cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parents as Professionals in Early Intervention: A Parent Educator Model

One of the goals of a family-centered approach in early intervention is to equally involve family members as active partners with professionals. This article describes one state's model of family involvement using parents of young children with disabilities as parent educators in the Part C system. Qualitative focus group data were collected with the parent educators over 6 time periods and revealed their changing perceptions about their roles as parent educators, as well as their perceived challenges and successes. Parent educators ultimately came to see themselves as “professionals” working to bring a family perspective to the early intervention system.
Relationship of Red Blood Cell 131I-l-Triiodothyronine Binding Coefficient and Cell Maturation. III. Binding to Mature Erythrocyte and Reticulocyte Cell Membranes

Intact, “hemoglobin-free” membranes of mature erythrocytes and reticulocytes bind tracer amounts of l-thyroxine (T4) and l-triiodothyronine (T3) firmly. Reticulocyte membranes bind both hormones to a greater degree than do mature erythrocyte membranes. Binding capacities could not be determined due to the low solubility of thyroxine and triiodothyronine at pH 7.4. Of the factors studied, pH of the suspending and washing media had the most marked effect. Above pH 7.0–7.5, binding of both hormones was decreased. Binding of 131I-l-T3 was also decreased below pH 7.0. Displacement in a similar manner of 131I-T4 and 131I-T3 from membranes by increasing concentrations of nonradioactive T3 and T4 suggests the same binding sites for both hormones. Metabolic inhibitors and variation of incubation times were without effect on hormonal binding. (Endocrinology 82: 569, 1968)
A special spatial equilibrium problem

In this paper, we study a special single-commodity spatial equilibrium problem. We show how the problem is related to a shortest-path problem and develop a simple algorithm for its solution. We also discuss an extension of the single-commodity problem to a multicommodity problem.
Ultrathin formvar support films for transmission electron microscopy

We have found that ultrathin Formvar films are easily and reliably made at an air-water interface by the drop method. By varying the concentration of Formvar in the drop, films of different characteristics can be obtained. Concentrations of 0.25–0.4% in ethylene dichloride produce extremely flat, ultrathin, and stable films that are especially suited for shadowed and negatively stained preparations. Low concentrations (⩽ 0.1%) produce nets consisting of many tiny holes which, after carbon stabilization, are ideal for supporting high-resolution samples. Above 0.5%, films made by the drop method develop bubbles, and this bubble defect makes them unsuitable for section support. For section support, Formvar films made by the stripping method off mica are far superior to those made off glass. The films are more uniform in surface contour and thickness. They are less readily attacked by alcohols. Consequently, they are more resistant to staining procedures involving organic solvents and continue to be strong and uniform for section support.
At the interface of cartography and computer graphics

Developing technology has always had an impact on cartography, the art and science of making maps. This impact has been particularly noticeable in recent centuries. The expanded use of copper engraving plates in the 17th century added immeasurably to the ability of the cartographer to add more clear detail to his maps. In the last century the introduction of photoprocessing coupled with existing offset printing techniques added much more efficiency to the process as well as reduced the cost of map production. It is no wonder, then, that computer driven machinery has had, and will continue to have, a significant impact on the field of cartography.
WHAT ARE THE CHROMIDIA OF POLYPHAGUS EUGLENAE

Zoospores, prosporangia, and asexual sporangia were studied with electron microscopy to determine the ultrastructural identification of "chromidia," granular masses surrounding nuclei that classical mycologists believed to be extruded chromatin used for lipid synthesis. In the zoospore the nucleus was enclosed by an aggregation of ribosomes. In other developmental stages the behavior of microbodies was identical to that described for "chromidia." A microbody network with interspersed ER surrounded nuclei in young prosporangia. As the prosporangium matured, lipid globules became associated with the microbodies. When the single, large nucleus migrated into the elongate asexual sporangium, microbodies still surrounded the nucleus; but after the nucleus divided and a multinucleate sporangium formed, microbodies were scattered throughout the cytoplasm. When incubated in the diaminobenzidine medium for the cytochemical detection of catalase, reaction product was found in these microbodylike structures, confirming that "chromidia" described in prosporangia and asexual sporangia by classical mycologists are really microbodies. Rather than giving rise to lipid, these microbodies are probably involved in the metabolism of the lipid globules with which they are associated. The "chromidia" in zoospores are not extruded chromatin as suggested earlier, but correspond in their location around the nucleus to an aggregation of ribosomes. POLYPHAGUS Nowakowski is a genus of chytrids which parasitizes algae. In detailed classical and elegant accounts, Dangeard (1900) and Wager (1913) described the development of Polyphagus euglenae Nowakowski as it killed and destroyed cells of Euglena. Both of these researchers observed a densely granular mass or network around nuclei. Because this mass stained with the same stains that colored nuclei, Wager (1913) believed it to be chromatin extruded from the nucleus. Dangeard (1900) called the masses
CMV-IVIG for prevention of Epstein Barr virus disease and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease in pediatric liver transplant recipients

