cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Control theory in the plane

This book introduces and illustrates with examples, the theory of control for systems governed by ordinary differential equations, with special reference to the two-dimensional case. The systems covered are continuous, finite-dimensional, deterministic and those with a priori bounds on the admissible controls. A particular feature of the book is an examination of control systems whose state space is the phase plane. As with differential equations, where specialization to the plane provides a more complex theory (for example, the results of Poincare and Bendixson), control theory of two-dimensional systems also has more meaningful results.
Linear tolls suffice: new bounds and algorithms for tolls in single source networks

We show that tolls that are linear in the latency of the maximum latency path are necessary and sufficient to induce heterogeneous network users to independently choose routes that lead to traffic with minimum average latency. This improves upon the earlier bound of O(n3lmax) given by Cole, Dodis, and Roughgarden in STOC 03. (Here, n is the number of nodes in the network; and lmax is the maximum latency of any edge.) Our proof is also simpler, relating the Nash flow to the optimal flow as flows rather than cuts.We model the set of users as the set [0, 1] ordered by their increasing willingness to pay tolls to reduce latency--their valuation of time. Cole et al. give an algorithm that computes optimal tolls for a bounded number of agent valuations, under the very strong assumption that they know which path each user type takes in the Nash flow imposed by these (unknown) tolls. We show that in series parallel graphs, the set of paths traveled by users in any Nash flow with optimal tolls is independent of the distribution of valuations of time of the users. In particular, for any continuum of users (not restricted to a finite number of valuation classes) in series parallel graphs, we show how to compute these paths without knowing α.We give a simple example to demonstrate that if the graph is not series parallel, then the set of paths traveled by users in the Nash flow depends critically on the distribution of users' valuations of time.
Restructuring in the Czech Republic: Beyond Ownership and Bankruptcy

Restructuring of large industrial holdings in the Czech Republic (S-firms) depends on probes into new markets. The development and financing of probes generates internal holdups and stalemates among the government, banks and S-firms. The government tries to preserve the value of just-privatized S-firms while avoiding subsidies; banks, facing their delinquency, cannot force bankruptcy since keeping them as clients is as important as maintaining capital adequacy. A compromise arises, IMBR (intricate monitoring based restructuring), where the outside parties condition their involvement on a peculiar reorganization of the firm. We provide the empirical and theoretical underpinnings of IMBR, the emergence of which is neither deliberate nor accidental.
Coactivity Effects upon Carpal Tunnel Contact Forces

Contact force on the carpal tunnel structures due to flexor tendon forces have been identified as an important contributor to the compression of the median nerve. Therefore, a pilot study was conducted to assess the increase in carpal contact force due to the antagonistic coactivity of the finger extensor muscles. Surface EMG activities of the superficial finger flexor and extensor muscles of four subjects were measured during several isometric power grip exertions at seven different wrist angles. The results showed that a linear relation between EMG and muscle force holds under the prescribed isometric conditions. An EMG-assisted model was developed to predict tensile forces in an equivalent flexor tendon. For a given angle, the model predicts increased tensile force in the flexor tendon with increased extensor (antagonist) coactivity in response to isometric grip exertions. It was found that if one accounts for muscle coactivity, predicted force in the flexor tendons would be as much as 33% greater than...
New species of Lentaria (Fungi: Aphyllophorales): redescription and mating systems of L. surculus and L. byssiseda.

The following names are proposed for species of Lentaria new lo science: L. boletosporioides from New Zealand with stout basidiomata and boletoid basidiospores; L. caribbeana from Caribbean islands and circum- Caribbean landmasses, with large basidiomata and large basidiospores; L. glaucosiccescens froro New Zealand, with basidiomata tuming grey-green upon drying; and L. rionegrensis from Argentina, with densely branched, ruddy basidiomata. Lentaria javanica nomo nov. is proposed to substitute for Clavaria compressa, a later homonym. Basidiospore statistics indicate infraspecific differentiation within L. surculus and two morphological variants are described. Lentaria surculus and L. byssiseda exhibit tetrapolar roating systems, and the two species are sexually interincompatible
The SS-A/Ro antigen

