bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The natural history of lower urinary tract dysfunction in men: minimum 10‐year urodynamic follow‐up of untreated detrusor underactivity
Authors: Thomas Alun W. , Cannon Andrea , Bartlett Esther , Ellis‐Jones Julie , Abrams Paul
Published: November 2005

There are two papers from Bristol on the natural history of lower urinary tract dysfunction in men, in both cases with a minimum 10‐year follow‐up. The first of these is a urodynamic study of neurologically untreated men with untreated detrusor underactivity, most of whom remained untreated with a mean follow‐up of 13.6 years. The results provide important information on the natural history of this condition, and show that there are minimal symptomatic and urodynamic changes with time.

In the second of these papers the natural history of untreated BOO in men is described. The authors showed that patients with untreated BOO show no significant urodynamic deterioration in the long‐term, with only a minority having worsening of their symptoms.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the long‐term symptomatic and urodynamic outcomes of men with untreated detrusor underactivity (DUA) as there has been little long‐term follow‐up information on men with DUA, a cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in a significant minority of men.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Neurologically intact men aged > 18 years who were investigated in our department between 1972 and 1986, diagnosed with DUA, and who initially opted for no specific treatment were invited for a repeat symptomatic and urodynamic evaluation. Identical methods of assessment were used, allowing results to be compared directly.

RESULTS

In all, 224 men were initially diagnosed with DUA; 87 (39%) of these died. Of the 69 men who initially opted for a conservative approach and attended for repeat assessment, 58 (84%) remained untreated, with a mean follow‐up of 13.6 years. There were no significant changes in symptoms over the follow‐up. The only significant urodynamic finding was an increase in the proportion of patients with detrusor overactivity, but with no apparent worsening of chronic retention. Of the 11 men in who failed the conservative approach , eight proceeded to surgery for LUTS, and three for acute urinary retention.

CONCLUSIONS

These results provide important information on the natural history of DUA. In men with DUA presenting with LUTS there are few symptomatic and urodynamic changes with time.
How broker ability affects institutional trading costs
Authors: Comerton‐Forde Carole , Fernandez Christian , Frino Alex , Oetomo Teddy
Published: November 2005

The present paper shows that broker research and trade execution ability has a significant impact on the cost of institutional trading. The results reveal that there is significant variation in the ability of brokers to control execution costs. Trades executed by brokers with stronger research ability exhibit a higher permanent price impact, whereas those executed by brokers with better execution ability exhibit a lower temporary price impact. Brokers are also found to specialize on an industry level that gives rise to variation in ability within a brokerage house.
Discrepancies Between Implicit and Explicit Self‐Esteem: Implications for Narcissism and Self‐Esteem Instability
Authors: Zeigler‐Hill Virgil
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACT
There appear to be two forms of high self‐esteem: secure high self‐esteem (which is often linked with psychological health) and fragile high self‐esteem (which is generally associated with poor psychological adjustment and impaired interpersonal relationships). Discrepant high self‐esteem is a form of fragile self‐esteem characterized by high explicit self‐esteem and low implicit self‐esteem. The present study examined whether discrepant high self‐esteem was associated with narcissism and self‐esteem instability in an undergraduate sample. Using multiple measures of implicit self‐esteem, two basic findings emerged from the present study. First, participants with discrepant high self‐esteem possessed the highest levels of narcissism. Second, participants with high explicit self‐esteem and high implicit self‐esteem displayed the most stable self‐esteem. Findings are discussed in terms of secure and fragile high self‐esteem.
Unarmed Utopia Revisited: The Resurgence of Left-of-Centre Politics in Latin America
Authors: Panizza Francisco
Published: November 2005

This paper seeks to examine the extent to which left-wing forces are making a comeback in Latin America and to draw out the political implications of their political ascendancy. It argues that while left-of-centre parties have developed a persuasive critique of the failures of liberal democracy and economic neoliberalism in the region, there is as yet no conceptual clarity or distinct policy initiatives materialising from the left's promises of deepening democracy and implementing an alternative economic model. When in power, left-of-centre parties have followed a strategy of ‘bending and moulding’ existing political institutions and the free-market economic model rather than attempting radical political and economic reforms. This paper concludes that left-of-centre parties are right in accepting that there is little room in the region for an anti-systemic model and that instead the emphasis should be placed on making states, markets and democracy work better to secure development, address social demands and attack the root causes of discrimination and inequality. But leaving behind old certainties and adapting to the new political and economic environment has come at the cost of a loss of intellectual confidence, ideological clarity and weakened identities.
Statistical Methods for Regular Monitoring Data
Authors: Stein Michael L.
Published: November 2005

