cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessing Creativity and Innovation at the Concept Generation Stage in Engineering Design: A Classroom Experiment

This paper explores how to identify creativity factors in the early stages of engineering concept design and how to apply metrics to quantify that creativity. Prototype designs from a junior-level design course over two years are evaluated using design metrics that analyze a set of ideas based on novelty and quality. Further creativity analyses are included to statistically verify that the developed metrics are valid. Innovative products provide companies with a competitive advantage in the market to stimulate the economy. Creativity metrics will enable them to choose innovative designs in the early stages of concept design, reducing time and cost associated with uncreative design implementation. This paper will go into detail about the implementation of an “Innovation Equation” on a real-world set of designs generated by a junior-level mechanical engineering design class and statistical verification of the validity of the analysis results. Conclusions are drawn that detail the ideal procedures needed to create a successful creativity analysis using these methods.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Conformations of 2-carboxy-1,4-butanedioic acid as a function of ionization state in dimethyl sulfoxide.

The conformational equilibria of 2-carboxy-1,4-butanedioic acid and its mono-, di-, and trianions were estimated by NMR couplings in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Intramolecular hydrogen bonding was inferred for the mono- and dianions, but not for the triacid. For the di- and trianions, the ^3/_(HH) couplings were consistent with the negative carboxylate groups being much closer together than might be expected from electrostatic repulsion considerations. The successive triacid pK_a values were estimated as 7.0, 13.4, and ∼20(?) on the Bordwell scale.
Optical anisotropy of synthetic polynucleotides. I. Flow birefringence and pi-electron polarizability of bases.

Birefringence of poly-A, poly-U, and double-stranded poly-AU are investigated experimentally as well as theoretically. Single-stranded poly-A, at low ionic strength, exhibits a strong negative birefringence indicating that, adenine molecules are stacked regularly with their planes along the transverse direction. On the addition of Mg or Mn ions, the birefringence decreases markedly. Poly-U has no noticeable birefringence indicating that poly-U has a contracted configuration in solution. On mixing poly-A and poly-U with 10–3M MgCl2, the birefringence increases markedly, but the change in the chain configuration seems less pronounced. The polarizability of adenine and uracyl are ejaculated using the simple Ifiuckel scheme. The calculation shows that the π-electron polarizability normal to the base plane is zero. Therefore, the negative birefringence is probably due to the lack of π-electron polarizability in the direction normal to the base plane and accordingly no π-electron polarizability along the major helix axis. Conversely, the negative birefringence is an indiaction of base stacking.
Stable finite-element solution of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations using linear interpolations for velocity and pressure

Abstract A velocity decomposition least squares method is reexamined and the results of several test cases are presented. All the present calculations are based on linear triangular elements, with a new treatment of boundary conditions. For high Reynolds number flows, second-order upwind schemes are adopted and the Lanczos method is applied to accelerate the convergence of the iterative scheme which is based on the symmetric Gauss–Seidel algorithm. Extension to unsteady flows is also presented.
The NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of human proparathyroid hormone by radioisotope microanalysis.

Abstract The amino terminal amino acid sequence of human proparathyroid hormone was determined by a highly sensitive radioisotope method. Fresh human parathyroid glands were incubated with one of several 3 H-labeled amino acids after which human proparathyroid hormone labeled with [ 3 H]lysine, [ 3 H]serine, [ 3 H]valine, [ 3 H]arginine, or [ 3 H]leucine was isolated. These specimens were subjected to several cycles of Edman degradation. An increase in the amount of radioactivity liberated at any cycle was taken as evidence that the amino acid at that cycle was the one with which the sample was labeled. By this approach, we found that the amino-terminal sequence of human proparathyroid hormone is lys 1 -ser 2 -val 3 -lys 4 -lys 5 -arg 6 -ser 7 -val 8 -ser 9 … leu 13 … leu 17 … lys 19 … Based on these results, we conclude that the amino-terminal region of human proparathyroid hormone consists of a hexapeptide lys-ser-val-lys-lys-arg followed by the amino acid sequence of human parathyroid hormone.
Thermoelectric Properties of Films and Monocrystalline Whiskers of Tellurium

Tellurium is an interesting semiconductor for thermoelectric applications because its thermopower is high (500 muV/K). Its figure of merit is low in the bulk because it has high thermal conductivity. However, in confined geometries, the phonon conductivity decreases due to phonon scattering. Therefore we have investigated the thermoelectric properties of Te films and whiskers. We report a study of the thermoelectric properties of Te films obtained by vacuum-condensation method on glass, polyamide, mica at various temperatures of condensation. The crystallographic structure of the films is characterized by the distribution function of the grain major axis. It is shown that the films condensed at 433 K possess the highest mobility. Te whiskers were grown from the paragas phase and they were single crystals in the form of hexahedral cylinder having cavities inside. When deposited on cold substrate, the cylinders had no cavities. The direction of the whisker crystal growth was always [0001] with respect to the whiskers length. It is shown that in films with the thickness of ~1 mum, the room temperature thermopower S is 330 muV/K and increases with temperature increasing (S = 450 muV/K at 450 K). The resistivity decreases with the temperature growth, as a result the power factor alpha2sigma increases by almost a factor of two. The 77 K electric conductivity of Te whiskers is 2-to-3 order-of-magnitude higher than in bulk crystals, presumably due to high structural perfection of whisker crystals. The thermopower in the range of 300 K is S = 400-750 muV/K
THE VALUE OF PEAK FLOW AS AN INDICATOR OF TOTAL DISABILITY IN CHILDHOOD ASTHMA

