cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamic programming and the solution of the biharmonic equation

The numerical solution of the biharmonic equation in a rectangular domain is presented in the context of continuous dynamic programming techniques. The equations are specialized to the solution of elastic rectangular plates. A suitable approximate expression of a certain functional equation containing derivatives only in one direction is used to derive equations for the stiffness and flexibility matrices of the plate. It is shown that those matrices satisfy matrix Riccati equations subject to suitable initial conditions. It is also shown that the condition of optimality in the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation directly expresses a classical variational principle, i.e. the principle of complementary energy. Some numerical examples are finally presented.
On two classes of nearly binary matroids

We give an excluded-minor characterization for the class of matroids M in which M@?e or M/e is binary for all e in E(M). This class is closely related to the class of matroids in which every member is binary or can be obtained from a binary matroid by relaxing a circuit-hyperplane. We also provide an excluded-minor characterization for the second class.
Comparison of Lumbar and Thoracic Epidural Narcotics for Postoperative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Abstract Objective: To determine whether there is an advantage of thoracic over lumbar epidural narcotics for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Design: A prospective randomized study. Setting: Subjects were inpatients at an academic medical center. Participants: Fifty-two patients scheduled for elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Interventions: Subjects were randomly assigned to receive lumbar or thoracic epidural narcotics. Group 1 (n = 26) had lumbar, and group 2 (n = 26) had thoracic epidural catheters placed preoperatively. All patients were monitored with pulmonary artery catheters and arterial catheters, and had general endotracheal anesthesia, in addition to epidural anesthesia with 2% lidocaine. All patients received 5 mg of epidural morphine after intubation. Pain scores were monitored hourly for 36 hours using a visual analog scale, and additional narcotics were given, depending on the level of pain. Complications caused by epidural narcotics were recorded. Results: There was no difference between groups as to the daily dose of narcotics or the time between narcotic doses. Hourly pain scores showed significant differences during hours 6, 7, 8, 20, 34, and 36, with pain scores being lower in group 1. There was no difference in the rate of complications between the groups. Conclusion: There is no advantage of thoracic over lumbar epidural analgesia using morphine in patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
Anthropology, Epidemiology, and High Altitude Birth Weight

Anthropology offers a unique approach to looking at and understanding the world. The basis of anthropology lies in the study of the human condition, biological and cultural, and its diversity. The anthropological perspective provides a background that increases one's awareness of human biological variability. I view biological anthropology as focusing on three interrelated areas: evolution, population variability, and relationships among human biology, culture, and the environment. Increasingly, human biology is being applied in clinically related fields concerned with public health problems. Here I consider relationships between epidemiology and biological anthropology.
Mobile ion gettering in passivated p+ polysilicon gates

Mobile ion contamination in the deep-submicron regime was studied for boron, arsenic, and phosphorus-doped polysilicon gates. An effective gettering process is presented for the passivation of p+ polysilicon gates without boron penetration through thin gate oxide. The issue of mobile ion gettering with p+ polysilicon in deep-submicron CMOS technology is also studied. A channel-length-dependent mobile ion instability was observed for the first time. A gettering/passivation process using polysilicon gates (PSG/LTO) with proper activation anneals was found to be effective for p+ polysilicon gated devices without causing boron penetration through the gate oxide
Two-port photorefractive joint-transform correlator.

We present what is to our knowledge the first quantitative analysis of the dual optimality that can be achieved in the all-optical two-port photorefractive joint-transform correlator. We determine the operating region where these ports have complementary performance: the first port performs well for non-Gaussian clutter noise, and the second port is optimal for additive Gaussian noise. Dual optimality is achieved without the performance compromise of the optimal trade-off filter approach.
Some effects of copulatory experience on postcastration mating behavior in the male hamster

Intact male hamsters were first rated on sexual activity and then assigned to high and low experience conditions. Animals in the high experience condition received nine additional sexual activity trials while those in the low experience condition were placed with nonestrus females. The animals were then further divided into high experience gonadectomy (HG) and control (HC) groups and low experience gonadectomy (LG) and control (LC) groups. Early in postoperative testing, group HG showed significantly more sexual activity than group LG and group HC outperformed group LC.
RNA Sequencing of Laser-Capture Microdissected Compartments of the Maize Kernel Identifies Regulatory Modules Associated with Endosperm Cell Differentiation

Endosperm is an absorptive structure that supports embryo development or seedling germination in angiosperms. The endosperm of cereals is a main source of food, feed, and industrial raw materials worldwide. However, the genetic networks that regulate endosperm cell differentiation remain largely unclear. As a first step toward characterizing these networks, we profiled the mRNAs in five major cell types of the differentiating endosperm and in the embryo and four maternal compartments of the maize (Zea mays) kernel. Comparisons of these mRNA populations revealed the diverged gene expression programs between filial and maternal compartments and an unexpected close correlation between embryo and the aleurone layer of endosperm. Gene coexpression network analysis identified coexpression modules associated with single or multiple kernel compartments including modules for the endosperm cell types, some of which showed enrichment of previously identified temporally activated and/or imprinted genes. Detailed analyses of a coexpression module highly correlated with the basal endosperm transfer layer (BETL) identified a regulatory module activated by MRP-1, a regulator of BETL differentiation and function. These results provide a high-resolution atlas of gene activity in the compartments of the maize kernel and help to uncover the regulatory modules associated with the differentiation of the major endosperm cell types.
British irrigation works in India's Krishna Basin

