cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What a Long, Strange Trip It's Been... : Twenty-Five Years of Qualitative and New Paradigm Research

Tracking the history of qualitative research is to some extent a personal journey, reflective of the individual's own experience in the field. Many scholars participated in the ongoing dialogue around the shift from a solely positivist model of research to a multiple-models context. There still remain some philosophical and practical problems, around which the field will be in dialogue for some time to come. Those problems include the issue of rapport, especially in the face of an increasingly critical turn in the social sciences, and the stances adopted for mixed-methods models. Conversations around these and other issues have never been more urgent, in light of the National Research Council's press for a return to conventional scientific inquiry.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrochemical Properties of Magnesium Birnessite and Zinc Chalcophanite Prepared by a Low-Temperature Route

Magnesium-substituted birnessite and zinc chalcophanite have been synthesized through a novel procedure based on a combination of coprecipitation and metal ion intercalation techniques. The materia...
Nonlinear H/sub /spl infin// control of active suspensions

A nonlinear H/sub /spl infin// control law based on a quadratic and quartic cost function is developed, and applied to a quarter-car, two-degree-of-freedom vehicle model. For small disturbances, the performance is similar to the system controlled by the linear H/sub /spl infin// controller, but for large disturbances, the suspension travel and wheel hop are reduced at the expense of larger body acceleration. When the vehicle strikes isolated large bumps, the nonlinear suspension provides a safer ride at the expense of higher car body acceleration and decreased ride quality.
Stepwise Introduction of Thiolates in Copper−Indium Binuclear Complexes

We report the synthesis and characterization of copper−indium binuclear I−III complexes composing the series (Ph3P)2CuIn(SEt)xCl4−x (1−5; 0 ≤ x ≤ 4). Members of the series, which are prepared by variations in the stoichiometry, are compared in terms of their solid-state structures, spectroscopic features, and suitability as precursors for CuInS2 materials. The regiochemistry of thiolate substitution, the preference for monomeric versus dimeric (eight-membered ring) structures, and new synthetic strategies informed by this series are all discussed.
Intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence probes of subunit interactions in ovine lutropin

Abstract The fluorescence of 1,8-anilinonaphthalene sulfonate (ANS) was enhanced in the presence of ovine lutropin (oLH). Fluorescence titration curves were sigmoidal with 50% saturation between 200 and 500 μ m . Exclusion chromatography experiments indicated that the hormone self-associates to form dimers in the presence of excess ANS. By contrast, the isolated a and β subunits of oLH caused a much smaller enhancement of the fluorescence of ANS and did not self-associate in its presence. Dissociation of the intact hormone into its subunits was accompanied by 1) a loss in the ability to enhance ANS fluorescence, 2) the appearance of a negative differential absorption spectrum whose magnitude indicated the increased solvent-exposure of at least two tyrosines, and 3) a loss in conformational rigidity as evidenced by a decrease in polarization (P) of tyrosyl fluorescence from ~0.17 to ~0.13. Similar rates of dissociation were obtained by all three measurements and the first order rate constant at pH 3.6 and 37 °C under conditions of low ionic strength was k = 0.18 min −1 ; at high ionic strength, e.g., 0.5 m KC1, dissociation was incomplete even after prolonged incubation. Acid-dissociated subunits recombined readily in 0.5 m acetate buffer, pH 5.3, and the recovery of the intrinsic absorption and fluorescence properties as well as the ability to enhance ANS fluorescence ranged between 70 and 90%. Titration of the isolated α and β subunits with acid or GdmCl had little or no effect on P, suggesting that residual secondary or tertiary structure is either absent, very stable, or its disruption does not alter the rigidity of the tyrosyl environment. The relatively high P for oLH-β (0.17) suggests a conformation which is rigid compared with oLH-α (0.13). P for both subunits decreased smoothly with increasing temperature between 20 and 70 °C. By contrast, oLH exhibited a thermal transition near 50 °C characterized by a drop in P from a value near that of β to a value near that of a as the subunits dissociated. Because α has more tyrosines with a higher average quantum yield, its fluorescence would be expected to dominate that of the hormone or of an equimolar mixture of subunits. Thus, most of the conformation changes which accompany dissociation and recombination appear to occur in the α subunit.
A precarious exchange.

If an anthropologist were to stumble into this room between 6 and 8 p.m. this evening, he might find the telltale signs of a ritual: a group of residents and interns huddled around a table, scribbl...
The implementation and evaluation of parallel algorithms on c.mmp.

