cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Sovereignty of the Courts

I began these talks on American jurisprudence by stating my agreement with Professor H.L.A. Hart that "American speculative thought about the general nature of law . . . is marked by a concentration, almost to the point of obsession, on the judicial process." "In fact," Professor Hart wrote, "the most famous decisions of the Supreme Court have at once been so important and controversial in character and so unlike what ordinary courts ordinarily do in deciding cases that no serious jurisprudence or philosophy of law could avoid asking with what general conception of the nature of law were such judicial powers compatible. . . The distinctive quality of American jurisprudence and of the American style of government is to be found in the role of the courts. There may be other distinctive qualities, but for an understanding of American jurisprudence and government, the role of the courts must be recognized and explored. The origin of this power of the courts is important. First, it reflects the persistence and reemergence of natural rights or natural law themes, against that classical background which gives a kind of common law to our thinking about the nature of law. I explored last time the distinctions about justice made in this classical background, and the reflections of this thinking in later and newer formulations. Today one finds a renewal of conscious reformulations. The strength of the natural rights or natural law themes was increased in American history by our colonial origin in which supervision by courts and other agencies played a large part, and in which the colonists hoped to get the help of the courts for the protection or assertion of their rights. The role played by James Otis, as reported by John Adams, in the 1761 Writs of As-
Computing Well-founded Semantics Faster

We address methods of speeding up the calculation of the well-founded semantics for normal propositional logic programs. We first consider two algorithms already reported in the literature and show that these, plus a variation upon them, have much improved worst-case behavior for special cases of input. Then we propose a general algorithm to speed up the calculation for logic programs with at most two positive subgoals per clause, intended to improve the worst case performance of the computation. For a logic program P in atoms A1, the speed up over the straight Van Gelder alternating fixed point algorithm (assuming worst-case behavior for both algorithms) is approximately (¦P¦/¦A¦)(1/3). For ¦P¦≥¦A¦4, the algorithm runs in time linear in ¦P¦.
ORGANOCOBALT CLUSTER COMPLEXES PART 10, NONACARBONYLTRICOBALTCARBON‐SUBSTITUTED CARBONIUM IONS, FURTHER (13)C NMR DATA AND DISCUSSION

Abstract By using either neat samples or very concentrated solutions in CDCl 3 , the apical cluster carbon 13 C NMR resonances in some neutral RCCo 3 (CO) 9 complexes have been observed in the region δ (C) 255–310 ppm. Apical cluster carbon atom resonances occur in the 13 C spectra of concentrated sulfuric acid solutions of [(OC) 9 Co 3 CCRR′] + cations in the region δ (C) 255–286 ppm. Further discussion of the structure and bonding in these charged species is given.
Complete spatiotemporal measurement of ultrashort pulses emerging from multi-mode optical fiber

Using a newly developed technique, we measure the complete spatiotemporal field of ultrashort pulses emerging from dual-mode optical fibers, finding spatiotemporal complexity, introduced by the different spatial modes, having different group velocities and modal dispersions.
Relativistic Effects in Many-Body Systems

The introduction of relativity into many-body systems produces a number of new effects, and a number of new problems. First among the latter might be the difficulty in defining what a “relativistic effect” might be. As we shall discuss below, relativity in a many-body system necessarily implies the use of QED. Thus, any attempt to differentiate between “relativistic effects” and “QED effects” must be rather arbitrary, and not necessarily desirable. At the opposite extreme, many “relativistic effects” can be approximately incorporated into nonrelativistic calculations through introduction of familiar operators such as spin-orbit, spin-other-orbit, etc., into the Schrodinger equation. Thus the wisest procedure seems to be to not specifically define “relativistic effects” at the beginning, but rather to plunge right in and let the discussion itself provide a rough definition.
The effects of age and bed rest on plasma fat particles as measured by a fat tolerance test.

Summary The effects of the age and activity of individuals on the plasma chylomicron level after a standard fat meal have been studied. Activity was found to cause a significant decrease in the maximum levels, but these levels showed relatively little change with the age of the patient, provided the activity was grossly constant. Possible explanations are submitted for the difference between our results and those reported by other investigators.
Anomalous ligand binding by a class of high spin c-type cytochromes.

