cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Do Stationary Risk Premia Explain it All? Evidence from the Term Struct

Most studies of the expectations theory of the term structure reject the model. However, the significance of the rejections depend strongly upon the form of the test. In this paper, we use the pattern of rejection across maturities to back out the implied behavior of time-varying risk premia and/or market forecasts. We then use a new technique to test whether stationary risk premia alone can be responsible for these rejections. Surprisirj1y, this test is rejected for short maturities up to 6 months, suggesting that time-varying risk premia do not explain it all. We also describe hew this method can be used to test other asset pricing relationships.
Kronecker Compressive Sensing for OFDM Channel Estimation in Millimeter Wave Channels

We develop a channel estimation approach utilizing the joint sparsity in the virtual channel for OFDM channel estimation in a frequency selective millimeter wave channel. Our approach addresses possible non-uniformly spaced base station antenna arrays by representing them as a sampling of a larger virtual antenna array with uniform spacing. A virtual channel representation is developed associated with the virtual array where the channel is presumed sparse. A Kronecker Compressive Sensing approach is adopted to estimate the virtual channel represented by receive angle of arrivals and delays. This approach is shown to out perform the least squares channel estimate and newly proposed single antenna channel estimators implemented on a per antenna basis.
Interpreting acoustic energy emission in SiC/SiC minicomposites through modeling of fracture surface areas

Abstract The relationship between acoustic emission (AE) and damage source areas in SiC/SiC minicomposites was modeled using insights from tensile testing in-scanning electron microscope (SEM). Damage up to matrix crack saturation was bounded by: (1) AE generated by matrix cracking (lower bound) and (2) AE generated by matrix cracking, and fiber debonding and sliding in crack wakes (upper bound). While fiber debonding and sliding exhibit lower strain energy release rates than matrix cracking and fiber breakage, they contribute significant damage area and likely produce AE. Fiber breaks beyond matrix crack saturation were modeled by two conditions: (i) only fiber breaks generated AE; and (ii) fiber breaks occurred simultaneously with fiber sliding to generate AE. While fiber breaks are considered the dominant late-stage mechanism, our modeling indicates that other mechanisms are active, a finding that is supported by experimental in-SEM observations of matrix cracking in conjunction with fiber failure at rupture.
Teacher Views on Storytelling-based Cybersecurity Education with Social Robots

With children spending more time online, personal data are stored on their devices making them susceptible to online risks. Exposing students to cybersecurity education at an early age is critical for raising awareness and knowledge. Yet access to cybersecurity education curricular materials that are engaging for young students is limited. In this work, we present interactive cybersecurity stories for students in grades 3-5 delivered through a commercial social robot. Through focus groups and interviews we subsequently investigated teachers’ views on using a social robot for cybersecurity education, interest in incorporating social robots in the classroom, and perceptions of the ways in which social robots can impact teaching practice and student learning. Findings indicated that teachers found the social robot engaging and expressed interest in using it in their classroom despite some concerns. Findings have implications for the design and implementation of cybersecurity curricula delivered through emerging technologies.
PROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF IN SITU SCREW FIXATION FOR STABLE SLIPPED CAPITAL FEMORAL EPIPHYSIS

Background:In situ screw fixation is the standard of care for the treatment of stable slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), however, recent studies recommend treatment of all slip-related cam d...
Current Status and Opportunities in Adaptive Data Analysis for Therapeutic Cell Manufacturing

Abstract As an emerging technology, therapeutic cell manufacturing faces major challenges in three aspects: knowledge gap, regulations, and case-to-case variability. Among all variability sources, donor-to-donor variability is intrinsic to therapeutic cell manufacturing and can be very large. A few recent articles have addressed this variability, but enormous research opportunities remain. In this opinion paper, we focus on the donor-to-donor variability and point out a new sub-field in the data analysis research, adaptive data analysis, as a potential solution to minimizing the donor-to-donor variability. An adaptive data analysis framework adapts to each case and provides case-specific instructions on the manufacturing process. We present and discuss three specific adaptive data analysis approaches, including multi-task learning, Bayesian latent variable modeling, and representation learning. These modeling techniques may provide valuable solutions to challenging data analysis problems in cell manufacturing where large variabilities exist.
Commission on Cancer CP3R Compliance Rates for Treatment of Patients With Triple Negative and HER2+ Breast Cancer: A National Cancer Database Analysis.

BackgroundCancer Program Practice Profile Reports (CP3R) metrics were released by the Commission on Cancer to provide standards for high-quality care. One metric is the recommendation of combinatio...
Pain and hyperamylasemia as early signs of carcinoma of the head of the pancreas and of the ampulla of Vater.

Summary 1.A series of 30 cases of carcinoma of the head of the pancreas and 10 cases of carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater were analyzed for the presence or absence of pain and changes in serum amylase as early manifestations of the disease. 2.Carcinoma of the head of the pancreas was associated with pain in 25 out of 30 (83 per cent) cases; in almost all the pain preceded the jaundice. By contrast, painless jaundice was characteristic of carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater; only 2 out of 10 cases had pain and these were complicated by gallbladder disease. 3.The average duration of symptoms was 4.6 months in carcinoma of the pancreas, and 2.8 months in ampullary carcinoma. The average duration of jaundice was essentially the same for the two groups. 4.The serum amylase was elevated in one-third of the cases of carcinoma of the head of the pancreas and in all but one case of ampullary carcinoma. A correlation of the serum amylase level with the duration of symptoms is demonstrated, the amylase levels being elevated early in the course of disease. 5.The determination of serum amylase in patients with unexplained abdominal pain may lead to the earlier diagnosis of carcinomas of the pancreas and of the ampulla of Vater.
Identification and characterization of PF4varl, a human gene variant of platelet factor 4.

A synthetic DNA probe designed to detect coding sequences for platelet factor 4 and connective tissue-activating peptide III (two human platelet {alpha}-granule proteins) was used to identify several similar sequences in total human DNA. Sequence analysis of a corresponding 3,201-base-pair EcoRI fragment isolated from a human genomic library demonstrated the existence of a variant of platelet factor 4, designated PF4var1. The gene for PF4var1 consisted of three exons and two introns. Exon 1 coded for a 34-amino-acid hydrophobic leader sequence that had 70% sequence homology with the leader sequence for PF4 but, in contrast, contained a hydrophilic amino-terminal region with four arginine residues. Exon 2 coded for a 42-amino-acid segment that was 100% identical with the corresponding segment of the mature PF4 sequence containing the amino-terminal and disulfide-bonded core regions. Exon 3 coded for the 28-residue carboxy-terminal region corresponding to a domain specifying heparin-binding and cellular chemotaxis. However, PF4var1 had amino acid differences at three positions in the lysine-rich carboxy-terminal end that were all conserved among human, bovine, and rat PF4s. These differences should significantly affect the secondary structure and heparin-binding properties of the protein based on considerations of the bovine PF4 crystal structure. By comparing the PF4var 1 genomicmore » sequence with the known human cDNA and the rat genomic PF4-coding sequences, the authors identified potential genetic regulatory regions for PF4var1. Rat PF4 and human PF4var1 genes had identical 18-base sequences 5' to the promoter region. The intron positions appeared to correspond approximately to the boundaries of the protein functional domains.« less
Exploiting bounded staleness to speed up big data analytics

Many modern machine learning (ML) algorithms are iterative, converging on a final solution via many iterations over the input data. This paper explores approaches to exploiting these algorithms' convergent nature to improve performance, by allowing parallel and distributed threads to use loose consistency models for shared algorithm state. Specifically, we focus on bounded staleness, in which each thread can see a view of the current intermediate solution that may be a limited number of iterations out-of-date. Allowing staleness reduces communication costs (batched updates and cached reads) and synchronization (less waiting for locks or straggling threads). One approach is to increase the number of iterations between barriers in the oft-used Bulk Synchronous Parallel (BSP) model of parallelizing, which mitigates these costs when all threads proceed at the same speed. A more flexible approach, called Stale Synchronous Parallel (SSP), avoids barriers and allows threads to be a bounded number of iterations ahead of the current slowest thread. Extensive experiments with ML algorithms for topic modeling, collaborative filtering, and PageRank show that both approaches significantly increase convergence speeds, behaving similarly when there are no stragglers, but SSP outperforms BSP in the presence of stragglers.
Relationship between protean career orientation and work–life balance: A resource perspective

Summary Despite the commonly held belief that a protean career orientation (PCO) enables employees to achieve more balance in their lives, little is known about the relationship between PCO and work–life balance. Using two waves of data collection separated by 2.5 years, this study examined the relationship between PCO and work–life balance among a sample of 367 college-educated employees in the United States. Analysis was conducted to empirically distinguish PCO from conceptually related constructs, and structural equation modeling was used to examine the process that explains the linkage between PCO and balance. We found that PCO was positively related to work–life balance. We also found support for the role of several resources (social capital, psychological capital, and perceived employability) that explain the relationship between PCO and balance. In particular, PCO was associated with extensive career planning activities that were related to the accumulation of three forms of career capital—human capital, social capital, and psychological capital. In turn, social capital and psychological capital were associated with high employability, which was related to greater work–life balance for individuals who take a whole-life perspective on their careers. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of the findings and provide suggestions for future research. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
USDOT number localization and recognition from vehicle side-view NIR images

