cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictors of treatment outcomes with Auto-titrating CPAP therapy in adults with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

ObjectivesTo determine factors that predict OSA therapy outcomes with auto-titrating positive airway pressure (APAP). MethodsWe sequentially grouped patients from a retrospective cohort based on APAP efficacy (sufficiently vs. insufficiently treated; insufficiently treatment defined as residual AHI of [≥] 5); therapy adherence (compliant vs. non-compliant, non-compliance defined as < 70% usage for [≥] 4 hours/night); and therapy outcomes (optimal vs non-optimal (non-optimal outcomes defined as non-compliant and insufficiently treated). We subsequently compared each group. ResultsThe insufficiently treated were older (68.4 {+/-} 12.5 vs. 60.4 {+/-} 13.1 years, p < 0.01) and had lower BMI (31.9 {+/-} 6.3 vs.37.9 {+/-} 9.1 kg/m2, p < 0.01). They had higher baseline central apnea indices (CAI), longer leaks, higher peak pressures and were less compliant. The non-compliant were younger (61.1 {+/-} 12.6 vs. 65.5 {+/-} 13.2 years, p = 0.03) and comprised more females (56.1 vs. 43.9%, p = 0.04). The leak duration per usage hour was higher in the non-compliant (13.9 {+/-} 42.1 vs. 1.83 {+/-} 3.53 minutes/hour, p < 0.01). The non-optimally treated had lower BMI, longer leaks and shorter nightly usage. Following multivariate analysis, the aforementioned variables except age were predictive of higher residual AHI, while age and gender predicted compliance. ConclusionsVarious demographic and clinical factors were predictive of treatment efficacy and adherence. Overall, lower BMI, longer leaks and shorter nightly usage predicted poor therapy outcomes.
Metal-Rich Metal-Metalloid Phases

This is a review of borides, carbides, nitrides, and oxides of transition elements, often in combination with non-transitional elements. In the metal rich compounds the metalloid atom is isolated and surrounded by six or eight transition metal atoms in close contact with each other. The metalloid atom is therefore interstitial, sometimes in the strict sense that the phase fields include metalloid-free (“unfilled”) compositions. Five structure types are singled out because they occur extensively and because the author is familiar with them through his own work. There may be some initial objection to having borides, carbides, nitrides, and oxides lumped together in one class. It is indeed rare, but not impossible, to find an individual structure type that spans the entire range from borides to oxides. On the other hand, there is so much overlap between types that a common classification does seem justified.
Controlling the Influence of Stereotypes on One's Thoughts

Research on reducing or controlling implicit bias has been characterized by a tension between the two goals of reducing lingering intergroup disparities and gaining insight into human cognition. The tension between these two goals has created two distinct research traditions, each of which is characterized by different research questions, methods, and ultimate goals. We argue that the divisions between these research traditions are more apparent than real and that the two research traditions could be synergistic. We attempt to integrate the two traditions by arguing that implicit bias, and the disparities it is presumed to cause, is a public health problem. On the basis of this perspective, we identify shortcomings in our current knowledge of controlling implicit bias and provide a set of recommendations for future research. Keywords: prejudice; stereotyping; intervention; reduction; implicit bias; self-regulation
Adaptive filtering via particle swarm optimization

This paper introduces the application of particle swarm optimization techniques to generalized adaptive nonlinear and recursive filter structures. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is a population based optimization algorithm, similar to the genetic algorithm (GA), that performs a structured randomized search of an unknown parameter space by manipulating a population of parameter estimates to converge on a suitable solution. These types of structured stochastic search techniques are independent of the adaptive filter structure and are capable of converging on the global solution for multimodal optimization problems, which makes them especially useful for optimizing nonlinear and infinite impulse response (IIR) adaptive filters. This paper outlines PSO for adaptive filtering and provides a comparison to the GA for various IIR and nonlinear filter structures.
Current and Emerging Therapies for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: Focus on Cladribine

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory, immune-mediated, demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system with a heterogeneous clinical presentation and pathology in which activated lymphocytes play an important role in mediating tissue damage. Until recently, all first line therapies for MS were injectable. Several oral medications have been studied for preventative treatment of MS. Cladribine (2-chlorodeoxyadenosine) is a purine nucleoside analog that has been used for the treatment of several hematologic neoplasms, with a unique lymphcytotoxic mechanism of action. Cladribine has been investigated as treatment of MS for more than 15 years. A recent placebo-controlled, double-blind study of cladribine, CLARITY, showed decreased relapse rates, risk of disability progression and MRI measures of disease activity at 96 weeks. Cladribine's strengths included high efficacy and convenient, biannual oral dosing. However, concerns about safety prevented the FDA from approving cladribine in 2011. Thus, use of cladribine for treatment of relapsing and remitting multiple sclerosis will remain off-label.
Discourse and Dreams

