cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using visualization for teaching

This paper describes a set of visualization techniques that will support the training of environmental economic input- output life-cycle assessment (EIO-LCA) users. EIO-LCA is a software tool used to estimate the environmental effects of any product throughout the course of its life. The process of estimating the environmental effects of a product using the EIO-LCA software prototype consists of the following steps: problem formulation, computations, and results analysis. Empirical software evaluation has shown that user solutions to EIO-LCA problems yield large variability; therefore, users need to have a clear understanding of the model, and they need to be trained. Instead of using only long tutorial documents and tables to train the user to use the data sources, we have designed a software tool that uses visualization tools to train users in the problem formation and data analysis tasks. For the problem-formulation task, the coloring matrices will allow users to better understand the economic data used. Also, treemaps are included so users can evalute the relationships between different levels of aggregation used in the problem formulation. Treemaps were used to allow users to understand both the direct and indirect effects in the result analysis.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effect of Chemotherapeutic Agents on Chromosomes of Patients with Lung Cancer

Chromosome studies were made on peripheral blood leukocytes from 20 patients with lung cancer before and during chemotherapy. The chemotherapies consisted of clophosphamide (Cytoxan), methotrexate, hydroxyurea, and a triple drug regimen of Cytoxan, methotrexate and streptonigrin. Peripheral blood studies of the chromosomes revealed a slightly increased incidence of major (fragments, dicentrics, translocations) and minor chromosome aberrations (breaks) during chemotherapy.
Prior hypoglycemia enhances glucose responsiveness in some ventromedial hypothalamic glucosensing neurons

Antecedent insulin-induced hypoglycemia (IIH) reduces adrenomedullary responses (AMR) to subsequent bouts of hypoglycemia. The ventromedial hypothalamus [VMH: arcuate (ARC) + ventromedial nuclei] c...
Membrane Surface Specialization of Blood Platelet and Megakaryocyte

RECENT evidence has indicated the importance of the surface of blood platelets in initiating the chain reaction in relation to platelet aggregation, and the formation of haemostatic plugs and thrombi1–3. During an investigation of the coating of the platelet surface, we noticed an elaborate surface structure which differs from that of other blood cells (unpublished results).
Antibody response of human beings to centrifuged, lyophilized Japanese B encephalitis vaccine.

SummaryNeutralizing antibodies for Japanese B encephalitis virus appeared in significant titers in 4 of 12 students inoculated with 4 to 6 cc of formalin-inactivated, angle-centrifuged, lyophilized mouse brain vaccine. Equivocal titers developed after vaccination in 3 additional members of this group, but intra-abdominal neutralization tests in very young mice gave negative results with these sera. The antibodies which appeared in significant titers persisted for at least 4 weeks. These data suggested that 4 cc of a vaccine, possessing a 50% immunogenic dose in mice of about 0.01 cc, was probably in the range of minimal dosage that would be required for human beings.
An Investigation of the Effectiveness of Using an Advance Organizer to Introduce Video in the Foreign Language Classroom

put. Certain theorists advocate that, for foreign language learners and children acquiring their first language, input should be interesting, not grammatically sequenced, somewhat beyond the learners' present linguistic control, and encountered naturally in a nonthreatening setting (12). Other theorists argue that listening to the kind of input described above does not guarantee comprehension. Rather, comprehension is aided by simplifying the message, by negotiating meaning between interlocutors, and by using linguistic and extralinguistic context, such as familiar structures, background knowledge, gestures, etc. (15). In particular, much literature has been devoted to the importance of providing background information (an advance organizer) to edited and unedited foreign language materials to improve comprehension (for a review, see 18-20). The use of advance organizers was first advocated by Ausubel when he suggested that the retention of unfamiliar but meaningful material could be enhanced by the advance introduction of relevant concepts. In the words of Shrum and Glisan, "the use of context and background information aids understanding by
Task-relevant adaptation of musculoskeletal impedance during posture and movement

One approach to designing robotic prostheses that interact with the environment in a naturally compliant fashion is to design them with mechanical properties that replicate the functions of an intact limb. Limb and joint mechanics can be quantified using estimates of impedance, a measure that can also be regulated in robotic systems using feedback control. Numerous studies have quantified the impedance of intact joints under static postural conditions. However, the few studies that have quantified impedance during movement have shown that it differs drastically from estimates obtained during static postural conditions. Specifically, the static component of impedance, known as stiffness, is substantially lower during movement control than during postural control. This difference has important implications for designing biomimetic prostheses and other robotic systems, though the factors contributing to the differences between posture and movement and the extent of these differences under different movement conditions are not yet known. In this paper, we systematically explore how human knee stiffness is affected by the kinematic and mechanical variables that constantly vary during movement. To do so we used a non-parametric system identification algorithm that makes few assumptions on the structure of the system or the relationship of the system to these changing kinematic and mechanical variables. We found that stiffness did not correlate with the net joint torque, as occurs during postural conditions, but rather with computed active muscle torque. Furthermore, we found that externally imposed movements during passive conditions cause a drop in joint stiffness, implying that at least some of the observed results are due to changes in intrinsic muscle or joint mechanics rather than altered neural control.
Ceramic lined pipes produced by a centrifugal-thermit process

