cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Truth, Verification, Verisimilitude, and Evidence: Philosophical Aspects

The goal of inquiry is to possess the truth. There is apparently a tension here between two conflicting demands: depth (we want deep, not superficial, truth) and certainty (we want assurance of truth). Verificationists emphasized the certainty pole. But the propositions that we can verify are generally shallow, and deep theories are either known to be false, or very unlikely. Falsificationists emphasized the depth pole. But being highly falsifiable is tantamount to high improbability which is not in itself a virtue of a theory. If we want to combine realism (truth outstrips our means of discovery), fallibilism (deep theories are very likely false), and optimism (we can and do make epistemic progress), then we also require the concept of verisimilitude, or closeness to truth. A theory which does not perfectly realize the goal may nevertheless be closer to the truth than another. Degree of truthlikeness is typically an unknown magnitude, but with a measure of probability we can estimate its value. Coherent, defensible accounts of truth, probability, and truthlikeness can thus be combined. The goal of inquiry is the whole truth. Actual progress occurs when truthlikeness increases. The epistemic indicator of truthlikeness is expected truthlikeness.
Audio noise suppression based on neuromorphic saliency and phoneme adaptive filtering [speech enhancement]

An acoustic noise suppression algorithm is described that uses perceptually inspired signal detection techniques to estimate the presence of speech cues in the presence of low SNRs. The signal detector generates frequency-dependent soft-decisions that are used in determining speech presence and in controlling parameters for the speech enhancement gains. With the input of speech segmentation, a phoneme adaptive mechanism is introduced to enhance speech by moderate state-dependent filtering.
Decoupling interface effect on the phase stability of CdS thin films by van der Waals heteroepitaxy

Wurtzite (W) and zinc-blende (ZB) polytypism has long been observed in epitaxial CdS thin films. The present work, based on van der Waals epitaxial CdS thin films, is an attempt to explain which crystal modification, W or ZB, is favored under different growth conditions. In this van der Waals epitaxy system where the substrate influence is considered weak, it is found that the substrate temperature plays a crucial role in determining the crystal modification of CdS, that is, W and ZB CdS are more stable at low and high ends of substrate temperature, respectively. We attribute this temperature effect to the entropy difference (SW < SZB), a conclusion well supported by the thermodynamic hard sphere model formulation of the entropy difference between hexagonal close-packed and face-centered cubic structures. By summarizing other works, we find that the entropy difference model can also be applied to large mismatched (≳3%) CdS-substrate chemical epitaxy systems but not for small mismatched (≲3%) ones. In the ...
Development of a postgraduate year 2 pharmacy residency in clinical pharmacogenetics.

Purpose The structure and development of an innovative, ASHP-accredited postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) clinical pharmacogenetics residency program are described. Summary A 12-month PGY2 clinical pharmacogenetics residency was created at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in accordance with the ASHP standards for advanced practice residencies. The purpose of this 12-month residency program is to prepare pharmacy residents to implement pharmacogenetics in clinical practice. The program helps residents develop expertise in the science of pharmacogenetics as well as an understanding of translational research, innovative pharmacy practice model development, and clinical informatics. The resident learns to optimize patient outcomes through the expert provision of evidence-based, patient-centered precision medicine as an integral part of an interprofessional team. After completing the program, residents are expected to have the clinical skills necessary to practice in the field of clinical pharmacogenetics and independently implement pharmacogenetic testing in other health-system settings. Because implementation of pharmacogenetics requires collaboration across many disciplines, residents works within an interprofessional team of physicians, nurses, informatics specialists, pharmacists, and clinical laboratory personnel to achieve program goals. Since the first resident graduated in 2012, the program has graduated 1 resident each year. Graduated residents have accepted pharmacogenetics positions at major academic medical centers and community hospitals, as well as academic and research positions with a pharmacogenetics emphasis. Conclusion A PGY2 clinical pharmacogenetics residency was successfully developed at St. Jude in 2013. After completion of the program, residents are equipped with the clinical skills and necessary experience to drive precision medicine forward and lead the implementation of pharmacogenetic testing in other healthcare settings.
Conclusion: Kant’s Ethics & the Same-Sex Marriage Debate

My aim in writing this book was to make the case for Kant’s ethics containing resources that speak to the issues pertaining to the contemporary debate over same-sex marriage. In order to make my argument, I needed first to address what I called “the Anscombian reading of Kant’s ethics,” which is a reading of Kant that mischaracterizes his ethical theory as a deontological theory that is morally rigoristic, formalistic, and closed off to empirical features of human beings and our lives. Hence, I devoted Part I of this book to debunking the caricature of Kant’s ethics that the Anscombian reading puts forth. Only then could I specifically address Kant’s practical sexual ethics and account of marriage, which has been the focus of Part II. I have argued that Kant’s sexual ethics (including his account of gender differences between women and men) and his account of the legal institution of marriage are not as flawed as some commentators have made them out to be and, in fact, contain some valuable insights. In this final chapter I apply those insights to the contemporary debate over same-sex marriage by revisiting the arguments for and against same-sex marriage that I presented in Chap. 1 and by commenting on the ways in which I think Kant’s moral philosophy can help us to evaluate those arguments.
Analysis of a wearable, multi-modal information presentation device for obstacle avoidance

