cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Consideration of non-Poisson distributions for lidar applications

Poisson statistics are traditionally used to estimate the mean and standard deviation of the mean in time–range realizations of received photon counts from stationary processes in incoherent-detection lidar systems. However, this approach must be modified if the process under study is measurably nonstationary to account for any additional (and potentially unanticipated) variability. We demonstrate that the modified approach produces a different form for the estimated standard deviation of the mean for lidar return counts, which can also be applied to binning of higher-order data products. This modified technique also serves to determine optimum time–range integrations, diagnose system stability, and constrain operational modes.
Activation of arylnitroso substrates on a platinum-germylene complex facilitating the formation of new N-C and N-S bonds

The reaction of (Et3P)2PtGe[N(SiMe3)2]2 (1) with nitrosobenzene and 2-nitrosotoluene yields (3a) and (3b), respectively. The reactivity of 3a with SO2, H2CO, CO2, and PhNCO was explored yielding th...
Blood vessel matrix: a new alternative for abdominal wall reconstruction.

Biologic matrices offer a new approach to the management of abdominal wall defects when the use of other foreign material is not ideal. A member of our team (GEA) developed a biological decellularized matrix generated from harvested blood vessels of swine blood vessel matrix (BVMx). The aim of our study was to investigate whether this novel collagen-based biological matrix is safe and effective for the repair of abdominal wall hernia defects in a rat model. Full thickness abdominal wall defects were created in rats and repaired with our BVMx. After implantation as an underlay for 30 and 90 days, animals were sacrificed and the implanted material evaluated for herniation, adhesions, breaking strength, inflammation, and revascularization. No evidence of herniation was noted at 30 (n = 7) or 90 (n = 7) days after repair. Adhesions, if present, were filmy and easily separated. The mean area of visceral adhesions to the BVMx was 18.9 ± 11.0% at 30 days and 7.1 ± 3.1% at 90 days post implantation (P = 0.33). The breaking strength of the BVMx–fascial interface was 4.5 ± 0.8 N at 30 days and 4.5 ± 2.4 N at 90 days post implantation (P = 0.98). Histologic analysis demonstrated that the BVMx elicited a mild transient inflammatory response and supported fibroblast migration, deposition of newly formed collagen, and neovascularization. These data confirm that this BVMx supports vascular ingrowth and provides adequate strength for the repair of abdominal wall defects. Future studies in a large animal model are required to assess its validity for human application.
AEOLUS II: an interactive program for the simulation of aeolian sedimentation

Abstract A computer program has been developed to simulate two- or three-dimensional topographic change associated with aeolian sediment transport. Because predictions generated by available models of aeolian transport can vary by about an order of magnitude for a given set of environmental conditions, selection of an appropriate model is problematic. This program includes a number of models and provides for interactive selection of a desired model combination(s), to allow for comparison between model predictions. Topography, represented by a set of coordinates in two or three dimensions, is defined by ‘bins’ of sediment. Differential rates of transport between adjacent bins, resulting from variations in grain size, slope, and surface moisture content, are used to determine mass flux and to adjust the topography in an iterative fashion. Sub-routines allow the simulation of temporally varying levels of surface moisture resulting from evaporation, and periodic restoration of upwind boundary conditions. The wind field can be represented by a constant shear velocity, by a spatial (cross-shore) distribution of shear velocities, or by a time series of values representing multiple wind events. Output is in the form of a graphic display or tabulated results written to disk. Example results are presented which (qualitatively) suggest that simulated topographic changes are reasonable. Areas where further refinement is needed to improve correspondence with reality are identified and discussed.
Intrinsic GABAergic neurons in the rat central extended amygdala

The present study examined the distribution, morphology, and connections of gamma-aminobutyric acid-immunoreactive (GABA-IR) neurons in the three principal components of the central extended amygdala: the central amygdaloid nucleus, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and the sublenticular substantia innominata. In the central nucleus, large numbers of GABA-IR neurons were identified in the lateral, lateral capsular, and ventral subdivisions, though in the medial subdivision, GABA-IR neurons were only present at very caudal levels. Combined immunocytochemistry-Golgi impregnation revealed that GABA-IR neurons in the lateral central nucleus were medium-sized spiny neurons that were morphologically similar to GABAergic neurons in the striatum. Injections of horseradish peroxidase into the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis labeled a major proportion of the GABA-IR neurons in the central nucleus. In the bed nucleus, the majority of GABA-IR neurons were located in the anterolateral subdivision, ventral part of the posterolateral subdivision and the parastrial subdivision. GABA-IR neurons in the anterolateral bed nucleus were of the typical medium-sized spiny type. Injections of horseradish peroxidase into the central nucleus labeled a few GABA-IR neurons in the posterior part of the anterolateral bed nucleus. GABA-IR neurons were identified in the sublenticular substantia innominata and medial shell of the nucleus accumbens and contributed to the continuum of GABA-IR extending from the central nucleus to the bed nucleus. Injections of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into the central nucleus, but not the BNST, labeled a few GABA-IR neurons in the substantia innominata. The data point to GABA-IR neurons being a characteristic feature of the central extended amygdala and that GABA-IR neurons participate in the long intrinsic connections linking the major components of this structure. Since lesions of the stria terminalis and basolateral amygdaloid nucleus failed to deplete GABA-IR terminals in the central nucleus, the role of GABA in local and short intrinsic connections in the central extended amygdala is discussed. Further, physiological findings implicating the intrinsic GABAergic system of the central extended amygdala in the tonic inhibition of brainstem efferents are reviewed.
Linear and non-linear deformation of a twin-hull wet-deck plate subject to slamming

