cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The road to democracy: modeling and analysis of an election big data

Various organizations, such as those active in business or in politics, capture, store, and analyze data gathered from heterogeneous, distributed, and sometimes autonomous information sources including social media, classical and Web databases, multimedia files, localization raw data, etc. Big data is a term used to describe such kind of data having high volume, velocity, and variety features. It involves innovative technologies, such as pervasive and cloud computing ones, used to enhance decision making, provide vision, discovery, and backing to improve business processes and actions on the ground. The latent value of big data analytics is prodigious and clearly recognized by a rising number of studies such as topics related to politics. The tutorial will focus, in general, on big data and related analytics rising topics, and, in particular, on big data studies performed in the modern democracy era. Modeling and analysis approaches will be discussed, and various cases of election big data, including experiences performed in old democracies such in the United States, Canada, and the new ones such in Tunisia, will be presented.
The F-Test on Variance

Suppose we are given two sets of data, each of which is a random sample of some RV. We saw in Chap. 12 how the t-test may be applied to these data to decide whether the two RVs have the same mean; see (12.29). In turn, equality implied the same physical cause for the RV’s.
Current and Emerging Perspectives on Immunotherapy for Melanoma

Novel immunotherapeutic treatments are aimed at reversing the action of inhibitory pathways that restrain the T-cell-dominated immune-mediated defense against cancer. The first immune-inhibitory protein to be discovered was cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4). The effectiveness of a CTLA-targeted antibody in treating melanoma was an impetus for the use of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors in cancer treatment. Important differences between the use of CTLA-4 inhibitors and PD-1 inhibitors in treatment include the patterns of expression of each receptor and its ligands and sites of action, as CTLA-4 blockade has been noted to provide more global effects, whereas those of PD-1 inhibition are observed at the tumor site. Although each treatment has been associated with impressive benefits in advanced melanoma, recent comparative studies suggest that PD-1 inhibitors may be more effective than CTLA-4 inhibition and that the most optimal results may be observed using both agents in those who can tolerate the increased toxicity that accompanies combination treatment. The most common adverse reactions include skin effects using either CTLA-4-blocking antibody or PD-1 inhibitors, colitis using CTLA-4 blockade, or thyroid disease using PD-1 inhibitors.
An Organizational Model of Higher Education Institutions and Faculty Teaching Goals

The theory of organizations as “open systems” is used to develop hypotheses on the relationship between academic institutions and faculty teaching goals. The effects of three measures of academic organizations–type of control, institutional functions, and institutional affluence–on faculty support for four types of teaching goals are tested with data from a nationally representative sample of 301 academic institutions. Through the use of a path analytic model, it was found that these organizational characteristics directly affect the types of teaching goals faculty members endorse and the level of support for teaching goals in general.
Innovative Genetic Approach for Intrusion Detection by Using Decision Tree

Intrusions in an information system are the activities that violate the security policy of the system, and intrusion detection is the process used to identify intrusions. Intrusion detection has been studied for approximately 20 years. Intrusion detection provides a way to identify intrusion and allow responses to attacks against the systems. We present a machine learning approach known as Genetic Algorithm, to identify such attack type of connections. Intrusion detection system used information in the form of audit trails or packet of the network. In this paper we try to solve the fidelity problem. The intrusion detection systems have more result or information in misinterpretations or missed events is known as fidelity.
The existential dimension in a dream

Abstract Various features of a dream that occurred during a critical phase of psychotherapy have been considered from a psychoanalytic, behavioristic and existential viewpoint. While each may enhance our understanding of the patient's difficulties and lead to effective therapeutic interventions, it is the existential-phenomenologic approach that reveals the patient most dramatically as a unique human being. If the therapist can remain sufficiently aware of the separateness and relationship of these viewpoints, he will be free to shift between them, selecting them for their relevance at various moments of the therapeutic relationship. Allusion is made to our yet vast ignorance of neurophysiological and neuropathological aspects as integrally belonging to a person's “world design.” This promises to be a wide yet uncharted field for the phenomenologist interested not only in psychological but also in neurophysiological and neuropathological research.
Security: Active Authentication

The current standard method for validating a user's identity requires creating, remembering, and managing long, complex passwords. Moreover, most systems don't incorporate mechanisms to verify that the originally authenticated person is still the same person controlling the keyboard. DARPA's Active Authentication program seeks to address these problems by moving the focus during authentication from the password to the person using the information system.
A second-generation liquid crystal phase-shifting point-diffraction interferometer employing structured substrates

