cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Taylor Series based RD trade-off and Laplace Correction based coding for HEVC encoder

Digital video storing, video streaming and video conferencing are globally important industry which will continue to spread across the networks, businesses, and homes. Internet multimedia data like videos and images are the most frequently used digital format for information transmission. Video compression is the way to deliver more and higher quality video in a cost-effective way. Video coding process plays vital role to compress and decompress digital video. High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) is latest video compression standard which has potential to give better performance than any other standards like H.264. This paper proposes a novel video compression strategy to improve the quality of video without degradation. The newly devised RD tradeoff ensure mode decision effectively and the selection of the blocks optimally for motion estimation. Performance of proposed method is evaluated with the help of PSNR as well as SSIM, and it is compared with other two methods. Compression is done without affecting quality.
Investigation of a submerged membrane reactor for continuous biomass hydrolysis

Abstract Enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose is one of the most costly steps in the bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass. Use of a submerged membrane reactor has been investigated for continuous enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose thus allowing for greater use of the enzyme compared to a batch process. The submerged 0.65 μm polyethersulfone microfiltration membrane avoids the need to pump a cellulose slurry through an external loop. Permeate containing glucose is withdrawn at pressures slightly below atmospheric pressure. The membrane rejects cellulose particles and cellulase enzyme bound to cellulose. Here proof-of-concept experiments have been conducted using a modified, commercially available membrane filtration cell under low fluxes around 75 L/(m2 h). The operating flux is determined by the rate of glucose production. Maximizing the rate of glucose production involves optimizing mixing, reactor holding time, and the time the feed is held in the reactor prior to commencement of membrane filtration and continuous operation. Maximizing glucose production rates will require operating at low glucose concentration in order to minimize the adverse effects of product inhibition. Consequently practical submerged membrane systems will require a combined sugar concentration step in order to concentrate the product sugar stream prior to fermentation.
Thermal Front Formation from Buoyant Surface Jets

An explanation is given for the formation of thermal fronts for outfall Froude numbers in the range of F≤ 3.3. It is shown that the homogeneous round jet has a characteristic natural frequency in the range of 0.3
Bromination of 2-pyrazolines and 3,4,5-trimethylpyrazole

Abstract Bromination of several 2-pyrazolines has been shown to give 3-bromo-1-pyrazolines which on base induced dehydrobromination gave mixtures of 3H-pyrazoles and 3-methylene-1-pyrazolines. Base catalyzed elimination of p -toluene-sulfinate from 1- p -toluenesulfonyl-2-pyrazolines was carried out in a variety of solvents at 70° without carbon skeleton rearrangements, leading to 3H-pyrazoles. Bromination of 3,4,5-trimethylpyrazole gave 3,4,5-trimethyl-4-bromo-4H-pyrazole which upon treatment with MeOH underwent bromide displacement under formation of 3,4,5-trimethyl-3-methyoxy-3H-pyrazole.
The Synthesis of Dimeric ReI–Phenylenediimine Conjugates: Spectroscopic and Electrochemical Studies

A series of dimeric ReI(CO)3 compounds have been prepared by means of a one-pot reaction of [Re(CO)5X] (X = Cl, Br), pyridine-2-carboxyaldehyde, and o-, m-, or p-phenylenediamine. For the m- and p-substituted phenylenediamine reactions, phenyl-bridged bis(pyridine-2-carbaldimine) compounds of the formula [Re(CO)3X]2(μ-PPC) [3–7; X = Cl, Br; μ-PPC = m- or p-phenylene bis(pyridine-2-carbaldimine)] were produced, with m-phenylenediamine forming a mixture of isomers. For reactions with o-phenylenediamine, multiple products formed (compounds 8–11), which ranged from the desired o-phenylene bis(pyridine-2-carbaldimine) adduct to 2-pyridylbenzimidazole and bridging dipyridinylquinoxaline complexes. An example of each complex was structurally elucidated by single-crystal X-ray methods. The dimeric m- and p-phenylene-bridged Re(CO)3X compounds, including a sulfonate derivative designed to improve solubility, were investigated for possible photophysical applications through the use of UV/Vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry; the study revealed coupling between the rhenium centers.
Rethinking the Federal Role in State Criminal Justice

This Essay argues that federal habeas review of state criminal cases squanders resources the federal government should be using to help states reform their systems of defense representation. A 2007 empirical study reveals that federal habeas review is inaccessible to most state prisoners convicted of non-capital crimes, and offers no realistic hope of relief for those who reach federal court. As a means of correcting or deterring constitutional error in non-capital cases, habeas is failing and cannot be fixed. Drawing upon these findings as well as the Supreme Court's most recent decision applying the Suspension Clause, the authors propose that Congress eliminate federal habeas review of state criminal judgments, except for cases including certain claims of actual innocence, retroactively applicable rules, or the sentence of death. The federal government should leave the review of all other state criminal judgments to the state courts and invest, instead, in a new federal initiative to encourage improved state defense services, an approach that can deter and correct constitutional error more effectively than any amount of habeas litigation ever could.
Models of the Mass Distribution of the Galaxy

