cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scale-Space Flow for End-to-End Optimized Video Compression

Despite considerable progress on end-to-end optimized deep networks for image compression, video coding remains a challenging task. Recently proposed methods for learned video compression use optical flow and bilinear warping for motion compensation and show competitive rate-distortion performance relative to hand-engineered codecs like H.264 and HEVC. However, these learning-based methods rely on complex architectures and training schemes including the use of pre-trained optical flow networks, sequential training of sub-networks, adaptive rate control, and buffering intermediate reconstructions to disk during training. In this paper, we show that a generalized warping operator that better handles common failure cases, e.g. disocclusions and fast motion, can provide competitive compression results with a greatly simplified model and training procedure. Specifically, we propose scale-space flow, an intuitive generalization of optical flow that adds a scale parameter to allow the network to better model uncertainty. Our experiments show that a low-latency video compression model (no B-frames) using scale-space flow for motion compensation can outperform analogous state-of-the art learned video compression models while being trained using a much simpler procedure and without any pre-trained optical flow networks.
Activities and assessment solutions for students in advanced molecular genetics and biochemistry to direct and engage with public communication in an online environment.

Apart from classroom presentations to their instructors and peer groups, STEM students have limited opportunities or encouragement to engage in guided communication of scientific concepts to others (family, friends, or the general public). A critical need exists for accurate, comprehensible science to be disseminated to these groups. To develop student proficiency in communication of complex biomolecular concepts impacting diverse audiences, I introduce learning approaches and assessments easily adapted to fit the needs of individual instructors and any molecular biology or biochemistry laboratory or lecture course in a remote/online environment. To help students develop an appreciation of the needs of different audiences and the nuanced drivers of clear communication, I provided them the choice of projects of similar length: Option (1) Create a scientific news release and short podcast or video clip newscast describing a recent advancement in understanding the molecular/biochemical basis of a disease; or Option (2) Create a lesson plan and mini-video designed to teach a simple biochemical or molecular mechanism of disease with learning objectives, a brief activity, and appropriate assessment mechanisms. Students who chose the scientific news release/newscast activity distilled complex biomolecular concepts using the 5 W's of journalism-who, what, where, why, when-and learned to accurately communicate the relevance of advanced scientific discoveries and recent events for a broader audience. Students who chose the lesson plan designed activities centered on biomolecular science concepts that build upon what their audience already knows, revealing possibilities for undergraduates to contribute to educational outreach to secondary school teachers and classes.
Experiences in Alzheimer’s disease: What do stakeholders post on the Internet?

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative condition that is chronic, progressive and terminal across an interval of approximately five to ten years from the time of diagnosis. Disease management in AD and other illnesses has been conceptualized in a number of ways, including the Health Co-Inquiry approach (a cooperative endeavor that activates stakeholders, regards all stakeholder views, uses evidence-based practice, and strives for integrated care). With growth of Internet use, Health Co-Inquiry may occur online as stakeholders in chronic disease management search for and give information and support. The current study is a first look at the online posts of all AD stakeholders. Our goal is to shed light on their experiences by characterizing the themes in their posts. A Bifurcated Method was used with quantitization of information through a web-crawling program in order to corroborate or refute the findings from an inductive, thematic (qualitative) analysis. Results indicate that AD stakeholders utilize the Internet for: information, assistance, emotional support or relief, and advice about decision-making and behaviour challenges. Persons with AD posted little compared to caregivers and were prone to report subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) and ask for help regarding diagnosis. Caregivers were apt to divulge personal stories, ask whether they should deceive a person with AD, and request information about coping or note that posting online was a coping mechanism. Providers’, agencies’ and companies’ posts were likely to give information and offer technical advice, answer specific caregiver questions, and offer paid services/clinical trials. As a first study of all AD stakeholder online narratives, data indicate that more than half of sites and posts are dedicated to the concerns of caregivers and persons with AD, indicating that they are engaging in some aspects of Health Co-Inquiry online.
Dynamic manipulation of droplets using mechanically tunable microtextured chemical gradients.

Materials and strategies applicable to the dynamic transport of microdroplets are relevant to surface fluidics, self-cleaning materials, thermal management systems, and analytical devices. Techniques based on electrowetting, topographic micropatterns, and thermal/chemical gradients have advanced considerably, but dynamic microdroplet transport remains a challenge. This manuscript reports the fabrication of mechano-tunable, microtextured chemical gradients on elastomer films and their use in controlled microdroplet transport. Specifically, discreet mechanical deformations of these films enabled dynamic tuning of the microtextures and thus transport along surface-chemical gradients. The interplay between the driving force of the chemical gradient and the microtopography was characterized, facilitating accurate prediction of the conditions (droplet radius and roughness) which supported transport. In this work, the use of microtextured surface chemical gradients in mechano-adaptive materials with microdroplet manipulation functionality was highlighted. Techniques to alter the surface of materials to enable transport of fluids have advanced considerably, but dynamic microdroplet transport remains a challenge. Here, the authors report the fabrication of microtextured chemical gradients on elastomer films and their use in controlled microdroplet transport.
The Population-based Microbiome Research Core: a longitudinal infrastructure for assessment of household microbiome and human health research

