cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Theory of voltage decay in applied-B ion diodes

A recently proposed theory of applied-B ion diodes has proved very successful in predicting the diode voltage and current at peak power in several experiments and numerical simulations. For times after peak power, the basic theory is in good agreement with simulation but does not predict the experimentally observed voltage decay, suggesting a mechanism involving the anode plasma. A simple model of the flux penetration that consists of a constant density and velocity for the expanding anode layer, moderated by the erosion velocity of the ion beam, has been found to be in good agreement with a number of experiments for very reasonable layer densities and velocities. Examination of this system has revealed that, for a given layer density and expansion velocity, there exists a current density that maximizes the decay rate. Ion emission with a uniform current density that is less than the value that maximizes the decay rate has been shown to be unstable, leading to nonuniformities. Since the local variations in the ion emission result from nonuniformities of the flux penetration, this instability directly affects the ion beam focus. >
Hydrogels of Versatile Size and Architecture for Effective Environmental Applications

Cationic hydrogels from a positively charged monomer, (3-Acrylamidopropyl)-trimethylammonium chloride (APTMACl), were synthesized as bulk, and micro- and nano-sizes. These hydrogels were utilized to remove contaminants such as food dyes and an environmentally toxic metal, arsenic. The micro- and nanohydrogels were dispersed in another hydrogel network to design a semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN) which was shownto visualize the particles that canbe used for absorptionpurposes. The micron-sized cationic hydrogel particles were very effective in the removal of arsenic from an aqueous environment- 96% of the arsenic was removed in less than 10 min from a 55-ppm aqueous stock solution. Cationic hydrogels ca. 5 nm were also prepared and demonstrated for fluorescein dye absorption in the nanohydrogel-hydrogel semi-IPN. Hydrogel particle sizes were investigated with microscopic methods, such as optical, fluorescence, scanning electron and transmission electron microcopes.
GAIA: graph classification using evolutionary computation

Discriminative subgraphs are widely used to define the feature space for graph classification in large graph databases. Several scalable approaches have been proposed to mine discriminative subgraphs. However, their intensive computation needs prevent them from mining large databases. We propose an efficient method GAIA for mining discriminative subgraphs for graph classification in large databases. Our method employs a novel subgraph encoding approach to support an arbitrary subgraph pattern exploration order and explores the subgraph pattern space in a process resembling biological evolution. In this manner, GAIA is able to find discriminative subgraph patterns much faster than other algorithms. Additionally, we take advantage of parallel computing to further improve the quality of resulting patterns. In the end, we employ sequential coverage to generate association rules as graph classifiers using patterns mined by GAIA. Extensive experiments have been performed to analyze the performance of GAIA and to compare it with two other state-of-the-art approaches. GAIA outperforms the other approaches both in terms of classification accuracy and runtime efficiency.
Rapid Feedback Assessment Methods: Can We Improve Engagement and Preparation for Exams in Large-enrollment Courses?

Scratch-off immediate feedback assessment technique (IF-AT) forms and classroom response systems (clickers) can increase student engagement and interaction and help students prepare for exams by indicating the type and level of questions they will encounter. We used the IF-AT throughout the semester in three sections of a lower-division biology class; in two, students worked on IF-AT questions in small permanent groups, and in one, students alternated between IF-AT and clickers each week. At the end of the semester, students answered surveys about instant feedback techniques. Students appreciated prompt feedback on their understanding of course material, enjoyed the group interaction and opportunities to learn from each other, and continued to have positive perceptions of instant feedback activities and to take them seriously throughout the semester. While appreciating the versatility of clicker questions, we find that the ease of use, low cost, effectiveness, and improved classroom climate of the IF-AT method are particularly commendable.
Interpreting missense mutations in Human TRIM5alpha by computational methods

Background The human restriction factor TRIM5α may play an important role in regulation of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is unclear whether non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNP) in TRIM5α affect the clinical course of HIV infection.
Diameter measurement of single-mode fiber by using interferometric and imaging techniques.

Two methods to measure the cladding diameter of single-mode fibers are presented. The first method is based on an interference fringe measurement technique. Interference fringe spacing at two different planes is measured to determine the cladding diameter of the fiber. The theory of the fringe formation in the interferometeric arrangement using single-mode fibers is discussed. It is theoretically shown that the far-field overlapping Gaussian field distribution from the fibers shifts the position of the fringe maxima and minima. As a special case of unit fringe visibility the minima positions do not shift, whereas the maxima positions are shifted. In the case of a Lloyd mirror arrangement it is shown that fringes can be obtained from a rough surface as well. A lens is used in the second method to image the two identical point sources that cause the interference. Through the use of the magnification and spacing of the images, the cladding diameter is estimated. It is shown that the accuracy of the fiber cladding-diameter measurement can be enhanced by generating multiple point sources. Consistent results of the fiber cladding diameter have been obtained with the proposed methods. Fiber cladding-diameter measurements with a standard error of less than 0.15 μm can be achieved.
A CASE Tool for Object-Oriented Database Design

