cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
FINITELY BASED WORDS

Let W be a finite language and let Wc be the closure of W under taking subwords. Let S(W) denote the Rees quotient of a free monoid over the ideal consisting of all words that are not in Wc. We call W finitely based if the monoid S(W) is finitely based. Although these semigroups have easy structure they behave "generically" with respect to the finite basis property [6]. In this paper, we describe all finitely based words in a two-letter alphabet. We also find some necessary and some sufficient conditions for a set of words to be finitely based.
Quantitative Determination of Dyes in Teatile Fibers Part III: Cationic Dyes in Polyester and Polyacrylic Substrates

Cationic dyes in polyester fiber are determined spectro-photometrically after extracting the dye from the fiber with N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) or N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC) containing a strong acid, a salt of a strong acid, and a free-radical inhibitor. The extraction involves ion exchange between the dye cation at the negatively charged dye-site and a proton or a metal ion in the solvent. The cationic dye is extracted rapidly and quantitatively from polyester fiber at 140°C with DMF containing 0.4M (54.5 g) ZnCl₂, 0.8% (by vol) conc hydrochloric acid, and 20 g/l. 2,6-di-t- butyl-4-methyl-phenol (DBMP). The precision and accuracy of the method are very good. Satisfactory results can be obtained also with DMF containing LiCl, a sulfonic acid, and DBMP, although extracted dyes are less stable in this extractant than in DMF containing ZnCl₂, HCl, and DBMP. The ZnCl₃/HCl reagent is useful also for the determination of cationic dyes in acrylic fiber by the dissolution method. The reagent can be used to extract mono-cationic dyes from polyamide fiber. Most bis-cationic dyes are extracted in completely from polyamide fiber, although their extraction from polyester fiber is quantitative.
Metastability and superfluid fraction of the A-like and B phases of 3He in aerogel in zero magnetic field

We report the low-frequency sound measurements of the metastable A-like (A*) phase of superfluid 3He confined within a 98% open aerogel matrix in zero magnetic field. The second soundlike (slow) mode provides an accurate determination of the superfluid fraction of (and the transition between) the A* and B phases. The A* and B phases exhibit stable coexistence in the presence of disorder, the ratio of their superfluid fractions (ρ a A* /ρ s B ) is much smaller than that of the bulk A and B phases, and argues that the A* and bulk A phases are distinct.
Expected utility theory and prospect theory: one wedding and a decent funeral

Choice behavior is typically evaluated by assuming that the data is generated by one latent decision-making process or another. What if there are two (or more) latent decision-making processes generating the observed choices? Some choices might then be better characterized as being generated by one process, and other choices by the other process. A finite mixture model can be used to estimate the parameters of each decision process while simultaneously estimating the probability that each process applies to the sample. We consider the canonical case of lottery choices in a laboratory experiment and assume that the data is generated by expected utility theory and prospect theory decision rules. We jointly estimate the parameters of each theory as well as the fraction of choices characterized by each. The methodology provides the wedding invitation, and the data consummates the ceremony followed by a decent funeral for the representative agent model that assumes only one type of decision process. The evidence suggests support for each theory, and goes further to identify under what demographic domains one can expect to see one theory perform better than the other. We therefore propose a reconciliation of the debate over two of the dominant theories of choice under risk, at least for the tasks and samples we consider. The methodology is broadly applicable to a range of debates over competing theories generated by experimental and non-experimental data.
Bugscope: Online K-12 Microscopy Outreach

Introduction Bugscope is a free online microscopy outreach program that offers K–12 classrooms anywhere in the world the ability to remotely operate a high-resolution scanning electron microscope, collect images of insects and other similar arthropods, and chat simultaneously with a team of scientists. It was conceived and implemented in the late 1990s when K–12 schools were beginning to gain broadband Internet access, many as a result of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. One of several projects that took advantage of this opportunity to use the Internet to bring the laboratory into the classroom, Bugscope began as an NSF grant to purchase a field-emission scanning electron microscope and develop sophisticated client and server software to control it via a standard web browser. Inspired by the success of and lessons learned from the Chickscope remote magnetic resonance imaging project [1] and from having successfully established remote web-based control of a transmission electron microscope, Clint Potter and Bridget Carragher created the Bugscope project [2] with the goal of developing a remote microscopy educational outreach project that would be sustainable over the long term. This goal led to two significant design decisions. First, the software involved in setting up and running the live outreach sessions was purpose-built to ensure that only one staff member, if necessary, would be required at the instrument (as opposed to Chickscope, which required staff at the remote location as well as at the instrument). Second, students from a local high school would be employed as a renewable resource to help with pre-session sample preparation and to participate in live chat, answering questions from the remote classrooms. Although we now operate with permanent staff at the instrument, these efficiencies in the original concept/design have allowed Bugscope to operate continuously since March 1999, long after the original funding was exhausted. The goal of the Bugscope project today is to continue its service of public engagement by bringing research-grade scanning electron microscopy into classrooms around the world. Electron microscopes are nearly as scarce in primary schools as they were in 1999, so the opportunities provided by the project are just as relevant now as they were when Bugscope started. In the intervening twelve years, however, many changes have been made to the Bugscope software to take advantage of the latest technology: adding features and further simplifying the setup and control of the live sessions. Emphasis has been placed on refining the process of classroom participation, particularly the intuitive operational logic applied to the user interface, and key examples of this are discussed below.
Chlamydia pneumoniae and multiple sclerosis: no significant association

