cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using gradient descent to optimize language modeling smoothing parameters

Most information retrieval models have some set of tunable parameters. It is often the case that the parameters of such models are either set to default values or tuned in a supervised or unsupervised manner. Historically, many retrieval models have been tuned to maximize some underlying retrieval metric, such as mean average precision. However, as the number of parameters increases, the direct maximization techniques become computationally expensive. For this reason, there has been a growing interest in both the information retrieval and machine learning communities to develop parameter estimation techniques that scale well. Since most information retrieval metrics are non-smooth with respect to model parameters, the machine learning techniques have focused on maximizing or minimizing some surrogate function that attempts to mimic or be highly correlated with retrieval metrics. Standard optimization techniques can then easily be applied to the surrogate function in order to estimate approximate parameters. There have been, however, few studies from an information retrieval perspective into how well such surrogate functions compare to the direct search approach. Recent work has investigated how the effectiveness of using BM25F parameters estimated by minimizing the RankNet cost function correlates with the effectiveness of an approach that directly maximizes NDCG [2]. The results showed that RankNet acts as a good surrogate and produces reasonable effectiveness when compared to a more computationally expensive direct search technique. Following up on this work, we wish to explore how to use the RankNet cost function to optimize language modeling smoothing parameters. In addition, we explore how well the parameters learned using RankNet compare to those found by a direct search technique for various metrics that rely on binary relevance judgments, such as mean average precision, binary preference, and precision at 10.
High-Resolution Electron-Energy Loss as a Probe of the Si-Al Schottky-Barrier Formation Process

Note: Univ wisconsin,dept phys,madison,wi 53706. montana state univ,dept phys,bozeman,mt 59717. Kelly, mk, univ wisconsin,ctr synchrotron radiat,madison,wi 53706.ISI Document Delivery No.: APH08 Reference LSE-ARTICLE-1985-007 Record created on 2006-10-03, modified on 2017-05-12
Understanding Consumer Choices and Preferences in Transaction-Based e-Services

The rapid increase in transaction-based e-services creates a challenge for firms: What combination of features should they offer to satisfy consumers while realistically considering operational and financial constraints? This article explores the above question by highlighting similarities and differences in consumer preferences between different segments for a transaction-based e-service. The study employs a Web-based discrete choice experiment, in which 1,430 consumers are offered e-service options, differing from each other in terms of non-web-based and online-only features, price per transaction, and marketing promotions. The results demonstrate that overall, consumer preferences for features of transaction-based e-services differ between offline and online consumers. Furthermore, with increase in consumer usage frequency, interesting trends regarding the relative importance for features are observed. Similarities also exist in consumer preferences between various usage-frequency-based consumer segmen...
SOME FACTORS INFLUENCING METAL-INSULATOR TRANSITIONS

Three problems are studied. (i) The optimal shape of the electronic densities of states of metal and gapped insulator related by a geometrical distortion, for a temperature induced transition between them. (ii) The dependence of valence band width on cation identity and the temperature of the metal Mott-Hubbard insulator transition in the series RENiO3 (RE = Rare Earth). (iii) Electronic insights into the loss of a Jahn-Teller distortion at Mn during the insulator-metal transition in La1−xSrxMnO3 as x increases but not at Cu for La2−xSrxCuO4. Einflusse auf Metall-Isolator-Ubergange Drei Fragen wurden untersucht: 1. Die optimale Form der elektronischen Zustandsdichten fur einen thermisch induzierten Metall-Isolator-Ubergang in bezug auf die geometrische Verzerrung bei einem thermisch angeregten Ubergang zwischen ihnen. 2. Die Abhangigkeit der Breite des Valenzbandes von der Kationenart und der Temperatur des Metall-Mott-Hubbard-Isolator-Ubergangs in der Reihe der Selten-Erd-Verbindungen SENiO3 (SE = Selten-Erd). 3. Elektronische Grunde fur die Abnahme der Jahn-Teller-Verzerrung in Mn-Verbindungen wie La1−xSrxMnO3 beim Isolator-Metall-Ubergang mit zunehmendem x, im Gegensatz zu Cu-Verbindungen wie La2−xSrxCuO4.
Chronic and acute tolerance to subjective effects of nicotine