There have been many CASE tools developed for designing Relational Database applications. However, not many CASE tools exist for designing Object-Oriented Database (00DB) applications. A key difference is that OODBs have methods or operations in addition to the data structures; hence, an Automatic Code Generation module is needed for such a CASE tool. This paper describes algorithms that embed the integrity constraints into the methods so that automatic constraint checking is done when any of the basic methods are invoked. The basic methods we consider are the constructor (for creating new objects of a class), destructor (for removing objects), modifier (for modifying attribute or instance variables), relator (for relating objects), and unrelator (for removing object relationships). The CASE tool has a Graphical User Interface (GUI) which takes an Enhanced Entity-Relationship (EER) schema as an input and creates a textual representation of EER schema objects. This is then transformed and stored in the CASE tool directory and an Automatic Code Generation program generates code skeletons for generic methods (operations) for the object classes. Automatic Code Generation program generates the code for the ODE object-oriented DBMS classes after mapping from the EER to an OO schema.
Trends in recording and control technologies and evolution of subsystem architectures for data storage

The author describes past progress in technologies important to data storage and their application in the latest products. He examines future storage trends and the key technical challenges involved in extending recording technologies. He also briefly contrasts magnetic and optical storage devices and suggests how they can be best applied. It is suggested that optical storage technology will initially establish itself in applications which can capitalize on a single removal disk with very high capacity. In a broader sense, both technologies will coexist, with magnetic recording remaining the dominant technology for the foreseeable future. >
Stability of a viscous liquid curtain

The stability of a viscous liquid curtain falling down steadily under the influence of gravity is investigated. Both spatially and temporally changing disturbances are considered in the linear analysis. Only the spatially growing sinuous disturbances whose group velocity points toward upstream are unstable. The group velocity is in the upstream direction only when the Weber number of the curtain flow exceeds ½. The predicted critical Weber number agrees completely with that found experimentally by Brown (1961). The viscosity is shown to have the dual roles of increasing the amplification rate as well as the damping rate of the disturbances.
Molecular phylogeny of the assassin bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), based on mitochondrial and nuclear ribosomal genes.

Abstract The first comprehensive cladistic analysis of Reduviidae, the assassin bugs, based on molecular data is presented and discussed in the context of a recently-published morphological analysis. Assassin bugs are essential components of ecosystems, but also important in agriculture and medicine. Sampling included 94 taxa (89 Reduviidae, 5 outgroups) in 15 subfamilies and 24 tribes of Reduviidae and is based on ∼3300 base pairs of mitochondrial (16S) and nuclear (18S, 28SD2, 28SD3-5) ribosomal DNA. Partitions of the dataset were aligned using different algorithms implemented in MAFFT and the combined dataset was analyzed using parsimony, partitioned maximum likelihood and partitioned Bayesian criteria. Clades recovered in all analyses, independent of alignment and analytical method, comprise: Cimicomorpha and Reduviidae; Hammacerinae; Harpactorinae; Apiomerini; Peiratinae; Phymatinae; Salyavatinae; Triatominae; Phymatinae + Holoptilinae; the higher Reduviidae (Reduviidae excluding Hammacerinae and the Phymatine Complex); Ectrichodiinae + Tribelocephalinae; (Triatominae + Zelurus) + Stenopodainae. Hammacerinae are rejected as sister group to all remaining Reduviidae in all analyses, as is the monophyly of Reduviinae, Emesinae and Harpactorini. High support values for Triatominae imply that blood-feeding has evolved only once within Reduviidae. Stenopodainae and part of Reduviinae are discussed as close relatives to Triatominae.
Trajectories of autonomy development across the adolescent transition in children with spina bifida.

Objective: The current study investigated individual growth in autonomy development across the adolescent transition, comparing the trajectories of children with and without spina bifida. Method: Individual growth curve modeling procedures were utilized to describe the developmental course of autonomy across four waves of data collection, from ages 9 to 15, and to test whether illness status [spina bifida vs. matched comparison group (N 68 for both groups at Time 1)] would significantly predict individual variability in autonomy development. Potential moderators [child gender, SES, and Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) score] of the association between illness status and autonomy development were also examined. Results: Children with spina bifida demonstrated distinct developmental trajectories, though the nature of the group differences varied by type of autonomy development (emotional vs. behavioral), context (i.e. school vs. family), and reporter. Significant interactions with PPVT score and child gender were found. Conclusion: Overall, children with spina bifida show considerable developmental resiliency, but may lag behind their peers in specific areas of autonomy. Boys with spina bifida, and children with spina bifida who have lower than average levels of verbal intelligence, appear to be at greater risk for exhibiting delays in autonomy development.
Optimizing image-to-background irradiance ratio in far-field in-line holography.

