cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An ab-initio based semi-empirical thermal conductivity model for multiphase uranium-zirconium alloys

Abstract In this work, a three-stage thermal conductivity model for complex metal alloys is developed, based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations, physics rules, and experimental data. The model is broken down into three stages for incorporating incremental complexity—Stage 1: modeling single-phase alloys with fixed compositions over a range of temperatures; Stage 2: modeling single-phase alloys across a range of compositions; and Stage 3: modeling multi-phase mixtures. The model is demonstrated using U-Zr and U-Mo alloys and displays good agreement with experimental data, with a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of about 1.3 W/m-K (~10% error against experimental data) over the typical operating temperature range for all phases of U-Zr. This model delivers the same level of accuracy as existing models for U-Zr and U-Mo, along with the same (or fewer) number of fitting parameters. More importantly, all the fitting parameters have clear physical meaning, providing significant insights into the physics of various electron- and phonon-scattering mechanisms and enabling predictions regarding the thermal conductivities in alloys, with a reduced reliance on experimental data.
Behavioral Flexibility: Interpretations and Prospects

Phenotypic plasticity represents sets of mechanisms, including behavioral flexibility, of adjustment and adaptation to local conditions that may be components of ontogenetic processes (West-Eberhard, 2003). Slobodkin (1968) and others (Miller, 1956; Slobodkin and Rapoport, 1974; Lerner, 1970; Hochachka and Somero, 1973; Lande, 1980) have proposed a predictive theory whereby natural selection favors different mechanisms within and between species for accomodation to local environmental (abiotic and biotic, including social) variations. These authors suggest that the mechanism(s) favored will be a function of the temporal and/or spatial patterning of environmental changes (e.g., fluctuations in food supply, temperature, or rainfall) relative to the organism’s generation time (T, “environmental grain”). The proposed mechanism(s) may differ with respect to their rates of activation (i.e., relatively flexible to relatively inflexible) and their sensitivities to local conditions (i.e., relatively attentive to relatively inattentive, see Chapter 2).
A Deterministic Algorithm for Reconstructing Off-Line Calligraphical Strokes with Priority Rules

A new scheme for reinforcing the skeletons of handwritten cursive scripts is proposed in this paper. The goal of this study is to generate off-line calligraphic strokes (c-strokes) from images of handwritten documents without a specific pen-pad hardware that is necessary for online handwritten processing. Our algorithm not only solves the problem of edge overlapping, but also provides the engineering for preventing race conditions when more than one edge is considered overlapped in a local area when only one is actually affected. Theoretically and practically, c-strokes established from similar cursive words are topologically consistent.
Early Detection of Autism Spectrum Disorders

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now estimates that 1 out of every 110 children aged 8 or below have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD; Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 2009). The CDC has labeled this increase a significant public health concern and with increased prevalence, the need for effective intervention is greater than ever before. The research on treatment of ASD has revealed that early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) is highly effective.
FROM HERE TO SUSTAINABILITY

Many readers and contributors to BioResources are working to develop sustainable technology. Such research attempts to use products of photosynthesis to meet long-term human needs with a minimum of environmental impact. Archeological and historical studies have concluded that the long-term success or failure of various past civilizations has depended, at least in part, on people’s ability to maintain the quality of the resources upon which they depended. Though it is possible for modern societies to learn from such examples, modern societies are interconnected to an unprecedented degree. It is no longer realistic to expect one region to be immune from the effects of environmental mistakes that may happen elsewhere in the world. Research related to renewable, lignocellulosic resources is urgently needed. But in addition to the research, there also needs to be discussion of hard-hitting questions, helping to minimize the chances of technological failure. The next failed civilization may be our own.
Obligation language and framework to enable privacy-aware SOA

Privacy policies defines rights and obligations on data (e.g. personally identifiable information) collected by services. Tackling privacy policies in a service oriented architecture spanning multiple trust domains is difficult because it requires a common specification and distributed enforcement. This paper focuses on the specification and enforcement of obligations. We describe the requirements, the resulting language, and its implementation. Finally, we compare our results with obligation support in the state of the art. The key contribution of this work is to bridge the gap between specific mechanisms to enforce obligations and underspecified support for obligations in today's access control and data handling policy languages.
Delay effects and frequency dependence of NBTI with sub-microsecond measurements

