cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using object-oriented discrete event simulation with OOSimL: tutorial presentation

This tutorial presents an overview of object-oriented modeling and simulation using the new language OOSimL. This language was designed and developed for education in Object Oriented Simulation mainly in computer science and related disciplines. Object-oriented concepts are reinforced using OOSimL and language follows the general philosophy of Simula and DEMOS. The compiler generates Java source code. Computer Science programs include courses in simulation as an important application area. A typical basic or fundamental course in simulation should emphasize and exploit object-oriented modeling and programming in the large of semi-complex systems to implement the simulation model. The course should also include techniques for estimating the relevant performance metrics. This tutorial provides a short overview of object-oriented modeling and an introduction to the implementation of simulation models using the OOSimL and Java.
Snoidal sine-Gordon kinks and renormalization effects in specific heat of TMMC [ ( C H 3 ) 4 NMn Cl 3 ] and CsNi F 3

The statistical mechanics of renormalized snoidal sine-Gordon kinks is applied to the specific heat in ${(\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{H}}_{3})}_{4}$NMn${\mathrm{Cl}}_{3}$ (TMMC) and CsNi${\mathrm{F}}_{3}$ in external magnetic fields.
Results of a Survey of Chromospherically Active Stars

A variety of spectroscopic and/or photometric observations have been obtained for 52 systems most of which contain newly identified chromospherically active stars. Instead of differential photometry designed to detect variability, one of us (T.J.M.) obtained BVRI all-sky photometry of 15 chromospherically active stars to check spectral classifications and search for early type companions. When the observed B-V is matched with the appropriate intrinsic color in Johnson's (1966) tables a comparison of the observed and intrinsic V--R (Figure i) and V-I colors shows that the observed chromospherically active systems have color excesses of 0.06 to 0.I0 mag; if the B-V color is assumed to be normal. Although part of the excesses of the giants may be due to interstellar reddening, the few dwarfs and subgiants in the survey show similar excesses indicating that a major portion of the excess is intrinsic to these stars. Although it was initially suggested that the excesses were caused by the presence of large regions of cool starspots (Fekel 1983), Bopp (1983) has pointed out that even very large, cool starspots only produce a change of 0.03 mag in V-R while at the same time changing B_-V by a similar amount. At present the cause of these excesses is unknown. The relationship between surface brightness and V-R (Barnes, Evans, and Moffett 1978) has been used to determine the stellar angular diameter, which in turn converts observed flux to surface flux. The V-R color excesses found for the chromospherically active stars increase their computed angular diameters up to 17% and decrease the ratio of surface flux to observed flux by as much as 45%. Thus, in comparing stars with observed colors with those whose colors have not been determined directly, the above problem should be taken into account. Twenty-three stars were observed with the low-resolution short-wavelength primary (SWP) camera of the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellite to search for early type companions. For five systems classified by Bidelman and MacConnell (1973) as having F companions, no F star or earlier-type companions were detected. For three stars, HR 373, RD 160538,and HD 185510, hot subluminous companions were found. For both HR 373 and ~D 160538 the companions are white dwarfs with the same derived mass and radius of 0.55 M@ and 0.012 R®, respectively. The observed ultraviolet spectra of HR 373 and HD 160538 are fit best by flux models having log g = 8
Who's who in contemporary women's writing

Unique in its breadth of coverage, Who's Who in Contemporary Women's Writing is a comprehensive, authoritative and enjoyable guide to women's fiction, prose, poetry and drama from around the world in the second half of the twentieth century. Over the course of 1000 entries by over 150 international contributors, a picture emerges of the incredible range of women's writing in our time, from Toni Morrison to Fleur Adcock- all are here. This book includes the established and well-loved but also opens up new worlds of modern literature which may be unfamiliar but are never less than fascinating.
Entropy of space–time outcome in a movement speed–accuracy task

The experiment reported was set-up to investigate the space-time entropy of movement outcome as a function of a range of spatial (10, 20 and 30 cm) and temporal (250-2500 ms) criteria in a discrete aiming task. The variability and information entropy of the movement spatial and temporal errors considered separately increased and decreased on the respective dimension as a function of an increment of movement velocity. However, the joint space-time entropy was lowest when the relative contribution of spatial and temporal task criteria was comparable (i.e., mid-range of space-time constraints), and it increased with a greater trade-off between spatial or temporal task demands, revealing a U-shaped function across space-time task criteria. The traditional speed-accuracy functions of spatial error and temporal error considered independently mapped to this joint space-time U-shaped entropy function. The trade-off in movement tasks with joint space-time criteria is between spatial error and timing error, rather than movement speed and accuracy.
Small Sample Research: Considerations Beyond Statistical Power