ABSTRACT By design, point-diffraction interferometers are much less sensitive to environmental disturbances than dual-pathinterferometers, but, until very recently, have not been capable of phase shifting. The liquid crystal point-diffractioninterferometer (LCPDI) utilizes a dye-doped, liquid crystal (LC) electro-optical device that functions as both the point-diffraction source and the phase-shifting element, yielding a phase-shifting diagnostic device that is significantly morecompact and robust while using fewer optical elements than conventional dual-path interferometers. These attributesmake the LCPDI of special interest for diagnostic applications in the scientific, commercial, military, and industrialsectors, where vibration insensitivity, power requirements, size, weight, and cost are critical issues.Until very recently, LCPDI devices have used a plastic microsphere embedded in the LC fluid layer as the point-diffraction source. The process for fabricating microsphere-based LCPDI devices is low-yield, labor-intensive, and veryhands-on; great care and skill are required to produce devices with adequate interference fringe contrast for diagnosticmeasurements. With the goal of evolving the LCPDI beyond the level of a laboratory prototype in mind, we havedeveloped second-generation LCPDI devices in which the reference-diffracting elements are an integral part of thesubstrates by depositing a suitable optical material (vapor-deposited thin films or photoresist) directly onto the substratesurface. These structured substrates eliminate many of the assembly difficulties and performance limitations of currentLCPDI devices as well as open the possibility of mass-producing LCPDI devices at low cost by the same processes usedto manufacture commercial LC displays.Key words : Liquid crystal, point diffraction, interferometry, phase shifting, substrate patterning, photoresist, thin films
Werkstoffprüfung bei hohen Strömungsgeschwindigkeiten

Fur die Untersuchungen von Korrosionsvorgangen wurde eine Prufeinrichtung entwickelt. Diese Anlage ermoglicht es, gravimetrische und elektro-chemische Messungen durchzufuhren und die Vorgange wahrend der Prufzeit optisch zu beobachten. Der Einsatzbereich erstreckt sich auf Drucke bis max. 15 bar, Temperaturen bis + 150°C und Stromungsgeschwindigkeiten bis zu 100 m/s, wobei auch aggressive Medien verwendet werden konnen. Mi Hilfe dieser Einrichtung wurde die Erosionskorrosionsbestandigkeit von verschiedenen Werkstoffen in heisen Solen untersucht. Es zeigte sich, das schon nach verhaltnismasig kurzer Zeit eine Differenzierung der Werkstoffe moglich ist. Material tests at high-velocity flows A corrosion test rig was developed making possible visual observation of the behaviour of metal when exposed to corrosive environments, such as aggressive media at high or low velocities. Pressures up to 15 bar, temperatures up to 150 °C are possible. Fluid velocities range from 5 to 80 m/s, or even to 100 m/s for short runs. Boiler water, seawater and various acids are the media used. Test runs with different test materials using hot brine as electrolyte have shown, that the behaviour of the material can be evaluated after a short run time.
Metabolism of the phytoalexins medicarpin and maackiain by Fusarium solani

Abstract Non-inhibitory concentrations of the pterocarpan phytoalexin medicarpin were completely metabolized by isolates of Fusarium solani f. sp. pisi, f. sp. cucurbitae, f. sp. phaseoli and two other F. solani isolates genetically related to f. sp. pisi during 24 hr of growth in liquid medium. The major metabolic products accumulated without significant further degradation. Medicarpin was modified at one of three adjacent carbon atoms to form either an isoflavanone derivative, a 1a-hydroxydienone derivative or 6a-hydroxymedicarpin. Whereas each isolate degraded medicarpin to one or more metabolises, the isolates varied as to which metabolise they produced. Maackiain, another pterocarpan phytoalexin, was also metabolized by all the isolates to products analogous to those formed from medicarpin. The ability to metabolize medicarpin and maackiain was not always associated with the ability to metabolize pisatin and phaseollin, two other pterocarpan phytoalexins that were degraded by several of the isolates. Tolerance of medicarpin and maackiain was similarly not always associated with tolerance to pisatin.
Dynamic Fertilizer Nutrient Demands for Corn: A Cointegrated and Error-Correcting System

Past studies of the demand for fertilizer have typically been based on static models which assume that adjustments toward equilibrium are instantaneous. This article builds on past studies by developing a dynamic model of nutrient demands of corn. Unit root and cointegration tests demonstrate that fertilizer demands of corn are dynamic. Therefore, statistically correct estimates can be obtained using a dynamic model. A set of error-correction models for nitrogen, phosphate, and potash use in corn production are estimated. Results provide strong statistical evidence that nutrient demands of corn are price inelastic both in the short and the long run.
Linear stability analysis of a two-fluid model for air–water bubble columns

Abstract Linear stability analysis is performed for the two-dimensional, two-fluid model for gas–liquid flow applied in our previous computational study of bubble columns [Monahan, S.M., Vitankar, V.S., Fox, R.O., 2005. CFD predictions for flow-regime transitions in bubble columns. A.I.Ch.E. Journal 51, 1897–1923]. The growth rate and the velocity of propagation for a small-amplitude disturbance wave are shown to be highly dependent on the wave number, the direction of propagation, and the two-fluid model parameters. Two types of vertical instabilities are identified: one corresponding to the classical analysis of Jackson [1963. The mechanics of fluidized beds. I: the stability of the state of uniform fluidization. Transactions of the Institution of Chemical Engineers 41, 13–21] for the one-dimensional model, and the other due to a second pair of roots to the characteristic equation of the linearized two-dimensional model. Numerical simulations keeping one type or the other of the roots stable (or unstable) show distinctly different dynamics and suggest that large-scale instabilities seen experimentally may be associated with the second type of instability. The latter leads to instability in the horizontal velocities and is associated with a positive lift coefficient in flows without mean shear in the presence of isotropic bubble–bubble interactions (i.e., “bubble pressure”). This instability is thus different than previously reported instabilities due to negative lift or cooperative/hindered rise.
Fungus or parasite or both: A diagnostic challenge

