cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of supplemental vitamin E on hematological parameters in a rat model of ovarian hormone deficiency.

Objective Menopause is associated with adverse changes in hematological parameters. Although the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin E have been previously demonstrated, the effects of vitamin E on hematopoietic parameters are not well-documented. This study investigated the effects of supplemental vitamin E on hematological parameters in a rat model of ovarian hormone deficiency. Methods Twelve-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were either sham-operated (Sham) or ovariectomized (Ovx). Animals were randomly divided among five treatment groups (n = 12/group) as follows: Sham; Ovx; Ovx + 300, Ovx + 525, or Ovx + 750 mg/kg diet of vitamin E for 100 days. Results Compared with Sham, ovariectomy increased leukocyte subpopulation counts including lymphocytes (2.01 × 10/mm; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.11, 4.03; P = 0.03), monocytes (0.35 × 10/mm; 95% CI 0.60, 0.11; P = 0.01), neutrophils (0.72 × 10/mm; 95% CI 0.26, 1.19; P = 0.01), eosinophils (0.07 × 10/mm; 95% CI 0.12, 0.30; P = 0.00), and basophils (0.13 × 10/mm; 95% CI 0.04, 0.21; P = 0.02). Medium dose (MD) (-0.26 × 10/mm; 95% CI -0.47, -0.05; P = 0.007) and high dose (HD) (-0.22 × 10/mm; 95% CI -0.43, -0.01; P = 0.037) supplemental vitamin E attenuated Ovx-induced increases in monocyte counts. Low dose (LD) (-0.55 × 10/mm; 95% CI -0.95, -0.15; P = 0.003), MD (-0.61 × 10/mm; P = 0.001), and HD (-0.54 × 10/mm; 95% CI -0.95, -0.14; P = 0.004) supplemental vitamin E attenuated Ovx-induced increases in neutrophil counts. LD (-0.05 × 10/mm; 95% CI -0.08, -0.11; P = 0.006), MD (-0.05 × 10/mm; 95% CI -0.08, -0.11; P = 0.005), and HD (-0.05 × 10/mm; 95% CI -0.09, -0.01; P = 0.004) supplemental vitamin E also attenuated the Ovx-induced increase in eosinophil counts. Only LD (-0.09 × 10/mm; 95% CI -0.17, -0.02; P = 0.009) supplemental vitamin E attenuated the Ovx-induced increase in basophil counts. The remaining hematological parameters assessed were not significantly affected by ovariectomy or supplemental vitamin E. Conclusion These findings suggest that vitamin E in the form of α-tocopherol acetate may provide protection against ovarian hormone deficiency-associated adverse changes in hematological parameters.
Modal dispersion characterization of multimode fibers

The mode-dependent signal delay method can be used for the characterization of modal dispersion of multimode flbers. We revise the formalism used by this method and quantify measurement errors due to receiver thermal noise.
Microscopically based energy density functionals for nuclei using the density matrix expansion. II. Full optimization and validation

Background: Energy density functional methods provide a generic framework to compute properties of atomic nuclei starting from models of nuclear potentials and the rules of quantum mechanics. Until now, the overwhelming majority of functionals have been constructed either from empirical nuclear potentials such as the Skyrme or Gogny forces, or from systematic gradient-like expansions in the spirit of the density functional theory for atoms.Purpose: We seek to obtain a usable form of the nuclear energy density functional that is rooted in the modern theory of nuclear forces. We thus consider a functional obtained from the density matrix expansion of local nuclear potentials from chiral effective field theory. We propose a parametrization of this functional carefully calibrated and validated on selected ground-state properties that is suitable for large-scale calculations of nuclear properties.Methods: Our energy functional comprises two main components. The first component is a non-local functional of the density and corresponds to the direct part (Hartree term) of the expectation value of local chiral potentials on a Slater determinant. Contributions to the mean field and the energy of this term are computed by expanding the spatial, finite-range components of the chiral potential onto Gaussian functions. The second component is a local functional of the density and is obtained by applying the density matrix expansion to the exchange part (Fock term) of the expectation value of the local chiral potential. We apply the UNEDF2 optimization protocol to determine the coupling constants of this energy functional.Results: We obtain a set of microscopically constrained functionals for local chiral potentials from leading order up to next-to-next-to-leading order with and without three-body forces and contributions from $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}$ excitations. These functionals are validated on the calculation of nuclear and neutron matter, nuclear mass tables, single-particle shell structure in closed-shell nuclei, and the fission barrier of $^{\text{240}}\mathrm{Pu}$. Quantitatively, they perform noticeably better than the more phenomenological Skyrme functionals.Conclusions: The inclusion of higher-order terms in the chiral perturbation expansion seems to produce a systematic improvement in predicting nuclear binding energies while the impact on other observables is not really significant. This result is especially promising since all the fits have been performed at the single-reference level of the energy density functional approach, where important collective correlations such as center-of-mass correction, rotational correction, or zero-point vibrational energies have not been taken into account yet.
Work patterns and gender reproduction in the Talensi small‐scale gold‐mining industry in Ghana: Implications for social welfare policy

