cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
"Why My Mother Never Threw Anything Out": The Effect of Product Freshness on Consumption

This research focuses on a pervasive but largely unexamined product attribute—freshness date—to shed light on how and why its influence on the consumption of perishable products changes with product ownership. Drawing on recent research on the endowment effect, we demonstrate that even when the differential costs implicit in ownership are controlled for, consumers are more likely to actually consume a product past its freshness date when they own it than when they do not. Moreover, this ownership‐based increase in consumption is accompanied by lower estimates by consumers of their likelihood of getting sick from consuming the product past its freshness date. These outcomes are driven, in turn, by consumers’ ownership‐based susceptibility to engage in selective and confirmatory testing of the hypothesis that the product past its freshness date is consumption worthy (i.e., approach goal) rather than the alternate, default hypothesis that it is not consumption worthy (i.e., avoidance goal).
Kinetics of the combustion synthesis of TiB2

Abstract The activation energies of exothermic solid state reactions may be determined by measuring combustion wave velocities and combustion temperatures. In our preliminary investigation of the TiB system, two different reactions were considered. For the Ti + 2B = TiB2 and Ti + 1.5B = 0.5TiB + 0.5TiB2 reactions the activation energies were 539 kJ and 410 kJ respectively. The latter reaction produced a porous (50%) layered structure. Since the combustion temperatures were above the melting point of TiB, then the structure of the product is probably influenced by a liquid phase. Although the structure of TiB2 was not layered, it was also near 50% porosity. The activation energy of 539 kJ for the Ti + 2B reaction is lower than the value of 773 kJ for sintering of TiB2, suggesting that the combustion and sintering of TiB2 do not occur by the same mechanism.
QUantitative Imaging of eXtraction of oxygen and TIssue consumption (QUIXOTIC) using venular-targeted velocity-selective spin labeling

While oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) are fundamental parameters of brain health and function, a robust MRI-based mapping of OEF and CMRO2 amenable to functional MRI (fMRI) has not been established. To address this issue, a novel method called QUantitative Imaging of eXtraction of Oxygen and TIssue Consumption, or QUIXOTIC, is introduced. The key innovation in QUIXOTIC is the use of velocity-selective spin labeling to isolate MR signal exclusively from postcapillary venular blood on a voxel-by-voxel basis. Measuring the T2 of this venular-targeted blood allows calibration to venular oxygen saturation (Yv) via theoretical and experimental T2 versus blood oxygen saturation relationships. Yv is converted to OEF, and baseline CMRO2 is subsequently estimated from OEF and additional cerebral blood flow and hematocrit measurements. Theory behind the QUIXOTIC technique is presented, and implications of cutoff velocity (VCUTOFF) and outflow time parameters are discussed. Cortical gray matter values obtained with QUIXOTIC in 10 healthy volunteers are Yv = 0.73 ± 0.02, OEF = 0.26 ± 0.02, and CMRO2 = 125 ± 15 μmol/100 g min. Results are compared to global measures obtained with the T2 relaxation under spin tagging (TRUST) technique. The preliminary data presented suggest that QUIXOTIC will be useful for mapping Yv, OEF, and CMRO2, in both clinical and functional MRI settings. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Automorphic Forms for Schottky Groups

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses a (revised and expanded) version of a lecture delivered at the Los Alamos Workshop on Mathematics in June 1974 under the title A Glimpse into Complex Analysis. It discusses automorphic forms for Schottky groups. Schottky groups stand out, among other Kleinian groups, by a particularly simple algebraic and geometric structure. Every finitely generated free Kleinian group all of which nontrivial elements are loxodromic is a Schottky group. One can always construct standard fundamental regions bounded by analytic curves. There are Schottky groups for which no standard fundamental region, no matter what generators one chooses, is bounded by circles as every finitely generated subgroup of a Schottky group is a Schottky group.
Low-temperature processing of ‘baroplastics’ by pressure-induced flow

The manufacturing of plastics traditionally involves melt processing at temperatures typically greater than 200 degrees C-to enable extrusion or moulding under pressure into desired forms-followed by solidification. This process consumes energy and can cause substantial degradation of polymers and additives (such as flame retardants and ultraviolet stabilizers), limiting plastics performance and recyclability. It was recently reported that the application of pressure could induce melt-like behaviour in the block copolymer polystyrene-block-poly(n-butyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PBMA), and this behaviour has now been demonstrated in a range of other block copolymer systems. These polymers have been termed baroplastics. However, in each case, the order-to-disorder transition, which gives rise to the accompanying change in rheology from soft solid to melt, was observed at temperatures far exceeding the glass transition temperatures (T(g)) of both components. Here we show that baroplastic systems containing nanophase domains of one high-T(g) and one low-T(g) component can exhibit melt-like flow under pressure at ambient temperature through an apparent semi-solid partial mixing mechanism that substantially preserves the high-T(g) phase. These systems were shredded and remoulded ten times with no evident property degradation. Baroplastics with low-temperature formability promise lower energy consumption in manufacture and processing, reduced use of additives, faster production and improved recyclability, and also provide potential alternatives to current thermoplastic elastomers, rubber-modified plastics, and semi-crystalline polymers.
Dynamic tracking of acute ischemic tissue fates using improved unsupervised ISODATA analysis of high-resolution quantitative perfusion and diffusion data

