cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robomorphic computing: a design methodology for domain-specific accelerators parameterized by robot morphology

Robotics applications have hard time constraints and heavy computational burdens that can greatly benefit from domain-specific hardware accelerators. For the latency-critical problem of robot motion planning and control, there exists a performance gap of at least an order of magnitude between joint actuator response rates and state-of-the-art software solutions. Hardware acceleration can close this gap, but it is essential to define automated hardware design flows to keep the design process agile as applications and robot platforms evolve. To address this challenge, we introduce robomorphic computing: a methodology to transform robot morphology into a customized hardware accelerator morphology. We (i) present this design methodology, using robot topology and structure to exploit parallelism and matrix sparsity patterns in accelerator hardware; (ii) use the methodology to generate a parameterized accelerator design for the gradient of rigid body dynamics, a key kernel in motion planning; (iii) evaluate FPGA and synthesized ASIC implementations of this accelerator for an industrial manipulator robot; and (iv) describe how the design can be automatically customized for other robot models. Our FPGA accelerator achieves speedups of 8× and 86× over CPU and GPU when executing a single dynamics gradient computation. It maintains speedups of 1.9× to 2.9× over CPU and GPU, including computation and I/O round-trip latency, when deployed as a coprocessor to a host CPU for processing multiple dynamics gradient computations. ASIC synthesis indicates an additional 7.2× speedup for single computation latency. We describe how this principled approach generalizes to more complex robot platforms, such as quadrupeds and humanoids, as well as to other computational kernels in robotics, outlining a path forward for future robomorphic computing accelerators.
Suture Anchor Repair of Small and Medium Supraspinatus Tears

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, once the domain of a select group of surgeons, is quickly becoming the standard of care employed by more and more orthopedists. This transformation is due in great part to the advent of improved anchors, stronger suture material, and enhanced suture passing devices, resulting in enhanced success rates.1, 2, 3, 4 However, the most significant advances have come about due to constant improvement in our teaching of new techniques. What was once an operation done by few is now one that even the general orthopedist might well consider for his or her occasional rotator cuff repair. This chapter is directed to those individuals far enough along on the learning curve to be comfortable with an all-arthroscopic repair and ready to tackle some of the small and medium tears they may encounter during routine decompressions. Other chapters will deal with more advanced techniques such as mobilization and interval releases; this chapter describes my technique for the simple, mobile, small and medium tears from room setup to suture passing, knot tying to rehabilitation. After all, these are not only the lesions best suited for a surgeon’s first all-arthroscopic repairs but also are the most common tears the average orthopedist will encounter.
Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride) (PVDF) and its Copolymers

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and its family of copolymers are arguably the best-known examples of a class of high-performance polymers noted for their remarkable piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties. After more than 30 years of study and development, the piezoelectricity and electromechanical properties of PVDF and its copolymers have been improved markedly. Today this class of polymer still possesses the highest electromechanical responses over a broad temperature range among known synthetic organic materials. Further, when considered along with their easy conformability, flexibility, robustness, and lightness, it is not surprising that electroactive polymers continue to be the focus of interest of the designers of high-performance electromechanical devices. When PVDF is stretched and poled in a strong electric field, it exhibits piezoelectricity. In its piezoelectric form, PVDF finds use in transducer devices requiring the interconversion of mechanical and electrical energy. Piezoelectric PVDF can be fabricated and used in a variety of sensors and actuators such as artificial muscles and organs, medical imaging, blood-flow monitors, microphones, smart skins, underwater acoustic transducers, seismic monitors, fluid pumps and valves, surface acoustic wave devices, robots, and tactile sensing devices. P(VDF-TrFE) copolymers display similar and in some cases even superior properties. Many organic substances in fact exhibit a key ferroelectric property that is called polarization hysteresis. The copolymer of PVDF with trifluoroethylene (TrFE) and tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), however, is the only polymeric system that shows both a well-defined polarization hysteresis loop and a transition to a paraelectric phase with increased temperature. Keywords: Synthetic pathways; Molecular structures; Crystal structures; Processing; Fabrication; Polarization; Normal ferroelectric PVD; Electromechanical properties; Relaxor ferroelectric behavior
Effect of Protein-Induced Calciuria on Calcium Metabolism and Bone Status in Adult Rats

