cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Organometallic Chemical Vapor Deposition of Transition Metal Carbides: The Use of Homoleptic Alkyls

The organometallic chemical vapor deposition of transition metal carbides (M = Ti, Zr, Hf, and Cr) from tetraneopentyl-metal precursors has been carried out. Metal carbides can be deposited on Si, Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}, and stainless steel substrates from M[CH{sub 2}C(CH{sub 3}){sub 3}]{sub 4} at temperatures in the range of 300 to 750 C and pressures from 10{sup {minus}2} to 10{sup {minus}4} Torr. Thin films have also been grown using a carrier gas (Ar, H{sub 2}). The effects of variation of the metal center, deposition conditions, and reactor design on the resulting material have been examined by SEM, XPS, XRD, ERD and AES. Hydrocarbon fragments generated in the deposition chamber have been studied in by in-situ mass spectrometry. Complementary studies examining the UHV surface decomposition of Zr[CH{sub 2}C(CH{sub 3}){sub 3}]{sub 4} have allowed for a better understanding of the mechanism leading to film growth.
Thermal management of next-generation contact-cooled synchrotron x-ray mirrors

In the past decade, several third-generation synchrotrons x-ray sources have been constructed and commissioned around the world. Many of the major problems in the development and design of the optical components capable of handling the extremely high heat loads of the generated x-ray beams have been resolved. It is expected, however, that in the next few years even more powerful x-ray beams will be produced at these facilities, for example, by increasing the particle beam current. In this paper, the design of a next generation of synchrotron x-ray mirrors is discussed. The author shows that the design of contact-cooled mirrors capable of handing x-ray beam heat fluxes in excess of 500 W/mm{sup 2} - or more than three times the present level - is well within reach, and the limiting factor is the thermal stress rather then thermally induced slope error.
Effect of Energy Balance Approximations on Simulation of Fixed-Bed Adsorption

The sensitivity of fixed-bed simulations to common energy balance approximations is examined for an adiabatic adsorption process. Local equilibrium theory is used to determine temperature rise and ...
Sociodemographic distribution of gonorrhea incidence: implications for prevention and behavioral research.

BACKGROUND. Despite a declining incidence during the AIDS era, gonorrhea remains the most frequently reported communicable disease in the United States. METHODS. During 1986 and 1987 we supplemented gonorrhea case reporting with laboratory surveillance in King County, Washington. Incidence rates were correlated with demographic variables. RESULTS. Overall incidence of gonorrhea was similar for men and women, but highest for 16- to 21-year-old females and urban Seattle residents. Incidence rates by ethnicity were Blacks, 3033; Native Americans, 843; Hispanics, 617; Asians, 190; and Whites, 121. Census tracts representing the lowest socioeconomic status (SES) quartile accounted for 58% of reported gonorrhea. Black female teenagers residing in the lowest SES urban areas had highest incidence rates: aged 14 to 15, 3.4%; 16 to 17, 10.4%; 18, 17.0%; and 19, 15.4%. Rates in female teenagers were even higher after adjustment for estimated proportion of those who were sexually experienced. CONCLUSIONS. Gonorrhea i...
Early report from an investigator-initiated investigational device exemption clinical trial on physician-modified endovascular grafts

Objective: To determine whether a physician-modified endovascular graft (PMEG) is a safe and effective method for treating patients with juxtarenal aortic aneurysms who are deemed unsuitable for open repair. Methods: A nonrandomized, prospective, consecutively enrolling investigational device exemption clinical trial was used. Data collected on patients treated with PMEG between April 2011 and August 2012 were analyzed. Subjects were followed with computed tomography, visceral duplex, and four-view X-ray at 30 days, 6 months, and 1 year. The protocol was designed to include follow-up to 5 years. The primary safety end point was the proportion of subjects who experienced a major adverse event (MAE) within 30 days of the procedure. The primary efficacy end point was the proportion of subjects experiencing treatment success. Results: During the 16-month study period, 28 patients were consented and 26 underwent endovascular repair using PMEGs. Anatomic, operative details, and length of stay were recorded and included aneurysm diameter (mean, 62.5 mm), proximal neck length (mean, 4.4 mm), graft manufacture time (mean, 59.7 minutes), procedure time (mean, 169 minutes), fluoroscopy time (mean, 42.8 minutes), total contrast usage (mean, 63 mL), estimated blood loss (mean, 221 mL), and length of hospital stay (mean, 4.9 days). There were 63 fenestrations created for 48 renal arteries and 15 superior mesenteric arteries. Renal artery fenestrations were stented whenever possible (96%) and superior mesenteric artery fenestrations were all left unstented. There were no unanticipated adverse device events, no MAEs, and only a single minor adverse device event treated with a successful reintervention. At 30 days, there were no type I or III endoleaks and only four type II endoleaks (15.4%). Two patients died during the study period, one at day 23 from respiratory failure (in-hospital and 30-day mortality [ 3.8%) and one at day 210 from urosepsis and congestive heart failure. MAEs occurred in 11.5% of patients at 30 days. The primary efficacy end point was achieved in 87.5% of patients (technical success 100%, freedom from migration, rupture or conversion, type I or III endoleaks, or sac enlargement [ 100%, 100%, 87.5%, and 87.5%, respectively). Conclusions: These preliminary data suggest that endovascular repair with PMEG is safe and effective for managing patients with juxtarenal aortic aneurysms. Endovascular repair with PMEG has acceptable early rates of morbidity, mortality, and endoleak. This endovascular aortic strategy is particularly appealing for those patients presenting with symptomatic or ruptured aortic aneurysms until reliable off-the-shelf solutions become widely available. (J Vasc Surg 2013;58:311-7.)
Differences in the kinetics of rod and cone synaptic transmission