Laura R. Graham Performing Dreams: Discourses of Immortality among the Xavante of Central Brazil. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1995. xiv. 290 pp., illustrations. (Honorable Mention, Victor Turner Prize for Ethnographic Writing, 1996)
Efficiently Following Object References for Large Object Collections and Small Main Memory

We consider queries over large object-oriented databases in which one class of objects contains references to another class of objects. In order to answer the query efficiently, the database system needs to be able to follow object pointers from a large collection of objects in a way that minimizes the I/O cost. Traditional techniques require significant redundant I/O when both the referencing class and the referenced class are substantially larger than main memory. We propose a new technique for processing a class of object-oriented queries that is an adaptation of the Jive-Join algorithm of Ross and Li. Our algorithm applies as long as the number of disk blocks in the referenced relation is roughly of the order of the square of the number of blocks that fit in main memory. The cost of the algorithm is at most one pass through each input class extension, one pass through an index file if there is an index, and two passes through a temporary file that contains the object-identifier of the referenced object for each output tuple. Almost all of the I/O is sequential, resulting in minimal seek and rotational latencies. We analyze the cost of our algorithm, and compare our algorithm with a naive algorithm, and with an adaptation of an algorithm due to Valduriez. We demonstrate that under a wide range of circumstances, our algorithm performs significantly better than its competitors. The performance improvement is most dramatic when there is a small amount of memory, and when the input class extensions are very large.
Successive Determination of Na+, Cl-, and H+ Activities on the Skin Surface with Ion-Selective Electrodes

A method is described for the rapid sequential measurement of Na+, Cl-, and H+ activities on the skin surface with ion-selective electrodes. Rationales are given for details of technique such as temperature control, use of a conducting bridge, pH-dependence of sodium electrode performance, and the uniform electrode setting for all tests. Data on reproducibility document the precision of the method when applied to measurements on the skin surface. Reasons are given why Na+ and Cl- activity measurements on the skin require a different design and interpretation than skin pH determinations.
The Power of Skills Training: A Study of Lawyering Skills Grades as the Strongest Predictor of Law School Success (Or In Other Words, It's Time For Legal Education to Get Serious About Skills Training If We Care About How Our Students Learn)

It is time for legal education to get serious about integrating skills into the law school curriculum. For far too long, skills instruction has been relegated to secondary status within the traditional legal curriculum. In the study presented in this article, the Lawyering Skills Grade was the strongest predictor of law student success. In contrast, the LSAT score was the weakest predictor of law school success. This study also found that law students who did well in their Lawyering Skills classes tended to be mastery-oriented learners, and that law students who were mastery-oriented learners were more successful in law school overall. It is time for significant reform of legal education including the full integration of skills within the law school curriculum.
Taylor's theorem for analytic functions of operators

We discuss analytic functions on a Banach algebra into itself. In particular expressions for derivatives are given as well as convergent Taylor expansions.
Molecular dosimetry of the mutagen ethyl methanesulfonate in Drosophila melanogaster spermatozao: Linear relation of DNA alkylation per sperm cell (Dose) to sex-linked recessive lethals

Abstract The dosage-response curve for EMS was determined with dose measured as ethylations of DNA per sperm cell, and response measured as the relative frequency of sex-linked recessive lethals induced in sperm cells of Drosophila melanogaster. Dose can be converted to ethylations per nucleotide of DNA by dividing ethylations of DNA per sperm cell by 3 × 108 nucleotides sperm cell. Adult males were exposed to equal amounts of either [3H]EMS for determining dose or nonlabeled EMS for determining mutational response. By feeding EMS for 24 h in a concentration of 25 mM, a high dose of 1.4 × 10−2 ethylations per nucleotide was observed. With 1.4% of the nucleotides ethylated, 57% of the X-chromosomes were hemizygously viable; therefore, ethylation per se is not very efficient in inducing mutations. The relative frequency of mutations increased linearly with the dose from a dose of 2.1 × 10−4 to 1.4 × 10−2 ethylations per nuecleotide. No threshold was apparent, and the statistical limits of the exponent, 1.0 ± 0.1, excluded an exponent as high as 1.2. This linear relation suggests no change in mechanism of mutagenesis occurs from low to high dose in Drosophila. A nonlinear relation was found between exposure and dose; when exposure was increased by a factor of 250 (from 0.1 to 25 mM EMS in the feeding medium) dose was increased by a factor of only 68. By extrapolating down from our lowest dose of 2.1 × 10− ethylations per nucleotide with an observed frequency of 0.55% ± 0.88% sex-linked recessive lethals, we estimate the doubling dose for sex-linked recessive lethals to be 4 × 10− ethylation per nucleotide.
Study of the K edges of 3 d transition metals in pure and oxide form by x-ray-absorption spectroscopy

