cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ratiometric Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) Thermography of Radiofrequency Heated Tissue Phantoms

A ratiometric laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) thermographic method has been developed to quantify the temperature fields associated with radiofrequency (RF) heating probes used to treat joint instabilities associated with the shoulder, knee, and ankle. Accurate temperature field measurements in tissue phantoms represent invaluable data for the purpose of developing and verifying computer models of tissue heating. Measuring temperature fields associated with RF probe heating in physiological environments poses problems for traditional methods. Thermocouples, infrared thermometry and fluoroptic methods are limited due to inability of thermocouples to operate in an RF environment, the opaque nature of physiological solutions to IR wavelengths and the relatively large size of optical fibers used in fluoroptic thermometry respectively. Whole field temperature mapping and heat flux measurements around monopolar and bipolar radiofrequency (RF) probes have been performed in tissue phantoms using two-color laser induced fluorescence (LIF) and the ratio of the fluorescent emission intensities of Rhodamine B and Rhodamine 110. The method is described, the operating characteristics are defined and examples of the application of the method to radiofrequency (RF) heating in phantom tissues are included.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Modifications in the copulatory performance of male rats produced by repeated peripheral shock.

Repeated electric shock delivered to the tail of sexually experienced male rats accelerated the rate of copulation, reduced the number of responses and time to ejaculation, and facilitated the resumption of copulation after ejaculation. The total number of ejaculations achieved in 1-hr tests was also increased.
With the best of intentions: Lessons from UNOSOM I and II

The introduction of United Nations peacekeeping troops into Somalia was supposed to be the first of many such operations in the new world order. What went wrong in Somalia and what implications are there for the future of U.N. peacekeeping? This article explores these questions and identifies a list of lessons designed to assist the United Nations in fulfilling the potential suggested by the Somali operations, while avoiding some of the pitfalls. These lessons include the need for early warning and early action, coordinating with NGOs and local actors, strengthening command and control, not sending a traditional peacekeeping force to do an enforcement job, humanitarian assistance‐ during conflict requiring enforcement action, peacekeeping not always translating into conflict resolution, and peacekeeping being inherently problematic in civil conflict.
Monthly Updates: Monthly Update Biologicals & Immunologicals: Progress in the development of antisense drugs

Antisense technology continues to progress, with a number of anti-sense drugs in broad clinical trials, and antisense drugs based on second and third generation chemistry now in detailed animal studies. ISIS 2922, administered intravitreally to treat cytomegalovirus-associated retinitis, is the most advanced and has entered Phase III trials. GEM 91, an anti-AIDS antisense drug, and ISIS 2302, an anti-ICAM drug, are in Phase II trials. Three antisense drugs with potential as anticancer agents, ISIS 3521, ISIS 5132 and ISIS 6139, are in Phase I trials.
Visions of Victory: The Hopes of Eight World War II Leaders – By Gerhard L. Weinberg

The eight World War II leaders covered in this volume are Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Tojo Hideki, Chiang Kai‐shek, Josef Stalin, Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle, and Franklin D. Roosevelt...
Five population-based interventions for smoking cessation: a MOST trial.

Little is known about the relative, additive, and interactive effects of different population-based treatments for smoking cessation. The goal of this study was to evaluate the main and interactive effects of five different smoking interventions. Using the multiphase optimization strategy (MOST), 1,034 smokers who entered a Web site for smokers (smokefree.gov) were randomly assigned to the “on” and “off” conditions of five smoking cessation interventions: the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Web site (www.smokefree.gov vs a “lite” Web site), telephone quitline counseling (vs none), a smoking cessation brochure (vs a lite brochure), motivational e-mail messages (vs none), and mini-lozenge nicotine replacement therapy (NRT vs none). Analyses showed that the NCI Web site and NRT both increased abstinence; however, the former increased abstinence significantly only when it was not used with the e-mail messaging intervention (messaging decreased Web site use). The other interventions showed little evidence of effectiveness. There was evidence that mailed nicotine mini-lozenges and the NCI Web site (www.smokefree.gov) provide benefit as population-based smoking interventions.
The Defecation Index as a Measure of Emotionality: Questions Raised by HPA Axis and Prolactin Response to Stress in the Maudsley Model

The Maudsley Reactive and Maudsley Non-Reactive strains have been selectively bred for differences in open-field defecation (OFD), a putative index of stress. We investigated whether variations in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis are correlated with strain differences in OFD in the Maudsley model. Exposure to the open-field test did not result in increases in ACTH in male rats of either strain and there were no strain differences in the large increases in ACTH and corticosteroid that occurred in response to intermittent footshock. Parallel studies of prolactin showed that Maudsley Reactive rats had greater response to the open-field and to footshock than Maudsley Non-Reactive rats. The lack of correlation between strain differences in OFD and reactivity of the HPA axis is consistent with the idea that HPA response to stress and OFD reflect the output of different neural systems and that individual differences in emotionality, as indexed by OFD do not influence other measures of stress-reactivity in a simple manner, if at all. The reactivity of the prolactin system to the open-field test and lack of response of ACTH to the same situation is consistent with the idea that the prolactin system is sensitive to lower levels of stress than the HPA axis, a finding at variance with the presumed extreme sensitivity of the latter system. Earlier comparisons of the HPA axis in these strains implicate local factors such as neuropeptide-Y peptide in the adrenal in attenuating the response of the adrenal cortex to ACTH and hints at the complexity of regulation of the HPA axis.
Biomechanics in the musculoskeletal system: Manohar M. Panjabi and Augustus A. White III. Philadelphia, Churchill Livingstone, 2001, 224 pp., $65.00

