cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aboriginal resources change through time in New England upland wetlands, south-east Australia

It has previously been assumed that New England high-country environments were not conducive to intense Aboriginal occupation and associated ceremonial activities. How productive were upland wetlands (lagoons) for Aboriginal occupation of high country in eastern Australia through time? Especially during their intermittent phases, upland lagoons provide a diverse and changing mix of deep water, marsh and the green pick of recently exposed lake bed, a rich aggregation of both plant and animal resources not available in other environments. Upland wetlands can be a surprisingly productive Aboriginal resource in an otherwise harsh country, and would at times allow for high population aggregations, such as for ceremonies. We surveyed the ecological literature on New England lagoon characteristics, on vegetation and on birds and other fauna used as resources by Aboriginal people. This was then compared with palaeo-environmental data to prepare an account of potential resources for the New England region over time. We found that overall productivity of lagoons can be high, with large numbers of plant and animal species present in the wetland environment, especially in the early and very late Holocene. Productivity is highest not at the lake-full stage, but when the moist littoral zones are at their most extensive. The reasons for the apparent sparseness of occupation of the high country before the mid-Holocene are unresolved but open to informed speculation about the changing resource inventory of the wetlands, and the mid-Holocene appearance of new technologies that may have enabled more efficient use of resources. In the later Holocene, Aboriginal occupation in upland areas became visible in the record, and included an exceptionally high number of ceremonial sites juxtaposed with the areas of greatest lagoon concentration. This suggests either that these wetlands had become more productive and diverse over time or that people had learnt how to make better use of the available wetland resources, to the point of supporting the larger numbers often associated with ceremonial activity. More research into the location and chronology of wetland archaeological sites is required to resolve the question of whether the apparent early lack of sites is a question of visibility or a real hiatus.
Coherent Phase Control Of The Photoionization And Photodissociation Of Hi And Di

In a recent paper1 we reported the achievement of coherent phase control of the competition between ionization and dissociation of hydrogen iodide molecules. Control was achieved by absorption of three photons of frequency ω1 and one photon of frequency ω3 = 3ω1, at energies just above the first ionization threshold. The detected products were HI+ and I+, the latter generated by dissociation of the molecule and the absorption of one or more photons by the fragment iodine atoms. Increasing the relative phase of the two lasers produced a modulation of the two ion signals. It was further observed that at certain wavelengths the modulated signals were out of phase with each other, so that the branching ratio was also modulated.
Convergence Examples of a Filter-Based Evolutionary Algorithm

We describe and critique the convergence properties of filter-based evolutionary pattern search algorithms (F-EPSAs). F-EPSAs implicitly use a filter to perform a multi-objective search for constrained problems such that convergence can be guaranteed. We provide two examples that illustrate how F-EPSAs may generate limit points other than constrained stationary points. F-EPSAs are evolutionary pattern search methods that employ a finite set of search directions, and our examples illustrate how the choice of search directions impacts an F-EPSA’s search dynamics.
RF reliability subject to dynamic voltage stress in NMOS circuits [power amplifier example]

NMOS transistor degradation due to dynamic stress was examined experimentally. The degradation in radio frequency performance, such as linearity and noise figure, are evaluated. A power amplifier is used as a circuit example to demonstrate the effect of dynamic stress on RF circuit performance.
An Energy Efficient Location Service for Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

Location based routing protocols are heavily dependent on location services which provide the position information of the desired destination node. Seldom location service schemes include energy efficiency metrics when evaluating their performance in forwarding location update and query packets. We propose a novel location service that aims at decreasing the distance traveled by the location update and query packets and, thus, at reducing the overall energy cost. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate that the new scheme achieves energy efficiency while maintaining all the other performance metrics comparable to the previously published algorithms.
Model of Summary Tables Selection for Data Warehouse

In this paper, we consider the problem of selecting summary tables for a Data Warehouse, in which aggregate queries are frequently posed. We introduce the concept of a complete aggregation graph for defining the possible summary tables. We present a model for determining an optimal set of summary tables. The selection algorithm based on the model takes into consideration query response time constraints and cost/benefit evaluation.
Second Parent Adoption - Is it Legal in Maryland?

Often, one partner in a gay or lesbian relationship may have biological children that the other partner seeks to adopt. These adoptions, called second parent adoptions, are similar to step-parent adoptions in that the child is legally related to one parent who consents to the adoption, while desiring to retain his/her parental rights to the child. In Maryland, there is no provision for permitting a second parent adoption by statute or case law. There is, however, no prohibition against a same sex couple adopting a child unrelated to both of them. Currently, six states allow marriage of same sex couples; therein, the adoption is permitted as a step-parent adoption.
Mannose-containing Polysaccharides of the Apiculate Yeasts Nadsonia, Hanseniaspora, Kloeckera, and Saccharomycodes, and Their Use as an Aid in Classification

