cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quality measures for the management of hydrocephalus: concepts, simulations, and preliminary field-testing.

Object The authors define and examine the properties of 2 new, practice-based quality measures for the management of hydrocephalus. Methods The Surgical Activity Rate (SAR) is defined as the number of definitive operations for the treatment of hydrocephalus performed in a neurosurgical practice over the course of a year, divided by the number of patients with hydrocephalus seen in follow-up during that year. The Revision Quotient (RQ) is defined as the number of definitive revision operations performed in a neurosurgical practice in the course of a year, divided by the number of definitive initial operations during that year for patients with newly diagnosed hydrocephalus. Using published actuarial shunt survival data, the authors conducted Monte Carlo simulations of a pediatric neurosurgical practice to illustrate the properties and interpretations of the SAR and RQ. They used data from the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) for 2009 to calculate RQs for hospitals accounting for more than 10 admissions coded...
Contribution of the retrosplenial cortex to temporal discrimination learning

The retrosplenial cortex (RSC) has an important role in contextual learning and memory. While the majority of experiments have focused on the physical context, the present study asked if the RSC is involved in processing the temporal context. Rats were trained in a temporal discrimination procedure where the duration of the intertrial interval (ITI) signaled whether or not the next tone conditioned stimulus would be paired with food pellet reinforcement. When the tone was presented after a 16-min ITI it was reinforced, but when it was presented after a 4-min ITI it was not. Rats demonstrated successful discrimination in this procedure by responding more to the tone on reinforced trials than on nonreinforced trials. Pre-training electrolytic lesions of the RSC attenuated acquisition of the temporal discrimination. The results are the first to demonstrate a role for the RSC in processing temporal information and in turn extend the role of the RSC beyond the physical context to now include the temporal context.
Managing Venture Capital Investments

The original venture capitalists were wealthy â¬Sangels,â¬? often entrepreneurs themselves, who funded promising business ventures that came to their attention in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. A number of these families continued to make such investments after their own capitalist progenitor died, including the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, Phippes, and Whitneys and continue to be such today. In time some of these families opened their investment funds up to non-family members. In 1946, MIT president Karl Compton, Harvard Business School professor Georges Doriot and some Boston business leaders founded American Research and Development Co., the first independent firm to enter the VC business. Subsequently a number of other independent firms were formed, especially in the Boston and San Francisco areas, to manage equity investments in promising new sectors of the economy, especially technology. Most of the money given to them to manage came from wealthy families, university and other endowments, and a limited number of inancial institutions. The firms stayed in touch with each other, invested together, and shared information. The amount of new investment flowing into these venture capital firms grew, but never exceed a few hundred million dollars through the 1970s.
HEAT EXCHANGERS FOR OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION PLANTS

ABSTRACT Heat transfer in vertical-tube condensers and evaporators such as projected for use in Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion can be enhanced by fine, axial flutes on the inside and outside surfaces of the tubes. Experiments with 1-inch aluminum tubes show that heat transfer coefficients in falling liquid layers of R-11 or ammonia are increased several times over by external flutes. Both heat transfer coefficients and friction factors for water flowing inside the tubes are increased by internal flutes up to a factor roughly equal to the fluted-to-smooth area ratio, even at moderate water velocities.
Successful treatment of a novel generalized variant of canine discoid lupus erythematosus with oral hydroxychloroquine

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a common canine autoimmune disease that usually manifests as a localized ulcerative and scarring nasal dermatitis. We report herein a generalized variant of canine DLE successfully treated with the antimalarial immunomodulator hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). A 9-year-old hairless Chinese crested dog was presented with annular and polycyclic hyperpigmented and scaly skin lesions with central erosions, hypopigmentation and/or scarring on the trunk, neck and lateral extremities. Associated systemic signs were not seen. The clinical diagnosis of generalized DLE was supported by the demonstration of lymphocyte-rich interface dermatitis with epidermal atrophy and dermo-epidermal deposition of immunoglobulins and activated complement. As for human DLE, treatment was initiated with HCQ at 5 mg/kg once daily along with 2 weeks of 0.1% tacrolimus ointment and restriction of sun exposure. Over the following year, complete remission was maintained with HCQ at 5 mg/kg orally once daily with the exception of three relapses; two occurred during treatment induction and the third arose when the frequency of HCQ administration was reduced to every other day. Disease flares were controlled with 0.1% tacrolimus ointment alternating with 0.1% prednicarbate cream once daily for 5-10 days. Altogether, adverse drug events were not seen with this regimen. In summary, clinically, histologically and immunologically, this dog's disease mirrored the generalized discoid variant of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus of humans. The apparent benefit of HCQ, its safety and low cost warrant future investigations of its use for treatment of canine cutaneous lupus variants.
A multi-layered methodology for defect-tolerance of datapath modules in processors

