cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Castellans of the Plain of Poitou in the Eleventh and Twelfth Centuries

ALTHOUGH few aspects of the history of mediaeval France have been studied as extensively as the feudal and seigniorial systems, there still remain lacunae in our knowledge of their development. The scholars of the nineteenth century showed fairly clearly the origins of these institutions and their nature in the thirteenth century, but their accounts of the process of growth which lay between were largely imaginative speculations based on a few documents. Early in the twentieth century scholars like Haskins and Halphen began the meticulous study of the documents of the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth centuries. Later still Marc Bloch posed new questions and suggested fruitful methods of solving them. These pioneers have been followed by others, and we now have a number of regional studies covering all or part of this obscure period. From these works emerges a new picture of the growth of feudal and seigniorial institutions. They also show clearly that while the broad outlines of this process may be much the same throughout France there are striking regional variations. The object of this article is to examine the development of the middle echelons of the feudal hierarchy, the barons and castellans, in the central part of the county of Poitou during the eleventh and twelfth centuries. A succeeding article will attempt to illustrate this process in detail by tracing the history of the house of Lusignan during this period. Before embarking on the history of the feudal potentates of the region it is necessary to survey briefly the geographical and political structure of tenthcentury Poitou. At the close of this century the county of Poitou covered the present-day departments of Vendee, Deux-Sevres, Vienne, Charente-Maritime, and a small part of Gironde to the east of the estuary of that river. Except for the part of the department of Loire-Inferieure south of the Loire which had been lost to the count of Nantes when he expelled the Northmen who had held the region for some years, this was the territory which Charlemagne had given to his count of Poitiers. In terms of tenth-century political geography, Poitou was bounded on the west by the sea and on the north, east, and south by the counties of Nantes, Anjou, Touraine, Berry, La Marche, Limoges, Angouleme, and Bordeaux. Topographically, tenth-century Poitou consisted of the Plain of Poitou, a strip of lowland lying between the Central Massif and the Armorican Massif, and the southern part of the Armorican Massif. The southeastern part of the Armorican Massif was a true highland region known as La Gatine, while the southwestern part, now usually called Bas-Poitou, was less rugged. In the northwestern corner of the Plain of Poitou lay an extensive marshy region known as the Marais Poitevin. South of it was a fertile coastal plain bearing the regional designation of Aunis. To the south of Aunis lay Saintonge, which was geographically more closely related to the county of Angouleme than to Poitou and is not considered a part of the Poitevin plain. It is with the Plain of Poitou, especially the narrowest
Physics with taus at CDF

At high energy hadron colliders such as the Tevatron at Fermilab, the extremely high interaction rates and large background from hadronic jets make triggering on and reconstructing the decays of tau leptons to hadrons a major experimental challenge. CDF has developed techniques for tackling this problem, and this work has led to several new physics results presented herein, including a search for the charged Higgs, a search for third-generation leptoquarks, studies of the decay of the W boson to taus, and the tau decay modes of the top quark.
A far-field-viewing sensor for making analytical measurements in remote locations.

We demonstrate a far-field-viewing GRINscope sensor for making analytical measurements in remote locations. The GRINscope was fabricated by permanently affixing a micro-Gradient index (GRIN) lens o...
Results of a survey of BGM cell culture practices

Abstract Ninety-eight laboratories in 16 countries were surveyed in 1979 to determine the uniformity of methods for the assay of human viruses in BGM cells. None of the 58 responding laboratories applied identical methodology. A number of these practices were sufficiently different to assure a significant variance in liter with the assay of standardized virus samples. The results of this survey indicate a definite need for implementing uniform cell culture practices for the enumeration and identification of viruses in the environment.
A Sensitive Autoradiographic Procedure for Factor VIII-Related Antigen in Canine Plasma

A second-antibody autoradiographic technique was found to be suitable for visualization of precipitin arcs produced by the electroimmunoassay or crossed immunoelectrophoresis of factor VIII-related antigen in canine plasma. With the new autoradiographic procedure the electroimmunoassay was approximately ten times more sensitive than with the commonly used protein stain, Coomassie Blue R 250. Unlike earlier autoradiographic techniques, second-antibody autoradiography requires only commercially available reagents.
Application of MEMS to National Security Needs

Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratory with a broad spectrum of national security missions. Microsystem technology offers a number of possible solutions to national security needs that can be categorized in the areas of: • Remote sensing; • Point sensing; • Forensic investigation; • High consequence surety of devices and information. This paper will discuss sample applications within these areas and will identify new capabilities that will be needed to meet future mission challenges.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Characterization of the Global Transcriptional Responses to Different Types of DNA Damage and Disruption of Replication in Bacillus subtilis