Tolerance to subjective effects of nicotine may induce novice smokers to increase the magnitude and frequency of their nicotine self-dosing. In this study, smokers (n = 8) and nonsmokers (n = 7) participated in three sessions involving presentation of 0, 7.5, or 15 micrograms/kg nicotine 30 min for 2 h via measured-dose nasal spray, with different doses presented on separate days. Subjective responses were assessed using visual analog scales (VASs) of jittery, light-headed, relaxed, dizzy, and head rush, and the Profile of Mood States (POMS) scales of vigor, confusion, fatigue, tension, and the composite scale of arousal. Smaller responses in smokers vs. nonsmokers were viewed as evidence for chronic tolerance. In addition, on each day subjects received a fifth, challenge dose of 30 micrograms/kg 30 min after the previous dosing. Smaller responses to the challenge dose as a function of increasing prior nicotine dosing during Trials 1-4 were viewed as evidence for acute tolerance. Results showed significant changes in most measures as a function of nicotine dose, and the dose-response curves for most VAS and POMS scales tended to be shifted to the right, or dampened, in smokers relative to nonsmokers, consistent with chronic tolerance. However, smokers and nonsmokers tended to respond to nicotine in opposite directions for POMS scales of vigor and arousal, perhaps reflecting withdrawal relief in smokers. Acute tolerance on a few selected VAS and POMS scales was apparent for both smokers and nonsmokers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Comparison of the cardiovascular effects of two novel superoxide dismutase mimetics, SC-55858 and SC-54417, in conscious dogs

Abstract The hemodynamic actions and left ventricular mechanical effects of two new superoxide dismutase mimetics, SC-55858 [Manganese (II) dichloro (2R,3R,8R,9R-bis-cyclohexano-1,4,7,10,13-pentaazacyclopentadecane)] (n = 10) and SC-55417 [Manganese (II) dichloro (trans-2,3-cyclohexano-1,4,7,10,13-pentaazacyclopentadecane)] (n = 8), were studied in chronically instrumented dogs in the conscious state and after 30 min equilibration at 0.033, 0.067, 0.233, and 0.667 μM · kg−1 · min−1 SC-55858 or SC-54417 (total doses of 1, 2, 7, and 20 μM · kg−1). SC-55858 and SC-54417 increased heart rate and decreased mean arterial pressure and left ventricular systolic and end-diastolic pressures. SC-55858 decreased preload recruitable stroke work slope and + d P d t max and increased the time constant of isovolumic relaxation, consistent with a direct negative inotropic and lusitropic effect. In contrast, SC-54417 did not depress left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. Decreases in mean arterial pressure caused by SC-55858 may be secondary to negative inotropic effects and reduction in cardiac preload. In contrast, SC-54417 does not depress myocardial contractility but also reduces arterial pressure via venodilation.
Gut contents and stable isotope analyses of the Antarctic fish, Notothenia coriiceps (Richardson), from two macroalgal communities

Gut contents studies have shown that Notothenia coriiceps, a prevalent shallow water fish species along the western Antarctic Peninsula, has a highly variable diet. This variability, coupled with small home ranges, suggest that microhabitat may play a role in determining the chief prey items of N. coriiceps. We trapped fish from three sites comprised of two different algal microhabitats around Palmer Station, Antarctica and investigated their diets via gut contents and stable isotope analyses. Gut contents analysis revealed that amphipods were the primary prey item at all three sites, but the distribution of amphipod species eaten varied between sites. Other important prey classes were snails, limpets, algae and fish. Overall, the gut content data suggested that algal microhabitat was less important than geographic location in determining diet. On the other hand, stable isotope analysis indicated that fish from the Palmaria decipiens site were more enriched in both carbon and nitrogen than fish from Desmarestia menziesii sites. Hence, it would appear that in the longer term, algal microhabitat may influence fish diets and trophic relationships.
Cyclic, alternating methane and nitrogen limitation increases PHB production in a methanotrophic community.

Abstract To identify feast–famine strategies that favor PHB accumulation in Type II methanotrophic proteobacteria, three sequencing batch reactors seeded with a defined inoculum of Type II methanotrophs were subjected to 24-h cycles consisting of (1) repeated nitrogen limitation, (2) repeated nitrogen and oxygen limitation, and (3) repeated nitrogen and methane limitation. PHB levels within each reactor and capacity to produce PHB in offline batch incubations were monitored over 11 cycles. PHB content increased only in the reactor limited by both nitrogen and methane. This reactor became dominated by Methylocystis parvus OBBP with no detectable minority populations. It was concluded that repeated nitrogen and methane limitations favored PHB accumulation in strain OBBP and provided it with a competitive advantage under the conditions imposed.
Feature selection for automatic taxonomy induction

Most existing automatic taxonomy induction systems exploit one or more features to induce a taxonomy; nevertheless there is no systematic study examining which are the best features for the task under various conditions. This paper studies the impact of using different features on taxonomy induction for different types of relations and for terms at different abstraction levels. The evaluation shows that different conditions need different technologies or different combination of the technologies. In particular, co-occurrence and lexico-syntactic patterns are good features for is-a, sibling and part-of relations; contextual, co-occurrence, patterns, and syntactic features work well for concrete terms; co-occurrence works well for abstract terms.
Methamphetamine and Dopamine Receptor D1 Regulate Entrainment of Murine Circadian Oscillators

