cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Book Review: Land, Power, and the Sacred: The Estate System in Medieval Japan edited by Janet R. Goodwin and Joan R. Piggott

Janet R. Goodwin and Joan R. Piggott, eds. Land, Power, and the Sacred: The Estate System in Medieval Japan . Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press 2018. 570 pages. ISBN 978-0824872939. $64.95. Land, Power, and the Sacred is a welcome introduction to a topic that has not received its due attention by English-writing historians for far too long, and it does it in an inspiring and informative way. While the medieval Japanese estate system has been discussed extensively by Japanese historians, very few scholars in the West have taken on the task of discussing the estate system in detail, so the publication of this important anthology is cause for celebration. As the introductory and first chapters, as well as the last historiographical chapter of the volume all suggest, the paucity of research or teaching material on the Japanese estate system might be due to the fact that it has often been seen as boring and unengaging, buried deep in dry tax ledgers and land surveys. Outside the contexts of political maneuvers of the elite and the land struggles of the emerging warrior class, the estate system has langured for many years. This anthology edited by Janet R. Goodwin and Joan R. Piggott does an amazing job at filling this gap by providing overarching arguments about the estate system as an historiographical concept as well as close studies of individual estates. It is a thorough and hermeneutic study that is weakened only by the obvious challenges of being within an anthology where the relations between micro-level findings are picked up and used for more generalizing arguments only with difficulty. The anthology is the physical product of a conference held at University of Southern California in 2012 on various aspects of the premodern Japanese estates as well as of the collaborative efforts of a group of scholars and graduate students at USC working on the Ōbe estate and its connection to the monk Chōgen. This focus is carried over into the anthology, where 8 …
Quelle infaillibilité pour l'Eglise? De iure veritatis

L'autorite est en crise. Et son proces destabilise la signification meme des societes humaines. Celle de l'Eglise apparait plus odieuse encore a ceux qui y voient une immixtion dans le secret des conscience, "le premier vicaire du Christ". C'est alors qu'ils sont tentes d'en reduire les arcanes au mieux a un bon gouvernement, au pire a une machiavelisme institutionnel, et qu'ils en contexte correlativement le caractere divin et l'exercice hierarchique. Affronter cette crise par la porte etroite de l'infaillibilite ecclesiastique est un choix stimulant, car elle est le fil d'Ariane d'une meilleure comprehension de ce que sont l'Eglise et sa mission. Au terme de l'aventure spirituelle et temporelle de l'Eglise qui se presente a nous, l'infaillibilite n'apparaitra jamais comme l'instrument d'une confiscation cynique de l'Eglise a ses fideles, mais comme l'outil de son emancipation a l'egard de tout ce qui pretend l'eloigner de son devoir intime, et donc aussi comme l'outil de leur propre emancipation. Par son enquete philosophique, historique, theologique et juridique, ce livre voudrait montrer que l'autorite de l'Eglise est indissociable de la question de son rapport a la verite, qui constitue a la fois son depot et sa quete. Partie I: La question de l'infaillibilite Chap.I: Les elements de la notion d'infaillibilite Chap.II: L'histoire de la notion d'infaillibilite Partie II: L'infaillibilite en question Chap.III: L'infaillibilite est-elle necessaire? Chap.IV: Y a-t-il un droit de l'infaillibilite?
Converging nuclear magnetic shielding calculations with respect to basis and system size in protein systems

Ab initio chemical shielding calculations greatly facilitate the interpretation of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shifts in biological systems, but the large sizes of these systems requires approximations in the chemical models used to represent them. Achieving good convergence in the predicted chemical shieldings is necessary before one can unravel how other complex structural and dynamical factors affect the NMR measurements. Here, we investigate how to balance trade-offs between using a better basis set or a larger cluster model for predicting the chemical shieldings of the substrates in two representative examples of protein-substrate systems involving different domains in tryptophan synthase: the N-(4'-trifluoromethoxybenzoyl)-2-aminoethyl phosphate (F9) ligand which binds in the α active site, and the 2-aminophenol quinonoid intermediate formed in the β active site. We first demonstrate that a chemically intuitive three-layer, locally dense basis model that uses a large basis on the substrate, a medium triple-zeta basis to describe its hydrogen-bonding partners and/or surrounding van der Waals cavity, and a crude basis set for more distant atoms provides chemical shieldings in good agreement with much more expensive large basis calculations. Second, long-range quantum mechanical interactions are important, and one can accurately estimate them as a small-basis correction to larger-basis calculations on a smaller cluster. The combination of these approaches enables one to perform density functional theory NMR chemical shift calculations in protein systems that are well-converged with respect to both basis set and cluster size.
What’s the Point? Using Extended Feature Sets For Semantic Segmentation in Point Clouds

