cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SEQUENTIAL PRESSURE-BASED NAVIER-STOKES ALGORITHMS ON SIMD COMPUTERS: COMPUTATIONAL ISSUES

Abstract Computational issues relevant to parallel efficiency and algorithm scalability are explored on three massively parallel, single-instruction-stream s multiple-data-stream lSIMDr computers, Thinking Machines’ CM-2 and CMS, and MasPar's MP-l, for a two-dimensional semiimplicit sequential pressure-based Navier-Stokes algorithm, by increasing the problem size up to 106 points on a fixed number of processors. On the CMS and MP-I, parallel efficiencies approaching 0.85 are obtained, using a point-Jacobi iterative solver. To obtain peak efficiency, however, the CM-5 requires larger problems than the MP-I, by a factor of 64. To compare with point-Jacobi, a line-Jacobi solver that uses parallel cyclic reduction has also been implemented, and, on the CM-2, the performance in Mflops is consistent with reported results. A uniform approach for boundary coefficient computations is recommended—with separate treatment of interior and boundary control volumes, the run time increases substantially and...
High urine concentrations of basic fibroblast growth factor in dogs with bladder cancer.

Because dogs with bladder cancer often have advanced disease at the time of diagnosis, the identification and use of a tumor marker that could facilitate earlier diagnosis is a valid approach to improve prognosis. The objective of this study was to determine if urine concentrations of the proangiogenic peptide, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), are high in dogs with bladder cancer compared with normal dogs and dogs with urinary tract infection. We used a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test kit to quantitate bFGF in the urine of 17 normal dogs, 10 dogs with urinary tract infection, and 7 dogs with locally active transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. In normal dogs, the median urine bFGF concentration was 2.23 ng/g creatinine (quartile range, 1.53 to 5.12 ng/g creatinine). The median urine bFGF concentration in dogs with urinary tract infection did not differ significantly from normal dogs. Dogs with bladder cancer had significantly higher urine bFGF concentrations than normal dogs (P < .002) and dogs with infection (P < .02). The median urine bFGF concentration in dogs with transitional cell carcinoma was 9.86 ng/g creatinine (quartile range, 7.40 to 21.63 ng/g creatinine). Six of 7 dogs with bladder cancer had urine bFGF concentrations that were up to 7.4 times the 90th percentile value for normal dogs. Only 1 of 10 dogs with infection had a urine bFGF concentration that exceeded the 90th percentile of normal. These data suggest that canine bladder cancers export bFGF, and that urine bFGF may be useful as a diagnostic tumor marker or noninvasive indicator of treatment response.
Aluminium-matrix silicon carbide whisker composites fabricated by pressureless infiltration

Al-matrix SiC whisker composites were fabricated by pressureless infiltration of liquid Al-Mg or Al-Si-Mg alloys at 830–950°C in the presence of N2 into a preform of nickel coated SiC whiskers. The nickel coating on the whiskers was obtained by electroless plating and made pressureless infiltration possible. The composite made by pressureless infiltration exhibited slightly lower tensile strength and modulus and slightly higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the corresponding composite made by pressure infiltration. However, the differences were small in spite of the lack of prior evacuation in the pressureless infiltration case. On the other hand, the hardness decreased with increasing distance from the preform-melt interface much more significantly in composites made by pressureless infiltration than those made by pressure infiltration. The hardness decrease, which was attributed to a porosity increase, was larger for composites made by pressureless infiltration without prior evacuation than those made by pressureless infiltration with prior evacuation. The Al-SiC reactivity was larger for composites made by pressureless infiltration than those made by pressure infiltration, because the infiltration time was longer in pressureless infiltration.[/p]
The effectiveness of gasoline taxation to manage air pollution

Abstract Higher gasoline taxes can be justified because cars cause significant local, regional, and global air pollution damages. This study examines whether charging higher taxes would result in significant emission reductions. Both experimental survey data and actual behavior in Southern California and Connecticut are evaluated to explore whether people would change their driving behavior in response to higher gasoline prices. Both sets of results reveal that drivers are price inelastic in the short run (−0.4 to −0.6) and long run (−0.5 to −0.7). Imposing environmental surcharges on gasoline will result in only a small reduction in driving and thus only a small improvement in the environment. Such taxes will place a heavy and clear burden on drivers, however, making gasoline taxes extremely unpopular. Finally, the study finds that the income elasticity of gasoline is low (0.1–0.2) so that the gas tax will fall heavily on the poor.
Role of polyamines in arginine-dependent colon carcinogenesis in Apc(Min) (/+) mice.

