cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Laplacian eigenvalues of a polygon

''The difficulties are almost always at the boundary.'' That statement applies to the solution of partial differential equations (with a given boundary) and also to shape optimization (with an unknown boundary). These problems require two decisions, closely related but not identical:o1.How to discretize the boundary conditions. 2.How to discretize the boundary itself. That second problem is the one we discuss here. The region @W is frequently replaced by a polygon or polyhedron. The approximate boundary @[email protected]"N may be only a linear interpolation of the true boundary @[email protected] A perturbation theory that applies to smooth changes of domain is often less successful for a polygon. This paper concentrates on a model problem-the simplest we could find-and we look at eigenvalues of the Laplacian. The boundary @[email protected] will be the unit circle. The approximate boundary @[email protected]"N is the regular inscribed polygon with N equal sides. It seems impossible that the eigenvalues of regular polygons have not been intensively studied., but we have not yet located an authoritative reference. The problem will be approached numerically from three directions, without attempting a general theory. Those directions are:o1.Finite-element discretizations of the polygons @W"N. 2.A Taylor series based on piecewise smooth perturbations of the circle. 3.A series expansion of the eigenvalues in powers of 1/N. The second author particularly wishes that we could have consulted George Fix about this problem.His Harvard thesis demonstrated the tremendous improvement that ''singular elements'' can bring to the finite-element method (particularly when @W has a reentrant corner, or even a crack). His numerical experiments in [1] came at the beginning of a long and successful career in applied mathematics. We only wish it had been longer.
Amputation/free nipple graft reduction mammaplasty

The amputation/free nipple graft method of reduction mammaplasty is used less frequently than the various pedicled reduction methods. Some valid reservations about this technique are decreased nipple-areola sensation, decreased breast-feeding capacity, diminished nipple erectile response, and the potential for nipple flattening and hypopigmentation. A suboptimal breast shape is another possible drawback. However, amputation and free nipple grafting offers improved safety compared with pedicled reduction mammaplasty, especially for those patients at high anesthetic risk. Some indications for amputation/free nipple grafting include gigantomastia, advanced age, systemic disease with poor microcirculation or poor wound-healing potential (eg, diabetes, chronic steroids, and so forth) and prior breast incisions that may limit pedicle or skin flap viability. Successful implementation of this method requires careful patient selection, and in general, it is not a good choice for those young patients concerned with breast-feeding capacity or nipple-areola sensation. Potential aesthetic liabilities of the amputation/free nipple graft technique can be minimized by attention to details of operative planning and execution. When appropriately used, amputation/free nipple graft reduction mammaplasty provides excellent patient safety and satisfaction.
Stimulus control of counting-like behavior in rats

Four rats were trained to emit a run of three to four responses in the presence of one SD and a run of more than 10 responses in the presence of a second SD. Well-separated relative frequency distributions of run lengths in the presence of each of the stimuli demonstrated that the rats were capable of making this discrimination of amounts of their own behavior.
Target detection from dual disparate sonar platforms using canonical correlations

In this paper a new coherence-based feature extraction method for sonar imagery generated from two disparate sonar systems is developed. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) is employed to identify coherent information from co-registered regions of interest (ROI's) that contain target activities, while at the same time extract useful coherent features from both images. The extracted features can be used for simultaneous detection and classification of target and non-target objects in the sonar images. In this study, a side-scan sonar that provides high resolution images with good target definition and a broadband sonar that generates low resolution images, but with reduced background clutter. The optimum Neyman-Pearson detector will be presented and then extended to the dual sensor platform scenarios. Test results of the proposed methods on a dual sonar imagery data set provided by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Panama City, FL will be presented. This database contains co-registered pair of images over the same target field with varying degree of detection difficulty and bottom clutter. The effectiveness of CCA as the optimum detection tool is demonstrated in terms of probability of detection and false alarm rate.
Asymmetric Organization of the Pore Region of the Epithelial Sodium Channel

Epithelial sodium channels (ENaCs) are composed of three homologous subunits that have regions preceding the second transmembrane domain (also referred as pre-M2) that form part of the channel pore. To identify residues within this region of the β-subunit that line the pore, we systematically mutated residues Gln523–Ile536 to cysteine. Wild type and mutant mouse ENaCs were expressed in Xenopus oocytes, and a two-electrode voltage clamp was used to examine the properties of mutant channels. Cysteine substitutions of 9 of 13 residues significantly altered Li+ to Na+ current ratios, whereas only cysteine replacement of βGly529resulted in K+-permeable channels. Besides βG525C, large increases in the inhibitory constant of amiloride were observed with mutations at βGly529 and βSer531 within the previously identified 3-residue tract that restricts K+permeation. Cysteine substitution preceding (βPhe524 and βGly525), within (βGly530) or following (βLeu533) this 3-residue tract, resulted in enhanced current inhibition by external MTSEA. External MTSET partially blocked channels with cysteine substitutions at βGln523, βPhe524, and βTrp527. MTSET did not inhibit αβG525Cγ, although previous studies showed that channels with cysteine substitutions at the corresponding sites within the α- and γ-subunits were blocked by MTSET. Our results, placed in context with previous observations, suggest that pore regions from the three ENaC subunits have an asymmetric organization.
A Framework for a BIM-based Knowledge Management System☆