Mass models of the Galaxy play an important role in studies of the structure of the Galaxy. The various populations or components combine to yield a gravitational field that produces the observed rotation curve. For the spheroid and disk this requirement can be used to set limits on some of their properties. The properties of the dark corona are entirely defined this way.
Food as a Weapon

AbstractFood played a crucial role in the Nazis' vision of a new European order under German control. More food had to be produced and markets had to be reorganized. Agricultural sciences under the Nazi regime worked to increase productivity, breed new plants and to improve existing species. In the war against the Soviet Union, food was explicitly used as a weapon to defeat the enemy. This paper focuses on Richard Walther Darre and Herbert Backe, who were in charge of agriculture and food throughout the twelve years of the Third Reich. The two men stood at the crossroads of agricultural sciences and politics, and the continuity between their ideas and policies illustrates the relation between agricultural sciences and the Nazi state.
Uncovering the Natural History of Metastatic Cancer from Autopsy Data

The goal of the study is to develop mathematical and statistical methodology for estimation of important unobservable characteristics of the natural history of metastatic cancer (such as the rates of growth of the primary tumor and metastases and mean metastatic latency time) from the autopsy data. The latter consists of the largest cross-sectional areas of liver metastases obtained from sections of the liver by parallel planes at certain distance apart from each other. Estimation of the cancer natural history is based on a previously proposed comprehensive stochastic model of cancer progression accounting for primary tumor growth, shedding of metastases, their selection, latency and growth in a given secondary site. The model was applied to the aforementioned autopsy data for one breast cancer and one lung cancer patient. Identifiable parameters of the model were estimated by the method of maximum likelihood. The model with these parameters provided very good fit to the data. Results of model-based data analysis will be discussed from biomedical standpoint. This is a joint work with Jason Rose, a Ph.D. student at the Mathematics Department of Idaho State University. (Idaho State University) hanin@isu.edu Uncovering the Natural History of Metastatic Cancer from Autopsy Data The goal of the study is to develop mathematical and statistical methodology for estimation of important unobservable characteristics of the natural history of metastatic cancer (such as the rates of growth of the primary tumor and metastases and mean metastatic latency time) from the autopsy data. The latter consists of the largest cross-sectional areas of liver metastases obtained from sections of the liver by parallel planes at certain distance apart from each other. Estimation of the cancer natural history is based on a previously proposed comprehensive stochastic model of cancer progression accounting for primary tumor growth, shedding of metastases, their selection, latency and growth in a given secondary site. The model was applied to the aforementioned autopsy data for one breast cancer and one lung cancer patient. Identifiable parameters of the model were estimated by the method of maximum likelihood. The model with these parameters provided very good fit to the data. Results of model-based data analysis will be discussed from biomedical standpoint. This is a joint work with Jason Rose, a Ph.D. student at the Mathematics Department of Idaho State University.
A proof of the Göttsche-Yau-Zaslow formula

Let $S$ be a complex smooth projective surface and $L$ be a line bundle on $S$. Gottsche conjectured that for every integer $r$, the number of $r$-nodal curves in $\left| L\right|$ is a universal polynomial of four topological numbers when $L$ is sufficiently ample. We prove Gottsche’s conjecture using the algebraic cobordism group of line bundles on surfaces and degeneration of Hilbert schemes of points. In addition, we prove the Gottsche-Yau-Zaslow Formula which expresses the generating function of the numbers of nodal curves in terms of quasimodular forms and two unknown series.
Electrodeposition of Compound Semiconductors by Electrochemical Atomic Layer Epitaxy (EC‐ALE)

This chapter concerns the state of development of electrochemical atomic layer epitaxy (EC-ALE), the electrochemical analog of atomic layer epitaxy (ALE). EC-ALE is being developed as a methodology for the electrodeposition of compound semiconductors with nanoscale control. ALE is based on the formation of compounds, one monolayer (ML) at a time, using surface-limited reactions. An atomic layer of one element can be electrodeposited at a potential under that needed to deposit the element on itself, and this process is referred to as underpotential deposition (UPD). EC-ALE is the use of UPD for the surface-limited reactions in an ALE cycle. Electrodeposition is generally performed near room temperature, avoiding problems with interdiffusion and mismatched thermal expansion coefficients. This makes EC-ALE a good candidate to form superlattices, where the compound deposited is modulated on the nanometer scale. This chapter describes the basics of the EC-ALE cycle, the elements that have been used to form deposits, as well as the solutions, rinsing, and potential changes. It describes the hardware presently being used by this group and other research laboratories, the compounds that have been formed, and the development of deposition cycles for various compounds. It describes the status of device formation using EC-ALE, and goes over some of the problems and issues involved in developing cycles and growing films. Finally, given that EC-ALE is based on surface-limited electrochemical reactions, studies of relevant electrodeposit surface chemistry are discussed.
Transnational Religious Identities (Islam, Catholicism, and Judaism): Cultural Concerns

