cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization Techniques for a MEMS Electric-Field Sensor in Vacuum

Abstract An accurate calibration of an electric-field sensor is difficult to carry out due to challenges involved in generating a uniform electric field over the sensor volume. Additionally, capacitive coupling between the field source and the sensors and related instrumentation tends to distort the measured field further. Sensor characterization includes not only calibration, but also determination of the frequency response (both magnitude and phase), noise power spectral density, dynamic range, and linearity. In this paper, we discuss characterization techniques for an unpackaged microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) electric field sensor in a vacuum chamber. The use of oppositely charged square plates at a spacing of half the plate width is advised by the IEEE 1308-1994 standard for generation of a uniform electric field. Previously, the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) has shown that by employing guard tubes in the construction of an electric field generating chamber, the fringing fields can be controlled, and the spacing between the endplates can be increased while maintaining a uniform field. A similar, smaller apparatus for generating a uniform axial electric field was constructed to fit into a vacuum bell jar. The considerations and techniques for minimizing error due to fringing and distortion from metal conductors will be presented, along with the techniques and laboratory equipment used for characterizing the sensor.
Time-resolved fluorescence investigation of rotational transfer in A 2 ∑ + (v = 0) OH

Rotational transfer cross sections for the OH A2∑+ (v = 0) rovibronic levels were determined for collisions with water vapor at flame temperatures. OH fluorescence was induced by a 10-ns pulse from a Nd:YAG pumped dye laser, and the resulting fluorescence spectrum was recorded at selected times during the laser pulse. The measurements were performed in the postflame region of 30-Torr stoichiometric hydrogen/oxygen/nitrogen flames. Four different upper rotational levels were excited. State-to-state and total rotational transfer rates were calculated by optimizing the agreement between experimental spectra and synthetic spectra generated by a time-dependent numerical code. For the F1(1), F1(4), F2(5), and F1(10) upper rotational levels in the A2∑+ (v = 0) manifold, total rotational transfer cross sections were found to be (110 ± 30), (170 ± 60), (190 ± 60), and (110 ± 30) × 10−16 cm2, respectively, for collisions of OH with water vapor.
Keynote address: toward compositional software engineering

Large-scale software development, for the longest time, has relied heavily on centralized, process-centric approaches, such as CCMI. There are three trends that make applying a traditional approach increasingly infeasible, i.e. the increasing adoption of software product lines, global software development and software ecosystem.Although agile software development methods have removed much of the inefficiencies in small and medium-scale software development, addressing the inefficiencies in large scale software development requires a more compositional approach. The presentation introduces the differences between intra-team and inter-team coordination and presents an architecture-centric approach to large-scale software development that heavily relies on automated tool support.
Paper chromatography of alkaloids and their transformation products in Maryland tobacco.

Abstract 1. 1. Twenty-four substances were separated from a sample of cured Robinson's Medium Broadleaf Maryland tobacco by solvent extraction and paper chromatography. Even minute quantities of these substances give color with Amine-CNBr reagents. The evidence indicates that they are all pyridine alkaloids or derivatives thereof. 2. 2. By use of R f values, color tests with various indicator reagents, and ultraviolet absorption spectra, nicotine, nornicotine, anabasine, oxynicotine, myosmine, 3-acetylpyridine, 2,3′-dipyridyl, and nicotinic acid have been identified. The possible presence of nicotinamide and anatabine is also indicated. 3. 3. The quantity of each of the identified substances in each solvent extracted fraction and in the original tobacco is estimated from the ultraviolet absorption spectrum of the material extracted from the paper chromatogram. 4. 4. Two rapid chromatographic methods are suggested to be applied to large numbers of tobacco samples in order to obtain qualitative information as to their principal alkaloids.
Unique factorization in generalized power series rings

Let K be a field of characteristic zero and let K((R ≤0 )) denote the ring of generalized power series (i.e., formal sums with well-ordered support) with coefficients in K, and non-positive real exponents. Berarducci (2000) constructed an irreducible omnific integer, in the sense of Conway (2001), by first proving that an element of K((R ≤0 )) that is not divisible by a monomial and whose support has order type ω (or ω ωα for some ordinal α) must be irreducible. In this paper, we consider elements of K((R ≤0 )) with support of order type ω 2 . The irreducibility of these elements cannot be deduced solely from the order type of their support and, after developing new tools for studying these elements, we exhibit both reducible and irreducible elements of this type. We further prove that all elements whose support has order type ω 2 and which are not divisible by a monomial factor uniquely into irreducibles. This provides, in the ring K((R ≤0 )), a class of reducible elements for which we have unique factorization into irreducibles.
Recognizing Resilience: Learning from the Effects of Stress on the Brain.

