cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Opening Up the Black Box of War

What factors influence victory or defeat in war? Why are some wars longer and more costly than others? How does public support for a war change during a conflict? Although these types of questions dominate approaches to military history, until recently they have played a relatively small role in influencing how political scientists study war. Realist approaches to international relations, with their emphasis on system structure, suggest that wartime decisions and behavior are largely unimportant in determining the nature of politics during and after a conflict. Rather, realists view war as a scale that balances bundles of prewar capabilities (Waltz 1979; Morgenthau 1954). Given the dominance of the realist paradigm during the past 40 years, studies of behavior within wars are rare compared with analyses of the initiation of conflict. Siverson and Starr (1991, 2) write that "traditionally, the study of war has almost exclusively been concerned with the subject of initial war outbreak." Licklider (1993, 7) states that for both civil and interstate wars, their "causes have been extensively studied while the equally interesting question of how and why they end has been, for the most part, curiously neglected." During the cold war, the study of conflict largely meant the study of how to avoid conflict initiation (i.e., deterrence), and scholars generally ignored intrawar behavior. Even the Correlates of War data set of interstate wars treats each war as an exclusive, single observation (Small and Singer 1982). Furthermore, most challenges to realism, such as the democracies-don't-fight literature, fail to examine wartime behavior. As a result, most studies of conflict have "black-boxed" war, treating it as a single aggregated observation with no disaggregated or internal dimensions. Those studies of wartime behavior that were produced tended to be either case specific (Kecskemeti 1958) or descriptive (Ikle 1971), and only a few general, rigorous analyses of wartime behavior were conducted from 1960 to 1990 (Schelling 1966; Klingberg 1966; Mueller 1973; Bueno de Mesquita 1978; Wittman 1979; Morrow 1985).
Differential diagnosis of the trapezoid-shaped head.

Abstract Objective: To recognize several conditions that result in a trapezoid head shape and review and contrast their various physical findings. Methods: A detailed review of all patients seen in the Craniofacial Clinic at the Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, over a 10-year period from 1991 to 2001, with the diagnosis of craniosynostosis and plagiocephaly was performed. During this period, 690 patients had a surgical correction of craniosynostosis, and 1537 patients had posterior plagiocephaly. Results and Conclusions: The shape of the head when viewed from the vertex position in an axial plane can be a significant diagnostic aid when evaluating a patient with plagiocephaly. Positional molding causes the vast majority of plagiocephaly. This deformational change results in a parallelogram-shaped head. A much more rare cause of plagiocephaly is lambdoid synostosis. With premature fusion of one of the lambdoid sutures, the head takes on a very characteristic trapezoid...
Amplified earmuffs: impact on speech intelligibility in industrial noise for listeners with hearing loss.

Purpose To determine how amplified earmuffs affect the intelligibility of speech in noise for people with hearing loss, and to determine how various brands of amplified earmuffs compare in terms of speech intelligibility and electroacoustic response. Method The Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) was used to measure the intelligibility of speech for 10 participants with hearing loss when they listened in a background of recorded industrial noise at 85 dBA. Participants listened with 3 different sets of amplified earmuffs (Peltor Tactical 7-S, Elvex COM 55, and Bilsom 707 Impact II), with a set of passive earmuffs (E-A-R Ultra 9000), and with ears unoccluded. Two measurements of sentence threshold were obtained under each of the 5 listening conditions. Gain was measured electroacoustically across a range of input levels and frequencies for each amplified earmuff. Results Electroacoustic measurements indicated that each electronic earmuff amplified at low input levels and attenuated at high input levels. However, gain characteristics varied greatly across devices. HINT sentence thresholds were not significantly different across the 5 listening conditions or across the 2 trials. Conclusion Results suggest that each type of earmuff can be used to reduce the noise exposure of people with hearing loss without compromising their ability to understand speech.
Framework Doping of Indium in Manganese Oxide Materials : Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrocatalytic Reduction of Oxygen

Indium-doped manganese oxide materials have been hydrothermally synthesized. Doped indium was found to be in framework sites in synthetic cryptomelane. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) results show that man...
Human Immune Memory to Yellow Fever and Smallpox Vaccination

Establishment of immunological memory is a hallmark of adaptive immune responses and the biological mechanism for the success of vaccines. However, in humans, much of our knowledge about adaptive immune responses derives from studies of chronic viral infections. Here, we summarize the work of our laboratory and others on B and T cell responses and the establishment and maintenance of immune memory after acute viral infections induced by vaccination with two of the most successful vaccines to date, the yellow fever and the smallpox vaccines.
Trans-scleral tactile tonometry: An instrumented approach

