cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measurement of Vertical Velocities in Convective Clouds by Means of Pulsed-Doppler Radar

Abstract Observations of a thunderstorm by means of a vertically pointing pulsed-Doppler radar were used to compare two presently used schemes for estimating vertical air velocity in convective clouds. It was found that the air velocity given by the positive bound of the Doppler velocity spectrum and the air velocity obtained by the use of a procedure proposed by R. R. Rogers in 1964 were well correlated. In regions where raindrops would be expected, the standard deviation of the difference of the two velocity estimates was 1.2 m sec−1. Part of the differences can be attributed to uncertainties in the size distribution of the scatterers and to difficulties in establishing the correct upper bound of the Doppler spectrum. This analysis concludes, in the rain-filled region of this cloud, that the effects of turbulence on the Doppler spectrum were small. The observations show that the vertical velocity and radar reflectivity fields in some convective clouds are much more variable than they are usually assumed...
SOFTWARE ENVIRONMENT FOR ROBOT CONTROL SOLUTIONS DESIGN, OPTIMISATION AND TESTING

Abstract In the present paper a software environment for the study and verification of robot control solutions is described. Such a tool is based on closed loop modelling and simulation in the integrated ADAMS-Simulink environment. The proposed method is applied to the study and optimization of the control of a prototypical system, constituted by a reconfigurable robot with parallel architecture and by an open PC based controller.
This round's on TiBS.

Being the Editor of TiBS is a rare and privileged position from which to participate in the scientific community. The best of science, and the best of scientists, have passed through the pages of TiBS over the years, as Editors of the Board, authors and reviewers. The reliability and quality of the articles, plus that unique TiBS flavor – always approachable and sometimes even funny – appeals to graduate students, as well as the rest of us who want to read broadly. That TiBS has reached its 25th birthday is testament to its enduring usefulness to that eclectic bunch of people loosely known as biochemists.One of the most important aspects of doing science is communicating, both in the written word, and by discussing with colleagues, which requires regular attendance at scientific meetings. For the TiBS Editor, the conference circuit is the place to find the people and the science that will fill future pages. My years at TiBS convinced me that biochemists are actually quite a sociable crowd, and any tendencies towards introspection, through long hours spent in cold rooms or gazing at computer screens, are often banished. My encounter with so many savoury characters has prompted me to note a few choice observations from the conference circuit. Maybe some of us recognize ourselves; I know I do.•Don't befriend conference organizers; one day they will make you the final speaker of the meeting.•Consumption of multiple pints of beer only hours before a breakfast session can be hazardous to your neighbors.•At winter mountain meetings, give the appearance of scholarship by not wearing ski boots every morning of the conference.•Poster sessions are not an excuse to make rude comments about other people's choice of display material.•Throwing of lobster shells is really not becoming, nor is dancing in public.•Try not to room with your advisor or postdoc – there is a possibility that personal items may be confused.•Powerpoint presentations are passe. It's much hipper to scribble stuff in scratchy brown felt-tips ‘real time’ on an acetate.•Don't promise an article for TiBS in the bar: an Editor never forgets!
Prenatal cocaine exposure potentiates 5‐HT2a receptor function in male and female rat offspring

We have reported previously prenatal cocaine-induced functional deficits in serotonergic terminals, and gender-specific supersensitivity of postsynaptic 5-HT(1A) receptor-mediated hormone responses in offspring. This study investigates the effects of prenatal exposure to cocaine on postsynaptic 5-HT(2A) receptor-mediated responses in prepubescent male and female offspring. Pregnant rats were administered saline or (-)cocaine (15 mg/kg, s.c., b.i.d) from gestational day 13 through 20. Changes in 5-HT(2A) receptor function in offspring were assessed by differences in the ability of DOI [4-iodo, 2,5-dimethoxyphenyl-isopropylamine; 2. 0 mg/kg, s.c.] to elevate plasma levels of the hormones ACTH, corticosterone and renin. Basal hormone levels in male and female progeny were unaffected by prenatal cocaine exposure. However, prenatal exposure to cocaine significantly potentiated the magnitude of the ACTH response to DOI in both male (+19%) and female (+43%) progeny. Similarly, the DOI-induced elevation of plasma renin was markedly potentiated in male (+51%) and female (+83%) cocaine-exposed offspring. Although DOI significantly elevated corticosterone levels in both male and female offspring, the magnitude of corticosterone responses was not altered by prenatal exposure to cocaine. Densities of agonist ((125)I-DOI)-labeled receptors in hypothalamus and cortex were unaltered by prenatal exposure to cocaine. These data indicate prenatal cocaine-induced supersensitivity of postsynaptic 5-HT(2A) receptor function in male and female offspring without changes in receptor density. Synapse: 35:163-172, 2000.
Neutrons from protons on isotopes of tin

Abstract Neutron spectra resulting from the bombardment of eight isotopes of tin with protons of energies between 7 and 14 MeV have been obtained at a laboratory angle of 60°. At 10 and 14 MeV angular distributions were measured. The statistical model of nuclear reactions was used to deduce the dependence of the level densities in the residual nuclei on excitation energy, but contrary to the predictions of the model, the deduced level densities showed an apparent dependence on bombarding energy. The effect of the pairing energy on the neutron spectra from targets containing even and odd numbers of neutrons is discussed.
A look inside Medicaid managed care.