A recent focus on expanding deep learning to use non-traditional input data has seen a high growth in research of deep learning on point sets. Due to its high collection cost and lack of available labeled data, there is an absence of research into deep learning with aerial LiDAR. In this paper, we present a new benchmark labeled dataset, called “Surrey Aerial 3 for evaluating networks on aerial LiDAR data”. The dataset covers over 6km2 and has three classes in multiple environments. We provide our architecture, “Curvature Weighted PointNet++” that eliminates PointNet++’s random batch selection and provides a way to select batches based on key points of interest selected from the Eigen feature space. We extend the hierarchical feature space to add additional layers of context to address the need for an extended field of view in aerial LiDAR.
Creating a U.S. National Journalism Foundation [Commentary]

It is time now to move beyond handwringing and nostalgia over our vanished American journalism past. While market forces will sustain some forms of serious reportage, evidence is mounting that creators of journalism in the public interest can’t innovate their way out of a deepening technological crisis. From the new frontiers of digital media to the decaying world of print newspapers to the diminished aspirations of once-mighty magazines, market and economic forces continue to reduce the scale and scope of public- interest journalism.
Reduced aggressive behavior: A benefit of silk-spinning in the parsnip webworm, Depressaria pastinacella (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae)

The parsnip webworm, Depressaria pastinacella, spins a silken web within the umbels of its host plant, the wild parsnip Pastinaca sativa, and aggressively defends this web against conspecifics. We first established experimentally that the number of aggressive interactions between caterpillars with their webs removed was significantly higher than for webworms with intact webs. In order to determine whether web-spinning acts to divide food resources and reduce aggressive interactions, we measured relative weight gain and total silk production of parsnip webworms isolated from one another, grouped together with webbing undisturbed, and grouped together with webbing removed daily. Parsnip webworms isolated from one another and therefore unable to engage in aggressive interactions attained the highest pupal weights and spun the smallest amount of silk; caterpillars with webs removed daily and therefore with frequent aggressive interactions until territories were reestablished had the lowest pupal weights and spun the greatest quantity of silk. Our findings indicate that, for the parsnip webworm, constructing a silken web reduces aggressive encounters among conspecifics.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Effects on Cardiovascular Physiology: A Systematic Review and Agenda for Future Research

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is linked to both altered physiological functioning and poorer cardiovascular health outcomes, including an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular-related mortality. An important question is whether interventions for PTSD might ameliorate the risk for poorer health by improving cardiovascular physiological intermediaries. To begin to characterize the literature addressing this question, we conducted a systematic review of empirical studies examining the impact of PTSD interventions on cardiovascular physiological intermediaries, including blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), cardiac impedance, and subclinical atherosclerosis. Outcomes included both tonic (i.e., resting) cardiovascular functioning and cardiovascular reactivity (CVR). A total of 44 studies met the inclusion criteria. There was mixed evidence regarding whether PTSD treatment improved tonic cardiovascular functioning. There was stronger evidence that PTSD treatments reduced CVR to trauma-related stressors, particularly for higher-quality studies of cognitive behavioral interventions. No studies examined cardiac impedance or subclinical atherosclerosis. The studies had a high degree of heterogeneity in the populations sampled and interventions tested. Moreover, they generally included small sample sizes and lacked control conditions. Interventions for PTSD may improve cardiovascular physiological outcomes, particularly CVR to trauma cues, although additional methodologically rigorous studies are needed. We outline changes to future research that would improve the literature regarding this important question, including the more frequent use of control groups and larger sample sizes.
Factors Associated with Women's Unwillingness to Decrease Alcohol Intake to Decrease Breast Cancer Risk.

Objective:Alcohol intake is a known risk factor for breast cancer. National organizations recommend that women consume no more than one serving of alcohol per day, if at all; however, many women ex...
Harnessing metabolic dependencies in pancreatic cancers.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive disease with a 5-year survival rate of <10%. The tumour microenvironment (TME) of PDAC is characterized by excessive fibrosis and deposition of extracellular matrix, termed desmoplasia. This unique TME leads to high interstitial pressure, vascular collapse and low nutrient and oxygen diffusion. Together, these factors contribute to the unique biology and therapeutic resistance of this deadly tumour. To thrive in this hostile environment, PDAC cells adapt by using non-canonical metabolic pathways and rely on metabolic scavenging pathways such as autophagy and macropinocytosis. Here, we review the metabolic pathways that PDAC use to support their growth in the setting of an austere TME. Understanding how PDAC tumours rewire their metabolism and use scavenging pathways under environmental stressors might enable the identification of novel therapeutic approaches. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a unique tumour microenvironment. Notably, PDAC can reprogramme metabolism in response to this microenvironment. This Review discusses metabolism in pancreatic cancer, including insights into mechanisms and processes as well as the potential therapeutic applications.
Adjuvant carboplatin for treatment of splenic hemangiosarcoma in dogs: Retrospective evaluation of 18 cases (2011-2016) and comparison with doxorubicin-based chemotherapy

