cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On a Criterion Governing the Mode of Cloud Formation in Planetary Atmospheres

Abstract Condensation in vertically moving planetary atmospheric gases containing small quantities of any condensable vapor will occur in updrafts only if the latent heat of the viper is sufficiently large, otherwise the condensation will require adiabatic compression and will occur only in downdrafts, as first noted by Brunt. Several methods are presented for viewing and deriving a quantitative criterion for the intermediate case in which the vapor behaves in neutral fashion in either ascending or descending currents. Put in its most general form, relating the molar entropy of vaporization S of the condensable vapor and the molar specific heat Cp, of the carrier gas, the null criterion requires S= Cp. The peculiar nature of meteorological processes in a planetary atmosphere in which latent heat considerations imply downdraft condensation is examined in some detail, and some implications of the null condensation criterion for studies of planetary atmospheres and their evolution are discussed.
Patterns: from system design to software testing

Design patterns are used extensively in the design of software systems. Patterns codify effective solutions for recurring design problems and allow software engineers to reuse these solutions, tailoring them appropriately to their particular applications, rather than reinventing them from scratch. In this paper, we consider the following question: How can system designers and implementers test whether their systems, as implemented, are faithful to the requirements of the patterns used in their design? A key consideration underlying our work is that the testing approach should enable us, in testing whether a particular pattern P has been correctly implemented in different systems designed using P, to reuse the common parts of this effort rather than having to do it from scratch for each system. Thus in the approach we present, corresponding to each pattern P, there is a set of pattern test case templates (PTCTs). A PTCT codifies a reusable test case structure designed to identify defects associated with applications of P in all systems designed using P. Next we present a process using which, given a system designed using P, the system tester can generate a test suite from the PTCTs for P that can be used to test the particular system for bugs in the implementation of P in that system. This allows the tester to tailor the PTCTs for P to the needs of the particular system by specifying a set of specialization rules that are designed to reflect the scenarios in which the defects codified in this set of PTCTs are likely to manifest themselves in the particular system. We illustrate the approach using the Observer pattern.
Density functional study of dimers of dimethylnitramine

We have investigated several modes of interaction of two dimethylnitramine molecules. Four functional combinations were tested by comparing the computed (H3C)2NNO2 dissociation energies to the experimental value; the B3PW91 was selected for the dimer calculations. Four different basis sets were used in order to assess the effects of basis set superposition. The computed electrostatic potential on the molecular surface of dimethylnitramine was used to provide guidance as to likely relative orientations for two interacting molecules. Two bound dimers were found, the more stable being produced by two O- - -H and two O- - -N interactions, the less stable just by two O- - -H. ΔE (0 K) and ΔH (298 K) are approximately −3.9 and −3.2 kcal/mol for the first, and −2.6 and −1.8 kcal/mol for the second. The optimized geometries of the dimers show that the monomer components differ significantly from free dimethylnitramine in only one respect, a shortening of the N–N distances by roughly 0.02 A in the former. The calculated surface electrostatic potentials of the dimers are used to predict likely modes of interaction with a third dimethylnitramine molecule. Their structures are related to that of the crystalline solid. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 80: 184–192, 2000
Comparison of the invasion strategies used by Salmonella cholerae-suis, Shigella flexneri and Yersinia enterocolitica to enter cultured animal cells: endosome acidification is not required for bacterial invasion or intracellular replication

Strains of Escherichia, Salmonella, Shigella and Yersinia actively enter eukaryotic cells. Several techniques were used to compare and contrast the invasion mechanisms of Salmonella cholerae-suis, Yersinia enterocolitica and Shigella flexneri. Three animal cell lines (CHO, HEp-2 and MDCK) were examined for susceptibility to bacterial entry by these strains. Levels of intracellular bacteria varied widely between cell lines, but CHO cells were the most susceptible to bacterial invasion, HEp-2 invasion levels were intermediary, whereas polarized MDCK cells were invaded to a lesser extent. This illustrates that tissue culture models can be optimized to study bacterial invasion and intracellular replication. We used these tissue culture models to examine the interactions between host cells and these invasive bacteria. The use of lysosomotropic agents (methylamine and ammonium chloride), cationic ionophores (monensin) and acidification-defective CHO cell lines demonstrated that endosome acidification is not required for bacterial invasion or intracellular replication. Drugs which inhibited microfilament formation (cytochalasins B and D) prevented internalization of S. cholerae-suis, Y. enterocolitica and S. flexneri, indicating that invasion is a microfilament-dependent event. The microtubule inhibitors, colchicine, vincristine and vinblastine, did not affect bacterial internalization.
Percutaneous femoral venous catheterizations: A prospective study of complications

