cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evolution as the blind engineer: wiring minimization in the brain (Abstract only)

Human brain is a network containing hundred billion neurons, each communicating with several thousand others. Neuronal communications are implemented by biological wiring, which draw on limited resources such as space, time and energy. This suggests that evolution must have solved VLSI-design-like problems. We analyzed multiple features of brain architectures and found that they could be explained as solutions to optimal design problems. We found examples of optimization in component placement, branched routing, overcoming wiring congestion, and interconnect width variation. Such approach leads to a systematic view of the brain architecture, which should help understand brain function.
Quantum Field Theory in Terms of Ordered Products

A formulation of the quantum theory of fields is given, which is based on the idea of ordered products and has the following advantages: (1) The formalism is completely free from any ambiguity in the order of field operators. (2) The zero-point energy of fields vanishes. (3) The zero-point charge of fields vanishes without the use of any special device. (4) The formalism gives us some new information about nonlinear interactions of fields.
771-3 Direct Characterization of F1ecalnide Binding Rates from Use-Dependent Conduction Delay In Canine Purkinje Fibers

To quantitatively characterize flecainide-induced channel blockade from usedependent conduction delay (CD), 12 canine purkinje fibers were studied using a dual microelectrode technique. During 60 sec of pacing at interstimulus intervals (ISI) of 1.25–0.4 sec with 2 μM flecainide (FLEC), incremental CD followed a monoexponential time course, the rates of which were linearly related to the interpulse recovery interval (tr = ISI — action potential duration). Steady state block was an exponential function of the recovery rates. Use-dependent block derived from incremental CD and decremental squared conduction velocity (θ2) was characterized by the forward (k) and reverse (I) rate constants for the activated (a) and resting (r) states: ka (× 106) (mol-1 s-1) la (s-1) kr (× 102) (mol-1 s-1) Ir (s-1) CD 7.0 ± 2.6 12.0 ± 4.4 0.6 ± 1.7 4.01 ± 1.63 θ2 10.0 ± 3.4 14.7 ± 2.5 2.8 ± 5.7 3.66 ± 1.40 Vmax(prox) 6.8 ± 2.3 15.9 ± 5.0 5.1 ± 10.3 4.22 ± 1.11 These rates reflect marked open state Na+ channel block and closed channel trapping at resting membrane potentials with FLEC. The addition of 1 μM isoproterenol (ISO) to FLEC-superfused fibers reversed the FLEC-induced reduction of θ2 from 1.79 ± 0.7 to 1.89 ± 0.89 (m/s)2 (p = 0.017) without changing V ˙ max. The rate constants for FLEC binding and unbinding were not altered by ISO. Thus FLEC's apparent binding rates can be quantified from its use-{jependent effects on conduction. Both ISO's selective reversal of FLEC effect on θ2 but not V ˙ max and the absence of changes in the rate constants suggest that the modulation of FLEC effect is due to an alteration in passive membrane properties. These characterizations will facilitate subsequent comparisons of FLEC interactions in pathologic and hyperadrenergic states in vivo.
The fusiform response to faces: Explicit versus implicit processing of emotion

Regions of the fusiform gyrus (FG) respond preferentially to faces over other classes of visual stimuli. It remains unclear whether emotional face information modulates FG activity. In the present study, whole-head magnetoencephalography (MEG) was obtained from fifteen healthy adults who viewed emotionally expressive faces and made button responses based upon emotion (explicit condition) or age (implicit condition). Dipole source modeling produced source waveforms for left and right primary visual and left and right fusiform areas. Stronger left FG activity (M170) to fearful than happy or neutral faces was observed only in the explicit task, suggesting that directed attention to the emotional content of faces facilitates observation of M170 valence modulation. A strong association between M170 FG activity and reaction times in the explicit task provided additional evidence for a role of the fusiform gyrus in processing emotional information.
Moist convection and the abundance of water in the troposphere of Jupiter

A semiquantitative model is proposed for the narrow, moist convective plumes of the Jupiter troposphere which appears capable of explaining the apparent H2O vapor depletion in the 5-micron window without requiring a global depletion of oxygen from solar abundance. Chemical dessication is held to be unlikely, in virtue of its requirement for the many-fold enhancement of ammonia. Arguments based on mixing length theory are presented to justify a small filling factor, or ratio of the area occupied by updrafts to the total area.
Effects of β-all-trans retinoic acid on growth, proliferation, and cell death in a multicellular tumor spheroid model for squamous carcinomas

The growth of multicellular tumor spheroids, MTSs, from squamous carcinoma line MDA 886Ln was inhibited by beta-all-trans retinoic acid (RA). Inhibition occurred within 3 to 5 days of treatment, and MTS size then remained static for up to 2 weeks. Although their growth stopped, 10-day-treated MTSs incorporated [3H]thymidine into trichloroacetic acid-precipitable material, and the [3H]thymidine labeling index, determined by autoradiography, was equivalent between control and RA-treated MTSs. Bivariate flow cytometric analysis of bromodeoxyuridine-labeled MTSs showed equivalent S phase progression of labeled cells over an 8-hour chase. MTS growth stasis was not related to RA-induced cell cycle effects. Monitoring of MTSs for cell sloughing showed no significant cell shedding that could account for stasis. Quantitation of cell number and DNA content per MTS showed an RA-induced decrease. This was confirmed by histological analysis, which demonstrated the temporal appearance of acellular areas. MTS growth statis is thus related to an RA-induced cell loss in this MTS model for squamous carcinomas.
Computer vision for artists and designers: pedagogic tools and techniques for novice programmers

