cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Redetermination of eveite, Mn2AsO4(OH), based on single-crystal X-ray diffraction data

The crystal structure of eveite, ideally Mn2(AsO4)(OH) [dimanganese(II) arsenate(V) hydroxide], was refined from a single crystal selected from a co-type sample from Langban, Filipstad, Varmland, Sweden. Eveite, dimorphic with sarkinite, is structurally analogous with the important rock-forming mineral andalusite, Al2OSiO4, and belongs to the libethenite group. Its structure consists of chains of edge-sharing distorted [MnO4(OH)2] octa­hedra (..2 symmetry) extending parallel to [001]. These chains are cross-linked by isolated AsO4 tetra­hedra (..m symmetry) through corner-sharing, forming channels in which dimers of edge-sharing [MnO4(OH)] trigonal bipyramids (..m symmetry) are located. In contrast to the previous refinement from Weissenberg photographic data [Moore & Smyth (1968). Am. Mineral. 53, 1841–1845], all non-H atoms were refined with anisotropic displacement param­eters and the H atom was located. The distance of the donor and acceptor O atoms involved in hydrogen bonding is in agreement with Raman spectroscopic data. Examination of the Raman spectra for arsenate minerals in the libethenite group reveals that the position of the peak originating from the O—H stretching vibration shifts to lower wavenumbers from eveite, to adamite, zincolivenite, and olivenite.
Polynomial invariants of knots in lens spaces

Abstract We characterize the polynomials that can arise as Alexander polynomial of (homotopically nontrivial) knots in classical lens spaces. Our main geometric argument contains an algorithm to produce knots realizing these polynomials.
Image Analysis Compared with Other Methods for Measuring Ground Cover

ABSTRACT Ground cover is a key indicator of rangeland health but conventional methods for measuring ground cover are labor intensive. Analysis of digital images has the potential to reduce ground-cover-measurement labor requirements. We compared cover measurements by image analyses of digital images (sensor resolution = 0.97 mm/pixel ground sample distance) with measurements derived from a laser point frame, and from two transect methods. We found there was low agreement in plot-to-plot comparisons but results were usually not different when averaged over a large number of plots or transects. We conclude that image analysis of large numbers of samples (images) produce mean values not different from conventional field methods, and, that image analysis is a superior choice for detecting relative change, since it facilitates greater data collection, reduces human bias by limiting human judgments, and provides a permanent record in images that can be retained for future scrutiny.
Kinetics of pollutant formation and destruction in combustion

Publisher Summary There are five principal classes of pollutant species that are emitted from combustion sources: nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, organic compounds, sulfur oxides, and particulates including aerosols. The pollutant emission levels from a particular combustion device depend upon the interaction between physical and chemical processes occurring within the device. In general, the concentrations of various pollutant species in the exhaust differ from calculated equilibrium values, indicating the importance of chemical kinetics in the pollutant formation process. Hence, information on pollutant chemistry is essential for the development of analytical models for pollutant formation and also serves to provide a qualitative understanding of the factors affecting pollutant emissions. This chapter reviews recent investigations of the kinetics of formation and destruction of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and organic pollutants. It also discusses the coupling between the pollutant chemistry and the combustion process. To predict nitrogen oxide formation rates near the combustion zone, coupling of the nitrogen oxide formation process to the combustion process must be considered. The chapter discusses several approaches for coupling nitrogen oxide formation and combustion.
Hydrogen storage properties of N-doped microporous carbon

A N-doped microporous carbon was synthesized by using NaY as a hard template and acetonitrile as the carbon and nitrogen precursor. The hydrogen storage measurements indicated that the N-doped microporous carbon had an 18% higher storage capacity than the pure carbon with a similar surface area. Furthermore, hydrogen storage via spillover was studied on a sample comprising Pt supported on N-doped microporous carbon, and a storage capacity of 1.26 wt % at 298 K and 10 MPa was obtained, showing an enhancement factor of 2.4 by spillover. In addition, the Pt/N-doped microporous carbon exhibited 1.46 times the storage capacity of Pt/microporous carbon. Significantly higher heats of adsorption were obtained on the N-doped microporous carbon samples than that on undoped carbons for both H2 adsorption and adsorption by spillover. The experimental results were consistent with the theoretical calculations from the literature.
Levels of Altruism

The phenomenon of altruism extends from the biological realm to the human sociocultural realm. This article sketches a coherent outline of multiple types of altruism of progressively increasing scope that span these two realms and are grounded in an ever-expanding sense of “self.” Discussion of this framework notes difficulties associated with altruism at different levels. It links scientific ideas about the evolution of cooperation and about hierarchical order to perennial philosophical and religious concerns. It offers a conceptual background for inquiry into societal challenges that call for altruistic behavior, especially the challenge of environmental and social sustainability.
Influence of salinity on the rates of oxygen consumption in two species of freshwater fishes, Phoxinus erythrogaster (family Cyprinidae), and Fundulus catenatus (family Fundulidae)