Purpose: The Population-based Microbiome Research Core (PMRC) is an expandable and longitudinal research core infrastructure to support the study of the human microbiome within the context of environmental, sociodemographic, and health factors. Broadly, the purpose of this infrastructure is to provide new insights into how human-environment interactions affect health through its influence on the composition and function of the microbiome. The PMRC was established as an ancillary study of the Survey of Health of Wisconsin (SHOW) and serves as a platform for ancillary studies, ongoing follow-up of the cohort, and expansion of the microbiome biorepository. Participants: The study recruited adult participants who had previously participated in the Wisconsin Microbiome Study (WMS). Over 59% of the eligible WMS participants agreed to provide a repeat stool sample and household samples including dust, high touch surface swabs and outside soil. Findings to date: PMRC includes 323 individuals; the majority (96%) were over the age of eighteen, white (84%), urban (75%), and lived in their homes for over one year (92%). Overall, 97% of participants completed the questionnaire and household high-touch surface swab collection, and 93% and 94% completed dust and stool collection, respectively. Soil samples were collected for 86% of all participant homes. Future plans: Sample protocols developed for the PMRC offer a unique framework for future household-based microbiome research. This infrastructure can support the generation of new knowledge on the role of the home environment in relation to the human microbiome and identify new opportunities for intervention research.
Experiment attributes to establish tube with twisted tape insert performance cooling plasma facing components

Abstract The modeling capability for tubes with twisted tape inserts is reviewed with reference to the application of cooling plasma facing components in magnetic confinement fusion devices. The history of experiments examining the cooling performance of tubes with twisted tape inserts is reviewed with emphasis on the manner of heating, flow stability limits and the details of the test section and fluid delivery system. Models for heat transfer, burnout, and onset of net vapor generation in straight tube flows and tube with twisted tape are compared. The gaps in knowledge required to establish performance limits of the plasma facing components are identified and attributes of an experiment to close those gaps are presented.
Constructing Fear and Pride in the Book of Daniel: The Profile of a Second Temple Emotional Community

This paper examines the seminal role that emotions, particularly fear and pride, play in the book of Daniel. Drawing upon the idea of “emotional communities,” I view the book’s final redactor as engaged with the views of one such community during the period of the Antiochan persecutions. The redactor’s emotional community responded to the persecutions with fear, an emotion that he simultaneously validated and challenged. The emotions of pride and fear both reflect beliefs about one’s power relative to others. The prideful kings portrayed in the book and the redactor’s fearful emotional community shared what the redactor claimed were unwarranted beliefs about the relative power of each group. In order to jettison the fear of his community, the redactor first had to address the beliefs that supported that emotion. The book constitutes a sustained effort to construct an alternative emotional norm for members of the redactor’s community by providing them with a new way of evaluating their situation: even if redemption has been delayed, faithful Jews who resist Antiochus to the point of martyrdom are in fact the powerful ones.
Parkinsonian differentiation using PCA image correlation scores

Atypical parkinsonian syndromes are often difficult to diagnose because they present common clinical symptoms and differences in diagnostic images are subtle. Multivariate covariance analysis has been previously used in PET group data to identify neurodegenerative disease patterns. In particular, using SSM-PCA analysis, individual subject's pattern expression of characteristic disease patterns have been shown to correlate with independent measures of disease status. These scalar subject scores, evaluated as the inner product of the unitized pattern vector and the mean centered subject data vector, can be utilized in classification algorithms to differentiate patients requiring disease specific treatment. However, diagnostic accuracy is often compromised stemming from topographic pattern similarity resulting in overlapping disease score expression. Here, we show that some improvement in classification may be achieved by utilizing the inner product of standardized pattern/patient vectors equivalent to the Pearson's correlation coefficient to evaluate subject class scores.
Lagrangian mechanics on Lie groups: a pedagogical approach

We describe a new method to formulate classical Lagrangian mechanics on a finite-dimensional Lie group. This new approach is much more pedagogical than many previous treatments of the subject, and it directly introduces students to generator matrices and their usefulness in many manipulations. The example of rigid body rotation, i.e. motion on the Lie group SO(3), is used as an example, and it is shown how to derive Euler's equations directly from the principle of least action. The techniques covered in this paper generalize to other Lie groups in a straightforward manner, which is discussed. We briefly discuss the Hamiltonian formulation of the problem as well.
Modeling a novel laser localization system