Abstract Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related surgery, Vol 18, No 6 (July-August), 2002: pp 678–679
Determinants of retinoid X receptor transcriptional antagonism.

The synthesis and bioactivity of the retinoid X receptor (RXR) antagonist 4-[(3‘-n-butyl-5‘,6‘,7‘,8‘-tetrahydro-5‘,5‘,8‘,8‘-tetramethyl-2‘-naphthalenyl)(cyclopropylidene)methyl]benzoic acid and several heteroatom-substituted analogues are described. Ligand design was based on the scaffold of the 3‘-methyl RXR-selective agonist analogue and reports that 3‘-n-propyl and longer n-alkyl groups conferred RXR antagonism. The transcriptional antagonism of the 3‘-n-butyl analogue was demonstrated by its blockade of retinoic acid receptor (RAR) β expression induced by the RXRα/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ heterodimer complexed with an RXRα agonist plus the PPARγ agonist ciglitazone and the inhibition of 9-cis-RA-induced coactivator SRC-1a recruitment to RXRα. Receptor−ligand docking studies using full-atom flexible ligand and flexible receptor suggested that binding of the antagonist to the RXRα antagonist conformation was favored because the salt bridge that formed between the retinoid carb...
The Standing is Slippery

This paper is a critical examination of the so-called slippery slope argument for the conservative position on abortion. The argument was discussed in the philosophic literature some time back, but has since fallen into disfavor.The argument is first exposed and a general objection to it is advanced, then rebutted. Rosalind Hursthouse's more detailed and stronger objection is next aired, but also found less than convincing. In the course of discussing her objection, the correct form of the argument is identified, and it's noted that rejection of the argument requires finding fault with its inductive premise. That, in turn, requires either (a) identifying and defending a cutoff point other than conception, or (b) not identifying a cutoff point but directly attacking the argument's conclusion. As far as (a) is concerned, all except one alternative cutoff point have severe problems that have been well discussed in the literature. The one that doesn't, the appearance of the ‘primitive streak’, is examined in detailed, but ultimately rejected. As for (b), five different grounds for rejecting the conclusion are identified and discussed, but none is found plausible.Variations on the slippery slope argument, concerning different conclusions that it may have, are then distinguished, related to each other, and critically discussed, and the paper ends with some cautionary remarks about the defense of the argument tendered.
Accuracy of Marketing Claims by Providers of Stereotactic Radiation Therapy

Provider advertisements for stereotactic radiation are prominent. Further investigation of provider advertising, its effects on quality of care, and potential oversight mechanisms is needed
Flavonols and Pancreatic Cancer Risk The Multiethnic Cohort Study

Only a few prospective studies have investigated flavonols as risk factors for cancer, none of which has included pancreatic cancer. The latter is usually fatal, rendering knowledge about prevention particularly important. The authors estimated intakes of three flavonols-quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin-for 183,518 participants in the Multiethnic Cohort Study and examined associations with incidence of pancreatic cancer. Baseline data were collected in Hawaii and California in 1993-1996. Diet was assessed by using a quantitative food frequency questionnaire. During 8 years of follow-up, 529 cases of exocrine pancreatic cancer occurred. Multivariate Cox regression models were calculated to estimate relative risks. Intake of total flavonols was associated with a reduced pancreatic cancer risk (relative risk for the highest vs. lowest quintile = 0.77, 95% confidence interval: 0.58, 1.03; p trend = 0.046). Of the three individual flavonols, kaempferol was associated with the largest risk reduction (relative risk = 0.78, 95% confidence interval: 0.58, 1.05; p trend = 0.017). Total flavonols, quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin were all associated with a significant inverse trend among current smokers (relative risks for the highest vs. lowest quartile = 0.41, 0.55, 0.27, 0.55, respectively) but not never or former smokers. This study provides evidence for a preventive effect of flavonols on pancreatic cancer, particularly for current smokers.
Small-angle x-ray and light scattering studies of the morphology of blends of poly(ϵ-caprolactone) with poly(vinyl chloride)†