A dye process in a textile plant in southern Kentucky (USA) produces large quantities of saline waste-water which eventually enter Lake Cumberland via a municipal sewage treatment plant on Lily Creek. The impact of hypersaline conditions on two fish species native to the Cumberland River drainage system, redbelly dace (Phoxinus erythrogaster) and northern studfish (Fundulus catenatus), was assessed. These species were subjected to salinities of 0, 4, and 10‰ after which routine oxygen consumtpion values were determined. Significant correlations of salinity with oxygen consumption were demonstrated for both species with P. erythrogaster showing greater overall impact of salinity on metabolic rate.
Performance of reclassification statistics in comparing risk prediction models

Concerns have been raised about the use of traditional measures of model fit in evaluating risk prediction models for clinical use, and reclassification tables have been suggested as an alternative means of assessing the clinical utility of a model. Several measures based on the table have been proposed, including the reclassification calibration (RC) statistic, the net reclassification improvement (NRI), and the integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), but the performance of these in practical settings has not been fully examined. We used simulations to estimate the type I error and power for these statistics in a number of scenarios, as well as the impact of the number and type of categories, when adding a new marker to an established or reference model. The type I error was found to be reasonable in most settings, and power was highest for the IDI, which was similar to the test of association. The relative power of the RC statistic, a test of calibration, and the NRI, a test of discrimination, varied depending on the model assumptions. These tools provide unique but complementary information.
Neutron-absorbing bricks made from CaB6

Abstract A technique is described for making relatively inexpensive neutron-absorbing bricks from commercially available CaB 6 powder. The bricks are 2-in. × 3-in. × 5-in., and are strong enough to withstand normal handling. They last indefinitely; the ones described are now 7 years old, used and stored under normal room temperatures and humidities. The procedure is to make a thick, dry mud with the powder and water, followed by compression in a mold at pressures of about 1 ton/in. 2 or more. The bricks are then baked for 2 hours or longer at a temperature of about 750° C.
Fermi-level pinning in an Al-Ge metal-semiconductor junction.

We studied the energetics and electronic structure of the lattice-matched Al-Ge heterostructure using the self-consistent-field pseudopotential method. We showed that interactions at the interface are on the atomic scale and lead to directional metal-semiconductor bonds subsequent to the elimination of dangling bonds by the adsorption of metal atoms. As previously established, these bonds elongate and become less localized upon metallization of the overlayer, but their directional character is shown to be maintained. Buckling of the metal layers at the interface is favored even though metal and semiconductor lattices are almost commensurate. An analysis of the state and charge density leads to the conclusion that the Fermi level is determined by the metal states that decay into the semiconductor. It is ruled out that the dangling-bond surface states (which become resonance states in the conduction-band continua of metal) determine the Fermi level for the Al-Ge heterostructure.
The response of pearl millet to changes in nitrogen concentration or form during grain fill

Abstract Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is a potentially productive, high‐yielding grain crop in the southeastern USA. A lack of response in pearl millet grain yield to fertilizer N in field studies indicates pearl millet may be able to remobilize N from vegetative to reproductive tissue. The N remobilization capabilities of a plant can be affected by the form of N supplemented. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of N‐form ratio (NH4 + : NO3 ‐) on the N remobilization capabilities of pearl millet when N is removed from the nutrient solution at the boot stage and to evaluate the effects of changing N‐form ratios at the boot stage on the seed yield and N content of pearl millet. Pearl millet was grown in solution culture under greenhouse conditions. There were 10 treatments: an initial NH4 + : NO3 ‐ ratio of 3:1 followed by a change at the boot stage to either all NO3 ‐, no N, or a continuation of the initial ratio; an initial NH4 + : NO3 ‐ ratio of 1:1 followed by a ch...
Effects of Lubricant and Piston Design on Reciprocating Engine Friction

The piston and rings generate a significant fraction of the total friction in a reciprocating engine, with comparable contributions from the rings and from the piston. In order to develop strategies to reduce overall engine friction, a piston model was used to examine the effects of lubricant, piston design, and material surface characteristics on piston friction. The analysis was performed on a large-bore reciprocating natural-gas engine. First, opportunities in friction reduction via lubricant supply and lubricant formulation were evaluated. This was done by studying how oil film thickness, viscosity, and its temperature dependence affect piston hydrodynamic and boundary-contact friction. Piston design parameters investigated include piston skirt profiles that are more realistic and varied than those previously studied. The piston material was also analyzed in terms of surface waviness. The results show how individual design parameters can be combined to generate the aggregate benefit in engine friction reduction.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Design of a high speed friction and wear machine with test results for steels

Abstract A high speed pin-on-disc wear tester designed for 250–3000 cm s −1 speeds and 25–150 gf loads was operated to determine the roles of loading system moment inertia and mechanical compliance on the wear of both hard tool steels and soft mild steel. Sensible wear was observed only for the soft pin-soft disc combination. Results indicated that the inertia and compliance have major effects on the wear rate of soft steel and its friction force. This force was found to be composed of a series of discrete pulses with peak values much greater than the average value. When either the pin or the disc was a hardened steel, the friction pulse amplitude diminished. A qualitative analysis of the machine parameters consistent with test results was developed.
Ethnocultural Person-Environment Fit and College Adjustment: Some Implications for College Counselors.