A randomized controlled trial of CMV-IVIG (cytomegalovirus-intravenous immunoglobulin) for prevention of Epstein Barr virus (EBV) posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) in pediatric liver transplantation (PLTx) recipients was begun in Pittsburgh and subsequently expanded to four additional sites. Protocol EB viral loads were obtained in a blinded fashion; additional loads could be obtained for clinical indications. Patients were followed for 2 years post-LTx. Eighty-two evaluable patients (39 CMV-IVIG, 43 placebo) developed 18 episodes of EBV disease (7 CMV-IVIG, 11 placebo) including nine cases of PTLD (three CMV-IVIG, six placebo). No significant differences were seen in the adjusted 2-year EBV disease-free rate (CMV-IVIG 79%, placebo 71%) and PTLD-free rate (CMV-IVIG 91%, placebo 84%) between treatment and placebo groups at 2 years (p > 0.20). The absence of significant effect of CMV-IVIG may be explained by a lack of efficacy of the drug or limitations of sample size.
NIST MQA for environmental radioactivity measurements

The Ionizing Radiation Division of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has implemented several quality assurance programs to provide a consistent basis for environmental-level national and international ionizing radiation measurement credibility and comparability. These programs cut across a variety of sectors that include: (1) personnel protection; (2) survey-instrument calibration; (3) environmental radiochemistry and (4) radiobioassay. The four basic elements of the MQA programs are: (1) conformance to promulgated consensus criteria; (2) documented inhouse quality assurance and control practice; (3) periodic performance evaluations using appropriate testing materials and instruments; and (4) periodic on-site assessments by technical experts. The periodic performance evaluations are important for the demonstration of measurement traceability to the national and international physical standards. Traceability testing, however, must be augmented by the other elements to provide the strongest rationale for measurement assurance. This paper will describe the NIST programs and future directions for new programs.
The clinical role of somatosensory evoked potential studies: a critical appraisal.

The clinical utility and limitations of somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) studies are reviewed. Somatosensory evoked potentials may help to identify a lesion in the sensory pathways, but do not indicate its nature. In multiple sclerosis subjects, the SEP findings may help to establish that there is a multiplicity of lesions, but multimodality evoked potentials abnormalities may occur in other disorders. Somatosensory evoked potential abnormalities do not reflect either the severity or the prognosis of cervical spondylosis and do not reliably permit early recognition of the totality of traumatic cord lesions, while the role of SEPs in monitoring cord function intraoperatively awaits definition. Somatosensory evoked potentials do not reliably indicate the individual prognosis after severe head injury, and discrepancies in published findings suggest that their use in the evaluation of brain death is premature. In hereditary spinocerebellar degenerations, SEP abnormalities may reflect central or peripheral pathology. Somatosensory evoked potentials can be used to determine conduction velocity in peripheral nerves and to identify inaccessible proximal lesions of these nerves, but the findings may lead to misleading conclusions about brachial plexus lesions, especially if pre- and postganglionic lesions coexist.
Developmental regulation of the monoclonally defined IIC3 antigen during primary and secondary trophoblast differentiation in vitro.

Abstract The monoclonally defined IIC3 antigen has been found to be developmentally regulated during primary and secondary throphoblast differentiation in the mouse. Cell surface expression of the antigen was associated only with diploid and tetraploid trophoblast cell types. Endoreduplication to 8C DNA in differentiating trophoblast giant cells was associated with a loss of IIC3 cell surface expression and appearance of cytoplasmic expression. This developmental change was not temporally regulated, but dependent on the attachment and outgrowth of the trophoblast in vitro. The surface antigen was neither shed into the media nor masked by glycosylation, but was apparently internalized by the trophoblast giant cells.
A Human RNA Polymerase II Transcription Termination Factor Is a SWI2/SNF2 Family Member

Abstract We obtained protein sequence information fromDrosophila factor 2, an ATP-dependent RNA polymerase II transcription termination factor, and discovered that it was identical to a SWI2/SNF2 family member called lodestar. Portions of putative human and Caenorhabditis elegans homologues were found in the sequence data bases and a complete cDNA for the human factor was generated using polymerase chain reaction techniques. Recombinant human factor 2 was produced in a baculovirus expression system, purified, and characterized. Similar to the authenticDrosophila factor, the human factor displayed a strong double-stranded DNA-dependent ATPase activity that was inhibited by single-stranded DNA and exhibited RNA polymerase II termination activity. Both factors were able to work on elongation complexes from either species. We discuss the mechanism of termination by factor 2 and the implications for the role of factor 2 in cellular activities.
Long-term hypoxic-induced changes in inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor density in fetal and adult ovine cerebral arteries