Photoreceptors of the vertebrate retina hyperpolarize in response to light. The hyperpolarization elicited by a brief flash is approximately ten times slower in rods than in cones of the same retina1. We have examined the amplification and temporal properties of synaptic transfer of rod and cone signals to a common postsynaptic element, the horizontal cell. We find that the kinetics of signal transfer at these chemical synapses parallels the speed of the light-evoked signals themselves.
Structure of lobster apo-D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase at 3.0 A resolution.

Abstract Lobster apo-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was prepared by first lowering the pH to 4.8, thus reducing the NAD binding energy, and then separating the enzyme and coenzyme on a Sephadex column. Triclinic crystals were grown from an ammonium sulfate solution at pH 6.2. The apo-structure was initially determined approximately by comparison with the known hologlyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase molecule. The former was then refined using the 222 molecular symmetry with the molecular replacement technique. Only minor conformational differences were observed between apo and holo-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Trp193 in the “S loop” and the adenine-binding pocket showed the most significant changes.
Effects of institutional volumes on operative outcomes for aortic root replacement in North America.

Objectives Hospital procedure volume has been strongly associated with postoperative mortality for a number of complex cardiovascular procedures. Although not yet described, a similar relationship might be expected for surgical procedures involving the aortic root and/or ascending aorta. The present study sought to evaluate the relationship between the volume of aortic root replacement procedures and the operative results for centers in North America. Methods Patient-level data for 13,358 elective aortic root and aortic valve-ascending aortic procedures performed from 2004 through 2007 were obtained from 741 North American hospitals participating in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database. Marginal logistic regression modeling was used for risk adjustment. The hospital procedure volume was the primary predictor variable. Patient demographics, comorbid conditions, and operative characteristics were included as the predictor variables for risk adjustment. The primary outcome measures included unadjusted operative mortality and adjusted odds ratio for mortality. Results The preoperative patient risk profiles were similar at all center volume levels, and the overall unadjusted operative mortality was 4.5%. The unadjusted operative mortality increased with decreasing case volume, from 3.4% in the highest volume centers to 5.8% in the lowest volume centers. Whether hospital volume was assessed as a categorical or continuous variable, its relationship with the adjusted odds ratio for mortality was nonlinear. A negative association was seen between the hospital procedural volume and adjusted odds ratio for mortality ( P Conclusions Patients undergoing elective aortic root or combined aortic valve-ascending aortic surgery at North American hospitals that performed fewer than 30 to 40 of such procedures annually have greater risk-adjusted mortality than those undergoing surgery in higher volume hospitals. Causative factors for this inverse association between hospital volume and mortality deserve additional analysis.
The crystal structure of tris(4-methylpyridine) tricarbonylmolybdenum(0)

The title compound, Mo(4-CH3C5H4N)3(CO)3, is monoclinic, P21/c, with cell dimensionsa=10.385(1),b=13.572(2),c=15.522(2) A, β=105.08(1)°,Z=4. The complex isfac-octahedral with approximate three-fold symmetry. The Mo−C bond lengths are 1.901–1.904(7) A, distinctly shorter than in the parent Mo(CO)6, and the Mo−N bond lengths are 2.297–2.331(5) A.
Effectiveness of track monitoring with multiple 2D passive sensors

An analytical technique is presented which can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the track monitoring scheme presented by J.A. Roecker (see ibid., vol.27, no.6, p.872-6, Nov. 1991) in detecting false track-to-track (ghost track) assignments without the use of simulations. It is shown that when two tracks are traveling in parallel and in the direction of the inclination angle, it is impossible to determine which tracks to associate. However, track monitoring is effective under all other circumstances. A tracking algorithm designer can use this technique to determine the length of time before track-to-track initiation for good ghost track rejection. This technique also determines the probability of accepting ghost tracks during mature track monitoring. >
The irritable bowel syndrome: mechanisms and a practical approach to management.

