cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Virtual memory management for database systems

Over the last several years, a number of hardware and software systems have been developed which map entire files directly into the virtual memory address spaces used by programs. Since all file contents are directly addressable, there is no need for a programmer to issue explicit file system actions, such as Read or Write. In addition, all of the buffer management problems are eliminated, since programmers do not have to squeeze pieces of large files into small virtual spaces. Although these advantages are tempting, we find that database systems have gone their own way. In this paper, we will look at two particular approaches to database system design, and see how (and why) they interface to file systems as they do. We will then look at the potential advantages and implications of working more closely with virtual memory management, and describe some of the functions and constraints that would have to be supported by a generalized page manager.
ApoB-100-containing Lipoproteins Are Major Carriers of 3-Iodothyronamine in Circulation

3-Iodothyronamine (T1AM) is a biogenic amine derivative of thyroid hormone present in tissue and blood of vertebrates. Approximately 99% of the circulating thyroid hormones are bound to plasma proteins, including three major thyroid hormone-binding proteins, and the question arises as to whether circulating T1AM is also bound to serum factors. We report here that T1AM is largely bound to a single protein component of human serum. Using T1AM-affinity chromatography, we isolated this protein, and sequence analysis identified it as apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100), the protein component of several low density lipoprotein particles. Consistent with this finding, we demonstrate that >90% of specifically bound T1AM in human serum resides in the apoB-100-containing low density lipoprotein fraction. T1AM reversibly binds to apoB-100-containing lipoprotein particles with an equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) of 17 nm and a T1AM/apoB-100 stoichiometry of 1:1. Competition binding assays demonstrate that this binding site is highly selective for T1AM. Intracellular T1AM uptake is significantly enhanced by apoB-100-containing lipoprotein particles. Modest enhancements to apoB-100 cellular uptake and secretion by T1AM were observed; however, multidose T1AM treatment did not affect lipid or lipoprotein inventory in vivo. Thus, it appears that apoB-100 serves as a carrier of circulating T1AM and affords a novel mechanism by which T1AM gains entry to cells.
Seasonal prevalence of the microsporidan, Glugea stephani (Hagenmuller), in winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus (Walbaum), from the New York‐New Jersey Lower Bay Complex

During a 32 month period 26 monthly collections of winter flounder were conducted from various locations in the New York-New Jersey Lower Bay Complex. A total of 3125 flounder were captured and examined for the presence of the microsporidan, Glugea stephani. Of the total number of fish collected, 260 (8.32%) were infected with the protozoan. At least one G. stephani infected flounder was captured and identified each month, which indicates that the infection is present on a year-round basis. The monthly infection prevalence ranged from 0.63 to 25%. Increased parasitism corresponded with elevated water temperatures. Fish size was not a statistically significant factor for infection.
Spatial interpretation of domain objects integrated into a freeform electronic whiteboard

Our goal is to provide tools to support working meetings on an electronic whiteboard, called Tivoli. This paper describes how we have integrated structured domain objects, which represent the subject matter of meetings, into the freeform whiteboard environment. Domain objects can be tailored to produce meeting tools that are finely tuned to meeting practices. We describe the language for defining domain objects and show examples of meeting tools that have been built with the language. We show that the system can interpret the spatial relationships of domain objects on the whiteboard to encode the meanings of the spatial arrangements, and we describe the computational mechanisms. We discuss some of the design principles for tailoring gestures for domain objects. Finally, we enumerate the techniques we have used to integrate the structured objects into the freeform whiteboard environment.
From yellow to red: On the distinguishing head-covering of the Jews of Venice

The Fourth Lateran Council, convened by Pope Innocent III in Rome in 1215, among other things, enacted several provisions designed to regulate the status of the Jews in Catholic Europe. One of these was to have very far-reaching consequences. It stipulated that in order to eliminate forbidden sexual relations between Christians and Jews, Jews were to "be distinguishable from the rest of the populations by the nature of their clothes."1 However, the Council did not specify the manner in which the Jews were to be distinguishable. Subsequently, secular authorities accepted the principle of making the Jews distinguishable, and consequently, over the course of the following centuries, they enacted a wide range of specific provisions designed to carry out the wishes of the Lateran Council.2 In this matter, the government of Venice was no exception.
Size selection of channel catfish in slat traps of different interslat space widths

Abstract Slat traps are a passive gear used in freshwaters of the southeastern United States, primarily for catfishes (family Ictaluridae) in commercial fisheries. They are particularly selective for channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Slat traps have four interslat spaces of defined width that are designed to allow undersized individuals to escape. We conducted two experiments to assess the relationship between the width of the interslat spaces and the length of the channel catfish retained in the trap. Slat traps having interslat spaces of 1 and 2 cm retained all fish larger than 250 mm. Increasing the width of the interslat spaces from 2 cm to 3, 3.8, and 5 cm resulted in the escape of progressively larger fish from the trap. Traps having interslat spaces of more than 5 cm retained no channel catfish. Size selectivity did not differ between traps with 1-cm and 3-cm interslat spaces for channel catfish larger than 250 mm. The 3.8-cm trap selected for larger fish and showed a 50% probability of retainin...
Biochemical responses mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in rat cortical slices are differentially sensitive to magnesium.