Wet deck slamming events are of more importance for designing of the high speed twin hull ships. This paper highlights the physics behind the local wet-deck plate deformation of a catamaran due to the impact loading and is divided into two parts, (i) Hydrodynamics and (ii) Structural. In the hydrodynamics part of the research, mainly two methods have been used to determine the wave impact force, (a) Wagner's slamming load model and (b) ABS rules on structural scantlings of high speed vehicles. In the structural part, the wet-deck is divided into small panels and each panel is studied by various plate models ranging from isotropic thin-plate linear theory to orthotropic nonlinear theory. The applicability of a particular plate theory depends on the nature of deck scantlings and the magnitude of the wave force. Also, by cross-comparison of results obtained using various theories, one can quantify the significance of nonlinearity and anisotropy in the plate modeling.
Collapse of the conventional shell-model ordering in the very-neutron-rich isotopes of Na and Mg

Recent experimental data on the structure of the very-neutron-rich isotopes of Na and Mg show sharp departures at $N=20$ from the predictions of conventional ${d}_{\frac{5}{2}}\ensuremath{-}{s}_{\frac{1}{2}}\ensuremath{-}{d}_{\frac{3}{2}}$ shell-model calculations.NUCLEAR STRUCTURE Isotopes of Na and Mg; calculated ground state energies, magnetic dipole moments, and excitations of ${2}^{+}$ states; $0{d}_{\frac{5}{2}}\ensuremath{-}1{s}_{\frac{1}{2}}\ensuremath{-}0{d}_{\frac{3}{2}}$ shell model, Chung-Wildenthal Hamiltonians.
Acceleration environment of payloads while being handled by the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System

Described in this paper is the method used in the Draper Remote Manipulator System (RMS) Simulation to compute linear accelerations at the point on the SPAS01 payload where its accelerometers are mounted. Simulated accelerometer output for representative on-orbit activities is presented. The objectives of post-flight analysis of SPAS01 data are discussed. Finally, the point is made that designers of acceleration-dependent payloads may have an interest in the capability of simulating the acceleration environment of payloads while under the control of the overall Payload Deployment and retrieval System (PDRS) that includes the Orbiter and its attitude control system as well as the Remote Manipulator Arm.
Experimental determination of the force required for insertion of a thermoseed into deep brain tissues.

Our laboratories are developing a new technique for delivering localized hyperthermia to deep-seated brain tumors. In this technique, a spherical thermoseed is stereotactically navigated through the brain and tumor tissues via the noncontact application of an external magnetic force. The force required to produce motion of a 3 mm diameter sphere through in vitro brain tissues was measured to be 0.07 ± 0.03 N. This result was obtained from a series of experiments performed on whole brain specimens extracted from adult canines. Data were also taken with a 3 mm × 3 mm cylinder and a 5 mm sphere. An experimental procedure simulating physiological conditions was developed prior to testing. Evaluations of systematic effects included determinations of the calibration uncertainties, tests of the dependence of the measured force on temperature, and studies of the effects of method of storage of the tissue specimens. The results obtained are compared with (and confirmed by) two different series of experiments performed in vivo on adult canines and with another series of experiments using brain phantom gelatin.
Thermal and rheological properties of granular waxy maize mutant starches after β-amylase modification

Abstract This work investigated the changes in the thermal and rheological property of two waxy maize mutant starches (Hsyn73 wxwx and Hsyn73 duwx ) after they were treated with isoamylase in the granular state for various periods. The hydrolysis degrees reached in 168 h were 4.0% and 9.5% for the wxwx and the duwx , respectively. With increasing degree of hydrolysis, both wxwx and duwx generally showed an increase in gelatinization and retrogradation temperatures and retrogradation enthalpy. The weight average molar mass ( M w ), z -averaged radius of gyration ( R z ), and pasting viscosity of both starches decreased when isoamylase hydrolysis progressed, however, the wxwx showed a greater decrease in M w and R z than the duwx at the same hydrolysis degree. Both wxwx and duwx , native or isoamylase-treated, displayed a similar pasting viscosity during holding and cooling when their amylopectin molecules had a similar R z . The study indicates the importance of R z in determining the pasting properties of waxy maize starch.
Preoperative combined modality therapy for pancreatic cancer.

