cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Torsional and Bending Behavior of Wood Beams

Two representative species are selected for experimentation—Douglas fir and Red oak. Ten circular and 10 square beams are tested. First, eight beams are loaded to a specified load within the elastic region under the following load conditions: (1) pure torsion; (2) pure bending; (3) bending and restrained torsion; and (4) bending and unrestrained torsion. Following these nondestructive tests, all 20 beams are loaded to failure under different loading conditions. The experimental results are in close agreement with the theoretical predictions. No appreciable change exists in the magnitude of normal stresses due to restrained or unrestrained torsion when compared to the normal stresses due to flexure only. Unrestrained torsion does not cause significant warping of the cross section of the beam. Analysis of test results for the 20 specimens that were loaded to destruction indicates that the ultimate moment and the ultimate torque are independent of each other. For the specimens tested, the presence of torsion does not appear to change the bending strength of a wooden beam.
Religious diversity and religious toleration

Awareness of religious diversity is nothing new under the sun. The early Christian martyrs were doubtless aware that others in the Roman Empire did not share their religious beliefs. Yet it is arguable that awareness of religious diversity has recently assumed qualitatively new forms. Among the factors that might account for this transformation is the increased contact people now have with religions other than their own. Modem technologies of travel and communication foster interchanges between adherents of different religions. Modem scholarship has made available translations of and commentaries on texts from a variety of religious traditions, and cultural anthropologists have recorded fascinating thick descriptions of the practices of many such traditions. People who live in religiously pluralistic democracies have ample opportunities to acquire personal familiarity with religions other than their own without leaving home. It now is therefore harder than it once was to hang onto negative stereotypes of or rationalize hostile reactions to the practitioners of religions other than one’s own. But many people succeed in doing so; increased contact often enough produces greater friction. News media have bombarded us with the sights and sounds of religious conflict in Belfast, Beirut and Bosnia.
Feature discovery in gray level imagery for one-class object recognition

Feature extraction transforms an object's image representation to an alternate reduced representation. Feature selection can be time-consuming and difficult to optimize so we have investigated unsupervised neural networks for feature discovery. We first discuss an inherent limitation in competitive type neural networks for discovering features in gray level images. We then show how Sanger's Generalized Hebbian Algorithm (GHA) removes this limitation and describe a novel GHA application for learning object features that discriminate the object from clutter. Using a specific example, we show how these features are better at distinguishing the target object from other nontarget objects with Carpenter's ART 2-A as the pattern classifier. >
Using Comparative Torts Materials to Teach First-Year Torts

This article is based on a presentation at the Workshop on Integrating Transnational Legal Perspectives into the First Year Curriculum at the AALS Annual Meeting in 2006. I argue that comparative torts materials can be used to teach tort concepts central to a first year torts class. To be sure, while I an advocate of comparative tort law as a subject of intrinsic interest and importance, this article is about using comparative tort materials to help students learn the law of their own jurisdiction. After offering a theoretical defense of this position, I offer two examples based on German cases involving non-economic damages.
Factors influencing perinatal mortality in cesarean section.

Abstract Infant mortality associated with 571 consecutive sections and 7,487 vaginal deliveries has been reviewed. The perinatal mortality rate in section among infants who weighed more than 1,000 grams was 5.6 per cent. Although the rate was 3½times that in vaginal delivery in this series, the combined section and vaginal delivery perinatal mortality rate of only 1.8 per cent was accomplished. No infant deaths were encountered in 422 sections when complications endangering the fetus were absent. Section, per se, should not add to infant mortality. Among premature infants delivered by section, 75 per cent survived in spite of the presence of additional complications of pregnancy or labor. Factors contributing to perinatal mortality have been discussed.
The Weak Decay of Hypernuclei

Hypernuclei whose ground states are stable against strong decay are used to study two-baryon weak interactions. A review of the existing experimental data, including recent results from the AGS on Open image in new window and Open image in new window , shows that the lifetimes and branching ratios can be used to test the effective weak Hamiltonians used in the rate caculations.
Diphenamid Metabolism in Plants

Diphenamid, a herbicide, is metabolized to N-methyl 2,2-diphenylacetamide and 2,2-diphenylacetamide by the common soil fungi Trichoderma viride and Aspergillus candidus within 48 hours. The two metabolites are more toxic than diphenamid to both tomato and barnyard-grass seedlings under sterile conditions. This finding indicates that the phytotoxic moiety is not diphenamid but one of its metabolites-probably the N-methyl derivative.
An approach for semantic query processing with UDDI

UDDI is not suitable for handling semantic markups for Web services due to its flat data model and limited search capabilities. In this paper, we introduce an approach to allow for support of semantic service descriptions and queries using registries that conforms to UDDI V3 specification. Specifically, we discuss how to store complex semantic markups in the UDDI data model and use that information to perform semantic query processing. Our approach does not require any modification to the existing UDDI registries. The add-on modules reside only on clients who wish to take advantage of semantic capabilities. This approach is completely backward compatible and can integrate seamlessly into existing infrastructure.
Using Jacobian sensitivities to assess a linearization of the relaxed Arakawa–Schubert convection scheme