Negative Bias Temperature Instability (NBTI) has been one of the major challenges during process development of advanced technology. In this paper, NBTI of High-k/metal gate (HK/MG) in 10nm FinFET technology has been evaluated. For the first time, fast measurements within sub-microsecond (15ns ∼ 1μs) delay time have been demonstrated. Such short recovery time (delay time due to measurement) is achieved through built-in current comparator and a simple state machine. In this paper, we investigated the frequency dependence (10MHz ∼ 1GHz) and the impacts of short delay time on NBTI. A 1024-DUT array with inverter-like AC stress [1] was constructed to compare the recovery effects between very short ( a ) were also extracted and compared between test structures.
Interconversion of 6- and 7-substituted tetrahydropterins via enzyme-generated 4a-hydroxytetrahydropterin intermediates.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses interconversion of 6- and 7-substituted tetrahydropterins via enzyme-generated 4a-hydroxytetrahydropterin intermediates. The 6R-tetrahydrobiopterin (BH 4 ) is the natural cofactor for phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan hydroxylase, as well as nitric oxide synthase. The usual method of identification and quantitation of BH 4 involves the use of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after oxidation to convert reduced pterins to their fully oxidized, fluorescent forms. Separation of 6- and 7-biopterin can be achieved by reversed-phase HPLC. However, the identification of chromatographic peaks on the basis of elution times of standards is not sufficient, especially when working with biological samples. Additional methods must be employed to confirm both identification and quantitation. The standard method involves the use of mass spectrometry. While gas chromatography-mass spectrometry instrumentation is not readily available in most laboratories, other convenient analytical methods can be used to identify and quantitate the mixtures of 6- and 7-biopterin. As described in the chapter, these include two dimensional HPLC, oxidation of pterin side chains with permanganate followed by separation of the pterin carboxylic acids, and periodateborohydride treatment to cleave the polyhydroxy side chains to corresponding hydroxymethylpterins, which can then be separated by HPLC.
An Exploration of Factors Influencing Ethical and Unethical Behavior in Negotiations

The issue of ethics has received little notice in agricultural economics journals. This study utilized a survey technique to reveal the ethical attitudes among some 500 students at four Land Grant Universities. The data were analyzed using multiple regression techniques. Individuals negotiating with strangers were more willing to use questionable ethical tactics. Women, individuals who were cooperative rather than competitive in negotiation situations, and those who regularly attended religious services were consistently less willing to use questionable ethics in negotiation. The size of the individual's hometown and family income had no clear impact on ethical attitudes in negotiations.
The Lopsided Ape: Evolution of the Generative Mind

The Lopsided Ape: Evolution of the Generative Mind. Michael C. Corballis. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. 366 pp.
THE CVD VARIABLES METHOD FOR TAILORING HFCVD CARBON NANOTUBE MORPHOLOGY

In research on carbon nanotube growth by hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD), variations of HFCVD have yielded promising results. However, these systems have used plasma enhancement to tailor nanotube morphology. The use of plasma enhancement has made these HFCVD systems expensive to operate and difficult to scale up. This report presents research results to show that it is possible to use the inherent capabilities of variation in CVD parameters like pressure, temperature, and gas composition to tailor nanotube growth in the HFCVD system without resorting to additional cumbersome techniques, thus retaining the value of HFCVD as a low cost and scalable method.
Do Bilateral Investment Treaties Promote Foreign Direct Investment? Some Hints from Alternative Evidence

In this article I present a multi-method examination of whether bilateral investment treaties, or BITs, are likely to promote inflows of foreign direct investment. Using regression analysis I show that BITs are not meaningfully correlated with measures of political risk, and using survey evidence I show that providers of political risk insurance do not reliably take BITs into account when deciding the terms of insurance. Nor do in-house counsel in large U.S. corporations view BITs as playing a major role in their companies' foreign investment decisions. In contrast to existing empirical studies, which claim to prove that BITs can have massive positive impacts on FDI, my results suggest that such results are probably spurious. BITs are unlikely to be a significant driver of foreign investment.
Paradoxical effects of ketamine on the memory of fetuses of different ages.

Abstract Brain N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors have been implicated as important mediators of both learning and neuronal development. The current study investigated how ketamine (a well-known NMDA-receptor blocking drug) influences taste-mediated conditioned motor responses (CMRs) in perinatal rats. Dams pregnant with either embryonic day 18 (E18) or E19 rat fetuses were injected with 0 or 100 mg/kg ketamine HCl (i.p.). One-half hour later, a reversible spinal block was performed on the dam and fetuses received oral lavage with 10 μl, 0.3% saccharin (SAC) or water (control) in utero. After the oral injection, fetuses received either a saline (control) or lithium chloride (LiCl) injection (81 mg/kg, i.p.). The uterus was replaced and, 2 days later (E20 or E21), some rats received oral lavage with SAC. Other litters were born via normal vaginal delivery or Cesarean section and orally exposed to SAC on post-natal day 3 (P3). Motor responses were observed immediately after the oral lavage of SAC. If SAC had been paired with LiCl in utero, pups generally exhibited conditioned suppression of orofacial movements (as compared to controls). Ketamine significantly attenuated this taste-mediated CMR of animals conditioned on E19. However, the same treatments did not disrupt CMRs of rats treated with ketamine before CS–US pairing on E18. Our findings indicate an age-dependent role for NMDA receptors in the formation of CMRs in perinatal rats.
An Exponential Surplus-Yield Model for Optimizing Exploited Fish Populations

