cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wheat markets, food aid and food security in Afghanistan

Abstract In Afghanistan, after two decades of civil strife and successive droughts from 1998 to 2002, large inflows of food aid, distributed mainly to returning refugees and through food for work programs, have helped offset production shortfalls of wheat, the country’s major staple. At the same time, private international trade from neighboring countries, especially Pakistan, has also played a major role in augmenting wheat supply and stabilizing prices. This paper presents an analysis of wheat prices and market flows in Afghanistan based on results of surveys of wheat traders and millers, and econometric analysis of price movements in major markets in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In spite of food aid imports, domestic prices were not lowered below import parity levels in most major Afghan markets. Thus, the price evidence suggests that large-scale inflows of food aid, which benefited the country by providing resources for targeted food for work and other programs, did not have major price disincentive effects on domestic production, at least through mid-2003. However, following the 2003 bumper harvest, the analysis suggests that continued food aid inflows may have depressed producer prices by as much as about 15%. Moreover, given substantial prospects for rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure, there is ample scope for increasing domestic production of wheat and decreasing import demand, so price disincentive effects of food aid remain a possibility in the future, as well.
Energetics of DX-center formation in GaAs and AlxGa1-xAs alloys.

The energetics of the shallow-deep transition of donor states in ${\mathrm{Al}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$As alloys and the problem of Fermi-level pinning by DX centers in highly doped GaAs are examined via simple theoretical models and ab initio self-consistent pseudopotential total-energy calculations. The atomic displacements responsible for the formation of DX centers in Si- and S-doped GaAs are determined. Defect formation is found to be accompanied by a large bond-rupturing lattice distortion. The results of our pseudopotential calculations indicate that DX is a highly localized and negatively charged defect center. The atomic structure for DX is shown to provide a satisfactory explanation for the large Stokes shift between its optical and thermal ionization energies. An important conclusion of our study is that DX centers are an unavoidable feature of substitutional dopants and that the formation of these defects may be suppressed via the introduction of interstitial donors which are unlikely to undergo similar structural transformations. This implies that the normal doping procedure which relies on group-IV and -VI substitutional impurities needs to be modified. Possible choices for interstitial dopants from group-III and -V elements are examined.
Singular perturbation analysis of large-scale power systems

This paper reviews some recent results in applying singular perturbation theory to obtain simplified power system models for stability analysis and control design. The topics include synchronous machine modelling, slow coherency and dynamic equivalence of large power networks, and transient stability analysis using direct methods. The objective is to introduce power system engineers to singular perturbation methods as a tool for providing additional insights into power system dynamics of different time scales and for analytically deriving reduced models.
Searching for dileptons in Z decay

Abstract The lepton family number violation Z boson decay, Z → e − e − μ + μ + or e + e + μ − μ − , mediated by a dilepton, e.g. from an SU (15) theory, is calculated. The branching ratio of such exotic decay for allowed dilepton masses is found to be smaller than 10 −10 .
Existential Perspective in the Thought of Carl Jung

It is argued that there is a significant existential perspective in the thought of Carl Jung. Similarities and differences with some of the views of Jean Paul Sartre are explored as a way of developing this perspective and to show how a philosophy of a man might be developed drawing from both sources. Jung is shown to be in disagreement with Sartre in defending an idea of a determinate human nature, describing the self in a developmental way, and in not claiming that human freedom is absolute or unconditioned. Nevertheless, the Jungian concept of individuation is similar to Sartre's ideal of authenticity, in that both focus on the goal of achieving meaningful existence through development of inner resources, creative exercise of freedom, and overcoming self-deception.
Structural study of metallic amorphous MoGe alloys

Abstract Changing atomic-scale structure in sputtered amorphous MoGe films in the composition range from 25 to 65% Mo has been studied using RDF, anomalous scattering, EXAFS and small-angle scattering techniques. In the Ge-rich end the amorphous material shows strong chemical ordering similar to the Ge-rich intermetallics while in the Mo-rich end the amorphous structure looks much like that of ‘typical’ glassy metals.
Reflectance of Evaporated Rhenium and Tungsten Films in the Vacuum Ultraviolet from 300 to 2000 Å

Discussion of the dependence of the reflectance of Re and W on the substrate temperature during deposition, film thickness, and aging during exposure to air. Re and W of 99.99% purity were evaporated with a 6-kW fine-focused electron gun and deposited on glass and fused quartz plates of various temperatures ranging from 40 to 500 C. With Re, films of highest reflectance were obtained by evaporation onto unheated substrates, whereas with W, heating of the substrate greatly increased the reflectance of the deposited films. For both metals, the reflectance losses during extended exposure to air remained rather small, indicating that the oxide films formed on both film materials at room temperature were very thin.
Estimating the Glomerular Filtration Rate in Obese Adult Patients for Drug Dosing

