cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Software Architecture-Based Self-Adaptation

Increasingly, systems must have the ability to self-adapt to meet changes in their execution environment. Unfortunately, existing solutions require human oversight, or are limited in the kinds of systems and the set of quality-of-service concerns they address. Our approach, embodied in a system called Rainbow, uses software architecture models and architectural styles to overcome existing limitations. It provides an engineering approach and a framework of mechanisms to monitor a target system and its environment, reflect observations into a system’s architecture model, detect opportunities for improvement, select a course of action, and effect changes in a closed loop. The framework provides general and reusable infrastructures with well-defined customization points, allowing engineers to systematically customize Rainbow to particular systems and concerns.
A Novel Technique for the Reattachment of Large Coral Reef Sponges

Sponges are dominant components of coral reef ecosystems, often exceeding reef-building corals in abundance. Large sponges, often more than 1 m in diameter, may be hundreds to thousands of years old. When damaged or dislodged, large sponges usually die because they are unable to reattach to the reef substratum. Because suitable methods for reattaching dislodged sponges are lacking, they are typically excluded from coral reef restoration efforts. Here we present a novel technique for the reattachment of large sponges that was tested using the Caribbean Giant barrel sponge, Xestospongia muta. Transplants of X. muta were conducted at 15- and 30-m depth off Key Largo, Florida. Despite the active hurricane season of 2005, 90% of deep and 35% of shallow transplants survived, with nearly 80% reattaching to the substratum and growing after 2.3–3 years. This technique may be generally adapted for securing large sponges in coral reef restoration efforts.
Two-Stage Actuation for Improved Accuracy of Contouring

Two-stage actuation is presented as a method for improved contouring accuracy of biaxial positioning systems. The method applies the concept of dynamic compensation to a two-stage structure where the position error of the the coarse stage serves as the input to the fine stage. The objective of dynamic compensation is to obtain an overall system with the bandwidth of the fine stage and the range of the coarse stage. Based on the widely used second order, Type 1 approximation of the actuator dynamics and proportional position control it is shown that the implementation of the fine stage increases the bandwidth of the entire system and, also, decreases phase lag at lower frequencies. Moreover, higher bandwidth results in smaller comering errors in the response of a single axis. However, the magnitude of the contour error in the neighborhood of the corner is not necessarily reduced by dynamic compensation. Finally, for constant velocity, straight line contours the advantage of two-stage actuation over the conventional single-stage systems lies in its ability to eliminate steady state contour error by eliminating steady state errors in the responses of individual axes.
Integrating object-oriented design with Petri nets-case study of ATM system

This paper deals with integration of object-oriented design with Petri nets. The object-oriented design used is an ATM system as described in Wirfs-Brock and Wilkerson's book. Cooperating Objects of Sibertin-Blanc, supported by SYROCO prototyping environment, are used for Petri net modeling and simulation. Benefits of both informal Object Oriented Design and formalisms of Petri nets are used for verification and validation purposes of the design prior to full system implementation.
A diffusion wake model for tracer ultrastructure-permeability studies in microvessels

We developed a time-dependent diffusion model for analyzing the concentration profiles of low-molecular-weight tracers in the interendothelial clefts of the capillary wall that takes into account the three-dimensional time-dependent filling of the surrounding tissue space. The model provides a connecting link between two methods to investigate transvascular exchange: electron-microscopic experiments to study the time-dependent wake formed by low-molecular-weight tracers (such as lanthanum nitrate) on the tissue side of the junction strand discontinuities in the interendothelial cleft of frog mesentery capillaries (R. H. Adamson and C. C. Michel. J. Physiol. Lond. 466: 303-327, 1993) and confocal-microscopic experiments to measure the spread of low-molecular-weight fluorescent tracers in the tissue space surrounding these microvessels (R. H. Adamson, J. F. Lenz, and F. E. Curry, Microcirculation 1: 251-265, 1994). We show that the interpretation of the presence of tracer as an all-or-none indication of a pathway across the junctional strand is likely to be incorrect for small solutes. Large-pore pathways, in which the local tracer flux densities are high, reach a threshold concentration for detection and are likely to be detected after relatively short perfusion times, whereas distributed small-pore pathways may not be detected until the tissue concentrations surrounding the entire vessel approach threshold concentrations. The analysis using this approach supports the hypothesis advanced by Fu et al. (J. Biomech. Eng. 116: 502-513, 1994) that the principal pathways for water and solutes of < 1.0 nm diameter across the interendothelial cleft may be different and suggests new experiments to test this hypothesis.
Prepulse inhibition in patients with fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome

Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a late onset neurodegenerative disorder that affects carriers of the fragile X premutation, typically after age 50. Common symptoms include intention tremor, ataxia, neuropathy, autonomic dysfunction, cognitive decline, and dementia. The objectives of this study were to determine if patients with FXTAS have altered prepulse inhibition (PPI; a measure of sensorimotor gating), and to study possible correlations between PPI, molecular status, and cognitive performance. A passive acoustic PPI paradigm was applied in 163 subjects; 121 carriers of the fragile X premutation, and 42 healthy controls. There were significant differences in PPI between premutation carriers with FXTAS and controls at PPI 60 ms, and at 120 ms. This effect was more prominent in the male FXTAS patients. There was a tendency to an impaired PPI in female premutation carriers at the 120 ms condition. There was a significant correlation between the PPI deficit and a higher CGG repeat number. The results show an impairment in sensorimotor gating processes in male carriers of the fragile X premutation, which is more prominent in patients with FXTAS.
Vasoactive intestinal peptide produces long-lasting changes in neural activity in the suprachiasmatic nucleus

The neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is expressed at high levels in the neurons of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). While VIP is known to be important to the input and output pathways from the SCN, the physiological effects of VIP on electrical activity of SCN neurons are not well known. Here the impact of VIP on firing rate of SCN neurons was investigated in mouse slice cultures recorded during the night. The application of VIP produced an increase in electrical activity in SCN slices that lasted several hours after treatment. This is a novel mechanism by which this peptide can produce long-term changes in central nervous system physiology. The increase in action potential frequency was blocked by a VIP receptor antagonist and lost in a VIP receptor knockout mouse. In addition, inhibitors of both the Epac family of cAMP binding proteins and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) blocked the induction by VIP. The persistent increase in spike rate following VIP application was not seen in SCN neurons from mice deficient in Kv3 channel proteins and was dependent on the clock protein PER1. These findings suggest that VIP regulates the long-term firing rate of SCN neurons through a VIPR2-mediated increase in the cAMP pathway and implicate the fast delayed rectifier (FDR) potassium currents as one of the targets of this regulation.
A gate-modulated CMOS LC quadrature VCO

A quadrature voltage-controlled oscillator (QVCO) based on the time-varying gate-modulated coupling of two LC tank VCOs is introduced. Using a standard 0.18μm CMOS process, the new topology is compared to the conventional series QVCO in terms of start-up loop gain, quadrature phase accuracy, phase noise, tuning range, and voltage headroom characteristics. In addition to comparable phase noise performance, the gate-modulated QVCO (GM-QVCO) also exhibits superior quadrature phase accuracy, and suitability for low power supply voltage designs that use cascode current sources and active loads. It draws 2.4 mA from a 1.8 V power supply, displays a phase noise of −122 dBc/Hz @ 1MHz offset, and has a quadrature phase error of 0.4°.
Assessment certitude as a feedback strategy for learners’ constructed responses

Educational researchers have rarely addressed the problem of how to provide feedback on constructed responses. All participants (N= 76) read a story and completed short-answer questions based on the text, with some receiving feedback consisting of the exact material on which the questions were based. During feedback, two groups receiving feedback also rated the certainty of their response correctness—an activity we have termed assessment certitude, Additionally, participants in one of these groups viewed their initial responses along with the feedback. All three feedback conditions showed significant gains in recall performance compared to a fourth group that received no feedback. Low ratings of assessment certitude significantly correlated with improved recall for two groups receiving feedback that did not include their original responses. Among these participants, mental reiteration of the feedback received was the most frequently used mental strategy while participants in a third group, who saw their original responses during feedback, reported using other approaches such as visualization.
A critical review of research on psychosocial treatment of schizophrenia.

In the following review, the evidence for the effectiveness of the psychosocial treatments of schizophrenia are evaluated. Although most studies focus on relapse and hospitalization, when available, we present information on other domains of outcome (e.g., social adjustment and employment). We begin with family treatments for schizophrenia, then intensive case management, followed by social skills training, supported employment programs, and finally, individual psychotherapy. The topics have been chosen in descending order of available critical supportive studies. Recommendations for specific psychosocial interventions (including target populations) are discussed. Overall psychosocial treatments have been shown to reduce schizophrenic relapses but have not convincingly generalized to improving other facets of the illness. Despite this, psychosocial treatments should be supported and further research to improve them is necessary.
Wide-ranging frequency preferences of auditory midbrain neurons: Roles of membrane time constant and synaptic properties.