This article attempts to demystify computer vision for novice programmers through a survey of new applications in the arts, system design considerations, and contemporary tools. It introduces the concept and gives a brief history of computer vision within interactive art from Myron Kruger to the present. Basic techniques of computer vision such as detecting motion and object tracking are discussed in addition to various software applications created for exploring the topic. As an example, the results of a one-week machine vision workshop are presented to show how designers are able to apply their skills toward creating novel uses of these technologies. The article concludes with a listing of code for basic computer vision techniques.
Myocardial Infarction as a Complication of Coronary Bypass Surgery

Serial postoperative ECGs were reviewed for all patients undergoing saphenous vein-coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) during 1969-71. Only the development of new pathologic Q waves were accepted as indicative of definite acute myocardial infarction (AMI). ST-T changes regardless of characteristics were not accepted as evidence of AMI. Operative mortality was 11% (27/253) with 59% (10/17) of those autopsied having AMI. Autopsy findings showed no false positives by ECG. Of survivors, 15% (33/220) had AMI. Another 2% (five) developed leftbundle conduction abnormalities and were considered probable for AMI. Among all patients having CABG, 20% (49/243) had AMI by ECG or autopsy. Comparing patients with and without AMI, there was no significant difference in coronary risk factors, hemodynamic data, number of vessels diseased, or site(s) of grafts. There was a significant difference in preoperative functional class for angina in the two groups. Seventy-six percent of those in the MI group had New York Heart Ass...
Microcomputers and conditioning research

The use of microcomputers in conditioning research is described and analyzed. The use of a finite state description of experimental procedures is advocated and the desirable characteristics for a real-time control language to define states and their transitions are discussed. Several programming languages are evaluated against these criteria. Various methods for interfacing microcomputers with the external environment for control and data acquisition in conditioning research also are discussed.
Empirical studies of the genetic algorithm with noncoding segments

The genetic algorithm (GA) is a problem-solving method that is modeled after the process of natural selection. We are interested in studying a specific aspect of the GA: the effect of noncoding segments on GA performance. Noncoding segments are segments of bits in an individual that provide no contribution, positive or negative, to the fitness of that individual. Previous research on noncoding segments suggests that including these structures in the GA may improve GA performance. Understanding when and why this improvement occurs will help us to use the GA to its full potential. In this article we discuss our hypotheses on noncoding segments and describe the results of our experiments. The experiments may be separated into two categories: testing our program on problems from previous related studies, and testing new hypotheses on the effect of noncoding segments.
Enhancing appearance and sports performance: are female collegiate athletes behaving more like males?

Objective: The authors designed this study to determine if differences exist between male and female collegiate athletes' supplement use and behaviors to modify body appearance. Participants: Collegiate athletes who participated in this study were 241 females and 210 males, aged 17 to 28 years. Method: Participants completed a questionnaire about the average number of times each week they performed specific supplementing, exercise, or dietary behaviors. Results: The authors found differences associated with gender for 9 of the 18 behaviors. Specifically, 2 of these 9 behaviors were dietary, 1 was supplementary, 3 were physique concerns, and 3 involved personal motivation for weightlifting. Conclusion: Male athletes reported a higher drive for size, speed, and power, whereas female athletes were more concerned with body fat, more likely to restrict caloric intake, and more prone to consume weight loss supplements. No differences were found by gender regarding supplement use to increase body size.
Fokker-Planck equation in the good-cavity limit and single-atom optical bistability

A generalized Fokker-Planck equation is used to study the problem of single-atom optical bistability in the good-cavity limit. The effects of quantum fluctuations are investigated by linearizing fluctuations around the steady-state value. It is shown that in the good-cavity limit, quantum fluctuations are relatively small, and hence there exist both absorptive and dispersive single-atom bistability. By comparing our single-atom Fokker-Planck equation with the N-atom Fokker-Planck equation, we find that in the good-cavity limit, these two different Fokker-Planck equations reduce to identical equations. We therefore come to an important conclusion that the results obtained from the many-atom Fokker-Planck equation in the good-cavity limit are also valid for a single atom. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Nowhere to Go: Displaced Persons in Post‐V‐E‐Day Germany

(2001). Nowhere to Go: Displaced Persons in Post‐V‐E‐Day Germany. The Historian: Vol. 64, No. 2, pp. 275-294.
Haemoglobinuria is associated with chronic kidney disease and its progression in patients with sickle cell anaemia.

