cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
IMPACT OF PRODUCT STRUCTURE ON THE STABILITY AND DURABILITY OF COATED POLY(ETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE) GEOGRIDS

Abstract Coated polyester geogrids have been widely used in soil stabilization and geotechnical reinforcement applications. Four commercially available, coated poly (ethylene terephthalate) geogrids have been studied in order to assess characteristics such as polymer coating type, coating thickness and uniformity, fiber diameter, and fiber distribution within the coated bundles. Some inhomogeneities were observed, such as thin spots in the coating thickness. Also, voids were observed within some of the fiber bundles. The potential impact of these anomalies on geogrid durability is discussed.
The use of chemical cues in predator recognition by western toad tadpoles

Abstract Western toad, Bufo boreas , tadpoles were collected from a lake in the Cascade Mountains of central Oregon, where they occur in sympatry with backswimmers, Notonecta spp., giant waterbugs, Lethocerus americanus , common garter snakes, Thamnophis sirtalis , roughskin newts, Taricha granulosa and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss . Backswimmers, waterbugs and snakes prey on toad tadpoles. Newts and trout are potential tadpole predators, but they find toad tadpoles unpalatable. In laboratory tests, groups of tadpoles responded with anti-predator behaviour when exposed to live backswimmers, waterbugs and snakes, but not when exposed to either newts or trout. In subsequent tests, when only chemical cues from the stimulus animals were presented, the toad tadpoles again responded to backswimmers, waterbugs and snakes, but not to either newts or trout. When tests were conducted using only visual cues, tadpoles did not respond with anti-predator behaviour to any of the heterospecifics with the possible exception of garter snakes. These results show that western toad tadpoles can distinguish between predatory and non-predatory heterospecifics with which they co-occur, and that predator recognition by toad tadpoles is primarily based on chemical cues.
The effect of variability in a closed-loop conveyor system

Abstract A production system consisting of a work station, a loading and unloading stations linked by a closed-loop material-handling system is considered. The material-handling system consists of two continuous line conveyors. Each conveyor is assumed to have a specified constant velocity, length and capacity. The work station is assumed to have a single machine, an unloading station and no local storage. In this production system the work pieces, which at their instant of arrival find the work station busy, are blocked. Those work pieces bypass the work station and are transported by the conveyor to the loading station to merge with the incoming work pieces to be transported to the work station again. The above production system is modeled by a G/G/1/0 queueing loss system with retrials, stationary counting arrival process, generally distributed service times, a single server and no waiting room. The flow of work pieces inside the system is modeled by a point process and is approximated by a renewal process. To analyze the asymptotic performance of the above system, a recursive procedure is developed. Furthermore, an expression for the asymptotic distribution of the number of work pieces along each conveyor is derived and is used to control the congestion along the material handling system. Finally numerical results are provided and compared against those from a simulation study.
Influence of intravenous fentanyl on fetal biophysical parameters during labor

The short-acting opioid fentanyl has been shown to be a useful analgesic during labor. The purpose of this prospective, comparative investigation was to determine whether fentanyl influenced fetal biophysical parameters during labor. Twenty-four uncomplicated pregnancies at 37-41 weeks were studied during the early active phase of labor. Those patients who requested analgesia (study group) were given a standard 50-micrograms dose of fentanyl intravenously. The study (N = 12) and control (N = 12) groups were similar in maternal age, parity, and gestational age distribution. Fetal body and breathing movements and heart rate patterns were evaluated continuously for 80 min at 10-min epochs. Unlike the control group, fetuses exposed to fentanyl had fewer body movements between contractions (P 6, an umbilical artery pH > 7.20, and no need for resuscitation. In conclusion, an intravenous dose of fentanyl during early active labor was associated with temporary depressant effects on many fetal biophysical parameters without apparent harm being observed at delivery.
Visualizing adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing in the Drosophila nervous system

Informational recoding by adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing diversifies neuronal proteomes by chemically modifying structured mRNAs. However, techniques for analyzing editing activity on substrates in defined neurons in vivo are lacking. Guided by comparative genomics, here we reverse-engineered a fluorescent reporter sensitive to Drosophila melanogaster adenosine deaminase that acts on RNA (dADAR) activity and alterations in dADAR autoregulation. Using this artificial dADAR substrate, we visualized variable patterns of RNA-editing activity in the Drosophila nervous system between individuals. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of structurally mimicking ADAR substrates as a method to regulate protein expression and, potentially, therapeutically repair mutant mRNAs. Our data suggest variable RNA editing as a credible molecular mechanism for mediating individual-to-individual variation in neuronal physiology and behavior.
Pesticides as activators of mouse liver microsomal glutathione S-transferase