This article describes a feasibility study of a novel trans-scleral tonometer based on the use of an instrumented form of digital palpation tonometry. Similar to manual digital palpation tonometery, trans-scleral tonometer utilizes two force probes offset by a fixed distance. Force indentation data from these probes have been shown to correlate with the intraocular pressure (IOP) of the eye. Enucleated porcine eyes were used to experimentally validate the approach. The observed hysteresis in the force data was analyzed using an analytical model that accounts for the outflow of the aqueous humor. The predictions of the model indicate that the primary reason behind the observed hysteresis is stress relaxation (accommodation) in the visco-elastic corneo-scleral shell. Experimental data from eye distention and indentation tests were then used to infer the conditions under which the novel tonometer would be expected to have an accuracy of ±1 mmHg. Analysis of the data shows that indentation rates should be kept below 0.5 mm/s for a pressure range of 10-35 mmHg. Two commonly used pressure control protocols were tested in an effort to ensure accurate IOP values during the palpation tests. Due to the large increase of IOP during digital palpation, the trans-scleral (intra-vitreous) pressurization was found to be inadequate, leading to clogging of the line by the displaced vitreous. No such problems were identified when the eye was pressurized through the cornea and into the anterior chamber. Force data from multiple palpation experiments are used to generate calibration curves for a two-probe conceptual tonometer. The calibration showed that a 10 mN of force variation corresponds to 1 mmHg of IOP change. A possible implementation using a contoured facial mask is also presented.
The Viability of Christian Same-Sex Unions: Why Scripturally Normed Faith Communities Must Support Homosexual Relationships

This article examines the common, competing lay theologies employed to address the viability of Christian same-sex unions and critiques their problematic underpinnings. Particular attention is given to the unproductive hermeneutical dynamics that have characterized the debate over this issue. After a critical examination of the relevant biblical texts and other foundational assumptions, the author proposes a biblical theology of Christian same-sex unions as a constructive, conciliatory alternative. The author contends that Christian communities that grant a controlling influence to the Bible as Scripture must accept the biblical testimony on the identity of human beings and the calling of human beings to image God's covenant faithfulness through the gift of sexuality, regardless of sexual orientation. The article is written primarily with clergy in mind, specifically to offer resources for providing guidance in ecclesial processes of discernment on the issue of Christian same-sex unions.
The Vampire in the Next Cubicle: The Americans with Disabilities Act and the Undead

Vampires are increasingly participating, and being visible, in American society. Their emergence from the shadows and entrance into mainstream activities, such as employment, brings new challenges for organizations and individuals. This article is intended to serve as a guide to human resource and general managers of the impact of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) on the employment of individuals who are vampires or, believe themselves to be vampires. It demonstrates that organizations which discriminate against vampires based solely upon myths, stereotypes and prejudices may face legal consequences. The analysis of the specific subject of vampirism is also intended to provide an overview of the issues related to the application of the ADA in general.
Dominance in Academic Writing Tutorials: Gender, Language Proficiency, and the Offering of Suggestions:

This article investigates tutor dominance in academic writing tutorials within the framework of institutional discourse. Tutor gender and tutee gender and language proficiency, as well as the interaction of the three, are considered as exponents of interactant dominance. Pragmatic measures of tutor dominance selected are frequency of directives, directive type, and mitigation strategies. Analysis indicates that these features of tutors' speech remain relatively constant in interactions with male and female tutees or with native and nonnative speakers of English. These results suggest that institutional context outweighs gender and language proficiency in the definition of participant roles and the sanctioning of tutor dominance behaviors.
New poly(arylene ether sulfone)s based on 4,4′-[trans-1,4-cyclohexanediylbis(methylene)] bisphenol

Abstract Incorporation of 4,4′-dihydroxy- p -terphenyl (DHTP) and a new bisphenol comonomer, 4,4′-[ trans -1,4-cyclohexanediylbis(methylene)] bisphenol (CMB), into a dichlorodiphenyl sulfone (DCDPS) based poly(ether sulfone) resulted in a synergistic effect with an order of magnitude increase observed in the strain at break when compared to the structural analogs. Polysulfones with the CMB monomer and other bisphenol comonomers such as 4,4′-dihydroxy- p -biphenyl (DHBP) and bisphenol-A (BisA) were also synthesized and characterized for comparison and this enhancement was not seen in these polymers. The cyclohexylene containing monomer and polymers were analyzed by 1d 1 H NMR and 2d H–H correlation spectroscopy (COSY) confirming that the cyclohexylene units in all the polymers were in the trans- configuration. DMA results suggested that the significant strain at failure enhancement was related to the strong intensity in both the β and γ-relaxations of the polysulfone containing CMB and DHTP monomers.
Relative rates of formation of polychlorinated dioxins and furans from precursor and de novo reactions