: The effects of magnesium on the inhibition of phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis and the stimulation of [3H]norepinephrine release by N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) in rat cortical slices were investigated. Removal of the magnesium from the buffer resulted in a small reduction of the inhibitory effect of 100 μM NMDA (34% inhibition in the absence of magnesium, compared with 51% for the control) when slices were coincubated with NMDA and carbachol. Addition of 10 mM Mg2+ also allowed the inhibitory effect of 100 μM NMDA on carbachol-stimulated PI hydrolysis to be expressed (44% inhibition) under these conditions. Concentration–effect curve analysis for the NMDA-induced inhibition of carbachol-stimulated PI hydrolysis indicated that the IC50 for NMDA was decreased from 14.9 μM for the control to 4.2 μM in the absence of magnesium. The absence of magnesium also had small effects on the concentration–effect curve for (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine hydrogen maleate reversal of the inhibitory effects of NMDA on carbachol-stimulated PI hydrolysis. The absence of magnesium also shifted slightly downward and flattened the NMDA concentration–effect curve if the cortical slices were pretreated with NMDA in the presence or absence of magnesium followed by removal of the NMDA and subsequent stimulation with carbachol. In contrast, cortical slices that had been prepared and treated similarly to the slices used in the PI experiments were very sensitive to the inhibitory effects of magnesium when using the NMDA stimulation of [3H]norepinephrine release assay in the presence or absence of carbachol. Thus, the modulation of PI hydrolysis by NMDA is much less sensitive to inhibition by magnesium than is the stimulation of neurotransmitter release. It is possible that NMDA receptors that mediate the inhibition of PI hydrolysis are coupled to ion channels that do not possess the characteristic voltage-dependent blockade by Mg2+.
TU‐D‐213A‐01: Code of Practice for the Proton Therapy System

In the last few years, proton therapy systems (PTS) have become commercially available for routine clinical use. This development promises a new interest in conformal therapy and poses a challenge to a radiationoncology team to develop methods that ensure safe and efficacious use of this new technology. The uses of protons for radiation therapy require greater expertise of all involved in their use: radiationoncologists,physicists,dosimetrists, therapists and supporting technical staff. The operation, control and quality assurance of PTS often involves a considerable degree of computerized control and data processing techniques. For all practical purposes, acquisition of such equipment requires making a choice between a limited numbers of commercially available FDA approved PTS. Nevertheless, the radiationoncology team that is ready to purchase a PTS is faced with the complex task of selecting the appropriate machine from those commercially available and developing a code of practice for its safe clinical use. The selection, installation, and clinical use of PTS involve: 1. development of the specifications of the proton therapy system, which should be based on; a. a careful study of the clinical needs; b. a careful study of technical and physical specifications of the commercially available equipment, including the technical and operational characteristics of the essential accessories; c. available or needed physics or therapy staff, and available in‐house technical support; d. an analysis of the financial implications, including warranties and the possible need for maintenance contracts; 2. design and construction of the facilities to accommodate the selected PTS, including radiation shielding; 3. installation of the selected PTS; verification of radiation safety in the environment of the radiation facility; 4. acceptance testing of the installed equipment; 5. commissioning of the PTS for active clinical use; 6. training of the staff in the safe and efficacious use of the PTS; 7. development and application of a comprehensive quality assurance (QA) program. The focus of presentations is to, a) describe the process of acceptance testing and clinical commissioning b) discuss the clinical workflow for different disease sites and c) describe strategies to optimize the utilization of the PTS. Learning Objective: 1. understand the process of developing specifications, 2. learn acceptance test procedures 3. understand clinical commissioning of a PTS
Correlation of aqueous Henry's constants from 0°c to the critical point

Recent theoretical results (Japas and Levelt Sengers, 1989) for the temperature dependence of Henry's constant near the solvent's critical point are used to obtain a linear expression which, for aqueous solutions of nonpolar gases, fits experimental Henry's constant data at temperatures from water's critical point down to roughly the normal boiling point. A small correction with only one additional adjustable parameter extends the correlation to 0°C. The final result is a three-parameter correlation, covering the entire range of temperatures, which fits the available data as well as or better than existing four-parameter empirical expressions and better than a recently proposed three-parameter expression. Since the correct near-critical behavior is built in, the new correlation should be especially useful for estimating Henry's constants in systems where little or no data exist at high temperatures. Fitted parameters are given for ten nonpolar gases in H2O and six nonpolar gases in D2O.
Meningoencephalitis Caused by Mycoplasma Edwardii in a Dog

