cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Idealized “Standard Neuron”

In the previous chapter we identified the neuron as the presumed structural and functional unit in the organization of the nervous system, and the graded generator potentials and action potentials as its most characteristic signals. In this chapter we discuss in general and qualitative terms the dynamic signal-processing characteristics of an idealized neuron. In particular, we outline the basic mechanisms by which the large numbers of spike trains incident upon a neuron are integrated by the neuron, and by which the corresponding output spike train is continually produced. The concepts discussed here, although in themselves not sufficient to account for all neural operation, seem to be essential ingredients used by the brain in its ongoing signal processing and certainly comprise essential background material for understanding contemporary research in the area.
Review of A Handbook of Statistical Analyses Using Stata, Fourth Edition, by Rabe-Hesketh and Everitt

This article reviews A Handbook of Statistical Analyses Using Stata, Fourth Edition, by Sophia Rabe-Hesketh and Brian S. Everitt.
Reactive transport modeling of multicomponent cation exchange at the laboratory and field scale

Multicomponent ion exchange models have been successful in describing the chromatographic separation of cations in both laboratory and field settings. Their chief advantage lies in their ability to capture the competitive effects of other cations that may be present. By incorporating exchanger activity coefficients calculated on the basis of the Gibbs-Duhem equation applied to the exchanger phase, it is possible to correct for the non-ideality of exchange. The use of multiple exchange sites can also substantially improve the ability of the cation exchange models to describe adsorption and retardation. All of these benefits are associated with relatively little additional computational burden. Even where the cost of the multicomponent cation exchange calculations are considered too high, the models are useful in calculating distribution coefficients for the environmental conditions of interest.
A Mechanism for TCP-Friendly Transport-Level Protocol Coordination

In this paper, we identify an emerging and important application class comprised of a set of processes on a cluster of devices communicating to a remote set of processes on another cluster of devices across a common intermediary Internet path. We call these applications cluster-tocluster applications, or C-to-C applications. The networking requirements of C-to-C applications present unique challenges. Because the application involves communication between clusters of devices, very few streams will share a complete end-to-end path. At the same time, network performance needs to be measured globally across all streams for the application to employ interstream adaptation strategies. These strategies are important for the application to achieve its global objectives while at the same time realizing an aggregate flow behavior that is congestion controlled and responsive. We propose a mechanism called the Coordination Protocol (CP) to provide this ability. In particular, CP makes fine-grained measurements of current network conditions across all associated flows and provides transport-level protocols with aggregate available bandwidth information using an equation-based congestion control algorithm. A prototype of CP is evaluated within a network simulator and is shown to be effective.
MEMS for passenger comfort in vehicles

Abstract: This chapter discusses the use of MEMS devices and related transducers for assessing and enhancing automotive passenger comfort. The chapter is organized in terms of various aspects including seating, climate, visual comfort and auditory comfort. Examples and working principles of relevant transducers are presented for each category. Transducers for passenger comfort are less commonplace than well-established MEMS devices such as pressure sensors in tires and inertial sensors for vehicle dynamics. Accordingly, this chapter reviews a broad variety of research developments, illustrating the diverse potential for MEMS in the area of passenger comfort.
A framework for diagnosing the regional impacts of energy price policies: An application to natural gas deregulation☆

Abstract Energy policy debates in the U.S. have frequently centered upon asserted regional effects. ‘Consuming’ regions are commonly pittedo against `producing' regions, with the latter purportedly gaining/losing at the expense of the former under higher/lower energy prices. Such simple views ignore (1) regional trade linkages, (2) the geographic distribution of ownership in energy using and producing firms, and (3) the microeconomics of the incidence of energy price changes. This study presents a framework which incorporates these factors and allows assessment of the net regional income effects of changing energy prices. When applied to U.S. natural gas policy, the study's results indicate that the income effects of a rise in gas prices tend to be much more evenly spread than a naive assignment of increased costs and revenues to consuming and producing regions, respectively, would indicate. Under a number of plausible scenarios, in fact, it is likely that certain net gas consuming regions (e.g., the Pacific Northwest) have benefitted from the recent deregulation of U.S. gas prices.
Exogenous Application of Putrescine Ameliorates the Effect of High Temperature in Gossypium hirsutum L. Flowers and Fruit Development