Technique caracterisee par une grande quantite de chaleur de reaction et par l'application de la force centrifuge aux produits de la reaction. Obtention d'un revetement ceramique homogene
Modeling the age and age composition of late 19th century U.S. immigrants from Europe

Abstract Using panel data on 12 European source countries that are followed for 26 years (1873–1898), this paper studies age-specific emigration rates and the age composition of U.S. immigration. Two age groups are the focus of attention, 15–40 and over 40. Emigration-rate models and compositional models that satisfy adding-up conditions are estimated by the Hausman–Taylor Instrumental Variable approach. Younger migrants responded more strongly to job opportunities than to wage differentials, whereas older migrants responded more strongly to wage differentials. Both age groups tended to follow recent past migrants to the U.S. Relatively many younger (and relatively fewer older) migrants came from countries with higher percentages of their work forces in agriculture. Higher source-country birthrates discouraged younger migrants, presumably by raising the cost of family migration.
Geodesic flows on manifolds of negative curvature with smooth horospheric foliations

We improve and extend a result due to M. Kanai about rigidity of geodesic flows on closed Riemannian manifolds of negative curvature whose stable or unstable horospheric foliation is smooth. More precisely, the main results proved here are: (1) Let M be a closed C∞ Riemannian manifold of negative sectional curvature. Assume the stable or unstable foliation of the geodesic flow φt: V → V on the unit tangent bundle V of M is C∞. Assume, moreover, that either (a) the sectional curvature of M satisfies −4 < K ≤ −1 or (b) the dimension of M is odd. Then the geodesic flow of M is C∞-isomorphic (i.e., conjugate under a C∞ diffeomorphism between the unit tangent bundles) to the geodesic flow on a closed Riemannian manifold of constant negative curvature. (2) For M as above, assume instead of (a) or (b) that dim M ≡ 2(mod 4). Then either the above conclusion holds or φ1, is C∞-isomorphic to the flow , on the quotient Γ\, where Γ is a subgroup of a real Lie group ⊂ Diffeo () with Lie algebra is the geodesic flow on the unit tangent bundle of the complex hyperbolic space ℂHm, m = ½ dim M.
Dose-response relationship of topically applied mitomycin C for the prevention of laser myringotomy closure.

Abstract Objective We sought to determine a dose-response curve for topical mitomycin C when used to prolong the patency of laser-assisted myringotomies. Study design and setting Bilateral myringotomies were performed using the argon laser in 40 guinea pigs with normal ears. Pledgets with (0.05, 0.2, 0.4, or 2.0 mg/mL) mitomycin C were applied topically. Monitoring consisted of weekly or biweekly otomicroscopy. Results As in previous studies, all saline-treated myringotomies closed by day 7. By day 14, all myringotomies (100%) in the 0.05 mg/mL group were closed. By contrast, all myringotomies (100%) remained patent in the 0.2 and 0.4 mg/mL treatment groups, and 56% of the myringotomies remained patent in the 2.0 mg/mL group at day 14. By day 56, all myringotomies were closed in the 2.0 mg/mL group, 5 (50%) myringotomies were patent in the 0.4 mg/mL group, and 1 (11%) myringotomy was patent in the 0.2 mg/mL group. The study was terminated on day 84 (12 weeks). At that time, only the 0.4 mg/mL group had patent myringotomies (n = 3; 30%). The highest dose (2.0 mg/mL) of mitomycin was significantly associated with otorrhea. Otorrhea also appeared to be associated with earlier myringotomy closure. Conclusion There is a dose-response curve for topical mitomycin C when used for prolonging myringotomy patency in doses up to 0.4 mg/mL. Higher doses do not appear to prolong patency and are associated with greater otorrhea, suggesting middle ear toxicity.
Nonnegative constraint analysis of key fluorophores within human breast cancer using native fluorescence spectroscopy excited by selective wavelength of 300 nm

Native fluorescence spectroscopy offers an important role in cancer discrimination. It is widely acknowledged that the emission spectrum of tissue is a superposition of spectra of various salient fluorophores. In this study, the native fluorescence spectra of human cancerous and normal breast tissues excited by selected wavelength of 300 nm are used to investigate the key building block fluorophores: tryptophan and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). The basis spectra of these key fluorophores' contribution to the tissue emission spectra are obtained by nonnegative constraint analysis. The emission spectra of human cancerous and normal tissue samples are projected onto the fluorophore spectral subspace. Since previous studies indicate that tryptophan and NADH are key fluorophores related with tumor evolution, it is essential to obtain their information from tissue fluorescence but discard the redundancy. To evaluate the efficacy of for cancer detection, linear discriminant analysis (LDA) classifier is used to evaluate the sensitivity, and specificity. This research demonstrates that the native fluorescence spectroscopy measurements are effective to detect changes of fluorophores' compositions in tissues due to the development of cancer.
Uncovering the Source of International Order