Abstract Knowledge is generated in projects throughout the design and construction processes in Architecture/Engineering/Construction (AEC) projects. The management of this knowledge has been implemented by various firms in AEC the industry through the development of lessons learned databases, best practices, project closeout interviews, communities of practice and various other informal techniques. In the traditional project processes which don’t use building information modeling, the data generated through the project life cycle is typically stored in a fragmented manner in multiple formats. This makes it difficult to capture, catalog and disseminate the knowledge present in the data effectively. The objective of the research study described in this paper was to identify the ways in which Building Information Models can be used for effective Knowledge Management. Building Information Models are data-rich, object-based, intelligent and parametric digital representations of building structures. In this research, we hypothesize that the parametric models used in building information modeling can provide a centralized global context to the information stored therein and thus be an effective tool as a knowledge store; provide support other knowledge management processes. In this paper, we present a method to capture knowledge during the design and construction processes using the parametric, object oriented nature of the BIM models; extract the stored knowledge from the BIM models; present a framework for classification and dissemination of the knowledge. Finally, we present a framework to enable the use of Building Information Models to support the organization wide Knowledge Management processes.
Mathematical Representation for Wald’s Compartment Theory*

G. Wald has suggested a compartment theory for the functioning of the rods which corresponds mathematically to that of the Geiger–Muller counter. In this paper a discussion is given as to how the compartment theory fits various models for Geiger–Muller counters. Numerical examples are given to illustrate how the mathematical models can be compared with observed threshold curves.A method is also presented for mathematically extending Wald’s compartment theory to having the compartments correspond to structures positioned in a manner similar to the Sjostrand membranes. Suggestions for further research are presented.
A software framework for telemetry and data logging, MMT Observatory, Arizona, USA

An object-oriented software approach to acquisition and logging of telemetry data has been implemented at the MMT Observatory (MMTO). This approach includes: 1) a uniform interface to RS-232 serial and TCP/UDP network-enabled hardware devices, 2) a multiplexed socket server able to handle multiple simultaneous connections, 3) a simple ASCII network protocol, 4) standardized relational and round-robin database logging, 5) consistent parameter naming conventions, 6) automatic data validation, 7) centralized configuration files, and 8) unified process control. Over 25 miniservers, each of which corresponds to a single hardware device, implement the hardware-specific protocol for communication with that hardware device. The miniserver collects data from the device and allows network access to the dataset for that device via a uniform ASCII protocol. Each miniserver also periodically logs data to relational and, optionally, round-robin databases. Over 29 gigabytes of logged telemetry data, representing over 1500 distinct parameters and 120,000,000 MySQL records, are currently available for the past 4-5 years through this software framework. Essentially any scripting language can be used to access the ASCII-based network interface and MySQL relational databases. This object-oriented approach to telemetry provides a framework into which new hardware devices can easily be added and leverages existing data acquisition, analysis, and visualization tools.
Vapor-liquid equilibrium properties for polymer-solvent mixtures using the perturbed soft chain theory

The Perturbed Soft Chain Theory (PSCT) has been evaluated extensively for application to vapor-liquid equilibrium calculations in polymer-solvent systems. Pure compound parameters for many common solvents and polymers have been determined by using experimental data from two major data bases. Predictive and correlative capabilities of the PSCT have been compared for non-polar, non-polar/polar, and polar/polar systems over the entire concentration range. The model can represent the mixture experimental data behavior when a small binary interaction parameter is introduced to correct for energetic interactions. An extensive data base of binary interactions parameters for more than 50 polymer-solvent systems has been generated. The effects on the mixture calculations of uncertainties in determining the pure compound parameters have also been analyzed.
Two Confucian Theories on Children and Childhood: Commentaries on the Analects and the Mengzi

In this article I uncover, describe, and analyze two native Chinese theories by way of exploring the commentarial tradition through the centuries on two passages from Confucian classics: Mengzi 孟子 4B12 and Analects 論語 11.25. One view I explore is of the child as a cluster of role-specific duties, whereupon debates regard proper behavior for a junior in society; a second conception is of the child as an existential quality to be preserved or rediscovered, or a special stage in life to be honored, whereupon the debates within the commentaries regard effective methods for preserving or rediscovering one’s human nature. In concluding, I compare this latter conception of children with the theories on childhood development articulated by the great 20th-century developmental psychologist Erik Erikson (1902–1994), whose views inform a number of seminal and important studies on children in China. I show how the latter Confucian view and Erikson’s are substantively different and yet can be seen as complementary.
Stream geomorphology in a mountain lake district: hydraulic geometry, sediment sources and sinks, and downstream lake effects