45Ca-labeled adult male rats were fed diets high in protein to determine long-term effects on calcium metabolism and bone status. Factors influencing renal excretion of calcium were examined for their involvement in protein-induced hypercalciuria. Control rats were fed a 6% casein diet. Test diets contained 6% casein plus 24% protein as lactalbumin, beef, casein, soy, egg white or gelatin. All diets were equal in Mg, P, and Ca. Collections made during the 20-week feeding regimen indicated a transient but marked calciuria (greater than or equal to 200% of control) occurring at or prior to days 56-59 by rats fed the lactalbumin, egg white, gelatin (P less than or equal to 0.001) and 30% casein (P less than or equal 0.01) diets. Soy and beef diets were not calciuric. At days 56-59, rats fed lactalbumin, 30% casein, soy and egg white exhibited significantly depressed urinary specific activity of calcium (P less than or equal to 0.001), and all rats fed test diets produced higher fecal endogenous calcium, suggesting an increased absorption. No compositional differences indicative of bone resorption were present in the femur or mandibles of any rat fed test protein, dismissing bone as the source of calciuria. End-products of protein metabolism known to chelate calcium or compete with its renal reabsorption were significantly correlated with urinary calcium; these included sulfate, oxalate and sodium.
Optimal Design of Border Irrigation Systems

Using a surface irrigation hydraulics simulation model, relationships were developed between water requirement efficiency and the system design variables. A crop production function was utilized to relate crop yield to the water requirement efficiency. Gross returns from the crop, and the costs of water, labor, ditch construction and crop production were considered in the optimization problem. Several system constraints were incorporated into the design process. The generalized geometric programming technique was applied to the optimal design of border and basin irrigation systems. The design variables were: the length of run, inflow rate into the border, time of inflow, number of lengths of run, width of the border, and the number of border widths in the field.
Serotyping of noncapsular Haemophilus influenzae.

Abstract A microtechnique is described for agglutination typing of Haemophilus influenzae. It also provides a further means for classification and study of noncapsular type-specific strains.
Function of Carnitine in the Fatty Acid Oxidase-deficient Insect Flight Muscle

Abstract The metabolic function of carnitine in the fatty acid oxidase-deficient flight muscle of the blowfly, Phormia regina, was investigated. Mitochondria from flies did not oxidize palmitate or hexanoate in the presence of adenosine triphosphate, coenzyme A, carnitine, and serum albumin. Palmitoyl carnitine was oxidized at an extremely slow rate, QO2 of 20. The rate of synthesis of the carnitine ester was much slower and is rate limiting in fatty acid oxidation. Hexanoyl carnitine was apparently not metabolized. Flight muscle of flies, however, has a concentration of carnitine of over 4 µmoles per g, wet weight. These findings suggest that the primary function of carnitine in blowfly flight muscle is not related to utilization of fats. Carnitine increased the rate of oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate-1-14C to acetyl-CoA. The malonate inhibition of the rate of production of 14CO2 from pyruvate-1-14C, but not from pyruvate-3-14C, was relieved by carnitine. The rate of oxidation of pyruvate-3-14C to 14CO2 was inhibited by carnitine. These effects of carnitine may be explained by the formation of acetyl carnitine from carnitine and acetyl-CoA, derived from pyruvate, catalyzed by an active carnitine acetyl transferase. Approximately 90% of the enzyme was found in the mitochondria of the muscle. Acetyl-CoA, in the presence of carnitine, was not oxidized by mitochondria, although acetyl carnitine was oxidized with a QO2 of over 300. This indicates that blowfly mitochondria are not permeable to acetyl-CoA but are permeable to acetyl carnitine. When both pyruvate and acetyl carnitine were available, pyruvate was used preferentially. The concentration of acetyl carnitine in flight muscle of blowflies increased 4-fold on initiation of flight, paralleling the increase in pyruvate. After about 1 min of flight, the level of acetyl carnitine decreased and attained a steady state at a concentration twice that in the muscle at rest. Functions for carnitine in carbohydrate utilization, resulting from the direct action of carnitine on pyruvate metabolism, are proposed. A comparative study of the metabolism of carnitine in blowflies and bees is described.
Of Gods and Men (Des hommes et des dieux)

This remarkable film, whose French title is more apt since it is primarily about men and their Gods, was the most important movie of 2011, although it would not be surprising if you missed it. The ...
Recent VLBI Observations of Stellar Coronae

This paper summarizes recent (1990–1995) VLBI observations of radio emission from active stars and how they have contributed to our understanding of stellar coronae. The observational results are first summarized and then applied to three broad questions concerning the physics of stellar coronae: 1. Which radiation machanisms are responsible for the radio emission? 2. What is relationship between the X-ray emitting thermal plasma and the radio emitting regions? 3. What is the geometry of the radio corona?
Isothermal magnetostatic atmospheres. III - Similarity solutions with current proportional to the magnetic potential squared

An investigation of a family of isothermal magneto-static atmospheres with one ignorable coordinate corresponding to a uniform gravitational field in a plane geometry is carried out. The distributed current in the model J is directed along the x-axis where x is the horizontal ignorable coordinate. The current J is taken proportional to the square of the magneto-static potential A and falls off exponentially with distance vertical to the base with an e-folding distance equal to the gravitational scale height. A range of solution examples are displayed depending on the four free parameters in the solutions. Three of these parameters determine the source currents for the potential field solution of the family, whereas the fourth parameter determines the magnitude of the distributed current. The solutions illustrate the contribution of the anisotropic J × B force (B, magnetic field induction), the gravitational force, and gas pressure gradient to the force balance.
Low temperature elastic properties of chemically reduced and CVD-grown graphene thin films