Although women have access to work in the Talensi small-scale gold-mining industry in Ghana, gender inequities persist. This study analyzed these persistent gender differences, taking into consideration implications for social welfare policies. Based on 12 months of ethnographic fieldwork, the study examined how work organization in Talensi mining activities affects the values and meanings that influence gender roles. A purposive sampling technique and ethnographic methods, including audio-taped and semi-structured interviews and storytelling, were used as tools to collect and analyze the data. Findings show that normative values, symbolic representations, and meaning-making influence gender roles and practices, which reproduce gender inequities. This study contributes to an understanding of the fundamental issues underlying persistent gender inequities in the Talensi mines that lead to a lack of improvement in women's lives.
The Outpatient Physical Examination

The physical examination in the outpatient setting is a valuable tool. Even in settings where there is lack of evidence, such as the annual physical examination of an asymptomatic adult, the physical examination is beneficial for the physician-patient relationship. When a patient has specific symptoms, the physical examination-in addition to a thorough history-can help narrow down, or in many cases establish, a diagnosis. In a time where imaging and laboratory tests are easily available, but are expensive and can be invasive, a skilled physical examination remains an important component of patient evaluation.
Vacuum electronics optimization using Galaxy Simulation Builder

Progress has been made in the areas of optimization of device performance and sensitivity analysis through the adaption of new tools and processes that make such studies easier to embark upon. In this case, AFRL's Galaxy Simulation Builder (GSB) is applied to vacuum electronic devices and components to optimize their performance and predict sensitivities. Optimization results are presented. Advancements in using GSB for large scale optimization are presented.
The Past, Present, and Future of Process Automation

The history of software development in electronic form spans barely five decades, a very short time as most histories go. However, this history has many parallels with that of traditional manufacturing. The relationship between the two can provide insights into where the software industry has been, where it is today are where it may be headed tomorrow. So in this chapter we will, in part, explore the relationship between traditional manufacturing over the part two centuries to software development over the past few decades focussing on issues related to process automation. Further insights into evolving nature of engineering and the relationship to software can be found in [Shaw 90, Humphrey 91a].
Abstract IA23: Personalizing cancer immunotherapy

We previously showed that the immune system not only protects individuals against tumor outgrowth but also facilitates tumor escape by sculpting tumor cell immunogenicity, a process we called “Cancer Immunoediting”. We subsequently elucidated the mechanisms underlying cancer immunoediting, demonstrated the importance of tumor-specific mutant neoantigens as targets of this process, and translated our findings into cancer immunotherapies by showing that tumor-specific mutant neoantigens can be used to generate therapeutically effective personalized cancer vaccines against established tumors. We have since gone on to define the minimal antigenic requirements for therapeutically effective personalized cancer vaccines and documented the synergistic activity that neoantigen vaccines show when used in combination with current immunotherapies, chemotherapies and radiotherapy. Most recently we have developed evidence for a powerful immunodominance effect that occurs between different tumor antigens and have identified what appears to be a unique mechanism by which at least some forms of immunotherapies induce tumor specific destruction. These findings will be discussed. Citation Format: Robert D. Schreiber. Personalizing cancer immunotherapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2016 Oct 20-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2017;5(3 Suppl):Abstract nr IA23.
Mechanical properties of nanoporous gold subjected to tensile stresses in real-time, sub-microscopic scale

Ductile metals infiltrated with interconnected nanopores through selective dealloying gain useful properties but become macroscopically brittle due to flow localization. The mechanical behavior of nanoporous metals is dependent on a complex relationship between the deformation of the nanoporous foam structure and the deformation of the individual ligaments. Recent simulations and in situ experiments have revealed many insights into the deformation behavior of nanoporous metals, but it remains unclear how to engineer the structure to reduce flow localization. We perform transmission electron microscopy in situ tensile experiments on freestanding nanoporous gold films and observe the morphology evolution of both the interconnected structure and individual ligaments during deformation. Most ligaments fractured through plastic instability after large plastic elongation. We also observed several unexpected results such as instances of strain hardening and nanoscale brittle fracture in individual ligaments. Our observations suggest that highly curved ligaments and a wider distribution of ligament diameters could each contribute to ductility and fracture toughness.
Implementation-Based Design Fingerprinting for Robust IC Fraud Detection

With the global spanning of integrated circuit (IC) and electronic device supply chains, the ability of an untrusted foundry to alter a design for intellectual property (IP)/IC piracy increases. To tackle this threat, this paper proposes a design-based fingerprinting methodology based on machine learning schemes. The proposed method considers the effect of process variations, measurement noise, and device aging. The proposed fingerprinting scheme can identify if the circuit is original or has been altered by an adversary to hide piracy. Changing a gate to an equivalent counterpart does not change the functionality of the circuit and we assess these as altered circuits. Altering the circuit can arise if an adversary gains access to the register-transfer level (RTL) or netlist of a design in an untrusted supply chain or uses the datasheet to implement a functionally equivalent design. Experimentally we determine that our method can detect a pirated chip with near 100% accuracy when classifying new ICs, and above 96% accuracy when classifying at any age up to 7 years in the presence of noise if at least 2.5% of the gates in the IC have been altered by an adversary.
X-ray Crystallographic and Molecular Dynamic Analyses of Drosophila melanogaster Embryonic Muscle Myosin Define Domains Responsible for Isoform-Specific Properties.