Lakes are common in glaciated mountain regions and geomorphic principles suggest that lake modifications to water and sediment fluxes should affect downstream channels. Lakes in the Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho, USA, were created during glaciation and we sought to understand how and to what extent glacial morphology and lake disruption of fluxes control stream physical form and functions. First, we described downstream patterns in channel form including analyses of sediment entrainment and hydraulic geometry in one catchment with a lake. To expand on these observations and understand the role of glacial legacy, we collected data from 33 stream reaches throughout the region to compare channel form and functions among catchments with lakes, meadows (filled lakes), and no past or present lakes. Downstream hydraulic geometry relationships were weak for both the single catchment and regionally. Our data show that downstream patterns in sediment size, channel shape, sediment entrainment and channel hydraulic adjustment are explained by locations of sediment sources (hillslopes and tributaries) and sediment sinks (lakes). Stream reaches throughout the region are best differentiated by landscape position relative to lakes and meadows according to channel shape and sediment size, where outlets are wide and shallow with coarse sediment, and inlets are narrow and deep with finer sediment. Meadow outlets and lake outlets show similarities in the coarse-sediment fraction and channel capacity, but meadow outlets have a smaller fine-sediment fraction and nearly mobile sediment. Estimates of downstream recovery from lake effects on streams suggest 50 per cent recovery within 2–4 km downstream, but full recovery may not be reached within 20 km downstream. These results suggest that sediment sinks, such as lakes, in addition to sources, such as tributaries, are important local controls on mountain drainage networks. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two-dimensional array of optical interference filters produced by lithographic alterations of the index of refraction

We describe a new concept for producing, on a single substrate, a two-dimensional array of optical interference filters where the pass-band of each element can be independently specified. The interference filter is formed by optically contacting two dielectric mirrors so that the top quarter-wave films of the two mirrors form a Fabry-Perot cavity having a half-wave thickness. In the new device, we propose to etch an array of sub-wavelength patterns into the top surface of one of the mirrors before forming the cavity. The patterns must have a pitch shorter than the operational wavelength in order to eliminate diffraction. By changing the index of refraction of the half-wave layer, or the optical thickness of the cavity, the patterning is used to shift the pass-band and form an array of interference filters. One approach to producing the array is to change the fill factor of the pattern. Once the filter array is produced it may be mated to a two-dimensional detector array to form a miniature spectrophotometer.
Ultrasensitive regulation of anapleurosis via allosteric activation of PEP carboxylase.

Bacteria must control their metabolism to quickly adapt to changing carbon sources. PEP carboxylase is now shown to be allosterically regulated by fructose-1,6-bisphosphate in an ultrasensitive manner, turning glycolysis on and off almost instantaneously in response to glucose availability.
Effect of cortisol, T3 and T4 on the glucocorticoid receptor concentration in leukocytes

Abstract The glucocorticoid receptor concentration in goat leukocytes was measured before and during administration of ACTH, sodium l -thyroxine, or 6- n -propylthiouracil. The resultant changes in the concentrations of cortisol, T 3 , and T 4 , were not accompanied by alterations of the binding capacity for [ 3 H]dexamethasone in leukocytes.
Mevastatin induces degeneration and decreases viability of cAMP-induced differentiated neuroblastoma cells in culture by inhibiting proteasome activity, and mevalonic acid lactone prevents these effects.

Statins with a closed-ring structure (mevastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin) and with an open-ring structure (pravastatin and fluvastatin) are widely used in the human population to manage hypercholesterolemia. These statins may have neuroprotective or neurotoxic effects, but these effects remain controversial. We have utilized adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-induced terminally differentiated murine neuroblastoma (NB) cells in culture as an experimental model to study the effect of statins. Results showed that mevastatin induced degenerative changes and reduced the viability of differentiated NB cells by inhibiting proteasome activity. Lactacystin, an established inhibitor of proteasome, also produced similar degenerative changes in these cells. In contrast, pravastatin neither affected the degeneration and viability of differentiated NB cells nor the proteasome activity. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the extract obtained from mevastatin-treated growth medium and differentiated cells revealed that about 50% of mevastatin is converted to an open-ring structure in the growth medium; however, differentiated cells did not convert any portion of mevastatin into an open-ring structure and accumulated only mevastatin with a closed-ring structure. Mevalonic acid lactone by itself did not affect the viability of differentiated NB cells or the proteasome activity, but it completely prevented mevastatin-induced degeneration and decreased viability by reducing the uptake of mevastatin and by blocking its action on proteasome activity. Mevalonic acid failed to prevent lactacystin-induced degeneration and inhibition of proteasome activity. Our results suggest that mevastatin could act as a neurotoxic agent or neuroprotective agent, depending upon the extent of its hydrolysis to an open-ring structure and the level of mevalonic acid.
Accelerated mental aging in alcoholic patients