‘Transnational religious identity’ refers to personal or collective religious identities that transcend enclaves, localities, regions, nations, and states to achieve a wider unity of belief, practice, and community. The term implies the existence of the nation-state as the principal worldwide form of political sovereignty. Transnational religious identities are continuously reconstructed in differing contexts and ongoing struggles over ideology and authority in which shifting coalitions of elites, counterelites, ethnic groups, and those excluded from local authority structures compete for voice and recognition.
An efficient two-stage Markov chain Monte Carlo method for dynamic data integration

[1] In this paper, we use a two-stage Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method for subsurface characterization that employs coarse-scale models. The purpose of the proposed method is to increase the acceptance rate of MCMC by using inexpensive coarse-scale runs based on single-phase upscaling. Numerical results demonstrate that our approach leads to a severalfold increase in the acceptance rate and provides a practical approach to uncertainty quantification during subsurface characterization.
Inter-American Bar Association

The XIX Conference was held in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, September 27 to October 3, 1975. For the second time, Colombia was the site for a Conference of I ABA, the first being the XII Conference which was held in Bogota in 1961. Attendance in Cartagena included many distinguished members of the legal profession. Despite initial lack of facilities, local administrative problems and occasional hotel inconveniences, the Conference concluded on a good vein with successful Committee programs.
Robot manipulator control using decentralized linear time-invariant time-delayed joint controllers

It is shown that robot manipulator control can be accomplished using simple decentralized linear time invariant time-delayed joint controllers instead of the complicated computed torque control scheme. This means that all the online computational problems associated with computing robot inverse dynamics can be avoided, and the robot control problem is essentially reduced to that of computing n linear proportional-derivation controls for n joint subsystems. The proposed control technique employs a time-delayed control with a specially designed constant diagonal gain matrix to decouple and linearize the robot joint dynamics so that linear centralized joint control can be achieved. It is shown that the proposed controller is stable, and the value of the special gain matrix can be selected based on a sufficient condition of stability presently developed. However, the establishment of this sufficient condition requires knowledge of the inertial matrix of the robot. It is also shown that the controller is robust in the presence of payload uncertainty. A two-link planar robot is presented to illustrate the controller design procedures and the performance of the controller. >
Patterns of Diversity and Recombination Along Chromosome 1 of Maize (Zea mays ssp. mays L.)

We investigate the interplay between genetic diversity and recombination in maize (Zea mays ssp. mays). Genetic diversity was measured in three types of markers: single-nucleotide polymorphisms, indels, and microsatellites. All three were examined in a sample of previously published DNA sequences from 21 loci on maize chromosome 1. Small indels (1-5 bp) were numerous and far more common than large indels. Furthermore, large indels (>100 bp) were infrequent in the population sample, suggesting they are slightly deleterious. The 21 loci also contained 47 microsatellites, of which 33 were polymorphic. Diversity in SNPs, indels, and microsatellites was compared to two measures of recombination: C (=4Nc) estimated from DNA sequence data and R based on a quantitative recombination nodule map of maize synaptonemal complex 1. SNP diversity was correlated with C (r = 0.65; P = 0.007) but not with R (r = -0.10; P = 0.69). Given the lack of correlation between R and SNP diversity, the correlation between SNP diversity and C may be driven by demography. In contrast to SNP diversity, microsatellite diversity was correlated with R (r = 0.45; P = 0.004) but not C (r = -0.025; P = 0.55). The correlation could arise if recombination is mutagenic for microsatellites, or it may be consistent with background selection that is apparent only in this class of rapidly evolving markers.
ON THE STABILITY OF HOUSING SECTOR INTERACTION: EVIDENCE FROM 42 METROPOLITAN AREAS*

. Residential vacancy chain models based on White's (1971) application of Markov chain theory are used to simulate flows of housing vacancies through a set of interdependent housing market sectors. Measures of housing sector interaction are derived from such models. Our purpose here is to address the issue of time stationarity raised by their use. U.S. census data are available to calibrate such models at two, and sometimes three, points in time. Data from 42 different SMSAs are used to generate 56 cross-temporal comparisons with interobservation periods ranging from three to eight years. Stability of interaction is addressed from two perspectives–the sectoral perspective and the areawide perspective. Results are mixed and depend upon which measure of interaction is used, which perspective is addressed, and the duration of the interobservation period. However, within limits, findings support continued use of vacancy chain models.
A study of the physical and tribological properties of biobased polymer–clay nanocomposites at different clay concentrations

