cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perceptions of Caring: Comparison of Antepartum and Postpartum Patients

An exploratory, comparative survey design was used to describe and compare similarities and differences in perception of caring behaviors between hospitalized antepartum and short-stay postpartum patients. Forty-two patients completed the 63-item Caring Behavior Assessment instrument (CBA). The scale, based on Watson's theory of caring, contains seven categories. There were no statistically significant differences in age, education, gravida, or para between the two groups. Significantly more women in the postpartum group were married. There were no statistically significant differences or correlations in the total CBA scores and the demographic variables. No statistically significant differences in total CBA scores were found between antepartum participants and postpartum participants. These findings corroborate the results of "caring" studies in other patient populations, that satisfying basic needs--that is, evidence of technical knowledge and skills--is more important to patients than meeting higher order needs.
Using CT of the Cervical Spine for Early Evaluation of Pediatric Patients with Head Trauma

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of CT of the cervical spine in addition to radiography in pediatric patients with suspected head trauma at the time of the CT head examination.MATERIALS AND METHODS. We identified 63 pediatric patients admitted to the emergency department who had head trauma and who underwent both head CT and neck radiography. Those who underwent CT of the cervical spine at the time of the head CT examination during their initial evaluation were compared for demographics, clinical status, mechanism of injury, and number of excess radiographs (number required by protocol minus number of films obtained) required to evaluate the cervical spine with those patients who did not undergo early CT of the cervical spine.RESULTS. Twenty-one patients (33%) underwent cervical spine CT at the time of the head CT examination. The number of excess radiographs differed significantly between these patients (2.1 ± 2.6 vs 3.6 ± 2.7, p = 0.04) and the comparison group. Patie...
Fuzziness in quantum mechanics

The fussy "roots" of quantum mechanics are traced directly to the Hamilton-Jacobi equation of classical mechanics. It is shown that the Shroedinger equation can be derived from the Hamilton-Jacobi equation. A deep underlying unity of both equations lies in the fact that a unique trajectory of a classical particle is "selected" out of many-continuum paths according to the Principle of least action. We can say that a classical particle has a membership in every path of the above set, which collapses to the winning single trajectory of a real motion. At the same time it can also be said that a quantum mechanical "particle" has different degrees of membership in a set of many-continuum paths where all of them contribute to the dynamics of the quantum mechanical particle. This allows one to provide an interpretation of the wave function as a parameter describing deterministic entity endowed by a fuzzy character. As a logical consequence of such an interpretation the complimentarity principle and the wave-particle duality concept can be abandoned in favor of a fuzzy deterministic microobject. This idea leads to a possibility of a quantum mechanical computer based on the fuzzy logic.
408 CONTINUOUS SUBCUTANEOUS INFUSION OF GROWTH HORMONE (CSIGH) IN GROWTH HORMONE DEFICIENCY: FEASIBILITY AND SHORT TERM METABOLIC EFFECTS

In contrast to the sustained acceleration of growth observed in pituitary hypersecretion of GH, full catch-up growth is rarely attained in GH deficiency with conventional GH Rx (0.1 U/kg IM 3x/wk). Since circulating GH levels are very low for all but 24-30 hr per wk during conventional Rx, we examined the feasibility and short term metabolic effects of CSIGH using a small infusion pump. Fasting levels of glucose (G), insulin (I), free fatty acids (FFA) and oral glucose tolerance were determined in 5 previously untreated deficient children before and after 85 hrs of CSIGH (dose 2.1 μU/kg/hr ~ 0.3 U/kg/wk).
An integrated production-distribution model for a multi-national company operating under varying exchange rates

Research modeling the production planning and logistics decisions for multi-national companies (MNC's) operating under varying inflation and exchange rates is scanty. Decisions regarding the products to be made in different facilities, and the markets which these facilities would serve are critical to the MNC's success. Also, decisions regarding when to open, retain, and close facilities are equally important. These decisions are sensitive to both inflation and exchange rates. Accordingly, we incorporate these parameters in the development of an integrated production planning and distribution model for an MNC. We elicit the performance of the model through examples. Our results indicate profit reduces by as much as 45.77% depending on the exchange rates, initial capacities, and restrictions imposed on the more profitable facility.
PID feedback control of monochromator thermal stabilization

Abstract The desire for increasingly smaller X-ray beams for macromolecular crystallography experiments also stimulates the need for improvements in beam stability. There are numerous sources of instability, which influence beam quality on the micron-size scale. Typically, the most problematic source is thermal drift within the double crystal monochromators. In addition to using liquid nitrogen to indirectly cool both the first and second crystals, GM/CA-CAT previously used a combination of flowing water at constant temperature and copper braiding to stabilize the mechanics, mounts, and the Compton scatter shielding. However, the copper braids inefficiently stabilized the temperature of components that were distant from the water lines. Additionally, vibrations in the water lines propagated throughout the vibrationally dampened monochromator, thereby introducing both positional and intensity instabilities in the transmitted X-ray beam. To address these problems, heating pads were placed directly onto the temperature-sensitive components, with output controlled by a PID-feedback loop. As a result, there is negligible temperature change in the first crystal radiation shielding over the entire range of operational heat loads. Additionally, the angular drift in the second crystal induced by temperature changes in other components is dramatically decreased.
Toward automated intraocular laser surgery using a handheld micromanipulator