Periodicity is a fundamental sound attribute. Its coding has been the subject of intensive research, most of which has focused on investigating how the periodicity of sounds is processed through the synaptic machinery in the brain. The extent to which the intrinsic properties of cells play in periodicity coding, particularly in the creation of selectivity to periodic signals, is not well understood. We performed in vitro whole-cell patch recordings in the frog torus semicircularis to investigate each neuron’s intrinsic membrane properties as well as responses to sinusoidal current injected through the electrode and periodic stimulation of the ascending afferent. We found that: (i) toral neurons were heterogeneous, showing diverse biophysical phenotypes having distinct membrane characteristics, including membrane time constants (s) and ionic channel compositions (Ih, Ikir, Ikv and INaP); (ii) a neuron’s s was tightly correlated with its current-evoked frequency preference (FP; range: 0.05‐50 Hz); (iii) application of blockers for Ih ,I kir and Ikv (but not INaP) shifted the s as well as the cell’s current-evoked FP, suggesting that these ion channels contribute to the cell’s FP through regulation of s; (iv) a neuron’s s was also correlated with its afferent-evoked FP (range: 10‐300 pulses⁄s); and (v) the range of afferent-evoked FP was approximately one order higher than the range of current-evoked FPs, suggesting that both the cell’s intrinsic membrane and synaptic properties contribute to determining the afferent-evoked cell-specific FP (whose range matched those of cell-specific responses to sound stimulation, e.g. selectivity to amplitude modulation rate).
The Lattice Structure of the Set of Stable Matchings with Multiple Partners

We continue recent work on the matching problem for firms and workers, and show that, for a suitable ordering, the set of stable matchings is a lattice.
Ablation of Leptin Signaling to Somatotropes: Changes in Metabolic Factors that Cause Obesity

Mice with somatotrope-specific deletion of the Janus kinase binding site in leptin receptors are GH deficient as young adults and become obese by 6 months of age. This study focused on the metabolic status of young (3–4.5 month old) preobese mutant mice. These mutants had normal body weights, lean body mass, serum leptin, glucose, and triglycerides. Mutant males and females showed significantly higher respiratory quotients (RQ) and lower energy output, resulting from a higher volume of CO2 output and lower volume of O2 consumption. Deletion mutant females were significantly less active than controls; they had higher levels of total serum ghrelin and ate more food. Mutant females also had lower serum insulin and higher glucagon. In contrast, deletion mutant males were not hyperphagic, but they were more active and spent less time sleeping. Adiponectin and resistin, both products of adipocytes, were increased in male and female mutant mice. In addition, mutant males showed an increase in circulating levels of the potent lipogenic hormone, glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide. Taken together, these results indicate that mutant mice may become obese due to a reduction in lipid oxidation and energy expenditure. This may stem from GH deficiency. Reduced fat oxidation and enhanced insulin sensitivity (in females) are directly related to GH deficiency in mutant mice because GH has been shown by others to increase insulin sensitivity and fat oxidation and reduce carbohydrate oxidation. Gender-dependent alterations in metabolic signals may further exacerbate the future obese phenotype and affect the timing of its onset. Females show a delay in onset of obesity, perhaps because of their low serum insulin, which is lipogenic, whereas young males already have higher levels of the lipogenic hormone, glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide. These findings signify that leptin signals to somatotropes are vital for the normal metabolic activity needed to optimize body composition.
Use of Total Parenteral Nutrition in Dogs: 209 Cases (1988-1995)

Summary The medical records of 209 dogs receivingtotal parenteral nutrition (TPN) over a 84-month period were examined retrospectively to determine patient profiles, frequency and type of complications, and prognostic factors affecting clinical outcome. TPN administration accounted for 895 patient days. Dogs with diarrhea or vomiting associated with gastrointestinal disease, pancreatitis, or renal failure constituted the largest proportion of patient receiving TPN. The median duration of TPN administration was 3.5 days (range 0.05 to 25 days). The median length of hospitalization before initiation of TPN was 1.5 days (range 0.05 days to 15 days). and this durationwas not associated with survival. Metabolic complications were frequent (329 of 473 complications observed) and were due predominantly to hyperglycemia. Mechanical (118 of 473) and septic (26 of 473) complications occurred less commonly. The overall mortality rate for dogs receiving TPN was 48.8%. Our conclusion: TPN can be a beneficial mode of therapy for carefully selected dogs that have impaired gastrointestinal function (parvovirus, pancreatitis, or inflammatory bowel disease) and are expected to be anorectic for morethan 5 days.
The neural networks for language in the brain: creating LAD

The neural networks that achieve linguistic skills in the brain are presently being uncovered by brain imaging methods using suitable psychophysical paradigms. We use these and other related results to guide the development of an overall neural architecture to implement Chomsky's "Language Acquisition Device" or LAD. We then consider in more detail the twin problems of the generation of infinite length sequences and the complexity of the recurrent system that produces such sequences. A recurrent neural network approach is used, based on our cartoon version of the frontal lobes, to analyze these two problems. The first is shown to be soluble in principle for any set of words by means of a set of "phrase analyzers", which contain complex neurones able to chunk suitable sequences. Further guidance from action and precept representations is indicated as helpful. The second problem is found to be solved by using the simplest level of chunking; this arises naturally in the learning process, according to a set of simulations, provided the task of language learning is suitably hard. We conclude with an overview of future developments to allow a full LAD to be developed so as to begin to approach adult speech.
Induction of angiogenesis by cationic lipid-mediated VEGF165 gene transfer in the rabbit ischemic hindlimb model