Polyamines have been shown to stimulate fruit set and the initial phase of fruit development in several crops. The effect of exogenous application of putrescine on ovary development and seed set of cotton under high temperature stress was investigated under controlled environmental conditions. Putrescine was applied to floral buds of cotton, 24 h prior to anthesis, and caused a significant increase in putrescine content of cotton ovaries collected at anthesis compared with the control treatment. However, there was no increase in spermidine and spermine. High temperature (38 °C) significantly decreased the spermidine content of cotton ovaries in both years of the study compared with the untreated control (30 °C). Spermine was significantly decreased in the high temperature treatment the first year of the study; however, this result was not consistent for the second year. Ovarian putrescine concentration was not affected by the high temperature treatment. Increased temperatures in this study decreased seed set in cotton flowers; however, exogenous application of putrescine ameliorated the negative effect of high temperature on seed set, as expressed by the number of seeds per cotton boll. This was evident in both years of the study. Exogenous application of Putrescine increased the level of putrescine in cotton flowers, which was associated with increased seed set despite the negative effect of increased temperature.
VAT Fraud in the Customer Chain - The German Perfect Storm Cases

German civil and criminal courts have not always agreed over whether to allow a taxpayer to zero-rate intra-Community supplies when the taxpayer making the supply knew (or should have known) that his buyer in the other Member State intended to fraudulently evade VAT as a missing trader. This is no longer the case. Zero-rating of intra-community supplies is now being denied in German civil and criminal courts. This paper considers how far Germany appears to be extending the law in this area. In 2011 six cases were heard by the Bundesfinanzhof (German Supreme Tax Court) that demonstrate both (a) the civil court’s adoption of criminal analysis and (b) the development of a (should have known) middle ground between actual knowledge and absence of knowledge of fraud in the customer chain. After the December 7, 2010 decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in Criminal Proceedings against R (“R”), the Bundesfinanzhof made it clear that it would follow the reasoning of the German criminal courts. Civil courts have now denied taxpayers the right to zero-rate dispatches to another Member State, when the taxpayer knew (or should have known) based on objective factors, that its buyer intended to use the transfer to fraudulently evade VAT in the other Member State.The unfortunate outcome may be that a single transaction can be taxed twice: once through the denial of the zero-rate on dispatch, and a second time through an enforcement action in the buyer’s jurisdiction. This is an aggressive approach to combating missing trader fraud. There do not appear to be comparable efforts in other Member States. Two elements of the German cases considered here are noteworthy. First, these are cases that involve fraud in the customer chain rather than the more typical fraud in the supply chain – in other words these cases look forward to fraud in future transactions, rather than backwards at fraud in historical transactions. Secondly, the questions in these six cases involve the denial of a zero rate on an intra-community supply rather than the more common denial of a deduction on a domestic purchase.
Searching for New Answers: The Application of Task-Technology Fit to E-Textbook Usage.

Students have been slow to adopt e-textbooks even though they are often less expensive than traditional textbooks. Prior e-textbook research has focused on adoption behavior, with little research to date on how students perceive e-textbooks fitting their needs. This work builds upon Task-Technology Fit (TTF) and Consumer Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) theory to present a student-perspective model of e-textbook usage. By contextualizing TTF and UTAUT2 to e-textbooks, the research fills a gap in the literature and provides guidance to researchers and practitioners. The goal of the research is to understand how students perceive their task of learning to fit with e-textbook technology, and how that fit influences e-textbook usage and expected performance in their classes. To achieve this goal, the research develops a model to test the relationship between perceived TTF of e-textbooks and UTAUT2-defined user characteristics that encourage adoption behaviors, thus facilitating student learning. The findings show that four factors impact a student's perceived TTF: substitution, habit, hedonic motivation, and facilitating conditions. Furthermore, perceived TTF positively correlates with students’ e-textbook usage and expected performance in classes when using e-textbooks. While price value exhibits a measurable effect on e-textbook utilization, it is a minor factor.
Climate Change Aggravates the Energy-Water-Food Nexus

There are regions in the world experiencing the energy-food-water nexus problems. These regions tend to have high population density, economy that depends on agriculture and climates with lower annual rainfall that may have been adversely affected by climate change.A case in point is the river basin of the Indus. The Indus River is a large and important river running through four countries in East Asia and South Asia: China, India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.The region is highly dependent on water for both food and energy. The interlinkage of these three components is the cause for the energy-water-food nexus. The difficulty in effectively managing the use of these resources is their very interdependence. For instance, water availability and policies may influence food production, which is governed by agricultural policies, which will further affect energy production from both water and biofuel sources, which will in turn require the usage of water.The situation is further complicated when climate change is taken into account. On the surface, an increase in temperatures would be devastating during the dry season for a region that uses up to 70% of the total land for agriculture. There are predictions that crop production in the region would decrease; the Threedegreeswarmer organization estimated that crop production in the region could decrease by up to 30% come 2050.Unfortunately, the suspected effects of climate change are more than just changes in temperature, precipitation, monsoon patterns, and drought frequencies. A huge concern is the accelerating melting of glaciers in the Himalayas. Some models predict that a global increase in temperature of just 1°C can decrease glacial volume by 50%. The loss of meltwaters from the Himalayan glaciers during the dry season will be crippling for the Indus River and Valley. In a region where up to 90% of accessible water is used for agriculture, there will be an increased strain on food supply. This will further deteriorate the current situation in the region, where almost half of the world’s hungry and undernourished people reside. While the use of hydropower to generate electricity is already many times lower than the potential use, future scarcity of water will limit the potential ability of hydropower to supply energy to people who already experience less than 50% access to electricity.In the current work, suggestions have been put forward to save the increased glacier melt for current and future use where necessary, improve electricity generation efficiency, use sea water for Rankine power cycle cooling and combined cycle cooling, and increase use desalination for drinking water. Energy conservation practices should also be practiced. All of these suggestions must be considered to address the rising issues in the energy-water-food nexus.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Effects of Agricultural Intensification on the Assemblage of Leaf‐Nosed Bats (Phyllostomidae) in a Coffee Landscape in Chiapas, Mexico