We evaluated the role of polyamines in arginine-dependent intestinal tumorigenesis in ApcMin/+ mice. Arginine is a substrate for ornithine synthesis and thus can influence polyamine production. Supplementing the diet with arginine increased intestinal and colonic polyamine levels and colonic carcinogenesis. Inhibiting polyamine synthesis with D,L-α-diflouromethylornithine (DFMO) decreased small intestinal and colonic polyamine pools. In mice provided basal diet, but not when supplemented with arginine, DFMO decreased small intestinal tumor number and burden, and increased intestinal apoptosis. In mice provided supplemental arginine in the diet, DFMO induced late apoptosis and decreased tumorigenesis in the colon. DFMO slightly reduced tumor incidence, number, and size while significantly decreasing tumor burden and grade. These changes in colon tumorigenesis did not occur in mice not provided supplemental arginine. Our study indicates that polyamines play unique roles in intestinal and colonic carcinogenesis in ApcMin/+ mice. Inhibition of polyamine synthesis suppresses the arginine-dependent risk of colon tumorigenesis, resulting in apoptosis induction and decreased tumorigenesis, in this murine model. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The mechanical properties of 316L/304L stainless steels, Alloy 718 and Mod 9Cr–1Mo after irradiation in a spallation environment

Abstract The Accelerator Production of Tritium (APT) project proposes to use a 1.0 GeV, 100 mA proton beam to produce neutrons via spallation reactions in a tungsten target. The neutrons are multiplied and moderated in a lead/aluminum/water blanket and then captured in 3 He to form tritium. The materials in the target and blanket region are exposed to protons and neutrons with energies into the GeV range. The effect of irradiation on the tensile and fracture toughness properties of candidate APT materials, 316L and 304L stainless steel (annealed), modified (Mod) 9Cr–1Mo steel, and Alloy 718 (precipitation hardened), was measured on tensile and fracture toughness specimens irradiated at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center accelerator, which operates at an energy of 800 MeV and a current of 1 mA. The irradiation temperatures ranged from 50°C to 164°C, prototypic of those expected in the APT target/blanket. The maximum achieved proton fluence was 4.5×10 21 p / cm 2 for the materials in the center of the beam. This maximum exposure translates to a dpa of 12 and the generation of 10 000 appm H and 1000 appm He for the Type 304L stainless steel tensile specimens. Specimens were tested at the irradiation temperature of 50–164°C. Less than 1 dpa of exposure reduced the uniform elongation of the Alloy 718 (precipitation hardened) and Mod 9Cr–1Mo to less than 2%. This same dose reduced the fracture toughness by 50%. Approximately 4 dpa of exposure was required to reduce the uniform elongation of the austenitic stainless steels (304L and 316L) to less than 2%. The yield stress of the austenitic steels increased to more than twice its non-irradiated value after less than 1 dpa. The fracture toughness reduced significantly by 4 dpa to ∼100 MPa m1/2. These results are discussed and compared with results of similar materials irradiated in fission reactor environments.
Solution to Certified Reference Material recipe challenge

The winners of the Certified Reference Material recipe challenge (published in volume 405 issue 13) are: Katherine Sharpless, Chemical Science Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD 208 99, USA and Mallory J. Morris, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4390 USA The award entitles the winners to select a Springer book of their choice up to a value of €100,-. Our Congratulations!
Phoneme restoration and empirical coverage of interactive activation and adaptive resonance models of human speech processing.

Grossberg and Kazerounian [(2011). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 130, 440–460] present a model of sequence representation for spoken word recognition, the cARTWORD model, which simulates essential aspects of phoneme restoration. Grossberg and Kazerounian also include simulations with the TRACE model presented by McClelland and Elman [(1986). Cognit. Psychol. 18, 1–86] that seem to indicate that TRACE cannot simulate phoneme restoration. Grossberg and Kazerounian also claim cARTWORD should be preferred to TRACE because of TRACE's implausible approach to sequence representation (reduplication of time-specific units) and use of non-modulatory feedback (i.e., without position-specific bottom-up support). This paper responds to Grossberg and Kazerounian first with TRACE simulations that account for phoneme restoration when appropriately constructed noise is used (and with minor changes to TRACE phoneme definitions), then reviews the case for reduplicated units and feedback as implemented in TRACE, as well as TRACE's broad and deep coverage of empirical data. Finally, it is argued that cARTWORD is not comparable to TRACE because cARTWORD cannot represent sequences with repeated elements, has only been implemented with small phoneme and lexical inventories, and has been applied to only one phenomenon (phoneme restoration). Without evidence that cARTWORD captures a similar range and detail of human spoken language processing as alternative models, it is premature to prefer cARTWORD to TRACE.
A survey of indoor air monitoring services: is there a private demand for healthful indoor air quality?

