cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Palynology of the Carboniferous–Permian boundary stratotype, Aidaralash Creek, Kazakhstan

Abstract The palynomorph assemblage at the Carboniferous–Permian boundary stratotype section at Aidaralash Creek of the southern Ural Mountains of Kazakhstan, is similar to the Limitisporites monstruosus–Vittatina costabilis Assemblage Zone of Utting, first described from Artinskian strata from the Sverdrup Basin of the Canadian Arctic. The section studied for this paper includes 50 m of strata, from 24.2 m below, to 26 m above the Carboniferous–Permian boundary. The L. monstruosus–V. costabilis Assemblage Zone is characterized by the co-occurrence of L. monstruosus–V. costabilis and the abundance and diversity of taeniate disaccate pollen and the polyplicate genus Vittatina. The palynomorph assemblage at Aidaralash Creek compares with the L. monstruosus–V. costabilis Assemblage Zone as originally described, with two minor but notable exceptions; the polyplicate genus Weylandites is common in the Sverdrup Basin and extremely rare at Aidaralash Creek; and representatives of the Lueckisporites–Scutasporites complex are very rare at Aidaralash Creek but absent or not reported in the Sverdrup Basin. Other Lower Permian palynomorph assemblages are also very similar to this assemblage including the palynomorph assemblage of the Late Autunian, Walchia Shale of the Intrasudetic Basin of southwestern Poland, and a number of Autunian, Western European assemblages including the Zone A3, and the Disaccites striatiti Zone. In addition, the palynomorph assemblage from Aidaralash Creek correlates well with the Hamiapollenites tractiferinus assemblage of the middle Asselian (or Kungurian) of Spitsbergen except that L. monstruosus is absent from Spitsbergen strata.
Comparing the full-threshold and Swedish interactive thresholding algorithms for short-wavelength automated perimetry.

PURPOSE. To compare the Swedish interactive thresholding algorithm (SITA) with the full-threshold (FT) strategy for short-wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP). METHODS. One eye of 286 patients with glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON) and 289 age-matched participants without GON from the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study (DIGS) and the African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study (ADAGES) were classified with optic disc stereophotographs taken within 6 months of visual field testing, conducted within a 3-month period. Six parameters were derived per test, including pattern standard deviation (PSD) and the number of pattern deviation plot (PDP) points triggered at <1%. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis equated the tests for specificity (80%, 90%, and 95%). Sensitivities of parameters with the highest area under the curve (AUC) and STATPAC (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Dublin, CA) PSD were compared. Agreement, severity, and test duration between algorithms were assessed. RESULTS. Sensitivities were not different between algorithms using PSD. With PDP <1%, SWAP-FT was more sensitive (35%) than SWAP-SITA (29%) at 95% specificity (P < 0.05). Sensitivity and specificity using the STATPAC PSD at 95% (P < 5%) and 99.5% (P < 0.05%) was similar between algorithms. Severity correlated significantly between algorithms (P < 0.001), although there was bias for SWAP-SITA to suggest more severe loss. SWAP-SITA required significantly less test time than did SWAP-FT (P < 0.001). Mean differences in PSD, PDP <1%, and MD between algorithms were not clinically significant. CONCLUSIONS. Both algorithms performed similarly when equated for specificity. The reduced test duration makes SWAP-SITA the better choice. Testing with both algorithms within a short period is recommended for confirmation of results when switching from FT to SITA.
Describing scales of features in river channels using fractal geometry concepts

Quantitative description of spatial patterns is often at the heart of ecological research in aquatic systems, particularly for investigations of how biota respond to physical habitat. A common first step for approximating a river channel is tessellation, or the discretization of the channel into cells of approximately uniform size, and assigning each cell a representative value for velocity or other characteristics. More innovative methods may use the fractal dimension to characterize patterns of features in spatially complex geological structures, such as channel bed forms. Unfortunately, these methods lose information because they either force continuous data into a grid framework or assume that complexity is constant over a range of scales. The current understanding of aquatic processes would improve if information about the scale of channel features could be preserved throughout the analysis instead of being discarded in the first step because simplifying assumptions were used. New methods are presented that characterize complex spatial data sets with minimal use of assumptions or simplifying approximations. The new methods identify dominant features in a set of coordinate data, locate the positions of such features in the cross section, describe how kinetic energy is distributed in these features, and quantify how features of different scales relate to one another. The effectiveness of this technique on mathematical constructs having known characteristics is demonstrated. The methods are then used to describe a Missouri River cross section before and after river regulation to illustrate how the methods can be used to quantify changes in physical habitat patterns that may not be apparent using other methods. Improved description of complex shapes in aquatic environments may lead to increased understanding of aquatic processes in general, and in particular, the way aquatic organisms relate to physical habitat. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The use of neamine as a molecular template : Identification of active site residues in the bacterial antibiotic resistance enzyme aminoglycoside 3'-phosphotransferase type IIa by mass spectroscopy