One-third of adult Americans are currently classified as obese. Physiologic changes associated with obesity can potentially alter the clearance of commonly used drugs. Clearance of certain drugs by the kidneys occurs primarily through glomerular filtration and tubular secretion. Obesity has been associated with glomerular hyperfiltration, whereas obesity-related effects on tubular secretion are not well characterized. Estimation of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is currently performed using serum creatinine using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. However, drug dosing guidelines are often based on creatinine clearance (CLcr) using the Cockcroft-Gault equation as a surrogate of GFR. There is a lack of consensus on the most appropriate method for estimation of GFR or CLcr in patients with obesity. The controversy relates to the use of 2 body size descriptors that confound these equations. The Cockcroft-Gault equation relies on total body weight and so overestimates GFR in patients with obesity. The MDRD equation indexes GFR based on a normalized body surface area, that is, mL/min/1.73 m2. Conversion of MDRD estimated GFR to non-normalized body surface area overestimates GFR in patients with obesity. The current review explores current approaches and controversies to estimation of GFR and CLcr among obese patients in clinical practice. The role of the alternate body size descriptor, lean body weight to estimate CLcr in obese patients is reviewed.
Experimental signatures of quasifission reactions

The features of fission-fragment angular distributions are shown to be sensitive to the occurrence of nonequilibrium processes such as quasifission. This conclusion is based on a quantitative analysis of the angular distributions of near-symmetric masses produced in $^{16}\mathrm{O}$ + $^{238}\mathrm{U}$ and $^{32}\mathrm{S}$ + $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$ reactions. The results are discussed in terms of the "extra-push" model of Swiatecki.
Environmental applications of combined multidimensional gas chromatography-infrared-mass spectrometry

Abstract This paper describes the development of a multidimensional gas chromatographic method for the analysis of environmentally interesting samples. In this study, sequential heartcutting across the entire chromatogram of two different paint or lacquer thinner samples was performed. Identification of mixture components was carried out using either computer spectral library search methods or by examination of the infrared and mass spectral data obtained from the analysis. After analyzing the heartcuts, it was determined that the number of identifiable components had increased from 12 to 60 for one thinner sample and from about 60 to 100 peaks for the other sample. These results demonstrate the analytical power of combining multidimensional gas chromatographic separation methods with the qualitative analysis capability of a modern infrared-mass spectral detection system. Some of the difficulties encountered in the present application of multidimensional gas chromatography are discussed.
Comparing Turbulence Models for Buoyant Plume and Displacement Ventilation Simulation

Computational fluid dynamics may be used to predict the details of airflow in rooms served by displacement ventilation systems, provided a suitable turbu lence model can be found. Since buoyant plumes are central to the displace ment ventilation strategy, four turbulence models - three eddy-viscosity mod els (the 'standard' k-e model, a modified k-e model, and an RNG k-e model) and the Reynolds stress model - were applied to simulate airflow in a turbu lent buoyant plume. Corresponding experimental data from the literature were used for validation, although for a plume stronger than expected in rooms as no reliable plume data for room air flow were found. The Reynolds stress model predicted velocity, temperature, and turbulence quantities satis factorily while the eddy-viscosity models performed poorly. The eddy-viscosi ty models were then applied to predict airflow in a furnished room with dis placement ventilation. The computed airflow patterns, mean velocities, tem peratures, and contaminant concentrat...
The effects of temperature and salts on myosin subfragment-1 and F-actin association

The association constant, KA, for myosin subfragment-1 binding to actin was measured as a function of ionic strength [KCl, LiCl, and tetramethylammonium chloride (TMAC)]and temperature by the method of time-resolved fluorescence depolarization. The following thermodynamic values were obtained from solutions of 0.20 × 10−6m S-1, 1.00 × 10−6m actin in 0.15 m KCl, pH 7.0, at 25 °C: ΔG ° = −39 ± 1 kJ M−1, ΔH0 = 44 ± 2 kJ M−1 and ΔS0 = 0.28 ± 0.01 kJ M−10K−1. For measurements in KCl (0.05 to 0.60 m), In Ka = −8.36 (KCl)12. Thus, the binding is endothermic and strongly inhibited by high ionic strength. When KCl was replaced by LiCl or TMAC the ionic effects on the binding were cation specific. The nature of actin-(S-1) binding in the rigor state is discussed in terms of these results.
On Correlations between the Broad Absorption Lines and Adjacent Broad Emission Lines in QSO Spectra

We compare the C IV broad absorption line (BAL) and broad emission line (BEL) properties in the sample of 72 BAL QSOs which have been studied by Korista and coworkers. A principal-component analysis and subsequent fits to some of the measured properties are utilized to derive quantitatively, for the first time, some empirical relationships between BAL properties and the adjacent BEL properties. The most interesting result stems from a correlation between the FWHM of the C IV BEL and both (1) the minimum outflow velocity of the generally detached BAL trough and (2) the outflow velocity at minimum BAL intensity. These correlations suggest that at least some type of secondary physical relationship exists between the gases in the BAL and BEL regions. This must be explained by any successful model for these regions. However, we find no correlation between continuum luminosity and BAL properties. This suggests that radiation pressure may not be a dominant force in driving the outflowing BAL region clouds.
The Influence of Ethnic Match on Latino School-Based Family Engagement

Research has shown that the school-based engagement of Latino families is lower compared with other racial and ethnic groups. One possible barrier to school-based engagement of this heterogeneous g...
Surrogate Markers of Disease in Mastocytosis

Measurement of surrogate mast cell-related products in blood or urine is often performed to assess disease extent in evaluating patients with mastocytosis. Serum tryptase and 24-hour urine histamine metabolites are the most commonly used surrogate markers of mastocytosis. In addition, several novel markers including soluble CD117 and soluble CD25 have been identified in recent studies. The utility and the pitfalls of each of these measurements are discussed.
The Relationship of Gross Motor Functional Classification Scale Level and Hip Dysplasia on the Pattern and Progression of Scoliosis in Children With Cerebral Palsy.

