cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predicting the economics of X-ray inspection technology in sweet onion packinghouses using simulation modelling

To determine the feasibility of using x-ray technology for internal defect removal, a discrete-event simulation model was developed with the capability to vary inspection machine configuration and placement and associated economic impact. To evaluate the profitability of X-ray inspection, the results of the simulation model were also used to estimate the unit cost (UC) and selling price per box of the inspected onions. A fundamental assumption of this work is that the increase in quality resulting from the X-ray inspection would command a higher market value as reflected by sales price. An Arena simulation model was developed based on data from two packinghouse time studies, from 2005 to 2006 onion X-ray inspection and sample measurements (4 cultivars each year) and from published cost estimates of sweet onion production and packing. The model results indicated the feasibility of incorporating three and four X-ray inspection units at 0.25 m s −1 belt speed under the simulated conditions to obtain realistic throughput rates. Estimated costs per 18.14 kg box of X-ray inspected onions ranged from US $9.00 to US $15.00 while the estimated selling price ranged from US $11.35 to US $25.34, depending on farm yield, the quality of incoming crop and the gross profit margin goals. The methods could be readily extended to other commodities destined for the fresh market; however, the results would be commodity and site specific.
Venus atmospheric circulation: Observations and implications of the thermal structure

Thermal structure data obtained by Pioneer Venus (PV) were analyzed and used to make calculations concerning cyclostrophic circulation around Venus. These indicate a balanced zonal (east to west) circulation, with midlatitude jets of peak velocities in the 110-120 m/s range, located between 50 and 40 mb in each hemisphere of the planet near 45 deg latitude. The calculations indicate breakdown of the balance conditions near the upper and lower boundaries at low latitudes. A slight asymmetry in the balanced zonal circulation arises out of an asymmetry in the thermal field. The PV radio occultation data show evidence of a direct meridional circulation that may be important in sustaining the atmospheric circulation of Venus. The value of continuous radio occultation measurements is stressed for studying shortand long-term variations of the atmospheric circulation.
Dosimetric comparison of pre-planned and or-planned prostate seed brachytherapy

Abstract Purpose: To compare the dosimetry of the traditional two step procedure (volume study + treatment planning several weeks later) with that of an OR-based single procedure in which these two steps follow one another immediately. Computer generated treatment plans were used in both procedures. Methods and Materials: Several dosimetric parameters relating to target coverage were obtained from dose volume histograms of CT-based evaluation plans developed either 1 or 3 days following seed implantation. A total of 113 patients with early stage (T1C, T2A) prostate cancer were used for this retrospective study. Results: The fraction of target (prostate) covered by the prescription dose (144 Gy), 90% of the prescription dose (115 Gy), and the dose encompassing 90% of the target in the evaluation plan were all statistically significantly improved for OR-based plans compared to pre-planned cases. Conclusion: In our hands, there is a small but significant improvement in dose coverage of the prostate when the ultrasound volume study and treatment planning are combined into a single procedure.
Aqueous Chamber Drug Distribution Volume Measurement in Rabbits

A method was developed for aqueous chamber drug distribution volume measurement in the albino rabbit, and the apparent volume of distribution was determined for inulin, pilocarpine alkaloid, and 1-hexanoic acid. The method consists of injecting a suitable concentration of drug, in an appropriate volume of fluid, into the anterior chamber of the eye and monitoring the decline in drug concentration as a function of time by periodic sampling of the aqueous humor. Graphical analysis of the resulting data yields both the apparent volume of distribution and the turnover rate constant of the aqueous humor. The technique does traumatize the eye, causing formation of plasmoid aqueous, which does not interfere with the apparent drug distribution volume measurement or the determination of aqueous humor turnover. Inulin was used to determine the physiological aqueous volume, 287 mul, in good agreement with literature values. The turnover rate constant was 0.016 min-1, also in good agreement with literature values. The apparent volume of distribution for pilocarpine alkaloid was 575 mul in albino eyes and 760 mul in pigmented irides; for 1-hexanoic acid in albino eyes, it was 760 mul. For pilocarpine alkaloid, literature citations on the fraction of dose absorbed have been based on an assumed apparent volume of distribution of 250-300 mul. Therefore, a factor of two error has been introduced when using albino eyes and a factor of almost three has been introduced when using pigmented eyes. The implication of the apparent volume of distribution for pilocarpine in its ocular disposition is discussed, as is the unexpected observation that pilocarpine alkaloid apparently inhibits formation of plasmoid aqueous and follows one-compartment kinetics during these studies. Is is shown that the one-compartment kinetics for pilocarpine are due to its biological activity in the aqueous chamber.
Fear of Discovery Among Latino Immigrants Presenting to the Emergency Department