Solvent-cast films of blends of poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL) with poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) were examined by low-angle x-ray scattering and by small-angle light scattering. X-ray scattering from crystalline compositions were analyzed using the Tsvankin–Buchanan technique and led to values of the repeat period of the lamellar structure and the thickness of the crystalline and amorphous layers. With increasing content of PVC, the amorphous layer thickness increased sufficiently to accommodate the PVC, leading to values of the linear crystallinity consistent with macroscopic measurements by density and DSC techniques up to about 50% PVC by weight. Above this concentration, the lamellar structure no longer appeared to be volume filling. At high concentration of PCL, the polymer consisted of volume-filling spherulites containing the lamellar substructure. Spherulite sizes were measured by light scattering and absolute light scattering intensities were consistent with calculations based upon the degree of crystallinity and anisotropy of the spherulites. Compositions containing more than 60% PVC were amorphous. Low-angle x-ray scattering was interpreted in terms of the Debye–Bueche theory which leads to values for a correlation distance lc and the mean-square electron density fluctuation 〈η2〉 (which was also obtained from the invariant). By the method of Porod, the correlation distances were resolved into persistence lengths within the two phases, which were determined as a function of composition. The fluctuation 〈η2〉 was analyzed in terms of a two-phase model to show that its value was somewhat larger than would be obtained if the phases were composed of the pure components. It was not possible to uniquely determine their compositions. The data were consistent with the existence of a transition zone of the order of 30 A thick between phases.
Reynolds analogy for a shearing granular material

The bulk motion of a granular material affects its apparent thermal as well as its apparent mechanical properties. This paper presents the simultaneous measurements of the apparent viscosity and thermal conductivity for a dry granular material undergoing shear in an annular shear cell. Both properties are seen to vary linearly with the shear rate
Hic-5 contributes to epithelial-mesenchymal transformation through a RhoA/ROCK-dependent pathway.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) in response to TGF?1 is a coordinated process of tissue morphogenesis that occurs during embryonic development as well as during certain pathologic events including kidney tubulointerstitial fibrosis. It is characterized by the disassembly of cell–cell junctions and dramatic alterations in the actin cytoskeleton that facilitates cell–matrix adhesion and stimulates migration. The focal adhesion adapter protein, Hic-5, has previously been reported to be upregulated during TGF?1-induced EMT in mouse mammary epithelial cells and the current study recapitulates this result in both mouse kidney proximal tubule epithelial, MCT, cells and human mammary epithelial, MCF10A, cells. To evaluate a causative role for Hic-5 in EMT, Hic-5 RNA interference (siRNA) was used to prevent Hic-5 expression in response to TGF?1 stimulation and was shown to suppress cell migration and actin stress fiber formation. It also resulted in the retention of a robust epithelial cell morphology characterized by elevated E-cadherin protein expression and well-organized adherens junctions. In addition, Hic-5 siRNA treatment led to the suppression of TGF?1 induction of RhoA activation. In contrast, forced expression of Hic-5 led to the formation of ROCK-dependent actin stress fibers. Furthermore, the induction of Hic-5 expression in response to TGF?1 was shown to be a RhoA/ROCK I-dependent process. Together, these data implicate Hic-5 as a key regulator of EMT and suggest that RhoA stimulated Hic-5 expression in response to TGF?1 may be functioning in a feed forward mechanism whereby Hic-5 maintains the mesenchymal phenotype through sustained RhoA activation and signaling.
A chronic mouse model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion: essential in cytokine studies

Reperfusion of the ischemic myocardium is associated with a cytokine cascade that reflects a cellular response to injury. We studied this cascade in the mouse and found that acute surgical trauma i...
Radar Scatter Data Analysis Acquired From HP 8510 Based Measurement Systems

A technique for time gating noisy frequency domain radar cross section (RCS) data is presented. This technique emulates the time domain functions of the Hewlett-Packard (HP) 8510A vector network analyzer (Ref. 1). It allows both the calculation of time domain data and the calculation of time gated frequency domain data. An actual measured data set is presented along with the generated time domain and time gated frequency domain responses. Three different time domain responses are shown, each resulting from using a different window. The three windows used compare with the HI? 8510's Minimum, Normal and Maximum windows. All results agree extremely well with those produced by the HP 8510.
Goals and Tactics on the Dark Side of Knowledge Management

The knowledge management literature focuses on the bright side of KM; it barely mentions the dark side, in which knowledge is distorted, suppressed, or misappropriated due to personal or organizational motives. This paper presents a framework for categorizing dark side examples, and uses it to organize 30 examples culled primarily from recent news accounts. The papers contributions include its method for exploring the dark side of KM, its initial categorization of dark side goals and tactics, and its demonstration that dark side manipulation may occur throughout processes of knowledge creation and use.
Genotypic and phenotypic relationships among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from three multicentre bacteraemia studies

Background: At a time when the molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was changing, we sought to characterize several genotypic markers and glycopeptide susceptibility features of clinical isolates from patients with bacteraemia. Methods: One hundred and sixty-eight MRSA bloodstream isolates obtained from three multicentre clinical trials were microbiologically and genotypically characterized. Results: All isolates were susceptible to vancomycin (MIC ≤2 mg/L); 38% belonged to accessory gene regulator (agr) group I, 52% belonged to group II and 10% belonged to group III. Typing of the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) showed that 67% were type II and 33% were type IV. The agr group II polymorphism was associated with SCCmec II (P<0.001). Fifty-three percent of SCCmec II and 27% of SCCmec IV isolates had vancomycin MICs ≥1 mg/L (P=0.001). One hundred percent of agr II strains were predicted to be members of clonal complex 5. SCCmec II was the genetic marker most predictive of vancomycin MICs of ≥1 mg/L. SCCmec IV isolates were more likely to have vancomycin MICs <0.5 mg/L. Conclusions: Given that SCCmec IV is a marker for a community-based organism for which less prior vancomycin exposure is predicted, we conclude that prior antibiotic exposure in agr group II organisms may account for their increased vancomycin MICs.
Role of Neurotropins in Rat Embryonic Testis Morphogenesis (Cord Formation)

The process of seminiferous cord formation is the first morphological event that differentiates a testis from an ovary and indicates male sex determination. Cord formation occurs by embryonic Day 14 (Day 0 5 plug date; E14) in the rat. A series of experiments were conducted to determine if neurotropins and their receptors are important for the process of rat embryonic cord formation. The expression of low affinity neurotropin receptor (p75/LNGFR) was determined by immunohistochemistry on sections of both testis and ovary from E13 through birth (Day 0, P0) with an antibody to p75/LNGFR. The staining for p75/ LNGFR was present in the mesonephros of E13 gonads and in a sex-specific manner appeared around developing cords at E14 in the embryonic testis. At birth, staining for p75/LNGFR was localized to a single layer of cells (i.e., peritubular cells) that surrounded the seminiferous cords. The genes for both neurotropin 3 (NT3) and for corresponding high affinity neurotropin trkC receptor were found to be expressed in the E14 rat testis, as well as other neurotropins and receptors. Immunocytochemical analysis of E14 rat testis demonstrated that NT3 was localized to the Sertoli cells and trkC was present in individual cells of the interstitium at E16 and in selected preperitubular cells at E18. Previously, the peritubular cells adjacent to the cords were demonstrated to be derived from migrating mesonephros cells around the time of cord formation. To determine if neurotropins were involved in cord formation, the actions of neurotropins were inhibited. A high affinity neurotropin receptor (trk)-specific kinase inhibitor, K252a, was used to treat organ cultures of testes from E13 rats prior to cord formation. Treatment of E13 testis organ cultures with K252a completely inhibited cord formation. K252a-treated organ cultures of E14 testis that contained cords did not alter cord morphology. A second experiment to inhibit neurotropin actions utilized a specific antagonist trk-IgG chimeric fusion protein and E13 testis organ cultures. The trk-IgG molecules dimerize with endogenous trk receptors and inhibit receptor signaling and activation of ligand function. Forty percent of E13 testis organ cultures treated with trkC-IgG had significantly reduced cord formation. TrkA-IgG had no effect on initiation of cords; however, in fifty percent of the treated organs, a ‘‘swollen’’ appearance of the cord structures was observed. Experiments using trkB-IgG chimeric protein on E13 organ cultures had no effect on cord formation or cord morphology. The testes from trkC and NT3 knockout mice were ex
Effects of long-term infusion of prostacyclin on exercise performance in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension.

Study objectives To determine whether long-term IV prostacyclin (PGI 2 ) use improves exercise capacity in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). Design Cycle ergometry and the 6-min walk was used to evaluate the exercise performance of patients with PPH. The patients underwent serial exercise testing after starting continuous IV PGI 2 and were followed up for 19.5 ± 7.5 months. Peak work, peak oxygen consumption ( o 2 ), peak O 2 pulse, and distance walked in 6 min were used to evaluate performance. Background PPH is characterized by medial hypertrophy and intimal proliferation of the pulmonary arterioles, leading to elevation of pulmonary artery pressure, right ventricular failure, and death. Palliative treatment consists of vasodilators, anticoagulants, cardiac glycosides, diuretics, and transplantation. PGI 2 , a potent vasodilator and inhibitor of platelet aggregation, has been used for long-term treatment when conventional therapy has been unsuccessful. Patients Sixteen patients with PPH (10 women, 6 men; mean age, 24 years). Results At the initiation of PGI 2 , peak work (± SD) was 35.5 ± 11% of predicted; peak o 2 , 39 ± 10.4%; peak O 2 pulse, 5.0 ± 1.7 mL/min; and distance on the 6-min walk, 428 ± 78 feet. At 18 to 27 months, peak work increased to 58.8 ± 23% of predicted (p = 0.001), peak o 2 increased to 52 ± 15% of predicted (p = 0.02), peak O 2 pulse increased to 7.1 ± 3.0 mL/beat (p = 0.004), and performance on the 6-min walk increased to 526 ± 62 feet (p = 0.001). There was a positive correlation between peak o 2 and peak 6-min walk of 0.6 (p Conclusions Exercise capacity improved in our patients at up to 27 months of follow-up. Exercise testing is helpful in assessing the functional capacity of patients with PPH and may be useful in guiding therapy. Patients who deteriorate while receiving optimal conventional therapy should be considered for IV PGI 2 therapy.
A Correction for Land Contamination of Atmospheric Variables near Land–Sea Boundaries*

