cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nondefinite vs. Definite Causal Theories

Nonmonotonic causal logic can be used to represent properties of actions, including actions with conditional and indirect effects, nondeterministic actions, and concurrently executed actions. The definite fragment of causal logic can be mapped to propositional logic by the process of completion, and this idea has led to the development of the Causal Calculator. In this note, we show how to turn arbitrary causal theories into definite theories without changing the sets of models. The translation consists of two parts: one is a set of definite rules which is obtained from the given theory by translating each rule one by one, in a modular way, and the other is a set of constraints similar to loop formulas for logic programs. Our result characterizes the semantics of causal logic in terms of propositional logic and tells us that an essential difference between the semantics of causal logic and the answer set semantics is related to the definition of a loop in each.
Algebraic Function Fields and Non-Standard Arithmetic

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the algebraic function fields and nonstandard arithmetic. Let * Q be a nonstandard model of the field of rational numbers Q , for a higher order language. In particular, * Q may be an ultra power of Q . Let (a) be an element of * Q which is not contained in Q . Then it is easy to verify that (a) is transcendental over Q . Thus, the field A = Q (a) c * Q is the field of rational functions with rational coefficients. An internal valuation of * Q is given either by a nonstandard prime number in * Q or by a standard prime number in Q (and * Q ) or by the Archimedean valuation of * Q .
Towards a language for non-expert specification of POMDPs for crowdsourcing

Crowdsourcing requesters are trapped between a rock and a hard place. Typically they specify their crowdsourcing workflows procedurally, but current languages commit them to overly strict and static policies that waste human effort. While optimizing workflows with more sophisticated tools like POMDPs can significantly reduce labor costs, such advanced AI techniques are hard to use and understand. We report on our progress in developing Clowder, a system that provides the user with an adaptive programming language that looks and feels like Lisp, yet abstracts over POMDPs so that non-experts can write POMDPs without knowing anything about them. Such a system frees requesters from needing to resort to suboptimal techniques that use approximate heuristics or hire a planning expert to formally define and solve their problems.
Strategic initiatives in a transitional economy: A Hungarian clothing company struggles to compete

This paper examines how Western management techniques have been introduced by a new owner to implement strategic initiatives in a newly privatized clothing firm in Hungary. In an attempt to reposition the firm in a higher value‐added niche and avoid the intense competition of a cost‐based competitive strategy, the foreign owner has introduced Western management techniques that focus upon changes in work organization and work monitoring. Detailing how such changes are implemented and the problems that emerge, are the focus of this paper. The paper concludes with a critical evaluation of the failed attempt by the firm to reposition itself strategically and what this might portend for other firms that seek respite from cost‐based competitive strategies.
A review of factors associated with unprotected sex among adult women in the United States.

ABSTRACT Objective To provide an updated review of research since 2005 on factors associated with unprotected sex among women in the United States. Data Sources PubMed, CINAHL, and PsychINFO were searched from January 2006 through April 2011 using the terms unsafe sex, sexual risk taking, contraception, contraception behavior, birth control, condoms , and condom utilization . Study Selection Inclusion criteria included studies written in English on adult women in the United States age ≥ 18. Forty‐five publications met inclusion criteria. Data Extraction All factors associated with engagement in unprotected sex are presented. Data Synthesis Unprotected sex has been associated with increasing age, being married, establishment of trust, recent experience of intimate partner violence, contraceptive side effects, infrequent sexual intercourse, and decreased arousal and pleasure due to contraceptive use. Religion, depression, history of abortion, number of children, having children, and number of pregnancies have not been associated with unprotected sex in recent studies. Several other variables have been studied with mixed results, possibly due to differences in research methods and sample characteristics. Conclusions More research is needed to elucidate the impact of cultural factors, relationship factors, attitude to pregnancy and motherhood, and reproductive coercion on prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Nurses can lead research on these topics and implement evidence‐based practice based on study findings.
Bladder Capacity (Ounces) Equals Age (years) Plus 2 Predicts Normal Bladder Capacity and Aids in Diagnosis of Abnormal Voiding Patterns

AbstractStandardization of the bladder capacities of children will improve the precision of urodynamic evaluation. In an attempt to develop a practical guide to predict the normal bladder capacity during childhood the bladder capacities of 132 children without a clinically abnormal pattern of voiding were measured. When the bladder capacities are correlated by age the following linear relationship exists: normal bladder capacity (ounces) equals age (years) plus 2.The bladder capacities of 68 children with primary enuresis, frequency or infrequent voiding were then measured. Children with clinically infrequent voiding demonstrated large bladder capacities and those with frequency or enuresis demonstrated small bladder capacities compared to normal children.The formula appears to be a useful guide to predict normal bladder capacity by age and also to aid in the diagnosis of abnormal voiding patterns.
Alternatives in Second Language Research: Three Articles on the State of the Art: Introduction

