cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improved Hopfield Network Optimization Using Manufacturable Three-Terminal Electronic Synapses

We illustrate novel optimization techniques via simulations for Hopfield networks constructed from manufacturable three-terminal Silicon-Oxide-Nitride-Oxide-Silicon (SONOS) synaptic circuit elements. We first present a computationally-light, memristor-based, highly accurate static compact model for the SONOS synapses used in our simulations. We then show how to exploit analog errors in programming resistances and current leakage, and the continuous tunability of the SONOS synapses to enable transient chaotic group dynamics, to accelerate the convergence of a Hopfield network. We project improvements in energy consumption and time to solution relative to existing CPUs and GPUs by at least 4 orders of magnitude, and also exceed the projected performance of two-terminal memristor-based crossbars in addition to a 100-fold increase in error-resilient array size (i.e. problem size).
Assessing dynamic vegetation model parameter uncertainty across Alaskan arctic tundra plant communities.

As the Arctic region moves into uncharted territory under a warming climate, it is important to refine the terrestrial biosphere models (TBMs) that help us understand and predict change. One fundamental uncertainty in TBMs relates to model parameters, configuration variables internal to the model whose value can be estimated from data. We incorporate a version of the Terrestrial Ecosystem Model (TEM) developed for arctic ecosystems into the Predictive Ecosystem Analyzer (PEcAn) framework. PEcAn treats model parameters as probability distributions, estimates parameters based on a synthesis of available field data, and then quantifies both model sensitivity and uncertainty to a given parameter or suite of parameters. We examined how variation in 21 parameters in the equation for gross primary production influenced model sensitivity and uncertainty in terms of two carbon fluxes (net primary productivity and heterotrophic respiration) and two carbon (C) pools (vegetation C and soil C). We set up different parameterizations of TEM across a range of tundra types (tussock tundra, heath tundra, wet sedge tundra, and shrub tundra) in northern Alaska, along a latitudinal transect extending from the coastal plain near Utqiaġvik to the southern foothills of the Brooks Range, to the Seward Peninsula. TEM was most sensitive to parameters related to the temperature regulation of photosynthesis. Model uncertainty was mostly due to parameters related to leaf area, temperature regulation of photosynthesis, and the stomatal responses to ambient light conditions. Our analysis also showed that sensitivity and uncertainty to a given parameter varied spatially. At some sites, model sensitivity and uncertainty tended to be connected to a wider range of parameters, underlining the importance of assessing tundra community processes across environmental gradients or geographic locations. Generally, across sites, the flux of net primary productivity (NPP) and pool of vegetation C had about equal uncertainty, while heterotrophic respiration had higher uncertainty than the pool of soil C. Our study illustrates the complexity inherent in evaluating parameter uncertainty across highly heterogeneous arctic tundra plant communities. It also provides a framework for iteratively testing how newly collected field data related to key parameters may result in more effective forecasting of Arctic change.
Single-nucleus transcriptomic analysis of human dorsal root ganglion neurons

Somatosensory neurons with cell bodies in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) project to the skin, muscles, bones, and viscera to detect touch and temperature as well as to mediate proprioception and many types of interoception. In addition, the somatosensory system conveys the clinically relevant noxious sensations of pain and itch. Here, we used single nuclear transcriptomics to characterize transcriptomic classes of human DRG neurons that detect these diverse types of stimuli. Notably, multiple types of human DRG neurons have transcriptomic features that resemble their mouse counterparts although expression of genes considered important for sensory function often differed between species. More unexpectedly, we identified several transcriptomic classes with no clear equivalent in the other species. This dataset should serve as a valuable resource for the community, for example as means of focusing translational efforts on molecules with conserved expression across species.
A 100-element HBT grid amplifier

A 100-element 10-GHz grid amplifier has been developed. The active devices in the grid are chips with heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) differential pairs that include a resistive network to provide self-bias to the base. The planar metal grid structure was empirically designed to provide effective coupling between the HBTs and free space. Two independent measurements, one with focusing lenses, the other without, were used to measure the gain of the grid. In each case the peak gain of the grid was 10 dB at 10 GHz with a 3-dB bandwidth of 1 GHz. The input and output matches are better than 15 dB at 10 GHz. The maximum output power is 450 mW, and the minimum noise figure is 7 dB. Tests show that the grid is quite tolerant of failures-the output power dropped by only 1 dB when 10% of the inputs were detuned. The device amplifies beams with incidence angles up to 30 degrees with less than a 3-dB drop in power. >
Militant democracy and the pre-emptive constitution: from party bans to hardened term limits

I explore the concept of militant democracy in the context of what appear to be persistent threats to the democratic order. I begin with a reconstruction of the concept with the intention of distin...
Evaluation of S-Parameters Similarity with Modified Hausdorff Distance