Ordering International Politics: Identity, Crisis, and Representational Force. By Janice Bially Mattern. New York: Routledge, 2005. 303 pp., $85.00 cloth (ISBN: 0-415-94896-7), $24.95 paper (ISBN: 0-415-94897-5). Ordering International Politics by Janice Bially Mattern is a superbly crafted piece of scholarship. Its greatest asset is Bially Mattern's ability to speak across a variety of theoretical approaches in ways that are methodologically and philosophically important. In Ordering International Politics , she manages to merge realism and constructivism in a postconstructivist “identity turn” that places identity and language at the center of both understanding and creating international order. Building primarily on the work of two related groups of theorists, Bially Mattern's initial empirical concern in Ordering International Politics is with “security communities.” In security communities—a term coined by Karl Deutsch et al. (1957) and developed by, among others, Emanuel Adler and Michael Barnett (1998)—identity appears as “we-ness.” To clarify an understanding of how “we-ness” is created, Bially Mattern explores several possible variants of identity theory before concentrating on social constructivism. Although this body of theory is quite broad, as Bially Mattern notes, she focuses on the work of Alexander Wendt (1999). She wants to determine a source of “order,” specifically in times of crisis, but constructivism is unable to provide an adequate solution. “The problem is that while the constructivist theoretic apparatus appears to support a sufficient relationship between identity and order during settled times , in which foundational, shared basic truths are not challenged, that same theoretic apparatus can say nothing about identity during unsettled times ” (p. 52, italics in the original). Further investigation reveals that the sort of learning and framing that comes from authoritative core states, which would normally establish order within a security community, must be deferred to prior conditions in …
Facilitators and Barriers to Use of the Female Condom: Qualitative Interviews with Women of Diverse Ethnicity

Women in the United States, particularly African-Americans and Hispanics, are at increased risk for HIV. The female condom now offers women a potentially important option for HIV prevention, yet few efforts have been made to increase its use. To elucidate strategies to promote the use of the female condom, we conducted in-depth interviews with 62 women recruited from the four major racial/ethnic groups of the U.S. (African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic, and white). Subject recruitment took place at a family planning clinic in San Francisco during 1996-97. We identified four major types of facilitators and barriers to use of the female condom: mechanical, psychosexual, interpersonal, and situational. Specifically, the mechanical facilitators and barriers included positive and negative aspects of the device, and difficulty with insertion. The psychosexual factors were female empowerment, more options for contraception and disease prevention, discomfort with vaginal insertion, and condom use norms. The interpersonal factors included: enhanced communication, relationship status, partner preferences, and partner objections. Finally, the situations that made women disinclined to use the device were: no access to the female condom when having sex and using other forms of contraceptives. The implications of these findings for HIV prevention and future research are discussed.
Innovative Absorber/Stripper Configurations for CO2 Capture by Aqueous Monoethanolamine

The state-of-the-art technology to capture CO2 from coal-fired power plants is absorption/stripping with aqueous monoethanolamine (MEA). The energy consumption in stripping can be 15−30% of the power-plant output. A rigorous rate-based model for CO2−MEA−H2O was used to simulate several flowsheet alternatives that reduce the energy requirement using Aspen Plus with RateFrac. Results were calculated for vapor recompression, multipressure, and simple strippers at 5 and 10 °C approach temperatures and 70, 90, and 95% CO2 removal. The “equivalent work of steam/mole of CO2 removed” and the reboiler duty were used to compare the proposed schemes and to show the shift of energy use from work to heat. The total equivalent work for multipressure was less than that for the simple stripper by 0.03−0.12 GJ/(ton of CO2), and the reboiler duty was less by 0.15−0.41 GJ/(ton of CO2). The multipressure with vapor recompression is an attractive option because it utilizes the overhead water vapor latent heat to reduce reboil...
Preschoolers’ Social Skills: Advances in Assessment for Intervention Using Social Behavior Ratings

Social skills play an important role in young children’s successes in and outside of school. For two decades, educators have used the Social Skills Rating System (SSRS; Gresham & Elliott, 1990) as a tool for describing children’s social behaviors and for planning interventions to improve social skills. Although widely used, some researchers have criticized certain aspects of the preschool version of the SSRS. In 2008, a revision of the instrument, the Social Skills Improvement System-Rating Scales (SSiS-RS; Gresham & Elliott), was published. In this article, we examine the development of the preschool versions of SSRS and SSiS-RS and provide a comparison of the two rating systems, focusing on the content, structure, psychometric properties, and intended use of the instruments. We then describe the SSiS-RS within an assessment for intervention model. We conclude that the SSiS-RS is an improved assessment instrument over the preschool SSRS and provide recommendations for future studies that will contribute to the evolving validity evidence for the resulting scores and decisions made from them.
Noise suppression in large wavenumber Fourier imaging

Abstract : For the band-limited inverse problem, the inversion formulas developed by Bleistein et al., generate a reflector map as well as an estimate of reflection coefficients from the discontinuities of the medium parameters. Here, we describe the use of a multiscale smoothing operator to suppress the noise while preserving the features of the original processing formula. This is accomplished by applying a simple multiplier in wavenumber domain to the output of the inversion formalism. A comparison of this approach to wavelet based edge detection processing shows that this continuous multiscale operator allows more flexibility for changing the length of the smoothing operator.
A computer program for comparing standardized mortality ratios among exposure groups

Abstract A computer program is described which tests the equality among standardized mortality ratios. Prior to the analysis of heterogeneity, the requirement of a multiplicative model is tested. The capability exists to combine given populations into subgroups before applying the test. Plots of age-specific rates and adjusted age-specific rates are optionally provided.
Questions to ponder.

