cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Keeping a Pan-Tilt-Zoom Camera Calibrated

Pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras are pervasive in modern surveillance systems. However, we demonstrate that the (pan, tilt) coordinates reported by PTZ cameras become inaccurate after many hours of operation, endangering tracking and 3D localization algorithms that rely on the accuracy of such values. To solve this problem, we propose a complete model for a PTZ camera that explicitly reflects how focal length and lens distortion vary as a function of zoom scale. We show how the parameters of this model can be quickly and accurately estimated using a series of simple initialization steps followed by a nonlinear optimization. Our method requires only 10 images to achieve accurate calibration results. Next, we show how the calibration parameters can be maintained using a one-shot dynamic correction process; this ensures that the camera returns the same field of view every time the user requests a given (pan, tilt, zoom), even after hundreds of hours of operation. The dynamic calibration algorithm is based on matching the current image against a stored feature library created at the time the PTZ camera is mounted. We evaluate the calibration and dynamic correction algorithms on both experimental and real-world datasets, demonstrating the effectiveness of the techniques.
The role of kisspeptin and GPR54 in the hippocampus.

The granule cells of the dentate gyrus form the input stage of the hippocampal trisynaptic circuit and their function is strongly influenced by peptidergic systems. GPR54 is highly and discretely expressed in these cells. We have found that activation of GPR54 with kisspeptin-10 causes a rapid and large increase in the amplitude of excitatory synaptic responses in granule cells, without changing membrane properties. The effect was suppressed by the G-protein inhibitor GDP-β-S and the calcium chelator BAPTA, and analysis of miniature EPSCs revealed an increase in mean amplitude but not event frequency, indicating that GPR54 and the mechanisms for enhancing EPSCs are postsynaptic, possibly involving changes in AMPA receptor number or conductance. The kisspeptin-induced synaptic potentiation was abolished by inhibitors of ERK1/2, tyrosine kinase, and CaMKII. RT-PCR experiments showed that KiSS-1 is expressed in the dentate gyrus. KiSS-1 mRNA was significantly increased by seizure activity in rats and when neuronal activity in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures was enhanced by kainate or picrotoxin, while mRNA for GPR54 remained essentially unchanged. These results suggest that kisspeptin may be locally synthesized and act as an autocrine factor. In separate experiments, hippocampal KiSS-1 mRNA in male rats was increased after gonadectomy. In summary, kisspeptin is a novel endogenous factor which is dynamically regulated by neuronal activity and which, in marked distinction from other neuropeptides, increases synaptic transmission in dentate granule cells through signaling cascades possibly linked to the MAP kinase system. This novel peptide system may play a role in cognition and in the pathogenesis of epilepsy.
Genetic expression of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity in the mouse.

Monooxygenases require NADPH and molecular oxygen during the metabolism of numerous endogenous hydrophobic substrates and carcinogenic and toxic exogenous chemicals. The complexity of these membrane-bound multicomponent drug-metabolizing enzyme systems is reviewed. What "aryl hydrocarbon (benzo[a]pyrene) hydroxylase activity" actually represents is reviewed and discussed. At least two forms of the hydroxylase activity exist and we suggest that they are associated with different molecular species of membrane-bound CO-binding hemoprotein (i.e., they are associated with different enzyme active-sties). At least two, and probably more than two, nonlinked loci are responsible for the genetic expression of new cytochrome P1450 formation and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase induction--and the stimulation of 10 other monooxygenase "activities"--in the mouse treated with certain aromatic hydrocarbons. The individual variability of hydroxylase activity in an inbred and in a random-bred strain of micr is illustrated. The basal hydroxylase activity appears to be inherited differently from the aromatic hydrocarbon-inducible hydroxylase activity. The potent inducer 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin can stimulate increases in these hepatic monooxygenase activities and p1450 formation in so-called "nonresponsive" mice, whereas inducers such as beta-naphthoflavone and 3-methylcholanthrene cannot. Thus, the genetically "nonresponsive" micr apparently possess the structural and regulatory genes necessary for expression of these inducible monooxygenase activities and associated new formation of cytochrome P1450. We suggest that a mutation has occurred in the "nonresponsive" inbred strains that results in production of an inducer-binding receptor having a diminished affinity for aromatic hydrocarbons.
Ion transport and phosphoproteins of human red blood cells

Abstract 1. 1. The influence of Na+ and K+ ions on the phosphate metabolism of the phosphoproteins of human red cells has been studied. 2. 2. With high intracellular Na+, but in the absence of external K+, the radioactivity of the phosphoproteins increases steadily over a period of at least 4 h. 3. 3. In the presence of external K+, or if external K+ is added during the incubation, the number of radioactive phosphate groups in the proteins declines and reaches a steady-state level at about 67% of that in the absence of external K+. 4. 4. Ouabain abolishes the effect of K+ ions, and also reduces the build up of radioactive phosphoprotein in the presence of intracellular Na+ ions. 5. 5. A protein phosphokinase has been demonstrated in purified red-cell membranes. It is activated by a number of monovalent cations. 6. 6. A phosphatase has been demonstrated to exist in these membranes. This enzyme splits p-nitrophenyl phosphate, is stimulated by K+ ions and inhibited by ouabain.
SPAN: Riding the winds of change

