cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of Thinning Ponderosa Pines (Pinus ponderosa) on Populations of Abert's Squirrels (Sciurus aberti)

Abstract We estimated the effect of thinning ponderosa pines (Pinus ponderosa) on populations of Abert's squirrels (Sciurus aberti). In 2008 and 2009, thinned and unthinned stands of ponderosa pines were sampled for evidence of over-winter feeding activity. Density of Abert's squirrels decreased from 2008 to 2009. In 2008, evidence of feeding was on 25 of 27 stands with no difference in density of Abert's squirrels between thinned and unthinned stands. Evidence of feeding was much lower in 2009, with 13 of 32 stands showing no evidence of feeding.
Buses as a Traffic Probe: Demonstration Project

The congestion probe feature of the Orange County Transportation Authority (California) bus probe project was evaluated by comparing automobile and bus trajectories and examining alternative congestion detection methods. The focus was city streets on which delays occur at signalized intersections and bus delays at bus stops. The analysis revealed that when automobiles have long delays, buses traveling nearby on the same route are also likely to be delayed. The reverse situation, however, is not always true, because buses frequently wait for extended periods when they run ahead of schedule. Any useful bus probe algorithm needs to distinguish between actual congestion and a stopping delay. Although the transit probe was designed to measure congestion on roadway segments, a more useful approach would be to measure congestion approaching major intersections, where delays are likely to occur. Moreover, because delays randomly fluctuate according to a vehicle's arrival time relative to the signal cycle, the mos...
Data compression technology in ASlC cores

IBM has made its data compression technology available to the industry through the ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) Blue Logic core program. The papers in this journal describe four of IBM's data compression cores which are in that core library: ALDC (adaptive lossless data compression), JBIG-ABIC (Joint Bi-level Image Group-Adaptive Bi-level Image Compression), MPEG-2 (Moving Picture Experts Group-2), and 401 DEC (decompression for the IBM PowerPC 401TM embedded processor). This paper is organized into three main sections: a description of the data types covered by the technology; a presentation of data compression availability through the core library elements; and a brief overview of the papers which follow.
Arbitrary-Order Conservative and Consistent Remapping and a Theory of Linear Maps: Part II

AbstractThis paper extends on the first part of this series by describing four examples of 2D linear maps that can be constructed in accordance with the theory of the earlier work. The focus is again on spherical geometry, although these techniques can be readily extended to arbitrary manifolds. The four maps include conservative, consistent, and (optionally) monotone linear maps (i) between two finite-volume meshes, (ii) from finite-volume to finite-element meshes using a projection-type approach, (iii) from finite-volume to finite-element meshes using volumetric integration, and (iv) between two finite-element meshes. Arbitrary order of accuracy is supported for each of the described nonmonotone maps.
Effects of arousal level on short- and long-term habituation of the orienting response

The effects of sympathetic arousal level on short- and long-term habituation of the skin conductance response component of the orienting response (OR) were investigated in an experiment employing 28 subjects. Threat of shock was used to increase the arousal level of one group of subjects. These subjects were compared to a group which was not threatened by shock. Results indicated that threat of shock significantly increased tonic skin conductance level. More importantly, this increase in physiological arousal level was associated with decreased short- and long-term habituation of the OR. These results demonstrate that physiological arousal level significantly affects the habituation process.
Topical mosquito repellents. V. Benzyl ethers.

A series of benzylic ethers with hydroxyl, epoxy, and unsaturated moieties was synthesized and evaluated on human skin for repellency against female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Compounds exhibiting the longest durations of repellency were those with boiling points of approximately 125°/0.5 mm. The case of two monobenzyl ethers of 3,4-dihydroxycyclopentene-1 having the same boiling points but different repellent activity is of interest. None of the compounds examined was as effective as N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide in terms of the duration of topical repellency.
Nanostructured bimetallic oxide ion-conducting ceramics from single-source molecular precursors

A new approach for the formation of bimetallic coordination complexes of bismuth containing a 1:1 ratio of the two metal species has been developed. The strategy exploits the Lewis acidic nature of bismuth and has been used to synthesize the new complexes BiV(O)(Hsal)(sal)(salen*)·CH2Cl2 (1), BiCu(Hsal)3(salen) (2), and BiNi(Hsal)3(salen)·CH2Cl2 (3) (salen = ethylenebis(salicylimine), salen* = ethylenebis(3-methoxysalicylimine), sal = O2CC6H4-2-O, Hsal = O2CC6H4-2-OH). The compounds have been characterized spectroscopically and, in the case of 2 and 3, by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The decomposition of the bimetallic complexes by both thermal and hydrolytic routes has been investigated. The ability of the compounds to act as single-source precursors for the formation of bimetallic oxides has been explored. Oxide ion-conducting phases have been produced by direct pyrolysis of 1, which results in the formation of monoclinic BiVO4, and by pyrolysis of mixtures of 1 and 2 or 3, which results in isolati...
An extension to the external path length theorem