Drosophila melanogaster is a powerful system for characterizing alternative myosin isoforms and modeling muscle diseases, but high-resolution structures of fruit fly contractile proteins have not been determined. Here we report the first x-ray crystal structure of an insect myosin: the D melanogaster skeletal muscle myosin II embryonic isoform (EMB). Using our system for recombinant expression of myosin heavy chain (MHC) proteins in whole transgenic flies, we prepared and crystallized stable proteolytic S1-like fragments containing the entire EMB motor domain bound to an essential light chain. We solved the x-ray crystal structure by molecular replacement and refined the resulting model against diffraction data to 2.2 A resolution. The protein is captured in two slightly different renditions of the rigor-like conformation with a citrate of crystallization at the nucleotide binding site and exhibits structural features common to myosins of diverse classes from all kingdoms of life. All atom molecular dynamics simulations on EMB in its nucleotide-free state and a derivative homology model containing 61 amino acid substitutions unique to the indirect flight muscle isoform (IFI) suggest that differences in the identity of residues within the relay and the converter that are encoded for by MHC alternative exons 9 and 11, respectively, directly contribute to increased mobility of these regions in IFI relative to EMB. This suggests the possibility that alternative folding or conformational stability within these regions contribute to the observed functional differences in Drosophila EMB and IFI myosins.
Non-Linearity of Skin Properties in Electrotactile Applications: Identification and Mitigation

Electrotactile displays can open a new sensory substitution channel to be utilized in a vast array of applications. But there are still challenges in different aspects of such systems. One of the most crucial concerns, is the effects of receptor fatigue. Our tests show that during prolonged exposure of receptors to the electrical signals, their sensitivity to the signal level changes gradually and adjustments in the signal’s power are required to keep the receptors is the stimulated state. This was confirmed by monitoring the electrical current passing through the skin and calculating the corresponding impedance. More interestingly, the rates of the impedance changes are different for each part of the skin, indicating inconsistent rates of receptor fatigue for each region of the skin. These electrical properties of the skin were addressed in this research for the purpose of rendering consistent sensations for the users regardless of the person or skin conditions. To solve these challenges, two methods are employed: a voltage control system based on pulse-width modulation is used to adjust the signal power; and Kalman filtering is used to predict impedance changes in advance and supply the skin with the proper signal. The result is a self-contained automated system capable of managing the signal power for any user at any given time or skin condition.
Metal Oxide Decorated Porous Carbons from Controlled Calcination of a Metal-Organic Framework

Thermal decomposition of an iron-based MOF was conducted under controlled gas environments to understand the resulting porous carbon structure. Different phases and crystallite sizes of iron oxide are produced based on the specific gas species. In particular, air resulted in iron(III) oxide, and D2O and CO2 resulted in the mixed valent iron(II,III) oxide. Performing the carbonization under non-oxidative or reducing conditions (N2, He, H2) resulted in the formation of a mixture of both iron(II,III) oxide and iron(III) oxide. Based on in situ and air-free handling experiments, it was observed that this is partially due to the formation of zero-valent iron metal that is rapidly oxidized when exposed to air. Neutron pair distribution function analysis provided insight into the effect of the gas environment on the local structure of the porous carbon, indicating a noticeable change in local order between the D2O and the N2 calcined samples.
Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair in Octogenarians and Nonagenarians.

Background The oldest segments of the population are expanding rapidly, and the number of thoracic endovascular aortic repairs (TEVARs) performed in the elderly parallels this trend. We describe our institutional TEVAR experience in octogenarians and nonagenarians. Methods All patients 80 years and older undergoing TEVAR at a single institution were reviewed using a prospectively maintained database. Baselines demographics, operative details, and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Results Twenty-five octogenarians and nonagenarians (age, 84.8 ± 3.7 years; 64% male) underwent TEVAR between January 2014 and January 2019. The most common preoperative comorbidities were hypertension (n = 24; 96%) and tobacco use (n = 18; 72%), and the mean modified frailty index was 0.32 ± 0.17. Degenerative aneurysms constituted the majority of aortic pathologies (60%), and most patients were symptomatic (64%), with a mean maximal aortic diameter of 62.7 ± 15.6 mm. Endoleaks were noted in 3 (12%) patients. Intensive care unit length of stay was 2.0 (1.5, 3.0) days, and the total length of stay was 5.0 (3.0, 7.0) days. In-hospital mortality was 12% (n = 3), while the overall 30-day mortality was 16% (n = 4). The median follow-up was 469.0 (76.0, 586.0) days. On univariate analysis, the presence of a postoperative complication was associated with a significantly increased risk of 30-day mortality (P Conclusions Despite the inherently elevated operative risk among the elderly, this study demonstrates reasonable success rates for TEVAR in octogenarian and nonagenarian patients. In properly selected patients, advanced age alone should not be a prohibitive factor for TEVAR.
Nephrotoxic Potential of Putative 3,5-Dichloroaniline (3,5-DCA) Metabolites and Biotransformation of 3,5-DCA in Isolated Kidney Cells from Fischer 344 Rats.