Protothecosis is a rare opportunistic infection caused by achlorophilic algae Prototheca wickerhamii, mainly in immunocompromised hosts. Due to their morphologic appearance in routine culture media, they can often mimic yeast-like opportunistic pathogens such as Pneumocystis jirovecii. This can delay the identification of other culprit organisms. We present a fatal case of protothecosis in a 74-year-old immunosuppressed male with concomitant Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP). The presence of a coinfection along with resemblance in routine culture media and microbiological and histopathological staining can prove to be a diagnostic challenge and delay appropriate care of an immunosuppressed patient.
Parental Monitoring, Parent–Adolescent Communication About Sex, and Sexual Risk Among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men

Parental monitoring and parent-adolescent communication about sex protect against HIV-related sexual risk behaviors among heterosexual adolescents, but it is unknown if these findings generalize to young men who have sex with men (YMSM). Sexual orientation-specific stressors, including "coming out" to parents, complicate the family context of YMSM. We examined associations between parental monitoring, communication about sex, outness to cohabitating parents, and sexual behaviors. Ethnically diverse YMSM ages 14-19 provided cross-sectional data (n = 257). Monitoring and outness to parents interacted to predict recent same-sex unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). For YMSM who reported mixed or uncertain outness to parents, higher levels of perceived parental monitoring were associated with greater risk of UAI. Higher levels of communication about sex were associated with greater risk of UAI for YMSM out to parents. Parental monitoring and communication about sex might not protect YMSM against sexual risk in the same way they protect heterosexual youth. Future research should examine whether adapted forms of family factors could protect YMSM, and family-based HIV risk-reduction interventions for YMSM should be attuned to the unique ways family factors function within this group.
Transepithelial electrical measurements on the isolated rabbit iris-ciliary body.

Abstract Transmural electrical properties of the isolated rabbit iris-ciliary body (I-CB) were measured in Ussing-Zerahn-type chambers. Control p.d. across the preparation was −1·2±0·1 mV, with the ciliary process (aqueous)-side consistently negative with respect to the ciliary body (blood)-side and the short-circuit current (SCC) was 7·9±0·6 μA cm −2 . Bilateral bathing solution substitutions demonstrated absolute requirements for the presence of Na + , K + and HCO 3 − for the maintenance of the p.d. Addition of 5 × 10 −5 m ouabain to the aqueous-side chamber increased the p.d. and SCC initially, with a subsequent decline to zero. Only a declining phase was observed when ouabain was added to the blood-side. Ouabain inhibited oxygen consumption by 28% in Tyrode's solution. Respiratory rate was also approximately 28% lower in Na + -free and K + -free Tyrode's solution and ouabain had no additional inhibitory effect in either of these two solutions. Thus the biphasic effect of ouabain on the electrical parameters cannot be explained by a toxic effect but rather as a selective inhibition of the Na + -, K + -pump. Our results indicate that Na + -, K + -ATPase activity and the presence of HCO 3 − are required for active ion transport in this preparation.
The economic organization of the English East India Company

Abstract Alfred Chandler and Oliver Williamson pioneered the argument that the invention of the multidivisional firm in the 1920's in the U.S. was a major organizational innovation. In this paper we argue that the organizational principles underlying the multidivisional firm appeared much earlier in history, specifically, in the organization of the English East India Company. We document the presence of multidivisional principles in the East India Company, and we argue that, most likely, the Company evolved to a divisionalized basis because of its monopoly status with respect to the sale of Asian goods in England.
Characteristics of the sequence effect in Parkinson's disease

The sequence effect (SE) in Parkinson's disease (PD) is progressive slowing of sequential movements. It is a feature of bradykinesia, but is separate from a general slowness without deterioration over time. It is commonly seen in PD, but its physiology is unclear. We measured general slowness and the SE separately with a computer-based, modified Purdue pegboard in 11 patients with advanced PD. We conducted a placebo-controlled, four-way crossover study to learn whether levodopa and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) could improve general slowness or the SE. We also examined the correlation between the SE and clinical fatigue. Levodopa alone and rTMS alone improved general slowness, but rTMS showed no additive effect on levodopa. Levodopa alone, rTMS alone, and their combination did not alleviate the SE. There was no correlation between the SE and fatigue. This study suggests that dopaminergic dysfunction and abnormal motor cortex excitability are not the relevant mechanisms for the SE. Additionally, the SE is not a component of clinical fatigue. Further work is needed to establish the physiology and clinical relevance of the SE. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society.
The Challenge of Peace: Ronald Reagan, John Paul II, and the American Bishops

