cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Non-thermal radio emission from colliding flows in classical nova V1723 Aql

The importance of shocks in nova explosions has been highlighted by Fermi's discovery of \gamma-ray producing novae. Over three years of multi-band VLA radio observations of the 2010 nova V1723 Aql show that shocks between fast and slow flows within the ejecta led to the acceleration of particles and the production of synchrotron radiation. Soon after the start of the eruption, shocks in the ejecta produced an unexpected radio flare, resulting in a multi-peaked radio light curve. The emission eventually became consistent with an expanding thermal remnant with mass $2 \times 10^{-4} M_\odot$ and temperature $10^4$ K. However, during the first two months, the $\gtrsim 10^6$ K brightness temperature at low frequencies was too high to be due to thermal emission from the small amount of X-ray producing shock-heated gas. Radio imaging showed structures with velocities of 400 km s$^{-1}$ (d/6 kpc) in the plane of the sky, perpendicular to a more elongated 1500 km s$^{-1}$ (d/6 kpc) flow. The morpho-kinematic structure of the ejecta from V1723 Aql appears similar to nova V959 Mon, where collisions between a slow torus and a faster flow collimated the fast flow and gave rise to \gamma -ray producing shocks. Optical spectroscopy and X-ray observations of V1723 Aql during the radio flare are consistent with this picture. Our observations support the idea that shocks in novae occur when a fast flow collides with a slow collimating torus. Such shocks could be responsible for hard X-ray emission, \gamma -ray production, and double-peaked radio light curves from some classical novae.
Disorders of the Esophagus

From the original case reports of patients in New York and California dying from atypical fungal infections (CDC, C.f.D.C.a.P. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 30:305–308, 1981; Gottlieb et al. N Engl J Med, 305:1425–1431, 1981) to today’s single-pill regimens for chronic HIV infections, our understanding of the virus and its associated complications has grown drastically in the last 40 years. Due to lack of treatment options in the early era of the epidemic, the medical community has observed patients suffer and succumb to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and its defining illnesses. Prior to the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART), patients would frequently present with nonspecific symptoms involving multiple organ systems, with esophageal associated symptoms often signaling the transition from HIV infection to AIDS.
A stable finite-difference time-domain scheme for local time-stepping on an adaptive mesh

Abstract Physical effects driven by strong electromagnetic fields often occur in regions of highly localized fields on a scattering object. Unfortunately, the most common numerical technique for simulating time-domain electromagnetics, known as Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD), is ill-equipped to handle such problems. A common solution to capture physics across many spatial scales is to use an adaptive mesh, which resolves temporal or spatial features exactly when and where they are needed, avoiding extra computation in space-time regions where it is unnecessary. We present a minimal modification to the FDTD algorithm that allows for a stable late-time solution to Maxwell's equations on an adaptive mesh with a Courant-Friedrichs-Levy limit of 5/6. An emphasis is placed on creating a simple, flexible, and easy to understand algorithm. The algorithm is implemented in 1D, 2D and 3D for geometries which are dynamic or possess large disparities in spatial or temporal scales. An example is presented which demonstrates the use of the algorithm in a resonant dielectric disc with a small slot.
A Web-Based Simulation Game for Teaching Supply Chain Management.

Supply chain management (SCM) is a complex business discipline because it combines the concepts of forecasting, inventory management, logistics and distribution, vertical and horizontal integration...
A Temporal Analysis of Driver-Injury Severities in Crashes Involving Aggressive and Non-aggressive Driving

Abstract Aggressive driving has become a national traffic-safety concern, with increasing congestion and other stress-inducing factors making it more likely drivers take out their frustrations by driving aggressively. Looking at single-vehicle crashes, this study investigates differences between resulting crash-injury severities when aggressive and non-aggressive driving behavior is observed, and how these differences changed over time. Using three years of crash data from 2015 to 2017 (inclusive), random parameters multinomial logit models with unobserved heterogeneity in means and variances were estimated. The available crash data included a wide variety of factors known to influence driver-injury severity including data related to the crash, vehicle, driver, spatial and temporal characteristics, roadway attributes, and traffic volume. Model estimates show that there were significant differences in driver-injury severities resulting from aggressive and non-aggressive driving, and that the effect of factors that determine injury severities changed significantly over time (statistically significant temporal instability). However, it is noteworthy that crashes involving non-aggressive drivers had many explanatory variables that produced temporally stable marginal effects, whereas crashes involving aggressive drivers had only one such variable (restraint belt usage). This suggests the possibility that temporal instability found in many recent safety studies may be driven by a subset of the crash population, and that there may be temporal stability in many crashes. Exploring this possibility is a promising direction for future empirical investigation.
Un-LINQed: Spontaneous extrusion of newer generation implantable loop recorders