Background Doxorubicin-based chemotherapy after splenectomy remains the standard of care for hemangiosarcoma in dogs, but prognosis is generally poor. Hypothesis/objectives To determine clinical outcome with carboplatin chemotherapy after splenectomy compared to doxorubicin-based protocols. A secondary objective was to determine if peripheral monocyte count was associated with prognosis. Animals Medical data from 40 dogs with histopathologically confirmed stage I or II hemangiosarcoma treated with splenectomy and carboplatin (n = 18) or doxorubicin-based protocols (n = 22) were evaluated. Methods Retrospective study. Statistical associations were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method for survival times and log rank analysis for differences in survival time. Demographic information and survival times were obtained via medical records. Blood monocyte counts before and after surgery were documented. Results Median survival times were 160 days (48 to >559) and 139 days (54-975), for dogs in the carboplatin (n = 18) and doxorubicin (n = 22) groups respectively (P = .82, hazards ratio [HR] [95% CI] = 1.075 [0.56-2.07]). The median survival time for dogs whose monocyte counts decreased between splenectomy and chemotherapy initiation was 265 days, compared to 66 days for dogs with increased monocytes (P = .002, HR [95% CI] = 4.17 [1.21-14.39]). Conclusions and clinical importance Carboplatin could be considered as an alternative in cases where doxorubicin might be contraindicated. Increasing postoperative peripheral monocyte counts might be associated with a poorer prognosis.
From Models to Code: The Missing Link in Embedded Software

Much of hybrid systems design and validation happens at the level of mathematical models.While some tools offer automatic code generation from mathematical models, manual code optimization and integration is often necessary to achieve non-functional aspects such as concurrency, resource management, and timing. In the process, the tight correspondence between model and code is lost, raising the issue of implementation correctness and causing of difficulties for code reuse.
SYNERGY: The Design of a Systems Engineering System, I

SYNERGY is an acronym for Systems Engineering System. The subject of this first in a series of papers is the design of a generic SYNERGY, deployable within any private or public organization, whose implementation will consist of people, computers and software. The inputs to SYNERGY shall be demands for systems to be designed, built, tested, deployed, operated and retired — and evolved. The inputted demands for systems come from any segment of society for any kind of system, in any functional or technological context, from a widget to be produced for mass consumption to the national health care delivery system. The systems engineering methodology to be employed in the design of SYNERGY is the same as the systems engineering methodology that SYNERGY will be designed to implement: model-based systems engineering which, in turn, is based on mathematical system theory. SYNERGY is an example of computer-aided system theory (CAST).
The information topology and true laminations for diffeomorphisms

there exists a lamination L injected in the underlying space X whose image fills up the measure m. For any C diffeomorphism f of a compact Riemannian manifold M , we construct the data that naturally possess the properties of the axioms thus we obtain the stable and unstable laminations L continuously injected in the stable and unstable partitionsW. These laminations are intersecting at almost every regular point
A Psychological Behaviorism Theory of Personality

The psychological behaviorism (PB) theory of personality is part of a larger overarching theory that includes a philosophy of science. Applied to personality the philosophical analysis shows the field to be in a primitive state methodologically and in content. There are no rules of theory construction, no goal of unification, and a plethora of different, unrelated theories, studies, and tests. The analysis serves as a foundation for general discussion of theory needs in the field and for the particular description of the PB theory of personality. The PB theory began in research extending learning principles to the study of human behavior and was one of the originating foundations of the field of behavior therapy. It is different in method and content than any other theory in the field, following an explicit science methodology. Thus, there is an explicit, empirical definition of personality, as learned basic behavioral repertoires (BBRs). The task then is identification of the personality repertoires, how they are learned, and how they function in the determination of the individual's behaviors. The PB theory and its findings serve as a unifying bridge between traditional personality theory (and personality tests) and behaviorism's rejection of those efforts. The last part of the chapter describes how the PB theory provides a program for different avenues of research for the personality field, just as the approach did in beginning the behavior therapy field. Keywords: behavior therapy and personality; learning and personality; personality; personality test theory; personality theory; research program for personality; theory construction in personality
The Miintz-Szatz Demand System—An Application of a Globally Well-Behaved Series Expansion1

Abstract The Muntz-Szatz theorem in mathematics is shown to provide a class of series approximations to monotonically increasing, strictly concave functions. The approximating function at any order of approximation can itself be kept globally increasing and strictly concave.
Deoxyribonucleic Acid Sequence Homologies Among Bacterial Insertion Sequence Elements and Genomes of Various Organisms

Abstract Plasmid and phage deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) harboring bacterial insertion sequence (IS) elements IS1, IS2, and IS5 were characterized and used as probes to detect homologous sequences in various procaryotic and eucaryotic genomes. The hybridization method used permits the detection of sequences partially homologous to the elements. Hybridization of the IS-containing probes to each other revealed a region of limited homology between IS1 and IS2. Homologous sequences were then detected by computer analysis of the published IS1 and IS2 nucleotide sequences. The homologous sequence contains a tandemly repeated tetranucleotide sequence which resembles the repeated sequence at the hot spot for spontaneous mutations in the lacI gene (P. J. Farabaugh, U. Schmeissner, M. Hofer, and J. Miller, J. Mol. Biol. 126:847–863, 1978). Homology between the IS elements and various genomes was determined by hybridizing labeled DNA containing IS1, IS2, and IS5 sequences to Southern blots of chromosomal DNA cleaved with restriction endonucleases. IS1 and IS5 appear limited to the enteric bacteria, whereas IS2 sequences can also be detected in Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens. Bacteria which appear not to possess extrachromosomal elements, e.g., Caulobacter crescentus, did not show homology with any insertion sequences tested. In addition, sequences homologous to IS1, IS2, or IS5 were not detected in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Dictyostelium discoideum, or calf thymus DNA.
Cardiopulmonary and anesthetic effects of sevoflurane in the Greater Bush Baby