In a prospective, 45-month study, we compared the complication rates of percutaneously placed femoral and nonfemoral central venous catheters in critically ill pediatric patients. Forty-one percent of the 395 central venous catheters placed during this interval were femoral. Noninfectious complications were recognized for 2.5% of femoral catheters and 2.1% of nonfemoral catheters. Only three complications occurred with catheter insertion, all during nonfemoral attempts. Systemic infections that were possibly attributable to the central venous catheter were found in 3.7% of patients with femoral catheters and 7.3% of those with nonfemoral catheters. Femoral venous catheterization offers several practical advantages for central access over other sites. The low incidence of complications documented in this study suggests that the femoral vein is the preferred site in most critically ill children when central venous catheterization is indicated.
Real-time simulation in Project Mercury

The testing of the Project Mercury computing system offers a unique problem. The Mercury program runs in real-time, with inputs arriving at specific time intervals and outputs being transmitted at varying time intervals. The computational programs and their associated controls are complexly inter-related and are all time interdependent. Therefore, in order to test these programs the data must be presented in such a manner as to allow the time function to show its effect.
Density Functional Theory Calculations and Analysis of Reaction Pathways for Reduction of Nitric Oxide by Hydrogen on Pt(111)

Reaction pathways are explored for low temperature (e.g., 400 K) reduction of nitric oxide by hydrogen on Pt(111). First-principles electronic structure calculations based on periodic, self-consistent density functional theory (DFT-GGA, PW91) are employed to obtain thermodynamic and kinetic parameters for proposed reaction schemes on Pt(111). The surface of Pt(111) during NO reduction by H2 at low temperatures is predicted to operate at a high NO coverage, and this environment is explicitly taken into account in the DFT calculations. Maximum rate analyses are performed to assess the most likely reaction mechanisms leading to formation of N2O, the major product observed experimentally at low temperatures. The results of these analyses suggest that the reaction most likely proceeds via the addition of at least two H atoms to adsorbed NO, followed by cleavage of the N–O bond.
Water-level changes in Lake Baikal, Siberia: Tectonism versus climate

Relative changes in the level of Lake Baikal, amounting to hundreds of meters in Quaternary time, are well documented. Data presented here show that tectonic displacements of the lake outlet or former shoreline features are entirely sufficient to explain these relative lake-level changes. In contrast, the morphology and hydrology of the lake make its level hydrologically insensitive to climate change. Available evidence indicates that, throughout the past several hundred thousand years, Lake Baikal was a dilute, through-flowing lake controlled by the level of its outlet. On the basis of geologic data alone, climatic effects on lake level, whatever their magnitude, are difficult to separate from those caused by active rift tectonism. However, consideration of (1) the hydrologic budget of the lake and (2) the configuration of the outlet suggests that potential lake-level fluctuations due solely to climate change were less than about 2 m.
Coverage and connected coverage problems for sensors embedded in a temperature-sensitive environment

Several issues are encountered during deployment of bio-sensors in a human or animal body. Radio transmitters during operation dissipate energy and raise the temperature of its surroundings. A temperature-sensitive environment, such as the human body, can tolerate such increase in temperature only up to a certain threshold value, beyond which serious injury may result. To avoid such injury, the sensor placement must be carried out in a way that ensures the surrounding area temperature remains within the threshold. Using a thermal model for heat distribution from multiple heat sources (radio transmitters), we observed that if the sensor nodes are placed sufficiently apart from each other, then the temperature of the surrounding area does not exceed the threshold. This minimum separation distance constraint gives rise to a new variation of the sensor coverage problem.
Evidence of Natural Selection in Molecular Evolution

HOMOLOGOUS proteins have similar structure and function and are encoded by genes which have descended by gradual mutation from the same ancestral gene. Studies of genetically controlled protein variation have shown that at any given locus different species often have different alleles. Several authors1,2 have proposed that allelic differences between species in genes coding for protein variants lack adaptive significance. Many amino-acid substitutions can, allegedly, occur in a protein without modifying its functional efficiency. Different alleles would, then, become fixed in different species by random sampling through the generations. According to this theory, the widespread protein polymorphisms found in natural populations of a given species are adaptively neutral as well; they simply represent transient states in the process of random substitution of a protein for another adaptively equivalent2.
The effects of hearing impairment on symptoms of autism in toddlers.