Abstract Background Insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs) are often used for long-term monitoring of cardiac rhythm. The Medtronic’s LINQ Reveal ™ is a new generation wireless, automated, and patient responsive subcutaneous ECG monitoring device. Despite several advantages to its small size we have noted an unusually high incidence of extrusion at our center. Methods & Results: We conducted a retrospective case analysis to review Reveal LINQs implanted at our center. All devices were inserted using the provided insertion tools. Patients with extruded devices were identified and details regarding the site and technique of insertion, incision closure, use of peri-operative antibiotics, and follow-up details were collected. 81 patients underwent 85 Reveal LINQ implants at a tertiary care University Hospital referral center. The most common reason for implant was suspected arrhythmia with or without structural heart disease or unexplained syncope. There were 4 spontaneous extrusions occurring within 7–24 days after insertion with an incidence rate of 4.7%. One extruded device was anchored to subcutaneous tissue, and no pocket/device infections or hematomas were noted. Conclusions Device migration and erosion through skin are important potential adverse events for the Reveal LINQ implantable loop recorder. This study reports an unexpectedly high rate of extrusion without infection. The authors suggest that the depth of the incision is the main factor impacting extrusions. Larger studies are recommended, however, and a proposed measure to avoid spontaneous extrusion is the design of a longer manufacturer’s blade in order to increase the depth of the incision and insertion.
Endoscopic Endonasal Resection—Olfactory Groove Meningioma: 2-Dimensional Operative Video

Olfactory groove meningiomas can represent a surgical challenge, and controversy persists in regard to the optimal approach corridor.1,2 This video exemplifies the endoscopic endonasal resection of a voluminous olfactory groove meningioma. Focus is given on the key aspects of the procedure, complication avoidance, nuances of the technique, and advantages pertaining to this approach.3-6 The patient consented for the conception and publication of this video.
A biological effect-guided optimization approach using beam distal-edge avoidance for intensity-modulated proton therapy

Purpose Linear energy transfer (LET)-guided methods have been applied to intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) to improve its biological effect. However, using LET as a surrogate for biological effect ignores the topological relationship of the scanning spot to different structures of interest. In this study, we developed an optimization method that takes advantage of the continuing increase in LET beyond the physical dose Bragg peak. This method avoids placing high biological effect values in critical structures and increases biological effect in the tumor area without compromising target coverage. Methods We selected the cases of two patients with brain tumors and two patients with head and neck tumors who had been treated with proton therapy at our institution. Three plans were created for each case: a plan based on conventional dose-based optimization (DoseOpt), one based on LET-incorporating optimization (LETOpt), and one based on the proposed distal-edge avoidance-guided optimization method (DEAOpt). In DEAOpt, an L1 -norm sparsity term, in which the penalty of each scanning spot was set according to the topological relationship between the organ positions and the location of the peak scaled LET-weighted dose (c LETxD) was added to a conventional dose-based optimization objective function. All plans were normalized to give the same target dose coverage. Dose (assuming a constant relative biological effectiveness value of 1.1, as in clinical practice), biological effect (c LETxD), and computing time consumption were evaluated and compared among the three optimization approaches for each patient case. Results For all four cases, all three optimization methods generated comparable dose coverage in both target and critical structures. The LETOpt plans and DEAOpt plans reduced biological effect hot spots in critical structures and increased biological effect in the target volumes to a similar extent. For the target, the c LETxD98% and c LETxD2% in the DEAOpt plans were on average 7.2% and 11.74% higher than in the DoseOpt plans, respectively. For the brainstem, the c LETxDmean in the DEAOpt plans was on average 33.38% lower than in the DoseOpt plans. In addition, the DEAOpt method saved 30.37% of the computation cost over the LETOpt method. Conclusions DEAOpt is an alternative IMPT optimization approach that correlates the location of scanning spots with biological effect distribution. IMPT could benefit from the use of DEAOpt because this method not only delivers comparable biological effects to LETOpt plans, but also is faster.
A fault-bounded palaeo-lake basin preserved beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet

Abstract Subglacial topography not only exerts strong controls on contemporary ice sheet dynamics, but also provides an important long-term record of landscape evolution pertaining to past glacial and interglacial conditions. In particular, the bed topography beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet bears the signatures of past processes of landscape evolution that record the development of the ice sheet since its inception. Here we present evidence from airborne radio-echo sounding, gravity, and magnetic data for an enclosed palaeo-lake basin situated beneath the ice sheet in northwest Greenland. Geomorphological analysis and hydrological modelling indicate that the basin once hosted a lake with a surface area of up to ∼7,100 km2 and a volume of up to ∼580 km3. The basin and associated topography control the organisation of a preserved palaeo-fluvial channel network, suggesting that the basin pre-dates widespread glaciation in northwest Greenland. We use flexural modelling to show that the morphology of the basin and surrounding topography is consistent with elastic plate flexure driven by mechanical displacement along a normal fault bounding the basin margin. Analysis of gravity and magnetic anomalies indicates that the basin contains a sedimentary infill up to ∼1.2 km thick, which may contain valuable records of past ice sheet extent and environmental conditions in northwest Greenland. We therefore propose that this newly identified palaeo-lake basin may be a promising target for future acquisition of ground-based active source seismic data and potential recovery of subglacial material by sub-ice drilling programs.
G-computation and agent-based modeling for social epidemiology: Can population interventions prevent post-traumatic stress disorder?

