cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Journeys to Moriah: Hegel vs. Kierkegaard

Abraham, born in Chaldaea, had in youth already left a fatherland in his father's company. Now, in the plains of Mesopotamia, he tore himself free altogether from his family as well, in order to be a wholly self-subsistent, independent man, to be an overlord himself. … The same spirit which had carried Abraham away from his kin led him through his encounters with foreign peoples during the rest of his life; this was the spirit of self-maintenance in strict opposition to everything—the product of his thought raised to be the unity dominant over the nature which he regarded as infinite and hostile (for the only relationship possible between hostile entities is mastery of one by the other). With his herds Abraham wandered hither and thither over a boundless territory without bringing parts of it any nearer to him by cultivating and improving them. … The groves which often gave him coolness and shade he soon left again; in them he had theophanies, appearances of his perfect Object on High, but he did not tarry in them with the love which would have made them worthy of Divinity and participant in Him. He was a stranger on earth, a stranger to the soil and to men alike.
Forced convection film boiling drag and heat transfer of a wedge

Laminar forced convection film boiling flow on a wedge is analyzed considering the streamwise pressure gradient imposed on the flow and the streamwise buoyancy force (important because of the large density difference between the vapor and liquid) acting on the vapor film. A two-phase boundary layer model is proposed, and the local similarity concept is applied to obtain an approximate solution of the governing equations. Parametric trends in this analysis show that, for a water-steam system at atmospheric pressure considered within this study, the density difference between the vapor and liquid is large enough. As a result, both the streamwise pressure gradient and the buoyancy force exert strong influence on the vapor flow dynamics. Wall skin friction results display a strong dependency on the streamwise buoyancy force driving the vapor film and the external pressure gradient. Previously observed skin friction bucket'' type phenomena with increased heating of the wedge are possible when the buoyancy force is small or negligible. Adverse streamwise buoyancy force action on the vapor film, which is the case on the lower surface of a horizontally aligned wedge, may cause vapor flow separation. In contrast to wall skin friction dependency, the wall heat-transfer parameter shows a secondarymore » dependence on the streamwise pressure gradient and the buoyancy force. 16 refs., 9 figs., 3 tabs.« less
Differential role of histamine in mediating stress-induced changes in central dopaminergic neuronal activity in the rat

The role of histamine in mediating restraint stress-induced alterations in dopaminergic neuronal activity and alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha MSH) secretion was evaluated in male rats. Dopaminergic neuronal activity was estimated by measuring concentrations of the dopamine metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in brain regions containing terminals of these neurons. Physical restraint increased DOPAC concentrations in nucleus accumbens and decreased DOPAC concentrations in the intermediate lobe of the pituitary, but was without effect on DOPAC concentrations in either the striatum or median eminence. These data indicate that restraint stress increases mesolimbic, decreases periventricular-hypophysial, and is without effect on nigrostriatal or tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neuronal activity. Neither depletion of neuronal histamine by alpha-fluoromethylhistidine, blockade of H1 receptors by mepyramine, nor blockade of H2 receptors by zolantidine prevented the stress-induced increase in DOPAC concentrations in the nucleus accumbens suggesting that histaminergic neurons are not major contributors to stress-induced increases in mesolimbic dopaminergic neuronal activity. In contrast, alpha-fluoromethylhistidine- and mepyramine-, but not zolantidine-treatment prevented the stress-induced decrease in DOPAC concentrations in the intermediate lobe. Restraint stress increased alpha MSH secretion; this increase was not prevented by alpha-fluoromethylhistidine, mepyramine, or zolantidine. These data indicate that histaminergic neurons mediate the stress-induced decrease in periventricular-hypophysial dopaminergic neuronal activity through an action at H1 receptors, but do not effect stress-induced alpha MSH secretion.
Diagnosis and assessment of sigmoidoceles

