cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optical flow from eye movement with head immobilized: "ocular occlusion" beyond the nose.

Abstract The point of observation translates with eye movement because it is not coincident with the center of rotation in the eye. “Ocular occlusion” results. The amount of optical structure revealed by eye rotation depends on the distances of the occluding and occluded surfaces. The method of adjustment was used in Expt 1 to investigate the amount of structure detected at distances up to 1 m. In Expt 2, a forced-choice method was used to confirm predictions based on the assumption that the point of observation is in the entrance pupil at 11 nun from the center of rotation. (The location of the point of observation in the eye had not been measured previously.) Experiment 3 investigated the use of ocular occlusion to detect separation of surfaces in depth.
Group contribution methods for coal liquids

Abstract This paper presents a brief summary of the use of group contribution methods for coal derived liquids. Group contribution methods have been used to estimate heat capacity, critical properties, hydrogen solubility and vapor pressure for narrow boiling coal liquid distillates. In general, the group contribution methods provided reasonable estimates of thermophysical properties at moderate temperatures and pressures, using no adjustable parameters. Sensitivity calculations were done to identify the structural features which were most significant in determining coal liquid properties. For most of the properties, the key structural features were aromaticity, degree of substitution on the aromatic rings and phenolic content. This conclusion suggests that a few analytical measurements may be sufficient for characterizing coal liquids. The methods available for determining the key structural features are reviewed and evaluated.
Black canyons for ions stored in an ion-trap mass spectrometer

Effects from higher order non-linear resonances, ‘black canyons’, have been observed for ions stored within the quadrupole ion-trap mass spectrometer. At specific qz values, higher-order field effects were observed to cause decreased intensity of chemical ionization (CI) reagent ions, due to ineffcient storage, as well as collision-induced dissociation. Efects have been observed, whether or not the CI reagent ions are mass-selected, and exibit increased severity with longer storage times. Previous reports have shown ‘black holes’ due to inefficient storage of product ions in tandem (MS/MS) spectra, but have reported no such effects in normal mass spectra. Without employing resonant excitation, higher-order field effects were investigated and found to occur continuously along iso-βz lines for βz = 1/3, 1/2, and 2/3. Described in this paper are the directs from higher-order fields on ions stored at specific az values, and indirec effects by those ions. Also described in this paper is new evidence for ‘black canyons’ occurring at βz = 1/3 at negative az values.
Whose Ideas?: The Technical Writer's Expertise in Inventio:

Compelling arguments from researchers studying the rhetoric of science have convinced both scientists and humanists that technical writing involves invention, or discovery of the available means of argument. If we agree that inventio is crucial to technical writing, however, we encounter a problem: namely, that the rhetor engaged in invention as part of a technical writing process does not necessarily have expertise in the subject matter of the composition. What, then, is the expertise that the technical writer contributes to the invention process? Working from the notion that knowledge is an activity rather than a commodity [1], I argue that a technical writer's expertise in invention lies in an ability to adapt rhetorical heuristics to situations of interdisciplinary collaboration. This focus expands our understanding of how invention works when the goal of communication is producing knowledge across disciplinary boundaries, rather than winning an argument with persuasive techniques.1
Elevating Instruction for Secondary-School Students with Learning Disabilities by Demystifying the Highly Qualified Subject Matter Requirement.

The highly qualified mandate of the No Child Left Behind Act and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act has created unnecessary confusion, particularly among secondary-school special educators and administrators with respect to instruction in core academic subjects. The pursuit of compliance solutions to meet this requirement has generally distracted stakeholders from re-examining the mission of secondary-school special education for students with learning disabilities (LD). Because effective subject matter instruction within inclusive classrooms is dependent upon general and special educators capitalizing on each other's areas of expertise, the necessity of requiring special educators to possess a comparable level of subject matter knowledge as the general educator is not only of questionable merit, but often counterproductive. This article poses and examines several fundamental philosophical questions related to the delivery of core academic subject matter to students with LD.
Evaluating evaluation forms form.

OBJECTIVES: To provide a tool for evaluating evaluation forms. METHODS: A new form has been developed and tested on itself and a sample of evaluation forms obtained from the graduate medical education offices of several local universities. Additional forms from hospital administration were also subjected to analysis. RESULTS: The new form performed well when applied to itself. The form performed equally well when applied to the other (subject) forms, although their scores were embarrassingly poor. CONCLUSIONS: A new form for evaluating evaluation forms is needed, useful, and now available.
Does stent placement improve the results of ineffective or complicated iliac artery angioplasty