Combined modality therapy can be administered prior to surgical resection for patients with operable pancreatic cancer. One important criteria used to select patients for this treatment sequence is the absence of arterial vascular encasement by tumor on thin-section CT scanning; the absence of peritoneal seeding on surgical staging or laparoscopy has been another important parameter used in identifying patients with “localized” disease. Preoperative treatment with infusional chemoradiation uses multiple fields of irradiation delivering a dose of 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions over 51/2 weeks. This is done in conjunction with a continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil intravenously at a dosage of 300 mg/m2/day with each day of radiotherapy treatment. The initial results of this protocol indicate acceptable toxicity and no evidence of increased perioperative morbidity or mortality compared to series using operation alone. We conclude that nearly all patients eligible for this combined modality treatment approach complete therapy as prescribed with acceptable toxicity.
Quasiparticle properties of a simple metal at high electron temperatures

We compute the real and imaginary parts of the quasiparticle self-energy Sigma due to the electron-electron interaction for electrons and holes in jellium and crystalline Al at electron temperatures approaching the Fermi temperature T-sub F. Re Sigma and Im Sigma are computed using a finite temperature generalization of the GW approximation. We find a decrease in the electron lifetime and an increase in the valence and conduction bandwidths as T is increased. Calculation of the spectral function A(k,E) reveals that the total weight in the quasiparticle peak is a very weak function of T, and that the basic peak structure remains for T {approx} few x 0.1T-subF. These predictions suggest that at these electron temperatures, the prominent peak in the absorption spectrum of Al at {approx} 1.5 eV should be washed out due to lifetime broadening, even if the ions remain in their crystalline positions.
Ultrastructural Myocardial Preservation During Coronary Artery Surgery: A Controlled, Prospective, Randomized Study in Humans

Abstract Potassium cardioplegia was compared with normothermic, intermittent ischemic arrest in 30 patients undergoing multiple coronary artery bypass grafts. Group 1 comprised 15 patients in whom cold potassium cardioplegia with St. Thomas' Hospital solution was used. In Group 2 were 15 patients who underwent intermittent ischemic arrest during the construction of the distal anastomoses. Two myocardial transmural left ventricular biopsies were done in each patient. There was no operative mortality. Electron microscopical examination showed normal myocardial ultrastructure in both groups. In particular, mitochondria were well preserved in all samples. The postoperative electrocardiogram demonstrated a new Q wave in 1 patient in Group 2 whose level of the myocardial isoenzyme of creatine phosphokinase (CPK-MB) was within the normal range. The peak CPK-MB release in Group 1 was 23.2 ± 20.1 IU and in Group 2, 19.9 ± 15.1 IU. This difference was not statistically significant. The mean period of anoxic arrest in Group 1 was 49.5 ± 15 minutes and in Group 2, 25.5 ± 8 minutes ( p p
International research and positive obligations: are they "transaction specific"?

I found Angela Ballantyne's target article (2010) on international research to be refreshing and engaging throughout. She is right to hone in on fairness as a target for inquiry, and I agree with h...
A universal formula for stabilization with bounded controls

Abstract We provide a formula for stabilizing feedback law using a bounded control, under the assumption that an appropriate control-Lyapunov function is known. Such a feedback, smooth away from the origin and continuous everywhere, is known to exist via Artstein's Theorem. As in the unbounded-control case treated in a previous note, we provide an explicit and ‘universal’ formula given by an algebraic function of Lie derivatives. In particular, we extended to the bounded case the result that the feedback can be chosen analytic if the Lyapunov function and the vector fields defining the system are analytic.
Consumers’ travel website transferring behaviour: analysis using clickstream data-time, frequency, and spending

Using clickstream data, this research aims to predict e-travellers' purchasing behaviours by observing websites transferring phenomena. Clickstream data are useful in predicting e-travellers' behaviours, in that they provide the detailed transactional information that is tracked and recorded [Bucklin, R.E., Lattin, J.M., Ansari, A., Gupta, S., Bell, D., Coupey, E., et al. (2002). Choice and the Internet: From clickstream to research stream. Marketing Letters, 13(3), 245–258]. This research proposes that an e-traveller's purchasing behaviour is explained as a function of search motivation and on-site involvement. An e-traveller who deliberately enters a travel website in a direct access manner (i.e. typing the URL) is hypothesized to be linked with a goal-directed search motivation, whereas a referring website transferred consumer (i.e. transferred from other websites) is associated with an exploratory search motive. An e-traveller who approaches a travel website in direct access manner is expected to purc...
The Viability of Voluntary Visitability: A Case Study of Irvine's Approach

Journal of Architectural and Planning Research 20:3 (Autumn, 2003) ARCHITECTS, THE LAW, AND ACCESSIBILITY: ARCHITECTS’ APPROACHES TO THE ADA IN ARENAS Sanjoy Mazumdar Gilbert Geis The United States Congress passed a federal law called the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 that took effect for new construction on 26 January 1993. The purpose of this law was to ensure that persons with disabilities will have access to and will be able to enjoy the facilities of new constructions, especially buildings of public assembly. Even so, designs of many new public assembly places have not met the standards of the statute. Persons with disabilities have attempted to compel compliance by filing lawsuits. Among many complaints, the failure to provide unobstructable lines of sight for wheelchair patrons has been particularly prominent. But the architects sought to hold on to their view of the law and have fought to avoid accepting legal and social responsibility. Taking a case study approach, we analyze court case materials to understand how architects approached the law, how they viewed cases of accessibility in regard to the law, and why they ignored the law and tried to avoid legal responsibility. The core of the defendants’ rationale clearly was money. It lay in their desire not to have to spend more money (and whose money was it to be?) in order to meet the requirements of the law. Loss of anticipated revenue was also a primary factor in the litigation. Copyright © 2003, Locke Science Publishing Company, Inc. Chicago, IL, USA All Rights Reserved
The incidence of complement-fixing antibodies to herpes simplex and herpes-like viruses in man and rhesus monkeys.