This study was conducted to assess the cardiopulmonary and anesthetic effects of sevoflurane anesthesia on Garnett's Greater Bush Baby (Otolemur garnettii). Anesthesia was induced via face mask in 10 animals, six male and four female, ranging in age from 2 to 8 years (mean weight 1.02 kg), with 8% sevoflurane in oxygen at 2 L minute−1. Animals were then intubated and maintained on a nonrebreathing system at 2.5% end tidal sevoflurane at 2 L minute−1 oxygen for 30 minutes. Induction (time to recumbency and lack of voluntary movement) and recovery time (time from discontinuation of sevoflurane to extubation) were recorded. Heart rate, respiratory rate (RR), end-tidal CO2 concentration (ETCO2), temperature (T) and oxygen retardation by pulse oximetry (SpO2) were monitored every minute for 5 minutes and then every 5 minutes thereafter. Indirect arterial blood pressures were monitored at 4 and 5 minutes and then every 5 minutes until the end of the study. PaO2 and PaCO2 values were recorded at 10 and 30 minutes. Pre (1 week prior) and post study CBC and serum biochemistry results were also compared. Statistical analysis was determined by anova. Results were considered significant at p ≤ 0.05. Induction was rapid (76 ± 9 seconds) (mean ± SEM) and smooth. Heart rate showed a significant increase during the first three minutes, and then significantly decreased over the remaining 30 minutes. There were no significant changes to RR, SpO2, ETCO2, SAP, MAP and DAP during the 30 minutes of anesthesia. PaO2 significantly increased from the 10 minute (326 ± 51 mm Hg, 43.4 ± 6.8 kPa) to the 30 minute (431 ± 48 mm Hg, 57.5 ± 6.4 kPa) sample and PaCO2 values remained similar between the 10 minute (36 ± 2 mm Hg, 4.8 ± 0.3 kPa) and 30 minute (33 ± 2 mm Hg, 4.4 ± 0.3 kPa) samples. CBC and serum biochemistry results were within normal limits for both samplings, however, a significant decrease was noted in the WBC count, Ca, and TP compared to prestudy results. Recovery was smooth and rapid with extubation occurring at 24 ± 6 seconds after discontinuation of sevoflurane. At the concentration used in this study sevoflurane appears to be a safe and effective agent for induction and maintenance of anesthesia in O. garnettii.
Identification of Malic Acid from Yeast

Evidence indicated an accumulation of l-malic acid in the synthetic growth medium of both lysine auxotrophs and wild-type yeast. Malic acid was isolated from growth experiments and was identified by paper and column chromatography, by comparison of infrared spectra with authentic l-malic acid, as well as enzymatically, as a substrate of malic dehydrogenase. Malic acid was accumulated when glucose was used as a carbon source. This did not occur when sodium lactate was the carbon source. Malic, succinic, and citric acids, and a few other as yet unidentified organic acids, were accumulated in the culture supernatant fluid when yeast was grown in a chemically defined medium. The accumulation of these acids had no obvious relation to the pathway for lysine biosynthesis.
Successful treatment of neuro-Behçet’s disease with infliximab: four years follow-up

Neuro-Behcet’s disease (NBD) is a rare but severe manifestation of Behcet’s disease. Patients with NBD tend to have high morbidity and mortality. Some patients do not respond adequately to conventional therapy (corticosteroids and immunosuppressants). This has led to treatment gaps in the therapy of NBD. There are reports in the literature of patients with Behcet’s disease responding to anti-TNF therapy. We present a case of a male patient with biopsy proven cerebral vasculitis presenting as NBD who has been in remission with near resolution of cerebral magnetic resonance imaging lesions for 4 years following treatment with infliximab and azathioprine.
Flexoelectric effect and human eye perception on the image flickering of a liquid crystal display

We investigated the flexoelectric effect of a fringe field switching liquid crystal (LC) cell and characterised the resultant image flicker with different LC mixtures at different frame rates. Incorporating with human eye perception of 10 observers, we found that LC mixtures with a dielectric anisotropy smaller than ~7 lead to unnoticeable image flicker at 60 frames per second. The obtained flicker sensitivity line serves as important guidelines for optimising LC materials and display devices.
Transport studies of compact torsatron reactors