A novel laser based localization system is evaluated through mathematical modeling and simulation. The system concept was originally conceived as part of a university design project for use in a mobile robot mining competition. The overall operation of the system is accomplished using just two external beacons to perform triangulation. These rotating beacons emit laser pulses containing angular information; a rotating detector on the vehicle captures and decodes this information. This received data is analyzed in real time to resolve position and orientation. Potential errors may result from inconsistencies in the conversion of the beacon's angular direction to laser frequencies. This can be compounded with errors from resolving angular data from the laser frequencies received by the detector. The rotational frequency of both the beacons, the detector, and the laser beam width are all factors that affect the time of reception, which is another potential source of error and can be used for optimization. The purpose of the model is to analyze parameters such as these in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the localization system and exploit areas of optimization. The model simulates the localization of the robot in static and dynamic conditions to produce data accounting for error, hit time, and position update time. The results obtained are expected to provide insight towards future design improvements.
Hardware Accelerated Per-Texel Ambient Occlusion Mapping

Ambient occlusion models the appearance of objects under indirect illumination. This effect can be combined with local lighting models to improve the real-time rendering of surfaces. We present a hardware-accelerated approach to precomputing ambient occlusion maps which can be applied at runtime using conventional texture mapping. These maps represent mesh self-occlusion computed on a per-texel basis. Our approach is to transform the computation into an image histogram problem, and to use point primitives to achieve memory scatter when accumulating the histogram. Results are presented for multiple meshes and computation time is compared with a popular alternative GPU-based technique.
Cell cycle. Checking two steps.

When their DNA is damaged, cells temporarily stop multiplying to prevent the build-up of mutations. Two types of delay triggered by ionizing radiation appear to have common molecular starting points.
Descomposición y liberación de nutrimentos desde las raíces finas de los sistemas agroforestales de cacao con sombras de poró y laurel, en Turrialba, Costa Rica

Decomposition and nutrient release from fine roots of agroforestry systems of cocoa with Erythrina and Cordia in Costa Rica. The litter bag methodology was used to study biomass decay and nutrient release of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg from fine roots ( Mg > P > N > Ca. After the first week of the incubation period, about 90% of the K was released while Ca tended to accumulate. Poro roots had the fastest decomposition and nutrient release rates except for K which was similar for all of the three species. Poro would be the most suitable specie for systems where a fast recirculation of nutrients is desirable. On the contrary, laurel exhibited slow decomposition and nutrient release rates.
Computer Simulation of Granulopoiesis: Normal and Impaired Granulopoiesis

locytes atthe stem cell level, the other of the periodic features shown by normal controlling the rate of release of granu- and abnormal granulopoiesis occur belocytes into the blood. This model re- cause granulopoiesis is a feedback-conproduced the low-amplitude neutrophil trolled system and suggest that the main oscillation reported in normal individuals assumptions of the model have physical and, when mild and severe marrow fail- reality. CTIVE FEEDBACK CONTROL SYSTEMS regulate many biologic vanables. In essence such systems have the following components : a controlled variable which the body attempts to maintain at a certain desired level, a sensing device which measures departures from that level, a signal produced by the sensing device, and a controlled process which responds to the signal and directly or indirectly influences the variable. Such a system is essentially negative feedback in nature, since the occurrence of an error in the variable is countered by response of the system such as to attempt to reduce the error. This feature obviously provides for regulation but it is not always appreciated that it does not necessarily provide for constancy, even in the absence of disturbance. The function of a regulatory control system is to minimize the effect of external disturbances, but only part of its behavior is due to such disturbances. A significant part is due to the characteristic properties of the system itself. These properties determine the form of transient responses to disturbance and the steady-state behavior in the absence of disturbance. A prime example of this is a feedback system dominated by a substantial time delay. This type of system, even if quiescent in the absence of any disturbance, invariably displays a decaying oscillatory response to a brief perturbation; the period of oscillation has little or no relationship to the time, duration or magnitude of the original disturbance but is determined essentially by the duration of the time delay. Furthermore, such a system may show continuing oscillations in the absence of
Actualized affinities: a nation's memories as accumulating artefacts and appropriating aesthetics from the times of reconstruction

L'article reexamine l'esthetique de presentation de differents artefacts historiques, documents culturels et recits ideologiques dans trois musees aux Etats-Unis d'Amerique, l'un consacre au parcours des Afro-americains, l'autre aux Etats Confederes et le dernier au « Far West »: le National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center a Wilberforce, dans l'Ohio, le Museum of the Confederacy a Richmond, en Virginie et le National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum a Oklahoma City, dans l'Oklahoma. Ces trois lieux sont manifestement des depots et expositions representatifs des « souvenirs d'une nation ». L'auteur se demande comment les fascinantes pieces exposees activent, reverberent ou fabriquent les mythes qui ont forge l'image de la Guerre de secession et la Reconstruction qui l'a suivie comme celle d'une « seconde fondation » des Etats-Unis, dans un « hymne » nationaliste qui resonne encore aujourd'hui.
Reduced diagnostic performance of positron emission tomography in an area endemic for Coccidioides sp. infections