This paper presents a technique for automated intraocular laser surgery using a handheld micromanipulator known as Micron. The novel handheld manipulator enables the automated scanning of a laser probe within a cylinder of 4 mm long and 4 mm in diameter. For the automation, the surface of the retina is reconstructed using a stereomicroscope, and then preplanned targets are placed on the surface. The laser probe is precisely located on the target via visual servoing of the aiming beam, while maintaining a specific distance above the surface. In addition, the system is capable of tracking the surface of the eye in order to compensate for any eye movement introduced during the operation. We compared the performance of the automated scanning using various control thresholds, in order to find the most effective threshold in terms of accuracy and speed. Given the selected threshold, we conducted the handheld operation above a fixed target surface. The average error and execution time are reduced by 63.6% and 28.5%, respectively, compared to the unaided trials. Finally, the automated laser photocoagulation was demonstrated also in an eye phantom, including compensation for the eye movement.
Tritiated digoxin. XX. Tissue distribution in experimental myocardial infarction

Abstract The role and potential hazards of digitalis glycoside administration in acute myocardial infarction remain controversial. We investigated the concentration of tritiated digoxin in normal, ischemic, and infarcted left ventricular myocardium of the dog after ligation of the anterior interventricular coronary artery. The normal homogeneous distribution of tritiated digoxin in the normal canine left ventricle was altered following acute myocardial infarction. The ischemic and infarcted zones exhibited a marked diminution in digoxin concentration. Oxidative phosphorylation determinations confirmed tissue hypoxia in the infarcted zone. The gradient of digoxin concentration between normal, ischemic, and infarcted zones of myocardium may potentiate the development of an arrhythmia in the electrically unstable infarcted myocardium.
Late effects of pulmonary radiotherapy in early childhood upon lung function

We studied the effects the therapeutic plumonary irradiation in early childhood on lung mechanics and CO diffusing capacity (DCO) in ten children aged 11 to 19 years. Before the age of 50 months they had received bilateral irradiation to the lungs for treatment of metastatic Wilm's tumor. Radiographic evidence of pleural thickening and/or interstitial fibrosis was minimal except in 3 patients with moderately severe changes. Thoraco-lumbar scoliosis was present, but minimal. Total lung capicity (TLC) was 78% (range 68–87%) and vital capacity (VC) 72% (range 64–85%) of predicted values. However, 4 patients who had repeated pulmonary irradiation or surgical resection had TLC and VC averaging 66 and 55% of predicted, respectively. In the whole group DCO was 65% of predicted (range 49–85%). DCO/observed TLC was normal, suggesting that the reduction of DCO was related to that of lung volume. Flow volume curves were used to measure maximal expiratory flow rates at 25% VC because at low lung volumes flow rates depend on resistance of peripheral airways and elastic recoil of the lung. All patients had normal flow rates in relation to body size. Elastic recoil of the lung, measured in 3 patients was high normal. These findings suggest that small airways are of normal size. It cannot be stated with certainty whether the diminished lung volumes are related to altered growth of lung parenchyma or to interstitial fibrosis.
Model based interpretation of survey data: A case study of enterprise resource planning implementations

The selection of the appropriate analysis tools for survey data is an important decision for all researchers dealing with responses on questionnaires. Over the last two decades a number of approaches have been used for classifying variables, statistically measuring significance and developing predictions of outcomes. This paper compares and evaluates the use of regression analysis, logistic (logit) models, discriminate analysis and data envelopment analysis (DEA), for empirical data from a survey of enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementations in the US manufacturing sector. The data collected from this survey contains a mix of subjective and objective data, and provides an opportunity to assess the impact of these modeling techniques on measuring outcomes and a decision-maker's acceptability of the results. The analysis illustrates that regression based tools are more valuable in developing predictive models, while logit and discriminate models are powerful in classifying the outcomes. The genetic search-based discriminate model is intuitively appealing, whereas DEA provides additional information with respect to understanding the process of arriving at the outcome over other tools. The analysis further shows that these techniques can be used in a complementary manner to insights that they cannot provide when used individually. In addition to the feasibility of these techniques, this analysis also provides important insights into ERP implementations.
THE NATURE OF THE BACTERICIDAL SUBSTANCE IN LEUCOCYTIC EXTRACT

1. The bactericidal agent extracted from horse leucocytes is apparently precipitated quantitatively by full saturation with ammonium sulphate. 2. The bactericidal agent is apparently precipitated by absolute alcohol, and is not rendered insoluble by a short contact with alcohol. The agent resembled in this feature certain enzymes which can be isolated and purified by alcoholic precipitation.
High Performance Fast Multiplier