Abstract The kinetic and equilibrium properties of carbon monoxide binding by seven different examples of cytochrome c' have been investigated. It has been found that the ligand-binding mechanism is complex in all cases, with five equilibria controlling the process. Moreover, the stoichiometry of ligand binding has been found to be at least 2 carbon monoxide molecules per heme. A detailed mathematical model has been derived which describes the ligand-binding process. In agreement with a previous proposal, we find that the heme group is situated in a protein bounded "cage" with only hindered access of dissolved ligands to the heme-binding site. Once the ligand enters the cage it has two options: to bind to the heme to form a heme-CO complex with an attendant absorbance change, or to bind to some other site (unspecified) with no associated spectral change. Both the spectral and nonspectral forms can bind a 2nd CO molecule to form the fully liganded complex. In the final form 2 molecules of CO are bound per heme, only 1 eliciting a spectral change.
Aligning Two Genomic Sequences That Contain Duplications

It is difficult to properly align genomic sequences that contain intra-species duplications. With this goal in mind, we have developed a tool, called TOAST (two-way orthologous alignment selection tool), for predicting whether two aligned regions from different species are orthologous, i.e., separated by a speciation event, as opposed to a duplication event. The advantage of restricting alignment to orthologous pairs is that they constitute the aligning regions that are most likely to share the same biological function, and most easily analyzed for evidence of selection. We evaluate TOAST on 12 human/mouse gene clusters.
Structural changes in the bladder walls of pregnant and hormone-treated rats: correlation with bladder dynamics.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of oestrogen, progesterone and pregnancy on bladder dynamics, and assess the associated histological and structural changes in the bladder wall in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into groups and treated as follows: nonpregnant controls (NC); pregnant (PG); oophorectomized and treated with oestrogen (ES); oophorectomized and treated with progesterone (PR); and oophorectomized controls (OO). Simultaneous and continuous renal pelvic and bladder pressures were recorded during bladder filling and emptying. Connective tissue and smooth muscle were analysed morphometrically and quantitatively, and immunohistochemistry used to evaluate the distribution and expression of collagen types I, III and IV. RESULTS PG rats had significantly greater bladder compliance than NC, OO and PR rats (P < 0.05). This correlated with the morphometric analysis, with bladders of PG and PR rats having lower connective tissue to smooth muscle ratios than NC, ES and OO rats (P < 0.05). Collagen I was increased in the lamina propria of PG and ES rats, and the detrusor muscle layer showed greater localization of collagen III in the interfascicular space in the PG and PR rats than in the other groups. There was no change in the distribution of collagen IV. CONCLUSION PG and PR rats had the highest bladder compliance and the changes paralleled structural changes in the bladders, specifically in the ratio of connective tissue to smooth muscle, and the distribution and expression of collagens I and III. These changes have age-related implications in the urinary tract.
The effects of sense of direction and training experience on wayfinding efficiency

Abstract This study investigated the influence of sense of direction and training experience on wayfinding performance. Participants navigated through a scale model of a building using route descriptions containing left–right or cardinal descriptors, or they completed an unrelated personality questionnaire. All participants then navigated through the hallways of the same building using directions containing left–right and cardinal descriptors. Sense of direction was assessed by asking participants to identify the direction of familiar, unseen locations. Participants with a keen sense of direction evinced fewer errors and faster wayfinding than did participants with a poor sense of direction, particularly for directions containing cardinal descriptors. Moreover, participants in both training conditions evinced faster wayfinding than did participants in the control condition when following directions involving cardinal descriptors. These findings indicate that both sense of direction and training experience affect wayfinding performance. Implications for wayfinding experiences in everyday contexts are discussed.
Wave scattering from a ground with a Gaussian bump or trough in an inhomogeneous medium

A closed‐form solution of the Helmholtz equation is obtained for the case of a time‐harmonic line source embedded in a medium with the linear sound‐speed profile. Substituting the closed‐form expression of the Green’s function into the Helmholtz–Kirchhoff integral equation, the exact solution of the scattered fields from a ground with a Gaussian shaped bump or trough in such a medium is obtained. An extension of the method of moments, which can solve the Helmholtz–Kirchhoff integral equation for sound scattering in the inhomogeneous medium, has been developed. Using these new tools, the effects of scattering in the region beyond a bump or trough are studied for situations when the background medium is upward refracting. Numerical results show that a soft ground with a bump or a hard ground with a trough in the upward refracting medium may cause some enhanced field regions beyond the bump or trough. The phenomenon is not observed when the background medium is homogeneous. Numerical results also show that a hard ground with a bump or a soft ground with a trough in the inhomogeneous medium may not cause any major difference when compared with results from the case using the homogeneous medium as the background medium.
Subspace tracking with quasi-rectangular data windows

In signal processing, it is often necessary to decompose sampled data into its principal components. In adaptive sensor array processing, for example, Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) and/or Eigenvalue Decomposition (EVD) can be used to separate sensor data into "signal" and "noise" subspaces. Such decompositions are central to a number of techniques, such as MUSIC, ESPIRIT, and the Eigencanceller. Unfortunately, SVD and EVD algorithms are computationally intensive. When the underlying signals are nonstationary, "fast subspace tracking" methods provide a far less complex alternative to standard SVD methods. This paper addresses a class of subspace tracking methods known as "QR-Jacobi methods." These methods can track the r principal eigenvectors of a correlation matrix in O(Nr) operations, where N is the dimensionality of the correlation matrix. Previously, QR-Jacobi methods have been formulated to track the principal eigenvectors of an "exponentially windowed" data correlation matrix. Finite duration data windowing strategies were not addressed. This paper extends the prior QR-Jacobi methods so as to implement rectangular sliding data windows, as well as other windows. Illustrated examples are provided.© (2003) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Monosaccharides as O-glycosyl leaving groups from 3-hydroxy amino acids during base-catalyzed elimination