Abstract Purpose The primary aim of the study was to determine whether progression and magnitude of scoliosis were related to the Gross Motor Functional Classification Scale (GMFCS) and whether laterality (and associated pelvic obliquity) of the spinal curvature affected severity of recurrent hip subluxation in patients with cerebral palsy who had undergone varus derotational osteotomy (VDRO). Methods A total 115 patients underwent VDRO surgery at a single institution between 1980 and 2001. Adequate radiographs were available for 98 patients. Average age at time of VDRO was 6.5 years and follow-up post-VDRO was 8.2 years. Children were divided into lower severity (GMFCS 1–3; 13 patients), high severity (GMFCS 4; 42 patients), and highest severity (GMFCS 5; 43 patients). A single observer measured all spine radiographs using standardized technique. A separate observer measured hip migration index on all pelvis radiographs. Results There was a significant increase in coronal deformity over time in each GMFCS category (p Conclusions The relationship between GMFCS and rate of scoliosis progression differed between groups. Severity of hip subluxation did not increase significantly over time after VDRO, nor was it significantly related to magnitude or laterality of scoliosis in children in this cohort. Significance Treatment decisions regarding hip subluxation and scoliosis in patients with cerebral palsy may be made independent of each other.
Pressure Fluctuations on the Open Ocean Floor Over a Broad Frequency Range: New Program and Early Results

Abstract A two-month ocean-floor pressure record obtained 330 km to the east of the main island of Hawaii by means of a Bourdon tube-type transducer with optical readout is discussed in detail. An approach to subtraction of the drift component associated with plastic flow of the heavily strained transducer is assessed. In spite of a 40 m progressively accumulated error, it is shown that fluctuations with periods as long as a few cycles per record length are resolved with a remarkable precision. The lunar fortnightly tide, with its period around 14 days, for instance, appears to be in error by no more than 0.3 cm, on the assumption that the transfer function between gravitational driving corrected for earth tides and sea floor pressure has a modulus of 0.7 and a negligible phase shift. Eleven tidal constituents in each of the diurnal and semidiurnal bands, as well as constituents M3 and Mf are tabulated. These estimated tidal constants come within a few percent of those published for Hilo, revealing a rela...
Effects of cell-wall acetate, xylan backbone, and lignin on enzymatic hydrolysis of aspen wood

Aspen wood substrates with varying degrees of deacetylation, xylan, and lignin removal have been prepared and submitted to enzymatic hydrolysis with a cellulase/hemicellulase preparation for an extended constant period of hydrolysis. Controlled deacetylation has been achieved by treating wood with various alkali metal hydroxide solutions, at various alkali/wood ratios. It has been found that samples with the same extent of deacetylation produce the same sugar yields upon enzymatic hydrolysis. Increased degree of deacetylation increases the yield of sugars obtained from enzymatic hydrolysis, all other compositional parameters held constant. The acetyl group removal is proportional to the stoichiometric relation between added base and wood acetyl content, i.e., the same number of milliequivalents of base/weight of wood remove the same extent of acetyl groups, regardless of the concentration of the base solution. No cation effects are found among Li, Na, and K alkali hydroxide solutions, suggesting that swelling is not as important a parameter as is the removal of the acetyl groups from the xylan backbone in determining the extent of hydrolyzability of the resulting sample.
TLR Signaling Paralyzes Monocyte Chemotaxis through Synergized Effects of p38 MAPK and Global Rap-1 Activation

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) that recognize pathogen associated molecular patterns and chemoattractant receptors (CKRs) that orchestrate leukocyte migration to infected tissue are two arms of host innate immunity. Although TLR signaling induces synthesis and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which recruit leukocytes, many studies have reported the paradoxical observation that TLR stimulation inhibits leukocyte chemotaxis in vitro and impairs their recruitment to tissues during sepsis. There is consensus that physical loss of chemokine receptor (CKR) at the RNA or protein level or receptor usage switching are the mechanisms underlying this effect. We show here that a brief (<15 min) stimulation with LPS (lipopolysaccharide) at ∼0.2 ng/ml inhibited chemotactic response from CCR2, CXCR4 and FPR receptors in monocytes without downmodulation of receptors. A 3 min LPS pre-treatment abolished the polarized accumulation of F-actin, integrins and PIP3 (phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate) in response to chemokines in monocytes, but not in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). If chemoattractants were added before or simultaneously with LPS, chemotactic polarization was preserved. LPS did not alter the initial G-protein signaling, or endocytosis kinetics of agonist-occupied chemoattractant receptors (CKRs). The chemotaxis arrest did not result from downmodulation of receptors or from inordinate increase in adhesion. LPS induced rapid p38 MAPK activation, global redistribution of activated Rap1 (Ras-proximate-1 or Ras-related protein 1) GTPase and Rap1GEF (guanylate exchange factor) Epac1 (exchange proteins activated by cyclic AMP) and disruption of intracellular gradient. Co-inhibition of p38 MAPK and Rap1 GTPase reversed the LPS induced breakdown of chemotaxis suggesting that LPS effect requires the combined function of p38 MAPK and Rap1 GTPase.
On minimal-order inverses of discrete-time descriptor systems

