cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An integrated approach to hydrologic data assimilation: interpolation, smoothing, and filtering

The hydrologic data assimilation problem can be posed in a probabilistic framework that emphasizes the need to account for uncertainty when combining different sources of information. This framework indicates where approximations need to be introduced and provides a way to compare alternative data assimilation methods. When discussing data assimilation it is useful to distinguish interpolation, smoothing, and filtering problems. Interpolation is illustrated here with an example based on multi-scale estimation of rainfall during the TOAGA-COARE field experiment. Smoothing is illustrated with a variational soil moisture estimation algorithm applied to the SGP97 field experiment. Filtering is illustrated with an ensemble Kalman filter, also applied to the SGP97 experiment. All of these data assimilation algorithms implicitly rely on linear Gaussian assumptions that can only be expected to apply in special cases. Although more general nonlinear data assimilation methods are available they are not practical for the very large problems frequently encountered in hydrology. Future research in hydrologic data assimilation will be need to focus on the issue of high dimensionality and on the need for more realistic descriptions of model and measurement error. This effort will be most successful if the modeling and data assimilation problems are approached in a coordinated way.
Existence of solutions for first-order multi-point problems with changing-sign nonlinearity

In this study, conditions for the existence of at least one positive solution to a nonlinear first-order multi-point eigenvalue problem on time scales are discussed. Here the nonlinearity is allowed to take on negative values. The results, which are new for differential/difference equations as well as arbitrary time scales, are based on the Guo–Krasnosel'skii fixed point theorem.
Nonparallel Regressions with Indicator Variables

A multiple linear regression model which includes 0/1 variables to indicatemembership in a group is a convenient way to model parallel regression surfaces.Building upon this, an extended model which includes predictor variables thatare the product of the indicator and other variables willcoincide with separate regressions for each group using only the other predictors.The algebraic basis for this concurrence is demonstrated.Least squares estimation is presumed.Examples with two groups and with four groups are presented.
Influence of weaning age on ileal microflora and fermentation acids in young pigs

Abstract Pigs cannulated at the terminal ileum were used to investigate the effect of weaning age on specific intestinal microflora and fermentation acids. In two replicate trials performed 50 days apart, a total of twenty-four 14-day-old nursing pigs from 6 sows were cannulated in the terminal ileum and randomly assigned to either a 21-day (W3) or 28-day (W4) weaning interval. Ileal samples were collected at 20, 23, 27, 30, 34, 37, and 41 days of age. Samples were assayed for total lactobacilli, total and hemolytic coliforms, streptococci, pH, and dry matter. Concentrations of coliforms increased (P
Respiratory depression produced by centrally administered taurine in the cat

The effects of taurine (0.8-64.8 mumol) were studied on respiratory activity following intracisternal (cisterna magna) and intracerebroventricular (lateral ventricle) injections in cats anesthetized with alpha-chloralose. Respiratory activity was measured by using a Fleisch pneumotachograph and monitoring tracheal airflow. The flow signal was integrated to obtain tidal volume (VT) and respiratory rate (f) was obtained by counting the number of VT excursions over one minute. Inspiratory (TI), expiratory (TE) and total (TTOT) cycle durations were also determined during this time period. In addition, end-tidal CO2 was continuously monitored. Associated changes in arterial pressure (femoral artery cannula) and heart rate were also determined. After injections into the cisterna magna, taurine caused dose-related decreases in minute ventilation (VE). The maximal decrease in VE was from 495 +/- 59 to 64 +/- 14 ml/min (p less than 0.05), and was due to both decreases in VT (from 27 +/- 3 to 5 +/- 1 ml; p less than 0.05) and f (from 18 +/- 1 to 12 +/- 2 breaths/min; p less than 0.05). TE and TTOT were increased from 2.4 +/- 0.4 to 4.5 +/- 0.6 sec (p less than 0.05) and from 3.7 +/- 0.4 to 6.4 +/- 0.8 sec (p less than 0.05), respectively. Mean inspiratory flow (VT/TI), a measure of inspiratory drive, was decreased from 21 +/- 4 to 4 +/- 2 ml/sec (p less than 0.05). Apnea occurred in 5 of 6 animals after the 64.8 mumol dose. This respiratory depression occurred without any significant change in arterial pressure. After lateral ventricle injections, taurine also caused dose-related, but not as pronounced, decreases in respiratory activity. In addition, taurine caused significant decreases (p less than 0.05) in arterial pressure in doses that decreased VE. Taurine administered intravenously had no significant cardiorespiratory depressant effects. These data indicate that centrally administered taurine produces respiratory depression and, depending on the route of CNS administration, also produces hypotension.
Current Status and Future Prospects of SiC Power JFETs and ICs

This paper will review the development of SiC power devices especially SiC power junction field-effect transistors (JFETs). Rationale and different approaches to the development of SiC power JFETs will be presented, focusing on normally-OFF power JFETs that can provide the highly desired fail-save feature for reliable power switching applications. New results for the first demonstration of SiC Power ICs will be presented and the potential for distributed DC-DC power converters at frequencies higher than 35MHz will be discussed.
Delayed hemorrhagic hypotension exacerbates the hemodynamic and histopathologic consequences of traumatic brain injury in rats.