High-resolution (200 x 200 x 1,500 microm3) imaging was performed to derive quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps in stroke rats (permanent occlusion) every 30 minutes up to 3 hours after occlusion onset, followed by histology at 24 hours. An improved automated iterative-self-organizing-data-analysis-algorithm (ISODATA) was developed to dynamically track ischemic tissue fate on a pixel-by-pixel basis during the acute phase. ISODATA-resolved clusters were overlaid on the CBF-ADC scatterplots and image spaces. Tissue volume ADC, and CBF of each ISODATA cluster were derived. In contrast to the single-cluster normal left hemisphere (ADC = 0.74 +/- 0.02 x 10(-3) mm2/s, CBF = 1.36 +/- 0.22 mL g(-1)min(-1), mean +/- SD, n = 8), the right ischemic hemisphere exhibited three ISODATA clusters, namely: "normal" (normal ADC and CBF), "ischemic core" (low CBF and ADC), and at-risk "perfusion-diffusion mismatch" (low CBF but normal ADC). At 180 minutes, the mismatch disappeared in five rats (Group I, 180-minute "core" lesion volume = 255 +/- 62 mm3 and 24-hour infarct volume = 253 +/- 55 mm3, P > 0.05), while a substantial mismatch persisted in three rats (Group II, 180-minute CBF-abnormal volume = 198 +/- 7 mm3 and 24-hour infarct volume 148 +/- 18 mm3, P < 0.05). The CBF (0.3 +/- 0.09 mL g(-1)min(-1)) of the "persistent mismatch" (Group II, 0.3 +/- 0.09 mL g(-1)min(-1)) was above the CBF viability threshold (0.2 to 0.3 mL g(-1)min(-1)) throughout and its ADC (0.70 +/- 0.03 x 10(-3) mm2/s) did not decrease as ischemia progressed. In contrast, the CBF (0.08 +/- 0.03 mL g(-1)min(-1)) of the analogous brain region in Group I was below the CBF viability threshold, and its ADC gradually decreased from 0.63 +/- 0.05 to 0.43 +/- 0.03 x 10(-3) mm2/s (ADC viability threshold = 0.53 +/- 0.02 x 10(-3) mm2/s). The modified ISODATA analysis of the ADC and CBF tissue characteristics during the acute phase could provide a useful and unbiased means to characterize and predict tissue fates in ischemic brain injury and to monitor therapeutic intervention.
A study of the relationship between learning styles and cognitive abilities in engineering students

Learning preferences have been indirectly linked to student success in engineering programmes, without a significant body of research to connect learning preferences with cognitive abilities. A better understanding of the relationship between learning styles and cognitive abilities will allow educators to optimise the classroom experience for students. The goal of this study was to determine whether relationships exist between student learning styles, as determined by the Felder-Soloman Inventory of Learning Styles (FSILS), and their cognitive performance. Three tests were used to assess student's cognitive abilities: a matrix reasoning task, a Tower of London task, and a mental rotation task. Statistical t-tests and correlation coefficients were used to quantify the results. Results indicated that the global–sequential, active–referential, and visual–verbal FSILS learning styles scales are related to performance on cognitive tasks. Most of these relationships were found in response times, not accuracy. D...
Streblid bat fly assemblage structure on Paraguayan Noctilio leporinus (Chiroptera: Noctilionidae): nestedness and species co-occurrence

Evaluation of proximate mechanisms (e.g. dispersal, immigration, competition, facilitation) that determine patterns of assemblage or community structure is an important step in the development of paradigms in ecology. Host–parasite systems are useful for such studies because host-parasite assemblages are easily defined units of study, each host individual harbours a sample from a community or assemblage, and many host species are common, providing replicate samples. I used ectoparasite assemblages from Noctilio leporinus collected from Paraguay to evaluate effects of host sex and body size on ectoparasite abundance and to determine if these assemblages exhibit a nested pattern of species co-occurrence. A total of 533 ectoparasites representing seven species and four families were collected from 28 hosts. Abundances of Paradyschiria fusca and Noctiliostrebla aitkeni responded positively to host body size. Host sex had no affect on ectoparasite abundances. Streblid bat fly assemblages from Noctilio leporinus were strongly and significantly nested. Abundances of all species of streblid were positively correlated with one another with Pearson product moment correlation coefficients between 0.424 and 0.646. Competition does not appear to affect community structure of streblids from Paraguayan Noctilio leporinus . Independent responses of species of streblid to host characteristics appear to mould assemblage structure in this system.
Nandrolone reduces activation of Notch signaling in denervated muscle associated with increased Numb expression.