Abstract We have measured internal friction and shear modulus of both reduced graphene oxide and chemical-vapor deposited graphene films measuring as thin as 5 nm. Graphene oxide films were deposited from solutions by spin-coating, and graphene films were synthesized by chemical-vapor deposition (CVD) on Ni thin films. In both cases, these films were transferred from their host substrate into a water bath, then re-deposited onto to a high-Q single crystal silicon mechanical double-paddle oscillator. A minimal thickness dependence of both internal friction and shear modulus was found within the experimental uncertainty for reduced graphene oxide films varying thickness from 5 to 90 nm. The internal friction of all films exhibits a temperature independent plateau below 10 K. The values of the plateaus are similar for both the reduced graphene oxide films and CVD graphene films, and they are as high as the universal “glassy range” where the tunneling states dominated internal friction of amorphous solids lies. This result shows that from a mechanical loss point of view, both graphene oxide and CVD graphene films have high and similar level of disorder. Raman measurements performed on the same samples show higher structure order in CVD graphene films than in graphene oxide films. Our results suggest that internal friction probes different sources of disorder from those by Raman, and the disorder is not directly related to the existence of C–O binding in the graphene oxide films. The shear modulus averages 53 GPa after subtracting Young's modulus component from the vibration mode used in experiments.
A mind to stay: on encountering the panhandle of Texas

Venturing into unfamiliar territory, reflective travellers struggle to place it as much as to place themselves in it. In this article, the author draws on six nineteenth‐century accounts to examine ways in which that struggle has taken place in and around what is now known as the Texas Panhandle, in southwestern United States. Interplay of political and natural boundaries was characteristic of many twentieth‐century conflicts and continues to inform conflict in the twenty‐first century, so the experience of the Panhandle, which was placed in the context of a series of nineteenth‐century border disputes, may prove instructive.
Integrated assessment of climate change.

Because there is an immediate need for policy decisions on how to prevent or adapt to climate change and how to allocate scarce funds for climate research, we need to move beyond isolated studies of the various parts of the problem. Analysis frameworks are needed that incorporate our knowledge about precursors to, processes of, and consequences from climate change. This framework also needs to represent the reliability with which the various pieces of the climate puzzle are understood and be able to propagate uncertainties through the analysis and to reflect them in the conclusions. 15 refs.
Thermal and Mechanical Analysis of Novel Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Coil for Mice

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has potential to treat various neurological disorders noninvasively and safely. There has been significant work on coil designs for use on the human brain; however, there are fewer reports on the coil design for small animal brains, such as mice. Such work is essential to validate TMS treatment procedures on animals prior to clinical trials. We report thermal and mechanical analysis of a new small-animal coil system designed to produce focused electric fields resulting in more selective deep-brain stimulation. Thermal and magnetic force analyses conducted at experimental TMS operating conditions are used to determine the mechanical stability of the new coil system. Low magnetic linear attraction and rotational forces suggest mechanical stability of the coil. Small temperature increase over a simulated 60 s TMS therapy session indicates that the coil system operates within safe temperature limits. This coil configuration can be used on mice to stimulate selective regions of the brain to study various neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease.
Association between multiple IV attempts and perceived pain levels in the emergency department.

PurposeIntravenous (IV) access is the most commonly performed procedure in the emergency department (ED). Patients with difficult venous access require multiple needlesticks (MNS) for successful IV...
Variations in morphological and biomechanical indices at the distal radius in subjects with identical BMD

Determination of osteoporotic status is based primarily on areal bone mineral density (aBMD) obtained through dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). However, many fractures occur in patients with T-scores above the WHO threshold of osteoporosis, in part because DXA measures are insensitive to biomechanically important alterations in bone quality. The goal of this study was to determine--within groups of subjects with identical radius aBMD values--the extant variation in densitometric, geometric, microstructural, and biomechanical parameters. High resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) and DXA radius data from males and females spanning large ranges in age, osteoporotic status, and anthropometrics were compiled. 262 distal radius datasets were processed for this study. HR-pQCT scans were analyzed according to the manufacturer's standard clinical protocol to quantify densitometric, geometric, and microstructural indices. Micro-finite element analysis was performed to calculate biomechanical indices. Factor of risk of wrist fracture was calculated. Simulated aBMD calculated from HR-pQCT data was used to group scans for evaluation of variation in quantified indices. Indices reflecting the greatest variation within aBMD level were BMD in the central portion of the trabecular compartment (max CV 142), trabecular heterogeneity (max CV 90), and intra-cortical porosity (max CV 151). Of the biomechanical indices, cortical load fraction had the greatest variation (max CV 38). Substantial variations in indices reflecting density, structure, and biomechanical competence exist among subjects with identical aBMD levels. Overlap of these indices among osteoporotic status groups reflects the reported incidence of osteoporotic fracture in subjects classified as osteopenic or normal.
On performance evaluation of cooperative spectrum sensing in cognitive radio networks