The mannose-containing polysaccharides formed by species of Nadsonia, Hanseniaspora, Kloeckera, and Saccharomycodes were extracted with hot aqueous alkali and purified by precipitation as their copper complexes. N. fulvescens and N. elongata formed galactomannans, while Hanseniaspora and Kloeckera species and S. ludwigii formed mannans. H. valbyensis, H. uvarum, and K. apiculata were a group which formed mannans which had identical H-1 regions in their proton magnetic resonance (PMR) spectra, and H. osmophila, K. africana, and K. magna mannas formed another group based on similar spectra. K. javanica formed a mannan with an H-1 spectral region which resembled that of the H. valbyensis group in some respects and that of the H. osmophila group in others. The H-1 portion of the PMR spectrum of S. lugwigii mannan was very complex and was unlike that of any other apiculate yeast studied.
Particle on the innermost stable circular orbit of a rapidly spinning black hole

We compute the radiation emitted by a particle on the innermost stable circular orbit of a rapidly spinning black hole both (a) analytically, working to leading order in the deviation from extremality and (b) numerically, with a new high-precision Teukolsky code. We find excellent agreement between the two methods. We confirm previous estimates of the overall scaling of the power radiated, but show that there are also small oscillations all the way to extremality. Furthermore, we reveal an intricate mode-by-mode structure in the flux to infinity, with only certain modes having the dominant scaling. The scaling of each mode is controlled by its conformal weight, a quantity that arises naturally in the representation theory of the enhanced near-horizon symmetry group. We find relationships to previous work on particles orbiting in precisely extreme Kerr, including detailed agreement of quantities computed here with conformal field theory (CFT) calculations performed in the context of the Kerr/CFT correspondence.
The effects of probability of future success on coalition formation

Prior research had indicated that when power was divided so that A > B > C, A < (B + C), the two weaker players preferred one another as coalition partners. It was hypothesized that if an alliance with the strongest player had a higher probability of future success than other alliances, the weaker players would prefer the strongest as a coalition partner rather than one another. It was found that the inclusion of the factor of probability of future success plus a difference in probabilities favoring the strongest player led to the weaker players preferring the strongest. The initial negotiation offers of the strongest player and the final division of rewards were often affected by variations in the probability of future success of the strongest player, but the initial offers of the weaker players were not.
Polymer–Silicon Flexible Structures for Fast Chemical Vapor Detection

Abstract : Although there are several aspects that contribute to an efficient chemical sensor system, the choice of responsive materials can help to optimize several key attributes critical for their ultimate performance, specifically high sensitivity, selectivity, fast response time, and wide dynamic range. Some common issues reported to date for sensors are limited detection range, slow response time, long recovery period, and fast saturation (limited dynamic range). Most of these issues are directly related to the large volume of bulk porous material that is needed for measurable signal output, which leads to inherently slow sorption, diffusion, and desorption processes. One type of gas sensor that receives only limited attention despite being among the most frequently used sensors for measuring important environmental quantities is the humidity sensor.[2] Important applications of this type of sensor include for respiratory equipment, incubators, chemical gas purification, and surgical operations. The main requirements for humidity sensors are good sensitivity over a wide humidity range, low hysteresis, good reproducibility, and longevity. Often sensors are required to be very small and suitable for integration into arrayed systems, such as odor-sensing arrays.
Reliability limits for the gate insulator in CMOS technology

Aggressive scaling of the thickness of the gate insulator in CMOS transistors has caused the quality and reliability of ultrathin dielectrics to assume greater importance. This paper reviews the physics and statistics of dielectric wearout and breakdown in ultrathin SiO2-based gate dielectrics. Estimating reliability requires an extrapolation from the measeurment conditions (e.g., higher voltage) to normal operation conditions. To reduce the error in this extrapolation, long-term (>1 year) stress experiments have been used to measure the wearout and breakdown of ultrathin (<2 nm) dielectric films as close as possible to operating conditions. Measured over a sufficiently wide range of stress conditions, the time to breakdown (TBD) does not obey any simple "law" such as exponential dependence on electric field or voltage, as has been commonly assumed in reliability extrapolations. Thus, the interpretation of TBD data remains somewhat controversial. Present research is aimed at better understanding the nature of the electrical conduction through a breakdown spot, and the effect of the oxide breakdown on device and circuit performance. In some cases an oxide breakdown may not lead to immediate circuit failure, so more research is needed in order to develop a quantitative methodology for predicting the reliability of circuits.
p-nitrophenyl α-d-glucopyranoside, a new substrate for glucansucrases

p-Nitrophenyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside has been shown to be a substrate for the glucansucrases of various strains of Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Streptococcus mutans. The products from a digest of p-nitrophenyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside with L. mesenteroides B-512F dextransucrase were found to include dextran, a series of p-nitrophenyl isomaltodextrin glycosides, and p-nitrophenyl nigeroside. The kinetics of the reaction were non-Michaelis-Menten, possibly because p-nitrophenyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside has a dual role in the reaction as both a D-glucosyl donor and acceptor.
The Granularity of Parallel Homotopy Algorithms for Polynomial Systems of Equations

