cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Control of output pattern of a photorefractive oscillator using a spatially filtered feedback

We have experimentally studied pattenr control in a unidirectional photorefractive oscillator in which a barium titanate crystal is used to provide two-wave mixing gain. The crystal is pumped with a single frequency argon laser and the cavity length is actively stabilized. The output of the photorefractive oscillator is sent to a feedback arm that consists of two mirors and two lenses. The lenses are arranged to form a 4f-system. Spatial filtering is implemented by placing a mask in the Fourier plane in the feedback arm. The relative phase difference between the feedback signal and the oscillating beam is changed with a piezoelectric translator attached to one mirror in the feedback arm. Using this contorl theme we can change the output pattern, e.g., from a Gauss-Laguerre mode to an Gauss-Hermite mode or to suppress and enhance side lobes in a pattern.
Collision-induced raman scattering by anisotropic molecules (H2, D2)☆

Abstract The collision-induced translational Raman spectra of hydrogen and deuterium are measured on an absolute intensity scale and compared with theoretical profiles based on the dipole-induced-dipole (DID) model of the pair polarizability. The DID model reproduces fairly closely the measured spectra, which are nearly fully depolarized.
Panoramic Night Vision Goggle Flight Test Results

The Panoramic Night Vision Goggle (PNVG) has begun operational test and evaluation with its 100-degree horizontal by 40-degree vertical field of view (FOV) on different aircraft and at different locations. Two configurations of the PNVG are being evaluated. The first configuration design (PNVG I) is very low in profile and fits underneath a visor. PNVG I can be retained by the pilot during ejection. This configuration is interchangeable with a day helmet mounted tracker and display through a standard universal connector. The second configuration (PNVG II) resembles the currently fielded 40-degree circular FOV Aviator Night Vision Imaging Systems (ANVIS) and is designed for non-ejection seat aircraft and ground applications. Pilots completed subjective questionnaires after each flight to compare the capability of the 100-degree horizontal by 40-degree vertical PNVG to the 40-degree circular ANVIS across different operational tasks. This paper discusses current findings and pilot feedback from the flight trials objectives of the next phase of the PNVG program are also discussed.
Dual multilevel optimization

We study the structure of dual optimization problems associated with linear constraints, bounds on the variables, and separable cost. We show how the separability of the dual cost function is related to the sparsity structure of the linear equations. As a result, techniques for ordering sparse matrices based on nested dissection or graph partitioning can be used to decompose a dual optimization problem into independent subproblems that could be solved in parallel. The performance of a multilevel implementation of the Dual Active Set algorithm is compared with CPLEX Simplex and Barrier codes using Netlib linear programming test problems.
Some characterizations of finitely specifiable implicational dependency families

Abstract Let r be a relation for the relation scheme R(A 1 ,A 2 ,…,A n ); then we define Dom(r) to be Dom r (A 1 )×Dom r (A 2 )×…×Dom r (A n ), where Dom r (A i ) for each i is the set of all i th coordinates of tuples of r. A relation s is said to be a substructure of the relation r if and only if Dom(s)∩r = s. The following theorems analogous to Tarski-Fraisse-Vaught's characterizations of universal classes are proved: (i) An implicational dependency family (ID-family) F over the relation scheme R is finitely specifiable if and only if there exists a finite number of relations r 1 ,r 2 ,…,r m for R such that r ∈ F if and only if no r i is isomorphic to a substructure of r. (ii) F is finitely specifiable if and only if there exists a natural number k such that r ∈ F whenever F contains all substructures of r with at most k elements. We shall use these characterizations to obtain a new proof for Hull's (1984) characterization of finitely specifiable ID-families.
Production Lead Time Problem: Formulation and Solution for Bernoulli Serial Lines

Abstract This paper is intended to formulate the so-called production lead time problem as the problem of throughput optimization under a constraint on production lead time. A solution is provided for serial lines with Bernoulli machines and infinite buffers. Specifically, analytical formulas are derived for raw material release rates, which guarantee the desired lead time, while maximizing the throughput. Based on this solution, a method for selecting design parameters of kanban- and CONWIP-controlled systems, which ensure the desired lead time, is provided.
Enhanced boiling of HFE-7100 dielectric liquid on porous graphite