The metal $K$-edge absorption spectra of $3d$ transition metals and oxides are measured by x-ray-absorption spectroscopy. Experiments are performed on metal foils or fine powders dusted onto Scotch tape, at the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source. Comparisons to theory are made for both the metal and oxide data. We concentrate on the spectral nearedge structure (NES) and attempt to interpret its origins. For the metals, we find excellent agreement between the data and one-electron calculations. This agreement is much closer than previously found for the ${L}_{23}$ edges in the same materials. The picture for the oxide near-edge structure is not so auspicious. Although symmetry-based molecular-orbital (MO) theory has been widely invoked, it is probably inadequate. Recent calculations indicate that while some of the near-edge peaks are indeed attributable to one-electron MO-type transitions whose energies are modified by the presence of the core hole, other features have no such simple origin. Finally we compare the oxide NES of the metal ${L}_{23}$,$K$ edges and the oxygen $K$ edge altogether. These are found to agree with each other and to MO theory only for Ti${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$. The mismatch of the three NES's in the other oxides indicates the failure of one-electron theory for insulators. Instead, the near-edge structure must be dominated by core excitons, as previously shown for NiO. The presence of excitons explains the lack of agreement between the NES for core excitations of different atoms in the same solid.
PERANORM: a BASIC program to calculate a modal norm for peraluminous granitoids

Abstract The peranorm is designed to express chemical analyses of felsic plutonic rocks in terms of mineral phases which usually occur in those rocks: quartz, plagioclase, alkali (K-) feldspar, muscovite, biotite, garnet, magnetite, ilmenite, apatite, cordierite, sillimanite, and corundum. Its calculation is similar in style to the calculation of the more traditional CIPW norm with two significant exceptions: (1) bound water (H2O+) in the analysis is considered significant, and (2) results are reported in terms of volume percentages rather than in terms of weight percentages. Use of volume percentages allows for direct comparison of the peranorm with the mode. The effects of variations in water content of the rock on the peranorm are illustrated.
Pre‐reproductive survival in a tropical bird and its implications for avian life histories

The factors that affect survival until reproduction are essential to understanding the organization of life histories within and among species. Theory predicts, for example, that survival until reproduction influences the optimum level of reproductive investment by parents, which might partly explain prolonged parental care in species with high first-year survival. Tests and refinements of life-history theory have been hampered, however, by a lack of field-based estimates of pre-reproductive survival, especially for tropical species, which have been the subject of many comparative analyses. Tropical species are predicted to have higher first-year survival and delayed reproduction compared to Northern Hemisphere species. We estimated survival until reproduction, age at first reproduction, and sources of variation in juvenile survival in a Neotropical passerine, the Western Slaty-Antshrike (Thamnophilus atrinucha), in central Panama. We observed that fledged antshrikes had 76% survival through the dependent period and 48% survival to the age of 1 year; survival rate was lowest during the first week after leaving the nest. Timing of fledging within the breeding season, fledgling mass, and age at dispersal influenced survival, while sex of offspring and year did not. Individuals did not breed until two years of age, and post-fledging pre-reproductive survival was 41% of annual adult survival. High survival until reproduction in antshrikes balanced their low annual productivity, resulting in a stable population. Survival during the post-fledging period of dependence and the first year of independence in the Western Slaty-Antshrike exceeded estimates for Northern Hemisphere species. This difference appears to be associated with the extended post-fledging parental care, delayed dispersal, low costs of dispersal, and the less seasonal environment of antshrikes.
A theory of finite viscoelasticity and numerical aspects

Most current models for finite deformation viscoelasticity are restricted to linear evolution laws for the viscous material behaviour. In this paper, we present a model for finite deformation viscoelasticity that utilizes a nonlinear evolution law, and thus is not restricted to states close to the thermodynamic equilibrium. We further show that upon appropriate linearization, we can recover several established models of finite linear viscoelasticity and linear viscoelasticity. The utilization of this model in a computational setting is also addressed and examples are presented to highlight the differences of the proposed model in relation with other available models.
Abstract 1501: Pan-cancer PathSeq analysis on TCGA data for pathogen discovery.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC An estimated 15-20% of all human malignancies is caused by infectious agents, such as human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). The recent development of massively parallel next generation sequencing technology led to the discovery of Merkel cell polyomavirus, and more recently a significant enrichment of Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) and related Fusobacterium species in colorectal carcinomas compared to non-neoplastic colon tissue from the same patients. However, these studies involved relatively small number of samples and there are likely many additional cancer-associated microbes that are yet to be discovered. TCGA sequencing data from over 20 human cancer types provide an unprecedented opportunity for cancer-associated pathogen discovery. Using PathSeq, software for pathogen discovery by computational subtraction, we have begun analyzing TCGA sequencing data for the presence of viral, fungal or bacterial sequences. We will present our preliminary data from the analysis of mRNA-seq data including evidence for (1) a greater role of viral integration into tumor suppressor gene loci in HPV-driven tumors and (2) complex interplay between viruses, bacteria and host cancer cells in various cancer types. We will also discuss our discovery efforts for previously unannotated pathogens in the TCGA dataset. Citation Format: Joonil Jung, Chandra Sekhar Pedamallu, Aleksander D. Kostic, Samuel Freeman, Akinyemi I. Ojesina, Alice Berger, Ami Bhatt, Fujiko Duke, Gad Getz, Matthew Meyerson. Pan-cancer PathSeq analysis on TCGA data for pathogen discovery. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1501. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-1501
Sea Surface Temperatures Computed by a Simple Ocean Mixed Layer Coupled to an Atmospheric GCM

