cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Familial cerebral cavernous angioma: Clinical analysis of a family and phenotypic classification

Only a few large families with cerebral cavernous angiomas (CCA) have been reported. We studied 47 members of a four-generation kindred with familial CCA. Thirteen members are affected; of these, eleven (85%) have epilepsy, five (38%) have hearing loss, three (23%) have clinically significant cerebral hemorrhages, one has dementia and progressive pseudobulbar palsy, one has a compressive myelopathy, one has asymptomatic cerebral cavernous angiomas identified by MRI, and another has an adrenal angioma found at autopsy. We developed a phenotypic classification to be used in future gene mapping studies. This classification is based on clinical symptoms, age at onset, concurrent diagnoses, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. In the context of this family, this system assigns each member a probability of affectedness that can be used for linkage analysis. We suggest that patients with epilepsy may experience transient poor seizure control due to bleeding from an angioma, and drugs that may induce bleeding from the angiomas, such as valproic acid, should be avoided.
Semantic clone detection using method IOE-behavior

This paper presents an algorithm for the detection of semantic clones in Java methods. Semantic clones are defined as functionally-identical code fragments. Our detection process operates on the premise that if two code fragments are semantic clones, then their input-output behavior would be identical. We adopt a wholistic approach to the definition of input-output behavior by including not only the parameters and return values of methods; but also their effects, as reflected in the pre- and post-states of the heap. We refer to this as a method's IOE-behavior (input, output and effects).
Some psychosocial and cultural factors in the Arab-Israeli conflict: a review of the literature

This review is offered as an introductory guide to the literature on selected psychosocial and cultural aspects of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Its aims are to survey some of the scientific and nonscientific efforts that have been made to understand the psychosocial bases of behaviors in this conflict, and to clarify evidence related to major propositions regarding the impact of those bases. Its scope is limited by accepting the basic caveats of Kelman (1965a) and Etzioni (1969). Kelman (1965a) makes clear that while we can use sociopsychological data to contribute to our understanding of a conflict, it cannot replace looking at the real issues and giving due regard to historical and political contexts. Etzioni (1969) suggests that sociopsychological knowledge can help clarify specific subproblems, but psychological studies cover only a segment of the behavior in international conflict. Attempts to deal with the history and present status of the conflict from a psychological perspective can be classified into
Mechanism of the negative dromotrophic effect of adenosine 5′-triphosphate in the guinea pig heart in vivo

To test the hypothesis that the vagus nerve does not play a major mechanistic role in the cardiac electrophysiologic action of adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP), the negative dromotropic actions of the nucleotide and adenosine on atrioventricular (AV) nodal conduction were quantitated in an in vivo guinea pig model. Anesthetized animals were divided into three groups. In group 1, ATP and adenosine (0.1–10.0 μmol/kg, iv) were given at random as a rapid bolus during right atrial pacing (paced cycle length 220–270 msec). This protocol was repeated following the administration of atropine (0.2 mg/kg, iv) followed by propranolol (1 mg/kg, iv). In group 2, ATP and adenosine (1.6 μmol/kg, iv) were given in the absence and presence of the selective A1-adenosine receptor antagonist, N6-endonorbornan-2-yl-9-methyladenine (N-0861, 30 μmol/kg, iv), and in group 3, ATP and adenosine were given as in group 2 but instead of N-0861, an adenosine transport blocker, dipyridamole (250 μg/kg, iv), was used. Standard lead I and II electrocardiogram, right atrial, right ventricular, and His bundle electrogram as well as systemic arterial blood pressure were continuously monitored and recorded. AV nodal conduction time was quantitated as AH interval. ATP and adenosine were equipotent in suppressing AV nodal conduction. For example, maximal AH interval following the highest dose of ATP and adenosine was 102 ± 10 and 112 ± 7 msec, respectively. These effects were not significantly altered by either muscarinic cholinergic or β-adrenergic blockade. Furthermore, N-0861 attenuated and dipyridamole enhanced the effects of ATP and adenosine similarly. It was concluded that the electrophysiologic action of ATP in the guinea pig AV node in vivo is independent of the vagus nerve and mediated by its degradation to adenosine and the action of the latter on A1-adenosine receptors. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A unified framework for reliability assessment of wind energy conversion systems

This paper proposes a framework for assessing wind energy conversion systems (WECS) reliability in the face of external disturbances, e.g. grid fault, and internal component faults. The proposed reliability assessment allows a quantitative analysis of WECS designs; analysis of WECS control schemes, e.g. fault ride-through mechanisms; identification of key design parameters that influence overall WECS reliability; and computation of WECS reliability with respect to different grid codes/performance requirements.
A stepwise progression in the treatment of cardiogenic shock

