cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Image contrast enhancement via blurred weighted adaptive histogram equalization

This paper describes how a family of images of varying levels of contrast can be efficiently calculated and displayed. We show that a contrast space defined in terms of histogram equalization can be specified in terms of two parameters: region size and histogram blurring level. Based on these observations, we describe one exact algorithm and two efficient algorithms for computing sequences of images within this contrast space. These precomputed images can be displayed and interactively explored to examine image features of interest. By working with a family of contrast enhanced images the difficult task of selecting the single level of contrast enhancement appropriate for a particular image is avoided, increasing the usefulness of low contrast images.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Optimization of the ammonia coverage ratio references in diesel engine two-can selective catalytic reduction systems via nonlinear model predictive control:

In this work, we investigate the driving-cycle-based ammonia coverage ratio reference optimization for diesel engine two-can selective catalytic reduction systems. The ammonia coverage ratio refere...
Saturation phenomena and percolative transitions in the high temperature thermal conductivity of γ-LiAlO2

The thermal conductivity of γ-LiAlO2 with porosities varying from 7% to 53% has been measured over a temperature range of 1088–1400 K. The conductivity was found to be insensitive to temperature in that regime. This saturation phenomenon was interpreted in terms of minimum conductivity. Thermal conductivity exhibited a non-linear dependence on porosity. It is suggested that the distribution of inter- and intra-granular porosity in the solid was instrumental in bringing about this non-linear behavior.
Off-Campus Term: A Setting for Therapeutic Intervention.

Experiential education has served as a setting for therapeutic intervention in treatment of a communications handicapped young adult. This paper reports how newly learned communications skills were successfully applied in an off-campus setting and were subsequently carried over to campus and home.
Photochemically induced reactions of cis,cis-cyclooctadienone

Abstract Irradiation of 2,7-cyclooctadienone 1 produces cis,trans-2,7-cyclooctadienone 5 which has been characterized by low temperature 13 C NMR. Dienone 5 is in equilibrium with a zwitterionic oxyallyl species 6 via B, B′ bond formation. Zwitterion 6 forms cycloadducts with ethyl vinyl ether and 2-methoxypropene.
Sodium channels in vertebrate hearts. Three types of saxitoxin binding sites in heart.

Abstract The affinity of saxitoxin binding to cardiac sarcolemmal and cytosolic fractions was examined across species. In amphibia (frog) the plasma membrane site demonstrated a high affinity ( K d approx. 5 · 10 −9 M ) but the majority of the total sites in the homogenate appeared to be high affinity soluble sites ( K d approx. 2 · 10 −9 M ). Chicken and turtle cardiac plasma membrane fractions bound [ 3 H]saxitoxin with 500-fold less affinity ( K d values of approx. 2·10 −6 M ). No binding was seen in the cytosol. The affinity of cardiac sarcolemmal binding in amphibians correlates quantitatively with the K 0.5 for the inhibition of sodium currents. Physiological correlation of the low affinity saxitoxin sites in chicken and turtle with toxin concentrations necessary to inhibit the sodium current remains unclear. The hypothesis that frog cytosolic saxitoxin binding sites originated from sarcolemma during homogenization is examined. The presence of three types of saxitoxin binding sites in cardiac preparations supports the existence of sodium channel subtypes.
Generalized Hardy inequalities

Abstract We show that the generalized Hardy inequality ∑ k |b k f (n k )|⩽C‖f‖ H 1 holds for f∈H1 and certain (bk)∈lr (2⩽q⩽∞) whenever n k k=1 ∞ ⊂ N satisfies appropriate growth conditions dependent on r.
Synthetic, Implantable, Biodegradable Polymers for Controlled Release of Radiosensitizers

Introduction Synthetic, implantable, biodegradable polymers offer the sustained local release of disparate therapeutic agents for the treatment of human malignant brain tumors. The role of polymeri...
Electrode Interaction in Pediatric Cochlear Implant Subjects

Multielectrode cochlear implants rely on differential stimulation of the cochlear nerve for presenting the brain with the spectral and timing information required to understand speech. In implant patients, the degree of overlap among cochlear nerve fibers stimulated by the different electrodes constitutes the electrode interaction. Electrode interaction degrades the spectral resolution of the implant’s stimulus. We sought to define electrode interaction in a cohort of pediatric cochlear implant subjects as a function of both stimulus intensity and electrode location along the array. The 27 pediatric subjects that completed the study were implanted with either the Clarion Hi-Focus array with or without positioner, the Nucleus 24 Contour array, or the Nucleus 24 Straight array. All but two of the patients had congenital hearing loss, and none of the patients had meningitis prior to the onset of deafness. The cochlear nerve response was measured with the electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP). A forward masking protocol was used such that a probe stimulus electrode remained fixed while a preceding masker was moved across the array. Electrode interaction was estimated by measuring the unmasked probe response minus the masked probe response. Three probe locations and three probe intensities were examined for each subject. At all probe locations, electrode interaction increased as probe intensity increased (p < 0.05). Interaction at the basal probe was less than that at either the middle or apical probe locations (p < 0.05), and significant correlation found between probe distance from the basal end of the array and electrode interaction (p < 0.001). These results demonstrate that in this cohort of pediatric subjects, electrode interaction depended on both stimulus intensity and probe location. Implications of these findings on future implant array design and current implant fitting strategies are discussed. The impact of electrode interaction on implant performance is yet to be elucidated.
The Relationship Between Non-Resident Fathers’ Social Networks and Social Capital and the Establishment of Paternity