Abstract Enhanced boiling of HFE-7100 dielectric liquid on porous graphite measuring 10 mm × 10 mm is investigated, and results are compared with those for smooth copper (Cu) of the same dimensions. Although liquid is out-gassed for hours before performing the pool boiling experiments, air entrapped in re-entrant type cavities, ranging in size from tens to hundreds of microns, not only enhanced the nucleate boiling heat transfer and the critical heat flux (CHF), but also, the mixing by the released tiny air bubbles from the porous graphite prior to boiling incipience enhanced the natural convection heat transfer by ∼19%. No temperature excursion is associated with the nucleate boiling on porous graphite, which ensues at very low surface superheat of 0.5–0.8 K. Conversely, the temperature overshoot at incipient boiling on Cu is as much as 39.2, 36.6, 34.1 and 32.8 K in 0 (saturation), 10, 20 and 30 K subcooled boiling, respectively. Nucleate boiling ensues on Cu at a surface superheat of 11.9, 10.9, 9.5 and 7.5 K in 0 (saturation), 10, 20 and 30 K subcooled boiling, respectively. The saturation nucleate boiling heat flux on porous graphite is 1700% higher than that on Cu at a surface superheat of ∼10 K and decreases exponentially with increased superheat to ∼60% higher near CHF. The CHF values of HFE-7100 on porous graphite of 31.8, 45.1, 55.9 and 66.4 W/cm2 in 0 (saturation), 10, 20 and 30 K subcooled boiling, are 60% higher and the corresponding superheats are 25% lower than those on Cu. In addition, the rate of increase in CHF with increased liquid subcooling is 50% higher than that on Cu.
1208 GALACTOSE-1-PHOSPHATE URIDYL TRANSFERASE SCREENING

Galactose-1-phosphate uridlytransferase (Gal-1-PUT) deficiency is an inborn error of metabolism transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait. Gal-1-PUT Screening was performed in all the newborns delivered at Hubbard Hospital of Meharry Medical College for an early detection of this deficiency. The appearance of fluorescent NADPH after incubating the blood spot with Gal-1-P, UDPG and NADP was used as a screening test. 2134 newborns were screened during May 1979-Sept. 1984. Three abnormal tests were detected initialy. After repeating the screening test and quantitating the Gal-1-PUT, one case of this deficiency was established. Two false positives were presumably due to insufficient blood on the spot. This patient is a full term first born male to a Black mother. Gal-1-PUT was quantitated in erythrocytes by UDPG consumption test. The patient had 1.6 units of activity, however, mother and her brother had 10.7 and 6.4 units respectively. Utilization of one micromole of UDPG per gram hemoglobin per hour is defined as one unit. Patient was placed on modified galactose free diet and successfully treated. His growth and development are within normal limits for his age. Several variants of Gal-1-PUT deficiency have been reported. The black variant of this deficiency has an extensive capacity for the galactose metabolism. Incidence of this variant is extremely rare. Identification of a black patient at our hospital, which serves a predominantly black community is an interesting observation. (Supported by Maternal and Child Health Care Grant No. 440).
Synthesis of the aglycone of 26-O-deacetyl pavoninin-5

Abstract The aglycone of 26-O-deacetyl pavoninin-5, (25R)-cholest-5-en-3β,15α,26-triol, 5a , was synthesized in 10 steps in 17% overall yield from diosgenin, 3 . Removing mercury from the Clemmensen reduction of diosgenin 3 , gave a higher yield of (25R)-cholest-5-en-3β,16β,26-triol, 4 , by a method, that is also more environmentally friendly. Attempted methods for the transposition of the C-16β hydroxyl to the 15α position are described. A successful method for this transposition via the 15α-hydroxy-16-ketone, 13 , using the Barton deoxygenation reaction on the 16-alcohol, 15 , is reported.
The deformation of a Newtonian drop in the uniaxial extensional flow of a viscoelastic liquid

Abstract The deformation of a Newtonian drop in uniaxial flow of a viscoelastic fluid is studied via numerical computations. The viscoelastic fluid is modeled using the FENE-CR constitutive theory. The computations are performed for two values of the Chilcott–Rallison extensibility parameter L2 = 144 and L2 = 600, for Deborah numbers between 0 and 2, and for several values of the concentration parameter c in the range appropriate for dilute (Boger) solutions. It is found that the deformation is always increased for the viscoelastic fluid compared to the shape in a Newtonian fluid, and that there is a viscoelastic mechanism (an `instability' of shape) that tends to produce a high curvature at the tips of the drop. The magnitude of stress gradients immediately downstream from the tip of the drop are reduced as the viscosity ratio (interior/exterior) is reduced, though the viscoelastic contribution to the drop deformation is actually increased for small viscosity ratios.
When Throughout the Year Is Coronary Death Most Likely to Occur? A 12-Year Population-Based Analysis of More Than 220 000 Cases

Background—Previous studies have suggested that there is an increase in cardiac events in the morning. Fewer data relate cardiac events to months of the year and season. Methods and Results—We anal...
Dietary Protein Requirement of Juvenile Sunshine Bass at Different Salinities