To evaluate the association between haemoglobinuria and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in sickle cell anaemia (SCA), we analysed 356 adult haemoglobin SS or Sβ° thalassaemia patients from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and 439 from the multi-centre Walk-Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension and Sickle Cell Disease with Sildenafil Therapy (PHaSST) cohort. CKD was classified according to National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiatives guidelines. Haemoglobinuria, defined as positive haem on urine dipstick with absent red blood cells on microscopy, was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in a subset of patients. The prevalence of CKD was 58% in the UIC cohort and 54% in the Walk-PHaSST cohort, and haemoglobinuria was observed in 36% and 20% of the patients, respectively. Pathway analysis in both cohorts indicated an independent association of lactate dehydrogenase with haemoglobinuria and, in turn, independent associations of haemoglobinuria and age with CKD (P<0.0001). After a median of 32 months of follow-up in the UIC cohort, haemoglobinuria was associated with progression of CKD (halving of estimated glomerular filtration rate or requirement for dialysis; Hazard ratio [HR] 13.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7-113.2, P=0.0012) and increasing albuminuria (HR 3.1, 95% CI: 1.3-7.7; logrank P=0.0035). In conclusion haemoglobinuria is common in SCA and is associated with CKD, consistent with a role for intravascular haemolysis in the pathogenesis of renal dysfunction in SCA.
Use of Digital Subtraction Fluorography in Screening for Coronary Artery Disease in Patients With Chronic Renal Failure

The diagnosis of coronary artery disease remains a major problem in patients with end-stage renal disease. Screening with conventional noninvasive techniques is limited by the poor exercise capacity of these patients. This study evaluated the accuracy of digital subtraction fluorography in detecting coronary calcification as a noninvasive, nonexercise screening test for coronary artery disease. Eighty-six patients under evaluation for renal transplantation and considered at increased risk of coronary artery disease were studied by coronary arteriography and digital subtraction fluorography for coronary calcification. Significant coronary disease (≥50% obstruction in at least one vessel) was present in 36 (42%) patients. The detection of coronary calcification by digital subtraction fluorography had a sensitivity of 78% and a specificity of 66%. The probability of disease being present in the absence of coronary calcification in this group was 18%. The detection of coronary calcification by digital subtraction fluorography appears to be a satisfactory and inexpensive screening test in this setting.
MEANS OF INCREASING THE TOLERATED DOSE OF STREPTOMYCIN IN MICE. STEROIDS.

SummaryStreptomycin was found to be 100% lethal in a dose of 20 mg (1 g kg) by subcutaneous administration in white and DBA mice. By the use of various steroids as adjuvants, it was possible to protect mice against 2 to 3 times the lethal dose.
Rationality in an irrational world: a scenario

Focuses on the nature of world affairs and its impact on international business. Proposes three scenarios, China asserting its regional role, the India‐Pakistan war over Kashmir and peace in the Middle East. Cites that any of these scenarios constitute a real threat to world stability. Ascertains that irrationality is a persistent state of world affairs and is not yet the legacy of yesterday’s world.
Quinone-functionalized Transition Metal Complexes for Multi-electron Transfer. The Electrochemistry of a Bis -Naphthoquinone-Functionalized Schiff Base Ni(II) complex

Ni(II)NQ 2 en, a Ni(II) complex with two naphthoquinone groups incorporated into a Schiff-base ligand, undergoes two reversible reductions in which the naphthoquinone (NQ) groups are each reduced by one electron to naphthsemiquinone radical anions (SQ): $$\eqalignno{& {\rm Ni}({\rm II}){\rm NQ}_2 {\rm en} + {\rm e}^ - \mathop \to \limits^{E_1^{\,0} }[{\rm Ni}({\rm II})({\rm SQ}, {\rm NQ}){\rm en}]^ - \cr & [{\rm Ni}({\rm II})({\rm SQ}, {\rm NQ}){\rm en}]^ - + {\rm e}^ - \mathop \to \limits^{E_2^{\,0} } [{\rm Ni}({\rm II}){\rm SQ}_2 {\rm en}]^{2 - } \cr}$$ Analysis of the cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry waves shows that $E_2^0 - E_1^0 = - 36\, {\rm mV}$ , a j E 0 that corresponds to two noninteracting redox centers.
Burn injuries from portable butane camping stoves

Admissions to the Wessex Regional Burns Unit for injuries sustained whilst using portable butane camping stoves are reviewed. There have been 31 cases of such injuries in the past 10 years with one fatal outcome. Most accidents occurred while changing the canister. The number of accidents occurring suggests that these stoves must be regarded as intrinsically very hazardous and that a greater awareness of the dangers by users is necessary.
Global Climate Change and the Origin of Modern Benthic Communities in Antarctica

