cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comorbid Arthritis Is Associated With Lower Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults With Other Chronic Conditions, United States, 2013-2014.

INTRODUCTION Arthritis is related to poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults aged 18 years or older. We sought to determine whether this relationship persisted in an older population using claims-based arthritis diagnoses and whether people who also had arthritis and at least 1 of 5 other chronic conditions had lower HRQoL. METHODS We identified adults aged 65 years or older with Medicare Advantage coverage in November or December 2014 who responded to an HRQoL survey (Healthy Days). For respondents with and without arthritis, we used linear regression to compare mean physically, mentally, and total unhealthy days, overall and in 5 comorbidity subgroups (coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, and hypertension), accounting for age, sex, dual Medicaid/Medicare eligibility, rural/urban commuting area, and Charlson Comorbidity Index. RESULTS Of the 58,975 survey respondents, 44% had arthritis diagnosed through claims. Respondents with arthritis reported significantly more adjusted mean physically, mentally, and total unhealthy days than those without arthritis (P < .001). Older adults with arthritis and either congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, or hypertension reported significantly more adjusted physically, mentally, and total unhealthy days than older adults without arthritis but with the same chronic conditions. CONCLUSIONS In older adults, having arthritis is associated with lower HRQoL and even lower HRQoL among those with at least 1 of 5 other common chronic conditions. Because arthritis is so common among older adults, improving HRQoL depends on managing both underlying chronic conditions and any accompanying arthritis.
Resisting English: Excavating English Ideologies of Young Boys through Chutkule at an Indian Orphanage.

ABSTRACTThe prevailing scholarship on Indians’ beliefs about English has, with few exceptions, largely failed to capture ideological resistance. Given the supremacy of English within the hierarchically ordered and unequal linguistic landscape in India, this study intervenes within this limited area of research. This investigation excavates ideologies of resistance to English through chutkule, a humorous folk genre, narrated by young boys at an anathashram (orphanage) in suburban New Delhi. The theoretical lens of language ideology is employed to unpack latent issues of resistance and erasure within the chutkule, and emergent ideological tensions are interpreted in the context of educational equity. In addition to locating beliefs about language in a previously unresearched genre, this study adds to the limited scholarship on Indians’ ideological resistance to English. Further, because these notions are mined through the boys’ chutkule at the anathashram, this investigation illuminates previously neglected...
Single and multiple phenotype QTL analyses of downy mildew resistance in interspecific grapevines

Downy mildew resistance across days post-inoculation, experiments, and years in two interspecific grapevine F1 families was investigated using linear mixed models and Bayesian networks, and five new QTL were identified. Breeding grapevines for downy mildew disease resistance has traditionally relied on qualitative gene resistance, which can be overcome by pathogen evolution. Analyzing two interspecific F1 families, both having ancestry derived from Vitis vinifera and wild North American Vitis species, across 2 years and multiple experiments, we found multiple loci associated with downy mildew sporulation and hypersensitive response in both families using a single phenotype model. The loci explained between 7 and 17% of the variance for either phenotype, suggesting a complex genetic architecture for these traits in the two families studied. For two loci, we used RNA-Seq to detect differentially transcribed genes and found that the candidate genes at these loci were likely not NBS-LRR genes. Additionally, using a multiple phenotype Bayesian network analysis, we found effects between the leaf trichome density, hypersensitive response, and sporulation phenotypes. Moderate–high heritabilities were found for all three phenotypes, suggesting that selection for downy mildew resistance is an achievable goal by breeding for either physical- or non-physical-based resistance mechanisms, with the combination of the two possibly providing durable resistance.
Alignment by Cross-Correlation

Highest precision in the alignment of projections is one of the prerequisites of tomography. The effects of random translational alignment errors on the reconstruction can be appreciated by considering the much simpler situation where a given number of images containing the same motif are averaged.
An Investigation of the Metabolism of Tay-Sachs Ganglioside Specifically Labeled in Critical Portions of the Molecule

Investigations which provided for a demonstration of an enzymatic deficiency in Tay-Sachs disease varied considerably in design from the basic pattern of experimentation which proved so useful for unravelling the metabolic abnormalities in related disorders of lipid metabolism. For example, in order to elucidate the etiology of Gaucher’s disease, Niemann-Pick disease, and Fabry’s disease, the principal sphingolipid which accumulates in the tissues of patients with these disorders was labeled with radiocarbon-14C or radiohydrogen-3H in a critical portion of the molecule. The metabolism of these labeled compounds was then examined in the following fashion. Enzymes which catalyzed the initial step in the catabolism of the accumulating substances were identified and partially purified from appropriate mammalian tissues. The conditions which influenced the activity of these enzymes were ascertained. The optimal pH for the reactions was determined, the Michaelis constant for each enzyme was defined, and the products of the reactions were identified. When these parameters were clearly established in control human tissue preparations, the activity of the enzyme suspected of being involved in the pathogenesis of the disease was determined in similar specimens obtained from patients with these disorders of lipid metabolism. This technique was used with success for identifying the deficiency of glucocerebrosidase in Gaucher’s disease, sphingomyelinase in Niemann-Pick disease, and ceramidetrihexosidase in Fabry’s disease(1).
Breast Cancer: Pathology, Cytology, and Core Needle Biopsy Methods for Diagnosis

