cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metamodel-based state-dependent fragility modeling for Markovian sequential seismic damage assessment

Abstract Accurate characterization of seismic damage accumulation is crucial to reliable seismic risk assessment. Emerging research efforts have been devoted to state-dependent fragility modeling considering the impact of sequential earthquake excitations so as to better inform the management of structure and infrastructure assets. However, the current state-dependent fragility models largely rely on simple functional forms conditioned on only a scalar ground motion intensity measure (IM); fragility models are separately developed for different state-transition scenarios, without any joint modeling mechanism to preserve the multivariate nature among the different damage states; and the lack of parameterization further hinders these models from offering pertinent fragility estimates for structural portfolios with uncertain structural parameters. By leveraging advanced ground motion selection and machine learning techniques, this study proposes a novel metamodel-based state-dependent fragility modeling approach that offers superior parameterization and damage classification capability and can be seamlessly integrated into the Markovian sequential seismic damage assessment (SSDA) framework. The proposed fragility modeling approach features a systematic sequential dynamic analysis procedure that leverages efficient experimental design and hazard-consistent ground motion selection to sufficiently cover the feature space, and an artificial neural network (ANN) classification model conditioned on one-hot encoded initial damage states along with other earthquake and structure-related predictors. Based on generic inelastic single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) systems with varying structural configurations, damage state classification performance of the proposed fragility model is thoroughly evaluated, and its applicability within the Markovian SSDA framework is elaborated and discussed.
Editor's Introduction: New Topics in Sentencing Theory

Two questions have dominated the intellectual history of the criminal law: What acts or omissions should the state criminalize? and Why is the state entitled to punish someone—that is, to intentionally harm them—when they commit an offense? However, since the decline of the rehabilitative ideal in the 1970s, and the subsequent rise of a racialized mass incarceration in the United States, a third question has officially joined the corpus: How much (and what sort of) harm should the state inflict on someone when they commit an offense? The reasons that inform our answers to this trinity of questions may overlap to a degree, but it is likely that as we journey from a theory of criminalization to a theory of punishment to a theory of sentencing, we will lose, gain, and refashion principles along the way. For instance, the (crude) beliefs that the criminal law ought to enforce interpersonal morality and that those who offend against interpersonal morality deserve to suffer do not imply very much about what sort of suffering—or, perhaps, mercy— might be in order. This special issue of the New Criminal Law Review seeks to contribute to the still young field of sentencing theory, and to help discover the set of reasons that ought to calibrate and constrain state punishment. Given that the state in its capacity as punisher is at its most burdensome, with the dignity of offenders and their families often in the balance, the stakes are very high. Indeed, we might say that a reasonably liberal and just society depends for its existence—as a liberal society, as a just society, and, possibly, as a society at all—on getting the right answer to the How much? question.
Effect of robotic-assisted ankle training on gait in stroke participants: A case series study.

Background Robotic rehabilitation therapy has grown rapidly during the last two decades allowing researchers and clinicians to deliver high-intensity training to persons with sensorimotor disorders caused by neurological injuries and diseases. Methods This case series reports the effect of robot-assisted, impairment-oriented training for persons recovering from stroke on impairment of the paretic ankle as well as on the kinematic and spatiotemporal parameters of gait. Five persons with chronic stroke (>6 months post-stroke) participated in a 10-week training protocol, receiving three, 30-min sessions per week of a robot-assisted therapy. The robot-assisted intervention cyclically induced dorsiflexion and plantarflexion to the ankle at 5 degrees/s through ±15 degrees while the participants assisted with the imposed movement. Concurrently, participants received visual feedback of their active, assistive torque as well as targeted mechanical vibration of the ankle tendons when lengthened by the applied motion. Walking speed, cadence, step length of the non-paretic leg, percentage of paretic single limb support during the gait cycle, and ankle strength were assessed just before training began (baseline), after the last training session (post-training), and 3 months post-training (follow-up). Discussion Robot-assisted training that provided assisted movement, biofeedback, and proprioceptive stimulation reduced ankle impairment and improved kinematic and spatiotemporal gait parameters, suggesting that impairment-oriented therapy applied to the paretic ankle may provide a valuable adjunct to locomotor therapies in persons with chronic gait disorders due to stroke.
Effects of Inositol-Enhanced Bonded Arginine Silicate Ingestion on Cognitive and Executive Function in Gamers

