cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synchronization and Clustering of Arrays of Electrochemical Oscillators with Global Feedback

Experiments on chaotically oscillating arrays of nickel electrodes in sulfuric acid were carried out. A global feedback is added in which a signal proportional to the difference between the sum of the currents of all elements and a mean current is fed back to the applied potential. The addition of global feedback transforms a system of weakly coupled elements to one of complete synchronization. At intermediate feedback strengths, intermittent, unstable chaotic clusters are observed in which clusters of elements form and break up. Stable clusters or condensates form at somewhat higher feedback strengths. The stable clusters become periodic at higher gain; both two-cluster and three-cluster states are observed. With a further increase in the feedback gain, one of the clusters dominates the collective dynamics; its size increases until at some feedback strength the entire system is synchronized. Delay in the feedback signal also influences the interaction of the oscillators.
Unsupervised learning in neurodynamics using example-interaction approach

A new concept for unsupervised learning based upon examples introduced to the neural network is proposed. Each example is considered as an interpolation node of the velocity field in the phase space. The velocities at these nodes are selected such that all the streamlines diverge to an attracting set imbedded in the subspace occupied by the cluster of examples. The synaptic interconnections are found from the minimization of the strength energy, while the node velocities play the role of constraints.
A paleolimnological assessment of lake acidification in five Connecticut lakes

New England has received significant amounts of precipitation with a pH between 4.2 and 4.6. Paleolimnological studies based on siliceous microalgal remains support the hypothesis that some lakes in northern New England have acidified as a result of the acidic deposition. However, paleolimnological analyses from five software lakes in southern New England suggest that these lakes have not acidified in recent years. In all of the study lakes the inferred pH has remained relatively stable, and in two lakes the pH has actually increased slightly in recent years. Despite the relatively stable inferred pH reconstructions, significant shifts in species assemblages were observed in each lake, many of which are believed to correlate with land use changes. It is possible that effects of land use changes (e.g. increased urbanization) have masked potential effects of acid deposition.
Precision and accuracy in XQQ measurements: A summary report of the National Institute of Standards and Technology/Environmental Protection Agency International Round Robin

We describe the kinetics-based measurement protocol which was used for the National Institute of Standards and Technology/Environmental Protection Agency International Round Robin, and provide an interim summary report of the results. At least 50% of the QQQ instruments currently in the field potentially can provide a dynamically correct (i.e., instrument-independent) representation of ion/molecule reactions.
Mindfulness Meditation Training for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adulthood: Current Empirical Support, Treatment Overview, and Future Directions

Research examining nonpharmacological interventions for adults diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has expanded in recent years and provides patients with more treatment options. Mindfulness-based training is an example of an intervention that is gaining promising preliminary empirical support and is increasingly administered in clinical settings. The aim of this review is to provide a rationale for the application of mindfulness to individuals diagnosed with ADHD, describe the current state of the empirical basis for mindfulness training in ADHD, and summarize a treatment approach specific to adults diagnosed with ADHD: the Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPs) for ADHD Program. Two case study examples are provided to demonstrate relevant clinical issues for practitioners interested in this approach. Directions for future research, including mindfulness meditation as a standalone treatment and as a complementary approach to cognitive-behavioral therapy, are provided.
Improved method of pectoral muscle detection based on two straight line fitting algorithm

Pectoral muscle in mediolateral mammogram view is one of the three landmarks for mammogram registration. Mammogram registration is an important step in detecting gradual changes that occur over time and may be missed by radiologists. Detection of pectoral muscle is a challenging process due to factors such as overlapping fibroglandular tissue especially for the lower part of the pectoral muscle. In our research, an algorithm that detects pectoral muscle is presented. First, two straight line fitting procedure is utilized to detect the initial location of pectoral muscle. Then, a curve fitting algorithm is used to curve the lines through the detection of cliff locations. Cliff location represents the edge of the pectoral muscle and it is detected using sigmoid operation. Our algorithm is compared with an algorithm that detects the pectoral muscle using one line only. The accuracy of the two straight line fitting algorithm using subjective evaluation is 63.7%, which is a notable increase over the performance of one straight line fitting algorithm of 36.3% only.
Usefulness of measures of Svo2, Spo2, vital signs, and derived dual oximetry parameters as indicators of arterial blood gas variables during weaning of cardiac surgery patients from mechanical ventilation