Abstract Nandrolone, an anabolic steroid, slows denervation-atrophy in rat muscle. The molecular mechanisms responsible for this effect are not well understood. Androgens and anabolic steroids activate Notch signaling in animal models of aging and thereby mitigate sarcopenia. To explore the molecular mechanisms by which nandrolone prevents denervation-atrophy, we investigated the effects of nandrolone on Notch signaling in denervated rat gastrocnemius muscle. Denervation significantly increased Notch activity reflected by elevated levels of nuclear Notch intracellular domain (NICD) and expression of Hey1 (a Notch target gene). Activation was greatest at 7 and 35 days after denervation but remained present at 56 days after denervation. Activation of Notch in denervated muscle was prevented by nandrolone associated with upregulated expression of Numb mRNA and protein. These data demonstrate that denervation activates Notch signaling, and that nandrolone abrogates this response associated with increased expression of Numb, suggesting a potential mechanism by which nandrolone reduces denervation-atrophy.
Motion and morphology of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint.

Abstract Purpose: To determine the variability in the flexion/extension motion of the thumb metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint in a normal volunteer population and to determine any correlation between the shape of the thumb metacarpal head, gender, age, thumb interphalangeal (IP) joint range of motion (ROM), and thumb MCP joint ROM in a population of fresh-frozen cadaver arms. Methods: The ROM of the thumb MCP joints of 100 volunteers (200 thumbs) was measured. The thumb MCP joints of 70 fresh-frozen cadaver arms were examined. Posteroanterior and lateral radiographs were taken of 64 MCP joints. Passive flexion and extension at the MCP and IP joints were measured with a standard goniometer starting at neutral (0°) with the metacarpal, proximal, and distal phalanges axially aligned. The distance from the volar to the dorsal edge of the articular surface (A) and the radius of curvature of the articular surface (r) of the metacarpal head were measured on the lateral view. The shape of the metacarpal head was given a value using the A/r ratio. Regression analysis was used to determine the correlation between the head shape and joint motion. The thumbs were categorized into a round group (A/r ratio > 1.7) or a flat group (A/r ratio of Results: The volunteer population mean thumb MCP maximum flexion was 77° nge, 40°–126°). Range of motion in hyperextension varied from 0° to 72°, with a mean of 35°. Total ROM was from 55° to 176°, with a mean of 110°. In the cadaver population studied the average MCP joint ROM was 94° (mean flexion, 70°; mean extension, 24°). The A/r ratio had a range of 1.1 to 2.2. There were 37 round and 27 flat thumb metacarpal heads. Regression analysis showed a significant correlation between metacarpal head shape and ROM; MCP joints with rounder metacarpal heads had greater motion. Round and flat metacarpal heads had significantly different motion arcs averaging 106° and 77°, respectively. Female gender was associated both with significantly greater MCP joint ROM (99° women/87° men) and a significantly higher incidence of round metacarpal heads (66% of women/36% of men). No significant correlation existed between specimen age, MCP, and/or IP joint ROM. Conclusions: There is a wide range in the magnitude of the thumb MCP joint ROM and the normal shape (round vs flat) of the thumb metacarpal head. A rounder thumb metacarpal head has greater thumb MCP joint ROM than a flatter thumb metacarpal head. Clinically we have found this information helpful in predicting posttraumatic recovery of thumb MCP joint ROM and selecting candidates for and predicting patient satisfaction with thumb MCP joint arthrodesis.
Measurement Invariance of the Nasa TLX

Mental workload is one of the most important constructs of interests for Human Factors researchers. Adequately assessing the amount of mental workload that people experience while performing tasks under specific conditions is essential for the design of safe and efficient systems. Due to its ease of use, the NASA TLX has become the most widely used method of measuring mental workload. However, its psychometric properties are still questionable. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent of measurement invariance of the TLX and raise awareness in the Human Factors community. Two hundred participants reported the amount of mental workload they typically experience while driving in urban and rural areas and across the country. Results indicated that the TLX lacked scalar invariance, thereby biasing the estimation of mean scores and making the examination of mean differences misleading. These findings suggest that researchers should first examine the extent of measurement invariance of the TLX before...
Increase in translatable mRNA for mitochondrial pyruvate carboxylase during differentiation of 3T3 preadipocytes.

Abstract During differentiation of 3T3 preadipocytes into adipocytes the activity of pyruvate carboxylase, a key lipogenic enzyme, rises about 20-fold. This increase of enzymatic activity is correlated with a comparable rise in the rate of incorporation of [ 35 S]methionine into immunoadsorbable pyruvate carboxylase. Polyadenylated RNA, isolated from differentiated 3T3 adipocytes, directs the synthesis of pyruvate carboxylase in a messenger-dependent reticulocyte lysate translation system at a 18-fold greater rate than that isolated from undifferentiated cells. Thus, it appears that the differentiation-induced rise in the cellular level of pyruvate carboxylase results from an increased rate of carboxylase synthesis due to a rise in the level of translatable carboxylase messenger RNA.
MIPSUnit: A Unit Testing Framework for MIPS Assembly (Abstract Only)

We present MIPSUnit, a unit test framework for MIPS assembly. MIPSUnit's primary benefit is that it reduces the time needed to grade assembly language assignments. It also provides a time-efficient means for providing students additional testing experience. (We believe that students should be exposed to testing throughout the curriculum --- including their Computer Organization and/or Assembly Language courses.) MIPSUnit is a suite of two tools: MUnit, which allows users to test their assembly code with JUnit tests, and MSpec, which uses RSpec-style unit tests
Neuropsychological Correlates of Violence and Aggression: A Review of the Clinical Literature.