Technology scaling increases circuits' susceptibility to manufacturing imperfections and dramatically decreases processor yields. Traditional defect-tolerance approaches add explicit redundant circuitry to improve yield and hence are very expensive for datapath modules in processors. We propose a multi-layered methodology to develop new and efficient defect-tolerance approaches for processors. Specifically, we develop a microarchitecture layer approach for arithmetic logic units (ALU), a circuit layer approach for multipliers, and an ISA layer approach for floating-point units (FPU). We demonstrate that our three approaches improve performance-per-fabricated-die-area of a modern processor core by 3.5%, 2.4%, and at least 9%, and hence collectively provide significant gains.
The Longhorn Beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) of Nebraska, USA: New State Records, a Checklist of Known Species, and Distribution Maps

One hundred eighty-three species/subspecies of longhorn beetles are recorded from Nebraska, an increase of 19 species since 1971. The greatest number of recent discoveries have come from sites along the Missouri River, especially Indian Cave State Park in southeastern Nebraska, as well as the Pine Ridge at Chadron.
Isovaleric acidemia: results of family study and dietary treatment.

Detailed clinical and biochemical studies are reported in two siblings with isovaleric acidemia ("sweaty feet syndrome"). The younger of these siblings was begun on treatment with a low-leucine diet at the age of 17 days and was the subject of a previous brief report (Pediatrics, 49: 616, 1972). Within one day of the beginning of treatment urinary isovaleric acid dropped from 1661.4µmoles/24 hr to 94.1µmoles/24 hr and urinary isovalerylglycine dropped from 480 mg/23 hr to 150 mg/24 hr. Until the age of 3 years he was maintained on this diet and had many less episodes of vomiting and acidosis than his affected but untreated sister had had at corresponding ages. Psychosocial functioning has been at low normal levels whereas the affected sister has a moderate degree of mental retardation. It is postulated that isovaleric acidemia may be added to the growing list of disorders that can cause mental retardation but that may be amenable to dietary therapy begun in early infancy.
A pulse-compression-ring circuit for high-efficiency electric propulsion.

A highly efficient, highly reliable pulsed-power system has been developed for use in high power, repetitively pulsed inductive plasma thrusters. The pulsed inductive thruster ejects plasma propellant at a high velocity using a Lorentz force developed through inductive coupling to the plasma. Having greatly increased propellant-utilization efficiency compared to chemical rockets, this type of electric propulsion system may one day propel spacecraft on long-duration deep-space missions. High system reliability and electrical efficiency are extremely important for these extended missions. In the prototype pulsed-power system described here, exceptional reliability is achieved using a pulse-compression circuit driven by both active solid-state switching and passive magnetic switching. High efficiency is achieved using a novel ring architecture that recovers unused energy in a pulse-compression system with minimal circuit loss after each impulse. As an added benefit, voltage reversal is eliminated in the ring...
The TNF family in T cell differentiation and function--unanswered questions and future directions.

Abstract Proteins in the TNF/TNFR superfamily are recognized as major regulators of the activity of conventional CD4 and CD8 T cells, and also of regulatory T cells (Treg). Stimulatory molecules such as OX40, CD27, GITR, DR3, CD30, 4-1BB, TACI, and TNFR2 can promote division and survival in T cells, enhance effector activity including cytokine production, and drive the generation of T cell memory. They also display the capacity to block the development of inducible Treg cells or inhibit suppressive activity in Treg cells. Additionally, molecules such as Fas, TNFR1, and TRAILR promote apoptotic death in T cells and generally limit T cell activity. Although our knowledge of these proteins is quite good at this point in time, there are still many unknowns regarding their function, their expression patterns, and the involvement of these different molecules at various stages of the T cell response that occurs in autoimmunity, cancer, infectious disease, and during vaccination. Importantly, it is still unresolved how similar or dissimilar each of these receptors are to one another, the extent to which cooperation occurs between family members, and whether alternate TNF–TNFR interactions induce qualitatively different cellular responses. All of the molecules are attractive targets for immunotherapy of human disease, but it is not yet clear how to differentiate between them and make an informed decision as to whether any one protein may be the preferred focus of clinical development for a given specific disease indication. This review will highlight unanswered questions related to these molecules and the biology of T cells, and describe possible future directions for research in this area. Expanding our knowledge of how the TNF/TNFR family control T cells will undoubtedly help fulfill the promise of these molecules for providing efficacious clinical therapy of immune system disease.
Complex abdominal wall hernias: A new classification system and approach to management based on review of 133 consecutive patients