This paper presents the system level performance evaluation for energy-detection based cooperative spectrum sensing in cognitive radio networks. Three performance criteria are quantitively analyzed for cooperative spectrum sensing. First, the average error probability is determined given fixed amplifier gains for a fixed number of secondary users by considering all possible channel realizations. Second, the asymptotic error probability is computed in a power constrained cognitive radio network when the number of secondary user approaches infinity. Third, the outage probability is examined when instantaneous error probability is greater than a predefined threshold. In all three calculations, both additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and Rayleigh fading assumptions are used to capture the observation and fusion channels. Numerical results indicate that in order to maintain a desired detection performance in low and moderate fusion signal to noise ratio (SNR) regimes, fusion channels need to be as reliable as possible, while local received SNRs can be dynamic and provide spatial diversity. Moreover, it is shown that under AWGN observation channels and Rayleigh fading fusion channels, a diversity order equal to the number of secondary users can be achieved.
A geological transect across the crest of the East Pacific Rise at 21°N latitude made from the deep submersible ALVIN

This paper is a report of geological observations made using the submersible ALVIN on the crest of the East Pacific Rise near 21°N. The profile is 6 km long and crosses a 5–10 km wide plateau which rises 100 m±above the rise flanks. At the axis are exposed fresh glassy pillow lavas with no sediment accumulation in a region termed the neovolcanic zone. This zone is about one kilometer wide and includes elongate ridges of pillow lavas and seventeen hydrothermal vent fields in the study area. Outside the neovolcanic zone the seafloor is extensively fissured in another zone which is up to two kilometers wide. The neovolcanic zone and the fissured zone are included within a rift valley or graben about 3 to 5 km wide and 50 m±deep. This rift valley is asymmetrically located on the west side of the axial plateau; the neovolcanic zone in the study area is asymmetrically located on the east side of the rift graben. Fissured crust is not common outside the rift graben or in the neovolcanic zone; similarly, large throw faults such as those which form the edges of the graben are not found outside of it. These observations can be interpreted according to a volcanic-tectonic cycle in which volcanic eruptions and hydrothermal circulation are followed by a tectonic phase which includes fissuring and vertical movements. When a new cycle starts it may involve a lateral shift of the spreading axis. Lavas along the dive profile are suggested to be no older than a few thousand years based on sediment accumulation. In contrast, seafloor spreading rates here predict crust up to 105 yr old. This observation suggests that lavas from the neovolcanic zone can spread laterally about a kilometer or more and overlap on older crust.
Utilization Of The Monte Carlo Technique To Assess Precision In The Measurement Of Coronary Arteries

Using standard angiographic equipment involving an image intensifier-video camera combination, subpixel precision can be achieved in the estimation of blood vessel diameter using 512x512x8 digital image resolution. Analyses were carried out with blood vessel phantoms ranging from 1.27 to 5.46 mm in diameter. The relationship between actual and measured diameters was found linear between 3 and 5.46 mm; below 3mm it became non-linear. The studies were performed under ideal conditions with a water block as scattering medium, without motion and without subtraction on uniform background.
Characterization of wettability effects on pressure drop of two-phase flow in microchannel

The Characterization of the effects of surface wettability and geometry on pressure drop of slug flow in isothermal horizontal microchannels is investigated for circular and square channels with hydraulic diameter (D h ) of 700 μm. Flow visualization is employed to characterize the bubble in slug flow established in microchannels of various surface wettabilities. Pressure drop increases with decrease in surface wettability, while the channel geometry influences slug frequency. It is observed that the gas–liquid contact line in advancing and receding interfaces of bubble change with surface wettability in slug flows. Flow resistance, where capillary force is important, is estimated using Laplace–Young equation considering the change of dynamic contact angles of bubble. The experimental study also demonstrates that the liquid film presence elucidates the pressure drop variation of slug flows at various surface wettabilities due to diminishing capillary effect.
VLSI implementable parallel stochastic learning algorithm

A VLSI implementable, massively parallel, digital, stochastic neural network architecture with on-chip learning is described which can be used to address video/image compression applications. Color information in images is usually encoded as a means to reduce the data needed to transmit high resolution video images over a lower bandwidth communication system. A neural net approach can be used for such a compression scheme since it can be trained to map a set of patterns from a k-dimensional space to a 1D space very easily. The training algorithm is implemented as a cross correlation between previously calculated weights and global errors. These simple calculations are performed by each processing unit with information available in their local memories, thus, no transfer of information between neurons is necessary. This feature allows for the synchronous updating of all the weights, which optimizes the inherent parallel nature of the neural network architecture, making the design an excellent candidate for VLSI implementation as an SIMD architecture. By incorporating the learning portion on-chip, an appreciable reduction in computing time is possible. The stochastic nature of the learning algorithm, and a simulated 'annealing' process, allows it to convergence to a global minimum. The architecture is synthesized from an HDL description using powerful design and analysis tools which allow for many performance trade- offs and fault coverage to be done by the compiler before the final design is sent for fabrication.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Dose-related effects of chronic gestational cocaine treatment on maternal aggression in rats on postpartum days 2, 3, and 5.