Literature examining child support compliance among non-resident fathers has primarily come from the perspective of collecting child support payments. Receiving limited attention in the literature has been the exclusive discussion of establishment of paternity, which is related to child support compliance. Furthermore, the literature has given limited attention to never married, cohabitating, unemployed, underemployed, and low-income, non-resident fathers. This study focuses on the intra- and inter-networks these non-resident fathers utilize in fulfilling their child support obligations, establishing paternity. The results indicate that non-resident fathers’ relationships with their former spouses or partners contribute to an increase in the establishment of paternity. Implications for policymakers and program service delivery are offered.
EVOKED RESPONSE FROM EXTRACRANIAL SITES IN THE CAT.

Abstract Computer-averaged auditory evoked potentials ranging from a few to 50 μV were recorded from electrodes implanted in and around the the muscles of the head in 5 cats. Their latencies and wave shapes often closely resembled the response simultaneously recorded through bipolar electrodes implanted at the auditory cortex, but they are demonstrably independent of the latter. They appear in certain states of alertness but not during sleep or anesthesia. It is concluded that these potentials arise in the muscles around the head, but whether or not this conclusion is correct, their characteristics make it clear that an extracranial reference electrode can introduce a large artifact into “monopolar” recordings of auditory evoked potentials from the brains of waking animals.
Epigenetic modification of the repair donor regulates targeted gene correction

Optimizing design of vectors is critical to effective gene therapy. In targeted gene correction (TGC), cleavage of chromosomal DNA near a mutation stimulates homology-directed repair of a target gene using a donor provided in trans. We have systematically addressed epigenetic parameters of donor design, using a flow-based assay to quantify correction frequencies and expression levels of a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene in a human cell line. We show that active transcription of the donor increased correction frequency by threefold, establishing that a proximal promoter enhances donor use. Conversely, CpG methylation of the donor diminished correction frequency and reduced expression of the repaired gene. However, bisulfite sequencing of the target revealed no transfer of methylation marks during repair with a methylated donor. Treatment with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors can partially compensate for epigenetic inactivation, suggesting a role for class I and II HDACs in regulation of donor use. These results establish that epigenetic status of a trans-donor determines both the efficiency and outcome of gene correction, and identify and clarify parameters that should guide donor design for targeted gene therapy.
The Flux Tube Tectonics model for coronal heating

An account is presented of the Flux Tube Tectonics model for heating the solar corona, in which a multitude of current sheets are continually forming and dissipating. In addition, a model is summarised for the time-dependent response of the corona to the sudden dissipation of one such current sheet.
Low-power TiN/Al2O3/Pt resistive switching device with sub-20 μA switching current and gradual resistance modulation

Resistive-switching random access memory (RRAM) using the TiN/AlOx/Pt stack is fabricated with a 50 nm × 50 nm active area. The bipolar switching characteristic is observed using TiN as an anode and RESET current as low as sub-20 μA was achieved by using a current-limiting transistor as a selection device (1T1R) during the SET process. HRS to LRS ratio of 103 for 103 DC endurance test cycles is demonstrated. Switching time less than 10 ns was observed for both SET/RESET operations. By changing the gate bias of the series transistor and input voltage at the transistor drain terminal, multi-level resistance states can be modulated. Both the unipolar and bipolar resistance switching can coexist in such memory stacks and a qualitative model is proposed for the AlOx -based RRAM resistive switching behavior.
Evaluating aggregates in possibilistic relational databases

Abstract The need for extending information management systems to handle the imprecision iof information found in the real world has been recognized. Fuzzy set theory together with possibility theory represent a uniform framework for extending the relational database model with these features. However, none of the existing proposals for handling imprecision in the literature had dealt with queries involving a functional evaluation of a set of items, traditionally refered to as aggregation. Two kinds of aggregate operators, namely, scalar aggregates and aggregate functions, exist. Both are important for most real-world applciations, and thus this paper presents a framework for handling these two types of aggregates in the context of imprecise information. We consider three cases, specifically, aggregates within vague queries on precise data, aggregates within precisely specified queries on possibilistic data, and aggregates within vague queries on imprecise data. The consistency of the proposed operations is shown. An extended operator is defined to be consistent if it defaults to its classical counterpart when evaluated on crisp data.
Chemical and Electrical Passivation of Silicon (111) Surfaces through Functionalization with Sterically Hindered Alkyl Groups