Similarity metric for two sets of S-parameters is constructed with the modified Hausdorff distance applied to S-parameter points in 3D space with real and imaginary parts of S-parameter point and normalized frequencies as the coordinates. New metric allows automation of the analysis to measurement validation, comparison of different simulations of the same problem, as well as finding similar S-parameter models or similar elements within S-matrices.
On the causal constitutive relations of magnetoelectric media

The correct constitutive relations of general linear media must be properly decided in the time domain because causality is frequently a major casualty of frequency-domain manipulations. We show that the widely used symmetries found by O'Dell (1970) for magnetoelectric media came from noncausal analysis. We also show that the correct constitutive relations must obey Post's (1962) constraint.
Center for Southeastern Tropical Advanced Remote Sensing (CSTARS)

Abstract : We wish to establish a high capability satellite data reception and analysis facility for environmental monitoring in the southeastern US, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Basin and Equatorial Atlantic. CSTARS will provide a variety of satellite data and support for scientific research in land, atmosphere, ice and ocean sciences, as well as applied applications in the fields of environmental monitoring, natural hazard assessment, civil defense and defense tactical applications. To achieve these goals we are developing a high capability receiving and analysis facility for X-band satellite data with a subsequent enhanced capability that would include lower frequency L- and S-band reception. Key priorities in the system design will be high reliability data reception to low elevation angles and rapid data access for all scientific, civilian and defense tactical users. The specific scientific objectives of this proposed project are, but not limited to air-sea interaction and ocean dynamics: 1) To explore the further use of SAR imagery for retrieval of high-resolution synoptic wind fields with special emphasis on tropical storms. 2) To examine the surface roughness, wave breaking and directional distribution of the wave field in tropical and extra-tropical storm systems. 3) To explore and quantify mesoscale flow patterns in synoptic and tropical lows. 4) To study in more detail the morphology of hurricanes especially when coupled with information about cloud patterns and precipitation from other sensors. 5) To develop algorithms for improved detection of ships and their location, size and type as well as speed and direction characteristics. 6) To examine ocean features such as fronts, currents and eddies and combine with measurements of long-range shore-based high-frequency Doppler radars.
A study of transference and solvation phenomena—I: Uranyl chloride in water, ethanol and water-ethanol solvents

Abstract Transference and solvation phenomena involving uranyl chloride (UO2Cl2) have been studied at 25·00 ± 0·01°C in water, ethanol and water-ethanol solvents. Transference phenomena as a function of the concentration of UO2Cl2 have been studied at the same temperature in water and in 99·7 weight per cent ethanol in water. The transference number of the anion in both water and in 99·7 weight per cent ethanol extrapolates to 0·64 and the cation to 0·36 at infinite dilution of the UO2Cl2. The transference number of the anion as a function of concentration reaches a maximum of unity at about 19·5 weight per cent UO2Cl2 and then decreases sharply with further increase of salt concentration. The maximum in water is explained as possibly arising from [UO2Cl3·solvent]− and [UO2Cl·solvent]+ ions of equal mobility. The dependence of anion transference number on solvent composition is qualitatively in agreement with the dependence, with respect to uranium (VI) ion, of the order of the electron exchange reaction between uranium (VI) and uranium (IV) ions. The plot of the moles of water per faraday transported from anode to cathode gave a sine-like curve when plotted against weight per cent ethanol in the solvent. The shape of this curve was explained on the basis of the alternate removal of layers of water of hydration on the UO2Cl3− and UO2Cl+ ions and the successive replacement of these hydration layers with ethanol.
Induction of a Biopolyester Hydrolase (Cutinase) by Low Levels of Cutin Monomers in Fusarium solani f. sp. pisi

Cutin hydrolysate induced the production of an extracellular cutinase by glucose-grown Fusarium solani f. sp. pisi. The rate of production depended on the amount of cutin hydrolysate added up to 80 mug/ml, and saturation was attained at this level. Glucose was found to be a repressor of cutinase production. A radial immunodiffusion assay for cutinase was developed, and the induction of cutinase by cutin hydrolysate was confirmed by this direct assay. When cutinase was induced by cutin hydrolysate, exogenous labeled phenylalanine was incorporated into cutinase, which was shown to be the major (>70%) protein in the extracellular fluid. Induction of cutinase by cutin hydrolysate was not inhibited by actinomycin D and was stimulated ( approximately 100%) by cordycepin. Addition of cycloheximide with the inducer, or up to 12 h after the addition of the inducer, resulted in a nearly immediate cessation of cutinase production. Deoxyglucose, an inhibitor of proten glycosylation, inhibited the induction of cutinase by cutin hydrolysate. omega-Hydroxy fatty acids were more effective in inducing cutinase than any of the other more polar acids of cutin. Experiments with derivatives and analogues of omega-hydroxy C(16) acid indicated that a free hydroxyl group at the omega-position was the most important factor determining the cutinase-inducing activity. n-Aliphatic primary alcohols with 14 or more carbon atoms induced cutinase, and n-C(16) was the most effective inducer. These results strongly suggest that the monomers function as the chemical signal which induces the extracellular hydrolase.
Using the 5E Learning Cycle of Science Education to Teach Information Skills