Abstract Objective: This study was undertaken to determine the results and complications of stents placed for initially unsuccessful or complicated iliac percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), the effect of location (external iliac or common iliac) on outcome, and the influence of superficial femoral artery patency on benefit. Design: From 1992 through 1997, 350 patients underwent iliac artery PTA at the authors' institutions. Of this group, 88 patients (88 arteries) had one or more stents placed after PTA (140 stents in total) for residual stenosis or pressure gradient (63 patients), iliac dissection (12 patients), long-segment occlusion (10 patients), or recurrent stenosis (3 patients). Thirty patients required the placement of more than one stent. The indications for PTA in these 88 patients were claudication (48 patients) and limb-threatening ischemia (40 patients). Forty-seven patients had stents placed in the common iliac, 29 patients had stents placed in the external iliac, and 12 patients had stents placed in both. Seventy-one arteries (81%) were stenotic, and 17 (19%) were occluded before PTA. Sixty-six arteries were treated by interventional radiologists, 15 by a vascular surgeon, and 7 jointly. Main outcome measure: Criteria for success included (1) increase of at least one clinical category of chronic limb ischemia from baseline or satisfactory wound healing, (2) maintenance of an ankle/brachial index increase of more than 0.10 above the preprocedure index, and (3) residual angiographic stenosis less than 25% and, for patients with pressure gradient measurements, a residual gradient less than 10 mm Hg. Results: Stent placement was accomplished in all 88 patients with 16 (18%) major complications. Mean follow-up was 17 months (range, 3 to 48 months). By life-table analysis, success was 75% at 1 year, 62% at 2 years, and 57% at 3 years. No cardiovascular risk factor or independent variable was statistically significant in predicting success. There was no difference in success rates for common iliac or external iliac lesions. Superficial femoral artery patency did not correlate with outcome. Conclusions: Although stents can eliminate residual lesions and arterial dissection, these patients are likely to require adjuvant or subsequent procedures to attain clinical success. By controlling the PTA complication and treating the emergent problem, stents may allow for subsequent elective intervention. (J Vasc Surg 1998;28:104-14)
Brief treatment of a vomiting phobia.

Abstract This report details the treatment of a vomiting phobia in a young woman. By utilizing her need to defeat the therapist and her orientation towards growth, the client was motivated to perform the phobic action.
GENERALIST FEEDING BEHAVIORS OF AEDES SIERRENSIS LARVAE AND THEIR EFFECTS ON PROTOZOAN POPULATIONS

The generalist feeding strategy of larvae of the western tree hole mosquito, Aedes sierrensis, is central to understanding the community-level effects of the tritrophic interactions among mosquito larvae, midsized organisms (such as protozoa), and lower-level organisms (such as bacteria and fungi) in west coast phytotelmata. Laboratory microcosm experiments were conducted to characterize the feeding strategies of Ae. sierrensis larvae in the presence of multiple resource types (free-swimming protozoa and substrate-bound particulate material). In our experiment, we quantified the effects of varying instar numbers and profile, resource type, and refuge size on predation of protozoa. Refugia were explicitly modeled in our microcosms, representing the interstitial spaces of leaf litter and the wood lining of natural tree holes. Results from these microcosm experiments suggested that: (1) Even in the absence of larvae, the majority of protozoa resided in the small-volume, resource-rich refugia. There was, however, a strong nonlinear and negative relationship between larval densities in the upper compartment and the protozoan densities in the refuge, suggesting that there was continual movement of protozoa between the two spaces. (2) Fourth instars harvested resources by filter-feeding at a higher rate than second instars. (3) As the level of substrate-bound particulate food was increased, the predation pressure by filter-feeding on the protozoa decreased. (4) As the refuge volume increased, the predation pressure on the protozoa decreased. We constructed a three-state-variable mathematical model describing the generalist feeding behavior of Ae. sierrensis larvae. The model system, with constant predator densities and two prey groups, exhibited full cooperativity; i.e., an increase in protozoa density resulted in a shift toward predation by filter feeding, while an increase in substrate-bound resources resulted in a shift toward predation by browsing. This indirect mutualism is mechanistically distinct from previously published systems and provides a potential mechanism for protozoan persistence in the presence of larval predation.
A low potential photosystem in Chromatium D

A low potential light reaction in chromatophores of Chromatium D has been studied by means of oxidation—reduction potential titrations of laser-induced absorbance changes at 435 nm and 410 nm. This reaction, operating at potentials which are low enough to inactivate the P883 (P435) reaction center, has an apparent Em of −145 mV and is attenuated as the potential is lowered with an Em of −318 mV (n = 1). Its spectrum at −260 mV has a peak at 424 nm (compared with peaks at 423 nm and 432 nm for P435 at +415 mV), and its rise half-time appears to be around 75 nsec (compared with <50 nsec for P435). Although this system may represent either a new reaction center or a different form of P883, it is apparent that thermodynamically it is able to donate electrons to NAD+.
Identification of a novel PP2C-type mitochondrial phosphatase.

A novel phosphatase has been cloned and partially characterized. It has a mitochondrial leader sequence and its amino acid sequence places it in the PP2C family like two known mitochondrial phosphatases. Western blot analysis of subcellular fractions and confocal microscopy of 3T3L1 preadipocytes expressing the GFP-tagged protein confirm its mitochondrial localization. Western blot analysis indicates that the protein is expressed in several mouse tissues, with highest expression in brain, heart, liver, and kidney. The recombinant protein exhibits Mn2+-dependent phosphoserine phosphatase activity against the branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase complex, suggesting the enzyme may play a role in regulation of branched chain amino acid catabolism. Whether there are other mitochondrial substrates for the enzyme is not known.
Perceptual and socio-economic variables, instruction in body-orientation, and predicted academic success in young children.

