cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computer ethics beyond mere compliance

Purpose – The paper aims to examine the nature of computer ethics as a field of study in light of 20 years of Ethicomp, arguing that computer ethics beyond mere compliance will have to be pluralistic and sensitive to the starting places of various audiences. Design/methodology/approach – The essay offers a philosophical rather than empirical analysis, but the ideal of open inquiry is observed to be manifest in the practice of Ethicomp. Findings – If computer ethics is to constitute a real engagement with industry and society that cultivates a genuine sensitivity to ethical concerns in the creation, development and implementation of technologies, a genuine sensitivity that stands in marked contrast to ethics as “mere compliance”, then computer ethics will have to persist in issuing an open invitation to inquiry. Originality/value – The celebration of 20 years of Ethicomp is an occasion to reflect on who we are and what we mean to be doing. Inclusive of previous accounts (e.g. Moor and Gotterbarn), while go...
An approach to independent joint adaptive control for the TUMA I

The design of an independent joint adaptive controller for the robotic manipulator TUMA I is outlined in this paper. The TUMA I is a four-degree-of-freedom planar redundant arm built as a testbed at Tulane University. The development of an adaptive independent joint control for a robotic manipulator is outlined when the mathematical model parameters of the manipulator system may not be available and an alternative to the well-known computed torque adaptive control approach can be found useful. The controller design presented is based on heuristic adaptive control methods for servomechanisms using the Diophantine equation as the designing principle. >
A multicenter trial of antithymocyte globulin in aplastic anemia and related diseases

One hundred fifty patients with bone marrow failure were treated in three groups with antithymocyte globulin (ATG; Upjohn, Kalamazoo, MI) in a multicenter trial. Patients were assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months after initiation of treatment by three criteria: transfusion independence, clinical improvement, and blood counts. Group I consisted of 77 patients with acute severe aplastic anemia, randomized to receive either ten or 28 days of ATG. There was no significant difference between the two arms of this protocol: 47% of all patients were clinically improved and 31% were transfusion independent at 3 months. Of the severely affected patients, 27% died before 3 months; most deaths occurred early in treatment. Factors associated with survival in severely affected patients included male sex, age less than 40 years, absolute neutrophil count greater than 200/microL, and idiopathic etiology. Neutrophil counts generally increased by 8 weeks after treatment, but patients continued to show improvement to 1 year posttreatment. In Group II, 44 patients with moderate or chronic severe aplastic anemia were randomized to receive either ten days of ATG or 3 months of high-dose nandrolone decanoate. No patient initially treated with androgens recovered, but 28% of ATG-treated cases achieved transfusion independence at 3 months. Group III consisted of patients with a variety of bone marrow failure syndromes. Patients with pancytopenia and cellular bone marrow showed response rates similar to those of patients with chronic or moderate aplastic anemia.
Effect of 100% oxygen administration on infarct size and left ventricular function in a canine model of myocardial infarction and reperfusion

High oxygen concentrations reduced infarct size in prereperfusion era studies; however, with reperfusion therapy, high oxygen tension carries the theoretical risk of exacerbating reperfusion injury by increasing toxic oxygen-derived free radicals. In this study, two groups of dogs underwent 90 minutes of coronary occlusion and 72 hours of reperfusion. The oxygen group (n = 16) received 100% inspired oxygen from 20 minutes before reperfusion through 3 hours of reperfusion, whereas the room-air group (n = 19) was ventilated with room air. Infarct size (as a percentage of risk area) was reduced by 38% in the oxygen group (26.7% +/- 4.7% vs 43.3% +/- 4.3%; p = 0.017). This benefit was independent of underlying variability in collateral blood flow in individual dogs (p = 0.016 by analysis of covariance [ANCOVA]). Left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly improved in the oxygen group (43% +/- 3% vs 33% +/- 2%; p = 0.008), as was regional function in the infarct zone (p < 0.05). These data suggest that high concentrations of inspired oxygen may also benefit patients with acute myocardial infarction who undergo reperfusion therapy.
Abstract 3260: Male pattern baldness increases the risk of aggressive prostate cancer: A prospective analysis of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Purpose: Androgenic actions are thought to underlie the development of both male pattern baldness and prostate cancer. However, results from previous studies of the relationship between these two phenotypes have been inconsistent. Therefore, we investigated the association of male pattern baldness at age 45 years with overall and aggressive prostate cancer risk in a large, prospective cohort–the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial. Methods: We included 39,070 men, from the usual care and screening arms of the trial, who were cancer-free at start of follow-up. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression models with age as the underlying time-scale. Results: During follow-up (median=2.78 years), 1,138 incident prostate cancer cases were diagnosed, 578 of which were aggressive (Gleason score ≥ 7, stage ≥ III, or fatal). Frontal + vertex balding at age 45 years, compared with no balding, was not associated with overall prostate cancer risk (HR=1.19, 95%CI: 0.98, 1.45), but was associated with increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer (HR=1.42, 95%CI: 1.10, 1.83). Adjustment for covariates did not significantly alter these estimates. Other classes of male pattern baldness were not associated with the overall or aggressive prostate cancer. Conclusion: Our analysis indicates that frontal + vertex balding at age 45 years increases the risk for future development of aggressive prostate cancer, and supports the possibility of overlapping pathogenesis. Citation Format: Cindy Ke Zhou, Ruth M. Pfeiffer, Sean D. Cleary, Heather J. Hoffman, Paul H. Levine, Lisa W. Chu, Ann W. Hsing, Michael B. Cook. Male pattern baldness increases the risk of aggressive prostate cancer: A prospective analysis of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3260. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3260
DNA replication in the epithelium of rat vagina and lower cervix following estrogen‐progesterone treatment