In this paper, linear discrete-time control systems of the form E k X k+1 = A k X k + B k u k Y k = C k X k + D k u k are considered where E k and A k are not necessarily square matrices. The problem to be solved is this. Find a system of the form E k v k+1 = Â k v k + [Bcirc] k ƒ k , u k = Ĉkvk + [Dcirc]kƒk , where ƒk is a partitioned column vector whose blocks are linear combinations of some of the output vectors of the original system and which possesses either or both of the following properties: (i) If the outputs of the original system are known, then the output equation of the second system uniquely specifies the same inputs that generated the known outputs of the original system, (ii) If the output vectors of the original system are desired outputs, then the equation uk = Ĉkvk + [Dcirc]kƒk yields one or more sequences of inputs for the original system that can generate the desired outputs. We shall furthermore seek the system which, among all systems having Property (i) or (ii) or both, has the sm...
Magnetospheric electric fields and currents

The progress made in the years 1983-1986 in understanding the character and operation of magnetospheric electric fields and electric currents is discussed, with emphasis placed on the connection with the interior regions. Special attention is given to determinations of global electric-field configurations, measurements of the response of magnetospheric particle populations to the electric-field configurations, and observations of the magnetospheric currents at high altitude and during northward IMF. Global simulations of current distributions are discussed, and the sources of global electric fields and currents are examined. The topics discussed in the area of impulsive and small-scale phenomena include substorm current systems, impulsive electric fields and associated currents, and field-aligned electrodynamics. A key finding of these studies is that the electric fields and currents are interrelated and cannot be viewed as separate entities.
Edge‐loading severity as a function of cup lip radius in metal‐on‐metal total hips—A finite element analysis

While favorable tribological properties and allowance for larger femoral head sizes have made metal-on-metal (MoM) bearings an increasingly popular choice for total hip arthroplasty, concerns have mounted regarding adverse reactions to metal wear debris and ions. MoM cups differ from conventional polyethylene cups in terms of edge profile design and reductions from full hemisphericity, suggesting differences in loading at or near the cup edge, especially during subluxation events. Finite element analysis was used to investigate the effects of cup orientation and lip edge curvature on damage propensity for edge or near-edge loading during subluxation. Increased cup lip radius (resulting in reduced articular arc) had a detrimental effect upon subluxation-free hip range of motion and upon dislocation resistance. Contact stresses near the cup edge demonstrated complex relationships between edge radius and cup orientation, with peak stresses being influenced by both variables. The tendency for scraping wear at the egress site demonstrated similarly complex dependencies. These data indicate that acetabular cup design is an important determinant of edge and near-edge loading damage propensity.
On the method of caustics: an exact analysis based on geometrical optics

The method of caustics, as developed and applied to fracture mechanics over the last twenty years, contains several approximations which limit its applicability. In this paper the development of caustics is reviewed and the implicit assumptions made in the past are clarified and discussed. The exact equations are derived for caustics formed by the reflection of light from a general surface. In addition, the conditions for the formation of a caustic curve are derived and explained in detail. Numerically generated shadow spots are given for the case of light reflected from a surface deformed due to the presence of a plane stress, mode-I, elastic crack. Attention is focused on the near tip region where severe deformation gradients violate the assumptions made by previous approximate analyses. The results demonstrate significant deviation from the approximate analyses resulting in errors as large as 15% in the determination of the stress intensity factor from shadow spot measurements.
Regular Article: The Ghost Fluid Method for Deflagration and Detonation Discontinuities

The level set method for multiphase compressible flows is simple to implement, especially in the presence of topological changes. However, this method was shown to suffer from large spurious oscillations. A new Ghost Fluid Method (GFM) was developed to remove these spurious oscillations by minimizing the numerical smearing in the entropy field with the help of an Isobaric Fix technique. The GFM was designed for traditional contact discontinuities where the interface moves with the fluid velocity only. In this paper, the GFM is extended to treat multimaterial interfaces where the interface velocity includes a regression rate due to the presence of chemical reactions converting one material into another. Specifically, interface models for deflagration and detonation discontinuities are considered. The resulting numerical method is robust and easy to implement.
Promoting active learning & leveraging dashboards for curriculum assessment in an OpenEdX introductory CS course for middle school