In 1961 Anderson et al. [1] described two precipitating autoantibody specificities known as SjD and SjT from patients with Sjogren’s syndrome. SjD antigen was reported to be insensitive to trypsin or heat treatment while SjT antigen could be destroyed by the same treatment. In 1969 Clark et al. [2] reported a novel antibody specificity known as Ro in 40% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the Ro antigen was described as a protease-, RNase-, and DNase-resistant cytoplasmic antigen observed in various tissue extracts. Aware of the work of Anderson et al. [1], Alspaugh and Tan [3] in 1975 described precipitin lines for two distinct autoantibody specificities known as SS-A and SS-B occurring predominantly in patients with Sjogren’s syndrome (SS). Both SS-A and SS-B were characterized as trypsin-sensitive but RNase- and DNase-resistant nuclear antigens. It was not until 1979 that SS-A and Ro were shown to be identical as reported by Alspaugh and Maddison [4] and since then this antigen system has been referred to as SS-A/Ro or Ro/SS-A. However, in the area of molecular and cell biology, this system is often referred to as Ro ribonucleoprotein (Ro RNP) probably because of the report of Lerner et al. [5] showing the association of Ro antigens with small RNAs. It is clear now that human sera containing anti-SS-A/Ro antibodies recognize two proteins of 52 and 60kD and the latter is bound to Ro RNAs known as hY RNAs. Several recent reviews on the SS-A/Ro autoantibody-antigen system have been published [6–10]. Another protein, calreticulin, was initially reported to be the 60-kD SS-A/Ro protein [11, 12]. However more recent work revealed that calreticulin is an unrelated autoantigen [13].
Unilateral gluteal hypoplasia and brachysyndactyly: lower extremity counterpart of the Poland anomaly.

The Poland anomaly is characterized by unilateral upper extremity brachysyndactyly, ipsilateral aplasia/hypoplasia of the sternal head of the pectoralis major, and/or hypoplasia of the nipple or mammary gland. A case is presented here of a child with a comparable combination of findings in a lower extremity. Because her abnormalities are so similar to those seen in the Poland anomaly they may be instructive as to the developmental origin of the Poland anomaly. CASE REPORT A 21-month-old girl was referred for evaluation of a small left lower extremity.
Effectiveness of combination therapy with statin and another lipid-modifying agent compared with intensified statin monotherapy: a systematic review.

This systematic review summarizes evidence about the benefits and harms of lower-intensity statin combination therapy compared with higher-intensity statin monotherapy in adults at high risk for at...
Optimal convective heating of a hollow cylinder with temperature dependent thermal conductivity

An infinitely long hollow cylinder with temperature dependent thermal conductivity is heated optimally by controlling the ambient temperature,Ta(t), such that at the final specified timetf, the final temperature distributionTf(r) of the hollow cylinder approximates a desired uniform temperatureTd as closely as possible with a minimum amount of energy spent for the heating.
A Cold War Cautionary: TaleHeterosexuality and Ideology in William Wyler's Ben-Hur

Melani McAlister has examined the "Biblical epics" of the 1950s as artifacts of the cold war, exploring how the sexual politics mirrored the ideological struggle. This article pushes further, examining the homosocial ties apparent in Ben-Hur and discusses how the ideological conflict becomes part of the narrative.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INVOLVEMENT IN AN ISSUE AND NUMBER OF ARGUMENTS

Summary.-Previous research has indicated that level of involvement interacts with number of arguments and quality of arguments. Larger number of arguments seems to be nore effective under low involvement. but under high involvement the effect ~epends on the quality of the arguments. There has been some question in previous research whether the subjects were highly involved. The present study manipulated number of arguments (9 vs 3) and level of involvement (high vs low) in a 2 X 2 experimental design. High involvement was produced by allowing subjects to vote on their final exarnination questions. The arguments proved to be of moderate quality. There was no significant main effect on any dependent variable nor was there any significant interaction. The ody significant result was the manipulation check for involvement. Inuoduaicn of a final examination question may have heightened diligence under all conditions and so led to no differential responding to number of arguments. Much recent research has focused on how level of involvement affects other variables. Some studies hzve defined personal involvemenc as concern about a particular issue (Cialdini, Levy, Herman, Kozlowski, & Petty, 1976; Sherif, Kelly, Rogers, Sarup, & Titcler, 1973). Ocher studies have manipulated the level of involvement experimencally (Burnkranc & Howard, 1984; Jemmotc, Ditto, & Croyle, 1986; Johnson & Scilepi, 1969; Pentony, 1986; Petty 8: Cacioppo, 1984; Pecty, Cacioppo, & Goldman, 1981; Petty, Cacioppo, & Schuman, 1983; Rhine & Severance, 1970). One theory that helps explain the effect of the level of involvement is Petty and Cacioppo's (1981) central and peripheral route theory. In the central route, attitude change occurs through diligent consideration, while in the peripheral route, acticude change occurs through less diligent consideration. Some research has focused on the effect of the number of arguments. Early research cast doubt on whether the number of arguments idluenced persuasions. Murray ( 1968) found that two arguments sometimes produced more but other times produced less significant attitude change than one argument. However, most of the main effects for number of arguments were insignificant. Cook (1969) found that the effect for number of arguments depended on the competence of the source. In a high compecence source, more arguments was rated more powerful chan fewer arguments. With a
An experimental assessment of personal speech coding

In the speech coders in common use today, all quantizer codebooks are designed to suit the statistical and perceptual characteristics of speech signals of a population of speakers. However, an individual's speech signal does not exhibit, even over a long time, the entire range of characteristics of the population. With the advent of personal communication systems, personal information might become available and hence may be exploited to improve the rate-distortion performance of speech coders. In this paper, we experimentally assess the potential gain of personal speech coding by designing codebooks for individual speakers. Experiments are performed using linear prediction based analysis-by-synthesis (LPAS) speech coders. The spectral envelope, excitation, and pitch lag quantization codebooks of LPAS coders are redesigned. The gains appear to be modest, suggesting the need to use a coding framework that models personal characteristics more explicitly, e.g. by using prosodic features. Amongst the coder components, the spectral quantizer is found to be most amenable to personalization.
Transition metal nitrate complexes of γ-butyrolactam