BACKGROUND . FDG-PET is commonly used in the evaluation of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPN), with pooled sensitivity of 97% and specificity of 78%. Granulomatous infections such as TB or endemic fungi may cause SPN with hypermetabolic uptake, thus lowering the specificity of PET. We have evaluated the performance of PET in an area endemic for coccidioidomycosis. METHODS . We searched the Mayo Clinic Arizona records for patients who had FDG-PET for evaluation of SPN between 2005-2010, and who had either (1) biopsy-proven diagnoses, or (2) CT follow-up for ≥2 years, or (3) a clinical diagnosis of coccidioidoma by serology and follow-up. We evaluated the performance of the FDG-PET and evaluated different SUVmax thresholds for positivity. RESULTS . 109 consecutive patients (62 male; 76 with malignant nodules) were enrolled. Mean (interquartile range) age was 70 (65-77) years; nodule size was 24 (15-30) mm. FDG-PET SUVmax was 6.5 (2.5-8.2) overall, 3.27 (2-4) in the benign and 7.92 (3.3-10.3) in the malignant groups, respectively. The area under the ROC curve was 0.776 (95%CI 0.673-0.854). The SUVmax=2.5 threshold yields a sensitivity of 0.84 (95%CI 0.74-0.92) and specificity of 0.45 (95%CI 0.28-0.64). The Youden J-index is maximized at SUVmax=4.5, with a sensitivity of 0.66 (95%CI 0.54-0.76) and a specificity of 0.88 (95%CI 0.72-0.97). CONCLUSIONS . The specificity of FDG-PET is decreased substantially in a population with high prevalence of coccidioidomycosis. An optimum diagnostic threshold cannot be established based solely on an information metric, without considering the cost of misclassification for different subjects.
Maternal caregiving and strategies used by inexperienced mothers of young infants with complex health conditions.

ABSTRACT Objective To describe maternal caregiving and related strategies used by first‐time mothers of young infants with complex health conditions (CHC) in the first 6 months after discharge. Design Grounded theory. Setting Data were collected in participants' homes in the Northeast United States. Participants Eight first‐time mothers of infants age 6 months or younger with CHC. Methods Purposive and theoretical sampling were used. Semistructured interviews were completed at 2‐month intervals, beginning 2 weeks after their infants' discharge. Analysis of 28 interviews was done with the constant comparative method. Results A grounded theory of maternal caregiving was conceptualized from the data. This time‐and‐experience‐mediated process involved three phases of increasing confidence and expertise, developing in the context of decision‐making responsibility. Related maternal strategies included appraising, normalizing, organizing, assessing, practicing, validating, experimenting, nurturing, and negotiating. Mothering became predictable and integrated in everyday life by about 6 months after the infant's discharge home. Conclusion Findings can help clinicians and researchers better understand what happens over time as new mothers care for infants with CHC. Exploration of these patterns in a more diverse group of mothers of children with CHC can support the development of targeted interventions for this specialized population.
Auditor-Provided Tax Consulting, Knowledge Spillovers, and Reported Weaknesses in Internal Control

We examine whether auditor-provided tax consulting services are associated with tax and non-tax internal control material weaknesses consistent with knowledge spillover benefits. We find a positive association between the amounts of consulting fees paid, which should proxy for the scale and/or scope of the engagements, and tax-related internal control weaknesses. However, we also find that auditor-provided tax consulting is even more strongly associated with a reduced likelihood of non-tax internal control weaknesses. Given these results, we perform several additional tests to evaluate the relative importance of auditor-provided tax consulting to tax versus non-tax internal control weaknesses. Surprisingly, not only is the association between auditor-provided tax services much stronger for non-tax internal control weaknesses, but, in fact, there is no significant benefit to tax internal control weaknesses, whatsoever, after properly accounting for non-tax internal control effects. This finding continues to hold after accounting for the distribution of account- versus company-level ICWs.
Non-PCR Target Amplification Techniques

In 1983 while driving up a mountain road, Dr Kary Mullis envisioned the concept of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). These scientific “driving” thoughts completely revolutionized biology and bolstered an entire biotechnology industry, resulting in the creation of new biotechnology companies and jobs. As with any good idea, PCR was quickly patented by Cetus and then sold to Hoffman La Roche for $300 million [1].
Tensile strength and fracture defects expanded by subcritical crack growth of silicon nitride at high temperatures

On a realise une etude fractographique pour etudier les effets des defauts de rupture developpes par la croissance de fissure sub-critique a 1200 o C sur les proprietes mecaniques de ceramiques de nitrure de silicium
Quantitative estimates of the western pine beetle attractive pheromone components,exo-brevicomin, frontalin, and myrcene in nature

