cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The First Direct Measurement of the Mass of a Blue Straggler in the Core of a Globular Cluster: BSS 19 in 47 Tucanae

Hot, young blue straggler stars are observed by the Hubble Space Telescope to exist in the cores of very old globular clusters. Theory maintains that these stars must be more massive than hydrogen-burning cluster members that are as old as the clusters themselves. We have, for the first time, verified this theoretical claim by directly measuring the mass of the blue straggler BSS 19 in the core of 47 Tucanae. The derived mass, M=1.7±0.4 M☉, is nearly twice that of the oldest primordial hydrogen-burning cluster star. BSS 19 is found to be rotating rapidly, with a derived projected rotational velocity of vsini=155±55 km s -->−1. This large value for the rotational velocity tends to support a model for the formation of BSS 19 in which the blue straggler was formed from a binary system via a noncollisional mechanism (e.g., the coalescence of a contact binary).
Multivariate factor analysis of sulfur oxidation and rhodanese activity in soils

The role of rhodanese as an intermediate catalyst in the oxidation of elemental S (S°) is not well understood. This study investigated the effect of 26 soil properties and steam sterilization in relation to S° oxidation and rhodanese activity in 33 soils (27 Oregon soils and six Chinese soils). S° oxidation potential was determined by incubating (7 d at 23 °C) soil amended with 500 mg S° kg-1 soil and measuring the SO4 released. Both total S° oxidation (TSO) and rhodanese activity varied widely among the 33 soils, ranging from 0 to 143 mg SO4-S kg-1 soil 7 d-1 and 22 to 2109 nmoles SCN- g-1 soil h-1 respectively. S° oxidation but not rhodanese activity had a significant positive correlation with soil pH. In sterile soils, chemical S° oxidation (CSO) averaged 3% of the total S° oxidation and apparent rhodanese activity averaged 11% of the total rhodanese activity. S° oxidation was not significantly correlated with rhodanese activity. However, development of stepwise regression models predicting S° oxidation revealed that rhodanese activity was an important explanatory variable in predicting biological S° oxidation (TSO minus CSO). Also, microbial biomass C was found to be an important parameter in models for both S° oxidation and rhodanese activity. Investigations of the effect of acidification during S° oxidation showed that biological S° oxidation was negatively correlated with S° oxidation-induced-pH-change for soils with pH > 6 but no such significant relationship was found on soils with pH> 6. This suggested that extreme acidity may inhibit S° oxidation but not rhodanese activity.
Novel Solvent–gas Contactor for CO2 Capture Cost Reductions☆

Abstract In order to reduce costs associated with CO2 capture from coal-fired utilities, further development is needed. Solvents suffer from high costs for supply and high energy needs for regeneration. The Neumann Systems Group technology is a solvent-neutral technology that greatly improves absorption capability by improving solvent/flue gas contact. Testing conducted at the Energy & Environmental Research Center is evaluating this technology. Preliminary results indicate that CO2 removal rates above 90% have been reached when used in conjunction with an advanced solvent. Technoeconomic modeling shows reduced costs for capital and operation when compared to established U.S. Department of Energy cases.
Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Method for the Quantitation of 3-Chloro-p-toluidine Hydrochloride in Birds Using a Deuterated Surrogate

A method was developed for the quantitation of the avicide 3-chloro-p-toluidine hydrochloride (CPTH) in pigeon breast muscle and gastrointestinal tract. Accuracy and precision were greatly improved...
Acquired pits of the optic nerve. Increased prevalence in patients with low-tension glaucoma.

Abstract The authors studied 232 glaucoma patients in an attempt to shed light on the implications of the pit-like localized cupping of the optic nerve often referred to as an "acquired pit of the optic nerve" (APON) both in low-tension glaucoma and in glaucoma associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Twenty (74%) of the 27 patients with low-tension glaucoma had APONs, whereas 31 (15%) of the 232 patients with elevated pressure did ( P
On the direct and dissociative excitation of the O(3s 3S0) state by electron impact on atomic and molecular oxygen

The ratio of the cross sections for the direct and dissociative excitation of the OI(3s 3S0-2p 3P; 1304 A wavelength) transition, sigma A/sigma D, are accurately determined, and the sigma A/sigma D ratio is directly normalized to the ratio of the O(+) and O2(+) ionization cross sections using a high-density diffuse gas source, an electrostatically focused electron gun, a vacuum-ultraviolet monochromater, and a quadrupole mass spectrometer for simultaneous optical and composition measurements. Using revised sigma A(1304 A) values calculated with new calibration standards, the shape of the cross section for the excitation of the O(3s 3S0) state agrees well with previous results, though the absolute magnitude of sigma A(1304 A) is smaller than the results of Stone and Zipf (1974) by a factor of 2.8. The revised cross sections agree well with recent quantum calculations when cascade excitation of the 3s 3S0 state is taken into account.
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SENSORY CRISPNESS AND OTHER SENSORY AND INSTRUMENTAL PARAMETERS