The authors investigated the relationship between students' ethnocultural person-environment (P-E) fit and college adjustment. They hypothesized differences between P-E fit of ethnocultural minority versus majority students at a predominantly White university but did not expect differences in adjustment. Furthermore, they explored the effects of ethnicity and sex on P-E fit and adjustment. Findings generally supported the hypotheses. The authors provide recommendations to increase college counselors' effectiveness in working with diverse clients.
Influence of Crystallization Condition on Structure of P(VDF-CTFE) Copolymers

The influence of the crystallization condition - temperature and time - on the structure of poly (vinylidene fluoride chlorotrifluoroethylene), P(VDF-CTFE), was studied using DSC and XRD. The DSC results of all studied polymers show three peaks. One peak, which is associated with crystallization temperature, represents the appearance of unstable phase in the polymers. Both XRD and DSC data indicate the coexistence of different phases in the polymers, which may be the reason for the high electrostrictive performance obtained in the polymers.
Extracapsular Cataract Extraction and Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lens Implantation in Uveitis Patients

Purpose: Intraocular lens implantation in uveitis patients has been a controversial issue. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the visual and surgical outcomes of extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) implantation in a diverse group of uveitis patients. Patients and Methods: The results of 39 cases of ECCE and PC IOL implantation in 30 patients with uveitis were retrospectively analyzed. Five patients (six eyes) had pars plana vitrectomies combined with ECCE and PC IOL implantation. Patient age ranged from 26 to 71 years (average, 53.0 years). Specific uveitic syndromes were determined for 22 patients (73.3%). The postoperative follow-up period ranged from 6 to 43 months (average, 20.3 months). Results: Visual acuity improved postoperatively in 38 eyes (97.4%), and this improvement ranged from 1 to 11 Snellen lines (average, 7.5 Snellen lines). Visual acuity improved postoperatively to 20/40 or better in 32 eyes (82%). Seven eyes had visual acuity worse than 20/40, which was attributed to posterior segment abnormalities after ECCE and PC IOL implantation. Uveitis recurred in 20 eyes (51.3%), and postoperative cystoid macular edema (CME) was observed in 18 eyes (46.2%). In all cases, the recurrent uveitis and CME improved or resolved with corticosteroid therapy. Conclusion: These results suggest selected uveitis patients can have improved vision without unacceptable risk for 1 to 3 years after ECCE and PC IOL implantation.
Status Report on the Installation of the Warm Sections for the Superconducting Linac at the SNS

The SNS superconducting linac (SCL) consists of 23 cryomodules (CMs), with possibly 9 additional CMs being added for future energy upgrade from 1 GeV to 1.3 GeV[1, 2]. A total of 32 warm sections separate the comparatively short CMs, and this allows a CM exchange within 48 hours, in order to meet demanding beam availability specifications. The 32 warm section chambers are installed between each pair of CMs, with each section containing a quadrupole doublet, beam diagnostics, and pumping [3]. The chambers are approximately 1.6 m long, have one bellows installed at each end for alignment, and are pumped by one ion-pump. The preparation and installation of these chambers must be made under stringent clean and particulate-free conditions, in order to ensure that the performance of the SCL CMs is not compromised. This paper discusses the development of the cleaning, preparation, and installation procedures that have been adopted for the warm sections, and the vacuum performance of the system.
Inhibition of Suckling-Induced Milk Ejections in the Lactating Rat by Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol*

The effect of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on suckling-induced oxytocin release was investigated by recording intramammary pressure changes in suckled rats treated iv with THC (0.5 mg/kg BW) or vehicle. Latency to the first posttreatment milk ejection and posttreatment milk ejection intervals and pressure wave amplitudes were compared between THC- and vehicle-treated rats. Before treatment, intervals between milk ejections averaged 6.5 +/- 1.3 (+/- SE) and 7.0 +/- 0.7 min for vehicle- and THC-treated groups, respectively. Vehicle injections did not alter the frequency of milk ejections, which continued at an overall mean interval of 7.6 +/- 0.7 min after treatment. In contrast, THC treatment was followed by a transient suspension of milk ejections, with a latency of 59.3 +/- 7.4 min before the first posttreatment milk ejection was recorded (P less than 0.001). Intervals between subsequent ejections averaged 15.3 +/- 2.0 to 16.1 +/- 1.3 min and were lengthened relative to corresponding intervals in vehicle-treated animals (P less than 0.05). The amplitudes of pressure waves were not significantly affected by treatment. Oxytocin (0.5 mU) injections 10 or 30 min after THC treatment evoked abrupt increases in intramammary pressure, indicating continued responsiveness of the mammary gland to oxytocin stimulation. These data suggest that THC interferes with the release of oxytocin in response to suckling. To our knowledge, this provides the first evidence that THC inhibits posterior pituitary function.
Low power soft-output signal detector design for wireless MIMO communication systems