Successful cancer treatment relies on a combination of clinical examinations, imaging studies, and pathologic evaluations. Pathologic diagnosis should not be bypassed even when health care resources are very limited and clinical/radiologic findings are very suggestive of breast cancer. A timely and accurate pathologic diagnosis can be achieved by the use of appropriate tissue sampling techniques, optimal tissue processing, and competent interpretation of pathologic findings. Accurate preoperative pathologic diagnosis confirms the malignant nature of the lesion and documents baseline expression of prognostic and predictive biomarkers, thus enabling clinicians to make optimal therapeutic strategies such as planning the extent of the surgery. Methods of obtaining tissue samples and the cytohistological techniques and histopathological features of the spectrum of breast cancer pathology are discussed in detail.
Linear-Quadratic Stochastic Differential Games with General Noise Processes

In this paper a noncooperative, two person, zero sum, stochastic differential game is formulated and solved that is described by a linear stochastic system and a quadratic cost functional for the two players. The optimal strategies for the two players are given explicitly using a relatively simple direct method. The noise process for the two player linear system can be an arbitrary square integrable stochastic process with continuous sample paths. The special case of a fractional Brownian motion noise is explicitly noted.
Search for a neutral technicolor signature in pp̄ collisions at [square root of s] = 18 TeV

The standard model (SM) of particle physics has been a very successful theory for decades; however, several features remain unexplained. One such feature is the mechanism of electro-weak symmetrybreaking. The Higgs mechanism is postulated as part of the SM to give us the masses of the \\r± and the Z° bosons in a manner consistent with unitarity. The Higgs boson is a consequence of the mechanism currently used. It is massive, and has the quantum numbers of the vacuum; i.e. it is a scalar. Also, the pattern of fermion (quark and lepton) masses is yet to be understood. Technicolor introduces a new force and particles (techniquarks and technileptons), which can break electroweak symmetry and generate the vector boson masses without introducing fundamental scalars. Along with some necessary extensions to the theory, technicolor provides the known fermion masses, and it also predicts many new "techni-mesons."1 Previous searches for various technicolor channels have been performed throughout the high-energy physics community at CERN on the L3 and DELPHI Experiments, and at Fermilab on the CDF and DO Experiments.2 At the DO experiment, we use neural networks to search for the lightest techni-mesons in a sample of 7bb data at the Tevatron. They are the techni-w (wr) and its mass-degenerate techni-p {p?), which decay to a 7 and a techni-pion (ttt/tt^)For the technicolor models considered, the TTT/"T decays predominantly to bb. This analysis searches for U>T/PT production using many Monte Carlo signal samples on the M(U>T) VS. A/(TTT) mass plane. No evidence was found for the production of neutral technicolor particles in this channel, and 95% confidence level upper limits on cross-section x branching ratio (c x BR) are computed. 'E. Eichten, K. Lane and J. VVomersley, "Finding Low-Scale Technicolor at the Tevatron,'' Phys. Lett. B405 305 (1997), hep-ph/9704455; E. Eichten, K. Lane, "Low-Scale Technicolor at the Tevatron." Phys. Lett. B388 803 (1996), hep-ph/9607213. 2K. Lane, "Technicolor SignaturesIeri, Oggi E Domani," hep-ph/0006143 (July 2000). This ref­ erence has compiled several searches for technicolor and is also a good summary of technicolor phe­ nomenology that is within observational range of current and near-future experiments.
Non-Local Periodic Motions of a Thin Cantilevered Rod

In this work we consider the existence of unforced periodic motionsfor a thin cantilevered elastic rod. In particular, largeamplitude motions that combine bending and twisting of the rodare studied. We use a lumped mass model consisting of a cantilevered planar rod whose base is attached to a torsional spring. The stability of the torsional vibration is studied and then the existence of a oneparameter family of large amplitude periodic motions is demonstrated.
Availability and accuracy of occupation in cancer registry data among Florida firefighters.