Abstract Three feeding trials were conducted to determine the dietary protein requirement of juvenile sunshine bass (Morone chrysops ♀ × M. saxatilis♂. In the first feeding trial, semipurified diets were formulated with menhaden fish meal to contain graded levels of protein ranging from 25 to 55% of dry diet. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of sunshine bass initially weighing 2.68 ± 0.09 g/fish (mean ± SD) in a closed recirculating system containing fresh water with hardness of 150 mg!L as CaCO3. At the end of 8 weeks, nonlinear least-squares regression analysis indicated that protein levels of 40.8 and 43.1% of dry diet were required for optimal growth and feed efficiency, respectively. In the second feeding trial, similar diets (30–50% protein) were fed to triplicate groups of fish initially weighing 6.45 ± 0.25 g/fish in a recirculating system containing artificial seawater at a salinity of 32‰. Growth at this salinity was severely restricted regardless of dietary protein level. Thus, after 4 we...
Giant polygons and circular graben in western Utopia basin, Mars: Exploring possible formation mechanisms

[1] Large-scale fracture systems surrounding the Utopia basin include giant polygons and circular graben. Data covering the northern Utopia basin now allow high-resolution mapping of these features in all regions of the basin. Giant polygons to the north and south of the basin are different in both size and morphology, leading to the polygon classifications (1) S-style, (2) subdued S-style, (3) northern S-style and (4) N-style. Also, ten circular graben have been identified to the north of the Utopia basin. These have generally larger diameters than southern circular graben, and their fracture morphology is similar to N-style giant polygons. As with southern circular graben, the surface relief of the depression inside the northern circular graben scales directly with diameter. However, northern circular graben have less steep trend slopes, larger average diameters and greater ring spacing compared to southern circular graben of the same diameter and similar distance to the center of the Utopia basin. Both the giant polygons and circular graben of Utopia Planitia are consistent with formation by volumetric compaction of a fine-grained sedimentary material covering an uneven buried surface. Giant polygon size variations can be explained by the material being wet to the south but frozen or partially frozen to the north, while differences between northern and southern circular graben may be attributed to changes in cover thickness. Differences in fracture morphology can be explained by subsequent alteration of the northern troughs due to polar processes.
The impact of instructional technology interventions on asian pedagogy

its birth thousands of years ago, well before Copernicus (1473-1543), Pestalozzi (1746-1827), Froebel (1782-1852), Dewey (1859-1952), and others developed their educational theories. Confucius (551-479 B.C.) influenced Asian pedagogy in the same way that Plato (428-348 B.C.) and Socrates (470-399 B.C.) influenced Western pedagogy. Confucius shaped the way education is currently practiced by well over one third of the world's total population by instilling Asian education systems with his philosophy (Beck, 2002). There are myriad lessons to learn from a system that has continued to flourish for thousands of years.
Turbulence modeling for very large-eddy simulation

An approach is described that attempts to bridge the gap between the traditional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulation and the traditional large-eddy simulation (LES). This approach affords an intermediate resolution of turbulence scales relative to those of RANS and LES and has the characteristics of the very large-eddy simulation (VLES). The very large scales of turbulence are directly calculated, and the effects of the unresolved scales are accounted for by an eddy viscosity model that is evolved from state-of-the-art models used in the RANS approach. The dependent variables and governing equations are based on a temporal filtering with a constant filter width. The contents of both resolved and unresolved scales are regulated by the width of the filter. The dependent variables and governing equations will naturally evolve from RANS to VLES and further toward LES, when the width of the temporal filter is decreased from the turbulent integral tiniescale to its fraction and all of the way toward the Taylor microtimescale. The subscale model uses a resolution control parameter, which is a function of the temporal filter width, to regulate the content of resolved/unresolved scales. This approach is called the partially resolved numerical simulation. Its mathematical formulation is described. Also, a guideline is provided for selecting the resolution control parameter and the grid spacing that optimizes the accuracy of the numerical simulation. Results from validation studies are then reported.
UV–visible absorption spectrum determination of optical energy gaps of α and β lithium nitrides

Abstract It is well known that a high pressure can induce α–β phase transformation of lithium nitride (Li 3 N). However, this work demonstrated that a reverse phase transformation of Li 3 N from β to α could occur when it was subjected to heat-treatment at 500 °C in vacuum. Furthermore, the optical properties of α and β lithium nitrides were evaluated by UV–visible spectra. The optical energy gaps ( E g ) of α and β lithium nitrides, which were determined from the derivative UV–visible spectra, are 1.81±0.01 and 2.14±0.01 eV, respectively.
Changes in body composition and physique of elite university‐level female swimmers during a competitive season

Abstract Changes in the body composition of a sample of elite university‐level female swimmers were monitored at three points during a competitive season, October, December and March. Body composition was estimated via densitometry and a series of anthropometric dimensions was taken at each occasion. Body weight, absolute and relative fatness, all six skinfolds and the calf circumference decreased, while density and lean body mass increased significantly during the period of intensive training between October and December. Changes during the second half of the season were smaller. Weight and relative fatness increased, while body density and the triceps skinfold decreased significantly between December and March. Hence, the major changes in body composition associated with swim training occurred during the early part of the season when training was intense. Most of the changes were maintained during the second half of the season. Correlations between body composition at the start of training and changes a...
From hormones to immunity: the physiology of immunology