Small sample research presents a challenge to current standards of design and analytic approaches and the underlying notions of what constitutes good prevention science. Yet, small sample research is critically important as the research questions posed in small samples often represent serious health concerns in vulnerable and underrepresented populations. This commentary considers the Special Section on small sample research and also highlights additional challenges that arise in small sample research not considered in the Special Section, including generalizability, determining what constitutes knowledge, and ensuring that research designs match community desires. It also points to opportunities afforded by small sample research, such as a focus on and increased understanding of context and the emphasis it may place on alternatives to the randomized clinical trial. The commentary urges the development and adoption of innovative strategies to conduct research with small samples.
Computational Cost of Querying for Related Entities in Different Ontologies

The computational cost of querying for similar entities across ontologies is high since, in the worst case, every pair of entities will have to be considered. Therefore, links discovered during ontology alignment have been used to speed up querying across ontologies by following relatedness links to discover similar entities. We derive the computational complexity of querying across ontologies using the ontology alignment links discovered using the Unified Fuzzy Ontology Matching (UFOM) framework. We consider querying for related entities by following either a single alignment link or by following multiple alignment links. These methods have different computational complexity and produce different query results. We also study the impact of the specific implementation approach on query time. We consider implementations based on multiple accesses of the triplestore using a high-level procedural language and by execution of a single SPARQL graph query on the ontology server. These approaches were evaluated using ontologies derived from an enterprise-scale dataset. Experimental results show that an implementation using nested for-loops in a procedural language outperformed by nearly 2× an implementation based on a single SPARQL query.
Vacuum-Assisted Inferior Vena Cava Thrombus Removal Using a Percutaneous Technique

We report a patient with a massive inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus requiring immediate intervention. The patient underwent successful thrombectomy using a percutaneous catheter aspiration system. Percutaneous removal of an IVC thrombus is a safe and effective treatment option for severely ill patients.
Accounting for hysteresis in repetitive control design: Nanopositioning example

This paper deals with designing a repetitive controller (RC) for tracking periodic reference trajectories for systems that exhibit hysteresis, such as piezoelectric actuators used in nanopositioning systems. Hysteresis can drastically limit the performance of an RC designed around a linear dynamics model, and thus the effect of hysteresis on the closed-loop stability of RC is analyzed and the allowable size of the hysteresis nonlinearity for a stable RC is quantified. But when the hysteresis effect exceeds the maximum bound, an inverse-hysteresis feedforward controller based on the Prandtl-Ishlinskii hysteresis model is used to compensate for the nonlinearity. The control method is implemented on a custom-designed nanopositioning stage. Experimental results show that by incorporating hysteresis compensation the stability margin and the rate of error reduction improve. Likewise, the maximum tracking error reduces by 71%, from 13.7% (using industry-standard integral control) to 3.9% (using RC with hysteresis compensation), underscoring the benefits of RC with hysteresis compensation.
Carbon-nanotubes doped polypyrrole glucose biosensor

We report on the one-step preparation route of amperometric enzyme electrodes based on incorporating a carbon-nanotube (CNT) dopant and the biocatalyst within an electropolymerized polypyrrole film. Cyclic voltammetric growth profiles indicate that the anionic CNT is incorporated within the growing film for maintaining its electrical neutrality. The entrapment of the CNT has little effect upon the electropolymerization rate and redox properties of the resulting film. The CNT dopant retains its electrocatalytic activity to impart high sensitivity and selectivity. Linearity prevails up to ca. 50 mM glucose, with a slight curvature thereafter. Relevant parameters of the film preparation were examined and optimized. Such an electropolymerization avenue represents a simple, one-step route for preparing enzyme electrodes and should further facilitate the widespread production of CNT-based electrochemical biosensors.
NUTRITION IN SMALL FOR GESTATIONAL AGE INFANTS (SGA): IN VIVO MEASUREMENTS OF BONE MINERALIZATION

In vivo quantitation of bone mineral content (BMC, gm/cm) by direct photon absorptiometry was used to evaluate the bone nutritional status in 24 SGA (26-42 wks, 880-2360 gms). Formula (1 batch) was fed and Vit D was standardized at 300-500 IU/day. Measurements were made at birth, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 wks. BMC at birth in SGA did not correlate with gestational age, weight, length, or head circumference, whereas in appropriate for gestational age infants (AGA) there was a significant correlation of BMC at birth with gestational age and birth weight (p<.001). BMC at birth in 34-36 wk SGA (.054±gm/cm±.005, mean ±SE) were comparable to 34-36 wk AGA. Postnatal bone mineralization in SGA was significantly less than intrauterine mineralization (covariance analysis) reaching .092±.004 at 12 wks, equivalent to term AGA birth values, .090±.009. In term SGA, BMC at birth was decreased .067±.008 vs term AGA (t test p<.01). 12 wks of postnatal life were needed to reach term AGA birth BMC (.090±.005). Thus, the postnatal increase of BMC for term SGA infants was less than for 34-36 wk SGA, .023 vs .038 gm/cm over a 12-wk period. Delayed bone mineralization in SGA occurred in spite of excellent weight gain. Mean Ca intakes in 34-36 wk and term SGA averaged 110-130 mg/kg/day, comparable to term AGA. Thus postnatal bone mineralization in SGA infants is decreased. Term SGA infants have decreased bone mineralization at birth, and require a prolonged period to achieve normal bone mineralization.
Traffic Flow Simulation Through Parallel Processing