Background: Plastic surgeons are increasingly involved in the repair of complex ventral hernias. Although this typically involves recurrent incisional hernias, operative strategies can be applied to most abdominal wall defects, including chronic wounds with or without exposed mesh, enterocutaneous fistulas, or hernias associated with significant pannus formation. Methods: This is a retrospective review of a single institution/single surgeon experience of complex ventral hernia repair performed over a 5-year period. Patients were classified into different hernia types based on their characteristics and underwent hernia repair according to the presented algorithm. Results: A total of 133 patients underwent a complex ventral hernia repair between January 2005 and September 2009. The separation of components technique was used in the majority of cases. Permanent or biologic mesh was added in select patients. Adjunctive procedures were performed as indicated. The majority of short-term (less than 1 year) recurrences occurred in patients expected to have impaired wound healing due to comorbid conditions. In these patients, the recurrence rate was reduced when autologous repair was reinforced with mesh. Conclusion: Autologous tissue is the preferred method for reconstruction of complex ventral hernias. In certain instances, such as contamination, use of an acellular dermal matrix mesh is added as a temporizing measure. A subset of patients who will be prone to recurrence remains. Long-term follow-up is needed to confirm reliable and reproducible results.
The superlinearity of the short-circuit current of low-resistivity-concentration solar cells

It has been observed that Si solar cells respond superlinearly to irradiance while GaAs behaves linearly. Computer analysis of superlinear characteristics of short-circuit current with irradiances above 1 sun for low-resistivity Si concentrator cells has shown the importance of the base electric field in enhancing the collection efficiency of minority carriers generated in the base region. The effect of the base electric field can be incorporated into effective upstream and downstream diffusion lengths. The effective downstream diffusion length increases from 223 mu m at one sun to near 1000 mu m at 1000 suns in one case. Collection of minority carriers in the base alone due to the enhanced diffusion lengths is sufficient to explain the observed superlinearity. >
Star Trek Fandom as a Religious Phenomenon

This essay is an ethnographic exploration of Star Trek fandorn. Rather than the more common textual analyses of the program, this article examines the history and practice of the fans themselves, on computer networks, at consentions and in tourism, in UStarJleet" fan clubs and in fan literature. All these fan activities canstruct and add to the altemative universe of Star Trek while also connecting it with the present. At a time when scholars are finding religion in nonconventional locations, I argue that Star Trek fandan is one of these locations. Star Trek fandorn involves a sacralization of elements of our culture, along with the fonnation of communities with regularized practices that include a "canon" and a hierarchy. Star TrekfarXn is also associated with a popular stigma, givingfans a sense of persecution and identity common to active religious groups. Star Trek (ST) fandom is a phenomenon unlike any other. Now over 25 years old, it originated when the original Star Trek television series was threatened with cancellation after its first year. Fans immediately sprang into action with a letter-writing campaign to keep it going (Trimble 1983). When it finally was canceled after its third year, the show went into syndication, and ironically, that is when the "fandom" phenomenon really started to take off.l The first convention was in New York in 1972. A centralized fan clearinghouse organization, the Welcommittee, was established in 1972 to introduce fans to ST fandom (Van Hise 1990; Bacon-Smith 1992). At this time, noncommercial fan magazines ("fanzines") were already being written; and books, manuals, and novels were published. Efforts to revive ST broadcasts in some form continued. An animated series was produced from 1973-1974, and in 1979 the first of the six (at present) ST movies was released. In 1987 Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG) was pro
Cobalt-assisted large-area epitaxial graphene growth in thermal cracker enhanced gas source molecular beam epitaxy

Large-area epitaxial graphene films were grown on cobalt by thermal cracker enhanced gas source molecular beam epitaxy. Growth conditions including growth temperature and growth time play important roles in the resulting morphology of as-grown films. High-quality graphene films can be achieved in a small growth window. Fast cooling rate was not required in this process due to direct growth mechanism under atomic carbon growth condition. Large-area graphene films with high single-layer and bi-layer coverage of 93% were confirmed by Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy.
Surface Mining Technology: Progress and Prospects

