cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mystik and Technik: Arnold Sommerfeld and Early-Weimar Quantum Theory

Mystik und Technik: Arnold Sommerfeld und die fruhe Weimarer Quantentheorie. In seinem mittlerweile klassisch zu nennenden Aufsatz von 1971 uber Physik und Kultur der Weimarer Zeit fuhrte Paul Forman den Fall des Munchener Professors der Theoretischen Physik, Arnold Sommerfeld, als beredtes Beispiel fur die linguistische Anpassung eines anerkannten Physikers an ein antagonistisches kulturelles Milieu an. Nicht gerade fur phantastische Hohenfluge bekannt, began Sommerfeld – in der Zeit unmittelbar nach Ende des Ersten Weltkriegs – von Zahlenmysterien und ihrer Rolle in der Quantenspektroskopie zu sprechen. Forman nahm dies als genau den Beleg fur “die Bereitschaft sogar eines Sommerfelds, mit antiwissenschaftlichen Tendenzen zu liebaugeln, die er eigentlich verabscheute”. Ohne die Dominanz des Mystizismus im popularen Diskurs der Weimarer Zeit leugnen zu wollen, wird in diesem Beitrag vorgeschlagen, Sommerfelds Gebrauch des Begriffs ‘Mystik’ nicht als Tribut an eine feindliche Offentlichkeit, sondern als integralen Bestandteil der von ihm geubten Praxis Theoretischer Physik, die er “die Technik der Quanten” nannte, zu sehen. Dieser Aufsatz untersucht erstens die produktive Rolle von ‘Mystik’ innerhalb von ‘Technik’ der fruhen quantentheoretischen Forschung der Weimarer Zeit und zweitens Niels Bohrs geniale Verknupfung der klassischen und der Quanten-Welt durch sein ‘Korrespondenz-prinzip’, welches Sommerfeld als (minderwertige) Alternative zu seiner eigenen ‘Technik’ ansah. Mystik and Technik: Arnold Sommerfeld and Early-Weimar Quantum Theory. In his now-classic 1971 paper on physics and Weimar culture, Paul Forman cited the case of Munich's professor of theoretical physics, Arnold Sommerfeld, as a telling example of a respected physicist's linguistic adaptation to an antagonistic cultural milieu. Hardly known for his flights of fancy, Sommerfeld began to speak – in the period after the end of the First World War – of number-mysteries and their place in quantum spectroscopy. For Forman, this was evidence of “the readiness of even a Sommerfeld to flirt with the very anti-scientific tendencies he deplored”. Without denying the prevalence of talk of mysticism in popular discourse during the Weimar period, this paper suggests that one should see Sommerfeld's use of the term ‘Mystik’ not as mere pandering to a hostile public, but as an integral part of the practice of his theoretical physics, what he termed “the craft of the quantum” (”die Technik der Quanten”). This paper, then, examines, first, the productive place of ‘Mystik’ within ‘Technik’ in early-Weimar quantum-theoretical research and, second, what Sommerfeld saw as the (lesser) alternative to his own ‘Technik’, Niels Bohr's gifted intermingling of the classical and quantum worlds through his ‘principle of correspondence’.
Representing the Electromagnetic Field: How Maxwell’s Mathematics Empowered Faraday’s Field Theory

James Clerk Maxwell ‘translated’ Michael Faraday’s experimentally-based field theory into the mathematical representation now known as ‘Maxwell’s Equations.’ Working with a variety of mathematical representations and physical models Maxwell extended the reach of Faraday’s theory and brought it into consistency with other results in the physics of electricity and magnetism. Examination of Maxwell’s procedures opens many issues about the role of mathematical representation in physics and the learning background required for its success. Specifically, Maxwell’s training in ‘Cambridge University’ mathematical physics emphasized the use of analogous equations across fields of physics and the repeated solving of extremely difficult problems in physics. Such training develops an array of overlearned mathematical representations supported by highly sophisticated cognitive mechanisms for the retrieval of relevant information from long term memory. For Maxwell, mathematics constituted a new form of representation in physics, enhancing the formal derivational and calculational role of mathematics and opening a cognitive means for the conduct of ‘experiments in the mind’ and for sophisticated representations of theory.
A versatile osmometer for polymer gels and solutions with applications to cellulosic gels

An osmometer is described which is capable of measuring swelling pressures of polymer and polyelectrolyte gels up to 200 atm., as well as measuring osmotic pressures of solutions down to approximately 0.1 mm. H2O pressure. For the latter, use can be made of the deswelling of a solvent swollen gel that occurs when it is placed in contact with the polymer solution. In this case no semipermeable membrane is required. Useful thermodynamic information regarding the network structure of gels can be obtained, which in the case of polyelectrolytes cannot be obtained through vapor phase measurements. Measurements on a gel obtained by crosslinking cellulose acetate in solution allow the determination of the elastic free energy and the degree of swelling q0 at which the coiling chains are relaxed, if Huggins' parameter in the expression for the free energy of mixing is known. If the degree of swelling q is not too far removed from q0, it is shown that the “rubber elasticity” theory of networks holds, and yields the number of crosslinks in the gel. Pressure measurements of a cellulose gel in water and in alkali solutions are presented. The maximum in the swelling pressure at 10% alkali is qualitatively explained with Neale's theory, which considers the cellulose hydroxyl groups to be weakly acidic.
Markov-Renewal Programming. II: Infinite Return Models, Example