Perceptual differences were investigated at the first grade level among Negro and white lower class children and middle class white children; and nursery, kindergarten, and first grade middle class white children. Half of the nursery school children had been given special exercises to enhance bodily awareness. A rod-and-frame test, the Frostig test, and the Metropolitan Achievement test were the criterion measures. Lower class children were less effective; race was not a significant factor; special exercises were beneficial; and perceptual performance was more highly correlated with predicted academic success for girls.
Constituents of Gaillardia species—I the structure of pulchellin

Abstract The structure of pulchellin, a sesquiterpene lactone from Gaillardia pulchella Foug., is shown to be Ia.
Computation of Normal Modes from Identified Complex Modes

A technique is presented to compute a set of normal modes from a set of measured (damped) complex modes. The number of elements in the modal vectors, which is equal to the number of measurements, can be larger than the number of modes under consideration. It is also shown in this paper that the practice of normal mode approximation to complex modes can lead to considerably large errors when the modes are too complex. A numerical example and a simulated experiment are presented to illustrate the concepts discussed and to support the theory presented.
Fractals and self-organized criticality in proteins

Abstract Self-organized criticality, a powerful concept, originated in 1987 as an extension of fractal geometries to thermodynamic systems in the vicinities of instabilities. The value of fractal methods can be greatly enhanced in realistic models that exploit accurate fractal values derived from homogeneous (possibly curated) Big Data. We illustrate this point by discussing the derivation of fractal exponents describing protein–water interactions, and their application to protein roughness, protein binding and potentially protein engineering. The examples studied are evolution of lysozyme c and acylphosphatase, and mutational effects on their aggregation.
Congestion control multicast in wireless ad hoc networks

In this paper, the interaction of the Medium Access Control (MAC) and routing layer is used to address the congestion control multicast routing problem in wireless ad hoc networks. We first introduce the Broadcast Medium Window (BMW) MAC protocol, which provides robust delivery to broadcast packets at the MAC layer. In doing so, we show that although BMW is able to provide high reliability under low to medium network load, reliability dramatically degrades under high network load. We then extend the wireless On-Demand Multicast Routing Protocol (ODMRP) to facilitate congestion control in ad hoc networks using BMW to combat the poor performance under highly congested network conditions. Through simulation, we show that ODMRP with congestion control adapts well to multicast sources that are aggressive in data transmissions.
Laparoscopy for the impalpable testis

Background Use of laparoscopy in the management of the impalpable testis remains controversial. Localization of the testis may help plan or obviate the need for groin exploration. This study reviews the need for inguinal exploration with respect to laparoscopic findings, particularly of vas and vessels entering a closed deep inguinal ring. Method Case notes of boys undergoing laparoscopy for undescended testes were reviewed retrospectively. Results Of 86 impalpable testes, 32 were intra-abdominal and ten were absent with intra-abdominal blind ending vas and vessels. In 17 instances the vas and vessels entered an open internal ring and in 26 a closed internal ring. In one boy neither vas, vessels nor testis were visualized. Of the 26 impalpable testes with a closed internal ring, excision of testicular remnants in IX revealed no histological testicular parenchyma, one boy had bilateral perineal ectopic testes missed clinically and six were not explored. Conclusion The laparoscopic finding of vas and vessels entering a closed deep inguinal ring should prompt a careful examination for an ectopic testis. If a palpable testis can be ruled out, inguinal exploration is not necessary, as viable testicular parenchyma is rarely found. Laparoscopy would have avoided negative exploration in 42 per cent of impalpable testes in this series.
Comparison of the Photoelectrochemical Behavior of H‑Terminated and Methyl-Terminated Si(111) Surfaces in Contact with a Series of One-Electron, Outer-Sphere Redox Couples in CH_3CN