Objectives Occupational exposures significantly contribute to the risk of adverse cancer outcomes, and firefighters face many carcinogenic exposures. Occupational research using cancer registry data, however, is limited by missing and inaccurate occupation-related fields. The objective of this study is to determine the frequency and predictors of missing and inaccurate occupation data for a cohort of career firefighters in a state cancer registry. Methods We conducted a linkage between data from the Florida Cancer Data System (1981-2014) and the Florida State Fire Marshal's Office (1972-2012). The percentage and the odds of having a firefighting-related occupation code in the cancer record were calculated, adjusting for other occupation and cancer-related factors. Results Among 3,928 career firefighters, nearly half (47%) were missing a registry-dervived occupation code and only 17% had a firefighting-related code. Males were more likely to have a firefighting-related code (OR = 2.31;95%CI: 1.41-3.76), as were those with more recent diagnoses (OR1992-2002 = 2.98;95%CI: 1.57-5.67; OR2003-2014 = 11.40;95%CI: 6.17-21.03), and those of younger ages (OR45-64y = 1.26;95%CI: 1.03-1.54; OR20-44y = 2.26;95%CI: 1.73-2.95). Conclusions Accurate occupation data is key for identifying increased risk of advserse cancer outcomes. Cancer registry occupation fields, however, are overwhelmingly missing for firefighters and are missing disproportionally by sociodemographic and diagnosis characteristics. This study highlights the lack of accurate occupation data available for hypothesis-driven cancer research. Cancer registry linkage with external occupational data sources represents an essential resource for conducting studies among at-risk populations such as firefighters.
Automatic Model Parallelism for Deep Neural Networks with Compiler and Hardware Support

The deep neural networks (DNNs) have been enormously successful in tasks that were hitherto in the human-only realm such as image recognition, and language translation. Owing to their success the DNNs are being explored for use in ever more sophisticated tasks. One of the ways that the DNNs are made to scale for the complex undertakings is by increasing their size -- deeper and wider networks can model well the additional complexity. Such large models are trained using model parallelism on multiple compute devices such as multi-GPUs and multi-node systems. In this paper, we develop a compiler-driven approach to achieve model parallelism. We model the computation and communication costs of a dataflow graph that embodies the neural network training process and then, partition the graph using heuristics in such a manner that the communication between compute devices is minimal and we have a good load balance. The hardware scheduling assistants are proposed to assist the compiler in fine tuning the distribution of work at runtime.
How Much is Bulk Concrete Sheared during Pumping

Abstract Pumping is an efficient procedure to place concrete inside formworks. Practical guidelines have been developed to facilitate this process for over half a century, and in the last decades, a more scientific approach has been applied to study the flow behavior of concrete in pipes. With the development of self-consolidating concrete (SCC), some substantial differences in the flow patterns of SCC and pumpable conventional vibrated concrete (CVC) have been discovered. Generally, SCC is said to be sheared during pumping, while for CVC, the shearing is only concentrated in the lubrication layer and the bulk concrete flows as a plug. This paper discusses the factors affecting the shear rate in the bulk concrete, and the additional flow rate caused by shearing the bulk concrete. The discussion is based on theoretical analyses and experiments described in literature. Increasing the ratio of the viscous constant of the lubrication layer to the viscosity of the bulk concrete increases the shearing in the bulk concrete. This appears to be the case for mixtures with lower w/cm. Increasing the bulk concrete yield stress to viscosity ratio, by using less flowable concrete mixtures, increases the plug flow and thus decreases the shear rate in the bulk concrete. However, the simple distinction between SCC is sheared and CVC remains unsheared is not valid. For certain sets of parameters, CVC can be sheared as well.
Memorability of Cigarette Advertisements Making "Natural" Claims Among Adolescents.

Objectives The tobacco industry has a history of making "natural" claims in advertisements. We report how viewing advertisements with such claims affected what adolescents found memorable. Methods Adolescent boys (N = 1220; 11-16 years old) were randomly assigned to view a Natural American Spirit (NAS) or other brand cigarette advertisement, and were asked what they remembered about the advertisement. Survey-weighted logistic regression models assessed whether memorability of advertisement components differed by NAS advertisement exposure. Results Adolescents viewing a NAS advertisement (vs another brand) had lower odds of finding memorable the advertisement's warning (OR = 0.58; 95% CI: [0.34, 0.98]) or brand (OR = 0.25; 95% CI: [0.11, 0.54]). They had higher odds of mentioning tobacco (OR = 2.33; 95% CI: [1.49, 3.63]) and packaging (OR = 2.57; 95% CI: [1.51, 4.37]). An estimated 6.7% of those viewing an NAS advertisement said the product was not addictive. Conclusions Reduced-harm claims on cigarette advertisements may affect what adolescents find salient about the advertisement. As the FDA's agreement with Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company to remove these claims is not inclusive of all reduced-harm claims and does not apply to other companies, findings underscore the need for prohibiting all reduced-harm claims from cigarette advertisements.
Pathophysiology of Chronic Renal Failure

Chronic renal impairment usually refers to any permanent depression of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The term, however, can also be used to describe abnormal tubular function which can occur on a permanent basis even in the face of a normal glomerular filtration rate. We will use the term renal impairment to signify a decrease in GFR. Impairment becomes “failure” when plasma composition becomes substantially abnormal and symptoms usually appear at a GFR of approximately 25% of normal (30 ml/min). Chronic renal failure can be divided descriptively into early (GFR around 30-10 ml/min), late (GFR 10-5 ml/min), and terminal (GFR less than 5 ml/ min) phases. The symptoms and signs of uremia, as discussed in this chapter, become prominent in late chronic renal failure and life threatening in the terminal phase.
Incidence and economic burden of infections in cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors.