Abstract An ocean mixed layer with fixed depth (50 m) is coupled to a global atmospheric general circulation model (GCM). The mixed layer is a simple slab that allows for seasonal heat storage but has no dynamics (advection or diffusion). The an surface temperatures generated by the model are compared to observations for January and July. The overall simulation of ocean temperature is reproduced even with this simple ocean model. However, there are important Discrepancies. Because of the lack of dynamics, the tropical upwelling regions are too warm in the model. Most Northern Hemisphere midlatitude ocean areas are too cool during summer due to the absence of shallowing of the mixed layer at that time of year. In Southern Hemisphere midlatitudes where deep mixed layers persist year round, the model is warmer than observed for most of the year. Standard deviations of daily SSTs from the computed mixed layer are less than observed in most open ocean areas and oven smaller near western boundary current region...
The temporal stability of cluster and switch scores using a modified COWAT procedure.

Abstract This study examined the impact of instructional changes on the temporal stability of cluster and switch scores for the Controlled Oral Word Association Test [COWAT; Benton, A. L., Hamsher, K., & Sivan, A. B. (1994). Multilingual Aphasia Examination (3rd ed.). Iowa City, IA: AJA Associates]. Healthy undergraduates were assigned randomly into experimental ( N = 60) and control ( N = 60) groups. Experimental group participants were administered three letters as customary, then informed about clustering strategies prior to completing three additional letters. Control group participants received the original instructions only for all six letters. All participants were examined on two separate occasions. The mean inter-assessment interval was 38.6 days (ranging from 29 to 47 days). Stability coefficients for cluster and switch scores on the last set of letters differed significantly between groups, as higher coefficients were observed for the experimental group. In contrast, stability coefficients for the total words produced and mean cluster size did not differ between groups. Although the temporal stability improved, the resulting coefficients were modest (e.g., r icc = .76 for clusters; r icc = .79 for switches). We present implications of these findings and considerations for future research.
Mechanisms of Pressure Effects in Biology: From Proteins to Live Bacteria

Nearly 80% of the terrestrial biosphere is found in the ocean at depths over 1000 meters. Most of this space is dark and cold, such that the organisms that live there have had to adapt to high pressure, low temperature and lack of light. These parameters are known to have an enormous effect on bio-molecular structure and dynamics, and presumably cellular physiology. In particular, pressures of up to 1000 bar are reached in the deepest parts of the ocean. Understanding how organisms adapt to such extreme environments requires and understanding of how pressure effects bio-molecules and the bio-molecular basis of physiological responses to pressure. We have pursued these questions using model systems and state of the art biophysical approaches. In this talk I will present our recent results on defining the molecular mechanisms of pressure-induced unfolding of proteins and the in vivo response of E. coli to pressure shock.
Interference detection among solids and surfaces

In many industrial environments it is necessary to determine whether there is interference among components. There are many potential interference problems in products made up of assemblies of components and in product manufacturing and testing. Typically, drawings are used in an attempt to detect such unwanted interferences, but the two-dimensional, static drafting medium does not always show interferences among three-dimensional, moving parts. This paper presents a computer representation for solids and surfaces and algorithms which carry out interference checking among objects so represented. Objects are represented as polyhedra or as piecewise planar surfaces. Two types of interference checking are discussed: detection of intersections among objects in fixed positions and detection of collisions among objects moving along specified trajectories.
On the singular set for Lipschitzian critical points of polyconvex functionals

Abstract Partial regularity is proved for Lipschitzian critical points of polyconvex functionals provided ‖ D u ‖ L ∞ is small enough. In particular, the singular set for a Lipschitzian critical point has Hausdorff dimension strictly less than n when ‖ D u ‖ L ∞ is small enough. Model problems treated include ∫ Ω | ∇ u | 2 + | det ∇ u | 2 , where u : Ω ( ⊂ R 2 ) → R 2 , and ∫ Ω | ∇ u | 2 + | ∇ u | s + | Ad ∇ u | s + | det ∇ u | s , where u : Ω ( ⊂ R 3 ) → R 3 with s ⩾ 2 . Moreover, it is shown that the singular set of a Lipschitzian global minimizer has Hausdorff dimension strictly less than n .
Strategies for competing energy storage technologies for in DC fast charging stations