Meteorological and environmental data that are collected at regular time intervals on a fixed monitoring network can be usefully studied combining ideas from multiple time series and spatial statistics, particularly when there are little or no missing data. This work investigates methods for modelling such data and ways of approximating the associated likelihood functions. Models for processes on the sphere crossed with time are emphasized, especially models that are not fully symmetric in space–time. Two approaches to obtaining such models are described. The first is to consider a rotated version of fully symmetric models for which we have explicit expressions for the covariance function. The second is based on a representation of space–time covariance functions that is spectral in just the time domain and is shown to lead to natural partially nonparametric asymmetric models on the sphere crossed with time. Various models are applied to a data set of daily winds at 11 sites in Ireland over 18 years. Spectral and space–time domain diagnostic procedures are used to assess the quality of the fits. The spectral-in-time modelling approach is shown to yield a good fit to many properties of the data and can be applied in a routine fashion relative to finding elaborate parametric models that describe the space–time dependences of the data about as well.
Maximum Likelihood Estimation of Linear Continuous Time Long Memory Processes with Discrete Time Data
Authors: Tsai Henghsiu , Chan K. S.
Published: November 2005

We develop a new class of time continuous autoregressive fractionally integrated moving average (CARFIMA) models which are useful for modelling regularly spaced and irregu-larly spaced discrete time long memory data. We derive the autocovariance function of a stationary CARFIMA model and study maximum likelihood estimation of a regression model with CARFIMA errors, based on discrete time data and via the innovations algorithm. It is shown that the maximum likelihood estimator is asymptotically normal, and its finite sample properties are studied through simulation. The efficacy of the approach proposed is demonstrated with a data set from an environmental study.
Bayesian Inference for Stochastic Multitype Epidemics in Structured Populations Via Random Graphs
Authors: Demiris Nikolaos , O'Neill Philip D.
Published: November 2005

The paper is concerned with new methodology for statistical inference for final outcome infectious disease data using certain structured population stochastic epidemic models. A major obstacle to inference for such models is that the likelihood is both analytically and numerically intractable. The approach that is taken here is to impute missing information in the form of a random graph that describes the potential infectious contacts between individuals. This level of imputation overcomes various constraints of existing methodologies and yields more detailed information about the spread of disease. The methods are illustrated with both real and test data.
HEGEMONY, IMPERIALISM, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF RELIGION IN EAST AND SOUTHEAST ASIA1
Authors: DUBOIS THOMAS DAVID
Published: November 2005

Edward Said's concept of Orientalism portrays the high tide of nineteenth‐century imperialism as the defining moment in the establishment of a global discursive hegemony, in which European attitudes and concepts gained a universal validity. The idea of “religion” was central to the civilizing mission of imperialism, and was shaped by the interests of a number of colonial actors in a way that remains visibly relevant today. In East and Southeast Asia, however, many of the concerns that statecraft, law, scholarship, and conversion had for religion transcended the European impact. Both before and after the period of European imperialism, states used religion to engineer social ethics and legitimate rule, scholars elaborated and enforced state theologies, and the missionary faithful voiced the need for and nature of religious conversion. The real impact of this period was to integrate pre‐existing concerns into larger discourses, transforming them in the process. The ideals of national citizenship and of legal and scholarly impartiality recast the state and its institutions with a modernist sacrality, which had the effect of banishing the religious from the public space. At the same time, the missionary discourse of transformative conversion located it in the very personal realm of sincerity and belief. The evolution of colonial‐era discourses of religion and society in Asia since the departure of European imperial power demonstrates both their lasting power and the degree of agency that remains implicit in the idea of hegemony.
Does the Impact of Managed Care on Substance Abuse Treatment Services Vary by Provider Profit Status?
Authors: Olmstead Todd A. , Sindelar Jody L.
Published: November 2005

Objective. To extend our previous research by determining whether, and how, the impact of managed care (MC) on substance abuse treatment (SAT) services differs by facility ownership.

Data Sources. The 2000 National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services, which is designed to collect data on service offerings and other characteristics of SAT facilities in the U.S. These data are merged with data from the 2002 Area Resource File, a county‐specific database containing information on population and MC activity. We use data on 10,513 facilities, virtually a census of all SAT facilities.

Study Design. For each facility ownership type (for‐profit [FP], not‐for‐profit [NFP], public), we estimate the impact of MC on the number and types of SAT services offered. We use instrumental variables techniques that account for possible endogeneity between facilities' involvement in MC and service offerings.

Principal Findings.

We find that the impact of MC on SAT service offerings differs in magnitude and direction by facility ownership. On average, MC causes FPs to offer approximately four additional services, causes publics to offer approximately four fewer services, and has no impact on the number of services offered by NFPs. The differential impact of MC on FPs and publics appears to be concentrated in therapy/counseling, medical testing, and transitional services.

Conclusion. Our findings raise policy concerns that MC may reduce the quality of care provided by public SAT facilities by limiting the range of services offered. On the other hand, we find that FP clinics increase their range of services. One explanation is that MC results in standardization of service offerings across facilities of different ownership type. Further research is needed to better understand both the specific mechanisms of MC on SAT and the net impact on society.
Development and Testing of a Short Form of the Patient Activation Measure
Authors: Hibbard Judith H. , Mahoney Eldon R. , Stockard Jean , Tusler Martin
Published: November 2005

Objective. The Patient Activation Measure (PAM) is a 22‐item measure that assesses patient knowledge, skill, and confidence for self‐management. The measure was developed using Rasch analyses and is an interval level, unidimensional, Guttman‐like measure. The current analysis is aimed at reducing the number of items in the measure while maintaining adequate precision.