Objective: Individuals diagnosed with certain medical conditions, such as those with hearing loss or impairment, may present with symptoms that mimic those of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate how hearing-compromised toddlers would score relative to toddlers diagnosed with an ASD on a measure of autism symptomatology.Methods: The Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits (BISCUIT) was utilized to compare toddlers diagnosed with an ASD or who had hearing problems.Results: The BISCUIT was effective in differentiating between children with ASD and those with hearing problems. However, atypically developing toddlers scored significantly lower than those with compromised hearing within the communication domain.Conclusion: Communication impairment, albeit lower than in toddlers with ASD, is present in toddlers with compromised hearing. As such, this factor should be taken into account when assessing for ASD in toddlers with hearing loss or impairment.
Correlation of solid-liquid and vapor-liquid equilibrium data for polynuclear aromatic compounds

Abstract Solid—liquid equilibrium (SLE) data were measured for five solutes in cis-decalin from ambient temperature to the melting point of the solutes. These SLE data plus our previous data for the same solutes in tetralin were used to determine experimental activity coefficients and interaction parameters using the UNIQUAC model. This set of interaction parameters gave a good representation of the experimental SLE data but were not satisfactory generally for predicting vapor—liquid equilibria for these systems. However, in an alternative approach, the solid solubility data and one vapor—liquid equilibrium point for each isotherm from previous work were used to determine another set of binary interaction parameters in the UNIQUAC model using a gradient-based search technique. The calculated values of parameters were used then to predict the vapor—liquid equilibrium for that system. It was found that the solid solubility and one vapor—liquid equilibrium data point were sufficient to predict the vapor—liquid equilibrium curve for the binary systems studied. Finally, all the solid solubility and vapor—liquid equilibrium data were combined to determine global parameters for the ten binary systems using the UNIQUAC model.
The Amino Acid Sequence of Rat Kidney 5-Oxo-L-Prolinase Determined by cDNA Cloning

5-Oxoprolinase (EC 3.5.2) catalyzes a reaction in which the endergonic cleavage of 5-oxo-L-proline to form L-glutamate is coupled to the exergonic hydrolysis of ATP to ADP and inorganic phosphate. Highly purified preparations of the enzyme have been obtained from rat kidney and Pseudomonas putida. The rat kidney enzyme is composed of two strongly interacting, apparently identical subunits (Mr = 142,000), whereas that from P. putida is composed of two functionally different protein components that can readily be dissociated. Here we report the cloning of rat kidney 5-oxoprolinase with preliminary expression studies. cDNA clones encoding the enzyme were isolated by screening a λgt11 cDNA library beginning with a degenerate oligonucleotide probe based on peptide sequence data obtained from the purified enzyme. The whole cDNA clone was completed by amplifying its 5′ end from a premade library of rat kidney Marathon-Ready™ cDNAs using polymerase chain reaction methodology. The composite cDNA (4,016 bases) revealed an uninterrupted open reading frame encoding 1,288 amino acid residues (Mr = 137,759). The deduced amino acid sequence contains all four of the peptide sequences that were independently found in peptide fragments derived from the enzyme. Expression of the full-length clone in Escherichia coli yielded a product of the same size as the rat kidney enzyme and which reacted with antibodies directed against the rat kidney enzyme. The predicted amino acid sequence is almost 50% identical throughout its entire length to that of a hypothetical yeast protein YKL215C. It is also 26% identical in half its length to the bacterial hydantoinase HyuA and 26% identical in the other half to the bacterial hydantoinase HyuB. The results suggest unexpected evolutionary relationships among the hydantoinases and rat kidney 5-oxoprolinase which share the common property of hydrolyzing the imide bond of 5-membered rings but which do not all require ATP.
EFFECT OF INCREASED TEST‐TAKING TIME ON TEST SCORES BY ETHNIC GROUP, YEARS OUT OF SCHOOL, AND SEX

A great deal of concern has been expressed in recent years about the fairness of standardized admissions tests. Unfairness can be introduced in test content, test administration procedures, and in the use of the test results. The purpose of this study is to investigate one aspect of the test administration procedures-test-taking time. For tests designed to be measures of "power" rather than "speed," it is expected that most examinees will have time to complete nearly all of the questions within the time allotted. If certain demographic subgroups of examinees are systematically given too little time to complete the test sections, it may be that their scores are depressed because of timing limitations and not because of lower ability. Although several studies have investigated the effect of test-taking time on the scores of minority groups, little evidence showing subgroup bias has been found. In two studies of reading comprehension questions on the Law School Admissions Test, Evans and Reilly (1972a, 1972b) found that increasing the amount of time per question did not differentially increase scores, i.e., although scores might improve with increasing time, the increase did not vary with race (1972a, 1972b) or sex (1972a). A similar study utilizing a special quantitative section of the Admission Test for Graduate Study in Business again reported no significant interaction between ethnic groups and time factors (Evans & Reilly, 1973). Although no "biasing" effects resulting from timing were found in the previously cited studies, the results are not definitive for other admissions tests or for other conditions. First, only two types of questions (reading comprehension and regular mathematics) were investigated. Second, these studies did not consider certain important groups of interest. In addition to ethnic difference in the impact of test timing, it might be hypothesized that time would differentially affect scores of women, especially on quantitative sections, since proportionally fewer women than men are in quantitative fields of study. In addition, scores for students who have been out of school for some time might be differentially affected by the test timing because they are less accustomed to working in timed situations and to taking multiple choice tests. None of the studies reviewed in the literature specifically addressed these two problems. The present study includes a wider range of item types as well as subgroups defined by sex and years since receipt of the baccalaureate degree. The following research question was investigated separately for verbal and quantitative experimental sections of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Aptitude Test: Does increasing the amount of time per question have a differential effect on the scores (after controlling for initial ability) of examinee subgroups as defined by sex, by race (Black and White), and by the number of years that have elapsed since the baccalaureate degree was obtained?
Expectations for Cassini observations of ring material with nearby moons