Abstract 1. Gravid Sprague-Dawley rats received subcutaneous injections of saline, 3.5, 7.5 or 15 mg/kg of cocaine, twice daily, throughout gestation. 2. On postpartum days 2, 3, and 5, dams and their litters (surrogate or natural) were videotaped for 10 minutes in the presence of a male rat for assessment of aggression towards the intruder. Oxytocin levels in discrete brain areas were assayed on postpartum day 5. 3. The 30 mg/kg dose group had a significantly greater increase in the frequency of threats from postpartum day2 through postpartum day 5 than the 7.5 mg/kg cocaine and the non-yoke-fed saline control groups. 4. Dams with natural litters exhibited a significantly greater frequency of receptive behavior compared to dams with surrogate litters. 5. There were no significant differences in oxytocin levels between the 30 mg/kg cocaine-treated group and the other treatment or control groups on postpartum day 5. 6. There are very few statistically significant cocaine-induced increases in maternal aggressive behavior and no dose-dependent decreases in amygdaloid OT levels in the early postpartum period.
Freezing by Liquid Carbon Dioxide in Making Slides Permanent

The expansion of liquid CO2 may be employed in a quick-freeze method for making aqueous slide preparations permanent. An apparatus is described for this purpose which could be duplicated satisfactorily by cutting a 22mm square hole in the top of a standard freezing microtome specimen holder. The edges should be filed smooth to provide a flat surface for the slide to rest on, and clamps added to keep the slide in place while freezing. Once the slide is frozen, the cover slip may be readily removed, leaving practically all of the tissue on the slide. Following simultaneous thawing and dehydration of the slide in 95% alcohol, covering is done with Diaphane or Euparal and a clean, dry cover slip.
Dynamic binding of separately compiled objects under program control

No currently available language provides a means of binding names to separately compiled implementations under the control of an executing program and statically checking the correctness of such binding. This work describes the design of a high-level language feature that provides this control. The motivating problem is the programming of data base managers in a high-level language without resorting to untyped external storage of the data. This design follows a methodology that prescribes the complete design and modeling of the semantics of the language feature before the final syntactic decisions are made. The result is a language feature that provides the ability to change the linkage between a name and various implementations during the execution of a program. This "dynamic binding" takes place in the context of a strongly typed, block-structured language. This feature has been incorporated into a Pascal implementation. The problems encountered are discussed, and future work is suggested. Appendices specify the syntax of the Pascal extension and present an example data base manager written using this language.
Electron states on the (100) surface of copper

Abstract The scattering-theoretical method has been used to determine the electron states on the (100) surface of copper. The bulk energy bands were obtained from an empirical tight-binding calculation. The effective masses were calculated from the surface state dispersion relations.
Atomistic level relativistic quantum modelling of plutonium hydrogen reaction

Abstract We have computed the electronic structural and spectroscopic properties for the low-lying electronic states of plutonium hydrides, PuH n ( n = 2–4) and their ions which provide significant insight into plutonium hydriding reactions. We have employed a relativistic quantum technique that uses relativistic effective core potentials on Pu. Our computations show that whereas PuH 2 and PuH 3 form stable C 2v and C 3v structures which exhibit Pu–H direct chemical bonds, PuH 4 becomes a complex of PuH 2 with a partially dissociated H 2 . Our computations show that the H 2 dissociation is assisted by PuH 2 . Electron density contour maps including Laplacians of charge densities support that the Pu site of the hydrided species is depleted substantially in charge thereby causing catalysis of further hydriding. The IR spectra show that the H 2 sorbed on PuH 2 is partially dissociated. We have also provided comparison of our results with corresponding computations on uranium hydrides.
Consumer Financial Services in Britain: New Approaches to Dispute Resolution and Avoidance

Our notions of dispute resolution revolve around parties with competing contentions receiving some form of adjudication or resolution through settlement. A more accurate approach involves seeing disputes in a different way. At one extreme, we may have a case litigated before a country's Supreme Court. At the other, there may be the germs of a problem that nobody has articulated as such. This has the ability to become that court case. More likely, though, it will just wither away. An innocent victim may resolve to take his business elsewhere or even to desert an entire sector of commerce. He is no less in dispute than the serious litigant.
Breakdown Processes in Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Mixtures

The studies of corona mechanisms in coaxial cylindrical geometry with central anode using $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-particle triggering, initiated by Colli and Facchini and by Lauer in inert gases, have been extended to pure nitrogen, pure oxygen, and mixtures of these gases. Pure gases were studied in a well outgassed system with nickel cathode. In pure nitrogen, from 25 to 600 mm pressure, the predominant mechanism is secondary liberation of electrons from the cathode by positive ion impact, with ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{i}$ varying between 1.4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ and 0.6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$. Correction for back diffusion following Theobald gives a ture ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{i}$ of 2-3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. The ion is the ${\mathrm{N}}_{4}^{+}$ observed by Varney, with reduced mobility 2.53\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.08 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/volt sec at 760 mm and 20\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. Addition of the order of 1 percent oxygen reduces ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{i}$ by a factor of $\frac{1}{5}$ and gives a weak photoelectric ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{p}$ at the cathode, both effects resulting in part from action of oxygen on the cathode as noted by Parker and Theobald. Photoionization in the gas also appears, and with 5 percent oxygen the self-sustaining corona consists to a large extent of Geiger counter-like pulses propagating along the wire. In air, there is no longer any observable cathode action at threshold. With the use of transverse and longitudinal \ensuremath{\alpha} particle trajectories relative to the axis, the velocity of propagation of the discharge down the wire has been measured for various pressures in air, and for constant pressure and potential as a function of oxygen concentration of between 5 and 20 percent. Velocities ranged between ${10}^{8}$ and ${10}^{7}$ cm/sec, decreasing as oxygen concentration increased. In pure oxygen above 200-mm pressure, the absorption of photoionizing radiation is so intense that, as indicated by Miller and Loeb, instead of spreading along the wire, the discharge propagates outward in the form of radial streamers, which have a duration of less than ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$ sec, contain some ${10}^{8}$ ions, and are spaced at regular intervals closely related to the positive-ion transit time. The latter yields a reduced mobility of 2.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/volt-sec at 760 mm Hg and 20\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. in conformity with Varney's assumed ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}^{+}$ ion.
Japanese Culture in Comparative Perspective

Foreword by Hayward R. Alker Preface Introduction: Search for the Core of Japanese Culture Rashomonesque Yamazakura: Ambiguous Language Model of Japanese Culture Enduring Japanese Culture Changing Japanese Culture Common Japanese Culture Unique Japanese Culture Japanese Culture and Its Vitality Conclusion: Rashomonesque Yamazakura Appendix References Subject Index Author Index
Iterative methods for variational and complementarity problems

In this paper, we study both the local and global convergence of various iterative methods for solving the variational inequality and the nonlinear complementarity problems. Included among such methods are the Newton and several successive overrelaxation algorithms. For the most part, the study is concerned with the family of linear approximation methods. These are iterative methods in which a sequence of vectors is generated by solving certain linearized subproblems. Convergence to a solution of the given variational or complementarity problem is established by using three different yet related approaches. The paper also studies a special class of variational inequality problems arising from such applications as computing traffic and economic spatial equilibria. Finally, several convergence results are obtained for some nonlinear approximation methods.
Successful Protest Movements in School Districts Limiting Factors

Minority protests are more difficult to maintain than to initiate. A Los Angeles case study.
Library Staff Development: How Book Clubs Can Be More Effective (and Less Expensive) than Traditional Trainings

Employee book clubs are simple, inexpensive tools for professional development that may be more effective than traditional training methods. Library staff at Brigham Young University participated in professional development book clubs, and they reported that they found these trainings to be more enjoyable than classroom-style trainings and more effective in helping them understand, retain, and apply the principles learned. This article will discuss the success of these book clubs and suggest ways that other libraries can implement cost-effective book clubs to develop professional and leadership skills.
Synthesis of Mono- and Ditungstaboranes from Reaction of Cp*WCl4 and [Cp*WCl2]2 with BH3·thf or LiBH4 (Cp* = η5-C5Me5). Control of Reaction Pathway by Choice of Monoboron Reagent and Oxidation State of Metal Center

Reaction between Cp*WCl4 or [Cp*WCl2]2 (Cp* = η5-C5Me5) and BH3·thf affords the new tungstaborane (Cp*WCl)2B2H6, 2, which reacts with further BH3·thf to give (Cp*W)2B5H9, 1. The structure of 1 has been determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study and is best described as a bicapped trigonal bipyramidal, the same as previously found for Cr and Mo analogues. The first step of this reaction is reduction of Cp*WCl4 to [Cp*WCl2]2 by BH3·thf, paralleling that of the Cp*MoCl4 system. In contrast with its lighter congener, reaction between LiBH4 and Cp*WCl4 or [Cp*WCl2]2 gives different metallaboranes depending on the oxidation state of the starting material and rate of addition of borane. With Cp*WCl4 and fast addition of LiBH4 the monometallic, crystallographically characterized, metallaborane nido-2-(Cp*WH3)B4H8, 3, is formed in good yield along with the coproduct (Cp*WH3)2B2H6, 4. We have observed the time-dependent behavior of the formation of 3, allowing the elucidation of intermediates on the rea...
Knowledge-based understanding on a small machine