Commercial motor vehicles are mandated to display a valid U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) identification number on the side of the vehicle. Automatic recognition of USDOT numbers is of interest to government agencies for the efficient enforcement and management of the commercial trucks. Near infrared (NIR) cameras installed on the side of the road, to capture an image of an incoming truck, can capture USDOT images without distracting the drivers. In this paper, we propose a computer vision based method for recognizing USDOT numbers using an NIR camera system directed at the side of the commercial vehicles. The developed method consists of two stages; first, we localize the USDOT tag in the captured image using the deformable part model (DPM). Next, we train a convolutional neural network (CNN) using street-view house number (SVHN) dataset1 and sweep the trained classifier across the localized region. Based on the calculated scores, we infer the digits and their locations using a probabilistic inference method based on Hidden Markov Models (HMM). The most likely digit sequence is determined by applying the Viterbi algorithm. A data set of 1549 images was collected on a public roadway and is used to perform the experiments.
Successful palliation of hypercalcemia secondary to metastatic parathyroid cancer: an unusual indication for hepatic resection

Primary carcinoma of the parathyroid gland is a rare disease. It is often diagnosed after recurrence of hyperparathyroidism following resection for presumed adenomatous disease. Local and distant recurrence is high and aggressive resection is advocated. Patients with parathyroid cancer are frequently plagued by severe hypercalcemia, which is often refractory to medical therapy. Herein we describe the case of a patient with metastatic parathyroid cancer localized to the liver. The patient was treated with a palliative hepatic resection for the management of persistent and refractory hypercalcemia. Intraoperative parathyroid hormone levels were utilized as an adjunct to determine successful metastatectomy. Our case highlights the importance of an aggressive approach to patients with metastatic parathyroid cancer, as well as the utility of intraoperative parathyroid hormone levels to confirm successful extirpation of disease.
Dosage of methyltestosterone.

In the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 13: 235 (Feb.). 1953, Doctor Carl Heller is quoted as stating that the dose of methyltestosterone given sublingually or buccally for the management of male eunuchoidism is 40 to 80 mg. per day. This is contrary to our experience, which has been that doses over 40 mg. per day can rarely be given such patients by the sublingual or buccal route without the production of symptoms of overdosage, viz., priapism, edema, or gynecomastia. In over 40 hypogonadal patients followed in this clinic we have found it possible to initiate improvement with doses of 20 to 40 mg. per day and to maintain all the patients by the administration of 10 to 20 mg. of methyltestosterone daily, given by the sublingual or buccal route. The first 12 such patients were reported by Escamilla and Gordan (Efficacy of Testosterone Compounds Administered Sublingually to Hypogonadal Men, J. Clin. Endocrinol. 10: 248–264 (Feb.) 1950). Indeed, an occasional patient has been observed who de...
The influence of social comparisons on perceptions of procedural fairness

Recently, organizational researchers have discussed the importance of considering the influence of procedures on individuals' responses to organizational outcomes. Research in this area (Folger, 1986; Green berg, 1987; Sheppard, 1984) is generally consistent with the findings of Thibaut and Walker (1975), that the perceived fairness of a procedure, especially control over the process, affects individuals' satisfaction with their outcomes. However, researchers have not considered the organiza tional impact of social information on perceptions of procedural fairness. Yet, a large body of research (See Mowday (1987) for a review) has gen erally demonstrated the importance of social comparisons in determin ing the perceived fairness of outcomes. While no empirical research in organizational procedural fairness addresses the use of social comparisons, Folger's (1986) theory of refer ent cognitions provides a framework for analyzing individuals' reactions to procedures and their subsequent outcomes. Referent cognitions the ory suggests that when individuals receive unfavorable outcomes but can imagine that had they been allowed input to the procedure, they could have received a favorable outcome, they will be most dissatisfied. Folger's work in this area has dealt with individuals' imagination of a different state (essentially a self-imagined referent), but a similar com parison may occur with a social comparison?a referent other. Analo gous to Folger's self-imagined referent, the individual may feel most dis satisfied when he or she has low process control and receives an unfavorable outcome, while a comparative referent has high process control and receives a favorable outcome. The referent serves to provide the individual with the range of possibilities available for the procedure and the outcome.
Categorical decision making by people, committees, and crowds

Choosing among alternatives is a basic decision problem faced by people in all aspects of life, whether individually or collectively. Results in cognitive science suggest that people perform approximately Bayes-optimal decision making but that cognitive limitations require the coarse categorization of ensembles of problems rather than the application of optimal decision rules on a problem-by-problem basis. These observations motivate the development of a mathematical theory for Bayesian hypothesis testing with quantized prior information. This paper reviews recent results in minimum Bayes risk quantizer design and its economic implications. In the context of individual decision making, the theory explains differentials in false alarm and missed detection error rates for majority and minority subpopulations without appealing to a taste for discrimination. In group decision making by majority vote, quantizer design becomes a strategic form game. Nash equilibria are guaranteed to exist but often are not Pareto optimal. The analysis reveals precise senses in which a team of agents performs best when it is diverse and shares common goals. Finally, the implications of the theory for crowdsourcing are discussed.
A Review of OvidSP as An E-Books Delivery Platform

Books@Ovid is a database of full-text access to high-quality textbooks, manuals, and handbooks. These resources are largely practical in nature and cover a large variety of subjects in health professions including medicine, nursing, dentistry, chiropractic, and allied health fields. Topics of materials can include skills, pharmacology, anatomy, and patient education. Institutions that subscribe to Books@Ovid are able to use it via the OvidSP search platform, which allows for searching across databases provided by Ovid Technologies, Inc. Searching and browsing options as well as their implications for users will be explored in this review.
Decay-accelerating factor 1 (Daf1) deficiency exacerbates xenobiotic-induced autoimmunity

Summary Absence of decay-accelerating factor 1 (Daf1) has been shown to enhance T-cell responses and autoimmunity via increased expression of specific cytokines, most notably interferon (IFN)-c. To determine if Daf1 deficiency can exacerbate IFN-c-dependent murine mercury-induced autoimmunity (mHgIA), C57/BL6 Daf1 +/+ and Daf1 )/) mice were exposed to mercuric chloride (HgCl2) and examined for differences in cytokine expression, T-cell activation and features of humoral autoimmunity. In the absence of Daf1, mHgIA was exacerbated, with increased serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), anti-nuclear autoantibodies (ANAs) and antichromatin autoantibodies. This aggravated response could not be explained by increased T-cell activation but was associated with increased levels of IFN-c, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4 and IL-10 but not IL-17 in Daf1deficient mice. Anti-CD3/anti-CD28 costimulation of Daf1 )/) CD4 + T cells in vitro was also found to increase cytokine expression, but the profile was different from that of mHgIA, suggesting that the cytokine changes observed in Daf1 deficiency reflect a response to mercury. The role of Daf1 in influencing cytokine expression was further examined by stimulation of CD4 + T cells in the presence of anti-CD3 and CD97, a molecular partner for Daf1. This resulted in increased IL-10, decreased IL-17 and IL-21 and decreased IFN-c. These findings demonstrate that the absence of Daf1 exacerbates mHgIA, with changes in the profile of expressed cytokines. Interaction between Daf1 and its molecular partner CD97 was found to modify expression of mHgIA-promoting cytokines, suggesting a possible approach for the suppression of overaggressive cytokine production in autoimmunity.
Association mapping via a class of haplotype-sharing statistics

We present a class of haplotype-sharing statistics useful for association mapping in case-parent trio data. The framework presented allows derivation of novel tests as well as new simplified variance estimators for previously proposed tests. We give an overview of this framework and apply four such tests to the simulated data of Genetic Analysis Workshop 15. We find that these haplotype-based statistics result in greater power and better risk locus localization than the single locus single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis.
Temperature as an Indicator of Landform Influence on Atmospheric Processes

Potential land surface-atmosphere interactions were observed on satellite imagery in the lower reaches of the alluvial valley of the Mississippi River. Monthly temperature data were used to determine if a measurable relationship between the land surface and resulting atmospheric processes can be similarly found in the long-term record throughout the entire year. Comparison of temperatures inside the valley with those outside the valley revealed that annual average minimum temperature in the valley is warmer by 1°C than outside the valley. Analyses of seasonal temperature showed that average maximum temperature in the valley is warmer by 0.5°C in summer and colder by 0.5°C in winter. Average minimum temperature in the valley is consistently over 1°C warmer in all seasons. Monthly temperature analyses showed that average maximum temperature in the valley is colder from November-March and warmer from May-October, while average minimum temperature is consistently warmer in the valley in all months. Average te...
Paleobiogeography of Indo-Pakistan: A Response to Briggs, Patterson, and Owen

Briggs (1989) discussed the paleobiogeography of Indo-Pakistan and reached three main conclusions: (1) biological ev? idence contradicts the 100 million years (MY) of Mesozoic and Cenozoic isolation suggested by geological evidence, (2) grad? ual increase in the percentage of northern elements in Indo-Pakistani faunas during Mesozoic, and (3) absence of evidence that drifting Indo-Pakistan prevented faunal exchange between eastern and western parts of the Indian Ocean. Patterson and Owen (1991) discussed several flaws in the latter two conclusions but agreed with Briggs's first conclusion, asserting that only an expanding Earth model could explain the paleoposition of the continents ade? quately. We suggest that Briggs's first con? clusion is incorrect and that there is no
A Short Guide for Aviation Resources for Community College Libraries