This study examined the usefulness of peak flow rate (PFR) in identifying the total disability of the asthmatic child during an acute attack. 108 consecutive patients 5-18 years of age presenting to the Emergency Service of Children's Hospital with the diagnosis of asthma were studied. PFR's were measured throughout the course of a standard treatment. The decision for admission was not influenced by this study. Each patient was followed, and an assessment of intervening morbidity made. 16 patients were admitted, and 92 discharged. Our data revealed: Children discharged with PPFR's prior to disposition of less than 60% averaged 7 days of subsequent disability at home. None of the discharged children with pre-disposition PPFR's greater than 59% experienced subsequent disability at home. Admitted patients remained hospitalized for an average of 2 days. None had additional home morbidity. We conclude that PPFR at the time of disposition in children with acute asthma is useful for identifying the need for admission, and that it is an excellent indicator of those at high risk of experiencing significant subsequent morbidity at home.
An ab initio study of the structures and the inversion barriers in 1,3-cyclohexadiene, 1,2-dihydronaphthalene and 9,10-dihydrophenanthlene

Abstract Ab initio 3-21G geometry optimization calculations performed for both the half-chair and planar conformers of the title compounds are reported. Vibrational analysis shows the nonplanar conformers to be the minimum energy structures, whereas the planar forms represent the transition states for ring inversion. The calculated geometries are in very good correlation with the experimental data available. The effects of the basis set quality up to 6-311G ∗* level in addition to the electron correlation corrections (to the MP4 level) on the calculated barriers for inversion are addressed. The latter effect seems to be more important for the proper description of the barriers in the systems in question. Benzannelation of the 1,3-cyclohexadiene ring increases slightly the barrier for its inversion. The “best theoretical estimations“ of the barriers are 3.7, 4.8 and 8.6 kcalmol −1 for the three title compounds, respectively. Even at the relatively high level of the calculations, the ab initio method tends to overestimate, to some extent, the barriers considered.
Birdsong: Is It Music to Their Ears?

Since the time of Darwin, biologists have wondered whether birdsong and music may serve similar purposes or have the same evolutionary precursors. Most attempts to compare song with music have focused on the qualities of the sounds themselves, such as melody and rhythm. Song is a signal, however, and as such its meaning is tied inextricably to the response of the receiver. Imaging studies in humans have revealed that hearing music induces neural responses in the mesolimbic reward pathway. In this study, we tested whether the homologous pathway responds in songbirds exposed to conspecific song. We played male song to laboratory-housed white-throated sparrows, and immunolabeled the immediate early gene product Egr-1 in each region of the reward pathway that has a clear or putative homologue in humans. We found that the responses, and how well they mirrored those of humans listening to music, depended on sex and endocrine state. In females with breeding-typical plasma levels of estradiol, all of the regions of the mesolimbic reward pathway that respond to music in humans responded to song. In males, we saw responses in the amygdala but not the nucleus accumbens – similar to the pattern reported in humans listening to unpleasant music. The shared responses in the evolutionarily ancient mesolimbic reward system suggest that birdsong and music engage the same neuroaffective mechanisms in the intended listeners.
Insulin degradation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes: Role of the endocytic lysosomal pathway☆

Abstract Insulin bound to 3T3-L1 adipocytes at 12 °C rapidly becomes processed to higher and lower molecular weight components at 37 °C. A part of this insulin processing (degradation) appears to have no role in the expression of its biological effects on hexose and amino acid transport. Degradation is strongly (~70%) inhibited by bacitracin, and very weakly inhibited (~5%) by methylamine, monodansylcadavarine, and bromophenacylbromide. All the other compounds tested for inhibition—azide, dinitrophenol (inhibitors of energy-dependent endocytosis), chloroquine (a lysosomotropic agent), chlorpromazine, phenylglyoxal (reported inhibitors of macromolecular internalization)—inhibited degradation partially to about the same extent (~20%), suggesting that the endocytic lysosomal pathway accounts for only a fifth of insulin degradation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.
VII. Further Studies of Enamel-Metal Contact Zones by Microscopic and Metallographic Methods