SummaryThe results of the comparative sero-epidemiology of herpes-like viruses (HLV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections in man are presented. Sera from 573 subjects of various age groups were examined for the presence of complement-fixing antibodies to these viruses. Antibodies to HLV appeared at an earlier age than HSV antibodies and reached a frequency of 65% in the 3-5 year age group. Both antibodies were present in 85-90% of the adult population and were distributed on a worldwide basis. Both antibodies persisted for at least 10 years in sera of 26 normal individuals. Fifty percent of sera obtained from 99 rhesus monkeys within 1-4 days after time of capture contained antibodies reacting with HLV antigen.
Search for a Spin-1 Intermediate Meson in Neutral Pion Photoproduction

If a spin-1 meson exists it might act as an intermediate particle in a meson current graph for neutral pion photoproduction. It is shown that the singularities from this graph are likely to be much closer to the physical region in the complex $x=cos\ensuremath{\theta}$ plane than any other singularities with the possible exception of those coming from a pion-pion interaction. Thus an extrapolation can be carried out in $x$ to determine the residue of the pole due to the spin-1 meson if it exists. This residue is calculated for vector ($V$) and pseudovector ($\mathrm{PV}$) mesons and is found to have the same negative sign for both cases, unlike in the spin-0 case. Experimental data at 300, 450, 700, and 800 Mev are used for the extrapolation which is carried out as a function of intermediate meson mass. It is found that the results are consistent with zero residue for all energies with the possible exception of 450 Mev where there is a slight evidence for a positive residue. Thus present evidence favors the conclusion that there is no contribution to neutral photoproduction from a spin-1 meson. One can place an upper limit of about 0.01 for the $V$ case and 0.05 for the $\mathrm{PV}$ case on the magnitude of ${g}^{2}{(\frac{\mathfrak{M}}{2m})}^{2}$, where $g$ is the coupling constant between the nucleon and the spin-1 meson, and the latter has a mass $m$ and a magnetic moment $\mathfrak{M}$. A detailed analysis is also given of the error in the residue determined from a set of experimental data, as a function of the location and number of data points, the extrapolation distance, and the order of the extrapolating polynomial. It is concluded that the present error in the residue could be improved by a factor of 3 to 5 by an experiment measuring the differential cross section of neutral pion photoproduction at a photon energy of 800 Mev in the laboratory system at every 10\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} from 10\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} with an error of \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2 \ensuremath{\mu}b/sr on the individual measurements.
B-convexity and reflexivity

If e>1/4 andX is 3,e-convex thenX is reflexive. Some additional values ofk and e with k≧4 are found for whichk,e-convexity implies reflexivity.
Exploring community protection

This is an attempt to provide conceptual clarity to the community protection component of Pennsylvania’s restorative justice enterprise. After a brief background of the legislative changes to Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system and the theoretical development of restorative justice, data from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are utilized to define and measure what is meant by community protection.
Positron annihilation spectroscopy of proton irradiated single crystal BCC iron

Positron annihilation spectroscopy was used to analyze the open-volume defects created in single crystal, body-centered cubic iron irradiated with 1.0 MeV protons. The effects of irradiation dose and temperature were investigated. A novel technique utilizing a Bremsstrahlung beam to activate and induce positron decay in the bulk specimens, followed by Doppler broadening spectroscopy, was employed. No open-volume defects were detected in the 0.03 dpa irradiated specimens. However, the 0.3 dpa specimens exhibited an increase in the S parameter when compared to the 0.03 dpa specimens at 723 K. The 0.3 dpa specimen at 723 K indicated an increase in open-volume defects, as the radiation temperature increased compared to the 573 K, 0.3 dpa specimen. This was thought to be a consequence of the void and dislocation loop density decreasing while the void and dislocation loop diameter was increasing.
The relative impacts of the level and change in wages on quits

Investigates the effects on quits of the current level of wages and the change in wages in order to test the proposition that the change in wages has a negative impact on quits, even controlling for the current level of wages. Finds that the percentage deviation in a worker′s wage change from its predicted level has an effect on quits that is three to six times stronger than the effect of the percentage deviation in a worker′s current wage from its predicted level. Claims this result may have implications for the behaviour of firms in setting wages and in the behaviour of wages over the business cycle.
Myocardial ultrasonic backscatter for characterization of ischemia and reperfusion: relationship to wall motion