Background. In response to high altitude long-term hypoxia, the cerebral arteries of fetal and adult sheep show decreased contractile responses to K+ depolarization and amines (Am. J. Physiol. 264:R65-R72, 1993). This is associated with markedly attenuated density ofα1-adrenergic receptors and their second messenger inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) (submitted). To test the hypothesis that hypoxic-induced changes in developmental and vessel specific cerebral artery contractility are mediated, in part, by changes in IP3-receptor(IP3R) density and/or affinity, we performed the following study.Methods. In aorta, common carotid artery, circle of Willis, and cerebral arteries from both near-term fetuses and adult ewes, we quantified IP3R density (fmol/mg protein) and affinity (nM) by saturation binding with [3H]IP3 (n=4 to 6 assays per group. * indicates a p value of < 0.05 for hypoxia vs normoxia). Results. For fetal and adult aorta, long-term hypoxemia was associated with decreases of in IP3R density of 46% (109 to 59) and 66%* (181 to 62), respectively. In the common carotid artery, IP3-R density for fetus and adult decreased 32%* (85 to 58) and 69%* (357 to 109), respectively. In cerebral arteries of fetus and adult, hypoxic-associated IP3-R densities decreased 80%* (128 to 25) and 46%* (99 to 53), respectively. The IP3 binding affinity was not changed among the groups studied. Conclusions. 1) IP3R values in fetal and adult aorta, common carotid, and combined anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral arteries, all decreased significantly in response to long-term hypoxia. 2) The decrease in fetal IP3-receptor density was of the same order of magnitude as that of the adult. This suggests that despite“buffering” by the maternal organism, fetal vascular tissues sensed hypoxia in a manner similar to that of the adult. 3) These findings suggest a cellular basis for changes in cerebrovascular contractility in response to long-term hypoxia, and that IP3-receptors may play a role in certain acclimatization responses to high altitude. (Supported in part by USPHS Grant HD 03807)
Laparoscopic resection of large adrenal tumors.

Background The maximum size of adrenal tumors that should be removed with a laparoscopic approach is controversial. It has been suggested that laparoscopic adrenalectomy is appropriate only for adrenal tumors <6 cm in size. We report our experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy in patients with adrenal tumors of ≥6 cm compared with patients with smaller tumors.
Hypoparathyroidism: An unusual cause of seizures

A 73-year-old woman with hypoparathyroidism and hypocalcemic seizures was treated successfully with intravenous calcium. These symptoms developed 19 years after thyroid surgery. Prior to this admission, there had been many opportunities to make the diagnosis, had it been considered. Chronic hypocalcemia and hypoparathyroidism may present with varying signs and symptoms.
Wave‐net: a multiresolution, hierarchical neural network with localized learning

A Wave-Net is an artificial neural network with one hidden layer of nodes, whose basis functions are drawn from a family of orthonormal wavelets. The good localization characteristics of the basis functions, both in the input and frequency domains, allow hierarchical, multiresolution learning of input-output maps from experimental data. Furthermore, Wave-Nets allow explicit estimation for global and local prediction error-bounds, and thus lend themselves to a rigorous and explicit design of the network. This article presents the mathematical framework for the development of Wave-Nets and discusses the various aspects of their practical implementation. Computational complexity arguments prove that the training and adaptation efficiency of Wave-Nets is at least an order of magnitude better than other networks. In addition, it presents two examples on the application of Wave-Nets; (a) the prediction of a chaotic time-series, representing population dynamics, and (b) the classification of experimental data for process fault diagnosis.
A matrix method for ordinary differential eigenvalue problems

This paper describes a method for solving ordinary differential eigenvalue problems of the form N(u) + λM(u) = 0, where N and M are linear differential operators and u(x) is a scaler variable. The boundary conditions are independent of λ. The problem is transformed into a matrix problem ∥ A + λB ∥ = 0. This is reduced to the standard eigenvalue problem ∥A + λI ∥ = 0 which is then solved by the Q - R algorithm. The computer program is organized so that it can solve a wide range of problems with minimal effort on the user's part. The method is applied to a hydrodynamic stability problem and compared to the shooting method.
Overview of current state of research on pregnancy outcomes in minority populations

Pregnancy outcomes improved significantly over the 20th century in the United States but currently vary widely between women of different ethnic and racial backgrounds. The current health disparities that exist are based, in part, only on differences in socioeconomic status or education. There is wide variability in pregnancy outcomes within specific subgroups of women. Disparities may be due to underlying differences in health before pregnancy, differences in community norms, and individual lifestyle choices and to differences in health care delivery systems. Areas for needed research and promising new models of care are reviewed.
Observations of the dislocation substructure produced by elevated temperature fatigue crack propagation in the type 316 stainless steel

Abstract The dislocation substructure produced by elevated temperature fatigue crack propagation in annealed Type 316 stainless steel was surveyed by post-test transmission electron microscopy. Both un-irradiated and neutron irradiated specimens were examined. The results for the unirradiated specimens show that dislocation cell formation was limited to within approx. 1 mm of the fracture surface. The dislocation cell size within this region was found to reflect the test temperature and effective stress level. No evidence of dislocation cell formation was observed m the neutron irradiated fatigue specimens. It was concluded that dislocation cell formation, if it occurs in neutron irradiated specimens, is confined to within approx. 0.75 mm of the fracture surface.
Heterogeneity of the glucocorticoid receptors: molecular transformations during activation, detected by electrofocusing.