Cardiogenic shock remains a deadly complication of acute myocardial infarction (MI). Early revascularization, inotropic support, and intraaortic balloon counterpulsation are the mainstays of treatment, but these are not always sufficient. New mechanical approaches, both percutaneous and surgical, are available in this high-risk population. We present a case of a young woman with a massive anterior wall MI and subsequent cardiogenic shock who was treated with advanced mechanical circulatory support. This case serves as an illustration of the stepwise escalation of mechanical support that can be applied in a patient with an acute MI complicated by refractory cardiogenic shock. We also review the literature with regard to the use of percutaneous left ventricular assist devices in the setting of cardiogenic shock.
Jailbait: The Politics of Statutory Rape Laws in the United States

Jailbait: The Politics of Statutory Rape Laws in the United States . By Carolyn E. Cocca. Albany: State University of New York Press. 2004. 228 pp. Paper $21.95. Carolyn Cocca notes at the outset of her book that she is interested not only in the nuts and bolts of morality policy but also in how the narratives about those policies circulate and justify, in this case, the regulation of sexuality. The book breaks ground in its sustained attention to an issue that has been insufficiently addressed by political scientists.
Allele-specific RNAi selectively silences mutant SOD1 and achieves significant therapeutic benefit in vivo.

Abstract RNA interference (RNAi) has the potential to treat diseases caused by dominant, gain-of-function type of gene mutations. In these diseases, one allele is mutated and produces a toxic protein, whereas the other allele is normal and performs vital functions. One challenge in the treatment is to specifically inhibit the mutant allele toxicity while maintaining the normal allele function. To test allele-specific silencing in vivo, we made transgenic mice that express an shRNA against mutant Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase gene (SOD1G93A), which causes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by a gain of an unknown toxic property. By crossing this transgenic line with mice that express SOD1G93A and mice that express wild-type human SOD1, we found that this shRNA specifically silences the mutant, but not the wild-type SOD1. The silencing of the mutant significantly delayed ALS onset and extended survival. Thus, RNAi can achieve allele-specific silencing and therapeutic benefit in vivo.
Dimensions of quality of life for Chinese adults with spinal cord injury: a qualitative study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore meaning and components of quality of life (QOL) perceived by Chinese adults with a spinal cord injury (SCI) and to examine the frame of reference that this population used to assess quality of their life.Method: A qualitative research approach was used. Six focus group interviews were conducted with 40 adults with SCI from a northeastern city in China. A content analysis was conducted on interview data to determine meaning and components of QOL perceived by the participants.Results: Participants defined QOL as satisfaction with one's life, which might vary from person to person and change when the circumstance changed. They identified 18 QOL components that could be grouped into five domains: physical, psychological, economic, social well-being, and a least restrictive environment. When assessing quality of their life, participants used both internal (comparing with oneself) and external (comparing with others) comparisons.Conclusions: The results of this ...
How Many Is a Zillion? Sources of Number Distortion.

When young children attempt to locate the positions of numerals on a number line, the positions are often logarithmically rather than linearly distributed. This finding has been taken as evidence that the children represent numbers on a mental number line that is logarithmically calibrated. This article reports a statistical simulation showing that log-like positioning is a consequence of 2 factors: the bounded nature of the number line and greater uncertainty about the meaning of the larger, less frequent number words. Two experiments likewise show that even college students produce log-like placements under the same 2 conditions. In Experiment 1, participants identified positions on a number line for a set that included both conventional and fictitious numbers (e.g., a zillion). In Experiment 2, participants did the same for conventional numbers that included some larger, unfamiliar items (e.g., a nonillion). Both experiments produced results better fit by logarithmic than by linear functions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved). Language: en
Sexuality and rheumatic disease: A prospective study

A prospective study of 70 women and 30 men admitted to the University of Michigan Arthritis Center Adult Inpatient Unit was undertaken to document the incidence of specific sexual problems and to learn from individuals who were not having difficulty. Pain secondary to disease was the most significant factor for both women and men. Interventions were attempted, and long term follow up is planned.
Cyclopentadiene stability: Quantum Monte Carlo, coupled cluster, and density functional theory determinations

The stability of cyclopentadiene is determined using quantum Monte Carlo in both the VMC and DMC variants, HF, CCSD(T), LDA, and the BPW91, B3PW91, BLYP, B3LYP generalized gradient approximation (GGA) density functional theory methods. A comparison with available experimental data shows that the GGAs perform significantly better than LDA and HF for structure optimization. The cyclopentadiene atomization energy calculations reveal that the GGA methods are in fairly good agreement with the DMC result, although a range of ∼20 kcal mol-1 is observed among different functionals. Less satisfactory agreement is obtained with the other methods.
TU‐C‐211‐12: Performance of a Novel Region Growing Segmentation Method for Nuclear Medicine