This paper describes N-body simulations of two regions of the saturnian ring system and examines what we might expect the Cassini orbiter to see in those areas. The first region is the edge of the Encke gap in the A ring that is perturbed by the satellite, Pan. Our previous simulations of this region neglected particle self-gravity [Lewis and Stewart, 2000a, Bull. Am. Astron. Soc. 34, 883]. Here we examine the interactions of the wakes caused by Pan with the wakes that form from local gravitational instabilities. We find that the two phenomena do not normally coexist and predict that measurements of particle sizes between the moon wakes should reflect the true particle size distribution of the region and not what is caused by gravitational aggregation. The region between the Encke gap edge and the first wake peak is an exception to this rule because our simulations exhibit the formation of exceptionally large gravity-induced wakes in this region. We also describe simulations of the F ring and explain the nature of braid-like structures that form naturally when the ring is perturbed by a single moon on an eccentric orbit. Finally, we discuss the very dynamic nature of the F ring system and how this should be taken into account when interpreting observations and even when planning future observations of this system.
Fluid entrainment by isolated vortex rings

Of particular importance to the development of models for isolated vortex ring dynamics in a real fluid is knowledge of ambient fluid entrainment by the ring. This time-dependent process dictates changes in the volume of fluid that must share impulse delivered by the vortex ring generator. Therefore fluid entrainment is also of immediate significance to the unsteady forces that arise due to the presence of vortex rings in starting flows. Applications ranging from industrial and transportation, to animal locomotion and cardiac flows, are currently being investigated to understand the dynamical role of the observed vortex ring structures. Despite this growing interest, fully empirical measurements of fluid entrainment by isolated vortex rings have remained elusive. The primary difficulties arise in defining the unsteady boundary of the ring, as well as an inability to maintain the vortex ring in the test section sufficiently long to facilitate measurements. We present a new technique for entrainment measurement that utilizes a coaxial counter-flow to retard translation of vortex rings generated from a piston–cylinder apparatus, so that their growth due to fluid entrainment can be observed. Instantaneous streamlines of the flow are used to determine the unsteady vortex ring boundary and compute ambient fluid entrainment. Measurements indicate that the entrainment process does not promote self-similar vortex ring growth, but instead consists of a rapid convection-based entrainment phase during ring formation, followed by a slower diffusive mechanism that entrains ambient fluid into the isolated vortex ring. Entrained fluid typically constitutes 30% to 40% of the total volume of fluid carried with the vortex ring. Various counter-flow protocols were used to substantially manipulate the diffusive entrainment process, producing rings with entrained fluid fractions up to 65%. Measurements of vortex ring growth rate and vorticity distribution during diffusive entrainment are used to explain those observed effects, and a model is developed to relate the governing parameters of isolated vortex ring evolution. Measurement results are compared with previous studies of the process, and implications for the dynamics of starting flows are suggested.
Pumping induced depletion from two streams

Abstract We have proved that the Hantush’s model [Hantush MS. Wells near streams with semipervious beds. J Geophys Res 1965;70:2829–38] in a half-domain can be extended to a whole-domain and becomes identical to that of Hunt [Hunt B. Unsteady stream depletion from ground water pumping. Ground Water 1999;37(1):98–102] for a shallow and infinitely narrow stream, provided that the Dupuit assumption is adopted. This proof helps correct a false concept that regards the Hantush’s model as less useful because of its fully penetrating stream assumption. This study deals with interaction of an aquifer with two parallel streams based on the Hantush’s model. Semi-analytical solutions are obtained based on rigorous mass conservation requirement by maintaining continuity of flux and head along the aquifer–streambed boundaries. This study shows that the hydraulic conductivity ratio of the two streambeds appears to be the most important factor controlling the stream–aquifer interaction, followed by a less important role played by the thickness ratio of the two streambeds. When the low-permeability streambeds do not exist, the steady-state stream depletion from one stream is linearly proportional to the ratio of the shortest distance from the pumping well to the other stream over the shortest distance between the two streams. When the low-permeability streambeds are presented, similar conclusion can be drawn except that the stream depletion now also strongly depends on the hydraulic conductivity ratio of the two streambeds. When the values of the hydraulic conductivity of the two streambeds are different by an order of magnitude, the location of the pumping well that receives equal flux from two streams can be off the middle-line between the two streams by nearly 90%.
Health monitoring of complex structures