Polynomial systems consist of n polynomial functions in n variables, with real or complex coefficients. Finding zeros of such systems is challenging because there may be a large number of solutions, and Newton-type methods can rarely be guaranteed to find the complete set of solutions. There are homotopy algorithms for polynomial systems of equations that are globally convergent from an arbitrary starting point with probability one, are guaranteed to find all the solutions, and are robust, accurate, and reasonably efficient. There is inherent parallelism at several levels in these algorithms. Several parallel homotopy algorithms with different granularities are studied on several different parallel machines, using actual industrial problems from chemical engineering and solid modeling.
Social Comparison, the Threat of AIDS, and Adolescent Condom Use1

This study investigated the interaction among threat self-esteem and downward comparison in relation to future intention of adolescents to use condoms. The hypotheses were that 1) feeling threatened by HIV would prompt downward social comparisons 2) engaging in downward comparisons would indicate satisfaction with condom use (independent of actual use) and impede chances of future change and 3) lower self-esteem would deter behavior change in the presence of threat. The three operationalizations of social comparison used were 1) comparative ratings of the self relative to others 2) affiliation preference and 3) derogation of a target person. Questionnaires were administered to 457 seniors at two public high schools in New Mexico and the hypotheses were tested on data from the 284 students who were sexually active within the past year (44% did not use a condom during last intercourse and 62% reported inconsistent or no condom use during the past year). Standard and specially developed measures were used to determine perceived threat self-esteem social comparison risk behavior satisfaction with behavior and behavioral intentions. The findings were that 1) different results were produced by the three measures of social comparison; 2) increased threat and lower self-esteem increased downward comparisons that were detrimental to behavior improvement; and 3) as threat increased adolescents with moderate and high self-esteem rated the target person more favorably instead of less favorably as predicted.
A search for high-energy cosmic γ-rays in emulsions

The possibility of employing nuclear emulsions as a detector for v radiation from celestial sources was tested in a balloon flight over Texas. An average downward flux of 0.27 photons/cm2 s sr was found during ascent and descent of the balloon in a solid angle of 0.842 sr. An upper limit to the flux of γ-rays at an altitude of between 3 and 4.5 gm/cm2 was determined as 1.7.10-2 photons/cm2 s sr. An upper limit to the albedo flux during ascent and descent is given by 2.5.10-2 photons/cm2 s sr. The results on scanning time and scanning efficiency in Ilford G-5 emulsions were not too encouraging.
Untargeted analysis of mass spectrometry data for elucidation of metabolites and function of enzymes.

A Matlab-based computer program termed Discovery of General Endo- and Xenobiotics (DoGEX) was developed, which uses wavelets and morphological analysis to process liquid chromatography−mass spectrometry (LC−MS) data. The output of the program is a list of integration areas as a function of retention time and molecular mass. A feature of the computer program is spectral filtering to facilitate the detection of chromatographic peaks with a particular isotopic ratio. The program DoGEX was used to automatically select oxidation products formed from felodipine (i.e., two chlorine atoms) and bromocriptine (one bromine atom) with cytochrome P450 3A4. The recognized isotope ratio can be changed to permit a natural or artificial mixture of isotopes to be monitored for selections. This computer program can be used to analyze LC−MS data for untargeted metabolic profiling experiments, e.g., to assign endogenous functions to newly characterized cytochrome P450 enzymes. In a representative example, an incubation of tes...
Osmotic interrelationship between blood and gut fluid in the isopod Porcellio scaber Latr. (Crustacea)

Abstract 1. The osmotic interrelationship between the blood and the gut fluid (as obtained from the mouth) on desiccation was investigated in the terrestrial isopod Porcellio scaber Latr. 2. In normal, undesiccated animals the concentration of the oral fluid is 244·5 ± 6·1 mM NaCl/l and that of the blood 313·1 ± 3·3 mM NaCl/l (N = 45). 3. On desiccation the blood osmotic concentration remains fairly unchanged up to a 10% loss of body weight, while that of the oral fluid increases rapidly and reaches the maximum of 500 mM NaCl/l in about 90 min in dry air. After a severe desiccation the two compartments come to an osmotic equilibrium. 4. It is suggested that the main reason for the osmotic changes is related to withdrawal of water from the gut lumen into the blood, though on severe desiccation also volume changes in the two compartments may come into play.
First report of southern blight of Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla) caused by Sclerotium rolfsii in California.