Ocean models need over-ocean atmospheric forcing. However, such forcing is not necessarily provided near the land–sea boundary because 1) the atmospheric model grid used for forcing is frequently much coarser than the ocean model grid, and 2) some of the atmospheric model grid over the ocean includes land values near coastal regions. This paper presents a creeping sea-fill methodology to reduce the improper representation of scalar atmospheric forcing variables near coastal regions, a problem that compromises the usefulness of the fields for ocean model simulations and other offshore applications. For demonstration, atmospheric forcing variables from archived coarse-resolution gridded products—the 1.125° 1.125° 15-yr European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Re-Analysis (ERA-15) and 1.0° 1.0° Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS)—are used here. A fine-resolution [ 1 /25° 1 /25° cos(lat)], (longitude latitude) (3.2 km) eddy-resolving Black Sea Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) is then forced with/without sea-filled atmospheric variables from these gridded products to simulate monthly mean climatological sea surface temperature (SST). Using only over-ocean values from atmospheric forcing fields in the ocean model simulations significantly reduces the climatological mean SST bias (by 1°–3°C) and rms SST difference over the seasonal cycle (by 2°–3°C) in coastal regions. Performance of the creeping sea-fill methodology is also directly evaluated using measurements of wind speed at 10 m above the surface from the SeaWinds scatterometer on the NASA Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) satellite. Comparisons of original monthly mean wind speeds from operational ECMWF and NOGAPS products with those from QuikSCAT give basin-averaged rms differences of 1.6 and 1.4 m s 1 , respectively, during 2000–03. Similar comparisons performed with sea-filled monthly mean wind speeds result in a much lower rms difference (0.7 m s 1 for both products) during the same time period, clearly confirming the accuracy of the methodology even on interannual time scales. Most of the unrealistically low wind speeds from ECMWF and NOGAPS near coastal boundaries are appropriately corrected with the use of the creeping sea fill. Wind speed errors for ECWMF and NOGAPS (mean bias of 2.5 m s 1 with respect to QuikSCAT during 2000–03) are substantially eliminated (e.g., almost no bias) near most of the land–sea boundaries. Finally, ocean, atmosphere, and coupled atmospheric–oceanic modelers need to be aware that the creeping sea fill is a promising methodology in significantly reducing the land contamination resulting from an improper land–sea mask existing in gridded coarse-resolution atmospheric products (e.g., ECMWF).
Acquiring case adaptation knowledge: a hybrid approach

The ability of case-based reasoning (CBR) systems to apply cases to novel situations depends on their case adaptation knowledge. However, endowing CBR systems with adequate adaptation knowledge has proven to be a very difficult task. This paper describes a hybrid method for performing case adaptation, using a combination of rule-based and case-based reasoning. It shows how this approach provides a framework for acquiring flexible adaptation knowledge from experiences with autonomous adaptation and suggests its potential as a basis for acquisition of adaptation knowledge from interactive user guidance. It also presents initial experimental results examining the benefits of the approach and comparing the relative contributions of case learning and adaptation learning to reasoning performance.
Blast Performance and Its Assessment on Excavation Damaged Zone of Anisotropic Rock

The 290 level cave is situated in Nanfen Surface Mine, Liaoning, China. Nanfen surface mine is one of the biggest iron ore in Benxi Iron Company. The base line of the pit bottom has reached 346m level in Nanfen surface mine. The importance of in situ assessment of stability of the 290 level cave for next mining design and construction has been met. Investigation at the Nanfen Surface Mine has shown that damage exists around 290 level cave and that the damage develops from the energy imparted to the rock by the excavation method and by redistribution of the in situ stress field around the 290 level cave. Subsequent near-by excavations, removal of loose material from the existing cave and pore pressure changes will all influence the development and extent of rock damage, as does the rock type and its fabric. Based on the engineering characters and rock mechanics, the main characteristics of stress induced brittle failure of the site are introduced. Various evaluation and measures are sought to stabilize the over-stressed rock mass. The induced anisotropic damage process was modeled. The major results from numerical analysis of the cavern are presented and validated by direct comparison with actual monitoring data. Next, an optimization study was conducted with the experimentally validated and adjusted mathematical model, measured with a recorder within such a cave. And the stability of the 290 level cave in Nanfen Surface Mine was analysis. As a result, the model is expected to be a useful tool for simulation, design, and optimization of pasteurization tunnels. A suitable support measure was proposed and taken.
Observations on sum user rate for cellular downlink

In this paper, we consider cellular downlink communication from a set of fixed stations to a set of users with uncertain locations modeled by a spatial distribution. Each user is associated with a transmitter through association zones that maximize the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) to that user. We define an expected spatial capacity metric that captures the expected rate summed over all of these zones. Network performance is measured using an expectation of the spatial capacity, subject to the assumed user density function. We examine the sensitivity of this performance metric to the number of stations and the number of orthogonal (frequency or time) channels, and present some counter-intuitive properties of this metric through illustrative examples, simulation, and optimization.
Espionage turns economic: Litigation as counter‐espionage in the post‐Soviet era

In the post-Cold War era, foreign economic espionage is a looming threat. The author examines in detail the litigation options for American corporations that fall victim to trade secret theft by a foreign government or agent. These options include a request that criminal prosecution be brought by the U.S. Justice Department under the recently enacted Economic Espionage Act of 1996. The corporation itself may file a civil suit for compensation based on the common laws of trade secrets or the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, as well as the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Among the types of defendants who might be prosecuted or sued are foreign governments that steal or receive trade secrets, private individuals or companies that help a foreign government commit misappropriation, and private entities that knowingly receive the stolen information. Common “litigation shields” used by foreign governments include claims of sovereign immunity, act of state, and diplomatic immunity. Each of these doctrines is examined, and case precedents where they were upheld or found inapplicable are cited. Analyzing these precedents, the author concludes that economic espionage by foreign government agents for delivery to a commercial enterprise should not be held subject to immunity. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Promising Integration of Qualitative Methods and Field Experiments

Randomized field experiments should take a more central place in qualitative research. Although field experimentation is often considered a quantitative enterprise, this paper illustrates the compatibility of field experimentation with various types of qualitative measurement tools and research questions. Integrating qualitative and quantitative data within field experiments allows investigators to move past simple average treatment effects and explore mechanisms of the identified causal effect. A more novel proposal is to use field experimentation as the organizing methodological framework for archival, ethnographic, or interpretive work, and to use ethnographic methods as the primary source of measurement in “experimental ethnography.” Sustained research and theoretical specificity can address some of the seemingly incompatible features of qualitative and field experimental methods. For example, small sample sizes are acceptable as part of a research program, and some theories of historical patterns or ...
A autopoiese do sistema sanitário

O artigo pretende demonstrar a necessidade da analise da autopoiese do sistema sanitario. Com isso, intenta fornecer elementos suficientes para o estabelecimento de pontos de contato entre o sistema juridico e o sistema da saude.
A Network-Assisted Association Scheme for 802.11-Based Mesh Networks

Wireless mesh networks provide a flexible yet cost- effective means to expand wireless coverage, but their performance can be limited without carefully managing station-to-AP associations to minimize the total end-to-end resource impact. The received signal strength-based approach that is commonly used by 802.11 devices can lead to inefficient use of network resources in a mesh network. In this paper we propose a network-assisted association scheme for 802.11-based mesh networks that provides guidance without exposing stations to the details of the network. We show via simulation that our approach produces improved performance as compared to the RSS-based approach and conclude that our scheme can yield higher system capacity in 802.11-based wireless mesh networks.
Using Density Estimation to Detect Computer Intrusions

Density estimation can be used to make sense of data collected by large scale systems. An estimate of the underlying probability density function can be used to characterize normal network operating conditions. In this paper, we present a recursive method for constructing and updating an estimate of the non-stationary high dimensional probability density function using parallel programming. Once we have characterized standard operating conditions we perform real time checks for changes. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach via the use of simulated data as well as data from Internet header packets.
Insights into Peptoid Helix Folding Cooperativity from an Improved Backbone Potential.

Peptoids (N-substituted oligoglycines) are biomimetic polymers that can fold into a variety of unique structural scaffolds. Peptoid helices, which result from the incorporation of bulky chiral side chains, are a key peptoid structural motif whose formation has not yet been accurately modeled in molecular simulations. Here, we report that a simple modification of the backbone φ-angle potential in GAFF is able to produce well-folded cis-amide helices of (S)-N-(1-phenylethyl)glycine (Nspe), consistent with experiment. We validate our results against both QM calculations and NMR experiments. For this latter task, we make quantitative comparisons to sparse NOE data using the Bayesian Inference of Conformational Populations (BICePs) algorithm, a method we have recently developed for this purpose. We then performed extensive REMD simulations of Nspe oligomers as a function of chain length and temperature to probe the molecular forces driving cooperative helix formation. Analysis of simulation data by Lifson–Roig...
Short Fiber Reinforced Elastomers

Abstract A comprehensive review of the journal literature dealing with short-fiber reinforcement of various types of elastomers over the past decade indicates an underutilization of the potential for this type of reinforcing agent within the rubber industry. Whereas the properties of continuous cords are not necessarily duplicated by discontinuous fibers, a unique and useful behavior is imparted by this latter class of reinforcement to the rubber matrices containing them. In many cases, new capabilities are generated for elastomeric materials by the nature of the short fiber composite—it is not just a combination of cords and rubber, but effectively a different compound in which individual dispersed filaments can synergistically interact with the rubber, much like a polyblend or alloy. Moreover, the structure, and hence the properties, of this blend can be manipulated through the processing or fabrication operation, as well as by compounding. Thus, new opportunities are opened for growth and expansion of ...
Structural Proteins in Alzheimer’s Disease

Neuritic (senile) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) represent the principal structural alterations of neurons in presenile and senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (Alzheimer’s disease, AD). These two types of lesions are also found in much smaller numbers and in restricted topographical distribution in the brains of many neurologically normal individuals after the seventh decade. Tangles, plaques, and other structural changes found in Alzheimer brain tissue (granulovacuolar degeneration of neurons, amyloid angiopathy of small cerebral vessels, lipofuscin (LF) deposition in neurons and glia) are, therefore, qualitatively indistinguishable from the lesion that accompany normal brain aging, but are quantitatively much increased in AD. Neurofibrillary tangles are large, non-membrane-bound cytoplasmic masses of abnormal fibers found within the perikarya of neurons in hippocampus, amygdala, cerebral cortex, and certain deep gray nuclear structures. Numerous electron microscopic (EM) studies have concluded that the vast majority of fibers in these tangles have the appearance of tightly adherent pairs of helically wound, intermediate filaments, referred to as paired helical filaments (PHF) and having a maximum width of about 20 nm and a periodicity of roughly 80 nm [1–3]. It is also known that at least some of the abnormal neurites (dendrites and axonal terminals) making up the periphery of the senile plaque contain PHF [4]. Recently, a few laboratories have reported that bundles of straight (nonhelical) filaments of approximately 15nm width may also be found in neurons in Alzheimer cortex and may coexist within perikarya containing PHF [5–8].
Knock Detection in SI Engines by Using the Discrete Wavelet Transform of the Engine Block Vibrational Signals

Abstract In the present work, the Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) has been applied on the vibrational signals acquired by an accelerometer placed on the cylinder block of a Spark Ignition (SI) engine, for detecting knock phenomena. In order to collect both vibrational data and in-cylinder pressures, useful for the analysis, a series of experiments on a four cylinder, four stroke Internal Combustion (IC) engine has been carried out. The obtained results show how the presented knock detection algorithm is able to monitor the goodness of the combustion phase in absence of knock phenomena, and otherwise to determine its intensity. This algorithm uses a Multi-Resolution Analysis (MRA) performed on the vibrational signals of the engine block as acquired. The same kind of analysis has been executed by using the traditional index MAPO, which is widely applied on the pressure data, and the results of the two methods have been compared. The comparison, showing how the results are very similar, confirm that the use of the DWT represents a very valid alternative to the traditional knock detection techniques.
Magnon and electromagnon excitations in multiferroic DyFe O 3

The existence of electric dipole active magnetic excitations, or electromagnons, in rare-earth orthoferrites was theoretically predicted more than two decades ago but their experimental observation has not been confirmed until now. In this work, magnetic modes in DyFeO${}_{3}$ single crystals were studied at low temperatures and in external magnetic fields ($H$) by means of synchrotron radiation-based far-infrared spectroscopy. The authors report observation of two electromagnons, which appear in the spectra at 20 cm${}^{-1}$ and 50 cm${}^{-1}$ only below the magnetic ordering temperature ${T}_{N}$ of Dy${}^{3+}$ of 4.2 K. It is demonstrated that electromagnons provide a significant contribution to the static electric permittivity along the $c$ axis ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{c}$(0). Both the frequency of the electromagnons and ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{c}$(0,$H$) manifest a strong hysteresis upon cycling of the external magnetic field.
Virtual UAV Ground Control Station

A new design for an immersive ground control station is presented that allows operators to monitor and control one or more semi-autonomous unmanned remote vehicles. This new ground station utilizes a virtual reality based visualization of the operational space and the graphical representation of multiple information streams to create a comprehensive immersive environment designed to significantly enhance the operator’s situational awareness over present generation “soda straw” optical systems. The environment simultaneously informs the operator about the position and condition of the vehicles under his or her control while providing an organizing context for the available information relevant to the engagement. The work on this new control station combines results from an Air Force Research Lab sponsored project in immersive joint battlespace visualization and a new virtual reality teleoperation control architecture. The technique is applicable to a range of vehicles including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), unmanned border patrol vehicles, and unmanned search and rescue vehicles. An architecture for virtual reality aided teleoperation is presented as well as its implementation in software and results of a preliminary user test that compared this approach to a more traditional optical teleoperation system. The paper concludes with a discussion of how this new teleoperation system could evolve into a next generation UAV ground control station.
Una Mirada Crítica a La Legislación Laboral En Cuba: Del 'Periodo Especial' y La 'Batalla De Ideas' a La 'Actualización Del Modelo' (A Critical Look at Labor Legislation in Cuba: From the 'Special Period' and the 'Battle of Ideas' to 'Upgrading the Economic Model')