Four novel aminoglycoside-based affinity inactivators were shown to covalently modify the active site of aminoglycoside 3'-phosphotransferase type IIa (APH(3')-IIa), an important resistance factor in bacteria for aminoglycoside antibiotics. Standard peptide mapping techniques failed with this enzyme. A novel mass spectroscopic analysis which combines protease digestion on the instrument probe, followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) is described which permitted rapid identification of the sites of protein modification. By this new technique, Glu-3 and Asp-23 were identified as active-site residues, the side chains of which potentially may serve as counter ions for the ammonium functionalities at positions 6', and 1 and 3 of the antibiotic substrates, respectively. These findings contradict previous assertions that the C-terminal third of the enzyme should form the active site, by placing the active site clearly in the N-terminal portion of the enzyme.
Zygotic Regulation of Maternal Cyclin A1 and B2 mRNAs

In Xenopus laevis, the first 12 cell cycles following fertilization occur in the absence of transcription. Maternal mRNAs and proteins that are synthesized and stored in the growing oocyte control these early embryonic cell divisions. Zygotic transcription begins upon completion of the 12th cell cycle and, in Xenopus, is referred to as the midblastula transition (MBT) (25). Prior to the MBT, gene expression is controlled by posttranscriptional mechanisms including regulation of the adenylation state of maternal mRNAs. Polyadenylated mRNAs are recruited into polysomes and translated, while deadenylated mRNAs are released from polysomes and translationally silenced (27). In Xenopus, adenylation control regulates both progression through meiosis (oocyte maturation) and the transition from the meiotic to the mitotic cell cycle by regulating levels of cell cycle proteins, including cyclins. The mRNAs encoding cyclins A1, B1, B2, and E1 are synthesized during oogenesis and stored untranslated as poly(A)− mRNAs until oocyte maturation (5, 35). In response to progesterone, cytoplasmic polyadenylation elements (CPEs) in the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) trigger polyadenylation and translational activation of these mRNAs, allowing accumulation of cyclin protein and progression through meiosis. After fertilization, cyclin mRNAs are further adenylated and continuously translated (35). However, periodic degradation of cyclin A1, B1, and B2 proteins during each cell cycle allows progression through the first 12 cell divisions (18). The 12th cell division is completed approximately 6 h postfertilization (p.f.) and is followed by remodeling of the cell cycle between cell cycles 13 and 15 (24). The cell cycle is remodeled from a rapid alternation between DNA synthesis and mitosis to become a cell cycle containing gap phases and checkpoint controls. The mechanism of cell cycle remodeling is not well understood, but it is accompanied by temporally specific degradation of maternal cyclin A1, B2, and E1 proteins (14, 33). We define this event as the terminal disappearance of the maternal cyclin protein. Because cyclins A1 and B2 are normally degraded during each cell cycle through the ubiquitin-proteasome degradation pathway (7), we hypothesized that translational silencing of their mRNAs via deadenylation leads to the terminal disappearance of these proteins at the time of cell cycle remodeling. In this report, we show that the disappearance of these cyclins is preceded by deadenylation of their mRNAs. Deadenylation is mediated by sequence elements in the 3′ UTRs of these maternal mRNAs and requires zygotic transcription. Our results show that deadenylation of cyclins correlates with cell cycle remodeling, strongly suggesting that deadenylation regulates the early embryonic cell cycle and initiates cell cycle remodeling. This is also the first report of zygotic control of maternal gene expression in Xenopus.
Engineering and Engineering Education

Because it is considered to be timely, informative, and lucid, this article is republished* here so that the many members of the Institute who are interested in, but not intimately associated with, the field of engineering education may have the benefit of a reflection of current practices and trends in engineering education as seen by a recognized authority in that field.
Triamidoamine Complexes of Molybdenum and Tungsten That Contain Metal−E (E = N, P, and As) Single, Double, or Triple Bonds

Addition of two or more equivalents of LiPPhH to [N3N]MCl ([N3N]3- = [(Me3SiNCH2CH2)3N]3-; M = Mo or W) produced [N3N]M⋮P complexes via intermediate [N3N]M(PPhH) complexes. The reaction between [N3...
A first course in fuzzy logic

