cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of Imaging Appropriateness Criteria for Decision Support During Radiology Order Entry: The MGH Experience

This chapter will focus on the institutional perspective of The Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston during the first decade of the twenty-first century. We will describe the MGH experience with design, implementation, adoption and current use of a computerized radiology order entry system that displays explicit normative “appropriateness scores” for outpatient CT, MR, and nuclear cardiology procedures and is embedded in routine clinical workflow. The radiology order entry (ROE) and decision support (DS) system has come to be known as ROE-DS within MGH and among a broader community of US radiologists, various industry stakeholders, and policy makers working in the field. One key point that will be emphasized is that a system like ROE-DS in wide use is a necessary, though by no means sufficient, first step in executing comprehensive institutional programs of imaging utilization management, quality improvement, and radiation dose mitigation.
A practical guideline for intracranial volume estimation in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Intracranial volume (ICV) is an important normalization measure used in morphometric analyses to correct for head size in studies of Alzheimer Disease (AD). Inaccurate ICV estimation could introduce bias in the outcome. The current study provides a decision aid in defining protocols for ICV estimation in patients with Alzheimer disease in terms of sampling frequencies that can be optimally used on the volumetric MRI data, and the type of software most suitable for use in estimating the ICV measure. Two groups of 22 subjects are considered, including adult controls (AC) and patients with Alzheimer Disease (AD). Reference measurements were calculated for each subject by manually tracing intracranial cavity by the means of visual inspection. The reliability of reference measurements were assured through intra- and inter- variation analyses. Three publicly well-known software packages (Freesurfer, FSL, and SPM) were examined in their ability to automatically estimate ICV across the groups. Analysis of the results supported the significant effect of estimation method, gender, cognitive condition of the subject and the interaction among method and cognitive condition factors in the measured ICV. Results on sub-sampling studies with a 95% confidence showed that in order to keep the accuracy of the interleaved slice sampling protocol above 99%, the sampling period cannot exceed 20 millimeters for AC and 15 millimeters for AD. Freesurfer showed promising estimates for both adult groups. However SPM showed more consistency in its ICV estimation over the different phases of the study. This study emphasized the importance in selecting the appropriate protocol, the choice of the sampling period in the manual estimation of ICV and selection of suitable software for the automated estimation of ICV. The current study serves as an initial framework for establishing an appropriate protocol in both manual and automatic ICV estimations with different subject populations.
In vivo opiate receptor binding of oripavines to μ, σ and κ sites in rat brain as determined by an ex vivo labeling method

Abstract The relative in vivo receptor affinities of three oripavine drugs given subcutaneously were determined at the μ, σ and κ type of opiate binding sites in rat brain. The oripavines include the agonist etorphine, the antagonist diprenorphine and the mixed agonist-antagonist buprenophine. With the use of μ, δ and κ specific labeling conditions in brain homogenates immediately after sacrifice (ex vivo labeling), the method relies on the assay of those receptor sites that remain unbound in vivo. Because of the slow receptor binding kinetics of the oripavines, little or no dissociation of the in vivo ligand occurs during the ex vivo labeling period. All three drugs displayed lower affinity in vivo at the δ sites relative to μ sites, whereas the κ affinites were highly variable. Etorphine displayed considerable μ selectivity, while burpenorphine's affinity at the μ and κ sites was similar. The apparent in vivo binding affinities obtained from the ex vivo labeling approach are compatible with previous results where tracers were applied in vivo. The dramatic differences of the in vivo and in vitro opiate receptor binding properties of the oripavines demonstrate the need for in vivo receptor binding parameters in the analysis of the function of individual receptor types.
Neural network for tsunami and runup forecast

[1] This paper examines the use of neural network to model nonlinear tsunami processes for forecasting of coastal waveforms and runup. The three-layer network utilizes a radial basis function in the hidden, middle layer for nonlinear transformation of input waveforms near the tsunami source. Events based on the 2006 Kuril Islands tsunami demonstrate the implementation and capability of the network. Division of the Kamchatka-Kuril subduction zone into a number of subfaults facilitates development of a representative tsunami dataset using a nonlinear long-wave model. The computed waveforms near the tsunami source serve as the input and the far-field waveforms and runup provide the target output for training of the network through a back-propagation algorithm. The trained network reproduces the resonance of tsunami waves and the topography-dominated runup patterns at Hawaii's coastlines from input water-level data off the Aleutian Islands.
Bone density and cyclic ovarian function in trained runners and active controls.