The universal acceptance of electric vehicles depends on the widespread presence of charging stations. These stations have to be designed intelligently so as not to overwhelm the fragile power grid with the additional load. In this paper we extend our previous work in [1] and examine how the charging station performance, namely the blocking probability, is affected both by the energy storage technology used, and the employed charging strategy. We consider two strategies: charging from the energy storage first, and charging from the power grid first. We compare their performance for different sets of system parameters and identify the optimum operating rule. Finally, we describe an economic model, which allows us to determine the trade-offs involved when choosing between an energy storage with higher capacity or one with a higher power rating.
Effects of increased summer precipitation and N deposition on Mojave Desert populations of the biological crust moss Syntrichia caninervis

Abstract Climate change in the Mojave Desert (USA) may result in a greater intensity of summer (monsoon) rain events and greater atmospheric N deposition. Patches of the dominant biological crust moss Syntrichia caninervis were exposed to field treatments of low and high nitrogen supplementation, added summer rain, and combinations thereof, for a period of five years. In the lab, shoots were subjected to a moderate (single rapid-dry treatment) and a severe (double rapid-dry treatment) desiccation stress. Shoots were then hydrated and allowed to regenerate for 6 weeks on sterile sand. Shoots exhibited lower aboveground biomass from the +monsoon treatment, indicating carbon balance deficits under conditions of recurring summer rainfall. The low N treatment and the severe desiccation stress promoted shoot burning (chlorosis) and negatively affected regeneration responses. High N treatment, however, only adversely affected the resumption of apical meristematic growth. Summer irrigation and N application interacted to mitigate the effects of later protonemal emergence time, lower protonemal cover, and lower shoot numbers. Increased monsoonal frequency and higher N deposition as forecast for the northern Mojave Desert may result in declines in shoot biomass and reduced regenerational vigor in S. caninervis.
Density-functional calculation of the Hugoniot of shocked liquid deuterium

We have performed molecular dynamics simulations to obtain the internal energy and pressure of shock-compressed fluid deuterium at 24 separate (density temperature) points. Our calculations were performed using the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) in density-functional theory. We obtained a good fit to this simulation data with a thermodynamically consistent virial expansion. The single-shock Hugoniot derived from this equation of state is compared to previous theoretical and experimental results. We discuss several types of error inherent in the GGA, as they relate to the quality of our results. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
Multidisciplinary computational aerosciences

Solution of the multidisciplinary computational aerosciences problems described above will go a long ways towards helping the aerospace industry fulfill its basic two objectives, that is, (1) to reduce the development cost and (2) to increase the performance, safety and environmental compatibility of aerospace vehicles and their components. The tasks are challenging but the CFD scientific community is poised to meet that challenge. Accomplishment of those lofty goals will require computers orders of magnitude larger and faster than those currently available. It will also require systems software that permits easy use of those computers. Massively parallel computers offer a means to meeting the multidisciplinary computational aeroscience objectives. The High- Performance Computing and Communications Program designed by NASA provides a framework and the resources necessary for systematically developing the requisite elements needed to successfully accomplish multidisciplinary simulations.
Three Phases of DiGeorge/22q11 Deletion Syndrome Pathogenesis during brain development: patterning, proliferation, and mitochondrial functions of 22q11 genes

Abstract DiGeorge, or 22q11 deletion syndrome (22q11DS), the most common survivable human genetic deletion disorder, is caused by deletion of a minimum of 32 contiguous genes on human chromosome 22, and presumably results from diminished dosage of one, some, or all of these genes—particularly during development. Nevertheless, the normal functions of 22q11 genes in the embryo or neonate, and their contribution to developmental pathogenesis that must underlie 22q11DS are not well understood. Our data suggests that a substantial number of 22q11 genes act specifically and in concert to mediate early morphogenetic interactions and subsequent cellular differentiation at phenotypically compromised sites—the limbs, heart, face and forebrain. When dosage of a broad set of these genes is diminished, early morphogenesis is altered, and initial 22q11DS phenotypes are established. Thereafter, functionally similar subsets of 22q11 genes—especially those that influence the cell cycle or mitochondrial function—remain expressed, particularly in the developing cerebral cortex, to regulate neurogenesis and synaptic development. When dosage of these genes is diminished, numbers, placement and connectivity of neurons and circuits essential for normal behavior may be disrupted. Such disruptions likely contribute to vulnerability for schizophrenia, autism, or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder seen in most 22q11DS patients.
Nonlinear image decomposition for multiresolution edge detection using gray-level edge maps