Alterations in cerebral autoregulation and cerebrovascular reactivity after traumatic brain injury (TBI) may increase the susceptibility of the brain to secondary insults, including arterial hypote...
Revision and psychometric testing of the Barton Hospital Picture Test.

The Barton Hospital Picture Test (BHPT) is an instrument designed to elicit self-reports of stress in hospitalized children. This article reports two studies. The results of Study 1 were used to revise the pictures. Study 2 determined the reliability and validity of the revised BHPT. The revised BHPT has construct validity demonstrated by differences in total stress scores in the expected direction between hospitalized and community (well) children. The instrument has acceptable test–retest, interrater, and internal consistency reliability.
Relationship of Electronic Nose Analyses and Sensory Evaluation of Vegetable Oils During Storage

Off-flavors associated with oxidized oils make it difficult to recruit sensory panelists to evaluate the oils. Using an instrument called the “electronic nose” to monitor the formation of volatile compounds associated with off-flavors could help to interpret oil oxidation studies in part to supplement human sensory panels. No published studies evaluate the correlation of oil oxidation sensory data and “electronic nose” analyses. Therefore, this project was designed to determine the correlation between sensory evaluation and “electronic nose” analyses. Canola, corn, and soybean oils were stored at 60°C in the dark until sufficiently oxidized. On days 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12, oils were evaluated for peroxide value, for volatile compounds by “electronic nose,” and for off-flavor by sensory evaluation. The results suggest that the “electronic nose” is capable of measuring changes in volatile compounds associated with oil oxidation and could be used to supplement data obtained from sensory evaluations.
Metaphysics and Natural Philosophy in Descartes and Newton

This paper compares Newton’s and Descartes’s conceptions of the complex relationship between physics and metaphysics.
Small Intestinal Biopsies and HLA Types in Dermatitis Herpetiformis Patients with Granular and Linear IgA Skin Deposits

In this study we determined whether dermatitis herpetiformis patients whose skin contained linear IgA deposits differ from those whose skin contained granular IgA deposits with regard to the presence of gluten-sensitive enteropathy and with regard to the prevalence of certain histocompatibility antigens. We performed multiple Rubin tube intestinal biopsies on 11 patients, 6 with linear and 5 with granular IgA deposits. The gut biopsies were evaluated histopathologically in a blinded fashion. We found that none of the patients with linear deposits (5 with lamina lucida and 1 with sub-basal lamina deposits) had detectable jejunal abnormalities whereas all of those with granular deposits had jejunal abnormalities (villous atrophy and increased numbers of intraepithelial lymphocytes). In parallel studies HLA typing was performed in 10 patients with linear IgA deposits and in 49 patients with granular deposits. Only 30% of those with linear deposits had HLA-B8, a prevalence not significantly different from that of the normal population (24%); in contrast, 88% of those with granular deposits had HLA-B8, a prevalence significantly greater than in the normal population ( p
Regional differences in feeding and other behaviors elicited by N-methyl-D-aspartic acid in the rodent hypothalamus: a reverse microdialysis mapping study.

Abstract Regional differences in the feeding stimulatory actions of hypothalamically delivered N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) were investigated. NMDA (660 μM intraprobe) delivered by reverse microdialysis into the tuberal lateral hypothalamus (tLH) reliably elicited feeding in satiated rats. The average food intake was 8.6 g in 50 min, and during the infusion rats spent 26% of the time eating, compared to less than 1% before NMDA treatment. In contrast, NMDA did not affect feeding when reverse dialyzed into the anterior LH (aLH), posterior LH (pLH) or the medial hypothalamus (MH). NMDA had no apparent behavioral effect in the aLH; in contrast, it significantly decreased the time spent resting/sleeping when infused into each of the other three areas tested. Additionally, in the medial hypothalamus, NMDA infusions increased time spent grooming; while in the pLH only alertness was significantly increased. These data underscore the functional and anatomical heterogeneity of the hypothalamus, and implicate glutamate and NMDA receptors in different portions of the hypothalamus in the control of eating, grooming and arousal.
Gap junctions and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy.