Abstract Selected sulfhydryl-reactive pesticides activate mouse liver microsomal glutathione S -transferase (GST m ) assayed in purified form free from cytosolic transferases (GST c s) with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as the substrate. Maximum activations were as follows: 1315% for N -ethylmaleimide (positive control) at 1 m M , 374% for chloranil at 0.01 m M , 272% for EPTC sulfoxide at 10 m M , 255% for captan at 0.1 m M , 228% for acrolein at 1 m M , and 152% for methyl isothiocyanate at 10 m M . Pesticides which showed little or no activation were alachlor, atrazine, tetramethrin, and tridiphane. The toxicological relevance of GST m activation was examined with the aforementioned activators plus EPTC and allyl alcohol. Experiments were conducted in vitro or in vivo with washed microsomes (which contain not only GST m but also some GST c s) and the post-mitochondrial supernatant fraction with its high GST c activity. These studies established that GST m , either unactivated or activated, was not a significant contributor to overall mouse liver GST activity.
Objects with reduced visibility still contribute to size averaging

People can rapidly judge the average size of a collection of objects with considerable accuracy. In this study, we tested whether this size-averaging process relies on relatively early object representations or on later object representations that have undergone iterative processing. We asked participants to judge the average size of a set of circles and, in some conditions, presented two additional circles that were either smaller or larger than the average. The additional circles were surrounded by four-dot masks that either lingered longer than the circle array, preventing further processing with object substitution masking (OSM), or disappeared simultaneously with the circle array, allowing the circle representation to reach later visual processing stages. Surprisingly, estimation of average circle size was modulated by both visible circles and circles whose visibility was impaired by OSM. There was also no correlation across participants between the influence of the masked circles and susceptibility to OSM. These findings suggest that relatively early representations of objects can contribute to the size-averaging process despite their reduced visibility.
Repair of primary or complicated aortic coarctation in the adult with cardiopulmonary bypass and hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Objective Patients with primary aortic coarctation or complications of a previous coarctation repair may seek treatment as adults. Management options include open, endovascular, hybrid, and extra-anatomic repairs. We evaluated the results of open direct repair with total cardiopulmonary bypass and hypothermic circulatory arrest. Methods Twenty-seven patients with primary coarctation with or without associated aortic abnormalities or with complications of a previous coarctation repair were treated during a 20-year interval. Mean age was 37 years (range, 15-71 years). Thirteen patients had primary coarctation (7 with associated aneurysms), 3 patients had aneurysms of the aorta above or below a noncritical narrowing of the aorta at the isthmus ("pseudocoarctation"), and 11 patients had previous repair of a coarctation. The previous repairs were bypass grafting of the coarctation (n = 5), interposition grafting (n = 3), patch angioplasty (n = 2), and primary repair (n = 1). Results Mean durations of cardiopulmonary bypass, hypothermic circulatory arrest and hypothermic fibrillation were 104, 36, and 76 minutes, respectively. There were no in-hospital deaths, and no patients sustained stroke, spinal cord ischemic injury, or renal or respiratory failure. Thirteen patients received no blood products. No patient has had evidence of recurrent coarctation or aneurysm formation. Conclusions Cardiopulmonary bypass with hypothermic circulatory arrest is a safe and suitable technique for treatment of primary and recurrent coarctation. It is associated with low operative risk and absence of major complications.
Observation of nonlinearity and asymmetry in energies of EPR transitions of 160Gd3+ in La(C2H5SO4)3 · 9D2O at low magnetic fields

Abstract The energies of EPR transitions of 160 Gd 3+ in La(C 2 H 5 SO 4 3 · 9D 2 O at 77.2 K are observed to be nonlinear functions of field at low fields. The + 3 2 , + 1 2 and − 3 2 , − 1 2 transition energies converge asymmetrically below 10 G and differ by only ≈ MHz at the lowest fields employed.
Effects of ethanol, tannin and fructose on the headspace concentration and potential sensory significance of odorants in a model wine

Abstract The effects of ethanol (8, 10, 12, 14, and 16% v/v), tannin (500, 1000, and 1500 mg/L) and fructose (200 and 2000 mg/L) concentrations on the headspace of eight selected odorants were investigated using headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Analysis of variance results (ANOVA) showed significant interaction effects for the majority of odorants ( P
Preconception Motivation and Pregnancy Wantedness: Pathways to Toddler Attachment Security.

This research was designed to increase our understanding of how the motivational antecedents to childbearing and emotional responses to pregnancy affect the subsequent attachment bond of a toddler to his or her mother. Using a sample of 1,364 mothers and their newborns from the Study of Early Child Care, we tested a mother-child influence framework hypothesized to mediate between the mother's preconception motivation and pregnancy wantedness and her child's security of attachment at 24 months. Almost all elements of the mediational sequence were confirmed in a structural equation model. We observed 2 unmediated pathways to attachment security, 1 from preconception motivation and 1 from parenting stress during infancy, and suggest interpretations of these unexpected pathways.
Attractive step-step interactions, tricriticality, and faceting in the orientational phase diagram of silicon surfaces between [113] and [114]