e19365Background: Along with antitumor effects, Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICPI) have shown great potential in treating chronic infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B, and malaria, in ex-vivo studi...
Predictors of short-term survival in Waldenström Macroglobulinemia

Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare, indolent B-cell lymphoma characterized by lymphoplasmacytic involvement of the bone marrow and serum IgM monoclonal protein of any size [1]. The clinic...
Discovery of a Novel, Selective and Short-Acting Skeletal Myosin II Inhibitor

Abstract Myosin IIs, actin-based motors that utilize the chemical energy of ATP to generate force, have potential as therapeutic targets. Their heavy chains differentiate the family into muscle (skeletal [SkMII], cardiac, smooth) and nonmuscle myosin IIs. Despite therapeutic potential for muscle disorders, no SkMII-specific inhibitor has been reported and characterized. Here we present the discovery, synthesis and characterization of “skeletostatins”, novel derivatives of the pan-myosin II inhibitor blebbistatin, with selectivity within the myosin IIs for SkMII. In addition, the skeletostatins bear improved potency, solubility and photostability, without cytotoxicity. Based on its optimal in vitro profile, Skeletostatin 1’s in vivo tolerability, efficacy and pharmacokinetics were determined. Skeletostatin 1 was well-tolerated in mice, impaired motor performance, and had an excellent muscle to plasma ratio. Skeletostatins are useful probes for basic research and a strong starting point for drug development.
Solving the problem of overdetermination of quasisymmetric equilbrium solutions by near-axis expansions. II. Circular axis stellarators

We apply the near-axis expansion method for quasisymmetric magnetic fields with anisotropic pressure (developed in the companion paper, Part I [E. Rodriguez, A. Bhattacharjee, arXiv:2008.04715 (2020)]) to construct numerical solutions to circular axis stellarators. The solutions are found to second order in the distance from the axis, not possible in the standard Garren-Boozer construction [D. A. Garren and A. H. Boozer, Physics of Fluids B: Plasma Physics, 2822 (1991)], which assumes magnetostatic equilibria with isotropic pressure. In the limit of zero anisotropy, it is shown that a subset of coefficients can be chosen to avoid the overdetermination problem.
Transported PDF modeling of compressible turbulent reactive flows by using the Eulerian Monte Carlo fields method

Abstract Although the transported probability density function (PDF) method has been developed for decades, its application has been mainly focused on the low-Mach number flow problems. This work extends the transported PDF method to compressible flow problems. The Eulerian Monte Carlo fields (EMCF) solution method is employed to solve the transported PDF equation for compressible flow problems. A pseudo stagnation enthalpy is introduced and its stochastic partial differential equation is derived to ensure total energy conservation numerically. A new mixing model called interaction by partial exchange with mean (IPEM) is introduced to expand the available choices of mixing models for the EMCF method. The consistency of the EMCF method is examined for solving the transported PDF equation. Numerical implementation details are discussed, such as the density coupling between the compressible flow solver and the EMCF solver, discretization schemes for the mixing terms and the stochastic terms. The implemented compressible flow solver coupled with the EMCF solver is verified and validated in a series of test cases with increasing level of complexity, ranging from a statistically one-dimensional turbulent mixing layer to a self-excited resonance model rocket combustor. It is observed that in general with the increase of compressibility, there is an increase in the sensitivity of the modeling results to the different models and algorithms. This makes it necessary to develop a thorough understanding of the model sensitivity in order to develop a robust and accurate simulation solver for highly compressible turbulent reactive flows. The thermo-acoustic instability inside the model rocket combustor case is captured reasonably, which demonstrates the overall capability of the developed compressible turbulent combustion solver based on the transported PDF method.
Delayed Gemcitabine-Induced Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome

Abstract Introduction Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare clinical-radiographic syndrome that has been expanding rapidly in the world of clinical medical oncology and hematology. In this article, we provide a unique patient case of delayed gemcitabine-induced PRES. Brief Case Report A 60-year-old African American female with significant past medical history of ER+/PR+/HER2- invasive ductal carcinoma of the left breast is seen in the medical oncology clinic with vague, mild complaints of lightheadedness. She had progressed on multiple lines of chemotherapy and was ultimately switched to gemcitabine. One month after her third dose of gemcitabine, she developed acute vision loss and soon developed generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Extensive workup was unrevealing other than PRES and she slowly improved with supportive care and withdrawal of the medication. Discussion Multiple case reports have described PRES in the context of combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine and a platinum agent in the treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies. With growing evidence, this case is consistent with the hypothesis that gemcitabine as monotherapy has a direct association with PRES. This case highlights a unique aspect in that PRES can occur at a delayed time interval, much further than the expected hours to days after the previous treatment.
Hot electron emission from waveguide integrated lanthanum hexaboride nanoparticles