The agricultural matrix surrounding forested areas serves critical functions as dispersal corridors and alternate habitat for wildlife. Agricultural intensification, however, can reduce the conservation value of these areas. To evaluate the effects of agroecosystem management on bat assemblages, we studied the abundance and diversity of leaf-nosed bats (family: Phyllostomidae) in southwestern Chiapas, Mexico, a landscape dominated by shade coffee agroforestry. During 2104 mist-net hour (MNH), we captured 3167 bats of 27 phyllostomid species. Total species richness in each land-use type varied from 24 species in forest fragments to 22 species in commercial shade polycultures. Although the cumulative observed species richness showed little change in response to management intensity, the number of bats captured per MNH declined significantly in the more intensively managed (i.e., low-shade monocultures) plantations. Intensively managed coffee plantations had lower phyllostomid diversity and species similarity, and had lower proportions of nectarivorous and animalivorous bats. Among frugivores, the proportion of large (> 25 g) frugivores captured increased with management intensity. Recapture frequency was significantly higher than expected in forest fragments, and lower than expected in more intensively managed coffee. Our results suggest that less intensively managed coffee agroforests can serve as valuable feeding and commuting areas for most leaf-nosed bats, and that maintaining forest fragments in agricultural landscapes contributes to bat diversity. Declines in populations of gleaning insectivores, however, could compromise natural suppression of insect pests in these agricultural areas.
Component-Average Based Distributed Seismic Tomography in Sensor Networks

Existing volcano instrumentation and monitoring system use centralized approach for data collection and image reconstruction and they lack the capability of obtaining real time information. A new distributed method is required which can obtain a high resolution seismic tomography in real time. In this paper, we present a component-average distributed multiresolution evolving tomography algorithm for processing data and inverting volcano tomography in the network, while avoiding centralized computation and costly data collection. The new algorithm distributes the computational burden to sensor nodes and performs real time tomographic inversion under constraints of network resources. We implemented and evaluated the algorithm in a customized simulator using synthetic data. The experiment results validate that our proposed algorithm not only balances the computation load but also achieves high data loss tolerance.
The Impact of Development on Panama's Small-Scale Fishermen

Panama's fisheries have been increasingly integrated into international seafood marketing systems over the past several decades. This has been stimulated by high international market prices for shrimp and the efforts of international development agencies. Over the past two decades the traditional small-scale fisheries of Panama have undergone rapid and dramatic change as a result. The transition which has occurred in the small-scale fisheries in the area of the Azuero Peninsula is traced and the resulting structural changes which have occurred in fishing and marketing patterns are examined. The analysis indicates that formerly more diversified small-scale fishermen have become increasingly specialized. They have become dependent on world markets. Relationships to resources have changed, the importance of capital investment in fishing equipment has increased, and middlemen have emerged as major beneficiaries of the changes in the small-scale fisheries.
Biopolymer and Water Dynamics in Microbial Biofilm Extracellular Polymeric Substance

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a noninvasive and nondestructive tool able to access several observable quantities in biofilms such as chemical composition, diffusion, and macroscale structure and transport. Pulsed gradient spin echo (PGSE) NMR techniques were used to measure spectrally resolved biomacromolecular diffusion in biofilm biomass, extending previous research on spectrally resolved diffusion in biofilms. The dominant free water signal was nulled using an inversion recovery modification of the traditional PGSE technique in which the signal from free water is minimized in order to view the spectra of components such as the rotationally mobile carbohydrates, DNA, and proteins. Diffusion data for the major constituents obtained from each of these spectral peaks demonstrate that the biomass of the biofilm contains both a fast and slow diffusion component. The dependence of diffusion on antimicrobial and environmental challenges suggests the polymer molecular dynamics measured by NMR are a sensitive indicator of biofilm function.
Nucleation of Boron Phosphate in As-Deposited Borophosphosilicate Glass Films