Twenty subjects judged the crispness, loudness, and firmness of sixteen food samples by both biting and chewing and by only biting the foods. These subjects also scored the foods for thirteen textural qualities. Instrumental measures of slope, peak force, and deformation to fracture were obtained for the sixteen foods from a snap test at four deformation rates. Whether a subject judged an attribute by the bite or the bite and chew technique made little or no difference in the sensory judgments. Crispness appeared to be very closely related to loudness and less closely related to firmness. Loudness of the chewing sounds was more closely related to crispness than to firmness. Of the sensory qualities studied, loud, snap, and crackly were the three most closely related to crispness. Of the instrumental parameters Young's Modulus generally had the highest correlation with the crispness of all foods and peak force generally had the highest correlation with firmness. Deformation rate had minimal effects on measures of flexure or peak force, but its effects on Young's Modulus were frequently large and irregular. A vibrotactile-acoustical hypothesis for crispness is proposed.
An adaptive expert system approach for intrusion detection

Intrusion detection is a type of computer network security system that attempts toidentify inappropriate use of the system. As more corporate computer systems become linked to the internet and as more stakeholder transactions take place between systems, the identification and prevention of computer network misuse becomes increasingly critical. Expert system technology is often used to construct intruder detection systems. However, Intrusion Detection System (IDS) researchers have tended to build systems that are hard to manage, lack intuitive user interfaces and are cumbersome to use in real-live situations. In this paper, we present an adaptive expert system for intrusion detection that utilises fuzzy sets. This system has the ability to adapt to the type and/or degree of threat and is relatively simple to implement when used with computer system networks. Examples of rule sets are presented. The adaptive ability of the system is demonstrated by experimenting with the system using Clips 6.10.
Compact blue-green lasers get down to business

The development of solid-state, blue-green lasers, which are emerging as viable alternatives to air-cooled argon and helium-cadmium lasers for such applications as flourescent bioanalysis, optical inspection, and high-end reprographics, is summarized. Methods of efficient doubling in diode-pumped lasers, direct doubling, second harmonic generation in waveguides, and intracavity frequency mixing are discussed. The limited marketing impact of these technologies is also discussed. >
Error correction for IBM 800-bit-per-inch magnetic tape

The 800-bit-per-inch magnetic tape units that are components of IBM System/360 can correct error bursts of unlimited length in any one of their nine tape tracks. The correction technique employs a modified cyclic code in conjunction with a parity bit in each nine-bit character. There are nine check bits in the modified cyclic code and these form a check character at the end of every record. To perform the correction,a record in which an error has been detected must be reread. Errors involving more than one track within the same record are detected but are not correctable. This error correction technique operates during both read-forward and read-backward operations, and on records of any length.
Light work with water.

Sunlight can be harnessed by semiconductors to generate a fuel, hydrogen gas, from water. This approach will be impracticable until certain materials-related constraints are overcome: photochemists are on the case.
Auger spectra of ammonia on aluminum and oxidised aluminum

Abstract X-ray excited N(KVV) Auger spectra are reported for submonolayer amounts of ammonia adsorbed at 128 K on clean and oxidized polycrystalline aluminum The spectra were deconvoluted using an instrument function derived from the measured losses associated with the N(1s) photoionization region. The resulting spectra are compared with gas phase and condensed NH 3 spectra.
Attempt at Hydraulic Analogy of Insulation on a Finite Length Cylinder

In December 1947, Eph Sparrow, then working on an MS, came to me asking if there wasn’t some small project he could do instead of going home for Christmas. Just before this time Dusenberie’s book on finite differences was published. There he solved a problem of conduction through insulation on a finite L/D cylinder. I suggested that we try to build a hydraulic analogy for the insulation. Eph made up five different diameter open-ended cans. With three setscrews near the top of the cans, one can could be placed inside the other on centers with different end gaps. Water added to the space between the cans provided different magnitudes of L/2. This provided a variety of magnitudes, Ri , R0 , L/2, T0 = R0 − Ri .Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Contentious Contents: For Inductive Probability

AbstractAccording to Popper and Miller [1983 and 1987], the part of a hypothesis that transcends the evidence is probablistically countersupported by the evidence. Therefore, inductive support is n...
The Application of Airborne Radar Altimetry to the Measurement of Height and Slope of Isobaric Surfaces.

Abstract The aeronautical use of electronic altimeters is to measure the absolute clearance of an aircraft above the earth's surface. In the support of atmospheric research, accurate high-range altimeters, in conjunction with accurate static pressure and navigation data, also can provide a means for measuring the heights of constant-pressure surfaces. From the derivatives of the measurements, surface slopes and dynamical quantities such as the geostrophic wind may be obtained. Although the technique is easiest over oceans or large bodies of water, it can be successfully used over land, if detailed terrain heights are known. This paper describes the operational and research use of a high-altitude pulse-type radar altimeter system installed on the NCAR Sabreliner for jet stream research. An error analysis for “D-value”, derived from radar altitude and pressure measurements, gave an estimated error of ±6.0 m, which surpasses measurements from conventional balloon soundings or satellite-derived height analyse...
Galileo spacecraft modal identification using an eigensystem realization algorithm

A modal parameter identification technique referred to as the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA) was applied to free-response measurements from the Galileo spacecraft modal survey test. The data were recorded following single-point random excitation of the structure. This work is one phase in a research project coordinated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to compare the performance of various contemporary identification techniques using Galileo data. Principal emphasis is placed on estimating the accuracy of the ERA-identified modal parameters. Various accuracy indicators, such as Modal Amplitude Coherence and Modal Phase Collinearity, are discussed. More than 20 modes of the spacecraft were identified, demonstrating the ability of the ERA method to determine the dynamics of such complex structures using only a few seconds of test data.
Understanding recent trends in central‐local relations: centralisation in Great Britain and decentralisation in the United States

. This article starts by noting that, whilst Mrs Thatcher and President Reagan apparently share similar conservative objectives, their policies differ radically with respect to intergovernmental relations. The author briefly reviews the trends towards centralisation and decentralisation in Britain and America respectively and suggests that the difference is because both leaders see ‘intergovernmental relations’ as a means to an end rather than an end in themselves. Both leaders share the same objectives of reducing tax levels and the amount of government expenditure and of rewarding their supporters: objectives which, at least in part, both have achieved. But both have used different means, reflecting the different structure of government with which both leaders have to work. This view is supported by a brief review of policy on intergovernmental grants in both countries.
Experimental Determination of Stresses in Damaged Composites Using an Electric Analogue

Abstract : Inadequate knowledge of the local stress distributions in damaged composites has been a major obstacle to progress in the understanding of damage accumulation and ultimate failure of such materials. Theoretical treatments of 3-dimensional uniaxially reinforced composites are difficult, and direct experimental observations of stresses around interior flaws are not feasible. An experimental determination of stress distributions can be made using an electric analogue. A scaled model of the composite including the damage is made with the fibers replaced by conducting rods and the matrix replaced by an electrolyte. The resistivity ratio of rods to electrolyte is taken equal to the elastic modulus ratio of matrix to fiber. A tensile force applied in the fiber direction is modelled by applying a potential gradient in the rod direction. The displacement distribution in the composite is them modelled by the potential distribution in the analogue to an accuracy somewhat better than that given by shear lag theory. Thus stress distributions can be found by measuring potentials in the analogue with the aid of an electric probe. (Author)
Promoting Effective Interviewing of Sexually Abused Children: A Pilot Study

Objective: This study is centered on interviewing techniques with alleged child sexual abuse victims who do and do not disclose sexual abuse. Method: Ninety randomly selected videotapes are reviewed, and the interviewing techniques are recorded on a 69-item Child Sexual Abuse Interviewing Skills Instrument. Results: The nondisclosure children are younger and more likely to be males than females. The discriminant analysis of the instrument indicate the use of more “what and how” questions in disclosure cases, whereas more closing questions are used in nondisclosure cases. Conclusions: Interviewers should maintain an attitude that additional information can be obtained from other sources, which will help the interviewer demonstrate patience and understanding, rather than leading the child to disclosure or false allegation.
Resolution-limited measure and dimension

As extensions of Hausdorff measures and dimension, a new measure and associated dimension are introduced. Whereas the former concepts were intended to characterize sets as having fractional dimension, in the real world any set, even a computer- generated one, must have Hausdorff dimension which is exactly an integer. The new measure and dimension overcome this problem by explicitly limiting the resolution with which a set must be measured. The resulting development generally parallels Hausdorff's but makes it possible to attribute non-integer dimensions to real-world sets. Certain simplifications further enhance the practical usefulness of the concepts.
Marketing Outputs as Art? Bringing an Aesthetic Sensibility to the Marketing Curriculum

Can marketing outputs—advertising, packaging, product design, and retail environments—be considered a form of art? This paper explores the potential for incorporating the theories and concepts of aesthetics in the marketing curriculum in order to facilitate students' capacity to interpret marketing outputs and develop effective practical applications. Specific recommendations for specific curricular implementation, including a proposed outline for a marketing creativity course, are offered.
Administration of live varicella vaccine to children with leukaemia.

Abstract Live varicella vaccine was given to twenty-three children with lymphoreticular malignancies, twelve whose chemotherapy was complete and eleven who were still receiving therapy. Seroconversion was observed in all twenty-three children, only one of whom lost his vaccine-induced antibody. Eight of the children experienced thirteen exposures to varicella, including four continuing exposures in their households. Varicella, manifested by the appearance of seven vesicular lesions, developed in only one. In all but two of the children an in-vitro blastogenic response to varicella/zoster-virus (VZV) antigen developed; both children had a biphasic rash after immunisation. A sibling of one of these children seroconverted without clinical evidence of varicella, presumably because of infection with vaccine virus. None of the other household contacts had significant rises in VZV antibody. VZV was not isolated from the blood, throat, or urine samples of the twenty-three vaccinees tested.
On the form of ROCs constructed from confidence ratings.

