cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surface Plasmons and the Reflectivity of n-Type InSb

The reflectivity of $n$-type InSb has been measured in the far infrared. The doping of the samples was such that the free-carrier plasma frequency was near the LO mode frequency. The results suggest that samples with a sufficiently thick damage layer show effects due to surface plasmons. Use of a simple model indicates that the surface-plasma excitations are coupled to the phonons.
A test of fine finger dexterity.

The lack of instruments available for the measurement of fine dexterity (i.e., speed of interdigital manipulation) implies a gap not only in the occupational therapist's ability to quantify and deal precisely with patients' problems in this area, but also in the knowledge base of occupational therapy itself. The Rosenbusch Test of Finger Dexterity (developed by Doris F. Rosenbusch, MA, OTR), a new instrument that measures the speed of interdigital manipulation of objects by each hand separately, was tested on 64 subjects with normal hand function and 10 subjects known to have disabilities affecting fine dexterity. The determination of significant differences by the subjects' sex, dominant and nondominant hands, and normal and dysfunctional hands was performed with t tests. The scores of the subjects with normal hand function versus those with disabled hand function were then compared on all variables. The findings demonstrate that this instrument is ready to be used experimentally and compares favorably with current commercial tests on both reliability and validity coefficients.
A two-tiered strategy for simplex and multidirectional optimization of reactions with an automated chemistry workstation

A two-tiered strategy for optimizing reaction conditions has been developed for use with an automated chemistry workstation capable of parallel adaptive experimentation. In tier one, a broad survey of conditions is performed in parallel. In tier two, the promising region identified in the first tier is used as the starting point for in-depth searches. The search strategies employed in tier two include the composite-modified Simplex (CMS), multidirectional search (MDS), and parallel Simplex search (PSS) methods. Accordingly, this two-tiered strategy has been integrated into the CMS, MDS, and PSS experiment-planning modules. Each of these methods requires an initial user-defined simplex to explore reaction conditions. The breadth-first survey avoids the lengthy experimentation that occurs when the initial simplex is located far from the optimal region, and also diminishes the possibility of trapping in local maxima. Thus, the two-tiered strategy (breadth-first, depth-second) enables the optimal region to be reached rapidly.
Sterility Induced by Tepa in the Boll Weevil: Effective Dose and Permanency, Gonadal Changes, and Biological Turnover of Labeled Compound

The male boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, was sterilized with tepa, either by feeding 1500 ppm in the diet for 2 days or by an injection of 3.5 μg. Lower levels produced transitory sterilization. At the effective levels, mortality was significant. A recovery of fertility occurred about 5 days after treatment at the 1.5-μg level. This recovery was less marked with an artificial diet than with cotton buds. In a study of single pairs 12 of 27 males, surviving treatment at the 1.0-μg level, regained fertility within 36 days. Decreases in the size of the testes and changes in morphology and cytology occurred. The radioactivity of insects treated with C14-labeled tepa was decreased by half in 6—48 hours, depending on the diet, but 10—20% was retained for at least 10 days. No differences related to posttreatment diet were observed. Nitric acid was employed for digestion of insect tissue prior to C14 gas-flow counting. Conditions are described for reproducible and near-quantitative counting of the isotope.
Positional uncertainty in manually digitized map data

Digital map coordinates represent the locations of real world entities. As such, differences can exist between the ‘tru’ and digital database coordinates of those entities. This paper reports on a statistical characterization of positional error in manually-digitized and map-registered point data, the relative contribution of point type and operator to digitization error, and the effects of map media type on the positional uncertainty associated with registration. Manually-digitized point data were collected by four operators from mylar and paper maps. Point locations for a number of different feature types were sampled from United States Geological Survey (USGS) 1:24 000 scale maps. Linear models were used to estimate the variance components due to among-operator, map media, point type and registration effects. The statistical distribution of signed distance deviations for manually-digitized data was leptokurtic relative to a random normal variate. Unsigned deviations averaged 0-054 mm. Squared distance ...
Integrated inventory control and transportation decisions under carbon emissions regulations: LTL vs. TL carriers

