cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is human atrial fibrillation stochastic or deterministic?-Insights from missing ordinal patterns and causal entropy-complexity plane analysis.

The mechanism of atrial fibrillation (AF) maintenance in humans is yet to be determined. It remains controversial whether cardiac fibrillatory dynamics are the result of a deterministic or a stochastic process. Traditional methods to differentiate deterministic from stochastic processes have several limitations and are not reliably applied to short and noisy data obtained during clinical studies. The appearance of missing ordinal patterns (MOPs) using the Bandt-Pompe (BP) symbolization is indicative of deterministic dynamics and is robust to brief time series and experimental noise. Our aim was to evaluate whether human AF dynamics is the result of a stochastic or a deterministic process. We used 38 intracardiac atrial electrograms during AF from the coronary sinus of 10 patients undergoing catheter ablation of AF. We extracted the intervals between consecutive atrial depolarizations (AA interval) and converted the AA interval time series to their BP symbolic representation (embedding dimension 5, time delay 1). We generated 40 iterative amplitude-adjusted, Fourier-transform (IAAFT) surrogate data for each of the AA time series. IAAFT surrogates have the same frequency spectrum, autocorrelation, and probability distribution with the original time series. Using the BP symbolization, we compared the number of MOPs and the rate of MOP decay in the first 1000 timepoints of the original time series with that of the surrogate data. We calculated permutation entropy and permutation statistical complexity and represented each time series on the causal entropy-complexity plane. We demonstrated that (a) the number of MOPs in human AF is significantly higher compared to the surrogate data (2.7 ± 1.18 vs. 0.39 ± 0.28, p < 0.001); (b) the median rate of MOP decay in human AF was significantly lower compared with the surrogate data (6.58 × 10-3 vs. 7.79 × 10-3, p < 0.001); and (c) 81.6% of the individual recordings had a rate of decay lower than the 95% confidence intervals of their corresponding surrogates. On the causal entropy-complexity plane, human AF lay on the deterministic part of the plane that was located above the trajectory of fractional Brownian motion with different Hurst exponents on the plane. This analysis demonstrates that human AF dynamics does not arise from a rescaled linear stochastic process or a fractional noise, but either a deterministic or a nonlinear stochastic process. Our results justify the development and application of mathematical analysis and modeling tools to enable predictive control of human AF.
ADC common noise correction and zero suppression in the PIBETA detector

We describe a simple procedure for reducing ADC common noise in modular detectors that does not require additional hardware. A method using detector noise groups should work well for modular particle detectors such as segmented electromagnetic calorimeters, plastic scintillator hodoscopes, cathode strip wire chambers, segmented active targets, and the like. We demonstrate a ``second pedestal noise correction'' method by comparing representative ADC pedestal spectra for various elements of the PIBETA detector before and after the applied correction.
Physical vapor deposition of the halide perovskite CsBi2Br7

In cesium bismuth bromides comprising [BiBr6]3− octahedra, the octahedra behave as quantum dots and their interactions can be manipulated by tailoring their connectedness (e.g., corner-sharing, edge-sharing, or unconnected). Of the four compounds reported, CsBi2Br7, CsBiBr4, Cs3Bi2Br9, and Cs3BiBr6, there is only one publication each on CsBi2Br7 and CsBiBr4. Here, we synthesize CsBi2Br7 and attempt to synthesize CsBiBr4 using co-evaporation of CsBr and BiBr3 where the precursor fluxes are controlled precisely. The structure, composition, morphology, and optical properties of the films are characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, Raman scattering, and optical absorption as a function of time from hours to several months. When the CsBr:BiBr3 flux ratio is 1:2, CsBi2Br7 forms but its XRD, Raman spectrum, and morphology change with time. CsBi2Br7 is ultimately unstable with respect to dissociation into Cs3Bi2Br9 and BiBr3 over a time period of weeks. Its optical absorption shows a peak at 407 nm, between that of Cs3Bi2Br9 at 435 nm and Cs3BiBr6 at 386 nm, indicating that the interactions between the [BiBr6]3− octahedra in CsBi2Br7 is between those in Cs3Bi2Br9, where the octahedra share corners, and Cs3BiBr6, where the octahedra are not connected. When the CsBr:BiBr3 flux ratio is maintained at 1:1 to form CsBiBr4, the XRD of the resulting film is consistent with a mixture of Cs3Bi2Br9 and CsBi2Br7 suggesting that CsBiBr4, if it exists and forms, is also unstable. We see remarkable fluidity and mobility of matter in the film with tens of micrometer size crystals growing or disappearing in thermodynamically frustrated films even at room temperature over a period of days to weeks.
Integrated associations of nasopharyngeal and serum metabolome with bronchiolitis severity and asthma: A multicenter prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND While infant bronchiolitis contributes to substantial acute (eg, severity) and chronic (eg, asthma development) morbidities, its pathobiology remains uncertain. We examined the integrated relationships of local (nasopharyngeal) and systemic (serum) responses with bronchiolitis morbidities. METHODS In a multicenter prospective cohort study of infants hospitalized for bronchiolitis, we applied a network analysis approach to identify distinct networks (modules)-clusters of densely interconnected metabolites-of the nasopharyngeal and serum metabolome. We examined their individual and integrated relationships with acute severity (defined by positive pressure ventilation [PPV] use) and asthma development by age 5 years. RESULTS In 140 infants, we identified 285 nasopharyngeal and 639 serum metabolites. Network analysis revealed 7 nasopharyngeal and 8 serum modules. At the individual module level, nasopharyngeal-amino acid, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and carnitine modules were associated with higher risk of PPV use (r > .20; P < .001), while serum-carnitine, amino acid, and glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC)/glycerophosphorylethanolamine (GPE) modules were associated with lower risk (all r < -.20; P < .05). The integrated analysis for PPV use revealed consistent findings-for example, nasopharyngeal-TCA (adjOR: 2.87, 95% CI: 1.68-12.2) and serum-GPC/GPE (adjOR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.38-0.80) modules-and an additional module-serum-glucose-alanine cycle module (adjOR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.56-0.86). With asthma risk, there were no individual associations, but there were integrated associations (eg, nasopharyngeal-carnitine module; adjOR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.11-1.99). CONCLUSION In infants with bronchiolitis, we found integrated relationships of local and systemic metabolome networks with acute and chronic morbidity. Our findings advance research into the complex interplay among respiratory viruses, local and systemic response, and disease pathobiology in infants with bronchiolitis.
Transceivers for 6G Wireless Communications: Challenges and Design Solutions

Sixth-generation (6G) wireless communication has begun to emerge to push the speed and data rate achieved in 5G by, at least, an order of magnitude, fulfilling the goal of fully scalable and adaptive wireless infrastructures with small cells interconnected through distributed base-stations and relay networks. Wireless transceivers, as the core enabling ingredient of 6G, should be able to handle tens of gigabit-per-second data rate in ways that are both power and spectrally efficient. The paper brings to the open the unmitigated shortcomings of conventional transceiver architectures for above 50 gigabit-per-second wireless applications, unfolds challenges in designing transceivers for 6G (and beyond) and provides pathways to address these impediments. Furthermore, it goes through design challenges and candidate solutions for key circuit blocks of a transceiver including front-end amplifiers, local oscillator (LO) circuit and LO distribution network, and antennas intended for frequencies above 100 GHz.
Structured Bayesian compressive sensing exploiting spatial location dependence

In this paper, we propose a novel structured compressive sensing algorithm based on non-parametric Bayesian framework for the reconstruction of sparse entries with a continuous structure. A paired spike-and-slab prior is first employed to impose signal sparsity. A logistic Gaussian kernel model, which involves the logistic model and location-dependent Gaussian kernel, is then proposed to encourage the underlying structure of a sparse signal. A closed-form and analytical posterior inference is carried out in a Gibbs sampling scheme. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms existing state-of-the-art sparse Bayesian learning algorithms.
The theoretical performance of a class of space-time adaptive detection and training strategies for airborne radar

First generation airborne radar systems were non-adaptive, performing such operations as moving target indication (MTI), synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging, and displaced phased center array (DPCA) data processing. In most cases the processing was separate in space and time (Doppler). Optimal joint space-time adaptive processing (STAP) methods for target detection and parameter estimation have been known for years but were computationally infeasible. Promising hardware technologies, however, have encouraged a revisitation of these optimal methods. The efforts of the DARPA sponsored Mountaintop Program brought to the surface some of the weaknesses of these algorithms (which were derived and therefore only optimal under rather ideal assumptions rarely satisfied in the real world). We consider the theoretical performance analysis of a class of STAP detection algorithms under ideal and non-ideal conditions including target steering vector mismatch, sidelobe targets and inhomogeneities, and the impact two of the training strategies (i) sliding window with de-emphasis and (ii) power selected training. The detection algorithms considered include the classical adaptive matched filter (AMF), the generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT), and the more contemporary adaptive cosine estimator (ACE), and the 2-D adaptive sidelobe blanker (ASB).
An integrated circuit for self-routing data and voice switching

This paper describes the development of the architecture and implementation of a self-routing switch-fabric chip which accommodates packetized voice and data traffic. A prototype VLSI chip has been built in a one-micron CMOS standard cell technology. The prototype has 16 input and 4 output ports. Each port supports a data rate of 32 Mb/s. A fabric with 16 input and 16 output ports can be configured from four prototype chips. The fabric routes traffic from any input to any output port. The chip has internal memory for queuing to resolve output port contention, and is designed for use as a building block to construct larger switch fabric sizes. >
In defense of desert fishes

No finer tribute to the life’s work of W.L. Minckley could exist than this volume. For decades, ‘Minck’ and a small cadre of visionaries (like Carl Hubbs of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Bob Miller of the University of Michigan, Jim Deacon of the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, and Phil Pister of the California Department of Fish and Game) dragged attention to and knowledge of southwest desert fishes from the shadows cast by commercial or sports fishes to the light of widespread recognition of unique adaptations and remarkable diversity in unlikely habitats. As this book attests, early concerns over the demise of desert fishes under an array of human pressures blossomed into periods of discovery and activism driven heavily by the students, younger colleagues and friends of the likes of these leaders. What they began with explorations and field collections, often in the most brutal yet glorious desert country in North America, evolved in recent years into focused field and lab studies of ecology, behavior, physiology, development, genetics and evolutionary history of these fishes, and into conservation-driven “non-game” units of both Federal and State governmental agencies. If Minck were with us today, I suspect even his gruff, self-effacing facade would crack when he read what has been built on the foundation to which he contributed so much. The book begins with a Foreward by JimDeacon that sets the historic stage for what follows and includes some hints at Minckley’s influence on changing of attitudes toward and respect for vanishing native faunas. The two-part Preface begins with comments from Minckley, dated in the same month of his passing, that reflect his view of the long history and rapid demise of native fishes as well as his hope for future conservation efforts. Marsh follows with more focused examples of recent changes that emphasize the dynamism of continuing native fish declines in the face of new introductions of non-native species and expanding populations and geographic ranges of those already in the area. His statement that the book is already out of date due to such changes both understates the long-term value of this work for the future of aquatic biology and conservation in the American Southwest and his own lasting contribution by bringing this project to fruition. The body of this book comprises four chapters: Introduction (5 pp.), The Region and Its Aquatic Habitats (42 pp.), Conservation of a Vanishing biota (5 pp.), and Fishes of the Region (species accounts of native and introduced fishes; 309 pp.). These are followed by a List of Families, Genera and species of fishes treated in the book, as well as English and Spanish common names of those species. A page of Environ Biol Fish (2011) 90:207–210 DOI 10.1007/s10641-010-9729-3
Application of evolution programming for blind equalization

This paper presents an application of evolution programming (EP) for blind equalization (BE). A signal transmitted over a distorting channel needs equalization to be reproduced. BE is a good option when no training signal is available. The finite size of the source alphabet is exploited to implement a block-processing scheme based on EP for designing blind equalizers. The problem reduces to optimizing a multimodal multivariable cost function. The search is made more effective by varying a radix used to represent the species. To ensure a unique solution some constraints are used in the generation process of the offspring.
Blockwise-adaptive chosen-plaintext attack and online modes of encryption

Here, we present a generalized notion of online modes of encryption that make one call to a pseudorandom permutation per block of plaintext. This generalization, called "Canonical Form," not only allows for modes of encryption to be written in a common format, but provides for easy proofs of blockwise-adaptive chosen-plaintext (BACPA) security/insecurity. We also develop necessary and sufficient conditions for security of a mode of encryption in Canonical Form. As an application, we write ten modes of encryption in Canonical Form, and we prove the security status (under BACPA) of nine of them. While most of these modes already had proven BACPA security status in previously published papers, it is hoped the more general method specified here will be of use in writing simpler proofs for other modes, including modes of encryption yet to be developed. BACPA is a model for adversaries slightly more powerful than those in traditional chosen-plaintext attack. In particular, instead of forcing the target to encrypt messages of his/her own choosing, the attacker can insert blocks of his/her own choosing into the target's messages [JMV02]. Some modes of encryption which are secure against traditional CPA, for example the ubiquitous Cipher Block Chaining (CBC), are insecure against BACPA. Several papers have been written to explore BACPA and modes of encryption under it.
The Criminalization of Sexual Orientation: Why Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act Threatens Its Trade Benefits with the United States

In the fall of 2009, a Ugandan Minister of Parliament introduced legislation to further criminalize homosexual conduct in Uganda, which has been illegal since colonialism. This legislation would impose the death penalty on certain homosexual activity and would require citizens to report homosexual activity to the police or face jail time. Condemned by world leaders, some western governments threatened to withhold financial aid. In the United States, Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon has argued that, should the legislation become law, Uganda would be ineligible for trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). AGOA requires that beneficiary nations not engage in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights. This Note argues that sexual orientation is an internationally recognized human right and that the criminal penalties provided for in the Ugandan legislation constitute a gross violation of this right. It concludes that should the Ugandan legislation become law, Uganda would be ineligible for trade benefits under AGOA.
Functional role of auditory cortex in frequency processing and pitch perception.

Microelectrode studies in nonhuman primates and other mammals have demonstrated that many neurons in auditory cortex are excited by pure tone stimulation only when the tone's frequency lies within ...
Neighborhood Social Cohesion and Prevalence of Hypertension and Diabetes in a South Asian Population

South Asians have a high burden of cardiovascular disease compared to other racial/ethnic groups in the United States. Little has been done to evaluate how neighborhood environments may influence cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension and type 2 diabetes in this immigrant population. We evaluated the association of perceived neighborhood social cohesion with hypertension and type 2 diabetes among 906 South Asian adults who participated in the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America Study. Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for demographic, socioeconomic, psychosocial, and physiologic covariates. Subgroup analyses examined whether associations differed by gender. South Asian women living in neighborhoods with high social cohesion had 46 % reduced odds of having hypertension than those living in neighborhoods with low social cohesion (OR 0.54, 95 % CI 0.30–0.99). Future research should determine if leveraging neighborhood social cohesion prevents hypertension in South Asian women.
Patient-perceived long-term communication and swallow function following cerebellopontine angle surgery.

Objectives/Hypothesis Evaluation of long-term patient-perceived functional outcomes and quality of life (QOL) related to communication and eating with an emphasis on voice, speech production, and swallowing after cerebello-pontine angle (CPA) surgery. Study Design Prospective cross-sectional study. Methods The MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI), Voice Handicap Index (VHI), and Facial Clinimetric Evaluation (FaCE) surveys were distributed to patients who underwent CPA surgery between January 2008 and December 2010. Immediate postoperative cranial nerve function extracted from medical records was compared to long-term patient-perceived function and associated QOL. Results There was a 61% response rate with a mean postoperative period of 31.6 months (range 15–49). The presence of facial palsy in the postoperative period and the corresponding House-Brackmann (H-B) score were the strongest predictors of patient-perceived long-term function and QOL in all three domains (P < .005). Postoperative vagal palsy by comparison was not associated with long-term disturbance of voice or speech function. Postoperative dysphagia had a particularly large association with perceived long-term facial function and related QOL (P < .0005), with a smaller but significant impact on perceived swallow outcome (P < .05). After adjusting for other variables, the postoperative H-B score remained a significant predictor of perceived long-term facial and voice function and related QOL. Conclusions Patients with severe facial dysfunction following surgery to the CPA are at increased risk for long-term self-reported difficulties with communication and eating, even with improvement of vagal function. Speech and swallow therapy should therefore be provided to these patients whether or not they also have pharyngeal dysphagia or voice disturbance. Level of Evidence 2b. Laryngoscope, 124:476–480, 2014
The rate of CSF formation, resistance to reabsorption of CSF, and aperiodic analysis of the EEG following administration of flumazenil to dogs

The effects of flumazenil, a benzodiazepine antagonist, on the rate of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) formation (Vf), resistance to reabsorption of CSF (Ra) and the electroencephalogram (EEG) was determined in 12 dogs anesthetized with halothane (0.4%, end-expired) and nitrous oxide (66%, inspired) in oxygen. In six dogs the responses to flumazenil were measured during administration of midazolam (1.6 mg/kg followed by 1.25 mg.kg-1.h-1, intravenously) given along with inhalational anesthesia, whereas in the other six dogs the responses to flumazenil were measured during inhalational anesthesia without midazolam. Vf and Ra were determined using ventriculocisternal perfusion, and EEG activity was evaluated using aperiodic analysis. Flumazenil, 0.0025 and 0.16 mg/kg, was administered both when CSF pressure was normal and when CSF pressure was increased to 36-38 cmH2O by continuous infusion of mock CSF. Flumazenil produced no statistically significant change in Vf. Flumazenil did produce inconsistent and relatively small changes in Ra. Quantitative aperiodic analysis indicated changes in EEG activity only when the larger dose of flumazenil was given to dogs receiving midazolam. At normal CSF pressure the changes were consistent and were comprised of decreases in theta, alpha, and total hemispheric power. At elevated CSF pressure the changes were less consistent. It is concluded that smaller doses of flumazenil (which cause no EEG changes with the present method of analysis) and larger doses of flumazenil (which reverse midazolam-induced increase of theta and alpha activity) produce no change of Vf and no consistent change of Ra. Although flumazenil given in the presence of midazolam may increase Ra, thereby increasing CSF pressure and impairing contraction of CSF volume, this effect is not likely to be clinically important.
Factors Predictive of Acute Renal Failure in Rhabdomyolysis

• In a historical cohort study, acute renal failure developed in 16.5% of 157 patients with rhabdomyolysis over a two-year study period. Underlying clinical, laboratory, and causative factors associated with the development of acute renal failure were examined. Factors predictive of renal failure in this setting, determined by multiple logistic regression analysis, included the degree of serum creatine kinase, serum potassium, and serum phosphorus level elevation; the degree of depression of serum albumin level; and the presence of dehydration at presentation or sepsis as the underlying cause. The predictive model that was developed correctly classified 93% of subjects and was statistically validated. (Arch Intern Med1988;148:1553-1557)
Defense department payments for ‘company-financed’ R&D☆

Abstract The US Department of Defense funds a significant fraction of the in-house R&D of its defense contractors through its Independent Research and Development (IR&D) program. These IR&D funds, however, are reported as company-financed R&D in statistics compiled by the National Science Foundation. The program is most important in the aircraft industry, where we estimate that IR&D payments were 20% of the R&D reported as company-financed in 1973. Because special regulations govern the IR&D program, it would be more appropriate for most purposes to treat IR&D as part of federally-financed, not company-financed, R&D.
The occurrence of Erysiphe trifolii on Lathyrus pratensis in a foothill area of South Bohemia

The aim of small-site experiments carried out in the foothills of the Sumava Mts. was to determine the effect of the etiological agent powdery mildew (Erysiphe trifolii) on meadow peavine (Lathyrus pratensis). Over three consecutive years, we observed a whitish to greywhite soft cover of mycelium on the meadow peavine during the vegetation period. This characteristic symptom of the disease was observed on the plants during summer and autumn. In a plot trial with permanent grassland we evaluated the following management systems: i) mulched, ii) fallow, iii) mown stands, and iv) pasture stands grazed by cattle. We evaluated the total number of Lathyrus pratensis plants as well as the number of the plants attacked by Erysiphe trifolii. The three-year investigation of Lathyrus pratensis yielded statistical evidence that the most significant growth of the fungal disease was recorded in fallow stands (68.9%), while the lowest occurrence of the disease (4.4%) was found in the pasture stands grazed by cattle.
The Mechanism of Eukaryotic Translation Initiation: New Insights and Challenges

Translation initiation in eukaryotes is a highly regulated and complex stage of gene expression. It requires the action of at least 12 initiation factors, many of which are known to be the targets of regulatory pathways. Here we review our current understanding of the molecular mechanics of eukaryotic translation initiation, focusing on recent breakthroughs from in vitro and in vivo studies. We also identify important unanswered questions that will require new ideas and techniques to solve.
Thickness Dependence of Mobility in Pentacene Thin‐Film Transistors

The dependence of the field-effect mobility of organic thin-film transistors (OTFT) was measured using top-contact devices. OTFTs were fabricated by vacuum sublimation of pentacene on thermally oxidized silicon wafers to form films with nominal thickness between 2 and 25 monolayers. The deposition was carried out at a low rate and the substrate was heated in order to yield high-quality films. The results indicate that the mobility saturates when 6 monolayers of pentacene are deposited on the gate dielectric, SiO2.
The kinetics of the oxidation of aluminum-zinc alloys in oxygen at high temperature

The oxidation behavior of high-purity aluminum-zinc alloys has been studied at temperatures from 475 to 575°C in dry oxygen at a pressure of 76 Torr. The oxidation product is duplex in nature consisting of both amorphous and crystalline γ-Al2O3. The crystalline γ-Al2O3 grows as roughly cylindrical crystals of constant thickness at any given temperature and alloy content; the crystals grow into the metal from the amorphous oxide-metal interface by inward diffusion of oxygen through the overlying amorphous film. The amorphous oxide film existing between the crystals of γ-Al2O3 grows with accurately parabolic kinetics throughout the temperature and alloy composition range. The amorphous oxide existing above the crystalline phase grows at a lower rate because of the additional resistance to cation diffusion conferred by the underlying crystalline phase. Increasing the zinc content of the alloy from 0.1 to 1.0% causes a reduction in the crystal nucleation density and an increase in the radial growth rate. The presence of Zn has no effect on the growth kinetics of the amorphous oxide between the crystals of γ-Al2O3.
Constrained software synthesis for embedded applications

Abstract Embedded systems are composed of interacting hardware components such as general-purpose processors and application-specific circuits and software components that execute on the general-purpose hardware. The software component consists of application-specific routines that must deliver the required system functionality under constraints on timing and memory storage available. In this paper, we consider two main problems in the synthesis of the software component in embedded system designs: (a) generation of software and (b) conditions to ensure correct behavior of the generated software from an HDL-modeled input. Generation of embedded software requires operation linearization under constraints to ensure timely interaction with concurrent hardware. We describe our procedure to achieve constrained software generation and the utility of our approach by examples. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is substantially faster than conventional methods and yields efficient schedules for the embedded software.
Language Style Matching, Engagement, and Impasse in Negotiations

Humans and animals alike are known to mirror the behavior of both allies and opponents. However, existing models of behavior matching focus primarily on its prosocial functions. The current study explores whether both prosocial and adversarial sides of behavior matching can be found at different stages of an egoistic negotiation. In negotiations conducted over instant messenger, 64 dyads attempted to reach an agreement on four issues within 20 minutes while focusing solely on personal gain. We measured behavior matching with the language style matching (LSM) metric, which quantifies function word (e.g., pronouns, articles) similarity between partners. Although pairs with higher LSM throughout negotiations were more socially engaged, they were also less focused on the task and more likely to reach an impasse during the negotiation. Furthermore, early but not late style matching predicted more positive, socially attuned interactions. Implications for negotiation and mimicry research are discussed.
Stability of a non-orthogonal stagnation flow to three dimensional disturbances

A similarity solution for a low Mach number nonorthogonal flow impinging on a hot or cold plate is presented. For the constant density case, it is known that the stagnation point shifts in the direction of the incoming flow and that this shift increases as the angle of attack decreases. When the effects of density variations are included, a critical plate temperature exists; above this temperature the stagnation point shifts away from the incoming stream as the angle is decreased. This flow field is believed to have application to the reattachment zone of certain separated flows or to a lifting body at a high angle of attack. Finally, the stability of this nonorthogonal flow to self similar, 3-D disturbances is examined. Stability properties of the flow are given as a function of the parameters of this study; ratio of the plate temperature to that of the outer potential flow and angle of attack. In particular, it is shown that the angle of attack can be scaled out by a suitable definition of an equivalent wavenumber and temporal growth rate, and the stability problem for the nonorthogonal case is identical to the stability problem for the orthogonal case.
Experiments with scale models of oil collectors for subsea well blowouts — Part II

Abstract A previous paper of the same title indicated the feasibility of the collection of oil by an open bottom collector above a blowout with a marine riser above the collector; the whole collection system being driven by gas lift from the blowout gas. That paper was based on small-scale laboratory experiments and it identified the salient dimensionless parameters governing those experiments. This paper describes laboratory experiments on a refinement of the collection system and also describes the results of intermediate scale experiments. The length scale of these experiments was about four times greater than laboratory scale and about one-fourth of full scale. Generally, the intermediate scale results are consistent with the laboratory predictions. Furthermore, two scale-dependent parameters have been identified. The effects of these have been included in an analysis of the results.
Robust nucleation in polymer-stabilized miniemulsion polymerization

The addition of a monomer soluble polymer to an emulsion was found to slow the effects of Ostwald ripening and impart diffusional stability to the droplets. Droplet nucleation was found to be the dominant nucleation mechanism in the polymerization of these polymer-stabilized miniemulsions (as distinguished from true miniemulsions). As a result these nucleations were more robust, and the polymerizations were less sensitive to variations in the recipe or contaminants levels. This was evident in the rates of polymerization and in the particle numbers. The miniemulsion polymerizations were subjected to changes in initiator concentration, a water-phase retarder, an oil-phase inhibitor, and agitation. Particle number was found to vary with each of these factors to the powers of 0.002, 0.02, 0.0031, and −0.026, respectively. The corresponding exponents for conventional emulsion were one to two orders of magnitude greater. These results demonstrate the potential of miniemulsion polymerization to greatly reduce the variability in particle number found in conventional emulsion polymerizations. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Electromagnetic dissociation of relativistic heavy ions.

A framework is developed for the quantitative analysis of the electromagnetic dissociation of relativistic nuclei. This includes treatment of multiple excitations of the giant dipole resonance, coupled with calculations of the fragmentation probabilities in the framework of the statistical model. Experimental data on electromagnetic projectile dissociation at relativistic energies are compared to the model predictions and shown to be consistent with first-order excitation followed by statistical decay of the excited nucleus. Strategies for the search for multiple excitation processes and subsequent rare decay modes are discussed.
Heterogeneous ozonation kinetics of pollutants in wastewater

Ozonation is a technically viable wastewater treatment alternative for achieving stringent effluent limitations. Limited feasibility data have been reported in the literature on a wide range of pollutants. These data are primarily time concentration profiles for semi-batch air-ozone or oxygen ozone gas phase contacting with pollutant-water systems. These data have been evaluated and correlated where possible in correlations of a form suitable for scaleup to continuous systems. Pollutants include ammonia, phenol, styrene and cyanides.
Three mechanisms of queen elimination in swarming honey bee colonies

L'elimination d'une reine est un processus par lequel toutes les reines non accouplees et produites au cours de la scission (essaimage) de la colonie, sauf une, sont eliminees du nid parental. La figure 1 montre comment l'elimination des reines est liee au processus de scission dans une colonie typique d'abeilles. Les reines sont eliminees selon trois mecanismes : les duels reine-reine. les assassinats de reines et le depart avec l'essaim. Nous passons d'abord en revue ce qui est connu concernant chacun de ces mecanismes d'elimination. Puis nous avons utilise de nouvelles donnees provenant de colonies logees dans des ruches d'observation qui essaimaient et avons en meme temps re-analyse les donnees de la litterature pour repondre a cinq questions sur la biologie de l'elimination des reines, que nous considerons comme remarquables : (1) les roles relatifs des trois mecanismes dans le resultat de l'elimination des reines, (2) le deroulement typique des evenements dans le nid au cours de l'elimination, (3) le role joue par les ouvrieres (4) l'action de « l'aspersion » (par des matieres fecales)sur le resultat de l'elimination, (5) les differences entre les abeilles europeennes (Apis mellifera ligustica) et africaines (A. m. scutellata) dans ce processus. Les tableaux I et II decrivent les evenements qui ont eu lieu au sein des six colonies d'abeilles europeennes et des sept colonies d'abeilles africaines. Le tableau III quantifie le nombre de reines eliminees par chaque mecanisme. La figure 2 montre le deroulement des evenements. La largeur de la fleche represente le nombre de colonies qui suit le deroulement indique. Les cercles noirs et blancs indiquent pour chaque colonie l'etape finale (i.e. la reine restante qui herite du nid), a partir de laquelle on peut remonter la sequence des evenements jusqu'au depart de l'essaim primaire. Nous tirons de nos resultats les conclusions suivantes: (1) les evenements au cours de l'elimination des reines peuvent etre divises en deux series distinctes: les colonies sans duels de reines, d'ou emerge une reine qui assassine toutes ses rivales, et les colonies avec duels de reines, ou une suite tres variable d'evenements se succedent incluant le depart d'au moins un essaim secondaire (Fig. 2); (2) le mecanisme d'elimination le plus commun est le duel, mais la contribution de chaque mecanisme au resultat final depend du deroulement des evenements que suit une colonie; (3) les ouvrieres ne tuent pas les reines et ne les blessent pas serieusement, mais elles interagissent avec les reines de certaines facons qui peuvent etre couteuses pour les reines; (4) l'aspersion dans un contexte naturel aboutit a attirer les ouvrieres sur la reine aspergee; (5) les abeilles europeennes et africaines utilisent les memes mecanismes, mais des differences existent probablement dans la frequence relative de chacun d'entre eux.
The Time Course of Repeat Intimate Partner Violence

This study examines the time course of repeat victimization by assessing whether the opportunity for victim/offender contact influences the time lapse between successive incidents of intimate partner violence. Several measures of opportunity for victim/offender contact are used, including cohabitation, co-parenting, restraining order status, and victim unemployment. The study finds that some victims (i.e., those who live with the offender) are at risk of repeat victimization in a shorter period of time than other victims. However, the study yields conflicting findings about the relationship between other opportunity variables (i.e., co-parenting and victim unemployment) and the time lapse between successive incidents of intimate partner violence. Policy implications are discussed and suggestions are offered for future research on repeat intimate partner violence.
Trifocal independent periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges

The EEG of a 2 1/2-year-old female with a severe cerebral insult showed trifocal periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (TRIPLEDs). We believe this is the first such record reported. As with BIPLEDs, the physical findings associated with this EEG appear to represent a diffuse cerebral insult. The most frequent causes of BIPLEDs are diffuse anoxic encephalopathy and CNS infection. In this patient, the TRIPLEDs are apparently due to a severe anoxic insult suffered in utero. As is true with BIPLEDs, the presence of TRIPLEDs represents a poor prognosis.
Reaction force of percussive corer, rotary-friction corer, and rotary-percussive corer

Future NASA exploration missions will increasingly require sampling, in-situ analysis and possibly the return of material to Earth for laboratory analysis. To address these objective, effective and optimized drilling techniques are needed. This requires developing comprehensive tools to be able to determine analytically what takes place during the operation and what are the control parameters that can be enhanced. In this study, three types of coring techniques were studied and were identified as potential candidates for operation from a possible future Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission rover. These techniques include percussive, rotary-friction, and rotary-percussive coring. Theoretical models were developed to predict the dynamic reaction forces transmitted from these three types of corers to the robotic arms that hold them. The predicted reaction forces will then be used in a dynamic simulation environment to simulate a representative corer tool to obtain a best estimate of a tool that can be operated from a small rover. The predicted dynamic reaction forces will be presented in this paper.
Viscosity of the saturated liquid phase of three fluorinated ethanes: R152a, R143a, and R125

Data are reported for the viscosity of three saturated liquids over a temperature range from 255 K to 323 K. The liquids studied are the fluorinated compounds 1,1-difluoroethane (R152a), 1,1,1−trifluoroethane (R143a), and pentafluoroethane (R125). A capillary viscometer constructed of stainless steel and sapphire was used to obtain the data. The viscosity measurements have an expanded uncertainty of 2.4%. A free volume model of viscosity was used to correlate the data.
Impact of fellowship training on research productivity in academic neurological surgery.

Background An increasing number of neurological surgeons have sought fellowship training in recent years, and previous analyses have suggested these practitioners are more likely to pursue an academic career. Scholarly productivity is a key component in academic advancement. Objective We used the h-index to evaluate whether fellowship training impacts research productivity and whether any differences exist in scholarly output among practitioners in the various neurosurgical subspecialties. Methods Online listings from academic neurological surgery departments were used to organize faculty by academic rank and fellowship training. Using the Scopus database, we calculated the h-index for 869 full-time clinical faculty. Results Mean h-index did not differ between fellowship- and nonfellowship-trained practitioners ( h = 12.6 vs. 13.0, P = 0.96). When organized by academic rank, the difference between h-indices of those who completed fellowships was substantially greater at all ranks, with statistical significance at the associate professor rank ( P = 0.003). Upon further examination by individual subspecialties, significant differences in relative research impact were noted ( P h- index score, whereas the trauma/critical care fellowship had the lowest. Conclusion No significant difference existed between the mean h-index scores of neurological surgeons who completed fellowships and those who did not. However, when stratified by academic rank, a trend was observed showing greater mean h- index scores for those who completed fellowships. This trend persists across nearly all subspecialties. Overall, being a senior faculty member corresponds with a greater h-index score, regardless of whether a fellowship was completed.
Large eddy simulation in the ocean

Large eddy simulation (LES) is a relative newcomer to oceanography. In this review, both applications of traditional LES to oceanic flows and new oceanic LES still in an early stage of development are discussed. The survey covers LES applied to boundary layer flows, traditionally an area where LES has provided considerable insight into the physics of the flow, as well as more innovative applications, where new SGS closure schemes need to be developed. The merging of LES with large-scale models is also briefly reviewed.
Calcium Current Channels Induced by Catecholamines in Chick Embryonic Hearts Whose Fast Sodium Channels are Blocked by Tetrodotoxin or Elevated Potassium

In isolated ventricles of old (9-19 day) chick embryonic hearts made inexcitable by inactivating the fast sodium channels with either tetrodotoxin (TTX) or elevated external potassium, catecholamines induced slow electrical responses and concomitant contractions within 1-3 minutes. These slow responses had a higher threshold and propagated at a slower velocity than did the normal action potential. They were often graded and quite variable from one region of the heart to another. They were blocked by lanthanum or manganese (1 mM) and showed a dependence on the external calcium level. Strontium and barium could substitute for calcium. The slow channels were not completely inactivated when the external potassium concentration was raised until low membrane potentials of -10 to -25 mv were reached. The catecholamine-induced responses had a shape similar to that of the plateau component of the normal action potential, and cooling affected both in a similar manner. In some cases, slow responses persisted in TTX-blocked hearts even without the addition of exogenous catecholamines. Cyclic 3',5' AMP, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, theophylline, and caffeine partially mimicked the catecholamines, but usually the development of the response to these drugs was much slower. Prostaglandins, ryanodine, and acetylcholine had no effect. The order of effectiveness of the catecholamines was isoproterenol > epinephrine ≥ norepinephrine > dopamine ≥ dopa. Phenylalanine and tyrosine were ineffective. Isoproterenol produced a near-maximal effect at 5 x 10-7M. Propranolol blocked the catecholamine-induced effects. In young (2-5 day) hearts, there was no evidence that catecholamines produced a similar effect, and they did not have a positive inotropic action or an effect on the slow sodium channels. The results suggest that catecholamines quickly increase the density of divalent cation channels available in the sarcolemma of older chick hearts, thereby increasing the inward Ca2- current and influencing contraction.
John Donne's Pseudo-Martyr and the Oath of Allegiance Controversy

AbstractJohn Donne's Pseudo-Martyr (1610) makes an important contribution to the defense of King James's Oath of Allegiance through its author's careful positioning between extremists on both the Catholic and Protestant sides of the debate. Where William Barlow insists that Catholic devotion and deference to James's civil authority are incompatible, and Robert Persons argues that Catholic faith is grossly compromised by swearing James's Oath, Donne asks English recusants to pledge their loyalty to James without insisting that they change their church denomination. This delineation between public declaration and private religious belief not only distinguishes Pseudo-Martyr as an Oath of Allegiance tract, it also more closely mirrors James's attitudes toward religious controversy, as they are demonstrated in his own Apologie for the Oath of Allegiance (1607, 1609) and in the other policies he supported with regard to Scottish Presbyterians and Catholics both before and after his ascension to the English thr...
Regionalists Against Secession: The Political Economy of Territory in Advanced Democracies

Secessionism and regionalism are two alternative strategies for territorial minorities. While secessionists emphasize the right to self-determination, regionalists stress limited autonomy within an indivisible state. If voters are rational, secessionist parties will be stronger in regions that could benefit economically and politically from independence, and regionalist parties will be stronger in regions that would benefit from cultural autonomy but not independence. Statistical tests confirm that regionalist-voting territories differ systematically from secessionist-voting territories, and that regionalism can be a reaction against secessionist mobilization elsewhere.
Synthesis of Sm–Co and Sm–Co/Fe nanocrystals by reductive annealing of nanoparticles

Abstract We report here a simple route for the chemical synthesis of SmCo5 and Sm2Co17 single-phase and SmCo5/Fe composite nanocrystals by polyol reduction of metal precursors and subsequent calcium reductive annealing. Sm2O3 and Co nanoparticles were synthesized first, and nanocrystalline SmCo5 or Sm2Co17, compound with tunable composition was then obtained after the annealing. The composition of the compound was controlled by varying the initial molar ratio of the metal precursors. At room temperature, the obtained SmCo5 and Sm2Co17 show coercivity of 12 kOe and 4 kOe, and saturation magnetization of 70 emu/g and 85 emu/g, respectively. To prepare SmCo5/Fe nanocomposites, Fe, Co and Sm2O3 nanoparticles were synthesized in one-pot by polyol reduction of the metal precursors.