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is the most arrhythmogenic form of human heart disease and a major cause of sudden death in the young.1,2 It was first described as a right ventricular disease (arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy or ARVC), but is now recognized to include biventricular and left dominant forms which may be misdiagnosed as dilated cardiomyopathy or myocarditis. Arrhythmias occur early in the natural history of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, often preceding structural remodeling of the myocardium.1, 2 This so-called “concealed phase” of the disease is unique among the primary myocardial disorders. In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, for example, arrhythmic risk is related to the underlying substrate of myocyte disarray, hypertrophy, fibrosis and small-vessel disease. And in dilated cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias generally arise in the context of significant ventricular dilatation and contractile dysfunction accompanied by changes in the expression, activity and spatial distribution of ion channel proteins and currents. In contrast, there is something fundamentally arrhythmogenic about arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy particularly in its early stage in which frequent arrhythmias arise in otherwise apparently normal hearts. In this sense, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is more reminiscent of the ion channelopathies than other forms of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy has been linked to mutations in genes encoding desmosomal proteins (PKP2, DSG2, DSC2, DSP and JUP).1, 2 Desmosomes are cell-cell adhesion organelles. They are particularly abundant in heart and skin, tissues that normally experience mechanical stress. Not surprisingly therefore, clinical phenotypes in patients with desmosomal mutations take the form of myocardial and cutaneous diseases. In fact, patients with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy often exhibit disease flares in response to stress or exercise, emphasizing the importance of biomechanical determinants of disease. However, the relationship between changes in biomechanical properties of the myocardium produced by desmosomal mutations and heart rhythm abnormalities in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is poorly characterized. Advances in understanding this relationship could reveal important basic mechanisms of arrhythmogenesis.
New constraints on the formation of shergottite Elephant Moraine 79001 lithology A

Previous studies of Elephant Moraine (EET) 79001 disagreed upon the nature of the magnesian olivine and orthopyroxene grains, and generally considered the formation of EET 79001 at low pressure conditions. New observations on mineral associations, and trace-element abundances of olivine-hosted melt inclusions, in lithology A (EET-A) of EET 79001 lead to new constraints on the formation of this meteorite. The abundances and chondrite-normalized REE pattern of the average melt inclusions in olivine of Mg# 75–61 are similar to those of the bulk-rock composition of lithology A, suggesting that the Mg# <77 olivines are phenocrysts. We also report the widespread occurrence of round orthopyroxene (En78.9–77.9Wo2.2–2.5) inclusions in disequilibrium contact with their olivine hosts (Mg# 73–68). Compositions of these inclusions are similar to xenocrystic cores (Mg# ⩾77; Wo ⩽4) in pyroxene megacrysts. These observations indicate that orthopyroxene xenocrysts were being resorbed while Mg# 77–73 olivine was crystallizing. Combined, these observations suggest that only small portions of the megacrysts are xenocrystic, namely orthopyroxene of Mg# ⩾77 and Wo ⩽4, and possibly also olivine of Mg# ⩾77. The volume percentages of the xenocrystic materials in the rock are small (⩽1 vol.% for each mineral). Compositions of the xenocrystic minerals are similar to cores of megacrysts in olivine-phyric shergottite Yamato (Y) 980459 and Northwest Africa (NWA) 5789. Considering the small fraction of xenocrysts and the similarity between REE abundances of the early-trapped melt and those in bulk EET-A, we re-evaluated the possibility that the bulk-rock composition of EET-A is close to that of its parent melt. Results of pMELTS modeling indicate that polybaric crystallization of the EET-A bulk composition (corrected by removal of xenocryst material) can reproduce the crystallization sequence of EET-A, in contrast to the conclusions of previous workers. We estimate that the EET-A parent magma began crystallizing at ∼0.7 GPa (∼60 km depth), followed a near-isobaric path at 0.5–0.7 GPa during crystallization of most olivine and pyroxene megacrysts, and then crystallized at shallower depth during the formation of megacryst rims and groundmass. Combined with recent reports of high-pressure crystallization for three other olivine-phyric samples, our results strongly support the interpretation that these relatively primitive samples may have begun to crystallize at much greater depths than previously inferred, at the base of martian crust.
Development and bioreactor cultivation of a novel semidifferentiated tissue suspension derived from the marine plant Acrosiphonia coalita

A semidifferentiated tissue culture consisting of linear filaments in liquid suspension was established from Acrosiphonia coalita, a cold-water green macroalga known to express pharmacologically active oxylipins deriving from lipoxygenase metabolism of linolenic acid. The tissue was vegatively propagated by blending the filaments down to 1 to 5 mm in length prior to subculture. The filamentous A. coalita tissue suspension was successfully cultivated in an illuminated, 3-L stirred-tank bioreactor at 12°C, 0.46-vvm aeration rate, 250-rpm mixing speed, and incident illumination intensity of 77 μE m−2s−1. The mean specific growth rate over the exponential phase was 0.185 day−1 and a final cell density of 1083 mg dry cell weight (DCW) L−1 was achieved within 15 days of cultivation from an initial cell density of 200 mg DCW L−1. The addition of 3500 ppm CO2 to the aeration gas provided a maximum CO2 transfer rate of six times the maximum CO2 consumption rate and stabilized the pH to 8.0 during the light phase of growth, but did not improve biomass productivity. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Model for the detection and tracking of multiple targets