There is a long and fine history of proven scientific methods as they apply to the design, conduct and analysis of clinical trials. Indeed, they are so well established as to have had a major impact in the formulation of therapeutic guidelines and their application by healthcare organizations, regulatory healthcare bodies, and health policy. As defined by Pocok et al. [1984], the term clinical trials may be applied to any form of planned experiments which involves patients and is designed to elucidate the most appropriate treatment of future patients with a given medical condition. In an era of evidence-based medicine the issue of finding the optimal outcome for the individual patient remains cloudy since we do not know all of the questions that need to be answered. In this issue, several authors have delineated this need admirably. Anita Saran and Thomas DuBose of Wake Forest University document a need to assess the value and nature of cardiovascular interventions in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), while at the other end of the spectrum Brent Egan from the Medical University of South Carolina provided compelling evidence in the previous issue for a more aggressive approach to the management of prehypertension [Egan et al. 2008]. Both disease processes may affect larger than predicted populations, and this has an obvious impact in terms of healthcare policies and cost to the healthcare system. Dramatic increases in the cost and complexity of medical treatments has foreshadowed a need to increase efforts focusing on the prevention of the causes of illness and death [Furberg, 1994]. This is a costly proposition for either industry-sponsored trials or funding agencies such as the National Institutes of Health. Yet, as pointed out by the authors of the papers mentioned above, there is a dire need to identify which treatments and which patients will benefit most for interventions that reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in both CKD and prehypertension. CKD, recognized as an independent cardiovascular risk factor, particularly in the elderly, is defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min 1.7 m or a urinary albumin/creatinine ratio of 30 mg/g [McCullough, 2008]. The prevalence of CKD is increasing worldwide pari passu with the increased rise in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. Because the disease is now recognized to affect individuals younger than 60 years of age, a link to the prevention and treatment of prehypertension should be considered. Questions to ponder are:
Dependence of the micro-arcsecond metrology (MAM) testbed performance prediction on white light algorithm approach

MAM is a dedicated systems-level testbed that combines the major SIM subsystems including laser metrogy, pointing, and pathlength control. The testbed is configured as a modified Michelson interferometer for the purpose of studying the white-light fringe measurement processes. This paper will compare the performance of various algorithms using the MAM data, and will aid in our recommendation of how the SIM flight system should process the science and guide interferometer data.
Lithologic controls on regolith weathering and mass flux in forested ecosystems of the southwestern USA

Abstract Parent material has a profound impact on chemical weathering, mineral transformation and chemical denudation. However, there remains a relative paucity of lithosequence studies that directly examine parent material control on pedogenic processes. We sampled a lithosequence of four parent materials (rhyolite, granite, basalt, dolostone/volcanic cinders) under Pinus ponderosa in mesic and ustic soil moisture and temperature regimes of central and southern Arizona, USA to quantify the contribution of parent material to chemical weathering and elemental mass flux. We quantified chemical weathering and mass flux using a combination of quantitative X-ray diffraction and elemental mass balance. Mass flux calculations were confounded by the addition of volcanic cinders in the dolostone soils and addition of eolian materials in both the basalt and dolostone soils. These variations in parent material were accounted for using a combination of refractory element indices and X-ray diffraction. Results indicated significant differences in profile characteristics and chemical weathering among parent materials. Chemical mass loss from the basalt and dolostone soils were balanced or exceeded by addition of eolian materials, leading to positive and highly variable mass fluxes of 14 ± 48 kg m − 2 and − 10 ± 22 kg m − 2 , respectively. Rhyolite and granite soils exhibited large differences in chemical mass flux despite nearly identical elemental and mineralogical compositions of the respective parent materials. Total chemical mass flux from the granite soils averaged − 173 ± 31 kg m − 2 , whereas mass flux from the rhyolite soils was much larger, on the order of − 930 ± 71 kg m − 2 . These large differences result from the variation of parent material grain size and bulk density. The data demonstrate strong control of parent material on chemical weathering and mass flux in cool, semiarid forested ecosystems.
Molecular template for a voltage sensor in a novel K+ channel. I. Identification and functional characterization of KvLm, a voltage-gated K+ channel from Listeria monocytogenes.