Three parameters are described for estimating the natural occurrence of chemically defined insect pheromones: (1) the rate and duration of release by the insect, (2) the density of the pheromone-emitting insect population in both time and space, and (3) dispersal and degradation rates of the chemicals. Each of these parameters, except dispersal, was estimated for a population ofDendroctonus brevicomis LeC, and its three component attractive pheromones. A single generation of 610,000 beetles, believed to comprise the entire population in a 65-km2 forest, was estimated to have released 0.78, 3.7, and 370.5 g of frontalin,exo-brevicomin, and myrcene, respectively, within a 30-day period.
Simulation analysis of the scheduling model of assembly cells for mass customization manufacturing

The development of global economy makes the mass customization production become popular. Some of manufactures which originally used the conveyor assembly line begin to use a kind of new production system which is called cellular manufacturing system. The results prove that cellular manufacturing system is better than the assembly line under some environments. This purpose of this paper is to compare with two kinds of manufacturing system and find the reasons affecting the results. At first, the scheduling models for two kinds of manufacturing system are set up. Then the experiments for simulation are designed. The conclusion indicates that cellular manufacturing system is better than the conveyor assembly line at the respect of avoiding the workerpsilas capability fluctuation based on the results of simulation.
Anomalous temperature dependence of the electric-field gradient at /sup 181/Ta impurities in holmium: Influence of host 4f crystalline-field levels

Measurements of the electric quadrupole interaction at /sup 181/Ta impurities in paramagnetic Ho metal using time-differential perturbed angular correlations show marked deviation from the usual T/sup 3/2/ behavior. A phenomenological theory applied to this and other cases of closed-shell probes in rare-earth metals indicates that the deviation is due to the aspherical charge distribution of the host ion arising from the influence of the crystalline electric field on their unfilled 4f shells.
Infection of sweetpotato fibrous roots by Streptomyces ipomoeae: Influence of soil water potential

Abstract The effect of the matric component of soil water potential (Ψm) on infection of fibrous roots of sweetpotato (Ipomoeae batatas) cv. Jewel by Streptomyces ipomoeae and the influence of infection on water extraction by fibrous roots were examined. The severity of disease on fibrous roots was low in plants grown at constant Ψm of 0, −1.0 or −2.5J kg−1 in non-fumigated or fumigated soils infested with S. ipomoeae. Disease severity increased with decreasing Ψm and was greatest at Ψm of −7.5 to −20J kg−1. Growth of S. ipomoeae in water-filled pores and subsequent infection may have been limited at Ψm of 0, −1.0 and −2.5J kg−1. Root and shoot dry weights of sweetpotato were significantly lower in plants grown in infested soil than in non-infested soils at Ψm between −5 and −20J kg−1, but were not affected by disease at Ψm of 0, −1.0 or −2.5 J kg−1. The severity of disease on fibrous roots was low in plants drip-irrigated on a daily schedule, whereas the severity of disease on fibrous roots was significantly greater in plants irrigated on either a 4- or 6-day schedule. Total dry weights of roots were lower in plants grown for 4 weeks in infested than non-infested soil. However, total dry weights of roots were not affected by disease as compared to non-inoculated controls in plants grown for 8 weeks, thus suggesting that roots of cv. Jewel may be able to compensate for disease by production of additional root biomass in soil. Although root dry weight was not affected by disease in plants grown for 8 weeks, diseased plants extracted significantly less water from soil than healthy plants. Therefore, the effect of disease on water extraction from soil was not due solely to a reduction in root biomass. Limited growth of roots to inoculum in saturated soil, limited growth of the pathogen in saturated soil, or altered susceptibility of the host may explain the reduction of disease at high Ψm.
Development of The Modern Buss Kneader and The Study of Its Flow and Mixing Mechanisms

Abstract The development of the modern modular Buss Kneader from its origins is described. We also summarize experimental studies of the characteristics of this machine. Finally, we review efforts at simulation of flow and design analyses for the Buss Kneader.
Values and Self-esteem in Three Generations of Men and Women

Similarities and differences in values within families across three generations were examined. The relationship between values and self-esteem was also investigated. Sixty inter-generational triads (30M;30F) rated 14 values on a semantic-differential scale. The hypotheses of generational similarities in long-term, central (in Rokeach's terms, terminal) values and of generational differences in short term, specific (Rokeach's instrumental) values were generally supported. However, the hypothesized interactions of self-esteem and generation with values were only minimally supported by these data. There were no generational differences in the terminal values Equality, An Exciting Life, Freedom, and A Sense of Accomplishment. The oldest generation rated the instrumental values Ambition, Capability, Independence, and Intelligence higher than did the other generations. In addition, they rated the more work-oriented values of Education, Money, Success and Work highest. These findings are discussed as possible cohort rather than as age effects. Women rated Ambition, Education, and Intelligence more highly than men.
Luminescence determination of benzoquinoline isomers in complex samples