We have previously shown that cardiac cycle-dependent variation of integrated backscatter occurs in normal myocardium. To determine whether myocardial ischemia and reperfusion can be distinguished by real-time integrated backscatter imaging we performed 10 min balloon occlusion of the Left Anterior Descending (LAD) coronary artery followed by reperfusion in 10 closed-chest anesthetized dogs. Images were obtained at baseline, during occlusion, and up to 120 min after reperfusion. We measured the magnitude and delay of cyclic variation of integrated backscatter in segments with and without asynergy. Radiolabeled microspheres were used to verify both ischemia and reperfusion. Ischemic segments exhibited decreased magnitude and increased normalized delay of cyclic variation of integrated backscatter (from 3.3 +/- 0.3 dB to 1.4 +/- 0.2 dB, mean +/- SE; and from 0.95 +/- 0.03 to 1.67 +/- 0.15, respectively, all p less than or equal to 0.001). Reperfusion promptly restored the magnitude of cyclic variation toward normal. However, the delay of the cyclic variation was restored only partially. Wall motion analysis of the ischemic sites revealed persistent abnormalities throughout the reperfusion interval despite return to normal of the magnitude and delay of cyclic variation. Thus, real-time integrated backscatter imaging permits detection and differentiation of changes in myocardial acoustic properties indicative of ischemia and of subsequent reperfusion.
Scale insect allozyme differentiation within and between host trees.

Allelic frequencies and genotypic distributions in three polymorphic enzyme systems demonstrated genetic differentiation over extraordinarily short distances in a population of black pineleaf scale insects infesting ponderosa pine trees. A hierarchical analysis of the population genetic structure showed significant differences between demes on different twigs within individual host trees, between demes on neighboring trees, and between demes in pine plots on adjacent city blocks. Allelic frequencies at a malic enzyme locus were associated with deme-to-deme variation in ecological correlates of insect fitness, suggesting adaptive hypotheses about the causes of population subdivision.
Variation in Minijack Rate among Hatchery Populations of Columbia River Basin Chinook Salmon

AbstractIn Columbia River spring and summer Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, age of male maturation ranges from age 1 (microjack), 2 (minijack), 3 (jack), to 4 or 5 (adult) years. The presence of minijacks has been noted in several experimental studies and documented for a few hatchery programs; but, a comprehensive survey of their occurrence in hatchery production programs has never been conducted. We measured the proportion of minijacks among males released from several spring- and summer-run Chinook Salmon hatchery programs throughout the Columbia River basin among brood years 1999–2010. The hatcheries surveyed included both segregated (uses only hatchery-origin spawners in broodstock) and integrated (includes some degree of natural-origin spawners in broodstock) programs. Minijacks were found in all programs monitored, and rates varied approximately 10-fold across release groups, ranging from 7.9% to 71.4% of males in spring Chinook Salmon programs and from 4.1% to 40.1% of males in summer Chi...
Impacts of timeshare operation on publicly traded U.S. hotels' firm value, risk and accounting performance

Abstract With 1615 timeshare resorts and 176,232 units in the U.S. in 2006 and making an economic impact of approximately $92 billion on the U.S. economy in 2005, the timeshare industry has proved as one of the fastest growing segments of the hospitality and travel industry. However, little research has investigated the impacts of timeshare operations on lodging firms’ financial issues. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of timeshare operation on lodging firm's financial value, risk and accounting performance. Findings suggest that the existence of an inverted U-shaped relationship between timeshare operation and lodging firm value; however timeshare operation shows a U-shaped relationship with ROE and no relationship with risk.
Secondary Acute Myeloid Leukemia in a One-Year-Old Girl Diagnosed with JAK2-V617F Mutation Positive Myeloproliferative Neoplasm

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a group of clonal disorders characterized by hyperproliferation of hematologic cell lines and have been associated with tyrosine kinase JAK2-V617F mutations. Secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML) is a known complication of JAK2-V617F
IMMANUEL VELIKOVSKY: A CASE STUDY IN THE SUPPRESSION OF SCIENTIFIC IDEAS

(1979). IMMANUEL VELIKOVSKY: A CASE STUDY IN THE SUPPRESSION OF SCIENTIFIC IDEAS. Free Speech Yearbook: Vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 27-37.
Zum Problem der optimalen Diensteinteilung von Lokomotiven

Es werden einige Anmerkungen zu dem Aufsatz vonH. Hoernke undB. Zwahlen „Das Problem der Diensteinteilung von Lokomotiven“, in dieser Zeitschrift Bd. 10 (1966), S. 92–100, gemacht.
Simple vs. generalized interest rate and purchasing power parity models of exchange rates

Abstract We construct a model in which the real exchange rate is affected by the real interest rate and price differentials as well as real factors that cause shocks to the expected flexible-price equilibrium value of the real exchange rate. The model is then employed to test for the “generalized” uncovered interest rate parity and purchasing power parity relations using the data for eight advanced countries and the cointegration technique. Simple versions of the parity conditions are also tested for the purpose of comparisons. We find evidence of cointegration only for the generalized version of the parity relations. Also, out-of-sample forecasts generated from error-correction models indicate that they are more accurate relative to those obtained from a random walk model for half of the countries in the sample.
Real-time and turn-based biology online experimentation