Recently, it has been shown that hot-electron photoemission in waveguide-integrated graphene can occur at peak optical power densities many orders of magnitude lower than multiphoton and strong field emission. In this work, we study how the deposition of low-work function lanthanum hexaboride nanoparticles can alter the behavior of hot-electron emission from graphene and thin gold waveguide-integrated hot electron emitters. This approach is promising, as the graphene enables an electrically conductive platform on which to deposit the nanoparticles, while still enabling interaction between the nanoparticles and incident photons. Despite nonideal coatings of LaB6 nanoparticles on the waveguide integrated graphene and gold, there is a nearly order of magnitude improvement over previous graphene-based hot-electron emitters. This hybrid approach demonstrates how a combination of integrated photonics and low-work function coatings can improve the performance of the emerging class of hot-electron emitters.
Understanding barriers to treatment among individuals not engaged in treatment who misuse opioids: A structural equation modeling approach.

Background: Many individuals misusing opioids do not enter into treatment. The question of who enters into treatment for their opioid abuse and under what circumstances is complex and shaped by mul...
Erectile dysfunction resulting from pelvic surgery is associated with changes in cavernosal gene expression indicative of cavernous nerve injury.

Pelvic surgery, even without direct cavernous nerve injury, carries a high risk of post-operative erectile dysfunction. The present studies were aimed at identifying molecular mechanisms by which pelvic surgery results in erectile dysfunction. As a model of pelvic surgery, male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent pelvic laparotomy, avoiding direct cavernous nerve injury. A second group of animals, serving as a model of direct cavernous nerve injury, underwent bilateral transection of the cavernous nerve. Cavernosometry demonstrated, that even in the absence of direct nerve injury, the pelvic surgery model exhibited significant erectile dysfunction 3 days post-operatively. Gene expression profiling also demonstrated that even in this animal model of nerve-sparing pelvic surgery, the profile of differentially expressed genes in cavernosal tissue was indicative of cavernous nerve injury. In addition, although 6 hr after surgery there were significant changes in circulating cytokine/chemokine levels, an inflammatory response in the major pelvic ganglion, cavernous nerve and cavernosal tissue was only observed 3 days post-surgery. Our results validate a rat model of pelvic surgery exhibiting erectile dysfunction and suggest systemic release of cytokines/chemokines following surgical trauma might mediate a pathological inflammatory response in tissues distal to the site of surgical trauma, indirectly resulting in cavernous nerve injury and erectile dysfunction.
Decreasing Incisional Hernia by Teaching 4:1 Suture to Wound Length Ratio Early in Surgical Education.

OBJECTIVE Incisional hernia formation has become a major burden for our healthcare system. One factor that has been shown to reduce incisional hernia rates that can be impacted on by the surgeon is the ability to achieve a 4:1 suture to wound length ratio. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether a focused educational program for surgical residents can help improve laparotomy closures and be successful in achieving 4:1 suture to wound length ratios. DESIGN Following Institutional Review Board approval, consecutive abdominal wall closures were reviewed from December 2013 to July 2016. S:W length ratios were calculated in all cases and after 100 cases a formal audit of success and risk factors for not achieving a 4:1 ratio was performed followed by a formal resident education on laparotomy closure. The ability to achieve a 4:1 ratio for the first 100 cases following resident education was then compared to the 100 patients preceding the education with a p-value of RESULTS Two hundred patients underwent midline laparotomy with S:W length ratio calculated. In the first 100 patients, 76% of patients received a 4:1 S:W closure. Following resident education, this improved to 90% in the second 100 patients (p = 0.0083). Among patients where 2 residents performed the abdominal closure, 50% got an adequate 4:1 closure. This improved to 92% for the second 100 patients (p = 0.016). CONCLUSION A 4:1 S:W length ratio is a simple technique that has been proven to decrease incisional hernia. It requires no additional cost and can easily be implemented into practice. The act of formal resident education and measuring suture tails to calculate a S:W ratio on each case holds surgeons accountable and improves success rate of achieving a 4:1 ratio.
Identifying Dietary Consumption Patterns from Survey Data: a Bayesian Nonparametric Latent Class Model

Dietary intake is one of the largest contributing factors to cardiovascular health in the United States. Amongst low-income adults, the impact is even more devastating. Dietary assessments, such as 24-hour recalls, provide snapshots of dietary habits in a study population. Questions remain on how generalizable those snapshots are in nationally representative survey data, where certain subgroups are sampled disproportionately to comprehensively examine the population. Many of the models that derive dietary patterns account for study design by incorporating the sampling weights to the derived model parameter estimates post hoc. We propose a Bayesian overfitted latent class model that accounts for survey design and sampling variability to derive dietary patterns in adults aged 20 and older. We compare these results with a subset of the population, adults considered low-income (at or below the 130% poverty income threshold) to understand if and how these patterns generalize in a smaller subpopulation. Using dietary intake data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, we identified six dietary patterns in the US adult population. These differed in consumption features found in the five dietary patterns derived in low-income adults. Reproducible code/data are provided on GitHub to encourage further research and application in this area.
Strategy Selection-Based Meta-level Reasoning for Multi-agent Problem-Solving