The article discusses the constructivist 5E Learning Cycle and provides an example of how this framework can be used in library instruction around teaching a single concept in depth. Strengths and weaknesses of the 5E Learning Cycle are discussed.
Study of Visible Exhaust Smoke from Aircraft Jet Engines

Abstract : The objective of this study was to relate the visibility of inflight jet exhaust to the SAE smoke number. A method based on photographic photometry was developed for measuring the optical density of smoke plumes. This method was related to visibility and to the smoke number through transmissometer measurements and visibility theory. A portable transmissometer, capable of operating over a wide range of optical path lengths and under varying ambient light conditions was fabricated for use on this study. The mathematical expression relating the transmission measurements to the smoke number was derived. Liminal visibility requirements of smoke trails, developed from light scattering theory, correlated with actual visual observations and the transmissometer and photometry measurements. Test results, with the engines investigated, indicate that SAE smoke numbers below 23 were associated with invisible exhaust plumes. Samples of the exhaust smoke showed the particles to be composed of lacy agglomerates. At the nozzle, the geometric median particle diameter was 0.052 micrometers. At a distance of 10 nozzle diameters the geometric median particle diameter was 0.13 micrometer at cruise condition.
Damping of generator oscillations using a state feedback controller

This paper presents a design of a state feedback controller for a synchronous generator connected to an infinite bus. The proposed controller is applied to the state space representation of the power system; such that a subset of the closed-loop poles is assigned to the location of finite zeros while the rest of the poles are assigned arbitrarily. The influence of the proposed controller on the generator dynamics following different types of disturbances is investigated. The obtained simulation results are compared to those of a conventional controller. >
Wild yeast harbour a variety of distinct amyloid structures with strong prion-inducing capabilities

Variation in amyloid structures profoundly influences a wide array of pathological phenotypes in mammalian protein conformation disorders and dominantly inherited phenotypes in yeast. Here, we describe, for the first time, naturally occurring, self-propagating, structural variants of a prion protein isolated from wild strains of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Variants of the [RNQ⁺] prion propagating in a variety of wild yeast differ biochemically, in their intracellular distributions, and in their ability to promote formation of the [PSI⁺] prion. [PSI⁺] is an epigenetic regulator of cellular phenotype and adaptability. Strikingly, we find that most natural [RNQ⁺] variants induced [PSI⁺] at high frequencies and the majority of [PSI⁺] variants elicited strong cellular phenotypes. We hypothesize that the presence of an efficient [RNQ⁺] template primes the cell for [PSI⁺] formation in order to induce [PSI⁺] in conditions where it would be advantageous. These studies utilize naturally occurring structural variants to expand our understanding of the consequences of diverse prion conformations on cellular phenotypes.
SARS, xenotransplantation and bioterrorism: preventing the next epidemic.

The worldwide outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has focused attention on the unpredictability of outbreaks of novel infectious diseases. In part, such outbreaks are the unavoidable consequence of global air travel, poverty, urban crowding, and incursions into ecologically remote regions. The inability to detect such outbreaks early in their course is the result of the absence of a coordinated international program for the detection and reporting of, and response to, potential epidemics. The failure of health authorities to publicize possible outbreaks often appears to reflect misguided efforts at governmental public relations rather than prevention of public panic.
Heparin anticoagulation in patients undergoing off-pump and on-pump coronary bypass surgery

Purpose The authors analyzed the coagulation data of patients who underwent on-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) or off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB) in a randomized prospective trial.
Austenitic stainless steels and high strength copper alloys for fusion components

Abstract An austenitic stainless steel (316LN), an oxide-dispersion-strengthened copper alloy (GlidCop Al25), and a precipitation-hardened copper alloy (Cu–Cr–Zr) are the primary structural materials for the ITER first wall/blanket and divertor systems. While there is a long experience of operating 316LN stainless steel in nuclear environments, there is no prior experience with the copper alloys in neutron environments. The ITER first wall (FW) consists of a stainless steel shield with a copper alloy heat sink bonded by hot isostatic pressing (HIP). The introduction of bi-layer structural material represents a new materials engineering challenge; the behavior of the bi-layer is determined by the properties of the individual components and by the nature of the bond interface. The development of the radiation damage microstructure in both classes of materials is summarized and the effects of radiation on deformation and fracture behavior are considered. The initial data on the mechanical testing of bi-layers indicate that the effectiveness of GlidCop Al25 as a FW heat sink material is compromised by its strongly anisotropic fracture toughness and poor resistance to crack growth in a direction parallel to the bi-layer interface.
S-STIR: similarity search through iterative refinement

Similarity retrieval of images based on texture and color features has generated a lot of interests recently. Most of these similarity retrievals are based on the computation of the Euclidean distance between the target feature vector and the feature vectors in the database. Euclidean distance, however, does not necessarily reflect either relative similarity required by the user. In this paper, a method based on nonlinear multidimensional scaling is proposed to provide a mechanism for the user to dynamically adjust the similarity measure. The results show that a significant improvement on the precision versus recall curve has been achieved.
Noise-refined image enhancement using multi-objective optimization