The future of human space exploration will involve extra-vehicular activities (EVA) on foreign planetary surfaces (i.e. Mars), an activity that will have significantly different characteristics than the common exploration scenarios on Earth. These activities become challenging due to restricted visual cues and other limitations placed on sensory feedback from altered gravity and the pressurized suit. The use of a bulky, pressurized EVA suit perceptually disconnects human explorers from the hostile foreign environment, increasing the navigation workload and risk of collision associated with traversing through unfamiliar terrain. Due to the hazardous nature of this work, there is a critical need to design multimodal interfaces for optimizing task performance and minimizing risks; in particular, an information presentation device that can aid in obstacle avoidance during surface exploration and way-finding. Previous research has shown that multimodal cues can communicate risk more efficiently than cues to a single modality. This paper presents a wearable interface system to examine human performance when visual, vibratory, and visual-vibratory cues are provided to aid ground obstacle avoidance. The wearable system applies vibro-tactile cues to the feet and visual cues through augmented reality glasses to convey obstacle location and proximity during an approach. This study examined participants stepping over a randomly placed obstacle in a path while wearing the multimodal interface. Measures of performance included path completion time, subjective workload, head-down time, collisions, as well as gait parameters. Differences in obstacle avoidance performance were analyzed across conditions and results provide implications for presenting multimodal information during active tasks such as obstacle avoidance.
A Simulation Environment for Fuzzy Control of Traffic Systems

Abstract In this paper fuzzy control and decision making are used to simulate the control of traffic flow at an intersection. Fuzzy logic can be used as an alternative method for control of traffic environments. A traffic environment includes the lanes to and from an intersection, the intersection, vehicle traffic, and signal lights in the intersection. To test the fuzzy logic controller a computer simulation is constructed to model a traffic environment. A typical cross intersection was chosen for the traffic environment and the performance of the fuzzy logic controller was compared with the performance of two different types of conventional control. The fuzzy logic controller proved to be a better method of control than conventional control methods, especially in the case of highly uneven traffic flow between different directions
Review of Social Mobilization, Global Capitalism, and Struggles over Food: A Comparative Study of Social Movements, by Renata Motta

Social Mobilization, Global Capitalism, and Struggles over Food: A Comparative Study of Social Movements, by Renata Motta. Routledge, 2016.
Stereoscopic particle image velocimetry measurements of flow in a rod bundle with a spacer grid and mixing vanes at a low Reynolds number

Abstract In this study, we experimentally investigate the flow field characteristics in a fuel rod bundle with a spacer grid and split-type mixing vanes at a low Reynolds number of 14, 000. Time-resolved stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (TR-SPIV) measurements were performed in a matched-index-of-refraction facility, and taken downstream of the mixing vanes. Velocity measurements were performed along the vertical-horizontal planes in the inter-channels between the fuel rods. From the obtained TR-SPIV velocity vector fields, the full-field flow statistics such as the mean velocity and Reynolds stresses were computed. Moreover, spectral analysis, squared coherent functions and spatial-temporal velocity cross correlations were performed on the TR-SPIV velocity snapshots. A variety of integral length scales estimated from the two-point spatial cross-correlations have shown that the flow downstream of the mixing vanes was strongly anisotropic. Vortex shedding frequencies were found to contribute to the peaks of coherent functions computed from the fluctuating velocity. This work is the first experimental evidence confirming the findings and discussions from previous numerical studies about the anisotropy flow and a wide range of turbulence length scales generated by the mixing vanes.
From International to Global Development: New Geographies of 21st Century Development

Recent claims of 21st century global convergence and the ‘rise of the South’ suggest a profound and ongoing redrawing of the global map of development and inequality. This article synthesizes shifting geographies of development across economic, social and environmental dimensions, and considers their implications for the ‘where’ of development. Some convergence in aggregate development indicators for the global North and South during this century challenge, now more than ever, the North–South binary underlying international development. Yet convergence claims do not adequately capture change in a world where development inequalities are profound. Between-country inequalities remain vast, while within-country inequalities are growing in many cases. Particular attention is given here to exploring the implications of such shifting geographies, and what those mean for the spatial nomenclature and reference of development. This article concludes by arguing for the need, now more than ever, to go beyond international development considered as rich North/poor South, and to move towards a more holistic global development — where the global South remains a key, although not exclusive, focus.
Cerebrovascular disease--practical issues in surgical and autopsy pathology.