THE CONCEPT OF FUZZINESS Examples Mathematical modeling Some operations on fuzzy sets Fuzziness as uncertainty Exercises SOME ALGEBRA OF FUZZY SETS Boolean algebras and lattices Equivalence relations and partitions Composing mappings Isomorphisms and homomorphisms Alpha-cuts Images of alpha-level sets Exercises FUZZY QUANTITIES Fuzzy quantities Fuzzy numbers Fuzzy intervals Exercises LOGICAL ASPECTS OF FUZZY SETS Classical two-valued logic A three-valued logic Fuzzy logic Fuzzy and Lukasiewicz logics Interval-valued fuzzy logic Canonical forms Notes on probabilistic logic Exercises BASIC CONNECTIVES t-norms Generators of t-norms Isomorphisms of t-norms Negations Nilpotent t-norms and negations t-conorms DeMorgan systems Groups and t-norms Interval-valued fuzzy sets Type- fuzzy sets Exercises ADDITIONAL TOPICS ON CONNECTIVES Fuzzy implications Averaging operators Powers of t-norms Sensitivity of connectives Copulas and t-norms Exercises FUZZY RELATIONS Definitions and examples Binary fuzzy relations Operations on fuzzy relations Fuzzy partitions Fuzzy relations as Chu spaces Approximate reasoning Approximate reasoning in expert systems A simple form of generalized modus ponens The compositional rule of inference Exercises UNIVERSAL APPROXIMATION Fuzzy rule bases Design methodologies Some mathematical background Approximation capability Exercises POSSIBILITY THEORY Probability and uncertainty Random sets Possibility measures Exercises PARTIAL KNOWLEDGE Motivation Belief functions and incidence algebras Monotonicity Beliefs, densities, and allocations Belief functions on infinite sets Note on Mobius transforms of set-functions Reasoning with belief functions Decision making using belief functions Rough sets Conditional events Exercises FUZZY MEASURES Motivation and definitions Fuzzy measures and lower probabilities Fuzzy measures in other areas Conditional fuzzy measures Exercises THE CHOQUET INTEGRAL The Lebesgue integral The Sugeno integral The Choquet integral Exercises FUZZY MODELING AND CONTROL Motivation for fuzzy control The methodology of fuzzy control Optimal fuzzy control An analysis of fuzzy control techniques Exercises Bibliography Answers to Selected Exercises Index on>
Quipuanthus, a New Genus of Melastomataceae from the Foothills of the Andes in Ecuador and Peru

Abstract The new genus Quipuanthus from the foothills of the eastern Andes of Ecuador and Peru is described. Quipuanthus seems to be related to Allomaieta, Alloneuron, and Wurdastom in the tribe Cyphostyleae, but the combination of characters as an herb with haplostemonous flowers, recurved style, inferior ovary and apically dehiscent capsular fruits is unique among the Melastomataceae. The new species Quipuanthus epipetricus is described and illustrated.
Beam control of a 2D polarization maintaining fiber optic phased array with high-fiber count

We demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, successful beam control of a fiber optic phased array containing a large number of polarization maintaining fibers. As many as forty-eight fibers have been coherently combined via individual all-fiber phase modulators. The residual phase error is less than 1/30th of a wave. Results with both near-field interferometric control and target-in-the-loop control have been obtained. Experimental results are compared with numerical simulations and excellent agreement has been achieved. We investigated propagation of this phased array output through a turbulent atmosphere, and used the all-fiber phase modulators for the compensation of turbulence effects on the array output. This work paves the way towards scaling such fiber optic phased arrays to very high fiber count. Eventually thousand of fibers can be controlled via such a scheme.
Part I: Anisotropy of cracking from oxygen-induced dynamic embrittlement in bicrystals of IN718

Abstract It is shown that cracking from oxygen-induced dynamic embrittlement in bicrystals of the nickel-base superalloy IN718 having symmetrical Σ = 5 (013) tilt boundaries is considerably more rapid in the fast-diffusion direction parallel to the tilt axis than in the direction perpendicular to this axis. This lends support to the model that envisions the process as caused by diffusive penetration of grain boundaries ahead of a sharp crack by a surface-adsorbed embrittling element.
Lymphogranuloma inguinale in children: report of 2 cases.

Summary Report of two new cases of lymphogranuloma inguinale (lgrl. venereum) in young girls — 13 and 14 years old — with severe rectal strictures. These are the 8th and 9th cases of lymphogranuloma inguinale in children seen in Finland. Both children wore probably infected by their mothers, who were suffering from the same disease with rectal manifestations.
Interconnecting a distributed processor system for avionics

This paper describes the interconnection scheme devised for an advanced Air Force system concept called Distribution Processor/Memory (DP/M) in which topologically irregular networks of small computers are used to perform avionics processing. The interconnection scheme involves the use of a combination of global and point-to-point busses to handle message traffic in predominantly homogeneous systems of from 5 to 20 computers. The major features of the scheme are the use of biphase bit-serial transmission, associatively addressed messages, and a method for reconfiguration of the point-to-point communications paths under program control. It is expected that the scheme may have general applicability to other distributed processing systems, particularly other real-time systems employing limited-capability processors.
Baryon partial-wave analysis

A new unitary, multichannel method for extracting baryon resonance parameters is described. New results are presented for the D15(1675) N* resonance, which suggest an upper-limit ηN branching fraction of (21 ± 4)%, in good agreement with recent results from an ETA-MAID isobar-model analysis.
Lateral Pressures in Cell Membranes: A Mechanism for Modulation of Protein Function

Variations in the composition of cell membranes can strongly influence the function of proteins embedded therein. However, in most cases it is not known whether lipids and other membrane components act by binding directly to proteins or indirectly through changes in a structural or thermodynamic property of the fluid bilayer. In the present work, we develop a simple thermodynamic analysis based on the hypothesis that variations in membrane composition induce changes in the transverse pressure profile in lipid bilayers. If protein function involves a conformational transition accompanied by a depth-dependent change in its cross-sectional area, we predict that small changes in the lateral pressure can induce a large shift in the conformational distribution. The sensitivity of the conformational equilibrium to the lateral pressure profile arises in part from the localization of the large interfacial free energy within a domain of molecular thickness and also from the difference between the logarithmic depend...
Reliability and Validity of the Novaco Anger Scale and Provocation Inventory (NAS-PI) and State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2) in Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Student Samples.