It is becoming increasingly evident that indoor air quality in nonindustrial environments is often less healthful than outdoor air quality. The short- and long-term health consequences of indoor exposures are not well defined, yet private citizens and organizations are becoming more concerned about potential adverse health effects. Questions and complaints about indoor environmental hazards are an expanding problem for federal, state, and local health agencies. This paper describes findings from a national survey of fee-for-service companies which make indoor air measurements in nonindustrial settings. Information is presented on the makeup of these firms, the types and numbers of buildings which have been investigated, typical contaminant measurements, and associated costs. Results indicate that a substantial private demand exists for goods and services which aid building occupants in evaluating and improving indoor air quality.
Oxygen tension of tissues by the polarographic method. III. The effect of local heat on the oxygen tension of the skin of extremities.

Simultaneous measurements of skin oxygen tension by polarography and skin temperature by thermocouple were made in patients with peripheral arterial disease and in individuals with normal extremities over a range of skin temperature of 10 to 50 C. The oxygen tension of the skin was found to increase as the skin temperature was raised to about normal body temperature in the ischemic extremity and to significantly higher temperature in the normal extremity. Possible reasons for these changes are discussed.
Prolongation of the rise time of the compression wave generated by a high-speed train entering a tunnel

An analysis is made of the large–amplitude compression wave formed when a high speed train enters a tunnel whose entrance is ‘vented’ by perforations in the tunnel walls. The vents are designed to increase the rise time of the wave in order to alleviate shock formation in a long tunnel by progressive nonlinear steepening of the wavefront. The wave emerges from the far end as an impulsive ‘micro–pressure wave’, and the presence of shocks increases its propensity to cause significant structural damage and environmental annoyance. Detailed predictions are given for a ‘tunnel’ consisting of a thin–walled circular cylinder, of the type frequently used in model–scale experiments. A finite length of the cylinder entrance is perforated with an axisymmetric distribution of circular apertures. The apertures are equivalent to a distribution of sources, and it is shown that the profile of the compression wavefront can be greatly extended, so that the wave amplitude increases smoothly and linearly, by ‘shading’ the aperture distribution to make the effective source strengths approximately uniform along the perforated zone. The maximum compression wave rise time that can be obtained by this means is equal to the time of passage of the front of the train through the perforated section.
Transesophageal echocardiography as a tool in the evaluation of patients with embolic disorders

TEE has become one of the most powerful tools for evaluating patients with unexplained stroke, TIA, and peripheral and pulmonary embolization. This is especially encouraging in view of the previously disappointing results of TTE in these patients. In addition to the dramatic results in terms of clot visualization and the other intracardiac sources of embolization described previously, a new extracardiac source has been identified, namely protruding atheromas in the thoracic aorta. These atheromas have been seen for the first time because of the new diagnostic window that has been opened by the development of TEE. Their recognition and follow-up may lead to information that will change the approach to a significant number of patients with embolic ischemic episodes.
A cAMP-binding protein from Dictyostelium discoideum regulates mammalian protein kinase.

Summary A cAMP-binding protein isolated from the cytosol of Dictyostelium discoideum was partially purified. The protein binds cAMP maximally at pH 5–7; its K D for cAMP is in the nanomolar range and the specificity for cAMP is high; the molecular weight is approximately 42,000. This cAMP-binding protein is not found in vegetative amoebae; it appears during the first two hours of development. The protein inhibits the activity of the purified catalytic subunit of bovine cAMP-dependent protein kinase in the absence, but not in the presence, of cAMP. It is suggested that the cAMP-binding protein, isolated from Dictyostelium , is either the regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase or the product of the partial degradation of such a regulatory subunit.
The use of qualitative methods in systems of care research.

In an effort to understand the impact of qualitative methods on the field of children’s mental health, a review of the proceedings of the University of South Florida’s Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health (RTC) conferences from 1988 through 2003 was conducted. One hundred presentations published in the proceedings were identified as meeting criteria for inclusion as qualitative research. Data regarding title, topic, researchers, funders, methodology, and results were collected and reviewed across studies to identify patterns and themes. Results revealed that the number of qualitative studies presented at the conference and included in the proceedings since the inception of the conference in 1988 has increased. Understanding stakeholder perspectives and system and service delivery descriptions were among the most common topics of study. Most studies did not specify research design independently of describing methods used and did not specify the method used to analyze data. Recommendations are provided to improve future qualitative research to advance knowledge in children’s mental health.
Comments on “natural tritiated moisture levels in air vary with atmospheric pressure”

Abstract This paper presents data for tritium (HTO) in the atmosphere and the ocean that are 100–1000 times higher than normal. It is most unfortunate that the authors have not looked up the extensive listings by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA 1969; 1970; 1971; 1973; 1979b; 1981), in particular the last report, No. 206 (1981). These reports list several tens of thousands of measurements of atmospheric rains, the tritium content of which is closely representative of the atmospheric HTO content. Other readily available publications are, for instance, Moghissi and Carter, which may be a little dated by now, and IAEA. The latter reference also contains four papers on oceanic tritium, and effluent levels from Windscale, on pp. 271–338. The IAEA has also organized two world-wide laboratory calibration cross-checks with samples at tritium levels representative for the atmosphere. Now to some more specific remarks.
Antony and Cleopatra: A Mythological Perspective