Community colleges are often venues for flight training programs. Since such programs are often housed off-campus at a local airport, the library may not even be aware of their existence. These programs range from small single courses done in conjunction with a local airport to full-fledged varieties with a fleet of aircraft owned by the college. This article reviews fundamental library needs for such programs and also provides some background for librarians on what such programs encompass and may require.
Comparison of methods to analyze time–intensity curves in a corn zein chewing gum study

Abstract Nine panelists participated in a time–intensity (T–I) study to evaluate the taste, texture and aroma qualities of corn zein gum compared to synthetic gum samples. Four corn zein gum samples varying in type of plasticizer, and two synthetic gum samples were evaluated. Two different methods were used to analyze T–I curves, grouping panelists with similar individual curves and the enhanced method developed by Liu and MacFie in the 1990s. Grouping panelists with similar individual curves was a more effective method to use when not all panelists reached zero intensity. Only panelists returning to zero intensity could be included in the final mean curve using the enhanced method. Both the propylene glycol and oleic acid corn zein samples showed potential for future development as an alternative to the synthetic gum base currently used.
CHRONIC NALOXONE INCREASES OPIATE BINDING IN SHR AND WKY RATS

We have previously reported that chronic administration of naloxone to SHR and WKY rats results in a significant increase in their systolic blood pressure relative to control animals. In the present study we show that chronic naloxone is also accompanied by a marked increase in the number of brain opiate receptors. Although the relative difference in blood pressure diminishes with increasing maturity, the elevation in brain opiate receptors remains in the treated animals. Mechanisms for these differential effects are discussed.
Agricultural trade liberalization, price changes, and environmental effects

Many analyses of agricultural trade liberalization have been undertaken but few have considered the effects on the environment. For the developed countries, reducing the degree of protection would result in less intensive production; therefore, environmental stress would be reduced. A reduction of trade barriers in industrial countries would result in higher world prices and in a somewhat lower world price variability. Assuming initially no policy changes for developing countries, the question is how the liberalization would affect the environment. Higher Prices in developing countries increase the level of production by intensifying production, particularly in the commercial sector, and by an area expansion. Both result in negative environmental effects. These could be partly offset by an increase in hired labor in the commercial sector, which might reduce pressure at the frontier and on marginal lands, as well as by the income effect. These off-setting effects may be small; however, the direction of the overall environmental effects cannot be determined unambiguously without empirical examination. At the global level, the beneficial economic effects of agricultural trade liberalization probably outweigh the expected negative environmental effects in developing countries, but this cannot be unambiguously established without valuation.
Evaluation of Chemical Releases and Worker Exposures from Filter Press Operations

The exposures (inhalation and dermal) and releases (air, water, solids, and process streams) associated with the filtration of industrial wastewater sludge from an electronics manufacturing plant were characterized. Chemical releases and worker exposures for a target chemical (total copper) were measured over four operational cycles. Various aspects of the filtration operation believed to influence the measurement values were documented. Worker exposures associated with the discreet stages of the filter operation were measured. Ventilation patterns around the filter press were also monitored. The workers' time-weighted average exposures to total copper during the 113-minute operational cycle ranged from 3.1 to 25 µg/m3 (2.2 geometric standard deviation, 6.4 µg/m3 geometric mean concentration). The manual removal of filter cake comprised only 15% of the time in an average filtration cycle, but produced 72% of the workers' inhalation exposure. During this cake-removal stage, inhalation exposures ranged from...
DelPhi: a comprehensive suite for DelPhi software and associated resources

Background: Accurate modeling of electrostatic potential and corresponding energies becomes increasingly important for understanding properties of biological macromolecules and their complexes. However, this is not an easy task due to the irregular shape of biological entities and the presence of water and mobile ions. Results: Here we report a comprehensive suite for the well-known Poisson-Boltzmann solver, DelPhi, enriched with additional features to facilitate DelPhi usage. The suite allows for easy download of both DelPhi executable files and source code along with a makefile for local installations. The users can obtain the DelPhi manual and parameter files required for the corresponding investigation. Non-experienced researchers can download examples containing all necessary data to carry out DelPhi runs on a set of selected examples illustrating various DelPhi features and demonstrating DelPhi’s accuracy against analytical solutions. Conclusions: DelPhi suite offers not only the DelPhi executable and sources files, examples and parameter files, but also provides links to third party developed resources either utilizing DelPhi or providing plugins for DelPhi. In addition, the users and developers are offered a forum to share ideas, resolve issues, report bugs and seek help with respect to the DelPhi package. The resource is available free of charge for academic users from URL: http:// compbio.clemson.edu/DelPhi.php.
Stability of a vortex in a trapped Bose-Einstein condensate.

