cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the Optimality of Linear Signaling to Deceive Kalman Filters over Finite/Infinite Horizons

In this paper, we address the problem of obtaining optimal deceptive signaling strategies between two agents, a sender and a receiver, over an ideal channel. Different from classical (cooperative) communication settings, here, the agents select their strategies under two different cost measures. For the case when these costs are quadratic, we analyze the Stackelberg equilibrium, where the sender leads the game by committing his/her strategies beforehand. This is an infinite-dimensional optimization problem, where the sender needs to anticipate the receiver’s reaction while selecting his/her policy within the general class of stochastic kernels. The specific model we adopt for the underlying information of interest is a discrete-time Markov process generated by a vector-valued linear dynamical system, and at each instant, the information is a realization of a square integrable multivariate random vector. Over both finite and infinite horizons, we show the optimality of memoryless, “linear” signaling rules when the receiver uses a Kalman filter to estimate its information of interest. We develop algorithms that deliver the optimal signaling strategies. Numerical analysis shows that the performance of the sender degrades slightly when the receiver uses the best nonlinear estimator even when the information of interest is a Rademacher random variable rather than Gaussian.
A Brief Review on Some Architectures Providing Support for DIFT

Dynamic Information Flow Tracking (DIFT) is a technique to track potential security vulnerabilities in software and hardware systems at run time. The last fifteen years have seen a lot of research work on DIFT, including both hardware-based and software-based implementations for different types of processor architectures. This survey briefly reviews some hardware architectures that provide DIFT support. Starting from introducing different approaches for hardware based DIFT, this survey focuses on integrated/in-core architectures. Protection schemes, including tagging system, tag propagation, and tag checking for each architecture will be discussed. The survey is organized in such a way that it illustrates the evolution of integrated DIFT architectures, each architecture tries to improve the precious proposed architectures generality/versatility weaknesses. However, improving security while providing generality and versatility is kind of trade-offs. This survey compares the architectures from different aspects to show the trade-offs clearer.
Effects of calcium concentration on nonviral gene delivery to bone marrow-derived stem cells.

BACKGROUND Calcium ions (Ca2+ ) influence natural bone healing, and calcium is frequently used in bone tissue engineering scaffolds and cements. Scaffolds can also incorporate gene delivery systems to further promote osteoblast differentiation. Thus, our goal was to identify if Ca2+ concentration affects the transfection of bone marrow stromal cells because these cells play a major role in bone healing and can infiltrate gene-activated scaffolds designed to promote bone growth. METHODS Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were cultured in media with Ca2+ concentrations ranging from 0 to 20 mM and transfected with polyethyleneimine-plasmid DNA (PEI-pDNA) complexes. Cell viability and transfection efficiency were determined using MTS assays and flow cytometry, respectively. PEI-pDNA complex localization in BMSCs was assessed using fluorescence microscopy. To determine BMSC differentiation, messenger RNA (mRNA) for osteocalcin and CBFA1 was quantified using real time-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Calcium deposition was qualitatively assessed after three and 14 days using Alizarin Red staining. RESULT Our results indicate that Ca2+ levels between 8 and 12 mM positively impacted transfection of BMSCs with PEI-pDNA complexes in terms of cell viability and transfection efficiency. A Ca2+ concentration of 10 mM also increased the expression of an osteogenic gene, osteocalcin, when the cells were transfected with plasmid DNA encoding bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2). CONCLUSION Ca2+ at a 10 mM concentration can significantly reduce toxicity and enhance transfection efficiency when combined with PEI-pDNA complexes, and this combination can be specifically applied to further enhance the differentiation of BMSCs by using the combination of polyethyleneimine-plasmid bone morphogenetic protein 2 (PEI-pBMP-2) and 10 mM Ca2+ as compared with PEI-pBMP-2 alone.
Improved Treatment Response Following Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Focused Ultrasound for Lumbar Facet Joint Pain.

Magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a noninvasive modality that allows for precise tissue ablation with sparing of surrounding structures. Early reports of the use of MRgFUS for the treatment of facet joint osteoarthritis are promising. We present a case of facet joint pain treated successfully by MRgFUS at our institution. Magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasonography may be a useful modality for patients with facet joint-mediated low back pain, particularly in the setting of limited or refractory response to conventional treatments.
Sociodemographic Characteristics Associated with Pretreatment Weight Change in a U.S. Military Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention

Participants beginning weight loss interventions commonly experience weight changes during the pretreatment period (i.e., screening to baseline visits) and some research indicates that this period ...
Multi-time scale based modeling of piezoelectric materials coupling transient electrical and dynamic fields with finite deformation damage