A synchrotron x-ray scattering study is presented of the orientational phase diagram of Si surfaces misoriented by up to 6\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} from the cubic [113] direction towards [001] and for temperatures between 300 and 1500 K. At the highest temperatures (above 1223 K), the surface is uniformly stepped. In this region, the intensity of near-specularly scattered x rays increases with decreasing temperature, suggesting a corresponding increase in the surface roughness. Specifically, the temperature dependence of the intensity of the near-specular diffuse scattering may be described as a power law versus reduced temperature: ${\mathit{I}}_{\mathit{D}}$\ensuremath{\sim}${\mathit{t}}_{\mathit{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\lambda}}$, with \ensuremath{\lambda}=0.76\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2 (${\mathit{t}}_{\mathit{s}}$(\ensuremath{\theta})=[T-${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{s}}$(\ensuremath{\theta})]/${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{s}}$(\ensuremath{\theta}), where ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{s}}$(\ensuremath{\theta}) is spinodal temperature for surface misorientation \ensuremath{\theta}). Below ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{t}}$=1223\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}40 K, there is a two-phase region in which (113) facets appear in coexistence with the stepped phase. We identify ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{t}}$ as a tricritical point. The misorientation angle at the phase boundary separating one- and two-phase regions may be also described as a power law versus reduced temperature: \ensuremath{\theta}=${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\theta}}}_{0}$${\mathit{t}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\beta}}}$, with \ensuremath{\beta}=0.42\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.10 [t=(${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{t}}$-T)/${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{t}}$]. The behavior of the intensity of the diffuse scattering above ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{t}}$ and of the phase boundary below ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{t}}$ can be understood qualitatively on the basis of a mean-field theory incorporating a direct attractive interaction between steps. However, the observed tricritical exponents are not given correctly. For temperatures between a triple point at ${\mathit{T}}_{3}$=1134\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}40 and 300 K, coexistence between the (113) facet and the (114) facet is found.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in Alasmidonta heterodon (Bivalvia: Unionidae)

We developed 13 species-specific microsatellite markers for the federally endangered Atlantic slope unionid Alasmidonta heterodon. Four to 18 alleles per locus were observed among 30 individuals. Observed heterozygosity throughout the loci ranged from 26.9 to 86.2% and averaged 63.6%. Estimates of individual pairwise genetic distances indicated that levels of genetic diversity among loci were sufficient to produce unique multilocus genotypes for all animals surveyed. Randomization tests showed that genotypes for this collection were consistent with Hardy–Weinberg expectations, and no significant linkage disequilibrium was observed between loci. These loci therefore appear suitable for population surveys, kinship assessment and other such applications.
On the locus of the divided-attention effects"

Reaction times in a choice reaction task were used to localize the livided-attention effect (less proficient performance under dual than under ingle-taks conditions) in a sequential-stage model of human information processing. Experiment 1 eliminated a central (memory-dependent) processing tage, while Experiment 2 suggested that a stimulus sampling process within the hitial encoding stage was the locus of the effect. Thus, the effect was localized in the input, not the central or an output stage of processing. A slower stimulus ampling rate was indicated under dual-than under single-task conditions.
A humic acid improves growth of tomato seedling in solution culture

Abstract The effects of humic acid (HA) on nutrient accumulation and growth of tomato seedlings were evaluated in a solution of limited nutrient availability in a greenhouse. HA additions were made to the nutrient solution at rates of 0, 640, 1280, or 2560 mg/L. The addition of 1280 mg/L HA produced significant increases in shoot accumulation of P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, and Zn as well as increased accumulation of N, Ca, Fe, Zn, and Cu in roots. Fresh and dry weights of roots were also increased, However, on comparing nutrient accumulation in plants treated with 1280 mg/L HA and those given an additional supply of nutrients equivalent to those supplied by HA at the 1280 mg/L rate, shoots accumulated more N, P, K, Fe, and Cu, while roots accumulated more K and Ca. Therefore these increases do not appear to be associated with nutrients contained in HA. Eectrolyte leakage, as an indication of membrane permeability, did not differ as a consequence of HA additions. However, electrolyte leakage correlated positivel...
Effects of Race of Examiner and Type of Reinforcement on the Intelligence Test Performance of Lower-Class Black Children.

This study examined the effects of race of examiner and type of reinforcement upon the WISC-R performance of lower-class black children. A total of 120 black males were selected and assigned to either a white or black examiner to form two groups. Within each group, children were given no reinforcement, tangible reinforcement, traditional social reinforcement, or culturally relevant social reinforcement after each correct response. Children given tangible rewards, regardless of race of examiner, obtained significantly higher scores than did children given no reinforcement or children given traditional social reinforcement. Also, children given culturally relevant social reinforcement by a black examiner obtained significantly higher scores than did children given culturally relevant reinforcement by the white examiner.
Studies toward the Tricyclic Core of Phomactin A. Synthesis of the Reduced Furanochroman Subunit

An approach to the tricyclic core of phomactin A is described via the synthesis of a reduced furanochroman model. Key elements of this study include the use of a highly functionalized 1-oxadecalone derivative as a template for the stereoselective introduction of functionality and a tandem retro aldol-epoxide opening-cyclization sequence for elaboration of the dihydrofuran ring.
Epidemiology of Temporomandibular Disorders: Implications for the Investigation of Etiologic Factors

