cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonmonotonic reasoning in the framework of situation calculus

Abstract Most of the solutions proposed to the Yale shooting problem have either introduced new nonmonotonic reasoning methods (generally involving temporal priorities) or completely reformulated the domain axioms to represent causality explicitly. This paper presents a new solution based on the idea that since the abnormality predicate takes a situational argument, it is important for the meanings of the situations to be held constant across the various models being compared. This is accomplished by a simple change in circumscription policy: when Ab is circumscribed, Result (rather than Holds ) is allowed to vary. In addition, we need an axiom ensuring that every consistent situation is included in the domain of discourse. Ordinary circumscription will then produce the intuitively correct answer. Beyond its conceptual simplicity, the solution proposed here has additional advantages over the previous approaches. Unlike the approach that uses temporal priorities, it can support reasoning backward in time as well as forward. And unlike the causal approach, it can handle ramifications in a natural manner.
Bunyan through the centuries: Some reflections

(1983). Bunyan through the centuries: Some reflections. English Studies: Vol. 64, No. 2, pp. 113-121.
Estimation of Occluded Lower Limb Using Inverted Pendulum Model

For many interactive vision based systems, users are captured by the system and modeled as a simplified skeleton. The skeleton model usually encounter problems of occlusion because of obstacles or other users appearing in the environment. In this paper, we proposed a method based on an inverted pendulum model (IPM), which was applied to recover the occluded leg of skeleton model. The skeleton model was provided by Vicon motion measurement system, which captured the participant's motions. One leg of the skeleton model was removed intentionally and the proposed method was used to estimate the pose of the occluded leg in real-time. The results showed that most of the positioning errors were within 10 cm on average and the processing rate exceeded 100 fps.
An efficient algorithm for matching protein binding sites for protein function prediction

Comparing the binding sites of proteins is effective for predicting protein functions based on their structure information. However, it is still very challenging to predict the binding ligands from the atomic structures of protein binding sites. In this study, we designed a new algorithm based on the iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm. Our algorithm aims to find the maximum number of atoms that can be superposed between two protein binding sites, where any pair of matched superposed atoms has a distance smaller than a given threshold. The search starts from similar tetrahedra between two binding sites obtained from 3D Delaunay triangulation and uses the Hungarian algorithm to find additional matched atoms. We show that our method finds more matched atoms than a leading method. For benchmark data, we use the Tanimoto Index as a similarity measure and the nearest neighbor classifier to achieve a classification performance comparable to the best methods in the literature among those that provide both the common atom set and atom correspondences.
Culture and Domestic Violence Transforming Knowledge Development

Cultural competence continues to receive limited attention in domestic violence service provision from research to the evaluation of programs. Yet with changing demographics reflecting larger numbers of people of color and increasing needs for more effective responses, it is critical that we change the way we think about domestic violence. Using a feminist framework, this article examines how knowledge has been developed in domestic violence and its consequence related to service provision and perceptions. The article ends with recommendations as to how to better include culturally competent responses in domestic violence.
The function of a ribosomal frameshifting signal from human immunodeficiency virus‐1 in Escherichia coli

Summary A 15-17 nucleotide sequence from the gag-pol ribosome frameshift site of HIV-1 directs analogous ribosomal frameshifting in Escherichia coli. Limitation for leucine, which is encoded precisely at the frameshift site, dramatically increased the frequency of leftward frameshifting. Limitation for phenylaianine or arginine, which are encoded just before and just after the frameshift, did not significantly affect frameshifting. Protein sequence analysis demonstrated the occurrence of two closeiy related frameshift mechanisms. In the first, ribosomes appear to bind leucyl-tRNA at the frameshift site and then slip leftward. This is the 'simultaneous slippage’mechanism. In the second, ribosomes appear to slip before binding amlnoacyl-tRNA, and then bind phenylaianyl-tRNA, which is encoded in the left-shifted reading frame. This mechanism is identicai to the‘overlapping reading’we have demonstrated at other bacterial frameshift sites. The HIV-1 sequence is prone to frame-shifting by both mechanisms in E. coli.
Direct search for relic particles

Abstract One of the most important issues in fundamental physics is identifying the major component of the dark matter of the universe. Thus there has been a rapid expansion in techniques to pursue this goal, with about 27 experiments in various stages to look for dark matter particles by detecting the cold dark matter particle directly. While axion experiments, now producing useful limits, seek a unique signature, experiments to find WIMPs seek nuclear recoils via semiconductors, scintillators, a variety of cryogenic techniques, superheated droplets, and some visual means. Some of these experiments will be utilized here to illustrate features relevant to the search and give some idea of the progress and prospects of this vital task.
An Example of Interaction Between Finite-Amplitude Gravity Waves

Abstract An incompressible, stratified, hydrostatic, inviscid fluid model is used to demonstrate non-linear effects in the interaction of finite amplitude gravity waves. A statically stable density stratification is approximated by the superposition of ten homogeneous fluid layers with a very deep layer on top. Computations are made using a two-step Lax-Wendroff finite difference system. The solutions reveal intrawave distortions comparable to those predicted by analytical studies of one- and two-layer fluid models. During the interaction of two waves, the solutions show overall changes in wave speed which are of the same magnitude as the variations in wave speed that cause the intrawave distortions. These changes are related differently to the horizontal fluid velocities in the waves.
Elucidation of final steps of the marineosins biosynthetic pathway through identification and characterization of the corresponding gene cluster.