An efficient transport survey code that uses the spectral collocation method was developed and is being used to study ignition in low-aspect-ratio torsatron reactors. A transport model dominated by helical-ripple-induced neoclassical heat fluxes is used to show that ignition is possible for a range of radial electric fields and plasma aspect ratios even when the loss of trapped alpha particles is considered. However, control of the density profile near the plasma boundary is necessary. The sensitivity of the results to anomalous electron transport is considered. Some initial investigations of the role played by off-diagonal terms in the neoclassical transport matrix in determining reactor performance are also presented, and a potentially attractive operating regime is found when these additional terms are considered. >
Influence of Bi on embedded nanocrystal formation and thermoelectric properties of GaAs

We have examined the influence of Bi on embedded nanocomposite formation and the resulting thermoelectric properties of GaAs. Bi implantation amorphizes the GaAs matrix, reducing both the free carrier concentration (n) and the electrical conductivity (σ). Following rapid thermal annealing, the matrix is transformed to single crystal GaAs with embedded Bi nanocrystals (NCs). In comparison to a GaAs reference, the Bi NC-containing films exhibit a sizeable reduction in thermal conductivity (κ), leading to a 30% increase in the thermoelectric figure-of-merit. We also present a universal trend for the influence of microstructure on the n-dependence of σ and κ.
Conducting Radio Astronomy in the EMC Environment

Radio signals from pulsars and distant galaxies are difficult enough to detect on their own, but the problems encountered in making accurate astronomical observations at microwave frequencies are greatly compounded by terrestrial sources of electromagnetic interference (EMI). This paper discusses a wide variety of EMI sources as they affect the operation of radio-astronomy telescopes. These sources can be as simple as a pulsing automotive spark plug or as complex as an aircraft-to-aircraft radio transmission. Various protective countermeasures can be taken; however, compatibility between sensitive microwave receivers and the rest of the radio-frequency (RF) world has yet to be achieved.
Coming out and going home: A family ethnography

The author, a heterosexual woman, and Gordon Bernstein, a gay man, have been friends and research collaborators since 1995. In 2004, the author accompanied Gordon on a trip to his hometown of Philadelphia to conduct fieldwork and interview family members. This project ethnographically explored personal and relational opportunities and challenges associated with coming out in a family system defined by avoidant communication, hegemonic masculinity, and terminal illness.
Growth rhythms, evolution of the Earth's interior, and origin of the Metazoa

Growth patterns preserved in the accretionary skeletons of fossils provide the only known method of directly measuring the rate of the Earth’s rotation in the distant past. From seasonal and tidal growth patterns of fossils, one can determine the number of days per year and per month, respectively, in the distant past. Together, these values can be used to distinguish the effects of moment of inertia changes on the length of day from those of tidal friction. When the Metazoan accretionary skeleton originated in the Late Precambrian-Cambrian, the length of day determined from fossils was approximately 19 hr. This value requires that density differentiation of the Earth was essentially complete well before the end of the Precambrian. The growing length of day, as well as prior differentiation of oxygenated outer layers (atmosphere, hydrosphere, and crust) from the Earth’s dense layers within, were prerequisites for the origin of the Metazoa. Circadian (= approximately 24 hr) rhythms in living Metazoa do not readily adapt to environmental cycles less than about 19 hr. Prokaryotes generally lack circadian rhythms because their generation times are less than a day; prokaryotes were well-adapted to Precambrian days less than 19hr duration, as well as to oxygen-poor environments. As the length of day increased to 19 hr or more during the Late Precambrian, eukaryotes with life spans substantially longer than a day (and consequently with an ability to postpone energy usage beyond a day) evolved. During the Phanerozoic, moment of inertia changes were relatively small, so that lunar tidal friction became the most important cause of changing length of day. However, some researchers believe that even the former may have left an imprint on fossil growth patterns. This conclusion is difficult to confirm, given the uncertainties of growth pattern analyses. But facies-by-facies comparisons of growth patterns can help reduce this uncertainty; presumed tidal growth patterns should change systematically with depth of habitat, for example. Preliminary analyses for Late Ordovician brachiopods from Indiana suggest that this approach will be productive, and may help evaluate the suggestion that the Late Ordovician-Silurian was a time of unusual evolution of the Earth’s moment of inertia during the Phanerozoic.
Fast oxide-ion conduction in intergrowth structures

Abstract Investigation of intergrowth structures consisting of perovskite blocks alternating with other blocks along the c-axis has been found to offer a novel “doping strategy” for fast oxide-ion conduction at significantly lower temperatures. Barium indium oxides such as Ba3In2MO8 (M = Zr, Hf and Ce) have an intergrowth structure in which two octahedral layers alternate with one tetrahedral layer along the c-axis. These oxides exhibit remarkable O2--ion conduction at 400°C with a low activation energy Ea≲0.6eV. A variety of substitution on the vanadium site in Bi4V2−yMyO11−δ has led to the identification of fast O2-- ion conduction at y≈0.2 for M = Ti and Nb in addition to that found with M = Cu by French group. Observation of fast oxide-ion conduction at T
Ground motion near an expanding preexisting crack