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution, determinants, and natural history of disease in populations. Epidemiology has several uses in addition to its traditional role of documenting the public health significance of a condition. Notably, epidemiologic methods and data can be used to identify and verify causes of disease. This article reviews the epidemiologic data on pain in the temporomandibular region, and on signs and symptoms associated with specific subtypes of temporomandibular disorders, with the aim of identifying possible etiologic factors for these conditions that deserve further study. Despite methodologic and population differences, several consistencies are apparent in the epidemiologic literature. Pain in the temporomandibular region appears to be relatively common, occurring in approximately 10% of the population over age 18; it is primarily a condition of young and middle-aged adults, rather than of children or the elderly, and is approximately twice as common in women as in men. Th...
Transthoracic biphasic waveform defibrillation at very high and very low energies: a comparison with monophasic waveforms in an animal model of ventricular fibrillation

The purpose of this study was to compare truncated exponential biphasic waveform versus truncated exponential monophasic waveform shocks for transthoracic defibrillation over a wide range of energies. Biphasic waveforms are more effective than monophasic shocks for defibrillation at energies of 150-200 Joules (J) but there are few data available comparing efficacy and safety of biphasic versus monophasic defibrillation at energies of 200 J. Thirteen adult swine (weighing 18-26 kg, mean 20 kg) were deeply anesthetized and intubated. After 15 s of electrically-induced ventricular fibrillation (VF), each pig received truncated exponential monophasic shocks (10 ms) and truncated exponential biphasic shocks (5/5 ms) in random order. Energy doses ranged from 70 to 360 J. Success was defined as termination of VF at 5 s post-shock. For both biphasic and monophasic waveforms success rate rose as energy was increased. Biphasic waveform shocks (5/5 ms) were superior to 10 ms monophasic waveform shocks at the very low energy levels (at 70 J, biphasic: 80+/-9%, monophasic; 32+/-11% and at 100 J, biphasic; 96+/-3% and monophasic 39+/-11%, both P 75% was achieved with 200 J (10 J/kg) for both waveforms. Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) or ventricular asystole occurred in 4 animals receiving monophasic shocks and 1 animal receiving biphasic shocks. Biphasic waveform shocks (5/5 ms) for transthoracic defibrillation were superior to monophasic shocks (10 ms) at low energy levels. Percent success increased with increasing energies. PEA occurred infrequently with either waveform.
Preparation of an inhibitor of viral hemagglutination from human erythrocytes.

A material, derived from human erythrocytes and believed to be identical with the receptor site for the myxoviruses, has been obtained in homogeneous form. The method of preparation involves pH adjustment of the stroma, hot phenolic extraction, chloroform-methanol treatment, and ultracentrifugation. The material so obtained possesses a high inhibitory titer to viral hemagglutination (45,000 to 60,000 inhibitory units/mg. against 4 hemagglutination units of Lee strain of influenza virus) and appears to be a glycoprotein containing 22 to 24 per cent sialic acid, 12 per cent hexose, 12 per cent hexosamine, 1 per cent fucose in addition to at least eleven amino acids. The sialic acid probably occupies a terminal position in an oligosaccharide chain extending from the protein peptide chain. The molecular weight is near 30,000—an unusually low value for substances possessing this biological activity. M and N blood group activity also seems to be associated with this protein.
Status of clinical engineering in the United States: Professional issues

Clinical engineering, as a profession, has come of age. This global phenomena of a professional genesis that is felt through the clinical engineering field is enhanced by the progress achieved by clinical engineers in the U.S.A. As the need for educated specialties, especially those with engineering and science skills, is increasing, so does the burden on the Clinical Engineering profession to assure that its members practice at the highest level possible. The commitment to practice with engineering vision, composed of knowledge, courage, leadership, value, and quality, is benefitting the U.S. healthcare delivery system.
Software tools for analyzing pairwise alignments of long sequences

Abstract Pairwise comparison of long stretches of genomic DNA sequence can identify regions conserved across species, which often indicate functional significance. However, the novel insights frequently must be windowed from a flood of information; for instance, running an alignment program on two 50-kilobase sequences might yield over a hundred pages of alignments. Direct inspection of such a volume of printed output is infeasible, or at best highly undesirable, and computer tools are needed to summarize the information, to assist in its analysis, and to report the findings. This paper describes two such software tools. One tool prepares publication-quality pictorial representations of alignments, while another facilitates interactive browsing of pairwise alignment data. Their effectiveness is illustrated by comparing the beta-like globin gene clusters between humans and rabbits. A second example compares the chloroplast genomes of tobacco and liverwort.
Dysphagia in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Treated With Radiation: Assessment, Sequelae, and Rehabilitation

Dysphagia is commonly seen in patients undergoing radiation-based therapy for locally advanced squamous carcinoma of the head and neck. Within 4 to 5 weeks of starting therapy, patients develop mucositis, radiation dermatitis, and edema of the soft tissues. Resulting pain, copious mucous production, xerostomia, and tissue swelling contribute to acute dysphagia. As the acute effects resolve, late effects including fibrosis, lymphedema, and damage to neural structures become manifest. Both acute and late effects result in adverse sequelae including aspiration, feeding tube dependence, and nutritional deficiencies. Early referral for evaluation by speech-language pathologists is critical to (1) ensure adequate assessment of swallow function, (2) determine whether further testing is needed to diagnose or treat the swallowing disorder, (3) generate a treatment plan that includes patient education and swallow therapy, (4) work with dieticians to ensure adequate and safe nutrition, and (5) identify patients with clinically significant aspiration.
Immunohistochemical detection of estrogen receptor alpha in male rat spinal cord during development.