This chapter will deal with practical approaches to the pathologic diagnosis of cerebrovascular diseases. Many forms of ‘stroke’ and cerebrovascular disease pay little respect to arbitrary boundaries defined by age, whereas others [e.g., cerebral amyloid angiopathy, (CAA)] are clearly most prevalent in the elderly, and a few are primarily disorders of the young. In this chapter, these will all be considered in the appropriate clinical context. Many principles important in understanding anoxic-ischemic brain injury are relevant to the developed brain, regardless of age, but are different when applied to the infant/developing central nervous system (CNS) [128]. This chapter is divided into consideration of (1) practical approaches to the autopsy or biopsy examination in suspected stroke, (2) anoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, (3) cerebral infarcts and ischemic lesions, and (4) encephalic hemorrhage. It should, however, be noted that many of the disease processes discussed in this chapter may have both ischemic and hemorrhagic components. Any extensive review of human cerebrovascular disease and ‘stroke’ owes a massive debt to the monograph of W.E. Stehbens [139], which remains an authoritative classic in the field almost 30 years after its publication. More recent volumes and reviews on clinicopathologic aspects of cerebrovascular disease are also recommended to the interested reader [3, 7, 8, 22, 53, 68], as are sections devoted to ‘stroke’ and cerebrovascular disease in standard textbooks of neuropathology [47, 81, 156].
Postoperative Outcomes After Radical Cystectomy in Patients With Prior Pelvic Radiation.

Objective To compare complication rates, perioperative outcomes, and survival after radical cystectomy (RC) in patients with prior abdominal or pelvic radiation therapy (RT) vs those without an RT history. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients undergoing RC for urothelial carcinoma between January 2008 and January 2016. Patients were stratified by receipt of RT, and differences in complications (any, minor, and major) at 30 and 90 days, as well as estimated blood loss, length of surgery, length of hospital stay, and pathologic stage, were compared. Recurrence-free, cancer-specific, and overall survival were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Results We identified 518 patients who underwent RC between 2008 and 2016. Of these patients, 55 (11%) had a history of RT. There were no significant differences in complication rates (66% vs 69%, P = .80) between patients who did not and patients who did have a history of RT. Similarly, there were no differences in any perioperative or pathologic outcome by receipt of prior RT (all P >.05). Meanwhile, at a median follow-up of 26 (interquartile range 13-46) months among patients alive at last follow-up, no differences in survival were observed by prior RT (P = .08). Conclusion Among patients with a history of prior abdominal or pelvic RT treated at a tertiary referral center, there was no difference in complication rates, perioperative, or pathologic outcomes. Importantly, no differences in survival were noted by prior RT receipt. Therefore, our data support the use of RC, when indicated, in patients with a prior history of abdominal or pelvic RT.
Extrafamilial Sexual Abuse

The article relies on clinical and research findings to address issues on the incidence of extrafamilial sexual abuse, the impact of social structure on the likelihood and patterns of extrafamilial sexual abuse, and the sources of trauma from extrafamilial sexual abuse. Also discussed are findings on general characteristics of extrafamilial sexual abuse, extrafamilial sexual abuse in specific contexts, and assessment and intervention issues.
The Influence of Information-Based Initiatives and Negotiated Environmental Agreements on Technological Change

While it is accepted that inappropriate or indiscriminate design, use and disposal of a wide range of technologies are responsible for global as well as local environmental degradation, it is also widely recognized that fostering appropriate technological change is a necessary part of the solution. As will be discussed below, industry, agriculture and the service sector must have the willingness, opportunity, and capacity or capability to undertake technological changes. These changes could involve the adoption of already-proven technologies, or require incremental to radical innovation. In addition to process and product changes, changes in the organization of production and work also properly fit under the rubric of technological change.
Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC)

Tuberous sclerosis is characterized by the formation of hamartia (malformed tissue such as the cortical tubers), hamartomas (benign growths such as facial angiofibroma and subependymal nodules) and, very rarely, cancerous hamartoblastomas. It is an autosomal dominant disorder that results from mutations in one of two tumor suppressor genes that are active in the rapamycin pathway.
Diverse relaxation rates exist among rat cardiomyocytes isolated from a single myocardial region.