OBJECTIVES: Recent legislation mandating reporting of undocumented immigrants may instill fear of discovery when they access emergency department (ED) services. The objectives of this study were to: 1) characterize the knowledge and beliefs of undocumented Latino immigrants (UDLI) about health care workers' reporting (or nonreporting) of illegal immigrants in the ED, 2) determine whether UDLI fear discovery when presenting to the ED, and 3) determine the nature and sources of this fear. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of UDLI and two comparison groups conducted in two California county EDs, from November 2009 to August 2010. The authors interviewed a convenience sample of adult UDLI, Latino legal residents (LLR), and non-Latino legal residents (NLLR) using a structured instrument in their native language. The main outcome was fear of discovery among UDLI and the sources of that fear. RESULTS: Of 1,224 patients approached, 1,007 (82.3%) were interviewed: 314 UDLI, 373 LLR, and 320 NLLR. The median age was 43 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 31 to 55 years), and 51% were male. UDLIs were less likely to speak English (14%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 10% to 18%), have health insurance (39%, 95% CI 32% to 44%), or have a regular primary care provider (PCP; 39%, 95% CI = 34% to 45%), compared to LLR (English 56%, 95% CI = 51% to 61%; health insurance 50%, 95% CI = 45% to 55%; regular PCP 51%, 95% = CI 46% to 57%) and NLLR (English 95%, 95% CI = 92% to 97%; health insurance 49%, 95% CI = 43% to 54%; regular PCP 51%, 95% CI = 45% to 56%). Of the 16% of UDLI who stated that nurses and doctors treat undocumented immigrant patients differently than citizens, 41% (95% CI = 29% to 54%) reported less respect given to UDLI by staff. Thirty-two percent of UDLI had heard of Proposition 187, 13% believed hospital staff reported UDLI to immigration authorities, and 9% said they were asked about their citizenship status. Fear of coming to the hospital because of discovery was expressed by 12% (95% CI = 9% to 16%) of UDLI, with 42% (95% CI = 28% to 58%) citing discussions with friends/family, 32% (95% CI = 19% to 47%) citing media and 16% (95% CI = 7% to 30%) citing both as sources of this fear. CONCLUSIONS: One in eight of UDLI presenting to the ED express fear of discovery and consequent deportation. Belief that medical staff report UDLI and recent immigration are risk factors for this fear. Family, friends, and media are the primary sources of these concerns. Language: en
Two New Species of Potamonemus Cumberlidge and Clark, 1992 (Brachyura: Potamoidea: Potamonautidae) From the Rain Forests of West Africa

ABSTRACT Two new species of West African fresh-water crabs are described from specimens in the Zoologisches Staatsinstitut und Zoologisches Museum, Hamburg, Germany, and from material in the author's collection. The new species are distinguished by a combination of characters of the gonopods, chelipeds, and carapace. These species are found in the rain forest zone of southwest Cameroon and southeast Nigeria, West Africa. They are compared to Potamonemus mambilorum Cumberlidge and Clark, 1992, the type species of the genus, and to other freshwater crabs in the family Potamonautidae occurring in West Africa. A key to distinguish between the three species in the genus Potamonemus is provided.
Gold ultramicroelectrodes for on-site monitoring of trace lead

Gold and gold-coated cylinder microelectrodes are used as stripping-based microsensors for trace lead. These gold ultramicroelectrodes exhibit a favorable stripping performance, similar to that observed at common mercury ultramicroelectrodes. Such use of “mercury-free” electrodes greatly facilitates the development of disposable sensors for lead blood screening programs. Potentiometric stripping analysis at these gold ultramicroelectrodes yields reproducible results for parts per billion (μg/L) concentrations of lead, following short preconcentration periods and using static, nondeaerated solutions. Numerous experimental variables have been characterized and optimized. Repetitive assays of 200-μl sample drops yield a relative standard deviation of 2.2% (n = 20). The application of the gold ultramicroelectrodes for assays of various real samples is demonstrated, and prospects for their use in decentralized testings are discussed.
Glucose regulates ghrelin, neuropeptide Y, and the GH/IGF-I axis in the tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus

Abstract In general, a fish's ability to clear glucose is sluggish in relation to mammals, which has lead to the idea that fish are glucose intolerant. It has been reported that circulating glucose levels do fluctuate in response to environmental challenges. Recent reports suggest that glucose may function as a metabolic signal regulating ‘glucosensors’ in the brain in fish, as has been reported in mammals. The current study was designed to investigate the effect of glucose on ghrelin and neuropeptide Y (NPY) signaling in the brain, and on the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I (GH/IGF-I) in the tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus . Glucose treatment significantly increased plasma and stomach mRNA levels of ghrelin. In the brain, mRNA levels of the ghrelin receptor (GRLN-R) were significantly reduced, whereas NPY mRNA levels were significantly elevated; suggesting that NPY containing neurons may be a “glucosensor” as reported in mammals. Glucose treatment resulted in changes in the GH/IGF-I axis. Liver mRNA levels of both GH receptors (GHR1 and GHR2) were significantly elevated, whereas liver IGF-I mRNA were unaltered by glucose treatment. No change in plasma or pituitary mRNA levels of GH was observed. Glucose significantly reduced plasma IGF-I levels. These data show that glucose regulates endocrine factors involved in appetite, growth, and possibly energy homeostasis, and suggests that glucose may be acting as a signal of metabolic status in fish.
The time and duration of female meiosis in Lilium

