cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Computational Study of Active-set Logics for Nonlinear Programming

Abstract The effectiveness of four active-set logics, Kelley's dual-violator rule, Sargent's worst-violator rule, Goldfarb's rule and Das' logic has been studied for three optimization processes of Newton, quasi-Newton and steepestdcoccnt typco. The dual-violator and worot-violator rulcc attempt to chooco the active set as small as possible at some risk of infeasibility, while the other two logics drop constraints in a delicate and quite conservative manner which guarantees feasibility, to alleviate the cycling phenomenon often met with least-constrained strategies. An enumerative combinational logic, inefficient for large numbers of constraints, is also evaluated as a yardstick. In calculations for 24 quadratic test problems with linear constraints used in the present study, it is found that where relatively few constraints are active at the solution, the dual-violator and worst-violator rules performed better than or as well as the Goldfarb and Das logic, and in other cases where many constraints are active at the solution the Goldfarb and Das logics tend to perform comparatively better.
Model-based feasibility assessment and evaluation of prostate hyperthermia with a commercial MR-guided endorectal HIFU ablation array

Purpose: Feasibility of targeted and volumetric hyperthermia (40–45 °C) delivery to the prostate with a commercial MR-guided endorectal ultrasound phased array system, designed specifically for thermal ablation and approved for ablation trials (ExAblate 2100, Insightec Ltd.), was assessed through computer simulations and tissue-equivalent phantom experiments with the intention of fast clinical translation for targeted hyperthermia in conjunction with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Methods: The simulations included a 3D finite element method based biothermal model, and acoustic field calculations for the ExAblate ERUS phased array (2.3 MHz, 2.3 × 4.0 cm2, ∼1000 channels) using the rectangular radiator method. Array beamforming strategies were investigated to deliver protracted, continuous-wave hyperthermia to focal prostate cancer targets identified from representative patient cases. Constraints on power densities, sonication durations and switching speeds imposed by ExAblate hardware and software were incorporated in the models. Preliminary experiments included beamformed sonications in tissue mimicking phantoms under MR temperature monitoring at 3 T (GE Discovery MR750W). Results: Acoustic intensities considered during simulation were limited to ensure mild hyperthermia (Tmax 41 °C) were estimated. Numerical simulations indicated that T > 41 °C was calculated in 13–23 cm3 volumes for sonications with planar or diverging beam patterns at 0.9–1.2 W/cm2, in 4.5–5.8 cm3 volumes for simultaneous multipoint focus beam patterns at ∼0.7 W/cm2, and in ∼6.0 cm3 for curvilinear (cylindrical) beam patterns at 0.75 W/cm2. Focused heating patterns may be practical for treating focal disease in a single posterior quadrant of the prostate and diffused heating patterns may be useful for heating quadrants, hemigland volumes or even bilateral targets. Treatable volumes may be limited by pubic bone heating. Therapeutic temperatures were estimated for a range of physiological parameters, sonication duty cycles and rectal cooling. Hyperthermia specific phasing patterns were implemented on the ExAblate prostate array and continuous-wave sonications (∼0.88 W/cm2, 15 min) were performed in tissue-mimicking material with real-time MR-based temperature imaging (PRFS imaging at 3.0 T). Shapes of heating patterns observed during experiments were consistent with simulations. Conclusions: The ExAblate 2100, designed specifically for thermal ablation, can be controlled for delivering continuous hyperthermia in prostate while working within operational constraints.
Transpired Turbulent Boundary Layers Subject to Forced Convection and External Pressure Gradients

The problem of forced convection transpired turbulent boundary layers with external pressure gradient has been studied by using different scalings proposed by various researchers. Three major results were obtained: First, for adverse pressure gradient boundary layers with suction, the mean deficit profiles collapse with the free stream velocity, U‘ , but into different curves depending on the strength of the blowing parameter and the upstream conditions. Second, the dependencies on the blowing parameter, the Reynolds number, and the strength of pressure gradient are removed from the outer flow when the mean deficit profiles are normalized by the Zagarola/Smits [Zagarola, M. V., and Smits, A. J., 1998, ‘‘Mean-Flow Scaling of Turbulent Pipe Flow,’’ J. Fluid Mech., 373 ,3 3‐79] scaling, U‘d * /d. Third, the temperature profiles collapse into a single curve using the new inner and outer scalings proposed by Wang and Castillo [Wang, X., and Castillo, L., 2003, ‘‘Asymptotic Solutions in Forced Convection Turbulent Boundary Layers,’’ J. Turbulence, 4(006)], which produce the true asymptotic profiles even at finite Pe
Stability of D1-strings Inside a D3-brane

Within the tachyon condensation approach, we find that a D(p−2)-brane is stable inside Dp-branes when the bulk is compactified. It is a codimension-2 soliton of the Dp-brane action with coupling to the bulk (p−1)-form RR field. We discuss the properties of such solitons. They may appear as detectable cosmic strings in our universe.
An efficient synthesis of glycosyl esters exploiting the mitsunobu reaction.