Edge detection remains an important low-level vision problem. Most edge detection methods operate on an image at a single resolution. Edges within an image, however, generally occur at various resolutions, or scales, and represent transitions of different degrees, or gradient levels. Thus, single-resolution edge detection methods that output binary edge maps do not always yield satisfactory results. We develop a multiresolution (MR) edge detection method based on nonlinear image decomposition that produces gray-level edge maps. Unlike linear decomposition methods that tend to blur image features, nonlinear methods can be designed that yield greater control over the scale of structures preserved by the decomposition. The proposed decomposition method utilizes rank-order-based filtering, which preserves visually important cues, such as edges, while eliminating structures smaller than a minimum constraint. The images produced by the decomposition have progressively lower resolution, or more precisely, contain structures of progressively increasing scale. The resulting sequence of images is subject to an edge detection process that incorporates edge strength to yield gray-level edge maps. These edge maps are restricted to form a stacking edge map pyramid. In this formulation, the base edge map contains edges at all scales, while edge pruning, based on edge scale, is performed at subsequent levels. Thus, moving up in the pyramid yields edge maps with fewer small-scale, or detail, edges. The motivation behind this algorithm comes from tactile imaging, an important problem in facilitating access to visual information for blind people. The proposed scheme is suited for such applications because it provides more control over detail (edge scale) level and is compatible with how the mind perceives information, beginning with course information and progressively increasing the detail level. Simulation results are presented on synthetic signals, electron micrographs, and images. A comparison of results with Park's linear decomposition algorithm demonstrate the advantages of the proposed method.
Optimal structural design of the Airborne Infrared Imager

The airborne infrared imager (AIRI) is a dual-band IR sensor designed to study air defense issues while wing mounted in a pod. The sensor consists of an optical bench attached to a two- axis inertially stabilized gimbal structure in elevation and azimuth. The gimbal assembly operates within an 18-inch diameter globe while meeting strict pointing and tracking requirements. Design conditions for the assembly include operational and nonoperational inertial, thermal, and dynamic loads. Primary design efforts centered on limiting the line-of- sight jitter of the optical system to 50 (mu) rad under the operating environment. An MSC/NASTRAN finite element model was developed for structural response predictions and correlated to experimental data. Design changes were aided by MSC/NASTRAN's optimization routine with the goal of maximizing the fundamental frequency of the gimbal assembly. The final structural design resultsed in a first natural frequency of 79 Hz using a titanium azimuthal gimbal, a stainless steel elevation gimbal, and an aluminum optical bench which met the design and performance requirements.
The effect of methyl n-butyl ketone on response rates of rats performing on a multiple schedule of reinforcement

Abstract Six rats were tested daily on a multiple fixed ratio 5 fixed interval 3-minute schedule of reinforcement. Saline (control) oral administrations were given during each week of testing except for 1 day per week on which methyl n-butyl ketone (MBK), an industrial solvent, was administered orally in concentrations of 68, 135, 270, or 406 mg/kg (representing 3, 5, 10, and 16%, respectively, of the oral LD50). Each rat received each MBK concentration on three to six occasions over the course of the study. When compared to the preceding control (saline) day, fixed interval performance (response rate) after MBK administration was reduced by a mean of 20% at 68 mg/kg, 30% at 135 mg/kg, 40% at 270 mg/kg, and 57% at 406 mg/kg. All changes were statistically significant at P ⩽ 0.03.
A study of auroral displays photographed from the DMSP-2 satellite and from the Alaska meridian chain of stations

In the first part of the paper, a brief historical review of the progress of our knowledge on morphological aspects of the aurora is given. A particular emphasis is made in describing technical developments in auroral observations. In the second part, a large number of DMSP-2 photographs are examined in detail; in particular, substorm features, such as the initial brightening, the poleward expansion, westward traveling surges, eastward drifting patches, omega bands, torch-like structures, polar cap auroras, are illustrated. Whenever available, simultaneous photographs from the Alaska meridian chain of stations are used to describe in detail time variations of auroral displays before, during and after the passage of the satellite. In the last part, recent progress in understanding auroral phenomena is briefly reviewed from the point of view of magnetospheric physics.
The influences of task difficulty and response correctness on neural systems supporting fluid reasoning

This functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study examined neural contributions to managing task difficulty and response correctness during fluid reasoning. Previous studies investigate reasoning by independently varying visual complexity or task difficulty, or the specific domain. Under natural conditions these factors interact in a complex manner to support dynamic combinations of perceptual and conceptual processes. This study investigated fluid reasoning under circumstances that would represent the cognitive flexibility of real life decision-making. Results from a mixed effects analysis corrected for multiple comparisons indicate involvement of cortical and subcortical areas during fluid reasoning. A 2 × 2 ANOVA illustrates activity related to variances in task difficulty correlated with increased blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD)-signal in the left middle frontal gyrus (BA6). Activity related to response correctness correlated with increased BOLD-signal in a larger, distributed system including right middle frontal gyrus (BA6), right superior parietal lobule (BA7), left inferior parietal lobule (BA40), left lingual gyrus (BA19), and left cerebellum (Lobule VI). The dissociation of function in left BA 6 for task difficulty and right BA6 for response correctness and the involvement of a more diffuse network involving the left cerebellum in response correctness extends knowledge about contributions of classic motor and premotor areas supporting higher level cognition.
Extensible multimodal annotation markup language (EMMA): invited talk