A classical question for memory researchers is whether memories vary in an all-or-nothing, discrete manner (e.g., stored vs. not stored, recalled vs. not recalled), or whether they vary along a continuous dimension (e.g., strength, similarity, or familiarity). For yes-no classification tasks, continuous- and discrete-state models predict nonlinear and linear receiver operating characteristics (ROCs), respectively (D. M. Green & J. A. Swets, 1966; N. A. Macmillan & C. D. Creelman, 1991). Recently, several authors have assumed that these predictions are generalizable to confidence ratings tasks (J. Qin, C. L. Raye, M. K. Johnson, & K. J. Mitchell, 2001; S. D. Slotnick, S. A. Klein, C. S. Dodson, & A. P. Shimamura, 2000, and A. P. Yonelinas, 1999). This assumption is shown to be unwarranted by showing that discrete-state ratings models predict both linear and nonlinear ROCs. The critical factor determining the form of the discrete-state ROC is the response strategy adopted by the classifier.
Empirical mode decomposition applied to tissue artifact removal from respiratory signal

Estimation of respiration commonly employs piezoelectric sensors secured to rib cage and abdominal belts. However, these respiratory signals are often contaminated by tissue artifact. This paper presents a signal decomposition technique for tissue artifact removal in respiratory signals, based on empirical mode decomposition (EMD). After introducing the theoretical foundation, this method is performed on three synthetic signals, and performance of tissue artifact removal using EMD is compared with low-pass filter and independent component analysis (ICA) techniques. A simulation study and experimental results show that EMD can effectively remove tissue artifact in respiratory signals.
Reverse engineering data requirements

This paper describes some of the difficulties involved in migrating a flat file database accounting system to a relational platform. Included in the discussion are such factors as data reengineering, data collection processing and partial reengineering of legacy systems. We present a case study which was undertaken on a large scale flat file database system. We discuss possible solutions to the problems.
Eudistomin D and Penaresin Derivatives as Modulators of Ryanodine Receptor Channels and Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ ATPase in Striated Muscle

Eudistomin D (EuD) and penaresin (Pen) derivatives are bioactive alkaloids from marine sponges found to induce Ca2+ release from striated muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Although these alkaloids are believed to affect ryanodine receptor (RyR) gating in a “caffeine-like” manner, no single-channel study confirmed this assumption. Here, EuD and MBED (9-methyl-7-bromoeudistomin D) were contrasted against caffeine on their ability to modulate the SR Ca2+ loading/leak from cardiac and skeletal muscle SR microsomes as well as the function of RyRs in planar bilayers. The effects of these alkaloids on [3H]ryanodine binding and SR Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) activity were also tested. MBED (1–5 μM) fully mimicked maximal activating effects of caffeine (20 mM) on SR Ca2+ leak. At the single-channel level, MBED mimicked the agonistic action of caffeine on cardiac RyR gating (i.e., stabilized long openings characteristic of “high-open-probability” mode). EuD was a partial agonist at the maximal doses tested. The tested Pen derivatives displayed mild to no agonism on RyRs, SR Ca2+ leak, or [3H]ryanodine binding studies. Unlike caffeine, EuD and some Pen derivatives significantly inhibited SERCA at concentrations required to modulate RyRs. Instead, MBED9s affinity for RyRs (EC50 ∼0.5 μM) was much larger than for SERCA (IC50 > 285 μM). In conclusion, MBED is a potent RyR agonist and, potentially, a better choice than caffeine for microsomal and cell studies due to its reported lack of effects on adenosine receptors and phosphodiesterases. As a high-affinity caffeine-like probe, MBED could also help identify the caffeine-binding site in RyRs.
Freud and the problem of sexuality

Le point de vue de F. d'apres l'etude de ses textes. Bien que partisan d'une reforme sexuelle, F. etait conscient de ses dangers et de ses limites.
Performance analysis of an efficient AIFIR echo-tail canceller

A computationally efficient two-stage echo canceller is proposed. The first stage is a direct form adaptive FIR filter to cancel the main part of the echo response. The second stage cancels the 'tail' part of the echo response. The proposed tail canceller is an adaptive version of the interpolated FIR (IFIR) filter. It is shown that the two-stage canceller meets the 60 dB echo cancellation accuracy for various Bellcore loops. Extensive simulations were carried out to study the effects of the main canceller length as well as the interpolator parameters on the performance of the two-stage echo canceller in the U-interface transceiver for basic rate ISDN. It is shown that the proposed structure compares very favorably with other proposed two stage cancellers. >
A prospective randomized phase II trial of GM-CSF priming to prevent topotecan-induced neutropenia in chemotherapy-naive patients with malignant melanoma or renal cell carcinoma

We conducted a phase II randomized trial of recombinant granculocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) administered before topotecan chemotherapy to determine whether it could prevent myelosuppression and to determine the antitumor activity of this topoisomerase I inhibitor in 53 patients with metastatic malignant melanoma and renal cell cancer. All patients received GM-CSF after topotecan at a dose of 250 microg/m(2) daily for at least 8 days. Patients randomly assigned to receive GM-CSF priming were treated with GM-CSF at 250 microg/m(2) twice daily for 5 days before treatment. Twenty-five patients were randomly assigned to receive GM-CSF priming and 28 to receive topotecan without priming. The primary analysis was restricted to the protective effects seen during the first cycle of therapy. Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 8 of 23 patients (35%) and grade 3 neutropenia in 5 of 23 patients (22%) randomized to GM-CSF priming, whereas 18 of 26 (69%) and 5 of 26 (19%) patients experienced grade 4 or 3 neutropenia, respectively, without GM-CSF priming (P =.0074). The mean duration of neutropenia was reduced by GM-CSF priming: grade 3 neutropenia from 5.2 +/- 0.7 to 2.8 +/- 0.7 days (P =.0232) and grade 4 neutropenia from 2.7 +/- 0.6 to 1.1 +/- 0.4 days (P = 0.0332). The protective effects of GM-CSF extended to the second cycle of treatment. The incidence of febrile neutropenia was also reduced. Chemotherapy-induced anemia and thrombocytopenia were similar in both groups. One partial response was seen in a patient with melanoma, and one patient with renal cell cancer had complete regression of pulmonary metastases and was rendered disease-free by nephrectomy. (Blood. 2001;97:1942-1946)
Sectoral Reviews II

Among the key development sectors that affect and are affected by population growth are natural resources, health and nutrition, the status and employment of women, education, and income distribution. The latter has already been considered in this discussion, and the others will now be reviewed one by one. Although considering these sectors individually violates the reality that they do not operate independently (and indeed interact with other sectors that will not be reviewed here) and can be understood and interpreted only in a larger context, to proceed otherwise would be to enter into the morass of attempting to relate everything to everything else. Nevertheless, it is necessary to keep in mind the qualifications specified by Cassen (1976:788) in his review of the interrelationships between population and development: “The explanation of fertility trends covers an enormous range of variables, reflecting the complexity of this area of human behaviour and its relation to biological, social, psychological and economic factors.... Fertility alters in relation to processes in society of which these factors form a part.” In her review of the relationships between population growth and development, Birdsall (1977:91) concluded: “No one intervention can be expected to affect fertility in a simple downward direction: the relation between each variable and fertility is complex, as are the relations among these variables and their joint effect on fertility.”
Docetaxel (Taxotere ® ) in combination chemotherapy and in association with thoracic radiotherapy for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer

Docetaxel is one of the most active single agents for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer. Given the preclinical indications for synergy and the lack of cross-resistance with other active agents in this disease, clinical trials of docetaxel combinations have been undertaken. Phase I and Il clinical trials of docetaxel in combination with cisplatin, carboplatin, gemcitabine, vinorelbine, or thoracic radiation for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer were reviewed. The endpoint for phase I trials was to define the phase II doses for the docetaxel combinations where overall response rates, median and one year survival were the endpoints. Five phase I-II studies of docetaxel and cisplatin have reported response rates ranging from 21% to 48%. Median survival times ranged from 8 to 13 months, and one-year survivals from 32% to 58%. Combining docetaxel with vinorelbine resulted in a 37% response rate and a median survival of 9.4 months. Docetaxel in combination with gemcitabine produced a response rate of 53%. The adverse events of these combinations were manageable. Responses have also been reported in studies of docetaxel administered with carboplatin or thoracic radiation therapy. Combinations of docetaxel with platinum, vinorelbine, gemcitabine, and radiation were active in non-small-cell lung cancer with acceptable adverse effects. Phase III trials are currently in progress to further define the role of docetaxel combinations in the first-line treatment of this disease.
DRAMA MANAGEMENT AND PLAYER MODELING FOR INTERACTIVE FICTION GAMES

A growing research community is working toward employing drama management components in story-based games. These components gently guide the story toward a narrative arc that improves the player's gaming experience. In this article we evaluate a novel drama management approach deployed in an interactive fiction game called Anchorhead. This approach uses player's feedback as the basis for guiding the personalization of the interaction. The results indicate that adding our Case-based Drama manaGer (C-DraGer) to the game guides the players through the interaction and provides a better overall player experience. Unlike previous approaches to drama management, this article focuses on exhibiting the success of our approach by evaluating results using human players in a real game implementation. Based on this work, we report several insights on drama management which were possible only due to an evaluation with real players.
Relocation Evaluations in Child Custody Disputes

In the months and years after a divorce and custody determination, one or both parents may wish to relocate to a different city. When relocation is requested, forensic psychologists are often called to conduct a relocation evaluation. In this role, the psychologist serves as a facilitator to ensure the best interests of the child are met. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the relocation evaluation process, offer recommendations for comprehensive evaluations, and provide an overview of special circumstances in child relocations.
Writing and reading at high data rates

This paper describes the analysis of an MR read/write channel for high data rate magnetic recording. Using current, industrially available components, characterized to frequencies >1 GHz, data rate limiting factors such as bandwidth, write current overshoot, inadequate write field swing, write field rise time and excessive write field zero-crossing shift are investigated. From this, conclusions can be drawn about the maximum attainable data rate (in casu 16 MB/s). For the components used in this study, the eddy current damping in the yoke of the inductive write head turned out to be the major restriction in achieving higher data rates.
A retrospective cross-sectional study of the prevalence of generalized convulsive status epilepticus in traumatic brain injury: United States 2002-2010.

Abstract Purpose To determine the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of generalized convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE) in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of adult patients with acute TBI using the 2002–2010 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database of USA. We used multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify independent predictors of GCSE in patients with TBI and to determine the impact of GCSE on outcomes (in-hospital mortality, length of stay, total hospital charges, and discharge disposition). Results Among 1,457,869 patients hospitalized with TBI, 2315 (0.16%) had GCSE. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in patients with GCSE (32.5% vs. 9.6%; unadjusted OR 4.54, 95% CI 4.16–4.96; p p p p p 35 years (OR 2.15; 95% CI 1.87–2.47), CNS infections (OR 4.86; 95% CI 3.70–6.38), anoxic brain injury (OR 9.54; 95% CI 8.10–11.22), and acute ischemic stroke (OR 4.09; 95% CI 3.41–4.87) were independent predictors of GCSE in TBI patients. Epilepsy was an independent negative predictor of GCSE (OR 0.74; 95% CI 0.55–0.99). Conclusion Despite its low incidence, GCSE in TBI patients was associated with worse outcomes with threefold higher in-hospital mortality, prolonged hospitalization, higher hospital charges, and worse discharge disposition. Surprisingly, epilepsy is a negative predictor of GCSE in this population.
Existence and uniqueness of a solution for a BVP from developmental biology

Recently, Shenat [J. Appl. Math. 47, 147 (1991)] introduced a model for the behaviour of an epithelial sheet after a section of the sheet had been removed. Consideration of radially symmetric equilibria reduces the original PDE to an ODE boundary value problem. Sherratt employed formal perturbation analyses to produce an expansion for the solution by exploiting a small parameter E. In this article the author gives a rigorous proof that, for each E > 0, a solution exists and that it is unique. This is achieved using a topological shooting argument. Also given are results concerning the physically relevant «sharp edge» of the solution near the boundary
Conversion and Somatization in Pediatrics

Although conversion disorder rarely is diagnosed formally in ordinary pediatric practice, busy pediatricians often do encounter the phenomenon of conversion. Conversion is the experiencing of unacceptable emotional conflicts as symptoms, usually but not always physical, rather than as mental events. Conversion is commonplace, affecting almost all body systems. It must be recognized and managed appropriately early in its course, lest inappropriate evaluations and treatments occur; in addition to their other costs, such unnecessary procedures may introduce the child inadvertently to such symptomatization as a life-long pattern of behavior. More than a century ago, Briquet recognized that at least 50% of adult "professional patients" begin their symptomatic careers before puberty; thus, inappropriate care of the young patient who has conversion symptoms may have serious, long-lasting consequences. Problems in Diagnosing Conversion The traditional diagnostic elements of conversion often are difficult to demonstrate in pediatric practice. Almost all are either not specific to conversion or hard to confirm in young patients for reasons of developmental immaturity. These "standard" elements include the following: • Stress or conflict preceding symptoms (true of many illnesses) • Unconscious symptom production outside the patient9s awareness (thus often inaccessible to the pediatrician) • A model for the symptom (either unverifiable or prone to observer bias) • Primary gain or relief of underlying conflict (again, difficult to confirm)
New Look at Epiphrenic Diverticula

Twenty-five patients with epiphrenica diverticula were studied to clarify the mechanism for esophageal regurgitation and to evaluate methods of treatment. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, esophageal motility, and cineradiographic studies were performed. With probes in the tubular esophagus and diverticula of two patients, motility and cineradiographic studies were performed simultaneously to correlate symptoms and pressure changes with movement of diverticular and esophageal contents. Nineteen patients were operated, and six relatively asymptomatic patients were not. There was no operative mortality, and the one esophageal fistula that occurred healed spontaneously. Results were excellent or good in 10 operated patients followed long term after resection or imbrication of the diverticula. Eight patients did not undergo myotomy. Results in four of these patients followed long term were excellent. Retrograde movement of diverticular contents into the esophagus depends on pouch volume and a pressure gradient between the pouch and the tubular esophagus after an esophageal contraction wave in the tubular esophagus has dissipated. The height of esophageal reflux and resulting symptoms depend on these factors and the lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP). Asymptomatic patients with an epiphrenic diverticulum do not require operation. Resection or imbrication of a diverticulum are the operative methods of treatment. We prefer the abdominal approach when this is possible. Myotomy in contraindicated when gastroesophageal reflux exists or the LESP is below normal.
A computer-controlled system for calibrating high voltage revenue metering systems under actual operating conditions of high voltage and sinusoidal/non-sinusoidal voltage and current waveforms