Let T be a nonempty binary tree with L(T) leaves and H(T) height. E(T), the external path length of T, is the sum of all path lengths from the root to the leaves. In Knuth's "The Art of Computer Programming," Volume 3, Sorting and Searching, page 194 (Addison-Wesley, 1973), the following is proved:External Path Length Theorem: Let T be a nonempty two-tree (i.e., each node has zero or two children). Then E(T) ≥ L(T)log2L(T).
Planning and operations for superior solar conjunctions during the MESSENGER mission

Solar conjunctions pose many challenges to the planning and operation of the MESSENGER mission to Mercury. A solar conjunction occurs when the spacecraft and the Sun appear near to each other in the celestial sky relative to Earth-based antennas, within 3° of each other from the point of view of project planning. The conjunction can be a superior solar conjunction, during which the spacecraft is on the far side of the Sun relative to Earth, or an inferior solar conjunction, during which the spacecraft is between Earth and the Sun. Experience has shown that special planning and operations are not required for the inferior solar conjunctions. Superior solar conjunction durations have ranged from 48 days when MESSENGER was still far from the Sun to only three days, depending on the phasing relative to Earth. During superior conjunction periods, both uplink and downlink communication with the spacecraft can be degraded and communications are often deemed unreliable because of interference from solar plasma and scintillation. Superior conjunctions are therefore actively managed during both the cruise and orbital phases of the mission. The MESSENGER operations team has developed a flight-proven suite of activities to mitigate the impact of superior solar conjunctions. These include prudent command-load boundary placement, temporary extension of the command-loss timers, active momentum management techniques, shutting off unnecessary power loads including instruments, special management of the solid-state recorder and command volume, and modification of Deep Space Network track coverage.
Scattering by dielectric straps with potential application as target support structures

Electromagnetic scattering from thin dielectric straps is analyzed from the viewpoint of using dielectric straps as target support structures. It is shown that for this application, one can approximate the equivalent currents induced on the strap by those obtained using a two-dimensional model, which results in significant reduction in computation time. As a target support structure, a dielectric strap should have a low radar cross section (RCS) and very small biscattered fields. It is shown that the RCS of dielectric straps is quite low especially if the straps are oriented at a small angle relative to the incident planar wavefront and the incident wavefront illuminates the straps at or near edge-on. The bistatic scattering from dielectric straps is also significantly lower than that from conventional metal ogival pedestals. Thus, dielectric straps seem to be a good alternative as a target support. >
Determination of the diffusivity of an anisotropic medium

Resume La determination de la diffusibilite d'un certain milieu isotrope est reduite a la resolution d'une simple equation differentielle lineaire de type elliptique par le choix approprie de conditions aux limites surspecifiees.
A camera model for natural scene processing

Abstract A camera model for perspective transformations used in processing three-dimensional natural scenes is presented. An efficient method to determine the required camera offset parameters and a relatively fast calibration procedure are given.
Strengths and widths of the pure rotational lines of CO

Abstract The strengths and widths of several lines in the pure rotational band of CO have been measured by asymmetric Fourier techniques. The strengths give a permanent dipole moment of 0.112 D, in good agreement with the micro-wave value, and show conclusively that the sign of the Herman-Wallis parameter, θ, is negative. The widths are in good agreement with the theoretical values of Benedict and Herman and do not show the anomalous J dependence recently reported by Dowling.
Effects of molecular weight distribution on the thermal properties of side-chain liquid crystalline poly(vinyl ether)s.

Effects of Molecular Weight Distribution on the Thermal Properties of Side-Chain Liquid Crystalline Poly(vinyl ether)s
Planar waveguide optical immunosensors

Monoclonal antibodies were covalently bonded to the surfaces of planar waveguides to confer immunoreacth''ity. Silver-ion diffused waveguides were used to measure theophylline concentrations in a fluorescence immunoassay and silicon nitride waveguides were used to detect theophylline in an absorbance-based immunoassay. Liposomes were employed in both assays as the optically detectable label in a competitive reaction to monitor antigen-antibody complexation. Regeneration of the active antibody site will be discussed.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Comparison of monostatic and bistatic bearing estimation performance for low RCS targets