In 1983, the American Catholic bishops’ conference released The Challenge of Peace, a pastoral letter on nuclear weapons policy. This article examines the drafting process of that pastoral letter, revealing a complex relationship between President Ronald Reagan, Pope John Paul II, and the U.S. bishops. At the same time Reagan was strengthening the relationship between Washington and the Vatican, the American bishops were becoming increasingly critical of the president and his policies in a way not previously seen from the Catholic hierarchy—a tension that colored the drafting of The Challenge of Peace. The pastoral represents a watershed moment in the transformation of the American Catholic Church into a major voice in the American public sphere.
Natural and human impacts on centennial sediment accumulation patterns on the Umpqua River margin, Oregon

Abstract Quantifying patterns of sediment accumulation rates (SARs) over the past ~ 125 years on continental margins provides insight into diverse processes spanning the land–ocean boundary. In particular, temporal changes in the export of fluvial sediment can lead to changes in ocean margin SARs, whereas spatial patterns of accumulation reflect the net effect of wave-driven resuspension and current transport averaged over many years. To explore these issues we quantified SARs using 210 Pb geochronology at 73 stations on the shelf and upper slope off the Umpqua River, Oregon. Three types of 210 Pb profiles were observed: a well-defined roughly 10-cm-thick surface mixing layer (SML) underlain by a zone of logarithmic decrease on the distal mid to outer shelf and slope (type 1, n = 45); a deep (20–30-cm thick) SML underlain by a zone of logarithmic decrease in the sandy inner shelf (type 2, n = 8); and a composite profile with two distinct zones of logarithmic decrease below an ~ 10-cm-thick SML in a mid-shelf depocenter adjacent to the river mouth (type 3, n = 21). Type 3 profiles imply a 2–4-fold increase in the SAR that occurred, on average, in 1967 ± 13 y. Such an increase in SARs is consistent with the history of industrial logging in the Umpqua basin, which peaked in the two decades after World War II and coincided with a wet phase of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (1944–1978) when average and peak river flows were elevated. Comparison of the Umpqua River shelf depocenter with the well-studied Columbia and Eel River systems reveals some important similarities and differences between these ‘marine-dispersal dominated’ systems, whereby forcing (e.g., river–ocean coherence) on the Umpqua is comparable to that of the Eel, whereas the spatial pattern is more similar to that of the Columbia. These seemingly paradoxical results can be reconciled by considering the relative significant wave height during periods of elevated sediment delivery.
Courseware development for statistical inference

Abstract Six courseware modules were programed to fulfill two roles in an undergraduate introductory applied statistics course: as classroom/laboratory instructional tools, and as aids for experimental design. Utilizing a common interface style, the programs allow users to view both dynamic and static results of statistical inference. This paper presents background and screen descriptions of these programs.
How to Treat the Stiff Total Knee Arthroplasty?: A Systematic Review

Background Multiple modalities have been used to treat the stiff TKA, including manipulation under anesthesia (MUA), arthroscopy, and open arthrolysis.
Phase Separation In III-V Semiconductors

Data are presented to show the morphological instability as well as the occurrence of 1-dimensional phase separation through the spinodal decomposition process in the strained layer heteroepitaxy of short-period superlattices. Biaxial strain has been attributed to be the driving force. With a large net strain in the epitaxial film, > 3.5%, island growth of (InAs)1/(GaAs)1 on GaAs is observed. With a near zero net strain, however, 1-dimensional lateral compositional modulation is observed in the growth of (InAs)2/(GaAs)2 on InP and (InP)2/(GaP)2 on GaAs substrates. Both surface reaction and bulk diffusion take part in forming the ultimate modulation. A small but definitive hydrostatic strain in the metastable Al0.3Ga0.7As film grown at low temperature induces also a 1-dimensional compositional modulation upon annealing at 600°C, a direct evidence of the existence of a miscibility gap in strained AlxGa1-xAs.
Doppler-spread parameterization of gravity-wave momentum deposition in the middle atmosphere. Part 2: Broad and quasi monochromatic spectra, and implementation

Abstract This paper extends the parameterization that is developed in its companion paper, Part 1. It first discusses the input vertical-wavenumber spectrum of the broad background of gravity waves that Part 1 is designed to treat. It then employs one model spectral form to summarize and illustrate the steps necessary for implementation of the parameterization. Finally, it describes amendments that would be required when quasi monochromatic waves are to be included, and it specializes those amendments to the specific case of orographically generated waves.
Optimal Transmission Strategy and Capacity Region for Broadcast Z Channels

This paper presents an optimal transmission strategy, with simple encoding and decoding, for the two-user broadcast Z channel. This paper provides an explicit-form expression for the capacity region and proves that the optimal surface can be achieved by independent encoding. Specifically, the information messages corresponding to each user are encoded independently and the OR of these two streams is transmitted. Nonlinear turbo codes that provide a controlled distribution of ones and zeros are used to demonstrate a low-complexity scheme that works close to the optimal surface.
A first principles comparison of the mechanism and site requirements for the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol and formic acid over Pt