Lack of teachers to teach computer science (CS) and pedagogically sound introductory CS curricula remain a significant challenge facing secondary schools attempting to teach CS. This paper describes our efforts to design and pilot an online 6-week middle/high school course using Stanford's OpenEdX platform. The pedagogy, curriculum and assessment are guided by learning theory. The course leverages OpenEdX features for contextual discussions and multiple-choice assessments that promote student learning and provide feedback. The paper reports on experiences in using instructor dashboards to identify targets of student difficulty and to aid curriculum redesign.
Simulating and Forecasting Utility Stock Returns: Arbitrage Pricing Theory vs. Capital Asset Pricing Model

Just when the capital asset pricing model (CAPM) has become accepted by public utility regulators as a method for estimating a utility's screening rate, academic criticism of the model's theoretical and empirical shortcomings has led to empirical testing of the alternative arbitrage pricing theory (APT). This paper expands on recent APT-CAPM performance comparisons by simulating returns of public utility stocks using versions of both models, as was done by Bower, Bower, and Logue in a 1984 paper. In addition, the models are used for ex-post forecasting of returns in a subsequent time period. The Litzenberger-Ramaswamy method is used to correct for errors-in-variables in the CAPM cross-sectional equation. This allows for estimating the security market line using firm betas. The same methodology is used in the APT stages. Three different criteria—the Theil inequality, the sources of mean square error, and Chen's estimated weights of expected return-are used to compare CAPM and APT simulation and forecasting of the equity screening rates. Tested on a sample of 128 public utility companies, results show that neither model is clearly dominant. There is a tendency for reversal of performance. The model that is superior for simulating returns tends to be inferior for forecasting them, and vice-versa.
Kinematics, mechanics, and potential earthquake hazards for faults in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, USA

Abstract Many stable continental regions have subregions with poorly defined earthquake hazards. Analysis of minor structures (folds and faults) in these subregions can improve our understanding of the tectonics and earthquake hazards. Detailed structural mapping in Pottawatomie County has revealed a suite consisting of two uplifted blocks aligned along a northeast trend and surrounded by faults. The first uplift is located southwest of the second. The northwest and southeast sides of these uplifts are bounded by northeast-trending right-lateral faults. To the east, both uplifts are bounded by north-trending reverse faults, and the first uplift is bounded by a north-trending high-angle fault to the west. The structural suite occurs above a basement fault that is part of a series of north–northeast-trending faults that delineate the Humboldt Fault Zone of eastern Kansas, an integral part of the Midcontinent Rift System. The favored kinematic model is a contractional stepover (push-up) between echelon strike-slip faults. Mechanical modeling using the boundary element method supports the interpretation of the uplifts as contractional stepovers and indicates that an approximately east–northeast maximum compressive stress trajectory is responsible for the formation of the structural suite. This stress trajectory suggests potential activity during the Laramide Orogeny, which agrees with the age of kimberlite emplacement in adjacent Riley County. The current stress field in Kansas has a N85°W maximum compressive stress trajectory that could potentially produce earthquakes along the basement faults. Several epicenters of seismic events (
Carbon dioxide fluxes over a northern, semiarid, mixed-grass prairie

Abstract Temperate grassland ecosystems are an important component of the global carbon (C) cycle. The Bowen ratio/energy balance (BREB) technique was used to measure CO 2 fluxes over a mixed-grass prairie at Mandan, ND from 24 April to 26 October in 1996–1999. Above-ground biomass and leaf area index (LAI) were measured about every 21 days throughout the season. Root biomass and soil organic C and nitrogen (N) contents to 1.1 m depth were measured in mid-July each year. Peak above-ground biomass typically occurred between mid-July to early-August and ranged from 782 kg ha −1 in 1998 to 1692 kg ha −1 in 1996. Maximum LAI ranged from 0.3 in 1998 to 0.5 in 1999. Root biomass ranged from 12.7 mg ha −1 in 1996 to 16.2 mg ha −1 in 1997. Maximum daily CO 2 fluxes generally coincided with periods of maximum above-ground biomass. Total CO 2 flux for the 24 April to 26 October period ranged from 181 g CO 2 m −2 in 1998 to 474 g CO 2 m −2 in 1999 (positive flux is CO 2 movement from atmosphere to plants or soil). The 4-year average flux for this period was 345 g CO 2 m −2 . Fluxes during the 1999–2000 dormant season were estimated from BREB (−349 g CO 2 m −2 ) and soil flux (−265 g CO 2 m −2 ) measurements and when combined with the growing season fluxes, resulted in estimated annual fluxes in 1999 of 125 and 209 g CO 2 m −2 for BREB and soil flux dormant season measurements, respectively. These results suggest that the C budget of Northern Great Plains mixed-grass prairie grasslands may be near equilibrium.
Insulin-like growth factors and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins in androgen-dominant ovarian follicles from testosterone-treated female-to-male trans-sexuals