Objectives: To determine whether combined use of the parameters of mixed venous oxygen saturation, arterial oxygen saturation obtained by pulse oximetry (Spo 2 ), and vital signs correlated with arterial blood gas variables (ABGs) better than each individual variable during weaning of postoperative cardiac surgery patients from mechanical ventilation; and to evaluate the relationship of derived parameters: oxygen extraction index and ventilation/perfusion index (VQI), and ABGs. Design: Secondary analysis of previous correlational study. Setting: The cardiac care unit in a large medical center in central Florida. Patients: Thirty postoperative coronary artery bypass graft patients being weaned from mechanical ventilation. Methods: After a change in ventilator settings during systematic weaning towards extubation, measurements of variables were taken during a 30-minute period. At 30 minutes, an ABG was drawn for comparison. Data were collected after two ventilator changes. A total of 57 data sets were used for analysis. Results: By use of multiple regression analyses, statistically significant ( p 2 and respiratory rate. The independent variable contributing to the model versus partial pressure of oxygen was Spo 2 . The oxygen extraction index did not correlate with ABGs; however, the VQI correlated significantly with all ABG variables except bicarbonate. Conclusions: The use of multiple parameters was no more useful in predicting ABGs than individual variables of Spo 2 and respiratory rate. The derived VQI parameter correlated with ABGs. The use of VQI in conjunction with Spo 2 and respiratory rate may assist in patient monitoring during weaning and reduce the number of ABGs needed.
Incorporating embedded programming skills into an ECE curriculum

In this paper, the typical electrical and computer engineering (ECE) curriculum is examined to determine its effectiveness at presenting embedded programming skills. The software concepts and programming techniques necessary for embedded systems are somewhat different than those seen in other engineering domains. Thus, it makes sense to specifically address embedded programming needs within the formal programming education ECE students receive. Several topical areas of concern are identified, and two possible ways to incorporate these areas into an ECE curriculum are presented. The experiences gained within the ECE curriculum at The University of Alabama are presented and are used to develop recommendations for incorporating these topics into typical ECE curricula.
Organochlorine and mercury residues in snakes from Pilot and Spider Islands, Lake Michigan--1978.

Little is known about the chronic effects of environmental pollutants on snakes, but some investigators have suggested that snakes make good biological indicators of environmental contamination. Being carnivorous, snakes would be expected to carry fairly high contaminant loads as a result of food chain concentration. They are also generally more sedentary than many other vertebrates and should, therefore, be good indicators of pollutants in the area where they are collected. During the course of a contaminant study with waterfowl on several islands in Lake Michigan, we collected snakes in order to measure their organochlorine and mercury levels.
Second order accuracy of Brenier's time-discrete method for nonlinear systems of conservation laws

An approximation $\tilde u(x,t)$ to the smooth solution of a hyperbolic system of conservation laws is shown to be second order accurate in time, i.e., $\tilde u(x,t) = u(x,t) + O(t^3 )$. This approximation is based on linearized characteristics and is related to various other perturbation techniques for hyperbolic systems. Proving second order accuracy is of interest because certain fully discrete numerical methods can be viewed as spatial discretization of the time-discrete method.
EMDR therapy: An overview of current and future research

Abstract Introduction EMDR therapy is an eight-phase treatment approach widely recognized as a frontline treatment for trauma. Research over the past decade has addressed the utility of the eye movements, mechanism of action and comparisons with other forms of therapy. Literature and clinical findings More than two-dozen randomized controlled trials (RCT) demonstrate the positive effects of EMDR therapy with trauma victims. Comparisons with trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) indicate comparable effects sizes. Approximately 20 additional RCT evaluated the eye movement component of EMDR in isolation, without the rest of the therapy procedures. These studies document a variety of positive effects, including a rapid decrease in distress and reduced clarity of the targeted disturbing image when compared to exposure-only conditions. Discussion Research findings indicate that EMDR therapy and TF-CBT are based on different mechanisms of action in that EMDR therapy does not necessitate daily homework, sustained arousal or detailed descriptions of the event, and appears to take fewer sessions. EMDR is guided by the adaptive information processing model, which posits a wide range of adverse life experiences as the basis of pathology. Conclusions Research is suggested to further explore mechanisms of action and address issues of efficiency and treatment differences. Rigorous research is also needed to investigate additional clinical applications.
Rocket observation of the ultraviolet spectrum of comet Halley

An ultraviolet sounding rocket telescope/spectrograph experiment observed Comet Halley on Feb. 26, 1986, 17 days after perihelion. From the long-slit spectra, the production rates of O, C, and CO are calculated. The derived water production rate is a lower limit of 5.0 x 10 to the 29th/s and the volume mixing ratio of CO to H2O is 21 percent. The predicted brightness distribution from a radial outflow model with H2O and CO as parent molecules are in accordance with the measured spatial profiles of O I and CO emissions. The ratio of the production rates of CO to C is 2.7 which is consistent with the carbon source being the photodissociation of CO. However, the radial outflow model which best fits the CO data predicts significantly weaker C I emissions than was observed. A better fit to the carbon data is found when an inner coma source of C at a rate of 3 percent of the water production rate is included in the model.
Brocade: Landmark Routing on Overlay Networks