We investigated the effect of methamphetamine (MA) injections on the circadian organization of behavior and individual tissues in the mouse. Scheduled, daily injections of MA resulted in anticipatory activity, with an increase in locomotor activity immediately prior to the time of injection. Daily MA also shifted the peak time of PER2 expression in the liver, pituitary, and salivary glands. It has been suggested that reward pathways, and dopamine signaling in particular, may underlie the effects of MA on the circadian system. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effect of the D1 receptor antagonist SCH23390 (SCH) on circadian rhythms. The MA-induced shift in the phase of pituitary and salivary glands was attenuated by pretreatment with the D1 antagonist SCH23390 (SCH). Interestingly, daily SCH, administered alone, also affected some circadian oscillators. The livers and lungs (but not pituitaries or salivary glands) of mice treated with daily injections of SCH displayed disrupted rhythms of PER2 expression, suggesting that D1 receptor signaling is important for entrainment of these organs. From these results, we conclude that MA has widespread effects within the circadian system, and that these effects are mediated, at least in part, by the dopaminergic system. This study also identifies a role for dopamine signaling in normal entrainment of circadian oscillators.
Attributions and Exchanges: The Effects of Interpersonal Factors on the Diagnosis of Employee Performance

A study was conducted with 188 supervisors to assess the relationships among supervisory attributions, the exchange relationship between leaders and subordinates, and critical performance incidents. The results indicated that internal, but not external, attributions were significantly related to the leader-member exchange and to critical performance incidents. We discuss the implications of these findings.
Evaluation of the Bible as a Resource for Cross-Language Information Retrieval

An area of recent interest in cross-language information retrieval (CLIR) is the question of which parallel corpora might be best suited to tasks in CLIR, or even to what extent parallel corpora can be obtained or are necessary. One proposal, which in our opinion has been somewhat overlooked, is that the Bible holds a unique value as a multilingual corpus, being (among other things) widely available in a broad range of languages and having a high coverage of modern-day vocabulary. In this paper, we test empirically whether this claim is justified through a series of validation tests on various information retrieval tasks. Our results appear to indicate that our methodology may significantly outperform others recently proposed.
Vertical Distribution, Size Structure, and Habitat Associations of Four Blenniidae Species on Gas Platforms in the Northcentral Gulf of Mexico

We counted individuals of the family Blenniidae and estimated their sizes on gas platforms southeast of Dauphin Island, Alabama. We observed species abundance decreasing as depth increased. Fish sizes also decreased with depth. The most abundant species was molly miller, Scartella cristata, followed by plumed blenny, Hypleurochilus multifilis, tessellated blenny, Hypsoblennius invemar, and seaweed blenny, Parablennius marmoreus. Total blenny abundance was positively related to the barnacle, Megabalanus antillensis, and dissolved oxygen concentrations, and inversely related to Anthozoa. Individually, S. cristata was correlated with M. antillensis, and inversely related to salinity, while the other blenny species showed more complex correlations to invertebrates. As a community, blennies showed a clear separation based on depth independent of offshore/inshore sites and sample date based on multidimensional scaling analyses. Our study suggests that attached invertebrates, particularly M. antillensis, provided a predation refuge, allowing these blenny species to exist in an otherwise unsuitable habitat, i.e. open shallow waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Multiprocessing for ray tracing: a hierarchical self-balancing approach

A novel parallel processing algorithm for image synthesis using ray tracing is presented. The scene is first organized in a hierarchical data structure which is then cut at some level. The object descriptions along with their bounding volumes are distributed accordingly among the processors of an MIMD system. There are two independent processes in, each processor: one is demand driven and used for bounding volumes calculations while the second is data driven and used for intersection calculations. This scheme, where the first process can be executed by any, processor, suggested an algorithm with an embedded load balancing mechanism. It has almost a linear speedup and its storage requirements are small. Simulation results are presented to illustrate these features.
Necessary and sufficient conditions for regulation of linear systems

In this paper we present necessary and sufficient conditions for regulation of linear systems over rings using observers and causal dynamic state feedback systems. In particular, these results are used to obtain stabilizability conditions for systems over integers, systems parameterized by polynomial functions (families of systems), delay-differential systems and to make 2-D systems nonrecursive.
Uncertainty, competition, and costs in corporate bond underwriting

Abstract The effect of a syndicate's uncertainty regarding the demand for a new bond issue on the syndicate's choice of an offer and bid price, and on the spread between those two prices, is analyzed. Then, the impact of uncertainty on the spread is empirically tested. The hypothesis that the spread varies inversely with the number of bidders for an issue is also developed and tested, and several other hypothesized determinants of the spread are examined.
Accurate impedance model for antiresonant monopoles on finite ground planes

A simple and accurate procedure based upon reaction theory is presented for computing the input impedance of a monopole antenna backed by a finite ground plane. This procedure is used to finally verify theoretically some of the controversial antiresonant measured input impedances presented by Meier and Summers in their classic 1949 work
Rapid synthesis of epitaxial ZnO films from aqueous solution using microwave heating