Based on the method of matched asymptotic expansions and on a time-dependent variational analysis, we study the dynamics of a vortex in a three-dimensional disk-shaped nonaxisymmetric condensate in the Thomas-Fermi limit. Both methods show that a vortex in a trapped Bose-Einstein condensate has formally unstable normal mode(s) with positive normalization and negative frequency, corresponding to a precession of the vortex line around the center of the trap. In a rotating trap, the solution becomes stable above an angular velocity ${\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{m}$, characterizing the onset of metastability with respect to small transverse displacements of the vortex from the central axis.
The zkm institute for music and acoustics up to 2002: Politics, context and foundations

The overall concept for a Zentrum fur Kunst und Medientechnologie in Karlsruhe positioned music as integral part of it from the very beginning in 1985. The following text does not list accomplishments by discussing individual works, productions and research projects; this report describes and contextualises what happened and how it happened, it talks of people and concepts, of politics and ideas. It tries to illuminate the complex path between politics and technology, individual interests and cultural perspectives that led to and shaped ZKM. The uniqueness of ZKM is not only that it comprises museums as well as institutes, which actively produce art. The uniqneness of ZKM also lies in that music was planned as an equally important partner in the original concept, and that the Institute for Music and Acoustics still holds a major position in the institution today even though ZKM as a whole shifted towards the dominance of visual media. The focus of this text is on how the Institute for Music and Acoustics forms an integral part of ZKM as a whole while evolving its own inner direction and dynamics.
Global Crop Monitoring: An Integrated Approach

An integrated climate impact monitoring system was designed using all available data sources, including satellite data. Rather than attempt to use the complex processes that have been developed, the project began with the basic premises of image interpretation and introduced the simplest and most widely accepted procedures into an existing operational process. The intent was to improve the accuracy and timeliness of the impact assessment reports without a large increase in resources. To do this the human mind was used to do what it does best and the computer to do what it does best. The human mind is used to look at color images for pattern recognition and to do all of the final analysis. The computer does all of the computation and presentation but does none of the analysis.
Defective implantation and placentation : laying the blueprint for pregnancy complications

Normal implantation and placentation is critical for pregnancy success. Many pregnancy-related complications that present late in gestation (such as pre-eclampsia and preterm labour) appear to have their origins early in pregnancy with abnormalities in implantation and placental development. Implantation is characterized by invasion of the maternal tissues of the uterus by fetal trophoblast, and the degree to which trophoblast invades these tissues appears to be a major determinant of pregnancy outcome. Excessive invasion can lead to abnormally firm attachment of the placenta to the myometrium (placenta accreta) with increased maternal and perinatal morbidity. Inadequate invasion, specifically restricted endovascular invasion, has been implicated in the pathophysiology of such conditions as pre-eclampsia (gestational proteinuric hypertension), preterm premature rupture of membranes, preterm labour, and intrauterine growth restriction. The molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for implantation remain enigmatic. This review will include an overview of implantation followed by a discussion of a number of molecular mechanisms implicated in defective implantation and placentation including the role of decidual prostaglandins and haemorrhage in regulating trophoblast invasion. An improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for abnormal implantation and placentation will likely improve clinicians' abilities to treat disorders that occur along this continuum, including infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, pre-eclampsia, and preterm birth.
X-ray study of the kinetics of ordering in AuCu

Abstract The kinetics of the disorder-to-order transformation in AuCu has been studied by means of X-ray powder patterns. It has been found that the transformation occurs by the nucleation and growth of ordered domains in the disordered matrix. The degree of order in the newly formed domains is close to but less than the equilibrium value.
SPICE Modeling for Small Geometry MOSFET Circuits

VLSI circuit simulation requires computationally efficient MOSFET models. In this paper, VLSI circuit simulator models for the active device and some important passive devices are described. A quasi-physical short channel MOSFET current model is derived. This current model contains both above-threshold and subthreshold components. The values of the model parameter are extracted automatically from measured I-V data. The reduction in process information in this representation is shown to be tolerable using a proper quantization of the geometry and device type space. Narrow width effect is also included. A charge conserving MOSFET capacitor model is also given. The importance of the parasitic devices on VLSI circuit is shown and a model for the fringing capacitance due to finite gate thickness is introduced. A "process box" based on the statistical variation of parameters is extracted from a completely automated device characterization system. Experimental results indicate that the width and length are independent random variables. This statistical information allows the circuit response to be simulated across the process window.
Reliability of networks of three-state devices

Abstract A three-state device is a device that can exhibit two different types of failure mode, an “open” failure and a “shorted” failure. This paper treats networks whose arcs may experience these two failure modes in addition to the normal “success” state. The network is undirected and has two designated nodes as source and sink. Such a network is itself subject to each of the two failure modes, and the reliability problem considered is computation of the probability of each of the three states of the network. Our observation is that such problems are easily reduced to the usual two-state network reliability problem for which common techniques such as the factoring theorem are readily applicable.
Hydrogenated amorphous carbon films deposited in an electron cyclotron resonance-chemical vapor deposition discharge reactor using acetylene

