cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polyguide polymeric technology for optical interconnect circuits and components

The expanding information revolution has been made possible by the development of optical communication technology. To meet the escalating demand for information transmitted and processed at high data rates and the need to circumvent the growing electronic circuit bottlenecks, mass deployment of not only optical fiber networks but manufacturable optical interconnect circuits, components and connectors for interfacing fibers and electronics that meet economic and performance constraints are absolutely necessary. Polymeric waveguide optical interconnection are considered increasingly important to meet these market needs. DuPont's polyguide polymeric integrated optic channel waveguide system is thought by many to have considerable potential for a broad range of passive optical interconnect applications. In this paper the recent advances, status, and unique attributes of the technology are reviewed. Product and technology developments currently in progress including parallel optical ink organization and polymer optical interconnect technology developments funded by DARPA are used as examples to describe polyguide breadth and potential for manufacture and deployment of optical interconnection products for single and multimode telecom and datacom waveguide applications.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Rapid Monitoring Method of Paraquat and Diquat in Serum and Urine Using Ion-Pairing Bare-Silica Stationary Phase HPLC Following a Single Acidification Step of Sample Pretreatment

Abstract Intoxication by paraquat, an agricultral chemical, is frequently reported in Asian and eastern European countries because of its availablity by general population. Because paraquat is not significantly biotransformed in man, it requires an intensive monitoring of paraquat level during both stages of rescue and recuperation. It is critical to design an effective technique to eliminate the paraquat from the patient at the earlier stage of the therapy, and a rapid method is required for monitoring the paraquat concentration. Diquat is a less toxic analog of paraquat, and is often mixed with paraquat for agricultural usage. Recently, a high rate of fatal cases were reported on the mixture of diquat and paraquat among all paraquat incidences. In this study, a rapid HPLC method has been developed for monitoring paraquat and diquat in serum and urine samples.
On the chemistry of lithium diallyl cuprate

Abstract The anomalous addition reactions of lithium diallyl cuprate with enones and an amino vinyl sulfone are shown to not result from allyl lithium in equilibrium with allyl cuprate. A mechanism involving an 3η, 18-electron cuprate is proposed.
AM1 semiempirical computational analysis of the homopolymerization of spiroorthocarbonate

Abstract Spiroorthocarbonates (SOCs) are monomers that have been shown to expand when homopolymerized. SOCs are potential monomer systems that can be combined with other monomers such as epoxy resin to produce a non-shrinking dental matrix for dental composites. The purpose of this study was to use a computer model (AM1) to study possible homopolymerization pathways for several SOC monomers. The gas phase transition states of three feasible reaction mechanisms for the homopolymerization of four spiroorthocarbonate 1,5,7,11-tetraoxaspiro[5,5]undecane (TOSU) systems have been examined using the AM1 semiempirical quantum mechanical model. In addition to the base TOSU noted above, the 2,8-dimethyl, 2,4,8,10-tetramethyl, and the 3,3,9,9-tetramethyl analogs were used in this study. The results of these calculations produced the heats of reaction, activation enthalpies and transition state structures. Our calculations indicate stabilization of the transition states by electron-donating and resonance-stabilizing substituent groups. The energies of activation of all of these systems were between 24 and 38 kcal/mol and all reactions were endothermic. Further, we found that there was a significant intermolecular attraction between TOSU monomers (≈3.5 kcal/mol). When compared with experimental studies of methylated TOSU by Sakai and co-workers, our calculations agree with the preferred site of nucleophilic attack, but not with the experimental rate results. It was concluded that the homopolymerization of the unsubstituted TOSU and its derivatives studied was endothermic and that the rate of homopolymerization of TOSU depends on an intermolecular pre-association of TOSU monomer in the condensed phase.
Quality of chicken breast meat cooked in a pilot-scale radio frequency oven

Abstract Radio frequency (RF) cooking was compared to water bath (WB) cooking in terms of heating rate, temperature distribution, and the quality of cooked meat. Packaged fresh and marinated chicken breast meat were cooked in a continuously moving belt RF oven at 27.12 MHz until the center of the meat reached to 74 °C at the coldest point of the package. The time to reach end point temperature in the RF oven was 23.8 min for 1.36 kg packages, whereas it took 41.3 min to cook in the WB. RF cooking time was 42.4% lower than WB cooking time. Despite RF cooking resulting in a higher heating rate, better temperature distribution was observed for WB cooked breasts. Cook yield, moisture content, pH, expressible moisture, and shear value of RF and WB cooked meats were similar. However, RF cooked meat had lower a* (redness) and higher hue angle values than their WB cooked counterparts. Marination increased the cook yield, moisture content, tenderness, and pH value. Addition of ι-carrageenan to the marinade further increased the cook yield, moisture content, and tenderness of the cooked breasts. Neither marination nor addition of ι-carrageenan affected the expressible moisture of cooked meat. Industrial relevance We have conducted our experiments in a pilot-scale RF oven. This machine is designed for the use of food industry and has 6 kW power. We have tried to find out another application of this machine, therefore we have established a procedure to cook chicken breast meat in the RF oven. Our experimental design might be the starting point for the food industry to develop this cooking process. While planning this research, we thought that pre-cooked and packaged chicken breast meat will be a good option for the restaurants to deal with the food safety regulations and foodborne illness outbreaks. Furthermore, this will lower their cost, which food industry will also take advantage of.
Congenital prosopagnosia: face-blind from birth

Congenital prosopagnosia refers to the deficit in face processing that is apparent from early childhood in the absence of any underlying neurological basis and in the presence of intact sensory and intellectual function. Several such cases have been described recently and elucidating the mechanisms giving rise to this impairment should aid our understanding of the psychological and neural mechanisms mediating face processing. Fundamental questions include: What is the nature and extent of the face-processing deficit in congenital prosopagnosia? Is the deficit related to a more general perceptual deficit such as the failure to process configural information? Are any neural alterations detectable using fMRI, ERP or structural analyses of the anatomy of the ventral visual cortex? We discuss these issues in relation to the existing literature and suggest directions for future research.
Errors in Quantitative Image Analysis due to Platform-Dependent Image Scaling

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ability of various software (SW) tools used for quantitative image analysis to properly account for source-specific image scaling employed by magnetic resonance imaging manufacturers. METHODS: A series of gadoteridol-doped distilled water solutions (0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2% volume concentrations) was prepared for manual substitution into one (of three) phantom compartments to create “variable signal,” whereas the other two compartments (containing mineral oil and 0.25% gadoteriol) were held unchanged. Pseudodynamic images were acquired over multiple series using four scanners such that the histogram of pixel intensities varied enough to provoke variable image scaling from series to series. Additional diffusion-weighted images were acquired of an ice-water phantom to generate scanner-specific apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps. The resulting pseudodynamic images and ADC maps were analyzed by eight centers of the Quantitative Imaging Network using 16 different SW tools to measure compartment-specific region-of-interest intensity. RESULTS: Images generated by one of the scanners appeared to have additional intensity scaling that was not accounted for by the majority of tested quantitative image analysis SW tools. Incorrect image scaling leads to intensity measurement bias near 100%, compared to nonscaled images. CONCLUSION: Corrective actions for image scaling are suggested for manufacturers and quantitative imaging community.
Automated Classification of Computer-Based Medical Device Recalls: An Application of Natural Language Processing and Statistical Learning

This paper presents MedSafe, a framework for automated classification of computer-based medical device recalls. The data is collected from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalls database. We combined techniques in natural language processing and statistical learning to automatically identify the computer-related recalls, by interpreting the natural language semantics of recall descriptions. We evaluated MedSafe on over 16K recall records submitted to the FDA between years 2007-2013.
Geometrically rotated text for the Macintosh computer

This work was supportedin part by a grant from the Charles E. Culpeper Foundation to the first author. The authors' mailingaddress is: Department of Psychology, RiceUniversity, Houston,TX 77251-1892. Roediger, 1984, Millar, 1975, and Navon, 1978). The preparation of stimulus materials for these experiments is generally very time consuming. Moreover, it is difficult to present geometrically rotated text on most microcomputers, since microcomputers typically use hardware character generators to display alphanumeric symbols. However, some computers, such as the Apple Macintosh, treat text as graphics and therefore allow greater flexibility in the design of character sets. We have constructed character sets for the Macintosh that enable an experimenter to present text in any of the eight fashions discussed by Kolers and Roediger (1984). Examples of these character sets are presented in Figure 1. Although the characters were designed to be
Fetal and neonatal thrombocytopenia

Thrombocytopenia is defined as platelet count less than 150,000 plat/mm3. Etiologic factors involved include immunological (NAIT and ITP), fetal infectious disease, chromosomal and nonchromosomal, and miscellaneous causes. While the understanding of fetal thrombocytopenia is driven by reason to do fetal blood sampling, discovery of neonatal thrombocytopenia is driven by blood counts performed because of the risk of infections. The most serious consequence of thrombocytopenia in the fetus/neonate is intracranial hemorrhage which can occur in utero as early as 18 weeks gestation. The key factor in perinatal prevention of intracranial hemorrhage is early diagnosis and treatment, possibly in utero. Cordocentesis under direct ultrasound guidance and platelet transfusions have played a major role in the management of fetal/neonatal thrombocytopenia. Ongoing studies and high resolution ultrasound will continue to explore and hopefully clarify fetal and neonatal thrombocytopenia and facilitate recognition of primary and secondary thrombocytopenias.
Abstract 4022: Antioxidant-induced modification of INrf2C151 and PKCdelta-mediated phosphorylation of Nrf2S40 are both required for stabilization and nuclear translation of Nrf2 and increased drug-resistance

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Antioxidants cause dissociation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) from inhibitor of Nrf2 (INrf2) and so Nrf2:INrf2 can serve as a sensor of oxidative stress. Nrf2 translocates to the nucleus, binds to antioxidant response element (ARE) and activates defensive gene expression, which protects cells. Controversies exist regarding the role of antioxidant-induced modification of INrf2 cysteine 151 or protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated phosphorylation of Nrf2 serine 40 in the release of Nrf2 from INrf2. In addition, the PKC isoform that phosphorylates Nrf2S40 remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that antioxidant-induced PKC-delta -mediated phosphorylation of Nrf2S40 leads to release of Nrf2 from INrf2. This was evident from specific chemical inhibitors of PKC isoenzymes in reporter assays, in vitro kinase assays with purified Nrf2 and PKC isoenzymes, in vivo analysis with dominant-negative mutants and siRNA against PKC isoforms, use of PKC-delta+/+ and PKC-delta −/− cells, and use of Nrf2S40 phospho-specific antibody. The studies also showed that antioxidant-induced INrf2C151 modification was insufficient for the dissociation of Nrf2 from INrf2. PKC-delta-mediated Nrf2S40 phosphorylation was also required. Nrf2 and mutant Nrf2S40A both bind to INrf2. However, antioxidant treatment led to release of Nrf2 but not Nrf2S40A from INrf2. In addition, Nrf2 and mutant Nrf2S40A both failed to dissociate from mutant INrf2C151A. Furthermore, antioxidant-induced ubiquitylation of INrf2 in PKC- delta+/+ and PKC-delta −/− cells occurred, but Nrf2 failed to be released in PKC-delta −/− cells. The antioxidant activation of Nrf2 reduced etoposide-mediated DNA fragmentation and promoted cell survival in PKC- delta+/+ but not in PKC- delta−/− cells. These data together demonstrate that both modification of INrf2C151 and PKC- delta-mediated phosphorylation of Nrf2S40 play crucial roles in Nrf2 release from INrf2, antioxidant induction of defensive gene expression, promoting cell survival, and increasing drug resistance. J. Cell Science in press 2009. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4022.
Scalable PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymer purification from Pluronics through competitive adsorption

Abstract A new scalable method for large scale purification of Pluronic block copolymers has been developed using a slurry of cyano(CN)-modified silica particles and Pluronic block copolymers in a solution. We have taken advantage of the competitive adsorption of polymers onto nanoporous CN-modified silica particles in solution to purify polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide-polyethylene oxide (PEO-PPO-PEO) triblock copolymers from as-received (AR) Pluronic samples, such as F108, F127 and F68. Interaction chromatography and size exclusion chromatography revealed that significant levels of low molecular weight (MW) impurities exist in AR Pluronics. We found that more than 20 wt.% impurities exists in AR F108 and AR F127, while the purified PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymers contained less than 2 wt.% of the low MW impurities after using the silica slurry method. In the case of AR F68, which contains about 9 wt.% impurities, it is possible to completely remove the low MW impurities. A multiple injection interaction chromatography technique has been employed to reveal the surface displacement of pre-adsorbed low MW impurities by the triblock copolymers in solution. By tuning the solvent quality, this report finally highlights that the impurities can be effectively removed in laboratory for a large scale purification using the silica slurry. For example, using about 10 g of the bulk silica packing material, it was possible to obtain 1 g of purified triblock copolymers.
Legumes as dry season fallow in upland rice-based systems of West Africa.

Declining fallow length in traditional upland rice-based cropping systems in West Africa results in a significant yield reduction due mainly to increased weed pressure and declining soil fertility. Promising cropping system alternatives include the use of weed-suppressing legumes as short duration fallows. N accumulation, N derived from the atmosphere (Ndfa), weed suppression, and the effects on rice yield were evaluated in 50 legumes, grown at four sites in Cote d'Ivoire with contrasting climate, soils, and rice production systems. The sites were located in the derived and the Guinea savanna and in the bimodal and the monomodal rainfall forest zones. Legume and weed biomass during the fallow were determined at bimonthly intervals. Percent Ndfa by biological N fixation was determined by 15N natural abundance. Fallow vegetation was cleared and rice seeded according to the practice of local farmers and the cropping calendar. Weed biomass and species composition were monitored at monthly intervals. Legume fallows appear to offer the potential to sustain rice yields under intensified cropping. Biomass was in most instances significantly greater in the legume fallow than in the "weedy" fallow control, and several legume species suppressed weed growth. N accumulation by legumes varied between 1–270 kg N ha–1 with 30–90% Ndfa. Across sites, Mucuna spp., Canavalia spp., and Stylosanthes guianensis showed consistently high N accumulation. Grain yields of rice which had been preceded by a legume fallow were on average 0.2 Mg ha–1 or about 30% greater than that preceded by a natural weedy fallow control. At the savanna sites where fallow vegetation was incorporated, Mucuna spp. and Canavalia ensiformis significantly increased rice yield. In the bimodal forest zone, the highest rice yield and lowest weed biomass were obtained with Crotalaria anagyroides. In general, the effects of legume fallows on rice yield were most significant in environments with favourable soil and hydrological conditions.
Management of Atherosclerotic Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease

Development of aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD) is associated with classic risk factors for atherosclerotic disease such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, or smoking. Risk factor modification, smoking cessation, and prevention of cardiovascular events remain the cornerstones of AIOD management. Symptom improvement and limb loss prevention are considered secondary goals of therapy. Continuous technological advances, new devices, as well as new revascularization techniques are constantly changing the landscape of AIOD management. Surgical interventions, which were considered a gold standard therapy for nearly 50 years, currently give way to newer and less invasive endovascular techniques.
Cultivating curricular reform

Since the 1960s there has been pressure to reform medical education in a more humanistic direction. One reason this has been difficult is that most medical schools have been forced to maintain themselves on resources allocated to support research and the technology of specialized tertiary care. Nevertheless, many people believe that medical education can still change because of changes taking place outside the sciences, such as a redefinition of the meaning of health and the need to provide better health care to the U.S. population at a lower cost. Taking this optimistic view will help strengthen reformers' resolve for curricular change and the incorporation of important areas such as family violence into medical students' education. There are numerous barriers to curricular change. Yet there are useful principles that can guide reform efforts, such as having an explicit rationale for the desired change, focusing on educational goals rather than on resources for their implementation, recruiting support from the departmental and school leadership, anticipating negative reactions, and recognizing the need for negotiation. There are also principles to foster successful implementation, the most important of which is to have everyone involved agree on the goals of the new program and participate in the process. The way to increase an emphasis on family violence issues is to find areas in the curriculum where these issues can be integrated with current teaching. Finally, a medical school curriculum on family violence does not need to be all-inclusive, but instead should prepare a good foundation so that students can expand their knowledge and skills during residency training and medical practice.
Quasiatomic contributions to molecular-scattering form factors

The scattering form factors for excitation of ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}^{+}$ in fast collisions are calculated in a sequence of approximations revealing their dependence on details of the initial- and final-state wave functions. Each approximate calculation is compared directly to the ``exact'' results obtained with separable, fixed-nuclei wave functions. Even for interproton separations larger than those for which the united-atom limit applies, the quasiatomic character of the final-state orbital dominates transition amplitudes to low-lying dissociative states. Possible applications to molecular dissociation by charged-particle impact at high energies are considered.
Near-threshold voltage design in nanoscale CMOS

Summary form only given. New technologies have led to an “explosion” of data available to document states and processes in very many fields. Tools of data mining are being used to extract relevant information. If this information is used in decision making, analytical statistics can provide formal tests comparing the outcomes of different scenarios. Statistics has traditionally dealt with limited information, both in terms of observations and numbers of variables explaining the states of these observations. Virtually all statistical hypothesis testing was developed for such scenarios, trying to make sense from limited data, often expensive to produce. Clinical trials and the steps in development of drugs before those clinical trials are a typical examples from human medicine.
Tools for neuroinformatic data exchange: an XML application for neuronal morphology data

Abstract We describe an Extensible Markup Language (XML) application that defines a common data format for the storage and processing of neuronal morphology data. The application, MorphML, is consistent with current neuronal digitization methods and is also compatible with existing simulation software environments for creating compartmental models of neurons based on morphology data. We also describe a tool, nemo2xml, which generates MorphML documents corresponding to digitized neuronal morphology files for one particular data format, the Nevin or binary branch tree syntax.
Theory development in human resource management

Abstract This article argues that little has changed in Human Resource Management theory over the past twenty years. There is a split in the field between practitioners and researchers. However, practitioners are the ultimate consumers of theory and hence they form the market for it. If practitioners are acclimated to and demand more useful and more extensive Human Resource theory, more theories will be developed and tested. The paper concludes by suggesting four means by which theory development may be improved.
Stereoscopic visualization of the flows for pitched blade turbines

Abstract A stereoscopic film technique was used to study the particle motions in the flow fields of pitched blade turbines. The general nature of the flows and a number of specific observations are decribed for both bench and industrial scale turbines. Reasonable scale-up would require the flows in the two systems to be similar, but significant differences are found that suggest scale-up of fluid motions within such process tanks is not easily accomplished.
The Synthesis and Characterization of an Aluminophosphate with Chiral Layers;trans-Co(dien)2·Al3P4O16·3H2O

Abstract trans-Co(dien)2·Al3P4O16·3H2O (GTex3) (dien - bis-(2-aminoethyl)amine) was prepared hydrothermally using Co(dien)2Cl3as a structure-directing agent in an aluminophosphate gel. The structure of GTex3 was determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It contains chiral layers distinct from, but related to, those previously found ind,l-Co(en)3·Al3P4O16·xH2O. They are stacked in a helical fashion with only one enantiomer of the aluminophosphate macroanion in any one crystal. Co(C4N3H13)2·Al3P4O16·3H2O,Mr= 780.1, hexagonal,P652 2,a=b= 8.457(3),c= 63.27(2) A,V= 3920(2) A3,Z= 6, ρx= 1.98 gcm−3, ρe= 1.95 gcm−3, λ(MoKα) = 0.71073 A, μ = 10.99 cm−1,F(000) = 2396,T= 293 K,R1= 0.0954 for 2277 reflectionsF> 4σ(F).
A Tool for Creating and Parallelizing Bioinformatics Pipelines

Bioinformatics pipelines enable life scientists to effectively analyze biological data through automated multi-step processes constructed by individual programs and databases. The huge amount of data and time consuming computations require effectively parallelized pipelines to provide results within a reasonable time. To reduce researchers' programming burden for pipeline creation and parallelization, we developed the bioinformatics pipeline generation and parallelization toolkit (BioGent). A user needs only to create a pipeline definition file that describes the data processing sequence and input/output files. A program termed schedpipe in the BioGent toolkit takes the definition file and executes the designed procedure. Schedpipe automatically parallelizes the pipeline execution by performing independent data processing steps on multiple CPUs, and by decomposing big datasets into small chunks and processing them in parallel. Schedpipe controls program execution on multiple CPUs through a simple application programming interface (API) of the Parallel Job Manager (PJM) library. As a part of the BioGent toolkit, PJM was developed to effectively launch and monitor programs on multiple CPUs using a message passing interface (MPI) protocol. The PJM API can also be used to parallelize other serial programs. A demonstration using PJM for parallelization shows 10% to 50% savings in time compared to an indigenous parallelization through a batch queuing system.
Keeping you healthy: BK channel activation by omega-3 fatty acids.

In the exuberant world of K+ channels, the Ca2+- and voltage-activated K+ (BK, MaxiK, Slo1) channel stands alone. It is coded by a single gene ( slo1 or KCNMA1 ), and the pore-forming α subunit has seven transmembrane segments instead of six as found in voltage-dependent K+ channels ([Atkinson et
Intimal hyperplasia in the distal ulnar artery: Influence of gender and implications for the hypothenar hammer syndrome

Abstract Introduction The distal ulnar artery in the hand is subjected to trauma when the hypothenar eminence is used as a hammer. The clinical presentation of arterial obstruction or aneurysm formation at this site with a history of trauma to the hypothenar eminence is termed the hypothenar hammer syndrome (HHS) and is most commonly observed in the right hands of men. Since the trauma-inducing activities associated with the HHS are common, the histopathology of this arterial segment in our autopsy population was evaluated. Methods The distal ulnar artery in the hand was examined in 21 randomly selected autopsies. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded cross sections of artery were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), trichrome and elastic stains as well as immunohistochemistry for CD34 and α-smooth muscle actin. Results Intimal hyperplasia is common at this site in the vasculature. The degree of intimal hyperplasia, as assessed by the intima/media ratio, is significantly greater in the right hands of men than in either their corresponding left hands or in women. None of the arterial segments examined contained foam cells or extracellular lipid deposits indicative of atherosclerosis. Conclusions In the injury-prone segment of the distal ulnar artery, intimal hyperplasia is common but is particularly severe in the right hands of men, correlating with the demographics of the HHS. Although, this arterial segment frequently develops intimal hyperplasia, it is resistant to the development of atherosclerosis.
Image estimation from scattered field data

The purpose of this paper is to reappraise the linearizing methods frequently used to solve inverse scattering problems. We describe inversion algorithms based on the Born and the Rytov approximations and the nature of the distortions obtained in the reconstructions when using them. We present extensions of these methods, namely, the distorted-wave Born and the distorted-wave Rytov approximations, which incorporate prior knowledge about part of the scattering structure. A method for inverting scattered field data using these distorted-wave approximations is described, which retains the computational simplicity of the Born and the Rytov techniques. Some examples of their use with simulated and real data are given. A further extension of our distorted-wave formalism, which leads to improvements of the reconstructed image, is suggested. This entails a spectral estimation procedure also based on the incorporation of prior knowledge about the scatterer. This spectral estimation procedure can be useful for interpolation of scattered field data as well as resolution enhancement.
Thermal tolerance experiments help establish survival probabilities for tilapia, a group of potentially invasive aquatic species

Summary 1. Estimating the probability of establishment is an important step toward managing ecological risk posed by natural or intentional introductions. Species introductions in certain geographic areas may pose less of a threat when environmental conditions are unlikely to promote long-term establishment. Species commonly referred to as ‘tilapia’ have become widespread in certain areas of the southeastern United States, yet concerns remain regarding their potential spread to other areas. 2. We created a model to predict the survival of tilapia in Georgia (U.S.A.) based on individual ‘thermal experience’. Laboratory experiments were conducted to measure the duration of survival of two strains of tilapia, Oreochromis nilotica and O. nilotica × O. aureus hybrids, exposed to a variety of temperature regimes with three minimum temperatures and two rates of temperature decline. 3. We used Mayfield hierarchical logistic regression (MHLR) to describe the daily probability of survival as a function of the rate of temperature decline, average sustained temperature, tilapia strain and mass–length ratio. 4. Tilapia generally survived constant minimum temperatures over 12 °C but survival rate was mediated by the rate of decline, mass–length ratio and strain. For every 1 °C increase in minimum temperature, tilapia were 2.76 times more likely to survive. Fish exposed to rapid temperature decline were less likely to survive than those exposed to slowly decreasing temperature. More robust fish (higher mass–length ratio) were more likely to survive, and strain had a minimal effect despite being supported by the best MHLR model. 5. Our model can be used to estimate survival probability for tilapia under known surface water temperature regimes. Using MLHR in conjunction with experimental tolerance data may be useful for estimating the likelihood of establishment of potentially invasive species.
Fast Computation of Fully Automated Log-Density and Log-Hazard Estimators

The computation of fully automated or data-driven penalized likelihood estimators of logarithmic densities and hazards is accomplished using B-spline approximants. The banded structure induced by B-splines gives rise to very fast and statistically effective algorithms. Automation is achieved using one-step Newton–Raphson cross-validation scores which are simplified to forms reminiscent of AIC criteria. The cost of computing these scores is linear in the number of data points. Approximate Bayesian confidence intervals are also derived and illustrated with some examples. Such intervals provide a valuable aid to the interpretation of estimated curves. The small sample performance (bias and variability) of the estimators is investigated by a simulation study.
Systems and algorithms for autonomously simultaneous observation of multiple objects using robotic PTZ cameras assisted by a wide-angle camera

We report an autonomous observation system with multiple pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras assisted by a fixed wide-angle camera. The wide-angle camera provides large but low resolution coverage and detects and tracks all moving objects in the scene. Based on the output of the wide-angle camera, the system generates spatiotemporal observation requests for each moving object, which are candidates for close-up views using PTZ cameras. Due to the fact that there are usually much more objects than the number of PTZ cameras, the system first assigns a subset of the requests/objects to each PTZ camera. The PTZ cameras then select the parameter settings that best satisfy the assigned competing requests to provide high resolution views of the moving objects. We solve the request assignment and the camera parameter selection problems in real time. The effectiveness of the proposed system is validated in comparison with an existing work using simulation. The simulation results show that in heavy traffic scenarios, our algorithm increases the number of observed objects by over 200%.
The suckling stimulus increases the responsiveness of mammotropes located exclusively within the central region of the adenohypophysis

Studies from several groups, including our own, have shown that the suckling stimulus increases the responsiveness of pituitary cells to PRL-releasing stimuli. These findings, when viewed in light of differences in PRL cell responsiveness from one pituitary region to another, raised the possibility that suckling may influence responsiveness of cells in only a specific portion of the gland rather than in the entire pituitary. To address this issue, we evaluated cell responsiveness by performing plaque assays [with and without TRH, Angiotensin II (All), and dopamine] on cells from two different regions of pituitaries from suckled and nonsuckled rats. These pituitary regions consisted of the inner zone, which is a central area proximate to the neurointermediate lobe, and an outer zone, which encompasses the remaining peripheral area of the anterior lobe. We found that inner zone cells from nonsuckled animals were highly responsive to dopamine and relatively unresponsive to TRH and AIL However, after suckling...
Radar target identification of aircraft using polarization-diverse features

The characteristics and target identification potential of a representation of the information from two polarization-diverse measurements of the radar backscatter of an unknown target are considered. The locus of these two polarization-diverse waveforms, termed the transient polarization response (TPR), has been shown to be closely related to the geometry of the scattering centers of the target. The polarization-related components of features derived from the TPR concur well with the shape and orientation of the major scattering centers distributed in the downrange profile of the object. This illustrates the intuitively appealing result that the polarization of the backscatter, as represented by the TPR and mapped onto the modified polarization chart, is determined by target geometry. It is shown that both polarization-related and amplitude-related features derived from the TPR are useful for target identification. By using distance measures that depend on various components, the elliptical parametrization information alone is sufficient to allow satisfactory target identification at SNRs of 0 dB and above. The significance of this result is that the absolute amplitudes of the received horizontally polarized and vertically polarized channels need not be known. However, if amplitude information is known, target identification percentages improve. >
Value chain capability, value strategies and firm default risk

Firm stakeholders are paying more attention to the firm risks rather than merely focusing on returns. Among those risks, a firm's ability to repay its debt increasingly becomes a yardstick to evaluate a firm and predict the security level of returning its borrowings. This situation is directly related to a firm's default risk. The current article links the firm's value strategies and capabilities to firm default risk reduction. Specifically, this article conceptualizes and operationalizes a new firm capability, value chain capability, and examines how this capability and two firm value strategies, R&D and advertising, reduce the firm's default risk. Meanwhile, the authors formulate the value chain capability's moderating effects on the relationships between the two value strategies and firm default risk. The findings suggest that value chain capability and advertising help the firm reduce default risk. R&D will have the same effect only when a firm has high value chain capability.
Dynamic Assignment in Distributed Motion Planning With Local Coordination

Distributed motion planning of multiple agents raises fundamental and novel problems in control theory and robotics. In particular, in applications such as coverage by mobile sensor networks or multiple target tracking, a great new challenge is the development of motion planning algorithms that dynamically assign targets or destinations to multiple homogeneous agents, not relying on any a priori assignment of agents to destinations. In this paper, we address this challenge using two novel ideas. First, distributed multidestination potential fields are developed that are able to drive every agent to any available destination. Second, nearest neighbor coordination protocols are developed ensuring that distinct agents are assigned to distinct destinations. Integration of the overall system results in a distributed, multiagent, hybrid system for which we show that the mutual exclusion property of the final assignment is guaranteed for almost all initial conditions. Furthermore, we show that our dynamic assignment algorithm will converge after exploring at most a polynomial number of assignments, dramatically reducing the combinatorial nature of purely discrete assignment problems. Our scalable approach is illustrated with nontrivial computer simulations.
The undersampled discrete Gabor transform

Conventional studies on discrete Gabor transforms have generally been confined to the cases of critical sampling and oversampling in which the Gabor families span the whole signal space. In this paper, we investigate undersampled discrete Gabor transforms. For an undersampled Gabor triple (g,a,b), i.e. a/spl middot/b>N, we show that the associated generalized dual Gabor window (GDGW) function is the same as the one associated with the oversampled (g,N/b,N/a), except for the constant factor (ab/N). Computations of undersampled Gabor transforms are made possible. By applying the methods (algorithms) developed in oversampled settings, the undersampled GDGW is determined. Then, we are able to obtain the best approximation of a signal x by linear combinations of vectors in the Gabor family.
Fusulinid Taphonomy: Encrustation, Corrasion, Compaction, and Dissolution

Abstract Taphonomic studies are scarce for all fossil foraminifera, especially for fusulinids, which have been studied rarely, due to their traditional use primarily for biostratigraphy. The analysis of 900 well-preserved fusulinids, notably Triticites ventricosus, indicates both biostratinomy and diagenesis of the assemblage in the Hughes Creek Shale Member of the Foraker Limestone (Pennsylvanian, Virgilian) in east-central Kansas. The excellent preservation of these specimens provides valuable insight into the taphonomic process. The biostratinomy has involved both encrustation and corrasion. The encrusting foraminifer Tolypammina is pervasive, with 63 percent of the fusulinids having at least one encrusting foraminifer. Corrasion is not as common: only 23 percent of the specimens have significant corrasion. Diagenesis of the fusulinids occurred during compaction of the shale and is manifest as compression that has resulted in pressure solution and flattening. Pressure solution formed pits on 47 percent...
Evaluating Interface Standards for the Public Transit Industry

The rationale behind the current research and development of interface standards for the public transit industry is explored. Recent efforts to define an information systems architecture for public transit have not sufficiently discussed the underlying need for information system standards and what impacts these standards might have on the transit industry as well as on vendors. Both advantages and disadvantages to the development of these standards are identified. For public transit agencies, there appears to be a well-reasoned yet unsupported belief that interface standards will be beneficial for systems integration. To explore the impacts for vendors, a survey was developed and fielded to learn about the characteristics of products and vendor attitudes toward interface standards. The results, though not conclusive, suggest that vendors are willing to consider standards; however, needed product customization and more comprehensive systems are important factors weighing against open interface standards. ...
Reinforcement magnitude effects in first- and second-order conditioning of directed action

Abstract Three experiments investigated the effects of reinforcement magnitude on conditioned key pecking in pigeons. Experiment 1, which included between-groups and within-subject designs, yielded significant effects of unconditioned stimulus (US) magnitude on the within-conditioned stimulus (CS) distribution of key pecks and on choice behavior, but no effect on the overall rate of key pecking. Experiment 2 employed a larger US-magnitude difference in a within-subject design. This manipulation resulted in differential rates of key pecking as well as a significant choice effect and differential within-CS key-peck distributions. A second-order conditioning procedure was used in Experiment 3, in which diffuse, visual stimuli (S1's) served as Pavlovian reinforcers for two key-light S2's. The S1 previously paired with a large US was more effective in conditioning second-order key-peck behavior to an S2 than was the S1 paired with a small US. The results of these experiments demonstrate that the associative effects of US magnitude can be expressed in the strength of CS-directed motor responding. The distinctive within-CS key-peck distributions in first-order conditioning suggests an interaction between CS- and US-directed responses.
Boundary layer on a hypersonic sharp cone at small angle of attack

The compressible, laminar boundary-layer flow over a sharp cone has been calculated for an angle of attack slightly greater than the cone half angle. The calculations have been carried out with an inviscid flow based on an asymptotic inner and outer expansion of the flowfield. The asymptotic expansion has been carried out for both first and second order in the angle of attack, and the need for the second-order results in the boundary-layer calculations has been studied. The flow conditions were chosen so that the theoretical calculations could be compared with experimental results for important boundary-layer parameters, such as heat transfer and boundary-layer thickness. The results of the investigation show that the boundary-layer equations and the second-order inviscid flow describe well the boundary-layer characteristics, and that higher-order boundary-layer influences are not important for the flow conditions studied. The most important interaction effect between the boundary layer and inviscid flow was determined to be the displacement effect.
Occipital nerve stimulator systems: review of complications and surgical techniques.

Introduction: Stimulation of the occipital nerves is becoming more widely accepted in the treatment of occipital neuritis and migraine disorders. Objective: Presently, equipment available for spinal cord stimulation is adapted for insertion into the subcutaneous space over the occipital nerves. Many technical factors need to be reassessed to optimize the therapy. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients implanted from 2003 to 2007 at a single center. We aimed to analyze the rate of surgical complications related to implantation technique. A total of 28 patients were present for analysis. Patients were followed up to 60 months with a mean follow-up of 21 months. Results: There is a 32% revision rate for electrode migration or displacement, 3.6% removal rate for infection, and a 21% removal rate for lack of efficacy. Although not well studied secondary to small patient populations, this was consistent with a review of the literature which demonstrated a 10–60% revision rate. Other factors such as anchoring strategy, strain relief, and battery location were all considered in the analysis and will be presented. A major determination was that use of a second incision with an additional strain relief loop had only a 10% revision rate of the lead while those without this additional strain relief loop had a 62.5% revision rate. Conclusion: Many technical factors need to be addressed for optimization of occipital nerve stimulation.
Chest pain a manifestation of migraine.

Abstract Background Chest pain is an alarming symptom; it justifies many visits to the emergency department (ED). The etiology is often unknown. Chest wall pain in the presence of migraine headache, although not a common occurrence, is intriguing when it resolves with antimigraine treatment. Objectives To characterize the manifestations and outcomes and investigate the relationship between chest wall pain and headache as a manifestation of migraine exacerbation. Methods Among patients visiting our ED, we identified those individuals whose pain originated in the chest wall in the setting of migraine exacerbation. Patients with clinical indications for specific treatments were dispositioned accordingly. Control of symptoms including chest pain and headache with antimigraine agents was considered the primary outcome. A prospective follow-up via telephone interview and medical records review was performed. Results We collected a convenience sample of 33 patients. All manifested migraine headache with an earlier onset than the chest pain, and all had taken medications prior to visiting the ED. Twelve patients reported a higher visual analog scale score for the headache than for the chest pain. Still, chest pain was the main complaint. The chest pain originated at the chest wall. Ten patients received sublingual nitroglycerin or opiates, or both; no pain relief was reported. However, all symptoms resolved with metoclopramide. On follow-up, 6 patients reported recurrence of chest pain with subsequent migraines. Conclusions Chest pain can be a complication of migraine. The treatment should be focused on migraine control. Migraine should be included in the differential diagnosis of chest pain.
Spatial and Temporal Variation of Ammonium in Lake Superior

ABSTRACT Many aspects of Lake Superior's nitrogen cycle are poorly described in spite of the fact that the lake's nitrate concentration has risen dramatically this past century. One important, yet under-described parameter is the concentration of ammonium. Here, we present data to resolve spatial and temporal variation along with vertical profiles of ammonium concentration in Lake Superior. Lake-wide average concentrations were low (0.21 μM, n =166) with considerable spatial and temporal variation. During the onset of summer, the western margin of the lake had higher average concentrations than open and eastern parts. Surface layer (<10 m) ammonium concentrations showed an increase from January to October. Relatively higher ammonium concentration in the near bottom waters at a number of sites during August indicated efflux from sediment to be an important process. Subsurface maxima near the thermocline were observed in late August and persisted until September-October suggesting that ammonium might be con...