Abstract Surface mining methods dominate the world production of minerals. Currently, almost all non-metallic minerals [more than 95%], most metallic minerals [more than 90%] and a large fraction of coal [more than 60 percent] are mined by surface methods. Of the over 30 billion tonnes of ore and waste materials that are mined each year, surface mining accounts for nearly 25 billion tonnes. The subsurface of the earth is the only source for fossil energy and mineral products, and mining is the only way to get at them. There is a wide variety of surface mining methods. The operations of drilling, blasting, loading and hauling are common to most methods. Technological developments over the years have enabled the application of surface methods to deeper and leaner deposits. Also common to all methods is the removal of the surface cover over the deposit, the changes to the original topography, the effects on soil and hydrologic conditions, the issues of mining and processing wastes, and the effect on the future economic potential of the mined areas and communities. However, the scope of the issues and the potential solutions to the issues vary widely and are often site-specific. While research and development are needed to address technical aspects associated with these issues, innovative policies for addressing the overall problem of environmental and ecological planning for post-mining development on lands with mineral resources are needed. In the last two decades, the mining industry has seen consolidation of operating companies, growth in the size of individual operations, increase in size of equipment, and greater demands for sustainable development. These trends would continue into the future impacting both the opening of new mines and the closure of existing operations. In this paper, an overview of surface mining technology is presented. The discussion follows the mineral development cycle and concludes with an identification of future research needs.
Observed estimates of convergence in the Savu Sea, Indonesia

[1] The Indonesian seas are known to be a region where various Pacific and Indian Ocean water masses converge and are transformed into uniquely characterized Indonesian Sea Water (ISW). The volume of Pacific surface waters that are stored in the Indonesian seas and the timescales for this volume to change are important factors in the formulation of ISW that ultimately enters the Indian Ocean as the Indonesian throughflow (ITF). In this study, data from a recent deployment of pressure gauges surrounding the Savu Sea are used to estimate volume, heat, and freshwater convergence within approximately the upper 100 m. A pair of gauges on the northeastern side (North Ombai and South Ombai) is used to estimate inflow from the Banda Sea through the Ombai Strait, and two pairs (Sumbawa/North Sumba and South Sumba/Roti) are used to estimate outflow to the Indian Ocean via the Sumba and Savu/Dao Straits. The data are used in conjunction with numerical model results to show that at times, for example, November and December of 1996, there can be up to a 10 Sv imbalance between the inflow and the outflow transport. Most of the variability in estimated convergence occurs intraseasonally and seems to be controlled by the flow through the Sumba Strait on the eastern side of the sea. The annual cycle of convergence is smaller and ranges from 4 Sv in December through February to −2 Sv (divergence) in August through October. Lower-frequency variations based on model results are consistent with satellite derived sea level and sea surface temperatures in the Savu Sea and show that during recent El Nino-Southern Oscillation events there is anomalous heat divergence (convergence) in the Savu Sea during El Ninos (La Ninas).
Mesh Networking Research and Technology for Multihop Wireless Networks

Mesh networking encompasses a broad class of wireless networks in which nodes collaboratively route packets. All mesh networks' benefits, such as lower costs, scalability, and easy installation, introduce new challenges that we must address.
The Use of Germicidal Lamps to Control Tuberculosis in Healthcare Facilities

The transmission of tuberculosis in healthcare settings is a recognized hazard, and recent outbreaks involving multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis have heightened workers' concerns. Much of the transmission of tuberculosis that occurs in healthcare settings is from patients with unrecognized active disease who are not on effective therapy or who are not isolated for the entire period–from admission until their infection is under control. This article discusses the use of environmental and engineering control measures, in particular germicidal lamps, to reduce healthcare worker exposure to mycobacteria.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has described the use of germicidal lamps as controversial the American Thoracic Society has considered them supplemental interventions not intended to substitute for standard tuberculosis control practices, and some occupational health specialists have questioned their safety. On the other hand, some physicians believe that germicidal lamps are underused and the hazards associated with their use exaggerated. Given the constraints associated with many engineering controls and with respirators, it is clear we need to have available the widest choice of interventions to ensure the best protection for all workers and clients. This article discusses where germicidal lamps fit among tuberculosis control measures and addresses general questions about their use.
Near-Field Radiative Heat Transfer Between Spherical Surfaces

Nearfield radiative transfer is known to be significantly different from that of far-field radiative transfer based on Plancks theory of blackbody radiation. Theoretical predictions point to a significant enhancement of radiative transfer between closely spaced objects due to the tunneling of surface phonon polaritons. Despite extensive theoretical predictions of enhancement between parallel surfaces, experimental evidence of near-field radiative transfer in excess of Plancks limit has been elusive due to experimental difficulties. In this talk, we will present results of our theoretical and experimental investigations into near-field radiative transfer between spherical surfaces. We have developed a sensitive technique of measuring nearfield radiative transfer between a microsphere and a substrate using a bimaterial atomic force microscope (AFM) cantilever, resulting in heat transfer-distance curves. Measurements of radiative transfer between a sphere and a flat substrate show the presence of strong nearfield effects resulting in enhancement of heat transfer over the predictions of the Planck blackbody radiation theory.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Reduction of intraocular pressure in normal and glaucomatous primate (Aotus trivirgatus) eyes by topically applied prostaglandin F2α