Purpose: To investigate the performance improvement of a novel region growing (SRG) and “segmentation‐by‐consensus” (SBC) technique for delineation of lesions in FDG‐PET. Further, the improvement in lesion segmentation using time‐of‐flight (TOF) PET was investigated. Methods: The NEMA image quality phantom was filled to give 3:1 and 7:1 contrast ratios between spheres (0.44 – 27.13 cc) and background. Contrast added to the sphere volumes and a hi‐resolution CT allowed segmentation of the true activity distribution. Ten minute list‐mode scans were acquired on a GE Discovery 690 PET/CT system. Images were reconstructed representing 1, 2 and 5 minute acquisitions using TOF and NTF methods. Four commonly used segmentation methods, 40%max 50%max, K‐means, fuzzy C‐means, and the SRG technique, were used to segment the six spheres. The SBC approach creates volumes from voxels segmented by a majority of the techniques. Absolute volume differences and volume overlap were metrics for evaluating each algorithm's performance. Results: All techniques performed poorly for the small (0.44 & 1.08 cc) spheres with mean volume errors between 10–30 cc (3:1 contrast), and 5.5–12 cc (7:1). SRG consistently had lower average volume errors (4.25–6.30 cc) but 40%max had the highest absolute volume overlap for the largest sphere (0.7795– 0.8090). However, SRG dramatically outperformed 40%max for the 1.08 cc sphere (0.4338–0.4952 vs. 0.0124–0.0173). For the high (7:1) contrast, k‐ means consistently gave lower average volume errors (0.09–6.95 cc) and higher average volume overlap (0.4741–0.5765) than SRG (8.57–10.15 cc and 0.3543–0.3967). No noticeable difference with TOF was observed. SBC gave results within the above ranges for both 3:1 and 7:1 with less variation and was close to the highest performing technique in each scenario. Conclusions: TOF offers comparable results to NTF PET for the volumes segmented. The SRG technique provided lower mean volume errors and good volume overlap in low contrast situations.
Harlequin Bug Biology and Pest Management in Brassicaceous Crops

Harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica (Hahn), is a piercing-sucking pest of brassicaceous crops, particularly in the southern United States. The pest typically completes two to four generations per year, and overwinters as an adult in debris and weeds. Both adults and nymphs feed on aboveground plant tissues, leaving white blotches on leaves. Under heavy feeding pressure, plants can wilt and die. Chemical insecticides such as pyrethroids, organophosphates, carbamates, and neonicotinoids have been used for effective control of harlequin bug adults and nymphs. However, there is potential for cultural control of this pest using trap cropping. This paper reviews the biology and management of harlequin bug.
Interfacial anisotropy in magnetic superlattices.

We have observed large discrepancies between the dc magnetization and ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) magnetic anisotropy in Mo-Ni superlattices. We show that higher-order anisotropy is present in both measurements and develop an analysis by which the first-order and second-order energies can be treated independently. The low-temperature results show a systematic divergence of the first-order FMR and dc anisotropy as the Ni-layer thickness decreases. It is shown that the source of the divergence is an enhanced surface anisotropy measured by FMR. Possible sources of this enhancement are discussed.
Numerical investigation of possible role of local meteorology in bhopal gas accident

Abstract Two numerical models were coupled in this study; a three-dimensional mesoscale meteorological model and a three-dimensional Monte Carlo dispersion model. The dispersion of methyl isocyanate gas from the Bhopal accident was examined using the coupled models. A series of numerical experiments were performed to investigate the possible role of the surface induced mesoscale circulations and various environmental parameters on this industrial gas episode. The temporal and spatial variations of the wind and turbulence fields were simulated by the mesoscale model. The dispersion of the accidentally released methyl isocyanate gas was then evaluated by the Monte Carlo model using these wind and turbulence fields. The numerical experiments suggest that the reported complex dispersion of the gas at Bhopal could have resulted from the interaction of thermally forced mesoscale circulations. Results especially point to the effect of the Bhopal urban heat island which dominated the local circulation and trapped the gas over Bhopal city. The calm ambient winds, clear skies, and stable nocturnal atmospheric conditions that prevailed during the accident are consistent with the formation of an urban heat island effect over Bhopal.
Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection Caused by Mycobacterium mageritense

Mycobacterium mageritense is an uncommon cause of catheter-related bacteremia ([1][1], [4][2]). We report a 26-year-old pregnant woman who presented with fever for 3 weeks. A tunneled central venous catheter (CVC) had been placed due to hyperemesis. The patient did not have any immunocompromised
Physikalische Fragestellungen aus der Zellbiologie: Physiker untersuchen steife Biopolymere und modellieren molekulare Motoren

