cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fault creep and microseismicity on the Hayward fault, California: Implications for asperity size

[1] The Hayward fault is documented to undergo significant creep, with some patches accommodating 50% or more of the long-term fault displacement. In spite of this, the fault has also experienced moderate to large earthquakes. By comparing the patterns of microseismicity observed on the fault with models of fault zone creep, we can investigate the long-term displacement/deformation history of the fault in terms of the relative roles of aseismic creep, fault slip accommodated through microseismicity, and strain accumulation (slip deficit). We find that microseismicity on the Hayward fault produces a negligible percentage of the seismic moment dissipated on the fault. Combining seismicity with our fault creep models allows us to calculate the size of asperities on the creeping fault. For small asperities associated with repeating earthquakes on the Hayward fault, the rupture areas of these asperities range from 20 to 60 m2.
Induction of Immunotolerance in Rats by Intratesticular Administration of an Eicosapeptide of Bovine S-Antigen

Immunization of albino LEW rats with a retinal soluble antigen (S-antigen) induces experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) which shows clinical features resembling those of human uveitis. Several uveitogenic epitopes have been identified in the antigen. This study reports that an intratesticular injection of low doses of a uveitogenic eicosapeptide (P343-362) of S-antigen prior to immunization with the same peptide prevented the onset of EAU by inducing systemic tolerance, designated orchidic tolerance. Splenic lymphocytes of both CD4+ and CD8+ subsets from tolerized rats transferred orchidic tolerance to syngeneic recipients and protected them from subsequent EAU induction. Orchidic tolerance elicited by low antigen dosage was mediated, in part, by active suppression due to suppressor or regulatory cells. At high antigen doses, however, regulatory activity was reduced possibly due to the induction of anergy in regulatory cells, and EAU severity increased. The CD4+ regulatory T cells from tolerized rats showed enhanced expression of IL-4 mRNA compared with CD4+ cells from control rats. Increased immunoreactivity for IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-beta was observed in the spleen and lymph nodes of tolerized animals. The results suggest that orchidic tolerance induced by low doses of P343-362 is mediated in part by CD4+ regulatory cells secreting Th2 cytokines.
First demonstration of a novel 2D-waveguiding solar concentrator

The first experimental demonstration results will be presented for a novel, two-dimensional waveguiding solar concentrator consisting of a primary concentrator (a microlens array) and a secondary concentrator (tapered multimode waveguides). The microlens array collects the incident sun light and focuses it onto a turning mirror. The turning mirror couples the light into a tapered multimode waveguide, which alleviates connection, cooling and uniformity issues associated with conventional solar concentrating systems. Therefore, a large area of light can be efficiently concentrated to a small waveguide cross-section and guided to an array of co-located photovoltaic cells with high optical efficiency. To achieve the maximum coupling efficiency of the light to the waveguide, the design of the turning mirror and waveguides are optimized to avoid any inherent decoupling loss in the subsequent waveguide propagation. Experimental results indicate that a 38 mm diameter lens with a multimode waveguide that is 3 mm x 3 mm x 10 cm, using only total internal reflection surfaces, can achieve 126x concentration with 62.8% optical efficiency. We will present details on the experimental device characterization. A critical requirement for this design is maintaining low waveguide propagation losses, which as we demonstrate can be less than 0.1 dB/cm. Considering 100% TIR coupling and the use of antireflection layers, the theoretical efficiency limit for this particular system is ~88%.
An experimental method to study the dynamic tensile failure of brittle geologic materials

Abstract An experimental method was developed to study the tensile failure of brittle geologic materials at strain rates of approximately 10 to 20/s. In these experiments, a cylindrical rod specimen is first loaded in static triaxial compression, then the axial pressure is released from each end simultaneously and very rapidly. The resulting rarefaction waves interact in the center of the rod to produce a dynamic tensile stress equal in magnitude to the original static compression. The pressure acting on the radial surface is approximately constant during the experiment. As an application of this method, several experiments were performed on concrete. Transient measurements were made of the axial load at each end, the confining pressure, and axial and circumferential surface strains at several locations along the length of the rod. Usually a single fracture occurred near the midpoint of the rod. In some experiments multiple fractures occurred. Assuming the peak observed strains in these experiments to be elastic the unconfined tensile strength of the concrete at a strain rate of 10 to 20/s was, on average, approximately 40% higher than the static splitting tensile strength. At the same strain rate, the tensile strength with 10 MPa confining pressure averaged approximately 100% higher than the static splitting tensile strength and 40% higher than the unconfined tensile strength at 10 to 20/s. Nonlinear analyses indicate that these estimates are reasonable, but that in general the assumption of elastic response is not valid. To match the measured strain histories with calculations requires that the rod be modeled inelastically.
Optimal control of force microscope cantilevers. II. Magnetic coupling implementation

We describe the implementation of optimal controllers for damping the motion of cantilevers used in magnetic resonance force microscopy. We demonstrate that optimal control is achievable and that torsional magnetic coupling provides an effective actuation method. Cantilever Brownian vibrational amplitude was reduced from 2 to 0.16 A and resonant quality was reduced from 2000 to 5. Applied control fields were sufficiently small that they would not affect magnetic resonance phenomena.
Degree of structural balance and group effectiveness