Borophosphosilicate glassy (BPSG) films, used as a premetal dielectric in metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor devices, can be a serious constraint in the device technology due to the nucleation and growth of boron-phosphate phase (BPO 4 ), especially in BPSG films grown with a high boron-to-phosphorous ratio. It has been commonly believed that BPO 4 forms during the film flow/annealing process. This investigation focused on the mechanism of possible BPO 4 nucleation in the films, deposited by means of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) before high-temperature annealing and its evolution during heating. Our study indicates that the dopant-related precipitates in the as-deposited films are a key factor for the ultimate manifestation of BPO 4 during high-temperature annealing. B 2 O 3 and P 2 O 3 /P 2 O 5 compounds, in conjunction with H 2 O, are essential for BPO 4 materialization in SiO 2 matrix. The impacts of each of the above reactants on the film instability are discussed. The optimization of the PECVD BPSG film structure to improve the film reliability is proposed.
Changes of the Human Mind.

Five books, representing a small selection of possible readings on necessary changes of the human mind, point to a convergence of interest from different fields of study toward the need for modern society to develop the capacity to respond to the complexity of modern life and the newly acquired ability to destroy life on an unprecedented scale. Those books are as follows: "The Web of Life: A New Scientific Understanding of Living Systems" (F. Capra); "Common Fire: Lives of Commitment in a Complex World" (L.A.P. Daloz et al.); "In Over Our Heads: The Mental Demands of Modern Life" (R. Kegan); "The Protean Self: Human Resilience in an Age of Fragmentation" (R. J. Lifton); and "Evolution of Consciousness: The Origins of the Way We Think" (R. Ornstein). Despite the differences in the five authors' approaches, they describe a consciousness that is: (1) capable of developing a more inclusive world view and forming allegiances beyond the local; (2) cognizant of the interdependence among humans and between humankind and the earth; (3) able to cope comfortably with ambiguity; and (4) able to value complexity and diversity. All five authors call for changes in the way humans think, the way humans relate to the rest of the world, and the way humans identify with all of humanity. Study of these authors leads to building a curriculum for a new consciousness. (KC) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. N rn Capra, F. (1996). The web of life: A new scientific understanding of living systems. New York: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. 0 Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. 1 PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) CHANGES OF THE HUMAN MIND 1
N−Heterocyclic Carbene and Brønsted Acid Cooperative Catalysis: Asymmetric Synthesis of trans−γ−Lactams

An efficient enantioselective approach to form trans-γ-lactams in up to 99% yield, 93% ee, and >20/1 dr using unactivated imines has been developed. The cyclohexyl-substituted azolium and the weak base sodium o-chlorobenzoate are most suitable for this transformation. Notably, the process involves cooperative catalysis by an N-heterocyclic carbene and a Bronsted acid.
Genetic bases for protein polymorphism in Fundulus heteroclitus (L.). I. Lactate dehydrogenase (Ldh-B), malate dehydrogenase (Mdh-A), glucosephosphate isomerase (Gpi-B), and phosphoglucomutase (Pgm-A)

Electrophoretic analysis has shown populations of F. heteroclitus to possess variants at four enzyme-coding loci: Ldh-B, Mdh-A, Gpi-B, and Pgm-A. Based on the phenotypic distribution in the F1 generation, each variant segregates as an autosomally inherited codominant allele. A pairwise comparison of the expected phenotypic classes among these loci showed no evidence of strong linkage; however, weak linkage could not be ruled out. Despite the considerable genetic divergence of populations from the geographical extremes of this species, offspring resulting from crosses between individuals from these localities show viabilities similar to those found for crosses of local populations.
Samaritanism and political legitimacy

On Christopher H. Wellman�s Samaritan account of political legitimacy, the state is justified in coercing its subjects because doing so is necessary to rescue them from the perils of the state of nature. Samaritanism � the principle that we are morally permitted to do what is necessary to rescue someone from serious peril if in doing so we do not impose unreasonable costs on others � only justifies a minimal state, in Wellman�s view. I argue contra Wellman that Samaritanism justifies an extensive, liberal-egalitarian state.
Uncertainty Quantification in Prediction of the In-Plane Young's Modulus of Thin Films With Fiber Texture

Electrodeposited thin films in MEMS devices often show fiber texture resulting in transverse isotropic, effective elastic properties. It is of interest to predict these elastic properties since they play a role in device performance. In addition to predicting effective material properties of the devices, we quantify the uncertainty in our predictions of these material properties for use in downstream simulations aimed at studies of performance, lifetime, or reliability. In this paper, we estimate the numerical value of the effective in-plane Young's modulus of thin nickel polycrystalline films using numerical simulation. We also examine the variability and sensitivity of the in-plane Young's modulus due to uncertainties in microstructure geometry, crystallographic texture, and numerical values of single-crystal elastic constants. The importance of accurate characterization of the texture is shown, as is the sensitivity of the effective in-plane Young's modulus to single-crystal elastic moduli.
Spatial Anticorrelation between Nonlinear White-Light Generation and Single Molecule Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