Abstract Though it is generally agreed that there are two major pathways for the formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/F), namely the formation from chemically similar precursors (chlorobenzenes and chlorophenols) and the so-called de novo synthesis, some difficulties remain. Extrapolation from laboratory based studies to incinerators has not been straightforward. The question 0f relative rates is explored in this paper. It is concluded that the precursor-based reactions tend t0 be faster, when computed on a per carbon basis. Some observed incinerator PCDD/PCDF-ratios can be reconciled with this observation, if PCDD and PCDF formation occur at different rates as a function 0f temperature.
Binary classification of real sequences by discrete-time systems

This paper considers a novel approach to coding or classifying sequences of real numbers through the use of (generally nonlinear) finite-dimensional discrete-time systems. This approach involves a finite-dimensional discrete-time system (which we call a real acceptor) in cascade with a threshold type device (which we call a discriminator). The proposed classification scheme and the exact nature of the classification problem are described, along with two examples illustrating its applicability. Suggested approaches for further research are given.
The Ryan White Act in Dallas

Virtually every locality affected by the AIDS epidemic has had to confront changes in the demographics of the disease, shifts in federal priorities, and medical advances in AIDS treatment. Creating a consistent federal policy has proven difficult because the epidemic manifests itself differently in virtually every locality it invades. As a result, some local caseloads increasingly are dominated by intravenous drug users and others by gay men. In recognition of this reality, the primary federal program to fund AIDS services relies on local decisionmakers to make allocation decisions for serving the needs of their caseload. Under the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act of 1990, local Health Services Planning Councils were assigned the task of creating an effective continuum of care for persons with HIV I AIDS and were empowered with the task of allocating federal funds to accomplish that objective. In some cases creating and fostering an effective continuum of care proved to be an essentially noncontroversial managerial task, while in other localities political turmoil and rampant self-interest served as barriers to program effectiveness. This article explores the relationship between local political culture and the development of AIDS programs in Dallas County, Texas. Specifically, we compare the provision of AIDS services in Dallas before passage of the Ryan White Act in 1990, how these services were affected by the Ryan White program, and the experiences since the reauthorization of the Ryan White Act in 1996.
CBR versus TFR in cross-national fertility research

Population Studies Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 Abstract-This paper addresses the question of whether the crude birth rate (CBR) can be used as a proxy for more refined fertility measures in cross-national models of fertility determinants. It responds to a recent claim that the CBR represents an inappropriate fertility measure for these purposes. In the analysis, several strategies are used to assess the degree to which results based on the CBR are sensitive to lack of adjustment for age structure. The paper concludes that using the CBR as a proxy has minor and unimportant effects upon conclusions regarding fertility determinants.
The challenges of Iraq: putting US Army stability operations doctrine to the test

The US Army develops doctrine as a set of fundamental principles that guide its actions in support of national objectives. Recently, those national objectives required stability operations, with increasing scope and frequency. This study examines whether existing US Army doctrine adequately fulfilled its role as a guide to tactics in addressing the challenges that Army forces faced in the first 15 months of the war in Iraq. Field Manual 3-24 Counterinsurgency has remedied many deficiencies, but several remain to be addressed to offer commanders better guidance in the face of the many complex challenges they face in stability operations.
Orientation of Membrane Vesicles from Escherichia coli Prepared by Different Procedures

The orientation of membrane vesicles prepared fromEscherichia coli by either French press, sonication or ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA)-lysozyme was examined. The following procedures were used to determine orientation: (1) accessibility of the impermeable ferricyanide ion to the respiratory chain; (2) inhibition of membranal ATPase by specific antiserum; (3) binding of ATPase to the membrane. Data with spheroplasts indicated that ATPase, ATPase binding sites and ferricyanide reductase activities were localized on the inner part of the cytoplasmic membrane. Thus, there was no demonstrable NADH-ferricyanide reductase activity, low ATPase activity, no inhibition of ATPase by antiserum and no binding of purified ATPase by spheroplasts. In the case of membrane vesicles prepared by French press or sonication, the ATPase activity, the ATPase binding site and the site where ferricyanide takes electrons from the respiratory chain all appeared to be on the outside of the vesicles, suggesting that they are inverted. In the case of EDTA-lysozyme vesicles, which are widely used for transport studies, about half of the ATPase binding sites and ferricyanide reactive sites were exposed to the outside. Sixty percent of the ATPase activity was sensitive to antiserum. The two most probable explanations for these data are: (1) partial inversion of EDTA-lysozyme vesicles in the course of preparation; (2) movement of marker enzymes within the membrane vesicles during their isolation.
SRp55 is a regulator of calcitonin/CGRP alternative RNA splicing.