Binary multiplication is very crucial arithmetic operations in digital signal processing systems as well as general computer systems because the performance of the processor is significantly influenced by the speed of their multipliers. In this paper, we present a design-methodology for high-speed multiplications, where two integers of n-bit size each are multiplied to produce a 2n-bit product. This paper presents an efficient method for performing multiplications in one step from the least significant bit towards the most significant bit.
DEMONSTRATION OF GAS-PHASE COMBUSTION SYNTHESIS OF NANOSIZED PARTICLES USING A HYBRID BURNER

A new approach for gas-phase combustion synthesis of nanosized particles using a novel hybrid burner facility is demonstrated. The basis of the synthesis technique is to use both a premixed flame and a diffusion flame to control the synthesis environment. Specific experimental results for silica (SiO 2) production from silane/hydrogen/ oxygen/argon (SiH4/H2/O2/Ar) flames are presented. A parametric study of several burner conditions was conducted, and the subsequent effects on the particles produced were determined. Particle morphology was examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results indicated a broad variation in particle size and structure as a function of the burner operating conditions (in particular, reactant stoichiometry and flame geometry). Particle structures were aggregated with primary particles varying from 6 - 8 nm in size (high oxygen concentration conditions) to larger more continuous structures with primary particles 18 -20 nm in size (low oxygen concentration conditions). Bulk material properties were examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), nitrogen adsorption (BET) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). ©1999 Acta Metallurgica Inc.
Intraperitoneal instillation of bupivacaine for reduction of postoperative pain after laparoscopic hysterectomy: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Abstract Study Objective To evaluate the effect on postoperative pain of intraperitoneal instillation of dilute bupivacaine at the conclusion of laparoscopic hysterectomy. Design Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Canadian Task Force classification I). Setting Tertiary care, urban, academic teaching hospital. Patients Women aged 18 to 65 years undergoing total or supracervical laparoscopic hysterectomy with or without salpingo-oophorectomy. Intervention Randomization to intraperitoneal instillation of bupivacaine vs normal saline solution at the conclusion of laparoscopic hysterectomy performed because of benign indications. Measurements and Main Results A total of 160 patients consented to participate in the study and were randomized to receive either intraperitoneal instillation of 100 mg bupivacaine in 100 mL normal saline solution or 100 mL normal saline solution alone, at the conclusion of laparoscopic hysterectomy. Sixty seven of 77 patients (87%) in the treatment group and 73 of 80 patients (91%) in the placebo group completed the study. There were no significant differences in demographic profile, indication for hysterectomy, or number of previous surgeries between the two groups. All patients were prescribed a standardized routine postoperative analgesic regimen. Pain was measured by patient self-report using a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS) at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively. Mean VAS scores at all time points were between 2.0 and 4.3 and were highest in the first postoperative hour. VAS scores were not significantly different between the two groups at any time point. None of the measured secondary outcomes were significantly different between the bupivacaine and placebo groups, including total postoperative opioid analgesic use in morphine equivalents (23.2 mg vs 27.5 mg; p = .09), length of hospital stay in hours (23.3 vs 23.0; p = .49), patient satisfaction on a 10-cm VAS (9.0 vs 8.2; p = .12), and complication rates (9% vs 15%; p = .35). Conclusion Intraperitoneal instillation of bupivacaine at the conclusion of laparoscopic hysterectomy does not reduce postoperative pain. Opioid analgesic use, length of hospital stay, overall patient satisfaction, and complication rates are also unchanged. Self-reported postoperative pain was low in both groups after this major gynecologic surgery performed laparoscopically.
Detecting opaque and nonopaque tropical upper tropospheric ice clouds: A trispectral technique based on the MODIS 8–12 μm window bands

[1] A trispectral technique is developed for detecting tropical upper tropospheric opaque (τ > 6) and nonopaque (τ < 6) ice clouds over ocean based on the brightness temperature differences between the MODIS 8.5 and 11 μm bands and between the 11 and 12 μm bands together with the MODIS detected cloud thermodynamic phase. The brightness temperature differences provide robust information for classifying ice clouds, as illustrated by the observations made by a lidar, a radar, and the MODIS Airborne Simulator over tropical ice anvil systems during the Cirrus Regional Study of Tropical Anvils and Cirrus Layers-Florida Area Cirrus Experiment. The trispectral technique for detecting tropical upper tropospheric opaque and nonopaque ice clouds is developed based on the analysis of 1 year of data, including MODIS infrared brightness temperatures at 8.5, 11, and 12 μm bands, MODIS-derived ice cloud optical thicknesses, and cloud top heights from CALIPSO and CloudSat over a region (140°E–180°E, 0°N–20°N) in the Western Pacific Warm Pool. The accuracy of the present trispectral technique is above 80%. A 27 July 2007 MODIS granule over the chosen region is used to verify the trispectral technique. It is found that the classification from the trispectral technique is consistent with a classification based directly on the MODIS ice cloud optical thicknesses. The effects of the variations in the MODIS viewing zenith angle on the detection are found to be negligible. The CALIPSO and CloudSat observations used to develop the classification are more sensitive than MODIS to the height and presence of optically thin cirrus. These differences in cloud heights were found to have a negligible impact on the final detection results.
Co-design based approach to improve robustness in networked control systems