The role of the background irradiance in far-field in-line holography has been systematically studied for improving image-to-background intensity ratio. With given exposure limits, the allowable range for average or background exposure is also discussed for the recordability of high-contrast fringes. A specific example of an Agfa 10E75 plate is considered. Within the allowed background exposure limits, the possibilities are then discussed for optimizing the image-to-background irradiance ratio. Limits caused by the dynamic range of the video system are discussed. Some experimental results are also presented.
Role of intertendinous connections in distribution of force in the human extensor digitorum muscle.

The human extensor digitorum (ED) muscle gives rise distally to multiple tendons that insert onto and extend digits 2–5. It has been shown previously that the spike-triggered average forces of motor units in ED are broadly distributed across many tendons. Such force dispersion may result from linkages between the distal tendons of ED and may limit the ability to move the fingers independently. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to determine the extent to which the connections between tendons of ED distribute force across the fingers. Stimulation of ED muscle fibers was performed at 107 different sites in four subjects. The isometric force exerted on digits 2–5 resulting from the stimulation was measured separately. Stimulus-triggered averaging of each of the four force channels yielded the force contribution to each of the digits due to the stimulation at each site. A selectivity index from 0 (a site that distributes force equally across the fingers) to 1.0 (a site that produces force on a single finger) was computed to describe the distribution of force across the four fingers. The selectivity index resulting from electrical stimulation of ED averaged 0.70 ± 0.21. These selectivity index values were significantly greater (P < 0.001) than those obtained for single motor units using spike-triggered averaging. These findings suggest that linkages between the distal tendons of ED probably play only a minor role in distributing force across the fingers and, therefore, other factors must be primarily responsible for the inability to move the fingers independently. Muscle Nerve 28: 614–622, 2003
A Variable-Step-Size Robust Delta Modulator

An optimum adaptive delta modulator-demodulator configuration is derived. This device utilizes two past samples to obtain a step size which minimizes the mean square error for a Markov Gaussian source. The optimum system is compared using computer simulations with the linear delta modulator and an enhanced Abate delta modulator. In addition the performance is compared to the rate distortion bound for a Markov source. It is shown that the optimum delta modulator is neither quantization nor slope-overload limited. The highly nonlinear equations obtained for the optimum transmitter and receiver are approximated by piecewise-linear equations in order to obtain system equations which can be transformed into hardware. The derivation of the experimental system is presented. The experimental "optimum" system, an enhanced version of the Abate delta modulator and a linear delta modulator were tested and compared using sinusoidal, square-wave, and pseudorandom binary sequence inputs. The results show that the output signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio is approximately independent of the input signal power and is subject only to the limitations of the hardware employed. In addition, voice was recorded using these systems. The demodulated voice indicates negligible degradation is caused by the optimum system and by the enhanced Abate system while the linear delta modulator suffers significant degradation at a sampling frequency of 56 k/s. The systems were also tested at 19.2 k/s. At this bit rate, speech recognition, using the experimental "optimum" system, remained completely intelligible.
Chemical Composition and Protein Quality of Some Southern New England Marine Species

Chemical composition, nutritional quality of protein and mineral content of cod, whiting, scup, squid and monkfish were determined. With a protein content ranging between 15 and 18%, the amino acid composition, in vitro enzymatic digestibility and PER evaluation indicated variation among two species. Protein quality of scup was significantly superior and that of squid was significantly inferior (p < 0.05) when compared to other species. The ratio of essential to nonessential amino acids ranged between a high of 0.72 for whiting and a low of 0.62 for squid. The cholesterol values for all the species, except squid (80.65 mg/100g tissue), were between 18.58 and 37.69 mg/100g tissue. The elemental analysis indicated scup and squid values deviating from the other species for major essential trace elements.
When Summands of Completely Decomposable Modules Are Completely Decomposable

We examine when summands of completely decomposable modules over a domain R are again completely decomposable. We show that this is the case if R is an h-local Prufer domain. If R is 1-dimensional Noetherian, then the problem reduces locally if almost all localizations are integrally closed. If R is 1-dimensional Noetherian and local, then the integral closure of R must have at most two maximal ideals.
Complete recovery from prolonged cardio‐pulmonary resuscitation following anaphylactic reaction to readministered intravenous cefazolin