A 6-week-old, female, mixed-breed dog with a clinical history of sudden onset of neurologic signs was presented for necropsy. The dog was diagnosed with suppurative and histiocytic meningoencephalitis based on necropsy findings and histopathology. Mycoplasma sp. was isolated in pure culture from the brain and meninges and was identified as Mycoplasma edwardii using DNA sequencing.
Urinary amino acid excretion and plasma amino acid concentration in dogs fed crystalline amino acid diets

Plasma amino acid concentrations and urinary amino acid excretion were exanined in Pointer puppies fed a crystalline amino acid diet. Amino acids accounted for only a small percentage (1.7%) of total urinary nitrogen (N). In addition, amino acid excretion accounted for a low percentage (<1%) of amino acid intake. A complete urinary amino acid profile is presented. Free amino acid concentrations in plasma were examined at 0, 45, 90, 150, 210 and 300 minutes after feeding. Both the amount of time required for an ingested amino acid to reach its highest plasma concentration and the length of time plasma amino acid concentration remained elevated depended upon the amino acid in question. These data provide useful information for determining the optimal postprandial time for bleeding dogs fed a purified diet.
Demonstration of a Transient Total Pressure Distortion Generator for Simulating Aircraft Inlet Distortion in Turbine Engine Ground Tests

The development of high-performance aircraft demands the successful integration of the airframe, engine, and control systems. Advancements in aircraft technologies bring with them the need to improve the computational and experimental tools applied to the airframe-engine compatibility evaluations. This paper focuses on the need to improve one of these tools, the direct-connect turbine engine test method. In the absence of the airframe, the direct-connect test must use devices that simulate the effects of the external airframe and the inlet system on the engine inflow. To meet the challenges presented by advanced aircraft, the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) embarked on the development of a distortion generator to simulate, in real time, the total-pressure distortion the engine experiences in the flight environment. The AEDC distortion generator development progressed through a five-step process that started with the definition of the distortion characteristics that must be simulated and culminated with the testing of a fully functional transient total pressure distortion generator prototype. Prototype validation tests conducted in an AEDC turbine engine test facility entailed the measurement of steady-state and transient total pressure patterns as well as the high-frequency pressure fluctuations produced. The tests demonstrated the ability to remotely set distortion patterns and the ability to sweep through sequences of patterns at rates commensurate with aircraft maneuvers. The paper focuses on the testing of the prototype. First, the paper provides background information on the motivation for the work and summaries of results from the earlier development steps. Next, the paper provides descriptions of the prototype configuration and the validation tests. It then provides initial test results with examples of remotely set distortion patterns. The paper concludes with a summary of future plans for the prototype as well as for other distortion generators in development.
Electrochemical removal of urea from physiological buffer as the basis for a regenerative dialysis system

Abstract The electrochemical removal of urea coupled with charcoal adsorption can be used to remove the wastes from spent dialysis fluid. This regeneration of dialysis fluid in a closed-loop system would permit the utilization of small volumes of fluid and provide the basis for a portable hemodialysis apparatus. The studies presented involve the direct electrochemical oxidation of urea from physiological buffer. Various electrolysis parameters were studied to improve the urea removal rate. Preliminary studies of reaction products indicated that urea is converted into nontoxic products which would be easily removed by other body systems ( e.g. respiration). The addition of several other compounds known to be removed by dialysis caused no decrease in the electrochemical removal of urea.
The Strong African American Families–Teen Trial: Rationale, Design, Engagement Processes, and Family-Specific Effects

This study addresses two limitations in the literature on family-centered intervention programs for adolescents: ruling out nonspecific factors that may explain program effects and engaging parents into prevention programs. The Rural African American Families Health project is a randomized, attention-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of the Strong African American Families-Teen (SAAF-T) program, a family-centered risk-reduction intervention for rural African American adolescents. Rural African American families (n = 502) with a 10th-grade student were assigned randomly to receive SAAF-T or a similarly structured, family-centered program that focused on health and nutrition. Families participated in audio computer-assisted self-interviews at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Program implementation procedures yielded a design with equivalent doses, five sessions of family-centered intervention programming for families in each condition. Of eligible families screened for participation, 76% attended four or five sessions of the program. Consistent with our primary hypotheses, SAAF-T youth, compared to attention-control youth, demonstrated higher levels of protective family management skills, a finding that cannot be attributed to nonspecific factors such as aggregating families in a structured, interactive setting.
The effects of oxygen and nitrogen adsorption on secondary ion energy spectra