Research is just a set of conventions—the most rigorous way to ask a question and look for answers. … Research is people-run. And it can be as flexible as the people who run it. (Hatch & Farhady, 1982, p. xv)
Public advertisement broker markets

Motivated by the growth of various networked systems as potential market places, we study market models wherein, owing to the size of the markets, transactions take place between largely unknown agents. In such scenarios, intermediaries or brokers play a significant role in a transaction. We analyze market behavior in large networks wherein all sellers are not known to the buyers and vice-versa and depend on intermediaries to conduct any transactions. In such markets, we study a specific case where buyers wish to purchase goods from trusted sources at minimal prices. Sellers wish to maximize selling price. Brokers attempt to maximize profit by aiding in trade by acting as intermediaries; brokers have an advertising budget. We show the existence of competitive equilibria in such layered broker markets. We also describe efficient algorithms to compute these equilibria. We give polynomial-time distributed mechanisms to reach the equilibrium for two extreme cases of the brokers' advertising budget constraints.
DEVELOPMENTAL AND GENETIC STUDIES ON KYNURENINE HYDROXYLASE FROM DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

The level of kynurenine hydroxylase was measured throughout the development of wild type and the eye color mutants v, cn, st, ltd, cd, kar, w, ca, bri and p(P) of Drosophila melanogaster. In all cases except cn a bimodal distribution of enzyme activity during development was observed. Activity is initially detectable in second instar. A maximum is reached in early third instar. Activity declines prior to puparium formation. Shortly after pupation, activity rises dramatically to reach a maximum about five times the peak larval level. Maximum activity persists for a short time, and then falls sharply prior to emergence. No activity is detectable in cn, cn(3), or cn(35K). In pupae which have zero, one, two or three doses of the cn(+) allele, activity is proportional to the number of the + alleles. This provides further evidence that the cn locus contains the structural gene for kynurenine hydroxylase. Kynurenine hydroxylase is a useful gene product for studying the events of imaginal disc differentiation.
Study of the geometry of a dependent approach procedure to closely spaced parallel runways

The loss of visual flight rules under instrument conditions results in a substantial loss of throughput to airports with very closely spaced parallel runways (less than 2500 ft). At San Francisco International Airport (SFO), for example, runways 28L and 28R are separated by 750 feet. Use of visual flight rules to runways 28L and 28R allows a typical arrival throughput of approximately 60 landings per hour. During instrument meteorological conditions, a single runway is used, and the arrival throughput is reduced to 30 landings per hour. This loss of throughput can result in significant delays for aircraft intending to arrive at SFO, and can cause backups that have national airspace system (NAS) repercussions as well. To address this loss of throughput during instrument conditions, United Airlines has proposed a procedure for a dependent approach into San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Aircraft would be paired for approach in close longitudinal proximity. Longitudinal separation between paired aircraft would be established and maintained by the use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) combined with a Cockpit Display of Traffic Information (CDTI). The in-trail aircraft of a pair would be required to maintain specific longitudinal separations through the approach for both wake avoidance and collision avoidance purposes. Longitudinal separation between aircraft pairs would be based on standard instrument flight rule separations.
An Experiment Quantifying The Effect Of Clutter On Target Detection

Experiments were conducted to determine the influence of background clutter on target detection criteria. The experiment consisted of placing observers in front of displayed images on a TV monitor. Observer ability to detect military targets embedded in simulated natural and manmade background clutter was measured when there was unlimited viewing time. Results were described in terms of detection probability versus target resolution for various signal to clutter ratios (SCR). The experiments were preceded by a search for a meaningful clutter definition. The selected definition was a statistical measure computed by averaging the standard deviation of contiguous scene cells over the whole scene. The cell size was comparable to the target size. Observer test results confirmed the expectation that the resolution required for a given detection probability was a continuum function of the clutter level. At the lower SCRs the resolution required for a high probability of detection was near 6 lines pairs per target (LP/TGT), while at the higher SCRs it was found that a resolution of less than 0.25 LP/TGT would yield a high probability of detection. These results are expected to aid in target acquisition performance modeling and to lead to improved specifications for imaging automatic target screeners.
Pre-eclampsia: fluids, drugs, and anesthetic management

Severe pre-eclampsia is a complex disease, which taxes the expertise of even the most experienced obstetric anesthesiologist. The treatment should focus on stabilization of blood pressure, optimization of fluid status, and prevention of convulsions. Neuraxial blocks for labor and delivery offer many benefits to the mother and her infant. For cesarean section, there is unequivocal evidence of superiority of neuraxial anesthesia over general anesthesia. If general anesthesia is needed, careful preanesthetic preparation and meticulous airway management is essential. The successful and safe peripartum management of the pre-eclamptic patient and her infant is a team effort among the anesthesiologist, obstetrician, and neonatologist.
Postpartum spontaneous coronary artery dissection: An important clinical link with anticardiolipin antibody

