cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chapter 18 Applying soft computing methods to improve the computational tractability of a subsurface simulation-optimization problem

Abstract Formal optimization strategies normally evaluate hundreds or even thousands of scenarios in the course of searching for the optimal solution to a given management question. This process is extremely time-consuming when numeric simulators of the subsurface are used to predict the efficacy of a scenario. One solution is to train artificial neural networks (ANNs) to stand in for the simulator during the course of searches directed by some optimization technique such as the genetic algorithm (GA) or simulated annealing (SA). The networks are trained from a representative sample of simulations, which forms a re-useable knowledge base of information for addressing many different management questions. These concepts were applied to a water flood project at BP's Pompano Field. The management problem was to locate the combination of 1-4 injection locations which would maximize Pompano's simple net profit over the next seven years. Using a standard industry reservoir simulator, a knowledge base of 550 simulations sampling different combinations of 25 potential injection locations was created. The knowledge base was first queried to answer questions concerning optimal scenarios for maximizing simple net profit over three and seven years. The answers indicated that a considerable increase in profits might be achieved by expanding from an approach to injection depending solely on converting existing producers to one involving the drilling of three to four new injectors, despite the increased capital expenses. Improved answers were obtained when the knowledge base was used as a source of examples for training and testing ANNs. ANNs were trained to predict peak injection volumes and volumes of produced oil and gas at three and seven years after the commencement of injection. The rapid estimates of these quantities provided by the ANNs were fed into net profit calculations, which in turn were used by a GA to evaluate the effectiveness of different well-field scenarios. The expanded space of solutions explored by the GA contained new scenarios which exceeded the net profits of the best scenarios found by simply querying the knowledge base. To evaluate the impact of prediction errors on the quality of solutions, the best scenarios obtained in searches where ANNs predicted oil and gas production were compared with the best scenarios found when the reservoir simulator itself generated those predictions during the course of search. Despite the several thousand CPU hours required to complete the simulator-based searches, the resulting best scenarios failed to match the best scenarios uncovered by the ANN-based searches. Lastly, results obtained from ANN-based searches directed by the GA were compared with ANN-based searches employing an SA algorithm. The best scenarios generated by both search techniques were virtually identical.
Mechanisms of fatigue-crack propagation in ductile and brittle solids

The mechanisms of fatigue-crack propagation are examined with particular emphasis on the similarities and differences between cyclic crack growth in ductile materials, such as metals, and corresponding behavior in brittle materials, such as intermetallics and ceramics. This is achieved by considering the process of fatigue-crack growth as a mutual competition between intrinsic mechanisms of crack advance ahead of the crack tip (e.g., alternating crack-tip blunting and resharpening), which promote crack growth, and extrinsic mechanisms of crack-tip shielding behind the tip (e.g., crack closure and bridging), which impede it. The widely differing nature of these mechanisms in ductile and brittle materials and their specific dependence upon the alternating and maximum driving forces (e.g., ΔK andK max) provide a useful distinction of the process of fatigue-crack propagation in different classes of materials; moreover, it provides a rationalization for the effect of such factors as load ratio and crack size. Finally, the differing susceptibility of ductile and brittle materials to cyclic degradation has broad implications for their potential structural application; this is briefly discussed with reference to lifetime prediction.
The changing impact of semiconductor technology on processor architecture

We stand on the brink of a fundamental discontinuity in silicon process-technology unlike anything most of us have seen. For almost two decades, a period of time spanning the entire education and careers of many engineers, we have been beneficiaries of a silicon process-technology which would let us build almost anything we could imagine. Now, all of that is about to change. For the past five years, capacitive loading of interconnect has grown to be a significant factor in logic speed, and has limited the scaling of integrated-circuit performance. To compound the problem, recently interconnect resistance has also started to limit circuit speed. These factors can render obsolete current designs and current thinking as interconnect-dominated designs and architectures will become increasingly irrelevant. Given these fundamental interconnect challenges, we must turn to architecture, logic design and programming solutions. The background on these dramatic changes in semiconductor technology will be discussed in the hopes that the solutions for the future may very well come from the attendees of HPCC 2007!
Maintaining the Balance of Power: A Typology of Primacy Clauses in Federal Systems

Constitutional design has become a novel and globalized legal profession. As such, practitioners in this new field—advisers and consultants of constitutional formation and reformation processes—require practical and comparative tools to ply their trade. This Note attempts to fill a gap in constitutional design literature and provide such a tool by methodically examining “primacy clauses.” By determining whether national or provincial law prevails when the two are in conflict, primacy clauses play an important role in maintaining federal balances of power. Three primacy approaches are found among the world’s federal constitutions: national primacy, provincial primacy, and conditional primacy. This Note explores example constitutions for each approach and discusses possible effects each approach may have on power balances. Preliminary examinations suggest that conditional primacy may be more sensitive to the underlying reasons for original divisions of power between government levels; therefore, the conditional approach may be worth further exploration as a more effective and flexible approach to primacy.
Excitation and Inhibition of Neuronal Firing in Visual Cortex by Reticular Stimulation