Being able to perform versatile biology experiments online would be very beneficial for research and education. Currently no such platforms exist in the life sciences. We have developed two such platforms, which are optimized for biological phenomena at the seconds and hours time scale, respectively: (1) A fully automated realtime biology lab that enables direct online interactions with phototactic microorganisms (euglena) that are long-term stably cultured in a microfluidic chip; (2) A turn-based biology lab that enables the spatio-temporal chemical stimulation of slime molds (physarum) in a petri-dish over multiple days. We compare the utility and affordance of both platforms, especially regarding use in online education.
Leader-Follower Equilibria for Electric Power and NO x Allowances Markets

This paper investigates the ability of the largest producer in an electricity market to manipulate both the electricity and emission allowances markets to its advantage. A Stackelberg game to analyze this situation is constructed in which the largest firm plays the role of the leader, while the medium-sized firms are treated as Cournot followers with price-taking fringes that behave competitively in both markets. Since there is no explicit representation of the best-reply function for each follower, this Stackelberg game is formulated as a large-scale mathematical program with equilibrium constraints. The best-reply functions are implicitly represented by a set of nonlinear complementarity conditions. Analysis of the computed solution for the Pennsylvania–New Jersey–Maryland electricity market shows that the leader can gain substantial profits by withholding allowances and driving up NO x allowance costs for rival producers. The allowances price is higher than the corresponding price in the Nash–Cournot case, although the electricity prices are essentially the same.
2005 Special issue: Interpreting hippocampal function as recoding and forecasting

A model of hippocampal function, centered on region CA3, reproduces many of the cognitive and behavioral functions ascribed to the hippocampus. Where there is precise stimulus control and detailed quantitative data, this model reproduces the quantitative behavioral results. Underlying the model is a recoding conjecture of hippocampal computational function. The expanded conjecture includes a special role for randomization and, as recoding progresses with experience, the occurrence of sequence learning and sequence compression. These functions support the putative higher-order hippocampal function, i.e. production of representations readable by a linear decoder and suitable for both neocortical storage and forecasting. Simulations confirm the critical importance of randomly driven recoding and the neurocognitive relevance of sequence learning and compression. Two forms of sequence compression exist, on-line and off-line compression: both are conjectured to support neocortical encoding of context and declarative memory as described by Cohen and Eichenbaum (1993).
Characterization of a culture method to recover Helicobacter pylori from the feces of infected patients.

Background.Helicobacter pylori is difficult to culture from stool. Multiple efforts from multiple laboratories have been unsuccessful, and the optimal conditions to recover H. pylori from stool are still not known. Recovery of H. pylori from feces of infected individuals is important for the performance of molecular epidemiological investigations, especially in children, where their symptoms do not warrant endoscopy to recover the organism. Methods. Fresh fecal specimens (noncathartic) were obtained from 19 known H. pylori–infected patients and were processed to recover the organism. Fresh fecal specimens (noncathartic) were also obtained from three known H. pylori–negative individuals (controls) to determine whether H. pylori could be isolated from stools seeded with known concentrations of the organism. Treatment of the fecal suspensions with cholestyramine, a basic anion exchange resin that binds bile acids, was used in an attempt to enhance recovery of H. pylori by sequestering bile acids that are inhibitory to H. pylori growth. H. pylori was identified based on colony morphology, cell morphology, Gram's stain, biochemical reactions, and polymerase chain reaction for two H. pylori genes. Results. Among 19 patients, H. pylori was cultured at least once from 3 and three times from 2 (5 of 19). Feces that were seeded with H. pylori and obtained from three H. pylori–negative volunteer controls yielded positive recovery in all instances. Conclusion. We have confirmed that it is possible to culture H. pylori from human stool, but the procedure for optimal recovery has still not been defined.
Simulations of the Quartz(1011)/Water Interface: A Comparison of Classical Force Fields, Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics, and X-ray Reflectivity Experiments

Classical molecular dynamics (CMD) simulations of the (1011) surface of quartz interacting with bulk liquid water are performed using three different classical force fields, Lopes et al., ClayFF, ...
Worsening left ventricular performance on serial exercise radionuclide angiography does not identify high-risk patients.