Several critics have sought to interpret Antony and Cleopatra as a mythological mirror of certain classical myth motifs and characters. The present paper argues that identifications with Hercules, Omphale, Juno, Venus and Mars, and with stories pertaining to them, are nuanced but not substantiated consistently in the play. In fact, Shakespeare presents us with mythological parallels that are deliberately undermined in order to delineate a movement away from a dour Roman perspective of the world and towards a fresh and vibrant world view. The new mythology emerges as a tenuous ideal, founded upon half truths and the imagination, but admirable in its celebration of a human bond of love independent of conventional Roman mythologies.
Welded slump-graded sand couplets: evidence for slide generated turbidity currents

Some massive channelized strata preserved in the rock record are characterized by a lower slump member which evolves upward to a turbidite. This merging is indicative of probable generation of sediment gravity flows from submarine sliding. Conditions essential for deposition of such sequences are short transport distance between point of failure and depositional site, and an environment likely to retain both facies. Fan valleys are a likely setting for welded couplets: flowing sand, initiated by the sliding event, comes to rest at nearly the same time and position as the slump mass deposited near the base of the valley wall and in the axis proper.
A high-temperature blackbody radiation source.

Abstract : A high-temperature blackbody radiation source, consisting of an electrically heated graphite tube with a small centrally located hole through one wall, was developed for use as a secondary standard in the calibration of radiometric and spectrometric instruments. The spectral emissivity of this source, at 0.65 microns, was calculated by the DeVos method, for which graphite emissivities and temperature gradients were measured in situ with an optical pyrometer. The values of source emissivity ranged from 0.9981 = 0.0004 at 1000C to 0.9997 = 0.0002 at 2000C.
Expected rate of slow-fading channel with partial CSIT under computational and transmit power constraints

In this paper, we evaluate the expected rate with quantized feedback over a fading channel with both transmit and computational power constraints. We derive the optimal quantization scheme which can achieve the maximum expected rate in two different scenarios. First, for systems with a short-term power constraint, we derive an algorithm to find the optimum quantization schemes with bursty transmission. Second, for systems with a long-term power constraint, we prove that no explicit bursty transmission is required. We also propose a two-step power allocation method, based on the traditional waterfilling followed by a water adjustment step, which achieves the maximum expected rate. We quantify the gain that the proposed algorithms can achieve for different quantization levels.
Rapid prototyping: a 3d visualization tool takes on sculpture and mathematical forms

Many technical and scientific objects are far too complex to be properly understood through pictures. 3D representations that can be touched and physically manipulated by the observer convey information not obtainable from 2D projections. Thanks to some emerging affordable rapid prototyping (RP) technologies, such models are beginning to find a role in design, science, and manufacturing. RP is already firmly established in the automotive industry and among designers of consumer products, including household appliances, toys, and electronics. With this personal case study from the arts and mathematics, I hope to encourage designers from other application domains to use RP technologies as a truly 3D physical visualization tool.
Elections in Chile: The Road Toward Redemocratization

Electoral politics in Chile Expansion of the electorate to 1973 Allende's election in 1970 the triumph of popular unity in the 1971 municipal elections stalemate and polarization-the 1973 congressional elections the dark years, 1973-1980 the 1980 referendum on the draft constitution-voting again? party reconstruction, 1981-1988 the opposition rises-the 1988 plebiscite resumption of the electoral debate and party organization changing some rules of the game-apportionment and redistricting the 1989 elections.new coalition politics the congressional elections-giants and dwarfs realignments in the voters' patterns the strongholds of the opposition new party strategies-who will survive? electoral politics and ideoligical alternatives in the transitional phase.
Surgical instrument handling and retrieval in the operating room with a multimodal robotic assistant

A robotic scrub nurse (RSN) designed for safe human-robot collaboration in the operating room (OR) is presented. The RSN assists the surgical staff in the OR by delivering instruments to the surgeon and operates through a multimodal interface allowing instruments to be requested through verbal commands or touchless gestures. A machine vision algorithm was designed to recognize the hand gestures performed by the user. To ensure safe human-robot collaboration, tool-tip trajectories are planned and executed to avoid collisions with the user. Experiments were conducted to test the system when speech and gesture modalities were used to interact with the robot, separately and together. The average system times were compared while performing a mock surgical task for each modality of interaction. The effects of modality training on task completion time were also studied. It was found that training results in a significant drop of 12.92% in task completion time. Experimental results show that 95.96% of the gestures used to interact with the robot were recognized correctly, and collisions with the user were completely avoided when using a new active obstacle avoidance algorithm.
Simulation and Validation of Mach Number Effects on Secondary Flow in a Transonic Turbine Cascade Using a Multigrid, k–ε Solver