As the central organ of stress and adaptation to stressors, the brain plays a pivotal role in behavioral and physiological responses that may lead to successful adaptation or to pathophysiology and mental and physical disease. In this context, resilience can be defined as “achieving a positive outcome in the face of adversity”. Underlying this deceptively simple statement are several questions; first, to what extent is this ability limited to those environments that have shaped the individual or can it be more flexible; second, when in the life course does the brain develop capacity for flexibility for adapting positively to new challenges; and third, can such flexibility be instated in individuals where early life experiences have limited that capacity? Brain architecture continues to show plasticity throughout adult life and studies of gene expression and epigenetic regulation reveal a dynamic and ever-changing brain. The goal is to recognize those biological changes that underlie flexible adaptability, and to recognize gene pathways, epigenetic factors and structural changes that indicate lack of resilience leading to negative outcomes, particularly when the individual is challenged by new circumstances. Early life experiences determine individual differences in such capabilities via epigenetic pathways and laying down of brain architecture that determine the later capacity for flexible adaptation or the lack thereof. Reactivation of such plasticity in individuals lacking such resilience is a new challenge for research and practical application. Finally, sex differences in the plasticity of the brain are often overlooked and must be more fully investigated.
Thallium-201 myocardial imaging during maximal and submaximal exercise: comparison of submaximal exercise with propranolol.

Abstract Propranolol is an effective drug for patients with angina and has been shown to favorably alter exercise ejection fraction and myocardial perfusion images in patients with coronary disease. A characteristic effect of propranolol is reduction in exercise heart rate (HR). Twenty men with coronary disease (10 with prior infarction), angina-limited exercise tests, abnormal myocardial blood flow distribution images (MBFDI) ( 201 thallium) during exercise, and normal resting ejection fractions underwent treadmill exercise testing with imaging on three occasions. Control maximal exercise was performed initially with measurement of MBFDI. Propranolol, 40 mg by mouth four times a day, was administered for a week with exercise repeated to the same workload. A third study, with men off propranolol, was undertaken with exercise continued only to the HR obtained while the men were taking propranolol (submaximal exercise). All men had improvement in MBFDI while receiving propranolol (men without infarction + 780 ± 88 [average ± SEM] normalized count rate difference between control and propranolol; men with infarction +724 ± 73 normalized counts). Greater count differences were noted when control exercise and HR-controlled, submaximal exercise MBFDI were compared with a greater difference in men with infarction (+1094 ± 89 normalized counts) than for men without infarction (+896 ± 88 normalized counts). Results suggest that propranolol improves MBFDI during exercise in men with angina, but that submaximal exercise results in more normal MBFDI than does propranolol for exercise to the same HR.
Synthesis and odor of optically active rose oxide

Abstract Stereoselective synthesis of optically active rose oxide ( 1 ) by KHSO4 and Pd–BINAP-catalyzed cyclization of (3R)- and (3S)-3,7-dimethyl-6,7-octadien-1-ol ( 5 ) is described. One-pot synthesis of the (3R)- and (3S)-allenyl alcohol 5 from (3R)- and (3S)-citronellol ( 2 ) (98% ee) is also described. Furthermore, the odor properties of the four diastereomers of 1 are reported.
Developmental, Familial, and Peer Deterrents to Adoption Placement

ABSTRACT This article focuses on the developmental, familial and peer deterrents that form barriers to adoption placement among teen mothers in a residential facility. An Eriksonian developmental model is used to explore developmental issues of identity, projective identification, and industry among teens. The findings suggest that family “cutoffs” and “re-admissions” also serve as deterrents to adoption placement. Additionally, peer pressure from residents of the facility form barriers to adoption placement. Teen mothers express how they were deterred from adoption placement and constrained into child-rearing as pregnancy resolution strategies. This qualitative study gives family therapy interventions as suggestions to facilitate adoption placement through addressing the constraints teen mothers face.
MODEL FORMULATION FOR FLEET SIZE ANALYSIS OF A UNIVERSITY MOTOR POOL

A GPSS/360 model was developed to investigate the behavior of a university's motor pool dispatch fleet. Time-series data were collected and frequency distributions were constructed for vehicle request patterns and trip-duration times. Regression analysis was performed to formulate trip mileage generators as functions of service time. Appropriate statistical goodness-of-fit tests were conducted to ascertain the extent of congruence between actual system behavior and expectations based on a number of theoretical distributions. Analysis of simulated response variables indicates that the model's internal structure reproduces reality to a high degree. Fifteen years of simulated experience were generated for six alternative fleet size configurations; results suggest that reductions in existing fleet capacity could be realized without effecting undue impairment in service levels.
An evaluation of low temperature radiation embrittlement mechanisms in ferritic alloys