Abstract The degree of structural balance, β(S), of groups was experimentally manipulated; β(S) = 1.00 and β(S) = .62. Groups in each β(S) condition solved 10 problems in a totally connected communication network. The data showed, as expected by the theory of balance, that group tension was inversely related to β(S), and, as predicted, group effectiveness was directly related to β(S) (p = .07, 1-tail test). The weak relationship between β(S) and group effectiveness may be due to the small, but significant differences in tension. Since the predicted relationship between β(S) and group effectiveness is predicted on differences in tension, the groups were divided into high- and low-tension groups, irrespective of β(S), to determine if group tension is inversely related to group effectiveness. This analysis produced the expected inverse relationship between group tension and effectiveness p
Comparison of ultraviolet light-induced skin carcinogenesis and ornithine decarboxylase activity in sencar and hairless SKH-1 mice fed a constant level of dietary lipid varying in corn and coconut oil

To investigate the effect of various levels of corn oil and coconut oil on ultraviolet (UV) light-induced skin tumorigenesis and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity, Sencar and SKH-1 mice were fed one of three 15% (weight) fat semipurified diets containing three ratios of corn oil to coconut oil: 1.0%:14.0%, 7.9%:7.1%, and 15.0%:0.0% in Diets A, B, and C, respectively. Groups of 30 Sencar and SKH-1 mice were fed one of the diets for three weeks before UV irradiation; then both strains were UV irradiated with an initial dose of 90 mJ/cm2. The dose was given three times a week and increased 25% each week. For Sencar mice (irradiated 33 wks for a total dose of 48 J/cm2), tumor incidence reached a maximum of 60%, 60%, and 53% for Diets A, B, and C, respectively, with an overall average of one to two tumors per tumor-bearing animal. For the SKH-1 mice (irradiated 29 wks for a total dose of 18 J/cm2), all diet groups reached 100% incidence by 29 weeks, with approximately 12 tumors per tumor-bearing mouse. No significant effect of dietary corn oil/coconut oil was found for tumor latency, incidence, or yield in either strain. The effect of increasing corn oil on epidermal ODC activity in chronically UV-irradiated Sencar and SKH-1 mice was assessed. Three groups of mice from each strain were fed one of the experimental diets and UV irradiated for six weeks. Sencar mice showed no increase in ODC activity until six weeks of treatment, when the levels of ODC activity in the UV-irradiated mice fed Diet A were significantly higher than those in mice fed Diet B or Diet C: 1.27, 0.55, and 0.52 nmol/mg protein/hr, respectively. In the SKH-1 mice, ODC activity was increased by the first week of UV treatment, and by three weeks of treatment a dietary effect was observed; ODC activity was significantly higher in mice fed Diet C (0.70 nmol/mg protein/hr) than in mice fed Diet A (0.18 nmol/mg protein/hr). Although there was no significant effect of dietary corn oil/coconut oil on UV-induced tumor incidence, the data indicate that chronically UV-irradiated hairless SKH-1 mice are more susceptible to UV-induced skin carcinogenesis than Sencar mice and that this susceptibility is correlated with increased in ODC activity, a parameter of cell proliferation.
Comparative Dynamics of Leucine Methyl Groups in FMOC-Leucine and in a Protein Hydrophobic Core Probed by Solid-State Deuteron Nuclear Magnetic Resonance over 7−324 K Temperature Range

Quantitative dynamics of methyl groups in 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl-leucine (FMOC-leu) have been analyzed and compared with earlier studies of methyl dynamics in chicken villin headpiece subdomain protein (HP36) labeled at L69, a key hydrophobic core position. A combination of deuteron solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance experiments over the temperature range of 7-324 K and computational modeling indicated that while the two compounds show the same modes of motions, there are marked differences in the best-fit parameters of these motions. One of the main results is that the crossover observed in the dynamics of the methyl groups in the HP36 sample at 170 K is absent in FMOC-leu. A second crossover at around 95-88 K is present in both samples. The differences in the behavior of the two compounds suggest that some of the features of methyl dynamics reflect the complexity of the protein hydrophobic core and are not determined solely by local interactions.
Cytotoxic chalcones and antioxidants from the fruits of Syzygium samarangense (Wax Jambu)

Abstract Bioassay-guided fractionation of the methanolic extracts of the pulp and seeds of the fruits of Syzygium samarangense (Blume) Merr. and L.M. Perry led to the identification of four cytotoxic compounds and eight antioxidants on the basis of HPLC-PDA analysis, MS, and various NMR spectroscopic techniques. Three C -methylated chalcones, 2′,4′-dihydroxy-3′,5′-dimethyl-6′-methoxychalcone ( 1 ), 2′,4′-dihydroxy-3′-methyl-6′-methoxychalcone (stercurensin, 2 ), and 2′,4′-dihydroxy-6′-methoxychalcone (cardamonin, 3 ), were isolated and displayed cytotoxic activity (IC 50 = 10, 35, and 35 μM, respectively) against the SW-480 human colon cancer cell line. Also a number of known antioxidants were obtained including six quercetin glycosides: reynoutrin ( 4 ), hyperin ( 5 ), myricitrin ( 6 ), quercitrin ( 7 ), quercetin ( 9 ), and guaijaverin ( 10 ), one flavanone: ( S )-pinocembrin ( 8 ), and two phenolic acids: gallic acid ( 11 ) and ellagic acid ( 12 ).
Is the ‘buying winners and selling losers’ trading strategy profitable in the New Economy?

Using recent US financial market data, this study tested whether relative strength trading strategy was profitable in two different sample periods (1990 to 2012 and 1965 to 2012). In contrast to the previous findings, our study finds no clear evidence for profitable zero-cost buy and hold strategy for 3- to 12-month periods for the period 1990 to 2012. However, we find few profitable zero-cost strategy for the period 1965 to 2012, but the returns are much smaller than previously reported. These findings may imply gain in market efficiency in the US financial markets in recent period.
Organization citizenship behaviour: an examination of the influence of the workplace

Observes that a recent focus of organization behaviour and management theory has been on desirable, yet informal organization behaviours. Explains that this behaviour is called organization citizenship, or the “good soldier syndrome” and, although the definition of organization citizenship is debated, most definitions of being a “good soldier” include prosocial behaviours, helping others, innovating, volunteering and the lack of undesirable behaviour. Seeks to advance the theory of organizational citizenship by examining the relationship between organization citizenship and the environment in which that citizenship behaviour is manifested: the research issue is ‐ are people who perceive their work environments positively good citizens, or is good citizenship an individual phenomenon, which will be present in any work environment?
RP-30A: New tracer for detection of changes in testicular blood flow in rat torsion model

RP-30A is a radioactive tracer being evaluated for the detection of regional myocardial blood flow. This study compares RP-30A to technetium 99m pertechnetate as radioactive tracers for the detection of testicular blood flow changes in early testicular torsion. The left testis of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats was subjected to either thirty or sixty minutes of 720 degrees torsion. Injections of RP-30A or 99mTc-pertechnetate followed by sacrifice and scintillation counting of the testes was performed. No significant difference was detected between the torted testes and the right control testes in both groups receiving 99mTc-pertechnetate and the thirty-minute group receiving RP-30A. The torted testes of the sixty-minute group receiving RP-30A revealed a significant difference (decrease) in uptake indicating that RP-30A may be a more sensitive tracer in detecting testicular blood flow changes in early testicular torsion.
Combined influence of physical activity and television viewing on the risk of overweight in US youth.

Combined influence of physical activity and television viewing on the risk of overweight in US youth
Separation and modulation of calcium currents in bullfrog sympathetic neurons.

The calcium current of frog sympathetic neurons has relatively rapid activation kinetics (tau 1 s, consistent with recent evidence that N-type channels do not always inactivate rapidly. The calcium current is partially inhibited via receptors for acetylcholine, luteinizing hormone releasing hormone, substance P, ATP, and norepinephrine. These effects are mimicked by internal dialysis with GTP-gamma-S, suggesting involvement of a G protein. The transmitters affect the activation kinetics of the calcium current in a voltage-dependent manner, which can be modeled as a reversible shift of some channels to "reluctant" states in which strong depolarization is needed to produce channel opening. The effects of transmitters develop and recover with t1/2 approximately 1-2 s, so if a second messenger is involved in receptor-calcium channel coupling, it must act rapidly.
Comment on M. Dove's Review of The Asiatic Mode of Production

Martin, M. Kay 1974 The Foraging Adaptation. Cummings Module in Anthropology No. 11741. Menlo Park, Calif.: Cummings. Sahlins, Marshall 1976 The Use and Abuse of Biology. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press. Schneider, David 1968 American Kinship. Englewood Cliffs, N. J.: Prentice-Hall. Schneider, David, and K. Gough, eds. 1961 Matrilineal Kinship. Berkeley: University of California Press. Sherman, Paul W. 1977 Nepotism and the Evolution of Alarm Calls. Science 197:1,246-1,253. van den Berghe, Pierre L. 1979a Human Family Systems. New York: American Elsevier (in press). 1979b Incest and Exogamy. Unpublished
Glucagon, a useful adjunct in anastomosis with a stapling device

Spasm of the proximal sigmoid colon has been a major hindrance in the use of the EEA stapler in low anterior resections. Intravenous glucagon, by causing rapid relaxation and hypotonicity of the sigmoid colon, appears to help correct this problem and allows for a safer and more atraumatic anastomosis.
Botulinum Toxin Physiology in Focal Hand and Cranial Dystonia

The safety and efficacy of botulinum toxin for the treatment of focal hand and cranial dystonias are well-established. Studies of these adult-onset focal dystonias reveal both shared features, such as the dystonic phenotype of muscle hyperactivity and overflow muscle contraction and divergent features, such as task specificity in focal hand dystonia which is not a common feature of cranial dystonia. The physiologic effects of botulinum toxin in these 2 disorders also show both similarities and differences. This paper compares and contrasts the physiology of focal hand and cranial dystonias and of botulinum toxin in the management of these disorders.
International Trading of Emissions Rights: Pricing under Accountability and Uncertainty

The purpose of this analysis is to explore a firm's demand for uncertain pollution emissions under agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol, which allow for emissions permit trading among parties. This article extends the literature with the development of a generalized penalty structure that can be implemented by the overseers of such agreements. This includes market-based modifications to the Kyoto Protocol, which has not been adopted by the United States, and which will expire soon. The countries' demand or supply of emissions rights is derived as based on profit maximization that utilizes an opportunity cost function. The parties' emission decision rules are shown to depend on the policy parameter values chosen as well as the probability distribution of observable emissions.
A functional imaging investigation of moral deliberation and moral intuition

Prior functional imaging studies of moral processing have utilized ‘explicit’ moral tasks that involve moral deliberation (e.g., reading statements such as ‘he shot the victim’ and rating the moral appropriateness of the behavior) or ‘implicit’ moral tasks that involve moral intuition (e.g., reading similar statements and memorizing them for a test but not rating their moral appropriateness). Although the neural mechanisms underlying moral deliberation and moral intuition may differ, these have not been directly compared. Studies using explicit moral tasks have reported increased activity in several regions, most consistently the medial prefrontal cortex and temporo-parietal junction. In the few studies that have utilized implicit moral tasks, medial prefrontal activity has been less consistent, suggesting the medial prefrontal cortex is more critical for moral deliberation than moral intuition. Thus, we hypothesized that medial prefrontal activity would be increased during an explicit, but not an implicit, moral task. Participants (n = 28) were scanned using fMRI while viewing 50 unpleasant pictures, half of which depicted moral violations. Half of the participants rated pictures on moral violation severity (explicit task) while the other half indicated whether pictures occurred indoors or outdoors (implicit task). As predicted, participants performing the explicit, but not the implicit, task showed increased ventromedial prefrontal activity while viewing moral pictures. Both groups showed increased temporo-parietal junction activity while viewing moral pictures. These results suggest that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex may contribute more to moral deliberation than moral intuition, whereas the temporo-parietal junction may contribute more to moral intuition than moral deliberation.
Matrix representation of the Haseman-Elston method.

Abstract The Hasemann–Elston method of linkage detection is based on the probabilities of a sib pair having 0, 1, or 2 alleles identical by descent (IBD) at a marker and a trait locus. These probabilities form a 3×3 matrix. Here, the characteristic values and characteristic vectors of this matrix were used to clarify the structure of the equations and to simplify calculations. As examples, the regression coefficients were derived for three genetic systems: a trait and a marker, two epistatic traits and two markers, and one trait locus and two markers. The last model was studied under the assumption of no crossover interference, the expression for allele IBD sharing at a trait locus was derived as a function of allele IBD sharing at two marker loci, and the regression is shown to be non-linear.
A poisson convergence theorem for a particle system with dependent constant velocities

Abstract Consider an infinite collection of particles travelling in d -dimensional Euclidean space and let X n denote the initial position of the n th particle. Assume that the n th particle has through all time the random velocity V n and that { V n } is a sequence of dependent random variables. Let X n ( t ) = X n + V n t denote the position of the n th particle at time t . Conditions are obtained for the convergence of { X n ( t )} to a Poisson process as t →∞. Essentially they require that the dependence in the V n -sequence decrease with increasing distance between the initial positions and that the conditional distribution of V n given the initial positions of all the particles and V n k ≠ n be absolutely continuous with respect to Lebesgue measure.
Comment: Bayesian Inference: The Rodney Dangerfield of Statistics?

All statisticians agree that Bayes’ Theorem is the ideal way to approach statistical inference if those involved can reach agreement on the prior and likelihood. Most statisticians are open to some...
Assessment of Safety/Risk vs. Public Health Concerns: Aflatoxins and Hepatocarcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma, (HCC) is a serious health problem. It is prevalent in certain parts of the world where food contamination with aflatoxin is common. Aflatoxin, especially AFB1, has been shown to induce HCC in many species of laboratory and wild animals, including subhuman primates. Carcinogenesis studies have demonstrated that AFB1 is a potent genotoxic carcinogen. After bioactivation it may covalently bind with protein and with DNA. The former reaction is positively correlated with AFB1 exposure, and the latter signifies initiation of the carcinogenesis process. With these biomarkers, epidemiological studies have amply demonstrated the etiological role of aflatoxin in HCC. However, hepatitis B virus also contributes to the development of HCC. Risks and VSD (virtual safe dose) have been estimated from animal and epidemiological studies. These estimates further confirm that AFB1 is a potent carcinogen. Furthermore, the effects of AFB1 exposure and hepatitis B are synergistic. Some preventive measures, such as lowering the contamination level of AFB1 in food and appropriate vaccination programs, have been implemented in many parts of the world. Chemopreventive agents. which may abolish or reduce the effects of AFB1 are being tested for their effectiveness.
Electrophysiological studies of learning in split brain cats

Summary 1. In four cats the optic chiasma, corpus callosum and hippocampal commissure were divided stereotaxically. The electrical activity of the brain, heart and flexor muscles of the responding right forelimb was studied during instrumental avoidance conditioning and differentiation of the left half of the “split brain”. Transfer of the conditioned response to the right half was then aseessed and the full development of the conditioned response and differentiation on that side were studied. The conditioned stimulus (CS) was a 5 sec train of light flashes at 5.5/sec. The unconditioned stimulus was a 2 sec train of shocks at the same frequency to the right forepaw. The differential stimulus was a 5 sec train of light flashes at 10/sec. 2. In three cats there was no transfer of the somatic or autonomic components of the conditioned response. Acquisition of the conditioned response and its differentiation had the same characteristics and time course when the second half of the brain was trained. 3. At the beginning of conditioning of the left hemisphere the CS evoked visual potentials in visual cortex, lateral geniculate body and colliculus superior of that hemisphere only and in reticular formation (thalamic and mesencephalic) on the left side. There were no responses in motor, somato-sensory and auditory cortex of the left hemisphere, or in the right hemisphere. However, when the CS gained significance it evoked conditioned rhythmic activity in the motor cortex on both sides, mainly the left. 4. During subsequent conditioning of the right hemisphere the CS evoked visual responses in the right visual system, in both motor cortices and to some extent on both sides in the mesencephalic and thalamic reticular formation, mainly on the right. 5. During differentiation the 10/sec light flashes evoked, in the hemisphere being trained, the conditioned somatic and electrical response characterized by 5.5 c/sec potentials. This undifferentiated response lasted longer than in intact cats, indicating the role of corpus callosum in the formation of the finer neuronal processes such as inhibition. 6. During the formation of the conditioned response, rhythmic activity at the frequency of the CS appeared spontaneously in the hemisphere being trained. The significance of this activity in relation to known features of the conditioning process is assessed. 7. In one cat with a midline thalamic lesion the conditioned response could not be established and the spontaneous activity described above (6) was not seen.
The effect of polyinosinic: Polycytidylic acid on fluorescent and neutralizing antibodies to herpesvirus saimiri in goats

Goats are the best species so far tested for the preparation of fluorescent and neutralizing antibodies to Herpesvirus saimiri. Fluorescent antibodies to Herpesvirus saimiri seem to be different to neutralizing antibodies and polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid (poly I: C) may be of value in separating these two activities. Primary response fluorescent antibodies stained infected monolayers in a characteristic pattern, which is different from that of secondary response antibodies. The immunological and epidemiological implications of this are discussed. L'effet de L'acide Polyinosinique: Polycytidylique sur les Anticorps Neutralisants et Fluorescents du Virus Herpetzque Saimirz Chez les Chevres Les chevres sont jusqu' a present les meilleurs animaux d'experience pour la preparation des anticorps ncutralisants et fluorescents du virus herpetique saimiri. Les anticorps fluorescents du virus herpetique saimiri semblent differer des anticorps neutralisants et l'acide polyinosinique: polycytidylique (Poly I: C) peut avoir une certaine utilite pour separer ces deux activites. Les anticorps fluorescents de la premiere reaction colorent les couches monocellu-laires infectees d'une facon caracteristique, qui differe de celle des anticorps de la seconde reaction. Les auteurs examinent les implications immunologiques et epidemio-logiques de ce phenomene.
Antimicrobial therapy in the immunocompromised host

Diminished host defenses lead to an increased risk of infection with common pathogens, as well as unique susceptibility to microorganisms that ordinarily are not pathogenic for the immunocompetent host. Infections caused by microorganisms that are not usually pathogenic are referred to as opportunistic infections. The susceptibility to opportunistic infections and the increased incidence and severity of familiar infectious diseases in the immunocompromised host occasionally necessitate departure from traditional antimicrobial management of infectious diseases. The objective of this article is to advance a set of principles and a standard approach for the antimicrobial management of immunocompromised children. In addition, brief reviews of current antimicrobial therapy for the immunodeficiencies more commonly encountered, such as neutropenia, are provided.
Some hereditary properties of WT-systems

Abstract Let U be the WT-space spanned by a WT-system { u o ,…, u n −1 } on ( a , b ). A function ƒ is generalized convex with respect to { u o ,…, u n −1 } if either ƒ ϵ U or {u o ,…, u n−1 , ƒ} is a WT-system. We identity two rather general conditions (“connectedness” and “joinedness”) that, when satisfied by U , guarantee the transmittal of certain properties enjoyed by the elements of U to such an ƒ. We characterize WT-spaces that satisfy these conditions and provide equivalent formulations. Various examples are given and applications to spline functions are considered. The main results are as follows: If U is connected then vanishing points of U are zeros of ƒ. If U ⊂ C ( a , b ) is connected and joined (i.e., “perfect”) then ƒ ϵ C(a, b) . If U ′, the space of derivatives, is a WT-subspace of C ( a , b ) then ƒ ϵ C 1 (a, b) provided U ′ is perfect or U and U ′ are joined. If U ⊂ C ( a , b ) is perfect then the convergence of a sequence {ƒ k } of generalized convex functions to ƒ ϵ C(a, b) with respect to a fairly inclusive class of seminorms implies its uniform convergence on compact subsets of ( a , b ). If U and U ′ are perfect and continuous then this result extends to the sequence of derivatives {ƒ′ k } as well.
The least concave majorant of the empirical distribution function

The author compares two estimators of a continuous, concave distribution function having support on the positive half line. In terms of samples from uniform distributions, he gives stochastic bounds for the pointwise and sup-norm differences between the least concave majorant of the empirical distribution function and the underlying distribution function. He also offers evidence demonstrating the almost paradoxical result that the empirical distribution function is not as good an estimator as its least concave majorant in terms of sup-norm error but a better pointwise estimator of the true distribution function in terms of mean squared error. Le plus petit majorant concave de la fonction de repartition experimentale L'auteur compare deux estimateurs d'une fonction de repartition continue et concave a support sur les reels positifs. En termes d'echantillons de lois uniformes, il donne des bornes stochastiques pour la difference ponctuelle et en norme-sup entre le plus petit majorant concave de la fonction de repartition experimentale et la fonction de repartition sous-jacente. II illustre aussi de facon concrete le resultat quasi-paradoxal a l'effet que la fonction de repartition experimentale est un moins bon estimateur en norme-sup que son plus petit majorant concave, mais un meilleur estimateur ponctuel que celui-ci au plan de l'erreur quadratique moyenne.
Automated light‐scattering apparatus for studying polymer films

The design and operation of an automated light-scattering apparatus for studying structures in polymer films are described. The apparatus has angular resolution of 0.02 and 1.0° in radial and azimuthal angles, respectively. The radial scan can be made over the range of 0.5 (or less) to 90° and the azimuthal scan covers 180°. Time resolution is in the order of milliseconds. The operation, data collection, and reduction are fully automatic. Illustrative data on the crystallization of a low density polyethylene are described.
A force and torque tensegrity sensor

Tensegrity structures represent a special class of flexible structures, whose members can simultaneously perform the functions of strength, sensing, actuating, and feedback control. In this article we show how these structures intrinsic properties can be exploited to construct a smart sensor for simultaneous measurement of six different quantities: three orthogonal forces and three orthogonal torques. The static and dynamic characteristics of the sensor are computed and the influence of friction and prestress upon these characteristics is analyzed. An optimal estimator design is presented and its performance is evaluated through numerical simulations. These simulations indicate that the tensegrity sensor is capable of simultaneously providing correct estimates of the six quantities of interest.
Cytogenetic studies of endometrial malignancies.

Abstract Thirty cases of endometrial malignancy were successfully studied cytogenetically. Twenty-four of the cases were endometrial adenocarcinomas. Twenty-three of these were stage I tumors, and the twenty-fourth was a stage IV tumor. Fourteen of the stage I adenocarcinomas had abnormal chromosomes, and nine had apparently normal chromosomes. No two tumors had an identical chromosomal rearrangement. Trisomy 1q was common however; 10 of the 14 tumors with abnormal chromosomes had a chromosome 1 abnormality. Clinical and pathologic data were available for 17 of these patients. There appeared to be no relationship between prognostic indicators and the tumor karyotype except for uterine size. Six cases of endometrial malignant mixed mullerian tumor (MMMT) of the homologous type were also analyzed cytogenetically. Three of these tumors had very abnormal karyotypes, and the remaining three had apparently normal chromosomes. Structural abnormalities of chromosome 1, 3, and 5 were present in all three tumors with abnormal karyotypes, but identical breakpoints or rearrangements were not observed.
Trait anxiety and mood state responses to overtraining in men and women college swimmers.

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of trait anxiety and gender on mood state responses of college swimmers during overtraining and taper. College swimmers completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory at the beginning of the competitive season (baseline) and were categorized as low trait anxious (35 men; 23 women) and high trait anxious (35 men; 23 women). Each swimmer completed the Profile of Mood States at baseline, peak training, and after tapering near the end of the competitive season. Overtraining was associated with mood disturbance, and the taper was associated with improved mood in low and high trait anxious swimmers. However, low trait anxious swimmers reported greater increased mood disturbance during overtraining. Women reported higher trait anxiety than men, but men and women typically responded to overtraining and the taper in a similar manner. Contrary to expectations, low trait anxious swimmers experienced larger changes in mood states during overtraining.
Prognostic Indicators in the Initial Presentation of Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia

We prospectively evaluated 150 consecutive patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) as their sole initial manifestation of AIDS (group 1). Admission laboratory and radiographic criteria were analyzed for diagnostic and prognostic indicators and compared with those of patients presenting with non-PCP pulmonary manifestations of AIDS (group 2). Mean admission serum LDH level was 465 ±67 IU/L in PCP patients (group 1) and 211 ±28 IU/L in group 2 (p 2 gradient was 42 ±6 vs 55 ±6 mm Hg (p 2 gradients have diagnostic and prognostic implications in patients with AIDS-related PCP.
Comprehensive simultaneous shipboard and airborne characterization of exhaust from a modern container ship at sea.

We report the first joint shipboard and airborne study focused on the chemical composition and water-uptake behavior of particulate ship emissions. The study focuses on emissions from the main propulsion engine of a Post-Panamax class container ship cruising off the central coast of California and burning heavy fuel oil. Shipboard sampling included micro-orifice uniform deposit impactors (MOUDI) with subsequent off-line analysis, whereas airborne measurements involved a number of real-time analyzers to characterize the plume aerosol, aged from a few seconds to over an hour. The mass ratio of particulate organic carbon to sulfate at the base of the ship stack was 0.23 ± 0.03, and increased to 0.30 ± 0.01 in the airborne exhaust plume, with the additional organic mass in the airborne plume being concentrated largely in particles below 100 nm in diameter. The organic to sulfate mass ratio in the exhaust aerosol remained constant during the first hour of plume dilution into the marine boundary layer. The mass spectrum of the organic fraction of the exhaust aerosol strongly resembles that of emissions from other diesel sources and appears to be predominantly hydrocarbon-like organic (HOA) material. Background aerosol which, based on air mass back trajectories, probably consisted of aged ship emissions and marine aerosol, contained a lower organic mass fraction than the fresh plume and had a much more oxidized organic component. A volume-weighted mixing rule is able to accurately predict hygroscopic growth factors in the background aerosol but measured and calculated growth factors do not agree for aerosols in the ship exhaust plume. Calculated CCN concentrations, at supersaturations ranging from 0.1 to 0.33%, agree well with measurements in the ship-exhaust plume. Using size-resolved chemical composition instead of bulk submicrometer composition has little effect on the predicted CCN concentrations because the cutoff diameter for CCN activation is larger than the diameter where the mass fraction of organic aerosol begins to increase significantly. The particle number emission factor estimated from this study is 1.3 × 10^(16) (kg fuel)^(−1), with less than 1/10 of the particles having diameters above 100 nm; 24% of particles (>10 nm in diameter) activate into cloud droplets at 0.3% supersaturation.
Limiting Cytoplasmic Components Couple Spindle Size to Cell Size during Embryogenesis

The size and shape of cells can vary substantially throughout development, influencing the assembly and function of their internal structures in ways that remain largely unknown. For example, rapid and reductive cell divisions during embryogenesis require that the size of the mitotic spindle scale with cell size to assure accurate chromosome segregation during each division. Although this parallel scaling of spindle size with cell size is known to occur in developing embryos of Xenopus laevis and other organisms, the mechanism by which it is achieved - whether through a developmental program or through direct sensitivity to cell size - remains unknown. To test these models of spindle size regulation, we developed a system to encapsulate cytoplasm from Xenopus eggs and embryos inside cell-like compartments of defined sizes. We find that spindle size decreases with decreasing compartment size, consistent with spindle scaling measured in vivo during early embryogenesis, and that this scaling trend depends on compartment volume rather than shape. This intrinsic sensitivity to compartment volume suggests that limitations in cytoplasmic components during the assembly process may lead to the formation of smaller spindles. To understand this observation quantitatively, we developed a mathematical model to describe how spindle size becomes coupled to cell volume through a cytoplasmic pool of molecules involved in spindle assembly. Combining this model with immunofluorescence imaging of Xenopus embryos at different developmental stages, we have identified tubulin - the major structural subunit of the mitotic spindle - as one molecule that either directly or indirectly constrains spindle size as compartment volume is reduced. This encapsulation-based experimental approach and quantitative model provide insight into how cellular structures manage to function robustly despite the substantial variations in cell size that occur in many biological contexts.
Contesting world views: Dreams among the Huron and Jesuits

During the second quarter of the 17th-century, Jesuits and Hurons engaged in a debate over the importance and centrality of dreams. From the Jesuits' perspective, dreams were peripheral and often opposed to Christian theology. For the Huron, dreams were a central feature of their religious practice and a primary source of both personal knowledge and social empowerment. Contrasting these two understandings of dreaming, this essay explores the little understood religious nature of dreams in Huron religious culture.
Compliance and noncompliance in anxious, aggressive, and socially competent children: The impact of the child's game on child and maternal behavior

The present study examined the impact of the Child's Game parenting intervention ( Forehand & McMahon, 1981 ; McMahon & Forehand, 2003 ) on child compliance, noncompliance, and aversive behavior in 3 groups of 20 nonreferred preschool children identified as high on dimensions of anxiety/withdrawal, anger/aggression, or social competence. The impact of the intervention on subtypes of compliance and noncompliance and on maternal behavior was also investigated. Child behavior was assessed using the command task, a structured observational procedure, at both pretest and posttest. Pretest and posttest (1 week later) maternal behavior was evaluated during a free-play period. Pretest group differences were evident in both maternal and child behavior. Pretest-posttest changes were observed in child behavior such that anxious/withdrawn and angry/aggressive children generally showed increases in compliance and decreases in noncompliance and aversive behavior while socially competent children showed no improvement on most behavioral measures. Pretest-posttest changes on subtypes of compliance and noncompliance were also evident and moderated by group membership.
Effect of Roof Surface Type on Storm-Water Runoff from Full-Scale Roofs in a Temperate Climate

Roof surfaces represent a significant portion of the impervious area associated with urban development. Storm-water runoff from those surfaces causes stream degradation in receiving waters attributable to excess volume of water runoff. This paper investigates the influence of roof surface type on storm-water runoff and specifically considers the benefits of a vegetated roof, or green roof, as a storm-water best management practice (BMP). Runoff data were collected over a 6-month period from three full-scale roofs, which were retrofitted with flow meters and automated water-quality samplers. The roof surfaces included an asphalt roof (for control purposes), a vegetated extensive green roof, and a stone ballasted roof. Both the green roof and stone roof were effective at reducing runoff volume and attenuating peak discharge, with the green roof being more efficient for rainfall events less than 2.54 cm. Overall, the green roof retained 68.25% of rainfall volume and reduced peak discharge by an average of 88...
FLUORESCENCE AND ELECTROGENERATED CHEMILUMINESCENCE STUDIES OF SEVERAL DIMETHYL-SUBSTITUTED BENZO[a]PYRENES

— Absorption spectra, molar absorptivities, fluorescence spectra and fluorescence quantum yields of five dimethylbenzo[a]pyrenes (DMBP) in benzene solutions at room temperature are reported. Electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ecl) spectra and the relative eel intensities of these compounds to that of 9,10-diphenylanthracene in the 1:1 acetonitrile-benzene mixed solvent with tetra-n-butyl-ammonium perchlorate as a supporting electrolyte are also reported. Both fluorescence quantum yield and ecl intensity studies show that the vicinal dimethyl substitution lowers the fluorescence and eel efficiency, and this effect is more pronounced in a compound whose K-region is blocked. The compounds in which the L-region is blocked showed much higher fluorescence and eel efficiency. The fluorescence of DMBP molecules is quenched by the donor molecule, tri-p-tolylamine with a diffusion controlled rate to form an emitting exciplex. The cation radical of TPTA and the radical anion of the DMBPs are shown to form an exciplex efficiently by the eel experiments. Both quenching and eel results indicate that all DMBPs studied here are good acceptors.
Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery: Freakish or Inevitable? Analysis from Medical Marketing, Bioethics, and Feminist Theory:

Female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS) refers to new treatment/enhancement technologies that have engendered much controversy. Examining FGCS through the lenses of bioethics, feminist theory and medical marketing situates it within makeover culture and deregulatory politics, and links it to feminist debates about making choices within constrained contexts. This article points out numerous analogies between the creation of FGCS and the new sexuality pharmaceuticals, and shows the relevance of the New View Campaign's analysis for this new domain.
Rapid targeted mutational analysis of human tumours: a clinical platform to guide personalized cancer medicine

Targeted cancer therapy requires the rapid and accurate identification of genetic abnormalities predictive of therapeutic response. We sought to develop a high-throughput genotyping platform that would allow prospective patient selection to the best available therapies, and that could readily and inexpensively be adopted by most clinical laboratories. We developed a highly sensitive multiplexed clinical assay that performs very well with nucleic acid derived from formalin fixation and paraffin embedding (FFPE) tissue, and tests for 120 previously described mutations in 13 cancer genes. Genetic profiling of 250 primary tumours was consistent with the documented oncogene mutational spectrum and identified rare events in some cancer types. The assay is currently being used for clinical testing of tumour samples and contributing to cancer patient management. This work therefore establishes a platform for real-time targeted genotyping that can be widely adopted. We expect that efforts like this one will play an increasingly important role in cancer management.
Biomedical image segmentation using multiscale orientation fields

An algorithm for labeling image regions based on pixel-level statistical pattern recognition is presented. The structure of multiscale regions about each pixel is measured by means of isotropic Gaussian filters and by a multiscale orientation field. A redundant feature space representing several aspects of image structure across scale, orientation, and space is created. The segmentation algorithm decides membership of pixels in regions by means of simple statistical pattern recognition methods, such as distance measurement and thresholding. Feature vectors are examined locally to determine region membership; the features incorporate multiscale image structure information. Results of multiscale image segmentations on biomedical images are presented. >
Estimating the relative contributions of virulence factors for pathogenic microbes

Many pathogenic microbes have multiple virulence factors that can cause damage to the host and thus contribute to an overall virulence phenotype for that organism. Although current techniques are suitable for demonstrating that a particular microbial characteristic contributes to virulence, no formal approach for defining the relative contributions of multiple virulence factors to overall virulence has been proposed. This paper describes the use of multivariate linear regression to estimate the relative contributions of virulence factors to the overall phenomenon of virulence. The approach is illustrated here with sample calculations of the relative contributions of individual Cryptococcus neoformans and Bacillus anthracis virulence factors to the overall virulence phenotype. These calculations were derived from a small underpowered experimental data set for the fungus and two larger sets of randomly generated data for both microbes. The major limitation of this method is a requirement for large data sets of microbial strains that differ in virulence and virulence factor expression. Multivariate linear regression can be used to identify the relative levels of importance of virulence factors in virulence studies, and this information can be used to prioritize antigen identification for vaccine development and the design of antimicrobial strategies that target virulence mechanisms.