„What is Life?” So lautet der Titel eines Buches von Erwin Schrodinger, dessen erste Auflage im Jahr 1944 erschien. Es ist ein kuhner Versuch, einige der Wunder des Lebens im Rahmen der Physik, insbesondere der Statistischen Mechanik, zu verstehen. Seit diesem visionaren Buch haben wir eine revolutionare Entwicklung in der Molekularbiologie gesehen. Mit faszinierenden neuen physikalischen Techniken wie der Einzelmolekulspektroskopie lassen sich biologische Systeme inzwischen quantitativ analysieren. Ziel dieses Artikel ist es, typische Beispiele physikalischer Fragestellungen in der Zellbiologie zu erlautern. Man kann hoffen, mit einem interdisziplinaren Ansatz einer Beantwortung von Schrodingers fundamentaler Frage etwas naher zu kommen.
On affine registration of planar point sets using complex numbers

We propose a novel algorithm for affine registration of 2D point sets. The main idea is to treat the 2D points as complex numbers and from each point set, a polynomial with complex coefficients can be computed whose roots are the points in the given point set. The two-step algorithm first reduces the affine registration problem to a rigid registration problem, and the unknown rotation is then computed using the coefficients of these polynomials. The algorithm is entirely algebraic with clear underlying geometric motivation. The implementation is straightforward and it takes less than a second to compute the affine transformation for point sets containing hundreds of points. We validate the algorithm on a variety of synthetic 2D point sets as well as point sets extracted from real-world images.
Effect of competition on stable carbon isotope ratios of two tussock grass species.

Previous studies have shown that plant carbon isotope composition varies when plants experience differences in water and nutrient availability. However, none have addressed the effect of root interactions, including competition for these soil resources, on carbon isotope ratios. We studied the effect of interspecific root interactions on the productivity and carbon isotope ratios of two Great Basin tussock grass species (Agropyron desertorum and Pseudoroegneria spicata). We compared grasses grown in mixture with sagebrush (Artemisia tridentara) to grasses in similar mixtures but where root interactions with sagebrush were limited by fiberglass partitions. During both years of the study, tussocks growing in competition with sagebrush produced tissue with more negative δ13C values than grasses experiencing limited root interaction with sagebrush. The magnitude of this difference (0.5 to 0.9%) is similar to that found in other studies when soil fertility and moisture availability were altered.
The role of hypervalent intermediates in alkyl transfer reactions at sulfonium centers

Abstract The kinetic parameters for the reaction of a series of S -(substituted)benzyl- S -methyl- S - (substituted) phenylsulfonium salts with buffered solutions of morpholine, piperidine and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline in 2-propanol (25°C, μ = 0.13 with LiClO 4 ) generate the following structure/reactivity parameters: the Hammett ϱ ph for substitution in the sulfonium phenyl ring ranges between 2.0 (piperidine) and 2.2 (morpholine). The Hammett ϱ bz for substitution in the sulfonium-benzyl position is non-linear with significant upward curvature for both inductively electron donating and electron withdrawing substituents. The values of β nuc for all substituents tested varied between 0.05 and 0.17. The small values of β nuc coupled with the large Hammett ϱ ph of ≈ 2.0 (phenyl substitution) would tend to suggest an “exploded” transition state with a great deal of positive charge localized on the benzyl carbon. This is inconsistent, however, with the small and even positive values of ϱ bz which are observed for the benzyl position. A mechanism is suggested involving equilibrium formation of a sulfurane intermediate which decomposes via an intramolecular ligand coupling pathway to give the observed products.
Managing Biosecurity Threats in China

The author assesses 3 major biosecurity threats that China faces: biowarfare, bioterrorism, and biocrimes. He maintains that China has not yet articulated a coherent strategy to effectively tackle the challenges.
Pencil-beam synthesis for large circular arrays

A method is developed which permits the synthesis of a pencil beam for a circular array with an arbitrary number of directive elements. A desired pattern specified in the azimuth and elevation directions is approximated in the least-mean-square-error sense, and the synthesis procedure, which requires the inversion of a matrix, is made quite straightforward. When the total number of array elements is large, computational difficulties arise in the inversion of a large matrix. These difficulties are circumvented by diagonalising the matrix in question with a unitary matrix composed of the eigenvectors of a rotational operator. The optimum excitations in the array elements can then be determined readily, even for a large circular array with many directive elements. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the procedures and results.
When can slacks be used to identify congestion? An answer to W.W. Cooper, L. Seiford and J. Zhu

Abstract We address the question: ‘When can slacks be used to identify congestion?’ We elaborate on a result by Cooper et al. (Socio-Economic Planning Sciences 2001; 35:205–215) in answering that question.
Mountain ranges hold new clues to Pangaea's formation

The upper Paleozoic period, from roughly 400 million to 260 million years ago, saw the surface of the Earth go through a radical transformation. It was during this period that most of the Earth's dry land came together to form the supercontinent Pangaea. The collisions and rifts caused by the tectonic drift left marks still visible today; among these are the Allegheny and Appalachian mountain ranges in eastern North America and the Variscan Mountains in northwestern Africa and Europe. These ranges share the same origin: the collision of Gondwana and Laurasia roughly 300 million years ago.
The aminoboronation reaction