The photoelectrochemical behavior of methyl-terminated p-type and n-type Si(111) surfaces was determined in contact with a series of one-electron, outer-sphere, redox couples that span >1 V in the Nernstian redox potential, E(A/A^−), of the solution. The dependence of the current vs potential data, as well as of the open-circuit photovoltage, V_(OC), on E(A/A^−) was compared to the behavior of H-terminated p-type and n-type Si(111) surfaces in contact with these same electrolytes. For a particular E(A/A^−) value, CH_3-terminated p-Si(111) electrodes showed lower V_(OC) values than Hterminated p-Si(111) electrodes, whereas CH_3-terminated n-Si(111) electrodes showed higher V_(OC) values than H-terminated n-Si(111) electrodes. Under 100 mW cm^(−2) of ELH-simulated Air Mass 1.5 illumination, n-type H−Si(111) and CH_3−Si(111) electrodes both demonstrated nonrectifying behavior with no photovoltage at very negative values of E(A/A^−) and produced limiting V_(OC) values of >0.5 V at very positive values of E(A/A^−). Illuminated p-type H−Si(111) and CH_3−Si(111) electrodes produced no photovoltage at positive values of E(A/A^−) and produced limiting V_(OC) values in excess of 0.5 V at very negative values of E(A/A^−). In contact with CH_3CN-octamethylferrocene^(+/0), differential capacitance vs potential experiments yielded a −0.40 V shift in flat-band potential for CH_3-terminated n-Si(111) surfaces relative to H-terminated n-Si(111) surfaces. Similarly, in contact with CH_3CN-1,1′-dicarbomethoxycobaltocene^(+/0), the differential capacitance vs potential data indicated a −0.25 V shift in the flat-band potential for CH_3-terminated p-Si(111) electrodes relative to H-terminated p-Si(111) electrodes. The observed trends in V_(OC) vs E(A/A^−), and the trends in the differential capacitance vs potential data are consistent with a negative shift in the interfacial dipole as a result of methylation of the Si(111) surface. The negative dipole shift is consistent with a body of theoretical and experimental comparisons of the behavior of CH_3−Si(111) surfaces vs H−Si(111) surfaces, including density functional theory of the sign and magnitude of the surface dipole, photoemission spectroscopy in ultrahigh vacuum, the electrical behavior of Hg/Si contacts, and the pH dependence of the current−potential behavior of Si electrodes in contact with aqueous electrolytes.
Treatment of multiple eruptive hair cysts with erbium:YAG laser.

Background. Eruptive vellus hair cysts (EVHC) frequently resist a variety of treatment modalities. While pulsed carbon dioxide (CO2) laser has been used effectively for facial EVHC, this laser presents significant risks for hypertrophic scarring when used on truncal sites. Due to absorption of 2940 nm energy by both tissue water and protein, the erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser ablates more cleanly and creates less residual thermal injury in the wound bed. This laser might prove efficacious and safe in treating nonfacial EVHC. Objective. To assess treatment efficacy and wound healing after Er:YAG laser ablation of EVHC. Methods. Two patients with 32 truncal EVHC were treated with pulsed Er:YAG laser using a drilling technique followed by second intention healing. Results. Laser treatment sites healed without permanent dyspigmentation or hypertrophic scarring. No lesion recurrence was observed. Conclusion. Er:YAG laser ablation is an effective method for treating EVHC at anatomic sites prone to hypertrophic scar formation.
Technological Opportunism and Radical Technology Adoption: An Application to E-Business

Abstract Using the resource-based view of the firm, the authors hypothesize that differences in adoption of radical technologies among firms can be attributed to a sense-and-respond capability of firms with respect to new technologies, which is termed technological opportunism. Using survey data from senior managers in business-to-business firms, the authors study the adoption of e-business, a radical technology with the potential to alter business models. The authors first establish the distinctiveness of technological opportunism from related constructs, such as organizational innovativeness, and show that it offers a significantly better explanation of technology adoption than existing constructs do. In a follow-up survey of senior managers, the authors investigate the antecedents of technological opportunism and find that organizations can develop technological opportunism by taking specific actions such as focusing on the future, by having top management advocate new technologies, and by becoming mor...
Thioester enolate stabilization in the acyl-CoA dehydrogenases: the effect of 5-deaza-flavin substitution.

Abstract The redox-inactive thioester analog 3-thia-octanoyl-CoA blocks transfer of a hydride equivalent to the flavin prosthetic group of the medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase with the accumulation of a stable enolate intermediate not encountered with normal substrates. Substitution of the normal flavin with 5-deaza-FAD would thus be expected to lead to enolate formation with both normal and 3-thia-substrate analogs, because reduction of the 5-deaza-enzyme is thermodynamically highly unfavorable. However, spectrophotometric titrations show that neither ligand forms significant enolate species with the 5-deaza-FAD enzyme. Similarly, the substituted dehydrogenase catalyzes undetectable α-proton exchange with octanoyl-CoA and ca. 1% of the corresponding rate with 3-thia-octanoyl-CoA when compared to the native enzyme. This inability to stabilize enolate species is not simply due to impaired binding of CoA-thioester analogs, because binding of a range of ligands is weakened by only 2- to 10-fold with the 5-deaza-enzyme. 4-Thia- trans -2-enoyl-CoA product is polarized normally on binding to the substituted protein, showing that this critical aspect of catalysis is apparently normal. These data, together with studies with CoA-persulfide and acetoacetyl- and p -nitrophenylacetyl-CoA, suggest that 5-deaza-FAD substitution exerts subtle, unanticipated, effects on the reductive half-reaction of the medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase. The involvement of charge–transfer interactions in the acidification of weakly acidic acyl-CoA thioesters is discussed.
Empirical measurement of MEMS stroke saturation, with implications for woofer-tweeter architectures