Alternative splicing is an important mechanism for the regulation of gene expression. The mammalian calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pre-mRNA is alternatively spliced in a tissue-specific manner, leading to the production of calcitonin mRNA containing exons 1−4 in thyroid C cells and CGRP mRNA containing exons 1−3, 5, and 6 in neurons. The calcitonin-specific fourth exon contains an exonic splice enhancer (ESE) that binds SRp55. We define the RNA binding site of SRp55 in the ESE and demonstrate that base changes that decrease the level of SRp55 binding decrease the level of calcitonin splicing in vitro and calcitonin mRNA production in vivo. Base changes that increase the affinity of SRp55 for the ESE increase the level of calcitonin splicing in vitro and calcitonin mRNA levels in 293 cells. We also observe that SRp55 levels in different cell types correlate with the levels of calcitonin mRNA produced in these cells. Finally, we show that increasing the level of cellular expression of SRp...
Computer Animation Of Three-Dimensional Time-Varying Meteorological Fields

This paper describes some current uses and needs of computer animation in meteorological research. Specific emphasis is placed upon practical experience gained from analysis and depiction of three-dimensional fields. Examples will be drawn from recent research by Dr. R. M. Chervin of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and me. All of the graphics were produced using the computing facility at NCAR.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Malignant transformation of testicular teratoma: a chemoresistant phenotype.

Abstract Purpose To review our experience in the management of malignant transformation of teratoma (MTT). Materials and methods Nine patients with MTT were identified from January 1980 to August 2005, with all pathological specimens re-reviewed by a single genitourinary pathologist. Results Two patients presented with clinical stage I disease in which malignant transformation occurred within the primary testis tumor (rhabdomyosarcoma in 1 and adenocarcinoma in 1). These patients underwent a primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND). No viable tumor was identified in the specimen, and both patients were alive without disease at 16 months follow-up. Of the remaining 7 patients, the clinical stages were IIA (N = 1), IIB (N = 3), and III (N = 3), and all were treated with chemotherapy followed by RPLND. The MTT histology of these RPLND specimens consisted of adenocarcinoma (N = 3), rhabdomyosarcoma (N = 2), angiosarcoma (N = 1), and astrocytoma (N = 1). Following preoperative chemotherapy, a significant radiologic response (defined as more than a 25% reduction in maximum tumor circumferential diameter) was demonstrated in 1 patient, and normalization of serum tumor markers was demonstrated in 6. At a mean follow-up of 5 years, 3 of these 7 patients were alive with no evidence of disease, 1 had persistent disease, and 3 had died of disease, and their median disease-specific survival duration was 4.6 years. Conclusions In our experience, MTT is significantly resistant to current chemotherapeutic regimens, as demonstrated by its poor radiologic response to treatment. Alternative therapeutic strategies targeted to MTT are thus needed.
Analysis of a Large-Scale Formative Writing Assessment System with Automated Feedback

Formative writing systems with automated scoring provide opportunities for students to write, receive feedback, and then revise essays in a timely iterative cycle. This paper describes ongoing investigations of a formative writing tool through mining student data in order to understand how the system performs and to measure improvement in student writing. The sampled data included over 1.3M student essays written in response to approximately 200 pre-defined prompts as well as a log of all student actions and computer generated feedback. Analyses both measured and modeled changes in student performance over revisions, the effects of system responses and the amount of time students spent working on assignments. Implications are discussed for employing large-scale data analytics to improve educational outcomes, to understand the role of feedback in writing, to drive improvements in formative technology and to aid in designing better kinds of feedback and scaffolding to support students in the writing process.
Digital echocardiographic laboratory: Where do we stand?

The transition to an all-digital echocardiographic laboratory has been slow despite the advantages of digital echocardiography, the dramatic improvement in computer technology, and the acceptance by all major vendors and professional organizations of the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine image-formatting standard. This review article examines some current issues in digital echocardiography, including types of digital output, disk versus network exchange, digital and clinical compression techniques, and the choice of image storage format. Although specific exceptions exist, we conclude that the optimal solution will be one based on a network exchange of formatted images that follow the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine standard, now available from several manufacturers. For a clinical interpretation, modest compression with the Joint Photography Expert Group algorithm appears acceptable, though possible enhancements to this compression standard are also discussed. We hope this review will enable the echocardiographic community to make more intelligent choices as digital storage and transmission products become available in the marketplace.
Astrophysics: Young dwarfs date an old halo

An ingenious way of measuring the ages of stellar populations in the halo of the Milky Way will allow astronomers to obtain direct information on the timing of the Galaxy's evolution. An analysis of almost 2,000 white dwarfs discovered recently in the nearest globular cluster, Messier 4, has shown how useful they are as indicators of the age of a stellar population. White dwarfs, spent remnants of hydrogen stars, are simple structures treading a predictable evolutionary path, so their ages can be accurately estimated. Here, Jason Kaliari reports observations of newly formed white dwarf stars in the halo of the Milky Way. The age of local field halo stars emerges as about 11.4 billion years, much younger than the Milky Way's globular cluster population, the oldest of which formed about 13.5 billion years ago.
Unconstrained temporal gauge for Yang-Mills theory

