in this region. For the self-freezing process, the freezing rate is found to be much faster than the sublimation rate. Also, the effects of significant parameters on the sublimation and freezing interface constants are presented for in-depth understanding and application of self-freezing process.
International Trade and the Evolution of the American Capital Market, 1888–1911

We examine the relationship between international trade and regional American credit markets. The evidence presented suggests that foreign payment flows had a significant effect on the level of interest rates in the East North Central, West North Central, Pacific, and Southern regions of the United States.
SBS suppression through seeding with narrow-linewidth and broadband signals: experimental results

We present experimental verification of a novel technique to suppress stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in single frequency fiber amplifiers. This technique relies on seeding with a combination of broadband and single frequency laser beams to allow for efficient laser gain competition between the two signals. In the experiment, a monolithic fiber configuration was used. Broadband 1045 nm light and single frequency 1064 nm light were coupled into an Yb-doped gain fiber. With appropriate selection of seed power ratio, we were able to generate an output signal predominantly comprised of 1064 nm light while simultaneously suppressing the back-scattered Stokes light. The slope efficiency for the two-tone amplifier was approximately 78%; slightly below that of a single-tone amplifier. The SBS threshold for the former, on the other hand, was appreciably higher than that of the latter which is in excellent agreement with the theory. In preliminary implementation of this technique at high power, we generated close to 100 W without encountering the SBS threshold. Finally, we show numerically that due to a favorable thermal gradient much higher powers can be obtained.
An experimental analysis of the performance of fourth generation tools on PCs

The performance of several Fourth Generation Language (4GL) tools is analyzed empirically and compared with equivalent programs written in the third generation COBOL programming language. A set of performance benchmarks consisting of thirteen separate functions is presented which encompasses the areas of simulating the operators of the relational algebra, accessing records in the database, and updating the database. This serves as a baseline for comparing the various 4GL systems.
Role of fault gouge dilatancy on aseismic deformation transients

[1] In the vicinity of episodic aseismic transients in several subduction zones, the presence of interstitial fluids and near-lithostatic pore pressure has been proposed to interpret seismic observations of high P to S wave speed ratio and high Poisson's ratio. Under such conditions, fault stabilization by dilatancy-induced suction during increased shear strain rates becomes very efficient. We analyze the frictional and hydraulic conditions for spontaneous transients on a fluid-infiltrated fault including dilatancy and pore compaction in the framework of rate and state friction with a “membrane diffusion” approximation. In both a simplified spectral model and a 2-D Cascadia-like subduction fault model, the fault response is mainly controlled by three nondimensional parameters: (1) W/h*, the along-dip width of the high pore pressure, velocity-weakening fault relative to a characteristic nucleation size, (2) a drainage parameter U, the relative time scales for fluid diffusion and friction evolution, and (3) a dilatancy parameter E, the relative contributions to stress drop from dilatancy and friction evolution. The incorporation of dilatancy enables aseismic transients at much larger values of W/h* than is possible under conditions of constant pore pressure. An analytic estimate of the maximum slip velocity as a function of W/h*, E, and U is derived and agrees reasonably well with the simulation results. The dependence of the properties of modeled transients on the drainage parameter U is similar to that on the dilatancy parameter E. For U (E) less than 1, maximum velocity decreases, while recurrence period remains relatively constant. For U (E) greater than 1, maximum velocity approaches the steady state velocity, and recurrence period approaches the period at neutral stability. In the subduction fault model using gabbro gouge friction properties, the slip per episode and the recurrence period increase with W/h*, generally following the trend defined without dilatancy. The maximum velocity with dilatancy can be several orders of magnitude smaller than that without, in particular for larger values of E and values of W/h* near the no-dilatancy stability limit.
Cluster A Personality Symptomatology in Youth

There is an increasing recognition of the importance of studying the childhood antecedents of adult personality disorders as well as personality disorders themselves within childhood and adolescence. This has been a long neglected area of research. The two papers within this special issue of Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment by Esterberg et al. (2010) and De Clercq et al. (2010) make significant strides toward addressing this delinquent focus of investigation. This commentary addresses three issues stimulated by these two particular studies: the distinction between personality and other mental disorders, dimensional models of classification, and openness to experience.
Optical fiber instrumentation and applications

Optical fiber-based sensor instrumentation has been used extensively for the measurement of physical observables including strain, temperature and chemical changes in smart materials and smart structures, and have been integrated with MEMS devices to provide multi-measurement capability along the length of a fiber link or network. This plenary paper briefly outlines recent developments in such optical fiber sensor instrumentation. Fiber optic sensors are small in size, immune to electromagnetic interference and can be easily integrated with existing optical fiber hardware and components that have been developed primarily for use in the larger telecommunications market. Such sensors can be easily multiplexed, resulting in networks that can be used for the health monitoring of large structures, or the real-time monitoring of structural parameters required for structural analysis and control. This paper briefly describes and compares three current fiber sensor configurations that use Fabry-Perot interferometry and fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) and long-period grating (LPG) elements to monitor strain, temperature and other parameters. Extensive details concerning additional related work and field test results and applications are discussed in the references.
The use of etomidate for rapid-sequence intubation in the air medical setting.

Objective. To describe the use of etomidate for rapid-sequence intubation (RSI) in the air medical environment. Methods. This was a retrospective review of a consecutive series of patients receiving etomidate for RSI by a university hospital-based air medical program. Records of all patients more than 10 years of age requiring intubation during a 13-month period were reviewed. Data collected included demographics, site of intubation, person performing intubation, indication, diagnosis, medications administered, complications, and pre- and post-RSI vital signs. Results. Of 79 patients who underwent intubation, 53 (67%) received etomidate for RSI. Forty-two (79%) patients who received etomidate were also given succinylcholine. The overall intubation success rate was 96%. Two patients required a cricothyrotomy. Hemodynamic data were complete for 46 patients. The average systolic blood pressures (SBPs) were 139.11 ± 31.21 mm Hg prior to RSI and 137.85 ± 32.00 mm Hg after RSI. These were not significantly diff...
Comparative effects of penfluridol on circling behavior and striatal DOPAC and serum prolactin concentrations in the rat

A single s.c. injection of penfluridol (3 mg/kg) to rats elevated serum concentrations of prolactin for more than 96 h whereas it increased striatal concentrations of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and inhibited apomorphine-induced circling behavior for less than 48 h. The dose of penfluridol needed to elevate serum concentrations of prolactin (0.1 mg/kg) was less than that required to elevate striatal concentrations of DOPAC (1 mg/kg) or inhibit apomorphine-induced circling (3 mg/kg). Furthermore, the penfluridol-induced increase of striatal DOPAC was more susceptible to reversal by apomorphine than was the increase of serum prolactin concentrations. These results suggest that the dopamine receptors in the pituitary, which are normally activated by dopamine released from tuberoinfundibular neurons, are more sensitive to the blocking actions of systemically administered penfluridol than are dopamine receptors in the striatum.
On-line analysis of ambient air aerosols using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Abstract Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy is developed for the detection of aerosols in ambient air, including quantitative mass concentration measurements and size/composition measurements of individual aerosol particles. Data are reported for ambient air aerosols containing aluminum, calcium, magnesium and sodium for a 6-week sampling period spanning the Fourth of July holiday period. Measured mass concentrations for these four elements ranged from 1.7 parts per trillion (by mass) to 1.7 parts per billion. Ambient air concentrations of magnesium and aluminum revealed significant increases during the holiday period, which are concluded to arise from the discharge of fireworks in the lower atmosphere. Real-time conditional data analysis yielded increases in analyte spectral intensity approaching 3 orders of magnitude. Analysis of single particles yielded composition-based aerosol size distributions, with measured aerosol diameters ranging from 100 nm to 2 μm. The absolute mass detection limits for single particle analysis exceeded sub-femtogram values for calcium-containing particles, and was on the order of 2–3 femtograms for magnesium and sodium-based particles. Overall, LIBS-based analysis of ambient air aerosols is a promising technique for the challenging issues associated with the real-time collection and analysis of ambient air particulate matter data.
The infrared drying of pharmaceutical extracts.

Infrared drying has been applied to more than forty samples of botanical drugs and extracts. Deterioration during the drying time of fifty minutes was slight, and drying was complete in that period of time.
Rayleigh matches in carriers of inherited color vision defects: The contribution from the third L/M photopigment

The mother or daughter of a male with an X-chromosome-linked red/green color defect is an obligate carrier of the color deficient gene array. According to the Lyonization hypothesis, a female carrier's defective gene is expressed and thus carriers may have more than two types of pigments in the L/M photopigment range. An open question is how a carrier's third cone pigment in the L/M range affects the postreceptoral neural signals encoding color. Here, a model considered how the signal from the third pigment pools with signals from the normal's two pigments in the L/M range. Three alternative assumptions were considered for the signal from the third cone pigment: it pools with the signal from (1) L cones, (2) M cones, or (3) both types of cones. Spectral-sensitivity peak, optical density, and the relative number of each cone type were factors in the model. The model showed that differences in Rayleigh matches among carriers can be due to individual differences in the number of the third type of L/M cone, and the spectral sensitivity peak and optical density of the third L/M pigment; surprisingly, however, individual differences in the cone ratio of the other two cone types (one L and the other M) did not affect the match. The predicted matches were compared to Schmidt's (1934/1955) report of carriers' Rayleigh matches. For carriers of either protanomaly or deuteranomaly, these matches were not consistent with the signal from the third L/M pigment combining with only the signal from M cones. The matches could be accounted for by pooling the third-pigment's response with L-cone signals, either exclusively or randomly with M-cone responses as well.
Order‐Disorder Phenomenon in Lead Scandium Tantalate

Lead scandium tatalate (PST) is a ferroelectric relaxor with the perovskite structure of A(B{prime}B{double prime})O{sub 3}. By suitable heat treatment, the B-site cations can be brought from a structurally disordered state into various degree of ordering. The degree of ordering is strongly affected by the amount of vacancies present in the materials. To suppress PbO loss during the sintering or annealing process, a PbO-rich atmosphere is supplied by materials having high PbO vapor pressure, such as PbZrO{sub 3}. For PST ceramics with nearly zero weight loss, very long annealing times and higher annealing temperatures are required for ordering. The higher PbO-loss materials are found to be easily ordered. The introduction of a reducing atmosphere during annealing enhances the ordering process. The ordering process is characterized quantitatively by X-ray diffraction and qualitatively by Raman spectroscopy.