In June 2013, a commercial organic planting of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla) in Monterey County, CA, showed symptoms of a soilborne disease. Early symptoms consisted of delayed and stunted growth, with wilting of foliage during the warmer times of the day. Initially, a light brown discoloration developed on stems at the soil line. As disease progressed, a dark brown necrosis extended up the main stem and down along the upper portion of the taproot. In advanced cases, the plants collapsed and died. Extensive white cottony mycelium and numerous brown, spherical sclerotia, approximately 1 mm in diameter, developed externally on the lower stem, crown, and adhering adjacent soil. For this particular planting, approximately 10% of the 0.4 ha was lost. Sequentially planted sets of chard placed in other parts of the farm were unaffected. Isolations from necrotic plant tissues, sclerotia, and white mycelium all resulted in recovery of the same white fungus that in culture produced identical sclerotia but no other reproductive structures. Based on white mycelium, sclerotia morphology, and the presence of clamp connections at hyphal septa, the fungus was identified as Sclerotium rolfsii (1). Pathogenicity was tested by growing isolates on potato dextrose agar, drying the resulting sclerotia for 48 h, then burying 5 to 8 sclerotia adjacent to the crowns of healthy Swiss chard plants grown in pots. Three isolates were tested using 24 plants per isolate. Six control plants were inoculated with sterilized sand. All plants were incubated in a greenhouse at 22 to 25°C. After 8 days, inoculated plants began to wilt. By 14 days after inoculation, 100% of the inoculated plants showed symptoms identical to those observed in the field. One half of the plants were used for re-isolations, from which S. rolfsii was recovered from all necrotic crown and stem tissues. The other half of the plants were maintained in the greenhouse; these plants later supported the development of sclerotia. Sand-inoculated control plants did not develop any disease symptoms. The experiment was repeated and the results were the same. To our knowledge, this is the first report of southern blight of Swiss chard in California. Southern blight has not previously been found in this cooler, western part of the county adjacent to the Pacific Ocean; southern blight has been documented on other crops such as pepper, tomato, and chives (3) in the warmer eastern and southern parts of Monterey County. S. rolfsii has been reported on Swiss chard in Louisiana, South Carolina, and Cuba (2). References: (1) K. H. Domsch et al. Compendium of Soil Fungi, 2nd edition. IHW-Verlag, Eching, Germany, 2007. (2) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Syst. Mycol. Microbiol. Lab. Online publication, ARS, USDA. Retrieved July 26, 2013. (3) S. T. Koike et al. Plant Dis. 78:208, 1994.
V 2 control with capacitor current ramp compensation using lossless capacitor current sensing

V2 control is a popular control architecture in point-of-load Buck converters due to its simplicity and fast transient response. V2 control with ceramic capacitor has instability issue. This paper reviews the existing solutions and their limitations are studied. A solution using output capacitor current ramp to stabilize the control loop is proposed. The analog capacitor current sensing method based on impedance match is used in the implementation of lossless current sensing. A small signal equivalent circuit is proposed for the analysis of the proposed control method. The proposed solution is superior to existing compensation methods for the excellent transient response for a wide range of duty cycle. The effectiveness of the concept and implementation are verified by experimental results.
Pioneers in Peace Psychology: M. Brewster Smith

M. Brewster Smith1 was born in Syracuse, New York, June 26, 1919. Named for his paternal grandfather, Mahlon Brewster Smith, he was the son of a Harvard Ph.D. English professor who left for the Wes...
A few questions about business speaking

(1932). A few questions about business speaking. Quarterly Journal of Speech: Vol. 18, No. 3, pp. 405-421.
AKAP150-mediated TRPV1 sensitization is disrupted by calcium/calmodulin.

Background The transient receptor potential vanilloid type1 (TRPV1) is expressed in nociceptive sensory neurons and is sensitive to phosphorylation. A-Kinase Anchoring Protein 79/150 (AKAP150) mediates phosphorylation of TRPV1 by Protein Kinases A and C, modulating channel activity. However, few studies have focused on the regulatory mechanisms that control AKAP150 association with TRPV1. In the present study, we identify a role for calcium/calmodulin in controlling AKAP150 association with, and sensitization of, TRPV1.
Reduced-order transient thermal modeling for SOFC heating and cooling

Abstract Transient thermal analysis plays a central role in the design and optimization of high temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) during startup/shutdown, because of the potential for damaging thermal gradients to develop within the SOFC components. The optimal design of a heating/cooling process is one that minimizes the total time required to reach a prescribed final operating temperature, while not exceeding given thresholds of maximum allowable temperature gradients. To this end, we consider the SOFC unit cell, which is heated by hot air supplied into the oxidizer channel at a specified, time-dependent inlet temperature. Beginning with a general thermal model of the cell, we develop and evaluate limiting cases that allow closed-form analytical solutions of the time-varying temperature fields, from which heating time and maximum temperature gradient are calculated. The results are generalized by presentation in terms of a modified effective Peclet number and dimensionless inlet temperature function. Finally, the accuracy of these predictions is evaluated by comparison to results of 3-D CFD modeling in Fluent, and design maps for optimizing the transient heating process are presented. Results indicate that the reduced-order models’ simplicity, computational savings, and ability to capture the essential physics of the transient process justify their use in design calculations over more complex, highly detailed, numerical/CFD schemes.
Effects of nerve constriction on oxygenated excised segments of rat peripheral nerve.

