cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is Punishment Relevant After All? A Prescription for Informing Juries of the Consequences of Conviction

The American jury, once heralded as “the great corrective of law in its actual administration,” has suffered numerous setbacks in the modern era. As a result, jurors have largely become bystanders in a criminal justice system that relies on increasingly severe punishments to incarcerate tens of thousands of offenders each year. The overwhelming majority of cases are resolved short of trial and, even when trials occur, jurors are instructed to find only the facts necessary for legal guilt. Apart from this narrow task, jurors need not, in the eyes of the law, concern themselves with whether a conviction and subsequent punishment is fair or just.Coupled with the proliferation of harsh, mandatory sentencing regimes, this diminution of the jury’s role has led to a system that not only tolerates, but arguably encourages, injustice. A defendant charged with a relatively minor offense may be convicted and sentenced to a lengthy prison term without any neutral figure (either judge or jury) determining that the punishment is proportionate to the crime.For years, reformers have argued, without success, that this recipe for inequity should be altered by new statutory or constitutional rights that would guarantee that jurors are informed whenever an unusually severe punishment would follow upon a guilty verdict. The jurors, applying community norms of fairness and justice, could then vote to acquit despite proof of guilt, or at least steadfastly hold the prosecution to its burden of proof.Central to the reformers arguments has been the widely-shared assumption (borne out by the overwhelming weight of the case law) that the current legal framework does not permit defendants to inform juries of pertinent sentencing provisions. This Article challenges that assumption, suggesting a novel theory of relevance that could permit a significant number of defendants to present applicable sentencing provisions at trial, without any change to existing statutory or constitutional law. The admission of such evidence would have implications beyond the trials directly affected. Widespread introduction of punishment evidence, in concert with juries’ likely adverse reaction to that evidence, could alter the terms of the smoldering debate concerning this nation’s harsh sentencing laws and the appropriate role of juries in enabling their application.
Computer literacy: is the emperor still exposed after all these years?

Stakeholders of higher education have raised their expectations of graduates in the area of computer literacy. As educators attempt to craft programs where students obtain expertise in using computer applications to solve problems, questions about the success of such programs should be asked. Are students retaining these computer application skills as they advance through their degrees, or is there a gap between expectations and students' actual performance? Like The Emperor's New Suit in the children's fairytale, computer literacy can be a nebulous set of skills that are much praised, much sought after, and seldom attained or as shown in this study, seldom retained. This research will present findings and a computer literacy reengineering effort planned in the school of business at Utah Valley State College. This same process life-cycle could be applied to computer literacy efforts campus-wide.
A case study in application family development by automated component composition: h-p adaptive finite element codes

This paper reports a case study in automated composition of application families from components. The case study composes multiple instances of an h-p adaptive finite element code. An application family is represented as a structure of components. Each component is encapsulated with an interface giving a semantic specification of the properties and behavior of the component. Instances of the application family can be automatically assembled from a library of components by a compiler and the application instance can be optimized by component replacement during runtime through runtime component selection and binding. The case study demonstrates the benefits of the component composition approach to application family development and shows that execution efficiency is maintained or improved by the componentized development process.
An IQC characterization of decentralized Lyapunov functions in spatially invariant arrays

We derive state-space integral quadratic constraints (IQC) equivalent to global performance criteria for a spatially invariant array of systems. We first show that a local IQC is equivalent to global stability with a decentralized Lyapunov function. Then, we show the equivalence between a local state-space IQC and a global H/sub /spl infin// norm bound.
On the Design of the Contraction Cone for a Wind Tunnel

In desicning the contraction cone for a wind tunnel, the usual design condition is that the velocity at the end of the cone must befairly uniform. However, if the curvature of the wall along the flow direction is too large at certain points, local velocities at these points may exceed the uniform velocity at the end of the contraction cone. There are then regions of adverse pressure gradient and the boundary layer may separate from the wall. Furthermore, if the velocity at the end of the contraction cone is very high, say about 0.9 that of the sound, an additional factor enters — namely, the danger of compressibility shock. This danger can be avoided by keeping the velocity of flow below that of sound in the whole field of flow. In the particular case of a contraction cone, the highest velocity is reached at the wall of the cone. Therefore, if the velocity at the wall is made to increase monotonically † from the beginning of the cone to the end of cone the velocity in the cone will be always less than that of sound, provided that the velocity at the end of the contraction cone is less than the velocity of sound. The pressure along the wall will then be decreasing monotonically. Hence, the danger of boundary layer separation is also avoided.
A phase II study of Didemnin B (NSC 325319) in advanced malignant melanoma: an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group study (PB687)

Purpose: Didemnin B is a novel marine natural product cyclic depsipeptide containing unusual amino acid moieties. This agent demonstrates promising preclinical antitumor activity, including activity against B16 melanoma and against melanoma isolates in the human tumor stem cell assay.
Class-preserving manifold learning for detection and classification

This paper proposes a supervised approach for analysis of high-dimensional data using low-dimensional submanifolds. This method offers many useful properties. Using first order approximation for the given nonlinear mapping, we introduce a locally linear model. This model is such that it minimizes the local approximation error resulted by mapping to a local subspace during the learning. Additionally, the proposed method preserves local data energy to conserve local topology. Finally, this method guarantees the separability of the mapped data for different data classes. Two different approaches used for this aim, Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) and Regularized Maximum Margin Criterion (RMMC). Having those local feature-domain data, the whole feature domain data can be estimated in MMSE sense. The performance of this method is demonstrated on a sonar imagery dataset for classification of underwater objects.
Molecular biology of MIS and its receptors.