A basic step in the monitoring of health of any structure is detection of damage levels and location of the damage in the system. Several damage detection schemes have been proposed in recent years. Published applications of these methods are typically for simplified models of realistic structures. This leaves open the question of the accuracy and efficiency of the available damage detection methods when applied to large and complex structural models. This paper will investigate the accuracy of different damage detection techniques to complex structural models. A typical multi- jointed steel bridge, which is damaged by cracks of different sizes, is considered. The damage will be simulated analytically in the structural model, and the damage detection algorithms will be applied to both the damaged and the undamaged structures. Three damage detection algorithms are investigated, namely the change of stiffness, the change of flexibility and the damage index methods. Some modifications and extensions of the change of stiffness and change of flexibility methods were incorporated in this study. These extensions helped inaccurate comparisons between different methods. It was found that all three algorithms produced adequate damage detection results. More analytical studies are recommended. Also, experimental testing for complex structures is recommended.
In vitro Culture of the Flagellate Protozoan Hexamita salmonis

Trophozoites of Hexamita salmonis, asserted pathogen of juvenile salmonid fishes, were isolated from two species of Pacific salmon hosts and cultured repeatedly in an organic medium saturated with nitrogen. Primary isolates and serial subcultures usually exhibited five- to tenfold population increases per passage.
The Migratory Response of Labor to Special Economic Zones in the Philippines, 1995–2005

In the mid 1990s the Filipino government adopted a new export-led development policy in an attempt to attract new investments and lower the unemployment rates throughout the country. The central idea was to provide foreign investors more access to Filipino markets and labor by giving them investor tax breaks and lowering trade tariffs. In return, the government hoped that investors would bring large amounts of capital into designated areas thereby creating new jobs and stimulating the domestic economy. The Filipino created the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and Base Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) to manage the operation of the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) throughout the country. Between 1995 and 2005 PEZA and BCDA approved over 200 new SEZ that have created over four million jobs throughout the country. However, these jobs are concentrated in a small number of regions. This research uses a modified Harris-Todaro model and GIS techniques to examine the inter-regional migration response to the PEZA and BCDA programs’ geographically targeted investments. We show that areas with the highest job growth have high rates of in-migration while regions with low SEZ related investments have become migration-sending areas. In addition, our analysis shows that in-migration to SEZ affected areas has tended to surpass available jobs resulting in high unemployment. We show how the Harris-Todaro model in combination with GIS might be used to identify locations for future PEZA and BCDA investments that are less likely to result in regional population loss or growth in unemployment.
Foreigners and Foreign Institutions in Republican China

One of the most contested issues in modern Chinese history is the role foreigners played in the period from 1840 and 1949. Anne-Marie Brady and Douglas Brown have put together a series of essays wh...
Renal fluid and electrolyte handling in BKCa-β1−/− mice

Large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (BKCa) are composed of pore-forming α-subunits and one of four accessory β-subunits. The β1-subunit, found predominantly in smooth muscle, modulates the...
Unexpected Companions Bilateral Cooperation Between States Involved in Territorial Disputes

Empirical research suggests that the existence of territorial disputes makes armed conflict more likely to occur. Yet, there are many states that have engaged in militarized interstate disputes tha...
Investigation of phthalocyanine catalysts for the aerobic synthesis of meso-substituted porphyrins

The aerobic oxidation process for the synthesis of porphyrins, previously performed using 5 mol % p-chloranil (TCQ), 5 mol % iron(II) phthalocyanine (FePc) and stoichiometric amounts of O2, has been refined using new phthalocyanine catalysts. Four phthalocyanine catalysts have been prepared, characterized by Mossbauer spectroscopy and examined for efficacy in the high concentration (0.1 M) synthesis of tetraphenylporphyrin at room temperature. Each phthalocyanine has been identified to be a μ-oxo dimer. Two catalysts are soluble (the μ-oxo dimers [(t-butyl)4FePc]2O and [(n-C6H13O)4FePc]2O) and enable homogeneous reactions, while two are insoluble (the μ-oxo(1) and μ-oxo(2) dimers of FePc, (FePc)2O) and give heterogeneous reactions. These four phthalocyanine compounds provide efficient catalysis at the 0.3–1 mol % level using only 1 mol % quinone or hydroquinone (TCQ, DDQ, TCQH2 or DDQH2), affording ~25% yields of tetraphenylporphyrin in 60 min of oxidation. There are no discernible advantages of the homogeneous versus heterogeneous catalysts. The μ-oxo dimers are active, but FePc is inactive, at the 0.3 mol % level. The activity of the FePc sample at the 5 mol % level is attributed to residual μ-oxo dimer impurity. This aerobic oxidation process is superior to stoichiometric oxidation with TCQ or DDQ, and can be performed in the presence of BF3·O(Et)2, trifluoroacetic acid, or under neutral conditions.
Spin stream develop process for ZEP resist

ZEP is a field-proven stable E-Beam resist for photo-mask manufacturing. The spin-spray develop method has been widely used for ZEP resist processing. Recently, we have successfully adopted the spin-stream develop process for ZEP resist by using modified TEL MARK-8 wafer process track. This paper presents a comparison result of CD uniformity between the conventional spin-spray method and new spin-stream method on 6-inch production halftone phase shift masks. In this process, we apply low temperature(18 deg. C) develop solution in room temperature ambient. The spin-stream process with low temperature solution is found to be a suitable recipe for high-end phase shift mask manufacturing with under 10 nm CD uniformity (3sigma) in 120mm X 120mm area. Moreover, the modified MARK-8 track can provide both of a FEP and a ZEP process module in one unit, and this advantage reduces the cost of ownership for a high-end mask manufacturing facility.
Quark screening lengths in finite temperature QCD

Abstract We have computed Landau gauge quark propagators in both the confined and deconfined phase of QCD. I discuss the magnitude of the resulting screening lengths as well as aspects of chiral symmetry relevant to the quark propagator.
The impact of religion and reputation in the organization of Indian merchant communities

The complex interplay of religion, reputation and repeated transactions among trade and business communities that dominate the Indian intermediary markets are detailed. Using prior historical sociological and ethnographic accounts, the author highlights some unique aspects of Indian merchant communities and the common elements that these share with other business communities in Asia. The analysis lends credit to the notion that marketing theory can gain substantially from a focus on identity, family and other forms of kinship relations. Strategic implications drawn from the analysis show that while foreign consumer goods firms cannot afford to ignore the large and growing Indian market, their success will depend to a large extent on their understanding of the intricacies of the Indian merchant communities that dominate various marketing channels.
Lessons learned from implementation of a computerized application for pending tests at hospital discharge

BACKGROUND: Patients are often discharged from the hospital before test results are finalized. Awareness of these results is poor and therefore an important patient safety concern. Few computerized systems have been deployed at care transitions to address this problem. We describe an attempt to implement a computerized application to help inpatient physicians manage these test results. METHODS: We modified an ambulatory electronic medical record (EMR)-based results management application to track pending tests at hospital discharge (Hospitalist Results Manager, HRM). We trained inpatient physicians at 2 academic medical centers to track these tests using this application. We surveyed inpatient physicians regarding usage of and satisfaction with the application, barriers to use, and the characteristics of an ideal system to track pending tests at discharge. RESULTS: Of 29 survey respondents, 14 (48%) reported never using HRM, and 13 (45%) used it 1 to 2 times per week. A total of 23 (79%) reported barriers prohibiting use, including being inundated with clinically “irrelevant” results, not having sufficient time, and a lack of integration of post-discharge test result management into usual workflow. Twenty-one (72%) wanted to receive notification of abnormal and clinician-designated pending test results. Twenty-seven physicians (93%) agreed that an ideally designed computerized application would be valuable for managing pending tests at discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Although inpatient physicians would highly value a computerized application to manage pending tests at discharge, the characteristics of an ideal system are unclear and there are important barriers prohibiting adoption and optimal usage of such systems. We outline suggestions for future electronic systems to manage pending tests at discharge. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2011. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Some properties of singular value decomposition and their applications to digital signal processing

Abstract Singular value decomposition (SVD), one of the most basic and important tools of numerical linear algebra, is finding increasing applications in digital signal processing. In this paper, we first review some basic properties of SVD for matrices and then for linear operators between two Hilbert spaces. While SVD results for matrices are quite well known, applications of SVD on operators are less well known. Specifically, we propose the use of a representation for a stochastic linear system from the point of view of a stochastic SVD and show its relationship to the classical Karhunen-Loeve expansion. Furthermore, issues related to practical use of time-averaging of realizations of random processes from the SVD point of view are also considered. Then algorithms for performing SVD are briefly discussed. These include the well known QR method, the modified Jacobi method of Nash, and an extension of the modified Jacobi method applicable to SVD of linear operators. Finally, we review various applications of finite rank approximation properties of SVD to digital signal processing problems in least-squares estimations, complexity reduction of FIR digital filters, matrix rank and system order determinations, and digital image processing.
The stability of a reaction with intra-particle diffusion of mass and heat: The Liapunov methods in a metric function space

Abstract For a chemical reaction in a porous catalyst particle in the presence of heat and mass diffusion, the stability of steady state solutions is analysed by extending the two methods of Liapunov to a function space with a suitable metric.
The Dual Control Of Insulin Secretion By Increased Calcium Influx And A Factor Related To Increased Metabolism