Marine benthic communities living in shallow-water habitats (<100 m depth) in Antarctica possess characteristics reminiscent of Paleozoic marine communities and modern deep-sea communities. The absence of crabs and sharks, the limited diversity of teleosts and skates, the dominance of slow-moving invertebrates at higher trophic levels, and the occurrence of dense ophiuroid and crinoid populations indicate that skeleton-breaking predation is limited in Antarctica today, as it was worldwide during the Paleozoic and as it is in the deep sea today. The community structure of the antarctic benthos has its evolutionary roots in the Eocene. Data from fossil assemblages at Seymour Island, Antarctic Peninsula suggest that shallow-water communities were similar to communities at lower latitudes until they were affected by global cooling, which accelerated in the late Eocene to early Oligocene. That long-term cooling trend ultimately resulted in the polar climate and peculiar community structure found in Antarctica today. Declining temperatures beginning late in the Eocene are associated with the disappearance of crabs, sharks, and most teleosts. The sudden drop in predation pressure allowed dense ophiuroid and crinoid populations to appear and flourish. These late Eocene echinoderm populations exhibit low frequencies of sublethal damage (regenerating arms), demonstrating that there was little or no predation from skeleton-breaking fish and decapods. Current scenarios of global climate change include predictions of increased upwelling and consequent cooling in temperate and subtropical upwelling zones. Limited ecological evidence suggests that such cooling could disrupt trophic relationships and favor retrograde community structures in those local areas.
Three-Dimensional Modeling, Simulation, and Capacity Analysis of Space–Time Correlated Mobile-to-Mobile Channels

A 3-D reference model is proposed for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) mobile-to-mobile (M-to-M) multipath-fading channels. From this model, a closed-form joint space-time correlation function is derived for a 3-D nonisotropic scattering environment. Two sum-of-sinusoids-based 3-D simulation models for MIMO M-to-M multipath-fading channels are proposed. The statistics of the simulation models are verified by simulation. Finally, these simulation models are used to evaluate the effect of the space-time correlation on the outage capacity of uniform linear antenna arrays and to compare the capacities of linear, circular, and spherical antenna arrays.
Fast hierarchical test path construction for DFT-free controller-datapath circuits

We discuss a hierarchical test generation method for DFT-free controller-datapath pairs. A transparency based scheme is devised for the datapath, wherein locally generated vectors are translated into global design test. The controller is examined through influence tables, used to generate valid control state sequences for testing each module through hierarchical test paths. Fault coverage levels and vector counts thus attained match closely, those of traditional test generation methodologies, while sharply reducing the corresponding computational cost.
Finding maximum cliques on circular-arc graphs

Abstract An algorithm is presented that, given the intersection model S of a circular-arc graph G with n vertices and m edges, finds a maximum-sized clique of G in O(n 2 log log n) time. The previous best time bound for this problem was O(n 2 ) log n + mn).
AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF THE HARDY PERSONALITY AT WORK IN THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY

The concept of personality hardiness is tested for its contribution to perceptions of the nursing work environment. Hardiness has been traditionally linked to positive health outcomes and stress resistance, but the traits which lead to disease-resistance logically have other effects on the individual. Results of this exploratory study indicate that hardiness is negatively linked to perceptions of work pressure and role ambiguity. Positive relationships were found between hardiness and job clarity, organizational involvement, and peer cohesion. Suggestions for additional study are enumerated.
New material of Alphagaulus pristinus (Mammalia, Rodentia, Mylagaulidae) from the Deep River Formation (Montana, U.S.A.): Implications for ecology, ontogeny, and phylogeny

ABSTRACT The Mylagaulidae are a family of extinct fossorial rodents that are common in the North American Miocene. Alphagaulus pristinus, from the Barstovian of Montana, was previously known only from partial dentaries and isolated teeth, with no well-described skull or postcranial material. Alphagaulus is important to understanding the evolution of burrowing in mylagaulids, because it is within this genus that the most dramatic evolution of fossorial morphology within mylagaulids occurs. The other three species of the genus are all known from partial skulls, rare isolated postcrania for Alphagaulus vetus, and, in the case of Alphagaulus tedfordi, a nearly complete skeleton. We describe new material housed at the University of Washington Burke Museum, including three well-preserved skulls and partial skeletons showing different ontogenetic stages from juveniles to an adult. The description of this new material gives insights into the ontogeny of these burrowing mammals. In particular, it is apparent that ...
Single crystal growth and characterization of nearly stoichiometric LiVO2

LiVO{sub 2} undergoes an imperfectly understood orbital ordering transition near 500 K resulting in a loss of magnetic moment below the transition. Studies of the transition have been hampered by a lack of high-quality stoichiometric single crystals. Here we report the growth and basic characterization of large, nearly stoichiometric LiVO{sub 2} single crystals. The crystals were characterized by magnetic susceptibility, electrical resistivity, differential scanning calorimetry, and specific heat measurements over a temperature range from 2 to 650 K. A first-order phase transition with large hysteresis near T{sub t}{approx}500 K was observed in all measurements. An anisotropy of the order of 100 was observed in the in-plane versus out-of-plane resistivity, and the inferred semiconducting energy gap was 0.18 eV for T<T{sub t} and 0.14 eV for T<T{sub t}. Electron diffraction experiments were performed on LiVO{sub 2} single crystals at temperatures below and above T{sub t}. Superlattice reflections were observed below T{sub t} and disappeared upon heating above the phase transition temperature. Upon cooling below T{sub t}, the supperlattice spots reappeared. Bright field electron micrographs indicate that the crystals develop a roughly hexagonal network of cracks.
The Direct and Interactive Effects of Middle and Upper Managerial Quality on Organizational Performance

