Abrupt Termination Research Articles

Anamnesis in acts: documentary performance as intercession in Italianamerican and American Boy

This article examines Martin Scorsese's Italianamerican (1974) and American Boy: A Profile of Steven Prince (1978) in terms of their engagement with the various problems of rendering historical accounts on film. Cached in the secret places of sense memories and gesture, history in these films emerges as a vivid recollection of retrospective signposts. Italianamerican’s historiographic approach tellingly assumes a substantial compatibility between storytelling acts – the figure's comportment, gestures, and so on – and the broader social history of Italian immigration to America; while for its part, American Boy adopts the same strategy to reveal the abrupt termination of the earlier film's tale of a seemingly optimistic flight to the new world. This article closely examines how the films’ social actors come to function as conspicuous intercessors for the historical past and thereby intervene in our apprehension of the history in question. More than attempts to merely reconfigure Scorsese's ubiquitous authorial identity, these two films instead cataloge a set of externalized thoughts and emotions whose origin is a palpable relation to the history of immigration to America. In the final analysis, our comprehension of the particular storytelling acts on view in Italianamerican and American Boy comprises a unique form of historical understanding.

PERIPAPILLARY ATROPHY WITH LARGE DEHISCENCES IN BRUCH MEMBRANE IN PSEUDOXANTHOMA ELASTICUM.

To describe a new set of findings in eyes with pseudoxanthoma elasticum, specifically large defects in Bruch membrane. Retrospective review of the optical coherence tomography image obtained with the Heidelberg Spectralis of the posterior pole of patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum. Large dehiscences in Bruch membrane were defined as any defect in Bruch membrane greater than 250 µm in diameter that was not contiguous with a visible angioid streak. There were 28 eyes of 14 patients, with a mean age of 53.6 years; 10 were female. Large dehiscences in Bruch membrane were seen in nine eyes of six patients, and all were within peripapillary atrophy manifested by loss of the choroid and retinal pigment epithelium. The edges of Bruch membrane showed an abrupt termination in the optical coherence tomography images, and often with an upturned edge surrounding the region devoid of Bruch membrane. The mean refractive error of the patients was -2.1 diopters (D) in the right eye and -2.5 D in the left. Pseudoxanthoma elasticum shares peripapillary atrophy and large dehiscences of Bruch membrane with pathologic myopia. Although theories of pathologic myopia involve stresses from ocular expansion, those of pseudoxanthoma elasticum typically do not. The Bruch membrane defect in pseudoxanthoma elasticum may be related to fragility secondary to abnormal calcification and to the surrounding abiotrophy of surrounding affected tissues of the posterior pole of the eye.

Epilepsy with myoclonic absences

We describe our experience with a 14-year-old boy whowasdiagnosed to have epilepsywithmyoclonic absences (EMA). This boy presented with seizures since 7 yr of age. Seizures were in the form of sudden onset myoclonic jerks involving muscles of shoulders and arms, concomitant tonic contraction lead to a progressive elevation of the upper extremities. These episodes were associated with loss of awareness. Each episode lasted for around 20–30 sec. There was no prodrome, aura, post-ictal drowsiness, or confusion. He used to have 15–20 episodes per day. There was no history of photosensitivity. Seizures were more frequent on awakening. He was born of non-consanguineous marriage. Perinatal history was uneventful. He was developmentally normal. No other family member had seizure. He had never received any treatment. Scholastic performance was average. Examination revealed no abnormalities. Hyperventilation lead to precipitation of seizure, in which jerks associated with abduction and elevation of bilateral upper limbs, and vacant stare lasting 30 sec were noted. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was normal. Interictal electroencephalography showed normal background. Ictal electroencephalography showed 3Hz spike wave discharges, with abrupt onset and termination (Fig. 1). On the basis of clinical and electroencephalographyfindings, he was diagnosed to have

ChemInform Abstract: Atomic‐Scale Derivatives of Solid‐State Materials

AbstractReview: synthesis, properties, applications; 113 refs.