It was i n e v i ta b l e that the shift to managed care that has swept virtually the entire private health insurance system should also overtake the nation’s public insurance programs. By 1997 about 40 percent of all Medicaid beneficiaries were enrolled in some form of managed care system. Unlike employers who buy care in a deregulated environment, however, Medicaid agencies purchase managed care within one of the most complex laws ever enacted, which reflects more than thirty years of policy decisions regarding the proper role of a government payer for poor, elderly, and disabled persons. As a result, Medicaid’s conversion to managed care faces organizational and legal challenges that have no parallel in the world of employer purchasing. These challenges arise from the nature of the Medicaid population, but more importantly, they spring from the essential nature of the program itself and from the duty of state agencies to reconcile the requirements and standards of Medicaid with the very different structures offered by managed care–style insurers. The central documents that capture and memorialize the extraordinary purchasing challenges that confront Medicaid agencies are the service agreements that agencies negotiate with managed care organizations (MCOs). While a host of federal and state laws apply to theMedicaidmanaged care purchasing process, the service agreements delineate the scope of a state’s expectations of its suppliers. Because state agencies are effectively purchasing exclusive health care delivery systems for beneficiaries, their contracts offer a wealth of insight into agency thinking regarding the key elements of adequately functioning health care systems for the poor. Moreover, in developing their contracts, agencies are called on to interpret and draft with precision and clarity key provisions that tie contractor performance to underlying federal requirements. While federal law requires prior federal approval of all contracts valued at $100,000 or more, actual federal statutory and regulatory requirements regarding the scope and content of state agreements with MCOs are quite limited and vest states with broad discretion to design service systems, coverage, and performance specifications. Because managed care contracts offer such an important primary source of information about the Medicaid program’s transition to managed care, familiarity with the content and structure of these documents is essential to policymakers as well as to persons who study Medicaid managed care systems. We report here on the findings of a study that the Center for Health Policy Research undertook ofMedicaid managed care contracts. n Methodology. Our study is a point-intime study of requests for proposals (RFPs) (which form the basis of contracts in a public procurement system) as well as the standard contracts themselves. A total of forty-five separate contracts and RFPs were collected from thirty-six states and the District of Columbia between July 1995 and January 1996. Contracts included both general service agreements and agreements covering only mental
Relating binary and continuous problem entropy to backpropagation network architecture

The research presented focuses on characterization of problems, with emphasis on process control data, as they relate to backpropagation neural network architectures, particularly contrasting one and two hidden layers networks. The effects of architecture alterations on network convergence, performance, and stability are empirically examined for continuous and binary domains. Shannon entropy for binary sets and statistical complexity for continuous sets are calculated and related to optimal architecture.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Solid-state devices as detectors of coherent high-energy interactions

Abstract We consider the possibility of using a solid-state radiation detector as a target in order that the recoil energy of the struck nucleus, as well as any charged nuclear fragments, may be measured. In this way, one can discriminate against those interactions leading to breakup of the nucleus (noncoherent) and can also measure the momentum transfer to the nucleus with considerably better precision than might otherwise be possible. As a first test of such a detector, we have observed the distribution in energy deposited in a 1-mm-thick lithium-drifted silicon detector when 730-MeV protons are scattered at small angles by nuclei in the detector. When the protons traverse the silicon without interacting, the characteristic Landau energy-loss distribution is observed. When the protons scatter at small angles, their energies and path lengths in the silicon are practically unchanged. The recoil silicon nucleus, however, deposits most of its kinetic energy, TSi. This energy is added to that from the proton, so the observed energy distribution in the silicon detector is shifted upwards by TSi when the proton scatters. We have observed this second peak at proton scattering angles of 4.3, 5.4 and 6.3 deg in the laboratory system and confirm the predicted energy shift. The potential applications of this technique are discussed.
Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic data for formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase from Clostridium thermoaceticum

Abstract Formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase from Clostridium thermoaceticum has been crystallized using the hanging-drop method from ammonium sulphate and PEG solutions. Crystals are trigonal, the space group is R 32, a = 163 A, c = 259 A. A 4·2 A resolution data set has been collected. Analysis of the data using the self-rotation function shows that tetramers have approximate 222 symmetry and are positioned on a crystallographic 2-fold axis.
Modeling of flexural vibrations of a Kirchhoff plate with a thin-walled elastic inclusion of weak contrast

UDC 539.3 We have proposed a model of the elastodynamic interaction between a thin plate and a thin-walled elastic rectilinear inclusion of weak contrast. The inclusion in the plate is subjected to steady-state flexural vibrations and the conditions of perfect contact. The plate motion is described according to the Kirchhoff hypotheses. The procedure of study is based on the application of methods of the theory of singular perturbations. Using the obtained model, we have studied the spectral characteristics of flexural waves scattered by the inhomogeneity into the far-field zone.
The second law efficiency of a heat pump system