Abstract The anomeric hydroxyl group of various pyranose hemiacetals can be esterified with inversion of configuration, conveniently, mildly and on large-scale using triphenylphosphine (TPP), with either diisopropylazodicarboxylate (DIAD) or diethylazodicarboxylate (DEAD) and a carboxylic acid in THF at either −50° C or at room temperature.
Signatures of Accretion Disks in Quasar Microlensing

We propose that the relative variability on short timescales of the multiple images of a lensed quasar, after removal of the time delay, may be caused by hot spots or other moving structures in the accretion disk crossing microlens caustics caused by stellar-mass objects in the lensing galaxy. Such variability has been reported in the two images of 0957+561. The short durations would be caused by the high rotation speed of the disk (v/c ~ 0.1), rather than by planetary mass objects in the slowly moving (v/c ~ 10-3) lens. This interpretation could be confirmed by finding periodicity, or correlations of the spectral and flux variations caused by the Doppler effect in the disk. We also propose another signature of stationary accretion disks (with no intrinsic variability): the gradient of the magnification over the accretion disk should cause a relative color change between the images whose sign and amplitude are correlated with the time derivative of the flux difference between the images. Other color terms induced by the radial variation of disk colors are of second order in the magnification gradient. The methods proposed here can be used first to verify that accretion disks near supermassive black holes are the source of the continuum radiation from quasars, and then to study them.
Marginal Effects in the Censored Regression Model

Abstract We find that a well known result for marginal effects in the censored regression model with normally distributed disturbances applies more generally to any censored regression model in which the disturbances have a continuous distribution. The result suggests a comparison of the coefficients and marginal effects in alternative models, e.g. normal vs. logistic, that is qualitatively different from the familiar counterpart in the probit and logit models for binary choice.
Unresolved gamma rays from high-spin states

Abstract The γ rays emitted from the highest-spin states in nuclei cannot be resolved using present techniques. Nevertheless, methods are being developed to study nuclear structures in this spin range. While the general properties observed are in accord with present expectations, more detailed information seems to indicate some unexpected behavior.
Cambrian explosion and Permian quiescence: Implications of rugged fitness landscapes

The transition from the late Precambrian to Cambrian coincided with a massive increase in diversity of multicellular organisms and the rapid establishment of a large number of phyla. In contrast, the Permian extinction 200 million years ago was followed by as rapid an increase at the family level, but no new phyla or classes emerged. This asymmetry has suggested alternative theories based on greater ecological opportunity in the Cambrian, or special developmental canalization ‘locking in’ development by the Permian. I suggest instead that the asymmetry reflects generic features of adaptive evolution on rugged ‘fitness landscapes’.
Properties of plasma-sprayed bond coats

Increasing bond coat oxidation resistance has been clearly linked to increasing durability of the ceramic layer of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). However, recent studies have shown that significant differences in TBC life can be achieved for different bond coats that exhibit little or no difference in oxidation behav-ior. These data suggest that bond coat properties other than oxidation resistance can also influence TBC life. Determination of which properties affect TBC life and how they do so could be valuable in designing new, more durable TBCs. This paper reviews the results of comparative studies of the properties of three bond coat compositions that have similar oxidation behavior but different TBC lives. An analysis of the properties indicates that the thermal cycle residual stress, calculated from the coefficient of thermal ex-pansion and the stress relaxation behavior of the three alloys, is strongly correlated to the observed dif-ferences in TBC life.
OPTIMAL LOW-THRUST INTERCEPTION OF EARTH-CROSSING ASTEROIDS

The spectacular collision of the Shoemaker–Levy 9 asteroid with Jupiter in July 1994 was a dramatic reminder of the inevitability of such catastrophes in the Earth’s future unless steps are taken to develop methods for Earthapproaching object detection and possible interdiction. In this work, optimal (minimum-time) trajectories are determined for the interception of asteroids that pose a threat of collision with the Earth. An impulsive-thrust escape from the Earth is used initially to reduce  ight time but is followed with continuous low-thrust propulsion using values of thrust and speci c impulse representative of electric motors. The continuous optimization problem is formulatedas a nonlinearprogrammingproblemusing the collocationmethod inwhich thedifferential equations of motion are included as nonlinear constraint equations. The use of low-thrust propulsion after Earth escape is shown to dramatically decrease the mass of the interceptor vehicle at launch.
CHROMOSPHERIC EVAPORATION IN SOLAR FLARES REVISITED