We describe a patient who developed a type I anaphylactic reaction to intravenous cefazolin. The patient had no known drug allergies and had previously received intraoperative intravenous cefazolin 2 months prior without any problems. Forty-fives after receiving cefazolin 1 g i.v. and while fully awake, the patient experienced shortness of breath, became unconscious, and then suffered a cardiac arrest. Resuscitation included endotracheal intubation, external cardiac compression, electrical defibrillation and multiple large doses of epinephrine, atropine, and sodium bicarbonate over the course of 2.5 h and three cardiac arrests. Nevertheless, the patient fully recovered. The intent of this case report is to address widely held concerns regarding cross-reactivity of cephalosporin, particularly cefazolin, to penicillin, the legitimacy of test dosing as a means to safely identify patients who will have an allergic reaction to cephalosporins and comment on patient-related predictors of survival following cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the good outcome in this case.
Approaches to sonar beamforming

The processing of signals received from an array of sensors, termed beamforming, can result in the improved performance of systems designed for the detection and estimation of propagating signals. Several approaches to sonar beamforming are presented. The basic concepts behind the beamforming of signals obtained from an array of sensors are presented and demonstrated. Conventional and modern beamforming approaches are motivated and defined, and the advantages and drawbacks of each are discussed. The potential power of modern beamforming techniques is illustrated through a computer simulation evaluating the ability of several beamforming techniques to resolve between two closely spaced sources. The need of beamforming algorithm evaluation in conditions characteristic of the undersea environment is highlighted. >
New architectures for M4R shape coding

New architectures for M4R shape encoding and decoding are presented. The M4R method encodes the changing pixels in boundary blocks of two-dimensional shapes. Pipelined architectures for encoding and decoding which reduce memory access, use customized hardware to accelerate critical components, require little external control, and can be easily parallelized are described.
Endovascular treatment of lesions in the below-knee popliteal artery

Background Endovascular interventions are increasing; however, there are little data regarding outcomes of complex interventions involving the below-knee popliteal/P3 artery. This study evaluated the short-term and long-term results and predictors of success of below-knee popliteal artery endovascular interventions. Methods This was a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained endovascular lower extremity database of all patients with below-knee popliteal interventions from 2004 to 2012. Patient demographics, angiographic findings, interventions, primary and secondary patency, limb loss, and mortality were recorded. Analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier life-table and multivariate analysis, with P Results There were 221 patients (56% male) with below-knee popliteal/P3 artery lesions. Mean age was 73 ± 11.2 years. Claudication was present in 22% and critical limb ischemia (CLI) in 78%. Mean lesion length was 10 ± 8.5 cm, with 45% having total occlusions. Treatment included percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with or without a stent (47%), atherectomy (ATH) with or without PTA/stent (52%), and stenting with PTA and ATH (3%). Complications included embolization (0.4%), hematoma (2.7%), pseudoaneurysm (1.3%), and dissection (7%). Freedom from restenosis (peak systolic velocity ratio >2.4) was 65% at 1 year. Independent predictors of restenosis were CLI (hazard risk [HR], 4.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9-9.9) and stenting combined with PTA and ATH (HR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.01-7.4). Primary assisted and secondary patencies were 95% and 85% at 1 year. ATH with PTA had lower short-term restenosis in diabetic patients compared with nondiabetic patients (95% vs 78% at 4 months). Limb loss was 18% at 4 years. Mortality was 24% at 4 years. Statin use was protective against primary restenosis (HR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.23-0.67) and death (HR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.28-1.0). Conclusions Endovascular intervention for lesions involving the below-knee popliteal artery is a safe and effective therapy for claudication and CLI. Diabetic patients benefit most from ATH with PTA. Statin use is protective against restenosis and mortality and should be the standard of care in patients undergoing peripheral endovascular interventions.
A survey and new measurements of ice vapor pressure at temperatures between 170 and 250K

New measurements of ice vapor pressures at temperatures between 170 and 250 K are presented and published vapor pressure data are summarized. An empirical vapor pressure equation was derived and allows prediction of vapor pressures between 170 k and the triple point of water with an accuracy of approximately 2 percent. Predictions obtained agree, within experimental uncertainty, with the most reliable equation derived from thermodynamic principles.
The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act: A 'Look Back' to Understand the Future

Nearly 50 years ago, the detrimental health consequences from the use of tobacco products became evident when the United States Surgeon General informed the nation that smoking causes lung cancer. Congress subsequently initiated tobacco product regulation in 1965 with passage of the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act, requiring warning labels and a ban on television and radio advertising. Congress continued to establish a regulatory scheme for tobacco products until the United States Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) attempted to regulate tobacco products with the FDA Rule of 1996. The FDA Rule of 1996 was the legislation in question before the United States Supreme Court in FDA v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation in 2000, where the court ruled FDA lacked the legal authority to regulate tobacco.The impetus for enactment of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009 (FSPTCA), which established FDA jurisdiction, was due in part to the Brown case and in part to the detrimental health impact from of tobacco product use. The FSPTCA grants FDA “authority to regulate the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of tobacco products to protect the public health generally and to reduce tobacco use by children and adolescents.” It is important to review prior legislative efforts to understand why the FSPTCA is deemed milestone legislation.
This is How You Make a GARCH Smile - An Improved Estimation and Calibration Method for a Family of GARCH Models

