cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Solar zenith and viewing geometry‐dependent errors in satellite retrieved cloud optical thickness: Marine stratocumulus case

[1] The error in the domain-averaged cloud optical thickness retrieved from satellite-based imagers is investigated using a cloud field generated by a cloud model and a 3D radiative transfer model. The objective of this study is to identify the optimal geometry for the optical thickness retrieval and quantify the error. The cloud field used in the simulation is a relatively uniform (retrieved shape parameter of a gamma distribution averaged over all simulated viewing and solar zenith angles is 18) and nearly isotropic stratocumulus field. The retrieved cloud cover with a 1-km pixel resolution is 100%. The domain-averaged optical thickness error is separated into two terms, the error caused by an assumption of a horizontally uniform cloud over a 1-km pixel (internal variability) and error caused by neglecting the horizontal flux through the boundary of subpixels (external variability). For the cloud field used in this study, the external variability term increases with solar zenith angle and the sign changes from negative to positive while the internal variability term is generally negative and becomes more negative as the solar zenith angle increases. At a small solar zenith angle, therefore, both terms are negative, but the error partially cancels at a large solar zenith angle. When the solar zenith angle is less than 30°, both terms are small; the error in the viewing zenith angle and domain-averaged cloud optical thickness derived from the relative azimuth angle smaller than 150 is less than 10%. However, if the optical thickness is derived from nadir view only for overhead sun, the domain-averaged optical thickness is underestimated by more than 10%. When the solar zenith angle increases to 60°, the internal variability term exceeds 10%, especially viewed from the forward direction, but the domain and viewing zenith angle averaged optical thickness error can be less than 10% in the backward direction. When the solar zenith angle is 70°, both terms are greater than 10%. The shape parameter of a gamma distribution derived from retrieved optical thicknesses increases with the viewing zenith angle but decreases with solar zenith angle. On the basis of this simulation and Terra Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) viewing geometry and solar zenith angle at the sampling time over the northeastern Pacific, the error in the domain-averaged retrieved optical thickness of uniform stratocumulus over northeastern Pacific is less than 10% in March and September.
SOFT, STIFF AND SERVO-CONTROLLED TESTING MACHINES: A REVIEW WITH REFERENCE TO ROCK FAILURE

Abstract Testing machines have become increasingly sophisticated and versatile since they were first introduced in the early eighteenth century. Two recent advances in testing machine technology are of particular importance for laboratory studies of rock failure: the development of machines with stiff frames and the use of feedback control systems. Force has been traditionally regarded as the independent variable in materials testing but the inevitable outcome of a rock mechanics test with a constant loading rate is violent uncontrolled failure at the peak of the force—displacement curve. Rock failure can be controlled if displacement is regarded as the independent variable and a constant displacement rate can be achieved in a testing machine with a stiff frame or a feedback control system. This review contains a brief history of testing machines and a detailed discussion of the principles involved in controlling rock failure with stiff and servo-controlled testing machines. The development of stiff testing machines is followed from 1935 to the present day and the rock specimen stiffness and testing machine stiffness (factors that are neither fixed nor independent) are discussed in detail. In a closed-loop servo-controlled testing machine, the ability to control rock failure is governed by the fast response time and correct choice of feedback signal. These factors are explained and examples are given of the precise control that can now be achieved in experimental studies of rock failure that were impractical or impossible several years ago.
CO2−Fluorocarbon and CO2−Hydrocarbon Interactions from First-Principles Calculations

The interactions of CO2 with small hydrocarbons and fluorocarbons (CH4, C2H6, CF4, and C2F6) are investigated using the Hartree−Fock and second-order many-body perturbation theory (MP2) methods. Hartree−Fock calculations with flexible basis sets fail to give appreciable binding for any of the four dimers. In contrast, MP2 calculations using flexible basis sets and including corrections for basis-set superposition error give binding energies of the CO2−CH4, CO2−C2H6, CO2−CF4, and CO2−C2F6 clusters ranging from −0.79 to −1.17 kcal/mol. The binding energies for the CO2−hydrocarbon complexes are slightly larger in magnitude than the corresponding CO2−perfluorocarbon clusters.
Modeling the thermodynamic properties of sodium chloride in steam through extended corresponding states

Recent precise data on anomalous behavior of apparent molar properties of electrolyte solutions in near-critical steam have raised important questions as to how the thermodynamic properties of these systems should be described. Current Gibbs free energy models fail for highly compressible solutions. Here, a Helmholtz free energy formulation is presented as a first step in modeling compressible dilute aqueous electrolyte solutions. Comparisons are made with the known critical line, coexistence curves, apparent molar volumes, and heat capacities of NaCl in steam, and conclusions presented on improving the model.
Preparing Students for the Behavioral Job Interview.

Preparing students for the behavioral description, or situational, job interview that is becoming common in business requires two components. In addition to (a) improving students' cognitive skills (learning about the company, preparing questions and answers) and affective skills (dress, composure, delivery), it requires (b) developing students' ability to answer behaviorally based questions. Most textbooks focus on the first component. This article suggests ways to take typical interview questions, translate them to behavioral questions, and prepare illustrative responses.
Valence photoelectron satellites of neon

Synchrotron radiation was directed at neon gas, creating Ne/sup +/ ions in ''satellite'' states characterized by the configurations 1s/sup 2/2s/sup 2/2p/sup 4/nl, in addition to the main-line final states: 2s/sup -1/ and 2p/sup -1/. Satellite features appearing in the photoelectron spectrum were studied in the near-threshold region with photon energies from 55.2 to 99.7 eV. For three of the satellite peaks, the angular-distribution-asymmetry parameter ..beta../sub i/ varies with kinetic energy in much the same way as the asymmetry parameter of the 2p line. None of the satellites have a ..beta../sub i/ like that of the 2s line. All the satellite partial cross sections sigma/sub i/ have a kinetic-energy dependence similar to the partial cross section of the 2p main line. However, the sigma/sub i/ curves are not identical, and some deviation from the 2p intensity behavior is observed. These ..beta../sub i/ and sigma/sub i/ results are used to confirm the previous assignments of the satellite final states in neon and to consider, in general, the energy-dependent behavior of satellites near threshold.
3-connected graphs with non-cut contractible edge covers of size k

In this paper, we show that if a 3-connected graph G other than K4 has a vertex subset K that covers the set of contractible edges of G and if |K| 3 and |V(G)| 3|K| − 1, then K is a cutset of G. We also give examples to show that this result is best possible. In particular, the result does not hold for K with smaller cardinality.
War, Words and Self-Perpetuating Force: Timely Reflections in the Light of Simone Weil:

The author presents Simone Weil’s theory that force, an inherent part of the human condition, generates and regenerates its own existence. She examines three essays by Weil: ‘The Iliad or a Poem of Force’, ‘Reflections on War’, and ‘The Power of Words’. Doering situates the essays historically: their publication in French journals, as World War Two was looming, and again in the mid-1940s when translations of the essays appeared in Dwight Macdonald’s New York journal: politics. She applies to modern times Weil’s conviction that the escalation of war preparations on grounds of national security inexorably undermines the belief in the supreme value of the individual. Major issues include the hyping of war as an act of interior politics, fear as a means of social control, freedom of thought in a permanent war economy, Dorothy Day on violence, the media in a democracy and the Greek concept of nemesis.
Surface and wear behavior of bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl) cyclohexane (bis-Z) polycarbonate/polycarbonate–polydimethylsiloxane block copolymer alloys

Abstract The utilization of block copolymers containing siloxane segments is well known to be of great interest for surface modifications. This paper focuses on the use of segmented bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl) cyclohexane (bis-Z) polycarbonate–polydimethylsiloxane copolymers as an additive to improve surface and wear properties of this non-crystallizable polycarbonate. The effects of chemical composition, block size, and casting solvent on surface and wear properties of the modified polycarbonate were elucidated by using angle-dependent X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), tapping mode atomic force microscopy, and mechanical testing. XPS results showed that the siloxane segments were enriched on the surface even at bulk composition as low as 1 wt% siloxane, depending on siloxane block size and casting solvent. The friction coefficient was strongly dependent not only on the surface enrichment of siloxane but also on the molecular weight of siloxane block segment. The initial friction coefficient had a little influence on the overall wear resistance due to the rapid wear process of the uppermost surface. Instead, stress–strain behavior of the samples played a key role in the observed wear resistance. The latter first increased and then deteriorated with siloxane concentration. A modified Ratner model was successfully employed to interpret the results.
Short Hospital Stay After Neck Dissection

Objective Cervical lymphadenectomy is a common adjunctive therapy for the treatment of head and neck malignancies. Postoperative care of otherwise healthy patients with isolated neck dissection or in combination with other procedures often requires limited nursing attention after the first postoperative day. At our institution, patients are often taught to manage their drains and discharged home. Therefore, we sought to characterize the subset of patients who will require only overnight hospital care after neck dissection. Study design We retrospectively reviewed our experience in a tertiary academic medical center over the past 6 years with patients who underwent neck dissection, isolated or with other procedures, and were sent home by postoperative day 1. Results In all, 23 of 260 patients were identified (8.8%). Two patients were noted to have postoperative seromas, with no other complications noted. Conclusion We conclude that short hospital stay after neck dissection is reasonable for the motivated patient without significant comorbidities. Significance This is the first study to examine the feasibility of short hospital stay after neck dissection. EBM Rating C
Enalapril: A new angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in chronic heart failure: Acute and chronic hemodynamic evaluations

Hemodynamic effects of the new oral angiotensin-con-verting enzyme inhibitor, enalapril, were evaluated acutely in 15 patients with chronic heart failure and in 7 patients after 4 weeks of maintenance therapy. Initial hemodynamic effects were characterized by a significant increase in cardiac index (from 2.1 ± 0.7 to 2.6 ± 0.7 liters/min per m2) and a decrease in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (from 30 ± 6 to 24 ± 7 mm Hg), right atrial pressure (from 14±5 to 11±4 mm Hg), mean arterial pressure (from 96 ± 16 to 80 ± 17 mm Hg) and systemic vascular resistance (from 1,820 ± 480 to 1,200 ± 410 dynes s cm-5) without any significant change in heart rate, pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance. During maintenance therapy, the dose of diuretic drugs had to be increased because of systemic venous hypertension. Repeat hemodynamic study showed that after chronic therapy, cardiac index (2.1 ± 0.7 vs. 3.0 ± 0.08 liters/min per m2) and stroke volume index (24 ± 10 vs. 36 ± 7 ml/m2) remained elevated and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was lower than control (30 ± 6 vs. 16 ± 6 mm Hg), indicating sustained improvement in left ventricular performance. Plasma renin activity increased and plasma norepinephrine levels decreased after enalapril therapy and these humoral changes persisted during maintenance therapy. All patients receiving chronic therapy had symptomatic improvement. Significant hypotension, which occurred in five patients at the initiation of therapy, appears to be the major side effect. These findings suggest that enalapril has the potential to improve the cardiac performance of patients with chronic heart failure, and further clinical studies are warranted.
Using concept mapping to build clinical judgment skills

This article is a description of educational innovation that utilizes concept mapping as a teaching strategy in the development of critical thinking skills of undergraduate nursing students. A concept mapping rubric was designed using Tanner's Clinical Judgment Model to guide students (n = 8) in the construction of clinical cases for the development of appropriate clinical judgment skills. Each student evaluated the concept mapping exercise and provided feedback regarding the rubric, their understanding of the clinical situation, and the development of clinical judgment skills. The students expressed that the concept mapping activity and rubric lead them to make better clinical decisions and increased clinical judgment skills. Content analysis is the research method used to make inferences from qualitative data, with the purpose of providing new insights and clinical knowledge regarding this teaching strategy. Future recommendations for the use of this teaching strategy include shortening the wording and descriptions for each stage of evaluation to promote ease of use for the student in the growth of critical thinking skills.
Multiple description source coding for cognitive radio systems

Multiple description coding (MDC) is applied for delay-sensitive data traffic to alleviate interruptions caused by primary users in cognitive radio systems. For Gaussian source, a simplified algorithm for the exhaustive search of optimal distortions and rates is proposed based on the achievable region of coding rates and delay requirement. For practical realtime image coding, source splitting is applied to generate multiple descriptions. When there is a single channel, two successive descriptions are composed of large and small coefficients in discrete cosine transform (DCT) domain, respectively. When there are two channels, even and odd coefficients in DCT domain are used to construct two parallel descriptions. Numerical results show that MDC can effectively combat the interruptions caused by primary users in cognitive radio systems.
Misattribution, false recognition and the sins of memory.

Memory is sometimes a troublemaker. Schacter has classified memory's transgressions into seven fundamental ‘sins’: transience, absent–mindedness, blocking, misattribution, suggestibility, bias and persistence. This paper focuses on one memory sin, misattribution, that is implicated in false or illusory recognition of episodes that never occurred. We present data from cognitive, neuropsychological and neuroimaging studies that illuminate aspects of misattribution and false recognition. We first discuss cognitive research examining possible mechanisms of misattribution associated with false recognition. We also consider ways in which false recognition can be reduced or avoided, focusing in particular on the role of distinctive information. We next turn to neuropsychological research concerning patients with amnesia and Alzheimer's disease that reveals conditions under which such patients are less susceptible to false recognition than are healthy controls, thus providing clues about the brain mechanisms that drive false recognition. We then consider neuroimaging studies concerned with the neural correlates of true and false recognition, examining when the two forms of recognition can and cannot be distinguished on the basis of brain activity. Finally, we argue that even though misattribution and other memory sins are annoying and even dangerous, they can also be viewed as by–products of adaptive features of memory.
Factors affecting circadian periodicity of blood amino acids in man

Abstract Total whole blood amino acids in normal men and all major individual blood amino acids (with the single exception of citrulline) were found to display a circadian periodicity characterized by peak values between 1200 and 2000 hours and lowest values between 0400 and 0800. Possible underlying factors responsible for this rhythm were investigated. Increases and decreases in the total protein content of an isocaloric diet did not affect amino acid periodicity. In addition, the ingestion of a large protein load at 0800 hours, a time of rising whole blood amino acid concentration, resulted in a small but significant additional increase, whereas an identical protein load eaten at 2000 hours did not interfere with the decrease in amino acid concentration normally seen between 2000 and 0400 hours. An acute period of physical exercise did not affect blood amino acid concentrations. A 12-hour shift in the sleep-wakefulness cycle in normal adult males resulted in a rapid reversal of the normal circadian periodicity of blood amino acids, such that peak values were observed at 0400 hours, rather than at 1200 to 2000 hours as seen in subjects on a normal routine. The rhythmicity of blood amino acids could be dissociated from those of body temperature, urine volume and sodium and potassium excretion. These latter observations suggested that blood amino acid periodicity may be influenced significantly by exogenous synchronizers, although it is likely that the basic rhythms are generated by unknown endogenous signals.
Abnormalities of apoptotic and cell cycle regulatory proteins in distinct histopathologic components of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Abnormalities of apoptotic and cell cycle regulatory proteins in distinct histopathologic components of benign prostatic hyperplasia
Diadenosine Tetraphosphate Protects against Injuries Induced by Ischemia and 6-Hydroxydopamine in Rat Brain

Diadenosine tetraphosphate (AP4A), an endogenous diadenosine polyphosphate, reduces ischemic injury in the heart. In this study, we report the potent and protective effects of AP4A in rodent models of stroke and Parkinson's disease. AP4A, given intracerebroventricularly before middle cerebral artery (MCA) ligation, reduced cerebral infarction size and enhanced locomotor activity in adult rats. The intravenous administration of AP4A also induced protection when given early after MCA ligation. AP4A suppressed terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotinylated UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) induced by hypoxia/reperfusion in primary cortical cultures, and reduced both ischemia-induced translocation of mitochondrial cytochrome c and the increase in cytoplasmic caspase-3 activity in vivo. The purinergic P2/P4 antagonist di-inosine pentaphosphate or P1-receptor antagonist sulfonylphenyl theophylline, but not the P2-receptor antagonist suramin, antagonized the effect of AP4A, suggesting that the observed protection is mediated through an anti-apoptotic mechanism and the activation of P1- and P4-purinergic receptors. AP4A also afforded protection from toxicity induced by unilateral medial forebrain bundle injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). One month after lesioning, vehicle-treated rats exhibited amphetamine-induced rotation. Minimal tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity was detected in the lesioned nigra or striatum. No KCl-induced dopamine release was found in the lesioned striatum. All of these indices of dopaminergic degeneration were attenuated by pretreatment with AP4A. In addition, AP4A reduced TUNEL in the lesioned nigra 2 d after 6-OHDA administration. Collectively, our data suggest that AP4A is protective against neuronal injuries induced by ischemia or 6-OHDA through the inhibition of apoptosis. We propose that AP4A may be a potentially useful target molecule in the therapy of stroke and Parkinson's disease.
Instability model for recurring large and great earthquakes in southern California

The locked section of the San Andreas fault in southern California has experienced a number of large and great earthquakes in the past, and thus is expected to have more in the future. To estimate the location, time, and slip of the next few earthquakes, an earthquake instability model is formulated. The model is similar to one recently developed for moderate earthquakes on the San Andreas fault near Parkfield, California. In both models, unstable faulting (the earthquake analog) is caused by failure of all or part of a patch of brittle, strain-softening fault zone. In the present model the patch extends downward from the ground surface to about 12 km depth, and extends 500 km along strike from Parkfield to the Salton Sea. The variation of patch strength along strike is adjusted by trial until the computed sequence of instabilities matches the sequence of large and great earthquakes sincea.d. 1080 reported by Sieh and others. The last earthquake was theM=8.3 Ft. Tejon event in 1857. The resulting strength variation has five contiguous sections of alternately low and high strength. From north to south, the approximate locations of the sections are: (1) Parkfield to Bitterwater Valley, (2) Bitterwater Valley to Lake Hughes, (3) Lake Hughes to San Bernardino, (4) San Bernardino to Palm Springs, and (5) Palm Springs to the Salton Sea. Sections 1, 3, and 5 have strengths between 53 and 88 bars; sections 2 and 4 have strengths between 164 and 193 bars. Patch section ends and unstable rupture ends usually coincide, although one or more adjacent patch sections may fail unstably at once. The model predicts that the next sections of the fault to slip unstably will be 1, 3, and 5; the order and dates depend on the assumed length of an earthquake rupture in about 1700.
Transmission strategies for correlated MIMO links with imperfect channel estimates

We investigate the transmit precoder design problem for a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) link with correlated receive antennas, considering the effect of channel estimation. We propose transceiver structures that are optimum in the sense of minimizing the total MSE and distributing the total MSE equally among the parallel data streams. We also investigate the problem of how the correlated MIMO link should distribute its total available power between power expended for channel estimation versus data transmission. The optimum power allocation problem between the training sequences for channel estimation and data transmission for the correlated MIMO link is shown to have a unique solution, that is different than the uncorrelated case. The performance of the system is observed to be more sensitive to transceiver design rather than the power allocation. The results demonstrate that the correlation structure of the MIMO link has a profound effect on the performance, and that the transceiver optimization should be done by taking both the correlation and the channel estimation process into account.
Study of Evaluation Method in Terms of Structural Planes Mechanical Characteristics in Engineering Rock Mass