Abstract The syntheses, conductance measurements, molecular weight measurements, i.r. spectra, magnetic susceptibilities and electronic spectra of a series of transition metal nitrate complexes of γ-butyrolactam (BuL) are reported. The ligand field parameters Dq, B′, and β are calculated for some of these complexes. The trends of nitrate vs. BuL as competing ligand for nickel(II) ion are discussed.
Solubility of Anthracene in Binary Alkane + Methyl tert-Butyl Ether Solvent Mixtures at 298.15 K

Experimental solubilities are reported for anthracene dissolved in seven binary mixtures containing methyl tert-butyl ether (also called 2-methoxy-2-methylpropane) with hexane, heptane, octane, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, 2,2,4-trimethylpentane, and tert-butylcyclohexane (also called (1,1-dimethylethyl)cyclohexane) at 25 °C. Results of these measurements are used to test two mathematical representations based upon the combined nearly ideal binary solvent (NIBS)/Redlich−Kister equation and modified Wilson model. For the seven systems studied, both equations were found to provide an accurate mathematical representation of the experimental data, with an overall average absolute deviation between measured and calculated values being on the order of 0.5%.
The role of asparagine-linked oligosaccharides in the subunit structure, steroid binding, and secretion of androgen-binding protein.

Testicular androgen-binding protein (ABP) and liver sex hormone-binding globulin are encoded by the same gene. These proteins have the same primary amino acid sequences, but they differ in attached oligosaccharides; the differences are presumably due to cell-specific glycosylation mechanisms. To investigate the role of oligosaccharides in ABP/sex hormone-binding globulin subunit structure, secretion, and steroid binding, mutant rat ABP proteins were constructed that eliminated one or both of the two potential sites of asparagine (Asn)-linked glycosylation. Immunoblot analysis of wild type recombinant ABP yielded the typical heterogeneous banding pattern. Secreted ABP was composed of two protomers of M(r) 46,000 and M(r) 43,000, while cellular ABP yielded three mol wt species (M(r) 43,000, 41,000, and 39,000). Substitution of the Asn residue in either consensus sequence for Asn-linked glycosylation with an Ile residue resulted in increased mobility of the immunoreactive ABP species. These changes are consi...
Muscle activity during 3-D movements at complex 'joints': changing synergism

Neuromotor control strategies, as estimated from EMG activity in multiple muscles, are considered for a variety of types of movement tasks. It is seen that the same muscles may be synergistic for certain tasks and yet antagonistic for others. Furthermore, such changes can routinely occur even within the same task. Reasons for such changing synergism can usually be traced to mechanical factors not always immediately evident that are related to holding posture, movement dynamics, or joint stability. Causal relationships between osteoarthritic conditions and muscle strategies are also suggested. >
Racial and ethnic disparities in access to higher and lower quality cardiac surgeons for coronary artery bypass grafting.

To determine whether Hispanic and African-American patients are treated by cardiac surgeons with better or worse risk-standardized outcomes than surgeons of white patients, clinical data from the Massachusetts Data Analysis Center Registry were analyzed on all patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) from 2002 to 2004 by surgeons who performed ≥10 operations. Surgeons were divided into 4 groups based on their risk-standardized 30-day all-cause mortality incidence rates (top decile, top quartile, bottom quartile, and bottom decile). A total of 12,973 isolated CABGs were performed by 56 surgeons for 11,800 whites (91%), 413 Hispanics (3.2%), and 251 African-Americans (1.9%). White patients were more likely to be treated by surgeons in the top decile than by surgeons in the bottom decile (odds ratio [OR] 1.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07 to 1.76). In contrast, Hispanic patients were almost 3 times more likely to be treated by surgeons in the bottom decile compared with the top decile (OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.82 to 4.47). Compared with whites, Hispanic patients were about 1/2 as less likely to be treated by surgeons in the top decile (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.75). African-American and white patients were similarly likely to be treated by surgeons in the top- and bottom-quality performance groups. In conclusion, Hispanics undergoing isolated CABG in Massachusetts were more likely to be operated on by cardiac surgeons with higher risk-standardized mortality rates than by surgeons with lower rates.
Arithmetic algorithms for hereditarily binary natural numbers

In a typed functional language we specify a new tree-based number representation, hereditarily binary numbers, defined by applying recursively run-length encoding of bijective base-2 digits. Hereditarily binary numbers support arithmetic operations that are limited by the structural complexity of their operands, rather than their bitsizes. As a result, they enable new algorithms that, in the best case, collapse the complexity of arithmetic computations by super-exponential factors and in the worst case are within a constant factor of their traditional counterparts.
Biomarkers of Aging and Radiation Therapy Tailored to the Elderly: Future of the Field

