cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multilateral energy lending and urban bias in autocracies: promoting fossil fuels

Energy demand is growing rapidly across the world, and international funding agencies like the World Bank have responded by emphasizing energy in their project portfolios. Some of these projects promote the use of fossil fuels, while others support cleaner forms of energy. For climate change mitigation, it is important to understand how international funders decide on the choice between fossil fuels and cleaner sources of energy. Examining the energy funding portfolios of the nine most important international funders for the years 2008-2011, we show that funding for fossil fuels has been concentrated in highly urbanized autocracies. Due to economies of scale, fossil fuels are suitable for generating heat and electricity for densely populated urban areas. Autocratic rulers are subject to urban bias in their policy formulation because the support of concentrated urban constituencies is key to an autocrat’s political survival, and in democracies environmental constituencies can effectively oppose fossil fuel projects.
Cancer-specific mortality following radical cystectomy for bladder cancer with lymph node involvement: impact of pathologic disease features and adjuvant chemotherapy

Purpose While lymph node involvement (LNI) has been associated with adverse outcomes following radical cystectomy (RC), clinicopathologic variables associated with survival continue to be defined. Therefore, we evaluated survival in patients with LNI to define factors associated with death from bladder cancer.
Results of clinical renal transplantation in 15 dogs using triple drug immunosuppressive therapy.

Objective— To evaluate outcome of renal transplantation in dogs administered cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisolone immunosuppression. Study Design— Prospective clinical study. Animals— Fifteen dogs with chronic renal failure. Results— Nine dogs died within 1 month of surgery; 5 died from complications associated with generalized thromboembolism. Three dogs survived for 6–25 months. Three dogs alive at the time of this report have survived 22–48 months; however, all 3 dogs have had bacterial infections that responded to antibiotic therapy. There was no biochemical evidence of acute allograft rejection in any dog. Perioperative use of enoxaparin may have prevented thromboembolism in 5 dogs. Conclusions— Triple drug immunosuppressive therapy used in this study prevented acute renal allograft rejection in 6 dogs that survived >4 weeks; however, immunosuppression was excessive, resulting in an unacceptable frequency of infection and other drug-related complications. Perioperative anticoagulation therapy seem to be warranted. Clinical Relevance— Survival time and quality of life for this group of dogs was poor; however, there was no evidence of acute rejection in the dogs surviving >4 weeks. This protocol should only be used if the degree of immunosuppression is reduced, and early evidence of allograft rejection is monitored by renal biopsy or markers of lymphocyte activation.
Three loblolly pine CesA genes expressed in developing xylem are orthologous to secondary cell wall CesA genes of angiosperms

Summary • Specific plant cellulose synthases (CesA), encoded by a multigene family, are necessary for secondary wall synthesis in vascular tissues and are critical to wood production. We obtained full-length clones for the three CesAs that are highly expressed in developing xylem and examined their phylogenetic relationships and expression patterns in loblolly pine tissues. • Full-length CesA clones were isolated from cDNA of developing loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) xylem and phylogenetic inferences made from plant CesA protein sequences. Expression of the three genes was examined by Northern blot analysis and semiquantitative RT-PCR. • Each of three PtCesA genes is orthologous to one of the three angiosperm secondary cell wall CesAs. The PtCesAs are coexpressed in tissues of loblolly pine with tissues undergoing secondary cell wall biosynthesis showing the highest levels of expression. Phylogenetic and expression analyses suggest that functional roles for these loblolly pine CesAs are analogous to those of orthologs in angiosperm taxa. • Based upon evidence from this and other studies, we suggest division of seed plant CesA genes into six major paralogous groups, each containing orthologs from various taxa. Available evidence suggests that paralogous CesA genes and their distinct functional roles evolved before the divergence of gymnosperm and angiosperm lineages.
A profile of today`s computer literacy student

What are the opinions and biases of students entering this course today? What do these students think they know, what do they think they should be learning? Have their opinions been altered by the technological and software trends? Do younger and older students have similar or markedly differing views and computer experiences. Can the needs of the students be met by such courses, or are the students actually more technologically literate than we believe? Noting the changes that have taken place over the last three or four years in the literacy course, the authors prepared a survey that was completed by all the students in two universities (317 students) during the first class of the fall 1985 semester. The results of that survey are the basis of this paper.
Risk of House Staff Tuberculin Skin Test Conversion in an Area with a High Incidence of Tuberculosis