The frequency of action potentials of about one-third of the neurons sampled in the striate cortex of awake rabbits was clearly modified by mild stimulation of the reticular core of the brain stem. Reticular stimulation often brought about enhancement of firing in units activated by light, while it usually had the contrary effect upon light-inhibited units.
International ethics, community, and civic education

The liberal-communitarian debate is a dispute about, among other things, the metaethical grounding of morality. The liberal posits that moral principle is cosmopolitan in the sense that it is free from the dictates and constraints of particular traditions: moral principle transcends community and is therefore universally applicable. In contrast, communitarians posit an ethic of association. They maintain that morality emerges out of, and is thus grounded in, the web of human relationships which constitute communal life. This is an ethic based upon custom rather than universal principle. From the perspective of communitarianism, civic education is contingent upon the specific social and political organization of the society in which it is situated. This contingency is recognized early on in the Western tradition, for example, by Isocrates and Aristotle who maintain that citizenship and civic education are expressions of the constitution (politeia) of the society. The politeia is not the formal juridical structure of the legal system of a society per se but rather the basic structure of values and customs which define its broader world view. Since the emergence of the European nation-state system, civic education has been couched in terms of the imperatives of national politeia. Although an international system has existed for centuries, this system has been conceived as an anarchy, analogous to a Hobbesian state of nature. As a consequence, the imperatives and ideals of civic education have been defined within the framework of national values and customs.
Glomerular function in advanced human diabetic nephropathy

One to three decades may elapse between the onset of insulin-requiring diabetes mellitus and the development of end-stage renal failure due to diabetic nephropathy [1–3]. Abnormalities of glomerular function, undetectable by routine laboratory tests, are present from the onset. Initially, these include a 20 to 40% increase in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and a two-to three-fold elevation of the rate of urinary albumin excretion above normal [4–7]. With the passage of a decade or more, urinary albumin excretion increases to a level where conventional tests of proteinuria become positive (>100 µg/min). Hereafter, a gradual decline in the rate of glomerular ultrafiltration eventuates [8]. Not surprisingly, the ultrafiltration properties of the glomerular capillary wall are most impaired after many years of diabetic nephropathy have elapsed. Retrospective analyses of patients with diabetic nephropathy commencing dialysis therapy indicate that proteinuria of nephrotic proportions and azotemia are terminal manifestations, appearing 2 to 4 years before symptomatic end-stage renal failure necessitates dialysis therapy [9–10]. Accordingly, patients in whom diabetic nephropathy was accompanied either by the nephrotic syndrome or by azotemia were selected for a study of glomerular function. The clearance of graded probe molecules excreted solely by glomerular filtration was determined. The findings were subjected to previously described theoretical analyses of glomerular ultrafiltration [11] and of transcapillary solute exchange through an isoporous membrane [12] to elucidate those intrinsic properties of the glomerular capillary wall responsible for reduced water ultrafiltration and increased permeability to proteins, respectively.
Effect of closed classical orbits on quantum spectra: Ionization of atoms in a magnetic field.

Measurements of the absorption spectrum near the ionization threshold for an atom in a strong magnetic field showed that the spectrum is a superposition of many oscillatory terms (``quasi-Landau oscillations''). We have developed a quantitative theory which shows that each classical closed electron orbit which begins and ends near the nucleus contributes an oscillatory term to the average oscillator strength. The theory gives new understanding of the behavior under combined Coulomb and Lorentz forces, and it elucidates the roles of isolated closed orbits in chaotic systems. The first results of this theory are shown to be in good agreement with experimental results.
Effects of dilution on the extinction characteristics of strained lean premixed flames assisted by catalytic reaction

Abstract As a fundamental study relevant to micro-combustor application, the effects of mixture dilution on the lean extinction characteristics is studied for a stagnation-point flow system with a methane/air mixture over a platinum surface. For steady conditions, the level of flammability extension by surface reaction depends strongly on the mixture dilution, such that the benefit of catalyst-assisted lean combustion can be fully realized only with a diluted system. As for the effects of surface heat loss, while it lowers the overall flammability of the system, it was found that the level of flammability extension by surface reactions is rather insensitive to the surface thermal conditions. These observations are explained by consideration of characteristic time scales calculated from the fuel consumption rate. The extinction response to oscillatory strain rate also shows consistent behavior. Unsteady extinction behavior in response to equivalence ratio fluctuations showed an expected trend overall. It is also found that the benefit of flammability extension by catalytic reaction can become greater as the level of unsteadiness increases.
Characterization of metals released from coal fly ash during dredging at the Kingston ash recovery project