Abstract Objective: To determine insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-II levels, IGF binding protein (IGFBP) profile, and IGFBP-4 protease activity in androgen-dominant follicular fluid (FF) from female-to-male trans-sexuals and to compare with those in follicles from normocycling women. Design: Follicular fluid samples were obtained from four female-to-male trans-sexuals and 15 women with normo-ovulatory cycles at the Dijkzigt Academic Hospital. Western ligand blot analysis and protease assays were used to determine IGFBP profile, and immunoradiometric assays were used to detect IGF levels. Setting: The study was performed in two academic medical centers. Patient(s): Female-to-male trans-sexuals and women with normo-ovulatory cycles. Interventions: None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Determination of IGF levels and IGFBP profile. Result(s): Insulin-like growth factor I levels in FF from female-to-male trans-sexuals were not significantly different compared with levels in androgen-dominant FF and estrogen-dominant FF. Significantly lower levels of IGF-II were observed in FF from female-to-male transsexuals than in estrogen-dominant FF, whereas IGF-II levels in FF from female-to-male trans-sexuals were not significantly different than those in androgen-dominant FF. Similar IGFBP profiles from FF from female-to-male trans-sexuals and androgen-dominant FF were noted, with markedly elevated levels of the 31- and 24-kd IGFBPs and a 28-kd IGFBP, compared with estrogen-dominant FF. An IGFBP-4-specific metalloserine protease that is active in estrogen-dominant FF likewise was undetected in FF from female-to-male trans-sexuals. Conclusion(s): Follicles developing under the influence of exogenous androgens in ovaries in female-to-male trans-sexuals appear to be similar to androgen-dominant follicles in normo-ovulatory women with regard to IGF-I and IGF-II levels, IGFBP profile, and the absence of IGFBP-4 protease activity.
Barbiturate therapy in acute brain injury

Barbituric acid was first synthesized in 1864, and since that time its derivatives have been in common use for induction of sedation, hypnosis, seizure control, and anesthesia. In recent years barbiturates have been used widely for control of intracranial pressure in a variety of clinical situations, and there has been extensive controversy regarding the effectiveness of barbiturates in protecting against or ameliorating ischemic or anoxic brain damage. Despite numerous studies, there is no clear evidence that these agents protect the brain from such injury. This review addresses some of the known physiologic and metabolic effects of barbiturates, the results of experimental studies using a number of models for focal and global ischemia and anoxia, and clinical reports pertaining to the use of barbiturate coma. Cerebral blood flow is closely coupled with cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen in the awake state; barbiturates reduce both) 3 This effect increases as dose increases; at levels sufficient to produce burst suppression on the EEG, flow can be reduced to as little as one-third normal, and CMRO2 to as low as 45% normal. Barbiturates do not uncouple the effect of CMRO2 on blood flow; in fact, the cerebrovascular effects of barbiturates appear to be the result of reduction in CMRO2 rather than the direct effects on cerebral blood vessels? No further change in these variables occurs if the dose is increased beyond that required to induce an isoelectric EEG, because barbiturates affect only the oxygen consumption required for electrical activity and not that needed for maintenance of cellular integrity? In contrast, lidocaine, a drug that blocks sodium channels and prevents efflux of potassium in ischemic brain, inhibits CMRO2 and cerebral glucose consumption, and continues to exert its effect after the EEG has become fiat. This suggests that lidocaine is a more effective agent in protecting isehemic brain? In clinical situations in which increased intracranial pressure
Sewing constraints for conformal field theories on surfaces with boundaries

In a conformal field theory, correlation functions on any Riemann surface are in principle unambiguously defined by sewing together three-point functions on the sphere, provided that the four-point functions on the sphere are crossing symmetric, and the one-point functions on the torus are modular covariant. In this work we extend Sonoda's proof of this result to conformal field theories defined on surfaces with boundaries. Four additional sewing constraints arise; three on the half-plane and one on the cylinder. These relate the various OPE coefficients in the theory (bulk, boundary, and bulk-boundary) to one another. In rational theories these relations can be expressed in terms of data arising solely within the bulk theory: the matrix S which implements modular transformations on the characters, and the matrices implementing duality transformations on the four-point conformal-block functions. As an example we solve these relations for the boundary and bulk-boundary structure constants in the Ising model with all possible conformally invariant boundary conditions. The role of the basic sewing constraints in the construction of open string theories is discussed.
Should students get the instructor's lecture notes?

Providing copies of an instructor's lecture notes before lectures is enthusiastically approved of by university students in introductory biology classes. Surprisingly, students who use the notes tend to perform less well onexams than students who avoid using the notes. However, there is no evidence that using the notes is harmful to learning; rather, those students who choose not to use the notes enter the course with better preparation or knowledge than the class as a whole. Pre-circulated notes may improve the clarity of lectures and encourage advance preparation by students — a learning discipline possibly as valuable as organising and reviewing one's own notes.
Magnetic circuit units adopted by I. E. C.