A 34-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department with substernal chest pain, 7 days after a normal vaginal delivery. Acute myocardial infarction was diagnosed based on ECG changes and elevated serum troponin levels. Coronary angiography revealed a spontaneous coronary dissection of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. The patient was managed medically and recovered well clinically with healing of the dissection on repeat angiography 10 days later. Of note the patient had a high titre of anticardiolipin antibody (IgM) detected and this is only the second case described in the literature of an association between spontaneous coronary artery dissection and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.
The electroencephalographic findings in acute intermittent porphyria

Abstract A review of the literature and experience with three patients with neurological symptoms indicates that acute intermittent porphyria results in severe changes in the EEG. All of our patients had convulsive seizures but this not necessary for the patient described in detail by Duran and associates had similar EEG changes to those seen in our patients but had no seizures. The changes seen in this disease are non-specific with high voltage slow activity during the acute exacerbations of the disease. There is some correlation with the clinical course of the disease. It would appear from the results in Case III, that some persistent abnormality in the records may be seen months or years after all clinically evident abnormalities are passed. In one patient whose symptoms were entirely abdominal, less severe but similar EEG changes were observed. A search of the literature has revealed no instances of EEG records having been taken in chronic cutaneous or hemapoietic porphyria. The present state of knowledge concerning the pathogenesis of the condition is discussed briefly.
Swelling equilibria for ionized temperature-sensitive gels in water and in aqueous salt solutions

Swelling equilibrium data in water and in aqueous NaCl solutions are presented for thermally sensitive N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) hydrogels containing 0–4 mol % quaternized amine (positively ionizable) comonomer. We report the effect of gel charge and solution ionic strength on the temperature‐induced collapse of NIPA gels. Experimental swelling equilibria are compared with predictions based on a recently proposed oriented‐quasichemical model. This model has been shown previously to describe lower critical solution behavior in uncharged aqueous polymer solutions and gels (i.e., aqueous NIPA gel). We apply the model here to ionized NIPA gel. Semiquantative predictions are obtained for the effects of gel charge and solution ionic strength on temperature‐dependent swelling behavior.
Peer Victimization and DRD4 Genotype Influence Problem Behaviors in Young Children

Decades of research supports the presence of significant genetic influences on children’s internalizing (emotional), externalizing (acting out), and social difficulties, including victimization. Additionally, being victimized has been shown to relate to further behavioral problems. The current study assessed the nature of the gene–environment relationships between the DRD4 gene, peer victimization, and externalizing and internalizing difficulties in 6- to 10-year-old children. 174 children (56 % girls; 88.6 % Caucasian, 3.4 % African American, 8 % mixed race or Mayan) and their parents were administered victimization and problem behavior questionnaires, and DRD4 was genotyped for the children. An interaction between genes (DRD4) and environment (victimization) was significant and supported the differential susceptibility model for verbal victimization and child-reported externalizing behaviors. Children with the DRD4 7-repeat allele were differentially responsive to the verbal victimization environment, such that those experiencing little to no victimization reported significantly lower levels of externalizing behaviors, but if they experienced high amounts of victimization, they reported the highest levels of externalizing behaviors. Thus, consideration of how genes and environment affect children’s experiences of victimization prior to adolescence is essential for understanding the trajectory of both externalizing and internalizing behaviors during adolescent development.
Rapid Recovery Protocols for Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty Can Safely Reduce Length of Stay Without Increasing Readmissions

Abstract We sought to investigate the impact of incremental perioperative recovery protocol changes on hospital LOS and readmission rates associated with primary THAs. A total of 1751 cases were assigned to one of four protocol cohorts across 13 years: traditional, enhanced pain management, early mobility, and rapid recovery (RR). LOS significantly decreased between sequential eras and by 52% between the traditional and RR pathways (IRR=0.48; 95% CI 0.44, 0.53; P P =0.13). The odds of readmission for THAs performed under the RR pathway were almost one-third those of the traditional era (OR=0.36; 95% CI 0.14, 0.93; P=0.04). Accelerated clinical care protocols should be considered for most patients undergoing primary THA.
A Hartman-Grobman theorem for the Cahn-Hilliard and phase-field equations

In this paper, we study the structural stability of the Cahn-Hilliard equation and the phase-field equations. We show that the Cahn-Hilliard equation and the phase-field equations are topologically conjugate to a decoupled system of a linear equation of infinite dimension and an ordinary differential equation which is the reduced equation on the inertial manifold; particularly, the flow nearby hyperbolic stationary solutions is structurally stable.
Characteristic polynomials of symmetric graphs