Abstract We present a study of the motion of the ground in the near field of a preexisting vertical crack driven by excess tensile stress. Using the discrete wave number method, we make a complete representation of the three components of ground displacement resulting from a small incremental extension of the bottom tip of the crack and analyze the effects of the medium structure on the ground response. The results show the strong impulsive character of the dynamic motion near the source and demonstrate that the first motion is directed everywhere outward. Marked oscillations are observed in the ground response associated with the ringing of the crack faces triggered by the rupture. The displacement is dominantly vertical near the epicenter but becomes predominantly horizontal beyond the immediate source region. The presence of layers has a strong effect on the complexity and duration of the ground response. The static vertical and longitudinal displacements are respectively downward and inward in the epicentral area.
Phorbol esters as probes of the modulatory site on protein kinase C–an overview

Phorbol esters as probes of the modulatory site on protein kinase C–an overview. The phorbol esters, diterpene derivatives produced by members of the family Euphorbiaceae, are of major scientific importance as tumour promoters. Their primary site of action is protein kinase C, an enzyme involved in the message transduction pathway for a large class of hormones which cause enhanced phosphatidylinositol turnover. Heterogeneity in the response of biological systems to the phorbol esters may be explained in part by heterogeneity in the phospholipids associated with protein kinase C, in its subcellular localization, and by proteolytic processing, as well as by isoforms of the enzyme. Development of other classes of activators of protein kinase C through computer modelling and natural product isolation suggests possible new approaches for intervention in the pathway.
Interpretation of the C1s XPS Signal in Copper Phthalocyanine for Organic Photovoltaic Device Applications

Copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) belongs to a class of small molecules offering particularly interesting advantages when employed in organic electronic devices. Because of its advantageous attributes like high thermal stability, inertness when exposed to acids or alkalis, relatively high electron conductivity, color and light fastness it has been employed in polymer photovoltaic devices as a unipolar dopants complementing the buckminsterfullerene (C60) acceptors and as a conductive buffer. Other organic applications include ambipolar OFETs and non-linear optics structures. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has been commonly employed to monitor the quality of thin CuPc films. Although XPS analyses of CuPc have been done for over forty years there has not yet been agreement regarding interpretation of the major C1s signal, particularly in the case of non-stoichometric CuPc composition. This work presents systematic studies of the C1s signal of thin film deposits, fabricated using commercially available CuPc materials. It was found that composite C1s CuPc signal consists of five components: two related to the principal C positions within the CuPc macrocycle (C-C in 6-membered ring, C-C-N in 5-membered ring), two associated with shake-up transitions accompanying principal C transitions, and one due to mostly aliphatic impurities. Detailed analysis showed that the magnitude of shake-up peaks was approximately equal 10% to 12% of their principal transitions, in agreement with the theoretical calculations. Correspondingly, the C1s signal originating from the non-CuPc impurities quantitatively agreed with the IR attenuated total reflectance (ATR-IR) measurement of the C-H aliphatic vibrations originating from these impurities present within the CuPc layer. The proposed C1s interpretation has been successfully tested for a large number of commercial CuPc materials and provides a guideline for a routine XPS analysis of the CuPc in organic photovoltaic devices.
Effect of Time on Tendency to Compensate a Victim

Previous research has shown that individuals may reduce the distress they feel on harming another by making reparation to their victim, by justifying their harm-doing or by seeking punishment for t...
Endoplasmic reticulum stress induces the expression of COX-2 through activation of eIF2α, p38-MAPK and NF-κB in advanced glycation end products stimulated human chondrocytes

Introduction During aging, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) accumulate in articular cartilage. In this study we determined whether AGEs induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and studied the ER stress-activated pathways that stimulate cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in human chondrocytes.
Radiology quality and performance metrics on the Web: a management information and communications tool.

Rationale and Objectives. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of using the World Wide Web to communicate critical radiology quality and performance metrics to departmental and hospital management staff. Materials and Methods. Data on report turnaround, appointment access, patient and physician satisfaction, and financial performance were harvested from a variety of sources. These were then standardized and condensed so they could be displayed electronically in a concise, information-dense fashion. Results. The final product was a series of graphic materials on a single Web site. The most informative was a summary “spiderweb chart” that indicated the percentage of specified performance goals achieved for 12 operational parameters. These graphic materials were distributed to management staff monthly by means of e-mail. Conclusion. The use of simple Web-based technology facilitates the collection of key departmental performance data and the dissemination of these data to a wide audience.
Comment on Donald A. Krueckeberg's “The Lessons of John Locke or Hernando de Soto: What if Your Dreams Come True?”