KEY POINTS Prior studies have shown variation in the functional properties of cardiomyocytes isolated from different regions of the left ventricular myocardium. We found that these region-dependent variations vanish below a tissue volume of ∼7 mm3 in the adult rat myocardium, revealing a fixed level of intrinsic relaxation rate heterogeneity that is independent of tissue volume. Within these microscopically varying cell populations, fast-relaxing cells were shown to have elevated phosphorylated troponin I compared to slow-relaxing cells. Relaxation rate was also correlated with cardiomyocyte length, in that slow-relaxing cells were longer than fast-relaxing cells. These results show a new relationship between cardiomyocyte morphology and myofilament relaxation, and suggest that functional diversity among individual myocytes at the microscale may contribute to bulk relaxation of the myocardium. ABSTRACT The mean contractility and calcium handling properties of cardiomyocytes isolated from different regions of the ventricular myocardium are known to vary significantly. We designed experiments to quantify the variance in contractile properties among cells within the same myocardial region. Longitudinal strips of myocardial tissue were excised from the epicardial left ventricular free walls of adult Sprague-Dawley rats and then treated with collagenase to isolate individual myocytes. Cardiomyocytes were characterized by measuring sarcomere length changes and calcium transients during electrical pacing. Variance of the time from peak sarcomere shortening to 50% re-lengthening (RT50 ) was assessed in each cell population. Isolating cells from progressively shorter strips allowed an estimate of the myocardial volume below which regional variation vanished and only microscale heterogeneity remained (∼7 mm3 ). The SD of RT50 within this myocardial volume was 28% of the mean. In a series of follow-up experiments, RT50 was shown to correlate significantly with resting myocyte length, suggesting a connection between cell morphology and intrinsic relaxation behaviour. To explore the mechanistic basis of varying RT50 , a novel single-cell aspirator was employed to collect small batches of cardiomyocytes grouped according to their relaxation rates (fast or slow). Western blot analysis of the two groups revealed significantly elevated troponin I phosphorylation in fast-relaxing cells. Our observations suggest that cell-to-cell heterogeneity of active contractile properties is substantial, with implications for how we understand myocardial relaxation and design drug therapies intended to alter relaxation rate.
Measuring the decay constant of 87Rb: Is the decay in radioisotopes linear? Manifestation and disintegration of the matter in space-time, and age of the Universe

Abstract Villa et al. (2015) (Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 164, 382–385) proposed a new value of (1.3972 ± 0.0045) (10−11 yr−1) for the decay constant of 87Rb, which according to them is based on the meta-analysis of the analytical data of some experiments conducted by others. In my view their suggested value cannot be considered viable because it is very similar to the one which was discarded about forty years ago, and secondly, for restricting their meta-analysis to only four papers. Therefore, a need is felt to review the literature and take a fresh look at this problem. The paper also discusses some theoretical models for estimating the decay constant of 87Rb; and as per the theoretical model (Gargi, 2012; Chemie der Erde 72, 323–332) the decay constant for 87Rb should be revised to 1.408 (10−11 yr−1). I have also shown that the mode of decay in unstable isotopes is in fact linear, not exponential. The linear decay and other phenomena, such as manifestation and disintegration of matter in space-time, and the origin and age of the Universe are all intertwined. Hence, the evidence for the one is also an evidence for the other. Therefore, the latter two phenomena also would be discussed briefly. The decay constant as measured in the laboratory assuming exponential decay increases with time.
Ischemic Stroke in Children and Young Adults with Sickle Cell Disease in the Post‐STOP Era

The Stroke Prevention Trial in Sickle Cell Anemia (STOP) and Optimizing Primary Stroke Prevention in Sickle Cell Anemia (STOP 2) trials established routine transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) screening, with indefinite chronic red cell transfusions (CRCT) for children with abnormal TCD as standard of care. Implementation failures and limitations to the STOP protocol may contribute to continued ischemic stroke occurrence. In the "Post-STOP" study, we sought to assess the impact of the STOP protocol on the incidence of ischemic stroke in a multicenter cohort of former STOP and/or STOP 2 trial participants. A central team abstracted data for 2851 (74%) of the 3835 children who took part in STOP and/or STOP 2. Data included TCD and neuroimaging results, treatment, laboratory data, and detailed clinical information pertaining to the stroke. Two stroke neurologists independently confirmed each stroke using pre-specified imaging and clinical criteria and came to consensus. Among the 2808 patients who were stroke-free at the start of Post-STOP with available follow-up, the incidence of first ischemic stroke was 0.24 per 100 patient-years (95% CI, 0.18, 0.31), with a mean (SD) duration of follow-up of 9.1 (3.4) [median 10.3, range (0-15.4)] years. Most (63%) strokes occurred in patients in whom the STOP protocol had not been properly implemented, either failure to screen appropriately with TCD (38%) or failure to transfuse adequately patients with abnormal TCD (25%). This study shows that substantial opportunities for ischemic stroke prevention remain by more complete implementation of the STOP Protocol.
Ophiuroid locomotion from fundamental structures to integrated systems

The phylum Echinodermata includes an estimated 7,000 extant and 13,000 extinct species. Each living class represents a separate body plan with a unique mode of movement and locomotion. Brittle stars (Class Ophiuroidea) utilize complex arm musculoskeletal physiology for rapid locomotion, in contrast to the other echinoderm classes, which are typically slow moving. Ophiuroid locomotion and its origins are poorly understood. This paper is a review of the current state of ophiuroid research, with a focus on topics relevant to ophiuroid movement and locomotion, including anatomy, physiology, functional morphology, disparity, ecology, and evolutionary history.
Lesion-Level Response Dynamics to Programmed Cell Death Protein (PD-1) Blockade.