Traditional control systems consist of sensors, controllers, and actuators operating with tight periodic dependencies, and communicating over dedicated real-time channels such as CAN or FDDI. However, best effort networks such as 802.11 are being increasingly used in such systems. The unpredictable delays and losses in such networks violate the periodicity assumptions of digital control design, and the consequent fail-safe actions incur significant performance penalties. In this paper, we propose a co-design based approach to address the periodicity requirements of digital control design, and improve robustness by extending deadlines through graceful degradation to the fail-safe action. In particular, we analytically demonstrate significant deadline extensions in the control loop of a traffic control testbed based on our approach. Such deadline extensions also facilitate fault tolerance techniques such as component restarts, and system management mechanisms such as online component upgrades. We validate the results by experiments in the testbed.
Positive predictive value of a case definition for diabetes mellitus using automated administrative health data in children and youth exposed to antipsychotic drugs or control medications: a Tennessee Medicaid study

We developed and validated an automated database case definition for diabetes in children and youth to facilitate pharmacoepidemiologic investigations of medications and the risk of diabetes. The present study was part of an in-progress retrospective cohort study of antipsychotics and diabetes in Tennessee Medicaid enrollees aged 6–24 years. Diabetes was identified from diabetes-related medical care encounters: hospitalizations, outpatient visits, and filled prescriptions. The definition required either a primary inpatient diagnosis or at least two other encounters of different types, most commonly an outpatient diagnosis with a prescription. Type 1 diabetes was defined by insulin prescriptions with at most one oral hypoglycemic prescription; other cases were considered type 2 diabetes. The definition was validated for cohort members in the 15 county region geographically proximate to the investigators. Medical records were reviewed and adjudicated for cases that met the automated database definition as well as for a sample of persons with other diabetes-related medical care encounters. The study included 64 cases that met the automated database definition. Records were adjudicated for 46 (71.9%), of which 41 (89.1%) met clinical criteria for newly diagnosed diabetes. The positive predictive value for type 1 diabetes was 80.0%. For type 2 and unspecified diabetes combined, the positive predictive value was 83.9%. The estimated sensitivity of the definition, based on adjudication for a sample of 30 cases not meeting the automated database definition, was 64.8%. These results suggest that the automated database case definition for diabetes may be useful for pharmacoepidemiologic studies of medications and diabetes.
Solitaire FR device for treatment of dural sinus thrombosis

Dural venous sinus thrombosis is a rare and potentially devastating disease. Several predisposing factors exist, including oral contraceptive therapy and colitis. First-line therapy consists of systemic anticoagulation. If first-line therapies fail, more aggressive endovascular therapies may be performed. We report our initial experience with the Solitaire FR device for treatment of refractory symptomatic dural venous sinus thrombosis.
Drag Reduction of Natural Laminar Flow Airfoils with a Flexible Surface Deturbulator

A flexible composite surface deturbulator (FCSD) has been developed in order to stabilize large extents of thin separated flow over aerodynamic surfaces through passive interactions with a streamwise varying pressure gradient boundary layer flow. This accelerates the external flow since skin friction is mitigated, while attenuating turbulent dissipation in the separated region. In this study this effect has been used to reduce drag and increase lift of natural laminar flow airfoils at low Mach numbers with Reynolds numbers ranging from 3x10 5 , which is typical of long endurance unmanned aerial vehicles, to 6x10 6
Genetic Analysis of the Caenorhabditis elegans GLH Family of P-Granule Proteins

The Vasa DEAD-box helicases are widespread markers of germ cells across species, and in some organisms have been shown to be essential for germ-cell formation and development. In contrast to the single Vasa gene in most systems analyzed, Caenorhabditis elegans has four Vasa family members, the germline helicases GLH-1, GLH-2, GLH-3, and GLH-4. Our analysis of deletion alleles of each glh gene demonstrates that GLH-1 is the key member of the family: loss of GLH-1 function causes sterility that is mainly maternal effect, is manifested predominantly at elevated temperature, and is due to reduced germ-cell proliferation and impaired formation of both sperm and oocytes. The other GLHs are not essential. However, GLH-4 serves redundant roles with GLH-1: loss of both genes' function causes glh-1-like sterility at all temperatures. Molecular epistasis analysis demonstrates that GLH-1 and GLH-4 are required for proper association of the PGL family of proteins with P granules, suggesting a pathway of P-granule assembly in which the GLHs are upstream of the PGL proteins and the mRNA cap-binding protein IFE-1. While loss of some P-granule components causes worms to be defective in RNA interference, loss of GLH-1 and GLH-4 does not compromise RNAi. Thus, RNAi likely does not require intact P granules but instead relies on particular P-granule factors. We discuss the evolution of the Vasa/GLH genes and current views of their functions and the assembly and roles of germ granules among species.
Corrosion of Aluminized Steel in Scale Forming Waters

