cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ernst Kantorowicz, Shakespeare, and the Humanities’ Two Bodies

This commentary reflects on two very different revivals of Ernst Kantorowicz’s The King’s Two Bodies: A Study in Medieval Political Theology in the field of early modern studies, the first during the heyday of New Historicism and the second in the current post-New Historicist moment that is still defining itself. The first revival focused on the literal meaning of king’s two bodies, the second on its figurative and fictional nature. The first trained its lens on the doctrine’s absolutist potential, the second on its constitutionalist strain. To account for these political and literary shifts I turn to a larger trend in literary and humanistic studies, the desire to move away from ideology critique and to reframe the humanities in terms of its capacity to articulate “a new vision for human community,” to borrow Victoria Kahn’s phrase. I argue that the peculiarly ironic status of the king’s two bodies offers a way to intervene in this debate, which I term “the humanities’ two bodies.” The commentary conclud...
Two Kinds of Comprehensive Weight Combination Method Applied to Irrigation District's Evaluation

This paper describes the principle of comprehensive weight combination method based on the sum of deviation squares and game theory and makes a comparative study of the application and results of two kinds of comprehensive weight combination methods used in the weight determination of irrigation district evaluation.The analytical results indicate that although the guiding thinkings of the comprehensive weight combination method based on the sum of deviation squares and the game theory are different,their principles are scientific and rational.Accordingly,in determining the irrigation district evaluation index weight,and in the case of making irrigation district's evaluation results fully scatter with high degrees,the comprehensive weight combination method based on the sum of deviation squares should be selected.In the case of expecting to preserve information of the objective and subjective index's weight as possible,the comprehensive weight combination method based on the game theory should be selected.
The LED driver IC of visible light communication with high data rate and high efficiency

The Light-Emitting Diode (LED) driver is an important part of Visible Light Communication (VLC) systems. The main challenge of the VLC LED driver is to offer a high data transmission rate with high power efficiency. This paper presents the design of a white light LED driver that combines the LED lighting with VLC technology. The proposed LED driver uses linear current regulation and controls the AC current signal and the DC current through a single power device for the purposes of high speed, high efficiency and high integration. It also can support the modulation format of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). In addition, this work presents an impedance reduction technique to enhance the bandwidth of the LED driver. And a first-order pre-equalizer is utilized to enhance the electron-optical-electron (E/O/E) bandwidth in the VLC system due to the bandwidth limitation of the phosphor-converted LED. The VLC LED driver is fabricated in a standard 0.5μm CMOS technology with chip area 1540μm×1250μm. It is available in a standard SOP-16 pin package. The experimental results show that the optical modulation bandwidth of 10.9 MHz has been achieved with the forward biased LED current of 350 mA. By using the OFDM data modulation scheme, the data rate of 50 Mb/s is demonstrated.
Placement of Helmholtz resonators in series for passive control of thermoacoustic instabilities from a time-delay perspective

This paper studies passive control of thermoacoustic instabilities from a unique mathematical perspective. These instabilities are known to result from the thermoacoustic coupling between the unsteady heat release and the pressure oscillations within a finite volume such as a combustor. To prevent them, a passive control strategy is proposed utilizing periodically placed multiple Helmholtz resonators in series. Under certain simplifications, the ensemble thermoacoustic dynamics for such systems including the resonators reduces to a linear-time invariant multiple time-delayed system. An exact analytical procedure is proposed for the first time, using the cluster treatment of characteristic roots paradigm, to determine the placement of the resonators so that instabilities could be avoided.
Blue Light and the Photocontrol of Chloroplast Development in Euglena

Evolution, through adaptation and selection, has resulted in the complex cellular process of photosynthesis which traps light energy and makes it available to living systems. Evolution has also selected for systems in which light serves as a means of controlling the development and replication of the chloroplast. In order to be adaptive, such control systems must respond to the same wavelengths of light that are effective for photo-synthesis since there would be little evolutionary advantage in a system which brought about the formation of a chloroplast in response to wavelengths of light which are in-effective for photosynthesis; for this reason, blue and red light are the most effective regions of the spectrum in controlling plastid development.
Making Sense of the Rapidly Evolving Legal Landscape of Solar Energy Support Regimes

Change defines the solar industry today. Photovoltaic (PV) panels have become far more prevalent globally; prices have fallen precipitously; and the rise of solar is causing shock waves throughout the electricity sector, with advocates pushing for “grid parity” and incumbents fearing a utility “death spiral.” Much attention has been paid to these shifts. Much less focus has been put on the dramatic changes now taking place in the legal instruments used to promote solar power. These changes are just as critical — and are intrinsically intertwined with — the evolution of the solar energy industry itself. As one set of commentators has observed, we may now be observing the “emergence of the next generation of renewable electricity policies.”This Article aims to make sense of the myriad changes in solar energy support policies worldwide. It identifies the four primary mechanisms used to promote solar to date and traces the key changes that these laws are rapidly undergoing. In so doing, the Article offers a critical roadmap for understanding the recent past of solar support laws, and their potential future. Specifically, the Article observes that the rapid changes to solar support mechanisms derive directly from a fundamental tension at the center of how these laws interface with the electricity system, and that because of this tension, the recent changes to these laws are likely only to continue. Three case studies — of Germany, Japan, and Nevada — are used to highlight the broader lessons the Article offers.
Cytokine Profile of Patients with Invasive Apsergillosis- Preliminary Results.