This article presents an empirical study of the effect of middle manager quality on organizational performance. Using 6 years of data from more than 1,000 Texas school districts, the author finds that quality middle managers positively impact performance. In exploring the relationship between quality middle and upper managers, she finds that their interaction leads to improved organizational performance. This article makes two contributions to the public management literature. First, it introduces a measure of middle manager quality that allows researchers to explore the ways middle managers affect organizational performance. Second, the findings reveal that public management research has underestimated the impact of management.
The Effect of Surface Ablation Chemistry on Radiation in Hypersonic Reentry Flows

The effect of chemical processes at the surface of a spacecraft entering into Earth’s atmosphere on the flowfield and radiation around a reentry vehicle is investigated. To simulate thermal ablation at the vehicle’s surface a one-dimensional thermal response model is used and loosely coupled with a DSMC flowfield and radiation simulations. Chemical ablation processes of nitridation and oxidation as well as catalytic recombination at the vehicle surface are implemented in DSMC in order to simulate the effect of surface chemical events on the flowfield and the corresponding convective heat flux to the vehicle surface. To examine the effect of the surface condition on the radiation in detail, both the magnitude and the spectral structure of the radiative heat flux to the stagnation point are investigated for cases with different surface conditions. Nomenclature Cp specific heat capacity, J/kg-K f contribution of char part, dimensionless m mass rate, kg/m2-s n number density, m 3 ne electron number density, m 3 Qp heat of pyrolysis, W/m 3 QT heat associated with transpiration cooling, W/m 3 qc convective heat flux, W/m 2 qR radiative heat flux, W/m 2 R random number, dimensionless
Spherical Harmonic Analysis of Palaeomagnetic Inclination Data

Summary A method for determining the relative values of the low-order Gauss coefficients for the palaeomagnetic field from inclination data only, i.e. in the absence of declination and intensity information, has been used to extend the analysis carried out by Creer, Georgi & Lowrie to include the core data published by Opdyke & Henry. The 20 regional average Quaternary palaeomagnetic inclination directions given by Creer et al. were combined with 12 new regional average data points derived from the deep-sea sediment core data published by Opdyke & Henry to form a grand population of 32 inclination directions. The analysis was carried out to determine both the second-order and third-order coefficients. It was found that the normalized amplitudes of the second-and third-order terms dropped of€ at least as rapidly as those of the present-day field. The Cartesian co-ordinate positions of the eccentric dipole for the grand populations were found to be in general agreement with those found by Creer et al. The input data were also perturbed to determine the sensitivity of the offsets to errors in the data. It was generally found that the offset along the rotation axis was least affected by input errors. Various authors have used palaeomagnetic observations to determine the nature of the Earth's palaeomagnetic field. Watkins (1972) has proposed that hemispherical differences in Brunhes inclination data can best be accounted for with double axialdipole model. Wilson (1970) proposed that the inclination data for the Quaternary and upper Tertiary can best be represented by an axial dipole displaced from the geocentre along the rotation axis. In terms of standard spherical harmonic analysis Wilson determined the values of 8,' and 8,'. Creer, Georgi & Lowrie (1973) developed three new methods to determine all Gauss coefficients of degree one and two (g,', . . ., h,'). These terms in turn were used to calculate the position and orientation of a single dipole displaced from the geocentre, for the Quaternary and late Tertiary geomagnetic field.
Stability of matter in magnetic fields.

The proof of the stability of matter is three decades old, but the question of stability when arbitrarily large magnetic fields are taken into account was settled only recently. Even more recent is the solution to the question of the stability of relativistic matter when the electron motion is governed by the Dirac operator (together with Dirac's prescription of filling the “negative energy sea”). When magnetic fields are included the question arises whether it is better to fill the negative energy sea of the free Dirac operator or of the Dirac operator with magnetic field. The answer is found to be that the former prescription is unstable while the latter is stable.
Optimal real-time collision-free motion planning for autonomous underwater vehicles in a 3D underwater space

One approach to designing an optimal real-time collision-free trajectory for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) that move in a 3D unknown underwater space presented here. By explicitly considering the kinematic model of AUVs, a class of feasible trajectories is derived in a closed form, and is expressed in terms of two adjustable parameters for the purpose of collision avoidance. Then, a collision avoidance condition is developed to determine a class of collision-free trajectories. Finally, a performance index is established to find an optimal trajectory from the class. All the steps can be implemented in real-time. The advantages of the proposed approach are: (1) The 3D motion planning problem is reduced to a 2D problem. Instead of directly searching in a 3D space, one only needs to determine two parameters in their plane. Therefore computational efforts are greatly reduced, which is suitable for real-time implementation; (2) The vehicle's kinematic model is explicitly considered, and all boundary conditions are met. After the parameters are determined, the trajectory and controls are explicitly solved in closed forms. This method is shown to be effective by computer simulations.
Regulation of linear systems over rings by dynamic output feedback