Agent-based modeling and G-computation can both be used to estimate impacts of intervening on complex systems. We explored each modeling approach within an applied example: interventions to reduce posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We used data from a cohort of 2,282 adults representative of the adult population of the New York City metropolitan area from 2002-2006, of whom 16.3% developed PTSD over their lifetimes. We built four models: G-computation, an agent-based model with no between-agent interactions, an agent-based model with violent interaction dynamics, and an agent-based model with neighborhood dynamics. Three interventions were tested: reducing violent victimization by 1) 37.2% (real-world reduction), 2) 100%, and 3) supplementing the income of 20% of lower-income participants. The G-computation model estimated population-level PTSD risk reductions of 0.12% (95% CI: -0.16, 0.29), 0.28% (95% CI: -0.30, 0.70), and 1.55% (95% CI: 0.40, 2.12), respectively. The agent-based model with no interactions replicated the findings from G-computation. Introduction of interaction dynamics modestly decreased estimated intervention effects (income supplement risk reduction dropped to 1.47%), whereas introduction of neighborhood dynamics modestly increased effectiveness (income supplement risk reduction increased to 1.58%). As compared with G-computation, agent-based modeling permitted deeper exploration of complex systems dynamics at the cost of further assumptions.
Enterprise-Wide Risk Management and Corporate Governance

There has always been a fundamental tension between basic corporate governance precepts and the complexity of the business of the modern public corporation. Specifically, every corporation is to be managed by (or under the supervision of) the board of directors.1 Directors are not generally required to have any particular expertise, other than being a “natural person.”2 Yet the modern corporation may well face a myriad of risks from disparate fields of business ranging from complex financial risk3 to quality control regarding material manufactured in China.4 If the board cannot understand and manage the full breadth of risks facing the modern public corporation, then such risks may not be disclosed to investors and impounded into decisions regarding the allocation of investment capital.5
Raman Spectra of the Superionic Conductors AgI and RbAg4I5

A remarkable similarity in the Raman Spectra of the solid electrolytes AgI and RbAg4I5 in their superionic phases is observed. A broad peak extends from the incident laser line out to 100 cm−1 in AgI and out to 70 cm−1 in RbAg4I5. Both materials have a peak in their spectra at 107 cm−1. The observed features in the AgI spectrum are broader than in RbAg4I5. In addition there is a weak shoulder at ≃55cm−1 in the RbAg4I5 spectrum. This shoulder becomes well defined only at low temperatures. There is a polarization selection rule for the 107 cm−1 peak in AgI. The 107 cm−1 peak in AgI and RbAg4I5 is observed below their superionic phases, at room temperature in β-AgI and at nitrogen temperature in RbAg4I5. Above 70 cm−1 we find a close correspondence between the frequency dependent conductivity obtained from infrared reflectivity and that obtained from our Raman data in both crystals. We have also measured the spectra of solid and liquid AgBr and AgCl for comparison. The spectra of these solids at high temperatures is very similar to those of the melt, and liquid spectra closely resemble that of α-AgI. The peak positions of the frequency dependent conductivity of α-AgI, AgBr and AgCl scale roughly as the inverse square root of the reduced mass of the silver halide pair.
Administrative Agency Expertise

Abstract This article will discuss an innovative, practical approach to resolving these medical appeals. It will discuss the use of consulting physicians to fashion medical findings and a subsequent report and recommendation. We will show that the perception of fairness, the expertise, and the relative cooperation of the parties make this medical program particularlysuccessful.
SingleTrack: A Dynamic Determinism Checker for Multithreaded Programs

Multithreaded programs are prone to errors caused by unintended interference between concurrent threads. This paper focuses on verifying that deterministically-parallel code is free of such thread interference errors. Deterministically-parallel code may create and use new threads, via fork and join, and coordinate their behavior with synchronization primitives, such as barriers and semaphores. Such code does not satisfy the traditional non-interference property of atomicity (or serializability), however, and so existing atomicity tools are inadequate for checking deterministically-parallel code. We introduce a new non-interference specification for deterministically-parallel code, and we present a dynamic analysis to enforce it. We also describe SingleTrack , a prototype implementation of this analysis. SingleTrack 's performance is competitive with prior atomicity checkers, but it produces many fewer spurious warnings because it enforces a more general non-interference property that is applicable to more software.
Filenchus flagellicaudatus n. sp. and Lelenchus schmitti n. sp. (Nemata: Tylenchidae) from Molokai, Hawaii.