Standardized designations already adopted will obviate confusion if generally ratified; further international standardization of electromagnetic nomenclature is urged.
Difference in stopping power for protons and deuterons of a given speed

Abstract Kinematic limits on the momentum transfer depend weakly on the particle mass M, and lead to a small correction proportional to 1 M to the Bethe electronic stopping number. For protons, the magnitude of the correction seems to be too small to allow unequivocal detection within the precision of current measurements. For muons, the effect would be larger.
EFFECT OF PORE PRESSURE AND CONFINING PRESSURE ON FRACTURE PERMEABILITY

Abstract The effective pressure p e for measurements of fluid permeability 〈 k 〉 is shown to be ( p c − sp p ) where p c is confining pressure, p p is pore pressure, and s depends on the topography of the fracture surfaces and rock type. Measurements of flow through simulated fractures by Kranz et al. [1] show that s can vary between 0.5 and 1.0. The analysis here suggests that 〈k〉 1 3 should be linearly related to ln p e . Data from studies by Kranz et al. [1], Brar & Stesky [2], and Jones [3] follow the theoretical relationship.
Quantitative magnetic resonance angiography in the evaluation of the subclavian steal syndrome: report of 5 patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The indications for surgical or endovascular treatment of patients with subclavian stenosis (SS) or occlusion remain controversial. Multiple studies have shown that in most patients, SS results in steal that is evident radiographically, but requires no treatment. METHODS This report describes 5 cases of SS, analyzed with phase contrast quantitative MRA (QMRA). QMRA provides quantitative blood flow data previously unavailable. A quantitative ischemic forearm challenge is also introduced using the QMRA technique. RESULTS A basilar flow index, basilar artery (BA) flow as a percentage of total intracranial flow was defined. This varied from 12.6% to 20.4%. All patients in this report had VA flow reversal. None had BA flow reversal CONCLUSION This report features novel methods using QMRA to identify ischemic patterns in the BA indicative of significant subclavian steal syndrome (SSS) in patients with SS.
Comparison of quantal, classical, and semiclassical behavior at an isolated avoided crossing

The quantal and classical/semiclassical behavior at an isloated avoided crossing are compared. While the quantum mechanical eigenvalue perturbation parameter plots exhibit the avoided crossing, the corresponding primitive semiclassical eigenvalue plots pass through the intersection. Otherwise, the eigenvalues agree well with the quantum mechanical values. The semiclassical splitting at the intersection is calculated from an appropriate Fourier transform. In the quasiperiodic regime, a quantum state near an avoided crossing is seen to exhibit typically more delocalization than the classical state. However, trajectories near the ‘‘separatrix’’ display a quasiperiodic ‘‘transition’’ between two zeroth order classical states.
High dispersion spectra of the outer planets- i. jupiter in the visual and red

High dispersion spectrograms of jupiter used to study the chemical compositions, pressures, temperatures and velocities in the atmospheres of the outer planets
An algorithm for constructing an even grammar from a language sample

Two skeleton based algorithms are presented for the grammatical inference problem. The first demonstrates the use of a new relation on internal skeleton nodes that focuses on decedent information. The second addresses those positive samples that contain repeated substrings.
Taguchi's approach to robust parameter design: A new perspective

Adjustment factors play a crucial role in Taguchi's approach to robust parameter design. However, the notion of adjustment factors is not well defined and ambiguities exist in the selection of those factors. In this article, we propose a criterion for selecting adjustment factors. The proposed criterion can be used to explain and extend Taguchi's approach. The concept is illustrated using two examples.
Growth of II-IV-V2 chalcopyrite nitrides by molecular beam epitaxy

Synthesis of crystalline MgGeN2 thin solid films is achieved using the technique of molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The details of the epitaxial process are described. The microstructures of these films are investigated by both x-ray diffraction (XRD) and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (XTEM). Comparison of the lattice structure with powder diffraction standards suggests the lattice structure may be orthorhombic with a high degree of texture. Morphology is evaluated by atomic force microscopy, and a periodic pattern of growth mounds is observed. A formalism for dynamical roughening is applied to quantify the mounded surface features. Mounds are found to have an average spacing of 235 nm, and the surface exhibits a saturation value of 22 nm for the root mean correlated height difference. Diffusion bias is discussed as a mechanism for the formation of surface mounds.
Design and Fabrication of MEMS Piezoelectric Rotational Actuators

As Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) continue to mature and increase in design complexity, the need to exploit rotation in MEMS devices has become more apparent. An in-plane piezoelectric rotational actuator is proposed that provides free deflections on the order of 1.5° with applied biases of less than 35V and nanoampere currents. Moments up to 6×10−8 N·m, corresponding to forces of 125 μN, were measured using MEMS cantilever springs. The actuator utilizes the low-power, high-force characteristics of lead zirconate titanate and a coupled, dual offset-beam design to provide efficient rotational displacement. The resulting power consumption is three orders of magnitude less than current electrothermal rotational designs.
The benefits of liver resection for non-colorectal, non-neuroendocrine liver metastases: a systematic review

