cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conformations and Chain Dimensions of Poly(ethylene oxide) in Aqueous Solution: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study

We have performed a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation study of the conformations and chain dimensions of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) in aqueous solution. Local conformations were found to depend on temperature and composition in agreement with spectroscopy; in particular, an increase in the C-C dihedral gauche (g) population with decreasing temperature and polymer concentration was observed. In concentrated solution chains were compact relative to the melt due to a decrease in the C-C g dihedral angle and an increase in C-C g population. With dilution chains became more extended. A rotational isomeric state (RIS) model was utilized to examine the influence of local conformations on the dimensions of ideal chains. The RIS chains did not extend with dilution, indicating that this effect is not attributable to changes in local conformations. Additionally, the dimensions of solution chains were found to depend only weakly on temperature despite changes in local conformations that significantly influence RIS chain dimensions. These differences between solution and ideal chains can be attributed to excluded volume and other chain extensional effects in solution. Finally, in contrast to previous simulations and interpretation of some experiments, no tendency for extended helical conformations of the PEO chains was observed despite the large O-C-C-O tgt conformer population. Its wide use, prototypical behavior and simple chemical structure make PEO an excellent candidate for experimental and simulation studies aimed at gaining a better understanding of polymer-water interactions. Our previous simulations revealed that the conformations of glyme and diglyme depend strongly upon temperature and solution composition. In order to determine if the same behavior holds for longer PEO chains and to investigate the influence of local conformations on PEO chain dimensions we have performed MD simulations of H—[ CH2–O–CH2— ] 12 H (PEO-530) using quantum chemistry based atomistic potentials
Understanding the software paradox

This paper considers why the software community has not yet automated the process of developing software. It identifies some of the major factors which inhibit the establishment of a unifying view. The paper considers alternate views of the development process and discusses implications of each. Finally, it reviews some of the non-technical issues related to software development. This is a paper of ideas; no solutions are offered.
Efficient formation of ground-state ultracold molecules via STIRAP from the continuum at a Feshbach resonance

We develop a theoretical description of photoassociative stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) near a Feshbach resonance in a thermal atomic gas. We show that it is possible to use low-intensity laser pulses to directly excite pairs of atoms in the continuum near a Feshbach resonance and to transfer most of the atomic cloud to the lowest rovibrational level of the molecular ground state. For a broad resonance, commonly found in several mixtures of alkali atoms, our model predicts a transfer efficiency up to 97% for a given atom pair, and up to 70% when averaged over an atomic ensemble. The laser intensities and pulse durations needed for such an optimal transfer, 102–103 W cm−2 and several microseconds, are easily achievable experimentally. A single pair of STIRAP pulses converts an estimated fraction f~10−6–10−4 of atoms in an atomic ensemble, leading to the production of 10–1000 molecules in a large sample of 107 atoms. A total of ~104–106 pulse pairs are thus required to transfer most atoms into molecules. Such an efficiency compares with or surpasses currently available techniques for creating stable diatomic molecules, and the versatility of this approach simplifies its potential use for many molecular species.
Archeobotanic studies at Tell-el-Hesi

These studies describe the plant inventory and subsistence pattern for occupants of Tell-el-Hesi during the Hellenistic occupation period. Attempts are made to interpret the differences seen in the various areas and loci excavated. Statistical analysis has been used to validate these interpretations.
Characterization of ICR-177-induced ad-3 mutants of Neurospora crassa.

Abstract The mutagenic activity of: (1) 9-aminoacridine·HCl (AA), an acridine closely related to the acridine component of the acridine mustard, 2-methoxy-6-chloro-9-(3-[ethyl-2-chloroethyl]aminopropylamino) acridine·2 HCl (ICR-170); and (2) N -(2-chloroethyl)- N -ethyl-1,3-propylenediamine·2 HCl(ICR-177), the nitrogen mustard component of ICR-170, have been studied studied by inducing forward mutation at the ad −3 region of Neurospora crassa . The results indicate that AA is not mutagenic in the absence of visible light, whereas ICR-177 is mutagenic although it is a weak mutagen compared to ICR-170. The characterization of ad −3 mutants induced by ICR-177 shows that ICR-177 induces both multilocus deletions and intragenic alterations. The intragenic events include base-pair transitions, frameshift mutations, and possibly other changes. Hence, the potent multagenicity and mutagenic specificity of ICR-170 are due to the entire molecule and not to either the acridine or alkylating agent component. The mutagenic activity of ICR-177 appears to follow the mechanism proposed for monofunctional alkylating agents.
Abstract 635: PARP inhibition in HPV positive head and neck cancers.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Purpose: The human papilloma virus (HPV) has recently become a prevalent cause of human head and neck cancer (HNC), which often exhibits dysregulated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling. We previously reported that in non-HPV-associated HNC, inhibition of EGFR (EGFRi) attenuates DNA double stranded break (DSB) repair and subsequently sensitizes tumors to inhibitors of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), which target DNA repair deficient tumors. Because patients with HPV-associated HNC have been shown to exhibit increased sensitivity to DNA damage, we evaluated the response of HPV (+) HNC cells to combination EGFRi and PARPi compared to HPV (-) HNC cells. Methods: HPV (-) UM-SCC1 and UM-SCC6, as well as HPV (+) SCC-47 and SCC-90 were utilized for in vitro studies. Cell growth and survival fraction were evaluated via cell proliferation and colony formation assays, respectively. DNA damage studies were performed using standard γ-H2AX and Rad51 foci. Lastly, in vivo studies were conducted in mice bearing HNC tumor xenografts as well as a human tumor explant from a lymph node metastasis of a HPV(+) HNC patient. Results: Interestingly, HPV (+) HNCs exhibited the greatest sensitivity both in vitro and in vivo to PARP inhibition alone. This correlated with a blunted DNA damage response. In contrast, HPV (-) HNCs were most sensitive to combination EGFRi/PARPi, which correlated with persistent DNA damage. Conclusions: HPV(+) head and neck cancers may be sensitive to PARP inhibition alone. Our in vitro and in vivo results warrant further testing of PARP inhibitors as part of therapy for HNCs. Citation Format: Tiffiny Cooper, Marcela Rodriguez, Hoa Q. Trummell, Alice Weaver, James A. Bonner, Eddy S. Yang. PARP inhibition in HPV positive head and neck cancers. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 635. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-635
Reaction Kinetics of Some Catecholamines in Sodium Bisulfite Solutions

AbstractDecreases in isoproterenol and N-t butylnor-isoproterenol concentrations as a function of time have been measured for solutions with different sodium bisulfite concentrations. The pseudo first-order constants are dependent upon the sodium bisulfite concentration and the solution pH. The activation energy for isoproterenol and levarteronol in sodium bisulfite solutions was calculated as 24.4 and 25.0 kilocalories per mole. A minimum rate constant as a function of pH was demonstrated and the general equation was derived for this relationship.
Present status of microstructured semiconductor neutron detectors

Abstract Semiconductor diode detectors coated with neutron reactive materials have been investigated as neutron detectors for many decades, and are fashioned mostly as planar diodes coated with boron-10 ( 10 B), lithium-6 fluoride ( 6 LiF) or gadolinium (Gd). Although effective, these detectors are limited in efficiency (the case for boron and LiF coatings) or in the ability to distinguish background radiations from neutron-induced interactions (the case for Gd coatings). Over the past decade, a renewed effort has been made to improve diode designs to achieve up to a 10-fold increase in neutron detection efficiency over the simple planar diode designs. These new semiconductor neutron detectors are fashioned with a matrix of microstructured patterns etched deeply into the substrate and, subsequently, backfilled with neutron reactive materials. Intrinsic thermal-neutron detection efficiencies exceeding 40% have been achieved with devices no thicker than 1 mm while operating on less than 5 V.
Long‐term prognosis after carotid artery occlusion

One hundred thirty eight patients with angiographically proved carotid artery occlusion and minimal or no neurologic deficit were followed up for an average of 5 years. For patients 35 years old or over, the observed 5-year survival rate on an actuarial basis was 77% compared with an expected rate of 85% in a matched normal population. For patients 35 years old or over, the subsequent stroke rate was 3% per year, and two-thirds of the strokes were ipsilateral to the carotid artery occlusion. The observed stroke rate for all patients 35 years old or over was eight times the expected rate for a matched normal population. The relative risk of stroke was much greater in the younger patients with atherosclerotic carotid artery occlusion than in the older patients.
Human medial temporal-lobe stimulation disrupts both formation and retrieval of recent memories ☆

Disrupting medial temporal-lobe (MTL) activity for less than a second, either during the initial presentation of a complex scene or when it is presented again 1 min later, severely impairs recognition at the second presentation. MTL disruption during both presentation and recognition periods produces further impairment. These results are not consistent with views limiting MTL function solely to encoding or solely to retrieval mechanisms.
On the hemagglutinins of beans and influenza virus.

On a obtenu l'hemagglutinine des semences de papilionacees et celle du virus de l'influenza en solution dans les solvents organiques, par essentiellement la meme methode d'extraction. Ces deux substances semblent etre apparentees.
Exact and approximate probability distributions of evidence-based bundle composite compliance measures

Several studies recently have indicated that compliance with the medical evidence base across a wide range of chronic and acute conditions is dismally low. Partly in response, core measure sets and evidence-based "bundles" of care processes known to improve a patient's condition have become a common means for assessing and comparing the reliability of healthcare organizations to comply with best care practices. Compliance typically is estimated with a composite reliability statistic of the percent of all indicated bundle elements actually delivered to a sample of patients, which then is used to monitor, improve, rank, and reward organizations. Given these judgments inherently involve statistical concepts, we derive exact probability distributions of bundle reliability measures and illustrate how they can be used to develop appropriate statistical methods (confidence intervals, hypothesis tests, statistical process control charts, and probability ratio tests) for supporting process improvement and patient safety activities. Due to their computational complexity, we also discuss several accurate and fast approximations that can be useful in practice, including cumulant-based expansions, saddle point approximations, and probability generating function inversion. In contrast, we show that in some cases simple binomial or normal approximations can result in significant interpretation error and prolonged delays to detect process improvements or deteriorations.
The in vivo ageing of red cell enzymes: direct evidence of biphasic decay from polycythaemic rabbits with reticulocytosis

The rate at which the activities of red cell enzymes decay during maturation of the reticulocyte and ageing of the erythrocyte is poorly understood. It has recently been suggested that loss of enzyme activity may be rapid during reticulocyte maturation and occur slowly thereafter. We have now devised a rabbit model in which reticulocytosis is combined with transfusional polycythaemia. This makes it possible to follow the enzymatic activity of a cohort of reticulocytes without the interfering effect of newly formed cells. In this model the reticulocyte count of the experimental animals falls from about 60% to subnormal levels within 4 d. Red cell hexokinase activity declined rapidly with more than half of the activity being lost within 7 d, little change occurring thereafter. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity declined more gradually, but also followed a biphasic course. The fall of pyrimidine 5' nucleotidase activity was the slowest of the three age-dependent enzymes studied. This is consistent with our observations in children with transient erythroblastopenia of childhood, in which this enzyme, alone of the age-dependent enzymes, was found to be decreased in a senescent red cell population. In contrast to the three age-dependent enzymes studied, the activity of lactate dehydrogenase remained unchanged during the course of the experiment. These studies provide direct verification of the suggestion that the decline of red cell enzyme activities may be biphasic. They show, moreover, that enzyme decay is not only rapid in reticulocytes, but also in young erythrocytes.
Physical and Functional Characterization of the Double-Stranded RNA Binding Protein Encoded by the Vaccinia Virus E3 Gene

Abstract The vaccinia virus E3 gene encodes a 190-amino acid double-stranded (ds) RNA-binding protein that antagonizes cellular antiviral response pathways triggered by dsRNA and interferon. The physical and functional properties of the E3 protein were determined using recombinant E3 produced in bacteria and purified to homogeneity. We show by sedimentation and chemical crosslinking that E3 is a dimer in solution at high ionic strength. E3 self-associates to form higher order oligomers as ionic strength is reduced from 1 to 0.1 M NaCl. Structure probing by limited proteolysis suggests that E3 consists of amino- and carboxyl-terminal domains separated by a trypsin-sensitive bridge at residues Lys-92 and Arg-95. The carboxyl-domain of E3 contains a conserved dsRNA binding motif (dsRBM) found in many other proteins that interact with dsRNA. That the C-terminal domain per se binds to dsRNA was verified by studies of recombinant E3(100–190) purified from bacteria. The affinity of the C-terminal domain for dsRNA was comparable to that of the full-length E3 protein ( K D ∼ 7 to 9 n M ). E3(100–190) did not bind to DNA–DNA duplexes or to DNA–RNA hybrids, suggesting that the dsRBM specifically recognizes an A-form helix. E3(100–190) is a dimer in solution; however, unlike the full-sized E3 protein, E3(100–190) does not form higher order multimers at low ionic strength.
Nonlinear optimization: complexity issues

Optimization and convexity complexity theory convex quadratic programming non-convex quadratic programming local optimization complexity in the black-box model.
Beyond black, white and Hispanic: race, ethnic origin and drinking patterns in the United States.

Abstract This study used data on 42,862 U.S. adults, including 18,352 past-year drinkers, to describe differentials by race and national origin in U.S. drinking patterns. Age–sex standardized estimates were presented within 21 categories of ethnic origin for whites and within five categories each for individuals of black and other races. Of the three racial groups, whites were the most likely to drink, but blacks had the highest volume of intake and frequency of heavy drinking. Differences by ethnic origin within racial categories were as marked as differentials between races. Compared to whites of European origin, those of Hispanic and native American origin were less likely to drink but consumed more alcohol on days when they drank. Whites of Southern and Eastern European origin drank proportionately more wine and demonstrated more moderate drinking patterns (lower intake per drinking day and/or less frequent heavy drinking) than those of Northern or Central European origin. Hispanics of Caribbean origin were less prone to heavy drinking than other white Hispanics; similarly, blacks from the English-speaking Caribbean showed more moderate drinking patterns than other blacks. Individuals of Asian origin, in particular those of non-Japanese origin, had the most moderate drinking patterns within the category of other race. Although the black/white differentials in volume of intake and frequency of heavy drinking disappeared after adjusting for marital status, education and income, most of the differences by ethnic origin retained their statistical significance if not their original magnitudes. These findings indicate that cultural forces exert a strong effect on drinking behavior. Differences among European whites with respect to prevalence of drinking, beverage preference and frequency of heavy drinking suggest that the association between ethnic origin and drinking behavior may persist even after many generations of presumed acculturation.
The altitude of alpine treeline: a bellwether of climate change effects

Because of the characteristically low temperatures and ambient CO2 concentrations associated with greater altitudes, mountain forests may be particularly sensitive to global warming and increased atmospheric CO2. Moreover, the upper treeline is probably the most stressful location within these forests, possibly providing an early bellwether of forest response. Most treeline studies of the past century, as well as recently, have correlated temperatures with the altitudinal limits observed for treelines. In contrast, investigations on pre-establishment seedlings, the most vulnerable life stage of most tree species, are rare. There appears to be specific microclimatic factors dictated by wind and sky exposure that limit seedling survival, and also generate the distorted tree forms commonly observed at treeline. Seedling survival appears critical for creating the biological facilitation of microclimate at the community level which is necessary for the growth of seedlings to normal tree stature, forming new subalpine forest at a higher altitude.
The evolution of epidemic influenza

Recent developments in complete-genome sequencing, antigenic mapping and epidemiological modelling are greatly improving our knowledge of the evolution of human influenza virus at the epidemiological scale. In particular, recent studies have revealed a more complex relationship between antigenic evolution, natural selection and reassortment than previously realized. Despite these advances, there is much that remains to be understood about the epidemiology of influenza virus, particularly the processes that determine the virus's strong seasonality. We argue that a complete understanding of the evolutionary biology of this important human pathogen will require a genomic view of genetic diversity, including the acquisition of polymorphism data from within individual hosts and from geographical regions, particularly the tropics, which have been poorly surveyed to date.
The U.S. Armed Forces' View of War

© 2011 by the American Academy of Arts & Sciences BRIAN MCALLISTER LINN is Professor of History and Ralph R. Thomas Professor in Liberal Arts at Texas A&M University. His publications include Guardians of Empire: The U.S. Army and the Paci1⁄2c, 1902–1940 (1997) and The Philippine War, 1899–1902 (2000), both of which received the Society for Military History Distinguished Book Award, and The Echo of Battle: The Army’s Way of War (2007). His current project is Elvis’s Army: Transformation and the Atomic-Era Soldier, 1946–1965. Despite the continual issuance of buzzwords emphasizing service unity and harmony–such as “jointness,” “An Army of One,” or “The Few, the Proud”–the armed forces’ internal divisions have been vividly displayed during the last decade. A number of important books detail the disagreements between civilian and military leaders and the long struggle to implement the “surge” and the counterinsurgency (coin) strategy.1 The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have generated a radical transformation in military thought: that is, a paradigm shift from idealized, techno-centric, scienti1⁄2c formulas–such as “network-centric warfare” (ncw) or “effects-based operations” (ebo)–to more complex, ambiguous, and human-centered visions of war, which were encapsulated in 2007 by The U.S. Army/Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Field Manual.2 This intellectual renaissance has led, according to some, to military victory in Iraq and a path to eventual success in Afghanistan. This interpretation is attractive because it implies that the U.S. armed forces are adaptive, learning organizations that will develop new concepts to replace failed ones. But it begs a number of central ques-
Midlatitude F-region neutral winds and temperatures during the priority regular world day 14 August 1980

Abstract Midlatitude F-region neutral winds and temperatures determined from Fabry-Perot interferometer measurements of the doppler shifts and widths of nightglow 630.0 nm line profiles are presented for the priority regular world day 14 August 1980. They exhibit, in many respects, the observed behavior for other summer, geomagnetically quiet nights at solar maximum. The neutral temperature decreases from ∼ 1500°K after sunset (21 h LT) to a minimum of ~ 1200°K before dawn (05 h LT), except to the north of the observatory. The zonal winds are eastward at sunset at ∼ 50 m/sec, decrease to zero at ∼ 02 h LT and are westward just before dawn. The meridional winds are zero just after sunset and reach a maximum equatorward value of ∼ 50–70 m/sec at local midnight but do not decrease as predicted; instead, they remain at roughly these values towards dawn. The NCAR thermospheric general circulation model (TGCM) is used to predict the global upper atmospheric temperature and circulation patterns for this world day. The model predictions agree with the measured neutral temperatures and exhibit qualitative similarities to the measured neutral winds. It is concluded that inclusion in the model of ion drift at midlatitudes should improve the agreement with observations.
Use of self assembled monolayers at variable coverage to control interface bonding in a model study of interfacial fracture: Pure shear loading

The relationships between fundamental interfacial interactions, energy dissipation mechanisms, and fracture stress or fracture toughness in a glassy thermoset/inorganic solid joint are not well understood. This subject is addressed with a model system involving an epoxy adhesive on a polished silicon wafer containing its native oxide. The proportions of physical and chemical interactions at the interface, and the in-plane distribution, are varied using self-assembling monolayers of octadecyltrichlorosilane (ODTS). The epoxy interacts strongly with the bare silicon oxide surface, but forms only a very weak interface with the methylated tails of the ODTS monolayer. The fracture stress is examined as a function of ODTS coverage in the napkin-ring (pure shear) loading geometry. The relationship between fracture stress and ODTS coverage is catastrophic, with a large change in fracture stress occurring over a narrow range of ODTS coverage. This transition in fracture stress does not correspond to a wetting transition of the epoxy. Rather, the transition in fracture stress corresponds to the onset of deformation in the epoxy, or the transition from brittle to ductile fracture. The authors postulate that the transition in fracture stress occurs when the local stress that the interface can support becomes comparable to the yield stress of the epoxy. The fracture results are independent of whether the ODTS deposition occurs by island growth (T{sub dep} = 10 C) or by homogeneous growth (T{sub dep} = 24 C).
IMPLICATIONS FOR PREVENTIVE LAW IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLICIES FOR MANAGING PART‐TIME FACULTY IN COMMUNITY COLLEGES

This study dealt with the legal concerns associated with federal antidiscrimination legislation and the increasing reliance on part‐time faculty in community colleges. There are serious consequences when policies relative to part‐time faculty are inconsistent with these laws. The study also built on the concept of preventive law “through anticipatory administrator behavior.” This requires knowledge of the present policies and practices at an institution and how they may bear on potential legal challenges. The major research question which guided the following inquiry was: What awareness of the intent of affirmative action and civil rights legislation do administrators in Pennsylvania's community colleges demonstrate when regarding the application of these statutes to their part‐time faculty? For this question, differences in awareness by administrative level was also analyzed. The major conclusion drawn from the study is that Pennsylvania's community colleges do not appear to show an awareness of the inte...
Performance of Hamming codes in systems employing different code symbol energies

In this paper, we describe a generalized scheme to analyze the bit error probability of Hamming codes when the code symbols have different symbol energies. The method of analysis is general, and could be used to analyze other block code schemes. We illustrate the effectiveness of our method with application to a spectrally-shaped multicarrier direct-sequence spread spectrum system.
Evaluating user interface design with belief constructs

The perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use constructs have received widespread recent attention as predictors of the user acceptance of information technologies. In this study, the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of user interfaces are modeled as predictors of task accuracy, task latency and user confidence in decision quality. Results indicate that interfaces received as easy to use enhance user productivity, in terms of more accurate decisions and reduced decision times. Interfaces perceived as easy to use also contribute significantly to user confidence in decision quality. However, interfaces that are perceived as more useful result in users taking longer to make decisions that are no more accurate. Furthermore, user confidence in decision quality is not promoted by interfaces that are perceived as useful. >
Flawed metrics: Satellite cost per transponder and cost per day

In engineering design, metrics play a critical role in guiding design choices. It is therefore of prime importance that the metrics used to guide decision-making be the "right" metrics. This paper makes the case that two metrics used to guide communications satellites design, namely cost per operational day, and cost per transponder, are flawed under certain conditions in the sense that they result in design choices-increasingly longer lived satellites and larger payloads-that do not necessarily maximize the system's value. This paper advocates a value-centric mindset in system design, and proposes shifting the emphasis from cost to value analyses to guide design choices that maximize a system's value. Counter-examples are provided that challenge the traditional wisdom that longer lived or bigger satellites, being more cost effective on a per-day or per-transponder basis, are also more profitable or valuable. It is shown that while these metrics are useful guides for design choices in a supply-constrained market (in which a cost-centric mindset can prevail), they are flawed metrics on which to base decisions if the market is competitive, and in which the revenues from the system are not guaranteed to remain stable over time, through the impact of technology obsolescence, or overcapacity resulting in downward pressure on transponder lease prices. Finally, the case is made that the current market conditions require a value-centric mindset (as opposed to a cost-centric mindset) that views a spacecraft as a value-delivery artifact, and integrates considerations about the system's cost, its technical environment, and the market it is serving.
Characteristic failure initiation sites in plain weave textile composites

Failure initiation locations were determined in the tows and matrix pockets of a plain weave textile composite for a wide variety of loading conditions in an attempt to identify characteristic fail...
Binary-Weighted Digital-to-Analog Converter Design Using Floating-Gate Voltage References

An implementation of a compact and programmable 10-bits floating-gate digital-to-analog converter (FGDAC) is described. In this implementation, nonvolatile floating-gate voltage references (epots) are employed together with unity-size capacitors to obtain the binary-weighted scale factors. The FGDAC, fabricated in a 0.5- mum CMOS process, occupies 0.208 mm2 of die area. The stored epot voltages drift 10_3% over the period of ten years at 25 degC and exhibit temperature coefficients of less than 37 ppm/degC. With the proposed design, INL and DNL values less than plusmn0.5LSB (LSB = 3 mV) and SFDR around 63 dB are obtained.
Seeing What We Want to See: Confirmation Bias in Animal Behavior Research

Confirmation bias is the tendency of observers to see what they expect to see while conducting scientific research. Although confirmation bias has been well-studied by psychologists in the context of qualitative judgments, it has been much less studied with respect to the kinds of quantitative observations made by behavioral biologists. We carried out two experiments that used multiple observers of the aggression and foraging behaviors of red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) to determine whether behavioral observations were influenced by the a priori expectations of observers. In both experiments, one group of observers was given a specific set of expectations with respect to sex differences in salamander behavior, while a second group was given the opposite set of expectations. In one experiment, observers collected data on variable sets of live salamanders, while in the other experiment, observers collected data from identical videotaped trials. Across experiments and observed behaviors, the expectations of observers did appear to bias observations, but only to a small or moderate degree. Confirmation bias never accounted for more than 13% of the observed variation in behavior, and was generally equivalent to <20% of the mean value of each variable. The estimated magnitude of confirmation bias was quite similar for men and women, suggesting no relationship between observer gender and susceptibility to confirmation bias. We believe that these results are largely optimistic with respect to confirmation bias in behavioral ecology, in that they suggest the bias may often be small relative to individual variation in behavior, even for relatively inexperienced observers.
Assessment of training and technical assistance needs of Colorectal Cancer Control Program Grantees in the U.S.

Practitioners often require training and technical assistance to build their capacity to select, adapt, and implement evidence-based interventions (EBIs). The CDC Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) aims to promote CRC screening to increase population-level screening. This study identified the training and technical assistance (TA) needs and preferences for training related to the implementation of EBIs among CRCCP grantees. Twenty-nine CRCCP grantees completed an online survey about their screening activities, training and technical assistance in 2012. They rated desire for training on various evidence-based strategies to increase cancer screening, evidence-based competencies, and program management topics. They also reported preferences for training formats and facilitators and barriers to trainings. Many CRCCP grantees expressed the need for training with regards to specific EBIs, especially system-level and provider-directed EBIs to promote CRC screening. Grantees rated these EBIs as more difficult to implement than client-oriented EBIs. Grantees also reported a moderate need for training regarding finding EBIs, assessing organizational capacity, implementing selected EBIs, and conducting process and outcome evaluations. Other desired training topics reported with higher frequency were partnership development and data collection/evaluation. Grantees preferred training formats that were interactive such as on-site trainings, webinars or expert consultants. Public health organizations need greater supports for adopting evidence-based interventions, working with organizational-level change, partnership development and data management. Future capacity building efforts for the adoption of EBIs should focus on systems or provider level interventions and key processes for health promotion and should be delivered in a variety of ways to assist local organizations in cancer prevention and control.
Microgrid standards and technologies

Microgrids are intentional islands formed at a facility or in an electrical distribution system that contain at least one distributed energy resource and associated loads. Microgrids that operate both electrical generation and loads in a coordinated manner can offer benefits to the customer and the local utility. The loads and energy sources in a microgrid can be disconnected from and reconnected to the utility system with minimal disruption, thereby improving reliability. Any time a microgrid is implemented in an electrical distribution system, it must be well planned to avoid problems. This paper discusses current microgrid technologies and standards that are being developed to address implementation of microgrids.
Cooperative security-enforcement routing in mobile ad hoc networks

The characteristics of mobile ad hoc networks (MANET) introduce vulnerabilities to malicious attacks varying from passive eavesdropping to active interfering. With routing being a critical aspect for MANET, routing security is drawing increased attention. Yet, to date there is little work published in this area. We propose a cooperative security-enforcement routing (CSER) protocol that intends to provide effective identification of misbehaviors on ad hoc routing, detection latency reduction and approximate location of the misbehaving node on a path. We introduce the concept of a security domain, which is composed of a set of hosts trusting each other and which can be assured a certain level of security. Our protocol requires that the nodes on a route from the same security domain cooperate as security monitor and enforcement points. Simulation results show that the protocol achieves good detection accuracy, lower detection latency and lower end-to-end delay than some other approaches. Planned future work is also described.
Stent placement for treatment of central and peripheral venous obstruction: A long-term multi-institutional experience

Abstract Purpose: The clinical success and patency of central and peripheral venous stents in patients with symptomatic venous obstruction (SVO) were assessed. Methods: The records of patients with SVO treated with venous stents from 1992 to 1999 were reviewed. Demographic and procedural variables were analyzed to determine their effect on clinical success, primary patency, and secondary patency. Patency was determined by means of a follow-up duplex scan or venogram. Results: Forty central venous (CV) and 14 peripheral venous (PV) obstructions were treated in 49 patients. Sixty-five stents were placed (50 CV and 15 PV), 54 in previously unstented lesions and 11 in previously stented lesions. Causes of CV lesions included catheter placement (82%), tumor compression (6%), arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and no prior catheter (2%), and other (10%). All PV lesions resulted from complications of dialysis. Indications for CV stents included limb edema (46%), AVF malfunction (30%), both limb edema and AVF malfunction (14%), and other (10%). PV stent indications were AVF malfunction (86%) and limb edema (14%). Thirteen CV stents indicated to treat tumor compression (three cases), May-Thurner syndrome (one case), deep venous thrombosis (three cases), superior vena cava syndrome (one case), and lower-extremity catheter-related lesions (five cases) were excluded from the analysis of clinical outcome. Fifty-two stents (37 CV and 15 PV) were included in the analysis of clinical outcome. All CV lesions included in the analysis were complications of prolonged catheterization. Eighty-nine percent of patients had end-stage renal disease and an AVF. Complications developed in 26% of patients with PV stents and in no patients with CV stents ( P Conclusion: Stents provide a temporary benefit in most patients with central or peripheral upper-extremity SVO. Regular follow-up and reinterventions are required to maintain patency and achieve long-term clinical success. Stents used for CV lesions have higher clinical success rates than stents used for PV lesions. Patients with a reasonable life expectancy or who are unable to return for subsequent procedures should be considered for undergoing alternative therapy. (J Vasc Surg 2000;32:760-9.)
Linear array with a reconfigurable pipelined bus system - Concepts and applications

A new computational model, called a linear array with a reconfigurable pipelined bus system (LARPBS), has been proposed as a feasible and efficient parallel computational model based on current optical technologies. In this paper, we further study this model by proposing several basic data movement operations on the model. These operations include broadcast, multicast, compression, split, binary prefix sum, maximum finding. Using these basic operations, several image processing algorithms are also presented for the model. We show that all algorithms can be executed efficiently on the LARPBS model. It is our hope that the LARPBS model can be used as a new and practical parallel computational model for designing parallel algorithms.
Preconditioning of Radial Basis Function Interpolation Systems via Accelerated Iterated Approximate Moving Least Squares Approximation

The standard approach to the solution of the radial basis function interpo- lation problem has been recognized as an ill-conditioned problem for many years. This is especially true when infinitely smooth basic functions such as multiquadrics or Gaussians are used with extreme values of their associated shape parameters. Various approaches have been described to deal with this phenomenon. These tech- niques include applying specialized preconditioners to the system matrix, changing the basis of the approximation space or using techniques from complex analysis. In this paper we present a preconditioning technique based on residual iteration of an approximate moving least squares quasi-interpolant that can be interpreted as a change of basis. In the limit our algorithm will produce the perfectly conditioned cardinal basis of the underlying radial basis function approximation space. Although our method is motivated by radial basis function interpolation problems, it can also be adapted for similar problems when the solution of a linear system is involved such as collocation methods for solving differential equations.
Design and Implementation of a Query Planner for Data Integration

Many applications require integrated access to multiple distributed, autonomous, and often semantically disparate data. Hence there is a need for bridging the semantic gap between the user and the data sources and for answering user queries based on the contents of multiple data sources. This paper describes a query planner that solves these two problems.
Sequential circuit verification using symbolic model checking