Abstract The Yang-Mills theory is quantized in a field coordinate system where Gauss' law is explicitly satisfied. The formulation introduces a spin top and an isospin top at each point in space.
Absence of 21-dehydroxylation in congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Hydrocortisonc-4-C14 was administered intravenously to a patient with congenital adrenal hyperplasia who excreted large amounts of C-21 deoxyhydrocortisone metabolites in his urine. By the reverse isotope dilution technique, it was found that 3α:,17α-dihydroxyprcgnanc-11,20-dione, 11-ketoprcgnane-3α, 17α,20α-tetrol and pregnane-3α, 11β,11α,20α-tetrol accounted for less than 0.3 per cent of the radioactivity in the neutral steroid extract of the 24-hour urine following administration. Hydrocortisone-4-C14 administered to a leukemic patient yielded no radioactivity in pregnane-3α,11β,17α,20α-tetrol and 11-ketopregnane-3α,17α,20α-triol added to the neutral steroid extract of the urine during the fourth through sixth hour inclusive following administration. It is concluded that the large amounts of C-21 deoxysteroids present in the urine of patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia do not arise from hydrocortisone or other C-21 oxygenated hormones. The precursors are C-21 deoxvsteroid hormones.
Determination of Optimal Coring Values from Psychophysical Experiments

The use of color electrophotographic (EP) laser printing systems is growing because of their declining cost. Thus, the print quality of color EP laser printers is more important than ever before. Since text and lines are indispensable to print quality, many studies have proposed methods for measuring these print quality attributes. Toner scatter caused by toner overdevelopment in color EP laser printers can significantly impact print quality. A conventional approach to reduce toner overdevelopment is to restrict the color gamut of printers. However, this can result in undesired color shifts and the introduction of halftone texture in light regions. Coring, defined as a process whereby the colorant level is reduced in the interior of text or characters, is a remedy for these shortcomings. The desired amount of reduction for coring depends on line width and overall nominal colorant level. In previous work, these amounts were chosen on the basis of data on the perception of edge blur that was published over 25 years ago.
Anion radical chain cycloaddition of tethered enones: intramolecular cyclobutanation and Diels-Alder cycloaddition

[reaction: see text] The anion radicals of certain bis(enones), generated by cathodic reduction, are observed to participate in intramolecular cyclobutanation, yielding bicyclo[3.2.0]heptane derivatives through an anion radical chain mechanism. Evidence for stepwise cycloaddition involving distonic anion radical intermediates is presented. In addition to the novel anion radical cyclobutanations, an unprecedented intramolecular anion radical Diels-Alder product is observed. Parallel trends in substrate scope vis-a-vis the Co-catalyzed bis(enone) cyclobutanation are discussed.
Stressful life events, social support networks, and the physical and mental health of urban black adults.

Abstract The direct and the buffering effects of social support networks have been documented, but few studies have examined their health outcomes for blacks and, specifically, the differences in physical and mental health. This study uses six measures of social support to examine the relationships of social support to health outcomes for black males and females. The data are from a community sample of 451 urban black adults. Results show significant differences by sex according to source of social support and particular health outcomes. Number of nearby relatives and perceived social support have direct and buffering effects, respectively, on mental health for black females, but no significant influences emerge for black males. On the other hand, the number of confidants for black males and the degree of religiosity among black females were inversely related to physical health, suggesting differences in conceptual models of social support for mental and physical health.
Cementless total knee arthroplasty in obese patients: A comparison with a matched control group

Abstract The heaviest 45 patients (50 knees) who underwent cementless total knee arthroplasty were compared with a matched control group of 45 total knee arthroplasty patients (50 knees) with respect to clinical and radiographic data. Surgery was performed over a 10-year period (1980–1989) and follow-up evaluation averaged 7 years (range, 2–11 years). The control group consisted of nonobese patients matched to the obese group with respect to age, sex, diagnosis, preoperative deformity, and length of follow-up evaluation. Clinical evaluation was made using the Knee Society rating scale as well as an analysis of multiple other clinical parameters. Radiographically, each patient was evaluated with long-standing anteroposterior views, lateral and patellar views, and spot fluoroscopic views of the involved knee. This evaluation included an analysis of lucencies, bead shedding, and prosthetic alignment. The final average clinical score in the obese group was 88 points with four revisions, and that for the control group was 91 points with two revisions. There were no significant differences in the combined percentage of good and excellent results between the two groups. On the basis of the results of this study, it is believed that weight as a factor by itself should not compromise the early (7-year average follow-up period) results of total knee arthroplasty.
Remarks on the overlapping-sphere method for molecular orbitals