Isoelectric focusing (IEF) of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) of the neural retina of the 14-day chick embryo was conducted under conditions that yielded quantitative recovery of binding activity. IEF of the cytosol, equilibrated with [3H]triamcinolone acetonide (TA) at 0-2 degrees C yielded three major TA-GR components with apparent isoelectric points (pI') of 5.4 +/- 0.3, 6.5 +/- 0.2, and 7.6 +/- 0.3, designated as I, II, and III, respectively. During temperature-induced activation (incubation at 30 degrees C for 60 min, in the presence of free [3H]TA and 0.15 M KCl), approximately 25% of the specifically bound TA was irreversibly lost. IEF reveals that this loss is accounted for by the complete loss of binding from I. During activation, II also decreases but correspondingly III increases, i.e., the sum of II and III remains unchanged. Only the bound TA of I is sensitive to the addition of KCl (a promoter of activation). This sensitivity of I is temperature dependent. Molybdate (an inhibitor of activation) protects the bound TA of I and suppresses the formation of III. These two effects of molybdate diminish simultaneously when the temperature is increased to 30 degrees C. III preferentially exhibits binding activity to nuclei. The data suggest that (i) the glucocorticoid-free cytosol contains two GRs, I and II, with possibly two different functions; (ii) activation involves the loss of bound TA from I and the transformation of II to III with increased pI; (iii) these two molecular events in GR activation are interdependent.
Addressing the Heterogeneity of the Ischemic Stroke Phenotype in Human Genetics Research

Background and Purpose— Many investigators have approached ischemic stroke as a complex phenotype by dividing the ischemic stroke population into distinct subtypes. The purpose of this study was to review systematically the methods used to subtype ischemic stroke in recent genetic studies. Methods— The MEDLINE database was searched for articles pertaining to research on the genetics of human ischemic stroke published from January 2000 through January 2002. Abstracts and full-length reports were then sequentially screened to select articles pertaining to original case-control or cohort studies. Results— The initial search yielded 153 publications. Of 41 relevant articles, ischemic stroke was subtyped in 25 (61%). The most common standard subtyping system was the Cerebrovascular Classification of Diseases III system (9 articles). Of the subtyping systems used, 3 had previously published interrater reliability. The subtyping system was reported to have been prespecified in 1 study. Four articles reported usi...
Amorphization of Al2SiO5 polymorphs under ion beam irradiation

Abstract The three polymorphs of Al 2 SiO 5 (kyanite, andalusite and sillimanite) were irradiated with 1.5 MeV Xe + using the HVEM-Tandem Facility at Argonne National Laboratory. Irradiations were completed over a temperature range of 300 to 973 K. In situ TEM, followed by HREM, was used to characterize the effects of the ion beam damage. All three Al 2 SiO 5 polymorphs became amorphous after doses of 0.3 dpa at room temperature. However, the high temperature behavior of the three phases was different. The thermodynamic stabilities of the three phases were found not to have a direct relation to susceptibility to amorphization. Irradiation-induced amorphization is discussed in terms of a cascade quenching model.
Coverage and connectivity in three-dimensional underwater sensor networks

Unlike a terrestrial network, an underwater sensor network can have significant height which makes it a three-dimensional network. There are many important sensor network design problems where the physical dimensionality of the network plays a significant role. One such problem is determining how to deploy minimum number of sensor nodes so that all points inside the network is within the sensing range of at least one sensor and all sensor nodes can communicate with each other, possibly over a multi-hop path. The solution to this problem depends on the ratio of the communication range and the sensing range of each sensor. Under sphere-based communication and sensing model, placing a node at the center of each virtual cell created by truncated octahedron-based tessellation solves this problem when this ratio is greater than 1.7889. However, for smaller values of this ratio, the solution depends on how much communication redundancy the network needs. We provide solutions for both limited and full communication redundancy requirements. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Residues within the Conserved Helicase Motifs of UL9, the Origin-binding Protein of Herpes Simplex Virus-1, Are Essential for Helicase Activity but Not for Dimerization or Origin Binding Activity