Abstract ▪Objective:To develop a practical strategy that facilitates the management of patients with the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). ▪Study Selection and Data Extraction:Review of the pertinent...
Line printer modification for better gray level pictures

Pictorial output from the standard line printer is convenient, inexpensive, and fast but still relatively crude and inefficient. Simple and practicable modifications would give improved picture quality, easier programming, and faster output. It is suggested that manufacturem and users would both profit if these modifications were made available as a line printer option.
The vacuum UV CD Spectra of G.G.C. triplexes

Vacuum UV circular dichroism (CD) spectra were measured down to 175 nm for d(C)10, d(G)10, the d(G)10.d(C)10 duplex, and the d(G)10.d(G)10.d(C)10 triplex. A CD difference spectrum was calculated for d(G)10.d(C)10 giving the change in CD induced by forming the duplex from d(G)10 and d(C)10. The d(G)10.d(G)10.d(C)10 CD difference spectrum gave the CD induced by triplex formation from binding of d(G)10 to the d(G)10.d(C)10 duplex. In the near-UV, the d(G)10.d(C)10 and d(G)10.d(G)10.d(C)10 difference spectra resembled the difference spectrum for poly[r(G).r(C)] (Biopolymers 29, 325-333). This similarity may be an indication of similar purine base stacking. The d(G)10.d(G)10.d(C)10 vacuum UV difference spectrum had a negative band at 195 nm and a positive band at 180 nm, making it similar to difference spectra for homopolymer triplexes containing T.A.T and U.A.U triplets (Nucl. Acids Res. 19, 2275-2280). The appearance of these bands in difference spectra should be good indicators of triplex formation. The complementary oligonucleotides c-mycI d(CCCCACCCTCCC) and c-mycII d(GGGAGGGTGGGG) are part of the regulatory sequences of the human c-myc gene. G.G.C rich triplexes formed by binding c-mycII or c-mycIII d(GGGGTGGGTGGG) to the c-mycI.c-mycII duplex had CD difference spectra similar to that of d(G)10.d(G)10.d(C)10 in both the vacuum UV and near UV regions, indicating similar triplet structures.
Passive haptic learning of typing skills facilitated by wearable computers

Passive Haptic Learning (PHL) allows people to learn "muscle memory" through vibration stimuli without devoting attention to the stimulus. PHL can be facilitated by wearable computers such as gloves with an embedded tactile interface. Previous work on PHL taught users rote patterns of finger movements corresponding to piano melodies. Expanding on this research, we are currently exploring the capabilities and limits of Passive Haptic Learning as we investigate whether more complex skills and meaning can be taught through wearable, tactile interfaces. We are creating and studying a system for passively teaching typing skills, with the ultimate goal of passively teaching Braille typing. Our initial studies in perception and learning provide key information for system development including the importance of visual feedback in learning to type; while our pilot study using the current system for Passive Haptic Learning of typing on an unfamiliar keyboard shows passive learning in all participants.
Photoemission study of the surface electronic structure of W(001).

We report a high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission study of the surface electronic structure of the high-temperature phase of W(001). We have focused particularly upon the electron states within a few electron volts of the Fermi level in an attempt to characterize the interplay between the electronic and atomic structures of this surface. We relate these measurements of the surface band structure along the high-symmetry directions to the surface Fermi contours published recently. Most importantly, we observe a band to be located at or near the Fermi level over a sizable region of momentum space, approximately centered on the {bar {Sigma}} line between {bar {Gamma}} and {ital {bar M}}. This feature is well placed to couple to phonon modes characteristic of the low-temperature {ital c}(2{times}2) structure observed on this surface. We find that the spin-orbit interaction has a profound influence on the topology of the bands that are involved in driving the surface to reconstruct. The relationship of these results to existing calculations, to the wave vector of the reconstruction, and to recent measurements of surface phonon-dispersion relations will be discussed.
Inhibition of NADPH oxidase alleviates experimental diabetes-induced myocardial contractile dysfunction

Aim O(2) (-) production is implicated in cardiac dysfunction for a number of diseases including diabetes. Activation of the O(2) (-)-producing enzyme NADPH oxidase is seen in diabetes, although its role in diabetic cardiomyopathy is unclear. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of NADPH oxidase inhibition on cardiac function in diabetes. Methods Experimental diabetes was induced in adult C57 mice using streptozotocin (STZ, 150 mg/kg, i.p.) prior to the administration of the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin (4 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks. Left ventricular (LV) and myocyte contractile functions were evaluated using echocardiography and edge-detection, respectively. Results STZ elicited hyperglycaemia and reduced body weight gain, which was unaffected by apocynin. STZ significantly reduced fractional shortening, LV wall thickness, peak shortening, maximal velocity and duration of shortening or relengthening, the effects of which - with the exception of wall thickness - were significantly attenuated or ablated by apocynin. Western blot analysis revealed that the effects of comparable Akt phosphorylation, reduced AMPK phosphorylation, downregulation of sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase and lessened phosphorylation of phospholamban in diabetic myocardium were unaffected by apocynin. Both apocynin and the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) inhibited elevated O(2) (-) production in diabetes without any additive effect between the two, indicating the presence of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) uncoupling. However, neither diabetes nor apocynin altered the expression of heat shock protein 90 and eNOS phosphorylation (Ser(1177)). In addition, apocynin mitigated elevated levels of nitrotyrosine and nitric oxide in diabetes. Conclusion Taken together, these data indicate the beneficial role of NADPH oxidase inhibition in diabetes-induced myocardial contractile dysfunction.
Application of the Immersed Boundary Method to Fluid, Structure, and Electrostatics Interaction in MEMS