The marine Streptomyces sp. CNQ-617 produces two diastereomers, marineosins A and B. These are structurally related to alkyl prodiginines, but with a more complex cyclization and an unusual spiroaminal skeleton. We report the identification of the mar biosynthetic gene cluster and demonstrate production of marineosins through heterologous expression in a S. venezuelae host named JND2. The mar cluster shares the same gene organization and has high homology to the genes of the red cluster (which directs the biosynthesis of undecylprodiginine) but contains an additional gene, named marA. Replacement of marA in the JND2 strain leads to the accumulation of premarineosin, which is identical to marineosin with the exception that the middle pyrrole (Ring B) has not been reduced. The final step of the marineosin pathway is thus a MarA catalyzed reduction of this ring. Replacement of marG (a homologue of redG that directs undecylprodiginine cyclization to give streptorubin B) in the JND2 strain leads to the loss of...
Quantum mechanical and electrodynamical effects on charge carriers in KCD imaging detectors

ABSTRACT A theoretical and an experimental study in the area of electronic medical imaging devices operating through Kinestatic Charge Detection (KCD) principles is in progress, aimed at a better understanding of both the macroscopic electric potentials and the charge transfer (exchange) reactions. It will be demonstrated that long range attractive dipole moment forces associated withlow ionization potential polar molecules in an inert gas detective medium offer superior imaging performance over the non-polar counterparts with zero electric dipole. The dopant works by introducing a drastic reduction of the ion mobility dispersion. The goal of this study is to implementand develop high resolution imaging detectors with applications in medical detector technology. 1. INTRODUCTIONThe design of medical imaging detectors has traditionally required high spatial and temporal resolution, enhanced contrast resolution, high detective quantum efficiency (DQE), high signal-to- noise ratio, and sufficient sampling. Based on previous and concurrent studies, it has beendemonstrated that high-pressure gas detectors offer the advantage of a high quantum detectionefficiency together with an efficient conversion into charge carriers [1]. In fact, recent studies
Unidimensional Item Response Theory Models

In Chap. 3, the point will be made that multidimensional item response theory (MIRT) is an outgrowth of both factor analysis and unidimensional item response theory (UIRT). Although this is clearly true, the way that MIRT analysis results are interpreted is much more akin to UIRT. This chapter provides a brief introduction to UIRT with a special emphasis on the components that will be generalized when MIRT models are presented in Chap. 4. This chapter is not a thorough description of UIRT models and their applications. Other texts such as Lord (1980), Hambleton and Swaminathan (1985), Hulin et al. (1983), Fischer and Molenaar (1995), and van der Linden and Hambleton (1997) should be consulted for a more thorough development of UIRT models.
Bridging the City-Suburb Divide: States and the Politics of Regional Cooperation

This article explores the politics of regional cooperation in Houston and in Los Angeles, focusing in particular on the role of the state in facilitating or inhibiting metropolitan-wide approaches to urban problems. In both California and Texas, the state can play a significant role in facilitating regional cooperation. However, important limits exist on the extent to which this happens. While generous annexation rules have facilitated regionalism in Houston, these rules are themselves only as strong as the political consensus to use and maintain them. Similarly, regional agencies in Los Angeles have been reluctant to fully utilize their powers in the face of strong political opposition from local governments. Finally, in both Houston and Los Angeles regionalism is more often defined in terms of systems maintenance functions rather than lifestyle functions. The use of state-level rules to promote regionalism may suffer from the same political liabilities as earlier attempts to form regional governments.
Evaluation of ecologically relevant bioassays for a lotic system impacted by a coal-mine effluent, using Isonychia.