Abstract : This dissertation demonstrates the implementation and evaluation of parallel algorithms on C.mmp, a multiprocessor computer system. Initial attempts to demonstrate the performance of a simple parellel algorithm yielded unexpectedly large performance degradations from the theoretical calculations. This unexpected result spawned a study of the C.mmp system to discover and measure the major sources that perturbed the performance of the parallel algorithm. The performance study was conducted at several levels: basic hardware measurements; runtime performance of Hydra, C.mmp's operating system; and overall performance of a particular application: a parallel rootfinding algorithm. The results of this study identified six major sources of performance perturbation. The six sources, in order of importance, were: variations in the compute time to perform the repetitive calculation; memory contention caused by finite memory bandwidth; the operating system's scheduling processes can become a bottleneck; variations in the individual processor speeds; interrupts associated with I/O device service routines; and variations in the individual memory bank speeds.
Group schedule serialized traffic in optical burst switching networks

In this paper, a new scheduling algorithm, Serialized Batch Scheduling (SBS) for Optical Burst Switching (OBS) networks is proposed. SBS aggregates and serializes bursts along shared path into one composite burst which is switched as a single unit. There are two important processes in SBS namely, batching and serializing. While the batching process chooses proper set of bursts to form the composite burst, the serializing process determines how to organize the OBS bursts within the composite burst and generates a corresponding composite control packet. Several SBS batching and serializing schemes are introduced and analyzed. Our study shows that the guard band and bursts overlap can be reduced in the proposed SBS, and therefore, the packet loss rate and the number of switch reconfigurations can be significantly reduced.
Alpha-adrenergic blocking drugs in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia: interactions with antihypertensive therapy

Management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is often complicated by concomitant hypertension, a life-threatening condition that must be managed optimally. Many of the alpha blockers used to treat BPH also decrease blood pressure, and terazosin and doxazosin have been shown to have significant cardiovascular side effects, such as asthenia/fatigue, postural hypotension, and dizziness when used to treat BPH patients. Furthermore, these drugs are not first-line therapies for hypertension, and the majority of hypertensive BPH patients will be receiving other antihypertensive agents. Therefore, it is possible that the introduction of these drugs will affect blood pressure control, at least temporarily, with possible adverse effects. In contrast, the selective alpha1A blocker tamsulosin does not appear to have significant cardiovascular side effects and produces minimal blood pressure reductions. Therefore, urologists can choose either to use alpha blockers to treat both hypertension and BPH or to treat BPH using alpha blockers that do not interact with antihypertensive therapy. This review focuses on the alpha blockers currently being used to treat BPH, their effects on the cardiovascular system, and their interaction with antihypertensive drugs.
A Study of Cuprous Oxide Solid Photoelectric Cells

The dearth of experimental data on construction and operation of cuprous oxide "solid" photoelectric cells, and the need for a clearer understanding of the basic reactions taking place, prompted the present research. Results of numerous interrelated tests are given which show the extent to which cell characteristics depend upon such factors as temperature, intensity of illumination, values of external and internal resistances, potential difference between electrodes, medium around a cell, pretreatment of oxide surface, and various physical factors. The belief held heretofore, that photocurrent generation in the solid photoelectric cell is more fundamental than voltage, is found to be erroneous. Experimental data on the operation of cells in a special "balanced‐out" impressed‐voltage circuit show that the voltage generated by incident illumination tends to build up to a maximum value sufficient to stop further generation of voltage or current. This is an important finding. New data are presented which support the quantum theory, as opposed to the wave theory, of the nature of light. Results are given which show that the cell resistance does not necessarily vary with intensity of illumination. This is contrary to the general belief. A practical method of increasing the efficiency of any solid photo cell by about 15 to 20 per cent is another important finding. The increase is accomplished by coating the surface of a cell with a film of any inert transparent material which reduces the amount of light lost by reflection at the surface. A general comparison, under varied conditions, is made of solid photoelectric cells and of liquid photovoltaic cells.
Transformation of Synthetic Birnessite to Cryptomelane: An Electron Microscopic Study

Na-saturated bimessite was synthesized by oxidizing an alkaline MnCl2 solution with gaseous O2. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed no morphological change upon K-saturation of the bimessite, but selected-area diffraction (SAD) revealed structural disorder. Stepwise heating of the K-birnessite to 800°C yielded cryptomelane, as indicated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Various degrees of transformation to the final cryptomelane product were observed by TEM and SAD, but not by XRD. Unaltered bimessite formed chiefly as thin, platy crystals of apparent hexagonal outline. The cryptomelane crystals that formed by heating the K-saturated bimessite were acicular. Bimessite crystals, partially transformed to cryptomelane and displaying non-integral diffraction spots, formed plates having linear striations and rods twinned at 60° to each other. These intermediate products commonly retained some of the original hexagonal appearance of the parent bimessite. Structural disorder was detected in the partially transformed crystals by SAD. TEM revealed 6.8- and 4.8-A spacings of the (110) and (200) planes of cryptomelane, respectively. The basal planes of bimessite layers (001) appeared to correspond topotactically to the (110) plane of cryptomelane during these transformations.
Electrically evoked otoacoustic emissions from the chicken ear