Abstract Abstract 1500 Invasive Aspergillosis (IA) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in haemato-oncology patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) or chemotherapy resulting in prolonged cytopenia. The host cytokine response to fungal infection in this immunocompromised state is a crucial component of susceptibility and response to IA. The aim of this study was to assess if a unique cytokine profile exist for patients who developed IA compared to those who didn't. All adult haemato-oncology patients enrolled on the Aspergillosis study, a prospective cohort study of adult haemato-oncology patients undergoing HSCT or chemotherapy, have baseline and fortnightly follow up serum samples profiled for 30 inflammatory cytokines using multiplex bead immunoassays by Luminex 100™ instrument. The cytokines measured were: EGF, Eotaxin, FGF, G-CSF, GM-CSF, HGF, IFN-α, IFN-γ, IL-1RA, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-2R, IL-4, IL5, IL6, IL7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p40/p70, IL-13, IL-15, IL-17, IP-10 (CXCL10), MCP-1, MIG, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, Rantes, TNF-α and VEGF. The first hundred patients enrolled with sufficient follow up data were included in this initial analysis. The median (range) age was 52.5 (19-73) years and M/F ratio was 58/42. The main diagnosis were AML/MDS (40), Myeloma (23), NHL (17) and aplastic anaemia (9) treated by allogeneic HSCT (43), autologous HSCT (32), chemotherapy (20), and immunosuppressive therapy (5). The diagnosis of invasive fungal infection was based on the revised 2008 EORTC/MSG criteria. The incidence of proven and probable infection was 17% and possible infection accounted for 12%. Eight patients were excluded from analysis because of lack of proper baseline sample prior to starting chemotherapy/transplant or had infective episodes that proved to be due to IA. Using a longitudinal logistic regression model (R2= 0.4355, p This preliminary data suggests that there is a significant difference in the cytokine profile between patients with proven/probable IA compared to those with no evidence of fungal infection. Further analysis will be performed on the rest of the cohort to confirm this. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
The Resilience of Crime

The Resilience of Crime. This chapter explores how organized illegal activities are able to reorganize and flourish following disruption by disaster. In our examination of the drug market in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, we observe that new dealers, more users, and a smaller sales space facilitated the reorganization of the drug market and attendant lethal violence. We also observe that lethal violence declined as the market stabilized in the years after the storm and as the city underwent some important demographic changes. We contend that social learning and deterrence theories are useful in understanding drug market participation correlates, especially gang membership, and we provide prescriptions for prevention that are rooted in these theories.
Modeling the fate and transport of 17β-estradiol in the South River watershed in Virginia

Hormones excreted by livestock metabolisms often enter surface water through feces and urine and can potentially cause adverse impacts to aquatic biota. This study involved a modeling analysis of 17β-estradiol (E2), a prevalent estrogen, in the South River watershed located in Augusta County, Virginia from 2013 to 2015. Cattle manure, poultry litter, biosolids, septic systems, and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were considered as sources of E2 in this study. The EPA's BASINS modeling framework was configured to track the fate and transport of E2. The first-order kinetics and the wash-off model were adopted to characterize the attenuation and the transport of E2. The modeling results indicated that the flow rate was a major input affecting the simulated E2 levels in the water. During storm events, E2 on the land surface was transported into the rivers by the surface runoff and the E2 released into streams was diluted by the high water flow. Variations of the simulated E2 concentrations in the South River depended on the relative magnitudes of the loads from point and nonpoint sources. Modeling results showed that E2 levels in the South River were below the lowest observable effect level (LOEL) for fish. However, the practices of storing manure before land application and fencing off rivers to keep cattle out of the water are encouraged to prevent the potential for high E2 levels in streams receiving feedlot runoff.
Using association rules to measure Subjective Organization after Acquired Brain Injury.