Abstract A surplus-yield model of fishery dynamics which assumes the Gompertz growth function is developed, resulting in an implied exponential relationship between catch per unit effort and fishing effort, and in an asymmetrical yield curve. A maximum sustainable yield, predicted by the exponential model, is obtained from a population size which is about 37% of the environmentally limited maximum size. Three methods for estimating the parameters of the exponential model, adapted from those used for the linear model of Schaefer (1954, 1957), are presented. The exponential model is compared with the linear model using examples of the fisheries for the California sardine, Sardinops caerulea (Girard), and yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares (Bonnaterre) of the eastern tropical Pacific and western Atlantic Oceans. Management implications are discussed.
Role of non-opioid analgesics in ambulatory anesthesia*

T he optimal anesthetic technique in the ambulatory setting would provide for excellent operating conditions, a rapid recovery, no postoperative side effects, and a high degree of patient satisfaction. In addition to improving the quality of care and decreasing the costs of the anesthetic services, the ideal anesthetic technique would also improve operating room (OR) efficiency and provide for an early discharge home. Local infiltration anesthesia with sedation (so-called monitored anesthesia care [MAC]), spinal anesthesia, and general anesthesia are all commonly used for ambulatory surgery. However, opinions differ as to the "best" anesthetic technique for these surgical procedures.l-14 In the current cost-conscious environment, it is important to examine the impact of anesthetic techniques on the recovery process after ambulatory surgery because prolonged recovery times and perioperative complications increase the cost of patient care. In addition, the level of patient satisfaction with their care is improved when the anesthetic technique chosen for the procedure is associated with a low incidence of postoperative side effects. For example, routine use of prophylactic antiemetic drugs during general anesthesia has been found to increase patient satisfaction in "at risk" outpatient surgical populations. 15 The use of effective peripheral local anesthetic block or infiltration/instillation techniques to supplement both MAC and general anesthesia is the key to providing successful non-opioid anesthesia in the ambulatory setting (Table 1). For example, the use of a simple ilioinguinal-hypogastric nerve block decreases postoperative pain after inguinal hernia repair procedures irrespective of the anesthetic technique. 3,16,17 The time required to achieve a state of homereadiness is influenced by a wide variety of surgical and anesthetic factors. 18'19 However, the major contributors to delays in discharge after ambulatory surgery are nausea, vomiting, dizziness, pain, and prolonged sympathetic and/or motor blockade. Although the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting can be decreased by the use of proTable 1. Commonly Used Techniques for Administering Local Anesthesia for Ambulatory Surgery
Diffraction-dissociation model of high-energy nucleon-nucleon interactions

A model, discussed previously, where high-energy nucleon-nucleon interactions are considered from the view that diffraction-dissociation processes may be dominant at high energies, is used to calculate production multiplicities and meson and nucleon momentum spectra for proton-proton interactions at laboratory energies between 30 and 1500 GeV.
A spiral frequency steerable acoustic transducer for SHM

A Frequency Steerable Acoustic Transducer (FSAT) is proposed for directional sensing of guided waves. The considered FSAT design is characterized by a spiral configuration in wavenumber domain, which leads to a spatial arrangement of the sensing material producing output signals whose dominant frequency component is uniquely associated with the direction of incoming waves. The resulting spiral FSAT can be employed both for directional sensing and generation of guided waves, without relying on phasing and control of a large number of channels. The analytical expression of the shape of the spiral FSAT is obtained through the theoretical formulation for continuously distributed active material as part of a shaped piezoelectric device. Testing is performed by forming a discrete array through the points of the measurement grid of a Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer. The discrete array approximates the continuous spiral FSAT geometry, and provides the flexibility to test several configurations. The experimental results demonstrate the strong frequency dependent directionality of the spiral FSAT and suggest its application for frequency selective acoustic sensors, to be employed for the localization of broadband acoustic events, or for the directional generation of Lamb waves for active interrogation of structural health.
A new membrane model for the ballistic impact response and V50 performance of multi-ply fibrous systems