Abstract The synthesis and characterization of 3-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-α- d -glucopyranosyl)-N)-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)- l -serine and -threonine methyl esters are described. The kinetics of base-catalyzed elimination were determined to be pseudo-first-order under various conditions of reaction for these glycosides as well as for the analogous 3-O-(2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-β- d -glucopyranosyl)-N-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)- l -serine and -threonine methyl esters. The marked base sensitivity of 3-O-glycosides of substituted amino acids is emphasized. These data are useful in structural studies on such glycosidic linkages in naturally occurring glycopeptides.
Spherical Marcinkiewicz-Zygmund inequalities and positive quadrature

Geodetic and meteorological data, collected via satellites for example, are genuinely scattered and not confined to any special set of points. Even so, known quadrature formulas used in numerically computing integrals involving such data have had restrictions either on the sites (points) used or, more significantly, on the number of sites required. Here, for the unit sphere embedded in R q , we obtain quadrature formulas that are exact for spherical harmonics of a fixed order, have nonnegative weights, and are based on function values at scattered sites. To be exact, these formulas require only a number of sites comparable to the dimension of the space. As a part of the proof, we derive L 1 -Marcinkiewicz-Zygmund inequalities for such sites.
UNIFIED IMAGING APPROACH FOR MEASURING AGGREGATE ANGULARITY AND TEXTURE

The effect of fine aggregate morphologic properties on the behavior of asphalt mixtures is well recognized. However, current procedures for measuring fine aggregate properties are at best indirect indicators. The indirect nature of current measurements has led to inconsistency in predicting the extent to which the measured properties influence pavement performance. This paper presents 2 independent methods that integrate several aspects of image-analysis techniques for quantifying angularity and texture of fine aggregates. The first technique relies on the change of aggregate shape as it is subjected to erosion-dilation morphologic operations. The second technique uses the change of an object perimeter with its shape. Analysis shows that the 2 methods are able to capture aggregate shape at 2 different scales. Angularity is captured using low-resolution images, whereas surface texture is captured using high-resolution images. These techniques have potential benefit in quantifying effects of texture and angularity on asphalt pavement performance.
Invalidation of a commercially available human 5α-dihydrotestosterone immunoassay.

Enzyme immunoassays (EIA) are commonly utilized for the evaluation of androgens in biological fluids; however, careful consideration must be given to cross-reactivity with other endogenous sex-steroid hormones. Our purpose was to determine the validity of a commonly-utilized commercially-available dihydrotestosterone (DHT) EIA. Serum samples obtained from older hypogonadal men who participated in a 12-month randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of testosterone-enanthate (125 mg/week) or vehicle in combination with finasteride (5 mg/day) or placebo were assayed for DHT via EIA and using a validated gold-standard LC–MS/MS approach. Additionally, commercially-available (DHT-free) buffer containing graded testosterone doses was evaluated by DHT immunoassay. DHT concentrations measured via EIA were 79% to >1000% higher than values obtained by LC–MS/MS (p < 0.05), with the largest differences (415–1128%) occuring in groups receiving finasteride. Both LC–MS/MS and EIA indicated that testosterone-enanthate increased serum DHT to a similar magnitude. In contrast, finasteride-induced reductions in DHT were detected by LC–MS/MS, but not EIA (p < 0.05). No significant associations were present for DHT concentrations between measurement techniques. Cross-reactivity of testosterone with the immunoassay ranged from 18% to 99% and DHT concentrations measured by EIA were highly associated with the spiked testosterone concentrations in DHT-free buffer (r = 0.885, p < 0.001). In conclusion, we provide evidence invalidating a commonly-utilized commercially-available DHT immunoassay because significant cross-reactivity exists between testosterone and the EIA and because the changes in DHT observed via EIA were not associated with a validated gold-standard measurement technique. The cross-reactivity of testosterone is particularly concerning because testsoterone is present in 100-fold greater concentrations than is DHT within the circulation.
On the Theory of Cosmic-Ray Showers II. Further Contributions to the Fluctuation Problem

Further calculations are reported on the problem of the distribution in size of cosmic-ray showers. In \textsection{}2 it is shown that this distribution is completely determined when the average energy distribution of the particles in a shower is known. In \textsection{}3 previous calculations of the fluctuation in size of showers have been revised and extended. The main result is that for the simplified model chosen (the so-called Furry model) the fluctuations are small and roughly equal to twice the Poisson value for all values of the thickness (see Table II; Fig. 3). In \textsection{}4 another simplified model is considered for which it is possible to take the ionization exactly into account. In \textsection{}5 and \textsection{}6 the calculations of the fluctuation are extended to the actual cosmicray problem. For one value of the initial energy and for one depth a numerical calculation has been made (see Table III). The result for the fluctuation is again a few times the Poisson value.
Perceptual Content, Information, and the Primary/Secondary Quality Distinction