Abstract A general algebraic solution to the problem of regulation of linear systems over arbitrary commutative rings by dynamic output feedback is given which extends the theory of regulation for such systems. Furthermore, the notion of row (column) regularity for polynomial matrices over a class of rings (Bezout domains) is introduced. This concept is shown to simplify the regulation problem considerably for these rings compared to the general case.
Relative rate constants for the reactions of atomic oxygen with HO2 anad OH radicals

Relative rate constants for the reactions O + HO2 - OH + O2 (1) and O + OH - H + O2 (2) were obtained by using the discharge-flow resonance fluorescence technique at 2 torr total pressure and 299 K. HO2 radicals were generated by reacting atomic hydrogen with an excess of O2. Quasi-steady-state concentrations of OH and HO2 were established in the presence of excess atomic oxygen. Observed concentration ratios, namely the ratio of the OH concentration to the HO2 concentration, resulted in a value of 1.7 + or 0.2 for k1/k2. The error limits are twice the standard deviation obtained from the data analysis. Overall experimental error is estimated to be + or - 25 percent. This result confirms earlier direct measurements of k1 and k2 which required knowledge of absolute radical or atomic oxygen concentrations.
The Fundamental Role of Intervention Implementation in Assessing Response to Intervention

Although the assessment of response to intervention (RTI) as a service delivery model has undergone considerable development over the last decade, all of the critical elements that must be in place for RTI to be successful have not received similar attention. One of the fundamental elements of RTI is the implementation of interventions. However, implementation of interventions appears to be commonly assumed within discussions of RTI rather than considered a major issue to be resolved. Emerging research suggests that assuring treatment or intervention implementation is, in fact, a substantial requirement for problem-solving services to students in schools (Noell, in press). This chapter describes some of the critical conceptual issues related to intervention implementation, and provides a selected review of the research regarding the assessment and assurance of intervention implementation.
The herb calamus and the transcendent Han Zhong in Taoist literature

The role played by mineral and herbal drugs in the early development of the Daoist religion is as complex as it is important. This paper explores some of the many ways calamus was employed in traditional China in an attempt to provide data for further studies on Daoism and medicine. Calamus was used to repel mosquitoes and fleas and to ward off evil on the Double-five holiday, but its roots were also ingested as part of herbal regimes designed to lead to the longevous state of Transcendent being 仙人. The plant even had its own patron. Like “Hemp Maid” 麻姑, the goddess who is the simulacrum of the hemp plant, Han Zhong is shown here to be a living embodiment of 菖蒲 (calamus).
Dynamics of rapid extinction in a lumped system with Arrhenius chemistry

Reacting systems with Arrhenius chemistry can exhibit multiple steady states for γ > 4(1 + β)/β where γ is activation energy and β is the heat of reaction. We give a detailed analysis of the extremely rapid jump which takes place as catalyst activity slowly decays through criticality. Previous analyses are asymptotic in the limit γ → ∞; here we relax the large γ assumption and only require that passage through criticality is slow.
A Mobile Structured Light System for 3D Face Acquisition

A mobile sensor based on fringe projection techniques is developed with the goal of acquiring face 3D and color with a smartphone device. The system consists of a portable pico-projector and an Android-based smartphone. The data acquisition, pattern generation. and reconstruction of the final 3D point cloud are all driven by the smartphone. We present results on the root-mean-square error (RMSE) of the sensor and on 3D face matching.
Intercultural dialogue in theory and practice: a review

The first decade and a half of the twenty-first century has proven very volatile for global peace and security as evidenced by numerous international and local conflicts. Increasing acts of terror,...
Decreasing iron overload:a new approach for prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis

A lot of studies concerned about the mechanism of post-menopausal osteoporosis,as well as prevention and treatment.In recent years,more and more studies are focusing on the association of iron overload with postmenopausal osteoporosis.Furthermore,it has been widely accepted that:first,postmenopausal osteoporosis is always accompanied by iron overload;Second,ways that decreases iron overload could improve osteoporosis partly;Third,hepcidin has a promising future in the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis owing to its capability of decreasing iron overload.In this article,the authors summarize the associated studies,as well as introduce the background and achievements in this field,to provide a new idea in the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
The successful use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors to treat the syndrome of cor pulmonale and prerenal azotemia with diuresis of anasarca (CorPRADA).

