cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Designing for health: a methodology for integrated diagnostics/prognostics

A critical element of system readiness is the effectiveness of integrated diagnostics and prognostics. Errors in detection and isolation of failures cause unnecessary maintenance actions requiring additional troubleshooting time and replacement of could not duplicates (CNDs). Integrated diagnostics/prognostics is achieved through a systems engineering closed loop process from start to finish. Every step from conceptual phase through program shut down thrives on an integrated approach to insure maximum coverage of faults and unambiguous isolation while minimizing false alarms and re-test okays (RTOKs). An integrated health management system (HMS) methodology, proposed in this paper, connects functionality, failure modes and diagnostics/prognostics under one umbrella providing a conduit for tight traceability from requirements through design, analysis, integration, verification and validation, factory testing, and fielding while encouraging maturation through data collection. This framework minimizes errors between diagnostic/prognostic analyses and actual performance, maximizes test vertically, and paves the way for a lower risk fielded product. Iterative analyses and trade studies during the concept and development phases optimize diagnostic/prognostics approaches and architecture. Analyses and simulations during the development phase optimize health sensor selection, sensor placement, test effectiveness, and test strategies (i.e. embedded vs. external, test flow, test type etc.). Analyses and test data provide the foundation for the fidelity and accuracy of a diagnostic/prognostic reasoner, which selects test sequence, filters information and reports faults and their location. A data collection system facilitates diagnostic/prognostic effectiveness trending and identifies target areas for improvement as a function of maturation during the deployment, operations and support phases. This paper describes how all these segments weave together to create a seamless closed loop diagnostic/prognostic process that fits into the new DoD 5000.2 instruction: integrated defense acquisition, technology and logistics life cycle management framework
Deterministic estimation of the bispectrum and its application to image restoration

While the bispectrum has desirable properties in itself and therefore has a lot of potential to be applied to image restoration, few real-world application results have appeared in the literature. The major problem with this is the difficulty in realizing the expectation operator, due to the lack of realizations. In this paper, the true bispectrum is defined as the expectation of the sample bispectrum, which is the Fourier representation of the triple correlation given one realization. The characteristics of sample bispectrum are analyzed and a way to obtain an estimate of the true bispectrum without stochastic expectation, using the generalized theory of weighted regularization is shown.
The Emerging Self: A Developmental,.Self, And Object Relatio: A Developmental Self & Object Relations Approach To The Treatment Of The Closet Narcissistic Disorder of the Self

The Clinical Picture. The Clinical Picture A Chameleon. A Developmental, Self, and Object Relations Theory. Differential Diagnosis. Psychotherapy. Therapeutic Neutrality, Therapeutic Frame, Therapeutic Stance, and Therapeutic Task. The Disembodied Heart and the Latchkey Child. The Guru and the Bed of Pain. The Prostitute and the Game. The Puppet on a String and the Whim of Iron. Countertransferences and Projective Identification. Countertransference and Projective I: Overview. Countertransference and Projective Identification II: Clinical Example: Defensive Fusion Evokes Directiveness. Countertransference and Projective Identification III: Clinical Examples: Too Much Activity and Direction Distancing.
Multiple Regression and Model Building

Multiple regression, where more than one predictor variable is used to estimate a response variable, is introduced by way of an example. To allow for inference, the multiple regression model is defined, with both model and inferential methods representing extensions of the simple linear regression case. Next, regression with categorical predictors (indicator variables) is explained. The problems of multicollinearity are examined; multicollinearity represents an unstable response surface due to overly correlated predictors. The variance inflation factor is defined, as an aid in identifying multicollinear predictors. Variable selection methods are then provided, including forward selection, backward elimination, stepwise, and best-subsets regression. Mallows' C p statistic is defined, as an aid in variable selection. Finally, methods for using the principal components as predictors in multiple regression are discussed.
Synthesis of Viral-Specific RNA in Cells Infected with the Parvovirus, Kilham Rat Virus

We have studied the viral-specific RNA synthesized after infection of a permissive cell line with Kilham rat virus (KRV). The RNA was shown to be virus specific by analysis of its nucleotide base ratios and by hybridization with KRV and cellular DNA. Viral RNA is synthesized as early as 2 h after infection. This viral RNA synthesis occurs before viral progeny DNA synthesis which is initiated at 7 to 8 h after infection. The predominant viral RNA synthesized before and after viral progeny DNA synthesis has a sedimentation coefficient of approximately 18 S in dimethylsulfoxide-sucrose gradients and a calculated molecular weight of 6.5 × 10 5 to 7.5 × 10 5 . KRV contains a molecule of single-stranded DNA with a molecular weight of approximately 1.6 × 10 6 . If the viral-specific 18 S RNA is a homogenous species, it would account for 40 to 50% of the viral genome. A small amount of 26 S viral RNA with a molecular weight of 1.6 × 10 6 to 1.7 × 10 6 can also be detected. If this 26 S RNA is a single viral-specific entity, it could represent a transcription of the entire KRV genome.
The Evolution of Cooling Flows onto Central Dominant Galaxies