This study was conducted to determine whether rigorous exercise training adversely affects ovarian hormone levels and bone health in cyclically menstruating trained runners. Ovarian hormones, bone mineral density (BMD), body composition, 3-d diet records, 3-d estimated energy expenditure, and menstrual histories were evaluated in 10 trained collegiate runners and 10 moderately active controls. The trained runners had lower total body calcium per kg of soft lean tissue measured by DEXA (P = 0.045). Half of the trained runners had experienced stress fractures compared with only one of the moderately active controls. The trained runners' lumbar (L2-L4) BMD (1.178 g.cm -2 ) was not significantly different from that of the active controls (1.283 g.cm -2 ) (P = 0.074) but, for all subjects combined, there was a significant inverse relation between L2-L4 BMD and distance run per week (P = 0.036). Further, adding age, body weight, percent body fat, daily energy intake, and daily calcium intake to a stepwise multiple regression analysis did not significantly improve predictive precision. The trained runners consumed nearly twice the amount of calcium (1089 mg.d -1 vs 641 mg.d -1 , respectively ; P = 0.036), while intake of other nutrients did not differ significantly between groups. Urinary estrone conjugates (EIC) were lower in the trained runners during the early follicular phase (P = 0.028), while pregnanediol-3-glucuronide (PdG) was not significantly different between groups during the luteal phase (P = 0.213). Thus, it appears that lower estrogen production, especially during the early follicular phase, and not progesterone, is associated with lower whole body calcium per kg of soft lean tissue and, probably, L2-L4 BMD. Results of this study also suggest that regular menstrual cycles do not imply normal ovarian hormone function in young women who are engaged in either recreational or competitive running.
Pressure wire for physiological assessment of coronary arteries.

A 67-year-old man with hypertension, dyslipidemia and a remote smoking history presented with angina. He had good functional capacity on a treadmill myocardial perfusion test, with no evidence of clinical, electrocardiographic or imaging changes diagnostic of ischemia; his ejection fraction was 57%. However, because of his persistent symptoms, he underwent cardiac catheterization, which revealed tight ostial left main artery stenosis of approximately 70% (Figure 1). The other coronary arteries showed minor luminal irregularities but no significant stenosis. A pressure wire across the left main artery was then used to assess the physiological properties of the lesion. There was a resting gradient of 1.0, and after adenosine injection according to protocol, the lowest gradient recorded was 0.87, which is not significant (significance defined as less than 0.75). Based on these physiological results and the patient’s good exercise capacity, medical management was optimized and the patient’s symptoms improved, sparing him an unnecessary, high-risk intervention. Pressure wires have increasingly been used to better characterize the physiology of the coronary arteries, rather than just completely relying on the coronary anatomy and the ‘oculostenotic reflex’, which can sometimes be misleading. It is important to point out, however, that the data for this indication, although very promising, are still limited, and there is little information on the long-term follow-up of similar patients. Figure 1 Coronary angiography in the right anterior oblique caudal view (A), with slight magnification in an anteroposterior shallow view (B), showing the left main coronary artery (LM) with apparent tight ostial stenosis of approximately 70% (arrows). LAD Left ...
Regulation of autoimmune inflammation by pro-inflammatory cytokines.

The pro-inflammatory cytokines play a critical role in the initiation and propagation of autoimmune arthritis and many other disorders resulting from a dysregulated self-directed immune response. These cytokines influence the interplay among the cellular, immunological and biochemical mediators of inflammation at multiple levels. Regulation of the pro-inflammatory activity of these cytokines is generally perceived to be mediated by the anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive cytokines such as IL-4, IL-10, or TGF-β. However, increasing evidence is accumulating in support of the regulatory attributes of the pro-inflammatory cytokines themselves, in studies conducted in animal models of diabetes, multiple sclerosis, uveitis, and lupus. The results of our recent studies have shown that the pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IFN-γ, can suppress arthritic inflammation in rats, and also contribute to resistance against arthritis. These results are of paramount significance not only in fully understanding the pathogenesis of autoimmune arthritis, but also in anticipating the full ramifications of the in vivo neutralization of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, including that for therapeutic purposes.
Molecular fingerprinting of BMP2- and BMP4-treated embryonic maxillary mesenchymal cells.

Structured Abstract Authors – Mukhopadhyay P, Singh S, Greene RM, Pisano MM Objective – To determine the differences in gene expression between control-, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)2- and BMP4-treated murine embryonic maxillary mesenchymal (MEMM) cells. Design – Transcript profiles of BMP2-, BMP4- and vehicle-treated MEMM cells were compared utilizing the murine high-density GeneChip arrays from Affymetrix. The raw chip data (probe intensities) were pre-processed using robust multichip averaging with GC-content background correction and further normalized with GeneSpring v7.2 software. Cluster analysis of the microarray data was performed with the GeneSpring software. Changes in the gene expression were verified by TaqMan quantitative real-time PCR. Results – Expression of ∼50% of the 45 101 genes and expressed sequence tags examined in this study were detected in BMP2-, BMP4- and vehicle-treated MEMM cells and that of several hundred genes was significantly altered (up or downregulated) in these cells in response to BMP2 and BMP4. Expression profiles of each of the 26 mRNAs tested by TaqMan quantitative real-time PCR were found to be consistent with the microarray data. Genes whose expression was modulated following BMP2 or BMP4 treatment, could be broadly classified based on the functions of the encoded proteins such as the growth factors and signaling molecules, transcription factors, and proteins involved in epithelial–mesenchymal interactions, extracellular matrix synthesis, cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Conclusion – Utilization of the Affymetrix GeneChip microarray technology has enabled us to delineate a detailed transcriptional map of BMP2 and BMP4 responsiveness in embryonic maxillary mesenchymal cells and offers revealing insights into crucial molecular regulatory mechanisms employed by these two growth factors in orchestrating embryonic orofacial cellular responses.
Prescriptions for Heat Flux and Entrainment Rates in the Upper Ocean during Convection

Abstract A detailed investigation of the upper ocean during convection reveals • the vertical structure of potential temperature, θ, to be steady in time, and • the current shear to vanish in the bulk of the mixed layer. These imply that a “slab”-type model may be an adequate representation of the convective ocean boundary layer (OBL). In contrast, when convection is not the dominant forcing mechanism, the OBL is stratified and can support a significant current shear. This indicates the inadequacy of “slab” models for the nonconvective OBL. Two independent estimates of the vertical heat flux profile in the convective OBL were made. The first estimate results from heat conservation and the steadiness of the vertical structure of potential temperature. The second estimate is based on the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) balance and the vertical profiles of TKE dissipation rate. The estimates are consistent and suggest that the nondimensional vertical heat flux due to turbulence has a linear depth dependence o...
Finite element error estimates for non-linear elliptic equations of monotone type

In this paper we shall consider the application of the finite element method to a class of second order elliptic boundary value problems of divergence form and with gradient nonlinearity in the principal coefficient, and the derivation of error estimates for the finite element approximations. Such problems arise in many practical situations -- for example, in shock-free airfoil design, seepage through coarse grained porous media, and in some glaciological problems. By making use of certain properties of the nonlinear coefficients, we shall demonstrate that the variational formulations associated with these boundary value problems are well-posed. We shall also prove that the abstract operators accompanying such problems satisfy certain continuity and monotonicity inequalities. With the aid of these inequalities and some standard results from approximation theory, we show how one may derive error estimates for the finite element approximations in the energy norm.
Buy Now, Pay Later: Family Communication Patterns Theory, Parental Financial Support, and Emerging Adults’ Openness about Credit Card Behaviors

Guided by family communication patterns (FCP) theory, the current study investigated the ways that family interaction contributes to emerging adults’ likelihood to discuss their credit card behaviors with their parents. Data from 188 emerging adults were analyzed. Results indicated that family conversation orientation and the interaction of family conversation and conformity orientation were significantly related to emerging adults’ openness about their credit card behaviors. Further, emerging adults who paid their own credit cards shared less with their parents about their credit card behaviors. Although not statistically significant, moderation analyses suggested that emerging adults who paid their own credit card bills were perhaps less influenced by FCPs regarding openness with their parent(s) about their credit card use than emerging adults whose parents paid their credit card bills. These findings add to the literature on family openness regarding credit card behaviors by examining this phenomenon t...
Intertemporal elasticity of substitution and risk aversion: are they related empirically?

This article examines the relationship between two types of preference: preference of intertemporal choices and preference towards risk. In the simplest form of the constant relative risk aversion utility function, the intertemporal elasticity of substitution (IES) and risk aversion have an inverse relationship. However, there is no empirical evidence that suggests this inverse relationship holds. We examine the relationship between risk aversion and IES using household consumption data from the Consumer Expenditure Survey during 1996–2010. Multiple risk domains are selected to represent risk preference, and for each domain, we consider some households to be more risk averse than others. We separately estimate IES for the more risk-averse and less risk-averse households. We find that the IES estimates are generally smaller for the more risk-averse households than for the less risk-averse households and that the difference is statistically significant in the majority of the financial domains. This finding ...
Secondary Products, By-products and the Commodity Technology Assumption

A more general method for preparing commodity-by-commodity input–output tables under the commodity technology assumption is presented for the case when there are produced and non-produced by-products, originating in principal and in secondary production. Existing methods of the same family are shown to be special cases of the method presented here. An incorrect model specification is found to be a sufficient condition for unwarranted negative coefficients. Finally, the model is shown to satisfy desirable properties of an input–output system
Barycentric Coordinates on Surfaces

This paper introduces a method for defining and efficiently computing barycentric coordinates with respect to polygons on general surfaces. Our construction is geared towards injective polygons (polygons that can be enclosed in a metric ball of an appropriate size) and is based on replacing the linear precision property of planar coordinates by a requirement in terms of center of mass, and generalizing this requirement to the surface setting. We show that the resulting surface barycentric coordinates can be computed using planar barycentric coordinates with respect to a polygon in the tangent plane. We prove theoretically that the surface coordinates properly generalize the planar coordinates and carry some of their useful properties such as unique reconstruction of a point given its coordinates, uniqueness for triangles, edge linearity, similarity invariance, and smoothness; in addition, these coordinates are insensitive to isometric deformations and can be used to reconstruct isometries. We show empirically that surface coordinates are shape-aware with consistent gross behavior across different surfaces, are well-behaved for different polygon types/locations on variety of surface forms, and that they are fast to compute. Finally, we demonstrate effectiveness of surface coordinates for interpolation, decal mapping, and correspondence refinement.
Common Health Problems among Minority Elders

Abstract This article reviews the primary health problems of African-American, Hispanic-American, Asian/Pacific Islander-American, and Native-American elders. The goal is to familiarize practicing dietitians with the differences in longevity, disease spectrum, and functional status (where data are available) for each of these ethnic groups. These data should be of assistance in making decisions regarding dietary counseling for ethnic elders. It is acknowledged that most data accumulated according to race do not accurately measure ethnicity. The degree of acculturation may vary widely among individuals. Therefore, it is recommended that dietitians solicit clients' perceptions of the factors that may contribute to illness and the barriers to implementing recommended remedies.
A pronounced ortho effect in the polymerization of o‐substituted β‐nitrostyrenes

It was shown in a previous paper that a number of m - and p-substituted β-nitrostyrenes would readily undergo polymerization via anionic initiation with alkoxide ions to yield high polymers, whereas, in all cases, the corresponding o-substituted isomers could not be induced to produce polymers under any conditions tried. This article reports a systematic study of this unexpected “ortho effect” based on the initial postulate that the effect was the result of steric inhibition of the propagation step that would ordinarily lead to polymer. Since the fluorine atom is only slightly larger than the hydrogen atom, the series o-, m-, and p-fluoro-β-nitrostyrenes was synthesized and its alkoxide ion-initiated polymerization studied. Although it was shown in all cases of o-substituted β-nitrostyrenes studied that initiation was rapid, only in the case of o-fluoro-β-nitrostyrene was a substantial amount of polymer obtained. With up to 3 mole % initiator a maximum of 26% polymer was obtained, whereas polymerization was rapid in cases of the meta and para isomers. The values of the propagation rate constants kp were found to be 1.1 liters/mole-sec for the para isomer as compared with 4.8 × 10−2 liter/mole-sec for the ortho isomer for a ratio kp(p)/kp(o) = 23, the magnitude of this ortho effect for the fluorine atom.
Residential irrigation water use in the Central Piedmont of North Carolina. II: evaluation of smart irrigation technologies.

AbstractA study was conducted in Cary, North Carolina, in the spring and summer of 2009 with the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of two “smart irrigation” controllers based on the amount of irrigation applied and resulting turf quality in residential settings. Twenty-four residential sites were selected, in clusters of four, representing six geographical areas within the town. Each geographical cluster included one site of each treatment. The treatments were standard irrigation controller with an add-on soil moisture sensor system (SMS); standard irrigation controller with an add-on evapotranspiration-based adjustment system (ET); standard irrigation controller using seasonal runtimes based on historical climate data (ED); and a control group which used a standard irrigation controller with no intervention (CON). Weekly water usage was obtained from irrigation meter readings and turf quality was characterized using a visual rating and a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) meter. Maximum ...
A test of a cultural model of conflict styles

The primary aim of this study is to test a process model of cultural conflict styles. Specifically, we propose a theoretical framework for illuminating the relationship between individual-level equivalents of cultural variability dimensions and the face-maintenance dimensions, which, in turn, serve as guiding motives or criteria for selecting conflict strategies. In the model, it was predicted that the greater the individual’s construal of self as independent, the higher the concern for self-face maintenance, which, in turn, leads to the higher preference for forcing (dominating) conflict styles. In a separate path, it was also predicted that the greater the individual’s construal of self as interdependent, the higher the concern for other-face maintenance, which, in turn, leads to the higher preference for nonforcing (obliging, avoiding, integrating, and compromising) conflict styles. Data to test the proposed model were drawn from undergraduates of diverse cultural backgrounds, studying in Hawai‘i. After being presented at random with one of the three conflict situations, participants rated the scales measuring conflict styles, face maintenance dimensions, as well as scales to measure the independent and interdependent dimensions of their self-construals. The theoretical path model was supported by the data except for one path. The implications of the model for theory and practice are discussed.
Diabetes in Sports

Context:Exercise is recommended for individuals with diabetes mellitus, and several facets of the disease must be considered when managing the diabetic athlete. The purpose of this article is to review diabetes care in the context of sports participation.Evidence Acquisition:Relevant studies were identified through a literature search of MEDLINE and the Cochrane database, as well as manual review of reference lists of identified sources.Results:Diabetics should be evaluated for complications of long-standing disease before beginning an exercise program, and exercise should be modified appropriately if complications are present. Athletes who use insulin or oral insulin secretogogues are at risk for exercise-induced immediate or delayed hypoglycemia. Diabetics are advised to engage in a combination of regular aerobic and resistance exercise. Insulin-dependent diabetics should supplement carbohydrate before and after exercise, as well as during exercise for events lasting longer than 1 hour. Adjustment of in...
Zinc nutriture and taste acuity in patients with cystic fibrosis

Abstract An assessment of zinc nutriture was undertaken in 19 juvenile patients with cystic fibrosis and 40 control adolescents. Plasma zinc concentration, hair zinc content and quantitative taste acuity score were determined in each individual. In the patients, these data were related to other clinical data. No difference in plasma zinc between patients and controls was found. Moreover, no correlation between biochemical indices of zinc status and growth attainment was seen in contradistinction to a previously reported suggestion that growth-retarded patients were more prone to zinc depletion. Hair zinc was significantly lower and taste acuity thresholds significantly higher in the patients with cystic fibrosis. The impairment in taste acuity contrasts with an earlier report on taste in patients with this disease. Hair zinc levels declined as forced vital capacity of the lungs decreased as a consequence of the pulmonary disease. From the evidence presented in this investigation and in previously reported studies, zinc metabolism appears to be altered in cystic fibrosis; it is likely that impaired zinc nutriture occurs more commonly in patients afflicted with cystic fibrosis than in the population at-large.
On the concentrated loading of certain elastic half-space problems and related external crack problems. A new approach

Abstract Using a new integral equation connecting different types of fundamental solutions, a variety of external crack problems are solved when the crack is situated in an infinite space and occupies the region exterior to a circle, with the loading on the crack faces being of a concentrated nature. As a consequence of a particular integral representation we are also able to discuss certain “punch” problems for an elastic half-space when the punch is rigid and frictionless, with a circular cross section, but with an arbitrary base profile
Molecular composition of Ro small ribonucleoprotein complexes in human cells. Intracellular localization of the 60- and 52-kD proteins

Abstract Ro small ribonucleoprotein complexes (RoRNPs) are thought to comprise several proteins, including the 60-kD Ro and the 52-kD Ro proteins, and several small RNAs, designated Y RNAs. Although RoRNPs are fairly ubiquitous in nature, their precise composition remains unknown, their function has been elusive, and their intracellular localization has been controversial. We have analyzed HeLa cell extracts by glycerol density gradient fractionation in order to determine the distribution of the individual protein and RNA components of RoRNPs. We found that 52-kD Ro was not detectable in an RNP complex with the 60-kD protein under a variety of conditions. Pretreatment of cell extracts with ribonuclease affected gradient migration of the 60-kD but not the 52-kD protein, suggesting that the latter is not complexed with RNA. The migration of the hY RNAs in these gradients closely followed that of 60-kD and not 52-kD Ro. Immunofluorescence analysis of two different cell lines with monospecific antibodies against 52- and 60-kD proteins strongly suggests that these two proteins are not present on overlapping sets of structures in vivo. We conclude that the 52-kD Ro protein is not a detectable component of the RoRNP complex under these conditions despite its reactivity with Ro autoimmune antisera.
A SUBSTITUTE FOR FACIAL REPLICA IN MANNEQUIN PROCEDURES

Abstract The use of mannequin exercises has been a teaching tool in the education of dental students. Various commercially available materials to simulate extraoral facial structure form part of this apparatus, also called a “phantom head.” It is not always practical, with cost considerations, to replace this external component when unavoidable wear and tear occurs. An alternative that uses a recycled milk carton is presented as an inexpensive substitute. (J Prosthet Dent 1997;78:429-31.)
Fuel-Air Ratio Determination From Cylinder Pressure Time Histories

Determination du rapport air-carburant a partir de l'evolution de la pression dans les cylindres
Macroscopic Properties of Restacked, Redox‐Liquid Exfoliated Graphite and Graphite Mimics Produced in Bulk Quantities

The excellent properties exhibited by monolayer graphene have spurred the development of exfoliation techniques using bulk graphite to produce large quantities of pristine monolayer sheets. Development of simple chemistry to exfoliate and intercalate graphite and graphite mimics in large quantities is required for numerous applications. To determine the macroscopic behavior of restacked, exfoliated bulk materials, a systematic approach is presented using a simple, redox-liquid sonication process along to obtain large quantities of 2D and 3D hexagonally layered graphite, molybdenum disulfi de, and boron nitride, which are subsequently characterized to observe chemical and structural changes. For MoS 2 sonicated with the antioxidant sodium bisulfi te, results from Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and electron microscopy indicate the presence of distorted phases from different polymorphs, and apparent nanotube structures in the bulk, restacked powder. Furthermore, using thermograviemtric analysis, the antioxidant enhances the resistance to oxidative degradation of MoS 2 , upon thermal treatment up to 900 C. The addition of the ionic antioxidant decreased dispersion stability in non-polar solvent, suggesting decreased compatibility with non-polar systems. Using simple chemical methods, the ability to generate tailored multidimensional layered materials with unique macroscopic properties is critical for numerous applications, including electrical devices, reinforced polymer composites, lithium more » ion capacitors, and chemical sensing. « less
Systemic iron metabolism and mortality from Parkinson's disease

Six measures of systemic iron metabolism were used to predict mortality among 103 patients with Parkinson9s disease and 353 controls followed in a longitudinal study. Adjusting for gender, education, ethnicity, presence of dementia, and extrapyramidal signs, transferrin receptor concentration was strongly associated with mortality in patients with PD but not controls. This increase in serum transferrin receptor concentration before death suggests that the previously observed perturbation in iron metabolism continues throughout the disease course.
Evaluating Low-Cloud Simulation from an Upgraded Multiscale Modeling Framework Model. Part III: Tropical and Subtropical Cloud Transitions over the Northern Pacific

AbstractAn analysis of simulated cloud regime transitions along a transect from the subtropical California coast to the tropics for the northern summer season (June–August) is presented in this study. The Community Atmosphere Model, version 5 (CAM5), superparameterized CAM (SPCAM), and an upgraded SPCAM with intermediately prognostic higher-order closure (SPCAM-IPHOC) are used to perform global simulations by imposing climatological sea surface temperature and sea ice distributions. The seasonal-mean properties are compared with recent observations of clouds, radiation, and precipitation and with multimodel intercomparison results. There are qualitative agreements in the characteristics of cloud regimes along the transect among the three models. CAM5 simulates precipitation and shortwave radiative fluxes well but the stratocumulus-to-cumulus transition occurs too close to the coast of California. SPCAM-IPHOC simulates longwave radiative fluxes and precipitable water well, but with systematic biases in sho...
Time-resolved x-ray diffraction of high-wavevector acoustic phonons

Time-resolved x-ray diffraction experiments on a optically excited gold films on a germanium substrate are presented. The resulting transient strain pulse is revealed to have wavevectors upto the inverse of the film thickness.
The Influence of the Shear-Induced Pressure Gradient on Thunderstorm Motion

Abstract In the present investigation we propose a simple theory to explain how a veering environmental wind shear vector can cause an initially symmetric updraft to grow preferentially to the right of the shear vector and acquire cyclonic rotation. The explanation offered is based on linear theory which predicts that interaction of the mean shear with the updraft produces favorable vertical pressure gradients along its right flank. To asses the validity of linear theory for large-amplitude updrafts, the three-dimensional, shallow, anelastic equations are numerically integrated using a simple parameterization for latent heating within a cloud and the linear and nonlinear forcing terms are separately analyzed. These results suggest that although the nonlinear effects strongly promote splitting of the updraft, the linear forcing remains the dominant factor in preferentially enhancing updraft growth on the right flank. We believe this differential forcing is a major contributor to the observed predominance o...
Computeralgebra in der Systembiologie

Die Systembiologie beschaftigt sich mit dem Studium ganzer biologischer Systeme anstatt mit deren einzelnen Bestandteilen.
Do cognitive psychologists share a paradigm ? A second look

The purpose of this study was to look at the degree of overlap of index headings and subheadings in five second editions of cognitive psychology textbooks. The results indicated that a very slight overlap of items was present between the textbooks, with most items unique to a single one. Furthermore, some same headings referred to different topics, and some different headings referred to the same topic. These findings are discussed with regard to Kuhn’s (1970) theory of paradigm evolution.
Irritable bowel syndrome – Diarrhoea

IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder which has been subtyped according to bowel habits. This review presents recommendations for IBS-D which makes up about 1/3 of all patients and which is defined as IBS with loose or watery stools with ≥25% of bowel movements. Because IBS is a complex biopsychosocial illness, treatment cannot and should not be directed only to altered bowel habits. Evidence will be presented for dietary manipulations, probiotics and pharmacotherapies including tricyclic agents, antibiotics, serotonin antagonists and anti-diarrhoeal agents in the management of patients with IBS-D.
Adverse selection and equilibrium in liability insurance markets

Models of asymmetric information in insurance markets typically consider insurance buyers with Bernoulli loss distributions differing in expected loss. This article analyzes markets where buyer loss distributions are characterized by mean-preserving spreads and insurers can classify applicants in terms of expected values but not by risk. Because liability losses are characterized by skewed continuous probability distributions, both discrete and continuous loss distributions are considered. In contrast to the single separating equilibrium in the classic Rothschild-Stiglitz insurance market, multiple separating equilibria are identified in this article: three in the discrete case and four in the continuous case. The possibility of extreme discontinuities in insurer policy offers provides a new explanation for crises in liability insurance markets.
Effect of Local Pumping on Random Laser Modes

We developed a numerical method to calculate the quasimodes and lasing modes in one-dimensional random systems. Local pumping could make the lasing modes differ drastically from the quasidmodes of a weakly scattering system.
Automatic generation of the index of productive syntax for child language transcripts