PURPOSEResponse to programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockade is often conceptualized as resulting from reinvigoration of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. However, recruited antitumor immunity ...
Undoing the Gender Binary

The central question of this Element is this: What does it mean to be transgender - in general and in specific ways? What does the designation mean for any individual and for the groups in which the individual exists? Biologically, what occurs? Psychologically, what transpires? The Element starts with the basics. The authors question some traditional assumptions, lay out some bio-medical information, and define their terms. They then move to the question of central concern, seen first in terms of the individual and then in terms of the group or society. They conclude with some implications, urging some new approaches to research and suggest some applications in the classroom and beyond.
Desensitized Trajectory Optimization for Hypersonic Vehicles

This paper addresses trajectory optimization for hypersonic vehicles under atmospheric and aerodynamic uncertainties using techniques from desensitized optimal control (DOC), wherein open-loop optimal controls are obtained by minimizing the sum of the standard objective function and a first-order penalty on trajectory variations due to parametric uncertainty. The proposed approach is demonstrated via numerical simulations of a minimum-final-time Earth reentry trajectory for an X-33 vehicle with an uncertain atmospheric scale height and drag coefficient. Monte Carlo simulations indicate that dispersions in the final position footprint and the final energy can be significantly reduced without closed-loop control and with little tradeoff in the performance metric set for the trajectory.
FEM of Magnetic Flux Leakage Signal for Uncertainty Estimation in Crack Depth Classification using Bayesian Convolutional Neural Network and Deep Ensemble

This paper investigates the impact of uncertainties during dynamic magnetization due to relative motion between magnetic flux leakage (MFL) sensors and material under test. A 3D finite element method (FEM) based model for the MFL inspection system is developed to better understand the relationships between inline inspection (ILI) data and damage parameters in nonlinear ferromagnetic materials. In real-life field testing or inspection scenario, there exist lots of uncertainties associated with nondestructive evaluation (NDE), which will further affect damage condition-based decision making. Therefore, it is vital to quantitatively analyze the uncertainties in NDE. This paper investigates uncertainty quantification via numerical simulation by developing Bayesian based Convolutional Neural Network and Deep Ensemble methods, which are demonstrated in MFL based defect depth classification for NDE applications. Prediction accuracy and uncertainties are compared, which is valuable in better assessing the performance and quantifying uncertainties for generalized NDE problems.
Evaluation of the Björk-Shiley Prosthetic Valve by Echocardiography

Echocardiography is currently being used in many institutions to aid in the evaluation of prosthetic valve function. Articles have been published regarding echocardiographic evaluation of the Beall disc valve and the Starr-Edwards and Cutter ball varieties, but very little is available in the literature concerning studies performed on the til ting-disc valve. We have conducted studies in vivo and in vitro to determine the feasibility of ultrasonic visualization and assessment of the motion of a tilting-disc (Bjork-Shiley) prosthetic valve in both the mitral and aortic positions.
Non-Cooperation and Cooperation

The purpose of this paper is to survey the development of two strands in game theory over the past three decades, and show how some of the game-theoretical concepts and tools have provided mathematical foundations for economic analysis.
Use of dissolved inorganic and organic phosphorus by axenic and nonaxenic clones of Karenia brevis and Karenia mikimotoi

Nearly annual blooms of the marine dinoflagellate Karenia brevis, which initiate offshore on the West Florida Shelf in oligotrophic waters, cause widespread environmental and economic damage. The success of K. brevis as a bloom-former is partially attributed to its ability to use a diverse suite of nutrients from natural and anthropogenic sources, although relatively little is known about the ability of K. brevis and the closely related Karenia mikimotoi to use a variety of organic sources of phosphorus, including phosphomonoesters, phosphodiesters, and phosphonates. Through a series of bioassays, this study characterized the ability of axenic and nonaxenic K. brevis and K. mikimotoi clones isolated from Florida waters to use a variety of organic phosphorus compounds as the sole source of phosphorus for growth, comparing this utilization to that of inorganic sources of phosphate. Differing abilities of axenic and nonaxenic K. brevis and K. mikimotoi cultures to use phosphorus from the compounds evaluated were documented. Specifically, growth of axenic cultures was greatest on inorganic phosphorus and was not supported on the phosphomonoester phytate, or generally on phosphodiesters or phosphonates. The nonaxenic cultures were able to use organic compounds that the axenic cultures were not able to use, often after lags in growth, highlighting a potential role of co-associated bacterial communities to transform nutrients to bioavailable forms. Given the ability of K. brevis and K. mikimotoi to use a diverse suite of inorganic and organic phosphorus, bloom mitigation strategies should consider all nutrient forms.
Chapter 9 – Isotope Separators