Abstract In this paper, we study the characteristic polynomials of graphs which admit semifree actions of an abelian group. Using the method of group matrices, we are able to show that the characteristic polynomial of a such a graph is factorized into a product of a polynomial associated to the orbit of the action and a polynomial associated to the free part of the action.
Self-Expanding Metal Stents for Biliary Drainage in Patients with Resectable Pancreatic Cancer: Single-Center Experience with 79 Cases

Background and Aims To study pre-operative and peri-operative course and outcome on follow up after pancreaticoduodenenctomy (PD) for resectable pancreatic cancer amongst patients receiving self-expanding metal stents (SEMS).
USASRDL Upper-Air Research with Rockets

The evolution of the velocity-of-sound rocket experiment to measure temperatures, wind speed and direction, and densities at elevations 30 to 80 kilometers is described. Rocket soundings of the atmosphere were made at three locations: White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico; Fort Churchill, Canada; and Guam. Results from White Sands and Fort Churchill are presented. Miniaturization of the equipment and changes in techniques resulted in an all-weather capability which is enabling meteorological agencies to formulate plans to carry out synoptic meteorological and other interesting investigations, using for the first time in the history of meteorology the rocket as a routine instrument carrier. The tracking of X or S band by radars to determine high-elevation winds is described briefly.
CORRELATION OF INSULIN REQUIREMENTS WITH THE CONCENTRATION OF INSULINBINDING ANTIBODY IN TWO CASES OF INSULIN RESISTANCE

A correlation between the concentration of insulin-binding antibody and the degree of insulin resistance was demonstrated in 2 patients with insulinresistant diabetes. Both patients had high antibody titers during the acute phase of insulin resistance. The titers decreased concomitantly with a decrease in the insulin requirement. These findings suggest that in some cases insulinbinding antibodies may account for insulin resistance.
Morphological diversity despite isometric scaling of lever arms

In the absence of a substantial functional shift, morphological evolution is usually expected to follow an allometric trajectory, however, studies of tree squirrel jaws have found isometry across most of their size range. This isometry appears to reflect the integration of a small number of lever arm lengths that are critical for generating bite force. To test whether this integration constrains only the ratios of these lengths, or jaw shape in general, we analyzed jaw shapes and a set of lengths comparable to those used in previous studies for 23 species of sciurine tree squirrels (Sciurus, Tamiasciurus and Microsciurus), a lineage that is both functionally uniform and spans a large size range. We found that the measured lengths were highly correlated and isometric with respect to each other, but negatively allometric with respect to jaw size. Shape differences are generally small, but shape diversity was still greater than the diversity of mechanical advantages (input lever lengths scaled by output lever length). In addition, phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that only a minute fraction of shape evolution is correlated with size evolution. This contrast between the diversity of shape and the stability of proportions among a suite of functionally relevant lengths suggests that constraints on those lengths and the associated mechanical parameters have little or no ability to restrict changes in other aspects of jaw form.
Studies on the metabolism of tissue proteins. III. The turnover of soluble proteins and elastin labelled with 14C proline and its relation to exposure to total-body x-irradiation.

SummaryRats were injected with proline-U-14C and exposed to total-body x-irradiation at various time-intervals thereafter. Proline was isolated from the soluble protein and elastin fractions of various organs and its specific activity determined. In most organs an increase in specific activity of proline of these two protein fractions was observed after irradiation. This was interpreted to mean either a lowered metabolic replacement or a loss of certain components from these protein fractions after irradiation. It is suggested that the decrease in specific activity observed in the spleen is correlated to changes in the cell-population in this organ after irradiation.
Measuring attending physician performance in a general medicine outpatient clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To determine which aspects of outpatient attending physician performance (e.g., clinical ability, teaching ability, interpersonal conduct) were measurable and separable by resident report.
Lakes of liquid CO2 in the deep sea.

The thought of liquid CO2 conjures up different things to different folks: perhaps the decaffeination of coffee beans, perhaps the recently popularized “green” method for dry cleaning, or even phase diagrams that occupied a part of one's life in past chemistry classes. What it does not conjure up is a subsurface lake at the bottom of the ocean, a lake with abundant living microbes, as reported in this issue of PNAS by Inagaki et al. (1). These authors discovered such a place near the Yonaguni Knoll in the Okinawa Trough at a depth of ≈1,400 m. The description in both words and video (see supporting movie 1 in ref. 1) is quite striking. First, because liquid CO2 at this depth is less dense than water (2, 3), so that such a lake should not be present. Second, because this is a phenomenon that few of us have ever seen, movie 1 in ref. 1 reveals a flowing stream of liquid CO2 that seems almost surreal.
Series-connected magnetic amplifier with inductive loading