The outer hair cell electromotile response is believed to underlie the sharp tuning and exquisite sensitivity of the mammalian inner ear, and contribute to the production of electrically evoked otoacoustic emissions (EEOAEs) and sound-evoked otoacoustic emissions (OAEs). Avian ears are also sharply tuned, extremely sensitive and generate spontaneous and sound-evoked OAEs, but avian hair cells do not exhibit somatic electromotility. However, stereocilia bundle movements have been observed in avian and amphibian hair cells suggesting that EEOAEs might arise from electrically evoked bundle movements. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that AC current applied to the round window of the chicken evokes EEOAE of up to 18 dB SPL. The EEOAE produces a bandpass response with maximum amplitude in the 1000-3000 Hz range; the response drops off rapidly above 4000 Hz and below 500 Hz. The impulse response to current pulses is characterized by a large peak sometimes followed by a damped oscillation with a frequency around 2000 Hz. EEOAEs decreased significantly after anoxia and paraformaldehyde damage of the cochlea. Kanamycin-induced hair cell loss also caused a significant reduction in EEOAE and distortion product OAE; these emissions showed only a small recovery at long recovery times, when most hair cells should have regenerated. These results suggest that the EEOAE has a biological origin in the cochlea, which could presumably involve electrically evoked stereocilia bundle movements.
Cancer-directed surgery for localized disease: decreased use in the elderly.

Background: Previous studies report underuse of radiation and chemotherapy in the elderly, yet few have examined the rates of use (or underuse) of surgery. Using national data, we examined rates of surgical resection for patients with local-stage cancers. Methods: By using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (1988–1997), patients (≧40 years) were identified with localized adenocarcinoma of the breast, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, colon, or rectum; non–small-cell lung carcinoma; and sarcoma (n = 200,360). Rates of cancer-directed surgery (CDS) were compared across age groups (at 5-year intervals). Multivariate regression was used to identify predictors of receipt of CDS in each tumor group. Results: Rates of CDS declined steadily with increasing age for all nine localized tumors. Most striking were the low rates of CDS for patients >70 years with esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and lung cancers (range, 0%–83%). However, CDS rates were >90% for breast and colon and >84% for rectal cancer in all age groups. Multivariate regression found lower odds of CDS for elderly patients for all cancers except colon. For example, age significantly decreased the odds of receiving CDS beginning at 60 years for lung cancer (odds ratio [OR], .550; P = .03), at 70 years for liver cancer (OR, .109; P = .003), and at 80 years for pancreatic cancer (OR, .120; P < .05). Conclusions: Although CDS for localized disease is being performed regularly in the elderly for some cancers (e.g. breast, colon, and rectum), this analysis shows that elderly patients are not receiving surgery for many potentially curable cancers. Whether these rates are appropriate or too low requires further evaluation. This is particularly essential because our population is aging.
Beyond the Mediterranean Diet: The Role of Omega‐3 Fatty Acids in the Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease

Evidence from epidemiologic and clinical secondary prevention trials suggest that the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) may have a significant role in the prevention of coronary heart disease. Dietary sources of n-3 PUFAs include fish oils, rich in eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, along with plants rich in a-linolenic acid. Randomized secondary prevention clinical trials with fish oils (eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid) and a-linolenic acid have demonstrated reductions in risk that compare favorably to those seen in landmark secondary prevention trials with lipid-lowering drugs. Several mechanisms explaining the cardioprotective effect of the n-3 PUFA have been suggested including antiarrhythmic and antithrombotic roles. Although official US guidelines for the dietary intake of n-3 PUFA are not available, several international guidelines have been published. Fish is an important source of the n-3 PUFA in the US diet; however, vegetable sources including grains and oils offer an alternative source for those who are unable to regularly consume fish.
DISTRIBUTION AND RECIPROCAL INTERACTIONS OF 3H-MELATONIN AND 125I-THYROXINE IN PERIPHERAL, NEURAL, AND ENDOCRINE TISSUES OF BULLFROG TADPOLES

Tissue distribution of 125I-thyroxine (T4) and 3H-melatonin and the effect of each hormone on the tissue content of the other were studied because previous work indicated that melatonin antagonized metamorphosis through peripheral, as well as thyroidal effects. Late pre- to prometamorphic Rana catesbeiana tadpoles on an 18 light: 6 dark cycle were used for injection of hormones in vivo or to supply tissues for in vitro hormone administration. Labeled melatonin uptake was highest in intestine, ventral skin and pituitary; lowest in thyroid and brain and intermediate in hindlimb, tail and gills. The tissue content of labeled T4 was distributed in nearly the same way, except that the thyroid level was relatively higher, and pituitary lower, than that of labeled melatonin. The pineal, studied only in the tracer T4 experiments, had the highest content of labeled T4 of all tissues. Simultaneous injection of either 0.007 or 0.2 μg T4 increased 3H-melatonin uptake into peripheral tissues that undergo major metamorphic changes but not into neural or endocrine organs. In contrast, 0.033, 3.75 or 15 μg melatonin had no significant influence on the content of 125I-T4 in any tissue studied in vivo. Results of in vitro labeling of selected tissues were generally in agreement with the in vivo work except that the 125I-T4 content of intestinal segments from late prometamorphic larvae was lower in melatonin-treated than in control groups. The results suggest that peripheral tissues are a major site for T4-melatonin interactions and that T4 may modulate its own action through influencing melatonin levels in target tissues and perhaps in the thyroid. Because melatonin had no effect on tissue T4 content in young tadpoles, retardation of metamorphic events by melatonin does not seem to involve modulation of T4 availability to the tissues.
Soil phosphorus storage capacity in manure-impacted Alaquods: Implications for water table management