It is important, given the potential use of MIS as an anticancer agent against tumors of Mullerian duct origin, that the search continue to identify binding isoforms of the MIS type II receptor or to identify other factors in the heteromeric complex that might be required for specific binding of this ligand to be observed. With confidence in binding one can use receptor probes to screen patients with ovarian cancer and to identify those that express receptor. This subgroup can then be examined for binding of the MIS ligand and subsequently for antiproliferative response to MIS, in order to preselect candidate patients for receptor-directed MIS treatment. Thus, a once obscure phenomenon observed in the Freemartin has led to the purification and cloning of MIS and the identification of its receptor components, as well as an understanding of their regulation and expression. Elucidation of these molecular events brings us closer to the use of molecules such as MIS in the clinical setting.
Does the Hippocampus Keep Track of Time

In the present study, we examined the role of the medial temporal lobe (MTL) in prospective time estimation at short and long timescales using a novel behavioral paradigm adapted from rodent work. Amnesic patients with MTL damage and healthy control participants estimated the duration of nature-based video clips that were either short (≤ 90 s) or long (more than 4 min). Consistent with previous work in rodents, we found that amnesic patients were impaired at making estimations for long, but not for short durations. Critically, these effects were observed in patients who had lesions circumscribed to the hippocampus, suggesting that the pattern observed was not attributable to the involvement of extra-hippocampal structures. That the MTL, and more specifically the hippocampus, is critical for prospective temporal estimation only at long intervals suggests that multiple neurobiological mechanisms support prospective time estimation.
In vivo structure of the human cdc2 promoter: release of a p130-E2F-4 complex from sequences immediately upstream of the transcription initiation site coincides with induction of cdc2 expression

In quiescent cells, cdc2 mRNA is almost undetectable. Stimulation of cells to reenter the cell cycle results in induction of cdc2 expression, beginning at the G1-to-S transition and reaching maximum levels during late S and G2 phases. To investigate cdc2 transcriptional regulation throughout cell cycle progression, we monitored protein-DNA interactions by in vivo footprinting along 800 bp of the human cdc2 promoter in quiescent fibroblasts and at different time points following serum stimulation. We found 11 in vivo protein-binding sites, but no protein binding was observed at a high-affinity E2F site that had previously been implicated in cdc2 regulation. Nine of the identified in vivo binding sites (among them were two inverted CCAAT boxes, two Sp1 sites, and one ets-2 site) bind transcription factors constitutively throughout the cell cycle. However, at two elements located at positions -60 and -20 relative to the transcription start site, the binding pattern changes significantly as the cells are entering S phase. A G0- and G1-specific protein complex disappears at the -20 element at the beginning of S phase. This sequence deviates at one base position from known E2F consensus binding sites. We found that the major E2F activity in human fibroblasts contains E2F-4 and p130. The -20 element of the cdc2 gene specifically interacts with a subset of E2F-4-p130 complexes present in G0 cells but does not interact with S-phase-specific E2F complexes. Transient-transfection experiments with wild-type and mutant cdc2 promoter constructs indicate that the -20 element is involved in suppressing cdc2 activity in quiescent cells. We suggest that the presence of the p130-E2F-4 complex in G0/G1 blocks access of components of the basal transcription machinery or prevents transaction by the constitutively bound upstream activator proteins.
Shaping Decisions with Reading-Based Information A National Survey of CMHC Executives

Previous research has documented the fact that policy makers underutilize social science research literature in shaping their decisions. The two factors most often identified as accounting for this utilization gap are quality of research and organizational/political constraints. A third factor that has received relatively less attention is barriers to accessing relevant literature. To determine the importance ofaccessproblems among mental health professionals, a national sample (N = 367) of community mental health center (CMHC) executives was surveyed regarding attitudes and practices with respect to published social science research. Thefindings revealed that CMHC policy makers (1) consider published literature as important relative to other sources of information; (2) have difficulty accessing desired information via traditional means (e.g., personal and institutional librariesf, and (3) are generally unfamiliar with currently available information accessing technologies (i.e., computer-based bibliograp...
Design and characterization of silicon nanocrystal microgear resonators