Study of mechanical characteristics of structural planes has been significant issue in engineering rock mass stability analysis. The factors that affect the mechanical behavior of structural planes are so complicated that it is quite essential to take an efficient method to quantificationally analyze these factors. Based on the basic principals of analytic hierarchy process (AHP), a structural plane classification method-CSPC method is proposed. It can conduct weight distribution in terms of the complicated factors, assess the structural planes comprehensively and also forecast the planes intensity parameters semiquantitatively. The classification and forecast parameters of structural planes appropriately fit the cases in engineering. Furthermore, the method is easy to master for the engineers and the application can be of great prospect.
Can Parental Longevity and Self-Rated Life Expectancy Predict Mortality among Older Persons? Results from an Australian Cohort

This study examined the effects of parental longevity and self-rated life expectancy on mortality, building upon the established model of self-rated health predicting mortality. A community sample of Australians aged 70 and over was surveyed in 1992 and 1995. The associations of interest were examined separately by sex using weighted multiple logistic regression. Parental ages at death were not associated with mortality for either men or women. In multivariate models, self-rated life expectancy had an independent effect on men's mortality and did not reduce the effect of self-rated health on mortality. Our findings from Australia are consistent with results from many countries; the effect of self-rated health on mortality is stronger for men than for women. We also found that the effect of self-rated life expectancy on mortality is stronger for men than for women. The independent effects of self-rated health and self-rated life expectancy indicate a need for a more detailed search for explanatory mechanisms.
Effect of Cooking on the Thermal Conductivity of Whole and Ground Lean Beef

The probe method was used to measure thermal conductivity of beef through a temperature range of 30–120°C. Thermal conductivity of beef increases with temperature up to 70°C followed by a decrease during the denaturation of proteins and subsequent loss of water. The thermal conductivity of beef again increases with temperature after protein denaturation. The thermal conductivity of cooked beef is lower than raw beef up to about 80°C. The rate of increase for cooked meat thermal conductivity is fairly constant with temperature at a given moisture content. Models based on composition and temperature were found to predict the thermal conductivity of meat during cooking at an average standard percent error of 7%.
The United States and the Economic Development of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico became an insular possession of the United States following the Spanish-American War in 1898. Shortly thereafter the island was brought within the monetary and tariff structures of the United States, and mainland capital began to flow into the island, especially in the form of investments in the sugar industry. These factors were mainly responsible for shaping the Puerto Rican economy and for tying it closely to the economy of the United States.
Student–parent agreement in self-reported sun behaviors

Objective We sought to describe agreement between parent proxy and student self-reported sun behaviors and sun protective practices in adolescents aged 10 to 14 years. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional pilot study of students (n=52) from two classrooms, grades 6 and 7, at a school system in Framingham, Mass. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Students were asked to report their sun behaviors and sun protective practices. Proxy measures were obtained by asking parents to report sun behaviors and practices of their children. Agreement was measured using weighted kappa analysis for ordinal data. Mean differences (95% confidence intervals) were calculated. Results The response rate for student/proxy pairs was 96% (n=50). Agreement between student and proxy was good for skin color, sunscreen use, number of sunburns in the past summer, and application of sunscreen while in other outdoor places (range kappa=0.52-0.73). Lowest agreement was found for questions relating to wearing a shirt, wearing a hat, sitting in the shade, and frequency of parental sunscreen application to the students' backs (range kappa=0.08-0.28). Mean differences in responses between student and proxy respondents were relatively small ranging from −0.39 to +0.25. Conclusions The lack of a gold standard in the assessment of sun exposure and related sun protective practices limits the ability to validate these exposure measures in skin cancer studies. The assessment of sun exposure behaviors is especially problematic when relying on a child's ability to accurately recall these exposures. Parent proxy measures are often used as surrogate measures and for validation purposes. We found low to moderate student/proxy agreement in this pilot study suggesting that adolescents can effectively recall their recent sun behaviors and protective practices when compared with parent proxy measures.
Echocardiographic Changes During Treatment of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: Insights From the ESCAPE Trial

Abstract Background Long-term heart failure (HF) treatment has been shown to result in reverse chamber remodeling. However, it is unknown whether sizes of cardiac chambers acutely change during HF therapy and whether these changes are associated with favorable clinical outcomes. Methods and Results Using the Evaluation Study of Congestive Heart Failure and Pulsmonary Artery Catheterization Effectiveness (ESCAPE) trial database, echocardiographic parameters at baseline and discharge, changes from baseline to discharge, and their association with the combined endpoint of death or HF rehospitalization (HFH) at 6 months were evaluated in patients admitted with acute decompensated HF (ADHF). Also, the correlation between changes in invasive hemodynamic parameters compared with changes in echocardiographic parameters was analyzed. During the treatment of ADHF, right atrium, right ventricle, and inferior vena cava (IVC) sizes decreased acutely. Mitral regurgitation severity and mitral inflow parameters also improved significantly. However, the majority of acute changes in echocardiographic parameters did not have an impact on clinical outcome, except for the reduction in left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes, which was associated with a reduction in the combined outcome of HFH or death. The change in invasive hemodynamics that best correlated with change in echocardiographic parameters was change in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure with change in IVC diameter and IVC collapsibility. Conclusions This is the first study to identify the echocardiographic parameters that change during the treatment of ADHF and the echocardiographic parameters that most reliably correlate with invasive hemodynamic changes. Most changes in echocardiographic parameters were not associated with clinical outcomes, except for the reduction in LV volume, which was associated with a reduction in HFH or death.
The Reconstruction of Two Large Full‐Thickness Wounds of the Upper Lip with Different Operative Techniques: When Possible, a Local Flap Repair Is Preferable to Reconstruction with Free Tissue Transfer

Background Large full-thickness wounds of the upper lip are often referred to operating room–based surgeons for repair given the perceived difficulties in restoring upper lip form and function with simpler operative techniques. Objective To illustrate the functional, aesthetic, and cost differences between two techniques used to repair full-thickness wounds of the upper lip. Materials and Methods Two patients with difficult full-thickness wounds of the majority of the upper lip were reviewed. One patient underwent reconstruction with a composite free flap in an operating room, and one underwent repair using local tissue rearrangement using bilateral modified nasolabial flaps in an outpatient setting. Results Both patients were adequately reconstructed, but the patient repaired using local tissue rearrangement had a better aesthetic outcome and superior preservation of oral competency. In addition, the costs of this patient's reconstructive care were less than 2.4% of the costs of the care of the patient repaired using a free flap. Conclusion When possible, large, full-thickness wounds of the upper lip should be repaired with local tissue rearrangement in an outpatient setting to offer patients potential improvements in functional and aesthetic outcomes while minimizing treatment costs.
Inhibition of human squalene monooxygenase by tellurium compounds: evidence of interaction with vicinal sulfhydryls

Squalene monooxygenase is a flavin adenine dinucleotide-containing, microsomal enzyme that catalyzes the second step in the committed pathway for cholesterol biosynthesis. Feeding weanling rats a diet containing 1% elemental tellurium causes a transient, peripheral demyelination due to the disruption of cholesterol synthesis in Schwann cells secondary to inhibition of squalene monooxygenase. The tellurium species responsible for the inhibition is unknown, as is the mechanism of inhibition. To study the potential mechanisms of tellurium toxicity in humans, three likely in vivo metabolites of tellurium (tellurite, dimethyltellurium dichloride, and dimethyltelluride) were tested as inhibitors of purified human squalene monooxygenase. All three inhibitors reacted with the enzyme slowly and the resulting interaction was not freely reversible. The 50% inhibitory concentration for the methyltellurium compounds (approximately 100 nM) after a 30-min preincubation was 100-fold lower than that of tellurite, indicating a role for hydrophobicity in the enzyme-inhibitor interaction. The ability of glutathione and 2,3-dimercaptopropanol to prevent and reverse the inhibition indicated that the tellurium compounds were reacting with sulfhydryls on squalene monooxygenase, and the ability of phenylarsine oxide, which reacts specifically with vicinal sulfhydryls, to inhibit the enzyme indicated that these sulfhydryls are located proximal to one another on the enzyme. These results suggest that the unusual sensitivity of squalene monooxygenase to tellurium compounds is due to the binding of these compounds to vicinal cysteines, and that methylation of tellurium in vivo may enhance the toxicity of tellurium for this enzyme.
The Vocal Range of Alarm Calls in Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels

and Summary Sound propagation measurements and background noise measurements were conducted to assess the optimal frequency of sounds for long-range vocal communication in thirteenlined ground squirrels (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus). The results show that when the source and receiver are elevated above the ground 18 cm and 6 cm respectively (elevations typically achieved by erect vocalizing and foraging ground squirrels), and the amplitude of the signal matches that produced by ground squirrels, signals 4 kHz to 8 kHz in frequency are optimal for long-range communication. This frequency region matches that of the ground squirrel alarm call. Sound propagation measurements and estimates of sound perception suggest that the effective communicative range of the alarm call is 80–100 m. Demographic data on marked squirrels indicate that over 80 % of known close genetic relatives would reside within the vocal range of alarm calls (Schwagmeyer 1979). Zusammenfassung Laut-Reichweite und Hintergrundgerausche wurden gemessen, um die optimale Frequenz fur vokale Kommunikation uber grosere Entfernung beim Erdhornchen Spermophilus tridecemlineatus zu bestimmen. Befindet sich die Schallquelle 18 cm uber dem Boden (wie typischerweise beim rufenden Hornchen) und der Empfanger 6 cm uber dem Boden (wie typischerweise beim futtersuchenden Hornchen), dann reicht ein Signal von der Amplitude eines Erdhornchen-Warnrufes am weitesten, wenn es zwischen 4 und 8 kHz liegt. In diesem Bereich liegen die Warnrufe, und sie sind, gemessen an der Beantwortung, 80–100 m weit horbar. Demographische Daten von markierten Hornchen zeigen, das uber 80 % der genetisch verwandten und einander bekannten Hornchen innerhalb der Stimmreichweite des Warnrufes wohnen (Schwagmeyer 1979).
New design of single-bit all-digital RSFQ autocorrelator

We present a new design of a Rapid Single-Flux-Quantum (RSFQ) all-digital one-bit autocorrelator for submillimeter spectrometry applications, featuring 4 GHz input signal bandwidth, double oversampling quantizer, and 16 Mbps-per-channel output rate. The delay line of the autocorrelator is based on a circular shift register with XOR gates performing multiplication of the delayed and undelayed single-bit signals at every stage. The multiplication results are accumulated by room-temperature electronics after being prescaled in on-chip binary counters consisting of 10 T flip-flops per stage. We report results of experimental testing of a 16-stage autocorrelator delay line with multiplication and for a linear array of 8 low-power T flip-flop binary counters, all fabricated in HYPRES' standard 3.5 /spl mu/m 1000 A/cm/sup 2/ Nb-trilayer process. We also discuss physical and technical limits of the minimal power dissipation in RSFQ circuits.
Bivariate box spline wavelets in Sobolev spaces

We use bivariate boxspline functions to construct nonseparable wavelets in Sobolev spaces.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
On the Existence of Stable Equilibria in Agriculture

Problems of instability and disequilibrium in U.S. agriculture are synthesized within a single conceptual framework, Agricultural and non-agricultural sector offer curves are used to illustrate why it may not be feasible to achieve and maintain equilibrium and price stability in U.S. agriculture. Empirical evidence on resource disequilibrium and instability in the ratio of prices paid and received by farmers is presented.
Habermas, Religion, and Citizenship

What is the appropriate place for religious argument in the public realm of a liberal-democratic polity? The primary competing positions have been a “liberal” account and a “revisionist” response arguing for a greater role for religious argument in liberal democracy than the liberal position is ordinarily understood to allow. Liberals and their revisionist critics disagree about whether restraints on religious arguments and justifications are justified and desirable. Jurgen Habermas has intervened in this debate with a provocative account of the place of religion in the public sphere. Habermas presents his account as an alternative to both the liberal and the revisionist perspectives, and purports to do justice to the legitimate claims of each without falling prey to the failings of either. This article critically analyzes Habermas's interesting proposal and argues that it does not succeed.
Performance of clustered OFDM with low density parity check codes over dispersive channels

We present a new low density parity check (LCPC) coded clustered orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system with 16QAM modulation operating over a frequency selective fast fading channel. Various channel estimation methods are studied and pilot-symbol-aided channel estimation with uniquely designed spacing pattern is used to obtain channel side information in fast fading. A BER of 10/sup -6/ is achieved at 12.8dB with Doppler frequency f/sub m/ = 200 Hz and 14.8 dB with f/sub m/ = 100 Hz. The overall capacity of this system is about 1.56 bit/s/Hz. Compared with other wideband systems, our design has much better performance in fading channels than the LDPC coded classical OFDM and is much simpler than TTCM-OFDM system.
USE OF NEPHELINE SYENITE IN FLOOR‐TILE AND WALL‐TILE BODIES*

The physical properties of wall-tile bodies and floor-tile bodies are described. The wall-tile bodies are fluxed respectively with nepheline syenite; feldspar; talc and feldspar; talc and syenite; talc, pyrophyllite, and syenite; and talc, pyrophyllite, and feldspar. Floor-tile bodies, developing at lower temperatures, may be formulated with nepheline syenite. The greater refractoriness of American clays used in these bodies, as compared to English clays, is compensated for by the increased fluxing action of nepheline syenite.
Study of the thermal properties of polymeric dielectric materials by photothermal technique

In this paper, we present some results of the newly developed on-wafer photothermal measurement. To study thermal anisotropy, the out-of-plane thermal diffusivity measured from this technique is compared with the in-plane thermal diffusivity by measured by ISTS [1]. In addition to the thermal properties, the agreement with mechanical [2] and optical properties are also shown. The significance of different thermal performance between low K dielectric medium materials and SiO 2 suggests that greater attention should be paid to thermal properties for integrated devices with low K materials.
Palliative Care: A Novel Solution to the Healthcare Crisis.

Palliative care is specialized healthcare for anyone who is diagnosed with a serious and life-threatening illness, starting when they get the diagnosis, regardless of the prognosis. Although hospice is a form of palliative care, most palliative care is not end-of-life care or hospice, a common misperception that deters many people from using palliative care when they would benefit from it. Palliative care improves quality of care, reduces hospital costs, and helps clinicians address the needs and wants of patients and their families, which is why I refer to it as a 'novel' solution to the longstanding healthcare crisis.
Ankle arthrodesis with cross screw fixation. Good results in 36/40 cases followed 3-7 years.

Tibiotalar arthrodesis by an anterior approach, using internal compression with cancellous screws, offers wide exposure, good possibilities of correcting deformities, and good bony apposition. From 1987 to 1991, we used this technique in 42 ankle joints (40 patients). the indications were posttraumatic arthrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, neurogenic paralysis, sequelae of septic arthritis, necrosis of the talus and failed ankle arthrodesis. in 13 ankles with severe deformity, a bone graft was also used. 38 patients (40 ankle joints) were available for follow-up after 4 (3-7) years. Solid union was achieved in 38 ankles after an average of 13 weeks. the clinical result was good-to-excellent in 36 ankles. We conclude that this is a simple and effective method for ankle arthrodesis in both low-risk and, coupled with bone grafting, in properly selected high-risk patients.
Enhancing mobility via cooperation: analysis and design

A team of small, low cost robots instead of one large, complex robot is useful in operations such as search and rescue, urban exploration etc. However, the performance of such a team is limited due to restricted mobility of the team members. We propose to overcome the mobility restrictions by physical cooperation among the team members. We carry out a feasibility analysis of a particular behavior of two robots cooperating to cross a gap and also consider the effect of the scaling of the robot dimensions. We simulate the dynamic equations describing the motion which leads to the relaxation the requirements derived from the static analysis. A decentralized control architecture is designed which avoids continuous communication between the robots thus rendering the cooperation to be simple and low cost.
Identification of selective inhibitors of uncharacterized enzymes by high-throughput screening with fluorescent activity-based probes

High-throughput screening to discover small-molecule modulators of enzymes typically relies on highly tailored substrate assays, which are not available for poorly characterized enzymes. Here we report a general, substrate-free method for identifying inhibitors of uncharacterized enzymes. The assay measures changes in the kinetics of covalent active-site labeling with broad-spectrum, fluorescent probes in the presence of inhibitors by monitoring the fluorescence polarization signal. We show that this technology is applicable to enzymes from at least two mechanistic classes, regardless of their degree of functional annotation, and can be coupled with secondary proteomic assays that use competitive activity-based profiling to rapidly determine the specificity of screening hits. Using this method, we identify the bioactive alkaloid emetine as a selective inhibitor of the uncharacterized cancer-associated hydrolase RBBP9. Furthermore, we show that the detoxification enzyme GSTO1, also implicated in cancer, is inhibited by several electrophilic compounds found in public libraries, some of which display high selectivity for this protein.
Comparative changes in serum enzyme levels in beryllium- or carbon tetrachloride-induced liver necrosis.

SummaryFour serum enzymes (ICD, GOT, GPT, LDH) and one liver enzyme (acid phosphatase) were used to evaluate the difference in the rat response to Be-induced midzonal liver necrosis and CCl4induced centrolobular necrosis. Be produced a maximum elevation of liver free acid phosphatase 8 hr after injection, but the elevation of the serum enzymes ICD, GOT, or GPT were not observed until 48 hr after Be injection. LDH was not elevated at any time period. At equivalent doses in the CCl4-injected animals, serum ICD, GOT, and GPT were all elevated by 48 hr, but no elevation of liver acid phosphatase was observed at any time period. These differences in response indicate a biochemical as well as an anatomical difference between these two types of chemically induced liver necrosis.The authors thank Mr. Lee Bland and Carl Hopper for technical assistance in this study.
Tricodes: A Barcode-Like Fiducial Design for Augmented Reality Media

Visual markers, or fiducials, have become one of the most common methods of camera pose estimation in Augmented Reality (AR) media. Many present day fiducial-based AR systems use arbitrary patterns, such as simple line drawings or alpha-numeric characters, and require that an application be "trained" to recognize its pattern set. These techniques work well on a small scale, but as the number of fiducials grows, accuracy and performance degrade. We describe a new fiducial design called TriCodes that, like a barcode, provides a systematic way of printing and identifying a vast library of patterns. We compare TriCodes to the popular ARToolkit package, demonstrating its advantages in the presence of large numbers of fiducials.
Simulating Aftershocks for an On Site Inspection (OSI) Exercise

The experience of IFE14 emphasizes the need for a better way to simulate aftershocks during an OSI exercise. The obvious approach is to develop a digital model of aftershocks that can be used either for a real field exercise or for a computer simulation that can be done in an office, for training for example. However, this approach involves consideration of several aspects, such as how and when to introduce waveforms in a way that maximizes the realism of the data and that will be convincing to a savvy, experienced seismic analyst. The purpose of this report is to outline a plan for how this approach can be implemented.
The effects of high pressure and temperature on the microstructure of alpha uranium

Abstract The pressure-temperature diagram for uranium was determined up to 57 kbar pressure. The temperature hysteresis for the α /ai β transformation is decreased by increasing hydrostatic pressure. Metallographic observations have shown that subgrains and plastic deformations in the alpha structure can be eliminated by slowly cooling samples, which are surrounded with liquid alkali metals, from the gamma phase temperature range at a pressure of 40 kbar. It appears that good single crystals of alpha uranium can be grown by the phase transformation technique at hydrostatic pressures greater than about 33 kbar.