Abstract This paper develops a high performance scalable computational model for simulating coupled transient electric and finite deformation dynamic fields with widely discrepant frequencies, governing the behavior of piezoelectric materials in the finite element framework. The nonlinear piezoelectric constitutive laws are formulated in the context of continuum damage models (CDM) at finite deformation. A fully coupled, total Lagrangian finite element formulation is developed for modeling the electric and mechanical fields in a staggered way. To address the computational challenge in modeling piezoelectric devices with large discrepancy in the frequenlightsghtscies of the electrical signal and mechanical vibrations, a wavelet transformation induced multi-time scaling (WATMUS) algorithm is developed. The WATMUS method projects the field with higher frequency onto the lower frequency problem through the use of orthogonal wavelet transformation. No assumption of periodic response is needed in the WATMUS scheme. While being accurate, the WATMUS algorithm significantly enhances the computational efficiency in comparison with single time scale integration methods. The accuracy and efficiency of the WATMUS algorithm are validated through piezoelectric applications.
Tech-Mediated and Traditional Communication Modes in Adult Adoptees' Contact With Birth Parents.

Objective To understand how adult adoptees use traditional and tech-mediated modes of communication in contact with birth parents. To examine associations between desire for increased use of both modes and quality of relationship. Background As tech-mediated modes of communication become more commonplace, it is important to understand their implications for family relationship quality. Limited research has examined the use of tech-mediated modes of communication between adult adoptees and birth parents. Method Participants (Mage = 31 years) were adopted as infants (N = 90). Participants reported their current and desired future use of traditional and tech-mediated communication modes and their satisfaction with contact, current closeness, desired future closeness, and psychological presence of birth parents. Results Those with current contact reported using both traditional and tech-mediated modes of communication. Desired increase of traditional modes was associated with greater psychological presence and desired future closeness with birth mothers, while both traditional and tech-mediated were associated with these outcomes for birth fathers. Conclusion Adult adoptees use both traditional and tech-mediated modes of communication with their birth parents. However, these modes may play distinct roles in maintaining close relationships with birth parents. Implications Family professionals should consider the unique roles traditional and tech-mediated modes of communication may play when supporting adult adoptees in contact with birth relatives.
More oil, more or less taxes? New evidence on the impact of resource revenue on domestic tax revenue

Abstract The fiscal management of natural resource revenue is challenging particularly for developing countries. Despite providing a sizable amount of fiscal revenue, the volatility of natural resource revenue requires countries to rely on non-resource domestic revenue sources. In this paper, I revisit the question of how revenue from natural resources affects non-resource tax revenue and its components. I test the hypothesis that increased resource revenue is offset by a decrease in domestic non-resource tax revenue by exploiting an exogenous variation arising from giant oil and gas discoveries. I do not find evidence supporting the hypothesis of substitution between resource and non-resource revenues. Rather, I find that giant oil discoveries lead to temporarily higher tax collection that peaks when production starts. Interestingly, the increase in tax revenue occurs only in developing countries and is attributed to increased effort on taxes on income and international trade.
Genetic feedback for psychiatric conditions: Where are we now and where are we going

Genome-wide association studies are rapidly advancing our understanding of the genetic architecture of complex disorders, including many psychiatric conditions such as major depression, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders. One common goal of genome-wide association studies is to use findings for enhanced clinical prediction in the future, which can aid in identifying at-risk individuals to enable more effective prevention screening and treatment strategies. In order to achieve this goal, we first need to gain a better understanding of the issues surrounding the return of complex genetic results. In this article, we summarize the current literature on: (a) genetic literacy in the general population, (b) the public's interest in receiving genetic test results for psychiatric conditions, (c) how individuals react to and interpret their genotypic information for specific psychiatric conditions, and (d) gaps in our knowledge that will be critical to address as we move toward returning genotypic information for psychiatric conditions in both research and clinical settings. By reviewing extant studies, we aim to increase awareness of the potential benefits and consequences of returning genotypic information for psychiatric conditions.
Calibrating satellite-derived carbon fluxes for retrospective and near real-time assimilation systems