This paper reports the results of a continuation and confirmation of Schwartz-walder's work.
Tolerance by Nectria haematococca MP VI of the chickpea (Cicer arietinum) phytoalexins medicarpin and maackiain

Two pterocarpan phytoalexins, medicarpin and maackiain, accumulated in chickpea lesions infected by a virulent isolate (T-30) of Nectria haematococca mating population (MP) VI. When compared to an incompatible pathogen (N. haematococca MP I, isolate T-145), isolate T-30 was tolerant of both phytoalexins during spore germination and long term (6 to 12 days) hyphal growth bioassays. In both spores and hyphae of isolate T-30 tolerance occurred after a transient period of sensitivity, implying an active adaptive response to the phytoalexins. This adaptation occurred prior to phytoalexin metabolism. Enhanced medicarpin tolerance was induced in germinating spores of isolate T-30 by pretreating with medicarpin or with three other structurally related pterocarpan phytoalexins. Isolate T-30 metabolized medicarpin and maackiain during growth in vitro, producing from each phytoalexin 2 major metabolites, that were identified as the isoflavanone and la-hydroxy dienone derivatives. Both medicarpin derivatives were less toxic than medicarpin to germinating spores of T-30. Fungal metabolism of the phytoalexins in vivo was indicated by the presence of la-hydroxy dienone metabolites in stem lesions infected by T-30. Isolate T-145 metabolized low concentrations of medicarpin and maackiain in vitro through 6a-hydroxylation, although this isolate lacked the ability to adapt to high phytoalexin concentrations. Isolate T-30 appears to have a pterocarpan tolerance based on detoxification and on non-degradative mechanisms. We propose that rapid non-degradative adaptation is an essential prerequisite for subsequent detoxification of high phytoalexin concentrations.
Synthesis and Solution-state Assembly or Bulk State Thiol-ene Crosslinking of Pyrrolidinone- and Alkene-functionalized Amphiphilic Block Fluorocopolymers: From Functional Nanoparticles to Anti-fouling Coatings

With an ever increasing interest in the combined functionality and versatility of materials, increasing demands are placed on synthetic methodologies by which to produce such materials. This work demonstrates the preparation of block copolymers having fluorocarbon content, pyrrolidinone units, and alkene groups as complex building blocks for the assembly of discrete nanoparticles in solution and, alternatively, transformation into sophisticated crosslinked networks. Reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization is a facile tool for the synthesis of well-defined polymers containing imbedded side-chain functionalities. In this work, the synthesis of well-defined multifunctional fluorinated polymers bearing pendant pyrrolidinone groups, and block copolymers bearing both pyrrolidinone and alkenyl groups on different segments was achieved, by using RAFT polymerizations of unique bifunctional monomers. Upon micellization, the amphiphilic diblock copolymers were transformed into regioselectively-functionalized nanoparticles. Further transformations of pyrrolidinone- and alkene-dual functionalized-block copolymers into complex amphiphilic networks were accomplished by highly efficient UV-induced thiol-ene reactions. Whether as discrete nanoparticles or nanoscopically-segregated crosslinked networks, these materials have great potential for several diverse technologies, including as anti-fouling materials.
Metallothionein Isoform 3 Overexpression Is Associated with Breast Cancers Having a Poor Prognosis

The third isoform (MT-3) of the metallothionein gene family is unique in that it has a limited tissue distribution, is not induced by metals, has a neuronal growth inhibitory activity, and sequesters zinc more effectively under zinc-depleted conditions. The goal of the present study was to determine whether MT-3 was absent in normal breast tissue, was overexpressed in breast cancers, and if MT-3 overexpression would be associated with disease outcome. A combination of immunohistochemistry and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to demonstrate that the normal breast had no detectable expression of MT-3 mRNA or protein. Using immunohistochemistry, it was shown that MT-3 was overexpressed in 25 of 34 cases of breast cancer. In all cases of positive staining, MT-3 was diffusely localized to the cytoplasm. The tumors from these 34 cases were divided as to outcome based on known 5-year survival, with 20 patients being disease free at 5 years (good outcome) and the other 14 having recurring disease within 5 years (bad outcome). When analyzed for MT-3 staining, it was shown that there was a trend for increased MT-3 immunoreactivity in the group having bad outcomes. However, when the tumor subgrouping was further defined on the basis of carcinoma in situ (CIS), there was a marked significant difference in MT-3 staining between patients with good and bad outcomes. Limited to DCIS, MT-3 staining was significantly increased in patients with bad outcomes compared to those with good outcomes. Thus, these studies demonstrate that MT-3 is overexpressed in selected breast cancers and that overexpression is associated with tumors having a poor prognosis.
Normal vibration frequencies of the vocal ligament