UL9, an essential gene for herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) DNA replication, exhibits helicase and origin DNA binding activities. It has been hypothesized that UL9 binds and unwinds the HSV-1 origin of replication, creating a replication bubble and promoting the assembly of the viral replication machinery; however, direct confirmation of this hypothesis has not been possible. Based on the presence of conserved helicase motifs, UL9 has been classified as a superfamily II helicase. Mutations in conserved residues of the helicase motifs I-VI of UL9 have been isolated, and most of them fail to complement a UL9 null virus in vivo (Martinez R., Shao L., and Weller S. (1992) J. Virol. 66, 6735-6746). In addition, mutants in motifs I, II, and VI were found to be transdominant (Malik, A. K., and Weller, S. K. (1996) J. Virol. 70, 7859-7866). Here we present the characterization of the biochemical properties of the UL9 helicase motif mutants. We report that mutations in motifs I-IV and VI affect the ATPase activity, and all but the motif III mutation completely abolish the helicase activity. In addition, mutations in these motifs do not interfere with UL9 dimerization or the ability of UL9 to bind the HSV-1 origin of replication. Based on the similarity of the helicase motif sequences between UL9 and UvrB, another superfamily II member with helicase-like activity, we were able to map the UL9 mutations on the structure of the UvrB protein and provide an explanation for the observed phenotypes. Our results indicate that the helicase function of UL9 is indispensable for viral replication, supporting the hypothesis that UL9 is essential for unwinding the HSV-1 origin of replication in vivo. Furthermore, the data presented provide insights into the mechanism of transdominance of the UL9 helicase motif mutants.
Pancreatic enzyme requirements for the dissociation of rat hearts for culture.

Nine crude commercially available samples of pancreatic enzyme preparations were examined in an effort to establish enzyme requirements for dissociation of rat heart to single cells for culture. Disc gel electrophoresis, using purified enzymes as references, indicated the presence of at least five enzymes. The levels of these enzymes, trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, lipase, and amylase were quantified in the commercial samples by established enzyme assays. The crude enzyme preparations were compared for their abilities to provide good yields of viable cells from the hearts of neonatal white rats. The abilities of the cells to thrive in culture and to beat rhythmically were also used in the comparison. Commercial purified samples of the five enzymes were used singly and in various combinations in preparing cultures to establish minimal pancreatic enzyme requirements for dissociation of rat hearts.
Modeling Household Purchase Behavior with Logistic Normal Regression

The successful development of marketing strategies requires the accurate measurement of household preferences and their reaction to variables such as price and advertising. Manufacturers, for examp...
Effect of shrinkage and process parameters on the monitoring of bulk and surface stream temperatures in injection molding via the infrared waveguide method

This paper analyzes for the first time the application of the infrared hollow waveguide method for the remote sensing of the temperature decay of polymer streams during injection molding. The key feature of the infrared procedure employed is its low transmission loss of the thermal energy in the mid and far infrared spectral regions. This particular advantage allows the hollow waveguide device to measure not only the bulk temperature within the polymer, as commercially available full-core optical fiber instruments do, but also the temperature at the polymer surface. Moreover, the hollow waveguide device is able to measure quite low temperatures, which conventional thermometers cannot do either. Experimental trials have been run on a Husky injection molding press in order to investigate the effect of some process parameters and shrinkage on the bulk and surface temperature decay signals. The results showed a drastic deviation between the kinetic behaviors of the surface and bulk temperature traces throughout the injection cycle. Particularly, it was noticed that the cooling rate of the surface temperature was more affected by part shrinkage than the cooling rate of the bulk temperature. The experimental results showed also that temperatures below 60°C could be reliably measured with reasonable signal-over-noise ratio. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:955–964, 2004.
Shallow n+ diffusion into InP by an open‐tube diffusion technique

Very shallow n(+) layers have been obtained in InP by using gallium sulfide as a source for sulfur diffusion, and chemically vapor-deposited SiO2 as a cap. Diffusions were carried out from 585 to 725 C in an open-tube system with a nitrogen ambient. The doping profile of sulfur in InP is estimated to be of the complementary error function type with a surface concentration of 5.6 x 10 to the 18th/cc and a diffusion constant of 1.1 x 10 to the -14th sq cm/s at 670 C. Diodes made on n(+)-p junctions obtained by this diffusion technique show ideality factors close to unity and saturation current densities as low as 3.4 x 10 to the -15th A/sq cm, signifying the presence of a defect-free junction. These diffusions, with junction depths in the 400-700 A range, are ideal for solar cell applications.
Nonlinear control with acceleration feedback for a two-link flexible robot

Abstract In this paper, a three-loop control strategy is applied to each link of a two-link flexible robot. In the first loop feedback linearization is applied to the rigid and motor dynamics. The second loop consists of a simple proportional-derivative (PD) control law for accurate rigid body angle tracking. The third loop uses endpoint accelearation feedback to account for flexure effects. The overall scheme is relatively simple in order to facilitate easy implementation; experimental results are provided to verify the effectiveness of the developed schemes.
Students' Developing Understanding of Water in Environmental Systems