The evolution of a cooling flow onto a central dominant galaxy in a cluster of galaxies is studied using numerical spherically symmetric hydrodynamic computations. It is argued that the flows may be non-steady, with a short central cooling time and X-ray emitting central temperatures maintained by gravitational heating due to the evolution of the potential well of the cluster. The model offers the possibility of reconciling the high X-ray inferred mass accretion rates with the severe constraints imposed by optical, IR, and radio measurements.
Contract type sequencing for reallocative negotiation

The capability to reallocate items-e.g. tasks, securities, bandwidth slices, MW hours of electricity, and collectibles-is a key feature in automated negotiation. Especially when agents have preferences over combinations of items, this is highly nontrivial. Marginal cost based reallocation leads to an anytime algorithm where every agent's utility increases monotonically over time. Different contract types head toward different locally optimal task allocations, and contracts from a recently introduced comprehensive contract type, OCSM-contracts, head toward the global optimum. Reaching it can take an impractically long time, so it is important to trade off solution quality against negotiation time. To construct negotiation protocols that lead to the best achievable allocations in a bounded amount of time, we compared sequences of four contract types. Original, cluster, swap, and multiagent contracts. The experiments show that it is profitable to use multiple contract types in the sequence: significantly better solutions are reached, and faster, than if only one contract type is used. However, the best sequences only include original and cluster contracts. Swap and multiagent contracts lead to bad local optima quickly. Interestingly, the number of contracts using any given contract type does not always decrease over time: contracts play the role of enabling further contracts.
Identifying Consensus Analysts' Earnings Forecasts that Correctly and Incorrectly Predict an Earnings Increase

: This study observes that consensus analysts’ forecasts incorrectly predict an increase in one-year-ahead earnings in 28.9% of the firm-year observations, and that correct (incorrect) firms generate 14.8% (−25.7%) abnormal returns over the next year, on average. The ability to anticipate when analysts’ predicted earnings increases will or will not materialize is therefore potentially important to investors and investment fund managers. This paper develops an empirical model that predicts when analysts’ forecasts will correctly (versus incorrectly) anticipate the direction of the change in upcoming earnings, by exploiting information in (a) the nature of analysts’ characteristics and firms’ earnings predictability, and (b) fundamental analysis of firms’ earnings growth. The model successfully distinguishes between forecasted earnings increases that do (versus do not) materialize and a trading strategy that takes long (short) positions in the portfolio the model identifies as more (less) likely correct generates an average annual abnormal return of 14.1%.
Extracellular DNA Is Essential for Maintaining Bordetella Biofilm Integrity on Abiotic Surfaces and in the Upper Respiratory Tract of Mice

Bacteria form complex and highly elaborate surface adherent communities known as biofilms which are held together by a self-produced extracellular matrix. We have previously shown that by adopting a biofilm mode of existence in vivo, the Gram negative bacterial pathogens Bordetella bronchiseptica and Bordetella pertussis are able to efficiently colonize and persist in the mammalian respiratory tract. In general, the bacterial biofilm matrix includes polysaccharides, proteins and extracellular DNA (eDNA). In this report, we investigated the function of DNA in Bordetella biofilm development. We show that DNA is a significant component of Bordetella biofilm matrix. Addition of DNase I at the initiation of biofilm growth inhibited biofilm formation. Treatment of pre-established mature biofilms formed under both static and flow conditions with DNase I led to a disruption of the biofilm biomass. We next investigated whether eDNA played a role in biofilms formed in the mouse respiratory tract. DNase I treatment of nasal biofilms caused considerable dissolution of the biofilm biomass. In conclusion, these results suggest that eDNA is a crucial structural matrix component of both in vitro and in vivo formed Bordetella biofilms. This is the first evidence for the ability of DNase I to disrupt bacterial biofilms formed on host organs.
The Chinese travelers to Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand: A unique Chinese outbound market

The study was designed to examine the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and trip‐related attributes of the outbound Chinese travelers to Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand (SMT market) and to compare this particular market with the two groups of Chinese visitors bound for other Asia‐Pacific and outside Asia‐Pacific destinations. The results provide a profile of the SMT Chinese market and identified a number of characteristics and attributes that significantly differentiated the SMT market from the two other markets.
A military communications operational environment model

Performance assessment of military wireless network designs should ideally be evaluated by replicating the conditions in which these systems will operate. For airborne networks, where network platforms are fast movers operating under noisy and unstable links environments, the representation of these environments becomes essential for network simulation modeling. However, not all simulations developed for the purpose of modeling some aspect of military wireless networks include the capacity to model operational conditions. In this paper, we propose a solution to this problem by a characterization of network links based on realistic operational scenarios in such a way that the characterization is accessible to network simulations that otherwise lack the capacity to model the operational environment. This paper describes the process and sample results. We also provide an example application of our product. We believe this product can be widely applicable to many network design performance and testing evaluations and that our solution will lead us to evaluate network designs more accurately.
Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile of mometasone furoate nasal spray: Potential effects on clinical safety and efficacy