The vocal ligament is the tension-bearing element in the vocal folds at high pitches. It has traditionally been treated as a vibrating string, with only length and longitudinal stress governing its normal mode frequencies. Results of this investigation show that, when bending stiffness and variable cross section are included, the lowest normal mode frequency can more than double, depending on the strain of the ligament. This suggests that much higher phonation frequencies may be achievable than heretofore thought for a given vocal fold length (e.g., nearly 1000 Hz at 50% elongation over cadaveric resting length). It also brings back into the discussion the concept of “damping,” an old misnomer for a reduction of the effective length of vibration of the vocal folds by relatively stiff boundary segments known as macula flavae. A formula is given for correcting the ideal string equation for the lowest mode frequency to include bending stiffness and macula flavae effects.
Implications of the shadow effect in theories of gravitation

Following the idea of the theory of shadow states in quantum field theory, a Newtonian theory and a Whitehead's theory of gravitation are constructed with shadow, gravitational potentials. As a heuristic approach, Einstein's theory of gravitation is modified by introducing the shadow effect. This is achieved by using the effective mass distribution which arises in the Newtonian theory of gravitation with shadow effect as the only non-vanishing component of the stress-energy momentum tensor of a static point source. It is found that in the static spherically symmetric solution of Einstein's equations, with proper choice of the new dynamical parameter, there is no surface of infinite red shift and the formation of a black hole can be avoided, leaving a naked singularity at the origin. (auth)
'Quarks' and 'leptons' in three dimensional patterns

Abstract The following questions are addressed: How did the symmetries which lead to fractional invariants arise? Can one start with systems with much simpler symmetries, say space translation and rotation, and, by stressing such systems, give rise via phase transitions to objects with natural fractional invariants? Such systems are manifold in nature. They are called pattern forming systems. One has to go no further than one’s own fingertips to see examples of two dimensional cross sections of the objects which are the centerpieces of this paper.
Electrocorticograms following threshold transcranial electroshock for retrograde amnesia in chicks.

Abstract Bipolar electrocorticograms were recorded both before and after transcranial electroshocks in 60 unanesthetized day-old chicks. Three shock intensities, 5, 10, or 15 ma, all 60 Hz and 0.45 sec in duration, were randomly assigned to different chicks. Only 15 ma caused motor convulsions, but both 10 and 15 ma had previously been found to have a definite retrograde amnesic effect that was absent at 5 ma. Analysis of the electrocorticograms was performed without knowledge of either the current intensity used or the behavioral response elicited. Spike activities were clearly present immediately after stimulation at both 10 and 15, but never at 5 ma. Subsequent flattening of the tracing occurred in different degrees only at 15, but never at 5 or 10 ma. The results show that the 10-ma stimulation was subconvulsive only with respect to overt motor responses. Association between EEG spike activities and amnesic effect was demonstrated. On the other hand, flattening of the EEG was shown to be unnecessary for retrograde amnesia.
Physicians’ Judgments of Survival After Medical Management and Mortality Risk Reduction Due to Revascularization Procedures for Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

Study objectives: To assess the accuracy of physicians’ judgments of survival probability for medically managed patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), and of the absolute risk reduction of mortality due to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for such patients; and relationships among these judgments and the physicians’ propensity to perform revascularization. Design: Two surveys (for three-vessel or two-vessel CAD) for patients presenting with stable CAD, currently managed medically, and without other life-limiting problems. Setting: Multiple educational conferences, 1996 –1997. Participants: Conference attendees. Measurements and results: Main outcomes were proportions of patients for whom the physicians would recommend revascularization (CABG for three-vessel CAD, CABG or PTCA for two-vessel CAD), and judgments of the proportions of medically managed patients who would be alive after 5 years, 7 years, and 11 years, and of absolute risk reduction of mortality due to CABG (or PTCA for two-vessel CAD). At least one half of the participants judged the survival rate of medically managed patients with three-vessel or two-vessel CAD to be less than the lowest rates supported by the best available evidence. More than one fourth judged the absolute risk reduction due to CABG to be higher than the highest values based on such evidence. Physicians’ propensity to perform revascularization correlated inversely with their judgments of survival given medical management, and with their judgments of absolute risk reduction due to revascularization. Conclusions: Physicians may overuse revascularization because of excessive pessimism about survival of medically managed patients, and excessive optimism about the survival benefits of revascularization (CHEST 2002; 122:122–133)
Use of reinduced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis to evaluate the importance of epitope spread.

Several investigators have reported experimental evidence of epitope spreading in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The role of epitope spreading in the pathogenesis of relapsing or chronic autoimmune disease is not established and the in vivo function of the T cells specific for new epitopes which appear during an autoimmune response is unclear. We recently demonstrated that mice which have recovered from an episode of EAE suffer a relapse shortly after reinjection with the original encephalitogen. The reinduced disease occurs in a reproducible fashion with an accelerated onset. This may be due to persistence of an expanded population of previously activated encephalitogenic cells which are rapidly reactivated when re-exposed to antigen. We reasoned that if epitope spread produces a significant number of encephalitogenic cells specific for a new epitope, then reinjection with that epitope should also cause the rapid onset of an episode of EAE. We tested this hypothesis using the known encephalitogenic epitopes in SJL mice. After recovery from EAE induced with the proteolipid protein peptide PLP139‐151, five of 16 mice had an accelerated relapse of EAE when reinjected with a second encephalitogenic peptide, PLP178‐191. All of the 10 mice reinjected with the original PLP139‐151 peptide relapsed. We conclude that epitope spread may produce encephalitogenic cells specific for new epitopes, but that the response to new epitopes is minor compared to the response to the initial epitope.
Nutrient cycling by fish supports relatively more primary production as lake productivity increases.