Abstract The detailed variation of the energy spectra of ions sputtered from pure materials as the partial pressure of reactive gas changes was studied. The results show that the contribution of secondary ions from reacted versus clean surfaces varies smoothly as the gas pressure (and thus coverage) is increased for most surfaces. Sudden changes in the energy spectra are observed for Ni, Co, and W in the presence of oxygen, apparently corresponding to incorporation of oxygen into the surface lattice. The energy spectra are therefore very sensitive to changes in the surface, and should be very useful in oxidation or adsorption studies. The analytical consequences of changes in the energy spectra are discussed. As the spectra change, the transmission coefficients (bandpass efficiencies) for the ions alter, thereby affecting the apparent signal intensities. The optimum analytical condition is deduced from the data.
Value of dehydrated alfalfa in rations for lactating cows.

Abstract Three experiments were conducted using 104 cows to evaluate artificially dehydrated alfalfa as a replacement for 10% of the grain mixture. Corn or sorghum silage was the principal roughage, but small amounts of alfalfa hay were also provided in two of the experiments. In these two experiments, dehydrated alfalfa depressed milk yields when included in meal-type grain mixtures fed at high levels. However, dehydrated alfalfa did not affect yields in the high-grain regimen of the all-silage trial. Neither did the dehydrated alfalfa affect milk yields when included in grain rations fed at normal levels or as a component of a pelleted grain mixture. The alfalfa additive increased silage dry matter intake when included in meal-type grain rations in two of the experiments, but decreased intake in the third experiment involving a pelleted grain ration. Nevertheless, estimated net energy consumed per unit of milk produced was similar for the control and experimental rations. This suggests that reduced milk yield from certain of the dehydrated alfalfa rations was due to insufficient estimated net energy intake.
Does Facebook make you lonely

Meta-analysis on the relationship between Facebook use and loneliness.Found a positive relationship between Facebook use and loneliness.Tested two causal models on the relationship between Facebook use and loneliness.Lonely people use Facebook, rather than Facebook makes its users lonely.Adding evidence to better understand the Internet paradox. This meta-analysis explores the relationship between Facebook use and loneliness. Examination of the literature containing quantitative measurements of both Facebook use and loneliness, including close variations of the definition of loneliness, produced a sample of 18 research effects (N=8798) for review. This study asks two main questions: (1) Does using Facebook increase or decrease loneliness?; and (2) What causes what?: Does Facebook make its users lonely (or less lonely), or do lonely people (or less lonely people) use Facebook? First, researchers observed a significant overall average effect in the positive relationship between Facebook use and loneliness. Researchers also point to measurements of Facebook use as well as measurements of loneliness (and its variations) as possible moderating features or sources of variability in the relationship. Testing the relationship between Facebook use and loneliness in the context of two causal models revealed that (a) the first model outlining a path from elements of loneliness to Facebook use was not an adequate explanation of the data; whereas, (b) testing the relationship for a path in the second model from elements of Facebook use to loneliness showed results consistent with the data.
Self-replenishing solid lubricant films on boron carbide

AbstractThis study introduces a simple annealing procedure that leads to the formation of a self-replenishing solid lubricant film on bulk boron carbide (B4 C) and its coatings. The procedure uses short duration annealing at 800°C for 15 min. Subsequently, the specimens are cooled to room temperature and tested in a pin on disc machine. During annealing, B4 C reacts with oxygen in air and forms a glasslike boron oxide (B2 O3 ) layer on the exposed surface. Eventually, this layer reacts spontaneously with moisture in the surrounding air, thus forming a thin boric acid (H3 BO3 ) film. The friction coefficients of 440C steel and zirconia pins against this film are 0·04–0·06. Electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy were used to elucidate the formation and self-lubricating mechanisms of this solid boundary film on sliding B4 C surfaces.
Distinction of phyllodes tumor from fibroadenoma: a reappraisal of an old problem.