A comprehensive computational model is developed to study the dynamics of electrostatically actuated micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) switches. The operation of the device involves a coupled interaction of structure response, fluid dynamics and electrostatics. A unified computational framework based on the finite volume method (FVM) is developed to account for these mechanisms. The coupling between the multiple physics is achieved by employing the immersed boundary method (IBM). This computational tool is applied to study the pull-in phenomena of a variety of MEMS devices, including fix-fix beam, cantilever and frog-leg.
Distributional considerations of international water resources under externality: The case of Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt on the Blue Nile

Abstract Common pool resources, such as international river basins with multiple riparian states, are hard to manage efficiently and equitably. In this paper, we suggest a methodology to assess the distributional aspects of various water allocation schemes applied to the Blue Nile in Africa. Based on previous analysis, a social planner allocation is found superior to the existing status quo in that it is inclusive, and expands the net benefit frontier of the basin. Water trade is introduced to demonstrate that such institution can alleviate the performance of existing institutions associated with the status quo and enable cooperation. Cooperative game theory concepts that address relative power of the riparian states in capturing incremental benefits from cooperation, such as the Core, the Shapley Value, and the Nash–Harsanyi (N–H) solution are compared under several scenarios, namely with and without water trade, and with and without existence of unidirectional externalities in the form of soil erosion and siltation impact. We find that the stability of Shapley and N–H benefits allocations are sensitive to the initial water rights allocation, which may explain the present caution of the basin states to be engaged in cooperation arrangements. We also find that when a Core exists it is very small, which indicates also a fragile basis for cooperation.
Amphetamine Paired With Physical Therapy Accelerates Motor Recovery After Stroke Further Evidence

Background and Purpose In animal models of brain injury, administration of numerous pharmaceuticals is reported to facilitate functional recovery. However, only drugs that increase the release of norepinephrine have been shown to promote recovery when administered late (days to weeks) after injury. To determine whether these findings were applicable to humans, we administered the norepinephrine stimulant dextroamphetamine, paired with physical therapy, to hemiplegic stroke patients. Methods Ten hemiplegic patients who suffered an acute ischemic infarction were entered between days 16 and 30 after onset and randomly assigned to receive either 10 mg of dextroamphetamine or a placebo orally every fourth day for 10 sessions paired with physical therapy. The Fugl-Meyer Motor Scale was used at baseline, within each session, and for 12 months after onset as the dependent measure. Confounding medications such as α-adrenergic antagonists or agonists were excluded in all subjects. Results Although there were no dif...
China's Quest for Energy Resources on Global Markets*

Economic prosperity in China is accompanied by a growing demand for energy. Heavily reliant on coal and petroleum, continued growth in Chinese energy use will rapidly increase global greenhouse gas emissions at a time when reductions are believed to be urgently needed to stabilize global climate change. By 2050 China will consume an estimated 17 percent of global energy demand. Chinese energy demand impacts global energy security as China's foreign policy agenda involves strategic partnerships with key energy suppliers.
Feature: Spying on the browser: dissecting the design of malicious extensions

Browsers are a vital component of every computer system as they serve as the interface to the Internet. However, the extensible nature of browsers has facilitated the proliferation of malware infections. In this article, we examine the design of malicious extensions used to steal information from browsers in order to conduct illegal transactions. The focus is on Mozilla's Firefox - but other browsers that share these characteristics will also share similar vulnerabilities. Browsers are a vital component of every computer system as they serve as the interface to the Internet, explain Aditya Sood and Richard Enbody. However, the extensible nature of browsers has facilitated the proliferation of malware infections. Malicious extensions are nothing but a piece of malicious code that installs itself as an inline component in the browser in order to exploit browser capabilities. Since a browser is an integral part of the client-side framework, extensions are platform independent because these extensions communicate with the operating systems using browser access rights. In general, malicious extensions exploit the browser's trust with the website when a user initiates a session. There have been incidents with Mozilla's Firefox browser where malicious extensions were used to steal sensitive information, and bank fraud is one of the targets for these malicious extensions.
Loss-of-function mutations identified in the Helical domain of the G protein α-subunit, Gα2, of Dictyostelium discoideum