DNA damage and perturbations in DNA replication can induce global transcriptional responses that can help organisms repair the damage and survive. RecA is known to mediate transcriptional responses to DNA damage in several bacterial species by inactivating the repressor LexA and phage repressors. To gain insight into how Bacillus subtilis responds to various types of DNA damage, we measured the effects of DNA damage and perturbations in replication on mRNA levels by using DNA microarrays. We perturbed replication either directly with p-hydroxyphenylazo-uracil (HPUra), an inhibitor of DNA polymerase, or indirectly with the DNA-damaging reagents mitomycin C (MMC) and UV irradiation. Our results indicate that the transcriptional responses to HPUra, MMC, and UV are only partially overlapping. recA is the major transcriptional regulator under all of the tested conditions, and LexA appears to directly repress the expression of 63 genes in 26 operons, including the 18 operons previously identified as LexA targets. MMC and HPUra treatments caused induction of an integrative and conjugative element (ICEBs1) and resident prophages (PBSX and SPbeta), which affected the expression of many host genes. Consistent with previous results, the induction of these mobile elements required recA. Induction of the phage appeared to require inactivation of LexA. Unrepaired UV damage and treatment with MMC also affected the expression of some of the genes that are controlled by DnaA. Furthermore, MMC treatment caused an increase in origin-proximal gene dosage. Our results indicate that different types of DNA damage have different effects on replication and on the global transcriptional profile.
Comparison of calculated and experimental convergent-beam RHEED patterns from MgO(100)

Abstract Convergent-beam RHEED patterns from the (100) face of MgO at 100 keV were calculated using the multislice method with an incident cylindrical wave. Calculated patterns were compared with energy filtered patterns collected in a modified Philips 420 TEM from air cleaved MgO. The qualitative agreement theoretical and experimental patterns was very good, but the quantitative agreement was only fair. The lack of quantitative agreement was attributed to the roughness and contamination of the surfaces used in the experiments.
Psychodynamic and Behavior Modification Approaches to the Treatment of Infantile Autism: Empirical Similarities.

In the treatment of infantile autism, behaviorists emphasize directed behavioral change while psychodynamic therapists tend to focus attention on the worker-child relationship. A review of the literature suggests that both of these aspects of intervention are important, and that both play a role in virtually all therapeutic efforts. The similarities in methods of intervention found in the work of investigators of very different theoretical persuasion raise the possibility that most treatment methods owe more to empirical clinical experience than to their presumed derivation from a theoretical model. This thesis is further examined with respect to a 50-year-old case history by Lightmer Witmer, and the work of the present writer with an 11-year-old autistic boy.
Listening/Nonverbal Communication Training

Abstract Multiculturalism increases communities' hopes of reducing racism and increasing productivity. Diversity training, however, is receiving negative criticism. Still, effective communication is viewed as critical. Thus, training in this area is encouraged. Cultural understanding and communication skills provide frameworks for developing tolerance and understanding. This study was conducted to provide more applied research to multicultural diversity with applications for business and education. Further, the purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of listening/nonverbal communication training on an individual's level of multicultural sensitivity. A statistically significant relationship was found between the listening/nonverbal communication training used in this study and multicultural sensitivity.
Outcomes evaluation for operative and nonoperative management of the abnormal mammogram

BACKGROUND: This study reviewed the outcome of women with an abnormal mammogram and no mass (n = 194). METHODS: Patients were immediately biopsied (34%) or followed up mammographically (66%). Information was collected prospectively over a 13-year period. RESULTS: Eight of those initially biopsied (12%) proved to be cancer. Of the remaining 129 patients, 20 were lost to follow-up, leaving 109 for further review. Thirty of these patients ultimately came to biopsy, with 5 (17%) proving to be cancer. Of those followed up mammographically and not biopsied, the majority (92%) of lesions either remained unchanged or resolved. The average follow-up time is 53 months. Biopsy was avoided in 51%. Of the 179 patients with follow-up information, 40 (23%) developed new lesions. Fourteen of these lesions have been biopsied, and 36% were cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Most mammographic lesions resolve or remain unchanged. Women who have a lesion on mammography are at increased risk for further mammographic abnormalities.
On the emergence of new computer technologies

This work presents a review of the development and application of computers. It traces the highlights of emergent computing technologies shaping our world. Recent trends in hardware and software deployment are chronicled as well as their impact on various segments of the society. The expectations for the future are also discussed along with security concerns. It is concluded that a major technological challenge being addressed is making information and computing power accessible anytime, anywhere and on any device. We note that worthwhile solutions will also address efficiency and security concerns.
Biological agents in management of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease associated with an imbalance between formation and resorption, leading to net loss of bone mass, loss of bone microarchitecture, and development of fractures. Bone resorption is primarily due to an activation of osteoclastogenesis and an increase in receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) expression, a cytokine involved in the final pathway of the osteoclast cycle.
Secondary Trauma Among Caregivers Who Work With Mexican and Central American Refugees