We investigate the initial stage of chromospheric evaporation in flares using soft X-ray spectra obtained by the Bragg Crystal Spectrometer (BCS) experiment on Yohkoh. We find that the centroid wavelength of the Ca XIX line in spectra with the first detectable emission is within about 8.5 × 10-4 A of the rest wavelength, which corresponds to a Doppler shift of no more than 80 km s-1. We also determine the minimum detectable soft X-ray flare volume emission measure from BCS Ca XIX flare spectra. We find that the minimum detectable emission measured by BCS is produced by an X-ray flux that is about equal to the peak intensity of a class A6 flare. These results are difficult to reconcile with one-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations of an impulsively heated flare loop, which predict large Doppler shifts during the initial stage of the heating. Furthermore, inspection of high spatial resolution TRACE images of flare plasma indicate significant differences between the observed morphology and the predictions of hydrodynamic models. The evolution of the intensity and the Doppler shifts are more consistent with models that assume the sequential heating of small-scale threads rather than the heating of an individual loop. However, the bright knots of emission and asymmetrical intensity distributions seen in flare images cannot be explained by current numerical models of chromospheric evaporation.
CONSISTENCY CONDITION FOR THE PINCH TECHNIQUE SELF-ENERGIES AT TWO LOOPS

Abstract A simple and testable necessary condition for the gauge independence of the pinch technique self-energies at two loops is discussed. It is then shown that, in the case of the Z and W self-energies, the condition is indeed satisfied by the Papavassiliou-Pilaftsis formulation.
Universal TSC module and its application to the design of TSC circuits

Abstract In this paper, we present a universal totally self-checking (TSC) module and show that it can be used as a TSC AND, OR, NAND or NOR gate by performing appropriate routing at its input and/or output. We use the two-rail code to encode the signals and consider the multiple unidirectional stuck-at-fault model. We study the utility of such TSC modules in obtaining the TSC realization of a given circuit from its gate level description. We show that it is possible to obtain the SFS realization of a given circuit by replacing each gate in it with its respective TSC version. We discuss the properties that a circuit must have in order to obtain its TSC realization in this manner using the TSC gate.
Tidally-driven transport in accretion disks in close binary systems

Abstract The effects of binary tidal forces on transport within an accretion disk are studied with a time-dependent hydrodynamical model of a two-dimensional isothermal accretion disk. Tidal forces quickly truncate the accretion disk to radii of order half the average radius of the Roche lobe, and excite a two-armed spiral wave that remains stationary in the rotating reference frame of the binary system. We measure an effective α of order 0.1 near the outer edge of the disk in all of our models, independent of the mass ratio of the binary system, the Mach number of the orbital motion in the disk, and the radial density profile of the disk. The value of α drops with decreasing radius, implying that steady-state models (constant mass accretion rate at all radii) do not exist. In cold disks with high Mach number, the effective α drops so rapidly that it falls below our threshold of measurement (∼10−3) at a radius of only one third the tidal radius. In warmer disks where the Mach numbers remain below 20, we can measure an effective α down to radii 10 times smaller than the maximum size of the disk.
Secure Symmetrical Multilevel Diversity Coding

Symmetrical multilevel diversity coding (SMDC) is a network compression problem introduced by Roche (1992) and Yeung (1995). In this setting, a simple separate encoding strategy known as superposition coding was shown to be optimal in terms of achieving the minimum sum rate (Roche-Yeung-Hau 1997) and the entire admissible rate region (Yeung-Zhang 1999) of the general problem. This paper considers a natural generalization of SMDC to the secure communication setting with an additional eavesdropper. It is required that all sources need to be kept perfectly secret from the eavesdropper as long as the number of encoder outputs available at the eavesdropper is no more than a given threshold. First, the problem of encoding individual sources is studied. A precise characterization of the entire admissible rate region is established via a connection to the problem of ramp-type secret sharing (Yamamoto 1985 and Blakley-Meadows 1985) and utilizing some basic polyhedral structure of the admissible rate region. Building on this result, it is then shown that superposition coding remains optimal in terms of achieving the minimum sum rate for the general secure SMDC problem.
Pressure field in a shock-compressed high explosive

Pressure histories have been measured at the impacted face and the downstream face ofshocked PBX-9404 explosive samples, and they indicate pressure growth with time due to chemical energy release. A real-time correlation is noted between the traces at the two faces. A simple model of the development of the pressure field is suggested by this correlation, and is examined by comparison with the data. This comparison reveals the development behind the shock front of a pressure hump, which tends to overtake the front as the shock wave builds toward detonation. Reactions continuing well after shock front passage thus appear to contribute particularly to the late stages of shock-wave buildup toward detonation.
Retro-MoRFs: Identifying Protein Binding Sites by Normal and Reverse Alignment and Intrinsic Disorder Prediction

Many cell functions in all living organisms rely on protein-based molecular recognition involving disorder-to-order transitions upon binding by molecular recognition features (MoRFs). A well accepted computational tool for identifying likely protein-protein interactions is sequence alignment. In this paper, we propose the combination of sequence alignment and disorder prediction as a tool to improve the confidence of identifying MoRF-based protein-protein interactions. The method of reverse sequence alignment is also rationalized here as a novel approach for finding additional interaction regions, leading to the concept of a retro-MoRF, which has the reversed sequence of an identified MoRF. The set of retro-MoRF binding partners likely overlap the partner-sets of the originally identified MoRFs. The high abundance of MoRF-containing intrinsically disordered proteins in nature suggests the possibility that the number of retro-MoRFs could likewise be very high. This hypothesis provides new grounds for exploring the mysteries of protein-protein interaction networks at the genome level.
Two impurities in a d-wave superconductor: Local density of states