The index of productive syntax (IPSyn; Scarborough (Applied Psycholinguistics 11:1-22, 1990) is a measure of syntactic development in child language that has been used in research and clinical settings to investigate the grammatical development of various groups of children. However, IPSyn is mostly calculated manually, which is an extremely laborious process. In this article, we describe the AC-IPSyn system, which automatically calculates the IPSyn score for child language transcripts using natural language processing techniques. Our results show that the AC-IPSyn system performs at levels comparable to scores computed manually. The AC-IPSyn system can be downloaded from www.hlt.utdallas.edu/~nisa/ipsyn.html .
Conformational studies of cyclopropylcarbonyl chloride from temperature-dependent FT-IR spectra of xenon solutions

Abstract Variable temperature (−60 to −100°C) studies of the infrared spectra (3500 to 400 cm −1 ) of cyclopropylcarbonyl chloride, c-C 3 H 5 CClO, dissolved in liquid xenon have been recorded. Utilizing several doublets due to the cis and trans conformers, the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 102±19 cm −1 (292±54 cal mol −1 ), with the cis conformer (oxygen atom cis to the three-membered ring) the more stable rotamer. From this Δ H value, along with assigned torsional transitions of 87.4 and 54.7 cm −1 for the trans and cis conformers, respectively, and with excited state transitions for torsional modes for both conformers, the potential function governing the conformational interchange has been calculated. The cis-to-trans barrier has been determined to be 2180±100 cm −1 (6.23±0.29 kcal mol −1 ). Utilizing the new infrared data from the xenon solution, along with some additional Raman data, and ab initio predictions from MP2/6-31G* calculations, several reassignments of the fundamentals have been made. Ab initio calculations have been carried out with several different basis sets up to MP2/6-311++G**, from which structural parameters and conformational stabilities have been determined. Irrespective of the size of the basis sets, the cis conformer is predicted to be the more stable conformer, which is consistent with the experimental results. The spectroscopic and theoretical results are compared to the corresponding quantities for some similar molecules. © 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.
Flexible bivariate beta distributions

Bivariate beta distributions which can be used to model data sets exhibiting positive or negative correlation are introduced. Properties of these bivariate beta distributions and their applications in Bayesian analysis are discussed. Three methods for parameter estimation are presented. The performance of these estimators is evaluated based on Monte Carlo simulations. Examples are provided to illustrate how additional parameters can be introduced to gain even more modeling flexibility. A possible extension of the proposed bivariate beta model and a multivariate generalization are also discussed.
Selections from current literature: The traveller to high altitude

AMS is a preventable disease about which travellers are frequently uninformed and one which physicians may wrongfully assume is limited to the population of ultra high altitude adventurers. These studies on incidence, while not without flaws, point out the frequency of AMS, as well as its significant incidence at moderate and commonly frequented altitudes. The current literature does not fully answer questions about incidence at moderate altitudes, nor about the full effects of altitude on children. Certainly AMS is not a rare complication of travel to altitudes and may indeed be under-recognized and under-treated. Both acetazolamide and dexamethasone provide adequate prophylaxis, and the choice of medications can be to some extent based on experience and patient profile. The best prophylaxis is a slow stepwise ascent, and the best treatment descent. The availability of medications for the amelioration or prevention of symptoms, and succinct advice on prevention by travel planning will make many of our patients' holidays more enjoyable and business trips more productive.
Chemically induced methemoglobinemias in the mouse.

Nitrobenzene, aniline, p-aminotoluene (p-AT), p-aminoacetophenone (p-AAP) and p-aminopropiophenone (p-APP) have widely different activities as methemoglobin-forming agents in mice. As assessed by circulating levels after intra-peritoneal administration, p-AT was the least potent compound of the series, but nitrobenzene and aniline were also only weakly active even at lethal doses. Three hydroxylamine analogues from the above series were all about equipotent as metheglobin-forming agents in mice. Moreover, at a dose of 0·1 mole/kg each produced a transient methemoglobinemia that was remarkably similar to that resulting from p-APP. A methemoglobinemia with similar temporal characteristics was also produced by o-aminophenol, but this compound is about ten times less potent. p-Aminophenol was even weaker, being about as active as aniline. When aniline or nitrobenzene was given in combination with sodium nitrite, circulating methemoglobin levels were prolonged. Such a synergism was not seen when either was given in combination with p-APP. Methylene blue in vivo attenuated the methemoglobinemic response to both p-APP and nitrite. It was more effective, however, against the latter, as evaluated at doses that produced equivalent peak circulating levels. In its time pattern the effect of nitrite was similar in vivo (intact mouse) and in vitro (mouse red cell suspension). In contrast, methemoglobinemia produced by phenylhydroxylamine appears to persist longer in red cells than in the intact animal. Apparently, factors external to the red cell are important in terminating some kinds of induced methemoglobinemias.
Uzilla: A new tool for Web usability testing

Web usability testing and research presents challenges for accurate data collection. An instrumented browser solution, Uzilla, is compared with existing solutions, and its contributions to usability testing practice are noted. Uzilla implements a client—server architecture based on the open source Mozilla browser. Instrumentation of the browser facilitates the evaluation of Web sites and applications inside and outside of the laboratory. An integrated data collection and analysis server application decreases the effort required to understand test results and facilitates iterative testing.
Higher-field magnetoresistance in disordered metals from superconducting interaction effects