Abstract This paper describes various methods of calculating the second law efficiency for a heat pump system using water as a heat source and a heat sink. The arrangement is typical of many industrial, commercial, and residential applications, especially those dealing with waste heat recovery. An experimental system is used to obtain measurements, and these measurements are evaluated by the various analytical techniques. Advantages and disadvantages associated with these methods are discussed, and the aspects which account for different practical physical constraints are illustrated. In each treatment presented, the measurements obtained from an actual heat pump system are used as the vehicle for discussion.
Growth and nutrient content of poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotz) in a soilless growth medium containing sewage sludge pellet fertilizer

Abstract The effectiveness sewage sludge pellet fertilizer (SPF) as a nutrient source for containerized poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotz) was determined by comparing the growth and nutrient element content of ‘Eckespoint Celebrate 2’ plants grown with SPF in the growth medium versus plants fertilized with conventional water‐soluble fertilizer (WSF). Plants were grown in 1.6‐L pots of soilless growth medium with SPF incorporated at planting at the rates of 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, or 3.0 gm nitrogen (N) pot‐1. Sludge pellet fertilizer plants received either no WSF or a dilute solution of 2ON‐4.3P‐16.6 potassium (K) (50 mg N L‐1) twice a week. Control plants had no SPF and were fertilized with WSF at 250 mg N L‐1 twice a week. At the end of the experiment plant growth measurements were made, leaves were analyzed for their nutrient element content, and growth medium was analyzed for pH and electrical conductivity (EC). Plants grown with SPF, with or without dilute WSF, were of commercially accept...
Adverse effects of contact isolation

Health-care workers are half as likely to enter the rooms of patients in contact isolation, but are more likely to wash their hands after caring for them than after caring for patients not in isolation.
Field Gradients Can Control the Alignment of Nanorods

This work is motivated by the unexpected experimental observation that field gradients can control the alignment of nonmagnetic nanorods immersed inside magnetic fluids. In the presence of local field gradients, nanorods were observed to align perpendicular to the external field at low field strengths, but parallel to the external field at high field strengths. The switching behavior results from the competition between a preference to align with the external field (orientational potential energy) and preference to move into regions of minimum magnetic field (positional potential energy). A theoretical model is developed to explain this experimental behavior by investigating the statistics of nanorod alignment as a function of both the external uniform magnetic field strength and the local magnetic field variation above a periodic array of micromagnets. Computational phase diagrams are developed which indicate that the relative population of nanorods in parallel and perpendicular states can be adjusted through several control parameters. However, an energy barrier to rotation was discovered to influence the rate kinetics and restrict the utility of this assembly technique to nanorods which are slightly shorter than the micromagnet length. Experimental results concerning the orientation of nanorods inside magnetic fluid are also presented and shown to be in strong agreement with the theoretical work.
AN INTEGRABLE XY-MODEL REVISITED

An exactly solvable two-dimensional model of Fateev and Zamolodchikov is shown to approach, in a certain limit, the standard XY-model at zero temperature. This model may be of some relevance to strings (and to knot theory perhaps).
Using mobile phones to collect panel data in developing countries

The rapid spread of mobile telephony throughout the developing world offers researchers a new and exciting means of data collection. This paper describes and analyses the experience of a research project that used mobile phones to collect high frequency, quantitative economic data from households in rural Tanzania. I discuss the research design, highlight some of the mistakes made and lessons learned, and speculate on the applicability of this method in other settings. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Practitioner's Guide to Resources on Asperger Syndrome:

The purpose of this article is to identify and describe a selection of print and electronic resources that can help educators understand and support students with Asperger syndrome (AS). The most marked characteristic of this disorder is significant impairment in social interaction and relationships. Although children and youth with AS generally do not manifest noteworthy cognitive or language delays, their disability is significant. AS is beginning to affect special education practices in most of the United States, and increasing awareness in both the psychological and educational communities will undoubtedly result in greater numbers of children and youth being recognized. It is therefore critical that educators are provided with resources to help them acquire skills for working effectively with these students.
A gastroscopic analysis of antral deformity