Numerical methods for solving traffic flow continuum models have been studied and efficiently implemented in traffic simulation codes in the past. Explicit and implicit methods have been used in traffic simulation codes in the past. Implicit methods allow a much larger time step size than explicit methods to achieve the same accuracy. However, at each time step a nonlinear system must be solved. The Newton method, coupled with a linear iterative method (Orthomin), is used. The efficient implementation of explicit and implicit numerical methods for solving the high-order flow conservation traffic model on parallel computers was studied. Simulation tests were run with traffic data from an 18-mile freeway section in Minnesota on the nCUBE2 parallel computer. These tests gave the same accuracy as past tests, which were performed on one-processor computers, and the overall execution time was significantly reduced.
Pesticide transmission in fabrics: effect of particulate soil.

Current pesticide labeling requires prudent use of protective clothing when mixing, loading, and applying pesticide chemicals. Pesticide use and human health has been the subject of several investigations where findings suggest a cause-and-effect relat ionship (Laughlin 1988). Dermal exposure to pesticides is receiving much attention since i t has been shown that dermal absorption accounts for 87% of the total human pesticide exposure (Gold et al. 1982, Maibach et al. 1971).
Should we use anticoagulation for patients with chronic heart failure

There are few available data on the incidence and risk factors of thromboembolism in heart failure, and the decision to recommend anticoagulant therapy for these patients is complex. In this Viewpoint, Drs Freudenberger and Halperin discuss the limited existing data on prophylactic approaches to this problem and appeal to physicians to support well-designed, randomized clinical trials of antithrombotic therapy in patients with heart failure.
Contemporary Issues in the Analysis of Data: A Survey of 551 Psychologists

We asked active psychological researchers to answer a survey regarding the following data-analytic issues: (a) the effect of reliability on Type I and Type II errors, (b) the interpretation of interaction, (c) contrast analysis, and (d) the role of power and effect size in successful replications. Our 551 participants (a 60% response rate) answered 59% of the questions correctly; 46%) accuracy would be expected according to participants' response preferences alone. Accuracy was higher for respondents with higher academic ranks and for questions with “no” as the right answer. It is suggested that although experienced researchers are able to answer difficult but basic data-analytic questions at better than chance levels, there is also a high degree of misunderstanding of some fundamental issues of data analysis.
Spatial variability of plant analysis calcium and magnesium levels before and after liming

Abstract Plant samples were taken in an 82.5 ft grid at an early and late sampling date in both 1991 and 1992 from a forty acre field in Illinois. Calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) were analyzed on each sample and maps were made showing the levels of each nutrient within the field. Soil pH measurements were also made from each of the same sampling locations following each year of plant sampling. In the fall of 1991, a calcitic lime application was made using soil pH informations from the 1991 soil sampling to determine the boundaries and rate of the application. Calcium and Mg levels in 1991 roughly defined the area of low pH, except for the early sampled Mg levels. However, low Ca and Mg levels did not always indicate low pH levels. High Ca and Mg levels did not always indicate high pH levels. Following liming, plant Ca levels correlated better with soil pH and represented areas of high and low pH better than plant Mg. Other factors which influenced Ca and Mg levels may have been high levels of competitive...
FIRE HYDRO, A Simplified Method for Predicting Peak Discharges to Assist in the Design of Flood Protection Measures for Western Wildfires

An EXCEL spreadsheet was developed to evaluate estimated peak discharges resulting from rainfall events in wildfire burn areas of Montana. This method, called FIRE HYDRO, is based largely on the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Engineering Field Handbook-Chapter 2 technology. The purpose of developing this procedure was to assist USDA NRCS and Forest Service personnel who were involved with post-wildfire reclamation work to estimate design peak discharges for the recently burned areas during the 2000 and 2001 wildfire seasons. It uses the NRCS Runoff Curve Number procedure. A supplemental portion of this method offers suggested Runoff Curve Numbers based on land cover prior to the fire, degree of severity of the fire, and slope aspect of the land. Issues involving hydrophobic properties of the soil resulting from wildfire are also addressed. The method yields four varying perspectives for the Runoff Curve Number of the subject area including the pre-fire value, post-fire I (with potential hydrophobic soils influence), post-fire II (without hydrophobic influence but little re-emergent vegetal growth), and post-fire III (after one growing season post fire until fully recovered landscape). This method was employed as a means to analyze the hydrology of the burn areas in an accelerated fashion to facilitate a timely federal response to wildfire disaster areas in Montana and other western states.
Plant growth and nutrient uptake in hydrophilic gel treated soil