This paper is a continuation of a previous one which investigates programming over a Markov-renewal process---in which the intervals between transitions of a system from state i to state j are independent samples from a distribution that may depend upon both i and j. Given a reward structure, and a decision mechanism that influences both the rewards and the Markov-renewal process, the problem is to select alternatives at each transition so as to maximize total expected reward. The first portion of the paper investigated various finite-return models. In this part of the paper, we investigate the infinite-return models, where it becomes necessary to consider only stationary policies that maximize the dominant term in the reward. It is then important to specify whether the limiting experiment is I undiscounted, with the number of transitions n → ∞, II undiscounted, with a time horizon t → ∞, or III discounted, infinite n or t, with discount factor a → 0. In each case, a limiting form for the total expected reward is shown, and an algorithm developed to maximize the rate of return. The problem of finding the optimal or near-optimal policies in the case of ties is still computationally unresolved. Extensions to nonergodic processes are indicated, and special results for the two-state process are presented. Finally, an example of machine maintenance and repair is used to illustrate the generality of the models and the special problems that may arise.
Physiogenesis of endothermy and its relation to growth in the great horned owl, Bubo virginianus

1. 1. Growth and development, from hatching to fledging, and their relation to the physiogenesis of endothermy was investigated in 24 great horned owls. Bubo virginianus, under field and laboratory conditions. 2. 2. Growth of hatchling owls was biphasic with an average weight gain of 18% of their body weight/48 hr for the first 20 days posthatching. decreasing to 4%/48 hr in nestlings 21–44 days of age. 3. 3. Four-week old owlets are capable of thermoregulating at 90% of the adult capacity over a wide range of normally experienced environmental temperatures. 4. 4. Precocial development of homeothermy, relative to other altricial species, was physically enhanced by: (a) advanced development of plumage and down resulting in improved insulation, (b) large body mass resulting in increased capacity for thermogenesis and (c) decreased surface to volume ratio. 5. 5. The precocial development of endothermy appears related to increased energy demands of the rapidly growing young owls and those of the adult female in her solo attempt to brood a nestling mass of 2–3 kg. The increased energy demands translate into increasing time away from the nest on feeding forays for the adult and protracted periods when young are not maintained at optimal developmental temperatures. 6. 6. Thermogenesis and thermolysis developed synchronously in young owls; however, thermolysis developed with greater initial efficiency. This is adaptively advantageous to the neonatal owlet due to the adults' inability to effectively cool the nestling, compared to brooding thermogenesis.
An Accessible Cognitive Modeling Tool for Evaluation of Pilot-Automation Interaction

Various cognitive modeling techniques and tools have been developed to support description and prediction of human behavior in complex systems. GOMS (Goals, Operators, Methods and Selection rules) modeling methods have been used in human–computer interaction (HCI) analysis for many years and are considered easy to learn. GOMS has several limitations, including representing only expert behavior in tasks and not supporting detailed modeling of visual and motor operations or parallel processing. Another limitation is that operation time estimates are deterministic. This research developed an enhanced GOMS language and computational cognitive modeling tool to address the existing GOMS limitations to aid cockpit automation designers in assessing the potential for automation-induced pilot performance problems. Output of the tool for a specific flight and automation use scenario was compared with experiment data for validation purposes. Results demonstrated significant correlations of model-based pilot performan...
An examination of voter conceptualizations of the ideal political candidate

This study was designed to determine the nature of the ideal political candidate, employing source credibility and homophily as a basis for analysis. It was demonstrated that the ideal political candidate is seen as extremely competent, extremely high in character, quite composed and sociable, slightly extroverted, as well as slightly similar to the voters in attitudes and beliefs and neutral in similarity in terms of background and personality. Implications of the findings and suggestions for future research were advanced.
Late Cenozoic rotations of the Juan de Fuca Ridge and the Gorda Rise: A case study