The accumulations of axoplasmic components proximal and distal to constrictions of peripheral nerves were studied in excised, oxygenated segments of rat sciatic nerve and compared with similar phenomena occurring adjacent to in situ constrictions along the same nerve. Excised nerve preparations were incubated in dextrose-enriched Ringer's solution at 37°C under 95% O2 and 5% CO2 for intervals up to 8 hours. The proximal and distal edges of the in situ and excised constricted nerves were processed for serial ultrastructural examination. Distributions of succinic dehydrogenase and acetyl cholinesterase activities within the constricted nerve fibers were studied by whole-mount histochemical procedures. Progressive accumulations of axoplasmic organelles and enzymatic activity were noted in the excised nerve segments adjacent to the constrictions. These accumulations were indistinguishable from those occurring at in situ constrictions. Accumulations in unmyelinated fibers were located immediately adjacent to the constrictive sites while axonal accumulations of myelinated fibers were separated from the constrictive site by a 200–800µ segment of disorganized nerve fiber. Predominant accumulations were always seen on the proximal edge of the constrictive site. Some myelinated nerve fibers of in situ and excised constricted nerve, however, failed to show enzymatic accumulation in the proximal and/or distal segments. The demonstration of axonal accumulations adjacent to constrictions in oxygenated excised segments of peripheral nerve indicates the indigenous nature of this phenomenon and offers a model system for further study of the underlying cellular mechanisms.
FLUX QUANTIZATION AND GENERALIZED PAIRING IN SUPERCONDUCTING CYLINDERS

The observation that flux is quantized in units of $\frac{\mathrm{ch}}{2e}$ in multiply connected superconductors can be understood if the paired electrons in the ground-state wave function have identical angular momentum. It is possible, however, to generalize the pairing condition and obtain a superconductor in which the ground-state paired electrons have different momentum. Under these circumstances, the relation between superconductivity and flux quantization is obscured and in this paper we reinvestigate the question. The Gibbs free-energy per unit volume of the superconductor can be separated into three parts: A magnetic term which is a minimum when the external and internal fields are equal; a kinetic term, which after suitable averaging is found to be independent of the enclosed flux; and the superconducting correlation energy, which is periodic in the enclosed flux, with minima at integral multiples of $\frac{\mathrm{ch}}{2e}$. We obtain the result that flux quantization in units of $\frac{\mathrm{ch}}{2e}$ occurs when the minima of the correlation energy at integral flux values determine the behavior of the free energy; and this is the usual case. By choosing an appropriate sample (one which is not rotationally invariant and in which the inner hole is very small), the magnetic energy might be made to dominate in the Gibbs function. Then one would expect a breakdown of quantization, with the flux approaching that due to the external field. Nonintegral flux values would correspond to states of mixed pairing.
Cascade removal and microPET imaging with 76Br.

PET imaging with non-standard nuclides has limitations due to the reduced spatial resolution from the positron range and from the concurrent emission of other gamma rays during the decay process. Particularly in high-resolution small animal PET imaging, these factors become detrimental for accurate quantitation of the activity concentrations from the reconstructed images. This paper presents an evaluation for imaging with such a nuclide, 76Br, through imaging of specifically designed phantoms in a high-resolution small animal PET scanner. A model is presented for the calculation and removal of fortuitous cascade gamma ray coincidences based on estimation of the activity distribution and the attenuation correction file. In this evaluation, it is shown that 2 mm spatial resolution can be achieved with 76Br while 1.7 mm was achieved with 18F using a filtered back projection algorithm despite the much higher end-point energy of the positrons from 76Br. A detailed evaluation of the point spread function for this nuclide was fitted by a double Gaussian function and explained the long tail from the high-energy positrons. These evaluations are crucial for accurate correction for partial volume effects and to provide accurate measurement of the activity concentrations in small animal PET imaging.
Epidural catheter-induced paresthesia accompanied by changes in skin color and temperature in an obstetric patient

Placement of epidural catheters for labor analgesia is a common procedure that has become more popular in recent years. However, this procedure can often cause paresthesia, which is typically characterized as a transient and intense burning pain radiating to the hip or leg. In this case report, we describe a patient who had persistent paresthesia in her right foot caused by an indwelling epidural catheter, which was successfully relieved following a partial withdrawal of the epidural catheter. More interestingly, we also observed dramatic changes in skin color and temperature (cold and pale) on her right foot that was well correlated both in time and location with the epidural-induced paresthesia. This cold and pale skin on the right foot represents a localized sympathetic discharge associated with the epidural-induced paresthesia, a phenomenon that has not previously been described. Based on the location of the paresthesia and the pathway of the sympathetic nerve fibers, it is unlikely that this localized sympathetic discharge was due to a direct irritation of the preganglionic sympathetic fibers in the spinal nerve roots by the epidural catheter and thus, a spinal reflex was probably involved. This phenomenon provided us with additional clinical evidence of nerve root irritation, which prompted us to act quickly, and resulted in a favorable outcome.
How the Swans Came to Lake Michigan: The Social Organization of Buddhist Chicago

