cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Systemic risks management in complex process plants: Challenges, opportunities, and emerging trends

The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster has reminded us, once again, the potential for systemic failures in complex engineered systems. But such systemic failures are not limited to the chemical and petrochemical industries alone. The 2003 Northeast electrical power blackout was a systemic failure. Financial disasters such as Enron, WorldCom, subprime derivatives market, and so on, also belong to the same class. Given the size, scope, and complexity of these modern engineered systems and their interactions, it is becoming increasingly difficult for people to anticipate, diagnose and control serious abnormal events in a timely manner. Practitioners in the process industries view this as the next major challenge in control systems research and application. There are two different, but related, components of the overall systemic risks management problem. One deals with the problem of process safety during real-time operations. The other deals with safety issues during the design and/or modifications of the plant or the processes. In this paper, I will present an overview of the challenges and the opportunities. Recent progress has promising implications on the use of intelligent systems for a variety of applications in the chemical, petrochemical, and pharmaceutical industries for inherently safer design, operator training, abnormal events management, and optimal process operations.
Analytical Design and Implementation of a Uniform Pressure Actuator for Electromagnetic Forming and Welding

Lightweight sheet metal components and assemblies formed and welded electromagnetically can be implemented in various industries such as automotive, aerospace, and electronics. Past applications and modeling of Electromagnetic Forming (EMF) and Magnetic Pulse Welding (MPW) have typically focused on crimping and expansion of tubular workpieces. While some Finite Element Analysis (FEA) packages exist that are capable of modeling these processes, there is a lack of simplified analytical modeling efforts, especially for sheet metal workpieces. Analytical modeling is attractive for its simplicity and cost in effectively determining e.g., an optimal coil design. In this paper a coil design and analysis procedure developed at The Ohio State University is modified and extended through an analytical model and FEA. The coil, named a Uniform Pressure Actuator (UPA), offers increased forming efficiency and repeatability, as well as a robust design. Coil design parameters such as the number of turns and conductor cross section are determined for a given workpiece. Magnetic pressure applied to the workpiece and workpiece velocity are predicted to ensure impact velocities are sufficient for MPW. A coil was constructed based on the analyses, and experimental results are compared to the analytical predictions for both electrical characteristics and workpiece velocity.© 2013 ASME
Recent Experimental Advances in Positronium Research

Positronium is a two-body, leptonic, particle-antiparticle system which possesses self-annihilation channels not directly present in any system studied to date. These features make it ideal for the study of the relativistic, two-body problem in quantum electrodynamics. This review will focus on recent experimental advances in fundamental positronium research. In addition, a less detailed discussion of recent theoretical advances is outlined. The review also contains a fairly detailed historial introduction and a section discussing uses of positronium in research not related to tests of quantum electrodynamics.
Masculinity-Femininity Guides Sexual Union Formation in Adolescents

The authors test the idea that patterns of masculinity-femininity (MF) help sort adolescents into romantic couples. Using a nationally representative sample of adolescents in Grades 7 to 12 from a probability sample of secondary schools in the United States, an MF measure was constructed by selecting a set of questionnaire items demonstrating sex differences. For each respondent, the probability of being a boy was predicted. Respondents identified opposite-sex romantic partners within their school. When the partner identified also was interviewed, the authors were able to create MF for both members of the couple. Trichotomizing MF scores for each sex, it was determined that couples with a very masculine boy and very feminine girl are most likely to have sex, and to have sex the soonest. The couples for which both members are in the average MF range for their sex are the quickest to break up. The pattern of MF is a strong influence on the behavior of adolescent romantic couples.
Metabolism and metabolic actions of 4′-thiothymidine in L1210 cells

Abstract 4′-Thiothymidine (S-dThd) is a potent inhibitor of L1210 cell growth and is active against P388 leukemia in mice. Because of these activities and its novel structure, we have begun studies of its metabolism and metabolic actions in L1210 cells in order to understand its mechanism of cytotoxicity. S-dThd inhibited the incorporation of radiolabeled precursors into DNA, but did not inhibit the incorporation of either uridine or leucine into RNA or protein, respectively, which indicated that the mechanism oi its toxicity was due to its inhibition of DNA synthesis. S-dThd did not decrease the concentration of any of the natural deoxynucleoside triphosphates, which indicated that its cytotoxicity was not due to the inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase. S-dThd was readily phosphorylated and used as a substrate for DNA synthesis. Because the rate of incorporation of S-dThd into DNA was 20% that of thymidine, it is likely that the mechanism of action of S-dThd is not due to inhibition of DNA polymerases by the 5′-triphosphate of S-dThd, but instead to its incorporation into the DNA and its subsequent disruption of some function of DNA.
Sex Differences in the Regulation of Serotonergic Transmission and Behavior in 5-HT Receptor Knockout Mice

Few studies have examined the relationship between genetics, stress, and sex-linked differences in neurotransmitter systems. Examining serotonin (5-HT) receptor knockout mice on stress-induced behavioral depression, female 5-HT1B receptor knockout mice demonstrated significantly reduced immobility than either male 5-HT1B receptor knockout mice or male and female wild-type mice on the tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test. The behavioral phenotype was identified as likely due to a disinhibition of 5-HT release, because depletion of 5-HT with parachlorophenylalanine selectively reduced immobility of female 5-HT1B receptor knockout mice in the TST. In contrast, male and female 5-HT1A receptor knockout mice demonstrated reduced immobility compared with control mice, but the depletion of 5-HT with PCPA did not reverse the antidepressant-like phenotype. Microdialysis studies confirmed significantly higher baseline levels of hippocampal 5-HT in female, but not male, 5-HT1B receptor knockout mice. Both male and female 5-HT1B receptor knockout mice demonstrated augmented dialysate responses to fluoxetine. Also, both male and female 5-HT1B receptor knockout mice demonstrated reductions of immobility in the TST after treatment with fluoxetine. Therefore, female 5-HT1B receptor knockout mice demonstrate a sex-linked disinhibition of 5-HT release that sustained higher baseline levels of hippocampal 5-HT and behavioral vulnerability to 5-HT depletion.
Rural mental health and psychological treatment: a review for practitioners

Practitioners in rural areas face particular challenges in providing psychological services, ranging from disparate rates of mental disorders to unique circumstances in treating special populations. In this article, we discuss the burden of mental disorders in rural areas, current trends in integration of mental health care and primary care, and unique concerns practitioners face in treating two special populations in rural areas (children and families, and older adults and their caregivers). Implications for practice are also discussed.
Reference Connectors for Evaluation of Aluminium Building-Wire Connectability

A line of aluminum (Al) setscrew splice connectors was developed which, in conjunction with an appropriate test technique, permits evaluating connectabiiity of aluminum building wire. These connectors incorporate features that make them particularly suited to reference purposes: familiar geometry, alI-Al construction, nonplated contact surfaces, and availability of test points for measuring resistances. Use of these Al reference connectors (ARC's) provides the structure within which to separately judge conductor and commercial terminal effectiveness. Where conventional assembly resistance measurements from equalizer to connector do not resolve questions on contact resistance, additional measurements are made from equalizer to individual strand ends and from connector to strand ends. A special concentric probe in which the insulated potential lead is spring loaded within a brass measuring-current-carrying tube simplifies resistance measurements to the free end of a strand. Application of Thevenin's theorem to the three-terminal network represented by the equalizer, connector, and strand allows substitution of an equivalent wye for the complicated network of the stranded conductor termination. Connectability comparisons include 1350-H19 and Al alloy building wire of different Constructions, interstrand lubricity, and sources, including the voluntary inventory program of test conductors for connector qualification under Underwriters' Laboratories Standard' 486B.
Writing Centers and Students with Disabilities: The User-centered Approach, Participatory Design, and Empirical Research as Collaborative Methodologies

Abstract This article discusses issues of accessibility and how user-centered and participatory approaches can inform empirical research to guide the Universal Design of virtual spaces and influence writing center efforts for students with disabilities. Because this article describes how to integrate usability/accessibility testing for online and in-person services, it can work as a model for writing centers struggling with the challenges of serving students with disabilities. Toward this end, the article discusses two generations of usability testing on a large, well-established online writing lab (the Purdue OWL), as well as the collaborative projects that emerged between the usability team and campus disabilities services as a result of this testing. The article concludes with heuristics and generative questions that may assist readers in developing similar projects tailored to their own contexts.
Predicted lattice relaxation around point defects in zinc selenide

There is great interest in altering the electronic and consequent optical properties of wide-band-gap semiconductors through the use of selected additives (dopants). These effects depend on the way in which the impurity enters the lattice structure, and the resulting possible lattice relaxation effects and their repercussions. There have been several calculations for the point defects in ZnSe based on pseudopotential approaches, with some differences in results among these; and, in the case of nitrogen substitution for the selenium, there is a difference with experiment as to the expected size of relaxation effects around the defect. Thus it is useful to have calculations by a quite different technique. For that reason, as benchmark calculations, we have studied lattice relaxation around Zn and Se vacancies, and around N-for-Se substitution sites in ZnSe $[{\mathrm{V}}_{\mathrm{Se}},$ $({\mathrm{V}}_{\mathrm{Se}}{)}^{++},$ ${\mathrm{V}}_{\mathrm{Zn}},$ $({\mathrm{V}}_{\mathrm{Zn}}{)}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{-}},$ ${\mathrm{N}}_{\mathrm{Se}},$ and $({\mathrm{N}}_{\mathrm{Se}}{)}^{\ensuremath{-}}],$ using a full-potential, linear combination of muffin-tin orbitals total energy calculation including an atomic force routine. We have obtained results for the lattice response of ZnSe in various configurations, and discuss these in comparison to the pseudopotential results and experiment. For the case of nitrogen substitution for selenium, we also present an independent experimental verification of previously reported results for the unusually large lattice relaxation surrounding this defect.
Dark Energy from Discrete Spacetime

Dark energy accounts for most of the matter-energy content of our universe, yet current theories of its origin rely on radical physical assumptions such as the holographic principle or controversial anthropic arguments. We give a better motivated explanation for dark energy, claiming that it arises from a small negative scalar-curvature present even in empty spacetime. The vacuum has this curvature because spacetime is fundamentally discrete and there are more ways for a discrete geometry to have negative curvature than positive. We explicitly compute this effect using a variant of the well known dynamical-triangulations (DT) model for quantum gravity. Our model predicts a time-varying non-zero cosmological constant with a current value, in natural units, in agreement with observation. This calculation is made possible by a novel characterization of the possible DT action values combined with numerical evidence concerning their degeneracies.
SITE SELECTION FOR REGIONAL PUBLIC INVESTMENTS

Investments in community and human resources to facilitate adaptive regional economic and social changes can occur in an infinite number of places and forms. It is extremely difficult to consider social and economic payoffs in such large arrays simultaneously. Policymakers need models which identify places with the best potential. After initial screening has reduced the number of places to manageable proportions, other methods can be applied to places, and the investments to be made. One set of definitions and classification schemes out of the many possible for initial screening is developed in this study, using previously developed tools, and applied to the Ozarks Region of the United States.
New directions in the teaching of mathematics, science, and technology

In the past, mathematics and science have been taught in isolation. Connections between the two fields were rarely made and interlocking approaches between the disciplines were unheard of. In recent years, this barrier has been overcome and science and mathematics have joined in an integrated approach to problem solving. This paper looks at this new philosophy and how mathematics and science teachers need to be trained to address this new methodology.
Comparison of schizotypal relatives of schizophrenic versus affective probands

In order to investigate possible heterogeneity in schizotypal personality disorder (SPD), two groups of schizotypals, one related to schizophrenic probands (FSPD) (n = 34) and one related to affective disorder probands (NFSPD) (n = 14), ascertained in the same family study, were compared. The FSPD group had more inadequate rapport; the groups did not differ in the frequency of any other symptoms of SPD. NFSPDs had higher rates of comorbid histrionic PD and a trend for higher rates of impulsive/dramatic cluster PDs. FSPDs had a trend for higher rates of anxiety disorders. There was a higher risk of bipolar disorder in the relatives of NFSPDs and higher risk for anxiety disorders in the relatives of FSPDs. The relatives of NFSPDs had higher rates for histrionic, narcissistic, and atypical PDs and for having at least one PD.
Preferred Orientation of MnS Inclusions in Rolled Steel

The preferred orientation of MnS inclusions in hot-rolled steel was studied by electron diffraction. Specimens of resulfurized steel were examined after casting and after hot rolling to true strains of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5. After rolling, the orientations of the inclusions tended toward an ideal 〈 100 〉 {001}. Only a moderate correlation between the final inclusion shape and orientation was found.
Virtual endoscopy: development and evaluation using the Visible Human datasets.

Abstract Virtual endoscopy (VE) is a new method of diagnosis using computer processing of 3D image datasets (such as CT or MRI scans) to provide simulated visualizations of patient specific organs similar or equivalent to those produced by standard endoscopic procedures. Conventional endoscopy is invasive and often uncomfortable for patients. It sometimes has serious side effects such as perforation, infection and hemorrhage. VE visualization avoids these risks and can minimize difficulties and decrease morbidity when used before actual endoscopic procedures. In addition, there are many body regions not compatible with real endoscopy that can be explored with VE. Eventually, VE may replace many forms of real endoscopy. There remains a critical need to refine and validate VE visualizations for routine clinical use. We have used the Visible Human Dataset from the National Library of Medicine to develop and test these procedures and to evaluate their use in a variety of clinical applications. We have developed specific clinical protocols to compare virtual endoscopy with real endoscopy. We have developed informative and dynamic on-screen navigation guides to help the surgeon or physician interactively determine body orientation and precise anatomical localization while performing the VE procedures. Additionally, the adjunctive value of full 3D imaging (e.g. looking "outside" of the normal field of view) during the VE exam is being evaluated. Quantitative analyses of local geometric and densitometric properties obtained from the virtual procedures ("virtual biopsy") are being developed and compared with other direct measures. Preliminary results suggest that these virtual procedures can provide accurate, reproducible and clinically useful visualizations and measurements. These studies will help drive improvements in and lend credibility to VE procedures and simulations as routine clinical tools. VE holds significant promise for optimizing endoscopic diagnostic procedures, minimizing patient risk and morbidity, and reducing health care costs.
Studies on the DNA polymerase activity contained in particles released from human embryo cell monolayers.

Abstract Cell monolayers derived from a whole human embryo released particles when grown at 39°C, but not at 36°C, that had RNAase and actinomycin D-sensitive endogenous DNA polymerase activity which banded in sucrose density gradients at 1.17 g/cm 3 . Monolayers from embryonic skin and muscle, kidney and lung also released such particles. The release phenomenon appears to be spespecific to human embryonic cells, since similar endogenous DNA polymerase activity could not be detected in culture fluid from several established human cell lines of different origin grown at 39°C. DNA polymerase activity purified from these human embryo particles by salt and neutral detergent extraction, followed by DEAE-cellulose and phosphocellulose chromatography (i) had a molecular weight of 105000 as determined by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration; (ii) copied activated calf thymus DNA most efficiently among the template-primers tested and poly(dC) · (dG) 12–18 much less effectively, and did not respond to poly(A) · (dT) 12–18 or (dT) 12–18 alone; (iii) was not inhibited by N -ethylmaleimide at a concentration of 1 · 10 −3 M; and (iv) was stimulated by the presence of KCl in reaction mixtures up to a concentration of 70 mM. The DNA polymerase from the human embryo particles does not therefore possess the properties of viral RNA-directed DNA polymerase, even though the particles themselves exhibit several of the properties of an RNA tumor virus. Moreover, all properties determined for the human embryo enzyme were similar or identical to those of human mitochondrial DNA polymerase (Fry, M. and Weissbach, A. (1973) Biochemistry 12, 3602–3608).
Cover Picture: High Definition Digital Fabrication of Active Organic Devices by Molecular Jet Printing (Adv. Funct. Mater. 15/2007)

A new method for direct patterning of organic optoelectronic/electronic devices using a reconfigurable and scalable printing method is reported by Vladimir Bulovic and co-workers on p. 2722. The printing technique is applied to the fabrication of high-resolution printed organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) and organic field effect transistors (OFETs). Remarkably, the final print-deposited films are evaporated onto the substrate (rather than solvent printed), giving high-quality, solvent-free, molecularly flat structures that match the performance of comparable high-performance unpatterned films. We introduce a high resolution molecular jet (MoJet) printing technique for vacuum deposition of evaporated thin films and apply it to fabrication of 30 μm pixelated (800 ppi) molecular organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) based on aluminum tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) (Alq3) and fabrication of narrow channel (15 μm) organic field effect transistors (OFETs) with pentacene channel and silver contacts. Patterned printing of both organic and metal films is demonstrated, with the operating properties of MoJet-printed OLEDs and OFETs shown to be comparable to the performance of devices fabricated by conventional evaporative deposition through a metal stencil. We show that the MoJet printing technique is reconfigurable for digital fabrication of arbitrary patterns with multiple material sets and high print accuracy (of better than 5 μm), and scalable to fabrication on large area substrates. Analogous to the concept of “drop-on-demand” in Inkjet printing technology, MoJet printing is a “flux-on-demand” process and we show it capable of fabricating multi-layer stacked film structures, as needed for engineered organic devices.
A Flux Parameterization Including the Effects of Capillary Waves and Sea State

Abstract An air–sea interaction model that includes turbulent transport due to capillary waves (surface ripples) is developed. The model differs from others in that the physical premises are applicable to low wind speeds (10-m wind speed, U10 < 5 m s−1) as well as higher wind speeds. Another new feature of the model is an anisotropic roughness length, which allows a crosswind component of the stress to be modeled. The influence of the angle between the mean wind direction and the mean direction of wave propagation is included in the anisotropic roughness length. Most models are not accurate at low wind speeds and tend to underestimate fluxes in low wind speed regions such as the tropical oceans. Improvements over previous models are incorporated in the momentum roughness length parameterization. In addition, the dimensionless constant in the relationship between the capillary wave component of momentum roughness length and friction velocity is reevaluated using both wave tank data and field data. The new ...
Viral interleukin-10-engineered autologous hematopoietic stem cell therapy: a novel gene therapy approach to prevent graft rejection.

The Epstein-Barr virus-encoded protein BCRF1 (viral interleukin [vIL]-10) is a biologically active homologue of cellular interleukin (IL)-10. In this study, a novel gene therapy approach to prolong allograft survival was designed. Autologous (syngeneic) hematopoietic progenitor/stem cell-enriched (HSC; lineage-ve) population derived from CBA/J mouse bone marrow were transduced with retrovirus encoding vIL-10 gene (vIL-10-HSC), ex vivo; vIL-10-HSC were injected (4-6 × 106 cells intravenously) into lethally (9.5 Gy) or sublethally (4 Gy) irradiated CBA/J mice. Six weeks after vIL-10-HSC administration, vascular heterotopic heart (C57BL/6) transplantation was performed. Ex vivo, the vIL-10-HSC produced 5.4 ± 0.5 ng of vIL-10 protein/2 × 105 cells per 24 hr. In vivo, serum vIL-10 production was 187 ± 205 pg/ml during 3-10 weeks after vIL-10-HSC administration. Cardiac allograft survival was prolonged (p < 0.004) in lethally (71 ± 40 days) and sublethally (114 ± 15 days) irradiated mice that received vIL-10-HS...
Why is the moon gray

It is shown that the color of the planetary surfaces can be a useful indicator of the geochemical history of the planets and their atmospheres. The magnetic field can promote the oxidation of an atmosphere by keeping the solar wind deflected. The amount of water naturally exuded from the planetary interior is an important parameter in determining whether the surface becomes oxidized or remains in the reduced condition in which presumably all planetary surfaces began.
Prediction of bench press lifting ability from submaximal repetitions before and after training

The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of predicting maximal bench press lifting strength from submaximal bench press repetitions before and after a training program. College students (70 men; 101 women) were tested to determine their one repetition maximum (1‐RM) bench press lifting strength before and after 14 weeks of training. Several days after an initial maximum lift determination, each subject was randomly assigned a submaximal load corresponding to 55 to 95% of the 1‐RM and required to perform as many bench press repetitions as possible in 1 minute. The same percent 1‐RM was used following training, as was used before training, to test lifting capacity at a defined percent of the initial 1‐RM for a given individual. Men had a significantly greater 1‐RM bench press strength and absolute integrated submaximal weightlifting ability than women but were not significantly different in percent 1‐RM and repetitions. The exponential relationship between percent 1‐RM and repetitions before ...
The Entry Incentives of Complementary Producers: A Simple Model with Implications for Antitrust Policy

We model competition between two firms in a vertical upstream-downstream relationship. Each firm can pay a sunk cost to enter the other's market. For equilibria in which both firms enter, the downstream price can be lower than the joint profit maximizing level, and coordination (e.g., through merger) is anticompetitive.
Hospital library support of Navy medical operational readiness.

ABSTRACT Hospital librarians in Naval Medical Centers and Naval Hospitals provide information to support the physicians, nurses, psychologists, chaplains, dentists, and corpsmen on ships and on Navy bases worldwide. The concept of “operational readiness” refers to the training required by Navy personnel during peacetime to perform wartime missions. Navy medical librarians receive challenging requests. Providing information electronically through full text, electronic mail, and fax is part of the routine when preparing staff to deploy to other countries and when supporting them in the field and on ships. Librarians at Naval Medical Center, San Diego help prepare Navy health care providers for operations during combat, humanitarian, and peacekeeping missions. This paper describes several Navy medical field operations with brief explanations of medical librarians' support.
Common principles of image acquisition systems and biological vision

In this paper we argue that biological vision and electronic image acquisition share common principles despite their vastly different implementations. These shared principles are based on the need to acquire a common set of input stimuli as well as the need to generalize from the acquired images. Two related principles are discussed in detail, namely, multiple parallel image representations and the use of dedicated local memory in various stages of acquisition and processing. We review relevant literature in visual neuroscience and image systems engineering to support our argument. Particularly, the paper discusses multiple capture image acquisition, with applications such as dynamic range, field-of-view, or depth-of-field extension. Finally, as an example, a novel multiple-capture-single-image complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor sensor is presented. This sensor illustrates the principles that are shared among biological vision and image acquisition.
Pinned on Karma Rock: Whitewater Kayaking as Religious Experience

This paper argues that whitewater paddling constitutes religious experience, that non-western terms often best describe this experience and that these two facts are related and have much to tell us about the nature of religious experience. That many paddlers articulate their experiences using Asian and/or indigenous religious terms suggests that this language is a form of opposition to existing norms of what constitutes religious experience. So, investigating the sport as an aquatic nature religion provides the opportunity to revisit existing categories. As a "lived religion," whitewater kayaking is a ritual practice of an embodied encounter with the sacred, and the sacred encounter is mediated through the body's performance in the water. This sacred encounter-with its risk and danger-illustrates Rudolph Otto's equation of the sacred with terrifying and unfathomable mystery and provides a counterpoint to norms of North American religiosity and related scholarship.
Bovine Hemoglobin Polymorphism: A Novel Alpha-Globin Variant Identified in the Agerolese Breed from Southern Italy

This study describes the results of molecular screening in the Agerolese cattle breed from southern Italy, which constitutes an economical source and contributes to the regional biodiversity. Integrated electrophoretic, chromatographic, mass spectrometric, and DNA sequencing procedures were used to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate globin chain polymorphism in a population of animals from different farms. In addition to α-, β A -, and β B -globin-bearing animal phenotypes, our data demonstrate the occurrence of individuals characterized by the presence of a novel α-globin variant, whose primary structure differs from the normal counterpart for the p.Ala27Thr substitution. The SNP c.79G>A located at the exon 1 of the HBA2 gene is responsible for this amino acid change and it represents a third example of α-globin gene polymorphism observed in Bos taurus . This phenomenon was ascertained only in two Mediterranean breeds from southern Italy and highlights the uncommon occurrence of α-globin variants in this geographical region, similarly to what has already been described in goat and human.
Psychometric Properties of the School Attitude Assessment Survey-Revised with International Baccalaureate High School Students.

In two studies (ns = 312 and 1,149) with 9- to 12-grade students in pre–International Baccalaureate (IB) and IB Diploma programs, we evaluated the reliability, factor structure, measurement invaria...
A compensated sliding-window DFT algorithm for fine-grained underwater acoustic ranging

Fine-grained (sub-meter) ranging and localization is critical to the deployment of dense, mobile sensor networks in aquatic environments. However, such a task is faced with a number of challenges, including noisy underwater environments, limitation on size and complexity of localization hardware, and constraints on computing capabilities of sensor platforms. In this paper we present a sliding-window discrete Fourier transform (DFT)-based algorithm for precise detection of the arrival of a monotone acoustic signal, as a key enabling step in measuring the time of flight (TOF) of the acoustic signal for localization of the sensor node. The algorithm accommodates the rise dynamics of the signal and compensates for the latency in detection given the signal model, detection threshold, and steady-state signal amplitude. The algorithm is implemented onboard a small biomimetic robotic fish, and experiments in an indoor pool have shown that the proposed method results in an underwater ranging error of 1.4 wavelengths (74.3 cm), and is thus promising for localization of dense aquatic networks. The proposed method has also shown robustness in comparison with other tested methods including a matched filter-type method.
Cognitive architectures: a way forward for the psychology of programming

Programming language and library designers often debate the usability of particular design choices. These choices may impact many developers, yet scientific evidence for them is rarely provided. Cognitive models of program comprehension have existed for over thirty years, but the lack of quantitative (operational) validations for their internal components limits their utility for usability studies. To ease the burden of quantifying these existing models, we recommend using the ACT-R cognitive architecture - a simulation framework for psychological models. In this paper, we review the history of cognitive modeling in the psychology of programming. We provide an overview of the ACT-R cognitive architecture, and show how it could be used to fill in the gaps of an existing, yet incomplete, quantitative model (the Cognitive Complexity Metric). Lastly, we discuss the potential benefits and challenges associated with building a comprehensive cognitive model on top of a cognitive architecture.
Gain- and offset-compensated switched-capacitor filters

Novel gain- and offset-compensated (GOC) switched-capacitor bilinear and biquadratic sections using a two-phase clock are presented. Theoretical analysis and simulation results show that the frequency responses of these circuits have very low sensitivity to the finite operational amplifier (op-amp) gain, while the time responses are insensitive to nonzero op-amp input offset voltages. Very large time-constant GOC bilinear and biquadratic sections using T-capacitive cells as voltage dividers are also described. As an example, an eighth-order Bessel-Chebyshev lowpass filter with a very low cutoff frequency is described. Simulation results of the new and the conventional designs are presented and compared. >
Controlled incorporation of heavy metals from aqueous solutions and their electrorelease using composite polypyrrole films

Composite polypyrrole/catechol films with cation-exchange properties have been prepared by electropolymerization on AT-cut 10 MHz gold piezoelectrodes at constant potential. The use of the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance allowed us to diagnose the type of ion dynamics in these films. Incorporation of a variety of heavy metals was feasible by applying potentials more negative than −200mV (vs. SCE). Regeneration of these films was performed by releasing these metals into the solution during the reverse potential step. Incorporation of the following metal ions PbII, CdII, CoII, and NiII into polymer matrix was found even in the presence of large excess of sodium ions.
Filariasis of ground doves in St. Croix, Virgin Islands☆

Abstract 1. 1. Of the ground doves examined in St. Croix Microfilaria columbigallinae was found in the blood of 96·9 per cent. 2. 2. The adult worms were most commonly found in the liver, less often in the lungs, heart, pancreas and tissues of the intestines. 3. 3. The microfilariae were most numerous in the lung vessels and heart chambers and heart muscle; in these situations they appeared to be healthy. 4. 4. Massive destruction of microfilariae was constantly observed in the liver associated with varying degrees of cellular response.
Science and the Stasi.

The acquisition of scientific and technological secrets was at the heart of East Germany's foreign espionage operations before the fall of the Berlin Wall, reveals Kristie Macrakis. When the Berlin Wall came down 20 years ago, one of the many consequences was the opening up of the world to eastern European scientists — and of eastern European science to the world. This issue explores the legacy of that tumultuous autumn. Quirin Schiermeier hears the stories of two researchers whose nascent scientific careers were shaped by the events of 1989 and summarizes the state of science across eastern Europe as measured by citation indexes and other yardsticks. In an Opinion piece, Kristie Macrakis writes of her research into recently released CIA material, revealing that science and technology were at the heart of East Germany's foreign espionage operations. Claire Ainsworth talks to returnees about what has lured them back home in Naturejobs. See also the Editorial and on the web, at http://tinyurl.com/eeurope .
Constant-time convex polygon algorithms on reconfigurable meshes

In an attempt to overcome the inefficiency of handling data transfer operations over long distances, mesh-connected computers have recently been augmented by the addition of various types of bus systems. One of the most efficient such augmented computer systems is referred to as the reconfigurable mesh, that is, a mesh-connected computer overlaid with a reconfigurable bus system. In this paper we propose constant-time algorithms on reconfigurable meshes for a number of important computational geometry tasks relevant to computer vision. These include testing an arbitrary polygon for convexity, computing the union and intersection of two convex polygons, testing whether two convex polygons are separable and, if so, constructing a separating line, solving the polygon containment problem for convex polygons, and others. Our solutions rely on a recently developed VLSI-optimal sorting algorithm for reconfigurable meshes and on a number of novel data movement techniques. The proposed algorithms translate immediately into constant-time algorithms that work on binary images.
SBI and EHR: understanding, adoption, and implementation in family medicine clinics

Background Alcohol screening and brief intervention (SBI) programs have been shown to be effective in reducing risky alcohol consumption among primary care patients [1-3]. Although various implementation protocols exist, it can be difficult to launch and sustain SBI programs. A number of barriers exist, including those related to clinical workflow, the intake process, and the incorporation of protocols into electronic health records (EHR)[4-6]. This study aims to present challenges and potential solutions to incorporating SBI as a standard of care into an existing EHR of a family medicine system. Material and methods An SBI program was piloted in two underserved family medicine clinical teaching practices. Physicians, residents, nurses, medical assistants and patient service representatives (PSR’s) were trained on the protocol for adopting this practice into daily clinic work. Through this implementation, an EHR template was created to complement the workflow.
Use of Iontophoresis in Peyronie's Disease A Case Report

Peyronie's disease is characterized by fibrotic plaques on the shaft of the penis, resulting in severe pain with erection. Treatment has included surgery, implantation of prosthesis, injections, and use of various physical therapy modalities including iontophoresis and ultrasound. My technique for many years has been to introduce hydrocortisone by iontophoresis. I have had satisfactory results with this technique. Introducing hydrocortisone at the ionic level permits more rapid absorption and assimilation of the ions in the blood stream than does introducing molecules by phonophoresis. Few references are available about the use of ultrasound; however, several reports are available related to using iontophoresis.1–3 The following case report represents my treatment approach for Peyronie's disease. PATIENT DATA S. B., a 54-year-old executive in good health, was referred to physical therapy for the treatment of a persistent fibrotic plaque on the dorsolateral surface of his penis. This condition had been present for three years.…
1064—NM Laser Damage Thresholds of Polished Glass Surfaces as a Function of Pulse Duration and Surface Roughness

Laser damage thresholds were measured for four polished glass surfaces, using linearly polarized 1064-nm pulses with durations of 0.17 ns, 1.0 ns, 1.6 ns, and 3.2 ns. Thresholds scaled approximately as the square root of pulse duration, but were insensitive to variations in surface roughness when the roughness was <25 A rms. Careful cleaning increased the damage threshold at 3.2 ns by removing particulates.
Using nonevidence-based approaches to treat patients with alzheimer's disease.

In this article, the author discusses the rationale behind offering patients with Alzheimer’s disease treatments that are not strongly evidence based. The author will discuss specific nonevidence-based (or not strongly evidence-based) interventions psychiatrists may consider offering their patients with AD, including nonpharmacological and pharmacological approaches. The author will also discuss positive and negative aspects of these interventions and suggest some steps psychiatrists can take to try to avoid the potential downsides.
Solid-Density Experiments for Laser-Based Thomson Scattering: Approaching the Radiation Dominated Regime

Solid density materials can support acceleration of electrons to the point where they ‘see’ existing laser field strengths as being in the radiation-dominated regime. We will discuss tools related to Thomson scattering in this regime.
O06.5 An Exploratory Evaluation of Universal Opt-Out Chlamydia Testing During Clinical Encounters For Young Women in the United States

Background Chlamydia testing rates are low, with only about a third of sexually active young women tested at clinical encounters. Even fewer sexually active female adolescents are tested. Interventions to increase testing coverage have been moderately successful. In this study, we assessed the relative health and economic outcomes of patient-directed, universal, opt-out testing for women aged 15–24 years in the United States who have at least one clinical encounter each year when compared with current testing (30% coverage). Methods We used a basic dynamic compartmental model that included two groups based on their self-reported sexual activity in the past 12 months, with 72% being sexually active and 28% inactive. For our base case analysis, we assumed a 75% uptake of the intervention by sexually active women and 5% by sexually inactive women. All model parameters were obtained from the literature. The model was calibrated to produce a pre-intervention prevalence close to the national burden for those aged 15–24 years in the United States (≈2.5%). Health outcomes were measured in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Results Based on our model (including health insurance coverage and utilisation rates), the estimated effective annual testing rate increased to approximately 52%, and overall chlamydia prevalence decreased by 60% to ≈1% over a three-year period. The estimated cost per QALY gained was $1372. When we assumed an uptake rate ≥ 85%, the overall prevalence decreased to zero. Conclusion The universal, opt-out testing intervention was cost-effective because it did not require additional costs over and above testing and treatment. Our exploratory analyses suggest that implementation of opt-out testing of young women during clinical encounters might substantially increase testing coverage of sexually active young women. However, even with a higher uptake, testing gaps would remain because many women might not have health insurance coverage, or not utilise healthcare.
Diagnosis of Malignant Lymphoma in Effusions from Patients with AIDS by Gene Rearrangement

Patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus are prone to a wide variety of lymphoproliferative disorders. In these patients the clinical presentation of malignant lymphoma often overlaps with that of benign lymphoid proliferations. Both may include lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, blood and bone marrow dyscrasias, and lymphocyte-rich effusions. Because benign and malignant lymphocyte-rich effusions, as well as effusions from other malignancies, may contain large cells that resemble immunoblasts or Burkitt's cells, cytomorphologic characteristics alone are unreliable for definitive diagnosis of malignant lymphoma. Usual immunotyping panels using antibodies to B- and T-cell markers frequently fail to demonstrate cell lineage in lymphoma cells of patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The authors used gene rearrangement to confirm the diagnosis of malignant lymphoma in effusions from three patients with AIDS when routine cell marker studies failed to demonstrate cell lineage or clonality. Use of biotinylated probes eliminated the need for handling radioactive material and enabled performance of studies in a routine immunohistochemistry laboratory.
Inhibition of inorganic phosphate transport by amino acids in rat kidney-cortical slices in vitro.

SummaryThe net accumulation of (32P) inorganic phosphate in rat kidney cortex slices in vitro is inhibited by addition to the incubation mixture of L- or D-amino acids. In contrast with L-(14C) alanine, there was no net transport of D-(14C) alanine. Possible mechanisms of the inhibitory effect are discussed.
A Realistic Error Budget for Two Dimension Digital Image Correlation.

There has been a lot of interest in the matching error for two-dimensional digital image correlation (2D-DIC), including the matching bias and variance; however, there are a number of other sources of error that must also be considered. These include temperature drift of the camera, out-of-plane sample motion, lack of perpendicularity, under-matched subset shape functions, and filtering of the results during the strain calculation. This talk will use experimental evidence to demonstrate some of the ignored error sources and compile a complete “notional” error budget for a typical 2D measurement.
Managing Employee Absence

ABSTRACT Employee absences represent a major concern for employers due to financial losses, both direct and indirect. Absences occur for several reasons; however, perhaps the most significant loss of work time is attributed to work related injuries. This paper addresses losses due to injury and proposes a plan of action for effective cost containment involving rehabilitation case management and early return to work.
The use of ibritumomab tiuxetan radioimmunotherapy for patients with relapsed B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Rituximab (Rituxan; Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, CA and IDEC Pharmaceutical Corporation, San Diego, CA) is a monoclonal antibody that targets the CD20 antigen present in most B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Previous studies have shown overall response rates (ORR) of approximately 50% in relapsed patients. Ibritumomab is the murine parent anti-CD20 antibody that is linked through a MX-DTPA chelator to yttrium 90 (90Y) to form the radioimmunoconjugate 90Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin; IDEC Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, CA). A phase I study of 90Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan determined that 0.4 mCi/kg was the maximum tolerated dose, and responses were reported in 67% of all patients and in 82% of patients with low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. A separate trial randomized eligible patients to either rituximab or 90Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan. An interim analysis of the first 90 patients showed an ORR of 80% with 90Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan versus 44% with rituximab (P < .05). A subsequent trial for patients with rituximab-refractory disease showed a 46% ORR. These studies show that 90Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan is an active agent in relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and appears to have a higher ORR compared with unconjugated rituximab.
Linear Flows on Vector Bundles

In this chapter, the exponential growth behavior of linear flows on vector bundles is analyzed. Linear flows (also called linear extensions) are a far-reaching generalization of time-invariant linear differential equations; roughly, they may be viewed as linear differential equations, where the coefficients are determined by a dynamical system on a metric base space B. Section 5.1 describes some examples for these systems (in particular, linearized control systems), introduces the relevant notions, and presents the main results. Section 5.2 constructs the decomposition into invariant subbundles corresponding to the finest Morse decomposition of the induced flow on the projective bundle. It turns out that this coincides with the finest decomposition into exponentially separated subbundles. Furthermore, a uniformity lemma for exponential growth rates is proved, which is needed for the construction of stable manifolds. Section 5.3 studies the associated Morse spectrum, and Section 5.4 uses ergodic theory to study the boundary points of the Morse spectrum. In Section 5.5, the Morse spectrum is related to the Sacker -Sell (or dichotomy) spectrum and the Oseledets spectrum. Section 5.6 proves an abstract version of an invariant manifold theorem due to Bronstein-Chernii for nonlinear (Lipschitzean) perturbations of a linear flow. The proof is based on Hadamard’s graph transform method. Finally, for subbundles with negative Lyapunov exponents one obtains corresponding stable manifolds.