Filenchus flagellicaudatus n. sp. and Lelenchus schmitti n. sp. are described from Pepe'opae bog on Molokai, Hawaii. Filenchus flagellicaudatus n. sp. is distinguished from all other Filenchus spp. by stylet length (10 µm), robust metacorpus, elongated basal bulb, and extraordinarily long, whip-like tail (c = 2.6, c' = 31.8). Lelenchus schmitti n. sp. differs from other Lelenchus spp. by its shorter body length, weak dorso-ventral compression of the head region, and a more posterior vulva (V = 49-52). The spacious amphid pocket is introduced as a useful character for the differentiation of Lelenchus spp. from other Tylenchidae.
Molecular genetics of superoxide dismutases in yeasts and related fungi.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the molecular genetics of superoxide dismutases in yeasts and related fungi. The chapter provides information on various enzymes that are responsible for the establishing themselves as first component of defense mechanism, such as the superoxide dismutases. These enzymes catalyze the disproportionation of O2-, to H2O2 and O2. As discussed in the chapter, eukaryotes contain at least two superoxide dismutases that are catalytically equivalent but evolutionarily, genetically, and structurally distinct. Superoxide can be produced in a wide variety of cellular redox processes. The simple type of reaction that can generate O2- is auto-oxidation. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the dominant source of O2- appears to be leakage from the mitochondrial electron transport chain. These enzymes are also functionally distinct because these are found in different cell compartments. The regulation of expression of these enzymes is also discussed in the chapter along with the discussion of their physiologic functions in light of the phenotypes of strains of yeast and fungi that lack either or both activities. In addition to these enzymes, an extracellular Cu,ZnSOD is characterized in eukaryotes. The human enzyme, designated ECSOD1, is a secreted glycoprotein containing Cu and Zn; the gene for this SOD has been cloned. Although ECSOD and the intracellular SODl differ in primary sequence, they share a number of structural homologies with respect to the metal centers. Some evidences for this type of dismutase in S. cerevisiae and N. crassa are also presented in the chapter.
Manisha Desai. Gender and the Politics of Possibilities: Rethinking Globalization

Manisha Desai. Gender and the Politics of Possibilities: Rethinking Globalization. New York: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2009. ISBN 0–7425–6378–2. In Gender and the Politics of Possibilities: ...
The influence of age on guilt expression in major depression

To test the hypothesis, based on clinical observation, that older depressed patients express less guilt than younger ones, the authors evaluated 39 patients with major depression aged 55 years or older (mean = 67.0) and compared them to 38 depressed patients under age 55 (mean = 35.4). The results were generally in accord with the hypothesis. On observer ratings (Hamilton Depression Scale), however, it was primarily older men who expressed guilt less frequently than younger men (p = 0.01). On self-ratings (Beck Depression Inventory), the significant differences were among women; older women employed milder expressions of guilt (p = 0.02) and fewer expressions of feelings of failure than younger women (p = 0.025). These findings suggest that age may influence the expression of guilt in patients with major depressive disorder, and that the age effect may differ in the two sexes.
POST-FLIGHT TESTING AND ANALYSIS OF ZERO-G FOAM RIGIDIZED STRUTS

Strengthening inflated structures through rigidization of the enclosing membrane has been suggested as a way to improve robustness. Toward this end, rigid foam appears to hold signtjicant promise as a replacement ftir the pressurized gas of early inflatables. In March 1998, an experiment designed to manufacture foam rigidized struts was flown on the NASA KC-l 35 aircraft. This paper presents a description of the experiment and a comparison of properties offoam rigidizedstruts manufactured in the microgravity environment to those of struts manufactured in a I-G environment, The density proftle of the rigidizing foam and other morphological characteristics were not significantly affected by gravity in this experiment, This is due in part to the small struts required by the short duration of O-G in the NASA KC-135. Adhesion of the foam to the Kapton, however, was signtficantly d@et-ent in ., ”
Characterization of Contact Kinematics and Application to the Design of Wedge Dampers in Turbomachinery Blading: Part 2—Prediction of Forced Response and Experimental Verification

In the second part of this paper, the application of the proposed dual-interface model to the prediction of the forced response of a blade constrained by wedge dampers will be presented. When considering cyclic loading, the induced friction forces and contact normal loads are combined so as to determine the effective stiffness and damping of the friction interfaces over a cycle of motion. The harmonic balance method is then used to impose the approximate stiffness and damping of the friction interfaces to a linear structure model of the blade. This approach results in a set of nonlinear algebraic equations that can be solved to yield the forced response of the blade excited by harmonic external forces. The predicted forced response can then be used to optimize a given damper design, namely to determine the dynamic weight at which the maximum reduction of resonant response is obtained. In order to illustrate the capacity of the proposed method and to examine its accuracy, the forced response ofa test beam is examined. The prediction is also compared with the results of lab tests to validate the proposed dual-interface friction force model.
Role of Cardiac Output in Ethanol-Evoked Attenuation of Centrally Mediated Hypotension in Conscious Rats

Abstract Our previous studies have shown that ethanol selectively counteracts centrally mediated hypotensive responses. This study investigated the role of cardiac output and peripheral resistance in the antagonistic interaction between ethanol and antihypertensive drugs. Changes in blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac index, stroke volume, and peripheral resistance elicited by clonidine and subsequent ethanol or saline administration were evaluated in conscious rats. The aortic barodenervated rat was employed because it exhibits greater hypotensive responses to clonidine compared with the intact rat. Aortic barodenervation elicited acute rises in blood pressure, heart rate, and peripheral resistance, whereas cardiac index and stroke volume were not altered. The blood pressure of conscious aortic barodenervated rats returned to sham-operated levels by 48 hours due to concomitant reductions in cardiac index and stroke volume; the peripheral resistance, however, remained significantly elevated. Clonidine (30 μg/kg, IV) elicited greater decreases in blood pressure in aortic barodenervated compared with sham-operated rats. The hypotension was caused by decreases in cardiac index and stroke volume because peripheral resistance did not change. Ethanol (1 g/kg, IV) counteracted the hypotensive effect of clonidine and raised blood pressure to levels higher than preclonidine values. Significant ( P <.05) increases in cardiac index and stroke volume and decreases in peripheral resistance accompanied the pressor effect of ethanol. Additional control groups were included in the study to determine the selectivity of the interaction. A dose of hydralazine (0.5 mg/kg, IV) was used that produced similar hypotension to that evoked by clonidine in aortic barodenervated rats. Hydralazine-evoked hypotension was similar in denervated and control rats and resulted from significant reductions in peripheral resistance. Reflex increases in heart rate and stroke volume and hence cardiac output were observed. Ethanol given after hydralazine produced a short-lived pressor effect (<5 minutes versus 40 minutes in the case of clonidine) and counteracted the sympathetically mediated increases in cardiac output, stroke volume, and heart rate. These findings support our hypothesis that ethanol selectively counteracts hypotensive responses of central origin by reversing the reduction in cardiac output elicited by clonidine.
A Preliminary Study of the Effects of Some Flow Parameters in the Generation of Poloidal and Toroidal Energies Within a 3-D Spherical Thermal-convective System with Variable Viscosity

The effects of variable viscosity on flow dynamics within spherical shells are investigated using a finite-element thermal convection model, and preliminary result for cases with relatively low Rayleigh numbers and small viscosity contrasts are reported. These results demonstrate some general effects of viscosity variation on mantle dynamics, and, in particular, the generation of toroidal energy. Since lateral viscosity variations are necessary in the generation of toroidal motion in a thermally driven convective system, it is not surprising our results show that flows with greater viscosity contrasts produce greater amounts of toroidal energy. Our preliminary study further shows that solutions become more time-dependent as viscosity contrasts increase. Increasing the Rayleigh number is also found to increase the magnitude of toroidal energy. Internal heating, on the other hand, appears to lead to less toroidal energy compared wth bottom heating because it tends to produce a thermally more uniform interior and thus smaller viscosity variations.
Optimization of Plant Regeneration from Long Term Embryogenic Callus Cultures of Pennisetum purpureum Schum. (Napier grass).

Summary The effect of subculture interval and total culture age on plant regeneration from serially subcultured, leaf derived embryogenic callus cultures of Pennisetum purpureum (Napier grass) was determined. During 38 weeks of culture both embryogenic callus proliferation and the yield of plants was maximal for callus from frequently (about 2 weeks) subcultured cultures. Infrequent subculture (3–4 weeks or longer) greatly increased the proportion of soft and necrotic callus and severely reduced plant regeneration. A decline in regenerative capacity of a frequently subcultured stock after 30 weeks in culture was partially restored by treatment with ABA, or extended incubation. Plant regeneration was via the formation of somatic embryos. Under optimal conditions approximately 25,000 plants may be regenerated from a single leaf explant in seven months.
Catalyst-free growth of GaN nanowires

We have grown GaN and AlGaN nanowires on Si (111) substrates with gassource molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). No metal catalysts were used. The nanowires displayed a number of interesting materials properties, including room-temperature luminescence intensity greater than that of free-standing HVPE-grown GaN, relaxed lattice parameters, and the tendency of nanowires dispersed in solvents to align in response to electric fields. The wires were well separated, 50–250 nm in diameter, and grew to lengths ranging from 2 µm to 7 µm. Transmission electron microscopy indicated that the wires were free of defects, unlike the surrounding matrix layer.
The filaments of NGC 1275: a collision between a galaxy and an accretion flow?