A storage-pond dike failure occurred on December 22, 2008 at the Tennessee Valley Authority Kingston Fossil Plant resulting in the release of over 4 million cubic meters (5 million cubic yards) of fly ash. Approximately half of the released ash was deposited in the main channel of the Emory River, Tennessee, USA. Remediation efforts of the Emory River focused on hydraulic dredging, as well as mechanical excavation in targeted areas. However, agitation of the submerged fly ash during hydraulic dredging introduces river water into the fly ash material, which could promote dissolution and desorption of metals from the solid fly ash material. Furthermore, aeration of the dredge slurry could alter the redox state of metals in the fly ash material and thereby change their sorption, mobility, and toxicity properties. The research presented here focuses on the concentrations and speciation of metals during the fly ash recovery from the Emory River. Our results indicate that arsenite [As(III)] released from the fly ash material during dredging was slowly oxidized to arsenate [As(V)] in the slurry recovery system with subsequent removal through precipitation or sorption reactions with suspended fly ash material. Concentrations of other dissolved metals, including iron and manganese, also generally decreased in the ash recovery system prior to water discharge back to the river.
The effects of sunflower l-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase inactivating factor on Rhodotorula glutinis l-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase

Abstract Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase inactivating factor (IF) prepared from chloroplasts isolated from sunflower leaves was utilized to study its inactivating effects on l -phenylalanine ammonia-lyase from Rhodotorula glutinis in vitro. The effects of inactivation by inactivating factor were compared with those caused by chemicals such as sodium borohydride and nitromethane. The sunflower inactivator acted as an enzyme and enzymatic inactivation caused irreversible loss of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase catalytic activity accompanied by shortening of the enzyme molecule. However, the capacity of IF-inactivated phenylalanine ammonia-lyase to bind to l -phenylalanine, the enzyme substrate, was maintained. These effects of the inactivating factor from sunflower leaves are quite different from those of inhibitors (reversible loss of catalytic activity) isolated from different sources by other workers. The results suggest that inactivation plays an important role in in vivo regulation of phenylpropanoid metabolism.
Dispersal between and colonization of apple by Metaseiulus occidentalis and Typhlodromus pyri (Acarina: Phytoseiidae).

Adult femaleMetaseiulus occidentalis Nesbitt immigrated faster and at higher rates than didTyphlodromus pyri Scheuten to mini-orchards of young apple trees at 0, 10 and 100 m downwind from four apple orchards in the Hood River Valley, Oregon. Colonization of mini-orchards also was faster byM. occidentalis. Rates of emigration were similar between species as measured by movement into trees placed within, but not in contact with source orchard trees. Dispersal and colonization may be influenced by intrinsic physiological and morphological attributes, food habits, and responses to prey and habitat requirements. Implications of dispersal and colonization by these mites to biological control and pesticide resistance management are discussed.
Être et parler: Being and speaking French in Abdellatif Kechiche's L'Esquive (2004) and Laurent Cantet's Entre les murs (2008)

AbstractFrench film-makers have long recognized the primordial importance to the nation's ‘imagined community’ of the centralized public school system, which, since the early days of the Third Republic, has been viewed as a bulwark of Republican values. In this essay, I discuss the ways in which two recent films, Abdellatif Kechiche's L'Esquive/The Dodge (2004) and Laurent Cantet's Entre les murs/The Class (2008), interrogate the role French schools play in shaping national identity. Both films focus on language as a marker of difference as well as a point of tension, performance and potential subversion, by exploring the respective contrast between the aggressive street French of the respective films' adolescent protagonists with the stultifying bureaucratic discourse of the inflexible educational system (in Entre les murs ) and Marivaux's elegant eighteenth century French (in L'Esquive ). Accorded significant media attention for their portrayal of the experiences of school-aged youth, both films have th...
Voronoi cell finite difference method for the diffusion operator on arbitrary unstructured grids

Voronoi cells and the notion of natural neighbours are used to develop a finite difference method for the diffusion operator on arbitrary unstructured grids. Natural neighbours are based on the Voronoi diagram, which partitions space into closest-point regions. The Sibson and the Laplace (non-Sibsonian) interpolants which are based on natural neighbours have shown promise within a Galerkin framework for the solution of partial differential equations. In this paper, we focus on the Laplace interpolant with a two-fold objective: first, to unify the previous developments related to the Laplace interpolant and to indicate its ties to some well-known numerical methods; and secondly to propose a Voronoi cell finite difference scheme for the diffusion operator on arbitrary unstructured grids. A conservation law in integral form is discretized on Voronoi cells to derive a finite difference scheme for the diffusion operator on irregular grids. The proposed scheme can also be viewed as a point collocation technique. A detailed study on consistency is conducted, and the satisfaction of the discrete maximum principle (stability) is established. Owing to symmetry of the Laplace weight, a symmetric positive-definite stiffness matrix is realized which permits the use of efficient linear solvers. On a regular (rectangular or hexagonal) grid, the difference scheme reduces to the classical finite difference method. Numerical examples for the Poisson equation with Dirichlet boundary conditions are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and convergence of the finite difference scheme. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Compression of gray-scale fingerprint images