BACKGROUND Using fine-needle aspiration (FNA) smears, it is difficult to distinguish low grade phyllodes tumor (PT) from fibroadenoma (FA) due to overlapping cytologic features between the two lesions. The authors retrospectively studied 45 histologically proven fibroepithelial breast tumors of which 33 were FA and 12 were PT (1 malignant, 8 borderline, and 3 benign) to define cytologic features that can help in the accurate categorization of these lesions by using FNA samples. METHODS The cytologic features analyzed included: 1) epithelial component for number ( 5), architecture, apocrine metaplasia, squamous metaplasia, nuclear pleomorphism, and mitosis; 2) stromal fragments for number ( 5), cellularity (on a scale of 1+ to 3+), borders, cell characteristics, nuclear pleomorphism, and mitosis; 3) individual dispersed stromal cells in the background for cellularity (on a scale of 1+ to 3+), and cellular shape (short/round/oval or long spindle) based on whether they were smaller or larger than 2 times the size of a small round lymphocyte. RESULTS The mean age of patients with FA was 34 years and of those with PT 44 years. The average size of FA was 2.0 cm, and the average size of PT was 4.0 cm. The characteristics of the epithelial fragments of PT and FA were not significantly different. Stromal fragments were noted in 60% of FA and 83% of PT samples examined. Fifty-six percent of PT and 30% of FA exhibited hypercellular stromal fragments (3+ cellularity), and the difference was not statistically significant. Large club-shaped hypercellular stromal fragments were present only in FA (in 21% of the samples). There was no difference in the overall cellularity of the background stromal nuclei in the two types of lesions. Long spindle nuclei averaging greater than 30% of the dispersed stromal cell population in the background were found only in cases of PT (in 57% of the samples; P < 0.001). Short/round/oval nuclei characterized most FAs. Long spindle nuclei constituting 10–30% of the dispersed stromal cells, however, occurred in both PT and FA to the extent of 43% and 21%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Hypercellular stromal fragments occur not only in PT, but also in FA, and hence they cannot be used as the sole criterion for making a diagnosis of PT on FNA. The proportion of individual long spindle nuclei (>30%) amid the dispersed stromal cells in the background is the most reliable discriminator between the two lesions. Lesions in which long spindle nuclei constitute between 10% and 30% may represent either PT or FA, and therefore such lesions should be categorized as indeterminate on FNA. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2000;90:342–349. © 2000 American Cancer Society.
The Passion Play in Maya Indian Communities

The dramatic re-enactment of an event compresses in symbolic form psychological and social processes. For this reason, ritual dramas are useful events for the study of transmission of culture and reformulation of tradition. Dramatization as a communication strategy has a special importance for solidarity groups, as Young (1965:2) has pointed out. The potential for transforming given attitudes and values has not been explored by social scientists although playwriters, actors, and directors have consciously or unconsciously attempted this in dramaturgy.
Which botanicals or other unconventional anticancer agents should we take to clinical trial

There is significant public and scientific interest as regards unconventional anticancer agents (complementary and alternative medicine [CAM] agents). This article describes five principles pertaining to the question of which CAM agents should be taken to clinical trial: (1) many CAM agents have been proposed as cancer treatments, far more than could possibly be studied in clinical trials; (2) claims by patients or practitioners are generally unhelpful in choosing which CAM agents to test; (3) laboratory studies can help determine which CAM agents to take to trial and with which cointerventions; (4) preliminary laboratory studies are essential to confirm safety before trials can be considered; and (5) the vast majority of anticancer CAM agents will be ineffective; our aim should be to discard agents from consideration as rapidly as possible.
Urinary-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) modulates oral cancer cell behavior with alteration in p130cas

Oral cavity cancer is among the most frequently diagnosed cancers worldwide and urinary-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is clinically associated with more invasive tumors and enhanced lymph node metastasis. We seek to further elucidate the mechanism of by which uPAR promotes cell aggressiveness in the unique context of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The contribution of uPAR expression to aggressive cellular behavior of OSCC was examined using in vitro cellular models wherein the expression of uPAR was manipulated and in a human OSCC tissue microarray. Results show altered adhesion, motility, and invasion in cells that overexpress uPAR relative to vector control cells. Distinct alterations of focal adhesion protein expression and phosphorylation, including p130cas and paxillin were observed, suggestive of enhanced focal adhesion turnover. Immunohistochemical analysis of microarrayed human OSCC revealed a significant correlation between uPAR and p130cas expression. The non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase c-Src was responsible for the phosphorylation of p130cas in response to uPAR/α3β1/laminin-5 engagement. Further downstream, the Rho family GTPase Cdc42, but not Rac1, was activated, suggesting a pathway leading to actin reorganization, filopodial protrusion and enhanced motility in uPAR overexpressing oral cancer cells. These data shed light on a molecular mechanism whereby acquisition of uPAR expression may modulate OSCC invasive activity through alteration of focal adhesion dynamics.
Noncontrast‐enhanced renal angiography using multiple inversion recovery and alternating TR balanced steady‐state free precession

Non-contrast enhanced renal angiography techniques based on balanced steady state free precession (SSFP) avoid external contrast agents, take advantage of high inherent blood signal from the T2/T1 contrast mechanism, and have short SSFP acquisition times. However, background suppression is limited; inflow times are inflexible; labeling region is difficult to define when tagging arterial flow; and scan times are long. To overcome these limitations, we propose the use of multiple inversion recovery (MIR) preparatory pulses combined with alternating TR balanced SSFP (ATR-SSFP) to produce renal angiograms. MIR uses selective spatial saturation followed by four global inversion recovery pulses to concurrently null a wide range of background T1 species while allowing for adjustable inflow times; ATR-SSFP maintains vessel contrast and provides added fat suppression. The high level of suppression enables imaging in 3D as well as projective 2D formats, the latter of which has a scan time down to one heartbeat. In vivo studies at 1.5 T demonstrate the superior vessel contrast of this technique.
CORR Insights®: Is Sternocleidomastoid Muscle Release Effective in Adults with Neglected Congenital Muscular Torticollis?

This CORR Insights® is a commentary on the article “Is Sternocleidomastoid Muscle Release Effective in Adults With Neglected Congenital Muscular Torticollis?” by Lim and colleagues available at: DOI: 10.1007/s11999-013-3388-6. The author certifies that not he, nor any member of his immediate family, has funding or commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article. All ICMJE Conflict of Interest Forms for authors and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research ® editors and board members are on file with the publication and can be viewed on request. The opinions expressed are those of the writers, and do not reflect the opinion or policy of CORR ® or the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons®. This CORR Insights® comment refers to the article available at DOI: 10.1007/s11999-013-3388-6.
Detecting diversity: emerging methods to estimate species diversity

Estimates of species richness and diversity are central to community and macroecology and are frequently used in conservation planning. Commonly used diversity metrics account for undetected species primarily by controlling for sampling effort. Yet the probability of detecting an individual can vary among species, observers, survey methods, and sites. We review emerging methods to estimate alpha, beta, gamma, and metacommunity diversity through hierarchical multispecies occupancy models (MSOMs) and multispecies abundance models (MSAMs) that explicitly incorporate observation error in the detection process for species or individuals. We examine advantages, limitations, and assumptions of these detection-based hierarchical models for estimating species diversity. Accounting for imperfect detection using these approaches has influenced conclusions of comparative community studies and creates new opportunities for testing theory.
An iterative method for predicting turbofan inlet acoustics

A new iterative solution technique for predicting the sound field radiated from a turbofan inlet is presented. The sound field is divided into two regions; the sound field within the inlet which is computed using the finite element method and the radiation field outside the inlet which is calculated using an integral solution technique. A "unified" solution is obtained by matching the finite element and integral solutions at the interface between the interior and exterior regions. The applicability of the iterative technique is demonstrated by considering several simple cases for which exact or *'classical" solutions for the sound field are available. These examples show that the proper solution is obtained within five iterations. The overall accuracy of the method is demon- strated by comparison with experimental data. ROWING concern in recent years over the rise in noise pollution, especially that caused by turbofan engines, has created considerable interest in developing methods for predicting the acoustic properties for these engines. The two major sources of turbofan engine noise are the externally generated noise produced by the jet exhaust and the internally generated noise due to the rotating turbomachinery, turbofan blades, and combustion processes. The noise due to jet exhaust has become less intense due to the use of high bypass ratio turbofan engines which have a reduced jet velocity over earlier low bypass ratio engines. This, in turn, has made the noise produced by the turbofan more apparent. In an attempt to reduce the turbofan noise, much effort has been expended in the development of acoustic liners for these engine inlets. Unfortunately, due to the lack of analytical methods for such development, most of the design work for these liners has been performed by costly cut and try methods. For this reason, analytical methods are needed to equip the designer with the tools necessary for the job of designing quieter ef- ficient turbofan inlets. As the first step in a theoretical approach to reducing the amount of noise that will reach an observer, whether it be a passenger in the aircraft or an observer on the ground, an analytical procedure for predicting the acoustic field of the engine must be developed. This analysis should include the effects produced by short inlet ducts with varying geometry and lined inlet walls. To date, no such analytical method for predicting the entire sound field exists. This paper describes a general approach for calculating the acoustic field of a tur- bofan inlet. The approach is not restricted to any particular computational schemes. Thus, many of the analytical ap- proaches presently used in duct acoustics can be extended to provide a realistic description of the entire sound field. Consider the somewhat idealized inlet shown in Fig. 1. Noise produced within the engine propagates down the inlet duct and radiates out to the surrounding environment. The
A Model of Multi-Period Investment under Uncertainty

This paper explores rational decision making for investment in the stock market. The first part is concerned with problems of a methodological nature, mainly dealing with the relationship between normative models and operations research. The major part explores a particular model and the various features the model possesses. The interpretation and use of a dual prices in a stochastic programming model is discussed. The final part will suggest various possible extensions into other areas.
Characterization of polarization aberrations in liquid crystal devices

Reflective Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) panels are widely used as light valves for projection displays. LCoS panels and the associated beam splitters, retardance films, and dichroic beam splitters display significant variations in polarization properties over the area, angle of incidence and spectral bandwidth of the projector. This paper surveys these polarization aberrations and describes a high speed Mueller Matrix Imaging Polarimeter (MMIP) for the characterization of these polarization aberrations. The characterization of projection systems and components by the MMIP enables advanced modeling and compensation of polarization aberrations.
Surveillance of conservatively treated rotator cuff tears is warranted. Commentary on an article by Stefan Moosmayer, MD, PhD, et al.: "The natural history of asymptomatic rotator cuff tears. a three-year follow-up of fifty cases".