An analysis of the social organization of Buddhist groups and networks in metropolitan Chicago sheds light on the social organization of Buddhism and other new religions in American cities generally. Following an overview of the history and geography of Buddhist Chicago, this essay examines the dynamics underlying the emergence of local Buddhist groups and networks under two main headings: religious identities and sociological factors. First, Buddhism's various branches, traditions, and lineages are discussed; sociological factors discussed include organizational types, ethnic/racial distinctions, sociological functions played by Buddhism for “culture Buddhists” and “convert Buddhists,”and the role of local social dynamics in the emergence, proliferation, and interaction of Buddhist groups. As the field of American Buddhist studies enters a period of renewed productivity, this essay offers a conceptual framework for understanding major issues that can benefit both researchers within the field and interested social scientists outside of it.
The effect of optical design on micromanipulator spot size using CO2 laser irradiation.

Abstract Objective: The study goal was to compare the laser spot size created using reflective and refractive micromanipulators with a CO 2 laser and to determine the sensitivity of spot size to laser power. Study Design and Setting: A CO 2 laser and operating microscope (400-mm focal length) was coupled to either a reflective (Cassegrain-like) or refractive micromanipulator. Laser spot size was determined by measuring the region of ablation created by laser irradiation of wood (dry tongue depressors), exposed photographic film, and agar gel using optical micrometry. Laser power varied from 0.5 to 20 W with pulse durations of 0.1 and 0.5 second. Results: The reflective micromanipulator demonstrated overall smaller spot sizes for a given laser power and lower incremental change in spot size with increasing power. The reflective design demonstrated less sensitivity to increases in laser power. Conclusions: Micromanipulator optical design can result in significant differences in laser spot size. The reflective device used in this study demonstrated less sensitivity to increasing laser power. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2002;126:593-597.)
Organic debris on the continental margins: a simulation analysis of source and fate

Abstract A fine-mesh (0.5 km, 2.5 m) two-dimensional model of particle transport and decomposition in the aphotic zone (>150 m) is used to analyse time series (April–August) of element fluxes caught by sediment traps, moored in a transect from the upper slope (500 m) to the continental rise (2750 m) of the Mid-Atlantic Bight. Inclusion of a benthic boundary layer within generally quiescent offshore flows of t 1 cm s −1 in the model allows replication of the time phasing and amount of organic carbon sampled by the traps at 50 m above bottom. Over the lower 75 m of the water column on the upper slope, the survival of shelf diatom chains (sinking at 10 m day −1 ), as well as slope picoplankton (1 m day −1 ) and zooplankton fecal pellets (100 m day −1 ), provides most of the model's fidelity after the demise of the spring bloom. On the lower slope, however, the slow setting classes of detritus ( −1 ) do not survive the descent, with fluxes of shelf macroaggregates (also sinking at 100 m day −1 ) and fecal pellets required instead to match observations of particle rain. Downslope resuspension, near-bottom transport, and particle disaggregation may introduce more organic matter to sediments of the continental margins than previously estimated with traps.
Radiative level shifts II: Higher order contributions to the lamb shift

Abstract The work of the preceding paper is extended to the calculation of higher order contributions to the Lamb shift. Special emphasis is given to a discussion of the general procedures involved in a systematic evaluation of level shift corrections in a series of increasing powers of Zα. The earlier results by other authors for the orders α(Zα)5mc2, α(Zα)6ln2Zαmc2, and the n = 1 and 2 parts of α(Zα)6lnZαmc2 are confirmed, and the general n dependence of α(Zα)6lnZαmc2 is obtained along with an estimate of the α(Zα)6mc2 contribution.
Efficient pipeline configuration in distributed heterogeneous computing environments

We consider six classes of linear pipeline configuration problems with different mapping objectives and network constraints in distributed heterogeneous computing environments. We prove that two of them are polynomially solvable and the rest are NP-complete, for each of which, an optimal or heuristic algorithm based on dynamic programming is designed. Extensive simulation results illustrate the efficacy of these algorithms in comparison with existing methods.
The Impact of Prophylaxis on Outcome and Resource Utilization in Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia

Study objective: Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is a major late complication of HIV infection associated with morbidity and mortality. Because chemoprophylaxis is highly effective, cases of PCP can be viewed as failures in the management of HIV disease. Methods We reviewed demographic, clinical, and cost data for all cases of confirmed HIV-related PCP at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1991 to determine consequences of missed prophylaxis. We also analyzed hospital discharge data for Maryland in 1991 to assess hospital charges, length of stay, and outcome for all patients with a principal diagnosis of HIV-related PCP. Results: Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia was diagnosed in 79 patients. Of the 79 patients, 61 (77%) did not receive prophylaxis, including 26 who were not previously known to have HIV infection, 17 who did not have prophylaxis prescribed, and 18 who had prophylaxis prescribed, but were not compliant with the regimen. Patients not taking prophylaxis accounted for all 12 deaths ascribed to PCP. This group also accounted for 85% of the hospital days, 100% of the ICU days, and 89% of the inpatient charges. The total hospital charges were $849,540. Extrapolation of these figures for the state of Maryland suggest that the failure to receive prophylaxis in 1991 resulted in 62 patient deaths and a cost of approximately $4.7 million. Conclusion Patients who developed PCP despite prophylaxis had a better outcome and used fewer resources than patients not receiving preventive therapy. This study emphasizes the impact of PCP prophylaxis on the morbidity, mortality, and economics of HIV health care.
Wire tension measurement using voltage switching