The inclusion of linearized moist physics can increase the accuracy of 4D-Var data assimilation and adjoint-based sensitivity analysis. Moist processes such as convection can exhibit nonlinear behaviour. As a result, representation of these processes in a linear way requires much care; a straightforward linearization may yield a poor approximation to the behaviour of perturbations of interest and could contain numerical instability. Here, an extensive numerical study of the Jacobian of the relaxed Arakawa–Schubert (RAS) convection scheme is shown. A Jacobian based on perturbations at individual model levels can be used to understand the physical behaviour of the RAS scheme, predict how sensitive that behaviour is to the prognostic variables and determine the stability of a linearization of the scheme. The linearity of the scheme is also considered by making structured perturbations, constructed from the principle components of the model variables. Based on the behaviour of the Jacobian operator and the results when using structured perturbations, a suitable method for linearizing the RAS scheme is determined. For deep, strong convection, the structures of the RAS Jacobian are reasonably simple, the rate at which finite-amplitude estimates of the structures change with respect to input perturbations is small and the eigenmodes of the Jacobian are not prohibitively unstable. For deep convection, an exact linearization is therefore suitable. For shallow convection, the RAS scheme can be more sensitive to the input prognostic variables due to the faster time-scales and proximity to switches. Linearization of the RAS therefore requires some simplifications to smooth the behaviour for shallow convection. It is noted that the physical understanding of the scheme gained from examining the Jacobian provides a useful tool to the developers of nonlinear physical parametrizations.
Purification of the alliin lyase of garlic, Allium sativum L.

1. Alliin lyase (EC 4.4.1.4) was purified up to sevenfold from garlic-bulb homogenates. The enzyme was unstable to storage at −10°, particularly in dilute concentrations, but the addition of glycerol (final concentration 10%, v/v) stabilized the activity completely for at least 30 days. 2. The purified enzyme had an optimum pH for activity at 6·5. The addition of pyridoxal phosphate stimulated the reaction rate and the stimulation became more marked as the purification proceeded. 3. Hydroxylamine (10μm) and cysteine (0·5mm) inhibited the enzyme activity by more than 80%. Spectral studies indicated that cysteine reacted with pyridoxal phosphate bound to the protein. 4. The Km values for S-methyl-, S-ethyl-, S-propyl-, S-butyl- and S-allyl-l-cysteine sulphoxides were determined. With S-allyl-l-cysteine sulphoxide the Km was 6mm and the Vmax. was greater than those with the other substrates tested. 5. The thioether analogues of the substrates were competitive inhibitors for the lyase reaction. The Ki decreased with increasing chain length of the alkyl substituent. With S-ethyl-l-cysteine sulphoxide as substrate the Ki was 33, 8 and 5mm respectively for S-methyl-, S-ethyl- and S-propyl-l-cysteine. 6. The addition of EDTA or Mg2+, Mn2+, Co2+ or Fe2+ stimulated the reaction rate. Other bivalent cations either had no effect or gave a strong inhibition. In the presence of EDTA no further increase of activity was observed with added Mg2+.
Merchant Ships in the Year 2000

This paper stresses the rapidity of change in today's world and underscores the necessity of learning to live with change. It points to probable future growth in the worldwide need for ocean transport and predicts the relative importance of various kinds of ships in meeting those needs. Trends in ship production techniques receive attention, as does the probable future demand for air cushion vehicles, hydrofoil craft, and other novel types of marine vehicle. The problem of air freight competition is discussed briefly. The place for education and research in a changing world receives particular emphasis.
Programmable instrumentation and gigahertz signaling for single-photon quantum communication systems

We discuss custom time-tagging instrumentation for high-speed single-photon metrology, focusing particularly on implementations that can tag and process detection events from multiple single-photon detectors with sub-nanosecond timing resolution and at detection rates above 100 MHz. The systems we present view the detector signal as if it were a serial data stream, tagging events according to the bit period in which a rising edge from the detector occurs. We achieve sub-nanosecond resolution with serial data receivers operating up to 10 Gb s−1. Data processing bottlenecks are avoided with pipelined algorithms and controlled data flow implemented in field-programmable gate arrays.
Regulation of angiotensin II-stimulated Ca2+ oscillations by Ca2+ influx mechanisms in adrenal glomerulosa cells