Abstract This paper develops an analytical model for the ballistic impact response of fibrous materials of interest in body armor applications. It focuses on an un-tensioned 2D membrane impacted transversely by a blunt-nosed projectile, a problem that has remained unsolved for a half a century. Membrane properties are assumed characteristic of the best current body armor materials (Kevlar®, Spectra®, Zylon®, S2 glass), which have very high stiffness and strength per unit weight, and low strain-to-failure. Successful comparisons will be made with extensive experimental data on such material systems as reported by Cunniff [Decoupled response of textile body armor. Proc. 18th Int. Symp. of Ballistics, San Antonio, Texas, 1999a, pp. 814–821; Vs–Vr relationships in textile system impact. Proc. 18th Int. Symp. of Ballistics, San Antonio, Texas, 1999b; Dimensional parameters for optimization of textile-based body armor systems, Proc. 18th Int. Symp. of Ballistics, San Antonio, Texas, 1999c, pp. 1303–1310]. Our mathematical formulation draws on the seminal work of Rakhmatulin and Dem’yanov [Strength Under High Transient Loads, 1961, pp. 94–152]. Under constant projectile velocity we first develop self-similar solution forms for the tensile ‘implosion’ wave and the curved cone wave that develops in its wake. Through matching boundary conditions at the cone wave front, we obtain an accurate approximate solution for the membrane response including cone wave speed and strain distribution. We then consider projectile deceleration due to membrane reactive forces, and obtain results on cone velocity, displacement and strain concentration versus time. Other results obtained are the membrane ballistic limit, or V50 velocity, and the residual velocity when penetrated above this limit. We then derive an exact functional representation of a V50 ‘master curve’ found empirically by Cunniff [ibid] to reduce data for a wide variety of fabric systems impacted by blunt cylindrical projectiles. This curve is given in terms two dimensionless parameters based only on fiber mechanical properties and the ratio of the fabric areal density to the projectile mass divided by its area of fabric contact. Our functional representation has no fitting parameters beyond one reflecting uncertainty in the effective diameter of the impact zone relative to the projectile diameter, and even then the values are consistent across several experimental systems. The extremely successful comparison of our analytical model to experimental results in the literature raises fundamental questions about many long-held views on fabric system impact behavior and parameters thought to be important.
In vivo quantification of autofluorescence dynamics during renal ischemia and reperfusion under dual UV excitation

We explore an optical spectroscopy approach to monitor the progression of ischemia and reperfusion in situ using a rat model. The system utilizes the sensitivity of NADH emission to changes in cell metabolism during ischemia and reperfusion. In addition, the emission from tryptophan is employed as a normalization against changes in other optical properties of the tissue. Ischemia was induced in one kidney followed by at least 60 minutes of reperfusion. During both phases, autofluorescence images of the exposed surfaces of both the ischemic kidney and the normal (control) kidney were acquired and the respective average emission intensities were determined. Preliminary results indicate that the kinetics of the ratio of the emissions under these two excitations is related to the injury time.
Vessel tearing at the edge of intracoronary stents detected with intravascular ultrasound imaging

Stent deployment strategies have changed significantly in the past 2 yr, with "high-pressure" balloon inflations postdilatation being performed in the large majority of cases. There is currently little information about the effects of high pressure on the geometry of stent expansion and on the adjacent areas of the vessel wall. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging is well-suited to investigate these issues, since it provides information not only about stent expansion and apposition but also about adjacent vessel-wall morphology at transition points such as the articulation site of the stent and the the stent borders. We report on the results of a cohort of 30 consecutive stent cases which were systematically examined by IVUS following high-pressure inflation. All deployments were deemed successful by angiographic inspection. However, in 6 cases, intimal disruptions or "edge tears" were noted at the stent borders by IVUS. In 5 cases, edge tears were seen to occur at the distal border, whereas in one case edge tears were seen at both the proximal and distal edges of the stent. No angiographic and sonographic parameters were different except percent plaque area at the stent margins, which was significantly higher (53 +/- 11%) in the lesions with edge tears, compared to 40 +/- 10% plaque area in the group without evidence of pocket flaps (P = 0.007). This experience suggests that intimal disruptions or "edge tears" are a relatively common occurrence following high-pressure stent deployment, and may be related to the extent of marginal dissections.
Policy and System Strategies in Promoting Child Health Information Systems, Including the Role of Medicaid, the State Children's Health Insurance Program, and Public Financing

Government, through its unique roles as regulator, purchaser, provider, and facilitator, has an opportunity and an obligation to play a major role in accelerating the implementation of electronic health record systems and electronic health information exchange. Providers, who are expected to deliver appropriate care at designated locations at an appropriate cost, are dependent on health information technology for efficient effective health care. As state and federal governments move forward with health care purchasing reforms, they must take the opportunity to leverage policy and structure and to align incentives that enhance the potential for provider engagement in electronic health record adoption.
Percutaneous mitral valve repair: are they changing the guard?

Treatment strategies for patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) are changing. Current guidelines suggest that patients with symptoms, atrial arrhythmias (especially atrial fibrillation), pulmonary hypertension, or left ventricular (LV) decompensation heralded by changes in LV ejection fraction should undergo mitral valve surgery.1 In addition, for patients in whom valvular repair is likely, the guidelines also suggest that an asymptomatic patient with severe MR and normal LV function might undergo mitral valve repair to prevent the sequelae of chronic MR. Earlier and earlier treatment and mitral valve repair are now the surgical norm. In one sense, the guard is already changing.2 See p 2183 Repair of the mitral valve is associated with an at least equivalent late survival rate compared with replacement, and perhaps lower operative risk.3,4 A reduced risk of endocarditis, fewer thromboembolic complications, and better preservation of LV function5,6 make repair an attractive strategy; however, successful mitral valve surgery is dependent on individual valve pathology. In rheumatic mitral regurgitation, the distorted leaflet anatomy, associated subvalvular fibrosis, and calcification rarely allow valve repair. Patients with ischemic or congestive heart disease, LV remodeling, annular dilation, alteration of the subvalvular apparatus, and distorted leaflet coaptation present special challenges. Most surgeons attempt a complete repair, combining direct valvular restoration with an annuloplasty device. If the guard is to change successfully as we move toward percutaneous transcatheter repair, then valuable lessons learned during many years of surgical experience must not be forgotten. The challenges are magnified severalfold in percutaneous approaches. The wind of change is already blowing. The clinical success and elegant simplicity of the Alfieri, or edge-to-edge, technique for repair of MR7 has led to the development of percutaneous transcatheter techniques that directly repair the regurgitant mitral valve by accomplishing a similar goal—a double-orifice mitral valve without stenosis. A …
Acute dyskinesias in young asthmatics treated with theophylline