An increasing proportion of cancer care will be delivered to elderly patients. There is a wide range of health status among the elderly, and "chronological age" may differ substantially from "biological age." Biomarkers of aging may be used to better determine a patient's biological age and would have potential clinical implications for the treatment of elderly patients with cancer. In this article, the authors review the current status of biomarkers related to aging and how these biomarkers may relate to treatment decisions for elderly patients with cancer. They also discuss potential implementation strategies for such biomarkers into future clinical trials.
On the feasibility of a spaceborne fault-tolerant hypercube

The feasibility of implementing a fault-tolerant hypercube architecture for space applications is discussed. Node-level architectures and designs are considered and a first-order reliability model is presented. It is shown how error recovery can be implemented using program rollback or roll-forward techniques. Shared memory augmentations to the message-passing structure can be used to get around the inefficiencies of multicomputers to provide efficient use of hardware to achieve the needed reliabilities while maintaining performance.
Quantitation and localization of regional body fat distribution--a comparison between magnetic resonance imaging and somatometry.

UNLABELLED The emerging concept that various fat compartments are metabolically active and play separate and decisive roles in the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis, hypertension, insulin resistance, diabetes and stroke, has given obesity research a new direction. Of particular interest is the relative amount of intra-abdominal fat thought to be responsible for the metabolic complications. We studied the precise fat distribution and its correlations with the metabolic parameters in 44 non-human primates (Macaca fascicularis). Intra-abdominal, subcutaneous, and total abdominal fat (IAF, SAF, TAF) were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and somatometry. Quantitative computer analyses of abdominal MRI scans revealed predominant IAF distribution. Box plot analysis of IAF and SAF revealed wide diversity in the amounts of fat, especially in monkeys with body mass index (BMI) < 30 kg/m2. Primates with similar BMI in each quartile revealed an extensive heterogeneity in IAF as well as SAF. Numerous significant correlations within site-specific somatometric measurements as well as within the MRI determinants of abdominal fat were seen. However, only body weight correlated with IAF and skinfolds could predict SAF. After adjusting for body weight, partial correlation analysis showed a significant correlation (P < 0.05) between total cholesterol and IAF. CONCLUSION MRI revealed considerable heterogeneity of IAF, SAF and TAF in cohort of primates believed to be homogeneous by somatometric definition. Male cynomolgus monkeys appear to be a valuable model for a systematic evaluation of fat. Individuals with identical body weight and height may show a diverse pattern of fat distribution.
Direct data flows

Reducing power consumption of Mobile Internet Devices (MID) and smartphones is critical as battery life is a key feature for mobility. Most vendors use System-On-Chip designs integrating more and more fixed-function hardware modules in a bid to reduce power consumption. On the other hand the explosion of new applications has increased the demand for PC-like processing capabilities on these devices. They are best supported by general purpose CPUs and Operating Systems which consume more power. Traditional system architectures focus on a data transfer model with the CPU as one of the endpoints. Consequently there are numerous usage scenarios where the general purpose CPU just acts as an intermediary between hardware modules, transferring data from a hardware module to memory and vice-versa. We propose Direct Data Flows, an SoC focused system architecture where the OS can configure fixed-function hardware modules to communicate data directly with each other. This eliminates unnecessary data hops and reduces CPU interrupts allowing the general purpose CPU to be opportunistically brought into lower power states, reducing overall power consumption. We have created a prototype Direct Data Flow setup for network file downloads which demonstrates up to 65% energy savings for typical file sizes.
Barriers to adolescents' participation in HIV biomedical prevention research.

The inclusion of adolescents in HIV prevention clinical research has the potential to improve the current understanding of the safety and efficacy of biomedical prevention technologies in younger populations that are at increasing risk of HIV infection. However, there are significant individual, operational, and community-level barriers to engaging adolescents in clinical prevention trials. This paper identifies and addresses individual, operational, and community-level barriers to adolescents' participation in HIV biomedical prevention research. Barriers identified and addressed in the paper include: (1) insufficient understanding of clinic prevention research, (2) self-presentation bias, (3) issues surrounding parental consent, (4) access to clinical trials, (5) mistrust of research, and (6) stigma associated with participation in clinical trials. Examples of programs where adolescents have been successfully engaged in prevention research are highlighted and the lessons learned from these programs indicate that establishing collaborations with key stakeholders in the community are essential for conducting biomedical research with vulnerable populations, including adolescents. Given the importance of understanding young peoples' reactions to, acceptability, and utilization of new biomedical prevention technologies it is imperative that researchers acknowledge and address these barriers to enhance adolescents' participation and retention in HIV biomedical prevention research.
Prostaglandin E2 induces transcription of skeletal muscle mass regulators interleukin-6 and muscle RING finger-1 in humans

Cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibiting drugs augment muscle mass and strength improvements during resistance exercise based treatment of sarcopenia in older individuals. Initial evidence suggests a potential mechanism of COX inhibitor blunted prostaglandin (PG) E2 stimulation of interleukin (IL)-6 and the ubiquitin ligase MuRF-1, reducing their inhibition on muscle growth. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if PGE2 stimulates IL-6 and MuRF-1 transcription in skeletal muscle. Muscle biopsies were obtained from 10 young individuals and incubated ex vivo with PGE2 or control and analyzed for IL-6 and MuRF-1 mRNA levels. PGE2 upregulated (P<0.05) expression of both IL-6 (195%) and MuRF-1 (51%). A significant relationship was found between IL-6 and MuRF-1 expression after incubation with PGE2 (r=0.77, P<0.05), suggesting regulation through a common pathway. PGE2 induces IL-6 and MuRF-1 transcription in human skeletal muscle, providing a mechanistic link between COX inhibiting drugs, PGE2, and the regulation of muscle mass.
Voltammetric and reference microelectrodes with integrated microchannels for flow through microvoltammetry. 2. Coupling the microcell to a supported liquid membrane preconcentration technique

The paper describes the assembly and functioning of the microvoltammetric cell described in Part 1, with a hollow Fiber Supported Liquid Membrane (HFSLM), for trace metal analysis. Membrane stability, working-electrode behavior, mercury-film lifetime inside the HFSLM, hydrodynamic conditions, as well as transport kinetics of the metal through the SLM have been studied in detail. System calibrations have been performed in the range 5−120 nM Pb(II). The reproducibility and sensitivity of the whole microsystem is discussed as well as limitations and possible improvements.
The Making of a ‘Ship-to-Mouth’ Nuclear Power: The Johnson Administration and India’s Nuclear Tilt, 1964–1968

This article explores Lyndon B. Johnson administration’s nonproliferation policy toward India in light of China’s nuclear program. It argues that although the administration prioritized nonproliferation, it was unwilling to undertake the necessary steps to prevent an Indian pro-bomb decision. This was owing to downgrading South Asia as a United States (US) foreign policy priority at the time, and the shared belief within the administration that India will go nuclear anyway in the long run. At a time when the US–Indian diplomatic relations had reached a nadir and India’s regional security environment was highly precarious, Washington’s wait-and-watch policy proved counterproductive to its own nonproliferation goals. New Delhi demonstrated its tacit decision for the bomb with its 1968 refusal to sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, and gravitated more toward Moscow.
The Evolution of the LAMPF High Power Pion Production Target Mechanisms

The Los Alamos Clinton P. Anderson Meson Physics Facility's (LAMPF's) beam contains 800 kW of power and passes through three pion production targets in series before being deposited into an isotope production section and beam dump. The first two targets are rotating graphite rings that are radiatively cooled. The third pion production target is a water-cooled graphite slug.
Wall and membrane biogenesis in the unusual labyrinthulid-like organismSorodiplophrys stercorea

Electron microscopic investigations show the scale subunits of the walls ofSorodiplophrys stercorea to be produced by the Golgi apparatus. Their chief monosaccharide subunit is identified tentatively as arabinose. Membrane flow involving the nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, Golgi vesicles, plasmalemma, and possibly prominent refractive bodies composed of membranes is suggested. Cytochemical data supporting ultrastructural evidence concerning the sites of scale and membrane biogenesis are presented.
Trap-controlled field instabilities in photoconducting CdS caused by field-quenching

The formation of stationary high-field domains adjacent to cathode or anode, dependent on the contact potential of the electrodes, their widening with increased applied voltage and their transition into two types of moving domains are discussed. Domains which move under deformation oft he domain profilea nd usually dissolve before they reacht he anode, and nearly undeformed moving domains are described. The structure and kinetics of these domains are directly observed using the Franz-Keldysh effect and photographs of typical domain forms are presented.
Evaluation of the use of landscape classifications for the prediction of freshwater biota: synthesis and recommendations

AbstractThis paper summarizes and synthesizes the collective results that emerged from the series of papers published in this issue of J-NABS, and places these results in the context of previously published literature describing variation in aquatic biota at landscape spatial scales. Classifications based on landscape spatial scales are used or are being evaluated for use in several countries for aquatic bioassessment programs. Evaluation of the strength of classification of different approaches should provide insight for refinement of existing bioassessment programs and expedite the development of new programs. The papers in this series specifically addressed the degree to which descriptions and classification of landscape features allow us to account for, and thus predict, variation in the composition of biota among individual sites. In general, we found that although landscape classifications accounted for more biotic variation than would be expected by chance, the amount of variation related to landsc...
Eradicating diseases: The effect of conditional cash transfers on vaccination coverage in rural Nicaragua

Despite significant global efforts to improve vaccination coverage against major childhood diseases, vaccination rates are below 90%. To eradicate diseases such as measles, however, vaccination rates close to 95% are needed. We use a randomized experiment to investigate the effect of a demand incentive, a conditional cash transfer program, in improving vaccination coverage in rural Nicaragua. Double-difference estimates show the program led to large increases in vaccination coverage, and these resulted in vaccination levels greater than 95% for some vaccines. Effects were especially large for children who are typically harder to reach with traditional supply-side interventions.
Vertigo and Sudden Hearing Loss at 35 000 Feet

Awoman in her 70s presented after experiencing a sudden rightsidedhearing loss duringdescent ona commercial air flight. She reportedright-sidedtinnitus,otalgia,andvertigowithnauseaandvomiting.Hermedical history includedeustachian tubedysfunctionand pressure-induced tympanicmembraneperforations; however, she deniedahistoryof vertigo. TheWeber test lateralized to the left ear using a 512-Hz tuning fork. Cranial nerves III toVII and IX toXIIwere normal. Thepatientwasnonambulatoryandcomplainedofmotioninduced vestibular symptoms. Audiometric test results revealed a right-sided profound mixed hearing loss with severe discrimination impairment, and the left ear hada severehigh-frequencyhearing losswith normalworddiscrimination. The right pure-tone average (PTA)was 85 dB and the left was 22 dB. Shewas treatedwith a prednisone taper, and a right ventilation tube was placed in anticipation of possible eustachian tube problems with future air travel. Vestibular and balance symptoms improved with vestibular rehabilitation and physical therapy over the next several months. Repeated audiometric tests 1 month after the incident revealed a PTA of 17 dB and 15 dB on the right and left sides, respectively, with normal bilateral word discrimination. Subjective right hearing had returned to its baseline status. Shown herein are a noncontrast computed tomographic (CT) image of the head (Figure, A), CT images of the right temporal bone in the axial plane (Figure, B and C), and a right coronal oblique CT image (Stenver projection) (Figure, D). What is your diagnosis? A B
Meliavolkenin, a new bioactive triterpenoid from Melia volkensii (Meliaceae).

Abstract Meliavolkenin, a new triterpene with an apotirucallane skeleton, has been isolated from the root bark of Melia volkensli (Meliaceae) by bioactivity-directed fractionation using the brine shrimp lethality test. The structure has been elucidated using spectral and chemical data. The relative stereochemistries were determined by reduction and acetonide derivations, and the ring conformations were analyzed using the results of NOESY experiments. Meliavolkenin was bioactive in the brine shrimp lethality test and gave moderate cytotoxicities against three human solid tumor lines.
A compact high-performance optical control system for phased array radars

A novel optical control system using nematic liquid crystals and acoustooptic devices is introduced. It can provide compact, lightweight, low-cost, transmit/receive mode, high-performance ( >
Does the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet in different epilepsies yield insights into its mechanisms

The ketogenic diet (KD) has been used successfully in a variety of epilepsy syndromes. This includes syndromes with multiple etiologies, including Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and infantile spasms; developmental syndromes of unknown etiology, such as Landau-Kleffner syndrome; and idiopathic epilepsies, such as myoclonic-astatic (Doose) epilepsy. It also includes syndromes where genetics play a major role, such as Dravet syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, and Rett syndrome. Study of the KD in humans and animals harboring various genetic mutations may yield insights into the diet's mechanisms. Comparison of the diet's effectiveness with other treatments in specific syndromes may be another useful tool for mechanistic studies. The diet's utility in epilepsy syndromes of various etiologies and in some neurodegenerative disorders suggests it may have multiple mechanisms of action.
Documenting Rural Architecture, by Giuseppe Pagano

(2010). Documenting Rural Architecture, by Giuseppe Pagano. Journal of Architectural Education: Vol. 63, No. 2, pp. 92-98.
Fetal echocardiography: a large clinical experience and follow-up.

We reviewed our experience with 382 fetal echocardiograms. Complete studies were not possible for three pregnancies because of either fetal position or maternal obesity. Studies were performed for fetal arrhythmia (28%), maternal factors (21%), fetal anomaly (11%) and family history of congenital heart disease (40%). There was a recurrence of heart disease in two of 153 patients (1.3%). Arrhythmia was the most common finding (82 of 382 patients). Premature atrial and ventricular contractions were the most common arrhythmia, and structural defects were present in four of 58 patients (6.8%) with premature contractions. Fetal heart defects ( n = 44) were identified in 40 of 382 (10%) referrals. The defects were complete atrioventricular block (13), ventricular septal defect (4), atrioventricular canal (5), cardiac mass (3), ectopia cordis (2), thoracopagus (2), hypoplastic left ventricle (2), hypoplastic right ventricle (2), atrial flutter (2), pulmonic stenosis (1), single ventricle (2), Uhl's anomaly (1), Ebstein's anomaly (1), mitral atresia (1), d-transposition of the great vessels (1), tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve (1), and atrial septal defect and ventricular septal defect (1). There were three false positive (99% specificity) and two false negative (95% sensitivity) fetal echocardiograms. The survival rates for referred patients with heart defects was: live born and perinatal survivor, 54%; perinatal death, 31%; still birth, 11%; and termination of pregnancy, 4%. Fetal echocardiography is accurate, and the abnormalities detected appear to be more severe than those detected on newborn screening.
Divergent vascular mechanisms downstream of Sry establish the arterial system in the XY gonad.

Although the primitive vasculature is identical in XX and XY genital ridges until 11.5 days postcoitum (dpc), by 12.5 dpc the XY gonad develops a distinct vasculature. This male-specific vasculature, which includes the development of a large coelomic vessel, develops coincident with expression of Sry and formation of testis cords. We show that similar levels of proliferation and vasculogenesis expand the primary vasculature in XX and XY gonads. However, soon after Sry expression begins, the XY gonad recruits a large number of endothelial cells from the adjacent mesonephros, a mechanism totally absent in XX gonads. These migrating cells do not contribute to venous or lymphatic development. Instead, these cells contribute to the arterial system, as indicated by expression of ephrinB2 and by elements of the Notch signaling pathway. This newly formed arterial system establishes a new pattern of blood flow in the XY gonad, which we speculate may have an important role in export of testosterone to masculinize the XY embryo.
Radiative fraction and optical thickness in large-scale hydrogen-jet fires

Abstract The radiative characteristics of large-scale (visible length 1.4–9.1 m) hydrogen jet flames that simulate an accidental leak from a high-pressure hydrogen container were compared with previous experimental and theoretical results for laboratory-scale non-sooting flames. The comparison shows that correlations of radiative heat fraction with global residence time need to account for the differences in thermal emittance of combustion gases for different fuels. This correction was found to be particularly important when hydrogen flames were compared to flames with CO2 as a product specie. Measurements of the radiative heat fraction for CO/H2, CH4 and H2 flames collapse onto one line when plotted against the logarithm of a characteristic residence time weighted by a factor that accounts for differences in the radiative characteristics of combustion gases. The radiative fraction of large-scale jet flames was found to be smaller than that predicted by the correlation obtained for laboratory-scale flames. This was explained by an increase in optical thickness as the flame size increases.
University-level Computer-assisted Instruction at Stanford: 1975

This article provides an overview of current work on university-level computer-assisted instruction at Stanford University. Brief descriptions are given of the main areas of current interest. The main emphasis is on the courses now being used: Introduction to Logic, Axiomatic Set Theory, Old Church Slavonic, History of the Russian Literary Language, Introduction to Bulgarian, Introduction to BASIC, Introduction to LISP, and various courses in music.
Privacy Notices under the Gramm—Leach—Bliley Act

Abstract On November 12, 1999, President Clinton signed the Financial Services Modernization Act, more commonly known as Gramm—Leach—Bliley Act (hereinafter referred to as the GLB Act).1 The GLB Act removed the laws enacted in the 1930s that prohibited firms from engaging in both commercial and investment banking. Legal restrictions had long blocked mergers among banks, brokerage houses, insurance companies, and other financial entities. The GLB Act permitted the creation of new kinds of “financial supermarkets.”2 Such organizations can now offer a full range of financial products, including insurance and securities underwriting, merchant banking, and real estate development and investment.3
Quark-photon vertex and the pion charge radius

The rainbow truncation of the quark Dyson-Schwinger equation is combined with the ladder Bethe-Salpeter equation for the dressed quark-photon vertex to study the low-momentum behavior of the pion electromagnetic form factor. With model gluon parameters previously fixed by the pion mass and decay constant, the pion charge radius ${r}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}$ is found to be in good agreement with the data. In this work, about half of ${r}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{2}$ is seen to be attributable to the presence of the $\ensuremath{\rho}$ pole in the solution of the ladder Bethe-Salpeter equation.
Harnessing the Financial Furies: Smart Financial Power and National Security

Economic sanctions have long been the national security tool of choice when neither diplomacy nor military force proves effective or possible. This tool of statecraft has become even more important...
Organismic Spatiality: Toward a Metaphysic of Composition:

The task of this paper is the construction of a theory of organismic spatiality. I take as a starting point Gilles Deleuze�s reference in The Logic of Sense to Gilbert Simondon�s concept of the membrane. The membrane is a dynamically topological limit between the organism�s milieus of interiority and exteriority�the first moment of organismic spatiality. It is the foundation of the organism as an entity spatially distinct from its environment. The membrane is discriminatory and asymmetric�a concept, I claim, best understood by way of a discussion of affectivity. To understand how the membrane brings the organism�s interior milieu into contact with the outside requires us to analyze its capacity to affect and be affected by its environment. To appreciate the compositional implications of this affectivity, I bring the concept into conversation with Humberto Maturana and Francisco Varela�s work on autopoietic systems theory. Conceived autopoietically, the organism�s activity as a living system constructs its own milieu of exteriority. Just as it pulses to its rhythm of temporality, so too does the organism live its own space: the here, as opposed to the now, of organismic subjectivity.
Remarks on the Band Spectrum of Sulfur and the Statistics of the Sulfur Nucleus

