cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Youth Culture Religious Movements: Evaluating the Integrative Hypothesis*

This paper assesses the “integrative hypothesis” as an aid to understanding the current emergence of new religious movements appealing mainly to young persons. Four ways in which these movements reintegrate young persons into the social system are identified: adjustive socialization, combination, compensation, and redirection. The limitations of each of these as an explanation for the integrative consequences of youth culture religious movements are discussed. A distinction is made between adaptive movements which actually appear to reassimilate social “dropouts” into conventional instrumental routines, and marginal movements which appear to take converts out of conventional roles and routines, but which also perform latent tension management functions for the social system. The correlated properties of adaptive and marginal movements and the tendency for marginal movements to evolve into adaptive movements are discussed. Finally, the problem of “reductionism” in analyzing religious movements in terms of their latent integrative “functions” is discussed.
Aged-related loss of temporal processing: altered responses to amplitude modulated tones in rat dorsal cochlear nucleus.

Loss of temporal processing is characteristic of age-related loss of speech understanding observed in the elderly. Inhibitory glycinergic circuits provide input onto dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) projection neurons which likely serve to modulate excitatory responses to time-varying complex acoustic signals. The present study sought to test the hypothesis that age-related loss of inhibition would compromise the ability of output neurons to encode sinusoidally amplitude modulated (SAM) tones. Extracellular recordings were obtained from young and aged FBN rat DCN putative fusiform cells. Stimuli were SAM tones at 3 modulation depths (100, 50, and 20%) at 30 dB HL with the carrier frequency set to the unit’s characteristic frequency. Discharge rate and synchrony were calculated to describe SAM responses. There were significant age-related changes in the shape and peak vector strength [best modulation frequency (BMF)] of temporal modulation transfer functions (tMTFs), with no significant age-related changes in rate modulation transfer functions (rMTFs) at BMF. Young neurons exhibited band-pass tMTFs for most SAM conditions while aged fusiform cells exhibited significantly more low-pass or double-peaked tMTFs. There were significant differences in tMTFs between buildup, pauser- buildup, and wide-chopper temporal response types. Young and aged wide-choppers displayed significantly lower vector strength values than the other two temporal DCN response types. Age-related decreases in the number of pauser-buildup response types and increases in wide-chopper types with age reported previously, could account, in part, for the observed loss of temporal coding of the aged fusiform cell. Age-related changes in SAM coding were similar to changes observed with receptor blockade of glycinergic inhibition onto fusiform cells and consistent with previously observed age-related loss of endogenous glycine levels and changes in normal adult glycine receptor function. DCN changes in SAM coding could, in part, underpin temporal processing deficits observed in the elderly.
Audio Watermarking through Deterministic plus Stochastic Signal Decomposition

This paper describes an audio watermarking scheme based on sinusoidal signal modeling. To embed a watermark in an original signal (referred to as a cover signal hereafter), the following steps are taken. (a) A short-time Fourier transform is applied to the cover signal. (b) Prominent spectral peaks are identified and removed. (c) Their frequencies are subjected to quantization index modulation. (d) Quantized spectral peaks are added back to the spectrum. (e) Inverse Fourier transform and overlap-adding produce a watermarked signal. To decode the watermark, frequencies of prominent spectral peaks are estimated by quadratic interpolation on the magnitude spectrum. Afterwards, a maximum-likelihood procedure determines the binary value embedded in each frame. Results of testing against lossy compression, low- and highpass filtering, reverberation, and stereo-to-mono reduction are reported. A Hamming code is adopted to reduce the bit error rate (BER), and ways to improve sound quality are suggested as future research directions.
Implementation of an Efficient Algorithm for Virtual Prototyping of Dynamics of Molecular Conformation

This paper presents an O(N) algorithm and its preliminary computer simulation results for virtual prototyping of molecular systems with a simple chain structure. The algorithm is based on proper integration between an internal coordinate method (ICM) and a multibody molecular model. ICM method makes the use of recursive relations possible between two adjacent subsets within a molecular system. The multibody molecular model takes the benefits of freezing degrees of freedom of some lightly excited high frequency bonds. Because these high frequency bonds would force the use of very small integration step sizes, which severely limits the time scales for virtual prototyping of dynamics of molecular conformation over long periods of time. Thus a new multiscale model and efficient algorithm is produced to increase computational efficiency for virtual prototyping of dynamical behaviors of molecular confirmation. This paper will be initially directed towards introduction of the new model and algorithm. Then attention will be turned to the implementation of the algorithm at macro scale, which can be used to demonstrate the validity of the procedure and algorithm. Final focus will be turned to the implementation of the algorithm to a simple molecular chain at micro scale. The algorithm gives an O(N) computational performance for formation/solution of equations of motion for a molecular chain system.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Evidence against an independent solar wind density driver of the terrestrial ring current

The interplanetary electromagnetic fields are generally considered the drivers of the storm-time terrestrial ring current. Recently, the solar wind density has been advocated as an additional driver. Solar wind density partially determines the density in the plasma sheet, which, in turn, is the likely source for the ring current. Therefore, the solar wind density may drive the ring current by enhancing the ring current source plasma. Some studies, using a few years of data, have found a strong statistical signal for a solar wind density driver with a few hours lag prior to the maximum ring current intensity, as measured by a minimum in Dst. However, we show, using a much larger database of storms, that no consistent role for density alone is evident on time scales of a few hours. The previously reported statistical signal seems to be isolated to a particular interval from November 1994 through September 1995.
Correlation between long-term pedogenic CaCO3 formation rate and modern precipitation in deserts of the American Southwest

Abstract The rates of CaCO 3 formation in desert soils of the American Southwest are highly variable and potentially useful in estimating the age of soil profiles. The objective of this study was to examine the correlation between the long-term rate of CaCO 3 formation (LTR) and modern mean annual precipitation (MAP) and temperature (MAT). LTR is not significantly related to temperature but is linearly related to MAP [LTR = 0.0150(MAP − 37), r 2 = 0.924]. The slope of the regression is significantly different from 0.0 and is equivalent to a calcium concentration of 6.0 mg liter −1 in rainfall. However, the intercept term, which suggests a lower limit of precipitation for CaCO 3 formation of 37 mm, is not significantly different from 0.0. The LTR-MAP relationship may be useful in estimating the age of soil profiles by the CaCO 3 method in the desert Southwest.
A locally conservative least-squares method for Darcy flows

Least-squares finite-element methods for Darcy flow offer several advantages relative to the mixed-Galerkin method: the avoidance of stability conditions between finite-element spaces, the efficiency of solving symmetric and positive definite systems, and the convenience of using standard, continuous nodal elements for all variables. However, conventional C0 implementations conserve mass only approximately and for this reason they have found limited acceptance in applications where locally conservative velocity fields are of primary interest. In this paper, we show that a properly formulated compatible least-squares method offers the same level of local conservation as a mixed method. The price paid for gaining favourable conservation properties is that one has to give up what is arguably the least important advantage attributed to least-squares finite-element methods: one can no longer use continuous nodal elements for all variables. As an added benefit, compatible least-squares methods inherit the best computational properties of both Galerkin and mixed-Galerkin methods and, in some cases, yield identical results, while offering the advantages of not having to deal with stability conditions and yielding positive definite discrete problems. Numerical results that illustrate our findings are provided. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Accumulation and Recovery of Irradiation Effects in Silicon Carbide

Single crystals of 6H-SiC have been irradiated with a variety of ions over a wide range of fluences and temperatures. The temperature and dose dependence of damage accumulation has been investigated using in-situ Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry in channeling geometry. At low temperatures, the accumulation of structural disorder exhibits a sigmoidal dependence on dose. At room temperature and higher, simultaneous recovery processes during irradiation significantly reduce the damage accumulation rates by up to a factor of five. Isochronal and isothermal annealing studies have been used to study the damage recovery behavior. For low defect concentrations introduced by 550 keV Si+ irradiation at 160 K, complete recovery is observed at 300 K. However, defects introduced by He+ irradiation on the Si sublattice are more difficult to anneal at room temperature, which suggests trapping of the implanted helium may inhibit defect recombination. Below room temperature, the thermal recovery of defects on the Si sublattice has an activation energy on the order of 0.3 ± 0.1 eV. Defect recovery above 570 K has an activation energy on the order of 1.5 ± 0.3 eV.
Efficient Verification and Optimization of Real-Time Logic-Specified Systems

Embedded and real-time systems are increasingly common and complex, requiring formal specification and verification in order to guarantee their satisfaction of desirable safety and timing requirements. Real-Time Logic (RTL) has been used to capture both the specification (denoted by SP) of a real-time system and the desirable safety assertions (denoted by SA) with respect to this system specification. A verification procedure then determines whether the safety assertions hold with respect to the system specification. However, the satisfiability problem for RTL (i.e., "Can SP \rightarrow SA hold?rdquo), as well as for other first order logics, is undecidable. Consequently, efforts have been focused on identifying nontrivial classes of formulas sufficiently practical for describing industrial real-time systems for which the verification and debugging can be done via efficient heuristics. One such class of formulas is the so-called path RTL. The first contribution of this paper is to extend the existing path RTL class without sacrificing the time complexity of the traditional path RTL heuristic for verification. This implies that we can specify and verify real-time systems, which we were unable to do using the existing path RTL, in the extended path RTL. For real-time systems with large specifications, there is a lot of room for improvement in the algorithms used for verification and debugging. The second contribution of this paper is an efficient method to perform verification and debugging of real-time systems specifications using decomposition techniques. Our idea is to decompose the constraint graph, used in existing approaches, into independent subgraphs so that it is no longer necessary to analyze the entire specification at once, but rather its individual and smaller components. However, none of the above heuristics necessarily finds an ldquooptimal implication.rdquo After verifying SP \rightarrow SA and deploying the system implementing SP, performance changes as a result of power saving, faulty components, and cost saving in the processing platform for the tasks specified in SP affect the computation times of the specified tasks. This leads to a different but related SP, which would violate the original SP \rightarrow SA theorem if SA remains the same. It is desirable, therefore, to determine an optimal SP with the slowest possible computation times for its tasks such that the SA is still guaranteed. This is clearly a fundamental issue in the design and implementation of highly dependable real-time/embedded systems. The third contribution of this paper tackles this fundamental issue by describing a new method for relaxing SP and tightening SA such that SP \rightarrow SA is still a theorem. We have implemented this method in the Java-based DEVO-RTL tool and tested it on several industrial real-time systems. Experimental results show that only about 10 percent of the running time of the heuristic for the verification of SP \rightarrow SA is needed to find an optimal theorem.
Impact of pulse loads on electric ship power system: With and without flywheel energy storage systems

This paper presents the analysis of pulse load operation on the health of a simplified electric ship power system. Two scenarios of the pulse load operation, with and without an energy storage system have been addressed. The energy storage used is a flywheel as it has a very fast time response in supplying high power demands. The health of the electric ship power system is monitored by observing key indicators in the components critical to the working such as the generator and propulsion motor. The time-domain simulation of two test cases is carried out in the PSCAD/EMTDC software platform. The results underscore the vital importance of the flywheel energy storage system in maintaining the stability of the ship power system in the event of pulse load operation.
Patterns of intra- and interspecific association of gall-forming sawflies in relation to shoot size on their willow host plant.

Four species of gall-forming sawflies were each frequently found to have clumped distributions among shoots within their willow host plant across four sites and three years. When all species were considered together by clone, year, and site, species showed independence of distribution among shoots two thirds of the time and showed positive covariance one third of the time. When pairs of species were considered separately, but clones were combined within sites and years, 60% of the chi-square tests of association were significant. All but one of the significant tests showed positive associations between pairs of species. The stem galler was positively associated with the leaf folder at all sites in all years, and the petiole galler was positively associated with the stem galler and leaf folder for most year by site combinations. When species paris co-occurred on shoots they were usually found at the same or higher density as when found alone on shoots. Only 2 of 100 tests showed a depressed density of a species when co-occurring on shoots with heterospecifics.
Development of Biologically Defined Strains of Amphibians

Throughout this Symposium (1) two threads of thought are implicit. The iirst is that the amphibian is a desirable organism on which to conduct tumor and virus research, but that living amphibian material, either in culture or as the whole animal, must be brought under more adequate biological control. Reference has repeatedly been made to the use of wild amphibians in a variety of experimental situations. In no case has reference been made to the nutritional or health status of the animals involved. The only attempts at genetic definition have been by reference to karyotyping, with the exception of work with some urodeles which have been maintained in laboratory colonies for significant periods. It is evident from the work of Moore (2) and McKinnell (3) that the biology of Rana pipiens from closely adjacent populations may differ markedly. Important genetic differences among animals from different commercial shipments must be expected. The second line of thought is that viruses are somehow associated with the development of the Lucke renal adenocarcinoma. Only the approach developed by Tweedell (4) and utilized by Mulcare (5) has routinely resulted in the induction of tumors by inoculation of a virus-containing fraction. Tumors have been induced in other cases (6) but the incidence has been below that desirable for routine analysis of the biology of this tumor. Granoff (7) has specifically indicated the failure to induce tumors in frogs with cultured agents isolated from tumor-bearing frogs.
Using Free-Space Transmission Loss for Evaluating Anechoic Chamber Performance

Performance of a rectangular RF anechoic chamber is evaluated by measuring the relative insertion loss versus separation distance between the sources of chamber illumination and small dipole or open waveguide antennas on a particular measurement axis. Measured data are compared to free-space transmission loss calculated using finite-range source antenna gains. A lack of fit between measured insertion loss and calculated transmission loss is a measure of reflections from chamber surfaces assuming the finiterange gain calculations are exact for the separation distances considered. Experimental results show excellent agreement between a smooth-curve fit to the measured data and the calculated free-space data. Standard fields in this chamber are used for calibrating hazard meters and dipole antennas used for field-strength measurements.
Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization Detects Chromosomal Abnormalities in Hematological Cancers That Are Not Detected by Conventional Cytogenetics

Application of array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) has allowed an unprecedented high-resolution analysis of cancer genomes. We developed a custom genome-wide oligonucleotide microarray interrogating 493 genes involved in hematological disorders. We analyzed 55 patients with hematological neoplasms by using this microarray. In 33 patients with apparent normal conventional cytogenetic analysis, aneuploidy or isochromosomes were detected in 12% (4 of 33) of the patients by aCGH. The chromosomal changes included trisomy of chromosomes 10, 14, and 15, tetrasomy 11, and isochromosome 17q. In 17 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who were initially investigated by using a panel of standard fluorescence in situ hybridization probes, additional copy number changes that were not interrogated by the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) panel were detected in 47% (8 of 17) of the patients by aCGH. Important copy number changes included gain on 2p16 involving REL and BCL11A genes, rearrangements of chromosomes 8 and 15, and trisomy of chromosomes 19 and 22. In five patients with known abnormal karyotypes, aCGH identified the origin of two marker chromosomes and detected microdeletions at five breakpoints involved in three apparent balanced translocations. Our results suggest that a subset of potentially significant genomic alterations is missed by the currently available cytogenetic techniques. This pilot study clearly demonstrates high sensitivity of oligonucleotide aCGH for potential use in diagnosis and follow-up in patients with hematological neoplasms.
A time-domain feedback analysis of filtered-error adaptive gradient algorithms

This paper provides a time-domain feedback analysis of gradient-based adaptive schemes. A key emphasis is on the robustness performance of the adaptive filters in the presence of disturbances and modeling uncertainties (along the lines of H/sup /spl infin//-theory and robust filtering). The analysis is carried out in a purely deterministic framework and assumes no prior statistical information or independence conditions. It is shown that an intrinsic feedback structure can be associated with the varied adaptive schemes. The feedback structure is motivated via energy arguments and is shown to consist of two major blocks: a time-variant lossless (i.e., energy preserving) feedforward path and a time-variant feedback path. The configuration is further shown to lend itself to analysis via a so-called small gain theorem, thus leading to stability and robustness conditions that require the contractivity of certain operators. Choices for the step-size parameter in order to guarantee faster rates of convergence are also derived, and simulation results are included to demonstrate the theoretical findings. In addition, the time-domain analysis provided in this paper is shown to extend the so-called transfer function approach to a general time-variant scenario without any approximations.
Functional Hand Evaluations: A Review

Describing hand prehension patterns in the context of functional hand evaluations may not provide the therapist or surgeon with an accurate portrayal of a patient's capabilities. Although dexterity involves both static and dynamic components of hand usage, most descriptions of prehension patterns study the static phase alone. Hand use is a function of anatomic integrity, mobility, strength, sensation, coordination, age, sex, mental status, disease or trauma, and the condition of other proximal extremity joints (shoulder, elbow, wrist). In this study, various descriptions of hand prehension patterns were reviewed and 11 functional hand evaluations were analyzed. The purpose was to see if the descriptions and the evaluations have common elements. The conclusions are that there are no common elements, that no hand function evaluation is appropriate for all types of patients, and that such evaluations should consist of tasks representative of everyday functional activities.
The role of head-in-space stability on stepping reactions in young and elderly adults.

This study compared head kinematic responses and step latency following an anteriorly directed postural perturbation between two groups (Young, mean age 27.39; Elderly, mean age 71.9). We further attempted to demonstrate, for the first time, a positive linear relationship between sagittal plane head angular velocities and stepping responses in both groups. It was hypothesized that the Elderly would demonstrate higher head angular velocities and greater step latencies than the Young. We also hypothesized that a positive linear relationship would show that, following a perturbation, trials where head angular velocity was low yielded quicker step responses. Each participant experienced three perturbations under five different visual conditions designed to alter visual input and head/trunk coordination. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used, with α set at 0.05. For each test condition, the Elderly consistently demonstrated longer step latencies while exhibiting higher head angular velocities. For each group, a pos...
On the set of images modulo viewpoint and contrast changes

We consider regions of images that exhibit smooth statistics, and pose the question of characterizing the "essence" of these regions that matters for recognition. Ideally, this would be a statistic (a function of the image) that does not depend on viewpoint and illumination, and yet is sufficient for the task. In this manuscript, we show that such statistics exist. That is, one can compute deterministic functions of the image that contain all the "information" present in the original image, except for the effects of viewpoint and illumination. We also show that such statistics are supported on a "thin" (zero-measure) subset of the image domain, and thus the "information" in an image that is relevant for recognition is sparse. Yet, from this thin set one can reconstruct an image that is equivalent to the original up to a change of viewpoint and local illumination (contrast). Finally, we formalize the notion of "information" an image contains for the purpose of viewpoint- and illumination- invariant tasks, which we call "actionable information" following ideas of J. J. Gibson.
Functional characterization of a putative serine carboxypeptidase in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Rationale: We previously identified a novel serine carboxypeptidase, SCPEP1, that undergoes cleavage across all tissues where it is expressed. SCPEP1 bears the signature catalytic triad found in all serine carboxypeptidases, but its biological function is completely unknown. Objective: To begin elucidating the functions of SCPEP1 in vitro and in the vessel wall after injury. Methods and Results: Cultured smooth muscle cells were transduced with adenovirus carrying wild-type Scpep1, a short hairpin RNA to Scpep1, or variants of Scpep1 with mutations that disrupt the catalytic triad domain or SCPEP1 cleavage. Western blotting of key growth regulators or growth and migratory responses were assessed following SCPEP1 gain- or loss-of-function in smooth muscle cells. Vascular injury-induced remodeling and cell proliferation were evaluated in wild-type or newly created Scpep1 knockout mice. Overexpression of wild-type or cleavage-defective SCPEP1, but not a catalytic triad mutant SCPEP1, promotes smooth muscle c...
Roles Executives Play: CEOs, Behavioral Complexity, and Firm Performance

This paper develops a model of executive leadership consisting of four competing roles: Vision Setter, Motivator, Analyzer, and Task Master. These four roles are operationalized and hypotheses are then tested concerning their relationships to three dimensions of firm performance using data collected from a sample of 916 top managers. Results suggest that CEOs with high "behavioral complexity" - the ability to play multiple, competing roles - produce the best firm performance, particularly with respect to business performance (growth and innovation) and organizational (stakeholder) effectiveness. Executive leadership role had little to do with firms' financial performance.
Junction temperature induced thermal snapback breakdown of MOSFET device

Continued scaling of semiconductor devices is increasingly concerned with physical limits of maximum junction temperature. This paper reports the mechanism of a junction temperature induced thermal snapback breakdown of a MOSFET device in the absence of the high electric field. The thermal snapback breakdown results from Fermi-level shift and thermally generated hole current driven by the junction temperature. It occurs before the junction temperature reaches the intrinsic level and thus determines a fundamental physical limit of MOSFET device operation.
Performance Prediction Model and Analysis for Compute-Intensive Tasks on GPUs

Using Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) to solve general purpose problems has received significant attention both in academia and industry. Harnessing the power of these devices however requires knowledge of the underlying architecture and the programming model. In this paper, we develop analytical models to predict the performance of GPUs for computationally intensive tasks. Our models are based on varying the relevant parameters - including total number of threads, number of blocks, and number of streaming multi-processors - and predicting the performance of a program for a specified instance of these parameters. The approach can be used in the context of heterogeneous environments where distinct types of GPU devices with different hardware configurations are employed.
Power laws for monkeys typing randomly: the case of unequal probabilities

An early result in the history of power laws, due to Miller, concerned the following experiment. A monkey types randomly on a keyboard with N letters (N>1) and a space bar, where a space separates words. A space is hit with probability p; all other letters are hit with equal probability (1-p)/N. Miller proved that in this experiment, the rank-frequency distribution of words follows a power law. The case where letters are hit with unequal probability has been the subject of recent confusion, with some suggesting that in this case the rank-frequency distribution follows a lognormal distribution. We prove that the rank-frequency distribution follows a power law for assignments of probabilities that have rational log-ratios for any pair of keys, and we present an argument of Montgomery that settles the remaining cases, also yielding a power law. The key to both arguments is the use of complex analysis. The method of proof produces simple explicit formulas for the coefficient in the power law in cases with rational log-ratios for the assigned probabilities of keys. Our formula in these cases suggests an exact asymptotic formula in the cases with an irrational log-ratio, and this formula is exactly what was proved by Montgomery.
Monte Carlo analysis of resistive networks without a priori probability distributions

In this paper, we formulate and solve a new type of Monte Carlo problem for a resistive network. Given lower and upper bounds on the value of each resistor but no probability distribution, we consider the problem of finding the expected value for a designated gain. In view of the fact that no a priori probability distributions for the uncertain resistors are assumed, a certain type "distributional robustness" is sought. To this end, a new paradigm from the robustness literature is particularized to circuits and results are provided in this context. Some of the performance bounds obtained via this new approach differ considerably from those which result from a more conventional Monte Carlo simulation.
Estimation of artificial neural network parameters for nonlinear system identification

A unified framework for representing ANN (artificial neural network) training algorithms is developed by considering weight selection as a parameter estimation problem. Three existing ANN training strategies are reviewed within this framework, i.e., gradient-descent backpropagation, the extended Kalman algorithm, and the recursive least squares method. A strikingly different approach to error backpropagation is presented, resulting in the development of a novel method of backward signal propagation and target state generation for embedded layers. The proposed technique is suitable for implementation with a linear-Kalman based update algorithm and is applied with a time-varying method of covariance modification for the elimination of transients associated with initial conditions. Results from a nonlinear identification experiment demonstrate an increased rate of convergence in comparison with backpropagation. The new algorithm displayed similar rates of parameter convergence and a decreased computational overhead compared to the extended Kalman algorithm. >
Edmund Husserl: Empathy and the Transcendental Constitution of the World

A critical tension within Husserl’s thinking — that is, his attachment to the classical Greek Enlightenment and things apodictic on one hand, and his constantly returning to the world that is “constituted” and “in flux” on the other hand — saturates the Fifth Cartesian Meditation. Such ambivalence is manifest by Husserl’s controversial notion that empathy [Einfuhlung] is a founding mode, a transcendental condition of the Objective world. Kathleen Haney notes that empathy is not only intrinsic to any life-world, but as well provides the unity of the sciences and the means for their proper ordering.1 Because empathy makes possible our objective knowledge of the natural [Naturwissenschaften] and social [Geisteswissenschaften] sciences, Husserl’s notion of empathy was met with derision by Martin Heidegger, who rejected outright any theory that assigned to empathy a founding mode. “This phenomenon,” Heidegger argues, “which is none too happily designated as ‘empathy,’ is then supposed, as it were, to provide the first ontological bridge from one’s own subject, which is given proximally as alone, to the other subject, which is proximally quite closed off.”2 If this were the case — that is, if empathy was a founding mode as Husserl proposed — then, Heidegger concludes, the Other would be reducible to a mere a duplicate of the Self, a non-differentiated reproduction cloned by “publicness” [die Offentlicheit], a mere Thing [Ding] in a world [Welt] in which “everyone is the other, and no one is himself.”3
Geographic Information System Use for Hydrologic Data Development for Design of Highway Drainage Facilities

A significant part of the cost of most highway projects is attributable to drainage facilities such as storm drains, highway culverts, bridges, and water quality and quantity control structures. A geographic information system (GIS) for hydrologic data development for design of drainage facilities is presented. The system was developed to reduce the analysis time and improve accuracy by integrating spatial data describing the watershed with hydrologic theory. A grid-based GIS to estimate potential extreme peak discharges, watershed parameters, peak discharges for different frequencies, isochrone lines, and runoff curve numbers is presented. Data from the State of Texas were used in an example application.
Clinical trials and treatment prospects.

Prospects for definitive therapeutic intervention for Rett syndrome (RS) have been elevated by the discovery of mutations in the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 gene (MECP2) in more than 80% of females meeting clinical criteria for this disorder. As such, a review of previous clinical trials, descriptions of the status of clinical management for the prominent medical problems of RS, and a preview of an ongoing clinical trial conducted jointly at the Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Alabama at Birmingham are presented. The conduct of controlled clinical trials requires adherence to diagnostic criteria for RS; stratification by age, stage, and presence of MECP2 mutations; and use of clearly defined outcome measures. Previous clinical trials in RS have been conducted with L-carnitine, the ketogenic diet, and the opiate antagonist, naltrexone. The L-carnitine and naltrexone trials were double blind, placebo-controlled and us ed the motor behavioral analysis described in this review. All failed to provide evidence of dramatic improvements in the clinical features of RS. Specific recommendations are presented for clinical management of growth failure, breathing irregularities, seizures, ambulation, scoliosis, gastrointestinal function, self abuse, and habilitation/education although systematic evaluations of each in the context of RS have not been conducted. The only ongoing trial involves dietary supplementation with folate and betaine and is based on the finding that gene expression of some alleles of the agouti gene could be altered by dietary methyl supplementation. The availability of animal models expressing mutations in MECP2 should enhance the evaluation of innovative therapies for RS.
The multicomponent meningococcal serogroup B vaccine (4CMenB): origin, composition, health impact and unknown aspects

Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B is the main cause for meningococcal invasive disease in many parts of the world. Since 2013, a new multicomponent vaccine against meningococcal serogroup B (4CMenB) has been licensed in Europe, Australia, Canada, Chile, Uruguay, USA and Brazil with different immunization schedules. Clinical trials involving adults, adolescents, children and infants showed 4CMenB has a good immunogenicity and safety profile. Strain coverage estimates are similar to or better than other recently approved vaccines, ranging from 66% in Canada to 91% in Unites States. Some points still remain to be clarified such as the best immunization strategy, the effect of 4CMenB on carriage, the long-term persistence of protective bactericidal antibodies titers, long-term safety outcomes, the possible emergence of N. meningitidis escape mutants and the vaccine cost-effectiveness. In this review, we focus on the vaccine composition, clinical trials and suggested schedules, safety data, potential strain coverage and future challenges.
On the relationship between radiance and irradiance: determining the illumination from images of a convex Lambertian object

We present a theoretical analysis of the relationship between incoming radiance and irradiance. Specifically, we address the question of whether it is possible to compute the incident radiance from knowledge of the irradiance at all surface orientations. This is a fundamental question in computer vision and inverse radiative transfer. We show that the irradiance can be viewed as a simple convolution of the incident illumination, i.e., radiance and a clamped cosine transfer function. Estimating the radiance can then be seen as a deconvolution operation. We derive a simple closed-form formula for the irradiance in terms of spherical harmonic coefficients of the incident illumination and demonstrate that the odd-order modes of the lighting with order greater than 1 are completely annihilated. Therefore these components cannot be estimated from the irradiance, contradicting a theorem that is due to Preisendorfer. A practical realization of the radiance-from-irradiance problem is the estimation of the lighting from images of a homogeneous convex curved Lambertian surface of known geometry under distant illumination, since a Lambertian object reflects light equally in all directions proportional to the irradiance. We briefly discuss practical and physical considerations and describe a simple experimental test to verify our theoretical results.
Exercising restraint when passing judgment on restraint chairs

2 Given this paucity of data, it seems imprudent to conclude: “this device can be effectively and safely used to restrain violent individuals.” As noted from the authors’ legal review, injury and deaths have been associated with restraint chair use. The cases which have been brought to the attention of the courts likely represent a small fraction of the actual morbidity and mortality associated with this device. Until data from actual law enforcement encounters can be analyzed to establish the true risk to individuals placed in restraint chairsin fieldconditions,lawenforcementshouldnotassumesafety and err on the side of caution, as with all new restraint techniques.
Facile syntheses and structures of new metal-maleonitrilediselenolates [K([2.2.2]-cryptand)]3[Ag(Se2C2(CN)2)(Se6)], [K([2.2.2]-cryptand)]2[Ni(Se2C2(CN)2)2], and Ni(dppp)(Se2C2(CN)2).

Facile syntheses of [K([2.2.2]-cryptand)]3Ag(Se2C2(CN)2)(Se6)] (1) and [K([2.2.2]-cryptand)]2[Ni(Se2C2(CN)2)2] (2) are achieved through reaction of polyselenides with KNH2, [2.2.2]-cryptand, and AgBF4 or Ni(dppp)Cl2 in acetonitrile. The syntheses of 2 and Ni(dppp)(Se2C2(CN)2) (3) may be achieved by reaction of 1 with NiCl2 or Ni(dppp)Cl2 in dmf. These compounds represent the first easily prepared metal−maleonitrilediselenolate derivatives.
Rate expression for water-gas shift over a gold/ferrochrome catalyst

The kinetics of low-temperature water–gas shift over gold/ferrochrome catalysts were studied at atmospheric pressure and temperatures between 160 and 180 °C. During two extended kinetic experiments...
Chemical Beam Epitaxy Grown Indium Gallium Arsenide Tunnel Junctions

p+/n+ In0.53Ga0.47As tunnel junctions with room temperature peak to valley ratio of 9:1 are demonstrated. The device structures were grown on both InP and GaAs (4% lattice mismatch) using Chemical Beam Epitaxy (CBE). Be and Si were used as dopants. The devices grown on InP exhibit room temperature peak current in excess of 1000 A/cm2. The peak current of 452 A/cm2 achieved on lattice mismatched material (GaAs) is comparable to the highest results previously reported on lattice matched material (InP). Finally, The device characteristics and the influence of different fabrication steps on the performance of these devices are discussed based on temperature dependent I–V measurements.
Wear testing of a 21 kW 7600 s ion thruster

The HiPEP ion thruster successfully completed a 2000 hr wear test in support of the development of high -power, high-specific impulse ion thruster development. The average beam power, specific impulse, and beam current were 20.8 kW, 7650 s, and 3.60 A, respectively. No thruster anomalies were observed during the testing. The pyrolytic graphite ion optics were validated for long-duration operation. Ion optics wear appears to correlate with pre-test predictions, and detailed analysis of the wear rates will be forthcoming.
A Multiobjective Approach to Find Optimal Electric-Vehicle Acceleration: Simultaneous Minimization of Acceleration Duration and Energy Consumption

The high energy consumption associated with acceleration requires electric vehicles (EVs) to accelerate to a chosen speed optimally, particularly in urban driving cycles. Existing methods deal with the minimization of acceleration energy without considering the acceleration duration. This paper focuses on solving a multiobjective optimization problem (MOOP) with two conflicting objectives: minimization of acceleration duration and minimization of energy consumption. Two approaches were used to reach a desired speed: using a single acceleration value and using multiple acceleration values. For each approach, demonstrative speed changes were chosen, and the problem was solved using multiobjective genetic algorithms (MOGAs). The results (Pareto-optimal fronts) obtained by these two approaches were compared using suitable performance metrics. To validate the reliability of MOGA results, statistical analysis was carried out. Furthermore, a nonparametric study, i.e., the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, was conducted to compare the effectiveness of both approaches. It was found that multiple accelerations were more effective in minimizing the duration and energy consumption than a single acceleration. For the same duration, multiple accelerations reduced energy consumption by up to 2%. Sensitivity analysis for both approaches with electric motor model parameters was conducted. The simulation results of EV acceleration using the preferred optimal solution based on driving comfort and the Pareto front's knee suggested a strong implication toward driving assistance.
Intracrine angiotensin II functions originate from noncanonical pathways in the human heart

Although it is well-known that excess renin angiotensin system (RAS) activity contributes to the pathophysiology of cardiac and vascular disease, tissue-based expression of RAS genes has given rise...
Cubic Spline Interpolation

In this chapter, we discuss what is probably the most popular curve scheme: C2 cubic interpolatory splines. We have seen how polynomial Lagrange interpolation fails to produce acceptable results. On the other hand, we saw that cubic B-spline curves are a powerful modeling tool; they are able to model complex shapes easily. This “modeling” is carried out as an approximation process, manipulating the control polygon until a desired shape is achieved. We will see how cubic splines can also be used to fulfill the task of interpolation, the task of finding a spline curve passing through a given set of points. Cubic spline interpolation was introduced into the CAGD literature by J. Ferguson [183] in 1964, while the mathematical theory was studied in approximation theory (see de Boor [112] or Holladay [264]). For an outline of the history of splines, see Schumaker [423]. Because of the subject's importance, we present two entirely independent derivations of cubic interpolatory splines: the B-spline form and the Hermite form.
An Experimental Model of Human Leukemic Meningitis in the Nude Rat

An experimental animal model of meningeal leukemia was developed in the nude rat, rnu/rnu, using the human-derived acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line HPB-ALL. Anesthetized rats were placed in a modified stereotaxic frame and then injected intrathecally, at the level of the cisterna magna, with human leukemic cells. Cerebrospinal fluid and tissue samples from brain, spinal cord, heart, liver, kidney, spleen, bone marrow, and cervical lymph nodes were subjected to histopathologic examination and molecular genetic screening by clonotype primer-directed polymerase chain reaction (CPD-PCR). Ninety-three percent of animals (n = 14) developed signs of meningeal irritation leading to death 30 to 63 days postinjection (median, 36.0 days, mean, 38.7); death occurred between 30 and 39 days in 77% of all animals. Leukemic cells progressively infiltrated the pericerebellar and pericerebral subarachnoid space and infiltrated the Virchow-Robin (perivascular) space. The infiltrating meningeal leukemia closely resembled the pathologic presentation in the human condition. By CPD-PCR, leukemic cells were first detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF ) on day 4 postinjection, were variably present over the ensuing 17 days, and were consistently detected after day 21. At terminal stages, CPD-PCR tissue surveys showed leukemic DNA in all brains and spinal cords and rarely in cervical lymph nodes, but leukemic DNA was not detected in any other tissue screened. Leukemic meningitis was reliably produced with a predictable survival time. Intrathecal administration of leukemic cells was an efficient means of transmitting leukemic meningitis and it compartmentalized the disease to the central nervous system (CNS), eliminating potential complications of systemic illness. The use of human-derived cell lines may render this model more relevant to the development of future therapeutic strategies to treat leukemia and lymphoma that invade the CNS.
Testing hypotheses about individual variation in plasma corticosterone in free-living salamanders

In vertebrates, many responses to stress as well as homeostatic maintenance of basal metabolism are regulated by plasma glucocorticoid hormones (GCs). Despite having crucial functions, levels of GCs are typically variable among individuals. We examined the contribution of several physiological factors to individual variation in plasma corticosterone (CORT) and the number of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons in the magnocellular preoptic area of the brain in free-living Allegheny Mountain dusky salamanders. We addressed three hypotheses: the current-condition hypothesis, the facilitation hypothesis and the trade-off hypothesis. Differential white blood cell count was identified as a strong contributor to individual variation in baseline CORT, stress-induced CORT and the number of CRH neurons. In contrast, we found no relationship between CORT (or CRH) and body condition, energy stores or reproductive investment, providing no support for the current-condition hypothesis or the trade-off hypothesis involving reproduction. Because of the difficulties of interpreting the functional consequences of variation in differential white blood cell counts, we were unable to distinguish between the facilitation hypothesis or the trade-off hypothesis related to immune function. However, the strong association between differential white blood cell count and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal/interrenal (HPA/I) activation suggests that a more thorough examination of immune profiles is critical to understanding variation in HPA/I activation.