Crystalline Si(111) surfaces have been alkylated in a two-step chlorination/alkylation process using sterically bulky alkyl groups such as (CH3)2CH− (iso-propyl), (CH3)3C− (tert-butyl), and C6H5− (phenyl) moieties. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) data in the C 1s region of such surfaces exhibited a low energy emission at 283.9 binding eV, consistent with carbon bonded to Si. The C 1s XPS data indicated that the alkyls were present at lower coverages than methyl groups on CH3-terminated Si(111) surfaces. Despite the lower alkyl group coverage, no Cl was detected after alkylation. Functionalization with the bulky alkyl groups effectively inhibited the oxidation of Si(111) surfaces in air and produced low (<100 cm s-1) surface recombination velocities. Transmission infrared spectroscopy indicated that the surfaces were partially H-terminated after the functionalization reaction. Application of a reducing potential, −2.5 V vs Ag+/Ag, to Cl-terminated Si(111) electrodes in tetrahydrofuran resulted in t...
THE CHANGING MORPHOLOGY OF SUBURBAN CRIME

This paper examines the spatial dynamics of suburban crime. Four hypotheses are developed postulating a decreasing central city-suburb disparity in crime rates, persistence in the relative crime rates of individual suburbs, a growing heterogeneity in the levels of crime faced by individual suburbs, and an increasing regionalization of suburban crime. The hypotheses are tested through a case study of the Chicago metropolitan area. Property and violent crime rates are studied separately, and the time frame is 1972 to 1981. Central city and suburban crime rates are found to be converging in Chicago and the United States as a whole. Persistence in the relative crime rates of individual Chicago suburbs is significant but weak. Socioeconomic status dominates the process of change in the relative safety of suburbs-not suburban age, as anticipated. Low status suburbs tend to have high-crime rates, and their relative security is worsening over time; the opposite is true of high-status jurisdictions. This process o...
Experimental study of the effect of turbulent diffusion on precipitator efficiency

Abstract The Deutsch model for calculating particle collection in an electrostatic precipitator assumes uniform particle concentration profiles and thus infinite mixing by the turbulent flow. Recent theories which treat the mixing as finite, thus allowing for the formation of nonuniform particle concentration profiles, predict efficiencies far in excess of Deutsch predictions for low turbulence conditions. In this paper optically determined in situ particle concentration profiles in a parallel plate precipitator are presented and compared with the predictions of these newer theories. Experiments were designed so as to permit separate control and precise measurement of the degree of turbulence and particle mobility in the precipitator. The measurements enable a critical assessment of these new theories to be made. It is concluded that the convective diffusion equation adequately describes particle transport in the collection stage of a two-stage parallel plate precipitator.
Crystal structure of LacI member, PurR, bound to DNA: minor groove binding by alpha helices

The three-dimensional structure of a ternary complex of the purine repressor, PurR, bound to both its corepressor, hypoxanthine, and the 16-base pair purF operator site has been solved at 2.7 A resolution by x-ray crystallography. The bipartite structure of PurR consists of an amino-terminal DNA-binding domain and a larger carboxyl-terminal corepressor binding and dimerization domain that is similar to that of the bacterial periplasmic binding proteins. The DNA-binding domain contains a helix-turn-helix motif that makes base-specific contacts in the major groove of the DNA. Base contacts are also made by residues of symmetry-related alpha helices, the "hinge" helices, which bind deeply in the minor groove. Critical to hinge helix-minor groove binding is the intercalation of the side chains of Leu54 and its symmetry-related mate, Leu54', into the central CpG-base pair step. These residues thereby act as "leucine levers" to pry open the minor groove and kink the purF operator by 45 degrees.
The role of 99mTc pertechnetate uptake in the evaluation of thyroid function.

To investigate the usefulness of the 20 min 99mTc-pertechnetate uptake test, the records of 246 consecutive patients were reviewed. Of these, 192 patients (151 females, 41 males; 10 weeks to 78 years) had at least one year clinical follow-up or a confirmed diagnosis by biopsy or surgery and were included in our study. In these patients, the 99mTc pertechnetate uptake and hormonal values (T3 resin uptake, T4 RIA, T-index) were obtained. These results were then compared to the clinical diagnosis at the time of the uptake and one year later. All patients received an i.v. injection of 5 mCi of 99mTc pertechnetate. Imaging was performed using a pinhole collimator and a scintillation camera interfaced to a computer. Regions of interest for the thyroid and the background were used to calculate the 20 min 99mTc pertechnetate uptake as a percentage of the injected dose. 99mTc uptake and hormonal values were confirmatory in 158 patients (82.3%): 138 were euthyroid, 18 were hyperthyroid and 2 were hypothyroid. In 29 other patients (15.1%) the pertechnetate uptake provided useful additional information and helped to identify Hashimoto's thyroiditis (8 patients); thyroid suppression by exogenous iodide, steroids or T4 (7 patients); overtreated hyperthyroidism (1 patient); persistent hyperthyroidism (5 patients); different stages of Grave's disease (4 patients); and toxic nodular goiter (4 patients). The 99mTc uptake was misleading in 5 euthyroid patients (2.6%). We have found the 99mTc pertechnetate uptake a useful adjunct to measurement of hormonal levels in patients with suspected thyroid disease.
Economic analysis of production system duplication policies using the RAMCOST model