Topical application of a single dose of 1.0 mg prostaglandin F2a (PGF2a) onto the cornea of five trained' owl monkeys (Aotus trivirgatus) caused a prolonged and highly significant ocular hypotony. The intraocular pressure (IOP) of the treated eye was 4.7 ± 0.9 mil Hg below that of the control eye 1fi to ?4 hr after PGF2a application and remained significantly reduced for over 72 hr. Miosis, aqueous flare, and accumulation of cells in the anterior chamber were minimal in extent. The hypotensive effect of PGF2a was even more pronounced when applied to a glaucomatous owl monkey eye with angle recession, which had lOPs consistently in the 45 to 55 mm Hg range (mean: 47.2 ± 0.7) as measured periodically over a one-year period. The application of a single dose of 1.0 mg of PGF2a to this hypertensive eye reduced IOP by over 25 mm Hg within 4 hr, with a relative hypotony lasting for at least 6 days. These results show that topical application of certain PGs to normotensive or hypertensive primate eyes can cause a...
Multiterawatt Nd:glass lasers based on chirped-pulse amplification

The requirements for the production of high power, subplcosecond laser pulses are reviewed. Use of the chirped-pulse amplification technique makes solid-state materials competitive with dyes and excimers for the production of subplcosecond pulses. In cases where both high power and short pulses are required, solid-state materials are shown to be the material of choice. As an example, the design and performance of a 3.2 Terawatt Nd:Glass laser system based on chirped-pulse amplification is presented.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Delivery of Lyophilized Nell-1 in a Rat Spinal Fusion Model

Nell-1 (Nel-like molecule-1; Nel: protein strongly expressed in neural tissue containing epidermal growth factor-like domain) is a promising osteoblast-specific growth factor for osteoinductive therapies that may circumvent adverse effects, such as nonspecific function and ectopic bone formation, associated with more established osteogenic growth factors such as bone morphogenetic proteins. Beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP), an osteoconductive, biodegradable ceramic biomaterial, has been used successfully to deliver osteoinducers for bone regeneration. The aim of this study was to develop a carrier system for efficiently delivering biologically active Nell-1 protein. After a 40% initial burst release, beta-TCP particles retained the majority of adsorbed Nell-1 protein in vitro. To test this system in vivo, L4/L5 spinal fusion was performed in three groups of rats (n = 8 each): (1) 5 microg Nell-1 in beta-TCP/demineralized bone matrix putty (DBX); (2) 2.5 microg Nell-1 in beta-TCP/DBX; (3) beta-TCP/DBX only. Fusion was assessed by radiography, palpation, microcomputed tomography, and histological analysis. After 4 weeks, 75% of Nell-1-treated animals exhibited fusion, with a significant increase in new bone volume, whereas only 25% of Nell-free control animals exhibited fusion. Our findings suggest that beta-TCP/DBX can increase both the biochemical stability and biological efficiency of Nell-1 protein.
Threshold irradiation dose for amorphization of silicon carbide

The amorphization of silicon carbide due to ion and electron irradiation is reviewed with emphasis on the temperature-dependent critical dose for amorphization. The effect of ion mass and energy on the threshold dose for amorphization is summarized, showing only a weak dependence near room temperature. Results are presented for 0.56 MeV silicon ions implanted into single crystal 6H-SiC as a function of temperature and ion dose. From this, the critical dose for amorphization is found as a function of temperature at depths well separated from the implanted ion region. Results are compared with published data generated using electrons and xenon ions as the irradiating species. High resolution TEM analysis is presented for the Si ion series showing the evolution of elongated amorphous islands oriented such that their major axis is parallel to the free surface. This suggests that surface or strain effects may be influencing the apparent amorphization threshold. Finally, a model for the temperature threshold for amorphization is described using the Si ion irradiation flux and the fitted interstitial migration energy which was found to be {approximately}0.56eV. This model successfully explains the difference in the temperature dependent amorphization behavior of SiC irradiated with 0.56 MeV Si{sup +} at 1 x 10{sup -3} dpa/s and with fission neutrons irradiated at 1 x 10{sup -6} dpa/s irradiated to 15 dpa in the temperature range of {approximately}340{+-}10K.
Cognitive Consequences of Participation in a "Fifth Dimension" After-School Computer Club

The Fifth Dimension is an after-school computer club aimed at improving the literacy of English- and Spanish-speaking elementary school children. Children who attended the club at least ten times during the 1994–95 school year (treatment group) showed larger pretest-to-posttest gains on tests of word problem comprehension than did non-participating children matched for grade, gender, school teacher, and language proficiency (comparison group). The same effect was noted for both Spanish and English versions of the test, and under a variety of matching techniques. The superiority of the treatment group was still present when the children were retested after the summer in the fall of the next year. These results provide support for the hypothesis that experience in using computer software in the Fifth Dimension computer club produces measurable, resilient, and sustained cognitive changes related to children's literacy.
Hybrid Solution and Solid-State NMR Analysis of SERCA/Phospholamban Interactions in lipid membranes: From Structural Dynamics to Function