Thousands of refugees have fled Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador to escape violence, criminal victimization, and persecution as a result of the breakdown of public safety that has accompanied the rise of organized crime and drug-related violence. Many of these migrants have experienced torture, rape, abduction, forced labor, arson, and kidnapping. Caregivers and professionals who work with these refugees, including social workers, volunteers, attorneys, and advocates, have repeatedly witnessed severe trauma among refugees as the migrants recount horrific stories about their journeys. We conducted in-depth interviews with 31 individuals who have worked extensively and repeatedly with traumatized refugees. Participants completed the Secondary Traumatic Scale (STSS) and the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL)-Compassion Fatigue (CF) scale. While most participants reported signs and symptoms of secondary traumatic stress, many also demonstrated high levels of compassion satisfaction. In addition...
Necrotizing Soft-Tissue Infection: Diagnosis and Management

Necrotizing soft-tissue infections (NSTIs) are highly lethal. They are frequent enough that general and specialty physicians will likely have to be involved with the management of at least 1 patient with NSTI during their practice, but they are infrequent enough that familiarity with the disease will seldom be achieved. Establishing the diagnosis of NSTI can be the main challenge in treating patients with NSTI, and knowledge of all available tools is key for early and accurate diagnosis. The laboratory risk indicator for necrotizing fasciitis score can be helpful for distinguishing between cases of cellulitis, which should respond to medical management alone, and NSTI, which requires operative debridement in addition to antimicrobial therapy. Imaging studies are less helpful. The mainstay of treatment is early and complete surgical debridement, combined with antimicrobial therapy, close monitoring, and physiologic support. Novel therapeutic strategies, including hyperbaric oxygen and intravenous immunoglobulin, have been described, but their effect is controversial. Identification of patients at high risk of mortality is essential for selection of patients that may benefit from future novel treatments and for development and comparison of future trials.
Pharmacokinetics of Interstitial Delivery of Carmustine, 4-Hydroperoxycyclophosphamide, and Paclitaxel from a Biodegradable Polymer Implant in the Monkey Brain

Abstract Polymeric interstitial chemotherapy increases survival of humans with recurrent gliomas and animals with transplanted tumors in the brain, but the relationship between rates of drug release from polymer implants and drug concentration in brain tissue is unknown. This work presents a pharmacokinetic framework for application of this new modality of chemotherapy delivery in primates. Either [3H]carmustine, 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4-HC), or paclitaxel was encapsulated in a polyanhydride pellet (28–41 µCi/animal, 40 mg/animal), which was implanted intracranially in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis); (n = 17) for up to 30 days. Drug concentrations in the brain, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid were measured by quantitative autoradiography, TLC, and scintillation counting. High drug concentrations (0.5–3.5 mm for carmustine, 0.3–0.4 mm for 4-HC, and 0.2–1.0 mm for paclitaxel) were measured within the first 3 mm from the polymer implant; significant (0.4 µm for carmustine, 3 µm for 4-HC, and 0.6 µm for paclitaxel) concentrations were measured up to ∼5 cm from the implant as long as 30 days after implantation. Pharmacokinetic analysis indicated that tissue exposure to carmustine area under concentration-time curve achieved by polymeric delivery was 4–1200 times higher than that produced by i.v. administration of a higher dose.
Extending preimplantation genetic diagnosis: the ethical debate Ethical issues in new uses of preimplantation genetic diagnosis

The use of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to screen embryos for aneuploidy and genetic disease is growing. New uses of PGD have been reported in the past year for screening embryos for susceptibility to cancer, for late-onset diseases, for HLA-matching for existing children, and for gender. These extensions have raised questions about their ethical acceptability and the adequacy of regulatory structures to review new uses. This article describes current and likely future uses of PGD, and then analyses the ethical issues posed by new uses of PGD to screen embryos for susceptibility and late-onset conditions, for HLA-matching for tissue donation to an existing child, and for gender selection. It also addresses ethical issues that would arise in more speculative scenarios of selecting embryos for hearing ability or sexual orientation. The article concludes that except for sex selection of the first child, most current extensions of PGD are ethically acceptable, and provides a framework for evaluating future extensions for nonmedical purposes that are still speculative.
First Reports of Human Rotavirus G8P[4] Gastroenteritis in the United States

In 2009, three children were hospitalized in Rochester, NY, with sequence-confirmed G8P[4] rotavirus gastroenteritis—the first U.S. detection of this uncommon strain more typically found in Africa. Continued monitoring of G8P[4] and other rotavirus genotypes not represented in current vaccines is essential to assess whether vaccination will result in an increase in prevalence of these strains.
Kinetic study and mathematical modeling of methanogenesis of acetate using pure cultures of methanogens