Background Subjective Organization (SO) refers to the human tendency to impose organization on our environment. Persons with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) often lose the ability to organize however, there are no performance based measures of organization that can be used to document this disability. Objective The authors propose a method of association rule analysis (AR) that can be used as a clinical tool for assessing a patient's ability to organize. Method Twenty three patients with ABI recalled a list of twelve unrelated nouns over twelve study and test trials. Several measures of AR computed on these data were correlated with various measures of short-term, long-term, and delayed recall of the words. Results All of the AR measures correlated significantly with the short-term and long-term memory measures. The confidence measure was the best predictor of memory and the number of association rules generated was the best predictor of learning. Conclusions The confidence measure can be used as a clinical tool to assess SO with individual ABI survivors.
Nonmesonic decay of heavy Λ hypernuclei

We have calculated the ratio of the rate for nonmesonic decay of the $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ in nuclear matter to that of the free $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ decay rate using a pion and rho meson exchange model. Including tensor force effects and a final-state correlation function generated from the Reid-soft-core potential, we estimate $\frac{{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{\mathrm{nm}}}{{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{\mathrm{free}}}$ to be of order 1. A discrepancy with respect to the prior estimate of Adams is resolved.
A Mean Sounding Representative of the Tornadic Airmass Environment

Utilizing more than 72 soundings representative of the airmass structure favorable for tornadic activity, a mean sounding is constructed. Data pertaining to moisture depth, temperature inversions and relative humidity within the airmass structure are indicated and discussed.
Stability and Change in Daytime and Nighttime Sleep in Children Attending Daycare.

Many young children experience insufficient or poor quality sleep, which may have implications for adjustment and cognitive performance. This study tested group-level changes and rank-order stabili...
Pulmonary embolism with right ventricular thrombus: a management dilemma.

A woman in her 80s with Alzheimer’s disease presented with dyspnoea and chest pain. The patient had a heart rate of 109, respiratory rate of 24 and was hypoxic, needing 4 L of oxygen supplementation. Blood pressure was at 142/78 which was her baseline. Physical examination showed an anxious
The Sole Spokesman: The interim government: Jinnah in retreat

The last thirteen months of British rule saw the tragic collapse of Jinnah's strategy – tragic, because the Quaid-i-Azam had always tried to keep himself above communalism in its cruder forms and had cherished his own vision of Indian unity. For six years he had managed to paint a thin veneer of solidarity and unanimity over interests which were neither solid nor unanimous. This he had achieved only by keeping his purposes to himself and by allowing his Muslim constituents to see whatever they chose to see in a Pakistan which he left intentionally undefined. When the Cabinet Mission came to India, Jinnah was forced to reveal something of his hand, particularly since the Mission's proposals of 16 May did offer him some part of what he was after. By grouping Muslim provinces compulsorily, the Mission gave Jinnah at least a chance of curbing the particularism of his constituents. But Congress did not want grouping and did not need it since its centre was much stronger than the League's; scenting victory, it was not ready to make concessions to the League. Whatever else the Mission may have failed to accomplish it did succeed, whether intentionally or not, in straining Jinnah's already uncertain hold over followers who for the first time were given a hint of their leader's purposes at the centre and began to sense the weaknesses in his bargaining position.
Coastal Alaska forests under climate change: What to expect?

Abstract Coastal Alaska forests consist of 2.6 million hectares of productive timberland and constitute the largest terrestrial carbon reservoir in the state. It has become increasingly urgent to understand potential climate-induced changes in forest structural and species composition in this region. Based on in situ data from 544 permanent sample plots (PSPs) for calibration and 244 PSPs for validation, we developed a climate-sensitive density-dependent, species-, and size-specific matrix model (CSMatrix-AK), to predict fine-scale dynamics of coastal Alaska forests from the present to Year 2100 under three climate scenarios – Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5, RCP6.0, and RCP8.5. With post-sample validation, we showed that the CSMatrix-AK model was more accurate than other existing models for the region. Under low-intensity and high-frequency stochastic shocks which represented natural disturbances typical for the region, we projected a gradual decline of Sitka spruce, a major commercial species in the region, and a significantly lower level of total stand basal area under all three climate scenarios. The results suggest that timber industry, landowners and managers, policymakers, and local communities will need to prepare for substantial impacts of climate change on Coastal Alaska forests and the regional forestry sector. Our CSMatrix-AK model provides a useful tool to better inform the stakeholders of such changes and lays the foundation for adaptive forest management to sustain forests and associated ecosystem services in the region.
Metabolic shifts associated with drought-induced senescence in Brachypodium.

Abstract The metabolic underpinnings of plant survival under severe drought-induced senescence conditions are poorly understood. In this study, we assessed the morphological, physiological and metabolic responses to sustained water deficit in Brachypodium distachyon, a model organism for research on temperate grasses. Relative to control plants, fresh biomass, leaf water potential, and chlorophyll levels decreased rapidly in plants grown under drought conditions, demonstrating an early onset of senescence. The leaf C/N ratio and protein content showed an increase in plants subjected to drought stress. The concentrations of several small molecule carbohydrates and amino acid-derived metabolites previously implicated in osmotic protection increased rapidly in plants experiencing water deficit. Malic acid, a low molecular weight organic acid with demonstrated roles in stomatal closure, also increased rapidly as a response to drought treatment. The concentrations of prenyl lipids, such as phytol and α-tocopherol, increased early during the drought treatment but then dropped dramatically. Surprisingly, continued changes in the quantities of metabolites were observed, even in samples harvested from visibly senesced plants. The data presented here provide insights into the processes underlying persistent metabolic activity during sustained water deficit and can aid in identifying mechanisms of drought tolerance in plants.
Coagulation Monitoring Correlation with Bivalirudin Dosing in Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device Support

