cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nanoparticle Contrast in Magneto-Motive Optical Doppler Tomography

We introduce a novel contrast mechanism for imaging superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles (average diameter ${\sim}100nm$ ) using magneto-motive optical Doppler tomography (MM-ODT), which combines an externally applied temporally oscillating high-strength magnetic field with ODT to detect the nanoparticles flowing through a glass capillary tube. A solenoid cone-shaped ferrite core extensively increased the magnetic field strength ( $B_{max}=1\;T,\;{\Delta}|B|^2=220T^2/m$ ) at the tip of the core and also focused the magnetic force on targeted samples. Nanoparticle contrast was demonstrated in a capillary tube filled with the SPIO solution by imaging the Doppler frequency shift which was observed independent of the flow rate and direction. Results suggest that MM-ODT may be a promising technique to enhance SPIO nanoparticle contrast for imaging fluid flow.
Nitrate and Nitrite Reduction by Wolffia arrhiza

Nitrate reductase was not found to be present in or associated with partially purified, intact chloroplasts aqueously isolated from Wolffia arrhiza. Such chloroplasts are capable of using nitrite but not nitrate as an electron acceptor during light-stimulated electron transport in the absence of additional cytoplasmic components. When nitrite acts as an electron acceptor under these conditions, on the average 1.5 moles of oxygen are evolved per mole of nitrite reduced by the chloroplasts, indicating a probable reduction of nitrite to ammonia. Chloroplasts ruptured by osmotic shock fail to reduce nitrite in the absence of additional components.
A cytological study of intestinal absorption in the suckling rat

The distal small intestine of the albino rat has the capacity to absorb protein and particulate matter during the suckling period. Ultrastructural and cytochemical aspects of this absorptive phenomenon were examined in the ileum. Soon after the initial ingestion of milk, a large, yellow, smooth membrane-limited, protein body appears in the immediate supranuclear region of ileal absorptive cells and, also, many small vacuoles and membrane-limited droplets arise between this body and the microvilli. Exogenous protein enters an elaborate superficial tubular system and is segregated in membrane-limited vacuoles and droplets and, then, appears in the supranuclear body. The body and adjacent membrane-limited droplets are basophilic, periodic acid-Schiff positive, and rich in hydrolytic enzymes (acid phosphatase, ATPase, thiamine pyrophosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, esterase). The results suggest the presence of a highly developed lysosomal system during the period of protein absorption. Additional cytological features of the absorptive cells are presented. Ileal absorptive cells are normally free of lipid droplets. When emulsified lipid is introduced into the neonatal ileum, it enters into the cytoplasmic smooth membrane system, including the supranuclear body, and later appeas in the lacteals. This suggests both that the uptake of material may be non-selective and that similar intracellular pathways may be used in transporting protein and lipid through the epithelium.
A method to allow temporal variation of velocity in travel-time tomography using microearthquakes induced during hydraulic fracturing

Abstract Hydraulic injections produce fluid-filled fractures that reduce the seismic velocity of the rock compared to intact rock. The travel times of microearthquakes induced by the injections may be used to discern changes in the rock velocities, as well as locating the microearthquakes. Determining the volumes of rock where the velocities have changed provides indirect evidence for the location of the injected fluid, and the character of the changes produced in the fractured rock. Available data are generally insufficient to resolve both the spatial and temporal changes within the rock. To extract information about temporal changes, and to obtain an improved image of the velocity structure, we chose a parameterization scheme in which the velocities of each block are allowed to change from the background velocity only after a threshold number of microearthquakes have occurred in the block. Regularizing by constraining the velocity of all the altered blocks to be similar helps stabilize the inversion. The regularization can be relaxed somewhat to allow the velocity of an altered block to be different from other altered blocks if the travel-time data are compelling. The parameterization scheme is justified since observations show that the volume of the seismically stimulated rock increases linearly with the volume of the injected fluid. We applied the method to data collected in a region of Precambrian crystalline rock that was injected with 21,600 m 3 of water. We use travel times from a total of 3886 microearthquakes that were induced by the injection. The mean RMS travel-time residual decreases about 7%. The velocity structure contains a low-velocity zone located near the injection region. Other distinct low-velocity zones are identified. The pattern of microearthquake locations found using our method appears to contain more structure than the pattern found in locations determined using a homogeneous velocity structure. Two clear low-velocity regions found near the point where water was injected into the rock are separated by a region whose velocity did not change. The region of unaltered velocity had a large number of microearthquakes.
Lupin alkaloids from teratogenic and nonteratogenic lupins. III. Identification of anagyrine as the probable teratogen by feeding trials

Alkaloidal extracts from teratogenic lupins produced congenital deformities in calves typical of crooked calf disease when the extracts were administered to pregnant cows during the susceptible gestational period. These data and previous epidemiologic studies suggest that one of the four alkaloids in the preparation, anagyrine, is the responsible teratogen. Severity of the malformations was directly related to the level of anagyrine present in the preparations administered.
Chronic carotid sinus nerve stimulation in the treatment of essential hypertension

Abstract Electrical stimulation of the carotid nerve has effected reversal of systemic arterial hypertension. The physiologic basis for this new therapeutic approach and the laboratory experiences with acute and prolonged stimulation are reviewed. The engineering specifications of electrical devices employed to date are outlined, and the clinical experience with eleven patients treated with chronic stimulation of the carotid sinus nerves is presented.
Cholinergic innervation of the monkey amygdala: an immunohistochemical analysis with antisera to choline acetyltransferase.

The organization of the cholinergic innervation of the macaque monkey amygdaloid complex was investigated by means of immunohistochemical techniques and either a polyclonal antiserum or a monoclonal antibody directed against the specific synthetic enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). Adjacent series of sections were processed histochemically for the demonstration of the degradative enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) or for cell bodies with thionin. The density of ChAT immunoreactivity differed substantially among the various nuclei and cortical regions of the amygdala. In general, the distribution of ChAT immunoreactivity paralleled the pattern of AChE staining. One notable exception was the presence of AChE containing cell bodies in addition to AChE positive fibers within nearly all of the nuclear and cortical regions. In contrast, ChAT immunoreactivity was associated only with fibers and terminals. The highest density of ChAT immunoreactive fibers and terminals was consistently observed in the magnocellular subdivision of the basal nucleus. Staining was substantially less dense in the more ventrally situated parvicellular subdivision. Medially, in the adjacent accessory basal nucleus, immunoreactive fibers and terminals were densest in the magnocellular and superficial subdivisions and least prominent in the parvicellular subdivision. Of the deep nuclei, the lateral nucleus generally contained the least ChAT immunoreactive terminals and processes. Only its more densely cellular ventrolateral portion contained appreciable fiber and terminal staining. One of the more distinctive patterns of ChAT immunoreactivity was seen in the nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract. Here, ChAT positive fibers formed pericellular basket plexuses around unstained cell bodies. This unique pattern of staining was used to delineate the boundaries of the nucleus and indicated that it is present for much of the rostrocaudal extent of the amygdala. Another region of conspicuous staining on the medial surface of the amygdala was the sulcal portion of the periamygdaloid cortex. This region, associated with the sulcus semiannularis and bordering the entorhinal cortex, consistently contained dense immunoreactivity. The central nucleus also presented a somewhat idiosyncratic pattern of ChAT staining. The lateral subdivision had a diffuse distribution of immunoreactivity in which focal patches of more densely stained terminals and occasional fine fibers were embedded. In contrast, the medial subdivision contained a larger number of thicker, stained fibers without diffuse background labeling. Of the remaining amygdaloid nuclei, the amygdalohippocampal area contained dense ChAT staining, whereas progressively lighter staining was seen in anterior amygdaloid, posterior cortical, anterior cortical, and medial nuclei.
Formulation of 3-D dynamic SSI analysis involving contact nonlinearities by time domain BEM-FEM

Abstract The formulation of a hybrid time domain BEM-FEM scheme is developed for the solution of three-dimensional dynamic soil-structure interaction problems involving contact nonlinearities at the soil-structure interface. Both uplift and sliding are considered at the interface through special thin-layer interface elements. The linear elastic structure, the geometrically nonlinear interface and the linear elastic soil medium are coupled together through equilibrium and compatibility and the analysis proceeds stepwise in time with iterations at each time step in order to define the contact area. Both external dynamic loads and seismic waves are considered.
Preferential growth of Ti and TiN films on Si(111) deposited by pulsed laser deposition

Abstract Ti and TiN films have been grown by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) from a titanium target in reactive gas atmospheres of 1 mTorr Ar and 10 mTorr N 2 , respectively. The films were deposited onto Si(111) substrates at temperatures of 200, 400 and 600°C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that the TiN films exhibited a strong (100) orientation at all substrate temperatures. However, films deposited at 200°C showed only (100) oriented grains, while those deposited at 400 and 600°C had an additional small component of grains with alternate orientations. Ti films showed strong (100) at 200 and 400°C, but shifted to strong (002) at 600°C. The deposited films exhibited densely-packed grains, with smooth and uniform structures. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis of the films showed 99.5% Ti in the Ti films and 50% Ti, 45% N in TiN films, indicating stoichiometric composition in the deposited films.
Do contrastive accents modulate the effect of intonational phrase boundaries in parsing

Abstract Two experiments examined the effect of intonational phrase boundaries (Experiment 1) and interactions between intonational phrase boundaries and contrastive accents (Experiment 2) in parsing, using a sentence continuation judgment task. Across experiments, we found that intonational phrase boundaries were consistently interpreted as signaling syntactic structure as long as there were no alternative reasons for them to be present. Experiment 2 showed that different prosodic cues interact in syntactic processing. The effect of intonational phrase boundaries was modulated by contrastive accents through weaker intermediate phrase boundaries that followed contrastive accents, suggesting that the effects of pitch accents are indirect in syntactic processing.
Influence of carboxylic acid additives on the flow behavior of molten thermoplastics

Following the suggestions of the behavior of carboxylic acid lubricants between steel surfaces and the wide usage of such acids in polymer compounds, we have considered their influence as an additive in polymer melts. An experimental study of the influence of carboxylic acid additives in various thermoplastics in rheometers is described. Capillary and cone-plate experiments are reported. A series of polymers of varying polarity, including polyethylene, poly(propylene), polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate), and polyamide-12, are compared. Both aliphatic fatty acids and aromatic carboxylic acids were used as additives. The aliphatic fatty acids include propionic acid, octanoic acid, decanoic acid, dodecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, eicosanoic acid, and commercial stearic acid (mixture of tetradecanoic acid, pentadecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, heptadecanoic acid, and octadecanoic acid). The aromatic carboxylic acids include benzoic acid, p-toluic acid, and 3-phenylpropionic acid. The greatest effects were found with polyethylene and poly(propylene). Little or no effects were found with the other polymers. Aliphatic fatty acids were more effective than aromatic carboxylic acids. Mechanisms for this behavior are discussed.
Retroviral elements and suppressor genes in Drosophila

The phenotype of some spontaneous mutations in Drosophila can be modified by mutations at unlinked loci. The affected alleles are caused by the insertion of retroviral transposable elements. The idiosyncratic functional and structural properties of these elements play a key role in determining the expression characteristics of the genes into which they are inserted. These phenotypes are reversed or intensified by the allelic state of suppressor and enhancer loci through changes in the transcriptional properties of the transposable elements.
Bhabha first-order wave equations. VI. Exact, closed-form, Foldy-Wouthuysen transformations and solutions

We give a closed-form, finite-polynomial expression for the Foldy-Wouthuysen (FW) transformation ${U}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ for arbitrary-spin Bhabha fields. Our result is obtained by appropriately normalizing the Lorentz transformation operator, expressing this transformation as a finite polynomial, and then properly interpreting the energy, mass, and especially momentum operators involved. For integer-spin fields the built-in subsidiary components are projected out. An algorithm is given which allows one to easily write the expression for the FW transformation of any Bhabha field. We comment on the properties of ${U}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. We note that the columns of the FW transformation are the metric-orthonormal eigenvectors of the Hamiltonian, ${\stackrel{^}{u}}_{k}$, and provide the relation of the ${\stackrel{^}{u}}_{k}$ to the solutions of the wave equation, ${\ensuremath{\psi}}_{k}$. Special cases up to $\mathcal{S} = 3$ are listed and investigated. Some physical and mathematical applications of our method and results are also given.
Switching system for image enhancement and analysis of fused thermal and RGBD data

A number of methods have been developed in the past for color image enhancement, including retinex and color constancy algorithms. Retinex theory is based on psychophysical experiments using mondrian patterns. Recently, multi-scale retinex algorithms have been developed. They combine several "Retinex" outputs to produce a single output image which has both good dynamic range compression and color constancy, as well as good tonal rendition. Unfortunately, multi-scale retinex processing time is consuming. In this paper we present a new algorithm for color and thermal image enhancement. Additionally, an experimental prototype system for fusing the two data types with depth data to create a three-dimensional map of the datasets is presented. The image processing algorithm utilizes a combination of fourier domain and retinex algorithms. Different types of thermal and natural scene NASA images have been tested, along with other imagery. The primary advantages of the image processing algorithm are the reduced computational complexity and the contrast enhancement performance. Experimental results demonstrate that the algorithm works well with underexposed images. The algorithm also gives better contrast enhancement in most cases, thus bringing out the true colors in the image. It thus helps in achieving both color constancy and local contrast enhancement. We compare the presented method with enhancement based on NASA's Multi-scale Retinex. Statistically and quantitatively, we have shown that our technique indeed results in enhanced images, with our argument validated by conducting experiments on human observers. Additionally, the fusion of 2-dimensional (2D) thermal, 2D RGB, and 3-dimensional (3D) depth data (TRGBD) can be analyzed and researched for the purpose of extrapolating thermal conductance and other thermal properties within a scanned environment. This will allow for the determination of energy assessments regarding structural boundaries, the effectiveness of insulation, leakages of heat, water and refrigerant, and computing the true value of observed thermal losses/gains as they are related not only to thermal properties, but geometries as well. The data generated from this analysis can be used in many other domains and process evaluation fields such as medical, geological, architectural and others.
‘At’ Content as a Determinant of the Chromosome Structure

We propose the variation of AT content along the genome as a determinant of the chromosome structure. Genome-wide map of chromosomal contacts has recently been revealed and it strongly correlates with the local AT content of the sequence. AT-rich domains attract each other while GC-rich domains, which contain most of the actively transcribed regions, show weaker aggregation. Using single molecule imaging and vesicle encapsulation to detect transient binding events between short double-stranded DNAs in the presence of spermine, one of the linear polycations essential in regulating cellular functions, we show that the inherent properties of DNAs lead to such correlation even without mediating proteins. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal how polycations specifically bridge AT-rich domains. C5 methyl group of thymine restricts polycations at the bridge site by steric hindrance. CpG methylation converts the major groove structure of cytosine to that of thymine, thus mimicking AT-rich DNAs with stronger attraction. This effect suggests an epigenetic implication of the polycation-driven DNA interaction.
THE PATHOLOGY OF 18 TRISOMY.

Seven autopsied cases of 18 trisomy are presented and compared with thirty-four cases in the literature. It is suggested that several anomalies, including anomalous sternal ossification, bicuspid arterial valves, aberrant aortic arch branches, single umbilical artery, and others, are more common than hitherto reported. In spite of almost constant mental retardation and muscular hypertonia, there are no characteristic changes in brain or muscle. These tissues are, however, proportional in size to body length rather than age. Microscopic anomalies are infrequent and not characteristic. The brunt of teratogenesis falls on the mesoderm, and many anomalies originate in the sixth to eighth weeks. Before this development is overtly normal. Many of the anomalies represent arrests rather than aberrations of maturation.
Replaying Empire: Racialized Violence, Insecure Frontiers, and Displaced Terror in Contemporary Video Games

In the wake of 9/11, US popular culture has played an important role in the manufacture of consent and the mediation of contradictions. In particular, video games have aff orded the production of interactive, narrative spaces for the reassertion of race, nation, and gender. Through a close reading of two video games, Gun and Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 , we unpack the insecurities of empire and how racialized violence, colonial categories, and territorial claims work to resecure Whiteness, masculinity, and Americanness. Special attention is given to the militarization of video games and rhetorical struggles over the meaning of race and culture amid the ‘War on Terror’.
A simple model of the hydrologic cycle and climate: 2. Observational evidence for the parametrization of atmospheric heat and moisture divergence

Entekhabi (Adv. Water Resour., 17 (1 & 2) (1994) 79-91) extended the simple climate model of Koster and Eagleson (J. Climate, 3(6) (1990) 593-606) to include a closed-system hydrologic cycle. Because the screening model does not simulate three-dimensional dynamics, it uses a simple linear reservoir transfer scheme to parametrize the lateral convergence of heat and moisture from the atmospheric column overlying the ocean to the column overlying the landsurface. Observations of wind and humidity profiles in the tropical Atlantic and South America are used to estimate the dependence of the net convergence of moisture over the continent on the precipitable water over land and ocean. In this manner, comparisons may be made between the parametrization of sensible heat and moisture convergence assumed in the screening model and measured quantities
Performance analysis of self-referenced speckle holography

Self-referenced speckle holography (SRSH) is a post-detection turbulence-compensation technique for obtaining diffraction limited imagery from ground based telescopes degraded by atmospheric turbulence. In SRSH image plane information is used together with wave front distortion information to reconstruct an estimate of the object spectrum. The wave front distortion information is obtained from a wave front sensor (WFS) in the pupil plane of the telescope. The data from the WFS is used in a post-processing environment to estimate the point spread function (PSF) of the combined telescope and atmosphere. The PSF is then used to obtain an estimate of the object via deconvolution. We present the results of a detailed performance analysis of SRSH. Performance is quantified in terms of a 'system transfer function' and a 'system point spread function'. The results show how the performance of the technique is dependent on the WFS sampling intervals and shot noise. The results also indicate how the technique, for a given set of design parameters, responds to changing seeing conditions. For subaperture dimensions on the order of a Fried coherence cell size ro and adequate light levels, SRSH boosts the high spatial frequencies (those near the diffraction limit of the telescope) to nearly 0.6. The 'system strehl ratio' approaches 0.6.
New modalities in diabetes treatment

It is certainly acknowledged, albeit rather recently, that adequate control of hyperglycemia in type II diabetic patients is generally poor at best. A heightened realization of this fact and hopes that control of hyperglycemia may prevent complications or limit their severity have spawned newer approaches toward achieving improved glycemic control through changes in standard programmatic care with diet, exercise, oral agents or insulin therapy, and management of hypertension and obesity. Insulin taken at bedtime to control nocturnal hepatic glucose output, multiple doses of regular insulin coupled with frequent blood sugar measurements, and combined insulin and oral agents are approaches currently under trial in several centers. Interest in combination therapy stems in part from residual concern that hyperinsulinemia may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, and to evidence that the sulfonylureas, especially the second-generation drugs, improve sensitivity to the glycolytic effects of insulin, thereby reducing insulin resistance. More than a dozen serious studies of combined therapy have been reported since the early 1980s. This study is unique, however, in several respects since non-obese, type II, insulin-requiring diabetic persons were chosen for study and were hospitalized prior to initiating the actual investigation in order to secure optimal diabetic control and thereby ensure greater sensitivity of the beta cell. Twenty type II diabetic patients were studied in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial with insulin and glyburide. All were treated with intermediate-acting insulin and adjustments were made as necessary to achieve optimal control, after which the patients were randomly assigned to either an insulin-and-glyburide program or to insulin-plus-placebo treatment. Thereafter, patients were followed in an outpatient setting for four months, after which time they were rehospitalized for final assessment. Standard chemistries, urinary glucose, glycosylated hemoglobins, and urinary C-peptide levels were measured. The fasting serum glucose level remained normal in the glyburide/insulin-treated group, whereas these were significantly higher in the placebo-plus-insulin group at four and at eight weeks. Glycosylated hemoglobin levels rose progressively in the placebo- and insulin-treated group and by 16 weeks were significantly higher than measurements from the insulin- and glyburide-treated group of patients (p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Evaluating model predictions of partitioning nitrogen excretion using the dairy cow model, Molly

Abstract Computer models of dairy cow digestion and metabolism are useful tools to evaluate rations and estimate nitrogen (N) excretion. Using models, different management strategies and/or feeding practices can be evaluated and their impact on N excretion explored before implementation. Critical parameters for developing nutrient management plans can be identified to help reduce the impact of animal manure. However, before a model is implemented, errors associated with predictions and limitations of the model must be known. Otherwise, proposed management and feeding changes may not result in effective measures to optimally manage N excretion. The objective of this research effort was to determine whether or not Molly, a dynamic model of dairy cow digestion and metabolism [Baldwin, R.L., 1995. Modeling Ruminant Digestion and Metabolism. Chapman & Hall, UK], could be used to predict N excretion. In Molly, predictions of N excretion are based on level of milk production (ucells) and rate of insoluble protein hydrolysis (KPiAa). Accurate estimation of N excretion patterns would indicate that understanding of N metabolism as represented in Molly is adequate. Failures indicate that more research is needed. To examine estimates of N excretion, N balance data from 18 publications in the Journals of Dairy and Animal Science were simulated using Molly. Input data required included diet composition (N intake), initial bodyweight, days in milk, dry matter intake and milk production. A total of 73 different simulations (73 different diets) with N intakes ranging from 0.19 to 0.78 kg/d and crude proteins of 106–206 g/kg were run. Model outputs of milk, milk protein, faecal N, urinary N and milk N were compared to observed data. Overall, the model simulated reality well. Mean bias are less than 11% for milk yield, milk protein, faecal N, urinary N and milk N with coefficients of determination of 0.94, 0.73, 0.70, 0.80 and 0.88, respectively. Mean absolute errors and root mean square prediction errors are also low compared with observed mean milk, milk protein, faecal N, urinary N and milk N. N excretion losses due to volatilisation were not included in model estimates of faecal N and urinary N. Predicted rates of insoluble protein hydrolysis (KPiAa) from estimating N excretion indicated that current estimates of fractions of undegraded protein for individual feedstuffs in Rumen Nitrogen Usage [National Research Council (NRC), 1985. Ruminant Nitrogen Usage. National Academy Press, Washington, DC] are not adequate.
Nanocrystal assembly for bottom-up plasmonic materials and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensing

Plasmonic materials are emerging as key platforms for applications that rely on the manipulation of light at small length scales. Sub-wavelength metallic features support sur- face plasmons that can induce huge local electromagnetic fields at the metal surface, facili- tating a host of extraordinary optical phenomena. Ag nanocrystals (NCs) and nanowires (NWs) are ideal building blocks for the bottom-up fabrication of plasmonic materials for photonics, spectroscopy, and chemical sensing. Faceted Ag nanostructures are synthesized using a colloidal approach to regulate nucleation and crystallographic growth direction. Next, new methods of nanoscale organization using Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) compression are pre- sented where one- and two-dimensional assemblies can be constructed with impressive align- ment over large areas. Using this method, plasmon coupling between Ag nanostructures can be controlled by varying spacing and density, achieving for the first time a completely tun- able plasmon response in the visible wavelengths. Lastly, these assemblies are demonstrated as exceptional substrates for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) by achieving high chemical sensitivity and specificity, exhibiting their utility as portable field sensors, and integrating them into multiplexed "lab-on-a-chip" devices.
Practical cooling capacity estimation model for a suspended metal ceiling radiant cooling panel

The main thrust of this research was to develop a simplified cooling capacity estimation model for a suspended (free-hanging type) metal ceiling radiant cooling panel. By statistically analyzing panel performance data generated by a validated analytical panel model, the impact of various design parameters and their combinations on the panel cooling capacity was estimated. And then a linear regression equation was derived as a function of major design parameters and interactions which have significant effects on the panel capacity. In this analysis, eight single parameters and 13 two-factor interactions showed significant impact on the panel cooling capacity. Consequently, a simplified regression model for a free hanging panel was derived as a function of those selected parameters. The proposed model could estimate the panel cooling capacity not only for the natural convection but also for the mixed convection condition present in a mechanically ventilated space.
RWA Web: A Free, Comprehensive, Web-Based, and User-Friendly Tool for Relative Weight Analyses

Over the last 15 years, a number of methodological developments have enabled researchers to draw more accurate inferences concerning the relative contribution (i.e., relative importance) among multiple (often correlated) predictor variables in a regression analysis. One such development has been relative weight analysis (RWA). Researchers can use a RWA to decompose the total variance predicted in a regression model (R2) into weights that accurately reflect the proportional contribution of the various predictor variables. Prior to RWA, researchers were forced to rely on traditional statistics (e.g., correlations; standardized regression weights), which are known to yield faulty or misleading information concerning variable importance (especially when predictor variables are correlated with one another, which is often the case in organizational research). Although there has been a surge of interest in RWA over the last 10 years, integration of this statistical tool into organizational research has been hampered by the lack of a user-friendly statistical package for implementing RWA. Indeed, most popular statistical packages (e.g., SPSS, SAS) have yet to include RWA protocols into their regression modules. The purpose of this paper is to present a new, free, comprehensive, web-based, user-friendly resource, RWA-Web, which may be used by anyone having simple access to the internet. Our paper is structured as a tutorial on using RWA-Web to examine relative importance in the classic multiple regression model, the multivariate multiple regression model, and the logistic regression model. We also illustrate how RWA-Web may be used to conduct null hypothesis significance tests using advanced bootstrapping procedures.
Wedge factor dependence with depth, field size, and nominal distance--a general computational rule.

We have investigated the dependence of the wedge factors with field size, depth, nominal, and extended distances for 4, 6, 18, and 24 MV photon beams. Analysis of the experimental data suggests a general linear dependence of the wedge factors with field size and depth. The study shows that changes in wedge factors are insignificant (⩽±1.0%) with respect to measurements at nominal SSD, SAD, or extended SSD. This independence of the wedge factors on source-to-surface distance was studied for different photon energies (4–24 MV) and for different attenuating wedges (external and internal wedges). For clinical applications, an algorithm is presented to calculate the wedge factor dependence with field size and depth. The new algorithm has been successfully implemented to replace wedge look-up tables for dose and MU calculations in PRISM 1.2treatment planning system used in our department.
High aspect ratio CPW fabricated using silicon bulk micromachining with substrate removal

A silicon micromachining process has been developed to fabricate high aspect ratio CPW (HARC). The micromachining process combines Si DRIE, thermal oxidation, electroplating, and planarization to create tall CPW with Au conductors and SiO 2 dielectrics. Si is removed underneath the transmission lines to minimize the field interaction with the substrate which virtually eliminates substrate loss. It is shown that HARC has better loss and isolation compared to microstrip and conventional CPW. Transmission lines with characteristic impedances of 18 – 25 Ω have been fabricated on high resistivity Si. Attenuation was measured to be 2.4 – 3.4 dB/cm at 30 GHz before Si removal and 1.7 – 2.4 dB/cm at 30 GHz after Si removal, demonstrating a substantial improvement in loss due to Si removal. Applications of HARC include CMOS MMICs and hybrid microwave circuits.
Semiclassical theory of group vibrations for linear polymer chains

The semiclassical spectral method (SSM), which employs molecular dynamics and spectral estimators to determine transition frequencies between quantum energy levels in molecular and atomic systems, is extended to include calculations for linear polymer chains. Average differences between harmonic and transition frequencies for the symmetric and asymmetric stretch modes of polyethylene are reported to be around 50 cm−1 with smaller average frequency shifts for the other group vibration dispersion curves for a certain potential surface describing the macromolecule.
Relation of potential evapotranspiration to environment and kind of plant

The purpose of this investigation was to establish relationships between potential evapotranspiration and several elements of weather, potential evapotranspiration as influenced by the surroundings and irrigation of the surroundings, and potential evapotranspiration of Kentucky bluegrass, sweet corn, and celery. High correlations were found between measured potential evapotranspiration (PE) of bluegrass and open-pan evaporation, atmometer evaporation, average temperature, solar radiation, and duration of sunshine when data were grouped into between-rain periods. When the same data were grouped into seven-day periods, relatively low correlations were obtained. Uniform surroundings, watered daily, were found to reduce measured PE of bluegrass 23.2 pct below bluegrass in non-uniform surroundings which were not watered. Measured PE exceeded evapotranspiration computed by the Thornthwaite empirical formula by 10 to 70 pct and appeared more closely associated with amount of rainfall than with mean temperature. Water use by sweet corn was found to be 22.2 pct higher than use by bluegrass. Although the surrounding area of celery was watered each day, PE was 11.0 pct greater than that of bluegrass, the surrounding area of which was not watered. When compared with PE of bluegrass which received daily irrigation of surroundings, water use by celery was 36.8 pct greater.
Headache in College Students: A Comparison of Four Populations

Recent studies have reported a much lower rate of headache prevalence for Australian college students as compared with those for two campuses in the United States. We present such data here for a third U.S. campus and make several comparisons of these data for the four campuses. While the gender difference of higher female over male headache frequency was found for all four campuses, the same measure for combined genders is reliably higher for all three U.S. groups over their Australian counterpart and there are significant differences among the U.S. groups as well. Possible reasons for these campus differences in headache prevalence are outlined and discussed and further research is indicated.
The feasibility and effectiveness of belt pretensioning and load limiting for adults in the rear seat

The US Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and State Data System (SDS) for Florida, Pennsylvania and Maryland were utilised to estimate relative fatality rates and injury risk ratios between the front and rear-seat passengers, and a parametric study of rear-seat restraint parameters was performed to assess chest deflection and head excursion trends. The fatality and serious injury risk in frontal crashes is found to be higher for older occupants in rear seats than for those in front seats. In addition, the relative effectiveness of rear seats is lower in newer vehicle models, presumably due to the advances in front-seat restraint technology. The simulations demonstrate that injury risk in the rear seat can be reduced by incorporating front-seat restraint technology (load limiting and pretensioning), even in the absence of an air bag and knee bolster. A force-limiting belt with a pretensioner can maintain or reduce head excursion relative to a standard belt, while reducing thoracic injury risk. In fact, 42 sets of restraint parameters were identified that reduced both head excursion and chest deflection relative to the baseline belt.
The association between mild traumatic brain injury and psychiatric conditions.

The majority of patients with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) recover fairly quickly and are usually restored to their previous level of functioning. However, a significant minority have prolonged, complicated, or incomplete recoveries and have outcomes disproportionately worse than would have been predicted by the objective facts of the injury. This failure to recover as expected was the focus of this study. The participants were 80 adults with actual or suspected mild TBI who were referred to an outpatient mild TBI clinic. Most were characterized by problematic recoveries. The results indicated that those individuals who only had brain injuries made good recoveries, but that those with psychiatric comorbidity did not (χ2 = 19.65, p = 0.0002). Most of the new psychiatric conditions responsible for poor recovery consisted of depression, anxiety disorders or conversion disorder. Dissociative phenomena appeared common after mild TBI and scores on the Dissociative Experiences Scale predicted brain injury o...
The deformation of a liquid drop moving normal to a plane wall

The deformation of a viscous drop moving under the action of gravity normal to a plane solid wall is studied. Under the assumption of creeping flow, the motion is studied as a function of the viscosity ratio between the drop and the suspending fluid, of surface tension, and of the initial drop configuration. Using the boundary integral formulation, the flow inside and outside the drop is represented in terms of a combined distribution of a single-layer and a double-layer potential of Green functions over the drop surface. The densities of these distributions are identified with the discontinuity in the interfacial surface stress, and with the interfacial velocity. The problem is formulated as a Fredholm integral equation of the second kind for the interfacial velocity which is solved by successive iterations. It is found that in the absence of surface tension, a drop moving away from the wall obtains an increasingly prolate shape, eventually ejecting a trailing tail. Depending on the initial drop configuration, ambient fluid may be entrained into the drop along or away from the axis of motion. Surface tension prevents the formation of the tail allowing the drop to maintain a compact shape throughout its evolution. The deformation of the drop has little effect on its speed of rise. A drop moving towards the wall obtains an increasingly oblate shape. In the absence of surface tension, the drop starts spreading in the radial direction reducing into a thinning layer of fluid. This layer is susceptible to the gravitational Rayleigh–Taylor instability. Surface tension restricts spreading, and allows the drop to attain a nearly steady hydrostatic shape. This is quite insensitive to the viscosity ratio and to the initial drop configuration. The evolution of the thin layer of fluid which is trapped between the drop and the wall is examined in detail, and with reference to film-drainage theory. It is shown that the assumptions underlying this theory are accurate when the surface tension is sufficiently large, and when the viscosity of the drop is of the same or lower order of magnitude as the viscosity of the ambient fluid. The numerical results are discussed with reference to film-drainage asymptotic theories.
Coexistence of annual plants: Generalist seed predation weakens the storage effect