Abstract Novel biobased nanocomposites have been prepared by the cationic copolymerization of conjugated low saturated soybean oil with styrene and divinylbenzene, and a reactive organomodified montmorillonite (VMMT) clay as reinforcing phase. Microscale tribological measurements were performed on samples with different concentration of VMMT (0%, 1% and 5%, w/w) using a ball-on-flat reciprocating microtribometer. Friction and wear behavior during dry sliding were evaluated using spherical (1.2 mm radius) steel probe as well as a conical (100 μm radius, 90° cone angle) diamond probe. Friction behavior was evaluated from single strokes at ramped normal loads, whereas wear experiments were evaluated from 10 to 1000 reciprocating cycles at fixed normal loads. Contact profilometry and scanning electron microscopy of wear tracks were used to elucidate deformation mechanisms in the various samples.
An Integrated Region-, Boundary-, Shape-Based Active Contour for Multiple Object Overlap Resolution in Histological Imagery

Active contours and active shape models (ASM) have been widely employed in image segmentation. A major limitation of active contours, however, is in their 1) inability to resolve boundaries of intersecting objects and to 2) handle occlusion. Multiple overlapping objects are typically segmented out as a single object. On the other hand, ASMs are limited by point correspondence issues since object landmarks need to be identified across multiple objects for initial object alignment. ASMs are also are constrained in that they can usually only segment a single object in an image. In this paper, we present a novel synergistic boundary and region-based active contour model that incorporates shape priors in a level set formulation with automated initialization based on watershed. We demonstrate an application of these synergistic active contour models using multiple level sets to segment nuclear and glandular structures on digitized histopathology images of breast and prostate biopsy specimens. Unlike previous related approaches, our model is able to resolve object overlap and separate occluded boundaries of multiple objects simultaneously. The energy functional of the active contour is comprised of three terms. The first term is the prior shape term, modeled on the object of interest, thereby constraining the deformation achievable by the active contour. The second term, a boundary-based term detects object boundaries from image gradients. The third term drives the shape prior and the contour towards the object boundary based on region statistics. The results of qualitative and quantitative evaluation on 100 prostate and 14 breast cancer histology images for the task of detecting and segmenting nuclei and lymphocytes reveals that the model easily outperforms two state of the art segmentation schemes (geodesic active contour and Rousson shape-based model) and on average is able to resolve up to 91% of overlapping/occluded structures in the images.
Bounds and estimates for elastic constants of random polycrystals of laminates

Abstract In order to obtain formulas providing estimates for elastic constants of random polycrystals of laminates, some known rigorous bounds of Peselnick, Meister, and Watt are first simplified. Then, some new self-consistent estimates are formulated based on the resulting analytical structure of these bounds. A numerical study is made, assuming first that the internal structure (i.e., the laminated grain structure) is not known, and then that it is known. The purpose of this aspect of the study is to attempt to quantify the differences in the predictions of properties of the same system being modelled when such internal structure of the composite medium and spatial correlation information is and is not available.
Prognosis of Uveal Melanoma in 500 Cases Using Genetic Testing of Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy Specimens

Purpose To determine the relationship between monosomy 3 and incidence of metastasis after genetic testing of uveal melanoma using fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). Design Noncomparative retrospective case series. Participants Five hundred patients. Methods Fine-needle aspiration biopsy was performed intraoperatively immediately before plaque radiotherapy. The specimen underwent genetic analysis using DNA amplification and microsatellite assay. Systemic follow-up was obtained regarding melanoma-related metastasis. Main Outcome Measures Presence of chromosome 3 monosomy (loss of heterozygosity) and occurrence of melanoma metastasis. Results Disomy 3 was found in 241 melanomas (48%), partial monosomy 3 was found in 133 melanomas (27%), and complete monosomy 3 was found in 126 melanomas (25%). The cumulative probability for metastasis by 3 years was 2.6% for disomy 3, 5.3% for partial monosomy 3 (equivocal monosomy 3), and 24.0% for complete monosomy 3. At 3 years, for tumors with disomy 3, the cumulative probability of metastasis was 0% for small (0–3 mm thickness), 1.4% for medium (3.1–8 mm thickness), and 23.1% for large (>8 mm thickness) melanomas. At 3 years, for tumors with partial monosomy 3, the cumulative probability of metastasis was 4.5% for small, 6.9% for medium, and [insufficient numbers] for large melanomas. At 3 years, for tumors with complete monosomy 3, the cumulative probability of metastasis was 0% for small, 24.4% for medium, and 57.5% for large melanomas. The most important factors predictive of partial or complete monosomy 3 included increasing tumor thickness ( P = 0.001) and increasing distance to optic disc ( P = 0.002). Conclusions According to FNAB results, patients with uveal melanoma demonstrating complete monosomy 3 have substantially poorer prognosis at 3 years than those with partial monosomy 3 or disomy 3. Patients with partial monosomy 3 do not significantly differ in outcome from those with disomy 3. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
Continental Ostracode Paleoecology from the Hohokam Pueblo Blanco Area, Central Arizona