Abstract The room-temperature phosphorescence (r.t.p.) and fluorescence spectra of benzoquinoline isomers are investigated. The isomers can be resolved into the linear or angular subgroups on the basis of their fluorescence and r.t.p. spectra by using conventional fixed excitation. Second-derivative and synchronous scanning techniques can be combined to improve the selectivity of the r.t.p. and fluorescence methods. These simple luminescence techniques were used to estimate three benzoquinoline isomers in a coal tar fraction. Direct analysis of this complex sample allowed acridine to be estimated and upper limits to be provided for benzo(h)quinoline and phenanthridine; the presence of three other isomers was not detected. Comparative studies with data obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography are reported.
Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry of carotenoids

Carotenoids are natural pigments synthesized by plants and photosynthetic microorganisms, some of which, like β-carotene, are precursors of vitamin A, and others such as lutein and lycopene might function in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration and prostate cancer, respectively. Mass spectrometry provides high sensitivity and selectivity for the identification and quantitative analysis of carotenoids in biological samples, and previous studies have described how atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) offers distinct advantages over electrospray and fast atom bombardment for the analysis of specific carotenoids. Since APCI product ion tandem mass spectra have been reported for only a few carotenoids, a detailed investigation of twelve carotenes and xanthophylls was carried out using both positive ion and negative ion APCI tandem mass spectrometry with collision-induced dissociation. Using protonated molecules as precursor ions in positive ion mode and radical anions in negative ion mode, characteristic fragment ions were identified that may be used to distinguish between carotenoids.
Low-Energy-Electron Diffraction from Several Surfaces of Aluminum

A model for aluminum used previously for low-energy-electron-diffraction (LEED) calculations by the layer Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker method on the {001} surfaces, is carefully defined and used to find LEED spectra for the {111} and {110} surfaces. Agreement between theory and experiment is as good for {111} as for {001}, but is not as good for {110}, which appears generally to be a "bad actor." Close comparison of the shapes of lines in the experimental and theoretical spectra suggests values for the interlayer spacing of the outermost layer of the crystal which are roughly 5% greater than bulk for the {111} face but 10% less than bulk for the {110} face.
Patterns of Aboveground Biomass Regeneration in Post-Fire Coastal Scrub Communities

An evaluation of ALOS PALSAR (Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar) data for shrub height and aboveground biomass (AGB) estimation has been performed in scrub-dominated ecosystems of central coastal California. Comparison between AGB field measurements and SAR estimations showed a correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.53 for the HV polarization. Post-fire AGB regeneration was examined two years after the Big Sur Basin Complex fire of 2008. In 2009, the average patch size of AGB density classes between 20-40 Mg ha-1 and 50-70 Mg ha-1 was 0.49 ha and 0.09 ha, respectively. In 2010, patch sizes in these same two AGB density classes increased to averages of 0.8 ha to 0.15 ha, respectively. No strong saturation in the SAR-AGB relationship was found, which indicated the potential for more advanced applications of L-band SAR data for coastal ecosystem AGB mapping.
Using Virtualization to Validate Fault-Tolerant Distributed Systems

Asynchronous events and complex system state distributed across independent nodes make exposure and diagnosis of flaws in distributed systems a challenge. The difficulties are exacerbated when the goal is to validate fault tolerance mechanisms that are activated only by the occurrence of errors, which are, by nature, rare. Validation of fault tolerance mechanisms is often done by injecting faults that emulate the actual faults and ‘‘stress’’ the functionality of the resilience mechanisms. Validation campaigns lasting days and involving thousands of fault injections are often necessary. We present an infrastructure that combines virtualization and software-implemented fault injection to automate validation campaigns and support the analysis of the behavior of a distributed system under test. Virtualization enables: 1) a flexible fault injector capable of emulating a wide variety of faults, and 2) a mechanism for autonomously recovering faulty nodes so that the campaign can continue running on a target system that is fully functional. As a case study we use this infrastructure to validate a Byzantine-fault-tolerant cluster manager. Over 1280 hours of fault injections yielded the exposure of 11 unique flaws in the cluster manager.
Non-hydrolytic sol–gel synthesis and electrochemical characterization of tin-based oxide aerogels

Abstract A non-hydrolytic sol–gel approach was utilized to create tin oxide and tin–aluminum binary oxide aerogels with high porosity (90%) and high surface area (300 m 2 /g). XRD data from single-phase tin oxide aerogel indicates the growth of SnO 2 crystallites between 150 and 400 °C in air, accompanied by a substantial reduction in surface area. Heated tin oxide aerogel exhibits comparable reversible specific capacity (390 mAh/g) comparable to that of a commercially obtained SnO 2 reference (420 mAh/g). By mixing tin and aluminum precursors, binary oxide aerogels were created in which the crystal growth of tin oxide domains was suppressed until higher temperatures. The tin oxide phase in this mixed system remains electrochemically active towards lithium insertion and exhibits excellent reversibility during cycling.
Long-term mass transfer and mixing-controlled reactions of a DNAPL plume from persistent residuals.