Inositol stabilized arginine silicate (ASI) ingestion has been reported to increase nitric oxide levels while inositol (I) has been reported to enhance neurotransmission. The current study examined whether acute ASI + I (Inositol-enhanced bonded arginine silicate) ingestion affects cognitive function in e-sport gamers. In a double blind, randomized, placebo controlled, and crossover trial, 26 healthy male (n = 18) and female (n = 8) experienced gamers (23 ± 5 years, 171 ± 11 cm, 71.1 ± 14 kg, 20.7 ± 3.5 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to consume 1600 mg of ASI + I (nooLVL®, Nutrition 21) or 1600 mg of a maltodextrin placebo (PLA). Prior to testing, participants recorded their diet, refrained from consuming atypical amounts of stimulants and foods high in arginine and nitrates, and fasted for 8 h. During testing sessions, participants completed stimulant sensitivity questionnaires and performed cognitive function tests (i.e., Berg-Wisconsin Card Sorting task test, Go/No-Go test, Sternberg Task Test, Psychomotor Vigilance Task Test, Cambridge Brain Sciences Reasoning and Concentration test) and a light reaction test. Participants then ingested treatments in a randomized manner. Fifteen minutes following ingestion, participants repeated tests (Pre-Game). Participants then played their favorite video game for 1-h and repeated the battery of tests (Post-Game). Participants observed a 7–14-day washout period and then replicated the study with the alternative treatment. Data were analyzed by General Linear Model (GLM) univariate analyses with repeated measures using weight as a covariate, paired t-tests (not adjusted to weight), and mean changes from baseline with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). Pairwise comparison revealed that there was a significant improvement in Sternberg Mean Present Reaction Time (ASI + I vs. PLA; p < 0.05). In Post-Game assessments, 4-letter Absent Reaction Time (p < 0.05), 6-letter Present Reaction Time (p < 0.01), 6-letter Absent Reaction Time (p < 0.01), Mean Present Reaction Time (p < 0.02), and Mean Absent Reaction Time (p < 0.03) were improved with ASI + I vs. PLA. There was a non-significant trend in Pre-Game Sternberg 4-letter Present Reaction time in ASI + I vs. PLA (p < 0.07). ASI + I ingestion better maintained changes in Go/No-Go Mean Accuracy and Reaction Time, Psychomotor Vigilance Task Reaction Time, and Cambridge Post-Game Visio-spatial Processing and Planning. Results provide evidence that ASI + I ingestion prior to playing video games may enhance some measures of short-term and working memory, reaction time, reasoning, and concentration in experienced gamers.
Teaching for understanding-analogies for learning in electrical technology

Many college professors have found that a good percentage of today's students are poorer learners than their predecessors. Now, more than ever before, students must be taught in a manner that will connect each topic with the students' own lives. The material must be taught in an active way to keep the students' interest. Thus, to motivate and aid students in understanding a topic, we must use analogies for learning and apply them with active teaching wherever possible. When students are first presented with the concept of electrical charge, they can get a "feel" for the force of attraction using the force of gravity as a model. Throw a book up in the air and ask the class, "Why does it fall down?" They will reply that it is due to "gravity". What is "gravity?"-a force of attraction between "unlike" charges and between the "opposite" poles of magnets. From the forces of attraction between "unlike" charges and "opposite" magnetic poles, one can then discuss the forces of repulsion experienced by "like" charges and "similar" magnetic poles. It is a good idea to demonstrate the forces of attraction and repulsion with magnets even though the students know how magnets behave because "seeing" gives even more reinforcement to the learning. The paper discusses other analogies for physical quantities such as work, voltage, current, and resistance as well as analogies for series and parallel connections, and Kirchhoff's current and voltage laws. Suggestions are given as to how to enliven the presentation of the material to enhance the learning experience.
3 gb/s AC coupled chip-to-chip communication using a low swing pulse receiver

A 120-mV/sub ppd/ low swing pulse receiver is presented for AC coupled interconnect (ACCI). Using this receiver, 3Gb/s chip-to-chip communication is demonstrated through a wire-bonded ACCI channel with 150-fF coupling capacitors, across 15-cm FR4 microstrip lines. A test chip was fabricated in TSMC 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS technology and the driver and pulse receiver dissipate 15-mW power per I/O at 3 Gb/s, with a bit error rate less than 10/sup -12/. First-time demonstration of a flip-chip ACCI is also presented, with both the AC and DC connections successfully integrated between the flipped chip and the multichip module (MCM) substrate by using the buried bump technology. For the flip-chip ACCI, 2.5 Gb/s/channel communication is demonstrated across 5.6 cm of transmission line on a MCM substrate.
Comparing several linear-threshold learning algorithms on tasks involving superfluous attributes

Abstract Using simulations, we compare several linear-threshold learning algorithms that differ greatly in the effect of superfluous attributes on their learning abilities. These include a Bayesian algorithm for conditionally independent attributes and two mistake-driven algorithms (algorithms that learn only from trials in which they predict incorrectly), Winnow and the Perceptron algorithm. We also look at a mistake-driven modification of the Bayesian algorithm. When there are many superfluous attributes, Winnow makes the fewest mistakes; in our experiments it takes a great many such attributes to make this difference marked. With the addition of what we call a checking procedure, Winnow was able to eventually get within twice the optimal loss rate in all of the experiments that we have focused on, and usually much closer.
Heavy Ion Abundances in Impulsive Solar Flares: Influence of Pre-Acceleration in a Current Sheet