When is radiographic distortion of the gastric antrum not due to disease at all? In half the cases, say these authors, thorough endoscopy can dispel the fear of the "phantom antrum."
Cutaneous infection with rapidly-growing mycobacterial infection following heart transplant: a case report and review of the literature.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria are ubiquitous and infrequently cause disease in humans, most commonly in immunocompromised hosts. One type of nontuberculous mycobacteria is Mycobacterium abscessus. This rapidly growing mycobacterium is a soil or water saprophyte. It was previously classified as a subspecies of Mycobacterium chelonae; however, current taxonomy now designates it as a separate species. Rapidly growing mycobacteria are resistant to the usual antituberculous drugs. This emphasizes the need for tissue diagnosis and obtaining specimens for culture and drug susceptibility testing. M abscessus has been reported to cause infection in renal transplant patients, but is less well described in cardiac transplant recipients. We report the case of a 65-year-old man who presented 5 years after transplantation for heart failure, with a 2-day history of progressive right lower extremity swelling and redness. He recalled no antecedent trauma and denied any unusual epidemiologic exposure. Medical history included diabetes with peripheral neuropathy and renal insufficiency, hypertension, and right-sided heart failure felt to be due to obstructive sleep apnea. A punch biopsy of the area grew M abscessus sensitive only to clarithromycin (MIC not reported), amikacin (30 μg/mL), and kanamycin (30 μg/mL). On subsequent clinic visits, the patient had decreased leg swelling and resolution of the papular lesions. Ten weeks into antimycobacterial therapy, the patient had an increase in creatinine to 4.9 mg/dL from a baseline of 2.0 with fluid overload necessitating discontinuation of aminoglycoside therapy. He completed 6 months of treatment with oral clarithromycin. We describe these findings and review the literature in this report.
Trade in the WAEMU: Developments and Reform Opportunities

This paper provides an overview of trade reform in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) since 1996 and a quantitative assessment of potential effects on trade patterns and tariff revenue of the current reform agenda. Despite evidence of significant trade complementarities within WAEMU, implementation of the union's current trade regime still suffers from persistent non-tariff barriers and administrative weaknesses. Based on an assessment of prospects for further trade integration, the paper also recommends strengthening the implementation of the present tariff union and supports the plan to extend it to all ECOWAS members. Finally, the paper stresses that an Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU could bring to the region the political momentum needed to address the weaknesses of the current trade regime, while also underlining the corresponding challenges in terms of trade diversion and tariff revenue losses.
Simultaneous observations of the proton ring current and stable auroral red arcs

Explorer 45 observed the equatorial proton ring current in the plasmapause region and Fritz Peak Observatory observed stable auroral red (SAR) arcs on Dec. 17, 1971 during a geomagnetic storm. An estimate of energy lost from the ring current was obtained by using Explorer 45 observations of pitch angle distribution transitions which are probably due to pitch angle diffusion-driven resonant interactions with ion cyclotron waves. Estimates of the equatorial loss rate yield values greater than the required SAR arc energy input rate, and the location of the peaks in these loss rates agrees with the observed location of the arcs. It is thus concluded that this energy loss is sufficient to sustain the SAR arcs.
Chemisorption of carbonyl sulfide (OCS) on Ni between 77 and 293 K

Abstract The chemisorption of OCS on polycrystalline Ni foil, in the 77–293 K temperature range, was investigated by XPS, UPS and AES electron spectroscopies. At all temperatures studied, chemisorption was found to be dissociative yielding absorbed S and gas phase CO. The reaction is found to be strongly exothermic with a low activation energy.
CYTOLOGICAL STUDIES OF ORGANOTYPIC CULTURES OF RAT DORSAL ROOT GANGLIA FOLLOWING X-IRRADIATION IN VITRO : I. Changes in Neurons and Satellite Cells

Long-term organotypic cultures of rat dorsal root ganglia were exposed to a single 40 kR dose of 184 kvp X-rays and studied in the living and fixed states by light or electron microscopy at 1–14 day intervals thereafter. Within the first 4 days following irradiation, over 30% of the neurons display chromatolytic reactions (eccentric nuclei, peripheral dispersal of Nissl substance, central granular zone) as well as abnormal nucleolar changes and dissociation of ribosomes from endoplasmic reticulum cisternae. Some satellite cells undergo retraction or acute degeneration, leaving only basement membrane to cover the neuron in these areas. 8 days after irradiation, neurons also exhibit (a) areas in which ribosomes are substantially reduced, (b) regions of cytoplasmic sequestration, (c) extensive vacuolization of granular endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex, and (d) diversely altered mitochondria (including the presence of ribosome-like particles or association with abnormal glycogen and lipid deposits). Nucleolar components become altered or reoriented and may form abnormal projections and ringlike configurations. Sizeable areas of the neuronal soma are now denuded of satellite cells; underlying these areas, nerve processes are found abnormally invaginated into the neuronal cytoplasm. By the 14th day following irradiation, most neurons display marked degenerative changes including extensive regions of ribosome depletion, sequestration, vacuolization, autolysis, and, in some areas, swirls of filaments, myelin figures, and heterogeneous dense bodies. These observations demonstrate that X-irradiation produces profound cytopathological changes in nervous tissue isolated from the host and that many of these changes resemble the effects of radiation on nervous tissue in vivo.
A reexamination of solar upper photosphere models, the calcium abundance, and empirical damping parameters

A general iterative method is described for constructing thermal models of the solar photosphere consistent with observed strong and weak lines of Ca I and Ca II. Calibrations of the solar calcium abundance and the van der Waals parameter for important Ca I and Ca II lines are obtained using plane-parallel largely LTE model atmospheres, and these thermal models are modified for better fits to the measured Ca II H and K inner wing shapes. Possible sources of error in this semiempirical approach are evaluated. The derived hydrogen van der Waals broadening is compared with theoretical estimates of that broadening as well as with experimental measurements of the helium broadening
Asynchronous optical sampling:a new combustion diagnostic for potential use in turbulent, high-pressure flames