Understanding and being able to predict the long-term behavior of DNAPL (i.e., PCE and TCE) residuals after active remediation has ceased have become increasingly important as attention at many sites turns from aggressive remediation to monitored natural attenuation and long-term stewardship. However, plume behavior due to mass loading and reactions during these later phases is less studied as they involve large spatial and temporal scales. We apply both theoretical analysis and pore-scale simulations to investigate mass transfer from DNAPL residuals and subsequent reactions within the generated plume, and, in particular, to show the differences between early- and late-time behaviors of the plume. In the zone of entry of the DNAPL entrapment zone where the concentration boundary layer in the flowing groundwater has not fully developed, the pore-scale simulations confirm the past findings based on laboratory studies that the mass transfer increases as a power-law function of the Peclet number, and is enhanced due to reactions in the plume. Away from the entry zone and further down gradient, the long-term reactions are limited by the available additive and mixing in the porous medium, thereby behave considerably differently from the entry zone. For the reaction between the contaminant and an additive with intrinsic second-order bimolecular kinetics, the late-time reaction demonstrates a first-order decay macroscopically with respect to the mass of the limiting additive, not with respect to that of the contaminant. The late-time decay rate only depends on the intrinsic reaction rate and the solubility of the entrapped DNAPL. At the intermediate time, the additive decays exponentially with the square of time (t2), instead of time (t). Moreover, the intermediate decay rate also depends on the initial conditions, the spatial distribution of DNAPL residuals, and the effective dispersion coefficient.
Colour of the upper mandible: An adaptation to reduce reflectance

Abstract Reflectance from the upper mandible of willow flycatchers ( Empidonax traillii ) was altered by painting the mandible with white nail polish. Sham-experimentals were painted with clear polish and controls were untouched. Light-billed flycatchers adjust to increased reflectance from light bills by foraging from shaded perches, a result similar to the frequent use of shade by naturally light-billed wood warblers (Emberizidae, Parulinae). When in sunlight, the proportion of commuting flights (‘give-up flights’) was significantly higher among white-billed flycatchers than among dark-billed conspecifics, suggesting a lower foraging success in sunlight for white-billed flycatchers. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that dark mandibular coloration is an adaptation to reduce visual interference.
A NOVEL FACE RECOGNITION SYSTEM USING THE BINARY PHASE- ONLY FILTER VIA OPTIMAL CORRELATION THRESHOLDING

With the increasing amount of research in the area of face recognition and the influx of new theories, the development of a reliable and accurate face recognition system is a vital requisite. In this paper, a novel face recognition system via optical correlation thresh-holding using the Binary Phase-Only Filter is presented. The system is developed using the database created by AT&T Laboratories Cambridge. In course of the paper we also study the effect of an illumination correction algorithm on the recognition results.
The role of nonverbal behaviors as distractors in resistance to persuasion in interpersonal contexts

The role of two nonverbal variables, conversational distance and physical self‐presentation, are examined as potential sources of distraction with consequent effects on susceptibility to persuasion. A model of conversational distancing violations is adapted to a distraction perspective to predict how nonverbal variables specifically might function as distractors. Results of an experiment manipulating violations of distancing expectations and physical attractiveness of confederates (N = 350) indicate that both may be sources of distraction, and offer modest support for the prediction that attractive individuals engaging in violations of expectations will serve as positive sources of distraction, leading to greater susceptibility to persuasion. Failure to support the prediction that unattractive individuals engaging in violations of expectations foster more resistance to persuasion is partly explained by the lack of a sufficiently unattractive confederate.
Significance of calcification of the coronary arteries.

Abstract The frequency of and association between calcification and occlusive disease of the coronary arteries were determined by roentgenographic and pathologic study of 200 human hearts obtained at autopsy of persons more than 30 years old. Calcification was present in 69 percent of the hearts, most frequently in the left anterior descending branch in men, and it occurred more frequently than significant narrowing, regardless of age, sex or presence of cardiac disease. The greater the degree of calcification, the more likely was the presence of significant narrowing. Absence of calcification indicated persons least likely to have significant narrowing. The presence of myocardial infarction associated with coronary artery calcification but without complete occlusion suggests that the advanced sclerosis of these vessels made them relatively insufficient to meet the needs of the myocardium.
Dynamic statistical graphics techniques for exploring the structure of multivariate data