Morphological evidence is presented (in the form of 3-A-bandpass Fabry-Perot images made with a CCD camera) that the two bright emission-line systems seen toward the galaxy NGC 1275 arise from a high-velocity impact of a foreground galaxy upon the accretion flow of gas cooling in the center of the Perseus cluster. The uniquely high optical-line luminosity of NGC 1275, in comparison with other central galaxies in clusters observed to have cooling flows, may be explained by energy deposited during the collision. Using additional information from 21-cm and extinction measurements, a rough model of the interaction is developed. Problems remain with this model - such as the likelihood of a gas-rich system penetrating to the cluster center. The kinematic structure of the optically emitting gas shows additional complex structure near the nucleus of NGC 1275.
Recovery techniques for saturated massers

The practical applicability of Masers is often hindered by saturation effects of the maser material. Any strong signal of the same frequency as the maser signal frequency will cause saturation, thus paralyzing the maser for a period of time which is often too long for the intended application. These difficulties have been overcome by desaturating a four-level ruby maser immediately after the maser has been saturated. The experiment was carried out at a signal frequency of 2.5 KMc using an X-band pump. Full recovery of the amplification capabilities of the maser was achieved.
Dual antennular chemosensory pathways can mediate orientation by Caribbean spiny lobsters in naturalistic flow conditions

Benthic crustaceans rely on chemical stimuli to mediate a diversity of behaviors ranging from food localization and predator avoidance to den selection, conspecific interactions and grooming. To accomplish these tasks, Caribbean spiny lobsters (Panulirus argus) rely on a complex chemosensory system that is organized into two parallel chemosensory pathways originating in diverse populations of antennular sensilla and projecting to distinct neuropils within the brain. Chemosensory neurons associated with aesthetasc sensilla project to the glomerular olfactory lobes (the aesthetasc pathway), whereas those associated with non-aesthetasc sensilla project to the stratified lateral antennular neuropils and the unstructured median antennular neuropil (the non-aesthetasc pathway). Although the pathways differ anatomically, unique roles for each in odor-mediated behaviors have not been established. This study investigates the importance of each pathway for orientation by determining whether aesthetasc or non-aesthetasc sensilla are necessary and sufficient for a lobster to locate the source of a 2 m-distant food odor stimulus in a 5000-liter seawater flume under controlled flow conditions. To assess the importance of each pathway for this task, we selectively ablated specific populations of sensilla on the antennular flagella and compared the searching behavior of ablated animals to that of intact controls. Our results show that either the aesthetasc or the non-aesthetasc pathway alone is sufficient to mediate the behavior and that neither pathway alone is necessary. Under the current experimental conditions, there appears to be a high degree of functional overlap between the pathways for food localization behavior.
Tax Potential vs. Tax Effort: A Cross-Country Analysis of Armenia's Stubbornly Low Tax Collection

Despite recording double digit growth since 2000, Armenia's tax-to-GDP ratio has been fairly stable at about 14½ percent. This paper catalogues a range of factors that may account for Armenia's stubbornly for tax collection by benchmarking Armenia's tax-to-GDP against some comparator countries and conducting an extensive econometric study of the main determinants of tax collection. We find empirical support for the hypothesis that the persistence of Armenia's low tax-GDP ratio can be traced to persistence of weak institutions and a large shadow economy. The gap between the potential and actual tax collection in Armenia could be as high as 6½ percent of GDP. We conclude with some policy recommendations that, if adopted, can boost revenue buoyancy.
Identification and management of women at high risk for hereditary breast/ovarian cancer syndrome.

: Despite advances in identifying genetic markers of high risk patients and the availability of genetic testing, it remains challenging to efficiently identify women who are at hereditary risk and to manage their care appropriately. HughesRiskApps, an open-source family history collection, risk assessment, and Clinical Decision Support (CDS) software package, was developed to address the shortcomings in our ability to identify and treat the high risk population. This system is designed for use in primary care clinics, breast centers, and cancer risk clinics to collect family history and risk information and provide the necessary CDS to increase quality of care and efficiency. This paper reports on the first implementation of HughesRiskApps in the community hospital setting. HughesRiskApps was implemented at the Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Between April 1, 2007 and March 31, 2008, 32,966 analyses were performed on 25,763 individuals. Within this population, 915 (3.6%) individuals were found to be eligible for risk assessment and possible genetic testing based on the 10% risk of mutation threshold. During the first year of implementation, physicians and patients have fully accepted the system, and 3.6% of patients assessed have been referred to risk assessment and consideration of genetic testing. These early results indicate that the number of patients identified for risk assessment has increased dramatically and that the care of these patients is more efficient and likely more effective.
Reaction Functions as Nash Equilibria