The purpose of the study by Moosmayer et al. was to assess the clinical and morphological changes that occur in asymptomatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears and to compare these changes between tears that remain asymptomatic and those that develop symptoms. Longitudinal studies such as this are critical to clinicians caring for patients with rotator cuff disease, primarily in counseling patients for the risk of tear progression over time. This information is particularly true at this time point, as recently published higher-quality research has demonstrated clinical success in treating certain symptomatic full-thickness cuff tears conservatively in the short term1. The potential downsides of conservative treatment are fundamental to counseling patients with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear, whether symptomatic or not. Although it has been long theorized that atraumatic rotator cuff disease is progressive in nature, not until the last decade have studies begun to carefully document tear and symptom progression over time2-5. In the current study, fifty subjects with asymptomatic, full-thickness rotator cuff tears were reassessed three years after enrollment. Baseline and follow-up assessments included measures of shoulder motion, strength, a validated scale of shoulder function (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES] score), and assessment of tear size with ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. The development of pain was well defined and was assessed at the time of the latest follow-up, although …
The B6.SW bilineal congenic sucrose octaacetate (SOA)-Taster mice

SWR/J inbred mice (Tasters) reliably avoid, whereas C57BL/6J inbred mice (Nontasters) are indifferent to, sucrose octaacetate (SOA) at certain concentrations. From these strains we have developed a set of bilineal congenic Taster mice. Approximately 4000 mice, from 2 isogenic and 12 segregating generations, were tested in a program designed to evaluate genetic models for SOA tasting during development of congenic strains. The criterion phenotype was avoidance or nonavoidance in preference tests of the bitter tastant SOA at concentrations of 10−4 and 10−5 M. Across the 12 segregating generations, the results were consistent with Mendelian expectations for a single autosomal locus with complete dominance of the Taster phenotype. The breeding program produced 12 replicate B6.SW lines containing the taster allele on the B6-Nontaster genomic background. The congenic Taster mice may facilitate a functional analysis of the sense of taste.
Work in progress: Enhancing broader communication among courses linked with prerequisites

This paper continues our previous study on addressing the communication barrier among courses linked with prerequisites. By proposing an active feedback system, the instructor teaching the prerequisite can proactively report the student performance at each detail subject level and make it available to instructors requiring the course as prerequisite. This active feedback system serves three purposes: (1) the instructors receiving such information have a better understanding of the incoming student readiness for the class, and if necessary, can offer a review session before starting a new chapter; (2) the prerequisite instructor can assess and improve their teaching effectiveness at each subject level by re-assigning the appropriate amount of time in each chapter; (3) the academic advisor can also use this information to recommend additional study between semesters in certain weak performance areas to help student to achieve academic success. The actual course adopted for this active feedback system was an entry level engineering math course. In this work, we outline a plan that will allow us to expand this active feedback system into other engineering courses linked by prerequisites.
Helical gas—solids flow II. Effect of bend radius and solids flow rate on transition velocity

Abstract The transition velocity is defined here as the gas velocity at which minimum pressure drop occurs during pneumatic transport of coal char particles. As expected, these transition velocities decreased with larger bend radius and increased with solids flow rate. The velocities were also higher than those predicted from the Rizk correlation for transition velocities in horizontal tubes. Believing that centrifugal forces contribute to these higher transition velocities in helical coils, we modified the Rizk correlation to account for these centrifugal forces. Predictions from the modified correlation agree closely with experimental results.
Cholesky factorization of semidefinite Toeplitz matrices

Abstract It can be shown directly from consideration of the Schur algorithm that any n × n semidefinite rank r Toeplitz matrix, T , has a factorization T = C r C T r with C r = C 11 C 12 0 0 where C 11 is r × r and upper triangular. This paper explores the reliability of computing such a decomposition with O ( nr ) complexity using the Schur algorithm and truncating the Cholesky factor after computing the first r rows. The theoretical conclusion is that, as with Gaussian elimination with partial pivoting, the algorithm is stable in a qualified sense: the backward error bounds can be expressed purely in terms of n and r and are independent of the condition number of the leading r × r submatrix T 11 of T , but they grow exponentially in r . Thus, the algorithm is completely reliable when r is small, but assessing its reliability for larger r requires making a judgment as to how realistic the error bounds are in practice. Experimental results are presented which suggest that the bounds are pessimistic, and the algorithm is stable for many types of semidefinite Toeplitz matrices. The analysis and conclusions are similar to those in a paper by Higham dealing with general semidefinite matrices.
Engineering communication across the disciplines: A workshop on using online modules to standardize instruction