South India's Krishna Basin is dotted with irrigation systems inherited from the British and built so solidly that many of them operate today virtually as the British left them nearly forty years ago. Ironically, very few of the projects work well today or worked well in the past, when the British operated them. The fault lies in the assumptions made by the British that farmers in this part of India would be willing to irrigate crops like sorghum and that it made sense to build irrigation works to be used perhaps only in times of famine. The fact is that project farmers were typically willing to irrigate only paddy and sugar cane, crops so demanding of water that only a small amount of project acreage could be irrigated; in times of drought, moreover, canal managers were unwilling to cut off the supplies to cane and paddy growers for fear of jeopardizing project operation in years of normal rain. Although the British acted under the pressure of famine, the legacy of their short-sighted planning persists today, for the old patterns are so entrenched that modern farmers, willing to irrigate crops like sorghum, cannot dislodge the paddy and cane crops that crowd near the headends of the canal systems. The tail ends of the projects remain dry, now as ever.
Religious programs and careers of chronic heroin users.

Religion is often overlooked as a factor in recovery from chronic opioid dependence. Research on the effectiveness of religious programs is scanty, but three reports in the literature suggest that programs of the Pentecostal type may be particularly effective among Hispanic drug users. In this paper we review the literature and report our own observations of religious program participation among 248 San Antonio addicts, 87% of whom are Hispanic (Mexican-American). In a 12-year period, 11% of the 248 entered religious programs. Although there were only 33 admissions, the percent followed by a year or more of abstinence (44%) markedly exceeded that following conventional treatment or correctional interventions. We conclude that the ability of religious programs to attract large numbers of clients is limited, but that major changes in attitudes and life-style occur among some participants. Successful participation seems to depend upon a special motivational state at admission. Religious programs may be conce...
Selecting routes to minimize urban travel time

Urban regions contain a hierarchy of roadways, ranging from a dense network of low speed local roadways to sparser networks of higher speed roadways. Because minimizing travel time is usually more important than minimizing travel distance, vehicles may detour from the route of shortest distance to gain access to higher speed roadways. This paper uses continuous space models to analyze several urban travel decisions in which a driver must select between the shortest route on relatively low speed roadways and a longer route which includes travel on higher speed roadways. Results are presented graphically for deciding when to detour to faster roadways. Parallel and intersecting high speed roadways and limited access highways are considered.
Thermodynamics of aqueous solutions of 1, 2 .. electrolytes at very low concentrations

Abstract The solubility of very slightly soluble salts in water, CaSO4 and PbCl2, were analyzed in the presence of another, soluble salt. In one case, CaCl2 addition, no interaction between the salt (CaSO4) and the third component was found. In all the others cases new interaction parameters were needed to describe the increased solubility. These interaction parameters are different from those obtained from the salt-salt phase diagrams. When the both salts are present in a very dilute state, the ions can form complexes which increase the solubility of the slightly soluble salts. This effect is only observable with very slightly soluble salts. In highly soluble salts at the solubility limit the relative concentration of ions is negligible compared to the undissociated salt.
A Novel Cyclic Reaction System Involving CaS and CaSO4 for Converting Sulfur Dioxide to Elemental Sulfur without Generating Secondary Pollutants. 1. Determination of Process Feasibility

A new process for converting SO2 to elemental sulfur by a cyclic process involving CaS and CaSO4 has been developed. In this process, the raw material CaSO4 is reduced to produce CaS, which is used to reduce SO2 to elemental sulfur and produce CaSO4. The latter is then reduced to regenerate CaS. Experimentally, about 75% of CaS powder was converted to CaSO4 in 20 min at 1153 K under 25.8 kPa of SO2 partial pressure. About 95% of nickel-catalyzed CaSO4 powder was reduced to CaS in 20 min at 1123 K under 86.1 kPa of hydrogen partial pressure. The reactivities of the powders remained relatively unchanged after 10 cycles of reactions and regenerations. Sulfur dioxide containing streams from certain sources contain higher partial pressures of SO2, in which case the SO2−CaS reaction will be proportionally faster than that reported here. Detailed kinetics of the two-component reactions are described in the accompanying parts of this series.
Paring 3SLS calculations down to manageable proportions

The standard computational formula for the three-stage least-squares estimator is a daunting affair even for modest sized systems of equations. Through the use of the QR decomposition, however, these computations can be substantially reduced in size, removing the order of T (number of observations) from the relevant dimensions. This produces a set of calculations and memory requirements far more accommodating to all users of 3SLS, but particularly to those who may wish to include this estimator in their home-made arsenal without having to engage in special programming techniques.
Three-Dimensional Kinematic Analysis of a Two Actuated Spoke Wheel Robot Based on Its Equivalency to a Serial Manipulator

In this paper, the inverse and forward kinematics of a novel mobile robot that utilizes two actuated spoke wheels is presented. Intelligent Mobility Platform with Active Spoke System (IMPASS) is a wheel-leg hybrid robot that can walk in unstructured environments by stretching in or out three independently actuated spokes of each wheel. First, the unique locomotion scheme of IMPASS is introduced. Then the configuration of the robot when each of its two spoke wheels has one spoke in contact with the ground is modeled as a two-branch parallel mechanism with spherical and prismatic joints. An equivalent serial manipulator of the 2-SP mechanism with the same degrees of freedom is proposed to solve for the inverse and forward kinematic problems. The relationship between the physical limits of the stroke of the spokes (effective spoke length) and the limits of its equivalent degree of freedom is established. This approach can also be expanded to deal with the forward and inverse kinematics of other configurations which has more than two ground contact points. Several examples are used to illustrate the method. The results obtained will be used in the future research on the motion planning of IMPASS walking in unstructured environment.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Reasons for Remaining in a Relationship and Responses to Relational Transgressions

Although relational transgressions constitute a potential relational threat, research suggests that some relationships survive them. However, few studies inform as to why individuals try to maintain these relationships, and the impact of their reasons on how they react to transgressions. We report the results of a study among undergraduates in dating relationships that examines staying in a relationship with a transgressor due either to fear of losing a partner or to emotional involvement, and cognitive and communication responses to a transgression. As predicted, staying in such a relationship due to fear of losing one's partner was associated with a variety of negative responses, whereas staying because of emotional involvement was related to positive reactions. Implications of these findings for future research and conflict management are discussed.
WHY WALLS WON'T WORK: Repairing the US‐Mexico Divide. By Michael Dear

(2013). WHY WALLS WON'T WORK: Repairing the US‐Mexico Divide. Geographical Review: Vol. 103, No. 2, pp. 306-308.
Pupillary response to value-linked words.

Pupillary measurements were taken on 12 Ss who viewed sequences of words reflecting values of high, low, and neutral importance to them. No significant relationships were found between most measure...
Ring and axial vapor sources for uniform deposits

Abstract Theoretical curves are given for the thickness of the deposit on a plane surface from a vapor source consisting of a fine round wire shaped into a circular ring of radius R. The curves cover circular substrate areas having radii up to 1.4 R and source-to-substrate distances of 0.5 R to 3.2 R. They yield optimum source-to-substrate distances of 0.8 R and 1.0 R for deposits over circular areas of radii 1.0 R and 0.5 R, respectively. Theoretical loading distributions of an axial vapor source to produce a uniform deposit on a cylindrical substrate are given for various cylinder length-to-radius ratios. Distributions are expressed as even power series in the distance from the wire mid-point. Coefficients giving ±0.1 per cent thickness uniformity in the deposit are tabulated.
Isolation and Functional Characterization of cDNA of Serum Amyloid A-Activating Factor That Binds to the Serum Amyloid A Promoter

Serum amyloid A (SAA), a plasma protein inducible in response to many inflammatory conditions, is associated with the pathogenesis of several diseases including reactive amyloidosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and atherosclerosis. We have previously reported an element of the SAA promoter, designated SAA-activating sequence (SAS), that is involved in the inflammation-induced SAA expression, and a nuclear factor, SAS-binding factor (SAF), that interacts with the SAS element has been identified previously (A. Ray and B. K. Ray, Mol. Cell. Biol. 16:1584-1594, 1996). To evaluate how SAF is involved in SAA promoter activation, we have investigated structural features and functional characteristics of this transcription factor. Our studies indicate that SAF belongs to a family of transcription factors characterized by the presence of multiple zinc finger motifs of the Cys2-His2 type at the carboxyl end. Of the three cloned SAF cDNAs (SAF-1, SAF-5, and SAF-8), SAF-1 isoform showed a high degree of homology to MAZ/ZF87/Pur-1 protein while SAF-5 and SAF-8 isoforms are unique and are related to SAF-1/MAZ/ZF87/Pur-1 at the zinc finger domains but different elsewhere. Although structurally distinct, all members are capable of activating SAS element-mediated expression and display virtually identical sequence specificities. However, varying levels of expression of members of this gene family were observed in different tissues. Functional activity of SAF is regulated by a posttranslational event as SAF DNA-binding and transactivation abilities are increased by a protein phosphatase inhibitor, okadaic acid, and inhibited by a protein kinase inhibitor, H7. Consistent with this observation, increased DNA binding of the cloned SAF and its hyperphosphorylation, in response to okadaic acid treatment of the transfected cells, were observed. Taken together, our results suggest that, in addition to tissue-specific expression, SAFs, a family of zinc finger transcription factors, undergo a modification by a posttranslational event that confers their SAA promoter-binding activity and transactivation potential.
Crystallization of POSS in a PEG-based multiblock polyurethane: Toward a hybrid hydrogel

Building upon earlier success in forming materials with crystalline ordering of POSS via the telechelic architecture with POSS end-capping polyethylene glycols, here we report similar ordering in PEG-POSS thermoplastic polyurethane applicable to a novel hybrid hydrogel. Thus, a unique series of hybrid thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) were synthesized using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as soft segment and incorporating an isobutyl-functionalized POSS diol (TMP POSS diol) in the hard segment. The molecular weight of PEG was systematically varied to include 10, 20, and 35 kDa while the mole ratio of PEG to POSS diol (as chain extender) was chosen as 8:1. The diisocyanate employed for TPU polymerization was 4,4’methylenebis(phenyl-isocyanate) (MDI). Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) studies revealed that both the hydrophilic soft segments (PEG) and hydrophobic hard segments (POSS) can form crystalline structures driven by micro-phase separation, itself due to thermodynamic incompatibility. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and rheological studies revealed that thermal history is important in controlling the crystallization of a POSS-rich nanophase. Increasing the cooling rate monotonically decreases the crystallinity of POSS-rich phase and results in a decrease in the ultimate dynamic storage modulus following POSS crystallization and an increase of the loss angle for temperatures above Tm of PEG and below Tm of POSS. We conclude that both composition and thermal history are key factors in determing the internal network built by the POSS nanophase, which will have a significant influence on the properties of the resulting hybrid hydrogels now being studied.
Therapeutic targeting of C-terminal binding protein in human cancer

The CtBP transcriptional corepressors promote cancer cell survival and migration/invasion. CtBP senses cellular metabolism via a regulatory dehydrogenase domain, and is antagonized by p14/p19(ARF) tumor suppressors. The CtBP dehydrogenase substrate 4-methylthio-2-oxobutyric acid (MTOB) can act as a CtBP inhibitor at high concentrations, and is cytotoxic to cancer cells. MTOB induced apoptosis was p53-independent, correlated with the derepression of the proapoptotic CtBP repression target Bik, and was rescued by CtBP overexpression or Bik silencing. MTOB did not induce apoptosis in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), but was increasingly cytotoxic to immortalized and transformed MEFs, suggesting that CtBP inhibition may provide a suitable therapeutic index for cancer therapy. In human colon cancer cell peritoneal xenografts, MTOB treatment decreased tumor burden and induced tumor cell apoptosis. To verify the potential utility of CtBP as a therapeutic target in human cancer, the expression of CtBP and its negative regulator ARF was studied in a series of resected human colon adenocarcinomas. CtBP and ARF levels were inversely-correlated, with elevated CtBP levels (compared with adjacent normal tissue) observed in greater than 60% of specimens, with ARF absent in nearly all specimens exhibiting elevated CtBP levels. Targeting CtBP may represent a useful therapeutic strategy in human malignancies.
An Observational Examination of Long-Lived Supercells. Part I: Characteristics, Evolution, and Demise

Observations of supercells and their longevity across the central and eastern United States are examined, with the primary focus on understanding the properties of long-lived supercells (defined as supercells lasting 4 h). A total of 224 long-lived supercells, occurring in 184 separate events, are investigated. These properties are compared with those of short-lived supercells (lifetimes 2 h) to determine the salient differences between the two classifications. A key finding is that long-lived supercells are considerably more isolated and discrete than short-lived supercells; as a result, the demise of a long-lived supercell (i.e., the end of the supercell phase) is often signaled by a weakening of the storm’s circulation and/or a rapid dissipation of the thunderstorm. In contrast, short-lived supercells commonly experience a demise linked to storm mergers and convective transitions (e.g., evolution to a bow echo). Also noteworthy, 36% of the long-lived supercell events were associated with strong or violent tornadoes (F2–F5), compared with only 8% for the short-lived supercell events. Evolutionary characteristics of long-lived supercells vary geographically across the United States, with the largest contrasts between the north-central United States and the Southeast. For example, 86% of the long-lived supercells across the north-central United States were isolated for most of their lifetime, whereas only 35% of those in the Southeast displayed this characteristic. Not surprisingly, the convective mode was discrete for 70% of the long-lived supercell events across the north-central United States, compared with 39% for the Southeast.
Signal Transduction through CsrRS Confers an Invasive Phenotype in Group A Streptococcus

The CsrRS (or CovRS) two component system controls expression of up to 15% of the genome of group A Streptococcus (GAS). While some studies have suggested that the sensor histidine kinase CsrS responds to membrane perturbations as a result of various environmental stresses, other data have implicated the human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 and extracellular Mg2+ as specific signals. We now report that Mg2+ and LL-37 have opposite effects on expression of multiple genes that are activated or repressed by the transcriptional regulator CsrR. Using a GAS isolate representative of the recently emerged and widely disseminated M1T1 clone implicated in severe invasive disease, we found marked up-regulation by CsrRS of multiple virulence factors including pyrogenic exotoxin A, DNase Sda1, streptolysin O, and the hyaluronic acid capsular polysaccharide, among others. Topology and surface protein labeling studies indicated that CsrS is associated with the bacterial cell membrane and has a surface-exposed extracellular domain accessible to environmental ligands. Replacement of a cluster of three acidic amino acids with uncharged residues in the extracellular domain of CsrS abrogated LL-37 signaling and conferred a hyporesponsive phenotype consistent with tonic activation of CsrS autokinase activity, an effect that could be overridden by mutation of the CsrS active site histidine. Both loss- and gain-of-function mutations of a conserved site in the receiver domain of CsrR established an essential role for lysine 102 in CsrS-to-CsrR signal transduction. These results provide strong evidence that Mg2+ and LL-37 are specific signals that function by altering CsrS autokinase activity and downstream phosphotransfer to CsrR to modulate its activity as a transcriptional regulator. The representation of multiple antiphagocytic and cytotoxic factors in the CsrRS regulon together with results of in vitro phagocytic killing assays support the hypothesis that CsrRS mediates conversion of GAS from a colonizing to an invasive phenotype in response to signaling by host LL-37.
Effects of Configuration Interaction on Atomic Hyperfine Structure

The effects of configuration interaction on hyperfine structure (h.f.s.) are considered using second-order perturbation theory. Within a given LS term, these are represented by multiplying the radial quantity $\langle $r$^{-3}$$\rangle $, for each of the three orbit-dependent parts of the h.f.s. hamiltonian, by a different factor (1 + $\Delta $). The analysis is limited to those configurations in which the only electrons not in closed shells are those of the type (nl)$^{N}$. We treat separately the excitation of (1) a closed-shell electron into an unoccupied shell n$^{\prime}$l$^{\prime}$: (2) an electron nl into an unoccupied shell n$^{\prime}$l$^{\prime}$: and (3) a closed-shell electron into the occupied shell nl. Effective operators are introduced. In cases (2) and (3), where the quantities $\Delta $$\_{l}$, $\Delta $$\_{sC}$, and $\Delta $$_{q}$ (corresponding to the three parts of the h.f.s. hamiltonian) depend on the LS term under study, some tables are given (for d$^{N}$ and f$^{N}$). Because of a remarkable structure that these tables possess, it is possible to make predictions concerning the effects of configuration interaction on the three parts of the effective h.f.s. hamiltonian without requiring a detailed knowledge of radial integrals. Results consistent with the experimental data for the 3d shell are obtained. The effects of departures from perfect LS coupling are discussed.
A Wireless Communications Systems Laboratory Course

A novel wireless communications systems laboratory course is introduced. The course teaches students how to design, test, and simulate wireless systems using modern instrumentation and computer-aided design (CAD) software. One of the objectives of the course is to help students understand the theoretical concepts behind wireless communication systems through hands-on experiments and to make them more confident both in system design and analysis. The course also aims at increasing the interest of students in engineering and technology. Therefore, laboratory experiments that are complementary to the materials discussed in the theoretical part of the course are designed specifically to incorporate the use of several wireless devices that students probably use extensively in their daily lives. Complementing and expanding upon the materials covered in other communication courses is another merit of this laboratory-based course. Meeting the course requirements also helps students improve their oral presentation and report preparation abilities. The evaluation of the course indicates that most of the objectives are achieved. This paper discusses the experiments designed to teach various wireless communication concepts to the students on a weekly basis, as well as the interesting projects and the other course requirements, which could be replicated by other universities.
Palpable Spongy Mass Over the Clavicle, an Underutilized Sign of Clavicular Fracture in the Newborn

This prospective study emphasizes the importance of an early physical finding of neonatal clavicular fracture, termed “the palpable spongy mass sign.” Of the 1,661 term neonates examined at our tertiary center over a 20-month period, 24 had clinical signs of a clavicular fracture. In 22 of the 24 neonates, the fractures were documented by positive radiographs or callus formation. None of the fractures was recognized because of an asymmetric Moro reflex, visible swelling, or bruising. The palpable spongy mass was present in 18 of the 22 fractures (82%), crepitus in 10 (45%), angulation deformity in two (9%), and localized tenderness in one (5%). Any combination of crepitus, deformity, and localized tenderness was detected in 11 of the 22 (50%) fractures. When the palpable spongy mass sign was added to these three signs, all but one fracture was clinically detected (95%), emphasizing the importance of using all physical findings. We conclude that “the clavicular spongy mass sign” is highly sensitive and pre...
Model construction with key identification

A conceptual model of a database, such as an Entity-Relationship (ER) model, is a specification of objects, attributes, and their relationships. A conceptual model plays important roles in developing successful database applications. Although critical, a conceptual rijodel of a legacy database may not be always available in practice, and discovering and constructing such a model from the data, and from the data only, is a challenging problem. In this paper, we develop a new approach to address object identification and model construction. Our approach has many favorable features, including its robustness in dealing with noise data and scalability to large databases and data sets. We implement this approach in a system called McKey (Model Construction with Key identification) for discovering and building ER models from instances of large legacy databases. We apply McKey to three very large legacy databases, and obtain comprehensive models within hours, which gives many magnitudes of savings of manpower.
The Role of Affordances and Motives in Explaining How and Why Students Use Computer-based Scaffolds

Scaffolds can be defined as tools that help students meaningfully participate in and gain skill at tasks that are beyond their unassisted abilities. However, the term scaffold is often used a theoretically, resulting in poor understanding of how and why students use computer-based scaffolds. In this paper, we reconnect the term scaffold to the socio-cultural theory that under girds it and use that theory to explain how students use computer-based scaffolds. In particular, we examine the idea that affordances and motives drive student use of scaffolds. This framework has important implications for instructional design and scaffold research.
High CD34 cell doses do not worsen regimen-related toxicity or early mortality after autologous blood stem cell transplantation for breast cancer

Background Some transplant-related complications, such as the engraftment syndrome, are thought to be mediated by cytokines released during expansion of hematopoietic progenitors at the time of neutrophil recovery. Since there is an inverse correlation between CD34 + cell dose and time to neutrophil recovery, we sought to determine if peritransplant toxicity and early mor tality were adversely affected by high CD34 + cell doses. Methods The study group included 186 women with breast cancer who received high-dose cyclophosphamide, carmustine, thiotepa and an autologous PBSC transplant. The median CD34 + cell dose was 5.9 × 10 6 /kg (1.0–154.7 × 10 6 /kg). Patients were categorized by CD34 + cell dose (1.0–3.5, 3.6–5.9, 6.0–19.9, and 20.0–154.7 × 10 6 /kg) for assessment of outcomes. Results Grades 2–4 mucositis occurred in 49%, cardiac toxicity in 7%, pulmonary toxicity in 5%, cystitis in 4%, diarrhea in 3%, renal toxicity in 1%, and central nervous system toxicity in 1%, A Grade 2–4 regimen-related toxi city occurred in 109 patients (59%) and Grade 3–4 in eight patients (4%). Overall survival was 100% at Day 30, 96% at Day 90, and 89% at 1 year. Treatment-related mortality was 3.8%. In multivariate analyses that included prior chemotherapy, disease status, visceral metastases, prior chest radiation and age, CD34 + cell dose group was not an independent risk fac tor for Grade 2–4 mucositis, Grade 2–4 maximum toxicity, Grade ≥3 cumulative toxicity, 90 day survival or 1 year survival. Discussion Ne conclude that CD34 + cell doses >20 × 10 6 /kg do not affect transplant outcome in a negative or positive fashion.
Surgical Decision Making in Neonatal Ebstein’s Anomaly An Algorithmic Approach Based on 48 Consecutive Neonates

Objective: There is currently no consensus of opinion regarding the optimal surgical management of Ebstein’s anomaly (EA) in neonates and young infants. Reported early mortality rates range from 25% to 100%. In this study, we present an algorithm for choosing the best management option for neonates with EA based on analysis of our experience. Patients and Methods: From 1994 to June, 2011, 48 neonates with a diagnosis of EA were managed by the same surgical team. Of these, two died before intervention; the remaining 46 either were managed medically initially (n = 20) or underwent surgical intervention during the neonatal period (n = 26) or early infancy (n = 9). Results: The mean weight was 3.6 ± 1.7 kg (1.9-8.6) and mean follow-up time was 6.3 ± 4.5 years (0.2-16). Of the 20 patients initially managed medically, 11 remain well without intervention and nine required complete repair in infancy, with 100% survival. Of the 26 neonatal operations, 23 (88%) were complete biventricular repairs, 1 Starnes’ pallia...
Challenges in control engineering of computing systems

Over the last few years, there has been considerable success with applying control theory to computing systems. Our experience has been that there are several commonly occurring control problems in computing systems - translating between service oriented units (e.g., response times) and effector (actuator) units (e.g., the maximum number of connected users); optimizing resource usage; regulating service levels to enforce service level agreements; and adapting to disturbances such as changes in workloads. Developing control systems that address these problems involves challenges related to modeling the managed element (plant); handing sensor data that are noisy, incomplete, and inconsistent; dealing with effectors that have complex effects that often do not correspond well to the control objectives; and designing control systems (especially filters, the choice of measured outputs, and time delays).
The Resurgent American Voter, 1996-2012

Sparked both by normative concerns and a classic empirical puzzle, scholars developed and tested a variety of explanations for the turnout decline in the US between 1960 and 1988. More than a decade of research eventually showed that the sources of the decline in turnout were multifaceted: it stemmed in various degrees from declines in partisanship, political efficacy and newspaper reading, mobilization, and changes in the age distribution in the electorate with lower rates of participation in younger cohorts. Turnout slid to 52.8% of the voting eligible population in 1992, surged briefly in 1992 to 58.1%, then bottomed out at 51.7% in 1996. Since then, turnout increased in three consecutive presidential elections, reaching an estimated 61.4% in 2008, but dropped back to 58.2% in 2012. Using pooled cross-sectional data from the American National Election Studies, I find that demographic and electoral reform variables account for little of the increase in turnout since 1996, while perceptions of partisan differences and renewed importance of voter mobilization do account for substantial portions of the increase.
Evolutionary transitions in bacterial symbiosis

Diverse bacterial lineages form beneficial infections with eukaryotic hosts. The origins, evolution, and breakdown of these mutualisms represent important evolutionary transitions. To examine these key events, we synthesize data from diverse interactions between bacteria and eukaryote hosts. Five evolutionary transitions are investigated, including the origins of bacterial associations with eukaryotes, the origins and subsequent stable maintenance of bacterial mutualism with hosts, the capture of beneficial symbionts via the evolution of strict vertical transmission within host lineages, and the evolutionary breakdown of bacterial mutualism. Each of these transitions has occurred many times in the history of bacterial–eukaryote symbiosis. We investigate these evolutionary events across the bacterial domain and also among a focal set of well studied bacterial mutualist lineages. Subsequently, we generate a framework for examining evolutionary transitions in bacterial symbiosis and test hypotheses about the selective, ecological, and genomic forces that shape these events.
Investigating long-term behavior of Greenland outlet glaciers using high resolution satellite imagery

High resolution declassified Corona satellite photographs from the 1960s are used to establish baseline velocities for a fast flowing outlet glacier in Greenland. The mathematical model of the camera was developed and position and attitude parameters were estimated using GCPs. To illustrate the procedure, ice velocities were derived from Corona and Landsat-7 images over the Kangerdlugssuaq glacier in SE Greenland. Time series of velocity changes indicate significant increase in ice flow velocity during the last decade, propagating upstream from the calving front.
Scalable services for resource management in distributed and networked environments

Sharing hardware and software resources among networked workstations has become common practice. Resource management in such systems is complex because of physical distribution of the resources, communication delays and the lack of global state informations. This paper describes a scalable load monitoring service and a scalable resource query service developed in the Warp project to provide necessary state information for resource management. Scalability is achieved by reducing the network traffic. Techniques include exploiting the IP multicast for one-to-many communications, using supply-driven and demand driven approaches for disseminating different classes of information, compressing information, and tailoring servers only to publish information when certain conditions are met. GUI tools, statistical analysers, and job scheduling are example clients of the services.
Markov decision process approach for multiple objective hazardous material transportation route selection problem

We consider a route selection problem for hazardous materials (hazmats) transportation. The objective is to select the route that minimises the consequence (cost or population) of undesirable events. We propose a Markov decision process (MDP) approach for solving this problem. First, an MDP model with single objective is described and the existence of an optimal policy for hazmat route selection problem is presented. Later, a generalised framework is presented for solving this problem with multiple objectives. We introduce a methodology to estimate the input parameter for the MDP models using the incident data and variables found in the Department of Transportation website. Finally, numerical examples are discussed for the parameter estimation and the multiple objective MDP model using a test network.
Contested Communities in a Debate Over Dual-Language Education: The Import of “Public” Values on Public Policies:

This study examines how public debate can shape school district policy. Using qualitative methods and an interdisciplinary framework that weaves an interpretive approach to policy implementation wi...
Normal-incidence, high-temperature, mid-infrared, InAs-GaAs vertical quantum-dot infrared photodetector

The growth, fabrication, and characterization of a normal-incidence, high-temperature, mid-wavelength infrared, InAs-GaAs vertical quantum-dot infrared photodetector with a single Al/sub 0.3/Ga/sub 0.7/As current-blocking barrier are described and discussed in detail. A specific detectivity /spl ap/3/spl times/10/sup 9/ cmHz/sup 1/2//W is measured for a detector temperature of 100 K at a bias of 0.2 V. Detector characteristics are measured for temperatures as high as 150 K. The superior low bias performance of the vertical quantum-dot infrared photodetector ensures its compatibility with commercially available silicon read-out circuits necessary for the fabrication of a focal plane array.
Who Are You? We Really Wanna Know... Especially If You Think You're Like a Computer Scientist

We developed a short, easily implemented survey that measures the similarity in phrases describing the self and a computer scientist. Additionally, we took initial steps in determining adjectives or phrases that describe a stereotypical computer scientist. We then administered this survey before and after an eight-week summer computer science program for high school girls. We found that phrases or adjectives used to describe the self converged with those to describe the computer scientist. In addition, descriptions of both were more positive at the end of the program compared to the beginning. Finally, the stereotypical of a computer scientist decreased from the beginning to the end of the program. Future work includes refinement of the stereotype measure and assessing different types of computer science programs.
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Cortical Angiogenesis

Researchers at Normandy University, and Rouen and Brest Universities, France studied the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on the cortical microvascular and the action of alcohol, glutamate, and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF) on activity, plasticity, and survival of microvessels in mice.
Relapse: What Should We Do About It? Commentary on Flynn and Brown (2016).

The thesis presented by Flynn and Brown (2015)makes two core assertions: first, the risk of relapse after treatment of substance abuse disorders is exceedingly high; second, most treatment programs and practitioners do not invest sufficient effort into preventing or dealing with relapse. They argue that these disorders should more properly be viewed as chronic relapsing disorders and that we need to restructure our health care system to deal with them as such, much in the way we deal with diabetes or hypertension. They are not alone in advancing this view. Given this perspective, current limits imposed by insurers or government agencies on how long or how frequently patients can be followed are seen as counterproductive. Flynn and Brown point to studies demonstrating that continuing caremodels (periodic follow-ups and communitymanagement check-ups) aimed at sustaining improvement and early re-engagement can be cost effective and, in some cases, show substantial benefit/cost ratios. They appear to believe that what is needed to make such periodic monitoring routine are appropriate economic incentives and revision of payment practices that limit reimbursement to active patients. They suggest that a good place to start would be with an Institute ofMedicine-like group of experts that couldmake recommendations for appropriate changes, and that the Affordable Care Act opens new possibilities for paying for more extended treatment. Some of these problems, such as the refusal of insurers and state governments to support demonstrably effective treatments as methadone maintenance, or irrationally limiting duration of coverage are more political than scientific and call for advocacy and litigation rather than scientific review. Continuing care (community management check-up) following a period of more intensive care is a different issue that will require persuading insurers and government agencies that expenditure on such activities is a better use of health care resources than expanding access to treatment. Could a group of experts help to accomplish this?What kinds of problemswould they confront when trying to recommend changes in the US health care system?What kinds of information will they be able to utilize? The number of random assignment controlled trials of posttreatment efforts aimed at sustaining improvement and intervening in relapses for any form of substance use disorder is relatively small. Most deal with patients that have either completed treatment or have participated in some significant amount of treatment. Very few deal with those who experienced only brief episodes. McKay (2009)
Generalizability of Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis in Biologic Agent Clinical Trials.

Objective Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have consistently demonstrated the efficacy of biologic agents in treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who satisfy strict eligibility criteria, yet studies report that a majority of RA patients in the US have had biologic treatment exposure. We identified the proportion of RA patients in clinical practice satisfying entry criteria for biologic agent RCTs. Methods Eligibility criteria of 30 RCTs of 10 Food and Drug Administration–approved biologic agents to treat RA were reviewed, summarized, and applied to 2 observational clinical cohorts: the Veterans Affairs Rheumatoid Arthritis registry (VARA; n = 1,523) and the Rheumatology and Arthritis Investigational Network Database (RAIN-DB; n = 1,548). Patients at a single clinical encounter were assessed for overall trial eligibility as well as eligibility across 3 domains: demographics, disease activity, and medication exposure. Results The mean percentage of patients that satisfied eligibility criteria was 3.7% (interquartile range [IQR] 1.5–3.1) in VARA and 7.1% (IQR 4.4–7.7) in RAIN-DB. Ineligibility was most often due to low disease activity, specifically low joint counts. The mean Disease Activity Score in 28 joints at enrollment was 6.59 (range 6.1–7.1) across RCTs versus 3.87 (0.07–8.69) in VARA and 3.65 (0.49–7.21) in RAIN-DB. RCTs for non–tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor biologic agents were more restrictive than RCTs for TNF inhibitors. There was no trend in eligibility by RCT study publication or drug approval date. Conclusion The vast majority of RA patients from our clinical cohorts did not satisfy criteria for participation in biologic agent RCTs. These findings underscore the need for caution in extrapolating trial results to day-to-day management of RA patients and may provide insight into the differential responses to biologic agents reported in prior observational studies.
Estrogen increases the permeability of the cultured human cervical epithelium by modulating cell deformability

Estrogens increase secretion of cervical mucus in females. The objective of this research was to study the mechanisms of estrogen action. The experimental models were human CaSki (endocervical) and...
Modeling of Instability at the Tip of a Shear Band

The present work focusses on the tip of the shear band, and assumes that the critical phenomena dictating the propagation or arrest of a shear band occur at the tip. This approach is analogous to fracture mechanics in which the crack tip is the region where the relevant processes are taking place, while the crack surfaces are merely the product. The driving energy for the extension of the tip comes from an increase of the imposed displacement, which generates shear stresses and strains. In the analysis presented in this paper the plastic deformation ahead of a shear band is calculated as a function of imposed displacement. A number of assumptions are required to render the problem tractable. The principal assumptions are given and justified below.