In adrenal glomerulosa cells, angiotensin II (Ang II) evokes repetitive [Ca2+]i transients and increases Ca2+ influx through voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCCs) as well as the capacitative Ca2+ entry pathway. This study analyzed the relationships between these Ca2+ influx pathways and intracellular Ca2+ signaling in bovine glomerulosa cells, in which Ca2+ oscillation frequency was regulated by Ang II concentration over the range of 50-300 p. In the absence of external Ca2+, such oscillations were maintained for prolonged periods of time, but their frequency was significantly reduced (0.23 min-1 versus 0.38 min-1). Restoration of [Ca2+]o to 0.6 mM increased the frequency of Ca2+ oscillations in cells that showed narrow spikes of constant amplitude and caused a plateau response in cells with broad spikes of rapidly decreasing amplitude. In the presence of Ca2+, nifedipine reduced the frequency of the oscillatory Ca2+ response to 100 pM Ang II by 49%, and BAY K 8644 increased oscillation frequency by 86%, or caused plateau-type responses typical of higher Ang II concentrations. In contrast to their prominent actions on Ca2+ spiking frequency, dihydropyridines caused only minor changes in Ang II (100 pM)-induced inositol phosphate production. Dihydropyridines also had minimal effects on the nonoscillatory Ca2+ signals evoked by high Ang II concentrations (10 nM). These findings indicate that Ca2+ influx through VSCCs modulates the frequency of Ca2+ oscillations induced by low agonist concentrations by a mechanism that does not involve major changes in inositol trisphosphate formation. However, VSCCs make relatively little contribution to the nonoscillatory Ca2+ signals generated by high agonist concentrations, when Ca2+ influx occurs predominantly through the capacitative Ca2+ entry pathway.
Relationship between Dispositional Mindfulness and Substance Use: Findings from a Clinical Sample

There has been rapidly increasing interest over the past decade in the potential of mindfulness-based approaches to psychological and medical treatment, including a recent growth in the area of substance abuse. Thus, the relationship between trait mindfulness and substance use has been explored in several studies. Results, however, have been mixed. While several studies of college student populations have evinced positive correlations between levels of trait mindfulness and substance use, the opposite seems to be true in clinical samples, with multiple studies showing a negative association. The current study reviews research in both non-treatment seeking college students and in clinical samples, and examines the relationship between trait mindfulness and substance dependence in a clinical sample (N = 281). Further, the study assesses the moderating effect of avoidant coping that might explain the disparate findings in the clinical versus nonclinical samples.
THE INFLUENCE OF DELAYED AUDITORY FEEDBACK ON IMMEDIATE AND DELAYED MEMORY.

Summary Forty-two Ss were run in one experimental and in two control conditions. The Ss recalled a short story immediately after reading it and again 24 hours later. All Ss were monitored on two physiological variables during reading. The experimental group was subjected to a 0.2-second delayed auditory feedback in the middle section of the story. One control group received no special treatment; the other received shock at the point in the story at which the experimental group received delayed auditory feedback. Both the experimental group and the control group that received shock showed marked changes in GSR measurements during the reading of the middle section of the story. The immediate memory of the story was significantly poorer for the experimental group as contrasted with that for each of the control groups. For accuracy of delayed memory, there were no significant differences among the three groups.
Subsequent suicide mortality among emergency department patients seen for suicidal behavior.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether suicide mortality rates for a cohort of patients seen and subsequently discharged from the ED for a suicide-related complaint were higher than for ED comparison groups. METHODS: This was a nonconcurrent cohort study set at a university-affiliated urban ED and Level 1 trauma center. All ED patients 10 years and older, with at least one ED visit between February 1994 and November 2004, were eligible. ED visit characteristics defined the cohort exposure. Patients with visits for suicide attempt or ideation, self-harm, or overdose (exposed) were compared with patients without these visits (unexposed). Exposure classification was determined from billing diagnoses, E-codes (E950-E959), and free-text searching of the ED tracking system data for suicide, overdose, and spelling variants. Emergency department patient data were probabilistically linked to state mortality records. The principal outcome was suicide death. Suicide mortality rates were calculated by using person-year (py) analyses. Relative rates (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated from Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Among the 218,304 patients, the average follow-up was 6.0 years; there were 408 suicide deaths (incidence rate [IR]: 31.2 per 100,000 py). Males (IR: 48.3) had a higher rate than females (IR: 13.5; RR: 3.6; 95% CI = 2.8 to 4.6). A single ED visit for overdose (RR: 5.7; 95% CI = 4.5 to 7.4), suicidal ideation (RR: 6.7; 95% CI = 5.0 to 9.1), or self-harm (RR: 5.8; 95% CI = 5.1 to 10.6) was strongly associated with increased suicide risk, relative to other patients. CONCLUSIONS: The suicide rate among these ED patients is higher than population-based estimates. Rates among patients with suicidal ideation, overdose, or self-harm are especially high, supporting policies that mandate psychiatric interventions in all cases.
Physician cancer pain education: A report from the Wisconsin Cancer Pain Initiative

The Wisconsin Cancer Pain Initiative was established in 1986 to address the various public and professional barriers to cancer pain management. This report discusses the initiative's model for physician education, which includes increasing factual knowledge, legitimizing cancer pain as an important treatment priority, and developing clinical role models. Our progress in implementing this education model will be discussed.
Infrared study of thermal decomposition of the azide ion

Abstract A study of the infrared absorption spectrum of the azide ion in a KBr lattice shows that its thermal decomposition results in the formation of the cyanate ion, NCO − . From investigations of the various isotopically substituted species it was found that azide decomposes by reaction with trapped carbon dioxide, an impurity which is generally present under the conditions of the pressed-disc technique. Furthermore, only a single end-nitrogen atom of each azide ion participates in cyanate formation. The frequencies of the fundamental modes of the azide ion in TlBr, TlCl and AgCl matrices are reported and compared with those of N 3 − in other lattices.
Sirt1 increases skeletal muscle precursor cell proliferation