We prospectively evaluated rates of tuberculin skin test (TST) conversion from July 1992 to June 1997 among house staff in the Emory University Affiliated Hospitals Training Program following implementation of expanded infection control measures for tuberculosis at Grady Memorial Hospital (Atlanta), which cares for ∼200 patients with tuberculosis per year. Over 5 years, documented TST conversions occurred for 52 (2.4%) of 2,144 house staff. Conversion rates decreased after the first 6 months from 5.98 to 1.09 per 100 person-years worked over the next 4.5 years (P <.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that risk factors for TST conversion included graduation from a foreign medical school and being part of the house staff in the Department of Medicine; race or ethnicity, gender, and age were not risk factors. Over the last 4.5 years, the TST conversion rate among U.S. medical school graduate house staff (n = 1,928) was 0.72 per 100 person-years worked, and there was no significant difference in conversion rates between house staff in the Department of Medicine and house staff in other departments. In summary, TST seroconversion rates decreased significantly following full implementation of expanded infection control measures for tuberculosis and were low (<1% per year) among U.S. medical school graduates despite their caring for large numbers of patients with tuberculosis at an inner-city public hospital.
REGULATION OF EXPRESSION OF N-METHYLPURINE DNA GLYCOSYLASE IN HUMAN MAMMARY EPITHELIAL CELLS : ROLE OF TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR AP-2

The DNA repair enzyme, N-methylpurine DNA glyclosylase (MPG), is overexpressed in breast cancer as compared with its expression in normal breast epithelial cells. In an effort to determine the mechanism responsible for this difference in expression, we studied rates and regulation of transcription of the MPG gene in normal (HMEC), spontaneously immortalized (MCF10A), and malignant (T47D) mammary epithelial cells. Steady state levels of MPG mRNA are 3-4-fold greater in T47D cells than in MCF10A cells. Nuclear "run-off" transcription measurements revealed MPG transcription rates to be approximately 3-fold greater in the tumor cells than in normal cells. Characterization of the MPG promoter by deletion analysis and transient transfection experiments revealed that all basal promoter activity resided between nucleotides -227 and -81 upstream from the ATG translation start site. Constructs containing this region were expressed at 4-fold greater levels when transfected into malignant T47D cells (56 x baseline) than in MCF10A cells (14 x baseline). Computer database analysis of the region of nucleotides -227 to -81 revealed multiple overlapping Sp1 consensus binding sites and two overlapping consensus AP-2 binding sites located between bases -181 and -169. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicated that while Sp1 bound this region of the promoter, nuclear extracts from both cell types contained equal Sp1 binding activity. In contrast, AP-2 binding activity was significantly greater in T47D cells, and Western blots confirmed increased AP-2 protein levels in these cells. Cotransfection into MCF10A cells of the MPG promoter construct and an AP-2 expression plasmid increased MPG promoter activity 2.1-fold. Cotransfection of a dominant negative mutant of AP-2 into T47D cells reduced the extent of MPG promoter-driven transcription by 50%. To investigate the functional significance of the two overlapping AP-2 consensus binding sites, each site was mutated separately. Mutation of the upstream site decreased promoter activity by 15%, but mutation of the downstream site decreased promoter activity by 45% and abolished AP-2 binding to the promoter sequence. These data suggest that AP-2 is important in regulating MPG expression in breast cancer cells, and that the increased amount of AP-2 in these cells plays a major role in directing the increased expression of MPG.
The effect of initial bubble size distribution on the interbubble gas diffusion in foam

Abstract The changes in bubble size produced by the titled effect are computed in detail from theory and mutually compared. The results show a marked effect on the increases in the various averages of bubble size with time, but a much smaller effect on the fractional decrease in the overall surface of the bubbles.
The Heavy-Ion Approximation for Ambipolar Diffusion Calculations for Weakly Ionized Plasmas

Ambipolar diffusion redistributes magnetic flux in weakly ionized plasmas and plays a critical role in star formation. Simulations of ambipolar diffusion using explicit MHD codes are prohibitively expensive for the level of ionization observed in molecular clouds (10-6), since an enormous number of time steps is required to represent the dynamics of the dominant neutral component with a time step determined by the trace ion component. Here, we show that ambipolar diffusion calculations can be significantly accelerated by the "heavy-ion approximation," in which the mass density of the ions is increased and the collisional coupling constant with the neutrals decreased such that the product remains constant. In this approximation the ambipolar diffusion time and the ambipolar magnetic Reynolds number remain unchanged. We present three tests of the heavy-ion approximation: C-type shocks, the Wardle instability, and the one-dimensional collapse of a magnetized slab. We show that this approximation is quite accurate provided that (1) the square of the Alfven Mach number is small compared to the ambipolar diffusion Reynolds number for dynamical problems, and that (2) the ion mass density is negligible for quasi-static problems; a specific criterion is given for the magnetized slab problem. The first condition can be very stringent for turbulent flows with large density fluctuations.
Fortuitous Therapeutic Effect of Taser Shock for a Patient in Atrial Fibrillation

Neuromuscular incapacitating devices are used by law enforcement and military forces worldwide. The most frequently used of these devices are from Taser International. Although they are regarded as a less than lethal alternative, there have been several case reports aimed at linking the potential causal relationship of a shock from a neuromuscular incapacitating device and sudden cardiac death caused by induced ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. In this report, we describe the first known account in which a neuromuscular incapacitating device had a temporal relationship to a more positive therapeutic outcome for a patient.
Amelioration of Graft versus Host Disease with Anti-ICAM-1 Therapy