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of deteriorating renal function test results along with the attempts at diuresis of anasarca has been described but not named, and no solution other than the standard treatment of related medical conditions such as congestive heart failure (CHF) and reducing or stopping diuretics has been offered. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PD5I) are known to reduce pulmonary hypertension (PH). The PD5Is sildenafil and, just recently, tadalafil, have FDA indications in primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). METHODS: In this observational study of CorPRADA patients treated with PD5I, 12 out of 19 cases met criteria for inclusion in statistical analysis. Medication reductions/discontinuations generally were made. Pre- and post-treatment data were analyzed using matched pairs. RESULTS: There were significant improvements in edema, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), weight, and loop diuretic dosage required, while strong trends were seen in urine output per day and urine output per unit loop diuretic per day. CONCLUSION: The identification of CorPRADA and the use of standard treatments for PH plus PD5I medication show promise in achieving successful diuresis of anasarca while stabilizing or improving renal function simultaneously.
Equal Protection and the Rehnquist Court: Compounding a Legacy of Constitutional Vagrancy

This essay will (1) examine the Rehnquist Court's equal protection renderings within the historical context of racial jurisprudence; (2) consider the theoretical potential for doctrinal development accounting for racial injustice; and (3) trace a likely path of further equal protection devolution that most probably will define the Rehnquist Court's legacy.
Reevaluation of PNU-99194A discriminative stimulus effects: potentiation by both a D2 antagonist and a D3/D2 agonist.

Abstract This study evaluated the relative importance of D3 receptor antagonism in the discriminative stimulus effects of the putative D3 receptor antagonist PNU-99194A. Eight male Sprague–Dawley rats were trained to discriminate PNU-99194A (10 mg/kg sc) from vehicle in a two-choice drug discrimination procedure under a FR 20 schedule of food reinforcement. The selective D3 antagonists PD 152255 and S14297 were examined for stimulus generalization. The D2 antagonist haloperidol and the D2/D3 receptor agonist (+)-7-OH-DPAT were also assessed for antagonism of PNU-99194A discrimination. PD 152255 (1.0–3.0 mg/kg) engendered no generalization to PNU-99194A. Due to its markedly rate-suppressive effects, PD 152255 could not be tested at higher doses. S-14297 produced partial substitution (66%) for PNU-99194A at both 3.0 and 8.0 mg/kg. Neither haloperidol nor (+)-7-OH-DPAT blocked the discrimination of PNU-99194A and, surprisingly, actually appeared to potentiate its effects. These data, along with other recent findings, suggest that the discriminative stimulus effects of PNU-99194A appear to involve complex pharmacological actions and are not solely mediated by D3 receptor antagonism.
Performance characterization of a multiplexed space-to-ground optical network

Advances in phased array systems for multi-beam free space optical communications are a key enabler for a new space-to-ground network architecture, namely a multiplexed optical architecture. The fundamental idea of a multiplexed space-to-ground optical network is the utilization of a multi-beam optical payload that allows each spacecraft to establish links with multiple ground stations within its line of sight. Information is then downlinked in parallel, from the satellite to the ground, through the subset of links not disrupted by clouds. In this paper we evaluate the performance of a multiplexed optical space-to-ground architecture from a systems perspective, with particular emphasis on the effect of cloud correlation in the network throughput. In particular, we first derive the expected data volume returned in a multiplexed architecture as a function of the optical network availability and the system total capacity. Then, we compare the performance of the proposed multiplexed architecture against a traditional single-beam downlink system that utilizes site diversity to mitigate cloud coverage effects. This comparison is based on two canonical scenarios, a global highly uncorrelated network representative of a geosynchronous satellite; and local, highly correlated, network representative of a low Earth orbit spacecraft. Through this analysis, we demonstrate that multiplexed architectures can improve the throughput of a space-to-ground optical network as compared to that of a single ground telescope without requiring a beam switching mechanism.
Freezing time: what mathematics and science teachers see while teaching

Our methodology was designed to tap directly into teachers' in-the-moment noticing in a way that has not been possible before. Specifically, the idea is that the clips themselves have the potential to reveal the kinds of events that teachers pay attention to during instruction. In addition, the hope is that teachers' comments in the interviews will provide valuable information concerning the ways in which noticing acts during instruction, for example, the extent to which noticing is a conscious process and the reasons behind teachers' attention to various kinds of events. The goal of this presentation is to summarize and illustrate the data we have collected thus far, and then discuss the ways in which the methodology achieved its potential as well as problems we faced in the process.
Pelvic and lower extremity immobilization for cloacal exstrophy bladder and abdominal closure in neonates and older children

Abstract Introduction Successful bladder closure in cloacal exstrophy (CE) is best accomplished through a multidisciplinary team and attention to pre- and postoperative technique. This study from a high volume exstrophy center investigates outcomes and complications of primary and reoperative bladder closures in patients immobilized with spica cast or patients with external fixation (EF) and skin traction. Methods The authors reviewed an institutionally approved and daily updated database of 1311 patients with exstrophy–epispadias complex and identified patients with cloacal exstrophy born between 1975 and 2015 who had undergone primary or reoperative bladder closures. Only the closures that used spica casting or external fixation were included for analysis. Demographic, operative, and outcomes data were compared between patients with spica cast only and patients with external fixation and skin traction. Results Out of 140 patients with CE or a CE variant, a total of 71 patients with 94 bladder closures (66 primary and 28 reoperative) met inclusion criteria. Median follow-up time was 8.8 years (range 1.5–29.1). There were 37 closures performed at the authors’ institution and 58 from outside hospitals. Pelvic osteotomy was undertaken in 66 (70.2%) of all closures, and in 36 (97.3%) of closures at the authors’ institution. Postoperative immobilization was achieved with spica cast alone in 46 (48.9%) closures, external fixation and skin traction in 43 (45.7%), and spica cast and external fixation in 5 (5.3%) closures. For all closures, there were 33 failures (71.7%) among those immobilized with spica cast alone versus 4 failures (9.3%) for those immobilized with external fixation and skin traction (p Conclusion Failure of CE closure can occur with any form of pelvic and lower extremity immobilization. This study, however, provides continued evidence that external fixation with skin traction is an optimal, secure technique (3.8% failure rate) for postoperative management in an older child (1–2 years). Level of Evidence Level III, Retrospective comparative study Study Type Therapeutic study
Culture-specific delusions. Sense and nonsense in cultural context.