Animals can be important in nutrient cycling in particular ecosystems, but few studies have examined how this importance varies along environmental gradients. In this study we quantified the nutrient cycling role of an abundant detritivorous fish species, the gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), in reservoir ecosystems along a gradient of ecosystem productivity. Gizzard shad feed mostly on sediment detritus and excrete sediment-derived nutrients into the water column, thereby mediating a cross-habitat translocation of nutrients to phytoplankton. We quantified nitrogen and phosphorus cycling (excretion) rates of gizzard shad, as well as nutrient demand by phytoplankton, in seven lakes over a four-year period (16 lake-years). The lakes span a gradient of watershed land use (the relative amounts of land used for agriculture vs. forest) and productivity. As the watersheds of these lakes became increasingly dominated by agricultural land, primary production rates, lake trophic state indicators (total phosphorus and chlorophyll concentrations), and nutrient flux through gizzard shad populations all increased. Nutrient cycling by gizzard shad supported a substantial proportion of primary production in these ecosystems, and this proportion increased as watershed agriculture (and ecosystem productivity) increased. In the four productive lakes with agricultural watersheds (.78% agricultural land), gizzard shad supported on average 51% of phytoplankton primary production (range 27-67%). In contrast, in the three relatively unproductive lakes in forested or mixed-land-use watersheds (.47% forest, ,52% agricultural land), gizzard shad supported 18% of primary production (range 14-23%). Thus, along a gradient of forested to agricultural landscapes, both watershed nutrient inputs and nutrient translocation by gizzard shad increase, but our data indicate that the importance of nutrient translocation by gizzard shad increases more rapidly. Our results therefore support the hypothesis that watersheds and gizzard shad jointly regulate primary production in reservoir ecosystems.
Transient fault prediction based on anomalies in processor events

Future microprocessors will be highly susceptible to transient errors as the sizes of transistors decrease due to CMOS scaling. Prior techniques advocated full scale structural or temporal redundancy to achieve fault tolerance. Though they can provide complete fault coverage, they incur significant hardware and/or performance cost. It is desirable to have mechanisms that can provide partial but sufficiently high fault coverage with negligible cost. To meet this goal, we propose leveraging speculative structures that already exist in modern processors. The proposed mechanism is based on the insight that when a fault occurs, it is likely that the incorrect execution would result in abnormally higher or lower number of mispredictions (branch mispredictions, L2 misses, store set mispredictions) than a correct execution. We design a simple transient fault predictor that detects the anomalous behavior in the outcomes of the speculative structures to predict transient faults
Factors affecting species richness of tree regeneration in mixed‐wood stands of central Maine

Question: Two questions about within-stand spatial variability are addressed in this paper. How does species richness of tree regeneration respond to small-scale ecological gradients, and what effect does natural Abies balsamea abundance have on the species richness of other tree regeneration? Location: A long-term, gap-silviculture experiment, Acadian mixed-wood forest, Maine, USA. Methods: Eight stands treated with and without gap harvesting were sampled to capture sub-stand heterogeneity of understorey tree regeneration concurrently with patterning of local stand conditions. Spatial and non-spatial models were developed to test the relationships between two response variables [species richness of small (height ≥0.1 m, but <0.75 m) and large (height ≥0.75 m, but <1.4 m) regeneration] and five explanatory variables (depth to water table, percentage canopy transmittance, A. balsamea regeneration density, and overstorey basal area and species richness). Results: Despite high unexplained variance for all models, consistent associations among variables were found. Negative associations were found between: (1) the species richness of small regeneration and A. balsamea regeneration density and (2) the species richness of large regeneration and overstorey basal area. Positive associations were found between: (1) the species richness of small regeneration and both overstorey basal area and species richness and (2) the species richness of small and large regeneration and canopy transmittance. Conclusions: Promoting tree species diversity in Acadian mixed-wood stands may not be achievable through the use of gap-harvesting alone if the density of understorey Abies balsamea is not reduced either naturally or through silvicultural intervention.
Let’s Play a Game!