Abstract In response to at least one change in the direction of sea-floor spreading, the Juan de Fuca Ridge and Gorda Rise have rotated approximately 20° clockwise with respect to geographic North during the last 10 million years. The rotation histories of these ridge segments have been determined from the ages and azimuths of linear magnetic anomalies within the corresponding “zed” patterns. In each case the rotations were systematic and occurred between about 9 and 3 Ma B.P. Significantly, the rotations occurred in a number of discrete stages during each of which the rates of rotation were approximately constant; rotation rates range from 1.3 to 8.6°/Ma. Though the rotation histories of these spreading centers are generally similar, some changes in the rotation rates are not synchronous, and until 3 Ma B.P., the Juan de Fuca Ridge had a 5–10° more easterly trend than the Gorda Rise. For the last 3 million years both ridge segments have had stable trends near 19°E of North. On a time scale of millions of years, ridge reorientation may be regarded as a continuous process wherein the rotation of the spreading center results from asymmetric spreading. Discontinuous changes in the degree of asymmetric spreading are required to account for observed changes in rotation rate. If the orthogonal arrangement of spreading centers and transform faults represents a least-work condition in which the resistance to plate motions is minimized by minimizing the lengths of ridge segments, as suggested previously, and if the rate at which the system seeks to reduce the total resistance after a change in spreading direction is maximum, it follows that the degree of asymmetric spreading, and hence the rate of rotation, are inversely proportional to the resistance to motion on transform faults. Thus, the various stages of rotation of the Juan de Fuca Ridge and Gorda Rise probably reflect different stress conditions on the Blanco Fracture Zone. It is difficult to account for the different trends of the Juan de Fuca Ridge and Gorda Rise largely because the Gorda Block is not behaving as a rigid plate and because the Mendocino Fracture Zone is not a transform fault. However, the fact that the Gorda Rise has had a stable trend for 3 million years, in spite of the deformation of an adjacent plate, suggests that the motion of the Gorda Block is not controlled by the motions of the vast Pacific and North American Plates, and that the Driving mechanism is “felt” directly at the ridge.
Fractal dimension of profiles and surfaces using fuzzy morphological coverings

In this paper, we propose a new method, based on fuzzy morphology coverings, to estimate the fractal dimension of profiles and surfaces. This method is geometrically intuitive and simple to implement. Algorithmically, the method fits a covering to the frames or blocks of the profile or surface using fuzzy morphology. Varying the dimension of the frame or block, estimates of the length or area covered are then used to find the fractal dimension. Validation of the proposed method is performed by comparing its results with known fractal dimensions of mathematical profiles. The method is used to obtain the fractal dimension of rock profiles and surfaces.
Dopamine released from mesencephalic transplants restores modulation of striatal acetylcholine release after neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine: an in vitro analysis.

After chemical lesions which destroy the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway, transplants rich in dopamine neurons innervate the striatum and, with appropriate stimulation, drive host motor behaviors normally mediated by dopamine. We wished to determine whether dopamine released from the transplant also reinstated dopaminergic inhibition of striatal acetylcholine release. Three-day-old rat pups received bilateral intraventricular injections of 6-hydroxydopamine. Three days later cell suspensions prepared from embryonic ventral mesencephalon were injected unilaterally into the striatum. Tail pinch and amphetamine were able to elicit contralateral turning in many of these animals. Only those animals which rotated ≥5 turns/min were included for further analysis. Subsequent assays indicated that 6-hydroxydopamine had depleted striatal dopamine to 4% of control and that the transplant had increased dopamine levels to 11% of control. Superfused striatal slices were stimulated (8 Hz, 1 min) and then exposed to amphetamine (10 μM, 3 min). The slice released dopamine, as measured by HPLC, and acetylcholine, as measured by tritium efflux after preincubation with [3H]choline. Moreover, the release of acetylcholine was inhibited by endogenous dopamine as indicated by the ability of sulpiride (1 μM) to increase tritium efflux. Striatal slices prepared from lesioned animals showed a reduction in dopamine overflow in response to both electrical stimulation (0.6% of control) and amphetamine (1% of control), and a decrease in the ability of sulpiride to increase electrically evoked acetylcholine overflow (12% of control). Transplantation partially restored the dopaminergic response to electrical stimulation (21% of control), and amphetamine (15% of control) and fully restored the sulpiride-induced increase in acetylcholine overflow (98% of control). We conclude that transplanted dopaminergic neurons are able to release dopamine and to restore inhibitory control over the release of striatal acetylcholine.
A comparative study of internet regulatory policies in the greater china region: emerging regulatory models and issues in China, Hong-Kong SAR, and Taiwan

Most research about comparative Internet policy literature has been devoted to the discussion regarding copyright protection and piracy, freedom of speech, censorship, encryption, and impacts on national sovereignty as well as regulatory bodies. In this study, I investigate the influence of national culture characteristics on the stipulation and implementation of regulatory models in the Greater China Region, which includes three Chinese majority societies, China, Hong-Kong SAR, and Taiwan. Because of their unique cultural and political characteristics, these three societies present remarkable cases to examine the effects of political-cultural dynamics on the making of Internet regulations.
Use of sperm precedence to infer the overwintering cost of insecticide resistance in the Colorado potato beetle