The current study was designed to explore the in vitro nephrotoxic potential of four 3,5-dichloroaniline (3,5-DCA) metabolites (3,5-dichloroacetanilide, 3,5-DCAA; 3,5-dichlorophenylhydroxylamine, 3,5-DCPHA; 2-amino-4,6-dichlorophenol, 2-A-4,6-DCP; 3,5-dichloronitrobenzene, 3,5-DCNB) and to determine the renal metabolism of 3,5-DCA in vitro. In cytotoxicity testing, isolated kidney cells (IKC) from male Fischer 344 rats (~4 million/mL, 3 mL) were exposed to a metabolite (0–1.5 mM; up to 90 min) or vehicle. Of these metabolites, 3,5-DCPHA was the most potent nephrotoxicant, with 3,5-DCNB intermediate in nephrotoxic potential. 2-A-4,6-DCP and 3,5-DCAA were not cytotoxic. In separate experiments, 3,5-DCNB cytotoxicity was reduced by pretreating IKC with antioxidants and cytochrome P450, flavin monooxygenase and peroxidase inhibitors, while 3,5-DCPHA cytotoxicity was attenuated by two nucleophilic antioxidants (glutathione and N-acetyl-L-cysteine). Incubation of IKC with 3,5-DCA (0.5–1.0 mM, 90 min) produced only 3,5-DCAA and 3,5-DCNB as detectable metabolites. These data suggest that 3,5-DCNB and 3,5-DCPHA are potential nephrotoxic metabolites and may contribute to 3,5-DCA induced nephrotoxicity in vivo. In addition, the kidney can bioactivate 3,5-DCNB to toxic metabolites, and 3,5-DCPHA appears to generate reactive metabolites to contribute to 3,5-DCA nephrotoxicity. In vitro, N-oxidation of 3,5-DCA appears to be the primary mechanism of bioactivation of 3,5-DCA to nephrotoxic metabolites.
Lead Phosphate Particles in Tap Water: Challenges for Point-of-Use Filters

To lower Pb concentrations in tap water, water systems implement corrosion control treatment that often involves the addition of orthophosphate. Because NSF/ANSI 53 (2018) certified point-of-use (P...
Emissivity of Grade 91 Ferritic Steel: Additional Measurements on Role of Surface Conditions and Oxidation

Measurements and data are reported for the total hemispherical emissivity of Grade 91 steel [ASTM International (ASTM) A387 Grade 91] for the temperature range of 400 K to 1048 K using ASTM standar...
Jettisoning the Normative Value of the Implied Duty of Good Faith

One of the Restatement (Second) of Contract’s most significant contributions to the area of contract law is its formulation of the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing. Under the Contract Restatement’s formulation of the implied duty, which is widely used by courts, parties must, as a normative matter, affirmatively perform a contract in a way that is faithful to the parties’ common purpose and in line with their respective justified expectations. That means each party must act honestly, reasonably, and fairly, though this normative standard of conduct is described quite capaciously in the Contract Restatement. The Contract Restatement also broadly describes how a contracting party acts in bad faith, thereby breaching the implied duty. It also includes many examples of bad faith conduct from cases. With this guidance, contracting parties can determine up front how to perform their contractual obligations in line with the implied duty’s normative standard of conduct and standard of liability. The American Law Institute’s most recent Restatement—the Restatement of Employment Law—also addresses the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing, though only with respect to employment contracts. However, it does so in a way that is at odds with the Contract Restatement. Importantly, the Employment Law Restatement does not describe any normative standard of conduct for employers and employees. This failure suggests there is no normative expectation that parties to an employment contract act honestly, reasonably, and fairly in performing their contractual obligations. Of course, given the power imbalance present in most employment relationships in favor of the employer, the absence of such a normative standard could harm employees. The Employment Law Restatement also presents the standard of liability for the implied duty in a way that suggests it only applies to limited contractual employment terms, and only captures a limited range of bad faith conduct. Such a narrowing of the standard of liability could also harm employees, who might not have a claim, or might not know they have a claim, for breach of the implied duty where they are treated dishonestly, unfairly, or unreasonably. To cure these defects, this article proposes changes to the Employment Law Restatement’s formulation of the implied duty to make it more closely track the approach taken in the Contract Restatement.
Deployed: One Pediatric Department's Experience of Adult Care During COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES The number of hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 patients in March 2020 to April 2020 in our New York City hospital required increased physician staffing, including deployment of pediatricians to adult care. To improve the deployment process, we sought to understand the mindset, preparations for, and experience during deployment of pediatric faculty in our institution. METHODS Faculty members of the Department of Pediatrics completed pre- and postsurveys evaluating perspectives, fears, and preparations relevant to deployment. Demographic characteristics of the faculty members were collected. Survey questions included Likert scale, multiple choice, and free-text responses. Descriptive statistics, Fisher’s exact test, and χ2 test were used to compare groups. Free-text responses were categorized by topic. Survey responses were shared with leadership in real time and adjustments to the deployment process made. RESULTS The predeployment survey was sent to 202 pediatric faculty members, with a 29% (n = 59) completion rate. Of the 36 deployed faculty, 29 (81%) completed all items of the postsurvey. The majority (74%, n = 42) expressed discomfort with care of adults and fear and/or nervousness about deployment (61%, n = 35). Most faculty (88%, n = 52) prepared for deployment and cited local guidelines and published literature as helpful preparation materials (55%, n = 16). Dissemination of details about schedules and role clarification before deployment were areas for improvement. CONCLUSIONS Pediatric faculty facing deployment to adult care have concerns about the process of deployment as well as the work itself. Specific information distributed in advance, along with consistent and frequent communication, may help mitigate these fears.
Effects of Game Situation-Dependent Emotions on Sport Spectators’ Food Craving