Abstract OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed the clinical presentation, incidence, characteristics as demonstrated by defecating proctography, and surgical outcomes of sigmoidoceles. STUDY DESIGN: Defecating proctograms were obtained on all women with clinical evidence of pelvic floor defects between June 1, 1991, and June 30, 1995. The proctograms were retrospectively reviewed for the presence of a sigmoidocele and concomitant pelvic hernias. The distance between the maximum point of sigmoid descent with strain and the perineal body was measured. A chart review was performed to obtain clinical history, physical examination results, surgical treatment, and outcome. RESULTS: Nine sigmoidoceles (4.0%) were noted in 234 defecating proctograms. The leading edge of the sigmoid hernia ranged from 3.8 cm beyond the perineal body to 8 cm above the perineal body. All nine patients were found to have concomitant rectoceles by proctography, whereas only three were found to have enteroceles. Physical examination before proctography suggested that six patients had vaginal vault prolapse with enterocele, one patient had uterine prolapse with enterocele, and two patients had rectoceles alone. Five of the seven patients clinically diagnosed with an enterocele showed no small bowel herniation on defecography. No sigmoidoceles were suspected by physical diagnosis alone. All rectoceles were diagnosed by clinical examination. All patients except one, who had concomitant rectal prolapse, complained of constipation. Two patients required manual pressure to the perineum or vagina to defecate. Seven of the nine patients underwent pelvic reconstructive surgery. The surgical procedure for sigmoidocele was determined by severity of constipation, degree of prolapse, and sigmoid redundancy at the time of surgery. Two patients underwent sigmoid resection with sigmoidopexy, one patient had sigmoidopexy alone, and four patients had Halban obliteration of the cul-de-sac. Two patients are successfully using pessaries. Follow-up from 4 months to 2 years (mean 12 months) showed no recurrence of an apical defect by clinical examination. One patient had a recurrent rectocele to the hymenal ring with strain. Five patients had no complaints of constipation, whereas two noted improvement but continued symptoms. Both these patients had Halban procedures only, and one had the recurrent rectocele. CONCLUSIONS: Sigmoidoceles are an uncommon but not rare finding with apical support defects. Physical examination alone does not make the diagnosis. All patients had a rectocele, which substantiates a posterior vaginal support defect. In these patients there was a strong association with constipation that responded to surgical correction, but the degree of anatomic distortion did not always correlate with functional impairment. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1996;175:1438-42.)
Congenital Oligomeganephronia in a Solitary Kidney: Report of a Case

A case of oligomeganephronia in an 11-yr-old child is reported. Ours is the fourth reported case of this unusual form of congenital renal hypoplasia in a solitary kidney. Since progression of this lesion may be predicted, renal biopsy recognition allows orderly planning for future end-stage renal failure care.
Unusual effect of temperature on the retention of enantiomers on a chiral column

Abstract The Van 't Hoff plots of data obtained by chromatographing the enantiomers of a conformationally rigid spirolactam on a commercial high-performance liquid chromatographic column packed with a stationary phase derived from ( R )- N -(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)phenylglycine are non-linear. The extent and sense of the curvature of these plots depends not only on the temperature but also on the concentration of 2-propanol in the hexane mobile phase. With low concentrations of 2-propanol, retention is seen to decrease, then increase, then decrease again as the temperature is raised. This unusual behavior is ascribed to the temperature-dependent interaction of 2-propanol with the stationary phase and/or the analyte.
Carbon, Fossil Fuel, and Biodiversity Mitigation With Wood and Forests

Life-cycle analyses, energy analyses, and a range of utilization efficiencies were developed to determine the carbon dioxide (CO2) and fossil fuel (FF) saved by various solid wood products, wood energy, and unharvested forests. Some products proved very efficient in CO2 and FF savings, while others did not. Not considering forest regrowth after harvest or burning if not harvested, efficient products save much more CO2 than the standing forest; but wood used only for energy generally saves slightly less. Avoided emissions (using wood in place of steel and concrete) contributes the most to CO2 and FF savings compared to the product and wood energy contributions. Burning parts of the harvested logs that are not used for products creates an additional CO2 and FF savings. Using wood substitutes could save 14 to 31% of global CO2 emissions and 12 to 19% of global FF consumption by using 34 to 100% of the world’s sustainable wood growth. Maximizing forest CO2 sequestration may not be compatible with biodiversity...
Urinary Adenosine 3',5'-Monophosphate in the Switch Process from Depression to Mania

Marked elevations of urinary adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate occurred on the day of rapid switch from a depressed into a manic state in patients with manic-depressive illness. It is suggested that this increase might serve a trigger function for the process by which catecholamines are elevated during the manic phase of the illness.
The Swedish Family: Aspects of Contemporary Developments

Changes in family-related demographic behavior in Sweden since the early 1960s have included a rise in early consensual union formation postponement of both marriage and motherhood substantial increases in female employment rates and more divorces. Much of the fertility decline that began in the mid-1960s has been caused by a sharp drop in 3rd-birth rates. These changes are largely attributable to public policy features that are unique to Sweden and seek to ensure a decent standard of living for all citizens. Family life and sexual behavior is considered to belong in the personal domain and public policies seek to promote unrestricted individual choice. Womens labor force participation has been promoted by a firm public commitment to gender equality and a stress on economic activity. Public policy further promotes the sharing of household and child care responsibilities by both men and women. Thus Swedish policies mitigate the direct costs and opportunity costs of childbearing. On balance such policies have played an important role in maintaining fertility at a level that is quite high relative to the rest of Western Europe and have led to a shift in childbearing toward higher ages.
The hydrothermal crystal growth of chlorapatite

Abstract The first hydrothermal growth of single crystals of chlorapatite is reported. Crystals grown from the system chlorapatite-HCl-H2O at 50 000 psi and pH = 1 with the growth zone at 465 °C and dissolution zone at 360 °C are found to be of high stoichiometry.
Distinct Melanization Pathways in the Mosquito Aedes aegypti