The cause of multiple sclerosis (MS) is unknown. Despite indications from epidemiological and identical-twin studies that MS is infectious, no virus or other infectious agent has been tightly linked to disease. The isolation of Chlamydia pneumoniae from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of MS patients and the detection of both Chlamydia-specific DNA and antibody in MS CSF have been reported. Other analyses of brain and CSF have shown no significant difference in C. pneumoniae-specific DNA or antibody between MS and control subjects. Recent work has revealed intrathecal production of C. pneumoniae-specific IgG in only 24% of MS patients compared with 5% of control patients. More importantly, the major CSF oligoclonal bands from MS patients did not react to C. pneumoniae.
Number of non‐zero blocks in the stiffness matrix of the finite element network

In Reference 1 a series of general formulae for evaluating the total number of non-zero blocks in the stiffness matrix, both of two-dimensional and three-dimensional (arbitrary polygonal/polyhedral) finite element networks, was presented. In this paper, an alternative, more direct and efficient method for deriving such formulae is presented. In addition, this new method can be used for more complex situations. In fact, it may be used for almost all kinds of finite element networks.
Cyclosporin A and deltamethrin block the downregulation of Nav1.8 sodium channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes.

Abstract The Nav1.8 sodium channel isoform, expressed in sensory neurons and implicated in pain responses, is known to be upregulated in Xenopus oocytes by agents that activate protein kinase A. In the absence of exogenous modulators, Nav1.8 channels expressed in oocytes exhibited spontaneous downregulation, so that the amplitudes of peak sodium currents at the end of a 30-min recording period were reduced to 58% of those at the outset of recording with no change in the properties of the expressed channels. Perfusion of oocytes with either cyclosporin A or deltamethrin, considered to be diagnostic inhibitors of the protein phosphatase calcineurin, at 10 μM blocked spontaneous downregulation. These results identify endogenous calcineurin as the mediator of Nav1.8 sodium channel downregulation in oocytes. The use of a calcineurin inhibitor such as cyclosporin A provides an effective means of stabilizing the expression of Nav1.8 sodium channels in oocytes for functional and pharmacological studies.
Experimental and predicted dual oximetry variability

Objective. We wished to determine whether the individual bias (mean difference) and precision (standard deviation of the difference) values of 2 variables, arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) and mixed venous oxygen saturation (S⊻O2), could be used to predict the bias and precision values of the combined dual oximetry variable (SaO2- S⊻O2).Methods. We simultaneously measured SaO2 by pulse oximetry and arterial blood gas co-oximetry and S⊻O2 by fiberoptic reflectance oximetry pulmonary artery catheter and venous blood gas co-oximetry in 238 data sets from 55 patients. Three different methods were used to predict the standard deviation of the difference of $$(SaO_2 - S\bar vO_2 )[s_{\Delta (SaO_2 - S\bar vO_2 )} ]$$ : simple sum, root mean square (RMS) error, and RMS error with correction term. We derived the equation for the RMS error with correction term because initial results showed that the simple sum and RMS error methods did not predict $$s_{\Delta (SaO_2 - S\bar vO_2 )} $$ well. The correction term accounts for the non-independence of simultaneous SaO2 and S⊻O2 measurements.Results. The observed overall bias of the SaO2, SvO2, and (SaO2 - S⊻O2) measurement methods were 0.17, –1.76, and 1.94, respectively. The observed overall $$s_{\Delta (SaO_2 - S\bar vO_2 )} $$ of the (SaO2 -S⊻O2) measurement method was 5.12. The simple sum method overestimated the actual $$s_{\Delta (SaO_2 - S\bar vO_2 )} $$ by 38%, the RMS error method differed from the actual $$s_{\Delta (SaO_2 - S\bar vO_2 )} $$ by 3%, and the RMS error with correction term method matched the actual $$s_{\Delta (SaO_2 - S\bar vO_2 )} $$ .Conclusion. The bias of a (SaO2 -S⊻O2) measurement method is simply the bias of the SaO2 measurement method less the bias of the S⊻O2 measurement method. $$s_{\Delta (SaO_2 - S\bar vO_2 )} $$ is best predicted by the derived equation, RMS error with correction term. The same principles and equations also apply to other situations in which 2 variables with the same dimensions are combined into 1 variable, such as (Paco2-Etco2) gradients and perfusion-pressure gradients. Although the difference between the $$s_{\Delta (SaO_2 - S\bar vO_2 )} $$ predicted by the RMS error equation and the derived RMS error equation with correction term was small, the difference may be significant for other combined variables.
A biomechanical analysis of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy and flexor digitorum longus transfer in adult acquired flat foot

Abstract Background Biomechanical models have been used to study stress in the metatarsals, subtalar motion, lateral column lengthening and subtalar arthroereisis. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction has been associated with increased loads in the arch of the acquired flat foot. We examine whether a 10 millimeter (mm) medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy and flexor digitorum longus transfer to the navicular reduces these increased loads in the flat foot. Methods The response of a normal foot, a foot with posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, and a flat foot to an applied load of 683 Newton was analyzed using a multi-segment biomechanical model. The distribution of load on the metatarsals, the moment about each joint, the force on each of the plantar ligaments and the muscle forces were computed. Findings Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction results in increased load on the medial arch, which may cause the foot to flatten. A 10 mm medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy substantially decreases the load on the first metatarsal and the moment at the talo-navicular joint and increases the load on the fifth metatarsal and the calcaneal-cuboid joint. Adding the flexor digitorum longus transfer to the medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy has only a small effect on the flattened foot. Interpretation Our biomechanical analysis illustrates that when the foot becomes flat, the force on the talo-navicular joint increases substantially from its value for the normal foot, and that medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy can reduce this increased force back toward the value occurring in the normal foot. This study provides a biomechanical rationale for medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy treatments for posterior tibial tendon dysfunction.
Relationship between LDL, HDL, blood pressure and atheroma progression in the coronaries.

Purpose of reviewTo highlight clinical trials that have employed coronary artery imaging to evaluate the impact of medical therapies that target established cardiovascular risk factors.Recent findingsHigh resolution imaging of the entire vessel wall permits assessment of changes in the full extent o
Financing Public Services in Rural Areas: A Synthesis

RAPID CHANGES in technology, shifts in population, changes in the price and availability of resources, and changes in the institutions and organizations providing goods and services have resulted in a geographical redistribution of population and economic activity. Rural residents who were unable to, or who chose not to, migrate from their communities have not received an equitable share of the income and capital values generated by these changes in the U. S. economy and public investments. The result has been fewer people left to support the existing social, economic, political, and cultural institutions in rural America. Per
Stability Analysis of Distributed Power Generation With Droop Inverters

This paper models and analyzes a power distribution system with sources connected through inverters. The stabilizing effect of generator rotational inertia is emulated through inverter droop control logic. We model the nonlinear dynamics of the system with multiple distributed droop inverters using dynamical phasors. Linearizing the system around the steady-state, we construct closed-loop transfer functions from exogenous disturbances to system states. This allows to evaluate the load disturbance impact on the inverter power and line voltage profile. As an example, the distribution system with 150 inverters is used to illustrate the approach.
Dehydration accelerates respiration in postharvest sugarbeet roots

Sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) roots lose water during storage and often become severely dehydrated after prolonged storage and at the outer regions of storage piles which have greater wind and sun exposure. Sucrose loss is known to be elevated in dehydrated roots, although the metabolic processes responsible for this loss are unknown. To identify processes that contribute to sucrose loss in dehydrated roots, respiration rate, cellular electrolyte leakage, and sucrolytic enzyme activities were determined in roots of two varieties (VDH 66156 and Beta 4797R) during 4 weeks of 10°C storage at high (85%) and low (40%) relative humidities. Roots stored at 40% relative humidity dehydrated significantly and lost almost 50% of their weight after 4 weeks of storage. Electrolyte leakage increased in these roots, indicating that dehydration damaged cellular membranes. Respiration rate generally increased in roots stored at 40% relative humidity compared to roots stored at 85% relative humidity. The increase in respiration rate was positively correlated with root weight loss and electrolyte leakage. Respiration rate was most closely associated with electrolyte leakage, however, suggesting that elevations in respiration rate were not due to dehydration, but to the membrane damage that occurred in response to dehydration. Activities of the sucrose-degrading enzymes, sucrose synthase, alkaline invertase and soluble acid invertase, were unaltered by dehydration. Alterations in sucrolytic enzyme activities, therefore, were not needed to provide for the increased demand for respiratory substrates in dehydrated roots. These results suggest that storage at low relative humidity alters the postharvest physiology of sugarbeet roots by increasing the rate of weight loss, reducing membrane integrity, and accelerating root respiration rate.
The production of metals and alloys by the decomposition of oxysalts

Abstract The production of metals from the thermal decomposition of oxysalts is an interesting process because the metals are produced below their melting point in a highly active particulate form. In many instances the production of the metal as the primary reaction mechanism is obscured because the environmental conditions allow the production of oxide products as a further reaction process. Thermodynamic considerations can be applied which show when the production of the metal is to be expected as the prime product in an inert atmosphere. This had previously been applied to oxalates, but the same reasoning is shown here to be applicable to formate decompositions and probably applies to other oxysalt systems. The types of kinetic expressions which govern such decompositions are outlined, and correlations are made between the kinetic mechanism of decomposition and the change in surface area. The correlation between density and surface area takes the form where V 1 and V 2 are the molar volumes of the oxysalt and the metal product, S 1 and S 2 are the molar surface areas, and N is the number of particles of metal produced from one particle of oxysalt. In the present study it is shown that thermal analysis techniques can be used to produce powdered alloys at temperatures far below the melting point of the metals by the decomposition of suitable complex oxysalts or mixtures of oxysalts.
Artificial and Biological Intelligence

Subhash Kak of Louisiana State University says that "humans will eventually create silicon machines with minds that will slowly spread all over the world, and the entire universe will eventually become a conscious machine."
Absolute detection efficiency of space-based ion mass spectrometers and neutral atom imagers

Space-based ion mass spectrometers and neutral atom imagers often utilize a thin foil for generation of secondary electrons and employ a coincidence measurement between detection of the secondary electrons and detection of the primary ion or neutral atom, allowing unambiguous detection of the particle in a large noise background and determination of properties of the particle using time-of-flight measurement. We demonstrate a simple and straightforward method for laboratory calibration and in situ quantification and monitoring of the absolute detection probabilities of the detectors and the absolute detection efficiency of the detector subsystem without knowledge of the incident particle flux.
Hemodialysis catheter survival and complications in children and adolescents

Venous catheters have become an indispensable form of hemodialysis access. We evaluated catheter performance as temporary and long-term access in children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We assessed the survival rates and causes of catheter failure in 78 catheters used for hemodialysis access in 23 pediatric patients (aged 10 months to 22 years) with ESRD over a 5-year period. Median survival was 31 days for 56 uncuffed catheters. One- and 2-month actuarial survival was 69% and 48%, respectively. Reasons for removal were: elective (39%), kinking (36%), trauma (11%), infection (7%), and other (5%). Smaller catheters (7 or 9 French) were more likely to be removed for kinking (P = 0.003). One-year actuarial survival for 22 cuffed catheters was 27%. Cuffed catheters were removed due to: infection (36%), kinking (14%), elective (9%), trauma (9%) and other (9%). Twelve catheters were removed for infection. Infection rates leading to removal were 0.58 and 0.71 per patient-year for uncuffed and cuffed catheters, respectively. Staphylococcus species were cultured most commonly. We conclude that uncuffed catheters function well for short-term hemodialysis access of up to 2 months' duration and cuffed catheters are successful for long-term access in children and adolescents with ESRD.
Search set access problems in retrieving episodic information from memory in children and adults

Abstract Cued recall of the last target words of primarily four-word category (Bus-Airplane-Car-Train) and thematic (Suitcase-Coat-Ticket-Train) stimuli by children and adults was examined in five experiments. The purpose was to examine problems of gaining access to episodie search sets in recall. Stimulus classification at acquisition was ensured by orienting questions. In order to manipulate access difficulty, search sets were externalized more or less at retrieval by providing cues reinstating the whole (Bus-Airplane-Car) or only part (Bus-Airplane, or Bus) of the associative context in Experiments 1 and 2, by varying two-, three-, or four-word stimuli in Experiment 3, by asking a retrieval orienting question for context cues in Experiment 4, and by presenting the names of the associative domains (e.g., Vehicle) as cues in Experiment 5. In addition both target (i.e., Train) and missing context word recall were examined in Experiments 1 and 2. The results suggest that access to a search set is more of a problem for children than for adults, and for children at least, access to an episodic search set and to an appropriate associative domain probably should be distinguished. Access differences may reflect properties of the associative structures of memory.
Telemetric monitoring of body temperature in the horse mare.

Abstract The objective of this study was to develop a radiotelemetric system capable of frequent monitoring of mare body temperature. A radio transmitter was implanted in the flank of each of four mares. Telemetered data were received by a pair of antennae placed at right angles in a 3.3 × 6.6-m stall and stored on a computer hard disk. The data were recorded every 5 minutes except when mares were out of the stall for a 1- to 2- hour exercise period. No effect of environmental temperature, ranging from 5°C to 30°C, on mare body temperature was apparent. The radiotelemetric system used in this study was effective for frequent measurement of mare body temperature.
Child and Parent Relationships with Teachers in Schools Responsible for the Education of Children with Serious Medical Conditions.

Claire Norris, former research associate at Moray House Institute of Education, and Alison Closs, a lecturer in special education at the Institute, describe a small research project which examined the interpersonal relationships between children with chronic and/or deteriorating conditions and their parents and teachers. The research was one aspect of a wider study (Closs & Norris, 1997) which sought ways of enabling the mainstream education of such children in Scotland.
Effects of the insecticides carbofuran and fenvalerate on adenylate parameters in bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus).

Bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus) were exposed to two sublethal concentrations of carbofuran, a carbamate insecticide, and fenvalerate, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, in continuous flow bioassay systems for 30 days. Adenylate parameters (ATP concentration, total adenylates concentration, and adenylate energy charge) were monitored in gill, liver, muscle, and stomach tissues. There were significant decreases in adenylate energy charge of gill and stomach tissue relative to initial values after 10 days of exposure to 30 μg/L carbofuran. There was also a significant decline in adenylate energy charge in gills of fish exposed to 0.2 μg/L fenvalerate relative to initial values. These values returned to normal by the end of the experiment. The biological significance of these changes is uncertain. Adenylate parameters may not be sufficiently sensitive to reflect sublethal effects of pesticides which affect the nervous system of fishes.
EARLY-ONSET DYSTROPHIA MYOTONICA EVIDENCE SUPPORTING A MATERNAL ENVIRONMENTAL FACTOR

Abstract A study of children with dystrophia myotonica (myotonic dystrophy) presenting in the first 5 years of life has shown an abnormal sex ratio of affected parents. Out of a total of 40 cases, 17 studied personally and 23 previously reported, the affected parent was known in 35 cases. In 34 of these the mother was the affected parent; the father was affected in only 1 instance. Differential fertility between the sexes was found to be insufficient to explain these findings, and it is suggested that an intrauterine environmental influence may act to produce the early-onset disease in those individuals carrying the gene for dystrophia myotonica.
System for High Temperature Spectral Emissivity Measurement of Materials for VHTR Applications

An experimental system for in situ high temperature measurements of spectral emissivity of VHTR materials has been designed and constructed. The design consists of a cylindrical block of silicon carbide with several machined cavities for placement of test samples, as well as a black body cavity. The block is placed inside a furnace for heating to temperatures up to 1000°C. A shutter system allows for selective exposure of any given test sample for emissivity measurements. An optical periscope guides the thermal radiation from the sample to a Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) spectrometer which is used for real-time measurements of spectral emissivity over a wavelength range of 0.8μm to 10μm. To specifically address the needs of VHTR applications, the system has been designed for studies with VHTR grade helium environments and air transients. Inlet and outlet gas compositions are measured using a gas chromatograph, which in conjunction with ex situ analysis of the samples by electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction will allow for the correlation of surface corrosion of the materials and their spectral emissivities under different operating and accident conditions.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Evaluating technologies for tactical information management in net-centric systems

Recent trends in distributed real-time and embedded (DRE) systems motivate the development of tactical information management capabilities that ensure the right information is delivered to the right place at the right time to satisfy quality of service (QoS) requirements in heterogeneous environments. A promising approach to building and evolving large-scale and long-lived tactical information management systems are standards-based QoS-enabled publish/subscribe (pub/sub) platforms that enable applications to communicate by publishing information they have and subscribing to information they need in a timely manner. Since there is little existing evaluation of how well these platforms meet the performance needs of tactical information management, this paper provides two contributions: (1) it describes three common architectures for the OMG Data Distribution Service (DDS), which is a QoS-enabled pub/sub platform standard, and (2) it evaluates three implementations of these architectures to investigate their design tradeoffs and to compare their performance. Our results show that DDS implementations perform well in general and are well-suited for certain classes of data-critical tactical information management systems.
DCX-1 Instrumentation

The techniques which have been used to measure properties of the plasma produced by high energy injection into a magnetic mirror have been described. The results obtained have been illustrative of gas breakup; however, the same methods have been used unaltered to measure the energy dispersion and stability with a magnetically confined high density arc as the breakup mechanism. The application of these techniques has permitted a study of the plasma in DCX-1, a task complicated by the extremely hot nature of such matter and by the necessity for studying this state of matter in such a way as to extract information concerning its properties without altering these properties by the method of measurement.
The tracheae of water mites

The water mites of standing waters have evolved a novel respiratory system consisting of numerous independent tracheae of tracheolar dimensions. Each trachea has a portion of its length lying directly under the cuticle and one or both ends of the trachea turn into the body to supply some organ. There is no fusion of tracheae to form trunks. Areas of dense tracheation dorsal to the legs supply the leg muscles, and sometimes there is a distinct area of the venter that supplies the muscles of the mouthparts.
Possible etiologic factors in external root resorption

The causes of external root resorption have remained an enigma to the dental profession since oral roentgenography was introduced. Numerous investigators have implicated various etiologic agents with root resorption, and, with the exception of those studies evaluating root loss following orthodontic treatment,8s 9, 2x, 32 they are generally inconclusive. Xo causative agent has been noted to account for the t,vpe of resorption called idiopnthic,” ranging from minor blunting of the apex to complete loss of root structure. The problem is even more perplexing hecausc, in many instances, it is difficult to determine whether lack of apical structure is developmental or resorptivr. The object of this study is to invcstigatc the relationship of idiopathic root resorption to (1) genetic influcnc~cs in the immediate family, (2) systemic causes frequently cited in the literature as causat,ivc, (3) type of malocclusion, including examination for nonphysiologic (*ontact relat ionships during cxcursive movements, and hypoand hyperfunction during normal occlusion of the dentition, (4) past medical and dental history, antI (5) craluation of root resorption in persons who untlcrwent ortliodontic~ trcat,ment.
Computing the envelope delay of ladder networks

The well known method of analysing ladder networks numerically by forming the chain matrix can easily be adapted to generate simultaneously the derivative of this matrix with respect to frequency. This leads to a theoretically exact and numerically well conditioned way of computing envelope delay.
Productivity and Chick Growth Rates of Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus) and Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis) on the Isles Dernieres Barrier Island Refuge, Louisiana

Abstract. Barrier islands in Louisiana and elsewhere in the northern Gulf of Mexico region provide valuable breeding habitat for numerous waterbird species; however, these islands are also deteriorating at an alarming rate. Management and conservation of waterbird species in these dynamic environments require a better understanding of the breeding biology for northern Gulf of Mexico populations. Productivity parameters were investigated for Royal (Thalasseus maximus) and Sandwich (T. sandvicensis) terns at the Isles Dernieres Barrier Island Refuge in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, during the 2009 and 2010 breeding seasons. Mean hatching success for Royal Tern was 77% (n = 169 nests), while Sandwich Tern hatching success was 75% (n = 130 nests). For both Royal and Sandwich terns, the estimated probability that a chick survived from hatching to fledging age was 55% (n = 630 nestlings). Overall, estimated breeding success for Royal and Sandwich terns was 42.3% and 41%, respectively. Chick growth rates were si...
A contribution to the kinetic theory of pitting corrosion

Abstract In this paper, irreversible thermodynamic considerations have been applied to the pitting corrosion phenomenon. From the standpoint that pitting corrosion is a macroscopically localized heterogeneous process, a capillary model has been used for the purpose of the explanation. A discriminatory equation for pit growth was obtained by consideration of the stationary state which the pit system will reach in a given environment. The present method was useful in defining the pitting potential exactly, and to explain various experimental facts concerning pitting corrosion.
Tetragonal states of palladium. II. Experiment

The goal of this work is to try and stabilize by constrained pseudomorphic epitaxy the body-centered-tetragonal (bct) phase of Pd that was revealed by the epitaxial Bain path (EBP) at the axial ratio $c/a\ensuremath{\sim}0.9.$ The substrate chosen is W{001}, and Pd is deposited on it in ultrahigh vacuum at room temperature. The films obtained are pseudomorphic with the substrate, but quantitative low-energy-electron diffraction (QLEED) analysis suggests that they do not consist of pure Pd. The analysis provides strong evidence for the fact that Pd and W interdiffuse, producing an alloy of Pd and W. In order to avoid alloy formation, and yet maintain conditions for pseudomorphism, a diffusion barrier is introduced in the form of a pseudomorphic film of Mn on W{001}. A Pd film with thickness of about 19 \AA{} is then grown pseudomorphically on top of the Mn film and analyzed by QLEED. The film is highly strained and defective, allowing only mediocre agreement between theory and experiment, but the analysis shows that its structure is probably a strained state of the bct phase found on the EBP.
Persistent Motile Sperm After Ligation Band Vasectomy

Purpose: We evaluated the efficacy and mechanism of failure in a small case series of VasClip® vasectomies.Materials and Methods: Between September 2003 and March 2004, 8 patients underwent elective vasectomy using the VasClip® ligation band. Microscopic semen analysis was done a minimum of 4 weeks postoperatively and after at least 15 ejaculations. The number of sperm and motility were quantified in 15 or more high power fields. Successful vasectomy was defined as 2 consecutive postoperative unspun semen analyses containing no sperm. Patients with failed vasectomy underwent bilateral surgical removal of the vas deferens segments containing the ligation band for gross and histological analysis.Results: Six of 8 patients (75%) were deemed azoospermic after 2 semen analyses at a mean followup of 7 and 11 weeks postoperatively, respectively. Two of 8 patients (25%) had semen analyses containing multiple motile sperm after vasectomy. In the 2 failed cases 1 side was patent, as demonstrated by vasal cannulatio...
Chemical elimination of volunteer potatoes

Volunteer potato plants, which occur frequently in New York State, constitute a menace to seed production. Their elimination by cultural means is not always practicable. Amitrol was found capable of destroying both plants and new tubers.
Linking business education, campus culture and community: The Bentley Service-Learning Project

This article describes the service-learning project at Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts. The Bentley Service-Learning Project (BSLP) has served as a catalyst for instituting the value of social responsibility into the business curriculum. With over 25% of the full-time faculty integrating service-learning into their courses, Bentley has had over 3000 students using their business skills to assist community agencies. The BSLP has helped to create an environment where business students, faculty, staff and administrators come together to work with and learn from the surrounding communities.
Effects of high temperature air and vacuum exposures on the room temperature tensile behavior of the (O + B2) titanium aluminide Ti-22Al-23Nb

A new class of titanium alloys, based on the orthorhombic Ti2AlNb phase, have received considerable attention recently as a potential matrix candidate for foil-fiber-foil processed intermetallic matrix composites. In the present study, the microstructure and room temperature deformation of one such an orthorhombic titanium aluminide alloy, Ti-22Al-23Nb (atomic per cent), were investigated. The O + B2 microstructure of the as-processed sheets was found to be quite inhomogeneous with respect to the O phase precipitation. The thermal and environmental responses of the sheet microstructure were investigated at 760 °C for 100 h in air and vacuum. The microstructure was stable but emerged as being very sensitive to oxygen exposure even in a vacuum environment. The effects of high temperature exposure on room temperature deformation were studied by heat treating tensile samples prior to testing at 760 °C for 100 h in air and vacuum. The room temperature ductility and strength were very sensitive to the variations in size and arrangement of the O phase, resulting from processing, and to the presence of surface oxides and oxygen-enriched surface layers, resulting from pre-exposure treatment and specimen surface preparation. This study has clearly shown that improved resistance to oxygen exposure represents a challenge in the development of this type of alloy for use at temperatures near 760 °C.
Detection of incomplete lower esophageal sphincter relaxation with conventional point-pressure sensors.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Completeness of lower esophageal sphincter relaxation, a parameter used to establish the diagnosis of achalasia, is an important manometric determination. This study compared four analysis methods that use point-pressure measurements to determine their relative accuracy and the best threshold values for incomplete relaxation. METHODS: Analyses were performed on 153 manometric studies that employed a 21-lumen catheter with pressure recording sites spaced at 1-cm intervals. Lower sphincter relaxation was measured from most appropriate sites as the 1) lowest residual pressure within 5 s of swallowing, 2) lowest residual pressure across the entire postdeglutitive period, 3) lowest mean residual pressure over a floating 3-s interval after swallowing, and 4) mean transsphincteric esophagogastric gradient extracted from a combination of conventional and topographic manometric information. Intragastric baseline pressures were taken both from the pull-through maneuver and from concurrent intragastric recordings, and methods were compared by their receiver operating characteristics. RESULTS: Best threshold values for segregating achalasia from nonachalasic controls differed across methods and depended on presence or absence of peristalsis in the comparison group. Transsphincteric gradient measurement had high sensitivity (≥0.94) and specificity (≥0.98) for achalasia irrespective of comparison group and was superior to all other methods. The 3-s mean residual pressure demonstrated greatest discriminant capabilities of the remaining conventional methods, which were modestly improved with concurrent measurement of intragastric pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Analyses that average postdeglutitive pressures are superior to isolated nadir values in correctly discerning incomplete lower sphincter relaxation. The transsphincteric gradient is a novel approach for measuring sphincter relaxation, is unaffected by sphincter asymmetry and axial movement, and has the best receiver operating characteristics using point-pressure sensors.
Integral inequalities and theorems of Liouville type

Throughout this paper x = (x1 ,... , x,) denotes a point of real Euclidean space En, r = / x [ is the distance to the origin, and F and P > 0 are continuous functions of r, 0 < r < co. We use dr and da for the volume and surface elements of integration respectively, while a, is the area of the surface of the unit n-ball in E”. Our immediate objective is to sharpen and generaiize some theorems of Putnam [2], which are as follows:
Hand-writing Rehabilitation in the Haptic Virtual Environment

In recent years, virtual reality (VR) has been applied to many medical fields. Rehabilitation with VR technologies is one of the emerging research directions. In this paper, a rehabilitation exercise - English character handwriting training exercise is described in the haptic virtual environment. The approach can be used to guide user's hand movement on the right track of the predefined trajectory according to the real-time guidance force. A haptic device, PHANTOM Premium 1.0, is used for writing English characters as a virtual pen, and also for giving the user force feedbacks as a guidance tool. The user with hand dysfunctions can be trained for precise hand movements through this writing rehabilitation interface. The experimental results and performance analysis are also given in the paper
Effects of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Desmitis of the Accessory Ligament of the Deep Digital Flexor Tendon in the Horse

Objective: To evaluate the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on collagenase-induced lesions in the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (ALDDFT) of horses. Study Design: Paired, blinded controlled study. Animals: Eight Thoroughbred horses (3 mares, 5 geldings; mean±SD weight, 464±26 kg, mean age, 8±1.7 years). Methods: Lesions were created in both ALDDFTs of all horses by injection of 2 × 103 IU of collagenase type I. Percent lesion and structure (fiber alignment and echogenicity) were quantified with ultrasonographic imaging 3, 6, and 9 weeks after collagenase injection. After ultrasound examinations, ESWT (1000 shocks at 0.15 mJ/mm2) was applied to 1 ALDDFT in each horse. ALDDFT were harvested 15 weeks after collagenase injection and the microstructure, mRNA levels of collagen types I and III, and collagen and glycosaminoglycan content were evaluated. Results: There were no differences in percent lesion, echogenicity, or fiber alignment between control- and ESWT-treated ligaments at each evaluation time; however, compared with 3-week values, there was a significant increase in percent lesion and echogenicity for EWST treated ligaments at 6 weeks and significant decrease in both variables for treated and control ligaments at 12 weeks. Fiber alignment improved significantly at 9 weeks in controls and at 12 weeks in treated and control ligaments. Collagen type I mRNA levels were significantly higher in the ESWT treatment group compared with the control group 15 weeks after collagenase injection though differences in other mRNA levels, microstructure, and composition were not significant. Conclusions: Our results do not support an effect of ESWT on collagenase-induced lesions in the equine ALDDFT.
Self-Leadership: Toward an Expanded Theory of Self-Influence Processes in Organizations

The considerable attention devoted to individual self-influence processes in organizations has been limited to scope, focusing primarily on self-management that facilitates behaviors that are not naturally motivating and that meet externally anchored standards. In this paper, individual self-control systems are viewed as the central control mechanisms within organizations. An expanded “self-leadership” view is developed that includes (a) self-imposed strategies for managing performance of tasks of low intrinsic motivational potential and (b) self-influence that capitalizes on the “natural”/intrinsic motivational value of task activity. Implications for theory and practice are addressed.
Metainformation and workflow management for solving complex problems in grid environments

Summary form only given. We discuss the semantics of process and case description necessary for the workflow management on a grid used for scientific applications and outline the structure of basic ontologies supporting the coordinated execution of complex tasks. We survey the core services provided by our environment and discuss in some detail the planning service.
Stylistic Heterogeneity and Topics in the Music of Charles Ives

Juxtaposing disparate styles is a defining characteristic of Ives's music. Analyzing “The Alcotts” from the Concord Sonata, Larry Starr showed how styles ranging from diatonic tonality to three distinct post-tonal styles delineate the form, and argued that Ives was exceptional in embracing “stylistic heterogeneity” as a basic principle. Yet Ives's practice fits well in the tradition of musical topics described by Leonard Ratner and others, especially the coordination of contrasting styles to provide variety and articulate the form. A topical approach also reveals how using styles that carry particular associations creates expressivity and meaning. Ives uses as topics numerous traditional styles, beginning in his early tonal music, as well as modernist stylizations of familiar styles. Understanding Ives's stylistic heterogeneity as the use of topics allows a deeper and more comprehensive analysis of “The Alcotts” and other works and links his practice to that of past composers such as Mozart.
Jewel Limar Prestage: Political Science Trailblazer and the Mother of Black Political Science

Jewel Limar Prestage recently retired from academia after five decades of a professional career as a political scientist. Through teaching, mentoring, research, and service, she has had a profound influence in the political science discipline and on the lives of thousands of students.
A theoretical framework and competency-based approach to improving handoffs

Background: Once characterised by remarkable continuity of care by a familiar doctor, patient care today is delivered by multiple physicians with varying degrees of knowledge of the patient. Yet, few trainees learn the potential risks of these transitions and the strategies to improve patient care during handoffs. Little is known regarding the mechanisms by which handoffs affect patient care. Results: Building on theoretical constructs from the social sciences and illustrated with a case study of the implementation of a night float service for the inpatient general medicine services at the University of Chicago, a conceptual framework is proposed to describe how handoffs affect both patients and physicians. Conclusion: Using this conceptual framework, recommendations are made for formal education based on the core competencies of communication and professionalism. Opportunities to educate trainees in acquiring these skills are described in the context of handoffs of patient care.