Energy-efficient realization of soft-output signal detection is of great importance in emerging high-speed multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communication systems. This paper presents three algorithm-level complexity-reduction techniques for soft-output detector design to achieve significant energy savings. To demonstrate their effectiveness, we designed a soft-output detector for 4-4 MIMO with 64-QAM using 65nm CMOS technology. While achieving near-optimum detection performance, the detector can support over 100Mbps throughput with only 0.24mm2 silicon area and 11mw power, leading to a ×10 improvement over the state of the art.
Fracture Mechanics Method for Mode-I Interface Evaluation of FRP Bonded to Concrete Substrates

There is a pressing need for development and implementation of advanced materials and methods for rehabilitation of infrastructure worldwide. To this end, externally bonded fiber-reinforced polymer or plastic (FRP) composites to concrete for repair and strengthening has been proven to be an effective technology, but uncertainty remains with durability and long-term performance of the interface bond, requiring developments for effective testing and analysis methods. This paper describes the favorable attributes and implementation of a new experimental fracture approach known as the single contoured cantilever beam (SCCB) specimen to evaluate fracture energy of the FRP–concrete interface. This study describes the design and fabrication of the SCCB specimen; calibration tests to obtain constant compliance rate change and avoid measurements of crack lengths; and application to fracture tests under Mode-I loading to obtain interface fracture energies for glass fibers bonded to both normal and high-performance ...
The Impact of Medical Education Reform on the Racial Health Status Gap, 1920–1930: A Difference-in-Differences Analysis

The racial impact of a quantity–quality tradeoff in physician supply (implemented through medical education reform) made during an era of racial segregation is assessed. The reform produced differential impacts across race and region. The health status of northern blacks improved the most; that of southern blacks the least. Accordingly, the health status gap between northern whites and blacks diminished, but the gap between southern blacks and every other demographic group increased. The path of northern blacks suggests that access to and high quality of health care are both necessary to close the racial gap in health status that persists today.
Glossy15 Controls the Epidermal Juvenile-to-Adult Phase Transition in Maize.

Loss-of-function mutations at the maize Glossy15 (Gl15) locus alter the normal transition from juvenile-to-adult growth by conditioning the abbreviated expression of juvenile epidermal cell traits and the coordinate precocious expression of adult epidermal cell features. These include epicuticular wax composition, cell wall characteristics, and the presence or absence of differentiated epidermal cell types (e.g., epidermal macrohairs and bulliform cells). A transposon-induced mutable allele of Glossy15 (gl15-m1) was isolated and employed in both phenotypic and genetic analyses to characterize the role of Gl15 in the maize juvenile-to-adult phase transition. Comparisons between Gl15-active and Gl15-inactive somatic sectors in the leaves of variegated plants demonstrated that the Gl15 gene product acts in a cell-autonomous manner to direct juvenile epidermal differentiation but does not affect factors that regulate the overall process of phase change. Examination of the gl15-m1 phenotype in the Corngrass1, Teopod1, and Teopod2 mutant backgrounds showed that the prolonged expression of juvenile epidermal traits associated with these mutations also required Gl15 activity. These results support a model whereby the cell-autonomous Gl15 gene product responds to a juvenility program that operates throughout the vegetative shoot to condition the juvenile differentiation of maize leaf epidermal cells.
Tropical thin cirrus and relative humidity observed by the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder

Global observations of cloud and humidity distri- butions in the upper troposphere within all geophysical con- ditions are critically important in order to monitor the present climate and to provide necessary data for validation of cli- mate models to project future climate change. Towards this end, tropical oceanic distributions of thin cirrus optical depth ( ), effective diameter (De), and relative humidity with re- spect to ice (RHi) within cirrus (RHic) are simultaneously derived from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS). Cor- responding increases in De and cloud temperature are shown for cirrus with > 0.25 that demonstrate quantitative consis- tency to other surface-based, in situ and satellite retrievals. However, inferred cirrus properties are shown to be less cer- tain for increasingly tenuous cirrus. In-cloud supersaturation is observed for 8-12% of thin cirrus and is several factors higher than all-sky conditions; even higher frequencies are shown for the coldest and thinnest cirrus. Spatial and tem- poral variations in RHic correspond to cloud frequency while regional variability in RHic is observed to be most promi- nent over the N. Indian Ocean basin. The largest cloud/clear sky RHi anomalies tend to occur in dry regions associated with vertical descent in the sub-tropics, while the smallest occur in moist ascending regions in the tropics. The char- acteristics of RHic frequency distributions depend on and a peak frequency is located between 60-80% that illustrates RHic is on average biased dry. The geometrical thickness of cirrus is typically less than the vertical resolution of AIRS temperature and specific humidity profiles and thus leads to the observed dry bias, shown with coincident cloud ver- tical structure obtained from the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO). The joint distributions of thin cirrus microphysics and humidity derived from AIRS provide unique and important regional and global-scale insights on upper tropospheric processes not available from surface, in situ, and other contemporary satel- lite observing platforms.
Analysis of Heat Transfer in the Corroding Sidewall of a Furnace