Our perceptual systems make information about the world available to our cognitive faculties. We come to think about the colors and shapes of objects because we are built somehow to register the instantiation of these properties around us. Just how we register the presence of properties and come to think about them is one of the central problems with understanding perceptual cognition. Another problem in the philosophy of perception concerns the nature of the properties whose presence we register. Among the perceptible properties are colors and shapes, for example, and there is a long philosophical tradition of drawing and refusing to draw metaphysical distinctions between them. This paper makes a claim about the information-theoretic approach to perceptual cognition in order to argue for a fundamentally epistemological distinction between colors and shapes. What makes shapes and colors seem so different to us is how we carry information about their presence around us. In particular, we can come to know more about the shapes on the basis of perceiving them than we can come to know about the colors. One interesting feature of how this distinction is drawn is that it partially vindicates Locke’s claim that our ideas of primary qualities like shapes resemble them in ways our ideas of colors do not.
Mössbauer spectroscopy studies of PtFe/NaY zeolite

PtFe/NaY was characterized by Mossbauer spectroscopy after pretreatments in O2 and H2 at 700 K. Comparison of room-temperature spectra with those for standard Fe/NaY gave evidence for interaction between Pt and Fe. This result is discussed with respect to the phenomenon of chemical anchoring of Pt in zeolites.
In vitro and in vivo bactericidal effect of sol-gel/antibiotic thin films on fixation devices

Beneficial properties of room temperature processed silica sol-gels as resorbable and biocompatible materials for the controlled release of drugs and macromolecules have been described before. Recently, it was shown that a thin sol-gel film can be used for the controlled delivery of antibiotics such as vancomycin. It was also demonstrated that the release and degradation properties of the sol-gel films can be tailored via processing parameters. In this work, we evaluated the in vitro and in vivo bactericidal effects of vancomycin-containing thin sol-gel films applied on Ti-alloy intramedullary nails. Both the in vitro and the in vivo results demonstrate a pronounced bactericidal effect of the sol-gel/antibiotic films. This study suggests that thin antibiotic-containing sol-gel film holds great promise for the prevention and treatment of bone infections.
2′-Cinnamoylsalicortin, a phenolic glycoside from Salix sericea

Abstract A new phenolic glycoside, 2′-cinnamoylsalicortin, was found in Salix sericea , along with salicortin. Based upon structure-activity relationships, 2′-cinnamoylsalicortin is likely to possess biological activity.
A specific endoribonuclease, RNase P, affects gene expression of polycistronic operon mRNAs

The rnpA mutation, A49, in Escherichia coli reduces the level of RNase P at 43°C because of a temperature-sensitive mutation in C5 protein, the protein subunit of the enzyme. Microarray analysis reveals the expression of several noncoding intergenic regions that are increased at 43°C compared with 30°C. These regions are substrates for RNase P, and they are cleaved less efficiently than, for example, tRNA precursors. An analysis of the tna, secG, rbs, and his operons, all of which contain RNase P cleavage sites, indicates that RNase P affects gene expression for regions downstream of its cleavage sites.
Design space exploration of FinFETs in sub-10nm technologies for energy-efficient near-threshold circuits

Near-threshold (near-VTH) operation of circuits by scaling the supply voltage (VDD) leads to maximum energy efficiency of the digital systems [1]. However, since the device characteristics are different in super-threshold (super-VTH) and near-VTH regions, devices optimized for standard VDD operation may be sub-optimal for low VDD operation [2]. Hence, there is a need to perform circuit-aware device design for near-VTH transistors. In this paper, we explore the design space of transistors in deeply scaled technologies (nominal gate length of 5nm) for nearVTH operation. We choose FinFETs for our study due to their excellent short channel characteristics. A detailed analysis of device circuit interactions is carried out using our simulation framework based on tight-binding bandstructure calculations, quantum ballistic models for devices and circuit simulations in HSPICE. We show the dependence of energy dissipation in near-VTH circuits on different device parameters. Based on our analysis, we discuss the design methodology for near-VTH devices.
Stochastic Spatial Models: From Simulations to Mean Field and Local Structure Approximations

Abstract A discrete stochastic spatial model for a single species is examined. First, detailed spatial simulations are performed using stochastic cellular automata. Then, several analytic approximations are made. First, two versions of mean field theory are presented: the infinite-dispersal mean field approximation, which is a metapopulation-like model, and the local-dispersal mean field approximation, which incorporates the locality of the cellular automaton model but assumes that no spatial correlations develop in the lattice. Next, the local-dispersal mean field theory is generalised into several varieties of local structure theory, in which one assumes that groups of nearby sites in the lattice are correlated, and tracks such correlations under the action of the cellular automaton rule. Assuming such local correlations allows one to predict patch occupancy as well as the degree of clustering in the cellular automaton model much more accurately than mean field theory, especially in parameter regimes where mean field theory does poorly. Simulation and mean field theory are seen to be two opposite extremes of an entire spectrum of methods that may be used to investigate discrete spatial models.
Potential savings from splitting newer antidepressant medications