Many studies investigating the ecotoxicological impacts of industrial effluents on freshwater biota utilize standardized test species suchas the daphnids, Ceriodaphnia dubia, Daphnia magna, and the fathead minnow,Pimephales promelas. Such species may not be the most predictive or ecologically relevant gauges of the responses of instream benthic macroinvertebrates to certain stressors, such as total dissolved solids. An indigenous species approach should be adopted, using a sensitive benthic collector-filterer following development of practical laboratory bioassays. In the Leading Creek Watershed (southeast Ohio), an aggregated ∼ 99% reduction in mean mayfly abundance for all impacted sites was observed below a coal-mine effluent with mean specific conductivity (SC) of 8,109 (7,750–8,750) μS cm-1. The mayfly, Isonychia, was exposed for 7-days to a simulation of this effluent, in lotic microcosms. Based on lowest observable adverse effect concentrations, Isonychia survival was a more sensitiveendpoint to SC (1,562 μS cm-1) than were 7-day C. dubia survival and fecundity (3,730 μS cm-1). Isonychia molting, a potentially more sensitive endpoint, was also examined. Using traditional test species to assess discharges to surface water alone may not adequately protect benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in systems impaired by discharges high in SC.
Perceptual Feature Selection for Semantic Image Classification

Content-based image retrieval has become an indispensable tool for managing the rapidly growing collections of digital images. The goal is to organize the contents semantically, according to meaningful categories. In recent papers we introduced a new approach for semantic image classification that relies on the adaptive perceptual color-texture segmentation algorithm proposed by Chen et al. This algorithm combines knowledge of human perception and signal characteristics to segment natural scenes into perceptually uniform regions. The resulting segments can be classified into semantic categories using region-wide features as medium level descriptors. Such descriptors are the key to bridging the gap between low-level image primitives and high-level image semantics. The segment classification is based on linear discriminant analysis techniques. In this paper, we examine the classification performance (precision and recall rates) when different sets of region-wide features are used. These include different color composition features, spatial texture, and segment location. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed techniques on a database that includes 9000 segments from approximately 2500 photographs of natural scenes.
Treatment options for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth

Abstract The best therapeutic approach for patients with small bowel bacterial overgrowth is a combination of the removal of all predisposing conditions and the administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics. In the case of non-modifiable predisposing factors, patients with bacterial overgrowth need a strict follow-up after successful decontamination with antibiotics, in order to promptly assess and treat disease recurrence. Up to now, the choice of antibiotics has been primarily empiric because of the presence of several different bacterial species in the contaminating flora and the impossibility of applying in vitro susceptibility tests. Several systemic and non-absorbable antibiotic agents have been shown to be effective for decontamination of small bowel bacterial overgrowth. The best antibiotic scheme in terms of drug, dosage and duration of therapy remains, however, to be assessed. The non-absorbable agents seem to be associated with better safety and tolerability than systemic drugs. In the present paper, all available therapeutic approaches to small bowel bacterial overgrowth are reviewed.
Evidence for N-formyl chemotactic peptide-stimulated GTPase activity in human neutrophil homogenates

Abstract Neutropil homogenates contained a high affinity guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) that was stimulatable (+ 27%) by the addition of 100 nM N-formyl chemotactic peptide (CHO-pep), but not by 1 μg·ml−1 phorbolmyristate acetate (PMA). Kinetic analysis of the stimulation demonstrated an apparent lagtime of 14.3 ± 6.9 s between the addition of CHO-pep and the optimal GTPase stimulation. The GTPase activity (but not CHO-pep-stimulated GTPase activity) was preserved in a highly purified plasma membrane fraction of the homogenate. From these observations we suggest that both a high affinity guanine nucleotide binding protein and GTPase are closely associated with the plasma membrane CHO-pep receptor. The possibility that GTPase activity may influence guanine nucleotide regulation of adenylate cyclase during CHO-pep stimulation of neutrophils is discussed.
John Lewis's “serious revolution”: Rhetoric, resistance, and revision at the march on Washington

In American memory, the March on Washington is the high‐water mark of the civil rights movement. Martin Luther King Jr. ‘s “I Have a Dream” oration is so central to the memory of the March that it has obscured the speeches by other civil rights activists‐including John Lewis. Lewis's prepared speech was militant, and March organizers pressured him to revise it. Inquiry into Lewis's speech and the surrounding controversy permits the recovery of what Lewis actually said—which has not been published—and reveals a synecdochic struggle over the rhetoric of the civil rights movement and what was sayable in public on August 28, 1963.
A reduced Hessian method for constrained optimization

Reduced Hessian methods have been shown to be successful for equality constrained problems. However there are few results on reduced Hessian methods for general constrained problems. In this paper we propose a method for general constrained problems, based on Byrd and Schnabel's basis-independent algorithm. It can be regarded as a smooth extension of the standard reduced Hessian Method.
Anterolateral Mini-incision Total Hip Arthroplasty

There have been substantial innovations in the methods of surgical exposure for primary and revision total hip arthroplasty. This report will detail the methods of one of the minimally invasive techniques available to the modern orthopaedic surgeon. This anterolateral method, which builds on modifications of previously performed anterolateral exposures, gives outstanding femoral and acetabular exposure thru a small skin incision and is a straightforward method that can be used on virtually any patient.
Removal of an airborne low volatility metal under fuel-rich and fuel lean conditions through condensation onto soot and/or sorbent particles