Abstract. The ability to monitor and understand natural and anthropogenic variability in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is a growing need of many stakeholders across the world. Systems that assimilate satellite observations, given their short latency and dense spatial coverage, into high-resolution global models are valuable, if not essential, tools for addressing this need. A notable drawback of modern assimilation systems is the long latency of many vital input datasets, e.g., inventories, in situ measurements, and reprocessed remote-sensing data can trail the current date by months to years. This paper describes techniques for calibrating surface fluxes derived from satellite observations of the Earth's surface to be consistent with constraints from inventories and in situ CO2 datasets. The techniques are applicable in both short-term forecasts and retrospective simulations, thus taking advantage of the coverage and short latency of satellite data while reproducing the major features of long-term inventory and in situ records. Our approach begins with a standard collection of diagnostic fluxes which incorporate a variety of remote-sensing driver data, viz. vegetation indices, fire radiative power, and nighttime lights. We then apply an empirical sink to calibrate the diagnostic fluxes to match given atmospheric and oceanic growth rates for each year. This step removes coherent, systematic flux errors that produce biases in CO2 which mask the signals an assimilation system hopes to capture. Depending on the simulation mode, the empirical sink uses different choices of atmospheric growth rates: estimates based on observations in retrospective mode and projections based on seasonal forecasts of sea surface temperature in forecasting mode. The retrospective fluxes, when used in simulations with NASA's Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS), reproduce marine boundary layer measurements with comparable skill to those using fluxes from a modern inversion system. The forecasted fluxes show promising accuracy in their application to the analysis of changes in the carbon cycle as they occur.
Compliance as an Exchange of Legitimacy for Influence

This chapter explains how corporate compliance with nonbinding international institutions results from an exchange of legitimacy for influence. Actors outside a corporation bestow legitimacy upon a corporation in exchange for influence over that corporation’s practices or policies.In this exchange, a corporation gains legitimacy and the external actor gains influence over the corporation.6 This dynamic immediately prompts three essential questions explained in this chapter: (1) why would a corporation permit such influence, (2) what types of actors wield such influence, and (3) how is this influence exercised?
Clinical descriptors of pneumothorax following chest tube removal in paediatric cardiac surgery.

Background: There is limited data describing the characteristics of paediatric post-operative cardiac surgery patients who develop pneumothoraces after chest tube removal. Patient management after chest tube removal is not standardised across paediatric cardiac surgery programmes. The purposes of this study were to describe the frequency of pneumothorax after chest tube removal in paediatric post-operative cardiac surgical patients and to describe the patient and clinical characteristics of those patients who developed a clinically significant pneumothorax requiring intervention. Methods: A single-institution retrospective descriptive study (1 January, 2010–31 December, 2018) was utilised to review 11,651 paediatric post-operative cardiac surgical patients from newborn to 18 years old. Results: Twenty-five patients were diagnosed with a pneumothorax by chest radiograph following chest tube removal (0.2%). Of these 25 patients, 15 (1.6%) had a clinically significant pneumothorax and 8 (53%) did not demonstrate a change in baseline clinical status or require an increase in supplemental oxygen, 14 (93%) required an intervention, 9 (60%) were <1 year of age, 4 (27%) had single-ventricle physiology, and 5 (33%) had other non-cardiac anomalies/genetic syndromes. Conclusions: In our cohort of patients, we confirmed the incidence of pneumothorax after chest tube removal is low in paediatric post-operative cardiac surgery patients. This population does not always exhibit changes in clinical status despite having clinically significant pneumothoraces. We suggest the development of criteria, based on clinical characteristics, for patients who are at increased risk of developing a pneumothorax and would require a routine chest radiograph following chest tube removal.
Biodistribution, cardiac and neurobehavioral assessments, and neurotransmitter quantification in juvenile rats following oral administration of aluminum oxide nanoparticles

Little is known about the uptake, biodistribution, and biological responses of nanoparticles (NPs) and their toxicity in developing animals. Here, male and female juvenile Sprague-Dawley rats received four consecutive daily doses of 10 mg/kg Al2 O3 NP (diameter: 24 nm [transmission electron microscope], hydrodynamic diameter: 148 nm) or vehicle control (water) by gavage between postnatal days (PNDs) 17-20. Basic neurobehavioral and cardiac assessments were performed on PND 20. Animals were sacrificed on PND 21, and selected tissues were collected, weighed, and processed for histopathology or neurotransmitter analysis. The biodistribution of Al2 O3 NP in tissue sections of the intestine, liver, spleen, kidney, and lymph nodes were evaluated using enhanced dark-field microscopy (EDM) and hyperspectral imaging (HSI). Liver-to-body weight ratio was significantly increased for male pups administered Al2 O3 NP compared with control. HSI suggested that Al2 O3 NP was more abundant in the duodenum and ileum tissue of the female pups compared with the male pups, whereas the abundance of NP was similar for males and females in the other tissues. The abundance of NP was higher in the liver compared with spleen, lymph nodes, and kidney. Homovanillic acid and norepinephrine concentrations in brain were significantly decreased following Al2 O3 NP administration in female and male pups, whereas 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid was significantly increased in male pups. EDM/HSI indicates intestinal uptake of Al2 O3 NP following oral administration. Al2 O3 NP altered neurotransmitter/metabolite concentrations in juvenile rats' brain tissues. Together, these data suggest that orally administered Al2 O3 NP interferes with the brain biochemistry in both female and male pups.
Modified commutators vs. modified operators in a quantum gravity minimal length scale