The latest Data Systems Users Working Group (DSUWG, also known as SPAN Users Group) meeting was held October 24–26, 1988, in Anaheim, Calif. While the meeting contained all the normal topics of discussion, this gathering focused its attention on understanding recent changes imposed by NASA Headquarters that affect SPAN's current and future operation. The major emphasis of this meeting report is explaining changes that have occurred within NASA and what effect these changes have upon you, the computing network user. Highlights are also included for two other areas that may be of interest: security and European SPAN.
Exercise and oxidative stress: Sources of free radicals and their impact on antioxidant systems

Strenuous exercise is characterized by increased oxygen consumption and the disturbance between intracellular pro-oxidant and antioxidant homeostasis. At lease three biochemical pathways (i.e., mitochondrial electron transport chain, xanthine oxidase, and polymorphoneutrophil) have been identified as potential sources of intracellular free radical generation during exercise. These deleterious reactive oxygen species pose a serious threat to the cellular antioxidant defense system, such as diminished reserves of antioxidant vitamins and glutathione. However, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants have demonstrated great versitility and adaptability in response to acute and chronic exercise. The delicate balance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants suggests that supplementation with antioxidants may be desirable for physically active individuals under certain physiological conditions by providing a larger protective margin.
Coherence and localization in superlattices under electric fields

Using optical techniques, we have demonstrated that the quantum coherence of electron states in GaAsGaAlAs superlattices under electric fields increases drastically as the period, D, and the electric field, ∄, decrease, reaching at least ten periods at zero field when D = 60 A. The electric field localizes the states, breaking the superlattice minibands into Stark ladders, and producing a transition from three- to quasi-two-dimensional excitons. These effects are manifested, respectively, by the appearance of oscillations in the absorption coefficient, which are periodic both in energy and in ∄−1, and by a sharp increase in the intrawell exciton binding energy.
A review of the literature: direct and video laryngoscopy with simulation as educational intervention

INTRODUCTION A review of the literature was conducted to analyze the impact of simulation-based training for direct and video laryngoscopy (VL) skills for health care professionals and health care students. METHODS This review focused on the published literature that used randomized controlled trials to examine the effectiveness of simulation-based training to develop airway management skills and identify pertinent literature by searching PubMed from inception of the database up to July 2013. This current review addresses the question of whether airway management simulation-based training improves the acquisition of resuscitation skills for health care profession learners. RESULTS A total of eleven articles qualified for this systematic review based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. These studies were analyzed and the specific simulators, participants, assessments, and details related to: time of intubation; Cormack and Lehane classification; success and failure rate; and number of attempts. CONCLUSION This review suggests that simulation-based training is one effective way to teach VL skills. VL allows for a higher success rate, faster response time, and a decrease in the number of attempts by health care students and health care professionals under the conditions based on the eleven studies reviewed.
The Src-Family Kinase Inhibitor PP2 Rescues Inducible Differentiation Events in Emergent Retinoic Acid-Resistant Myeloblastic Leukemia Cells

Retinoic acid is an embryonic morphogen and dietary factor that demonstrates chemotherapeutic efficacy in inducing maturation in leukemia cells. Using HL60 model human myeloid leukemia cells, where all-trans retinoic acid (RA) induces granulocytic differentiation, we developed two emergent RA-resistant HL60 cell lines which are characterized by loss of RA-inducible G1/G0 arrest, CD11b expression, inducible oxidative metabolism and p47phox expression. However, RA-treated RA-resistant HL60 continue to exhibit sustained MEK/ERK activation, and one of the two sequentially emergent resistant lines retains RA-inducible CD38 expression. Other signaling events that define the wild-type (WT) response are compromised, including c-Raf phosphorylation and increased expression of c-Cbl, Vav1, and the Src-family kinases (SFKs) Lyn and Fgr. As shown previously in WT HL60 cells, we found that the SFK inhibitor PP2 significantly increases G1/G0 cell cycle arrest, CD38 and CD11b expression, c-Raf phosphorylation and expression of the aforementioned regulators in RA-resistant HL60. The resistant cells were potentially incapable of developing inducible oxidative metabolism. These results motivate the concept that RA resistance can occur in steps, wherein growth arrest and other differentiation events may be recovered in both emergent lines. Investigating the mechanistic anomalies in resistant cell lines is of therapeutic significance and helps to mechanistically understand the response to retinoic acid’s biological effects in WT HL60 cells.
Unpleasant pain evoked by thalamic stimulation.