Phospholamban (PLN) is a sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) integral membrane protein that regulates calcium translocation in cardiac muscle. Upon interaction with SERCA (the SR calcium ATPase). PLN decreases the rate of calcium uptake, reducing the apparent affinity of the enzyme for Ca2+ ions. This process is reversed by adrenergic stimulation of protein kinase A, which phosphorylates PLN at Ser16, re-starting the muscle contraction cycle. Here, we present the hybrid solution and solid-state NMR structural analysis of PLN in its pentameric (storage), monomeric (active), and SERCA-bound forms in lipid membranes. This knowledge about the structural dynamics PLN under these different stages is used to steer the extent of PLN control on SERCA activity. These findings lay the groundwork for the rational design of PLN loss-of-function mutants to be used in gene therapy.
Pillow lava on Titan: expectations and constraints on cryovolcanic processes

Abstract Titan offers a fascinating environment in which to consider cryovolcanic processes: the Cassini/Huygens mission offers prospects for revealing cryovolcanic landforms, which may differ substantially from those on the other icy satellites owing to the effect of Titan's dense atmosphere. Various aspects of possible cryovolcanism on Titan are investigated in an attempt to predict what might be discovered. The thermal and stress environment on Titan is considered, and likely eruption rates and styles investigated: it is found that volcanic landforms are likely to be small, and “ash” cones are unlikely under present atmospheric conditions on Titan. Cooling rates for likely cryomagmas are investigated, and the possibility of rapidly-quenched pillow lavas is pointed out. Heat flow considerations limit the present resurfacing rate to 1.5 × 10−5 m yr−1.
Exchange Current Effects in the Deuteron

It is well known that the existence of charge carrying nuclear fields, resulting in an exchange of charge between nucleons, also gives rise to additional electromagnetic interaction terms for the nuclear system. It is commonly assumed that these effects are zero for the deuteron ground state, on account of the symmetry properties of the exchange current. The present investigation aims to draw attention to the fact that this conclusion is only true in the adiabatic approximation, which neglects the recoil of the nucleons. In the expression for the electromagnetic interaction of charge exchanging nucleons in motion, nuclear "two-particle currents" appear, in addition to the meson currents encountered in the adiabatic approximation. Whereas the latter are antisymmetric under charge exchange of a nucleon pair, the former are not, and give rise to electromagnetic exchange effects for the deuteron ground state.
On the Optimal Specificity of Legal Rules

European lawmakers are undertaking important steps towards the harmonization, unification, and possible codification of some areas of European private law. In doing so they can choose to craft laws with different levels of detail to guide judges in their decision-making process, incorporating rules or standards into the laws they write. The optimal degree of specificity of legal rules under different environmental conditions and the functionality of these rules or standards are the subject of the present study. First, a basic model of optimal specificity of laws is presented, clarifying the relevance of legal obsolescence and volume of litigation in the optimal choice. We further consider the important influence of codification style, judges' specialization, and complexity of reality on the optimal choice of legislative instrument. The results shed some light on the historical patterns of legislation in various areas of the law, and provide some policy recommendations for the ongoing process of codification in the European context.
Prereperfusion Saline Infusion Into Ischemic Territory Reduces Inflammatory Injury After Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in Rats

Background and Purpose— In ischemic stroke, the ischemic crisis activates a cascade of events that are potentiated by reperfusion, eventually leading to cell death. The chief aim in this study was to investigate whether our new experimental model for stroke therapy, flushing the ischemic territory with saline before reperfusion, could minimize this damage by (1) reducing the inflammatory reaction and (2) improving regional microcirculation. Methods— Stroke in Sprague-Dawley rats (n=39) was induced by a 2-hour middle cerebral artery occlusion with the use of a novel intraluminal hollow filament. Before 48-hour reperfusion, 20 of the ischemic rats received 7 mL isotonic saline at 23°C or 37°C infused into the ischemic area through the filament. Regional cerebral blood flow in cortex supplied by the right middle cerebral artery was measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry during ischemia and reperfusion. Leukocyte infiltration, microvascular plugging, and infarct volume were compared with the use of hematoxylin a...
Asymmetric Stable Distributions of Stock Price Changes

Abstract This note presents evidence that the asymmetric members of the stable family of distributions are appropriate for describing changes in stock prices.
Quadratic relationship between early-post-mortem glycolytic rate and beef tenderness.