THE circuit to be considered in this paper is the series-connected magnetic amplifier with resistance and linear inductance in either the load circuit or the control circuit, or in both circuits simultaneously, Figure 1. This circuit with modifications has been analyzed by many authors, a few of whom are mentioned in references 1 to 9. In almost all the analyses simplifying assumptions have been made concerning the magnitude of some of the circuit parameters, very little work having been done on circuits in which La and Ld are not zero. It is the object of this paper to analyze and discuss the changes in current wave shapes produced by variation of the circuit parameters Ra, Rd, La, and Ld. In order to understand these changes the circuit is analyzed mathematically. The magnetization constraint of the cores is approximated by three linear segments as shown in Figure 2. The procedure, following a method first used by A. Boyajian,10 is to obtain solutions for the circuit currents and core fluxes which apply only when the cores are operating on specified linear segments of their respective magnetization curves. When the cores are operating on such a pair of segments the equations of the system become linear, and consequently are solved easily. It is necessary then only to match final and initial conditions at the time of transition from one segment to the next. Equations are thus derived which permit calculation of the instantaneous values of the circuit currents and core fluxes in transient and steady-state conditions. The equations are verified by quantitatively comparing calculated instantaneous values of the current wave shapes with the instantaneous values obtained experimentally. They then are used to explain the changes of wave shape which occur when any of the circuit parameters are changed.
Three-dimensional modeling of the friction stir-welding process

This paper presents an attempt to model the stir-welding process using three-dimensional visco-plastic modeling. The scope of the project is focused on butt joints for aluminum thick plates. Parametric studies have been conducted to determine the effect of tool speeds on plate temperatures and to validate the model predictions with available measurements. In addition, forces acting on the tool have been computed for various welding and rotational speeds. It is found that pin forces increase with increasing welding speeds, but the opposite effect is observed for increasing rotational speeds. Numerical models such as the one presented here will be useful in designing welding tools which will yield desired thermal gradients and avoid tool breakage.
El-Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) influences on monthly NO3 load and concentration, stream flow and precipitation in the Little River Watershed, Tifton, Georgia (GA)

Summary As climate variability increases, it is becoming increasingly critical to find predictable patterns that can still be identified despite overall uncertainty. The El-Nino/Southern Oscillation is the best known pattern. Its global effects on weather, hydrology, ecology and human health have been well documented. Climate variability manifested through ENSO has strong effects in the southeast United States, seen in precipitation and stream flow data. However, climate variability may also affect water quality in nutrient concentrations and loads, and have impacts on ecosystems, health, and food availability in the southeast. In this research, we establish a teleconnection between ENSO and the Little River Watershed (LRW), GA., as seen in a shared 3–7 year mode of variability for precipitation, stream flow, and nutrient load time series. Univariate wavelet analysis of the NINO 3.4 index of sea surface temperature (SST) and of precipitation, stream flow, NO 3 concentration and load time series from the watershed was used to identify common signals. Shared 3–7 year modes of variability were seen in all variables, most strongly in precipitation, stream flow and nutrient load in strong El Nino years. The significance of shared 3–7 year periodicity over red noise with 95% confidence in SST and precipitation, stream flow, and NO 3 load time series was confirmed through cross-wavelet and wavelet-coherence transforms, in which common high power and co-variance were computed for each set of data. The strongest 3–7 year shared power was seen in SST and stream flow data, while the strongest co-variance was seen in SST and NO 3 load data. The strongest cross-correlation was seen as a positive value between the NINO 3.4 and NO 3 load with a three-month lag. The teleconnection seen in the LRW between the NINO 3.4 index and precipitation, stream flow, and NO 3 load can be utilized in a model to predict monthly nutrient loads based on short-term climate variability, facilitating management in high risk seasons.
Explaining the construction of global carbon markets: REDD+ as a test case?

Market-based instruments increasingly shape international environmental governance. Against this background, this paper puts forward a conceptual framework on the development of regulated global carbon markets. Regarding the adoption of carbon trading as an instance of wider shifts in governance allows us to benefit from the rich literature on (international) institutional change. At the same time it enables us to integrate existing social science accounts of the construction of carbon markets into a more generic conceptualisation. An analytical framework is suggested that models a set of five (recursively interacting) factors as causes of and influences on the development of international carbon markets: actor interests; power distribution; discourses; institutional dynamics and interaction; and exogenous shocks. The framework is applied to the empirical example of the emerging UNFCCC mechanism for ‘Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries’ (REDD+). Finally, the generalisability of the findings is discussed.
CRITERIA FOR SURGERY IN MITRAL VALVULAR DISEASE.