This talk will introduce the W3C Multimodal Interaction Activity, whose goal is to design a framework of specifications to enable access to the Web using multi-modal interaction. In particular we will introduce the Extensible MultiModal Annotation (EMMA) language specification. EMMA is an XML language for describing the interpretation of user input, combining transcriptions of raw signals into words with metadata to help applications resolve uncertainties and contradictions in interpretations. We will also discuss the issues encountered by the Working Group as the language is being developed, such as whether to use RDF or not, how best to combine interpretations, or what metadata properties to represent.
Uranium-series tracers of mudwave migration in the Argentine Basin

Abstract Large wave-like sediment structures are formed in the Argentine Basin where active bottom currents carry a heavy load of suspended sediments. A model previously developed to explain the formation and migration of these mudwaves predicts that sediment deposition occurs on the upstream face of the wave while the downstream face experiences reduced deposition, or erosion, depending on the current velocity. Two mudwaves on the Zapiola sediment drift in the Argentine Basin were cored to evaluate the relationship between present-day currents and the migration of these particular structures. 210 Pb and 230 Th were measured in sediments from upstream and downstream faces of each mudwave. 210 Pb inventories ranged from 33 to 118 dpm cm −2 among the various locations cored. The general tendency is for higher inventories of 210 Pb to occur on upstream faces, indicating higher rates of sediment deposition there, as predicted by the model. Over the time scale reflected by the 210 Pb inventories, sediments have accumulated on the downstream faces at rates at least one third to one half as high as on the upstream faces, which rules out complete non-deposition on the downstream faces. Unsupported 230 Th activities of upstreamface sediments are a factor of 3–4 higher than activities of sediments on downstream faces, indicating that late Pleistocene sediments are being exposed by erosion on the downstream faces. Taken together, these results suggest a situation on the downstream face of each mudwave where fresh particulate matter deposited from the water column is being worked into mixed layer sediments under conditions of net sediment erosion.
Screening of longitudinal optical phonons in CdSSe nanocrystals by photoexcited carriers

The Raman spectra of a commercial Corning glass filter containing CdSSe nanocrystals have been found to be modified by increasing photoexcitation via picosecond laser pulses as a result of athermal effects. The observed effects have been explained semi-quantitatively by the screening of longitudinal optical phonons by the electronic transitions of one photoexcited carrier per nanocrystal.
Changes in urinary PGE2 and PGF2α daily excretion rates in man during a period of 4–5 months

Abstract Concentrations of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) and prostaglandin F 2α (PGF 2α ) were measured in 24-hr urine specimens of five male subjects, age 30–60, over a period of 4–5 months. Quantification was achieved by GC-MS-selected ion monitoring with deuterium labeled carriers-internal standards. Samples containing prostaglandin E 1 (PGE 1 ), a seminal fluid constituent, were discarded. Mean PG levels differed widely among subjects as did the dispersion of intraindividual data. The observed variations probably reflect cumulative effects of hormonal factors and other biological variables. These variations should be considered in studies designed to assess the effects of diet and drugs on PG renal synthesis.
Detroit: Exploiting Images of Poverty

The Journal of Mass Media Ethics publishes case studies in which scholars and media professionals outline how they would address a particular ethical problem. Cases are drawn from actual experience...
Changes in protein abundance during powdery mildew infection of leaf tissues of Cabernet Sauvignon grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.)

A comparative analysis of differentially expressed proteins in a susceptible grapevine (Vitis vinifera ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’) during the infection of Erysiphe necator, the causal pathogen of grapevine powdery mildew (PM), was conducted using iTRAQ. The quantitative labeling analysis revealed 63 proteins that significantly changed in abundance at 24, 36, 48, and 72 h post inoculation with powdery mildew conidiospores. The functional classification of the PM-responsive proteins showed that they are involved in photosynthesis, metabolism, disease/defense, protein destination, and protein synthesis. A number of the proteins induced in grapevine in response to E. necator are associated with the plant defense response, suggesting that PM-susceptible Cabernet Sauvignon is able to initiate a basal defense but unable to restrict fungal growth or slow down disease progression.
Normal Variation in Reading Acquisition