Serine protease cascades are involved in blood coagulation and immunity. In arthropods, they regulate melanization, which plays an important role in immune defense and wound healing. However, the mechanisms underlying melanization pathways are not completely characterized. We found that in the mosquito Aedes aegypti, there are two distinct melanization activation pathways carried out by different modules of serine proteases and their specific inhibitors serpins. Immune melanization proteases (IMP-1 and IMP-2) and Serpin-1 mediate hemolymph prophenoloxidase cleavage and immune response against the malaria parasite. Tissue melanization, exemplified by the formation of melanotic tumors, is controlled by tissue melanization protease (CLIPB8), IMP-1, and Serpin-2. In addition, serine proteases CLIPB5 and CLIPB29 are involved in activation of Toll pathway by fungal infection or by infection-independent manner, respectively. Serpin-2 is implicated in the latter activation of Toll pathway. This study revealed the complexity underlying melanization and Toll pathway in mosquitoes.
Simple Shell-Model Calculation of Lattice Dynamics and Thermal Expansion of Alkali Halides

A six-parameter shell model which takes into account anion polarizability, noncentral nearest-neighbor interactions, central second-neighbor interactions, and the effective charge of the core and shell of the anion has been utilized for the determination of the lattice dynamics of LiF, NaCl, KCl, and RbI. The model parameters are determined from experimental data on the long-wavelength optical-mode phonon frequencies, the three elastic constants, and the high- and low-frequency dielectric constants. By the incorporation of the pressure derivatives of these quantities into the lattice-dynamical model, the individual-mode Gr\"uneisen parameters and the temperature dependence of the thermal-expansion coefficient are calculated. Reasonable agreement is found between the calculated values and the available experimental data on these quantities.
The Curriculum, the Students, and the World.

The author recommends increased emphasis on interethnic conflict around the world as part of an education in pluralism. Educators have been set the task of overcoming intolerance and heading off conflict in an increasingly diverse society. A widespread response has been to require students to study other cultures and evaluate them in relativist terms to achieve a tolerant pluralism. This “way of life” approach tends to essentialize culture and inhibit the consideration of interactions between societies or of conflicts within them. By contrast, an approach focusing on conflict and context rather than, or in addition to, studying ways of life would be more effective in fostering intergroup understanding. Instead of relativizing, students would face difficult issues and make judgments.
Crossed Cerebellar Diaschisis Related to Recurrent Focal Seizures

After several days of recurrent focal motor seizures in a 32-year-old pregnant woman, a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed signal abnormalities restricted to cerebral cortex and contralateral cerebellum that did not enhance after gadolinium administration. Maximal EEG dysfunction and seizure onset correlated anatomically with the area of image change. An aggressive medication regimen and termination of the pregnancy resulted in seizure control, reversal of postictal neurologic deficit, and improvement or resolution of the MRI and EEG abnormalities in 6 weeks. We concluded that the sequence of events suggested the reversible MRI lesions to be the result of repetitive seizure activity and that both localization and resolution of the lesions may be explained by reversible excitotoxic cell damage due to seizure-related excessive synaptic discharge.
Psychosocial Adjustment During Pregnancy: The Experience of Mature Gravidas

Objective To determine if gravidas ages 35 years and older have greater conflict in adapting to pregnancy than do younger gravidas. Design Static group comparison. Setting Prenatal care facilities and prenatal education classes. Participants Sixty-four older gravidas (35 years and older) and 46 younger gravidas (32 years and younger) who were in their 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Main Outcome Measure Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire II, which contains seven scales measuring conflict in psychosocial tasks during pregnancy. Results Older gravidas had significantly less fear of helplessness and loss of control in labor than did younger gravidas. Age and education but not parity may account for this finding. Conclusions Age and education may balance the additional concerns older gravidas may have about pregnancy and allow older gravidas to adjust to pregnancy as well as younger women do.
Absolute state-selected cross sections measurements for ion-molecule reactions involving O + ( 4 S°, 2 D°, 2 P°)

Significant technical advances have been made in the application of the triple-quadrupole double-octopole mass spectrometer for absolute total state-selected cross section measurements of ion-molecule reactions involving O+(4S degree(s), 2D degree(s), 2P degree(s)). By controlling the collision energies for dissociative charge transfer collisions of He+ (Ne+, Ar+) plus O2 in a radio frequency (rf) octopole ion guide gas cell, and by applying appropriate effective ion trapping potentials to the rf octopole ion guide, we have demonstrated that state-selected O+(4S degree(s)), O+(2D degree(s)), and O+(2P degree(s)) reactant ion beams with high purities and usable intensities can be prepared for scattering experiments.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
On the interpretation of heat in relativistic thermodynamics

This article investigates the interpretation of the right-hand side of the relativistic second law of thermodynamics (φ0dx^μ/ds)μ(-g)^(1/2)dx^1dx^2dx^3dx^4≧dQ0/T0 and shows that the quantity dQ0 can be interpreted as the heat—measured by a local observer at rest in the fluid at the point of interest—which flows relative to the fluid into an element of the fluid having the instantaneous proper volume dV0 during the proper time dt0, where these quantities are chosen so as to satisfy the numerical equality dV0dt0=(-g)^(1/2)dx^1dx^2dx^3dx^4 and the quantity T0 is taken as the temperature ascribed to this heat by the local observer.
Internet tools in the medical classroom.