Abstract Studies were carried out to determine nitrate, ammonium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron retention and release by adding to an oxisol a hydrophilic gel (IGETA‐GREEN P, a vinyl alcohol‐acrylic acid copolymer sodium salt from Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.) and NH4NO3. Dionized water was percolated through the medium in a glass column and the nutrients were determined in the collected leachate. Higher ammonium, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, and Fe contents were retained at all concentrations of gel‐amended soil, compared to no treated soil. The gel treatment increased radish shoot growth, N, P, and Fe uptake, but reduced K, Ca, and Mg uptake and had no significant effect on root growth. The hydrophilic gel had a significant effect on reducing Al and increasing pH, and P, K, Ca, and Mg in soil extracted by Mehlich No. 1.
Presidents of Central America, Mexico, Cuba, and Hispaniola: Conversations and Correspondence

Preface Panama Introduction Ricardo Alfaro Arnulfo Arias Ricardo Arias Omar Torrijos Costa Rica Introduction Jose Figueres Otilio Ulate Francisco Orlich Daniel Oduber Rodrigo Carazo Luis Alberto Monge Oscar Arias Nicaragua Introduction Arastasio Somoza Debayle Daniel Ortega Honduras Introduction Tiburcio Carias Andino Juan Manuel Gavez Ramon Villeda Morales El Salvador Introduction Reynaldo Galindo Pohl Oscar Osorio Jose Napoleon Duarte Guatemala Introduction Carlos Castillo Armas Julio Cesar Mendez Mohtemboro Mexico Introduction Miguel de la Madrid Carlos Salinas de Gortari Cuba Introduction Carlos Prio Socarras Manuel Urrutia Fidel Castro Haiti Introduction Dumarsais Estime Paul Magloire Daniel Fignole Leslie Managat Dominican Republic Introduction Joaquin Balaguer Juan Bosch Donald Reid Cabral Antonio GuzMAn Salvador Jorge Blanco
An Exploratory Study of Social Connections and Drug Usage Among Filipino Americans

This research reports information from semi-structured interviews with 14 northern California Filipino Americans to explore how social connections are associated with methamphetamine use. The interviews examine how the social connections of Filipino American methamphetamine users are influenced by class and generational status. I hypothesize that drug users become involved in social networks that facilitate drug use and that cases of recovery occur among users when they change their social networks. Generational differences in age of first methamphetamine use suggest that drug usage among first generation users may be a way of coping with social class disadvantages. User social networks within social class groups generate ethnic solidarity and highlight the existence of a shared culture that plays an adaptive role in aiding survival, but such support does not appear to help Filipinos stop methamphetamine use. The realization by users that their networks have enabled and reinforced their drug usage serves as a major turning point in helping them “break free” from the social ties that foster continued usage. Those that maintain their ties to user networks tend to remain users.
The C2b Domain of Synaptotagmin Is a Ca2+–Sensing Module Essential for Exocytosis

The synaptic vesicle protein synaptotagmin I has been proposed to serve as a Ca2+ sensor for rapid exocytosis. Synaptotagmin spans the vesicle membrane once and possesses a large cytoplasmic domain that contains two C2 domains, C2A and C2B. Multiple Ca2+ ions bind to the membrane proximal C2A domain. However, it is not known whether the C2B domain also functions as a Ca2+-sensing module. Here, we report that Ca2+ drives conformational changes in the C2B domain of synaptotagmin and triggers the homo- and hetero-oligomerization of multiple isoforms of the protein. These effects of Ca2+ are mediated by a set of conserved acidic Ca2+ ligands within C2B; neutralization of these residues results in constitutive clustering activity. We addressed the function of oligomerization using a dominant negative approach. Two distinct reagents that block synaptotagmin clustering potently inhibited secretion from semi-intact PC12 cells. Together, these data indicate that the Ca2+-driven clustering of the C2B domain of synaptotagmin is an essential step in excitation-secretion coupling. We propose that clustering may regulate the opening or dilation of the exocytotic fusion pore.
Visual influences on postural and manual interpersonal coordination during a joint precision task

We investigated whether the interpersonal postural coordination that occurs during a joint supra-postural, manual precision task is driven by the constraints of the task, or, instead results from visual entrainment to the movements of a co-actor. Participants were instructed to coordinate their finger movements under conditions where participants could see others’ whole-body movements or could only see the results of the other’s actions. Participants’ finger and torso movements were recorded. Coordination was quantified using cross-recurrence quantification analysis measures. Interpersonal coordination was enhanced by, although it did not depend entirely upon, visual information about the co-actor’s body movements.
Ballistic Range Investigation of Sonic-Boom Overpressures in Water

An investigation of sonic-boom overpressures in water has been conducted by gun-launching small cone-cylinder models over water. Flights were conducted at Mach numbers of 2.7 and 5.7, in air, corresponding to Mach numbers of 0.6 and 1.3, respectively, in water. Shadowgraph pictures and underwater pressure measurements indicate that for horizontal flights at Mach numbers below Mach 4.4 in air (i.e., subsonic relative to the speed of sound in water) the resulting underwater disturbance is an acoustic wave whose peak pressure attenuates rapidly with water depth. In contrast, at supersonic Mach numbers, relative to water, the incident shock wave at the surface is transmitted into the water as a propagating shock wave and the peak pressure associated with it does not attenuate with water depth.
Robust Iterative Learning Control for output tracking via second-order sliding mode technique