Calcium influx is required for sustained insulin secretion, but its mechanism of action is not understood. As activation of calcium channels (by BayK 8644) at sub-threshold (3 mM) levels of glucose increased cytosolic calcium without affecting insulin secretion (ISR) or oxygen consumption (OCR), there is evidence that a secondary factor related to increased metabolism is also essential for insulin secretion. To further characterize this metabolic factor, the relationship between calcium influx, OCR and ISR were measured using a perifusion system in response to fuels entering metabolic pathways at different entry points, and an inhibitor of L-type calcium channels (nimodipine). After acquiring baseline measurements at 3mM glucose, the substrate was changed to either 20 mM glucose, or 3 mM glucose plus either 10 mM alpha-ketoisocaproate (KIC), 2 mM glutamine/10 mM leucine or 10 mM glyceraldehyde, followed by the addition of 5 microM nimodipine. The addition of each of the first three substrates lead to a similar increase in all measured parameters, and the subsequent exposure of islets to nimodipine elicited a near-complete suppression of ISR, a 30-40% decrease in glucose stimulated OCR, and a 40-50% decrease in glucose stimulated calcium levels. In contrast, glyceraldehyde stimulated ISR similarly to glucose, but only increased OCR by about 30%. Nimodipine completely reversed the effect of glyceraldehyde on OCR, so the absolute decrements in OCR in response to nimodipine in the presence of all four of the substrates were similar. Taken together, this data supports a new conceptual model of insulin secretion where calcium influx activates a highly energetic and essential process that is linked to the regulation of insulin secretion and requires a factor generated downstream of the TCA cycle.
Fundamentos de la terapia celular para el tratamiento de las enfermedades cardiovasculares: no hay una célula adecuada para todo

La enfermedad cardiovascular constituye una serie de entidades patologicas que tienen tratamientos medicos diferentes. La terapia celular es un enfoque del siglo xxi para abordar el tratamiento de la enfermedad cardiovascular y se aplica en todo el mundo. Sin embargo, no se ha abordado de manera adecuada la definicion de la mejor poblacion celular a utilizar ni las mejores condiciones de tratamiento. Seria ingenuo creer que se pueda encontrar un tratamiento unico (ni siquiera con celulas madre) que permita tratar todo el espectro de las enfermedades cardiovasculares. Describimos el espectro de la cardiopatia isquemica, los posibles usos de celulas para su tratamiento adecuado y las cuestiones basicas que hay que abordar al contemplar la terapia celular cardiovascular. El objetivo clinico es la regeneracion cardiaca y vascular, pero todavia esta por determinar si las celulas pueden conseguir estos efectos. La eleccion de la celula correcta, la ventana terapeutica ideal y el paciente «adecuado» tambien son cuestiones abiertas al debate. Este articulo se ha disenado para aportar una perspectiva respecto a las fases inicial, media y avanzada de la enfermedad cardiovascular y describir como podrian usarse las celulas de un modo diferenciado para el tratamiento de cada fase.
Resource planning model treats electric-utility uncertainties

The deficiencies of existing analytical approaches for dealing with uncertainties regarding the following factors are briefly discussed: future load growth; lifetimes and performance of existing power plants; construction time, cost, and performance of new resources being brought online; and the regulatory and economic environment. Because all the inputs and decisions are specified before the model is run in these methods, all the utility's resource decisions are made once for a 20 to 30-year period, either before uncertainties are resolved (sensitivity analysis) or after uncertainties are resolved (scenario analysis). A planning model that focuses on frequent and incremental decisions is described. Its key features are explicit treatment of uncertainty, frequent user interaction with the model, and ability to change prior decisions. The ways in which the model can be useful are outlined. >
A LIGHT‐ AND ELECTRON‐MICROSCOPIC STUDY OF PRIMARY HETEROGENEITY IN THE EGGS OF TWO BROWN ALGAE

A B S T R A C T The mature eggs of Zonaria farlowii and Dictyota binghamiae exhibit a distinctively symmetrical arrangement of organelles. In mature oogonia plastids occur in two groups in the central region of the cell and vacuoles of several types are arranged in peripheral layers. Before the matuire egg is released, an amorphous "mucilage layer" developes inside the wall of the oogonium. After fertilization the plastids become uniformly distributed. When the eggs of Zonaria develop parthenogenetically the primary heterogeneity is retained. The svmmetrical arrangement of membranes seen in the oocytes of these plants may represent an organizing system that influences cytodifferentiation and perhaps subsequenit embryology. PRIMARY HETEROGENEITY in the amphibian
Comparing the effects of mass media and telecommunications on economic development: A pooled time series analysis

This study attempts to test the causal relationship between communication and economic development and compare the magnitude of the economic contributions of mass media and telecommunications. 17 year's data from 23 countries were collected and subjected to pooled time series analysis. It is found that while both mass media and telecommuni cations contribute to economic development, telecommunications tends to contribute more and manifest its economic effect more rapidly. The finding that mass media have delayed effects somewhat revives the early notion of "empathy" in development communication. In the meantime, the immediate effect of telecommunications detected in this study justifies many countries' policies that give priority is to telecommunication investment.
Connectionism and Universals of Second Language Acquisition