Summary: The Internet contains a vast amount of medically relevant information. In order to access this information, however, many networks require one to master applications written in UNIX, an operating system considered by many not to be user friendly. Although these tools may be available on the campus, it is difficult to teach their use unless there is some immediate benefit to the already busy user. From that standpoint, it is important for instructors to realize that common UNIX applications can be utilized as classroom tools to significantly enhance the learning experience by facilitating teacher/student communication. Also, whilst the student enjoys greater communication with the instructor (and with other students) he/she is also becoming adept at using information management tools.
Power corrections in charmless nonleptonic B decays: Annihilation is factorizable and real

We classify {lambda}{sub QCD}/m{sub b} power corrections to nonleptonic B{yields}M{sub 1}M{sub 2} decays, where M{sub 1,2} are charmless nonisosinglet mesons. Using recent developments in soft-collinear effective theory, we prove that the leading contributions to annihilation amplitudes of order {alpha}{sub s}(m{sub b}){lambda}{sub QCD}/m{sub b} are real. The leading annihilation amplitudes depend on twist-2 and twist-3 three-parton distributions. A complex nonperturbative parameter from annihilation first appears at O[{alpha}{sub s}{sup 2}({radical}({lambda}m{sub b})){lambda}{sub QCD}/m{sub b}]. 'Chirally enhanced' contributions are also factorizable and real at lowest order. Thus, incalculable strong phases are suppressed in annihilation amplitudes, unless the {alpha}{sub s}({radical}({lambda}m{sub b})) expansion breaks down. Modeling the distribution functions, we find that (11{+-}9)% and (15{+-}11)% of the absolute values of the measured B{sup 0}{yields}K{sup -}{pi}{sup +} and B{sup -}{yields}K{sup -}K{sup 0} penguin amplitudes come from annihilation. This is consistent with the expected size of power corrections.
Contribution of opening and closing of lung units to lung hysteresis

Abstract The recruitment and derecruitment of lung units is one explanation of the hysteresis observed in an excised lung during inflation and deflation. A simplified model has been proposed in which the recruitment-derecruitment process is a function of end-expiratory pressure (Frazer, D.G., K.C. Weber and G.N. Franz, Respir. Physiol. 61: 277–288, 1985). The object of this study was to test this model with three experimental procedures. During the first set of experiments, progressively larger pressure-volume ( Pl-Vl ) loops were recorded with end-expiratory pressure held at either −5 cmH 2 O, where all lung units are assumed to be closed, or +5 cmH 2 O, where all recruited lung units are assumed to be open. In the first case hysteresis is maximal, in the second, minimal. The difference in hysteresis is presumed to arise from the recruitment-derecruitment process. In the second set of experiments, excised lungs are slowly inflated and then deflated at a constant rate while constant-amplitude sinusoidal volume oscillations are superimposed. The end-expiratory pressure of the superimposed loops gradually rose as the lung was inflated and fell as the lung was deflated. Hysteresis was minimal when end-expiratory pressure was above 4 ± 1 cmH 2 O even as peak-to-peak loop pressure greatly varied. This supports the notion of an end-expiratory pressure dependent mechanism of recruitment/derecruitment. During the third set of experiments lungs were inflated to either 50%, 75%, or 100% TLC. Volumes of air were then withdrawn and replaced so that the initial volume was restored in sinusoidal fashion as the amplitude of the volume excursions increased. For Pl-Vl loops with end-expiratory pressures between +4 and −2 cmH 2 O, pressure amplitudes rose and the hysteresis index (loop area/tidal volume) increased, regardless of the initial lung volume. These results are consistent with the previously described model of Frazer et al. (1985) which assumed that Pl-Vl curves can be divided into an ‘opening’ region, an ‘open’ region and a ‘closing’ region and that the demarcation of these regions depends on transpulmonary pressure, specifically end-expiratory pressure, and to a much lesser degree on lung volume.
TRUSTEE CHARACTERISTICS AND DECISION MAKING AMONG SUBURBAN AND RURAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRUSTEES

This study examines personal characteristics, decision making, and conflict among publicly elected community college trustees representing suburban and rural districts. Data are drawn from a statewise survey of Illinois trustees. Rural trustees tend to be more Republican, conservative, male, and protestant; suburban trustees are likely to have been a student or employee at a community college. Organizational and media involvement in college business is more prevalent in suburban districts. Intraboard conflict is greater in suburban districts, though all boards ultimately support the college president. Linkages between the board and community appear random, and trustees do not agree among themselves on the mission of their colleges. It is suggested that this lack of agreement may make it difficult for colleges to resist trends for state control.
Targeted disruption of Bcl-2 alpha beta in mice: occurrence of gray hair, polycystic kidney disease, and lymphocytopenia