Abstract The guanine nucleotide binding regulatory proteins (G proteins) play essential roles in a wide variety of physiological processes, such as vision, hormone responses, olfaction, immune response, and development. The heterotrimeric G proteins consist of α-, β-, and γ-subunits and act as molecular switches to relay information from transmembrane receptors to intracellular effectors. The switch mechanism is a function of the inherent GTPase activity of the α-subunit. The α-subunit is comprised of two domains, the GTPase domain and the Helical domain. The GTPase domain performs all of the known α-subunit functions while little is know about the role of the Helical domain. To gain a better understanding of α-subunit function, we performed a screen for loss-of-function mutations, using the Gα2-subunit of Dictyostelium. Gα2 is essential for the developmental life cycle of Dictyostelium. It is known that the loss of Gα2 function results in a failure of cells to enter the developmental phase, producing a visibly abnormal phenotype. This allows the easy identification of amino acids essential to Gα2 function. A library of random point mutations in the gα2 cDNA was constructed using low fidelity polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The library was then expressed in a gα2 null cell line and screened for loss-of-function mutations. Mutations were identified in isolated clones by sequencing the gα2 insert. To date, sixteen single amino acids changes have been identified in Gα2 which result in loss-of-function. Of particular interest are seven mutations found in the Helical domain of the α-subunit. These loss-of-function mutations in the α-subunit Helical domain may provide important insight into its function.
Changes in S-phase associated with differentiation of mouse embryos in culture from blastocyst to early somite stage

Mouse embryos, cultured for 8 days from the blastocyst (stage 5 of Theiler, 1972) to the 10–12 somite stage (stage 13) were labeled at daily intervals with 5 μCi/ml 3H-thymidine for 2 h, sectioned, and processed for autoradiography. The frequency of labeled cells, as well as the intensity of labeling, exhibited a progressive decline during the period of growth of embryos in culture. Endoderm and ectoderm cells were characterized by significant differences in the labelling index and the rate of DNA synthesis. These changes indicate that, during mammalian embryogenesis, the relative duration of the S-phase declines and that the absolute duration of the S-period expands.
Elucidating mechanisms of drug-induced toxicity

The early and high-throughput application of assays for non-genetic toxicity is of great interest to the pharmaceutical industry, although few systems have been validated as being of good predictive value. New technologies could enable toxicity to be studied in the context of systems biology. An important factor to be considered is the metabolism of drugs to reactive intermediates. Chemical reactions of these with cell and tissue nucleophiles are relatively well understood, but predicting how biological modifications will affect signalling and regulatory networks remains a challenge. Some of these pathways could be useful as sentinels for toxicity. This article will cover some examples of drug toxicity and the prospects for future technology development.
Preliminary studies on streptomutin A

Supplementation of the culture medium with 2-deoxystreptidine allowsStreptomyces griseus MIT-5, an idiotrophic mutant, to produce an antibiotic which we have called streptomutin A. Degradation studies on the antibiotic showed that the aminocyclitol moiety is different from streptidine. Streptomutin A also is distinct from streptomycin in having a much different ratio of biological to chemical activity.
Compressive sensing based data collection in VANETs

Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) are emerging as an indispensable platform to collect vehicular sensor data, which can be applied to improve traffic efficiency and support numerous promising commercial applications. However, it is challenging to efficiently collect these data without overloading the network. In this paper, a novel scheme, compressive sensing based data collection (CS-DC), is proposed to efficiently collect spatially correlated data in VANETs. CS-DC is able to efficiently reduce communication overhead with low computation and less communication control. To achieve high cluster stability in CS-DC, the distance and mobility based clustering protocol (DIMOC) is proposed to support reliable data transmissions among neighboring nodes. Furthermore, the compressive sensing (CS) theory is applied to efficiently compress in-network data and accurately recover original data. Simulation results show that the CS-DC scheme significantly improves the efficiency, scalability and reliability of data collection in VANETs.
She's So Fine: Reflections on Whiteness, Femininity, Adolescence and Class in 1960s Music

Laurie Stras (Ed.), Aldershot, Hants: Ashgate, 2011, ISBN: 978-1-4094-0051-6; 978-1-4094-3665-2, 284 pp, £55.00/$99.95 (hb), £18.99/$34.95 (pb) She's So Fine: Reflections on Whiteness, Femininity, ...
HIV-1 structural gene expression requires the binding of multiple Rev monomers to the viral RRE: Implications for HIV-1 latency

Expression of the structural proteins of HIV-1 requires the direct interaction of the viral Rev trans-activator with its cis-acting RNA target sequence, the Rev response element or RRE. Here, we demonstrate that this specific RNA-binding event is, as expected, mediated by the conserved arginine-rich motif of Rev. However, we also show that amino acid residues located proximal to this basic domain that are critical for in vivo Rev function are dispensable for sequence-specific binding to the RRE. Instead, these sequences are required for the multimerization of Rev on the viral RRE target sequence. The observation that Rev function requires the sequential binding of multiple Rev molecules to the RRE provides a biochemical explanation for the observed threshold effect for Rev function in vivo and suggests a molecular model for the high incidence of latent infection by HIV-1.
Vulnerability analysis of dynamical power networks to stochastic link failure attacks