The FBI has developed a specification for the compression of gray-scale fingerprint images to support paperless identification services within the criminal justice community. The algorithm is based on a scalar quantization of a discrete wavelet transform decomposition of the images, followed by zero run encoding and Huffman encoding.
Alkali metal-cationized serine clusters studied by sonic spray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Serine solutions containing salts of alkali metals yield magic number clusters of the type (Ser4+C)+, (Ser8+C)+, (Ser12+C)+, and (Ser17+2C)+2 (where C = Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, or Cs+), in relative abundances which are strongly dependent on the cation size. Strong selectivity for homochirality is involved in the formation of serine tetramers cationized by K+, Rb+, and Cs+. This is also the case for the octamers cationized by the smaller alkalis but there is a strong preference for heterochirality in the octamers cationized by the larger alkali cations. Tandem mass spectrometry shows that the octamers and dodecamers cationized by K+, Rb+, and Cs+ dissociate mainly by the loss of Ser4 units, suggesting that the neutral tetramers are the stable building blocks of the observed larger aggregates, (Ser8+C)+ and (Ser12+C)+. Remarkably, although the Ser4 units are formed with a strong preference for homochirality, they aggregate further regardless of their handedness and, therefore, with a preference for the nominally racemic 4D:4L structure and an overall strong heterochiral preference. The octamers cationized by K+, Rb+, or Cs+ therefore represent a new type of cluster ion that is homochiral in its internal subunits, which then assemble in a random fashion to form octamers. We tentatively interpret the homochirality of these tetramers as a consequence of assembly of the serine molecules around a central metal ion. The data provide additional evidence that the neutral serine octamer is homochiral and is readily cationized by smaller ions.
Optogenetic inhibition of synaptic release with chromophore-assisted light inactivation (CALI).

Optogenetic techniques provide effective ways of manipulating the functions of selected neurons with light. In the current study, we engineered an optogenetic technique that directly inhibits neurotransmitter release. We used a genetically encoded singlet oxygen generator, miniSOG, to conduct chromophore assisted light inactivation (CALI) of synaptic proteins. Fusions of miniSOG to VAMP2 and synaptophysin enabled disruption of presynaptic vesicular release upon illumination with blue light. In cultured neurons and hippocampal organotypic slices, synaptic release was reduced up to 100%. Such inhibition lasted >1 hr and had minimal effects on membrane electrical properties. When miniSOG-VAMP2 was expressed panneuronally in Caenorhabditis elegans, movement of the worms was reduced after illumination, and paralysis was often observed. The movement of the worms recovered overnight. We name this technique Inhibition of Synapses with CALI (InSynC). InSynC is a powerful way to silence genetically specified synapses with light in a spatially and temporally precise manner.
Neutron Polarization Measurements Using the Pulsed-Polarized Proton and Deuteron Beams at TUNL

Nanosecond wide pulses of polarized protons or deuterons at a repetition rate of 4 MHz are now routinely available for studying interactions involving outgoing neutrons. Up to 90 nA of protons and 200 nA of deuterons have been observed on target. Our first experiments involved the determination of the analyzing power Ay(?) for a few (p,n) and (d,n) reactions using conventional neutron time-of-flight detection. A major program for observing polarization effects in neutron elastic scattering has been initiated. The source of polarized neutrons for this program is the 2H(d,n) 3He reaction which yields a neutron beam having 90% of the polarization of the incident deuterons.
Preschool Temperament Assessment: A Quantitative Assessment of the Validity of Behavioral Style Questionnaire Data.

Research Findings: Child temperament is an important construct, but its measurement has been marked by a number of weaknesses that have diminished the frequency with which it is assessed in practice. We address this problem by presenting the results of a quantitative construct validation study. We calculated validity indices by hypothesizing the magnitude of relationships between Behavioral Style Questionnaire (BSQ) subscales and criterion measures assessing student–teacher relationships, student characteristics related to teaching stress, and peer play interactions. We tested these hypotheses against the actual correlations observed in a sample of 44 children 40 to 68 months of age. These analyses indicated strong support for 4 of the BSQ subscales (Activity, Rhythmicity, Approach, and Adaptability) and moderate support for 1 subscale (Mood). However, new item generation and testing is recommended for 3 subscales (Intensity, Persistence, and Threshold), along with further construct definition work for th...
Exploring the Capabilities of the New MPI_T Interface