Image enhancement plays a fundamentally important role in nearly all of the vision and image processing systems. This paper presents a novel scheme for the enhancement of images using stochastic resonance (SR) noise. In this scheme, a suitable dose of noise is added to the lower quality images such that the performance of a suboptimal image enhancer is improved without altering its parameters. In this paper, image enhancement is modeled as a constrained multi-objective optimization (MOO) problem, with similarity and some desired image enhancement characteristic being the two objective functions. The principle of SR noise-refined image enhancement is analyzed, and an image enhancement system is developed. A genetic algorithm-based MOO technique is employed to find the optimum parameters of the SR noise distribution. In addition, a novel image quality evaluation metric based on human visual system (HVS) is developed as one of the objective functions to guide the MOO search procedure. For illustration, four types of SR noises are employed in this paper to improve different enhancers. Encouraging results are obtained when applied to a variety of image distortion situations.
Nuclear imaging of the breast: Translating achievements in instrumentation into clinical use

Approaches to imaging the breast with nuclear medicine and/or molecular imaging methods have been under investigation since the late 1980s when a technique called scintimammography was first introduced. This review charts the progress of nuclear imaging of the breast over the last 20 years, covering the development of newer techniques such as breast specific gamma imaging, molecular breast imaging, and positron emission mammography. Key issues critical to the adoption of these technologies in the clinical environment are discussed, including the current status of clinical studies, the efforts at reducing the radiation dose from procedures associated with these technologies, and the relevant radiopharmaceuticals that are available or under development. The necessary steps required to move these technologies from bench to bedside are also discussed.
Aging and the brain: A new frontier

With aging, both "normal" senescent age-related changes (ARCs) and late-onset diseases affect the brain, producing declines in performance. The brain as a postmitotic structure is particularly vulnerable to ARCs, and senescence is by far the most powerful risk factor for neurological diseases of the elderly such as sporadic Alzheimer's disease. The concept of senescence as an immutable result of the passage of time is yielding to understanding of the biology of ARCs. Both individual and species differences in longevity illustrate the variable effects of time. Whereas human life expectancy has been extended by prevention and treatment of specific diseases, life span can be altered by modifying the processes producing ARCs. Models of prolonged life span (eg, modifications of Caenorhabditis elegans longevity genes, restricted caloric intake) demonstrate the feasibility of extending longevity throughout the phylogenetic spectrum. Both programmed and variable factors produce ARCs. Cell survival depends on a balance of opposing factors--oncogene and anti-oncogene products, cyclins, growth factors, and so on; apoptotic death results when the balance shifts. Variable factors, including accumulation of oxygen free radicals, protein conformational changes, decline in chaperone functions, and secondary loss of mitochondrial energy production, can also result in neuronal degeneration. To prevent the increased neuronal vulnerability of senescence, ARCs must be modified. The "new frontier" in neurology is the challenge of understanding the changes of aging, both to determine their impact on disease and to prevent their consequences.
Investigating the global genomic diversity of Escherichia coli using a multi-genome DNA microarray platform with novel gene prediction strategies

The gene content of a diverse group of 183 unique Escherichia coli and Shigella isolates was determined using the Affymetrix GeneChip®E. coli Genome 2.0 Array, originally designed for transcriptome analysis, as a genotyping tool. The probe set design utilized by this array provided the opportunity to determine the gene content of each strain very accurately and reliably. This array constitutes 10,112 independent genes representing four individual E. coli genomes, therefore providing the ability to survey genes of several different pathogen types. The entire ECOR collection, 80 EHEC-like isolates, and a diverse set of isolates from our FDA strain repository were included in our analysis. From this study we were able to define sets of genes that correspond to, and therefore define, the EHEC pathogen type. Furthermore, our sampling of 63 unique strains of O157:H7 showed the ability of this array to discriminate between closely related strains. We found that individual strains of O157:H7 differed, on average, by 197 probe sets. Finally, we describe an analysis method that utilizes the power of the probe sets to determine accurately the presence/absence of each gene represented on this array. These elements provide insights into understanding the microbial diversity that exists within extant E. coli populations. Moreover, these data demonstrate that this novel microarray-based analysis is a powerful tool in the field of molecular epidemiology and the newly emerging field of microbial forensics.
An Intercomparison of Temperatures and Heats of Transition for Esters of Cholesterol

Abstract Thermodynamic information on the aliphatic esters of cholesterol has recently been reported in a number of publications. Because of parallel publication, it has not been possible to develop intercomparisons between sets of data by different workers. In addition, new data are presented here on the temperatures and heats of transition for the odd carbon number aliphatic esters from C11 to C19. From this composite information, it has been possible to develop new and more complete correlations for each transition concerning entropy changes and odd-even effects as a function of ester molecular weight from the formate to the C20 ester.
Acute Toxicity of T-2 Toxin in Broiler Chicks and Laying Hens