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a new cationic lipid formulation coupled with the cDNA encoding for the 165-residue form of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF 165 ) to induce neovascularization and enhance blood flow in the rabbit ischemic hindlimb model. Methods: Two days after removal of their right femoral arteries, rabbits received intramuscular injections of different concentrations of VEGF 165 or saline solution in the ischemic thigh. Tissue perfusion and increased neovascularization of the ischemic limb were assessed weekly on the basis of the calf blood pressure ratio for the ischemic/nonischemic limbs, regional blood flow to the skeletal muscles as measured with radioactive microspheres, postmortem angiography, and histology. Results: At weeks 1 and 2 after surgery, animals treated with 1000 μg of VEGF 165 had a 1.5-fold increase and a 2.5-fold increase, respectively, in the regional blood flow to both the adductor and gastrocnemius muscles of the ischemic limb. The blood pressure ratio was also greater in the treated animals than in the controls at weeks 2 and 3 after surgery. Early neovascularization in the VEGF 165 group was further documented at week 1 after surgery by more angiographically recognizable collateral vessels (angioscores were 64.13 ± 2.51 and 38.28 ± 3.82 for VEGF 165 and saline solution, respectively; P P Conclusions: Intramuscular administration of a single dose of plasmid-liposomes encoding for VEGF 165 accelerates angiogenesis and increases blood flow in the rabbit hindlimb ischemic model. Therefore, this nonviral vector could be recommended for further testing for use in therapeutic angiogenesis. (J Vasc Surg 2000;32:343-52.)
Internet Design for Emerging Markets

literacy, meaning poor ability to read and comprehend written text. In fact, almost the entire adult illiterate population of 775 million lives in developing countries. Product designs that rely on textual communication to ensure that a product or service is used properly—for example, instruction manuals or product labels—are at risk of failing for this reason alone. Therefore, people who design products and services to be used in developing countries put literacy high on their list of challenges. Products or services that involve a webor mobile-based user interface must deal with the additional problem of a lack of technical literacy. Although global in reach, web and mobile technologies have not reached all markets equally. Average Internet penetration in Africa, for example, is just 21.3 percent, compared to 84.9 percent in North America. People in developing countries who do have access to mobile devices often use older phones that require triple-tap text entry and use soft keys whose meaning changes according to context—not an easy system to figure out, even for a fully literate person. Attaining technical literacy is challenged further by frequent power outages, poor network coverage, shared phones that are often swapped—and lost—by friends and family, and expensive data plans. Therefore, designs that rely on technical literacy to ensure that a product or service is used properly—to navigate menus, enter search terms, or use contextual soft keys, for example—are also at risk of failing. Textual and technical literacy clearly are critical considerations for designers, particularly in the context of digital user interfaces in developing markets. This raises the question of what outcomes should be expected from designs that tackle these issues. Are the most desirable outcomes the ability to understand the com-
New World, New Rules: The Changing Role of the American Corporation

The article reviews the book “New World, New Rules: The Changing Role of the American Corporation,” by Marina v.N. Whitman.
Lessons Learned From Implementing the Steps to Self-Determination Curriculum:

This article describes a system of supports for implementing the Steps to Self-Determination curriculum and discusses findings from studies on the curriculum, all of which used a pre-post design with Steps as the intervention. Findings from outreach efforts to support implementation of Steps include teachers who are self-determined are better able to promote self-determination for their students, self-determination needs to be supported at all levels in the school organization, self-determination knowledge and skills can be infused successfully in a variety of subject areas, there are many ways to involve parents in self-determination instruction, support for positive relationships is central to self-determination, and achievement of valued goals is an important element of self-determination instruction. Practical strategies teachers have used to adapt or enhance the curriculum are presented.
References examining assaults by women on their spouses or male partners: An annotated bibliography

This bibliography examines 155 scholarly investigations; 126 empirical studies and 29 reviews and/or analyses, which demonstrate that women are as physically aggressive, or more aggressive than men in their relationships with their spouses or male partners. The aggregate sample size in the reviewed studies exceeds 116,000.
A Semantic Framework for Integrated Asset Management in Smart Oilfields

Integrated asset management (IAM) is the vision of IT- enabled transformation of oilfield operations where information integration from a variety of tools for reservoir modeling, simulation, and performance prediction will lead to rapid decision making for continuous production optimization. This paper describes the design of a model-based IAM system for production forecasting. Domain knowledge is captured through a formal modeling language that forms the basis for an intuitive user interface to the system. An IAM metacatalog captures domain knowledge as well as metadata about computational resources and data sets in a single ontological framework, thereby providing a unified mechanism for application, data, and workflow integration . The framework is designed to be portable across oilfield assets, to allow different classes of end users to interact with the integrated system, and to accomodate new domain knowledge, software applications, data sets, and workflows for IAM.
Impact of IGBT behavior on design optimization of soft switching inverter topologies