Publisher Summary This chapter describes several methods by which isotopes of uranium and other elements are separated. It presents the calculations on the amount of material that must be processed to obtain nuclear fuel. It also provides estimates of costs. Four methods that depend on differences in mass number are ion motion in a magnetic field, diffusion of particles through a membrane, motion with centrifugal force, and atomic response to a laser beam. The separation of isotopes requires a physical process that depends on mass. In the electromagnetic method, as used in a mass spectrograph, ions to be separated travel in circles of different radii. In the gaseous diffusion process, light molecules of a gas diffuse through a membrane more readily than do heavy molecules. The amount of enrichment in gaseous diffusion depends on the square root of the ratio of the masses and is small per stage, requiring a large number of stages. By the use of material balance equations, the amount of feed can be computed, and by the use of tables of separative work, costs of enriching uranium for reactor fuel can be found. An alternative separation device is the gas centrifuge, in which gases diffuse against the centrifugal forces produced by high speeds of rotation. Laser isotope separation involves the selective excitation of uranium atoms by lasers to produce chemical reactions. Several methods of separating deuterium from ordinary hydrogen are available.
Management of vulvar malignancies

Abstract This study presents 52 patients with vulvar malignancies, Stages 0 through III, who were treated in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Wayne State University. The surgical technique of a radical en bloc dissection is described in detail. This technique is recommended for all invasive carcinomas of the vulva, Stages I through III. Individual management was left to one of four surgeons participating in the management. Results are analyzed on the basis of their method of treatment and the results compared. It is obvious from the results of the two-year follow-up of all patients managed for five years only on the gynecologic service at Wayne State University that radical en bloc dissection results in a higher salvage of patients free of disease. Complications of a radical en bloc dissection are reported and the significance of inguinal node metastases correlates with other similar studies of patients.
Structural and enzymatic studies of the T4 DNA replication system. I: Physical characterization of the polymerase accessory protein complex

In this study, we have investigated the structural and physical properties of the bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase accessory proteins. We find that T4 gene 44 and 62 proteins associate to form a tight, highly homogeneous complex, containing four gene 44 protein subunits and one gene 62 protein subunit. The molecular mass of the complex is 163,700 daltons. Sedimentation results suggest that the complex is quite asymmetric, with a prolate ellipsoid axial ratio of about 5:1. This protein complex is known to carry a DNA-dependent ATPase activity; we show by photoaffinity labeling that the ATP-binding sites reside in the gene 44 protein subunits of the complex. Equilibrium sedimentation and chemical cross-linking studies indicate that the T4 gene 45 protein self-associates to form a trimer in solution. This trimer species also appears to be quite asymmetric, showing an axial ratio for a prolate ellipsoid of about 6:1, assuming normal hydration.
Anisotropic transport rates in heterogeneous porous media

[1] We applied a recently developed method of aquifer characterization, which combines geophysics and geostatistics to create several heterogeneous realizations of a shallow fluvial aquifer that contain representations of sedimentary bounding surfaces. The influence of such small-scale (several centimeters) features on subsurface transport was investigated using high-resolution groundwater models of each of the subsurface realizations. Flow and transport through the models was simulated parallel, perpendicular, and at an oblique angle to paleoflow. The simulated transport rates showed directionally dependent tendencies and were found to be fastest parallel to paleoflow and slowest perpendicular to paleoflow. Homogeneous and geostatistical realizations with nearly identical mean hydraulic conductivity values were unable to reproduce the directional behavior. Transport was also simulated across three different length scales in the long direction of the model (parallel to paleoflow). The simulated breakthrough of all simulations was fitted using the advection-dispersion equation, but breakthrough was approximated more accurately with a non-Fickian solution. The results of this study show that the rate of transport in heterogeneous sediments depends on the direction of flow relative to bedding and is sensitive to the length scale that transport is simulated across.
Adaptive MLSE equalization forms for wireless communications

In many mobile communication systems, adaptive equalization is required to combat the effects of multipath time dispersion and a non-stationary channel. In this paper, the principles of maximum likelihood sequence estimation (MLSE) are used to develop an adaptive equalizer, which is an extension of the Ungerboeck receiver. MLSE receivers operating in non-stationary channels require channel estimation and often require channel tracking and prediction. The extended Ungerboeck receiver is shown to require a significant amount of channel prediction. Two alternative MLSE forms are developed which minimize the amount of channel prediction. The first form developed, referred to as the “direct form,” uses a standard Euclidean distance metric. A second, novel form, referred to as the “partial Ungerboeck form,” provides a lower complexity realization than the “direct form. ”
Electrocardiographic changes during intrauterine contraceptive device insertion.