Abstract It is important to understand the mechanisms that control muscle precursor cell (MPC) proliferation for the development of countermeasures to offset the deleterious effects of the aging-related loss of skeletal muscle mass (and myonuclei) and the impaired ability of old muscle to regrow and regenerate. Over-expression of the NAD + -dependent histone deacetylase Sirt1 increased MPC proliferation and cell cycle progression as evidenced by increased 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation, an increase in cell number, proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression, and the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein. Associated with the Sirt1-mediated increase in MPC cycle progression were the bidirectional decreases and increases in the expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21 Waf/Cip1 and p27 Kip1 , respectively. Based upon our recent observation that lowering oxygen (O 2 ) in culture from ambient (20%) to estimated physiological levels (5%) increased MPC proliferation, we next measured Sirt1 protein at 5% and 20% O 2 . Interestingly, in addition to increased proliferation in MPCs cultured at 5% O 2 , Sirt1 expression increased, compared to 20% O 2 . Using O 2 levels as a platform to modulate basal Sirt1 protein, activation of Sirt1 activity with resveratrol in 20% O 2 increased MPC proliferation while inhibition of Sirt1 with nicotinamide in 5% O 2 lowered proliferation. For the first time, Sirt1 has been shown to increase MPC proliferation. These findings could have clinical significance since MPC proliferation has important implications in regulating skeletal muscle growth, maintenance, and repair, and the aging-related loss of skeletal muscle mass.
Teaching the psychosocial aspects of pediatric surgery

The optimal care of children with surgical diseases requires acquiring skills in the psychosocial assessment and therapy of children. Developing and implementing a curriculum to teach these concepts to pediatric surgery trainees should result in decreased perioperative stress for the child and improved patient outcomes and family satisfaction.
Anatomic distribution of renal artery stenosis in children: implications for imaging

Renal artery stenosis (RAS) causes significant hypertension in children. Frequently, pediatric RAS occurs with systemic disorders. In these cases, stenoses are often complex and/or include long segments. We believed that hypertensive children without comorbid conditions had a different lesion distribution and that the difference might have implications for imaging and treatment. To identify locations of RAS lesions in these hypertensive children without comorbid conditions. Patients who had renal angiography for hypertension from 1993 to 2005 were identified. Patients with systemic disorders, renovascular surgery, or normal angiograms were excluded. The angiograms of the remaining patients were reviewed for number, type, and location of stenoses. Eighty-seven patients underwent renal angiography for hypertension; 30 were excluded for comorbid conditions. Twenty-one of the remaining 57 patients had abnormal angiograms; 24 stenoses were identified in those patients. All were focal and distributed as follows: 6 (25%) main renal artery, 12 (50%) 2nd order branch, 3 (12.5%) 3rd order branch, and 3 (12.5%) accessory renal artery. Hypertensive children without comorbid conditions who have RAS usually have single, focal branch artery stenoses. This distribution supports angiography in these patients because of its superior sensitivity in detecting branch vessel disease and its therapeutic role in percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty.
Exsanguinating hemorrhage due to reflux esophagitis.

1. A case has been presented of exsanguinating hemorrhage following repair of a hiatus hernia and due to reflux esophagitis. There was no evidence of a “Barret ulcer” or heterotopic gastric mucosa at autopsy.
Keyword annotation of biomedicai documents with graph-based similarity methods

In this paper, we present a new approach that lets us extract, and represent relations among terms (concepts) in the documents and uses these relations to support various document analysis applications. Our approach works by building a graph of local co-occurrence relations among terms that are extracted directly from text and by defining a global similarity metric among these terms and sets of terms using the graph and its connectivity. We demonstrate the benefit of the approach on the problem of MeSH keyword annotation of documents based on their abstracts.
Qualitative analysis of a recurrent neural network for nonlinear continuously differentiable convex minimization over a nonempty closed convex subset

We investigate the qualitative properties of a recurrent neural network (RNN) for minimizing a nonlinear continuously differentiable and convex objective function over any given nonempty, closed, and convex subset which may be bounded or unbounded, by exploiting some key inequalities in mathematical programming. The global existence and boundedness of the solution of the RNN are proved when the objective function is convex and has a nonempty constrained minimum set. Under the same assumption, the RNN is shown to be globally convergent in the sense that every trajectory of the RNN converges to some equilibrium point of the RNN. If the objective function itself is uniformly convex and its gradient vector is a locally Lipschitz continuous mapping, then the RNN is globally exponentially convergent in the sense that every trajectory of the RNN converges to the unique equilibrium point of the RNN exponentially. These qualitative properties of the RNN render the network model well suitable for solving the convex minimization over any given nonempty, closed, and convex subset, no matter whether the given constrained subset is bounded or not.
Reversible Interconversion between Singlet and Triplet 2-Naphthyl(carbomethoxy)carbene

Photolysis of methyl α-diazo-(2-naphthyl)acetate at 450 nm yields primarily the triplet ground state of 2-naphthyl(carbomethoxy)carbene (3NCC), which was characterized by its UV/visible, IR, and ES...
Errors from using 3H-labeled ribonucleoside triphosphates to monitor nuclear RNA synthesis in vitro.