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effects of different amounts of progesterone on estrogen-induced DNA synthesis in the vaginal and lower cervical epithelia of the rat. Ovariectomized rats were injected subcutaneously with 1 μg of estradiol-17β dipropionate or with estradiol and 1, 5, 10 or 15 mg of progesterone for three days; control rats received oil. Tritiated thymidine was injected one hour prior to necropsy; the tissues were processed for autoradiographic study and the percentages of labeled nuclei in the basal layer from the lower half of both the vagina and cervix were determined. In the group of rats given estradiol and 1 mg of progesterone the thymidine uptake in the vagina was significantly increased over that of rats given only estrogen. However, in the rats treated with estradiol and 5, 10 or 15 mg of progesterone, the extent of DNA replication in the basal epithelial nuclei was similar to the estrogen group. These responses were compared with those of the basal epithelium from the lower half of the cervix. None of the estrogen-progesterone treatments increased the thymidine index in the cervical epithelium above that of estrogen alone; additionally, 5, 10 or 15 mg of progesterone given with estrogen suppressed DNA replication. These data indicate that stratified epithelia of these two portions of the reproductive tract respond differently to exogenous ovarian hormones.
An experimental study of forced convection in a packed channel with asymmetric heating

Abstract An experiment has been carried out for forced convection of Freon-113 (Pr = 8.06) in a channel packed with small glass spheres (3, 5 and 6 mm in diameter) and with chrome steel spheres (6.35 mm in diameter), respectively. The experiments were carried out for 4000
The New Institutional Economics and Development Theory: A Brief Critical Assessment

Abstract In this paper we discuss strengths and weaknesses of transaction-cost and imperfect-information approaches to the economic theory of institutions, particularly with reference to problems relevant to economic development.
Control of mouse myoblast commitment to terminal differentiation by mitogens

Regulation of the transition of mouse myoblasts from proliferation to terminal differentiation was studied with clonal density cultures of a permanent clonal myoblast cell line. In medium lacking mitogenic activity, mouse myoblasts withdraw from the cell cycle, elaborate muscle-specific gene products, and fuse to form multinucleated myotubes. Addition of a purified mitogen, fibroblast growth factor, to mitogen-depleted medium stimulates continued proliferation and prevents terminal differentiation. When mitogens are removed for increasing durations and then refed, mouse myoblasts irreversibly commit to terminal differentiation: after 2-4 h in the absence of mitogens, myoblasts withdraw from the cell cycle, elaborate muscle-specific gene products, fuse in the presence of mitogens that have been fed back. Population kinetics of commitment determined with 3H-thymidine labeling and autoradiography suggests the following cell-cycle model for mouse myoblast commitment: 1)if mitogens are present in the extracellular environment of myoblasts in G1 of the cell cycle, the cells enter S and continue through another cell cycle; 2) if mitogens have been absent for 2 or more hours, cells in G1 do not enter S; the cells commit to differentiate, permanently withdraw from the cell cycle (will not enter S if mitogens are refed), and they subsequently elaborate acetylcholine receptors and fuse (even if mitogens are refed); 3) cells in other phases of the cell cycle continue to transit the cell cycle in the absence of mitogens until reaching the next G1. the commitment kinetics and experiments with mitotically synchronized cells suggest that the commitment "decision" is made during G1. Present results do not, however, exclude commitment of some cells in other phases of the cell cycle.
C2 and C3 pain dermatomes in man

This report defines the C2 and C3 pain dermatomes by the distribution of: the hypalgesia clearing after surgical root decompression; the dysaesthesias produced by electrical root stimulation; and the hypalgesia produced by anaesthetic root block. The C2 pain dermatome, so defined, consists of an occipital parietal area 6-8 cm wide, ascending paramedially from the subocciput to the vertex. The C3 pain dermatome is a craniofacial area including the scalp around the ear, the pinna, the lateral cheek over the angle of the jaw, the submental region and the lateral and anterior aspects of the upper neck. These C2 and C3 pain dermatomes do not overlap and are smaller than the C2 and C3 tactile dermatomes described in the literature.
2-D radio imaging of ionospheric electron density in the equatorial plane: Algorithms and results