Abstract Background: Mometasone furoate nasal spray (MFNS) is recommended as a first-line therapy for allergic rhinitis. The purpose of intranasal administration is to deliver maximally effective therapy to the affected nasal tissues while minimizing systemic exposure. Objective: This article reviews the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of MFNS, highlighting the potential clinical relevance of data concerning its glucocorticoid receptor binding, bioavailability, and metabolism, and its role in activating and suppressing transcription of steroid-dependent genes. Methods: A search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases (January 1995–July 2007) was undertaken to identify in vitro, preclinical, and clinical studies and review articles concerning MFNS. Searches were also conducted to identify articles on the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and adverse effects of the intranasal corticosteroids discussed in this article. Pertinent abstracts from allergy society meetings and data from the author's research experience were also included. Results: The data reviewed indicate that MFNS has a number of qualities that are important in achieving nasal selectivity with minimal systemic adverse effects. For example, MFNS is stable in nasal tissues and is efficiently metabolized in the liver (AUC for a 400-μg dose: 127 fmol/mL · h). Its systemic bioavailability (0.46%is one of the lowest among currently available intranasal corticosteroids. Bioactive glucocorticoid metabolites have not been observed in humans. The results of immunologic studies suggest that MFNS may reverse the exaggerated T-helper cell type 2 (Th2)-related cytokine response seen in allergic disease through preferential inhibition of Th2 over the T-helper cell type 1-related cytokine. Conclusions: MFNS is an intranasal corticosteroid with a low potential for systemic adverse effects. The efficacy and safety profiles of MFNS seen in clinical use are consistent with its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties.
NMR EVIDENCE OF FORMATION OF CYCLOCYSTINE LOOPS IN PEPTIDE MODELS OF THE HIGH SULFUR PROTEINS FROM WOOL

Abstract We report that in peptide models of the high sulfur proteins of the matrix from wool a disulfide bond forms between two sequential Cys-residues as a result of a simple oxidation procedure. This tiny cyclocystine loop manifests itself in many ways in 1 H NMR spectra. The formation of the loop is accompanied, as expected, by conversion of the Cys—Cys peptide bond from its usual trans -configuration into the energetically less favorable cis -configuration. Possible consequences of the formation of cyclocystine loops for the elasticity of the network of the matrix are discussed.
The effect of neutron irradiation on the fiber/matrix interphase of silicon carbide composites

Abstract Given the good stability of mechanical properties of silicon carbide (SiC) under neutron irradiation, the ultimate irradiation tolerance of SiC composite materials may be limited by the fiber/matrix interphase, which is critically important to the performance of these composites. This study investigates the irradiation stability of pyrolytic carbon (PyC) monolayer and PyC/SiC multilayer interphases by tensile and single fiber push-out test techniques. Neutron irradiation was performed to doses of 0.7–7.7 dpa at temperatures from 380 to 1080 °C. Both interfacial debond shear strength and interfacial friction stress apparently decrease by irradiation, although this is not so dramatic when Tirr 1000 °C). Noteworthy, these irradiation effects depend on the type of interphase material, i.e., for the pyrolytic carbon or multilayer SiC variants studied. In the range of irradiation temperature and dose, the degradation in interfacial shear properties, while measurable, is not of a magnitude to degrade the mechanical performance of the composites. This was observed for both interphase types studied. In particular, the proportional limit tensile stress decreases slightly by irradiation while the tensile fracture strength undergoes very minor change.
High-throughput RNA profiling via up-front sample parallelization

We describe a method called modular, early-tagged amplification (META) RNA profiling that can quantify a broad panel of microRNAs or mRNAs simultaneously across many samples and requires far less sequence depth than existing digital profiling technologies. The method assigns quantitative tags during reverse transcription to permit up-front sample pooling before competitive amplification and deep sequencing. This simple, scalable and inexpensive approach improves the practicality of large-scale gene expression studies.
Simulating river meandering processes using stochastic bank erosion coefficient