Abstract The [ 3 H]XTPs are used widely to monitor RNA synthesis in vitro. Recently, we discovered that they reflected only 40–45% of the true rate of nuclear RNA synthesis. Thus, when [8- 14 C]GTP was used, 1466 pmol [8- 14 C]GMP was incorporated per mg DNA/10 min. On the other hand, when [8- 3 H]GTP was used, only 564 pmol [8- 3 H]GMP was incorporated per mg DNA/10 min. There are three obvious factors that could have contributed to this greater than 2-fold differences in the apparent incorporation rate: (1) commercial [8- 3 H]GTP sample was contaminated with substances causing the assay medium to be less efficient in RNA synthesis; (2) 3 H exchange occurred during acid washing of the [ 3 H]RNA; and (3) there was a greater quenching effect on [ 3 H]RNA. Experiments were designed to test each of these alternatives. We are able to conclude that none of the above three are contributing factors. Our data also show that the 3 H label was removed after it was incorporated into RNA. Similar differences were observed when 3 He and 14 C labeled pairs of ATP, UTP and CTP were compared. Furthermore, when nuclei were fractionated into nucleolar and nucleoplasmic fractions and carried out RNA synthesis, the loss of 3 H label was observed mainly from the nucleoplasmic fraction.
Mitogenic effects of propoxur on male rat bladder urothelium

Propoxur produces bladder tumors in rats, but not other species. The hyperplastic and tumorigenic effects do not occur if urinary pH is lowered by administering propoxur in a semi-synthetic diet or co-administering it with ammonium chloride (NH4Cl). We fed propoxur at 8000 p.p.m. in Altromin 1321 diet to male Wistar rats for 4 weeks, with or without NH4Cl as 10,000 p.p.m. of the diet. The urine of rats fed control diet with or without propoxur had a relatively high urinary pH (approximately 8); the addition of NH4Cl lowered the urinary pH by approximately 0.5-1.0 units. There was no evidence of urinary calculi or amorphous precipitate nor was there an increase in microcrystals or formation of different crystals than occur in normal rat urine. Propoxur produced hyperplasia of the urothelium, as observed by light and scanning electron microscopy, and increased the labeling index for proliferating cell nuclear antigen. These effects were significantly inhibited by co-administration with NH4Cl. There was no evidence of urothelial necrosis. Thus, the hyperplasia appears to result from a direct mitogenic effect of propoxur or a metabolite on the urothelium, rather than from toxicity and consequent regeneration. Based on the present study and previous investigations, the urothelial effects of propoxur in the rat are dependent on high urinary pH and high administered doses, factors which need to be incorporated into any mechanistic model for the chemical and into any extrapolation to potential effects in humans.
The underlying coronary lesion in myocardial infarction: Implications f coronary angiography

Myocardial infarction is usually caused by sudden thrombotic occlusion of a coronary artery at the site of a fissured atherosclerotic plaque. Recent evidence suggests that coronary angiography may be insensitive in detecting and quantitating atherosclerosis. Serial angiographic studies demonstrate that the majority of myocardial infarctions occur due to occlusion of arteries that previously did not contain angiographically significant (greater than 50%) stenoses. Similarly, quantitative angiography performed after thrombolytic therapy indicates that the coronary lesion underlying the clot is frequently not severely stenotic. Thus, an angiographically apparent stenosis is not necessary for the development of a thrombotic occlusion resulting in an MI. These observations suggest that coronary angiography does not accurately predict the site of a subsequent occlusion that will produce a myocardial infarction.
Imaging of metal ion dissolution and electrodeposition by anodic stripping voltammetry-scanning electrochemical microscopy.

We have developed a new imaging method for scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) employing fast-scan anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) to provide sensitive and selective imaging of multiple chemical species at interfaces immersed in solution. A rapid cyclic voltammetry scan (100 V/s) is used along with a short preconcentration time (300–750 ms) to allow images to be acquired in a normal SECM time frame. A Hg−Pt film electrode is developed having an equivalent Hg thickness of 40 nm that has good sensitivity at short preconcentration times and also retains thin-film behavior with high-speed voltammetric stripping. Fast-scan anodic stripping currents are shown to be linear for 1–100 µM of Pb2+ and Cd2+ solutions using a preconcentration time of 300 ms. SECM images showing the presence of Pb2+ and Cd2+ at concentrations as low as 1 µM are presented. In addition, a single ASV-SECM image is shown to produce unique concentration maps indicating Cd2+ and Pb2+, generated in situ from a corroding sample, whil...
Slowly oscillating periodic solutions of autonomous state-dependent delay equations