Abstract Purified T-2 toxin was given to broiler chicks and laying hens in single oral doses by intubation into the crop to evaluate acute toxic effects. The 10-day median lethal dose for one-day-old broiler chicks in two experiments was estimated as 5.03 ± 0.25 and 5.25 ± 0.21 mg./kg. body weight. The 10-day median lethal dose for 8-week-old broiler chicks and laying hens was 4.97 ± 0.25 and 6.27 ± 0.42 mg./kg. body weight, respectively. Death of birds occurred within 48 hours after T-2 toxin administration. Within 4 hours after receiving T-2 toxin, birds developed asthenia, inappetence, diarrhea and panting. Coma was observed in birds given high lethal doses of T-2 toxin. The abdominal cavities of birds given lethal doses contained a white chalk-like material, which covered much of the viscera. Sublethal doses of T-2 toxin resulted in a decrease of weight gain and feed consumption which were proportional to the amount of the toxin given. No obvious abnormal changes in the bone marrow were noted in surviving birds. The blood components (hematocrit, hemoglobin, erythrocyte, leukocyte, SGOT, SGPT, serum LDH, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum total protein, serum cholesterol and serum uric acid) determined at 10 and 30 days after T-2 toxin administration were not significantly changed or not consistently changed in 8-week-old broiler chicks and laying hens by T-2 toxin. Other than necrotic visible lesions on the mucosal surface of the gizzard and crop in a few high dose birds, no salient pathological or clinical signs were observed at 10 and 30 days after T-2 toxin administration.
In vitro activity of temafloxacin against gram-positive cocci including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Published reports on the in vitro activity of temafloxacin indicate its activity against gram-positive cocci is equal to or slightly greater than that of ciprofloxacin, and generally twofold greater than that of ofloxacin. The few ciprofloxacin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains reported were also resistant to temafloxacin. Because temafloxacin achieves higher plasma and tissue levels than ciprofloxacin, greater differences between minimal inhibitory concentrations and tissue levels occur with temafloxacin than with ciprofloxacin, which may provide temafloxacin with greater therapeutic efficiency against gram-positive coccal infections.
Synthesis and characterization of a new series of zinc phosphites

Several new zinc phosphites have been synthesized in aqueous solutions by reactions of Zn 2+ with H 3 PO 3 and either Na + , K + , or Ba 2+ . The structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The role of the alkali and alkaline-earth metals in the structures is discussed, and the phosphite structures are compared with similar known phosphates
Needle/Wire Lung Nodule Localization for Thoracoscopic Resection

Small lung nodules undiagnosed by percutaneous needle biopsy have traditionally gone to thoracotomy for diagnosis. We describe a technique using computed tomographic needle/wire lung localization of these nodules, to be resected using video-assisted thoracoscopy. This is less invasive and less painful than thoracotomy and provides for cost-effective definitive diagnosis.
Cell biology: relays at the membrane.

The Wnt signalling pathway is a major route by which the cell conveys information from its exterior to the nucleus. A gap in the sequence of signalling proteins has now been filled.
Adhesion forces between surfaces in liquids and condensable vapours

When a liquid is confined within a highly restricted space its properties become quantitatively and qualitatively different from the bulk (continuum) values: for example, when confined between two surfaces the molecules of a liquid may structure into quasi-discrete layers whose properties become "quantized" with the number of layers, and such ultra-thin films often behave more like a solid or a liquid crystal than a normal liquid, for example, withstanding finite compressive and shear stresses. The forces between surfaces or particles in liquids can also be very complex once the surfaces approach closer than 5-10 molecular solvent diameters. This is the regime where continuum and mean field theories (e.g., of monotonically attractive van der Waals forces) break down and where the interactions become sensitive to such fine details as the molecular structure of the liquid molecules and surfaces. These short-range forces determine the adhesion and friction between surfaces and the properties of colloidal dispersions. During the last ten years experiments using force balance techniques such as the surface forces apparatus, and theories employing computer simulations, have totally changed our conception of the short-range forces in liquids. It is now known that the force-laws are rarely monotonically attractive or repulsive: the force can change sign at some small but finite separation or it can be an oscillatory function of separation. Some of these forces are now well understood, but the more important ones are not. These include the repulsive "hydration" and attractive "hydrophobic" forces between hydrophilic or hydrophobic surfaces in water, the forces between metallic surfaces, and the role of static and dynamic roughness on adhesion. An understanding of these interactions is both of fundamental interest as well as having immediate practical applications in controlling the properties of materials and complex macromolecular (e.g., colloidal) systems. Here we shall review the current state of our knowledge in this area, where to a large extent, experiment is ahead of theory.
Synthesis and structure of the useful starting material [Bu4N]3[Nb6Cl12(OSO2CF3)6]

Abstract The synthesis and characterization of the cluster [Bu 4 N] 3 [Nb 6 Cl 12 (OSO 2 CF 3 ) 6 ] is reported, and the metathesis of this cluster with [Bu 4 N]X resulted in the formation of the clusters [Bu 4 N] n [Nb 6 Cl 12 X 6 ] (X=Cl − , Br − , I − and SCN − ; n =3 or 4). The cluster [Bu 4 N] 3 [Nb 6 Cl 12 (OSO 2 CF 3 ) 6 ] crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C 2/ c (no. 15) with a =26.808(4), b =25.826(6), c =15.889(4) A, β =91.96(2)°, V =10994(3) A 3 , and Z =4. A refinement was based on 4105 ( I >3.00 σ ( I )) observed reflections with 436 variable parameters had agreement parameters of R =0.087 and R w =0.109. The structure consists of a slightly distorted metal octahedron surrounded by 12 edge-bridging chlorine atoms and six axial OSO 2 CF 3 − groups. The average NbNb bond length is 2.947 A, the average NbCl bond length is 2.429 A, and the average NbO bond length is 2.15 A. Vibrational and electronic spectra provide a means for monitoring the facile reaction chemistry of [Bu 4 N] 3 [Nb 6 Cl 12 (OSO 2 CF 3 ) 6 ].
Evolving illumination parameters for improved target recognition

Color is an important feature for object recognition in security and military applications. Unfortunately, color is sensitive to the environmental operating conditions so its use for automatic target recognition is often limited. Recently a number of research efforts have focused on techniques for developing algorithms to improve color constancy across images. Many of these approaches attempt to improve the color constancy of a particular type of surface area such as skin. In contrast, we present an approach that attempts to address color constancy of many surfaces across a wide range of external environmental conditions in the absence of direct knowledge of illumination. Our approach builds on existing techniques by using evolutionary learning to synthesize features that characterize the illuminations that influence perception of color. Once the illumination of each image in a collection is estimated, it can be used to map the colors in an image to the illumination conditions in any other image. This would allows us to take an image from that collection, transform its colors to reference colors that can then be combined with other types of features (e.g. geometrical, statistical, and textural) to cerate automatic target recognition systems that are relatively insensitive to their operating conditions. To demonstrate our technique, we process images of a parking area under a wide variety of seasonal weather conditions collected across large timescales of hours, days, and months.
The development of a Patient Adherence Management System Applying Intelligent Keyword (PAMSIK) empowered by peer learning mechanism

For each treatment plan, patient adherence can be managed, audited, and improved by the Patient Adherence Management System applying Intelligent Keyword (PAMSIK) featuring the use of intelligent keywords to navigate users to the target in-time knowledge and also leverage the collective power - peer learning to encourage patients. Three major components are: an autonomous, intelligent, friendly User Behavior Collector to identify patient's personal adherence problems, a Patient Similarity Analyzer to dynamically cluster peers, and a Cure Service Dispatcher to recommend suitable cures and thus deliver prompt services and in-time contents to users.
Empirical studies of accident statistics and safety

The relationship between the frequencies of different types of accidents and their rank order is modelled as a generalized power function. This paper presents empirical results validating the model for fatal accidents occurring in the home and for total accidents occurring in any environment. The notion of accident variety or diversity is also introduced and some variety measures are proposed and evaluated for 15 sets of accident statistics. Finally, some preliminary results are presented from an industrial safety survey. Language: en
Some further microstructural characteristics of face-centered cubic polycrystalline metal thin films

We have made detailed observations of gold thin films and commercial aluminum-copper alloy films, using transmission electron microscopy. All of the films embody a strong fiber texture. We have measured the misorientation distributions for the grain boundaries in these films, and also determined the “grain boundary character distribution” in terms of the coincident site lattice model. We show that in spite of their apparent similarity, these films embody significant differences in terms of these measures.
A Use-Based Measure of Accessibility to Linear Features to Predict Urban Trail Use

The standard Hansen measure of accessibility is extended to provide a use-based measure of accessibility reflecting the elasticity of use with respect to the level of provision of facilities. This is further extended to provide a measure of accessibility to linear features, such as trails (as opposed to features at point locations such as parks and libraries). Results from a survey on the use of urban trails in Indianapolis, Indiana are used to test the ability of this accessibility measure to predict trail use. The use-based measure of accessibility to linear features provides better predictions of use and more consistent estimates of the effects of distance and level of facility provision on trail use.
Soybean Yield Response to Pyraclostrobin and Drainage Water Management