The continent‐ocean transition on the northwestern South China Sea

AbstractRifted margins are created as a result of stretching and breakup of continental lithosphere that eventually leads to oceanic spreading and formation of a new oceanic basin. A cornerstone for understanding what processes control the final transition to seafloor spreading is the nature of the continent‐ocean transition (COT). We reprocessed multichannel seismic profiles and use available gravity data to study the structure and variability of the COT along the Northwest subbasin (NWSB) of the South China Sea. We have interpreted the seismic images to discern continental from oceanic domains. The continental‐crust domain is characterized by tilted fault blocks generally overlain by thick syn‐rift sedimentary units, and underlain by fairly continuous Moho reflections typically at 8–10 s twtt. The thickness of the continental crust changes greatly across the basin, from ~20 to 25 km under the shelf and uppermost slope, to ~9–6 km under the lower slope. The oceanic‐crust domain is characterized by a highly reflective top of basement, little faulting, no syntectonic strata and fairly constant thickness (over tens to hundreds of km) of typically 6 km, but ranging from 4 to 8 km. The COT is imaged as a ~5–10 km wide zone where oceanic‐type features directly abut or lap on continental‐type structures. The South China margin continental crust is cut by abundant normal faults. Seismic profiles show an along‐strike variation in the tectonic structure of the continental margin. The NE‐most lines display ~20–40 km wide segments of intense faulting under the slope and associated continental‐crust thinning, giving way to a narrow COT and oceanic crust. Towards the SW, faulting and thinning of the continental crust occurs across a ~100–110 km wide segment with a narrow COT and abutting oceanic crust. We interpret this 3D structural variability and the narrow COT as a consequence of the abrupt termination of continental rifting tectonics by the NE to SW propagation of a spreading centre. We suggest that breakup occurred abruptly by spreading centre propagation rather than by thinning during continental rifting. We propose a kinematic evolution for the oceanic domain of the NWSB consisting of a southward spreading centre propagation followed by a first narrow ridge jump to the north, and then a younger larger jump to the SE, to abandon the NWSB and create the East subbasin of the South China Sea.

Investment barriers under a renewable-electricity support scheme: Differences across investor types

In 2012, Norway and Sweden implemented a common market for tradable green certificates to achieve each country's renewable-energy target. This is the first example of a cooperation mechanism that the EU has suggested to improve the cost efficiency of its renewable-energy policies. We asked investors in 446 planned hydropower projects in Norway what type of barriers may prevent their project from being realized under this scheme, and how likely it is that their project will be realized. Based on a regression analysis we find that the responses to these questions vary systematically with investor, project and process characteristics. We find that investors are concerned with capacity barriers imposed on the market because of the short duration and abrupt termination of the subsidy scheme at the end of 2020. Consequently, the cost efficiency of this and similar schemes can be improved by choosing a better design. Moreover, experienced investors and local landowners without previous experience in the energy sector responded differently to these questions. Local landowners were more optimistic, less concerned with capacity barriers and more concerned with economic barriers than experienced investors were. These observations are interesting given the recent emergence of new investors in the renewable energy sector.

Relations between thermal history and secondary structures of ignimbrites exclusive of rheomorphism