We investigate the correlation between plasmon-enhanced nonlinear white-light emission and single-molecule surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) on fractal silver films using a conjugated polymer as a versatile analyte. Single molecule resonance SERS is preferentially observed from sample positions which do not exhibit nonlinear light emission under infrared excitation. The results suggest that the broad emission background often associated with single molecule SERS may not be intrinsic to the huge optical field amplifications characteristic of SERS. The two-photon imaging technique promises to offer a facile approach to prescreen substrates for their single molecule SERS capability.
Sensitive Pituitary-Adrenal Responsiveness to Varying Intensities of Psychological Stimulation

Abstract In the first experiment, plasma corticosterone levels were determined for mice which had been either left undisturbed or exposed to one of three test apparatus which differed from the home environment to varying degrees. For each successive increase in the degree of environmental change experienced by mice, there was a corresponding significant increase in mean plasma corticosterone level. Experiment 2 shows that the handling which mice received while being placed into the apparatus did not contribute to the corticoid elevations. Mice, which had been picked up and immediately returned to the home pan, exhibited corticosterone concentrations which did not differ from resting levels. Overall, the study demonstrates that, contrary to previous reports, changes in corticoid levels can sensitively reflect the intensity of stimulation to which an organism is exposed.
Abstract 4044: Epigenetic repression ofRARRES1is mediated by methylation of a critical proximal promoter and a loss of CTCF binding

Background: The critical promoter element responsible for epigenetic silencing of retinoic acid receptor responder 1 (RARRES1) by methylation is unclear. Likewise, how aberrant methylation interplays effectors and thus affects breast neoplastic features remains largely unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings: We first compared methylation occurring at the sequences flanking the RARRES1 promoter in primary breast carcinomas to that in adjacent benign tissues. Surprisingly, tumor cores displayed significantly elevated methylation occurring solely at the upstream region, while the downstream element proximal to the transcription start site (+1) remained largely unchanged. Yet, hypermethylation at the former did not result in appreciable silencing effect. In contrast, the proximal sequence displayed full promoter activity and methylation of which remarkably silenced RARRES1 transcription. This phenomenon was recapitulated in breast cancer cell lines, in which methylation at the proximal region strikingly coincided with downregulation. We also discovered that CTCF occupancy was enriched at the unmethylayed promoter enriched with transcription-active histone markings. Furthermore, knocking-down CTCF expression hampered RARRES1 expression, suggesting CTCF positively regulated RARRES1 transcription presumably by binding to unmethylated promoter poised at transcription-ready state. Moreover, RARRES1 restoration not only impeded cell invasion but also promoted death induced by chemotherapeutic agents, denoting its tumor suppressive effects. Its role of attenuating invasion agreed with data generated from clinical specimens revealing that RARRES1 was generally downregulated in metastatic lymph nodes compared to the tumor cores. Conclusion/Significance: For the first time, this report delineated that silencing of RARRES1 by hypermethylation is occurring at a crucial proximal promoter element and is associated with a loss of binding to CTCF, an activator for RARRES1 expression. We also revealed the tumor suppressive roles exerted by RARRES1 in part by promoting breast epithelial cell death and by impeding cell invasion that is an important property for metastatic spread. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4044. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4044
Metabolism of α-glyceryl ethers by Tetrahymena pyriformis I. Characteristics of the in vivo degradation system

Abstract 1. 1. Tetrahymena pyriformis W absorbs, within 30 min, over 90% of the [ 3 H]-chimyl alcohol added to the growth medium as an aqueous dispersion in concentrations up to 1.5–2.0 μmoles per 10 7 cells. After the initial period, a small proportion of the absorbed glyceryl ether remains in the free form and continues to be incorporated slowly into the lipids. The major part of absorbed chimyl alcohol is rapidly incorporated (either intact, or after production of fatty acids through cleavage of the ether bond) into the cellular lipids, whose composition is thereby significantly altered. As ths amount of administered chimyl alcohol increases, the content of glyceryl-ether containing phospholipid reaches maximal levels and abnormally high amounts of triglyceride accumulate. 2. 2. The rate of glyceryl-ether cleavage is largely proportional to the amount of chimyl alcohol added, being very pronounced at high concentrations of added substrate. However, it has been shown that this ability of Tetrahymena to degrade glyceryl ethers is not due to the action of induced enzymes. 3. 3. The possibility of the formation of two substrate pools upon glyceryl-ether absorption by the cells, as suggested by the radioactivity patterns and the time-course study of chimyl-alcohol incorporation into the lipids, was further investigated by blocking vacuole formation with dinitrophenol. This mechanism of glyceryl-ether utilization by Tetrahymena cells is discussed in detail.
Room-temperature compound semiconductor radiation detectors