This project tested the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory—2 (STAXI-2) and the Novaco Anger Scale—Provocation Inventory (NAS-PI) in a sample of U.S. Hispanic ( n = 257) and U.S. non-Hispanic White (n = 246) undergraduate students. Internal consistency, subscale correlations, convergent validity with the Multidimensional Anger Inventory (MAI), and predictive validity were all analyzed. Across ethnic groups, all major subscales demonstrated adequate internal consistency reliability. Correlations between the subscales were strong for both groups within each measure and with the subscales of the other measure. In predicting PI scores, there was no evidence of intercept invariance across the ethnic groups and no evidence of slope invariance when either measure was used as a predictor. Results suggest that both measures are valid for use in Hispanic samples.
Jewish bioethics and medical genetics.

Man has been aware of the science of genetics, i.e, how living things transport heritable traits to their offspring, since biblical times. However, knowledge regarding genetic disorders has increased greatly in recent years. Advances have been made with respect to both the methodology of genetic diagnosis and the treatment of genetic diseases. Both Jewish and secular ethicists, in general, approve of new genetic diagnostic techniques and genetic therapy if the risk/benefit ratio is favorable for humankind. However, all medical ethicists are still struggling with the ethical question: “To what extent should we tamper with the process of natural selection?”
The Ground State of the Pseudogap in Cuprate Superconductors

We present studies of the electronic structure of La2–xBaxCuO4, a system where the superconductivity is strongly suppressed as static spin and charge orders or “stripes” develop near the doping level of x = ⅛. Using angle-resolved photoemission and scanning tunneling microscopy, we detect an energy gap at the Fermi surface with magnitude consistent with d -wave symmetry and with linear density of states, vanishing only at four nodal points, even when superconductivity disappears at x = ⅛. Thus, the nonsuperconducting, striped state at x = ⅛ is consistent with a phase-incoherent d -wave superconductor whose Cooper pairs form spin-charge–ordered structures instead of becoming superconducting.
Profile-based partition for parallel simulation of DEVS-FIRE

An important issue in parallel simulation of large-scale spatial-temporal systems, such as large-scale wildfires, is how to divide the space and the computation tasks and assign them to the multiple processing units. In previous work of wildfire spread simulation using DEVS-FIRE, we explored an approach of uniform spatial partition for supporting parallel simulation. This paper presents a new method called profile-based partition that divides the simulation tasks according to the dynamic behavior of fire spread. The profile-based partition uses the ignition sequence of the forest cells as a profile to guide the partition of the cellular space for parallel simulation of DEVS-FIRE. We present the design of this new method, and compare it with the uniform partition and show some experiment results.
Pigmentation changes in tadpoles of Rana pipiens following centrifugation during the early gastrula

Centrifuging the eggs of Rana pipiens in the early gastrula stage prevents the formation of the hypophysis in some of the tadpoles. The absence of the melanophorotropic hormone normally secreted by the hypophysis seems to be responsible for the contraction of the pigment cells. In addition, there are actually fewer pigment cells present in both the dermal and epidermal layers of the light tadpoles than there are in the controls. The paleness, therefore, of the tadpoles seems to be due to both a contraction of the pigment cells present and to an actual reduction in their number. The failure of the hypophysis to develop was brought about by centrifuging at an earlier stage in development of the embryo than in previous extirpation studies. The effects produced by centrifuging that are responsible for the failure of the hypophysis to develop are unknown. However, it is suggested that interference in some way with the presumptive hypophysis-forming tissue has resulted in an inactivation of its inductive potencies.
A Study of Frontier and Semifrontier in Intuitionistic Fuzzy Topological Spaces

Notions of frontier and semifrontier in intuitionistic fuzzy topology have been studied and several of their properties, characterizations, and examples established. Many counter-examples have been presented to point divergences between the IF topology and its classical form. The paper also presents an open problem and one of its weaker forms.
In-vivo validation of videodensitometric coronary cross-sectional area measurement using dual-energy digital subtraction angiography

Previous studies indicate that conventional geometric edge detection techniques, used in quantitative coronary arteriography (QCA), have significant limitations in quantitating coronary cross-sectional area of small diameter (D) vessels (D < 1.00 mm) and lesions with complex cross-section. As a solution to this problem, we have previously reported on an in-vitro validation of a videodensitometric technique that quantitates the absolute cross-sectional area including small vessel diameter (D < 1.00 mm) and any complex shape of the vessel cross-section. For in-vivo validation, plastic tubing (5-8 mm long) with different shape complex cross-section with known cross-sectional area (A = 0.8-4.5 mm2) were percutaneously wedged in the coronary arteries of anesthetized pigs (40-50 kg). Contrast material injections (6-10 ml at 2-4 ml/sec) were made into the left main coronary artery during image acquisition using a motion immune dual-energy subtraction technique, where low and high X-ray energy and filtration were switched at 30 Hz. A comparison was made between the actual and measured cross-sectional area using the videodensitometry and edge detection techniques in tissue suppressed energy subtracted images. In eighteen comparisons the videodensitometry technique produced significantly improved results (slope = 0.87, intercept = 0.24 mm2, r = 0.94) when compared to the edge detection technique (slope = 0.42, intercept = 1.99 mm2, r = 0.39). Also, a cylindrical vessel phantom (D = 1.00-4.75 mm) was used to test the ability to calculate and correct for the effect of the out of plane angle of the arterial segment on the cross-sectional area estimation of the videodensitometry technique. After corrections were made for the out of plane angle using two different projections, there was a good correlation between the actual and the measured cross-sectional area using the videodensitometry technique (slope = 0.91, intercept = 0.11 mm2, r = 0.99). These data suggest that it is possible to quantitate absolute cross-sectional area without any assumption regarding the arterial shape using videodensitometry in conjunction with the motion immune dual-energy subtraction technique.
Song evolution in Maluridae: influences of natural and sexual selection on acoustic structure