The Technical Communication Program at the University of Wisconsin has developed a series of modules designed for mid- and upper-level engineering courses to provide supplementary instruction in basic communication skills. Our goal in developing these modules is to help faculty clarify their communication expectations and, in turn, emphasize to students the importance of skills transfer between communication and engineering content courses by providing a consistent message across the curriculum. This workshop will demonstrate how these modules can help teach and reinforce communication skills consistently across the engineering curriculum and assess learning outcomes in undergraduate students. We will therefore explain the challenges that led us to develop these modules, explain the modules themselves, and share the preliminary results of the project. We will conclude with a demonstration of the modules and a discussion of sample quiz questions (those with laptops may try the modules online). Overall, we believe our online modules offer teaching materials and direct assessment tools for communication skills that others may find valuable — especially programs preparing for reaccreditation.
A radioassay for aminoacylproline hydrolase (aminopeptidase P) activity.

A radioassay was developed in which aminoacylproline hydrolase acts on Arg-Pro-Pro-[ 3 H]benzylamide to yield arginine plus Pro-Pro-[ 3 H]benzylamide. By stopping the reaction with base (0.1 M NaOH), the radioactive product is deprotonated to an organophilic form and is separable from the hydrophilic substrate by extraction of the alkaline aqueous solution with an organic solvent. When scintillants are included in the organic solvent, the enzyme:substrate reaction, extraction and quantification of Pro-Pro-[ 3 H]benzylamide can all be conducted using a single liquid scintillation vial. Thus, aminoacylproline hydrolase activity is measured in terms of the rate of release of Pro-Pro-[ 3 H]benzylamide. The substrate is obtainable at > 20Ci/mmol, which enables its use under conditions of first-order enzyme kinetics. Conditions of near-zero order kinetics are readily attained by adding unlabeled substrate ( K m 0.7 μM). The substrate is highly reactive (a 1:2000 dilution of guinea pig plasma hydrolyzed > 10% of the substrate during a 10 min incubation at 37°C) and specific in that it is not degraded by leucine aminopeptidase, aminopeptidase A or N, dipeptidyl peptidase IV nor prolyl endopeptidase. The assay was used to measure aminoacylproline hydrolase specific activities in tissues of rat and guinea pig. Activity was found in virtually all major tissues of both species, and some guinea pig tissues (e.g. kidney and plasma) were found to be notably rich sources of the enzyme.
The Reinvention of Public Green Space

Much attention has been paid to preserving land at the urban fringe, and to the negative effects of sprawl and its costs. There is increasing recognition that enhancing green, public open spaces in cities provides a strategy to make those cities more sustainable, more livable, and more equitable. This involves a new approach to public spaces that integrates infrastructure needs, takes equity into account, and reexamines the range of uses public spaces offer. We consider the potential for urban greening through a case study in the dense inner core of Los Angeles that probed local resident attitudes and values toward a more inclusive strategy, and that measured the potential value of nature's services in the urban fabric using a GIS program.
First observation of ELM pacing with vertical jogs in a spherical torus

Experiments in a number of conventional aspect ratio tokamaks have been successful in pacing edge localized modes (ELMs) by rapid vertical jogging of the plasma. This paper demonstrates the first pacing of ELMs in a spherical torus plasma. Applied 30 Hz vertical jogs synchronized the ELMs with the upward motion of the plasma. 45 Hz jogs also lead to an increase in the ELM frequency, though the synchronization of the ELMs and jogs was unclear. A reduction in the ELM energy was observed at the higher driven ELM frequencies.
Sparse Filter Design Under a Quadratic Constraint: Low-Complexity Algorithms

This paper considers three problems in sparse filter design, the first involving a weighted least-squares constraint on the frequency response, the second a constraint on mean squared error in estimation, and the third a constraint on signal-to-noise ratio in detection. The three problems are unified under a single framework based on sparsity maximization under a quadratic performance constraint. Efficient and exact solutions are developed for specific cases in which the matrix in the quadratic constraint is diagonal, block-diagonal, banded, or has low condition number. For the more difficult general case, a low-complexity algorithm based on backward greedy selection is described with emphasis on its efficient implementation. Examples in wireless channel equalization and minimum-variance distortionless-response beamforming show that the backward selection algorithm yields optimally sparse designs in many instances while also highlighting the benefits of sparse design.