The Gemini Planet Imager (GPI) is currently in production for the Gemini Telescope in Chile. This instrument will directly image young jovian exoplanets, aided by a micro-electrical mechanical systems (MEMS) deformable mirror (DM). Boston Micromachines MEMS mirrors operate thousands of actuators to provide a well-sampled correction at high spatial frequencies. However, because MEMS stroke alone is insufficient to fully correct the atmosphere in the near-IR on an 8-meter telescope, a dual-mirror system is planned for GPI: The MEMS is used as a 'tweeter' to correct the higher spatial frequencies while a separate 'woofer' DM will be used to correct the lower frequencies. During operation at GPI, any saturated actuators would scatter starlight into the dark hole instead of allowing it to be removed coronagraphically; thus, stroke saturation on the MEMS is tolerated only at the 5-sigma level. In the Laboratory for Adaptive Optics, we test the ability of the MEMS to counter atmospheric turbulence. The MEMS shape is set to random iterations of woofer-corrected Kolmogorov phase screens with varying woofer sizes. We find that, for r0 = 10 cm, saturation decreases from several percent to a few tenths of a percent (∼3-sigma) when using a 100cm-pitch woofer. The MEMS we tested has 0.2 mm inter-actuator stroke for a 200V-range. Nonetheless, saturation (when it occurs) appears to be due to low-order peak-to-valley stroke even in the woofer-corrected case. Gemini characteristically has r0 = 15 cm, so future work includes extrapolating to find where the 5-sigma saturation level occurs.
Transient compressional wave propagation in a two-layered circular rod with imperfect bonding

A pressure shock problem for a two-layered, semi-infinite circular rod with flexible bonding at the interface is treated by using the linear theory of elasticity. Expressions are developed for the dominant, early-arriving, far-field radial and longitudinal strains. These are analysed numerically for the case of a soft core attached to a thin, hard casing for two types of bonding.
Exploration of the gasification of Spirulina algae in supercritical water.

Abstract This study presents non-catalytic gasification of Spirulina algae in supercritical water using a plug flow reactor and a mechanism for feeding solid carbon streams into high pressure (>25 MPa) environments. A 2 III 3 - 1 factorial experimental design explored the effect of concentration, temperature, and residence time on gasification reactions. A positive displacement pump fed algae slurries into the reactor at a temperature range of 550–600 °C, and residence times between 4 and 9 s. The results indicate that algae gasify efficiently in supercritical water, highlighting the potential for a high throughput process. Additional experiments determined Arrhenius parameters of Spirulina algae. This study also presents a model of the gasification reaction using the estimated activation energy (108 kJ/mol) and other Arrhenius parameters at plug flow conditions. The maximum rate of gasification under the conditions studied of 53 g/L s is much higher than previously reported.
The Value of Delaying Alzheimer’s Disease Onset

Alzheimer's disease (AD) extracts a heavy societal toll. The value of medical advances that delay onset of AD could be significant. Using data from nationally representative samples from the Health and Retirement Study (1998-2008) and Aging Demographics and Memory Study (2001-2009), we estimate the prevalence and incidence of AD and the formal and informal health care costs associated with it. We use microsimulation to project future prevalence and costs of AD under different treatment scenarios. We find from 2010 to 2050, the number of individuals ages 70+ with AD increases 153%, from 3.6 to 9.1 million, and annual costs increase from $307 billion ($181B formal, $126B informal costs) to $1.5 trillion. 2010 annual per person costs were $71,303 and double by 2050. Medicare and Medicaid are paying 75% of formal costs. Medical advances that delay onset of AD for 5 years result in 41% lower prevalence and 40% lower cost of AD in 2050. For one cohort of older individuals, who would go on to acquire AD, a 5-year delay leads to 2.7 additional life years (about 5 AD-free), slightly higher formal care costs due to longer life but lower informal care costs for a total value of $511,208 per person. We find Medical advances delaying onset of AD generate significant economic and longevity benefits. The findings inform clinicians, policymakers, businesses and the public about the value of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of AD.
Use of phase-noisy laser fields in the storage of optical pulse shapes in inhomogeneously broadened absorbers.

It has been demonstrated [see, e.g., W.R. Babbitt and T. W. Mossberg, Opt. Commun. 65, 185 (1988)] that coherent optical processes can be employed to store and reproduce temporal sequences of optical data, thereby providing a mechanism for advanced optical memories. We find that excitation pulse phase noise can be used to extend the range of experimental conditions under which the storage process is effective and discuss the use of phase noise to achieve secure data storage.
Simulation of simplified-frigate airwakes using a lattice-Boltzmann method

The airwakes of two simplified-frigate shapes were analysed as part of a study of the complex flow field generated as a helicopter interacts with the airwake of a ship. The current computational studies simulate ship airwake without an immersed helicopter rotor. This flow simplification provides insight into the environment a maritime helicopter pilot will encounter when operating from a frigate or frigate-like ship. The flow around the simplified frigate shapes were simulated using the lattice-Boltzmann flow solver PowerFLOW and the results compared to experimental data. That data included the surface flow visualization on one shape and unsteady off-body velocity measurements on the other. From both the surface and off-body mean flow comparisons, it is shown that the lattice-Boltzmann method captures the correct flow topology. The root-mean-square (RMS) of the fluctuating velocities of the simulated airwake are also seen to match well with the measured RMS velocities. The presented results indicate that the lattice-Boltzmann algorithm will capture both the mean and unsteady portion of the airwake on and off the surface of the frigate for low to moderate wind angles.
Marginalized Children as Social Actors for Social Justice in South Asia

This contribution highlights the role that marginalized girls and boys are themselves playing in varied contexts in South Asia to challenge inequalities and discrimination to ensure that the rights of all children are realized. Notions of rights are inextricably linked to the concept of social justice which is concerned with equality, needs and entitlements. Whilst highlighting the role of children and young people as social actors and active citizens, this paper also explores broader contextual and discourse issues concerning social work practice, social justice and child rights in South Asia. Case examples and ethnographic material from South Asia are shared. Furthermore, the changing nature and roles of social workers and development workers when enabling children's own protagonism are reflected upon, and lessons drawn for social and com munity work practice and policy development in different parts of the world.
Removing biases in forecasts of fishery status

A recent highly cited paper from this journal develops a model predicting maximum sustainable yield (\(MSY\)) of a fishery using the historical maximum catch (\(MaxCatch\)). The model is parameterized with a small sample of fisheries from the United States, and is subsequently applied globally to estimate the benefits of fishery recovery. That empirical relationship has been adopted for many subsequent high-profile analyses. Unfortunately, the analysis suffers from two important oversights: (1) because the model is non-linear, it suffers from “retransformation bias” and therefore the results significantly understate \(MSY\) and (2) the analysis is parameterized from of a very limited data set and so generalizability of the fitted empirical relationship between \(MSY\) and \(MaxCatch\) to global fisheries is questionable. Here, we rectify both oversights and provide an updated estimate of the relationship between \(MSY\) and \(MaxCatch\).
Genomic regions exhibiting positive selection identified from dense genotype data

The allele frequency spectrum of polymorphisms in DNA sequences can be used to test for signatures of natural selection that depart from the expected frequency spectrum under the neutral theory. We observed a significant (P = 0.001) correlation between the Tajima's D test statistic in full resequencing data and Tajima's D in a dense, genome-wide data set of genotyped polymorphisms for a set of 179 genes. Based on this, we used a sliding window analysis of Tajima's D across the human genome to identify regions putatively subject to strong, recent, selective sweeps. This survey identified seven Contiguous Regions of Tajima's D Reduction (CRTRs) in an African-descent population (AD), 23 in a European-descent population (ED), and 29 in a Chinese-descent population (XD). Only four CRTRs overlapped between populations: three between ED and XD and one between AD and ED. Full resequencing of eight genes within six CRTRs demonstrated frequency spectra inconsistent with neutral expectations for at least one gene within each CRTR. Identification of the functional polymorphism (and/or haplotype) responsible for the selective sweeps within each CRTR may provide interesting insights into the strongest selective pressures experienced by the human genome over recent evolutionary history.
Evaluation and comparison of Dempster-Shafer, weighted Dempster-Shafer, and probability techniques in decision making

The Monte Carlo technique is used to evaluate the performance of four techniques for making decisions in the presence of ambiguity. A modified probability approach (both weighted and unweighted) and weighted and unweighted Dempster-Shafer are applied to compare the reliability of these methods in producing a correct single decision based on a priori knowledge perturbed by expert or sensor inaccuracy. These methods are tested across multiple conditions which differ in condition mass values and the relative accuracy of the expert or sensor. Probability and weighted probability are demonstrated to work suitably, as expected, in cases where the bulk of the input (expert belief or sensor) data can be assigned directly to a condition or in scenarios where the ambiguity is somewhat evenly distributed across conditions. The Dempster-Shafer approach would outperform standard probability when significant likelihood is assigned to a particular subset of conditions. Weighted Dempster-Shafer would also be expected to outperform standard and weighted probability marginally when significant likelihood is assigned to a particular subset of conditions and input accuracy varies significantly. However, it is demonstrated that by making minor changes to the probability algorithm, results similar to those produced by Dempster-Shafer can be obtained. These results are considered in light of the computational costs of Dempster-Shafer versus probability.
Esophageal disease in pediatrics

The following on esophageal disease in pediatrics contains commentaries on acquisition of neuromuscular maturation; physiology of esophageal peristaltic and sphincteric reflexes; implications for clinical practice; and conditions that predispose to severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in children with potential risk for esophageal cancer.
The Politics of Peacekeeping: UN Security Council Oversight Across Peacekeeping Missions

Why are some peacekeeping mandates broad and expansive while others are narrow and well defined? Does variation in mandate flexibility reflect the needs inherent in resolving the conflict or the political interests of powerful states? The modern thread of debate surrounding UN action focuses on whether the political interests of the Permanent Five (P5) members in the Security Council or the stated goals of the institution as a whole drive UN behavior. While most analyses focus on where the UN intervenes to assess the political “pull” that member states exert on the institution, we examine variation in operational latitude across UN peacekeeping in war-torn states. Our analysis offers three main results. Powerful states do constrain international bureaucracies; however, bureaucratic independence varies with the intrinsic interests of the P5. Further, heterogeneity across powerful state preferences systematically affects bureaucratic flexibility in peacekeeping.
The auer phenomenon in colon-sensitized mice