Many factors may influence the evolution of acoustic signals, including sexual selection, morphological constraints and environmental variation. These factors can play simultaneous and interacting roles in determining signal phenotypes. Here, we assess the evolution of song features in the Maluridae, a passerine family with significant variation among taxa in levels of sperm competition, morphological features and breeding habitats ranging from arid grasslands in Australia to tropical rainforests in New Guinea. We used phylogenetic comparative methods and a robust molecular phylogeny to compare song characteristics with a variety of other measures, including testes mass, body-size and latitude. Several aspects of the temporal and frequency structure of song were associated with relative testes mass, suggesting that sexual selection may influence some song characteristics in this family. The lowest frequencies of song were strongly predicted by body-size, indicating that morphological constraints have also likely influenced acoustic phenotypes. Song versatility, reflecting the diversity of note types in a song, was positively correlated with latitude, suggesting that complexity may increase in association with more temperate or variable environments. Variation in song structure across the family appears to reflect a complex interaction between natural and sexual selection.
Finite-amplitude instability of parallel shear flows

A formal expansion method for analysis of the non-linear development of an oblique wave in a parallel flow is presented. The present approach constitutes an extension and modification of the method of Stuart and Watson. Results are obtained for plane Poiseuille flow, and for a combination of plane Poiseuille and plane Couette flow. The Poiseuille flow exhibits finite-amplitude subcritical instability, and relatively weak but finite disturbances markedly reduce the critical Reynolds number. The combined flow, which becomes stable to infinitesimal disturbances at all Reynolds numbers when the Couette component is sufficiently great, remains unstable to finite disturbances.
Identification of microbial and thermogenic gas components from Upper Devonian black shale cores, Illinois and Michigan basins

Differentiation of microbial versus thermogenic methane in coalbed and black shale accumulations can affect strategies for exploration and may influence the total gas content in a given area. Early identification of these processes from crushed core materials, even before formation fluids and produced gas samples are available, could permit a more efficient and cost-effective exploration. Total gas contents and compositional and isotopic data from New Albany Shale core materials are presented, which delineate regional occurrence of microbial, thermogenic, and mixed gas generation in the Illinois Basin. These trends are consistent with those identified from detailed prior studies of produced gas and water chemistry from the same locations. The most useful markers for microbial gas in crushed core gases are elevated CO2 contents characterized by high values (5). Core gas analyses from wells in which microbial gas is identified commonly have significantly more total gas absorbed than do core samples from wells producing gases solely of thermogenic origin. These observations are independent of variations in sample depth and organic carbon content in a given core. Thus, this integrated case study of core and produced gases in the Illinois Basin illustrates that the areas containing microbial gas, in addition to early thermogenic gas, may be more productive than pure thermogenic zones for these early to immature unconventional gas deposits.
Java memory model-aware model checking

The Java memory model guarantees sequentially consistent behavior only for programs that are data race free. Legal executions of programs with data races may be sequentially inconsistent but are subject to constraints that ensure weak safety properties. Occasionally, one allows programs to contain data races for performance reasons and these constraints make it possible, in principle, to reason about their correctness. Because most model checking tools, including Java Pathfinder, only generate sequentially consistent executions, they are not sound for programs with data races. We give an alternative semantics for the JMM that characterizes the legal executions as a least fixed point and show that this is an overapproximation of the JMM. We have extended Java Pathfinder to generate these executions, yielding a tool that can be soundly used to reason about programs with data races.
Non-inducibility post-pulmonary vein isolation achieving exit block predicts freedom from atrial fibrillation