This study first compares the first order analytical solutions for flow field by Ikeda et. al. (1981) and Johanesson and Parker (1989b). Ikeda et. al.'s (1981) linear model of bank erosion was implemented to predict the rate of bank erosion in which the bank erosion coefficient is treated as a stochastic variable that varies with physical properties of the bank (e.g. cohesiveness, stratigraphy, vegetation density). The developed model was used to predict the evolution of meandering planforms. Then, the modeling results were analyzed and compared to the observed data. Because the migration of meandering channels consists of downstream translation, lateral expansion, and downstream or upstream rotations, several measures are formulated to determine which of the resulting planform is closest to the experimental measured one. Results from the deterministic model highly depend on the calibrated erosion coefficient. Because field measurements are always limited, the stochastic model yielded more realistic predictions of meandering planform evolutions. Because the coefficient of bank erosion is a random variable, the meandering planform evolution is a stochastic process that can only be accurately predicted by a stochastic model.
Histopathologic, immunophenotypic and cytogenetic features of pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma is an uncommon but distinctive manifestation of mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma occurs in adults and children and can cause diagnostic problems, especially in small biopsies. Few studies have characterized the histologic and immunophenotypic features of pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma. t(11;19)(q21;p13) is considered disease-defining for mucoepidermoid carcinoma; its significance in pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma warrants further study. Forty three pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinomas were re-reviewed and graded according to the Brandwein grading system for mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Four cases were excluded because of a split opinion between pathology report and re-review. These cases were negative for MAML2 rearrangement by FISH. TTF-1, napsin A, p40 and p63 immunostains were scored: 0 (negative), 1 (1-25% tumor cells), 2 (26-50%), 3 (51-75%) or 4 (>75%). FISH to detect MAML2 rearrangement used a MAML2-11q21 break-apart probe. Thirty nine pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma (4 low, 30 intermediate, 5 high grade) contained mucous, epidermoid and intermediate cells and lacked keratinization and in situ carcinoma of the overlying epithelium. All cases with available gross description (n=22) had a central/endo- or peribronchial location. All 25 cases tested for immunohistochemistry were positive (scores 1-4) for p63; 23 also expressed p40. In six cases, the p63 score was higher than p40. TTF-1 and napsin were uniformly negative in all 25 cases. MAML2 rearrangement was identified by FISH in each of the 24 cases tested (3 low, 19 intermediate, 2 high grade). Clinical history was available in 29 patients (15 men) (median age, 48 years) with follow-up in 24 (median, 8.4 years). Five patients died of unrelated causes; one developed metastatic pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma. In conclusion, features helpful in distinguishing pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma from other lung cancers include its central/endo- or peribronchial location together with the presence of mucous cells, p63 expression, lack of keratinization and MAML2 rearrangement. TTF-1 and napsin are typically not expressed.
Effect of an Edible Collagen Film Overwrap on Exudation and Lipid Oxidation in Beef Round Steak

Beef round steak when wrapped with an edible collagen film (Coffi®) exhibited much less fluid exudate (P<0.05) than unwrapped controls. This was true in refrigerated and frozen/thawed samples with standard retail (permeable film overwrap) or vacuum (pouch) packaging. Vacuum packaging produced more exudate and a less bright red color than retail packaging. Coffi® had no significant effect on color or lipid oxidation by TBA. Objective measures of color and exudate quantity highly correlated with panel scores for the same parameters (r values of 0.91 and 0.95). TBA values were lower (P<0.05) in refrigerated vacuum-packaged than in retail-wrapped samples. The impact of vacuum on TBA was less apparent in frozen samples.
A temporary restraint chair for monkeys.

Abstract A device for the rapid and safe restraint of macaque monkeys is described. After minimal training, animals will voluntarily position themselves in the device; no physical contact between animal and experimenter is necessary, and the chairing procedure requires only a few minutes. Various accessories permit using the chair in a variety of experimental situations.
The Use of FE59 and CR51 for Estimating Red Cell Production and Destruction: An Interpretive Review

In surveying some of the limitations of studies with Cr51 and Fe59 my purpose has been not to deny their usefulness but to put them in perspective. These technics have made possible many extensions of the fundamental understanding of red cell physiology and iron metabolism. They will continue to be valuable experimental tools. It is hoped that if some of the limitations of isotope technics are considered, the non-experimental use of these isotopes will be confined to situations in which otherwise unavailable information of diagnostic or therapeutic importance can be obtained. Unfortunately isotope technics are used when more conventional means would be adequate or even preferable. An extreme example is the suggestion24 that repeated Fe59 turnover studies might be used to determine the total dose of parenteral iron (as Imferon or saccharated iron oxide) to be given in iron deficiency anemia, pointing out that in so doing the possibility of iatrogenic hemochromatosis could be avoided. The usual calculations for determining dose25 however are not only safer but more accurate. The use of Fe59 and Cr51 entails some risk, the main hazards being hepatitis, with the use of donor plasma or cells, and the possibility of untoward effects from radiation. An estimate of the risk of hepatitis can be gained from its incidence after transfusion. The radiation hazard is more difficult to assess. Leukemia has occurred after large doses of radiation but the extent of the radiation hazard is unknown from the much smaller doses of radiation employed in the usual isotopes studies. Certainly the risk is not such as to preclude the use of isotopes to obtain information essential for diagnosis. However, when such information can be obtained by other means or when results cannot be adequately interpreted, the use of isotopes in clinical medicine appears unwarranted. In considering the use of isotopes in the doubtful case, the dose of radiation to be delivered should not be thought of as an isolated event but rather as adding to a total radiation dose, which as shown by the British survey28 may be appreciable.
From Epicentros to Fault Lines: Rewriting Central America from the Diaspora