We study the problem of two local potential scatterers in a d-wave superconductor, and show how quasiparticle bound-state wave functions interfere. Each single-impurity electron and hole resonance energy is in general split in the presence of a second impurity into two, corresponding to one even parity and one odd parity state. We calculate the local density of states (LDOS), and argue that scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) measurements of two-impurity configurations should provide more robust information about the superconducting state than one-impurity LDOS patterns. In some configurations highly localized, long-lived states are predicted. We discuss the effects of realistic band structures, and how two-impurity STM measurements could help distinguish between current explanations of LDOS impurity spectra in the BSCCO-2212 system.
Exact Absorption Probabilities for the D3-Brane

We consider a minimal scalar in the presence of a three-brane in ten dimensions. The linearized equation of motion, which is just the wave equation in the three-brane metric, can be solved in terms of associated Mathieu functions. An exact expression for the reflection and absorption probabilities can be obtained in terms of the characteristic exponent of Mathieu's equation. We describe an algorithm for obtaining the low-energy behavior as a series expansion, and discuss the implications for the world-volume theory of D3-branes.
Digital information and communication networks and scientific research substance – An investigation of meteorology

This poster reports the results of a dissertation study investigating research meteorologists' current usage and evaluation of information and communication technologies (ICT) in performing research tasks and the current relationship between meteorologists' ICT use and two content characteristics of their research outputs – data integration and intra/interdiscipliarity. Suggestions are provided on the improvements of technical, social, political, and educational settings to promote large-scale date integration and intra-/interdisciplinary research. The theoretical implications and practical implications from these findings are discussed. The limitations of the current research and suggestions for future research are also presented.
Sketchpad a Man-Machine Graphical Communication System:

The Sketchpad system makes it possible for a man and a computer to converse rapidly through the medium of line drawings. Heretofore, most interaction between man and computers has been slowed down by the need to reduce all communication to written statements that can be typed; in the past, we have been writing letters to rather than conferring with our computers. For many types of communication, such as describing the shape of a mechanical part or the connections of an electrical circuit, typed statements can prove cumbersome. The Sketchpad system, by eliminating typed statements (except for legends) in favor of line drawings, opens up a new area of man-machine communication.
Toroidalization of generating sequences in dimension two function fields

Abstract Let k be an algebraically closed field of characteristic 0, and let K ∗ / K be a finite extension of algebraic function fields of transcendence degree 2 over k. Let ν ∗ be a k-valuation of K ∗ with valuation ring V ∗ , and let ν be the restriction of ν ∗ to K. Suppose that R → S is an extension of algebraic regular local rings with quotient fields K and K ∗ respectively, such that V ∗ dominates S and S dominates R. We prove that there exist sequences of quadratic transforms R → R ¯ and S → S ¯ along ν ∗ such that S ¯ dominates R ¯ and the map between generating sequences of ν and ν ∗ has a toroidal structure. Our result extends the Strong Monomialization theorem of Cutkosky and Piltant.
Low-threshold two-dimensional annular Bragg lasers

Lasing at telecommunication wavelengths from annular resonators employing radial Bragg reflectors is demonstrated at room temperature under pulsed optical pumping. Submilliwatt pump threshold levels are observed for resonators with 0.5-1.5-wavelength-wide defects of radii 7-8 µm. The quality factors of the resonator modal fields are estimated to be of the order of a few thousand. The electromagnetic field is shown to be guided by the defect. Good agreement is found between the measured and the calculated spectra.
Analysis of parachute opening dynamics with supporting wind-tunnel experiments

The equation of motion for parachutes inflating under finite mass conditions in a horizontal flow wind tunnel is established and organized in view of the nonsteady terms of canopy size, velocity, included and apparent masses, and the time derivatives of these terms. Windtunnel experiments are described, the results of which yield graphical and numerical time functions for the terms of the equation of motion. In the test range under investigation, these functions appear to be unique. The wind-tunnel results are compared with full-size test information and certain identities are shown. The numerical functions are substituted in the equation of motion and force-time histories calculated. Calculated and measured forces agree fairly well, and the calculations show the contributions of the various terms to the total force.
Achieving 100% throughput in reconfigurable optical networks