more than a dozen years since the peak of activity on the question of the existence of periodic, slowly oscillating, solutions of autonomous delay differential equations. Following the early work of Jones [l], Wright [2] and Grafton [3], the work of Nussbaum [4, 51 is to be specially noted for providing several new fixed point results and a global bifurcation theorem which are particularly useful for proving the existence of periodic solutions. Other important works include those of Hadeler and Tomiuk [6], Kaplan and Yorke [7], Chow [8], Chow and Hale [9], Alt [lo, 111 and Walther [12, 131. (See Hale’s book [14] for an overview.) To the best of our knowledge, only Nussbaum [5] and Alt [ 1 l] considered the question of the existence of periodic solutions of autonomous state-dependent delay differential equations. Nussbaum considered a special equation, (0.3) below, in [5] but did not prove a general result. Alt [ 1 l] considered more complicated, integral threshold-type, state-dependent delays which have arisen in various models in epidemiology and structured population models. Alt obtained a theorem for a general class of state-dependent equations on which we comment below. The lack of results on periodic solutions for state-dependent equations is probably explained by the fact that it is not clear what kinds of state-dependent delays are interesting or natural and on a lack of compelling examples of such equations arising from plausible mathematical models. However, some recent papers of Belair and Mackey [15] and Belair [16] contain some interesting state-dependent delay equations arising in economics and population biology. State-dependent delays of threshold type arise naturally in structured population models (see [lo, 111). The motivation for this paper stems from consideration of the innocent-looking equation x’(t) = -kx(t - r(x(t))) (0.1) where r(x) is bell-shaped, e.g. r(x) = 01 emXZ + 1 - 01, 0 I 01 5 1. If k > 7r/2 and r(O) = 1, then the zero solution of (0.1) is unstable. A formal linearization would yield z’(t) = -kz(t - 1) which is known to be unstable for
Combined effects of linear and angular errors in pc board assembly

Automated printed circuit board assembly is a complex process where accuracy is a critical issue. This paper discusses the quantitative effects of linear and angular errors present in such a system on the successful assembly of through-hole components that have been properly registered. Both additive and statistical error compounding methods are illustrated. Mathematical models developed in this study can be used to determine the relative effects of critical system parameters and tolerances on proper insertion of the component into the pc board. Optimal design and control specifications can therefore be obtained for an efficient and successful assembly system.
Total synthesis of (+/-)-phomactin B2 via an intramolecular cyclohexadienone annulation of a chromium carbene complex.

A total synthesis of (±)-phomactin B2 is described which has as its key step the intramolecular cyclohexadienone annulation of a Fischer carbene complex. The requisite carbene complex was prepared from geraniol in 11 steps and 12 % overall yield. The key cyclohexadienone annulation produced both rings of the [9.3.1] pentadecane ring system of phomactin B2 in a single step in 60% yield and as a 4:1 mixture of diastereomers. The major diastereomer was taken on to the natural product in a series of steps that begins with a Peterson olefination. Initially, the Peterson olefination failed but x-ray analysis of two intermediates in the diastereomeric series revealed that approach to the hindered carbonyl was blocked by a TIPS protecting group. Replacement of the TIPS group with a MOM group led to a facile Peterson olefination. Another notable steps in the synthesis included a stereoselective methylation of a cyclohexenone and hydroxyl directed epoxidation of an alkene.
High-throughput electrophysiology: an emerging paradigm for ion-channel screening and physiology

Ion channels represent highly attractive targets for drug discovery and are implicated in a diverse range of disorders, in particular in the central nervous and cardiovascular systems. Moreover, assessment of cardiac ion-channel activity of new chemical entities is now an integral component of drug discovery programmes to assess potential for cardiovascular side effects. Despite their attractiveness as drug discovery targets ion channels remain an under-exploited target class, which is in large part due to the labour-intensive and low-throughput nature of patch-clamp electrophysiology. This Review provides an update on the current state-of-the-art for the various automated electrophysiology platforms that are now available and critically evaluates their impact in terms of ion-channel screening, lead optimization and the assessment of cardiac ion-channel safety liability.
Potentially Reducing Seismic Acquisition Costs by Dealiasing DMO Processing

Three dimensional seismic surveys have coverage irregularities due to obstacles, cable feathering, and other field conditions. Often, acquisition footprints are obvious. At other times, subtle irregularities degrade the quality and may lead to erroneous interpretation and to poor estimates of rock and fluid properties. Dense acquisition geometry and in-fill data provide costly solutions. The required acquisition geometry and the amount of in-fill data depend on the processing. Minor irregularities will always require in-fill data. Moderate irregularities can sometimes be handled by advanced processing methods. One of these methods is Dealiasing DMO. Dealiasing DMO is a constrained inversion designed to handle data with irregular geometry. Unlike conventional DMO and Prestack Full Migration, Dealiasing DMO is not based on extrapolating irregularly sampled data. Instead, it is based on a constrained iterative-inversion of a modeling operator which does not suffer from irregular data geometry. Therefore, it has an advantage over conventional DMO and even Prestack Full Migration, if the acquisition geometry is irregular. There is a substantial cost involved in inverting wave-field extrapolation operators. To keep a reasonable turn-around time, they implemented Dealiasing DMO in parallel and used optimization techniques such as Bresenham rasterization in the calculation of the offset-extrapolation operator. As anmore » example, they apply the method to three dimensional North Sea data with a moderately irregular acquisition geometry including cross-line gaps of up to 50 meters. The gaps adversely affect the image generated by conventional DMO processing and costly in-fill data would be required. Dealiasing DMO produces an acceptable image without usage of in-fill data.« less
Von Neumann and Tsallis entropies associated with the Gentile interpolative quantum statistics