This article examines the implications of connectionist models of cognition for second language theory. Connectionism offers a challenge to the symbolic models which dominate cognitive science. In connectionist models all knowledge is embodied in a network of simple processing units joined by connections which are strengthened or weakened in response to regularities in input patterns. These models avoid the brittleness of symbolic approaches, and they exhibit rule-like behavior without explicit rules. A connectionist framework is proposed within which hypotheses about second language acquisition can be tested. Inputs and outputs are patterns of activation on units representing both form and meaning. Learning consists of the unsupervised association of pattern elements with one another. A network is first trained on a set of first language patterns and then exposed to a set of second language patterns with the same meanings. Several simulations of constituent-order transfer within this framework are discussed.
A test of the flavour independence of αs using next-to-leading order calculations for heavy quarks

We present a preliminary test of the flavour independence of the strong coupling constant for charm and bottom quarks with respect to light (uds) quarks, based on a hadronic event sample obtained with the OPAL detector at LEP. Six observables related to global event shapes were used to measure αs in three flavour tagged samples (uds, c and b). The event shape distributions were fitted by O(αs2)_calculations of jet production taking into account mass effects for the c and b quarks. We find: αscαsuds = 1.002 ± 0.017 (stat.) ± 0.025 (syst.) ± 0.009 (theory) and αsbαsuds = 0.988 ± 0.005 (stat. ± 0.004 (syst. ± 0.011 (theory).
Effects of voluntary access to sweetened ethanol during adolescence on intake in adulthood.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of alcohol use during adolescence is concerning given that early age of alcohol initiation is correlated with the development of alcohol-related problems later in life. The purpose of this series of studies was to assess whether voluntary ethanol (EtOH) exposure during adolescence would influence EtOH drinking behavior in adulthood using an animal model. METHODS: Pair-housed Sprague-Dawley adolescent (postnatal day [P] 28 to 42) rats of both sexes were given single bottle access to 1 of 3 solutions in their home cages-10% EtOH in "supersac" (0.125% saccharin and 3% sucrose) (EtOH/SS), supersac without EtOH (SS), or water-for 30 minutes every other day for a total of 8 drinking days or were left nonmanipulated (NM). Animals were NM thereafter until adulthood (P70) at which time they were given 1-bottle, 30 minute limited access tests with 20% EtOH every other day (Exp 1), 10% EtOH in SS (Exp 2), or SS without EtOH (Exp 3). RESULTS: Adolescent EtOH/SS exposure increased adulthood consumption of EtOH/SS (Exp 2), but not 20% unsweetened EtOH (Exp 1) or SS (Exp 3), with this increase most pronounced at the beginning of the 8 intake day procedure. Access to SS (without EtOH) during adolescence produced an analogous effect, with increased adult SS consumption during the first 2 intake days, but no increases in either of the EtOH test solutions. CONCLUSIONS: Solution-specific increases in adulthood intake after adolescent exposure are most likely associated with solution acceptance due to familiarity. This is an important consideration for future intake studies assessing the influence of EtOH exposure during adolescence on intake of EtOH in adulthood. Language: en
An Optimal Multi-Functional Unit Dynamic Instruction Selection Logic at Submicron Technologies

As the technology scales, reduction in transistor size creates many opportunities for increased circuit capabilities in reduced chip area. In modern wide-issue processors, performance of the processor is directly impacted by the time delay complexity of the dynamic scheduling logic. In this paper, we analyze the scaling of time delay of instruction select logic at the submicron technologies, and also present novel designs that provide a single selection tree for two similar functional units. The designs are based on a tree structure using arbiter cells of two and four inputs which can handle one or two functional units. The effects of technology and design decisions are shown based on simulations using four submicron technologies. The delays in the select logic trees are shown to decrease by an average of 60% from 130 nm technology to 45 nm technology when servicing a single functional unit. The double grant arbiter cells are shown to build a tree that will serve multiple functional units simultaneously with 65% lesser delay as compared to multiple single-grant trees1.
Influence of interfacial waves in stratified gas‐liquid flows

Interfacial stresses are calculated from new measurements of liquid height and pressure drop for fully developed horizontal stratified flow. These are related to wave properties. An improved design method is suggested.
Blind Channel Identifiability for Generic Linear Space-Time Block Codes

Linear space-time block codes (STBCs) have proven their effectiveness in performance improvement of wireless multiple-input multiple-output communication systems. Their successful decoding, however, requires reliable channel knowledge at the receiver. In this paper, we present a semiblind channel estimation method for linear STBC without the usual code orthogonality condition. We provide a set of identification conditions that are mostly verifiable a priori in terms of code parameters and antenna array configuration. We also present a simple channel estimation algorithm. Finally, we provide simulation results that illustrate the performance of the proposed scheme