Kinetics of methanogenesis from acetate was studied using pure cultures of Methanosarcina barkeri and Methanosarcina mazei. Methane formation was found to be associated with cell growth. Nearly equimolar methane was produced from acetate during the methanogenic growth, and about 1.94 g of cells were formed from each mole of acetate consumed. Cell growth can be estimated from methane production. Significant substrate inhibition was found when acetate concentration was higher than 0.12 M. Among the three methanogenic strains studied, M. mazei strain S6 had the highest specific growth rate at all acetate concentrations studied and was least sensitive to environmental factors investigated (e.g., acetate concentration). The maximum specific growth rate found for strain S6 was 0.022 hr(-1) at acetic acid concentration around 7 g/L. The other two strains studied were M. barkeri strain 227 and strain MS. Growth of M. barkeri was completely inhibited at sodium acetate concentrations higher than 0.24 M. The maximum specific growth rate found for strains 227 and MS was 0.019 and 0.021 h(-1) at acetic acid concentrations of 3.6 and 6.8 g/L, respectively. A kinetic model with substrate inhibition was developed and can be used to simulate the methane formation from M. mazei strain S6 grown on acetate at 35 degrees C, pH 7.
Network synthesis through data-driven growth and decay

Abstract An algorithm for addition and deletion (ADDEL) of resources during learning is developed to achieve two goals: (1) to find feed-forward multilayer networks that are as small as possible, (2) to find an appropriate structure for such small networks. These goals are accomplished by operating alternately between an adding phase and a deleting phase while learning the given input-output associations. The adding phase develops a crude structure by filling in resources (connections, units and layers) at a virtual multilayer network with a maximum of L possible layers. The deleting phase then removes any unnecessary connections to obtain a refined structure. The additions and deletions are done based on a sensitivity measure and a corresponding probability rule so that only the synapses which are most effective in reducing the output error are preserved. A generalization error estimated from a validation set is used to control the alternation between the two learning phases and the termination of learning. Simulations, including handwritten digit recognition, demonstrate that the algorithm is effective in finding an appropriate network structure for a small network which can generalize well. The algorithm is used to investigate when the size of a network is important for generalization. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.
School Discipline and Security: Fair for All Students?

Prior research finds that racial and ethnic minority students are more likely than White students to receive school punishments, yet little prior research considers students' perceptions of the fai...
Multistage Helical Flux Compression Generator Non-Explosive Test Bed

Helical flux compression generators of small dimensions have been shown to produce energy output around 3 kJ into an inductive load. Adding a fuse opening switch has allowed us to produce 300 kV into a 15 Ohm load. We are investigating inductive energy storage with emphasis on an electro-explosive fuse opening switch in order to improve upon previous results. We have designed and constructed a non-explosive test bed composed of two pulse forming networks (PFN). Each PFN provides a linear approximation during two different time ranges of the exponential rise response of a typical HFCG. This approach will be more cost and time effective than to drive the fuse with an explosive generator. Our initial goal will be to simulate a 15 kA HFCG unit followed by the simulation of a 50 kA HFCG.
Pathogenesis of myelin/oligodendrocyte damage in multiple sclerosis.

Substantial evidence supports autoimmune activity as the etiologic mechanism underlying multiple sclerosis (MS). Both the innate and the adaptive arms of the immune system are involved in the aberrant response to several antigens associated with the myelin sheath and oligodendrocytes (OGCs) after the activation of immune cells by self- or cross-reactive microbial pathogens. The CD4 + Th1 cell, in particular, has been implicated, but it is abetted by a variety of other cell types (CD8 + cells, B cells, macrophages, and microglia) and soluble products (proteases, cytokines, and nitric oxide [NO]) that act both outside of and within the CNS. This review describes recent and salient findings from animal models and human clinical studies that have established our current understanding of the distinct steps in the development of immune autoreactivity that culminates in the CNS lesions associated with MS.
Universal properties of random lasers

The design and fabrication of laser resonators is often difficult. However, random lasers occur in gain media with numerous scatterers and produce coherent laser emission without any predesigned cavity. The generation of coherent emission from multiple scattering is quite general and its basic principles are shown here using two model systems, namely /spl pi/-conjugated polymer films and rhodamine-TiO/sub 2/ suspensions. Above a threshold excitation intensity, both systems show narrow emission lines (<0.5 nm), coherence that is determined by photon statistics, and a fundamental cavity length in the disordered material that is revealed by averaging multiple power Fourier transform spectra.
Thermal-Aware Test Scheduling Using On-chip Temperature Sensors

With scaling of technology and increasing design sizes, thermal issues are emerging to be one of the major concerns for modern Very-Large-Scale Integration (VLSI) testing due to both increasing power densities and higher reliability requirements. However, in all existing thermal-aware test scheduling research, test schedule is computed a priori as a static schedule using an estimate of the power consumed by each test. Due to the popular peak power model and increasing process variations, estimated test power values can be far from the actual power consumption. Consequently, the thermal profile of the chip estimated during off-line scheduling can be substantially different from that during actual testing. In this paper, we propose a dynamic thermal-aware test scheduling method using on-chip temperature sensors. We first define a test architecture that supports dynamic test scheduling and then develop a scheduling algorithm. Next, we perform simulation studies on ITC’02 benchmarks. Our simulation results show that the performance of the thermal aware test scheduling can be substantially improved with the help of on-chip temperature sensors, especially for chips with many cores.
SPLIT RATINGS, BOND YIELDS, AND UNDERWRITER SPREADS