Recent work such as Tapestry, Pastry, Chord and CAN provide efficient location utilities in the form of overlay infrastructures. These systems treat nodes as if they possessed uniform resources, such as network bandwidth and connectivity. In this paper, we propose a systemic design for a secondaryoverlay of super-nodes which can be used to deliver messages directly to the destination's local network, thus improving route efficiency. We demonstrate the potential performance benefits by proposing a name mapping scheme for a Tapestry-Tapestry secondary overlay, and show preliminary simulation results demonstrating significant routing performance improvement.
Copolymers of acrylamide and quaternary ammonium cationic monomers: Characterization by HPLC and copolymer composition control

Copolymers of acrylamide with quaternary ammonium cationic monomers (dimethylaminoethylacrylate-methyl chloride, DMAEA and dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate-methyl chloride, DMAEM) have been synthesized by inverse-emulsion copolymerization using both sorbitan monoleate (SMO) and a block copolymeric surfactant (HB246) whose hydrophilic moiety is polyethylene oxide and whose hydrophobic moiety is poly-12 hydroxy stearic acid. Residual monomer concentrations were determined by means of an optimized HPLC method using a CN coated column. The optimized conditions consist of an acetonitrile-water mobile phase with a ratio of 50 : 50 vol% with dibutylamine used as an additive to reduce the adsorption of the cationic monomer at a concentration of 0.01 M and phosphoric acid to adjust the pH. The results indicate that the choice of surfactant influences strongly the quality of the copolymers produced. For example, more uniform copolymers of acrylamide and DMAEA can be synthesized using the block copolymeric surfactant (HB246) at faster production rates in comparison with sorbitan monoleate (SMO). However, a composition drift is observed in the inverse-emulsion copolymerization of acrylamide and DMAEM using HB246. It is shown that uniform water soluble copolymers of acrylamide and DMAEM can be produced by implementing semi-batch policies with non time-varying feedrates.
CFD VALIDATION ISSUES FOR BOUNDARY-LAYER STABILITY AND TRANSITION

When there is some knowledge of transition location, mean laminar and turbulent heat transfer can usually be computed to better than 25% accuracy. However laminar-turbulent transition in the boundary layer is usually estimated from crude algebraic correlations. The scatter in these correlations can be a factor of 2 or more. Because transition causes heat transfer to rise by a factor of about 5 in high-speed flows, this uncertainty in transition location dominates overall uncertainty in heat-transfer predictions. Clearly, knowledge of the transition process is crucial for accurate vehicle heating and drag predictions over the whole flight regime. Laminar-turbulent transition is highly initial- and operating-condition dependent. Finding careful, archival experiments for comparison is the main validation issue; few exist. The CFD formulations validated to date demonstrate that if the environment and operating conditions can be modelled and input correctly, the computations (nonlinear Parabolized Stability Equations and Direct Numerical Simulations) agree quantitatively with the experiments. A review of validation and verification, challenges of validation, and recent results for 3-D boundary layers and receptivity problems are presented. Also, the efficacy of transition control depends largely on the physics of the transition process. Whether one desires to delay transition by the various techniques of Laminar Flow Control (LFC; Pfenninger, 1965, 1977; Reshotko, 1984, 1985; Collier 1993; Joslin 1998) or to encourage transition for enhanced mixing or separation delay, the most effective strategy is to capitalize on the most unstable disturbances. Again, knowledge of the transition process is key to efficient application. REVIEW OF ROADMAP TO TRANSITION
Probing structural transitions of nanosize silicon clusters via anion photoelectron spectroscopy at 7.9 eV

Abstract Photoelectron spectra of silicon cluster anions as large as Si 35 − have been obtained with vacuum ultraviolet radiation at 157 nm (7.9 eV). The data show spectroscopic trends consistent with the structural transformation from prolate to more spherical clusters previously observed in ion mobility experiments. In addition, we observe signal at high electron binding energy that may be analogous to the second band seen in the photoemission spectrum of bulk silicon.
Some Questions of Hard Analysis

In the theory of functions on ℝ N there is a great chasm between the space of C ∞ functions and the space of real analytic functions. If, for instance, a real analytic function vanishes on a set of positive measure then it is identically zero. [This is most easily proved by induction on dimension, beginning with the fact that in dimension 1 we have the stronger result that if the zero set has an interior accumulation point then the function is identically zero.] By contrast, any closed set is the zero set of a C ∞ function. In dimension 1 this is seen by noting that the complement of the closed set is the disjoint union of open intervals; it is straightforward to construct a C ∞ function of compact support on the closure of an open interval whose support is precisely that closed interval. In several real variables the Whitney decomposition (see [STE]) serves as a substitute for the interval decomposition of an open set and allows a similar construction to be effected (see Section 2.4).
Face-based luminance matching for perceptual colormap generation