The detection and tracking of multiple targets in the presence of clutter in the infrared images involve the use of sophisticated algorithms and signal processing that are important aspects of the development of massively parallel processing skills. The problem is difficult if the target intensity is low and is of small size compared to the clutter. Further, the target size and velocity are usually unknown. It is desirable to obtain optimum filtering to detect low-intensity targets and to evaluate the performance of the filter and tracking algorithms based on observed data. The problem of tracking the targets by computer has been developed. However, an accurate clutter model is the key to precise target detection. Clutter is usually a non-stationary process. It is necessary to estimate the power spectral density of the clutter in real-time such that a multi-dimensional matched filter can be designed to detect the targets. This paper formulates the model and filter design.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Transverse Creep of Nickel-Base Superalloy Bicrystals

A liquid metal cooled (LMC) solidification technique was used to produce nickel-base GTD 444 and Rene N4 superalloy bicrystals with varying degrees of misorientation. Creep experiments with loading normal to the bicrystal boundaries were conducted at 1255 K (982 °C). Despite the similar overall compositions of these two alloys, the GTD 444 alloy with higher levels of carbon and boron displayed significantly higher tolerance to high-angle boundaries. Creep ductilities at rupture of greater than 5 pct were observed in GTD444 for boundaries misoriented by greater than 20 deg. Electron backscatter diffraction analysis showed significant lattice rotation adjacent to the bicrystal boundary in GTD444. In contrast, the Rene N4 bicrystal accumulated damage along the grain boundary early in creep, failing at less than 2 pct strain.
Characterization of 3′‐azido‐3′‐deoxythymidine inhibition of ricin and pseudomonas exotoxin A toxicity in CHO and vero cells

Ricin (RIC), modeccin (MOD), Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE), and diphtheria toxin (DT) are protein toxins that enter cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis. After intracellular transport and membrane translocation to the cytosol, these toxins inhibit protein synthesis by enzymatically removing a specific adenine residue from ribosomal RNA (RIC, MOD), or by ADP-ribosylation of elongation factor-2 (PE, DT). Recently, Thompson and Pace (1992) reported that AZT (3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine) inhibited RIC toxicity in Vero cells, and this inhibition was not due to a block of RIC enzymatic activity. This paper extends these findings and examines the effects of AZT treatment on the toxicities of other protein toxins in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and Vero cell lines. AZT treatment did not significantly alter the toxicity of DT or MOD in either cell line, but it markedly reduced RIC and PE toxicity in both cell lines. The ID50 values (concentration of toxin required to inhibit protein synthesis by 50%) for RIC and PE in CHO cells increased approximately 6.5- and 12.5-fold, respectively; while in Vero cells the ID50 values increased ca. 8.5-and 4.5-fold, respectively. Results of further studies revealed differences in the mechanisms by which AZT inhibited RIC and PE toxicity. Results of cell-free translation indicated that, unlike its effects on RIC, AZT blocked the ability of PE to perform its enzymatic activity. As AZT did not block RIC enzymatic activity, we examined the effects of AZT on earlier steps in the RIC intoxication process. AZT treatment did not inhibit cell-surface binding or internalization of [125I]-RIC. Results of kinetic studies showed that when AZT was incubated with cells at the time of RIC exposure, it caused no major change in the lag phase, during which RIC reaches the site of translocation. However, it clearly reduced the subsequent first-order reduction in the rate of protein synthesis, suggesting an effect on translocation. Monensin (an ionophore that perturbs intracellular trafficking and increases the toxicities of RIC and PE) reduced AZT protection against both toxins. Nocodazole and colchicine (agents that disrupt microtubules and some routes of intracellular trafficking) reduced the ability of AZT to inhibit RIC, but not PE, toxicity. In summary, our results suggest that (1) AZT acts within the cytosol to inhibit (directly or indirectly) the enzymatic action of PE, and (2) the AZT inhibition of RIC cytotoxicity does not involve perturbations of RIC cell-surface binding, internalization, or enzymatic activity but might result from an alteration in RIC translocation. © 1994 wiley-Liss, Inc.
Molecular mimics can induce a nonautoaggressive repertoire that preempts induction of autoimmunity

To determine the role that competition plays in a molecular mimic’s capacity to induce autoimmunity, we studied the ability of naive encephalitogenic T cells to expand in response to agonist altered peptide ligands (APLs), some capable of stimulating both self-directed and exclusively APL-specific T cells. Our results show that although the APLs capable of stimulating exclusively APL-specific T cells are able to expand encephalitogenic T cells in vitro, the encephalitogenic repertoire is effectively outcompeted in vivo when the APL is used as the priming immunogen. Competition as a mechanism was supported by: (i) the demonstration of a population of exclusively APL-specific T cells, (ii) an experiment in which an encephalitogenic T cell population was successfully outcompeted by adoptively transferred naive T cells, and (iii) demonstrating that the elimination of competing T cells bestowed an APL with the ability to expand naive encephalitogenic T cells in vivo. In total, these experiments support the existence of a reasonably broad T cell repertoire responsive to a molecular mimic (e.g., a microbial agent), of which the exclusively mimic-specific component tends to focus the immune response on the invading pathogen, whereas the rare cross-reactive, potentially autoreactive T cells are often preempted from becoming involved.
Frictional and hydrologic properties of clay‐rich fault gouge

[1] The slip behavior of major faults depends largely on the frictional and hydrologic properties of fault gouge. We report on laboratory experiments designed to measure the strength, friction constitutive properties, and permeability of a suite of saturated clay-rich fault gouges, including: a 50:50% mixture of montmorillonite-quartz, powdered illite shale, and powdered chlorite schist. Friction measurements indicate that clay-rich gouges are consistently weak, with steady state coefficient of sliding friction of <0.35. The montmorillonite gouge (μ = 0.19–0.23) is consistently weaker than the illite and chlorite gouges (μ = 0.27–0.32). At effective normal stresses from 12 to 59 MPa, all gouges show velocity-strengthening frictional behavior in the sliding velocity range 0.5–300 μm/s. We suggest that the velocity-strengthening behavior we observe is related to saturation of real contact area, as documented by the friction parameter b, and is an inherent characteristic of noncohesive, unlithified clay-rich gouge. Permeability normal to the gouge layer measured before, during, and after shear ranges from 8.3 × 10−21 m2 to 3.6 × 10−16 m2; permeability decreases dramatically with shearing, and to a lesser extent with increasing effective normal stress. The chlorite gouge is consistently more permeable than the montmorillonite and illite gouge and maintains a higher permeability after shearing. Permeability reduction via shear is pronounced at shear strains ≲5 and is smaller at higher strain, suggesting that shear-induced permeability reduction is linked to fabric development early in the deformation history. Our results imply that the potential for development of excess pore pressure in low-permeability fault gouge depends on both clay mineralogy and shear strain.
Use of impedance cardiography for assessing cardiovascular control in humans: orthostatic and Valsalva tests

The purpose of this paper is to review our experience with impedance cardiography when used to evaluate cardiovascular control mechanisms in humans. We used the Minnesota impedance cardiograph and the Kubicek stroke volume formula, modified by using spot electrodes instead of band electrodes, a constant rho of 135, and careful attention to standardized procedures. With this technique we focused on the changes in cardiovascular variables with postural stress and during the Valsalva maneuver. More complete definition of cardiovascular function can be obtained by the use of this technique. We describe novel cardiovascular data with the use of impedance cardiography in humans.
Effect of coarse aggregate characteristics on concrete rheology

Abstract In the present study, concrete was considered as a two-phase material, consisting of coarse aggregate (CA) and mortar. Coarse aggregate properties were characterized by fineness, uncompacted void and friction angle. The combined effects of CA characteristics and mix design on the rheological properties of the corresponding concrete were investigated using a portable IBB concrete rheometer. Experimental results indicated that a higher CA and fine aggregate content normally result in higher concrete rheological parameters (yield stress and viscosity). For a given type and amount of mortar, concrete yield stress and viscosity generally increase with the uncompacted void content and friction angle but decreased with the size (or fineness) of CA. Well graded CA, generally having low uncompacted void content, provides concrete with considerably reduced yield stress and viscosity when compared with single-sized CA. In addition, a multiple-parameter linear regression analysis was conducted to evaluate how different CA characteristics (fineness, uncompacted void and friction angle) and mix design parameters (mortar composition, and CA volume fraction) affect concrete rheological behavior.
An in-depth study linking the infrared spectroscopy and photoluminescence of porous silicon during ambient hydrogen peroxide oxidation.

We carefully tailored a porous silicon (pSi) surface by oxidation with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to determine the time-dependent changes in nanocrystallite surface chemistries (e.g., Si-O-Si, SiHx [x = 1, 2], OySiH [y = 2, 3], and SiOH/H2O) and their influence on the pSi photoluminescence (PL). The relationship between infrared band amplitudes and PL intensity were evaluated under H2O2 and O3 (previously studied) oxidation. The pSi surface composition under O3 and H2O2 oxidation conditions tended to, save the OySiH (y = 2, 3) species, approach similar values at the longest oxidation times studied, but they took very different paths in reaching these end points. Furthermore, the pSi surface compositions that exhibit maximum/minimum PL under each oxidant are very different.
The Effect of Web-Based Question Prompts on Scaffolding Knowledge Integration and Ill-Structured Problem Solving.

AbstractThis study examined the effects of question prompts, knowledge integration prompts, and problem solving prompts, embedded in a Web-based learning environment in scaffolding preservice teachers’ conceptual understanding and problem solving in an ill-structured domain. A mixed-method study was employed to investigate the outcomes of students’ conceptual knowledge and ill-structured problem solving. The quantitative results indicated that students who received knowledge integration prompts had significantly higher scores in overall problem solving performance, but the same was not true for prompts focused on conceptual knowledge. Further, the qualitative findings revealed the positive effects of knowledge integration prompts in facilitating students to make intentional efforts to identify and explain major concepts and their relationships that are necessary for solving the ill-structured problem. This study has implications for designing curricula in ill-defined domains that seek to integrate and pro...
The relationship between 24-hour integrated glucose concentrations and % glycohemoglobin.

Objective: Since glycohemoglobin values are widely used clinically as a surrogate for average glucose concentration over an extended period of time, we decided to determine the actual relationship between 24-hour integrated glucose values and percent total glycohemoglobin (%tGHb) in cohorts of people with and without diabetes. Research Design and Methods: In 48 people without known diabetes with known stability of fasting glucose over a 1-year period of time, the calculated 24-hour integrated glucose concentration was compared with their %tGHb. In 15 normal young medical students, the glucose area response was determined from 46 venous blood samples obtained during a 24-hour period and compared with their %tGHb. In 18 people with type 2 diabetes, interstitial glucose concentrations were monitored using the Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (Medtronic MiniMed, Inc., Sylmar, Calif) for 3 days at 20-day intervals over 100 days. %tGHb was performed at 20-day intervals simultaneously. In 29 people with untreated type 2 diabetes, glucose area response was determined from 46 venous blood samples obtained during a 24-hour period and compared with their %tGHb after being on a standardized diet provided to the subjects for at least 5 weeks. The %tGHb and 24-hour profiles were stable. Results: There was an excellent correlation between the mean 24-hour glucose concentration and the %tGHb among subjects with diabetes. The correlation was poor among subjects without diabetes. The relationship was curvilinear when plotted as a single group. Alternatively when data from subjects with or without diabetes were plotted separately, the slopes were identical but the y-intercepts were different. Conclusion: The relationship between the mean glucose concentration integrated over an extended period of time and the %tGHb is not linear. The reason for this nonlinearity remains to be determined. This non-linearity needs to be considered in the clinical interpretation of %tGHb (and probably HbA 1c ) in reference to glucose values.
Public Investment Strategies for Regional Development: An Analysis Based on Optimization and Sensitivity Results

Two strategies for regional development are analyzed: one with an emphasis on public investment in the region's infrastructure and the other with an emphasis on public investment in education and training, A growth model is presented which includes the effects of these public investment policy variables on productivity, private investment, and migration. Alternative public investment strategies are evaluated using a social welfare function. Optimization results indicate that a heavy emphasis on education and training is a better strategy, at least for the specific problem considered. The sensitivity of the policy variables is investigated with respect to model parameter values, the region's initial state, the tradeoff weights in the social welfare function, and the assumption that key model parameters are nonrandom. Assuming that a parameter is random implies the result that public investment in infrastructure should be slightly increased from a low nominal level.
Helium exhaust studies in the DIII-D tokamak

Abstract Significant exhaust of thermal helium in a diverted, H-mode deuterium plasma has been demonstrated for the first time on the DIII-D tokamak using an in-vessel cryopump conditioned with an argon frost. The helium, introduced via gas puffing, is observed to reach the plasma core and then is readily removed from the plasma with a time constant of ∼8–15 energy confinement times. Detailed analysis of the helium profile evolution indicates that the exhaust rate is limited by the exhaust efficiency of the pump (∼5%) and not by the intrinsic helium transport properties of the plasma. Additional studies focusing on the recycling properties of helium relative to deuterium in the divertor region indicate some dependence of the helium concentration in the divertor pumping plenum on the divertor outer strike-point (OSP) position in Ohmic discharges. However, the helium concentration in the plenum appears to have little dependence on OSP position in beam-heated, ELMing H-mode discharges.
Developmental expression of the zinc finger transcription factor DRRF (dopamine receptor regulating factor)

Dopamine receptor regulating factor (DRRF) is a novel transcription factor with unique anatomical distribution and functional properties, suggesting its importance in regulating dopaminergic neurotransmission. To gain insight into the in vivo function of this factor during embryogenesis, we studied its distribution at embryonic days E8-E16 in the mouse using in situ hybridization. DRRF mRNA is expressed uniquely during development at all time points tested with high levels observed at E12, E14 and E16 in various tissues. DRRF expression is also found in particular brain regions, such as the neopallial cortex, olfactory lobe and corpus striatum. This pattern of DRRF distribution during embryogenesis overlaps with that found in the adult brain, and with the expression profile of dopamine receptors both in the adult and during development.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision as an Appropriate Diagnostic for Premature Ejaculation