Visual, linguistic, reading, and spelling tests were administered to the same 45 children at the end of kindergarten and of first grade. Normal variation, i.e., diversity not related to pathology, was found in the visual and linguistic skills and was shown to be related to reading and spelling achievement for a sample of suburban children of similar socioeconomic status. Individual differences in three visual skills—selective attention to letter information (RT), memory for a component letter (accuracy), and memory for a whole word (accuracy)—and two linguistic skills—phonemic analysis and vocabulary understanding—were reliable over the first year of formal reading instruction and had concurrent validity in that they were correlated with achievement in word decoding/encoding at the end of kindergarten and of first grade. Of these five skills, phonemic analysis accounted for more variance in achievement (52% to 64%, depending upon achievement measure) than any other single skill. Significantly mote varianc...
Multinational companies and the growth of the U.S. trade deficit

This article examines the role of multinational companies (MNCs) in the growth of the U.S. trade deficit. Estimates of MNC-related trade are developed for 1977, 1982, and 1987. The data show that MNCs are associated with a significant share of U.S. trade and that the trading activities of multinational companies can be linked to significant trends in the U.S. trade balance.
Open Trial of Intravenous Immune Serum Globulin for Chronic Sinusitis in Children

Background Chronic sinusitis in children is a complex clinical problem. Some patients do not improve with medical therapy and some fail surgery as well. Objective A therapeutic trial of intravenous immune serum globulin (IVIG) was given to children whose sinus disease was recalcitrant to the usual therapeutic modalities. The objective of IVIG administration was to modulate the inflammatory process contributing to the chronicity of the sinusitis. Methods Six patients were given a 12-month trial of monthly (400 mg/kg) IVIG infusions. Entry criteria included persistence of sinusitis after 3 months of full course antibiotics, or two episodes of sinusitis within a 3-month period while on prophylactic antibiotics. All patients had abnormal sinus CT (computerized tomography) scans at entry. Three of the six patients remained symptomatic despite prior sinus surgery. Patients with primary immune deficiencies were excluded. Each patient served as his own control based on their previous 12-month history and clinical course. Four of the six patients were atopic as demonstrated by prick skin testing; however, all patients had nasal eosinophilia. Results Full course antibiotic use decreased in five of the six patients (183 to 84 days); correspondingly, the episodes of sinusitis decreased (average 9 to 4 per year). In addition, sinus CT scans showed significant improvement. Conclusion This preliminary open-trial of IVIG suggests its usefulness as adjunct therapy to medical management in selected patients with chronic sinus disease. The mechanism(s) by which IVIG may be helpful is probably not based on the concept of replacement therapy, but more likely as an immune or inflammatory modulating agent.
Lipid and carbohydrate metabolic risk markers for coronary heart disease and blood pressure in healthy non-obese premenopausal women of different racial origins in the United Kingdom

Abstract Metabolic risk markers for coronary heart disease (CHD) were determined in apparently healthy females of differing racial origins residing in the United Kingdom. The females were of black (n = 122), Oriental (n = 114), South Asian (n = 128), and white (n = 271) origin, premenopausal, non-obese, and aged 16 to 45 years. In comparison to whites, South Asians had lower serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and HDL 2 cholesterol and higher fasting and oral glucose tolerance test plasma insulin responses. Black females had higher fasting plasma and oral glucose tolerance test insulin and lower serum triglyceride and glucose compared with white females. Orientals differed from whites in having higher fasting and oral glucose tolerance test insulin concentrations. Resting systolic or diastolic blood pressures, total serum cholesterol, HDL 3 cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol did not differ between groups. Whereas previous studies have demonstrated similar differences in representative samples from different ethnic communities, our results clearly demonstrate that differences also exist in young healthy females, individuals considered to have the least risk of CHD.
Autoionization of He and Autodetachment of He - following Bombardment by H + , H 2 + , He + , and He Atoms

Presented here are experimental results of a study of the systematics of electron emission from discrete states of He and ${\mathrm{He}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ as produced by ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$, $\mathrm{H}_{2}^{}{}_{}{}^{+}$, ${\mathrm{He}}^{+}$, and He impacts. The results were obtained by energy analysis of the electrons emitted at angles of 10\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to 160\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. Projectile energies ranged from 20 to 150 keV. Differential and integrated cross sections are presented for emission of electrons from the $2{s}^{2}(^{1}S)$, $2s2p(^{3}P)$, the sum of the $2{p}^{2}(^{1}D)$ and $2s2p(^{1}P)$ autoionizing levels of He, and the $1s2{s}^{2}(^{2}S)$ autodetaching level of ${\mathrm{He}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$. The $2{s}^{2}(^{1}S)$ cross section is nearly isotropic, while the $2s2p(^{3}P)$ and $2{p}^{2}(^{1}D)+2s2p(^{1}P)$ cross sections are in general anisotropic. The ratios of the $^{3}P$ to the $^{1}S$ cross sections follow an approximate $A+B{cos}^{2}\ensuremath{\theta}$ form. The peak arising from the ${\mathrm{He}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ level has an asymmetric profile with a positive $q$ value which increases as the projectile energy decreases.