Ideas about quantum gravity often postulate that at some high energy/momentum scale there will be a fixed, minimal length. Such a minimal length can be phenomenologically investigated by modifying the usual Heisenberg Uncertainty Relation-ship, ΔxΔp≥ℏ2, which in turn means modifying the commutator between position and momentum operators, which in turn means means modifying these operators. We show that it is the modification of the position and momentum operators which is the key determining factor in the existence (or not) of a minimal length scale. By focusing on the primacy of the role of the operators we also show that one can avoid the implications from the observations of certain short gamma ray bursts which in certain cases seem to push a minimal length scale above the Planck scale.
Branching out: Consequences of the dispersion of authoritarian elites across state and government in Latin America

Authoritarian-era elites often do not quietly withdraw from political life after democratic transitions. Recent scholarship shows how elites can often perpetuate their influence under democracy thr...
Counter-terrorism analysis using cooperative game theory.

Game theory has been applied in many fields of study, especially economics and political science. Arce M. and Sandler (2005) analyzed counter-terrorism using non-cooperative game theory (the players are, for example, the US and the EU), which assumes that communication among the players is not allowed, or, if it is allowed, then there is no mechanism to enforce any agreement the players may make. The only solution in the non-cooperative setting would be a Nash equilibrium because the players adopt only self-enforcing strategies. Here we analyze counter-terrorism using cooperative game theory, because there are ways to communicate among the players and to make binding agreements; indeed, countries that oppose terrorism are closely connected to each other in many aspects such as economically and in terms of international politics.
Coordinated Optimization and Control of Residential Solid State Power Substations in Electrical Distribution Network

This paper proposes a computationally efficient mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model for the coordinated optimization of solid-state power substations (SSPSs) in a feeder considering the full unbalanced three-phase structure of the distribution grid and its characteristics. The proposed model determines the optimal real and reactive power of each SSPS at the point of common coupling (PCC) that minimizes the operating cost and maximizes the system performance, e.g., voltage regulation and phase balancing. To improve the computational efficiency, an inscribed octagon is introduced to approximate the quadratic capacity constraints of components. Numerical simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed model and significant improvements in voltage profiles and power imbalance between phases.
Auditors’ Liability, Investments, and Capital Markets: A Potential Unintended Consequence of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act: auditors’ liability, investments, and capital markets

To restore investors’ confidence in the reliability of corporate financial disclosures, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 mandated stricter regulations and arguably increased auditors’ liability. In this paper, we analyze the effects of increased auditor liability on the audit failure rate, the cost of capital, and the level of new investment. We focus on a setting in which, with imperfect auditing, a firm has better information than investors about its prospects and seeks to raise capital for new investments in a lemons market. The equilibrium analysis derives corporate reporting and investing choices by the firm, attestation opinions by the auditor, and valuation by rational investors. Three empirically testable predictions emerge: although increasing auditor liability decreases the audit failure rate and the cost of capital for new projects, it also decreases the level of new profitable investments.
Seizure Prediction and Heart Rate Oscillations Classification in Partial Epilepsy

This chapter constitutes a first step toward a wearable epileptic seizure prediction device. Since recording electrocardiogram can be accomplished fairly easily, we look into the existing correlation between epileptic pre-ictal states and heart rate variability. The intervals of extreme noise may corrupt the electrocardiogram data during the seizures, and this means that we are able to use a machine learning and specifically deep learning techniques to detect the pre-ictal aka pre-seizure states. The experimental results show particularly good results in terms of prediction performance. They also show the importance of a specific training for each patient. In this chapter, we analyzed the cardiac dynamics in patients with partial epilepsy. By doing so, we discovered transient but prominent low-frequency heart rate oscillations immediately following seizures in some patients. These features have been used for understanding cardiac and neuro-autonomic instability in epilepsy and also for classifications of such heart rates.
Age-friendly for whom? An aperture to the lived experiences of older San Franciscans.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Spatial practices and changing urban environments affecting identity, experiences, and everyday life were examined among a diverse sample of older adults as they negotiated and navigated an age-friendly city. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Ethnographic interviews, observations, and visual methods were used to understand spatial practices and lived experiences of four older adults, who chronicled their lives using disposable cameras. RESULTS Informant identities emerged in their everyday practices, reflecting varied positionalities that fundamentally shaped their notions of "age-friendly." Informants sought to sustain or improve their lives while attempting to negotiate socio-environmental forms and forces that often threatened their identity and increased their precarity. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS Contrast exists between "invariant" macro/meso issues all older adults face as they age and "multivariant" ways in which age is accomplished based on place, biography, and intersectionality. Age-friendly environments may simultaneously maintain the status quo and exacerbate inequalities. Gerontology must take seriously how stratified life chances can undermine seemingly universal potential benefits of age-friendly environments.
A Randomized Controlled Trial to Compare Computer-assisted Motivational Intervention with Didactic Educational Counseling to Reduce Unprotected Sex in Female Adolescents