Discoveries in the physiology of immunology have increased at an increasing rate during the past two decades. It is now recognized that the immune system is just another physiological system that regulates, and is regulated by, other physiological systems such as the brain. These advances make it clear that recent findings in genomic biology must be interpreted in the context of the environment in which animals and humans live. Lack of a strong genetic basis for significant human mental health disorders, such as major depression, points to the critical importance of interactions. Several examples of environmental x genetic x disease interactions are presented. Regulation of cells of the hematopoietic lineage by two genes that control over 80% of postnatal growth, growth hormone and IGF-I, are then highlighted. The reciprocal relationship of how proinflammatory cytokines from the immune system regulate the growth hormone/IGF-I axis is also summarized. Particular emphasis is placed upon TNFalpha-induced IGF-I resistance in neurons, muscle cells and epithelial cells. This cytokine regulation of hormone action may ultimately be more important for human and animal health than direct effects of growth hormone and IGF-I on hematopoietic cells. Wasting of AIDS patients is given as an important clinical example of how TNFalpha from an activated immune system reduces IGF-I sensitivity in multiple physiologic systems, including muscle, nervous and hematopoietic tissues.
A Robust Method for Estimating Optimal Treatment Regimes

A treatment regime is a rule that assigns a treatment, among a set of possible treatments, to a patient as a function of his/her observed characteristics, hence “personalizing” treatment to the patient. The goal is to identify the optimal treatment regime that, if followed by the entire population of patients, would lead to the best outcome on average. Given data from a clinical trial or observational study, for a single treatment decision, the optimal regime can be found by assuming a regression model for the expected outcome conditional on treatment and covariates, where, for a given set of covariates, the optimal treatment is the one that yields the most favorable expected outcome. However, treatment assignment via such a regime is suspect if the regression model is incorrectly specified. Recognizing that, even if misspecified, such a regression model defines a class of regimes, we instead consider finding the optimal regime within such a class by finding the regime the optimizes an estimator of overall population mean outcome. To take into account possible confounding in an observational study and to increase precision, we use a doubly robust augmented inverse probability weighted estimator for this purpose. Simulations and application to data from a breast cancer clinical trial demonstrate the performance of the method.
Finite Sample Properties of the Two-Step Empirical Likelihood Estimator

ABSTRACT We investigate the finite sample properties of two-step empirical likelihood (EL) estimators. These estimators are shown to have the same third-order bias properties as EL itself. The Monte Carlo study provides evidence that (i) higher order asymptotics fails to provide a good approximation in the sense that the bias of the two-step EL estimators can be substantial and sensitive to the number of moment restrictions and (ii) the two-step EL estimators may have heavy tails.
Insulin aggregation and asymmetric transport across human bronchial epithelial cell monolayers (Calu-3).

The purpose of this work was to elucidate the transport pathways of zinc insulin across the Calu-3 cell monolayer, an in vitro model of the human airway epithelium. Calu-3 cells grown in liquid-covered conditions formed a confluent monolayer with a high transepithelial electrical resistance value of 1000 +/- 150 Omega small middle dot cm(2). The cell monolayer was characterized by a low mannitol permeability of 4.7 +/- 0.5 10(-7)cm/s. Transport of zinc insulin (donor concentration 1 U/mL) in Dulbecco's modified phosphate buffer saline at 37 degrees C was found to be higher in the basolateral (BL) to apical (AP) (P(app) = 3.0 +/- 0.2 10(-8) cm/s), than in the AP to BL direction (P(app) = 0.41 +/- 0.02 10(-8) cm/s). P-glycoprotein efflux or specific enzymatic degradation did not appear to contribute toward this asymmetric transport. Insulin receptors, though apparently more abundant on the BL side than on the AP side of Calu-3 cells, did not mediate the direction-dependent transport of insulin. However, transport of a monomeric human insulin analog, Asp(B10)des(B28-30), across the Calu-3 cell monolayer was similar in both directions (BL to AP and AP to BL). The corresponding permeability, P(app) = 2.9 +/- 0.2 10(-8) cm/s, was not significantly different from the permeability of zinc insulin in the BL to AP direction. The paracellular pathway seems to play a major role in the insulin transport across the Calu-3 cell monolayers. We hypothesize that the transport of zinc insulin oligomers is restricted at the AP surface by the presence of the tight junctional complexes. From the BL side, oligomers may undergo dissociation in the intercellular space and diffuse readily as monomers to the AP surface of the membrane.
Two-dimensional barrier penetration as a model of nuclear fission