Most systems used for creating and displaying colormap-based visualizations are not photometrically calibrated. That is, the relationship between RGB input levels and perceived luminance is usually not known, due to variations in the monitor, hardware configuration, and the viewing environment. However, the luminance component of perceptually based colormaps should be controlled, due to the central role that luminance plays in our visual processing. We address this problem with a simple and effective method for performing luminance matching on an uncalibrated monitor. The method is akin to the minimally distinct border technique (a previous method of luminance matching used for measuring luminous efficiency), but our method relies on the brain's highly developed ability to distinguish human faces. We present a user study showing that our method produces equivalent results to the minimally distinct border technique, but with significantly improved precision. We demonstrate how results from our luminance matching method can be directly applied to create new univariate colormaps.
Ligand Control over the Electronic Properties within the Metallic Core of Gold Nanoparticles

The behavior of electrons within the metallic core of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can be controlled by the nature of the surface chemistry of the AuNPs. Specifically, the conduction electron spin resonance (CESR) spectra of AuNPs of diameter 1.8-1.9 nm are sensitive to ligand exchange of hexanethiol for 4-bromothiophenol on the surface of the nanoparticle. Chemisorption of the aromatic ligand leads to a shift in the metallic electron's g-factor toward the value expected for pure gold systems, suggesting an increase in metallic character for the electrons within the gold core. Analysis by UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy reveals a concomitant bathochromic shift of the surface plasmon resonance band of the AuNP, indicating that other electronic properties of AuNPs are also affected by the ligand exchange. In total, our results demonstrate that the chemical nature of the ligand controls the valence band structure of AuNPs.
Reconciling personal and professional values and beliefs with the reality of teaching: findings from an evaluative case study of 10 newly qualified teachers during their year of induction

Abstract This article is concerned with newly qualified teachers' endeavour to reconcile their personal values and beliefs with the reality of teaching. The article arguesthat they do not only need to become experts in the technical aspects of teaching, but need also to develop the professional capability to manage conflicts arising out of the interaction of their personal and professional lives. The 10 newly qualified secondary teachers participating in this qualitative study were amongst the first cohort to undergo the statutory induction programme introduced in England in September 1999. By adopting a case-study approach, data collection took place by means of semi-structured questionnaires and interviews. Particular attention is paid to the way in which the newly qualified teachers attempted to develop into reflective-reflexive practitioners by negotiating a balance of professional autonomy and institutional conformity and by reconciling their personal beliefs and values with those expected by and of ...
TRANSPORT AND DISTRIBUTION OF NUTRIENTS IN THE LOXAHATCHEE RIVER ESTUARY, SOUTHEASTERN FLORIDA, 1979–81

: Concentrations of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total organic carbon in the Loxahatchee River estuary decreased with increasing salinity in a manner indicating that mixing and dilution of freshwater by seawater was the primary process controlling the down-stream concentrations of nutrients. Most of the nutrients in the surface freshwater inflows entered the estuary from five major tributaries; however, about 10 percent of the total nitrogen and 32 percent of the total phosphorus were from urban stormwater runoff. The input of nutrients was highly seasonal and storm related. During a 61-day period of above average rainfall that included Tropical Storm Dennis, the major tributaries discharged 2.7 metric tons of total phosphorus, 75 metric tons of total nitrogen, and 1,000 metric tons of organic carbon to the estuary. This period accounted for more than half of the total nutrient load from the major tributaries during the 1981 water year (October 1, 1980, through September 30, 1981). Inorganic phosphorus and nitrogen increased relative to total phosphorus and nitrogen during storm runoff. Nutrient yield from the basin, expressed as grams per square meter of basin area, was relatively low. However, because the basin area (544 square kilometers) is large compared with the volume of the estuary, the basin might be expected to contribute significantly to estuarine enrichment were it not for tidal flushing. Approximately 60 percent of the total volume of the estuary is flushed on each tide. Because the estuary is well flushed, it probably has a large tolerance for nutrient loading.
WARP: Enabling fast CPU scheduler development and evaluation

Developing CPU scheduling algorithms and understanding their impact in practice can be difficult and time consuming due to the need to modify and test operating system kernel code and measure the resulting performance on a consistent workload of real applications. To address this problem, we have developed WARP, a trace-driven virtualized scheduler execution environment that can dramatically simplify and speed the development of CPU schedulers. WARP is easy to use as it can run unmodified kernel scheduling code and can be used with standard user-space debugging and performance monitoring tools. It accomplishes this by virtualizing operating system and hardware events to decouple kernel scheduling code from its native operating system and hardware environment. A simple kernel tracing toolkit can be used with WARP to capture traces of all CPU scheduling related events from a real system. WARP can then replay these traces in its virtualized environment with the same timing characteristics as in the real system. Traces can be used with different schedulers to provide accurate comparisons of scheduling performance for a given application workload. We have implemented a WARP Linux prototype. Our results show that WARP can use application traces captured from its toolkit to accurately reflect the scheduling behavior of the real Linux operating system. Furthermore, testing scheduler behavior using WARP with application traces can be two orders of magnitude faster than running the applications using Linux.
Development and evaluation of a software for design of industrial ventilation systems