This essay examines how representations from the Central American diaspora rewrite the Central American imaginary. It focuses on the ways EpiCentroAmerica—a poetry collective who view themselves as Central American, but reject a single unifying vision of home by seeing themselves as part of a transregional and transnational community—challenge traditional configurations of Central America(n). This reinscription of the signifier Central America is best exemplified in the work of Salvadoran-American poet Marlon Morales, whose poem “Centroamerica is,” avoids suturing Central America with traditional nationalist geological images of volcanoes and the isthmus, in favor of constructing Central America as an amorphous abstract and material entity. This study argues that by eluding a stable definition of Central America, as well as by dislocating Central America from its dominant cartographic image of a landmass and questioning its ontological validity, Morales advances a thoroughly reconfigured understanding of Central America—one that accounts for its diaspora that is a part of Central America while being apart from the geopolitical borders of the isthmus. Thus through Morales’s piece, in conjunction with the artistic work of the EpiCentros, alternative visions of Central America that both contest and disrupt the North/South America divide are presented. This article is available in Studies in 20th & 21st Century Literature: http://newprairiepress.org/sttcl/vol37/iss2/8 From Epicentros to Fault Lines: Rewriting Central America from the Diaspora Maritza Cardenas The University of Arizona Where is the center of America, anyway? Are there flowers on a volcano? You can find the center in my heart Where I imagine the flowers never die. But today the volcano explodes in the way It has every day for 30 years. No it is not a sacrifice it desires For we have already sacrificed too much When can we rest from running? When will the explosions in my heart stop And show me where my home is? Are there flowers on a volcano?
Calcium niobate nanosheets as a novel electron transport material for solution-processed multi-junction polymer solar cells

Solution-processed tandem polymer solar cells are demonstrated using stacked perovskite, (TBA,H)Ca2Nb3O10 (CNO), semiconductor nanosheets as an electron transport layer (ETL) within the recombination layers. Two poly(3-hexylthiophene):(6,6)-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester, P3HT:PCBM, sub-cells connected in series via a CNO–poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate), Pedot:PSS, recombination layer provide a Voc of 1.02 V. The Voc is less than double that of a single junction due to leakage (dark) current. When TiOx is used as an additional hole-blocking layer within the recombination stack, the Voc is improved to 1.16 V. Although further optimization of the CNO-layer is still required, the use of CNO nanosheets within the recombination stack shows clear advantages. In addition to electron extraction from photoactive layers, the presence of defect states in the CNO nanosheets with trapped electrons facilitates the recombination of holes from Pedot:PSS, enhancing the function of the recombination stack. The robust CNO-layer can be spin-coated on top of a P3HT:PCBM bulk-heterojunction photoactive layer and is stable toward subsequent processing and heat-treatment.
Exacerbated Transplant Arteriosclerosis in Inducible Nitric Oxide–Deficient Mice

Background—Inducible NO synthase (NOS2, or iNOS) is upregulated in grafts with transplant arteriosclerosis. However, the functional role of NOS2 in the pathogenesis of transplant arteriosclerosis remains unclear. NOS2 may regulate lesion development by modulating the early alloimmune response and/or late myointimal thickening. Methods and Results—To determine whether NOS2-mediated pathways protect against or promote transplant arteriosclerosis, we used NOS2-deficient mice as recipients in our vascularized chronic cardiac rejection model. The severity of vascular thickening in 55-day grafts placed into NOS2 −/− recipients (n=13) was compared with that in wild-type recipients (n=15). Computer-assisted analysis of all elastin-stained vessels (n=283) showed significantly increased luminal occlusion (77.1±9.4% versus 40.8±13.6%, P<.0001) and intima/media ratios in allografts from NOS2 −/− recipients (1.9±1.3 versus 0.4±0.3, P=.0002). To elucidate potential mechanisms, we studied NOS2 effects on T-cell differen...
Timing of Fruit Initiation and Seed Size in Soybean

There is substantial variation in seed size (weight per seed) among the seeds produced by a soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merrill) plant. Five field experiments with two cultivars were conducted near Lexington, Kentucky, United States (38°N), to test the hypothesis that variation in seed size was related to the time of fruit initiation during the flowering period. All fruits ≥ 10 mm long on a plant were marked at three-day intervals, harvested at maturity, and separated by the time of marking before seed size was determined. There was substantial variation in seed size, but the time of fruit initiation accounted for only a small proportion of the variation. Fruits that initiated growth at different times often produced the same sized seeds, and there was always substantial variation in seed size among fruits initiated at the same time. The data provide little support to the hypothesis that seed size is related to the timing of fruit initiation. The data suggest that there may be several mechanisms responsible...
NOAA 26.5 A h LEO characterization test

Abstract Five General Electric (GE) 26.5 A h NOAA-G flight nickel-cadmium cells were obtained from RCA-Astro Electronics to undergo performance characterization
Controlling the entire path of a virtual camera

This paper considers the design of a camera path through a scene. Given a valid set of keyframes for the camera, we want to build a camera path that avoids collisions with the scene. The first problem is to define a camera path that interpolates the keyframes. We build a rational interpolating motion using rational interpolation of both position and orientation. The second problem is to detect collisions of the planned path with the scene. A spatial decomposition is used to accelerate this detection. The third problem is to correct the path to avoid the detected collisions. Keyframes are added in the neighbourhood of the collision to correct the collision.
Black employment problems: New evidence, old questions

This article attempts to review and synthesize some new evidence on the employment problems of young blacks, especially relating to the issues of skill and spatial mismatch, racial discrimination, crime, and immigration. I also discuss various interpretations of these phenomena and highlight the fact that both shifts in demand (that is, employers and jobs) and the characteristics and responses of supply (that is, workers) in the labor market appear to be responsible for recent trends in employment and earnings among young blacks. This implies that government policy should focus directly on demand-side issues (such as job availability) in the short term, and especially on improving the adjustment of the black labor force to these shifts in demand over time.
Impact of global warming on enso variability using the coupled giss GCM/ZC model

This study uses a hybrid coupled model (referred to as the general-circulation model (GCM)/Zebiak/Cane (ZC) model), which consists of the Goddard Institute for Space Studies' (GISS) Atmospheric general-circulation model (AGCM) coupled to the oceanic component of the ZC intermediate model to assess the impact of global warming on El Nino behavior, with and without the influence of heat introduced from the subtropical Pacific (via subtropical cell (STC) pathway). The baseline GCM/ZC model produces El Nino variability with a two year periodicity and an amplitude of approximately half the magnitude of observed El Nino. The GCM/ZC model also produces an appropriate atmospheric global response to El Nino/southern oscillation (ENSO) as shown by composites of 500 hPa heights, sea-level pressure (SLP), 200 hPa wind, and precipitation during El Nino and La Nina periods. To evaluate the importance of global warming on ENSO variability, 2× CO2 and 4× CO2 transient simulations were done increasing the atmospheric CO2 one percent per year, then extending the runs for an additional 70 years to obtain equilibrium climates for each run. An additional set of global-warming simulations was run after including a STC parameterization generated by computing 5-year running means of the sea-surface temperature (SST) difference between a transient run and the 1× CO2 GCM/ZC run at the anticipated subduction zones (160–130°W, 20–40°N and 20–44°S, 160–130°W) and adding it to the base of the equatorial mixed-layer of the ZC model with a time lag of 15 years. This effectively alters the vertical temperature gradient of the ZC model, which affects SST via upwelling. Two features of the GCM/ZC response to global warming are emphasized. Firstly, the inclusion of the STC results in a major redistribution of heat across the equatorial Pacific, leading to an El Nino-like response in the final equilibrium solution with less variability about the mean. The global warming aspect due to the El Nino-like response results in a positive feedback on global warming, which causes a higher global surface-air temperature (SAT) than identical transient simulations without inclusion of the STC. Secondly, including the STC effect produces a far greater magnitude of global ENSO-like impact because of the reduction of, or even the reversal of, the equatorial Pacific longitudinal SST gradient. The implications of such an extreme climate scenario are discussed. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society
Quantitative comparison of structure and dynamics of elastin following three isolation schemes by 13C solid state NMR and MALDI mass spectrometry

Methods for isolating elastin from fat, collagen, and muscle, commonly used in the design of artificial elastin based biomaterials, rely on exposing tissue to harsh pH levels and temperatures that usually denature many proteins. At present, a quantitative measurement of the modifications to elastin following isolation from other extracellular matrix constituents has not been reported. Using magic angle spinning 13C NMR spectroscopy and relaxation methodologies, we have measured the modification in structure and dynamics following three known purification protocols. Our experimental data reveal that the 13C spectra of the hydrated samples appear remarkably similar across the various purification methods. Subtle differences in the half maximum widths were observed in the backbone carbonyl suggesting possible structural heterogeneity across the different methods of purification. Additionally, small differences in the relative signal intensities were observed between purified samples. Lyophilizing the samples results in a reduction of backbone motion and reveals additional differences across the purification methods studied. These differences were most notable in the alanine motifs indicating possible changes in cross-linking or structural rigidity. The measured correlation times of glycine and proline moieties are observed to also vary considerably across the different purification methods, which may be related to peptide bond cleavage. Lastly, the relative concentration of desmosine cross-links in the samples quantified by MALDI mass spectrometry is reported.
BOUNDING A CLASS OF NONCONVEX LINEARLY- CONSTRAINED RESOURCE ALLOCATION PROBLEMS VIA THE SURROGATE DUAL*