The latest version of the MPI Standard, MPI 3.0, includes a new interface for tools, the MPI Tools Information Interface (MPI_T). In this paper, we focus on the new functionality and insights that users can gain from MPI_T. For this purpose, we present two new tools that are the first that exploit the new interface. Varlist allows users to query and document the MPI environment and Gyan provides profiling information using internal MPI performance variables. Together, these tools provide users with new capabilities in a highly portable way that previously required in-depth knowledge of individual MPI implementations, and demonstrate the advantages of MPI_T. In our case studies, we demonstrate how MPI_T enables both MPI library and application developers to study the impact of an MPI library's runtime settings and implementation specific behaviors on the performance of applications.
Moving Substrate in an Ephemeral Stream

A case study concerns a small bridge site in an arid area where ongoing inhibition of the transport of bed load sediment has caused chronic problems and maintenance issues for many years. The crossing of Guadalupe Arroyo by US-62-180 exhibits many unusual and important characteristics that are seldom seen in one place. Guadalupe Arroyo is an ephemeral stream in a very arid area. The stream originates high on the east slopes of the Guadalupe Mountains of Texas, where the watershed is subject to rainfall generated by orographic lift. The stream traverses several miles of arid land and ultimately disappears into a dry lake. It is subject to severe flash flooding because of the slope and orographic effects of the mountains, and it apparently transports large amounts of widely graded material (silt to boulder sized). A bridge across this stream was constructed for US-62-180 in 1959. Since that construction, the stream has exhibited symptoms of instability in the reach around the bridge, manifesting as chronic,...
Verbal memory functioning in adolescents and young adults with Costello syndrome: evidence for relative preservation in recognition memory.

Costello syndrome (CS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by germline mutations in the HRAS proto-oncogene which belongs to the family of syndromes called rasopathies. HRAS plays a key role in synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) and memory formation. Prior research has found impaired recall memory in CS despite enhancement in LTP that would predict memory preservation. Based on findings in other rasopathies, we hypothesized that the memory deficit in CS would be specific to recall, and that recognition memory would show relative preservation. Memory was tested using word-list learning and story memory tasks with both recall and recognition trials, a design that allowed us to examine these processes separately. Participants were 11 adolescents and young adults with molecularly confirmed CS, all of whom fell in the mild to moderate range of intellectual disability. Results indicated a clear dissociation between verbal recall, which was impaired (M = 69 ± 14), and recognition memory, which was relatively intact (M = 86 ± 14). Story recognition was highly correlated with listening comprehension (r = 0.986), which also fell in the low-average range (M = 80 ± 12.9). Performance on other measures of linguistic ability and academic skills was impaired. The findings suggest relatively preserved recognition memory that also provides some support for verbal comprehension. This is the first report of relatively normal performance in a cognitive domain in CS. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms by which altered RAS-MAPK signaling affects neuronal plasticity and memory processes in the brain. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electrode Kinetics of Organodisulfide Cathodes for Storage Batteries

The electrode kinetics of a diverse group of organodisulfide cathode materials have been systematically investigated. The electrochemical behavior of these redox couples was studied as a function of the organic moiety (R) in the organodisulfide compounds (RSSR). These studies were performed with a variety of working electrodes, including platinum, glassy carbon, graphite, stainless steel, aluminum, and copper. The possible reaction pathways and mechanisms have been hypothetically postulated, theoretically analyzed, and experimentally verified. Observations showed that while electron transfer rate constants varied with organic moiety, the mechanistic details of the redox path were invariant with the R groups of the organodisulfides studies.
Number of Children Wanted and Expected by American Physicians

Summary Seven hundred thirty-five male and 93 female physicians indicated the number of children they would like to have; 713 and 89 indicated the number they expected to have. These questionnaire responses were related to demographic, educational, and personality test data gathered while the physicians were in medical school. The strongest predictor of both number of children wanted and expected was the size of the physician's own family of origin. Specialists in obstetrics and gynecology wanted and expected more children than those in other specialties.
Correlation between roof and floor cumulates of the Kiglapait Intrusion, Labrador

A successful correlation between floor and roof rocks is needed to study the effects of cooling rates on the nucleation, solidification, and trace element content of cumulate igneous rocks. In felsic intrusions, the most obvious assumption to test is that the core compositions of plagioclase feldspar correlate, because the mineral is abundant and resistant to subsolidus exchange. A test of that assumption is provided by the modal abundance of apatite, which peaks near a plagioclase composition of An 38 in both floor and roof rocks of the Kiglapait Intrusion. The test is made adequately sensitive by dividing the measured mode of apatite by an independently estimated residual porosity, a procedure which helps correct for large amounts of trapped liquid that produced apatite in the roof rocks. The procedure is applicable to other intrusions and its success here suggests that failures of correlation found elsewhere deserve another look.
Quantitative ToF-SIMS studies of protein drug release from biodegradable polymer drug delivery membranes