Abstract Criteria for the selection of patients for surgery for mitral stenosis and for mitral insufficiency are presented with regard to the place of such surgery in the life cycle of these diseases. A brief discussion has been given of the clinical differentiation between mitral stenosis and mitral incompetence, as well as the place of hemodynamic and other laboratory procedures in the evaluation of patients for surgery and of the results of operation. Closed mitral valvuloplasty is the operation of choice in group iii patients without significant valvular calcification or incompetency. This conclusion is based on statistically valid figures which are cited, the low operative mortality of less than 2 per cent, the sustained good results and the excellent life expectancy of these patients. Other patients must be carefully evaluated, and in many, open operations utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass may be preferred. The problems attendant on open cardiac surgery are discussed, and it is concluded that the place of such surgery cannot be definitely defined until long term results are available. The problem of “restenosis” is considered. Although in many patients deterioration after initial improvement is apparently due to an inadequate operation, mitral insufficiency, rheumatic fever or myocardial failure, in others no obvious iactors explain the restenosis. Reoperations for mitral stenosis are required in increasing numbers as the follow-up period increases. After nine years, in our series, 22 per cent of patients have had reoperation. The technic and results from reoperation are briefly mentioned. Patients with predominant mitral stenosis should be offered surgery when their symptoms are becoming progressively worse, or if they have clear-cut evidence of well marked pulmonary hypertension, or if they have had peripheral embolization. Mitral insufficiency is a condition requiring open surgery. The problems in the selection of patients, in evaluating the valve pathology and in the surgery itself are briefly discussed. Because there is no agreement as to the type of patient to be selected for surgery, because the surgical procedures are still in the developmental phase, because operative mortality in symptomatic patients is high, and because long term results are not yet available, surgery for this lesion must be considered to be still in the experimental stage. It should be offered only to those patients with rheumatic mitral incompetence who are symptomatic and whose disease is obviously progressing. Since operative mortality, and probably long term results as well, are directly related to the severity of the illness, the degree of disability and the valvular pathology, it is important that these be clearly set forth in any papers published on this subject; this has often not been done. Finally, the role of primary myocardial failure in the course of rheumatic heart disease, particularly with mitral incompetence, is discussed.
Dissociations in visual attention deficits among persons with mild cognitive impairment.

ABSTRACT Impairments in visual attention and visual information processing have been identified as part of the neuropsychological features of Alzheimer's disease (AD), even in its earliest stages. There is increasing recognition that these deficits may be selective rather than global, with some attentional subtypes being more vulnerable than others. The few studies that have investigated attentional deficits in mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a putatively prodromal phase of AD, have not satisfactorily addressed the possible selectivity in attentional deficits in MCI. This study examined potential dissociations in visual attention deficits in MCI using a measure that assesses simple, divided, and selective attention. The results indicated a hierarchy of attentional impairments, with divided attention being the most affected and simple attention the least. Among participants with MCI, 53% showed evidence of impairment in divided attention compared to 19% of controls (OR = 4.81, p < .001). Poorer visual att...
A remark on the distribution of conservative quantities

In line with a suggestion made in the recent book by the author, a distribution function is derived for the distribution in a social group of such conservative quantities for which every individual has a minimum requirement, this minimum requirement varying from individual to individual.
Ontogenetic development of rat intestinal bile acid transport requires thyroxine but not corticosterone

Absorption of bile acids by the distal ileum is an essential component of the enterohepatic circulation. In neonatal rats, the appearance of the apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT) at 17 d of age coincides with increases in serum corticosterone and thyroxine. We tested the hypothesis that these hormones modulate ASBT expression during ileal development. Taurocholate uptake into the isolated ileum of normal 20-d-old pups exhibited saturable (K(m) = 0.52 mM, J(max) = 0.34 pmol mg/min) and nonsaturable (K(diff) = 0.015 min(-1)) components and was two to five times greater than uptake in the proximal intestine. Hypothyroid or euthyroid pups received daily thyroxine injections starting at 6 d of age. At 12 d of age, serum concentrations of thyroxine, ileal abundance of ASBT mRNA, and ileal rates of taurocholate uptake were low in hypothyroid pups that received an injection of vehicle (HT-) or thyroxine (HT+) and in euthyroid pups that received an injection of vehicle (ET-) or thyroxine (ET+). At 20 and 26 d, ileal ASBT mRNA abundance and taurocholate uptake rate remained low in HT- pups but increased dramatically in ET- and ET+ pups, paralleling the increase in serum thyroxine. Restoration of normal plasma thyroxine in HT- pups by thyroxine injections (HT+) restored normal ASBT development. Sodium-glucose co-transporter activity and mRNA expression were independent of serum thyroxine levels. Corticosterone levels were significantly lower in pups that were adrenalectomized at 10 d of age. ASBT mRNA abundance and taurocholate uptake rate increased markedly with age but were the same in adrenalectomized, sham-operated, and nonoperated pups. Hence, endogenous thyroxine but not corticosterone regulates the developmentally timed appearance of ASBT.
Comparison of Nucleon-Nucleon Scattering Data with the Predictions of SU(12) L