We consider a class of problems of resource allocation under economies of scale, namely that of minimizing a lower semicontinuous, isotone, and explicitly quasiconcave cost function subject to linear constraints. An important class of algorithms for the linearly constrained minimization of nonconvex cost functions utilize the branch and bound approach, using convex underestimating cost functions to compute the lower bounds. We suggest instead the use of the surrogate dual problem to bound subproblems. We show that the success of the surrogate dual in fathoming subproblems in a branch and bound algorithm may be determined without directly solving the surrogate dual itself, but that a simple test of the feasibility of a certain linear system of inequalities will suffice. This test is interpreted geometrically and used to characterize the extreme points and extreme rays of the optimal value function's level sets.
Robust stability and performance via fixed-order dynamic compensation with guaranteed cost bounds

A feedback control-design problem involving structured plant parameter uncertainties is considered. Two robust control-design issues are addressed. The Robust Stability Problem involves deterministic bounded structured parameter variations, while the Robust Performance Problem includes, in addition, a quadratic performance criterion averaged over stochastic disturbances and maximized over the admissible parameter variations. The optimal projection approach to fixed-order, dynamic compensation is merged with the guaranteed cost control approach to robust stability and performance to obtain a theory of full- and reduced-order robust control design. The principle result is a sufficient condition for characterizing dynamic controllers of fixed dimension which are guaranteed to provide both robust stability and performance. The sufficient conditions involve a system of modified Riccati and Lyapunov equations coupled by an oblique projection and the uncertainty bounds. The full-order result involves a system of two modified Riccati equations and two modified Lyapunov equations coupled by the uncertainty bounds. The coupling illustrates the breakdown of the separation principle for LQG control with structured plant parameter variations.
Atmospheric deposition of phosphorus to the everglades: concepts, constraints, and published deposition rates for ecosystem management.

This paper summarizes concepts underlying the atmospheric input of phosphorus (P) to ecosystems, published rates of P deposition, measurement methods, and approaches to future monitoring and research. P conveyed through the atmosphere can be a significant nutrient source for some freshwater and marine ecosystems. Particle sources and sinks at the land-air interface produce variation in P deposition from the atmosphere across temporal and spatial scales. Natural plant canopies can affect deposition rates by changing the physical environment and surface area for particle deposition. Land-use patterns can alter P deposition rates by changing particle concentrations in the atmosphere. The vast majority of P in dry atmospheric deposition is conveyed by coarse (2.5 to 10 μm) and giant (10 to 100 μm) particles, and yet these size fractions represent a challenge for long-term atmospheric monitoring in the absence of accepted methods for routine sampling. Most information on P deposition is from bulk precipitation collectors and wet/dry bucket sampling, both with questionable precision and accuracy. Most published annual rates of P deposition are gross estimates derived from bulk precipitation sampling in locations around the globe and range from about 5 to well over 100 mg P m–2 year–1, although most inland ecosystems receive between 20 and 80 mg P m–2 year–1. Rates below 30 mg P m–2 year–1 are found in remote areas and near coastlines. Intermediate rates of 30 to 50 mg P m–2 year–1 are associated with forests or mixed land use, and rates of 50 to 100 mg P m–2 year–1 or more are often recorded from urban or agricultural settings. Comparison with other methods suggests that these bulk precipitation estimates provide crude boundaries around actual P deposition rates for various land uses. However, data screening cannot remove all positive bias caused by contamination of bucket or bulk collectors. As a consequence, continued sampling with these standard collectors in a region will not reduce the large uncertainty in rates derived from existing data. Calibrated surface accumulation methods hold promise as a primary means to estimate P flux in future monitoring. New methods for long-term P deposition monitoring will require an intercomparison of P flux estimates from surrogate surfaces, impactor sampling of particle concentrations combined with deposition models, and “throughfall” estimates for natural canopies. With better sampling methods and more long-term monitoring data, the importance of atmospheric P deposition in ecosystem dynamics and management can be better understood and predicted.
Estimating Fractional Snow Cover in Mountain Environments with Fuzzy Classification

The disproportionate amount of water runoff from mountains to surrounding arid and semiarid lands has generated much research in snow water equivalent (SWE) modeling. A primary input in SWE models is snow covered area (SCA) which is generally obtained via satellite imagery. Mixed pixels in alpine snow studies complicate SCA measurements and can reduce accuracy. A simple method was developed to estimate fractional snow cover using freely available Landsat and data derived from DEMs, commercial and free software, as well as fuzzy classification and recursive partitioning. The authors attempted to develop a cost effective technique for estimating fractional snow cover for resource and recreation managers confined by limited budgets and resources. Results indicated that the method was non-sensitive (P = 0.426) to differences in leaf area index and solar radiation between 4 March 2000 and 13 March 2003. Fractional snow cover was predicted consistently despite variation in model parameters between years, indicating that the developed method may be a viable way for monitoring fractional snow cover in mountainous areas where capital and resources are limited.
Photoperiodically determined dimorphic calling songs in a katydid