The time and duration of meiosis in ovules and anthers was estimated in plants of two Lilium hybrids (cultivars ‘Sonata’ and ‘Black Beauty’) grown under controlled conditions. Within each flower bud meiosis did not start in the embryo sac mother cell (e.m.c.) until about the time when meiosis in pollen mother cells (p.m.cs) was ended. In both cultivars meiosis lasted about 50% longer in e.m.cs than in p.m.cs. Thus, at a mean temperature of 20 ± 1 °C meiosis in ‘Sonata’ took 7.5 days in p.m.cs and 10.5 days in e.m.cs, while in ‘Black Beauty’ it took 10.5 days in p.m.cs and 16.0 days in e.m.cs.
Design and scheduling of flexible assembly systems for large products: A simulation study

Abstract Manufacturers of large products are increasingly considering the use of flexible assembly systems to improve the efficiency of their assembly operations, especially where many different products are assembled on the same assembly line. The assembly of large products usually involves some large component parts. The complications of mating such components with the partially assembled unit must be considered in the design and the operation of the flexible assembly system. In this paper, we present results of a simulation study that was motivated by a major automobile company. The study investigates capacity planning issues (number of machines and buffers) and scheduling strategies to facilitate the component mating process.
Maintaining autonomy: The plight of the American skid row and Japaneseyoseba

This article applies a social order analysis to both the classic American skid rows and the Japaneseyoseba (day labor pools) and finds that many of the resources that were available in the American skid rows such as casual labor, affordable SRO-style housing, reciprocal bonds of friendship, and cheap eateries are still available in the Japaneseyoseba. However, as urban America faced economic and ecological changes in the post WWII era which eventually lead to the demise of skid row communities and consequently the evolution of a largely public assistance dependent “new” homeless population, the communities of the Japaneseyoseba currently face similar threats to their livelihood largely due to the sharp decrease in demand for day labor since the onset of theHeisei recession in 1991. Additionally, policy recommendations for the Japanese to preserve the resources of theyoseba communities are made in light of similar historical experiences in the United States.
Elasticity and Anelasticity of Uranium Oxides at Room Temperature: I, Stoichiometric Oxide

The elastic modulus and internal friction of stoichiometric uranium oxide at room temperature were studied using a dynamic method. The elastic modulus of stoichiometric urania at room temperature increases with increasing density. When the volume fraction porosity is less than 0.1, either linear or exponential equations can he used to calculate the elastic modulus as a function of density. When the volume fraction porosity is more than 0.1, a linear equation seems to be more suitable. The elastic modulus of stoichiometric nonporous uranium oxide at room temperature was found, by extrapolation, to be 2243.56 ± 22.1 kbars when the exponential equation was used, and 2233.85 ± 22.05 kbars when the linear expression was used. The internal friction of stoichiometric urania decreases sharply as the grains become larger. The number, size, and position of pores may also affect the internal friction values.
Distinguishing features of autism in boys with fragile X syndrome

Background Males with fragile X syndrome and autism (FXS/autism) represent a distinct subgroup of males with FXS at risk for markedly poorer outcomes. Early identification and intervention can improve outcomes for males with autism spectrum disorder. Method To advance the development of a specialised autism screening tool for young males with FXS that could assist in early identification, backward regression was used to identify the combination of parent-report questionnaire items that best predicted autism symptoms in a sample of 60 males with FXS, ages 4–18 years old. Results Both social and repetitive behaviours distinguished males with FXS/autism, with repetitive behaviours playing a more prominent role than previously documented in the literature. Conclusions Healthcare workers and early interventionists may be able to interview parents about a few key behaviours to determine if young child with FXS should be formally evaluated for autism. Evidence-based practices identified for children with autism spectrum disorder can be implemented as early as possible.
Optimizing Care With a Standardized Management Protocol for Patients With Infantile Spasms.

The primary aim of this quality improvement initiative was to increase the number of patients receiving first-line therapy (adrenocorticotropic hormone, corticosteroids, vigabatrin) as the initial treatment for infantile spasms. We implemented a standardized management protocol for infantile spasms based on the best available data and expert consensus. To assess the impact of this intervention, we compared the 3-month remission rates between prestandardization (January 2009 to August 2012) and poststandardization (September 2012 to May 2014) cohorts. We found that the percentage of patients receiving first-line therapy as the initial treatment was 57% (31/54) in the prestandardization cohort and 100% (35/35) in the poststandardization cohort (P < .001). The rate of infantile spasms remission was higher poststandardization compared to prestandardization (78.8% vs 30.6%, P < .001). Management standardization led to all patients receiving first-line therapy as the initial treatment and was associated with a ...
Effect of delay in presentation on rate of perforation in children with appendicitis

Abstract Introduction Appendicitis is the most common emergency operation in children. The rate of perforation may be related to duration from symptom onset to treatment. A recent adult study suggests that the perforation risk is minimal in the first 36 hours and remains at 5% thereafter. We studied a pediatric population to assess symptom duration as a risk factor for perforation. Methods We prospectively studied all children older than 3 years who underwent an appendectomy over a 22-month period. Results Of 202 patients undergoing appendectomies, 197 had appendicitis. Median age was significantly lower in the perforated group, but temperature and leukocytosis were not. As expected, length of hospital stay was longer in the perforated group (4-13 vs 2-6 days). The incidence of perforation was 10% if symptoms were present for less than 18 hours. This incidence rose in a linear fashion to 44% by 36 hours. Prehospital delays were greater in patients with perforated appendicitis. However, in-hospital delay (from presentation to surgery) was less than 5 hours in the perforated group and 9 hours in the nonperforated group. Discussion Appendiceal perforation in children is more common than in adults and correlates directly with duration of symptoms before surgery. Perforation is more common in younger children. Unlike in adults, the risk of perforation within 24 hours of onset is substantial (7.7%), and it increases in a linear fashion with duration of symptoms. In our experience, however, perforation correlates more with prehospital delay than with in-hospital delay.
TWO IMAGES OF MAN: CONFUCIAN AND KANTIAN

The main point of this paper is that the two images of man (Kantian and Confucian) are radically different from each other. The mainstream Con-fucianists (Confucius-cum-Mencius and their followers) and Kant have different foci and address different concerns and problems. Further, their manners of presentation are different, and the manners are reflections of the substantive issues they address respectively.
Concepts of deviance and disturbance in children and adolescents: A comparison between the United States and Japan

Fifth and eleventh graders in the United States (N = 169) and Japan (N = 166) were interviewed about their reactions to stories describing various forms of psychological deviance in hypothetical peers. For each story, students were asked if any of the protagonist's behaviours seemed strange or unusual; why these behaviours were strange or unusual; and why the protagonist acted the way he or she did. More Japanese than American students mentioned the psychological reasoning of the individual, and more American than Japanese students mentioned external influences and violation of social norms in explaining and conceptualizing deviant conduct, respectively. Few developmental or gender differences emerged. Results are discussed in terms of the individualism-collectivism paradigm and cultural differences in attributions for success and failure. Des eleves de CM2 et de Premiere aux Etats-Unis (N = 169) et au Japon (N = 166) ont ete questionnes au sujet de leur reaction a des histoires decrivant diverses formes ...
Analysis of visible reflectance spectra of stored, cooked and diseased chicken meats

Visible spectra of cold stored, cooked, and diseased chicken meats were collected. Changes in ratios of R1=A485 nm/A560 nm and R2=A635 nm/A560 nm, which are related to absorbances of the bands at 485 (metmyoglobin), 560 (oxymyoglobin), and 635 nm (sulfmyoglobin), were observed to be useful for studying the variation of meat color under the conditions of cold storage and cooking process. Such a strategy was also applied to classify fresh-raw wholesome and unwholesome meats into respective classes, and the result was compared with that produced from a chemometric model. The strategy might be used as a simple methodology for monitoring the color variation of meats where the development of the chemometric model is either impractical or not desirable. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
Management of balance and gait in older individuals with Parkinson’s disease

Difficulties with walking and balance are common among people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Effective management of these walking and balance problems is critical, as these issues can contribute to decreased mobility, falls, social isolation, reduced quality of life and increased mortality. This article provides an overview of the gait and balance disorders associated with PD and discusses the methods currently utilized to manage gait and balance problems among people with PD. These methods include pharmacological, surgical and rehabilitative approaches. Remaining challenges and future directions, including the need for comprehensive, multidisciplinary, patient-centered care provided by qualified movement disorders experts, are also highlighted.
The effects of physiological estrogen concentration on the immune response of urothelial carcinoma cells to bacillus Calmette-Guérin.

Purpose: Meta-analysis has shown that bacillus Calmette-Guerin is less effective in females undergoing treatment for urothelial carcinoma. Urothelial carcinoma cells express immune regulatory proteins as a consequence of bacillus Calmette-Guerin induced, nuclear factor κB signaling. Nuclear factor κB is influenced by estrogen receptor binding. We evaluated the effect of the physiological estradiol concentration on the expression of bacillus Calmette-Guerin induced, nuclear factor κB regulated immune proteins.Materials and Methods: We determined the estrogen receptor expression status of human urothelial carcinoma cell lines by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The functional status of estrogen receptor signaling was established using estrogen receptor reporter constructs. We used gene expression profiling of urothelial carcinoma cells combined with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to identify the nuclear factor κB dependent immune regulatory proteins expressed in response to ...
Diffusion Tensor Analysis With Invariant Gradients and Rotation Tangents

Guided by empirically established connections between clinically important tissue properties and diffusion tensor parameters, we introduce a framework for decomposing variations in diffusion tensors into changes in shape and orientation. Tensor shape and orientation both have three degrees-of-freedom, spanned by invariant gradients and rotation tangents, respectively. As an initial demonstration of the framework, we create a tunable measure of tensor difference that can selectively respond to shape and orientation. Second, to analyze the spatial gradient in a tensor volume (a third-order tensor), our framework generates edge strength measures that can discriminate between different neuroanatomical boundaries, as well as creating a novel detector of white matter tracts that are adjacent yet distinctly oriented. Finally, we apply the framework to decompose the fourth-order diffusion covariance tensor into individual and aggregate measures of shape and orientation covariance, including a direct approximation for the variance of tensor invariants such as fractional anisotropy.
Occupational Exposures and Lung Cancer Risk among Minnesota Taconite Mining Workers

Objective To examine the association between employment duration, elongate mineral particle (EMP) exposure, silica exposure and the risk of lung cancer in the taconite mining industry. Methods We conducted a nested case–control study of lung cancer within a cohort of Minnesota taconite iron mining workers employed by any of the mining companies in operation in 1983. Lung cancer cases were identified by vital records and cancer registry data through 2010. Two age-matched controls were selected from risk sets of cohort members alive and lung cancer free at the time of case diagnosis. Calendar time-specific exposure estimates were made for every job and were used to estimate workers’ cumulative exposures. ORs and 95% CIs were estimated using conditional logistic regression. We evaluated total lung cancer risk and risk of histological subtype by total work duration and by cumulative EMP, and silica exposure by quartile of the exposure distribution. Results A total of 1706 cases and 3381 controls were included in the analysis. After adjusting for work in haematite mining, asbestos exposure and sex, the OR for total duration of employment was 0.99 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.01). The ORs for quartile 4 versus 1 of EMP and silica exposure were 0.82 (95% CI 0.57 to 1.19) and 0.97 (95% CI 0.70 to 1.35), respectively. The risk of each histological subtype of lung cancer did not change with increasing exposure. Conclusions This study suggests that the estimated taconite mining exposures do not increase the risk of developing lung cancer.
COX15 Codes for a Mitochondrial Protein Essential for the Assembly of Yeast Cytochrome Oxidase

The respiratory defect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants assigned to complementation group G4 of apet strain collection stems from their failure to synthesize cytochrome oxidase. The mutations do not affect expression of either the mitochondrially or nuclearly encoded subunits of the enzyme. The cytochrome oxidase deficiency also does not appear to be related to mitochondrial copper metabolism or heme abiosynthesis. These data suggest that the mutants are likely to be impaired in assembly of the enzyme. A gene designated COX15has been cloned by transformation of mutants from complementation group G4. This gene is identical to reading frame YER141w on chromosome 5. To facilitate further studies, Cox15p has been expressed as a biotinylated protein. Biotinylated Cox15p fully restores cytochrome oxidase incox15 mutants, indicating that the carboxyl-terminal sequence with biotin does not affect its function. Cox15p is a constituent of the mitochondrial inner membrane and, because of its resistance to proteolysis, probably is largely embedded in the phospholipid bilayer of the membrane. The present studies further emphasize the complexity of cytochrome oxidase assembly and report a new constituent of mitochondria involved in this process. The existence of COX15 homologs in Schizosaccharomyces pombeand Caenorhabditis elegans suggests that it may be widely distributed in eucaryotic organisms.
Mesenchymal hamartoma of the chest wall.

A 33-week gestational male infant with mild respiratory distress after triplet birth was found on physical examination to have a firm, fixed 2-cm mass arising from the lateral right chest wall. Chest x-ray confirmed a spherical soft tissue mass distorting the right fourth and fifth ribs (A). Fine needle biopsy was consistent with a benign chest wall hamartoma (mesenchymoma). The child was treated expectantly until four months of age, when rapid enlargement of the lesion prompted CT examination. CT evaluation revealed progressive destruction of the right third, fourth, and fifth ribs with leftward mediastinal displacement by the mass (B). Heterogeneous areas within the lesion were consistent with hemorrhage and likely accounted for the rapid expansion of the mass seen clinically. The infant had primary resection of the lesion with Gore-Tex (WL Gore & Assoc, Flagstaff, AZ) patch reconstruction of the chest wall. The recovery period was uneventful. Histologic examination showed a benign mesenchymoma with no evidence for malignancy. The characteristic elements of this benign tumor are primitiveappearing mesenchymal cells, stromal elements, and cartilage. Hypercellular cartilage with enchondral ossification at its periphery is present (C1). Woven bone with a suggestion of osteoblastic rimming appears to arise from the primitive mesenchymal cells (C2). In the upper left corner and center of the slide is a dense cellular mixture of primitive mesenchymal cells, osteoclasts, and vascular spaces. At 1-year followup, the child is asymptomatic with a normal chest CT.
Early continental breakup boundary and migration of the Afar triple junction, Ethiopia

Megascale accommodation zones mark the early continental breakup boundary of the Afro-Arabian plateau in Ethiopia. Motion along these megascale accommodation zones enabled the different arms of the Afar RRR (rift-rift-rift) triple junction to join together. An arcuate accommodation zone 45 km wide and 60 km long marks the transition from the N25W-striking Southern Red Sea Rift trend in the western Afar margin to the N25E-striking Main Ethiopian Rift. Another accommodation zone 80 km long marks the transition between the northeast- to north-northeast– trending Main Ethiopian Rift and the nearly east trending Gulf of Aden. The positions of accommodation zones where rift orientations change by 50 suggest that they served as soft linking points between the kinematically ‘‘misaligned’’ arms of the triple junction during the initial breakup of the Afro-Arabian dome. We use structural features to infer the present location of the triple junction in the Lake Abhe area. On the basis of the location of the paleo–triple junction, deduced from the position of accommodation zones and geomorphic considerations, it is estimated that the Afar triple junction has migrated 1.5 (160 km) in a northnortheast direction with respect to the African (Nubian) plate. The estimated amount
Impact Damage to Dinocysts from the Late Eocene Chesapeake Bay Event

Abstract The Chesapeake Bay impact structure, formed by a comet or meteorite that struck the Virginia continental shelf about 35.5 million years ago, is the focus of an extensive coring project by the U.S. Geological Survey and its cooperators. Organic-walled dinocysts recovered from impact-generated deposits in a deep core inside the 85–90 km-wide crater include welded organic clumps and fused, partially melted and bubbled dinocysts unlike any previously observed. Other observed damage to dinocysts consists of breakage, pitting, and folding in various combinations. The entire marine Cretaceous, Paleocene, and Eocene section that was once present at the site has been excavated and redeposited under extreme conditions that include shock, heat, collapse, tsunamis, and airfall. The preserved dinocysts reflect these conditions and, as products of a known impact, may serve as guides for recognizing impact-related deposits elsewhere. Features that are not unique to impacts, such as breakage and folding, may off...
HCI for peace: a call for constructive action

Peace is an important value for the human-computer interaction research community, yet it has not resulted in the development of a research sub-community or even a research agenda. In this paper we seek to address this void by first motivating the need for computing research on promoting peace and preventing war. We then review evidence on the factors that affect the likelihood that armed conflict will occur, as well as the aspects involved when individuals make moral decisions on whether or not to support a war. Based on this review, we propose a research agenda, citing research examples from the human-computer interaction literature and discussing new ideas.
New Efficient Catheter-Based System for Myocardial Gene Delivery

Background— Manipulating gene expression in the failing heart has therapeutic promise, but until now efficient and homogeneous cardiac gene delivery has required an open-chest approach. This study examines the hypothesis that vector delivery promoted by echo contrast microbubbles will be maximized by injection of the vectors into the aortic root with brief balloon occlusion above the sinuses, while at the same time prolonging diastole and vasodilating with acetylcholine (ACh) to maximize coronary exposure. Methods and Results— After incubation with albumin-coated perfluorocarbon microbubbles, an adenovirus encoding a reporter gene was infused into the aortic root of rats. To maximize delivery, the aortic root was transiently occluded with a balloon catheter during a brief ACh-induced asystole. Ultrasound was used to image the delivery and disrupt the microbubbles. Aortic occlusion with concomitant ACh increased myocardial gene expression for virus + microbubbles by >2.5-fold, from 925±165 to 2358±376 relative units (RU; P Conclusions— An adenoviral delivery system combining echo contrast with a catheter-based technique to maximize coronary perfusion increases gene delivery compared with echo contrast alone. This novel method permits efficient percutaneous gene delivery in closed-chest animals.
Jade: a high-level, machine-independent language for parallel programming

Jade, a high-level parallel programming language for managing coarse-grained parallelism, is discussed. Jade simplifies programming by providing sequential-execution and shared-address-space abstractions. It is also platform-independent; the same Jade program runs on uniprocessors, multiprocessors, and heterogeneous networks of machines. An example that illustrates how Jade programmers express irregular, dynamically determined concurrency and how the implementation exploits this source of concurrency is presented. A digital video imaging program that runs on a high-resolution video system and several other examples of Jade applications are described. >
Conical electromagnetic waves diffraction from sastrugi type surfaces of layered snow dunes on Greenland ice sheets in passive microwave remote sensing

Snow dunes on Greenland ice sheets are featured as Sastrugi surfaces, which have large heights at microwave remote sensing frequencies. They can also have large slopes. For this type of surfaces over multilayered snow structure, WindSat passive microwave polarimetric signatures have exhibited interesting polarimetric and angular signatures. In this paper, we study conical electromagnetic diffraction from Sastrugi surface that are modeled as ridged surfaces with random widths of the ridges. Then a surface integral equation with conical incident wave at a nonzero azimuthal angle is used to solve the surface fields. The surface integral equation is solved by method of moments (MoM). Because of the large rms heights of 7 wavelengths, there are more than 29,000 surface unknowns. Numerical results of the bistatic transmission coefficients from air to snow and from snow to air are studied. The effects of transmission beyond the critical angles are studied. The rough surface bistatic scattering properties are then incorporated in radiative transfer equations for 4 Stokes parameters of passive microwave wave remote sensing in layered snow, which is ready for the calculation of overall reflectivity and emissivity for 4 Stokes parameters.
Expected Holding of Cash, Future Performance and Stock Return

This paper examines the determinants of expected level of firms' cash holding, and the implications to future performance and stock return when firms deviate from their expected balances. Extending the model of Opler, Pinkowitz, Stulz and Williamson (1999), this paper provides a more comprehensive model of expected cash balances and finds strong evidence supporting a static tradeoff model of cash holdings. Further tests examine the implications to future return on assets (ROA) when firms deviate from their expected cash balances. The main findings include: (1) higher deviations (in absolute term) are associated with lower future ROA; (2) the aforementioned association is found in both positive and negative deviations; the effect of negative deviation on future ROA is stronger than that of positive deviation; (3) the marginal effect on future ROA increases as the size of deviations increases; (4) When firm deviates from its expected cash balance, its future performance deteriorates in all aspects: leverage increases, return on operating assets (RNOA) decreases, and SPREAD, the difference between RNOA and net borrowing cost (NBC), decreases, which suggests NBC increase. This paper also examines the implications on one year ahead stock returns when firms deviate from their expected cash balance and finds evidences that deviation from expected cash balance can explain future stock return in addition to accrual, firm size, book-to-market ratio (BM) and earnings-to-price ratio (EP).
Root‐zone management practices impact above and belowground growth in Cabernet Franc grapevines

Background and Aims The objective of this study was to assess the effect of root pruning (RP) and annual under-trellis cover crops (UTCC) on vegetative growth and physiological processes in Cabernet Franc (Vitis vinifera L.) grapevines grafted on 3309C rootstock. Methods and Results Five root-zone management treatments, namely under-trellis vegetation-free strip control (C), RP and three distinct annual UTCC [annual ryegrass (AR), buckwheat, (BW) and turnip (TP)] were evaluated and compared over three seasons in a vigorous vineyard in the Northeastern USA. Root pruning had the greatest impact in reducing grapevine size; AR reduced the duration of shoot growth 2 out of 3 years. Competition between grapevine and AR and BW fine roots resulted in a lower grapevine fine root production in shallow soil layers and in a decrease in fine root lifespan. Conclusions Root pruning was effective in reducing grapevine size for 3 years; RP effectiveness, however, may vary greatly depending on site conditions. Annual UTCC hold potential for reducing grapevine size in vigorous plantings in regions with ample precipitation. Appropriate choice of cover crop species, however, remains unclear. Significance of the Study This work demonstrates that root-zone management practices impact grapevine vegetative growth and induce changes in root morphological traits.
Teaching classification boundaries to humans

Given a classification task, what is the best way to teach the resulting boundary to a human? While machine learning techniques can provide excellent methods for finding the boundary, including the selection of examples in an online setting, they tell us little about how we would teach a human the same task. We propose to investigate the problem of example selection and presentation in the context of teaching humans, and explore a variety of mechanisms in the interests of finding what may work best. In particular, we begin with the baseline of random presentation and then examine combinations of several mechanisms: the indication of an example's relative difficulty, the use of the shaping heuristic from the cognitive science literature (moving from easier examples to harder ones), and a novel kernel-based "coverage model" of the subject's mastery of the task. From our experiments on 54 human subjects learning and performing a pair of synthetic classification tasks via our teaching system, we found that we can achieve the greatest gains with a combination of shaping and the coverage model.
New Summer Areas and Mixing of Two Greater Sandhill Crane Populations in the Intermountain West

Abstract Population delineation throughout the annual life cycle for migratory birds is needed to formulate regional and national management and conservation strategies. Despite being well studied ...
Mössbauer Experiments on Hf 180 and the Structure of the 8 − Two-Quasiparticle State

The magnetic moment of the 1142-keV ${8}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ state of $^{180}\mathrm{Hf}$ was deduced from the known hyperfine splitting of the isomeric state in (${\mathrm{Hf}}_{0.1}$${\mathrm{Zr}}_{0.9}$)${\mathrm{Fe}}_{2}$ and the hyperfine field in this compound. This field ${H}_{\mathrm{hf}}=\ensuremath{-}200\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}20$ kOe was obtained from M\"ossbauer experiments with the 93.3-keV $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays of $^{180}\mathrm{Hf}$. The deduced result $\ensuremath{\mu}({8}^{\ensuremath{-}})=+(8.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.0){\ensuremath{\mu}}_{N}$ identifies the ${8}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ state as a virtually pure two-proton configuration.
Diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorders

Since Kanner’s (1943) description of the autistic syndrome, issues of classification of this, and related disorders, have been closely related to changing conceptions of etiology and core disturbances. In many ways, the history of diagnostic concepts and systems for these disorders is also a history of the field of developmental psychopathology. False leads for research and productive areas of current controversy are a testament both to our progress in understanding these disorders and areas in which knowledge remains quite limited. This chapter provides a review of historical and contemporary approaches to the classification of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD).
A phase II study of single agent depsipeptide (DEP) in patients (pts) with radioactive iodine (RAI)-refractory, metastatic, thyroid carcinoma: Preliminary toxicity and efficacy experience

5554 Background: RAI-refractory thyroid cancer carries a poor prognosis, and no effective systemic therapy exists. DEP is a potent histone deacetylase inhibitor with broad in vitro and phase I anti...
Reshaping the World: The 2005 Round of the International Comparison Program

I provide a brief and non-technical introduction to the 2005 round of the International Price Comparison Program. I explain why it is necessary to collect prices around the world, and why the 2005 round is better than its predecessors. It covers more countries, so that fewer country results are imputed, it collects prices in a systematic way that was tightly controlled from a central office, the prices comparisons are much closer to “like with like” than in previous rounds, and the linking of the regions - which is key to generating a single set of global comparisons - was carefully thought out in advance and systematically applied. The new numbers “reshape” the world and in particular, poor countries are now typically estimated to be poorer relative to rich countries than was previously thought to be the case. In consequence, estimates of world income inequality are markedly higher using the new ICP. The relative PPP exchange rates between poor countries change by much less so that, judged by poor world standards (e.g. relative to a poverty line held fixed in Indian rupees), there is little change to measures of global poverty from the ICP revision.
Class Actions in Brazil: A Model for Civil Law Countries [Japanese]

This is the Japanese version of Class Actions in Brazil - A Model for Civil Law Countries, 51 American Journal of Comparative Law 311 (2003). The translation was prepared by Professors Koichi Miki and Hiro Uranishi.Asserting that class actions are compatible with civil law systems, the author discusses the Brazilian system of class actions, comparing it with its American counterpart, and placing it in the context of other systems' approaches to class action litigation. In this paper, the author presents the Brazilian class action system to an international audience.The Brazilian class action system is a unique creation in the way that it addresses aspects of class action litigation such as standing to sue, types of group rights, res judicata and lis pendens. The Brazilian experience demonstrates that civil law systems can employ a class suit procedure successfully but cannot transplant the American class action model into their systems without substantial adaptation.The English version of this document can be found at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=903188
Temporal and Nontemporal Becoming

Whitehead’s initial decision to treat actual occasions as unqualifiedly indivisible rendered the notion of succession in becoming highly problematic. Temporal phases would divide the indivisible. Thus Whitehead had originally recourse to genetic analysis. Many have interpreted this as nontemporal becoming, which is not clearly distinguished from the eternity of eternal objects. Besides, Whitehead reserved the term ‘nontemporal’ for the primordial nature. Finally Whitehead came to see that the indivisibility of occasions meant only that they could not be divided into smaller actual occasions (PR 69), which allowed for genetic division.
Teaching a Graduate Course on Distributed Sensing and Controls at the University of Cincinnati

This paper presents the experiences of teaching a course on distributed sensing and controls at the University of Cincinnati. Modern control systems have evolved to become complex with more numbers of sub-components interacting with each other via communication and operating in uncertain and dynamic environments. There is a need to develop a course that introduces key issues to students in these areas. The course on distributed sensing and controls is designed to introduce methods and mathematical tools that facilitate information processing and controls from a distributed systems point of view. With a mixture of lecture based teaching and problem based learning, the course required the students to complete a course project. The project report was required in the format of a conference paper, and students were encouraged to submit paper to conferences. Over the years, several papers have been submitted and published in conference proceedings, and presented at renowned conferences.
Implementation and analysis of a lean six sigma program in microsurgery to improve operative throughput in perforator flap breast reconstruction

PURPOSE Perforator flaps have become a preferred method of breast reconstruction but can consume considerable resources. We examined the impact of a Six Sigma program on microsurgical breast reconstruction at an academic medical center. METHODS Using methods developed by Motorola and General Electric, we applied critical pathway planning, workflow analysis, lean manufacturing, continuous quality improvement, and defect reduction to microsurgical breast reconstruction. Primary goals were to decrease preoperative-to-cut time and total operative time, through reduced variability and improved efficiency. Secondary goals were to reduce length of stay, complications, and reoperation. The project was divided into 3 phases: (1) Pre-Six Sigma (24 months), (2) Six Sigma (10 months), (3) and Post-Six Sigma (24 months). These periods (baseline, intervention, control) were compared by Student t test and χ analysis. RESULTS Over a 5-year period, 112 patients underwent 168 perforator flaps for breast reconstructions, by experienced microsurgeons. Total operative time decreased from 714 to 607 minutes (P < 0.01), across the study period, with the greatest drop occurring in unilateral cases, from 672 to 498 minutes (P < 0.01). Length of stay decreased from 6.3 to 5.2 days (P = 0.01). Overall complication rates (35.9% vs 30%, not significant) and take-back rates (20.5% vs 23.9%, not significant) remained similar over the 5-year period. Physician revenue/minute increased from US $6.28 to US $7.59, whereas hospital revenue/minute increased from US $21.84 to US $25.11. CONCLUSIONS A Six Sigma program in microsurgical breast reconstruction was associated with better operational and financial outcomes. These incremental gains were maintained over the course of the study, suggesting that these benefits were due, in part, to process improvements. However, continued reductions in total operative time and length of stay, well after the intervention period, support the possibility that "learning curve" phenomenon may have contributed to the improvement in these outcomes.