Understanding of factors that influence expression of violence and aggression have become important questions in our society. The present article reviews the role of the neuropsychological factors, including the potential roles of prefrontal brain damage and temporal lobe dysfunction. Mechanisms that allow such damage to influence behavior are discussed, as well as the evidence for such mechanisms. The article examines the influence of these factors in a wide range of populations, including batters, juvenile delinquents, adult criminals, sexual offenders, psychopaths, and schizophrenics. The potential role of additonal factors, such as alcohol, are also briefly examined. Conclusions focus on the influence these findings have in aggression in society and possible treatment issues.
Family structure and fathers' well-being: trajectories of mental health and self-rated health.

The association between marital status and health among men has been well documented, but few studies track health trajectories following family structure transitions among unmarried fathers. Using the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study this article examines trajectories of paternal mental health and self-rated health, focusing on transitions into and out of residential relationships with the child’s biological mother or a new partner during a five-year post-birth period (N = 4,331). Continuously married fathers report higher time-specific self-rated health and fewer mental health problems than continuously single fathers, controlling for underlying health trajectories. The disparity, however, does not increase over time, providing little support for the marital resource model during these years. Static group differences suggest that resources fathers carry with them into unions may buffer them from the negative effects of union dissolution. The implications of these findings for cohabitation, as well as selection and causation arguments, are also discussed.
Three-channel solar radiometer for the determination of atmospheric columnar water vapor.

The design of a three-channel solar radiometer used to determine total columnar atmospheric water-vapor amounts is presented. The main channel is located in the 0.94-μm water-vapor band, and two other channels are located in adjacent nonabsorption regions of the solar spectrum and are used to remove scattering effects from the main channel. Water-vapor transmittance is determined by means of a modified Langley approach, and these transmittances are converted to columnar water vapor by means of a band model developed at the University of Arizona. Several cases are presented in which columnar water-vapor amounts are determined through the use of the instrument and method described here. These results are compared with sounding-balloon results. Tests of the method indicate that columnar water vapor may be retrieved with an uncertainty of less than 10%.
Development of a new attract-and-kill technology for Oriental fruit moth control using insecticide-impregnated fabric

The potential of a novel attract-and-kill pouch for pest control was assessed in a series of behavioral studies examining its effect on male Oriental fruit moth (OFM), Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). In contrast to traditional attract-and-kill technologies that combine insecticides and pheromones in a paste or gel, the prototype device consisted of a fabric pouch that was impregnated with deltamethrin and baited with a separate sex pheromone lure placed inside the pouch. This new approach not only provided a large insecticide-treated surface for males to interact with but also prevented males from directly contacting the attractant, so as to minimize the risk of moths overloading their sensory system with sex pheromones. In a forced-contact bioassay, increasing dosages of deltamethrin in the fabric from 0.02 to 0.6 mg cm−2 increased mortality or knockdown rate of OFM 2, 4, and 24 h after 5 s exposure. Likewise, duration of exposure to a deltamethrin-treated pouch significantly affected the knockdown rate of OFM. All of the exposed moths were knocked down after 60 s exposure. In a flight tunnel bioassay, OFM males exhibited similar behaviors when offered either a control or deltamethrin-treated pouch, indicating no repellency of the toxicant. Among the moths that contacted treated pockets, 98% was either knocked down or dead 1 h after exposure. Attract-and-kill pouches aged in the field for nearly a year resulted in a similar rate of knockdown of OFM compared to fresh pouches. Surprisingly, addition of a UV blocker, 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone, did not influence efficacy of deltamethrin in aged pouches. This simple, highly selective, and long-lasting attract-and-kill device may provide an alternative control for OFM.
Development of optics education in the United States

Certainly, there is currently a great wealth of educational opportunity in the United States for students interested in optics. In the current Guide to Optics Programs Worldwide published by SPIE -The International Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE, 1991), there are over 80 listings for the United States and 28 in other countries — and this does not claim to be an exhaustive listing since it requires the institution offering the program to send in the information. The Optical Society of America also publishes an informative listing in a Guide to Optics Courses and Programs in North American Colleges and Universities (OSA 1990). This guide includes most of the physics departments and many electrical engineering departments that offer one course, several courses, a concentration or a formal degree. Both of these listings cover the range from the associate level to the doctoral level of programs and courses. This explosion in the number of programs is really quite recent given the history of education in optics in the United States.
Revisiting the Archival Finding Aid