Background:The newer antidepressants are among the most commonly prescribed classes of medications. A favourable adverse effect profile and approvals for a wider range of disorders than their predecessors have fostered the growth of these drugs. However, newer antidepressants are appreciably more expensive than older medications, and the annual prescription costs of newer drugs are expected to continue to rise at double-digit rates. The price structuring of these medications is largely independent of their pill strengths, and splitting higher strength pills may reduce the average cost per dose by nearly half. Therefore, various health organisations and consumers have been using pill splitting to reduce prescription costs. Antidepressants are well suited for pill splitting because their therapeutic effects depend upon long-term alterations in neurotransmitters, and small variations in dose are not critical. Objective:To examine the potential savings for various purchasers — health organisations and consumers — that can be derived from pill splitting of newer antidepressants. Design and setting: Product review and simulation study in the US healthcare setting. Methods:All new antidepressants with pill strengths that could be halved and were not in capsular or time-release forms were included. Expenditures for purchasers of these pills were calculated using a variety of factors, such as the level of discounting of official average wholesale costs, average retail costs and the site of prescription dispensing. Results: Seven antidepressants were included. In 2000, 42% of the pills of these antidepressants were at strengths that permitted splitting. If all eligible prescriptions had utilised split doses, purchasers could have saved over $US1.7 billion. The bulk of the saving ($US 1.5 billion) would have been realised by pill splitting of only three medications — sertraline, paroxetine and citalopram. Discussion and conclusions:The economic rationale for pill splitting of antidepressants is compelling for both health organisations and individual consumers. The literature indicates that when pill-splitters are used or a pharmacy cuts the pills, patients are satisfied and compliance is not reduced. However, pill splitting may be inadvisable for some subgroups of patients with reduced cognition or sensory or motor impairment, or older persons on polypharmacy. Pill splitting can be facilitated by mandating manufacturers to score all tablets, requiring pharmacists to fill prescriptions for split doses, and giving pharmacists incentives for splitting pills for patients. Finally, large-scale studies should be undertaken to examine the clinical effectiveness of, and financial savings from, pill splitting.
An Examination of Strategy Implementation During Abstract Nonlinguistic Category Learning in Aphasia

Purpose Our purpose was to study strategy use during nonlinguistic category learning in aphasia. Method Twelve control participants without aphasia and 53 participants with aphasia (PWA) completed a computerized feedback-based category learning task consisting of training and testing phases. Accuracy rates of categorization in testing phases were calculated. To evaluate strategy use, strategy analyses were conducted over training and testing phases. Participant data were compared with model data that simulated complex multi-cue, single feature, and random pattern strategies. Learning success and strategy use were evaluated within the context of standardized cognitive–linguistic assessments. Results Categorization accuracy was higher among control participants than among PWA. The majority of control participants implemented suboptimal or optimal multi-cue and single-feature strategies by testing phases of the experiment. In contrast, a large subgroup of PWA implemented random patterns, or no strategy, duri...
Strength Training in Older Adults: Changes in Mechanical Muscle Function And Functional Performance

Aging is associated with a loss of skeletal muscle mass, increase in intramuscular fat and neural changes which result in reduced mechanical muscle function and impaired functional performance. Rapid mechanical muscle function (i.e. muscle power, rate of force development) and power-based time-constrained functional motor tasks such as reversing an impending fall are more affected by aging than muscle strength and strength-based functional motor tasks. Strength training has been consistently effective to reduce neuromuscular deterioration even at very old age by evoking muscle hypertrophy, muscle strength and neural improvements, although changes in muscle power have not always been observed. Power training, a novel type of strength training has recently been shown to be highly effective and potentially superior to traditional strength training for muscle power and functional performance improvements.
Moving across boundaries: migration in South Africa, 1950-2000.