Abstract Continental ostracodes provide a useful tool to reconstruct the history of agricultural activity from ancient Hohokam canals at Pueblo Blanco–Salt River site, Mesa, Arizona, both during Classic and pre-Classic Periods. Four ostracode assemblages are recognized from these canals suggesting periods of salination and dilution of the canal waters. Anthropogenic disturbance appears to be the major factor affecting ostracode occurrence in all canals. However, weak climatic signatures are also recorded suggesting that canal operation took place mostly during the late winter and early summer before the summer monsoon.
Variation of the infrared spectra of nitric acid hydrates with formation conditions: Impact on PSC identification

Despite years of effort, the composition of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) is still uncertain. Future studies may be able to use FTIR extinction measurements to determine PSC composition. These studies require accurate optical constants for PSC materials. It has been suggested that accurate infrared (IR) optical constants for aerosols can only be derived from aerosol spectra. We have examined the IR spectra of nitric acid trihydrate (NAT) and nitric acid dihydrate (NAD) films and aerosols formed using a variety of experimental conditions. We conclude that several spectroscopically different types of NAD and NAT may exist. Alternatively, NAT could be birefringent and its spectra depend strongly on crystallographic orientation. The important causes for the different types or orientations seem to be the formation conditions and temperature, rather than whether the material is a film or aerosol.
Relationship of Localized Sources for Human Atrial Fibrillation to Fractionated Electrograms

Introduction: It has recently been shown that localized sources (electrical rotors or focal beats) may sustain human atrial fibrillation (AF). We hypothesized that human AF sources show limited migration, unlike animal models in which sources migrate, near regions of fractionated electrograms (CFAE). Methods: In 26 AF patients (63±10 years; 16 persistent), we recorded AF with 64 pole baskets in both atria, then applied the Hilbert Transform. Rotor cores were tracked over time to define migration loci, that we compared to maps of CFAE scored per Scherr et al. (Heart Rhythm, 2007). Targeted ablation (Focal Impulse and Rotor Modulation, FIRM for <10 minutes) was applied at migration loci, to achieve AF termination or 10% slowing (proving the mechanistic role of sources). Results: All patients exhibited AF sources (mean 2.1±0.7; 36 rotors/19 focal beats). Sources migrated within constrained loci in persistent (area 2.5±1.5 cm2) and paroxysmal (2.2±1.0 cm2; p=NS) AF. Notably, migration loci lay near CFAE (p<0.01), but in a patient-specific (adjacent or overlapping) fashion. FIRM terminated or slowed AF (by 16±7%) in 24/26 patients. Conclusions: Localized sources (rotors or focal impulses) that sustain human AF are spatially stable. Although source migration was spatially related to CFAE, CFAE locations per se poorly predicted sources. Brief FIRM ablation (5–10 minutes) at sources terminated/slowed AF in nearly all patients.
Artificial DNA-mediated genetic transformation of the photosynthetic nitrogen-fixing bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum

Methods were identified for the introduction of plasmid DNA into Rhodospirillum rubrum, including freeze-thaw and CaCl2-based techniques.
Non-selective computed tomography angiography of a vascular ring anomaly in a dog

Non-selective computed tomography angiography (CTA) is an emerging imaging technique that will have continued application in veterinary medicine because of its short scan time, use of a single, peripheral venous injection and availability of more detailed anatomic information--including 3-dimensional reconstructions. The improved anatomic detail may facilitate veterinary students' learning of complex aortic arch malformations and details relative to the surgical approach. Herein we describe application of its use in a dog with a vascular ring anomaly due to a persistent right fourth aortic arch and left ligamentum arteriosum. Additionally, we compare images with a normal dog.
Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial Examining Intelligent Tutoring of Structure Strategy for Fifth-Grade Readers.

AbstractThis article reports on a large scale randomized controlled trial to study the efficacy of a web-based intelligent tutoring system for the structure strategy designed to improve content area reading comprehension. The research was conducted with 128 fifth-grade classrooms within 12 school districts in rural and suburban settings. Classrooms within each school were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups. The intervention group used the intelligent web-based tutoring system for the structure strategy (ITSS) for 30 to 45 min each week as a partial substitute for the language arts curriculum for the entire school year. The structure strategy teaches students how to read and comprehend expository texts by identifying the text structure and creating strategic mental representations of the text. The web-based tutoring system delivered the structure strategy training with modeling, practice tasks, assessment, and feedback. The control classrooms used the school's language arts curriculum for ...
The cholinesterase inhibitors.