Abstract Phosphorus (P) applied as fertilizers and manures can accumulate in soils if not recovered by crops. Excess P accumulated can contribute to eutrophication of surface water. Spodosols (Alaquods) have spodic (Bh) horizons enriched in organically complexed Al and Fe having high P retention capacity. Environmental risk of P loss from soil horizons can be evaluated from phosphorus saturation ratio (PSR; molar ratio of P to [Al + Fe]) and the soil phosphorus storage capacity (SPSC). A threshold PSR (“change point”) above which release of P from soil to solution abruptly increases can be determined for a given population of soils. SPSC is a calculation of how much P can be added to a soil before reaching this critical PSR threshold. The primary objective of this study was to compare P release characteristics of surface and spodic horizons to allow an evaluation of soil P storage capacity of the Spodosol profile. Six Spodosol beef or dairy manure-impacted sites in Florida differentially P-impacted were sampled by horizon. Change point PSR for spodic horizons was determined using oxalate (PSRox), Mehlich-1 (PSRM1) and Mehlich-3 (PSRM3) extracts. Mean SPSC of Bh horizons (95 mg kg−1) was significantly higher than that of A horizons (−360 mg kg−1) due to much lower metal content and greater P loading in the surface horizon. Status of SPSC of any horizon may be used for predicting consequences of water table management regimes with respect to P transport; for example, maintaining water table below the Bh could favor P retention by Bh-horizons with high positive SPSC.
Neuroimaging Evidence for Social Rank Theory

Recent advances in imaging have enabled the study of social rank, which refers generally to an individual’s social standing as either dominant or subordinate in a group, in relation to brain structure and function. From an evolutionary perspective, the mind is a modular structure from which various psychological traits and processes evolved in order to promote the success of the individual and the species. Gilbert (2000) argues that social rank theory explains responses reflecting such a system, which appears to have functional underpinnings linking limbic, prefrontal, and striatal structures (Levitan et al., 2000). Researchers argue that this evolved system for responding to status information during social exchanges serves to facilitate cohesion in social rank encounters; namely, competition and/or cooperation for access to resources (Gilbert, 2000; Levitan et al., 2000). Several questions emerge from this evolutionary perspective when considered in the context of social rank: How does social rank manifest behaviorally in humans? What environmental conditions might change how the brain uses rank to navigate social landscapes successfully? Furthermore, what are the underlying neural processes associated with these evolved systems? The present discussion briefly discusses social rank as a theoretical construct, explores the behavioral manifestations of social rank, and reviews the neuroimaging support for social rank theory as a conceptual framework in which neural processes reflect an evolved psychological process. While a wealth of research provides conceptual support for this process in the animal model (Blanchard et al., 2001; Sapolsky, 2005; Morrison et al., 2011), here we review recent evidence for the neural basis of social rank in humans.
Characteristics and surgical outcomes of symptomatic patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with abnormal papillary muscle morphology undergoing papillary muscle reorientation

Objective In patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with bifid hypermobile papillary muscles and a dynamic left ventricular outflow tract gradient, we performed surgical papillary muscle reorientation, fixing the mobile papillary muscle to the posterior left ventricle to reduce mobility. We report the outcomes of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy undergoing surgical papillary muscle reorientation versus those of patients undergoing standard surgical procedures. Methods We studied 204 consecutive patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy undergoing surgical intervention (after consensus decision) for symptomatic left ventricular outflow tract gradient. Preoperative and postoperative maximal (resting/provocable) left ventricular outflow tract gradients were recorded by using echocardiographic analysis. Results The population was divided into 3 groups: (1) isolated myectomy (n = 143; age, 54 ± 14 years; 48% men), (2) myectomy plus mitral valve repair/replacement (n = 39; age, 54 ± 13 years; 54% men), and (3) papillary muscle reorientation with or without myectomy (n = 22; age, 50 ± 14 years; 59% men). The mean preoperative (103 ± 32, 103 ± 32, and 114 ± 36 mm Hg; P = .3) and predischarge (15 ± 18, 14 ± 14, and 16 ± 21 mm Hg; P = .9) maximal left ventricular outflow tract gradients were similar. There were no deaths either in the hospital or at 30 days. At a median follow-up of 166 days (interquartile range, 74–343 days), 21 of 22 patients in group 3 were asymptomatic. One patient in group 3 had a symptomatic left ventricular outflow tract gradient (87 mm Hg) requiring mitral valve replacement. Conclusions In patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with bifid hypermobile papillary muscles (even with a basal septal thickness
Some Properties of the PBP1 Transduction System in Bacillus pumilus