Aims This study evaluates whether non-inducibility of atrial fibrillation (AF) after achieving bi-directional electrical pulmonary vein (PV) isolation is a useful predictor of freedom from AF recurrence. Methods and results This study included 102 consecutive patients who underwent PV isolation for symptomatic paroxysmal (59%), persistent (32%), or permanent (9%) AF. Patients were followed for 16±10 months. Complete isolation of all four PVs was confirmed by demonstration of bi-directional block, defined by both loss of PV potentials and failure to capture the LA by pacing (at 10 mA) 10–14 bipolar pairs of electrodes on a circumferential catheter positioned at the entrance of the PV. Induction of AF by burst pacing on/off isoproterenol was attempted after PV isolation. Freedom from recurrent symptomatic or asymptomatic AF was present in 70% of patients at 6 months and 62% of patients at 12 months. In multi-variable analysis, non-inducibility post-PV isolation (OR=3.84, P =0.047) and paroxysmal AF (OR=4.80, P =0.012) predicted freedom from AF at 12 months. Conclusion Non-inducibility of AF after bi-directional PV isolation predicts maintenance of sinus rhythm. This finding suggests that routine extensive left atrial ablation may be unnecessary.
Characteristics of key intermediates generated in uncatalyzed bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl) oxalate (DNPO) chemiluminescence reactions

The characteristics of two distinct perylene chemiluminescence (CL) decay curves generated by the reaction between bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl) oxalate (DNPO) and H2O2 in the absence of base catalysts were investigated. When the intensity of peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence (PO-CL) vs. time was measured under relatively low H2O2 and high DNPO concentrations in ethyl acetate, a slowly decaying curve appeared. However, upon increasing the H2O2 concentration under the same DNPO-CL reaction conditions, two distinct emission maxima were observed: a fast decaying CL curve and a slowly decaying CL curve. The fast decaying CL curve appeared alone when the H2O2 concentration greatly exceeded the DNPO concentration in ethyl acetate. To learn more about the properties of both CL decay curves, we further investigated the effects of adding H2O or phenols having different nucleophilicity [2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP), pentachlorophenol (PCP), and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP)] and the stability of DNPO used in the CL reaction. The slowly decaying curve was predominant with the addition of H2O and relatively strong nucleophile. Based on the observed results, we propose that the likely high-energy intermediates generated in DNPO-CL reactions without added base catalysts are hydroperoxyoxalate ester and a six-membered cyclic peroxide.
SEXUAL ATTARACTION AND ROMANTIC LOVE: FORGOTTEN VARIABLES IN MARITAL THERAPY*

The purpose of this paper is to address the lack of attention in the mariage therapy literature ot romantic love and sexual attraction. Although mot coupples marry because of romantic love and tent to divorce when they “fall out of love,” few guidelines are available to therapists concerning how to deal with love as an issue in therapy. In contrast to models of marriage therapy which focus on rational skill devlopment, the model presented here is based on the assumption that marriage problems are emotional in nature and that the success of marital theapists is dependent upon skill in addressing emotional states. Based on recent findings in neurobioloy, this model contends that the affective dimension of love is precognitive and similar to the attchment between infant and parnent. By providing nonverbal and precognitive experience whithin therapy that can alter the emotional pattern of couples, therapists can increase the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Colonic transit time--what is normal?

Abstract Background Constipation is a common problem in childhood, and various radiologic methods have been advocated for investigation. Colonic transit time (CTT) has been used in adults to investigate colonic motility, but few studies evaluate this method in children. Data on CTT in the normal paediatric population are scarce. Methods The colonic transit time was measured in 22 healthy children (median age, 10 years; range, 4 to 15 years) by Abrahamsson's method. Children took bolus ingestions of radiopaque markers on 6 consecutive days, and on day 7 a single abdominal x-ray was performed. This was evaluated for total and segmental colonic transit time. Results The mean total CTT was 40 hours, and the upper limit of normal (95th percentile) was 84 hours. The upper limit of normal for segmental transit time was as follows: 14 hours for the ascending, 33 hours for the transverse, 21 hours for the descending, and 41 hours for the rectosigmoid colon. Conclusions CTT provides an objective measure to assess childhood constipation. To date, 6 studies using 5 different methods have been published reporting values for healthy children. Comparing these, Abrahamson's method has low radiation exposure and is well tolerated. This study contributes additional normal values in children.
Experimental and Analytical Studies on Flexure Pivot Tilting Pad Gas Bearings With Dampers Applied to Radially Compliant Pads

Hydrodynamic flexure pivot tilting pad gas bearings (FPTPGBs) can enable successful operation of oil-free microturbomachinery and FPTPGBs with radially compliant pads permit rotor centrifugal and/or thermal growth to exceed original bearing clearances and achieve higher speeds. This work presents the experimental and analytical study of such bearings and the application of dampers behind the pad radial compliance structure. A time domain orbit simulation method was implemented as the primary analysis tool to predict the rotor-bearing response to imbalance, the presence and location of critical speeds, etc., and to compare with test results. Experiments demonstrate the stable hydrodynamic operation of FPTPGBs with an ∼28.6 mm, 0.8 kg rotor above 120 krpm, for the first time. The rotor-bearing system was intentionally destabilized in tests by increasing bearing clearances and the viscoelastic dampers added behind the FPTPGB pads delayed the onset of subsynchronous vibrations (from 43 krpm without damper to above 50 krpm with damper). Midrange subsynchronous vibrations of the destabilized system initiated at ∼20 krpm were suppressed by ∼25 krpm due to the stabilizing effect of rotor centrifugal growth. The viscoelastic dampers had a negligible effect on suppressing these midrange subsynchronous vibrations in experiments, but this was not demonstrated in simulations, presumed to be due to much lower stiffness contribution of the damper at lower frequencies.
Bacterial solubilization of mineral phosphates: Historical perspective and future prospects