ABSTRACT Introduction The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , fourth edition, text revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria for premature ejaculation (PE) are multifactorial, and include concepts of latency, perceived control over ejaculation, and personal distress and interpersonal difficulty related to the condition. Recent publications have suggested that these criteria are not supported by empirical evidence, leading to the proposal that a PE diagnosis should be based solely on intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT), while the presence of other factors (such as perceived lack of control over ejaculation) may be used to guide treatment decisions. Aim To examine the evidence supporting the elements of the DSM-IV-TR criteria for PE. Main Outcome Measures Literature searches on IELT, perceived control over ejaculation, and personal distress and interpersonal difficulty related to ejaculation. Results From a historical perspective, there has been a lack of large observational studies that evaluated the contributions of the DSM-IV-TR components in men with PE. However, recently performed large observational studies have generated data supporting the inclusion of perceived control over ejaculation and personal distress related to ejaculation in the definition of PE. Furthermore, emerging evidence indicates that a perceived lack of control over ejaculation is directly associated with elevated personal distress related to ejaculation and decreased satisfaction with sexual intercourse, while the effects of IELT on these parameters are indirect, and mediated by perceived control over ejaculation. A key advantage of the DSM-IV-TR approach to the diagnosis of PE is that it firmly links PE to a negative outcome for the patient, which is an element common to diagnostic criteria for other conditions, including depression, hypertension, and osteoporosis. Conclusions This new evidence strongly suggests that the DSM-IV-TR criteria for PE encompass aspects of the condition that patients describe as important. Shabsigh R, and Rowland D. The DSM-IV-TR as an appropriate diagnostic for premature ejaculation.
Management strategies for complex wounds following total knee arthroplasty

Complex wounds following total knee arthroplasty can result in loss of the prosthesis or limb. We report our experience with 32 patients (33 knees) with complex wounds following total knee arthroplasty. Wound assessment includes size, location, depth, presence of infection, quality of tissue, and exposure of bone or prosthetic components. Management options include debridement and closure, local wound care, skin graft, fasciocutaneous flap, local muscle flap, and free tissue transfer. Postoperative outcome is based on complications and clinical evaluation using the Knee Society Score. Successful salvage of the total knee prosthesis was obtained in 28 of 33 knees (85%). Secondary procedures were necessary in ten knees and consisted of soft tissue revision in six knees, removal of prosthetic components in three knees, and both soft tissue revision and removal of prosthetic components in one knee. Our algorithm for management includes early plastic surgery consultation, control of infection, aggressive debridement, and early soft tissue coverage.
Toward more informative uses of statistics: Alternatives for program evaluators

Abstract Statistical analyses of evaluations should answer the questions evaluators were asked to address. Null hypothesis significance testing is often inappropriate for program evaluation. Furthermore, it is possible that evaluation data gathered when a program is under development should be analyzed differently from data gathered after program is well-established. Evaluations will be most informative when (a) analyses reflect the evaluation questions at hand, (b) limitations in stakeholder understanding of statistical analyses are addressed, (c) the magnitude of Type II statistical errors are respected, and (d) effect sizes are described in units stakeholders can understand and are placed in the context of similar and alternative programs. This presentation illustrates these points.
Air Products hydrogen liquefaction project: Building a Web‐based simulation of an industrial process

In this paper we present a Web-based simulation drawn from a hydrogen liquefaction process operated by Air Products. We describe the software architecture that connects Web-based clients to a simulation server and discuss some implementation issues. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 9: 180–191, 2001
Modelling ignition characteristics of rich H2/O2 mixture in a monolithic catalytic reactor

Ignition of rich hydrogen-oxygen mixture in a monolithic catalytic reactor is studied using a transient combustion model. The model assumes a quasi-steady gas phase and a thermally-thin substrate. The ignition time lag is due to the thermal inertia of the substrate. One-step global chemical reaction is assumed both on the surface and in the gas phase. An effectiveness factor is introduced to account for the transition from a kinetically-limited catalytic surface reaction to a diffusion-limit one during ignition. Results presented include a catalytic ignition boundary, ignition delay time and the transient response in the catalytic bed.
Surface Modification of ZnxCd1-x Te Due to Low Energy Ion Sputtering

ZnxCd1-xTe is a widely used substrate for the epitaxial growth of HgCdTe, which is used in infrared detectors. Results of the effect of sputtering of ZnxCd1-xTe single crystals with low energy Ar beam are reported in this paper. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and photoluminescence (PL) techniques were used to measure the concentration of Zn in these crystals. Selective sputtering of Zn atoms has been observed from freshly cleaved crystals using XPS studies. Sputtering is a common method of cleaning ZnxCd1-xTe crystals in their device preparation and our studies show that this method of cleaning alters the surface which may introduce lattice mismatch on the surface. Surface morphology before and after cleaving the crystals is studied using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).
Modeling and simulation of long period gratings using object-oriented programming

In recent years, many research and development projects have focused on the study of fiber Bragg gratings. Fiber Bragg gratings have been used in the field of sensors, lasers and communications systems. The coupled-mode theory is a suitable tool for analysis and for obtaining quantitative information about the spectrum of a fiber Bragg grating. The transfer matrix can be used to solve non-uniform fiber Bragg gratings. Uniform, chirped, sampled Bragg gratings have already been simulated by using the direct numerical integration method and the transfer matrix method. Many of the applications for optical fibers in an in vivo setting, i.e., applied to the living human body. Using optical fibers for in vivo sensing is at a far less mature stage of evolution but nevertheless shows great promise for the provision of quantitative, minimally-invasive diagnostic information. There are few light-based systems sufficiently sensitive to detect the weak reflections typically present in biological and biomedical imaging and distance measurement applications. There are a number of interesting and potentially very beneficial applications of a biomedical instrument allowing quantitative surface profiling of larger internal hollow tube organs in living humans. Long period gratings, also known as transmission gratings, are periodic structures, in which coupling occurs between modes traveling in the same direction. Long period Bragg gratings are of interest to optical researchers for their higher sensitivity to sensing and some other applications. The reflected and transmitted spectra and time delay of fiber Bragg gratings can be obtained by using this simulation program. At the same time, the maximum reflectivity, and centre wavelength can also be obtained. Object-oriented programming (OOP) techniques are widely used for their advantages in the simulation software field.
Inheritance of Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Markers in Anastrepha suspensa (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Two full-sibling families of the Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew), were produced by controlled mating from the USDA–ARS colonies located at Miami, FL. One family was produced from a colony population reared on a corncob diet as larvae. The other family was produced from a colony population reared on an agar diet as larvae. Colonies originated from a common source but each had been maintained as an isolated population for >800 generations. DNA was extracted from both parents and 36 full-sibling progeny from both families. Sixty-three random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers were screened using DNA from the 4 parental flies and 97% (61) produced amplification products. Six polymorphic primers were selected for the analysis. These 6 primers amplified 127. bands in both the corncob and the agar flies; of these, 87 and 77 bands were analyzed in the corncob and agar flies, respectively. In the corncob flies, 55.2% of the analyzed loci were polymorphic: 49.4% were polymorphic in the agar flies. Both 1:1 and 3:1 segregation ratios of polymorphic loci were observed with 24 and 28 loci segregating 1:1, and 13 and 9 loci segregating 3:1 in the corncob and agar flies, respectively. Most RAPD primers generated polymorphic bands that segregated as expected. This indicated that polymorphic RAPD bands are useful as genetic markers in Caribbean fruit fly. The markers are potentially useful for host and geographic population studies as they relate to quarantine issues.
Small moves in a big place: migration as a preference signal

Abstract Alaska is a state with high rates of both internal and external migration. This paper focuses on internal migration and place-level economic characteristics to establish migration as a preference signal. The Migration Preference Indices and Douglas well-being measures calculated from Census data reveal a connection between migration and place-level well-being.
Three-dimensional theory of the small-signal high-gain free-electron laser including betatron oscillations.

We have developed a three-dimensional free-electron laser (FEL) theory in the small-signal high-gain regime based upon the Maxwell-Vlasov equations including the effects of the energy spread, the emittance, and the betatron oscillations of the electron beam. The radiation field is expressed in terms of the Green's function of the inhomogeneous wave equation and the distribution function of the electron beam. The distribution function is expanded in terms of a set of orthogonal functions determined by the unperturbed electron distributions. The coupled Maxwell-Vlasov equations are then reduced to a matrix equation, from which a dispersion relation for the eigenvalues is derived. The growth rate for the fundamental mode can be obtained for any initial beam distribution including the hollow-beam, the water-bag, and the Gaussian distribution. Comparisons of our numerical solutions with simulation results and with other analytical approaches show good agreements except for the one-dimensional limit. We present a handy interpolating formula for the FEL gain of a Gaussian beam, as a function of the scaled parameters, that can be used for a quick estimate of the gain. The present theory can be applied to the beam-conditioning case by a few modifications.
Fear of success: The influence of sex, sex-role identity, and components of masculinity

Phase I of this experiment was conducted to determine the nature of the relationship between fear of success and sex-role identity. Eighty female and 124 male subjects completed a measure of fear of success (the Sadd Fear of Success Scale, SFOS) and two sex-role scales (the Bem Sex Role Inventory, BSRI; and the Personal Attributes Questionnaire, PAQ). Subjects were subsequently classified by their responses to the BSRI and PAQ as either androgynous, masculine, feminine, or undifferentiated. The results indicated that androgynous and masculine individuals reported less fear of success than feminine or undifferentiated individuals, regardless of their sex. Subsequent analyses revealed that fear of success was more related to the absence of masculine traits than to the presence of feminine traits. Phase II of this investigation was conducted to determine whether a specific component of masculinity was related to the fear of success. The masculinity scales were factor analyzed and factor scores were regressed on the fear-of-success scores. Factor scores reflecting high self-confidence, decisiveness, analyticalness, and independence were related to low levels of fear of success; factor scores reflecting assertiveness, competitiveness, and opinionatedness were not related to the fear of success.
The granular micrinite component of coal

The nature of the granular micrinite component of coal and relevant evidence offered by other investigators are discussed. Electron micrographs are presented that clearly show rounded discrete particles in the size range 100–1000 A. Ambiguous evidence offered by various investigators concerning the reactivity of this component is also discussed.