Abstract We report on the design, optimization and characterization of silicon nanocrystal microgear resonators. We present three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain simulations to optimize the gear geometry and guide our experimental study. We fabricated a series of microgears with varying geometry and compared their photoluminescence spectra to that of a reference microdisk. The microgears exhibited a single dominant mode in the photoluminescence spectrum with quality factors as high as 10 3 . We further demonstrated the ability to tune the wavelength of the dominant mode by changing the number of gear teeth and thereby selecting a mode with a different azimuthal order.
Use of the Shinobi wire in chronic coronary occlusions

Occlusion angioplasty has represented a challenge since the introduction of the procedure. We report the successful use of a new, stiff, highly torquable, Teflon-coated wire, the Shinobi wire, in nine coronary occlusions and have included the detailed description of three representative cases. In the discussion we have reviewed the current literature on devices used in coronary occlusions. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 48:100–104, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The genetics of obesity in Mexican Americans: the evidence from genome scanning efforts in the San Antonio family heart study.

1 Abstract Recent estimates indicate that approximately 18% of the popu- lation in the United States can be considered obese (defined as a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30), and this rate is even higher among ethnic populations such as Mexican Americans. This figure becomes very significant given the strong evidence for obesity as a major risk factor for a variety of chronic dis- eases including type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease. The search for genes involved in the expression of obesity has been one of the fo- cal points of the San Antonio Family Heart Study (SAFHS), a large, family- based study to examine the genetics of risk for atherosclerosis in Mexican Americans. To date, our genome scanning effort has reported two quantita- tive trait loci (QTLs) with pronounced effects on the expression of a variety of obesity—related phenotypes (e.g., leptin levels, fat mass, and BMI) locat- ed on chromosomes 2 and 8. We are currently working to further refine these signals and to identify the genes and allelic variants involved. Here, we sum- marize the latest results from our ongoing efforts to identify obesity genes in the San Antonio Family Heart Study.
Carbohydrate requirement of Caenorhabditis elegans and the final development of a chemically defined medium

The carbohydrate requirement in the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was investigated. Glucose, fructose, sucrose, trehalose and glycogen were tested individually at concentrations of 0, 1.3, 6.5, 32.5, and 162.5 mg/ml as the energy source in a chemically defined medium containing C. briggsae Maintenance Medium (CbMM without glucose), 50 μg/ml cytochrome c and 50 μg/ml β-sitosterol. Potassium acetate, used as the energy source in other studies, was not added to the medium. Therefore, carbohydrate was the major energy source for the nematode. At 32.5 mg/ml, glucose was found to support the maximal population at 80,000 nematodes/ml (100%), followed by glycogen (96%) and trehalose (73%). Population was significantly reduced when fructose (46%) or sucrose (26%) was the carbohydrate source. Toxicity was shown at 162.5 mg/ml for four carbohydrates tested, except glycogen. These results suggested that all five carbohydrates can be utilized as energy sources by C. elegans; however, the degree of utilization of each carbohydrate by C. elegans varied. Since glucose was best utilized by the nematode at 32.5 mg/ml, this concentration is recommended for future use in preparation of CbMM. Based on this study, the chemically defined medium that has been used for cultivation of C. elegans can also be modified to: CbMM (1×, with 32.5 mg/ml glucose), 50 μg/ml cytochrome c and 50 μg/ml β-sitosterol. Glucose (at 32.5 mg/ml) can be used as the major energy source in a chemically defined medium for the axenic cultivation of C. elegans.
Privatization, bureaucracy, and risk aversion

The role of governmental risk aversion in the decision to privatize the production of goods and services has not been examined closely. Using a model of a risk-averse, single-service Niskanen bureaucrat, we determine the conditions under which a bureaucrat will prefer to privatize rather than produce in-house. If the private-sector firm is risk neutral, the result will be a fixed-fee contract with complete insurance. If the private-sector firm is risk averse, the result will be a cost-plus contract with the degree of cost sharing determined by the bureaucrat's share of total risk aversion. In both cases, the bureaucrat's sponsor may affect the likelihood of privatization by manipulating the rewards and penalties imposed on the bureaucrat.
Likelihood codebook reordering vector quantization

In this paper, a reordering vector quantization algorithm based on conditional probabilities of a codebook transition matrix is implemented. The dynamic reordering of the codebook dramatically decreases the entropy for temporally structured sources, enabling a second stage of entropy coding to further improve the efficiency of VQ. Results from synthetic, Markov sources and speech sources are shown to outperform other baseline vector quantization algorithms.
Wind erosion risk in the southwest of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, and its relationship to the productivity index