Asynchronous optical sampling (ASOPS) is a pump-probe method that has strong potential for use in turbulent, high-pressure flames. We show that rapid measurement of species number density can be achieved by maintaining a constant beat frequency between the mode-locking frequencies of the pump and probe lasers. We also describe the instrumental timing parameters for ASOPS and consider the optimization of these parameters. Measurement of the nanosecond decay for electronically excited sodium in an atmospheric flame demonstrates the viability of the ASOPS technique in highly quenched flame environments.
FLORAL MORPHOLOGY OF HORSFIELDIA (MYRISTICACEAE)

The pistillate flowers of Horsfieldia are morphologically similar to those of Myristica and Knema, and are composed of a single whorl of thick, fleshy tepals, and an unsealed, monocarpellate pistil bearing a single ovule. The carpel is vascularized by two ventral bundles, a pair of dorsal bundles, and several supernumerary bundles. The ovule vascularization is derived from the supernumerary bundles. Paired dorsal vascular bundles are an uncommon feature of uncertain significance. Carpels of Myristica and Knema lack any clearly defined dorsal vasculature. and the ovule vascular supply is derived from both the ventral and supernumerary bundles. The organization of the staminate flowers of Horsfieldia agrees with the myristicaceous pattern observed in Myristica and Knema. Each androecium consists of a single whorl of anthers fused or partially fused to a massive connective column. Each anther consists of a pair of bisporangiate lobes and a single vascular bundle. The androecial forms observed are interpreted as forming a series of intermediates between the monadelphous type of androecia of two South American genera, Compsoneura and Dialyanthera. and one African genus, Brochneura, and the solid, columnar androecia which are predominate in the family. Accumulating evidence supports a proposed South American or west Gondwanaland origin of the Myristicaceae. THE MYRISTICACEAE is a pan-tropical family of dioecious forest trees, which is best known for the spices nutmeg and mace from the seed and aril of Myristica fragrans. The family consists of five South American, six African, and four southeast Asian (including Australasia) genera
Molecular Staging of Prostate Cancer. III. Effects of Cystoscopy and Needle Biopsy on the Enhanced Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay

AbstractPurpose: We examined the effects of prostatic manipulations, including flexible cystoscopy and transrectal needle biopsy, on the enhanced reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay in 57 men.Materials and Methods: The reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay was performed on 25 patients with clinically localized stages T1 to T2cN0M0 prostate cancer before and 30 minutes after cystoscopy. In addition, blood specimens from 32 patients with elevated serum prostate specific antigen and/or abnormal digital rectal examinations were tested immediately before and at 30 minutes after transrectal ultrasound guided prostate needle biopsy.Results: We detected no difference between polymerase chain reaction results obtained immediately before and 30 minutes after cystoscopy in 25 men. Transrectal needle biopsy had no effect on the polymerase chain reaction results in 30 of 32 men. However, 2 men had positive reactions on post-biopsy specimens only. Pathological results of the biopsy rev...
Lattice calculation of the semileptonic form factor at the end point for D-->K*

The axial form factor at [ital q][sup 2]=[ital q][sub max][sup 2] (end point) for [ital D][r arrow][ital K][sup *] is reported: [ital A][sub 1]([ital q][sub max][sup 2])=1.23[plus minus]0.16[plus minus]0.31. Our lattice study of [ital A][sub 1]([ital q][sub max][sup 2]) as a function of quark masses suggests an approximate onset of heavy-quark symmetry even for fairly light quark masses.
Persulfide properties of thiocystine and related trisulfides

Abstract Thiocystine (bis[2-amino-2-carboxyethyl]trisulfide) functions as a persulfide in transferring its sulfane sulfur to thiophilic acceptors. This occurs by formation of a reactive intermediate, thiocysteine (alanine hydrogen disulfide). In the absence of an acceptor sulfur is released in elemental form. Thiocystine is relatively stable in the pH range of 2–9. However, its conversion to unstable thiocysteine is accelerated by sulfhydryl compounds, rhodanese, or reagents that cleave sulfur-sulfur bonds to yield sulfhydryl groups. Since thiocystine has been detected in biological systems, it is proposed that in provides a storage form of sulfane sulfur. Trisulfides related to thiocystine show qualitatively similar properties.
Extending shelling orders and a hierarchy of functions of unimodal simple polytopes