A split bond rating occurs when Moody's and Standard & Poor give different ratings to the same issue. We examine 1,277 public industrial bond issues, where 221 have split ratings, issued from 1980 through mid-1993. For split-rated industrial bonds, neither rating agency consistently gives higher ratings. Earlier studies find yields for split-rated bonds to be priced as either the higher or the lower of the ratings. We find the yields on split-rated bonds to be an average of the yields on the two ratings. Split ratings for industrial bonds appear to reflect random differences on the part of rating agencies. Our results differ from previous studies because we use a substantially larger sample and include high-yield bonds. As long as a bond has an investment-grade rating, the underwriter fees are found to be essentially the same for all rating categories. Below investment grade, the rating substantially affects the underwriter fee. Thus, split ratings for high-yield bonds have an important effect on the underwriter spread.
The approximate number system and its relation to early math achievement: Evidence from the preschool years

Humans rely on two main systems of quantification; one is nonsymbolic and involves approximate number representations (known as the approximate number system or ANS), and the other is symbolic and allows for exact calculations of number. Despite the pervasiveness of the ANS across development, recent studies with adolescents and school-aged children point to individual differences in the precision of these representations that, importantly, have been shown to relate to symbolic math competence even after controlling for general aspects of intelligence. Such findings suggest that the ANS, which humans share with nonhuman animals, interfaces specifically with a uniquely human system of formal mathematics. Other findings, however, point to a less straightforward picture, leaving open questions about the nature and ontogenetic origins of the relation between these two systems. Testing children across the preschool period, we found that ANS precision correlated with early math achievement but, critically, that this relation was nonlinear. More specifically, the correlation between ANS precision and math competence was stronger for children with lower math scores than for children with higher math scores. Taken together, our findings suggest that early-developing connections between the ANS and mathematics may be fundamentally discontinuous. Possible mechanisms underlying such nonlinearity are discussed.
Regression analysis of doubly censored failure time data with applications to AIDS studies.

Summary. In many epidemiological studies, the survival time of interest is the elapsed time between two related events, the originating event and the failure event, and the times of the occurrences of both events are right or interval censored. We discuss the regression analysis of such studies and a simple estimating equation approach is proposed under the proportional hazards model. The method can easily be implemented and does not involve any iteration among unknown parameters, as full likelihood approaches proposed in the literature do. The asymptotic properties of the proposed regression coefficient estimates are derived and an AIDS cohort study is analyzed to illustrate the proposed approach.
Regional Vp, Vs, Vp/Vs, and Poisson's ratios across earthquake source zones from Memphis, Tennessee, to St. Louis, Missouri

Models of P - and S -wave velocity, Vp/Vs ratios, Poisson's ratios, and density for the crust and upper mantle are presented along a 400-km-long profile trending from Memphis, Tennessee, to St. Louis, Missouri. The profile crosses the New Madrid seismic zone and reveals distinct regional variations in the crustal velocity structure north and south of the latitude of New Madrid. In the south near Memphis, the upper few kilometers of the crust are dominated by upper crustal sedimentary basins or graben with P -wave velocities less than 5 km/sec and S -wave velocities of about 2 km/sec. P -wave velocities of the upper and middle crust range from 6.0 to 6.5 km/sec at depths above 25 km, and corresponding S -wave velocities range from 3.5 to 3.7 km/sec. The lower crust consists of a high-velocity layer ( Vp = 7.4 km/sec; Vs ∼4.2 km/sec) that is up to 20-km thick at the latitude of New Madrid but thins to about 15 km near Memphis. To the north, beneath the western-most Illinois basin, low-velocity ( Vp < 5 km/sec; Vs < 2.3 km/sec) sedimentary basins are less than 1-km deep. The average velocities ( Vp = 6.0 km/sec; Vs = 3.5 km/sec) of the underlying, near-surface rocks argue against large thicknesses of unconsolidated or noncarbonate sediments within 50 km of the western edge of the Illinois basin. Most of the crust beneath the Illinois basin is modeled as one layer, with velocities up to 6.8 km/sec ( Vs = 3.7 km/sec) at 37-km depth. The thick, high-velocity ( Vp = 7.4 km/sec; Vs ∼4.2 km/sec) lower crustal layer thins from about 20 km near New Madrid to about 6 km beneath the western Illinois basin. Refractions from the Moho and upper mantle occur as first arrivals over distances as a great as 160 km and reveal upper mantle layering to 60 km depth. Upper mantle layers with P -wave velocities of 8.2 km/sec ( Vs = 4.5 km/sec) and 8.4 km/sec ( Vs = 4.7 km/sec) are modeled at 43 and 60 km depth, respectively. Crustal Vp/Vs ratios range between 1.74 and 1.83, and upper mantle Vp/V s ratios range from 1.78 to 1.84. Poisson's ratios range from about 0.26 to 0.33 in the crust and from about 0.27 to 0.29 in the upper mantle. Modeled average densities range from about 2.55 in the sedimentary basins to 3.43 in the upper mantle. Geophysical characteristics of the crust and upper mantle within the New Madrid seismic zone are consistent with other continental rifts, but the crustal structure of the Illinois basin is not characteristics of most continental rift settings. Seismic and gravity data suggest a buried horst near the middle of Reelfoot rift, beneath which is a vertical zone of seismicity and velocity anomalies. The relative depth of the Reelfoot rift north and south of the Reelfoot graben suggests that the rift and its bounding faults may extend eastward beneath the city of Memphis.
Bacterial Heavy Metal Resistance Systems and Possibility of Bioremediation