Abstract Post-mortem (PM) glycolytic rate in beef M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) was controlled by applying low-voltage electrical stimulation (ES) for 1 min at different stages along the slaughter line. The ES treatments were as follows: (1) No electrical stimulation (NES); (2) 75 V to one side of the carcass immediately after splitting; (3) 20–40 V during exsanguination; (4) 75 V either during or following exsanguination. The study utilized 40 bulls and 40 steers. Loin steaks were aged in vacuum pouches 2, 4, 8 and 16 days PM. Quadratic equations utilizing pH at 3 h (pH3) gave the best estimate of Warner-Bratzler (WB) shear force for 2, 4, 8 and 16 day steaks. The rate of glycolysis is the primary determinant of LTL tenderness in this study. Temperature may only be important through its influence on early PM glycolytic rate. Optimum tenderness was produced by stimulating carcasses or sides to produce a pH3 of 6·0. ES application to the carcass either just before or after splitting (treatment 2) produced more desirable and consistent pH3 responses than either NES or ES during exsanguination. Aging has a differential effect whereby the WB shear values from tougher (leaner bulls) 2 day steaks improve to a greater degree, so they are not different from more tender (fatter steers) steaks by 16 day PM.
Web hospital information system for image-guided procedures

A complete Web based hospital information system, which can allow medical doctors to access and modify patient information and records anywhere in the world via the Internet, was developed. More specifically, this Web information system can be linked seamlessly to our fully computerized MR image-guided neurosurgery suite. This information system, which utilizes the unprecedented Internet infrastructure and adopts the most updated software technologies, addresses the urgent need for handling today's hospital information flow and management. With this new information system in our surgery suite, images and records that have been transferred directly from a diagnostic system such as MR, CT, etc. to the DICOM archive are accessible via a secured Internet connection. When data is accessed via the Web, it can be retrieved in several formats, including raw DICOM and binary, which are extremely useful for various research and development purposes, as well as new applications that require access to the original image data. The Internet-based Web Hospital Information System (WHIS) can easily match the existing standards for this type of information system in a hospital and can accommodate any anticipated requirements for image-guided minimally invasive surgery in the future. A practical and potentially low cost Web Hospital information system, which is functionality- driven, will be presented in this paper. It provides an extremely intuitive interactive environment, as well as a very user-friendly interface for use by both medical doctors and patients.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Case of Dispersion Without Deviation of the Mean Ray

This paper shows that a direct vision spectroscope may use a glass prism immersed in a liquid contained in a cell with parallel ends. The effect of changing the prism angle is shown, and the data for a 14° dispersion are given.
The core of discontinuous games

The traditional design of cooperative games implicitly assumes that preferences are continuous. However, if agents implement tie breaking procedures, preferences are effectively lexicographic and thus discontinuous. This rouses concern over whether classic core nonemptiness theorems apply in such settings. We show that balanced NTU games may have empty cores when agents have discontinuous preferences. Moreover, exchange economies may lack coalitionally rational trades when consumers implement tie breaking rules, even if these rules are themselves continuous and convex as are all first order preferences. Results are more positive when “utility” is transferable. We prove that balancedness is necessary and sufficient to ensure a nonempty core in lexicographic TU games.
Revolution: In communication; in education

Radical change is being demanded of engineering education today–the result of the electronic-information revolution. Other information revolutions have occurred in the past; and each has led to radical changes in education. We look at some of these, giving particular attention to the little-recognized fast press revolution of the early 19th century. Perhaps these examples will help us to better see, and cope with, present change.
The moral importance of dirty hands

This understanding of dirty hands should dispell the air of paradox so often associated with it. Dirty hands is a genuine moral problem, but not a conceptual one. The temptation to see it as a conceptual one arises from a hasty acceptance of these assumptions: As a general description of conscientiousness, these conditions are uncontroversial. However, conscientiousness does not exhaust the moral realm. The problem with the individuals in the cases above is not that they are guilty of being unconscientious. They are conscientious and still cannot avoid dirtying themselves. The Kantian aspiration to render ourselves invulnerable to moral compromise is well-intentioned and deserves our respect insofar as it alerts us to the importance of struggling with courage and imagination against evil. But to the extent that it rejects or ignores the possibility of moral tragedy, the Kantian conception paints too optimistic and artificial a picture of the human condition. We are complicated creatures with diverse and often conflicting ethical loves. Rigging our ethical theories to eliminate such conflicts does nothing to change life as real-life moral agents experience it. As with any kind of theory, we need to be careful about unwittingly deforming the world in order to make it conform to the beloved castles we so often build in the air.
Biological Explanation in Sociology