We start our friendship with abstract mathematics with an example that illuminates how concrete quantitative problems may turn into abstract mathematical situations and how mathematicians might be led from specific questions to the development of highly abstract concepts and discoveries.
The Role of Photographs in Face-to-Face Interactions involving Younger and Older Neurotypical Adults

The purpose of this preliminary investigation was to explore the role photographs play in communication interactions involving neurotypical adults. Participants included 10 people from 2 age groups...
The ENSO Signal in Tropical Tropospheric Temperature

Abstract Interannual anomalies in tropical tropospheric temperature have been shown to be related to interannual anomalies in tropical mean sea surface temperature (SST) by a simple moist adiabatic relationship. On physical grounds, it is less obvious than it might at first seem that this should be the case. It is expected that the free-tropospheric temperature should be sensitive primarily to SST anomalies in regions in which the mean SST is high and deep convection is frequent, rather than to the tropical mean SST. The tropical mean also includes nonconvecting regions in which the SST has no direct way of influencing the free troposphere. However, interannual anomalies of SST averaged over regions of high monthly mean precipitation are very similar to interannual anomalies of tropical mean SST. Empirical orthogonal function analysis of the monthly SST histograms for the period of 1982–98 reveals a leading mode, well separated from the others, whose structure is very similar to a simple shift of the annu...
Regulation of Kir channels in bovine retinal pigment epithelial cells by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate

The inwardly rectifying K+ (Kir) current in mammalian retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, which is largely mediated by Kir7.1 channels, is stable in cells dialyzed with MgATP but runs down when...
Emergence of Global Structure from Local Associations

A variant of the encoder architecture, where units at the input and output layers represent nodes on a graph, is applied to the task of mapping locations to sets of neighboring locations. The degree to which the resulting internal (i.e. hidden unit) representations reflect global properties of the environment depends upon several parameters of the learning procedure. Architectural bottlenecks, noise, and incremental learning of landmarks are shown to be important factors in maintaining topographic relationships at a global scale.
Information Technology Capability: Firm Valuation, Earnings Uncertainty, and Forecast Accuracy

Prior literature argues that information technology (IT) capability, an organization's ability to effectively use IT‐based resources in combination with other organizational resources, can create unique and sustainable competitive advantages and thus intangible assets for a company. However, current accounting rules do not allow the capitalization of IT‐enabled intangible assets. We hypothesize that IT‐enabled intangible assets are value‐relevant and provide incremental explanatory power for firm valuation beyond traditional accounting information. IT capability is inherently risky as it is subject to implementation challenges, technological complexity, and innovative integration of IT investments with other organizational resources. Thus, we argue that IT capability is positively associated with future earnings uncertainty and decreased analyst forecast accuracy. Using InformationWeek 500 ranking index as a proxy for IT capability, we find evidence supporting these hypotheses. This study contributes to t...
Toward Establishment of Industry Associations to Represent Nontraditional Road Stabilizer Suppliers

Millions of miles of unsealed roads around the world are managed by a variety of agencies and owners. Unacceptable levels of dust, poor riding quality, impassability in wet weather, and unsustainable gravel replacement practices are experienced on much of this global unsealed road network, and although it is generally acknowledged that these roads are fundamental to the economies of almost every country, many of the management practices for these roads leave much to be desired, with programs for dust control, chemical stabilization, low-cost upgrading, and the like largely overlooked. Although considerable experimentation on a variety of chemical additives has been carried out since the early 1900s, little wide-scale implementation has taken place. There are many reasons for this, including the absence of national authorities, a fragmented and sometimes dishonest industry, poor-quality research, and a lack of funding for programs among agencies and owners operating unsealed roads. The formation of industr...
Stereoselective hydrolysis of pyrethroid-like fluorescent substrates by human and other mammalian liver carboxylesterases.

Mammalian hepatic carboxylesterases (CEs) play important roles in the detoxification of ester-containing pyrethroids, which are widely used for the control of agricultural pests and disease vectors such as mosquitoes. Pyrethroids and pyrethroid-like fluorescent substrates exhibit a consistent pattern of stereoselective hydrolysis by a recombinant murine hepatic CE. We sought to understand whether this pattern is maintained in other hepatic CEs and to unravel the origin of the stereoselectivity. We found that all hepatic CEs tested displayed a consistent pattern of stereoselective hydrolysis: the chiral center(s) in the acid moiety more strongly influenced stereoselective hydrolysis than the chiral center in the alcohol moiety. For cypermethrin analogues with a cyclopropane ring in the acid moiety, trans-isomers were generally hydrolyzed faster than the corresponding cis-isomers. For fenvalerate analogues without a cyclopropane ring in the acid moiety, 2R-isomers were better substrates than 2Sisomers. These general hydrolytic patterns were examined by modeling the pyrethroid-like analogues within the active site of the crystal structure of human carboxylesterase 1 (hCE1). Stereoselective steric clashes were found to occur between the acid moieties and either the catalytic Ser loop (residues 219-225) or the oxyanion hole (residues140-144). These clashes appeared to explain the stereopreference between trans- and cis-isomers of cypermethrin analogues, and the 2R- and 2S-isomers of fenvalerate analogues by hCE1. The implications these findings have on the design and use of effective pesticides are discussed.
The utility of the relationship assessment scale in multiple types of relationships