Discriminant function and polynomial regression methods were used to define a mental age function from scale score profile patterns found in the WAIS manual. Values on the mental age function then were calculated from WAIS scale score profiles for 164 alcoholics in the age range 35 to 74. Validity of the mental age function was evident in clear discrimination between chronological age groups in the alcoholic sample. As compared with WAIS normative values for the mental age function, the mean mental age for patients in the alcoholic sample was advanced approximately 7 years over age-matched normals. Unweighted means ANOVA revealed the accelerated mental aging of alcoholic patients to be statistically significant. This finding is discussed in the context of other research that supports a premature aging hypothesis.
Resonance entrainment of tensegrity structures via CPG control

Neuronal circuits known as central pattern generators (CPG) are responsible for the rhythmic motions in animal locomotion. These circuits exploit the resonant modes of the body to produce efficient locomotion through sensory feedback. As such, the neuronal mechanisms are of interest in the control of autonomous robotic vehicles. The objective of this study is to establish a design framework that integrates synthesized CPGs with tensegrity structures, with the goal of resonance entrainment. Tensegrities are novel, nonlinear dynamic structures featuring high strength to weight ratios, embedded actuation and sensing, and tunable stiffness. A two-neuron circuit known as a reciprocal inhibition oscillator is integrated with tensegrity structures with a pair of antagonistic actuators and collocated sensors. Each neuron has control of a cable length, and the sensory signal of cable length is fed back to the neuron. The frequency and amplitude of closed-loop oscillation are analyzed via harmonic balance, and a systematic method for control design is proposed to achieve entrainment to a prescribed resonance mode.
Attractor-based damage detection in a plate subjected to supersonic flows

Detecting damage in a panel subjected to transverse loads and undergoing limit cycle oscillations and chaos is investigated. The panel is mounted on a rigid substructure at its ends, and interacts with an unsteady supersonic flow on one side, and with a quiescent flow on the other side. This aeroelastic system includes structural nonlinearity due to the coupling between stretching and bending for deflections of the order of magnitude of the panel thickness. Also, energy dissipation is modeled by accounting for aerodynamic damping in the system. The flow is modeled using third order piston theory which includes aerodynamic nonlinearities. Finally, two types of damage are considered in the panel: (i) a local reduction in the bending stiffness (which may occur in many damage scenarios, such as the cases where yielding occurs or a crack propagates in the material), and (ii) a loss of stiffness in the upstream and/or downstream mounting points of the panel. Multiple damages are detected based on a state space analysis of the attractor of the dynamics of the aeroelastic system. Most of the current studies of such problems are based on linear theories. In contrast, the results presented are obtained using nonlinear dynamics, and have the advantage of an increased accuracy. The sensitivity of the nonlinear system dynamics to parametric changes is shown to be an effective tool for structural health monitoring.
Monitoring of tissue perfusion during esophagectomies with optical fiber probe spectroscopy

The specific optical spectra of tissues contain information about the biochemical composition. We present a simple optical fiber probe spectrometer design for noninvasive measurement of oxygen saturation in the microvasculature of stomach tissue. In a human Esophagectomy model with 23 patients, we measured the spectrum following surgical ligation of two of the three arterial paths to the stomach tissue that will become the anastamosis. Combining a diffusion model for semi-infinite slab remittance with absorption spectroscopy, we are able to specify the ratio of oxy-hemoglobin to deoxy-hemoglobin present in the tissue. We show a resting state of 0.47 (oxy-hemaglobin/total-hemaglobin) saturation decrease of 29% (p < 0.01) when arterial supply is reduced by artery ligation.
A study of parabolic control limits for the ewma control chart

Holmes and Mergen(1992)proposed the use of parabolic control limits for exponentially weighted moving average(EWMA)controlcharts.It is shown in an example that the usual control limits for the EWMA control chart perform much better than theparabolic control limits and are computationally more efficient
Inclusion of correlations in the empherical selection of intranuclear cascade nucleons from high energy hadron-nucleus collisions

The very high energy (5 GeV to 20 Tev) hadron-nucleus differential particle production model found in the Monte Carlo transport code FLUKA87 has been adapted for inclusion in the transport code HETC88. The empirical selection of intranuclear cascade nucleons has been modified to provide simple correlations with the randomly selected number of hadron-nucleon collisions. A standard method of calculating the extension energy of the compound nucleus preceding an added evaporation step by assuming the particles are produced in a one-dimensional nuclear well is applied. This method, coupled with the above correlations, lead to improved correlations of the excitation energy with the A and Z of the compound nucleus, and then to greatly improved distributions of the residual nuclei following evaporation. The frequency distribution of low enegy ( β < 0.7) charged particles show good agreement with experiment for 200 GeV protons incident on emulsions. Average multiplicities of showe and grey particles after evaporation for protons and pions incident on several elements are also compared with experiment.
Röthlisberger channel theory: its origins and consequences