Abstract Hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) films have been deposited from acetylene gas in a microwave electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma reactor. The films were deposited at a pressure of 0.2 mTorr and at radio frequency (r.f.) induced substrate biases from 80–300 V. Selected film properties, including optical bandgap and bonded hydrogen content, were measured. At r.f. induced biases from 150 to 300 V, corresponding to ion energies for C 2 H 2 + of approximately 150–300 eV, the hydrogen content remains constant and the optical bandgap peaks at a bias of 200 V, or approximately 100 eV per carbon in the C 2 H 2 + ions. This ECR system result is in agreement with those observed by other researchers using different deposition methods where an optical bandgap maximum and an sp 3 maximum occurs at ion energies of 90–100 eV per carbon atom. The discharge properties measured include a partial pressure analysis of the residual exit gas and the substrate current density.
The paradox of invasion

It is paradoxical that exotic species invade and displace native species that are well adapted to local environments. Yet, even those exotics that eventually become abundant and widespread, often do so only after having failed to establish following multiple earlier introductions. The first pattern, while not generally discussed in this context, is usually explained by exotic species pre-adaptations for human-altered environments and by a release from enemies. It can be understood further by examining the superior quality of colonists from large species-rich regions and the historical contingency of evolution. The second pattern is generally explained by invoking demographic and environmental stochasticity; how? ever, it can be understood further by examining the role of environmental variation over space and by metapopulation dynamics. These pro? cesses provide a context in which these patterns of invasion are not paradoxical, but instead, expected.
Storage Basin Volume and Drainage Basin Dynamics: Camas Prairie, South‐Central Idaho

A recent tectonic model and subsequent gravity survey and basement modeling have raised questions concerning the size of the Camas Prairie ground-water storage basin and the hydrodynamic properties of the Camas Creek drainage basin. This paper addresses storage basin dimensions using an anomalous mass determination from a plot of residual gravity, and presents estimates of recharge and underflow from a mass-balance study. Underflow may transport much of the water [2·73 (105) acre-feet/yr] (ac-ft/yr) calculated as residual in the mass-balance study, and transport is from the Camas Prairie storage basin south to the Snake Plain Aquifer via permeable strata in the Mount Bennett Hills surface drainage divide. Results of the anomalous mass study suggest that the volume of ground water stored in the Camas Prairie basin is 39 (106) ac-ft, considerably greater than previously estimated. Similarly, recharge to the Camas Prairie basin is estimated at over 7(105) ac-ft/yr, one order of magnitude greater than earlier estimates.
Diffraction analysis of layered structures of photorefractive gratings

A general analytical model is developed for analysis of the diffraction properties of layered structures of photorefractive gratings. With this model a simple closed-form expression is derived in both the transmission and the reflection geometry for the diffraction efficiency that describes the Bragg selectivity properties of these structures. We then propose and analyze a novel optical device, a dynamic multiple-wavelength filter, that combines the diffraction properties of such layered structures with the photorefractive effect and the electrically controlled diffraction effect.
Behavioral and physiological changes in yearling chinook salmon during hatchery residence and downstream migration

Abstract Swimming stamina, buoyancy, and gill Na + K + ATPase activity were measured in yearling spring chinook salmon before and after release from Dworshak National Fish Hatchery and Rapid River Hatchery from 1986 to 1988. Behavioral and physiological indices remained constant during the 3 months prior to release in early April. Following release, freeze-branded smolts were sampled at Lower Granite Dam, 118 and 279 km downstream from the respective hatcheries. These smolts exhibited swimming stamina and gill Na + K + ATPase levels that were significantly higher than those measured at the time of release. Buoyancy decreased among the same fish (significantly for one group). Migration rates to Lower Granite Dam were slow, but increased as smolts migrated further downstream. Experimental manipulation of water temperatures in the laboratory, using Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery stock, produced smolts with behavioral and physiological responses similar in magnitude to those measured in actively migrating smolts from the Idaho hatcheries. The commonly held premise that, as a result of smoltification, migrating fish exhibit decreased swimming stamina and increased buoyancy during migration, is not supported by this study. Furthermore, the results indicate that the general hatchery population of yearling chinook salmon received insufficient environmental cues necessary for full smolt development, prior to release.
Proton Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Persistent Adrenocorticotropin-Producing Adenomas