Study Methods. We relied on an iterative use of Rasch analysis to identify items that could be eliminated without loss of significant precision and reliability. With each item deletion, the item scale locations were recalibrated and the person reliability evaluated to check if and how much of a decline in precision of measurement resulted from the deletion of the item.

Data Sources. The data used in the analysis were the same data used in the development of the original 22‐item measure. These data were collected in 2003 via a telephone survey of 1,515 randomly selected adults.

Principal Findings. The analysis yielded a 13‐item measure that has psychometric properties similar to the original 22‐item version. The scores for the 13‐item measure range in value from 38.6 to 53.0 (on a theoretical 0–100 point scale). The range of values is essentially unchanged from the original 22‐item version. Subgroup analysis suggests that there is a slight loss of precision with some subgroups.

Conclusions. The results of the analysis indicate that the shortened 13‐item version is both reliable and valid.
Case‐Mix Adjustment of the CAHPS® Hospital Survey
Authors: O'Malley A. James , Zaslavsky Alan M. , Elliott Marc N. , Zaborski Lawrence , Cleary Paul D.
Published: November 2005

Objectives: To develop a model for case‐mix adjustment of Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) Hospital survey responses, and to assess the impact of adjustment on comparisons of hospital quality.

Data Sources: Survey of 19,720 patients discharged from 132 hospitals.

Methods: We analyzed CAHPS Hospital survey data to assess the extent to which patient characteristics predict patient ratings (“predictive power”) and the heterogeneity of the characteristics across hospitals. We combined the measures to estimate the impact of each predictor (“impact factor”) and selected high impact variables for adjusting ratings from the CAHPS Hospital survey.

Principle Findings: The most important case‐mix variables are: hospital service (surgery, obstetric, medical), age, race (non‐Hispanic black), education, general health status (GHS), speaking Spanish at home, having a circulatory disorder, and interactions of each of these variables with service. Adjustment for GHS and education affected scores in each of the three services, while age and being non‐Hispanic black had important impacts for those receiving surgery or medical services. Circulatory disorder, Spanish language, and Hispanic affected scores for those treated on surgery, obstetrics, and medical services, respectively. Of the 20 medical conditions we tested, only circulatory problems had an important impact within any of the services. Results were consistent for the overall ratings of nurse, doctor, and hospital. Although the overall impact of case‐mix adjustment is modest, the rankings of some hospitals may be substantially affected.

Conclusions: Case‐mix adjustment has a small impact on hospital ratings, but can lead to important reductions in the bias in comparisons between hospitals.
Methods Used to Streamline the CAHPS® Hospital Survey
Authors: Keller San , O'Malley A. James , Hays Ron D. , Matthew Rebecca A. , Zaslavsky Alan M. , Hepner Kimberly A. , Cleary Paul D.
Published: November 2005

Objective. To identify a parsimonious subset of reliable, valid, and consumer‐salient items from 33 questions asking for patient reports about hospital care quality.

Data Source. CAHPS® Hospital Survey pilot data were collected during the summer of 2003 using mail and telephone from 19,720 patients who had been treated in 132 hospitals in three states and discharged from November 2002 to January 2003.

Methods. Standard psychometric methods were used to assess the reliability (internal consistency reliability and hospital‐level reliability) and construct validity (exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, strength of relationship to overall rating of hospital) of the 33 report items. The best subset of items from among the 33 was selected based on their statistical properties in conjunction with the importance assigned to each item by participants in 14 focus groups.

Principal Findings. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated that a subset of 16 questions proposed to measure seven aspects of hospital care (communication with nurses, communication with doctors, responsiveness to patient needs, physical environment, pain control, communication about medication, and discharge information) demonstrated excellent fit to the data. Scales in each of these areas had acceptable levels of reliability to discriminate among hospitals and internal consistency reliability estimates comparable with previously developed CAHPS instruments.

Conclusion. Although half the length of the original, the shorter CAHPS hospital survey demonstrates promising measurement properties, identifies variations in care among hospitals, and deals with aspects of the hospital stay that are important to patients' evaluations of care quality.
Modeling the Risks of Nonindigenous Species Introductions Using a Patch‐Dynamics Approach Incorporating Contaminant Effects as a Disturbance
Authors: Deines Andrew M. , Chen Valerie C. , Landis Wayne G.
Published: November 2005