The authors developed a framework of empirically grounded curricular goals for waterscience literacy and documented the challenges that students face in achieving these goals. Waterrelated environmental science literacy requires an understanding of connected natural and human-engineered systems at multiple scales ranging from atomic—molecular (changes of state and solutions) to large (watersheds, aquifers, and human water-purification and distribution systems). The authors' assessments of students from upper elementary school through high school suggest that virtually all students have some important understandings of water on which educators can build. Yet, the authors found that most students do not systematically trace water and other materials through systems and do not account for invisible aspects of water systems at the atomic—molecular and landscape scales. The results revealed a contrast between students' informal accounts of water in environmental systems and scientific accounts of these systems...
A Hierarchical Approach to Forest Landscape Pattern Characterization

Landscape spatial patterns have increasingly been considered to be essential for environmental planning and resources management. In this study, we proposed a hierarchical approach for landscape classification and evaluation by characterizing landscape spatial patterns across different hierarchical levels. The case study site is the Red Hills region of northern Florida and southwestern Georgia, well known for its biodiversity, historic resources, and scenic beauty. We used one Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper image to extract land-use/-cover information. Then, we employed principal-component analysis to help identify key class-level landscape metrics for forests at different hierarchical levels, namely, open pine, upland pine, and forest as a whole. We found that the key class-level landscape metrics varied across different hierarchical levels. Compared with forest as a whole, open pine forest is much more fragmented. The landscape metric, such as CONTIG_MN, which measures whether pine patches are contiguous or not, is more important to characterize the spatial pattern of pine forest than to forest as a whole. This suggests that different metric sets should be used to characterize landscape patterns at different hierarchical levels. We further used these key metrics, along with the total class area, to classify and evaluate subwatersheds through cluster analysis. This study demonstrates a promising approach that can be used to integrate spatial patterns and processes for hierarchical forest landscape planning and management.
Study of gradient stress in bimaterial cantilever structures for infrared applications

Bimaterial SiNx/Al infrared cantilever structures are always initially curved because of the imbalanced residual stress in the two layers. Their performance and functionality are therefore significantly decreased. A thorough study of the residual stress (strain) has then become a key issue in the development of bimaterial SiNx/Al cantilever structures. In the curvature-based approach to the film stress, the residual strain is derived from the measured curvature based on certain assumptions on the distribution of the residual strain in the thickness direction. Previous models for a bimaterial cantilever structure, however, are not sufficient to characterize the residual strain in bimaterial SiNx/Al infrared structures. The main goal of this paper is to investigate gradient residual strain in bimaterial SiNx/Al infrared structures. To achieve this goal, the relationship between the residual strain and bending curvature is developed with the assumption that the residual strain in each layer is linearly distributed rather than uniform throughout the thickness. The profile of the gradient strain is then derived from the curvatures measured during the continuous etching of the top-most SiNx in the bimaterial cantilevers. The derived residual strain can then be inverted to predict curvature change further in the etching process. This paper demonstrates that a linear assumption of the residual strain yields a stronger agreement with the measured data in comparison to previously used models. In addition, several factors that may affect measurement accuracy are discussed at the end of the paper.
Children's health risk assessment: incorporating a lifestage approach into the risk assessment process.

This overview paper provides the historical context for the incorporation of lifestage-specific concerns in human health risk assessment, briefly explains the process employed in a lifestage framework for risk assessment, and discusses the scientific rationale for how utilizing lifestage data will strengthen the overall risk assessment process. This risk assessment approach will add value by: (1) providing a more complete evaluation of the potential for vulnerability at different lifestages, including a focus on the underlying biological events and incorporation of mode of action information related to different critical developmental periods; (2) evaluating the potential for toxicity during all lifestages after early lifestage exposure; (3) reviewing the importance of integrating exposure information and adverse health effects across lifestages; and (4) serving as a basis to extend some aspects of the children's health risk assessment framework to all lifestages. Birth Defects Res (Part B), 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Intelligent grasp planning strategy for robotic hands

Providing robot hands with the intelligence required for effective multifinger grasping is a difficult problem. In particular, a good choice of grasp points on an object to be manipulated is critical in order to achieve dexterous manipulation. A methodology and algorithmic implementation is proposed for the choice of the feasible grasp points on irregular objects. The main thrust of this analysis is the embedding of grasp mechanics - namely intuitive human-like force distribution and computational efficiency - into a practical methodology for intelligent grasp planning. The strategy of grasp reasoning is to plan the grasp so that the fingers will be guaranteed to firmly grasp the object during handling and generate fine motion to perform tasks using the same planned grasp points. We also require the ability to change some of the grasp positions while holding the object firmly. The key to our approach is that the reasoning is based on a solid mathematical model of grasp mechanics - information from the mechanics of differing grasp candidates is automatically included at the grasp strategy stage. Therefore, our grasp has the advantage of being intelligence-based without sacrificing the physics of the grasp. Additionally, our underlying method for grasp mechanics is designed to be simple, computationally efficient, and intuitively natural, and can be easily employed in real time. Thus the grasp chosen is one that feels right, and is also based on solid physical principles, combining the intelligence of the expert with the mechanics needed for precise control.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Parametric dislocation dynamics of anisotropic crystals