Abstract Krueckeberg's critique of de Soto's paean to homeownership in Third World countries is well taken; his use of John Locke's rationale for private ownership provides support for the critique. But then Krueckeberg puts forward a proposal to extend homeowner‐ship benefits through a National Homestead Trust, with Individual Development Accounts or a tax like Social Security, to help renters accumulate a down payment. Abandoning a broader approach, Krueckeberg reverts to supporting homeownership as a central tenet of U.S. housing policy and wants to extend its real and perceived benefits to low‐income households. He recognizes the shortcomings of U.S. property law and tax policy that may leave low‐income owners with threats to shelter security. To provide security for low‐income residents, fundamental changes are required. Attention should be paid to protection from evictions and from foreclosure; income/employment support; guarantee of services from utilities to schools; and, as needed, direct subsidi...
A Critique of Methods of Sampling and Reporting Pathogens in Populations of Fish

Abstract We used maximum likelihood methods to estimate an observed or apparent prevalence for a pathogen in a pooled sample of fish and here provide the program code for such calculations using commonly available statistical software. To illustrate the characteristics and variability of prevalence estimates from pooled samples, we explored the relationships among pathogen prevalence, sample size, and method of pooling samples. We calculated the average width of confidence intervals and the mean square error of the prevalence estimator for samples from populations with pathogen prevalence ranging from 1% to 90% using several pooling strategies for samples of 30 and 60 fish. As an illustration, we calculated the confidence interval and apparent prevalence of Myxobolus cerebralis in samples of fish from Utah screened with pooled sampling strategies. When all pools were positive, the apparent prevalence was 100%, but the bounds of the confidence interval ranged from 8% to 100%. Interpretations of data sets t...
Development of a murine model of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Background. A murine model for Helicobacter pylori infection could facilitate vaccine development. This study was designed to determine the effect of various conditions of dose, frequency of administration, and fasting on H. pylori infection of mice. Materials and Methods. Balb/c and C3H/HeN mice were inoculated orogastrically with clinical isolates of H. pylori grown in liquid culture. At 2-week intervals, the stomachs were removed for secondary culture on horse blood agar and for histological analysis. H. pylori from secondary cultures or homogenized stomach tissue from infected mice was inoculated a second time in naive animals. Results. H. pylori was cultured with high frequency only from the stomachs of C3H/HeN mice. Fasting the mice and increasing the number of organisms inoculated did not increase the rate of infection. Histological analysis detected no inflammation, but mucus depletion and erosion were present in the stomachs of C3H/HeN mice. H. pylori organisms were not observed. Secondary cultures of H. pylori or homogenized infected stomach tissue did not cause infection when inoculated in naive mice. Conclusions. Clinical isolates of H. pylori transiently infect C3H/HeN mice. This murine model is suitable for testing oral vaccines. Effective vaccination against H. pylori could prevent transient infection and reduce subsequent gastritis.
The utilization of phosphorus from muds by the phytoplankter, Scenedesmus dimorphus, and the significance of these findings to the practice of pond fertilization

Muds from 12 types of soils were used as the only source of phosphorus in cultures of Scenedesmus dimorphus. Some muds supported as much algal growth as was obtained with 0.075 to 0.5 mg/1 of phosphorus, while little or no growth occurred in cultures which contained other muds as a source of phosphorus. Algal growth was correlated with the fractions of soil phosphorus which were extracted with the following solutions; I — the phosphorus — free nutrient solution, II — 0.05N HCl plus 0.025N H2SO4, III — 0.002N H2SO4 plus 3 g/l of K2SO4, and IV — 0.1N HCl plus 0.03N/NH4F. Additions of phosphorus to the soils prior to their use as muds increased the suitability of some as sources of phosphorus, but for others the added phosphorus was so tightly bound to the soil that little or none was available to S. dimorphus. The findings indicate that the type of soil in a pond will likely have a large influence on the efficiency of fertilization with phosphate fertilizers.
ShortPK: A short-term public key scheme for broadcast authentication in sensor networks

Broadcast authentication is an important functionality in sensor networks. Energy constraints on sensor nodes and the real-time nature of the broadcasts render many of the existing solutions impractical: previous works focusing primarily on symmetric key schemes have difficulties in achieving real-time authentication. Public Key Cryptography (PKC), however, can satisfy the real-time requirements, and recent trends indicate that public key is becoming feasible for sensor networks.However, PKC operations are still expensive computations. It is impractical to use PKC in the conventional ways for broadcast authentication in sensor networks. To reduce costs, we propose ShortPK, an efficient Short-term Public Key broadcast authentication scheme. The basic idea is to use short-length public/private keys, but limit their lifetime to only a short period of time. To cover a long period of time, we need to use many public/private key pairs; distributing these public keys to sensors is a challenging problem. We describe a progressive key distribution scheme that is secure, efficient, and packet-loss resilient. We compare our scheme with the traditional 160-bit ECC public key schemes, and show that our scheme can achieve a significant improvement on energy consumption.
Finger joint injuries in active patients: pointers for acute and late-phase management.