A summary is presented of the present status of several compound semiconductor radiation detectors, including detectors fabricated from GaAs, HgI2, CdTe, Cd1−xZnxTe and PbI2.
Revision IPAA: Strategies for Success

The history of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is one of success with durable surgical and functional results. However, pouch failure, due to infection, mechanical, or functional disability, represents a challenge to both surgeon and patient. Practicing surgeons who deal with the revision pouch face a variety of challenges. Success requires a strategy, which includes critical planning, preparation, and surgical techniques in order that surgeons continue to provide solutions and hope to patients.
Estimating the Zero Class from a Truncated Poisson Sample

Abstract A procedure for estimating the zero class from a truncated Poisson sample is developed. Asymptotic normality of the estimator is proved so that a confidence interval for the missing zero class can be obtained. An example is given to illustrate the results obtained.
Leukocyte migration in immune complex glomerulonephritis: Role of adhesion receptors

Leukocyte migration in immune complex glomerulonephritis: Role of adhesion receptors. The application of our evolving knowledge of adhesion receptors to experimental models of immune complex glomerulonephritis has led to substantial advances in our understanding of how leukocytes emigrate from the vasculature into glomeruli and produce glomerular dysfunction. With respect to neutrophil (PMN) migration and activation in the context of nephritis, the adhesion molecules α M β 2 , α IIb β 3 , and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) seem to be most essential, with more modest (and less well defined) contributions by P-selectin, α 4 β 1 , and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). The influx of PMNs is driven largely by complement and α chemokines. In contrast to PMNs, monocyte/macrophage migration and activation during nephritis appear to be largely mediated by the adhesion molecules α L β 2 , α 4 β 1 , ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and potentially P-selectin. Monocyte/macrophage migration also differs from that of PMNs in that it is complement-independent and involves β chemokines. Further refinement of our understanding of the role of adhesion receptors in immune glomerulonephritis may eventually lead to clinically applicable strategies to ameliorate glomerular inflammation and resulting glomerulosclerosis.
Ceramic–carbonate dual-phase membrane with improved chemical stability for carbon dioxide separation at high temperature

Abstract This study examines membrane synthesis, structural stability, permeation properties, and long-term permeation stability of a new dense dual-phase membrane of composition La 0.85 Ce 0.1 Ga 0.3 Fe 0.65 Al 0.05 O 3 − δ (LCGFA)–carbonate for high temperature CO 2 separation. Porous ceramic supports made by sintering pressed powder at a temperature below its densification temperature resulted in a desired support with an open porosity ranging between 40 and 50%. The dual-phase membranes was prepared by direct infiltration of the ceramic supports in molten carbonate at 600 °C, resulting in a four order of magnitude decrease in permeance when compared to the support. LCGFA–carbonate membranes are stable when exposed to gases ranging from gas mixtures containing N 2 and various concentrations of CO 2 to simulated syngas, and exhibit a stable long term CO 2 permeation flux of 0.025 mL·min − 1 ·cm − 2 for more than 275 h at 900 °C. The CO 2 permeation results show exponential dependence to increasing system temperature as well as a linear dependence to logarithmic change in CO 2 partial pressure gradients across the membrane in the CO 2 pressure range studied.
Ultrastructural patterns of RNA synthesis during early embryogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster.

Abstract Chromatin was obtained from Drosophila melanogaster during early embryogenesis and examined by transmission electron microscopy. Nuclear contents spread at progressive stages of syncytial development show a low level of only non-nucleolar template activity, and very few RNP fibril gradients extending over 2 μm in length are observed. At the cellular blastoderm stage, newly activated nucleolar genes appear during the early portion of the first true cell cycle. Variation in the lengths of incomplete rRNP gradients indicates that the activation of each rRNA gene is independently controlled. All rRNA loci, whether having complete or incomplete gradients, exhibit high densities of nascent transcripts per unit length, suggesting that the rate of chromatin transcription, rather than the RNA polymerase I pool size, limits rRNA synthesis on individual genes. No more than half the rRNA genes are derepressed at this stage, indicating that total rRNA synthesis is regulated by the number of genes activated. Non-nucleolar RNP fibril gradients covering up to 8 μm of genome are also first observed at the cellular blastoderm stage. Most of these gradients are differentiated from the short gradients first seen during syncytial growth by a lower density of transcribing RNA polymerases.
The improvement of thermal error modeling and compensation on machine tools by CMAC neural network

In this paper, a cerebellar model articulation controller (CMAC) neural network is proposed for thermal error modeling in machine tools. The CMAC is a systematic learning algorithm which can search for the nonlinear and interaction characteristics between the thermal errors and temperature field on the machine tools. The CMAC is investigated in terms of accuracy in prediction, robustness to sensor placement, speed of learning, and tolerance to sensor failures. Experimental measurements of the spindle drift errors for both a horizontal machining center and a CNC turning center were performed using capacitance sensors and thermal sensors. Results show that the CMAC model has better performance than other modeling methods in robustness to sensor placement and speed of learning. This makes determination of the sensor locations easier, and reduces calibration time. In addition, a sensor failure detection algorithm is developed to provide better reliability.
Guiding-center Vlasov-Maxwell description of intense beam propagation through a periodic focusing field

This paper provides a systematic derivation of a guiding-center kinetic model that describes intense beam propagation through a periodic focusing lattice with axial periodicity length $S$, valid for sufficiently small phase advance (say, $\ensuremath{\sigma}l60\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$). The analysis assumes a thin $(a,b\ensuremath{\ll}S)$ axially continuous beam, or very long charge bunch, propagating in the $z$ direction through a periodic focusing lattice with transverse focusing coefficients ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{x}(s+S)\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}{\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{x}(s)$ and ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{y}(s+S)\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}{\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{y}(s)$, where $S\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{const}$ is the lattice period. By averaging over the (fast) oscillations occurring on the length scale of a lattice period $S$, the analysis leads to smooth-focusing Vlasov-Maxwell equations that describe the slow evolution of the guiding-center distribution function ${\overline{f}}_{b}(\overline{x},\overline{y},{\overline{x}}^{\ensuremath{'}},{\overline{y}}^{\ensuremath{'}},s)$ and (normalized) self-field potential $\overline{\ensuremath{\psi}}(\overline{x},\overline{y},s)$ in the four-dimensional transverse phase space $(\overline{x},\overline{y},{\overline{x}}^{\ensuremath{'}},{\overline{y}}^{\ensuremath{'}})$. In the resulting kinetic equation for ${\overline{f}}_{b}(\overline{x},\overline{y},{\overline{x}}^{\ensuremath{'}},{\overline{y}}^{\ensuremath{'}},s)$, the average effects of the applied focusing field are incorporated in constant focusing coefficients ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{x\mathrm{sf}}g0$ and ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{y\mathrm{sf}}g0$, and the model is readily accessible to direct analytical investigation. Similar smooth-focusing Vlasov-Maxwell descriptions are widely used in the accelerator physics literature, often without a systematic justification, and the present analysis is intended to place these models on a rigorous, yet physically intuitive, foundation.
Population data and a fourth allele for equine complement component 3 (C3).

Summary The C3 polymorphism of equine serum or plasma revealed by agarose gel electrophoresis can be diagnosed with protein stain following acid protein fixation. In addition to the three alleles previously described (C31, C32, C33), a fourth allele (C34) was found. Population data for 25 domestic breeds and Equus przewalskii are presented.
Divergence of visual motion detection in diurnal geckos that inhabit bright and dark habitats

Summary 1 Recent studies of the sensory drive hypothesis suggest that communicative signals evolve readily whereas change in sensory perception is more constrained by the demands of the physical environment. 2 Here, we find that diurnal Sphaerodactylus macrolepis geckos collected from dark, forested habitats were best able to detect motion in very dim light (< 10 lux), whereas geckos collected in brightly-lit coastal areas exhibited optimal motion detection at a much brighter light range 200–300 lux. 3 Motion detection by geckos from both habitat types declined as light intensity increased above 300 lux. These differences were observed after the lizards had been living in a common laboratory environment for 1 full year and are hence unlikely to be due to acclimation effects. 4 Light conditions for optimal visual performance match the light conditions of the natural habitats in which the lizards are found. Our results support the suggestion that visual performance may evolve quickly and that the sensory drive process may be best described as repeated co-evolution between signals and receiver sensory systems. 5 Thus, for animals that inhabit wide ranges of visual habitats, the sensory drive process may potentially act differently on separate visual response properties, resulting in diverse levels of variation and divergence in visual performance and communication systems.
Combinatorial analysis of network security

We extend the traditional analysis of network vulnerability by searching for sequences of exploited vulnerabilities distributed throughout a network. While vulnerabilities considered in isolation may seem innocuous, when considered in combination they may lead to serious security breaches. Our approach establishes encoding rules to reason about interdependent vulnerabilities and exploits. It then reasons about the rules to perform critical failure analysis for a given network. We have developed a prototype software tool for automating the analysis, which can be integrated with existing network security tools such as vulnerability databases and network discovery tools. We demonstrate our approach through an example application. We also perform a scaling experiment to show the performance of our approach for larger networks.
A Unified Concept of the Pathophysiology of Myocardial Infarction and Sudden Death