Although pyraclostrobin {carbamic acid, [2,[[[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl]oxy]methyl]phenyl]methoxy-,methyl ester} has been used to protect soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] from foliar diseases, its interaction with drainage water management (DWM) systems was unknown. Field research during two wet years (95 to 97 mm greater than the past decade) evaluated the effects of pyraclostrobin application timing (R3, R5, R3+R5, and R3+R5+lambda-cyhalothrin) and DWM system (nondrained and drainage only [DO] or drainage plus subirrigation [DSI] at 6.1 and 12.2 m drain tile spacings) on soybean yield, grain quality, and severity of Septoria brown spot (SBS) (Septoria glycines) and frogeye leaf spot (FLS) (Cercospora sojina). Grain yields increased 18 to 22% with DO or DSI at 6.1 and 12.2 m spacings compared to a nonfungicide treated, nondrained control. In the absence of drainage, pyraclostrobin with or without lambda-cyhalothrin increased yields 20 to 27% compared to the nondrained, nonfungicide treated control. The combination of DWM and pyraclostrobin increased grain yields up to 36%. Pyraclostrobin plus lambda-cyhalothrin at R3+R5 increased yield 8 to 12% except with DO at 12.2 m compared to similar nonfungicide-treated DWM systems. A DWM and pyraclostrobin interaction was detected for grain oil and protein concentration, but differences were minimal. Pyraclostrobin with or without lambda-cyhalothrin reduced severity of SBS and FLS 2 to 8% depending on the year, but DWM did not affect severity of these diseases. The greatest synergistic yield increase on a claypan soil occurred when foliar disease management and DWM systems were used together in years with higher than normal rainfall.
Explaining the non-governmental organization (NGO) boom: the case of HIV/AIDS NGOs in Kenya

In the past two decades, Kenya has witnessed the rapid and unprecedented growth of local, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) within its borders. This trend reflects similar NGO sector growth throughout the developing world. Scholars have attributed the growth of these key civil society actors to an increasingly neoliberal orientation among international donors, an ideology which favors non-state service providers. Yet less research has been done on the state-level reasons for NGO sector growth. This article asks why the NGO sector has grown so rapidly in Kenya. Drawing on the example of HIV/AIDS-focused NGOs, an historical analysis of the proliferation of these organizations is offered. It is found that donor pressures to democratize helped lead to an environment that prompted NGO growth. It is then argued that the Kenyan government's failure to respond quickly to the HIV/AIDS crisis created the political space necessary for local NGOs to establish and grow. Also, democratic reforms increased civil lib...
Personality Characteristics of the Users of Corporal Punishment in the Schools.

Abstract The Rokeach Dogmatism Scale and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire were correlated with educator-reported use of corporal punishment. Respondents were from a medium-size school system in Tennessee. Results indicated that closed-mindedness, as measured by the Rokeach scale, and Neuroticism, as measured by the Eysenck Scale, were highly correlated with reported use of corporal punishment. Of the remaining two dimensions of personality measured by the Eysenck questionnaire, Extraversion was found to be moderately correlated with reported use of corporal punishment while Psychoticism showed no significant relationship. A significant negative correlation was found between years of experience in teaching and use of corporal punishment. Frequency of physical punishment used on an educator when he/she was in grades K-12 was positively correlated with reported use of corporal punishment. Heavy users of corporal punishment tended to be relatively inexperienced, close-minded, neurotic, and impulsive as compared to their peers who did not use corporal punishment.
Tacrolimus for prevention of graft-versus-host disease after mismatched unrelated donor cord blood transplantation.

Tacrolimus for prevention of graft-versus-host disease after mismatched unrelated donor cord blood transplantation
Is there universality in the full range model of leadership

Universality implies that the relations between attributes of the person and performance as a leader are a constant across situations. It also implies that similar concepts and behaviors associated with leadership can be relevant everywhere. It is a difficult position to maintain. Nevertheless, this lead article contends that a model of transformational and transactional leadership has some degree of universality. The article describes the elements of the model and summarizes the support for these elements which derives from research initiated in the United States. Three corollaries are discussed with supportive evidence gathered in studies conducted in India, Italy, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Sweden and elsewhere to document the universality of transactional and transformational leadership. We conclude that although this model of leadership may require adjustments and fine-tuning as we move across cultures, particularly into non-Western cultures, overall, it holds up as having considerable un...
New Insights into the Detection of Sulfur Trioxide Anion Radical by Spin Trapping: Radical Trapping versus Nucleophilic Addition

It has recently been demonstrated that (bi)sulfite (hydrated sulfur dioxide) reacts with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) via a nonradical, nucleophilic reaction, and further proposed that the radical adduct (DMPO/()SO(3)(-)) formation in biological systems is an artifact and not the result of spin trapping of sulfur trioxide anion radical (()SO(3)(-)). Here, the one-electron oxidation of (bi)sulfite catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase/H(2)O(2) has been reinvestigated by ESR spin trapping with DMPO and oxygen uptake studies to obtain further evidence for the radical reaction mechanism. In the case of ESR experiments, the signal of the DMPO/()SO(3)(-) radical adduct was detected, and the initial rate of its formation was calculated. Support for the radical pathway via ()SO(3)(-) was obtained from the stoichiometry between the amount of consumed molecular oxygen and the amount of (bi)sulfite oxidized to sulfate (SO(4)(2-)). When DMPO was incubated with (bi)sulfite, oxygen consumption was completely inhibited owing to the efficiency of DMPO trapping. In the absence of DMPO, the initial rate of oxygen and H(2)O(2) consumption was determined to be half of the initial rate of DMPO/()SO(3)(-) radical adduct formation as determined by ESR, demonstrating that DMPO forms the radical adduct by trapping the ()SO(3)(-) exclusively. We conclude that DMPO is not susceptible to artifacts arising from nonradical chemistry (nucleophilic addition) except when both (bi)sulfite and DMPO concentrations are at nonphysiological levels of at least 0.1 M and the incubations are for longer times.
Capillary blood flow: Videodensitometry in the atherosclerotic patient