Dementia is a serious and growing problem that presents enormous burdens to patients, their families, and national healthcare systems throughout the world. In the United States, there are currently two classes of psychopharmacologic agents approved for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: the cholinesterase inhibitors, which are approved for use in patients with mild to moderate disease, and memantine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, which is approved for treatment of moderate to severe illness. Three cholinesterase inhibitors are in general clinical use, each of which has a distinct pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and side-effect profile. In addition, there is growing research and clinical evidence of the effectiveness of the cholinesterase inhibitors in patients who are in the more advanced stages of Alzheimer’s dementia as well as in patients with other forms of dementia.
Thermodynamic restrictions on the constitutive equations of electromagnetic theory

Die Autoren betrachten allgemeine Stoffe, fur die die Energiedichte, die Entropiedichte, die elektrische Induktion, die magnetische Induktion, die elektrische Stromdichte und der Warmefluss durch den Temperatur-Gradienten und die Geschichten der elektrischen Intensitat, der magnetischen Intensitat und der Temperatur bestimmt sind. Unter der Annahme, dass die Funktionale, die diese Abhangigkeit von der vergangenen Geschichte beschreiben, Glattheitsbedingungen vom «schwindendem Gedachtnis»-Typ erfullen, leiten die Autoren die Einschrankungen ab, die der zweite Hauptsatz der Thermodynamik den Funktionalen auferlegt. Es wird darauf hingewiesen, dass die allgemeine Theorie Konsequenzen fur die elementare Theoric der isotropen und anisotropen Stoffe ohne Gedachtnis hat. Ausserdem werden die Anwendungen der allgemeinen Theorie auf das Problem diskutiert, wie man die thermodynamischen Einschrankungen fur die Kerne findet, die in der Theorie dritter Ordnung fur isotrope Dielektrika mit Gedachtnis vom Integral-Typ vorkommen.
Intergenerational Program Evaluation for the 1990s and Beyond

(1997). Intergenerational Program Evaluation for the 1990s and Beyond. Journal of Gerontological Social Work: Vol. 28, No. 3, pp. 173-181.
Congenital myasthenic syndromes: I. Deficiency and short open-time of the acetylcholine receptor.

A 5.5-year-old girl had myasthenic symptoms since birth. Tests for antiacetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies were negative. To investigate the character of the neuromuscular transmission defect, an intercostal muscle specimen was obtained at age 27 months. Immune deposits were absent from the endplates. On electron microscopy, most postsynaptic regions appeared normal, but the density of AChR on the junctional folds was diffusely reduced. In vitro microelectrode studies revealed that the number of transmitter quanta released by nerve impulse was normal. The amplitude of miniature of endplate potentials and currents was abnormally low. A study of the kinetic properties of AChR by analysis of acetylcholine-induced current noise demonstrated a significant decrease in mean channel open-time; the mean channel conductance was normal. The safety margin of neuromuscular transmission in this disorder is likely to be compromised by the deficiency and abnormal kinetic properties of AChR. The findings are unique among those patients with congenital AChR deficiency described to date. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Power, Identity and the Production of Buffer Villages in “the Second Most Remote Region in all of Mexico”

: This paper draws on an empirical example in Oaxaca, Mexico to understand how space is (re)constructed through material and metaphorical practice. Our research on the ways in which the Zoque-speaking Indians of Chimalapas—a forest region of the state—have sought to reframe space through the formation of buffer villages to prevent encroachment on communally held land is motivated by two broad theoretical concerns. The first is to draw attention to a region of Mexico not widely addressed in geographic literature where there exist very active indigenous struggles. A second motivation relates to the continued decoupling of binaries, in particular the construct of “powerful vs powerless”. We argue that the strategies of the marginalized are enacted through the reconfiguration of spatiality and power relations predicated in part on the differentially situated subjects within a social group. Our concern is to hint at the multiplicities involved in subordination tangibly and materially within a population that often is categorized unproblematically and scripted as ‘powerless’. In examining the intricacies of the spatial strategies employed by members of the Zoque minority we show how unities and stabilities are produced against a backdrop of conflict.
Red blood cells: in vivo site for transport and inactivation of biogenic amines in man and rats.

Abstract Red blood cell lysate contains catecholamines, octopamine and normetanephrine in various concentrations usually equal to or higher than respective plasma concentrations. During sympatho-adrenal activation an increase in plasma norepinephrine is associated with a simultaneous but smaller increase in lysate norepinephrine. The ratio of normetanephrine to norepinephrine is consistently higher in red cell lysate than in plasma. suggesting norepinephrine may be catabolized inside red cells. These data indicate a physiologically significant role for red blood cells in the disposition of peripheral amines and their metabolites.
Effects of thermal exposure on binding of heparin in vitro to the arterial wall and to clot and on the chronic angiographic luminal response to local application of a heparin film during angioplasty in an in vivo rabbit model