The establishment and spread of invasive or nonindigenous species has caused concern from stakeholders in affected areas, and has prompted many field and modeling studies. We used stochastic two species, circular three patch dynamic models to investigate the patterns of invasion and impacts upon the affected species. Both persistent and degradable toxicants were incorporated as parts of the model system to act as disturbance regimens. There is a clear series of patterns that result from these simulations. Competition increases population variability, but decreases the number of distinct outcomes possible from the same initial conditions. Isolation of the patch of the introduction was the main determinant of successful establishment through a process we call the beachhead effect. Coexistence of species was often possible in local patches, contrary to the analytical solutions of Lotka‐Volterra equations and numerous modeling studies. Contaminants and their resultant disturbances are important as contributors to the stochastic nature of models. The stochasticity leads to a variety of outcomes from some sets of initial conditions. Different outcomes have different probabilities of occurrence and are dependent upon the specific initial conditions of the simulation. A clear pattern that is apparent is the “beachhead effect,” where the invasive establishes a population within a relatively remote patch before migrating to the remainder of the landscape. We make predictions and provide specific research hypotheses as to the causes and effects of invasive species establishment, spread, and impacts.
Heterogeneity of Cancer Risk Due to Stochastic Effects
Authors: Heidenreich Wolfgang F.
Published: November 2005

Persons with exactly the same genetic background, behavior, environment, etc. may have differences in cancer risk due to a different number of cells on the way to malignancy. These differences are estimated quantitatively by using the two‐stage clonal expansion model. For liver cancer the estimated relative risk for persons without intermediate cells at age 40 is less than 10% when compared to the risk of the total population, while the top 0.1% risk group has a more than 100‐fold risk compared to the population. The risk of the 1% percentile in risk is more than 100‐fold of the risk of the more than 95% persons without intermediate cells. The number of intermediate (premalignant) cells in the risk groups cannot be calculated from incidence data only because they depend strongly on a nonidentifiable parameter. But under plausible assumptions, less than about 1,000 intermediate cells are present at age 40 even in high‐risk persons.
Defining Dangerous Anthropogenic Interference: The Role of Science, the Limits of Science
Authors: Oppenheimer Michael
Published: November 2005

Defining “dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system” in the context of Article 2 of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) presents a complex challenge for those developing long‐term climate policy. Natural science has a key role to play in quantifying vulnerabilities of elements of the Earth system and estimating the risks from a changing climate. But attempts to interpret Article 2 will inevitably draw on understanding from social science, psychology, law, and ethics. Here I consider the limits of science in defining climate “danger” by focusing on the potential disintegration of the major ice sheets as an example of an extreme impact. I show that considerations of timescale, uncertainty, and learning preclude a definition of danger drawn purely from natural science. Decisionmakers will be particularly challenged by one characteristic of global problems: answers to some scientific questions become less accurate over decadal timescales, meandering toward the wrong answer, a feature I call negative learning. I argue for a precautionary approach to Article 2 that would be based initially on current, limited scientific understanding of the future of the ice sheets.
Cultural Circuits of Climate Change in U.K. Broadsheet Newspapers, 1985–2003
Authors: Carvalho Anabela , Burgess Jacquelin
Published: November 2005

This article argues for a cultural perspective to be brought to bear on studies of climate change risk perception. Developing the “circuit of culture” model, the article maintains that the producers and consumers of media texts are jointly engaged in dynamic, meaning‐making activities that are context‐specific and that change over time. A critical discourse analysis of climate change based on a database of newspaper reports from three U.K. broadsheet papers over the period 1985–2003 is presented. This empirical study identifies three distinct circuits of climate change—1985–1990, 1991–1996, 1997–2003—which are characterized by different framings of risks associated with climate change. The article concludes that there is evidence of social learning as actors build on their experiences in relation to climate change science and policy making. Two important factors in shaping the U.K.'s broadsheet newspapers' discourse on “dangerous” climate change emerge as the agency of top political figures and the dominant ideological standpoints in different newspapers.
Statesmanship and Ethics: The Case of Thomas Jefferson's Dirty Hands
Authors: Newbold Stephanie P.
Published: November 2005

The topic of statesmanship has been largely neglected by public administration scholars. This article underscores the moral dilemmas and implications that arise when statesmen abandon their principles for the good of the state, as was the case when Thomas Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Territory from France without congressional consent. This example draws our attention to the important connections between statesmanship and administrative ethics. Jefferson's decision to abandon his strict constructionist principles to acquire Louisiana illustrates the ethical complexities of public administration, public management, and the democratic governance process.
Some Evidence of a Pluralistic Discipline: A Narrative Analysis of Public Administration Symposia
Authors: Miller Hugh T. , Jaja Cheedy
Published: November 2005

This article investigates the discipline of public administration as it is manifested in symposium articles published during the period 1985–99. What was the field trying to accomplish? The method of investigation is narrative analysis. Using specific discourse markers (method, substantive contents, and authorial intentions), the authors found a wide variety of purposes and projects in the symposia investigated. The condition of public administration, they conclude, is distinguished by a radical pluralism—a striking absence of any singular conception of public administration scholarship.
Expression of poliovirus receptor‐related proteins PRR1 and PRR2 in acute myeloid leukemia: first report of surface marker analysis, contribution to diagnosis, prognosis and implications for future therapeutical strategies
Authors: Graf M. , Reif S. , Hecht K. , Kroell T. , Nuessler V. , Schmetzer H.
Published: November 2005