Study Objective To examine a computer-assisted, counselor-guided motivational intervention (CAMI) aimed at reducing the risk of unprotected sexual intercourse.
Modeling the control strategies that humans use to control nonminimum-phase systems

This paper examines the control strategies that humans use to interact with an unknown nonminimum-phase system. We present results from an experiment in which 3 human subjects interact with an unknown nonminimum-phase system 40 times over a 1-week period. We use subsystem identification to model the control strategies that each subject uses during each trial. In particular, we identify feedback and feedforward controllers that model the subjects' control strategies. The identified controllers suggest that the subjects learn to approximate and use the inverse plant dynamics (over a finite frequency range) in feedforward even though the plant is nonminimum phase.
Tax Reform Proposals: Which one is the Best?

Lawmakers from both parties are proposing sweeping changes in the income tax system, but they achieve this in significantly different ways. The question is, which approach would be best for taxpayers and the economy? In order to answer this question, it is necessary to identify what is wrong with the current system and then determine how each reform plan addresses each of these flaws. The four most popular reform proposals are the Flat Tax, the Value Added Tax, the National Retail Sales Tax, and the USA Tax. In the following discussion, I will test these proposals on the different criteria that are needed to evaluate any tax structure. Obviously, no tax structure can be perfect. Yet, after evaluation, I believe that the Flat Tax is the best choice, followed by the VAT and the Sales Taxes, and the USA Tax. This article is available in The Park Place Economist: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/parkplace/vol7/iss1/16
Beyond the Binary: Approaches to Integrating University Outreach with Research and Teaching

The “publish or perish” reward system and the difficult balance of research and teaching are familiar to university faculty. But faculty in some fields are also experiencing a newer, less familiar pressure that may challenge those traditional binaries. Starting in the 1990s, the National Science Foundation and other funding agencies began asking faculty to address the social impacts of their research, and to conduct outreach to K–12 and other audiences. How can university faculty balance the seemingly disparate responsibilities of research, teaching, and outreach? One possibility is to undertake collaborative efforts that combine outreach with research and teaching. We present three case studies of outreach programs, each of which explores a different strategy for contributing to research and teaching and for impacting society. However, universities cansystematically address the demands for more social engagement only by exploring new reward and administrative structures.
RIDA: a robust information-driven data compression architecture for irregular wireless sensor networks

In this paper, we propose and evaluate RIDA, a novel information-driven architecture for distributed data compression in a sensor network, allowing it to conserve energy and bandwidth and potentially enabling high-rate data sampling. The key idea is to determine the data correlation among a group of sensors based on the value of the data itself to significantly improve compression. Hence, this approach moves beyond traditional data compression schemes which rely only on spatial and temporal data correlation. A logical mapping, which assigns indices to nodes based on the data content, enables simple implementation, on nodes, of data transformation without any other information. The logical mapping approach also adapts particularly well to irregular sensor network topologies. We evaluate our architecture with both Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) and Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) on publicly available real-world data sets. Our experiments on both simulation and real data show that 30% of energy and 80-95% of the bandwidth can be saved for typical multi-hop data networks. Moreover, the original data can be retrieved after decompression with a low error of about 3%. Furthermore, we also propose a mechanism to detect and classify missing or faulty nodes, showing accuracy and recall of 95% when half of the nodes in the network are missing or faulty.
Electron Microscopy Characterizations and Atom Probe Tomography of Intergranular Attack in Alloy 600 Exposed to PWR Primary Water