Researchers have developed various techniques to address MAS problem- solving activities,i.e., agent organization construction, plan generation, task allocation, plan integration, and plan execution. An agent.s respective problem solving and coordination techniques must be properly understood before they can be included into any other software system. `Strategies' describe the techniques by which agents perform their individual decision-making processes and coordinate those processes with other agents. This chapter describes current work in characterizing agent operations, specifically, the representation of strategies in terms of roles and interactions as well as a trade-off evaluation mechanism for deciding which strategy is most appropriate for a given situation. On-line evaluation and selection of strategies will allow agents to tailor their behavior to given environment situations and thus, offer increase flexibility and adaptability of response
JUSTICE AND TRUTH IN GRADES AND THEIR AVERAGES

Grade point averages (GPAs) are calculated by assigning numbers to letter grades and averaging them. Simple examples show that the method cannot consistently determine class rank since class rank is sometimes permuted with arbitrary change of scale. This permutation is only possible when one student is somewhere worse and somewhere better than a second. The distinction between these and other sorts of cases is established by theorems proved in an appendix. Relativistic attempts to resolve the inconsistency are shown to be insufficient. The function of GPAs as predictors is briefly discussed.
Enhancing strategic partnerships

Although strategic alliances are increasingly commonplace, our understanding of these ventures is still evolving. Drawing on a consulting experience in a network organization, presents an intervention framework focused on issues related to creation, maintenance and assessment. Emphasizes lessons learned for managing and consulting in such partnerships.
A dynamic duo of microtubule modulators.

Microtubule dynamics are regulated by a diverse array of factors. The net balance of two opposing activities largely determines microtubule length throughout the cell cycle.
Extinction and transformation

The basic principles of heterochromatic extinction show that the approach used in the visible should not work well in the infrared, where molecular line absorption rather than continuous scattering dominates the extinction. Not only does this extinction change very rapidly with wavelength (so that stellar color becomes only weakly correlated with effective extinction), but also many of the lines are saturated (so that Forbes's curve-of-growth effect is much more severe in the IR.) Furthermore, broadband IR colors are more under-sampled than those in the visible, so aliasing errors make them correlate even less with extinction, and enhance the difficulties of transformation to a standard system. Reduction to outside the atmosphere is difficult, but a rational approximation for the Forbes effect may help. Plausible assumptions about the probability distribution function of line strengths, and band-model approaches, may be useful. The only solution to the transformation problem is to satisfy the sampling theorem, which may be difficult in the IR because of gaps due to saturated telluric absorptions.
Yield analysis methodology for low defectivity wafer fabs

It is well known that the yield of an integrated circuit can be modeled based on random defect density. In state-of-the-art wafer fabs, continuous defect reduction is a high engineering priority, and as a result they indeed achieve entitlement values for the defect density, as determined by the design rules, equipment set, and their facility characteristics. Even if a wafer fab achieves its entitlement defect density, a comprehensive yield analysis methodology is still required not only to identify any yield excursions, but also to continually find ways for further yield improvements. Whereas in a wafer fab with defect density above its entitlement value, the yield analysis methodology can easily be focussed on defect density reduction alone, in the low defectivity wafer fabs different approach needs to be adopted. In this paper we discuss yield analysis methodologies appropriate for low defectivity wafer fabs.
Measuring Economic Performance

Traditional economic methods--life-cycle costing, benefit-to-cost ratio, net benefits, adjusted internal rate of return, and discounted payback--are described for evaluating building decisions about accepting or rejectinga given building investment, the economically efficient design or size of a building, and the economically efficient combination of projects competing for a limited budget. Appropriate applications for each economic method are described. Technically correct formulas for the methods are presented. These economic methods are often applied using "best-guess" estimates of project input variables as if they were certain values. Such applications generate single-value, deterministic answers which provide decision makers insufficient information to know their economic risk exposure. Techniques are described that to some extent account for uncertainty in input variables and in some cases risk exposure and risk attitude. The techniques are sensitivity analysis, risk-adjusted discounting, decision analysis, simulation, and portfolio analysis. Advantages and disadvantages of each are described. Additional research is recommended for providing better methods, improving databases, and incorporating risk attitude in evaluating risky projects. A standard practice is needed for measuring uncertainty and risk associated with building investments.
Against Absolute Actualization: Three "Non-Localities" and Failure of Model-External Randomness made easy with Many-Worlds Models including Stronger Bell-Violation and Correct QM Probability

Experimental violation of Bell-inequalities proves actualization of many futures (~ many-worlds); I show that this is not mere interpretation. To show this self-contained pedagogically, I resolve the EPR paradox by starting with a visually intuitive non-quantum many-worlds model that already has apparent non-locality. A modification leads to a classical-to-quantum transition model. Model-external randomness (a ghost outside the universe throwing a pebble on state-space) stays unchanged, but the modeled observers witness strong Bell-violation. I derive the quantum probability P from classical-to-quantum consistency. Model-internal probability (~ subjective Bayesianism) is derived as a measure of surprise (~ Deutsch's rational expectation). The model shows how absolute actualization, say by real hidden variables, fails. Models with P and standard Bell-violation are supplied for completeness. The transition model is the first touchable, interactive science-outreach exhibit teaching correct quantum physics. The discussion reinterprets the transition model, defends Einstein-locality, rejects "realism" etc., to the conclusion that the models teach the necessity of "many worlds/minds", rejecting probability concepts with random-randomness regress. The models teach how EPR empirically excludes certain realisms.
Mitochondria and apoptosis: a quick take on a long view

Fifteen years of apoptosis research have led to the widely accepted idea that the major form of programmed cell death in mammals proceeds via the mitochondria, and that mitochondrial control of apoptosis is regulated by a specialized family of proteins known as the Bcl-2 family. Here we will consider some very recent data that has shed new insight into the regulation of these proteins and the impact of mitochondrial dynamics on mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) and apoptosis.
Effect of meal components on peripheral and portal plasma glutamate levels in young pigs administered large doses of monosodium-L-glutamate.

Mean peak plasma glutamate concentrations and area under the plasma glutamate concentration-time curve are much lower in adult humans ingesting monosodium L-glutamate (MSG) in formula than in water. The present study investigated the effects of individual meal components on portal and vena caval plasma glutamate concentration in young pigs administered MSG. Portal vein catheters and gastrojejunal tubes were placed in four young male pigs, and the animals were allowed to recover. Each animal was then administered four water solutions providing 500 mg/kg body weight MSG in a Latin square design. One solution provided only MSG; the second provided MSG and 1 g/kg body weight metabolizable carbohydrate (partially hydrolyzed corn starch); the third provided MSG and 1 g/kg body weight nonmetabolizable carbohydrate (β-cellobiose); and the fourth provided MSG and 0.4 g/kg body weight of an amino acid mixture (Aminosyn, Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, Ill). Mean peak plasma glutamate concentration and area under the plasma glutamate concentration-time curve were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in both portal and vena caval blood when MSG was administered with metabolizable carbohydrate than when administered in water. Simultaneous ingestion of MSG with nonmetabolizable carbohydrate (β-cellobiose) or amino acids had no significant effect on either mean peak portal or vena caval plasma glutamate concentration or area under the plasma glutamate concentration-time curves when compared to values observed when MSG was administered alone. The data suggest that metabolizable carbohydrate is the meal component affecting plasma glutamate concentration.
Susceptibility of elderly Asian immigrants to persuasion with respect to participation in research.

Familism, respect for authority, and a sense of shame/pride are cultural characteristics that might influence research participation of Asian Americans. We compared 79 elderly Asian immigrants, most of whom immigrated from China or Hong Kong, with 58 elders who were not Asian and mostly not immigrants. Responding to hypothetical situations presented on a self-administered questionnaire, the Asian group professed to be more likely to be influenced by a request from a son/daughter, landlord, physician, or advertisement (p < 0.001) and by a monetary incentive (p = 0.05). Multivariate adjustment for potential confounders attenuated the strength of these relations, but except in the case of the monetary offer, differences remained statistically significant. Within the Asian group, multivariate logistic regression modeling indicated that years lived in the US was associated with more likelihood of refusing requests to participate in research. We conclude that acculturation or assimilation into American society may build resistance to pressure to participate in research. Our findings also suggest that elderly Asian immigrants may need additional protections to achieve truly informed consent.
Membrane-embedded nanoparticles induce lipid rearrangements similar to those exhibited by biological membrane proteins.

Amphiphilic monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles (NPs) have recently been shown to spontaneously fuse with lipid bilayers under typical physiological conditions. The final configuration of these NPs after fusion is proposed to be a bilayer-spanning configuration resembling transmembrane proteins. In this work, we use atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to explore the rearrangement of the surrounding lipid bilayer after NP insertion as a function of particle size and monolayer composition. All NPs studied induce local bilayer thinning and a commensurate decrease in local lipid tail order. Bilayer thickness changes of similar magnitude have been shown to drive protein aggregation, implying that NPs may also experience a membrane-mediated attraction. Unlike most membrane proteins, the exposed surface of the NP has a high charge density that causes electrostatic interactions to condense and reorient nearby lipid head groups. The decrease in tail order also leads to an increased likelihood of lipid tail...
Analysis of the capsule and ligament insertions about the acromioclavicular joint: a cadaveric study.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to analyze the capsular and ligamentous insertions about the acromioclavicular (AC) joint to determine the amount of bone that can be removed without destabilizing the joint. Methods We dissected 28 cadaveric shoulders. The AC ligament insertions were measured under loupe magnification with a digital caliper on the acromial and clavicular sides on the anterior, posterior, superior, and inferior edges. We measured the distance to the coracoacromial (CA) and coracoclavicular ligaments. In addition, the axial and coronal angle of the AC joint was measured. Results The AC joint capsular insertion on the acromion begins, on average, 2.8 mm (range, 2.3 to 3.3 mm) from the medial acromion and begins on the lateral clavicle a mean of 3.5 mm (range, 2.9 to 3.9 mm) from the distal clavicle. The mean capsular width ranged from 1.6 to 2.9 mm. The mean distance from the medial acromion to the CA ligament insertion was 3.5 mm. The mean axial angle of the AC joint was 51°, with a 12° coronal angle. The mean distance from the lateral clavicle to the start of the trapezoid ligament was 14.7 mm, and that to the conoid ligament was 32.1 mm. Conclusions An anatomic-based recommendation for safe AC joint resection is that 2 to 3 mm of the medial acromion and 3 to 4 mm of the distal clavicle can be resected without removing the AC capsular insertions. The trapezial and CA attachments are in close proximity to the AC capsular insertions. Medial resections greater that 15 mm will begin to take down the trapezoid ligament. Arthroscopic bone resection should be directed into the AC joint at approximately 50° in the axial plane and 12° in the coronal plane for safe symmetric resection. Clinical Relevance These anatomic measurements suggest that AC joint resections (5 to 7 mm) with 2 to 3 mm from the acromial side and 3 to 4 mm from the clavicular side will not disrupt the stabilizing ligaments of the AC joint after distal clavicle resection.
Survey of research on fuzzy sets in the Soviet Union

Abstract This paper surveys Soviet literature of fuzzy set theory and applications. A bibliography containing about 250 titles is presented.
Metamorphic alteration of a Precambrian (2.2 Ga) paleosol from South Africa revealed by backscattered electron imaging

Abstract Like many Precambrian paleosols, the 2200-Ma-old Waterval Onder clay has been metamorphosed to the greenschist facies of regional metamorphism. The extent of metamorphic alteration of the fine-grained uppermost horizons of the paleosol is assessed here using optical and backscattered electron microscopy. In hand specimens and under low-power optical examination the paleosol shows surficial lamination (cumulic horizon of soil terminology), rounded clasts coated with opaque sesquioxides (manganoferriargillans), cracks defining a fitted breccia of blocks that were evidently soft in places (blocky angular peds), cracks filled with multiple generations of material from above (illuviation argillans) and zones of unusually highly birefringent clay (climobimasepic plasmic fabric). With backscattered electron microscopy, however, at a resolution of less than about 10 μm, the fine structure of originally colloidal parts of the paleosol (mangans, argillans, matrix and plasma separations) is shown to be extensively recrystallized to illite and berthierine. Original soil structure has been obscured at this resolution by crystal growth at random across original microscopic discontinuities. Preferred orientation of metamorphic crystals can still be seen along what are presumed to be highly birefringent zones of oriented clay similar to those in modern soils, but the matrix itself shows random clusters of crystals suggestive of an advanced stage of illitization by Ostwald ripening. The style of recrystallization of laminae in the surface horizon is similar to that seen lower in the profile where recrystallized beds are thicker and coarser grained. Thus the paleosol probably formed on an upward thinning and fining sequence of sandstone and shale, rather than on basalt. On this assumption, the profile has gained iron compared with its shaly parent material, rather than lost iron compared with basalt. This may be an indication of greater oxygenation of the atmosphere than previously thought. Possible microbial traces can be seen in thin section but because of pervasive recrystallization, these remain dubiofossils.
How Benefit Information and Demographics Influence Employee Recruiting in Mexico

Purpose To examine the impact of benefit information in recruitment advertisements on job pursuit intentions.
Interest-Group and Party Influence Agents in the Legislative Process: A Comparative State Analysis

Rather than focusing on the development and internal dynamics of interests groups, the study reported here examines the involvement and success of interest groups in relation to party-oriented influence agents in the legislative public policy-making process. Party influence agents studied are the governor, legislative majority party leadership, and legislative minority party leadership. Data employed are interest group, gubernatorial, and party leadership positions on a random sample of bills considered by the legislatures of California, Iowa, and Texas, with the ultimate success of each agent based on the legislature's final disposition of measures in which agents were involved and held the same or conflicting positions. This study strongly suggests overall that the two influence agents within government--governor and legislative majority party leadership--can effectively offset the lobbying efforts of interest groups. Of these two-party agents, however, no consistent pattern appears across states as to ...