Abstract We have previously demonstrated an increase in the adhesion molecule lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) in GVHD after small bowel transplantation (SBTx) and a therapeutic effect for the monoclonal antibody (MoAb) to LFA-1 in the same model. The present study evaluated the role of MoAb to LFA-1's ligand, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in GVHD. Methods. GVHD was created in LBNF 1 rats by heterotopic vascularized SBTx from Lewis donors. Saline treated SBTx-GVHD and sham-operated control animals were compared to animal groups treated with MoAb to ICAM-1 or MoAb to ICAM-1 and LFA-1. GVHD was evaluated by measuring spleen index, white blood cell count, bowel permeability, weight loss, and animal survival. Results. Animals treated with the MoAb to ICAM-1 appeared clinically to have almost as severe GVHD as untreated animals; however, they had improved spleen indices, less neutropenia and weight loss, and survived longer than untreated animals (range 15–22 days in treated animals vs 12–16 days in untreated animals, P P Conclusion. MoAb to ICAM-1 alone or in combination with MoAb to LFA-1 ameliorates GHVD after SBTx and prolongs survival.
An investigation into pay valence and performance in a pay‐for‐performance field setting

Inconsistent findings have been reported in the few studies investigating the relationship between the perceived value of pay and incentive performance. One hundred and seventy-eight female incentive employees with a nine-week, non-judgmental performance measure responded to a developed valence of pay scale. This measure used items assessing the perceived ability of pay to address employee needs. Three factor-scales were found within these items. Support for the hypothesized positive relationship between pay valence and incentive performance was found, dependent on which of the three scales was used. These findings provide initial insight into the means by which pay, with its ability to address different needs, might provide differential employee motivation and performance levels. This study and future research issues are discussed.
Evidence for salt diffusion from sediments contributing to increasing salinity in the Salton Sea, California

Geochemical investigations of interstitial waters from the Salton Sea, CA reveal evidence of concentrated brines in the sediments underlying the lake’s two basins. The brines are likely caused by the gradual dissolution of evaporite deposits. The chemical composition of the brine in the northern basin is dominated by magnesium and sulfate and differs from the southern basin where the dominant components are sodium and chloride. Sediment depth distributions of major ions and porosity indicate diffusion of salts from the sediments into the overlying waters in both basins. Benthic fluxes have been calculated for the four most abundant ions: magnesium, sodium, sulfate and chloride. For the northern basin we calculate diffusive fluxes of 3.7 × 10−2, 8.2 × 10−2, 44 × 10−2, and 5.4 × 10−2 g cm−2 yr−1 for magnesium, sodium, sulfate and chloride, respectively. For the southern basin we calculate diffusive fluxes of 0.9 × 10−2, 9.7 × 10−2, 6.9 × 10−2, and 25 × 10−2 g cm−2 yr−1 for these same ions. By scaling up our results we estimate the salinity flux from the sediment to the water column to be between 3.6 × 104 and 3.6 × 105metric tons per year, equivalent to 1–10% of the riverine input. These results are important for developing strategies to combat rising salinity in the Salton Sea, CA.
Adjusting for differential rates of prophylaxis therapy for PCP in high- versus low-dose AZT treatment arms in an AIDS randomized trial

Abstract In the AIDS Clinical Trial Group randomized trial 002 comparing the effect of high-dose versus low-dose 3-azido-3-deoxythymidine (AZT) on the survival of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, the median survival in the low-dose arm exceeded that in the high-dose arm. But subjects in the low-dose AZT arm received significantly more prophylaxis therapy for pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), a nonrandomized treatment, than those in the high-dose AZT arm. Thus the improved median survival in the low-dose arm might represent either the benefits associated with avoiding the toxicity of high-dose AZT therapy or the benefits of receiving prophylaxis therapy. The authors use structural nested failure time (SNFT) models to estimate the survival curves that would have been observed if the PCP prophylaxis experience in the high-dose and low-dose treatment arms had been similar. Our simplest models relate a subject's observed time of death and observed prophylaxis therapy to the time that the...
The drug treatment of anxiety and panic disorder

The mainstay of drug treatment of non-psychotic anxiety is the benzodiazepine group of drugs, but major side-effects are sedation and dose-related psychomotor, cognitive and memory impairments. However, tolerance to sedation-related side-effects usually develops, although not to the anxiolytic effects. Buspirone, an azaspiro-decanedione, is the first FDA-approved non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic. Anxiolytic efficacy similar to the benzodiazepines has been established, although the onset of effect is more gradual. Infrequent side-effects are dizziness, nausea, headaches, nervousness and lightheadedness; but it would not appear to cause sedation, memory effects or physical dependence. In a double-blind prospective study to compare buspirone to clorazepate, withdrawal effects occurred with the latter but not with the former. In formulating treatment strategies for anxiety and panic disorders, consideration should be given to the duration of symptoms and likely duration of therapy, and anxiolytics should be titrated to the lowest possible dose consistent with maximal relief of anxiety and the least adverse effects.
Effects of streptozotocin on glucose metabolism, insulin response, and adiposity in ob/ob mice.