This study sought to challenge prevalent accounts of emotional eating by exploring the effects of situation-dependent emotions on consumers’ food craving. Four specific game situations in the context of spectator sports, each corresponding to the four types of emotional coping (outcome-desire conflict, avoidance, fulfillment, and pursuit), were identified as follows: decisive victories, decisive losses, close victories, and close losses. By employing lab-based virtual reality spectatorship, Study 1 tested the causal effects of happiness (fulfillment), anger (conflict), sadness (conflict), fear (avoidance), and hope (pursuit) on food craving. Study 2 further designed fans’ previous association between emotions and eating as a moderating mechanism in the context of online sport viewership. The results of the two experiments supported the three theoretical principles of eating behavior, including the “food as fuel” principle of anger, the hedonic eating principle of happiness, and the self-regulation principle of hope. However, the results rejected the escape awareness principle of sadness and fear. The study concludes with a discussion of context-dependent emotional positioning and intervention strategies for marketers, health professionals, and policy makers.
The Graduated-Payment Mortgage: Solving the Initial Payment Enigma

Executive Summary: The graduated-payment mortgage (GPM) has a unique stair-step payment schedule that often enhances borrower qualification for young, first-time home buyers who are anticipated to have increasing incomes. The determination of the initial payment on a GPM mortgage is often regarded as complex; therefore, textbook authors normally disregard its theoretical development and substitute instead GPM interest factor tables. This study develops a general equation for finding the initial payment on a GPM and programmable calculator and computer spreadsheet routines for implementing the general equation. This approach enhances the technical understanding of the GPM, and it offers more flexibility than a table approach.
On the Use of Social Conversation as Evidence in a Court of Law

In this chapter, I shall discuss two issues which have come up in my work as a linguistic consultant and expert witness and which I feel are serious and in need of attention: first, what I take to be a misguided and dangerous use of covertly taped social conversation as courtroom evidence, and, second, the shockingly poor quality of FBI transcriptions of these tapes. I shall first describe the data on which my statements are based and then discuss the two issues, in reverse order.
Cellular networks: where are the mobile users?

Mobiles are roaming in a cellular network. Unless they report their new location each time they cross boundaries of cells, the system must conduct a search operation to find their exact location. Reporting new locations by mobiles consumes expensive up-link communication lines. Therefore, in current and future cellular networks, at each point in time for any particular mobile, the system knows only a zone of cells containing the one cell which is the location of this mobile. For this zone, the system maintains a profile that predicts the exact location of the mobile by associating a probability with each cell in the zone. An efficient search should optimize usage of down-link communication lines and the time needed to find the mobile. This model gives rise to many optimization problems. This talk discusses some of them. We first describe the optimal dynamic programming solution that finds a mobile that is located in a zone of n cells in no more than D rounds. This solution assumes an a priori knowledge of the mobile's profile. We then present solutions in which the system develops a mobile's profile while searching for that mobile more than once. The above solutions are for locating one mobile. Next, we address search operations involving m mobiles where m can be greater than one. One example is the call conference search in which the system must find all the m mobiles. Another example is the yellow pages search where the search is over once one out of the m mobiles is found. Finding an optimal solution to the conference call problem is NP-hard. We therefore present an efficient approximation solution. For the yellow pages problem we discuss work in progress. We conclude with the privacy issue by exploring the tradeoff between the accuracy of the profiles and the efficiency of the optimal solutions that are based on these profiles.
Minimum distortion transmission of Gaussian sources over fading channels

We consider the problem of reliably communicating the output of a Gaussian source across average power constrained multi-antenna channels. We consider both fading and constant gain channels, and assume that in the former case the receiver has perfect channel state information. We are interested in designing simple memoryless encoding and decoding strategies to minimize the mean-square error between the transmitted and reconstructed vectors. We find the optimal encoder and decoder pair when the encoder is restricted to the class of linear transformations on the input and evaluate its performance. We also derive the theoretically achievable optimal performance. For the constant gain channel, we find that linear coding can be optimal under certain conditions. For the Rayleigh fading channel, we prove that the performance of the linear encoder/decoder pair in the low SNR regime is the same as the optimal to the first order. We prove the same approximate optimality result for the Rician channel in some special cases.
A 3-D View of Negotiation Theory and Practice: Keynote Address Presentation Slides from the IACM 15th Annual Conference, June 2002

Presentation slides from the keynote address at the IACM 15th Annual Conference - Salt Lake City, June 2002. Note: The talk included many examples to which only partial, incomplete reference is made in these presentational slides.
Assessment of depth of case-hardening in steel rods by electromagnetic methods

Case depth measurements of surface hardened steel parts are important for quality control. The magnetic properties, including initial permeability, differential permeability and saturation magnetization of a series of induction-hardened and carburized steel rods were studied through measurements, with the aim of developing new methods to evaluate the case depth nondestructively. Four-point alternating current potential drop (ACPD) method also has the potential to evaluate different case depths. The potential drop was measured on a series of 1” diameter induction-hardened and carburized steel rod samples using a co-linear probe with pins aligned parallel to the axis of the rod. For comparison with the above-mentioned electromagnetic measurements, hardness profiles were obtained by microhardness measurements. It seems that measurements of initial permeability on surface hardened rods do not give a clear indication of case depth. Differential permeability was plotted versus applied magnetic field H. It is interesting to see that, when H is around 18 Oe, the differential permeability increases more-or-less in the sequence of case depth d in induction hardened samples. Differential permeability measurements give a good indication of case depth in induction hardened rods, but not carburized rods. The saturation magnetization decreases as the case depth increases. It was shown that four-point ACPD is a promising technique for distinguishing between different depths of case hardening. Especially in the low-frequency range of the real part of the normalized impedance, there is very good distinction between the case depths of the samples.
Foundations of Quantum Mechanics—The Harmonic Oscillator

This chapter, the longest in the book, introduces three of the basic assumptions of quantum mechanics and then illustrates them, using mainly the example of the harmonic oscillator. Though some historic remarks are included, neither the historic development nor any other heuristic way towards quantum mechanics is followed. The basic assumptions are formulated, explained, and applied. In Sections II.2, II.4, II.5, the basic assumption are introduced; in Sections II.3, II.8, II.9, the harmonic oscillator is used to illustrate them. Section II.7 contains the derivations of some general consequences and might be omitted in first reading. The discussion for the continuous spectra, important for the description of the scattering and decay phenomena in the second part of the book, is given in Section II.10. Several remarks throughout this chapter emphasize the particular problems connected with generalized eigenvalues and eigenvectors and our unified treatment of continuous and discrete spectra. In Section II.11 we are ready to explain the physical meaning of the quantum-mechanical constant of nature, ħ.
An IP-layer anonymizing infrastructure

We describe an IP-layer anonymizing infrastructure, called ANON, which allows server addresses to be hidden from clients and vice versa. ANON uses a network resident set Of IP-layer anonymizing forwarders that can forward IP packets with encryption and decryption applied to their source and destination addresses. Using ANON, a client can send and receive packets to and from application servers without knowing their IP addresses. We have designed and implemented a laboratory testbed for this anonymizing infrastructure. This paper gives an overview of the ANON architecture and its implementation, and describes its security threat models and our countermeasures.
Director Fluctuations and Ising Universality at the Paranematic-Nematic Critical Point

A statistical mechanical calculation using renormalization group analysis is carried out which shows that the paranematic-nematic critical point (PNCP) is in the same university class as the liquid-gas critical point, namely that of the Ising model. The calculation explicitly shows how the non-critical director fluctuations play an important role in providing features in the phase diagram, not present in mean-field theories, such as a non-analytic order parameter diameter (two-phase average dielectric (or magnetic) anisotropy on the coexistence curve), and confirms the predictions of the scaling theory of the PNCP.
The Zel'dovich approximation

Author(s): White, M | Abstract: This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Yakov Zel'dovich. Amongst his many legacies is the Zel'dovich approximation for the growth of large-scale structure, which remains one of the most successful and insightful analytic models of structure formation. We use the Zel'dovich approximation to compute the two-point function of the matter and biased tracers, and compare to the results of N-body simulations and other Lagrangian perturbation theories.We show that Lagrangian perturbation theories converge well and that the Zel'dovich approximation provides a good fit to the N-body results except for the quadrupole moment of the halo correlation function. We extend the calculation of halo bias to third order and also consider non-local biasing schemes, none of which remove the discrepancy. We argue that a part of the discrepancy owes to an incorrect prediction of inter-halo velocity correlations. We use the Zel'dovich approximation to compute the ingredients of the Gaussian streaming model and show that this hybrid method provides a good fit to clustering of haloes in redshift space down to scales of tens of Mpc. © 2014 The Author Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society.
IPOs and Mutual Fund Returns

Recent research on mutual fund performance has ignored the impact of initial public offering on mutual fund performance. We show that the real estate mutual funds returns, at least in the 1990's, are almost entirely a function of REIT IPO returns, and that, after controlling for the REIT IPO returns, the real estate mutual funds exhibit no sensitivity to the Fama-French or momentum factors. We find that while REIT IPOs exhibited statistically significant long-run abnormal performance, real estate mutual funds did not.
Calcification of the pulmonary valve.

Calcification of the pulmonary valve visible with routine roentgenographic methods is unusual. At the present time 16 cases have been cited in the literature. Experience with an additional two cases is presented with a review of the previously cited cases. Moderate to severe congenital pulmonary stenosis has been present in all but one instance. Associated defects, especially ventricular septal defect, are common. Recognition is a major problem due to confusion with other lesions, especially calcific aortic stenosis. Longstanding elevation of right ventricular pressure appears essential for the deposition of calcium. The role of aging and healed bacterial endocarditis in the etiology is uncertain.
Two transitions: Democratisation and the evolution of the Spanish socialist left

This article examines the factors which contributed to the rapid social democratisation of the Spanish Socialist Party after its 1976 Congress. Three major factors are stressed: the structural weakness of the Party; the electoral popularity of a moderate strategy; and the pressures inherent in the nature of the transition from Franquist authoritarianism to parliamentary democracy. Finally, a brief assessment is made of the internal party strains caused by this strategy, as well as of the advantages and drawbacks to the Party of its social democratisation.
Intramedullary screw fixation for balancing of the dysvascular foot following transmetatarsal amputation

Transmetatarsal amputation is a viable alternative to more proximal pedal amputations or leaving a deformed partial forefoot amputation. Balancing the transmetatarsal amputation in order to correct soft-tissue deformities is an accepted approach and consists of various tendon transfers, However, in the rescently re-vascularized limb or in those patients who can not undergo re-vascularization, additional incisions to balance the transmetatarsal amputation are not performed. The authors present a simple and effective technique utilizing a large diameter, cannulated screw extending from the residual first metatarsal across the midfoot and into the talus after the foot has been manually corrected, which is useful for patients undergoing transmetatarsal amputation who can not undergo soft-tissue balancing.
Time resolved absorption and resonance Raman spectroscopic studies of the oxidation of benzidine in aqueous solution

We report a time resolved resonance Raman study of transient radicals produced in the pulse radiolytic oxidation of benzidine in aqueous solution. The intense and structured transient absorption in the 400–470 nm region, observed at microsecond times in the acidic medium, is attributed to the benzidine radical cation. The Raman spectrum, observed by excitation in resonance with this absorption, exhibits eight prominent bands which are assigned to planar phenyl vibrations. The ring breathing mode (v1) at 844 cm-1 is most highly resonance enhanced, indicating an overall expansion of the ring CC bonds in the excited state. The interring CC bond, with partial double bond character, is characterized by an intense (v13) Raman band at 1335 cm-1. The frequency of the in-phase v7a CN stretching vibration is 1540 cm-1. These frequencies and the presence of weak bands attributable to non-planar phenyl vibrations indicate the radical to be slightly non-planar. The pKa for the proton loss from the radical cation is 10.87, four units higher than for the aniline radical cation. At high pH the observed transient has a broad and structureless absorption at ∽ 380 nm. It is identified from its resonance Raman features as the 4(4′aminophenyl)anilino radical formed by proton loss from the radical cation. The interring CC bond is characterized by a Raman band at 1292 cm-1, indicating it to be a single bond. The structure of this neutral radical is highly nonplanar, with little conjugation between the two ring systems so that electronic excitation is primarily confined to the anilino moiety. The acidic and basic forms of the radical react rapidly in second order processes to produce products which absorb strongly at, respectively, 360 and 410 nm.
Testing four explanations for the better/worse-than-average effect: Single- and multi-item entities as comparison targets and referents

Abstract In six experiments, we tested four explanations for the better/worse-than-average effect (B/WTA) by manipulating the number of items comprising the target or referent of direct comparison. A single-item target tended to be rated more extremely than a single-item or a multi-item referent (Experiments 1–3). No B/WTA was obtained, however, when a multi-item target was compared with either a single- or multi-item referent (Experiments 4 and 5). A bias favoring a multi-item target was found only if cohesiveness among the items was increased through instructions (Experiment 6). The Unique-Attributes Hypothesis generally provided the best explanation the findings; the focalism explanation also demonstrated some empirical viability. The results suggest that important preferential decision-making outcomes can be affected by both the number of items and whether items are strategically manipulated to serve as targets or referents of comparison.
Separation of Strong and Electromagnetic Effects in Charged-Particle Scattering