Abstract Wind erosion risk (WER) for soils of each municipality in the southwest (SW) of Buenos Aires Province (10,491,172 ha) was determined using the wind erosion equation (WEQ) model. WER results from multiplying the soil erodibility index (“I”) of the soil by the climatic factor (C). WER (Mg ha−1 year−1) of each municipality was: Bahia Blanca: 22.4, Coronel Dorrego: 18.6, Coronel Pringles: 4.5, Coronel Rosales: 48.2, Coronel Suarez: 4.5, Guamini: 3.0, Patagones: 104.6, Puan: 12.2, Saavedra: 3.0, Tornquist: 6.8, and Villarino: 31.7. The maximum weighted average of “I” (Mg ha−1 year−1) corresponded to Coronel Rosales (87.6), Patagones (87.2), Villarino (85.7), Puan (67.9); Guamini (59.6), Coronel Dorrego (53.1), and Bahia Blanca (39.3); the remaining municipalities ranged between 34.9 and 32.1 Mg ha−1 year−1. The highest C (%) corresponded to Patagones (120), Bahia Blanca (57), Coronel Rosales (55), Villarino (37), Coronel Dorrego (35), Tornquist (21), and Puan (18); for the remaining municipalities it was 14%. The productivity index (PI) is known to establish a numerical value of the productive capacity of lands. The relationship between WER and PI, weighted averages, in all the studied municipalities was fitted by means of a linear model, WER (Mg ha−1 year−1) = 95.23 − 2.09 * PI (%) (R2 = 66%), and a second-order polynomial model, WER (Mg ha−1 year−1) = 139.41 − 5.86 * PI (%) + 0.07 * PI2 (%) (R2 = 74%). No statistically significant relationship was found between WER and PI for each municipality.
High‐quality unsaturated zone hydraulic property data for hydrologic applications

[1] In hydrologic studies, especially those using dynamic unsaturated zone moisture modeling, calculations based on property transfer models informed by hydraulic property databases are often used in lieu of measured data from the site of interest. Reliance on database-informed predicted values has become increasingly common with the use of neural networks. High-quality data are needed for databases used in this way and for theoretical and property transfer model development and testing. Hydraulic properties predicted on the basis of existing databases may be adequate in some applications but not others. An obvious problem occurs when the available database has few or no data for samples that are closely related to the medium of interest. The data set presented in this paper includes saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, water retention, particle-size distributions, and bulk properties. All samples are minimally disturbed, all measurements were performed using the same state of the art techniques and the environments represented are diverse.
Principal Cluster Axes: A Projection Pursuit Index for the Preservation of Cluster Structures in the Presence of Data Reduction

A measure of "clusterability" serves as the basis of a new methodology designed to preserve cluster structure in a reduced dimensional space. Similar to principal component analysis, which finds the direction of maximal variance in multivariate space, principal cluster axes find the direction of maximum clusterability in multivariate space. Furthermore, the principal clustering approach falls into the class of projection pursuit techniques. Comparisons are made with existing methodologies both in a simulation study and analysis of real-world data sets. Furthermore, a demonstration of how to interpret the results of the principal cluster axes is provided on the analysis of Supreme Court voting data and similarities between the interpretation of competing procedures (e.g., factor analysis and principal component analysis) are provided. In addition to the Supreme Court analysis, we analyze several data sets often used to test cluster analysis procedures, including Fisher's Iris data, Agresti's Crab data, and a data set on glass fragments. Finally, discussion is provided to help determine when the proposed procedure will be the most beneficial to the researcher.
Premarital counseling and marital satisfaction among civilian wives of military service members

Wives' marital satisfaction was evaluated as a function of a premarital counseling typology in an analysis of data from several thousand military couples surveyed in 1992. Among couples who jointly reported participation in premarital counseling, results indicated that both having premarital counseling and reporting higher satisfaction with the counseling experience were associated with higher levels of marital satisfaction. Among couples who disagreed about having had premarital counseling, results were still favorable but less consistent. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.
Sigma-Profile Database for Using COSMO-Based Thermodynamic Methods

Thermodynamic methods based on conductor-like screening models (COSMO) originated from the use of solvation thermodynamics and computational quantum mechanics. These methods rely on sigma profiles specific to each molecule. A sigma profile is the probability distribution of a molecular surface segment having a specific charge density. Two COSMO-based thermodynamic models are COSMO-RS (realistic solvation) developed by Klamt and his colleagues, and COSMO-SAC (segment activity coefficient) published by Lin and Sandler. Quantum mechanical calculations for generating the sigma profiles represent the most time-consuming and computationally expensive aspect of using COSMO-based methods. A growing number of scientists and engineers are interested in the COSMO-based thermodynamic models but are intimidated by the complexity of performing quantum mechanical calculations. This paper presents the first free, web-based sigma profile database of 1432 compounds. We describe the procedure for sigma profile generation, and we have validated our database by comparing COSMO-based predictions of activity coefficients, normal boiling point and solubility with experimental data and thermodynamic property database. We discuss improvements which include using supplemental geometry optimization software packages to provide good initial guesses for molecular conformations as a precursor to the COSMO calculation. Finally, this paper provides a FORTRAN program and a procedure to generate additional sigma profiles, as well as a FORTRAN program to generate binary phase-equilibrium predictions using the COSMO-SAC model. Our sigma profile database will facilitate predictions of thermodynamic properties and phase behaviors from COSMO-based thermodynamic models.
Error-Correcting Codes and Minkowski's Conjecture