IGBTs operated under a zero voltage switching scheme exhibit significantly different operating characteristics from specified parameters in manufacturer data sheets. Important differences include an elevated tail current, dynamic saturation and resulting snubber dump, and a significantly higher conduction loss under moderate to high di/dt conditions. Soft switching inverter topologies of various kinds have been reported in the literature including resonant DC and AC link inverters, resonant pole inverters and many variations thereof. Loss characterization of soft switching inverter circuits reported to date is based on manufacturer data sheets, and do not reflect actual losses incurred in the circuit. Including the actual device behavior into the circuit loss calculations has a big impact on the total losses, and more importantly the trade-offs which impact the viability of a given topology at a specified operating point. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the losses in soft switching inverters and the impact on topology choice. A detailed design of a 50 kVA IGBT-based resonant DC link inverter is used as a design example, and it is seen that optimal design points and choices are significantly different from those that have been reported earlier. >
Personalizing our diet to improve our health: the potential impact of nutrigenomics.

The data from the Human Genome Project [1] have revolutionized medical research through documentation of individual variation in gene sequences and identification of SNPs and their functional effects, thereby providing an opportunity to elucidate their role in chronic diseases. Nowhere are the changes more pronounced than in the field of drug development, which uses pharmacogenomics [2,3], a study of how individual genetic makeup might help in predicting drug efficacy and potential side effects. By incorporating genotyping in the early stages of the drug-development process, pharmaceutical companies could perhaps avoid the possibility of late withdrawal of blockbuster drugs from the market. In the long run, genotyping studies could save millions of dollars in drug-development costs and also help to design drugs targeted to a given population group with minimal side effects. If we can choose the right drug based on our genetic profile, what is next on the horizon? The answer: nutritional genomics [4,5].
On the Parikh Membership Problem for FAs, PDAs, and CMs

We consider the problem of determining if a string w belongs to a language L specified by an automaton NFA, or PDA augmented by reversal-bounded counters, etc. where the string w is specified by its Parikh vector. If the automaton PDA augmented with reversal-bounded counters is fixed and the Parikh vector is encoded in unary binary, the problem is in DLOGSPACE PTIME. When the automaton is part of the input and the Parikh vector is encoded in binary, we show the following results: if the input is an NFA accepting a letter-bounded language i.e., $\subseteq a_1^* \cdots a_k^*$ for some distinct symbols a 1, ..., a k , the problem is in PTIME, but if the input is an NFA accepting a word-bounded language i.e., $\subseteq w_1^* \cdots w_m^*$ for some nonnull strings w 1, ..., w m , it is NP-complete. The proofs involve solving systems of linear Diophantine equations with non-negative integer coefficients. As an application of the results, we present efficient algorithms for a generalization of a tiling problem posed recently by Dana Scott. Finally, we give a classification of the complexity of the membership problem for restricted classes of semilinear sets.
Restitution, Rent Extraction, and Class Representatives: Implications of Incentive Awards

This essay - part of a class action symposium - discusses the normative implications of new empirical research by Professors Ted Eisenberg and Geoffrey Miller on incentive awards to class representatives and a prominent earlier study by the same authors on class counsel fee awards. Part I of the essay highlights the respects in which incentive awards to class representatives parallel class counsel fee awards - specifically, by providing restitution for costs and risks uniquely borne by such persons by comparison to absent class members. This Part discusses how systematic examination of incentive fees has the potential to move judicial administration of awards on that subject in the same direction as recent developments regarding class counsel fees. Part II supplies the natural counterpoint, identifying aspects of incentive fee awards with no close analogues in the world of class counsel fees. The first such aspect relates to the aspiration to induce high-quality monitoring of class counsel by the class representative, not just by way of a restitutionary award but also, potentially, by providing some manner of reward or bounty. The essay criticizes the stance of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA), which authorizes restitutionary awards to lead plaintiffs in securities class actions but disallows awards in the nature of a reward for high-quality monitoring. This stance is ironic, at the very least, given that other features of the PSLRA actually celebrate the ideal of high-quality monitoring by institutional investors. Research on the role of such investors as lead plaintiffs under the PSLRA, if anything, suggests that the incentives for them so to serve may be too low under current law. Part II goes on to discuss what one might call the "gatekeeping" function of the class representative - whether to defeat the removal of a class action to federal court (at least, prior to the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005) or to enable class counsel to secure control of the litigation vis-a-vis competitor firms within the plaintiffs' bar. The essay notes that, in the latter situation, there is a substantial prospect that class representatives might engage in rent extraction by demanding side payments from class counsel. The essay concludes with reflections on the normative implications of such payments, referencing the ongoing criminal investigation commonly understood to concern the pre-PSLRA conduct of the prominent securities plaintiffs' law firm formerly known as Milberg Weiss Bershad Hynes & Lerach.
Investigation of Information Search in Buyer-Supplier Negotiations