Purpose The use of bivalirudin has increased dramatically for primary thromboprophylaxis in pediatric paracorporeal ventricular assist device (VAD) support with limited data on optimal monitoring of effect. Partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is commonly used for monitoring of bivalirudin, but can be impacted by line heparin, variability in assays and other patient factors. As such, we sought to examine the correlation of PTT to International Normalized Ratio (INR), as a possible monitoring tool for bivalirudin in in pediatric VAD patients. Methods Retrospective single center study of all children aged Results From 2015-2019, eleven patients (4 female), median age 5 months (range 0.5-40 months), weighing 7.8 kg (3.4-17.0kg) and body surface area of 0.4 m2 (range 0.2-0.7 m2) at time of implant were treated with bivalirudin for paracorporeal VAD thromboprophylaxis, of which 6 were on EXCOR devices, 4 were transitioned between continuous flow and EXCOR devices, and 1 patients was on CardioHelp extracorporeal membrane oxygenator connected to EXCOR cannula. A total of 900 days of paracorporeal VAD support generated 3,143 laboratory values for correlation. Correlations varied between aPTT assays, with highest median correlation coefficient for HA aPTT to INR of 0.72 (min 0.57 to max 0.81) in 4 patients with a total of 662 paired samples, as compared to correlation coefficient for aPTT to INR of 0.56 (min 0.32-0.91) in 10 patients with a total of 1,188 paired samples. Correlations varied between patients, with no association to age, device type or survival outcomes. The most important determinant for lack of correlation between aPTT to INR was concomitant administration of line heparin. Conclusion Patients treated with bivalirudin demonstrate individual correlations of their INR to PTT, with highest correlation to HA PTT by accounting for exogenous line heparin. This preliminary data provides foundation for ongoing study into the utility of INR for bivalirudin dosing and possible future application of point of care INR testing in this population.
Visualization of the Cervicothoracic Junction With EOS Imaging Is Superior to Conventional Lateral Cervical Radiographs

Study Design:Single-center retrospective review.Objectives:The cervicothoracic junction (CTJ) is typically difficult to visualize using traditional radiographs. Whole-body stereoradiography (EOS) a...
Reconsidering Systematic Factors During the Covid-19 Pandemic – The Rising Importance of ESG

Abstract We investigate the importance of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ratings in explaining different industry returns during the Covid-19 window. We build our ESG factor as the spread in returns between firms in the top ESG quartile and those in the bottom ESG quartile. The ESG factor shows to significantly explain industry returns in addition to the Fama-French factors. We also analyze the individual Environmental, Social, and Governance components of ESG. Environmental and Social dimensions are the main drivers of the ESG impact on different industries.
Care of Older Adults: Autonomy, Capacity and Duty to Protect

Older adults represent a substantial proportion of dermatological visits, particularly surgical visits. Dermatologist have an obligation to attend to the unique ethical needs of older adults. Although informed consent is ethically and legally obligatory for all patients, particular attention must be paid to the capacity assessment of older adults. Capacity assessments require dermatologists to ask open ended questions that demonstrate the patient’s ability to appreciate their medical condition, use reason to make a decision and express that decision. In patients who are unable to make decisions for themselves, the dermatologist must continue to involve them in their care to the level of their ability and identify appropriate surrogate decision makers. In helping and supporting the decision making of older adults and their surrogates, decision aids may help everyone clarify the benefits, risks and preferences that will guide their decision making. Dermatologists have a particular ethical obligation to identify and report elder abuse within their patient population. Although concerns for medical futility and distributive justice can arise in patients of all ages, physicians may more quickly raise questions of futility when older adults are critically ill.
IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT MATURITY MODEL TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF ACTIVITY OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENTS

In the conditions of growing demands of society to the government, project activities cover not only traditional industries, but also the sphere of public administration. Critically important for the success of organization is the team (rather than individual) level of knowledge, skills of staff, and a certain maturity of the organization as a whole in the field of project management. However, the project activities of local self-governments cannot be considered effective or fully compliant with the modern requirements. The level of project competence of management teams of many territorial communities is still not sufficient for the implementation of tasks and functions, the production of relevant project ideas and their successful implementation. The aim of the research is to describe of project management maturity model for its implementation into the activities of the local self-governments from the positions of effectiveness of project management. The entry of the local self-government to a high level of project management maturity will reduce the negative impact of the human factor, systematically focus activities on meeting the needs of the community on a project basis, improve the quality of project management processes, and reduce unproductive costs. Methods used – analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, logical generalization and comparison.
Flow Decomposition Method Based on Computational Fluid Dynamics for Rock Weir Head-Discharge Relationship

AbstractTypical engineering design of rock weirs rely on simplified one-dimensional equations dependent on empirical coefficients. However, most simplified methods fail to accurately predict the hy...
Chapter 28. Emerging Therapies in Osteoporosis