Bacteriophage PBP1 is a flagella-specific virus that performs generalized transduction in strains of Bacillus pumilus. PBP1 is morphologically and serologically distinct from two other flagella-specific phages, PBS1 and SP-15, which perform generalized transduction in certain Bacillus species. The DNA extracted from PBP1 particles has a buoyant density of 1.690 g/cm(3) in cesium chloride gradients, a melting temperature of 86.1 C, and a sedimentation velocity of 47S in neutral sucrose gradients. Assuming the molecule is a linear duplex, PBP1 DNA has a molecular weight of approximately 76 x 10(6). In two strains of B. pumilus which are sensitive to both PBP1 and PBS1, co-transducible genetic markers are more tightly linked by PBS1 transduction than by PBP1 transduction. The size of the fragment of bacterial DNA carried by PBP1-transducing particles, inferred from transduction studies and sedimentation analysis of viral DNA, suggests that PBP1 may be useful for genetic studies of extrachromosomal DNA elements present in two strains of B. pumilus. Genetic exchange of chromosomally located genes between the plasmid(+) and plasmid(-)B. pumilus strains NRS 576 and NRRL B-3275 has been demonstrated by PBP1 transduction.
Human Rap1 Interacts Directly with Telomeric DNA and Regulates TRF2 Localization at the Telomere

The TRF2-Rap1 complex suppresses non-homologous end joining and interacts with DNAPK-C to prevent end joining. We previously demonstrated that hTRF2 is a double strand telomere binding protein that forms t-loops in vitro and recognizes three- and four-way junctions independent of DNA sequence. How the DNA binding characteristics of hTRF2 to DNA is altered in the presence of hRap1 however is not known. Here we utilized EM and quantitative gel retardation to characterize the DNA binding properties of hRap1 and the TRF2-Rap1 complex. Both gel filtration chromatography and mass analysis from two-dimensional projections showed that the TRF2-Rap1 complex exists in solution and binds to DNA as a complex consisting of four monomers each of hRap1 and hTRF2. EM revealed for the first time that hRap1 binds to DNA templates in the absence of hTRF2 with a preference for double strand-single strand junctions in a sequence independent manner. When hTRF2 and hRap1 are in a complex, its affinity for ds telomeric sequences is 2-fold higher than TRF2 alone and more than 10-fold higher for telomeric 3′ ends. This suggests that as hTRF2 recruits hRap1 to telomeric sequences, hRap1 alters the affinity of hTRF2 and its binding preference on telomeric DNA. Moreover, the TRF2-Rap1 complex has higher ability to re-model telomeric DNA than either component alone. This finding underlies the importance of complex formation between hRap1 and hTRF2 for telomere function and end protection.
Discovering implicit integrity constraints in rule bases using metagraphs

A metagraph is a graph formalism that can be used to model the different components of a DSS and to analyze the interactions among them. One such component is a knowledge based system (KBS) in which domain knowledge is stored as if-then rules. In addition to such rules, a KBS can also contain a set of integrity constraints, which are used to manage the rule base both during updates and problem solving. We show how metagraph representation of a rule base can facilitate discovery of implicit integrity constraints in addition to explicitly stated ones. >
Effects of Speaking Task on Intelligibility in Parkinson's Disease.

Intelligibility tests for dysarthria typically provide an estimate of overall severity for speech materials elicited through imitation or read from a printed script. The extent to which these types of tasks and procedures reflect intelligibility for extemporaneous speech is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to compare intelligibility estimates obtained for a reading passage and an extemporaneous monologue produced by 12 speakers with Parkinson's disease (PD). The relationship between structural characteristics of utterances and scaled intelligibility was explored within speakers. Speakers were audio-recorded while reading a paragraph and producing a monologue. Speech samples were separated into individual utterances for presentation to 70 listeners who judged intelligibility using orthographic transcription and direct magnitude estimation (DME). Results suggest that scaled estimates of intelligibility for reading show potential for indexing intelligibility of an extemporaneous monologue. Within-speaker variation in scaled intelligibility also was related to the number of words per speech run for extemporaneous speech.
Molecular Simulation of Novel Carbonaceous Materials for Hydrogen Storage

We predict by using molecular simulation that a novel class of carbonaceous materials called graphitic carbon inverse opal (GCIO) provides an excellent absorbent for hydrogen storage at room temperature. Simulation results based on well-calibrated force fields show that the gravimetric delivery amount of hydrogen at T ) 298 K and p ) 30.25 MPa achieves up to 5.9 wt % when the diameter of the spherical cavity in the GCIO materials is 1.78 nm. The corresponding volumetric delivery capacity of hydrogen reaches up to 50 kg/m 3 , very close to the target set by the Department of Energy (DOE). A major advantage of the GCIO materials is that their mass-production is technically accessible, which makes them a good candidate for inexpensive storage of hydrogen in future automobile vehicles.
On the semantics of updates in databases

We suggest here a methodology for updating databases with integrity constraints and rules for deriving inexphcit information. First we consider the problem of updating arbitrary theories by inserting into them or deleting from them arbitrary sentences. The solution involves two key ideas when replacing an old theory by a new one we wish to minimize the change in the theory, and when there are several theories that involve minimal changes, we look for a new theory that reflects that ambiguity. The methodology is also adapted to updating databases, where different facts can carry different priorities, and to updating user views.
High-Accuracy Simulations of Synthetic Jets for Low-Re Flow Control