Abstract Because of the problem of the occurrence of bradycardia, syncope, and seizures with intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) insertion, a study was performed during which 25 patients underwent electrocardiographic monitoring during intrauterine device insertion. Fourteen patients (56 per cent) showed significant heart rate slowing, of which 8 developed sinus bradycardia. One of these developed sinus arrest. Another patient had electrocardiographic findings of a variable A-V block and a nodal A-V junctional rhythm. The procedure of sounding the cervix and uterus in preparation for IUD insertion was as productive of electrocardiogram (ECG) changes as the subsequent IUD insertion. The electrocardiographic changes were consistent with increased vagal tone, although conclusive evidence is lacking regarding the etiology of the ECG changes.
Losing Confidence in Sparta: The Creation of the Mantinean Symmachy

Mantinea in Arcadia, in reaction to Spartan interference in its affairs, was able to exploit the troubles of Sparta during the years 423-418 in order to create and enlarge a regional hegemony of its own.
Current and Developing Issues in Interregional Competition and Agricultural Transportation

This paper identifies current and developing issues in interregional competition and agricultural transportation. These topics are related to the extent that the cost and quality of transportation services is one major determinant of the economic distance between regions. Interregional competition analysis was introduced to agricultural economics in the late 1930s, with the stimulus of agricultural research funds authorized by the Bankhead-Jones Act of 1935, under the leadership of Sherman E. Johnson and John D. Black. Interregional competition developed as a synonym for regional comparative advantage. Interregional competition analysis is a general set of tools designed to measure regional comparative advantage.
Families, divorce and voter turnout in the US

How large a role does the family play in civic development? This paper examines an important aspect of family influence by tracing the impact of divorce on voter turnout during adolescence. We show that the effect of divorce among white families is large, depressing turnout by nearly 10 percentage points. Using data from the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988, we demonstrate that the impact of divorce varies by racial group and can rival the impact of parents’ educational attainment, which is generally regarded as the most important non-political characteristic of one’s family of origin. We attempt to explain the divorce effect by examining the mediating impacts of parental voter turnout, active social learning, income loss, child–parent interaction, residential mobility, and educational attainment.
An internet-based search formalism for design with modules

The modular design of products leads to a large number of different products by creating distinct combinations of modules and components. This can give each product distinctive functionality, features, and performance levels. The design of modular products is of considerable importance in enabling companies to respond rapidly to changes in the market environment. This paper is concerned with the area of design with modules (DwM), which involves selecting the module combination to best satisfy the given set of requirements. The aim of this paper is to develop an approach for DwM, to meet customer requirements, using modules that come from suppliers that may be geographically separated and on differing computer platforms. An object-oriented approach for DwM, termed object-oriented design with modules (OODwM), is proposed where modules are represented as objects. The main contributions of this paper are threefold. First, an object-oriented approach to DwM is described. Second, a formalism for DwM using this object-oriented approach is presented. Third, the use of this formalism is illustrated with an Internet-based implementation showing how the formalism can be used for a specific problem, and how objects can be readily exchanged.
Neural Estimates of Imagined Outcomes in the Orbitofrontal Cortex Drive Behavior and Learning

Summary Imagination, defined as the ability to interpret reality in ways that diverge from past experience, is fundamental to adaptive behavior. This can be seen at a simple level in our capacity to predict novel outcomes in new situations. The ability to anticipate outcomes never before received can also influence learning if those imagined outcomes are not received. The orbitofrontal cortex is a key candidate for where the process of imagining likely outcomes occurs; however, its precise role in generating these estimates and applying them to learning remain open questions. Here we address these questions by showing that single-unit activity in the orbitofrontal cortex reflects novel outcome estimates. The strength of these neural correlates predicted both behavior and learning, learning that was abolished by temporally specific inhibition of orbitofrontal neurons. These results are consistent with the proposal that the orbitofrontal cortex is critical for integrating information to imagine future outcomes.
Measurement of clay surface areas by polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) sorption and its use for quantifying illite and smectite abundance

A new method has been developed for quantifying smectite abundance by sorbing polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) on smectite particles dispersed in aqueous solution. The sorption density of PVP-55K on a wide range of smectites, illites and kaolinites is ∼0.99 mg/m2, which corresponds to ∼0.72 g of PVP-55K per gram of montmorillonite. Polyvinylpyrrolidone sorption on smectites is independent of layer charge and solution pH. PVP sorption on SiO2, Fe2O3 and ZnO normalized to the BET surface area is similar to the sorption densities on smectites. γ-Al2O3, amorphous Al(OH)3 and gibbsite have no PVP sorption over a wide range of pH, and sorption of PVP by organics is minimal. The insensitivity of PVP sorption densities to mineral layer charge, solution pH and mineral surface charge indicates that PVP sorption is not localized at charged sites, but is controlled by more broadly distributed sorption mechanisms such as Van der Waals’ interactions and/or hydrogen bonding. Smectites have very large surface areas when dispersed as single unit-cell-thick particles (∼725 m2/g) and usually dominate the total surface areas of natural samples in which smectites are present. In this case, smectite abundance is directly proportional to PVP sorption. In some cases, however, the accurate quantification of smectite abundance by PVP sorption may require minor corrections for PVP uptake by other phases, principally illite and kaolinite. Quantitative XRD can be combined with PVP uptake measurements to uniquely determine the smectite concentration in such samples.
Characterization of silicon oxide films grown at room temperature by point-to-plane corona discharge