This paper proposes an improved estimation and calibration method to a family of GARCH models. The suggested method fixes one parameter such that the unconditional kurtosis of the model matches the sample kurtosis. The method can be used to estimate the model on historical returns, or calibrate it on observed option prices. An empirical analysis using Engle and Ng's (1993) NGARCH(1,1) model shows that the method dominates previous estimation methods on multiple aspects. When estimating on historical returns, the processing time is cut in half, and the out of sample fit is improved. When calibrating on observed option prices, the optimization is simplified and the processing time is reduced by 50%, without affecting the quality of the fit. Results are robust to various samples and selection of initial values.
Slow Internal Dynamics and Structural Properties of IDPs of the Ct Family: Comparing Amyloid and Non-Amyloid Variants

The calcitonin peptide (Ct) family includes intrinsically disordered peptides which function as hormones (regulating glucose levels in the blood, calcium resorption in the bone, vasodilation and the transmission of pain signals, and triggering migraine attacks). They have highly conserved sequence elements, share key structural features, and bind to similar receptors. Their characterization is extremely challenging due to their low molecular weight and size, the absence of persistent secondary structure, and the high propensity of some Ct sequences to aggregate into pathological amyloid fibers. Using nanosecond laser-pump spectroscopy, in combination with other techniques, allows quantifying structural and dynamical features of these IDPs which are important for their function and pathological aggregation.
Nasopharyngeal cancers: A retrospective comparative analysis of radiotherapy alone versus chemo-radiation (Benghazi experience).

Introduction: Cancer of Nasopharynx is an important disease in Maghreb region. 75 patients (4.3%) of cancer nasopharynx between the years 1995 to 2000 were referred to our centre in Benghazi out of total 1757 patients. This study was done to analyze the clinical presentations and to study response to the treatment practiced. Materials And Methods: 59 patients were available with full records excluding the recurrent and metastatic presentation. 37 were males with 22 females (1.7:1), (31/59) 52% patients were from 25-49 years, (17/59) 28.8% were from 50-60 years. 44/59 (74%) patients presented with Lymphadenopathy either unilateral or bilateral. 46/59 (78%) of patients were in clinical stage II or III. 44/59 (74%) of patients were of undifferentiated histology. Results: The pattern of clinical response and trend of follow up those that received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy and radiotherapy alone are discussed. Discussion : In our analysis, we also found that the patients who had received chemotherapy by and large had a less trend to towards developing metastatic disease and local recurrence and faired better. Conclusion: We are now following the protocol of Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by chemo-radiotherapy and followed by chemotherapy and results will mature in the years to come.
Engineering knowledge

Knowledge engineers build knowledge-based systems in order to solve problems in a particular field of human endeavor. Knowledge-based systems use ontologies to organize concepts and relationships between concepts. This paper presents two undergraduate research projects in developing two different types of ontologies.
The Unrelenting Search for a Quick Fix

Cassidy, Ortlieb, and Grote-Garcia (2016) have penned an important and insightful article. This reflection on the impact of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS; National Governors Association [NG...
RISK MANAGEMENT AMONG NATIVE AMERICAN HORTICULTURALISTS OF THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES (1715–1825)

In this paper I review risk management and horticultural production among the Muscogee Creek of southeastern North America (1715–1825) in an attempt to understand decisions about land use. The z-score model and the marginal value theorem are developed, incorporating the effects of population growth among consumers and confounding variables that result from long-term resource consumption. The study calculated the annual productivity of horticultural fields of the Muscogee town of Cussetuh between 1715 and 1825 and found that the native people were not maximizing long-term average maize yield. The Cussetuh ceased using their horticultural fields sooner than a marginal value model would predict, which is consistent with the z-score model of a risk-sensitive consumer. I discuss implications of the finding that the Southeastern Native Americans were risk sensitive.
"Leading Aesthetically: Emily Edwards, Rena Maverick Green, and the San Antonio Conservation Society"

While scholarly interest in artful perspectives of leadership seems to be on the rise, research development of these concepts is still at a nascent stage. As a result, there have been calls for mor...
Jamming Model on Anti-missile Based on Exploratory Analysis

To solve the problem of surfaceship's anti-missile jamming,based on exploratory analysis,this paper constructed the centroid jamming model and analysised 8 factors'impact on the effect of centroid jamming,including the w ind 's speed,the w ind 's direction and the anti-ship missile 's direction,etc.Then the robust tactics of surfaceship's evading and centroid jamming missile's projecting w ere disscussed after analysing the result of the simulation expirement.
Evaluation on the Suspect Measles Surveillance System during 2000-2004 in Taihexian

