cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The function of the quadriceps muscle after a fracture of the femur in patients who are less than seventeen years old

Thirty-three patients who had been managed for an isolated, closed fracture of the femoral shaft when they were less than seventeen years old were examined at an average of thirty-three months (range, eighteen to fifty-six months) after the injury. Thirteen patients (39 per cent) had a persistent deficit in the strength of the quadriceps of the fractured limb, as identified on testing with a Cybex-II isokinetic dynamometer. Six patients (18 per cent) had a deficit according to the one-leg-hop for distance test, fourteen (42 per cent) had an average loss of ten millimeters in the circumference of the thigh, and sixteen (48 per cent) had an average loss of 10 degrees of flexion of the knee. The etiological factors that were thought to possibly be responsible for the weakness of the quadriceps were evaluated. The amount of maximum displacement of the fracture, as seen on the initial radiographs, was the only factor that was significant for the prediction of weakness of the quadriceps (p = 0.006) at both test speeds of the Cybex dynamometer and in all statistical analyses. Despite the persistent weakness of the quadriceps, none of the patients had a clinical problem at the latest follow-up examination. A subclinical deficit in the strength of the quadriceps may be related to damage sustained by the muscle at the time of the fracture. On the basis of the results of this study, we do not recommend a change from the traditional methods of treatment, which involve early application of a spica cast or use of traction followed by application of a spica cast.
Economic Evolution of National Systems

The idea that biology rather than physics provides the proper model for economics is a constantly recurring one. There is an increased concern with dynamics, competitiveness, and innovation which appear to be important elements in generating the increased interest in the evolutionary model of economic behavior. The first part of this article briefly addresses conceptual issues, and argues that the basic unit of analysis should be “national systems of political economy.” Next, I analyze and compare the American and Japanese economies. Finally, I set forth a few speculations about whether or not one can evaluate these systems in evolutionary terms. My conclusion is that while evolutionary theory is a promising and fascinating approach to the study of economic systems, it is not yet a satisfactory one.
Comparative studies of three‐ and four‐ring mesogenic esters containing p‐carborane, bicyclo[2.2.2]octane, cyclohexane, and benzene†

Twelve esters were prepared from pentyl‐substituted p‐carborane, bicyclo[2.2.2]octane, cyclohexane, and benzene carboxylic acids and three substituted phenols. The mesogenic properties of the series of esters were examined using thermal analysis and optical microscopy. The relationships between structure and mesogenic properties were analysed by comparison of the series of homostructural esters. Thus, the effects of variation of the carboxylic acid structure, introduction of fluorine into the phenol part, and replacement of the central phenyl ring with the –CH2CH2– group on the stability of mesophases and their widths were investigated. In general, carborane derivatives exhibit broad nematic phases and narrow SmA phases, while other derivatives demonstrate rich smectic and soft crystal polymorphism. †. Presented in part at the 36th GLRM‐ACS, Peoria, IL 17–20 Oct, 2004 (Abstract 221) and at the Argonne Undergraduate Symposium, Nov 5th, 2004. ‡Visiting VU from Augustana College, Chemistry Department Rock Is...
Lightning driven EMP in the upper atmosphere

Large lightning discharges can drive electromagnetic pulses that cause breakdown of the neutral atmosphere between 80 and 95 km leading to order of magnitude increases in the plasma density. The increase in the plasma density leads to increased reflection and absorption, and limits the pulse strength that propagates higher into the ionosphere.
Bounds for sorting by prefix reversal

For a permutation @s of the integers from 1 to n, let @?(@s) be the smallest number of prefix reversals that will transform @s to the identity permutation, and let @?(n) be the largest such @?(@s) for all @s in (the symmetric group) S"n. We show that @?(n)= =17n16 for n a multiple of 16. If, furthermore, each integer is required to participate in an even number of reversed prefixes, the corresponding function g(n) is shown to obey 3n2-1=
Hannah Arendt, education, and the question of totalitarianism

The aim of this paper is to consider the ways in which Arendt's writings on totalitarianism act as a warning sign for political and miseducational circumstances in the USA. Because the term totalitarianism has been used imprudently (largely in the mass media) to express repressive conditions in so-called models of democracy, this paper seeks to both clarify and raise questions concerning its meaning as a form of nation-state-sanctioned power and/or economic-technological force. This analysis draws largely from Arendt's definition of totalitarianism expressed as an antipolitical phenomenon characterized by terror-ruled ideological indoctrination which destroys both the public realm and the private identities. I contend that analyses of twentieth-century totalitarianism are significant to today's unprecedented questions and circumstances germinating in and having significance beyond the USA. I also describe the difficulty of action under extreme conditions. In the last analysis, I deliberate on the site of ...
Development, solar test, and evaluation of a high-temperature air receiver for point-focusing parabolic dish applications