Abstract:  Poliovirus receptor‐related (PRR) proteins belong to the Nectin‐adhesion molecules’ group, are expressed on endothelial cells and on CD34+ stem cells and mediate the organization of endothelial and epithelial junctions. There is evidence to suggest, that those receptors could have a role in leukemia. We have studied the expression of PRR molecules PRR1 and PRR2 on mononuclear bone marrow (BM) cells of 55 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at first diagnosis by FACS‐analysis using directly Phycoerythrin‐labeled markers (PRR1 clone R1.302.12; PRR2 clone R2.477.1) in combination with other Fluorescein conjugated antibodies to evaluate the blast phenotype in AML. The leukemic gate included blasts and residual monocytes and lymphocytes. A case was defined as positive, if more than 20% of the gated cells expressed the regarding receptor. We could demonstrate, that on average 35% PRR1+ or 45% PRR2+ cells in AML were found. Within FAB‐types we observed a high PRR1 expression in cases with M3 and M4 and lowest expressions in M0 and M5; a high PRR2 expression was found in cases with M3, M4, M5 and M1 and lowest expressions in M0 and M2. Separating our patients’ cohorts in cytogenetic risk groups we could detect a significant higher proportion of PRR1+ cases (73% vs. 25% of cases, P = 0.009) or PRR1+ cells (57% vs. 18% of cases, P = 0.001) in the cytogenetic favorable risk vs. poor risk group (75% vs. 32% PRR2+ cases). Moreover cut‐off‐values with a maximum probability for a significant differentiation between cases with higher or lower levels of these markers could be found: cases with >78% PRR1+ and cases with >77% PRR2+ cells were characterized by a tendency for longer relapse free survival times. Qui‐square analyses showed, that 3 of 4 cases with FAB‐type M3 (P = 0.03) or a favorable karyotype (P = 0.04) were found in the group with >7% PRR1+ cells, due to only few cases available a similar correlation, however, could not be found in cases with >78% PRR2+ cells. We can conclude, that blasts in AML regularly express PRR1 and PRR2. Cases with a high expression of PRR1 or PRR2 are characterized by a more favorable prognosis. With respect to the individual PRR‐status the benefit of biological response modifiers as priming agents, differentiation mediators or factors influencing cellular metabolisms inducing factors can be discussed under a new point of view.
Calculus in a toddler with end‐stage renal disease due to prune‐belly syndrome
Authors: Davidovich E , Frishberg Y , Aframian DJ , Peretz B
Published: November 2005

Prune‐belly syndrome is a congenital kidney and urinary tract anomaly which may lead to end‐stage renal failure (ESRF). The present case describes an infant suffering from end‐stage kidney disease due to prune‐belly syndrome, undergoing chronic hemodialysis, with excessive calculus deposits which disappeared following kidney transplantation. Possible explanations are discussed. The first mechanism is associated with lack of oral function which may have caused pooling of saliva around the teeth enhancing precipitations of minerals. The second possible mechanism is associated with the child's uremic state. The third mechanism could be a disturbance in calcium‐phosphor metabolism. It is possible that in the present case, the gastrostomy and the electrolyte disturbances characterizing ESRF had an additive effect.
Beyond Accountability and Average Mathematics Scores: Relating State Education Policy Attributes to Cognitive Achievement Domains
Authors: Desimone Laura M. , Smith Thomas M. , Hayes Susan A. , Frisvold David
Published: November 2005

We found moderate correlations among four policy attributes (consistency, specificity, authority, and power), which suggest that in many states, at least in design, standards‐based reform is working as advocates imagined—aligned content standards and assessments established, backed up by detailed guidelines and frameworks, incentivized by rewards and sanctions, and supported with extra resources and programs for struggling students and their teachers. Our findings suggest that specificity and authority may be related to improvements in procedural knowledge, and no change in problem solving or conceptual understanding, while power (accountability) may be associated with a small decrease in all types of learning. We found that disadvantaged students showed gains in procedural knowledge and did not lose ground in either conceptual understanding or problem solving. Implications for developing an improved theory of policy effects on achievement are discussed.
Have State Accountability and High‐Stakes Tests Influenced Student Progression Rates in High School?
Authors: Carnoy Martin
Published: November 2005

The question addressed in this paper is whether there are signs that students' progression through high school to graduation has been affected by the efforts to increase school accountability, including high‐stakes exit exams. If such accountability systems were able to raise student academic performance significantly in elementary and middle school, these same students should be more likely to succeed academically in high school and graduate with their cohort. If state accountability systems also attempt to raise minimum standards for high school graduation by requiring exit tests, as many do, this could have the opposite effect of lowering high school graduation rates by putting yet one more barrier in the way of lower‐performing students completing requirements.
Commentary: Accountability Policy and Scholarly Research
Authors: Hess Frederick M.
Published: November 2005