Context: Radiation therapy is a potentially curative treatment for corticotroph adenomas refractory to surgery. Protons have an advantage over photons (x-rays) by depositing energy at the target with no exit dose, providing a lower dose to adjacent normal tissues. Until recently, proton stereotactic radiotherapy (PSR) was available at only two U.S. centers; use will increase as proton facilities are under development. Objective: Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PSR for persistent Cushing’s disease (CD) and Nelson’s syndrome (NS). Design: This was a retrospective review of 38 patients (33 with CD and five with NS) treated between 1992 and 2005. Participants: All patients had transsphenoidal surgery without biochemical cure. Four had previous irradiation with photons. The patients with NS underwent bilateral adrenalectomy 29–228 months (median 40) before PSR. Intervention: Single-fraction PSR was delivered at a median dose of 20 Cobalt Gray Equivalents (range 15–20) on 1 treatment da...
LASPE : a subroutine for generating straggling distributions for positrons and electrons

Abstract Computer codes used for analysis of data from high energy electron scattering experiments generally use the Rutherford cross-section based distribution derived by Landau to calculate the energy lost by electrons due to straggling. We have developed a FORTRAN program which evaluates straggling distributions incorporating Moller and Bhabha cross-sections. In e - scattering analysis, this program can be used to evaluate the precision of existing Rutherford-based distributions. In addition, the calculation of the e + straggling distribution is relevant to the analysis of experiments such as those investigating dispersive effects in nuclear electromagnetic processes by comparing results obtained from e - and e + scattering from identical nuclei. In addition to a full straggling distribution, the output includes the parameters which characterize the distribution as well as a table of integrals of the distribution.
Self-regenerative software components

Self-regenerative capabilities are a new trend in survivable system design. Self-regeneration ensures the property that a system's vulnerabilities cannot be exploited to the extent that the mission objective is compromised, but instead that the vulnerabilities are eventually removed, and system functionality is restored. To establish the usefulness of self-regenerative capabilities in the design of survivable systems, it is important to ensure that a system satisfying the self-regenerative requirement is survivable, and software engineering practices and tool support are available for building self-regenerative systems. This paper emphasizes the need for formal definition of the concept of self-regenerative systems in general and self-regenerative software components in particular. We propose a simple formal definition of a self-regenerative software component and we propose to adapt well-established formal software validation techniques to build tool support to implement self-regenerative capabilities at the component level.
The effect of glutathione depletion on 14CO2 evolution from [14C]methyl-labeled aminopyrine in intact rats.

The effect of hepatic glutathione depletion on 14CO2 evolution from [14C]methyl-labeled aminopyrine was assessed in fed male Sprague-Dawley rats. Within 30 min of i.p. administration of either diethylmaleate or phorone, hepatic glutathione fell approximately 75 to 80% and remained depressed for the ensuing 120 min. [14C]Aminopyrine was i.p. administered 30 min after the glutathione-lowering agents (zero time) and exhaled 14CO2 was collected at 15-min intervals for the next 120 min. Parameters of 14CO2 exhalation including peak exhalation rate, cumulative exhalation from 0 to 120 min and the elimination rate constant were all impaired in glutathionedepleted rats. Metabolism of the [14C]methyl groups involves N-demethylation with formation of formaldehyde, oxidation to formate and conversion to 14CO2. Glutathione depletion did not affect CO2 evolution from i.p. administered formate or bicarbonate. The glutathione-dependent step presumably involves either or both generation of formaldehyde or its subsequent oxidation to formate.
Biotechnology is compatible with sustainable agriculture

Biotechnology can provide appropriate new tools for use in solution of specific problems in sustainable agriculture. Its usefulness will depend in large part on the degree to which sustainable agriculturists understand the utility of biotechnology and apply it toward ends they deem important. Biotechnology can give little assistance to sustainable agriculture in the short term. It can be more useful in the medium term, and it could be highly useful in the long term as an integral part of the art and science of plant breeding and other components of sustainable agriculture systems.
System Comparison Procedures for Automatic Target Recognition Systems

Estimating the performance of an automatic target recognition (ATR) system in terms of its probability of successfully identifying a target involves extensive image collection and processing, which can be very time-consuming and expensive. Therefore, we investigate the Wald sequential test for the difference in two proportions as a sample size-reducing alternative to ranking and selection procedures and confidence intervals. An analysis of the test parameters leads to a practical methodology for implementing the Wald test for fairly comparing two systems, based on specific experimental goals. The test is also extended with the modified, sequentially rejective Bonferroni procedure for the multiple pairwise comparison of more than two systems. Two sampling schemes for different experimental goals are also discussed. The test methodology is applied to actual data to compare different configurations of a specific ATR system, with the results demonstrating that the modified Wald sequential procedure is a useful alternative to comparing proportions with confidence intervals, particularly when data are expensive.
Preliminary remarks on the role of disease in the history of the Golden Horde

(1993). Preliminary remarks on the role of disease in the history of the Golden Horde. Central Asian Survey: Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 447-457.