Bistatic radars, specifically forward-scatter radars, are proposed as an alternative to standard monostatic radars against targets whose radar cross sections (RCS) have been reduced by passive means. Forward-scatter radars operate by detecting echoes from a targets forward-scatter RCS, which is insensitive to effects of passive RCS reduction techniques. However, the performance of the forward-scatter radar is compromised when the angular separation between the interference, which propagates directly from the transmitter to the receiver, and the target return is less than the Rayleigh resolution limit of the receiving antenna. This research presents the results of a parametric study of the ability of a forward-scatter radar to detect and measure the bearing of a large target, whose RCS is reduced via passive means. Super-resolution array processing techniques, particularly root-MUSIC (multiple signal classification), are used to overcome the traditional limitations resulting from the Rayleigh resolution limit of the antenna. The study compares the received power and the bearing measurement accuracy of the forward-scatter radar to that of an "equivalent" monostatic radar system. The results indicate that forward-scatter radars enjoy advantages in detection and bearing measurement when the backscatter RCS of the target has been reduced and when the target is close to the baseline. The results also indicate that, through the use of super-resolution array processing the capability of the forward-scatter radar to accurately measure the bearing of the target is dependent upon the amount of interference from the direct wave (i.e., the wave which propagates from the transmitter directly to the receiver) and the correlation between the direct wave and the target echo. Good bearing estimates can be achieved if the correlation coefficient is less than 0.95. Bearing measurements may be improved by suppressing the direct wave by either sidelobe control or null steering techniques. >
The intersecion of gender and politics: Revising a political science course

Abstract This essay describes how I revised my Sex Roles and Politics course to reflect international perspectives focusing on commonalities and differences among diverse societies rather than on the intersections of gender and politics in the United States as I had done previously. The essay outlines the structure of the course and gives examples of the required readings, chosen to include works by indigenous authors providing accounts of actual experiences of women, as well as from the traditional analytical literature. It concludes with reflections on the question of audience and readership in Women's Studies inspired by a recent visit to the Middle East.
Riding the elephant: managing ensembles with hadoop

Many important scientific applications do not fit the traditional model of a monolithic simulation running on thousands of nodes. Scientific workflows -- such as the Materials Genome project, Energy Frontiers Research Center for Gas Separations Relevant to Clean Energy Technologies, climate simulations, and Uncertainty Quantification in fluid and solid dynamics { all run large numbers of parallel analyses, which we call scientific ensembles. These scientific ensembles have a large number of tasks with control and data dependencies. Current tools for creating and managing these ensembles in HPC environments are limited and difficult to use; this is proving to be a limiting factor to running scientific ensembles at the large scale enabled by these HPC environments. MapReduce and its open-source implementation, Hadoop, is an attractive paradigm due to the simplicity of the programming model and intrinsic mechanisms for handling scalability and fault-tolerance. In this paper, we evaluate the programmability of MapReduce and Hadoop for scientific workflow ensembles.
Assessment of Textiles and Clothing Academic Programs in the United States: Part II Unit Characteristics and Faculty

This project sought to establish baseline data about textiles and clothing in higher education settings. All academic units with four-year programs were included in the population. Characteristics of the unit, curricula and faculty were obtained through a 1991-92 mail survey (78% response-see Volume 13 #3 for a description of the sample and research methods). There are 51 (36%) Category I (doctoral level), 56 (39%) Category IIA (comprehensive) and 24 (17%) Category IIB (general baccalaureate) institutions offering programs in textiles and clothing. The numbers of faculty yet to complete the terminal degree, the proportion of faculty who completed the highest degree held within the last decade, the number of untenured doctoral degree holders, the observation that almost half (48%) of all faculty had been appointed within the last decade and that close to four out of five had been promoted to the current rank within the last decade, and that approximately half of the faculty have yet to earn tenure, establi...
Immune Signatures of Murine and Human Cancers Reveal Unique Mechanisms of Tumor Escape and New Targets for Cancer Immunotherapy

Purpose: Despite lymphocyte infiltration of tumors and the activation of tumor-draining lymph nodes, malignant tumors are able to “escape” from both innate and adaptive immune responses. For immunotherapy to be successful, it must reverse these escape mechanisms, which necessitates explicit and tumor-specific elucidation of tumor escape strategies. Research Design: To identify relevant escape mechanisms in murine tumors and in two corresponding human cancers, real-time reverse transcription-PCR was used to measure a panel of genes associated with T-cell activation and inhibition pathways. Results: Comparative analysis of the expression levels of these immunomodulatory genes showed astonishing similarities in expression patterns between murine and human breast cancers but profound variability in the expression of immunomodulatory genes in colorectal cancers. For human ductal adenocarcinoma of the breast, down-regulation of dendritic cell maturation marker CD83 and T-cell activation gene CD28 was observed as well as a notable increase in the expression of the immunoinhibitory gene B7-H4 . By contrast, colorectal adenocarcinoma cases showed high variability in tumor escape mechanisms, indicating a need to produce immune signatures for individual patients to identify appropriate immunotherapeutic targets. Conclusions: These results show that certain tumors, such as ductal carcinoma of the breast, show consistent immunologic abnormalities that can be used as targets for immunotherapy. These findings also show the importance and feasibility of determining the immune signatures of patients9 tumors to select appropriate immunotherapeutic strategies. Ultimately, these results advocate for the determination of immune signatures as part of the customary repertoire of clinical diagnostics for cancer.
Rapid burial diagenesis of deep-water carbonates: Exuma Sound, Bahamas