Detailed examinations of intergranular attack (IGA) in alloy 600 were performed after exposure to simulated PWR primary water at 325°C for 500 h. High-resolution analyses of IGA characteristics were conducted on specimens with either a 1 µm diamond or 1200-grit SiC surface finish using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography techniques. The diamond-polish finish with very little preexisting subsurface damage revealed attack of high-energy grain boundaries that intersected the exposed surface to depths approaching ~2 µm. In all cases, IGA from the surface is localized oxidation consisting of porous, nanocrystalline MO-structure and spinel particles along with regions of faceted wall oxidation. Surprisingly, this continuous IG oxidation transitions to discontinuous, discrete Cr-rich sulfide particles up to ~50 nm in diameter. In the vicinity of the sulfides, the grain boundaries were severely Cr depleted (to <1 at%) and enriched in S. The 1200 grit SiC finish surface exhibited a preexisting highly strained recrystallized layer of elongated nanocrystalline matrix grains. Similar IG oxidation and leading sulfide particles were found, but the IGA depth was typically confined to the near-surface (~400 nm) recrystallized region. Difference in IGA for the two surface finishes indicates that the formation of grain boundary sulfides occurs during the exposure to PWR primary water. The source of S remains unclear, however it is not present as sulfides in the bulk alloy nor is it segregated to bulk grain boundaries.
Educating patients to accept dentures.

Abstract In evaluating patients, it is not desirable to invite trouble by putting problems in patients' minds, neither should the instructions be a camouflage for inadequate procedures. The instructions should be the result of a straightforward evaluation of the biologic factors involved when replacing natural teeth with artificial substitutes.
Synthesis of minimum roundoff noise structures for extended state-space digital filter implementations

An algorithm for minimizing roundoff noise in extended state-space (e-state) realizations of recursive digital filters, where the order of the e-state equation is 2, is developed. It is shown that previous efforts to minimize roundoff noise in e-state structures have not provided a global minimum. The algorithm presented applies an unconstrained transformation matrix to an arbitrary starting state-space structure to produce an intermediate structure. A second matrix transforms the intermediate structure to e-state form. A conjugate-gradient optimization scheme is used to determine the coefficients of the first matrix that minimize the roundoff noise gain of the e-state structure produced by the second transformation. A numerical example illustrates that orders-of-magnitude improvement over previous results can be achieved with this approach. >
What can we learn from studying the coaching interactions between cooperating teachers and preservice teachers? A literature review

Abstract This research review focuses on studies that have examined the coaching interactions of cooperating teachers and preservice teachers around practice in teacher education programs. The review is situated inside of the practice-based turn in teacher education where the focus is on teaching as learning through practice and the crucial role that cooperating teachers play in mediating this learning. Forty-six studies were identified as meeting the criteria for inclusion. The analysis of these studies yielded a total of fourteen findings with varying levels of support. These findings are clustered in four areas: current practices and conditions; innovations in practice; relationships and tensions; and local contexts and teaching practices. The findings point to the need for stronger theoretical framing of the work of cooperating teachers in supporting teacher development and to the need for teacher education as a whole to be more proactive and responsible in the preparation of cooperating teachers.
Self-triggered single pulse beam position monitor

A self-triggered beam position monitor (BPM) has been developed for the NSLS injection system to provide single pulse orbit measurements in the booster synchrotron, linac, and transport lines. The BPM integrates the negative going portion of 3 nS wide bipolar pickup electrode signals. The gated, self triggering feature confines critical timing components to the front end, relaxing external timing specifications. The system features a low noise high speed FET sampler, a fiber optic gate for bunch and turn selection, and an inexpensive interface to a standard PC data acquisition system. >
Keratosis Palmaris et Plantaris

Keratosis palmaris et plantaris (KPP), also referred to as tylosis and by many other synonyms,* is a heredofamilial ectodermal defect characterized by hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles. Since KPP ordinarily is not accompanied by systemic manifestations or specific lesions of internal organs, the internist rarely encounters the syndrome. Therefore, the purpose of this report is to review briefly the subject of KPP and to present one of the most extraordinary examples of this malady ever recorded. Report of a Case A 56-year-old Latin-American mechanic was admitted to The Ben Taub General Hospital because of hematemesis of one day's duration. There had been no associated abdominal pain, jaundice, black stools, weight loss, recent intake of alcohol, or previous episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding. The patient had been a "spree drinker" in the past. The only significant feature of the past medical history was that of palmar and plantar hyperkeratosis. Neither the
Mass spectrometry for structural characterization of therapeutic antibodies

Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins, have emerged as one of the most promising classes of therapeutics in the biopharmaceutical industry. The need for complete characterization of the quality attributes of these molecules requires sophisticated techniques. Mass spectrometry (MS) has become an essential analytical tool for the structural characterization of therapeutic antibodies, due to its superior resolution over other analytical techniques. It has been widely used in virtually all phases of antibody development. Structural features determined by MS include amino acid sequence, disulfide linkages, carbohydrate structure and profile, and many different post-translational, in-process, and in-storage modifications. In this review, we will discuss various MS-based techniques for the structural characterization of monoclonal antibodies. These techniques are categorized as mass determination of intact antibodies, and as middle-up, bottom-up, top-down, and middle-down structural characterizations. Each of these techniques has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of structural resolution, sequence coverage, sample consumption, and effort required for analyses. The role of MS in glycan structural characterization and profiling will also be discussed.
Verrucous carcinoma of the leg positive for human papillomavirus DNA 11 and 18: A case report

Human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 and/or 11 have been associated with benign lesions, while types 16, 18, 31, and 33 are prevalent in malignant lesions. This case report describes the findings in a verrucous carcinoma of the leg, which was examined for HPV types 11, 16, and 18 by in situ DNA hybridization. The lesion gave positive results for HPV subtypes 11 and 18, a combination that, to our knowledge, has not been previously reported in this neoplasm.
Algebraic Properties in Alice and Bob Notation

Alice and Bob notation is a popular way to describe security protocols: it is intuitive, succinct, and yet expressive. Several formal protocol specification languages are based on this notation. One of the most severe limitations of these languages is the lack of algebraic reasoning, which is required for instance for the correct interpretation of Diffie-Hellman based protocols. As a consequence, previous approaches either cannot handle such protocols at all or require manual annotation. We generalize previous approaches and give the first formal semantics for a language based on Alice and Bob notation that is defined over an arbitrary algebraic theory. In particular, it defines unambiguously how the protocol is supposed to be executed by honest agents, based on the considered algebraic properties of the operators.
Phase-Controlled Synthesis of Iron Silicide (Fe3Si and FeSi2) Nanoparticles in Solution

In this study, a high-temperature reduction method is developed to prepare iron silicide nanoparticles in solution phase. The synthesis applies a reaction of silicon tetrachloride with iron pentacarbonyl in the presence of 1,2-hexadecanediol to form iron silicide nanoparticles. Under iron-rich synthetic conditions, superparamagnetic Fe3Si nanoparticles form. The saturation magnetization of Fe3Si nanoparticles has been found to be 60 emu/g by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry technique. The value is close to that of iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles but less than that of iron nanoparticles. When silicon-rich conditions are used, mainly β-FeSi2 nanoparticles form. The nanoparticle size, size distribution, and crystallinity are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction (ED), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and atomic force microscopy (AFM).
Implicit and Explicit Learning in Young Adults with Mental Retardation.

We examined intelligence-related differences in explicit and implicit learning using an artificial grammar paradigm. Young adults with and without mental retardation completed a sequence-learning and identification task. For some participants, sequences were constructed following an artificial grammar; for others, sequences were random. Explicit learning was determined by ability to learn and later identify random sequences. Implicit learning was determined by the tendency to incorrectly identify new grammatical sequences as seen before, relative to new nongrammatical sequences. Participants with mental retardation did more poorly than participants without mental retardation on explicit learning but just as well on implicit learning. Results suggest that learning of complex materials, when accomplished through implicit processing, is functionally equivalent in individuals with and without mental retardation.
Does foreign direct investment cause long run economic growth? Evidence from the Latin American and the Caribbean countries

The empirical evidence about the temporal precedence between foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic growth in open developing economies is mixed. In this research effort, we explored the FDI-growth nexus for 16 developing countries of Latin American and the Caribbean countries during the last three decades, a period in which many of these countries introduced various economic and financial reforms. As a departure from many previous studies, the current analysis uses the Granger noncausality test procedure recently developed by Toda and Yamamoto (J Econ 66:225–250, 1995), and Dolado and Lutkepohl (Econ Rev 15:369–386, 1996)–TYDL. Our results suggest that the null hypothesis that ‘FDI does not Granger cause economic growth’ is rejected for all countries except Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica. There is also evidence of unidirectional causality from growth to FDI for all countries except Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Jamaica. We found bidirectional causality for Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela.
In vivo and in vitro development of visceral adipose tissue in a nonhuman primate (Papio species)

Abstract We determined the development of the omental fat depot in a cross-sectional study of 242 baboons from birth to mature adulthood. The triglyceride content of the omentum increased during preweaning (birth to 4 months) and adolescence (2 to 5 years) and was associated with an increase in both fat cell number and size. Between weaning and 2 years of age omentum triglyceride mass decreased as a result of decreasing fat cell size, but fat cell number remained constant. After adolescence and up to 13 years of age, omental triglyceride mass and fat cell volume were stable, but fat cell number increased slightly in female baboons. We determined the in vitro potential of omental stromal vascular (S-V) cells from baboons at different stages of development to differentiate in a serum-free medium. Both the proportion of omental S-V cells that accumulated cytoplasmic lipid droplets and the induction of glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity were increased to the greatest degree in the presence of 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine, 2.0 nmol/L triiodothyronine (T3), 0.85 μmol/L insulin, and 1.0 μmol/L cortisol. Omental S-V cells from preweaning and adolescent baboons had a greater differentiation rate, GPDH activity, and triglyceride accumulation compared with cells from postweaned infants and mature adults. In summary, most of the growth of the baboon omentum occurs during the preweaning and pubertal periods of life, and omental S-V cells isolated from animals during these periods retain a greater potential to differentiate in vitro.
Flowshop scheduling research after five decades

Abstract Since Johnson’s seminal paper in 1954, flowshop scheduling problems have received considerable research attention over the last fifty years. As a result, several optimization and heuristic solution procedures are available to solve a variety of flowshop scheduling problems. This paper provides a brief glimpse into the evolution of flowshop scheduling problems and possible approaches for their solution over the last fifty years. It briefly introduces the current flowshop problems being solved and the approaches being taken to solve (optimally or approximately) them. The paper concludes with some fruitful directions for future research.
An Evaluated Compilation of Theoretical Data Sources for Electron-Impact Excitation of Atomic Ions

Abstract This report is a review of theoretical methods and data for low-energy electron-impact excitation of atomic ions. It includes a comprehensive annotated bibliography of articles giving data on this subject. A brief discussion is given of the principal methods employed, i.e., the approximations such as close coupling or distorted wave used in the solution of the electron-ion scattering equation, and of the atomic effects incorporated in the calculations such as exchange, configuration interactions, and resonances in the near threshold region. The discussion addresses the influence that these factors have on the accuracy of the calculation and provides a framework for categorizing the data. Based on this categorization, an overall accuracy rating is assigned to each data set. The bibliography includes articles published between the mid-1950s and mid-1990 and contains 324 ions. Other information on the method, coupling scheme, consistency checks, data form reported, and accuracy rating is given.
Vapor characterization of water gel explosives

Abstract The vapor components of several water gel explosives have been characterized using Pt-wire preconcentration/capillary gas chromatography; concentration of headspace vapors on Tenax-GC with thermal desorption capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry; and liquid chromatography with Thermal Energy Analyzer detection. In addition to normal sensitizing agents almost all of the water gel explosives were found to be contaminated with ethylene glycol dinitrate (EGDN) and nitroglycerine (NG) presumed to occur from storage with dynamites in commerical blasting company magazines. Other trace components are presumed to arise from the manufacturing process.
The effect of response-contingent feedback stimuli under two types of avoidance extinction conditions

Four groups of rats were conditioned to avoid shock in a two-way shuttlebox. During acquisition. each response both precluded a brief programmed shock and produced a I-sec feedback signal. CS termination was not permitted during either acquisition or' extinction. During extinction, response-produced or yoked feedback was combined with either 100% response-independent shock or no-shock conditions. Greatest resistance to extinction of avoidance behavior was obtained when response-produced feedback occurred in the absence of shock relative to any other combination of these events. These results, when compared to those of previous studies investigating the role of warning signal termination in combination with the presence or absence of shock in extinction (Hartley, 1968), clearly reveal a functional similarity between feedback and CS termination. The most prevalent interpretation of discriminative avoidance behavior has been the two-factor theory, originally discussed by Mowrer and Lamoreaux (1946) and more recently by Solomon and Brush (1956). According to the theory, conditioning is accomplished by both Pavlovian and operant processes. A classically conditioned fear response develops by repeated pairings of CS and US. This fear reaction motivates the subject to avoid the US. Reinforcement of avoidance occurs when fear is reduced by response-produced termination of the CS and preclusion of the US. An alternative explanation of avoidance views the CS, CS termination, and the presence or absence of the US as having discriminative rather than motivational prop­ erties (Mowrer & Jones, 1945; Sheffield, 1949). When one or all of these cues are altered during extinction, avoidance behavior declines due to generalization decrement. Thus, if a subject is avoiding either a high proportion of shocks during terminal acquisition or all of them, a no-shock extinction procedure should pro­ long extinction over a procedure in which shocks occur on all extinction trials . Similarly , any extinction pro­ cedure that alters the consequences of responding from those occurring during the acquisition phase, whether the events be CS termination, US avoidance, or any other highly discriminable events, should facilitate extinction of the behavior.