The neurological pathways of pain are likely to be more complex — and interesting — than previously suspected (pages 910–913).
Correlating titania morphology and chemical composition with dye-sensitized solar cell performance

We have investigated the use of various morphologies, including nanoparticles, nanowires, and sea-urchins of TiO2 as the semiconducting material used as components of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Analysis of the solar cells under AM 1.5 solar irradiation reveals the superior performance of hydrothermally derived nanoparticles, by comparison with two readily available commercial nanoparticle materials, within the DSSC architecture. The sub-structural morphology of films of these nanostructured materials has been directly characterized using SEM and indirectly probed using dye desorption. Furthermore, the surfaces of these nanomaterials were studied using TEM in order to visualize their structure, prior to their application within DSSCs. Surface areas of the materials have been quantitatively analyzed by collecting BET adsorption and dye desorption data. Additional investigation using open circuit voltage decay measurements reveals the efficiency of electron conduction through each TiO2 material. Moreover, the utilization of various chemically distinctive titanate materials within the DSSCs has also been investigated, demonstrating the deficiencies of using these particular chemical compositions within traditional DSSCs.
Intelligent digital libraries and tailored services

A next generation of intelligent information systems will emerge from recent digital library (DL) research. One aspect of this is based on intelligent technologies and applications in the DL area. Another aspect is based on advances in DL theory and related progress toward improved quality and integration. Together, these two aspects facilitate automation and empower users. Recent progress toward these goals, and the rich set of future possibilities in this regard, can be understood most clearly in the eScience context. Scientific research produces large amounts of complex, numeric content. A new class of DLs with supporting services for such content is vital to advancing scientific practice. Intelligent services also are needed to automate scientific workflows. Simulation environments are especially well suited for automation with digital libraries. The SimDL framework generates simulation-supporting DL instances. This framework includes a set of service implementations, a software toolkit, formal definitions of services and content, and processes for producing workflows of services and layers. Integrating such DL instances within a scientific research infrastructure leads to the automation of many routine tasks and to more intelligent services. This gives a glimpse of the future of more intelligent information systems.
Optimization of underfill material for better reliability and thermal behavior of 3D packages with TSVs

The demands for a high-density, high-speed, and smaller integrated circuit have resulted in 3D stacked packages with through-silicon via (TSV) technology. Due to their sophisticated structure and complex manufacturing process, however, many issues related to the reliability and thermal management of these 3D packages are still under investigation. Failure at the solder joints between the chip and substrate is inevitable when the 3D package is exposed to thermal loading. The discrepancy in the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) between the chip and substrate subjects the solder joints to significant stress and strain. To reduce these thermally induced stresses and strains, an underfill has been used. The optimization of this underfill material is thus one of the most critical issues in improving the reliability and thermal performance of 3D packages. This paper describes a parametric study based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to address the junction temperature of the package. The impact on the package temperature of various factors such as the thermal conductivity of underfill, mold compound, substrate, and copper bump ratio was investigated. In addition, the transient heat transfer coefficients from CFD analysis were extracted and used as a thermal boundary condition in thermal and structural finite element analysis (FEA). In thermal and structural simulation, the strain energy at the solder joint was compared by changing the material properties of the underfill. The modulus, CTE, and glass transition temperature (Tg) of the underfill were examined. The most effective material properties were adopted to minimize modeling complexity and reduce computing time. The results of this work should help to design more reliable 3D packages.
Measurement of concentration-dependent gas diffusion coefficients in membranes from a psuedo-steady state permeation run

Transient permeation measurements were conducted for carbon dioxide through a PDMS membrane and for carbon dioxide and methane through a ZSM-5 zeolite membrane. After pressurization the feed tank was shut off from the supply and pressure and flux measurements were conducted while the feed-side pressure gradually declined over the course of each run. A series of steady state runs were also conducted for the same range of feed-side pressures. In all runs the transient fluxes were close to the steady state fluxes at corresponding feed-side pressures indicating that the transient evolved at a pseudo-steady state. A dimensionless parameter depending on the feed tank volume, membrane geometry, and adsorption properties was defined to characterize the deviation from steady state. Concentration-dependent diffusion coefficients were estimated from (i) steady state fluxes from a sequence of runs, (ii) transient fluxes from a single run, and (iii) transient pressure measurements from a single run. The fluxes and the diffusion coefficients obtained from a single transient run, and from a sequence of steady state runs are compared and the observed differences are discussed.
A fully Bayesian approach for combining multilevel failure information in fault tree quantification and optimal follow-on resource allocation

Abstract This paper presents a fully Bayesian approach that simultaneously combines non-overlapping (in time) basic event and higher-level event failure data in fault tree quantification. Such higher-level data often correspond to train, subsystem or system failure events. The fully Bayesian approach also automatically propagates the highest-level data to lower levels in the fault tree. A simple example illustrates our approach. The optimal allocation of resources for collecting additional data from a choice of different level events is also presented. The optimization is achieved using a genetic algorithm.
Social Shopping Communities als Geschäftsmodell für Social Shopping