Efficient computational methods for the elastic field, self force and interaction forces of three-dimensional (3D) dislocations in anisotropic elastic crystals are developed for 3D dislocation dynamics (DD). The elastic field of a general dislocation loop is determined by incorporating numerically evaluated derivatives of Green's functions in the fast sum method of Ghoniem and Sun. Self-forces of dislocation loops are calculated by numerical integrations performed on the dislocation line, and several approximation methods to the full integration are also explored. Strong effects of elastic anisotropy on many ingredients of DD are shown (e.g. the elastic field, self-forces, operation of Frank–Read sources, dipole formation and break-up and dislocation junction strength). Large-scale 3D DD simulations are carried out for copper single crystals. It is found that the dislocation microstructure and strain-hardening behaviour are also strong functions of elastic anisotropy.
Coronary Normograms and Coronary-aortic Ratio for Determination of Coronary Dilatation

Echocardiographic measurements of the internal diameter of the left (LCA) and right (RCA) main coronary arteries were performed on 390 children (215 male, 175 female) with normal cardiac structures, who were within the ages of 2 months to 8 years. They have normal clinical examination and complete echocardiographic examination prior to enrollment for the study. The maximal internal diameters within the cardiac cycles were measured at a distance of 5 to 10 mm from the origins of the LCA and RCA.The racial composition of the study population comprises 73.3% Chinese, 17.4% Malay, 6.2% Indian and 3.1% others. Their mean age was 34 months (range 2 to 106 months). The mean weight and height were 13.0 ± 6.0 kg and 88.6 ± 20.9 cm, respectively. After controlling for age, height, weight and body surface area (BSA), the LCA and RCA diameters were larger in boys (mean difference 0.1mm, p 0.8, p < 0.005). The regression equations, prediction graphs and z-score graphs are given. For the same patient, the LCA is generally larger than the RCA (mean difference 0.30 ± 0.21mm; mean percentage difference 16 ± 12.5%, p < 0.005). The LCA-to-aortic annulus (LCA/Ao) and RCA-to-aortic annulus (RCA/Ao) ratio fall within a narrow range that is independent of sex, weight, height or body surface area. The LCA/Ao ratio = 0.15 ± 0.02 (range 0.09 to 0.21), and RCA/Ao ratio = 0.13 ± 0.02 (range 0.09 to 0.20). Conclusion: The regression equations and normograms for the LCA and RCA will serve as useful guides to determine coronary abnormalities, especially in children with Kawasaki Disease. The LCA/RCA-aortic ratio can serve as a quick index to detect coronary dilatation/ectasia.
Pulsed laser deposition of high-quality tribological coatings

Advanced materials are being designed and tested for use on ball bearings that have wide-ranging applications in almost any type of spacecraft. There has been considerable interest in 'hard' or wear-resistant coatings for protecting steel surfaces present in bearing components. Titanium carbide (TiC) has received serious consideration as a wear-resistant coating material that could be suitable for use in such applications. At present, the commercially available process for the deposition of TiC involves heating the steel substrates to fairly high temperatures. High-temperature coating deposition is not desirable for applications involving steel substrates as it results in a softening of the steels. This further necessitates post-deposition heat- treatments for re-hardening the steel and re-polishing the coating. This paper will describe the use of Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) to deposit high-quality thin films of TiC on bearing steels at room temperature. Such a process eliminates the problems associated with high temperature deposition, and the costs and complexities involved in the post-deposition heat treatment of steels. To develop an understanding of the deposition process, the plasma generated by laser ablation has been investigated using time-resolved emission spectroscopy. The PLD of TiC films on bearing steels, the material properties of these films, and the spectroscopy of the ablated plume will be discussed.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Steroids as sewage specific indicators in New York Bight sediments

Sediments of the New York Bight were examined for steroidal compounds and found to contain relatively large amounts of coprostanol and 24 β-ethyl coprostanol. These steroids were found to be derived from sewage, and it is suggested that they be used as sewage tracers in marine sediments.
Reduction of Acute-Phase Proteins with Tenidap Sodium, a Cytokine-Modulating Anti-Rheumatic Drug

Four independent studies have investigated and compared the effects of tenidap sodium, naproxen and placebo on CRP in patients with active RA. One of these studies also investigated the effects of tenidap and naproxen on serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations and ESR. The duration of the four studies ranged between 2 weeks and 24 weeks, and depending on the study, tenidap sodium was administered orally in doses of 40-120 mg/day and naproxen in doses of 1000 mg/day. In all four studies serum CRP concentrations in tenidap-treated patients had decreased significantly from baseline at the time of final assessment. The decrease in CRP concentration in tenidap-treated patients was observed as early as 1 week after initiation of therapy and was sustained for up to 6 months, the last assessment timepoint
The art of fractal landscapes