Finger joint injuries such as sprains avulsions, jams, and dislocations can occur with contact and noncontact sports. Recognition and treatment of these injuries is necessary to avoid prolonged or permanent impairment. Many finger joint injuries can be treated conservatively with splinting and occupational therapy. Injuries such as ‘mallet finger,’ profundus tendon avulsions, large-fragment fracture-dislocations or other injuries with incongruity after reduction, and open extensor-mechanism injuries may require operative treatment. Operative treatment for complete collateral ligament ruptures at the PIP joint, though controversial, is recommended here.
A New Method Using Hexamethyldisilazane for Preparation of Soft Insect Tissues for Scanning Electron Microscopy

A new rapid procedure for preparing soft internal tissues from insects that allows air drying was found to compare favorably with tissues prepared by critical point drying. In the new procedure, tissues were fixed in 1% glutaraldehyde, dehydrated through a graded ethanol series, immersed in hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) for 5 minutes, and air dried. Tissues prepared by both the HMDS treatment and by critical point drying were coated with gold for scanning electron microscopy. Tissues prepared by the HMDS treatment did not shrink or distort upon air drying and excellent surface detail was preserved. The HMDS treatment required about 5 minutes, whereas the critical point drying procedure required about 1.5 hours.
ENO schemes with subcell resolution

In this paper, we introduce the notion of subcell resolution, which is based on the observation that unlike point values, cell-averages of a discontinuous piecewise-smooth function contain information about the exact location of the discontinuity within the cell. Using this observation we design an essentially non-oscillatory (ENO) reconstruction technique which is exact for cell averages of discontinuous piecewise-polynomial functions of the appropriate degree. Later on we incorporate this new reconstruction technique into Godunov-type schemes in order to produce a modification of the ENO schemes which prevents the smearing of contact discontinuities.
Microstructural information related to thin film optical measurements

Abstract The optical properties of a material in the infrared spectral range are predominantly determined by composition and structure. Methods are presented which are used to evaluate the information contained in optical properties of microscopically heterogeneous systems and to obtain parameter values. These methods are based on effective-medium theory and utilize accurate bulk dielectric function values of constituents. Infrared ellipsometric techniques may be used to provide optical data, which can be related to the microstructural information. Theories that establish limits on allowed values of the dielectric response of two-component systems, regardless of their microstructure, provide an indication of the realiability of these parameters. Results are presented for vanadium oxide films.
Experimental investigation of the high angle of attack characteristics of a high performance general aviation aircraft

Scale model wind tunnel tests and full scale flight tests have been conducted for the Questair Venture general aviation aircraft configuration in order to investigate its high angle-of-attack aerodynamics. Attention is given to the formulation of a wing leading-edge modification capable of enhancing stall departure characteristics. This modification, which involved both outboard wing leading-edge droop and two chordwise leading-edge slots, is found to produce almost no wing-rock tendency when tested on a wind tunnel free-to-roll apparatus; in the full-scale aircraft, the modification yielded gentle, controllable stall characteristics with little cruise and climb performance penalty.
Outside the high-volume unit: survival in an 11-year cohort of colorectal cancer patients.

The policy of redistributing surgical case volume toward designated high-volume hospitals to improve outcome in cancer is supported by an international literature on volume–outcome association. All patients who underwent surgery for colorectal carcinoma under the care of one surgeon at a non-high-volume hospital 1995–2005 were identified. 5-year overall survival probability and 30-day operative mortality were measured. Two hundred and forty patients were identified. Mean annual surgeon caseload was 21.6 (SD 4.2). 5-year overall survival probability was 57.1% (95% confidence interval ±7.4%). 30-day operative mortality was 4.6%. Estimates of outcome were not different from publically available values from a high-volume unit in Ireland. These findings suggest that concentrating case volume per se may not improve outcome to the extent desired. Future improvement in colorectal cancer outcome is just as likely to derive from wider screening, better surgical training, and adequately powered clinical research, should these accompany centralisation.
The isolation and properties of the cytoplasmic membrane of Micrococcus denitrificans.

Abstract If harvested under certain conditions of growth, the walls of all of the cells of a culture of Micrococcus denitrificans are susceptible to digestion by low concentrations of lysozyme. This digestion apparently weakens the cell walls in such a way that osmotic lysis of the spheroplasts formed releases relatively intact cytoplasmic membranes, which can be collected by centrifugation at 30 000 × g for 45 min. Fragments of cell wall released are not sedimented under these conditions. The cytoplasmic membranes are similar to other cellular membranes in their dispersal by detergents and in their composition. Those from aerobically grown bacteria contain around 32 % lipid, 64 % protein and 0.6 % carbohydrate; membranes from cells grown anaerobically in the presence of nitrate have a slightly higher content of protein. Granules with properties similar to, but not identical with, those of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate found in other bacterial species can also be separated from the lysates of lysozyme-treated cells.
Nanoscale imaging interferometric lithography

Imaging interferometric lithography (IIL) is a spatial wavelength division multiplex approach to imaging that enables dense features ~ λ/3. Combining IIL, immersion, and nonlinear interpolation techniques, a route to features as small as 22 nm using optics is proposed.
Document access in the United States: revisited 1978-2004

This paper provides examples of how the document access environment in the United States has changed since James L. Wood described it in 1978. The paper also summarizes several new developments in document access.