Oxide films grown on silicon in dry oxygen ambient at room temperature by negative point-to-plane corona discharge are investigated. A significant oxidation rate is observed at room temperature using this technique. Electrical properties of these room termperature grown oxides are examined. The capacitance-voltage measurements on the MOS structures fabricated from these oxides indicate a negative flat-band voltage of −1.5 V. Interface state density distribution in the range of 1010−1013 cm−2(eV)−1 is observed with a value of 2×1010 cm−2(eV)−1 at 0.17 eV above the valence band edge. Electrical conduction through the oxide is greater for negative values of applied gate bias voltages and the magnitude of conduction through the oxide decreases with decreasing current density during the corona discharge. Oxides grown at room temperature by this technique may find selective application in low temperature device processing.
Off-Axis Telescopes for Dark Energy Investigations

It is well known that a telescope with an unobstructed circular pupil delivers a smaller diffraction pattern than one centrally obstructed by its secondary mirror. Spaceborne dark energy investigations require measuring targets over a wide range of redshifts, with the most distant galaxies being the reddest, faintest, and smallest. For any given signal-to-noise (SNR) requirement, these highest redshift targets are the most demanding in terms of mission cost (time, aperture, etc), not only because they are faint but also because the diffraction pattern is largest at the longest wavelengths being observed. At the same time, a telescope's field of view must be large -- the order of a square degree -- to survey the entire extragalactic sky in reasonable time. The large field of view imposes a minimum requirement on the size of the secondary mirror baffle. For a centrally obstructed telescope, an enlarged secondary mirror baffle further enlarges the diffraction pattern. Previously published JDEM telescopes were centrally obstructed. Here, we explore unobstructed telescope designs because these can have a nearly ideal Airy diffraction pattern, avoiding both the central obstruction and the supporting spider legs, limited only by optical manufacturing and alignment errors. They therefore can deliver the best possible SNR for a given aperture. Simulations show that a 1.1m unobstructed aperture can deliver about the same cosmological constraints as a 1.4m aperture that has a 50% linear central obstruction.
The interaction of dimethylethylaminealane and ammonia on clean and oxidized Al(111): atomic layer growth of aluminum nitride

The adsorption of dimethylethylaminealane (Me2EtN·AlH3 or DMEAA) on clean and oxidized Al(111), its subsequent thermal decomposition, and reaction with ammonia (NH3) to form aluminum nitride (AIN) was studied using temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and reactive scattering. DMEAA physisorbs on clean Al(111) at 130 K in ultra-high vacuum and molecular desorption is observed at 190 K. The reactive sticking probability of DMEAA at T 300 K), the reactive sticking probability of DMEAA is high and elementally pure Al film growth is observed. On oxidized Al(111) at surface temperatures above 400 K, the reactive probability of DMEAA is lower than on the Al(111) surface and, in contrast to the clean Al(111) surface, on the oxidized Al(111) surface DMEAA adsorbs molecularly in a self-limiting manner at 300 K. Consecutive DMEAA and NH3 exposure cycles result in atomic layer growthof AIN at temperatures as low as 300 K but these films have a high carbon content owing to accumulation of amine groups on the surface. Increasing the substrate temperature from 300 to 600 K results in greatly reduced carbon contamination in the AIN films. During film growth at 600 K, each DMEAA exposure results in the deposition of a new aluminum layer and a subsequent NH3 dose converts this layer to AIN.
Cross-Layer Design and Optimization forWireless Sensor Networks

Cross-layer design and optimization is a new technique which can be used to design and improve the performance in both wireless and wireline networks. The central idea of cross-layer design is to optimize the control and exchange of information over two or more layers to achieve significant performance improvements by exploiting the interactions between various protocol layers. In this paper, we propose a cross-layer design and optimization framework and the concept of using an optimization agent to provide the exchange and control of information between the various protocol layers to improve the performance in wireless sensor networks. The approach is to investigate the effects of the wireless channel and the physical layer performance of a small scale wireless sensor network (WSN) to develop insights that can be used in the design and development of the optimization agent in the proposed cross-layer framework. Performance measurements were conducted to study the effects of interference and transmission range for a group of networked wireless sensors.
Alternatives to Instructor Assessment of Class Participation

Abstract The desire for increased student involvement in the learning process extends to the arena of assessment. This study examined peer and self-assessment as alternatives to instructor assessment of class participation in the MBA strategy course. Data from three samples did not provide unequivocal support for their use in formal grading procedures. However, the study suggests that the use of peer assessment provides a necessary feedback to students and instructors and supports the broader objectives of class participation.