The fundamental principles underlying voltage sensing, a hallmark feature of electrically excitable cells, are still enigmatic and the subject of intense scrutiny and controversy. Here we show that a novel prokaryotic voltage-gated K+ (Kv) channel from Listeria monocytogenes (KvLm) embodies a rudimentary, yet robust, sensor sufficient to endow it with voltage-dependent features comparable to those of eukaryotic Kv channels. The most conspicuous feature of the KvLm sequence is the nature of the sensor components: the motif is recognizable; it appears, however, to contain only three out of eight charged residues known to be conserved in eukaryotic Kv channels and accepted to be deterministic for folding and sensing. Despite the atypical sensor sequence, flux assays of KvLm reconstituted in liposomes disclosed a channel pore that is highly selective for K+ and is blocked by conventional Kv channel blockers. Single-channel currents recorded in symmetric K+ solutions from patches of enlarged Escherichia coli (spheroplasts) expressing KvLm showed that channel open probability sharply increases with depolarization, a hallmark feature of Kv channels. The identification of a voltage sensor module in KvLm with a voltage dependence comparable to that of other eukaryotic Kv channels yet encoded by a sequence that departs significantly from the consensus sequence of a eukaryotic voltage sensor establishes a molecular blueprint of a minimal sequence for a voltage sensor.
Functional implications of neural canal anatomy in recent and fossil marine carnivores.

A statistical and functional relationship between neural canal anatomy and locomotor mode is demonstrated in living marine mammals of the Order Carnivora. This relationship is interpreted to be the result of differential innervation and territory of musculature involved in generating the six locomotor patterns analyzed. This osteological reflection of a behavioral trait allows prediction of locomotor pattern in extinct genera of closely related taxa. The robust data allow such predictions even when a considerable number of presacral vertebrae are missing in the fossil specimens. In some cases, these predictions conflict with interpretations based solely on limb osteology. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Phosphorus and boron speciation in K2O-B2O3-SiO2-P2O5 glasses

Raman, 11B and 31P MAS NMR spectra of yP2O5 · (1 − y) [(20 − x)% K2O · x% B2O3 · 80% SiO2] glasses (y = 0 to 0.03 and x = 5 to 13) show that dimers (P1) and chains (P2) are the dominant structural units for phosphate species; six-member rings (3B and 3O) and SiOB(IV) bonds are the major bonding types for boron-bearing species. Some of the B(IV)'s in the silicate network may be in structural sites similar to danburite. The coordination of B is strongly controlled by P in the glasses. The relative proportion of B(IV) to total B decreases significantly after adding less than 3 mol% P2O5. Homogeneous equilibria are determined from the spectral data to generalize the observed structural changes for each group of glasses with a fixed K2OB2O3 ratio. The Dell and Bray (1983) model for B coordination is partially revised to meet the new data of B speciation derived from 11B MAS NMR spectra.
Modelling wind-induced interference effects using backpropagation neural networks

The modification of wind loads on a building due to adjacent buildings known as interference, can be quite significant. Interference effects depend mainly on the geometry and arrangement of adjacent buildings, their orientation with respect to the direction of flow and the upstream terrain conditions. Data collected through the literature on wind-induced interference effects on buildings has been analysed and compared in order to identify common points of agreement and areas of concern. Given the limited and sometimes inconsistent available data coupled with a large number of variables involved, empirical generalizations are difficult to obtain. In order to overcome these limitations the paper suggests a neural network approach for the assessment of wind-induced interference effects on design loads for buildings.
Hyposomatomedinemia in the Nursing Home Patient

Plasma somatomedin C (SmC) concentration was compared in three groups of men: 58 healthy independent men aged 26 to 45 years; 28 independent men aged 52 to 87 years; and 50 male nursing home residents aged 51 to 95 years. Somatomedin C (mean ± SE) was 0.73 ± .04 U/mL, 0.41 ± .03 U/mL, and 0.33 ± .03 U/mL in these three groups, respectively (P < .05 for the differences between all three groups). Somatomedin C less than 0.25 U/mL, a range consistent with severe growth hormone deficiency in children, occurred in 0% of the independent younger men, in 15% of the independent elderly, and in 37% of the nursing home men. Somatomedin C was inversely correlated with age in the independent elderly, but the excess of hyposomatomedinemia in the nursing home men was not explained by age. J Am Geriatr Soc 34:427–430, 1986
Peer Reviewed Article A New Role—A Team Approach to Supporting the Transgender/Transsexual Client in Transition

AbstractThis paper chronicles the collaborative efforts of a team of speech-language pathologists and an actor-voice trainer in support of a transgendered client's vocal, physical and behavioral transformation from a male to a female identity. It will detail the process of maintaining the client's vocal health while adjusting pitch, resonant focus, inflection patterns, and articulation to create an identifiably female vocal profile. In addition, this paper will describe the acting techniques and non-verbal communication practices that facilitated the client's physical and behavioral metamorphosis.
Foraging characteristics of an assemblage of four Sumatran hornbill species