Abstract Two young children, 5 and 30 months of age, developed acute transient dyskinesias. The novel features of these patients were classic orobuccal-lingual dyskinesias, their young ages, and the association with asthma and theophylline. The movements resembled tardive dyskinesias of older patients on neuroleptics, but neither patient had any exposure to neuroleptic drugs. Choreiform movements were moderately severe and remitted several hours after discontinuation of theophylline or over days in the patient who remained on the drug. No symptomatic treatment of dyskinesia was required. Both infants otherwise had normal neurologic examinations with no clinical evidence of meningoencephalitis, seizures, or stroke. Both infants required hospitalization for respiratory distress, but not intensive care. The highest theophylline levels measured in these patients were 22 and 25 μg/ml and levels determined closest to the appearance of dyskinesias were lower. Urine toxicology screen for other drugs and routine blood work were normal. The infants, examined subsequently for 1built12–2 years for asthma, have demonstrated no reappearance of dyskinesias or other neurologic abnormalities. We propose an interaction of theophylline, hypoxemia, or other factors related to asthma in the pathophysiology of reversible dyskinesia in our patients.
Hierarchical Database Screenings for HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Using a Pharmacophore Model, Rigid Docking, Solvation Docking, and MM−PB/SA

In this work, an efficient strategy was presented to search drug leads for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-1 RT) using hierarchical database screenings, which included a pharmacophore model, multiple-conformation rigid docking, solvation docking, and molecular mechanics-Poisson-Boltzmann/surface area (MM-PB/SA) sequentially. Encouraging results were achieved in searching a refined available chemical directory (ACD) database: the enrichment factor after the first three filters was estimated to be 25-fold; the hit rate for all the four filters was predicted to be 41% in a control test using 37 known HIV-1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors; 10 out of 30 promising solvation-docking hits had MM-PB/SA binding free energies better than -6.8 kcal/mol and the best one, HIT15, had -17.0 kcal/mol. In conclusion, the hierarchical multiple-filter database searching strategy is an attractive strategy in drug lead exploration.
A Hybrid Approach to Nonconformance Tracking and Recovery

The nonconformance diagnosis problem has been a major issue facing industry and academia over the years. Research has been carried out on technologies for different aspects of nonconformance diagnosis such as nonconformance monitoring, prediction, prevention, classification, tracking, and recovery. Despite these advances, nonconformance tracking and recovery still receive many concerns due to the fact that they are knowledge intensive and experience-based tasks, which in complex manufacturing environments can sometimes be beyond the capabilities of skilled operators and engineers. In addition, the existing systems for nonconformance tracking and recovery are usually special purpose systems. They lack the capabilities to migrate to new working domains. This paper proposes a generic intelligent nonconformance tracking and recovery (GINTR) system. In conjunction with computational intelligent techniques such as Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Genetic Algorithm (GA), the system identifies the root causes of a nonconformance and provides timely corrective actions. The drive towards designing such a system is motivated by the need to implement a generic base of system capabilities that is reliable, economical, scalable, and provides a stable foundation for migrating the system to different domains.
Synthesis and Purification of 6-Ethoxy-4-oxo-1,4-dihydro-[1,5]naphthyridine-3-carboxylic Acid Benzylamide

The synthesis of 6-ethoxy-4-oxo-1,4-dihydro-[1,5]naphthyridine-3-carboxylic acid benzylamide (1) on multikilogram scale is described. The major challenge for the synthesis of this quinolone GABA partial agonist was in the isolation of product of acceptable purity for clinical studies due to the insolubility of this compound. Also described are efforts to circumvent a high-temperature cyclization required for the synthesis of the quinolone ring system.
PRODUCTION PLANNING DECISIONS IN FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS WITH RANDOM MATERIAL FLOWS

Abstract In this paper, we consider the FMS planning problem of determining optimal machine workload assignments in order to rninimize mean part flow time. We decompose this problem into the subproblems of first forming machine groups and next assigning operations to these groups. Three types of grouping configurations—no grouping, partial grouping and total grouping—are considered. In both no grouping and partial grouping, each machine is tooled differently. While each operation is assigned to only one machine in no grouping, partial grouping permits multiple operation assignments. On the other hand, total grouping partitions the machines into groups of identically-tooled machines; each machine within a group is capable of performing the same set of operations. Within this grouping framework, we consider three machine loading objectives—minimizing the total deviation from the optimal group utilization levels, minimizing part travel and maximizing routing flexibility, for generating a variety of system co...
Wavelet-based higher-order time-scale analysis