We study the maximum throughput properties of dynamically reconfigurable optical network architectures having wavelength and port constraints. Using stability as the throughput performance metric, we outline the single-hop and multi-hop stability regions of the network. Our analysis of the stability regions is a generalization of the BvN decomposition technique that has been so effective at expressing any stabilizable rate matrix for input-queued switches as a convex combination of service configurations. We consider generalized decompositions for physical topologies with wavelength and port constraints. For the case of a single wavelength per optical fiber, we link the decomposition problem to a corresponding routing and wavelength assignment (RWA) problem. We characterize the stability region of the reconfigurable network, employing both single-hop and multi-hop routing, in terms of the RWA problem applied to the same physical topology. We derive expressions for two geometric properties of the stability region: maximum stabilizable uniform arrival rate and maximum scaled doubly substochastic region. These geometric properties provide a measure of the performance gap between a network having a single wavelength per optical fiber and its wavelength-unconstrained version. They also provide a measure of the performance gap between algorithms employing single-hop versus multi-hop electronic routing in coordination with WDM reconfiguration.
Diffusion Flame Stabilization at the Leading Edge of a Fuel Plate

Abstract A theoretical model of a laminar diffusion flame at the leading edge of a fuel plate in a forced convective flow is presented and solved numerically to study the flame stabilization and blowoff phenomena. The system of governing equations consists of the two-dimensional Navier-Stokes momentum, energy and species equations with a one-step overall chemical reaction and second-order, finite rate Arrhenius kinetics. The computation is performed over a wide range of Damkohler numbers. For large Damkohler numbers, envelope flames are found to exist where the computed fuel evaporation rate, the flame stand-off distance and the velocity profiles show certain similitude. As the Damkohler number is lowered, a transition to open-tip flame takes place where the flame becomes stabilized on the sides of the fuel plate. Further decreasing of the Damkohler number pushes the diffusion flame downstream out of the leading edge region. In this paper, the flame structures of the envelope and the open-tip flames are p...
Studies of the relation of plasma androgen levels to androgen action in women

Abstract Testosterone-estradiol-binding-globulin (TEBG) is a major determinant of androgen disposition and action. TEBG levels, but not free testosterone levels, correlate with the metabolic clearance rate (MCR) of testosterone in normal women. This suggests that the testosterone MCR reflects androgen removal by the liver, an organ which removes a large fraction of steroid on a single passage, rather than the concentration of unbound androgen. Consequently, testosterone production seems more closely related to androgen catabolism than to androgen action. In support of this concept, we have studied a hirsute woman in whom testosterone clearance and production were elevated in the presence of a normal free testosterone level; her hirsutism seems related to androgens other than testosterone. Although testosterone is of major importance, androgen action seems to result from the net effect of several free plasma 17β-hydroxysteroids, including particularly androstenediol and dihydrotestosterone. About 25% of women with moderate male-pattern hirsutism have normal total and free plasma testosterone levels. In most such cases total 17β-hydroxysteroids are also normal. However, an abnormally low fraction of all these 17β-hydroxysteroids is bound to TEBG. As a result, an increase in the plasma “total androgenicity index” is present in this group of patients. Such women do not necessarily evidence increased testosterone production. Obesity appears to be another important determinant of androgen disposition and action. The testosterone MCR correlates well with adiposity independently of the TEBG levels in normal women. In addition, hyperandrogenism is frequently present with minimal or no hirsutism in obese women. This finding suggests that obesity increases the apparent “threshold” at which hirsutism appears in response to androgen or that obesity is a result of slight hyperandrogenism.
A duality proof of Tchakaloff's theorem

Abstract Tchakaloff's theorem establishes the existence of a quadrature rule of prescribed degree relative to a positive, compactly supported measure that is absolutely continuous with respect to Lebesgue measure on R d . Subsequent extensions were obtained by Mysovskikh and by Putinar. We provide new proofs and partial extensions of these results, based on duality techniques utilized by Stochel. We also obtain new uniqueness criteria in the Truncated Complex Moment Problem.
Efficient synthesis of neomycin B related aminoglycosides

Abstract Aminoglycosides 6′-hydroxyl-ribostamycin and 5-(α-neobiosamine)-2-deoxystreptamine were chemically synthesized. These compounds will be used as standards to compare RNA binding affinity and specificity with neomycin B.
THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING TORUS

Abstract Using M(atrix) theory, the dualities of toroidally compactified M-theory can be formulated as properties of super Yang Mills theories in various dimensions. We consider the cases of compactification on 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-dimensional tori. The dualities required by string theory lead to conjectures of remarkable symmetries and relations between field theories as well as extremely unusual dynamical properties. By studying the theories in the limit of vanishingly small tori, a wealth of information is obtained about strongly coupled fixed points of super Yang-Mills theory in various dimensions. Perhaps the most striking behavior, as noted by Rozali in this context, is the emergence of an additional dimension of space in the case of a 4-torus.
Propagation of a premixed flame in a divided-chamber combustor