Objective To study measles epidemiological characteristics and speed up the process of measles control in Taihe.Methods The immunization history of measles cases by age and operation situation of suspect measles surveillance system during 2000~2004 in Taihe was analyzed.Results The results showed that measles cases reported by suspect measles surveillance were 116.09% higher than that by national notifiable disease reporting system.Among the suspect cases,7~14 years cases accounted for 59.04%,those who had no immunization history accounted for 13.03%,those with unclear immunization history accounted for 26.06%.Conclusion The suspect measles surveillance system was sensitive enough,but it would still be a long period and hard task to improve its quality.
Approximations and Solution Estimates in Optimization

Approximation is central to many optimization problems and the supporting theory provides insight as well as foundation for algorithms. In this paper, we lay out a broad framework for quantifying approximations by viewing finite- and infinite-dimensional constrained minimization problems as instances of extended real-valued lower semicontinuous functions defined on a general metric space. Since the Attouch-Wets distance between such functions quantifies epi-convergence, we are able to obtain estimates of optimal solutions and optimal values through bounds of that distance. In particular, we show that near-optimal and near-feasible solutions are effectively Lipschitz continuous with modulus one in this distance. Under additional assumptions on the underlying metric space, we construct approximating functions involving only a finite number of parameters that still are close to an arbitrary extended real-valued lower semicontinuous functions.
Is there resetting of central venous pressure in microgravity

In the early phase of the Space Shuttle program, NASA flight surgeons implemented a fluid-loading countermeasure in which astronauts were instructed to ingest eight 1-g salt tablets with 960 ml of water approximately 2 hours prior to reentry from space. This fluid loading regimen was intended to enhance orthostatic tolerance by replacing circulating plasma volume reduced during the space mission. Unfortunately, fluid loading failed to replace plasma volume in groundbased experiments and has proven minimally effective as a countermeasure against post-spaceflight orthostatic intolerance. In addition to the reduction of plasma volume, central venous pressure (CVP) is reduced during exposure to actual and groundbased analogs of microgravity. In the present study, we hypothesized that the reduction in CVP due to exposure to microgravity represents a resetting of the CVP operating point to a lower threshold. A lower CVP 'setpoint' might explain the failure of fluid loading to restore plasma volume. In order to test this hypothesis, we conducted an investigation in which we administered an acute volume load (stimulus) and measured responses in CVP, plasma volume and renal functions. If our hypothesis is true, we would expect the elevation in CVP induced by saline infusion to return to its pre-infusion levels in both HDT and upright control conditions despite lower vascular volume during HDT. In contrast to previous experiments, our approach is novel in that it provides information on alterations in CVP and vascular volume during HDT that are necessary for interpretation of the proposed CVP operating point resetting hypothesis.
Hope theory and cognitive-behavioral therapies.

Publisher Summary Goal-directed thinking is the kind of thinking in which people appraise their capability to produce workable routes to goals (pathway thinking), along with their potential to initiate and sustain a movement via a pathway (agency thinking). The chapter explores the theoretical and clinical implications of hope theory regarding the broad class of interventions that are designated as cognitive-behavioral. Specifically, it examines cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) through the interpretive lens of hope theory, both as a means of explaining the impressive efficacy of CBT interventions and as a means of articulating recommendations for the optimal implementation of CBT procedures. In addition, the chapter discusses many of the theories and interventions developed within the diverse set of therapies that have been designated CBT. Based on this understanding, it identifies a number of core features that emerge from an analysis of various CBT approaches. These core features can be separated into factors specific to CBT and common factors that are characteristic of most therapies. It focuses on factors specific to CBT that relate to the hope theory. Finally, CBT interventions are characterized by an explicit commitment to the implementation of only the specific intervention procedures (pathways) that have been demonstrated through clinical research to be efficacious in promoting clinical goal attainment.
Data Structures and Algorithms Using Visual Basic.Net: Advanced Data Structures and Algorithms for Searching

In this chapter, we present a set of advanced data structures and algorithms for performing searching. The data structures we cover include the red–black tree, the splay tree, and the skip list. AVL trees and red–black trees are two solutions to the problem of handling unbalanced binary search trees. The skip list is an alternative to using a treelike data structure that foregoes the complexity of the red–black and splay trees. AVL Trees Named for the two computer scientists who discovered this data structure—G. M. Adelson-Velskii and E. M. Landis—in 1962, AVL trees provide another solution to maintaining balanced binary trees. The defining characteristic of an AVL tree is that the difference between the height of the right and left subtrees can never be more than one. AVL Tree Fundamentals To guarantee that the tree always stays “in balance,” the AVL tree continually compares the heights of the left and right subtrees. AVL trees utilize a technique, called a rotation, to keep them in balance. To understand how a rotation works, let's look at a simple example that builds a binary tree of integers. Starting with the tree shown in Figure 15.1, if we insert the value 10 into the tree, the tree becomes unbalanced, as shown in Figure 15.2. The left subtree now has a height of 2, but the right subtree has a height of 0, violating the rule for AVL trees.
Zinc deficiency alters expression of genes involved in DNA damage response in normal human prostate epithelial cells and mouse prostates.