One problem plaguing current knowledge-based systems is the acquisition of the information that is represented in the knowledge base. Most knowledge processing systems, such as expert systems and more recent case-based systems, are either based on static data that has already been entered into the system, or use human intervention to enter the information into the system in the correct format. Both of these methods greatly reduce the power and flexibility of the system since, presumably, an intelligent knowledge-based system would make better decisions provided with more information. One resource that provides a vast amount of information is written text, such as journals, newspapers and on-line news wires. Systems that use information provided by such resources could greatly benefit if they automatically acquired this information. This paper presents research directed at the development of such a system on a small machine.
Generating arbitrary chemical patterns for multipoint dosing of single cells

Living cells reside within anisotropic microenvironments that orchestrate a broad range of polarized responses through physical and chemical cues. To unravel how localized chemical signals influence complex behaviors, tools must be developed for establishing patterns of chemical gradients that vary over subcellular dimensions. Here, we present a strategy for addressing this critical need in which an arbitrary number of chemically distinct, subcellular dosing streams are created in real time within a microfluidic environment. In this approach, cells are cultured on a thin polymer membrane that serves as a barrier between the cell-culture environment and a reagent chamber containing multiple reagent species flowing in parallel under low Reynolds number conditions. Focal ablation of the membrane creates pores that allow solution to flow from desired regions within this reagent pattern into the cell-culture chamber, resulting in narrow, chemically distinct dosing streams. Unlike previous dosing strategies, th...
Peer Support/Peer Provided Services Underlying Processes, Benefits, and Critical Ingredients

The article defines peer support/peer provided services; discusses the underlying psychosocial processes of these services; and delineates the benefits to peer providers, individuals receiving services, and mental health service delivery system. Based on these theoretical processes and research, the critical ingredients of peer provided services, critical characteristics of peer providers, and mental health system principles for achieving maximum benefits are discussed, along with the level of empirical evidence for establishing these elements.
The electrical resistivity of mixed valence materials due to impurities

We present a calculation of impurity resistivity in an electronic system composed of two types of states, localized ƒ states and itinerant d state. We envisage the impurities as giving rise to potential scattering. We note that the resistivity due to scattering from a distribution of displacements of the 4ƒ binding energies gives rise to a similar behavior to the impurity resistivity of CePd3. We offer a tentative explanation based on local lattice distortions caused by the impurities, which are assumed to couple to the 4ƒ orbitals.
Helminth parasites of juvenile brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) from four Maryland creeks

Abstract A total of 126 juvenile brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, were collected in 2005 and 2006 from 4 Maryland creeks (Little Bear Creek, Blue Lick Run, Little Fishing Creek, and Puzzley Run) and examined for parasites. The trematode, Crepidostomum cooperi, and nematode, Cystidicoloides ephemeridarum, were found in trout in all creeks. A cestode, Eubothrium salvelini, and another nematode, Rhabdochona cotti, infrequently infected Little Bear Creek trout. No other parasites were found. Prevalences and mean intensities of C. cooperi in trout from Little Bear Creek and Blue Lick Run (main study locations) were 96%, 68%, 20.5, and 7.2; and those values for C. ephemeridarum in Little Bear Creek and Blue Lick Run were 88%, 70%, 22.5, and 6.6, respectively. One-year-old trout had the same or higher prevalences and mean intensities of C. cooperi than young-of-the-year trout at both creeks. This was also true for C. ephemeridarum in trout from Little Bear Creek. The mean parasite species richness values in a...
Twistless Yarns and Woven Fabrics1

Traditional fabrics utilize twisted yarns and the purpose of the twist is often misunderstood. The twist is introduced partly because of its effect on the fabric, but mostly its real function is to...
The energy cost of mandatory bidirectionality in wireless multimedia communication

Features of network protocols, originally designed for good reasons when energy considerations were not paramount and multimedia communications were not common, are sometimes discovered to have high energy costs in new application domains involving multimedia. In this paper, we examine the energy cost of an old, simple and pervasive feature in wireless medium access control protocols: the mandatory acknowledgment at the link layer in response to a data frame, imposing the requirement that if node A can reach node B with its transmissions, then B should be able to reach A as well. We show that this mandated bidirectionality has a significant energy cost in ad hoc networks, multiplying the energy cost of a transmission at a node by as much as three. We also show that this negative impact increases further with increasing non-uniformity of the radio environment. Many multimedia applications are characterized by two features: a larger volume of traffic in one direction than in the reverse direction and by less of a need for immediate acknowledgement in the reverse direction. Mandated bidirectionality, therefore, carries an especially higher and unnecessary energy cost for multimedia communications. These findings suggest a new set of research problems on how best to design new features in protocols for medium access control for multimedia communications.
Enantioselective synthesis of (10S)- and (10R)-methyl-anandamides

For the development of novel endocannabinoid templates with potential resistance to hydrolytic and oxidative metabolism, we are targeting the bis-allylic carbons of the arachidonoyl skeleton. Toward this end, we recently disclosed the synthesis and preliminary biological data for the (13S)-methyl-anandamide. We report now the total synthesis of the (10S)- and (10R)-methyl-counterparts. Our synthetic approach is stereospecific, efficient, and provides the analogs without the need for resolution. Peptide coupling, P-2 nickel partial hydrogenation, and cis-selective Wittig olefination are the key steps.
Evaluation of thickness and strain of thin planar layers of InAs on GaAs(001) using spectroscopic ellipsometry

We develop a technique for accurately measuring thickness of planar InAs films grown on (001) GaAs by spectroscopic ellipsometry, using bulk optical constants. We observe that the critical point structure for the E1 and E1 + Δ1 transitions extracted from the measured dielectric properties varies with strain in the layer. Transmission electron microscopy confirms the extracted thickness and measures the residual strain based on the dislocation spacing in the film. At small thickness, the E1 critical point is seen to markedly deviate from the dependence predicted by deformation potential theory and appears to be consistent with additional quantum confinement effects.
Analysis of Gas-Particle Flows in Rocket Nozzles

the atmosphere. For example, Fig. 3 shows how lidar echoes revealed a stratification of the clear air which was obviously related to the thermal structure. Discontinuities have been observed in mixing air at low level and at frontal interfaces in clear conditions aloft. Inhomogeneities have also been detected in tenuous dust concentrations in the stratosphere between 20 and 30 km,9 revealing a similar patchy or layered structure to that commonly seen in the lowest 5 km. The basic capability of lidar for making atmospheric observations and measurements has obvious applications in many areas of atmospheric research, even with the relatively elementary equipment thus far developed. Lasers with increased pulse repetition frequencies are already available, and their use in lidar will result in enhanced spatial and temporal resolution and make scanning systems possible. Other technological advances are imminent. In cloud physics and the study of clouds in mesoscale meteorology, the lidar offers new possibilities of delineating shape, measuring heights, and assessing densities and density gradients at their boundaries. It can provide observations in the subvisible stages of cloud formation and dissipation. Distant and tenuous clouds can be detected and observed without dependence upon "visibility" conditions (i.e., solar illumination, contrast, intervening scattering, or visual threshold). The ease with which the position and thickness of such clouds can be measured makes them valuable indicators of atmospheric conditions aloft. Their relationship with jet streams and other dynamic features of the upper air, including clear air turbulence (CAT),10 can be investigated from the ground or from aircraft, even with present equipment. With high pulse repetition rate scanning systems, motion could be studied in real time or with time-lapse or slow-motion cinephotography. At lower levels, the lidar can offer new sources of data in studies of visbility and the formation of fog and low-stratus cloud. In "clear air," lidar reveals the presence and arrangements of particulate matter that is invisible to the eye. Whether such particulate matter is ice crystals in the upper atmosphere, water droplets or haze particles at lower levels, or dust in the stratosphere, with the lidar it becomes possible to see the "clear air." Repeated sequential observations can show air motion, and even single observations can reveal stratification or show discontinuities. Atmospheric backscattering and transmissivity characteristics can be used to identify and distinguish different air masses remotely. The temperature or density of the dust-free upper atmosphere (i.e., above 30 km) can be derived from gaseous backscattering measurements. Other possibilities, yet to be demonstrated, include spectroscopic techniques using multifrequency systems or the application of the Doppler principle to observe
Synthesis of superconducting microcomposite coatings by melt writing and oxidation of BiPbSrCaCuAg metallic precursor alloys

Abstract A novel promising method of melt writing of metailic precursor alloy followed by oxidation to produce superconducting coatings with variable shape on a strong tough substrate is reported. Bi 1.4 Pb 0.6 Sr 2 Ca 3 Cu 4 Ag 11–36 alloys were used as the metallic precursors and silver sheets and stainless steel plates covered by silver sheets were used as the writing substrates. The coatings were oxidized and annealed to generate superconducting onset temperatures of 112–116 K, zero-resistance temperatures of 100–106 K and critical current densities of about 800 A cm −2 at 77 K in zero field. The thickness and shapes of the written coatings can be controlled by adjusting the processing parameters. The adhesion and surface smoothness of the coatings were also affected by the alloy composition and the melt-writing processing parameters. The microstructure of the superconducting coatings was studied by a combination of scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis and X-ray powder diffraction. The oxidation and annealing conditions were found to be critically important for achieving good superconducting properties.
How Complete Is the Path Model of Blame

Malle, Guglielmo, and Monroe's (this issue) theory of blame is a major intellectual and theoretical achievement. The model primarily focuses on the cognitive act of blaming by postulating a detaile...