A high temperature solar receiver was fabricated and tested in excess of 1370 C on an 11-meter-diameter test bed concentrator at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Parabolic Dish Test Site, Edwards, California. The 60-kilowatt thermal receiver design utilizes state-of-the-art silicon carbide honeycomb matrix panels to receive and transfer the solar energy and mullite elements for thermal buffer storage. Solar tests were conducted with indicated air exit temperatures ranging from 885 C (1625 F) to 1427 C (2600 F), mass flow rates of 75 to 105 g/sec (0.16 to 0.23 lbm/sec), and pressures up to 265 kPa absolute (38.4 psia). Estimates of efficiency are 59.7% at 1120 C (2048 F) to 80.6% at 885 C (1625 F) when aperture spillage losses are considered separately. Results are presented which demonstrate the feasibility of this innovative receiver concept for point-focusing parabolic dish applications over a wide temperature range.
Resonant body transistors in standard CMOS technology

This work presents Si-based electromechanical resonators fabricated at the transistor level of a standard SOI CMOS technology and realized without the need for any postprocessing or packaging. These so-called Resonant Body Transistors (RBTs) are driven capacitively and sensed by piezoresistively modulating the drain current of a Field Effect Transistor (FET). First generation devices operating at 11.1-11.5 GHz with footprints of 3μm×5μm are demonstrated. These unreleased bulk acoustic resonators are completely buried within the CMOS stack and acoustic energy at resonance is confined using Acoustic Bragg Reflectors (ABRs). The complimentary TCE of Si/SiO2 in the resonator and the surrounding ABRs results in a temperature stability TCF of <;3 ppm/K. Comparative behavior of devices is also discussed to analyze the effect of fabrication variations and active sensing.
Making the economic case for bulk energy storage in electric power systems

Bulk energy storage has often been suggested for large scale electric power systems in order to levelize load; store energy when it is inexpensive and discharge energy when it is expensive; potentially defer transmission and generation expansion; and provide for generation reserve margins. As renewable energy resource penetration increases, the uncertainty and variability of wind and solar may be alleviated by bulk energy storage technologies. This research addresses the economic case for bulk energy storage optimized for multiple objectives including decreasing generation costs and peak shaving. The test bed used is the Arizona electric transmission system.
Radionuclide hepatobiliary imaging in the detection of traumatic biliary tract disease in children.

99m Technetium IDA (99m Tc-IDA) hepatobiliary imaging was used as a diagnostic procedure in children with suspected biliary trauma. A total of eleven 99mTc-IDA examinations were performed in eight children and correlated with the standard radiographs, 99mTc sulfur colloid liver scans, ultrasonographic studies and the clinical course. This technique is recommended in children who are clinically stable and in whom trauma to the biliary system is suspected. The 99mTc-IDA images accurately indicate parenchymal and bile duct injury.
An unusual cause of intraoperative confusion in the electrophysiology laboratory.

ANESTHESIOLOGISTS are frequently called on to administer anesthesia outside of the operating room, in sites such as the cardiac catheterization laboratory, radiology suites, and intensive care unit (ICU). Administering anesthesia in these settings presents unique challenges. The main limitation occurs simply from working in an unfamiliar environment. When working in such environments, the anesthesiologist must be aware of any special risks and complications involved with the procedure being performed and the support available. A case is reported involving an anesthesiologist working in the electrophysiology (EP) laboratory. During the procedure, the patient suffered cerebral arterial air embolism, which was manifested by agitation and hypotension.
SOLVING THE 6R INVERSE POSITION PROBLEM USING A GENERIC-CASE SOLUTION METHODOLOGY

(Recei~'ed 19 Norember 1989) AlmU'net--This paper considers the computation of all solutions to the inverse position problem for general six-revolute-joint manipulators. Instead of reducing the problem to one highly complicated input-output equation, we work with a system of I I very simple polynomial equations. Although the total degree of the system is large (1024), using the "method of the generic case" we show numerically that the generic number of solutions is 16, in agreement with previous works. Moreover. we present an elEcient nun~rical method for finding all 16 solutions, based on coe~icient-parameter polynomial continuation. We present a set of 41 test problems, on which the algorithm used an average of le-~ than l0 s of CPU time on an IBM 370-3090 in double precision FORTRAN. The methodology applies equally well to other problems in kinematics that can be formulated as polynomial systems. The inverse position problem For six-link manipulators, in which the hand position and orientation are given and the joint displacements are to be Found, is of fundamental importance to computer controlled robots. It is also equivalent to the displacement analysis of seven-link single-loop spatial mechanisms. While the problem can be expressed in closed-form For a variety of special cases, such as when three consecutive axes intersect in a common point, this appears to be impossible For more general cases. Of particular note is the most general 6R manipulator, which has six revolute joints (hence "6R') and general link parameters. In the absence of a closed-Form solution, a problem can be considered "solved" when two objectives have been met: (1) a tight upper bound on the number of solutions has been established and (2) an efficient, numerically sound method For computing all solutions has been demonstrated, in this paper, we present a numerical approach, based on polynomial continuation, that addresses both objectives for the 6R problem. Moreover, the scope of the methodology extends beyond this problem to a host of other kinematic synthesis and analysis problems. This methodology is based on the "method of the generic case", a rigorous computational technique for proving results about polynomial systems. This includes a general method for finding (and proving) tight upper bounds on the number of solutions. The inverse position problem for manipulators has been studied for at least two decades, while the analysis of spatial mechanisms extends back a century. A landmark treatise on the subject of 6R manipulators came in 1968 when Pieper [I] developed closed-form solutions for the case where any three consecutive axes intersect in a common point. His work also included a polynomial
Mobile video delivery via human movement

This paper proposes VideoFountain, a novel service that deploys kiosks at popular venues to store and transmit digital media to users' personal devices using Wi-Fi access points, which may not have Internet connectivity. We leverage mobile users to deliver content to these kiosks. A key component in this design is an in-depth understanding of user mobility. We gather real mobility traces from two largest location-based social networks (Foursquare and Gowalla) and analyze both macroscopic and microscopic human mobility in different cities. Based on the insights we gain, we study several algorithms to determine the initial placement of content and design routing algorithms to optimize the content delivery. We further consider several practical issues, such as how to incentivize users to forward content, how to manage copyrights, how to ensure security, and how to achieve service discovery. We demonstrate the feasibility of VideoFountain using trace-driven simulations.
Temporal programming of epidermal cell protein synthesis during the larval-pupal transformation of Manduca sexta

During the final larval instar the epidermis of the tobacco hornworm,Manduca sexta, synthesizes the larval cuticular proteins and the pigment insecticyanin. Then at the onset of metamorphosis the cells first become pupally-committed, then later produce the pupal cuticle. The changes in the pattern of epidermal protein synthesis during this period were followed by incubating the integument in vitro with either3H-leucine or35S-methionine, then analyzing the proteins by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Precipitation by larval and pupal cuticular antisera and by insecticyanin antibody identified these proteins. Three distinct changes in epidermal protein synthesis were noted: 1) Stage-specific proteins, some of which are larval cuticular proteins, appear just before and during the change of commitment on day 3. (2) By late the following day (wandering stage), synthesis of these and many other proteins including all the identified larval cuticular proteins and insecticyanin was undetectable. Several noncuticular proteins were transiently synthesized by this pupally committed cell during wandering and sometimes the following day. (3) During the production of pupal cuticle a new set of pupal-specific cuticular proteins as well as some common cuticular proteins (precipitated by both antisera) were synthesized. Some of the latter were also synthesized during the period between pupal commitment and pupal cuticle deposition. In spite of an apparent absence of methionine in both larval and pupal cuticle, many cuticular proteins incorporated35S-methionine. Thus they may be synthesized as proproteins. Insecticyanin was shown to have two forms differing in isoelectric point, the cellular form being more acidic than the hemolymph form. Synthesis of the cellular form ceased before that of the hemolymph form.
GRAIL is up-regulated in CD4+ CD25+ T regulatory cells and is sufficient for conversion of T cells to a regulatory phenotype.

Abstract GRAIL (gene related to anergy in lymphocytes) is an ubiquitin-protein isopeptide ligase (E3) ubiquitin ligase necessary for the induction of CD4+ T cell anergy in vivo. We have extended our previous studies to characterize the expression pattern of GRAIL in other murine CD4+ T cell types with a described anergic phenotype. These studies revealed that GRAIL expression is increased in naturally occurring (thymically derived) CD4+ CD25+ T regulatory cells (mRNA levels 10-fold higher than naive CD25– T cells). Further investigation demonstrated that CD25+ Foxp3+ antigen-specific T cells were induced after a “tolerizing-administration” of antigen and that GRAIL expression correlated with the CD25+ Foxp3+ antigen-specific subset. Lastly, using retroviral transduction, we demonstrated that forced expression of GRAIL in a T cell line was sufficient for conversion of these cells to a regulatory phenotype in the absence of detectable Foxp3. These data demonstrate that GRAIL is differentially expressed in naturally occurring and peripherally induced CD25+ T regulatory cells and that the expression of GRAIL is linked to their functional regulatory activity.
Structural features of the maize sus1 gene and protein

Genomic clones, cDNA clones, and protein of the maize (Zea mays L.) Suc synthase1 (sus1) gene were isolated and sequenced. Termini (5[prime] and 3[prime]) of the transcribed unit were identified. The SUS1 protein was purified from tissue culture cells as a phosphorylated protein. The overall structure of sus1 is virtually identical with that of the paralogous gene, shrunken1 (sh1);however, the last intron of sh1 is missing in sus1 This intron bears much sequence similarity with the adjacent exon, suggesting that the intron arose from an internal duplication. Although the placement of the other 14 introns is identical in both genes, the introns exhibit markedly greater differences in size and sequence relative to that shown by the exons. An explanation for the differential rate of divergence of exons and introns is selection pressure for gene function. Additionally, comparisons of coding regions of plant sucrose synthases show that sh1-like and sus1-like genes can be found in all monocots so far analyzed. These latter observations point to an important role played by both genes in this group of plants.
Carbazole-type compounds in crude oils

Carbazole-type compounds were analyzed using GC and GC-MS-MS. A relatively high concentration of carbazole-type compounds was detected in crude oils of different types (marine and non-marine) and different maturities (low mature and mature) in Tarinl. Liaohe and Keilu basins. The results suggest the ratios of 1, 8-dimethyl-/2, 7-dimethylcarbazole and benu, [a] carbazole/benzo [e] carbazole might be taken as petroleum migration parameters.
Rehabilitation of cranial nerve deficits affecting laryngeal and oropharyngeal function

Surgical treatment of cranial base tumors centered in the jugular foramen frequently results in lower cranial nerve deficits. The associated dysphonia, dysphagia, and aspiration may be life-threatening. A thorough understanding of the physiology and anatomy of the upper aerodigestive area is a prerequisite for preoperative evaluation and postoperative management. Treatment of dysphonia, dysphagia, and aspiration should be coordinated by the surgeon and speech pathologist. Surgical treatments for intractable aspiration, dysphonia, and dysphagia are presented.
The Magic Kingdom: Walt Disney and the American Way of Life

Part biography and part cultural analysis, Steven Watts's The Magic Kingdom sheds new light on the cultural icon of "Uncle Walt." Watts also digs deeply into Disney's private life, investigating his roles as husband, father, and brother and providing fresh insight into his peculiar psyche - his genuine folksiness and warmth, his domineering treatment of colleagues and friends, his deepest prejudices and passions. Full of colorful sketches of daily life at the Disney Studio and tales about the creation of Disneyland and Disney World, The Magic Kingdom offers a definitive view of one of the most influential Americans of the twentieth century.
Phase transitions induced by electric fields in near-critical polymer solutions.

A time-dependent small-angle light scattering (SALS) study is presented which demonstrates the feasibility of electric-field-induced phase transitions in nonionic binary liquids near the critical point. Mixing of two-phase solutions induced by electric fields is shown to be a universal feature shared by a wide class of systems including upper and lower critical point polymer solutions and mixtures of low-molecular-weight molecules in a solvent. The shift of the critical temperature is computed from SALS measurements and is quadratic in the electric-field strength
Is disability disabling in all workplaces? Workplace disparities and corporate culture

Using nearly 30,000 employee surveys from fourteen companies, we find disability is linked to lower average pay, job security, training, and participation in decisions, and to more negative attitudes toward the job and company. Disability gaps in attitudes vary substantially, however, across companies and worksites, with no attitude gaps in worksites rated highly by all employees for fairness and responsiveness. The results indicate that corporate cultures that are responsive to the needs of all employees are especially beneficial for employees with disabilities.
Schwingungsspektrum und Struktur des Vinylbordibromids

Vom Vinylbordibromid, CH2 CHBBr2, wurde im flussigen Zustand das RAMAN-Spektrum und im gasformigen Zustand das IR-Spektrum von 625–4000 cm−1 aufgenommen und eine Zuordnung zu den Grundschwingungen durchgefuhrt. Die Berechnung der Valenzkraftkonstanten ermoglicht eine Diskussion der Bindungsverhaltnisse im Vinylbordibromid, insbesondere im Hinblick auf eine mogliche Konjugation von CC-Doppelbindungen mit BN-Doppelbindungen. The RAMAN spectrum of liquid and the infrared spectrum of gaseous vinyldibronioborane, CH2CHBBr, in the 625–4000 cm.−1 range were recorded and the fundamental frequencies were assigned. Calculation of the valence force constants permits a discussion of the nature of chemical bonding in vinyldibromoborane and, in particular, an evaluation of possible conjugation effects between a CC and a BN double bond.
Inhibition of respiratory syncytial virus of subgroups A and B using deoxyribozyme DZ1133 in mice.

Abstract Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) commonly infects the upper and lower respiratory tracts. Currently, there is no effective treatment available. Deoxyribozymes are a potential therapeutic for RSV and their activity is based on the ability to bind and cleave complementary RNA sequences to inhibit protein expression. DZ1133 is a deoxyribozyme that targets the conserved genomic RNA sequence of the RSV nucleocapsid protein and has been shown to significantly inhibit various strains of RSV including subgroups A and B, standard A2 and CH18537 strains, and CQ381513, CQ381170, BJ01 and BJ04 strains. Treatment with DZ1133 decreased viral plaque formation in lungs of RSV-infected BALB/c mice. In addition, viral mRNA expression was reduced, airway inflammation was alleviated, and leukocyte counts were reduced in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of RSV-infected mice. The antiviral effect of DZ1133 was dose-dependent (0.2–0.8 mg) and more efficient than antisense oligonucleotide inhibition of gene expression. However, levels of cytokines TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-12, and IL-10 induced by RSV infection were not affected by DZ1133 treatment. Our data demonstrate that DZ1133 is a potential therapeutic agent against both subgroups A and B RSV infection in vivo .
CuSO 4 treatment of nuisance algal blooms in drinking water reservoirs

Since the turn of the century, copper sulfate has been used extensively as an algicide to control nuisance algal blooms in drinking water reservoirs Recent experimental results have shown that the toxicity of copper to algae is determined by the activity of ionic copper, and not the total copper concentration The sensitivity of algae to ionic copper has been found to vary considerably for different algal species Chemical processes such as precipitation, complexation by dissolved organic substances, and adsorption by suspended material can be important in controlling the chemical speciation of copper added to drinking water reservoirs The copper sulfate dosage required for effective treatment of a reservoir is shown to depend on water chemistry and the copper sensitivity of nuisance algal species By evaluating copper chemistry and copper sensitivity of nuisance algal species it may be possible to obtain effective treatment with lower copper sulfate dosages in some reservoirs
Lipoxygenase-generated icosanoids inhibit glucose-induced insulin release from rat islets

Abstract Lipoxygenase-pathway metabolites of arachidonic acid are produced in pancreatic islets. They are are implicated in insulin release, since nonselective inhibitors of lipoxygenases inhibit glucose-induced insulin release. We studied the interplay in insulin release between glucose and selected icosanoids formed in 5-, 12- and 15-lipoxygenase pathways. Effects on immunoreactive insulin release of 10 7 to 10- 6 12-(R)-HETE, 12-(S)-HETE, hepoxilin A 3 , lipoxin B 4 , LTB 4 or LTC 4 were tested individually in 30-min incubations of freshly isolated young adult Wistar rat pancreatic islets, in the presence of 5.6 mM or 23 mM glucose. Basal insulin release (at 5.6 mM glucose) was stimulated by LTC 4 and hepoxilin A 3 (304% and 234% of controls at 5.6 mM glucose alone, respectively), inhibited by 12-(S)-HPETE (56%), and was not affected by 12-(R)-HETE, 12-(S)-HETE, lipoxin B 4 or LTB 4 (111%, 105%, 106% and 136%, respectively). Insulin release evoked by 23 mM glucose (190-2-320%) was inhibited (50–145%) by all icosanoids tested, except LTC 4 (162%). We conclude that, among the lipoxygenase products tested, only leukotrienes and hepoxilin are candidates for a tonic-stimulatory influence on basal insulin release. Since glucose promotes icosanoid formation in islets, the observed inhibition of glucose-induced insulin release by lipoxygenase products suggests the existence of a negative-feedback system.
Renal Cell Carcinoma in the Solitary Kidney: An Analysis of Complications and Outcome After Nephron Sparing Surgery

Purpose: We evaluated surgical techniques, pathological features and extended outcomes in patients with renal cell carcinoma in a solitary kidney treated with surgical excision.Materials and Methods: Between 1970 and 1998, 76 patients underwent nephron sparing surgery for sporadic renal cell carcinoma in a solitary kidney, including 63 with tissue specimens available for pathological review who comprised the cohort. Six (9.5%) patients had a congenitally absent kidney and 57 (90.5%) had previously undergone contralateral nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma. The clinical and pathological features examined were patient age at nephron sparing surgery, sex, type of nephron sparing surgery (enucleation, partial nephrectomy or ex vivo resection), tumor size, nuclear grade, histological subtype and 1997 tumor stage. Overall cancer specific, local recurrence-free and metastasis-free survival as well as early (within 30 days of nephron sparing surgery) and late (30 days to 1 year after nephron sparing surgery) co...
Anesthetic block of the dorsal penile nerve inhibits vibratory-Induced ejaculation in men with spinal cord injuries

Abstract Objectives. We investigated which nerve pathways are necessary to achieve ejaculation using penile vibratory stimulation (PVS) in men with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods. Eight men with SCI were selected based on the presence of a bulbocavernosus reflex (BCR) and consistent antegrade ejaculation with PVS. Level of injury was cervical (4), upper thoracic (4), and lower thoracic (1). Mean age was 30.4 years (range 22 to 38). Usual responses to PVS included autonomic dysreflexia (4), erection (4), and consistent somatic responses such as abdominal contractions (8). Local anesthesia of the dorsal penile nerves (penile block) was achieved using 1% plain lidocaine injection. Effective penile block was confirmed by loss of the BCR. Two PVS ejaculation trials were performed: one trial during the penile block and one trial when the penile block had worn off. In 4 subjects, the bladder contents were analyzed for retrograde ejaculation. Results. With the penile block, ejaculation was inhibited in 100% of the subjects. None of the bladder washings demonstrated sperm, indicating absence of retrograde ejaculation. None of the subjects exhibited their usual erectile response, somatic responses, or signs of autonomic dysreflexia. After the penile block wore off, PVS induced ejaculation in all subjects. If subjects usually had erection, somatic responses, or signs of autonomic dysreflexia, these also returned. Conclusions. Our data suggest that ejaculatory response to PVS in SCI men requires the presence of intact dorsal penile nerves.
Orbitofrontal Cortex, Associative Learning, and Expectancies

Orbitofrontal cortex is characterized by its unique pattern of connections with subcortical areas, such as basolateral amygdala. Here we distinguish between the critical role of these areas in associative learning and the pivotal contribution of OFC to the manipulation of this information to control behavior. This contribution reflects the ability of OFC to signal the desirability of expected outcomes, which requires the integration of associative information with information concerning internal states and goals in representational memory.
Trim-Commanded Adaptive Control for Waypoint-Defined Trajectory Following

In the event of unforeseen aircraft faults, safe and timely recovery may depend on multiple layers of decision-making. This paper applies retrospective cost adaptive control (RCAC) to the inner control loop of an aircraft’s safety-management system and investigates the ability to follow sequences of trim commands given by higher level ight planners. We rst show that trim conditions can be realized by commanding constant airspeed, ight path angle, and turn rate, and then investigate the ability of RCAC to follow possibly conicting trim commands with minimal modeling of the static ight envelope.
Is there an association between director option compensation and the likelihood of misstatement

Abstract Oversight bodies in the United States (US) have addressed the issue of director independence in recent years. Bebchuk et al. [Bebchuk, L., Grinstein, Y., Peyers, U. (2006). Lucky directors. (Working paper Harvard University Law School) SSRN # 952239.] found that director oversight may be impaired if directors receive option grants under favorable terms because these grants may create a mutuality of interest between directors and managers. We assess whether option grants to independent directors reduce oversight of financial reporting. Using a sample of 105 US firms that misstated their revenue matched with a sample of non-misstatement firms, we find that companies whose independent directors do not receive stock options are less likely to misstate revenues than companies who meet the Sarbanes–Oxley definition of independence. Our results show that compensating outside directors with stock options may weaken their independent oversight.
Modeling of noise in actively and passively mode-locked fiber laser systems

We present computer simulation results of noise in a modelocked fiber laser system designed to operate in the 1550nm regime. Signal-to-noise ratio is determined, accounting for supermode effects for pulse-widths raging between 0.10ps and 5.0ps, and for a modulating frequency ranging from 400MHz to 10 GHz. Also, the effect of noise on the stability of the laser output characteristics such as pulse drop-out and amplitude fluctuations will be discussed.
Disturbance, coexistence, history, and competition for space

A simple model to elucidate the effect of disturbance on a large number of competitors that compete for space and exhibit a competitive hierarchy is developed. Conditions are derived that determine presence of species, and diversity is calculated as a function of percentage cover. The model is compared to data from coral reefs collected by J. W. Porter (1974, Science 186, 543–545). Using parameter values in the model that allow a fit to Porter's data, the response of an individual species to changes in disturbance becomes quite complex, depending on the position (odd or even) of the species in the competitive hierarchy. For these same parameter values, the system is interactive: the existence of a particular species may effect the presence of another. Different parameter values would lead to a noninteractive system.
Organic carbon and carbonate fluxes: Links to climate change

Abstract This volume is a compendium of articles derived from a Chapman conference entitled “The Role of Marine Organic Carbon and Carbonate Fluxes in Driving Global Climate Change, Past and Future”, which was held at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in July, 2005. The conference divided the topic into units as follows: concepts and models, production of particulate matter, fluxes through the water column, and sediment record of past fluxes. The volume follows this ‘vertically stratified’ approach, and we use the same units to organize the articles. The Chapman conference on which this volume is based was made possible by support from The American Geophysical Union (Chapman Conference Program), the National Science Foundation, The Ocean and Climate Change Institute at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and the Analytical Center for Climate and Environmental Change at Northern Illinois University. We extend special thanks to Terry Joyce at the Ocean and Climate Change Institute for his administrative help. Also, we particularly appreciated the hard work of Andrew Daly at WHOI and Melissa Ficek at AGU who managed the conference details, making it a pleasant event. The articles in this volume benefited from evaluations given by a dedicated, and most helpful, group of reviewers. It was gratifying to reach out to the community and receive such a valuable contribution of thought and expertise. We gratefully acknowledge our reviewers. Finally, we acknowledge the help and advice of John Milliman, editor for Deep-Sea Research II, who helped us attain the high standards of publication with the journal.
Structural analysis of mouse S-antigen.

Abstract Mouse S-antigen clones were isolated from a mouse retinal cDNA library using a bovine S-antigen cDNA probe. The largest clone (MSC-242) comprised 1532 bp and contained the entire coding sequence. The nucleotide sequence homology between the mouse and bovine coding regions was 84%, while non-coding regions appeared to be more divergent. The deduced amino acid sequence indicated that the mouse S-antigen had 403 residues and its molecular ratio was 44930. An overall amino acid sequence similarity of 84% was observed between the mouse and bovine proteins. This degree of similarity dropped to 60% and 47% at the N and the C termini, respectively. The local homology with α-transducin observed in the bovine proteins, including the putative phosphoryl and rhodopsin binding sites, was conserved in the mouse as well. There was no overall sequence similarity with other proteins listed in the National Biomedical Research Foundation (NBRF) protein sequence database. Among the uveitopathogenic sites for experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), peptides N and M were identical to their bovine counterparts. Peptides 3 and K, however, were more divergent. The short repeats within these peptides were conserved.
Preparation, reduction, and chemisorption behavior of niobia-supported nickel catalysts

Abstract Two niobia(Nb 2 O 5 )-supported nickel catalysts, containing 2 and 10 wt% nickel, were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation. Subsequent to reduction in hydrogen at 573 and 773 K for 1 h, these catalysts adsorbed a smaller amount of hydrogen at room temperature than silica-supported nickel catalysts similarly prepared. The suppression in hydrogen adsorption was more pronounced for the 2 wt% sample, which had a smaller average crystallite size as determined by X-ray line broadening measurement. Thermogravimetric analysis showed a facile reduction of the nickel precursor salt to metallic nickel. The chemisorption behavior was thus ascribed to strong metal-support interactions (SMSI). These results compared with similar data previously obtained for titania(TiO 2 )-supported nickel catalysts showed that niobia was a more interacting support than titania for nickel, when parameters such as average crystallite size and reduction treatment were comparable. The extent of interaction appeared to correlate with the reducibility of the oxide support, although quantitative thermogravimetric measurements suggested that the amount of support being reduced was small.
Surgical treatment of infected prosthetic dialysis arteriovenous grafts: total versus partial graft excision.

Abstract Background Thirty-five percent of hemodialysis patients with polytetrafluoroethylene grafts lose their access secondary to infection. We hypothesized that partial graft excision (PGE) for infection increases the incidence of vascular anastomotic complications when compared with total graft excision (TGE). Methods The medical records of hemodialysis patients with a polytetrafluoroethylene graft infection from 1994 through 2004 were reviewed for PGE or TGE surgeries. Results A total of 111 infected grafts were managed surgically in 90 patients: 91 grafts by PGE and 20 grafts by TGE. Complication rates were 26.4% versus 5% in the PGE and TGE groups, respectively ( P = .038). The incidence of hemorrhage and graft-associated systemic sepsis was similar, whereas the incidence of local infection was increased in the PGE group (19.8% vs. 0%, P = .030). Conclusions Because potential access sites are limited, using PGE to salvage a site, even with a known increased incidence of local infection, represents an acceptable method for the treatment of graft infection.
HIV-related mental health care: factors influencing dropout among low-income, HIV-positive individuals.

A prospective design was used to collect data from 132 HIV-positive individuals presenting for mental health care at an inner-city HIV-related mental health clinic located in a large metropolitan area of the Southeastern USA. Data were analyzed to assess associations between study variables and whether participants returned for care following an initial mental health assessment. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the extent to which the addition of measures of health beliefs and HIV-related stigma would enhance the predictive capacity of a dropout model that included demographics and health status measures. As health beliefs and HIV-related stigma were added to the model, the predictive capacity increased significantly (R2 = 0.29 to R2 = 0.63, p < 0.05). Those who did not return for care had higher levels of perceived barriers to mental health care, higher levels of HIV-related stigma, were more likely to be of non-white ethnicity and had lower T-cell counts. These findi...
Interparental agreement on the use of control in childrearing and infants’ compliance to mother's control strategies

Abstract This study examined associations between interparental agreement about the use of control with children, maternal control strategies, and child compliance to mother in 55 two-parent families with 11- to 15-month-old infants (27 boys, 28 girls). Mothers and fathers reported on their beliefs about the use of control with children, and this data was used to create an interparental agreement score for each mother–father dyad. Mother's verbal control strategies and child responses to maternal control strategies were assessed at both 14- and 18 months during a 15-min home observation play session. Results revealed that mothers who believed in the use of strict control with children used more directives when interacting with their child. Mothers who used more directives to control their child at 14 months had children who were more defiant at 18 months. Parents who agreed about the use of control had children who were more compliant at 18 months.
Critical Perspectives on the Skills Debate: Implications for Adult Education

Abstract In this presentation I will raise some issues focusing on role of university adult education in educating the workforce. While many of my examples relate to the US American context, I think that European and US American universities are facing similar issues. More specifically, I will problematize the notion of “skills” and the complex choices adult educators face in addressing what at first glance seems to be a rather uncomplicated educational project: creating programs that teach work “skills.” It is my hope that reflecting on these issues will provide a basis for cooperation among university-based adult education in Romania and the US. I begin by addressing there interrelated questions: 1) Is their a skills shortage and how do we know? 2)What constitutes a skill and can they be objectively measured; 3) Who gets to determine what skills are and based on what assumptions?
Stem Cell Research in the Greater Middle East: The Importance of Establishing Policy and Ethics Interoperability to Foster International Collaborations

While fossil fuel reserves have strengthened the economies of numerous countries in the Greater Middle East (GME) for decades, multiple nations within this region are now increasingly investing in internal science and engineering programs as a mechanism to develop more extensive knowledge-based economies. One of these newly pursued disciplines is stem cell research. Nations such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar have founded nascent programs while Iran, Turkey, and Israel are more established in the field. The extent to which these investments have been productive, as measured by publication quantity and impact, remains unknown. Here we assess the state of stem cell research in the GME, report on the policy and ethical considerations facing the region, and determine the impact of international research collaborations in this area. In the majority of the region, there is no legal framework regulating stem cell research. Instead, scientists often rely on religious decrees outlining acceptable practices. These guidelines do not provide the necessary structure to foster international collaborations with nations that have enacted formal laws recognized worldwide. Our results illustrate that international collaborations in the GME produce publications of greater impact despite the fact that political tensions and issues unrelated to science have the potential to dramatically hinder cross-border relationships in the region. Overall, we conclude that the national governments of countries within the GME have the unique opportunity to establish stem cell research policies which confer interoperability between nations to foster crucial international collaborations throughout the region.
Reconstruction of adsorption potential in Polanyi-based models and application to various adsorbents.

