cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Representing bounded fault classes using neural networks with ellipsoidal activation functions

Abstract Feedforward neural networks are characterized by the choice of the squashing function, the activation function and the error criterion function. The standard feedforward network considers a sigmoid squashing function, linear activation function and RMS error minimization as the error criterion. These networks exhibit generalization problems because the linear discriminant function creates half spaces of high activation. For fault diagnosis, we are specifically interested in classifiers that generate bounded regions. To address this and related issues, we propose two ideas in this paper: (i) the use of an ellipsoidal activation function; and (ii) an algorithm for generating hidden nodes and hence the network structure adaptively. Ellipsoidal activation leads to the generation of bounded ellipsoidal regions in the space of the network inputs and is thus suitable for fault classification. The standard backpropagation algorithm does not guarantee the proper determination of the ellipsoidal activation functions as it may run into local minima problems, attributable mainly to poor choices of initial network weights. The notion of a bounding ellisoid is introduced to determine proper initial weights and also avoid unnecessarily large ellipsoids. A new algorithm for determining the number of hidden nodes adaptively is also proposed. New hidden nodes are added in regions of input space where the representation is not adequate and nodes are stripped away when they do not contribute to proper classification. This removes the arbitrary nature of assigning hidden nodes to the network as practiced in the standard approaches. The success of the proposed framework is demonstrated on a variety of examples including adjacent distributions with nonlinear boundaries. The diagnosis of a reactor—distillation column system is presented to show the suitability of the ellipsoidal representation by analyzing the structure of the fault space. The advantages of ellipsoidal units over radially symmetric units is discussed in this context.
Fetal tracheal augmentation with cartilage engineered from bone marrow-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells.

Abstract Background/Purpose: The authors have described previously the use of engineered fetal cartilage in a large animal model of fetal tracheal repair. This study was aimed at comparing cartilage engineered from bone marrow-derived stromal cells (BMSC) to native and engineered cartilage, in this model. Methods: Ovine BMSC were expanded in vitro, seeded onto biodegradable scaffolds, and maintained in transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1)-supplemented medium for 3 months (group I). Identical scaffolds were seeded with fetal chondrocytes (group II). All constructs were analyzed in vitro, implanted into fetal tracheas, and harvested after birth for further analysis. Results: There were no differences in survival between the groups. All BMSC-based constructs exhibited chondrogenic differentiation. Matrix analyses in vitro showed that both groups had similar levels of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and type II collagen (C-II), but lower levels of elastin when compared with native fetal cartilage. Yet, compared with group II, group I had higher levels of GAG, equal levels of C-II, and lower levels of elastin. However, remodeling resulted in no differences between the 2 groups in any of these variables in vivo. Conclusions: The bone marrow may be a useful cell source for cartilage engineering aimed at the surgical repair of severe congenital tracheal anomalies, such as tracheal atresia and agenesis, in utero.
Chaotic atrial mechanism

Abstract A distinctive, sustained atrial arrhythmia, characterized by chaotic and random atrial activity with at least three different types of “P” waves in a single electrocardiographic lead and variability of the P-P, R-R, and P-R intervals, has been described in 31 patients. This disturbance has been named chaotic atrial mechanism (CAM). In the majority of patients, the cardiac (atrial and ventricular) rate with this rhythm disturbance ranged from 100 to 150 beats per minute, but in rare instances it was as low as 56 or as fast as 200 beats per minute. On physical examination, it was usually indistinguishable from atrial fibrillation. The average age of the patients was 68.5 years. Such a striking correlation with pulmonary disease (83.9 per cent) and with diabetes mellitus (74.2 per cent) occurred that a syndrome was almost suggested. Probable important factors in the pathogenesis of the arrhythmia are diffuse atrial disease (ischemia, fibrosis, distension, stress) and damage to the sinus node with disorderly competition for pacemaker control by other foci of atrial pacemaker tissue. In support of this, premature atrial beats were noted, either before the onset of the arrhythmia or after its termination, in 61.3 per cent of the patients studied. In the majority of patients the arrhythmia lasted less than two weeks. The shortest apparent sustained duration was several seconds and the longest six years. The best therapeutic approach appeared to be that directed toward any underlying pathologic condition, especially pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, and infection. Antiarrhythmic drugs did not prove effective at safe dosage levels in the instances in which they were tried. Direct current cardioversion has not been attempted. Response to digitalis was variable and unpredictable, and intoxication frequently occurred when high dosages were used in an attempt to control cardiac rate. The potentially grave prognosis in patients with this rhythm disturbance is underscored by the fact that 16 of the 31 patients (52 per cent) died during the hospital stay in which the arrhythmia occurred and that 9 of these died within 45 days of its onset. Twelve of those who died apparently had the arrhythmia at the time of death.
Crystal Structure of a β-Catenin/Tcf Complex