The objective of this paper is to investigate and provide insight into wavelet-based higher-order time-scale analysis, with an emphasis on the third-order statistic, the bispectrum. We also use a wavelet-based higher-order time- scale approach to detect and quantify intermittent phase- locking of first- and second-order components in laboratory generated random sea waves.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Map self-validation: improved criteria to resolve the SIR or SAS phase ambiguity

A procedure was recently described that used the correlation coefficient (CC) agreement between the observed |Fh| and their associated unbiased `omit map' extrapolated values |Xh| from an initial trial map as the basis for resolving the SIR or SAS phase ambiguity. It is noted here that a significant improvement in selectivity can be obtained if this agreement is expressed in terms of the complex-valued Fh and Xh. A new scheme is outlined to exploit the weighted average of the two SIR or SAS phase choices. This procedure requires six FFTs per phase compared with three for the older method that randomly selected either of the two permitted phase choices from the Argand diagram as starting values. Trial calculations are encouraging for applications as low as 4 A resolution.
Oximetry-derived perfusion index for intraoperative identification of successful thoracic sympathectomy.

Background Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy treats patients with hyperhidrosis. Laser Doppler flow and changes in palmar temperature have been advocated for intraoperative monitoring. The pulse oximetry-derived perfusion index (PI) is used to quantify pulsatile blood flow at the pulse oximeter. Upper limb sympathectomy is associated with increased flow to the ipsilateral extremity; thus we postulate that it will increase PI. We evaluated changes in intraoperative PI as a monitor of successful thoracic sympathectomy. Methods After institutional review board approval and informed consent, 10 adult patients undergoing bilateral endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy under general anesthesia were studied. Finger pulse-oximetry probes were placed on each hand, and reference probes on each earlobe. Hemodynamic variables and PI were continuously monitored. Data were collected immediately before and every minute after sympathectomy for 5 minutes. Anesthetic management remained constant throughout. A successful sympathectomy was defined by a twofold increase in PI on the ipsilateral arm. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance and Student's t tests; a p Results Baseline oximetric waveforms were adequate in all subjects. Right sympathectomy was associated with a 372% increase in PI (p Conclusions In patients with hyperhidrosis of the upper extremity, the intraoperative PI derived from pulse oximetry is an additional indicator of successful thoracic sympathectomy.
Design of piezoaeroelastic energy harvesters

We design a piezoaeroelastic energy harvester consisting of a rigid airfoil that is constrained to pitch and plunge and supported by linear and nonlinear torsional and flexural springs with a piezoelectric coupling attached to the plunge degree of freedom. We choose the linear springs to produce the minimum flutter speed and then implement a linear velocity feedback to reduce the flutter speed to any desired value and hence produce limit-cycle oscillations at low wind speeds. Then, we use the center-manifold theorem to derive the normal form of the Hopf bifurcation near the flutter onset, which, in turn, is used to choose the nonlinear spring coefficients that produce supercritical Hopf bifurcations and increase the amplitudes of the ensuing limit cycles and hence the harvested power. For given gains and hence reduced flutter speeds, the harvested power is observed to increase, achieve a maximum, and then decrease as the wind speed increases. Furthermore, the response undergoes a secondary supercritical Hopf bifurcation, resulting in either a quasiperiodic motion or a periodic motion with a large period. As the wind speed is increased further, the response becomes eventually chaotic. These complex responses may result in a reduction in the generated power. To overcome this adverse effect, we propose to adjust the gains to increase the flutter speed and hence push the secondary Hopf bifurcation to higher wind speeds.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with CPT-11 and cisplatin downstages locally advanced gastric cancer

We examined the role of neoadjuvant therapy in downstaging locally advanced gastric cancer. Preoperative staging was performed with a combination of CT scans, endoscopic ultrasonography and/or laparoscopy, and laparoscopic ultrasonography. Patients with T ⋝3 tumors and/or node-positive disease by preoperative clinical staging were eligible for entry. Neoadjuvant therapy consisted of two cycles of CPT-11 (75 mg/m2) with cisplatin (25 mg/m2) weekly four times every 6 weeks. This was followed by resection with D2 lymph node dissection and two cycles of intraperitoneal chemotherapy with floxuridine and cisplatin. Twenty-two patients were entered into the study (4 with T3N0 disease and 18 with T3N1 disease). Induction chemotherapy was well tolerated with major toxicities being neutropenia and diarrhea. A median of 78%/75% of the planned dosage of CPT-11/cisplatin was delivered. Two patients withdrew consent during the first cycle and were lost to follow-up. One patient progressed to stage IV disease during induction chemotherapy and did not undergo surgery. Nineteen patients underwent surgery. One patient had undetected stage IV disease (liver) and underwent a palliative R2 resection. Of the 18 remaining patients, 17 had curative R0 resections and one had a palliative R1 resection. A median of 21 lymph nodes (range 1 to 121) were examined histologically. There was one postoperative death. Surgical morbidity did not appear to increase after the neoadjuvant regimen. The median postoperative length of hospital stay was 9 days (range 3 to 75 days). Postoperative pathologic staging yielded 16% T3 lesions compared to 85% before treatment based on clinical staging; postoperative American Joint Committee on Cancer staging yielded 37% stage IIIA disease compared to 70% stage IIIA before treatment. With a median follow-up of 15 months, median survival has not yet been reached. We conclude that CPT-11-based neoadjuvant therapy downstages locally advanced gastric cancer. Further follow-up is necessary to determine the ultimate impact of this combination therapy on recurrence and survival.
SCADA Cyber Security Testbed Development