A mathematical formulation is developed to calculate the rate of corrosion of a refractory sidewall of a furnace in the presence of free convection in the melt. The free-convection phenomena considered are caused by the dependence of the melt density on its temperature and composition. The formulation involves the statement of equations for heat conduction in the refractory wall and movement of the solid-melt interface. The governing equations and the boundary conditions are transformed into nondimensional forms, and the dimensionless parameters which characterize corrosion in the presence of free convection are identified. The equations are solved by using coordinate transformation and a finite-difference method. Calculated results are presented on the shape of the solid-melt interface, temperature distribution in the corroding wall, and the amount of cooling at the outside surface of the wall. The results show how free convection in the melt interacts with heat conduction in a refractory wall to determine the rate of corrosion of the wall.
The Role of Kv1.2-Containing Potassium Channels in Serotonin-Induced Glutamate Release from Thalamocortical Terminals in Rat Frontal Cortex

Serotonin 5-HT(2A) receptors have been implicated in psychiatric illness and the psychotomimetic effects of hallucinogens. In brain slices, focal stimulation of 5-HT(2A) receptors in rat prefrontal cortex results in dramatically increased glutamate release onto layer V pyramidal neurons, as measured by an increase in "spontaneous" (nonelectrically evoked) EPSCs. This glutamate release is blocked by tetrodotoxin (TTX) and is thought to involve local spiking in thalamocortical axon terminals; however, the detailed mechanism has remained unclear. Here, we investigate parallels in EPSCs induced by either serotonin or the potassium channel blockers 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) or alpha-dendrotoxin (DTX). DTX, a selective blocker of Kv1.1-, Kv1.2-, and Kv1.6-containing potassium channels, has been shown to release glutamate in cortical synaptosomes, presumably by inhibiting a subthreshold-activated, slowly inactivating potassium conductance. By comparing DTX with other potassium channel blockers, we found that the ability to induce EPSCs in cortical pyramidal neurons depends on affinity for Kv1.2 subunits. DTX-induced EPSCs are similar to 5-HT-induced EPSCs in terms of sensitivity to TTX and omega-agatoxin-IVA (a blocker of P-type calcium channels) and laminar selectivity. The involvement of thalamocortical terminals in DTX-induced EPSCs was confirmed by suppression of these EPSCs by micro-opiates and thalamic lesions. More directly, DTX-induced EPSCs substantially occlude those induced by 5-HT, suggesting a common mechanism of action. No occlusion by DTX was seen when EPSCs were induced by a nicotinic mechanism. These results indicate that blockade of Kv1.2-containing potassium channels is part of the mechanism underlying 5-HT-induced glutamate release from thalamocortical terminals.
Arrangement of filaments and cross-links in the bee flight muscle Z disk by image analysis of oblique sections

Information from oblique thin sections and from three-dimensional reconstructions of tilted, transverse thin sections (Cheng, N., and J. F. Deatherage. 1989. J. Cell Biol. 108:1761-1774) has been combined to determine the three-dimensional structure of the honeybee flight muscle Z disk at 70-A resolution. The overall symmetry and structure of the Z disk and its relationship to the rest of the myofibril have been determined by tracing filaments and connecting elements on electron images of oblique sections which have been enhanced by a local crystallographic averaging technique. In the three-dimensional structure, the connecting density between actin filaments can be described as five compact, crystallographically nonequivalent domains. Features C1 and C2 are located on the transverse twofold rotation axes in the central plane of the Z disk. They are associated with the sides of actin filaments of opposite polarity. Features C3, C4, and C5 are present in two symmetry-related sets which are located on opposite sides of the central plane. C3 and C5 are each associated with two filaments of opposite polarity, interacting with the side of one filament and the end of the other filament. C3 and C5 may be involved in stabilizing actin filament ends inside the Z disk. The location of the threefold symmetric connection C4, relative to the thick filament of the adjacent sarcomere, is determined and its possible relationship to the C filament is considered.
Parallel and distributed discrete event simulation: algorithms and applications

This tutorial reviews issues concerning the execution of discrete event simulation programs on multiprocessor and distributed computing platforms. The synchronization problem that has driven much of the research in this field is reviewed. Space-parallel and time-parallel approaches to concurrent execution are described. Experiences in applying these techniques to specific applications are examined. Finally, issues that must be considered to develop efficient concurrent simulation programs are discussed.
Language testing courses: What are they in 2007?:

In 1996, we published an article that investigated the characteristics of basic language testing courses in terms of the instructors, course characteristics, and students. The present study is desi...
An Intelligent Video Surveillance System Based on Multiple Model Particle Filtering