The removal by a sorbent of a low volatility heavy metal, barium, from a combustor exhaust stream was investigated experimentally. The barium was introduced into the gas phase through a combustion process simulating incineration of waste materials. Sorbent- and metal-feed-rate, temperature and air intake were varied to study the impact on the gas-to-particle conversion and the metal condensation process. Peak temperature and subsequent temperature drop were found to be the dominant factors affecting the condensation process. Fuel-rich and fuel-lean conditions result in lower peak temperatures and a more rapid temperature drop relative to stoichiometric conditions. Since the metal vapor saturation pressure falls exponentially with temperature a larger condensation rate was observed, as long as nucleation was suppressed. Fuel-rich conditions promote the formation of soot particles. These particles function as sites for subsequent metal-species condensation. Chlorine was injected into the flow, to study the effect on metal vaporization. Chlorine promoted the volatilization of barium and therefore the subsequent condensation capture was made more effective.
Molecular Interfacial Reactions between Pu(VI) and Manganese Oxide Minerals Manganite and Hausmannite

The sorption of Pu(VI) onto manganite (MnOOH) and hausmannite (Mn3O4) was studied as a function of time, solution pH, and initial plutonium concentration. Kinetic experiments indicate that the surface complexation of plutonium occurs over the first 24 h of contact with the mineral surface. The sorption increases with pH beginning at pH 3 until it reaches a maximum value of 100% at pH 8 (0.0011−0.84 μmol of Pu/m2 of manganite and 0.98−1.2 μmol of Pu/m2 of hausmannite) and then decreases over the pH range from 8 to 10. The ratio of solid to solution was 10 mg/mL for manganite experiments and 4 mg/mL for hausmannite samples. Carbonate was not excluded from the experiments. The amount of plutonium removed from the solution by the minerals is determined by a combination of factors including the plutonium solution species, the surface charge of the mineral, and the mineral surface area. X-ray absorption fine structure taken at the Pu LIII edge were compared to plutonium standard spectra and showed that Pu(VI) w...
An evaluation of an enzyme denture cleanser.

Abstract The results of this study indicate that the incorporation of enzymes in a denture cleanser enhances the effectiveness of the cleanser in removing plaque. In view of the potentially harmful effects of plaque accumulations on dentures, further research should be conducted to find the most appropriate enzymes to optimize plaque removal.
Determination of reduced glutathione in guinea pig and rat tissue by HPLC with electrochemical detection

Abstract A method using HPLC with electrochemical detection has been developed for the determination of GSH in tissue. The method is based upon the separation of GSH from other components by cation exchange chromatography coupled with the electrochemical oxidation of GSH to the corresponding disulfide. Detection limits of ca. 5 × 10−12 moles GSH were established and the method was used to measure GSH content of rat and guinea pig brain, liver and synaptosome preparations.
Asymptotic safety, asymptotic darkness, and the hoop conjecture in the extreme UV

Assuming the hoop conjecture in classical general relativity and quantum mechanics, any observer who attempts to perform a localized experiment in an arbitrarily small region will be stymied by the formation of a trapped surface within the spatial domain of the experiment. This thought experiment is frequently invoked in arguments for a fundamental minimum length in physics, which in turn is usually considered to be fairly independent of observer or experimental setup. We examine this conclusion in asymptotically safe gravity by modifying a proof of the hoop conjecture for spherically symmetric systems in general relativity to include higher curvature terms in the effective action as well as running couplings. We show that the modified proof fails, and so the argument for the mandatory formation of a trapped surface within the domain of an experiment also falls apart in this context. However, neither is there any contrary proof that local trapped surfaces do not form. Instead, in this approach whether or not an observer can perform local measurements in arbitrarily small regions depends on the specific numerical values of the couplings near the UV fixed point. In this sense, there is no longer any purely local version of the minimum length argument. However, when an experiment is localized to be much smaller than the Planck length we argue that at least one trapped surface must still form outside the experiment. This enshrouding horizon precludes any local information from reaching infinity and so there is still an effective minimum length for observers at infinity.
Comparing the impact of meteorological variability on surface ozone during the NEAQS (2002) and ICARTT (2004) field campaigns