New technologies are increasing the vulnerability of the power system to cyber security threats. Dealing with these threats and determining vulnerabilities is an important task for utilities. This paper presents the development of a testbed designed to assess the vulnerabilities introduced by using public networks for communication.
Condensation of [Ru3S2(cymene)3]2+ with Sulfide To Give the Dendridic Cluster [Ru9S8(cymene)6]2+

Reaction of [(cymene)2Ru3S2(NCMe)3]2+ with sulfide sources efficiently affords the cluster of clusters [(cymene)6Ru9S8](PF6)2. The synthesis is subject to coformation of [(cymene)4Ru5S4](PF6)2, which arises via the reaction of [(cymene)2Ru3S2(NCMe)3](PF6)2 and [(cymene)6Ru9S8](PF6)2. Crystallographic analysis demonstrates that [(cymene)6Ru9S8](PF6)2 features three [(cymene)2Ru3S2]2+ units linked through a pair of μ3-S ligands.
Pathogenicity of Torulopsis glabrata for pregnant mice

Torulopsis glabrata injected intravenously (iv) into female mice prior to insemination failed to induce abortion, but remained viable in kidneys until the termination of study (63 days). When T. glabrata was injected (iv) into mice pregnant approximately 14 days, placentitis and subsequent abortion occurred. There was a mild placentitis with accumulation of neutrophils and leuckocytes. Interstitial nephritis was observed in females which were killed 4 – 7 days after aborting. Numerous foci of yeast were present in the placenta and kidneys. Transplacental transmission of T. glabrata to the fetuses was not demonstrated by cultural or histological techniques.
Content-based object segmentation in video sequences

Motivated by the emerging video coding standard MPEG-4, this paper proposes a solution to address the problems of unsupervised object segmentation in images and video sequences, using color information. Although the human visual system is very sensitive to edge information, image segmentation is one of the most fundamental and yet complex tasks in image processing. The correct classification of different elements in a scene into different objects and the accurate extraction of their contours is crucial, since the performance of an object-tracking algorithm relies mainly on the segmentation results. In this paper we propose a novel algorithm for unsupervised object segmentation based on the combination of a region growing algorithm, clustering and a morphological opening by reconstruction operator using the inherent color information present in the image, in order to create a robust segmentation tool.
Nonlinear variation of parameters formula for integro-differential equations of Volterra type

On developpe une variation non lineaire de la formule des parametres pour des equations integrodifferentielles. On etudie le probleme de la continuite et de la differentiabilite des solutions des equations integrodifferentielles non lineaires et on obtient la relation entre les derivees
Nonverbal Assessment of IQ, Attention, and Memory Abilities in Children with Fragile-X Syndrome Using the Leiter-R

This study examined the clinical utility of the recently revised Leiter International Performance Scale (Leiter-R) with a sample of children with fragile-X syndrome. The sample included 25 male children ranging in age from 4.0 to 12.8 years and was 92% European American. All subjects were administered the entire Attention and Memory Battery, and the four subtests from the Visualization and Reasoning Battery that comprise the Brief IQ composite. These tasks were selected to address specific concerns pertaining to memory and attention in individuals with fragile-X. Initial examination of the data revealed that all of the children completed the subtests comprising the Brief IQ and, outside of the Attention Divided subtest, over 80% of the children completed most of the subtests on the Attention and Memory Battery. Findings from the Leiter-R were generally consistent with previously reported assessment results with this population. Overall, the sample fell within the mild to moderate range of mental retardati...
Absorbing Team Games

Abstract A team is a group of people having the same motives but possibly different available actions. A team game is a game where two teams face each other. An absorbing game is a repeated game where some of the entries are absorbing, in the sense that once they are chosen the play terminates, and all future payoffs are equal to the payoff at the stage of termination. We prove that every absorbing team game has an equilibrium payoff and that there are e-equilibrium profiles with cyclic structure. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: C72, C73.
Silver(I) Complexes of Fixed, Polytopic Bis(pyrazolyl)methane Ligands: Influence of Ligand Geometry on the Formation of Discrete Metallacycles and Coordination Polymers