Abstract A coupled-channels method for calculating the penetration of a two-dimensional barrier of general form with variable inertial parameters is introduced and used for a barrier simulating the fission of 238 U. Mass distributions for the fission fragments are obtained in the region of the fission threshold. Transmission resonances corresponding to formation of excited states of the shape isomer are found which have an effect on the mass distribution near the resonant energies. The possibility of applying a similar model to the inverse process (heavy-ion scattering and fusion) is also discussed.
Neurophysiology: Sensing temperature without ion channels

A remarkable gel under the shark's skin enables it to locate prey-rich thermal fronts. Mammals use cold-sensitive ion channels to translate information about the temperature of their surroundings into electrical signals that are taken up by thermoreceptor nerve cells1,2. Here I investigate the thermoelectric properties of an extracellular gel removed from the electrosensors of sharks, and show that it develops significant voltages in response to tiny temperature gradients. This bulk property of the gel indicates that temperature can be translated into electrical information without the need for ion channels, a sensitivity that may help sharks to locate thermal fronts as feeding areas.
The unusual macrocycle forming thioesterase of mycolactone

Mycolactone is a polyketide natural product secreted by Mycobacterium ulcerans, the organism responsible for the tropical skin disease Buruli ulcer. The finding that this small molecule virulence factor is sufficient to reconstitute the necrotic pathology associated with Buruli ulcer suggests that a better understanding of mycolactone biosynthesis, particularly the processes which are distinct from those in human metabolism, may provide a unique avenue for the development of selective therapeutics. In the present study we have cloned, expressed, and biochemically characterized the putative macrocycle forming thioesterase for mycolactone, MLSA2 TE. We have evaluated the enzyme both as the truncated thioesterase domain and as a carrier protein-linked didomain construct. The results of these analyses distinguish MLSA2 TE from traditional fatty acid and polyketide synthase TE-domains in terms of its sequence, kinetic parameters, and susceptibility to traditional active-site directed inhibitors. These findings suggest that MLSA2 TE utilizes a unique biochemical mechanism for macrocycle formation.
Influence of changes in developed land and precipitation on hydrology of a coastal Texas watershed

Abstract Freshwater inflows, among the most important factors in the overall health of estuarine environments, can be altered both by regional climatic influences as well as changes in land use and land cover. We conduct a scenario analysis to study the individual and combined impacts of changes in land use and land cover and in precipitation patterns in a coastal Texas watershed. The watershed is one of the major sources of freshwater for the estuarine area within the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR). Our scenario analysis suggests that climatic changes are more influential than land changes at the watershed level. However, localized impacts of land change may still be significant on habitats within the NERR site. Results from our watershed-level analysis poorly agree with the recommended freshwater flows established for the region, which deserve further scrutiny. Our findings suggest that geomorphic characteristics of the streams in the watershed need to be taken into consideration in hydrological modeling. Further research on the interactions between land change and hydrological dynamics should also aim for tighter temporal integration of the two sets of processes.
Inverse, protean, and ligand-selective agonism: matters of receptor conformation

Concepts regarding the mechanisms by which drugs activate receptors to produce physiological response have progressed beyond considering the receptor as a simple on-off switch. Current evidence suggests that the idea that agonists produce only varying degrees of receptor activation is obsolete and must be reconciled with data to show that agonist efficacy has texture as well as magnitude. Thus, agonists can block system constitutive response (inverse agonists), behave as positive and inverse agonists on the same receptor (protean agonists), and differ in the stimulus pattern they produce in physiological systems (ligand-selective agonists). The molecular mechanism for this seemingly diverse array of activities is the same, namely, the selective microaffinity of ligands for different conformational states of the receptor. This paper reviews evidence for the existence of the various types of agonism and the potential therapeutic utility of different agonist types.-Kenakin, T. Inverse, protean, and ligand-selective agonism: matters of receptor conformation.
Understanding and appreciating metaphors

Abstract We consider three theories that have dominated discussions of metaphor. One view is that metaphors make comparisons, the basis for the comparison being the features (or categories) that the terms of the metaphor share. The second view is that metaphors involve an anomaly. The third view is that metaphors are ‘interactive’, producing a new way of seeing the terms. We propose a new theory—the domains-interaction view—that draws on elements of all three earlier views, but borrows especially from the interaction view. We consider the implications of our theory for three questions: What are metaphors? How are they understood? What makes a good metaphor? We argue that metaphors correlate two systems of concepts from different domains. The best metaphors involve two diverse domains (more distance between domains making for better metaphors) and close correspondence between the terms within those domains. We call the degree of correspondence within-domain similarity. Metaphors are interpreted in several stages: the terms of the metaphor are encoded; the domains involved are inferred; the structures to be seen as parallel are found; the correspondences between these structures are ‘mapped’ or constructed; the terms of the metaphor are compared. If the terms are not seen to match or occupy analogous roles in their different domains, then the metaphor may be reinterpreted. The evidence on all this is tentative but supports our view. We review two studies (Tourangeau and Sternberg, 1981) that support the hypothesis that distance within domain relates negatively to aptness, whereas distance between domains relates positively. Several studies on comprehension tend to disconfirm the comparison theory's notion that the tenor and vehicle necessarily share features. Tenor and vehicle also appear to have asymmetrical roles in the interpretive process.
New applications of Kahl's VLE analysis to engineering phase behavior calculations