Well-lithified, deep-water, periplatform limestones of late Miocene age occur at subsurface depths from 113 m to total depth of 283 m at Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 632 in Exuma Sound, Bahamas. This occurrence, marked by a dramatic increase in compressional wave velocities up to 5.0 km/s, represents the most rapid transformation of ooze to limestone yet discovered in either periplatform or open-ocean settings. The burial diagenetic pathway is similar to those for meteoric and deep-burial diagenetic environments: aragonite dissolves, magnesian calcites exsolve or dissolve, low-Mg calcite precipitates as cement, and secondary moldic/vuggy porosity develops. Stable isotope ratios suggest precipitation of low-Mg calcite from cold, marine-derived pore waters. Accelerated diagenesis is a response to the influx of large quantities (up to 80%) of bank-derived, metastable carbonates and rapid burial via high accumulation rates (up to 210 m/m.y.). Our findings (1) document carbonate mineral stabilization and lithification in a seawater-mediated, shallow-burial diagenetic environment; (2) highlight the very high diagenetic potential of periplatform carbonates; and (3) call into question the use of seismic velocities as support for the Bahama megabank hypothesis.
Representations for biased numerical judgments

Models are presented that introduce bias parameters into the numerical representations for ratio and interval judgments. An interval bias model is considered that has the capability of accounting for both interval and ratio judgments. A contrasting ratio bias model—a simple generalization of the classical model that accepts ratio judgments at face value—is also considered, and both models are tested with brightness data. The ratio estimation data lead to the conclusion that the constraints placed on the structure of the data by the classical model are too strong. In terms of goodness-of-fit and certain theoretical criteria, the interval bias model accounts for the ratio estimation data better than the ratio bias model. The interval estimation data are supportive of recent efforts directed toward the development of direct interval scaling theory.
Theory and design of t-error correcting and d(d>t)-unidirectional error detecting (t-EC d-UED) codes

The fundamental theory of t-error correcting and d(d>t)-unidirectional error detecting (t-EC d-UED) codes is given. Many construction methods for t-EC d-UED codes are developed. The encoding/decoding methods for these codes are described. The optimality of these codes is considered.
Group Learning in Participatory Planning Processes: An Exploratory Quasiexperimental Analysis of Local Mitigation Planning in Florida

Scholars have identified group learning as both an outcome of effective participatory planning processes and as the means to achieving agreement on planning outputs and to building constituencies for plan implementation. This article examines the challenges of designing empirical studies of group learning in participatory planning processes that have strong internal and external validity and reports the results of a quasiexperimental analysis of how different degrees of participation increase mutual understanding of planning problems and solutions.
Anaerobic digestion on a diary farm: Overview

Abstract This paper explores the design, implementation and performance of an on-farm plug flow anaerobic digestion system. Capital costs for the digester and justifications for certain design decisions are presented. Seasonal variation in the total and volatile solids concentrations, ammonia and organic nitrogen contents, and pH were documented. Biogas outflow of 400–495 m 3 /day was also documented for an 180-cow herd.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATION:Changing perceptions of oral health and its importance to general health: provider perceptions, public perceptions, policyma ker perceptions

He first ever Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health1 emphasizes that oral health is essential to the general health and well-being of all Americans, and that oral health can be achieved. But it will require that we think about and approach oral health activities in a different manner. If we desire to influence the mind-set of health care providers, the public, policymakers, and institutions, how do we get from what we know about the relationship of oral health and general health to integrating the notion into everyday actions? The Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health has elevated this issue to the forefront of health care and provided us with an extraordinary opportunity. The challenge: Lead with action and catalyze integration into multiple forum-public, private, and professional-and engage in activities that will change how oral health is perceived broadly. Ultimately, geriatric oral health and the health of all access-limited populations should benefit. To continue preserving the oral health of the millions of older individuals who now enjoy it and to ensure it for those who lack it will require change on multiple societal levels: the health care providers, the neighborhood, the community; Federal, state, and local governments; and the nation as a whole. It means addressing and overcoming multiple barriers to oral health care, which may include problems or disparities in: education, economics, the environment, cultural and social issues, and the health care system itself1 To change perceptions, we must remove the barriers to care, educate the stakeholders who can influence or benefit from training programs, conduct broader, population-based research, build public and private partnerships, develop a stronger health care infrastructure, and expand initiatives that target specific risks for declining oral health. In addition to seeking new answers to these problems, it is imperative that we apply what we already know.
Binding of two zinc finger nuclease monomers to two specific sites is required for effective double-strand DNA cleavage.

Custom-designed zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) are becoming powerful tools in gene targeting—the process of replacing a gene within a genome by homologous recombination. Here, we have studied the DNA cleavage by one such ZFN, ΔQNK-FN, in order to gain insight into how ZFNs cleave DNA and how two inverted sites promote double-strand cleavage. DNA cleavage by ΔQNK-FN is greatly facilitated when two ΔQNK-binding sites are close together in an inverted orientation. Substrate cleavage was not first order with respect to the concentration of ΔQNK-FN, indicating that double-strand cleavage requires dimerization of the FokI cleavage domain. Rates of DNA cleavage decrease as the substrate concentrations increase, suggesting that the ΔQNK-FN molecules are effectively “trapped” in a 1:1 complex on DNA when the DNA is in excess. The physical association of two ZFN monomers on DNA was monitored by using the biotin-pull-down assay, which showed that the formation of ΔQNK-FN active complex required both binding of the two ΔQNK-FN molecules to specific DNA sites and divalent metal ions.
The Asymmetric Spatial Distribution of Bacterial Signal Transduction Proteins Coordinates Cell Cycle Events

The polar localization of signaling proteins that are essential for Caulobacter cell cycle control is temporally regulated. Here we provide evidence that phosphorylation of the essential response regulator, DivK, is required for both its function and its cell cycle-regulated localization. The asymmetric location of the DivJ and PleC histidine kinases and their antagonistic activities on the cellular concentration of phosphorylated DivK provide positional and temporal information for the ordered sequence of DivK localization during the cell cycle. DivJ activity on DivK affects its correct localization, which, in turn, is required for PleC function. Since DivJ and PleC regulate different cell cycle events, the interconnected function of these two histidine kinases through localization of a common response regulator provides a mechanism for coordinating cell cycle progression. Study of a DivK homolog in the morphologically symmetric bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti suggests that this type of cell cycle mechanism is widespread in prokaryotes.
Monetary unit sampling: Improving estimation of the total audit error

Abstract In the practice of auditing, for cost concerns, auditors verify only a sample of accounts to estimate the error of the total population of accounts. The most common statistical method to select an audit sample is by monetary unit sampling (MUS). However, common MUS estimation practice does not explicitly recognize the multiple distributions within the population of account errors. This often leads to excessive conservatism in auditors' judgment of population error. In this paper, we review the common MUS estimation practice, and introduce our own method which uses the Zero-Inflation Poisson (ZIP) distribution to consider zero versus non-zero errors explicitly. We argue that our method is better suited to handle the real populations of account errors, and show that our ZIP upper bound is both reliable and efficient for MUS estimation of accounting data.
Analytic Evaluation of Engine NVH Robustness Due to Manufacturing Variations

In an effort to improve quality, shorten engine development times, and reduce costly and time-consuming experimental work, analytic modeling is being used upstream in the product development process to evaluate engine robustness to noise factors. This paper describes a model-based method for evaluating engine NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) robustness due to manufacturing variations for a statistically significant engine population. A brief discussion of the cycle simulation model and its capabilities is included. The methodology consists of Monte Carlo simulations involving several noise factors to obtain the crank-angle resolved response of the combustion process and Fourier analysis of the resulting engine torque. Further analysis of the Fourier results leads to additional insights regarding the relative importance of and sensitivity to the individual noise factors. While the cost and resources required to experimentally evaluate a large engine population can be prohibitive, the analytical modeling proved to be a cost-effective way of analyzing the engine robustness taking into account manufacturing process capability.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Designing game-based learning environments for elementary science education: A narrative-centered learning perspective

Game-based learning environments hold significant promise for STEM education, yet they are enormously complex. Crystal Island: Uncharted Discovery, is a game-based learning environment designed for upper elementary science education that has been under development in our laboratory for the past four years. This article discusses curricular and narrative interaction design requirements, presents the design of the Crystal Island learning environment, and describes its evolution through a series of pilots and field tests. Additionally, a classroom integration study was conducted to initiate a shift towards ecological validity. Results indicated that Crystal Island produced significant learning gains on both science content and problem-solving measures. Importantly, gains were consistent for gender across studies. This finding is key in light of past studies that revealed disproportionate participation by boys within game-based learning environments.
ON THE FREE RIDER IDENTIFICATION PROBLEM

Samuel Bowles and Herbert Gintis have argued that individual-selection accounts of human cooperation flounder in the face of the free-rider identification problem. Kim Sterelny has responded to this line of argument for group selection, arguing that the free-rider identification problem in fact poses no theoretical difficulty for individual-selection accounts. In this article, I set out to clarify Bowles and Gintis’ argument. As I see matters, the real crux of their argument is this: solving the free-rider identification problem, even in modestly sized social groups, requires that group members are disposed to share social information with one another. The difficulty for individual-selection accounts, according to Bowles and Gintis, is that these accounts have no explanation for why individuals should be disposed to behave in this way. Having clarified their argument, I then turn to Sterelny’s criticism, and argue that Sterelny underestimates the challenge being raised by Bowles and Gintis. More specifically, I argue that it is unclear whether the expected benefits of having a disposition to share social information would have outweighed the expected costs for an individual belonging to a Pleistocene social group. Importantly, this is not to say that I am persuaded by Bowles and Gintis’ argument; on the contrary, what I claim is that more theoretical (and in particular) empirical work is necessary before the issues under discussion can be settled. I formulate some specific questions which I think future research in this area should aim to address.
The effects of age, experience and managers upon baseball performance

As workers age, they acquire valuable experience even while their physical abilities eventually decline. Bosses/managers have the potential to alter the complex relationships between experience and declining physical abilities for better, or for worse. We examine the performances of 39,698 Major League baseball players in the 20th century and find that: (1) hitting performance peaks at age 30, base stealing at 27, and pitching at 34; (2) except for pitching, even experienced managers usually have little influence on player performance, or that influence is negative. In general, managers and coaches play limited roles in occupations where natural ability trumps other factors.
Predicted effects of metacarpal shortening on interosseous muscle function

Abstract Purpose Metacarpal fractures are common in hand surgery. Metacarpal shortening ranging from 2 mm to as much as 10 mm has been deemed acceptable in the literature. We examined the effect of metacarpal shortening on interosseous muscle architecture and predicted force production capacity based on the standard muscle length-tension curve (commonly known as the Blix curve ). Methods The dorsal interosseous muscles between the middle and ring finger metacarpals from 9 adult human cadaver hands were exposed and studied. The ring finger metacarpal was translated proximally in 2-mm increments in relation to a stationary middle finger metacarpal. Digital images were obtained and analyzed to define the length and orientation of individual muscle fibers with each incremental change in position. Results Interosseous muscle fiber length increased and pennation angle decreased uniformly with increasing proximal translation of the ring finger metacarpal. At 10 mm of shortening the fiber length had increased to 20.8 ± 1.8 mm, or to approximately 125% of optimum fiber length, and the pennation angle had decreased to 6.7° ± 2.2° or by approximately 50%. Conclusions The interosseous muscles have been shown to have a high fiber-to-muscle length ratio. This ratio indicates that these muscles function optimally over a short range of lengths, leaving them vulnerable to derangement in function owing to alteration in the surrounding bony architecture. Based on the standard muscle length—-tension relationship we had predicted a steady linear decrease in interosseous power with proximal translation of the metacarpal. The results indicate an initial linear progression with a plateau at approximately 8 mm of shortening. At 2 mm of shortening there is an approximately 8% loss of power generation, at 10 mm of metacarpal shortening we predict the interosseous muscle to be capable of only approximately 55% of its optimum power compared with the resting position.
Infection with a periodontal pathogen increases mononuclear cell adhesion to human aortic endothelial cells.

Abstract Background As a link between periodontal infections and an increased risk for vascular disease has been demonstrated, we assessed the ability of the Gram-negative periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis to modulate properties of endothelial cells linked to inflammation and proatherogenic pathways. Methods and results Primary human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) were infected with either P. gingivalis strain 381 or its non-invasive fimbriae-deficient mutant, DPG3, and incubated with U-937 monocytes, or Jurkat T cells. P. gingivalis -infected HAEC demonstrated significantly increased adhesion of immune cells compared to non-infected cells or those infected with DPG3. Heat-killed bacteria had no effect on mononuclear cell adhesion and P. gingivalis LPS had only a minimal effect. P. gingivalis infection significantly increased HAEC expression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and E-selectin, and enhanced production of IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1. Conclusion These data demonstrate that live invasive P. gingivalis 381 elicits a pro-atherogenic response in HAEC.
Echocardiogram Video Summarization

This work aims at developing innovative algorithms and tools for summarizing echocardiogram videos. Specifically, we summarize the digital echocardiogram videos by temporally segmenting them into the constituent views and representing each view by the most informative frame. For the segmentation we take advantage of the well-defined spatio-temporal structure of the echocardiogram videos. Two different criteria are used: presence/absence of color and the shape of the region of interest (ROI) in each frame of the video. The change in the ROI is due to different modes of echocardiograms present in one study. The representative frame is defined to be the frame corresponding to the end-diastole of the heart cycle. To locate the end-diastole we track the ECG of each frame to find the exact time the time-marker on the ECG crosses the peak of the R-wave. The corresponding frame is chosen to be the key-frame. The entire echocardiogram video can be summarized into either a static summary, which is a storyboard type of summary and a dynamic summary, which is a concatenation of the selected segments of the echocardiogram video. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first automated system for summarizing the echocardiogram videos based on visual content.
UARS MLS observations of gravity waves associated with the Arctic winter stratospheric vortex

Passive satellite microwave limb radiances were used to study interactions between gravity waves and stratospheric winds in mid- to high latitude winter. We found that the radiance variances depend significantly on the instrument line-of-sight (LOS) and the background wind. The radiance variances are outstanding at two viewing angles where the LOS is about 30° or 90° from the wind vector. Waves propagating in preferred directions likely cause the two optimal angles observed. The variances at the 90° angle, located inside the polar vortex, seem produced by the gravity waves propagating nearly parallel to the wind direction. The variances at the 30° angle, located near the edge of the vortex, are likely associated with perturbations propagating almost perpendicularly to the wind direction. The variance of both modes increases with the background wind speed, but saturation is observed for the waves inside the vortex as wind speed exceeds about 60m/s. Interestingly, we also found that the temperature co-located with the variance inside the vortex is warmer by 20K at background wind speeds >60m/s, which might be correlated with the wave breaking in the vortex.
Middle–Late Cretaceous climate of the southern high latitudes: Stable isotopic evidence for minimal equator-to-pole thermal gradients

A detailed δ 18 O and δ 13 C stratigraphy has been generated from analysis of well-preserved Albian–early Maastrichtian foraminifera from Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Sites 511 and 327 (Falkland Plateau; ≈58° S–62° S paleolatitude) in the southern South Atlantic, and Cenomanian and Coniacian–Santonian foraminifera from DSDP Site 258 (Naturaliste Plateau; ≈58° S paleolatitude) in the southern Indian Ocean. These results, when combined with previously published Maastrichtian stable isotope data from Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 690 (Weddell Sea, ≈65° S paleolatitude), provide new insight into the climatic and oceanographic history of the southern high latitudes during middle–Late Cretaceous time. The planktonic foraminifer δ 18 O curves reveal a gradual warming of surface waters from the Albian through the Cenomanian followed by extremely warm surface waters from the Turonian through the early Campanian. Long-term cooling of surface waters began in the late early Campanian and continued through the end of the Maastrichtian. The benthic foraminifer δ 18 O record generally parallels changes in the oxygen isotopic curves defined by shallow-dwelling planktonic foraminifera. The vertical oxygen and carbon isotopic gradients were relatively low during the Albian–Cenomanian, high from the Turonian–early Campanian, and then low during the late Campanian and Maastrichtian. Foraminiferal oxygen isotopic data from published sources and this study are averaged for each site, corrected for latitudinal changes in salinity based on modern-day surface-water values, and plotted versus paleolatitude for the late Albian, Coniacian–Santonian, and late Maastrichtian. Differences between lowand high-latitude surface-water paleotemperatures are estimated at ≈14 ° C during the late Albian and late Maastrichtian, but the Coniacian–Santonian reconstruction reveals only a 0–4 ° C latitudinal temperature gradient. Uncertainty regarding Cretaceous salinity gradients and possible diagenetic alteration of δ 18 O values introduce error into our estimates of paleolatitudinal thermal gradients; however, apparent low equator-to-pole temperature differences could indicate much higher poleward heat transport than at present.
The effects of the 1983 El Niño on Oregon's Coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and Chinook (O. tshawytscha) Salmon

Abstract The 1983 El Nino event off the Pacific Coast of North America resulted in increased adult mortality and decreased average size for Oregon's coho and chinook salmon. Actual return of adult coho salmon to the Oregon Production Area in 1983 was only 42% of the pre-season prediction. Coho smolts entering the ocean in the spring of 1983 also survived poorly, resulting in low adult returns again in 1984. Abundance of chinook stocks in southern Oregon was also reduced, as was abundance of Columbia River chinook stocks that show localized ocean distribution. Northerly migrating chinook stocks from the Columbia River showed little or no decline in abundance. The average weight of coho and chinook salmon landed in 1983 by Oregon's commercial troll fishery was the lowest recorded since statistics were first recorded in 1952. Comparison of the length-weight relationship for these fish indicated coho and chinook were in poorer condition in 1983 than in non-El Nino years. Because adult coho salmon returned to hatcheries at a smaller size, the fecundity (eggs per female) in 1983 was reduced from the 1978–1982 average by 24% at coastal hatcheries and by 27% at Columbia River hatcheries. The fecundity of chinook salmon was unchanged at most hatcheries.
Flow-Specific Trends in River-Water Quality Resulting from the Effects of the Clean Air Act in Three Mesoscale, Forested River Basins in the Northeastern United States Through 2002

Two new methods for assessing temporal trends in stream-solute concentrations at specific streamflow ranges were applied to long (40 to 50-year) but sparse (bi-weekly to quarterly sampling) stream-water quality data collected at three forested mesoscale basins along an atmospheric deposition gradient in the northeastern United States (one in north-central Pennsylvania, one in southeastern New York, and one in eastern Maine). The three data sets span the period since the implementation of the Clean Air Act in 1970 and its subsequent amendments. Declining sulfate (O4(2-)) trends since the mid 1960s were identified for all 3 rivers by one or more of the 4 methods of trend detection used. Flow-specific trends were assessed by segmenting the data sets into 3-year and 6-year blocks, then determining concentration-discharge relationships for each block. Declining sulfate (O4(2-)) trends at median flow were similar to trends determined using a Seasonal Kendall Tau test and Sen slope estimator. The trend of declining O4(2-) concentrations differed at high, median and low flow since the mid 1980s at YWC and NR, and at high and low flow at WR, but the trends leveled or reversed at high flow from 1999 through 2002. Trends for the period of record at high flows were similar to medium- and low-flow trends for Ca2++ Mg2+ concentrations at WR, non-significant at YWC, and were more negative at low flow than at high flow at NR; trends in nitrate (NO3-), and alkalinity (ALK) concentrations were different at different flow conditions, and in ways that are consistent with the hydrology and deposition history at each watershed. Quarterly sampling is adequate for assessing average-flow trends in the chemical parameters assessed over long time periods (approximately decades). However, with even a modest effort at sampling a range of flow conditions within each year, trends at specified flows for constituents with strong concentration-discharge relationships can be evaluated and may allow early detection of ecosystem response to climate change and pollution management strategies.
Human immunodeficiency virus testing in patients with invasive cervical carcinoma: a prospective trial of the gynecologic oncology group.