While information sharing between firms has been the source of much investigation, information search has not. Yet, it would be unlikely for information sharing to take place without a prior search for information. Moreover, investigations of the role of information in negotiations have often only controlled for bargaining power and social preferences (prosocial and proself). Yet, social psychology shows that bargaining power and social preferences have a significant impact on negotiation behavior. Specifically, high bargaining power, which renders individuals less sensitive to their environment and hinders their perspective taking ability, might make buyers less likely to acquire detailed supplier cost information when market price is available. Additionally, proselfs, who care to maximize their own share of the surplus, might not believe that they need to obtain detailed supplier cost information. We use a quasi-experiment to test how buyers’ bargaining power and social preference affect buyers’ search for supplier cost information. We then examine how the information obtained influences expected trade outcomes. Consistent with our expectations, we find that low-power buyers and prosocial buyers choose to acquire more precise information than high-power buyers and proself buyers. In addition, this information choice affects buyers’ initial offers and expected trade outcomes indirectly through buyers' calculation of the supplier’s profit.
VULNERABILITY-BASED INFORMATION SECURITY RISK ASSESSMENT USING ATTACK TREE

In reviewing different security risk assessment methods, we developed a tree-based security assessment model based on vulnerability reports. Using an attack tree in a unix login account as an example, we analyzed attack trees, resulting in experimental indication that the attacktree-based risk assessment is more efficient than direct security risk assessment.
Challenges and Opportunities in Magnetic Resonance Force Microscopy

Recently the first experiments in magnetic resonance force microscopy (MRFM) have been conducted. In these experiments a force microscope cantilever is used to detect the magnetic force exerted by electrons and nuclei in a sample. The magnetization of the sample is modulated at the resonant frequency of the cantilever, using standard magnetic resonance techniques. The resulting excitation of the cantilever is detected optically. This article reviews the present status of MRFM technology, emphasizing the physical principles involved and the opportunities for further research and development. Particular emphasis is placed on single spin detection by MRFM and potential applications in biomolecular imaging.
When should women with placenta previa be delivered? A decision analysis.

Objective To determine the optimal gestational age of delivery for women with placenta previa by accounting for both neonatal and maternal outcomes. Study design A decision-analytic model was designed comparing total maternal and neonatal quality-adjusted life years for delivery of women with previa at gestational ages from 34 to 38 weeks. At each week, we allowed for four different delivery strategies: (1) immediate delivery, without amniocentesis or steroids; (2) delivery 48 hours after steroid administration (without amniocentesis); (3) amniocentesis with delivery if fetal lung maturity (FLM) positive or retesting in one week if FLM negative; (4) amniocentesis with delivery if FLM testing is positive or administration of steroids if FLM negative. Results Delivery at 36 weeks, 48 hours after steroids, for women with previa optimizes maternal and neonatal outcomes. In sensitivity analyses, these results were robust to a wide range of variation in input assumptions. If it is assumed that steroids offer no neonatal benefit at this gestational age, outright delivery at 36 weeks' gestation is the best strategy. Conclusion Steroid administration at 35 weeks and 5 days followed by delivery at 36 weeks for women with placenta previa optimizes maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Mitochondrial function in cerebral ischemia and hypoxia: comparison of inhibitory and adaptive responses.

AbstractIn cerebral ischemia, brain oxygen supply is totally exhausted within seconds. This necessitates cessation of mitochondrial electron transfer and energy (ATP) production. After certain periods of ATP deficiency of from 5 to 90 min, irreversible damage of mitrochondrial membranes occurs. This results in decreased mitochondrial function, characterized by inhibited State 3 respiratory rates, low respiratory control ratios, and inhibited Ca2+ transport activities. A 30-min recirculation period of the ischemic brain tissue induces total restitution of mitochondrial respiratory capacity after complete ischemia, but not after incomplete ischemia. Regional in situ measurements of brain pyridine nucleotide redox levels, tissue ATP, and lactate concentrations indicate variable metabolic responses of different brain regions to oligemia. Macroheterogeneity from region to region, as well as microheterogeneity within a region, are demonstrated.Contrary to the effects of tissue ischemia involving reduced or zero...
Fundamental Equations for Transport Processes in Storage Reservoirs

The objective of this paper is to present an overview of the fundamental equations governing transport phenomena in compressible storage reservoirs. A general mathematical model will be presented for the important thermo-mechanical processes operative in a reservoir. Such a formulation would include equations governing multiphase fluid (gas-water-hydrocarbon) flow, energy transport, and reservoir skeleton deformation. The model allows phase changes due to gas solubility. Furthermore, Terzaghi’s concept of effective stress and stress-strain relations are incorporated into the general model. The functional relations among various model parameters which cause the nonlinearity of the system of equations are explained within the context of reservoir engineering principles. Simplified equations and appropriate boundary conditions have also been presented for various cases.
Impact of Time Orientation on Consumer Innovativeness: A Study in India and the United States.