Existing knowledge about historical patterns of black internal migration in South Africa is incomplete, primarily because of the lack of good life course studies as well as the apartheid government’s suppression and censoring of data. This article provides a comprehensive picture of historical internal migration patterns with an analysis of a unique individual retrospective life history data set. This sample of the black population, collected in 2000, is the only known nationally representative life history data for South Africa; it includes all residential moves for each individual during his/her lifetime. Various mobility outcomes are analyzed: moves within/across provinces, moves within/across rural and urban areas, forced moves, moves with a nuclear family, and individual moves. The results indicate that migration significantly increased among black South Africans during the last half of the twentieth century, and that this increase began before the Pass Laws were repealed in 1986 and well before the official end of apartheid in 1991 or the first free election in 1994. The timing of this increase in migration rates suggests that migration in defiance of the Pass Laws (albeit a dangerous and desperate proposition) was a way of life for many black South Africans.
Counterfactuals and the applications of mathematics

It has been argued that the attempt to meet indispensability arguments for realism in mathematics, by appeal to counterfactual statements, presupposes a view of mathematical modality according to which even though mathematical entities do not exist, they might have existed. But I have sought to defend this controversial view of mathematical modality from various objections derived from the fact that the existence or nonexistence of mathematical objects makes no difference to the arrangement of concrete objects. This defense of the controversial view of mathematical modality obviously falls far short of a full endorsement of the counterfactual approach, but I hope my remarks may serve to help keep such an approach a live option.
Laparoscopic splenopexy for wandering spleen: extraperitoneal pocket splenopexy

Wandering spleen is a very rare disease. It is a very dangerous condition due to the risk of splenic ischemia from persistent pedicle torsion. Here, we describe a case of wandering spleen diagnosed by ultrasound and computed tomography scans in an 11-year-old boy who suffered from frequent urination and enuresis. A laparoscopic splenopexy was successfully performed with fixation of the spleen in an extraperitoneal pocket. Since the operation, the organ has remained in place with good perfusion. The details of the procedure are described.
Purification and Characterization of a Nitric-oxide Synthase from Rat Liver Mitochondria *

Abstract The biosynthesis of nitric oxide (NO⋅) in different cell types occurs concomitantly with the conversion ofl-arginine to l-citrulline by the enzyme nitric-oxide synthase (NOS). NO⋅ has been identified as a major participant in a number of basic physiological functions such as neurotransmission, vasodilation, and immune response. At the subcellular level, mitochondria have been identified as targets for NO⋅; however, to date, no unambiguous evidence has been presented to identify these organelles as sources of NO⋅. In this study, a NOS was isolated to homogeneity from Percoll-purified rat liver mitochondria. Kinetic parameters, molecular weight, requirement of cofactors, and cross-reactivity to monoclonal antibodies against macrophage NOS suggest similarities to the inducible form. However, the constitutive expression of the mitochondrial enzyme and its main membrane localization indicate the presence of either a distinctive isoform or a macrophage isoform containing posttranslational modifications that lead to different subcellular compartments. The detection of NADPH-oxidizing activities and a production of superoxide anion catalyzed by mtNOS and recombinant cytochrome P450reductase were consistent with the sequence homology reported for these two proteins. Given the role of NO⋅ as cellular transmitter, messenger, or regulator, the presence of a functionally active mitochondrial NOS may have important implications for the intermediary metabolism.
Rarity of luxotonic responses in cortical visual areas of the cat

Neuronal responses to continuous, diffuse white light or darkness were studied in cortical visual areas 17, 18, 19 and Clare-Bishop of the unanesthetized cat. In contrast to squirrel monkeys and macaques in which about 40 or 25% of the units in striate cortex are luxotonic (response to continuous light or darkness sustained>2.0 min), all of the visual areas in the cat had fewer than 4.0% of the units exhibiting such luxotonic activity. The functional basis of this difference may be related to differences between the two species in the quantitative balance of antagonistic receptive field properties.
Making remote manipulators easy to use

Perhaps the most basic barrier to the widespread deployment of remote manipulators is that they are very difficult to use. Remote manual operations are fatiguing and tedious, while fully autonomous systems are seldom able to function in changing and unstructured environments. An alternative approach to these extremes is to exploit computer control while leaving the operator in the loop to take advantage of the operator's perceptual and decision-making capabilities. This paper describes research that is enabling gradual introduction of computer control and decision making into operator-supervised robotic manipulation systems.
SPATIAL EFFECTS OF TRADE POLICY: EVIDENCE FROM BRAZIL*

ABSTRACT Does trade policy shape a country's internal economic geography? Empirical evidence on the spatial effects of trade policy in developing countries is limited. This paper contributes to this literature by looking at the experience of Brazil over the 1990s. In particular, an econometric analysis of the determinants of industrial location using data on regional manufacturing employment as well as data on several region and industry characteristics over the period 1990–1998 is performed. Estimation results suggest that trade openness favored location in states closer to the largest neighbor trading partner and that this effect increased through the end of the 1990s.
The influence of socio-economic characteristics on the political attitudes of American Indians

Abstract We examine the political attitudes of American Indians in eastern Oklahoma where they make up almost 20% of the population. We argue that American Indians in the region play the same role that other minorities in the southern states—notably blacks and Hispanics—do in resisting the region's realignment from the Democratic to the Republican Party. American Indians in the region are populists in that they are economically liberal and religiously conservative. The results of our analysis suggest that the socio-economic characteristics of American Indians play a greater role in explaining American Indians’ political attitudes than their ethnic identification.
Interobserver and interstudy variability of myocardial blood flow and flow-reserve measurements with nitrogen 13 ammonia-labeled positron emission tomography.