The alpha subtype of the estrogen receptor (ERα) is present in nociceptive and parasympathetic regions of the adult rat spinal cord. The pattern of ERα expression in the rat spinal cord during development, however, is unknown. We used a polyclonal antibody (ER-21) to examine the expression of ERα in male rat lumbosacral spinal cords at embryonic day (E) 17, E21 (the day before birth), postnatal day (P) 1 (the day of birth), P8, P17, P21, and P36. At E17, ERα immunoreactivity (ERα-ir) was observed predominantly in ependymal cells. Perinatally, ERα-ir was also present in neurons in dorsal root ganglia and in fibers capping and within laminae I and II. By P8, ERα-ir was absent in ependymal cells, but ERα-ir fibers were dense in laminae I and II and in sympathetic and parasympathetic areas. ERα-ir was also present in neurons in the dorsal horns. To determine whether ERα-ir fibers in laminae I and II were processes of spinal neurons or primary afferents, dorsal rhizotomies were performed on P17 and P21 animals. Unilateral transection of the lumbosacral dorsal roots virtually eliminated ERα-ir fibers in the ipsilateral superficial laminae, demonstrating that the majority of ERα-ir fibers in these laminae were primary afferents. We show for the first time that ERα-ir is present in neurons and fibers of male prenatal and postnatal spinal cord. The presence of ERα in neuronal nuclei and processes may reflect diverse roles and novel mechanisms of action for 17 β-estradiol in development of spinal sensory and autonomic circuitry. J. Neurosci. Res. 61:329–337, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Superior design features of decision analytic software

Abstract This paper defines critical capabilities of decision support software and then highlights superior analytic and user interface features of the 32 commercially available decision analytic software packages. The packages provide a mix of capabilities related to problem structuring, value matrices, multi-attribute utility analysis, decision trees and influence diagrams. First, we define the process of decision making in organizations. Next, we summarize the 32 software packages that were reviewed. Then the evaluation structure and superior design features are presented and discussed.
Contribution of endosomes to intrahepatic distribution of apolipoprotein B and apolipoprotein E.

The endosomal contribution of apolipoprotein B and apolipoprotein E to the intrahepatic distribution of these 2 apolipoproteins was studied. The endosomal contribution of the apolipoproteins was estimated by comparing the specific radioactivities of the injected apolipoproteins with that of apolipoproteins in the liver. The endosomal contribution is further validated by using a least-squares linear combination method that has been described previously (Wong and Pino: European Journal of Biochemistry 164: 357–367, 1987). The results using these two independent analyses were similar. There was no difference in endosomal contribution of the apolipoproteins between the fasted and fed rats. In both cases, total endosomal contribution in the microsomal fraction of apolipoprotein B was estimated at 7–10% and that for apolipoprotein E was estimated at 62–66%. The molecular weights of the two apolipoproteins in the endosomes closely resembles those of the injected apolipoproteins in the very low density lipoproteins, indicating little or no apolipoprotein loss during receptor-mediated endocytosis. It is concluded that while there was no substantial contribution of apolipoprotein B to the intrahepatic distribution of that protein, the contribution of extrahepatic apolipoprotein E to intrahepatic apolipoprotein E distribution is substantial.
Approximating Signals From Nonuniform Continuous Time Samples at Unknown Locations

Sampling theorems exist to recreate bandlimited signals from both uniform and nonuniformly spaced samples. This is not the case for nonuniform samples when their locations are unknown. This problem has been addressed in the past for discrete-time signals. This correspondence provides an algorithm for finding the sample locations in continuous time by approximating the signal that created the samples with a finite Fourier Series. An example is given that shows the performance of this algorithm. It is a real-world problem of recreating a signal consisting of thousands of samples with unknown locations from a Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS)
Measuring and Testing Relative Advertising Effectiveness with Split-Cable TV Panel Data

Abstract Various methods of estimating and testing the relative effectiveness of advertising campaigns using split-cable TV consumer panel data are examined. Sensitivities of the methods to missing observations, serial correlation, and the pattern of the expected advertising campaign impact over time are considered. The maximum likelihood estimators for both the case of no missing observations and the missing-observations case are derived, and a nonlinear model which allows for a gradual diffusion of the relative impact of the campaign is developed. For the data analyzed, the nonlinear model is best for discerning a significant difference between campaigns.
Total least squares fitting spatiotemporal derivatives to smooth optical flow fields

