cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spermatic Cord Denervation for Chronic Orchialgia

To review the surgical management of chronic scrotal content pain with microsurgical spermatic cord denervation (MSCD). The data continues to support the use of MSCD for patients with chronic idiopathic scrotal content pain. The use of the robotic approach to this operation is novel but may still be cost-prohibitive and more studies are needed to prove equivalence to the standard microsurgical approach. MSCD has evolved into a very effective treatment for a difficult patient population with few options. It should be considered surgical standard of care for men with persistent chronic scrotal content pain whose symptoms are temporarily resolved with a spermatic cord block.
The Meaning of Religious Liberty in the New England States

Among the New England states, Rhode Island and Connecticut did not adopt constitutions or change their laws on religion, and did not, therefore, contribute significantly to the debate in America over religious liberty. In their constitutions, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont reaffirmed, but liberalized, their traditional decentralized system of financial support of religion, even though it was very controversial and opposed by a significant minority of the people, especially the Baptists, on the grounds that it was inconsistent with the free exercise of religion. After being reaffirmed, the system was challenged in court with conflicting results that led to its being enforced in an unpredictable manner. By 1800, it was no longer working but was not repealed for several more years.
The Rise of Progressive Cities for Human and Planetary Flourishing: A Global Perspective on Asia’s Urban Transition

As Asia adds more than 2.5 billion people to its urban population from 2000 to mid-century, attention turns to cities as spheres of governance for meeting pressing human concerns and aspirations for better lives. To assess the performance of cities in the context of Asia’s accelerated urbanization, this chapter presents a holistic concept of progressive cities that proposes inclusion in public life, distributive justice, conviviality, and environmental well-being as the four principal pillars of urban governance in support of human flourishing. Using this framework, our research on contemporary cities in Asia finds that the dominant trend toward “globopolis” that is transforming cities from a theater of social action into platforms for a state-assisted global corporate megaprojects manifests pervasive retreats in all dimensions of progressive governance. Variations among cities are appearing, however, and grassroots mobilizations in some are resulting in the rise of cities that, in varying degrees, are successfully pursuing cosmopolis ideals encapsulated in the progressive cities concept. As cities show themselves to be effective scales of participatory governance, the progressive turn discloses possibilities for collective human agency to steer urbanization along alternative pathways that have no single destiny but are instead open to people making their own histories through the production and uses of urban space.
Synthesis and catalytic testing of Lewis acidic nano zeolite Beta for epoxide ring opening with alcohols

Abstract Lewis acidic zeolites are robust catalytic materials that are capable of a range of important chemistry for fine chemical production, including the epoxide ring opening with alcohols. The crystalline structure imposes diffusion limitations for large molecules that are overcome through reducing the particle size to produce nano zeolite beta substituted with Lewis acidic tin (nSnBeta). nSnBeta is characterized using standard methods to demonstrate that tin is efficiently incorporated into the zeolite framework with open and closed sites similar to the micron-sized conventional Sn-Beta (cSnBeta). While nSnBeta exhibits comparable catalytic activity to cSnBeta for reactions involving small substrates such as epichlorohydrin and methanol, an improvement in catalytic performance is observed for nSnBeta relative to cSnBeta when using large substrates such as 1,2-epoxyoctane and ethanol. nSnBeta and cSnBeta convert a cyclic epoxide too large to enter the pores to similar extents, indicating that the improved performance is not associated with an increased number of catalytic sites on the external surface. Catalyst reuse experiments demonstrate that organic accumulation on the material reduces catalytic activity that can be partially restored through calcination. Overall, the results demonstrate that nano zeolite beta can be synthesized with small particle sizes (i.e., 150 nm) to help overcome diffusion limitations for bulky substrates for the alcohol ring opening of epoxides.
Tissue Engineering Solutions for Dental Implantology, Dentoalveolar Surgery, and Maxillary Sinus Floor Augmentation

The use of tissue engineering methods for regeneration of the dentoalveolar structures is discussed with emphasis on the final reconstruction of the dentition. Bone growth factors, mesenchymal stem cells, and bone grafts and bone graft substitutes all have a role in regenerating alveolar bone in preparation for completing the restoration of missing dentition to restore form, function, and esthetics. Case reports are employed to demonstrate methods to prepare deficient sites using titanium mesh, bone plates, restorable barriers, and various bone graft materials.
School Liability in School Shooting Cases

This article reviewed litigation that was spawned by school shootings. The litigation commenced after the Columbine shooting where 15 cases were decided. The Columbine cases and subsequent shooting litigation, both in state and federal courts, determined that the defendants prevailed; therefore, no liability existed. These decisions were the result of the high legal liability standards established by the federal courts under the Fourteenth Amendment and in state courts on the issue of governmental immunity where school boards, school offices, and law enforcement officers were held not liable since they could not have foreseen the horrific acts of private individuals who committed the acts.
Calculation of the geometrical point-spread function from wavefront aberrations.