1 Resistance to insecticides is a model system for studying adaptation. Although selection for resistance is always strong in areas and seasons where populations are exposed to insecticides, costs of resistance, which may only be expressed in the absence of insecticide use, will shape how quickly resistance will evolve. 2 We used sperm precedence to measure the shifts in resistance to imidacloprid in a natural population during winter diapause in the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Because adult beetles overwinter with viable autumn sperm, but sperm from spring matings take precedence over stored sperm, we used the difference in resistance of springmated and autumn-mated overwintered females to estimate the shift in resistance during the winter. Offspring of autumn-mated females were 2.7- or 2.5-fold more resistant compared with offspring from spring-mated females in two replicate trials. 3 We also measured the resistance of late summer and spring emergent adults in fields treated and untreated with imidacloprid in the first year. Adults from the treated field were 13.7-fold more resistant and adults from the untreated field were 2.6-fold more resistant compared with the next spring’s emergers. 4 These large costs of resistance observed in the field and inferred from resistance declines during diapause help to explain the observation that imidacloprid resistance has increased only slowly over the decade of widespread use against this species, and how insecticide resistance in general can cycle annually.
What we know about learning [engineering education]

Summary form only as given. Traditionally, engineering research and the teaching of engineering have been approached in very different ways. To prepare for research, we undergo years of rigorous training, both in scientific knowledge and in methods of gaining new knowledge through experimentation and analysis. To prepare for teaching, we acquire the same knowledge, but except for a stint or two as a teaching assistant, we receive almost no training in how to impart it to students. Teaching, we are told, is an art, or possibly an inborn talent. Fortunately, knowledge about human learning processes has developed to the point where we can do better. There is a quite well developed science of human learning which has strong implications for the ways in which our students should learn and we should teach. Here, the author comments on some of the things we know about human learning, and especially some of the things we have learned recently, that can substantially improve university instruction.
A SPARSE GREEDY SELF-ADAPTIVE ALGORITHM FOR CLASSIFICATION OF DATA

Kernels have become an integral part of most data classification algorithms. However, the kernel parameters are generally not optimized during learning. In this work a novel adaptive technique called Sequential Function Approximation (SFA) has been developed for classification that determines the values of the control and kernel hyper-parameters during learning. This tool constructs sparse radial basis function networks in a greedy fashion. Experiments were carried out on synthetic and real-world data sets where SFA had comparable performance to other popular classification schemes with parameters optimized by an exhaustive grid search.
Edge orientation-based multi-view object recognition

An edge orientation-based algorithm for multi-view object recognition is presented. The distribution of edge point orientations, combined with the normalized second moments, is taken as a feature vector to describe and index each object instance. For each unknown test object, a set of likelihood weights for all the possible candidate objects is obtained by computing the Euclidean distances between the unknown feature set and all the available template feature vectors. A convincing coefficient is introduced to evaluate the confidence of the best match. New views (photo shots) will be automatically taken if the best match is thought to be insufficiently convincing. In experiments, our algorithm has achieved an average of 91.5% correct recognition rate under the 5-view scheme for 320 testing images taken from eight natural objects.
The Effects of Annealing Temperature on the Characteristics of Buried Oxide Silicon-On-Insulator

The effects of post implantation annealing on the properties of buried oxide silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates in the temperature range of 1150°C to 1300°C have been studied. Microstructural analyses showed that the crystallinity of the top silicon layer was improved at higher annealing temperature. Lower thermal donor generation at 450°C was observed in SOI annealed at higher temperature. The improvement in microstructure and lower thermal donor generation were correlated to the lower oxygen concentration in the top silicon film.
Numerical Simulations of Cardiac Tissue Excitation and Pacing Using the Bidomain Model

The last two decades have produced significant advances in our theoretical understanding of cardiac pacing. The bidomain model, a mathematical representation of the anisotropic electrical properties of cardiac tissue, has provided insight into many long-standing mysteries of pacing, such as the mechanisms of make and break excitation, the shape of the strength-interval curve, and the induction of reentry by burst pacing. This paper reviews the application of the bidomain model to these and other topics, and summarizes our theoretical understanding of how electrical excitation of the heart works.
Xwnt-5A: a maternal Wnt that affects morphogenetic movements after overexpression in embryos of Xenopus laevis

To contribute to an understanding of the roles and mechanisms of action of Wnts in early vertebrate development, we have characterized the normal expression of Xenopus laevis Wnt-5A, and investigated the consequences of misexpression of this putative signalling factor. Xwnt-5A transcripts are expressed throughout development, and are enriched in both the anterior and posterior regions of embryos at late stages of development, where they are found primarily in ectoderm, with lower levels of expression in mesoderm. Overexpression of Xwnt-5A in Xenopus embryos leads to complex malformations distinct from those achieved by ectopic expression of Xwnts −1, −3A, or −8. This phenotype is unlikely to result from Xwnt-5A acting as an inducing agent, as overexpression of Xwnt-5A does not rescue dorsal structures in UV-irradiated embryos, does not induce mesoderm in blastula caps, and Xwnt-5A does not alter the endogenous patterns of expression of goosecoid, Xbra, or Xwnt-8. To pursue whether Xwnt-5A has the capacity to affect morphogenetic movements, we investigated whether overexpression of Xwnt-5A alters the normal elongation of blastula cap explants induced by activin. Intriguingly, Xwnt-5A blocks the elongation of blastula caps in response to activin, without blocking the differentiation of either dorsal or ventral mesoderm within these explants. The data are consistent with Xwnt-5A having the potential activity of modifying the morphogenetic movements of tissues.
On-Demand Multicast Routing in Cognitive Radio Mesh Networks