The propagation of premixed ethylene-air mixtures (of 0.5, 0.525, 0.55, and 0.65 equivalence ratios) in a divided-chamber combustor was investigated. The vessel, divided by a small cylindrical prechamber, had optical access (for laser-schlieren videography) and was instrumented by a pressure transducer. For the Reynolds numbers of 1870, 2300, and 2830, the observed spatial development of the laminar flames showed that the flame position and shape could be scaled by a characteristic time, based on the burned gas flame speed and the length of the prechamber. Above a Reynolds number of 4330, this scaling breaks down the appearance of Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities. The observed flame propagation was compared with predictions obtained with a numerical model of flame propagation. The calculated spatial and temporal development of the flame in the main combustion chamber agreed with the experimental observations only for the lowest Reynolds number (1870).
A dynamic simulation-optimization model for adaptive management of urban water distribution system contamination threats

Dynamic simulation is performed to model water distribution system contamination.Dynamic optimization is used to track time-varying optimal response protocols.Dynamic models provide adaptive decision support for public health protection. Urban water distribution systems hold a critical and strategic position in preserving public health and industrial growth. Despite the ubiquity of these urban systems, aging infrastructure, and increased risk of terrorism, decision support models for a timely and adaptive contamination emergency response still remain at an undeveloped stage. Emergency response is characterized as a progressive, interactive, and adaptive process that involves parallel activities of processing streaming information and executing response actions. This study develops a dynamic decision support model that adaptively simulates the time-varying emergency environment and tracks changing best health protection response measures at every stage of an emergency in real-time. Feedback mechanisms between the contaminated network, emergency managers, and consumers are incorporated in a dynamic simulation model to capture time-varying characteristics of an emergency environment. An evolutionary-computation-based dynamic optimization model is developed to adaptively identify time-dependant optimal health protection measures during an emergency. This dynamic simulation-optimization model treats perceived contaminant source attributes as time-varying parameters to account for perceived contamination source updates as more data stream in over time. Performance of the developed dynamic decision support model is analyzed and demonstrated using a mid-size virtual city that resembles the dynamics and complexity of real-world urban systems. This adaptive emergency response optimization model is intended to be a major component of an all-inclusive cyberinfrastructure for efficient contamination threat management, which is currently under development.
Fibrin glue for all anal fistulas

The aim of this study was to determine if a new sphincter muscle-sparing technique that uses fibrin glue was effective in closing all types of anal fistulas. All patients with anal fistulas who were seen by a single surgeon over a 2-year period were treated with fibrin glue. Six to 8 weeks after a seton was placed in the fistula tract, either autologous fibrin glue or commercially available fibrin sealant was used to close the fistula tract. Twenty patients were treated with a mean follow-up of 10 months. Etiology of the anal fistulas was as follows: cryptoglandular in 13, Crohn's disease in four, and miscellaneous in three. Fibrin glue closure of the anal fistula was successful initially in 15 patients (75%) and was successful after a second treatment in two additional patients, for an overall fibrin glue fistula closure rate of 85% (17 of 20). Functional results have remained excellent with no patient reporting any change in continence after treatment. Fibrin glue is simple and effective treatment for all anal fistulas with excellent functional results.
SUFFICIENT EXTRA DIMENSIONS

Matrix algebra notation in introduced which extends Dirac abstract vector notation to explicitly describe standard hadrons, leptons and a specific type of 1-brane. The 3×3×3 matrix notation is easily used with the path integral approach to model both strong and weak interactions. The specific 1-brane, called a tripartite string (a type of orientifold), has three extra spatial dimensions and three extra curvature dimensions which are necessary to describe standard particles. The extra spatial dimensions compactify to one area-like metric which, when scaled according to the Randall-Sundrum approach, gives a mass metric which is orthogonal to fundamental particle quanta. A model of photons and the massive, oscillating neutrio is inherent to the tripartite string. R-S scaling is further employed in conjunction with complex gravity to produce a unique cosmological model which inherently explains the cosmological 'constant'. This model of the universe is cyclic in mass and time, where cosmological time is treated as an imaginary metric. It is further established that, for consistency with M/string theory, the 'singularity' of black hole is in fact finite; and that a tetrahedral structure qualitatively models the source of Galactic Annihilation Fountains.
Structure and function of the Haemophilus influenzae autotransporters

Autotransporters are a large class of proteins that are found in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria and are almost universally implicated in virulence. These proteins consist of a C-terminal β-domain that is embedded in the outer membrane and an N-terminal domain that is exposed on the bacterial surface and is endowed with effector function. In this article, we review and compare the structural and functional characteristics of the Haemophilus influenzae IgA1 protease and Hap monomeric autotransporters and the H. influenzae Hia and Hsf trimeric autotransporters. All of these proteins play a role in colonization of the upper respiratory tract and in the pathogenesis of H. influenzae disease.
Age and Farmer Productivity

Farmer productivity by age was estimated, allowing for differences because of efficiency and returns to scale. Using Census of Agriculture data, estimates vary by state, but returns to scale average 1.07. Efficiency increases average 4.5 percent every ten years of age, to the age interval 35 to 44, and then decreases at that same rate.(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)
Economic stagnation in the United States: underlying causes and global consequences