Abstract The Wnt signaling pathway plays critical roles in embryonic development and tumorigenesis. Stimulation of the Wnt pathway results in the accumulation of a nuclear β-catenin/Tcf complex, activating Wnt target genes. A crystal structure of β-catenin bound to the β-catenin binding domain of Tcf3 (Tcf3-CBD) has been determined. The Tcf3-CBD forms an elongated structure with three binding modules that runs antiparallel to β-catenin along the positively charged groove formed by the armadillo repeats. Structure-based mutagenesis defines three sites in β-catenin that are critical for binding the Tcf3-CBD and are differentially involved in binding APC, cadherin, and Axin. The structural and mutagenesis data reveal a potential target for molecular drug design studies.
Interaction among cortical maps

Abstract Relationships among cortical feature maps may influence the ability of the early visual system to sense the orientation and position of a line stimulus. Several combinations of orientation maps and visuotopic maps were studied. The neurons were characterized by their receptive fields in the space of stimulus parameters and a stochastical response. Fisher information was calculated for each stimulus parameter and the average bound on the variance was used as the measure of error of parameter estimation. We conclude that the distortions of the visuotopic map suggested by the experimentally measured statistics result in decreased accuracy of the parameter estimation.
Response to “A New Approach to an Urban Information Process”

Response to Eastman, C., N. J. Johnson, K. Kortanek. 1970. A new approach: to an urban information process. Management Sci.1612, August B-733--B-748.
Aqueous chlorination of α-terpineol

Abstract Of the multitude of products obtained upon the aqueous chlorination of α-terpineol ( 1 ), under both acidic and basic conditions, the major ones are the diequatorial trans , 4 , and diaxial trans , 5 , Markovnikov adducts of hypochlorous acid to the olefinic center. With the exclusion of small amounts of dichloride formation, the remainder of the products appear to be derived from 4 and 5 by hydrolysis or elimination sequences. The product distribution exhibits an expected pH dependence that is useful in the structural assignments.
Tactile feedback contributes to consistency of finger movements during typing

Touch typing movements are typically too brief to use on-line feedback. Yet, previous studies have shown that blocking tactile feedback of the fingertip of typists leads to an increase in typing errors. To determine the contribution of tactile information to rapid fine motor skills, we analyzed kinematics of the right index finger during typing with and without tactile feedback. Twelve expert touch typists copy-typed sentences on a computer keyboard without vision of their hands or the computer screen. Following control trials, their right index fingertip was anesthetized, and sentences were typed again. The movements of the finger were recorded with an instrumented glove and electromagnetic position sensor. During anesthesia, typing errors of that finger increased sevenfold. While the inter-keypress timing and average kinematics were unaffected, there was an increase in variability of all measures. Regression analysis showed that endpoint variability was largely accounted for by start location variability. The results suggest that tactile cues provide information about the start location of the finger, which is necessary to perform typing movements accurately.
Simulations of the Dipole-Dipole Interaction Between Two Spatially Separated Groups of Rydberg Atoms

The dipole-dipole interaction among ultracold Rydberg atoms is simulated. We examine a general interaction scheme in which two atoms excited to the $x$ and ${x}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ states are converted to $y$ and ${y}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ states via a F\"orster resonance. The atoms are arranged in two spatially separated groups, each consisting of only one species of atom. We monitor the state mixing by recording the fraction of atoms excited to the ${y}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ state as the distance between the two groups is varied. With zero detuning a many-body effect that relies on always resonant interactions causes the state mixing to have a finite range. When the detuning is greater than zero, another many-body effect causes a peak in the state mixing when the two groups of atoms are some distance away from each other. To obtain these results it is necessary to include multiple atoms and solve the full many-body wave function. These simulation results are supported by recent experimental evidence. These many-body effects, combined with appropriate spatial arrangement of the atoms, could be useful in controlling the energy exchange among the atoms.
Laser-assisted inelastic rescattering during above-threshold ionization

As an electron is freed from an atom by an intense laser it is accelerated by the oscillating field. Before escaping entirely, it may recollide with its parent ion. During this rescattering, the remaining electrons of the ion might be excited or ionized. The influence of the laser field on these impact excitation and ionization processes is investigated. Model calculations for helium at 780 nm and intensities near ${10}^{15}$ W/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ show that the effect of the field on the total probability of promoting an electron from the ionic ground state is small. However, the laser alters the final excited-state populations, rapidly ionizing any excited bound states. We discuss the importance of these results in the search for the mechanism responsible for direct double ionization in the tunneling regime.
Induction of nuclear deoxyribopyrimidine triphosphatase and sensitivity of clinical isolates of herpes simplex virus to (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine.