The identification of delusional thinking is not an easy matter, especially in the increasing brightness of cross-cultural illumination. This brief overview considers a variety of delusional beliefs drawn from the cross-cultural record and the author’s research to restate and expand a cultural view of delusions in the context of a survey of culturally specific beliefs. The distinction between normal and delusional thinking is questioned by challenging the notion of a universal standard. Use is made of a number of delusional aspects of US and other western cultures upon which psychiatric thinkers generally do not reflect. The lack of reflection is shown to be one of the means by which western psychiatry habitually constructs nonwestern others as irrational and prone to delusional thinking. It is suggested that delusional thinking can be identified only in cultural context, for ideas, however strange or bizarre, are cultural, not delusional, if learned, shared, and transmitted as part of culture.
Adaptive scheduling to enhance data security and energy efficiency on energy harvesting platform

Abstract Radio-frequency (RF)-based energy harvesting platforms are appealing for always-on applications due to its radio frequency energy harvesting capability. However, the current RF-based energy harvesting capability is limited by many factors including harvesting distance, device constraints, communication, and security. RF-based energy harvesting platforms tend to harvest less energy as the device is further away, and impacts the ability to execute its own applications properly. The limited storage of energy on such platforms will make it even challenging to implement energy-hungry security functions on top of basic functions such as sensing, computing and transmitting. Therefore, by default, a lot of RF-based energy harvesting platforms have no basic security functions implemented, which is not acceptable for security-sensitive applications such as biomedical applications. In this paper, we propose an adaptive light-weight scheduling mechanism that aims to balance data security and energy efficiency for application on RF-based energy-harvesting platforms. We will then prototype this scheduler on a Wireless Identification and Sensing Platform (WISP) device. The results in this paper will test this scheduling mechanism in action on a WISP device, along with use of a sensor to determine energy impact on the device, a deadline-based mechanism for data distribution, and finally comparing these cases with average voltage and total time.
Why Unworthy Mega-Projects?

In Chap. 2, I presented estimates of the enormous resources that developed countries require to maintain, upgrade and expand their in-place transportation infrastructure systems. The data also showed that over time, only one-third to one-half of these needed resources are actually invested. Against this dismal picture one would expect that only the best welfare-contributing infrastructure projects would be selected for implementation. Yet, as demonstrated throughout this book, this is not the case. A significant number of the implemented transportation projects, especially mega-projects, display unacceptable ex-ante or ex-post transportation-economic properties: inferior economic performance, grossly missed schedules, way-off budgets and non-delivery of promised benefits. Furthermore, the formal requirement to conduct a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) or one of its variants notwithstanding, the data show that few projects in developed countries have actually undergone a comprehensive CBA prior to their selection. This phenomenon is especially disturbing because it implies that, at least in these countries, a significant proportion of the scarce resources allocated to transportation infrastructure improvement are being misused or wasted.
Variation of forearm, hand, and finger blood flow indices with ambient temperature.

Forearm, hand, and finger blood flow (impedance) changes are measured by impedance rheography on seven healthy male subjects aged 20-35 yr during exposure to ambient temperatures ranging from 10 to 46 C. All observations are made in an environmental chamber at a dew point temperature of 13 + or - 0.25 C. It is shown that impedance rheography is suitable for quantifying peripheral circulatory responses to thermal stress. The measured blood flow indices are found to be consistent with previously reported values for the forearm, hand, and fingers obtained using air or water displacement plethysmography. In particular, the more distal body segments exhibit relatively larger vasomotor responses to changes in ambient temperature than do the more proximal body segments.
Expression of VHL and SRC in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

e16133Background: SRC is overexpressed in many cancers and promotes growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. We previously reported that RCC expressing higher SRC by immunohistochemistry (IHC) is assoc...
Closing: It Is a Journey, Not a Destination

This book has provided explanations and examples of integrated care and shared practical guidance for moving forward with integrated care in your practice. This closing chapter reprises this guidance from each chapter to remind you of some specific challenges and opportunities you are likely to face as you take your own journey toward your practice becoming more of what you probably always wanted it to be. The ideas and suggestions are intentionally specific to integrating primary care and behavioral health, but you may find them to be relevant to other substantial changes you want to make in your practice. Primary care practices that have already taken the journey do not want to go back to how they used to practice because integrated care is better care.