First principles density functional theoretical calculations were carried out to examine and compare the reaction paths and ensembles for the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol and formic acid in the presence of solution and applied electrochemical potential. Methanol proceeds via both direct and indirect pathways which are governed by the initial C–H and O–H bond activation, respectively. The primary path requires an ensemble size of between 3–4 Pt atoms, whereas the secondary path is much less structure sensitive, requiring only 1–2 metal atoms. The CO that forms inhibits the surface at potentials below 0.66 V NHE. The addition of Ru results in bifunctional as well as electronic effects that lower the onset potential for CO oxidation. In comparison, formic acid proceeds via direct, indirect and formate pathways. The direct path, which involves the activation of the C–H bond followed by the rapid activation of the O–H bond, was calculated to be the predominant path especially at potentials greater than 0.6 V. The activation of the O–H bond of formic acid has a very low barrier and readily proceeds to form surface formate intermediates as the first step of the indirect formate path. Adsorbed formate, however, was calculated to be very stable, and thus acts as a spectator species. At potentials below 0.6 V NHE, CO, which forms via the non-Faradaic hydrolytic splitting of the C–O bond over stepped or defect sites in the indirect path, can build up and poison the surface. The results indicate that the direct path only requires a single Pt atom whereas the indirect path requires a larger surface ensemble and stepped sites. This suggests that alloys will not have the same influence on formic acid oxidation as they do for methanol oxidation.
The effects of nicotine administration in utero upon activity in the rat

Holtzman male rat offspring whose mothers were injected twice daily throughout gestation with 3.0 mg/kg nicotine differed little from saline-injected control offspring on activity measures in the wheel Offspring whose mothers were injected with the same dose of nicotine throughout gestation and the nursing period and offspring whose mothers received a 4% hypoxic episode throughout gestation were significantly more active than the control saline group. Differences were more extreme during the second week of testing than during the first.
Operational Forecasting of Lake Effect Snowfall in Western and Central New York

Abstract Lake effect snowstorms frequently produce heavy snow in western and central New York State during the late fall and winter months when the waters of Lakes Erie and Ontario are relatively ice free. Mesoscale snowbands account for most of the snow. The depth of the snowfall can vary as much as 100 cm in 50 km. An Overview is presented of some of the procedures that the National Weather Service Office in Buffalo uses to forecast lake effect snow. Forecasters at the office developed a computer program for the Automation of Field Operations and Services (AFOS) that provides guidance for forecasting lake effect snow. The program includes the compilation of forecasts for wind direction and temperature in the lower troposphere at Buffalo. It also calculates the fetch across each lake, and the change in wind direction through the lower troposphere. The program requires input parameters that are computed from one of the two operational numerical models of the National Meteorological Center, and the average...
Use of circular dichroism to study the interactions of carboxypeptidase A (Anson) and Aα+β with substrates and inhibitors

Abstract 1. 1. The phenylalanyl circular dichroism (CD) bands of peptides were used to assay peptidase activity of carboxypeptidase A (Anson) and Aα+β (70% AαLeu and 30% AβVal). Gly-Gly- l -Phe and Gly- l -Phe have a sharp, negative CD band at 267 nm, whereas l -phenylalanine (the optically active product) has positive CD. Thus the hydrolysis of these substrates may be measured from the CD change at 267 nm (change in ΔϵM of about 0.04 M−1·cm−1). 2. 2. The addition of β-phenylpropionate to either carboxypeptidase Aα+β or A (Anson) makes the CD more positive in the region from 270 to 285 nm. Apparently this alteration results from the tyrosyl CD bands of carboxypeptidase A (peptidyl- l -amino acid hydrolase, EC 3·4.2.1). Evidence is presented that this change arises primarily from the interaction of β-phenylpropionate with Tyr 198 (binding constant, 0.5 mM). 3. 3. Gly- l -Phe does not produce any major alteration of the tyrosyl CD bands of carboxypeptidase Aα+β or A (Anson). Apparently the movement of Tyr 248 into the active site does not cause any readily measurable CD alteration, even when extensive signal averaging is carried out to achieve low noise records (peak-to-peak noise less than 5·10−6 ΔA). 4. 4. The binding of Gly- l -Phe, Gly- d -Phe, l -phenylalanine, or d -phenylalanine shifts the wavelength positions of the tryptophanyl CD fine structure observed in carboxypeptidase A (Anson) cooled to −196°. This effect may result from binding outside the active site pocket, possibly in the groove near Arg 71.
Development of an rf driven multicusp ion source for nuclear science experiments

Abstract A compact 13.56 MHz radio-frequency (rf) driven multicusp ion source is under development at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) for radioactive ion beam applications. In this paper we describe the ion source design and the general ion source performance using H 2 , Ar, Xe gas and a 90% Ar/10% CO gas mixture for generating the discharge plasma. The following ion source characteristics have been analyzed: extractable ion current, ion species distributions, ionization efficiency for nobel gases, axial energy spread and ion beam emittance measurements. This ion source can generate ion current densities of approximately 60 mA/cm 2 .
Epoxy polymers. V. Dielectric strength