Cognitive radio networks (CRN) have emerged as a promising, yet challenging, solution to enhance spectrum utilization, thanks to the technology of cognitive radios. In this work, we consider the multicast routing and channel allocation problem in cognitive radio mesh networks. Due to the potential heterogeneity in channel availability among mesh routers (MRs) and the frequency switching latency, end-to-end delay and throughput degradation could be subject to a significant increase. We propose an on-demand multicast routing and channel allocation algorithm that takes channel heterogeneity and switching latency into consideration. The algorithm aims at reducing the end-to-end delay, and at the same time reducing the degradation of throughput using a dynamic programming approach.
Emerging Approaches for High-Resolution Imaging of Tissue Biomechanics With Optical Coherence Elastography

Optical coherence elastography (OCE) is an emerging method to image the mechanical properties of tissue in 3D, with spatial resolution approaching the micrometer-scale. By offering the ability to connect between the cellular and bulk tissue levels, OCE has the potential to enable biomechanics-based clinical diagnostics and in vivo biomechanics investigations over a new spatial scale. We review the emerging approaches in OCE, emphasizing commonalities with ultrasound elastography and a fundamental connection to the emerging field of Mechanobiology. The concept of a forward and inverse problem is applied to image formation in OCE, and more broadly, to describe overall efforts in the field. We also discuss the potential impact that OCE holds for clinical and biological applications, and highlight future directions for the field, including opportunities for cross-modality and interdisciplinary interactions.
Distribution of the strength of selection against amino acid replacements in human proteins

The impact of an amino acid replacement on the organism's fitness can vary from lethal to selectively neutral and even, in rare cases, beneficial. Substantial data are available on either pathogenic or acceptable replacements. However, the whole distribution of coefficients of selection against individual replacements is not known for any organism. To ascertain this distribution for human proteins, we combined data on pathogenic missense mutations, on human non-synonymous SNPs and on human-chimpanzee divergence of orthologous proteins. Fractions of amino acid replacements which reduce fitness by >10(-2), 10(-2)-10(-4), 10(-4)-10(-5) and <10(-5) are 25, 49, 14 and 12%, respectively. On average, the strength of selection against a replacement is substantially higher when chemically dissimilar amino acids are involved, and the Grantham's index of a replacement explains 35% of variance in the average logarithm of selection coefficients associated with different replacements. Still, the impact of a replacement depends on its context within the protein more than on its own nature. Reciprocal replacements are often associated with rather different selection coefficients, in particular, replacements of non-polar amino acids with polar ones are typically much more deleterious than replacements in the opposite direction. However, differences between evolutionary fluxes of reciprocal replacements are only weakly correlated with the differences between the corresponding selection coefficients.
Enhanced dominant pruning applied to the route discovery process of on-demand routing protocols

Dominant pruning (DP) is a distributed connected dominating-set algorithm that can be used for reducing the impact of flooding in wireless ad hoc networks. We propose an enhanced dominant pruning (EDP) approach to be used in the route discovery process of on-demand routing protocols. To show the benefits of EDP, we integrate EDP into the ad-hoc on-demand distance vector (AODV) protocol. We present detailed simulation results showing that our approach improves standard AODV in most aspects, and that it is simple and easy to implement. Our approach is compared against AODV and OLSR, as good representatives of on-demand and proactive routing for ad-hoc wireless networks.
Ais Giorkis: An unusual early Neolithic settlement in Cyprus

AbstractFor over a century, archaeologists have been intrigued by the inception of food production and sedentary lifeways, the so-called “Neolithic Revolution.” Research focused on the Near Eastern and Anatolian mainlands has documented some of the earliest Neolithic cultures known. The adjacent Mediterranean islands were generally believed to have been late recipients of Neolithic economies. Recent research challenges this by establishing both Late Epipalaeolithic and early Neolithic occupations on Cyprus. Ais Giorkis contributes to this revision. It is an early Neolithic site (ca. 7500 cal b.c.) in the uplands, unlike most contemporary sites, which are near the coast. Ais Giorkis is more complex than originally believed, containing unusual architecture, abundant and sophisticated artifacts, and some of the oldest directly dated domesticated plants in the Near East. It also has a faunal assemblage that includes small numbers of cattle bones, previously undocumented before the Bronze Age, but now shown to...
The effects of test anxiety, sex of subject, and type of verbal reinforcement on maze performance of elementary school children1