The theory of channelized water flow through glaciers, most commonly associated with the names of Hans Rothlisberger and Ron Shreve and their 1972 papers in the Journal of Glaciology, was developed at a time when interest in glacier-bed processes was expanding, and the possible relationship between glacier sliding and water at the bed was becoming of keen interest. The R-channel theory provided for the first time a physically based conceptual model of water flow through glaciers. The theory also marks the emergence of glacier hydrology as a glaciological discipline with goals and methods distinct from those of surface-water hydrology.
Cloning and expression of the polychlorinated biphenyl-degradation gene cluster from Arthrobacter M5 and comparison to analogous genes from Gram-negative bacteria

Arthrobacter M5 was characterized genetically to determine if the catabolic pathway (controlled by the bph genes), responsible for polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) biodegradation in this Gram-positive strain, was similar to the pathways characterized from various Gram-negative bacteria. Arthrobacter M5 was originally isolated as a contaminant from a culture of the PCB degrader, Acinetobacter sp. strain P6. A bph-specific oligodeoxyribonucleotide (oligo) gene probe (bphC2) was designed by aligning the published sequences of two bphC genes (encoding 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl dioxygenase) and synthesizing a 29-nucleotide (nt) fragment from a conserved region of the gene. The bphC2 oligo was used as a probe to identify a 10-kb HindIII fragment of total DNA from Arthrobacter M5 and subsequently to isolate Escherichia coli clones possessing bphC. The PCB-degradation genes were expressed in E. coli, but expression was increased by subcloning in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The nt and amino acid sequences of the region corresponding to the Arthrobacter M5 bphC gene showed a very high degree of homology with the published sequences of bphC genes from Gram-negative bacteria.
Children’s Productions of the Affix -ed in Past Tense and Past Participle Contexts

Children’s productions of the affix -ed in past tense and past participle contexts (e.g., the boy kicked the ball vs. the ball was kicked) were examined in spontaneous conversations and elicited pr...
Optoelectronic study of piezoeletric field in strained-layer superlattices

Abstract We present recent results of an optoelectronic study of piezoelectric fields in several lattice-mismatched semiconductor superlattices with different crystal orientations.
Psychiatric diagnosis and competency to stand trial.

Abstract The relationship between competency to stand trial and DSM-III psychiatric diagnosis, age, sex, race, legal charge, education and those who have frequent competency evaluations, (repeaters), is examined. Three hundred and ninety consecutive admissions to the Yale-New Haven court clinic over a two and a half year period were analyzed. Psychiatric diagnoses and repeaters were significantly related to compentancy (P
Complex formation in the neodymium nitrate-tributyl phosphate-water system☆

Abstract The solvent extraction system, neodymium nitrate-tributyl phosphate-water, was studied to obtain information on the nature of solvent-solute complex formation. Infra-red spectra of the organic phase and composition and weight measurements made with equilibrium experiments led to three primary conclusions: 1. (1) Complexing takes place at the PO bond on the solvent molecule. 2. (2) Dependence of extraction on solvent structure variation suggests that the complex is formed by weak inter-molecular attractions depending on dipole effects. 3. (3) The reaction for complex formation can be represented approximately by: [Nd(NO 3 ) 3 ] aqueous + [3 TBP·H 2 O] organic → [Nd(NO 3 ) 3 ·3TBP] organic + [3H 2 O] aqueous over the entire concentration range, from dilute to saturated. The latter information may be useful in devising equilibrium data prediction methods needed for extraction process design for fractionating the lanthanides on a macroscopic scale. Additional data were obtained on tributyl phosphate synthesis with different butyl alcohols; water solubilities, refractive indices and infra-red spectra of the synthesized tri-n-, tri-iso, and trisec-butyl phosphates were obtained. The tri-tert-butyl phosphate could not be synthesized, probably due to steric effects.
Gluon-exchange currents: The nucleon axial-vector coupling constant and magnetic moments in bag models

Possible numerical importance of the two-body currents arising from exchange of one hard gluon between two constituent quarks is investigated by studying the evaluation of the nucleon axial-vector coupling constantg A and magnetic moments μ tot , μ tot in the context of the MIT bag model. The double counting problem is resolved only to the extent that, in accord with the standard wisdom, hard gluons have nothing to do with the formation of bags (quark confinement) and so are not included in bag-model wave functions. For reasonable choices of the parameters, we find that (1) the contribution tog A arising from one-gluon-exchange currents (OGEC) could account for the discrepancy between the observed value and the one-body bag-model prediction, and that (2) whereas the OGEC contribution to μ tot is negligible, the contribution to μ tot could be important but does not allow further understanding of the observed μ p /μ n ratio.
On automatically tagging web documents from examples