Aminobcronation processes are surveyed and the preparative possibilities of such reactions are outlined. Several specific examples involving aminobcronation reactions with (2-pyridylaminc) - diorganylboranes are presented in order to illustrate some recent developments.
Varieties of magnetic order in solids

Abstract Mictomagnetism, metamagnetism, asperomagnetism, sperimagnet-ism, speromagnetism, spin glass or cluster glass—this string of jargon is part of a score or more of new terms recently added to the lexicon of magnetism. Few of them appear in standard textbooks. This article gives an elementary and descriptive review of the new kinds of magnetism and their relationships. We have tried to cover all the new terminology. Starting from the familiar types of magnetic order in solids, we review the consequences of amorphousness and disorder for atomic moments, exchange interactions, and singleion anisotropies. In all, fourteen different types of magnetism are considered.
Methods in Neuronal Modeling: From Synapses to Networks C. Koch & I. Segev (Eds) Cambridge, MA: MIT/Bradford, 1989 ISBN 0-262-11133-0, xii + 524 pp., £40.50

(1990). Methods in Neuronal Modeling: From Synapses to Networks C. Koch & I. Segev (Eds) Cambridge, MA: MIT/Bradford, 1989 ISBN 0-262-11133-0, xii + 524 pp., £40.50. Connection Science: Vol. 2, No. 4, pp. 378-379.
Perioperative management of children with third degree heart block undergoing pacemaker placement: a ten year review

It has been suggested that children with third degree heart block require insertion of a temporary pacemaker prior to general anaesthesia. This recommendation needs to be reevaluated with the availability of noninvasive transcutaneous cardiac pacing. We undertook a retrospective ten-year chart review of anaesthesia in children with third degree heart block undergoing pacemaker insertion or revision. Forty-eight children with complete heart block underwent seventy anaesthetics of which fifty three were in children without pacemakers or with nonfunctioning pacemakers. One child had a temporary pacemaker placed preoperatively following asystole in the emergency room. In children who were not being paced, 60% had baseline heart rates less than 60 bpm. Complications seen in this study, including hypotension, would not have been prevented by temporary pacemaker placement. We conclude that there is no benefit to routine preoperative temporary pacing in children with third degree heart block.
Products of classes of residuated structures

The central result of this paper provides a simple equational basis for the join, IRL∨LG, of the variety LG of lattice-ordered groups (l-groups) and the variety IRL of integral residuated lattices. It follows from known facts in universal algebra that IRL∨LG=IRL×LG. In the process of deriving our result, we will obtain simple axiomatic bases for other products of classes of residuated structures, including the class IRL×sLG, consisting of all semi-direct products of members of IRL by members of LG. We conclude the paper by presenting a general method for constructing such semi-direct products, including wreath products.
Detection of electronic excited states in conjugated polymers by picosecond transient strain spectroscopy.

We describe a new type of spectroscopy based on picosecond transient strain in absorption photomodulation that can be used to detect and identify both allowed and forbidden optical transitions in solid thin films. We have applied the new spectroscopy to a variety of conducting polymer films such as polythiophene, trans and cis polyacetylene, and poly(diethynyl-silane), in which we measured energy levels of various excitonic states with odd and even symmetry that are, respectively, allowed and forbidden in the optical absorption.
Determination of Criminal Responsibility Application of the Two-Alternative Forced-Choice Stratagem

The two-alternative forced-choice principle, which has been used to detect malingering and “hysterical” symptoms, was applied to the assessment of criminal responsibility in an analog study. Prison inmates and university students completed forced-choice tests of general knowledge and moral reasoning on which below-chance scores indicate dishonest performance. Subjects were assigned randomly to one of three groups: control, naive faking, and coached faking. Significantly greater proportions of subjects in the naive and coached faking groups than in the control group scored significantly below chance on each test. Cutoff scores to maximize accuracy of classification were established for both tests. Implications of the findings for detecting individuals who fake a lack of criminal responsibility are considered, as well as directions for future research with other populations.
Current status of paleozoic and mesozoic conifers

Abstract Florin's hypothesis that modern conifer families except the Taxaceae evolved from the Lebachiaceae through the Voltziaceae is examined using two numerical analyses. The data for both are based on fourteen characters of the bract-scale complex of forty eight fossil and modern conifer taxa. Primitive states of characters are those approximating conditions in Cordaianthus while derived states are features observed in the Voltziaceae and in modern families. Diagrams have been constructed based on percent similarity of derived character states, a phenetic approach, and on the Groundplan-divergence Method of cladistics, more phylogenetic approach. While the results of the two methods differ in detail, they agree generally in support of the hypothesis. Both analyses show a divergence among the Voltziaceae splitting the genera into two distinct groups. One of these groups, which includes most of the genera, shares many features with the Taxodiaceae and may have been ancestral to this family and possibly also the Cupressaceae. Specific precursors of the other modern families within the Voltziaceae are not clear.
Interrupted tubules in filamentous crystals: Elastic analysis