Abstract This study analyzes an integrated inventory control and transportation planning problem with carbon emissions regulations. We investigate the economic order quantity model with less-than-truckload (LTL) and truckload (TL) transportation under carbon cap, cap and trade, cap and offset, and taxing policies. We find the retailer’s optimal order quantity under each regulation with LTL and TL carriers. Analytical and numerical results comparing LTL and TL carriers are documented. We illustrate that the retailer’s carrier preference depends on regulation parameters. The tools provided enable analyzing the effects of regulations, transportation costs and emissions on the retailer’s costs and emissions with each carrier.
Allosteric activation of the CaR by L-amino acids.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) serve as cellular sensors for a broad range of stimulants including photons, odorants, hormones, neurotransmitters, and ions. The studies presented by Conigrave and colleagues (1) in this issue provide evidence that the cellular sensor for l-amino acids is also a GPCR. The extracellular calcium receptor (CaR), a member of the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) family of GPCRs, is responsible for maintaining Ca2+ homeostasis by regulating parathyroid hormone release and renal Ca2+ excretion. The investigators demonstrate that this receptor is also capable of detecting physiologic levels of specific l-amino acids. Thus, like the other members of this subfamily of GPCRs, the activity of the CaR can be modulated by structurally diverse agonists. mGluR subtypes 1α, 3, and 5 respond to both glutamate and extracellular Ca2+ (2), and the γ-aminobutyric acid type B (GABAB) receptor response to GABA is enhanced by extracellular Ca2+ (3). The dual sensitivity of the CaR to both Ca2+ and specific l-amino acids has interesting implications for the coordinate regulation of Ca2+ homeostasis and amino acid metabolism. Moreover, the CaR is a rare example of a GPCR that is allosterically regulated by physiologic ligands, and it will be of great interest to learn the molecular mechanism of receptor activation.
Cocaine balloon aspiration: successful removal with bronchoscopy

Ingestion of balloons containing illicit substances along with the potential toxic sequelae associated with these ingestions have been described in the literature. This report describes the successful bronchoscopic retrieval of a cocaine balloon after aspiration. A 39-year-old man was witnessed swallowing several balloons that were thought to contain heroin. Shortly after ingestion, the patient became unconscious and required nasotracheal intubation. Before intubation, several balloons were removed from the oropharynx. Naloxone 4 mg was administered en route to the emergency department (ED). Following naloxone, the patient awoke and became agitated and combative. On arrival in the ED, midazolam, succinylcholine, and vecuronium were required to manage his combativeness. Vital signs were: heart rate, 130 beats/min; blood pressure, 128/86 mm Hg; respirations, 12 breaths/min; temperature, 96.5 degrees F. A balloon and balloon tip were removed during lavage. Whole bowel irrigation with a polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution was initiated. A right upper lobe infiltrate was identified on chest X-ray and aspiration of a balloon was suspected. At bronchoscopy, a small yellow, intact balloon visualized in the basilar segment of the right lower lobe was removed. Toxicologic analysis of the balloon contents found cocaine. The rest of the patient's hospital course was unremarkable and he was discharged 5 days after admission. This case brings to light the potential concerns, such as respiratory compromise, associated with aspiration of small balloons in the body stuffer. Additionally, the potential for the development of toxicity if the balloon ruptures and toxin absorption occurs through through the lungs should be considered. Emergency physicians and toxicologists should be aware of this significant complication of packet ingestion in the body packer or stuffer and be prepared to intervene early during the course of the patient's treatment.
Quality, competitiveness and development in Sub‐Saharan Africa

Increased liberalization of international trade that resulted from negotiations at the Uruguay Roundtable of 1995 has brought pressure to bear on Sub‐Saharan African (SSA) industries to be more competitive both in price and quality to succeed even in their domestic markets. In addition, most African countries have adopted export promotion as a development strategy. Yet, Africa’s export performance has remained very poor. This paper argues that obtaining ISO certification and implementing total quality management (TQM) in private and state‐owned organizations in SSA would strengthen their export capability, enhance their competitiveness and boost domestic demand for their products, thereby stimulating economic growth and development in the region. Further, it suggests that, for these quality improvement methods to be successfully implemented and sustained, the implementation process should be grounded on the unique social, cultural and economic conditions prevailing in SSA.
Religious switching: An alternative model

Goodman's model of quasi-independence has been used in recent studies of denominational mobility by F. Newport (1979, American Sociological Review 44, 528–552) and J. R. Kluegel (1980, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 19, 26–39). This model does not, as they believe, effectively control for the relative sizes of religious denominations. The marginal distributions in occupational mobility tables are predetermined, while the distribution of destinations in religious conversion tables is not. An alternative model is developed using the distribution of religions in respondents' childhoods as a baseline. A reanalysis of the 1975–1976 NORC data originally explored by Newport reveals that the two models lead to different substantive conclusions.
Signal Processing Methods in Color Calibration

With the increasing use of desktop color scanners for digitizing color images it has become desirable to obtain device independent color information from these scanners. In order to achieve this goal the scanner spectral sensitivity needs to be estimated. This paper describes the application of signal processing techniques to the problem of estimating the scanner sensitivity. Results obtained by applying the methods described to an actual commercial scanner are presented and the performance of two different techniques is compared.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Central Galaxy in Abell 2029: An Old Supergiant