Rapid deposition of epitaxial ZnO films has been demonstrated with a low temperature aqueous solution technique utilizing microwave heating. X-Ray diffraction analysis of films deposited on single crystal (111) MgAl2O4 substrates revealed the ZnO to deposit epitaxially with an orientational relationship of ZnO [110]‖MgAl2O4 [2] & ZnO [010]‖MgAl2O4 [10]. By altering conditions of solution pH, ammonia concentration, heating rate, and hold time, the growth rate and morphology of the ZnO films can be modified. Using a pH 11, 1 mol L−1ammonia growth solution, an approximately 2 micron thick continuous ZnO film can be deposited in only 5 minutes at 90 °C. Compared to similar ZnO deposition conditions using conventional heating, the use of microwave heating resulted in substantially higher nucleation and growth rates. Using an explanation based on classical nucleation theory and predicted variations in ZnO solubility with temperature, the increase in nucleation and growth rate is attributed to the high heating rates achieved with microwave heating.
Global distribution of volcanic centers and mountains on Io: Control by asthenospheric heating and implications for mountain formation

Abstract Jupiter's moon Io possesses numerous tectonic mountains in addition to its ubiquitous volcanoes and volcanic features. Remarkably, a distinct global anticorrelation exists between the spatial distribution of mountains and volcanic centers on Io. This relationship indicates an explicit connection between volcanism and mountain formation, even though the mountains are tectonic in origin (predominantly upthrusted crustal blocks). Spherical harmonic analysis shows the distribution of mountains and volcanic centers have statistically significant power at degree 2; this result is especially striking for the volcanic center distribution, and directly implicates models of asthenospheric tidal heating. The latter predict enhanced heat flux along the equator in a degree-two pattern that matches observations. Mountain formation on Io appears to be a form of dominantly vertical tectonism unique in the modern Solar System: continual burial by widespread volcanism drives the crust inward, which leads to strong compression, and at discrete locations, mountains. Correlation coefficients between the volcanic and mountain distributions indicate statistically meaningful anticorrelation at low spectral degrees (l = 1, 2, 4, and 6); the anticorrelation is especially significant between the longitudinal (sectorial) l = 2 components when considered on their own. We compare this anticorrelation with published models that link volcano and mountain formation. While consistent in part with l = 2 convection models, which predict such an anticorrelation (in principle), such low degree anticorrelations are also (if not more) compatible with mountain formation due to, or influenced by, thermal expansion of Io's crust, and deep compression and thrust faulting in regions of lower than average volcanic heat-piping. Positive correlations between mountain and volcanic center distributions at high spectral degree may reflect structural links between a good fraction of mountain blocks and adjacent volcanic paterae, whereas the anticorrelation at low degree implies that most volcanic features (which are far more numerous overall) form independently of mountains.
Sex, drugs, and politics: the HPV vaccine for cervical cancer

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. While most strains are relatively harmless, some increase a woman's risk of developing cervical cancer. This article explores the intimate, contested relationships among etiologies of cervical cancer, development and use of the new HPV vaccine, and contested notions of sexuality. We particularly focus on shifts in US health care and sexual politics, where the vaccine has animated longstanding concerns about vaccination (e.g. parental rights, cost, specialisation) and young women's bodies and behaviour. We conclude that vaccines are a distinctive kind of pharmaceutical, invoking notions of contagion and containment, and that politics shape every aspect of the pharmaceutical lifecourse.
The Role of Crisis Intervention in the Police Response to Domestic Disturbances

Discussions of the police response to domestic violence often assume that domestic disturbance calls typically involve criminal violence by a man against a woman, and that the best way to respond is by arresting the assailant. After reviewing the research on the context of the low rates of arrest for domestic violence, we suggest that the police response may be as much due to the situational features of domestic disturbances as to broader sociocultural factors, and that an exclusive reliance on arrest to deal with disturbances may provide a rationalization for the police to do nothing in many instances. Crisis intervention, if understood as involv ing skills and services that may be needed by victims, should be viewed as a complimentary response to arrest, but may be the only possible response when arrest is not an option.
Complete basis set ab initio study of potential energy surfaces of the dissociation recombination reaction HCNH++e−

Abstract Complete basis set ab initio computational study of HCN transformation into HNC through protonation reduction and again protonation and reduction was investigated in their ground states, as well as in their excited states. The decomposition of cations and neutral molecules through hydrogen radical elimination, as well as their interconversion through rearrangement reactions were studied. The possibility of generating HNC in preference of HCN through these molecular species in their ground and excited states is discussed.
Neuroadaptations and drugs of abuse