The temporal logic model algorithm of E.M. Clarke et al. (ACM Trans. Prog. Lang. Syst., vol.8, no.2, p.244-63, 1986) is modified to represent a state graph using binary decision diagrams (BDDs). Because this representation captures some of the regularity in the state space of sequential circuits with data path logic, one is able to verify circuits with an extremely large number of states. This new technique is demonstrated on a synchronous pipelined design with approximately 5*10/sup 20/ states. The logic that is used to specify circuits is a propositional temporal logic of branching time, called CTL or Computation Tree Logic. The model checking algorithm handles full CTL with fairness constraints. Consequently. it is possible to handle a number of important liveness and fairness properties. which would otherwise not be expressible in CTL. The method presented is not necessarily a replacement for brute-force state-enumeration methods but an alternative that may work efficiently when the brute force methods fail. >
Depth-Workload Tradeoffs for Workforce Organization

We introduce and consider the problem of effectively organizing a population of workers of varying abilities. We assume that arriving tasks for the workforce are homogeneous, and that each is characterized by an unknown and onedimensional difficulty valuex2 [0;1]. Each workeri is characterized by their ability wi 2 [0;1], and can solve the task if and only if x wi. If a worker is unable to solve a given task it must be forwarded to a worker of greater ability. For a given set of worker abilitiesW and a distributionP over task difficulty, we are interested in the problem of designing efficient forwarding structures forW andP . We give efficient algorithms and structures that simultaneously (approximately) minimize both the maximum workload of any worker, and the number of workers that need to attempt a task. We identify broad conditions under which workloads diminish rapidly with the workforce size, yet only a constant number of workers attempt each task.
The BCR gene and Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemogenesis

Recent investigations have rapidly added crucial new insights into the complex functions of the normal BCR gene and of the BCR-ABL chimera and are yielding potential therapeutic breakthroughs in the treatment of Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome-positive leukemias. The term “breakpoint cluster region (
Results of zinc deprivation in daphnid culture

Daphnia pulex Leydig (Cladocera), reared in circumstances of strictly controlled trace element exposure, were deprived of zinc. When zinc was withheld from both their liquid medium and solid (algal) food, D. pulex survived for more than 20 consecutive generations before the line ceased reproduction entirely. Through these generations zinc deprivation resulted in a somewhat irregular, but continuing, shortening of life span, a decrease in fecundity (both progeny per brood and number of broods were affected), and a loss of cuticle integrity. A distinct pattern of response was observed during the gradual, multigenerational decline of the animal line. The decline can be separated into three stages: initial (first five), minimal, but steady, increase in overt damage; intermediate (sixth through 19th), varying degrees of damage with apparent severity showing a distinct alternation from generation to generation; and final (last three generations), limited reproduction with ultimate elimination of the animal line by a total absence of reproduction in generation 23.
Single-payer and all-payer systems: implications for emergency medicine in the United States.

Abstract [Williams RM. Single-payer and all-payer systems: implications for emergency medicine in the United States. Ann Emerg Med . March 2001;37:337-339.]
Response programming in simple and choice reactions.

Changing the nature of a motor response can produce a reliable change in choice reaction time, while the corresponding effect for simple reaction time is unreliable, and disappears with appropriate instructions and practice. The reliable effect for choice reactions was attributed to a component of the reaction time in which the response is programmed. This programming can be done in advance of the simple reaction-time interval thereby eliminating this component from the measured simple reaction time, although S may not necessarily take advantage of this possibility. According to this analysis, the Henry and Rogers “memory drum theory” applies to choice reactions but not necessarily to the simple reactions which have been the primary basis for previous demonstrations.
Laboratory Observations of Reproduction in the Deep-Water Zoarcids Lycodes cortezianus and Lycodapus mandibularis (Teleostei: Zoarcidae)

The first observations of reproduction and associated behaviors in captive bigfin eelpout, Lycodes cortezianus, and pallid eelpout, Lycodapus mandibularis, are reported here. One Lycodes cortezianus pair produced 13 transparent and negatively buoyant eggs that were approximately 6 mm in diameter. These were laid on a hydroid-covered rock. The development period was about 7 months, and the young that emerged were approximately 2 cm in total length. An additional captive pair also exhibited mating behavior as the male repeatedly nudged the female and the pair produced a burrow under a sponge; however the male died before any mating. Two gravid female Lycodapus mandibularis were captured and laid between 23 and 46 eggs that were about 4 mm in diameter. These were released on the sandy substrate after the females moved the sand about the tank, and the eggs were negatively buoyant. These eggs were all unfertilized. Additional burrowing behavior was observed from other captive individuals, but no eggs were subsequently produced. Taken together, our observations suggest that burrowing or use of other protective structures is a reproductive behavior of central importance to zoarcids. Contrary to some earlier hypotheses, even midwater species likely return to the sediment to burrow and/or deposit eggs. This behavior means that field data regarding reproduction in this family will continue to be difficult to obtain, and the contribution of further study in laboratory situations should not be underestimated.