A mosaic of images shows the extended structure of the cD galaxy that resides at the center of the rich cluster of galaxies Abell 2029. After correcting for the scattered light of nearby stars and galaxies, the faint halo of this giant can be traced out to a distance of more than 1 megaparsec, making it one of the largest and most luminous galaxies known. The smoothness of this halo suggests that it was formed early in the history of the cluster.
THE EFFECTS OF INFORMAL NEIGHBORHOOD BONDING SOCIAL CAPITAL AND NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT ON HOMEOWNERSHIP FOR FAMILIES LIVING IN POVERTY

The concept of social capital has been embedded ubiquitously into the strategies and goals of community-based development programs for families living in low-income neighborhoods; yet, scholars con...
Prospects for Irish macroeconomic recovery and stability

Most accounts of Ireland's recent financial and budget crises focus on the failure and questionable practices of banks, the decision by the Irish government to guarantee the debt accumulated by the Irish banks, and the subsequent financial collapse that occurred as international creditors recognised the grave difficulties that Ireland faced in repaying its debt. Our analysis puts the challenges resulting from these events into a larger historical and political context. We contend that the problems Ireland is confronting are best understood as a property bubble, accompanied by regulatory lapses and structural problems in public finance. With respect to problems created by the collapse of the Celtic Tiger, we argue that export-oriented growth, though not a panacea, continues to provide the opportunity for Ireland to grow its economy despite a massive debt and the need for international support for financing this debt.
Disjunctive rules mining from uncertain databases

Association rules mining is a well studied problem. Algorithms have been proposed for mining from uncertain data. In this paper we investigate the important problem of disjunctive rules mining from uncertain data. Specifically, we present an elegant algorithm for this problem and evaluate its performance on various datasets. This algorithm can be specialized to work with data without uncertainty and produce disjunctive rules. In this case the resultant algorithm is much simpler (while having a similar asymptotic run time) than the algorithms proposed in the literature.
A relationship between the geometrical structure of a nanoporous metal foam and its modulus

Abstract One of the crucial characteristics of a porous medium is its relative density ρ * , i.e. the volume fraction of the solid. For example, in low density foams ( ρ * ρ * ⩾ 0.4. This places NP metal foams in a previously unexplored parameter regime and necessitates reexamination of scaling laws derived for low density foams. In this work we demonstrate that the modulus of NP metal foams does not exhibit a clear correlation with the relative density. We trace this apparent disagreement with existing scaling laws to the agglomeration of mass in the junctions. We then derive and verify a new scaling relationship for the dependence of relative density and relative modulus on the geometric parameters such as strut thickness, length and junction size. We find good agreement between our model and experimental measurements for single crystal gold NP foams with large junction sizes. In contrast, polycrystalline NP platinum with nanosized grains within the struts shows an enhancement in the modulus that cannot be attributed to the foam geometry only. Based on this analysis, we infer a more than an order of magnitude enhancement of the modulus of the nanograined Pt struts compared to bulk platinum.
Thinking and Doing—Doing and Thinking The University of Massachusetts Lowell and the Community Development Process

Two overarching questions central to the development mission of the University of Massachusetts Lowell are discussed in this article. First, how does the university restructure its myriad activities to have a transformative impact on the regional economy while continuing to provide meaningful learning experiences for graduate and undergraduate students? Second, just who ought to participate in discussions about the nature of such a restructuring? Central to the authors' analysis is a review of projects undertaken over the past several years at the university under the auspices of $400,000 community outreach partnership grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
A Religious Experience: A Psychological Interpretation of Kevin Kelly’s Conversion to Christianity

This paper, presented at the Group for New Directions in Pastoral Theology meeting in October 2012, uses the work of Sigmund Freud and Donald Capps to interpret a religious experience. The religious experience—a narrative about being born again—is recounted from the first story on the first episode of the radio program This American Life, which focuses on the religious conversion of Kevin Kelly, founder of Wired magazine. Using Freud’s “A Religious Experience” as a model for interpretation, I employ psychoanalytic ideas (such as the castration complex) to provide an initial reading of the experience, and I then use Capps’s work on male melancholia and on life cycle theory to further the interpretation. I argue that this young man’s religious experience is reflective of what Capps calls “the religion of honor” and “the religion of hope”; that the timing of his religious experience can be understood by means of life cycle theory; and that, theologically speaking, his experience can be understood using the language of the spirit and the soul.
Analysing direct effects in randomized trials with secondary interventions : an application to human immunodeficiency virus prevention trials

The Methods for Improving Reproductive Health in Africa (MIRA) trial is a recently completed randomized trial that investigated the effect of diaphragm and lubricant gel use in reducing HIV infection among susceptible women. 5,045 women were randomly assigned to either the active treatment arm or not. Additionally, all subjects in both arms received intensive condom counselling and provision, the “gold standard” HIV prevention barrier method. There was much lower reported condom use in the intervention arm than in the control arm, making it difficult to answer important public health questions based solely on the intention-to-treat analysis. We adapt an analysis technique from causal inference to estimate the “direct effects” of assignment to the diaphragm arm, adjusting for condom use in an appropriate sense. Issues raised in the MIRA trial apply to other trials of HIV prevention methods, some of which are currently being conducted or designed.
Data transmission between neurons.