Abstract To determine whether hyperglycemia in the obese hyperglycemic ( ob ob ) mouse is related to enhanced activity of the pancreatic beta cell, streptozotocin (175 mg/kg) was injected into lean and ob ob mice at 8 wk of age. The influence of this injection upon glucose metabolism, adipose cellularity, pancreatic morphology and immunoreactive insulin (IRI) release from isolated pancreatic islets was measured. The plasma glucose levels before and after an oral glucose load were elevated in lean and decreased in ob ob mice 2 wk after treatment with streptozotocin. By 5 wk after this treatment, a reduced pancreatic islet size, beta cell number and a decreased pancreatic islet IRI release were present in both lean and ob ob mice. At this time, plasma glucose was still elevated in lean, but depressed in ob ob mice and the insulin responsiveness in muscle and adipocytes was unchanged. Hyperglycemia abates in the ob ob mouse as hypersecretion of insulin is diminished, but these observations may not be directly related, since streptozotocin affects key metabolic activities of the liver as well as the pancreatic beta cell. The progression of obesity and status of adipose cellularity are not directly related to hyperinsulinemia, since they are not altered following streptozotocin treatment.
Peroxide induced cross-linking by reactive melt processing of two biopolyesters: Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and poly(l-lactic acid) to improve their melting processability

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) were individually cross-linked with dicumyl peroxide (DCP) (0.25-1 wt %) by reactive melt processing. The cross-linked structures of the polymer gel were investigated by nuclear magnetic reso- nance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies. The size of the polymer crystal spherulites, glass transition temper- ature (Tg), melting transition temperature (Tm), and crystallinity were all decreased as a result of cross-linking. Cross-linking density (me) was shown to increase with DCP concentration. Based on parallel plate rheological study (dynamic and steady shear), elastic and viscous modulus (G 00 and G 0 ), complex viscosity (g*) and steady shear viscosity (g) were all shown to increase with cross-linking. Cross-linked PHB and PLLA showed broader molar mass distribution and formation of long chain branching (LCB) as estimated by RheoMWD. Improvements in melt strength offer bioplastic processors improved material properties and processing options, such as foaming and thermoforming, for new applications. V C 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41724.
Fish density and size alter Pacific halibut feeding: implications for stock assessment

Laboratory experiments were conducted with Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis to test the hypothesis that responsiveness to food cues is density- and size- dependent. Tanks holding one, two and four fish were video-taped continuously before and after introduction of an olfactory cue and whole baits (squid). Pre-cue indices of activity did not vary with fish density. After olfactory stimulation, per capita activity was directly related to density, with no significant increase in activity by single fish. Numbers of baits located, attacked and consumed were directly related to fish density, and average times to first attack varied from 12s in groups of four fish to > 15 min in single fish. The latency period between location and attack decreased significantly with fish density. When large (43--55cm, total length, LT) and small (31-38 cm L T ) Pacific halibut were tested together in pairs and groups of four fish, small individuals located baits first in 61% of the trials. Large fish, however, consumed all of the baits (except one) in trials where both large and small fish responded. Social facilitation in Pacific halibut feeding will result in a non-linear relationship between catch per unit effort and population density, and the size composition of fish captured may be influenced by interference competition.
Signal processing via least squares error modeling

The signal model presently considered is composed of a linear combination of basis signals chosen to reflect the basic nature believed to characterize the data being modeled. The basis signals are dependent on a set of real parameters selected to ensure that the signal model best approximates the data in a least-square-error (LSE) sense. In the nonlinear programming algorithms presented for computing the optimum parameter selection, the emphasis is placed on computational efficiency considerations. The development is formulated in a vector-space setting and uses such fundamental vector-space concepts as inner products, the range- and null-space matrices, orthogonal vectors, and the generalized Gramm-Schmidt orthogonalization procedure. A running set of representative signal-processing examples are presented to illustrate the theoretical concepts as well as point out the utility of LSE modeling. These examples include the modeling of empirical data as a sum of complex exponentials and sinusoids, linear prediction, linear recursive identification, and direction finding. >
Tracking chondrocytes and assessing their proliferation with carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester: effects on cell functions.

Distinguishing between implanted and host-derived cells, as well as cells of different phenotypes, is important in determining mechanisms of cell-based repair of cartilage. The objectives of this study were to assess the utility of carboxyfluorescein diacetate, succinimidyl ester (“CFDA, SE” or CFSE) for tracking chondrocytes from superficial (S) and middle (M) zones and their proliferation, and to determine the effects of CFSE on the chondrocyte functions, proliferation, and synthesis of proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) and glycosaminoglycan (GAG). CFSE-labeled and unlabeled S and M zone chondrocytes were plated in either low- or high-density (10,000 or 200,000 cells/cm2) monolayer, incubated, and analyzed on days 1 and 7. Cell suspensions were analyzed for retention of CFSE by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy and for cell proliferation by assay for DNA and GAG. Cultures were also analyzed for newly synthesized PRG4. Deconvolution of flow cytometric histograms was done to determine the number of cells in ...
Transient analysis of data-normalized adaptive filters

This paper develops an approach to the transient analysis of adaptive filters with data normalization. Among other results, the derivation characterizes the transient behavior of such filters in terms of a linear time-invariant state-space model. The stability, of the model then translates into the mean-square stability of the adaptive filters. Likewise, the steady-state operation of the model provides information about the mean-square deviation and mean-square error performance of the filters. In addition to deriving earlier results in a unified manner, the approach leads to stability and performance results without restricting the regression data to being Gaussian or white. The framework is based on energy-conservation arguments and does not require an explicit recursion for the covariance matrix of the weight-error vector.
Molecular trees of trypanosomes incongruent with fossil records of hosts

Molecular trees of trypanosomes have confirmed conventionally accepted genera, but often produce topologies that are incongruent with knowledge of the evolution, systematics, and biogeography of hosts and vectors. These distorted topologies result largely from incorrect assumptions about molecular clocks. A host-based phylogenetic tree could serve as a broad outline against which the reasonability of molecular phylogenies could be evaluated. The host-based tree of trypanosomes presented here supports the " invertebrate first " hypothesis of trypansosome evolution, supports the monophyly of Trypanosomatidae, and indicates the digenetic lifestyle arose three times. An area cladogram of Leishmania supports origination in the Palaearctic during the Palaeocene.
InGaAs/InP negative-feedback avalanche diodes (NFADs) and solid state photomultipliers (SSPMs)

Due to the inherent positive feedback mechanism involved in the impact ionization avalanche process, InGaAs/InP single photon avalanche photodiodes (SPADs) have historically exhibited certain shortcomings such as low counting rate and inability to resolve photon number. To overcome some of the performance limitations of regular SPADs, we have developed negative feedback avalanche diodes (NFADs) which employ a negative feedback mechanism to regulate the avalanche process. The fabrication process of NFADs is flexible and is based on our design platform used to provide industry-leading SPAD performance. The operation of NFAD devices is also very simple, with only a DC bias is required. Various discrete devices and matrices composed of different elements have been designed, fabricated and characterized. For discrete devices, ~10% photon detection efficiency has been realized consistent with acceptable afterpulsing probability, providing a convenient photon-counting solution for certain applications. The negative feedback mechanism significantly improves the uniformity of the output pulse heights and avalanche charge per detection event, resulting in a low "charge excess noise" factor. We demonstrate that when NFAD devices are configured in a matrix format, they have the ability to resolve photon number and work effectively as solid state photomultipliers (SSPMs) in the short wave infrared (SWIR) region. The InGaAs/InP NFAD SSPMs will have the potential to replace photomultiplier tubes and silicon photomultiplier (SiPMs) in applications where single photon sensitivity in the SWIR region beyond ~0.9 μm is critical.
Work in progress - development of an engineering technology freshman seminar course

Current research has shown that the freshman year can be crucial for the success or failure of students. The first-year experience for undergraduate students has been a topic of concern in our college for some time now - especially when it relates to student success, satisfaction, and retention. Like most institutions of higher education, our students come from diverse backgrounds, different levels of academic preparation, age levels, and socio-economic backgrounds. Some are not even sure if they are in the right place to start with. These factors can make the transition to post-secondary education very difficult for most students, especially the freshman class. This paper discusses the evolution of a Freshman Seminar course from inception to its current configuration. Topics include the events and forces driving the format and topic changes of the course, outcome expectations by faculty, students' course evaluation, and plans for expected changes.
Mapping vegetation in Yellowstone National Park using spectral feature analysis of AVIRIS data

Abstract Knowledge of the distribution of vegetation on the landscape can be used to investigate ecosystem functioning. The sizes and movements of animal populations can be linked to resources provided by different plant species. This paper demonstrates the application of imaging spectroscopy to the study of vegetation in Yellowstone National Park (Yellowstone) using spectral feature analysis of data from the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS). AVIRIS data, acquired on August 7, 1996, were calibrated to surface reflectance using a radiative transfer model and field reflectance measurements of a ground calibration site. A spectral library of canopy reflectance signatures was created by averaging pixels of the calibrated AVIRIS data over areas of known forest and nonforest vegetation cover types in Yellowstone. Using continuum removal and least squares fitting algorithms in the US Geological Survey's Tetracorder expert system, the distributions of these vegetation types were determined by comparing the absorption features of vegetation in the spectral library with the spectra from the AVIRIS data. The 0.68 μm chlorophyll absorption feature and leaf water absorption features, centered near 0.98 and 1.20 μm, were analyzed. Nonforest cover types of sagebrush, grasslands, willows, sedges, and other wetland vegetation were mapped in the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone. Conifer cover types of lodgepole pine, whitebark pine, Douglas fir, and mixed Engelmann spruce/subalpine fir forests were spectrally discriminated and their distributions mapped in the AVIRIS images. In the Mount Washburn area of Yellowstone, a comparison of the AVIRIS map of forest cover types to a map derived from air photos resulted in an overall agreement of 74.1% (kappa statistic=0.62).
The incidence of malignant melanoma in the United States: Issues as we approach the 21st century

The risk of malignant melanoma developing in an American in the United States has now reached 1 in 87 (up more than 1800% since the 1930s). This rising incidence of malignant melanoma is, in fact, real because (1) it is not due to increased surveillance; (2) it is not due to better cancer-counting methods in general; (3) it is not due to changes in histologic diagnostic criteria; (4) it is being noted worldwide; and (5) most importantly, despite rising survival percentages, the mortality rate from malignant melanoma also continues to rise. On the basis of these trends, incidence rates for malignant melanoma will continue to rise for at least the next 10 to 20 years, although the demographics of those affected may change. Effective programs to improve public and professional education must be developed to enhance early clinical detection and behavioral changes. An establishment of a National Melanoma Registry is needed to more effectively assess the magnitude and impact of future incidence and the success of prevention program efforts into the next century.
Limits on voltage scaling for caches utilizing fault tolerant techniques

This paper proposes a new low power cache architecture that utilizes fault tolerance to allow aggressively reduced voltage levels. The fault tolerant overhead circuits consume little energy, but enable the system to operate correctly and boost the system performance to close to defect free operation. Overall, power savings of over 40% are reported on standard benchmarks.
Risk of venous thromboembolism occurrence among adults with selected autoimmune diseases: a study among a U.S. cohort of commercial insurance enrollees.

Abstract Objective This study assessed the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among privately insured adults in the U.S. with one or more of the following autoimmune diseases: autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Materials and Methods Using the Truven Health MarketScan® Databases, patients 18–64 years of age with a diagnosis of AIHA, ITP, RA, or SLE in 2007 and a sex and age-group matched comparison group of enrollees were followed up through 2010 to identify VTE events. Survival curve and Cox proportional hazards analyses were conducted to assess differences between groups. Results Among patients with AIHA, ITP, RA, or SLE, or > 1 of these diseases, the risk of at least one VTE event was 19.74, 7.72, 4.90, 9.89, and 13.35 per 1,000 person-years, respectively; among the comparison group, the risk was 1.91 per 1,000 person-years. The adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for VTE among patients with AIHA, ITP, RA, or SLE, or > 1 of these diseases (when compared with the comparison group) tended to decline over follow-up time; at 1 year, the aHRs were 6.30 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.44–8.94), 2.95 (95% CI: 2.18–4.00), 2.13 (95% CI: 1.89–2.40), 4.68 (95% CI: 4.10–5.33), and 5.11 (95% CI: 4.26–6.14), respectively. Conclusion Having AIHA, ITP, RA, or SLE, or > 1 of these diseases was associated with an increased likelihood of a VTE event. More research is necessary to develop better understanding of VTE occurrence among people with autoimmune diseases.
Habitat and substrate influences on population and production dynamics of a stream caddisfly, Ceraclea ancylus (Leptoceridae)

SUMMARY. Population and production dynamics of Ceraclea ancylus (Vorhies), a leptocerid caddisfly with a univoltine life cycle, five larval instars, and a single cohort population, were examined in Brashears Creek, Kentucky. A systematic sampling approach that included analysis in riffle, pool, and waterwillow bed habitats was used and fourteen sampling transects were taken across Brashears Creek between May 1971 and July 1972. For each of the 70 m2 samples taken along a transect, the depth, habitat, and substrate type were recorded. The number of C. ancylus cases and numbers and dry weights of each larval instar were determined. The majority of the C. ancylus population was in the second larval instar in July, the third larval instar in August, the fourth larval instar in September, and the fifth larval instar from October through May. The spring population was 30% of the early instar maximum estimated the previous August. The spatial distribution of C. ancylus reflects a logarithmic pattern with early instar larvae more highly clumped than the late larval instar and pupal populations. Initial standing stock estimates were less than 1% of the standing stock biomass. A production estimate of 9.9 mg/m2·year (dry weight) was determined using the instantaneous growth method, Allen's Curve method, and the Hynes method of estimating secondary production. Turnover ratios (7.0 annual TR, 5.7 cohort TR) were higher than estimates reported as typical for benthic macroinvertebrates because of the low initial to final mean individual weight of the C. ancylus larvae (0.4%). Production estimates calculated for C. ancylus populations in waterwillow bed (4.4 mg/m2·year) and pool (13.7 mg/m2·year) habitats were less than calculated for the riffle population (19.9 mg/m2·year). The annual turnover ratio (10.2) was higher in the pool population than in other habitats because of spring larval migration into the pool from other habitats. A trend of higher production estimates with larger sized substrate particles and increased numbers of particles may reflect the increase in available food sources or attachment sites. The accuracy of production estimates and their applicability to water resource management may be limited by a failure to consider the spatial distributions of the population being sampled and the tendency for sampling procedures to be confined to single habitats.
On the Construction of Invertible Filter Banks on the 2-Sphere

The theories of signal sampling, filter banks, wavelets, and ldquoovercomplete waveletsrdquo are well established for the Euclidean spaces and are widely used in the processing and analysis of images. While recent advances have extended some filtering methods to spherical images, many key challenges remain. In this paper, we develop theoretical conditions for the invertibility of filter banks under continuous spherical convolution. Furthermore, we present an analogue of the Papoulis generalized sampling theorem on the 2-Sphere. We use the theoretical results to establish a general framework for the design of invertible filter banks on the sphere and demonstrate the approach with examples of self-invertible spherical wavelets and steerable pyramids. We conclude by examining the use of a self-invertible spherical steerable pyramid in a denoising experiment and discussing the computational complexity of the filtering framework
Improving Weapon Detection in Single Energy X-Ray Images Through Pseudocoloring

This paper describes a series of linear and nonlinear pseudocoloring maps designed and applied to single energy X-ray luggage scans to assist airport screeners in identifying and detecting threat items, particularly hard to see low-density weapons in luggage. Considerations of the psychological and physiological processing involved in the human perception of color as well as the effects of using various color models, such as the RGB and HSI models, were explored. Original grayscale data, various enhanced images, and segmented scenes were used as input to the various color mapping schemes designed in this research. A highly interactive user-friendly graphical interface and a portable test were developed and used in a performance evaluation study involving a population of actual federal airport screeners. The study proved the advantages of using color over gray level data and also allowed the ranking of color maps and selection of the best performing color schemes. Rate improvements in weapon detection of up to 97% were achieved through the use of color
Qeauty and the books: a response to Lewis’s quantum sleeping beauty problem

In his 2007 paper “Quantum Sleeping Beauty”, Peter Lewis poses a problem for the supporters’ of the Everett interpretation of quantum mechanics appeal to subjective probability. Lewis’s argument hinges on parallels between the traditional “sleeping beauty” problem in epistemology and a quantum variant. These two cases, Lewis argues, advocate different treatments of credences even though they share important epistemic similarities, leading to a tension between the traditional solution to the sleeping beauty problem (typically called the “thirder” solution) and Everettian quantum mechanics. In this paper I examine the metaphysical and epistemological differences between Lewis’s two cases, and, in particular, I show how diachronic Dutch book arguments support both the thirder solution in the traditional case and the Everettian’s solution in the variant case. These Dutch books, I argue, reveal an important disanalogy between Lewis’s two cases such that Lewis’s argument does not reveal an inconsistency in either the Everettian’s or the thirder’s assignment of credences.
Effects of masking H-2 and Ir gene products on the in vitro responses of cells from immunized and naive mice.

ConclusionsMouse spleen cells from immunized and naive animals were cultured for 3 days with SRBC and antisera to H-2K, H-2D, la, or aggregated IgG. Direct and indirect antibody responses were impaired by each of these agents only when the responding cells had been obtained from unimmunized mice. It was found that as lymphoid cells reacted to the antigen and progressed toward a fully matured antibody response, they first became resistant to inhibition by anti-H-2K and H-2D sera and somewhat later they lost their vulnerability to agents that reacted with Ia antigens.
Field Note: Impact of Spring or Fall Repeated Prescribed Fire on Growth of Ponderosa Pine in Eastern Oregon, USA

Prescribed burning is used to reduce fuel loads and to return fire to its historic disturbance role in western forests. Managers need to know the effects of prescribed fire on tree growth. Growth of residual ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) was measured in an existing long-term study of the effects of season-of-prescribed burn in combination with a single or a repeated burn. Each of six previously thinned mixed-age stands in the Blue Mountains near Burns, Oregon, was subdivided into three experimental units, and one of three treatments was randomly assigned to each: fall 1997 burn, spring 1998 burn, and no burn (control). Treatments were operational-sized prescribed burns. In 2002/2003 each burned unit was split, and one-half was burned again, maintaining the original season of burn. Sample trees were evaluated for growth 5 and 10 seasons after the initial prescribed fires. We conclude that after accounting for the crown scorch proportion neither a single spring or fall prescribed fire treatment nor a repeated fire treatment 5 years later affected the growth of thinned ponderosa pine 10 years after the initial 1997/1998 fires. A linear regression is included to estimate bark thickness based on dbh.
HD 203030B: An Unusually Cool Young Substellar Companion near the L/T Transition

We present the discovery of a brown dwarf companion to the star HD 203030: a G8 V Solar analog with an estimated age between 130 and 400 Myr old G8 V. Separated by 11".9 (487 AU in projection) from its host star, HD 203030B has an estimated mass of 0.023^(+0.008)_(-0.011) M_☉. The K-band spectral type of L7.5 ± 0.5 places HD 203030B near the critical L/T transition in brown dwarfs, which is characterized by the rapid disappearance of dust in substellar photospheres. From a comparative analysis with well-characterized field L/T transition dwarfs, we find that, despite its young age, HD 203030B has a bolometric luminosity similar to the >1 Gyr old field dwarfs. Adopting a radius from current models of substellar evolution, we hence obtain that the effective temperature of HD 203030B is only 1206^(+74)_(-116) K, markedly lower than the ≈1440 K effective temperatures of field L/T transition dwarfs. The temperature discrepancy can be resolved if either (1) the ages of field brown dwarfs have been overestimated by a factor of ≈1.5, leading to underestimated radii, or (2) the lower effective temperature of HD 203030B is related to its young age, implying that the effective temperature at the L/T transition is gravity dependent.
Experiments and Modeling of the Thermal Resistance of In-Line Square Pin-Fin Heat Sinks With Top By-Pass Flow

The thermal resistance of in-line square-pin fin heat sinks was experimentally investigated. In a companion paper [1], extensive results for the hydraulic behavior of such heat sinks with and without top-bypass were reported. It was shown that the top-bypass, as well as pin pitch, strongly influence the fin flow available for cooling. Systematic measurements of the overall thermal resistance with a uniformly heated base were performed for the same set of twenty aluminum heat sinks. Pin height was varied from 12.5 mm to 22.5 mm, pin pitch was varied from 3.4 mm to 6.33 mm, and base dimensions were kept fixed at 25 × 25 mm. The overall base to ambient thermal resistance was measured as a function of heat sink geometry, approach velocity and by-pass height. Experimental results were compared with predictions based on a simple one-dimensional “two-branch bypass model”. It was found that the overall heat transfer is governed by the fin flow, hence, empirical data for the zero bypass case can be used to predict the decrease of heat sink performance with flow bypass.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Modifying the U.S. Air Force Fitness Test to Reflect Physical Combat Fitness: One Study's Perspective

ABSTRACTWithin the past few years, the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps have either incorporated or in the process of incorporating physical fitness tests that assess a soldier's fitness capability in a combat environment. In this article, we investigate how the U.S. Air Force Physical Fitness Test (AFPFT) events compare to sister-services' physical fitness test events with respect to their predictability of a proxy for combat fitness. Using linear regression via ordinary least squares, we demonstrate that the AFPFT correlates poorly with an airman's combat fitness. AFPFT scores had minimal predictability (adjusted R2 0.20–0.23). Investigating all of the individual events from the three services tests, we develop a new Air Force fitness to consider and to adopt. The test incorporates a timed 1/2-mile run, 30-lb dumbbell lifts in 2 minutes, and maximum number of push-ups in 1 minute. The adjusted R2 for this model was 0.90, an almost 300% improvement over the current test, in terms of predicting combat fitness.
Integrin-specific hydrogels functionalized with VEGF for vascularization and bone regeneration of critical-size bone defects

Vascularization of bone defects is considered a crucial component to the successful regeneration of large bone defects. Although vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been delivered to critical-size bone defect models to augment blood vessel infiltration into the defect area, its potential to increase bone repair remains ambiguous. In this study, we investigated whether integrin-specific biomaterials modulate the effects of VEGF on bone regeneration. We engineered protease-degradable, VEGF-loaded poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels functionalized with either a triple-helical, α2 β1 integrin-specific peptide GGYGGGP(GPP)5 GFOGER(GPP)5 GPC (GFOGER) or an αv β3 integrin-targeting peptide GRGDSPC (RGD). Covalent incorporation of VEGF into the PEG hydrogel allowed for protease degradation-dependent release of the protein while maintaining VEGF bioactivity. When applied to critical-size segmental defects in the murine radius, GFOGER-functionalized VEGF-free hydrogels exhibited significantly increased vascular volume and density and resulted in a larger number of thicker blood vessels compared to RGD-functionalized VEGF-free hydrogels. VEGF-loaded RGD hydrogels increased vascularization compared to VEGF-free RGD hydrogels, but the levels of vascularization for these VEGF-containing RGD hydrogels were similar to those of VEGF-free GFOGER hydrogels. VEGF transiently increased bone regeneration in RGD hydrogels but had no effect at later time points. In GFOGER hydrogels, VEGF did not show an effect on bone regeneration. However, VEGF-free GFOGER hydrogels resulted in increased bone regeneration compared to VEGF-free RGD hydrogels. These findings demonstrate the importance of integrin-specificity in engineering constructs for vascularization and associated bone regeneration.
Great Lakes: Great Decisions (a)

One of the few remaining producers of lead additives must decide whether to continue producing them for use abroad. Banned in the United States, lead additives were still legal in developing nations. Ellie Shannon, the division manager overseeing bromine production for the Indiana-based Great Lakes Chemical Corporation (Great Lakes), must advise Great Lakes' directors on whether the company should 1) continue production for the forseeable future, while developing countries moved from leaded vehicles to unleaded vehicles; 2) wash its hands entirely and immediately of the lead additive business; or 3) aggressively phase out its participation in this marketplace, with a five-year deadline, while lobbying for developing nations to switch to unleaded gasoline. Each of the options had its downside, however, financially, operationally, and in terms of reputation. Great Lakes placed a great deal of importance in its shareholders' well-being and in remaining a viable company, but it also wanted to be--and to be seen as--a respectable corporate citizen.