Abstract Automated production systems consist of a number of interconnected stations which may be liable to failure or breakdown. In the absence of a backup or spare, when any component fails in a serially configurated system, the entire system is shut down. To counter such occurences, standby components, or spares are installed at locations where failures are expected. The installed cost of the back ups is a negative factor, whereas the additional production time gained is a positive one. Whether installation of a spare component improves the net revenue of the production process is a question requiring some economic analysis for justification. The solution methodology and analysis employs a simulation algorithm known as RAMCOST.
Micronutrient supplying power of pyrite and fly ash

Abstract Bush bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv Improved Tendergreen) were grown in nutrient solution with added waste mine tailings pyrite and also coal fly ash to test their ability to supply micronutrients to plants. The ability of fly ash to supply K was also tested. The pyrite was a satisfactory source of Fe, Mn, Zn, B and Cu to the solution cultures. The pyrite also supplied Ca. The fly ash supplied inadequate Fe and Mn but adequate quantities of Zn, B and Cu. It supplied adequate Ca and inadequate K. Both pyrite and fly ash supplied some Cd (when solution was acid), Cr and Pb to roots but not in detectable amounts to shoots. In another experiment, fly ash also failed to supply K to bush bean plants and failed to supply Zn. Iron, B, Si, Cu, Mo, Sr, Ba and some Ni and Cr were supplied to leaves; Si, Sr, Ba, Ni and Cr were supplied to roots by the fly ash. None of these elements seemed to result in phytotoxicity. A suggestion is made that fly ash and pyrite could be blended for soil application of...
A game theoretic analysis of interactions between law abiding citizens and criminals with respect to ownership of guns

Abstract In this paper, it is recognized that there are criminals and law abiding citizens in any society, and that their decisions to own guns are based on rather different, through interdependent, motives. These ideas are used as a conceptual basis for a game theoretic model which is used to analyze one isolated interaction and two forms of repeated interactions. The Nash equilibrium is the main results in the static form of the game. It is concluded from the analysis of the dynamic forms that this equilibrium in globally stable. The presentation proceeds to the study of possible consequences of direct and indirect policy interventions regulating the proportion of law abiding citizens and of criminals that own guns. The paper concludes with some observations on the model's limitations and some suggestions for its improvement.
NEW NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA IN EPILEPSY

Nuclear magnetic resonance methods as a whole have contributed as much to the study and treatment of epilepsy as to any branch of medicine. The pace of the progress in this field increases as recently developed nuclear magnetic resonance techniques mature into practical tools for epilepsy research and management. Recent examples of such progress include new data on seizure-related brain water diffusion changes, brain metabolic abnormalities in epileptic patients, and pharmacologic manipulation of brain gamma-aminobutyric acid.
Studies in Hatchability: VI. Hatchability in Relation to Current Egg Production

Abstract Since the problem of securing the largest possible number of chicks in proportion to the total number of eggs incubated is of considerable economic significance, it is important to ascertain the nature of any factor that may affect hatchability adversely. The results of a number of investigations, as reported by Jull (1930), show that fertility is not inherited but that hatchability is inherited. Factors that affect hatchability may also affect other problems of economic importance or vice versa. For instance, do factors that affect the number of eggs laid during the hatching season also affect the hatchability of the eggs incubated or does the number of eggs laid during the hatching season in itself affect hatchability? In so far as the writer is aware no data have been published bearing on this point. Lamson and Card (1920), using White Leghorns, observed that the number of eggs laid during the 90 . . .
Specific μ2 opioid isoreceptor regulation of nigrostriatal neurons: in vivo evidence with naloxonazine

Abstract The irreversible μ 2 opiate antagonist, naloxonazine, totally blocked the analgesic actions (tail-flick assay) of morphine (8 mg/kg) in the rat. However, this treatment was without effect on the morphine-dependent (4 mg/kg) increase in striatal dopamine metabolism. These data support our previous studies which have suggested μ 2 and δ opioid receptor regulation of the rat nigrostriatal pathway.
Measurement of the de Haas-van Alphen effect in YBa2Cu3O6.97 using megagauss fields

Abstract The oscillatory component of the magnetic susceptibility (de Haas-van Alphen effect) has been investigated using a dynamically driven, pulsed 105 T flux compression system. Data are presented for oriented 10 μm diameter Y123 single crystalline powders for fields along the (0 0 1) or c axis. It is concluded from these data that Y123 exhibits a Fermi surface in its normal phase at low temperatures.
Lysine supplementation of cereal foods: a retrospective