In preference to the overlapping-sphere multiple-scattering method for solving the self-consistent-field problem for a molecule or atomic cluster, the authors recommend a cellular method. Each nucleus is surrounded by a cell, and the cells taken together fill all space and do not overlap. The cells in such a case as a diatomic molecule extend out to infinity. For an approximation one can assume a spherically symmetrical potential in each cell. The general solution of Schroedinger's equation within a cell is then set up as a linear combination of solutions of the spherical problem for a single energy, but for different l and m values. In order to have the functions regular at the nucleus and at infinity, one must join two independent solutions for each l value, one regular at the origin and the other at infinity, over the surface of a sphere of radius r/sub 1/, on which the functions are made continuous, but the normal derivatives are discontinuous. The coefficients of the functions are so chosen that the sum is continuous with continuous derivative over the spheres of radius r/sub 1/, and over the planes separating neighboring atoms. In practice, one uses a finite sum of functions, perhapsmore » for i = 0, 1, ..., 10, and applies the conditions of continuity at enough points to determine the coefficients. By expressing the potential and the radial functions as power series in r, or in r - r/sub 0/, one can get a convenient analytic solution of Schroedinger's equation. The various steps involved in this method have been studied, but they have not yet been combined into a computer program, so that this paper is regarded as a progress report.« less
Comparison of Ejecta Distributions from Normal Incident Hypervelocity Impact on Lunar Regolith Simulant

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is progressing toward long-term lunar habitation. Critical to the design of a lunar habitat is an understanding of the lunar surface environment; of specific importance is the primary meteoroid and subsequent ejecta environment. The document, NASA SP-8013, was developed for the Apollo program and is the latest definition of the ejecta environment. There is concern that NASA SP-8013 may over-estimate the lunar ejecta environment. NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office (MEO) has initiated several tasks to improve the accuracy of our understanding of the lunar surface ejecta environment. This paper reports the results of experiments on projectile impact into powered pumice and unconsolidated JSC-1A Lunar Mare Regolith stimulant (JSC-1A) targets. The Ames Vertical Gun Range (AVGR) was used to accelerate projectiles to velocities in excess of 5 km/s and impact the targets at normal incidence. The ejected particles were detected by thin aluminum foil targets placed around the impact site and angular distributions were determined for ejecta. Comparison of ejecta angular distribution with previous works will be presented. A simplistic technique to characterize the ejected particles was formulated and improvements to this technique will be discussed for implementation in future tests.
Molecular modeling of substituted polysaccharides

Abstract X-ray diffraction patterns of gellan, high acyl native gellan and branched polymer welan correspond to polycrystalline and well oriented specimens. Their molecular structures are strikingly similar, but their packing arrangements are not. The benzyl ester of gellan diffracts like gellan implying that a gellan-like double helix can sustain this substitution. Likewise, the benzyl ester of hyaluronan can adopt any of the reported single- and double-helical forms of hyaluronan itself. Carboxymethylhydroxypropyl guaran (CMHPG) diffracts similarly to guaran. The hydroxypropyl and carboxymethyl groups can cause favorable association of a pair of CMHPG chains which can further be stabilized by divalent cations, one for two carboxymethyl groups belonging to different chains. X-ray data combined with modeling calculations have revealed the details of the molecular architectures in each case to varying extents.
Intrinsic neuromuscular defects in the neurogenic bladder: IV. Loss of somatomotor and preservation of autonomic innervation of the male feline rhabdosphincter following bilateral sacral ventral rhizotomy

Innervation of the male feline rhabdosphincter was studied ultrastructurally 1 and 2 weeks following bilateral sacral ventral rhizotomy. In all samples, there was virtual loss of myelinated axons, degeneration and loss of the axonal element of all motor end-plates, and preservation of autonomic nonrnyelinated (cholinergic, adrenergic, and probable copcptidergic) axons, as well as their nonspecialized surface contacts with myofibers of the rhabdosphincter. These observations provide solid evidence for the existence of both somatomotor and autonomic cholinergic innervation of the male feline rhabdosphincter and indicate that its potential neural control shortly after somatic denervation is exercised exclusively by autonomic axonlmyofiber surface contacts.
The Impact of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on Shareholders and Managers of Foreign Firms

Existing evidence suggests that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) may be beneficial to U.S. investors, but that foreign firms are perhaps less likely to list in the U.S. after SOX. This raises the question of whether foreign firms avoid listing in the U.S. after SOX because the Act imposes unnecessary costs upon firms. The objective of this paper is to reconcile the U.S. and international evidence by distinguishing between the effect of SOX on controlling shareholders and managers of foreign firms and the effect on minority investors of these firms. Our results suggest that insiders of foreign firms believe that the regulation makes the extraction of value from minority investors more difficult and costly for them. Outside investors in foreign firms, on the other hand, seem on average to believe that SOX is beneficial to them. The combination of these results reconciles the existing U.S. and international evidence regarding SOX.
Con: Amrinone is not a first-choice inotrope following cardiopulmonary bypass

T HE QUESTION whether amrinone or any other inotropic drug is the first choice is an oversimplification of hemodynamic management. Such a question may have been acceptable two decades ago prior to routine cardiac output (CO) measurements and befcre the feasibility of rapidly calculating the various hemodynamic indices. Inotropic agents are mainly indicated for treatment of a low CO syndrome. Their main action, as their name implies, is enhancing myocardial contractility. The ideal inotropic agent, which does not affect other hemodynamic parameters and has no side effects, does not yet exist. The undesirable side effects of inotropic agents on heart rate (HR), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), and the myocardia1 oxygen supply/demand balance must be taken into consideration when selecting a drug. Impaired myocardial performance and a low CO can be due to various factors including, but not limited to, hypovolemia, metabolic abnormalities, decreased myocardial oxygenation, preoperative cardiac disease, and associated drug therapy. Impaired myocardial function may be more evident in either the right or left side of the heart, and the hemodynamic management of this situation differs from the management of global cardiac dysfunction. Low CO can be accompanied by several other hemodynamic variables, dysrhythmias, tachycardia, bradycardia, and increased or decreased SVR and PVR. For example, in cardiac surgery immediately following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), the decrease in blood pressure (BP) may be due to a low SVR in the presence of a CO higher than normal values. Such a decrease in SVR can be due to hemodilution and/or the initial effect of warming. In this situation, treatment of a low BP should be directed toward normalizing SVR with a vasopressor rather than the habitual use of an inotrope, which may increase MVO?.’ Myocardial dysfunction varies in its extent and different inotropic agents have different potenties. In acute situations, such as in cardiac surgery following CPB, a heart that was arrested for a long time and exposed to surgical manipulations frequently needs a very potent inotropic agent. Coronary patients are known to have low contractility indices and require larger doses of potent inotropic agents. In these patients, when a low CO is due to myocardial ischemia, the effect of the vasoactive drug on the balance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand becomes the most crucial factor in determining the choice of the
The Disintegration of Lithium by Protons of High Energy

The results obtained by Lawrence, Livingston and White have been extended to protons having an energy up to 1,125,000 electron-volts. After the rapid increase found by Cockroft and Walton at lower voltages the number of disintegrations per proton increases above 400,000 electron-volts proportionally to the $\frac{3}{2}$ power of the energy. The range of the proton is known to be proportional to the same power of the energy. These facts indicate that the probability of disintegration of the individual lithium nucleus is independent of the energy of the proton above 400,000 volts. The relative number of disintegrations over the whole range from zero to 1,125,000 electron-volts is given quite exactly by $N={k}^{\ensuremath{'}}V{e}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{a}{{V}^{\frac{1}{2}}}}$ where $V$ is the energy of the protons and ${k}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ and $a$ are constants. From 400,000 to the upper limit reached this formula is practically indistinguishable from $N=k({V}^{\frac{3}{2}}\ensuremath{-}{{V}_{0}}^{\frac{3}{2}})$ when the experimentally determined values of the constants are used. The more complex formula has theoretical justification and the radius of the lithium nucleus as calculated from the experimental value of $a$ is about 4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}$ cm. The cross section effective for disintegration seems to be much smaller, with a radius of 1.4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}14}$ cm. The actual number of disintegrations is half the number of alpha-particles emitted and is equal to 2.0 disintegrations per ${10}^{9}$ protons at 250,000 electron-volts; 10.2 disintegrations per ${10}^{9}$ protons at 500,000 electron-volts; 40 disintegrations per ${10}^{9}$ protons at 1,000,000 electron-volts. The results at 500,000 volts are in excellent agreement with those of Cockroft and Walton. The form of the curve differs slightly and the probable causes of this difference are discussed.
Laser induced incandescence measurements of soot volume fraction and effective particle size in a laminar co-annular non-premixed methane/air flame at pressures between 0.5–4.0 MPa

An auto-compensating laser-induced incandescence (AC-LII) technique was applied for the first time to measure soot volume fraction (SVF) and effective primary particle diameter (dpeff) in a high pressure methane/air non-premixed flame. The measured dpeff profiles had annular structures and radial symmetry, and the particle size increased with increasing pressure. LII-determined SVFs were lower than those measured by a line of sight attenuation (LOSA) technique. The LOSA measured soot volume fractions were corrected for light scattering using the Rayleigh–Debye–Gans polydisperse fractal aggregate (RDG-PFA) theory, the dpeff data, and assumptions regarding the soot aggregate size distribution. The correction dramatically improved agreement between data obtained using these two measurement techniques. Qualitatively, soot volume distributions obtained using LII had more annular shapes than those obtained using LOSA. Nonetheless, it has been demonstrated that the AC-LII technique is very well suited for application in media where attenuation of the excitation laser pulse energy can exceed 45%. This paper also underlines the importance of correcting LOSA SVF measurements for light scattering in high pressure flames.
Patterns in malware designed for data espionage and backdoor creation