Mice carrying ablated coding regions of the bcl-2 alpha and bcl-2 beta transcripts have been made. bcl-2-/- mutants are smaller but viable, although about half of them die by 6 weeks of age. As shown earlier with somatic bcl-2 gene-targeted mice, the number of lymphocytes markedly decreased within few weeks after birth while other hematopoietic lineages remained unaffected. Among lymphocytes, CD8+ T cells disappeared most quickly followed by CD4+ T cells, whereas B cells were least affected. bcl-2-/- lymphocytes, however, could respond normally to various stimuli including anti-CD3, Con A, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus ionomycin, interleukin 2, lipopolysaccharide, and anti-IgM antibody. Abnormalities among nonlymphoid organs include smaller auricles, hair color turning gray at 4-5 weeks of age, and polycystic kidney disease-like change of renal tubules. These results suggest that Bcl-2 may be involved during morphogenesis where inductive interactions between epithelium and mesenchyme are important such as in the kidneys, hair follicles, and perichondrium of auricles. Surprisingly, the nervous system, intestines, and skin appear normal despite the fact that these organs show high levels of endogenous Bcl-2 expression in normal mice.
Coating Of Plastics - Coatings On Plastic

This paper addresses the peculiar conditions one encounters in coating of plastic substrates with thin films. The emphasis lies on optical coatings, with decorative metallization being omitted from the discussion. Differences in the nature and preparation of the substrates, the coating processes, and resulting film properties compared with 'regular' optical coatings on glass elements are highlighted. The paper concludes with a survey of coating processes suitable for the deposition of thin films on plastics.
A single-chip 12.7 Mchips/s digital IF BPSK direct sequence spread-spectrum transceiver in 1.2 /spl mu/m CMOS

This paper describes a fully integrated digital-spread spectrum transceiver chip fabricated through MOSIS in 1.2 /spl mu/m CMOS. It includes a baseband spread spectrum transmitter and a coherent intermediate frequency (IF) receiver consisting of a Costas loop, an acquisition loop for the pseudo-noise (PN) sequence, and a clock recovery loop with a 406.4 MHz onchip numerically controlled oscillator (NCO). The transceiver is capable of operating at a maximum IF sampling rate of 50.8 MS/s and a maximum chip rate of 12.7 R Mchips/s (Mcps) with selectable data rates of 100, 200, 400, and 800 kbps. At the maximum operating speed of 50.8 R MS/s, it dissipates 1.1 W. In an additive white Gaussian noise channel the IF receiver achieves a receiver output SNR within 1 dB of theory and can acquire code with a wide range of input SNR from -17 dB to over 30 dB. The transceiver chip has been interfaced to an RF up/down converter to demonstrate a wireless voice/data/video link operating in the 902-928 MHz band. >
Major Surgery Due: Redesigning the Syllabus and Texts

In an attempt to develop higher levels of communicative ability on the part of high school and college foreign language students, some ill-advised methodologists have advocated the replacement of the traditional situational-structural syllabus by notional or “communicative” syllabuses. In this article we argue that the attainment of a higher level of communicative skills in regular foreign language courses requires instead clearer definition of objectives and limitation in the scope and content of features specified in syllabuses and introduced in textbooks. We also suggest four directions that should be taken to make the situational-structural syllabus more compatible with the imparting of a minimal level of communicative ability. These are: (1) giving semantic and functional notions higher priority than surface grammatical features in the selection and ordering of grammatical features; (2) making the use of grammatical features subordinate to the achievement of communicative ends rather than teaching them for their own sake; (3) introducing features of spoken (as versus written) language discourse in textbooks and providing more authentic speech samples; (4) reducing grammatical apparatus to a strict minimum and accepting less than full-formed utterances from beginning students. These new directions require not only a reduction in the scope of current textbooks but imaginative changes in their design and in the content and progression of syllabuses.
Stability of patch methylation and its impact in regions of transcriptional initiation and elongation.

CpG DNA methylation has previously been correlated with the suppression of transcription. The mechanism of this suppression is not understood, and many aspects of the temporal and positional relationships between the region of methylation and transcription have not yet been defined. Here, 12-kb stable replicating episomes that can be maintained in human somatic cells for weeks to months were used. Such a system allows more direct manipulation and is free from the positional effects attendant with the analysis of endogenous loci or integrated transgenes. By using these circular minichromosomes, patches of CpG methylation were created to include or exclude the regions of transcriptional initiation and elongation. I found that a 0.5-kb patch of methylation that covered the promoter suppressed expression only 2-fold and that a 1.9-kb patch of methylation that covered the coding portion of the gene (but not the promoter) suppressed expression about 10-fold. In contrast, methylation of the entire minichromosome except for the promoter or the coding portion suppressed transcription about 50- to 200-fold. I infer the following. Methylation of the 0.5-kb promoter fragment does not significantly affect transcription at the level of transcription factor binding or local chromatin structure. The dominant effect on transcription occurs when the length of methylated DNA is long, with little disproportionate effect of methylation of specific regions, such as that of initiation or elongation. I also found that the boundaries between these methylated and unmethylated regions remained stable for the many weeks that I monitored them. CpG methylation has previously been associated with reduced transcription (see references 2 and 23 for reviews), decreased DNase I sensitivity (16), and decreased site-specific recombination (10). The repressive aspects of chromatin structure specified by CpG methylation have not yet been identified.
Treatment principles in the management of autoimmune myasthenia gravis.

The pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis (MG) involves a T cell-directed antibody-mediated autoimmune attack on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) or, occasionally, on other postsynaptic antigens. The antibodies induce their effects through complement-mediated destruction of the postsynaptic endplate membrane with resultant reduction in endplate AChR, and to a lesser degree by increased turnover of endplate AChR or blockade of AChR function. Considerable progress in the treatment of MG has accrued from so-called symptomatic treatments, including improved critical care of seriously ill patients and medications (e.g., cholinesterase inhibitors) increasing the concentration of acetylcholine at the remaining endplate AChRs. Information from other autoimmune diseases and from the response of the normal immune system to invading pathogens supports the view that the course of MG is characterized by exacerbations and remissions. Therefore, the goal in MG treatment is to induce and maintain a remission. This usually involves combinations of short-term and long-term immunosuppressive agents. Selection of the particular combinations of agents in a given patient is guided by the goal of minimizing the cost/benefit ratio of the regimen in an individual patient. In general, the plan involves an initial forceful attack followed by a slow and measured withdrawal.
A New Model to Facilitate Individualized Case Conceptualization and Treatment of Social Phobia: An Examination and Reaction to Moscovitch's Model

Moscovitch's (2009) model of social phobia is put forth as an integration and extension of previous cognitive-behavioral models. The author asserts that his approach overcomes a number of shortcomings of previous models and will serve to better guide case conceptualization, treatment planning, and intervention implementation for clients with social phobia. Here I respond to these claims and examine the new and not-so-new aspects of Moscovitch's model. Moscovitch provides creative ways of thinking about feared stimuli and maladaptive methods for anxiety management used by clients with social phobia, and these notions may indeed expand our horizons, linking cognitive-behavioral thought to literatures on emotional suppression and emotion regulation. Other aspects of Moscovitch's thesis do provide heuristic and useful approaches to the assessment and treatment of social phobia which may be of great utility to the cognitive-behavioral clinician, but they do not provide a truly new approach to understanding the psychopathology or treatment of social phobia.
Blood Management for Patients Undergoing Total Joint Arthroplasty.

Despite advances in surgical technique and perioperative care, blood loss after elective joint arthroplasty remains an issue. Historical averages for the decrease in hemoglobin (Hb) after unilateral total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty are approximately 3 to 4 g/dL1 because of a combined effect of blood loss and hemodilution. Greater blood loss may occur after bilateral or revision surgery. Transfusion of blood products has long been the mainstay of postoperative anemia treatment. With other factors being equal, a higher hemoglobin level is beneficial postoperatively. However, the most effective means to obtain these levels must be examined. Allogeneic transfusions carry certain risks, …
Visible Art, Invisible Knowledge

Kitab Suwar al-Kawakib (The Book of the Forms of the Stars) of ʿAbd al-Rahman b. ʿUmar al-Sufi (d. 986), though based largely on Ptolemy's Almagest, included much original material. In the 20th century, its importance for scholars lay mainly in its attestation of the ways Islamicate scholarship built on classical learning. Now we are finding that it also offers fascinating insights into the complex relationship between seeing and knowing in premodern Islamic book culture. Here, I consider that relationship through analysis of the paired images of the constellation Barshawush (Perseus) from the oldest surviving manuscript, copied and likely also illustrated in 1009–1010 by al-Sufi's son.
Impact of multitiered copayments on the use and cost of prescription drugs among Medicare beneficiaries

Objectives. To assess the impact of multitiered copayments on the cost and use of prescription drugs among Medicare beneficiaries. Data Sources. Marketscan 2002 Medicare Supplemental and Coordination of Benefits database and Plan Benefit Design database. Study Design. The study uses cross-sectional variation in copayment structures among firms with a self-insured retiree health plan to measure the impact of number of copayment tiers on total and enrollee drug payments, number of prescriptions filled, and generic substitution. The study also assesses the effect of enrollee cost sharing on the cost and use of prescription medications for the long-term treatment of chronic conditions. Data Collection Methods. We linked plan enrollment and benefit data with medical and drug claims for 352,760 Medicare beneficiaries with employer-sponsored retiree drug coverage. Primary Findings. Medicare beneficiaries in three-tiered plans had 14.3 percent lower total drug expenditures, 14.6 percent fewer prescriptions filled, and 57.6 percent higher out-of-pocket costs than individuals in lower tiered plans. They also had fewer brand name and generic prescriptions filled, and a higher percentage of generics. The estimated price elasticity of demand for prescription drug expenditures was −0.23. Finally, for maintenance medications used for the long-term treatment of chronic conditions, members in three-tiered plans had 11.5 percent fewer prescriptions filled. Conclusions. Higher tiered drug plans reduce overall expenditures and the number of prescriptions purchased by Medicare beneficiaries. Beneficiaries are less responsive to cost sharing incentives when using drugs to treat chronic conditions.
Nucleotide-Iron Complexes and Lipid Peroxidation: Mechanisms and Biological Significance