Abstract In a blind study, 21 clinical isolates of herpes simplex virus which had been typed using differential growth on guinea pig embryo versus chicken embryo cells were tested for the presence of the viral deoxyribopyrimidine triphosphatase. In all isolates of type 1, the triphosphatase was present in the nuclei of the infected cells, while none of the HSV-2 isolates induced a nuclear enzyme. In all isolates there was a complete correlation between the presence of nuclear deoxyribopyrimidine triphosphatase and sensitivity to 0.7 μg/ml of E -5-(2-bromovinyl)-2′-deoxyuridine. The study suggests that the type-specific distribution of the triphosphatase is of general validity, including clinical isolates of herpes simplex virus, and could be used as a type-specific enzyme marker.
A demonstration of the flexibility of widget generation

Several user-interface tools have been developed that (semi) automatically generate widgets for interacting with model objects. However, details of the nature of the model-widget mapping and the range of widget compositions that can be automatically created remain largely unpublished, and hence unknown. Moreover, most of this work has considered flat models. Using a variety of user-interfaces, which are proposed as benchmarks for evaluating widget generation, this paper demonstrates and derives a flexible and (semi) automatic algorithm for mapping between model and widget compositions.
Sociodemographic Factors Associated With Management of Gastric Cancer: QRRO/CURE Results

Gastric Cancer: QRRO/CURE Results J. Owen1, A. Ho1, L.A. Kachnic2, B.D. Minsky3, K.A. Goodman4, N. Khalid 1, J. Wilson5, C.R. Thomas6 for QRRO GI Committee 1American College of Radiology, Philadelphia, PA, 2Boston Univ Med Ctr, Boston, MA, 3MD Anderson Cancer Ctr, Houston, TX, 4Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Ctr., New York, NY, 5Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 6 Oregon Health & Science Univ., Portland, OR
Cognitive impairment and MS: searching for effective therapies.

Introduction: Cognitive impairment can be a significant disabling symptom in many people with multiple sclerosis (MS) leading to poor quality of life and social and economic burdens [1–3]. Prevalence of cognitive impairment in MS varies from 40% to 65% [1] and can affect people even in early MS [4–6]. The cognitive domains commonly affected in MS include short-term memory, information processing speed, and attention [1, 7]. Despite availability of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) such as interferon β, glatiramer acetate, natalizumab, and fingolimod for relapsing forms of MS, the beneficial effect on cognitive improvement of these therapies remains far from being clear. In theory, controlling the MS disease activity with use of such therapies should slow the cognitive impairment but this has not been studied well in the completed clinical trials of the DMTs. In addition, none of these therapies seem effective at reversing established cognitive impairment, and symptomatic therapies for this MS problem are needed. In recent years, researchers have tested several therapies aimed specifically at improving cognition in MS. These therapies have included dietary supplements, such as gingko biloba [8, 9], and drugs used in treatment of cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) such as the cholinesterase inhibitors donepezil hydrochloride [10, 11] and rivastigmine [12–14], in which the preliminary studies showed mixed results. We describe here two recent large trials that tested memantine and donepezil for treatment of MS-related cognitive dysfunction and showed them to be ineffective [15, 16]. Donepezil hydrochloride (marketed in the United States as Aricept®; Eisai, Tokyo, Japan) is a centrally acting cholinesterase inhibitor that is US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate dementia in AD [17]. Donepezil’s mechanism of action involves increasing acetylcholine in the neuronal pathways affected in AD. Donepezil is administered in a dose of 5 to 10 mg per day. Memantine (marketed in United States as Namenda®; Forest Pharmaceuticals, St. Louis, MO), conversely, is an N-methyl-Daspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist that is FDA approved for symptomatic treatment of moderate to severe dementia in AD [18] and can be given in doses up to 5 to 20 mg per day. NMDA receptors with glutamate as their key neurotransmitter have an important role in learning and memory function of the brain; and by blocking the actions of glutamate, memantine is thought to improve some aspects of cognitive dysfunction in AD. This editorial revisits the limitations that exist currently in the treatment of cognitive dysfunction in MS. The first study that we discuss here was conducted by Krupp et al. [16] studying the effects of donepezil on memory function in MS. The second study was conducted by Lovera et al. V. Yadav (*) :D. N. Bourdette Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, UHS-42, Portland, OR 97239, USA e-mail: yadavv@ohsu.edu
Electron spectra from decay of superpartner of W boson at the p ¯ p collider

We present a detailed examination of electron spectra from p-barp collider events which are characteristic of the decay of W, the superpartner of the W boson. The events studied are those with a single electron and no associated charged particles or jets. Such events can arise from the sequential decay W..-->..W gamma-tilde..-->..enu-bar gamma-tilde gamma-tilde, where gamma-tilde denotes a photino. For electron energies less than 30 GeV, the background from direct-W-decay electrons is manageably small. The other source of electrons in this energy range: sequential decays of the form W..-->..lnu-bar/sub l/..-->..enu-bar..nu../sub l/nu-bar/sub l/, where l is a heavy lepton or tau: is also treated. We find that W decay provides a substantial excess of single electrons if the W mass is less than 50 GeV. It does not seem possible, however, to distinguish between a W and a heavy lepton of the same mass on the basis of these spectra.
Study of Speed-Dependent Packet Error Rate for Wireless Sensor on Rotating Mechanical Structures