An emerging need in information retrieval is to identify a set of documents conforming to an abstract description. This task presents two major challenges to existing methods of document retrieval and classification. First, similarity based on overall content is less effective because there may be great variance in both content and subject of documents produced for similar functions, e.g. a presidential speech or a government ministry white paper. Second, the function of the document can be defined based on user interests or the specific data set through a set of existing examples, which cannot be described with standard categories. Additionally, the increasing volume and complexity of document collections demands new scalable computational solutions. We conducted a case study using web-archived data from the Latin American Government Documents Archive (LAGDA) to illustrate these problems and challenges. We propose a new hybrid approach based on Naive Bayes inference that uses mixed n-gram models obtained from a training set to classify documents in the corpus. The approach has been developed to exploit parallel processing for large scale data set. The preliminary work shows promising results with improved accuracy for this type of retrieval problem.
Little Beauties Aesthetics, Craft Skill, and the Experience of Beautiful Action

Beautiful action in organizations comes from exceptional craft skill and focuses us on exceptional management skill. Beautiful management action tends to be particular and local—It may only be expe...
Patterns of care and outcomes of patients with pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma: a SEER analysis

To study the clinical characteristics, treatment approach and outcome of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA), patients were identified using the National Cancer Intitute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. A total of 214 patients were identified with PXA using the November 2010 submission. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, extent of surgical resection, the use of radiotherapy, and overall survival were evaluated. Overall survival for PXA was then compared to that of pilocytic astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, ependymom and glioblastoma also using the SEER database. Kaplan–Meier, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. The majority of patients were found to be young adults with the most common tumor location being temporal lobe. Surgery was performed on most (95 %) patients, while 25 % of patients received radiation therapy. Five and 10 year overall survival rates were 75 and 67 %, respectively. Grade was only available for a limited number of patients but appeared to affect prognosis. Patients with grade IV tumors had a median overall survival of 45 months, whereas median survival was not reached for grade I–III patients. On multivariate analysis, male gender and increasing age were associated with worse overall survival (p values 0.05 and <0.006, respectively). Extent of resection trended towards significance in favor of gross total resection. PXA is a rare diagnosis that affects young adults. Surgical resection is the primary modality of treatment with an overall good prognosis. Elderly patients, those with higher grade disease and patients with incomplete resections may have a worse prognosis. The role of radiation therapy for PXA remains unclear but is more often used for patients with high grade tumors. Compared to other common brain tumors, PXA’s appear to fare worse than pilocytic astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma, especially in younger patients. However, even high grade PXA patients have significantly better overall survival compared to glioblastoma.
79-Year-Old Man With Chronic Bilateral Calf Pain

dicine, te ester, isor to t in , , MN A 79-year-old man presented to the internal medicine clinic for evaluation of a musculoskeletal injury sustained during a golf outing. During the encounter, he casually mentioned a history of chronic bilateral calf “tightness.” He explained that this sensation was brought on by exertion and radiated into his right buttock and posterior aspect of the thigh. His symptoms occurred consistently after walking several hundred feet and have limited his physical activity for several years. A prolonged upright posture did not reproduce his discomfort, and he did not have concurrent lower back pain, lower extremity paresthesias, or neuromuscular weakness. He reported no lower extremity pain at rest, poor wound healing, or lower extremity swelling, warmth, or erythema. His medical history was remarkable for a former 30-pack-year smoking history, hypertension, mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, and erectile dysfunction. On physical examination, his femoral and popliteal pulseswere easily palpable, but dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial pulsations were absent. His lower extremities were warm with normal capillary refill, coloration, and skin integrity. His toenails were thickened, and appreciable hair loss was noted over his distal lower extremities. On auscultation of his large vessels, a bruit was heard over his right femoral artery. Cardiopulmonary and abdominal examination findings werewithin normal limits. There were no neuromuscular or musculoskeletal abnormalities.
The US retail demand for fish products: an application of the almost ideal demand system

The main objective is to address the limitations of past US fish demand research through the development of a variation of the almost ideal demand system model for disaggregate fish products at the retail level. Price and expenditure elasticities, as well as elasticities of substitution between fish products and other protein commodities, determined from this work may be used in the context of fisheries management and market development and promotion. Results indicate that with the exception of shellfish, demand for the various fish products is relatively inelastic. Cross-price elasticities are generally moderate while expenditure elasticities are large and positive for fresh fish and shellfish. Demographic effects, especially geographical division, season, race, occupation, age–sex household composition, and price–income interaction, as a proxy for quality, are highly significant variables.
Evidence for intermolecular hydrogen-bond rearrangement in the electron transfer dynamics of betaine-30 in n-butanol

The electron transfer and ground-state solvation dynamics of betaine-30 (B-30) in n-butanol at low temperatures are investigated by femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy. Two separate components of the solvent response to solute excitation are observed. At higher temperatures (292-273 K), spectral evolution corresponding to diffusional solvation is evident. However, low-temperature studies (273-193 K) show the presence of a second process characterized by a ≈ 100 ps decay time and weak temperature dependence demonstrating that specific intermolecular hydrogen-bond dynamics are involved in the solvation of B-30 in protic solvents.
Differentiating thrombotic microangiopathies induced by severe hypertension from anemia and thrombocytopenia seen in thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a recognized complication of malignant hypertension (HTN). Such patients have blood pressures > or = 200/140 mmHg but the condition is defined by the presence of papilledema and is frequently complicated by acute renal failure. Here we report two patients with severe HTN (systolic > or = 180 mmHg or diastolic > or = 120 mmHg), TMA, thrombocytopenia, renal failure, and, in one case, neurological changes (4 of 5 manifestations of the TTP pentad). A 50-year-old male with HTN presented with blurred vision, dizziness, headache, confusion, renal failure, and a TMA (PLT = 39 x 10(9)/L and LD = 2,781 normal <600 U/L). On presentation, BP was 214/133 mmHg and an ophthalmic exam demonstrated no papilledema. With HTN control over 7 days, his platelet count rebounded (220 x 10(9)/L), LD declined (1,730 U/L), and mental status improved. A 60-year-old female with diabetes, HTN, Lupus erythematosus, mild chronic anemia, and thrombocytopenia presented with abdominal pain, shortness of breath, renal failure, and a TMA (PLT = 83 x 10(9)/L and LD = 2,929 U/L). Blood pressures were 180-210/89-111 mmHg and ophthalmic exam demonstrated no papilledema. With HTN control over 8 days, her platelet count rebounded (147 x 10(9)/L), and LD declined (1,624 U/L). Although in both cases a diagnosis of TTP was considered because of overlap with the classic diagnostic pentad, neither received plasmapheresis. TTP is a diagnosis of exclusion, where there is no other likely diagnosis to explain the TMA. In cases of severe HTN (with or without papilledema), the diagnosis of TTP should be held in abeyance until the effect of HTN control can be assessed.
An Investigation of Crest Factor and Power Amplifier Back-off Requirements for Non-OFDM Multicarrier Modulations

Typically maritime and military users in the High Frequency (HF) band have been allocated channels with a bandwidth of 3 kHz. This narrow bandwidth has had the undesired effect of limiting the maximum data rates achievable over HF. The need for higher data rates has motivated research into waveform design using wider bandwidth waveforms. Two approaches have emerged: wider contiguous bandwidth waveforms and multiple non-contiguous 3 kHz waveforms. This paper will explore the crest factor and power amplifier implications of both approaches.
Sexual abuse and the problem of embodiment.

Abstract In this paper, trauma, sexual abuse, and some of the potential resulting long-term effects, are explored in terms of the problem of embodiment and the formation of personal identity and psychological integrity. That is, what effect does severe sexual abuse have on an individual's, particularly a child's, sense of living in his or her body and, by extension, living in the world? First, trauma and dissociation are analyzed and linked to the development and maintenance of a “posttraumatic” sense of personal identity. Then, several disorders associated with sexual abuse—dissociation, multiple personality disorder, eating disorders, somatization disorder, self-mutilation, suicide, and suicide attempts—are examined in terms of their phenomenological coherence and relation to the problem of embodiment. This conceptual framework may be of use to clinicians and researchers assessing and treating the survivors of sexual abuse.
Purification and properties of human erythrocyte inosine triphosphate pyrophosphohydrolase

Inosine triphosphate pyrophosphohydrolase from human erythrocytes was purified and characterized. The enzyme is highly specific for ITP and shows optimal activity in glycine buffer pH 9.6 and 50 mM MgCl2. The Km of the enzyme is 1.3 X 10(-4), the Vmax = 1.2 X 10(-9) and the Keq = 3.8 X 10(4). Human erythrocyte ITP pyrophosphohydrolase does not require SH compounds for activation. The enzyme is inhibited by Cd++, Co++, and Ca++ ions and by p-hydroxymercuribenzoate.
Fear and Loathing in the Joint: The Impact of Race and Age on Inmate Support for Prison AIDS Policies

The get tough on crime movement and the war on drugs have resulted in a changing inmate demographic in this country. More people are being incarcerated for longer periods of time. Many inmates are members of groups at high risk for AIDS, such as minorities, the young, and drug users. This article examines the current correctional AIDS policies of mandatory testing, segregation, and notification. In particular, the authors focus on inmate attitudes toward these policies and the impact of race/ethnicity and age on fear of AIDS in prison and support for AIDS policies.
Albinism and water escape performance in the mouse.