Since 2001, considerations of school reform have been dominated by performance‐based accountability. No Child Left Behind (NCLB) has changed the way policymakers and educators talk about education, look at educational performance, and think about educational challenges. Nonetheless, NCLB and the state accountability systems it has spawned have been subjected to little careful scrutiny. This article discusses four recent research contributions and considers how they might inform policymaking on accountability. While scholarly scrutiny will not necessarily settle debates, it can help yield more constructive and informed decisions. In particular, research can clarify the actual consequences of policy decisions; highlight and refine approaches that may be more reliable, stable, and effective than those in use; flag the unanticipated or overlooked effects of design decisions; and ensure that both policymakers and the public are aware of the costs and benefits of accountability.
A Systems Approach for Analyzing Uncertainties in Misalignment of a Fiberoptic System
Authors: Radhakrishnan Satish , Subbarayan Ganesh , Nguyen Luu , Mazotti William P.
Published: November 2005

Performance of a fiberoptic system depends on the coupling efficiency and the alignment retention capability. A fiberoptic system experiences performance degradation due to uncertainties in the alignment of the optical fibers with the laser beam. The laser devices are temperature sensitive, generate large heat fluxes, are prone to mechanical stresses induced and require stringent alignment tolerance due to their spot sizes. The performance of an optoelectronic system is also affected by many other factors such as geometric tolerances, uncertainties in the properties of the materials, optical parameters such as numerical aperture, etc. To analyze such a complex system, we need to understand the inter-relationships between various elements that together make the complex system. In this paper, we apply systematic, formal procedures for identifying the relationships between the critical system level parameters through system decomposition strategies. We have included the sensitivity of the variables with respect to the functions to assist in the system decomposition. We apply graph partitioning strategies to decompose the system into different subsystems. We also demonstrate system decomposition technique using a simple to implement simulated annealing algorithm. The results of system decomposition using graph partitioning technique and simulated annealing are also compared.
Thermal Performance Metrics for Arranging Forced Air Cooled Servers in a Data Processing Cabinet
Authors: Rambo Jeffrey , Joshi Yogendra
Published: November 2005

The optimal arrangement of various components in a standard data processing cabinet layout is investigated through computational fluid dynamics and heat transfer. Relevant heat transfer performance of candidate designs is measured by newly proposed metrics for systems level electronics cooling. The results are then extended to define a favorable power dissipation profile, the most favorable of which was found to be one where the power dissipation increases in the vertical direction.
Moisture Absorption
and Diffusion Characterization of Molding
Compound
Authors: Chen Xu , Zhao Shufeng , Zhai Linda
Published: November 2005

The moisture absorption experiments of two kinds of molding compound are conducted. The diffusion at low temperature and humidity observes the Fick’s Law, but it does not strictly obey at higher temperature and humidity. The phenomena can be attributed to the occurrence of the second phase, and the Fick’s Law can be modified by diffusion coefficient varying with the moisture concentration. The predicted value by the modified Fick’s Law agrees with the test data. At certain temperature, the saturated moisture content of molding compound is proportional to the relative humidity, and the proportional factor is the product of solubility and saturated vapor pressure. The solubility is a physical characteristic, which has no relations with the relative humidity of ambient air.
State-of-the-Art of Thermo-Mechanical Characterization of Thin Polymer Films
Authors: Jansen K. M. B. , Gonda V. , Ernst L. J. , Bressers H. J. L. , Zhang G. Q.
Published: November 2005

In microelectronic industry, thin polymer layers are one of the more commonly used product constituents. Examples are glue layers, coatings, and dielectric layers. The thicknesses of these films vary from a few tens of nanometers to over a hundred micrometers. Since at film thicknesses below 100nm the thermal and mechanical properties start to deviate from those in the bulk, adequate characterization techniques are required. In the present paper we will report the results of an extensive literature search on the state-of-the-art of thermo-mechanical thin film characterization methods, such as the substrate curvature test, nanoindentation technique, bulge test, and impulsive stimulated thermal scattering.
SOLVING THE "WHY NOW?" PUZZLE
Authors: AHMED MAQBOOL
Published: November 2005

A variety of observations indicate that the universe is dominated by dark energy with negative pressure, one possibility for which is a cosmological constant. If the dark energy is a cosmological constant, a fundamental question is: Why has it become relevant at so late an epoch, making today the only time in the history of the universe at which the cosmological constant is of order the ambient density. Ideas from Causal Set theory and Unimodular Gravity provide an answer, leading to a time dependent cosmological "constant" term of the right magnitude. I will briefly review the motivation behind the model, the ansatz that yields this fluctuating cosmological term, which is always of order the ambient density and summarize the results of the computer simulations based on the model.
THE HIGGS SECTOR ON TWO-SHEETED SPACE-TIME
Authors: MACESANU COSMIN
Published: November 2005