Type 2 aluminized steel has a layered aluminum/Al-Fe coating on a carbon steel substrate. It has been proposed that carbonate scales formed from natural waters are protective to this material but concern existed about stability of the passive layer under those conditions. The behavior of type 2 aluminized steel was studied for >3,000 h in waters of controlled varying scaling tendencies containing different amounts of Ca +2 and HCO3 - ions at room temperature and a moderate (370 ppm) chloride content. Initial findings showed extremely low corrosion rates under high total alkalinity and calcium carbonate precipitating tendencies. Corrosion performance was good over the test period in a high total alkalinity, nonscale forming medium but electrochemical impedance measurements indicated some corrosion in progress. Exposure to the same chloride content but in the absence of alkalinity or precipitating hardness led to early pitting of the aluminized layer.
State Campaign Finance Laws and Interest Group Electioneering Activities

This paper examines the effects of campaign finance laws on interest group activities in state election campaigns. Specifically, the analysis considers how laws aimed at limiting contributions by interest groups influence the strategies used by these groups. In states where limits are low, it is expected that groups will find alternative ways to affect elections, either by emphasizing direct contact with voters (e.g., independent spending and issue advertising) or by providing more indirect forms of candidate assistance (e.g., endorsements and donations to political parties). Multivariate analyses demonstrate that laws limiting interest group contributions are associated with greater group efforts in these other areas of electioneering.
Mass fragmentographic determination of some acidic and alcoholic metabolites of biogenic amines in the rat brain.

—A mass fragmentographic procedure is described for the simultaneous quantification of a number of deaminated metabolites derived from tyramine, octopamine, dopamine, and norepinephrine. With this method, several of the metabolites were measured in normal rat brain. The results support the central nervous system origin of tyramine, octopamine and their metabolites. The concentration of the dopamine metabolite, homovanillic acid, in the rat brain was found to be about 15% higher than that of dihydroxyphenylacetic acid. As for the metabolites of norepinephrine, vanilmandelic acid concentration was found to be about 5% that of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol. The possible role of vanilmandelic acid in the CNS metabolism of norephrine is discussed.
Ancient DNA from Texas Pictographs

Three to four thousand year old DNA in Pecos River style pictographs was subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and phylogenetic analysis. We sequenced a 106 base-pair (bp) fragment from the highly conservative histone 4 gene, assessing potential contamination by using negative controls (no DNA) and positive controls (known DNA). The pictograph sequence was compared to sequences from vegetable and animal ‘‘carriers’’ that could have been used to bind the pigment to the rock. The analysis revealed the use of an organic binder/vehicle derived from a mammal, probably an ungulate of the Order Artiodactyla. ? 1996 Academic Press Limited
Circular array with frequency-invariant pattern

The author addresses the wideband feature of circular array patterns and the bandwidth limitations. In particular, he outlines the pattern synthesis technique and presents some experimental data. To demonstrate the feature of frequency-invariant patterns, a circular array was built with 64 elements comprising monopoles in a parallel-plate region. The typical example of three 30-dB Chebyshev patterns for 4, 5, and 6 GHz demonstrates deep stable nulls and no beam squint over a 40% bandwidth. It is concluded that circular arrays can generate high-quality patterns, with narrow beams and deep pattern nulls, that are stable over a very large bandwidth. >
Optimizing Economic Outcomes in Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis

The treatment of community-acquired respiratory tract infections, such as acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB), constitutes a huge socioeconomic burden. In most cases, an antimicrobial agent is advocated to lessen morbidity and prevent serious clinical sequelae. Use of antimicrobial agents for AECB, however, is controversial, as it is difficult to distinguish between bacterial and nonbacterial AECB, and only marginal benefits have been reported. Antimicrobial agents, however, have reduced relapse rates, prolonged the time between exacerbations, shortened the duration of symptoms, and reduced the need for hospitalization. Microbiologic resistance and individual patient characteristics play important roles in determining the most appropriate antimicrobial agent for patients with AECB. More research on the effect of resistant bacteria on antimicrobial response rates will enable physicians to prescribe economically rational antimicrobial therapy for this common infection.
Expanding the chemical diversity of lasso peptide MccJ25 with genetically encoded noncanonical amino acids

Using the amber suppression approach, four noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) were used to replace existing amino acids at four positions in lasso peptide microcin J25 (MccJ25). The lasso peptide biosynthesis enzymes tolerated all four ncAAs and produced antibiotics with efficacy equivalent to wild-type in some cases. Given the rapid expansion of the genetically encoded ncAA pool, this study is the first to demonstrate an expedient method to significantly increase the chemical diversity of lasso peptides.
Controlled Lagrangians and the stabilization of Euler–PoincarÉ mechanical systems

In this paper we develop a constructive approach to the determination of stabilizing control laws for a class of Lagrangian mechanical systems with symmetry systems whose underlying dynamics are governed by the Euler-Poincare equations. This work extends our previous work on the stabilization of mechanical control systems using the method of controlled Lagrangians. The guiding principle behind our methodology is to develop a class of stabilizing feedback control laws which yield closed-loop dynamics that remain in Lagrangian form. Using the methodology for Euler-Poincare systems, we analyse stabilization of a satellite and an underwater vehicle controlled with momentum wheels.
Systematic latin squares

In order to properly utilize restricted randomization in the selection of t × t Latin squares it is necessary to have some idea of the various types of systematic Latin squares that should be removed from the admissible sets. The best known systematic squares are the diagonal squares and the Knut Vik squares. When t is not a prime number there are various other types of diagonal and balanced Latin squares. Eleven types of 4 × 4 Latin squares, each of them being systematic, are identified, displayed, and their properties indicated. Eight types of systematic 6 × 6 Latin squares are also identified and displayed. The effect of removing systematic squares from the admissible sets of Latin squares is discussed. Recommendations are made on when a restricted randomization procedure is to be preferred to a full randomization procedure in the selection of a random t × t Latin square.
Cardiac outflow tract defects in mice lacking ALK2 in neural crest cells

Cardiac neural crest cells are multipotent migratory cells that contribute to the formation of the cardiac outflow tract and pharyngeal arch arteries. Neural crest-related developmental defects account for a large proportion of congenital heart disorders. Recently, the genetic bases for some of these disorders have been elucidated, and signaling pathways required for induction, migration and differentiation of cardiac neural crest have emerged. Bone morphogenetic proteins comprise a family of secreted ligands implicated in numerous aspects of organogenesis, including heart and neural crest development. However, it has remained generally unclear whether BMP ligands act directly on neural crest or cardiac myocytes during cardiac morphogenesis, or function indirectly by activating other cell types. Studies on BMP receptor signaling during organogenesis have been hampered by the fact that receptor knockouts often lead to early embryonic lethality. We have used a Cre/loxP system for neural crest-specific deletion of the type I receptor, ALK2, in mouse embryos. Mutant mice display cardiovascular defects, including persistent truncus arteriosus, and abnormal maturation of the aortic arch reminiscent of common forms of human congenital heart disease. Migration of mutant neural crest cells to the outflow tract is impaired, and differentiation to smooth muscle around aortic arch arteries is deficient. Moreover, in Alk2 mutants, the distal outflow tract fails to express Msx1 , one of the major effectors of BMP signaling. Thus, the type I BMP receptor ALK2 plays an essential cell-autonomous role in the development of the cardiac outflow tract and aortic arch derivatives.
POISSON SUPERPOSITION PROCESSES

Superposition is a mapping on point congurations that sends the n-tuple nite-length X -valued sequences. From properties of Poisson processes as well as some algebraic properties of formal power series, we obtain an explicit expression for the Janossy measure of Poisson superposition processes, and we study their law under domain restriction. Examples of well-known Poisson superposition processes include compound Poisson, negative binomial, and permanental (boson) processes.
Highly reproducible vapor deposition technique, device physics and structural instability of perovskite solar cells

We describe a liquid-free, sequential vapor deposition process for Pb iodide based n-i-p perovskite solar cells, using both methyl-ammonium iodide (MAI) and formamidine iodide (FAI) as the organic molecule. The process consists of sequential deposition of both PbI2 and then vaporization in a vapor of MAI or FAI. The process produces highly reproducible high efficiency devices with efficiencies of ∼13.6% for MAI devices and 11.2% for FAI devices. We also study the mid-gap defect densities using capacitance-frequency-temperature techniques. We find two distinct defects, one at 0.24 eV below the conduction band, and one at 0.64 eV below the conduction band. The attempt to escape frequency is also calculated for the midgap defect and it is in the range of 1012 /s. We also study the diffusion length of carriers in the devices by using Quantum Efficiency (QE) vs. voltage techniques for different thicknesses of the perovksite, and we find that for thicker devices, there is a definite loss in QE with increasing forward bias, implying a loss in collection due to shrinking depletion width. From such measurements, we conclude that the field-free diffusion length IS <0.3 micrometer, and that in thin devices (∼0.3 micrometer thickness), the transport is mainly controlled by field assisted drift and not by diffusion. We also study the thermally induced phase change using x-ray diffraction, and decomposition of perovskite devices using thermal gravimetric analysis, and find that at very modest temperatures (∼100°C), the MAI devices change their phase with the perovskite degenerating into PbI2 over a period of 24 hours. The devices produced using FAI are more stable, with the phase change not occurring until ∼125 °C.
AN AGRARIAN ECONOMY An Economic History of Ethiopia, Vol. I: The Imperial Era, 1941–74. Edited by SHIFERAW BEKELE. CODESRIA, 1995. Distributed by African Books Collective Ltd. Pp. viii + 334. £14.95 (ISBN 2-86978-042-7).

Addis Ababa University has established a notable record for scholarly production in a constantly changing, but never sympathetic, political environment. The imperial regime of Haile Sellassie discouraged liberal and critical thinking, and succeeding Derg tried to bring the university under its ideological and institutional control. The guerrilla movement which overthrew the Derg has proven no more tolerant of intellectual or institutional independence. Ethiopian scholars have had to define the meaning of scholarship and then to carry it out in daunting, shifting, and, at times, hazardous, conditions. This makes their achievements even more worthy of respect.
Nerve Growth Factor Regulates Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 2 via Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Signaling To Enhance Neurite Outgrowth in Developing Neurons

Neurite outgrowth is key to the formation of functional circuits during neuronal development. Neurotrophins, including nerve growth factor (NGF), increase neurite outgrowth in part by altering the function and expression of Ca(2+)-permeable cation channels. Here we report that transient receptor potential vanilloid 2 (TRPV2) is an intracellular Ca(2+)-permeable TRPV channel upregulated by NGF via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway to augment neurite outgrowth. TRPV2 colocalized with Rab7, a late endosome protein, in addition to TrkA and activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in neurites, indicating that the channel is closely associated with signaling endosomes. In line with these results, we showed that TRPV2 acts as an ERK substrate and identified the motifs necessary for phosphorylation of TRPV2 by ERK. Furthermore, neurite length, TRPV2 expression, and TRPV2-mediated Ca(2+) signals were reduced by mutagenesis of these key ERK phosphorylation sites. Based on these findings, we identified a previously uncharacterized mechanism by which ERK controls TRPV2-mediated Ca(2+) signals in developing neurons and further establish TRPV2 as a critical intracellular ion channel in neuronal function.
POST PROCEDURAL STROKE IN CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTING AND PERCUTANEOUS INTERVENTIONS: AN 11 YEAR STATEWIDE ANALYSIS

Stroke is a catastrophic complication of coronary artery revascularization. Data comparing stroke incidence with on pump (ONP) versus off pump (OFFP) coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are conflicting, as are the rates of stroke with ONP and OFFP CABG versus percutaneous coronary intervention (
Evaluation of N+2 Technologies and Advanced Vehicle Concepts

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) project is conducting research at an integrated system level on promising concepts and technologies expected to mature in the N+2 time frame. ERA has a need to perform a systems level analysis of these concepts and technologies to estimate and track performance towards ERA’s goal of simultaneously achieving improvement in metrics for fuel burn reduction, noise margin, and LTO NOx emissions reduction. This paper describes work done for the system level comparison of tube and wing plus various unconventional airframe configurations using both advance ultra high bypass ratio direct drive and geared turbofan engines. The results focus on the interdependencies between the ERA fuel burn and noise and NOx emission metrics.
Carnivorous Behavior in the Mexican Ground Squirrel

Perusal of the literature reveals no published account of carnivorous behavior in the Mexican ground squirrel, Spermophilus mexicanus , although such behavior has been recorded in other species of the genus (A. M. Johnson, Jour. Mamm., 3: 187, 1922). On July 4, 1955, at 3:30 pm, while encamped one mile …
On the dimensionality of olfactory space

We recently presented an estimate of the number of mutually discriminable olfactory stimuli at one trillion (1). Subjects were asked to sniff mixtures of molecules with increasing component overlap selected from a panel of 128 isointense structurally and perceptually diverse monomolecular odorants (2). We considered stimulus pairs discriminable when the majority of subjects could significantly discriminate them at p=0.05, a conventional statistical threshold given our sample size. From these empirical data, we estimated that human discriminative capacity exceeds one trillion olfactory stimuli. Several readers have pointed out that such extrapolations are sensitive to underlying assumptions about the chosen significance threshold (3) and the dimensionality of olfaction (4). It is important to note that any exponential function will be sensitive in this way, and the goal of our model was not to identify the exact number of discriminable olfactory stimuli, or even the exact mathematical bounds, but an estimate of the order of magnitude of human discriminatory power across a population of human subjects. This was not clearly stated in our paper, and we agree that contradictory references to a “lower limit” and an “upper bound” were confusing. The central argument in (4) is that our estimation method assumes that the dimensionality of olfactory space is large. We agree that the high-dimensional nature of olfaction is indeed an assumption, and we should have stated this explicitly in our paper (1). Even if we follow this logic of the models presented in (4), purely geometrical calculations show that our results hold if the dimensionality of olfactory representations is D≥25. The dimensionality of olfaction is a question of interest to everyone, and while we do not know for sure, all available evidence suggests that olfaction is a high-dimensional sense. The olfactory system is wired to keep information from the ~400 odorant receptors strictly separated, so it is plausible that olfaction operates at least in 400-dimensional space. This is an important topic of discussion in olfaction, and we welcome continued debate of the dimensionality of smell and how this impacts human olfactory perception.
Processing of Polymers and Polymer Composites In a Microwave Applicator