Let P be a simplicial d-polytope with n facets ((d − 1)-dimensional faces) in Rd. A shelling of P is an ordering of the facets of P such that the intersection of each facet F with the union of all facets that precede it the ordering is a nonempty union of (d − 2)-faces of F. The following open question was raised by Tverberg and is recorded in [4]. Suppose for some k < n, there is an ordering of k of the facets of P so that the intersection of each of these facets with the union of all of the facets that precede it in the ordering is a nonempty union of (d − 2)-faces. Can this initial “segment” be extended to a shelling of all the facets? This question is open even in the case that P is the dual of the d-dimensional hypercube. The question in this case has resurfaced several times since G. Danaraj and V. Klee (1978) in a variety of forms. It is related to the hierarchies of completely unimodal pseudo-Boolean functions studied in P.L. Hammer et al. (1988), the author (1988) and D. Wiedemann (1986). (A pseudo-Boolean function is a function mapping the vertices of the d-dimensional hypercube into the reals). In this paper, the hierarchies are compared and combined. This hierarchy is then extended to general simple polytopes, and the relationship to the above open question is explained.
XPS study of metal/SiOx/Si interfaces

Abstract Measurements of x-ray photoemission from thin metal films on n-type and p-type Si/SiOx substrates were made in the presence of light bias. The effect of the illumination from a xenon source is the generation of an open-circuit photovoltage between the metal film and the Si base. This photovoltage produces an apparent shift in the binding energy of the photoelectron from the metal. For the n-type Si/SiOx/Pd structure , the measured binding energy of the Pd 3d 5 2 photoelectron is found to be larger by 0.15 ± 0.03 eV, whereas the corresponding energy for p-type Si/SiOx/Cr/Pd is smaller by 0.23 ± 0.03 eV. The direction of the energy shift is in agreement with the Schottky photovoltaic theory. The technique can be used to study the relation between the open-circuit photovoltage and the metal microislands deposited on the semiconductor surface.
Effects of temperature and food availability on adult body length in natural and laboratory populations of Paracerceis sculpta (Holmes), a Gulf of California isopod

In the Gulf of California, Paracerceis sculpta (Holmes), a sphaeromatid isopod, feeds on coralline algae and breeds in the spongocoels of calcareous sponges (Leucetta losangelensis de Laubenfels). Near Puerto Penasco, Sonora, sea surface temperature and algal abundance fluctuate throughout the year. To investigate how these factors influence isopod growth, we plotted the body lengths of field-collected isopods against monthly sea surface temperatures, as well as against the relative abundance of coralline algae (Corallina; Amphiroa), over a 26-month period (1983–1985). We found that average body lengths of the four adult morphs in this species (α-, β-, γ-males and females), were larger in cool months and smaller in warm months. Our records of female reproductive condition at capture allowed identification of the approximate dates on which females matured, thus the effect of temperature on growth was most clearly seen in females. Monthly average body lengths correlated negatively with temperature for all adult morphotypes, with different slopes and intercepts; morphotypes undergoing more molts had steeper slopes. Coralline algae abundance showed no seasonal patterns, and we found no significant relationships between relative algal abundance and isopod body length for any adult morph. In the laboratory, animals reared at lower temperature (21°C) matured at larger body lengths than individuals reared at higher temperatures (27–30°C). However, well-fed individuals grew no more rapidly than poorly-fed individuals. Thus, variation in food availability had no recognizable effect on isopod growth in either the laboratory or in the field, whereas variation in temperature significantly influenced growth in both locations, with effects proportional to the number of pre-adult molts.
Safety evaluation of a recombinant plasmin derivative lacking kringles 2-5 and rt-PA in a rat model of transient ischemic stroke.

Background Tissue type plasminogen activator is the only approved thrombolytic agent for the treatment of ischemic stroke. However, it carries the disadvantage of a 10-fold increase in symptomatic and asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. A safer thrombolytic agent may improve patient prognosis and increase patient participation in thrombolytic treatment. A novel direct-acting thrombolytic agent, Δ(K2-K5) plasmin, promising an improved safety profile was examined for safety in the snare ligature model of stroke in the rat.
THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY: A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON PUBLIC REACTIONS AND BEHAVIOR

No one yet knows how profoundly the assassination of President Kennedy altered the future course of history, but it certainly was an extremely significant event internationally as well as domestically. Its immediate effects on the American people are also of considerable importance, reflecting as they do the attitudes of the people toward their President and the emotional reactions to such an assassination. They are also important as a demonstration of the speed that characterizes modern communication. Paul B. Sheatsley is Director of the Survey Research Service, a division of the National Opinion Research Center, University of Chicago, and Secretary for the American Association for Public Opinion Research. Jacob J. Feldman is Director of Research at the National Opinion Research Center.
Aromatic ring synthesis by N-aminopyrrole Diels-Alder reaction. Characterization of the heteroatom fragment

Abstract Aminonitrenes are produced on reaction of N -aminopyrroles with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate; a new reaction of dialkyl aminonitrenes is described.
Generalizations of P0- and P-properties; extended vertical and horizontal linear complementarity problems

Abstract Generalizing the concept of W 0 -pair of Willson, we introduce the notions of column (row) W 0 - and column (row) W -properties for a set of k + 1 square matrices { M 0 , M 1 , …, M k } (of the same dimension), where k ⩾ 1. When k = 1 and M 0 = I , these reduce to the familiar P 0 - and P -properties of a square matrix. We show that these notions are related to the extended vertical and horizontal LCPs. Specifically, we show that these notions appear in certain feasible/infeasible interior point algorithms and that the column (row) W -property is characterized by the unique solvability in extended horizontal (vertical) LCPs. As a by-product of our analysis, we show that a monotone horizontal LCP is equivalent to a (standard) LCP and that for a monotone horizontal LCP, feasibility implies solvability.
Somnambulism in Children With Tourette Syndrome