In the recent past, malware have become a serious cyber security threat which has not only targeted individuals and organizations but has also threatened the cyber space of countries around the world. Amongst malware variants, trojans designed for data espionage and backdoor creation dominates the threat landscape. This necessitates an in depth study of these malware with the scope of extracting static features like APIs, strings, IP Addresses, URLs, email addresses etc. by and large found in such malicious codes. Hence in this research paper, an endeavor has been made to establish a set of patterns, tagged as APIs and Malicious Strings persistently existent in these malware by articulating an analysis framework.
Localization of internal mammary lymph nodes by CT simulation: Implications for breast radiation therapy planning

The efficacy of post-operative radiation therapy in breast cancer management has been evident for several decades. In recent years there has been increasing interest in treating the internal mammary lymph nodes. In an attempt to simplify their localization for treatment planning purposes, the position of the internal mammary lymph nodes was systematically studied in 65 breast cancer patients undergoing CT simulation.
Treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis Infections

dal agent available in the United States. Although the drug is highly effective, recent concerns regarding the safety of metronidazole [2] and the documentation of clinically resistant infections [3-7] indicate a need for a reappraisal of the current and future treatment of infections due to T. vaginalis. The purpose of this paper is to review the scientific literature to develop a perspective on current and future therapeutic strategies in the treatment and control of Trichomonas vaginalis infections.
Acquired Non-Malignant Esophago- Tracheobronchial Communications *

SUMMARY Seventy-five cases of acquired non-malignant esophago-tracheobronchial fistula have been reported in the literature during the past 32 years (1916 to 1949). Analysis of these cases has yielded valuable information. The fistulas are classified on the basis of etiology. The known causes of fistula formation are infection, trauma and esophageal diverticula. There is a definite correlation between the type of trauma and the location of the fistulous opening in the tracheobronchial tree. Traction diverticula of the esophagus show a high incidence of communication with the secondary bronchi. The most common specific infections leading to fistula formation are tuberculosis and syphilis. Development of a communication between the respiratory system and esophagus invariably leads to characteristic symptoms. Ingestion of fluids is followed by strangling or severe paroxysms of coughing after a momentary asymptomatic pause. Diagnosis is based upon history, physical examination, roentgenographic studies and endoscopic examinations. Fistulas associated with active tuberculosis or syphilis should receive antibiotic therapy. Small fistulas and fistulas associated with exuberant granulation tissue should receive local cauterization and antibiotics in expectation of cure or alleviation of the local infection preparatory to later surgical treatment. Those complicated by bronchiectasis or lung abscess frequently require pulmonary resection in addition to closure of the esophageal defect. Smooth epithelized communications unattended by suppurative disease of the lung are suitable for immediate and direct surgical closure. Four cases of acquired non-malignant esophago-tracheobronchial fistula have been successfully treated by direct surgical closure. Six cases treated by this method have been reported in the literature during the past 32 years.
Biosynthesis of interleukin-6 by cultured human chorion laeve cells: regulation by cytokines

Intrauterine infection is an important cause of preterm labor and delivery and is characterized by increased production of inflammatory cytokines by gestational tissues. We evaluated the biosynthesis of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) by human chorion laeve cells and its regulation by other cytokines essential to the inflammatory process. We found that cultured chorion cells secrete IL-6 in the presence of growth medium supplemented only with 10% fetal calf serum. IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor, and lipopolysaccharide all induced a significant concentration-dependent stimulation of IL-6 production by chorion cells. The concentration range of each cytokine tested (0.1-10 ng/mL) is within the range of values found in the amniotic fluid of women destined to deliver preterm due to infection of gestational tissues. Additionally, treatment of chorion cells with IL-1β in combination with actinomycin-D or cycloheximide attenuated the stimulatory action of IL-1β on IL-6 production. Northern blot analysis of total RNA from cultured chorion cells stimulated with IL-1β demonstrated that IL-6 mRNA increases over time. Our data suggest that IL-6 is produced by human fetal chorion in response to infection of maternal gestational tissues. In conjunction with other inflammatory mediators, fetally derived IL-6 may play a role in the pathophysiology of preterm labor due to infection.
FPGA based key generation technique for anti-counterfeiting methods using Physically Unclonable Functions and artificial intelligence

The threat of digital counterfeiting and forgery of integrated circuits is growing at an alarming rate. At the same time, the functionalities of integrated circuits are becoming much more complex. This paper presents a design for cryptographic applications using Physically Unclonable Functions (PUFs) that can be implemented on an FPGA taking advantage of its unique architecture. The first part of the research involves development of techniques for the generation of uniquely distinguishable responses from ROPUFs taking advantage of the unique architecture of the FPGA and the latter part involves development of error correction technique using Artificial Neural Networks. The proposed design is implemented on several Xilinx Spartan FPGAs and the Hamming distances for the responses are computed and analyzed. The uniqueness of the responses is found to be 49.0625%. It is also found that the results of the proposed ECC also prove to be computationally efficient than the conventional BCH codes.