We have performed a linear elastic analysis of an interrupted tubule IT in a transversely isotropic, crystalline filamentous crystal. Elastic solutions for stresses, strains, and displacements are derived using the inherent antisymmetry about the plane of the IT defect. We show that the solutions can be expressed in terms of two related strain potentials evaluated in different transformed coordinate systems. The displacements are long range and the defects accumulate significant strain energy. We extend our elastic analysis to IT defects in crystalline nanotube ropes CNTR, where the coupled coordinate systems are necessarily real. We find that the stresses diverge within a dumbell-shaped core region, and the core shape is sensitive to the tube radius. Finally, we discuss finite-size effects and registry-dependent modifications to the analysis.
Why the media lab works: a personal view

The MIT Media Laboratory distinctively combines a high degree of vitality, creativity, and accessibility. The vitality is evident to students and visitors, especially in the late hours of the night. The creativity is evident as changes and innovations produce very different “products” from year to year, invariably surprising sponsors and other visitors who have been away from the Media Lab for six to twelve months. Finally, these products are unusually accessible to a general audience, and demonstrations of these products are generally exciting and inspirational to scientific and nonscientific audiences alike. This combination of vitality, creativity, and accessibility is part of the reason for the striking growth and public visibility of the lab over the past five years. It is also why many individuals and organizations around the world seem to be very interested in duplicating the model of the Media Lab. However, such duplications require an understanding of what factors have led to this successful combination in the first place. This essay looks at some of the factors that led to the success of the Media Lab, based on my own thoughts and efforts in trying to transplant that success to different contexts.
Breaking the cycle of marketing disinvestment: using market research to build organisational alliances

Many marketers find their programmes fall victim to disinvestment, both financial and psychological. While most marketers are avid students of consumer psychology, they tend to overlook the dynamics of organisational psychology, just as the literature on market orientation often fails to emphasise the organisational identity politics and power struggles that frustrate marketing. Discussions of market orientation focus on leadership and team-building issues, favouring highly visible cases of organisational success at the expense of analysing common factors in marketing failure, many of them grounded in organisational psychology. Allied with knowledge of organisational epistemology, market research can be used as a critical resource in marketers' internal marketing programmes to strengthen market orientation. Ongoing collaborative market research can build positive organisational alliances that contribute to the internal support needed to sustain a successful marketing programme. Copyright © 2001 Henry Stewart Publications
Algebraic models for equivariant homotopy theory over Abelian compact Lie groups

We describe some algebraic models for equivariant rational and p-adic homotopy theory over Abelian compact Lie groups.
FAST: Toward more effective and efficient image retrieval

This paper focuses on developing a Fast And Semantics-Tailored (FAST) image retrieval methodology. Specifically, the contributions of FAST methodology to the CBIR literature include: (1) development of a new indexing method based on fuzzy logic to incorporate color, texture, and shape information into a region-based approach to improving the retrieval effectiveness and robustness; (2) development of a new hierarchical indexing structure and the corresponding hierarchical, elimination-based A* retrieval (HEAR) algorithm to significantly improve the retrieval efficiency without sacrificing the retrieval effectiveness; it is shown that HEAR is guaranteed to deliver a logarithm search in the average case; (3) employment of user relevance feedback to tailor the effective retrieval to each user's individualized query preference through the novel indexing tree pruning (ITP) and adaptive region weight updating (ARWU) algorithms. Theoretical analysis and experimental evaluations show that FAST methodology holds great promise in delivering fast and semantics-tailored image retrieval in CBIR.
Use of converting enzyme inhibitors in patients with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction

Abstract The Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction (SOLVD) prevention trial evaluated 4,228 patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 35% who were not receiving drug therapy for heart failure. Patients were randomized to treatment with enalapril or placebo in a dose of 2.5 to 20 mg/day. Patients randomized to enalapril showed a 37% reduction in the development of heart failure and a 36% reduction in hospitalization for heart failure (p ≤ 0.001). However, there was only an 8% reduction in total mortality and a 14% reduction in cardiovascular mortality (p = NS). On the basis of the SOLVD prevention trial, patients with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction due to either ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathy should be started on treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor to prevent the development of and hospitalisation for heart failure.
A comprehensive unit cell model: a study of coupled effects in piezoelectric 1–3 composites

Abstract A finite element unit cell model for investigation of arbitrary loading conditions is developed for composites with periodic arrangements of continuous aligned fibers. Special emphasis is placed on the formulation of the boundary conditions to allow for simulation of all modes of overall deformation arising from any arbitrary combination of mechanical and electrical loading. The model is applied to piezoelectric composites whereby the overall elastic, dielectric, as well as piezoelectric moduli are fully extracted. The boundary conditions are validated for elastic in-plane shear loading and checked by recourse to comparisons with analytical bounds as well as semianalytical bounds and experimental investigations for piezoelectric composites from the literature. Aspects of fiber arrangement and differences between piezoelectric ceramic as well as polymer matrix composites reinforced with piezoelectric fibers are discussed.
Antemortem detection of latent infection with neuropathogenic strains of equine herpesvirus-1 in horses.