Maximum crop yields require sufficient phosphorus fertilization. Only phosphate in a soluble ionic form (Pi) is effective as a mineral nutrient. Current fertilizer technology supplies the soil solution with Pi via the application of large amounts of phosphate salts. Problems with this technology include energy-intensive production processes, the need for large scale mechanical application with associated environmental consequences, and reprecipitation of the phosphate into insoluble mineral complexes. It has been estimated that in some soils up to 75% of applied phosphate fertilizer may be lost to the plant because of mineral phase reprecipitation. Many approaches, ranging from cultural practices to biological inoculants such as mycorrhizal fungi, are being employed to enhance P-use efficiency. One area that is currently under-investigated is the ability of certain types of bacteria to solubilize mineral and organic phosphates. A review of the literature in the area of bacterial phosphate solubilization confirms that this trait is displayed by a wide range of bacteria. The phosphate starvation inducible (PSI) organic phosphate-solubilizing capability of E. coli is a component of a coordinately regulated gene system: the pho regulon. It has long been known that bacteria are also capable of solubilizing mineral phosphates such as hydroxyapatite. To date there has been no systematic study of the genetics of this phenomenon. Data from my laboratory indicate that the bacterial mineral phosphate-solubilizing (MPS) trait is regulated by the external level of Pi This conclusion is supported by results obtained from several types of molecular genetic studies. It is proposed that bacteria have mineral phosphate solubilizing (mps) genes. The potential agronomic applications of bacterial mineral and organic P solubilizing systems are discussed.
Localization Error Evaluation in Heterogeneous Sensor Networks

This paper proposes a hierarchical two-step localization method for heterogeneous sensor networks. The network consists of three types of nodes: anchor nodes with known locations, a few nodes equipped with both Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) and RF radios, and a large number of sensor nodes called Lite Nodes. By using a hierarchical network architecture and UWB technology, only a small number of anchor nodes are needed. The localization method works in two steps. First, UWB nodes estimate their locations by using the built-in high-precision distance measurement and locations of anchor nodes. Next, Lite Nodes use UWB nodes as references to estimate their locations. The performance of iterative and non-iterative localization methods are compared. It is observed through simulations that iterative method produces much smaller localization error. The effects of UWB node placement and other parameters such as measurement noise, number of anchor nodes, and communication ranges on the resulting localization error are also presented.
On the Investigation of 1920s Vienna Jewish Speech: Ideology and Linguistics

This paper aims to establish a framework for the investigation of Vienna Jewish speech (VJS)—the German spoken natively by Jews in Vienna during the 1920s and 1930s. The role of the ideological approach or perspective in the investigation of Jewish ethnolects of German (JG) is discussed at length. It is argued that the investigation of VJS—and of JG generally—must recognize the context of Yiddish linguistics in the broader sense. The paper also considers possible Jewish varieties of German that may have served as models for VJS. Consideration of VJS sheds light on the general linguistic discussion of borrowing vs. language shift.
High-resolution simulations of the flow around an impulsively started cylinder using vortex methods

The development of a two-dimensional viscous incompressible flow generated from a circular cylinder impulsively started into rectilinear motion is studied computationally. An adaptative numerical scheme, based on vortex methods, is used to integrate the vorticity/velocity formulation of the Navier–Stokes equations for a wide range of Reynolds numbers (Re = 40 to 9500). A novel technique is implemented to resolve diffusion effects and enforce the no-slip boundary condition. The Biot–Savart law is employed to compute the velocities, thus eliminating the need for imposing the far-field boundary conditions. An efficient fast summation algorithm was implemented that allows a large number of computational elements, thus producing unprecedented high-resolution simulations. Results are compared to those from other theoretical, experimental and computational works and the relation between the unsteady vorticity field and the forces experienced by the body is discussed.
Identification of minimal CD8+ and CD4+ T cell epitopes in the Plasmodium yoelii hepatocyte erythrocyte protein 17 kDa

Immunization of mice with subunit vaccines based on the Plasmodium yoelii 17 kDa hepatocyte erythrocyte protein (PyHEP17), orthologue of Plasmodium falciparum exported protein 1 (PfExp1), induces antigen-specific immune responses and protects against sporozoite challenge. To aid in the characterization of candidate subunit vaccines based on this antigen, we have mapped the immunodominant and subdominant CD8+ and CD4+ T cell epitopes on PyHEP17. Using a panel of 29 15-mer synthetic peptides representing the complete sequence of PyHEP17 (amino acids 1–153), and overlapping each other by 10 residues, we identified an immunogenic region between amino acids 61–85. To define the minimal CD4+ and CD8+ T cell epitopes within this region, we synthesized 25 9-mer peptides overlapping each other by one residue. We screened the capacity of the 15-mer and 9-mer peptides to be recognized by splenocytes and lymph node cells from mice immunized with PyHEP17 plasmid DNA or peptides in Freund's adjuvant, as assessed by cytokine secretion, lymphoproliferation, and cytotoxicity. The profile of response to the T cell epitopes varied depending upon the immunization regimen. Antigen-specific T cell responses were detected to three 15-mer peptides (residues 61–75, 66–80 and 71–85) representing two 10-mer epitopes mapping to residues 66–75 (LTKNKKSLRK) and 71–80 (KSLRKINVAL). IFN-γ responses after DNA immunization predominantly mapped to two overlapping 9-mer peptides (residues 73–81 and 74–82) sharing an eight amino acid overlap (residues 74–81, RKINVALA), whereas CTL responses predominantly mapped to four 9-mer peptides (residues 61–69, 70–78, 76–84, and 84–92). In addition, a subdominant 10-mer CD8+ T cell epitope recognized by peptide immunization but not DNA immunization mapped to residues 31–40 (GKYGSQNVIK). The identification of these epitopes will allow the evaluation of delivery systems for malaria vaccine candidates as well as the delineation of protective immune mechanisms.
Carburization-Enhanced Passivity of PH13-8 Mo: A Precipitation-Hardened Martensitic Stainless Steel