This paper provides a new design of robust Iterative Learning Control (ILC) for the purpose of output tracking using second-order sliding mode technique. The main feature of the design is that the controller signal is continuous; therefore it is chattering-free compared with the robust ILC using classical first-order sliding mode technique. The continuous and non-chattering control signals can prevent actuators from being damaged. This can not be realized by the discontinuous and chattering control inputs if the conventional sliding-mode control is applied. The robust ILC is suggested and the convergence of output-tracking error is proven. An illustrative example is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed second-order continuous sliding mode ILC.
Shifting resources to recognize a forming object: dependencies involving object properties

These experiments indicate that when the eyes and attention are allowed to shift to identify a newly appearing object, the success of the shift depends on properties of the object. Observers attempted to identify a parafoveal target that was followed by a mask. On many trials a prime (cue) was presented immediately before the target. The prime was a group of elements (vertices) that could trigger ocular or attentional shifts. Success of the shifts was measured by increases in identification accuracy relative to a no-prime condition (facilitation effects). Facilitation was high for many primes, but decreased systematically toward zero when the prime-elements were not easily related to form a convex object and were located outside the boundaries of the subsequent target.
The effects of emotional arousal and gender on the associative memory deficit of older adults

In this study we assessed the potential moderating roles of stimulus type (emotionally arousing) and participants’ characteristics (gender) in older adults’ associative memory deficit. In two experiments, young and older participants studied lists that included neutral and emotionally arousing word pairs (positive and negative) and completed recognition tests for the words and their associations. In Experiment 1, the majority of the word pairs were composed of two nouns, whereas in Experiment 2 they were composed of adjective–noun pairs. The results extend evidence for older adults’ associative deficit and suggest that older and younger adults’ item memory is improved for emotionally arousing words. However, associative memory for the word pairs did not benefit (and even showed a slight decline) from emotionally arousing words, which was the case for both younger and older adults. In addition, in these experiments, gender appeared to moderate the associative deficit of older adults, with older males but not females demonstrating this deficit.
Shallow marine sedimentary facies in the earliest Triassic (Griesbachian) Cordilleran miogeocline, U.S.A.

Abstract Permian history in the Cordilleran miogeocline, U.S.A., ended with an erosional interval of 1 to 22 million years. Previous studies of this event focused on unrepresented time, faunal extinction, regional truncation, or physical evidence in local areas. Another way to view this unconformity is to examine the nature of shallow marine sediments deposited on the erosional surface during the earliest Triassic (Griesbachian) transgression. As part of this study, the rate of the initial Mesozoic flood was estimated by determining the extent of the oldest Triassic conodont biozone within the study area. The calculated rate of transgression over 194,000 km2 occupied by this biozone, within the 270,000 km2 depositional area of the earliest Triassic Dinwoody Formation, is orders of magnitude greater than those suggested for eustatic sea-level change related to glaciation or plate tectonic processes. The rapidity of transgression, paucity of reworked material at the base of the Triassic, a general lack of local relief, and nearly conformable relations of Permian and Triassic rocks throughout the region suggest that the Triassic sea advanced across a featureless plain. The earliest Triassic sediments described in this study are restricted to the basal 2 m of the Dinwoody Formation. The generalized geographic distribution of facies within the depositional basin follows: evaporites are restricted to the northeast, Lingula-bearing dolomite characterizes the north-central, sandstone is locally present in the northwest and central areas, the southern part is dominated by shaly-bedded siltstone with some thin limestone interbeds, and calcareous, silty shale is present in the west toward the basin center. The similarity of basalmost Triassic depositional environments to those of the earlier Permian documents tectonic rejuvenation of a previous paleogeographic regime that strongly controlled Early Triassic sedimentation.
Returns to Farm Real Estate Revisited

Barry's research on farm real estate returns suggests that when farm assets are viewed as a part of the nation's wealth portfolio, returns are not persistently low, as is commonly asserted in policy debates. This paper extends Barry's research by explicitly accounting for the effects of uncertain inflation, using a broader market proxy, and lengthening the sample period. The results suggest farm real estate offers only slight (not substantial) premiums above those for systematic risk, contributes little systematic risk to a well-diversified portfolio, and exhibits substantial risk due to uncertain inflation.
The Management of Unilateral Poorly Functioning Kidneys in Patients With Posterior Urethral Valves

AbstractPurpose: There is no uniform agreement on how to manage the unilateral nonfunctioning or poorly functioning kidney associated with posterior urethral valves. We studied the results of treatment of our patients to make recommendations regarding management of these kidneys.Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of 13 boys with a history of posterior urethral valves and a unilateral nonfunctioning or poorly functioning kidney, defined as less than 10% of total renal function on[99m] technetium dimercapto-succinic acid renal scans. Variables investigated included pyelonephritis, hypertension, vesicoureteral reflux, nephroureterectomy, ureteral reimplantation and spontaneous cessation of reflux. We also evaluated how the management of abnormal urodynamic parameters influenced the results of reimplantation or medically induced cessation of reflux.Results: Three of the 6 boys with grade 5 reflux ipsilateral to the poorly functioning kidney required nephroureterectomy at a mean age of 21 months be...
Somein situ STM contributions to the characterization of electrochemical systems