Objective—To evaluate a technique for identifying horses latently infected with neuropathogenic strains of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). Animals—36 adult mares, 24 of which were experimentally infected as weanlings with neuropathogenic or nonneuropathogenic EHV-1. Procedures—Mandibular lymph node (MLN) tissue was obtained from each horse via biopsy during general anesthesia. Purified DNA from MLNs was tested for EHV-1 DNA by use of a magnetic bead, sequencecapture, nested PCR assay. For MLNs that contained EHV-1 DNA, the 256-bp DNA fragments amplified via sequence-capture nested PCR were sequenced to determine the nucleotide at the polymorphic site that determines pathotype (ie, neuropathotype [G2254] or non-neuropathotype [A2254]). Results—Latent viral DNA was detected in 26 of the 36 (72%) mares tested. Neuropathogenic and nonneuropathogenic EHV-1 genotypes were detected in the latently infected horses. In each mare previously infected with known EHV-1 pathotypes, the open reading frame 30 genotype of l...
IL-13-dependent autocrine signaling mediates altered responsiveness of IgE-sensitized airway smooth muscle.

In testing the hypothesis that interleukin-4 receptor α-subunit (IL-4Rα)-coupled signaling mediates altered airway smooth muscle (ASM) responsiveness in the atopic sensitized state, isolated rabbit...
Integrated design, simulation, and verification of real-time systems

The goal of this research is to develop a design methodology that allows performance characteristics of a system to be monitored through all stages of its development, from initial design to system deployment. The use of partially implemented performance specifications (PIPS) as the design paradigm for real-time systems is proposed. A PIPS model is a partially implemented system where some system components exist as simulation models and others as operational subsystems. The model may be executed in an appropriate operating environment to determine stochastic performance of a proposed design. Proof axioms have also been defined for the modeling primitives to allow absolute timing constraints to be verified for the model. >
Intra-group and intergroup: an exploration of learning with complementary collaboration tools

In this paper, we explore the learning that occurred in two types of collaborative learning environments in a seventh grade life sciences classroom: an intragroup environment and an intergroup environment. Students used both types of collaboration tools, each tuned to the needs of the task they were doing within or across groups. We found that the learning outcomes in the two collaborative settings were different. During the intragroup collaboration, students focused more on the structure and behavior of the designs. The inter-group environment on the other hand, led them to discuss the function/s of their models, ask for and provide justifications for the functions. We discuss the results and suggest integration of the inter and intra group tools.
Nucleus Implant Parameters Significantly Change the Compressive Stiffness of the Human Lumbar Intervertebral Disc

Nucleus replacement by a synthetic material is a recent trend for treatment of lower back pain. Hydrogel nucleus implants were prepared with variations in implant modulus, height, and diameter Human lumbar intervertebral discs (IVDs) were tested in compression for intact, denucleated, and implanted condition. Implantation of nucleus implants with different material and geometric parameters into a denucleated IVD significantly altered the IVD compressive stiffness. Variations in the nucleus implant parameters significantly change the compressive stiffness of the human lumbar IVD. Implant geometrical variations were more effective than those of implant modulus variations in the range examined.
Flaking as a corn preparation technique for dry-grind ethanol production using raw starch hydrolysis

Abstract A 2 3 full-factorial study was designed to study the effect of corn preparation methods (flaking and grinding) on dry-grind ethanol performance using raw starch hydrolysis (RSH) process. Moisture content (15, 22%), flaker roller gapsetting (0.508 mm, 1.016 mm), and grinding were studied. Fifteen hundred g of corn samples were cracked, roller pressed, and were either ground further or retained, along with control ground corn. A bimodal size distribution was observed for ground corn, regardless of flaking. Moisture at 22% resulted in bigger-sized flakes with d 50 between ∼1.3 and 1.8 mm, compared to ∼138–169 μm for ground corn. Not all ground corn resulted in higher ethanol concentration in fermentation beer; the ethanol levels in beer did not reflect the starch hydrolysis trend that favored ground corn. In a related study, the beer ethanol concentration did not show a clear trend with rollermill gapsetting while fermenting the flakes produced at 0.203, 0.305, 0.406, and 0.508 mm gapsettings. Generally, flakes from corn at 22% moisture resulted in higher ethanol content in beer. Rollermill flaking was found comparable to hammermill grinding for dry-grind corn ethanol via raw starch hydrolysis and yeast fermentation.
Developmental hearing loss impairs signal detection in noise: putative central mechanisms.