Newly calculated model density profiles of ignimbrites also provide model thermal histories, which serve as a framework to help analyze the development of cooling joints, devitrification textures, and lithophysal cavities. Only those parts of sections of Rattlesnake Tuff in central Oregon that resided >600 °C for at least two years show devitrification. Low tensile strength means that joints form by thermoelastic contraction after cooling by as little as 25 °C. This means that columnar joints formed in as little time as a few weeks after deposition of the Aravaipa Tuff in SE Arizona. Compaction is rapid as well, so both columnar jointing and compaction are complete before the onset of devitrification in deposits <40 m thick. A section of Rattlesnake Tuff shows stratabound occurrences of devitrified spots and cavities; devitrification appears to have begun at scattered spots. Most spots are bounded by crescentic cavities in formerly ductile shards. The equation for conductive cooling of a spherical heat source shows that for rock volumes larger than ∼15 cm diameter, the rate of cooling is insufficient to prevent heating by latent heat by as much as 12 °C. Inflation therefore appears to have been caused by vapor released by devitrification and its slight adiabatic expansion. Eventual wholesale devitrification of matrix resulted in more-devitrified spots scattered in less devitrified matrix. Lithophysal cavities in the Rattlesnake Tuff and in the Peach Springs Tuff in NW Arizona are more abundant in lower density horizons, showing that cavity growth is favored in permeable zones between impermeable horizons. The Peach Springs Tuff and other deposits described in the literature have horizontal joints that formed during cooling and whose origin has yet to be deterministically modeled. The longest joints are most closely spaced in the zone of cavities and formed after columnar joints. It is inferred that after formation, each vertical column responds independently to evolving stresses; at this time, asperities together with gas pressures accompanying cavity formation result in horizontal joints. Columnar joints do not completely relieve growing gas pressures during devitrification, likely because of sealing by wholesale inflation of the rock mass and by mineral deposition. Some devitrified horizons of Rattlesnake Tuff and Peach Springs Tuff are densely fractured, resulting in a rubbly surface. These small fractures show zigzag traces, bifurcations, abrupt terminations, and pinch-and-swell walls, similar to ductile fractures described by [Eichhubl (2004)][1]. Their origin is interpreted to be the result of tensile stress due to porosity increase during later stages of devitrification. Closely adjacent sections of Rattlesnake Tuff at one site differ by 18% in thickness, reflecting buried paleotopography. Each section is devitrified. The thicker profile has a zone of lithophysal cavities near its base; the thinner profile has few cavities. The greater thickness translates to only 0.18 MPa additional lithostatic pressure at the base of the thicker profile, which serves to emphasize the subtle differences in initial conditions that can lead to formation of cavities. [1]: #ref-17

Atomic-Scale Derivatives of Solid-State Materials

There has been an expanding library of materials in which the framework connectivity of prevalent solid-state crystal structure types is terminated with ligands along specific axes to produce robust, crystalline, single- and few-atom/polyhedral thick fragments. The abrupt termination of the ionic/covalent inorganic framework along a particular direction, gives these materials fundamentally different electronic, optical, thermal, and magnetic properties, which can be manipulated via the design of the organic component. These new materials often exhibit advantageous electronic and optoelectronic behavior, making them viable platforms for applications ranging from light emitting phosphors, to thin film field effect transistors, to photovoltaics. This Perspective highlights our current understanding and future opportunities in the synthesis, properties, and applications of these atomic-scale derivatives of solid-state materials.

Lightning origination and thunderstorm ground enhancements terminated by the lightning flash

Proceeding from the measurements of the lightning occurrences, slow and fast electric-field disturbances, particle flux enhancements and their abrupt terminations, we formulate a lightning origination model. Registration of the extensive air shower simultaneously with lightning detection allows us to propose a solution to the long-standing problem of its role in the lightning initiation. Our analysis is based on the numerous Thunderstorm Ground Enhancements detected in 2012–2014 at Mt. Aragats in Armenia.

Imaging the basement architecture across the Cork Fault in Queensland using magnetic and gravity data

The basement rocks in central Queensland are largely obscured by the Phanerozoic sedimentary succession and direct information comes only from sparse geological data. 2.5D forward modelling of regional aeromagnetic and Bouguer gravity data has been undertaken to unveil the crustal architecture at the junction of the Proterozoic Mount Isa terrane and the Phanerozoic Thomson Orogen in Queensland. The most prominent geophysical character is represented by the abrupt termination of positive NNW-trending geophysical anomalies of the Mount Isa terrane against NE-trending, low amplitude gravity and magnetic anomalies of the Diamantina River Domain of the Thomson Orogen. Potential field forward modelling indicates that the lower basement crust of the Thomson Orogen is petrophysically indistinguishable from the crust of the Proterozoic Mount Isa terrane. We interpret that the prominent gradients associated with the Cork Fault represent the displacement and burial of the Mount Isa terrane crust under the Thomson Orogen. In this context, the Cork Fault is inferred to represent a fundamental crustal discontinuity but does not represent the eastern margin of Rodinia because the Thomson Orogen is floored by Precambrian continental crust.Initiation of the Cork Fault might have occurred as early as the Mesoproterozoic. At that time, the Cork Fault was a major structure that developed during the separation of the Mount Isa terrane and the Curnamona Province. It is inferred that this break-up occurred during initial N-S to NNW-SSE extension. The Cork Fault formed part of a network of major north- and south-dipping normal faults active at that time. The Cork Fault was repeatedly reactivated during the Neoproterozoic Rodinia break-up and during the Phanerozoic evolution of the Tasmanides. We suggest that the segment of the inferred ‘Tasman Line’ along the southern termination of the Mount Isa terrane should be regarded as a set of structures offsetting the Proterozoic crust rather than a simple lineament dividing the Proterozoic and the Phanerozoic Australian continent.

Prospective analysis of adrenal function in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD: the Reduction in the Use of Corticosteroids in Exacerbated COPD (REDUCE) trial.

To analyze prospectively the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and clinical outcome in patients treated with prednisone for exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Prospective observational study. Patients presenting to the emergency department were randomized to receive 40 mg prednisone daily for 5 or 14 days in a placebo-controlled manner. The HPA axis was longitudinally assessed with the 1 μg corticotropin test and a clinical hypocortisolism score at baseline, on day 6 before blinded treatment, at hospital discharge, and for up to 180 days of follow-up. Prednisone was stopped abruptly, irrespective of the test results. Patients discharged with pathological test results received instructions about emergency hydrocortisone treatment. A total of 311 patients were included in the analysis. Mean basal and stimulated serum total cortisol levels were highest on admission (496±398 and 816±413 nmol/l respectively) and lowest on day 6 (235±174 and 453±178 nmol/l respectively). Pathological stimulation tests were found in 63, 38, 9, 3, and 2% of patients on day 6, at discharge, and on days 30, 90, and 180 respectively, without significant difference between treatment groups. Clinical indicators of hypocortisolism did not correlate with stimulation test results, but cortisol levels were inversely associated with re-exacerbation risk. There were no hospitalizations or deaths as a result of adrenal crisis. Dynamic changes in the HPA axis occur during and after the treatment of acute exacerbations of COPD. In hypocortisolemic patients who were provided with instructions about stress prophylaxis, the abrupt termination of prednisone appeared safe.

A new Geoengineering Model Intercomparison Project (GeoMIP) experiment designed for climate and chemistry models

Abstract. A new Geoengineering Model Intercomparison Project (GeoMIP) experiment "G4 specified stratospheric aerosols" (short name: G4SSA) is proposed to investigate the impact of stratospheric aerosol geoengineering on atmosphere, chemistry, dynamics, climate, and the environment. In contrast to the earlier G4 GeoMIP experiment, which requires an emission of sulfur dioxide (SO2) into the model, a prescribed aerosol forcing file is provided to the community, to be consistently applied to future model experiments between 2020 and 2100. This stratospheric aerosol distribution, with a total burden of about 2 Tg S has been derived using the ECHAM5-HAM microphysical model, based on a continuous annual tropical emission of 8 Tg SO2 yr−1. A ramp-up of geoengineering in 2020 and a ramp-down in 2070 over a period of 2 years are included in the distribution, while a background aerosol burden should be used for the last 3 decades of the experiment. The performance of this experiment using climate and chemistry models in a multi-model comparison framework will allow us to better understand the impact of geoengineering and its abrupt termination after 50 years in a changing environment. The zonal and monthly mean stratospheric aerosol input data set is available at https://www2.acd.ucar.edu/gcm/geomip-g4-specified-stratospheric-aerosol-data-set.

Precipitation of acute angle closure glaucoma following withdrawal of donepezil hydrochloride

Drug induced bilateral acute angle closure glaucoma (AACG) is well known entity reported but accidental withdrawal of a drug precipitating an attack of AACG is rare. Abrupt termination of donepezil, an FDA approved acetylcholinesterase inhibitor to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, is often attributed to occurrence of side effects. In this case, incidence of bilateral AACG following discontinuation of donepezil hydrochloride in a 76-year-old female patient with Alzheimer’s disease is presented.