Interstitial hardening of the martensitic stainless steel PH13-8 Mo has been achieved by low temperature gas-phase carburization. After treatment, hardness is increased to a depth of =50 μm, with a surface hardness that is twice the core hardness and a corresponding improvement in pin-on-disk wear resistance. Pitting potential is increased by ≈ 0.5 V in 0.6 M NaCl. Elemental analysis and X-ray diffraction suggest the formation of a thin (= 2 μm) carbidic surface layer that is both wear and corrosion resistant.
Partially-coherent receivers architectures for QAM communications in the presence of non-constant phase estimation error

In this paper, we present a new partially coherent receiver architecture motivated by optimum detection of quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signals in the presence of time-varying Tikhonov-distributed residual phase estimation error due to phase-locked loop (PLL)-aided phase tracking scheme. Performance is established in terms of bit error rate (BER). In this paper, an approximate performance measure motivated by union bound is presented for the proposed receiver architecture for 8- and 16-QAM constellations. The performance measures are assessed via simulation and analytical means for additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) as well as for Rayleigh and Rician fading channels. The performance measures are shown to follow those of the optimum receiver over a wide range of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), while outperforming a standard coherent receiver operating in the presence of residual phase error by as much as 2 dB.
Candida albicans RIM101 pH Response Pathway Is Required for Host-Pathogen Interactions

ABSTRACT The ability of Candida albicans to respond to diverse environments is critical for its success as a pathogen. TheRIM101 pathway controls gene expression and the yeast-to-hyphal transition in C. albicans in response to changes in environmental pH in vitro. In this study, we found that theRIM101 pathway is necessary in vivo for pathogenesis. First, we show thatrim101−/rim101− andrim8−/rim8− mutants have a significant reduction in virulence using the mouse model of hematogenously disseminated systemic candidiasis. Second, these mutants show a marked reduction in kidney pathology. Third, therim101−/rim101− andrim8−/rim8− mutants show defects in the ability to damage endothelial cells in situ. Finally, we show that an activated allele of RIM101, RIM101-405, is a suppressor of the rim8− mutation in vivo as it rescues the virulence, histological, and endothelial damage defects of the rim8−/rim8−mutant. These results demonstrate that the RIM101 pathway is required for C. albicans virulence in vivo and that the function of Rim8p in pathogenesis is to activate Rim101p.
Structural thermal noise in gram-scale mirror oscillators

The thermal noise associated with mechanical dissipation is a ubiquitous limitation to the sensitivity of precision experiments ranging from frequency stabilization to gravitational wave interferometry. We report on the thermal noise limits to the performance of 1gm mirror oscillators that are part of a cavity optomechanics experiment to observe quantum radiation pressure noise. Thermal noise limits the observed cavity displacement spectrum from 80Hz to 5kHz. We present a calculation of the thermal noise, based on finite element analysis of the dissipation due to structural damping, and find it to be in excellent agreement with the experimental result. We conclude with the predicted thermal noise for an improved oscillator design, which should be capable of revealing the noise that arises from quantum backaction in this system.
Teaching Composition: Current Theories and Practices

Publisher Summary This chapter explores the current theories and practices regarding teaching composition. Writing is dynamic. Ideas and events influence and are influenced by writing. Writing is never neutral, never objective for writers or readers. Writing is communicative. Writing communicates about something; there must be a subject matter. The meaning conveyed in writing is always constructed and interpreted, by both writers and readers. Meaning is not inherent in the marks on the page or electronic blips on a screen. Writing is contextual. To some, the term context simply means the linguistic context of a word. Writing is collaborative. Writers depend on interaction with others whether in thought, text, observation, or personal contact to consider and reconsider, shape and reshape their ideas. In this chapter, an approach to teaching writing that is dynamic, communicative, constructive, contextual, and collaborative has been encouraged. Composition teachers have generally approached their teaching in one of three ways, often referred to as a current–traditional approach, a neoromantic (expressivist) approach, or a neoclassicist (rhetorical) approach. Language as interpretation focuses on the communicative acts surrounding language. Teachers need to address a number of complexities and complications during the process of writing.