Summary Normal, inbred mice sensitized to colonic tissue from the mouse appear capable of an “Auer colitis” — a violent inflammatory reaction of the colon following instillation of 60°C. saline per rectum. The similarities and differences between the experimental disease in mice and human ulcerative colitis are discussed. The use of the inbred white mouse is suggested as suitable for the study of experimental colitis.
Tectonics and metallogenesis of Proterozoic rocks of the Reading Prong

Abstract Detailed geologic mapping, petrography, and major and trace-element analyses of Proterozoic rocks from the Greenwood Lake Quadrangle, New York are compared with chemical analyses and stratigraphic information compiled for the entire Reading Prong. A persistent regional stratigraphy is evident in the mapped area whose geochemistry indicates protoliths consistent with a back-arc marginal basin sequence. The proposed marginal basin may have been floored by an older sialic basement and overlain by a basin-fill sequence consisting of a basal tholeiitic basalt, basic to intermediate volcanic or volcaniclastic rocks and carbonate sediments, a bimodal calc-alkaline volcanic sequence, and finally volcaniclastic, marine, and continental sediments. The presence of high-chlorine biotite and scapolite may indicate circulation of brine fluids or the presence of evaporite layers in the sequence. Abundant, stratabound magnetite deposits with a geologic setting very unlike that of cratonic, Proterozoic banded-iron formations are found throughout the proposed basin sequence. Associated with many of the magnetite deposits is unusual uranium and rare-earth element mineralization. It is proposed here that these deposits formed in an exhalative, volcanogenic, depositional environment within an extensional back-arc marginal basin. Such a tectonic setting is consistent with interpretations of protoliths in other portions of the Reading Prong, the Central Metasedimentary Belt of the Canadian Grenville Province, and recent interpretation of the origin of the Franklin lead-zinc deposits, suggesting a more cohesive evolving arc/back-arc tectonic model for the entire Proterozoic margin of the north-eastern portion of the North American craton.
Stability of swirling gas flows

The stability of inviscid swirling gas flows to small nonaxisymmetric perturbations is considered. For small Brunt–Vaisala frequencies, the problem reduces to the classical Sturm–Liouville form and the oscillation theorem can be applied. The resulting necessary and sufficient stability condition is compared to various criteria in the literature and a limited numerical study of isothermal rigidly rotating Poiseuille flow. For given azimuthal and axial wavenumbers, it is found numerically that the higher inertial modes become unstable for successively lower Rossby numbers and that this sequence of critical values approaches the theoretical value from above.
SU‐GG‐T‐16: A Dynamical System Approach for Real‐Time IMRT Optimization

Purpose: Real‐time adaptation of IMRTtreatment plans to daily changes in anatomy is a necessary task for adaptive radiotherapy. Re‐optimization of radiation beam weights is maybe needed for some treatment fraction, which is computationally expensive and practically inefficient. Therefore, we are developing a new optimization algorithm for real‐time IMRT re‐planning using a dynamical systems approach. Method and Materials:IMRT planning is viewed as an adaptive control design and is solved by a discrete‐time dynamical systems approach. We developed a constrained Kaiman filter (CKF) to obtain optimal estimates of the desired beam weights subject to prescribed constraints recursively according to the changes in tumor geometry. Our proposed method eliminates the necessity of performing the fluence‐map optimization at each treatment and, instead, adopts previous optimization to recursively compute optimal fluence‐maps for subsequent treatment fractions. As a validation we demonstrated our method using digital phantom data. Results: To generate benchmark data, we used an offline solver to calculate the optimal pencil beam weights for two treatments, where an organ‐at‐risk is represented by disk shape and a horse shoe shape structure was selected as the PTV in one treatment and was deformed in the second treatment, which is used as a test case. In our experiments, the CKF yielded similar performance to the offline solver on the test case in terms of mean‐squared error and dose‐volume histograms with fraction of the required time. It also showed robustness to initialization conditions. Conclusion: We presented a new efficient algorithm based on recursive filtering for IMRT planning. This algorithm is capable of developing complete treatment plan taking into account changes in tumor geometry while avoiding re‐optimization of radiation beam weights for each treatment fraction. Conflict of Interest: Part of this work was supported by NSF grant and Varian Medical Systems.
Electron beam resists produced from monomer-polymer Langmuir-Blodgett films

Abstract Recent technological advances in very-large-scale integration are beginning to outstrip the technology used to produce these circuits. UV and optical lithography techniques are producing resist patterns with resolutions approaching the expected minimum. Application needs demand that this minimum be improved to achieve more features per unit area of circuit. We have achieved improved resolution of resist patterns. Through the use of monomer-polymer multilayers, fine line resolution, produced by way of a novel computer-controlled electron beam technique, is now possible. The relative ease and high reliability of multilayer formation ensures uniform films of a thickness an order of magnitude less than that of spin-cast films. The high electron sensitivities of these films enables excellent degradation (or polymerization) upon exposure to an electron beam. Final pattern resolution, for both positive and negative resists, is an order of magnitude higher than conventional resist resolution, offering possible improvement in circuit capability. Morphological studies of these multilayer films provide unique information on domain size and structure. The ultimate morphology of these films is shown to be dependent on deposition conditions as well as the substrate used.
Cyclic nucleotides and ethanol tolerance and dependence.