Reactions of the arene-linked bis(pyrazolyl)methane ligands m-bis[bis(1-pyrazolyl)methyl]benzene, (m-[CH(pz)2]2C6H4, Lm), p-bis[bis(1-pyrazolyl)methyl]benzene, (p-[CH(pz)2]2C6H4, Lp), and 1,3,5-tris[bis(1-pyrazolyl)methyl]benzene (1,3,5-[CH(pz)2]3C6H3, L3) with AgX salts (pz = 1-pyrazolyl; X = BF4- or PF6-) yield two types of molecular motifs depending on the arrangement of the ligating sites about the central arene ring. Reactions of the m-phenylene-linked Lm with AgBF4 and AgPF6 afford complexes consisting of discrete, metallacyclic dications: [Ag2(μ-Lm)2](BF4)2 (1) and [Ag2(μ-Lm)2](PF6)2 (2). When the p-phenylene-linked Lp is treated with AgBF4 and AgPF6, acyclic, cationic coordination polymers are obtained: {[Ag(μ-Lp)]BF4}∞ (3) and {[Ag(μ-Lp)]PF6}∞ (4). Reaction of the ligand L3, containing three bis(pyrazolyl)methane units in a meta arrangement, with an equimolar amount of AgBF4 again yields discrete metallacyclic dications in which one bis(pyrazolyl)methane unit on each ligand remains unbound: [A...
The action of enhancers can lead to addiction

The Correspondence columns this week comment on the merits and demerits of cognitive enhancement, prompted by the Commentary 'Professor's little helper', by Barbara Sahakian and Sharon Morein-Zamir (Nature 450, 1157–1159; 2007), and the continuing online Nature Forum thread 'Would you boost your brain power?' ( http://tinyurl.com/2qpxff ).
Total shoulder arthroplasty: Revision for instability

Abstract Instability is a complication of total shoulder arthroplasty that is largely preventable. Emphasis is placed on comprehensive preoperative evaluation, particularly imaging of glenoid version. The principle of soft-tissue balancing, which allows 30% to 50% translation in anteroposterior and inferior directions, is critical. It must be understood that the capsulo-ligamentous envelope of the shoulder functions as a “circle” and that excessive tightness in one direction may lead to instability in the opposite. It is also imperative that range of motion be carefully evaluated after prosthetic placement. Rehabilitation must stay strictly within the bounds of these motion limits in the early postoperative period. Recent prosthetic design innovations have provided modular humeral components that may obviate stem revision in some cases. Custom glenoid components are also available to help address posterior glenoid insufficiency. Anterior, posterior, and inferior instability are discussed individually, with emphasis on prevention as well as particular devices and techniques that are successful in managing these difficult complications.
Dispersion-relation-preserving finite difference schemes for computational acoustics

Time-marching dispersion-relation-preserving (DRP) schemes can be constructed by optimizing the finite difference approximations of the space and time derivatives in wave number and frequency space. A set of radiation and outflow boundary conditions compatible with the DRP schemes is constructed, and a sequence of numerical simulations is conducted to test the effectiveness of the DRP schemes and the radiation and outflow boundary conditions. Close agreement with the exact solutions is obtained.
A new finite element method for binder wrap calculations

In forming a large automobile sheet metal part in a draw die, a blank is first clamped by curved binders to form a binder wrap. This paper presents a numerical method to calculate the binder wrap. Theanalysis domain, aliaspseudo blank, is the portion of the blank which goes into the die cavity. Since its boundary is not known in advance, an iteration method is used to calculate the pseudo blank and binder wrap simultaneously.
Does muscle activation occur by direct mechanical coupling of transverse tubules to sarcoplasmic reticulum

Our knowledge of the physiological and biochemical constituents of skeletal muscle excitation has increased greatly during the last few years but this has not led to a consensus of the physiological mode of muscle activation. Three hypotheses of transmission, involving either transmitter-receptor interaction or direct mechanical coupling, are still under active consideration. The hypothesis of direct mechanical coupling currently being evaluated proposes that the dihydropyridine receptor in the transverse tubules serves as a voltage sensor that communicates directly with the junctional foot protein/Ca2+ channel of sarcoplasmic reticulum to initiate opening of the channel.
Describing and Measuring Emotional Response to Shopping Experience

Abstract Research has shown that shopping environments can evoke emotional responses in consumers and that such emotions, in turn, influence shopping behaviors and outcomes. This article broadens our understanding of emotions within the shopping context in two ways. First, it provides a descriptive account of emotions consumers feel across a variety of shopping environments. Second, it empirically compares the three emotion measures most frequently used in marketing to determine which best captures the various emotions shoppers experience. The results indicate that the broad range of emotions felt in the shopping context vary considerably across different retail environments. They also show that the Izard (Izard, C. E.: Human Emotions, Plenum, New York. 1977) and Plutchik (Plutchik, R.: Emotion: A Psychoevolutionary Synthesis, Harper and Row, New York. 1980) measures outperform the Mehrabian and Russell (Mehrabian, A., and Russell, J. A.: An Approach to Environmental Psychology, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA. 1974) measure by offering a richer assessment of emotional responses to the shopping experience.