The goal of this paper is twofold. The main one is to survey the latest results on the perfect and quasi-perfect Lee error correcting codes. The other goal is to show that the area of Lee error correcting codes, like many ideas in mathematics, can trace its roots to the Phytagorean theorem a2+b2 = c2. Thus to show that the area of the perfect Lee error correcting codes is an integral part of mathematics. It turns out that Minkowski’s conjecture, which is an interface of number theory, approximation theory, geometry, linear algebra, and group theory is one of the milestones on the route to Lee codes.
The development of a model to predict the erosion of materials by natural contaminants

Abstract Statistical models for predicting the erosion of both ductile and brittle target materials were developed on the basis of laboratory erosion tests. The models developed for ductile materials were considered adequate predictors of erosion produced by natural contaminants. Insufficient data were available to assess the predictive ability of the models for brittle materials. Contaminants and target materials with varying physical properties were used in the laboratory erosion tests. The apparent impingement angles of the contaminants were controlled. In addition, the impact and rebound velocities of selected particle size components of two contaminants were measured photographically with the aid of a high-speed flash light source. It was concluded that if the mechanism by which erosion was accomplished were held constant, the primary cause of steady-state erosion was the energy transmitted from the impinging particles to the target. It was also concluded that a certain quantity of energy must be transmitted to a target (threshold energy) before erosion commences. Factors which were found to influence the energy transmitted to a target included the velocity, shape and hardness of the contaminant and the hardness and resistance of the target to erosion.
Can Surface Magnetic Order Occur

It is shown that the surface magnetic ordered state implied by mean field calculations in the paramagnetic temperature region does not lead to a physically inconsistent spinwave spectrum below the surface ordering temperature, contrary to what would be expected if surface ordering were a purely two-dimensional phenomenon.
Face Expression Recognition by Cross Modal Data Association

We present a novel facial expression recognition framework using audio-visual information analysis. We propose to model the cross-modality data correlation while allowing them to be treated as asynchronous streams. We also show that our framework can improve the recognition performance while significantly reducing the computational cost by avoiding redundant or insignificant frame processing by incorporating auditory information. In particular, we design a single good image representation of image sequence by weighted sums of registered face images where the weights are derived using auditory features. We use a still image based technique for the expression recognition task. Our framework, however, can be generalized to work with dynamic features as well. We performed experiments using eNTERFACE'05 audio-visual emotional database containing six archetypal emotion classes: Happy, Sad, Surprise, Fear, Anger and Disgust. We present one-to-one binary classification as well as multi-class classification performances evaluated using both subject dependent and independent strategies. Furthermore, we compare multi-class classification accuracies with those of previously published literature which use the same database. Our analyses show promising results.
Identification and characterization of up-regulated genes during chondrocyte hypertrophy

Chondrocyte hypertrophy involves de novo acquisition and/or increased expression of certain gene products including, among others, type X collagen, alkaline phosphatase, and matrix metalloproteinases. To analyze further the genetic program associated with chondrocyte hypertrophy, we have employed a modification of the polymerase chain reaction-mediated subtractive hybridization method of Wang and Brown (Wang and Brown [1991] Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci 88:11505). Cultures of hypertrophic tibial chondrocytes and nonhypertrophic sternal cells were used for poly A+ RNA isolation. Among 50 individual cDNA fragments isolated for up-regulated hypertrophic genes, 18 were tentatively identified by their similarities to entries in the GenBank database, whereas the other 32 showed no significant similarity. The identified genes included translational and transcriptional regulatory factors, ribosomal proteins, the enzymes transglutaminase and glycogen phosphorylase, type X collagen (highly specific for hypertrophic cartilage matrix), gelsolin, and the carbohydrate-binding protein galectin. Two of these, transglutaminase and galectin, were cloned and were further characterized. The chondrocyte transglutaminase revealed previously in hypertrophic cartilage by immunochemical methods appears to be the chicken equivalent of mammalian factor XIIIa (showing 75% overall protein similarity). The chicken chondrocyte galectin is a variant of mammalian galectin-3. Galectins are known to bind to components found in hypertrophic cartilage, and factor XIIIa is known to crosslink some of the same components, possibly modifying them for calcification and/or removal. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Left Atrial Dissection: Etiology and Treatment

Background Left atrial dissection (LatD) is a rare entity most commonly associated with mitral valve surgery. We have reviewed our experience with 4 patients to better define the etiology and the treatment of LatD. Methods From 1991 to 2012, 4 patients experienced LatD after surgery (1 of 6,302, or 0.02%, of isolated coronary artery bypass grafting patients and 3 of 1,895, or 0.16%, of mitral valve patients). Patient and perioperative data and management were reviewed. Results Two patients were women, and ages ranged from 49 to 80 years. Three patients underwent mitral procedures (two replacements with coronary artery bypass grafting and one repair) for mitral regurgitation. One patient underwent emergent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting after cardiopulmonary resuscitation for a left main dissection during percutaneous coronary intervention. Three LatDs were found during surgery, and one LatD was found 12 days after mitral repair and was successfully treated nonoperatively. The LatD was located along the posterior atrial wall originating from the atrioventricular junction in all cases and obstructed mitral valve inflow. Operative repair focused on the evacuation of hematoma, obliteration of the false lumen, and repair of the entry injury. No mortality occurred. Conclusions Left atrial dissection is a rare complication of cardiac surgery, probably related to a contained atrioventricular separation allowing pressurized blood to separate the layers of the posterior left atrium. Prompt intraoperative diagnosis, obliterating the false cavity, and addressing the entry point are essential. In contrast, a nonoperative approach in a stable patient with a delayed LatD suggests healing of the dissection, and atrial remodeling occurs.
St. Augustine on text and reality (and a little Gadamerian spice)