A "reaction function" for the ith firm, xit = i(xt.1), is a decision rule which selects a price for the firm in period t as a function of the observed price vector of period t -1. A Nash [11] non-cooperative equilibrium for this model, in which the equilibrium strategies were reaction functions, would be characterized by n reaction functions (xt), ..., +P*(xt), one for each firm, which have the following property: For the ith firm, no sequence of prices, xit, xi,t+ , ... will yield a higher value for equation (1) than will Xi?= t4(x1) (' = t, t+ 1, ...), given that all other firms will choose their prices by Xjt = ql*(x,_1) in all periods. This condition holds.for i = 1, ..., n.1 The purpose of this paper is to establish conditions under which the equilibrium outlined above approximately exists. Thus this paper is in the reaction function tradition of oligopoly which has its earliest roots in Cournot [2] and its main early development at the hands of Bowley [1], Stackelberg [12] and Fellner [5].2 These writers worked with single period models of the firm, while discussing how the firms ought to behave given that they are really concerned with profits over a long time horizon. Taking explicit account that the firm's objective is to maximize a discounted stream of profits (as in equation (1) above) is first done, so far as I am aware, in my article on duopoly [6]. The present paper continues the research begun there and carried on in [7], [9]. While each of these papers makes steps in the direction of Nash type reaction function equilibria, existence was not proved in them for' any class of models, nor was any satisfactory " approximate" equilibrium found to exist; therefore, the present paper is an advance in this line of research. Section 1 gives the basic assumptions and pertinent results from earlier work, and Section 2 defines and shows existence of the approximate equilibrium for a large class of models.
Prenatal nicotine exposure alters postnatal cardiorespiratory integration in young male but not female rats

Abstract The present study tested the hypothesis that prenatal nicotine exposure (PNE) induces sex specific alternations in indices of cardiorespiratory coupling during early development. Rat pups exposed to either nicotine (6 mg/kg/day) or saline (control) in utero were chronically instrumented with ECG electrodes for measurement of heart rate (HR) and respiratory frequency (RF) was monitored by whole body plethysmography on postnatal days (P)13, P16 and P26. PNE had no identifiable effect on resting respiratory frequency (RF) in either sex. There was however a strong trend (p = 0.057) for resting HR to be elevated by PNE in male offspring only. Alternatively, the HR response to hypoxia (10% O 2 ), was significantly blunted at P13 but significantly elevated at P26 s in the absence of any significant change in RF in PNE males only. Indicators of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) were also significantly reduced in P26 PNE males. No significant effects of PNE on HR, RF or RSA were identified in female offspring at any age. Our results demonstrate that PNE induces very specific changes in cardiorespiratory integration at select postnatal ages and these changes are more prominent in males. Additionally, alternations in cardiorespiratory integration appear to persist into later development in males only, potentially increasing the risk for cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension later in life.
Doppler sonar observations of internal waves: the wavenumber-frequency spectrum

Abstract In May 1980 an 18-day sequence of velocity profiles of the top 600 m of the sea was collected off the coast of Southern California. The measurements were obtained using a pair of Doppler sonars mounted on the Research Platform FLIP. From these data, estimates of the wavenumber-frequency spectrum of the oceanic internal wavefield are obtained. The spectra are characterized by a series of ridges, which occur at near-internal and tidal frequencies as well as higher harmonics and sums of these fundamentals. The ridges run parallel to the wavenumber axis. There is a pronounced near-inertial spectral peak. The near-inertial motions are dominated by a few identifiable wave groups. There is a net downward energy propagation in the near-inertial frequency band. The vertical-wavenumber dependence of a the spectrum is decidedly asymmetric in this region. The asymmetry extends to five times the inertial frequency, making much of the so-called continuum asymmetric. A high-wavenumber cutoff at approximately 60...
Exact solution of the mean spherical model for the electric microfield distribution in a plasma.

Iglesias [Phys. Rev. A 27, 2705 (1983)] has reformulated the problem of calculating the electric-microfield distribution in a plasma so that it is equivalent to finding the pair-distribution function of a fluid interacting through a complex potential. We solve the mean spherical model for such a fluid analytically and find that the microfield distribution so obtained is Gaussian with exact second moment.
A Descriptive Study on Level II Fieldwork Supervision in Hospital Settings

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to examine the factors influencing fieldwork educators’ ability and willingness to supervise Level II occupational therapy students in hospital-based settings. Qualitative focus groups were used to explore the perceptions of occupational therapists in four urban hospitals in Nebraska. The study presents the issues facing fieldwork supervisors and their suggestions on how to improve the fieldwork process. Both personal and professional factors influenced occupational therapists’ willingness to accept students, while facility constraints were the primary reason occupational therapists would not accept Level II students. Fieldwork educators believe that their facilities need structured fieldwork programs and that students need more formalized fieldwork preparation at their academic institutions. Themes highlight the need for continued collaborative endeavors between academic fieldwork coordinators and fieldwork educators.
A Note on Elderly Living Arrangements in Japan and the United States

Kamo compares the living arrangements of the elderly in Japan to those in the US. Japan is known to have had extended families throughout its history. Before the industrial revolution the prevalent family system in Japan was the stem family in which a married couple lived with their unmarried children the eldest son his wife and their grandchildren. 3 surveys in the 1980s now show that roughly 50% of people aged 60 or older lived with their married children about 20% lived with their unmarried children another 20% lived with their spouses only and 10% lived alone. In the US before the turn of this century the nuclear family dominated. Only 1/6 of the American elderly lived with their adult children. However extended family systems were once more prevalent in the US than they are today. In 1952 1/3 of the aged lived with their children 1/4 by 1957 and 1/5 by the mid-1960s. The dominant view of current social science seems to be that industrialization is the driving force behind change in family systems; industrialization requires geographical mobility and weakens the kin network. It lets public and voluntary systems instead of kin groups solve problems. Recent changes in Japans family structure suggest that the effects of industrialization are so strong in Japan that the status of the elderly is steadily being undermined in favor of nuclear families. Care for older people is becoming an urgent problem as it has become in the US and in most other industrialized countries.
Taxes and the time allocation patterns of married women with children: cross‐cultural comparisons between the United States and Canada

It is widely recognized in the family economics literature that the structure of an income tax system affects labour supply. This paper examines and contrasts the effects of U.S. and Canadian tax policies on one particular group: married women with children. Using a household production model of time allocation, it is initially argued that U. S. tax policies promote market work for this group, while Canadian tax policies discourage market work for similar women. What is found is that Canadian women display weaker labour force attachment than American women and they spend more time in home production activities. These effects are consistent with initial predictions.
The 1280 Cm−1 Absorption Line in Amorphous Hydrogenated Boron Carbide

We report infrared absorption measurements that provide evidence for the presence of boron carbide icosahedra in amorphous hydrogenated boron carbide thin films. The infrared absorption spectra is dominated by an intense line at 1280 cm-1 with a FWHM of ≃320 cm-1. Similar lines have been previously reported in polycrystalline boron carbide, where boron carbide icosahedra make up the unit cell. In both systems, the linewidth narrows and the peak position shifts to higher energy with increasing carbon concentrations. From annealing studies of amorphous hydrogenated boron carbide, hydrogen plays a very small role in the 1280 cm-1 line. Finally, the integrated intensity of the 1280 cm-1 line is a sublinear function of the boron concentration, providing further evidence that the carbon concentration in these icosahedra increases as the carbon concentration of the film increases.
The Diversification Discount Puzzle: Evidence for a Transaction-Cost Resolution

The literature on the corporate diversification discount and the relative efficiency of internal versus external capital markets provides mixed results. We argue that transaction-cost economics is useful in understanding this puzzle. According to transaction-cost economics, diversified firms should outperform single segment firms in industries with higher external transaction costs (e.g., emergent industries) and under-perform in industries with low external transaction costs and high agency and other internal costs (e.g., some mature industries). This paper provides evidence supporting these contentions.
An efficient method for generation of neural-like cells from adult human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Background: Stem cell-based therapies to repair and replace lost neural cells are a highly promising treatment for CNS diseases. Bone marrow (BM)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have great potential as therapeutic agents against neurological maladies, since they have the ability to differentiate into neural phenotypes and can be readily isolated and expanded for autotransplantation with no risk of rejection. In our previous studies, we demonstrated that neural cells could be efficiently generated from mouse BM-derived MSCs by exposing cells to epigenetic modifiers and a neural environment. The main idea of this approach was the reactivation of pluripotency-associated genes in MSCs before exposing them to neural-inducing factors. Aim: In this study, we used a similar approach to efficiently generate neural cells from human BM-derived MSCs. Method: Neural induction was achieved by exposing cells simultaneously to inhibitors of DNA methylation and histone deacetylation, and pharmacological agents that ...
Drawing deficits in brain-damaged patients' freehand pictures.

This study examines errors in brain-damaged patients' attempts to produce freehand drawings of common objects in response to a linguistic target (e.g., "fruit"). The pictures were carefully analyzed according to the features which dictionaries claim should vary necessarily from item to item, including color, shape, relative size, and special features which help distinguish between similar items. A "recognizability score" was created to quantify patients' overall drawing capacity. The findings revealed that subjects with right hemispheric insult are significantly more impaired overall than left hemisphere-damaged patients in producing freehand pictures. However, freehand drawing skills do not break down in an undifferentiated fashion after right hemispheric insult: Group and individual data reveal that patients with right central (primarily parietal) insult are most impaired at expressing shape attributes in their pictures, right posterior patients with primarily temporoparietal insult experience the greatest difficulty attributing color to their pictures, but patients with right anterior insult are impaired at expressing color, shape, and relative size in their pictures. All patients with right hemisphere insult often attribute specific features indiscriminantly to any member of the same category, resulting in anomalous pictures like a "potato bush." One patient with left posterior insult seemed to encounter difficulty generating the mental images necessary to serve as the basis for his pictures. These findings are discussed with reference to an image-based model for freehand drawing.
Politics, Pride, and Precedent: The United States and Canada in the Northwest Passage

The issue of the status of the Northwest Passage has ebbed and flowed in U.S.-Canada relations for decades, but the effect of global warming in the Arctic has moved this issue from the largely academic and legalistic realms to the forefront of bilateral (and international) relations. Intimately linked to Canadian nationalism, U.S. adherence to the doctrine of freedom of the seas, and to politics in both nations, the opposing positions held by the two states can no longer afford to be implacably held. Rather, it is time to put pride and politics aside and return to the “special relationship” between Canada and the United States in order to effect meaningful and mutually beneficial continental security.