Several self-report scales of marital satisfaction exist, but many are too lengthy for research protocols, and none allow for parallel assessment of satisfaction in non-romantic relationships. This paper presents results from the assessment of satisfaction in multiple types of close relationships with slight adaptations to the wording of the seven-item Relationship Assessment Scale. This scale was tested in a series of four research protocols with over 1000 undergraduate students. The scale demonstrated good internal consistency, item reliabilities, test—retest reliability, and factorial validity across diverse types of close relationships, with preliminary evidence supporting its convergent and predictive validity as well. These results suggest that the Relationship Assessment Scale can briefly and adequately assess satisfaction in multiple types of relationships.
The constants of the equation for the refractive index of air

Recent measurements at the National Bureau of Standards, the University of Texas, the National Physical Laboratory, and elsewhere have indicated that the conventional constants ( A = 79\deg K/mb, B = 4,800\deg K) in the expression for the refractive index of moist air (n-1)10^{6}=\frac{A}{T}(p+\frac{B}{T}) should be revised. Various laboratories appear to have arrived at this conclusion independently, with the result that there are at least four different sets of constants in current use. In much of propagation work, the absolute value of the refractive index of the atmosphere is of small moment. However, in some work it is important, and it seems highly desirable to decide upon a particular set of constants. It is also advisable to agree on the amount of future improvement in the constants which will make it worth while to respecify them. This paper attempts to give "best" values of the constants in the least squares sense and also suggests a criterion for deciding whether a future change would be worth while.
Representing and constructing system specifications using the system entity structure concepts

A generative approach to constructing system specifications is discussed. This process is intended to support design of hierarchical, multicomponent systems. In previous work, a systems design methodology called Knowledge-Based Simulation Design (KBSD) was developed. KBSD focuses on the use of modeling and simulation techniques to build and evaluate models of the system being designed. To represent families of design components, a knowledge representation scheme called system entity structure (SES) is used. Various modeling formalisms may be used for system specifications in the methodology. Thus, an efficient, generative procedure is needed for constructing specifications for systems represented by an SES. It is shown how system specifications can be managed using a canonical SES representation.
Rho GTPases, Statins, and Nitric Oxide

The lipid-lowering drugs, 3-hydroxy-3-methylgulutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors or statins, are used in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Recent experimental and clinical studies suggest that statins may exert vascular protective effects beyond cholesterol reduction. For example, statins improve endothelial function by cholesterol-dependent and -independent mechanisms. The cholesterol-independent or “pleiotropic” effects of statins include the upregulation and activation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). Because statins inhibit an early step in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway, they also inhibit the synthesis of isoprenoids such as farnesylpyrophosphate and geranylgeranylpyrophosphate, which are important posttranslational lipid attachments for intracellular signaling molecules such as the Rho GTPases. Indeed, decrease in Rho GTPase responses as a consequence of statin treatment increases the production and bioavailability of endothelium-derived NO. The mechanism involves, in part, Rho/Rho-kinase (ROCK)-mediated changes in the actin cytoskeleton, which leads to decreases in eNOS mRNA stability. The regulation of eNOS by Rho GTPases, therefore, may be an important mechanism underlying the cardiovascular protective effect of statins.
An alternative approach to multichannel radar detection and location

Space based radar (SBR) surveillance concepts have been investigated for decades and have once again made an appearance as a viable means of performing the ground moving target indication (GMTI) mission. From the signal processing perspective, a number of unique technical challenges must be addressed. These include a larger Doppler clutter spread, which will cause moving targets to be more likely in the endoclutter region, larger target densities, and nonhomogeneity and/or nonstationarity of the collected data. These and other phenomenology impact the ability of algorithms implemented by the system to perform target detection and parameter estimation. Various adaptations of space-time adaptive processing (STAP) have been put forward as the primary, if not only, solution to detect and locate ground moving targets (GMTI) in complex clutter environments from airborne and/or space based radar platforms. Most, if not all, of the proposed variations can be optimized to work in specific environments but suffer degradation when called upon to perform in a different setting. The reason for this appears to be inherent to the process itself. In order to overcome the difficulties described above, an alternative approach to the current STAP paradigm has been developed and studied for target detection and location in multichannel radar systems. The new technique is based on an adaptation of a previously developed technique, used in passive arrays for angle of arrival (AOA) estimation, in conjunction with a knowledge based array calibration technique. When combined together, these two algorithms provide a powerful new tool for the detection and location of moving targets in complex clutter environments
Neotropical dry forest wildlife water hole use and management