Experimental studies have shown that positron emission tomography (PET) with 13N-labeled ammonia provides accurate quantification of regional myocardial blood flow (MBF) under rest and stress conditions. To establish the clinical utility of this method, the interobserver variability and the temporal variability of serial measurements of blood flow and coronary flow reserve (CFR) must be known. This study investigated the interobserver and temporal reproducibility of 13N-labeled PET for measurement of MBF and CFR. Initial and follow-up 13N-labeled ammonia PET studies were performed at rest and during adenosine infusion in six normal volunteers and six patients with stable coronary artery disease. Two investigators analyzed dynamically acquired data from the initial studies and one investigator analyzed the follow-up studies. Time-activity curves of tissue tracer activity were derived by a semiautomated sampling routine. A three-compartment model and curve-fitting algorithm were used to determine estimates of MBF in five myocardial regions. The interobserver correlations for MBF and CFR were excellent (r=0.96 and 0.93, respectively). The interstudy correlation was good for rest and stress MBF (r=0.87). The estimates of CFR on the initial and follow-up studies demonstrated a fair correlation (r=0.72). For individual myocardial regions, there was considerable interstudy variability of stress MBF and CFR, with a mean percent difference for CFR of 19%±19% in normal volunteers and 38%±16% in patients with coronary disease. In normal subjects, regional CFR was highly reproducible (95%) when the values were defined as either normal (≥2.5) or reduced (<2.5). The interobserver of reproducibility of 13N-labeled ammonia PET estimates of regional MBF was excellent. The temporal reproducibility of MBF and CFR was fair, with individual regions demonstrating substantial interstudy variability.
Rocket altitude atmospheric X-rays from magnetospheric electrons at low and middle latitudes

Abstract Like auroral electrons, quasitrapped magnetospheric electrons mirroring in the upper atmosphere at low and middle latitudes will generate X-rays by the bremsstrahlung and K α line excitation processes. These atmospheric X-rays may contribute a diffuse background to rocket-borne astronomy experiments launched from White Sands, New Mexico and Kauai, Hawaii. Calculations of the atmospheric X-ray spectrum at these launch sites based on observations of quasitrapped electrons indicate that this locally generated flux is comparable to the reported soft X-ray flux below a few keV.
Intelligent computer-aided instruction for the coding task

Abstract This paper describes an intelligent computer-aided instruction (ICAI) system for the task of translating a high level program design language (PDL) into a programming language. It enforces the desirable separation of algorithm design and coding by focusing on coding as an independent task. A production system formalism is used to represent the rules needed to do the translation. The intelligent tutor program presents a PDL program to the learner and then uses the production rules to translate it into FORTRAN 77, saving the correct set of rules needed. It then inputs the learner's translation, and when it is not correct, it attempts to determine those rules not applied correctly. After isolating an error, it is capable of several response levels which give the learner maximum opportunity to discover her his own error. These responses involve the generation of remedial PDL programs which highlight the rule that has presented difficulty to the learner. Finally, methods of incorporating the ICAI system into a beginning Computer Science course are presented.
Preparation and properties of resistive films

Abstract The results os of a systematic study of the resistivity of some metal-silicon (with metals such as cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, nickel, titanium and tungsten and metal-insulator (with metals such as aluminum, chromium, nickel and titanium) films are reported as a function of the fraction of metal in the film composition. All the materials were made by the electron beam evaporation process, using either dual-electron-beam or reactive evaporation (for AlAl 2 O 3 and SnSnO 2 films). A variation of almost three orders of magnitude in resistivity was obtained by changing the composition of some of these films. The SnSnO 2 films, made by reactive evaporation, have an advantage in fabrication in not having a strong dependence of resistivity on composition, thereby relaxing the requirements on the control of oxygen pressure during deposition. Therefore, it is the preferred choice for resistive ribbon application.
Integrated research on disaster risk: Is it really integrated?

This paper traces the development of peer-reviewed, integrated research on disaster risk over the past fifteen years to assess the current state of knowledge. We define integrated research as those studies that engage multiple scales, stakeholders, knowledge (scientific to indigenous), disciplines, and methods. Using 39 peer-reviewed academic English-language journals as the basis of our analysis, we conducted both a content analysis and a bibliometric analysis on the characteristics of the research: disciplinarity, knowledge, place and scale, stakeholder involvement, and policy applications as well as the integration across these traits. While integrated disaster risk research has made great strides over the past 15 years, much of it is still discipline or multi-discipline centric and largely produced by North American and European scholars. The co-production of knowledge is limited and implementation gaps between research and practice persist.
Synthesis of 13C‐labelled and doubly labelled (13C, 2H) 1, 2, 3‐thiadiazoles. Precursors to isotopically labelled thiirenes