Listeners with hearing loss have difficulty processing sounds in noisy environments. This is most noticeable for speech perception, but is reflected in a basic auditory processing task: detecting a tonal signal in a noise background, i.e. simultaneous masking. It is unresolved whether the mechanisms underlying simultaneous masking arise from the auditory periphery or from the central auditory system. Poor detection in listeners with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is attributed to cochlear hair cell damage. However, hearing loss alters neural processing in the central auditory system. Additionally, both psychophysical and neurophysiological data from normally hearing and impaired listeners suggest that there are additional contributions to simultaneous masking that arise centrally. With SNHL, it is difficult to separate peripheral from central contributions to signal detection deficits. We have thus excluded peripheral contributions by using an animal model of early conductive hearing loss (CHL) that provides auditory deprivation but does not induce cochlear damage. When tested as adults, animals raised with CHL had increased thresholds for detecting tones in simultaneous noise. Furthermore, intracellular in vivo recordings in control animals revealed a cortical correlate of simultaneous masking: local cortical processing reduced tone-evoked responses in the presence of noise. This raises the possibility that altered cortical responses which occur with early CHL can influence even simple signal detection in noise.
An automatic link establishment standard for automated digital HF radios

A novel federal standard for HF radio automatic link establishment (ALE) using advanced technology 8-ary frequency-shift keying (FSK) has been developed and tested against an excellent example of current technology (4-ary FSK). This standard has been coordinated throughout government and industry and adopted. The basic building block of this family is Federal Standard 1045 (FS-1045), HF radio automatic link establishment. The waveform that has been developed for this standard is very robust and encompasses many features that provide hooks to allow for the addition of advanced functions. The functions of the standardized ALE technique described here include automatic signaling, selective calling, automatic answering, radio frequency scanning with link quality analysis, and automatic linking with the called station(s) over the optimum channel. Federal Standard 1045 specifies the required waveform, timing, coding, and protocols for ALE but does not dictate how these functions are to be implemented. Technical details of FS-1045 are presented, along with a summary of the prototype system performance measurement results. >
Rural Weekly Markets and the Dynamics of Time, Space and Community in Senegal

This article examines reciprocal relations among Wolof small farmers in Senegal after the emergence of rural weekly markets ( loumas ) and the implementation of neoliberal policies in the 1980s. Contrary to the notion that markets are a force of social dissolution, new trading practices and free market policies have not weakened community relations among small farmer neighbours and kin. Rather, the spatial and temporal patterning of loumas has served to strengthen intra-community bonds. Farmers have, since the formation of loumas , limited their travel beyond their home zones. While at loumas they interact avidly with extralocal merchants, they have not allowed outsiders to settle permanently in local villages. Furthermore, because loumas occur only once a week, farmers continue to benefit from daily, multiplex interactions with one another. After analysing the spatial and temporal organisation of loumas , this article looks at specific examples of small farmers augmenting their economic security during a period of economic restructuration by innovating new modes of reciprocal exchange with one another.
Dealing with Economic Imbalances between Industry and Agriculture

Attaining and maintaining an economic balance between industry and agriculture is an important, unsettled policy issue. How to do it is not obvious. Seeing what governments do, it could be argued that they are adept at producing such imbalances. We know that many governments pursue policies that distort product and factor values by various means and thereby induce economic imbalances. In low income countries, governments tend to specialise in policies that keep agricultural production down; in high income countries governments do the exact opposite. Nevertheless, while governments are not blameless, it would be a serious error to attribute all imbalances between industry and agriculture to what governments do.
Rotation Design: A Critical Factor for Sustainable Crop Production in a Semiarid Climate: A Review

The concept of “fallow” has been a prominent management tactic in semiarid regions of the world, enabling producers to compensate for low precipitation. However, fallow phases lead to soil degradation. For example, winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-fallow with tillage has been used for decades in the semiarid steppe of the United States; organic matter levels in soils have declined almost 60%. Thus, producers in this region are concerned about the future sustainability of this rotation. No-till practices, however, improve water relations such that more crops can be added to the winter wheat-fallow rotation. This change in cropping patterns has led producers to seek cropping systems that are economically viable, restore soil health, improve resource-use-efficiency, and reduce the need for external inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers. Long-term rotation studies in the steppe show that continuous cropping with no-till can accrue these four goals. However, with water supply often being limiting, rotation design is critical for success with continuous cropping. Designing rotations in a cycle-of-four with a diversity of crops, increases net returns four-fold while reducing the cost of weed management 50% compared with conventional systems. Continuous cropping for 12 years increased soil organic carbon by 37% and nitrogen by 20% in the top 5 cm of soil, and also improved soil porosity and aggregate stability. Consequently, soil productivity has increased two-fold. Also, the cycle-of-four design provides a crop niche for legumes in this semiarid climate, which further enhances soil function. Some crops improve water-use-efficiency of the following crops by 20–35%, thus ameliorating the impact of low precipitation. Continuous cropping with no-till has initiated a spiral of soil regeneration.