Purpose This report uses the principles of geometrical optics to compute the optical point-spread function (PSF) from the wavefront error function. Method Step 1 uses Prentice's rule to determine the spatial form of the PSF established by tracing a field of rays from the eye's exit pupil to the retina. Ray vergence is related to the slope of the wavefront error function, which enables the mapping of light rays to produce a retinal 'spot diagram'. Step 2 completes the PSF by assigning an irradiance value to each ray in the spot diagram. Results and conclusions Spot irradiance is inversely proportional to the Gaussian curvature (i.e. the product of principal curvatures) of each local region of wavefront error surface centered on the corresponding ray. The Gaussian curvature, in turn, may be computed as the determinant of the vergence error matrix associated with each point on the wavefront error surface. Elements of the vergence error matrix consist of sums and differences of the local power vector components M, J0 and J45 . This method is shown to be equivalent to published derivations of the geometric PSF using the Jacobian of the ray mapping function and equivalent also to the Hessian of the wavefront error function. Examples are presented for the familiar cases of spherical and astigmatic blur as well as for higher order aberrations and the formation of caustics in the retinal image.
Investigating the problem of oscillatory orbits and attractors in wind turbines system under control limits imposed by industry

Abstract In this paper we investigate whether continuous oscillations are probable for the wind turbines dynamics when connected to the grid. This can have negative consequences on the mechanical parts of the system, the power grid and, possibly, on other power systems connected to the same grid. We consider the wind turbine when the pitch control is activated, exposing it to higher wind speeds. In order to find out if there are continuous oscillations in the state variables that may realistically occur, we investigate if there are periodic attractors for the dynamics that are still allowed within the control limits suggested by many in industry, such as, and not limited to General Electric. The paper provides rigorous mathematical proofs for boundedness of the systems state variables and their derivatives under the imposed control limits by industry. This establishes the existence of attractors in a bounded system under the controls. We then find that there is a Hopf bifurcation in which periodic attractors within the control limits exist. The results are supported by simulations. The nonlinear model used in the analysis is validated versus a real measured data to magnify the finding of this paper. The conclusion of this paper is significant for the nonlinear dynamics and control literature for wind turbines complex system, and the possible consequences on studying/questioning the control limits (limeters) suggested by industry.
In the city, they go “pit pit pit”: Digital media’s affordances and imagined (dis)connections in a rural Japanese community:

This project explores how lower class individuals living in a small rural Japanese community employ digital media in their daily lives and how this use of technology shapes their sense of self. Dra...
American Indian sovereignty versus the United States

Questions always arise about the inherent sovereignty of American Indian nations. What civil and criminal political and jurisdictional authority do they exercise over their citizens and their territories? What powers do they possess in relation to the United States? What types of political power did tribal governments in North America exercise in the past? This forthcoming book chapter takes a look at these issues. It sets forth historical evidence on the powers Indigenous governments exercised in the past and how their organizations were structured. It then looks at "Federal Indian Law" and the limitations the United States has placed on complete tribal sovereignty. But it concentrates on how Indian nations are functioning today, how they are created and structured, and what they are doing to positively exercise sovereignty within their territorial borders, within the United States, and in the international law arena.
Young Women Exposed Actively to the Value of Biomedical Engineering

To bridge the gap between the biological sciences (typically female-dominated) and engineering (typically male-dominated), biomedical engineering (BME) activities could potentially be used as a vehicle to alter female students’ perception of engineering as a whole. Female’s pursuit of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) degrees is typically confined to the biological sciences and females earn a high proportion of degrees in nursing, psychology and the social sciences, yet male presence persists in physical sciences and engineering. Female’s participation in engineering remains much lower than men at all degree levels. Here, research questions included do female high school students: 1) perceive engineering as relevant? 2) have an interest & aptitude towards exploring engineering in college and as a career? 3) have anxiety in terms of engineering? 4) have engineering "role-confidence"? Participants, a randomly selected pool of 28 high school students (almost exclusively female from schools throughout the DC Metro area) took part in a week-long, all-day workshop where they were exposed to female engineering mentors, peers, and activities tied to BME & Engineering. Pre and post surveys, adapted from standard STEM surveys, were administered to the pool of participants. Increases in confidence and interest in engineering and decreased anxiety were observed following female high school students’ participation in hands-on activities in BME.
Trial Penalties under Florida’s Sentencing Guidelines: The Moderating Role of Case Seriousness:

