cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Limitations to iodine isolation using a dual beam non-K-edge approach.

In dual‐beam selective iodine imaging, images of an object are made with each of two spectrally different x‐ray beams. The mean beam energies may either straddle the 33 keV iodine K‐edge or both lie above the K‐edge. Both patient exposure considerations and the availability of sufficient x‐ray flux make the latter approach favorable for tissue thicknesses exceeding 5 cm. Consider such an approach in which image contrast from tissue is suppressed in the difference image. It is proven theoretically that the residual bone–to–iodine contrast is a constant independent of the two mean beam energies used. This invariance principle is demonstrated experimentally by comparing images made from different pairs of x‐ray spectra. Observed contrast ratios match the predicted value very well. In dual‐beam imaging, contrast from only one material may be suppressed. Other substances yield residual signals which compete with the iodine. Subtleties of this incomplete cancellation are demonstrated, discussed, and quantitated. A contrast enhancement factor (CEF) is defined as the factor by which iodine contrast is enhanced in a multiple beam subtraction technique relative to monoenergetic imaging at 40 keV. CEFs are determined for tissue and bone cancellation separately and their limits are discussed. Images of a simulated artery containing iodine superimposed over a Rando head and neck phantom show that the CEF limitation for dual beam imaging is quite severe compared to a time dependent mask mode imaging approach. Finally, optimum energies for dual beam images are discussed.
Modelling of Computer Communication Networks Via Probabilistic Automata

An interdisciplinary approach for computing the point‐to‐point message delay, a measure of congestion in a computer communication network, is derived by the inclusion of a queueing theory result in a probabilistic automaton model. This network model is structurally composed of the interconnection of two distinct repetitive probabilistic automatons. The formulation of the solution is based on the network probability transition matrix which represents the state transitions for the number of customers in the GI/G/1 queue at each computer node and the intranode and internode port routing.
Simplex optimization of protein crystallization conditions

Simplex algorithms have been used to optimize for size, number and morphology of lysozyme and apoferritin crystals. This approach requires fewer experiments than the single-factor-at-a-time method or factorial designs and will be useful in conserving materials on the International Space Station. The simplex method has the possible advantage that it conserves on materials by reducing the number of experiments required to optimize a crystallization system. The process is iterative and exploratory and should allow optimum microgravity conditions to be determined which might very well be different from the optimum conditions on Earth. Because the simplex method uses simple mathematical operations to calculate the next set of crystallization conditions it will be easier for crystal growers to implement than factorial designs. Factorial experiments are based on varying all factors simultaneously at a limited number of factor levels. This results in a model that is used to determine the influence of each factor and their interactions. Factorial design experiments are especially useful at the beginning of an experimental study and as a screening tool to investigate a large number of factors. The simplex method is an optimization method which is model-independent and requires no fitting of models to data. Also, when applied to protein crystal growth the simplex method does not rely on an absolute quality score. Instead, with each iteration a comparison is made to the last experiment and the results are assigned as being better or worse. In this study, commercially obtained apoferritin was purified from 65% monomeric apoferritin to 92% monomeric apoferritin by size exclusion chromatography. Simplex optimization found the best apoferritin crystals were obtained at 15 mg/ml apoferritin. 2.0% CdSO 4 . 25°C using the hanging drop vapor diffusion method of crystallization and at 24 mg/ml apoferritin. 1.5% CdSO 4 . 25°C using the containerless crystallization method. For lysozyme, the simplex method found the best crystals at 19 mg/ml lysozyme. 7.0% (w/v) NaCI, pH 4.0. 25°C using the hanging drop vapor diffusion method of crystallization. For both proteins, the optimum conditions were found with less than ten experiments using very little protein. Finally, we report that the factors to be considered in the successful application of this method to crystallization are the number of variables to be studied, the initial conditions, step size and analysis of crystal quality.
A composite-likelihood approach for detecting directional selection from DNA sequence data.

We present a novel composite-likelihood-ratio test (CLRT) for detecting genes and genomic regions that are subject to recurrent natural selection (either positive or negative). The method uses the likelihood functions of Hartl et al. (1994) for inference in a Wright-Fisher genic selection model and corrects for nonindependence among sites by application of coalescent simulations with recombination. Here, we (1) characterize the distribution of the CLRT statistic (Λ) as a function of the population recombination rate (R = 4Ner); (2) explore the effects of bias in estimation of R on the size (type I error) of the CLRT; (3) explore the robustness of the model to population growth, bottlenecks, and migration; (4) explore the power of the CLRT under varying levels of mutation, selection, and recombination; (5) explore the discriminatory power of the test in distinguishing negative selection from population growth; and (6) evaluate the performance of maximum composite-likelihood estimation (MCLE) of the selection coefficient. We find that the test has excellent power to detect weak negative selection and moderate power to detect positive selection. Moreover, the test is quite robust to bias in the estimate of local recombination rate, but not to certain demographic scenarios such as population growth or a recent bottleneck. Last, we demonstrate that the MCLE of the selection parameter has little bias for weak negative selection and has downward bias for positively selected mutations.
THE EFFECT OF FURFURAL UPON THE GERMINATION AND RESPIRATION OF ASCOSPORES OF NEUROSPORA TETRASPERMA

THE WORK of Emerson (1948) showed for the first time that chemical treatment, as well as the application of heat (Goddard 1935, 1939), could activate ascospores of Neurospora. She reported that furfural and furfuryl alcohol in very low concentrations effectively induced germination, but the mechanism of this activating effect was not investigated. Since that time, Sussman (1953) has reported that 11 other heterocyclics also serve as activators of ascospores. The purpose of the following experiments was to follow up these observations with an investigation of the metabolic effects of chemical activators. MATERIALS AND METHODS.-Ascospores were obtained by crossing strains 374 and 377 of Neurospora tetrasperma which were then grown as outlined by Goddard (1935). Since Emerson (personal communication, 1951) has shown that ascospores rapidly lose their sensitivity to chemical activators, these were used within a month after harvesting (fresh spores). In the experiments wherein the ageing effect or loss of sensitivity was studied, "old" spores were used: these had been harvested at least 6 mo. before use. Both "fresh" and "old" ascospores were stored at 40 C. at 65 per cent relative humidity. Respiratory measurements were made in Warburg vessels of 7 ml. capacity with a fluid volume of 1.1 ml. Standard Warburg manometers were used at a shaking rate of 120 oscillations per minute, while the temperature of the bath was maintained at, 260 C. except when otherwise stated. Anaerobic conditions were obtained by flushing the vessels with nitrogen which had been passed through alkaline pyrogallol and then over a heated copper coil to remove contaminant CO2 and 02. Spore suspensions for the respirometric determinations were made up by determining the volume of a weighed sample of spores after centrifuging in a hematocrit tube. The spores were then washed with a 1:4 dilution of sodium hypochlorite (Fishers reagent grade) to kill contaminant conidia, rinsed several times in distilled water, and finally resuspended in 30 parts of distilled water (by volume). Controls of dormant spores suspended in water were always run. The rate of oxygen uptake remained constant; therefore, it was assumed that contamination was controlled effectively. Spores were heat activated by suspending them in distilled water at 600 C. for 30 min. in a constant temperature oil bath. Chemical activation was usu-
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells have a central role in attenuated Listeria monocytogenes-based immunotherapy against metastatic breast cancer in young and old mice

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells have a central role in attenuated Listeria monocytogenes- based immunotherapy against metastatic breast cancer in young and old mice
Development of low-cost plastic microfluidic sensors toward rapid and point-of-use detection of arsenic in drinking water for global health

The difficulty of detecting small quantities of arsenic in water currently threatens the health of millions of people worldwide, as long-term exposure to arsenic has been associated with both cancerous and noncancerous health risks. Existing technologies make it possible to very accurately quantify arsenic levels in water; however the expense, extensive training, and off-site analysis required by these methods impede wide scale-use. Electrochemical detection in a microfluidic platform offers many advantages, such as portability, minimal use of instrumentation, and ready integration with electronics. Toward a solution to water quality interventions, we have demonstrated an affordable and point-of-use microfluidic platform capable of detecting trace amounts of arsenic in groundwater samples. Our electrochemical sensor utilizes a three-electrode system with carbon, silver, and silver/silver chloride ink electrodes printed onto a disposable plastic substrate. A small water sample is applied to the electrodes and the current response is quickly captured, returning quantitative information to the user, which alleviates the lag times and imprecise colorimetric assays that encumber current arsenic detection systems.
Displacement properties of RAINBOW and THUNDER piezoelectric actuators

Abstract The electromechanical displacement properties of two recently developed piezoelectric actuators, referred to as RAINBOW and THUNDER, have been measured and compared. The actuators evaluated in this investigation are fabricated from 2.54 cm diameter PZT-5H and PZT-5A piezoelectric ceramic disks and are produced with the same total device thicknesses and ceramic-to-metal thickness ratios. For the compositions tested, the RAINBOW devices are found to exhibit 10–25% greater free-displacement properties than comparable THUNDER devices. This finding indicates that larger internal stresses are developed during the RAINBOW process, which lead to enhanced amplification of axial displacement.
Impact of biodegradable trenching slurry on iron treatment wall performance

Biodegradable trenching slurries have been proposed as a cost effective method for the emplacement of reactive treatment barriers. In this study, the impact of a bio-polymer slurry on the ability of zero-valent iron to reductively dehalogenate trichloroethene was measured. First-order trichloroethene degradation rates were determined for three types of iron, with and without slurry in batch reactions. For the commercial grade iron, a significant difference was determined between the surface area normalized rate without slurry (1.78E-4 L m−2 hr−1) and with slurry (1.23E-4 L m−2 hr−1). However, no significant difference was determined with or without bio-slurry for the reagent grade irons.
Arrangement of subunits in microtubules with 14 profilaments

The structure of 14-protofilament microtubules reassembled from dogfish shark brain tubulin was analyzed by high resolution electron microscopy and optical diffraction. The simultaneous imaging of the protofilaments from near and far sides of these tubules produces a moire pattern with a period of approximately 96 nm. Optical diffraction patterns show that the 5-nm spots that arise from the protofilaments for the two sides of the tubule are not coincident but lie off the equator by a distance of 1/192 nm-1. These data provide evidence that in reassembled microtubules containing 14 protofilaments, the protofilaments are tilted 1.5 degrees with respect to the long axis of the tubule, giving a left-handed superhelix with a pitch of 2.7 micron. The hypothesis is that the tilt of the protofilaments occurs to accommodate the 14th protofilament. It is determined that when the 14th protofilament is incorporated, the 3-start helix is maintained, but the pitch angle changes from 10.5 degrees to 11.2 degrees, the angle between protofilaments measured from the center of the microtubule changes by 2 degrees, and the dimer lattice is discontinuous. These observations show that the tubulin molecule is sufficiently flexible to accomodate slight distortions at the lateral bonding sites and that the lateral bonding regions of the alpha and beta monomers are sufficiently similar to allow either alpha-alpha and beta-beta subunit pairing or alpha-beta subunit pairing.
On the performance of Hopfield network for graph search problem

Abstract This paper presents a study on the performance of the Hopfield neural network algorithm for the graph path search problem. Specifically, performance of the Hopfield network is studied from the dynamic systems stability perspective. Simulations of the time behavior of the neural network is augmented with exhaustive stability analysis of the equilibrium points of the network dynamics. The goal is to understand the reasons for the well-known deficiency of the Hopfield network algorithm: the inability to scale up with the problem size. A recent procedure, which establishes solutions as stable equilibrium points in the state space of the network dynamics, is employed to define the constraint weight parameters of the Hopfield neural network. A simulation study of the network and stability analysis of equilibrium points indicate that a large set of non-solution equilibrium points also becomes stable whenever constraint weight parameters are set to make the solution equilibrium points stable. As the problem size grows, the number of stable non-solution equilibrium points increases at a much faster rate than the number of stable solution equilibrium points: the network becomes more likely to converge to a non-solution equilibrium point.
Effect of triethylene thiophosphoramide (ThioTEPA) on skin pigmentation in mice.

SummarySystemic administration of ThioTEPA caused the development of hyperpigmentation of the ears, tail, and extremities of brown or black mice, but not of mice of lighter coat color or albinos. These changes resulted from increased numbers of dermal and epidermal melanocytes and increased deposition of epidermal melanin. Similar microscopic changes were seen to a lesser degree in the lighter-colored mice, but not in albinos. Gross or microscopic evidence of hyperpigmentation of the general body skin was not found.
Magnetic bubble dynamics in asymmetric half-disk propagator

The dynamics of bubbles propagating in a 14-μm period, 1.8-μm gap, asymmetric half-disk field-access device operated at 148 kHz was studied using a high-speed optical sampling technique. The nonuniform character of the bubble propagation along the asymmetric half-disk is primarily evidenced by large variations in velocity. The peak velocity (around 13 m/s), occurring at the gap traversal, is more than 3 times greater than the average (4.2 m/s) value. The path followed by the leading edge (apex) is shorter than that followed by the trailing edge, resulting in a 12 percent difference in their time average velocities. The phase lag between the bubble position and drive field orientation varies with bias and drive field magnitude, but is not more than 16°. In general the bubble shape is oval, with small distortions which change with its position along the half-disk. The size reaches its two peaks when the bubble lies along the narrow half-disk leg and at the gap traversal. The variations in shape and size are most pronounced during the propagation in a low bias and a high drive field.
Single neuron studies of opiate action in the guinea pig myenteric plexus.

Abstract The action of narcotics and other drugs on electrical activity of neurons in the guinea pig myenteric plexus was examined by extracellular recording with a suction electrode. Morphine, in a stereospecific and naloxone-sensitive action, inhibits spontaneous electrical activity of many neurons, and antagonizes an increased firing rate caused by serotonin or nicotine. The inhibition by morphine of spontaneous electrical activity occurs under conditions of synaptic transmission blockade, which renders unlikely several possible synaptic mechanisms in the primary effect of opiates. Morphine was found not to alter conduction velocity of myenteric neurons. It is concluded that morphine probably acts to reduce the excitability of a class of myenteric plexus neurons, perhaps by hyperpolarizing or stabilizing the membrane potential.
Electron microscopy studies of relaxation behavior of polyoxymethylene

Abstract The low-strain deformation behavior of polyoxymethylene at various temperatures above liquid nitrogen has been examined by transmission electron microscopy, and the results have been correlated with the mechanical relaxation spectra. Micronecks, their position apparently independent of the local morphology, are seen at all temperatures. Interlamellar slip is observed at and above—80°C and is correlated with molecular motions in the amorphous regions. Orientation of the material in the regions between the dipped lamellae is observed at and above 24°C. This is correlated with large-scale motions in the amorphous regions and, presumably, is indicative of the glass transition of polyoxymethylene. A break-up of the lamellae into mosaic blocks 150–300 A in size is observed above 120°C and is correlated with the initiation of molecular motions in the crystalline regions.
Increasing the Diagnostic Yield of Conjunctival Biopsy in Patients with Suspected Ocular Cicatricia1 Pemphigoid

Background: Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid is a chronic, progressive, autoimmune disease that scars mucous membranes and may lead to blindness. It is of critical importance to be able to make the diagnosis as early as possible to allow early treatment. Conjunctival biopsy facilitates the early diagnosis of this condition. Materials and Methods: Conjunctival biopsy results of 166 consecutive patients seen over a 7-year period, in whom the diagnosis of ocular cicatricial pemphigoid was considered, were reviewed. Results: One hundred twenty-one patients ultimately received a diagnosis of ocular cicatricial pemphigoid. Immunofluorescence studies demonstrated characteristic deposition of immunoreactants at the epithelial basement membrane zone in 63 patients (sensitivity = 52%). When immunofluorescent-negative or inconclusive biopsies were processed further using an immunoperoxidase technique an additional 37 diagnoses were made. This represented an increase in sensitivity from 52% with immunofluorescence only to 83% with the addition of the immunoperoxidase technique. Conclusion: The routine use of the immunoperoxidase technique in immunofluorescent-negative biopsies, allied with appropriate harvesting and handling of biopsied conjunctiva, should significantly increase the diagnostic yield in patients with clinically suspect ocular cicatricial pemphigoid.
Bureaucratic Discretion, Client Demographics, and Representative Bureaucracy

For passive representation to translate into active representation, bureaucrats must have discretion. Despite its importance to representative bureaucracy theory, though, discretion has received little empirical attention in public administration. We seek to address this shortcoming by examining the determinants of bureaucratic discretion, paying particular attention to how the demographic characteristics of clients and bureaucrats interact to influence the amount of discretion that individual bureaucrats possess. Specifically, we examine whether the amount of discretion that minority bureaucrats have is positively related to the percentage of an organization’s clients who are from the same minority group. We argue that there are three reasons to expect a positive relationship: client demand, managerial deference to bureaucratic expertise, and bureaucratic appropriation. Our findings suggest that a positive relationship exists for African American bureaucrats, but not for Hispanic bureaucrats.
Plekhanov on the role of the individual in history

This essay critically assesses Plekhanov's famous article on the role of the individual in history. Part I explicates his treatment of the problem of free will and determinism and argues that it is unsatisfactory. The whole issue, however, is held to be largely irrelevant to Marxism. Part II then turns to the question of the explanatory weight given to individual action by historical materialism. Plekhanov's discussion of this issue is more insightful, and the essay endeavors to distinguish between the strong and weak points of his analysis in order to lay the foundations for a more adequate handling of the subject.
Cold wake of Hurricane Frances

[1] An array of instruments air-deployed ahead of Hurricane Frances measured the three-dimensional, time dependent response of the ocean to this strong (60 ms−1) storm. Sea surface temperature cooled by up to 2.2°C with the greatest cooling occurring in a 50-km-wide band centered 60–85 km to the right of the track. The cooling was almost entirely due to vertical mixing, not air-sea heat fluxes. Currents of up to 1.6 ms−1 and thermocline displacements of up to 50 m dispersed as near-inertial internal waves. The heat in excess of 26°C, decreased behind the storm due primarily to horizontal advection of heat away from the storm track, with a small contribution from mixing across the 26°C isotherm. SST cooling under the storm core (0.4°C) produced a 16% decrease in air-sea heat flux implying an approximately 5 ms−1 reduction in peak winds
694 PELVIC FLOOR DYSFUNCTION IN CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC CONSTIPATION

We have previously shown that some children with chronic constipation and encopresis (P) have impairment of rectal sensation. 23 consecutive P (constipation ≥ 1 year) and 8 healthy controls (H), 4-13 yr old, were asked to defecate water-filled balloons containing 30, 50 and 100 ml water, while sitting on a toilet chair. 12 P (Pdef+) and all H defecated all 3 balloons, whereas 11 P (Pdef-) defecated 1 or no balloons. We evaluated EMG activity of the external anal sphincter/pelvic floor during defecation while lying down. The mean anal pullthrough pressure (mm Hg) during rest (APr) and during squeeze (APsq) were obtained using intraluminal transducers. Threshold of rectal sensation (Tsens), threshold of the rectosphincteric reflex (TRSR), and the rectal volume (ml of air) which produced an urge to defecate (CV) were measured by distending a rectal balloon. All H had decreased EMG activity during trials to defecate. The pelvic floor showed increased EMG activity in 17% Pdef+ compared to 82% Pdef- (P<0.03). APr and APsq were not different in the 3 groups. Tsens, TRSR and CV were significantly increased in both constipated groups when compared to H (p<0.05). This study indicates that 48% of P have a motor abnormality of the pelvic floor rendering it unable to relax during attempted defecation.
The development of auditory event related potentials in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta).

Auditory event related potentials were recorded from neonatal, 3-month, and 3-year old rhesus monkeys. Auditory brainstem evoked responses (ABRs) were reliably recorded at all ages. ABR latencies decreased with age. Age effects were greater the more centrally generated the wave. Wave I amplitude decreased with age, Wave II increased, and Wave IV remained about the same. Stimulus rate effects were greater in neonates than older monkeys. Stimulus frequency also affected the ABR, but not differentially as a function of age. Recording montage had a significant effect on the recorded waveform. Wave I tended to be larger in amplitude in horizontal recordings and front–back recordings, while the later waves were relatively more prominent in more vertical montages. Middle latency evoked responses and late potentials were less reliably recorded than the ABR. Their reproducibility improved with age. Auditory event related potentials are promising measures of auditory function for research requiring nonhuman primate models of the developing human. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 34: 37–56, 1999
Association of Complete Recovery From Acute Kidney Injury With Incident CKD Stage 3 and All-Cause Mortality

Background There is a gap of knowledge in the long-term outcomes of patients who have complete recovery of kidney function after an episode of acute kidney injury (AKI). We sought to determine whether complete recovery of kidney function after an episode of AKI is associated with the development of incident stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and mortality in patients with normal baseline kidney function. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting & Participants 3,809 patients from an integrated health care delivery system who had a hospitalization between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2009, with follow-up through March 31, 2010. Predictor AKI defined by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision ( ICD-9 ) codes and using the AKI Network (AKIN) definition, with complete recovery defined as a decrease in serum creatinine level to less than 1.10 times the baseline value. Outcomes and Measurements Incident stage 3 CKD persistent for 3 months and all-cause mortality. Results After a median follow-up of 2.5 years, incident stage 3 CKD occurred in 15% and 3% of those with and without AKI, respectively, with an unadjusted HR of 5.93 (95% CI, 4.49-7.84) and HR of 3.82 (95% CI, 2.81-5.19) in propensity score–stratified analyses. Deaths occurred in 35% and 24% of those with and without AKI, respectively, with an unadjusted HR of 1.46 (95% CI, 1.27-1.68). In propensity score–stratified analyses, HR decreased to 1.08 (95% CI, 0.93-1.27). Limitations Measurements of albuminuria were not available. Conclusions Complete recovery of kidney function after an episode of AKI in patients with normal baseline kidney function is associated with increased risk of the development of incident stage 3 CKD, but not all-cause mortality.
Error analysis of Aitken's Δ2 process

Abstract A sequence to sequence transformation, called the Δ 2 process by its developer Aitken, and recently analyzed by Daniel Shanks, is successful in accelerating convergence in many convergent sequences and inducing convergence in some divergent ones. It is shown here that the Δ 2 process applied to sequences whose terms have Cauchy distributions results in sequences whose terms still have the Cauchy distribution and that repeated applications of the Δ 2 process to a sequence with terms having uniform distribution (simulating round-off error) and to sequences with terms having a normal distribution (simulating measurement error) yields, in both cases, sequences whose terms approach the Cauchy distribution. The result for the uniform distribution is proven, that for the normal distribution is referenced.
Modifications of the Automated Procedure for Blood Phenylalanine

The automated procedure for blood phenylalanine was modified by the use of glycyl-l-Jeucine and a Corning glass filter No. 7-51. In addition, data were obtained showing that dried blood spots were stable for 11 weeks and samples analyzed at rates of 30 and 60 per hour gave the same results.
D. Eugene Strandness Memorial Lecture: Foresight 2020: Creating the venous vision

Thank you for the very special privilege to deliver the 18 Strandness Memorial Lecture. Gene Strandness was truly a unique, great leader who pioneered what I consider to be the single greatest advance for venous disease that has ever occurred. The ability to image the veins so easily and safely provided the exact means we needed to study the veins repeatedly and to deepen our understanding of their function and their dysfunction. This provided the accurate tool that was appropriate to the venous system because it can be done with no pain and no risk. He not only was able to see the potential for this technology but also had the leadership ability to gather a superb team around him to investigate and promulgate its development and the charisma to convince the world they should follow suit. In addition to his professional achievements, he was a special person with qualities of integrity and intellectual honesty combined with an intense focus on where he wanted to go and the strength to take on all comers in order to get there. For me, he was a rare combination of professional leader, an intense competitor, a warm family man, and a loyal personal friend. In deciding what to address in my talk today, I finally decided to try to imitate what Gene Strandness did so well—He said what was on his mind as clearly and simply as he could and always had the courage of his convictions. The title of this talk “Foresight 2020: Creating the Venous Vision” is meant to suggest there is value to be had by taking the time to engage in a process to improve our management of venous disease in the immediate future. I believe true progress in venous disease is entirely feasible if we set our sights high enough. And, if progress is going to occur, it will probably develop from the minds of members of this audience today. Venous disease is a very important subject that has attracted far too little attention compared to the impact it
Automating the metamodeling process

Model abstraction using metamodeling has demonstrated the capability to facilitate software reuse, large scale model integration, verification, and validation. Once restricted to static representations that represented the input-output behavior of models, research has developed the capability to build dynamic metamodels. This capability results from a new approach supported by a taxonomy of metamodeling problems, solution structures, and metamodeling methods. The development of the metamodel, however, still requires a thorough understanding of model abstraction, reduced order modeling, and system identification. In addition, even with the most robust procedures it is possible that the desired data generated by a simulation model will not meet the assumptions or numerical requirements of the procedure. Consequently, there is a requirement for a robust metamodeling support system that will support the subject matter expert. Automation of the metamodeling process will assist the analyst who is not familiar with model abstraction techniques but needs to reuse a piece of code, integrate different models, or verify a new version of a simulation. This paper describes the design of a Metamodeling Support System that provides this automation.
Chip to carrier C4 technology challenges with Pb free solders

IBMpsilas C4 interconnection technology has continuously evolved over a period of forty years, i.e. from evaporation, to electroplating to C4NP, a C4 New Process. IBMpsilas initial C4NP efforts are focused on Sn-based Pb-free solder technology, in line with client requirements. Currently, all IBM bumped lead-free C4s are produced using the C4NP technology. Sn-based lead-free solders pose unique challenges because of higher microhardness and anisotropy of the tin crystalline structure, as compared to Pb-based solders. The simultaneous design requirements of increased power and current density, increased I/O counts and larger chips, and weak BEOL structure with low-k or ultra-low-k dielectric, demand a careful material interaction optimization between under bump metallurgy (UBM), bump solder, laminate solder, and laminate surface finish. In this paper, we will be discussing the challenges and some solutions of lead-free C4 bumping in terms of mechanical and thermo-electromigration.
Low temperature front surface passivation of interdigitated back contact silicon heterojunction solar cell

The interdigitated back contact silicon heterojunction (IBC-SHJ) solar cell requires a low temperature front surface passivation/anti-reflection structure. Conventional silicon surface passivation using SiO 2 or a-SiN x is performed at temperature higher than 400°C, which is not suitable for the IBC-SHJ cell. In this paper, we propose a PECVD a-Si:H/a-SiN x :H/a-SiC:H stack structure to passivate the front surface of crystalline silicon at low temperature. The optical properties and passivation quality of this structure are characterized and solar cells using this structure are fabricated. With 2 nm a-Si:H layer, the stack structure exhibits stable passivation with effective minority carrier lifetime higher than 2 ms, and compatible with IBC-SHJ solar cell processing. A critical advantage of this structure is that the a-SiC:H allows it to be HF resistant, thus it can be deposited as the first step in the process. This protects the a-Si:H/c-Si interface and maintains a low surface recombination velocity.
Quantitative effect of initial current rise on pumping the double-pulsed copper chloride laser

The laser energy output of a double-pulsed copper chloride laser has been found to be a logarithmic function of the circuit inductance over the range of 1 to 12 μH. The initial current rise was inversely proportional to the circuit inductance so that the laser energy was also a logarithmic function of the initial current rise.
Electrostrictive and Dielectric Response in Lead Magnesium Niobate–Lead Titanate (0.9PMN · 0.1PT) and Lead Lanthanum Zirconate Titanate (PLZT 9.5/65/35) under Variation of Temperature and Electric Field

In situ measurements of electrostrictive strain and effective dielectric constant for two ferroelectric relaxor materials, lead magnesium niobate–lead titanate (0.9PMN · 0.1PT) and lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT 9.5/65/35), were performed in the temperature ranges near their respective mean Curie points under the variation of applied electric field. The measurement results show that the polarization-related electrostrictive coefficients Qij are not constant under variation of temperature and electric field. The observed anomaly in Qij indicates the dynamic behavior of the existing micropolar domains and its coupling to local defect structure. The data also support the idea that at temperatures far above the mean Curie point, there is still a substantial amount of micropolar domain and the response of the relaxor materials at the experimental temperature range is from the combined contributions due to induced polarization and micropolar domain flipping.
The ethical conduct of clinical trials of HIV vaccines.

Clinical trials of candidate HIV vaccines pose virtually all of the problems possible in vaccine trials. Resolving them consistently with accepted ethical principles is likely to make trials logist...
Discussion of Optimal Operation of Multireservoir Systems: State-of-the-Art Review by John W. Labadie

A large and long-existing literature employs analytical optimization methods to derive reservoir operating rules for multireservoir systems. These date back to rules for minimizing spill from parallel reservoirs by Bower et al. 1966 and Clark 1950 . Lund and Guzman 1999 summarize such analytically derived optimal operating rules for some simple multireservoir systems under specific conditions and criteria. Lund 2000 uses analytical optimization for hydropower operations with multiple reservoirs. More complex multireservoir problems have been examined analytically and partially analytically using interesting extensions of Varlet’s 1922 and Masse’s 1946 single reservoir methods MorelSeytoux 1999 .
Triumph of the Laity : Scots-Irish Piety and the Great Awakening, 1625-1760

The Great Awakening of 1740 was a religious revival of dramatic scope and violence that swept through the British American colonies, transforming eighteenth-century American society. In this study, Marilyn Westerkamp argues that the Awakening had its origins in events far removed in time and place from the American scene. She traces the revivalist tradition back to the Scots-Irish Presbyterians of seventeenth-century Ulster, demonstrates the preservation of that tradition in the north of Ireland and in western Scotland, and shows how emigrants from these areas brought their revivalist religion with them to the North American colonies. Her theses are documented with extensive evidence from primary sources both in the US and in Ireland and Scotland, including hitherto neglected material. Students of British, Irish, and American history and the history of religion.
The Evolution of Retribution: Intuitions Undermined

Recent empirical work suggests that emotions are responsible for anti-consequentialist intuitions. For instance, anger places value on actions of revenge and retribution, value not derived from the consequences of these actions. As a result, it contributes to the development of retributive intuitions. I argue that if anger evolved to produce these retributive intuitions because of their biological consequences, then these intuitions are not a good indicator that punishment has value apart from its consequences. This severs the evidential connection between retributive intuitions and the retributive value of punishment. This argument may generalize to other deontological intuitions and theories.
Role of exercise counselling in health promotion

Despite the clear health benefits that can be attained through adopting a more active lifestyle, most adults in the United Kingdom as well as other industrial nations remain underactive. Faced with this epidemic, there is a growing need for physical activity interventions that can be widely disseminated to all segments of the population across the lifespan. One promising avenue for physical activity counselling and support lies with the primary care doctor and other health care professionals. The strengths of incorporating physical activity advice and support as part of routine health care include the ability to reach a substantial portion of the population repeatedly over time, the consistency and continuity of message content and delivery, and the willingness among patients to act on their doctor's advice.1,2 Despite these strengths, however, a number of barriers to physical activity counselling in primary care have been documented, including lack of time, reimbursement, and training in physical activity or behaviour change counselling.3 Although such barriers present continuing challenges to the health promotion and health care fields, the potential public health impact that primary care settings can have on health behaviour change, including physical …
Intracranial neuronavigation with intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging

Purpose of review This is an invited review regarding the use of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging in the neurosurgical setting. The medical literature evaluating the intraoperative use of magnetic resonance imaging for neurosurgery has increased steadily since the implementation of this technique 10 years ago. The present review discusses recent findings and the current use of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging in neurosurgery with special emphasis on the quality of available evidence. Recent findings Intraoperative use of magnetic resonance imaging is a safe technique that enables the neurosurgeon to update data sets for navigational systems, to evaluate the extent of tumor resection and modify surgery if necessary, to guide instruments to the site of the lesion, and to evaluate the presence of intraoperative complications at the end of surgery. Although recent findings support the safety and efficacy of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging for the above-mentioned purposes, there is no convincing evidence regarding its prognostic significance in the neurosurgical setting. Summary Although the use of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging in neurosurgery has increased significantly within the last 10 years, currently there are less than two dozen dedicated intraoperative units in the United States. The popularization of this technique depends on both economic justification and high-quality scientific evidence supporting its prognostic importance regarding patient outcome.
High order cumulants of the azimuthal anisotropy in the dilute-dense limit: Connected graphs

We analytically compute higher order cumulants of the azimuthal anisotropy, ${c}_{2}{2m}$, and corresponding ${v}_{2}{2m}$ at high transverse momentum in the dilute-dense limit. The dense target is considered in the framework of the McLerran-Venugopolan model. The absolute values of the harmonics ${v}_{2}{2m}$ of the azimuthal anisotropy are approximately equal, $|{v}_{2}{2m}|\ensuremath{\approx}|{v}_{2}{2{m}^{\ensuremath{'}}}|$, for large $m$ and ${m}^{\ensuremath{'}}$. However, the harmonics with order $2m=4n$ are complex. We argue that this is a generic property of connected graphs, which remains true in the dense-dense limit.
The Multidimensionality of Joining

By focusing on membership in voluntary associations in general, the question of whether correlates of affiliation vary by organizational type tends to have been neglected. This is a significant omission from the standpoint of describing the characteristics of "joiners." Additionally, most of what we know about the reasons for belonging has been inferred from observations of who joins. In this study, nine frequently identified correlates of voluntary association membership were examined in relation to five different types of organizations. Only two, education and race, were found to be related to all types. Thus, results indicate that affiliation is not a unidimensional process and memberships in different types of associations are not interchangeable.
Barriers to Open Access Publishing: Views from the Library Literature

Abstract: The library and information science (LIS) community has an active role in supporting access to information and, therefore, is an important stakeholder in the open access conversation. One major discussion involves the barriers that have hindered the complete transition to open access in scientific publications. Building upon a longitudinal study by Bo-Christer Bjork that looked at barr iers to the open access publishing of scholarly articles, this study evaluates the discussion of those barriers in the LIS literature over the ten year period 2004–2014, and compares this to Bjork’s conclusions about gold open access publishing. Content analysis and bibliometrics are used to confirm the growth of the discussion of open access in the past ten years an d gain insight into the most prevalent issues hindering the development of open access. Keywords: open access; information science; libraries; scholarly publishing; barriers 1. Introduction The discussion around open access publishing—the free and unrestricted online availability of scholarly literature—has been persistent for over two decades (e.g., Harnad [1]). According to the Budapest Open Access Initiative [2], open access publishing should pose no barrier to a reader other than having access to the Internet. However, while many scholarly journals have embraced open access and the number of open access articles published has grown, there is still much deliberation around the barriers to open access [3].
What Walrasian Marxism Can and Cannot Do

In their article â€œRoemer's â€˜Generalâ€™ Theory of Exploitation is a Special Case: The Limits of Walrasian Marxism,â€ Devine and Dymski portray me as some sort of Walrasian automaton who believes that phenomena that are not easily modelled using the Walrasian model of perfect competition do not exist. Their criticism of my theory assumes that I was attempting to model capitalism in its entirety, a task that, I agree, I failed to do. I did not propose a theory of accumulation, or of technological change, or of the methods by which capitalists maintain their ideological hegemony over workers, or of the methods by which they extract labor from labor power at the point of production. I was not, in short, trying to write an alternative to Das Kapital. My General Theory of Exploitation and Class (GTEC), as its Introduction explained, was an attempt at understanding the root causes of exploitation and class, so as to better understand how class formation and exploitation might occur in postcapitalist societies. To this end, I adopted a well-known scientific method: strip away many real aspects of the thing under study down to a minimal skeleton and see how many phenomena descriptive of the real thing one can generate. Then add more real aspects of the thing to the model, and see how much more one can generate.
Enhanced Excretion of Vitamin D Binding Protein in Type 1 Diabetes: A Role in Vitamin D Deficiency?

Context: Vitamin D deficiency is an increasingly recognized comorbidity in patients with both type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes, particularly associated with the presence of diabetic nephropathy. Objective: Because we have previously reported enhanced excretion of megalin in the urine of T1D patients with microalbuminuria, we hypothesized that concurrent urinary loss of the megalin ligand, vitamin D binding protein, might contribute mechanistically to vitamin D deficiency. Design and Participants: Examining a study cohort of 115 subjects with T1D, aged 14–40 yr, along with 55 age-matched healthy control subjects, we measured plasma and urine concentrations of vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) along with serum concentrations of total calcium, parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D; these results were compared between groups and investigated for relationships with metabolic control status or with albuminuria. Main Outcome Measure: Between-group differences in urinary VDBP conce...
beta. -. gamma. angular correlation in /sup 20/F: The second class current problem

The ..beta..-..gamma.. angular correlation in the decay of /sup 20/F has been measured using a symmetric four detector system and an activated LiF target. /sup 20/F was produced by the /sup 19/F(d,p)/sup 20/F reaction using a low-energy deuteron beam (E/sub d/ = 2 MeV). Correlation data were acquired for theta/sub betahyphengamma/ = 90/sup 0/ and theta/sub betahyphengamma/ = 180/sup 0/, and these data were anlayzed for systematic differences as a function of electron energy (E/sub ..beta../). We report a corrected first order slope to the ratio of ..beta.. spectra N (180/sup 0/)/N (90/sup 0/) of (+ 0.5 +- 0.7)10/sup -3/ (MeV)/sup -1/, with an intercept for this ratio of 1.001 +- 0.002. Incorporating this value for the slope with other data on the A = 20 system, we find an upper limit for the second class current contribution to the correlation which is less than 1/3 of the contribution of weak magnetism and consistent with zero.