Defining the benefits of resection of isolated non-colorectal, non-neuroendocrine (NCRNNE) liver metastases is difficult. To better understand the survival benefit in this group of patients, we conducted a systematic review of the previous literature. Medline, Web of Knowledge, and manual searches were performed using search terms, such as “liver resection” and “primary tumor.” Inclusion criteria were year > 1990, >five patients, and median survival reported or derived. An expected median survival was calculated from weighted averages of median survivals, and differences were assessed using a permutation test. A total of 7,857 references were identified. Overall 4,735 abstracts were reviewed; 120 manuscripts evaluated and of these, 73 met the study inclusion criteria. The final population consisted of 3,596 patients with renal (n = 234), ovarian (n = 119), testicular (n = 153), adrenal (n = 90), small bowel (n = 28), gallbladder (n = 21), duodenum (n = 38), gastric (n = 481), pancreatic (n = 55), esophageal (n = 23), head and neck (n = 15), and lung (n = 36) cancers, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) (n = 106), cholangiocarcinoma (n = 13), sarcoma (n = 189), and melanoma (n = 643). The greatest expected median was 63 months for genitourinary (GU) primaries (n = 549; range 5.4–142 months) followed by 44.4 months for breast cancer (n = 1,013; range 8–74 months), 22.3 months for gastrointestinal cancer (n = 549; range 5–58 months), and 23.7 months for other tumor types (n = 1,082; range 10–72 months). Using a permutation test, we observed that survival was best for patients with GU primaries followed by that for breast cancer patients. Additionally, we also observed that survival was similar for those with cancer of the GI tract and other primary sites. There appears to be a benefit to resection for patients with NCRNNE liver metastases. The degree of survival advantage is predicated by primary site.
A reconfigurable hardware platform for cognitive sensor networks towards behavioral biometrics

This paper presents a design of reconfigurable hardware platform for wireless sensor networks to achieve high flexibility and robustness in system operation and resource utilization. The goal of this research is to develop a new type of sensor networks with cognitive features (e.g., context awareness and situation understanding) such that human behavioral biometrics can be measured through distributed low-cost sensors. The proposed reconfigurable hardware platform can adjust its sensing and computing resources with respect to changing contexts and situations. It includes three components: (1) reconfigurable analog circuit for adaptive sensor conditioning, (2) reconfigurable ADC for maintaining high signal-to-noise ratio, and (3) FPGA based reconfigurable computing for situation understanding. In behavioral biometrics applications, such a reconfigurable platform can automatically change circuit parameters, ADC resolutions, filter coefficients, and algorithms according to application contexts and situations derived from sensory signal features. As a result, the sensing system can be adaptive to various behavioral biometrics applications with high fidelity and accuracy. Experimental results have demonstrated the advantages of the proposed hardware platform.
D-optimal design for cubic polynomial regression on the q-simplex

Abstract For the general cubic polynomial regression on the q-simplex, Farrell, Kiefer and Walbran (1967) conjectured that the D-optimal design is the design ξ q ∗ which puts the uniform mass at certain ( q+3 3 ) points. These points are the q+1 vertices, ( q+1 2 ) points on edges, where two coordinates are nonzero with x i =1−x j = 1 2 (1±√5) and ( q+1 3 ) midpoints of the 2-dimensional face of the q-simplex. They showed that the conjecture holds for q=2. By using the Sheffe's idea (1958) of construction of Lagrange polynomials and then, Newton's theorem on the sums of the powers of the roots (Burnside and Panton (1892)), the variance function d(x, ξ q ∗ ) is expressed in terms of symmetric functions in products of xi. The proof of q=2 is simplified and it is shown that ξ 3 ∗ is the D-optimal design. The same ideas could be applied to q ≥4 cases with the expense of complicated computations.
Liberal Pasts and Liberal Futures in Germany and Austria

Modern liberalism, born in the 18th century European Enlightenment, experienced its most spectacular historical eclipse in Hitler's Greater Germany between 1933 and 1945. Nowhere did liberalism's future look more bleak than in the post-war wreckage of Germany and Austria in 1945. Today, however, social-liberal structures govern the limits of the possible in German-speaking Europe, albeit in an often uneasy, hybridized relationship with neo-corporatist social arrangements. Contemporary historiography and social theory reflect a new and more sympathetic appreciation of the richness of the German and Austrian liberal traditions within the framework of such currently fashionable concepts as modernization, political culture, the public sphere, and civil society, and within the context of the comparative political and cultural study of Germany, Austria, Great Britain, France, and the United States.
Pressure response of a reservoir with spherically discontinuous properties

This paper addresses the problem of pressure transient analysis of a reservoir with spherically discontinuous mobility and hydraulic diffusivity. Such a situation may exist as a result of formation of a burned zone in in-situ combustion, by phase change in a steam flood or geothermal operation, or simply by the formation of a bank of injected fluid with properties different from those of the reservoir fluid. The spherical configuration is expected to represent geothermal applications more closely than does a radial configuration, and is also of interest in hydrocarbon wells with limited entry or partial penetration, or those wells in the vicinity of a pinchout. The problem is solved analytically by using the Laplace transform, which is then inverted using the Stehfest algorithm. The solution is different in detail from the radial case but still shows the important pseudosteady-state behavior at the end of the inner region response (in some cases). It is this pseudosteady-state behavior that permits determination of the distance to the discontinuity (or, in fact, the ''burned volume'').