This study examines the diets of four hornbill species (Bushy-crested Hornbill Anorrhinus galeritus, Wreathed Hornbill Aceros undulatus, Rhinoceros Hornbill Buceros rhinoceros and Helmeted Hornbill Buceros vigil) common within our 9 km2 study area in the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia. Line transects and opportunistic sampling were used over one year to collect feeding data, including the tree species and strata in which birds fed, diet items, fruit characteristics and tree crop size. Hornbills fed on 64 species. Figs, non-fig fruits and animals comprised 23.4% (n = 15 species) 51.6% (n = 33 species) and 25% (n = 16 species) of the diet, respectively. Although there was overlap among the diets of the four species, only B. rhinoceros and B. vigil had a statistically significant overlap, primarily due to high fig consumption by both species. B. vigil fed almost exclusively on figs (98.6% of the diet) and a small proportion of animals (1.4%) while 23.1% of the B. rhinoceros diet comprised non-fig fruits and animals (23.1%), with 76.9% figs. A. galeritus and A. undulatus had distinct diets with drupaceous, oily fruits comprising 66.7% and 64.4% of the diets, respectively. We found no significant relationship between the numbers of hornbills visiting fruiting trees and the characteristics of the fruit (weight, length and width). However, maximum crop sizes of diet species significantly influenced the number of feeding hornbills. Hornbill species also differed in the strata in which they fed. A. galeritus and B. rhinoceros were seen in the middle of the canopy 56% and 50.8% of the time, respectively while A. undulatus and B. vigil were observed more frequently in the upper canopy (50% and 74.3% of the time, respectively). The lower part of the canopy was used infrequently by all species. This study suggests that the four hornbill species in our study partition food resources by food type and/or feeding location.
Palatability characteristics of loin steaks from Charolais crossbred bulls and steers.

Abstract Loins from 1 2 - blood or 3 4 - to 7 8 - blood Charolais bulls (n = 60) and steers (n = 64) were obtained at 24 h post mortem from electrically stimulated sides and, at 12 days post mortem, steaks were removed and frozen. Shear force values were higher (P 0·05) in connective tissue amount or off-flavour were detected for steaks from bulls versus steers. Significant correlations between carcass secondary sex characteristics and sensory panel evaluations of tenderness were noted, but the coefficients were not of a magnitude to be considered predictive of tenderness.
C-Peptide in Insulin Resistance and Vascular Complications: Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks

See related article, pages 1181–1187 Based on the recent evidence that patients with type 2 diabetes have the same risk of myocardial infarction as nondiabetic subjects with a history of infarction, diabetes has been designated as an atherosclerosis equivalent.1 Insulin resistance plays a primary role in the development of type 2 diabetes and considerable evidence supports the association between insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and vascular disease.2,3 Although the molecular mechanisms are incompletely understood, this association is supported by several large clinical studies showing a direct relationship between insulin levels and cardiovascular risk. The Paris Prospective Study4 and the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT)5 reported positive relationships between insulin levels and atherosclerotic events. In addition, the Veterans Affairs High Density Lipoprotein Intervention Trial (VA-HIT)6 demonstrated the highest incidence of cardiovascular events in the subgroups with highest levels of insulin. Finally, the landmark Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS) provided further evidence for an inverse relationship between carotid intima-medial thickness and insulin sensitivity.7 Controversy exists regarding the cellular mechanisms leading to atherosclerosis in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Because of the observed numerical increases and functional abnormalities in intimal smooth muscle cells (SMC) in diabetes, this cell type has received intensive attention. In advanced lesions, SMC and their secreted products are a major component of the lesion comprising up to 70 to 80% of the total content of advanced human lesions.8 In particular, diabetes accelerates SMC accumulation in atherosclerotic lesions and SMC proliferation directly correlates with insulin levels.9,10 SMC proliferation is also the primary mechanism leading to the failure of procedures used to treat occlusive atherosclerotic diseases in …
User Research Methods for Development Engineering: A Study of Method Usage With IDEO’s HCD Connect

While there is increasing interest in designing for the developing world, one major challenge lies in understanding when to apply different design methods in unfamiliar contexts. This paper uses HCD Connect, an online design case study repository, to compare what types of methods people frequently apply to developing world problems. Specifically, it covers how the following factors correlate to method usage: application area (e.g., farming versus healthcare), affiliation of the person using the method (IDEO designer versus not), and stages of the user research process. We find that designers systematically use certain types of methods for certain types of problems, and that certain methods complement each other in practice. When compared with non-IDEO users, professional designers at IDEO use fewer methods per case and focus on earlier stages of the process that involve data gathering. Our results recommend certain kinds of user research methods for different developing world problems, as well as identifying which research methods complement each other. It also highlights that professionals designing for developing world contexts commit more time to earlier stage data-gathering efforts, rather than in concept generation or delivery, to better understand differences in needs and design contexts.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
One-scale model of dynamical supersymmetry breaking