This study presents I.V. Design 1.0.0, a computer-aided industrial ventilation design software based on velocity pressure method, for obtaining a fundamental understanding of the principles underlying the design. The software has been planned as a tool to facilitate complete industrial ventilation system design.
Time varying vector channel estimation for adaptive spatial equalization

New blind adaptive spatial equalization techniques are proposed for severe multipath fading with co-channel interference. In rapidly fading environments, equalizer performance suffers with existing algorithms because the desired and interference channels change significantly over the update time interval. It is shown that for fast fading channels, conventional squared error equalizer cost functions can yield poor results. A new algorithm is proposed based on a variation of the SINR cost function coupled with optimal time varying channel estimation to improve signal tracking. In simulations, the algorithm achieves theoretically optimum time varying equalizer performance in extreme interference channels with narrow band FM signals and high velocity portables. These results are contrary to the widespread belief that high performance blind adaptive array processing is not possible for AMPS with severe combinations of Doppler spread, angle spread, and interference power.
Sperm retrieval rates and ICSI outcomes for men with nonobstructive azoospermia and the health of resulting offspring.

report on the results of a reasonably large (365) retrospective series of patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) who had sperm collected by microscopically assisted microdissection (microTESE) for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The results from NOA patients are compared with previously published data from a group of men with obstructive azoospermia collected during the same time frame. In addition, as is standard of care, the couples were offered ICSI with donor sperm if the microTESE procedure failed to yield sperm, providing a group from the same cohort who had ejaculated sperm used for ICSI. NOA describes the condition in which there are no sperm in the semen due to lack of sperm production by the testes, rather than due to posttesticular obstruction of the excurrent ducts. NOA accounts for about 7% of male factor infertility cases and includes patients with Y‑chromosome deletions, Klinefelter syndrome and prior cancer treatment. Until the advent of surgical collection of testicular sperm and ICSI, men with NOA were unable to father biological offspring. Now, using TESE, sperm can be collected for injection into oocytes. 2
Fixation of reactive dyes using radio‐frequency energy

Radio-frequency (r.f.) energy has been used to increase the fixation rate of reactive dyes on cotton fabric in pad-batch dyeing. A parallel-plate r.f. applicator was used to heat batches of fabric containing reactive dye formulations. The time required for fixation of the dyes was reduced from several hours to a few minutes by heating the fabric in the radio-frequency field. Reactive dyes incorporating three different types of reactive groups, vinylsulphone, nicotinic acid, and mixed vinylsulphone/ monochlorotriazine were studied and found to be applicable using the hot pad-batch method. The colour yield and wash fastness of dyeings with the vinylsulphone/monochlorotriazine bifunctional dyes using r.f.-assisted fixation was equal or superior to those of dyeings performed by conventional cold pad-batch dyeing methods.
Global–Local Tensions in Contract Farming of Biofuel Crops Involving Indigenous Communities in the Philippines

Farming of biofuel crops by local communities under contract with parastatal and private firms is being established in the Philippines and elsewhere. This study explores tensions in integrating indigenous peoples into the global biofuels network. Drawing from critical perspectives on contract farming and from the environmental sociology of networks and flows, we examine production relations associated with contract farming of Jatropha on indigenous lands in the Philippines. In on-site observations and interviews, we found that while some indigenous groups grow Jatropha in polyculture, shifting-cultivation systems as part of biofuel contracts, these smallholder production systems are being phased out or transformed by the global biofuels network. In contract farming relationships involving biofuel crops, there seems to be a greater tendency for indigenous peoples to adapt to, or be left outside of, global production networks than for the latter to include indigenous peoples in socially and ecologically sus...
Effect on Vehicle Performance of Extending the Constant Power Region of Electric Drive Motors

The effect on vehicle performance of extending the constant power operating mode of electric drive motors for electric and hybrid vehicles is presented in this paper. Modern electric and hybrid vehicle designers have the selection of several technologies to choose from when selecting an electric drive motor. Each motor technology exhibits a particular torque vs. speed characteristic. Many of these technologies, most notably the switched reluctance machine, have capitalized on iron and copper utilization, extending their useful speed range. However, the extended speed capabilities of these motor drives have vehicle performance consequences. It is presented that vehicle performance is affected by changing the torque-speed characteristics of the drive motor. The extended constant power speed range motor can have smaller rated power than otherwise but suffer high speed passing performance. Traditional extended constant power range motors (about two times the rated speed) have to have a higher rated power but exhibit superior performance capability.
The competitive ability of three mymarid egg parasitoids (Gonatocerus spp.) for glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca coagulata) eggs