Recently the noninvasive technique of videomicroscopy has demonstrated qualitative morphologic changes in the nutritional skin capillaries in atherosclerotic (ATS) patients. The purpose of this study is to quantitatively examine the ATS microcirculation and effects induced by reconstructive surgery. Capillary blood flow velocity (CBV) of single vessels within the nail fold of the large toe was measured by dual-sensor videodensitometry in 14 ATS patients (age 45 to 80 years) and 11 age-matched controls. In addition to CBV, capillary diameter (CD) and the number of flow-active capillaries (FC) were also measured at constant temperature. Of the 14 patients, eight had measurements repeated 1 week after reconstructive surgery. The measurements were obtained at rest and then periodically after a 45-second period of pedal inflow occlusion. Respective group averages at rest for CBV, CD, and FC for the 14 ATS patients were as follows: 0.16 mm/sec, 10.5 micron, and 6.8 capillaries per field. Corresponding values for the control subjects were 0.10 mm/sec, 8.7 micron, and 5.3 capillaries per field. Combining CBV, CD, and FC into a measurement of volume capillary flow yielded a value of 281 pl/sec/mm2 for the patients and only 85 pl/sec/mm2 for the controls (p less than 0.02). Peak postocclusion CBV significantly increased, whereas FC significantly decreased relative to rest in the control group; however, the only patient group that responded to occlusion-induced ischemia was the postoperative group. In these patients there was a decrease in CBV and an increase in FC relative to rest. These responses are exactly opposite to those in the age-matched controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A follow-up note on prescriptive statements in nonintervention research studies

Robinson, Levin, Thomas, Pituch, and Vaughn (2007) examined 74 articles reporting nonintervention studies (i.e., studies with no researcher-manipulated variables) that appeared in 5 educational journals in 1994. Of these articles, 22 contained prescriptive statements (e.g., if teachers or students did X, then student outcome Y would result). In the present study, we examined 243 journal articles published between 1995 and 2005 that cited any of the 22 earlier studies and found that (a) 25 articles (10%) repeated the prescriptive statement and (b) 411 subsequent articles between 2005 and mid-2008 cited the 25 articles that contained repeated prescriptions, with 1 article alone cited 132 times. Thus, recommendations based on nonintervention research were found, to some extent, to be perpetuated by educational researchers. Implications of these findings for educational researchers and consumers are discussed, as well as future directions for this type of research.
2-Methyl-1-pentene: Infrared and raman spectra and normal coordinate calculations

Abstract Liquid-state infrared (IR) and Raman spectra and solid-state IR spectra were obtained for 2-methyl-1-pentene. Vibrational assignments were made for all four possible conformers with the aid of normal coordinate calculations. The trans-trans (TT) and trans-gauche (TG) conformers were both found to be present in the unannealed solid, but only the TT conformer was present in the annealed (crystalline) solid. Evidence for the presence of GT and GG conformers in the liquid state was found, in agreement with previous work. The spectra and results of the calculations are given in this paper.
Cyclic Oxidation Resistance of MoSi2/20v% Nb Composites

The effect of Nb morphology on the 1200°C cyclic oxidation resistance of MoSi 2 /2Ov%Nb composites was investigated. Niobium was incorporated into MoSi 2 as particles, random short fibers and continuous aligned fibers. After oxidation, it was found all that the composites had lost weight and essentially disintegrated. This was due to spalling of both the Nb 2 O 5 scale and the MoSi 2 matrix. The spalling of the matrix was a result of cracks originating from the oxidized Nb and propagating through the MoSi 2 matrix. These cracks arose from two sources: (1) the volume expansion associated with the transformation of Nb to Nb 2 O 5 and (2) the difference in thermal expansion between Nb 2 O 5 and MoSi 2 . Composites with smaller diameter Nb reinforcements did not disintegrate as rapidly as composites with larger sized Nb reinforcements. This was attributed to the effect of reinforcement size on CTE mismatch cracking.
On the connection between the kinetic drumhead model and the Cahn-Hilliard equation in the presence of a gravitational field

Abstract The equation of motion for an interface in the presence of a gravitational field is considered, when the order parameter is conserved. The kinetic drumhead model is derived directly from the Cahn-Hilliard equation without recourse to the drumhead free energy. We append a systematic derivation of the drumhead free-energy functional for the interface in a nonuniform external field.