This report deals with material properties which determine dielectric strength rather than phenomena that occur during breakdown. We propose that the determining factors are the same for liquids and polymers. We report dielectric strengths calculated from measured breakdown potentials and sample thicknesses for liquids, ionic solutions, and epoxy polymers doped with ionizable materials. The breakdown field (in liquids and polymers) is hypothesized to be that which generates some critical current density value in the dielectric. The reasons for this value being critical and characteristic of the material are unknown; however, the ionic current density that the measured breakdown field produces can be calculated from the Onsager theory of high-field electrolytic conduction, and this ionic current density is assumed to be the critical threshold quantity involved. Because of field effects on the dissociative ionization and conductivity of electrolytes in organic systems, the breakdown field varies with concentration and solute species, but the ionic current density associated with the breakdown field is essentially constant for a wide range of species and molar concentrations in a given solvent.
The influence of fault geometry on small strike-slip fault mechanics

Abstract Meter-scale subvertical strike-slip fault traces in the central Californian Sierra Nevada exhibit geometric complexities that significantly contribute to their mechanical behavior. Sections of faults that opened at depth channelized fluid flow, as evidenced by hydrothermal mineral infillings and alteration haloes. Thin sections show a variation in the style of ductile deformation of infill along the fault, with greater intensities of deformation along restraining bends. Orthorectified photomosaics of outcrops provide model geometries and parameter constraints used in a two-dimensional displacement discontinuity model incorporating a complementarity algorithm. Model results show that fault shape influences the distribution of opening, and consequently the spatial distribution of fluid conduits. Geometric irregularities are present at many scales, and sections of opening occur along both releasing and restraining bends. Model sensitivity tests focus on boundary conditions along the fault: frictional properties on closed sections and fluid pressure within sections of opening. The influence of the remote stress state varies along a non-planar fault, complicating the relationships between remote stresses, frictional properties, slip, and opening. Discontinuous sections of opening along model faults are similar in spatial distribution and aperture to the epidote infill assemblages observed in the field.
Cognitive maps and the hippocampus

This paper reviews a number of behavioral issues raised by the O’Keefe-Nadel theory of hippocampus as the substrate of cognitive maps. It was suggested that the mere fact of locomotion between two places was insufficient to assume that the spatial relationship between these two places had been established in a cognitive map. Moreover, it was suggested that locomotor behavior per se is not a necessary precondition for the establishment of a cognitive map. With respect to the effects of cuing, it was shown that when performance on a task unambiguously depends on a cognitive map, cues associated with particular spatial loci are ineffective in guiding performance. Additionally, once a cognitive map is formed, such cues do not alter the map. The role of the hippocampal-fornix system in the development of a cognitive map was supported, although it was shown that hippocampus is not the storage site of the cognitive map.
Structural evidence of human nuclear fiber compaction as a function of ageing and cataractogenesis.

Abstract This study was conducted to quantify structural change associated with human nuclear fiber compaction as a function of ageing and nuclear cataract formation. Normal donor lenses in three age ranges, young (15–25 years), middle-aged (36–46 years) and aged (59–81 years) were compared to each other and to age-related nuclear cataracts (55–81 years) surgically removed by extracapsular extraction. Several structural modifications which occurred as a manifestation of fiber compaction were noted. In the fetal nucleus (FN), the average anterior and posterior fiber angles decreased approximately 20% with age. Additionally, there was a reduction in the thickness of both the anterior and posterior segments of fetal fibers with age. On average, the anterior–posterior (A–P) axis in the embryonic nucleus (EN) decreased 33% with age. The average length of EN fibers decreased significantly (37%) as a function of age. This change in EN fiber length was accomplished by effecting compaction folds along fiber length. By comparison, in nuclear cataracts the anterior and posterior angles of FN fibers were about 12% smaller than comparably aged normal lenses. Similarly, the A–P axis and the length of EN fibers were 13% smaller than age-matched normals. Nuclear fiber compaction in early adulthood was significant and may contribute to the lens hardening and loss of accommodative ability symptomatic of presbyopia. 3D-CAD reconstructions of fiber compaction show how the reduction in the spacing of lateral interdigitations along fiber length causes an increase in the fiber membrane complexity along the A–P axis in relation to fiber cytoplasm as light passes through lenses. These results may explain, at least in part, how an increase in large particle scatter occurs as light is transmitted through fiber membranes, resulting in reduced lens optical quality as a function of age. By extrapolation, the significantly increased compaction of nuclear fibers in age-related nuclear cataracts may be a contributing factor for excessive scatter in nuclear opacification.
Flying without a net in MDS

In this issue of Blood , Malcovati et al discuss the findings of an expert panel of the European LeukemiaNet (ELN) and their recommendations for treating myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).[1][1] Guidance from expert panels on how to treat medical conditions abound, and it is easy to be jaded into
Frequency of binge eating episodes in bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder: Diagnostic considerations