Aufgrund der zunehmenden Bedeutung von eCommerce und Online Social Networking haben sich neue Geschaftsmodelle entwickelt, die gezielt versuchen, diese Aspekte zum Social Shopping zu verbinden. Social Shopping Communities gelten als eines der wesentlichen Geschaftsmodelle in diesem Bereich. Die Analyse von vier Social Shopping Communities zeigt auf, dass deren Funktionalitatsangebot sich zwar verandert, jedoch weitgehend homogen ist. Als wesentliche Erfolgsfaktoren fur diese Plattformen werden die Generierung von Aufmerksamkeit fur Partnershops und deren Produkte, die Ausrichtung an den Nutzerbedurfnissen sowie das Schritthalten mit Innovationen diskutiert.
VERIFICATION IN QUEUE-CONNECTED MULTICOUNTER MACHINES

We look at a model of a queue system which consists of two nondeterministic finite-state machines, each augmented with "reversal-bounded" counters, connected by an unbounded queue. One machine (the "writer") can send messages to the other (the "reader") via the queue. There is no central control, but the machines operate synchronously and share the same global clock. Unlike in the traditional model, the writer can make conditional moves that test the emptiness of the queue. We investigate the decidability of various verification problems, e.g., (binary, forward, backward) reachability, safety, and blocking. We also look at extensions of the model: allowing the writer to also test for queue emptiness, adding a pushdown stack to one or both of the machines, allowing multiple queues or two-way communication, etc. Finally, we consider some reachability questions concerning machines operating in parallel.
Steriods XXIV: Synthesis of Some Pyrimidino- and Imidazolino-Steroids

3,5-Seco-4-norcholestan-5-on-3-oic acid reacts with 1,3-diaminopropane and ethylenediamine at reflux temperatures to yield 1′,4′,5′,6′-tetrahydropyrimidino-[ a -4,3]-4 -aza-5-cholestene (III) and 2′,3′-dihydroimidazolino[ a -4,3]-4-aza-5-cholestene (V). 1′,4′,5′,6′- Tetrahydropyrimidino[ a -4,3]-17 α -methyl-4-aza-5-androsten- 17 β -ol (IV) and 2′,3′-dihydroimidazolino[ a -4,3]- 17 α -methyl-4-aza-5-androsten-17 β -ol (VI) were prepared in a similar manner. The C═N bond in each of these azastroides was reduced smoothly with lithium aluminum hydride. III possesses hypocholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, diuretic, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. The other derivatives are less active.
Comparison of local and systemic immunity after intratracheal, intraperitoneal, and intravenous immunization of mice exposed to either aerosolized or ingested lead

The humoral immunity of newborn mice exposed for 28 days to 2.5 mg/m 3 aerosolized Pb(NO 3 ) 2 (Pb 28-aero ) or of 2-week-old mice similarly exposed for 14 days (Pb 14-aero ) was compared with that of both 2-week-old mice given 125 μg Pb(NO 3 ) 2 /day by gastric intubation for 14 days (Pb 14-oral ) and of 4-week-old nonexposed controls. Mice from each group were immunized with 10 8 sheep red blood cells by intravenous (iv), intraperitoneal (ip), or intratracheal (it) routes of immunization. Immunity was assessed by both hemagglutination and the enumeration of antibody-forming cells from the spleen and thoracic lymph nodes. All treatment groups had decreased thymus/body weight and spleen/body weight ratios whereas only Pb aero groups had enlarged livers. The most significant immunosuppression occurred in the ip-immunized Pb 28-aero group. A significant suppression of humoral immunity was also observed in thoracic lymph node samples from Pb aero groups immunized it or iv. There was no apparent immunosuppression in any treatment group after iv immunization. These results indicate that aerosolized lead is more immunosuppressive than equivalent amounts of ingested lead. This is most likely due to the greater absorption of inhaled lead and the subsequent cytotoxicity of lead for cells in the draining lymph nodes.
DIFFERENTIAL ADAPTATION OF ACTIVITY IN THE BLIND CAVE FISH, ANOPTICHTHYS JORDANI

This is a preliminary report concerning environmental adaptation in the Blind Cave Fish, Anoptichthys jordani. Much of the literature concerning this organism has dealt with casual observations and little quantitative work has been attempted. Some authors have reported learning of the environmental characteristics by body contact (Breder, 1943), while others have suggested the use of mechanical cues received at a distance (John, 1957), obviating the necessity for contact learning. Prior to a systematic investigation of obstacle avoidance and learning, it was deemed necessary to obtain data concerning activity change over rime. Activity was measured over a 35-min. period for 13 Blind Cave Fish. Each S was taken from its home tank and placed alone in a clear plastic container, 12% X 6% X 1/z2)', divided into four quadrants. The number of quadrants traversed for Min. 1 to 15 and Min. 35 for two subgroups (A and B) are plotted in Fig. 1. Lines to represent the approximate functions were drawn in by the author. Subgroups A (N = 6) and B (N = 7) represented two relatively distinct classes of response to the environmental change. Group A was characterized by an initial exploratory period during which contact with the sides of the container occurred, followed by decrease in contact and increase in activity. B showed the same initial activity; then there was increase in contacts with vigorous escape movements directed toward the sides of the container. These results suggest that for any systematic evaluation of obstacle avoidance the data should be obtained in the home environment of this organism.
Brittleness of coated tungsten wire

The fracture characteristics of 300- and 500- mu tungsten wires coated with brittle tungsten carbide and recrystallized nickel layers of various thickness were studied experimentally. A fracture mechanism is proposed. As a result of bending strains, a narrow crack forms at the surface of the wire and propagated toward its center. Because of the brittleness of the surface layer, the crack propagates at a high rate, generating an elastic strain wave at its front. When the crack reaches the interface between the brittle layer and the plastic matrix, the stress intensity increases and the shock imparted to the wire leads to fracture. (IAA)
Treating Obesity Like a Tumor

Expanding adipose tissue in obesity requires a great deal of angiogenesis to support increasing volumes of tissue. A growing body of evidence indicates that inhibiting these blood vessels can result in substantial weight loss, and now this has been demonstrated in nonhuman primates.
Streamwise computation of three-dimensional parabolic flows

A new approach to calculate three-dimensional parabolic flows is presented. The flow field is computed by calculating velocity along a set of streamlines. The dependent variables commonly used in the computation of three-dimensional flows are the three velocity components. In contrast, the dependent variables in the present approach are the streamwise velocity and the two coordinates, in the cross-stream plane, of the chosen streamlines. The streamwise velocity is calculated from the finite difference equations obtained by applying Euler's momentum theorem to streamtubes constructed around the chosen streamlines; the streamline coordinates are calculated from the conservation of mass. Results of the calculations, based on the present approach, are compared with the experimental data for flow through rectangular ducts; the agreement is satisfactory.
Restenosis following subclavian artery angioplasty for treatment of coronary-subclavian steal syndrome: definitive treatment with Palmaz-stent placement.

We report a case of progressive angina pectoris 4 years post coronary bypass surgery, in which the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) was grafted to the native left anterior descending coronary artery. The coronary-subclavian steal phenomenon was proven angiographically with retrograde reflux through the LIMA graft into the distal subclavian vessel, downstream from a critical stenosis at the origin of the subclavian artery. After initially successful angioplasty of the ostial subclavian lesion, restenosis and return of angina prompted repeat dilatation and placement of a Palmaz 154-M stent. Follow-up catheterization has demonstrated persistent patency at the stented site and absence of coronary steal. © Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Genetic Silencing of Pacemaker Cells: Local Intervention With Global Implications

Heart failure is a major public health epidemic that claims hundreds of thousands of lives annually in the United States alone. Despite important advances in the management and prevention of many cardiovascular disorders, the incidence and prevalence of heart failure are increasing with the aging of
Annual changes in sea-ice, chlorophyll a, and primary production in the Ross Sea, Antarctica

Abstract A satellite-based study was conducted to quantify the seasonal-to-interannual changes in phytoplankton production in the southwestern Ross Sea between 1997 and 2001. The size of the Ross Sea polynya from 1992 to 2001 was related to the climate state as expressed by the Multivariate ENSO Index (MEI). These data show that 76% of the variation in sea-ice extent between 1992 and 2000 can be explained by the MEI, with the El Nino year of 1997–1998 exhibiting the greatest sea-ice cover and the La Nina year of 1999–2000 the least. Whether the relationship between ice area and the MEI is caused by interannual changes in wind patterns or changes in the movement of circumpolar deep water onto the Ross Sea continental shelf has yet to be determined. The year 2000–2001 was excluded from the climate analysis, due to the effects of the enormous B-15 iceberg, which inhibited the normal advection pattern of sea-ice out of the Ross Sea, resulting in higher than normal sea-ice conditions. Phytoplankton blooms were markedly less extensive in the heavy sea-ice years of 1997–1998 and 2000–2001 and were significantly delayed in their development, with concentrations of Chl a peaking 2 months later (February) than in reduced sea-ice years (December). Annual production during the 1997–1998 El Nino (27.4 Tg C) was similar to that of the iceberg impacted year 2000–2001 (28.3 Tg C). These annual rates were approximately 40% below values estimated between November 1998 and March 2000 (47.5 Tg C) when open-water area during spring and summer was much greater. This decreased production during heavy sea-ice years is more a function of the delay in the start of the bloom than in the reduction of open water area.
Predictors and treatment outcomes of perceived ward atmosphere among therapeutic community residents.