Summary The purpose of this study was to account for children's performance in an educational setting by evaluating individual difference factors and the subjects' differential responsivities to social reinforcement The child subjects performed on Porteus mazes, which were viewed as complex, stress-inducing tasks They were differentiated in terms of sex and test anxiety levels. Each child received the same number of noncontingent reinforcements, which consisted of either verbal praise or verbal criticism or no feedback The data yielded significant triple interaction effects among anxiety, sex, and social reinforcement for the time and error scores on the mazes The data were discussed in terms of their implications for remediating performance in educational settings and their support for the theoretical conception of test anxiety as a chronic drive state The authors concluded that the extrinsic, motivating effects of verbal reinforcement can be reasonably characterized, but only if one attends to individual differences among those subjects being reinforced.
Limitations and potentials of metamaterial lenses

The seminal discovery that an ideal negative-index lens may overcome Abbe's diffraction limit has raised enormous interest in the field of metamaterials and of subwavelength focusing. This finding is based on the anomalous wave propagation in ideally isotropic and homogeneous metamaterials with negative index of refraction and low loss, provided they are available. We have designed a metamaterial lens based on one of the simplest metamaterial geometries, a cubic array of spheres, with the aim of verifying its imaging properties in a practical configuration. After a rigorous homogenization, we have shown that, for suitable designs, the effective bulk parameters may indeed provide a quasi-isotropic negative-index response, ideal for imaging applications. We have then tested the imaging properties for finite-size lenses, analyzing challenges and potentials of going beyond the diffraction limit in a practical setup. We have also explored an alternative venue to exploit the negative-index property of the designed metamaterial in a concave lens, in order to resolve subwavelength features in the far-field. Our results indicate that, although subwavelength resolution and evanescent-wave amplification are possible in metamaterial arrays, practical imaging beyond the diffraction limit is challenging and a careful design should consider the granularity, degree of isotropy, and transverse size of the metamaterial lens.
Virtual object distortions in 3D displays with only horizontal parallax

An imaging system that can convey a full 3D light field provides viewers with parallax in both the horizontal and vertical directions. However, displays that provide horizontal parallax only (HPO) are commonly preferred because they can greatly reduce cost and complexity, while still providing a good amount of 3D realism. Here we consider one side effect of HPO: the aspect ratio of displayed virtual objects will be observed to change as a viewer moves toward and away from the display. This results in object shape deformations that can only be corrected for viewing positions on a single line. We present an analysis of what happens outside these ideal positions, and how it is related to the range of object depths in the displayed scene. Several numerical examples and simulations of display views are presented to illustrate the effects, and show how they limit the acceptable range of scene depths and viewing positions of HPO 3D displays.
Edge transport barriers in magnetic fusion plasmas

Abstract The present level of understanding of the physics of the formation and sustainment of edge transport barriers in magnetically confined fusion plasmas is presented. The formation of edge transport barriers is studied through evolution of mechanisms which can suppress plasma turbulence and so reduce turbulent driven transport, such as E × B flow shear stabilization of turbulence. Comparisons of theoretical studies with experimental results are described including investigations of zonal flows, which are considered important for saturation and self-regulation of turbulence and turbulence-driven transport. Processes that affect the dynamics and spatial structure of the edge barrier are described with emphasis on the width of the transport barrier. To cite this article: P. Gohil, C. R. Physique 7 (2006).
State Preferences and Institution Evolution: From Security to Economic Interests

The examples analyzed in this thesis demonstrate three primary conclusions. First, the achievement of regional security can be created with the assistance of an offshore balancer or through an arduous process of long-term confidence building. Second, institutions are most likely to have their greatest success in achieving the economic interests of states after security fears have been ameliorated. Third, non-violent means of conflict resolution are necessary to ensure successful regional cooperation and institution building.
Leveraging the Integrated Programming and Visualization Features of Mathcad in Teaching Advanced Structural Analysis

Mathcad is unique among calculation and programming environments in that it permits programming constructs, mathematical expressions, and graphical visualizations to be easily and compactly integrated. In teaching advanced structural analysis topics, these unique capabilities can be leveraged to improve student comprehension and elevate the level of analysis that can be performed directly by students. Instead of focusing on low-level programming issues, Mathcad allows students to focus instead on high-level engineering concepts. As a result, students can implement analysis procedures in Mathcad that would require far greater (and often impractical) amounts of time to code using traditional programming languages. Coursework related programming of this type is not intended to train the next generation of engineering software developers. Rather, it is intended to instill in students a fundamental understanding of structural behavior and an understanding of the inner workings of commercial software. When students program numerical analysis procedures themselves, and then compare their results to output they obtain from commercial structural analysis software packages, they gain insight into the capabilities—and limitations—of the commercial software.
Analysis of idiopathic thrombocytopaenic purpura after vaccination in Shenzhen,in 2009—2012