Bioremediation of heavy metal wastes by either bioaccumulation or by enzymatic detoxification has not as yet been put to practical use. The potential for the former has been demonstrated by a couple of biotechnology start-up companies (Brierley, et al., 1986, Brierley, et al., 1989; Darnall, 1989; Darnall, et al., 1989). For enzymatic detoxification, mercury-contaminated sludge has effectively been decontaminated at a laboratory scale (Hansen, et al., 1984; Hansen, personal communication). Here in a Symposium on Applied Biotechnology (in particular as related to problems faced by the military), I will describe the potential for these two quite different methods for bioremediation of toxic mineral wastes: firstly bioaccumulation, for which there is an applied microbiology literature but less basic science and theoretical understanding, and then the redox conversion of toxic heavy metals, for which bioremediation might be accomplished by oxidation or reduction from a more toxic form to a less toxic (or readily removed from the environment) form. These three bioconversions are reduction of Hg(II) and Hg(I) ions to metallic Hg(0), the oxidation of more toxic arsenite [As(III)] to arsenate[As(V)]; and the reduction of more toxic chromate [Cr(VI)] to less toxic and more readily removed chromium ions [Cr(III)]. Laboratory understanding of the redox processes is better developed than more applied or field development.
How Leverage Shifts and Scales a Volatility Skew: Asymptotics for Continuous and Jump Dynamics

To model leveraged investments such as leveraged ETFs, define the beta-leveraged product on a positive semimartingale S to be the stochastic exponential of beta times the stochastic logarithm of S.In various asymptotic regimes, we relate rigorously the implied volatility surfaces of the beta-leveraged product and the underlying S, via explicit shifting/scaling transformations. In particular, a family of regimes with jump risk admit a shift coefficient of -3/2, unlike the previously conjectured 1/2 shift. The 1/2, we prove, holds in a family of continuous (including fBm-driven) stochastic volatility regimes at short expiry and at small volatility-of-volatility. In another regime, which does not admit a simple spatial shifting/scaling rule, we find an expiry scaling together with a spatial transformation.
Making Historic Preservation Sustainable

Problem, research strategy, and findings: Historic preservation has the potential to serve as a constructive agent of change within the built environment and to contribute to goals of environmental, economic, and social sustainability. However, tensions between sustainability goals and preservation policy and practice are impeding opportunities to forge common ground and a shared agenda. I review the existing literature related to the preservation–-sustainability nexus and critically analyze how preservation policies and practices conflict with or support key sustainability goals of energy consumption reduction, alternative energy production, urban densification, economic development, inclusion, diversity and participation, and intergenerational equity. Key findings of this research include the need to resolve tensions between sustainability and historic preservation practice through research and data, evolving preservation policies, and aligning historic preservation with the goals of environmental, econ...
Chemical Reactions at Glass/Liquid Interfaces

Electronic structure calculations were performed on model silicate complexes in the presence of a perturbing dielectric field. Solid state dielectric effects were represented by an electrostatic representation of surrounding molecular subunits, which were developed from quantum mechanical electron density distributions. Only minor changes in the molecular geometry of the surface silicate model were noted; however, significant intramolecular charge redistribution and intermolecular interaction energy changes occur in the presence of the perturbing field. Molecular probes of surface absorption show a differential stabilization of donor and acceptor interactions for hydrogen bonding species.
Modeling and Simulation of Flight Dynamics of Supersonic Inflatable Advanced Decelerator

This paper derives the equations of motion of variable mass systems using a coordinatefree approach. These equations have been verified with simple models, and the terms originating in the steady and unsteady gas-dynamic interaction effects have been used in the modeling and simulation of the propulsive phase of the Supersonic Inflatable Advanced Decelerator when the vehicle is spinning. The variable mass terms have an effect both the translation and the rotation of the vehicle during thrust, indicating an increase in the roll rate.
Synthesis of extended nanoscale optical encoders.