The form of the nucleon-nucleon scattering amplitude is determined subject to the restriction that baryon-baryon scattering be invariant under $\mathrm{SU}{(12)}_{\mathcal{L}}$ transformations. The results are found to disagree with experiment. The possibility that $\mathrm{SU}{(12)}_{\mathcal{L}}$ may be a "leading approximation" to a true $S$-matrix theory is discussed briefly.
Urban Governance Reform Index: An Alignment of Traditional Reform and Public Choice Propositions

The persistent debate on the consolidation versus fragmentation model of government is a result of a dualist conceptualization of governance reform by two competing theories—public choice and traditional reform. Both argue for reform, but their definitions of reform are diametrically opposed and there is no appropriate instrument to measure government reform. We propose an alignment of the traditional reform and public choice traditions and an instrument to measure governance reform by an index comprised of 1) form of government, 2) home-rule status, 3) methods of election, 4) number of elected officials, and 5) number of jurisdictions. The alignment of the two theoretical camps is supported by the selection of the five reform components and their particular operationalizations.
Renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the pancreas: clinical and radiological features.

Objective To review the clinical features, computed tomographic (CT) appearance, and treatment outcomes in a case series of patients with renal cell carcinoma (ReC) metastatic to the pancreas. Patients and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of 23 patients (15 men and 8 women) with RCC metastatic to the pancreas, detected by CT examination between 1986 and 1996. All patients had undergone a previous nephrectomy for RCC. Results Isolated mild elevation in liver function test results (in 5 patients) or in serum amylase level (in 8 patients) was observed. New-onset diabetes was detected in 3 patients. The CT characteristics of the pancreatic metastases generally resembled those of primary RCC with well-defined margins and greater enhancement than normal pancreas with a central area of low attenuation. The mean interval between resection of the primary RCC and detection of the pancreatic metastases was 116 months (range, 1-295 months). In 18 patients (78%), the pancreatic metastases were diagnosed more than 5 years after nephrectomy. The pancreas was the initial metastatic site in 12 patients (52%). Survival was shortened with higher tumor grade (mean survival time of 41 months and 10 months in patients with grade 2 and 3, respectively). Surgical resection was carried out in 11 patients (7 distal and 3 total pancreatectomies and 1 distal pancreatectomy followed 4 years later by total pancreatectomy), with 8 patients alive at a mean follow-up of 4 years, 6 of whom remained free of recurrence. Overall, 12 patients (52%) were alive at a mean of 42 months after diagnosis of metastatic disease. Conclusions The appearance of metastatic RCC lesions in the pancreas closely resembles the appearance of primary RCC on CT images. Pancreatic metastases from RCC are frequently detected many years after nephrectomy. Patient survival correlates with tumor grade. Histologic analysis of pancreatic masses in patients with a history of resected primary RCC is important since the prognosis for RCC metastatic to the pancreas is much better than that for primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Semiconductor high-energy radiation scintillation detector

We propose a new scintillation-type detector in which high-energy radiation generates electron–hole pairs in a direct-gap semiconductor material that subsequently recombine producing infrared light to be registered by a photo-detector. The key issue is how to make the semiconductor essentially transparent to its own infrared light, so that photons generated deep inside the semiconductor could reach its surface without tangible attenuation. We discuss two ways to accomplish this, one based on doping the semiconductor with shallow impurities of one polarity type, preferably donors, the other by heterostructure bandgap engineering. The proposed semiconductor scintillator combines the best properties of currently existing radiation detectors and can be used for both simple radiation monitoring, like a Geiger counter, and for high-resolution spectrography of the high-energy radiation. An important advantage of the proposed detector is its fast response time, about 1 ns, essentially limited only by the recombination time of minority carriers. Notably, the fast response comes without any degradation in brightness. When the scintillator is implemented in a qualified semiconductor material (such as InP or GaAs), the photo-detector and associated circuits can be epitaxially integrated on the scintillator slab and the structure can be stacked-up to achieve virtually any desired absorption capability.
Emissions tradeoffs associated with cofiring forest biomass with coal: A case study in Colorado, USA