Abstract Neuroadaptations are anatomic or physiologic changes that attempt to maintain homeostasis and occur following the use of cocaine, methamphetamine (Meth), and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Cocaine and Meth increase Central Nervous System (CNS) synaptic dopamine (DA) by increasing the release of DA into the synapse and binding to the DA reuptake transporter (DAT). The continued release of DA and prevention of reuptake results in supraphysiologic concentration of DA which stimulates postsynaptic receptors and causes euphoria or a “high”. Neuroadaptations in the CNS synapse (sch as a decrease in postsynaptic D2 receptro number) attempt to maintain homeostasis. The decreased number of D2 receptors provides fewer receptors to be stimulated by increased synaptic DA. Like cocaine, Meth increases synaptic DA, but Meth also increases cytoplasmic DA which causes CNS oxidative stress and neurotoxicity. The clinical impact of the oxidative stress is unknown. MDMA increases concentrations of synaptic serotonin (5-HT) by increasing the release of 5-HT and binding to the serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT). Neuroadaptive decrease in the number of 5-HT presynaptic autoreceptors (a regulator of synaptic 5-HT concentration) maintains homeostasis. MDMA also causes a decrease in serotonergic biochemical markers and neuronal axotomy in rats and nonhuman primates. Abstinence may allow reinnervation but the axonal regrowth pattern is abnormal. Whether axotomy and reinnervation also occur in humans is unknown. Conclusion: Neuroadaptations may be transient or permanent. The length of time of drug use or drug concentration needed to cause neuroadaptations is unknown, but some neuroadaptations begin shortly after initiation of drug use and are dependent on variables such as genetics and age of initiation of use. Understanding the concept of neuroadaptation and some specific neuroadaptations allows a better understanding of the interindividual variability in response to drugs of abuse.
MORPHOLOGY OF LEUKOCYTIC HYPERGRANULATION IN BATTEN'S DISEASE*

Summary Histochemical and electron microscopic studies on the nature of the azurophilic hypergranulations of leukocytes in Batten's disease are reported. The exact nature of the phenomenon could not be elucidated, but it appears that the abnormal granulation is due to the prevalence of an intermediate granule in the polymorphonuclear cells. In electron microscopic preparations, the leukocyte granules from patients with Batten's disease are bounded by a unilaminar membrane, in contrast to the trilaminar membrane of the granules in controls. The possibility that this finding may represent a molecular lesion is discussed.
The Yes-No Question Answering System and Statement Verification.

Two experiments investigated the relationship of verification to the answering of yes—no questions. In both studies, subjects verified simple statements like A robin is a bird or answered simple questions like Is a robin a bird? In the first experiment, statements and questions were presented in blocked format and statements were considerably harder than questions. In the second study, these two types of sentences were intermixed, and although negative statements were again harder than negative questions, affirmative statements and affirmative questions did not differ in difficulty. Various proposals concerning the relative difficulty of answering questions and verifying statements were considered, and a model was proposed to account for the results from the two tasks.
Evolutionary psychology: its programs, prospects, and pitfalls.

The emerging specialty of evolutionary psychology presents a challenge to mainstream psychology. It proposes that cognitive, not just more fundamental, traits in humans are grounded in dedicated evolutionary programs. Specifically, it maintains that the common assumption in psychology-that the complexities of our psyches have been largely freed from evolutionary constraints and are instead based in a general learning capacity-is mistaken. The major premises of evolutionary psychology are examined in light of arguments and evidence presented by both supporters and detractors. Although some of these premises are well grounded, others are questionable and limit the development of the specialty and its integration into mainstream psychology.
Comments on the Right to Effective Treatment

Three barriers identified in this response to Corcoran's article preclude a mandated right to effective treatment for persons with mental illness: current lack of any federally mandated right to treatment, deinstitionalization that reduced supervision, and refusing or discontinuing medication—options easily available to the outpatient. The latter two make determining effec tiveness especially difficult.
Numerical invariants and the strong product of graphs

Three numerical invariants of graphs—the independence number, the cliquecovering number, and the Rosenfeld number—are studied in relation to themselves and to the strong product of two graphs. Applications are made to limiting values, such as capacity. Some constructions exhibit the independence number of the strong product Cm ⊗ Cn of odd cycles and of higher (strong) powers Cmk of certain odd cycles Cm.
FACTORIAL STUDY OF THIOUREA ADJUVANTS ON QUININE AND QUINIDINE ABSORPTION.

A factorially designed experiment using the single perfusion technique in rats indicated that thiourea consistently enhanced absorption of quinine from the intestine while being ineffective for quinidine. N , N′ -Diethylthiourea increased absorption of both alkaloids. 1-Phenyl-2-thiourea was an inhibitor of alkaloidal absorption, except when tested in fasted animals. With this exception, fasting routinely decreased the ability of the animals to absorb these isomers. Strong and weak buffer systems did not interfere with alkaloidal absorption.
A viscoelastic functionally graded strip containing a crack subjected to in-plane loading

Abstract In this paper, a crack in a viscoelastic strip of a functionally graded material (FGM) is studied under tensile loading conditions. The extensional relaxation modulus is assumed as E=E0exp(βy/h)f(t), where h is a scale length and f(t) is a nondimensional function of time t either having the form f(t)=E∞/E0+(1−E∞/E0)exp(−t/t0) for a linear standard solid or f(t)=(t0/t)q for a power law material model, where E0, E∞, β, t0 and q are material constants. An extensional relaxation function in the form E=E0exp(βy/h)[t0exp(δy/h)/t]q is also considered, in which the relaxation time depends on the Cartesian coordinate y exponentially with δ being a material constant describing the gradation of the relaxation time. The Poisson's ratio is assumed to have the form ν=ν0(1+γy/h)exp(βy/h)g(t), where ν0 and γ are material constants, and g(t) is a nondimensional function of time t. An elastic FGM crack problem is first solved and the “correspondence principle” is used to obtain both mode I and mode II stress intensity factors, and the crack opening/sliding displacements for the viscoelastic FGM considering various material models.
Grand Challenges for Seismology