To determine the frequency of positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serostatus among North American women 50 years of age or younger with invasive cervical cancer and to define their tolerance to treatment. Consenting patients with newly diagnosed invasive cervical cancer, age 50 or younger were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The study design anticipated that approximately 3% of patients would be HIV positive. After the accrual of 913 eligible and evaluable patients, interim analysis revealed that only 9/913 (∼1%) patients were HIV seropositive, indicating that it would not be feasible to achieve the study objective. The study was closed to further accrual. Between 1994 and 1997, the frequency of positive HIV serostatus among North American women with newly diagnosed cervical cancer was quite low. As a consequence, no evaluation of response to treatment or treatment tolerance can be made.
Drift sometimes dominates selection, and vice versa: a reply to Clatterbuck, Sober and Lewontin

Clatterbuck et al. (Biol Philos 28: 577–592, 2013) argue that there is no fact of the matter whether selection dominates drift or vice versa in any particular case of evolution. Their reasons are not empirically based; rather, they are purely conceptual. We show that their conceptual presuppositions are unmotivated, unnecessary and overly complex. We also show that their conclusion runs contrary to current biological practice. The solution is to recognize that evolution involves a probabilistic sampling process, and that drift is a deviation from probabilistic expectation. We conclude that conceptually, there are no problems with distinguishing drift from selection, and empirically—as modern science illustrates—when drift does occur, there is a quantifiable fact of the matter to be discovered.
Synthesis and luminescent properties of pentacene derivatives having a chromophore

Abstract We introduced carbazole and fluorene moieties into pentacene compound for comparing optical and EL properties together. The structure was identified by NMR, IR, UV–Visible spectroscopies and FAB-Mass analysis. 6,13-Bis(9,9-diethyl-9 H -fluoren-2-ly)pentacene (DFP) and 6,13-bis(9-ethyl-9 H -carbazol-3-yl)pentacene (ECP) showed similar red PL spectrum pattern and their maximum wavelengths appeared at 627 nm and 633 nm. ITO/m-MTDATA/NPB/Alq 3 :DFP (5%)/LiF/Al device showed red EL spectrum at 636 nm with 0.03 cd/A efficiency. ITO/m-MTDATA/NPB/Alq 3 :ECP (5%)/LiF/Al device also showed similar red EL spectrum at same range and higher efficiency (> 0.21 cd/A) than DFPs. We suppose the dopant EL property of pentacene compound can be changed as the electronic property and steric effect of 6,13-substituted moiety in 6- and 13-positions.
Anion and Cation Mixed-Bed Ion Exchange for Enhanced Multidimensional Separations of Peptides and Phosphopeptides

Shotgun proteomics typically uses multidimensional LC/MS/MS analysis of enzymatically digested proteins, where strong cation-exchange (SCX) and reversed-phase (RP) separations are coupled to increase the separation power and dynamic range of analysis. Here we report an on-line multidimensional LC method using an anion- and cation-exchange mixed bed for the first separation dimension. The mixed-bed ion-exchange resin improved peptide recovery over SCX resins alone and showed better orthogonality to RP separations in two-dimensional separations. The Donnan effect, which was enhanced by the introduction of fixed opposite charges in one column, is proposed as the mechanism responsible for improved peptide recovery by producing higher fluxes of salt cations and lower populations of salt anions proximal to the SCX phase. An increase in orthogonality was achieved by a combination of increased retention for acidic peptides and moderately reduced retention of neutral to basic peptides by the added anion-exchange resin. The combination of these effects led to approximately 100% increase in the number of identified peptides from an analysis of a tryptic digest of a yeast whole cell lysate. The application of the method to phosphopeptide-enriched samples increased by 94% phosphopeptide identifications over SCX alone. The lower pKa of phosphopeptides led to specific enrichment in a single salt step resolving acidic phosphopeptides from other phospho- and non-phosphopeptides. Unlike previous methods that use anion exchange to alter selectivity or enrich phosphopeptides, the proposed format is unique in that it works with typical acidic buffer systems used in electrospray ionization, making it feasible for online multidimensional LC/MS/MS applications.