Selected wildlife species diurnal use of a natural water hole (QO) and an artificial water hole (AW) were studied during 1990 dry season at Guanacaste Conservation Area, Costa Rica. In total, 9 19 individuals (six marnmal and one garne bird species) consumed water from QO, while 713 individuals (four maromal species) consumed water from AW. Estimated daily water consumption by selected wildlife species was 29.7 I at O.D and 27.3 I at AW. Estimated 2 4-h water consumed by all wildlife species or evaporated was 44.6 1 at QO and 41.1 1 at AW. This resulted from summing: a) water consumed by studied species, b) estimated 24-hour water consurned by other wildlife (QO = 14.85 1, AW = 13.65 1) and c) daily water evaporation (QO = 0.04 1, AW = 0.10 1). Ouring a 120-day dry season, AW required about 4 932 1 of water from the park administration. Management implications for neotropical dry forest water holes are discussed.
Cauchy problem for a nonstrictly hyperbolic equation on a half-plane with constant coefficients

We consider the Cauchy problem for a nonstrictly hyperbolic equation of arbitrary order with constant coefficients. The operator in the equation is a composition of first-order differential operators. The equation is supplemented with Initial conditions. We find the solution of this problem on a half-plane in analytic form in the case of two independent variables under some conditions on the coefficients.
A Review of Numerical Techniques for Calculating Supercritical Airfoil Flows

Three numerical methods for calculating transonic supercritical flow past airfoils are reviewed. The first is the complex characteristics approach of Garabedian, the second is the method of integral relations developed mostly by Tai, and the third is a development of Telenin’s method initiated by Chattot in application to the double wedge problem.
Just-In-Time Management: A Critical Assessment

The Japanese import known as JIT, or Just-In-Time Management, has been receiving a great amount of attention recently. Although no one has published any figures on exactly how many companies are currently using or plan to use JIT, a review of the business periodicals index reveals that a total of 168 articles were published on the topic of JIT in the past two years (1987 and 1988). In addition, many of the Fortune 500 companies, such as Exxon, General Motors, Ford Motors, General Electric, Black & Decker, Xerox, Hewlett-Packard, and Steelcase have adopted some form of JIT. Each new article on the subject continues to promote JIT as a panacea for management and scheduling problems. However, they usually fail to elaborate on the problems and weaknesses inherent within J IT an omission that may lead practicing managers and entrepreneurs to believe that it is the solution to all their problems. In the majority of cases, this is simply not true. In fact, JIT probably creates more problems than it solves, especially when it is inappropriately applied. In this article, I will attempt to uncover and elucidate the shortcomings of JIT by exposing its major weaknesses. However, my intent here is not to discredit or downplay the benefits of JIT it has been credited with large increases in quality, and decreases in production time, capital expenditures, and inventory costs.' Instead, my aim is to inform and educate practitioners about potential obstacles that may be encountered in implementing this system. The need for such a paper was highlighted by a recent survey conducted by Price Waterhouse, which found that most manufacturing executives do not understand JIT, even though their companies use it.2 I will begin this article with a brief introduction to JIT and outline its major benefits. Then, I will discuss several areas where problems may arise, using Porter's five forces model of competition, as well as other problem areas. Lastly, I will suggest ways managers can determine and evaluate the appropriateness of JIT for a given situation.
Retrospective analysis of postpartum hemorrhage in 63 cases

Objective To understand the obstetric maternal postpartum hemorrhage and blood transfusion in our hospital.Methods To perform the retrospective analysis on 63 cases of postpartum hemorrhage and blood transfusion in our hospital from November 2008 to December 2009.Results The main causes of postpartum hemorrhage were uterine atony(33%) and placenta factor(27%).The puerperas with postpartum hemorrhage less than 800 mL were infused suspended red blood cells,whole blood,plasma and apheresis platelets 25 U,200 mL,1 000 mL and 3 dosis curativa respectively.The puerperas with postpartum hemorrhage 800-2 000 mL were infused suspended red blood cells,whole blood,plasma,cryoprecipitate and apheresis platelets 1 000 mL,2 600 mL,47 U,10 U and 1 dosis curativa respectively.The puerperas with postpartum hemorrhage more than 2 000 mL were infused suspended red blood cells,whole blood,washed red blood cells,plasma,cryoprecipitate and apheresis platelets 188 U,8 300 mL,12 850 mL,24.5 U and 1 dosis curativa respectively.After 24 h of postpartum hemorrhage,RBC count,hemoglobin and hematocrit in the puerperas with postpartum hemorrhage less than 800 mL averaged 2.64×1012/L,78 g/L and 0.22 respectively.The puerperas with postpartum hemorrhage between 800 mL and 2 000 mL averaged 2.45×1012/L,70 g/L and 0.19 respectively.The puerperas with postpartum hemorrhage 2 000 mL or above averaged 2.56×1012/L,75 g/L and 0.21 respectively.Conclusion The blood transfusion for treating postpartum hemorrhage is non-standard in our hospital.According to different bleeding and situation of maternal,the reasonable and effective blood component transfusion should been selected.