Abstract Cofiring forest biomass residues with coal to generate electricity is often cited for its potential to offset fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but the extent to which cofiring achieves these objectives is highly dependent on case specific variables. This paper uses facility and forest specific data to examine emissions from cofiring forest biomass with coal ranging up to 20% substitution by heat value in southwest Colorado, USA. Calculations for net system emissions include five emissions sources: coal mining, power plant processes, forest biomass processes, boiler emissions, and forest biomass disposal. At the maximum displacement of 20% of heat demand using 120,717 t of forest biomass per year, total system emissions are projected to decrease by 15% for CO2, 95% for CH4, 18% for NOX, 82% for PM10, and 27% for SOX. PM10 and CH4 emissions benefits are closely tied to reducing open burning for residue disposal. At maximum displacement, 189,240 t of CO2 emissions equivalent to the annual CO2 emissions from 36,200 passenger vehicles, 440,000 barrels of oil, or nearly 990 railcars of coal are avoided. When forest biomass is not cofired, emissions equivalent to144,200 t of CO2 are emitted from open burning. In addition to exploring the details of this case, we provide a methodology for assessing the emissions tradeoffs related to using forest biomass for cogeneration that incorporates the operational aspects of managing forest treatment residues, which are frequently omitted from similar analyses.
Renal blood vascular system in the elasmobranch, Raja erinacea Mitchill, in relation to kidney zones.

The arrangement and structure of renal blood vessels were studied in a marine skate with injection of silicone rubber and methacrylate resin after intravenous administration of epinephrine and perfusion fixation. The methacrylate casts were investigated with the scanning electron microscope. Histology was performed by light and transmission electron microscopy of serial sections. The course of the blood vessels is described in relation to the renal zones of lateral bundles and mesial tissue. Each nephron performs two loops in the lateral bundles and two ceilings in the mesial tissue before it joins the collecting duct system. The lateral bundles contain an elaborate countercurrent arrangement of neck segment, proximal tubule segment PIa, early distal tubule segment, and collecting tubule. Within the bundles, the nephron portions are associated with a blind-ended central vessel, which is connected with the venous sinuses of the mesial tissue. The microcirculatory bed around the bundles is supplied with arterial blood via small bundle arteries that originate from the intrarenal arteries in parallel to the afferent arterioles of the glomeruli. The efferent arterioles of the glomeruli convey their blood to the peritubular sinuses of the mesial tissue, which is largely irrigated with venous blood of the renal portal system. The mesial tissue, containing the proximal tubule segments PIb and PII, intermediate segment, and late distal tubule segment LDTb7 receives venous blood from the caudal vein and the lateral musculature via afferent renal and intrarenal veins and from the efferent arterioles of the glomeruli and venuks of the microcirculation of the bundles. The sinuses are drained by efferent renal veins via efferent intrarenal veins. By comparing the renal structures of the skate with those of dogfish, a unique type of circulation-as related to nephron segments, renal zones, and fine structure of the wall of the vessels-is revealed in marine elasmobranchs of different evolutionary levels.
Synchronous rotation in magnetic X-ray binaries.

AM Herculis is thought to be a binary stellar system that contains an accreting magnetic degenerate dwarf whose rotation is synchronous with the orbital period. This synchronism is remarkable, particularly because of the small moment of inertia of a degenerate dwarf and the large specific angular momentum of the accreted matter. This paper demonstrates that ohmic dissipation from the magnetic interaction of the stars is capable of bringing about exact synchronism, provided that some other process has brought the rotation period of the degenerate dwarf to the same order of magnitude as the orbital period. It is also shown that magnetostatic interaction in the synchronous state leads to oscillatory drifts in phase about exact synchronism with periods of approximately 1-10 yr. These phase drifts could manifest themselves in long-term periodic variability in the X-ray or optical properties of the source. Accretion torques could excite such oscillatory motions but need not disrupt synchronism once it has been established.
Demand-Side Management for Regulation Service Provisioning Through Internal Pricing

We develop a market-based mechanism that enables a building smart microgrid operator (SMO) to offer regulation service reserves and meet the associated obligation of fast response to commands issued by the wholesale market independent system operator (ISO) who provides energy and purchases reserves. The proposed market-based mechanism allows the SMO to control the behavior of internal loads through price signals and to provide feedback to the ISO. A regulation service reserves quantity is transacted between the SMO and the ISO for a relatively long period of time (e.g., a one-hour-long time-scale). During this period the ISO follows shorter time-scale stochastic dynamics to repeatedly request from the SMO to decrease or increase its consumption. We model the operational task of selecting an optimal short time-scale dynamic pricing policy as a stochastic dynamic program that maximizes average SMO and ISO utility. We then formulate an associated nonlinear programming static problem that provides an upper bound on the optimal utility. We study an asymptotic regime in which this upper bound is shown to be tight and the static policy provides an efficient approximation of the dynamic pricing policy. Equally importantly, this framework allows us to optimize the long time-scale decision of determining the optimal regulation service reserve quantity. We demonstrate, verify and validate the proposed approach through a series of Monte Carlo simulations of the controlled system time trajectories.