Spanish Abstract: El presente articulo analiza el proceso de cambios de la legislacion laboral en Cuba despues de la primera etapa del “Periodo Especial en Tiempos de Paz”. La nueva legislacion laboral ha sido marcada por reformas a la Seguridad Social, el reconocimiento legal y la ampliacion del “trabajo por cuenta propia”, la creacion de nuevas cooperativas y una nueva ley de inversiones extranjeras que llevaron a la publicacion de un nuevo Codigo de Trabajo en 2014, y que hacen parte del periodo de “Actualizacion del Modelo Economico” del pais. Aparte de lo expuesto en el presente articulo, se sabe que hay otros aspectos legales y politicos igualmente relevantes para la cotidianidad de trabajadoras y trabajadores de Cuba, pero se considera que es preferible discutirlos — debido a las complejidades inherentes — en textos aparte.English Abstract: This paper offers an analysis of the changes in Cuba’s labor laws following the "Special Period in Time of Peace." The new labor legislation has been marked by reforms to Social Security, legal recognition and expansion of "self-employment," the creation of new cooperatives, and a new law on foreign investment. These changes led to a new Labor Code in 2014 and are part of Cuba’s "Updating the Economic Model" period. Apart from the analyses presented in this paper, there are other equally relevant legal and political issues for workers in Cuba but discussion of these have been omitted due to their inherent complexities.
Good green mothers consuming their way through pregnancy: roles of environmental identities and information seeking in coping with the transition

ABSTRACTWe explore the consumption experiences of women who opt for an environmentally conscious approach to pregnancy. Our findings reveal that environmentally conscious mothers conduct extensive scientific research about the products that they purchase during pregnancy and the associated risks of using such products. They believe that their efforts to find and process such information make them experts on what is best for their babies’ health and proclaim some micromanaging powers in an uncontrollable environment. Alas, consumption decisions are simultaneously coupled with tensions between (1) needing to make informed choices and being overwhelmed with information; (2) feeling confident about seeking consumption information and lacking the confidence to share it; and (3) pursuing external expertise and resorting to internal instincts. Thus, although consumption is often perceived as a helpful coping mechanism when transitioning to new life roles, we find that it also contributes to the complexity of suc...
Review of ‘Islam and the Secular State: Negotiating the Future of Shari‛a’ by Abduallahi Ahmed An-Na‛im

This is a review of “Islam and the Secular State: Negotiating the Future of Shari‛a” by Abduallahi Ahmed An-Na‛im. An-Na‛im’s book is an important and interesting effort to build a case, grounded in Islam itself, for why Islamic societies need to establish “secular” states that are “neutral regarding religious doctrine” and do “not claim or pretend to enforce … the religious law of Islam.” An-Na‛im’s multi-faceted discussion draws on a variety of arguments, but is most compelling in its account of the distinct discursive demands of the state and the religious legal community. The analysis has some distinct weaknesses and leaves open some important questions. But it does prompt the thought that there might be a larger underlying religious logic to something like the separation of religion and state. Particularly in the context of the modern state, this is a logic to which all faith traditions might be wise to pay heed.
Decision Making and Lifestyle Influence on the Korean Purchase Process for Jeans

This study examined whether differences exist in the search, pre-purchase and purchase behavior of four distinct lifestyle groups (price conscious, fashion conscious, self-confident and information seeking consumers) among Korean College students. Personal interviews were used to collect data. The results indicate that lifestyle does affect search, pre-purchase and purchase patterns.
Safety margins in robotic bone milling: from registration uncertainty to statistically safe surgeries

Background When robots mill bone near critical structures, safety margins are used to reduce the risk of accidental damage due to inaccurate registration. These margins are typically set heuristically with uniform thickness, which does not reflect the anisotropy and spatial variance of registration error. Methods A method is described to generate spatially varying safety margins around vital anatomy using statistical models of registration uncertainty. Numerical simulations are used to determine the margin geometry that matches a safety threshold specified by the surgeon. Results The algorithm was applied to CT scans of five temporal bones in the context of mastoidectomy, a common bone milling procedure in ear surgery that must approach vital nerves. Safety margins were generated that satisfied the specified safety levels in every case. Conclusions Patient safety in image-guided surgery can be increased by incorporating statistical models of registration uncertainty in the generation of safety margins around vital anatomy.
A dual-band LHCP stacked patch antenna array

This study developed a 2×4 dual-band left-handed circular polarization (LHCP) patch antenna array for receiving Global Positioning System (GPS) reflections at 1227 MHz and 1575 MHz. The antenna element is achieved by probe feed stacked patch and the signal is combined by an 8-way power divider. According to the measured results, the axial ratio at the center frequencies is below 3 dB and the peak gain of the antenna array is about 12.2 dBic and 14.5 dBic at 1227 MHz and 1575 MHz respectively.
Volttron: an agent platform for the smart grid

VOLLTRON" platform enables the deployment of intelligent sensors and controllers in the smart grid and provides a stable, secure and flexible framework that expands the sensing and control capabilities. VOLTTRON" platform provides services fulfilling the essential requirements of resource management and security for agent operation in the power grid. The facilities provided by the platform allow agent developers to focus on the implementation of their agent system and not on the necessary "plumbing" code. For example, a simple collaborative demand response application was written in less than 200 lines of Python.