We investigate the effect of seed predation on the coexistence of competing annual plants. We demonstrate a role for predation that is opposite to the conventional wisdom that predation promotes coexistence by reducing the intensity of competition. In the common situation where competitive coexistence involves intraspecific competition exceeding interspecific competition, predation can undermine coexistence by reducing the overall magnitude of competition, replacing competition with "apparent competition" in a way that does not lead to differential intraspecific and interspecific effects. We demonstrate this outcome in the case where coexistence occurs by "the storage effect" in a variable environment. The storage effect arises when the environment interacts with competition to create opportunities for species to increase from low density. Critical to the storage effect is positive covariance between the response of population growth to the environment and its response to competition, when a species is at high density. This outcome prevents species at high density from taking advantage of favorable environmental conditions. A species at low density has lower covariance and can take advantage of favorable environmental conditions, giving it an advantage over a high-density species, fostering its recovery from low density. Hence, species coexistence is promoted. Here we find that density-dependent predation lowers population densities, and so weakens competition, replacing competition with apparent competition, which does not covary with the environment. As a consequence, covariance between environment and competition is weakened, reducing the advantage to a species at low density. The species still strongly interact through the combination of competition and apparent competition, but the reduced low-density advantage reduces their ability to coexist. Although this result is demonstrated specifically for the storage effect with a focus on annual plant communities, the principles involved are general ones.
Investigation of swirl meter performance

The performance of vane- and impulse-type swirl meters was investigated, and a direct calibration method for swirl meters was developed. The zero-swirl bias of the meters was tested by installing an axially aligned tube on the swirl meter. Both the vane- and impulse-type meters showed insignificant zero-swirl bias. A known swirl was provided to the swirl meters using an offset, inclined tube arrangement. The angular momentum flux deliv- ered by this system was found to depend linearly on the product of the offset distance and cosine of the inclination angle. Both the impulse- and vane-type meters were found to give measurements below the known swirl value, but both meters gave results that were linearly dependent on the angular momentum flux, which allows characterization of the meter's effi- ciency with a single parameter. The efficiency of the impulse-type meter varied from 0.7 to 0.93, was a moderate function of the flow straightener aspect ratio, and depended slightly on the meter size. The vane-type meter's efficiency was 0.32-0.45 for the conditions tested, was insensitive to the paddle wheel flow straightener aspect ratio, and depended significantly on the meter size. The vane-type meter measurements were also found to depend on the paddle- to-bore-diameter ratio; values slightly exceeding unity should be used. The swirl meter effi- ciency can be used to correct measurements to an absolute basis. Based on these findings, a universal correction factor does not exist, and a given measuring device will need to be cali- brated using the methodology described.
Finite-Element Modeling of Residual Stress in SiC Diaphragms

Finite-element modeling of the residual stress due to expansion-coefficient mismatch between a 3C-SiC film and Si substrate is presented. The change in residual stress after bulk etching of the silicon substrate to create a suspended diaphragm is also presented. 1, 2, or 3 µm-thick 3C-SiC films are grown at 1600 K on a 100 mm diameter, 500 µm-thick, (100) Si substrate using atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) in a cold-wall, vertical-geometry, RF-induction-heated reactor. An axisymmetric, finite-element analysis (FEA) of the cooling and etching process is presented using the ANSYS54 finite-element package. The etching process is modeled by removing the Si elements in the etched region after cooling from film-growth to room temperature. The results show that residual stress in the diaphragm decreases from 3 to 8 percent after etching.
Two extensions to ensemble speaker and speaking environment modeling for robust automatic speech recognition

Recently an ensemble speaker and speaking environment modeling (ESSEM) approach to characterizing unknown testing environments was studied for robust speech recognition. Each environment is modeled by a super-vector consisting of the entire set of mean vectors from all Gaussian densities of a set of HMMs for a particular environment. The super-vector for a new testing environment is then obtained by an affine transformation on the ensemble super-vectors. In this paper, we propose a minimum classification error training procedure to obtain discriminative ensemble elements, and a super-vector clustering technique to achieve refined ensemble structures. We test these two extentions to ESSEM on Aurora2. In a per-utterance unsupervised adaptation mode we achieved an average WER of 4.99% from OdB to 20 dB conditions with these two extentions when compared with a 5.51% WER obtained with the ML-trained gender-dependent baseline. To our knowledge this represents the best result reported in the literature on the Aurora2 connected digit recognition task.