Abstract We obtain the von Neumann entropy per state of the Gentile interpolative statistics in terms of the mean occupation number n , as S G = −ω ln ω + ln [ (1 − ω) (1 − ω d+1 ) ] , where ω is obtained by solving the equation n = ω (1 − ω) − (d + 1)ω d+1 (1 − ω d+1 ) . These go over to the familiar expressions for the cases of Fermi (d = 1) and Bose (d = ∞) statistics. The second order fluctuation from the mean is found to be μ 2 = R [ ω (1 − ω) 2 − (d + 1) 2 ω d+1 (1 − ω d+1 ) 2 ] . For nonextensive systems, corresponding results are also derived by employing the Tsallis entropy which includes the von Neumann entropy valid for extensive systems only. A discussion of these with the other interpolative statistics of Haldane is also given.
Excision of a Strong Markov Process

F.B. Knight and A.O. Pittenger O. Introduction and Definitions Let (~, ~ ~, Xz, Or, P~) be a strong Markov process on a locally compact space (EA,J~a) with countable base, where A denotes the usual adjoined absorbing point and gA the Borel sets of E A. The definitions and notation follow those of [1]. In particular, ~ is complete in ~ relative to the family px and ~(~o)=inf{t: Xt((o)=A } is the "lifetime". We assume also that for all o~e~, Xt((o)=X(t)=~(t) is right continuous for all O__<t and has left limits on
Reverse consultations: The profiles of patients referred from subspecialists to generalists

To determine the characteristics of patients referred by subspecialists to generalists, we compared 67 patients referred by three medical subspecialty clinics to the general internal medicine clinic to 162 randomly chosen patients who were retained by those clinics, with respect to the patients' need for a broad array of services. A trained abstractor reviewed the records for the prior year for patient characteristics indicating a need for broad-based care. The mean referred patient age was 53.7 yr compared to 46.2 yr in the retained group (p = 0.001); 33% of referred patients, as compared to 20% of those retained, had references to psychosocial problems in the physician notes (p = 0.03). Referred patients had 2.34 diagnoses outside of the subspecialty, compared to 1.27 for retained patients (p = 0.001). Referred patients had more recorded complaints outside of the subspecialty, 1.18 vs 0.71, (p = 0.02). Referred patients also had significantly more total clinic visits and visited twice as many different types of clinics in the past year (p = 0.001). There were no differences in payment method or insurance status. These findings suggest that university based subspecialists prefer to refer medically and psychosocially complex patients. If it is desirable that subspecialists value such patients more highly, changes in subspecialty training programs might be needed. If not, more generalists may be needed to care for such patients.
Hyperfluency and the growth of linguistic resources

Speakers/writers from one social group seeking membership in or making appeals to another, e.g. students attempting to join a university community, usually construct a stereotypical model of the ta...
The C-terminal Zinc Finger of UvrA Does Not Bind DNA Directly but Regulates Damage-specific DNA Binding

In prokaryotic nucleotide excision repair, UvrA recognizes DNA perturbations and recruits UvrB for the recognition and processing steps in the reaction. One of the most remarkable aspects of UvrA is that it can recognize a wide range of DNA lesions that differ in chemistry and structure. However, how UvrA interacts with DNA is unknown. To examine the role that the UvrA C-terminal zinc finger domain plays in DNA binding, an eleven amino acid deletion was constructed (ZnG UvrA). Biochemical characterization of the ZnG UvrA protein was carried out using UvrABC DNA incision, DNA binding and ATPase assays. Although ZnG UvrA was able to bind dsDNA slightly better than wild-type UvrA, the ZnG UvrA mutant only supported 50-75% of wild type incision. Surprisingly, the ZnG UvrA mutant, while retaining its ability to bind dsDNA, did not support damage-specific binding. Furthermore, this mutant protein only provided 10% of wild-type Bca UvrA complementation for UV survival of an uvrA deletion strain. In addition, ZnG UvrA failed to stimulate the UvrB DNA damage-associated ATPase activity. Electrophoretic mobility shift analysis was used to monitor UvrB loading onto damaged DNA with wild-type UvrA or ZnG UvrA. The ZnG UvrA protein showed a 30-60% reduction in UvrB loading as compared with the amount of UvrB loaded by wild-type UvrA. These data demonstrate that the C-terminal zinc finger of UvrA is required for regulation of damage-specific DNA binding.
Recurrent Group C Streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis in an adolescent

Sore throat is a frequent complaint in the adolescent age group. Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus Group C is not a commonly reported etiology of tonsillopharyngitis. This is a case report of a 14-year-old adolescent female who had repeated episodes of pharyngitis secondary to beta hemolytic streptococcus Group C.
Modeling the course of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Large-scale computational analysis of patient data leads to better models of disease progression.
Cross-Stream Vorticity Field Induced by Streamwise Vortices in Unbounded and Wall-Bounded Shear Flows