During the period 1950-1975, protein and amino acid metabolism and its application to world nutrition problems constituted a major focus of nutrition research. A large part of this research was concerned with the potential benefits to be expected from lysine supplementation of cereal foods, stimulated by the availability, beginning in 1955, of commercial quantities of L-lysine monohydrochloride from industry. Events during this era and lessons learned are reviewed by the author, a participant in the commercialization of lysine.
Studies of lipoprotein (a) and high density lipoproteins in transgenic mice

The many genetic components contributing to atherosclerosis in humans have been difficult to untangle, due in part to the lack of genetically defined model systems. To investigate the in vivo properties of two particularly puzzling human lipoproteins, lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), we have engineered mice to produce human-like analogues in their plasma. In these studies, we have examined the effect that protein composition has on the antiatherogenic properties of HDL and the interaction of human apolipoprotein(a) (apo(a)) and human apolipoprotein B (apo B) in forming Lp(a).
Automated Image Analysis of the Severity of Foliar Citrus Canker Symptoms

Citrus canker (caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri) is a destructive disease, reducing yield and rendering fruit unfit for fresh sale. Accurate assessment of citrus canker severity and other diseases is needed for several purposes, including monitoring epidemics and evaluation of germplasm. We compared measurements of citrus canker severity (percent area infected) from automated image analysis to visual estimates by raters and true values using images from five leaf samples (65, 123, 50, 50, and 200 leaves; disease severity from 0 to 60%). Severity on leaves was measured by automated image analysis by (i) basing threshold values on a presample of leaves, or (ii) replacing healthy leaf color on a leaf-by-leaf basis before automating image analysis. Samples 1 to 4 were assessed by three trained plant pathologists, and sample 5 was assessed by an additional 25 raters. Healthy leaf area color replacement gave the most consistent agreement with the true severity data. Using color replacement, agreement with true values based on Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (ρc) was 0.93, 0.79, 0.71, 0.85, and 0.89 for each of the samples, respectively. The range and consistency of agreement was generally less good for automated thresholds based on a presample (ρc = 0.35-0.90) or visual raters (ρc = 0.30-0.94). The constituents of agreement (precision and accuracy) showed similar trends. No one rater or method was best for every leaf sample, but replacing healthy color in each leaf with a standard color before automation of image analysis improved agreement, and was relatively quick (20 s per image). The accuracy and precision of automated image analysis of citrus canker severity can be comparable to unaided, direct visual estimation by many raters.
Internal Energy Based Analysis on Mechanism of Spindle Speed Variation for Regenerative Chatter Control

Among machining chatter control methods, spindle speed variation (SSV) method is certified as a feasible and effective way: machining chatter can be suppressed by continuously and periodically fluctuating the spindle speed of the machine tool. Although with its substantial value, the SSV method has not yet gained enough acceptance in the industrial machining applications. One of the reasons is the inadequacy of theoretical and practical study on the mechanism of the SSV method for machining chatter suppression. In this paper the mechanism of the SSV method for chatter suppression is revealed by means of internal energy analysis. The theoretical analysis is based on a nonlinear delay differential equation (NLDDE) as the model of regenerative machining chatter. This approach can provide more practical and feasible analytical results than small perturbative approaches. The analytical results demonstrate the machining stability increment of SSV cutting in the mathematical and physical sense, and provide pract...
Ion Implantation by Means of Nuclear Reactions

The implantation of a dilute solute into a host lattice has become an important technique for investigations in diverse fields. Originally conceived as a method for the flexible and purposeful introduction of solute into host to effect a macroscopic change of physical properties, the technique itself has become subject to intensive investigation. Diagnostic techniques for the study of implantation phenomena may be separated into two classes: the first uses external probes to distinguish properties of the solute from those of the host or to measure changes in bulk properties arising from the solute presence, while the second uses eminations from the implanted solutes as internal probes of the environment. It is this latter technique which is of concern here. Moreover, the discussion will be restricted to the use of nuclear radiations from states excited by the reaction which caused the implantation. The implantation of radioactive isotopes, which may be a by-product of the reaction-induced implantation, is not discussed.
Parallel non-deterministic bottom-up parsing