Synthetic jet actuators (SJAs) may be carefully designed to alleviate the negative impact of impinging flow non-uniformities on the aircraft wing unsteady aerodynamic response. Current study investigates the effectiveness of SJAs for active control of unsteady flow over SD7003 low-Re airfoil in presence of a high-amplitude upstream flow disturbance characterized by a sharp-edge gust. In the employed numerical procedure, the actuator's dimensional scaling and excitation frequency effects are first examined for a specific SJA configuration using LEM model used in conjunction with RANS analysis to determine simple fluctuating-velocity boundary condition at the bottom of the actuator's orifice. The orifice with the properly defined boundary condition is then embedded into the airfoil surface for conducting highaccuracy viscous simulations of active flow control of gust-airfoil interaction. Results of numerical simulations indicate that the SJA positive effect on the airfoil response appears most significant with the actuator operating in resonance with von Karman shedding frequency.
Implementation and evaluation of a methodology for the stepwise refinement of data

Chunk structure has been previously proposed (E. Towster, 1979), as a program design technique to support the stepwise refinement of data structures in parallel with program development. Both the definition of chunk structure and its required support induce new naming structures. The author reports on an initial implementation of chunk structure and describes the basic mechanisms necessary to manage the name space of a program written in a language supporting such a feature. The evaluation of the technique is discussed in the context of design languages. >
Medication Reconciliation Improvement Through the Use of Video

Accurate medication reconciliation at the time of hospital admission is vital to preventing adverse drug events. Compliance with medication reconciliation in our pediatric intensive care unit was low initially with overall medication reconciliation at 70%. Due to the high front line provider turnover in our unit, we focused on technological reminders for completion and used unique and innovative ways to motivate our supervising staff. Our goal was to reach >95% completion within 24 hours for medication reconciliation for all patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. Pre-pilot discussions focused on examples of errors of medication reconciliation within our own institution resulting in patient harm via traditional power point presentation. The initial pilot phase instituted a job aid on how to add the medication reconciliation completion reminder column. Email updates on completion status began one week after initiation. During the implementation and spread phase, fun interactive videos were used to acknowledge roll out to the full unit. Compliance was monitored and humorous biweekly video updates emphasizing accountability were introduced. In the sustain phase, monthly video updates served as education and a reminder for provider staff. The use of a medication reconciliation completion column and reminder emails resulted in goal completion (>95%) by three weeks post intervention for the pilot unit. Overall medication reconciliation completion also reached goal of >95% completion within the entire unit after three weeks of implementation and spread. Compliance fell below goal so video updates were modified utilizing humor and emphasizing accountability. This resulted in sustained compliance now more than forty weeks post implementation. Unit compliance currently remains >95% completion within 24 hours now more than forty weeks post intervention. The use of the medication reconciliation reminder column resulted in improvement in compliance; however, that improvement was not sustained. The addition of humorous videos highlighting accountability allowed for sustained improvements.
Capturing the dynamic of perception in fuzzy space time

Living systems are dynamic. They efficiently adapt to constantly changing conditions. The human nervous system perceives complex sensory input and produces an appropriate response. One goal of machine automation is to produce a similar adaptive response. Methods: We sought to represent the dynamic of the adaptive response in fuzzy space time. We hypothesize that perception and response are captured in fuzzy space time duration, that percepts and responses are physiologically encoded by fuzzy sets, and that the neuroanatomy of the adaptive response accommodates a fuzzy physiology. To test this hypothesis we use the geometry of fuzzy “sets as points” in the unit square. Complex graded sensory input is transformed into fuzzy representations as elements on sensory neurons. This frequency coded information is reduced to a far smaller number of fuzzy multiplex signal spikes in the cortical minicolumn. Through a process of breaking the symmetry of fuzzy set entropy, we allow fuzzy set elements to blend to the degree of their dissimilarity so that a disambiguated fuzzy signal emerges within a doubling area of pyramidal cell dendritic architecture. Results: While maintaining the structure of the unit hypercube fuzzy set geometry, repeated doubly extended magnitudes of cortical minicolumn pyramidal cell dentritic area accommodates a decreasing amount of ambiguity of each fuzzy frequency signal while maintaining all degrees of its historical ambiguity. The maximum possible number of disambiguations in extended magnitudes is 10, the limit of the fuzzy symmetry breaking in continuous cellular automata.
Slip-Sliding on a Yellow Brick Road: Stabilization Efforts in Afghanistan