This computational study examines the unsteady cross-stream vorticity structures that form when one or more streamwise vortices are immersed in homogeneous and boundary-layer shear flows. A quasi-two-dimensional limit is considered in which the velocity and vorticity fields, while still possessing three nonzero components, have vanishing gradient in the streamwise direction. This idealization is suitable to applications such as streamwise vortices that occur along a ship hull or airplane fuselage and it can be used as an idealized representation of the quasi-streamwise vortices in the near-wall region of a turbulent boundary layer. In this quasi-two-dimensional idealization, the streamwise velocity has no effect on the cross-stream velocity associated with the vortex. However, the vortex acts to modify the cross-stream vorticity component, resulting in regions of the flow with strong deviations in streamwise velocity. This paper examines the complex structures that form as the cross-stream vorticity field is wrapped up by the vortex and the effect of these structures on the streamwise velocity field, first for vortices immersed in homogeneous shear flow and then for vortices immersed in a boundary layer along a flat wall.
Effect of protein/energy ratio on growth and behavior of premature infants: preliminary findings.

Premature infants weighing less than 1550 gm at birth were randomly assigned to receive one of three formulas identical in composition except for protein content (2.2, 2.7, and 3.2 gm·100 kcal −1 ) to determine the effects on growth, protein nutritional status, and behavior. Data collected for 2 weeks from the time of achieving an enteral energy intake of 100 kcal·kg −1 ·day −1 included measurements of weight, length, head circumference, and skin-fold thickness, and concentrations of plasma amino acids, serum total protein, prealbumin, retinolbinding protein, and urea nitrogen. In a subset of infants, behavior was assessed at the end of the feeding study with the Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale. Except for the concentrations of plasma amino acids, there were no significant differences in growth or in other biochemical measurements among the three groups, but there were significant differences in the orlentation, habituation, and stability clusters of the behavior assessment. Further, there were significant correlations between the plasma amino acid values and the behavioral clusters. These preliminary data suggest a relationship between protein intake in the neonatal period and behavioral outcome at the end of the feeding period in the absence of differences in growth and gross markers of protein nutritional status. The behavioral items noted to differ among the groups may indicate later cognitive outcome; detailed studies about behavioral responses to neonatal dietary intakes and later outcome seem indicated.
Discovery and Disquiet: Research on the Brain-Dead

Excerpt In 1974 Willard Gaylin suggested that "neomorts would be particularly valuable for studying diseases of the blood" (1). Using brain-dead humans for experimentation, medical training, organ ...
Transcripts from both strands of a satellite DNA occur on lampbrush chromosome loops of the newt notophthalmus

Abstract We have isolated genomic DNA clones from the newt Notophthalmus which contain one or more copies of a 222 bp tandemly repeated sequence (satellite 1). Satellite 1 occurs in the pericentromeric heterochromatin of all chromosomes and at the sphere loci of chromosomes 2 and 6. Lampbrush chromosome loops associated with the spheres contain transcripts of satellite 1, as shown by in situ hybridization. The matrix on these loops consists of multiple thin-thick transcription units, most but not all of which have the same polarity within a given loop. By in situ hybridization with single-stranded probes we show that transcription units of opposite morphological polarity contain transcripts of opposite strands of satellite 1. Satellite 1 occurs as the spacer between clusters of histone genes. We postulate that transcription initiates at a histone gene promoter, fails to terminate at the end of the gene and continues without interruption into the adjacent satellite DNA. In this way, long transcripts are produced which contain both histone and satellite 1 sequences. A general failure of termination signals might explain the unusually long transcripts of lampbrush chromosomes.
Factors affecting error in integration of electroanatomic mapping with CT and MR imaging during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation

Objective Integration of 3-D electroanatomic mapping with Computed Tomographic (CT) and Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging is gaining acceptance to facilitate catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. This is critically dependent on accurate integration of electroanatomic maps with CT or MR images. We sought to examine the effect of patient- and technique-related factors on integration accuracy of electroanatomic mapping with CT and MR imaging of the left atrium.
Eliciting semantic relations for empirically derived networks

The auxiliary processor AP87 is designed for use with APL2/PC. Together with it it offers an interactive system for IEEE-arithmetic enhanced with routines for exact sum and dot product as well as interval and adaptive multiprecision arithmetic. The features of AP87 are also available as link libraries for other languages like C, FORTRAN, PASCAL.
Static strengthening of frictional surfaces of ice

Abstract Systematic slide–hold–slide experiments were performed at −10 °C on both first year sea ice and freshwater ice. The sliding velocity ranged from 10−6 to 10−4 m s−1 and the holding time from th = 1 to 104 s under an apparent normal stress of 60 kPa. The experiments established that the shear stress required to re-initiate sliding increases with holding time, following a threshold period that increases with decreasing sliding speed. The effect is termed static strengthening and is found to scale as either β log th or t h m , where β = 0.30 ± 0.03 and m = 0.5 ± 0.1 for both materials. The effect is a large one: upon holding for th = 104 s the coefficient of static friction for both materials increases by about a factor of three, from μs = 0.5 to μs = 1.4. The behavior is explained in terms of the geometry and deformation of asperities that protrude from opposing surfaces and interact at points of contact, and a model is presented that incorporates creep, hardness and fracture.