Observation of six inbred strains of mice in a water escape test revealed that albino strains perform markedly slower than non-albino strains. Performances of F1, F2, and backcross offspring of selected crosses between these strains indicated that there is an association between the homozygous condition for albinism (cc) and slow performance in the water escape test.
A selective reaction-based fluorescent probe for detecting cobalt in living cells

A reaction-based strategy exploiting cobalt-mediated oxidative C–O bond cleavage affords a selective turn-on fluorescent probe for paramagnetic Co2+ in water and in living cells.
Aging is not a disease: Distinguishing age-related macular degeneration from aging

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease of the outer retina, characterized most significantly by atrophy of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium accompanied with or without choroidal neovascularization. Development of AMD has been recognized as contingent on environmental and genetic risk factors, the strongest being advanced age. In this review, we highlight pathogenic changes that destabilize ocular homeostasis and promote AMD development. With normal aging, photoreceptors are steadily lost, Bruch's membrane thickens, the choroid thins, and hard drusen may form in the periphery. In AMD, many of these changes are exacerbated in addition to the development of disease-specific factors such as soft macular drusen. Para-inflammation, which can be thought of as an intermediate between basal and robust levels of inflammation, develops within the retina in an attempt to maintain ocular homeostasis, reflected by increased expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 coupled with shifts in macrophage plasticity from the pro-inflammatory M1 to the anti-inflammatory M2 polarization. In AMD, imbalances in the M1 and M2 populations together with activation of retinal microglia are observed and potentially contribute to tissue degeneration. Nonetheless, the retina persists in a state of chronic inflammation and increased expression of certain cytokines and inflammasomes is observed. Since not everyone develops AMD, the vital question to ask is how the body establishes a balance between normal age-related changes and the pathological phenotypes in AMD.
MANUFACTURING IN THE AMERICAN MERCANTILE CITY: 1800–1840

ABSTRACT The scale of individual production units, and the aggregate output of manufacturing located in early nineteenth century New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Baltimore was limited by factor shortages of capital and labor, the immobility of waterpower and the state of technology, an expensive and inadequate transport network, and an accessible market of restricted proportions. Those manufacturing functions found in the mercantile city were intimately associated with the city's commercial functions and their intraurban locations were influenced by land costs, the journey-to-work, the journey-to-shop, communication economies, and interindustry linkages. Recognition of these conditions is important to an understanding of subsequent patterns of urban-industrial growth and internal metropolitan structure.
Nonparametric missing sample spectral analysis and its applications to interrupted SAR

We consider nonparametric adaptive spectral analysis of complex-valued data sequences with missing samples occurring in arbitrary patterns. We first present two high-resolution missing-data spectral estimation algorithms: the Iterative Adaptive Approach (IAA) and the Sparse Learning via Iterative Minimization (SLIM) method. Both algorithms can significantly improve the spectral estimation performance, including enhanced resolution and reduced sidelobe levels. Moreover, we consider fast implementations of these algorithms using the Conjugate Gradient (CG) technique and the Gohberg-Semencul-type (GS) formula. Our proposed implementations fully exploit the structure of the steering matrices and maximize the usage of the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), resulting in much lower computational complexities as well as much reduced memory requirements. The effectiveness of the adaptive spectral estimation algorithms is demonstrated via several 2-D interrupted synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging examples.
Giant Kerr nonlinearities using refractive-index enhancement

By utilizing refractive-index enhancement with vanishing absorption, a scheme is suggested that achieves giant Kerr nonlinearities between two weak laser beams. One application of this scheme is discussed and an all-optical distributed Bragg reflector is proposed that works at very low light levels.
Molecular structure and reentrant phases in polar liquid crystals

The spin-gas model of liquid crystals is employed to describe and explain single, double and quadruple reentrances of nematic and smectic phases, as well as reentrances below the monolayer smectic A 1 phase, all of which are observed experimentally. New sextuple (and octuple) reentrances are predicted in the sequence nematic-smectic A d -nematic-smectic A 1 -nematic-smectic A d (-nematic-smectic A 1 ), as temperature is lowered. The multiple reentrances are very sensitive to molecular structure, in particular to the molecular tail length. The microscopic information available from the statistics of microscopic configurations is scrutinized. Statistical weights of classes of positional configurations are monitored. Two distinct mechanisms of nematic reentrance feature: microscopic frustation of dipoles and competing local antiferroelectric and ferroelectric orders. Frustration is relieved by atomic and librational permeations, causing distinct smectic reentrances. The continuum limit of librational permeation is taken. The subtle role played by molecular dimers is outlined and the concept of a dipolar-pair lenght is critically examined Emploi du modele de gaz de spins des cristaux liquides pour decrire et expliquer les reentrees simples, doubles et quadruples de phases nematiques (N) et smectiques (Sm) ainsi que les reentrees sous la phase monocouche smectique A 1 , qui sont toutes observees experimentalement. Prevision de nouvelles reentrees sextuples et octuples le long de la sequence N-SmAd-N-SmAd-N-SmA 1 -N-SmAd (-N-SmA 1 )
Military Librarians—A Group Overlooked?

This column consists of brief notes on the roles of military librarians, on U.S. FISA revisions, the introduction of terabyte optical media, the Commonwealth communique on ITC in developing nations, and the One Laptop Per Child program spearheaded by MIT's Nicholas Negroponte. It includes observations on social networking and provides some historical background on the digital divide.