Abstract Biodegradable polymers are of interest in developing strategies to control protein drug delivery. The protein that was used in this study is Keratinocyte Growth Factor (KGF) which is a protein involved in the re-epithelialization process. The protein is stabilized in the biodegradable polymer matrix during formulation and over the course of polymer degradation with the use of an ionic surfactant Aerosol-OT (AOT) which will encapsulate the protein in an aqueous environment. The release kinetics of the protein from the surface of these materials requires precise timing which is a crucial factor in the efficacy of this drug delivery system. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) was used in the same capacity to identify the molecular ion peak of the surfactant and polymer and use this to determine surface concentration. In the polymer matrix, the surfactant molecular ion peak was observed in the positive and negative mode at m / z 467 and 421, respectively. These peaks were determined to be [AOT + Na + ] and [AOT − Na + ]. These methods are used to identify the surfactant and protein from the polymer matrix and are used to measure the rate of surface accumulation. The second step was to compare this accumulation rate with the release rate of the protein into an aqueous solution during the degradation of the biodegradable film. This rate is compared to that from fluorescence spectroscopy measurements using the protein autofluorescence from that released into aqueous solution [C.M. Mahoney, J. Yu, A. Fahey, J.A.J. Gardella, SIMS depth profiling of polymer blends with protein based drugs, Appl. Surf. Sci. 252 (2006), 6609–6614.].
Electron microscopy of neurohypophysis in normal, adrenaline-treated and pilocarpine-treated rabbits

1. The fine structure of the neurohypophysis in normal, adrenaline-treated and pilocarpine-treated rabbits has been studied, using the electron microscope. The normal structure of the nerve terminal and pericapillary region is quite similar to that of the rat as described by Palay (1957) and Hartmann (1958). 2. Pituicytes are significantly different, however, and are classified into three types. The first one (Type A) is identical with the astrocyte of Farquhar and Hartmann (1957) and of Schultz, Maynard and Pease (1958). This type cell has a round or oval nucleus of low electron density and abundant watery cytoplasm with few formed elements. 3. The second type (Type B) is considered to be an atypical astrocyte. This type cell has a nucleus closely resembling that of Type A, but with abundant cytoplasm containing relatively numerous formed elements. The inverse relationship between relative numbers of Type A and Type B cells in a given gland suggests the possibility of one type being readily transformed into the other under normal conditions. The last type (Type C) has a dark, irregular nucleus and dense cytoplasm with many cell organelles. This cell is structurally identical with the microglia of Farquhar and Hartmann, and of Schultz, Maynard and Pease. A typical oligodendrocyte is not found. No secretory granules are present in pituicytes. The pituicytes are in contact with nerve fibers with a double membrane intervening, and sometimes enclose nerve fibers in invaginations of their cytoplasm. The cell bodies of the pituicytes are located in the parenchymatous region far from blood capillaries, and their processes, along with the nerve terminals, reach to the outer basement membrane of the pericapillary space. 4. During 1–2 hours after injection of adrenaline there was found to be a statistically significant increase in number and size of secretory granules, as well as structural changes of mitochondria in the nerve terminals, enlargement of the pericapillary space and endothelial alterations. These phenomena are considered to reflect a blocking of the release of secretory material after injection of adrenaline. 5. After injection of pilocarpine, a statistically significant decrease in number and size of neurosecretory granules, plus the appearance of many optically empty granules, structural changes of mitochondria and attenuation of the pericapillary space were observed. These phenomena are considered to be related to an acceleration of the release of secretory granules after injection of pilocarpine.
Tonkens on the Irrationality of the Suicidally Mentally Ill

Ryan Tonkens proposes that my Kantian approach to suicide intervention with respect to the mentally ill (2002) wrongly assumes that the suicidally mentally ill are rational and are therefore rational agents to whom Kantian moral constraints ought to apply. Here I indicate how the empirical evidence concerning the suicidally mentally ill does not support Tonkens' criticism that the suicidally mentally ill are irrational. In particular, that evidence does not support the conclusion that such individuals are systemically practically irrational so as to undermine the attribution of at least minimal rational autonomy to them. A Kantian moral framework, albeit one developed in a non-ideal direction, remains applicable to such individuals.
Viscoelastic relaxation in the membrane of the auditory outer hair cell

The outer hair cell (OHC) in the mammalian ear has a unique membrane potential-dependent motility, which is considered to be important for frequency discrimination (tuning). The OHC motile mechanism is located at the cell membrane and is strongly influenced by its passive mechanical properties. To study the viscoelastic properties of OHCs, we exposed cells to a hypoosmotic solution for varying durations and then punctured them, to immediately release the osmotic stress. Using video records of the cells, we determined both the imposed strain and the strain after puncturing, when stress was reset to zero. The strain data were described by a simple rheological model consisting of two springs and a dashpot, and the fit to this model gave a time constant of 40 +/- 19 s for the relaxation (reduction) of tension during prolonged strain. For time scales much shorter or longer than this, we would expect essentially elastic behavior. This relaxation process affects the membrane tension of the cell, and because it has been shown that membrane tension has a modulatory role in the OHC's motility, this relaxation process could be part of an adaptation mechanism, with which the motility system of the OHC can adjust to changing conditions and maintain optimum membrane tension.
Electrospun drug-eluting sutures for local anesthesia