Wireless sensors on rotating mechanical structures have rich and fast changing multipath that cannot be easily predicted by conventional regression approaches in time for effective transmission coding or power control, resulting in deteriorated transmission quality. This study aims to study the speed-dependent packet error rate (PER) of wireless sensor radios on rotating mechanical structures. A series of rotating IEEE 802.15.4 sensor radio transmission experiments and vector network analyzer measurements have been conducted to derive and validate a predictive PER model for a fast rotating sensor radio channel based on channel impulse response measurements. The proposed predictive PER model, including power attenuation, bit error rate (BER) and PER sub-models, captures the channel property of rotating sensors based on the received signal strength and the radio receiving sensitivity. The PER model has accurately predicted the PER profile of sensors on a rotating machine tool spindle as well as a rotating plate of a prototype rotation system. The analysis provides an in-depth understanding of how multipath propagation causes the fast power variation and the resulting speed-dependent PER for wireless sensors on rotating mechanical structures.
Smerdiakov and Ivan: Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov

"My friend," said Stepan Trofimovich in great excitement "savez-vous ... That's exactly like our Russia, these devils that come out of the sick man and enter into the swine. They are all the sores ... all the devils great and small that have multiplied in that great invalid, our beloved Russia. ... Oui, cette Russie que j'aimais toujours. But a great idea and a great Will will encompass it from on high ... and all those devils will come forth ... and they will beg of themselves to enter into swine; and indeed maybe they have entered into them already! They are we, we and those ... and Petrusha and les autres avec lui ... and I perhaps at the head of them, and we shall cast ourselves down, possessed and raving from the rock into the sea, and we shall all be drowned-and a good thing too, for that is all we are fit for."
Hypoperfusion as a possible factor in the development of gastrointestinal complications after cardiac surgery

Summary This study has presented the spectrum of postoperative gastrointestinal system complications after open heart surgery at the University of Washington from 1980 through 1983. The frequent necessity for operative intervention and a mortality rate of 17 percent in our study of gastrointestinal complications in patients who have undergone open heart surgery indicates the need for early diagnosis and treatment. The data suggest that bypass times approaching 100 minutes and the presence of postoperative cardiogenic shock are important risk factors in the development of such complications in elective cardiac surgery patients. An incidence of gastrointestinal complications of 8.6 percent in those undergoing repair of acute aortic dissections makes gastrointestinal complaints particularly suspicious in this subgroup.
Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema Alters Physiology but Has Similar Mortality to Pulmonary Fibrosis Without Emphysema

Studies have described individuals with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE), with preserved lung volumes, significant reductions in gas exchange, and high prevalence of pulmonary hypertension. While physiologic changes in CPFE are well documented, there is little mortality data in the CPFE population compared to appropriate controls. A study was performed to determine the features and outcomes of a group of individuals with imaging and/or pathologic evidence of CPFE to determine if individuals with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema have different features and survival than individuals with pulmonary fibrosis alone. We conducted a retrospective study at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Included in the study were individuals hospitalized over a 5-year period who were given a clinical diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis. Individuals with confirmed imaging or pathologic evidence of pulmonary fibrosis were divided into a study group with concomitant emphysema (CPFE group, n = 20) and a control group without emphysema (isolated pulmonary fibrosis (PF) group, n = 24). The CPFE group, all current or former cigarette smokers, had significantly larger lung volumes, more expiratory airflow obstruction, and worse gas exchange than the isolated pulmonary fibrosis group. Mortality did not differ between the groups. Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema results in unique physiologic features but no difference in survival compared with a group with pulmonary fibrosis alone.
The determination of total hydroxyproline in urine and bone extracts.

Abstract A quantitative procedure has been devised for the isolation of hydroxyproline from hydrolyzed urine or collagen samples by chromatography on a column of Dowex 50W. When combined with the colorimetric procedure described here, duplicate analyses agree to within 2.0%, and mean recoveries of 98.3% are obtained. The application of this method to the determination of hydroxyproline in urine and the measurement of specific activities in bone extracts is described. Two shorter methods, not involving chromatography, are also described. These procedures give fairly precise results, but yield somewhat lower recoveries and lower final values than the chromatographic procedure. The results suggest that a substance is present in urine and collagen which reduces the final color yield by the chloramine T-Ehrlich's reagent colorimetric procedure. This substance is removed by chromatography on Dowex 50W, and may be an amino acid. One of the shorter procedures, although yielding values which are on the average 19% low, may be useful for the rapid, routine measurement of hydroxyproline in clinical urine specimens.
Model calculations for Setchenow coefficients

The calculations of Setchenow coefficients reported earlier [H. L. Friedman, C. V. Krishnan, and C. Jolicoeur,Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 204, 79 (1973)] have been extended to aqueous solutions of various nonelectrolytes mixed with alkali or alkylammonium halides. A few data for Setchenow coefficients in methanol have also been treated. The GurneyA ij parameters for nonelectrolyte-ion interactions in models which fit the data are mostly negative, and more so the larger the solute molecules. A value ofA ij near-100 cal-mole−1 seems to characterize hydrophobic bonding. In several systems these is evidence that some nonsolvation contribution to theu ij pair potential which is not explicitly accounted for in the models is important in the real systems. Quite possibly this contribution is due to dispersion forces or to the chargepolarizability interaction. On the whole, theA ij parameters do not seem to depend upon the charges on solute particlesi andj; this is evidence that the model is fairly realistic.
Cloud radiative forcing at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program Climate Research Facility: 2. Vertical redistribution of radiant energy by clouds

Documentation of the effects of clouds on the radiant energy balance of the surface and atmosphere represents a shortcoming in the set of observations that are needed to ascertain the validity of climate model simulations. While clouds are known to cool the climate system from top of atmosphere (TOA) radiation budget studies, the redistribution of energy between the surface and atmosphere and within the atmosphere by clouds has not been examined in detail with observations. Using data collected at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program (ARM) Southern Great Plains (SGP) site, we use measurements of cloud occurrence and structure together with a scheme to characterize the cloud microphysical and radiative properties to estimate the uncertainty in our ability to calculate the radiative forcing and effect of clouds at the top of atmosphere, the surface and within the atmosphere. We find that overcast clouds during 2000 tended to have a small net influence on the atmosphere (6 W m -2 ± 3 W m -2 of heating) with net TOA and surface cooling (25 W m -2 ± 3 W m -2 and 32 ± 3 W m -2 , respectively). These statistics mask a significant redistribution of radiant energy within the atmosphere by clouds where low overcast clouds resulted in strong atmospheric cooling (37 W m -2 ± 9 W m -2 ), and thin high clouds resulted in warming (21 W m -2 ± 6 W m -2 ) suggesting that accurate prediction of the phasing of these cloud types within meteorological features is important for capturing the essential feedbacks by clouds to the general circulation.
‘Best Practices’ in Regional Trading Agreements: An Application to Asia

Regionalism in Asia, particularly in the form of free-trade areas (FTAs), is a recent trend that is becoming increasingly important. This has been disturbing to many, given the significance of trade and investment in Asian economic growth and development and the region's key role in global commerce. In light of this trend, the goal of this paper is to develop a blueprint, or a set of 10 ‘best practices’, that can be used as a guide to FTAs in order to ensure that they approximate first-best outcomes to the greatest extent possible. Next, the paper applies this framework to the existing FTAs between Asian countries and their regional and extra-regional partners. The results suggest that the more advanced regional accords generally receive high grades, with the notable exception of rules of origin, which tend to be even more problematic in the context of accords in which an OECD country is a party.
CAD model generation using noncontact/contact methods

The computer integration of the processes involved in the design and manufacture of a product is not attainable within the existence of a CAD model for the part. The CAD model is the source for many manufacturing automation processes such as automated process planning, fixture selection, etc. The process of CAD model generation for existing products is the focus of this paper. Mainly two problems are considered: (1) combining contact and non-contact scanning systems to achieve accuracy and automation of part surface digitization and, (2) defining the exact geometry of the object surface to create an engineering drawing for part production.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Validity of a heart rate inflection point or a 3.2 kilometer performance pace as estimators of maximal steady‐state running velocity in high school runners

Fifty‐seven high school middle distance runners (39 male and 18 female athletes) were assessed for maximal steady‐state (MSS) running velocity (RV), RV at a heart rate inflection point (HRi), and a competitive 3.2 km RV (RV3.2km) for the purpose of determining the correlation between actual MSS RV (MSS RVOBS) and that estimated from the Conconi and LaFontaine field test A Pearson correlation of r = 0.66 (males) and r = 0.38 (females) was observed between MSS RVObs and MSS RV3.2km, and a correlation of r = 0.47 (males) and r = 0.09 (females), respectively, between MSS RVObs and HRi RV was recorded. A HRi was detected in only 33 of 57 subjects (24 male and 9 female athletes). The respective LaFontaine and Conconi field tests overestimated a male's MSS RV, the former by an average of 13.4 and the latter by 7.7 m‐min‐1. A female's MSS RV, on average, was underestimated by 11.9 m.min‐1 by the Conconi test and overestimated by 10.9 m.min‐1 by the LaFontaine test The inaccuracy of the estimations ranged from 2 m...
Nest reuse by Northern Spotted Owls on the east slope of the Cascade Range, Washington

Abstract During a long-term demography study of Northern Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) in the eastern Cascade Range of Washington State in 1989 to 2008, we documented 276 nests of Northern Spotted Owls at 73 different territories. Of these nests, 90.2% were on platforms, mostly in clumps of deformed limbs caused by dwarf mistletoe (primarily Arceuthobium douglasii), and 9.8% were in cavities in trees. Of the nests associated with dwarf mistletoe, 8.4% were nests built by other raptors and 91.6% were either natural accumulations of debris or debris accumulated by other birds or mammals. Owls switched nests between nesting attempts 81.2% of the time. The presence of a new male or female at a territory did not affect the odds of switching nests between nesting attempts. The odds an owl would reuse a nest were 6 times greater for owls that were successful in the previous nesting attempt compared to owls that were unsuccessful, given the same type of nest structure. The odds an owl would reuse a ca...
Maternal health practices and complications of term labor.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between a healthful lifestyle, demonstrated by selected health practices, and complications in term labor. A sample of 493 clinic patients were interviewed at term, but prior to the onset of labor, regarding nine health practices. In a logistic regression, three of the nine practices examined were associated with significant changes in the rate of intrapartum complications: smokers experienced fewer intrapartum problems, whereas those with excess weight for height at conception and those whose gestational weight gain exceeded 40 pounds experienced an increased incidence of complications.
The influence of the inflation pressure on cross-country performance

INTRODUCTION Tins paper presents the most important results of the mobility testing conducted with a 6 x 6, 21⁄2-ton, X157 truck equipped with central tire inflation/deflation system and comparative evaluation against an M35A2 current production military truck. A short historical review of the central tire inflation system development and the main details of the system, are presented. Conclusions are drawn as to the usefulness and applicability of the system.
An evaluation of optimal sampling strategy and adaptive study design

We have evaluated the utility of optimal sampling strategy coupled with adaptive study design in the determination of individual patient and population pharmacokinetic parameter values. In 9 patients with cystic fibrosis receiving a short (1 minute) infusion of ceftazidime pharmacokinetic parameter values were determined with a nonlinear least-squares estimator analyzing a traditional, geometrically spaced set of 12 postinfusion serum samples drawn over 8 hours. These values were compared with values generated from four sample subsets of the 12 obtained at optimal times and analyzed by nonlinear least-squares estimator, as well as a maximum a posteriori probability Bayesian estimator with prior distributions placed on beta and clearance. The four sampling times were determined according to an adaptive design optimization technique that employs sequential updating of population prior distributions on parameter values. Compared with the 12-point determination, the four optimal points analyzed with the maximum a posteriori probability Bayesian estimator faithfully reproduced both microscopic and hybrid pharmacokinetic parameter values for individual patients and, consequently, also produced accurate measures of population central tendency and dispersion. This has important implications in being able to more efficiently derive target patient population pharmacokinetic information for new drugs. This should also allow generation of better concentration-effect relationships in populations of interest.
Hydrophilic-Hydrophobic Binary Systems of Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and Polycaprolactone. Part I: Synthesis and Characterization

Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) hydrogels have a potential for broad biomedical applications due to their softness, high water content and high permeability in the water swollen state. Unfortunately, poor mechanical properties limit their use for biomedical applications where mechanical strength is required. Various ways of combining PHEMA with a hydrophobic biodegradable polyester, polycaprolactone (PCL), were in vestigated. The synthesis and physical characterization of the modified hydro gels are discussed.
The Cortlandt complex: evidence for large-scale liquid immiscibility involving granodiorite and diorite magmas

Abstract Granodiorite and diorite plutons of the Rosetown complex, N.Y., which are associated with the nearby Cortlandt complex, have chemical and textural characteristics indicating that large-scale liquid immiscibility played a major role in their petrogenesis. Rare earth element, zirconium, niobium and phosphorus abundances are much greater in the diorite precluding the possibility that the Rosetown diorite and granodiorite are related by fractional crystallization. The trace element data also eliminate the possibility that the granodiorite represents: (1) a partial melt of crustal rocks including basalt; (2) a granitic cumulate; or (3) a residue from an aqueous fluid derived either from a silicate melt or crustal rocks. Liquid immiscibility appears to be viable model for the origin of the Rosetown granodiorite and iron-rich diorite. This model is supported by the following: (1) the major element compositions occur in a two-liquid field on a Greig diagram; (2) both bodies have similar Sr isotope compositions; (3) common phases in the two rock types have overlapping compositions; (4) the major and trace element data of the diorite and granodiorite are similar to the experimentally determined partition data of immiscible liquid pairs; and (5) possible ocelli of iron-rich diorite are found in the granodiorite.
Image data integration and analysis for natural disaster decision support systems

Natural disasters have a major impact, globally and within the United States causing injury and loss of life, as well as economic losses. To better address disaster response needs, a task force has been established to leverage technological capabilities to improve disaster response management. Web based geospatial analysis is one of these important capabilities. Samples of geospatial technologies applicable to disaster management are presented. These include 3D visualization, hyperspectral imagery, LIDAR, use of spectral libraries, digital multispectral video, radar imaging systems, photogeologic analysis and geographic information systems. An example scenario of a hurricane with landfall at Mobile, Alabama is used to demonstrate the interoperable use of web-based geospatial information to support decision support systems and assist public information communication.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Matrix Models of 2D Gravity and Isomonodromic Deformation