Nucleotide pyrophosphate-iron complexes (NPP-Fe), which presumably function in the intracellular transport of iron, may also serve as substrates for cytochrome P450 reductase. The reduction of these complexes via this flavin enzyme leads to the formation of oxygen radicals which have the capacity to initiate peroxidation reactions in phospholipids. It is suggested that the formation of oxygen free-radicals, catalyzed by iron bound to nucleotides, may contribute to cellular alterations involving membranes as well as other biological constituents.
Latin American National Security Doctrines: Hard and Softline Themes

Conventional wisdom has it that the Latin American militaries of the 1960s and 1970s were under the strong influence of a single, cohesive, self-reinforcing, and conservative National Security Doctrine. This doctrine, once placed in the hands of military governments, provided them with a justification to stop progressive social and political change movements and to enforce their version of the national security state. This article contends that the NSD is multithematic, laced with both conservative and progressive ideology. Clear "hardline" as well as "softline" positions can be found with different assumptions and arguments about the state, national security, and strategy. Moreover, these positions are sufficiently coherent to suggest that there really are two distinct doctrines. Comparisons between the Southern Cone, on the one hand, and Brazil and Peru, on the other hand, will demonstrate how these views, in turn, gave shape to differing military perceptions and policies.
Relationship of daily and circatidal activity rhythms of the fiddler crab, Uca princeps , to the harmonic structure of semidiurnal and mixed tides

Intertidal organisms may employ circatidal rhythms to track the tidal cycle, but tidal patterns may vary within a species’ range and necessitate adaptation to the local tides. Circatidal rhythms were examined in populations of the eastern Pacific fiddler crab Uca princeps (Smith) from four sites with differing tidal characteristics, La Paz (24°10′N; 110°21′W), San Blas (21°33′N; 105°18′W) and Manzanillo (19°6′N; 104°24′W), Mexico (lower amplitude, mixed semidiurnal tides) and Mata de Limon, Costa Rica (9°55′N; 84°43′W) (high-amplitude, semidiurnal tides). Local tides were characterized by harmonic constants of M2, S2, K1, and O1, partial tides that largely determine their semidiurnal and diurnal features. Rhythmic structure in continuously recorded locomotor activity of individual crabs held under laboratory conditions was described by cosinor and periodogram methods of time-series analysis. Both daily and circatidal rhythms were found in crabs studied in light–dark cycles set to local conditions at the time of collection. Crabs at all four sites shared a tendency toward bimodality, with a mid-morning activity peak and varying degrees of nocturnal activity. Circatidal rhythms closely matching the period of the 12.42-h M2 partial tide were consistently present at all sites except Manzanillo. At Mata de Limon, the circatidal rhythm clearly dominated locomotor activity, but was strongly modulated by a daily rhythm in a repeating pattern at a semilunar interval. In contrast, the amplitude of the daily rhythm was higher than that of the circatidal rhythm in crabs from the three mixed tide sites on the Mexican coast, where the tidal pattern is dominated by a diurnal inequality arising from the diurnal K1 and O1 partial tides. These results suggest that populations of U. princeps use both daily and circatidal timing systems to track local forms of the tide generated by their M2, S2, K1, and O1 geophysical counterparts.
Variable rate speech coding with phonetic segmentation

A speech coder based on variable rate phonetic segmentation (VRPS), operating at an average rate of 3 kbit/s and applicable to code division multiple access (CDMA) digital cellular systems, is presented. An improved version of the voice activity detection scheme used in the GSM (Group Special Mobile) full-rate cellular standard tracks the bursty character of active speech. Each frame of active speech is classified into one of a set of four phonetic categories. A distinct coding configuration and bit-rate are applied to each category. The tradeoff between subjective quality and average bit rate of VRPS for both clean speech and speech corrupted with vehicle noise is superior to that obtained by QCELP, a proposed TIA speech coding standard for wideband digital cellular networks. The average bit-rate of VRPS is generally lower than that of QCELP for the same input signals. >
Detection and parameter estimation in an amplitude-comparison monopulse radar

This paper considers the problem of detecting and estimating the unknown angular location of a radar target that is observed simultaneously by a number of antennas. The amplitude of the signal received by a particular antenna is assumed to depend on the angular location of the target, but the time of arrival of the signal is assumed to be the same at all of the antennas. The generalized likelihood ratio test is used to derive the detection and parameter-estimation strategy for the radar receiver. Explicit expressions for the detector and the angle estimates are derived in a number of important special cases, and the performance of the detector is evaluated. Accuracy formulas for the angle estimates, valid for high signal-to-noise ratios, are derived for the general problem and used to compare the performance of an optimum four-beam monopulse system with a type of monopulse system commonly in use.
Rules of Engagement: Interspecies Interactions that Regulate Microbial Communities