Abstract Investigations underway at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) into reasons for the accelerated embrittlement of surveillance specimens of ferritic steels irradiated at 50°C at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) pressure vessel are described. Originally, the major suspects for the precocious embrittlement were a highly thermalized neutron spectrum, a low displacement rate, and the impurities boron and copper. Each of these possibilities has been eliminated. A dosimetry experiment made at one of the major surveillance sites shows that the spectrum at that site is not thermalized. A new model of matrix hardening due to point defect clusters indicates little effect of displacement rate at low irradiation temperature. Boron levels are measured at 1 wppm or less, which is inadequate for embrittlement. Copper and nickel impurities are shown to promote radiation strengthening at high doses but not at the low doses pertinent to the surveillance data. It is shown that a copper embrittlement scenario has other drawbacks, and it is argued that copper impurity is not responsible for the accelerated embrittlement of the HFIR surveillance specimens. The dosimetry experiment revealed unexpectedly high levels of reaction products in some of the fast flux monitors, which are found to be caused by an exceptionally high ratio of gamma ray flux to fast neutron flux at the pressure vessel. Gamma rays can also induce atomic displacements, leading to the suggestion that the accelerated embrittlement may be provoked by gamma irradiation.
Characterizations of natural patterns

Labyrinthine patterns are observed in systems as diverse as animal coats, slime mold colonies, fish scales, and cloud streets. However, even under well-controlled conditions, repetition of an experiment gives structures with vastly different details. A theoretical analysis of ``universal'' aspects of patterns requires a quantitative description that gives similar values for distinct configurations. We introduce a function to characterize the ``disorder'' of labyrinthine patterns that is the same for structures generated under identical control parameters. Furthermore, patterns with different visual characteristics are described by distinct functions.
Conjoined Twins in the United States, 1970–1977

The descriptive epidemiology of conjoined twinning in the United States was investigated using data from the Birth Defects Monitoring Program (BDMP), a nationwide congenital malformations surveillance system that monitors discharge diagnoses associated with a third of the births in the United States. This is the largest recorded series concerning conjoined twins; data were analyzed on 7,903,000 births monitored by the BDMP in the period 1970-1977. The analysis identified 81 sets of conjoined twins, for a crude incidence of 10.25 per million births. The most common types of conjoined twins were thoracoomphalopagus (28%), thoracopagus (18%), omphalopagus (10%), parasitic twins (10%), and craniopagus (6%). Conjoined twins are more common among females than males, and in nonwhites than whites. No maternal age effect was found. There was no evidence of seasonal or temporal clustering of the cases. The large number of conjoined twins who had birth defects that are not obviously linked to the conjoining (particularly neural tube defects and orofacial clefts) may provide insights into the pathogenesis of birth defects resulting from disordered embryonic migration and fusion.
Colorimetry in Parafoveal Fields.* II. Additivity Failure

Field trials of the proposed 10°-field observer system (recommended for adoption at the June 1963 CIE meetings in Vienna, Austria, by the Experts of Committee E-1.3.1), which was derived by removing rod response from the colormatching data, indicate that many visual color matches made on existing additive colorimeters require correction for rod response. But even if such corrections are made, additivity failure still may persist. Such additivity failures may result from rod–cone interactions, either inhibitive or facilitative. Additivity checks made by the author are in general agreement with results obtained in the extrafoveal investigations of Wright, of Moreland, and of Clarke; and with the results of the 10°-parafoveal field trials of Wright and Wyszecki, and of Stiles and Wyszecki.
Microwave/millimeter wave metamaterial development using the design of experiments technique

The successful use of design of experiments (DOE) approach in a feasibility and design study of a metamaterial structure is presented. The frequency of interest is 40 GHz and the technology used is multilayer low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC). The chosen approach for the double negative metamaterial implementation is a loaded coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission line. The design goals are a resonant frequency of 40 GHz and minimum insertion loss at that frequency. The electromagnetic performance of the loaded transmission line is simulated with a full wave time domain commercial simulator. The results of these simulations are incorporated into the DOE technique. First, the significant factors in achieving each of the goals are identified, then statistical models are developed for the two output variables and applied to optimize the structure.
Making sense of being fat: A hermeneutic analysis of adults’ explanations for obesity

This hermeneutic-phenomenological study of individuals enrolled in a hospital weight management clinic is an account and analysis of the experiences of being overweight, dieting and weight cycling through in-depth life history interviews. Participants explored their earliest recollections involving family attitudes towards food, multiple experiences with dieting and weight cycling and how they explained their weight problems to themselves. Analysis revealed that mealtimes became the arena within which control battles were waged between parent and child; food became associated with control and eating subsequently became a way to gain control over other aspects of life. Eating also became a way to numb the pain associated with child abuse, to substitute for human needs for relationship and belonging and emotional cycles of eating were identified. Insights emergeing from the interview process suggest the value of considering a psychodynamic approach to understanding emotional eating.
Understanding complex environmental systems : a dual approach

An approach to interpreting field data exploiting the duality of data- and theory-based models, and their associated methods of system identification, is presented. This approach seeks to overcome the respective limitations of the two branches of the duality: that theory-based models are not unambiguously identifiable from the observations, while a well-identified data-based model may not be capable of a satisfactory theoretical interpretation. The purpose of the approach is thereby to gain a deeper understanding of complex, poorly defined environmental systems. Recursive methods of time-series analysis are used to identify the data-based models (as transfer functions) and companion recursive methods, specifically the recursive prediction error (RPE) algorithm, are employed for structure identification and parameter estimation of the theory-based models (in ordinary differential equation forms). The results of these identification exercises for the two classes of models can be compared in terms of the macro-parameters of the studied system's time constant and steady-state gain. Two case studies are presented to illustrate the overall performance of the dual-thrust approach, on an activated sludge system and an aquaculture pond. It is found that: (1) as opposed to the exclusive use of either approach alone, more is to be gained through the joint application of the two classes of models, which historically have tended to reflect quite separate, unconnected approaches to interpreting environmental systems data; (2) to some extent, identifying the structure and estimating the parameters of one type of model can be readily improved by recourse to the corresponding results for the other; and (3) reconciliation of the results from identifying the two classes of model in the parameter space—of the time constant and steady-state gain—has significant advantages over the more familiar process of evaluating a model's performance in the terms of its (observed) state-space features. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
GPU Supported Patch-Based Tessellation for Dual Subdivision

A novel patch-based tessellation method for a dual subdivision scheme, the Doo-Sabin subdivision, is presented. Patch-based refinement for face-split subdivision schemes such as Catmull-Clark subdivision or Loop subdivision has been widely studied. But there is no patch-based tessellation algorithm for dual subdivision scheme [1] yet. The method presented in this paper is the first attempt to fill up that gap. The new method uses an 1D array to hold vertices; it creates a patch corresponding to a vertex in the original mesh and does not have any numerical roundoff gaps on patch boundaries. These characteristics are different from those of patch-based refinements for face-split subdivision schemes. Experimental results show that our algorithm achieves real time tessellation performance for moderate meshes.
Solubilization and display of G protein-coupled receptors on beads for real-time fluorescence and flow cytometric analysis.

G protein-couple d receptors (GPCR ) and cellular signaling elements are prim e targets for drug discovery. Sensitive real time methods that expand the analytical ca pabilities for these elements can play signi f icant roles in basic research and drug discovery. Here, we describe novel ap proaches for the real-time fluorescenc e analysis of GPCRs. Using the G protein coupled N-formyl peptide receptor (FPR) a s a model system in concert with a fluorescen t ligand, we showed the quantitative solub i lization of his-tagged FPRs in 1% dodecy l maltoside. Solublized receptors reconstitut e in dodecyl maltoside with a mixture o f bovine brain G i /G o showing an apparent K d of 100 nM. Solubilized receptors were also bound to N i 2+ -silica particles and were d e tected in a flow cytometer by the binding o f fluorescent ligand. The efficiency of recep tor uptake by the particles was in excess o f 80% with an apparent affinity for the bead in the nM range. The receptors had largel y homogeneous dissociation characteristics , an appropriate K dfor the ligand in the low nM range and a high site number, with se v eral million receptor molecules per particle . However, the G protein reconstitution wa s not detected on the beads, apparently fo r steric reasons. These approaches for di s playing receptors could prove useful in drug discovery and in the analysis of the molecu lar assemblies in signal transduction .
Analysis of Costs, Length of Stay, and Utilization of Emergency Department Services By Frequent Users: Implications for Health Policy

In efforts to decrease emergency department (ED) crowding and health care costs, frequent users of ED services have been targeted for interventions to decrease their utilization. Previous studies have had different definitions for frequent users and have considered all frequent users as a homogeneous group. To the authors' knowledge, no study has examined visit characteristics and resource utilization of different levels of frequent use. Objectives: 1) to determine the rates of ED utilization by five user groups defined by number of annual visits, 2) to examine variations in visit characteristics by frequency of ED use, and 3) to compare levels of resource utilization among frequent user groups. Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of clinical and financial records for all ED visits to an urban, academic hospital in 2001. Multinomial logistic and linear regression models were used for analyses. Estimates were corrected for multiple comparisons (with Bonferroni corrections), where applicable, and adjusted for clustering within individuals (with Huber-White estimators). Outcome measures were triage acuity, diagnosis-related group (DRG) severity, disposition status, primary complaint, medical diagnosis, hospital inpatient length of stay, payment method, costs, and demographics. Results: Patients with three to 20 visits were more likely to be admitted to the hospital than patients visiting once or twice. Patients visiting more than 20 times were less likely to require hospital admission and more likely to present with non-urgent conditions, have lower severity scores, and elope or leave the ED without medical attention than patients visiting the ED once. The group had fewer inpatient days and lower average costs than patients visiting once. Patients with six to 20 visits had traditional Medicaid coverage more often than those with one or two visits. Virtually no patients visiting more than 20 times had Medicare or Medicaid managed care, a health maintenance organization, or a preferred provider organization. Conclusions: Frequent ED users are a heterogeneous group. Many patients previously thought to overutilize the ED for socioeconomic or insignificant medical problems are as sick as less-frequent ED users. There is a small subgroup with more than 20 visits who are less ill or injured but also incurred lower-than-average costs per visit.
Direct inhibition of protein Ca by site directed thrombin inhibitors: Implications in anticoagulant and thrombolytic therapy

Abstract Several synthetic and recombinant antithrombin agents are currently developed for anticoagulation during thrombolytic therapy. Many of these agents are designed to inhibit thrombin at the active site. This active site is similar in enzymes belonging to the family of serine proteases. Since many of the thrombolytic enzymes are serine proteases (the class of enzymes in which thrombin and most of the coagulation enzymes are included), the newly developed antithrombin agents may also inhibit their pharmacologic actions and compromise thrombolytic efficacy. For this reason, it is important to compare the relative antithrombin and antifibrinolytic actions of these agents. A systematic investigation of the antiprotease profile and inhibitory spectrum against fibrinolytic enzymes is also important. Although several thrombin inhibitors have been compared in their ability to inhibit various enzymes involved in the activation of fibrinolysis (1), no reports on the interactions of these inhibitors with activated protein C are available. Since protein Ca has a dual role, both as an anticoagulant in the coagulation cascade (by inactivating factors Va and VIIIa) and as a profibrinolytic enzyme (by inactivating PAI-1 and PAI-III and thus stimulating the activity of t-PA) (2), it is important that its activity is not compromised by thrombin inhibitors, for optimal coagulation and fibrinolytic state. The current studies are therefore designed to investigate the direct inhibitory effects of synthetic and recombinant antithrombin agents on the amidolytic action of protein Ca. Human activated protein C has been made available by plasma fractionation and thus the inhibitory effects of thrombin inhibitors in a defined biochemical system was possible to investigate.
Perirectal and Perineal Infections in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients

Eight patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who developed bacterial infection of the perirectal area or perineum are reported. The diagnosis was not always straightforward. Bacteremia was seen in 3 of 8 patients and one of these died. Careful examination of the anus, rectum, and perineum should be mandatory in ESRD patients with undiagnosed fever. Treatment consisted of extensive surgical debridement and drainage along with antimicrobial therapy.
Modeling the effect of ground bounce on noise margin

In integrated circuits, ground bounce is the voltage developed across the inductance of the power supply leads as a result of the current surge through switching gates. It causes distortion of circuit output waveforms that can interfere with testing. This paper describes a simple circuit model that can be used to estimate the ground bounce waveform that appears on both switching and nonswitching outputs of CMOS circuits as a result of ground bounce. The model includes the effects of several circuit parameters on the waveform and has been validated by extensive Spice simulation.
The new arithmetical approach to Fourier analysis for a 2D signal

An arithmetical approach to Fourier analysis, called the arithmetic Fourier transform (AFT), is developed for a two-dimensional (2D) signal. This 2D AFT algorithm is based on the arithmetical approach that H. Bruns originated in 1903. It uses alternating arithmetic averages of 2n samples over a period. The use of alternating arithmetic averages yields an algorithm of low complexity. The number of multiply operations, which compose a major part of the architecture, is reduced. This algorithm features parallel processing which can be effectively implemented with VLSI techniques or optical processors. As a consequence, it is expected that this arithmetic algorithm can compete in complexity and speed with the conventional 2D fast Fourier transform algorithm. Simulation of the algorithm for equally space 2D data is accomplished by using zero-order interpolation. Computer simulation demonstrates that the errors in the Fourier coefficients are tolerable for many applications. >
A key establishment protocol for Bluetooth scatternets

Bluetooth is a new developing wireless networking technology for short range applications. The basic unit in a Bluetooth network is piconet, which can contain up to 8 active nodes. Two or more piconets may connect with each other to form the so-called scatternet. Scatternet is indispensable for the future of Bluetooth technology. One of the important issues for Bluetooth technology is security (G. Lamm et al., 2001, M. Jakobsson et al., 2001). Security protocols for Bluetooth piconets, such as key management and authentication have been defined by the Bluetooth specification. However, little work has been done on security of Bluetooth scatternets. In this paper, we propose a link key establishment protocol for Bluetooth scatternets by extending the piconet key agreement protocol to scatternets. The proposed protocol has the same security level as that of the piconet key establishment protocol and is compatible with the Bluetooth specification.
A generic algorithm for training networks with artificial dendritic trees

A specialized genetic algorithm for training artificial neural networks which are constructed from artificial dendritic trees and their collection of artificial synapses is described. It is shown that artificial neural networks with dendritic tree structures can be trained by changing their connections to sensory devices, e.g., CCD (charge coupled device) arrays, and connections to other artificial neurons. The number of different connection patterns is a combinational problem which grows factorially as the number of artificial synapses in the network and the number of sensor elements increase. It is shown that a specialized genetic algorithm produces promising results for a simple application using these types of networks. It is found that the crossover operator works well operating on connections rather than bit strings and that an embedded optimizer in place of the mutation operator greatly improves training performance. >
Solution of the inverse kinematic problem of a serial manipulator by a fuzzy algorithm

The robotic inverse kinematic problem, described in the following paragraph, appears in the field of robotics. Its solution can be gained numerically in general and analytically in such situations. The analytical approach is fast and puts in evidence the entire set of solutions, but cannot be applied in general. The numerical approach not always converges, not always puts in evidence all the solutions, but can be applied in general. Owing to these reasons, we will expose a new numerical algorithm based on fuzzy logic, that converges in all the tested trials. The results are very encouraging: the algorithm is fast and reliable.
Gait Abnormality Following Amputation in Diabetic Patients

Amputations of the lower extremity may result from several etiologic factors. Most amputations performed in the United States result from a dysvascular limb. A majority of the population with vascular impairment comprises people with diabetes. These individuals frequently have comorbidities that may also affect the ultimate outcome of amputation. Loss of protective sensation, propensity toward infection, and visual and balance impairment all create additional issues with postamputation gait in the population with diabetes. Amputations about the foot and ankle affect gait and energy consumption. More gait disturbances tend to be seen as amputation level becomes more proximal; however, loss of the metatarsophalangeal joints has a profound effect, regardless of the proximal level of amputation. Soft tissue balance is key to maximizing gait, particularly prevention of equinus and equinovarus deformity from unopposed plantarflexors. Orthotic, prosthetic, and shoe modifications can help minimize gait abnormalities; however alterations of ground reaction force and center of pressure may still remain.
Tectonics of the San Andreas Fault System seismological studies

The primary objectives of the current seismological program of the National Center for Earthquake Research (NCER) include: (1) evaluation of the use of well recorded aftershock sequences to delineate the slip surfaces associated with large earthquakes, (2) determination of the degree to which microearthquakes are confined to (and therefore delineate) the major faults that traverse the region of central California between the Gabilan range and San Francisco Bay, and (3) investigation of the space-time-energy relationships among microearthquakes and of the relation of crustal strain changes to the earthquake regime in central California. Thirty-two short-period vertical seismometers are installed in four clusters in key localities along the San Andreas and associated faults in central California. Telemetered signals from these seismometers are recorded in compact format on three Develocorders at the NCER office building in Menlo Park, where reading and analysis of the seismograms are kept current. Hypocenters are determined by computer, using crustal models based on local refraction surveys and station corrections based partly on teleseism P-wave delays and partly on average residuals for a large number of local earthquakes. Computer cards that summarize the principal parameters of each earthquake are collected in a card library to facilitate analysis of the earthquakes and the study of their relation to measured changes in crustal strain.
Use of computed tomography to assess volume change after endoscopic orbital decompression for Graves' ophthalmopathy

Abstract Background Orbital decompression is frequently performed in the management of patients with sight-threatening and disfiguring Graves' ophthalmopathy. The quantitative measurements of the change in orbital volume after orbital decompression procedures are not definitively known. Furthermore, the quantitative effect of septal deviation on volume change has not been previously analyzed. Objectives To provide quantitative measurement of orbital volume change after medial and inferior endoscopic decompression and describe a straightforward method of measuring this change using open-source technologies. A secondary objective was to assess the effect of septal deviation on orbital volume change. Methods A retrospective review was performed on all patients undergoing medial and inferior endoscopic orbital decompression for Graves' ophthalmopathy at a tertiary care academic medical center. Pre-operative and post-operative orbital volumes were calculated from computed tomography (CT) data using a semi-automated segmenting technique and Osirix™, an open-source DICOM reader. Data were collected for pre-operative and post-operative orbital volumes, degree of septal deviation, time to follow-up scan, and individual patient Hertel scores. Results Nine patients (12 orbits) were imaged before and after decompression. Mean pre-operative orbital volume was 26.99 cm 3 (SD = 2.86 cm 3 ). Mean post-operative volume was 33.07 cm 3 (SD = 3.96 cm 3 ). The mean change in volume was 6.08 cm 3 (SD = 2.31 cm 3 ). The mean change in Hertel score was 4.83 (SD = 0.75). Regression analysis of change in volume versus follow-up time to imaging indicates that follow-up time to imaging has little effect on change in volume ( R = − 0.2), and overall mean maximal septal deviation toward the operative side was − 0.5 mm. Negative values were attributed to deviation away form the operative site. A significant correlation was demonstrated between change in orbital volume and septal deviation distance site ( R = 0.66), as well as between change in orbital volume and septal deviation angle ( R = 0.67). Greater volume changes were associated with greater degree of septal deviation away from the surgical site, whereas smaller volume changes were associated with greater degree of septal deviation toward the surgical site. Conclusion A straightforward, semi-automated segmenting technique for measuring change in volume following endoscopic orbital decompression is described. This method proved useful in determining that a mean increase of approximately 6 cm in volume was achieved in this group of patients undergoing medial and inferior orbital decompression. Septal deviation appears to have an effect on the surgical outcome and should be considered during operative planning.
Performance Measurement and Resource Allocation

A number of studies have documented that public and private sector organisations do not use their limited resources efficiently. A possible implication is that reallocation of resources from the provision of goods and services that have relatively low marginal social benefits to those that have relatively high marginal social benefits would enhance overall social welfare. Another implication is that resources have not been used by the most productive means; ie, it is possible to produce more goods and services without additional resources. Suggested remedies range from industry reforms such as restructuring and deregulation to promote competition, to institutional changes such as adoption of efficient management practices.
Inequities in Chinese Health Services

The Chinese health system was once held up as a model for providing universal health care in the developing world in the 1970s, only to have what is now considered one of the least equitable systems in the world according to the World Health Organization. This article begins with a brief look at what equity in health services entails, and considers the inequities in access to health services in China among different segments of the population. This article will consider challenges the current inequities may present to China in the near future if reforms are not implemented. Finally, it will take a look at reforms made by China’s neighbors, Singapore and Thailand, which made their health care more equitable, affordable, and sustainable.
Monitoring adolescent alcohol use via multimodal analysis in social multimedia

Underage drinking or adolescent alcohol use is a major public health problem that causes more than 4,300 annual deaths. Traditional methods for monitoring adolescent alcohol consumption are based on surveys, which have many limitations and are difficult to scale. The main limitations include 1) respondents may not provide accurate, honest answers, 2) surveys with closed-ended questions may have a lower validity rate than other question types, 3) respondents who choose to respond may be different from those who chose not to respond, thus creating bias, 4) cost, 5) small sample size, and 6) lack of temporal sensitivity. We propose a novel approach to monitoring underage alcohol use by analyzing Instagram users' contents in order to overcome many of the limitations of surveys. First, Instagram users' demographics (such as age, gender and race) are determined by analyzing their selfie photos with automatic face detection and face analysis techniques supplied by a state-of-the-art face processing toolkit called Face++. Next, the tags associated with the pictures uploaded by users are used to identify the posts related to alcohol consumption and discover the existence of drinking patterns in terms of time, frequency and location. To that end, we have built an extensive dictionary of drinking activities based on internet slang and major alcohol brands. Finally, we measure the penetration of alcohol brands among underage users within Instagram by analyzing the followers of such brands in order to evaluate to what extent they might influence their followers' drinking behaviors. Experimental results using a large number of Instagram users have revealed several findings that are consistent with those of the conventional surveys, thus partially validating the proposed approach. Moreover, new insights are obtained that may help develop effective intervention. We believe that this approach can be effectively applied to other domains of public health.
Opportunities presented when developing learning resources for middle schoolers

The CyberTEAM project engages Computer Science (CS) students in the creation of Web-based applications as learning resources for middle school classrooms. The Flash-based Earthquake Location Tool (FELT) is one of such learning resources. Implemented in ActionScript 3.0, FELT allows its client to run on Flash Player and perform computations, interact with Google Maps API, load data, images and audios asynchronously, and redraw sections of the screen, all independently of the server with which it is connected. Using FELT as an example, this paper describes how the CyberTEAM project provides meaningful real-world software development experiences for CS students.
Restructuring Announcements and Rivals' Investment

I examine the effect of firms' restructuring announcements on the investment decisions of their rivals. I show that restructuring news that signal an improvement in the competitive position of UK manufacturing sites are associated with a 6% increase in local competitors' capital investment and I demonstrate that this effect is driven by the low debt competitors. Those findings are consistent with the hypothesis that firms react to the competitive threat from the announcing firm by adjusting their physical capital. Several robustness tests, including a placebo test, suggest our results are not driven by confounding factors.
Quantitative Measurements of the Size Scaling of Linear and Circular DNA in Nanofluidic Slitlike Confinement

Quantitative size measurements of single linear and circular DNA molecules in nanofluidic slitlike confinement are reported. A novel experimental method using DNA entropophoresis down a nanofluidic staircase implemented comprehensive variation of slitlike confinement around d ≈ 2p, where d is the slit depth and p is the persistence length, throughout the transition from strong to moderate confinement. A new numerical analysis approximated and corrected systematic imaging errors. Together, these advances enabled the first measurement of an experimental scaling relation between the in-plane radius of gyration, R∥, and d, yielding R∥ ∼ d–1/6 for all DNA samples investigated. This differs from the theoretical scaling relation, Re ∼ d–1/4, for the root-mean-square end-to-end size, Re. The use of different labeling ratios also allowed a new test of the influence of fluorescent labels on DNA persistence length. These results improve understanding of the basic physical behavior of polymers confined to nanofluidic...
A Survey Of Techniques for Architecting DRAM Caches

Recent trends of increasing core-count and memory/bandwidth-wall have led to major overhauls in chip architecture. In face of increasing cache capacity demands, researchers have now explored DRAM, which was conventionally considered synonymous to main memory, for designing large last level caches. Efficient integration of DRAM caches in mainstream computing systems, however, also presents several challenges and several recent techniques have been proposed to address them. In this paper, we present a survey of techniques for architecting DRAM caches. Also, by classifying these techniques across several dimensions, we underscore their similarities and differences. We believe that this paper will be very helpful to researchers for gaining insights into the potential, tradeoffs and challenges of DRAM caches.
Abstract B1-35: Enrichr2: Next generation gene set enrichment analysis web-based tool

Background: System-wide profiling of genes and proteins in mammalian cells produces lists of differentially expressed genes/proteins needing to be further analyzed for their collective functions in order to extract new knowledge. Once lists of genes or proteins are generated from such experiments, they are compared to existing annotated lists created from prior knowledge organized into gene-set libraries. While many enrichment analysis tools and gene-set library databases have been developed, there is still room for improvement. Enrichr2 is a major update of the published popular tool Enrichr. Methods: Enrichr29s architecture has been redesigned to be highly scalable. The new database centric design allows Enrichr2 to perform enrichment analysis within seconds while accommodating for the rapid growth of our gene-set library database. Recent additions to our gene-set library database include: disease signatures from GEO, drug perturbations from GEO, kinase perturbations from GEO and L1000, as well as tissue protein expression from two recent publications. Principal Angle Enrichment Analysis has been implemented and is one of the available enrichment analysis scoring methods. Enrichr2 can be restricted to only consider a subspace of the genome, and it accepts input formats that are crisp or fuzzy gene sets, probe IDs from microarrays, BED files and SOFT files. Gene synonyms are also recognized and automatically converted. Users can upload their own gene-set libraries as well as access the legacy versions of our libraries. Results: Enrichr2 is an easy to use intuitive enrichment analysis web-based tool providing various visualization summaries of collective functions of gene lists. Enrichr2 includes many new gene-set libraries, alternative approaches to rank enriched terms, and various new interactive visualization approaches to display enrichment results. We applied Enrichr2 to analyze many of the gene expression datasets available at The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Global visualization of such enrichment analysis results provides a global view of the biological molecular mechanisms driving tumor behavior across cancers at the individual patient level. Conclusions: Enrichr2 is emerging as a leading search engine for annotated gene lists, taking gene set enrichment analysis to a new level. Enrichr is an open source web-based tool available online at: http://amp.pharm.mssm.edu/Enrichr Note: This abstract was not presented at the conference. Citation Format: Matthew R. Jones. Enrichr2: Next generation gene set enrichment analysis web-based tool. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Computational and Systems Biology of Cancer; Feb 8-11 2015; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(22 Suppl 2):Abstract nr B1-35.