Abstract Nitsche, J.M., 1992, New applications of Kahls' VLE analysis to engineering phase behavior calculations. Fluid Phase Equilibria , 78: 157-190. In a little known but profound paper, G.D. Kahl (1967) (Phys. Rev., 155: 78-80) developed a compelling argument questioning the validity of isothermal integration of the van der Waals equation between the spinodal points in accordance with Maxwell's equal-area construction. This work generalizes Kahl's approach and shows conclusively that it is entirely possible to describe vapor-liquid equilibria without lending credence to the thermodynamic properties of unstable states. The analysis is structured around a new free energy parameter Δ( T ) that allows adjustment of calculated vapor pressures without alteration of the equation of state itself, as is demonstrated using a novel modification of the Redlich-Kwong equation. The analysis opens the door to greater flexibility in using excess free energy models to devise mixing rules for equations of state. An extension of the theoretical development leads to a new type of VLE procedure whereby unrelated equations for liquid and vapor phases can be combined for essentially exact volumetric description of the pure fluids comprising a mixture. Introduction of a parameter Δ( T ) also makes it possible to formulate a conjecture explaining the apparent nonexistence of liquid-solid critical points.
Management strategies for intraprocedural coil migration during endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms

Migration of a coil during endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysm occurs in 2-6% of cases. The consequences of coil migration vary significantly from minor flow alterations of the parent artery which are asymptomatic to thromboembolic occlusion of major intracranial vessels resulting in large territory infarcts. We performed a comprehensive literature review and identified 37 reported cases of migrated coil retrieval consisting of 10 case reports and six case series. Most of the aneurysms presented with rupture (65%) and were located in the anterior circulation (70%). The endovascular treatment approaches were coil embolization alone (57%), stent-assisted coiling (26%) and balloon remodeling (17%). Endovascular retrieval was performed with microwires, the Alligator Retrieval device, Merci devices, snares and stentrievers. There was a single report of microsurgical extraction following failed endovascular removal and three cases of coil fracture in which the coil fragments were secured to the vessel walls with stents.
Delay independent stability conditions and decay estimates for time-varying functional differential equations

This paper presents sufficient delay independent conditions that guarantee stability of nonlinear time varying functional differential equations (FDE's). Estimates on the rate of decay of solutions are also obtained. >
Outcome of patients with vesicoureteral reflux after renal transplantation: the effect of pretransplantation surgery on posttransplant urinary tract infections

Abstract Objectives: We evaluated the relation of vesicoureteral reflux, pretransplant nephrectomy, and prior ureteral reimplant with respect to posttransplant urinary tract infection and graft survival. Methods: From 1984 to 1995, 820 renal transplants were performed. Thirty-six (4%) patients had documented vesicoureteral reflux. The patients were divided into three groups: Group I, N = 10 (28%) underwent ureteral reimplantation prior to transplantation; Group II, N = 8 (22%) had bilateral nephrectomy prior to transplantation; and Group III, N = 18 (50%) had persistent reflux at the time of transplantation. Results: Graft survival at 3 years was 50% (18/36). Patient survival was 94% (34/36). The overall incidence of urinary tract infection was 56% (20/36). Complicated urinary tract infection was seen in 28% (10/36) and uncomplicated urinary tract infection in 47% (17/36) of the patients. The incidence of both complicated and uncomplicated urinary tract infection was lower in Group I. However, graft survival was lower in Group I patients. Overall graft survival was significantly lower in patients with vesicoureteral reflux compared with the rest of the group. Conclusions: The incidence of urinary tract infection did not appear to be altered significantly whether the patients had bilateral nephrectomy or persistent vesicoureteral reflux. However, those patients who had ureteral reimplantation had fewer episodes of infection. Nephrectomy prior to transplantation should be performed selectively.
Evaluating Opinion filtered neural network trust model

This paper applies neural network training, validating and testing techniques in evaluating the performance of Opinion filtered neural network trust model (OFNN). OFNN model is used to filter heterogeneous trust recommendation systems and deceptive trust recommendations in P2P networks. The model is evaluated in terms of accuracy, convergence speed and reliability. Both simulation data and real data are applied in the evaluation. The results show that OFNN model has accuracy of 83.3% at a convergence speed of 17 training iterations on the real data. The model has accuracy of 93.75% with an average convergence speed of 4545 iterations based on the simulated trust systems in a P2P network.
Enabling conferencing applications on the internet using an overlay muilticast architecture

In response to the serious scalability and deployment concerns with IP Multicast, we and other researchers have advocated an alternate architecture for supporting group communication applications over the Internet where all multicast functionality is pushed to the edge. We refer to such an architecture as End System Multicast. While End System Multicast has several potential advantages, a key concern is the performance penalty associated with such a design. While preliminary simulation results conducted in static environments are promising, they have yet to consider the challenging performance requirements of real world applications in a dynamic and heterogeneous Internet environment.In this paper, we explore how Internet environments and application requirements can influence End System Multicast design. We explore these issues in the context of audio and video conferencing: an important class of applications with stringent performance requirements. We conduct an extensive evaluation study of schemes for constructing overlay networks on a wide-area test-bed of about twenty hosts distributed around the Internet. Our results demonstrate that it is important to adapt to both latency and bandwidth while constructing overlays optimized for conferencing applications. Further, when relatively simple techniques are incorporated into current self-organizing protocols to enable dynamic adaptation to latency and bandwidth, the performance benefits are significant. Our results indicate that End System Multicast is a promising architecture for enabling performance-demanding conferencing applications in a dynamic and heterogeneous Internet environment.
A brittleness transition in silicon due to scale

To understand the brittleness transition in low-toughness materials, the nucleation and kinetics of dislocations must be measured and modeled. One aspect overlooked is that the apparent activation energy for plasticity is modified at very high stresses. Coupled with state of stress and length scale effects on plasticity, the lowering of the brittle-to-ductile transition (BDT) in such materials can be partially understood. Experimental evidence in silicon single crystals in the length scale regime of 40 nm to 1 mm is presented. It is shown that high stress affects both length scale and temperature-dependent properties of activation volume and activation energy for dislocation nucleation and/or mobility. Nanoparticles and nanopillars of single-crystal silicon demonstrate unexpectedly high fracture toughness at low temperatures under compression. A thermal activation approach can model the three decades of size associated with the factor of three absolute temperature shift in the BDT.
Resonant converters: nonlinear analysis and control

The current trends in development and deployment of advanced switching converters have facilitated the unified activities in topology design, nonlinear analysis, optimization, and control. In this paper, by using nonlinear models of resonant converters, bounded controllers are designed to ensure a spectrum of performance objectives required. To attain high efficiency and power density, new converter topologies were developed. It is recognized that advanced closed-loop configurations must be designed to guarantee a spectrum of specifications and requirements imposed on the converter dynamics. The output voltage of converters is regulated by changing the duty ratio, which is constrained by lower and upper limits. In this paper, to approach design tradeoffs and analyze converter performance (settling time, overshoot, stability margins, and other quantities), the constraints and nonlinearities are thoroughly examined. Innovative controllers are synthesized to ensure performance improvements. To illustrate the control laws designed and to validate these algorithms, analytical and experimental results are presented and discussed. In particular, nonlinear analysis and design with experimental verification are performed and documented for a resonant converter with zero-current-switching.
The Secret Cemetery

The Secret Cemetery. Doris Francis, Leonie Kellaher, and Georgina Neophytou. New York: Berg, 2005. 298 pp.
Automatic Compliance of Privacy Policies in Federated Digital Identity Management

Privacy [4] in the digital world is an important problem which is becoming even more pressing as new collaborative applications are developed. The lack of privacy preserving mechanisms is particularly problematic in federated identity management contexts. In such a context, users can seamlessly interact with a variety of federated web services, through the use of single-sign-on mechanisms and the capability of sharing personal data among these web services. We argue that comprehensive privacy policies should be stated by federated service providers and proactively checked by these providers, before disclosing users' data to federated partners. To address such requirements, we introduce mechanisms and algorithms for policy compliance checking between federated service providers, based on an innovative policy subsumption approach. We formally introduce and analyze our approach.
Circulation of the North Atlantic Ocean from altimetry and the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment geoid

[1] We discuss the ocean circulation derived from the temporally averaged sea surface height, which is referenced to the recently released geoid from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission (GRACE Gravity Model 02 (GGM02)). The creation of a precise, independent geoid allows for the calculation of the reference gravitational potential undulation surface, which is associated with the resting ocean surface height. This reference height is then removed from the temporally averaged sea surface height, leaving the dynamic ocean topography. At its most basic level the dynamic ocean topography can be related to the ocean’s surface circulation through geostrophy. This has previously been impracticable because of large uncertainties in previous estimates of the Earth’s geoid. Prior geoids included the temporally averaged sea surface from altimeters as a proxy for the geoid and therefore were unsuitable for calculations of the ocean’s circulation. Geoid undulations are calculated from the GRACE geoid and compared to those from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and National Imagery and Mapping Agency Joint Earth Geopotential Model (EGM96) geoid. Error estimates are made to assess the accuracy of the new geoid. The deep ocean pressure field is also estimated by combining the calculated dynamic ocean topography with hydrography. Finally, the derived circulation is compared to independent observations of the circulation from sea surface drifters and subsurface floats. It is shown that the GGM02 geoid is significantly more accurate for use in estimating the ocean’s circulation.
Computer whatcha-maycallit: Insights into universal computer education

A year's work on the NSF/University of Tennessee High School Computer Science Project (HSCS) has indicated that it may indeed be possible to dissociate computer skills from the scary, elitist traditions of science and math curricula in high schools. Teachers and students remote from the traditional science/math constituency are learning to play/work with the computer. The development of HSCS is chronicled and some likely scenarios for its arrival on the high school scene are presented. The essential context is that of a race between declining computer hardware costs and declining support for public education. HSCS is succeeding because it exploits computing's unique ability to bridge between the worlds of play, study and employment.
Left Ventricle and Arteries Structure, Function, Hormones, and Disease

The observation in the 1970s that the performance of the dysfunctional left ventricle was under the influence of aortic impedance led us to exploration of the role of the renin-angiotensin system and other hormonal systems in the progression of heart failure. The apparent efficacy of vasodilator drugs led to the first randomized, controlled trial in heart failure that demonstrated that all impedance-lowering drugs did not exert the same long-term benefit. Differences on the structural remodeling process in the myocardium and arterial vasculature were shown to account for the differential long-term response. We now recognize that the remodeling process in the left ventricle may be inhibited by nitrates, converting enzyme inhibitors, and β-blockers, and this growth process leads to adverse outcomes. The impedance load on the left ventricle is influenced by vascular remodeling that also may be inhibited by drugs such as converting enzyme inhibitors. Thus, progression of cardiovascular disease is largely a consequence of structural changes that are hormonally mediated and may be inhibited by drug therapy.
Effective Use of Miniature, Multi-Point, Field-Based Current Sensors without Magnetic Cores

A methodology for decoupling cross-coupled fields in compact, integrated current sensor arrays is presented. The compactness of the current sensor array elements is made possible by using highly sensitive field detectors based upon giant magnetoresistive (GMR) technology, which offers galvanic isolation, small size (~mm2) and high bandwidth (>1 MHz). By using known geometric relations between the conductor geometries and locations of the field detectors, cross-coupled magnetic field signals can be used to extract necessary current signals, as well as separate unknown disturbance fields. This methodology can also be used to simplify the magnetic biasing requirements of GMR field detectors, including decoupling of the temperature dependence of the biasing magnet. Moreover, the methodology also can be extended to estimate the temperature of the magnet to provide an extra temperature signal for thermal management algorithms.
Agency Differences in Posttreatment Outcomes: A Follow-Up of Drug Abuse Treatment Clients

The present study examined variations in posttreatment outcomes for clients treated in the same modality but in different treatment agencies located across the United States. Three modalities were studied, represented by seven methadone maintenance (MM) programs, seven therapeutic community (TC) programs, and nine outpatient drug-free (DF) programs. Agency differences within MM and TC programs were not significantly different on posttreatment outcomes for opioid use, nonopioid use, alcohol use, productive activities, and criminality. There were significant outcome differences among the DF agencies, but they were explained by variations in the background characteristics
Phase-insensitive pulse-echo imaging.

A method for reducing speckle in B-scan images using phase-insensitive detection is presented. This technique is based on the nonlinear processing of the detected output of an array of transducers. Using this method, phase-insensitive images of tissue phantoms have been compared to conventional phase-sensitive images of the same objects. The results of this comparison suggest that phase-insensitive imaging can reduce speckle in B-scan images.
Brain injury in premature infants: a complex amalgam of destructive and developmental disturbances

Brain injury in premature infants is of enormous public health importance because of the large number of such infants who survive with serious neurodevelopmental disability, including major cognitive deficits and motor disability. This type of brain injury is generally thought to consist primarily of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), a distinctive form of cerebral white matter injury. Important new work shows that PVL is frequently accompanied by neuronal/axonal disease, affecting the cerebral white matter, thalamus, basal ganglia, cerebral cortex, brain stem, and cerebellum. This constellation of PVL and neuronal/axonal disease is sufficiently distinctive to be termed "encephalopathy of prematurity". The thesis of this Review is that the encephalopathy of prematurity is a complex amalgam of primary destructive disease and secondary maturational and trophic disturbances. This Review integrates the fascinating confluence of new insights into both brain injury and brain development during the human premature period.
My Journey With Kierkegaard: From the Paradoxical Self to the Polarized Mind

This article is adapted from an invited address sponsored by European Humanities University, Vilnius, Lithuania, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Soren Kierkegaard’s birth. In this article, I show how Kierkegaard’s philosophy—in particular that depicted in Fear and Trembling and the Sickness Unto Death—runs through each of my major books on existential psychology and practice, from The Paradoxical Self to my latest work The Polarized Mind. I conclude that Kierkegaard, like William James succeeding him, is one of those rare philosophers who is likely to have as much impact on philosophy and psychology’s future as he had on their past.