Synthetic images of fractal landscapes have moved beyond science to enter the domain of “art for art's sake.” We discuss some of the ramifications of this artistic aspect: improving the fractal description of terrains, adding fractal textures to surfaces, and using parallel computers. We illuminate the peculiarities of attaining artistic self-expression in representational imagery purely through formal logic, and discuss its import.
Role of Hexacoordinated Silicon Intermediates in the Hydrolysis and Racemization Reactions of Silyl Halides

Potential energy surfaces for systems consisting of SiH3F and SiH3Cl molecules with addition of two water molecules (as a model for neutral hydrolysis), with one water and one ammonia molecule (base-catalyzed hydrolysis), and with two ammonia molecules (racemization) were investigated by the B3LYP and MP2 methods with 6-31G(d,p) and 6-311+G(d,p) basis sets. It was shown that in addition to global energy minima corresponding to loosely bound complexes with SiO and SiN separations exceeding 2.5 A, there exist the stationary points for tightly bound, low-entropy complexes with SiO and SiN bonds of length ca. 2.0 A. Such complexes were predicted earlier by the analysis of experimental data on nucleophile-assisted hydrolysis and racemization. For SiH3F structures of these complexes are close to octahedral with NH3 or H2O in axial positions, while those for silyl chloride are closer to trigonal bipyramidal zwitterions formed by the SiH3 cation with two nucleophiles and the Cl anion separated from Si by ca. 3 A....
Equivalence and the adaptationist program

Abstract Equivalence guarantees comparison. Thus, one may make a legitimate comparison of all species which, if responding, are adapted to a certain condition with all species which, if not adapted, do not respond to this condition. Several ways in which this theme is elabored are presented. An insight into the way in which equivalence works is illustrated as follows. When an eastern woodchuck has a low elevation habitat, has a long growing season, has sexual maturation in the second year, has annual reproduction, and has an aggressive intolerant social system, this bundle of traits is adaptive of, maximizes the fitness of, woodchuck x . And the equivalent to ‘If x has the woodchuck bundle of traits, then this bundle is adaptive of x ′ is ‘If this bundle is not adaptive of x , then x does not have the woodchuck bundle of traits’. So, there are two steps wherein x stays the same: x has the woodchuck bundle; x does not have the woodchuck bundle. But there is a third step wherein an Olympic marmot as a different ‘ x ’ has an opposite bundle of traits and thus does affirm the second equivalent ‘if the woodchuck bundle is not adaptive of x , then x does not have this bundle’. The process of adaptation, as when bird, adapted for flight, came from reptile, not adapted for flight, is really a three step process: x is adapted for flight, the same x is conceived as not adapted for flight, a different x (reptile) really is not adapted for flight. But this evolutionary metamorphosis of ‘adapted’ from ‘not adapted’ rests squarely on the mechanics of an equivalence, just like the one just mentioned for the woodchuck-marmot case. The adaptationist program says this: “each aspect of an organism's morphology, physiology and behavior has been molded by natural selection as a solution to a problem posed by the environment”. But the “wholesale reconstruction of a reptile to make a bird is considered a process of major adaptation by which birds solved the problem of flight”. The first quoted sentence says that each organism (or group of organisms) solved a problem and thus endorses only affirmation of ‘adapted’. The equivalence analysis behind the second quote endorses both affirmation and denial of ‘adapted’ in the process of adaptation. Thus, there is contradiction in the presentation of the adaptationist program by Lewontin.
An integrated production–distribution model for a deteriorating inventory item

Abstract We develop an integrated production–distribution model for a deteriorating item in a two-echelon supply chain. The supplier’s production batch size is restricted to an integer multiple of the discrete delivery lot quantity to the buyer. Exact cost functions for the supplier, the buyer and the entire supply chain are developed. These lead to the determination of individual optimal policies, as well as the optimal policy for the overall, integrated supply chain. We outline a procedure for determining the optimal supply chain decisions with the objective of minimizing the total system cost. Our approach is illustrated through a numerical example.
Potential role of WISP3 (CCN6) in regulating the accumulation of reactive oxygen species

Several mutations and atypical splice variants of WISP3 (CCN6) have been linked to connective tissue disorders and different forms of malignancies. Functional studies have suggested that WISP3 contributes to tissue maintenance/homeostasis. The precise molecular mechanism of WISP3 function in different cell types, however, remains unresolved. The present study was conducted to investigate the potential impact of WISP3 on the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress, which are central to cell/tissue maintenance. Our experimental results suggest that WISP3 regulates the accumulation of cellular ROS, and mutations in WISP3 or loss of expression of WISP3 compromise this function.
Molecular origins of nonlinear viscoelasticity

Polymer melts are discussed in terms of relationships between their nonlinear viscoelasticity and molecular structure. The challenges of making nonlinear measurements and the rheometers available for studying nonlinear viscoelasticity are presented. Theories and constitutive models are reviewed and compared with one another and experimental data. Future studies of the molecular origins of nonlinear viscoelasticity are discussed especially in terms of rheometer development and future prospects for nonlinear viscoelastic models.