An optical encoder is a device that uses an interrupted light source−sensor pair to map linear or rotational motion onto a periodic signal. Simple, inexpensive optical encoders are used for precise...
The Long Cycle in International Relations: A Markov Specification

Despite mounting empirical evidence against cycles, there is still a considerable literature in international relations supporting the claim of a Kondratieff wave in war. But the empirical evidence against cycles, however, rests on tests that are inappropriate for a nonlinear process where the cycle recurs at irregular intervals. So, the claim of a long cycle has yet to be falsified. This paper attempts to make an appropriate empirical test of the long cycle hypothesis. I specify and test the war cycle as segmented time trends under Markov assumptions. The results show that there is a cycle in war. The swings are not Kondratieffs, nor are they generated by the accumulation of random error. Instead, I find evidence for a war-price cycle of approximately 21 years duration. I conclude that most likely the war cycle reflects Kuznets rather than Kondratieff processes at work.
Do Extreme Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Affect Soil Arthropods? Ongoing Studies at the Wisconsin Test Facility

A continuing study of possible impact of extreme low-frequency electromagnetic fields (Sanguine effect) on soil arthropods was enlarged in summer 1972 to include 11 test plots and six control plots. This report analyzes mite and collembolan populations in plots that have been under investigation for at least two years. New plots, initially sampled in 1972, will be sampled again in summer 1973 to provide a time dimension, and they will be reported on subsequently. These annual censuses provide data on within-year and between-year population changes of soil microarthropods in various habitats. As in 1971, no significant differences occurred between each of four groups of arthropods in the Main test and control subplots. In 1972, statistically significant differences were observed among the microfauna in some of the other plots that were absent in 1971. In some cases the density of a group was greater in the control plot; in other cases, the density was greater in the test plot. A general feature of the population curves of all groups in test and control plots is the midsummer peak with return to spring levels by mid-September. Within-plot peak amplitude varies from one year to the next, and both chronicity and amplitude appear to be independent of a Sanguine effect and are attributable to random, natural causes. Consequently, variations in absolute numbers are less reliable than intergroup ratios and annual population curves as evidence for significant population shifts. Four-year ratios of Cryptostigmata: Collembola in Hazleton plots disclose that populations of these two most numerous groups of decomposers are remarkably parallel in test and control plots. Numerous other examples are given of between-year populational changes which, because they occur in test and control plots alike, rule out a Sanguine effect.
Asymptotic feedback stabilization of planar space multibody systems using momentum preserving controls

In this paper we discuss the feedback stabilization problem of free-flying planar multibody systems in space. Such a system exhibits nonholonomic behavior due to the conservation of its total angular momentum. A majority of the research results on stabilization of nonholonomic systems discuss discontinuous or time-varying controllers or a hybrid combination of the two. As different from prior research, the controller proposed herein is smooth and uses pure-state feedback. From a mathematical standpoint, the controller has the limitation that it cannot stabilize the system between certain initial and final configurations but from a practical standpoint this limitation is insignificant and poses no problems whatsoever. Along with the controller, we provide in this paper a rigorous mathematical proof of the stability of the closed loop system. The closed loop system suffers from a slow rate of convergence when the desired configuration of the manipulator lies in the neighborhood of the "zero-holonomy" curve but a simple modification of the controller rectifies this problem. Overall, the controller has the advantages of being smooth and time-invaraint these advantages are evident from the simulation results where the convergence is seen to be rapid in the absence of chattering. The controller also has the salient feature that it can take joint limits of the manipulator into consideration.
Analysis of Variations in the Use of Intraoperative Nerve Monitoring in Thyroid Surgery.

Importance Intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) is increasingly performed during thyroid surgery. Objective To examine the use of IONM and its association with patient demographic characteristics and surgeon volume. Design, Setting, and Participants A cross-sectional analysis used the State Inpatient Databases from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2011, to assess patient demographic characteristics and surgeon volume. Available 30-day readmission data for all adult patients (aged ≥18 years) who underwent thyroidectomy in Florida, New York, and Washington were included. Follow-up was completed on December 31, 2011, and data were analyzed from March 11, 2015, to February 17, 2016. Main Outcomes and Measures Use of IONM and incidence of postoperative vocal cord paralysis. Results A total of 17 268 patients undergoing thyroidectomy were included (20.3% men; 79.7% women; mean [SD] age, 53.0 [15.1] years), of whom 1433 patients (8.3%) had IONM. Patients who were significantly less likely to undergo IONM included black patients (185 [7.9%]; adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.79; 95% CI, 0.65-0.97) and those with Medicare (382 [8.4%]; AOR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.69-0.94) or Medicaid (125 [5.5%]; AOR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.48, 0.74) health coverage. Black patients had a higher prevalence of vocal cord paralysis compared with white patients (37 [1.6%] vs 138 [1.3%]; AOR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.11-2.43) in a multivariate model that also controlled for IONM use. Low-volume surgeons were more likely to use IONM (1199 [9.2%] vs 234 [5.5%]; AOR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.48-2.09). However, patients treated by low-volume surgeons had a higher risk for vocal cord paralysis compared with those treated by high-volume surgeons (187 [1.4%] vs 26 [0.6%]; AOR, 2.47; 95% CI, 1.61-3.80). The risk for vocal cord paralysis was not associated with the performance of IONM (AOR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.48-1.16) or the type of thyroidectomy (AOR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.75-1.44). Conclusions and Relevance Disparities in the use of IONM are based on demographic factors of the patients and surgeon volume. Intraoperative nerve monitoring appears to be used less in black patients or those with Medicare health coverage and is not associated with the risk for vocal cord paralysis.
Health-information needs of HIV-positive adults in Latin America and the Caribbean: an integrative review of the literature

An assessment of information needs is essential for care planning for patients living with chronic diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The extent to which these assessments have been conducted in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is unknown. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to identify, evaluate, and summarize what research has been conducted to examine patient perceptions of their health-information needs among adults living with HIV in LAC. Using an integrative review methodology, a literature search of six databases was conducted in April and May 2015. Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed articles published in English or Spanish that assessed the information needs of HIV-positive patients living in LAC. The quality of included articles was assessed and relevant characteristics of each article were extracted, compared, and presented. Searches returned 1885 citations, 11 of which met inclusion criteria. Studies included were conducted in 8 of 33 countries, used multiple research designs, demonstrated varying needs between populations, and found numerous unmet information needs. Information about HIV in general, methods of infection transmission, antiretroviral medications, other sexually transmitted diseases, and effective coping mechanisms were the most commonly mentioned needs. Healthcare providers were the largest and most reliable source of health information for many participants and it was emphasized that in order for health education to be effective, programs should include both individual and group components. Patients indicated that they may have difficulty processing and using information through an incorrect understanding of medications, not changing risk behaviors, and by stating that information can be overwhelming or poorly communicated. Further research on information needs is warranted so that healthcare providers and organizations may provide the information patients need to appropriately manage their health.
Quantum genetic algorithm based on Bloch coordinates of qubits and its application

A novel quantum genetic algorithm is proposed based on the Bloch coordinates of qubits. The chromosome is comprised of qubits whose Bloch coordinates comprise gene chain. The quantum chromosomes are updated by quantum rotation gates, and are mutated by quantum non-gates. For the size and direction of rotation angle of quantum rotation gates, a simple determining method is proposed. For the rotation and mutation of qubits, two new operators are constructed based on Bloch coordinates of qubits. In this algorithm, the Bloch coordinates of each qubit are regarded as three paratactic genes, each chromosome contains three gene chains, and each of gene chains represents an optimization solution, which can accelerate the convergence process for the same number of chromosomes. By two application examples of function extrema and neural network weights optimization, the simulation results show that the approach is superior to the common quantum genetic algorithm and the simple genetic algorithm in both search capability and optimization efficiency.
Modular multilevel dual active bridge DC-DC converter with ZVS and fast DC fault recovery for battery energy storage systems

This paper proposes a novel modular multilevel dual-active-bridge (MMDAB) dc-dc converter for spilt-battery energy storage system (BESS) in medium-voltage dc (MVDC) grid application. The proposed converter can be derived from conventional DAB converter and therefore exhibits favorite characteristics of galvanic isolation, inherent zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) condition and small passive components. In addition, compared to cascaded DAB converter, the proposed converter has limited dc fault current rising and fast dc fault recovery due to the leakage inductance and the kept cell energy during the fault. A new modulation method with minimal passive components requirement and low dv/dt has been proposed, and the corresponding control system is also developed to realize the power flow control and balancing control. A case study of 500 kW, 20 kHz MMDAB-based BESS is performed in simulation to validate the performance.
Other Hereditary Red Blood Cell Disorders

This chapter focuses on genetic diseases that are expressed primarily as disorders of the red blood cell (RBC), although leukocytes and platelets also can be affected. Some of these conditions cause hemolytic anemia (enzyme and membrane disorders), some are associated with impaired RBC production (hypoplastic, megaloblastic, sideroblastic, and dyserythropoietic anemias) and some, although not associated with anemia, cause clinical problems due to abnormal erythrocyte function (methemoglobinemia).
Simulation of Si-SiO/sub 2/ defect generation in CMOS chips: from atomistic structure to chip failure rates

We present a theory for Si-SiO/sub 2/ defect generation related to hydrogen activation by hot electrons. Starting from atomistic considerations, we first explain the time dependence of degradation particularly at short-times. We show that this time dependence is intimately linked to variations of activation energies. These variations are then used to develop a theory for device failure times that includes detailed considerations of enhanced latent failure rates for deep-submicron devices. With this theory, we can connect experiments of degradation at short-times to latent failure rates which are difficult to assess otherwise.