An extensive body of research has revealed that criminal defendants who are convicted at trials are given harsher sentences than those who plead guilty. However, it remains unclear how legally rele...
Surgical Management in Tracheobronchopathia Osteochondroplastica: A Case Study

Tracheobronchopathia Osteochondroplastica is a benign condition characterized by osseous and cartilaginous submucosal growths of the tracheobronchial tree. This is a case report of an individual that was to undergo elective surgery using general anesthesia with endotracheal tube intubation. However, the anesthesiologist encountered a large osseous mass of the precricoid region and could not be intubated. This case report describes the technique for removal of the obstructing lesion using a Sonopet ultrasonic aspirator. Laryngoscope, 131:E911-E913, 2021.
Joint link-level and network-level reconfiguration for urban mmWave wireless backhaul networks

Abstract Due to the rapid densification of small cells in 5G and beyond cellular networks, deploying wired high-bandwidth connections to every small cell base station (BS) is difficult, particularly in older metropolitan areas where infrastructure for fiber deployment is lacking. For this reason, mmWave wireless backhaul has been proposed as a cost-effective and flexible alternative that has the potential to support the high data rates needed to accommodate backhaul traffic demands. To address the robustness of such networks, we investigate a novel relay-assisted backhaul architecture, where a number of small-cell BSs and relays are deployed, e.g. on the lampposts of urban streets. In this scenario, the interconnected logical links constitute a mesh network, which offers opportunities for both link-level and network-level reconfiguration to overcome blockages and/or node failures. We present two joint link-network level reconfiguration schemes for recovery after exceptional events. One prioritizes relay path (link-level) reconfiguration and uses alternate network-level paths only if necessary. The other splits traffic on both reconfigured logical links and backup network paths to improve throughput. Through simulation, the reconfiguration schemes are shown to not only provide near-optimal backhaul survivability but to also maintain high network throughput across a range of scenarios for urban mmWave backhaul networks. The schemes are also validated to significantly outperform existing purely link-level and purely network-level reconfiguration schemes.
Electro-optic sampling beam position monitor for relativistic electron beams

Abstract An electro-optic sampling beam position monitor for installation at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory FACET-II facility is described. Simulations of the detector signal were performed using realistic electron beam current profiles, demonstrating that this single-shot, non-destructive, compact detector is capable of resolving the relative transverse offset and longitudinal separation of an ultra-relativistic, two-bunch electron beam to order 1 μ m and 10 fs, respectively. A design study was performed to optimize the detector’s response to the ultra-relativistic two-bunch electron beam utilized in plasma wakefield accelerator experiments. In addition, the expected sensitivity to beam tilt is studied for typical electron beams used in free electron lasers .
Dual Use of Electronic Cigarettes and Traditional Cigarettes Among Adults: Psychosocial Correlates and Associated Respiratory Symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Prolonged use of both electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and traditional cigarettes can increase breathing difficulties and other adverse health effects. Research is needed to provide a deeper understanding of predictors of dual use, particularly given rapid changes in the e-cigarette market and related public health communications and policy. METHODS: The sample consists of subjects in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health Wave 5 (cross-sectional) subsample (N = 3,800) from 2016 to 2018. Participants were 31–42 y old. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to determine predictors of mutually exclusive categories: e-cigarette use only, cigarette use only, and concurrent e-cigarette and traditional cigarette use (compared to no use). Predictors included sex, age, poverty status, race/ethnicity, self-reported diagnosed depression, self-reported diagnosed anxiety, and previous experience of child maltreatment. RESULTS: Among the total sample (N = 3,800), 2% reported e-cigarette use only, 20% reported traditional cigarette use only, and 3% reported dual use of both e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes. Among subjects who reported any e-cigarette or traditional cigarette use (n = 957), 12% reported dual use. In the final adjusted multivariable multinomial model, dual use was associated with living at or below the poverty line (odds ratio 2.49 [95% CI 1.19–5.70]), self-reported diagnosed depression (odds ratio 1.99 [95% CI 1.10–3.61]), and a history of child maltreatment (odds ratio 1.80 [95% CI 1.10–2.95]). Additionally, Hispanic-American individuals were more likely to report dual use compared to cigarette-only use. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged dual use of both e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes is a considerable public health problem. While our study identified a low percentage of dual usage among U.S. adults, dual use was disproportionately prevalent among those with depression, history of child maltreatment, living at or below the poverty line, and among Hispanic-American individuals. Culturally appropriate interventions and increasing access to cessation programs may help mitigate health disparities pertaining to dual use.
Evolution and Reproducibility of Simulation Modeling in Epidemiology and Health Policy over Half a Century.

Simulation models are increasingly used to inform epidemiological studies and health policy, yet there is great variation in their transparency and reproducibility. This review provides an overview of applications of simulation models in health policy and epidemiology, analyzes the use of best reporting practices, and assesses the reproducibility of the models using predefined, categorical criteria. 1,613 studies were identified and analyzed. We found an exponential growth in the number of studies over the past half century, with the highest growth in dynamic modeling approaches. The largest subset of studies is focused on disease policy models (70%), within which pathological conditions, viral diseases, neoplasms, and cardiovascular diseases account for one-third of the articles. Nearly half of the studies do not report the details of their models. We also provide in depth analysis of modeling best practices, reporting quality and reproducibility for a subset of 100 articles (50 highly cited and 50 random). Only seven of 26 in-depth evaluation criteria were satisfied by more than 80% of samples. We identify areas for increased application of simulation modeling and opportunities to enhance the rigor and documentation in the conduct and reporting of simulation modeling in epidemiology and health policy.
Plant diversity with species drilled in the same or alternate rows enhanced pasture yield and quality over 4 years

This paper reports on the effects of plant species diversity and sowing method on pasture yield and quality. Nineteen seed mixtures of perennial ryegrass (PR), plantain (Pl), white clover (WC) and red clover (RC) were sown on 26 March 2015 at Lincoln University. Four mixtures of PR, Pl and WC were repeated with species separated in alternate drill rows. Plots were grazed by sheep and irrigated. After 4 years, a mixture with 25% of each species based on seed count – equivalent to 7.5 kg PR, 5.6 kg Pl, 1.9 kg WC and 4.4 kg RC (19.4 kg total seed)/ha – produced an optimal balance of increased total yield (17.44 t DM/ha/yr), weed suppression (0% of total yield), metabolisable energy (11.4 MJ/kg DM) and crude protein (19% of DM). Sowing method had no effect. Plant diversity enhanced pasture production through positive interactions and identity effects among the legumes (WC and RC) and non-legumes (PR and Pl). The strength of interactions between species depended on the identity and relative abundances of the species involved. The diversity effects occurred alongside shifts in species relative abundances over time. This study demonstrated an experimental basis for the evaluation of multi-species pasture mixtures.
Nutritional and Chemical-Physical Characterization of Fresh Pasta Gnocchi Prepared with Sea Water as New Active Ingredient.

This study shows the chemical–physical and nutritional results obtained using food-grade sea water for the preparation of fresh pasta Gnocchi with respect to those prepared with tap water. Gnocchi obtained by mixing the flour with seawater (GSW) were compared with traditional Gnocchi made with tap water (GTW). The contents of sodium chloride, macro and micro elements, volatile molecules profile, thermal properties, and morphological analysis were investigated in both Gnocchi types. The analysis of chlorides showed that the samples prepared with sea water had a significantly lower NaCl content after cooking in comparison with those prepared with tap water. These results were also confirmed by the inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis for sodium content. The profiles of the volatile molecules acquired by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) evidenced significant differences between the groups of aromatic molecules of the two typologies of samples. Morphological analysis evidenced that both raw and cooked GSW Gnocchi were structurally tightened whereas GTW Gnocchi showed a labile and weak macromolecular network. In addition, GSW Gnocchi was more thermally stable than GTW Gnocchi, as evidenced by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).
Short-Course Palliative Radiotherapy Combined With Immunotherapy for Recurrent/Advanced/Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer.

Purpose/Objective(s) To evaluate tumor response rates in patients treated with a combination of palliative short-course radiotherapy (SCRT) and immune checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy (IO) in patients with recurrent, advanced or metastatic (R/A/M) head and neck cancer (HNC). Materials/Methods We reviewed the medical records of patients treated with short-course palliative intent radiation therapy (RT) (hypofractionated RT in 4-5 fractions) for R/A/M HNC between 2014-2020. Patient, disease, and treatment factors were abstracted from the medical record. Patients were categorized as having been treated with combined immunotherapy and radiotherapy (IO+RT) if the RT was given after at least 1 cycle of IO with at least 1 cycle of IO afterward. Treated gross tumor volume (GTV) was measured prior to and after RT and percent change in GTV volume from baseline to best overall response (BOR) was calculated. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results In total, 19 patients were treated with SCRT, 7 of whom were treated with combined IO+RT. Primary site included oral cavity (n = 6), larynx/hypopharynx (5), oropharynx (3), sinonasal (2), cutaneous (2), and thyroid (1). Squamous cell histology was most frequent (16/19) with the other 3 comprised of sinonasal intestinal-type adenocarcinoma, mucosal melanoma, and Hurthle cell carcinoma. Disease status included 6 patients with a recurrence, 6 were metastatic, 3 locally advanced/incurable, and 3 recurrent/metastatic. Prior treatments included RT (n = 9) and chemotherapy (6); ECOG performance status was 1-2 in 13 patients and 3-4 in 6 patients. Seventeen patients were treated with “quad-shot” radiotherapy (14.4-14.8 Gy in 4 fractions delivered twice daily) and 2 were treated with 20 Gy in 5 fractions. Median (range) number of IO cycles given pre- and post-RT were 7 (1-11) and 2 (1-21), respectively. Of the 17 evaluable patients for treatment response, 13 patients responded or were stable while 4 had progression. Median pre-RT target volume in the RT cohort was 37.2 (6.14-486.21) cc and 145.28 (24.21-219.51) cc in the IO+RT cohort. Median post-RT target volume in the RT cohort was 28.00 (17.23, 57.630 cc and 58.44 (0.00, 246.56) cc in the IO+RT cohort. Median change in target volume in RT cohort was –42% (range: -100, 259) cc and –54% (-100, 12) cc in the IO+RT cohort. 1-year PFS and OS were 5% and 21%, respectively. 1-year OS was numerically higher for IO+RT patients (43% v. 8%, P = 0.13). Conclusion In this select cohort of patients with R/A/M HNC, combined IO+SCRT was feasible and showed an improved tumor response as evidenced by greater decrement in post-treatment tumor volume. An ongoing clinical trial (NCT04454489) aims to prospectively evaluate the potential benefit of combined quad-shot radiotherapy with Pembrolizumab to improve response rates to IO alone.
The Future of PHM Could be Tiny under Cloud: Exploring Potential Application Patterns of TinyML in PHM Scenarios

Given the diverse deployments of sensor nodes in prognostics and health management (PHM) applications, the use of small form-factor, low-cost and power-efficient microcontrollers (MCUs) has become a practical option for long-term monitoring and front-end data-processing. Hardware advances have enabled small MCU devices to run light-weight machine learning (especially deep neural networks) thereby enabling inference tasks using tiny machine learning (Tiny ML) models executing closer to the data source sensors. Although TinyML like approaches have previously been proposed for some cases in PHM, existing approaches have mainly targeted PHM applications that use single data sources and case-specific models as opposed utilizing prediction models trained from general machine learning frameworks and requiring fusion of multiple distributed data sources. Unfortunately, pure MCUs lack the capacity to conduct such analytics. This work aims to address these limitations by using TinyML deployed at the edge in cooperation with system-level machine learning executing in the cloud. Specifically, we study applications in which sensor data is collected and used to predict system health status and perform remaining useful life regression. We also show how edge MCU devices and cloud computing can be combined and adapted to satisfy diverse requirements, such as latency, power and communication. We also describe the limitations of the current MCU-based deep learning in data-driven prognostics. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to systematically investigate the TinyML-Cloud cooperation for data-driven prognostics. We target this as a vision paper and aim to provide a high-level guideline for future PHM application designs involving smart MCU-based decision making.
The Role of School-Based Technology Coordinators as Change Agents in Elementary School Programs

AbstractThis article describes a follow-up study that investigated the skills and strategies used and outcomes effected by computer coordinators in three elementary school programs. The purpose of the present study was to revisit those same three schools, seven years later, to examine current levels of computer use and related implementation issues. Results across cases suggest that, while barriers to increased technology use have been eliminated or minimized due to the work of the coordinators, many obstacles still remain. One finding of particular importance involves the coordinators’ plans to “work themselves out of their jobs.” That ambitious goal appears to have underestimated the degree to which educational change with technology is a moving target that requires ongoing coordination and support.
The World Food Crisis: Population, Food, and Environmental Issues as They Affect Pakistan

It is inevitable that Pakistan will double its population—there is even a possibility of a quadrupling. Because of an unusual resource base, Pakistan has an opportunity to more than double its agricultural production in the next generation and to go into business as a provider of food to the international market on a substantially larger scale. The first imperative in achieving this goal is for the people and government of Pakistan to want to achieve it. Once the will is there, policies and practices are available to make it happen. By implication, the fruits of such a policy will be only temporary unless humanity succeeds in finding the keys that will shift sociological attitudes toward family size. Although nobody has those keys to offer Pakistan today, together humanity must continue to search for them or suffer the penalties that overcrowding will inevitably exact on us. There is a need for more efficient food production to make possible nonfood consumption and the relationship of this to controlling population. Increasingly, food and population mathematics have become matters of worldwide concern. More than ever we human beings recognize each other as kindred and recognize each other’s problems as belonging to us all. These next 25 years offer extraordinary challenges to the human race; Pakistan’s scientists, working closely with colleagues around the world, are in an excellent position to help find the answers.
Examining the effects of vacation ownership product attributes on customer satisfaction: An investigation of product purchase and use

Purpose – This research aims to propose a model that may be used to classify product attributes according to their effect on customer satisfaction within the services industry. It also aims to apply the model to vacation ownership products and to explore attributes related to both the purchase and use of the product: an owned luxury product. Design/methodology/approach – Data from 3,231 vacation ownership customers of multiple international companies were analyzed using a modified Kano model and related questionnaire. Findings – This study reveals the effect that specific product attributes have on customer satisfaction. It addresses previously unexplored attributes (i.e. sales techniques and hotel program benefits), confirms others previously identified with customer satisfaction (i.e. amenities, exchange benefits, hotel affiliation and vacation counselors) and reveals those that had no incremental effect on overall satisfaction (i.e. financing and activities). Practical implications – Results of this st...
Towards semantic microaggregation of categorical data for confidential documents

In the data privacy context, specifically, in statistical disclosure control techniques, microaggregation is a well-known microdata protection method, ensuring the confidentiality of each individual. In this paper, we propose a new approach of microaggregation to deal with semantic sets of categorical data, like text documents. This method relies on the WordNet framework that provides complete semantic relationship taxonomy between words. Therefore, this extension aims ensure the confidentiality of text documents, but at the same time, it should preserve the general meaning. We apply some measures to evaluate the quality of the protection method relying on information loss.
Elusive Z' coupled to quarks of third generation.

By extending the standard gauge group to SU(3){sub {ital c}}{times}SU(2){sub {ital L}}{times}U(1){sub {ital Y}}{times}U(1){sub {ital X}} with {ital X} charges carried only by the third family we accommodate the CERN LEP measurement of {ital R}{sub {ital b}} and predict a potentially measurable discrepancy in {ital A}{sub FB}{sup {ital b}} in {ital e}{sup +}{ital e}{sup {minus}} scattering and that {ital D}{sup 0}{ital {bar D}}{sup 0} mixing may be near its experimental limit. The uniqueness of our model is that the {ital Z}{sup {prime}} couplings are generation-dependent and, hence, explicitly violate the GIM mechanism, but can nevertheless be naturally consistent with FCNC constraints. Direct detection of this {ital Z}{sup {prime}} is possible but challenging. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
THE VALUE OF AN ACCELERATOR RELEASE SIGNAL

The value of a signal shown on the rear of an automobile when the accelerator is released was investigated by measuring (1) the magnitude of decelerations in coasting passenger cars, (2) the ability of drivers to detect coasting of a vehicle they are following, and (3) coasting periods used by a number of drivers on various trips. Coasting decelerations of a sample of passenger vehicles did not exceed 3 ft/sec2. The driver's sensitivity (ΔH), the change in spacing necessary to detect coasting of a lead vehicle, was a direct function of the initial headway (H) with a median value ΔH = 0.12H. Instrumentation of a motor-pool automobile showed that most coasting durations were between 0.5 and 5 sec. with speed reductions of less than 4 mph. Release of the accelerator pedal was followed by braking on less than 50% of the coasting occasions. It was concluded that a coasting signal could not reliably indicate that braking would follow and was largely unnecessary for detection of coasting, but could aid in reduci...
Recent observations of cosmic ray antiprotons and a critical assessment of the theories of their origin

The models proposed to explain the observed spectrum of cosmic ray antiprotons are reexamined in light of recent results from balloon-borne experiments. It is found that the prediction of modified closed galaxy model fits the observed data very well. Models in which secondary antiprotons are produced in the sources, could be made consistent with the data provided the secondary particles do not suffer considerable adiabatic deceleration. It has been shown that there cannot be any significant contribution to the observed antiprotons, from the evaporation of mini black holes or from the annihilation of dark matter like photinos. The role of extragalactic cosmic rays has been examined critically in the context of the recent data, and they are not the source of cosmic ray antiprotons. However, determination of the energy spectrum of antiprotons at least up to a few tens of GeV would be valuable to provide information on the possible existence of supersymmetric particles and on the modulation of extragalactic cosmic rays while entering the Galaxy.
Real options for risk management in information technology projects

Given the rapid pace of technological innovation, IT projects (especially software projects) are fraught with technology risk. Anticipating the pace of future innovation is difficult but essential. Furthermore, once a decision is made to invest in a current technology, additional risks are involved in deciding exactly how much to invest at each stage of the implementation process. Financial options are extensively used for risk management in various industries. Real or embedded options are analogs of these financial options and can be used for everlasting investment decisions made under significant uncertainty. Real options can be identified in the form of opportunity to invest in a currently available innovative project with an additional consideration of the strategic value associated with the possibility of future and follow-up investments due to emergence of another related innovation in future. We explain how option valuation techniques can be used for assessment and management of risks in the adoption of technological innovations. We also present a new risk driven process framework that is well suited for risk management of software projects.
Path planning through time and space in dynamic domains

Realistic robot problems involve navigating the robot through time as well as space. The obstacles that a robot must avoid and the pathways on which it travels are subject to changes throughout time. These changes can occur in a predictable or unpredictable fashion. This paper presents an integrated route planning and spatial representation system that allows paths to be calculated in dynamic domains. The path planner finds the "best route" through a given n-dimensional space. The "best route" is defined as the path through space-time with the best score as determined by a set of user-defined evaluation functions. The algorithm takes into account the following: Capabilities of the robot executing generated plans, traversability of space, and interactions with both predictable and unpredictable dynamic objects. The route planning algorithm is highly parallel and can be run on an SIMD (Single Instruction Multiple Data) machine in 0(p) time, where p is the length of a path. In domains with unpredictable processes, this system may be run in an incremental fashion, allowing the robot to create real-time routes along the optimal path as described by its current information. This paper will discuss: Spatial representation, an SIMD algorithm for route planning in a dynamic domain, and results from an implementation on a traditional computer architecture.
A new experiment to investigate the origin of optical activity using a low energy positron beam of controlled helicity

In recent years many experiments have been undertaken in search of a correlation between the origin of optical activity in biological molecules and the helicity of beta particles emitted in nuclear beta decay. These experiments have shown null or ambiguous results. We will discuss an experiment now in progress in which a low energy polarized positron beam of controlled helicity interacts with an optically active material to form positronium in vacuum. Initially we will be able to detect a helicity dependent asymmetry in triplet positronium formation of 1 part in 104. Improvements to better than 1 part in 105 should be possible. Our work may therefore have up to 104 times the sensitivity of prior experiments to the effect under consideration.
SUNSHINE RECORDERS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE BURNING-GLASS AND THERMOMETRIC SYSTEMS

Abstract Sunshine duration is recorded in most countries by the Campbell-Stokes burning glass (CS) but in the United States by a thermometric type (US). CS and US instruments were exposed together and compared at Blue Hill Observatory. The average values of insolation at which the CS and US begin and cease to register were estimated from Blue Hill pyrheliometer records to be 0.33 cal cm−2min&minus:1 (CS) and 0.37 cal cm−2min−1 (US) for the two instruments tested. However, the US usually exceeds the CS in summer because it responds to diffuse radiation while the CS does not. Low-sun corrections are added to the US record by the U. S. Weather Bureau before tabulation. The US corrected record is longer than the CS record, which is not increased by a low-sun correction. Two sets of conversion values were obtained: (1) from the monthly low-sun corrections at various stations and the direct comparison of the instruments at Blue Hill, (2) from comparison of long CS and US (corrected) records of paired Canadian a...
Kinetics of the reaction of the CCl2 biradical with NO

Abstract The kinetics of the of CCl2 with nitric oxide has been studied using the laser photolysis/photoionization mass spectrometry technique. Dichloromethylene biradicals were produced by the pulsed laser photolysis of carbon tetrachloride and the kinetics of their decay due to reaction with NO were monitored in direct time-resolved experiments. The temperature dependence of the rate constant (300–750 K) can be described by the Arrhenius expression k 1 =(1.12±0.18)×10 −12 exp (−(312±74) K/T ) cm3 molecule−1 s−1. Rate constants are independent of the bath gas density within the experimental range, [He] = (3–12) × 1016 atom cm−3. ClCNO was observed as a product of the reaction.
Representing programs in multiparadigm software development environments

A canonical program representation, semantic program graphs (SPGs), is described, and it is shown how SPGs can act as the foundation for multiparadigm software development environments. Using SPGs as the basis for program representation allows developers to see different views of programs that correspond to different ways of thinking about them, and it allows editors to be created so that the underlying program can be edited using any of the paradigms. As the sole program representation, SPGs also facilitate communication between paradigms: changes made in one view can be immediately reflected in all other views. >
Online News Sites and Journalism 2.0: Reader Comments on Al Jazeera Arabic

The current paper investigates reader commenting on news sites as one facet of journalism 2.0. Specifically, the themes, frequency, and regional coverage of readers’ comments—and in general, their activity levels and distribution—are considered, with a goal to increase knowledge of convergent media and computer-mediated communication (CMC), as well as shed light on the interactivity strategies adopted by influential news producers. The corpus is collected from the Arabic news site of the controversial Middle East-based, bilingual network Al Jazeera. Reader commenting was found to be a regular occurrence on the site but distributed unevenly across stories. The stories focused mostly on themes related to military and political violence, politics, and foreign relations, and covered events related to the Arab world more than other regions. Also, patterns of commenting varied according to day of the week and position of the story on the web page. Overall, these findings suggest that citizen journalism—journalism is performed by lay persons—on Al Jazeera tends to be shaped by the coverage and layout of the news site. Moreover, citizen participation in online news sites such as Al Jazeera is still far from ideal, in that commenters are given neither the access nor the facilitation to use modalities other than written text. These limitations are critiqued in light of contemporary discourses about media convergence and journalism 2.0.
Matrix metalloproteinases: structures, evolution, and diversification

A comprehensive sequence alignment of 64 members of the family of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) for the entire sequences, and subsequently the catalytic and the hemopexin-like domains, have been performed. The 64 MMPs were selected from plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates. The analyses disclosed that as many as 23 distinct subfamilies of these proteins are known to exist. Information from the sequence alignments was correlated with structures, both crystallographic as well as computational, of the catalytic domains for the 23 representative members of the MMP family. A survey of the metal binding sites and two loops containing variable sequences of amino acids, which are important for substrate interactions, are discussed. The collective data support the proposal that the assembly of the domains into multidomain enzymes was likely to be an early evolutionary event. This was followed by diversification, perhaps in parallel among the MMPs, in a subsequent evolutionary time scale. Analysis indicates that a retrograde structure simplification may have accounted for the evolution of MMPs with simple domain constituents, such as matrilysin, from the larger and more elaborate enzymes.
The existence of chlorophyll aggregates at room temperature in vivo and in vitro.

Abstract It is shown that aggregates are present at high chlorophyll concentrations in pyridine and in Euglena at room temperature. The distribution between monomer and aggregate is not significantly altered by cooling to 77° K. The chlorophyll species are identified by their respective fluorescence emission and excitation spectra.
Additive-Free Synthesis of Cerium Oxide Nanorods with Reaction Temperature-Tunable Aspect Ratios

The ability to control the morphology of fluorite-structured cerium oxide nanomaterials is an important step in the design of cerium oxide-based catalysts. Herein, we report an additive-free synthesis of cerium oxide nanorods with highly tunable aspect ratios from ~6:1 to 40:1. The use of a microwave hydrothermal method allows for both rapid synthesis and temperature control. The ability to control the length of the nanorods from 1.7 μm by varying only the reaction temperature was demonstrated over a temperature range of 80°C to 200°C. The formation of the resulting nanorods was investigated using selected-area electron-diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The surface area of nanorod products was found to decrease from 117 to 22 m2/g as the reaction temperature increased from 80°C to 200°C, complementing the general trend of the increasing aspect ratios of these products.
Progress And Issues In Single Well Seismic Imaging

Over the last five years as part of DOE's Fossil Energy Program, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), in conjunction with industry, has been developing and applying methods of extending the penetration of conventional seismic logging from a few meters out to tens if not hundreds of meters. The use of borehole seismic sources and sensor strings, capable of exciting frequencies from 10s to 1000s of Hz, on a single cable is termed single well seismic imaging (SWSI). The SWSI acquisition work within our project has progressed through various field tests to a current system capable of CMP type borehole surveys with multiple borehole source and receiver options. Recent field experiments have been aimed at salt dome imaging from wells within and outside of a salt dome.
Performance of the loblolly pine fusiform rust disease resistance gene (Fr1) in a slashXloblolly pine hybrid family

Unexpectedly high levels of field susceptibility to the fusiform rust fungus observed for slashXloblolly hybrid families in the Cooperative Forest Genetics Research Program Pine Hybrid Trials led to several hypotheses concerning causation of the observed susceptibility. One of these hypotheses involved the failure of major resistance genes to appropriately function in this particular hybrid combination. This current work, involving the loblolly pine resistance gene Fr1 and a fusiform rust inoculum avirulent against Fr1 resistance in a greenhouse trial, delineates the investigation of major gene resistance for a particular slashXloblolly hybrid family. In this trial, the Fr1 resistance allele, derived from the heterozygous (Fr1/fr1) loblolly male parent and transferred to hybrid offspring that should have been segregating 1:1 for resistance, was fully penetrant. Likewise, in the pure-species loblolly control, the Fr1 resistance allele was again fully penetrant, and the performances of our hybrid family and the loblolly control family (both of which segregated for Fr1 resistance) were comparable. These results by inductive reasoning refute the hypothesis that major resistance genes are not appropriately functional in a slashXloblolly hybrid background.