SUMMARY A total of 171 children, 57 with Tourette syndrome, 57 with learning disabilities and the rest with seizure disorders, were studied to discover the incidence of somnambulism. Of the 13 identified sleepwalkers, 10 had Tourette syndrome. It is argued that this may be due to a disturbance in serotonin metabolism. RESUME Somnambulisme chez les enfants presentant un syndrome de G. de la Tourerre 171 enfants dont 57 presentaient un syndrome de G. de la Tourette. 57 des troubles des apprentissages et le reste des manifestations comitiales ont eteetudies pour decouvrir I'incidence du somnambulisme. Sur les 13 sujets marchant en dormant identifies, 10 presentaient le syndrome de G. de la Tourette. Cela pourrait etre dua une perturbation dans le metabolisme de la serotonine. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Schlafwandeln bei Kindern mit Tourette Syndrom Insgesamt 171 Kinder, 57 mit Tourette Syndrom, 57 mit Lernschwierigkeiten und die restlichen mit Krampfleiden, wurden untersucht, um die Haufigkeit des Schlafwandelns zu bestimmen. Von den 13 Schlafwandlern hatten 10 ein Tourette Syndrom. Man nimmt an, das dies mit einer Storung im Serotonin Metabolismus zusammenhangt. RESUMEN Sonamhulismo en ninos con sindrome de Tourette Un total de 171 ninos, 57 con sindrome de Tourette, 57 con dificultades de aprendizaje y el resto con convulsiones. fueron estudiados para descubrir la incidencia de sonambulismo. De los 30 sonarnbulicos identificados, 10 tenian sindrome de Tourette. Se arguye que esto puede ser debido a una alteracon en el metabolismo de la serotonina.
Close encounters of the stressful kind: Affective, physiological, and behavioral reactions to the experience of crowding.

Ninety-six adults participated in a study of the joint effects of interpersonal density and an additional stressor. Experiential reports, psychophysiological indices, and task performance were assessed. Subjects seated either close together or far apart worked on a series of tasks while either expecting a stressful event or not expecting the stressful event. Perceptions of crowding were influenced only by interpersonal distance; those seated close together reported feeling more crowded than those seated far apart. However, if subjects were both crowded and expected a stressful event they reported feeling more stressed and evidenced psychophysiological signs of anxiety. Relevance of these results for an additive stress model is discussed but the model is rejected and an interactional model of crowding and stress effects is proposed. Evidence for processes of social comparison fear reduction was found in some crowded subjects.
Periodic signal suppression in a concurrent fault simulator

Clock suppression has been proposed to take advantage of the periodic signals such as the clock present in synchronous designs. In clock suppression, no events due to the clock input are generated, but the information can be reconstructed as needed. In this paper, the authors present periodic signal suppression, which is a generalized form of clock suppression, as a means to suppress predictable events of all periodic signals throughout the circuit. To do this, a special signal state labeled P is introduced. P states indicate that signals are periodic, but cause no unnecessary activity in an event driven simulator. At any time, the original waveform can be reconstructed from the periodic signal. This general implementation allows clock suppression to work on divided or gated clocks and on signals that may alternate periodic and non-periodic behavior in addition to the clock tree. Moreover, concurrent simulation of faults on the suppressed signal wires including the clock tree is possible. >
Efficient spacing scheme for a linearly interpolated lookup table predistorter

This paper presents a theoretical analysis of the residual distortions in a linearly interpolated Lookup Table (LUT) predistorter, with both uniform and non-uniform spacings. It is shown that constant linearizer performance across a wide dynamic range can be achieved with a relatively small LUT, when the entries are adequately spaced and linearly interpolated. A closed form expression for the total residual distortion power is also derived. Simulation results have been included to demonstrate the capability of a constant-range, low-resolution LUT predistorter to efficiently mitigate nonlinear distortions across more than 80dB of the top average output power levels for WCDMA transmission.
Liftoff of a 60mg flapping-wing MAV

Up to this point, researchers working to artificially re-create hovering insect flight have not demonstrated an integrated micromechanical device that is able to lift its own weight. Inspiration from biological systems coupled with revolutionary breakthroughs in microfabrication technologies have now enabled the realization of insect- sized micro air vehicles (MAVs). This work describes a solution to the mechanical and aeromechanical components of an insect-scale MAV by demonstrating a 60 mg structure that can generate sufficient lift to takeoff with external power and constrained body degrees of freedom.
A systematic review of pneumatic compression for treatment of chronic venous insufficiency and venous ulcers.