Experimentally, heparin inhibits mechanisms that promote fibrosis, neointimal cellular proliferation, and thombin bound to fibrin at the surface of intraluminal thrombus, but only in relatively high concentrations. A preliminary hypothesis was tested and confirmed in vitro that initial binding of 3H-heparin to mechanically injured porcine aorta is concentration-dependent over a 1,000–50,000 units/ml range (r = 0.9). The hypothesis was then tested in vitro that thermal exposure during contact of heparin to arterial tissue and to clot would enhance binding of the drug. 3H-heparin binding to clot, whole blood particulates, and washed erythrocytes was markedly enhanced by exposure to temperatures > 70°C. Thermal exposure (80°C × 40 s) also enhanced tissue persistence of the drug within porcine aorta subjected to a shear rate of 1,100−1in an annular Baumgartner chamber perfused with normal saline at 37°C for 48 h. Heparin in vitro anticoagulant activity persisted after thermal exposure and binding to tissues. A new method was developed for local application of a heparin film that provides a maximum concentration with a tolerable systemic dose during an angioplasty procedure. In an in vivo rabbit model of mural fibrosis after iliac artery angioplasty, the 1-month mean angiographic luminal diameter loss (23% compared to the acute postangioplasty result by computer image analysis) in response to conventional balloon angioplasty (BA) and laser balloon angioplasty (LBA) was the same (P > 0.05). Local application of a heparin film (3,000 units at a concentration > 100,000 units/g), however, reduced the mean % loss in diameter 1 month after LBA (12 %), but not after BA (29%), compared to arteries subjected to angioplasty without local heparin (P < .05). The results are consistent with the hypothesis that thermal energy enhances heparin binding to tissues and that local application of a heparin film favorably modulates arterial luminal responses to LBA, but not to BA, in this animal model. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Luminescence Properties of Pulsed Laser Deposited Eu:Y2O3 Thin Film Phosphors on Sapphire Substrates

Eu:Y2O3 phosphor films were deposited on (0001) sapphire substrates using 248 nm KrF pulse laser to investigate microstructure-property correlations. A slow film growth (60 nm/min) process results in predominantly (222) orientation while a fast film growth (170 nm/min) process results in predominantly (400) orientation of Eu:Y2O3 film. With an increase in film thickness from 0.6μm to 1.2μm, a 300% increase in brightness has been achieved from Eu:Y2O3 films. An increase in substrate temperature during deposition from 700°C to 800°C resulted in ~40% brighter films. Improvement in brightness from Eu:Y2O3 films with the film thickness may be attributed to an increase in roughness while that from substrate temperature may be attributed to a combined effect of increased roughness and improved crystallinity.
22nm High-performance SOI technology featuring dual-embedded stressors, Epi-Plate High-K deep-trench embedded DRAM and self-aligned Via 15LM BEOL

We present a fully-integrated SOI CMOS 22nm technology for a diverse array of high-performance applications including server microprocessors, memory controllers and ASICs. A pre-doped substrate enables scaling of this third generation of SOI deep-trench-based embedded DRAM for a dense high-performance memory hierarchy. Dual-Embedded stressor technology including SiGe and Si:C for improved carrier mobility in both PMOS and NMOS FETs is presented for the first time. A hierarchical BEOL with 15 levels of copper interconnect including self-aligned via processing delivers high performance with exceptional reliability.
An outdoor biometric system: evaluation of normalization fusion schemes for face and voice

The use of biometric systems in physical access scenarios is gaining popularity. In such scenarios, users are enroled under well controlled conditions and the enrolment is usually indoors. To gain access to the building, the user provides his biometric samples in an outdoor environment over which there is little control. This adversely affects the quality of the samples and as a result the system performance is sub-optimal. This study evaluates the performance of a multimodal biometric system in a physical access scenario. We evaluate leading commercial algorithms on an indoor-outdoor, multimodal database comprising of face and voice samples. The indoor-outdoor nature of the database and the choice of modalities results in individual systems performing poorly. Popular normalization and fusion techniques are used to improve the performance of the overall system. Multimodal fusion results in an average improvement of approximately 20% at 1% false acceptance rate over individual modalities.
African-American attitudes towards United States immigration policy.

In the growing US debate over immigration policy since the 1980s it is often argued that immigration must be restricted in order to protect Black Americans from competition with newly arrived immigrants. Findings are reported upon Black Americans attitudes toward immigration policy. An extensive review of more than 50 Black newspapers and magazines from January 1994 to June 1996 uncovered attitudes both in favor of and against restricting immigration. The majority of articles in the Black press on immigration however were nonrestrictionist. The Black political leadership is also against restricting immigration. Furthermore a review of the 14 most recent national opinion polls on immigration available to the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research as of July 1996 found that while many Blacks favor restricting immigration all US Blacks should not be characterized as restrictionist especially when compared with Whites. Historical attitudes among US Blacks dating back to before the abolition of slavery are discussed.
Width of Head and Pelvis in Homo.