This paper investigates the application of total least squares (TLS) technique in conditioning optical flow field estimates obtained from gradient based optical flow constraints. Optical flow field processing has been applied to perform moving target indication (MTI) for IR/TV sensors but results can be severely degraded in noisy imagery. The usual solution is to apply some form of nonstatistical pre-processing to the input image intensities or statistical post- processing spatial smoothing, such as least squares (LS) fitting, to the output optical flow field vectors to suppress noise. However, LS solution is known for generating biased optical flow field vector estimate in noisy imagery due to spatial gradient matrix noise. Our empirical results show improved performance of TLS over LS at lower SNRs. Results are presented in terms of optical flow field accuracy measures and target detection rates, for synthetic imagery and real infrared imagery.
Scaling and similarity in rough channel flows

We show that Manning's empirical formula for the mean velocity of turbulent flows in channels represents the power-law asymptotic behavior of a flow of incomplete similarity in the relative roughness. We then derive the formula based on the phenomenological theory of turbulence. Our derivation yields the correct similarity exponent; it justifies Manning's use of a single parameter, the hydraulic radius, to characterize the geometry of the cross section; and it affords insight into the mechanism of momentum transfer.
New York City's innovative epidemiologist: the life and career of Morris Greenberg.

Dr Morris Greenberg was an eminent American epidemiologist who served with the New York City Department of Health for a 40 year period, from 1920 until his passing in 1960. In 1946, he became Director of the department's Bureau of Preventable Diseases. In this role, he set very high standards for outbreak and epidemic investigations joined with a commitment to scholarly research and collaboration with the city's medical centers. He received his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and then interned at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. He later trained in pediatrics in Vienna, Austria and received a Master of Science in Public Health degree from Columbia University School of Public Health. In 1942, he became a member of the teaching staff at the School of Public Health. During his years with the New York City Department of Health he led efforts to control outbreaks of smallpox and rickettsialpox, and initiated important studies of poliomyelitis, hepatitis, trichinosis, congenital cardiac anomalies in children, and the embryopathic effects of rubella in pregnancy. Dr. Greenberg's outbreak and epidemic investigations were popularized by The New Yorker writer, Berton Roueche, whose most widely read book remains, Eleven Blue Men and other Narratives of Medical Detection. The book's title is based on Greenberg's investigation of accidental sodium nitrite poisoning among eleven elderly men in Manhattan who as a result, became cyanotic. A pioneer in epidemiology and the prevention and control of communicable disease, Greenberg established very high performance standards for the discipline before there was a Center for Disease Control and Prevention and an Epidemic Intelligence Service in the United States.
Critical pressures in multicomponent lipid monolayers

Abstract Epifluorescence microscopy has been used previously to study coexisting liquid phases in lipid monolayers of dihydrocholesterol and dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine at the air/water interface. This binary mixture has a critical point at room temperature (22°C), a monolayer pressure of approx. 10 mN/m, and a composition in the vicinity of 20–30 mol% dihydrocholesterol. It is reported here that this critical pressure can be lowered, raised, or maintained constant by systematically replacing molecules of this phosphatidylcholine with molecules of a phosphatidylethanolamine, or an unsaturated phosphatidylcholine, or mixtures of the two, while maintaining the dihydrocholesterol concentration at 20 mol%. Thus, even complex mixtures of lipids may be characterized by a single, well-defined second-order phase transition. In principle, such transitions might be found in biological membranes.
Hypothalamic regulation of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems: role of specific opiate receptors.

Experiments were designed to evaluate the role of mu and delta opiate receptors in central cardiovascular control in the hypothalamic nucleus preopticus medialis of rats anaesthetized with pentobarbitone. The highly selective mu opiate receptor agonist D-Ala2-MePhe4-Gly5-ol-enkephalin was extremely potent in eliciting hypotension and bradypnoea; tachycardia was elicited by a low dose (0.064 nmol), but not by higher doses (0.64-6.4 nmol). Other selective mu receptor agonists (morphine sulphate, morphiceptin) caused tachycardia at lower doses (0.64, 6.4 nmol), hypotension and bradypnoea after the highest dose (64 nmol). The relatively selective delta receptor agonist D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin caused profound bradypnoea and hypotension at the high dose (64 nmol), tachycardia after the lowest dose (0.64 nmol), but bradycardia was found during the hypotension induced by the high dose (64 nmol). All of the opiate/opioid effects were reversed by naloxone (0.5 mg kg-1, i.v.). It is concluded that mu receptors may mediate the cardiovascular and respiratory effects of opiates and opioid peptides in the nucleus preopticus medialis of the rat.
Low-sidelobe pattern synthesis of spherical arrays using a genetic algorithm

A genetic algorithm (GA) finds complex weights that yield low-sidelobe levels for spherical arrays. The first example is a spherical–planar array with an initial high sidelobe of −13 dB, and which has an optimized pattern with a maximum sidelobe level of −27 dB. The second example is a spherical–circular array with an initial high sidelobe of −16 dB, and which has an optimized pattern with a maximum sidelobe level of −34 dB. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 32: 412–414, 2002.
Postnatal maturation of neurons in the rabbit superior Colliculus