A model of gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking is constructed in which the low-energy physics depends on a single dynamical scale. The strong coupling dynamics of gauge theories plays an important role, in particular through its effects on beta functions and through confinement. The model does not have distinct messenger and supersymmetry-breaking sectors. The scale of supersymmetry breaking is of the order of 10{endash}100 TeV, implying that the decay of the next-to-lightest superpartner into the gravitino is prompt. Superoblique corrections are enhanced. A Dirac fermion and one complex scalar, in a 10 or {ovr 10} of (global) SU(5), are predicted to be relatively light and to satisfy certain mass relations with the standard model squarks and sleptons. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
MAP18 Regulates the Direction of Pollen Tube Growth in Arabidopsis by Modulating F-Actin Organization

For fertilization to occur in plants, the pollen tube must be guided to enter the ovule via the micropyle. Previous reports have implicated actin filaments, actin binding proteins, and the tip-focused calcium gradient as key contributors to polar growth of pollen tubes; however, the regulation of directional pollen tube growth is largely unknown. We reported previously that Arabidopsis thaliana MICROTUBULE-ASSOCIATED PROTEIN18 (MAP18) contributes to directional cell growth and cortical microtubule organization. The preferential expression of MAP18 in pollen and in pollen tubes suggests that MAP18 also may function in pollen tube growth. In this study, we demonstrate that MAP18 functions in pollen tubes by influencing actin organization, rather than microtubule assembly. In vitro biochemical results indicate that MAP18 exhibits Ca2+-dependent filamentous (F)-actin-severing activity. Abnormal expression of MAP18 in map18 and MAP18 OX plants was associated with disorganization of the actin cytoskeleton in the tube apex, resulting in aberrant pollen tube growth patterns and morphologies, inaccurate micropyle targeting, and fewer fertilization events. Experiments with MAP18 mutants created by site-directed mutagenesis suggest that F-actin-severing activity is essential to the effects of MAP18 on pollen tube growth direction. Our study demonstrates that in Arabidopsis, MAP18 guides the direction of pollen tube growth by modulating actin filaments.
Implications of Increased Lower Extremity Movement Variability on Fall Susceptibility at Increased Stride Lengths During Locomotion

The purpose of this examination was to explore the effects of stride length (SL) perturbations on walking gait, relative to preferred walking (PW) and running (PR), via lower extremity range of motion (ROM) variability. ROM variability at the hip, knee, and ankle joints, in the sagittal and frontal planes were used in evaluating motor control of gait, where increased gait variability has been previously implicated in fall susceptibly.Nine participants (5 male, 4 female; mean age 23.11±3.55 years, height 1.72±0.18m, mass 72.66±14.37kg) free from previous lower extremity injury were examined. Kinematic data were acquired using a 12-camera system (Vicon MX T40-S; 200Hz). Data filtering and interpolation included a low pass, 4th order, Butterworth filter (15Hz cutoff) and cubic spline. Five gait trials were completed for PW and PR, with subsequent SL manipulations computed as a percentage of leg length (LL). SL perturbations included 60%, 80%, 100%, 120%, and 140% of LL.Kinematic analysis involved one stride (two steps) during each gait trial, assessing ROM at the hip, knee, and ankle from heel contact to toe-off for each limb, in the sagittal and frontal planes. Variability was expressed using coefficient of variation (%). Comparisons were made using 3×7 (joint × stride condition) mixed model ANOVAs, with repeated measures on stride condition (α = 0.05), using SPSS 20.0.Differences in lower extremity ROM variability were detected among stride conditions in the frontal and sagittal planes (F[3.185,76.451] = 3.004, p = .033; F[4.595,110.279] = 2.834, p = .022, respectively). Greater ROM variability was observed at, and in excess of SLs of 100%LL relative to PW in the frontal plane (PW: 9.2±4.2%; 100%LL: 11.8±3.6%, p = .014; 120%LL: 13.5±5.8%, p = .046; 140%LL: 13.8±6.5%, p = .016), and between SLs of 80%LL and 120%LL in the sagittal plane (4.9±3.0%; 7.8±4.7%, p = .046, respectively). From this, PW appeared to occur within SLs of 60%LL to 80%LL, while SLs exceeding 100%LL resulted in increased lower extremity ROM variability. This may have consequences for fall susceptibility at increased stride lengths during walking. PR did not reveal significant variability differences (p>.05) compared to walking conditions in either the sagittal or frontal plane (7.5±5.0%; 12.8±7.7%, respectively), suggesting that running represents a separate, but stable gait pattern. In the sagittal plane, ROM variability was significantly lower at the hip (3.9±1.5%), relative to the ankle (8.4±1.6%, p<.001) and knee joints (7.4±2.6%, p = .001), suggesting that gait control may be more active at the ankle and knee joints. Future investigations should examine kinetic changes in gait when altering stride length.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Friction and Durabilities of Well-Ordered, Close-Packed Carboxylic Acid Monolayers Deposited on Glass and Steel Surfaces by the Langmuir-Blodgett Technique©