By modulating sinusoidally the impulse frequency of the inhibitory input to the slowly adapting stretch receptor of Crustacea, the impulse frequency of the sensory neuron becomes sinusoidally modulated. The systems involved are linear for amplitudes of modulation up to 70% of the steady state frequency. The transfer function is given and some of its implications are discussed.
INITIAL-STATE RADIATIVE AND RESOLUTION CORRECTIONS AND RESONANCE PARAMETERS IN e+e- ANNIHILATION

Abstract The effects in e+e− annihilation of soft photon emission by the electrons and a finite energy spread on the shapes of resonant cross sections and determination of resonance parameters are treated in a simple coherent manner. The modification of the well-known area method for finding partial widths in the presence of appreciable radiative corrections is discussed in detail and illustrated. Experimental line shapes are expressed in terms of a radiatively corrected energy resolution function GR(W−W′). Numerical values and an explicit functional approximation for GR are given for a Gaussian distribution of beam energies. The emphasis is on narrow resonances such as the recently discovered states at 3.1 and 3.7 GeV.
Bilateral serous macular detachment in a woman on sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension.

PURPOSE To report a case of bilateral serous macular detachment in a woman on sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension. METHODS Case report of a 52-year-old woman presenting with painless loss of vision bilaterally after starting sildenafil 1 month earlier for pulmonary hypertension. RESULTS Bilateral serous macular detachment with cystoid macular edema was noted on funduscopy and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Fluorescein angiography showed several pinpoint areas of faint leakage with pooling in late views. Vision subjectively normalized 1 week after discontinuing sildenafil. Funduscopy and OCT also normalized on follow-up examination. CONCLUSION Bilateral serous macular detachment can be associated with sildenafil use for pulmonary hypertension. Vision loss is reversible with prompt discontinuation of the drug.
Enhancing Text Structure Instruction with Video for Improved Reading Comprehension

Highlights video as an effective tool for teaching text structure and improving reading comprehension
Intracerebral transplants of primary muscle cells: a potential ‘platform’ for transgene expression in the brain

After the transplantation of rat primary muscle cells into the caudate or cortex of recipient rats, the muscle cells were able to persist for at least 6 months. Muscle cells transfected with expression plasmids prior to transplantation were able to express reporter genes in the brains for at least 2 months. These results suggest that muscle cells might be a useful 'platform' for transgene expression in the brain.
High-resolution one-photon ionization spectrum of no using third-harmonic generation

Abstract Tunable narrow-band VUV radiation produced by third-harmonic generation has been employed in obtaining the photoionization spectrum of NO. The results are compared with a recent theoretical treatment of the n pπ Rydberg states above the first ionization potential.
Rational habits in gasoline demand

Abstract The dynamics of demand for energy goods such as gasoline are complicated by investment decisions and behavioral habits. Both types of complication can be captured by a habits model, in which past consumption enters into an agent's current utility function. If the agent is forward-looking, or ‘rational’, then habits imply his consumption of the habit-forming good will be sensitive to his expectation of future market conditions, in particular future prices. This sensitivity implies, in turn, that traditional measures of price elasticity will underproject consumers' responsiveness to policy interventions. This paper examines the implications of rational habits on gasoline demand. Using a simple model encompassing myopic and rational habits, I demonstrate that an agent with rational habits will respond to anticipated future price changes and react more strongly to permanent than to temporary price changes, with this distinction increasing in the strength of the habit. I then estimate several habits models using panel data on U.S. states for the years 1989 through 2008. My preferred specification yields evidence of rational habits, and moreover I find consumers to be twice as responsive to tax-driven price changes as to market-driven price changes. Taxes and other policies that operate through the gasoline price are a more powerful policy instrument than traditional price elasticity would lead us to believe.
Variance reduction for Monte Carlo simulation in a stochastic volatility environment

Abstract We propose a variance reduction method for Monte Carlo computation of option prices in the context of stochastic volatility. This method is based on importance sampling using an approximation of the option price obtained by a fast mean-reversion expansion introduced in Fouque et al (2000 Derivatives in Financial Markets with Stochastic Volatility (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)). We compare this with the small noise expansion method proposed in Fournie et al (1997 Asymptotic Anal. 14 361–76) and demonstrate numerically the efficiency of our method, in particular in the presence of a skew.
Further validation of the short form versions of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI) and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ).

Aims: To evaluate validity and responsiveness of PFDI and PFIQ short forms across four multi-center studies and develop conversion formulas between short and long versions. Methods: 1,006 participants in four prospective studies of pelvic floor disorders completed long versions of the PFDI, PFIQ, and SF-36 (or SF-12) at baseline and 3 and 12 months after treatment. Responses were used to calculate scores for the short versions. We calculated correlations between scale versions using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and compared their relative responsiveness using the standardized response mean. Results: PFDI and PFIQ short form scale scores demonstrated excellent correlations with long versions and similar responsiveness. Responsiveness was good to excellent for PFDI-20 urinary and prolapse scales, moderate forPFDI-20 colorectal scale and each of the PFIQ-7 scales, and poor for SF-36 (or SF-12) summary scores. Conversion formulas demonstrated excellent goodness of fit. Conclusions: The long and short forms of the PFDI and PFIQ correlate well and have similar overall responsiveness in participants from four different prospective multicenter studies consisting of diverse patient populations with a broad rangeof pelvic floor disorders. The short formsprovidea reliable and valid alternative in situationswhere reduced response burden is desired. Neurourol. Urodynam. 30:541–546, 2011. 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Aquatic Habitat Bottom Classification Using ADCP

Description of physical aquatic habitat often includes data describing distributions of water depth, velocity, and bed material type. Water depth and velocity in streams deeper than about 1 m may be continuously mapped using an acoustic Doppler current profiler from a moving boat. Herein we examine the potential of using the echo signal strength from the bed as an indicator of bed material type. Mean signal strength from soft muddy beds was consistently 10-20 dB lower than mean signal strength from noncohesive gravel or sand beds. Sand beds tended to have larger site-to-site variation means 30 to 19 dB than for fines 43 to 38 dB or gravel 23 to 20 dB.
Sleep and daytime sleepiness in upper airway resistance syndrome compared to obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome

This study has investigated differences in the nocturnal sleep and daytime sleepiness among patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), upper airway resistance (UARS), sleep hypopnoea syndrome, and normal control subjects, using sleep scoring and spectral activity analysis of the electroencephalogram (EEG). Twelve nonobese males with UARS aged 30-60 yrs were recruited. These subjects were strictly matched for age and body mass index with twelve OSAS patients, 12 sleep hypopnoea syndrome patients, and 12 normal controls, all male. Daytime sleepiness was evaluated using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT). The macrostructure of sleep was determined using international criteria and spectral analysis of the sleep EEG was obtained from a central lead. The sleep macrostructure of OSAS and UARS patients was significantly different from that of controls. These patients were also sleepier during the daytime than controls. Complaints of tiredness and daytime sleepiness, ESS and MSLT scores were similar in the different patient groups. Mild dysmorphia was present in all three patient groups. However, nocturnal sleep was significantly different among the different groups. OSAS patients had significantly more awake time during sleep than the UARS patients. The spectral activity of the total sleep time of the patient groups also differed significantly from that of controls. When the sleep spectral activity of UARS and OSAS patients were compared, OSAS patients had less slow wave sleep activity than UARS patients. UARS patients had a significantly higher absolute power in the 7-9 Hz bandwidth than OSAS patients. The absolute delta power over the different sleep cycles was also different between controls and patients, and between UARS and OSAS patients. There are clear differences in the macrostructure and spectral activity of sleep between upper airway resistance and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome patients, demonstrated by differences in the cortical activity recorded in the central lead during sleep. Despite these nocturnal sleep differences, the tests of subjective daytime sleepiness are not significantly different.
An investigation on different parameters used for characterizing short cotton fibers

The quantity of short fibers in a cotton sample is an important cotton quality parameter. Short cotton fibers have detrimental impacts on yarn production performance and yarn quality. There are different parameters for characterizing the amount of short fibers in a cotton sample. The most widely used parameter is short fiber content (SFC). However, SFC has a significant shortcoming of very high measured variation. An investigation was carried out to compare the short fiber parameters to find a parameter that has lower variation and predicts yarn properties similarly as SFC does, including SFC defined at 0.5 inch length, SFC defined at 16 mm length, lower half mean length (LHML), floating fiber index (FFI), floating fiber percentage (FFP), and relative short fiber content (Rel. SFC). Based on our experimental data, we found that LHML had the lowest variation, was highly correlated with SFC, and predicted yarn properties similarly as SFC did. Therefore, LHML is a suitable alternative to short fiber content.
Structural and Functional Dynamics of Human Centromeric Chromatin

Centromeres are the elements of chromosomes that assemble the proteinaceous kinetochore, maintain sister chromatid cohesion, regulate chromosome attachment to the spindle, and direct chromosome movement during cell division. Although the functions of centromeres and the proteins that contribute to their complex structure and function are conserved in eukaryotes, centromeric DNA diverges rapidly. Human centromeres are particularly complicated. Here, we review studies on the organization of homogeneous arrays of chromosome-specific alpha-satellite repeats and evolutionary links among eukaryotic centromeric sequences. We also discuss epigenetic mechanisms of centromere identity that confer structural and functional features of the centromere through DNA-protein interactions and post-translational modifications, producing centromere-specific chromatin signatures. The assembly and organization of human centromeres, the contributions of satellite DNA to centromere identity and diversity, and the mechanism whereby centromeres are distinguished from the rest of the genome reflect ongoing puzzles in chromosome biology.
Displaying three dimensional antenna patterns on personal computers

The authors describe a program, 3D, which has been developed to display three-dimensional antenna patterns on IBM personal computers and compatibles. With 3D, personal computers are now capable of displaying complex patterns in high-resolution graphics within reasonable time constraints. The program displays any antenna pattern that is expressed in a spherical coordinate equation and eliminates hidden lines regardless of pattern orientation. The use of several hidden line algorithms optimizes the time necessary to view patterns with different levels of three-dimensional accuracy. Examples illustrating this approach are presented. >
SDMtoolbox: a python-based GIS toolkit for landscape genetic, biogeographic and species distribution model analyses

Summary 1. Species distribution models (SDMs) are broadly used in ecological and evolutionary studies. Almost all SDM methods require extensive data preparation in a geographic information system (GIS) prior to model building. Often, this step is cumbersome and, if not properly done, can lead to poorly parameterized models or in some cases, if too difficult, prevents the realization of SDMs. Further, for many studies, the creation of SDMs is not the final result and the post-modelling processing can be equally arduous as other steps. 2. SDMtoolbox is designed to facilitate many complicated pre- and post-processing steps commonly required for species distribution modelling and other geospatial analyses. SDMtoolbox consists of 59 Python script-based GIS tools developed and compiled into a single interface. 3. A large set of the tools were created to complement SDMs generated in Maxent or to improve the predictive performance of SDMs created in Maxent. However, SDMtoolbox is not limited to analyses of Maxent models, and many tools are also available for additional analyses or general geospatial processing: for example, assessing landscape connectivity of haplotype networks (using least-cost corridors or least-cost paths); correcting SDM over-prediction; quantifying distributional changes between current and future SDMs; or for calculating several biodiversity metrics, such as corrected weighted endemism. 4. SDMtoolbox is a free comprehensive python-based toolbox for macroecology, landscape genetic and evolutionary studies to be used in ArcGIS 10.1 (or higher) with the Spatial Analyst extension. The toolkit simplifies many GIS analyses required for species distribution modelling and other analyses, alleviating the need for repetitive and time-consuming climate data pre-processing and post-SDM analyses.
The Simple Dignity of Sentient Life: Speciesism and Human Dignity

Does the very idea of “human dignity” entail some moral disrespect for nonhuman animals? Put otherwise, does the notion of “human dignity” smack of speciesism (roughly, a view whereby nonhuman, sentient individuals are denied [adequate] moral standing on essentially arbitrary grounds)? Animal advocates, like James Rachels, often allege that there is a serious clash between the traditional view of human dignity and adequate moral recognition of nonhuman animals: “The traditional doctrine of human dignity is speciesist to the core, for it implies that the interests of humans have priority over those of all other creatures.” 1 There is a further reason—beyond those put forth in a critique like Rachels’s—to be concerned with the claim that the very idea of human dignity is an impediment to the proper moral recognition of animals. The ascendancy of an important modern moral notion like human dignity should not, it seems, also become an occasion for the subjugation of animals—for example, by providing an alleged rationale for harming them. It would be a cruel irony indeed for an idea that is seen as a source of moral progress—by providing a ground for our moral respect for humans regardless of social class, race, etc.—to become a source for rationalizing harm toward nonhuman animals. This paper will first evaluate the claim that the idea of human dignity is a source of speciesist thinking. Later I will discuss a related question: can the claim that nonhuman animals “have dignity” be rendered fully consistent with a broadly kantian account of (human) dignity?
Virus-like particles in human milk

Human milk from 59 women was studied by electron microscopy for the presence of viruslike particles. 2 types of viruslike particles were seen: 1) a small particle 20-40 mM and 2) a larger particle closely resembling the murine oncogenic ribonucleic acid virus. 8 out of 16 patients with breast cancer and 7 of 43 normal women revealed the presence of the small type of viruslike particles. 8 of 16 patients with breast cancer and only 1 of 43 normal women revealed the presence of the larger viruslike particles. This 1 normal woman had a positive family history of breast cancer. Work of other research groups studying these viruslike particles is reviewed.
An instrument for assessing public health system performance: validity in rural settings.

ABSTRACT: Purpose: This study evaluated the validity and utility of the Local Public Health System Assessment Instrument (Local Instrument) of the National Public Health Performance Standards Program in rural settings. Methods: The study compared the Local Instrument scores of 6 rural local public health systems to external assessments of those public health systems. The 6 public health systems represented 3 states in which 1 of the 2 local jurisdictions had scored well below and the other well above the state median in a pilot test of the Local Instrument. The study design featured a case study approach consisting of an iterative and integrated combination of semistructured individual and focus group interviews along with the collection of archival materials provided by the 6 public health systems. Findings: Despite differences in Local Instrument scores, the representative public health systems in each state provided roughly the same levels of public health services. Sites varied tremendously in the percentage of survey items rated highly or less relevant. Conclusions: The National Public Health Performance Standards Program Local Instrument can provide a useful structure and process for assessing public health system performance at the local level. Key informants provided several recommendations to improve the Local Instrument, including clarification of difficult terminology and acronyms, and development of multiple instruments structured around subsets of survey items.
Threshold conditions for a random laser mode

Random lasers are simplest miniature sources of stimulated emission without cavity. The developed model adequately describes the dependence of threshold pumping energy density versus radius of the pumped spot, which is experimentally obtained in Nd/sub 0.5/La/sub 0.5/Al/sub 3/(BO/sub 3/)/sub 4/ scattering ceramic.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE GROWTH PROMOTING HORMONE OF THE ANTERIOR LOBE OF THE PITUITARY UPON GROWTH ACTIVITY IN THE LONG BONES OF THE RAT11

THE EXPERIMENTS reported here were undertaken to determine if a resumption of growth activity, induced by administration of the growth promoting hormone of the anterior lobe of the pituitary, could be demonstrated histologically in the presence of persistent but inactive zones of growth in the long bones. We also wished to determine if such growth activity could be correlated with the increase in body weight characteristic of the action of the hormone in appropriately selected experimental animals. Most of the studies of the growth promoting hormone have been concerned with the end results of growth; that is, gross increase in size and weight of the animals or of individual organs and increase in length of the bones. The literature on these studies, and on the question of the existence of a separate growth promoting hormone, has recently been reviewed (1).
The dynamics of death in prostate cancer.

The hazard function provides the instantaneous probability of death (or other key end point) at various times after diagnosis. Unlike the survival curve, the hazard function illustrates graphically or through calculations when deaths are common or uncommon. In this study, hazard functions were derived for prostate cancer by using survival data on large numbers of patients with prostate cancer with data in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. The results demonstrate a form of prostate cancer that rapidly evolves to cause death within 5 years, and this form of tumor is only partly identified by routine prognostic variables such as serum prostatespecific antigen (PSA) level, histologic grade, and quantity of tumor. The results also validate the presence of a reservoir of nonfatal prostate cancers that have increased rapidly during the PSA era, and they demonstrate that the incidence of fatal prostate cancers has declined.
Spatiotemporal patterning during T cell activation is highly diverse

Temporal and spatial variations in the concentrations of signaling intermediates in a living cell are important for signaling in complex networks because they modulate the probabilities that signaling intermediates will interact with each other. We have studied 30 signaling sensors, ranging from receptors to transcription factors, in the physiological activation of murine ex vivo T cells by antigen-presenting cells. Spatiotemporal patterning of these molecules was highly diverse and varied with specific T cell receptors and T cell activation conditions. The diversity and variability observed suggest that spatiotemporal patterning controls signaling interactions during T cell activation in a physiologically important and discriminating manner. In support of this, the effective clustering of a group of ligand-engaged receptors and signaling intermediates in a joint pattern consistently correlated with efficient T cell activation at the level of the whole cell.
To what degree are invaders drivers or passengers of phylogenetic community structure

Bennett et al. (2014, Journal of Vegetation Science 25: 1315–1326), test the biotic resistance hypothesis and show that the phylogenetic structure of the invaded community responds to an invader, rather than driving invasion patterns. More such field experiments are needed, including those that manipulate the phylogenetic structure of communities at multiple spatial scales, to disentangle phylogenetic biotic resistance from other drivers of invasion patterns.
Semantic adaptation of schema mappings when schemas evolve

Schemas evolve over time to accommodate the changes in the information they represent. Such evolution causes invalidation of various artifacts depending on the schemas, such as schema mappings. In a heterogenous environment, where cooperation among data sources depends essentially upon them, schema mappings must be adapted to reflect schema evolution. In this study, we explore the mapping composition approach for addressing this mapping adaptation problem. We study the semantics of mapping composition in the context of mapping adaptation and compare our approach with the incremental approach of Velegrakis et al [21]. We show that our method is superior in terms of capturing the semantics of both the original mappings and the evolution. We design and implement a mapping adaptation system based on mapping composition as well as additional mapping pruning techniques that significantly speed up the adaptation. We conduct comprehensive experimental analysis and show that the composition approach is practical in various evolution scenarios. The mapping language that we consider is a nested relational extension of the second-order dependencies of Fagin et al [7]. Our work can also be seen as an implementation of the mapping composition operator of the model management framework.
Small individual loans and mental health: a randomized controlled trial among South African adults.

Background: In the developing world, access to small, individual loans has been variously hailed as a poverty-alleviation tool – in the context of "microcredit" – but has also been criticized as "usury" and harmful to vulnerable borrowers. Prior studies have assessed effects of access to credit on traditional economic outcomes for poor borrowers, but effects on mental health have been largely ignored. Methods: Applicants who had previously been rejected (n = 257) for a loan (200% annual percentage rate – APR) from a lender in South Africa were randomly assigned to a "second-look" that encouraged loan officers to approve their applications. This randomized encouragement resulted in 53% of applicants receiving a loan they otherwise would not have received. All subjects were assessed 6–12 months later with questions about demographics, socio-economic status, and two indicators of mental health: the Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression Scale (CES-D) and Cohen's Perceived Stress scale. Intent-to-treat analyses were calculated using multinomial probit regressions. Results: Randomization into receiving a "second look" for access to credit increased perceived stress in the combined sample of women and men; the findings were stronger among men. Credit access was associated with reduced depressive symptoms in men, but not women. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that a mechanism used to reduce the economic stress of extremely poor individuals can have mixed effects on their experiences of psychological stress and depressive symptomatology. Our data support the notion that mental health should be included as a measure of success (or failure) when examining potential tools for poverty alleviation. Further longitudinal research is needed in South Africa and other settings to understand how borrowing at high interest rates affects gender roles and daily life activities. CCT: ISRCTN 10734925
A model to predict the influence of temperature on rhizome johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) development

Abstract Research was conducted to formulate a temperature-dependent population-level model to predict rhizome johnsongrass development to the four-leaf stage. A nonlinear poikilotherm rate equation was used to describe development rates as a function of temperature. Development rate was highest at 36 C and declined at higher temperatures. A temperature-independent Weibull function adequately distributed development times for the population. Coupling the poikilotherm rate equation and the Weibull distribution function yielded a model suitable for characterizing rhizome johnsongrass development to the four-leaf growth stage. The model was tested and validated against independent data sets. Model predictions of 80% of rhizome johnsongrass population at the four-leaf stage were used as the central point of a 4-d application window for using reduced rates of herbicides in johnsongrass management programs. This application window included an average interval of 85 to 99% of johnsongrass population at the desir...
Genomic Discoveries and Personalized Medicine in Neurological Diseases

In the past decades, we have witnessed dramatic changes in clinical diagnoses and treatments due to the revolutions of genomics and personalized medicine. Undoubtedly we also met many challenges when we use those advanced technologies in drug discovery and development. In this review, we describe when genomic information is applied in personal healthcare in general. We illustrate some case examples of genomic discoveries and promising personalized medicine applications in the area of neurological disease particular. Available data suggest that individual genomics can be applied to better treat patients in the near future.
Stochastic Method for Earthquake Response Spectra

Introduction du concept de fiabilite dans le calcul parasismique. Nouvelle methode et developpement d'un procede pratique pour obtenir le spectre de reponse stochastique pour le calcul
Wisdom's Imagination: Moral Reasoning and the Book of Proverbs

A common assumption about Israelite wisdom literature is the presumed naivete, simplicity, or rigidity of the worldview represented by Proverbs, especially in contrast to other Israelite wisdom books. This article argues that, to the contrary, Proverbs evidences a richly imaginative character of moral reasoning that points to a fairly complex understanding of the moral world. Informed by the work of cognitive linguist Mark Johnson, this study explores several aspects of the pedagogy of imagination in the book, including the use of cognitive prototypes and metaphor, and it discusses how these tropes function as structures of moral reasoning. Further, this article considers the implications of these elements for the book's implicit view of the moral world, as well as its pedagogical goal of training the young in wisdom.