Abstract We describe a method for measuring wire tensions in drift cells in which mechanical wire oscillations are generated by switching one of the cell voltages and the mechanical resonance frequency of the wire is determined from the current oscillations induced on the wire. This method is demonstrated for a single-wire drift tube, and its main features are explored and discussed.
Regulatory mechanisms of mitogen-activated kinase signaling

MAP kinases (MAPKs) are evolutionarily conserved regulators that mediate signal transduction and play essential roles in various physiological processes. There are three main families of MAPKs in mammals, whose functions are regulated by activators, inactivators, substrates and scaffolds, which together form delicate signaling cascades in response to different extracellular or intracellular stimulation. MAPK signaling is tightly regulated so that optimal biological activities are achieved and health is maintained. However, how the specificity of the signaling flow along each cascade is achieved is still relatively unclear. In this review, we summarize recent advances in understanding the regulation of MAPK cascades and the roles of MAP kinases and their regulators in development and in immune responses.
Solution-adaptive grid procedure for the parabolized Navier-Stokes equations

A solution-adapt ive grid procedure based on an error equidistribution principle is developed and applied to a three-dimensional parabolized Navier-Stokes solver. The scheme redistributes grid points line by line in both crossflow directions, with grid point motion controlled by forces analogous to tensional and torsional spring forces. The tensional force is proportional to the error measure or a weighting function related to the error measure. The torsional force is used to control grid skewness relative to the upstream and cross-stream coordinate lines. Weighting functions are selected by first normalizing flowfield gradients and/or curvature of a number of dependent variables and then selecting the largest at each point. The hypersonic flow over a right-circular cone at three different yaw angles is studied to demonstrate the performance of the solution-adaptive grid procedure. Pitot pressure profiles and surface pressure computed using the solution-adaptive algorithm are compared with experimental results as well as with numerical results obtained using a fixed grid. Pitot pressure predictions using the adaptive grid algorithm show better agreement with experiment than those obtained using a fixed grid.
Photovoltaics II: Flat panels: Fixed-base silicon arrays are expected to exploit efficient, lightly doped cells

Presents a brief description of fixed-base flat silicon arrays and gives their advantages over tracking systems in particular climates. The author places great emphasis on silicon solar cells of the future with high performance characteristics allied with low fabrication costs which would be essential to make this a viable source of energy production. The structure of cells capable of achieving efficiencies of up to 21% is presented and further possible developments are indicated.
Bayesian Evaluation of a Specific Hypothesis

A bayesian procedure is developed to compute the posterior probability that a set of parameter estimates is arbitrarily close to a specified set of values. This procedure allows researchers to directly measure the evidence favoring a specific hypothesis. Because of the current inability to measure this evidence directly, some researchers are confusing the inability to reject a null hypothesis with the justification for accepting it and are thus committing a null hypothesis error. To illustrate the applicability of this new procedure, it is used to evaluate the evidence supporting one version of the efficient market hypothesis. Contrary to the results of an earlier study, little support was found for the efficient market hypothesis.
Evaluation of Turbulence Closure Models for Large-Eddy Simulation over Complex Terrain: Flow over Askervein Hill

The evaluation of turbulence closure models for large-eddy simulation (LES) has primarily been performed over flat terrain, where comparisons with theory and observations are simplified. The authors have previously developed improved closure models using explicit filtering and reconstruction, together with a dynamic eddy-viscosity model and a near-wall stress term. This dynamic reconstruction model (DRM) is a mixed model, combining scale-similarity and eddy-viscosity components. The DRM gave improved results over standard eddy-viscosity models for neutral boundary layer flow over flat but rough terrain, yielding the expected logarithmic velocity profiles near the wall. The results from the studies over flat terrain are now extended to flow over full-scale topography. The test case is flow over Askervein Hill, an isolated hill in western Scotland, where a field campaign was conducted in 1983 with the purpose of capturing wind data representing atmospheric episodes under near-neutral stratification and steady wind conditions. This widely studied flow provides a more challenging test case for the new turbulence models because of the sloping terrain and separation in the lee of the hill. Since an LES formulation is used, a number of simulation features are different than those typically used in the Askervein literature. The simulations are inherently unsteady, the inflow conditions are provided by a separate turbulent flow database, and (uniquely herein) ensemble averages of the turbulent flow results are used in comparisons with field data. Results indicate that the DRM can improve the predictions offlow speedup and especially turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) over the hill when compared with the standard TKE-1.5 model. This is the first study, to the authors’ knowledge, in which explicit filtering and reconstruction (scale similarity) and dynamic turbulence models have been applied to full-scale simulations of the atmospheric boundary layer over terrain. Simulations with the lowest level of reconstruction are straightforward. Increased levels of reconstruction, however, present difficulties when used with a dynamic eddy-viscosity model. An alternative mixed model is proposed to avoid the complexities associated with the dynamic procedure and to allow higher levels of reconstruction; this mixed model combines a standard TKE-1.5 eddy-viscosity closure with velocity reconstruction to form a simple and efficient turbulence model that gives good results for both mean flow and turbulence over Askervein Hill. The results indicate that significant improvements in LES over complex terrain can be obtained by the use of mixed models that combine scale-similarity and eddy-viscosity components.
“Change only for the benefit of society as a whole”: pragmatism, knowledge and regimes of violence

By temperament and pragmatic intellectual conviction, Durkheim seems to have been averse to violence. His notion that suicide threatened the social whole or that the violence of social revolution was counterproductive, indicate as much. Yet in other areas of social life, such as in Durkheim's views of physical punishment and discipline in schools of his pedagogical work, or in his insensitivity to the fate of victims of religious and ritual sacrifice, an acceptance of violence, even death, appears to infuse his writings. Furthermore, there are also arguments to be made of the support that Durkheimian theory may have offered to regimes of French colonial domination during the Third Republic. Similarly, did Durkheim's societal thinking aid the rise of fascist organicism by offering it intellectual legitimacy? Such cases thus raise doubts about the consistency of Durkheimian thought with political violence or regimes of domination, like those explored by Michel Foucault. Among these matters I discuss whether there is a sense in which Durkheim may have been perceived as a supporter of schemes in which knowledge conspires to condition regimes of power, such those referred to as institutional violence.
Space-time localization and registration on the beating heart

This paper presents a framework for localizing a miniature epicardial crawling robot, HeartLander, on the beating heart using only 6-degree-of-freedom position measurements from an electromagnetic position tracker and a dynamic surface model of the heart. Using only this information, motion and observation models of the system are developed such that a particle filter can accurately estimate not only the location of the robot on the surface of the heart, but also the pose of the heart in the world coordinate frame as well as the current physiological phase of the heart. The presented framework is then demonstrated in simulation on a dynamic 3-D model of the human heart and a robot motion model which accurately mimics the behavior of the HeartLander robot.
Down's syndrome: critical genes in a critical region.

The NFAT transcription factors activate the expression of many genes involved in the immune response and the development of a variety of tissues. They have now been implicated in Down's syndrome.
Proximalization of the Arterial Inflow: New Treatment of Choice in Patients with Advanced Dialysis Shunt-Associated Steal Syndrome?

Dialysis-associated steal syndrome (DASS) is a potentially devastating complication. As a new surgical technique, proximalization of the arterial inflow (PAI) has been described recently to be of good effect in case of DASS. As there has not yet been much general familiarity with this technique, our aim with this prospective study was to establish its indication for a special group of patients who developed advanced DASS (finger necrosis) following autogenuous hemodialysis access (HA). Twenty-three patients (18 brachial, five wrist HA) with advanced DASS underwent PAI. Graft material included either heparinized (13 patients) or nonheparinized (10 patients) polytetrafluoroethylene prosthetic material. Vascular function was evaluated pre- and postoperatively with duplex ultrasound. Procedural success was determined by restitution of limb circulation and preservation of the HA. In 15 cases (65%) symptoms of DASS disappeared completely, and in six patients (26%) adequate wound healing with improvement of symptoms was achieved. Symptoms were persistent in two patients (9%) who had tissue loss >1 cm at the fingertips. Overall there was a significant increase in radial artery flow velocity (from 35.65 ± 7.69 to 55.21 ± 8.51 cm/sec, p 1 cm in diameter), PAI was not successful (n = 2). In such situations, other treatment options have to be discussed.
Renal tubular injury in rats induced by sodium pentafluorostannite, a new anticariogenic agent☆

Abstract Rat kidneys were studied with light and electron microscopy 12 hr, 24 hr, 4 days, and 14 days after the rats had received a single ip injection of NaSn 2 F 5 (35.0 mg/kg), NaF (20.7 mg/kg), or SnCl 2 · 2H 2 O (44.4 mg/kg). Rats receiving NaSn 2 F 5 exhibited extensive necrosis of the proximal tubules demonstrable by light microscopy at 24 hr and an almost complete regeneration of tubular cells with some scar formation by 14 days. Rats receiving SnCl 2 · 2H 2 O group showed changes comparable to those of the NaSn 2 F 5 group, while those given NaF showed focal necrosis limited to a few segments of the proximal tubules. Early ultrastructural changes were noted in mitochondria and endoplasmio reticulum of the proximal tubular cells in all experimental animals. This study suggests that the nephrotoxicity of NaSn 2 F 5 is in part attributable to the tin moiety of the compound.