This paper analyzes the causes of the slow recovery of the US economy since the financial crisis and Great Recession of 2008-9. Fallen house values and excessive household debts continue to depress consumer spending, while corporations are failing to invest in spite of record profits. The increasingly unequal distribution of income limits demand, while long-term structural transformations continue to erode employment creation. An expansionary monetary policy has been incapable of sparking a more robust recovery and fiscal policy has been shifted to an austerity stance. In this context, Brazil and other emerging market nations cannot count on the United States to continue to be the leading source of global demand as it was in previous decades.
Boundary value problems and layer potentials on manifolds with cylindrical ends

We study the method of layer potentials for manifolds with boundary and cylindrical ends. The fact that the boundary is non-compact prevents us from using the standard characterization of Fredholm or compact pseudo-differential operators between Sobolev spaces, as, for example, in the works of Fabes-Jodeit-Lewis [10] and Kral-Wedland [18]. We first study the layer potentials depending on a parameter on compact manifolds. This then yields the invertibility of the relevant boundary integral operators in the global, non-compact setting. As an application, we prove a well-posedness result for the non-homogeneous Dirichlet problem on manifolds with boundary and cylindrical ends. We also prove the existence of the Dirichlet-to-Neumann map, which we show to be a pseudodifferential operator in the calculus of pseudodifferential operators that are “almost translation invariant at infinity.”
The advantages of built-in checking

Electronic computers save money. That is the basic economic fact behind all of the current activity in the designing and building of information-processing systems. The job of the engineering designer is economic as well as technical. He must balance many factors as well as he knows how in order to achieve maximum utility at minimum cost.
Regio- and stereoselective Ni-catalyzed 1,4-hydroboration of 1,3-dienes: access to stereodefined (Z)-allylboron reagents and derived allylic alcohols.

A catalytic regio- and stereoselective 1,4-hydroboration of 1,3-dienes was accomplished with pinacolborane in the presence of Ni(cod)2 and PCy3. This reaction exhibits broad substrate scope operati...
Waves and persistence in merger and acquisition activity

Abstract Markov regime-switching and sine-wave models have been used to capture the apparent wave-like behavior in aggregate U.S. merger and acquisition (M and A) activity. In this paper we offer an alternative characterization of the dynamic structure in M and A activity as a strongly dependent or long-memory process.
Mechanism of Chlorpropamide Action in Diabetes Insipidus

ABSTRACT The mechanism of the antidiuretic action of chlorpropamide was studied in 13 patients with vasopressin-sensitive diabetes insipidus (DI) and in 9 normal water loaded subjects. An antidiuresis occurred in 10 of 13 patients and in all the normal subjects. A significant positive correlation was found between the ability of the patients to reduce the free water clearance (CH20) in response to water deprivation and the ability to reduce the CH20 in response to subsequent chlorpropamide treatment. Both ethanol and water loading were able to overcome the chlorpropamide-induced antidiuresis. Water deprivation while the patients were receiving chlorpropamide resulted in a further increase in urine concentration. The data indicate that, for chlorpropamide to be able to produce an antidiuresis, some low level of endogenous antidiuretic hormone (ADH) must be present. The observations can best be explained by the hypothesis that chlorpropamide is capable of potentiating the action of low, submaximal levels of...
Polarization Aberration Diagrams

Polarization aberrations are variations of the polarization associated with different ray paths through an optical system. This paper presents particular polarization aberration expansion that is second order in the object and pupil coordinates and describes polarization effects that are functionally equivalent to the wavefront aberration terms: piston, tilt, and defocus. This polarization aberration expansion is applicable to weakly polarizing systems, such as radially symmetric systems of lenses and coatings, as well as to strongly polarizing systems incorporating polarizers and retarders. A computer simulation of this expansion has been performed, and graphical results are presented displaying the effect of 24 of these polarization aberrations acting on linearly and circularly polarized light.
Experimental data and theoretical modeling of gas flows through metal capillary leaks

Abstract Metal capillary tubes are commonly used as leak elements to admit known flows of gases into vacuum systems for calibration of vacuum gaging equipment. In many instances it is desired to generate flow rates over a range of three or more decades, preferably with a single leak element. The generation of flow rates over wide ranges is possible with metal capillary leaks, but in most cases the conductance of the leak element will need to be measured as a function of the relevant pressures due to the changing of the flow regimes. Many fits to experimental data and theoretical models exist for predicting the flow rate through tubes, but their validity is not well established. In this study, measured conductances of stainless steel tubes for flow rates of 10 −8 to 10 −14 mol s −1 with several inert gases are compared with various experimental and theoretical models of gas flow in the molecular, viscous and transition flow regimes. Characteristics of crimped metal capillaries are also examined over this range of flows.
Smoothing bias in density derivative estimation