Competition between stochastic energy gains and collisional energy losses is known to lead to preferential acceleration of heavy ions in flare loops. Ion acceleration in a reconnecting current sheet is shown to mitigate the influence of collisional energy losses on stochastic particle acceleration in impulsive solar flares. This effect decreases the sensitivity of the resulting abundance ratios on initial ion charge states. The resulting abundances are determined by the fact that the energy loss rate falls off rapidly with increasing energy. As an example, the expected Fe/O enhancement ratios are computed and shown to be comparable with those observed with ACE SEPICA in several impulsive flares in 1998. One consequence of the model is that the preferential acceleration of heavy ions can occur only when the plasma gas pressure is large enough, β≈me/mp, which may explain the observed correlation between the heavy ion enrichment and selective 3He acceleration in impulsive flares.
A Selection Theorem in Metric Trees

In this paper, we show that nonempty closed convex subsets of a metric tree enjoy many properties shared by convex subsets of Hilbert spaces and admissible subsets of hyperconvex spaces. Furthermore, we prove that a set-valued mapping T* of a metric tree M with convex values has a selection T: M → M for which d(T(x),T(y)) < d H (T*(x),T*(y)) for each x,y ∈ M. Here by d H we mean the Hausdroff distance. Many applications of this result are given.
Functional status of nursing home residents before and after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Although many trials have evaluated abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair, the impact of these procedures on the functional status of frail elderly patients is not well-described. The effects of elective open AAA repair (OAR) and endovascular AAA repair (EVAR) and comorbidities were evaluated for their impact on functional trajectories after discharge. Medicare inpatient claims were linked with nursing home assessment data to identify elective admissions for OAR and EVAR. A functional score (range, 0-28; higher scores indicate greater impairment) was calculated before and after interventions. Logistic regression was used to develop a propensity score for receiving EVAR because residents were not randomized. Hierarchical linear modeling determined the effect of surgery on residents' function, controlling for prehospital function, hospital length of stay (LOS), stroke, and the propensity score.Fifty-two residents underwent OAR and 161 underwent EVAR. Most (65.3%) were men and 62.0% were from 76 to 85 years old. Mean LOS was 8.3 days for OAR and 5.1 days for EVAR. Of the residents, 47.4% had good prehospital function (activities of daily living [ADL] score of 0-10), and 48.4% were moderately impaired (ADL score of 11-20). Higher baseline ADL score, increased LOS, and stroke were associated with worse trajectories. Procedure type was not significantly related to postoperative function or the subsequent rate of improvement. OAR and EVAR were associated with similar initial declines and comparable postoperative trajectories, suggesting that less invasive EVAR was not associated with improved functional preservation compared with OAR. LOS was found to be higher than expected in the frail elderly after EVAR; longer stays were associated with poorer functional trajectories. Higher baseline ADL scores were significantly associated with inferior functional status after both procedures. Evaluation of preoperative function may assist physicians in predicting outcomes in this high-risk population.
Robust control of nonlinear systems without matching condition

Within the framework of Lin et al., we study robust control of nonlinear systems. Instead of directly solving a robust control problem of stabilizing a nonlinear system with uncertainties, we translate the robust control problem into an optimal control problem with a cost function carefully selected to compensate the uncertainties. This approach is applicable to general nonlinear systems, even if the matching condition fails to hold. Since an optimal control problem is generally easier to solve than a robust control problem, this indirect approach provides an effective alternative to direct approaches studied in the literature. In particular, if the known dynamics of the system is linear and the uncertainty is bounded by linear functions, then the robust control problem can be translated into a linear quadratic regulator (LQR) problem, whose solution is well known. An example using this approach is worked out in details as an illustration. >
Effect of site-specific endonuclease digestion on the thyP3 gene of the bacteriophage Φ3T and the thyP11 gene of bacteriophage ϱ11

Abstract Φ3T and ϱ11 are closely related bacteriophages of Bacillus subtilis which can “convert” thymine auxotrophs to thymine prototrophs upon infection or transfection. The effect of endonuclease digestion on the ability of both bacteriophage and prophage DNA from Φ3T and ϱ11 to transform for thymine prototrophy was determined. All of the endonucleases tested: BamHI, BglII, BsuRI, EcoRI, HindII+ III, and HpaII reduced the efficiency of thyP transformation to an equal extent in prophage and bacteriophage DNA. Only HpaII completely abolished thyP transformation. The reduction in transformation with BamHI, BglII, BsuRI, EcoRI, and HpaII fragments is size related. The thyP transforming fragments generated by these endonucleases are potentially clonable.
Laser photoelectron spectrometry of Fe - : The electron affinity of iron and the "nonstatistical" fine-structure detachment intensities at 488 nm