Introduction: As part of a reconsideration of coverage policy, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requested a systematic review of the evidence on the use of pneumatic compression devices in the home environment for treatment of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and venous ulcers. Methods: Articles were found with a systematic literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and AMED (Allied and Complementary Medicine) databases, hand searches of reference lists, and suggestions of experts. Results: Eight trials that met the inclusion criteria, including several randomized control trials, were found. Most studies were small and may have been underpowered. However, several were well-designed randomized controlled trials. Three studies showed that the devices could alleviate symptoms of CVI. No studies directly measured whether the devices could prevent the occurrence of venous ulcers. Some studies on the treatment of venous ulcers did not show a benefit for pneumatic compression, but other studies showed a benefit for the devices in healing long-standing chronic ulcers that had not healed with other methods. No studies directly compared single-chamber and multiple-chamber devices or studied whether the effectiveness of the pump was dependent on types of treatment used concurrently with the pump. Few adverse events were reported in the trials. Patients generally expressed satisfaction with the pneumatic compression devices, and several studies reported higher compliance than with other compression methods. Conclusion: The available data cannot be relied on to inform the optimal choice of compression therapy or optimal protocol for patients with CVI or venous ulcers. Methodologically rigorous research designed to answer these questions would be useful for treatment decisions. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services considered the results of this study and issued a decision that pneumatic compression will only be covered for patients with refractory edema with significant ulceration of the lower extremities after a 6-month trial of standard therapies, such as compression stockings, has failed. (J Vasc Surg 2003;37:539-44.)
DSpace: An Institutional Repository from the MIT Libraries and Hewlett Packard Laboratories

The DSpace? project of the MIT Libraries and the Hewlett Packard Laboratories has built an institutional repository system for digital research material. This paper will describe the rationale for institutional repositories, the DSpace system, and its implementation at MIT. Also described are the plans for making DSpace open source in an effort to provide a useful test bed and a platform for future research in the areas of open scholarly communication and the long-term preservation of fragile digital research material.
Job scheduling methods for reducing waiting time variance

Minimizing Waiting Time Variance (WTV) is a job scheduling problem where we schedule a batch of n jobs, for servicing on a single resource, in such a way that the variance of their waiting times is minimized. Minimizing WTV is a well known scheduling problem, important in providing Quality of Service (QoS) in many industries. Minimizing the variance of job waiting times on computer networks can lead to stable and predictable network performance. Since the WTV minimization problem is NP-hard, we develop two heuristic job scheduling methods, called Balanced Spiral and Verified Spiral, which incorporate certain proven properties of optimal job sequences for this problem. We test and compare our methods with four other job scheduling methods on both small and large size problem instances. Performance results show that Verified Spiral gives the best performance for the scheduling methods and problems tested in this study. Balanced Spiral produces comparable results, but at less computational cost. During our investigation we discovered a consistent pattern in the plot of WTV over mean of all possible sequences for a set of jobs, which can be used to evaluate the sacrifice of mean waiting time while pursuing WTV minimization.
Probabilistic ecological hazard assessment of parabens using Daphnia magna and Pimephales promelas

Parabens are common antimicrobial agents found in thousands of pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Parabens are introduced into aquatic ecosystems from wastewater treatment plant effluents and have been detected in surface waters in the low microgram per liter range. Although these compounds display low toxicity in mammals, paraben toxicity to aquatic organisms has not been investigated. Standardized acute and subchronic endpoints in larval fish (Pimephales promelas) and cladoceran (Daphnia magna) models were examined for seven different parabens (methyl-, ethyl-, isopropyl-, propyl-, isobutyl-, butyl-, benzylparaben), which encompassed a range of log P values. Paraben 48 h median lethal concentration values (LC50) ranged from 4.0 to 24.6 mg/L in D. magna and 3.3 to >160.0 mg/L in fathead minnow. Growth and reproduction in D. magna had lowest-observed-effect concentrations (LOECs) ranging from 0.12 to 9.0 mg/L and 1.5 to 6.0 mg/L, respectively. Fathead minnow growth was adversely affected at levels ranging from 1.0 to 25.0 mg/L. Aquatic toxicity of the parabens was inversely related to lipophilicity, suggesting that responses using standardized endpoints resulted from narcosis. Utilizing toxicity benchmark concentrations (e.g., LC50s, LOECs) for each compound, chemical toxicity distributions, a probabilistic hazard assessment technique, were developed to assess the probabilities of detecting parabens that elicit a response at or below a given concentration. For the responses assessed in the present study, the 5th centile values (the concentration at which 5% of parabens elicit a response) ranged from 15 microg/L to 2.43 mg/L, with D. magna growth eliciting the lowest 5th centile value and acute D. magna mortality eliciting the highest. The distributions demonstrated that at environmentally relevant concentrations in developed countries there is limited acute or subchronic aquatic hazard of parabens to the organisms and responses examined.
Volterra analysis of spectral regrowth

The author presents an analysis of the broadening of the bandwidth of narrowband modulated signals, commonly called spectral regrowth, caused by weak nonlinearities. The analysis uses Volterra methods and operates entirely in the frequency domain. It is applicable to signals having either discrete or continuous spectra.