Local depletions in the equatorial ionospheric electron density, known as Spread-F events, have been an active area of scientific research in the last decades. These are of special interest to the research community because of their potentially deleterious impact on trans-ionospheric communication links and navigation systems. The impetus for focused modeling and experimentation is the ultimate goal of predicting these events and subsequent mitigation of their negative impacts.
Combined Superior and Right Lateral Left Atriotomy with Division of the Superior Vena Cava for Exposure of the Mitral Valve

Division of the superior vena cava allows combined use of the superior and right lateral approaches to the mitral valve when exposure is inadequate with either approach alone. I have not recognized complications related to this procedure in my experience with 3 patients.
On the mechanism of ion exchange in zirconium phosphates—XXII mixed zirconium titanium phosphates

Abstract α-Titanium phosphate, Ti(HPO4)2·H2O, was found to form two sodium ion exchanged phases. A half exchanged phase of ideal composition TiNaH(PO4)2·4H2O formed first. However, before all of the titanium phosphate was converted to this phase a second phase of higher Na+ content formed. Thus, a three phase solid existed until sufficient sodium ion uptake (∼ 5.5 meq/g) produced only the two exchanged phases. Finally, the half exchanged phase was converted to the more highly loaded one and this latter phase existed from 6–8 meq/g of Na+ uptake. Severe disordering of the crystal lattice during exchange is proposed to explain this unusual exchange behavior. A broad range of titanium phosphate-zirconium phosphate solid solutions was found to form. Their behavior towards Na+H+ exchange was determined and interpreted on the basis of the known behavior of the pure phases. Mixed TiZr solid solutions of their pyrophosphates were obtained at elevated temperatures.
Vitalize synthetic vascular grafts in vivo

larity producing an autologous extra-cellular matrix, replacing the degrading (65% MW reduction) PCL scaffold (11.3±4.0 vs. 31.4±9.2; Pb.0001). Morphometry and SEM showed 100% neoendothelialisation for both grafts. Intimal hyperplasia thickness, length and area were higher in ePTFE compared to PCL. Conclusions: Synthetic, biodegradable small-calibre nano-fibre polycaprolactone grafts show better patency, compliance, endothelialisation, less intimal hyperplasia and calcification compared to the clinically used ePTFE grafts after long-term implantation in the rat aorta. Thus, such novel in situ tissue engineered grafts could become a promising option for cardiovascular revascularisation procedures.
Thermochemical behavior of nano-sized aluminum-coated nickel particles

Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to investigate the thermochemical behavior of aluminum-coated nickel particles in the size range of 4–13 nm, beyond which asymptotic behavior is observed. The atomic interactions are captured using an embedded atom model. Emphasis is placed on the particle melting behavior, diffusion characteristics, and inter-metallic reactions. Results are compared with the corresponding properties of nickel-coated nano-aluminum particles. Melting of the shell, which is a heterogeneous process beginning at the outer surface of the particle, is followed by diffusion of aluminum and nickel atoms and inter-metallic reactions. The ensuing chemical energy heats up the particle under adiabatic conditions. The alloying reactions progressively transform the core–shell structured particle into a homogeneous alloy. The melting temperature of the shell is weakly dependent on the core size, but increases significantly with increasing shell thickness, from 750 K at 1 nm to 1,000 K at 3 nm. The core melts at a temperature comparable to the melting point of a nascent particle, contrary to the phenomenon of superheating observed for nickel-coated aluminum particles. The melting temperature of the core decreases from 1,730 to 1,500 K, when its diameter decreases from 10 to 7 nm. For smaller cores, the majority of nickel atoms participate in reactions before melting. The diffusion coefficient of nickel atoms in aluminum shell exhibits a temperature dependence of the form D = D 0 exp(−E A/RT), with an activation energy of 43.65 kJ/mol and a pre-exponential factor of 1.77 × 10−7 m2/s. The adiabatic reaction temperature, also a size-dependent quantity, increases with increasing core diameter, attains a maximum value of 2,050 K at 5 nm, and decreases with further increase in the core diameter. The calculated values agree reasonably with those obtained via chemical equilibrium analysis. The burning time exhibits strong dependence of particle core size and shell thickness of the form τ b = a d c δ s , where the exponents n and m are 1.70 and 1.38, respectively. The finding further corroborates the fact that the reaction rate is controlled by diffusion process.
Nucleotide interconversions. VI. The enzymic formation of 5-methyluridylic acid.

Abstract A heat-labile, nondialyzable component of rat embryo extracts is responsible for the formation of 5-MeUMP in the presence of UMP and HM-THFA. Both formaldehyde and serine can serve as methyl donors. The isolation and characterization of the product are described. The rate of methylation in most cases was only about 5–15% that of dUMP and, though both reactions are inhibited by F-dUMP, it is not possible to conclude, as yet, that thymidylate synthetase is responsible for both reactions. Inhibition studies have revealed that UMP only slightly inhibits the methylation of dUMP. HM-dUMP was much more effective; at a ratio of HM-dUMP to dUMP of 1:1, about 80% inhibition was encountered. HM-UMP at the same concentration did not inhibit. Procedures for the preparation and isolation of HM-UMP and HM-dUMP are described. The biochemical implications of the methylation are briefly discussed.
Criterion for the Equality of Norm Groups of Idele Groups of Algebraic Number Fields

Abstract One of the fundamental theorems of global class field theory states that there is a one-to-one correspondence between finite Abelian extensions of an algebraic number field k and the norm groups of the idele class group C k = J k / k * of k . More generally, for finite extensions K and L of k there is the following group theoretic interpretation of N K / k C K ⊆ N L / k C L . Let E be a finite Galois extension of k containing K and L , and let G = G ( E / k ), H = G ( E / K ), and N = G ( E / L ) be the corresponding Galois groups. It follows by global class field theory that N K / k C K ⊆ N L / k C L iff G ′ H ⊆ G ′ N , where G ′ is the commutator subgroup of G . In the present work we prove that N K / k J K ⊆ N L / k J L iff every element of H of prime power order is conjugate in G to an element of N . We also show that the same group theoretic condition is equivalent to N ( K / k )⊆ N ( L / k ), where N ( K / k ) is the group of elements of k * that are local norms everywhere from K to k . We then use this group theoretic criterion to investigate the equality of norm groups as subgroups of k *.
A max‐min dew‐point hygrometer

The lithium chloride Dewcel covered under Foxboro Company patent 2,359,278 has been used in conjunction with a max-min thermometer calibrated directly in degrees dew point to provide maximum and minimum and current dew points. The max-min feature of the hygrometer and the operation convenience make it a particularly suitable instrument for use at cooperative observer stations. A unique advantage of the lithium chloride Dewcel for a cooperating observer station is that the relative error of the measurement is the same at all dew points within the operating range.
SIRT1 induces EMT by cooperating with EMT transcription factors and enhances prostate cancer cell migration and metastasis

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial program for the invasion and metastasis of epithelial tumors that involves loss of cell–cell adhesion and increased cell mobility; however, mechanisms underlying this transition are not fully elucidated. Here, we propose a novel mechanism through which the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent histone deacetylase SIRT1 regulates EMT in prostate cancer cells through cooperation with the EMT inducing transcription factor ZEB1. We found that forced expression of SIRT1 in non-transformed PZ-HPV-7 prostate epithelial cells disrupts the epithelial morphology concomitant with decreased expression of the epithelial marker, E-cadherin, and increased expression of mesenchymal markers. In contrast, silencing SIRT1 in metastatic prostate tumor cells restores cell–cell adhesion and induces a shift toward an epithelial morphology concomitant with increased expression of E-cadherin and decreased expression of mesenchymal markers. We also found that SIRT1 has a physiologically relevant role in endogenous EMT induced by EGF signaling in prostate cancer cells. We propose that the regulation of EMT by SIRT1 involves modulation of, and cooperation with, the EMT inducing transcription factor ZEB1. Specifically, we show that SIRT1 silencing reduces expression of ZEB1 and that SIRT1 is recruited to the E-cadherin proximal promoter by ZEB1 to deacetylate histone H3 and to reduce binding of RNA polymerase II, ultimately suppressing E-cadherin transcription. We thus identify a necessary role for ZEB1 in SIRT1-mediated EMT. Finally, we show that reduction of SIRT1 decreases prostate cancer cell migration in vitro and metastasis in vivo in immunodeficient mice, which is largely independent of any general effects of SIRT1 on prostate cancer growth and survival. We therefore identify SIRT1 as a positive regulator of EMT and metastatic growth of prostate cancer cells and our findings implicate overexpressed SIRT1 as a potential therapeutic target to reverse EMT and to prevent prostate cancer progression.
Large Shareholders as Monitors: Is There a Trade-Off between Liquidity and Control?

This paper analyzes the incentives of large shareholders to monitor public corporations. We investigate the hypothesis that a liquid stock market reduces large shareholders' incentives to monitor because it allows them to sell their stocks more easily. Even though this is true, a liquid market also makes it less costly to hold larger stakes and easier to purchase additional shares. We show that this fact is important if monitoring is costly: market liquidity mitigates the problem that small shareholders free ride on the effort of the large shareholder. We find that liquid stock markets are beneficial because they make corporate governance more effective. Is A LIQUID STOCK MARKET a liability for effective corporate governance? Casual empiricism seems to suggest that a liquid market allows investors to sell out if they receive adverse information about a company, and that, by contrast, a less liquid market forces them to hold on to their investment and to use their votes to influence the company to achieve better returns. A typical example is British Airways' experience, when its senior management came under attack for using unfair competitive practices against one of its smaller rivals, Virgin Atlantic. At the time, the Financial Times noted that Fidelity, the second largest shareholder with a holding of 4.5 percent, "has disposed of almost its entire position, and the Prudential and Standard Life stakes have
Micro ion frequency standard

ABSTRACT We are developing a highly miniaturized trapped ion cl ock to probe the 12.6 GHz hyperfine transition in the 171 Yb + ion. The clock development is being funded by the Integrated Micro Primary Atomic Clock Technology (IMPACT) program from DARPA where the stat ed goals are to develop a clock that consumes 50 mW of power, has a size of 5 cm 3 , and has a long-term frequency stability of 10 -14 at one month. One of the significant challenges will be to develop miniatur e single-frequency lasers at 369 nm and 935 nm and the optical systems to deliver light to the ions and to collect ion fluorescence on a detector. Keywords: Atomic clock, UV lasers, laser spectroscopy, VCSEL 1. INTRODUCTION Precision timing is essential to many aspects of modern technology. It is of particular importance in communication and navigation systems. For example, the global positioning system (GPS) relies on an accurate timing reference located on each GPS satellite to provide the GPS signal. In systems where good long-term stability of the timing reference or clock is re quired (as is required in G PS systems), atomic clocks are used. In an atomic clock, the frequency of the clock signal is stabilized to a transition between two electronic energy levels in an atom or ion.
Local control in synchronous bilateral Wilms tumor

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the role of radiation therapy (RT), chemotherapy (CT), and surgery in the local control of synchronous bilateral Wilms Tumor (WT). Methods and Materials: Between 1962 to 1993, 45 children were treated for bilateral WT; 38 patients with synchronous tumors were reviewed. Initial surgery depended on the era of treatment and included unilateral nephrectomy (N)/partial nephrectomy (PN) and contralateral PN in 6, unilateral N/PN alone in 7, and biopsy only in 25. Chemotherapy (CT) consisted of vincristine, actinomycin-D, and adriamycin in 32 and vincristine/actinomycin-D in 6. Radiation therapy (RT) was given to 32 patients. Treatment included both kidneys in 20, unilateral kidney plus contraleral renal bed in 9, unilateral kidney in 2, and unilateral renal bed in 1. Follow-up was 16 months to 25 years (median: 6.3 years). Results: Local control (LC) has been maintained in 66 out of 76 sites (87%). For Stage I–II disease with initial N/PN, LC was 10 out of 12 with RT and 11 out of 11 without RT; for Stage III with initial N/PN, LC was 8 out of 9 with RT and 1 out of 1 without RT. Initial CT and RT was followed by delayed N/PN for 20 sites; LC was 15 out of 17 in post induction Stage I–II and 1 out of 3 in postinduction Stage III. In 23 sites undergoing biopsy and chemotherapy, LC was 19 out of 20 with RT and 1 out of 3 without RT. Seven of 23 sites had a complete response (CR) after induction CT, and LC was maintained in four out of four with RT and one out of three without RT. Univariate Cox Regression analysis demonstrated that sites receiving two drugs had a statistically significant increase in loco-regional relapse when compared to sites receiving three drugs ( p = 0.004). Major morbidities related to multimodality therapy have included renal failure in one patient and small bowel obstruction requiring lysis of adhesions in two patients. Conclusions: Local control does not seem to be compromised by renal conservation therapy. Local control is excellent in sites treated with radiation therapy in combination with three drug chemotherapy.
New synthesis route for cuprate oxide superconductors

Using high temperature processing techniques, we have synthesized BiSrCuO4−y a new cuprate oxide superconductor with no rare earth element, and YSrCuO4−y, also a new superconductor with Tc of about 80K.
The discriminative stimulus properties of ethanol and acute ethanol withdrawal states in rats.

Abstract Twelve male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained in a standard two-choice Drug 1-Drug 2 discrimination task utilizing 3.0 mg/kg chlordiazepoxide (CDP, an anxiolytic drug) and 20 mg/kg pentylenetetrazol (PTZ, an anxiogenic drug) as discriminative stimuli under a VR 5–15 schedule of food reinforcement. Saline tests conducted at specific time points after acute high doses of ethanol (3.0 and 4.0 g/kg) indicated a delayed rebound effect, evidenced by a shift to PTZ-appropriate responding. Insofar as such a shift in lever selection indexes a delayed anxiety-like state, this acute ‘withdrawal’ reaction can be said to induce an affective state similar to that seen with chronic ethanol withdrawal states. Ethanol generalization tests:1 resulted in a dose-and time-dependent biphasic generalization to CDP, (2) failed to block the PTZ stimulus and (3) failed to block the time- and dose-dependent elicitation of an ethanol-rebound effect. These data suggest that ethanol's anxiolytic effects are tenuous.
A New Nonlinear Pseudorandom Number Generator

During the next few years a new pseudorandom number generator will become available on many computer systems. A concern for the security of computer data has led to the adoption of a Data Encryption Standard (DES) by the National Bureau of Standards. This standard specifies a nonlinear cryptographic algorithm which can be used inter alia as a source of pseudorandom numbers in software applications, such as those involving order statistics, where the usual linear congruential and generalized feedback shift register generators seem to be inadequate. Results of testing the DES as a pseudorandom number generator indicate that the algorithm is more than satisfactory for this purpose.
Causal stable matched IIR wavelets and perfect reconstruction filter banks

Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filters have been the major players in the Wavelets and Multiresoltion Analysis field; mainly due to their ease of design and understandable nature, as well as their well behaved characteristics such as stability and linear phase response. However, it has been demonstrated that in a number of cases IIR filters are more appropriate. This paper describes a new solution for the wavelet conditions to derive stable IIR filters that are matched in a least squares sense to specified frequency responses. The derived solution treats independently the numerator and denominator in the rational transfer function. This solution can be applied to any IIR wavelet filter bank satisfying the orthogonality and perfect reconstruction conditions. Based on the proposed solutions, a new IIR wavelet filter bank with the low pass filter matched to a desired frequency response is developed.
Social, economic, and political factors in progress towards improving child survival in developing nations

Child mortality is a persistent health problem faced by developing nations. In 2000 the United Nations (UN) established a set of high priority goals to address global problems of poverty and health, the Millennium Development Goals, which address extreme poverty, hunger, primary education, child mortality, maternal health, infectious diseases, environmental sustainability, and partnerships for development. Goal 4 aims to reduce by two thirds, between 2000 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate in developing countries. In sub-Saharan Africa from 2000 to 2006 these rates have only been reduced from 167 per 1,000 live births to 157, and 27 nations in this region have made no progress towards the goal. A country-specific database was developed from the UN Millennium Development Goal tracking project and other international sources which include age distribution, under-nutrition, per capita income, government expenditures on health, external resources for health, civil liberties, and political rights. A multiple regression analysis examined the extent to which these factors explain the variance in child mortality rates in developing countries. Nutrition, external resources, and per capita income were shown to be significant factors in child survivability. Policy options include developed countries' renewed commitment of resources, and developing nations' commitments towards governance, development, equity, and transparency.
Effect of sodium molybdate on the binding of androgen-receptor complexes to germ cell and sertoli cell chromatin☆

Abstract This study explores the effect of molybdate on androgen receptors in relation to chromatin binding. Two fractions of testicular and prostatic cytosol were obtained by ammonium sulfate precipitation at 15–37% (I) and 37–47% (II) saturation. Both fractions from either tissue exhibited specific binding of [3H]-androgens which was thermolabile. With the exception of testicular fraction II, all fractions bound to Sertoli cell and germ cell chromatin. Prostatic [3H]-androgen-receptor complexes isolated from cytosols in the presence of 10 mM sodium molybdate showed a decreased ability (only 20–40%) to bind to either Sertoli cell or germ cell chromatin. Similarly, testicular [3H]-androgen-receptor complexes isolated in the presence of molybdate bound less well (60–70%) to Sertoli cell chromatin. On the other hand, inclusion of molybdate subsequent to ammonium sulfate precipitation did not significantly alter the binding ability of the receptor complexes to either chromatin. Also, the presence of molybdate during the receptor-chromatin interaction did not significantly decrease the ability of either prostatic or testicular androgen-receptor complexes to bind to Sertoli cell chromatin. These results indicate that the addition of molybdate prior to ammonium sulfate precipitation may impede the activation of androgen-receptor complexes by salt, resulting in a decreased ability of the steroid-receptor complexes to bind to chromatin acceptor sites. The data also indicate that molybdate exerts its inhibitory effect directly on the nonactivated receptor complexes and not on the chromatin acceptor sites.
Exploring the Neighborhood Contingency of Race Discrimination in Mortgage Lending in Columbus, Ohio

Discrimination in mortgage lending on the basis of race and the racial composition of neighborhoods has emerged as a hotly debated issue over the last several years. Part of the problem with the existing debate, however, is that the geographically contingent nature of discrimination has not been recognized. This paper argues that discrimination motivated by prejudice is contingent on the racial composition of neighborhoods—i.e., that lending institutions treat black mortgage applicants differently when buying homes in white neighborhoods than when buying homes in black neighborhoods. Using a sample of mortgage applicants drawn from the 1992 individual-level Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data for the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area, I found that the effect of being black on the conditional probability of having a loan application denied is much higher in all-white neighborhoods than in minority neighborhoods, especially for applicants making large loan requests. I also found that white applicants fo...
An optical interface message processor for fiber communication networks

Abstract We describe an optical interface message processor that explores the high-bandwidth, parallelism, and high information density offered by optics. The most time consuming operations in communication networks, such as switching and routing, are performed in optical domain in the proposed system. The design does not suffer from the optical/electrical conversion bottlenecks and can perform self-routing in the range of Gbits/s.
What Do Economics Majors Learn

Most of us naturally assume that the more courses a student takes the more he or she will learn. Little has been done, however, to determine just how much additional knowledge or understanding is acquired from economics courses above the introductory level. David Hartman, Director of Undergraduate Economics at Harvard, has taken an important step in attempting to measure the impact of the higher level courses. This atticle reports the results of a study of the effects of intermediate micro and macro courses, field courses, a “graduate-type highly theoretical course,” and a policy-oriented micro course. The report should be of great interest, and will probably engender additional research in other colleges.
PEG-Based Hydrogels with Collagen Mimetic Peptide-Mediated and Tunable Physical Cross-Links

Mechanical properties of tissue scaffolds have major effects on the morphology and differentiation of cells. In contrast to two-dimensional substrates, local biochemical and mechanical properties of three-dimensional hydrogels are difficult to control due to the geometrical confinement. We designed synthetic 3D hydrogels featuring complexes of four-arm poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and collagen mimetic peptides (CMPs) that form hydrogels via physical cross-links mediated by thermally reversible triple helical assembly of CMPs. Here we present the fabrication of various PEG-CMP 3D hydrogels and their local mechanical properties determined by particle tracking microrheology. Results show that CMP mediated physical cross-links can be disrupted by altering the temperature of the gel or by adding free CMPs that compete for triple helix formation. This allowed modulation of both bulk and local stiffness as well as the creation of stiffness gradients within the PEG-CMP hydrogel, which demonstrates its potential as a novel scaffold for encoding physicochemical signals for tissue formation.
Environmentalism and Public Virtue

Much of the literature addressing environmental virtue tends to focus on what might be called “personal virtue”—individual actions, characteristics, or dispositions that benefit the individual actor. There has, in contrast, been relatively little interest in either “virtue politics”—collective actions, characteristics, or dispositions—or in what might be called “public virtues,” actions, characteristics, or dispositions that benefit the community rather than the individual. This focus, however, is problematic, especially in a society that valorizes individuality. This paper examines public virtue and its role in environmental virtue ethics. First, I outline different types of virtue in order to frame the discussion of public virtues and, in particular, a subclass of virtues I will refer to as political virtue. Second, I focus on practical problems and address the inadequacy of personal virtue for effecting social change and, therefore, for addressing most environmental crises. Finally, I argue that public and political virtues are necessary, if under emphasized, conditions for the flourishing of the individual, and that they are important complements to more traditional environmental virtues.
Effect of tension parameters and intervals on splines‐under‐tension based robot trajectory planning

The new trajectory planner using cubic spline functions under tension in joint coordinates is developed and implemented in the 6 dof articulated robot with a parallel drive arm mechanism to improve the smoothness of the joint trajectories and positioning accuracy of the manipulator. Also, the optimal selection of the tension parameter and time interval selection schemes are investigated in this study. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A direct Newton method for calculus of variations

Consider m functions fi(x1,...,xn), the system of equations fi = 0, i = 1,..., m and the Newton iterations for this system that use the Moore-Penrose inverse of the Jacobin matrix. Under standard assumptions, the Newton iterations converge quadratically to a stationary point of the sum-of-squares Σ fi2. Approximating derivatives x as differences Δx/Δt with Δt = h, we apply the Newton method to the system obtained by discretizing the integral ∫t0t1 L(t,x,x) dt. The approximate solutions yh of the discretized problem are shown to converge to a solution of the Euler-Lagrange boundary value problem (d/dt)∂L/∂x = ∂L/∂x with the degree of approximation linear in h, if the Lagrangian L(t,x,x) is twice continuously differentiable. Higher continuous derivatives of L guarantee higher orders of approximation.
Surgical complications of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug-induced small bowel ulceration

Abstract Background: The association between nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) intake and gastroduodenal peptic ulceration is well recognized. Recent experimental data implicate NSAIDs in the development of a similar spectrum of pathologic lesions of the small bowel. However, clinically significant NSAID-induced small bowel ulcerations have been reported infrequently. This study sought to examine small bowel complications of NSAID use requiring surgical intervention. Study Design: A retrospective study of all patients (n = 283) who underwent small bowel resection on the general surgery services at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center during a 3-year period from 1991 to 1994 was conducted. Patients who had a history of chronic NSAID use, no other predisposing risk factors for gastrointestinal bleeding, and pathologically confirmed small bowel ulcerations complicated by hemorrhage, perforation, or obstruction were included in this study. Results: Eleven patients with 12 surgical complications of NSAID-induced small bowel ulcerations were identified. These 11 patients all underwent emergent laparotomies with small bowel resection (one patient had two separate operations, 8 months apart). Small bowel ulcerations were noted to occur in the jejunum4 and the ileum8 and were multiple in half of the cases. Complications included bleeding (50%), perforation (33%), and obstruction (17%). Conclusions: This report is the first examining a series of surgical complications of NSAID-associated small bowel ulcerations. Our data suggest that small bowel complications of NSAID use requiring surgical intervention may occur more frequently than is currently recognized and, like peptic ulcer disease attributed to NSAIDs, result in significant morbidity and mortality.
Temperature-enthalpy approach to the modelling of self-propagating combustion synthesis of materials

A new temperature-enthalpy approach has been proposed to model self-propagating combustion synthesis of advanced materials. This approach includes the effect of phase change which might take place during a combustion process. The effect of compact porosity is also modelled based on the conduction, convection and radiation in the local scale. Various parametric studies are made to analyse numerically the effects of activation energy, non-reacting phase content, porosity, Biot number, etc. The model predictions of the combustion pattern are in close agreement with those observed in experiments.
The proximal development of the Middle Ordovician graptolite Skanegraptus janus from the Krapperup drill core of Scania, Sweden

The new axonophoran genus and species Skanegraptus janus from the Middle Ordovician Holmograptus lentus Biozone of the Krapperup drill core (Scania, SW Sweden) bears a proximal development pattern with an apparent paired origin and metathecal upward growth of th12 and th21 on the reverse side, a pattern that is identical to the externally visible structures of Mitchell's patterns G and K and can be compared closely to the pattern E, F, H and I astogenies. It sheds new light on the evolution of the proximal development types and their complex changes and cautions to identify these patterns if internal details, such as the development of the crossing canal(s) and the precise origin of primordial thecae, are unknown from growth line evidence.
Linear radiosity approximation using vertex-to-vertex form factors

Publisher Summary Linear radiosity variation can be incorporated into both ray-tracing and hemicube methods. Ray-tracing methods for progressive radiosity shoot rays from a patch to a vertex and can use linearly interpolated radiosities at sample points on the patch to find the energy transported along each ray. This chapter presents the hemicube algorithm. In the finite element conceptual framework, the radiosity variation is approximated by a linear combination of basic functions or shape functions. All polygons are divided into triangles so that the vertex radiosities specify a linear radiosity variation on each triangle. The energy-balance criterion gives the system of linear equations that can be solved for the unknown radiosities B i using Gauss–Seidel iteration. When hemicubes are placed at a vertex problems arise at a concave corner instead of a face center because faces adjacent to the vertex project onto the hemicube as lines, instead of as the area appropriate for computing the energy balance.
On the Variance of Estimates of the Standard Deviation and Variance

(1951). On the Variance of Estimates of the Standard Deviation and Variance. Journal of the American Statistical Association: Vol. 46, No. 254, pp. 220-224.
Micromechanics of deformation in particle-toughened polyamides

It is now well appreciated that a number of semicrystalline polymers can be effectively toughened by the addition of a well-dispersed secondary phase, when the average interparticle matrix ligament thickness, Λ, of the blend is reduced below a critical length parameter, Λc. This critical parameter is a specific material characteristic of the base polymer and can be achieved by various combinations of filler particle volume fraction and particle size. Recently, the significant improvements in toughness achieved when Λ≤Λc were attributed to a morphological transition taking place when interface-induced crystallization of characteristic thickness Λc/2 successfully percolates through the primary phase. These transcrystallized layers are highly anisotropic in their mechanical response and, as a result, change the preferred modes of plastic deformation in the material, enabling the large plastic strains, which provide the high toughness. This study aims to elucidate the micromechanics and micromechanisms responsible for the high toughness exhibited by these morphologically altered heterogeneous systems via a series of micromechanical models. The case of polyamide-6 modified with cavitating spherical elastomeric particles treated as voids is modeled. It is found that the mechanical response and local modes of plastic deformation of these systems depend strongly on the morphology of the primary phase, the volume fraction of filler particles and the level of applied stress triaxiality. In particular, when Λ<Λc and highly textured material percolates through the matrix, the material is found to deform by multiple shear banding along crystallographic planes of low shear resistance in the matrix ligaments diagonally bridging particles. This mode of plastic deformation is found to be robust to increases in triaxiality and, indeed, the textured material acts to resist void growth while promoting shear along the preferentially oriented crystallographic planes.
New therapies for diabetes.

The role of hormones secreted by the gut in maintaining blood glucose homeostasis has recently been recognized. This recognition has led to the emergence of several novel classes of medications—the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists and the dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-IV inhibitors—that may target a key element of the underlying pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Both GLP-1 agonists and DPP-IV inhibitors may have the ability to expand β-cell mass. Because the demise of β-cell mass and function is a critical element in the progression of type 2 DM, these agents may have the potential to reverse the natural history of type 2 DM. However, further studies are needed to confirm both long-term β-cell preservation and the role of these agents in the management of diabetes.
On parallel object oriented programming in Fortran 90

The C++ programming language [6, 10] is well-known for its support of object oriented concepts, useful in abstraction modeling. Containing many important features, its popularity is growing with a new generation of scientists anxious to bring clarity and flexibility to their programming efforts. Nevertheless, most of the scientific applications in development and use today are based on Fortran, the most popular language for scientific programming.Fortran is not a static language, it has continually evolved to include the most recent proven ideas and concepts garnered from other programming languages. Until recently, many of the most modern features were not available, complicating abstraction modeling for large scale development projects. This can make software difficult to comprehend, unsafe and potentially useless. The emergence of Fortran 90 [3] has dramatically changed the prospects of Fortran programming. Not only are many of the most modern aspects of programming language techniques included in the standard, there are also specific new additions that will undoubtedly affect the next generation of all languages used in scientific programming [8].