The ongoing transition process in Afghanistan will deliver three shocks in the coming few years: foreign forces will complete the handover of security responsibility to their Afghan counterparts, aid volumes and international spending in the country will decrease and, lastly, the political dispensation will be upended by presidential elections in which President Hamid Karzai is not supposed to run again. These challenges are mounting at a time when, due to inconsistent international approaches and a lack of appreciation for the Afghan context, Afghanistan is dealing with rising insecurity, dysfunctional governance, rampant corruption, and ethnic factionalization within the society and the domestic security forces. Based upon a review of the security sector, governance, social and economic conditions, regional relations and negotiation efforts with the insurgents, this article finds that fundamental questions about the efficacy of stabilization efforts in Afghanistan continue to lack clear answers. Regardless, significant room for improvement – both in policy and execution – appears to exist. It remains to be seen whether, as many Afghans fear, a civil war will engulf Afghanistan once again in the post-transition period or whether the international community will take those steps – re-energizing governance reform efforts, maintaining financial support and continuing to strengthen the Afghan army and police – which could help to bolster stability.
Effects of garlic consumption on physiological variables and performance during exercise in hypoxia

Exposure to hypoxia results in vasoconstriction of the pulmonary vasculature (HPV) leading to pulmonary hypertension (HPH) and reductions in blood oxygen saturation and exercise performance. Alleviation of HPV and HPH via vasodilators has been shown to improve blood oxygen saturation and exercise performance in hypoxia. Garlic has been shown to reduce HPV and HPH in rats and has been suggested to have ergogenic effects in hypoxic exercise. We compared the effects of 7 days of supplementation with garlic and placebo on peripheral blood pressures, blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, oxygen consumption, and time to exhaustion during a progressive exercise test to exhaustion in humans under hypoxia (PIO2 ∼ 88 Torr). No significant differences were observed between treatments regarding oxygen consumption, exercise or resting peripheral blood pressures, blood oxygen saturation, heart rates, or exercise time to exhaustion. These results do not support garlic consumption as a method for improving peripheral blood pressure, maximal oxygen consumption, blood oxygen saturation, exercising heart rate, heart rate response, or exercise performance in hypoxia.
POST-ANNOUNCEMENT DRIFTS ASSOCIATED WITH DIVIDEND CHANGES

In this paper I assess the presence of post-announcement drifts associated with dividend changes after controlling for earnings surprises. All quarterly cash dividend changes announced by firms listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and American Stock Exchange (AMEX) from 1974 through 1989 are examined. The results show that significant post-announcement drifts associated with dividend changes are present after controlling for earnings surprises. However, the results are not conclusive on whether the market fully incorporates the simple time-series properties of dividends.
Distribution and dynamics of Lamp1-containing endocytic organelles in fibroblasts deficient in BLOC-3

Late endosomes and lysosomes of mammalian cells in interphase tend to concentrate in the perinuclear region that harbors the microtubule-organizing center. We have previously reported abnormal distribution of these organelles - as judged by reduced percentages of cells displaying pronounced perinuclear accumulation - in mutant fibroblasts lacking BLOC-3 (for ;biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles complex 3'). BLOC-3 is a protein complex that contains the products of the genes mutated in Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome types 1 and 4. Here, we developed a method based on image analysis to estimate the extent of organelle clustering in the perinuclear region of cultured cells. Using this method, we corroborated that the perinuclear clustering of late endocytic organelles containing Lamp1 (for ;lysosome-associated membrane protein 1') is reduced in BLOC-3-deficient murine fibroblasts, and found that it is apparently normal in fibroblasts deficient in BLOC-1 or BLOC-2, which are another two protein complexes associated with Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome. Wild-type and mutant fibroblasts were transfected to express human LAMP1 fused at its cytoplasmic tail to green fluorescence protein (GFP). At low expression levels, LAMP1-GFP was targeted correctly to late endocytic organelles in both wild-type and mutant cells. High levels of LAMP1-GFP overexpression elicited aberrant aggregation of late endocytic organelles, a phenomenon that probably involved formation of anti-parallel dimers of LAMP1-GFP as it was not observed in cells expressing comparable levels of a non-dimerizing mutant variant, LAMP1-mGFP. To test whether BLOC-3 plays a role in the movement of late endocytic organelles, time-lapse fluorescence microscopy experiments were performed using live cells expressing low levels of LAMP1-GFP or LAMP1-mGFP. Although active movement of late endocytic organelles was observed in both wild-type and mutant fibroblasts, quantitative analyses revealed a relatively lower frequency of microtubule-dependent movement events, either towards or away from the perinuclear region, within BLOC-3-deficient cells. By contrast, neither the duration nor the speed of these microtubule-dependent events seemed to be affected by the lack of BLOC-3 function. These results suggest that BLOC-3 function is required, directly or indirectly, for optimal attachment of late endocytic organelles to microtubule-dependent motors.
A phase study of castor oil, alcohol, and water miscibility.

A phase diagram was drawn of the ternary System, Castor Oil, 95% alcohol, and water. The various ratios at which solutions of these three components can be prepared were determined from the diagram. This study was undertaken to illustrate the practical use of the phase rule in pharmacy in the preparation of solutions of two immiscible liquids, utilizing a third liquid which is miscible with both.
Vertical gradients of ozone and carbon dioxide within a deciduous forest in Central Pennsylvania.