The superior colliculi of Dutch-belted rabbits aged 1 to 30 days were prepared according to Nissl and Golgi techniques and examined in comparison to the neuronal populations in the adult. It was found that the laminar dimensions of the adult are attained at 15 to 20 days, presumably due to glial and dendritic enlargement. The largest neuron in the superficial gray, the vertical cell, was found to mature earliest and to display the least evidence of dendritic development postnatally. Its dendrites do elongate from 0 to 15 days, but there are no growth cones or other unusual dendritic configurations. The intrinsic neurons of the superficial gray, the piriform and stellate cells show more evidence of postnatal dendritic development. Particularly in the case of stellate cells, there are dendritic growth cones present at birth, and early in development spines are found on the soma and large dendrites. Only at 15 to 20 days do the dendritic arbors of these cells assume normal adult shapes and sizes. These and other observations suggest that there are two phases of postnatal cellular maturation in the upper layers of the superior colliculus, one involving the smaller “interneurons.” This phased maturation is compared with the known sequence of physiological maturation as studied by the method of receptive-field mapping.
Design of Three-Dimensional Molecular Integrated Circuits and Molecular Architectronics

This paper reports a unified synthesis taxonomy in design of three-dimensional (3D) molecular integrated circuits (MICs). TheseMICs, fabricated utilizing bottom-up molecular fabrication technologies, are designed as aggregated neuronal hypercells ([unk]hypercell). Each[unk]hypercell is implemented using molecular gates (Mgates) which composed from multi-terminal molecular electronic devices that exhibit and operate due to quantum phenomena. The intelligent library of[unk]hypercell aggregates,,[unk]hypercells,Mgates, molecular devices and data-structure primitives can be developed and utilized. To address complexity and technology dependence, this paper documents innovative methods in design, optimization, evaluation and verification of 3DMICs. The logic design ofMICs is accomplished by using a novel technology-centric concept based on the use of[unk]hypercells and linear decision diagrams. We initiate the developments of a 3D super-large-scale integration (3DSLSI) design concept. This paper reports a proof-of-concept CAD design tools illustrating and verifying the results for combinationalMICs.
The influence of communication processes on group outcomes: Antithesis and thesis

The influence of communication processes on group outcomes is discussed from two perspectives, one in which influence does not exist and one in which influence is central. Formal models for both perspectives are presented as a means of bracketing discussion of the role of communication processes in group outcomes. The implications of these models for future theorizing are discussed. The first of these two models is an extension of Hewes’s socioegocentric model (1986, 1996). The second class of formal model, dual-level connectionist models, integrates mental and communication processes to explain moment-by-moment communication behavior. This class of models is contrasted with important models of group influence that use atemporal aggregations of messages to predict group outcomes. Implications of dual-level connections models for the role of “emergence” in group theorizing, the limitations of Markovian models of group communication research, and the decomposability of psychological and communication processes are elaborated.
The intermediate filament peripherin is expressed in cutaneous melanocytic lesions.

Peripherin is an intermediate filament involved in growth and development of the peripheral nervous system and is localized to neurons, some other cells derived from neural tube and neural crest, and some neuroendocrine cells (e.g. beta cells of islets of Langerhans). Peripherin also has been demonstrated in neuroblastomas and cutaneous neuroendocrine (Merkel cell) carcinomas. The expression of peripherin by other cells derived from the neural crest is unknown. We evaluated by immunohistochemistry 74 cutaneous melanocytic lesions including primary invasive malignant melanoma (IMM), melanoma in situ (MIS), atypical nevus (nevus with architectural disorder and cytologic atypia of melanocytes) (AN), spindle and epithelioid cell nevus (Spitz nevus) (SN), blue nevus (BN), and common intradermal benign melanocytic nevus (BMN) for expression of peripherin. Peripherin was detected in a cytoplasmic distribution within tumor cells in 14/14 IMM and 8/10 MIS. For IMM, peripherin localized to both the intraepidermal and invasive dermal components. Peripherin was detected in 10/10 AN and 9/9 SN, being localized to the intraepidermal component and, focally, to the superficial dermal component of the lesions. The dendritic nevus cells in 15/15 BN also expressed peripherin. For most of the BMN, expression of peripherin was absent or limited to rare, scattered cells in the superficial portion of the lesions. Melanocytes in adjacent normal skin were not labeled in any of the lesions studied. These results indicate that expression of peripherin is common in both benign and malignant melanocytic lesions, but not in normal resting adult melanocytes. Among benign lesions, expression of peripherin in the dermal component is rare except in the dendritic cells of BN. These findings provide evidence that the expression of peripherin, a marker of neuronal differentiation, is maintained by IMM, MIS, and BN, but is lost in the normal maturational sequence of the dermal component of other melanocytic lesions.
Dissolved organic carbon and its utilization in a riverine wetland ecosystem