One way of viewing the organizing structure of the Confessions is to see it as an engagement with various texts at different phases of St. Augustine's life. In the early books of the Confessions, Augustine describes the disordered state that made him unable to read any text (sacred or profane) properly. Yet following his conversion his entire orientation - not only to texts but also to reality as a whole - changes. This essay attempts to trace the winding paths that lead up to Augustine's conversion through his various encounters with texts (and individuals) and to examine his struggles both intellectual and spiritual along the way. In the final section, I bring Augustine into conversation with Hans-Georg Gadamer in order to highlight a number of hermeneutical continuities shared by premoderns and postmoderns. After comparing premodern and modern hermeneutical orientations, I conclude that Augustine's approach to Scripture contrasts sharply with a (strict) modern grammatico-historical biblical methodology, whereas premodern hermeneutics share a number of continuities with Gadamerian and postmodern emphases. 2 Lastly, in light of Gadamer's famous statement, 'all of life is hermeneutics', I suggest that perhaps we could read Augustine's life as affirming this claim. By taking a close look at Augustine's story, I will attempt to show how pre-judgments, interpretative traditions and a dynamic/analogical rather than a static/univocal understanding of text (and reality) decisively affected his spiritual and intellectual vision - observations Gadamer would no doubt heartily affirm.
Guaranty funds and risk-taking evidence from the insurance industry☆

Abstract This paper examines change in property-liability insurers' risk-taking around enactments of state guaranty fund laws. Our evidence suggests that the risk of insurers' asset portfolios increases following enactments. But this increase in risk is significant only for stock insurers. Our evidence of increased risk-taking following guaranty-fund adoptions suggests that the way these funds are organized creates counterproductive investment incentives, especially for stock companies. Because these laws were enacted by states over the period 1969–1981, our evidence on changes in risk-taking helps resolve statistical problems that have been troublesome for studies of bank deposit insurance.
Equation of state of ethylene vapor between 223 and 273 K by the Burnett method

Measurements are reported of the equation of state of ethylene in the vapor phase between 223 and 273 K by the Burnett method. (P, ρ, T) values are reported on six isotherms at 10 K intervals. Virial coefficients have been obtained in this range both for ethylene and for helium. The Burnett isotherms were coupled isochorically; this revealed a small but noticeable adsorption effect. Isochoric intersections with the phase boundary were performed to obtain values for the vapor pressure and the vapor density. Again, clear indications of surface effects were found. Our results have been compared with recent work by Douslin and Harrison, by Waxman and Davis, and by Thomas and Zander. The agreement with the work of Douslin and Harrison is striking: better than 2 parts in 104 in pressure and better than 1 cm3 · mol−1 in the second virial coefficient. The agreement with the McCarty-Jacobsen formulation is somewhat less satisfactory. A discussion of the various factors determining the reliability of our results is given.
Design of a minimax output feedback controller for systems with parameter uncertainty

The design of a controller for a linear multivariable system having parameter uncertainty is explored in this paper. Linear output feedback is employed, the feedback gains being determined by a minimax technique. This is an extension of an approach used by Athans and Levine[1] for systems without parameter uncertainty.
Changes in colorectal cancer over a 15-year period in a single United States city.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify colorectal cancer trends in different patient groups in one region. METHODS: We reviewed the records of all patients with colorectal cancer who were seen at two hospitals in Columbia, SC, between 1981 and 1995. Patients were divided into three 5-yr cohorts (cohort 1, 1981–1985; cohort 2, 1986–1990; and cohort 3, 1991–1995). We recorded demographic data, histological type, tumor stage, grade, and survival. RESULTS: A total of 1395 patients were diagnosed, of whom 1252 had adenocarcinoma. Mean age of diagnosis was 64.5 yr in black and 66 in white patients ( p = 0.036). Adenocarcinoma proximal to the splenic flexure was found in 62% of women and 49% of men ( p p = 0.08). Proximal cancers accounted for 61%, 48%, and 32% of cohorts 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The proportions of patients with advanced stage (III and IV) adenocarcinoma in the three cohorts were 54%, 47%, and 40%, respectively ( p = 0.001). Median survival for adenocarcinoma was 23.7, 23.5, and 23.1 months in cohorts 1, 2, and 3 ( p = 0.9). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and demographics of colorectal cancer have been fairly stable at this center. There has been a significant decrease in proximal cancers. Although adenocarcinoma is being diagnosed at an earlier stage, this has not affected survival. Colonoscopy may be the most appropriate screening method in women and in black patients, in whom proximal cancers are more often found.
The Structure of Mammalian Fatty Acid Synthase Turned Back to Front

On page 1667 of this issue, Stuart Smith and colleagues [1] demonstrate that the animal fatty acid synthase is a head-to-head dimer rather than the head-to-tail dimer depicted in textbooks. This has important ramifications for the mechanisms of other multifunctional enzymes such as polyketide synthases [2].
Approach to fluid management in peritoneal dialysis: a practical algorithm.

