cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the fidelity of downscaled climate data on simulated wheat and maize production in the southeastern US

Crop models are one of the most commonly used tools to assess the impact of climate variability and change on crop production. However, before the impact of projected climate changes on crop production can be addressed, a necessary first step is the assessment of the inherent uncertainty and limitations of the forcing data used in these crop models. In this paper, we evaluate the simulated crop production using separate crop models for maize (summer crop) and wheat (winter crop) over six different locations in the Southeastern United States forced with multiple sources of actual and simulated weather data. The paper compares the crop production simulated by a crop model for maize and wheat during a historical period, using daily weather data from three sources: station observations, dynamically downscaled global reanalysis, and dynamically downscaled historical climate model simulations from two global circulation models (GCMs). The same regional climate model is used to downscale the global reanalysis and both global circulation models’ historical simulation. The average simulated yield derived from bias-corrected downscaled reanalysis or bias-corrected downscaled GCMs were, in most cases, not statistically different from observations. Statistical differences of the average yields, generated from observed or downscaled GCM weather, were found in some locations under rainfed and irrigated scenarios, and more frequently in winter (wheat) than in summer (maize). The inter-annual variance of simulated crop yield using GCM downscaled data was frequently overestimated, especially in summer. An analysis of the bias-corrected climate data showed that despite the agreement between the modeled and the observed means of temperatures, solar radiation, and precipitation, their intra-seasonal variances were often significantly different from observations. Therefore, due to this high intra-seasonal variability, a cautious approach is required when using climate model data for historical yield analysis and future climate change impact assessments.
The Metabolic Basis of the Increase in Energy Expenditure in Severely Burned Patients

Background: Severe burn trauma is characterized by an elevated rate of whole-body energy expenditure. Approach: In this short review, we have attempted to assess the metabolic characteristics of and basis for the persistent increase in energy expenditure during the flow phase of the injury. We consider some aspects of normal energy metabolism, including the contribution of the major adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-consuming reactions to the standard or basal metabolic rate. Rate estimates are compiled from the literature for a number of these reactions in healthy adults and burned patients, and the values are related to the increased rates of whole-body energy expenditure with burn injury. Results: Whole-body protein synthesis, gluconeogene sis, urea production, and substrate cycles (total fatty acid and glycolytic-gluconeogenic) account for approximately 22% 11%, 3%, 17%, and 4%, respectively, of the burn-induced increase in total energy expenditure. Conclusions: These ATP consuming reactions, therefore, se...
United States hydrogen consumption trends through the year 2000

Abstract Although hydrogen may become a primary energy fuel in the twenty-first century, American private industry for the near term will only consume hydrogen as a chemical feedstock. Updated economic forecasts now predict the United States will consume approximately 1.48–2.13 quadrillion Btu of hydrogen in the year 2000. Petroleum refining, ammonia, and methanol synthesis will continue as the dominant hydrogen end-uses. We categorize six major hydrogen end-uses and predict a range, based on different petroleum price scenarios, for each category's near-term hydrogen consumption. Through to the year 2000, only the National Aeronautics and Space Administration will use fuel hydrogen.
Comparison of muon-pair production to the quark-antiquark annihilation model

New data on muon-pair production at 225 GeV/c by ..pi../sup -/, ..pi../sup +/, and proton beams are analyzed with regard to the production mechanism. The observed spin alignment of the pair and the dependence of the cross section on beam-particle type are strong indications that the production is through electromagnetic quark-antiquark annihilation.
Impact of deforestation on regional surface temperatures and moisture in the Maya lowlands of Guatemala

[1] The Peten basin of Guatemala is a region in Mesoamerica experiencing extensive deforestation. Twelve 30 × 30 km2 forested, deforested and partially deforested habitats are selected to compare changes in surface temperature, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and soil moisture parameters derived from MODIS satellite data during the dry and wet seasons from 2000 to 2008. During the wet season surface temperatures, soil moisture, and NDVI values have similar values in forested and deforested regions. During the dry season, deforested regions tend to be 4–8°C warmer than nearby forested regions, along with significantly lower values of NDVI and soil moisture. From 2000 to 2008, the partially deforested regions became progressively warmer during the dry season, and both NDVI and soil moisture values approached those of the deforested regions. A supervised classification revealed that three partially deforested regions contained 17.7%, 12.9% and 13.4% forests in 2000, decreasing to 2.9%, 8.3% and 4.7%, respectively, in 2008. Overall, partially forested regions in the Peten region decreased in forest cover by 9.3% from 2000 to 2008, while there has been a 0.33% per year deforestation rate over the entire Peten basin.
Metals in marine sediments near a large California municipal outfall

Abstract Elevated concentrations of trace metals in surficial sediments off Palos Verdes Peninsula, site of the Los Angeles County outfall system, clearly reflect the submarine discharge of treated municipal (domestic and industrial) wastewater. The following contamination factors (median outfall/median baseline) were obtained for the eight metals measured in a 45 km 2 region of the outfall monitoring zone: Ag-27; Cd-36; Cr-12; Cu-20; Hg-23; Ni-5.4; Pb-17; Zn-7.7.
Optimizing parallel belief propagation in junction treesusing regression

The junction tree approach, with applications in artificial intelligence, computer vision, machine learning, and statistics, is often used for computing posterior distributions in probabilistic graphical models. One of the key challenges associated with junction trees is computational, and several parallel computing technologies - including many-core processors - have been investigated to meet this challenge. Many-core processors (including GPUs) are now programmable, unfortunately their complexities make it hard to manually tune their parameters in order to optimize software performance. In this paper, we investigate a machine learning approach to minimize the execution time of parallel junction tree algorithms implemented on a GPU. By carefully allocating a GPU's threads to different parallel computing opportunities in a junction tree, and treating this thread allocation problem as a machine learning problem, we find in experiments that regression - specifically support vector regression - can substantially outperform manual optimization.
Necrostatin-1 attenuates mitochondrial dysfunction in neurons and astrocytes following neonatal hypoxia-ischemia.

Receptor interacting protein (RIP)-1 kinase activity mediates a novel pathway that signals for regulated necrosis, a form of cell death prominent in traumatic and ischemic brain injury. Recently, we showed that an allosteric inhibitor of RIP-1 kinase activity, necrostatin-1 (Nec-1), provides neuroprotection in the forebrain following neonatal hypoxia–ischemia (HI). Because Nec-1 also prevents early oxidative injury, we hypothesized that mechanisms involved in this neuroprotection may involve preservation of mitochondrial function and prevention of secondary energy failure. Therefore, our objective was to determine if Nec-1 treatment following neonatal HI attenuates oxidative stress and mitochondrial injury. Postnatal day (p) 7 mice exposed to HI were injected intracerebroventricularly with 0.1 μL (80 μmol) of Nec-1 or vehicle. Nec-1 treatment prevented nitric oxide (NO•), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and 3-nitrotyrosine increase, and attenuated glutathione oxidation that was found in vehicle-treated mice at 3 h following HI. Similarly, Nec-1 following HI prevented: (i) up-regulation of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and BCL2/adenovirus E1B 19 kDa protein-interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) expression, (ii) decline in mitochondrial complex-I activity, (iii) decrease in ATP levels, and (iv) mitochondrial structural pathology in astrocytes and in neurons. Up-regulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) following HI was also prevented by Nec-1 treatment. No differences by gender were observed. We conclude that Nec-1 immediately after HI, is strongly mitoprotective and prevents secondary energy failure by blocking early NO• accumulation, glutathione oxidation and attenuating mitochondrial dysfunction.
Body size and vigilance mediate asymmetric interference competition for food in fish larvae.

Interference competition for food is difficult to measure because feeding rates altered by behavioral interactions of competitors are confounded by exploitative competition, the depletion of food over time. We quantified the magnitude of interference competition between individuals using a combination of experiments and computer simulations, which allowed us to remove the effect of exploitative competition. We used this approach to test the hypothesis that interference competition reduces feeding rates of young red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) and that the magnitude of interference competition is related to phenotypic traits, such as the sizes of competitors and behavioral interactions between them. In laboratory experiments, we measured prey consumption and behavioral interactions between 2 fish of different sizes (7- to 25-mm standard length). We used computer simulations to remove the effects of exploitative competition and found that prey consumed by focal individuals decreased in the presence of competitors due to interference competition and that the decrease was stronger when focal individuals were smaller than competitors and when the competing individuals were generally larger. We also found greater impairment of prey consumption by focal individuals when they were more vigilant (more reactive) to the presence of competitors. A better understanding of the magnitude of asymmetry in interference competition has important implications for understanding population dynamics, spatial distribution, and reproductive strategies of many organisms. This is the first study to quantify the asymmetry in interference competition when prey density changes over time. Key words: aggression, body size, exploitative competition, interference competition, red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus, vigilance. [Behav Ecol]
Metabolism and disposition of 1,4,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo p-dioxin in rats

Abstract Metabolism studies of 1,4,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo p -dioxin (TCDD), a relatively nontoxic dioxin congener, were undertaken to gain a better understanding of mammalian metabolism of dioxins without the problems associated with the use of the most toxic congener, 2,3,7,8-TCDD. 14 C-1,4,7,8-TCDD was dosed to conventional and bile-cannulated rats at a level of 8 mg/kg. The 14 C was excreted almost entirely in 72 hours with the major routes of excretion feces and bile. Metabolites were identified from the feces, bile, and urine by GC-MS or negative ion FAB MS and 1 H NMR. The two major fecal metabolites were hydroxylated tetra- and triCDDs. Glucuronide and sulfate conjugates of these hydroxyl metabolites were found in the urine and bile. Minor metabolites included dichlorocatechol, dihydroxylated tetra- and triCDDs, and conjugates of these compounds.
Group intelligence: Why some groups are better than others

Abstract We investigated how subjects performed alone and in groups on two written problems. We evaluated the relationship between cognitive and social-cognitive characteristics of group members—estimated both through written tests and videotape ratings—and group performance. We found that group products were of significantly higher quality than individual products. We also found that both cognitive and social-cognitive characteristics were related to group performance, and that videotape-derived estimates of these characteristics predicted group performance about as well as written measures. We present a method for conceptualizing and modeling group performance, and describe why we believe an integrative, multi-variable approach permits a richer understanding of group interaction.
Palytoxin: membrane mechanisms of action.

Abstract Palytoxin is a marine toxin originally isolated from the zoantharians of the genus Palythoa , but now is found in marine organisms ranging from dinoflagellates to fishes. With a MW of 2680, it is one of the largest nonpolymeric natural products ever found. Its complex structure has been elucidated and total synthesis has been achieved. With an LD 50 of 25 ng/kg for rabbits (the most sensitive species), it is one of the most lethal marine toxins. It binds to the Na,K-ATPase specifically with a K D of 20 pM. It has a unique action on the Na,K-ATPase, converting the pump into an ion channel and resulting in K + efflux, Na + influx and membrane depolarization. As a result palytoxin causes a wide spectrum of secondary pharmacological actions. By acting like a key to unlock the internal structure of the Na,K-ATPase, palytoxin holds promise as a useful tool for investigation of the pump molecule.
In situ Raman spectroscopic studies of electrochemical intercalation in LixMn2O4-based cathodes

Raman spectra of spinel LixMn2O4 (x=1.0 and 1.1) were recorded in situ during electrochemical intercalation of lithium ions. We demonstrate that phases and structural modifications in these compounds can be identified using Raman spectroscopy. In stoichiometric LiMn2O4, Raman spectral results indicated that a single-phase reaction is followed by a two-phase reaction and then by another single phase reaction when lithium is deintercalated from the spinel compound (0.1<x<1.0). In nonstoichiometric LixMn2O4 (x=1.1), Raman spectra clearly identify the presence of the λ-MnO2 phase in the cathode during charge and discharge. When spinel LiMn2O4 was intercalated with lithium ions, the in situ Raman spectral changes were consistent with a two-phase reaction between cubic LiMn2O4 and tetragonal Li2Mn2O4.
Do white-tailed deer and the exotic plant garlic mustard interact to affect the growth and persistence of native forest plants?

Abstract Herbivores and invasive plants strongly affect the persistence of individual species and the overall composition of forest plant communities. Although their impacts are usually studied separately, they often co-occur with potential synergistic effects on native plants. We used a 2 × 2 experimental design replicated across five locations in southern Wisconsin to assess the separate and combined effects of herbivory by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and competition from the weedy invader Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) on five native species. Deer and Alliaria often reduce the growth and survival of native plants in these forests. A fenced exclosure erected at each site surrounded one of two pairs of adjacent plots densely occupied by Alliaria. We cleared one plot (in- and outside each exclosure) of Alliaria and then planted seedlings of the native species into all four plots. Species were chosen to display different functional traits (Aster lateriflorus/Symphyotrichum lateriflorum, Carex blanda, Geranium maculatum, Quercus rubra, and Uvularia grandiflora). We then monitored native seedling growth and survival for 13 months. Deer access depressed survival and branching in Uvularia, growth in Geranium and Quercus, and tillering in Carex. The presence of Alliaria reduced height and tillering in Carex and Geranium but increased branching, reproduction, and survival in Uvularia. Thus, Alliaria may sometimes act to protect taxa like Uvularia sensitive to deer herbivory. Alliaria reduced the growth of Carex, Geranium, and Quercus significantly more in the absence of deer. Such interactive effects suggest that when deer do not restrict growth, plants grow larger to a point where Alliaria’s competitive effects increase. The impacts of both deer and Alliaria varied by species and trait. Species experiencing regional declines (e.g., oak seedlings and the lily, Uvularia) were more affected by deer than by Alliaria. Oak seedlings suffer particularly from Alliaria competition when deer are absent. Managers seeking to sustain deer-sensitive species should first work to reduce deer densities before seeking to control weedy plant invasions. Alliaria reduced growth more in species that tolerate deer browsing (Carex and Geranium). These differential responses argue for tailoring local deer and weedy plant control efforts to the taxa of concern. Deer and weedy plants have cumulative effects on native plant species. Interactions between their effects will become more important as their populations and impacts increase.
The Low Linolenic Acid Soybean Line PI 361088B Contains a Novel GmFAD3A Mutation

Characterization of genetic mutations at the molecular level allows for the development of perfect genetic markers and rapid assays to detect those markers, which enables breeders to directly select for desired alleles and accelerate the breeding process. The objectives of this study were to identify genetic lesions found in the GmFAD3A gene in the low linolenic acid soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] line PI 361088B, which contains a fan allele, and to develop rapid molecular marker assays that distinguish between the wild-type and PI 361088B alleles. The entire genomic sequence of the GmFAD3A gene was determined for PI 361088B. Two thymine nucleotides are inserted into a run of four thymines from nucleotide position 307 to 310 of the GmFAD3A coding sequence, resulting in a frameshift and the introduction of a premature stop codon at nucleotide 328. Two molecular marker assays were developed that rely on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifi cation of the region of interest followed by restriction endonuclease digestion and agarose gel electrophoresis or melting curve analysis. A third assay is an allele-specifi c PCR-based assay that does not require any endonuclease step and requires only melting curve analysis. In conclusion, the low linolenic acid soybean line PI 361088B contains a coding mutation in GmFAD3A; this allele can easily be distinguished from the corresponding wild-type allele using any of three rapid molecular marker assays that were developed. USDA-ARS, Plant Genetics Research Unit, 110 Waters Hall, Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211. Mention of a trademark, vendor, or proprietary product does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the USDA and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products or vendors that may also be suitable. Received 11 Dec. 2006. *Corresponding author (bilyeuk@missouri.edu).
Ceylon Spinach (Basella rubra)

Although many pot-herbs can be cultivated in the tropies and subtropies, especially in areas with cool, dry seasons, true spinach often performls poorly in such regions because of insect pests and temperatures that are generally too high. One of the most vigorously growing and widely adapted substitutes is Ceylon spinach or Malabar nightshade. Ceylon spinach, Basella rutbra L. (B. alba L.), belongs to the family Basellaceae. Formerly it was included in the Chenopodiaceae, which includes true spinach (Spin-acia oleracea L.) and other pot-herbs. It is widely distributed in the tropics and often is cultivated in warm temperate areas of both the Eastern and Western Heiimispheres. It is usually considered native of southern Asia. The plant is an annual or biennial, climbing herb, usually with alternate, entire leaves that vary in size, shape and color according to the variety. The small, bisexual flowers are white, red or violet in simple axillary or terniinal compound spikes. Only one species is listed by Bailey (1), but it includes several variations that once were named as species. Basella alba, with white flowers, and B. cordifolia, with heart-shaped leaves are the excluded names most often encountered in horticultural literature. A cultivar with variegated foliage is nlentioned for use as an ornamental. A closely related plant perhaps more familiar to many is the Madeira or Mignonette Vine, Anredera cordiifolia (Ten.) Steen. (Botissingaultia baselloides auct. non HBK.). This tender, herbaceous perennial is cultivated for its masses of fragrant flowers produced in late summer and fall. Writing before 1899, Watt (20) states that Ceylon spinach is cultivated in almost every part of India, especially in lower Bengal and Assam, where it is an important
Oviposition by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus: Influence of Congeners and of Oviposition Site Characteristics

We investigated the oviposition behavior of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. In particular we examined whether small-scale site characteristics and the presence of conspecifics or congeners altered oviposition by these mosquitoes. Various combinations of females of the two species were allowed to oviposit inside cages among either vegetation (potted plants) or structural components (wood and concrete blocks). Numbers of eggs deposited per female were compared between species, sides, and treatments. Most significant differences between treatments and species involved differences between single species and mixed species treatments. Ae. aegypti deposited more eggs/female in the vegetation side than in the structure side whereas the opposite pattern was evident for Ae. albopictus. Ae. aegypti females had higher frequency of skip oviposition than Ae. albopictus. An average of 63% of the containers in the two-species treatments contained eggs of both species, with more frequent joint occurrences observed in the treatment with three females of each species than in the treatments with one of each. Our results point to the existence of various interactions between gravid Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus females at or near the oviposition sites but further experimental work is necessary to fully characterize the interactions and their specific mechanisms.
Applications of integral equations to the solution of nonlinear electric circuit problems

This paper presents a mathematical technique useful in the solution of certain nonlinear electrical and mechanical problems of practical importance. The mathematical procedure involves the formulation of the problem in terms of nonlinear integral equations, and, by its use, practical results may be obtained in many cases where the approximate solution of the integral equation may be effected by the assistance of the Laplace transform theory. No attempt is made to present a general theory, but instead the general method is illustrated by applying it to the solution of typical problems of technical importance such as the analysis of electric circuits with nonlinear resistance, nonlinear inductance, nonlinear capacitance, and to the steady-state solution of van der Pol's equation.
β-Endorphin: Structure-activity relationships in the guinea pig ileum and opiate receptor binding assays

Abstract The opiate activities of some derivatives and enzymatic digests of camel and human β-endorphin were determined in the guinea pig ileum and rat brain opiate receptor binding assays. Derivatives of β-endorphins altered within the amino-terminal five residues showed pronounced losses in activity. Anisylation of the C-terminal glutamic acid residue of βh-endorphin produced only small reductions in activity. Chymotryptic digestion greatly weakened the opiate activities of βh-endorphin, whereas carboxypeptidase A, tryptic and leucine aminopeptidase digests showed only small losses in potency. The C-terminus of β-endorphin appears to contribute little directly to opiate activity. Amino acid analysis and assay of the leucine aminopeptidase digests suggest that the larger potency of β-endorphin relative to Met-enkephalin may be a consequence of its greater resistance to exopeptidase attack.
Transforming clinical practice to eliminate racial-ethnic disparities in healthcare

Racial–ethnic minorities receive lower quality and intensity of health care compared with whites across a wide range of preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic services and disease entities. These disparities in health care contribute to continuing racial–ethnic disparities in the burden of illness and death. Several national medical organizations and the Institute of Medicine have issued position papers and recommendations for the elimination of health care disparities. However, physicians in practice are often at a loss for how to translate these principles and recommendations into specific interventions in their own clinical practices. This paper serves as a blueprint for translating principles for the elimination of racial–ethnic disparities in health care into specific actions that are relevant for individual clinical practices. We describe what is known about reducing racial–ethnic disparities in clinical practice and make recommendations for how clinician leaders can apply this evidence to transform their own practices.
Contemporary perceptions of nine decades of depopulation in New Bedford, Massachusetts

Economic decline associated with the Rustbelt's shift away from manufacturing hit many places hard, but few saw the kind of wholesale shift in its physical form as New Bedford, Massachusetts. This article asks what physical changes occurred during the city's sharp decline in population from 1920 to 2010, and how residents, community leaders and government officials perceive the problems and opportunities generated by this decline. This article begins to offer an answer through a spatial analysis of historic Sanborn maps, Geographic Information System (GIS) data and photographic evidence to examine how building location, density and form have changed over the last half-century of depopulation, coupled with interviews of residents, community leaders and government officials.
Hall magnetohydrodynamics near an X-type magnetic neutral line

Hall magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) near a two-dimensional (2D) X-type magnetic neutral line is considered. The Hall effects are shown to be able to sustain the hyperbolicity of the magnetic field (and hence a more open X-point configuration) near the neutral line in the steady state. This result is predicated on considering the steady Hall MHD state as the temporal asymptotic limit of the corresponding time-dependent problem. For the time-dependent Hall MHD problem, the Hall effects are shown to have a negligible impact on the current-sheet formation process near the X-type magnetic neutral line at short times but, subsequently, to quench the finite-time singularity exhibited in ideal MHD and, hence to prevent the plasma collapse, in consistency with the sustenance of the hyperbolicity of the magnetic field in the corresponding steady problem.
Probabilistic predictions of landslide tsunamis off Southern California

Abstract A review of tsunamis during the 1990s reveals about 30% of maximum runup peaks probably involved tsunamigenic mass failure. Submarine mass failure includes underwater slides, underwater slumps, and reef failures, most often triggered by a nearby earthquake. Earthquakes above magnitude 7 are believed to be accompanied by thousands of mass failure events, although most of these will not be tsunamigenic. A geological context derived from marine surveys is needed to identify prospective mass failures and to predict their size and location. Probabilistic, or Monte Carlo, calculations of underwater slides and slumps off Southern California yield probability distributions of mass failure sizes. Tsunami amplitude is estimated from accurate curve fits of numerical simulations of mass failure events. About 26–33% of all earthquakes trigger landslide tsunamis that locally surpass the earthquake tsunami in amplitude. A finite probability exists for mass failures to generate tsunamis with amplitudes in excess of 10 m. The probabilities of nearshore and offshore earthquakes can be converted directly into tsunami hazards from submarine mass failure. Indicators of prospective tsunamigenic landslides such as sedimentation rate or liquid limit improve our ability to predict future events and to assess their impact on coastal populations and development.
The association of depression and perceptions of interpersonal relationships in patients with diabetes

Abstract Objective Using an instrument assessing interpersonal relationships in patients with diabetes, we hypothesized that a change in depression would be associated with a change in patients' perceptions of themselves and others in relationships. Methods Instruments assessing attachment, depression, and demographics were administered twice to 367 patients with diabetes in an HMO primary care setting, 10 months apart. We assessed change in capacity to rely on others (model of other) and to feel worthy of attention (model of self) according to depression change categories (unchanged, decreased, and increased depression). Results The degree to which patients reported being able to rely on others increased with a reduction in depressive symptoms ( P =.02). The degree to which patients endorsed a sense that they were not worthy of attention in relationships increased with an increase in depressive symptoms ( P =.02). Conclusion A change in depressive symptoms is associated with a change in perception of interpersonal relationships in patients with diabetes.
Evolutionary perspectives on learning: conceptual and methodological issues in the study of adaptive specializations

Inquiry into evolutionary adaptations has flourished since the modern synthesis of evolutionary biology. Comparative methods, genetic techniques, and various experimental and modeling approaches are used to test adaptive hypotheses. In psychology, the concept of adaptation is broadly applied and is central to comparative psychology and cognition. The concept of an adaptive specialization of learning is a proposed account for exceptions to general learning processes, as seen in studies of Pavlovian conditioning of taste aversions, sexual responses, and fear. The evidence generally consists of selective associations forming between biologically relevant conditioned and unconditioned stimuli, with conditioned responses differing in magnitude, persistence, or other measures relative to non-biologically relevant stimuli. Selective associations for biologically relevant stimuli may suggest adaptive specializations of learning, but do not necessarily confirm adaptive hypotheses as conceived of in evolutionary biology. Exceptions to general learning processes do not necessarily default to an adaptive specialization explanation, even if experimental results “make biological sense”. This paper examines the degree to which hypotheses of adaptive specializations of learning in sexual and fear response systems have been tested using methodologies developed in evolutionary biology (e.g., comparative methods, quantitative and molecular genetics, survival experiments). A broader aim is to offer perspectives from evolutionary biology for testing adaptive hypotheses in psychological science.
Unilateral retinal hemorrhages in documented cases of child abuse

Abstract PURPOSE: To describe the occurrence of unilateral retinal hemorrhages in four cases of documented child abuse, including a case in which retinal hemorrhages were an incidental finding on routine examination. METHODS: Case reports. RESULTS: Three children, 5 to 17 months of age, with suspected child abuse had fundus examinations with a dilated pupil as part of their evaluation. An additional child, 6 months of age, received fundus examination with a dilated pupil as part of follow-up for regressed retinopathy of prematurity. Each of the four children had extensive retinal or preretinal hemorrhages in one eye only. Three of the four had ecchymoses on the ipsilateral face or neck. Two had evidence of bone fractures on skeletal surveys. All four had neuroimaging that documented cerebral hemorrhage or infarct. In all four cases an adult caretaker admitted shaking, choking, or squeezing the child. One child died. Two had resolution of retinal hemorrhage, whereas one required vitrectomy. All three had at least partial recovery of vision in the affected eye after amblyopia treatment. CONCLUSION: In cases of documented child abuse, unilateral retinal or preretinal hemorrhages may be present. Ophthalmologists should recognize that unilateral retinal or preretinal hemorrhages may be associated with child abuse.
“Bread of the Dungheap”: Light on Num. 21:5 from the Tell Fekherye Inscription

The discrete narrative unit in Numbers 21:4-9 contains two interpretive problems. One of these has long been recognized: the phrase in v. 5 contains the hapax form . The various interpretations proposed for this phrase are surveyed, and the interpretation “with this dungheap bread” is suggested, based on a curse formula found in the Tell Fekherye inscription. A second problem, related to the first, is the unclear nature of the rhetorical goals of the narrative unit. The specific complaint of the people in v. 5 is unclear, as is the connection between it and the divine punishment in vv. 6-9. Interpreting as “with this dungheap bread” shows that YHWH’s reliability to protect and provide for Israel in the wilderness is the key issue in question in Num. 21:4-9. This passage is closely related to Num. 20:1-13 and to Deut. 8:15-16a.
Continuous Lake-Sediment Records of Glaciation in the Sierra Nevada between 52,600 and 12,50014C yr B.P

The chemistry of the carbonate-free clay-size fraction of Owens Lake sediments supports the use of total organic carbon and magnetic susceptibility as indicators of stadial–interstadial oscillations. Owens Lake records of total organic carbon, magnetic susceptibility, and chemical composition of the carbonate-free, clay-size fraction indicate that Tioga glaciation began ∼24,500 and ended by ∼13,60014C yr B.P. Many of the components of glacial rock flour (e.g., TiO2, MnO, BaO) found in Owens Lake sediments achieved maximum values during the Tioga glaciation when valley glaciers reached their greatest extent. Total organic carbon and SiO2(amorphous) concentrations reached minimum values during Tioga glaciation, resulting from decreases in productivity that accompanied the introduction of rock flour into the surface waters of Owens Lake. At least 20 stadial–interstadial oscillations occurred in the Sierra Nevada between 52,600 and 14,00014C yr B.P. Total organic carbon data from a Pyramid Lake sediment core also indicate oscillations in glacier activity between >39,500 and ∼13,60014C yr B.P. Alpine glacier oscillations occurred on a frequency of ≤1900 yr in both basins, suggesting that millennial-scale oscillations occurred in California and Nevada during most of the past 52,600 yr.
Electroencephalogram spectral edge frequency, lower esophageal contractility, and autonomic responsiveness during general anesthesia.

Both the electroencephalogram (EEG) spectral edge frequency (SEF) and lower esophageal contractility (LEC) indices have been reported to be useful indicators of anesthetic depth. We designed a prospective study to evaluate the relationship between changes in these two variables and objective measurements of physiologic responsiveness to surgical stress (i.e., changes in hemodynamic variables and plasma levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine, total catecholamines, and vasopressin). Eighty-nine consenting adult males undergoing radical prostatectomy procedures under a standardized general anesthetic technique were studied according to a randomized, single-blinded protocol. General anesthesia was induced with 30 µg/kg intravenous (IV) alfentanil, 2.5 mg/kg IV thiopental, and 0.1 mg/kg IV vecuronium, and subsequently maintained with 0.5 µg/kg/min alfentanil, nitrous oxide (N2O) 67% in oxygen, and 0.8 µg/kg/min vecuronium. Following retropubic dissection, 81 patients (92%) manifested acute hypertensive responses, with mean arterial pressure increasing from 90±14 to 122±14 mm Hg (mean ± SD). This acute hypertensive response was treated with one of three different treatment modalities (20 to 60 µg/kg IV alfentanil, 0.5 to 2.0% inspired isoflurane, or 0.05 to 0.15 mg/kg IV trimethaphan) to return the mean arterial pressure to within 10% of the preincisional (baseline) value within 5 to 10 minutes. Although the mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and plasma levels of catecholamines and vasopressin significantly increased following the surgical stimulus, and decreased after adjunctive therapy, the EEG-SEF and LEC index (LECI) values did not significantly change during these study intervals. Furthermore, using a logistic regression analysis, we observed that preincision EEG-SEF and LECI values could not predict whether patients would manifest a hypertensive response. Therefore, the EEG-SEF and LECI were unreliable indicators of anesthetic depth.
A Modified Direct-Decoupling Method for Multivariable Control System Designs

A design method, which decouples an interactive system by using a compensator obtained from the plant inverse matrix, which is often called the direct-decoupling method is modified in this paper. The modified direct-decoupling method uses the adjoint matrix instead of the inverse of the plant matrix to construct the compensator. The method uses a frequency-domain model-reduction method to simplify the degree of the given plant transfer function matrix and the obtained compensator. For an open-loop stable multivariable system, the proposed method gives a simple, practical, and realizable controller without using an unstable pole-zero cancellation approach.
Carrageenan analysis of tissue cultures and whole plants of Agardhiella subulata

For the past several years, our laboratory has been involved in developing basic protoplast and tissue culture techniques for carrageenan- and agar-producing seaweeds which can potentially be used for strain improvement. Both types of techniques offer new opportunities for genetic improvement in seaweeds not available using classical plant breeding methods (Cheney, 1986). While protoplast and tissue culture techniques are well developed and widely applied to higher plants today for crop improvement, their application to seaweeds is just beginning.
Conspicuous spatial frequency features in mammograms using a mixed-effects model

We derive a general random-effects model to study the differences in spatial frequency features across class-type (true positive (TP) or true negative (TN) or False Positive (FP)), a sample of 40 mammogram cases, and 9 readers. We derive a measure of feature conspicuity or salience using visually inspired spatial frequency filters and mammogram regions of interest derived from eye-position data. Repeated-measures ANOVA is performed on the salient features obtained from all cases. We hypothesize that statistically significant differences in the average salience measure (D-score) are seen across both class-types and cases. We believe this to be useful for determining the similarity between images in training and testing sets used in CADx algorithm development or for a priori determination of test set difficulty. Further, we hypothesize that our salience measure is useful for distinguishing the spatial frequency bands most relied upon to distinguish true negative and true positive responses. This is useful in discerning the "bottoms-up" cues used to direct the point of gaze during mammogram inspection. These results indicate that our salience measure is useful as an indicator of image similarity and for separating TP & TN regions of interest.
Temporal behavior of the SO 1.707 μm ro-vibronic emission band in Io's atmosphere

Abstract We report observations of the ro-vibronic a 1 Δ → X 3 Σ − transition of SO at 1.707 μm on Io. These data were taken while Io was eclipsed by Jupiter, on four nights between July 2000 and March 2003. We analyze these results in conjunction with a previously published night to investigate the temporal behavior of these emissions. The observations were all conducted using the near-infrared spectrometer NIRSPEC on the W.M. Keck II telescope. The integrated emitted intensity for this band varies from 0.8 × 10 27 to 2.4 × 10 27 photons / s , with a possible link to variations in Loki's infrared brightness. The band-shapes imply rotational temperatures of 550–1000 K for the emitting gas, lending further evidence to a volcanic origin for sulfur monoxide. An attempt to detect the B 1 Σ → X 3 Σ − transition of SO at 0.97 μm was unsuccessful; simultaneous detection with the 1.707 μm band would permit determination of the SO column abundance.
Survey research and racially charged elections: The case of David Duke in Louisiana

Accuracy in measuring vote intention has become a particular problem in elections involving candidates who take “conservative” positions on racial issues and who emphasize these issues in their campaigns. Consistent understatement of support for such candidates in preelection polls would seem to indicate a reluctance on the part of some survey respondents to honestly express their vote intention, perhaps due to the fear that their intended action might be interpreted as an expression of racism. This research, which utilizes surveys conducted during the 1991 Louisiana governor's election in which David Duke was prominently featured, attempts to develop more accurate alternative measures of support for racially conservative candidates. The findings indicate that more accurate and valid vote intention measures can be constructed through the use of candidate image variables. The findings also call into question the practice of attempting to develop more accurate measures of vote intention through simple reallocation of undecided voters based solely on race.
Active Power Optimization Considering both Generation Cost and Network Loss

In order to improve the calculation efficiency, active power and reactive power are usually optimized separately in optimal power flow considering the decoupling characteristic. However, this would decrease the economy performance of power system. This paper proposed a weighting factor to formulate a multi-objective model, combining the generation cost and system network loss together. The optimization problem is performed using genetic algorithms and quadratic programming respectively. Finally, the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed model are verified with the IEEE 14 Bus test system.
Childhood healthcare experience, healthcare attitudes, and optimism as predictors of adolescents' healthcare behavior.

Late adolescence and early adulthood is a time when people establish many of their life-style behaviors. Thus, in order to promote optimal health, it is important to identify factors predictive of young adults’ healthcare behavior. This study evaluated the relationship between measures of childhood healthcare experience, healthcare attitudes, and optimism with young adults’ healthcare behavior in a sample of college students (n = 100). Results suggested that prior healthcare experience, attitudes about healthcare, and optimism are associated with current healthcare behavior. In addition, the relation between childhood healthcare experience and current healthcare behavior was moderated by optimism, such that those who reported both more negative childhood healthcare experiences and low levels of optimism reported the least adaptive healthcare behaviors and those who reported the most positive childhood healthcare experience and the highest levels of optimism reported the most adaptive healthcare behavior.
Design and Control Considerations for High-Performance Series Elastic Actuators

This paper discusses design and control of a prismatic series elastic actuator with high mechanical power output in a small and lightweight form factor. A design is introduced that pushes the performance boundary of electric series elastic actuators by using high motor voltage coupled with an efficient drivetrain to enable large continuous actuator force while retaining speed. Compact size is achieved through the use of a novel piston-style ball screw support mechanism and a concentric compliant element. Generic models for two common series elastic actuator configurations are introduced and compared. These models are then used to develop controllers for force and position tracking based on combinations of PID, model-based, and disturbance observer control structures. Finally, our actuator's performance is demonstrated through a series of experiments designed to operate the actuator at the limits of its mechanical and control capability.
The instatement of order: state initiatives and hegemony in the modernization of French forest policy

Theories of France’s political integration, from Tocqueville to the present day, frequently disregard the political achievements of the nineteenth century state and assert that the infrastructures needed for effective governance were created during the absolutist period. Using the case of forest policy, one of the major policy domains for local and national regimes during the absolutist and nineteenth century periods, this study argues against prior accounts. It shows how the nineteenth century state, led by an elite faction of the bourgeoisie, gained infrastructural power by promoting its preferred policies as the only means of avoiding disorder and chaos. These policies advanced private property as the natural (hegemonic) form of land control. It was this project, rather than the earlier absolutist regime, that led to effective state authority over France’s territory and the achievement of the nation’s political integration. This study of forest policy provides an opportunity to evaluate state efforts to regulate economic and political life, as well as the resistance to these efforts that arose.
Rain-associated microwave radiometric signatures in the frequency range of 90-220 GHz

Radiometric measurements were made by a microwave radiometer at the frequencies of 89, 150, 183.3/spl plusmn/1, 183.3/spl plusmn/3, 183.3/spl plusmn/7, and 220 GHz aboard the NASA ER-2 aircraft at an altitude of -20 km over a rain storm in the Pacific Ocean on January 19, 1993. Nearly simultaneous measurements were made along the same flight path by another radiometer at the frequencies of 90, 183.3/spl plusmn/2, 183.3/spl plusmn/5, and 183.3/spl plusmn/9 GHz aboard the NASA DC-8 aircraft at an altitude of /spl sim/11 km. Both data sets were examined and compared with the results of radiative transfer calculations based on existing cloud models. It was found that, mostly, the observations compared well with the calculated results. However, over a particular rain cell, a presence of frozen hydrometeors up to the height of /spl sim/16 km was needed in the model calculations to explain the observed radiometric signatures.
A closed-form solution for optical flow by imposing temporal constraints

We present a well-constrained formulation for estimation of optical flow in a video sequence, which yields a closed-form solution. Unlike other existing closed-form approaches, our solution does not require second order spatial derivatives. It relies only on first order and cross-space-time derivatives which can be computed more reliably. Instead of the commonly used spatial smoothness constraint, we propose a temporal smoothness constraint which has a clear physical interpretation. Our formulation also allows for accurate analysis of sources of error and ill-conditioning, leading to a more tractable implementation and mathematically justifiable thresholding values.
Variations In Doctor Effort: Evidence From Paraguay

ABSTRACT: This paper analyzes how doctors' practices in Paraguay differ across patients, physicians, and facilities. In the absence of claims or chart data, we constructed a measure of “doctor effo...