The development of a computer-controlled system for the calibration of high voltage revenue metering systems under actual operating conditions of high voltage and sinusoidal/non-sinusoidal voltage and current waveforms will be described. Measurements can be made at any power factor from zero lag through unity, at voltages up to 100 kV line-to-ground voltage and currents up to 2000 A. The magnitude and phase uncertainties (k=2) are estimated to be not more than 50 µW/VA and 50 µrad, and 100 µW/VA and 100 µrad for sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal conditions, respectively.
Venture Capital and Buyout Funds as Alternative Equity Investment Classes

This research uses quarterly data from 1986 through 2001 to evaluate the risk and return performance of venture capital and buyout funds as alternative equity investment classes. Several results are noteworthy. First, pooled VC and buyout fund returns are 2.5% and 2.8% (on a quarterly basis) above the CAPM risk-adjusted returns. The superior alphas of the alternatives, however, are subject to biases due to potential income smoothing in the reporting process, illiquidity of private equity investments, and heterogeneity of fund returns. Second, VC but not buyout returns are strongly related to the returns on the overall equity market index and the book-to-market value factor in three-factor models. There is a stronger linkage between venture capital funds and public equity markets, and a weaker linkage between buyout funds and the public equity markets. Finally, both venture returns and buyout returns are strongly related to the growth in industrial production, demonstrating the cyclical nature of the private equity industry.
Flock characteristics of ant‐following birds in premontane moist forest and coffee agroecosystems

We studied avian attendance at swarms of Eciton burchelli and Labidus praedator (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ecitoninae) over 5-mo periods in both 1996 and 1997, at elevations between 1400 m and 1800 m in western Panama. We conducted area searches for swarms of raiding ants and attendant birds in intact forest, traditional shade coffee habitats both adjacent to and distant from forest, and in sun coffee habitats, quan- tifying the size and composition of attendant flocks. All habitats except sun coffee supported numerous army ant swarms and thus a diverse assemblage of ant-following birds. A total of 411 swarming occasions attracted 126 bird species of 28 families. Of the 103 resident species, two were obligate ant-following birds, the Ruddy Woodcreeper (Dendrocincla homochroa) and the Gray-headed Tanager (Eucometris penicillata). Of the remaining spe- cies, 18 were wintering Nearctic migrants, and five were transient Nearctic migrants. Ne- arctic migrant species composed a greater percentage of the attendant species in shade coffee habitats as compared to forest. Several species of forest resident birds that correspond with particular foraging guilds, such as understory bark insectivores, including D. homo- chroa, regularly occurred in adjacent shade coffee but were never observed at swarms in distant shade coffee. Army ants may therefore be a mechanism for bringing forest birds into shade coffee, but only to a point. In western Panama, mid-elevational traditional shade coffee plantations can provide additional habitat for the diverse avifauna that attend army ant swarms. With increasing distance from large areas of continuous forest, however, the value of traditional shade coffee habitats is lessened for certain components of the bird community. Thus, protection of these habitats adjacent to intact forest should receive pri- ority. Additionally, current transformation of coffee-growing practices, including the re- moval of shade trees to grow coffee in full sun, will negatively affect army ants and their
Continuity and Change in Sub-Saharan African Demography

This volume, edited by Clifford O. Odimegwu, Head of Demography and Population Studies Programme at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa and John Kekovole, Executive Mana...
Relapse Prevention for Schizophrenia

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the empirical support for relapse prevention therapy for schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is very heterogeneous in its clinical presentation, course, and level of functional impact. Symptoms of schizophrenia traditionally have been grouped into two broad categories of positive and negative symptoms. CBT interventions for schizophrenia tend to include some common features, including psychoeducation, enhancing coping skills, cognitive restructuring, functional analysis, problem solving, and enhancing communication skills. As applied to schizophrenia, CBT engages patients in collaboratively challenging their interpretations of events or experiences. CBT as an adjunct to routine clinical care also resulted in significant additional benefits compared with routine clinical care plus supportive therapy. DRT blends elements of traditional substance abuse relapse prevention and motivational enhancement therapy with traditional mental health treatments of social skills training/psychosis relapse prevention into a single therapy approach. The implementation of relapse prevention interventions is also elaborated.
Polysome Analysis for Determining mRNA and Ribosome Association in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The control of mRNA translation is vital for gene expression and it is regulated under various physiological and pathological conditions (Groppo and Richter, 2009). For example, under some physiological conditions, translational initiation is impaired. Therefore, the association of mRNA with ribosomes and/or ribosomal subunits can provide a powerful means to dissect specific aspects of posttranscriptional mRNA regulation. This protocol describes a technique used to determine ribosome occupancy on mRNA.
Slow light Mach-Zehnder interferometer as label-free biosensor with scalable sensitivity

The design, fabrication, and characterization of a label-free Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) optical biosensor that incorporates a highly dispersive one-dimensional (1D) photonic crystal in one arm are presented. The sensitivity of this slow light MZI-based sensor scales with the length of the slow light photonic crystal region. The numerically simulated sensitivity of a MZI sensor with a 16 μm long slow light region is 115,000 rad/RIU-cm, which is sevenfold higher than traditional MZI biosensors with millimeter-length sensing regions. An experimental bulk refractive index detection sensitivity of 84,000 rad/RIU-cm is realized and nucleic acid detection is also demonstrated.
A Post Mortem on County Planning

HE county planning program is buried. Whether the burial is Ta temporary war casualty or a burial in perpetuity is a matter of conjecture.2 Although the mores may not permit the exhumation of what is buried, nevertheless the social scientist is obligated to examine analytically the ideational culprits involved in the death march. The expenditure of a tremendous amount of human energy and money may not revert to the debit side of the ledger if an investigation of the county planning experience reveals basic fallacies in the program which may be avoided in the development of new programs. We must recognize, too, that county planning in reality may be buried but not dead. The possibility of a resurrection is not a fiction, particularly if post war activities necessitate a closer relationship between the federal government and smaller political units.
Routes to Compounds Containing M−B Bonds. Reaction of [Cp*FeH2]2 with BH3·THF, Yielding the Hydrogen-Rich arachno-Ferrapentaborane 1-Cp*FeB4H11 (Cp* = η5-C5Me5)

The reaction of [Cp*FeH2]2 (Cp* = η5-C5Me5) with BH3·THF under mild conditions produces the new arachno-ferraborane 1-Cp*FeB4H11 via a boraallyl intermediate. Reaction of 1-Cp*FeB4H11 with Co2(CO)8 yields the novel nido-dimetallahexaborane 1,2-(Cp*Fe){Co(CO)3}B4H8, which has been characterized by an X-ray diffraction structure determination.
The Microstructural Response of a Multilayer Thin Film to Local Laser Heating

The microstructures associated with pulsed-laser heating of multilayer thin films used for phase-change optical data storage are studied in three related films. Two employ the multilayer structure SiOx/TeGeSn/SiOx where the chalcogenide layer is either amorphous or crystalline. The third uses the same trilayer structure with a crystalline chalcogenide layer but with an additional layer of aluminum. Pulsed-laser melting of micron-sized spots leads to solidification in the non-aluminized specimens with a morphology dependent on the preexisting structure of the chalcogenide layer and to amorphization in the aluminized film. Heat-flow modelling shows that the maximum temperature reached is lower and the cooling rate through the glass-forming temperature range higher in the aluminized structure. Discussion centers on the thermal and optical properties of the different films and the impact of the pre-existing chalcogenide structure on the subsequent phase transformations.
A Note on the Innervation of the Integument in Amphioxus, and its Bearing on the Mechanism of Cutaneous Sensibility

Previous conclusions as to the innervation of the integument of amphioxus are discussed, and it is shown that in addition to the system of free nerve-terminals decribed by Lele, Palmer, and Weddell (1958), the skin of certain regions of the body contains specialized sensory cells and encapsulated nerve-endings. The cells of origin of the free nerve-terminals in the skin are described, and it is shown that they fall into several morphologically different categories. In the light of these observations it is suggested that the innervation of the skin of amphioxus does not provide unequivocal evidence for the view that the different cutaneous sensations are determined by different discharge patterns in the same fibres of the nerve-rami leading from the skin.
Influence of Didecyl Polyoxyethyl Ammonium Borate(DPAB) on Properties of Medium Density Fiberboard

The mechanical and fire-retarding properties of medium density fiberboard(MDF) prepared by using phenol formaldehyde resin mixed with didecyl polyoxyethyl ammonium borate(DPAB) were compared with MDF control without DPAB.The results showed that there was no significant effect on modulus of rupture(MOR) nor modulus of elasticity(MOE) of the MDF when the dosage of DPAB added was below 1.2%.The oxygen index as well as the residual carbon content were increased with the increment of DPAB dosage,suggesting that the addition of DPAB could improve the fire retardation of MDF.Compared to MDF control,DPAB adding made the resin cure more completely according to the results of DSC analyses.However,the water uptake and swelling ratio of MDF upon water absorption were also increased with the DPAB loading due to the hydrophilic property of DPAB.
Herding the animals into the barn: a parent consultation model.

(2005). Herding the Animals into the Barn. The Psychoanalytic Study of the Child: Vol. 60, No. 1, pp. 128-153.