Variations in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations of surface waters and subsurface interstitial groundwater of riparian and wetland soils to 1.2 m depth were evaluated in a riverine wetland ecosystem over one year. DOC was monitored at seven sites within the wetland pond, two sites on the inflow stream, and one site on the outflow stream. Surface concentrations in the inflow stream ranged from 0.74 to 11.6 mg C L−1 and those of the outflow from 2.1 to 8.0 mg C L−1 Average DOC from stream floodplain hydrosoils (3.1 to 32.1 mg C L−1 was greater than DOC from the sediments below the stream channel (1.6 to 6.8 mg C L−1 Surface DOC within the wetland varied seasonally, with greatest fluctuations in concentrations through the summer and autumn (range 4.8 to 32.6 mg C L−1 ) during intensive macrophyte growth and bacterial production. DOC was less variable during the winter months (1.7 to 3.3 mg C L−1 Within the wetland pond, average DOC concentrations (7.1 to 48.2 mg C L−1) in the subsurface waters were significantly greater (p < 0.05) than average surface concentrations. The microbial availability of surface and subsurface DOC to bacteria was evaluated from losses of DOC by wetland bacteria grown on the DOC. Bacterial growth efficiencies ranged from 5 to 20% and were negatively correlated to the percentage of DOC removed by bacteria (r2=0.93). Throughout the ecosystem, DOC concentrations were greatest in the subsurface waters, but at most depths this DOC was a less suitable substrate than surface DOC for utilization by bacteria.
Becoming a better person: Temporal remoteness biases autobiographical memories for moral events.

Our autobiographical self depends on the differential recollection of our personal past, notably including memories of morally laden events. Whereas both emotion and temporal recency are well known to influence memory, very little is known about how we remember moral events, and in particular about the distribution in time of memories for events that were blameworthy or praiseworthy. To investigate this issue in detail, we collected a novel database of 758 confidential, autobiographical narratives for personal moral events from 100 well-characterized healthy adults. Negatively valenced moral memories were significantly more remote than positively valenced memories, both as measured by the valence of the cue word that evoked the memory as well as by the content of the memory itself. The effect was independent of chronological age, ethnicity, gender or personality, arguing for a general emotional bias in how we construct our moral autobiography.
Design of a Gaussian elimination architecture for the DOC II processor

The OptiComp DOC II processor serves as the basis for the design of a hybrid optical/electronic architecture that solves systems of linear equations using Gaussian elimination. The architecture consists of a cascade of acousto-optic modulator based programmable logic arrays (PLAs) operating at a rate of 100 MHz. Arithmetic operations are performed using 16-bit fixed point arithmetic, and include subtraction, multiplication, and division. The design goal is to solve a system of linear equations in 10 unknowns in under 20 microsecond(s) , for a target application of null steering for phased array radar. The design goal is achieved with reasonable complexity.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Quick-clay slides in the U.S.A.

Abstract Currently, any account of quick-clay in the United States becomes primarily an account of the landslides caused at the time of the Anchorage, Alaska earthquake of March 27, 1964. Quick-clay triggered by the Anchorage earthquake flowed beneath a comparatively flat lying surface veneer of gravel, sand, and silt and rafted along overlying coarser sediments and many houses. Slides of several types exist at Anchorage: ( 1 ) new slides and new slumps formed at the time of the earthquake, ( 2 ) old slides formed long before the 1964 shock, ( 3 ) areas of monolithic movement where quick-clay passed beneath fairly stable old slide areas. The Anchorage quick-clay is apparently of glacial origin, formed at the coast line, but subsequently elevated and leached of salt. The significant clay minerals are illite and chlorite. The constituent smaller than 2 μ is on the stable old slide areas. presumably was high. Thixotropic behavior is apparently a characteristic of much of the fine clay.
Changing Properties of Snowpack in the Great Salt Lake Basin, Western United States, from a 26-Year SNOTEL Record

Daily observations from automated snowpack telemetry (SNOTEL) stations from within the drainage basin of the Great Salt Lake over the period from 1982 to 2007 are analyzed. The major finding is a shift toward an earlier date of peak snow water equivalent (SWE) by around fifteen days. Less robust findings are reductions in the amounts of peak SWE and 1 April SWE. This suggests increased chances of late-summer water shortages, especially when combined with rapid recent population growth. Less freshwater is likely to be available to flow into the Great Salt Lake, increasing its salinity and potentially affecting its ecology.
Pyrolysis of auto shredder residue: experiments with a laboratory screw kiln reactor ☆

The pyrolysis of automobile shredder residue (ASR) has been studied using a laboratory scale screw kiln reactor with a feed rate of about 100 g h−1. Pyrolysis at temperatures between 500 and 750°C resulted in the production of gas, liquid and solid fractions with hydrocarbon yields of the organic fraction present in the feed increasing from 60–85% with increasing pyrolysis temperature. While the hydrocarbon pyrolysis product yield increased with pyrolysis temperature, the yield of the oil fraction was higher at the lower pyrolysis temperatures. The composition of the pyrolysis oil also changed with pyrolysis temperature, containing larger quantities of aliphatic compounds at the lower temperatures than at higher temperatures where aromatics were the major compounds. Many of the liquid pyrolysis products have been identified including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as well as organo nitrogen, sulphur and chlorine compounds. The data obtained have been compared with that obtained from a process using short pyrolysis residence times.