Abstract This article discusses a generic feature of density estimation by local smoothing, namely that estimated derivatives and location score vectors will display a systematic downward (attenuation) bias. We study the behavior of kernel estimators, indicating how the derivative bias arises and showing a simple result. We then consider the estimation of score vectors (negative log-density derivatives), which are motivated by the problem of estimating average derivatives and the adaptive estimation of regression models. Using “fixed bandwidth” limits, we show how scores are proportionally downward biased for normal densities and argue from normal mixture densities that proportional bias can be a reasonable approximation. We propose a simple diagnostic statistic for score bias.
Three-point configurations determined by subsets of $$\mathbb{F}_q^2$$ via the Elekes-Sharir Paradigm

We prove that if $$E \subset \mathbb{F}_Q^2$$ , q ? 3 mod 4, has size greater than $$Cq^{\tfrac{7} {4}}$$ , then E determines a positive proportion of all congruence classes of triangles in $$\mathbb{F}_q^2$$ . The approach in this paper is based on the approach to the Erd?s distance problem in the plane due to Elekes and Sharir, followed by an incidence bound for points and lines in $$\mathbb{F}_q^3$$ . We also establish a weak lower bound for a related problem in the sense that any subset E of $$\mathbb{F}_q^2$$ of size less than cq 4/3 definitely does not contain a positive proportion of translation classes of triangles in the plane. This result is a special case of a result established for n-simplices in $$\mathbb{F}_q^d$$ . Finally, a necessary and sufficient condition on the lengths of a triangle for it to exist in $$\mathbb{F}^2$$ for any field $$\mathbb{F}$$ of characteristic not equal to 2 is established as a special case of a result for d-simplices in $$\mathbb{F}^d$$ .
Is p53 an independent prognostic factor in patients with laryngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND Carcinoma of the true vocal cord represents the earliest clinically recognizable invasive malignancy in the head and neck region and provides a unique model for studying possible prognostic genetic markers. The aim of this study was to determine whether p53 overexpression correlated with tumor recurrence in a homogenous population of patients with early stage glottic carcinoma treated with radiotherapy alone. METHODS One hundred and fourteen patients with T1N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the glottis were treated with curative radiotherapy between 1976 and 1990. With a median follow-up of 6 years, actuarial local control was 80% with 23 local recurrences. Laryngeal biopsy specimens obtained prior to radiation therapy were analyzed retrospectively in 22 patients. Forty-five patients with local control were used as a control group. p53 overexpression indicating a mutated p53 gene was analyzed by immunohistochemistry using the mouse monoclonal antibody D0-7. RESULTS Approximately 82% of carcinomas that recurred locally expressed p53 compared with only 29% of those with local control (P < 0.001). No significant relation was noted between p53 expression and histologic grade. Intensity of staining did not predict tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS The authors believe that this case-controlled study demonstrated the role of p53 as an independent prognostic factor in patients with early stage glottic carcinoma. Cancer 1998;82:286-91. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
Food System Organization and Performance: Toward a Conceptual Framework

My purpose is to explore some ideas and problems concerning a conceptual framework for organizing knowledge of the relationship between political-economic organization and performance, with application to the U.S. food system. The connection with postKeynesian economics is that of a common belief that existing paradigms are inadequate to inform some critical economic policies, especially those involving stagflation. This is stimulating a reexamination of assumptions about important variables and relationships. Most notable is the examination of the role of
Testing for heterogeneous treatment effects in experimental data: false discovery risks and correction procedures

We review the statistical models applied to test for heterogeneous treatment effects in the recent empirical literature, with a particular focus on data from randomised field experiments. We show that testing for heterogeneous treatment effects is highly common, and likely to result in a large number of false discoveries when conventional decision rules are applied. We demonstrate that applying correction procedures developed in the statistics literature can fully address this issue, and discuss the implications of multiple testing adjustments for power calculations and experimental design.
Combining ranked mean value forecasts

Abstract A methodology is developed for combining mean value forecasts using not only all the important statistics related to the past performance and the dependence of the individual forecasts, but also a rank ordering of the individual forecasts representing the belief of a decision maker about the future performance of the forecasts. The maximum likelihood combination of the forecasts turns out to be weighted linear combination of the individual forecasts, where the weights are a function of the rank order of the forecasts, correlation coefficients between the forecasts, and relative entropy information measures between the individual forecasts and the actual values. These weights are assessed once in the most general case and once in a special case where the forecasts are normally distributed. The sensitivity of the weights is also investigated. A sample application of this method for predicting U.S. hog prices is also presented.
Biological indicators of cadmium exposure and toxicity.

The increasing environmental and occupational exposure of populations to cadmium creates the need for biological indicators of cadmium exposure and toxicity. The advantages and disadvantages of monitoring blood cadmium, urinary, fecal, hair, and tissue cadmium, serum creatinine, β2-microglobulin, α1-antitrypsin and other proteins, and urinary amino acids, enzymes, total proteins, glucose β2-microglobulin, retinol-binding protein, lysozyme, and metallothionein are discussed. It is concluded that urinary cadmium, metallothionein and β2-microglobulin may be used together to assess cadmium, exposure and toxicity.