Seismology is the study of the propagation of elastic waves, the sources that generate them, and the structures through which they propagate. It also is a fundamental, high-resolution tool for exploring the interior of the Earth from crust to core, as well as other bodies in the solar system. A remarkable diversity of multidisciplinary societal applications of seismology has emerged, including hydrocarbon and resource exploration, earthquake detection and hazard assessment, nuclear test monitoring and treaty verification, volcano and tsunami warning systems, and aquifer characterization. New directions in seismology are evolving that are relevant to climate and environmental change, such as resolving fine-scale seismic stratigraphy, monitoring carbon sequestration, detecting sudden movements of glaciers and ice sheets, mapping the internal fine structure of the ocean, and reconstructing the twentieth-century history of global storm activity from ocean-generated seismic noise.
Speedup Techniques for the Stochastic on-time Arrival Problem

We consider the stochastic on-time arrival (SOTA) routing problem of finding a routing policy that maximizes the probability of reaching a given destination within a pre-specified time budget in a road network with probabilistic link travel-times. The goal of this work is to provide a theoretical understanding of the SOTA problem and present ecient computational techniques to enable the development of practical applications for stochastic routing. We present multiple speedup techniques that include a label-setting algorithm based on the existence of a minimal link travel-time on each road link, advanced convolution methods centered on the Fast Fourier Transform and the idea of zero-delay convolution, and localization techniques for determining an optimal order of policy computation. We describe the algorithms for each speedup technique and analyze their impact on computation time. We also analyze the behavior of the algorithms as a function of the network topology and present numerical results to demonstrate this. Finally, experimental results are provided for the San Francisco Bay Area arterial road network to show how the algorithms would work in an operational setting. 1998 ACM Subject Classification F.2.0 General
Preventive dentistry in Texas, USA.

This paper presents the results of a 1985 survey of 1000 Texas dentists regarding three major types of preventive measures – educational services, preventive procedures, and diagnostic services. The results show that among several given educational services, respondents tended most to instruct on correct brushing or flossing and tended least to counsel on diet. Among preventive procedures, most dentists removed plaque or calculus. A very small portion applied occlusal sealants on patients under the age of 15. As for diagnostic services, most performed oral cancer screening exams. Most performed dental X-rays, but many did not use leaded protection on their patients while taking X-rays. A large number did not check their patients'; blood pressure. Income, attendance of continuing education programs, and number of dental hygienists were strong, positive predictors of provision of all three types of preventive measures. Dentists who practiced in more populous areas, or had practiced for fewer years, more likely provided patients with educational services and preventive procedures. Dentists delivered more preventive procedures if they attended more professional dental meetings. Dentists who worked more hours were more likely to provide educational services and preventive procedures. Patient load correlated negatively with dentists' delivery of preventive procedures.
Flight Plans for Development: Aviation Investments and Outputs in Nine Metropolitan Regions, 1990 to 2002:

Airports form the logistical core of metropolitan areas, improve economic development potential of regions, and are required to meet the demand for aviation services and to purchase increases in airport outputs. This study examines the relationship between aviation investments and outputs that might be affected by such investments. Nine metropolitan regions (five in the Midwest and four in other regions exhibiting economic success) are examined. The nine areas invested in aviation at different rates between 1990 and 2002 and generated aviation outputs linked to these investments. Midwestern regions spent more on aviation infrastructure than did the other regions, apparently purchasing more plane, passenger, and cargo activity. In several regions, aviation investments in the early 1990s might have increased selected aviation outputs in the late 1990s. The metropolitan regions with successful economic performance exhibited lower rates of aviation investment. The findings question whether large aviation inve...
Modeling of Mid-Frequency Reverberation in Very Shallow Water

Abstract : The long-term goal of this research is development of computationally efficient physics-based methods for modeling of propagation, scattering, and reverberation in shallow waters with complicated spatial and temporal variability of environmental parameters
Paternal Care by Genetic Fathers and Stepfathers II: Reports by Xhosa High School Students