B52 Zinc is an essential mineral that is a component of multiple enzymes and transcription factors. Studies have shown that zinc status is compromised in cancer patients and zinc deficiency results in increased oxidative stress and DNA damage. The normal prostate accumulates high levels of zinc which is markedly decreased with cancer development. This data suggests that zinc could play an important role in protecting the prostate against cancer development. Since zinc is a critical component of many proteins involved in the DNA damage response, we hypothesized that zinc deficiency will result in the impairment of mechanisms involved in maintaining DNA integrity. This study examined the effect of zinc deficiency on DNA damage, global gene expression and transcription factor binding. Normal prostate epithelial cells, PrEC, were grown in either zinc deficient (ZnDF) or zinc adequate (ZnAD) media for 7 days. Zinc deficiency resulted in increased single-strand DNA breaks. Using the Affymetrix HG-U133A GeneChip, differential expression of genes involved in cell cycle, apoptosis, transcription and DNA damage response due to zinc deficiency in the prostate were identified. In particular, TP73, MRE11A, XRCC4 and BRCA2 were down-regulated and p53 was up-regulated with zinc deficiency. P53 is a transcription factor that is commonly mutated in many cancers, and contains zinc in its DNA binding site. Western blotting showed increased nuclear p53 expression in ZnDF compared to ZnAD cells. Despite increased p53 gene and nuclear protein expression, no significant change in p53 binding activity was observed by Transcription Factor Array and EMSA. Furthermore, no changes in gene expression of the downstream p53 targets, p21, GADD45 and BAX was observed. These data indicate that zinc deficiency may compromise DNA integrity in the prostate by impairing the function of p53, possibly through loss of zinc in the DNA binding region. To parallel the in vitro study an in vivo study was conducted in mice. Mice were fed zinc adequate or zinc deficient diet for 5 weeks to induce zinc deficiency. Global gene expression changes in the prostate were assessed using the Affymetrix Mouse 430 2.0 GeneChip. Similar classes of genes were differentially expressed. In particular genes involved in apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, transcription, and several genes known to possess zinc binding properties were differentially expressed. However, no change in p53 gene expression in mouse prostates was observed with zinc deficiency. Additional analysis of these data are planned and will include further analysis of p53, such as nuclear protein expression, binding activity and effects on downstream p53 targets. Together, these data strongly suggest that zinc plays an essential role in maintaining DNA integrity in the prostate. Loss of zinc due to zinc deficiency from critical zinc containing proteins, such as p53, may impair DNA damage response mechanisms, ultimately leading to increased risk for prostate cancer development.
A student-implemented elective to improve medical student confidence in providing diabetes self-management support.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to develop a preclerkship elective and assess its effectiveness in supplementing medical students' education. METHODS A group of medical students under the guidance of two faculty advisors developed an elective consisting of six sessions covering a variety of practical aspects of diabetes care/education taught by an interprofessional team. Following the course completion, a survey was emailed to the enrollees who attended at least one session. The results were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank and descriptive analyses. RESULTS A total of 14 medical students were enrolled (nine first year and five second year). An average of 4.4 sessions/student was attended. Thirteen students attended at least one session and were surveyed. The survey response rate was ~62% (8/13). All eight students indicated that the course was valuable and would recommend it to their colleagues. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed a statistically significant increase in students' confidence in all five areas assessed following participation in the course, P 0.5). CONCLUSION This study suggests the feasibility of developing disease state-specific preclerkship elective courses and that such courses can be beneficial in supplementing medical student education with practical knowledge.
Simulation of heating by optical absorption in nanoparticle dispersions

Optical and Photonic materials containing nanoparticles are being heavily explored in a large number of industries. Biomedical applications, such as microscopy[1] and drug delivery[2]; defense applications, such as obscurants[3] and nonlinear transmission[4]; and commercial applications including GRIN lenses[5], photovoltaics[6], and even photonic integrated circuits [7] have all employed nanoparticles to augment the light-matter interaction. New nanomaterials, including q-carbon[8] and graphene oxides will unlock new optical applications for sub-wavelength materials. In all of these applications there is either the intention that the material experiences a physical change due to laser exposure, or the intention to avoid laser heating to maintain the desirable material properties. With the proliferation of highly confined, nanophotonic waveguides and laser sources with increasing intensity, the effects of laser heating will begin to greatly impact the materials used in optical applications. In order to better understand the mechanism of laser heating, its timescales, and the dispersion of heat into the material, simulations of nanoparticles in various media are presented here.
Perturbation Theory for Degenerate Levels

Assume the eigenvector for the energy state with eigenvalue E n is degenerate; i.e., assume g n independent eigenvectors exist such that
The Genesis of Weapons for Development - A Disarmament Innovation that Transformed Post ‐ Conflict Reconstruction: The Case of Cambodia

This paper provides a description of the specific Cambodian context when we disarmed the Khmer Rouge and offered them development projects; together with analysis and Lessons Learned from many different countries about collecting firearms and managing weapons. Weapons for Development (WfD) was first tested by the UNDP in Albania in a project led by General Henny van der Graaf, and replicated with remarkable success in Cambodia under the EU-ASAC project (1999-2006). In Cambodia, we literally exchanged weapons for development projects chosen by the villagers, creating a model and learning lessons that others can apply. For WfD you need a favorable political context, a professional mechanism to collect weapons, and also a professional mechanism to deliver development – practices that demand teams with totally different skills, but who need to work together. When a colonel tries to deliver development, the result is pretty unconvincing as we discovered in Cambodia and non-professionals equally should keep out of the weapons business. WfD has become a familiar 21st century strategy, undergoing exciting adaptations in different cultures. This is the story of how we invented WfD along the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Cambodia.
Sex drives dimorphic immune responses to viral infections

New attention to sexual dimorphism in normal mammalian physiology and disease has uncovered a previously unappreciated breadth of mechanisms by which females and males differentially exhibit quantitative phenotypes. Thus, in addition to the established modifying effects of hormones, which prenatally and postpubertally pattern cells and tissues in a sexually dimorphic fashion, sex differences are caused by extragonadal and dosage effects of genes encoded on sex chromosomes. Sex differences in immune responses, especially during autoimmunity, have been studied predominantly within the context of sex hormone effects. More recently, immune response genes have been localized to sex chromosomes themselves or found to be regulated by sex chromosome genes. Thus, understanding how sex impacts immunity requires the elucidation of complex interactions among sex hormones, sex chromosomes, and immune response genes. In this Brief Review, we discuss current knowledge and new insights into these intricate relationships in the context of viral infections.
Carried Interest and Beyond: The Nature of Private Equity Investment and Its International Tax Implications

Private equity funds (PEFs) eliminate entity-level taxation by using pass-through entities. They further minimize their investors’ tax liability by taking the position that profits distributed to both general partners (GPs) and limited partners (LPs) are passive portfolio investment income and taxed preferentially. The taxation of carried interest at low capital gains rates is likely the most infamous loophole. This article challenges such tax position and instead argues that the nature of PEF investment is active. PEFs seek to influence their portfolio companies to increase their value so that they actively manage the companies by acquiring at least 10% of their stock, which does not conceptually accord with portfolio investments. The proposed theory that PEFs are active is further supported by recent proposals on carried interest as well as cases and rulings holding that PEFs are involved in a “trade or business.” This article also considers international tax implications of the new theory: it switches the primary tax jurisdiction to levy tax on PEFs’ cross-border income. This change may be justified for GPs who erode the tax base of a source country, but less justified for LPs because of their genuinely passive involvement, notwithstanding that LPs’ tax-exempt or nonresident status enables GPs’ abusive activities. Finally, determining the true nature of PEF investment and reforming PEF tax accordingly would increase worldwide revenue without significantly reducing the revenue of traditional residence countries, because the traditional residence countries, such as the United States, are also major source countries in the PEF industry.
Modeling topologically resilient supply chain networks

The ubiquity of supply chains along with their increasingly interconnected structure has ignited interest in studying supply chain networks through the lens of complex adaptive systems. A particularly important characteristic of supply chains is the desirable goal of sustaining their operation when exposed to unexpected perturbations. Applied network science methods can be used to analyze topological properties of supply chains and propose models for their growth. Network models focusing on the critical aspect of supply chain resilience may provide insights into the design of supply networks that may quickly recover from disruptions. This is vital for understanding both static and dynamic structures of complex supply networks, and enabling management to make informed decisions and prioritizing particular operations. This paper proposes an action-based perspective for creating a compact probabilistic model for a given real-world supply network. The action-based model consists of a set of rules (actions) that a firm may use to connect with other firms, such that the synthesized networks are topologically resilient. Additionally, it captures the heterogeneous roles of different firms by incorporating domain specific constraints. Results analyzing the resilience of networks subjected to node disruptions show that networks synthesized using the proposed model can generally outperform its real-world counterpart.