The incorporation of carbon-13 and deuterium in the 1, 2, 3-thiadiazole framework is described.
One-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equation: a nonlinear dynamical approach

We have studied a time-independent nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation of the tight-binding form on a one-dimensional lattice. The real and complex wave functions as solutions to the equation are considered separately for different physical problems. For each case, an area-preserving map for the discrete nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation is introduced and analyzed. The bounded solutions can be organized in hierarchies composed of periodic, quasiperiodic, as well as chaotic orbits on the phase plane of the nonlinear map. A ``stability-zone'' diagram, where the bounded orbits exist, is displayed in the parameter space, serving as ``phase diagram'' of the nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation under appropriate boundary conditions. Studies of the stability zone yield useful information for the physical problems considered. The periodic orbits and their stabilities can be obtained by a convergent perturbation method. Finally, we remark on several physical problems where these results might be applicable. In particular, we discuss the stabilities of the large polaron solution in the Holstein model.
Optimal Programming of Lot Sizes, Inventories and Labor Allocations---A Comment

In a recent article in this journal, B. P. Dzielinski and R. E. Gomory [Dzielinski, B. P., R. E. Gomory. 1965. Optimal programming of lot sizes, inventory and labor allocations. Management Sci.119, July 874--890.] discussed the use of the Dantzig-Wolfe decomposition principle to accomplish a reduction in the large number of constraints appearing in the linear programming tableau. A comment is included on the maximum number of fractional solutions, i.e. the solutions specifying that items are to be manufactured according to two or more production plan sequences. The interpretation of such solutions in terms of the physical situation requires special attention and treatment on the part of the analyst.
Farming Practices and Livelihood of the Coastal People of Bangladesh

The present study was designed to assess the farming patterns and farmers’ livelihood in coastal regions of Bangladesh. Three coastal districts namely, Khulna, Satkhira and Bagerhat located in the southwest of Bangladesh were selected to conduct the study. Fifty shrimp farmers from each district (a total of 150 farmers) were selected for necessary data collection on the basis of farm size category (i.e., small, medium and large) following stratified random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics like sum, average, percentages, etc. were derived and calculated for analyzing the data. It was found that the farming system of coastal region was mainly shrimp based. The amount of land devoted to agricultural crop cultivation was declined due to shrimp cultivation for all categories of farmers. Number of livestock except poultry and duck was decreasing due to shortage of feed. Native fish species in fresh and open water bodies were also disappearing gradually. Lower crop production was observed through surveyed region due to lower productivity of land caused by salinity. However, shrimp cultivation opened up new avenues for employment for the local people especially for women. Small farmers get higher proportion of income (75.0% of total farm income) from shrimp farming than medium (67.4%) and large farmers (73.6%). On an average, farmers’ income was increased which enhanced overall socioeconomic condition and livelihood status. In spite of various adverse impacts of shrimp farming, it can be recommended that proper planning, regulation and motivation of the farmers are needed to develop an environment friendly shrimp farming as well as to maintain sustainable agricultural production practices in the coastal regions of Bangladesh. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v24i1-2.19177 Progress. Agric. 24(1&2): 251 - 262, 2013
Determination of total mercury in sediments by furnace combustion and plasma emission spectrometry

Abstract A technique for estimating nanogram quantities of mercury in sediment samples is described. Samples are heated at 870°C in an oxygen atmosphere, and the released mercury is collected on a gold-coated glass bead trap. The trap is then heated to 500°C in a helium stream; mercury is swept through a d.c. discharge cell and measured by emission spectrometry. Recoveries of mercury added to sediment samples were quantitative. Comparison of five separate samples by the proposed method and by a conventional cold-vapor atomic absorption technique showed similar results. The proposed method gives linear calibration plots up to 1700 ng Hg; the detection limit is 10 ng Hg, so that the sensitivity is 0.005 ppm for a 2.0-g sample.
Comment on "Extreme electrostatic phenomena in a single sonoluminescing bubble"

A Comment on the Letter by Xu, Wang, and Hu, Phys.Rev.Lett.83, 2441 (1999). The authors of the Letter offer a Reply.
Infant Mortality and Living Standards of English Workers During the Industrial Revolution

Infant mortality data gathered from the registers of nine parishes in the industrial North of England are used as a concrete indicator of living standards for the early nineteenth century. Rising infant mortality in the sample parishes provides evidence that the standard of living was not improving substantially in these towns up to midcentury. This conclusion remains after considering the effect on mortality of population growth climate and feeding practices. (EXCERPT)
Dideuteroacetylene bands in the 2-2.5 and 5-10 micron regions

Abstract Improved measurements of the 12C2D2 bands occurring in the 2–2.5 μ and 5–10 μ regions are reported. An internally consistent set of molecular constants that best represents all the available experimental data on the infrared bands of this molecule was determined with the aid of a computer program written for this purpose.