Publisher Summary The recent major advance in osteoporosis is the ability to recognize the disease prior to the occurrence of fractures by measuring bone mineral density (BMD). It is now well-established that the risk of fractures increases with the decrease in bone mass. Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. Bone mass increases during childhood and adolescence, plateaus at “peak bone mass” between the ages of 20 and 30, and declines thereafter. Peak bone mass is lower in women than in men and decreases faster during the first few years after menopause, putting women at a greater risk of fractures. It was estimated that in the United States Caucasian women, who reach the age of 50, have a 50% chance of experiencing an osteoporotic fracture during the rest of their life. The earliest fractures are in the wrist, followed by spine fractures, and eventually hip fractures that increase exponentially with age. In the United States, 25 million women have a BMD two standard deviations below mean peak bone mass. Each year there are 1.5 million osteoporotic fractures, including 250,000 hip fractures and 550,000 spine fractures, causing significant suffering and cost. Increased mortality, because of hip fractures, is about 15%. 60% of the patients, with hip fractures, do not regain full function and 15%-35% patients are committed to nursing homes. Osteoporosis also occurs in men, albeit later in life. About 30% of hip fractures are in men. Osteoporosis is, thus, a significant public health problem that, in the absence of effective intervention, will worsen because of demographic changes and a secular trend showing an increase in fracture incidence for the people of same age.
Initial operation of the CubeSat Ambipolar Thruster

Operation and characterization of the CubeSat Ambipolar Thruster (CAT), a miniature helicon electric propulsion device, is presented. Its small plasma volume (∼10 cm3) and low power requirements (<100 W) make it ideal for propelling nanosatellites (<10 kg). Permanent magnets generated a magnetic nozzle with a maximum field strength of 600 G. This field decreased to 0.5 G, the strength of earth's magnetic field, within 50 cm allowing the entire exhaust plume to develop in the vacuum chamber without being affected by the chamber walls. Low gas flow rates (∼10 sccm) and high pumping speeds (∼10,000 l/s) were used to more closely approximate the conditions of space. A parametric study of the thruster operational parameters was performed to determine its capabilities as both a thruster and as a plasma source for magnetic nozzle experiments. The plasma density, electron temperature, and plasma potential in the plume were measured with Langmuir probes, double probes, and emissive probes. These measurements characterized the ion acceleration mechanism which produced thrust.
Neuroanatomical association of hypothalamic HSD2-containing neurons with ERα, catecholamines, or oxytocin: implications for feeding?

This study used immunohistochemical methods to investigate the possibility that hypothalamic neurons that contain 11-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (HSD2) are involved in the control of feeding by rats via neuroanatomical associations with the α subtype of estrogen receptor (ERα), catecholamines, and/or oxytocin. An aggregate of HSD2-containing neurons is located laterally in the hypothalamus, and the numbers of these neurons were greatly increased by estradiol treatment in ovariectomized rats compared to numbers in male rats and in ovariectomized rats that were not given estradiol. However, HSD2-containing neurons were anatomically segregated from ERα-containing neurons in the Ventromedial Hypothalamus and the Arcuate Nucleus. There was an absence of oxytocin-immunolabeled fibers in the area of HSD2-labeled neurons. Taken together, these findings provide no support for direct associations between hypothalamic HSD2 and ERα or oxytocin neurons in the control of feeding. In contrast, there was catecholamine-fiber labeling in the area of HSD2-labeled neurons, and these fibers occasionally were in close apposition to HSD2-labeled neurons. Therefore, we cannot rule out interactions between HSD2 and catecholamines in the control of feeding; however, given the relative sparseness of the appositions, any such interaction would appear to be modest. Thus, these studies do not conclusively identify a neuroanatomical substrate by which HSD2-containing neurons in the hypothalamus may alter feeding, and leave the functional role of hypothalamic HSD2-containing neurons subject to further investigation.
Reactions of coordinated molecules : III. Alkoxy substituent exchange reactions on a cyclic ligand

Abstract The extraction of an ethoxide anion from a β-diethylacetal-acyl ligand of a neutral organometallic molybdenum complex affords a cationic complex having a cyclic ligand which is described best as a metal-stabilized oxonium ion. This ligand has an unusually reactive saturated carbon atom which reacts with a variety of alcohols and with ethanethiol via an alkoxy group exchange reaction affording a differently substituted cyclic ligand. The oxidization of the metal—ligand bond in the initial complex forms 4-ethoxy-γ-butyrolactone and, therefore, it is a precursor for the preparation of a variety of 4-substituted-γ-butyrolactones. The reaction of this complex with sodium methoxide and dimethyl sulfoxide is discussed, also.
Dynamic sprites: artistic authoring of interactive animations

Traditional methods for creating dynamic objects and characters from static drawings involve careful tweaking of animation curves and/or simulation parameters. Sprite sheets offer a more drawing-centric solution, but they do not encode timing information or the logic that determines how objects should transition between poses and cannot generalize outside the given drawings. We present an approach for creating dynamic sprites that leverages sprite sheets while addressing these limitations. In our system, artists create a drawing, deform it to specify a small number of example poses, and indicate which poses can be interpolated. To make the object move, we design a procedural simulation to navigate the pose manifold in response to external or user-controlled forces. Powerful artistic control is achieved by allowing the artist to specify both the pose manifold and how it is navigated, while physics is leveraged to provide timing and generality. We used our method to create sprites with a range of different dynamic properties. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is the Outburst of U Scorpii an Accretion Event

A summary of the peculiarities of the spectral evolution of the recurrent nova T Cr B are given, and interpreted in terms of an episodic accretion model. On the basis of the marked similarity of U Sco with this nova, it is suggested that the observed maximum will be followed by a secondary maximum, reaching V = 14-15. Such a secondary maximum should be very different for an accretion event (showing a strong continuum) and a thermonuclear outburst (showing a nebular spectrum). If observations of a star at 14th magnitude at the position of U Sco in February 1969 were indeed of a secondary maximum of this nova, the principal maximum probably precedes the secondary by less than 65 days.
Capillary Pattern in Familial Schizophrenics

The nailfold capillary pattern was studied in 152 subjects: 60 normal, 50 familial, and 42 nonfamilial schizophrenic patients. Significant correlation exists between family history and visibility of the subpapillary plexus in the nailfold. The duration of illness is greater and there are more older patients in the familial group. High plexus rating is not related to chronological age, sex, or duration of illness. The incidence of above normal blood pressure is essentially the same in high plexus-low plexus groups. It is concluded that there is a familial group of schizophrenic patients constitutionally different from the other schizophrenics; the combination of family history and plexus rating as criteria make it possible to select a homogeneous group of patients for further study in schizophrenia.
Trace elemental distribution in soil and compost-derived humic acid molecular fractions and colloidal organic matter in municipal wastewater by flow field-flow fractionation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (flow FFF-ICP-MS)

Humic acids (HA) are heterogeneous, dark-colored, organic macromolecules found in soil and aquatic systems that play a crucial role in complexation, transportation and cycling of trace elements in ecosystems. Flow field-flow fractionation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (flow FFF-ICP-MS) is applied to study trace metals complexed to soil-, peat- and compost-derived HA and colloidal organic matter (COM) in municipal wastewater. Monomodal elemental fractograms with different polydispersities demonstrate that Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn are bound to a broad range of HA molecular size fractions. Molecular weights (Mp) and diffusion coefficients (Dp) at peak maximum for HA of various origins were determined by flow FFF. The average Mp of nine replicate measurements of investigated HA ranged from 3950 to 3790 Da while their diffusion coefficients varied from 1.72 × 10-6 cm2 s−1 for peat-derived HA to 1.66 × 10-6 cm2 s−1 for compost-derived HA, indicating very small variations among the HA under investigation. Elemental fractograms were also obtained for aqueous COM in municipal wastewater after on-line preconcentration. Fractograms clearly showed the gradual reduction of COM content for primary through secondary treatment. Elemental COM fractograms also demonstrated that the bulk of Al, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn and Zn was complexed to organic macromolecules while a fraction of Al, Zn, Mn and halogens (Cl, Br and I) was present as dissolved ionic species. Copper, Fe and Zn signals decreased during wastewater treatment. This investigation demonstrates precipitation and subsequent removal of metal ions that are associated with COM as sludge.
Response of abdominal muscle to graded mechanical loads

Abdominal muscle electromyograms were monitored in response to graded mechanical loads added to either inspiration or expiration in anesthetized cats. The surgical preparation, the apparatus, and the levels of loads applied (resistive, tracheal occlusion, and continuous positive pressure) were matched with those employed in our previous study on medullary expiratory neurons [Baker et al, 1979]. Although expiratory neuron firing was significantly increased by each of three graded levels of expiratory resistive loads, abdominal muscles were activated in only about 50% of the animals exposed to the highest-level resistive load. The smaller resistive loads failed to elicit any discernible abdominal muscle activity. These findings suggest that the lower motor neurons have a higher threshold for activation than the medullary neurons. Recruitment of medullary expiratory neurons and integration of synaptic input at the spinal level must play important roles in the response to expiratory loading. Abdominal muscles did not respond to mechanical loading during inspiration. Bilateral cervical vagotomy eliminated the abdominal muscle responses to expiratory loads.
The Phenotype of a Germline Mutation in PIGA: The Gene Somatically Mutated in Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria

Phosphatidylinositol glycan class A (PIGA) is involved in the first step of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) biosynthesis. Many proteins, including CD55 and CD59, are anchored to the cell by GPI. Loss of CD55 and CD59 on erythrocytes causes complement-mediated lysis in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a disease that manifests after clonal expansion of hematopoietic cells with somatic PIGA mutations. Although somatic PIGA mutations have been identified in many PNH patients, it has been proposed that germline mutations are lethal. We report a family with an X-linked lethal disorder involving cleft palate, neonatal seizures, contractures, central nervous system (CNS) structural malformations, and other anomalies. An X chromosome exome next-generation sequencing screen identified a single nonsense PIGA mutation, c.1234C>T, which predicts p.Arg412∗. This variant segregated with disease and carrier status in the family, is similar to mutations known to cause PNH as a result of PIGA dysfunction, and was absent in 409 controls. PIGA-null mutations are thought to be embryonic lethal, suggesting that p.Arg412∗ PIGA has residual function. Transfection of a mutant p.Arg412∗ PIGA construct into PIGA-null cells showed partial restoration of GPI-anchored proteins. The genetic data show that the c.1234C>T (p.Arg412∗) mutation is present in an affected child, is linked to the affected chromosome in this family, is rare in the population, and results in reduced, but not absent, biosynthesis of GPI anchors. We conclude that c.1234C>T in PIGA results in the lethal X-linked phenotype recognized in the reported family.
Direct Observation of a Smectic Bilayer Microstructure in Side-Chain Liquid Crystalline Diblock Copolymers

TEM analyses enable a priori investigation of smectic bilayer structures in an amorphous−liquid crystalline (LC) diblock copolymer. A newly synthesized copolymer with 85 wt % LC phase segregates into a layered morphology in both bulk and thin film studies. The microstructure has a periodicity of ∼70 A and forms highly ordered micron-size monodomains. SAXS, TEM, and AFM data suggest that the LC domains consist of smectic bilayers, and amorphous polystyrene domains are present as disklike domains that arrange hexagonally between smectic bilayers. Temperature-dependent SAXS experiments and quenched TEM micrographs indicate that a reversible change in microstructure occurs at the LC clearing point. These observations confirm that, at high LC volume fractions, side-group ordering has a greater affect on block copolymer microstructures. Our results are contrasted to recent theoretical predictions of block copolymer microstructures.
Thermodynamics of Membrane-Mediated β-Amyloid Formation: A Free Energy Description Based on X-Ray, CD, and GUV Experiments

Jarrett and Lansbury's (1993) nucleation-dependent polymerization model describes the generic process of β-amyloid formation for a large number of diverse proteins and peptides. Here we discuss a membrane-mediated version of the JL model. From our recent experiments of X-ray diffraction, CD and GUV, we found correlations between the membrane bound conformation of penetratin and its effect on the bilayer thickness, in four different lipids with various degrees of chain unsaturation. We found that the interface of a lipid bilayer provided energetically favorable binding sites for penetratin in the α-helical form. Such bindings are characterized by a membrane thinning in proportion to the amount of bound molecules per lipid (P/L). Therefore increasing P/L elevates the energy level of the bound states Eα, until it becomes equal to that of a second binding phase at P/L=P/L∗. In the case of antimicrobial peptides, all peptides above P/L∗ would bind to the second phase which forms pores. In contrast, penetratin forms β-aggregates in the second phase. Further binding of monomers to the aggregate is energetically favorable because the monomers contact the growing aggregate at multiple sites. This means that the binding energy for the monomers to the β-aggregate Eβ decreases with the growth of the aggregate, because in average larger aggregates would present more available contact sites. Thus membrane binding facilitates nucleation-dependent β-aggregation. This free energy description could be the prototype for membrane-mediated β-amyloid formation.
Dysbindin promotes the post-endocytic sorting of G protein-coupled receptors to lysosomes.

Background Dysbindin, a cytoplasmic protein long known to function in the biogenesis of specialized lysosome-related organelles (LROs), has been reported to reduce surface expression of D2 dopamine receptors in neurons. Dysbindin is broadly expressed, and dopamine receptors are members of the large family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that function in diverse cell types. Thus we asked if dysbindin regulates receptor number in non-neural cells, and further investigated the cellular basis of this regulation.
Bureaucrats and Indians in a Contemporary Colonial Encounter

This article investigates the effects of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 in structuring an encounter over a decision about building a dam in central Arizona. From the vantage point of three groups with deepinvestments in the outcome of this decision, it analyzes how the interests and identities of these parties were transformed as a result of this encounter. In defining standing and the terms of relevance, in providing a political forum, and in requiring these groups to explain themselves to others, this law powerfully mediated the politics surrounding this controversial decision.
Smuggling and the global firm

Abstract The smuggling of licit products across national borders has been the subject of academic research for 30 years but little attention has been given to the role that multinational corporations play in smuggling. When addressed at all, global firms have been generally represented as unwitting actors in smuggling activities. Because of the illegal nature of smuggling, empirical research into firm participation has been daunting if not impossible to undertake. However, recent revelations arising from scandals involving the Black Market Peso Exchange—as well as scandals and lawsuits surrounding the international cigarette industry—shed new light on global firms. This paper examines evidence suggesting that the role of global firms in international smuggling may not be as benign as previously portrayed.
Optimizing Linear Functions of Random Variables having a Joint Multinomial or Multivariate Normal Distribution

A computer method to find vectors s that minimize (ci>0 constants) subject to a probability constraint P{μi≤si, i=1,…,r}≥1-α (≤α≤1) where v ,…,vr have a joint multinomial distribution, is obtained by solving the corresponding optimization problem through the usual normal approximation. Thus vectors are sought that minimize (bi>0 constants) subject to a multivariate normal probability constraint where v1,…,vr have a joint singular multivariate normal distribution. The singular normal probability integral is expressed in various computer-ready formulas as: (a) one integral over a simplex, (b) a sum of integral over multidimensional rectangular regions, and (c) a sum of integrals over multidimensional right triangles or plane orthoschemes. The optimization of F, and thereby of G, is accomplished using a known nonlinear program in conjunction with also known numerical multivariate normal distribution computer codes which work well for r=3. Binomial tables and a bisection method may be used for r=2. However fo...
A treatise on material characterization in the metal cutting process. Part 2: cutting as the fracture of workpiece material

Abstract Part 1 of this two-part paper presents a novel approach to the characterization of the resistance of workpiece material to cutting. It is shown that the strain at fracture is the most general material behavior characteristic. This second part offers a novel approach towards the meaning of plasticity in metal cutting and its relationship to the strain at fracture. It is shown that the strain-rate sensitivity is one of the plasticity criteria. The influences of defect population in metals and the state of stress in the deformation zone on fracture in metal cutting are considered. It is shown that, by changing the state of stress, the strain at fracture and thus the energy consumption in cutting can be varied over a wide range. This approach appears to be a new ground for choosing cutting tool geometry and cutting regime. The final part of the paper establishes that ductile fracture along the line which separates the layer to be removed from the rest of the workpiece takes place in metal cutting. For the first time, a definition of the metal cutting process is proposed.
Formation of ring-retaining products from the OH radical-initated reactions of o-, m-, and p-xylene

The ring-retaining products formed from the OH radical-initiated reactions for o-, m-, and p-xylene in the presence of NO x have been identified and their formation yields determined. Experiments were carried out at 298±2 K and in the presence of 740 torr total pressure of air. The products observed, and their yields, were: from o-xylene, o-tolualdehyde, 0.0453; 2-methylbenzyl nitrate, (0.0135+5.5×10 −17 [NO 2 ]; 2,3-dimethylphenol, 0.097; 3,4-dimethylphenol, 0.064; 3-nitro-o-xylene, 0.0059; 4-nitro-o-xylene, (0.0111+9.9×10 −17 [NO 2 ]); from m-xylene, m-tolualdehyde, 0.0331; 3-methylbenzyl nitrate, 0.0061; 2,4-dimethylphenol, 0.099; 2,6-dimethylphenol, 0.111; 4-nitro-m-xylene, 0.0018; 5-nitro-m-xylene, (0.0032+1.6×10 −17 [NO 2 ]); from p-xylene, p-tolualdehyde, 0.0701; 4-methylbenzyl nitrate, 0.0082;2,5-dimethylphenol, 0.188, 2-nitro-p-xylene, (0.0120+ 2.8×10 −17 [NO 2 ]), where the NO 2 concentration is in molecule cm −3 units. The nitro-xylene data are consistent with our recent product study of the corresponding reactions of benzene and toluene and indicate that under the experimental conditions employed the dimethylhydroxycyclohexadienyl radicals reacted with NO 2 and not with O 2 . When combined with literature ring-cleavage product yields, these data show that ca. 55-80% of the reaction pathways are accounted for
Capillary electrophoretic separation of DNA restriction fragments in mixtures of low- and high-molecular-weight hydroxyethylcellulose

Previous studies (Barron et al., 1993, 1994) have shown that dilute aqueous solutions of hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) polymers provide an excellent alternative to gel-based DNA separation media for capillary electrophoresis (CE) of DNA restriction fragments (72−23 130 base pairs). DNA separation by CE in HEC solutions is strongly influenced by the average HEC molecular weight as well as by the HEC concentration in the electrophoresis buffer. Here we describe a systematic investigation of the effects of a mixture of low- and high-molecular weight HEC polymers, over a range of concentrations, to form a DNA separation medium with a broad range of polymer chain lengths. Our results show that, relative to separation media containing solely low-molecular-weight or high-molecular-weight HEC polymers, the mixed polymer solutions provide superior separation over the DNA size range of interest, while providing a five-fold viscosity reduction. The addition of a very small amount of high-molecular-weight HEC to a solu...
Vesico-Uterine Fistula After Endometrial Ablation in a Woman With Prior Cesarean Deliveries

BACKGROUND:Impedance-controlled endometrial ablation is a common procedure for menorrhagia in premenopausal women with relatively few contraindications.CASE:A 54-year-old woman with an obstetric history significant for three prior low transverse cesarean deliveries reported a constant drip of urine