ABSTRACT Archivists have been creating finding aids for generations, and in the last three decades they have done this work via a succession of standardized formats. However, like many other disciplines, they have carried out such work in violation of systems analysis. Although purporting to have the users of finding aids systems first and foremost in their mind, archivists have carried out their descriptive work apart from and with little knowledge of how researchers find and use archival sources. In this article, questions are raised about the utility of archival finding aids and how they will stand the test of time. Indeed, archivists, purportedly concerned with considering how records function and will be used over time, ought to apply the same kind of analysis and thinking to their finding aids. In this article, we explore three ways archival finding aids might be examined by outsiders, namely, those concerned with museum exhibitions, design experts, and accountability advocates. Doing this should as...
Design considerations in the study of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Abstract Restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is a critical factor limiting the overall usefulness of this procedure in the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease. Difficult problems must be overcome in the design of studies to investigate restenosis. Some of these problems will be discussed.
Streponigrin and related compounds. II. Synthesis of the c-ring precursors†

Synthesis of the tricyclic analogue 1b of the antitumor antibiotic streptonigrin 1a by the application of Friedlander condensation required a substituted 2-acetylpyridine (2) as the precursor for the C-ring. A practical, 8-step sequence was devised for its synthesis starting from 2,5-lutidine.
A model for CD2/CD58-mediated adhesion strengthening

Stable cell adhesion is vital for structural integrity and functional efficacy. Yet how low affinity adhesion molecules such as CD2 and CD58 can produce stable cell adhesion is still not completely understood. In this paper, we present a theoretical model that simulates the accumulation of CD2 and CD58 in the contact area of a Jurkat T lymphoblast and a CD58-containing substrate. The cell is assumed to have a spherical shape initially and it is allowed to spread gradually on a circular substrate. Mobile CD2 and CD58 can diffuse freely on both the cell and substrate. Their binding in the contact area is controlled by first-order kinetics. The contact area grows linearly with the total number of CD2/CD58 bonds. Cellular deformation and cytoskeleton involvement were not considered. This time-dependent moving-boundary problem was solved with the Crank-Nicolson finite difference scheme and the variable space grid method. Our simulated results are in reasonable agreement with the experimental observations. The role of diffusion becomes more and more prominent during the contact area increase, which is not sensitive to the kinetic rate constants tested in this study. However, it is very sensitive to the dissociation equilibrium constant and the concentrations of CD2 and CD58.
Novel wood adhesives from condensed tannins and polyethylenimine

Abstract The wood composites industry is a major manufacturing sector in the United States. Increasing concerns about emissive formaldehyde to human health and our heavy dependence on petroleum and natural gas promote the need for a formaldehyde-free wood adhesive from renewable resources. Marine mussel adhesive protein is an excellent example of a formaldehyde-free adhesive from renewable resources. To cope with turbulent tides and waves, mussels stick to rocks or other substances in seawater by secreting an adhesive protein, commonly called marine adhesive protein. The two key functional moieties in the marine adhesive protein are 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (a catechol moiety) and lysine (an amino moiety). Since marine adhesive protein is not readily available, condensed tannins, which contain large amounts of catechol groups, were considered for use in this adhesive system. This study revealed that a mixture of procyanidin-type condensed tannin and polyethylenimine (PEI) was an excellent surrogate for the marine adhesive protein. A tannin–PEI mixture performed successfully as a formaldehyde-free wood adhesive. Two-ply wood composites bonded with tannin–PEI adhesives had very high shear strengths and were very water resistant. The following variables of the tannin–PEI adhesives were investigated in detail for their effects on the shear strength and water-resistance of wood composites bonded with the tannin–PEI adhesives: the mixing time of tannin and PEI, the total solids content of the tannin–PEI adhesives, the weight ratio between tannin and PEI, the cure time and temperature of the tannin–PEI adhesives, the storage time of the tannin–PEI adhesives, and the molecular weight of PEI.
The anatomy of Sindbad: a location-aware social networking system

This paper features Sindbad; a location-based social networking system. Sindbad supports three new services beyond traditional social networking services, namely, location-aware news feed, location-aware recommender, and location-aware ranking. These new services not only consider social relevance for its users, but they also consider spatial relevance. Since location-aware social networking systems have to deal with large number of users, large number of messages, and user mobility, efficiency and scalability are important issues. To this end, Sindbad encapsulates its three main services inside the query processing engine of PostgreSQL. Usage and internal functionality of Sindbad are implemented with PostgreSQL and Google Maps API. Both a web and android phone applications are built on top of Sindbad for better interaction with the system users.
Isidore, Orosius and the Beatus Map

Abstract Beatus of Liebana's Commentary on the Apocalypse (Spain, 776) drew heavily on Tyconius’ Commentary (North Africa, late fourth century), which is a probable source for the world map Beatus used to show the apostolic dissemination of the Faith. A map based on Orosius’ Historiarum adversus paganos libri VII (Seven Books of History against the Pagans) is another possible model for Beatus’ map, and it would have differed only slightly from one following Isidore of Seville's Etymologiae. Surviving maps in Beatus Commentaries incorporate features from both sources. One notable feature from Isidore is an interior ocean separating a ‘fourth continent’ from the usual three parts of the ecumene. Contrary to common interpretation, this fourth part represents not an antoecumenical hemisphere but the southernmost zone of the inhabited world. Although the map in the Beatus codex now in Burgo de Osma (dated 1086) is usually recognised as the best witness to the original Beatus map, that in Morgan 644 (dated 940)...
Ultrasonic imaging of a beat-culture icon

Jay DeFeo's sculptural-painting was originally begun as a 'concept with a center'. This DeFeo work was pivotal to both her artistic recognition and development It epitomized the beat- culture's newly discovered creative freedoms encouraged during the art renaissance of the period that has come to be known as America's Chamelot. Jay DeFeo's Rose was the culmination of an almost ritualized performance-art process of creation and destruction that spanned the years 1958 through 1965 and resulted in a 0.4 X 2.5 X 3.2 meter, 100 kilogram composite-laminate painting/artifact. When the artwork begun to crumble twenty years ago it was totally encased in approximately 10cm of steel-reinforced plaster for structural support. Here we will describe the solids-imaging techniques considered and utilized in determining the painting's internal composition to aid in safe extraction of the artwork from its plaster tomb followed by complete restoration. Our imaging goals were first, locate the interior plaster-paint boundary and second, characterize the size, shape and relative geometry of voids and artifacts in the paint composite laminate to facilitate the positioning and embedding weight-bearing pins.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Acoustic DOA Estimation: An Approximate Maximum Likelihood Approach

In this paper, we study the approximate maximum likelihood (AML) algorithm that estimates the direction of arrivals (DOA) of multiple acoustic sources. The AML algorithm yields the DOAs of multiple sources by enabling an alternating projection procedure based on sequentially iterative search over the single-source parameter space. Through our evaluations on blind beamforming, we have been able to not only use a sensor array with the 2-D AML algorithm that estimates the azimuth angles for multiple sources in the far field of the array but also employ the 3-D AML algorithm that estimates the azimuth and elevation angles. To present a few justifying examples, we consider two acoustic sources and present Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) on the DOA estimation given by a 3-D array. Also, we adopt the concept of isotropic array that yields constant CRB on azimuth angles over the whole azimuth range and constant CRB on elevation angles over the whole elevation range. We have also shown by simulations and experimentally collected data that the 3-D AML algorithm exhibits superior source separation capability over its 2-D counterpart for multiple sources located at different azimuth and elevation angles.
Real-Time GPS Data Transmission Using VSAT Technology

The University NAVSTAR Consortium (UNAVCO) Boulder Facility is assessing Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) technology for near real-time transmission of GPS data from a remote receiver to a central processing facility. The study is motivated by the need for a robust, cost-effective data communications solutions to transfer GPS data from remote sites where no other communication alternatives exist. Future large-scale plate boundary deformation initiatives using spatially dense networks of GPS will require receivers to be located where the science dictates, and not the power or communications infrastructure. For other applications, such as determining rapid GPS orbits and time transfer, there is a push toward reducing the latency in GPS data used to produce GPS data products and differential corrections (Talaya & Bosch, 1999; Jackson, Meertens, & Rocken, 2000; Muellerschoen, Bar-Sever, Bertiger, & Stowers, 2001), and to support upcoming Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) missions requiring low latency, 1-s GPS data. In this paper we evaluate two Ku-band systems, the Nanometrics Libra VSAT and the StarBand 2-way satellite Internet VSAT. The Nanometrics system test results show that continuous, 1-s GPS data can be streamed from multiple remote stations within the VSAT footprint, quality checked, and delivered for processing with a <2.5-s latency (mean 1.2 s) and a 99.8% reliability. Benefits of the Nanometrics system include global coverage, control of bandwidth allocation and data hub, and the low power draw of the system. Negatives include the cost of hub and remote infrastructure and the need to negotiate landing rights issues on a country-by-country basis. The UNAVCO Facility currently operates a Nanometrics hub and three remote VSAT systems. The StarBand system showed 98.9% reliability with a maximum latency of 10.2 s (mean latency 1.7 s) for 1-Hz GPS data and an average uplink speed of 31.7 kbps. Benefits of the StarBand system include the cost and small profile of the remote antenna. Negatives include coverage limited to coterminous United States and the high power draw of remote systems. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Relationships Between Parenting Environment and Children's Mental Health Among African American and European American Mothers and Children

This study examined the relationship between aspects of the parenting environment and children's conduct problems and anxious symptoms among socioeconomically comparable samples of African American and European American mothers and their kindergarten children. Ethnic differences in parenting may lead to differences in the relationship between parenting and child outcomes. Thus, the moderating role of ethnicity for the relationships between parenting and children's mental health was tested. African American and European American parents were similar in their parenting practices. European American children reported a higher number of anxious symptoms, however. Parenting and family interaction patterns were associated with children's anxious symptoms and conduct problems. Although many relationships were similar across ethnic groups, there were ethnic differences in the relationships between maternal parenting efficacy and anxiety and between hostile control and conduct problems. These similarities and differences are discussed in light of theory and familial, cultural, and environmental niches.
Attitudes of Offenders and Non-offenders Towards School.

Summary As a result of group discussions with working class pupils from areas of high delinquency it was postulated that there were at least three broad and overlapping categories of pupils attending comprehensive schools in these districts. These were termed school‐orientated pupils, nonchalant pupils and anti‐school pupils. An attempt was then made to ascertain some of the main differences in attitudes towards school between offenders and non‐offenders. Generally speaking it was found that non‐offenders occupied the first and second of the above categories and offenders the second and third. Questionnaires were given to 120 pupils composed of a group of 60 non‐offenders and a group of 60 offenders. All the pupils were attending school but while all the non‐offenders were still at day school most of the offenders were in the care of their local authorities. The offenders were found to have presented more problems for the school authorities either through misbehaviour or truancy. On attitude items (Likert...
Regulation of Pyk2 expression by p56Lck in Jurkat T lymphocytes

Abstract Lysates from the Jurkat T lymphocyte cell line were immunoblotted with anti-Pyk2, and two major forms of Pyk2 were identified. When lysates from the p56Lck negative (J.CaM1/Rep3) and CD45 negative Jurkat cell line derivatives were immunoblotted with anti-Pyk2, only the lower mobility form of Pyk2 was predominant. Transfection of J.CaM1 cells with p56Lck restored expression of the multiple forms of Pyk2. Using RT-PCR, we found that both species of the alternatively spliced mRNA for Pyk2 were present in all of the lines regardless of their ability to express CD45 or p56Lck protein. When p56Lck immunoprecipitates were immunoblotted with anti-Pyk2, only the higher mobility form of Pyk2 immunoprecipitated with p56Lck. These data demonstrate that certain members of the Src family of kinases interact preferentially with the different isoforms of Pyk2 and may have a role in the regulation of the Pyk2 protein in lymphocytes.
Transgenic Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) plants expressing an Arabidopsis phytochelatin synthase (AtPCS1) exhibit enhanced As and Cd tolerance

Phytochelatins (PCs) are post-translationally synthesized thiol reactive peptides that play important roles in detoxification of heavy metal and metalloids in plants and other living organisms. The overall goal of this study is to develop transgenic plants with increased tolerance for and accumulation of heavy metals and metalloids from soil by expressing an ArabidopsisthalianaAtPCS1 gene, encoding phytochelatin synthase (PCS), in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.). A FLAG-tagged AtPCS1 gDNA, under its native promoter, is expressed in Indian mustard, and transgenic pcs lines have been compared with wild-type plants for tolerance to and accumulation of cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As). Compared to wild type plants, transgenic plants exhibit significantly higher tolerance to Cd and As. Shoots of Cd-treated pcs plants have significantly higher concentrations of PCs and thiols than those of wild-type plants. Shoots of wild-type plants accumulated significantly more Cd than those of transgenic plants, while accumulation of As in transgenic plants was similar to that in wild type plants. Although phytochelatin synthase improves the ability of Indian mustard to tolerate higher levels of the heavy metal Cd and the metalloid As, it does not increase the accumulation potential of these metals in the above ground tissues of Indian mustard plants.
The structure of organotin mercaptocarboxylates

The preparation of a number of new organotin(IV) mercaptocarboxylates is reported. The structures of these compounds, a number of which are liquids at room temperature, has been elucidated by means of infrared and 119Sn Mossbauer spectroscopy and by appropriate molecular weight determination, ω-mercaptocarboxylic acids form 21 adducts with monoalkyltin(IV) oxides in which one of the ligands retains a free SH group. With dialkyltin(IV) oxides the resultant 11 adducts are linear polymers. With bis(trialkyltin(IV) oxides, two different organotin(IV) mercaptocarboxylates are formed: a binuclear monomer in which one metal atom is chelated by both oxygen atoms of the carboxyl group while the other trialkyltin moiety is bonded through the sulfur atom of the thiol group, and a polymeric compound containing both bridging carboxylate ligands and free mercaptan groups.
Factoring a mobile client's effective processing speeed into the image transcoding decision