Connes's ideeas provide a framework in which the Higgs fields appear as components of a generalized gauge connection. This leads to theories with predictive power in the Higgs sector (for example, one can show that spontaneous symmetry breaking arises in a natural way). We describe a realization of this formalism where the underlying manifold is a two-sheeted space-time. We show how our particular formulation works for the case of the Standard Model and the Left-Right Symmetric Model.
THE SPUN TREFOIL NEEDS FOUR BROKEN SHEETS
Authors: SAITO MASAHICO , SATOH SHIN
Published: November 2005

We prove that if a surface-knot diagram is colored by a specific quandle non-trivially, then any diagram of the surface-knot consists of at least four broken sheets. In particular, the minimal number of broken sheets for the spun trefoil is shown to be exactly four.
THE PENDULUM WEAVES ALL KNOTS AND LINKS
Authors: STARRETT JOHN
Published: November 2005

The behavior of a dissipative chaotic dynamical system is determined by the skeleton of its strange attractor, which consists of an uncountably infinite set of unstable periodic orbits. Each orbit is a topological knot, and the set is an infinite link. The types of knots and links supported by the system may be determined by collapsing the attractor along its local stable manifolds to form a template, a branched two manifold with boundary that supports the same set of knots and links as the original attractor. We show that the strange attractor of a chaotic, vertically forced physical pendulum can be collapsed to a template that supports all knots and links. Thus, one of the simplest and most well known dynamical systems is capable of the most complex behavior possible.
NANOPATTERNED POLYMER THIN FILMS
Authors: KEE CHUL-SIK , YOON KEUN BYUNG , CHOI CHOON-GI , KIM JIN-TAE , HAN SANG PIL , PARK SUNGGOOK , SCHIFT HELMUT
Published: November 2005

We fabricated polymer thin films with two-dimensional periodic nanopatterns using an imprinting technique with the hot embossing process. The silicon stamp employed in the imprinting has a triangular array of circular rods. The period of the array is 410 nm, and the radius and the height of a rod are 100 nm and 150 nm, respectively. The imprinting in the polymer film results in holes with the average radius of 105 nm and the average depth of 130 nm, which are close to the dimension of the stamp. The results show that the thermal imprinting process can be suitable for the implementation of nanopatterned polymer thin films. The interesting optical properties of the nanopatterned polymer thin films are also discussed.
REALISTIC SIMULATIONS OF SINGLE-SPIN MEASUREMENT VIA MAGNETIC RESONANCE FORCE MICROSCOPY
Authors: BRUN TODD A. , GOAN HSI-SHENG
Published: November 2005

The problem of measuring single electron or nuclear spins is of great interest for a variety of purposes, from imaging the structure of molecules to quantum information processing. One of the most promising techniques is magnetic resonance force microscopy (MRFM), in which the force between a spin and a small permanent magnet resonantly drives the oscillations of a microcantilever. Numerous issues arise in understanding this system: thermal noise in the cantilever, shot-noise and back-action from monitoring the cantilever's motion, spin relaxation, and interaction with higher cantilever modes. Detailed models of these effects allow one to assess their relative importance and the necessary improvements for sensitivity at the single-spin level.
A BELL INEQUALITY BASED ON CORRELATION FUNCTIONS FOR THREE QUBITS
Authors: WU CHUNFENG , CHEN JING-LING , KWEK L. C. , OH C. H.
Published: November 2005

We discuss a Bell inequality based on correlation function for three qubits. The inequality is violated by any pure entangled state for 3 qubits. The strength of the violation is the same as the result in Ref.13.
INFRARED WAVELENGTH QUANTUM COMMUNICATIONS BASED ON SINGLE ELECTRON TRANSISTORS
Authors: KUO DAVID M. T.
Published: November 2005

We propose to employ a selective formation method to embed an isolated self assembled quantum dot into a n-i-n junction to implement single electron transistors (SETs). The absorption and emission spectrum of SETs are theoretically studied by the Keldysh Green function method. The electronic levels and Coulomb interactions of electrons of InAs quantum dot (QD) are evaluated by an effective mass model. It is found that Coulomb interaction and level mixing in the many body open system lead to double peaks associated with the intraband transitions involving two lowest levels of the QD. We can electrically control the SETs as a single-photon source and double-photon source for 10 μm wavelength. The single photon source can be used in the application of quantum cryptograph, and the double-photon source can be utilized in the teleportation.
RECENT RESULTS IN EXPERIMENTS WITH JOSEPHSON QUBITS
Authors: ASTAFIEV OLEG , PASHKIN YURI , YAMAMOTO TSUYOSHI , NAKAMURA YASUNOBU , TSAI JAWSHEN
Published: November 2005

We demonstrate our recent experiments on Josephson charge qubits: coherent manipulation of two electrostatically coupled qubits, controlled-NOT operation, single-shot readout, and study of decoherence mechanisms with help of the single-shot readout.
PULSED ENDOR-BASED QUANTUM INFORMATION PROCESSING
Authors: RAHIMI ROBABEH , SATO KAZUNOBU , FURUKAWA KOU , TOYOTA KAZUO , SHIOMI DAISUKE , NAKAMURA TOSHIHIRO , KITAGAWA MASAHIRO , TAKUI TAKEJI
Published: November 2005

Pulsed Electron Nuclear DOuble Resonance (pulsed ENDOR) has been studied for realization of quantum algorithms, emphasizing the implementation of organic molecular entities with an electron spin and a nuclear spin for quantum information processing. The scheme has been examined in terms of quantum information processing. Particularly, superdense coding has been implemented from the experimental side and the preliminary results are represented as theoretical expectations.
OPTIMAL DESIGN OF SINGLE-PHOTON SOURCE EMISSION FROM A QUANTUM-DOT IN MICRO-PILLAR MICROCAVITY
Authors: HO Y.-L. D. , CAO T. , IVANOV P. S. , CRYAN M. J. , CRADDOCK I. J. , RAILTON C. J. , RARITY J. G.
Published: November 2005

We have modelled wavelength scale micro-pillar microcavities of group III-V semiconductor materials using the 3-D finite difference time domain (FDTD) method. A broad band dipole source within the microcavity probes the microcavity mode structure and spectrum. We then investigated the modifications to spontaneous emission of photons form narrowband emitters (e.g. quantum dots) at the centre of the resonance. We find strongly enhanced emission due to small modal volumes and high quality factor (Q-factor). A large fraction of the quantum-dot spontaneous emission is coupled into the fundamental cavity mode. Increasing the number of mirror pairs in the bottom distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) obviously reduces the bottom light leakage, leading to light collection efficiency up to 90%. Moreover, we are now looking at more sophisticated structures with both lateral and perpendicular confinements based on annular and photonic crystal defect cavities in order to suppress the remaining sidewall scattering.
A survey of run-time and logic errors in a classroom environment
Authors: Ulloa Miguel
Published: November 2005

This paper presents the results of a survey of programming errors in an introductory programming class conducted at Kansas State University. The objective of the study was to gain a better understanding of some of the errors made by beginning student programmers, particularly those effors normally detected by run-time packages (e.g., undefined variables, division by zero, arithmethic overflow) as well as the many effors that pass undetected by compilers and run-time tools (e.g., logic and conceptual effors). The survey involved the analysis of 1088 program runs collected from approximately 50 students in a FORTRAN programming course.The effors were tallied and analyzed, and were then recorded under eight general categories: Input/Output (e. g., missing I/O statements, missing or incorrect I/O variables or data); Assignment (e. g., incorrect operators, missing assignments); Loops (e. g., incorrect loop parameters, missing or extra loops); Decision and Branching (e. g., jump to wrong places, incorrect decisions; Arrays (e. g., incorrect subscripts, missing array); Subprograms (e. g., incorrect or missing parameters, incorrect number of calls); Declarations (e. g., issing or wrong declaration statements, wrong names in declaration statements); and Miscellaneous (e. g., unused variables, redundant decisions, wrong logic). The study found that two classes of errors accounted for over half of all noncompiletime errors: those errors related to input/output and assignment statements. Further analysis showed that less than half of the run-time error messages generated by the compiler actually pinpointed the cause of error or provided a meaningful hint.
Just so stories
Authors: Joni Saj-Nicole , Soloway Elliot , Goldman Robert , Ehrlich Kate
Published: November 2005

Teachers see many more buggy programs than they do correct programs. We view this volume of buggy programs as riches to be mined: as windows into the thought processes of the students. In this paper we will describe one of the methods we employ in analyzing buggy programs: "just so bug stories", in which we generate hypotheses as to the misconceptions on the student's part that may have led to the observed program bugs. Our goal in presenting this discussion is to convince the reader of the potential for improved programming instruction that can come from paying attention to the bugs in a student's program: by truly understanding what the student was thinking about, we are in a much better position to offer counsel to the student.
Introduction: topics in computer education
Authors: Anderson Ronald E. , Hunter Beverly
Published: November 2005

During the first half of this decade the role of computers in the educational system became a widespread concern of public decision-makers as well as teachers and school administrators. Instructional computer policies also became relevant to families, especially parents who acquire (or consider acquiring) home computers and software. A national debate over computer literacy (see e.g, Seidel, Anderson, and Hunter, 1982) accompanied this rising tide of concern and was one of the key factors behind the hundreds of computer education proposals before school boards, state legislatures and national decision bodies.
Evaluating computer education programs in the schools
Authors: Billings Karen
Published: November 2005

While the word "evaluation" may evoke some unpleasant reactions among educators, the process of evaluation can indeed be both positive and valuable. An evaluation not only helps describe a program in a school, but also provides a technique for monitoring and improving that program. It can also point out the achievements and attitudes of the participants and convey information about the program to the public.
Ethics of information technology in the educational system
Authors: Christensen Kathleen E.
Published: November 2005

When microcomputers are introduced into the classroom, they are, in effect, introduced into a complex social system, in which students, parents, teachers, administrators, policy-makers, and vendors all have vested interests and play vital roles.