The frequency criterion in DSM-IV (1) for the diagnosis of Bulimia Nervosa (BN) is “at least twice a week,” on average, for three months (criterion C). Similarly, in the provisional criteria for Binge Eating Disorder (BED), the frequency criterion is the occurrence of “binge eating, on average, at least two days a week for 6 months” (criterion D). The DSM-IV Work Group voiced concern with this twice-a-week frequency criterion for BN that was introduced in DSM-III-R, noting unpublished data that indicated no difference between once a week or greater frequency (2). Unless there was substantial empirical evidence favoring change the operational philosophy guiding the development of DSM-IV was to make no alterations to DSM-III-R criteria. Research is now available, however, to document the limitations inherent in this criterion and the need for change in DSM-V. The purpose of this review was to examine the validity and utility of the frequency criterion for BN and BED and to consider possible options for change.
The use of Omegaven in treating parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease

Parenteral nutrition (PN), containing fat emulsions derived from soybean, has been implicated in the progression of PN-associated liver disease and cholestasis, particularly in infants with short bowel syndrome. Clinical use of Omegaven, a parenteral fish-oil emulsion, has been shown in recent studies to be a promising therapy to reverse liver disease and cholestasis. This review summarizes the rationale, relevant clinical investigations and future direction of Omegaven therapy for PN-dependent infants.
NATURAL SURFACTANT (SF) VS. BRIEF LIQUID VENTILATION (LV) RESCUE THERAPY IN VERY IMMATURE LAMBS

In immature lambs prophylactic LV provides better gas exchange than gas ventilation (GV). In 2 groups of age-matched lambs (gest=lll±1d), after GV for first 45min of life, lambs were rescued: G-I(n=6) with 200mg/Kg of 14C-DPPC label SF (Curosurf) and G-II(n=6) with brief (5min) LV with oxygenated liquid perfluocarbon. Results are compared to previous studies in lambs with LV (G-III;n=7) and GV (G-IV;n=9) since birth (J.Appl. Physiol. 72:1024; 1992). Oxygenation improved after therapy in both rescue groups, not reaching G-III levels. In G-II paO2 decrease by 2.5h, and in G-I remained unchanged while PIP and PEEP need to be increased to values above those of G-III. In both G-I and II pulmonary compliance similarly increased after rescure and compared to untreated lambs, been less than in G-III. Labeled SF was distributed with >65% of lung sections with an amount within 20% of mean. Bleeding through tracheal tube was seen in 5/8 lambs in G-I immediately after treatment and was not seen in other groups. Gross and microscopic examination of lungs demonstrated evidence of hemmorhage and uneven inflation in all groups but G-III. Even in very immature lambs, both rescue strategies transiently improve gas exchange and pulmonary function; although exposure of immature lung to GV after rescue, impedes a sustained effect of both rescue modalities, been total LV since birth a better alternative.
Methodological advances for measuring low-level radium isotopes in seawater

A new approach for quantifying radium isotopes in seawater was developed in advance of the international GEOTRACES program, which has the goal of identifying processes and quantifying fluxes that control the distribution of trace elements and isotopes (TEIs) in the ocean. High-resolution water column samples were collected via a commercially available in situ pump modified to accept multiple filter media including a manganese-oxide (MnO2) impregnated acrylic cartridge for extracting dissolved radionuclides from seawater. The modifications mitigated prefilter clogging and allowed for up to 1,800 L filtrations in 4 h of pumping. Different MnO2 cartridge preparation methods were investigated to achieve maximum radium (Ra) extraction efficiency under high sample flow rates. Full-ocean depth profiles were measured for short-lived radium isotopes (223Ra and 224Ra) in shipboard laboratories using a delayed coincidence alpha scintillation counter (RaDeCC). Samples were reanalyzed 4 weeks and 2 months after collection for 228Th and 227Ac to correct for supported 224Ra and 223Ra, respectively. Finally, the cartridges were measured on a gamma-ray spectrometer for the long-lived radium isotopes (226Ra and 228Ra). Parallel 20 L samples at each pumping depth were collected from Niskin bottles and analyzed via alpha scintillation for 226Ra to determine radium extraction efficiencies for the cartridges. These modified methods will allow for increased sample throughput, and hence higher spatial resolution for radium isotopes in the ocean. Such resolution will greatly improve the determination of oceanic vertical and horizontal mixing rates over small and large scales, which in turn can be used to calculate fluxes of TEIs into the ocean.
Off-axis absolute stability criteria and μ-bounds involving non-positive-real plant-dependent multipliers for robust stability and performance with locally slope-restricted monotonic nonlinearities