Cardiovascular disease remains the bane of patients requiring renal replacement therapy. A major element in this grave morbidity profile is the cumulative cardiovascular burden incurred during the long history of chronic kidney disease (CKD). A high proportion of CKD patients present with cardiovascular disease at the time of dialysis initiation, notably left ventricular hypertrophy, coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure (CHF). Data from the United States Renal Data Survey (USRDS) continue to show a high prevalence of congestive heart failure at the time of dialysis initiation in the U.S. end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population, ranging from 30 to 45% of patients depending on age group Figure 1. This prevalence has not changed since 1995. A higher proportion of patients on hemodialysis (HD) have CHF at dialysis initiation and experience hospitalizations due to CHF in the first year on dialysis compared to peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Cardiovascular disease in PD patients remains a concern requiring therapeutic focus.
Nocardiosis after corticosteroid therapy for malignant thymoma.

BACKGROUND: Nocardia asteroides is an opportunistic infection caused by an aerobic actinomycete, which, in the immunocompromised host, can be associated with severe invasive disease with a predilection for the brain. METHODS AND RESULTS: The authors describe a 62-year-old man with a malignant thymoma that was clinically responsive to oral prednisone. N. asteroides sepsis subsequently developed, leading to his death. CONCLUSIONS: Nocardiosis should be considered a potential pathogen in this immunocompromised setting.
Tillage System and Crop Residue Effects on Surface Compaction of a Paleustoll

Concern of excessive compaction of soils under conservation tillage (CT) has persisted as CT practices gain acceptance in major agricultural systems. The objective of the study was to determine the cumulative effects of tillage systems [moldboard plowing (MT), stubble-mulch tillage (ST), and no-till (NT)] and rates of crop residues on bulk density of the near-surface zone under annual winter wheat cropping. In the fall of 1983, tillage plots were established on Bethany (fine, mixed, thermic Pachic Paleustoll) and Renfrow (fine, mixed, thermic Udertic Paleustoll) silt loams on a 2% slope near El Reno, OK. Bulk density and water content were measured to a depth of 0.3 m in 0.025-m increments using gamma and neutron attenuation techniques during 1991 and 1992. After planting, MT and ST soils had the lowest mean surface density ; these soils consolidated as bulk density during winter wheat dormancy averaged 1.34 (±0.06), 1.30 (±0.06), 1.21 (±0.06) in 1991, and 1.31 (±0.06), 1.30 (±0.05), and 1.24 (±0.05) Mg m -3 in 1992 in MT, ST, and NT soils, respectively. Near the end of the season, surface density of ST and MT soils had increased by 1.6 and 4.8%, respectively. No-till soil showed a decrease of 5.4% during the same overwinter period and had the lowest bulk density in the end. The inherent reduction in field operation traffic in CT systems, and a decrease in tillage intensity proportionately reduced soil surface compaction under annual wheat cropping. Bulk density increased with soil depth in all treatments ; however, NT resulted in decreased soil density in and below an old restrictive layer more effectively than ST or MT management. Removal of crop residues resulted in higher bulk density, primarily in the 0.05- to 0.25-m depth of MT soils, and in the 0 to 0.05-m surface layer of NT soils. Maintaining high amounts of wheat residues at the soil surface helps improve the macroporosity of near-surface zones of soils under conservation tillage. Severe compaction of CT soils did not appear prevalent under winter wheat production to cause physical constraints to crop growth in subhumid regions.
ELEVATED NEPHROGENOUS CYCLIC AMP WITH NORMAL SERUM PARATHYROID HORMONE LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH LUNG CANCER

Total and nephrogenous urinary cyclic AMP (cAMP), serum Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) and ionized calcium (Ca) levels were determined in 8 normal subjects, and 16 normocalcemic and 9 hypercalcemic patients with lung cancer. Total and nephrogeneous cAMP levels were significantly increased in both normocalcemic and hypercalcemic lung cancer patients, as compared to normal subjects. There was no significant correlation between serum PTH and total or nephrogenous cAMP in the cancer group. The factors responsible for the elevated nephrogenous cAMP in the lung cancer patients are not known.
Monilinia gaylussaciae, a new species pathogenic to Huckleberries (Gaylussacia) in North America

