cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal Discounts for the Online Assignment Problem

Abstract We prove that, for two simple functions d r l t , solving the online assignment problem with c r l − d r l t as the contribution for assigning resource r to task l at time t gives the optimal solution to the corresponding offline assignment problem (provided the optimal offline solution is unique). We call such functions d r l t optimal discount functions.
Asymptotic Covariant Conservation Laws for Gravitational Radiation

The usual conserved quantities of Lorentz-covariant theories are associated with the descriptors of coordinate transformations in Killing directions. By suitably defining the concept of asymptotic-Killing vector fields, it is possible to extend the definition of the usual conserved quantities to situations in which, properly speaking there are no Killing vector fields, but in which, nevertheless, it is still meaningful to speak of the energy, momentum and perhaps angular momentum radiated by the gravitational field. Among the results obtained ln the course of the investigation are: (a) an understanding of the circumstance which singles out the energy as a positive-definite quantity; (b) a possible global consequence that vanishing energy implies that the space is flat; (c) an understanding of the position of the Fock harmonic coordinate conditions in Trautman's treatment of gravitational radiation; (d) an extension of the validity of the Moller pseudotensor to the Trautman radiative solutions. Also a brief indication is given of how this work might be extended to give a proper treatment of energy, momentum, and angular momentum densities for general metrics. (auth)
The other side of the coin: Vocational interests, interest differentiation and annual income at the occupation level of analysis

Abstract This research examined the effects of vocational interest levels and differentiation on annual income. Following the environmental perspective, we investigated whether relationships existed at the occupation level of analysis. Using data from 665 occupations in the U.S. obtained from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*Net, we demonstrated that certain vocational interests – namely investigative, enterprising, and realistic interests – were most critical in predicting annual income for occupations. Controlling for interest levels, differentiation not only positively predicted annual income but also moderated each interest's relationship with income. In addition, occupations' education and training requirement partially mediated the effects of interest profiles on income. Our findings reveal the need for a better understanding of how characteristics of an occupation's interest profile may shape the experiences of its workers.
Assessing hazards due to contaminant discharge in coastal waters

Abstract Models of contaminant dispersion in the marine environment have mostly sought to determine the mean concentration field. At a location not far from a pollution source, concentration is intermittently high, depending on whether the site is immersed in the concentrated contaminant plume which emanates from the source. At such a locale the probability of immersion, denoted by visitation frequency, is a more meaningful measure of nuisance than mean concentration. Two methods of computing visitation frequency from moored current meter data, each having particular advantages and drawbacks, are presented. One technique estimates visitation frequency from probability distributions of the position and velocity of water parcels originating from the effluent source. The second method entails simulating the configuration and movement of a contaminant plume. Required by both schemes is the plume cross-axial width as a function of time since release. A simple procedure of approximating this using the results of dye diffusion studies is described. These methods are applied to the coastal region off Long Island, New York, where current meter and dye diffusion data are available.
Characterization of a DNA-binding nuclear autoantigen mainly associated with S phase and G2 cells

During analysis of autoimmune sera showing reactivity to nuclear antigens a serum producing a previously undescribed cell cycle-specific nuclear immunofluorescence pattern was observed. By indirect immunofluorescence the serum generated a densely speckled nucleoplasmic staining pattern of varying intensity with relative sparing of the nucleoli. The staining pattern could be abolished by treating cells with DNase but was not affected by RNase treatment. By flow cytometric dual parameter analysis the antigen expression was shown to increase during S phase with a maximum in G2 cells, whereas G1 and M cells expressed low levels. The cell cycle-specific expression of the target antigen was similar in some aspects to the expression of cyclin A but clearly not identical. The serum recognized a 68/60 kDa doublet in immunoblotting of soluble MOLT-4 cell extract. Antibodies eluted separately from either of the two bands produced the cell cycle-specific staining pattern as well as the doublet in immunoblotting. DNA-cellulose was used for analysis of DNA-binding property and the higher band was found to be DNA-binding, whereas the lower band was not. In summary, this serum reacts with a DNA-binding and cell cycle-specific nuclear antigen which might be a novel protein involved in cell cycle progression.
Metal nanoparticles inside multi-walled carbon nanotubes: A simple method of preparation and of microscopic image analysis

Abstract A simple and efficient method was developed for the introduction of metal nanoparticles inside multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The method is based on the incipient wetness impregnation using the aqueous solution of a metal salt precursor, followed by the reduction in hydrogen. A hydrophobic MWCNT outer surface is created, which minimizes the wetting of the impregnation solution on MWCNT outer surface, leading to the highly selective deposition of metal particles inside MWCNTs. The selectivity toward nanoparticles inside MWCNTs is about 80% based on a particle number average. Also, a new method was developed for the analysis of microscopic images from transmission electron microscope (TEM) so that the fraction of particles inside MWCNTs can be accurately characterized without 3D TEM. This method is based on the measurement of r / R , the ratio of the inside to outside diameters of the MWCNTs.
Moisture Detection in Composites Using Nuclear Reaction Analysis

An experimental method for evaluation of the localized moisture con tent in graphite epoxy composites or other organic solids is described. The method involves specimen conditioning in D2 O, follow...
Kinetics and mechanisms of the reactions of CH with CH4, C2H6 and n-C4H10

Abstract The reactions of CH(X 2 II) with several saturated hydrocarbons were studied over a broad range of temperature. CH radicals were generated by multiphoton dissociation of CHBr 3 using 266 nm radiation and detected by their laser-induced fluorescence at 429.8 nm. All reactions studied here had rate constants that decreased with increasing temperature. The Arrhenius expressions for the rate constants obtained at 100 Torr total pressure were k 4 = 5.0 ± 0.5 × 10 −11 20 exp(200=31)/ T ), k 31 T]kc2H6 = (1.8 ± 0.2) × 10 −10 exp[(132 ± 30)/ T ] and k [ = (4.4 ± 0.8) × 10 −10 exp[(2[ ± 60)/ T ] cm [ molecule −1 s [ 2 in the temperature ranges 167-652, 162-650 and 257-653 K, respectively. The rate constant for the reaction of CH-CH [ was found to be independent of total pressure between 25 and 200 Torr.
Imagining Emergent Metadata, Realizing the Emergent Web

While metadata is a key ingredient of machine-semantic technologies, it has drawbacks. As it is currently formed, metadata lacks dynamic responsiveness and requires top-down system modeling. The author proposes a schema and process of emergent metadata that will, if successful, allow metadata to respond to environmental conditions dynamically and to exhibit self-organizational features.
Aristotle's Theory of Revolution: Looking at the Lockean Side

This article provides a detailed account of the theory of revolution presented in Books IV-VI of Aristotle's Politics and argues that despite important differences of emphasis, rhetoric, and tone, there is a surprising degree of similarity to the theory of revolution familiar to Americans from John Locke's Second Treatise of Government. Aristotle and Locke share the views that governments must avoid oppressing their subjects if they are to avoid being overthrown, that revolution against oppressive rulers is inevitable, that security for property would have a central place in the avoidance of oppression, and that the succumbing to the temptations of power on the part of ruling groups is the fundamental provocation of revolution. This aspect of Aristotle's political thought has been little noticed, but is an important dimension of it. Moreover, it provides a certain depth of insight into that side of Locke's thought that most sharply contrasts with Hobbes's thought, namely Locke's distrust of the corrupting force of political power. In Books IV-VI of Politics Aristotle supplemented the Socratic options for stemming abuses of political power-the teaching of moderation and the luring of potential tyrants toward philosophy-by invoking the low but solid ground of the rulers' self-interest in staying in power. The core premises of the Aristotelian teaching on sedition are essentially a "crime doesn't pay" story for rulers. These premises were then available for Locke's much later elaboration when he-like Aristotle suspicious of the corrupting force of political power-needed an alternative to Hobbes's absolutist political conclusions. This claim about the core of Aristotle's teaching on sedition sheds significant new light on Aristotle's maxim that the political theorist must elaborate not only the best regime for an ideal situation but should also provide guidance for politics "based on a [given] presupposition" (Politics IV, 1, 1288b 28-30).1 Locke's supposition is emphatically that what people want from politics is the preservation of their lives, liberties, and properties. Aristotle argues in Book III that
How old roots lose their bounce

Active mountain belts have crustal 'roots' that gravitationally balance the high topography. So why do old mountains that have been worn flat by erosion still have these roots?
Hedonic scaling: A review of methods and theory

Abstract In recent years, interest in measuring hedonic responses has grown tremendously in both basic psychophysics and applied food and consumer research, resulting in the development of several new hedonic scaling methods. With these developments have come questions about theoretical and practical differences among the methods. The goal of this review is to compare and contrast these different approaches for the purpose of aiding researchers in selecting the most appropriate scaling method for their specific measurement needs. The review begins by addressing fundamental issues in scaling methodology, including the role of context effects, then moves on to describing and discussing the development of various types of hedonic scales, their specific properties, and their potential advantages and disadvantages.
Interaction of Ultrasonic SH-Polarization Waves with Two-Dimensional Strain Fields in a Plane Layer

Within the framework of the previously developed mathematical model of propagation of weak elastic perturbations in nonuniformly strained elastic continua, we formulate a stationary problem of interaction of ultrasonic SH-polarization waves with an elastic layer in the state of plane deformation. The problem is solved by the iterative method. We study the influence of the parameters of plane deformation in the mean-integral approximation on the processes of reflection and refraction of waves in the “elastic half space –layer–elastic half space” system.
Using the Schwinger inverse method for solutions of inverse transport problems in two-dimensional cylindrical geometries

The Schwinger method for solving inverse transport problems is applied to the problems of interface location identification, shield material identification, source isotope weight fraction identification, and material mass density identification (separately) in multilayered two-dimensional cylindrical gamma radiation source/shield systems. The method is iterative and estimates unknown interface locations, source isotope weight fractions, and material densities directly, while the unknown shield material is identified by estimating its total macroscopic gamma-ray cross sections. The energies of discrete gamma-ray lines emitted by the source are assumed to be known, while the unscattered flux of the lines is assumed to be measured at points external to the system. In numerical test cases, the Schwinger method correctly identifies the unknowns when the same deterministic ray-tracing code is used for both the parameter estimation process and simulation of the measured data. With realistic simulation of the measured data using a Monte Carlo code, the method produces more ambiguous results for interface location, shield material identification, and material density identification. The method works well for source weight fraction identification with measured data simulated by Monte Carlo. In addition to the application to more realistic (two-dimensional) problems, this paper extends previous work on the Schwinger inverse method by using surface formulas for unknown interface locations, automatic correction attempts for violated constraints, and ray-tracing instead of discrete-ordinates for transport calculations.
Associations between emergence of follicular waves and fluctuations in FSH concentrations during the estrous cycle in ewes.

Folliculogenesis was studied daily in 16 interovulatory intervals in 5 Polypay ewes from mid February through April using transrectal ultrasonic imaging. The 3-mm follicles attaining ≥ 5 mm on Days -1 (ovulation=Day 0) to 11 showed significant peak numbers on Days 0, 5 and 10. The number of 3- and 4-mm follicles that did not reach > 4 mm was not significant, indicating that these follicles did not manifest a wave pattern. A follicular wave was defined as one or more follicles growing to ≥ 5 mm; the day the follicles were 3 mm was the day of wave emergence, and the first wave after ovulation was Wave 1. Waves 1, 2 and 3 emerged on Days -1 to 2,4 to 7 and 8 to 10, respectively. Four interovulatory intervals in April were short (9 to 14 d), indicating the end of the ovulatory season. In the remaining 12 intervals, the ovulatory wave was Wave 3 in one interval, Wave 4 in 8 intervals, and Wave 5 or 6 in 3 intervals. The ovulatory wave followed the rhythmic pattern of Waves 1 to 3 by emerging on Days 11 to 14 in 50% of the intervals. In the remaining intervals, either the ovulatory wave was Wave 4 but did not emerge until Day 16 or other waves intervened between Wave 3 and the ovulatory wave. The longest intervals (22, 24 and 24 d) had >4 waves. Based on a cycle-detection program, peak values of FSH fluctuations were temporally associated with the emergence of waves as indicated by the following: 1) tendency (P < 0.08) for an increase in FSH concentrations between 3 and 2 days before emergence of a wave; 2) close agreement between mean number of waves per interval (mean ± SEM, 4.1 ± 0.3) and mean number of identified FSH fluctuations (4.5 ± 0.3); 3) close agreement in length of interwave intervals (4.0 ± 0.3) and interpeak (FSH) intervals (3.6 ± 0.2); 4) positive correlation (r2=0.8) for number of the 2 events (follicular waves and FSH fluctuations) within intervals; and 5) a closer (P < 0.01) temporal relationship between the 2 events than would have been expected if the events were independent. The results support a relationship between transient increases in FSH concentrations and emergence of follicular waves throughout the interovulatory interval in Polypay ewes, with the 2 events occurring approximately every 4 d.
Dynamic bi-axial testing of woven composites

Thick panel glass/polymer composites are being considered as a structural component in ballistic armor. A new experimental technique has been developed to perform dynamic bi-axial testing on laminate composites. In-plane ultimate compressive strength of the composite is compared for various combinations of bi-axial stress and strain rate. Evolution of the damage in the composite and subsequent kink-band formation is studied by the use of high-speed photography and electron microscopy.
MAXIMUM SMOOTHED LIKELIHOOD ESTIMATION

Looking myopically at the larger features of the likelihood function, ab- sent some ne detail, can theoretically improve maximum likelihood estimation. Such estimators are, in fact, used routinely, since numerical techniques for maxi- mizing a computationally expensive likelihood function or for maximizing a Monte Carlo approximation to a likelihood function may be unable to investigate small scale behavior of the likelihood. A class of maximum smoothed likelihood estima- tors is introduced and shown to be asymptotically ecien t for models possessing local asymptotic normality. This theoretical result corresponds to good nite sam- ple properties in two examples, with a likelihood that is smooth but multimodal, and a likelihood that is not smooth.
Neural Network-Based Sensitivity Analysis of Summertime Convection over the Continental United States

Althoughland‐atmospherecouplingisthoughttoplayaroleinshapingthemeanclimateanditsvariability, it remains difficult to quantify precisely. The present study aims to isolate relationships between early morning surface turbulent fluxes partitioning [i.e., evaporative fraction (EF)] and subsequent afternoon convective precipitation frequency and intensity. A general approach involving statistical relationships amonginput andoutputvariables,knownas sensitivity analysis(SA), is usedto developareducedcomplexity metamodel of the linkage between EF and convective precipitation. Two additional quantities characterizing the early morning convective environment, convective triggering potential (CTP) and low-level humidity (HIlow) deficit, are included. The SA approach is applied to the North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) for June‐August (JJA) conditions over the entire continental United States, Mexico, and Central America domain. Five land‐atmosphere coupling regimes are objectively characterized based on CTP, HIlow, and EF. Two western regimes are largely atmospherically controlled, with a positive link to CTP and a negative link to HIlow. The other three regimes occupy Mexico and the eastern half of the domain and show positive links to EF and negative links to HIlow, suggesting that both surfacefluxes and atmospheric humidity play a role in the triggering of rainfall in these regions. The regimes associated with high mean EF also tend to have high sensitivity of rainfall frequency to variations in EF. While these results may be sensitive to the choice of dataset, the approach can be applied across observational, reanalysis, and model datasets and thus represents a potentially powerful tool for intercomparison and validation as well as for characterizing land‐atmosphere interaction regimes.
Exploring the relationship between personality and regional brain volume in healthy aging

Aging is characterized by a reduction in regional brain volumes, particularly in prefrontal and medial temporal regions. Recent evidence suggests that personality may be related to neuroanatomical integrity. The present investigation explored whether the three targeted personality traits of neuroticism, conscientiousness, and extraversion moderated cross-sectional age-related decline in measures of neural integrity. Estimates of the personality traits and volumes of cerebral gray and white matter, prefrontal and medial temporal regions were obtained in a sample of 79 healthy adults aged 44–88. Higher neuroticism was associated with smaller regional volumes and greater decreases in volume with increasing age. Higher conscientiousness was related to larger regional volumes and less decline with advancing age. These results suggest that personality may not only relate to, but may also moderate age-related cross-sectional decline in prefrontal and medial temporal regions.
Statistical Consulting Courses for Undergraduates: Fortune or Folly?

This article presents an overview of three undergraduate-level statistical consulting courses being taught at institutions of different size (small, medium, and large). Topics that will be discussed include the evolution of these courses, thoughts on what makes such courses successful, potential pitfalls to watch for, the necessary minimal skills students should have to be successful in the courses, and thoughts on where these courses should appear in a statistics curriculum. This paper will provide an overview of the similarities and differences in the way applied consulting courses are presented within the three undergraduate programs.
Methoxyhydroquinone, an Intermediate of Vanillate Catabolism by Polyporus dichrous

Vanillate was metabolized by Polyporus dichrous in liquid culture via methoxyhydroquinone. Protocatechuate, gentisate, and hydroquinone were not affected by vanillate-metabolizing mycelial pellets that readily degraded methoxyhydroquinone.
Implementation Tradeoffs of the Array Files Library for Out-of-Core Computations

The array files (AF) API facilitates the manipulation of a large number of records in a message-passing cluster application. Three AF implementations are studied. AFv1 and AFv2 assume the existence of an underlying parallel file system and can be used by PVM or MPI message passing programs. Testing over NSF, PVFS, and Lustre were performed. AFv1 uses separate files on the parallel file system to store different records. AFv2 uses a large file on the parallel file system to store all the records. File locking is used to enforce POSIX file access semantics, and AFv1 and AFv2 provide an application-level locking service for parallel file systems that do not support a native lock subsystem. AFv3 is implemented using MPI-2 and can be used by MPI-2 applications. AFv3 implements parallel I/O with an object-based striping strategy, has no central server, uses a hash function to locate an I/O server, and provides POSIX file access semantics to the user application. AFv2 over PVFS shows somewhat better performance for some workloads with very large records. AFv3 is shown to have better performance than both AFv1 and AFv2 for the broadest range of workloads
Hyperspeech: navigating in speech-only hypermedia

Most hypermedia systems emphasize the integration of graphics, images, video, and audio into a traditional hypertext framework. The hyperspeech system described in this paper, a speech-only hypermedia application, explores issues of navigation and system architecture in an audio environment without a visual display. The system under development uses speech recognition to maneuver in a database of digitally recorded speech segments; synthetic speech is used for control information and user feedback. In this research prototype, recorded audio interviews were segmented by topic, and hypertext-style links were added to connect logically related comments and ideas. The software architecture is data driven, with all knowledge embedded in the links and nodes, allowing the software that traverses through the network to be straightforward and concise. Several user interfaces were prototype, emphasizing different styles of speech interaction and feedback between the user and machine. In addition to the issues of navigation in a speech-only database, areas of continuing research includtx dynamically extending the database, use of audio and voice cues to indicate landmarks, and the simultaneous presentation of multiple channels of speech information.
Characteristics of turbulent boundary layers at low Reynolds numbers with and without transpiration

An extension to Coles's (1956) ‘law of the wall–law of the wake’ formulation for incompressible unblown boundary layers with momentum thickness Reynolds number Reθ > 6000. is made for Reθ 6000, is replaced by Ω = 0·40 (Reθ/6000)⅛ for Reθ 0) flows in ‘law of the wall’ and ‘velocity-defect’ representations. This law of the wall for the logarithmic turbulent region and Reichardt's sublayer variation of eM/ν are used to obtain a continuous expression for eM/ν as a function of U+, V+w, and Reθ for the wall region. This expression is in reasonable agreement with the generated eM/ν blowing results and in less agreement with the unblown and suction results. Eddy viscosity and mixing length results confirm that eM/δ*U∞ ∝ Ω2 and l/δ ∝ Ω for the outer region and that eM/δ*U∞ and l/δ are substantially independent of blowing and moderate suction, as also reflected by the velocity defect representation for injection and suction.
Comparing K Populations With Linear Rank Statistics

Abstract There are many nonparametric tests available for the analysis of k independent samples. For example, the Kruskal—Wallis test (Wilcoxon rank sum test when k = 2) is widely used for detecting location differences, and Mood or Ansari—Bradley or Sigel—Tukey rank statistics are often suggested for detecting scale differences. If more general alternatives are of interest, then one can use omnibus tests such as the generalized Kolmogorov—Smirnov and Cramer—von Mises statistics [see Conover (1980, secs. 6.3 and 6.4) or Kiefer (1959)]. Unfortunately, “significant” results from these omnibus tests are hard to interpret. Instead, I would like to propose some new tests based on a 4×k table of linear rank statistics that are simple to interpret because the four rows of the table are aimed at specific alternatives: location, scale, skewness, and kurtosis. Row summary statistics consist of weighted sums of squares of the individual entries. The first two of these are the Kruskal—Wallis statistic and Mood's k-sa...
Determination of a natural basis function set on thick, structured slabs using Prony's method

The calculation of currents on a thick structured slab such as a thick slab of honeycomb is discussed. Unfortunately, for certain applications, the slab can be of the order of several wavelengths, so that the straightforward application of the method of moments using subdomain basis functions is too expensive. The authors discuss how to apply Prony's method to the currents calculated for a thin, structured slab to obtain a natural set of basis functions to represent the currents in the interior of a thick slab. Prony's method represents the currents as a series of complex exponential functions. The thick slab problem is then solved by the method of moments using subdomain basis functions near the slab interfaces and one or two of the complex exponentials as basis functions within the slab. >
REGULATION OF CARDIAC EXCITATION-CONTRACTION COUPLING: A CELLULAR UPDATE

The primary purpose of this paper is to present a basic overview of some “relatively” new ideas related to the regulation of cardiac performance and underlying excitation-contraction (EC) coupling ...
Comparison of two sampling and culture systems for detection of Salmonella enterica in the environment of a large animal hospital

Summary Reasons for performing study Nosocomial salmonellosis is an important problem in veterinary hospitals that treat horses and other large animals. Detection and mitigation of outbreaks and prevention of healthcare-associated infections often require detection of Salmonella enterica in the hospital environment. Objectives To compare 2 previously published methods for detecting environmental contamination with S. enterica in a large animal veterinary teaching hospital. Study design Hospital-based comparison of environmental sampling techniques. Methods A total of 100 pairs of environmental samples were collected from stalls used to house large animal cases (horses, cows or New World camelids) that were confirmed to be shedding S. enterica by faecal culture. Stalls were cleaned and disinfected prior to sampling, and the same areas within each stall were sampled for the paired samples. One method of detection used sterile, premoistened sponges that were cultured using thioglycolate enrichment before plating on XLT-4 agar. The other method used electrostatic wipes that were cultured using buffered peptone water, tetrathionate and Rappaport-Vassiliadis R10 broths before plating on XLT-4 agar. Results Salmonella enterica was recovered from 14% of samples processed using the electrostatic wipe sampling and culture procedure, whereas S. enterica was recovered from only 4% of samples processed using the sponge sampling and culture procedure. There was test agreement for 85 pairs of culture-negative samples and 3 pairs of culture-positive samples. However, the remaining 12 pairs of samples with discordant results created significant disagreement between the 2 detection methods (P<0.01). Conclusions Persistence of Salmonella in the environment of veterinary hospitals can occur even with rigorous cleaning and disinfection. Use of sensitive methods for detection of environmental contamination is critical when detecting and mitigating this problem in veterinary hospitals. These results suggest that the electrostatic wipe sampling and culture method was more sensitive than the sponge sampling and culture method.
Parallel Processing at Cray Research, Inc.

Multiprocessor computer systems are an integral part of Cray’s future hardware directions. Increasing numbers of high-performance CPUs that can timeshare a large workload and/or cooperate on a single user program form the foundation for current and future systems. The software to support the use of multiple processors for a single user program has evolved through three generations: macrotasking, microtasking, and Autotasking. This paper briefly describes these three generations of software, with an emphasis on the just-released Autotasking. Included in the presentation of Autotasking will be design criteria and goals, tradeoffs in the design, and results from Autotasking on a variety of codes and kernels.
Association of epilepsy and comorbid conditions

Comorbid health conditions are common among people with epilepsy. Proposed explanations for this association include the possibility that first, epilepsy (including its treatment) causes the comorbid condition; second, the comorbid condition (including its treatment) causes epilepsy; or third, a common pathogenic mechanism mediates the co-occurrence of epilepsy and the comorbid condition. It is unlikely that a single explanation will suffice for all of the epilepsy comorbid conditions. Determining the basis of the association between epilepsy and its comorbid conditions has important implications for diagnosis and management. In this paper, we discuss this issue in the context of five common epilepsy comorbid conditions: bone health and fractures, stroke, depression, migraine and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Current findings, research limitations and future directions of research efforts are discussed.
The impact of race on outcomes following emergency surgery: an American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program assessment

Abstract Background Despite significant evolutions in health care, outcome discrepancies exist among demographic cohorts. We sought to determine the impact of race on emergency surgery outcomes. Methods This is a retrospective review of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2005 through 2009) for all patients aged ≥16 years undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. Primary outcomes included morbidity and mortality. Results We identified 75,280 patients (mean age 48.2 ± 19.9 years, 51.7% female; 79% white, 9.9% black, 5.0% Hispanic, 3.7% Asian, 1.3% American Indian or Alaskan, .2% Pacific Islander). Annual rates of emergency operations ranged from 7.3% to 8.5% ( P = .22). The overall complication (18.6%) and mortality rate (4.6%) was highest in the black population (24.3%, 5.3%) followed by whites (18.7%, 4.6%), with the lowest rate in Hispanic (11.7%, 1.8%) and Pacific Islander populations (10.2%, 1.8%; P P P = .168). When combining minorities, overall complications were 1.059-fold (1.004 to 1.12; P = .034) higher, however, mortality was reduced 1.7-fold (1.07 to 1.34; P = .001). Conclusions Following emergency abdominal surgery, minority race is independently associated with increased complications and reduced mortality.
Modeling malware propagation in Gnutella type peer-to-peer networks

A key emerging and popular communication paradigm, primarily employed for information dissemination, is peer-to-peer (P2P) networking. In this paper, we model the spread of malware in decentralized, Gnutella type of peer-to-peer networks. Our study reveals that the existing bound on the spectral radius governing the possibility of an epidemic outbreak needs to be revised in the context of a P2P network. We formulate an analytical model that emulates the mechanics of a decentralized Gnutella type of peer network and study the spread of malware on such networks. We show analytically, that a framework which does not incorporate the behavioral characteristics of peers ends up over estimating the epidemic threshold metric, R/sub 0/. This in turn results in false positives, an undesirable feature. We also characterize the conditions under which the network may reach a malware free equilibrium and validate our theoretical results with numerical simulations.
Energy peak shaving with local storage

Abstract We introduce a new problem inspired by energy pricing schemes in which a client is billed for peak usage. At each timeslot the system meets an energy demand through a combination of a new request, an unreliable amount of free source energy (e.g. solar or wind power), and previously received energy. The added piece of infrastructure is the battery, which can store surplus energy for future use, and is initially assumed to be perfectly efficient or lossless. In a feasible solution, each demand must be supplied on time, through a combination of newly requested energy, energy withdrawn from the battery, and free source. The goal is to minimize the maximum request. In the online version of this problem, the algorithm must determine each request without knowledge of future demands or free source availability, with the goal of maximizing the amount by which the peak is reduced. We give efficient optimal algorithms for the offline problem, with and without a bounded battery. We also show how to find the optimal offline battery size, given the requirement that the final battery level equals the initial battery level. Finally, we give efficient Hn-competitive algorithms assuming the peak effective demand is revealed in advance, and provide matching lower bounds. Later, we consider the setting of lossy batteries, which lose to conversion inefficiency a constant fraction of any amount charged (e.g. 33%). We efficiently adapt our algorithms to this setting, maintaining optimality for offline and (we conjecture) maintaining competitiveness for online. We give factor-revealing LPs, which provide some quasi-empirical evidence for competitiveness. Finally, we evaluate these and other, heuristic algorithms on real and synthetic data.
Creating the Statutory State: The Implications of a Rule of Law Standard in American Politics

The rise of the modern state has been accompanied by a decline in the importance of statutory law to the operation of Western democratic governments. Two of the strongest critiques of the modern state and of this decline in statutory law have come from Friedrich Hayek and Theodore Lowi. Each has argued that only the restoration of a rule of law can ensure the continued survival of democratic societies. Their indictments of the modern state suggest a standard by which legislative policy alternatives might be evaluated. This article develops such a standard, adapted specifically for use in American politics, and uses it to analyze legislative behavior in the House of Representatives under four different presidential administrations. The development and application of the rule of law standard provides a critique of American government from the Hayek-Lowi perspective and reveals a basic incompatibility between the imposition of a rule of law and the establishment of a responsible-party government system.
The early pathophysiologic understanding of angina pectoris

Abstract Caleb Hillier Parry of Bath and Allan Burns of Glasgow formulated explanations of angina pectoris that stand as brilliant early examples of pathophysiologic reasoning. These astute observers proposed the concept that symptomatic ischemic heart disease results from a dynamic imbalance of myocardial energy supply and demand. Their work forms the basis of our traditional understanding of effort-related chest pain in obstructive coronary artery disease.
Patterns in teacher discourse moves: implications for classroom networks

The convergence of 1:1 computing in education as a goal and wireless mobile technologies as a means to that goal has the potential to change one of the most basic of all learning communities: the secondary classroom. Here, the wireless network of mobile devices finds itself overlaid onto, and meshed with, the social network of rich verbal and nonverbal interactions among the students and their teacher. The author and a group of researchers at the Center for Learning and Teaching in the West (CLT-W) have developed a framework for analyzing teacher classroom discourse moves. The framework is being applied in a case study to identify patterns in the discursive interactions of the students and their teacher. An analysis of these patterns will lead to abstractions that refine the wireless network itself and render it a more useful partner to the social network in which it is deployed.
Architecting the ground segment of an optical space communication network

Optical communications are envisioned as a key technology for space communication in the near future. This transition to optical terminals is being pushed by the higher data volume demand of certain missions (i.e.: missions DESDyNI (now cancelled) and NISAR had together a requirement of 60 Tb/day, whereas the data-volume transmitted daily by the Space Network nowadays is roughly 40 Tb) and by the spectrum encroachment in current RF bands. In addition, recent missions like LLCD and OPALS have demonstrated that optical systems present multiple advantages with respect to RF terminals, such as their lower mass, size and power and the higher data-rate they offer (up to 10 Gbps). However, one of the main issues of using optical systems is the space-to-ground link, due to the difficulty of penetrating through atmospheric clouds. Geographic diversity of ground stations has been proposed as an alternative to mitigate these effects. The goal of this paper is to analyze different architectures for the ground segment of a fully optical space relay-communications network to serve LEO missions. In particular, we analyze the tradespace characterized by the decisions 1) number and location of optical ground stations, 2) use of GEO relay satellites vs. direct to Earth (DTE) approach and 3) presence of crosslinks among relay satellites. To that end, we use historical NOAA's weather data and the cloud fraction dataset from Aqua's and Terra's MODIS instruments to characterize weather conditions across the globe. We later use these models to determine the best locations to place ground stations that support optical terminals. Next, we present ONGSA, a network simulator that incorporates the cloud models in order to simulate end-to-end operations of the optical network. Finally we exercise ONGSA to explore the aforementioned tradespace and analyze both cost and performance (in terms of availability) for each architecture.
Raman enhanced acoustically tailored single-frequency Raman fiber amplifiers

Acoustically tailored fiber was developed to mitigate stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in single-frequency 1178 nm fiber based amplifiers, while enhancing Raman gain by 30%. We demonstrate single and two-stage amplifiers with 11.2 W and 22.2 W of output power.
Cardiac issues in adults with the mucopolysaccharidoses: current knowledge and emerging needs

The growing availability of innovative treatments for rare genetic diseases with a cardiac component-such as the mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs)-has changed these syndromes from 'back of the textbook' curiosities of childhood to chronic, but rare, adult cardiac conditions that require both centres of expertise and knowledgeable subspecialists. The MPSs are inherited progressive lysosomal storage diseases, occurring in about 1:25 000 births and resulting from absence of functional hydrolases responsible for the degradation of glycosaminoglycans, naturally occurring complex sugars ubiquitous throughout the body. In the heart, accumulation of glycosaminoglycans occurs within the cardiac valves, the epicardial coronary arteries, the myocytes and cardiac interstitium and the walls of the great vessels. As a consequence, cardiac valve regurgitation and stenosis, diffuse coronary artery stenosis, myocardial dysfunction and aortic root dilation often occur. Haematopoietic cell transplantation and enzyme replacement therapy have changed the previously lethal natural history of the MPSs to one of survival well into adulthood. Despite this improved lifespan, the left-sided cardiac valves continue to show progressive functional involvement and cardiac valve replacement is not uncommon, especially in adults. The risk of any intervention is increased in these patients because of the systemic effects of the disease on the respiratory system and cervical cord. Our current understanding of other cardiac issues in adults with the MPSs, especially with the coronary circulation and myocardium, is meagre and more needs to be known to effectively care for this emerging population of adults. Incorporation of the MPSs, as well as other now-treatable rare diseases, into the educational curriculum of current and future adult subspecialists is an important next step.
Advanced Kinetic Theory

In the previous lectures of Professor Thompson we were presented with the important intuitive origins of plasma kinetic theory, largely by treating several simplified models. With such a basis, the development of kinetic theory has proceeded until recently in two diverging directions where either particle discreteness or collective behaviour plays the dominant role.
Analysis of Public Health Emergency in Dalian City,2011-2012

Objective To analyze the public health emergency in 2011 to 2012 in Dalian City, and provide evidences for the prevention and control of public health emergency. Methods Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the data of public health emergencies reported by internet basedonline system in Dalian from 2011 to 2012. Results 15 public health events were reported in Dalian from 2011 to 2012, 696 patient were reported, 10 patient died,with 4 larger cases(13.33%) and 13 ordinary cases(86.67%), 11 Event-based Infectious Diseases cases(73.33%), 8 cases(53.33%) occourred in NovemberDecember, and 8 public health emergencies in schools and nurseries(53.33%). Conclusion Dalian should further strengthen the monitoring and early warning of infectious disease emergency public health events, focus on schools and kindergartens and other collective units in the prevention and control work.
Construction of barley consensus map showing chromosomal regions associated with economically important traits

In the past, it has been difficult to accurately determine the location of many types of barley molecular markers due to the lack of commonality between international barley linkage maps. In this study, a consensus map of barley was constructed from five different maps (OWB, VxHs, KxM, barley consensus 2 and barley consensus 2003) to produce the consensus AD-2005 map with 1536 markers. The QTL that have been identified in previous barley studies were then incorporated into the integrated consensus map to provide a quick method of aligning and comparing barley linkage maps and to identify markers closely linked to barley traits. The markers placed on this map are consistent with respect to order on the chromosomes with the individual maps and other barley maps with a few minor differences. The consensus AD-2005 was compared with rice Cornell RFLP map to examine the reliability of the constructed map in comparative genomic studies. Unlike previous consensus maps, the purpose of this consensus map (containing QTL) is to provide a tool for scientists to accurately locate molecular markers to chromosome regions responsible for economically important traits. It is estimated that markers placed on the consensus map are located very close to their true positions as determined by the five maps used in this study. It is envisaged that the consensus map will benefit small-grain researchers by providing an efficient means of choosing markers of interest and identifying QTL regions for future genetic or plant breeding studies on a worldwide basis. Keywords: Barley, QTL, genetic linkage mapping, consensus map, comparative genome mapping
Large Amplitude Nonlinear Richtmyer-Meshkov Instability in Convergent Geometries

The Richtmyer Meshkov Instability (RMI) is a common hydrodynamic instability that occurs when an interface seperating two fluids of different densities is impulsively accelerated. Any perturbation along the seperating interface will likely evolve to induce mixing. This occurs in many natural events and engineering applications, such as supernovae and Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF), both of which are inherently spherical. Therefore, to further understand these complicated events in their entirety, it is of interest to identify the specific effects of convergence in RMI induced mixing. To this end, we report results from detailed simulations of singlemode RMI in spherically convergent geometry, and focus on the nonlinear growth of imposed perturbations.
Time Course of Brain Tissue Pressure in Temporal Fluid Percussion Injury

Fluid percussion injury is known to produce an immediate rise in systemic blood pressure (MABP) which gradually returns to near normal levels within a 30 minute period (Sullivan et al. 1976, Lewelt et al. 1980, 1982; Rosner et al. 1982, 1984). It is reasonable to suspect that the brain tissue experiences a similar surge. However, intracranial pressure (ICP) measures thus far have been restricted to fluid coupled devices which may not accurately reflect the brain tissue pressure (TP) changes during the percussion transient.
Computer Simulation of Diffusion Problems Using the Continuous System Modeling Program Language

We present an introduction to System 360 Continuous System Modeling Program (S/360-CSMP), a digital simulation language oriented toward the solution of differential equations. The intent is to acquaint the reader with the simplicity of powerful computer software that is at the disposal of the researcher. Designed for use specifically by the scientist or engineer, S/360-CSMP requires only a minimum knowledge of computer programming and operation. Only an elementary knowledge of FORTRAN is necessary. Two simple diffusion problems are discussed to illustrate the basic approach to the simulation method of analysis and the power and ease of computer simulation using a digital simulation language such as S/360-CSMP.
Splenic marginal zone lymphoma: excellent outcomes in 64 patients treated in the rituximab era

Objectives and methods: Splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL) is a rare non-Hodgkin lymphoma. We sought to identify prognostic factors and define outcomes in a cohort of 64 patients with SMZL who w...