Abstract Acute ethanol administration decreases cyclic AMP levels in brains of some animal strains. The ethanol-induced decrease of cyclic GMP levels cannot be blocked by intraventricular infusion of calcium but it can be prevented by pretreatment with pyrazole. Although cyclic AMP levels in the cerebral cortex change reciprocally after acute ethanol administration and during withdrawal, the increase observed during withdrawal is probably secondary to some withdrawal processes. Ethanol decreases cerebellar GABA levels only in rats which are stressed prior to sacrifice. Chronic intraventricular infusion of calcium increased the intensity of an acoustic startle response during ethanol withdrawal while EGTA infusion delayed the development of tolerance to the hypothermie effect of ethanol. The ratio of cyclic GMP to GABA levels is postulated to be important for expression of the withdrawal syndrome.
Application of Bifurcation Theory to Axial Flow Compressor Instability

When a compression system goes unstable, the mode of response depends on the operating and system parameters, such as throttle setting and B parameter. Previous numerical work on the model developed by Moore and Greitzer (1986) has provided a limited picture of the parametric effects. Applying bifurcation theory to a single-harmonic version of the model has supplied much more complete information, defining the boundaries of each mode of response in the parameter space. Specifically, this is shown in a plot of B vs. throttle setting, which compares well with the corresponding map produced experimentally. The importance of the shape of the rotating stall characteristic is emphasized. The analysis shows a qualitative difference between classic surge and deep surge.
Molecular and Behavioral Effects of a Null Mutation in All PKA Cβ Isoforms

The cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) Cbeta gene encodes three isoforms, two of which (Cbeta2 and Cbeta3) are transcribed from neural-specific promoters. Here we report the effects of knocking out all PKA Cbeta subunit isoforms in mice. Total PKA activity was unaffected in the hippocampus and amygdala, while basal PKA activity was reduced by 26% in the brains of Cbetaall(-/-) mice despite a compensatory increase in Calpha protein. Cued fear conditioning was disrupted in Cbetaall(-/-) mice when tested on a mixed C57BL/6/129 background but was indistinguishable from wild type mice when bred onto a 98% C57BL/6 background. This suggests an amygdala-specific deficit in the Cbetaall null mice that is sensitive to strain-specific genetic modifiers. Behavioral testing including locomotor activity, contextual fear conditioning, and conditioned taste aversion was normal in Cbetaall null mice on the 50% C57BL/6J background. We conclude that Cbeta protein is not essential for neuronal development or function but may play a more subtle role in memory that is modulated by strain-specific genetic modifiers.
On the g J Values of the Alkali Atoms

Measurements have been made on the ratios of the ${g}_{J}$ values of the alkali atoms. It is found that the ${g}_{J}$ values of ${\mathrm{Li}}^{6}$, ${\mathrm{Li}}^{7}$, Na and ${\mathrm{K}}^{39}$ are identical to within one part in 40,000. The ${g}_{J}$ of Rb and Cs, however, are greater than the ${g}_{J}$ of the other alkalis by 5 and 13 parts in 100,000 respectively. Effects which modify the ${g}_{J}$ value of an atom may be expected to depend on the detailed electronic configuration of an atom. Since the ${g}_{J}$ values of Li, Na and K are shown, in present experiments, to be equal, it can be presumed, in view of the different electronic structures of these atoms, that perturbing effects are negligible and that the ${g}_{J}$ values of these atoms are, in fact, equal to the electron spin gyromagnetic ratio.
Further studies of the McCollough effect

Following prolonged viewing of black and white striped pattems in colored light, red and green aftereffects that lasted as long as 3 days were seen on the patterns, illuminated with white light. Altemate exposures of a vertical pattern of stripes in green light and a horizontal in white light (or a vertical in white light and a horizontal in red light) produced a red aftereffect on the vertical pattern and a green on the horizontal. The red and green aftereffects were also produced with a single vertical pattern. Adaptation colors that were at all greenish produced a red aftereffect on a vertical pattern and a green on a horizontal, whereas colors that were at all reddish produced a green aftereffect on a vertical pattern and a red on a horizontal. Colors near pure blue and pure yellow, which had little red or green content, produced weak aftereffects. The saturation of the aftereffects on the vertical grating varied in proportion to the red or green content of the adaptation color. Vivid red and green aftereffects were frequently obtained with the vertical and horizontal adaptation patterns paired with colors that closely bracketed pure yellow or pure blue. In all cases, the aftereffects gradually desaturated as the head was gradually tilted down to the side; the colors on each test pattern, vertical and horizontal, vanished at 45-deghead tilt and reversed beyond 45 deg.