Data on the scattering of charged hadrons reflect both the strong and electromagnetic interactions. We examine the problem of unraveling the "strong" part of the scattering amplitude from the electromagnetic part. Specific prescriptions, involving only the use of observed scattering data, are derived for obtaining the connection between the idealized "strong" scattering amplitude and the observed full scattering amplitude. The importance of the "off-the-mass-shell" or model-dependent corrections, which cannot be obtained directly from observation, are also discussed briefly. These results are equally applicable in the domains of lowenergy nuclear physics and high-energy particle physics.
Autocrine-paracrine mechanisms of vascular myocytes in systemic hypertension

Recent data demonstrate that in addition to its conduit function, the blood vessel is an active synthetic and secretory organ containing several autocrine and paracrine systems that are involved with the local regulation of its own function. The endothelium plays a pivotal role in modulating the balance between thrombogenesis and thrombolysis. In addition, it secretes vasorelaxant and vasoconstrictive substances, growth factors and inflammatory mediators that exert paracrine influences on vascular myocyte function. The vascular myocyte also expresses autocrine substances which influence its own function. The autocrine systems include angiotensin, prostaglandins, platelet-derived growth factor, insulin-like growth factor and heparin. These local factors exert modulatory influences on myocyte contractility and growth. It is conceivable that genetic or acquired abnormalities of one or several of these check and balance systems can result in increased vascular tone, generalized vascular hypertrophy or hyperplasia, or a combination, and contribute to the pathogenesis of hypertension. These autocrine-paracrine systems may be important targets for antihypertensive drug development.
DNA Polymorphisms Among Escherichia coli Isolated from Bacteriuric Women

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns, plasmid profiles, and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of paired sequential Escherichia coli isolates from antibiotic-treated and untreated elderly women were analyzed. Isolates from 26 of 27 subjects who were treated successfully with antibiotics but became reinfected differed by RFLP analysis, whereas 10 of 12 subjects who failed treatment and 11 of 14 untreated subjects had paired isolates with identical RFLP banding patterns. Only 40 of the 53 pairs of isolates could be analyzed by plasmid profiles; 36 of these 40 were concordant with RFLP analysis. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns showed poor concordance with RFLP analysis. This study demonstrates the utility of RFLP analysis and indicates that isolation of E. coli from elderly women after sterilization of the urinary tract usually results from introduction of a new strain; elderly women who fail antibiotic therapy or receive no therapy may remain persistently infected with the same E. coli strain.
Normal and Malignant Prostate Epithelial Cells Differ in Their Response to Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Scatter Factor

Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) promotes the proliferation, differentiation, motility, and invasion of epithelial cells by binding to its cell surface receptor, the Met tyrosine kinase. In the prostate, Met is expressed predominantly by prostate epithelial cells (PrEC), whereas HGF/SF is synthesized by prostate stromal cells (PrSC). Met is also expressed in localized and metastatic prostate cancers. Our results show that PrECs in in vitro culture maintain expression of Met at a level comparable to DU145 cancer cell expression. HGF/SF secreted by PrSC stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of the Met receptor. In normal PrEC, HGF/SF causes growth inhibition, sustained phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase, and increased CK18 expression consistent with cell differentiation. In contrast, HGF/SF significantly stimulates the proliferation of DU145 prostate cancer cells. HGF/SF in the conditioned medium of PrSC specifically induces migration of both normal and malignant prostate epithelial cells through MatriGel-coated Transwell filters. HGF/SF depletion reduces cell migration by approximately 50%. The response of PrEC is specific for HGF/SF since the other growth factors tested do not significantly affect growth or migration of PrECs. These results support the in vivo importance of the prostate stroma and specifically of HGF/SF as a unique stromal derived factor in the development and progression of prostate cancer.
Dependence of ozone production on NO and hydrocarbons in the troposphere

An expression for the production rate of 03, P(O 3), is derived based on a radical budget equation applicable to low and high NOx conditions. Differentiation of this equation with respect to NO or hydrocarbons (HC) gives an approximate analytic formula in which the relative sensitivity of P(O3) to changes in NO or HC depends only on the fraction of radicals which are removed by reactions with NOx. This formula is tested by comparison with results from a photochemical calculation driven by trace gas observations from the 1995 Southern Oxidants Study (SOS) campaign in Nashville, Tennessee.
Hypoxia-induced apoptosis of dorsal root ganglion neurons is associated with DNA damage recognition and cell cycle disruption in rats

The metabolic effects of hyperglycemia and hypoxia are important in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy. We demonstrated apoptosis in dorsal root ganglion neurons in vitro by employing an oxygen-glucose deprivation model that uses dorsal root ganglia incubated in room air (pO2=150 torr) followed by hypoxic conditions (pO2=7.6 torr). Apoptosis was confirmed by demonstrating caspase-3 activation by immunocytochemistry. Immunocytochemistry and western blot analysis demonstrated an increase in activated p53, suggesting that DNA damage was occurring. Cell cycle disruption was examined by cyclin D1 expression. Neuronal death was associated with up-regulation of markers associated with DNA damage and aberrant entry into G1 of the cell cycle.