Microbial communities comprise an interwoven matrix of biological diversity modified by physical and chemical variation over space and time. Although these communities are the major drivers of biosphere processes, relatively little is known about their structure and function, and predictive modeling is limited by a dearth of comprehensive ecological principles that describe microbial community processes. Here we discuss working definitions of central ecological terms that have been used in various fashions in microbial ecology, provide a framework by focusing on different types of interactions within communities, review the status of the interface between evolutionary and ecological study, and highlight important similarities and differences between macro- and microbial ecology. We describe current approaches to study microbial ecology and progress toward predictive modeling.
The turner biopsy needle facilitates seminal vesicle aspiration

Transrectal ultrasonography and seminal vesicle aspiration with or without vesiculography have become an integral part of the evaluation and management of the infertile male with ejaculatory duct obstruction. We have found that the Echo Tip Turner Biopsy Needle used in conjunction with ultrasound guidance greatly facilitates these transrectal procedures.
Simple Approaches to Screening and Definitive Diagnosis

Once the physician recognizes the possibility of Wilson’s disease in a patient, how can that possibility be checked out? The patient needs to be screened for Wilson’s disease, and the first part of this chapter deals with screening tests and procedures. Note that the usefulness of one procedure, the Kayser-Fleischer ring examination, varies according to the patient’s presentation—it is excellent in the neurological/psychiatric presentation, but only moderately useful in the other presentations. Thus, I will particularize a little the priorities for recommended screening tests according to mode of presentation.
Ribosome-Lamella Complexes in the Perineurial Cells of Neurofibromatosis

Ribosome-lamella complexes are occasionally seen in neoplastic disorders of the hematopoietic system, particularly in hairy cell leukemia. However, these structures are rare in epithelial and mesenchymal cells. In this report three tumors from a patient with neuro-fibromatosis (von Recklinghausen's disease) are examined by electron microscopy. Ribosome-lamella complexes were seen in the perineurial cells. This may be the first report of these complexes in nerve sheath tumors.
Should Schizophrenia Be Treated as a Neurocognitive Disorder

The search is on for meaningful psychopharmacological and cognitive/behavioral interventions for neurocognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Findings in this area are emerging rapidly, and in the absence of integrating frameworks, they are destined to emerge chaotically. Clear guidelines for testing neurocognitive interventions and interpreting results are critical at this early stage. In this article, we present three models of increasing complexity that attempt to elucidate the role of neurocognitive deficits in schizophrenia in relation to treatment and outcome. Through discussion of the models, we will consider methodological issues and interpretive challenges facing this line of investigation, including direct versus indirect neurocognitive effects of antipsychotic medications, selection of particular neurocognitive constructs for intervention, the importance of construct validity in interpreting cognitive/behavioral studies, and the expected durability of treatment effects. With a growing confidence that some neurocognitive deficits in schizophrenia can be modified, questions that seemed irrelevant only a few years ago are now fundamental. The field will need to reconsider what constitutes a successful intervention, what the relevant outcomes are, and how to define treatment efficacy.
Analysis of the Impact of Snow on Daily Weather Variability in Mountainous Regions Using MM5

Abstract The impacts of snow on daily weather variability, as well as the mechanisms of snowmelt over the Sierra Nevada, California–Nevada, mountainous region, were studied using the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5) forced by 6-h reanalysis data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction. The analysis of two-way nested 36–12-km MM5 simulations during the 1998 snowmelt season (April–June) shows that the snow water equivalent (SWE) is underestimated when there are conditions with higher temperature and greater precipitation than observations. An observed daily SWE dataset derived from the snow telemetry network was assimilated into the Noah land surface model within MM5. This SWE assimilation reduces the warm bias. The reduction of the warm bias results from suppressed upward sensible heat flux caused by the decreased skin temperature. This skin temperature reduction is the result of the longer assimilated snow duration...
Discrete Gradient Finite Point Method

The objective of this work is the development of one point-cloud based numerical method that alleviates the difficulty of mesh generation of finite element method and the defects of classic meshfree methods.
Network Sparsification with Guaranteed Systemic Performance Measures

Abstract A sparse consensus network is one whose number of coupling links is proportional to its number of subsystems. Optimal design problems for sparse consensus networks are more amenable to efficient optimization algorithms. More importantly, maintaining such networks are usually more cost effective due to their reduced communication requirements. Therefore, approximating a given dense consensus network by a suitable sparse network is an important analysis and synthesis problem. In this paper, we develop a framework to produce a sparse approximation of a given large-scale network with guaranteed performance bounds using a nearly-linear time algorithm. First, the existence of a sparse approximation of a given network is proven. Then, we present an efficient and fast algorithm for finding a near-optimal sparse approximation of a given network. Finally, several examples are provided to support our theoretical developments.
Extreme black hole with an electric dipole moment.

We construct a new extreme black hole solution in a toroidally compactified heterotic string theory. The black hole saturates the Bogomol{close_quote}nyi bound, has zero angular momentum, but a nonzero electric dipole moment. It is obtained by starting with a higher-dimensional rotating charged black hole, and compactifying one direction in the plane of rotation. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
The Structure of Interaction

We have seen that a fundamental difference between the Process Grammar analysis of shape morphology and the Catastrophe Theory analysis of shape morphology is this: