cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On quadratic and O n L convergence of a predictor-corrector algorithm for LCP

Recently several new results have been developed for the asymptotic (local) convergence of polynomial-time interior-point algorithms. It has been shown that the predictor—corrector algorithm for linear programming (LP) exhibits asymptotic quadratic convergence of the primal—dual gap to zero, without any assumptions concerning nondegeneracy, or the convergence of the iteration sequence. In this paper we prove a similar result for the monotone linear complementarity problem (LCP), assuming only that a strictly complementary solution exists. We also show by example that the existence of a strictly complementarity solution appears to be necessary to achieve superlinear convergence for the algorithm.
Citrus Tree Growth and Fruit Production Response to Flue-Gas Desulfurization Gypsum Amendment in Sandy Soils

Widespread acceptance of industrial by-products as agricultural soil amendments depends on research data to support their benefits in terms of crop growth, production or quality, and demonstration of no adverse effects on the quality of crops, soils, and/or groundwater. The sulfur dioxide scrubbing process during coal burning to minimize atmospheric emission from coal-fired electric power generation plant produces high quality calcium sulfate (gypsum), called flue-gas desulfurization gypsum (FGDG). Since FGDG contains no toxic elements and is a good source of calcium (Ca) and sulfur (S), it maybe beneficial as an amendment to agricultural soils. Alternate beneficial use of this produce minimizes the demand for landfill space, which is quite expensive and may raise environmental concerns. Effects of FGDG amendment to sandy soils on citrus tree growth, fruit production, and fruit quality in four field experiments were evaluated. FGDG contained low levels of 226Ra (<0.3 pCi g-1), so application of FGDG at 4.48 Mg ha-1 did not increase 222Rn emission compared to the background levels from unamended soil. In a two years study, application of 4.48 Mg ha-1 FGDG significantly increased fruit yield as well as soluble solids in the fruits. Application of FGDG significantly increased the concentration of Ca in leaves in one location that had low Mehlich 1 or Mehlich 3 extractable soil Ca. At the rates of FGDG used in this study, there were no apparent antagonistic effects of increased Ca application on the availability and uptake of K or Mg. Accordingly, supplemental application of potassium magnesium sulfate had no additional effects on tree growth, leaf mineral concentration, or fruit yield and juice quality. This study demonstrated benefits of FGDG at rates up to 4.48 Mg ha-1 for increasing the citrus fruit yield and fruit quality in sandy soils that contain low levels of extractable Ca. These results are encouraging for use of FGDG in citrus groves located in low-Ca sandy soils.
Patterns of transposable element variation and clinality in Drosophila.

Natural populations often exist in spatially diverse environments and may experience variation in the strength and targets of natural selection across their ranges. Drosophila provides an excellent opportunity to study the effects of spatially varying selection in natural populations, as both Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila simulans live across a wide range of environments in North America. Here, we characterize patterns of variation in transposable elements (TEs) from six populations of D. melanogaster and nine populations of D. simulans sampled from multiple latitudes across North America. We find a nearly twofold excess of TEs in D. melanogaster relative to D. simulans, with this difference largely driven by TEs segregating at the lowest and highest allele frequencies. We find no effect of latitude on either total TE abundance or average TE allele frequencies in either species. Moreover, we show that, as a class of mutations, the most common patterns of TE variation do not coincide with the sampled latitudinal gradient, nor are they consistent with local adaptation acting on environmental differences found in the most extreme latitudes. We also do not find a cline in ancestry for North American D. melanogaster-for either TEs or single nucleotide polymorphisms-suggesting a limited role for demography in shaping patterns of TE variation. Though we find little evidence for widespread clinality among TEs in Drosophila, this does not necessarily imply a limited role for TEs in adaptation. We discuss the need for improved models of adaptation to large-scale environmental heterogeneity, and how these might be applied to TEs.
The impact of technical parameters on ablation volume during MR-guided focused ultrasound of desmoid tumors.

Purpose: Desmoid tumors are benign, locally aggressive soft tissue tumors derived from fibroblasts. Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a safe and effective treatment for desmo...
Acquaintance Type 6: Alter Egos

The alter ego type is adopted by people who establish relationships for non-materialistic purposes and who tend to be able to agree and appreciate each other on a mental level—that is, they are partners of mind. There are three major subtypes: likeminded individuals share a common interest (e.g., a particular part of H) and enjoy each other’s thoughts and works related to that topic; confidantes share their innermost thoughts with each other and share the ups and downs of life; and mentors provide thoughtful and valuable advice. The third subtype is asymmetric, and may also include confidantes.
Incidence and Risk Factors for Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence after Ablation of Nodal and Atrioventricular Reentrant Tachycardia: A Meta-analysis.

Introduction Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) and atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) are frequently associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). Targeting the slow or accessory pathways has been advocated as therapy for coexisting AF. But in practice, AF has frequently recurred after ablation, possibly because of various risk factors. The objective of this study is to investigate these risk factors and check for their significance in AF recurrence. Materials and methods A systematic review of Medline, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases was conducted. Articles that studied AF recurrence after either AVNRT or AVRT ablation were reviewed. Publication bias was adequately assessed, and the random method was applied for all dichotomous values. Finally, the odds ratio (OR) and confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for each risk factor. Results Four studies were included, with a total of 1,308 participants. Only 218 participants had dual tachycardia (AF with either AVNRT or AVRT). The mean follow-up time was 29 +/- 3.3 months. The mean age was 56 +/- 15 years. Age constituted the only significant risk factor for AF recurrence (OR: 3.4, CI: 2.1-5.3, p<0.001). Atrial vulnerability did not significantly correlate with a higher risk of AF recurrence (OR: 4.8, CI: 0.7-29, p<0.008). Again, neither male gender (OR: 1.5, CI: 0.8-2.8, p<0.16) nor left atrial diameter (OR: 1.5, CI: 0.2-10, p<0.67) were significant risk factors for recurrence of AF. Conclusion Older age was the only significant predictor of AF recurrence after ablation of AVNRT or AVRT. Further studies are needed to determine the age cut-off at which concomitant pulmonary vein isolation would be beneficial in patients undergoing ablation of AVNRT/AVRT.
Continuous Cover Forestry in the United States—Experience with Southern Pines

Continuous cover forestry (CCF) has not been common in the southern United States, but it does exist. The best record of research and practice exists for mixed loblolly-shortleaf pine (Pinus taeda L.-P. echinata Mill.) stands in the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain west of the Mississippi River. After 60 years, the Good and Poor Farm Forestry Forties had annual yields of merchantable volume (trees 10 cm dbh and larger) of 6.0 and 7.4 m3/ha, and annual yields of sawtimber volume (trees 30 cm and larger) of 5.0 and 5.5 m3/ha, respectively. Acceptable regeneration development and volume growth can both be maintained at basal area levels between 14 and 17 m2/ha. If harvests are not maintained regularly over time, regeneration development will become suppressed and the stand will quickly develop an even-aged character. Competing vegetation is a problem on these good sites, and the use of herbicides has been an important element of success. Over time, long-term success with CCF methods in pine stands in the southern United States requires attention to regeneration establishment and development, basal area of the residual stand, control of competing vegetation, and regular cutting-cycle harvests.
AN ADJUNCTIVE USE OF ASFOTASE ALFA AND ZOLEDRONIC ACID AFTER SPINAL SURGERY IN NEUROFIBROMATOSIS TYPE 1 RELATED DYSTROPHIC SCOLIOSIS

ABSTRACT Objective Dystrophic scoliosis is a serious skeletal manifestation of neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1). The condition requires surgical intervention that is frequently associated with poor outcome due to the high rate of impaired bone healing, pseudoarthrosis, and loosening of the spinal instrumentation. New therapeutic approaches are needed to improve surgical outcomes. Methods Clinical, laboratory, and radiographic data are presented. Results A 54-year-old woman with severe NF1 related dystrophic scoliosis and 3 prior surgical interventions underwent revision of lumbar fusion with intraoperative recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP-2) for loosening and a fracture of the left vertical rod at the L4 pedicle screw connection. Two days after surgery, a computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a left posterior iliac periscrew fracture. Given a high risk of mechanical failure, zoledronic acid and asfotase alfa were also administered at 3 and 7 months after surgery. At 14 months after surgery, back pain improved, and a CT scan showed stable spinal fusion and a healed left posterior iliac screw fracture. Conclusion Combination therapy including asfotase alfa with rhBMP-2 and bisphosphonate resulted in solid arthrodesis after spinal surgery in NF1-related dystrophic scoliosis. Abbreviations ALP alkaline phosphatase BSALP bone specific ALP CTx C-telopeptide HPP hypophosphatasia NF1 neurofibromatosis 1 NTx N-telopeptide P1NP procollagen type 1 intact N terminal pro PLP pyridoxal 5′-phosphate PPi inorganic pyrophosphate rhBMPs recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein
THERMAL EQUILIBRIUM STATES OF A LINEAR SCALAR QUANTUM FIELD IN STATIONARY SPACE–TIMES

The linear scalar quantum field, propagating in a globally hyperbolic space–time, is a relatively simple physical model that allows us to study many aspects in explicit detail. In this review, we focus on the thermal equilibrium (KMS) states of such a field in a stationary space–time. Our presentation draws on several existing sources and aims to give a unified exposition, while weakening certain technical assumptions. In particular we drop all assumptions on the behavior of the time-like Killing field, which is important for physical applications to the exterior region of a stationary black hole. Our review includes results on the existence and uniqueness of ground and KMS states, as well as an evaluation of the evidence supporting the KMS-condition as a characterization of thermal equilibrium. We draw attention to the poorly understood behavior of the temperature of the quantum field with respect to locality. If the space–time is standard static, the analysis can be done more explicitly. For compact Cauchy surfaces we consider Gibbs states and their properties. For general Cauchy surfaces we give a detailed justification of the Wick rotation, including the explicit determination of the Killing time dependence of the quasi-free KMS states.
Multi-Dimensional Anomalous Entity Detection via Poisson Tensor Factorization

As the attack surfaces of large enterprise networks grow, anomaly detection systems based on statistical user behavior analysis play a crucial role in identifying malicious activities. Previous work has shown that link prediction algorithms based on non-negative matrix factorization learn highly accurate predictive models of user actions. However, most statistical link prediction models have been constructed on bipartite graphs, and fail to capture the nuanced, multi-faceted details of a user’s activity profile. This paper establishes a new benchmark for red team event detection on the Los Alamos National Laboratory Unified Host and Network Dataset by applying a tensor factorization model that exploits the multi-dimensional and sparse structure of user authentication logs. We show that learning patterns of normal activity across multiple dimensions in one unified statistical framework yields improved detection of penetration testing events. We further show operational value by developing fusion methods that can identify anomalous users, source devices, and destination devices in the network.
Capturing Crime at the Micro-place: A Spatial Approach to Inform Buffer Size

The current study develops a methodology to identify spatially relevant buffer sizes for micro-place evaluation research. It applies this methodology in an examination of the causal impact of demolitions on crime in Detroit, Michigan. We utilize Ripley’s bivariate K-function to guide our choice of buffer size. We select a buffer size as the distance at which the examined spatial features exhibit significant sustained attraction prior to the introduction of the intervention. We argue that buffers that are identified in this way capture the spatial relationship between environmental features and are therefore better-suited to capture the actual impact of the treatment on crime. We apply this knowledge in a synthetic control design that estimates the citywide effect of demolitions on disaggregated crime outcomes. With the exception of burglaries, we find fairly limited evidence of a strong, consistent effect of demolitions on crime. The largest negative effects were observed in the immediate months following demolition. Overall, the considerable uncertainty of our estimates suggests that the effect of demolitions may not be consistent across all neighborhoods. At the very least, demolition programs may help temporarily reduce burglaries in areas immediately around demolition sites. However, additional crime reductions gains may be possible if demolition efforts are coupled with complementary crime prevention approaches that focus on the restoration of vacant land. We hope future micro-place evaluation research will use and expand upon our buffer size selection protocol to help improve how places are understood and captured.
Emotion’s role in the unity of consciousness

In subjects with the split-brain syndrome, some conscious states appear to be disunified (e.g., visual states), while others remain unified (e.g., affective states). While placing emphasis on the d...
Polynomial, piecewise-Linear, Step (PLS): A Simple, Scalable, and Efficient Framework for Modeling Neurons.

Biological neurons can be modeled with different levels of biophysical/biochemical details. The accuracy with which a model reflects the actual physiological processes and ultimately the information function of a neuron, can range from very detailed to a schematic phenomenological representation. This range exists due to the common problem: one needs to find an optimal trade-off between the level of details needed to capture the necessary information processing in a neuron and the computational load needed to compute one second of model time. An increase in modeled network size or model-time, for which the solution should be obtained, makes this trade-off pivotal in model development. Numerical simulations become incredibly challenging when an extensive network with a detailed representation of each neuron needs to be modeled over a long time interval to study slow evolving processes, e.g. development of the thalamocortical circuits. Here we suggest a simple, powerful and flexible approach in which we approximate the right-hand sides of differential equations by combinations of functions from three families: Polynomial, piecewise-Linear, Step (PLS). To obtain a single coherent framework, we provide four core principles in which PLS functions should be combined. We show the rationale behind each of the core principles. Two examples illustrate how to build a conductance-based or phenomenological model using the PLS-framework. We use the first example as a benchmark on three different computational platforms: CPU, GPU, and mobile system-on-chip devices. We show that the PLS-framework speeds up computations without increasing the memory footprint and maintains high model fidelity comparable to the fully-computed model or with lookup-table approximation. We are convinced that the full range of neuron models: from biophysical to phenomenological and even to abstract models, may benefit from using the PLS-framework.
Animal enrichment: creating functional and stimulating enrichment for captive animals. Observing and assessing their use and impact

Abstract This activity will introduce you to the four nonsocial enrichment categories of animal enrichment, with the goal of increasing the activity of your animals. Working with a partner or in a small group (two to four students), you will observe your species in its “habitat” and determine which category of enrichment you would plan on creating and assessing. You should be able to determine which type of enrichment is appropriate for your species and create an activity budget for your animal's activity level before and after the enrichment is given. These activity budgets will then be compared to one another to see if the enrichment causes an increase in activity.
Testing intrusive thoughts as illness pathways between eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms: a network analysis.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and eating disorders (EDs) frequently co-occur. Intrusive thoughts are a mechanism that may maintain this comorbidity. This study used network analysis to identify central ED-related intrusive thoughts and tested which intrusive thoughts connected ED and OCD symptoms. Two cross-sectional graphical LASSO networks were computed using a sample of 353 non-clinical participants (mean age = 35.38, SD = 9.9, 40% female, 81.6% Caucasian) with elevated disordered eating symptoms. Model 1 included just ED-related intrusive thoughts, and Model 2 included ED-related intrusive thoughts, ED, and OCD symptoms. In Model 1, we found that thoughts about one's bodily appearance (i.e., looking horrible, getting fat, gaining weight) were most central. In Model 2, we found that desire to lose weight, eating in secret, and shape dissatisfaction were most central. We identified one illness pathway (i.e., difficulty concentrating due to thoughts of food/calories) connecting intrusive thoughts, ED symptoms, and OCD symptoms. However, intrusive thoughts did not bridge ED and OCD symptoms. Hence, we found some evidence that ED-related intrusive thoughts may contribute to ED and OCD symptoms based on thought content and frequency. However, other aspects of intrusive thoughts should be considered to ascertain whether they do in fact significantly contribute to ED and OCD comorbidity. Prevention efforts targeting ED-related intrusive thoughts may attenuate ED and OCD symptoms among subclinical individuals.
Algebraic Methods in Unstable Homotopy Theory

Preface Introduction 1. Homotopy groups with coefficients 2. A general theory of localization 3. Fibre extensions of squares and the Peterson-Stein formula 4. Hilton-Hopf invariants and the EHP sequence 5. James-Hopf invariants and Toda-Hopf invariants 6. Samelson products 7. Bockstein spectral sequences 8. Lie algebras and universal enveloping algebras 9. Applications of graded Lie algebras 10. Differential homological algebra 11. Odd primary exponent theorems 12. Differential homological algebra of classifying spaces Bibliography Index.
Objectives, outcomes, and assessment mechanisms for CS programs [computer science education courses]

Recent revisions in the Computer Science Accreditation Commission's criteria for accreditation of computer science programs have introduced specific requirements for programs to have precisely defined objectives and outcomes, as well as suitable assessment mechanisms to assess how well the outcomes are being achieved and the objectives met. The program is also required to have suitable feedback mechanisms to assure that the results of the assessment mechanisms are utilized to improve the program. Finally, the program is required to document how the curriculum is related to its objectives and outcomes. Formulating precise objectives and outcomes, implementing suitable assessment instruments to evaluate the achievement of objectives and outcomes, and setting up feedback mechanisms to use the assessment results, are all challenging tasks for most computer science faculty. This paper presents the experiences of one program in doing this, and some of the lessons learned.
Quality Indicators for Medication Use in Vulnerable Elders

Medications play a critical role in maintaining the health of vulnerable elders (VEs), who often contend with a great burden of acute and chronic illness.
Enhancing Students' Understanding of Mathematics: A Study of Three Contrasting Approaches to Professional Support

This report provides evidence of the influence of professional development and curriculum on upper elementary students' understandings of fractions. Three groups of teachers and their students participated. Two groups implemented a fractions unit that emphasized problem solving and conceptual understanding. The Integrated Mathematics Assessment (IMA) group participated in a program designed to enhance teachers' understandings of fractions, students' thinking, and students' motivation. The Collegial Support (SUPP) group met regularly to discuss strategies for implementing the curriculum. Teachers in the third group (TRAD) valued and used textbooks and received no professional development support. Contrasts of student adjusted posttest scores revealed group differences on two scales. On the conceptual scale, IMA classrooms achieved greater adjusted posttest scores than the other two groups, with no differences between SUPP and TRAD groups. On the computation scale, contrasts revealed no differences between IMA and TRAD, although TRAD achieved greater adjusted scores than SUPP (p < 0.10). Our findings indicate that the benefits of reform curriculum for students may depend upon integrated professional development, one form exemplified by the IMA program.
Effect of Amine Surface Treatment on the Adhesion of a Polyurethane to the Surface

Amines, in general, and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, in particular, were shown to improve the adhesion of a polyurethane to glass. At equivalent concentrations of amine in the solutions used to treat the glass the order of increase in the work of adhesion was 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane » 1, 4-diaminobutane ≃ p-phenylenediamine > piperazine » aniline. The polyurethane was prepared from ARCO’s hydroxy — terminated polybutadiene, R-45HT, toluene diisocyanate, trimethylolpropane and N,N-bis (2-hydroxypropyl)aniline. The ratio ([-NCO]/[total OH]) was kept constant and equal to 1.0. The swelling ratio, after curing, also remained constant. As the -NCO content compared to polymer-OH increased, the adhesion of the polyurethane to glass increased initially, passed through a maximum for prepolymers with 6% excess -NCO, and then decreased again. Elongation at break behaved similarly but ultimate tensile strength reached a maximum and then stayed constant. The significance of these results is discussed. Adhesion of the polyurethane to chrome-plated steel did not show similar effects.
Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Fibers for Inactivation of Pseuwmonas Aeruginosa

Antimicrobial ceramic fibers based on a visible-light photocatalyst were made by templating on activated carbon glass fibers. Crystalline photocatalyst nanoparticles were grown in the interconnected nanopore system of the activated carbon. Removal of the carbon template in the subsequent calcination resulted in nanoporous ceramic fibers. When the fibers were immersed in suspensions of Pseudomonas aeruginosa under visible light illumination, the survival ratio of the cell was found to decrease with the time of exposure to the visible light. The kinetics of the bacterial killing was of the first order, reaching more than 40% bacterial killing in 30 min.
Shock Tube Application to the Study of Compressible Turbulent Boundary Layer with Mass Injection

Paper explores the feasibility of using the shock tube in studying the heat transfer in a compressible turbulent boundary layer with mass injection. It aims to gain further understanding of the film cooling in the compressible flow regime. The test model is a flat plate equipped with a 2D 30° injection slot. Air is used for both driver and driven gases. The injection flow is measured by using the slot as a flow measuring device. Heat transfer data are obtained with thin-film heat gauges. The shock-induced flow has Mach number 0.9, Reynolds number 4.62×l07 per meter, and gas to wall temperature ratio 1.6. The resulting heat transfer measurements are correlated using the scaling parameter suggested by Forth et al. and compared with that of Metzger et al. (1968, 1971)(at Mach 0.03) and Forth et al. (1986) (at Mach 0.55). This comparison revealed a possible Mach number effect on film cooling that has never been addressed before. We use the Prandtl-Glauert formula to model this effect. The agreement is good within measurement uncertainty.
Agile monitoring system for turning of difflicult-to-cut materials

Abstract This paper presents an agile monitoring system based on multiple sensors and fuzzy pattern recognition for the detection of tool cutting conditions in turning operations. Three piezoelectric force sensors and a thermocouple ( NiCr-Nial ) sensor were used to measure cutting force and temperature without altering the machine tool dynamics. Fuzzy C-means algorithm is used to improve the agility of selecting, clustering and classifying cutting tool conditions.
NN → NNπ at intermediate energies: Predictions of a unitary model

Abstract We explore the NN → NN π reaction in detail within the context of a unified model which satisfies two- and three-body unitary. Predictions for differential cross sections and spin observables are examined and compared with experimental data, where available, for a variety of exclusive [pp → p(n) π + , pp → pp( π 0 ), and np → p(p) π − ] and inclusive [pp → p(X) and pp → n(X)] reactions. Based on predictions of the model, further experiments are suggested to shed additional light on the NN → NN π process. Due to dynamical symmetries the np → p(p) π − observables are strikingly different from the more familiar pp → p(n) π + observables, and we urge that this reaction be investigated experimentally. Experimental tests for the existence of dibaryons are also briefly discussed.
Lung dysfunction in workers exposed to Bacillus subtilis enzyme.

Abstract Lung function was studied in 19 male workers with heavy exposure to B. subtilis enzyme during the manufacture of detergents containing the enzyme. Physiologic impairment of lung function was found in 17 of the 19. All 17 subjects showed impaired pulmonary gas exchange with reduced CO-diffusing capacity and increased alveolar-arterial O2 gradient. Seven of the 17 showed reduction in air-flow rates in addition to abnormal exchange. The other 10 had normal air flow rates, but six showed premature airway closure when this test was performed. It is postulated that heavy exposure to B. subtilis enzymes produces abnormalities in lung function by affecting the small airways (
A simple method for improving the primal simplex method for the multicommodity flow problem

We present a new efficient approach for solving the multicommodity flow problem as a sequence of subproblems, each on a very sparse but connected network. We show that each subproblem can be contracted to a problem on a much smaller graph. We then solve these problems using the simplex method. We test the algorithm on benchmark instances, and show its improvement over the usual simplex algorithm. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2008
Microsomal electron transport: tetrazolium reduction by rat liver microsomal NADPH-cytochrome c reductase.

Abstract The nitro blue tetrazolium diaphorase activity lost during purification of NAD PH-cytochrome c reductase from rat liver microsomes can be restored by the addition of microsomal lipids to the reaction mixture. Phosphatidyl choline is an efficient stimulator of diaphorase activity while phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl inositol, and sphingomyelin were without effect.
A unified expression for low cycle fatigue and extremely low cycle fatigue and its implication for monotonic loading

Abstract It is well-known that the empirical Manson–Coffin law tends to over-predict the cyclic life under extremely low cycle fatigue condition. In the present paper, a new unified expression is proposed to overcome this shortcoming. By introducing an exponential function, this new expression is capable of capturing the cyclic life over the entire span of extremely low cycle fatigue to low cycle fatigue with an additional material parameter to calibrate. Experimental data from existing literature are used to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed expression for several polycrystalline metals. The implication of the new expression to monotonic plastic fracture is discussed. It is also identified that the exponent in the unified expression is sensitive to temperature. Examples are given for the thermal influence on the material constants.
Molecular mechanics study of zirconocenium catalyzed isospecific polymerization of propylene

Stereocontrol energy (ΔE0) is investigated as a measure of enantioselectivity of ansa-zircoocenium catalyst in propylene polymerization; it was calculated with MM2 (molecular mechanics) force field using π complex (°C) and transition state (TS) geometries obtained by ab initio molecular orbital methods. Both rac-ethylenebis (1-η5-indenyl) - (1) and rac-ethylenebis (1-η5-4,5,7,8-tetrahydroindenyl) (2) zirconocenium species are isospecific in either the π-complexes or the transition states. The stereoselectivity is greater if there is α-agostic interaction; it is lowered in the cases of β and γ agostic interactions. The 13C-NMR steric pentad distribution indicates the poly(propylene) to be much less stereoregular than that predicted by ΔE0. Following the occurrence of a regiochemical insertion error, the addition of another monomer via any mode is prohibitively unfavorable. The catalyst suffers loss of stereospecificity as temperature of polymerization increases. Insertion via transition states involving different agostic interactions could be one explanation for the observed loss. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Blind source separation for steganalytic secret message estimation

A blind source separation method for steganalysis of linear additive embedding techniques is presented. The paper formulates steganalysis as a blind source separation problem -- statistically separate the host and secret message carrying signals. A probabilistic model of the source distributions is defined based on its sparsity. The problem of having fewer observations than the number of sources is effectively handled exploiting the sparsity and a maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) estimator is developed to chose the best estimate of the sources. Experimental details are provided for steganalysis of a discrete cosine transform (DCT) domain data embedding technique.
Symbols of Authority in Medieval Islam: History, Religion and Muslim Legitimacy in the Delhi Sultanate

Focusing on the Persian histories produced in north India during the two centuries between the Ghurid capture of Delhi in 1192 and the sack of the city by Timur in 1398, Blain Auer deciphers the co...
Management of In-Flight Medical Emergencies: Are Senior Medical Students Prepared to Respond to this Community Need?

Introduction: In-flight medical emergencies on commercial aircraft are common in both domestic and international flights. We hypothesized that fourth-year medical students feel inadequately prepared to lend assistance during in-flight medical emergencies. This multicenter study of two U.S. medical schools obtains a baseline assessment of knowledge and confidence in managing in-flight medical emergencies. Methods: A 25-question survey was administered to fourth-year medical students at two United States medical schools. Questions included baseline knowledge of in-flight medicine (10 questions) and perceived ability to respond to in-flight medical emergencies. Results: 229 participants completed the survey (75% response rate). The average score on the fund of knowledge questions was 64%. Responses to the 5-point Likert scale questions indicated that, on average, students did not feel confident or competent responding to an in-flight medical emergency. Participants on average also disagreed with statements that they had adequate understanding of supplies, flight crew training, and ground-based management. Conclusion: This multicenter survey indicates that fourth-year medical students do not feel adequately prepared to respond to in-flight medical emergencies and may have sub-optimal knowledge. This study provides an initial step in identifying a deficiency in current medical education. [West J Emerg Med. 2014;15(7):–0.]
Trends in PSA, age and prostate cancer detection among black and white men from 1990-2006 at a tertiary care center.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in men in the United States, with even higher prevalence and death rates among black men. The authors sought to compare trends in prostate-specific antigen (PSA), age, and prostate-cancer detection among black and white men in our region during a 16-year period. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patient archives between 1990 through 2006. Data collection was accomplished by examining patients' charts and electronic medical records. Data from 5570 patients, of whom 911 were black, were analyzed statistically by testing and comparing parameters over time. RESULTS: During this 16-year period, mean age at the time of initial diagnostic prostate biopsy did not change in either group, despite what we had believed about the effects of patient education and screening campaigns. However, prostate-cancer detection rates did decrease during the time period studied. Over time, the authors also observed significant decreases in the sensitivity and specificity of PSA as a screening tool. Indeed, analysis of more recent cases demonstrated a positive predictive value comparable to a coin toss. While Gleason scores remained relatively stable over time, reporting of prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and inflammation increased. CONCLUSIONS: Using lower PSA thresholds, promoting younger screening age, and increasing efforts to educate the public have not seemed to influence age at time of diagnostic testing, which may reflect other factors such as usefulness of screening, physician referral patterns, patient compliance, and other sociodemographic issues. The usefulness of PSA as a screening tool appears to be diminishing. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
The Impact of Professional Commitment and Anticipatory Socialization on Accounting Students’ Ethical Orientation

The accounting profession has emphasized the need for ethics education in the accounting curriculum. The current study examines professional commitment and anticipatory socialization, operationalized by perception of financial reporting, as possible determinants of Accounting students’ ethical perceptions and intentions. Accounting students with higher levels of professional commitment and higher perception of the importance of financial reporting were more likely to perceive questionable actions as unethical and less likely to engage in such actions compared to those students with lower commitment and lower perception of financial reporting. The results have implications for accounting instructors and accounting employers as they socialize students in the accounting profession at this early stage.
Cognitive dysfunction in SLE: development of a screening tool.

Background. Cognitive dysfunction (CD) is among the most common neuropsychiatric manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). There are two methods which have been used to detect CD in patients with SLE: traditional neuropsychological tests (NPT) and the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM). Both are time-consuming and neither is readily available for screening purposes.Purpose. The aim of our study was to evaluate the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test as a screening tool for detection of CD in SLE.Methods. SLE patients fulfilling ACR criteria were administered the ANAM, a computerized test battery which measures various cognitive domains and the MoCA, a one-page, performance-based screening test designed to detect mild cognitive impairment in the elderly. With the ANAM as the gold standard, the performance characteristics of the MoCA were assessed.Results. In total, 44 patients were evaluated. Of these, 11 (25%) were identified by the ANAM as being impaired in compariso...
Dynamical symmetry breaking and radiative corrections to the weak-isospin relation

The corrections of O(..cap alpha..) to the ratio rho of neutral and charged weak currents are discussed in the context of dynamical symmetry breaking. The definition of rho relevant to current experiments is clarified, and distinguished from the ratio of physical gauge-boson masses. Calculations are done in the minimal model of dynamically broken weak gauge symmetries, in which rho = 1 at the tree level. Strong-interaction effects preclude the calculation of numerically precise results, but the general form of the O(..cap alpha..) corrections is determined.
The Khar'kov operation, May 1942: From the archives, Part I

(1992). The Khar'kov operation, May 1942: From the archives, Part I. The Journal of Soviet Military Studies: Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 451-493.
Trapping set structure of LDPC codes on finite geometries

The trapping set structure of LDPC codes constructed based on finite geometries, called finite geometry (FG) LDPC codes, is analyzed using a geometric approach. In this approach, trapping sets in the Tanner graph of an FG-LDPC code are represented by subgeometries of the geometry based on which the code is constructed. Using this geometrical representation, bounds and configurations of trapping sets of an FG-LDPC code can be derived and analyzed.
Centroid stabilization in alignment of FOA corner cube: designing of a matched filter

The current automation of image-based alignment of NIF high energy laser beams is providing the capability of executing multiple target shots per day. An important aspect of performing multiple shots in a day is to reduce additional time spent aligning specific beams due to perturbations in those beam images. One such alignment is beam centration through the second and third harmonic generating crystals in the final optics assembly (FOA), which employs two retro-reflecting corner cubes to represent the beam center. The FOA houses the frequency conversion crystals for third harmonic generation as the beams enters the target chamber. Beam-to-beam variations and systematic beam changes over time in the FOA corner-cube images can lead to a reduction in accuracy as well as increased convergence durations for the template based centroid detector. This work presents a systematic approach of maintaining FOA corner cube centroid templates so that stable position estimation is applied thereby leading to fast convergence of alignment control loops. In the matched filtering approach, a template is designed based on most recent images taken in the last 60 days. The results show that new filter reduces the divergence of the position estimation of FOA images.
Programming framework for sensor-data driven context-aware applications

Context-awareness is one of the central characteristics of pervasive computing applications. We have built a programming framework for constructing context-aware applications from their high-level specifications. This framework automatically constructs the runtime environment for an application to enforce application defined policies for dynamic composition of resources and services based on context events derived from ambient sensors.
Prevalence and characterization of Escherichia coli and Salmonella strains isolated from stray dog and coyote feces in a major leafy greens production region at the United States-Mexico border.

In 2010, Romaine lettuce grown in southern Arizona was implicated in a multi-state outbreak of Escherichia coli O145:H28 infections. This was the first known Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) outbreak traced to the southwest desert leafy green vegetable production region along the United States-Mexico border. Limited information exists on sources of STEC and other enteric zoonotic pathogens in domestic and wild animals in this region. According to local vegetable growers, unleashed or stray domestic dogs and free-roaming coyotes are a significant problem due to intrusions into their crop fields. During the 2010–2011 leafy greens growing season, we conducted a prevalence survey of STEC and Salmonella presence in stray dog and coyote feces. Fresh fecal samples from impounded dogs and coyotes from lands near produce fields were collected and cultured using extended enrichment and serogroup-specific immunomagnetic separation (IMS) followed by serotyping, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. A total of 461 fecal samples were analyzed including 358 domestic dog and 103 coyote fecals. STEC was not detected, but atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (aEPEC) strains comprising 14 different serotypes were isolated from 13 (3.6%) dog and 5 (4.9%) coyote samples. Salmonella was cultured from 33 (9.2%) dog and 33 (32%) coyote samples comprising 29 serovars with 58% from dogs belonging to Senftenberg or Typhimurium. PFGE analysis revealed 17 aEPEC and 27 Salmonella distinct pulsotypes. Four (22.2%) of 18 aEPEC and 4 (6.1%) of 66 Salmonella isolates were resistant to two or more antibiotic classes. Our findings suggest that stray dogs and coyotes in the desert southwest may not be significant sources of STEC, but are potential reservoirs of other pathogenic E. coli and Salmonella. These results underscore the importance of good agriculture practices relating to mitigation of microbial risks from animal fecal deposits in the produce production area.
Behavioral arousal in response to stress and drug cue in alcohol and cocaine addicted individuals versus healthy controls.

Negative emotional arousal in response to stress and drug cues is known to play a role in the development and continuation of substance use disorders. However, studies have not examined behavioral indicators of such arousal. Objective The current study examined behavioral and bodily arousal in response to stress and drug cue in individuals with alcohol dependence and cocaine dependence as compared to healthy controls using a new scale. Methods Fifty-two alcohol dependent (AD group), 45 cocaine dependent (COC group), and 68 healthy controls (HC group) were exposed to individually developed stressful, drug-cue, and neutral-relaxing imagery. Behavioral and bodily responses were assessed with a new scale, the Behavioral Arousal Scale (BAS). Results The BAS showed acceptable inter-rater reliability and internal consistency and correlated with subjective negative emotion and craving. BAS scores were higher in stress than neutral conditions for all three groups. COC participants showed higher BAS response to stress than AD or HC participants. COC and AD participants showed greater BAS response to drug cue than HC participants. Conclusion Behavioral arousal is a domain in which stress and drug related arousal is expressed and assessment of this domain could provide unique information about vulnerability to craving and relapse in addicted populations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
T-Cell Large Granular Lymphocytic Leukemia and Pure Red Cell Aplasia in a Patient With Type I Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy: Response to Immunosuppressive Therapy

Clonal proliferations of large granular lymphocytes (LGLs) of T-cell origin characterize T-cell LGL leukemia. This disorder has been described in association with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune phenomena. The presence of endocrinologic abnormalities in patients with T-cell LGL leukemia has not been previously reported, nor has T-cell LGL leukemia been described in patients with endocrinologic abnormalities. Herein we describe a young woman with type I autoimmune polyendocrinopathy, in whom pure red cell aplasia developed in association with clonal proliferation of LGLs. Immunosuppressive therapy with cyclophosphamide resulted in remission of pure red cell aplasia, transient improvement in hypocalcemia, and disappearance of the LGL clone. Clonal proliferation of LGLs may be associated with autoimmune endocrinopathies. Clinicians who are responsible for the care of such patients should be aware of this possible association.
Computer/radar joint scheduling using a parallel computer

During the past several years, parallel computation, parallel processing as well as parallel algorithms have attracted growing attention as promising avenues of decreasing computation time at the same time increasing CPU utilization. In this paper, computer/radar joint scheduling using a parallel computer is investigated.The Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) computer/radar joint scheduling problem is to order the radar and computer tasks that coordinate the sending out and receiving of search, verify, track, discrimination, range ambiguity and interceptor guidance and track pulses.The objective of computer/radar joint scheduling is threefold:To meet all the constraints which may be classified into:radar operationBMDcomputer operationradar/computer integrationTo maintain or gradually degrade track and search rates according to a search/track degrade ratio as specified by the resource allocator.To achieve a high radar scheduling efficiency (high radar duty factor) for both normal and overload conditions.The radar pulse scheduling algorithms may be classified into three groups:non-overlappedrange orderednon-range ordered.Furthermore, nested radar pulse scheduling algorithms and interlaced radar pulse scheduling algorithms may be applied to both range ordered radar pulses as well as non-range ordered radar pulses. In addition, it is interesting to note that an interlaced radar segment resembles a first in first out (FIFO) queue, while a nested radar segment resembles a first in last out (FILO) queue.Consecutive reception interlaced radar scheduling algorithms as well as consecutive transmission interlaced radar scheduling algorithms for both range ordered and non-range ordered pulses are presented and illustrated by examples.In addition, pulse pair scheduling algorithms are also presented with illustrative examples. Furthermore, radars with multiple receivers are also considered. Various search pulse scheduling algorithms are also presented. The concept of a virtual time is introduced for scheduling track pulses in order to meet or gradually degrade track and search rates.Before the radar sends out a radar pulse, the computer performs a target extrapolation task. After the computer receives the radar return, the computer performs a target up-date task. Through the use of a parallel computer, the number of targets that can be tracked may be increased, and the tracking rate may also be increased. Various computer/radar joint scheduling algorithms using a parallel computer are presented and illustrated by examples.