Abrupt termination of the 2012 Pacific warming and its implication on ENSO prediction

AbstractIn the summer of 2012, there was a clear signal of the developing El Niño over the equatorial Pacific, and many climate models forecasted the occurrence of El Niño with a peak phase in the subsequent winter. However, the warming was aborted abruptly in late fall. Here we show that the abrupt termination of the 2012 Pacific warming was largely attributed to the anomalous sea surface temperature (SST) cooling in the northeastern and southeastern subtropical Pacific. The anomalous SST cooling induced strong easterly and low‐level divergence anomalies, suppressing the development of westerly and convection anomalies over the equatorial central Pacific. Thus, the surface warming over the equatorial Pacific was decoupled from the surface wind forcing and subsurface thermocline variability, inhibiting its further development into a mature El Niño in the winter of 2012–2013. This study highlights the importance of the SST anomaly in the subtropical Pacific in El Niño prediction.

In the name of charity: Political connections and strategic corporate social responsibility in a transition economy

This study investigates whether firms in China use corporate social responsibility (CSR) to build political networks and, if so, how such CSR decisions affect firm performance. We bypass the empirical difficulty of measuring the value of political networks by using an event study approach. Specifically, we examine how abrupt termination of existing political connections caused by replacement of city mayors affect Chinese listed companies' CSR choices. We find that when a mayor is replaced, the level of and the propensity for CSR activity increase. Such increases are more prominent in firms for which political connections are more valuable, namely, nonstate-controlled firms, smaller firms, and firms operating in cities ruled by more corrupt government. In addition, we find that firms that spend resources to bond with a new government via CSR activities are rewarded: these firms receive higher levels of government subsidies or have a greater propensity to receive future government subsidies. These firms also outperform firms that do not invest in political networking via CSR. Our study adds direct evidence to how and through what channel CSR affects firm performance. We also contribute to the CSR literature on politically motivated CSR strategies.

High resolution climate and environmental changes of the northern Japan (East) Sea for the last 40 kyr inferred from sedimentary geochemical and pollen data

High-resolution lithological and isotope-geochemical analyses were made on a well age constrained sediment from the northeastern Japan (East) Sea which recorded 10 dark layers (DL) over the last 40kaBP. Pollen analysis of the core allows us to reconstruct the history of surrounding landmass vegetation and to determine pronounced vegetation/climate changes. We found that DL 10 which correlated with a DO/Chinese interstadial 8 was forced by increased East Asian humidity and influx of the nutrient-rich water into the sea. DL 5 formed during the cold Heinrich event 3 (HE), at 30–31kaBP, was most likely to be initiated by the global sea level descent and reduction of seawater exchange with the North Pacific. High resolution of δ18Opf records reflects a unique sensitivity of the Japan (East) Sea to input of the North Pacific water through the shallow Tsushima and Tsugaru Straits. This led us to the important evidence of the eustatic-sea level changes during the last 40kaBP. Since 29kaBP, δ18Opf curve shows a continuous descending sea level interrupted by sharp drops of HE 2 with a following rise of DO interstadial 2. A sharp δ18Opf increase since 18.6kaBP is consistent with coral results which indicate abrupt termination of LGM low stand by a rapid sea level rise initiated at 19.0kaBP.

Alcohol Withdrawal and Cerebellar Mitochondria.

Cerebellar disorders trigger the symptoms of movement problems, imbalance, incoordination, and frequent fall. Cerebellar disorders are shown in various CNS illnesses including a drinking disorder called alcoholism. Alcoholism is manifested as an inability to control drinking in spite of adverse consequences. Human and animal studies have shown that cerebellar symptoms persist even after complete abstinence from drinking. In particular, the abrupt termination (ethanol withdrawal) of long-term excessive ethanol consumption has shown to provoke a variety of neuronal and mitochondrial damage to the cerebellum. Upon ethanol withdrawal, excitatory neurotransmitter molecules such as glutamate are overly released in brain areas including cerebellum. This is particularly relevant to the cerebellar neuronal network as glutamate signals are projected to Purkinje neurons through granular cells that are the most populated neuronal type in CNS. This excitatory neuronal signal may be elevated by ethanol withdrawal stress, which promotes an increase in intracellular Ca(2+) level and a decrease in a Ca(2+)-binding protein, both of which result in the excessive entry of Ca(2+) to the mitochondria. Subsequently, mitochondria undergo a prolonged opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore and the overproduction of harmful free radicals, impeding adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-generating function. This in turn provokes the leakage of mitochondrial molecule cytochrome c to the cytosol, which triggers a cascade of adverse cytosol reactions. Upstream to this pathway, cerebellum under the condition of ethanol withdrawal has shown aberrant gene modifications through altered DNA methylation, histone acetylation, or microRNA expression. Interplay between these events and molecules may result in functional damage to cerebellar mitochondria and consequent neuronal degeneration, thereby contributing to motoric deficit. Mitochondria-targeting research may help develop a powerful new therapy to manage cerebellar disorders associated with hyperexcitatory CNS disorders like ethanol withdrawal.

Engineering of silicon/HfO2 interface by variable energy proton irradiation

Surfaces and interfaces between materials are of paramount importance for various phenomena, such as painting a house, catalyst driven chemical reactions, intricate life processes, corrosion of materials, and fabrication of various semiconductor devices. Interface of silicon or other such substrates with any of the oxides has profound effect on the performance of metal oxide field effect transistors and other similar devices. Since a surface is an abrupt termination of a periodic crystal, surface atoms will have some unsaturated valence electrons and these unsaturated bonds at the semiconductor surface make it chemically highly reactive. Other than annealing, there is not much that can be done to manage these unsaturated bonds. This study was initiated to explore the possibility of repairing these unsaturated dangling bonds that are formed at the silicon and oxide interface during the deposition of oxide layer above silicon, by the use of proton irradiation. In order to improve the interface characteristics, we present a method to modify the interface of silicon and hafnium dioxide after its fabrication, through proton irradiation. Results of the study are promising and probably this method might be used along with other methods such as annealing to modify the interface, after its fabrication.

Parameter estimation on compact binary coalescences with abruptly terminating gravitational waveforms

Gravitational-wave (GW) astronomy seeks to extract information about astrophysical systems from the GW signals they emit. For coalescing compact-binary sources this requires accurate model templates for the inspiral and, potentially, the subsequent merger and ringdown. Models with frequency-domain waveforms that terminate abruptly in the sensitive band of the detector are often used for parameter-estimation studies. We show that the abrupt waveform termination contains significant information that affects parameter-estimation accuracy. If the sharp cutoff is not physically motivated, this extra information can lead to misleadingly good accuracy claims. We also show that using waveforms with a cutoff as templates to recover complete signals can lead to biases in parameter estimates. We evaluate when the information content in the cutoff is likely to be important in both cases. We also point out that the standard Fisher matrix formalism, frequently employed for approximately predicting parameter-estimation accuracy, cannot properly incorporate an abrupt cutoff that is present in both signals and templates; this observation explains some previously unexpected results found in the literature. These effects emphasize the importance of using complete waveforms with accurate merger and ringdown phases for parameter estimation.

철근콘크리트 건물의 폭발하중에 의한 연쇄붕괴 해석을 위한 침식 기준

In this paper, reference erosion criteria value suitable for progressive collapse analysis of RC structure due to blast load is proposed. Erosion is fundamentally a numerical technique to overcome the problems such as large numerical errors or abrupt termination of analysis and previous study has been suggested value for blast analysis. But concrete has different stress-strain curve according to strain rate. Consequently, the erosion criteria for the realistic progressive collapse simulation were suggested by comparing experiment results and numerical analysis results. Finally, the real progressive collapse of Oklahoma Federal Building was analyzed by using the median value of two values. And as a result, the analysis result is the actual collapse of the well described.