One of the principal goals of the theory of 2D gravity is making sense of the formal expression $$Z\left( {\mu ,\kappa ;{t_i}} \right) = \sum\limits_h {{{\int_{ME{T_h}} {dge} }^{\mu \int {\sqrt g + k\int {\sqrt g } + k} }}} {Z_{QFT\left( {{t_i}} \right)}}\left[ g \right]$$ (1.1) where we integrate over metrics g on surfaces with h handles with a weight defined by the Einstein-Hilbert action (μ is the cosmological constant and κ is Newton’s constant, or, equivalently, the string coupling) together with the partition function of some 2D quantum field theory, QFT(t i ). The parameters t i are coordinates on a subspace of the space of 2D field theories, or, equivalently, coordinates for a space of string backgrounds.
Love and Sex: Can We Talk about That in School?

(1985). Love and Sex: Can We Talk about That in School? Childhood Education: Vol. 61, No. 4, pp. 272-276.
Neutron cross-section for the production of 108Agm

Abstract Samples of enriched 107 Ag, irradiated with thermal neutrons, have been analyzed for 108 Ag m and 110 Ag m activities using a high-resolution Ge(Li) spectrometer. The neutron cross section for the production of 108 Ag m is determined to be 0.33 ± 0.08 barn, and the cross-section for the 110 Ag m production, 4.5 ± 0.7 barn, has been found to be in good agreement with the reported values.
Gambling by college athletes: An association between problem gambling and athletes

This investigation compares the prevalence rates of pathological and problem gambling between college athletes and non-athletes. Participants in the study included 954 students enrolled in health and safety classes from nine universities belonging to the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Of these students, 129 (14%) were classified as athletes. The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), designed to measure pathological gambling, was used as the testing instrument. Participants were asked additional questions to determine athletic participation and to gather demographic information. Cross tabulations, Pearson chi-square tests and Cramer's V tests were used to determine if there were significant associations between groups. On the whole, significant associations were not found between athletes and non-athletes and pathological and problem gambling; however, a statistically significant association was found between problem gambling and female athletes. The prevalence rates of pathological and problem gambling among athletes were 6.2% and 6.2%, while the prevalence rates among non-athletes were 3.4% and 3.3%.
FOXG1 is overexpressed in hepatoblastoma

Bacterial artificial chromosome array comparative genomic hybridization analysis of hepatoblastomas reveals a deletion in the 14q12 locus in 12 of 16 cases. A high frequency of copy gain is seen on chromosomes 1q, 2, 5p, 8, and 20. Frequent deletions are also seen at 6q, 17q, and 1p with less frequent gains on 4p, 6p, and 19p. 14q12 deletion locus analyses using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction reveals copy number gain/amplification in the region immediately telomeric to the deleted locus, including copy number gain (2- to 4-fold) of FOXG1 in 13 out of 16 tumors. This is associated with up-regulation (approximately 87-fold) of FOXG1 gene transcripts and increased protein expression. Immunostaining reveals an inverse relationship between FOXG1 expression and p21cip1 expression in all histologic subtypes. However, FOXG1 transcript levels were significantly higher (approximately 75-fold) in tumors with embryonal and small cell components when compared with pure fetal hepatoblastomas. FOXG1 has been implicated in the repression of transforming growth factor beta-induced expression of p21cip1 and cytostasis. Our findings are consistent with such a role for FOXG1. We propose that FOXG1 overexpression may contribute to the maintenance of the undifferentiated state in hepatoblastomas and could be a potential target for molecular therapeutics. This is the first report of a possible role for FOXG1 in hepatoblastoma and pediatric neoplasia.
Dual Die Package Design Strategy and Performance

The alarming growth of power increase has presented numerous packaging challenges for high performance processors. The average power consumed by a processor is the sum of dynamic and leakage power. The dynamic power is proportional to V^2, while the leakage current (therefore leakage power) is proportional to V^b where V is the voltage and b>1 for modern processes. This means lowering voltage reduces energy consumed per clock cycle but reduces the maximum frequency at which the processor can operate at. Since reducing voltage reduces power faster than it does frequency, integrating more cores into the processor would result in better performance/power efficiency but would generate more memory accesses, driving a need for larger cache and high speed signaling [1]. In addition, the design goal to create unified package pinout for both single core and multicore product flavors adds additional constraint to create a cost effective package solution for both market segments. This paper discusses the design strategy and performance of dual die package to optimize package performance for cost.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Unstructured polygonal meshes with adaptive refinement for the numerical simulation of dynamic cohesive fracture