Abstract In this article we present a biosocial model of human male parental care that allows relationship (mating) effort to influence male parental allocations. The model recognizes four classes of relationships between men and the children they parent: genetic offspring of current mates (combined relationship and parental effort), genetic offspring of previous mates (parental effort solely), step offspring of current mates (relationship effort solely), and stepchildren of previous mates (essentially no expected investment). We test the model using data on parental investment collected from 340 Xhosa high school students in Cape Town, South Africa. Six measures of paternal investment are examined: the amount of money men spent on students for school, clothing, and miscellaneous expenditures, respectively, and how often men spent time with children, helped them with their homework, or spoke English with them. The tests provide support for the roles of both parental and relationship effort in influencing parental care: men invest significantly more in their genetic offspring and in the children of their current mates. We also examine several proximate influences on parental care, specifically the age and sex of the child, and the percentage of the child's life the father figure coresided with him or her.
Potential export of unattached benthic macroalgae to the deep sea through wind-driven Langmuir circulation

[1] Carbon export to the deep sea is conventionally attributed to the sinking of open ocean phytoplankton. Here, we report a Langmuir supercell event driven by high winds across the shallow Great Bahama Bank that organized benthic non-attached macroalgae, Colpomenia sp., into visible windrows on the seafloor. Ocean color satellite imagery obtained before and after the windrows revealed a 588 km2 patch that rapidly shifted from highly productive macroalgae to bare sand. We assess a number of possible fates for this macroalgae and contend that this event potentially transported negatively buoyant macroalgae to the deep Tongue of the Ocean in a pulsed export of >7 × 1010 g of carbon. This is equivalent to the daily carbon flux of phytoplankton biomass in the pelagic tropical North Atlantic and 0.2–0.8% of daily carbon flux from the global ocean. Coastal banks and bays are highly productive ecosystems that may contribute substantially to carbon export to the deep sea.
Design and experimental evaluation of an electromechanical engine valve drive

In conventional internal combustion (IC) engines, engine valve timing is fixed with respect to crankshaft angle. Flexibly controlled valve timing offers significant improvements in fuel efficiency, engine performance and emissions. One way to achieve variable valve timing (VVT) is by using an electromechanical valve drive (EMVD). In this paper, we describe the design and experimental evaluation of a new EMVD comprising an electric motor coupled by a nonlinear mechanical transformer to a resonant valve-spring system. Experimental results demonstrate that a 3.3 ms transition time adequate for 6 krpm engine speed, reasonable power consumption, and low valve seating velocity are obtained with the design.
Distribution of the Tarnished Plant Bug (Heteroptera: Miridae) Within Cotton Plants

The within-plant distribution of the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), in cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., was determined during June through the 1st week in August in 1992 and 1993 at Stoneville, MS. Locations of adults and nymphs in cotton were determined weekly using visual searches of whole plants or plant sections (mainstem terminals, upper and lower plant halves below the mainstem terminals). The distributions of adults and nymphs found in the morning (0900-1100 hours) in 1992 were not significantly different from their distributions found in the afternoon (1300-1500 hours). Adults had a significantly different distribution than nymphs on vegetative structures (mainly leaves), fruiting structures (squares, bolls, and blooms) and mainstem terminals in both years. The distributions of adults and nymphs also were significantly different in both years on the mainstem terminals and upper and lower plant halves below the terminal. Nymphs and adults were found in both years to have 75% of their populations (on average) in the mainstem terminal plus the fruit and vegetative structures on the top 6 nodes of the plant. Nymphs showed a strong preference for fruiting structures, and high percentages of adults were found on vegetative structures through the first 3 wk of squaring (June through the 1st week in July) in both years. Adults then became more dispersed among the vegetative structures, fruit, and mainstem terminals. These types of distributions would make the drop cloth an excellent method for sampling nymphs, whereas the sweep net would work well for adults especially through the first 3 wk of squaring. If visual examination of plants for nymphs and adults is used to sample cotton, it should include mainstem terminals plus vegetative and fruiting structures in the upper halves of plants.
Surgical outcomes for patients with pulmonary atresia/major aortopulmonary collaterals and Alagille syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Pulmonary atresia with major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (PA/MAPCAs) is a complex congenital heart defect that has undergone significant advances in treatment over the past 15 years. A small subset of patients with PA/MAPCAs have associated Alagille syndrome, which can have an adverse impact on many other organ systems. The purpose of this study was to review our institutional outcomes for the surgical patients with PA/MAPCAs and Alagille syndrome. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of patients with PA/MAPCA’s and Alagille who underwent surgical reconstruction from November 2001 to August 2011. Fifteen patients were identified in our data base. Thirteen had pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD) and two had pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA-IVS). RESULTS: There has been no early or late mortality in this cohort of 15 patients with PA/MAPCA’ and Alagille syndrome. The patients have undergone a total of 38 cardiac surgical procedures. Ten of the 13 patients with PA/VSD have achieved complete repair, including unifocalization, a right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit and closure of all intra-cardiac shunts. The three unrepaired patients with PA/VSD remain potential candidates for eventual complete repair, while the two patients with PA-IVS remain viable candidates for a single ventricle pathway. The patients in this series have also undergone 12 major non-cardiac procedures. CONCLUSIONS: The data demonstrate that surgical reconstruction of PA/MAPCAs can be successfully achieved in patients with Alagille syndrome. The longer-term prognosis remains guarded on the basis of the multi-organ system involvement of Alagille syndrome.
Developing a Security Meta-Language Framework