We present a critical review on the use of STM as anin situ technique to characterize electrochemical systems based on the work performed in our laboratory. Contributions ofin situ STM studies include: (i) atomic resolution of electrodeposited lead on graphite; (ii) imaging of modifications on metallic electrode surfaces induced by electrochemical oxidation-reduction processes; (iii) imaging of corrosion process on aluminium and Al-Ta alloy electrodes in NaCl solution; (iv) characterization of semiconductor-solution interfaces. These studies allowed: (a) establishment of STM as a technique which, for some systems, yields atomic resolution of metallic surfaces in air and in solution; (b) establishment of a mechanism for the electrochemical growth of oxide films on metal electrodes; (c) establishment of a corresponding mechanism for the reduction of those electrochemically grown oxide films; (d) direct monitoring of corrosion processes on a scale of nm to μm; and (e) determination of the presence of surface states and their energy position at the semiconductor-solution interfaces.
Root-finding by expansion with independent constraints

Elimination methods are highly effective for the solution of linear and nonlinear systems of equations, but reversal of the elimination principle can be beneficial as well: competent incorporation of additional independent constraints and variables or more generally immersion of the original computational problem into a larger task, defined by a larger number of independent constraints and variables can improve global convergence of iterative algorithms, that is their convergence from the start. A well known example is the dual linear and nonlinear programming, which enhances the power of optimization algorithms. We believe that this is just an ad hoc application of general Principle of Expansion with Independent Constraints; it should be explored systematically for devising iterative algorithms for the solution of equations and systems of equations and for optimization. At the end of this paper we comment on other applications and extensions of this principle. Presently we show it at work for the approximation of a single zero of a univariate polynomial p of a degree n. Empirical global convergence of the known algorithms for this task is much weaker than that of the algorithms for all n zeros, such as Weierstrass-Durand-Kerner's root-finder, which reduces its root-finding task to Viete's (Vieta's) system of n polynomial equations with n unknowns. We adjust this root-finder to the approximation of a single zero of p, preserve its fast global convergence and decrease the number of arithmetic operations per iteration from quadratic to linear. Together with computing a zero of a polynomial p, the algorithm deflates this polynomial as by-product, and then could be reapplied to the quotient to approximate the next zero of p. Alternatively by using m processors that exchange no data, one can concurrently approximate up to m zeros of p. Our tests confirm the efficiency of the proposed algorithms. Technically our root-finding boils down to computations with structured matrices, polynomials and partial fraction decompositions. Our study of these links can be of independent interest; e.g., as by-product we express the inverse of a Sylvester matrix via its last column, thus extending the celebrated result of Gohberg and Sementsul (1972) [22] from Toeplitz to Sylvester matrix inverses.
Evolution of amoxicillin/clavulanate in the treatment of adults with acute bacterial rhinosinusitis and community-acquired pneumonia in response to antimicrobial-resistance patterns

Current treatment guidelines for community-acquired respiratory tract infections no longer depend solely on the characteristics of the patient and the clinical syndrome, but on those of the offending pathogen, including presence and level of antimicrobial resistance. The most common respiratory tract pathogens known to cause acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS) and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) include Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance, especially b-lactum and macrolide resistance, among S pneumoniae and H influenzae has increased dramatically during the past 2 decades, diminishing the activity of many older antimicrobials against resistant organisms. A pharmacokinetically enhanced formulation of amoxicillin/clavulanate has been developed to fulfill the need for an oral b-lactam antimicrobial that achieves a greater time that the serum drug concentration exceeds the minimum inhibitory concentration (T > MIC) of antimicrobials against pathogens than conventional formulations to improve activity against S pneumoniae with reduced susceptibility to penicillin. The b-lactamase inhibitor clavulanate allows for coverage of b-lactamase-producing pathogens, such as H influenzae and M catarrhalis. This article reviews the rationale for, and evolution of, oral amoxicillin clavulanate for ABRS and CAP
The etiology and pathogenesis of ovine pulmonary carcinoma (sheep pulmonary adenomatosis).

Ovine pulmonary carcinoma (OPC, sheep pulmonary adenomatosis, jaagsiekte) occurs naturally as a contagious bronchioloalveolar carcinoma of sheep in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. The disease is endemic and economically important in Peru and apparently more common than previously suspected in the U.S.A. The tumor is a result of transformation of type II alveolar epithelial cells or non-ciliated bronchiolar cells of the lung. Clinically affected sheep develop dyspnea, tachypnea and often a watery nasal discharge that originates from tumor secretions. The course is progressive and death usually occurs within a few weeks. To study the viral etiology and pathogenesis of OPC in the U.S.A., the disease was experimentally transmitted to neonatal or young lambs with a success rate of 69%. Ovine lentivirus (OvLV), present in the inocula, was concurrently transmitted and induced lymphoid interstitial pneumonia in most animals. While morphological, immunological and other studies implicate a type D or type B retrovirus as the etiologic agent of OPC, this virus has not yet been cultured and the role of ovine lentivirus in the disease remains unknown.
Hemodialysis-associated methemoglobinemia in acute renal failure.

Patients on maintenance hemodialysis are vulnerable to chloramine toxicity if chloramines are inadequately removed. We report two critically ill patients with acute renal failure who developed methemoglobinemia during hemodialysis in the intensive care unit. During the same period, methemoglobin levels measured from 30 patients in the outpatient dialysis facility were undetectable. Methemoglobin levels normalized when the carbon filtration system of the portable dialysis machine was replaced with a larger unit to remove chloramines more effectively. Causes, treatment, and prevention of chloramine toxicity in patients receiving dialysis in the intensive care unit are discussed.
Side by Side Treadmill Walking With Intentionally Desynchronized Gait

Humans demonstrate an innate desire to synchronize stepping when walking side by side. This behavior requires modification of each person’s gait, which may increase for pairings with very different walking patterns. The purpose of this study was to compare locomotor behavior for conditions in which partners exhibited similar and substantially different walking patterns. Twenty-six unimpaired subjects walked on a motorized treadmill at their preferred walking speed for three trials: by themselves (SOLO), next to someone on an adjacent treadmill (PAIRED), and next to someone who purposely avoided synchronization by altering stride times and/or lengths (DeSYNC). Means, coefficients of variance, approximate entropy (ApEn), rate of autocorrelation decay (α), and estimates of maximal Lyapunov exponents (λ*) were calculated for several dependent variables taken from sagittal plane kinematic data. Few differences in behavior were noted when the PAIRED condition was compared to the SOLO condition. However, the DeSYNC condition resulted in several alterations in ApEn, α, and λ*. These results suggest that greater differences in walking pattern between partners will facilitate greater modification to an individual’s gait. Additional study of side by side walking may hold implications for understanding the control of gait in humans and may have application in a clinical setting.
Brain Energy Metabolism During Experimental Neonatal Seizures

During flurothyl seizures in 4-day-old rats, cortical concentration of ATP, phosphocreatine and glucose fell while lactate rose. Cortical energy use rate more than doubled, while glycolytic rate increased fivefold. Calculation of the cerebral metabolic balance during sustained seizures suggests that energy balance could be maintained in hyperglycemic animals, and would decline slowly in normoglycemia, but would be compromised by concurrent hypoglycemia, hyperthermia or hypoxia. These results suggest that the metabolic challenge imposed on the brain by this model of experimental neonatal seizures is milder than that seen at older ages, but can become critical when associated with other types of metabolic stress.
Eine einfache Methode zur genauen, fortlaufenden Zeitmarkierung in Kinoaufnahmen, besonders zur Analyse normaler und pathologischer Bewegungsformen

Es wird eine Methode zur fortlaufenden Zeitmarkierung in Kinofilmaufnahmen beschrieben. Die Methodik gestattet eine genaue (relative) Zeitbestimmung in jedem einzelnen Filmbilde uber die ganze Laufstrecke des Apparates, wo auch das Versuchsobjekt (Mensch oder Tier) sich an derselben befindet, unabhangig von der Fortbewegung des Versuchsobjektes. Neben der zeitlichen ist auch die raumliche Analyse der aufgenommenen Bewegung sofort erhaltlich.
Effect of an electric field on autoionising states of H

The effect of an electric field on some resonant states in the H- ion below the n=2 threshold of H is studied using the stabilisation method and compared with recent experimental observations.
Evaluation of a polyethylene-candelilla coating for 'Valencia' oranges

Abstract An experimental polyethylene–candelilla-wax coating formulation was evaluated in comparison to a high-gloss, shellac and wood resin citrus coating for storage of ‘Valencia’ oranges at 15–25°C. Oranges with the wax coating had relatively high flavor scores (8.9–10.4) even after 9–16 days storage at 15–25°C. By contrast, the high-gloss coating, shown to be typical of such citrus coatings, resulted in flavor scores as low as 3.7–4.1 after 9–16 days at 25°C or 16 days at 21°C. Flavor was especially low for fruit with internal O2
Clostridium difficile colitis associated with treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori infection of the stomach is being detected and treated more often now than ever before. This is likely to result in an increase in complications such as antibiotic-associated diarrhea. However, there is no literature on the incidence of such diarrhea, particularly Clostridium difficile colitis, in patients treated for Helicobacter pylori infection. We report the case of a patient who developed Clostridium difficile colitis after treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection with metronidazole, amoxicillin, H2 blockers, and bismuth subsalicylate. This patient presented with severe diarrhea that responded to a course of metronidazole with rapid disappearance of symptoms. The incidence of Clostridium difficile colitis in patients treated for Helicobacter pylori infection has not been studied. This unique association, although not unexpected, has not yet been reported in the literature. The increasing number of patients being diagnosed and treated for this infection requires a heightened awareness on the part of physicians, to assure early diagnosis and treatment of this treatable, yet potentially dangerous, complication.
Spinal height change in response to sustained and repetitive prone lumbar extension after a period of spinal unloading.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate if differences in spinal height changes in healthy individuals were observed after a period of spinal unloading using repetitive as compared with sustained lumbar extension exercises. Methods This study used a pretest, posttest, crossover design. Asymptomatic participants were recruited using convenience sampling. Thirty-two participants (15 male; 17 female) without back pain were included in the data analysis (mean, 24.4 years; range, 20-41 years). Participants performed sustained or repetitive prone lumbar extension exercises after 1 hour of sustained spinal unloading. Spinal height was measured using a stadiometer before and after the repetitive and sustained prone lumbar extension exercises. Results Paired t tests revealed no significant difference in spine height after repetitive ( P = .774) or sustained ( P = .545) prone lumbar extension after a period of spinal unloading. No significant difference between spinal height changes occurred between sustained (mean [SD], − 0.28 [2.59] mm) and repetitive (mean [SD], − 0.12 [2.42] mm) lumbar extension ( P = .756). Conclusion In this group of asymptomatic individuals, sustained and repetitive lumbar extension exercises did not appear to affect spinal height after a period of spinal unloading.
Topological classification of flow separation on three-dimensional bodies

In the study of three-dimensional, separated flows, a topological approach to separation and a phenomenological approach have been considered. The topological approach is based on ideas of Poincare (1928), while the phenomenological approach distinguishes between 'open' and 'closed' separation as posed by Wang (1974). In the present paper, the topological description provided by Legendre (1956, 1965, 1982) is considered, taking into account its utilization by Tobak and Peake (1979, 1982). An attempt is made to provide a more complete framework for the description of separated as well as attached flows. Nomenclature is introduced to describe the topology of the skin-friction-line portraits on a three-dimensional body. The topological ideas are illustrated by the use of hypothetical oil-flow experiments supplemented with actual flow-visualization data when possible.
Genetically differentiated races and speciation-with-gene-flow in the sunflower maggot, Strauzia longipennis

The ecological interactions parasitic insects have with their hosts may contribute to their prodigious diversity, which is unrivaled among animals. Many insects assumed to be polyphagous generalists have been shown to consist of several differentiated races, each occupying a different host-niche. The sunflower maggot fly, Strauzia longipennis, has long been thought to consist of two or more races due to its substantial intra-specific morphological variation. Here, we use nuclear and mitochondrial markers to test the hypothesis that S. longipennis is a complex of two or more partially reproductively isolated races. We collected S. longipennis flies as pupae from roots of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) and as adults swept from leaves of mature H. tuberosus across the breadth of a field season. Flies were scored for morphological variety (typica or vittigera), mitochondrial haplotype (A or B) and a panel of 176 AFLP loci. Bayesian clustering and neighbor-joining phylogenetic analyses of AFLP data supported the existence of at least three, possibly four, genetic races of Strauzia (clusters I, II, III, and V), as well as a small number of putative interracial hybrids (cluster IV). Clusters I and III each consisted of flies of both morphological varieties and both haplotype groups, while flies in cluster II were all of variety typica and all but one was of mitochondrial haplotype B. Flies in cluster II were also collected only as adults on H. tuberosus and not among flies reared from pupae collected from H. tuberosus roots, suggesting that they use a different plant as their larval host. Mean capture date was significantly different between flies of each genetic race, indicating that partial allochronic isolation may be one contemporary barrier to gene flow between races. Evidence that mitochondrial genomes and morphological traits have moved between lineages implies a model of speciation-with-gene-flow for S. longipennis races.
Interactive Effects of Student Temperament and Instruction Method on Classroom Behavior and Achievement.

This aptitude-treatment interaction study examined the effects of student temperament, instructional method (computer vs. teacher), and the interaction between the two on (a) observed off-task behavior, and (b) problem-solving performance. Student temperament was measured by teacher ratings on the Temperament Assessment Battery for Children. Control variables included age, gender, socioeconomic status, and cognitive ability. The sample of 78 public school kindergarten students were randomly assigned to treatment groups. During a 3-week treatment period, five problem-solving tasks were introduced and subsequently practiced with either computers or manipulative materials. Multiple regression analyses showed that children with low Task Orientation (high distractibility, high activity, and low persistence) exhibited significantly more off-task behavior in both groups (p < .0005). Further, a significant interaction effect was found between temperament and instructional method: Students with highest Task Orientation exhibited almost no off-task behaviors with either method, whereas students with lowest Task Orientation showed significantly more off-task behavior with teacher-directed instruction than with computer-directed instruction (p < .05).