This paper presents a scheme for adaptive mesh refinement on unstructured polygonal meshes to better capture crack patterns in dynamic cohesive fracture simulations. A randomly seeded polygonal mesh leads to an isotropic discretization of the problem domain, which does not bias crack patterns, but restricts the number of paths that a crack may travel at each node. An adaptive refinement scheme is proposed and investigated through a detailed set of geometric studies. The refinement scheme is selectively chosen to optimize the number of paths that a crack may travel, while still maintaining a conforming domain discretization. The details of the refinement scheme are outlined, along with the criterion used to determine the region of refinement and the method of interpolating nodal attributes. Extrinsic cohesive elements are inserted when and where necessary, and follow the constitutive response of the Park–Paulino–Roesler cohesive model. The influence of bulk and cohesive material heterogeneity is investigated through the use of a statistical distribution of material properties. The adaptive mesh modifications are handled through a compact topological data structure. Numerical examples highlight the features of adaptive refinement in capturing physical fracture patterns while addressing computational cost. Thus, the present approach is a step towards obtaining accurate dynamic fracture patterns and fields with polygonal elements.
Quantum Theory of Fields and Origin of Gravity

The unification of the quantum theory of fields and general relativity is supposed possible on the basis of Sakharov's hypothesis that gravity results from variations in vacuum fluctuations. It is shown that under very general conditions this hypothesis leads to Riemannian geometry of the world-lines of free particle motion. The origin of causal spacetime relations is discussed as the problem complementary to that of the source of geometry. This involves an interpretation of the EPR experiment and supports the idea that spacetime relations in microphysics result from adjusting quantum processes to the causality of macroscopic participators.
An Approach for Error Detection and Error Correction in Distributed Systems Computing Numerical Functions

We consider methods of error detection and/or error correction in software and hardware of a distributed system computing values of numerical functions. These methods are based on software and hardware redundancy for the computation of additional check functions. The check functions are easily derived for any given multiplicity of errors. The redundancy does not depend on the number of processors in the original system and depends only on the multiplicity of errors. We describe methods for the construction of optimal checks, required software and hardware redundancy, and implementation of the corresponding error detecting/correcting procedures by a distributed system.
Mechanisms of drug–DNA recognition distinguished by Raman spectroscopy, ,

The highly chromophoric drugs, ethidium bromide (EtBr), 9-aminoacridine (9AA) and proflavine (PF) (3,6-diaminoacridine) bind to DNA by insertion of a polycyclic aromatic ring between adjacent base pairs of the double helix. Despite similar intercalative mechanisms, these drugs exhibit distinct DNA affinities and produce characteristic mutagenic effects. Complexes of the intercalants with small nucleotide fragments have been investigated by various methods, including X-ray crystallography. However, the structural impact of drug intercalation on a DNA molecule of genetic consequence has not yet been reported. Here, we employ near-infrared laser excitation (752 nm) and a DNA target of genomic size to obtain and compare Raman spectra of complexes of EtBr, 9AA and PF with DNA. Raman signatures of solution complexes have been analyzed by difference methods to reveal the specific structural changes induced at the drug/DNA intercalation sites. Perturbation of the DNA backbone geometry, as reflected in the Raman marker diagnostic of the phosphodiester group (800–880 cm−1), ranges from disruption of the B-form duplex in favor of either the A-form duplex, or separated strands, or a combination of altered DNA backbone geometries. The acridine intercalants, PF and 9AA, also perturb hydrogen-bonding interactions between the paired bases of duplex DNA, although in distinct ways. Conversely, base pairing is relatively unperturbed by ethidium intercalation. The results are discussed in relation to frameshift mutagenic activities of the intercalating drugs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Socioeconomic Status and Gender Influences on Children's Dialectal Variations

This investigation compares dialect use by African American children differing in socioeconomic status (SES) and gender. Subjects were 5- and 6-year-old boys (n = 30) and girls (n = 36), who were kindergartners attending schools in the Metropolitan Detroit area. Comparisons of the amount of dialect in the children's spontaneous discourse revealed systematic differences relative to SES and gender in the frequencies but not the forms of dialect in use. Children from lower-income homes, and boys, were more marked dialect users than their middle-class peers or girls. The sociolinguistic implications of the findings are discussed.
Predicting health-related quality of life from the psychosocial profiles of youth seeking treatment for obesity.

OBJECTIVE To identify, in a sample of youth seeking treatment for obesity, subgroups of youth characterized by distinct profiles of psychosocial functioning and to examine whether psychosocial subgroup membership predicted treatment outcomes. METHODS Baseline psychosocial profiles identified using cluster analysis techniques were used to predict treatment outcomes (i.e., health-related quality of life, BMI z scores). Participants were 92 youths seeking treatment for obesity (mean age = 11.6 years, mean body mass index for age and sex = 30.5) and their caregivers. RESULTS Three distinct psychosocial profile subgroups were identified. Subgroups with higher levels of psychosocial problems had poorer health-related quality of life outcomes posttreatment and at 12-month follow-up. Subgroup membership did not predict weight outcomes. CONCLUSION Youth seeking weight management treatment may present with patterns of psychosocial difficulties with implications for treatment outcomes. Weight treatment interventions should be tailored to meet the needs of youth with higher levels of psychosocial problems.