With a fixed-frequency Arii laser (488 nm), the photoelectron spectrum of ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ has been obtained. The electron affinity of iron is 0.164 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.035 eV. It has been found that the cross section for detachment of $s$ electrons is much larger than that for detachment of $d$ electrons at this wavelength. Also, the various fine-structure transitions do not occur in the ($2{J}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}+1$) ($2{J}^{\ensuremath{'}}+1$) statistical weighting of the neutral (${J}^{\ensuremath{'}}$) and ion (${J}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}$) spin-orbit states. An explanation for this result extends previous calculations, deriving explicit, usable expressions for fine-structure transition intensities, which are then found to agree with those observed experimentally.
Reproducibility of gel-chromatography

We think it worthwhile to other experimenters to mention the following observations. Recently it was noted that gel chromatographic separations of the five fragments resulting from the degradation of cytochrome c by bromocyanogen became dependent on the batch number of the gel. This dependency concerns only separations of unprotected fragments, using 7% (v/v) formic acid as the eluent. The elution profile of protected compounds, which in turn run in 50% (v/v) formic acid, was unaffected.
That’s the way the ball bounces: infants’ and adults’ perception of spatial and temporal contiguity in collisions involving bouncing balls

Three experiments investigated the perception of collisions involving bouncing balls by 7- and 10-month-old infants and adults. In previous research, 10-month-old infants perceived the causality of launching collisions (events in which one object moves along a smooth horizontal trajectory toward a second object, apparently launching it into motion) in relatively simple event contexts. In more complex event contexts, infants failed to discriminate among the events or respond to changes in individual features. Experiments 1 and 2 of the present investigation revealed that 7- and 10-month-old infants attended to spatial and temporal contiguity, but not causality, in collisions involving the movement of bouncing balls. In Experiment 3, both spatiotemporal contiguity and general knowledge about movement trajectories influenced adults’ judgments of causality for these collisions. The present results add to a growing understanding of infants’ event perception as constructive and a function, in part, of the complexity of the event context.
Optimizing database index performance for solid state drives

As Solid State Disk (SSD) drive technology matures and costs continue to decrease, it is becoming a viable replacement for traditional, rotational hard disk drives. SSDs are based on NAND flash technology, which results in different wear and performance characteristics. The use of SSDs requires a re-evaluation of past design decisions made under the constraints of rotational hard disks. We investigate how to optimize traditional database storage structures to take advantage of the different performance characteristics offered by this new technology. We introduce a novel two-level 'minipage' scheme to augment the traditional 'slotted page' (NSM) approach to on-disk storage of heap structures. We demonstrate the performance increase using our minipage scheme, noting that for queries that select less than 1% of the dataset, elapsed time is decreased by up to 81.55% with minimal overhead to the traditional layout scheme of data pages in database systems. This results in a net throughput increase of up to 45.1% in workloads containing a mixture of highly selective 'seek' queries and lowly selective 'scan' queries, which are typical in online transaction processing (OLTP) database workloads.
Temperature-sensitive mutants of influenza A/Udorn/72 (H3N2) virus II. Genetic analysis and demonstration of intrasegmental complementation

Abstract Temperature-sensitive ( ts ) mutants of influenza A/Udorn/72 (H3N2) virus were classified into complementation and recombination groups. Eighty-three ts mutants formed 13 complementation groups, but only 8 recombination groups. Four recombination groups contained viruses representing more than one complementation group; recombination groups B, C, and F each had two complementing members and group H had four. The locus of the ts mutation(s) in each of the complementing members of the 4 recombination groups was analyzed by segregation analysis. Both complementing members of recombination group C had a ts mutation on the P2 gene. This indicated that intrasegmental complementation occurred between these two ts mutants. Similarly, intrasegmental complementation occurred between viruses processing a ts mutation on the NS gene. Suggestive evidence for intrasegmental complementation between ts mutants possessing a ts mutation in the NP or P1 gene was obtained. These observations considered together with other published studies indicate that mutations permitting intrasegmental complementation can occur in the majority of the influenza A virus genes, i.e., P3, P1, P2, NA, NP, and NS. The investigation of complementing mutants in these genes should prove helpful in elucidating multiple functions of influenza A virus gene products.
Histology-derived volumetric annotation of the human hippocampal subfields in postmortem MRI