[1] This paper investigates linkages between weather, climate, and air quality that contributed to the large difference in the number of ozone exceedances encountered in the northeastern United States (U.S.) during 2002 and 2004. Major air quality research field campaigns were conducted in the northeast during July and August of each year. Both the 2002 New England Air Quality Study (NEAQS-02) and the International Consortium for Atmospheric Research on Transport and Transformation 2004 field study (ICARTT-04) had research components focused on regional air quality. The primary environmental difference between the two field campaigns was the underlying climatic conditions. The July–August period in 2002 was much sunnier, warmer, and drier than normal. In contrast, the July–August period in 2004 was cloudier, cooler, and much wetter than normal. We conclude that these extreme climatic conditions were the underlying cause for the significant difference in the number of ozone exceedances that occurred during NEAQS-02 and ICARTT-04. We rule out the impact of other meteorological processes as the primary cause of this difference. We gauge horizontal transport using surface and upper air wind observations collected on Appledore Island (ADI), off the coast of New Hampshire and Maine, along with back trajectories based solely on wind observations collected by profiler networks deployed for each study. The wind conditions that favor pollutant transport to the northeast were more prevalent in 2004 than in 2002, yet the number of ozone exceedances in 2004 was more than a factor of three less than in 2002. Neither was daytime boundary layer mixing the cause for this discrepancy. Unlike other parts of the U.S. where poor air quality is generally associated with shallow boundary layers, in New England the boundary layers were deeper on high-ozone days than on clean days because the same sunny, warm, and dry conditions that favor boundary layer ozone production also produce deeper boundary layers. Both field campaigns were synoptically active. Lulls in synoptic activity explained most of the high-ozone events observed in 2002, whereas even an extended lull in synoptic activity during the summer of 2004 did not produce a single high-ozone day.
Isomerization of hono in solid nitrogen by selective vibrational excitation

Abstract The cis—trans photoisomerization rates of HONO in solid nitrogen after single-photon excitation into two different vibrational modes of each isomer were measured. The rates are inconsistent with RRKM predictions and raise the possibility of mode-selective reactions in matrices. The barrier to HONO isomerization is estimated to be 3250 ± 100 cm −1 above the zero-point energy of trans-HONO.
Cytological Studies in the Iridaceae

Chromosome counts and descriptions are given for some species of the genera Babiana, Geissorhiza and Romulea in the fridaceae. On the basi of three species of Babiana reported here and elsewhere, the basic number for the genus may be tentatively set at 6 or 7. From five species of Romulea so far reported, the basic number of the genus may be set at 9. A possible triploid species is reported. One species in the genus Geissorhiza reported here has a basic number of 13. Many other species of these genera and others in the Iridaceac remain to be investigated cytologically.
Near-surface compositional changes in Ni-Pd alloys during elevated-temperature sputtering

Abstract Changes in surface and subsurface compositions of a Ni-25at%Pd alloy undergoing sputtering at temperatures between 200 and 700° C were investigated using ion scattering spectroscopy. Upon heating the alloy prior to sputtering, Pd atoms segregated to the surface. The entropy and enthalpy of segregation were determined to be −1.64 k B and −0.245 eV, respectively. The time evolution of the surface composition during 3 keV Ne + sputtering and corresponding steady-state compositional profiles were measured at different temperatures. The steady-state composition at the alloy surface during sputtering was found to be temperature dependent. By comparing theoretical modeling of the phenomenon with the experimental measurements, a sputter fraction of ∽ 30% was deduced for the second atom layer and useful information regarding the defect properties in Ni-Pd alloys was obtained.
Pancreatic cancer stem cell biology and its therapeutic implications

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most difficult malignancies to treat. Significant developments in our understanding of pancreatic cancer biology have occurred over the past decade. One of the key advances has been the formulation of the cancer stem cell model of tumor growth and subsequent experimental proof of pancreatic cancer stem cell existence. Cancer stem cells contribute to pancreatic tumor growth and progression and are at least partially responsible for the relative resistance of the tumor to systemic chemotherapy and radiation. Significant questions remain about how the mutational profile of the tumor, the tumor microenvironment, and normal pancreatic developmental pathways contribute to pancreatic cancer stem cell biology. Answers to these questions will likely yield new therapeutic approaches for this deadly disease.
Stratospheric ozone depletion due to nitrous oxide: influences of other gases

The effects of anthropogenic emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and the halocarbons on stratospheric ozone (O3) over the twentieth and twenty-first centuries are isolated using a chemical model of the stratosphere. The future evolution of ozone will depend on each of these gases, with N2O and CO2 probably playing the dominant roles as halocarbons return towards pre-industrial levels. There are nonlinear interactions between these gases that preclude unambiguously separating their effect on ozone. For example, the CH4 increase during the twentieth century reduced the ozone losses owing to halocarbon increases, and the N2O chemical destruction of O3 is buffered by CO2 thermal effects in the middle stratosphere (by approx. 20% for the IPCC A1B/WMO A1 scenario over the time period 1900–2100). Nonetheless, N2O is expected to continue to be the largest anthropogenic emission of an O3-destroying compound in the foreseeable future. Reductions in anthropogenic N2O emissions provide a larger opportunity for reduction in future O3 depletion than any of the remaining uncontrolled halocarbon emissions. It is also shown that 1980 levels of O3 were affected by halocarbons, N2O, CO2 and CH4, and thus may not be a good choice of a benchmark of O3 recovery.
Effect of positions, eating, and bronchodilators on gastroesophageal reflux in asthmatics

Gastroesophageal reflux is common in asthmatics. To determine whether bronchodilators, the supine position, or eating affect gastroesophageal reflux, we performed ambulatory 24-hr pH monitoring on 44 controls and 104 unselected adult asthmatics. All asthmatics had discrete attacks of wheezing and documented reversible airway obstruction of at least 20%. The presence or absence of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms was not used as a criterion for patient selection. Chronic bronchodilator therapy was required by 71.2% of the asthmatics, and was continued during the test. Asthmatics had significantly worse GER than controls during the 3-hr postprandial period, which continued into the nonpostprandial period up to the next meal. Significant differences were present for esophageal mucosal acid contact time, frequency of reflux episodes, and clearance times. During the nonpostprandial periods asthmatics had four times the acid reflux as controls and 19-fold the frequency of prolonged reflux episodes. There were no differences between asthmatics on bronchodilators and those not on bronchodilators in any of the reflux parameters during the upright (postprandial, nonpostprandial) period or supine (sleep) period (P=NS). We conclude that: (1) regardless of the use of bronchodilator therapy, asthmatics have significant GER when asleep and after meals that continues beyond the postprandial period to the next meal; and (2) asthmatics receiving bronchodilators have similar gastroesophageal reflux patterns after eating, in the nonpostprandial period, and when asleep as asthmatics not receiving bronchodilators.
Weakly-Singular Integral Equations for Steady State Flow in Anisotropic Porous Media Containing Discontinuity Surfaces

In this paper, we present the development of the weakly-singular, weak-form fluid pressure and fluid flux integral equations for steady state Darcy’s flow in porous media. The integral equation for fluid flux is required for the treatment of flow in a domain which contains surfaces of discontinuities (e.g. cracks and impermeable surfaces), since the pressure integral equation contains insufficient information about the fluid flux on the surface of discontinuity. In this work, a systematic technique has been established to regularize the conventional fluid pressure and fluid flux integral equations in which the pressure equation contains a Cauchy singular kernel and the fluid flux equation contains both Cauchy and strongly-singular kernels. The key step in the regularization procedure is to construct a special decomposition for the fluid velocity fundamental solution and the strongly-singular kernel such that it is well-suited for performing an integration by parts via Stokes’ theorem. These decompositions involve weakly-singular kernels where their explicit form can be constructed, for general anisotropic permeability tensors, by the integral transform method. The resulting integral equations possess several features: they contain only weakly-singular kernels of order 1/r; their validity requires only that the pressure boundary data is continuous; and they are applicable for modeling fluid flow in porous media with a general anisotropic permeability tensor. A suitable combination of these weakly-singular, weak-form integral equations gives rise to a symmetric weak-form integral equation governing the boundary valued problem, thereby forming a basis for the weakly-singular, symmetric Galerkin boundary element method (SGBEM). As a consequence of that the integral equations are weakly-singular, the SGBEM allows standard C° elements to be employed everywhere in the discretization.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Modeling modulation of intracranial pressure by variation of cerebral venous resistance induced by ventilation.

To test, theoretically, the hypothesis that: (1) cyclic extravascular compressional modulation of the terminal venous bed occurs with positive pressure inhalation; and (2) the degree of modulation is diminished with increasing vascular dilation induced by increasing the level of the partial pressure of arterial blood carbon dioxide (PCO2), two modifications of Ursino's model of cerebrospinal fluid dynamics21,22 were made: (1) terminal venous bed resistance was synchronously modulated with the ventilation cycle; and (2) both the depth of modulation and cerebrovascular resistance were progressively reduced with increasing levels of PCO2. Recordings of intracranial pressure (ICP) and arterial blood pressure of piglets were obtained and correlated at different levels of hypercapnia. Simulated and experimental correlation values progressively increased monotonically as the level of PCO2 increased. Group (n=4) mean values of correlation (±standard deviation) were 0.54 (±0.17), 0.61 (±0.08), 0.79 (±0.06), 0.86 (±0.04), 0.87 (±0.05) for respective mean PCO2 levels (±standard deviation) of 32.9 (±1.75), 41.4 (±2.5), 55.9 (±4.0), 72.5 (±6.45), and 87.4 (±7.25) mmHg. These results support the stated premise that dilation of the cerebrovasculature reduces the influence of positive pressure ventilation on the ICP recording by increasing the venous pressure and thus diminishing the likelihood of vascular compression. © 2003 Biomedical Engineering Society. PAC2003: 8719Uv, 8710+e
CAMAC Extended Branch Serial Driver

The Extended Branch Serial Driver (EBSD) has been developed to provide a serial extension of the present CAMAC Multi-Crate Branch Highway System. This serial driver provides an interface to the NIM proposed CAMAC Multi-Crate Serial Highway System using an existing Branch Highway and Driver configuration. The EBSD can be operated in either a bit serial or a byte serial mode.
151Eu and 57Fe Mössbauer study of mechanically alloyed EuFeO3

Abstract EuFeO 3 was prepared by mechanical alloying starting from europium and iron oxides. After 20 h of milling the resulting compound is pure EuFeO 3 . Samples were studied as a function of milling period using XRD, Mossbauer, SEM, and magnetic measurements. Mossbauer spectroscopy was used to probe both the transition metal and the rare-earth sites. Results are compared with previous works on EuFeO 3 prepared by different methods.
Finite-size-scaling analysis of a simulation of the 4He superfluid transition.

Several finite-size scaling techniques are applied to path-integral simulations of the superfluid transition in three-dimensional (3D) $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ at low pressure. The twist free energy shows a linear increase with periodic cell length below the transition temperature, which it predicts as 2.19\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02 K. (The experimental value is 2.172 K.) Fitting the superfluid fraction to the scaled form L${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\rho}}}_{\mathit{s}}$(t,L)/\ensuremath{\rho}=Q(${\mathit{L}}^{1/\ensuremath{\nu}}$t), t=(T-${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$)/${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$, gives ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$=2.17\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05 K and the correlation-length exponent \ensuremath{\nu}=0.72\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1 (experimentally 0.67). The universal constant (${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Elzxh}}}^{2}$\ensuremath{\rho}/${\mathit{mkT}}_{\mathit{c}}$)Q(0)=0.50\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02 found here compares well with the value 0.49\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01 from recent 3D XY model simulations. Additional analyses that include corrections to scaling are found to yield values for ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ in agreement with the above estimates. A phenomenological renormalization analysis suggests the superfluid density exponent \ensuremath{\upsilon}=(1.0--1.3)\ensuremath{\nu}, consistent with the Josephson relation.
Fukushima, Flawed Epistemology, and Black-Swan Events

In response to the Fukushima, Chernobyl, and Three Mile Island core melts, nuclear proponents allege they were “black-swan events”—extremely unlikely, at the tail of probability distributions. They...
Ion Beam Induced Growth Structure of Fluorite Type Oxide Films for Biaxially Textured htsc Coated Conductors

Biaxially aligned film growth by dual-ion-beam sputtering methods were studied for fluorite type (Zr0.85Y0.15O1.93(YSZ), Hf0.74Yb0.26O1.87, CeO2), pyrochlore type (Zr2Sm2O7), and rare-earth C type (Y2O3, Sm2O3) oxides on polycrystalline Ni-based alloy substrates. Cubetextured (all axes aligned with a axis substrate normal) films were obtained for fluorite and pyrochlore ones by low energy (<300 eV) ion bombardment at low temperatures (< 300 °C). Besides, cube textured Y2O3 films were obtained in far narrower conditions with a quite low energy (150 eV)-ion bombardment at the temperature of 300 °C. The assisting ion energy dependence was discussed in connection with lattice energies for these oxide crystals.
Experimental Characterization of DNA/CNT Hybrid Structures with Atomic Force Microscope

Atomic force microscopy was used to characterize the dimensions and the mechanical properties of DNA/carbon nanotube hybrid structures formed by conjugating single-stranded DNAs with single-walled carbon nanotubes in an aqueous medium. On an average about 60% of the carbon nanotube was covered with DNA after conjugation. Nanoindentation data indicates that the radial Young's modulus of the hybrid structure is about 18 GPa, which is about three orders of magnitude higher than that of DNA and 2 times lower than that of a carbon nanotube. The present results represent the first quantitative information regarding the elastic properties of hybrid DNA/carbon nanotube structures.
Detecting group activities using rigidity of formation

Most work in human activity recognition is limited to relatively simple behaviors like sitting down, standing up or other dramatic posture changes. Very little has been achieved in detecting more complicated behaviors especially those characterized by the collective participation of several individuals. In this work we present a novel approach to recognizing the class of activities characterized by their rigidity in formation for example people parades, airplane flight formations or herds of animals. The central idea is to model the entire group as a collective rather than focusing on each individual separately. We model the formation as a 3D polygon with each corner representing a participating entity. Tracks from the entities are treated as tracks of feature points on the 3D polygon. Based on the rank of the track matrix we can determine if the 3D polygon under consideration behaves rigidly or undergoes non-rigid deformation. Our method is invariant to camera motion and does not require an a priori model or a training phase.
Statistical and numerical method for MOSFET integrated-circuit sensitivity simulation using SPICE

Circuit sensitivity analysis helps a circuit designer to determine which transistors in a circuit are most influential on its performance and how variations of the device and process parameters affect the circuit output responses. The paper presents a systematic approach for analysis of metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) integrated circuit DC performance as a function of channel length and width variations. The method, which involves an algorithm based on the Tellegen theorem and a database that contains statistical information on MOSFET process parameters, is implemented in the widely used SPICE2 circuit simulator. Sensitivity simulation of a MOSFET operational amplifier is included to illustrate the usefulness of the method.
The Impact of Health Warning Labels for Swedish Snus Advertisements on Young Adults' Snus Perceptions and Behavioral Intentions.

INTRODUCTION This study examined the impact of warning labels conveying the potential harms and addictiveness of Swedish snus and the potential-reduced harms of Swedish snus among young adult nonsmokers and smokers. METHODS A convenience sample of young adults aged 18-30 residing in the United States (n = 517, 56% male, 33% smokers) participated in an online experiment. Participants completed baseline measures and were randomized to 1 of 5 experimental conditions where they viewed a Swedish snus ad with warning labels that varied by condition: (1) Control-no warning; (2) Addiction-warning conveying the addictiveness of snus; (3) Harm-warning communicating the potential harms of snus; (4) Harm Reduction-warning conveying the potential-reduced harms of snus compared with cigarettes; (5) Harm Reduction Switch-warning communicating the potential-reduced harms of snus when switching completely from cigarettes to snus. Outcomes measured included perceived harms and addictiveness of snus, thoughts about not using snus, and intentions to use snus. RESULTS Participants in the Harm Reduction and Harm Reduction Switch conditions perceived snus to be less harmful than cigarettes compared with the Control, Addiction, and Harm conditions. Nonsmokers in the Harm Reduction condition reported fewer thoughts about not using snus than nonsmokers in the Harm condition. CONCLUSIONS Warnings conveying the potential-reduced harms of Swedish snus compared with cigarettes generate perceptions that snus is less harmful than cigarettes and produce fewer thoughts about not using snus among nonsmokers. Such perceptions have been associated with snus use in prior studies.
Comparative study of genetic programming vs. neural networks for the classification of buried objects

A comparative study of neural networks and genetic programming was conducted on six character classification problems. Based on the obtained results of the six problems, genetic programming showed better performance than neural networks in the various levels of problem difficulty. Genetic programming also showed robustness to untrained data, which caused difficulties for the neural networks. The optimization of the neural network structure was observed to be integral in obtaining both convergence and acceptable performance. A clear trend for structure optimization is not evident in the case of neural networks, and a global optimal solution may not be practical. On the other hand, because of the global searching nature of genetic programming, these problems with neural networks could be solved by using genetic programming.
The Effective Conductivity of a Regular Composite Medium

Abstract : The advantages of a Green's function method are exemplified by the analysis of steady potential flow through a homogeneous medium containing a regular array of subdomains where a different value of the conductivity prevails. It is shown, in particular, that the results previously obtained by Rayleigh for the square array of cylindrical obstacles with infinite conductivity are recovered in a more efficient manner; and that the method is suitable for handling either widely dispersed or closely packed arrays. (Author)
An efficient least-squares trilateration algorithm for mobile robot localization

A novel efficient trilateration algorithm is presented to estimate the position of a target object, such as a mobile robot, in a 2D or 3D space. The proposed algorithm is derived from a nonlinear least-squares formulation, and provides an optimal position estimate from a number (greater than or equal to the dimension of the environment) of reference points and corresponding distance measurements. Using standard linear algebra techniques, the proposed algorithm has low computational complexity and high operational robustness. Error analysis has been conducted through simulations on representative examples. The results show that the proposed algorithm has lower systematic error and uncertainty in position estimation when dealing with erroneous inputs, compared with representative closed-form methods.
Cell cycle-mediated regulation of hepatic regeneration.

Abstract Background. Hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH) is characterized by a synchronous induction of normally quiescent hepatocytes to reenter the cell cycle, leading to a complete restoration of hepatic mass. Cell cycle progression requires activation of cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) that are regulated by cyclins and Cdk inhibitors. Methods. Protein expression of the cyclins (D-type and E), Cdks (Cdk2 and 4), and Cdk inhibitors (p21 and p27) was measured by Western blot after SHAM operation or PH in F344 rats. In addition, Cdk2-associated kinase activity was measured. Results. Rapid induction of D-type and E cyclins, as well as their catalytic partners, Cdk2 and Cdk4, occurred after PH in rats. Complexes containing cyclin E and Cdk2 assembled in the regenerating liver, leading to increased Cdk2-associated kinase activity. The regenerating liver returned to preresection weight by day 7, at which time the Cdk2 activity also returned to SHAM levels. Biphasic induction of the Cdk inhibitor p21 was observed; the first peak occurred as early as 6 hours after PH, with a subsequent peak in expression occurring at 24 to 72 hours after PH. Conclusions. Taken together, these data support the concept that cyclins, Cdks, and Cdk inhibitors regulate cell cycle progression in the regenerating liver. In addition, the induction of p21 at two time points suggests that this protein may regulate both early proliferation and subsequent inhibition of hepatocyte regeneration.