Objective: To determine whether worsening exercise performance on serial exercise radionuclide angiography identifies patients at increased risk of future cardiac events. Materia and Methods: One hundred nine medically treated patients with previous Q-wave myocardial infarction underwent two exercise radionuclide angiographic studies at least 6 months apart (median, 16 months) without an intervening clinical event. Worsening exercise performance between the two studies was defined by five criteria: (1) lower (5% or more) peak exercise ejection fraction; (2) worsening peak exercise wall motion score; (3) combination of criteria 1 and 2; (4) worsening serial delta (exercise – rest) ejection fraction; or (5) increasing exercise ST-segment depression of 1mm or more. Patients were followed up for a median duration of 3.9 years after the second exercise study. Results: Five cardiac deaths and 10 nonfatal myocardial infarctions occurred during follow-up. A Cox proportional hazards analysis failed to show an association between any of the aforementioned variables and cardiac events. Of the 15 patients with cardiac events, 4 (27%) had a lower (5% or more) exercise ejection fraction and 2 (13%) had a worsening exercise wall motion score. Of the 94 patients without cardiac events, 37 (39%) had a lower (5% or more) exercise ejection fraction and 28 (30%) had a worsening serial exercise wall motion score (not a statistically significant difference). Conclusion: Worsening exercise performance on serial exercise radionuclide angiography does not identify patients at increased risk of future cardiac events.
Identifying and Mapping Excess Relationships in Complex Engineered Systems

The design of complex engineered systems is one of the great challenges currently facing designers. Beyond addressing the obvious difficulties stemming from system complexity, designers must also consider that such systems will likely evolve within their service lifetime. As future environments are often unknown, designers must create systems capable of evolving in-service to meet unforeseen requirements. Previous research exploring the concept of service-phase evolvability has indicated that design excess is a critical factor enabling such change. This paper explores how information available from current techniques in the design literature that focus on system change can be expanded and synthesized to map excess within a component and within a system. Examples are presented where information from High-Definition Design Structure Matrices and functional models are used to complete this mapping. The goal of this paper is to serve as the foundation for quantifying design excess in future work.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Numerical simulation of the behavior of axially loaded reinforced concrete columns

Abstract A nonlinear finite element procedure has been developed for the simulation of the behavior of axially loaded reinforced concrete columns. The concrete constitutive law is carefully calibrated for the range of stress-strain state that is of interest in column analysis. The smeared crack approach in concrete cracking modeling is then modified to suit the nonlinear stress-strain law. Application of the finite element procedure to spirally reinforced concrete columns produces results that provide a clear plcture of the interaction between the confining hoops and concrete core. The sequence of events that leads to the peaking of the load-carrying capacity of the column and the eventual decrease of the load carrying capacity are also identified. A preliminary result based on a linear elastic analysis is also obtained for a square concrete column reinforced with rectilinear ties. The result reveals potential cracking zones that are consistent with those found in laboratory tests. The longitudinal reinforcing bar in a concrete column is analyzed with a special bar element for the inelastic buckling behavior. The post-yield buckling path is traced beyond the peak load. It is found that the axial load-carrying capacity of a high strength steel bar can be computed from the inelastic material law directly without considering the effect of post-yield buckling if the bar is supported laterally with a spacing less than seven times the bar diameter.
Imaging Analysis of the In vivo Bioreactor: A Preliminary Study

The in vivo bioreactor is a hermetically sealed, acellular hydroxyapatite scaffold coated with growth factors that has a pulsating vascular pedicle leash threaded through its center. Tissue-engineered bone is created in weeks while the bioreactor remains embedded under the skin of an animal. The bioreactor also provides a model to study osteogenesis and pathologic scenarios such as tumor progression and metastasis by creating a controlled microenvironment that makes skeletogenesis amenable to genetic and physical manipulation. Animal euthanasia is required to quantitate bioreactor osteogenesis through histomorphometry. Nondestructive measures of new bone growth within the bioreactor are critical to future applications and are the primary questions posed in this study. We compared microcomputed tomography and micro-MRI assessments of bioreactor osteogenesis with conventional histomorphometric measurements in 24 bioreactors and asked if new bone formation could be calculated while the animal was alive. Microcomputed tomography visually, but not numerically, differentiated engineered new bone on its coral scaffold. Dynamic contrast-enhanced micro-MRI demonstrated augmented vascular flow through the bioreactor. Three-dimensional imaging can nondestructively detect tissue-engineered osteogenesis within the implanted bioreactor in vivo, furthering the usefulness of this unique model system.
Multiple risk factors for lead poisoning in Hispanic sub-populations: a review.

As a result of recent media attention to lead (Pb) in consumer products, Pb exposure and toxicity to children has been placed back on the national agenda. This review presents the current literature on sources of Pb in Hispanic sub-populations in the broader context of national lead poisoning trends, sources, and exposure pathways. Pb poisoning among Hispanics is a multi-dimensional issue that is far more complex than for the general population in terms of environmental, cultural, and social dimensions. As a result, a higher percentage of Hispanic children have elevated blood lead levels compared to the general population. Given the additional risks that Hispanics face, all Hispanic children should be defined as “at risk” for lead exposure and included in targeted screening programs. This review concludes with specific public policy recommendations that directly address the increased risk of Pb poisoning to Hispanic children so that Pb will poison fewer children in the future.
Soluble Guanylate Cyclase mRNA Expression Changes During Ovine Lung Development • 1702