A homologous series of carboxylic acid monolayers was deposited on glass and steel surfaces by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique, and the resulting films were characterized by infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and contact angle measurements. The friction and durabilities of the well-ordered, close-packed monolayer films on both substrates were evaluated using a reciprocating sliding apparatus, and the results were related to carboxylic acid chain length and monolayer film density. For even-numbered, straight chain carboxylic acids with 12-26 carbon atoms, the friction was found to be independent of the acid chain length and the surface density of the monolayer, but the durabilities increased with each. Durabilities on glass were two orders of magnitude greater than those on steel. Presented at the 47th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania May 4-7, 1992
Space Environment and Scientific Missions: Magnetic Fields in Space

Magnetic fields are ubiquitous. Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) shows that they control both the structure and dynamics of space plasmas, in particular through the j times B force. This then leads us to consider the role of currents in space plasmas, be they transitory and carried by Alfven waves, or quasi-static. The currents flowing the magnetosphere are coupled to the planetary ionosphere by field-aligned currents. These currents can in turn require particle acceleration, resulting in the aurora. The magnetic fields associated with these currents can be small, of the order of only a few nT, while the ambient magnetic field can be tens of thousands of nT (for the Earth). This places stringent requirements on the instrumentation.
Single-particle structure of neutron-rich nuclei

Neutron transfer (d,p) reactions have been measured with rare isotope beams of 132Sn, 130Sn and 134Te accelerated to ≈4.5 MeV/u interacting with CD2 targets. Reaction protons were detected in an early implementation of the ORRUBA array of position-sensitive silicon strip detectors. Neutron excitations in the 2f7/2, 3p3/2, 3p1/2 and 2f5/2 orbitals were populated.
Magnetometry methods for thin film edge property measurements

We describe two techniques in this paper that use vector magnetometry to determine the straightness and the edge characteristics of arrays of long, straight, thin-film stripes. A variety of measurement techniques are available for characterizing bulk materials, thin films and even thin film interfaces, but few techniques are available for characterization of thin film edges. The magnetic properties of edges are important because they can determine the behavior of thin film devices. In very small patterned elements, the entire film is coupled to the edge by exchange and magnetostatic effects, and in larger elements, reversal often nucleates at the edge.
Involvement of the esterase active site of egasyn in compartmentalization of β-glucuronidase within the endoplasmic reticulum

Organophosphorous compounds, which are potent inhibitors of egasyn-esterase activity, caused a rapid dissociation of the high molecular weight egasyn-microsomal beta-glucuronidase complex when administered in vivo or when added in vitro to microsomal suspensions. The dissociation was relatively specific to phosphodiester inhibitors of the esterase active site. Also, the egasyn-esterase active site was inaccessible to substrates and to inhibitors when egasyn was complexed to beta-glucuronidase. Dissociation of the egasyn-microsomal beta-glucuronidase complex in vivo by organophosphorous compounds was followed by massive and rapid secretion of microsomal beta-glucuronidase, but not egasyn, into plasma. These experiments implicate the egasyn-esterase active site in attachment of microsomal beta-glucuronidase to egasyn by a novel mechanism that, in turn, compartmentalizes beta-glucuronidase within the endoplasmic reticulum.
Satellite Link Management for an Ocean Observing Network

The Monterey ocean observing system (MOOS) moored observatory hosts tens of instruments on multiple networked nodes distributed over the sea surface, water column, and seafloor. Commands and data are exchanged between instrument nodes over high-speed copper and fiber-optic links at 10 Megabits per second using TCP-IP protocols. Science and engineering instruments on each node acquire and log data at various rates; the current deployment of five instrument nodes logs tens of Megabytes of data per day. Approximately 5 Megabytes per day of telemetry is required to provide a subset of science data and system status information. The surface node periodically establishes a PPP connection to shore using the Globalstar satellite system, providing a link for remote system control, maintenance, and telemetry retrieval Telemetry retrieval is particularly challenging, given the capacity and cost of the 7800 bits per second communications link. The challenge is compounded by limited satellite availability, wave-driven motion of the surface buoy antenna, and occasional outages of hard-wired network connections between nodes. To address these issues, we have developed software strategies to manage the low- bandwidth satellite link in a highly efficient manner. Elements of our telemetry retrieval strategy include use of data summarization algorithms, PPP compression, multi-threaded utilization of the satellite link, optimized data packet size to reduce protocol overhead, and assertive reconnection of prematurely disconnected satellite links. We discuss the efficiency and trade-offs of various approaches, as well as overall observed improvements in telemetry rates. Our current implementation is capable of retrieving at least 10 Megabytes of telemetry per day, and we discuss further improvements which could substantially increase that rate.
Remote sensing of atmospheric water content from satellites using microwave radiometry

Analysis is presented which substantiates the high correlation achieved in relating integrated water vapor and liquid water to brightness temperatures at frequencies near the 22.235 GHz water vapor line. The influence of atmospheric and surface variability is shown to be minimal over low emissivity sea surfaces. Determination of atmospheric water content using regression techniques is shown to follow directly from radiation transfer theory. Satellite data from the Nimbus-E Microwave Spectrometer (NEMS) aboard Nimbus-5 are compared with radiosonde water vapor measurements and cloud images recorded by the Temperature Humidity Infrared Radiometer aboard Nimbus 5.