Abstract Poor retention has been an impediment to the effectiveness of therapeutic communities (TCs) for substance use disorders. We assessed the impact of the resident's perception of the therapeutic environment through the Ward Atmosphere Scale (WAS) on TC retention and examined predictors of the WAS in order to better understand this construct. Among a sample of admissions ( N =123) to a 9-month residential TC, forward entry logistic regression analyses using WAS, demographic and clinical variables revealed that heightened perceptions of the orderliness of the therapeutic environment (i.e., the WAS domain of system maintenance) best predicted treatment completion. Furthermore, scores on WAS variables were best explained by the formal therapeutic elements of the TC (as measured by the Survey of Essential Elements Questionnaire) using linear regression. Efforts to improve the resident's perception of these aspects of the ward atmosphere may assist in improving TC completion rates.
AN ANALYSIS OF VARIABILITY IN SEED SETTLING VELOCITIES OF SEVERAL WIND-DISPERSED ASTERACEAE.

Dispersal is an important life history component. Seed settling velocity may be a useful surrogate for the measurement of dispersal ability in wind-dispersed plants, particularly those whose seeds have plumose dispersal structures. I measured settling velocities on seeds of eight species of Asteraceae, including annuals, biennials, and perennials, and including both native and introduced species. The species are Aster exilis, Picris echioides, Chrysopsis villosa, Heterotheca grandiflora, Conyza bonariensis, Sonchus oleraceous, Senecio vulgaris, and Taraxacum officinale. From these data I estimated components of total variation in seed settling velocities due to differences among species, among plants within species, and among inflorescences and seeds within plants. Significant amounts of variability were found at all levels. Contrasts among mean settling velocities showed that the five introduced species have lower settling velocities than the three native species; this result continues to be true when annuals are considered separately from biennials and perennials. Also, over all eight species, annuals have lower settling velocities than biennials and perennials. Variability among species apparently reflects different dispersal "strategies" employed by the species; these different strategies may be correlated with other life-history traits and with ecological characteristics. Variability within species also may have ecological consequences in that such variability may represent an example of risk-spreading.
Phase-Tailoring Molecular Wave Packets to Time-Shift Their Dynamics

Abstract Time shifting (up to a global arbitrary phase) the dynamics of molecular wave packets, i.e, |Ψ(t)〉→|Ψ(t−tshift)〉, is demonstrated using a high degree of state selective coherent phase control with shaped femtosecond laser pulses. The benchmark system for the present work is the lithium dimer molecule. The phase-tailored Li2 wave packets are composed of several rovibrational states of the electronic E 1 Σ g + shelf state excited from a single rovibrational level (selected using a cw laser) of the A 1 Σ u + state. The time-shifting operation has implications for the experimental implementation of coherent control, as well as for the use of the control ability to study coherent configurations and dynamics that otherwise would be difficult (sometimes impossible) to access experimentally. This is due, for example, to dephasing and/or depopulation of the wave packet in combination with long recurrence times. One such inaccessible coherent configuration of the present Li2 wave packets corresponds to the global maximum of their ionization yield (as probed in the present experiment).
Effects of anticonvulsant drugs under automaintenance and negative automaintenance procedures.

Abstract The behavioral effects of phenytoin, phenobarbital, clonazepam, valproic acid, and ethosuximide were evaluated in food-deprived performing under automaintenance and negative automaintenance procedures. Under the automaintenance procedure, brief periods of key illumination were followed by food delivery without regard to the subject's behavior. In most instances, when drugs were not given this procedure engendered high rates of keypecking during almost all key illuminations (trials). Acute administrations of phenytoin (10–20 mg/kg), valproic acid (40–120 mg/kg) produced generally dose-dependent decreases in percent trials with a response and rate of responding. Although phenobarbital (30–60 mg/kg) and clonazepam (2.5–7.5 mg/kg) produced little obvious effect on percent trials with a response, these drugs generally increased rate of responding. Under the negative automaintenance procedure, food delivery followed only key illuminations during which keypecking did not occur. Keypecking occurred at a low rate under this procedure, with no responses occurring during the majority of key illuminations. Thus, this procedure appeared to involve responding elicited by respondent conditioning but suppressed by the response-dependent omission of food. Across the same dose ranges evaluated under the automaintenance procedure, clonazepam and phenobarbital generally increased percent trials with a response and rate of responding in dose-dependent fashion. Phenytoin similarly increased percent trials with a response but had little consistent effect on rate of responding. Ethosuximide and valproic acid failed to affect responding under this procedure.
Transcription factor cross-talk: the estrogen receptor and NF-κB

The NF-κB family of transcription factors regulates many genes that are essential primarily for the development, maintenance and function of the innate and adaptive immune systems. Thus, aberrant activity of the nuclear factor NF-κB has a role in many pathological conditions with inflammatory and autoimmune components. Estrogen receptors (ERs) are transcription factors that mediate the biological responses to the sex hormone estrogen and are essential for reproduction and for functions of the cardiovascular, skeletal and nervous systems. Recent studies have demonstrated molecular cross-talk between these families of transcription factors in which the ER mediates inhibition of NF-κB activity at several levels. Such cross-talk between these important regulators of the endocrine and immune systems might be exploited for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Tests on µ , Variance Known