Ritzer (1975) suggests that biological explanation may emerge as a new paradigm in sociology but incipient work in this area has not had much impact on the discipline. Some forms of biological explanation seem sociologically trivial, but at least three forms of explanation common in the discipline of biology have meaningful homologues in sociology: (1) species-wide human behavior may be explained as the result of biological evolution; (2) behavioral differences between humans, or between groups of humans, may be explained by genetic differences between the individuals or groups; and, (3) social interaction may be explained neurophysiologically in terms of organ systems, nerve impulses, hormones, etc. Each of these forms of biological explanation is meaningful in a sociological context, but each has severe limitations.
Restructuring FDI policy in emerging economies: The republic of Korea case

This article presents several frameworks for examining the effect of a national financial crisis as a stimulus for economic reform and applies them to the Korean case 1997–2001. The author lists significant dimensions of reform and restructuring, presents a schema showing macro reform measures and some possible micro ramifications regarding a country's policies toward incoming foreign direct investment, and extends the schema to the concept of a trade-off between macro and micro determinants of a country's attractiveness to foreign direct investment. There is also a chart highlighting the extent of government allowance of foreign equity participation. The author uses all these concepts to analyze the Republic of Korea's response to the financial crisis of 1997–1999. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Subareolar versus peritumoral injection for location of the sentinel lymph node.

Background Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is fast becoming the standard for testing lymph node involvement in many institutions. However, questions remain as to the best method of injection. The authors hypothesized that a subareolar injection of material would drain to the same lymph node as a peritumoral injection, regardless of the location of the tumor.
Growth Promotion of Bovine Tubercle Bacilli by Pyruvate

SummaryThree newly isolated strains of bovine tubercle bacilli that were unable to grow on Long's medium grew luxuriously on this medium after the addition of 0.1% pyruvate. Of 3 laboratory strains of “dysgonic” bovine tubercle bacilli, 2 showed a similar behavior. Addition of pyruvate had no effect on the growth of 12 human strains of tubercle bacilli.
The cartoon and ethics: Their role in technical information

The author provides an overview of the application of cartoons in technical information. The theory of cartoons is tied to a rhetorical view of communication in that cartoons are deliberate deformations of realities. In addition to this rhetorical basis, the cartoon also depends on cultural biases and the recognition of certain iconic types to be useful communication elements. Based on a discussion of this theoretical and historical background, several guidelines for the use of cartoons in technical information are offered.
Responses of periphyton to changes in current velocity, suspended sediment and phosphorus concentration

SUMMARY. 1 Research was performed in laboratory streams to evaluate periphytic biomass accrual, export, and community composition over a range of limiting nutrient (phosphorus) concentrations with variable velocity, and suspended sediment addition, in comparison to constant velocity and no suspended sediment. In fixed-velocity treatments, velocity increase to 60 cm s−1 significantly enhanced biomass accrual, but further increase resulted in substantial biomass reduction. Average biomass loss rates did not change significantly over a velocity range of 10–80 cm s−1. Diatoms were favoured at relatively high velocities and low phosphorus concentrations, whereas the blue-green Phormidium tended to dominate at higher SRP concentrations and the green Mougeotia seemed to prefer lower velocities. 2 Sudden increases in velocity raised instantaneous loss rates by an order of magnitude or more, but these high rates persisted only briefly. As a result, marked biomass reductions were not apparent a day after the velocity change. Dominance change from filamentous green or blue-green to diatoms immediately after the increase was reversed within 2 days. Loss rate increases due to solids addition were much smaller than those accompanying velocity increase, but simultaneous velocity elevation and solids addition produced instantaneous loss rates approximately double those with velocity increase alone. 3 The experiments demonstrated that an elevation in velocity, above that to which algae were accustomed, led to increased loss rates and temporarily reduced biomass. However, recolonization and growth after biomass reduction were apparently rapid. Substantial export of periphyton following solids addition required erosion of the protective boundary layer accompanied by a velocity increase. These results arc applicable to understanding the response of lotic periphytic algae to elevated, turbid storm discharges and similar runoff or high-flow events. 4 Areal uptake rates of P by algae growing in the laboratory streams increased with soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) concentration, up to approximately 15 μg I−1 in overlying water. They also increased above 35 cm s −1. Overall, uptake rate seemed to vary inversely with biomass. The ralio of areal uptake rate/biomass was significantly less where mean biomass was 411±6 mg chl a m−2 compared to 223±17 mg chl a m−2. 5 The results suggested that although nutrient uptake is primarily a surface phenomenon, diffusion to interior cells can also determine the responses of attached communities. Both diffusion and uptake rate were stimulated by increasing nutrient concentration and velocity up to certain levels, but became limited by biofilm thickness and scouring.
The Practice of Environmental Quality Behavior

(1976). The Practice of Environmental Quality Behavior. The Journal of Environmental Education: Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 19-25.