An existing three-dimensional Navier–Stokes flow solver with an explicit Runge–Kutta algorithm and a low-Reynolds-number k–e turbulence model has been modified in order to simulate turbomachinery flows in a more efficient manner. The solver has been made to converge more rapidly through use of the multigrid technique. Stability problems associated with the use of multigrid in conjunction with two-equation turbulence models are addressed and techniques to alleviate instability are investigated. Validation for the new code was performed with a transonic turbine cascade tested by Perdichizzi. In the fully three-dimensional turbulent cascade, real convergence (i.e., CPU time) was improved nearly two times the original code. Robustness was enhanced with the full multigrid initialization procedure. The same test case was then used to perform a series of simulations that investigated the effect of different exit Mach numbers on secondary flow features. This permitted an in-depth study into the mechanisms of secondary flow formation and secondary losses at high Mach numbers. In this cascade, it was found that secondary losses and secondary flow deviation, which are fairly constant in incompressible flows with similar geometries, underwent a large reduction in the compressible flow range. The structure of the trailing edge shock system and the reduced end wall boundary layer at supersonic exit conditions were shown to be very significant in reducing the amount of secondary flow and losses.
Microscopic mapping of subnanometric motion in semitransparent systems

Holographic methods and apparatus for the study of object displacements that may be complex even on a microscopic scale are described. Dual reference beams are employed, and polarization-sensitive interferograms of the displacement field in a specimen are obtained by twin holographic exposures sandwiched about a shift of 1/2+δ or 1/2−δ wavelength in the reference path, with |δ|≪1. Interferograms that correspond to algebraically opposite values of δ are recorded simultaneously; during reconstruction they are projected simultaneously or alternately upon a CCD array. Changes in object wave amplitude arising from ultramicroscopic reorganization of the specimen are suppressed by electronic processing of the signals from the array. The processed signals are reconstituted into a display in which the intensity of any pixel is related linearly to the mean displacement of the specimen portion focused upon it. Extremely small displacements can be imaged in this way, and the resolution with which they can be mapped is limited only by the numerical aperture under which the object wave is gathered before being recorded on the hologram. Displacements smaller than 0.6 nm are evident in images we present, and the small objects that undergo them are readily resolved from their stationary fiducial surround.
Frequent Periodic Leg Movement During Sleep Is Associated With Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes

Background Sleep disturbance caused by obstructive sleep apnea is recognized as a contributing factor to adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, the effect of restless legs syndrome, another common cause of fragmented sleep, on cardiac structure, function, and long-term outcomes is not known. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of frequent leg movement during sleep on cardiac structure and outcomes in patients with restless legs syndrome. Methods In our retrospective study, patients with restless legs syndrome referred for polysomnography were divided into those with frequent (periodic movement index > 35/hour) and infrequent (≤35/hour) leg movement during sleep. Long-term outcomes were determined using Kaplan-Meier and logistic regression models. Results Of 584 patients, 47% had a periodic movement index > 35/hour. Despite similarly preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, the group with periodic movement index > 35/hour had significantly higher left ventricular mass and mass index, reflective of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). There were no significant baseline differences in the proportion of patients with hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, prior myocardial infarction, stroke or heart failure, or the use of antihypertensive medications between the groups. Patients with frequent periodic movement index were older, predominantly male, and had more prevalent coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation. However, on multivariate analysis, periodic movement index > 35/hour remained the strongest predictor of LVH (odds ratio, 2.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.67–3.59; P 35/hour had significantly higher rates of heart failure and mortality over median 33-month follow-up. Conclusions Frequent periodic leg movement during sleep is an independent predictor of severe LVH and is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Comparison of Computer and Audio Teleconferencing: One Instructor's View

Telecommunications has opened up the possibility of personal and group communications for distance education. Both computer and audio conferencing permit the introduction of class discussions without the group needing to meet face to face. Phone calls and electronic mail can replace personal office visits. The distance learner can now have almost all the means of contact and interaction as the student on campus. Adult learners are often distant learners, and these enhancements have special meaning for adult education.
Mast Cell Quantitation in Renal Transplant Biopsy Specimens as a Potential Marker for the Cumulative Burden of Tissue Injury