This chapter starts a series of chapters (Chapters 12–20) on fuzzy hypothesis testing. In each chapter we first review the crisp case first before proceeding to the fuzzy situation. We give more details on fuzzy hypothesis testing in this chapter.
An evaluation on low-level vibration energy harvesting using piezoelectret foam

Energy harvesting technology is critical in the development of self-powered electronic devices. Over the past few decades, several transduction mechanisms have been investigated for harvesting various forms of ambient energy. This paper provides an investigation of a novel transducer material for vibration energy harvesting; piezoelectret foam. Piezoelectrets are cellular ferroelectret foams, which are thin, flexible polymeric materials that exhibit piezoelectric properties. The basic operational principle behind cellular ferroelectrets involves the deformation of internally charged voids in the polymer, which can be represented as macroscopic dipoles, resulting in a potential developed across the material. Both the mechanical and electromechanical properties of this material are investigated in this work. Mechanical testing is performed using traditional tensile testing techniques to obtain experimental measures of the stiffness and strength of the materials. Electromechanical testing is performed in order to establish a relationship between input mechanical energy and output electrical energy by dynamically measuring the piezoelectric constant, d 33 . Additionally, the properties of ferroelectret foams are compared to those of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a conventional polymer-based piezoelectric material whose crystalline phase exhibits piezoelectricity through dipole orientation. Finally, the feasibility of vibration energy harvesting using piezoelectret materials is investigated.
Hodgkin's disease with bulky mediastinal involvement: Effective management with combined modality therapy☆

Abstract Purpose : To assess results, complications, treatment techniques, and patterns of failure in patients with bulky mediastinal Hodgkin's disease treated with combined modality therapy. Methods and Materials : Between 1980 and 1988, 48 patients with Hodgkin's disease who had large mediastinal masses were treated at Stanford University. All patients were staged with clinical studies which included computed tomographic scans of the chest and bipedal lymphograms. Initially, 10 patients underwent staging laporotomy and splenectomy, subsequently all patients were staged by clinical criteria alone. Mediastinal mass ratios ranged .35 to .85 (mean .46). The majority of patients had at least one site of extralymphatic extension (E-lesion) within the chest. Combined modality therapy included MOPP (prednisone deleted after mediastinal irradiation) in 15, ABVD in 14, and PAVe in 19 patients. All patients received mantle irradiation (mean dose 44 Gy) but only patients with abdominal disease received subdiaphragmatic irradiation. Results : The actuarial survival and freedom from relapse were 84% and 88% at 9 years. There was an intrathoracic component of failure in all seven patients who either failed to achieve an initial complete response or who experienced a relapse after a complete response. Both patients who experienced a relapse after a complete response achieved durable second responses with subsequent chemotherapy. Two of five patients who failed to achieve an initial complete response were treated successfully with alternative chemotherapy. Conclusions : Routine combined modality therapy is the treatment of choice for patients with Hodgkin's disease who have large mediastinal masses.
Spectral Reflectance as a Covariate for Estimating Pasture Productivity and Composition

Pasturelands are inherently variable. It is this variability that makes sampling as well as characterizing an entire pasture difficult. Measurement of plant canopy reflectance with a ground-based radiometer offers an indirect, rapid, and noninvasive characterization of pasture productivity and composition. The objectives of this study were (i) to determine the relationships between easily collected canopy reflectance data and pasture biomass and species composition and (ii) to determine if the use of pasture reflectance data as a covariate improved mapping accuracy of biomass, percentage of grass cover, and percentage of legume cover across three sampling schemes in a central Iowa pasture. Reflectance values for wavebands most highly correlated with biomass, percentage of grass cover, and percentage of legume cover were used as covariates. Cokriging was compared with kriging as a method for estimating these parameters for unsampled sites. The use of canopy reflectance as a covariate improved prediction of grass and legume percentage of cover in all three sampling schemes studied. The prediction of above-ground biomass was not as consistent given that improvement with cokriging was observed with only one of the sampling schemes because of the low amount of spatial continuity of biomass values. An overall improvement in root mean square error (RMSE) for predicting values for unsampled sites was observed when cokriging was implemented. Use of rapid and indirect methods for quantifying pasture variability could provide useful and convenient information for more accurate characterization of time consuming parameters, such as pasture composition.
Pulmonary veins in the chick embryo: origin as determined by radioautographic mapping.

In the head process to early head fold stage chick embryo, the cells which will form the pulmonary veins are located in the mesoderm near the posteromedial edges of the heart-forming regions. At the 26 somite to early limb bud stage, the presumptive pulmonary vein cells have been folded to the midline of the embryo as part of the splanchnic mesoderm and form the endothelial plexus which courses through the dorsal mesentery of the sinoatrial region of the heart.
Temperature dependence of the ΔE-effect in amorphous Fe75P15C10

Abstract Using a previously predicted correlation between the Δ E -effect and the linear magnetostriction, it is shown that published data on the amorphous ferromagnetic alloy Fe 75 P 15 C 10 are in good agreement with an interaction model dominated by single-ion effects.
Launch vehicle debris models and crew vehicle ascent abort risk

In the event of a launch vehicle failure during ascent, a manned space launch system requires an ascent launch abort system that will be able to separate the crew module from the launch vehicle and return the crew safely to earth. One measure of the effectiveness and reliability of the launch abort system is its ability to reduce the risk of loss of crew from the failure environments, such as blast overpressure and debris strikes from an exploding launch vehicle, resulting from the launch vehicle failure scenario. Physics-based models are used to assess the evolution of, and risks presented by, the failure environments. In the case of debris strikes, the probability of the crew module being hit by at least one piece of debris is computed by modeling the evolution of the debris field over time and determining its relative position to the crew module. The characteristics of the debris field, including the number of pieces, the mass and reference area of each piece, the imparted velocity magnitude and direction and the ballistic coefficient, are defined by a debris catalog. A model has been created to generate a debris catalog using a combination of empirical- and physics-based models. The debris catalog model accounts for design features of the launch vehicle and the failure mechanisms involved in determining the number of pieces and imparted velocity. The model results are compared with a published catalog for the Space Shuttle external tank. The sensitivity of the risk prediction to the number of pieces and the imparted velocities are studied. The debris catalog generation model provides an additional tool in the risk assessment of ascent aborts for manned launch systems.
Effective Implementation of DGEMM on modern multicore CPU

In this paper we will present a detailed study on tuning double-precision matrix-matrix multiplication (DGEMM) on the Intel Xeon E5-2680 CPU. We selected an optimal algorithm from the instruction set perspective as well software tools optimized for Intel Advance Vector Extensions (AVX). Our optimizations included the use of vector memory operations, and AVX instructions. Our proposed algorithm achieves a performance improvement of 33% compared to the latest results achieved using the Intel Math Kernel Library DGEMM subroutine.
Cost effectiveness of cochlear implants.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Health professionals would be well served to have as good an understanding of cost effectiveness as clinical effectiveness, as both are critical to their patients having access to better health care and achieving better health outcomes. Cost-effectiveness evaluations allow decision makers a means of comparing different interventions when deciding resource allocation. It is a powerful tool, but like any analysis, not understanding the processes and assumptions involved leads to misinterpretation. RECENT FINDINGS Cost effectiveness is an economic evaluation of cost and benefit. The threshold at which an intervention is considered cost effective is reflected by the payer's "willingness to pay", which can vary considerably from country to country. These evaluations are complex and can involve the use of incomplete financial data, and subjective impressions of benefit, while excluding broader social and economic benefits. SUMMARY Pediatric unilateral and simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation, and adult unilateral cochlear implantation are felt to be cost effective in the United States. Pediatric sequential cochlear implantation, adult bilateral cochlear implantation, implantation in the aged and the long deaf are not. However, cost-effectiveness economic evaluations are only part of broader assessment of social and economic benefit when determining resource allocation.
Deconstructing “child development knowledge” and “teacher preparation”

Abstract This article examines how the terms child development knowledge and teacher preparation have come to be understood in ways that place limits on how we think about children and the preparation of teachers. It begins by illustrating some of the differences between modernism and postmodernism. It then considers why a universal practice premised on a universal theory of development is problematic. Rather than passing on a codified body of knowledge in teacher education, a dialogic model of teaching—and of teacher education—calls attention to the “inherently polysemous” nature of human existence. There are many ways of understanding how children develop and learn, many ways to teach, and a range of curricular options. “Reflective practioners” learn to think deeply about the implications of their choices and may be more likely to tailor their practice to the diverse needs of children in a multicultural society.
Radiation safety and quality control in the cyclotron laboratory

Radiation safety was determined to maintain quality control in the cyclotron laboratory. Based on the results of 438 runs in the Faraday cup (20 microA for 10 min), 20 runs on 18O-water target (40 microA for 2 h) and 10 runs on 18O-gas targets (30 microA for 45 min), we have established that occupationally exposed workers remain 10 +/- 5 times below federal regulatory limits (FRLs) in the cyclotron vault, 30 +/- 8 times below FRL in the radiochemistry laboratory and 200 +/- 10 times below the FRL outside the cyclotron laboratory during beam operation. (The FRL for unrestricted area are <20 microSv in 1 h.) The non-occupationally exposed workers serving in offices in the vicinity of the cyclotron vault within 100 m distance remained 200 times below the FRL irrespective of beam being on or off, suggesting that routine beam operation of 40 microA for 2 h once a day during office hours is safe provided quality control and system performance measures as discussed in this report are strictly maintained.