Abstract We have developed a local anesthetic-eluting suture system which would combine the function and ubiquity of the suture for surgical repair with the controlled release properties of a biodegradable polymeric matrix. Drug-free and drug-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) sutures were fabricated by electrospinning, with or without the local anesthetic bupivacaine. The tensile strength of the electrospun sutures decreased as drug content increased, but strains remained relatively similar across all groups. Sutures released their entire drug payload over the course of 12 days and maintained approximately 12% of their initial tensile strength after 14 days of incubation in vitro. In a rat skin wound model, local analgesia was achieved 1 day after surgery and lasted approximately 1 week in 90% of treated animals (n = 10, p
Intensity resolution and loudness in high-pass noise.

Intensity resolution and loudness growth for a 1000‐Hz tone were studied in the presence of high‐pass noise (cutoff: 1800 Hz). Intensity resolution was measured for gated and continuous standards using a three‐interval forced‐choice (3‐IFC) adaptive procedure. Loudness matches were obtained using an adaptive, alternate binaural loudness balance procedure. Three subjects listened in three conditions (1) quiet; (2) high‐pass noise with a spectrum level of 32 dB SPL; and (3) high‐pass noise with a spectrum level of 42 dB SPL. Noise levels were selected so that detection thresholds were minimally affected at the test frequency; however, for frequencies in the noise passband, thresholds were shifted to either 50 or 60 dB SPL, depending on the spectrum level of the noise. On average, loudness growth and intensity resolution were unaltered by the presence of the noise for tonal levels below 40 dB SPL; above 40 dB SPL the following was generally true: (1) intensity resolution for gated standards was well describe...
Process identification using discrete wavelet transforms: Design of prefilters

Most advanced control applications rely on good dynamic process models. The performance of the control system depends on the accuracy of the model used. Typically, such models are developed by conducting off-line identification experiments on the process. These identification experiments often result in input–output data with small output signal-to-noise ratio, and using these data results in inaccurate model parameter estimates. Prefilters are used to separate useful information from the noise in the input–output data and to improve parameter estimates. A systematic design procedure for selecting a prefilter using discrete wavelet transforms is presented. The design procedure provides explicit information on the compromises in prefilter design, interpreted in terms of parameter variance and bias. The prefilter design procedure is then applied to identify a second-order output error model.
Neonatal neurological outcome after low-risk pregnancies

Objectives: To study neonatal neurological outcome and obstetrical interventions in a low-risk population. Study design: A prospective non-randomised study. Setting: Six midwife practices, nine general practices in and around the city of Nijmegen, The Netherlands, and the obstetrical service at the Nijmegen University Hospital, Subjects; 766 midwife/general practitioner deliveries and 268 deliveries guided by obstetricians using electronic fetal monitoring, all after low risk pregnancy (one out of three selected), 49.2% of the women delivered at home. Methods: Neurological examination of the fullterm newborn infant according to Prechtl (1977). Results: The deliveries directed by the obstetricians showed higher complication and intervention rates for primiparae and multiparae. Primiparous deliveries involved longer labor and firstborns showed lower neurological outcome, There were no differences in neonatal neurological outcome between groups attended by midwives, general practitioners or obstetricians despite the lower social profile of the hospital group. Conclusion: For the outcome of low-risk pregnancy, the place of birth in the Nijmegen area is irrelevant. Further investigations on the physiology of the first pregnancy and on the causes of the higher complication and intervention rates in hospital deliveries are recommended.
Unifying Robot Arm Control

A unified approach to three stages of robot arm control is presented based on the Newton-Euler equations of motion. The stages unified are resolved motion, gross motion, and fine motion. Apart from the conceptual advantage, this unification can require less computation than if the three stages are computed separately. In particular, fewer computations are required for arms with no more than about a dozen joints (a number unlikely to be exceeded for most arms, at least in the near future). Computation times are estimated assuming the computing elements are fabricated from current (very large-scale integrated circuit) (VLSIC) technology. It is also shown how friction can be incorporated into the unified approach. The concept of "pseudo-force" is introduced to relate fine motion to the Newton-Euler equations.
Hearing loss and extent of labyrinthine injury in Pseudomonas otitis media.

Abstract Problem: Semicircular canal transection (SCT), in the presence of chronic suppurative otitis media (OM), usually leads to permanent, profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Models have suggested that pseudomonas or its toxins may be responsible, but SCT, in the presence of pseudomonas OM in the guinea pig, usually does not result in profound SNHL. The purpose of this study was to determine if the severity of SNHL, due to SCT in OM, is a function of the extent of the labyrinthine injury. Methods: Pseudomonas OM was induced bilaterally in pigmented guinea pigs. Two to four days later, SCT was performed in one ear on the horizontal canal, the superior canal, or both the horizontal and the superior canals. Auditory-evoked brainstem responses were measured both before and after SCT. Results: Pseudomonas OM was induced bilaterally in all animals. Elevation of click thresholds was found in almost all SCT ears of all 3 groups; however, there were no significant differences between groups. When comparing the SCT ear to the contralateral, internal control ear, average hearing losses in the horizontal, superior, and horizontal and superior labyrinthine ablation groups were 23, 27, and 24 dB (± 4.1, 4.0, and 4.2 dB), respectively. Conclusion: SCT in the presence of pseudomonas OM causes significant hearing loss in a guinea pig model. Significance: Sensorineural hearing loss secondary to semicircular canal transection may not correlate directly with the extent of vestibular labyrinthine injury. Support: None reported.
Advancing the country image construct — A commentary essay

Abstract This article provides a review of the study by Roth and Diamantopoulos (2009), “Advancing the country image construct,” with a view towards highlighting the gaps in the broader country-of-origin literature. The literature mostly ignores pivotal points that should influence both the direction and the design of country-related research in international marketing. At least six key considerations in country-of-origin research deserve concurrent attention in future studies. They include: (1) the globalization of markets, (2) ecologically appropriate designs, (3) country-of-origin knowledge, saliency, and use, (4) labeling practices and requirements, (5) a focus on appropriate segments, and (6) the role of country of origin in foreign direct investment process. This commentary essay explores these issues with a view towards enhancing the relevance, ecological validity, and the quality of future research efforts.
Metal-ion selectivity produced by C-alkyl substituents on the bridges of chelating ligands: the importance of short H-H nonbonded van der Waals contacts in controlling metal-ion selectivity. A thermodynamic, molecular mechanics, and crystallographic study.

The effect on metal-ion selectivity of the use of cyclohexenyl bridges in ligands in place of ethylene bridges is examined (selectivity is defined as the difference in log K 1 for one metal ion relative to that of another with the same ligand). The syntheses of N,N' -bis(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (Cy 2 -en), N,N'-bis(2-hydroxycy-clohexyl)propane-1,3-diamine (Cy 2 -tn), and 1,7-bis(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)-1,4,7-triazaheptane (Cy 2 -dien) are reported. The crystal structures of [Cu(Cy2-tn)(H20)](ClO 4 )2 (1) and [Cu(Cy2-dien)](ClO 4 )2 (2) are reported. Characteristics of 1: monoclinic, Pn space group, a = 11.627(2) A, b = 7.8950(10) A, c = 12.737(8) A, /3 = 98.15(3)°, Z= 2, R = 0.0524. Characteristics of 2: orthorhombic, Pbca space group, a = 21.815(16) A, b = 8.525(7) A, c = 25.404(14) A, Z= 8, R = 0.0821. Structure 1 has the Cu(ll) atom coordinated in the plane of the ligand to the two N donors and two O donors, with a long bond to an axially coordinated water molecule. 2 has three N donors, and one hydroxyl O donor from the ligand is coordinated in the plane around the Cu(ll) atom, with the second hydroxyl O donor of the ligand occupying an axial site with a long Cu-O bond. The salient feature of both structures is the short H-H nonbonded distance between H atoms on the cyclohexenyl bridges and H atoms on the ethylene bridges of the ligand. These short contacts are important in explaining the metal-ion selectivities of these ligands. Formation constants, determined by glass-electrode potentiometry, for the Cy 2 -en (Cu(ll), Ni(II), Zn(ll), Cd(ll), Pb(ll)), Cy 2 -dien (Cu(ll), Zn(ll), Cd(ll), Pb(ll)), and Cy 2 -tn (Cu(ll), Zn(ll), Cd(ll)) complexes are reported. These all show a strong shift in selectivity toward smaller metal ions compared with the analogous ligands, where ethylene bridges are present in place of the cyclohexenyl bridges of the ligands studied here. Molecular mechanics (MM) calculations are used to analyze these changes in selectivity. These calculations show that the short H-H contacts become shorter with increasing metal-ion size, which is suggested as the cause of the shift in the selectivity of ligands in favor of smaller metal ions when ethylene bridges are replaced with cyclohexenyl bridges. MM calculations are also used to rationalize, in terms of short H-H contacts, the fact that when the chelate ring contains two neutral O donors, more stable complexes result with cis placement of the donor atoms on the cyclohexenyl bridge, but with two N donors, trans placement of the donor atoms results in more stable complexes.
All-Optical Payload Envelope Detection for Packets with 40 Gbps Payloads and 10 Gbps Labels

We demonstrate an all-optical technology to detect payload envelopes of variable length optical packets consisting of 40Gbps RZ payloads and 10Gbps NRZ labels. This envelope signal has 300ps rise time and 30ps timing jitter.