Objective To analyze the characteristics of idiopathic thrombocytopaenic purpura(ITP)after vaccination and evaluate the safety for vaccination.Methods 15 ITP cases which occured in 2009—2012 were collected through Shenzhen Adverse Events Following Immunization(AEFI)surveillance system.The surveillance data was analyzed by descriptive statistical analysis.Results ITP cases after vaccination were occured mainly in children less than 2 years old,the proportions of case age ≤ 1 year and 1 to 2 years were 66.67% and 33.33%,respectively.The ratio of male to female was 1.43∶1.There were 2 cases whose onset interval was≤1 d and 3 cases whose onset interval was ≥ 15 d.The shortest onset interval was several hours and the longest onset interval was 22 d.There were 8 kinds of vaccine involved with ITP.There were 5 cases related to Human hepatitis B vaccine,which accounted for 33.33% and the reported rate was 1.69/106.There were 3 cases related to DTP combined vaccine(Diphtheria,Tetanus and Pertussis Combined Vaccine),which accounted for 20.00% and the reported rate was 3.84/106.There were 2 cases related to Measles and Rubella Combined Vaccine,Live,which accounted for 13.33% and the reported rate was 3.50/106.4 cases were occurred after first dose(26.67%) and 5 cases were after second dose(33.33%).Among the 15 cases,10 cases(66.67%)were finally diagnosed as rare adverse reaction and 5 cases(33.33%)were coincidental event.The annually reported rate of ITP after vaccination was 0.25/106-3.84/106 in 2009-2012.Conclusions The annually reported rate of ITP after vaccination in 2009-2012 in Shenzhen was lower than the expected rate of WHO,so we should strengthen monitoring.ITP after vaccination was a serious disease,it should be established a standard plan for medication and a standardized mechanism which is compensation for severe cases from AEFI caused by vaccination.
Cultural considerations in Latino American mental health

According to the 2011 US Census, Latinos are the fastest growing racial/ethnic group in the United States, with over 34% under the age of 18. As the Latino population increases, ‘a growing number o...
Air plasma treatment of liquid covered tissue: long timescale chemistry

Atmospheric pressure plasmas have shown great promise for the treatment of wounds and cancerous tumors. In these applications, the sample is usually covered by a thin layer of a biological liquid. The reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) generated by the plasma activate and are processed by the liquid before the plasma produced activation reaches the tissue. The synergy between the plasma and the liquid, including evaporation and the solvation of ions and neutrals, is critical to understanding the outcome of plasma treatment. The atmospheric pressure plasma sources used in these procedures are typically repetitively pulsed. The processes activated by the plasma sources have multiple timescales—from a few ns during the discharge pulse to many minutes for reactions in the liquid. In this paper we discuss results from a computational investigation of plasma–liquid interactions and liquid phase chemistry using a global model with the goal of addressing this large dynamic range in timescales. In modeling air plasmas produced by a dielectric barrier discharge over liquid covered tissue, 5000 voltage pulses were simulated, followed by 5 min of afterglow. Due to the accumulation of long-lived species such as ozone and N x O y , the gas phase dynamics of the 5000th discharge pulse are different from those of the first pulse, particularly with regards to the negative ions. The consequences of applied voltage, gas flow, pulse repetition frequency, and the presence of organic molecules in the liquid on the gas and liquid reactive species are discussed.
Extreme condition nanocarbon formation under air and argon atmospheres during detonation of composition B-3

Abstract Novel nanocarbons synthesized by extreme conditions produce products with various chemical and physical properties. Herein through high explosive detonation of Composition B-3 (40% TNT, 60% RDX), pressures and temperatures not classically attainable in laboratory syntheses provide access to interesting carbon allotropes. For example, detonations of Composition B-3 are regularly used to synthesize the now commercially-available nanodiamond (3–5 nm spherical diamond particles) through quenching of the detonation by ice collars at high pressures and temperatures. Detonation conditions of Composition B-3, in this study, were modified by altering the atmosphere (air versus Ar) without quenching, consequently directing nanocarbon formation. X-ray scattering and microscopy elucidate that detonations performed in air produced spherical hollow core-shell nanocarbons, whereas detonations in Ar produced elongated nanocarbons. Although morphology bifurcates, spectroscopy reveals that both major detonation products are comprised of sp2 hybridized carbon. As expected from air atmosphere detonations, surface functionalization is dominated by C O bonding. The absence of oxygen in the Ar atmosphere detonations may propagate extended sheets of graphene that either stack together due to electrostatics or fold upon itself. This work demonstrates that modification of the detonation atmosphere provides an alternative route for the production of new and interesting nanocarbons.
Fuzzy Interest Forwarding

In the current Named Data Networking implementation, forwarding a data request requires finding an exact match between the prefix of the name carried in the request and a forwarding table entry. However, consumers may not always know the exact naming, or an exact prefix, of their desired data. The current approach to this problem---establishing naming conventions and performing name lookup---can be infeasible in highly ad hoc, heterogeneous, and dynamic environments: the same data can be named using different terms or even languages, naming conventions may be minimal if they exist at all, and name lookups can be costly. In this paper, we present a fuzzy Interest forwarding approach that exploits semantic similarities between the names carried in Interest packets and the names of potentially matching data in CS and entries in FIB. We describe the fuzzy Interest forwarding approach and outline the semantic understanding function that determines the name matching.
Hybrid Comparative Predictive Modeling

In this research, a hybrid predictive model was proposed for the language assignment decision-making process where predictive modeling is primarily based on personality type and learning style preference attributes. Predictive models can be built through the use of machine learning using different classifiers/algorithms to predict results as well as provide recommendations to management for placement in appropriate language programs of study and students for the adoption of appropriate study strategies and habits. A predictive model through machine learning was used in conjunction with probabilistic classification and clustering of specific segments within the data in order to increase the rate of success for an improved decision-making process. Variance in the actual and predicted results with respect to the difference in success rates can assist the decision makers in student placement. An aggregate of all the processes with the help of Cobb-Douglas utility function leads to a Hybrid Predictive Model, which combined two different phases for better placement, an increased rate of success, and an overall improved decision-making process. The introduction of Cobb-Douglas utility function can further streamline the process to check any external factors that may have influenced the predicted results.
Periprosthetic Joint Infection With Fungal Pathogens.

Abstract Background Although there is abundant information about bacterial periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs), there is a notable paucity of information about fungal PJIs. The goals of this study are to describe the patient demographics, diagnostic findings, and treatment results of fungal PJIs after total joint arthroplasty. Methods We identified 31 fungal PJIs (13 total hip arthroplasties and 18 total knee arthroplasties) in 31 patients treated between 1996 and 2014. This represented 0.9% of the 3525 PJIs treated at our institution during this time period. Candida species accounted for 81% of infections. The mean patient age at diagnosis of fungal PJI was 68 years. Mean follow-up after initiation of treatment was 4 years. Results In the total hip arthroplasty cohort, survivorship free from all-cause revision or implant removal was 44% at 2 years. Survivorship free from reinfection was 38% at 2 years. Mean Harris hip score was 27 at final follow-up.In the total knee arthroplasty cohort, survivorship free from all-cause revision was 70% at 2 years. Survivorship free from reinfection was 76% at 2 years. Mean Knee Society scores were 36 at final follow-up. Conclusion Fungal PJIs are rare (0.9% of diagnosed PJIs). Survivorship free of all-cause revision or implant removal was very low in the hip group (44% at 2 years), but slightly better in the knee group (70% at 2 years). Moreover, clinical outcomes were poor with high perioperative complication rates. Improved treatment regimens are needed for this unsolved clinical problem.
Iterative re-weighted L 1 -norm principal-component analysis

We consider the problem of principal-component analysis of a given set of data samples. When the data set contains faulty measurements/outliers, the performance of classic L 2 principal-component analysis (L 2 -PCA) deteriorates drastically. Instead, L 1 principal-component analysis (L 1 -PCA) offers outlier resistance due to the L 1 -norm maximization criterion it adopts to compute the principal subspace. In this work, we present an iterative re-weighted L 1 -PCA method (IRW L 1 -PCA) that generates a sequence of Li-norm subspaces. In each iteration, the data set comformity of each sample is measured by the L 1 subspace calculated in the previous iteration and used to weigh the data sample before the L 1 subspace update. The approach automatically suppresses outliers in each iteration resulting in increasingly accurate subspace calculation. We provide convergence analysis and compare the proposed algorithm against benchmark algorithms in the literature. Experimental studies demonstrate the superiority of the proposed IRW L 1 -PCA procedure.
L2-Synthesis by Ambiguity Functions

A class of operators on L 2 (R 2) are introduced which, when acting on rank-one tensors, yield ambiguity functions and their generalizations. The L 2 — synthesis problem by functions in the range of these operators is solved. The same approach applied to functions whose Fourier transforms are rank-one tensors yields analogous results for wideba.nd ambiguity functions (wavelet transforms).
Minot, George R and Murphy, William P

American internists George Richards Minot (1885–1950) and William Parry Murphy (1892–1987) are most remembered for their Nobel Prize-winning development of liver therapy as an effective treatment for pernicious anemia in the late 1920s. Clinical improvements occurred in conjunction with improvements in hematological indices and could be sustained for many years with continued liver therapy, well beyond the previous life expectancy of such patients. Importantly, patients with relatively mild neurological dysfunction from subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord also improved, demonstrating, for example, significant improvements in gait. However, patients with more severe neurological dysfunction showed at best slow and limited improvement, although neurological progression was apparently arrested with treatment.