A few years ago Naude and Christy (1) examined the fine structure of five of the bands of diatomic sulfur in the near ultraviolet and made an analysis of them from which they calculated that in the normal state of the sulfur molecule the internuclear distance is 1.603A. If this result were correct it would appear that the sulfur molecule were very abnormal since a distance somewhat greater than 1.8A is predicted by several rules, including the covalent bond radii and an empirical rule by the author (2) by which internuclear distances can be calculated by vibrational frequencies.
Recent changes in Soviet water management: turnabout of the “Project of the Century”

Review of the history of Soviet water management indicates that the recently abolished N to S river transfer program would only be marginally helpful in hydroenergy production, river navigation, estuarine fishery, and stabilization of water levels in the Caspian and Aral seas, but would be significantly harmful to the ecology of the N parts of the USSR. Widely criticized mismanagement of coutrywide irrigation will only be exacerbated by water deversions. After Gorbachov's ascension, Soviet water management reached a pivotal point. Further expansion of water-wasteful irrigation will be drastically curtailed. A new comprehensive land reclamation programm will be initiated in order to boost farm production without additional interbasin water transfers. This program will basically consist of complex measures of forestation and land cultivations, soul erosion prevention, improvement of water delivery systems to the cropland, strict water rationing during irrigation, water conservation by efficient treatment, and reuse of collected drainage water. It is not yet clear how the Soviet planners intend to alleviate water shortages in Central Asia and prevent the shrinkage of the Aral Sea.
Study of hydration of the Na+ ion using a polarizable water model

We report some results of applying a polarizable water model (the PE model) to the molecular dynamics simulation of hydrated Na+ ion microclusters Na+(H2O)n with n=1,...,6. We found that the PE model with just two adjustable parameters reproduces the experimental enthalpies of formation of the ion–water microclusters better than a number of other methods. We also found that for n=6 at 0 K the water molecules do not form a regular octahedron. This predicted change in structure appears to be in agreement with experimental observations.
Forming contextual categories in infancy

Abstract The role of context in categorization was examined in four experiments with 3-month-olds. In all experiments infants learned to kick their feet to activate a mobile on 3 successive days. Infants were trained with a different mobile exemplar during each daily session. Categorization of a physically dissimilar novel object ( Butterfly ) was assessed 1 to 14 days later. In Experiments 1A and 1B, infants were trained and tested in a highly distinctive context. They included Butterfly in the mobile category after 1 and 7, but not after 14, days (Experiment 1A). This latter result was due to a categorization failure because infants did respond to another novel exemplar of the original training series after 14 days (Experiment 1B). In Experiment 2A, infants who were passively exposed to Butterfly for 3 minutes in the distinctive context at the end of category training responded to Butterfly 1 day later when it was encountered “out of context.” This result was also obtained in Experiment 2B when the distinctive context was present only during the final training session. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that categorization of a novel object is influenced by the context present when the object is initially encountered and by previous encounters with that object in the category context. Clearly, infants are capable of contextual categorization very early in the first year of life.
Searching for high alumina mare basalts using Clementine UVVIS and Lunar Prospector GRS data: Mare Fecunditatis and Mare Imbrium

Abstract In the context of sample evidence alone, the high-alumina (HA) basalts appear to be an unique, and rare variety of mare basalt. In addition to their distinct chemistry, radiometric dating reveals these basalts to be among the oldest sampled mare basalts. Yet, HA basalts were sampled by four missions spanning a lateral range of ∼2400 km, with ages demonstrating that aluminous volcanism lasted at least 1 billion years. This evidence suggests that HA basalts may be a widespread phenomenon on the Moon. Knowing the distribution of HA mare basalts on the lunar surface has significance for models of the origin and the evolution of the Lunar Magma Ocean. Surface exposures of HA basalts can be detected with compositional remote sensing data from Lunar Prospector Gamma Ray Spectrometer and Clementine. We searched the lunar surface for regions of interest (ROIs) that correspond to the intersection of three compositional constraints taken from values of sampled HA basalts: 12–18 wt% FeO, 1.5–5 wt% TiO2, and 0–4 ppm Th. We then determined the “true” (unobscured by regolith) composition of basalt units by analyzing the rims and proximal ejecta of small impacts (0.4–4 km in diameter) into the mare surface of these ROIs. This paper focuses on two ROIs that are the best candidates for sources of sampled HA basalts: Mare Fecunditatis, the landing site of Luna 16; and northern Mare Imbrium, hypothesized origin of the Apollo 14 HA basalts. We demonstrate our technique's ability for delineating discrete basalt units and determining which is the best compositional match to the HA basalts sampled by each mission. We identified two units in Mare Fecunditatis that spectrally resemble HA basalts, although only one unit (Iltm) is consistent with the compositional and relative age of the Luna 16 HA samples. Northern Mare Imbrium also reveals two units that are within the compositional constraints of HA basalts, with one (Iltm) best matching the composition of the basalts sampled by Apollo 14.