IN the American Journal of Physical Anthropology, April-June 1929, Prof. John Cameron cites cranial measurements of numerous races, showing that the female skull is proportionately broader than that of the male. The races measured are Bushman, Hottentot, various groups of negroes, Melanesian, Tasmanian, and Australian. It occurred to me that the adaptive character of a broad pelvis might perhaps be correlated with an increased breadth of the head, the latter being then a secondary consequence of a sexual character of functional importance. The breadth of the head (relative breadth) might again perhaps have other consequences.
The 2-D digital waveguide mesh

An extremely efficient method for modeling wave propagation in a membrane is provided by the multidimensional extension of the digital waveguide. The 2-D digital waveguide mesh is constructed out of bi-directional delay units and scattering junctions. We show that it coincides with the standard finite difference scheme in the lossless case. Wave propagation in the mesh is compared with wave propagation in an ideal membrane; the dissipation and dispersion error is derived. >
Clinical Presentation of Nephrolithiasis

The most common symptom caused by stones located in the urinary tract is pain. The character and location of the pain may vary as it relates to the actual location of the stone, be it in the upper or lower urinary tract. In general, there are two types of pain—local and referred. By definition, local pain is felt at or near the involved organ itself, whereas referred pain is felt at a distance away from the organ from which it originates. The latter is more common when it comes to stones in the urinary tract. Another means of classifying pain involving the genitourinary tract is that of renal colic and noncolic. The former is usually caused by stretching or dilatation of the collecting system, whereas the latter is caused by distention of the renal capsule. Clinically, distinguishing between the two is quite impossible, as they usually tend to overlap. The major underlying mechanism for renal colic is that of ureteral obstruction. Such obstruction entails a direct increase in proximal and distal intraluminal pressure, which in turn, causes stretching of nerve endings therein. In the ureter, however, local pain is referred in the distribution of the ilioinguinal nerve and the genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve, whereas pain from obstruction is referred to the same areas as for stones in the collecting system (e.g., flank and costovertebral angle), thereby allowing some distinction [1]. Compared to other types of colic, such as biliary or intestinal which are characterized by a waxing and waning pattern, renal colic is relatively constant. The majority of urinary tract stones present with an acute onset of pain owing to acute obstruction and distention of the upper urinary tract. Many variables affect the severity and location of pain, such as size, location, degree of obstruction, onset of obstruction. At times, the astute clinician is able to judge the site of stone obstruction in the ureter on the basis of the history of pain progression and where it is referred to. A stone lodged in the upper ureter may cause pain radiating to the ipsilateral testicle in males or ipsilateral labia in females; a stone in the right mid-ureter may cause pain at the McBurney’s point, thereby mimicking acute appendicitis, whereas that in the left mid-ureter may cause pain over the left lower quadrant of the abdomen, simulating diverticulitis. As the stone further approaches the bladder, symptoms of vesical irritation may confound the clinical picture (e.g., urgency and frequency [1]). Anatomically, there are three areas of narrowing along the ureter that correspond to where the majority of stones get impacted and cause obstruction. These are the ureteropelvic junction, at the area where the ureter crosses the pelvic brim and at the ureterovesical junction (Fig. 1).
Chlorination: a general route toward electron transport in organic semiconductors.

We show that adding chlorine atoms to conjugated cores is a general, effective route toward the design of n-type air-stable organic semiconductors. We find this to be true for acenes, phthalocyanines, and perylene tetracarboxylic diimide (PDI)-based molecules. This general finding opens new avenues in the design and synthesis of organic semiconductors. We compared a series of fluoro- and chloro-functionalized acenes, phthalocyanines, and PDI-based molecules. The acenes synthesized showed high and balanced ambipolar transport in the top-contact organic field effect transistor (OFET) geometry. The electron-withdrawing halogen groups lowered the LUMO and the charge injection barrier for electrons, such that electron and hole transport occurred simultaneously. If the chlorine added does not distort the planarity of the conjugated core, we found that the chloro-functionalized molecules tend to have a slightly smaller HOMO−LUMO gap and a lower LUMO level than the fluoro-containing molecules, both from calculati...
Topiramate and Metabolic Acidosis in Pediatric Epilepsy

Summary: Purpose: Topiramate (TPM) has been widely used as an adjunctive therapy for treating epilepsy. TPM is reported to have multiple mechanisms of action, including inhibition of carbonic anhydrase, which may result in metabolic acidosis from decreased serum bicarbonate (HCO3-). Methods: Clinical data from 30 children who received TPM as adjunctive therapy for medically refractory epilepsy were reviewed at Children's Hospital, Boston. Serum HCO3-levels were assessed before, during, and after discontinuing TPM (n = 9). When multiple data were available, mean values were used for analysis. Results: Of the 30 patients, 21 had a >10% decrease in HCO3- levels. The mean decrease in HCO3- among the 21 patients was 4.7 mEq/L, and maximum was 10 mEq/L. No clinical symptoms occurred, and HCO3- supplement was not needed, except for one patient who developed tachypnea from worsened acidosis after prolonged status epilepticus during a suspected viral illness. Among the 21 patients, TPM was discontinued in seven children because of a lack of efficacy, and in two because of anorexia. After discontinuing TPM, the serum HCO3- returned to the previous level before starting TPM in all nine. Conclusions: Decreased HCO3- levels occurred in the majority of patients reviewed, usually only to a small to moderate extent, but by 8 and 10 mEq/L in two cases. In patients at risk for acidosis, the decrease in HCO3- may cause significant consequences, such as severe acidosis or renal calculi. Monitoring HCO3- levels before and during TPM therapy may be indicated, especially with conditions that predispose to acidosis.