Past research has shown that consumer innovativeness is influenced by demographics and consumer personality attributes, like need for stimulation, desire for novelty, and need for uniqueness. We extend previous work in this area by empirically testing the effect of three time orientations (past, present and future) on consumer innovativeness; using data collected from two countries: India and the USA.
Pediatric Needle Cricothyrotomy: A Case for Simulation in Prehospital Medicine.

Introduction A patient that cannot be oxygenated or ventilated requires immediate and effective assessment, treatment, and transportation. Pediatric needle cricothyrotomy is used infrequently, ther...
Nipple-Sparing Total Mastectomy

Nipple-sparing total mastectomy is performed for carefully selected oncological indications and is followed by immediate reconstruction. This chapter lists the indications, essential steps, common technical variations, and complications of the procedure. A detailed template operative dictation note is included.
Colonialismos, poscolonialismos y poderes hegemónicos en la frontera norte de México: arte, literatura y resistencia cultural / Colonialisms, postcolonialisms and hegemonic powers on the northern border of Mexico: art, literature and cultural resistance

Resumen: Este articulo explora el desarrollo economico, demografico y social de la frontera norte de Mexico y el papel que ha jugado esta en su historia colonial, en relacion al surgimiento y desarrollo de su literatura. La obra del tijuanense Luis Humberto Crosthwaite ilustra como esta historia colonial es subvertida y transformada en parodia, mediante la cual, la frontera adquiere su propia hegemonia y soberania. Palabras clave: Cambio social, frontera, Mexico, Tijuana, colonialismo, poscolonialismo. Abstract: This article explores Mexico Northern border economic, demographic and social development, and the role this has played in its colonial history in relation to the emergence and development of its literature. Tijuana´s writer Luis Humberto Crosthwaite work captures how this colonial history is subverted and transformed into parody. In this way, the border becomes hegemonic and sovereign. Key words: Social Change, Border, Mexico, Tijuana, Colonialism, Postcolonialism.
Multivariate statistical analyses of air pollutants and meteorology in Chicago during summers 2010-2012

Aerosol, trace gas, and meteorological data were collected in Chicago, Illinois during 2010–2012 summer air studies. Ozone, nitrogen oxides, acetate, formate, chloride, nitrate, sulfate, and oxalate concentrations as well as temperature, wind speed, wind direction, and humidity data were explored by both principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical correlation analysis (CCA). Multivariate statistical techniques were applied to uncover existing relationships between meteorology and air pollutant concentrations and also reduce data dimensions. In PCA, principal components (PCs) revealed a relationship of ozone and nitrate concentrations with respect to temperature and humidity, coupled with transport of species from the south in relation to the sampling site (PC1). PC2 was a measure of secondary aerosols but also suggested acetate and formate presence was a result of primary emissions or transport. Both PC3 and PC4 contained residual information with the former representing days of lower pollution and the latter representing northerly wind transport of chloride, nitrate, and ozone to the sampling site. In CCA, three canonical functions were statistically significant. The first indicated high temperature and low wind speed had a strong linear relationship ozone, oxalate, and nitrogen oxide concentrations whereas the second function showed a strong influence of wind direction on acetate, formate, and chloride concentrations. Residuals of temperature, wind speed, trace gases, and oxalate also were in the second function. The only new information in the third function was humidity. Overall, PCA and CCA bring forth multivariable relationships, not represented in descriptive statistics, useful in understanding pollution variability.
Ventricular assist device in a failing total cavopulmonary connection: a new step-by-step approach.

The management of failing Fontan patients with mechanical circulatory support has been reported with unsatisfactory results. A 5-year-old girl, listed for heart transplantation for failing Fontan, underwent rescue extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. As it was necessary to move the patient to the Berlin Heart Excor, a step-by-step approach was designed to obtain a gradual adaptation to this form of support. A central extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, with a Berlin Heart apical and aortic cannulae, was implanted leaving the previously positioned femoral vein cannula in parallel with the outflow apical one. The femoral vein cannula was removed when the lungs recovered from the effects of surgical trauma. Four days later, the Fontan fenestration was closed, and after 4 more days, a gradual reduction of gas support was planned without problems. Oxygenator was then removed, and 4 days later, a 30-ml Berlin Heart EXCOR ventricle replaced the centrifugal pump. This sequential approach, which has never been described before, can improve the results of the ventricular assist device support in failing Fontan patients, because it allows a gradual adaptation, even in patients with damaged lungs.
MISSING SEPTUM, HIDDEN EMBOLISM: A PARADOXICAL CAUSE OF RECURRENT MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION IN A YOUNG PATIENT WITH SECUNDUM ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECT

Paradoxical embolism is a rare cause of myocardial infarction in patients with intracardiac shunts. A 26 year old male with an unrepaired secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) and partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR) was admitted to the hospital with typical angina and markedly elevated
Groin and Perineal Wounds

An adult paraplegic man presented with a chronic wound of the perineum and left groin. The wound had been previously debrided and was associated with osteomyelitis of the pelvis. The wound measured 7 × 9 cm. The superior aspect of the wound was immediately overlying and included the pelvic bone. The patient had a history of recurrent pressure sores and had multiple scars over the anterior lateral aspect of the left thigh and hip. In addition, he had old scars on his left gluteal area. The scars appeared to be associated with old rotation flaps. The problem is one of a large pressure sore of the left groin and perineum that has bony involvement.
Reproductive Neuroendocrine Targets of Developmental Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors

Recent scientific evidence has advanced our understanding of how exogenous environmental chemicals influence developing organisms. The documented effects of industrial compounds introduced into the environment by humans include actions on hormonal systems, including the reproductive, growth, thyroid, and lactotrophic axes. The central focus of this chapter is the impact of environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on the developing reproductive neuroendocrine axis. Because the developing brain and reproductive organs are sculpted via processes that are largely influenced by steroid hormones, organisms are particularly vulnerable to the actions of EDCs during the period of life spanning late gestation and early postnatal life. A review of the literature regarding the effects of five classes of EDCs on the developing mammal is provided, with specific regard to sexual differentiation of the reproductive hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Although the majority of the studies summarized herein focus on laboratory animals, epidemiological information regarding the known effects of EDCs on humans will be presented when available. We conclude that the available experimental animal and epidemiological data are supportive of a potential role of EDCs on alterations of neuroendocrine development, and on pubertal onset.
Autoscaling tiered cloud storage in Anna

In this paper, we describe how we extended a distributed key-value store called Anna into an autoscaling, multi-tier service for the cloud. In its extended form, Anna is designed to overcome the narrow cost-performance limitations typical of current cloud storage systems. We describe three key aspects of Anna's new design: multi-master selective replication of hot keys, a vertical tiering of storage layers with different cost-performance tradeoffs, and horizontal elasticity of each tier to add and remove nodes in response to load dynamics. Anna's policy engine uses these mechanisms to balance service-level objectives around cost, latency and fault tolerance. Experimental results explore the behavior of Anna's mechanisms and policy, exhibiting orders of magnitude efficiency improvements over both commodity cloud KVS services and research systems.
L- theanine and Caffeine Improve Sustained Attention, Impulsivity and Cognition in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders by Decreasing Mind Wandering (OR29-04-19)

Our previous research corroborate the work of others to indicate that L-theanine and caffeine are known to improve sustained attention in healthy adults. The effects of these substances have not been studied in relation to attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD). We aimed to examine the effects of L-theanine, caffeine and their combination on sustained attention, impulse control and overall cognition in male children with ADHD in a four-way, placebo-controlled repeated measures crossover study. Five male children (8–17) years with ADHD, who have responded to stimulants were recruited via advertisement. L-theanine (2.5 mg/kg body weight), caffeine (2.0 mg/kg body weight), their combination and a placebo were administered in a randomized crossover design on four separate days. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed 55 minutes post-dose, while the subjects engaged in a Go/NoGo continuous performance task (CPT) and a stop-signal reaction time (SSRT) task. NIH Cognition Toolbox was administered 110 minutes post-dose. Data were analyzed using two-level regression models constructed using R and FSL software to compare the three treatments vs. the placebo on all measured outcomes. L-theanine, caffeine and their combination improved hit rate in CPT (p < 0.001) and total cognition composite in NIH Cognition Toolbox (p < 0.05) compared to placebo. L-theanine and caffeine, when administered alone, increased SSRT (p = 0.007 and p = 0.018 respectively), while the combination decreased SSRT compared to placebo (p = 0.012). L-theanine, caffeine and the combination decreased task-related fMRI reactivity of the default mode network in the brain, which is known to show increased activity during mind wandering. L-theanine, caffeine and their combination seem to improve sustained attention and overall cognitive performance in children with ADHD, possibly via decreasing mind wandering during exertion of attention. While L-theanine alone and caffeine alone seem to increase impulsivity, the combination seems to decrease (i.e., improve) impulsivity in children with ADHD. As such, the combination of L-theanine and caffeine may have the potential to be used as a therapeutic and/or dose sparing agent to manage symptoms in children with ADHD. Texas Tech Neuroimaging Institute.