Monilinia gaylussaciae sp. nov. (Discomycetidae: Sclerotiniaceae) is sympatric with several other species such as M. vaccinii-corymbosi, M. polycodii, and M. azaleae, which also parasitize ericaceous hosts endemic to North America. It is generally restricted to Gaylussacia (Huckleberry). In contrast to the species on Vaccinium, the mummified fruit of the new species remain attached to the host until late summer, and the pseudosclerotium within matures on the bush. The apothecia develop from pseudosclerotia on the ground, formed the previous year, and mature in late March through April. Asci are octosporic and stain blue in Melzer's iodine reagent; ascospores are 13.0-15.1 x 7.5-8.6 Am, ellipsoid, subhyaline and smooth; conidia are formed on very tender foliage of the current year, are ash gray limoniform, 26-31 x 20-23 ,um and are separated by fusiform disjunctors 8-10 x 2-2.5 Lm. Cultures of M. gaylussaciae on potato dextrose and yeast-malt agar media are zonate, without microconidia and produce a copious amount of a yellow crystalline material in the agar and black stromata arranged concentrically.
Two‐way communication with an earth penetrator

A telemetry link capable of communicating from a depth of 50 m to the surface is described. The buried package fits within a diameter of 100 mm and provides a bit error rate of less than 10/sup -4/ at a rate of 1000 bits per second while consuming 8 W. A control link capable of turning on and off the buried telemetry transmitter from the surface is also described together with results from typical tests in a three-layer soil. The included propagation analysis is intended for use at frequencies below 100 kHz.
Effect of superhydrophobicity on the barrier properties of polymethylene films.

Superhydrophobic polymethylene (PM) films provide remarkable protection against the transport of aqueous redox probes as a result of entrapped air at the water/polymer interface. The wetting properties and the topography for a set of superhydrophobic (SH) and nonsuperhydrophobic (NSH) PM films were established to compare their interfacial behavior using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). EIS results show that SH PM films exhibit resistances against ion transfer that are ∼3 orders of magnitude higher than those of NSH PM films. Rationalization of these results in the context of the Helmholtz theory reveals that the imaginary impedance or inverse capacitance of SH PM films exhibits positive deviations from that predicted by Helmholtz theory for smooth PM films. Here, we model the capacitance behavior of a SH film as a PM/air composite that acts as a circuit of capacitors. The resulting mathematical model of this analysis enables correlation of the effective dielectric properties of the film (deff...
Ultra-Low-Frequency Solar He II 30.4 nm Pulsations

Solar EUV and X-ray measurements from the Charge, Element and Isotope Analysis System/Solar EUV Monitor (CELIAS/SEM) on board Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) and the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) have been studied for four time periods. Two ultra-low-frequency CELIAS/SEM He II 30.4 nm pulsations were observed with frequencies of 0.02316 ± 0.00232 and 0.00926 ± 0.00232 mHz during days 244-248 of 1999 and 89-93 of 2003, respectively. The He II 30.4 nm pulsation lifetimes were found to be of the order of a few days. The frequencies of the observed EUV pulsations are in the frequency range of the solar g-modes. The short lifetimes of these He II 30.4 nm pulsations, however, do not match the expected long lifetimes of solar g-modes. No statistically significant peak was found in the GOES X-ray data.
A Human-in-the Loop Exploration of the Dynamic Airspace Configuration Concept

An exploratory human-in-the-loop study was conducted to better understand the impact of Dynamic Airspace Configuration (DAC) on air traffic controllers. To do so, a range of three progressively more aggressive algorithmic approaches to sectorizations were chosen. Sectorizations from these algorithms were used to test and quantify the range of impact on the controller and traffic. Results show that traffic count was more equitably distributed between the four test sectors and duration of counts over MAP were progressively lower as the magnitude of boundary change increased. However, taskload and workload were also shown to increase with the increase in aggressiveness and acceptability of the boundary changes decreased. Overall, simulated operations of the DAC concept did not appear to compromise safety. Feedback from the participants highlighted the importance of limiting some aspects of boundary changes such as amount of volume gained or lost and the extent of change relative to the initial airspace design.
A Cry For Help: Preventing Passive Euthanasia Decision-Making for Neonates with Non-Fatal Congenital Defects

Several years ago, in a Midwestern town, a baby boy named Peter was born with spina bifida, a congenital defect that causes a portion of the spinal cord to protrude outside of the vertebrae. 1 Pete...
Chemokines and the Tissue-Specific Migration of Lymphocytes

Tissue-selective trafficking of memory and effector T and B lymphocytes is mediated by unique combinations of adhesion molecules and chemokines. The discovery of several related epithelial-expressed chemokines (TECK/CCL25 in small intestine, CTACK/CCL27 in skin, and MEC/CCL28 in diverse mucosal sites) now highlights an important role for epithelial cells in controlling homeostatic lymphocyte trafficking, including the localization of cutaneous and intestinal memory T cells, and of IgA plasma cells. Constitutively expressed epithelial chemokines may help determine the character of local immune responses and contribute to the systemic organization of the immune system.