As evidenced by the works of many recent authors, the particle filtering (PF) framework has revolutionized probabilistic visual target tracking. In this paper, we present a new particle filter tracking algorithm that incorporates the switching multiple dynamic model and the technique of state partition with parallel filter banks. Traditionally, most tracking algorithms assume the target operates according to a single dynamic model. However, the single model assumption causes the tracker to become unstable, especially when the target has complex motions, and the camera has abrupt ego-motions. In our new tracking algorithm, the target is assumed to operate according to one dynamic model from a finite set of models. The switching process from one model to another is governed by a so-called jump Markov process. This strategy can effectively capture the target's dynamics. In addition, we have used the state partition technique and a parallel bank of extended Kalman filters (SP-PEKF) to generate the proposal distribution used in the particle filter to achieve further estimation accuracy. We have conducted the testing for the new tracking algorithm, and key outcomes are given in the results section. The preliminary result demonstrates that this new approach yields a significantly improved estimate of the state, enabling the new particle filter to effectively track human subjects in a video sequence where the standard condensation filter fails to maintain track lock.
Isozyme detection and variation in Leucostoma species from Prunus and Malus

Isozyme analysis was used to study the vari? ation among isolates of Leucostoma causing canker on fruit trees. Seventy-seven isolates including 17 from teleomorphs were obtained from six Prunus species and Malus domestica in North America. Thirty-one al- leles were resolved at eight putative loci and the dis? tance and maximum parsimony methods of analysis found the two species of Leucostoma, L. persoonii and L. cincta, to be distinct. The two species had no simi? larity as measured by the coefficient of Jaccard. Par? simony analysis separated the species into two clades with a basal branch supported by 99.8% of the boot- strapped data sets. Fifty six isolates of Leucostoma clus? tered into six phenetic groups. Isolates corresponding to L. persoonii were clustered into three distinct groups, PG1, PG2, and PG3. Those corresponding to L. cincta were clustered into two similar groups on Prunus spp., PG4 and PG5, and a third group on Malus, PG6. Isozyme polymorphism was low within each of the three phenetic groups of L. persoonii, including PG1 that was geographically widespread on many host spe? cies. PG1 was distinct in culture morphology, having a lobate colony margin. Polymorphism was low within L. cincta PG6 on Malus but high within PG4 found on Prunus spp. Isolates from Malus were distinct in cul? tural characteristics and clustered in a separate branch from the other members of the L. cincta clade in 89% ofthe bootstrap trees. Leucostoma persoonii isolates were all able to grow at 33 C, a temperature at which growth ceased in L. cincta isolates. Isozyme polymorphism was evident among seven ascospore progeny of an L. cincta
Cryo-cooled sapphire oscillator with ultra-high stability

We present test results and design details for the first short-term frequency standard to achieve ultra-high stability without the use of liquid helium. With refrigeration provided by a commercial cryocooler, the compensated sapphire oscillator (10 K CSO) makes available the superior short-term stability and phase noise performance of cryogenic oscillators without periodic interruptions for cryogen replacement. Technical features of the 10 K CSO include use of a a-stage cryocooler with vibration isolation by helium gas at atmospheric pressure, and a new sapphire/ruby resonator design giving compensated operation at 8-10 K with Q=1-2/spl times/10/sup 9/. Stability of the first unit shows an Allan Deviation of /spl sigma//sub y//spl les/2.5/spl times/10/sup -15/ for measuring times of 200 seconds /spl les//spl tau//spl les/600 seconds. We also present results showing the capability of the 10 K CSO to eliminate local oscillator degradation for atomic frequency standards. Configured as L.O. for the LITS-7 trapped mercury ion frequency standard, the CSO/LITS combination demonstrated a limiting performance of 3.0/spl times/10/sup -14///spl tau//sup 1/2/, the lowest value measured to date for a passive atomic frequency standard, and virtually identical to the value calculated from photon statistics.
Abstract T MP68: Validating the Association of Peripheral Monocyte Count with 30-Day Case-Fatality in Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Introduction: Preclinical models suggest an inflammatory response mediated by monocytes may contribute to secondary injury after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We recently found an association of absolute monocyte count (AMC) with 30-day case fatality following ICH. We sought to validate this finding in an independent cohort of ICH patients. Hypothesis: AMC is independently associated with 30-day case-fatality following ICH. Methods: The Ethnic/Racial Variations of ICH (ERICH) study is a prospective, multi-center, case-control study of ICH among Caucasian, Black, and Hispanic patients. In 241 adult patients with nontraumatic ICH within 24 hours of symptom onset, demographic information, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), ICH volume, 30-day case-fatality, total white blood cell (WBC) count, absolute neutrophil count (ANC), AMC, and hemoglobin concentration were determined. Participating centers were requested to obtain WBC differentials on the 30 most recently enrolled cases. After receiving data on 411 subjects, we excluded 170 subjects whose initial WBC was >24 hours from onset and in those where monocytes and neutrophils were not available, resulting in 241 cases for the analysis. Linear regression was used to evaluate factors associated with ICH volume (log transformed), and logistic regression for factors associated with 30-day case-fatality. Results: Mean age was 62.8 years (SD ± 14 years), 61.8% were men and 33.6% were Black. Median ICH volume was 9.7ml (IQR 4.3-26.7). After adjusting for patient age and initial hemoglobin, higher ANC (p= 0.001) and total WBC count (p=0.0005) were associated with larger ICH volume, whereas AMC was not (p=0.14). After adjusting for age, GCS, and ICH volume, baseline AMC was independently associated with higher 30-day case-fatality (OR 5.24, 95% CI 1.62-16.89, p=0.0056) whereas ANC (OR 0.85, CI 0.15-4.68, p=0.85) and WBC count (OR 0.58, CI 0.04-7.67, p=0.68) were not. Conclusions: In this independent cohort an association between higher admission monocytes and case fatality was corroborated independent of known clinical variables. This suggests a specific role of monocytes in secondary injury following ICH. Inflammatory and neuronal apoptotic pathways mediated by monocytes may be a target for neuroprotection in ICH.
BM-06MECHANISTIC INVESTIGATIONS OF LEPTOMENINGEAL METASTASIS FROM SOLID TUMORS.

Leptomeningeal metastasis represents a rare but fatal outcome of disseminated cancer. Although much has been learned through observational studies, retrospective analyses and case reports, understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying this complication has been hampered by lack of a mouse model. Therefore, our objective was to create an interrogable mouse model that separates the molecular characteristics required for cancer cell access to the leptomeningeal space from those characteristics needed for cancer cell survival within the CSF. To accomplish this, human and mouse cancer cell lines were subjected to multiple rounds of in vivo selection. First, the cells were selected for survival within the leptomeninges: Parental cell lines were directly injected into the CSF via the cisterna magna and tumor cell growth was monitored with bioluminescent imaging. Cancer cells were collected from the basilar meninges and expanded in culture. After three rounds of this selection, the cells were designated “LeptoR3”. Second, the cells were selected for characteristics allowing for cancer cells to access the leptomeningeal space. The triple-selected “LeptoR3” cells were disseminated hematogenously via intracardiac injection. Mice were monitored for development of leptomeningeal metastases with bioluminescent imaging. After development of leptomeningeal mestastasis, these cells were collected, designated “LeptoIC” and expanded in culture. Finally, the Lepto IC, Lepto R3 and parental cell lines were subjected to gene expression profiling by RNASeq. The transcriptomal profiles of these cell lines demonstrate that leptomeningeal metastases employ a distinct array of genes to gain access to the leptomeningeal space and to survive once there. These mouse models represent a powerful tool for the molecular dissection of leptomeningeal metastasis.
Tests for hypothyroidism in school children.

Venous blood samples were obtained from 1,759 children, 6 to 14 years of age, in 12 schools in Los Angeles with a total enrollment of 2,502. Serum protein-bound iodine (PBI) and cholesterol were measured and 131I T3 resin uptake and T4 iodine were determined by column tests. For 139 children, column values for T4 iodine were compared with manual PBI results in the same sera; the means were, respectively, 4.7 and 5.6 μ g. per 100 ml. Semiautomated Robot Chemist PBI values (range 4.0 to 8.1) were compared with manual PBI values (range 3.2 to 13.2). The percentages of 131I T3 resin uptake had a negative correlation with the PBI values, coefficient –0.31096. No diagnostic value of this test was evident. In serum PBI determinations done by the manual technic for 570 Caucasian school children, 4.5% of the values were below 4 μ g. per 100 ml. These children were studied for evidence of need for thyroxine medication; 2.6% are being treated. Examples of high serum PBI levels maintained for three years on thyroxine medication are shown. It is suggested that biochemical values affected by hypothyroxinemia should be used to establish the diagnosis of hypothyroidism, of thyroid hormone in the serum.
Ideation Variety in Mechanical Design: Examining the Effects of Cognitive Style and Design Heuristics

This paper examines ideation variety as a measure of the extent to which a design solution space has been explored. We investigated one cognitive factor (cognitive style) and one cognitive intervention (Design Heuristics cards) and their relationships with students’ ideation variety, both actual and perceived. Cognitive style was measured using the Kirton Adaption-Innovation inventory (KAI), while variety scores were computed using the metrics of Nelson et al. [18] and Shah et al. [20]; an adapted form of these metrics was also explored. A group of 132 sophomore mechanical engineering students generated ideas for two design problems (one with and one without Design Heuristics cards). They sketched and described their conceptual solutions in words and assessed the variety of their solutions after ideation. Linear statistical techniques were applied to explore the relationships among the variety scores, students’ self-assessments of variety, cognitive style, quantity of ideas, and the presence of the Design Heuristics intervention. Our results show statistically significant correlations between students’ perceived variety and their variety performance, and between cognitive style and both variety performance and student perceptions.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
A chicken c-Rel-estrogen receptor chimeric protein shows conditional nuclear localization, DNA binding, transformation and transcriptional activation.

In this report, we characterize the biological and biochemical properties of a conditional protein containing chicken c-Rel fused to the hormone-binding domain of the human estrogen receptor. This chimeric c-RelER protein causes estrogen-dependent, but otherwise c-Rel-specific, transformation of avian fibroblasts in vitro. Our results demonstrate that c-RelER heterodimerizes with wild-type c-Rel and forms specific complexes with IκB-α. Estrogen causes translocation of c-RelER to the nucleus and stabilizes its binding to DNA. Hormone-activated c-RelER induces transcription of at least four cellular genes that are constitutively active in wild-type c-Rel-transformed fibroblasts. Two distinct cell populations were examined that differed with respect to their growth phenotypes. The growth of fibroblasts with moderate expression levels of c-RelER was stimulated by estrogen. In contrast, the addition of estrogen to cells with high c-RelER expression levels resulted in inhibition of cytokinesis and the arrest of growth. The carboxy terminal transactivation domain of c-Rel was required for the induction of these effects since neither v-Rel nor c-Rel deletion mutants were able to induce similar changes. Taken together, our results demonstrate that high levels of c-Rel expression can affect cell cycle control and/or cytokinesis. Furthermore, they also indicate that the biological properties of c-Rel in cell growth and differentiation will potentially differ depending on the level of expression.
Concepts of least squares optimal linearization

This paper introduces the concepts of least squares optimal linearization. Conventionally, one linearizes a nonlinear system around a reference point by keeping the linear term in a Taylor series expansion. The proposed method, on the other hand. determines the best linear approximation to a nonlinear system in the least squares sense, over specified ranges of states and controls. The conventional linearization method provides a linear model valid only for small deviations from the reference condition, and requires the given nonlinear system to be at least differentiable at the reference point. In contrast, optimal linearization provides a useful linear model of a nonlinear system over a finite region, and applies to a much larger class of nonlinear functions. In this paper, we obtain the unique solutions to least squares optimal linearizations on symmetric and general hypercubic regions. For systems partially linear in some variables (states and/or controls). the proposed method calls for finding the optimal linearization for the nonlinear part, and finding the average coefficients for the linear part. -4s the region of interest shrinks to zero around the reference point, conventional and least squares optimal linearizations produce the same result for continuously differentiable functions. A &st-order example is used at the beginning to explain basic concepts and advantages of least squares optimal linearization. A second-order system is given at the end as an example of applications. Theoretically, the methods of optimal linearization present a new and general framework for obtaining better linear models from nonlinear systems. In practical applications, these methods require integrations instead of differentiations. As a result. systems that are not necessarily differentiable can be linearized, and experimental data may be directly integrated to yield linear models
Social Geographies at Play: Mapping the Spatial Politics of Community-Based Youth Sport Participation

Organized youth sports programs (YSP) provide opportunities for participation in physical activity, and represent an important part of the broader public health agenda in the U.S. YSP not only provide physiological health benefits through active participation, but also promote social relationships within communities. In this study, we (1) investigated participants’ travel to access YSP located in neighborhoods historically delineated by an over/under-representation of socio-economic and/or racial diversity; and (2) examined the neighborhood demographics for those YSP participants who traveled the most/least to participate. Five years of demographic and GIS visualization data from participants in a publically-provisioned youth sport league network were analyzed. Significant differences were found between the travel distances of participants in different sports, and between the travel distances of participants from neighborhoods with different racial and/or socio-economic composition. This research expands understanding of the potential segregation effects of community-based YSP for various stakeholder groups.
Effect of hormones on lipolysis and esterification of free fatty acids during incubation of adipose tissue in vitro

Using a new approach based on simultaneous measurements of net changes in glycerol and free fatty acids, the rates of lipolysis and of fatty acid esterification were estimated in rat epididymal fat pads under various conditions in vitro. Glycerol release, taken as a measure of the rate of lipolysis, was stimulated by epinephrine, norepinephrine, glucagon, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and growth hormone (GH). When lipolysis was stimulated by epinephrine, glucagon, ACTH, or TSH, the calculated rate of esterification was also increased, although to a lesser extent, of course. GH, which produced a relatively small increase in the rate of lipolysis, produced no detectable increase in rate of esterification. The stimulatory effect of epinephrine, ACTH, and GH on lipolysis was inhibited by 10−2 m NaF but there was no detectable inhibition of the basal glycerol release from tissues incubated in the absence of hormones. Data are presented suggesting that small amounts of epinephrine (0.3 μg), ACTH (0.12 U), or glucagon (15 μg) are largely inactivated during 30 min of incubation with a fat pad under the conditions employed. The effects of GH and TSH, on the other hand, persisted without diminution for at least 60 min, consonant with the view that the effects of GH on lipolysis in adipose tissue are due to TSH contained in it rather than to ACTH.