Service-oriented architectures (SOAs) with web services have become commonplace in business and government application development. One reason that web services should facilitate application implementation and deployment is their use of standards to provide clear descriptions of service expectations. However, when reliance on these standards is mandatory, such as in the case of guaranteeing the SOA meets specific security and information assurance constraints, design and development difficulties arise due to the magnitude of standards available, their cross referencing, and dependencies. This paper introduces a framework to provide the foundation for a security meta-language (SML) that models the security relevant portions of the standards for their consistent, comprehensive, and correct application. The goal of the framework is for security constraints and the SOA application domain to filter the model entities for the SML to define the proper message structure and content that each service in the SOA must have.
On the lifetime of the muon state of the electron-muon mass doublet

In a previous paper the electron and muon masses were derived by combining the author’s general relativistic derivation of the inertial masses of spinor particles from the geometrical field and his model of the « physical vacuum » (from a self-consistent field theory of electrodynamics) in terms of an ideal gas of electron-positron pairs in a particular state that was derived from the theory. It was predicted earlier that in this field theory spinor particles occur in mass doublets. In the electron-muon case, the observation of the « heavy electron » (muon) is a consequence of quadrupolar excitation of the physical vacuum of pairs—correspondingly altering the geometrical field in the vicinity of the observed electron, thereby making it more inertial. In this paper, the lifetime of the heavy electron in this physical vacuum will be determined, de-excitation occurring by the transferral of electromagnetic energy from this heavy electron to the pairs of the physical vacuum by means of a quadrupolar transition. To facilitate the calculation with time-dependent perturbation theory, use is made of Fermi’s multiple-meson production theory, and the improvisation of his theory for break-up reactions by the author. In this way, the ensuing quantitative analysis yields a lifetime for the heavy electron that is of the order of 2.09·10-6 s, which is within 5% of the observed muon decay rate. It is then shown how the present theory, in which electromagnetic variables are in terms of 2-component spinor fields, explains the reaction Μ → e++Ν in terms of a process that is purely electromagnetic and does not entail neutrinos.
Influence of head-up displays' characteristics on user experience in video games

Head-up displays (HUD) are important parts of visual interfaces of virtual environments such as video games. However, few studies have investigated their role in player-video game interactions. Two experiments were designed to investigate the influence of HUDs on player experience according to player expertise and game genre. Experiment 1 used eye-tracking and interviews to understand how and to what extent players use and experience HUDs in two types of commercial games: first-person shooter and real-time strategy games. Results showed that displaying a permanent HUD within the visual interface may improve the understanding of this environment by players. They also revealed that two HUD characteristics, namely composition and spatial organization, have particular influence on player experience. These critical characteristics were manipulated in experiment 2 to study more precisely the influence of HUD design choices on player experience. Results showed that manipulation of design of these HUD characteristics influences player experience in different ways according to player expertise and game genre. For games with HUDs that are perceived as very useful, the higher player expertise is, the more player experience is influenced. Recommendations for video game design based on these results are proposed.
Complications following reduction mammaplasty: a review of 3538 cases from the 2005-2010 NSQIP data sets.

Background: Reduction mammaplasty is an established and effective technique to treat symptomatic macromastia. Variable rates of complications have been reported, and there is a continued need for better outcome assessment studies. Objective: The authors investigate predictors of postoperative complications following reduction mammaplasty using the National Surgery Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) data sets. Methods: The 2005–2010 American College of Surgeons NSQIP databases were reviewed to identify primary encounters for reduction mammaplasty using Current Procedural Terminology code 19318. Two complication types were recorded: major complications (deep infection and return to operating room) and any complication (all surgical complications). Preoperative patient factors and comorbidities, as well as intraoperative variables, were assessed. A multivariate regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of complications. Results: A total of 3538 patients were identified with an average age of 43 years and body mass index of 31.6 kg/m2. Most patients underwent outpatient surgery (80.5%) with an average operative time of 180 minutes. The incidence of overall surgical complications was 5.1%. The following factors were independently associated with any surgical complications: morbid obesity (odds ratio [OR], 2.1; P < .001), active smoking (OR, 1.7; P < .001), history of dyspnea (OR, 2.0; P < .001), and resident participation (OR, 1.8; P = .01). The incidence of major surgical complications was 2.1%. Factors associated with major complications included active smoking (OR, 2.7; P < .001), dyspnea (OR, 2.6; P < .001), resident participation (OR, 2.1; P < .001), and inpatient surgery (OR, 1.8; P = .01). Conclusions: This study demonstrates overall incidence of complications in 1 in 20 patients and a 1 in 50 incidence of a major surgical complication. Noteworthy findings include the identification of morbid obesity as a significant predictor of overall morbidity and active smoking as a strong predictor of major surgical morbidity. These data can assist surgeons in preoperative counseling and enhance perioperative decision making. Level of Evidence: 3 ![Graphic][1] [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif