cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Observation Strategies for Forecast Error Minimization

Using a scenario of multiple mobile observing platforms (UAVs) measuring weather variables in distributed regions of the Pacific, we are developing algorithms that will lead to improved forecasting of high-impact weather events. We combine technologies from the nonlinear weather prediction and planning/control communities to create a close link between model predictions and observed measurements, choosing future measurements that minimize the expected forecast error under time-varying conditions. We have approached the problem on three fronts. We have developed an information-theoretic algorithm for selecting environment measurements in a computationally effective way. This algorithm determines the best discrete locations and times to take additional measurement for reducing the forecast uncertainty in the region of interest while considering the mobility of the sensor platforms. Our second algorithm learns to use past experience in predicting good routes to travel between measurements. Experiments show that these approaches work well on idealized models of weather patterns.
Observation of the Photorefractive Effect in a Hybrid Organic-inorganic Nanocomposite

We report the observation of the photorefractive effect in an organic−inorganic polymer composite photosensitized with nanosized cadmium sulfide particles, the surface of which is passivated utilizing p-thiocresol. The semiconductor nanoparticles are dispersed in a poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) polymer matrix that also acts as the charge-transport species. The ability of these particles to behave as the photosensitizer in a PVK matrix has been characterized through a dc photoconductivity experiment. In addition, for the photorefractive experiments, the second-order optically nonlinear chromophore 4-nitrophenyl-l-prolinol is also doped into the PVK matrix to elicit electro-optic response. Tricresyl phosphate is used to lower the glass-transition temperature of the material, allowing for room temperature in situ poling of the sample. In addition to the electric field dependence of the degenerate four-wave mixing diffraction efficiency, the photorefractive nature of the grating is confirmed via two-wave mixin...
Infrared Thermography and Thermoelectrical Study of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

One of the most challenging problems in SOFC is the thermal compatibility of materials. Mechanical failure, or cathode delamination induced performance degradation, is related to local heat generations. An accurate measurement of spatial temperature distribution with correlated electric current provides good information for fuel cell performance and thermal management. Because insufficient ability of measuring electric current introduced heat generation, infrared thermography, instead of thermocouple, was used to measure the instantaneous cathode surface temperature response to the electric current in an operating electrolyte supported planar solid oxide fuel cell (LSCF-6ScSZ-NiO). The numerical model was built to study the coupled current and temperature relation by incorporating the temperature dependent material properties, i.e., Ohmic resistance and activation resistance, as a global function in the model. The thermal and electric fields were solved simultaneously. The measured and the predicted results agreed to each other well. The cathode polarization overpotential tended to increase with the current at the low current densities, but the simulated polarization-current curve exhibited a decreased slope under higher current densities that is ascribed to the local temperature increases due to the current.
Carcinosarcoma of bladder Evaluation by electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry

A case of carcinosarcoma of the urinary bladder characterized by electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry is described. The use of these studies in poorly differentiated bladder neoplasms and in suspected cases of carcinosarcoma is encouraged. Increased accuracy in characterizing these tumors will permit a better understanding of their natural history and response to therapy.
Can discriminative cues aid face recognition across age

In this paper, we study the effects of discriminative cues (gender and age) in an image based face recognition system across age. We propose a pipeline framework to prune the search space based on gender and age of the test image to aid the process of recognition. A feature based approach which uses the Gabor phase and magnitude images of the face image is used in face image representation. The Gabor phases and magnitudes are encoded through Local Gabor Binary Pattern (LGBP) histograms. The gender and age group information of the face image is extracted using a random forest classifier based on a confidence measure and are used to prune the search space for efficient recognition. The effects of these discriminative cues are studied using a simple face recognition system in which the recognition is performed by histogram intersection technique which computes a similarity score between the LGBP histograms of two face images. The experiments on the FG-NET dataset and our private dataset show that the discriminative cues can indeed improve the performance of a face recognition system in terms of accuracy, lower time requirements, and graceful degradation.
Evidence for two types of toxic actions of pyrethroids on susceptible and DDT-resistant german cockroaches

Abstract The mode of action of six pyrethroid insecticides was investigated using Periplaneta americana and susceptible (CSMA) and resistant (VPIDLS) strains of Blattella germanica. We confirmed that the mechanism of DDT resistance in the VPIDLS strain, a strain which has not been exposed to any pyrethroid insecticide selection, was a kdr type. This kdr factor extends its cross-resistance to allethrin, pyrethrin, permethrin, and fenvalerate, but not to deltamethrin and only marginally to cypermethrin. Based upon the above data, electrophysiological data, and observations of the effect of temperature on toxicity, it was concluded that there are two distinct types of pyrethroid actions. Allethrin appears to possess mainly Type I action, while deltamethrin exhibits strong Type II action. The DDT-induced kdr resistance factor extended its cross-resistance only to compounds possessing predominantly Type I action. There were at least two compounds (permethrin and fenvalerate) which exhibited both types of actions. It was found that occurrence of repetitive discharges, a typical Type I action, could be suppressed by cypermethrin, indicating that these two types of actions interact.
Phytoremediation of Poultry Manure-Enriched Soils for Phosphorus Using Cowpea Genotypes

The application of poultry manure to crops to obtain higher yields is a widely used practice in many poultry-producing regions of the United States and other parts of the world. This practice often results in the enrichment of phosphorus (P) in soils, resulting in various environmental and ecological concerns. We evaluated several diverse cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp.) genotypes to explore their potential for the removal of P from poultry manure-enriched soils and the soils that had not received poultry manure applications. Cowpea genotypes, including Champion and White Acre, extracted higher amounts of P compared to other genotypes under field and greenhouse conditions in both types of soils. These genotypes could play an important role in P removal from poultry manure-enriched soils.
Weighing the data in studies of the glycaemic index

Aston et al.1 recently published a 12-week-crossover study comparing low- vs high-glycaemic-index (GI) diets in 19 overweight and obese women. They report no differences in body weight between diets, or differences in appetite and food intake after representative test meals. The investigators conclude: ‘Claims that the GI of the diet per se may have specific effects on body weight may therefore be misleading.’ However, several important methodological limitations warrant further consideration.
Evolutionary algorithms and multi-agent systems

This paper discusses how evolutionary algorithms are related to multi-agent systems and the possibility of military applications using the two disciplines. In particular, we present a game theoretic model for multi-agent resource distribution and allocation where agents in the environment must help each other to survive. Each agent maintains a set of variables representing representing actual friendship and perceived friendship. The model directly addresses problems in reputation management schemes in multi-agent systems and Peer-to-Peer distributed systems. We present algorithms based on evolutionary game process for maintaining the friendship values as well as a utility equation used in each agent's decision making. For an application problem, we adapted our formal model to the military coalition support problem in peacekeeping missions. Simulation results show that efficient resource allocation and sharing with minimum communication cost is achieved without centralized control.
Mental Retardation and Psychiatric Illness

Although traditional diagnostic criteria are accepted for use with mentally retarded persons, diagnosis of psychiatric disorders in this population is often complicated by clinicians' ignoring or underestimating such disorders and by patients' communication problems. The revision of DSM-III and changes in policies of third-party payers have sensitized clinicians to the presence of psychopathology among mentally retarded persons. The authors discuss the relationship between mental illness and mental retardation and review recent research on the diagnosis of specific psychiatric disorders in these patients. Some problems, such as behavioral disruptiveness, psychoses, and phobias, are more prevalent among mentally retarded persons than among other populations, whereas other problems, such as alcoholism and suicide, may be less common.
Relationships between the isotopic composition of dissolved organic carbon and its bioavailability in contrasting Ozark streams

Bioavailability of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) can significantly influence nutrient cycling in small streams yet the factors influencing the bioavailability of DOC remains poorly understood. The isotopic composition of DOC and factors controlling its utilization were studied in two contrasting headwater streams to elucidate the relationship between DOC source and its bioavailability. Water samples were collected monthly from Moore Creek (MC), located in a watershed dominated by fertilized pasture, and from Huey Hollow (HH), located in a deciduous forest watershed. Dissolved organic carbon concentrations ranged from 222 to 1130 μm C and 35 to 289 μm C in MC and HH, respectively. The isotopic composition of DOC (δ13CDOC) was more seasonally variable in HH and ranged from −33.6 to −28.0Ğ, as compared with MC where it ranged from −27.2 to −24.5 Ğ. The δ13CDOC in Huey Hollow suggests leaf debris was an important source of DOC throughout most of the year while algae was important in winter and early spring. In MC, the δ13CDOC indicated DOC was largely derived from soil organic matter while algal inputs were small relative to the large pool of refractory DOC. Stream water community respiration (SWCR) rates suggest the existence of a larger pool of refractory DOC in MC relative to HH. The ratio of SWCR (μM C h−1) to DOC concentration (mM C) was generally higher in HH (1.2–13.2) as compared with MC (0.2–4.2), suggesting that relative bioavailability of DOC was often greater in HH. Nutrient addition experiments indicate that bioavailable C limited SWCR in spring and fall in MC, while bioavailable C was never limiting in HH. The results suggest that elevated nutrient and DOC concentrations supported higher levels of microbial activity that resulted in a large pool of refractory DOC in MC. The lower inorganic nutrient and DOC concentrations reduced microbial activity in HH and likely limited the production of refractory DOC. Results of this study suggest that both organic matter source and nutrient concentration are important determinants of DOC bioavailability in small streams. %
VARIANCE COMPONENT TESTING IN GENERALIZED LINEAR MIXED MODELS

Generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) are used in situations where a number of characteristics (covariates) affect a nonnormal response variable and the responses are correlated. For example, in a number of biological applications, the responses are correlated due to common genetic or environmental factors. In many applications, the magnitude of the variance components corresponding to one or more of the random effects are of interest, especially the point null hypothesis that one or more of the variance components are zero. This work reviews a number of approaches for estimating the Bayes factor comparing the models with and without the random effects in question. The computations involved with finding Bayes factors for these models pose many challenges, and we discuss how one can overcome them. We perform a comparative study of the different approaches to compute Bayes factors for GLMMs by applying them to two different data sets. The first example employs a probit regression model with a single variance component to data from a natural selection study on turtles. The second example uses a disease mapping model from epidemiology, a Poisson regression model with two variance components being used to analyze the data. The importance sampling method is found to be the method of choice to compute the Bayes factor of interest for these problems. Chib's method is also found to be efficient.
Not Too Long to Read: The tldr Interface for Exploring and Navigating Large-Scale Discussion Spaces

We present a new interface for exploring and navigating large-scale discussions on the internet. Our system, tldr, focuses on three primary user goals: finding, navigating and filtering content based on the users' own relevance criteria. We employ a progressive design approach that combines user research from the popular web site Reddit.com and visualizations from existing discussion data. Based on lessons gleaned from previous research and our own user studies, we argue that the tldr interface can lessen the problems of information overload and inefficient navigation in large-scale discussion spaces. Current implementation and next steps for wider deployment are discussed.
Effect of Diet upon Blood Phosphorus Partition of Rats with and without Insulin

ConclusionsIt may be concluded, then, that after insulin injection, (a) the blood inorganic phosphorus of rats decreases only on the high fat diet, (b) the other determined phosphorus fractions vary only slightly, (c) there does not appear to be a loss of phosphorus from the blood, and (d) there is a tendency for the organic phosphorus of the blood to increase.
Deblurring molecular images using desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Traditional imaging techniques for studying the spatial distribution of biological molecules such as proteins, metabolites, and lipids, require the a priori selection of a handful of target molecules. Imaging mass spectrometry provides a means to analyze thousands of molecules at a time within a tissue sample, adding spatial detail to proteomic, metabolomic, and lipidomic studies. Compared to traditional microscopic images, mass spectrometric images have reduced spatial resolution and require a destructive acquisition process. In order to increase spatial detail, we propose a constrained acquisition path and signal degradation model enabling the use of a general image deblurring algorithm. Our analysis shows the potential of this approach and supports prior observations that the effect of the sprayer focuses on a central region much smaller than the extent of the spray.
Towards a cognitive theory of existential meaning

The capacity to attribute meaning to personal experiences may rest on a specialized cognitive system enabling this form of causal reasoning. Close examination of these attributional tendencies suggests that this system may be distinct from those underlying other forms of causal reasoning such as a “theory of mind” system in the behavioral domain, a folk physics system in the physical domain, and a folk biology system in the biological domain. A fourth, existential domain, an abstract ontological frame within which the subjective, narrative self is envisioned to be contained, may have driven the construction of an intuitive capacity in humans that encourages them to search for the underlying purpose or reason for having had certain life experiences. This system likely has specific, definable operational rules that are responsible for activating such explanatory searches. In addition, it appears anchored to a general intentionality system that promotes the attribution of teleological purpose and higher-order mental states to an abstract agency that is envisioned to cause events and personal experiences. Identifying the component parts of this specialized cognitive system through empirical investigations can help researchers to reconstruct both its evolutionary phylogeny and to track its developmental emergence.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens -mediated transformation of rutabaga ( Brassica napus var. napobrassica ) cultivar “American Purple Top Yellow”

An efficient protocol for genetic transformation of rutabaga (Brassica napus var. napobrassica) cultivar “American Purple Top Yellow” was developed by optimizing several factors influencing gene delivery and plant regeneration. A two-step regeneration protocol, adapted from canola, was optimal for rutabaga regeneration using hypocotyl explants. Transient expression studies monitored by histochemical β-glucuronidase (GUS) assays indicated that several factors, including Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain, cocultivation time, and cocultivation medium, affected gene delivery. For stable transformation, precultured hypocotyl explants were cocultivated with Agrobacterium cells on sterilized filter paper overlaid on callus induction medium containing 100 μM acetosyringone for 6 d under a 16-h photoperiod. Selection and regeneration of transformed cells were conducted on media containing 50 mg l−1 kanamycin and 250 mg l−1 Timentin. Using this protocol, GUS- and PCR-positive transformants were obtained from 3.2 to 4.2 % of hypocotyl explants inoculated with each of the three Agrobacterium strains after 3–5 mo. Most transformants exhibited a normal phenotype. Southern blot analysis confirmed stable integration of the gusA transgene in T0 plants.
The mechanism of foam devolatilization in partially filled screw devolatilizers

An experimental investigation was conducted into elucidating the mechanism of foam devolatilization. For the investigation, we have constructed two separate apparatuses of Plexiglas—one simulating the partially filled flow channel in a single-screw devolatilizer, and the other simulating the partially filled, closed-chamber (often referred to as the “C-chamber),” in a twin-screw devolatilizer. The test fluids employed were aqueous solutions of polyacrylamide having various concentrations. During the preparation of the test fluids, we controlled the amount of air entrapped in the liquid phase by varying the level of vacuum applied. The entrapped air stayed as fine gas bubbles dispersed in the polymer solution, and mixtures of the polymer solution and air bubbles were subjected to devolatilization experiments. In the use of a single-screw devolatilizer, we have observed that: 1. The streamlines show circulatory flow patterns forming a singular point at a position slightly below the free surface, where small gas bubbles are trapped initially and become stationary, and 2. The small gas bubbles trapped at the stationary position coalesce later to form large gas bubbles, which then move slowly toward the free surface and are removed under vacuum from the system. In the use of twin-screw devolatilizers, we have found that the degree of fill, the rotational direction of the screws, and the degree of intermeshing, (i. e., partially or fully intermeshing) greatly influence the amount of free surface available for the removal of volatiles, as well as the flow patterns in the liquid pool, and thus the devolatilization efficiency.
Silent mitral regurgitation complicating silent myocardial infarction: hemodynamic and morphologic documentation.

Clinical, hemodynamic and anatomic findings are described in a 71-year-old man with “silent” acute myocardial infarction. Hemodynamic evidence of mitral regurgitation resulting from papillary muscle necrosis was obtained both before and after the appearance of the murmur of mitral regurgitation.
Plant evolution: The dominance of maize

The gene teosinte branched 1 controls major differences in architecture between cultivated maize and its wild ancestor. The differences correlate with different amounts of gene product.
Gender and schizotypal personality features

Abstract Schizotypal personality is argued to be part of a spectrum of schizophrenia-related disorders. While salient gender differences in the symptomatology of schizophrenics have been reported, data with regards to such differences in DSM-III defined schizotypal features are more limited. Right-handed male (N = 120) and female (N = 137) university students completed the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ), a self-report instrument designed to tap all nine features of DSM-III-R schizotypal personality disorder. Results revealed that males are significantly higher only on the Eccentric/Odd Behavior subscale, while females score higher on the Ideas of Reference, Odd Beliefs/Magical Thinking and Social Anxiety subscales, as well as the Cognitive-Perceptual Dysfunction and Interpersonal Deficits factors. Effect sizes tended to be small, with only the Social Anxiety subscale yielding a moderate effect.
Localization of cutaneous lesions in digital images

Digital imaging could potentially provide a rapid, objective, and quantitative means of detecting changes in important skin conditions, especially the dysplasic nevus syndrome. Image analysis techniques can be applied to digital images to automate the search for changes in moles or other features. Consistent determination of lesion boundaries, perimeter, and area in digital images is a vital first step in this process. In this paper, we show how bilaterally symmetric Laplacian-of-a-Gaussian filters can be used to recover the borders of selected lesions while remaining robust with respect to factors such as the camera point spread function and additive noise. Tests on real and synthetic images demonstrate that lesion borders, area, and perimeter can be obtained with a high degree of reliability. Boundaries are routinely found to within +/- 0.2 pixels, and area and perimeter measurements vary by less than 10% when imaging spot targets and actual cutaneous lesions under a realistic range of experimental conditions.
Ectopic Pax2 expression in chick ventral optic cup phenocopies loss of Pax2 expression.

Abstract Pax2 is essential for the development of the urogenital system, neural tube, otic vesicle, optic cup and optic tract [Dressler, G.R., Deutsch, U., et al., 1990. PAX2, a new murine paired-box-containing gene and its expression in the developing excretory system. Development 109 (4), 787–795; Nornes, H.O., Dressler, G.R., et al., 1990. Spatially and temporally restricted expression of Pax2 during murine neurogenesis. Development 109 (4), 797–809; Eccles, M.R., Wallis, L.J., et al., 1992. Expression of the PAX2 gene in human fetal kidney and Wilms’ tumor. Cell Growth Differ 3 (5), 279–289]. Within the visual system, a loss-of-function leads to lack of choroid fissure closure (known as a coloboma), a loss of optic nerve astrocytes, and anomalous axonal pathfinding at the optic chiasm [Favor, J., Sandulache, R., et al., 1996. The mouse Pax2(1Neu) mutation is identical to a human PAX2 mutation in a family with renal-coloboma syndrome and results in developmental defects of the brain, ear, eye, and kidney. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 93 (24), 13870–13875; Torres, M., Gomez-Pardo, E., et al., 1996. Pax2 contributes to inner ear patterning and optic nerve trajectory. Development 122 (11), 3381–3391]. This study is directed at determining the effects of ectopic Pax2 expression in the chick ventral optic cup past the normal developmental period when Pax2 is found. In ovo electroporation of Pax2 into the chick ventral optic cup results in the formation of colobomas, a condition typically associated with a loss of Pax2 expression. While the overexpression of Pax2 appears to phenocopy a loss of Pax2 , the mechanism of the failure of choroid fissure closure is associated with a cell fate switch from ventral retina and retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) to an astrocyte fate. Further, ectopic expression of Pax2 in RPE appears to have non-cell autonomous effects on adjacent RPE, creating an ectopic neural retina in place of the RPE.
Vibrational properties of amorphous silicon in the frequency range 250-450 cm -1

The phonon densities of states of five- and six-membered rings found in a periodic model of amorphous silicon have been calculated with use of the cluster-Bethe-lattice method with the Born potential. The results are consistent with earlier periodic model calculations, despite the difference in potentials. There is strong evidence that the ring structure is not important in determining the vibrational properties of amorphous silicon. Another cluster which demonstrates the splitting off from the bending and stretching modes in the frequency range 250--450 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ is also investigated. It is shown that the modes for this range are a mixture of this bond bending and bond stretching. In addition, some simplifying properties for cluster-Bethe-lattice calculations are derived.
Interval estimation of error variance following a preliminary test in one–way random model

A confidence interval for the error variance following a preliminary test in the oneway random model is investigated. This interval is referred to as a pre-test confidence interval. The expected length of the pre-test confidence interval is shorter than that of the usual confidence interval. The coverage probability of the pre–test confidence interval is less than the nominal level. However, at some selected levels of significance, the coverage probability of the pre-test confidence interval is only slightly less than the nominal level but the maximum reduction in expected length is substantial
Detrimental impact of remote methamphetamine dependence on neurocognitive and everyday functioning in older but not younger HIV+ adults: evidence for a legacy effect?

Prior studies examining the combined adverse effects of HIV and methamphetamine (MA) on the central nervous system (CNS) have focused on younger to middle-aged adults with recent MA use diagnoses. Aging, HIV, and MA all converge on prefrontal and temporolimbic neural systems and confer independent risk for neurocognitive and functional decline. Thus, this study sought to determine the residual impact of a remote history of MA dependence on neurocognitive and real-world outcomes in older people living with HIV (PLWH). Participants included 116 older (≥50 years) and 94 younger (<40 years) adults classified into one of six study groups based on HIV serostatus (HIV+/HIV−) and lifetime histories of MA dependence (MA+/MA−): older HIV−MA− (n = 36), older HIV+MA− (n = 49), older HIV+MA+ (n = 31), younger HIV−MA− (n = 27), younger HIV+MA− (n = 33), and younger HIV+MA+ (n = 34). No participant-met criteria for current MA use disorders and histories of MA dependence were remote in both the older (average of nearly 9 years prior to evaluation) and younger (average of over 2 years prior to evaluation) HIV+MA+ groups. Findings revealed that a remote history of MA dependence exerts a significant detrimental impact on specific aspects of neurocognitive performance (e.g., memory) and a broad range of real-world functioning outcomes (e.g., employment) among older, but not younger PLWH. These results suggest that MA-associated neurotoxicity may have significant “legacy” effects on both neurocognitive and functional outcomes to which older PLWH are particularly vulnerable.
Using Parent–Student Pairs for Internet Instruction

AbstractStudent and parent attitudes toward school-based Internet use were explored using parent–student pairs. An intergenerational approach positioned 54 pairs of young adolescents and their parents as co-learners for simultaneous Internet instruction, while another 51 parent–student pairs were given separate Internet instruction. This study examined the effect of instructional conditions using pre- and post-instruction attitude surveys and interviews. Survey analyses included descriptives, reliability measures, factor analysis, subscale formation, pre- and post-instruction comparisons, and analysis of variance of treatment and role variables. Interview analyses provided insights into student and parent attitudes. Positive effects of instruction were revealed for students and parents.
Novel metallamacrocyclic gold(I) thiolate cluster complex: structure and luminescence of [Au9(μ-dppm)4(μ-p-tc)6](PF6)3

The structure of a novel metallamacrocyclic phosphine gold(I) thiolate cluster, [Au9(μ-dppm)4(μ-p-tc)6](PF6)3, where dppm = bis(diphenylphosphine)methane and p-tc = p-thiocresolate, is reported and shows Au⋯Au attractions of ∼3.0 A and gold(I) atoms linked to thiolate and phosphine ligands in distorted trigonal and nearly linear geometries.
Predictors of resolution of complex atypical hyperplasia or grade 1 endometrial adenocarcinoma in premenopausal women treated with progestin therapy.

Abstract Objective To identify clinical and pathologic predictors of response to progestin treatment in premenopausal women with complex atypical hyperplasia (CAH) and Grade 1 endometrial adenocarcinoma (Grade 1 EA). Methods Forty premenopausal patients with Grade 1 EA or CAH who underwent progestin therapy for a minimum of 8weeks were retrospectively identified. Patient characteristics and histopathologic features of pretreatment and first follow-up endometrial specimens were evaluated as predictors of resolution, defined as absence of hyperplasia or carcinoma. Results Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated 63% resolution at 18months of follow-up. Multivariate classification analysis showed that resolution rates were higher in individuals with a low pre-treatment qualitative abnormal architecture score and a BMI p =0.03). The diagnosis of benign endometrium or simple hyperplasia on the first follow-up specimen was highly predictive of resolution (SRR=2.25, p =0.002). Resolution rates were lower among subjects with a high pre-treatment qualitative abnormal architecture score (SRR=0.37, p p =0.002). Conclusions Clinical and pathologic parameters can predict response to progestin therapy in premenopausal women with CAH and Grade 1 EA. A low likelihood of resolution is predicted by an unfavorable pre-treatment architectural score and lack of pathological response in the first specimen, despite adjacent stromal decidualization.
Health Service Use by Children in Rural Bihar

Bihar is one of the most economically deprived states in India. Home to nearly 10 per cent of India's population, it consistently ranks poorly on a variety of development and health-related indicators. In order to improve child survival and decrease childhood mortality, it is important to understand the determinants of healthcare use so that appropriate policies may be developed to maximize health services utilization. This paper undertakes such as analysis. It uses the Andersen Behavioral Model to understand determinants of health services utilization for children suffering from diarrhea and respiratory illness in rural Bihar. Data were abstracted from the Second National Family Health Survey (NFHS-2). Out of 2703 children under 3 years of age in the dataset, 840 had an episode of diarrhea and/or respiratory illness in the preceding 2 weeks. A majority (69 per cent) had utilized healthcare services for their illness. The results indicate that controlling for other factors, sex of the child, household standard of living, service availability and need, are significant determinants of health service utilization. The analysis highlights the usefulness of the NFHS-2 data as a tool to conduct health services research and analyses at the state level, and in developing policies to safeguard and improve the health of vulnerable population groups in India.
Fourier transform infrared studies of cyclohexane and benzene adsorbed on Pt/Al2O3: Evidence for π- and σ-bonded chemisorbed species

Abstract Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has been applied to the study of cyclohexane adsorbed on Al 2 O 3 and Pt/Al 2 O 3 surfaces. Earlier studies of benzene on these same materials have also been extended to include benzene adsorbed on a Pt/Al 2 O 3 surface which contains structured carbon residues. The data provide indirect evidence for the formation of a carbon residue on Pt/Al 2 O 3 which retains the six-membered cyclic structure of the parent adsorbates. The carbon residue can be formed upon vacuum heating of the parent C 6 ring molecules chemiorbed on Pt/Al 2 O 3 . There is spectroscopic evidence that cyclohexane dehydrogenates on Pt/Al 2 O 3 at 300 K to form two different chemisorbed species; a π-bonded benzene and a dissociated σ-bonded benzene. These two chemisorbed species have CH stretching vibrations centered at 3030 and 2947 cm −1 , respectively. Benzene added to a clean catalyst surface forms only a π-bonded benzene. However, benzene added to Pt/Al 2 O 3 with ordered carbon residues forms both π- and σ-bonded benzenes. The addition of H 2 at 300 K to any of the π- or σ-bonded benzenes or to the carbon residue results in the formation of cyclohexane physisorbed on the catalyst. The absence of CH 3 groups upon hydrogenation suggests the lack of CC bond breaking during adsorption or hydrogenation. Simultaneous infrared and thermal desorption studies on chemisorbed deuterated benzene (from C 6 D 12 ) indicate that the a-bonded species exchange H from the surface OH groups of the alumina support more readily than does the π-bonded benzene. In addition to hydrogen exchange with the support, thermal desorption experiments indicate the oxidation of a portion of the chemisorbed hydrocarbons and/or carbon residue by oxygen from the alumina support. Therefore, the support is capable of playing a direct role in reactions occurring on the catalyst surface.
The topographic torque on a bounding surface of a rotating gravitating fluid and the excitation by core motions of decadal fluctuations in the Earth's rotation

General expressions (with potential applications in several areas of geophysical fluid dynamics) are derived for all three components of the contribution made by the geostrophic part of the pressure field associated with flow in a rotating gravitating fluid to the topographic torque exerted by the fluid on a rigid impermeable bounding surface of any shape. When applied to the Earth's liquid metallic core, which is bounded by nearly spherical surfaces and can be divided into two main regions, the "torosphere" and "polosphere," the expressions reduce to formulae given previously by the author, thereby providing further support for his work and that of others on the role of topographic coupling at the core-mantle boundary in the excitation by core motions of Earth rotation fluctuations on decadal time scales. They also show that recent criticisms of that work are vitiated by mathematical and physical errors. Contrary to these criticisms, the author's scheme for exploiting Earth rotation and other geophysical data (either real or simulated in computer models) in quantitative studies of the topography of the core-mantle boundary (CMB) by intercomparing various models of (a) motions in the core based on geomagnetic secular variation data and (b) CMB topography based on seismological and gravity data has a sound theoretical basis. The practical scope of the scheme is of course limited by the accuracy of real data, but this is a matter for investigation, not a priori assessment.
An assessment of a fund for watershed conservation in the southern Ecuadorian Andes.

The Pro-Cuencas Podocarpus Fund is an initiative contributing to the conservation of Podocarpus National Park (PNP), using watershed conservation as its principal driver. The primary problem is how to implement the Fund to meet the expectations of all participants. The Fund is a good solution for natural resource conservation in the region, and it may be improved by using information from previous experiences to provide feedback. The main recommendations for the implementation of the Pro-Cuencas Fund are organized into three different sets of issues. The first recommendation regards the definition and scope of the Fund. Before implementation, the following questions have to be clarified: Who are the beneficiaries? Who are the suppliers? How much is going to be charged to the beneficiaries? How are they going to compensate the service providers? The second recommendation is related to the structure and organization of the Fund. The Fund should include participants who now are excluded and establish roles i...
Short pulse propagation in tight focusing conditions

Abstract We report short pulse propagation simulation data generated by 3 D +1 (x,y,z,t) code which takes into account space–time Laplacian, up to cubic term dispersion, delayed Kerr non-linearity, optical shock term and multi-photon ionization. The input phase front of the pulse is taken to be parabolic corresponding to focusing/defocusing conditions, while the intensity spatial distribution is Gaussian. The temporal pulse shape is taken to be either sech 2 ( t ) or Gaussian type with encoded chirp phase information. We discuss various implications of tightly focused beam on bulk laser ablation (micro-machining) and super continuum (SC) generation. These include blue spectral enhancement of SC with pulse breaking into shorter pulses and detrimental effect of very short pulses on micro-machining.
Atom transfer radical polymerization on the interior of the P22 capsid and incorporation of photocatalytic monomer crosslinks

Abstract We have successfully used atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to form linear and crosslinked polyacrylamide and polyacrylate polymers, constrained within the virus like particle (VLP) derived from the bacteriophage P22. Polymerization of Tris(hydroxymethyl)methylacrylamide was initiated, in a spatially controlled manner, using macroinitiators derived from two different mutants of P22, S39C and K118C. Initiation from the S39C mutant results in spatially confined polymer growth on the interior of P22 while initiation from the K118C site results in a polymerized VLP in which some of the polymer is partially exposed on the outside of the capsid. Using the S39C macroinitiator we have demonstrated polymerization of aminoethyl methacrylate (AEMA) monomers, crosslinked by co-polymerization with the multifunctional monomer [Ru(5-methacrylamido-phenanthroline)3]2+ resulting in an active photocatalytic P22 capsid particle.
An optimality criterion for vector unbiased statistical estimation functions

Abstract Chandrasekar and Kale (1984) considered the problem of estimating a vector interesting parameter in the presence of nuisance parameters through vector unbiased statistical estimation functions (USEFs) and obtained an extension of the Cramer-Rao inequality. Based on this result, three optimality criteria were proposed and their equivalence was established. In this paper, motivated by the uniformly minimum risk criterion (Zacks, 1971, p. 102) for estimators, we propose a new optimality criterion for vector USEFs in the nuisance parameter case and show that it is equivalent to the three existing criteria.
Modeling the compressive properties of glass fiber reinforced epoxy foam using the analysis of variance approach

Abstract The aim of this work is to develop a (statistical) predictive model that describes the compression properties of glass-fiber-reinforced epoxy foams. An analysis of variance was applied in order to determine the behavior of the composite foams. The material variables and ranges used in the study were density (250–550 kg/m 3 ), fiber weight fraction (1–5 wt%), and fiber length (6–12 mm). The responses analyzed were the compressive modulus and strength. In addition, the foam size cell distribution was studied as a function of density. The results showed that the density and the morphology of composite foams exhibit a strong influence on the responses of the model. Therefore, the utilization of a statistical model for predicting composite foam properties is an appropriate tool that affords a global perspective of the influence of different effects on material behavior.
Measures of the intergenerational transmission of body mass index between mothers and their children in the United States, 1981–2004

This research provides estimates of the intergenerational persistence of body mass index (BMI) between women and their children when both are at similar stages of the lifecycle. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79) and the Young Adults of the NLSY79, associations between the weight status of women and their children are measured when both generations are between the ages of 16 and 24. In the entire sample, the measured intergenerational correlation of BMI is significantly different from zero and equal to 0.35. This result differs by gender with a BMI correlation between female children and their mothers of 0.38, compared to a significantly lower BMI correlation of 0.32 between mothers and their sons. Measures of this relationship across the distribution of BMI using quantile regression and quadrant dependence techniques indicate that the intergenerational persistence of BMI is strongest at higher levels of BMI. Strong dependence across generations is found when categorical outcomes of obesity and overweight are implemented. These results provide evidence of the strong persistence of weight problems across generations which may affect economic mobility within families.
Longitudinal and seasonal patterns of stream acidity in a headwater catchment on the Appalachian Plateau, West Virginia, U.S.A.

The chemical composition during baseflow was used to elucidate the fundamental processes controlling longitudinal and seasonal patterns of stream acidity in Yellow Creek, a chronically acidic headwater (pH range 3.7--4.2) on the Appalachian Plateau in northeastern West Virginia. Sulfate concentrations controlled the variability of stream acidity within the Yellow Creek catchment. Decreases in stream free H+ acidity with decreasing elevation likely resulted from SO 4 2− retention in riparian wetland areas as well as spatial variation in dominant tree species. Seasonal variations in free H+ and inorganic monomeric aluminum (Aln+) concentrations appeared related to seasonal fluctuations in baseflow discharge which was controlled by vegetative activity. Baseflow stream discharge, as well as H+ and Aln+ acidity, gradually declined during the growing season (June through October), likely reflecting microbial SO 4 2− > reduction in saturated anaerobic environments within riparian wetlands. A marked pulse of stream H+, Aln+, and SO 4 2− coincided with an abrupt increase in baseflow discharge resulting from the cessation of transpiration after leaf-fall in November. This seasonal pattern suggests that autumn may be a critical period for eastern brook trout in streams draining wetlands on the Appalachian Plateau.
Design methodology for high-speed iterative decoder architectures

We propose a novel approach to the design and analysis of VLSI architectures for the soft-input soft-output a posteriori probability (SISO-APP) decoding algorithm used in iterative decoders such as turbo decoders. The approach is based on a tile-graph composed of recursion patterns that model the resource-time scheduling of the forward-backward recursion equations of the algorithm. The problem of constructing a SISO-APP architecture is formulated as a three-step process of constructing and counting the patterns needed and then tiling them. The problem of optimizing the architecture for high speed and low power reduces to optimizing the individual patterns and the tiling scheme for minimal delay and storage overhead. The various forms of the sliding and parallel-window (PW) architectures in the literature are instances of the proposed tile-graph. Using the tile-graph approach, a new PW architecture controlled by the window width r is proposed that achieves for r = 10 a 45%, a 71 %, a 51%, and a 25% reduction in decoding delay, state, input, and output metrics storage respectively, compared to a conventional architecture with a 10% increase in resources.
Transient capture zone for a single well

Ground-water wells are frequently used to interpret contaminant plumes. The conventional design procedure is to plot the steady-state capture zone and check whether the contaminant plume lies inside it. This approach ignores the pollutant`s movement during the transient development of the cone of depression. In this paper the authors present a new method to analyze the transient performance of a single well that combines the analytical solutions for the steady-state capture zones and transient velocity field with particle tracking. Using the particle trajectories, an effective capture zone can be estimated. No contaminant which is outside of this zone at the start of pumping can be captured by the well. The use of this method is illustrated by a hypothetical example.
Chronometric analysis of speech perception

The relationship between the phonological properties of speech sounds and the corresponding semantic entries was studied in two experiments using response time measures. Monosyllabic words and nonsense words were used in both experiments. In Experiment I. Ss were each presented with individual items and were required, in three different conditions, to respond positively if (1) the item contained a particular final consonant, (2) the item was a real word, (3) the item contained either a particular consonant or was a real word. Latencies indicated that separate retrieval of phonological and lexical information took about the same time. but that their combined retrieval was longer, indicating a serial or overlapping process. In Experiment II, Ss were presented with pairs of items, and they responded positively if (1) the two items were physically identical, (2) the two items were lexically identical (both real words or both nonsense words). Response latencies were longer for lexical than for physical matches. Lexical matches were’ significantly slower than physical matches even on the same pair of items. The results imply differential accessibility to separate loci of phonological and semantic features.
Classification of Hyperspectral Data: A Comparative Study

In general, the analysis of hyperspectral remote sensing data by means of pattern recognition and/or classification is known to be data dependent. Thus, conventional methods for classifications may not be applicable due to the large amount of data collection used to characterize hyperspectral data in terms of optimality and computational time. In this paper, efficient classification methods of hyperspectral data are presented. Hyperspectral signatures are then extracted for eight different sample types (bare soil, soybean, mixed weeds, combination of soybean and weeds, sicklepod, entireleaf morning glory, pitted morning glory, and common cocklebur) and used for observing their spectral properties for detection and/or classification. The hyperspectral data that are analyzed in this paper are point source data collected from handheld spectrometers. The resulting data classification is reported accordingly and a comparative study among the various methods is made to ascertain their applicability to discriminate between the various sample types.