Recently, there has been a growing effort to analyze the morphometry of hippocampal subfields using both in vivo and postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, given that boundaries between subregions of the hippocampal formation (HF) are conventionally defined on the basis of microscopic features that often lack discernible signature in MRI, subfield delineation in MRI literature has largely relied on heuristic geometric rules, the validity of which with respect to the underlying anatomy is largely unknown. The development and evaluation of such rules are challenged by the limited availability of data linking MRI appearance to microscopic hippocampal anatomy, particularly in three dimensions (3D). The present paper, for the first time, demonstrates the feasibility of labeling hippocampal subfields in a high resolution volumetric MRI dataset based directly on microscopic features extracted from histology. It uses a combination of computational techniques and manual post-processing to map subfield boundaries from a stack of histology images (obtained with 200μm spacing and 5μm slice thickness; stained using the Kluver-Barrera method) onto a postmortem 9.4Tesla MRI scan of the intact, whole hippocampal formation acquired with 160μm isotropic resolution. The histology reconstruction procedure consists of sequential application of a graph-theoretic slice stacking algorithm that mitigates the effects of distorted slices, followed by iterative affine and diffeomorphic co-registration to postmortem MRI scans of approximately 1cm-thick tissue sub-blocks acquired with 200μm isotropic resolution. These 1cm blocks are subsequently co-registered to the MRI of the whole HF. Reconstruction accuracy is evaluated as the average displacement error between boundaries manually delineated in both the histology and MRI following the sequential stages of reconstruction. The methods presented and evaluated in this single-subject study can potentially be applied to multiple hippocampal tissue samples in order to construct a histologically informed MRI atlas of the hippocampal formation.
On a Process Modeling Framework for Sustainable Manufacturing: A Machining Perspective

Sustainability and economic factors are increasingly pushing industry towards environmentally friendly manufacturing methods. However, the implications of processing level changes, which are being introduced at a significant rate, for overall, environmental impact need better characterization. In the first half of this paper, a simplified framework for enhancing sustainability in manufacturing, by enabling rapid assessment of approximate life-cycle implications of competing process-level alternatives, is introduced. This framework relies on developing or enhancing manufacturing process models in such a way that a superior quantitative evaluation of the environmental and economic impacts of decisions made in manufacturing process planning can be established. In the second half of this paper, the specific case of metal machining is presented. In machining the maximum attention has been directed towards reducing the traditional profligate use of metalworking fluids. Consequently, a significant quantity of research work has been directed towards developing dry and near-dry, or Minimal Quantity Lubrication (MQL), machining techniques. A review of available literature shows that several outcomes of these techniques for product life-cycle assessment need to be addressed — i.e., some environmental tradeoffs are often involved in their implementation. Avenues for further research in sustainable machining, including some ideas for advancing dry and near-dry machining without resorting to chemical action for extreme-pressure lubrication, are also presented.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
THE DESIGN OF ELECTRO-MECHANICAL AUXILIARIES DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH POWER- PRODUCING REACTORS

The conditions under which the plant must operate and the problems encountered in the design and construction of the electro-mechanical plant directly associated with a base load nuclear power station of the gas cooled, graphite moderated, natural uranium type are described. Design problems discussed include choice of materials of construction, method of motivation, and method of control. The problems of a plant immersed in the reactor coolant are discussed. The features required by the operator for controlling the plant from a remote point and the need for auxiliary reliability are considered. (C.J.G.)
Uptake, Accumlation and Loss of Radioactive Cerium-144 by Marine Planktonic Algae1

Following the uptake of an element by marine planktonic algae is difficult if the element occurs in both the ionic and particulate states. In this investigation the radioactive cerium (Ce144) occurred mostly in the particulate state when added to sea water. The rate of formation of particles containing Ce144 was influenced by dilution, temperature, salinity, added cerium, and the presence of a chelating compound. A culture of Nitzschia closterium containing dividing cells removed all the Ce144 originally added to the medium. Different species of algae concentrated cerium from 300 to 3000 times over amounts in the medium in a period of 30 minutes. After 24 hours all 6 species tested had concentrated cerium from about 2,000 to 4,500 times. Radioactive cerium continues to be taken up for as long as three days by non-dividing Nitzschia cells kept in the dark. The amount of cerium taken up by Nitzschia cells increased as the concentration of cerium in the medium was increased. Particulate cerium became associated with the cells at a faster rate than ionic cerium. The presence of a chelating compound in the medium resulted in a reduction in the uptake of Ce144 by Nitzschia cells. Radioactive Nitzschia cells resuspended in nonactive medium lost about 25 per cent of their contained Ce144 in 5 hours. More Ce144 was lost from cells resuspended in 4 portions of nonactive medium, one after the other, than from cells remaining in the first portion of nonactive medium. A larger amount of Ce144 was lost from cells to medium containing a chelating compound. The greatest loss of Ce144 per unit of protoplasm in cells in nonactive medium was from “biological dilution.” This loss amounted to ½ of the contained activity of the cells at each division.
Micrometastasis to in-transit lymph nodes from extremity and truncal malignant melanoma.

Background: The sentinel lymph node (SLN) is the first lymph node in the regional nodal basin to receive metastatic cells. In-transit nodes are found between the primary melanoma site and regional nodal basins. To date, this is one of the first reports on micrometastasis to in-transit nodes.
Reachability, persistence, and constructive chemical reaction networks (part I): reachability approach to the persistence of chemical reaction networks

For a chemical reaction network, persistence is the property that no species tend to extinction if all species are initially present. We investigate the stronger property of vacuous persistence: the same asymptotic feature with a weaker requirement on initial states, namely that all species be implicitly present. By implicitly present, we mean for instance that if only water is present and the reaction network incorporates the information that water is made of hydrogen and oxygen, then hydrogen and oxygen are implicitly present. Persistence is inherently interesting and has implications for the global asymptotic stability of equilibrium states. Our main tools are the work of A. I. Vol’pert on the nullity and positivity of species concentrations, and the enabling notion of reachability. The main result states that a reaction network is vacuously persistent if and only if the set of all species is the only set of species that both is closed with respect to reachability and causes the implicit presence of all species. This paper is the first in a series of three articles. Two sequel papers introduce additional formalisms and use them to describe two large classes of reaction networks that are used as models in biochemistry and are vacuously persistent.
Isotone solutions of parametric linear complementarity problems

The parametric linear complementarity problem is given by the conditions:q + αp + Mz ⩾ 0,α ⩾ 0,z ⩾ 0,z T (q + αp + Mz) = 0. Under the assumption thatM is a P-matrix, Cottle proved that the solution mapz(α) of the above problem is montonically nondecreasing in the parameterα for every nonnegativeq and everyp if and only ifM is a Minkowski matrix. This paper examines whether a similar result holds in various other settings including a nonlinear case.
VLSI: linking design and manufacturing

A set of computer-aided design (CAD) tools that predict the effects of various manufacturing steps along with the chip's internal dimensions is described. Called the Process Engineer's Workbench, the system predicts the chip's characteristics, their statistical distribution, and the manufacturing yield likely from any one fabrication process. The tools are even sensitive to the small random variations that increase in significance as devices shrink in size. Workbench can be used to compare its programs' predictions and those of other software tools with actual measurements of devices and processes. Some existing CAD tools are reviewed to highlight the Workbench's advantages, and the features of the latter are examined. Written in C language for a Digital Equipment VAXstation, Workbench was designed to be portable and runs on several other popular workstations. It contains two basic libraries, namely, one of device models, the other of process step models. >
Device-quality GaN–dielectric interfaces by 300 °C remote plasma processing

Abstract In previous studies, device-quality Si–SiO2 interfaces and dielectric bulk films (SiO2) were prepared using a two-step process; (i) remote plasma-assisted oxidation (RPAO) to form a superficially interfacial oxide (∼0.6 nm) and (ii) remote plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (RPECVD) to deposit the oxide film. The same approach has been applied to GaN–SiO2 system. Low-temperature (300 °C) remote N2/He plasma cleaning of the GaN surface, and the kinetics of GaN oxidation using RPAO process and subcutaneous oxidation during the SiO2 deposition using an RPECVD process have been investigated from analysis of on-line Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) features associated N and O. Compared to single-step SiO2 deposition, significantly reduced defect state densities are obtained at the GaN–dielectric interfaces by independent control of GaN–GaOx (x∼1.5) interface formation by RPAO, and SiO2 deposition by RPECVD.
Toward a Minimal Representation of Aerosols in Climate Models: Comparative Decomposition of Aerosol Direct, Semidirect, and Indirect Radiative Forcing

AbstractThe authors have decomposed the anthropogenic aerosol radiative forcing into direct contributions from each aerosol species to the planetary energy balance through absorption and scattering of solar radiation, indirect effects of anthropogenic aerosol on solar and infrared radiation through droplet and crystal nucleation on aerosol, and semidirect effects through the influence of solar absorption on the distribution of clouds. A three-mode representation of the aerosol in version 5.1 of the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM5.1) yields global annual mean radiative forcing estimates for each of these forcing mechanisms that are within 0.1 W m−2 of estimates using a more complex seven-mode representation that distinguishes between fresh and aged black carbon and primary organic matter. Simulating fresh black carbon particles separately from internally mixed accumulation mode particles is found to be important only near fossil fuel sources. In addition to the usual large indirect effect on solar radiati...
Cooling of Neutron Stars and X-Ray Observations

Cooling of neutron stars is calculated using an exact stellar evolution code. The full general relativistic version of the stellar structure equations are solved, with the best physical input currently available. For neutron stars with a stiff equation of state, we find that the deviation from the isothermality in the interior is significant and that it takes at least a few thousand years to reach the isothermal state. By comparing the most recent theoretical and observational results, we conclude that for Cas A, SN1006, and probably Tycho, “standard” cooling is inconsistent with the results from the Einstein Observatory, if neutron stars are assumed to be present in these objects. On the other hand, the “detection” points for RCW103 and the Crab are consistent with these theoretical results.
Biochemical correlates of myelination in brain and spinal cord of mice heterozygous for the jimpy gene

: Brain and spinal cord of female mice heterozygous for the jimpy gene were analyzed during development for activity of ceramide galactosyl transferase (CGT) and for levels of myelin basic protein (MBP). CGT activity was low at 13–14 days in brains of heterozygous jimpy females but showed normal levels by 31 –36 days, in agreement with our earlier study of this enzyme. In cord, CGT activity was normal or slightly above normal at all ages studied, from 13–14 days into adulthood. In both brain and cord, decreased levels of MBP were observed at 13 days; by 100 days, amounts of MBP approached normal levels. Proven female carriers of the jimpy gene also showed normal levels of CGT activity, MBP, and isolated myelin at 200–250 days of age in both brain and cord. These biochemical findings agree with previous morphologic measurements in cord demonstrating deficits in myelin at early ages but compensation by 100 days. Our results show that compensation occurs earlier in cord than in brain and that levels of MBP show a closer correlation than CGT activity with amounts of myelin, as measured by either morphometric analysis or direct isolation.
Attack tolerant architecture for big data file systems

Data driven decisions derived from big data have become critical in many application domains, fueling the demand for collection, transportation, storage and processing of massive volumes of data. Such applications have made data a valuable resource that needs to be provided appropriate security. High value associated with big data sets has rendered big data storage systems attractive targets for cyber attackers, whose goal is to compromise the Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability of data and information. Common defense strategy for protecting cyber assets has been to first take preventive measures, and if these fail, detecting intrusions and finally recovery. Unfortunately, attackers have developed tremendous technical sophistication to defeat most defensive mechanisms. Alternative strategy is to design architectures which are intrinsically attack tolerant. This paper describes a technique that involves eliminating single point of security failures through fragmentation, coding, dispersion and reassembly. It is shown that this technique can be successfully applied to routing, networked storage systems, and big data file systems to make them attack tolerant.
Autocrine motility factor stimulates a three-fold increase in inositol trisphosphate in human melanoma cells

Abstract The biochemical pathways through which tumor cell locomotion is mediated are poorly understood. Autocrine motility factor (AMF), which is produced by and stimulates motility in A2058 human melanoma cells, was used to characterize phosphoinositide (PtdIns) metabolism activated in association with tumor cell motility. AMF stimulated up to a 400% increase in de novo incorporation of 3H-myo-inositol into cellular lipids beginning 40 minutes after exposure. In cells prelabeled with 3H-myo-inositol, AMF stimulated a 200% increase in total inositol phosphates (inositol monophosphate, InsP1; inositol bisphosphate, InsP2; inositol trisphophate, InsP3) after 90 minutes of exposure, with a 300% maximal increase in InsP3 at 120 minutes. InsP1 and InsP2 were maximally increased 130% of control values. Treatment with AMF stimulated a parallel dose-dependent increase in both motility and PtdIns levels. We have shown previously that the A2058 motile response to AMF is inhibited markedly by cell pretreatment with pertussis toxin (PT). Inositol phosphate production was inhibited by a 2-hour pretreatment of cells with PT (0.5 μg/ml). PT treatment of A2058 membranes was associated with ADP-ribosylation of a 40-kDa protein consistent with the presence of an α subunit of a guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein). These data indicate that AMF elicits increases in cell motility and phosphoinositide metabolism via a PT-sensitive G protein signal transduction pathway.
Reasonable suspicion of child abuse: finding a common language.

In the United States, the implementation of a successful system of mandated reporting of suspected child abuse continues to be plagued by the absence of a clear standard for when one must report. All 50 states of the U.S. have laws requiring certain individuals to report suspected child abuse. However, at present, there are variable thresholds for mandated reporting and no clear consensus on how existing thresholds should be interpreted. Because "child abuse" is often present as a possible etiology for injuries and non-infectious conditions that beset children, it is problematic to suggest that "the mere possibility of child abuse" qualifies as cause to report. In an effort to move toward a more effective system of mandated reporting of child maltreatment, this paper discusses how the absence of a clear threshold affects mandated reporters, examines the relevant legal and conceptual issues, and suggests future directions for policy, practice, and research. Language: en
A Spatial Agent-Based Model of Malaria: Model Verification and Effects of Spatial Heterogeneity

In agent-based modeling ABM, an explicit spatial representation may be required for certain aspects of the system to be modeled realistically. A spatial ABM includes landscapes in which agents seek resources necessary for their survival. The spatial heterogeneity of the underlying landscape plays a crucial role in the resource-seeking process. This study describes a previous agent-based model of malaria, and the modeling of its spatial extension. In both models, all mosquito agents are represented individually. In the new spatial model, the agents also possess explicit spatial information. Within a landscape, adult female mosquito agents search for two types of resources: aquatic habitats AHs and bloodmeal locations BMLs. These resources are specified within different spatial patterns, or landscapes. Model verification between the non-spatial and spatial models by means of docking is examined. Using different landscapes, the authors show that mosquito abundance remains unchanged. With the same overall system capacity, varying the density of resources in a landscape does not affect abundance. When the density of resources is constant, the overall capacity drives the system. For the spatial model, using landscapes with different resource densities of both resource-types, the authors show that spatial heterogeneity influences the mosquito population.
Building the bionic T cell.

Adoptive T cell transfer studies in mice and in cancer patients have shown substantial potential, but also major barriers, for successful therapeutic outcomes. A new strategy may overcome some of these barriers. T cells can now be engineered with 'autocostimulation' properties along with chimeric receptors specific for tumor antigens (pages 1440–1449).
High times for low-frequency stimulation as endocannabinoids engage in hippocampal long-term depression.

Long-term changes in synaptic efficacy are key neural substrates of learning and memory (Kandel, 2009). This is especially true within the hippocampus, which has been used as a model system for studying the cellular and molecular mediators of synaptic plasticity for almost half a century. Despite this long legacy, new and important cellular mechanisms contributing to synaptic plasticity continue to emerge. In the current issue of Neuropsychopharmacology, Izumi and Zorumski (2011) describe a novel role for endogenous cannabinoid (eCB) signaling in hippocampal long-term depression (LTD), providing new insight into the molecular mechanisms regulating long-term changes in synaptic strength at excitatory synapses in the hippocampus.
Formation of 111Pd isomers in neutron fission of several heavy nucleides

Abstract The cumulative yields of the 111Pd isomers have been measured in fission of 232Th, 233U, 235U, 238U and 239Pu by neutrons. The ratios of the 11 2 metastable state yield to the 5 2 ground state yield are 0·0043, 0·0209, 0·0096, 0·0048 and 0·0186 for the respective nucleides. The estimated error in each value is ±10%. Independent yield isomeric ratios have been calculated for various assumptions of charge distribution. The results of these calculations are discussed in terms of the parameters which describe the charge dispersion of mass-chain 111 and the angular momentum with which the fragments are formed. An upper limit of 0·43% has been placed on the β-decay branch of 111Rh111mPd.
Computational Study on Surface Structure and Crystal Morphology of γ-Fe2O3: Toward Deterministic Synthesis of Nanocrystals

This work is the first application of classical atomistic theory to a comprehensive treatment of γ-Fe2O3 surfaces. The surface energy and attachment energy of several low-index surfaces of γ-Fe2O3 have been calculated by the classical atomistic simulation methods. A mean-field approximation involving scaling the short-range potentials, charges, and force constants of the iron ions by a fraction corresponding to the partial occupation of octahedral iron sites in the spinel structure was employed. Reconstruction of the polar surfaces was required to remove the dipole perpendicular to the surface and to achieve structural stability. This was accomplished through the addition of vacancies. The two-dimensional periodic calculations were carried out with the MARVIN code. The (112) surface consisting of iron and oxygen ions had the smallest relaxed surface energy of 1.86 J/m2, while several others including (001), (011), and (012) were within 0.1 J/m2 of this value. The calculated surface energies of these plane...
Facilitating Merger through Personnel Preparation

There is growing recognition that if "special" and "regular" educators join forces, a stronger, more comprehensive educational system can be developed to better meet the needs of all students. A number of educators are beginning to study and experiment with possible ways this can be done in the elementary and secondary schools. Faculty and programs in higher education can affect this movement and potentially lead the way. A merger in higher education could set an example and personnel could be prepared to facilitate the merger of special and regular education in the elementary and secondary schools. The purpose of this article is to suggest one approach that could be used to merge special and regular education in higher education.
MESENCHYMAL CHONDROSARCOMA OF BONE AND SOFT TISSUE. A REVIEW OF 111 CASES

A series of 111 mesenchymal chondrosarcomas was reviewed. The ages of the patients ranged from 5 to 74 years, and approximately 60% of them were in the second and third decades of life. There was no significant sex predilection. Seventy-two tumors, including 5 that involved multiple skeletal sites, arose in bone. Thirty-eight tumors were found in extraskeletal sites. At initial diagnosis, multifocal involvement, both in bone and in soft tissue, was observed in one case. Roentgenographically, the lesions in bone frequently resembled ordinary chondrosarcomas, showing osteolytic and destructive appearances with stippled calcification. Tumors in extraskeletal sites were almost always identified as calcified masses. Histologically, a combination of cellular zones composed of undifferentiated small cells and chondroid zones typically presented a bimorphic appearance that was virtually pathognomonic in most cases. Ablative surgical treatment seemed to be the procedure of choice. The value of irradiation or chemotherapy (or both) was difficult to assess in the current study. Prognosis for patients with mesenchymal chondrosarcoma is usually poor, and long-term follow-up is necessary. In a group of 23 patients from the Mayo Clinic, the 5-year survival rate was 54.6% and the 10-year survival rate was 27.3%. Cancer 57:2444–2453, 1986.