Abstract Although mast cells (MC) play an ambiguous role in acute rejection, they have been implicated in chronic fibrotic processes overall and also in the kidney. Their morphological assessment in the context of comprehensive renal allograft pathology has not been sufficiently addressed, however. Using the CD117 immunostain in 461 consecutive kidney allograft biopsy specimens we counted the number of MC in the most inflamed biopsy area. The number of MC was correlated with the presence of the Banff defined features of T-cell–mediated and antibody-mediated rejection. No correlation was found between the number of MC and the presence or degree of T-cell–mediated rejection or with most parameters defining acute or chronic antibody-mediated rejection. Significant correlation was found, however, with the degree of interstitial fibrosis (IF; P = .000), and time post- transplantation (P = .000). Peritubular C4d staining correlated negatively with the number of MC (P = .000). Correlation of MC infiltration and peritubular capillary multilamellation (P = .000) indicated an association between general interstitial and microvascular chronic pathology. We conclude that MC represent a somewhat unique cellular component that correlates poorly with parameters of active T-cell or antibody-mediated allograft rejection. In contrast, because MC correlate strongly with IF and time post-transplantation, they could potentially be valuable as a surrogate marker for the cumulative burden of tissue injury.
Modeling Incremental Pavement Deterioration by Integrating Pavement and Intermodal Management System Data Bases

The U.S. Congress mandated the development of six transportation management systems with the passage of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. Each of these management systems provides transportation planners with an inventory of transportation facilities and associated performance data that can be used to relate the performance of the facility. Toward the end of achieving better transportation planning, the management systems can be further integrated to yield a powerful transportation planning tool that can be used to analyze and quantify the pavement needs of intermodal facilities. Pavement designers can use this tool for traffic forecasting to allow more representative pavement designs. Transportation planners can also use this tool to predict the results of changes in shipping practices before they occur. The described procedure greatly enhances the transportation planning process by allowing the process to be more proactive rather than reactive. Modal shifts in freight traffic can result in significantly increased highway maintenance costs. These shifts can be induced by changes in the regulatory or fiscal policies governing transportation or by physical changes in the transportation infrastructure. As an example, the abandonment of a set of branch lines is analyzed to determine the increased highway maintenance costs that would result if all shipments currently carried by rail along the branch lines were diverted to truck transportation. A background of the transportation management systems and their application to transportation planning is provided.
Coastal optical water type 2: modeling and minerogenic scattering

We are carrying out parameterizations of Type 1 oceanic waters to Type 2 coastal waters and determining the effects of minerogenic matter on attempts to retrieve the backscattering coefficient from radiance and irradiance data. This new parameterization involves the incorporation of suspended minerogenic matter into our ocean optical models. The deeply 'lobed' backscattering portion of the volume scattering function for suspended minerogenic matter in coastal Type 2 waters has a profound effect on the upwelling radiance signal and therefore on algorithms that utilize upwelling radiances. Clay-like minerogenic matter can create a 200 percent overestimate of the backscattering coefficient for Air Mass 1 conditions and a 50 percent underestimate of the backscattering coefficient under Air Mass 2 conditions in the surface layers of coastal waters. Quartz-like minerogenic matter, range of diameters 60-360 micrometers for size distributions typical of California and Florida, stirred up with and added to suspended clay-like particles, will radically alter further the backscattering shape factor and the error of inversion of the backscattering coefficient. In this case a nearly 30 percent error of underestimate results in the surface layers that then increases with depth to more than a 15 percent overestimate coefficient under Air Mass 1 conditions. There is then a 20 percent overestimate at all depths under Air Mass 2 conditions.
Modeling of contact geometry and dopant profile during laser - Silicon interaction

Laser fired contacts (LFCs) and laser doped selective emitters can be used to improve manufacturing throughput of photovoltaic devices without sacrificing device conversion efficiency. However, the laser parameters used to form these features can vary significantly. LFCs can be formed with short pulses (hundreds of nanoseconds) while selective emitters can be formed using either a pulsed or CW mode. Here, mathematical models for a pulsed laser and CW laser are used to evaluate how variations in processing parameters affects alloy formation, molten pool geometry and dopant concentration profiles. The models solve the conservation equations for mass, energy, and momentum to study the effects of heat and mass transfer and fluid flow on the formation of LFCs and emitters. Comparisons between experimental data and theoretical calculations for molten pool geometry and concentration profiles demonstrate good agreement. For LFCs, when assuming complete melting and mixing of the Al contact layer, the Al concentration varies significantly with power level, which drastically impacts the calculated pool shape. The dimensionless Peclet number is used to understand dominant heat and mass transfer mechanisms. Conduction is the dominant heat transfer mechanism at power levels around 20W for both LFCs and emitters. As the power level is increased to 50W, however, the dominant heat transfer mechanism changes to convection. Changes in laser parameters also impact fluid flow velocities and dopant concentration profile for emitters processed in CW mode, which suggests that convection-based models should be used to accurately predict concentration profiles within emitters.
Testing hypothesis for signal detection