The equilibrium Polanyi adsorption potential was reconstructed as e = −RT ln(Ca(or H)/δ) to correlate the characteristic energy (E) of Polanyi-based models (qe = f[e/E]) with the properties or structures of absorbates, where qe is the equilibriumn adsorption capacity, Ca(or H) is the converted concentration from the equilibrium aqueous concentration at the same activity and corresponds to the adsorption from the gas or n-hexadecane (HD) phase by the water-wet adsorbent, and “δ” is an arbitrary divisor to converge the model fitting. Subsequently, the modified Dubinin–Astakhov model based on the reconstructed e was applied to aqueous adsorption on activated carbon, black carbon, multiwalled carbon nanotubes, and polymeric resin. The fitting results yielded intrinsic characteristic energies Ea, derived from aqueous-to-gas phase conversion, or EH, derived from aqueous-to-HD phase conversion, which reflect the contributions of the overall or specific adsorbate–adsorbent interactions to the adsorption. Effects ...
Film microstructure-deposition condition relationships in the growth of epitaxial NiO films by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition on oxide and metal substrates

High-quality epitaxial or highly textured NiO thin films can be grown at temperatures of 400–750°C by low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) on MgO, SrTiO3, C-cut sapphire, as well as on single crystal and highly textured Ni (200) metal substrates using Ni(dpm)2 (dpm – dipivaloylmethanate) as the volatile precursor and O2 or H2O as the oxidizer/protonolyzer. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive detection (SEM/EDX), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirm that the O2-derived NiO films are smooth and that the quality of the epitaxy can be improved by decreasing the growth temperature and/or the precursor flow rate. However, low growth temperatures (400–500 °C) lead to rougher surfaces and carbon contamination. The H2O-derived NiO films, which can be obtained only at relatively high temperatures (650–750 °C), exhibit slightly broader ω scan full width half-maximum (FWHM) values and rougher surfaces but no carbon contamination. Using H2O as the oxidizer/protonolyzer, smooth and highly textured NiO (111) films can be grown on easily oxidized single crystal and highly textured Ni (200) metal substrates, which is impossible when O2 is the oxidizer. The textural quality of these films depends on both the quality of the metal substrates and the gaseous precursor flow rate.
Laboratory Evaluation of a Mercury CEM Using Atomic Absorption with a Deuterium Background Correction System

A prototype mercury (Hg) analyzer based on atomic absorption (AA) with a broadband background correction system using a deuterium (D2) lamp was developed and tested in the laboratory. Initial tests were performed using a small commercially available AA Hg detector operated in series with an optical breadboard version of the D2 background correction system. Based on encouraging results obtained with that system while using streams of elemental Hg and SO2 (an interfering gas), a compact prototype Hg analyzer for use in a Hg continuous emission monitor (CEM) was built. In laboratory tests performed in the absence of interfering gases, the analyzer could detect 0.5 μg/m3 or less of elemental Hg. The noise in the D2 channel of the analyzer was a limiting factor with respect to instrument sensitivity when background-corrected absorbance values were used. Tests with gas streams containing 9−26 μg/m3 of elemental Hg and 0.02−0.44% SO2 indicated that the D2 background correction approach did a good job at subtract...
Liquid-phase thermodynamics and structures in the Cu-Nb binary system

An embedded atom method (EAM) interatomic potential is constructed to reproduce the main topological features of the experimental equilibrium phase diagram of the Cu–Nb system in both solid and liquid states. The potential is fitted to composition-dependent enthalpies of mixing for bcc and fcc random solid solutions obtained from first-principles calculations at 0 K. Compared with two other EAM Cu–Nb potentials in the literature, the phase diagram of the current potential shows better agreement with the experimental phase diagram. Our potential predicts that the Cu–Nb liquid phase at equilibrium is compositionally patterned over lengths of about 2.3 nm. The newly constructed potential may be used to study the effect of liquid thermodynamics and structure on properties of binary systems, such as radiation-induced mixing.
Curiositas and Studiositas: Investigating Student Curiosity and the Design Studio.

Curiosity is often considered the foundation of learning. There is, however, little understanding of how (or if) pedagogy in higher education affects student curiosity, especially in the studio setting of architecture, interior design and landscape architecture. This article provides a brief cultural history of curiosity and its role in the design studio. The study also used quantitative and qualitative research methods to investigate curiosity among design students. Findings showed no significant relationship between curiosity and academic achievement, no significant difference in curiosity levels between female and male design students, and no significant difference in curiosity levels across various year levels or age groups. Results also revealed that the studio environment played a minor role in the origin and influence of student interests; student curiosities were affected more by travel, internships, family and non-studio courses.