In this paper, we present results for the vulnerability analysis of a power network to stochastic link failure attacks. We assume a network links are subjected to attacks where the link-based attack is modeled as stochastic perturbation to link weight. The objective is to determine which links in the network can tolerate the least amount of stochastic perturbation to maintain stochastic stability of a power network. We develop a system theoretical-based, analytical, and computation framework that allows us to rank links in the order of their critical importance to maintain stochastic stability of the network. The computational approach relies on solving a Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI). The developed framework is applied to a structure preserving model of the power network. The structure preserving model allows for the representation of original network topology, thereby identifying critical links connecting generators and load buses. Simulations are performed on IEEE 14 bus system to demonstrate the application of the developed framework.
Understanding Life-Threatening Risks

Modern science and medicine, and increasing prosperity, have brought many benefits to our society, but not without costs. One cost is that some of the technological innovations and new activities bring with them different and perhaps greater risks that threaten our lives. Any problem involving life-threatening risks is complex, so it is difficult to think through all the implications of the alternatives proposed to address it. This paper presents a number of “facts” to guide constructive thinking about decisions concerning life-threatening risks. The intent is to help us appraise alternatives, design public policy and laws, and communicate about specific risk problems.
Insect cyborgs: a new frontier in flight control systems

The development of a micro-UAV via a cybernetic organism, primarily the Manduca sexta moth, is presented. An observer to gather output data of the system response of the moth is given by means of an image following system. The visual tracking was implemented to gather the required information about the time history of the moth's six degrees of freedom. This was performed with three cameras tracking a white line as a marker on the moth's thorax to maximize contrast between the moth and the marker. Evaluation of the implemented six degree of freedom visual tracking system finds precision greater than 0.1 mm within three standard deviations and accuracy on the order of 1 mm. Acoustic and visual response systems are presented to lay the groundwork for creating a stochastic response catalog of the organisms to varied stimuli.
The Eurocrisis: Muddling through, or on the Way to a More Perfect Euro Union|[quest]|

This paper looks at the short history of the Eurozone through the lens of an evolutionary approach to forming new institutions. The euro has operated as a currency without a state under the dominance of Germany. This by itself may be good news, as long as Germany does not shirk its growing responsibility for the euro’s future. This would require Germany to invest more in upgrading Eurozone institutions and balancing its dominance gains with the economic and political responsibilities that come with it. Germany’s resilience and dominant size within the EU may explain its ‘muddling-through’ approach toward the Eurozone crisis: doing enough to prevent the unraveling of the Eurozone while resisting policies that may mitigate the depth of the crisis if they involve short-run costs to Germany. We review several manifestations of this muddling-through process. Germany’s attitude toward the Eurozone resembles the attitude of the United States toward the Bretton Woods system in the 1960s – benign neglect of the growing tensions, which led to the ultimate demise of the Bretton Woods system. Chances are that unraveling the Eurozone would be much more costly than the end of the Bretton Woods regime. One hopes that the muddling-through process would work as stepping-stones toward a more perfect euro union, yet hope may not be enough to deliver it.
Algorithm-based Fault Tolerance for Parallel Matrix Equation Solvers

We examine the checksum schemes of Abraham et al. for the computation of the LU-factorization using a multiprocessor array. Their methods are very efficient for detecting a transient error, but quite expensive for correcting it due to the need for a computation rollback. In this paper, we show how to avoid the rollback and how to implement pivoting. We also introduce a new checksum method for solving triangular sets of linear equations.
Use of approximate mobility index to identify areas susceptible to landsliding by rapid mobilization to debris flows in southern Thailand

Abstract A major rainstorm in November 1988 triggered extensice landsliding by debris flow in the Nakhon Si Thammarat Range of southern Thailand. To provide a background to understand the distribution and causes of this landsliding, an overview of the physical and climatic setting, the geologic and geomorphic setting, and the weathered soil and colluvial material of this area are presented. Additionally, the previous work on landsliding in southern Thailand and the characteristics of and possible mechanisms for mobilization of debris flows are reviewed. Application of the approximate mobility index (AMI) to weathered soils collected from one area of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Range, which experienced extensive damage by debris flow in November 1988, suggests that the initial rotational and planar slides in this area were mobilized by liquefaction into rapidly moving debris flows. Furthermore, both the range of AMI values obtained and air photo and field observations suggest that the approximate mobility index might prove to be a useful measure to delineate areas in which surficially weathered material is most susceptible to landsliding by rapid mobilization into debris flows.
A guided tour of the Coign automatic distributed partitioning system

Distributed object systems such as CORBA and DCOM bring many advances to distributed computing. The distribution process itself, however, has changed little: programmers still manually divide applications into sub-programs and assign those sub-programs to machines with little automated assistance. Often, the techniques used to choose a distribution are ad hoc. Due to high intellectual cost, applications are seldom repartitioned even in drastically changing network environments. We describe Coign, an automatic distributed partitioning system (ADPS) that significantly facilitates the development of distributed applications. Given an application (in binary form) built from distributable COM components, Coign constructs a graph model of the application's intercomponent communication through scenario-based profiling. Later, Coign applies graph-cutting algorithms to partition the application across a network and minimize distribution costs. Using Coign, an end user without source code can transform a non-distributed application into an optimized, distributed application. Through a guided tour of Coign's architecture and usage, we present an overview of its features. We describe the automatic distributed partitioning of three applications: Microsoft Picture It!, the Octarine word processor, and the Corporate Benefits Sample program. All are distributed automatically, sometimes with startling results. For example, Coign makes significant changes to the programmer-assigned distribution of the Corporate Benefits Sample.
Deployment of a point and line feature localization system for an outdoor agriculture vehicle