An image transcoding proxy decides whether to transcode an image fetched from the Web based either on the criterion of reducing the overall response time (store-and-forward proxies), or the criterion of avoiding buffer overflow (streamed proxies). In this paper, we introduce a new parameter, namely a mobile client’s effective processing speed, into the analytical formulation of both transcoding decisions, and study the practical importance of this parameter when transcoding is applied for standard PDA clients. CPU-intensive operations like image decompression, colorspace conversion and scaling can together add excessive delay to the perceived response time when performed on a mobile client that has severely limited processing capability. Under certain conditions, a transcoding proxy that sends GIF or JPEG images can incur greater delay due to decompression on a PDA client than a better informed transcoding proxy that chooses instead to send bit-mapped equivalents that incur little to no client-side decoding delay. We designed three experiments that partitioned image processing functions between a proxy and a standard PDA in order to assess the importance of a client’s CPU limitations on the image transcoding decision. First, images were fetched by a standard Web browser that decompressed GIF’s on the PDA. This browser also enforced scaling on every image to fit within the PDA’s small screen. Second, we added a transcoding proxy that pre-scaled images, thereby bypassing the browser’s scaling function but still requiring the browser to decompress the scaled GIF’s. Third, we migrated both scaling and decompression off of the PDA on to the proxy. The proxy pre-scaled as before, and also transcoded GIF’s to grayscale bitmaps that required no client-side decompression. We measured response times from each of these three experiments and quantified how much improvement in response time can be achieved when a proxy assists a CPU-limited PDA by performing some or all CPU-intensive image processing tasks on the transcoding proxy.
Abstract LB-212: Elevated plasma NGAL and MIC-1 are novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly lethal malignancy (5-year survival 90ng/ml, NGAL was 67% sensitive (95% C.I. 60%-80%) and 93% specific (95% C.I. 76%-99%) in distinguishing PC from controls. In comparison, CA19-9 at a cut-off of >37U/ml was 82% sensitive (95% C.I. 73%-89%) and 67% specific (95% C.I. 46%-83%) while MIC-1 at a level >1.85 ng/ml had a sensitivity of 82% (95% C.I. 73%-89%) and specificity of 63% (95% C.I. 42%-80%). Neither NGAL nor MIC-1 levels differed significantly between PC patients with resectable vs unresectable tumors (p=0.54 and 0.37), male vs. female (p=0.92 and 0.11), by histological grade (p=0.26 and 0.29), location of tumor (p=0.58 and 0.96) or among those with or without a concomitant diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (p=0.46 and 0.50 respectively). However, NGAL (but not MIC-1) levels were significantly higher in PC patients above 65 yrs of age (177.1±30 ng/ml compared to 97±8.6 ng/ml in those ≤ 65 yrs old, p=0.017) and lower in post-operative compared to pre-operative PC patients (106±7 ng/ml vs. 138±15 ng/ml respectively, p=0.057). Applying a criterion of positivity of at least one of the three markers improved the sensitivity of diagnosing PC to 98.5%, while positivity for any two markers (NGAL or CA19-9, MIC-1 or CA19-9 and NGAL or MIC-1) was less sensitive in diagnosing PC (92%, 97% and 91% sensitive respectively). The highest specificity was obtained when both NGAL and CA19-9 were above their cut-offs (96%). Adding MIC-1 to this did not improve specificity. Twelve pre-operative PC patients had CA19-9<37U/ml. 58% (n=7) of these patients had NGAL levels above the cut-off compared to 83% (n=10) for MIC-1. Using a criterion of either NGAL or MIC-1 positivity in these patients correctly identified 92% (n=11) PC patients who were negative for CA19-9. In summary, we have identified NGAL as a highly specific marker of PC compared to CA19-9. Further, a combination of NGAL, MIC-1 and CA19-9 was more sensitive than either marker alone in diagnosing PC, while a combination of CA19-9 and NGAL gave the highest specificity. A combination of NGAL and MIC-1 was useful to identify PC patients who were negative for CA19-9. Our results suggest a potential role for NGAL and MIC-1 in the diagnosis of PC, especially in patients who do not express CA19-9. Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-212.
Stability of phases in the Mg(ClO4)2·nH2O system and implications for perchlorate occurrences on Mars

[1] Salt hydrates have been identified on the Martian surface and in some instances can affect or be affected by the H2O flux between the atmosphere and regolith. Recently, perchlorates were identified in the northern plains of Mars by the Phoenix lander, in association with Ca2+, Mg2+, and Na+ cations. Solid perchlorates are rare on Earth, and the stability of perchlorate phases at low temperatures and relative humidities is poorly constrained. We have examined the stability of hydrated phases in the magnesium perchlorate system, Mg(ClO4)2·nH2O, using thermogravimetric and controlled temperature and humidity X-ray diffraction experiments from 253 to 523 K. Our data revealed the existence of three distinct hydrate phases and an anhydrous phase, and the data suggest that the stable form on Mars would be Mg(ClO4)2·6H2O. Rehydration experiments on the anhydrous form at 263 K and 0.5% relative humidity (RH) show complete hydration to the hexahydrate after 12 h. Given the hygroscopic nature of this material and its resistance to dehydration, we conclude that Mg(ClO4)2·6H2O will not undergo dehydration/rehydration-related phase changes on diurnal or seasonal cycles on Mars. Recent evidence suggests a more widespread distribution of perchlorate in the Martian regolith than previously thought, and Mg(ClO4)2·6H2O could thus represent another potential reservoir for H2O.
The Impact of Childhood Abuse on Women's and Men's Perceived Parenting: Implications for Practitioners

Three hundred eighty-eight women and two hundred ninety-six men, all parents, provided intake data at a university family therapy clinic. Among self-report items completed were questions relating to childhood abuse, perceived parenting, depressive feelings, hardiness, and current relationship functioning. Results indicated that physical abuse in childhood for women significantly influenced perceptions of their relationships with children; abuse was not significantly associated with later parenting for men. Childhood physical abuse for women and sexual abuse for men were significantly associated with hardiness, which was significantly associated with feeling depressed and perceived parenting for both genders. Race, income level, and substance abuse were not significant predictors or mediators in the model. Results suggest more gender similarities than differences when considering the association between retrospective, self-reported childhood abuse and later views of perceptions of parenting. The results su...