Abstract Parasitoid longevity, utilization of Homalodisca coagulata (Say) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) eggs of different ages, and progeny survival rates were determined in the laboratory for Gonatocerus ashmeadi Girault, Gonatocerus triguttatus Girault, and Gonatocerus fasciatus Girault (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae). Ovipositional behavior and aggression between females were investigated when all three species were simultaneously presented H. coagulata egg masses in the laboratory. Results from the longevity study demonstrated that when females were provisioned with honey–water solution, female G. ashmeadi survived up to 171.9% longer than G. triguttatus and G. fasciatus , whereas, survival was equivalent between G. triguttatus and G. fasciatus . Results from the egg age utilization study showed that G. ashmeadi , G. triguttatus , and G. fasciatus most efficiently utilized eggs 1–6, 3–6, and 1–2 days of age, respectively, and that exploited egg age ranges overlapped between species. Gonatocerus ashmeadi parasitized a significantly higher (up to 45.0 and 62.6%) proportion of H. coagulata eggs aged 1–6 days of age compared with G. triguttatus and G. fasciatus , respectively. Additionally, in competition studies, overall parasitism by G. ashmeadi was significantly higher (up to 76.0%) compared with G. triguttatus and G. fasciatus . Results from behavioral observations of females concurrently searching for H. coagulata egg masses showed that G. ashmeadi allocated the greatest proportion of time to resting/grooming (26.5%) and oviposition (25.8%), while G. triguttatus allocated significantly more (up to 61.6%) time to resting/grooming compared with all other activities. Female G. fasciatus spent the greatest proportion of time resting/grooming (40.0%) and off leaves with H. coagulata egg masses (39.6%). G. ashmeadi and G. triguttatus allocated 2.1 and 1.3% of time to aggressively interacting and defending egg masses from congenerics, whereas, this was not observed for G. fasciatus . Results suggest that G. ashmeadi may show the most potential as a biological control agent of H. coagulata , and that successful widespread establishment and impact by G. fasciatus on H. coagulata in California is unlikely unless this species can efficiently exploit low density populations of H. coagulata in early spring when congeneric competition for egg masses is low.
Phasic heart rate changes in reaction time and time estimation

The phasic cardiac changes of two groups of Ss were compared, with one group performing a reaction time task and the other a time estimation task. The cardiac changes of the two groups were very similar with both groups showing deceleration shortly before they made their motor responses. The reaction time task group showed this to a greater extent than the time estimation group. It was concluded that the anticipatory deceleration observed under reaction time conditions is not wholly attributable to the direction of attention.
Parametric imaging for myocardial contrast echocardiography: pixel-by-pixel incorporation of information from both spatial and temporal domains

Ultrasound can be used to destroy microbubbles during their continuous infusion, and their rate of myocardial replenishment can be measured by progressively increasing the pulsing interval (PI). The authors have developed an algorithm that incorporates information from both the spatial and temporal domains. The pre-contrast images and contrast-enhanced images are selected from images acquired for each pulsing interval. Images are aligned, averaged, and subtracted. Video-intensity (VI) is measured in each pixel, and the resulting PI versus VI plot for each pixel is fitted to an exponential function: y=A(1-e/sup -/spl beta/t/), where y is VI at PI t, A represents microvascular cross-sectional area, /spl beta/ represents the mean microbubble velocity, and A/spl middot//spl beta/ represents myocardial blood flow. These values are represented in color as separate parametric images. This new method offers a simple and easy means for assessing the spatial and temporal characteristics of myocardial perfusion during MCE.
Treatment and trials: ovarian cancer in older women.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a disease of elderly women. The disease spreads insidiously and presents at an advanced stage at initial diagnosis for most patients. Several groups reported at least a two-f...
A Principled Exception to the Strict Complicance Rule in Trilateral Letter of Credit Transactions

Letter of credit law wisely emphasizes the need for a strict compliance rule when the beneficiary of a letter of credit presents documents to the issuer. Any other rule, especially a rule of substantial compliance, would render the issuer's document checkers adjusters charged with commercial duties and the need to make commercial judgments. The strict rule, the, is necessary for the letter of credit to work at the banking house. When the issuer sends the documents to the applicant, however, the exigencies of quick document examination without resort to commercial inquiry outside the banking house subside. Applicants are commercial parties. They know whether deviation from the strict standard is commercially unacceptable. This article argues, then, that Canadian courts should adopt a bifurcated approach: a strict standard at the banking house but a substantial standard at the applicant's shop.
Rubber Evaluations with Instron Testing Machine

Abstract The principles of operation incorporated in the Instron machine give it wide distinctive fields of usefulness in a rubber testing or rubber research laboratory. Its principal limitations for rubber testing are usually associated with unique conditions which occur in rubber testing as contrasted to the testing of other materials. The results available should encourage improvements in the equipment and procedures in general use for rubber stress-strain evaluations.
Flight Test Experiments on Discrete Roughness Element Technology for Laminar Flow Control

Micron-sized, spanwise-periodic, discrete roughness elements (DREs) were applied to and tested on a 30° swept-wing model in order to study their effects on boundary-layer transition in flight where stationary crossflow waves are the dominant instability. Significant improvements have been made to previous flight experiments in order to more reliably determine and control the model angle of attack (α) and unit Reynolds number (Re′) in order to minimize the uncertainties that DREs have on swept-wing, laminar-turbulent transition. Two interchangeable leading-edge surface-roughness configurations were tested: highly polished and painted. The baseline transition location for the painted leading edge (increased surface roughness) was unexpectedly farther aft than the polished. Transport unit Reynolds numbers were achieved using a Cessna O-2A Skymaster. Infrared thermography, coupled with a post-processing code, was used to globally extract a quantitative boundary-layer transition location. Each DRE configuration was compared to curve-fitted baseline data in order to determine increases or decreases in percent laminar flow while accounting for the influence of small differences in Re' and α. Linear Stability Theory (LST) guided the DRE configuration test matrix. In total, 63 flights were completed, where only 30 of those flights resulted in useable data. While the results of this research have not reliably confirmed the use of DREs as a viable laminar flow control technique in the flight environment, it has become clear that significant computational studies, specifically direct numerical simulation (DNS) of these particular DRE configurations on this model geometry and flight conditions, are a necessity in order to better understand the influence that DREs have on laminar-turbulent transition.
An Eighteenth-Century Case of Plagiarism: William Smith's A New Voyage to Guinea

In the first number of History in Africa P.E.H. Hair reiterated A.W. Lawrence's plea for a “critical appraisal” and analysis of primary sources for African history. The aim of this brief note is to appraise the originality of certain of these works. The focus will be the Gold Coast, with emphasis on the book by William Smith, A New Voyage to Guinea, first published in 1744 and reprinted (without an introduction or editorial comment) by Frank Cass in 1967.The literature about the Gold Coast during the later seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries is rich in accounts by visitors, residents, and compilers. Dapper, Barbot, Bosman, Atkins, and Smith all provided descriptions. Only Bosman lived on the Gold Coast for an extended period of time, and the concentration of detail in his book reflects that experience. From about the 1720s to the early nineteenth century, a hiatus in the descriptive literature exists, but then Meredith, De Marree, Bowdich, and Dupuis resume the earlier tradition, so that one cannot say that the Gold Coast has been ignored in terms of European visitors or their original descriptions of the it area.However, when we look carefully at some of these narratives, we find that not all of what is written is in fact original. For example, Barbot's account of the political organization of Elmina is an exact duplicate, in translation from the Dutch, of Dapper's description. Barbot also copied his description of the “Degrees of Blacks” from Bosman. De Marree, an early nineteenth century Dutch official on the Gold Coast, included without attribution in his narrative, a complete report by Governor General Pieter Linthorst written in 1807.
Treatment of carotid cavernous fistulas: a new balloon delivery system.

A new catheter/guidewire detachable balloon delivery system is described that has proved helpful in the treatment of inaccessible carotid cavernous fistulas
Experiment on Advanced Treatment for Coal Coking Wastewater by Biological Aerated Filter

Up-flaw Biologic Aerated Filter is used for the advanced sewage treatment of the secondary biocemical affluent from the sewageworks of a coke plant,hydrogen peroxide(H2O2/CODcr is 3,the mass ratio),the average removal rate of CODcr,NH3-N is 53.1%,91.6% respectively when the gas-water ratio and reflux ratio is 3∶1 and(0.5～1)∶1 respectively.In the run phase,CODcr and NH3-N concentrations of the effcuent had met secondary and primary distharge standard respectively of the Integrated Wastewater discharge stand(GB8978—1996).
Visualization study of gas storage model for high water cut reservoir

The process of storage construction is modeled by using artificial micro reservoir model.Visualization method is used to observe the displacement process.The whole process of fluid entering and displacing can be clearly seen.The mechanism of gas injection and preservation in gas storage is analyzed.Displacing oil and water by gas is very effective,showing gas storage construction in late high water cut stage will have good gas injection and preservation capability.When injecting gas locally in reservoirs with high permeability and large dip angle,the gravity drainage is obvious,and gas-liquid interface is not parallel.As the increasing of gas injection rate,both the injection and storage capacity of the reservoir will improve further.
Psychiatry in family practice.

On etudie les cas de patients psychiatriques, traites par un medecin de famille. Parmi les patients dont les symptomes ont ete ameliores un plus grand nombre de visites correspondaient a des progre...
The Drosophila prage Gene, Required for Maternal Transcript Destabilization in Embryos, Encodes a Predicted RNA Exonuclease

Egg activation, the transition of mature oocytes into developing embryos, is critical for the initiation of embryogenesis. This process is characterized by resumption of meiosis, changes in the egg’s coverings and by alterations in the transcriptome and proteome of the egg; all of these occur in the absence of new transcription. Activation of the egg is prompted by ionic changes in the cytoplasm (usually a rise in cytosolic calcium levels) that are triggered by fertilization in some animals and by mechanosensitive cues in others. The egg’s transcriptome is dramatically altered during the process, including by the removal of many maternal mRNAs that are not needed for embryogenesis. However, the mechanisms and regulators of this selective RNA degradation are not yet fully known. Forward genetic approaches in Drosophila have identified maternal-effect genes whose mutations prevent the transcriptome changes. One of these genes, prage (prg), was identified by Tadros et al. in a screen for mutants that fail to destabilize maternal transcripts. We identified the molecular nature of the prg gene through a combination of deficiency mapping, complementation analysis, and DNA sequencing of both extant prg mutant alleles. We find that prg encodes a ubiquitously expressed predicted exonuclease, consistent with its role in maternal mRNA destabilization during egg activation.
Dynamical and Phase Behavior of a Phospholipid Membrane Altered by an Antimicrobial Peptide at Low Concentration.

The mechanism of action of antimicrobial peptides is traditionally attributed to the formation of pores in the lipid cell membranes of pathogens, which requires a substantial peptide to lipid ratio. However, using incoherent neutron scattering, we show that even at a concentration too low for pore formation, an archetypal antimicrobial peptide, melittin, disrupts the regular phase behavior of the microscopic dynamics in a phospholipid membrane, dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC). At the same time, another antimicrobial peptide, alamethicin, does not exert a similar effect on the DMPC microscopic dynamics. The melittin-altered lateral motion of DMPC at physiological temperature no longer resembles the fluid-phase behavior characteristic of functional membranes of the living cells. The disruptive effect demonstrated by melittin even at low concentrations reveals a new mechanism of antimicrobial action relevant in more realistic scenarios, when peptide concentration is not as high as would be required for...
Mutualism with aggressive wood-degrading Flavodon ambrosius (Polyporales) facilitates niche expansion and communal social structure in Ambrosiophilus ambrosia beetles ☆

Most wood-boring insects compete with wood decaying basidiomycetes for woody biomass. One clade of ambrosia beetles gained access to rotten wood – an abundant resource unsuitable to most wood-boring insects – by evolving a farming-like mutualism with a white rot polypore. Here we show the mutualist of Ambrosiodmus/Ambrosiophilus, the polypore Flavodon ambrosius, is superior in lignocellulolytic capacity compared to Ascomycota ambrosia fungi and other white rot Basidiomycota. This mutualism facilitated the evolution of large, long-lived, communal colonies with overlapping generations and egg-laying by pre-dispersal progeny females. F. ambrosius resembles other white rot Polyporales in that it causes significant weight loss in wood decay assays and strong polyphenol oxidase reactions, indicative of lignin-modifying enzymes. The symbiosis is asymmetrical: there are many species of Ambrosiodmus and Ambrosiophilus but all use a single known species of Flavodon, which determines the ecological strategy of the entire insect clade.
Lipid–protein interactions as determinants of membrane protein structure and function

To determine how the lipid environment affects membrane protein structure and function, strains of Escherichia coli were developed in which normal phospholipid composition can be altered or foreign lipids can be introduced. The properties of LacY (lactose permease) were investigated as a function of lipid environment. Assembly of LacY in membranes lacking PE (phosphatidylethanolamine) results in misorientation of the N-terminal six-TM (transmembrane domain) helical bundle with loss of energy-dependent uphill transport and retention of energy-independent downhill transport. Post-assembly introduction of PE results in nearly native orientation of TMs and restoration of uphill transport. Foreign lipids with no net charge can substitute for PE in supporting native LacY topology, but restoration of uphill transport is dependent on native topology and the proper folding of a solvent-exposed domain. Increasing the positive charge density of the cytoplasmically exposed surface of LacY counters TM misorientation in the absence of neutral lipids, demonstrating that charge interactions between these domains and the surface of the membrane bilayer are determinants of TM orientation. Therefore membrane protein organization or reorganization is determined either during initial assembly or post-insertionally through direct interactions between the protein and the lipid environment, which affects the topogenic potency of opposing charged residues as topological signals independent of the translocon.
Studies on oil-immersed distribution transformer product service system based on Kano model and analytic hierarchy process

Market demands on the product performance and additional service of oil-immersed distribution transformer have become increasingly diversified. Single form of oil-immersed distribution transformer product and pure business relationship cannot adapt to current needs. Product service system innovation design can change single product form to the combination of product and service, it has the significance of further satisfying user requirements, and it is an extension service in a new form of physical product. In this paper, according to Kano model, user requirements were collected and classified. Then based on analytic hierarchy process (AHP), each class of user requirements was sorted by optimal weight and recombined. Finally, user requirements were mapped into correlative function/service characteristics, innovation design of oil-immersed distribution transformer product service system was achieved. The results have a certain guiding role for transformer manufacturers to adapt to the demands of power supply enterprises.