This paper presents a perception-based GPS-free approach for localizing a mobile robot in an orchard environment. An extended Kalman filter (EKF) algorithm is presented that uses a wheel odometry prediction step and laser rangefinder update steps. There are two update steps, one that uses measurements to reflective point features and one that uses measurements to linear features formed by tree rows. The features are associated to landmarks in previously surveyed maps. The practical issues of dealing with uncertainty both from the environment and the on-board sensors are discussed and accounted for. The resulting algorithm is demonstrated in over 20km of online operation in a variety of real orchard environments.
Barriers to the Treatment of Depression in Cancer Patients

Major depressive disorder is a relapsing syndrome with grave morbidity and mortality. Much like asthma, it has a genetic predisposition and environmental triggers. Specific antidepressant medications alone, tested in randomized, placebo-controlled studies, show that this is a treatable condition with 65%-70% clinical response. Treatment guidelines written for psychiatric patients and patients in primary care clarify the role of medications and psychotherapy. Physicians are compelled to treat syndromes that are serious and treatable, but barriers to diagnosis and treatment of major depressive disorder in cancer patients include two major barriers to quality medical care generally: uncertainty and cost. Given uncertainty about diagnosis and treatment, cancer physicians with limited time avoid questions about emotions. Cases of depression are often missed. Mental health specialists often work in systems that are separated from oncologists by location, organization, and insurance. Most successful interventions to improve treatment of depressive disorders require multiple strategies: clinical education, enhanced role of nurses, and integrated oncology and specialist care. Recent strategies in oncology settings are reviewed. Research concepts to improve outcomes in treatment of depression include staging of depressive disorder in cancer to reveal prognosis, evaluation of depression outcomes in the context of one tumor type, new organizational models in the acute cancer setting, use of the cancer protocol, and assessment of access to care of depression in cancer survivors. Major depressive disorder in cancer is staged by positive past history, comorbid anxiety disorder or substance abuse, use of specific cancer medications that destabilize mood, and active cancer or no evidence of disease.
Computed tomography in two cases of hemophilic pseudotumors.

Thigh swelling developed in each of two hemophiliacs, one having factor XIII deficiency and one having factor VIII deficiency. Computed tomography demonstrated the extent of the cystic and destructive nature of these pseudotumors and assisted in therapeutic formulation.
Baseline trajectories of heavy drinking and their effects on postrandomization drinking in the COMBINE Study: empirically derived predictors of drinking outcomes during treatment.

Abstract The Combined Pharmacotherapies and Behavioral Interventions (COMBINE) Study sought to answer questions about the benefits of combining behavioral and pharmacological interventions (naltrexone and acamprosate) in alcohol-dependent patients. Our goals were to identify trajectories of heavy drinking before randomization in COMBINE, to characterize patients in these trajectories, and to assess whether prerandomization trajectories predict drinking outcomes. We analyzed daily indicators of heavy drinking 90 days before randomization using a trajectory-based approach. Each patient was assigned to the most likely prerandomization heavy-drinking trajectory, and the baseline characteristics of participants in the baseline trajectories were compared. The main and interactive effects of these trajectories and treatment factors (acamprosate, naltrexone, or combined behavioral intervention) on summary drinking measures during active treatment (16 weeks) were assessed. We identified five trajectories of heavy drinking prerandomization: “T1: frequent heavy drinkers”; “T2: very frequent heavy drinkers”; “T3: nearly daily heavy drinkers”; “T4: daily heavy drinkers”; and “T5: daily heavy drinkers stopping early” before randomization. Trajectory membership was significantly associated with all drinking outcomes. Patients in “T5: daily heavy drinkers stopping early” had comparable drinking outcomes to those in “T1: frequent heavy drinkers,” whereas the remaining trajectories were associated with significantly worse outcomes. The baseline trajectory did not interact significantly with the treatment condition. These exploratory analyses confirmed the hypothesis that baseline trajectories predict postrandomization drinking outcomes. Interestingly, “T5: daily heavy drinkers stopping early” had outcomes that were comparable to the least severe baseline trajectory “T1: frequent heavy drinkers,” and baseline trajectories of heavy drinking did not moderate the treatment effects.
Comparative histochemical investigation of the glutathione S-transferase placental form and γ-glutamyltranspeptidase during N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine-induced pancreatic carcinogenesis in hamsters

Immunohistochemical staining using anti-rat glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P) rabbit antibody and enzyme histochemical staining for gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT) were investigated in lesions appearing during lung carcinogenesis induced by N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine (BHP) in rats. Rats were given BHP at a concentration of 2000 p.p.m. in drinking water, and were killed after 12 weeks of BHP intake, after 12 weeks of BHP intake followed by 12 weeks of tap water intake or after 20 weeks of continuous BHP intake. It was found that bronchiolo-alveolar hyperplasias, adenomas, adenocarcinomas, squamous metaplasias and squamous cell carcinomas had been induced by BHP. All of the squamous metaplasias and squamous cell carcinomas were shown to stain with GST-P but not with gamma-GT. On the other hand, the hyperplasias, adenomas and adeno-carcinomas stained with gamma-GT to various degrees and in different areas, but did not stain with GST-P. The incidence of gamma-GT phenotype and the average percentage of gamma-GT-positive areas in hyperplasias and adenomas suggested that adenocarcinomas might develop from hyperplasias and adenomas. These results suggest that GST-P is a marker for squamous lesions while gamma-GT is a marker for adenomatous lesions in rat lung carcinogenesis. Furthermore, squamous metaplasias appear to be preneoplastic lesions of squamous cell carcinomas while gamma-GT-positive hyperplasias or adenomas are preneoplastic lesions of peripheral adenocarcinomas.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PERMEABILITY IN PLANTS

Quantitative studies on Laminaria (a brown alga), Ulva (a green alga), Rhodymenia (a red alga), and Zostera (a flowering plant) show that the behavior of these plants, in respect to changes in permeability, is essentially alike in all cases.
Life History and Secondary Production of Caenis latipennis (Ephemeroptera: Caenidae) in Honey Creek, Oklahoma

The life history and production of Caenis latipennis Banks (Ephemeroptera: Caenidae) is described from Honey Creek, Oklahoma. Emergence behavior, fecundity, voltinism, and secondary production were analyzed. C. latipennis had an extended emergence with five peaks. Females emerged, molted, mated, and oviposited in an estimated 37 min. Mean fecundity was 888.4 ± 291.9 eggs per individual (range, 239–1,576). Adult female head capsule widths in spring were significantly larger than in summer and fall. Compared with the other seasons, fecundity was significantly higher in early summer when densities were lowest. C. latipennis exhibited a multivoltine life cycle with five overlapping generations. Estimated annual secondary production for C. latipennis in Honey Creek was 4,404.28 mg/m2/yr, mean standing stock biomass was 274.64 mg/m2/yr, cohort production:biomass ratio was 5.79, and the annual production/biomass rate was 16.04/yr/yr. Standing stock biomass ranged from 7.6 to 705.4 mg/m2 during the year. Standing stock biomass did not vary significantly among seasons.
Assessing the costs (and benefits) of dependable public IP service networks

Considering the problem of estimating the financial impact of dependability improvements for commercial IP networks. An economic reliability analysis framework (called ERA) was developed at the university [2003] and applied it to a modern, commercial IP network to address the problem. The ERA framework extends traditional reliability engineering techniques to include financial elements such as: revenues, expenses, and investment periods. Full-path enumeration techniques [2003] were already extended. Markov reward models (MRM) [2003], software reliability growth models (SRGM) [2003] and stochastic reliability models [E.J. Stoker et al., 2003] using the ERA framework. This paper integrates ERA framework to reliability bounding techniques and using it to forecast the expected reliability and expected economic efficiency of a commercial IP data network. The commercial network being analyzed links 21 distinct locations along with 2 trans-oceanic edges to another IP network, each with its own collection of nodes, edges, customers and local topologies. Changes are proposed to this network to improve overall customer dependability, and the impacts of these changes (in terms of network dependability and economic return) are analyzed.
Incidence and Outcome of Pediatric Patients With Intracranial Hemorrhage While Supported on Ventricular Assist Devices

Pediatric patients supported on ventricular assist devices (VADs) require systemic anticoagulation and are at risk for intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Little is known about the incidence or outcomes of pediatric patients with ICH while supported on a VAD. A retrospective chart review of all patients receiving VAD support was completed. Patients diagnosed with ICH while supported on a VAD were identified. Significant factors prior to diagnosis of ICH, medical/surgical treatment of ICH, and patient outcomes were assessed. Five of 30 (17%) patients supported on a VAD from January 2000 to November 2012 were diagnosed with an ICH. Four patients had an identified cerebral thromboembolic injury prior to the ICH. Four patients required interruption in their anticoagulation regimen due to other bleeding concerns prior to ICH. Neurosurgical intervention consisted of evacuation of hemorrhage in one, whereas two others required management of hydrocephalus with external ventricular drainage. Three of the five patients died on VAD support. Two deaths were directly related to ICH, whereas the third was unrelated. Two patients were successfully transplanted; one remains with a significant neurological impairment, and the other has recovered with minimal residual impairment following neurosurgical evacuation of a large subdural hematoma. ICH is a devastating complication of VAD support. Prior ischemic infarcts and interruptions to anticoagulation may put a patient at risk for ICH. Prompt neurosurgical evaluation/intervention can result in positive outcomes.