One of the most important aspects of the control design and evaluation process is the analysis of feedback systems for robust stability and performance. Over the past several year significant attention has been devoted to the use of small gain tests and other norm-based methods. Unfortunately, due to their dependence on norms, these tests do not allow the inclusion of phase information regarding the system uncertainty. Phase information, here, refers to the characterization of the phase of the modeling uncertainty in the frequency domain. As discussed in 11,121, in the time domain phase information is captured by restricting the allowable time variation of the uncertain system parameters. Recent research [10-131 has led to the development of new robustness analysis and synthesis tools that are significantly less conservative than previous methods due to their inclusion of phase information. Specifically, these robustness analysis and synthesis tools are based upon quadratic Lyapunov functions that are a function of the parametric uncertainty, i.e., parameter-dependent Lyapunov functions. In contrast to analysis and synthesis methods based on fixed quadratic Lyapunov functions such as H∞ theory, these tests guarantee robust stability by means of a family of Lyapunov functions and do not apply to arbitrarily time-varying uncertainties and hence possess the potential for exploiting phase information [11,13-151.
A Grounded Approach to the Study of Complex Systems

The complex and dynamic nature of systems pose a particular challenge to researchers and require the use of a research methodology designed to deal with such systems. The properties of fit, relevance, understandability, generality, control, workability, generalizability, and modifiability make Glaserian grounded theory and grounded action particularly well suited for studying systems. These methods are innovative, systemic, and sophisticated enough to reveal the underlying complexities of systems and plan actions that address their complex, dynamic nature while remaining grounded in what is occurring within the systems as they change over time.
Hydraulic geometry of natural rivers A review and future directions

The geomorphic relationships known as hydraulic geometry (HG) were first introduced by Leopold and Maddock in 1953, and their application remains critically important for assessing water resources the world over. The practical utility of HG for discharge monitoring, habitat studies, and understanding geomorphic change over time is unquestioned, but its elevation beyond empirically observed relationship to physical principle is not complete, despite universal acceptance of its existence. This review summarizes six decades of HG research while surveying rational, extremal, and empirical attempts to derive HG’s underlying physical principles. In addition, so called non-Leopoldian forms of HG are discussed, expanding HG beyond its original construction to examine a range of research that invokes HG in novel ways. The recent discovery of at-many-stations hydraulic geometry (AMHG) is also discussed in the context of previous HG literature. Finally, some common themes linking disparate HG research communities ar...
The photoproduction threshold. Implications for air showers

Abstract The high energy behavior of photoproduction is controlled by the hadronic structure function of the photon and it is possible that the cross section may increase rapidly after a threshold energy beyond which the gluon content of the photon is fully developed. One consequence would be an increase in the muon content of air showers generated by ∼ PeV photons. Although one can qualitatively change the muon content of photon showers by assuming a generous estimate of the magnitude of enhanced photoproduction, we still find that only a small fraction of photon showers look like normal hadronic showers, contrary to indications from some recent air shower experiments.
Differential expression of alternative splice variants of β-arrestin-1 and -2 in rat central nervous system and peripheral tissues

Members of arrestin/beta-arrestin protein family are thought to participate in agonist-mediated desensitization of G-protein-coupled receptors, including rhodopsin and beta2-adrenergic receptor. Unlike in human and cow, splice variants of this protein family in rat have not been studied extensively, and there has been no report on their existence at protein level. Hence, a previous report by others on the localization of both beta-arrestin-1 and -2 in a wide range of innervated rat tissues could imply their broad receptor specificity. In this report we show the presence of two alternatively spliced forms of beta-arrestin-1 in several rat tissues using both reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western immunoblot. Splicing of beta-arrestin-1 pre-mRNA appears to be subject to differential regulation between the rat CNS and peripheral tissues. In contrast, we detected no splice variants of beta-arrestin-2 in rat. A comparison of the genomic DNA sequences of bovine and rat beta-arrestin-2, where the splicing of bovine beta-arrestin-2 mRNA has been reported, revealed a high degree of homology in their organization of exons and introns as well as certain differences that might be responsible for the different processing of beta-arrestin-2 mRNA in the two species. Our two-dimensional isoelectric focusing gels using rat spinal cord and heart tissues demonstrate isoelectric heterogeneity of rat beta-arrestin-1, suggesting that beta-arrestin-1 is subject to post-translational modification unlike beta-arrestin-2.
Abnormal septal motion in patients with postoperative right bundle branch block pattern

Echocardiograms were performed on 25 patients with postoperative right bundle branch block pattern 3 to 93 months after surgery to assess the possible effects of abnormal cardiac excitation on septal motion. Each of the 25 patients demonstrated a unique pattern of septal motion characterized by the presence of an early systolic anterior septal notch, brief in duration and unrelated to subsequent systolic septal motion, right ventricular size, or surgical procedure. Beginning approximately 70 to 80 msec. after the initial QRS deflection, the septum abruptly moved anteriorly 2 to 7 mm. and then returned to a baseline position. The total duration of this abnormal septal motion lasted 78 to 155 msec. This echocardiographic pattern was not seen in any of 30 patients in two control groups. Twenty had a normal QRS pattern and ten demonstrated right ventricular hypertrophy. In addition, patients who underwent open heart surgery and had normal right ventricular conduction postoperatively did not show this echocardiographic pattern with either normal or paradoxical septal motion. This previously undescribed echocardiographic pattern demonstrates that septal motion is uniquely affected in patients with postoperative right bundle branch block pattern.