The development of translator writing systems and extensible languages has led to a simultaneous development of more efficient and general syntax analyzers, usually for context-free (CF) syntax. Our paper describes a type of parser that can be used with reasonable efficiency for any CF grammar, even one which is ambiguous. Our parser, like most others, is based on the pushdown automaton model, and thus its generality requires it to be non-deterministic (in the automata theoretic sense). An actual implementation of a non-deterministic automaton requires that we explore every computational path that could be followed by the theoretical automaton. This can be done serially [5], following successively every computational path whenever a choice occurs. It leads to the algorithms described in [1], whose time bounds can be exponential functions of the length of the string to be parsed. We can also use a parallel implementation which consists in following “simultaneously” all the possible computational paths whenever a non-deterministic choice occurs. Then we can merge paths that have ceased to be different after a certain point. Those mergings reduce drastically the amount of computation. The best known example is the top-down algorithm described in [2]. The algorithm we describe in the first part of our paper is a basic bottom-up parser, similar to [2] in its organization. Both parsers can be shown to work within time bounds which are at most the cube of the length of the input string, and are often a linear function of it. The space bounds are at most the square of that length. The second part of our paper deals with the optimization of the basic parallel bottom-up algorithm, using the properties of weak precedence relations [3]. The various optimization techniques further reduce the amount of computation required and cause frequent occurrence of a “sparse determinism” phenomenon which allows determination of part of the parse-tree before the non-deterministic analysis is ended. These optimizations also considerably lessen the space requirements. Full details can be found in [6]. The parser is easy to generate for any CF grammar, requiring only the computation of precedence tables. It is slower than most deterministic parsers (on the order of ten times); but all examples we have tried showed it to be more efficient than any other parser having the same generality. We consider that the inefficiency of our parser is reasonable as we intend it as a research tool for the language designer rather than as a part of an industrial compiler. Languages designers, or extensible languages users, are often more preoccupied with semantics than syntax and fix the syntax of their language in a “nice” form only when they have found what kind of semantics it is to represent. So they can easily come up with ambiguous syntax [4]. Our parser parses ambiguous languages and detects ambiguities in programs, thus enabling the programmer to eliminate them.
CAB: Connectionist Analogy Builder

The ability to make informative comparisons is central to human cognition. Comparison involves aligning two representations and placing their elements into correspondence. Detecting correspondences is a necessary component of analogical inference, recognition, categorization, schema formation, and similarity judgment. Connectionist Analogy Builder (CAB) determines correspondences through a simple iterative computation that matches elements in one representation with elements playing compatible roles in the other representation while simultaneously enforcing structural constraints. CAB shows promise as a process model of comparison as its performance can be related to human performance (e.g., solution trajectory, error patterns, time-on-task). Furthermore, CAB's bounded working memory allows it to account for the inherent capacity limitations of human processing. CAB's strengths are its parsimony, transparency of operations, and ability to generate performance predictions. In this paper, CAB is evaluated against benchmark phenomena from the analogy literature.
Quantitative differences in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, but not in MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 or TIMP-2, in seminal plasma of normozoospermic and azoospermic patients.

BACKGROUND Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), have been detected in reproductive tissues and seminal plasma. The purpose of this study was to quantify MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in human seminal plasma and to evaluate their association with sperm. METHODS Seminal plasma was analysed using ELISA assays for all four analytes in 12 normozoospermic and 12 azoospermic patients and then for MMP-2 only in another 114 men with azoospermia (n = 16), after vasectomy (n = 20) and with sperm counts within the following ranges: 0.3-19 x 10(6)/ml (n = 20), 20-23 x 10(6)/ml (n = 11), 49-57 x 10(6)/ml (n = 12), 96-110 x 10(6)/ml (n = 12), 139-161 x 10(6)/ml (n = 12) and 215-346 x 10(6)/ml (n = 11). Additional zymographic analyses using SDS-PAGE were performed. RESULTS All investigated MMPs and TIMPs were detected. MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were not significantly different in normozoospermia and azoospermia. Only the MMP-2 concentration was significantly decreased in azoospermic compared with normozoospermic patients (mean +/- SD: 650.6 +/- 288.9 versus 1677 +/- 910.4 ng/ml respectively; P = 0.0002) and significantly correlated with the number of sperm (r = 0.54; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION MMP-2 in seminal plasma was strongly correlated to the sperm count in a linear fashion. Its origin and potential function remain to be elucidated.
NMR Relaxation and Water Contents in Normal Tissues and Cancer Cells

Different nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation times for water protons in six normal rat tissues and three malignant tumors were reported by Damadian in 1971 [1]. He regarded the lower relaxation times in normal tissues (T1 and T2) as consistent with Ling’s theory of cell water [2–5], in which the bulk of cell water exists in a state of polarized multilayers. Damadian interpreted the slower relaxation times seen in cancer tissues as indicating a loosening up of the water structure of normal cells. (This had been suggested by Szent-Gyorgyi from a consideration of the difference in the patterns of metabolism between cancer cells and normal tissues [6].) At the time, investigators concurred with Damadian’s interpretation of the reason for the lengthening of relaxation times of the water protons in cancer cells [7–10]. However, alternative interpretations soon emerged.
Reductionism and structural anthropology

Is structural anthropology reductionist? Opinion is divided; and even Levi-Strauss seems to shift his ground.1 This is not altogether surprising, since both reductionism and structuralism are taxing and elusive subjects to explicate. For one thing, several interpretations of reduction circulate in the literature: Which, if any, is appropriate to the issue of reduction in the human sciences? For another, structural anthropology can be controversial: What does a thorough application of structural methods imply — especially in terms of worldview? Taken together, what are the consequences of such discussions for the wider issue of human nature? A maze of issues thus lies at the centre of territory one might explore with innocent and straightforward intent. To take the reader there I want to begin, at any rate, in a straightforward way with an analysis of the concept of reduction.
An analytical theory of planetary rotation rates

An approximate analytical theory is derived for the rate of rotation acquired by a planet as it grows from the solar nebula. This theory was motivated by a numerical study by Giuli, and yields fair agreement with his results. The periods of planetary rotation obtained are proportional to planetesimal encounter velocity, and appear to suggest lower values of this velocity than are commonly assumed to have existed during planetary formation.
Informal insurance, enforcement constraints, and group formation

We propose a concept of self-enforcing risk-sharing agreement that are robust not only to single-person deviations but also to potential deviations by subgroups, requiring that the deviating subgroup itself employs some self-enforcing risk-sharing agreement. We observe that the stability of subgroups may destabilize insurance arrangements among larger groups. Using this concept of stability, we study different examples.
Managing forests with prescribed fire: Implications for a cavity-dwelling bat species

Prescribed burning is used as a restoration and management technique in many deciduous forests of eastern North America. The effects of fire have been studied on habitat selection of many vertebrate species, but no studies have reported the effect offire onbat roosting habitat. Fire initially leads to an influx of dead and dying trees, an increase of light availability, and a decrease of canopy and sub-canopy tree density. These characteristics are beneficial to many forest-dwelling vertebrates including cavity-roosting bats. We evaluated evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis) roost-site selection at the stand-scale in order to determine roosting preferences as they relate to prescribed burning. Standard radiotelemetry techniques were used to locate evening bat roost trees. Canopy light penetration and overstory tree density were measured in both burned and unburned forests. Sixty-three trees used as roosts by both male and female evening bats were located during both the summer and winter and all 63 roosts were located in the burned portion of the study area. Canopy light penetration was higher and canopy tree density was lower in the burned forest than unburned forest. An increase in light availability may release bats from one of the constraints suggested for many forest-dwelling bat species in roost tree selection—sun-exposure. This should increase the abundance of trees with characteristics suitable for roosting and may allow bats to roost throughout the interior of the forest as opposed to only on forest edges, thereby allowing bats to roost closer to foraging grounds and possibly lessening predation rates. Lower tree density may allow for ease of flight within the forest as well as more efficient locating of roost trees. In addition, there were a significantly higher proportion of dead trees, which evening bats commonly use as roost trees, in burned forests compared to unburned forests. Prescribed burning appears to initially lead to creation or restoration of favorable cavity-dwelling bat habitat and its continual implementation perpetuates an open sub-canopy. Therefore, we suggest that prescribed burning may be a suitable tool for management of roosting habitat for cavity-roosting bats. # 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism in the Human Newborn

Birth and adaptation to extrauterine life involve major shifts in the protein and energy metabolism of the human newborn. These include a shift from a state of continuous supply of nutrients including amino acids from the mother to cyclic periodic oral intake, a change in the redox state of organs, thermogenesis, and a significant change in the mobilization and use of oxidative substrates. The development of safe, stable isotopic tracer methods has allowed the study of protein and amino acid metabolism not only in the healthy newborn but also in those born prematurely and of low birth weight. These studies have identified the unique and quantitative aspects of amino acid/protein metabolism in the neonate, thus contributing to rational nutritional care of these babies. The present review summarizes the contemporary data on some of the significant developments in essential and dispensable amino acids and their relationship to overall protein metabolism. Specifically, the recent data of kinetics of leucine, phenylalanine, glutamine, sulfur amino acid, and threonine and their relation to whole-body protein turnover are presented. Finally, the physiological rationale and the impact of nutrient (amino acids) interventions on the dynamics of protein metabolism are discussed.
A national digital library for undergraduate mathematics and science teacher preparation and professional development

The primary goal of the National Digital Library for Undergraduate Mat hematics and Science Teacher Preparation and Professional Development, funded through the NSF Division of Undergraduate Education National Science Digital Libraries Initiative, is to increase the use of best teaching practices by faculty by providing the resources - tools, training, and data - needed to build inquiry and discovery into all undergraduate science and mathematics courses. Improving the math and science education of future and in-service K-12 teachers is one of the most important challenges facing college and university faculties.The preparation of future teachers is a fundamental element in the improvement of the learning experience of all students, from grades K-16. As teachers know, it is natural to teach as we have been taught ourselves. The standards in mathematics and science call for greater integration of inquiry-based techniques and more rigorous mathematical and science content. Teachers at all levels will be better equipped to meet these standards if they are taught using these approaches during their own education.The resources of this collection target two-year and four-year Colleges of Arts and Sciences faculty members and College of Education faculty that teach mathematics and science content courses. The collection focuses primarily on those resources that can be accessed electronically, whether they be web-based text or data resources, software or video that can be downloaded via the web or other electronic means, or emerging technology applications. Resources are reviewed and selected by mathematics and science content experts before they are made available to online users. This review ensures that the resources are accurate, pedagogically effective, and that this digital library is an efficient source of quality materials. This digital library enables faculty at any undergraduate institution-regardless of financial resources-to
Flow equivalence of Subshifts of Finite Type

A complete set of computable invariants is given for deciding whether two irreducible subshifts of finite type have topologically equivalent suspension flows.
Synthesis and Sintering Characteristics of TiC–Ni–Ti–(Al) Nanocomposites

The sintering behavior of submicron / nanosize TiC powders was investigated. The TiC powders (31 wt.% carbon) are synthesized from a carbon coated precursor and have excess carbon content. Ti, Ni and Al powders were added to have in-situ intermetallic binders for sintering. The composition TiC-5 wt.% Ti (pellet 1) shows pure TiC in the XRD analysis after sintering. The composition TiC-30 wt.% Ni 3 Al (pellet 3) shows the formation of the liquid phase Ni 3 Al. No liquid phase can be clearly identified in the XRD pattern of pellet 2 (TiC-30 wt.% Ni 3 Ti). However the SEM micrograph of pellet 2 shows similarity to the SEM image of pellet 3 concerning the formation of liquid phase. Pellets 1 and 2 show densifications of 100 % TD (theoretical density), whereas pellet 3 is only 90 % TD. Pellet 3 has the highest hardness (2511 HV) and fracture toughness (12.08 MPa m 1/2 ).
Ability of canine termite detectors to locate live termites and discriminate them from non-termite material.

Dogs were trained to detect Eastern subterranean termites, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), using the United States Customs method of scent detection dog training modified with a food reward. Dogs were tested with various numbers of Eastern subterranean termites placed in vented PVC containers. Trained dogs were 95.93% accurate in finding ≥40 Eastern subterranean termite workers (positive indications) and incorrectly indicated the presence of termites in 2.69% of the containers without termites. Multiple species of termites [dark southern subterranean, R. virginicus (Banks); Formosan subterranean, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki; powderpost, Cryptotermes cavifrons Banks; and southeastern drywood termites, Incisitermes snyderi (Light)], were similarly evaluated. Dogs trained to locate Eastern subterranean termites were also 100% accurate in finding dark southern subterranean termites, 98.89% accurate in finding Formosan subterranean termites, 97.33% accurate in finding powderpost termites, and 88.89% accurate in finding southeastern drywood termites. Dogs were able to discriminate live termites from non-termite material. Trained dogs’ false response rate was 25.33% to Eastern subterranean termite–damaged wood, 6.67% to American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana (L.), and 2.67% to Florida carpenter ants, Camponotus floridanus Buckley.
A codon 338 nonsense mutation in the factor IX gene in unrelated hemophilia B patients: factor IX338 New York.

Hemophilia B is an X-linked recessive bleeding disorder resulting from a deficiency of the coagulation factor IX (FIX) protein activity, a vitamin K-dependent serine protease active in both the intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation systems. DNA analyses of the factor IX gene in two unrelated patients with severe hemophilia B, with a IX coagulant activity less than 1% and undetectable FIX antigen, detected the loss of the second TaqI site in exon h (VIII) in both individuals. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of 576 base pairs of exon h (VIII) with cloning and dideoxy sequencing of cloned DNA from one hemophiliac revealed a single C----T transition in codon 338 that changes an arginine residue codon CGA to a nonsense codon TGA. Allele- specific oligonucleotide probe hybridization with a mutant (C----T) and a wild-type allele confirmed the same mutation in amplified genomic DNA of the second hemophilia patient. The C----T transition represents another example of mutation at a CpG dinucleotide. DNA polymorphism analysis of the FIX gene in both individuals revealed each to be on a separate FIX haplotype; therefore, predicting each to be a separate mutation event.
The relationship between school belonging, sibling aggression and bullying involvement: implications for students with and without disabilities

Bullying is grounded in the interactions between an individual and complex social–ecological systems. Therefore, bullying involvement is not just confined to the classroom or school. Recent research suggests that sibling aggression may be a predictor for peer-level aggression. These findings may be more relevant for students with disabilities because studies suggest that students with disabilities are disproportionately involved in the bullying dynamic. Therefore, this study explored the intersection between sibling aggression and school belonging on bullying, victimisation and fighting for 14,508 students, including 1183 students with disabilities and 13,325 students without disabilities in grades 6 through 12. As hypothesised, students with disabilities reported higher levels of victimisation, bullying and fighting. Additionally, high levels of school belonging partially buffered fighting and bullying behaviours for students with and without disabilities. These findings demonstrate the importance of est...