Conditions relating complete occlusion to necrosis and to the type of infarction (subendocardial or transmural) may be understood by employing the following hypothesis. A unification of existing pathologic events is offered which forms the basis for further revealing the pathogenesis of the different types of myocardial infarction and sudden death by testing from an alternate vantage point
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance of Pt 195 and Satellite Structure in Pt-Rich Pt-Mo Alloys

An NMR investigation of ${\mathrm{Pt}}^{195}$ in Pt-based alloys with Mo reveals the presence of satellites as well as large decreases in metallic shift versus Mo concentration. A "local" spin density with a relatively long range is thought to account for these phenomena. The results also suggest large reductions per Mo atom in the bulk susceptibility. One finds that the rigid-band model seems not to explain the data, and a "distorted" band or a weakening of the exchange enhancement must instead be considered. In the Appendix, previously reported NMR results on Pt in Pt-Ir alloys are discussed in the light of some newly discovered contaminants.
The isolation of cytochrome c by salt extraction.

Abstract A method for the isolation and purification of cytochrome c is presented. In this procedure a neutral sal solution is employed for the extraction of the cytochrome c. The extracted material is then purified with the use of ion exchange-resins.
A self-tuning architecture for buck converters based on alternative test

This paper proposes a self-tuning architecture for buck converters based on a modified alternative “safe” testing approach. It avoids voltage spikes caused by conventional full load testing and provides measurements with strong statistical correlation with the DUT's specifications. The measurements are sampled by a 5-bit ADC and analyzed by on-chip resources for evaluating the DUT specifications and predicting the corresponding values of buck converter tuning knobs to compensate for process variations when standard performances are not met. Thus, the proposed methodology enables self-test and self-tuning of buck converters during production test without the risk of DUT damage during standard production test. The causes of voltage spikes during conventional full load test are discussed both analytically and numerically and the working mechanism of an alternative test procedure is developed. This proposed technique is demonstrated through both simulation and hardware validation experiments.
Seascapes: the world of aquatic organisms as determined by their particulate natures

The interactions between planktonic organisms and their aquatic environment are mediated by diffusive processes on the scale of millimeters and smaller. The uptake of nutrients and food and the release of metabolic products creates localized patchiness that diffusive processes homogenize. Organism size determines, to a large extent, the character of these interactions. This paper builds a framework for considering these interactions, starting with an analysis of the diffusive environment around individual organisms and concluding with an integration over a range of organism sizes to describe aggregated properties. Several examples show the importance of the size-based abundance of organisms and other particles in determining the duration, spatial extent and frequency of environmental cues. One implication of these results is that microbial chemotactic behavior does not help them to find and utilize the majority of nutrient releases.
A Disposable Unitized Plastic Sheet Oxygenator for Open Heart Surgery

Abstract 1.A unitized, disposable, inexpensive bubble diffusion oxygenator constructed of two sheets of polyvinyl plastic has been used successfully in 11 clinical cases. 2.This oxygenator is commercially available as a sterile packaged unit ready to hang up, prime, and use. 3.Seven of 11 patients had intracardiac defects completely corrected and are living and well at this time. The remaining four patients (three were seriously ill infants) succumbed from complications including pulmonary hypertension and complete atrio-ventricular heart block. In none of these four patients did it appear that the performance of the pump or oxygenator could be incriminated in the unsuccessful outcome. 4.Biochemical perfusion data on these 11 patients compares favorably with determinations made on 250 patients perfused with the three dimensional prototype of this unit.
Observation of the articular disc.

Abstract This article reports on a 5-year study of 198 articular discs of the human temporomandibular joint. The investigation revealed a striking incidence of disc degeneration, notably bilaterally presented. The classification used to qualify the condition of the discs consisted of maximal and minimal degeneration and normalcy. We sought to establish the “norm” for the disc in each successive decade. The fourth decade revealed no degeneration. Disc alteration follows soon after, as shown by the rather high total curve in the fifth decade. Changes are most marked in the fifth, sixth, and seventh decades. There is inconclusive evidence as to the influence of the dentition on disc alteration. However, the view that a complete and/or partial dentition is least likely to contribute to disc problems seems plausible. In general, no one causal agent could be incriminated with certainty.
Estimation of melting point of flexible molecules: Aliphatic hydrocarbons

Molecular flexibility and rotational symmetry were used to develop an empirical equation for predicting the entropy of fusion for non‐rigid organic molecules. The equation was applied to a series of alkanes of varying degrees of flexibility. The heats of fusion for these compounds were estimated from additive constitutive properties. The melting point, TM, is equal to ΔH/ΔS, the ratio of heat of fusion to entropy of fusion. The equations developed for ΔH and ΔS were successfully used to estimate the melting points of these compounds.