Abstract Ambient concentrations of ozone (O 3 ) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) were measured at locations from the forest floor to the top of the canopy in a deciduous forest at the Moshannon State Forest in northcentral Pennsylvania. O 3 concentrations were measured from May–September for three years (1993–1995) while CO 2 concentrations were measured only during July and August of 1994. O 3 concentrations increased steadily during the day at all locations, peaking during the middle to late afternoon hours. O 3 concentrations then steadily declined to their lowest point, just before dawn. Vertical O 3 concentration gradients varied seasonally and among years. However, O 3 concentrations were highest within the forest canopy and lowest at the forest floor, with an average difference of approximately 13%. Differences in O 3 concentrations between the canopy and forest floor were greatest at night. O 3 concentrations were slightly higher at locations within the canopy than above the canopy. CO 2 concentrations were consistenly higher near the forest floor and were higher above the canopy than within the canopy. CO 2 concentrations were higher at night than during the day at all locations, especially near the forest floor.
Measuring cluster gas mass fractions with X-ray, Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect, and weak lensing data

We estimate the gas mass fractions for a sample of 39 high- results from the three different methods to investigate systematic uncertainties associated with clumping of the intracluster medium, cluster elongation, and the HSE assumption.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html
Media effects on black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) shoot culture growth in vitro: evaluation of multiple nutrient formulations and cytokinin types

The growth of black walnut shoot cultures was compared on media differing in nutrient formulation (MS, DKW, WPM, and 1/2X DKW), cytokinin type (ZEA, BA, and TDZ), and cytokinin concentration. On WPM and 1/2X DKW media, hyperhydricity was observed at frequencies of 60–100% compared with frequencies of 10–40% on the high-salt media (DKW and MS). All three cytokinins facilitated shoot regeneration from nodal cuttings, but recurrent elongation was only observed for BA (5–12.5 μM) and ZEA (5–25 μM) with mean shoot heights of 70–80 mm being possible after two culture periods (6–8 wk) for the fastest elongating lines. ZEA was effective across all six shoot lines with mean shoot heights of at least 35 mm over two culture periods, but two of the shoot lines were ‘nonresponsive’ to BA with mean shoot heights of 50%) axillary proliferation had adverse effects on the morphology and growth potential of the shoots, multiplication strategies based on the use of nodal cuttings are recommended.
TREE-ROOSTING ECOLOGY OF REPRODUCTIVE FEMALE EASTERN PIPISTRELLES, PIPISTRELLUS SUBFLAVUS, IN INDIANA

We studied roosting ecology of reproductive (pregnant or lactating) adult female eastern pipistrelles (Pipistrellus subflavus) in Indiana. Nineteen bats were radiotagged and 37 roost trees identified. Pipistrelles roosted exclusively in foliage, typically in clusters of dead leaves (65%) and less often in live foliage (30%) or squirrel nests (5%). Oaks (Quercus species) were preferred as roost trees. Roost trees and height of foliage roosts were both located well below the forest canopy. Bats remained at roost trees for 6 days on average before moving to new roosts and traveled approximately 19‐139 m between roost trees. This is the 1st thorough analysis of roosting habits of this common species under natural conditions.
Self-heating in thin-film magnetic recording heads due to write currents

Self-heating due to write currents is a critical concern in thin-film magnetic recording heads; the reliability of the head-media interface and magnetoresistive sensors can be degraded by excessive temperature rise during writing operations. A combined experimental and theoretical study shows that the magnetic saturation of yoke structures and the heat transfer across the air bearing strongly influence the magnitude and spatial distribution of the temperature rise. This paper describes three-dimensional numerical heat transfer simulations that can accurately model self-heating as a function of the amplitude and frequency of write current pulses.
Calcaneal compartment syndrome after tibial fractures

Compartment syndrome of the newly discovered calcaneal compartment of the foot is a theoretical possibility following tibial fracture due to the communication with the deep posterior compartment of the calf. Forty-nine patients were reviewed at least 18 months after open or closed tibial shaft fractures treated with tibial nailing in order to determine the prevalence of foot deformities secondary to previously undetected calcaneal or leg compartment syndromes. Ankle movements, foot height, length of feet and degree of clawing of the toes were all measured and compared with the unaffected opposite side. None of the patients complained of any symptoms from their feet and none had any significant foot deformities. Calcaneal compartment syndrome is rare after tibial fracture and routine measurement of calcaneal compartment pressures after such injuries is not indicated.
Nuclear magnetic resonance studies of biologically relevant isotopes other than hydrogen.

(1978). Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Studies of Biologically Relevant Isotopes Other than Hydrogen. CRC Critical Reviews in Biochemistry: Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 25-43.
Perspective on Public Policy: Comments on the “Great Debate”:

Widespread interest was attracted by the “Great Debate” in 1967 between John Kenneth Galbraith and Walter Adams, Willard Mueller, and Donald Turner on the question “Are Planning and Regulation Replacing Competition in the New Industrial State?” Many of Galbraith's points are worthy of careful consideration, contrary to the antagonism shown his ideas by numerous students of economics and marketing. This article examines some of the poignant issues he raised relative to firm size and merger policy.