We present and discuss several Dynamic Statistical Graphics tools designed to help the data analyst visually discover and formulate hypotheses about the structure of multivariate data. All tools are based on the notion of the "data space", a representation of multivariate data as a high-dimensional space which has a dimension for each variable (column of the data) and a point for each case (row of the data). The data space is projected orthogonally onto the "visual space", a threedimensional space which is seen and manipulated by the data analyst. The visual space has a point-like object for each case and can have a vector-like object for each variable. The three dimensions of the visual space are orthogonal linear combinations of the variables. We discuss the notion of a "Guided Tour" of multivariate data space, and present guided tour tools. These tools include: I 6D-rotation, a tool for dynamically rotating, in six-dimensional (6D) space, from one 3D portion of the data space to another while displaying the dynamically changing projection in the visual-space; . hD-residualization, a tool that determines, at the user's request, the largest invisible 3D-space - i.e., the largest 3D space orthogonal to the visual space. This space is used with the visual space so that 6D-rotation can occur between two new 3D portions of the data space; I projection-cuing, a group of three tools that use change in object brightness as a cue to show change in aspects of the projection of objects from the data space to the visual space during hD-rotation. In addition to these tools for touring high-dimensional mu1tivariate space, we discuss tools for manipulating the 3D visual space, and a tool for looking at the relationship between two data spaces. Finally, we present a guided tour implementation in which the user manipulates joysticks and sliders to dynamically and smoothly© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Gender and racial differences in lipoprotein subclass distributions: the STRRIDE study

Recent research has focused on the potential atherogenicity of various lipoprotein subclasses and their link to coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. This investigation seeks to identify differences in lipoprotein subclass distributions among a biracial, middle-aged population, while controlling for a number of confounding risk factors. Fasting plasma samples were analyzed in 285 sedentary, mildly dyslipidemic, overweight individuals between 40 and 65 years with no known history of CHD or diabetes. Women had lower levels of small and medium LDL, medium VLDL, large VLDL, and small HDL with a much higher concentration of large HDL than men. Whites had significantly more IDL, small LDL, medium VLDL, and large VLDL with lower levels of large LDL than blacks. HDL and LDL size were larger among blacks and women; VLDL size was greater among whites and men. There was also a trend for men to have more LDL particles than women and whites to have a higher LDL particle concentration than blacks. Within this homogenous population, there were distinct differences between gender and racial groups. Blacks and women had less atherogenic profiles than whites and men, which was not evident from the standard lipid panel.
PLANETARY SCIENCE Io's escape

According to the latest study, our witnessing of the volcanic splendour of Jupiter's moon Io might just be a lucky circumstance. The odds are that the satellite will become quiescent on its escape from orbital custody. The extreme geological activity that makes Jupiter's moon Io the most volcanically active body in the Solar System is thought to be the result of tides raised by Jupiter, but it is not known whether the current tidal heat production is sufficiently high to generate the observed surface heat flow. Making use of astrometic observations made between 1891 and 2007, Lainey et al. have estimated the tidal dissipation in Io by tracking its effect on the orbital motions of the Galilean moons. For Io the value is in good agreement with the observed surface heat flow and suggests that Io is close to thermal equilibrium. Dissipation in Jupiter is close to the upper bound of its average value expected from the long-term evolution of the system.
The significance of atmospheric‐electric observations at sea

Why investigate atmospheric electricity at sea? What can be accomplished there that could not be accomplished more easily ashore? These are questions which have no doubt arisen in the minds of all those who have been concerned in one way or another with such investigations. Certainly when facing the difficulties always attending such measurements but increased at sea by the high average humidity, the salt-laden air, and the rolling and pitching of the vessel, observers must-have emphatically propounded questions of equivalent import.
40.1: Novel Two Mask AMOLED Display Architecture

We present a novel AMOLED display architecture that enables the fabrication of AMOLED displays using only two low resolution masking steps, and consumes comparable power, and has improved lifetime, as compared to an equivalent RGB side-by-side AMOLED display using three high resolution patterning steps.
General joint hypermobility and hip osteoarthritis: the Johnston County osteoarthritis project

s / Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 20 (2012) S54–S296 S182 of alpha angle and horizontal toit externe angle. Table 1 shows a summary of the results. Figure 1 shows the bimodal distribution of alpha angle. Figure 2 shows a scatter plot of alpha angle by side, highlighting both bilateral and unilateral head asphericity. In addition, with an alpha angle cut point of 65 for cam type femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), 31.7% the cohort would be considered to have some degree of FAI, 45.8% of that bilateral.
Landau Diamagnetism from the Coherent States of an Electron in a Uniform Magnetic Field

A complete set of coherent-state wave packets has been constructed for an electron in a uniform magnetic field. These states are nonspreading packets of minimum uncertainty that follow the classical motion. Use was made of the ladder operators that generate all the eigen-states of the Hamiltonian from any one energy eigenstate. The coherent states are the eigenstates of the two ladder operators that annihilate the zero-angular-momentum ground state. We have calculated the partition function, exploiting advantages of the coherent-state basis. The Landau diamagnetism and the de Haas-van Alphen oscillations are contained in the coherent-state framework.