MALES of most species of katydids (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae) make calling songs that attract conspecific females1–4. These songs, like those of crickets, cicadas, and some grasshoppers, are species specific and can be produced in perfect form by males that have never heard a similar song5. The fact that insect calling songs are the same even though conditions during their development varied from generation to generation and between field and laboratory has led to the inference that the ontogeny of such songs is free of environmental modification6. We show here, however, that the calling songs of a katydid are dimorphic and photoperiodically determined.
Mechanical strain effects in design considerations of high Tc superconducting pancake coil magnets

Abstract Mechanical strain effects on the critical current density are considered in the design of high temperature oxide superconductor pancake coil magnets. Bending of superconducting tapes to form coils results in degradation of the critical current density. Theoretical computations show that even when the coil satisfies the critical current density criterion of 1 μV cm −1 , a significant portion of the coil operates above the 1 μV cm −1 criterion and is compensated by the remaining coil which operates below the critical current density criteria. The net degradation in the critical current density is determined by the geometrical parameters of the coil and the tolerance of the critical current density of the conductor to mechanical strains. The formulations and results described may be used as a guide for the design of pancake coil magnets.
A rare and peculiar form of acute interstitial pneumonia

Summary A rare and peculiar form of acute interstitial pneumonia was discovered at autopsy in six infants and two children. The most characteristic feature is the histologic appearance of the affected portions of the lung which present capillary engorgement and infiltration of round cells, epithelioid or plasma or endothelial cells, and in some cases polymorphonuclear cells, which is not abscess formation. Other characteristic features are the musclelike feel of the affected portion of the lung and its peculiar color. The cases studied presented no characteristic clinical, roentgenologic, or laboratory findings by which they could be recognized during life. The most prominent clinical features are the commonly short duration of the disease, the virulence of the infection, its fatality, and its failure to respond to treatment. Of all the writers on interstitial pneumonia Leichtenstern, Buhl, Stokes, Corrigan, Gordon, and Gouley and Eiman are the only ones found by the author to describe conditions closely resembling this peculiar form of acute interstitial pneumonia.
Chromosome 22q11.2 microdeletions in velocardiofacial syndrome patients with widely variable manifestations

Velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS) and the DiGeorge sequence (DGS) are caused by 22q11.2 deletions. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using the DiGeorge chromosome region (DGCR) probe (Oncor) was used to detect 31 deletions in 100 patients with possible VCFS. Retrospective FISH analysis of archived slides from 14 patients originally studied only by high-resolution G banding detected 6 patients with a DGCR deletion, and only 2 of these 6 had a microscopically visible chromosome deletion. The 4 familial deletions found exhibited a wide range of clinical presentations within each family. Comparison of clinical characteristics of patients with and without the DGCR deletion determined findings predictive of the deletion: abundant or unruly scalp hair; narrow palpebral fissures; a laterally "built-up" nose; velopharyngeal inadequacy; thymic hypoplasia; and congenital heart defects, specifically tetralogy of Fallot, ventriculoseptal defect, and interrupted aortic arch.
Perceiving Sacred Space Religious Orientation Moderates Impressions of Religious Settings

Although particular physical settings play a crucial role in the religious lives of many people, adherents’ preferences have received little empirical attention. The current study tests whether jud...
Effects of nitrous oxide on decision-strategy and sustained attention.

Effects of 10, 20, and 30% N2O on decision-making strategy, reaction-times, sustained attention, the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), short-term memory and the Clyde Mood Scale were assessed in 12 test subjects. Decision-making strategy, as measured by 2-choice probability-learning, was unaffected by 30% N2O once a strategy had been formulated, but reaction-times were increased. Sustained attention was significantly affected in 33% of our subjects, whereas performance on the DSST and on the short-term memory task was impaired in virtually all subjects. Changes were noted in several mood-scale factors with 30% N2O. No residual drug effects were found.
Constraining velocity and density contrasts across the crust–mantle boundary with receiver function amplitudes

SUMMARY This paper investigates the ability of P-wave receiver functions to constrain both the velocity and density contrasts across the Moho. Expressions for receiver function amplitudes corresponding to a layer over a half-space are extended to media with depth-dependent properties by explicitly accounting for free-surface reflection coefficients. Forward numerical computations show that receiver function amplitudes become frequency-dependent for depth-dependent structures and that, for a given frequency, wavelengths associated to Ps converted phases are larger than wavelengths associated to multiply reverberated phases. When consistent measurements of the amplitudes of Ps phase and multiples can be obtained, the extended expressions suffice to account for the observed amplitudes. Receiver function amplitudes are sensitive to both velocity and density contrasts across the Moho, and a two-step grid-search procedure is proposed to recover the contrasts from their measurement. The near-surface velocity is recovered in the first step from the amplitude of the direct P wave and then used in the second step to work out the relative density and S-wave velocity contrast from the amplitude of the secondary phases. Examples from central Spain (PAB) and the Indian Shield (HYB) are discussed and demonstrate that receiver function amplitudes can constrain contrasts across the Moho accurately enough to be utilized in geological interpretation.