Polymers and polymer composites have been processed in a cylindrical resonant microwave applicator at a frequency of 2.45GHz. Stoichiometric mixtures of two epoxy/amine systems, DGEBA (Diglycidyl Ether of Bisphenol A)/DDS (4,4’-Diaminodiphenyl Sulfone) and DGEBA/mPDA(m-Phenylene Diamine), were microwave and thermally cured isothermally using a thin film technique. FTIR was used to determine the extent of cure. Increased reaction rates were observed in microwave cure when compared to those of thermal cure. The rate increase due to microwave effects was much greater for the DGEBA/DDS system than for DGEBA/mPDA. Also, crossply and unidirectional 24-ply and 72-ply graphite/epoxy laminates(AS4/3501-6 prepreg, Hercules Corp.). were processed using microwave radiation. The flexural properties of the microwave processed composites were strongly dependent on the resonant heating mode. Comparable flexural properties were obtained for the unpressurized microwave processed composites and the pressurized autoclave processed composites. Proper controlled-hybrid modes are required to process composites of high mechanical properties. The procedures for obtaining these controlled-hybrid modes are described.
Status and influencing factors of violence in elementary schools

Objective To observe the occurrence of school violence in elementary schools and explore its influencing factors at individual and school levels. Methods Pupils of grades 4 to 6 were selected from 14 public elementary schools and 6 elementary schools for children of peasant-workers in Baoan District,Shenzhen City with stratified-cluster sampling method for investigation of the school violence incidents within one year and the related influential factors. Multilevel logistic regression model was used to determine the influencing factors at pupil level and school level. Results A total of 5 834 pupils were surveyed( 3 281 boys and 2 553 girls). Their age was( 11. 49 ±1. 17) yeas( mean ± SD). Numbers of pupils from the public schools and schools for children of peasant-workers were 4 234( 72. 60%) and 1 600( 27. 40%),respectively. The incidence rate of school violence was 72. 51%( 4 230/5 834). Of the violence types, the incidence rates of psychological violence and physical violence were 71. 94%( 4 197/5 834) and 44. 31%( 2 585/5 834),respectively. The incidence rates of violence occurred in public schools,schools for children of peasant-workers,boys,and girls were 76. 10%( 3 220 /4 234), 63. 10%( 1 010 /1 600),75. 59%( 2 480 /3 281),and 68. 55%( 1 750 /2 553),respectively. Risk factors of violence behavior were associated with public schools( OR = 2. 20),lack of health education( OR = 1. 73),male( OR = 1. 27),ordinary academic records( OR = 1. 29),playing network games( OR = 1. 93),parents quarreling in front of children( OR = 1. 56),and child maltreatment( OR = 1. 60). Conclusion Violence in elementary school pupils was widespread in Baoan District,Shenzhen; relevant departments of the schools should take measures to prevent the occurrence of school violence by minimizing some risk factors.
State and Capitalist Development in Early Meiji Japan

Although the Meiji Restoration was successful in unifying Japan, and thus centralising the Japanese state, the process led to the creation of a totalitarian state in which the peasantry and workers were economically exploited and politically oppressed. This section of the chapter analyses the nature of the Meiji state that emerged from the Restoration. Later in the chapter I will show how the state was used by the Meiji leaders to achieve capitalist development in a short time. Along with this analysis, comparisons will be made to the Nigerian experience that will form the subject of the next chapter.
Variability of antithrombotics use in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and its variants following first- and second-stage palliation surgery: a national report using the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative registry

Purpose Patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and its variants following palliation surgery are at risk for thrombosis. This study examines variability of antithrombotic practice, the incidence of interstage shunt thrombosis, and other adverse events following Stage I and Stage II palliation within the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative registry. Methods We carried out a multicentre, retrospective review using the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative registry including patients from 2008 to 2013 across 52 surgical sites. Antithrombotic medications used at Stage I and Stage II discharge were evaluated. Variability of antithrombotics use at the individual patient level and intersite variability, incidence of shunt thrombosis, and other adverse events such as cardiac arrest, seizure, stroke, and need for cardiac catheterisation intervention in the interstage period were identified. Antithrombotic strategies for hybrid Stage I patients were evaluated but they were excluded from the variability and outcomes analysis. Results A total of 932 Stage I and 923 Stage II patients were included in the study: 93.8% of Stage I patients were discharged on aspirin and 4% were discharged on no antithrombotics, and 77% of Stage II patients were discharged on aspirin and 17.5% were discharged on no antithrombotics. Only three patients (0.2%) presented with interstage shunt thrombosis. The majority of patients who died during interstage or required shunt dilation and/or stenting were discharged home on aspirin. Conclusion Aspirin is the most commonly used antithrombotic following Stage I and Stage II palliation. There is more variability in the choice of antithrombotics following Stage II compared with Stage I. The incidence of interstage shunt thrombosis and associated adverse events was rare.