A root test for signal detection based on a family of autoregressive (AR) spectral estimates is evaluated. It is observed that the root test fails for the strong narrowband noise case and is asymptotically inconclusive. A ratio test is also studied. The two AR spectra with order n and 2n are dependent. since they use the same first n correlation information. It will be difficult to find the joint density function of the ratio of the two AR spectra above. An example is included. >
Characterizing fiber optic illuminators for lighting applications

This manuscript describes methods for evaluating fiber-optic illuminators. In an initial study, several 150-watt commercial fiber-optic illuminators were tested for system efficacy. The illuminators were tested with a 1-foot reference fiber optimized for the particular illuminator as supplied by the respective manufacturer. The variations in fiber sizes and configurations made comparative evaluation between systems more difficult. Furthermore, one data point per system doesn't provide sufficient information about the illuminator. Alternatively, two sets of standard fibers were utilized to evaluate fiber-optic illuminators that had a common single port configuration and size. The data generated with the fiber sets was useful for developing a family of plots showing the flux, flux density, and color variation as a function of fiber diameter. This method eliminates premature judgment of illuminator performance on only one measurement with one fiber diameter. Finally, the use of a CCD camera was evaluated for characterizing the beam of a reflectorized lamp, typically used in a fiber- optic illuminator. A low-wattage reflectorized metal halide lamp was used in this section of the study. The amount of flux available for coupling into a given size fiber and the fiber location for optimum light coupling were estimated using the CCD camera. The results obtained thus far show that the CCD camera is a useful tool for characterizing fiber-optic illuminators.
Predicting decisions rendered in criminal appeals

Abstract This study examined whether select legal and extra-legal factors were significant in predicting the decisions rendered in criminal appeals from two trial courts to an intermediate appellate court in Florida. Mode of disposition at trial court and the type of counsel who filed the appeal were insignificant, whereas the race of the defendant and whether the trial judge departed from the sentence recommended by the guidelines were significant. It is suggested future studies focus on legal and extra- legal factors as predictors of decisions in criminal appeals.
E-Mentoring for Social Equity: Review of Research to Inform Program Development

The advent of user‐friendly email programs and web browsers created possibilities for widespread use of e‐mentoring programs. In this review of the research, we presented the history of e‐mentoring programs and defined e‐mentoring and structured e‐mentoring programs, focusing on large‐scale e‐mentoring programs that addressed issues of social equity and educational advancement. The literature reviewed spanned from the mid‐1990s to the present and included journal articles, reports, and book chapters on implemented e‐mentoring programs. The literature indicates that e‐mentoring is not a panacea, neither is it an inexpensive alternative to face‐to‐face mentoring. E‐mentoring is an alternative mode that facilitates the expansion of mentoring opportunities. The research we reviewed supported that the benefits associated with e‐mentoring mirrored the benefits associated with mentoring: informational, psychosocial, and instrumental. In addition, research supports two additional benefits of e‐mentoring: the valu...
Velocity-dependent total scattering cross sections for metastable helium on Kr and Xe

Single-beam attenuation measurements of velocity-dependent total scattering cross sections for the interactions of metastable helium (${\mathrm{He}}^{*}$) on Kr and Xe targets have been measured in the 1-5-km/s relative-velocity range. The results are compared with cross sections obtained by full quantum calculations for a Lennard-Jones (12-6) potential with the parameters $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ and $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ adjusted for a best fit. The results (in atomic units) are $\ensuremath{\epsilon}=3.38\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ a.u., $\ensuremath{\sigma}=7.80$ a.u., for the ${\mathrm{He}}^{*}$+Kr system and $\ensuremath{\epsilon}=5.34\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ a.u. and $\ensuremath{\sigma}=7.79$ a.u. for the ${\mathrm{He}}^{*}$+Xe system.
A Method for Incorporating Nonlinear Tire Behavior Into Model Predictive Control for Vehicle Stability

Given the increase in computing power over the last decade, model predictive control has received renewed attention as a technique for accomplishing high-level vehicle control. However, tire nonlinearities present a challenge for rapidly solving the optimization problem required to do model predictive control. This paper presents an approach which extracts the tire nonlinearities outside the MPC optimization, leaving a convex problem that can be solved rapidly and with guaranteed optimality. Experimental results are presented from an MPC controller using this technique that demonstrate the controller’s ability to handle tire nonlinearities during highly dynamic manuevers that saturate the tires and induce lateral-longitudinal force coupling effects.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Peritoneal drainage as definitive treatment for intestinal perforation in infants with extremely low birth weight (< 750 g)

Abstract Background: Advances in neonatal intensive care have improved the survival of the extremely premature infant. However, survival at less than 25 weeks' gestational age remains tenuous, with intestinal perforation presenting a significant mortality. Methods: During an 18-month period from 1995 to 1996, nine patients weighing less than 750 g (range, 485 to 740 g; mean, 615 g) presented with intestinal perforation. All patients were treated with peritoneal drainage. Drains were removed after clinical improvement and the cessation of peritoneal drainage. Results: Seven patients survived the initial drainage procedure (78%). At a mean follow-up of 12 months, the six long-term survivors are all tolerating full enteral feeds, and none developed intestinal strictures or intraabdominal abscess. No patient required subsequent celiotomy. Peritoneal drainage has previously been considered in some centers as temporary therapy in extremely ill neonates deemed unlikely to survive operation. The authors have adopted drainage as the sole treatment in selected patients. Conclusion: Peritoneal drainage alone may be considered definitive therapy for intestinal perforation in the majority of micropremature infants.
Passive and Motivated Perception of Emotional Faces: Qualitative and Quantitative Changes in the Face Processing Network

Emotionally expressive faces are processed by a distributed network of interacting sub-cortical and cortical brain regions. The components of this network have been identified and described in large part by the stimulus properties to which they are sensitive, but as face processing research matures interest has broadened to also probe dynamic interactions between these regions and top-down influences such as task demand and context. While some research has tested the robustness of affective face processing by restricting available attentional resources, it is not known whether face network processing can be augmented by increased motivation to attend to affective face stimuli. Short videos of people expressing emotions were presented to healthy participants during functional magnetic resonance imaging. Motivation to attend to the videos was manipulated by providing an incentive for improved recall performance. During the motivated condition, there was greater coherence among nodes of the face processing network, more widespread correlation between signal intensity and performance, and selective signal increases in a task-relevant subset of face processing regions, including the posterior superior temporal sulcus and right amygdala. In addition, an unexpected task-related laterality effect was seen in the amygdala. These findings provide strong evidence that motivation augmentsco-activity among nodes of the face processing network and the impact of neural activity on performance. These within-subject effects highlight the necessity to consider motivation when interpreting neural function in special populations, and to further explore the effect of task demands on face processing in healthy brains.
Streaming visualization for collaborative environments.

Connecting expensive and scarce visual data analysis resources to end-users is a major challenge today. We describe a flexible mechanism for meeting this challenge based on commodity compression technologies for streaming video. The advantages of this approach include simplified application development, access to generic client components for viewing, and simplified incorporation of improved codecs as they become available. In this paper we report newly acquired experimental results for two different applications being developed to exploit this approach and test its merits. One is based on a new plugin for ParaView that adds video streaming cleanly and transparently to existing applications. The other is a custom volume rendering application with new remote capabilities. Using typical datasets under realistic conditions, we find the performance for both is satisfactory.
Competitive Aggression without Interaction: Effects of Competitive Versus Cooperative Instructions on Aggressive Behavior in Video Games

Two experiments extended and tested Deutsch's (1993) theory of competition effects. A knowledge structure approach predicted that people view competitive situations as inherently more aggressive than cooperative ones. Furthermore, it was predicted that leading people to think of an ambiguously aggressive situation in competitive terms would increase aggressive behavior. In Experiment 1, knowledge structures of competitive situations had more aggressive content than cooperative ones. In Experiment 2, competition-primed subjects unnecessarily killed more video game characters (Mario Brothers) than cooperation-primed subjects. The increase in kill ratio occurred in the absence of changes in hostility, friendliness, or liking for one's game partner. Implications for understanding cooperation and competition, and for further research on such "affectless agression," were discussed.
Influence of particulate matter on spectral irradiance fields and energy transfer in the Eastern Arctic Ocean

Time series studies of the spectral irradiance fields beneath multiyear pack ice were conducted in the Eastern Arctic Basin at 82 - 83 degree(s)N as part of the Coordinated Eastern Arctic Research Experiment (CEAREX). Particulate matter was collected from the multiyear pack ice as well as first year ice in a refrozen lead. The vertical distribution within the ice and the spectral absorption properties of the particulates were determined in order to estimate their contribution to the optical properties of the sea ice. Among the particulates contained in sea ice detritus was common throughout all portions of the pack ice and was the major light absorbing particulate matter in the ice at the time of the observation. Algal cells and mineral- like particulates also were present, yet they contributed to the light-absorbing properties to a lesser extent than the detritus. During early spring, particulate matter contributed little to the bulk attenuation coefficients of the multiyear ice, however, it was estimated to have a more substantial contribution to the attenuation coefficients of first year ice in a refrozen lead. Results of a single stream multilayer radiative transfer model that simulates concentrations of biogenic particulate matter observed in Arctic sea ice indicates that particulate matter within sea ice plays a substantial role in radiative energy transfer and has the potential to seasonally alter spectral irradiance regimes within the ice covered Arctic Ocean.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.