The low-field, high-temperature and high-field, low-temperature formulas given recently by Al'tshuler, Aronov, Larkin, and Khmel'nitski\ifmmode \check{i}\else \v{i}\fi{} for the renormalized coupling constant $g=g(T,H)$ governing the contribution to the magnetoresistance from orbital interaction effects in weakly disordered metals have been generalized to the form ${g}^{\ensuremath{-}1}=\mathrm{ln}(\frac{{T}_{c}}{T})+\ensuremath{\psi}[\frac{1}{2}]\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\psi}[\frac{1}{2}+(\frac{\mathrm{DeH}}{2\ensuremath{\pi}\mathrm{ckT}})$]. The relation of the field dependence of $g$ to the "ghost critical field" of Kapitulnik et al. is discussed. The formula for $g$ is also modified further to include the effect of Pauli paramagnetism.
Argue, observe, assess: Measuring disciplinary identities and differences through socio-epistemic discourse

Calls for interdisciplinary collaboration have become increasingly common in the face of large-scale complex problems (including climate change, economic inequality, and education, among others); however, outcomes of such collaborations have been mixed, due, among other things, to the so-called “translation problem” in interdisciplinary research. This article presents a potential solution: an empirical approach to quantitatively measure both the degree and nature of differences among disciplinary tongues through the social and epistemic terms used (a research area we refer to as discourse epistemetrics), in a case study comparing dissertations in philosophy, psychology, and physics. Using a support-vector model of machine learning to classify disciplines based on relative frequencies of social and epistemic terms, we were able to markedly improve accuracy over a random selection baseline (distinguishing between disciplines with as high as 90% accuracy) as well as acquire sets of most indicative terms for each discipline by their relative presence or absence. These lists were then considered in light of findings of sociological and epistemological studies of disciplines and found to validate the approach's measure of social and epistemic disciplinary identities and contrasts. Based on the findings of our study, we conclude by considering the beneficiaries of research in this area, including bibliometricians, students, and science policy makers, among others, as well as laying out a research program that expands the number of disciplines, considers shifts in socio-epistemic identities over time and applies these methods to nonacademic epistemological communities (e.g., political groups).
Testing for the length of a distributed lag with a differencing transformation

Abstract It is shown that inclusion of the level of the independent variable jointly with lagged values of its first difference provide a simple statistical test for the length of a finite distributed lag when the weights all have the same sign.
Recent Progress in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using Nanocrystallite Aggregates

Nanocrystallite aggregates are spherical assemblies of nanometer-sized crystallites and feature a size on the order of sub-micrometers. This paper reports and summarizes recent progress in nanocrystallite aggregates for applications in dye-sensitized solar cells. It emphasizes that nanocrystallite aggregates are a promising class of materials with the capability to generate light scattering, enhance electron transport, retain high specific surface area for dye adsorption, and facilitate electrolyte diffusion while serving as the photoelectrode film of a dye-sensitized solar cell. In the Perspectives section, it is suggested that optimization of the porosity of the aggregates, the facets of nanocrystallites forming the aggregates, and the structure of photoelectrode film could possibly lead to breakthroughs in improving the power conversion efficiency of the current state-of-the-art dye-sensitized solar cells.
Crack cocaine use due to dopamine agonist therapy in Parkinson disease.

Impulse control disorders (ICD)1 and the dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS)2 are dopaminergic complications of Parkinson disease (PD) treatment. A large number of ICDs have been associated with dopamine agonists (DAA), such as gambling, hypersexuality, and consumerism, but none, to our knowledge, involved drugs of abuse.1 DDS is a condition in which patients with PD abuse l-dopa, taking it excessively despite the dyskinesias or psychotic symptoms that result.2 DDS produces l-dopa craving, whereas ICDs produce compulsions, and the 2 may coexist.2 DDS has rarely been associated with dopamine agonists other than apomorphine.
Source of the yellow luminescence band in GaN grown by gas-source molecular beam epitaxy and the green luminescence band in single crystal ZnO

Abstract In this paper we show that the origin of the yellow luminescence band in GaN and the green luminescence band in ZnO is best explained by a transition between a shallow donor and a deep level. High resolution photoluminescence spectroscopy measurements on GaN (0 0 0 1) films grown by gas-source molecular beam epitaxy are compared with theoretical predictions. These comparisons show that the makeup of the deep level in GaN is most likely a complex consisting of a gallium vacancy, VGa and a nearest neighbor donor consisting of an oxygen atom on a nitrogen site, ON, or VGa–ON. By analogy, the makeup of the deep level in ZnO is most likely a complex consisting of a zinc vacancy, VZn and a nearest neighbor donor consisting of a chlorine atom on an oxygen site VZn–ClO. Chlorine is suggested since it is a dominant donor in ZnO and is known to be present in the ZnO growth process.