Purpose: Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) is an important receptor for endogenous and exogenous nitric oxide in the pulmonary vasculature, and is a heterodimeric protein composed of α and β subunits. Previous studies have shown decreased sGC activity in pulmonary arteries isolated from lambs with PPHN following surgical ligation of the ductus arteriosus. We hypothesized that altered mRNA expression for one or both subunits might in part explain this decrease in activity. Methods: Surgical ligation of the ductus arteriosus was performed in fetal lambs 9 days prior to delivery at 136 days gestation (term = 140-145 days). sGC mRNA was quantitated by ribonuclease protection assays in pulmonary arteries (PA) and veins (PV) isolated from PPHN lambs (n=3) and their twin controls (n=3) using 32P labeled antisense probes for the α and β subunits of sGC. Additional samples were obtained from fetal lambs at 127 days gestation (n=2), the age at which the ligation is performed. Results: 32P labeled transcripts of Hind III linearized plasmid, a TA Cloning Vector(PCR™III) containing PCR α or β insert, yielded hybridized products of 257 bases corresponding to the α subunit and 185 bases for the β subunit. The table shows that expression for the α-sGC subunit increased by 64 fold in PA and 15 fold in PV between 127 and 136 days gestation. Similarly, expression for the β subunit increased by 14 fold in PA and 5 fold in PV during the same time period. Expression for the α subunit in PA from hypertensive lambs was decreased by 5 fold (p<0.05) compared to controls, but was not significantly altered in PV. No significant changes were observed for expression of the β subunit in PA or PV from PPHN lambs. Conclusion: The α andβ sGC subunits are developmentally coregulated in pulmonary vessels during late gestation in the fetal lamb. We speculate that there is differential regulation of the α and β subunits, and that regulation of the α subunit is altered in PPHN.
Consequences of Population Change for Retail/Wholesale Sector Employment in the Nonmetropolitan Great Plains: 1950–19961

This study examined the relationship between population decline in 438 counties and local retail and wholesale (R/W) sectors during 1950-90 in the nonmetropolitan Great Plains states of North and South Dakota Montana Wyoming Nebraska Oklahoma New Mexico and Colorado. The focus was on the impact of population change in a region where the R/W trade sector has been a major source of employment for nonmetropolitan residents post-1945. Population declined over the long term. Analysis was based on economic restructuring views and central place theory. Data were obtained from the Censuses of Population (1950-90) and from the County and City Data Books (1947-94). The choice of few control variables was based on Liebersons (1985) methods. Analysis included tests for multicollinearity. Findings are reported for counties adjacent to a metro area (AM) urban nonadjacent (UN) counties and rural nonadjacent (RN) counties. Findings indicate that the 1980s had the greatest population loss (84% of counties) despite the population increases of the 1970s. AM counties followed the regional pattern. UN counties followed the regional pattern only in recent decades. RN counties lost population throughout the period and had the greatest percentage of counties losing population. Population change had a positive significant effect on R/W employment throughout the period and in all types of counties. Trade became more concentrated in larger more diverse and fewer trade centers especially in UN counties. Gains occurred in the 1990s. Four anomalies were identified. Findings support the work of Drabenstott and Smith (1996).
Proactive monitoring of pediatric hemodialysis vascular access: Effects of ultrasound dilution on thrombosis rates

Proactive monitoring of pediatric hemodialysis vascular access: Effects of ultrasound dilution on thrombosis rates. Background Hemodialysis vascular access thrombosis (VAT) is a significant cause of morbidity for hemodialysis patients and results, in part, from decreased access flow potentially caused by venous outflow stenosis. We have previously shown ultrasound dilution (UD) to be a practical and reliable predictor of venous outflow in children receiving hemodialysis. Methods The current study is the first to our knowledge to assess the impact of a proactive UD monitoring program upon VAT in pediatric patients. Nine patients experienced 18 VAT over the two-year study. Mean values for variables potentially associated with VAT were compared to values from a size-matched seven patient group without VAT during the study period. VAT rates were compared between the year-before (pre-UD era) and year-after (UD era) UD was initiated. During the latter half of the UD era (rapid referral period), patients with VA flow rate (Q Acorr ) 2 were referred for balloon angioplasty within 48 hours. Results Mean Q Acorr was lower for patients with subsequent VAT (562 ± 290 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ) versus patients without VAT (1005 ± 372 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ; P = 0.02). The VAT rate was significantly lower in the UD era (4.1 VAT/100 patient-months) versus the pre-UD era (11.0 VAT/100 patient-months; P = 0.03). The decrease in VAT rates was caused predominantly in the rapid referral period, where the VAT rate dropped to 0.96 VAT/100 patient-months ( P Conclusions Monthly Q Acorr 2 is predictive of imminent VAT in children receiving hemodialysis. Prompt referral for angioplasty of VA with Q Acorr 2 leads to decreased VAT rates in children.
On the mechanics of integrin clustering during cell-substrate adhesion

Abstract Recent numerical simulations have indicated that integrin clustering during cellsubstrate adhesion can be driven by the presence of a repulsive layer between the cell membrane and the substrate (Paszek et al., PLoS Comput Biol 5:12, 2009). Here we present a simple mechanics model of this phenomenon in which the attraction between integrins is mediated by the long-range elastic deformation of the membrane and the repulsive layer. We obtain analytical solutions to the problem by employing the small deformation theory of an infinitely extended plate resting on an elastic foundation.