cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cultural Codes: Makings of a Black Music Philosophy: An Interpretive History from Spirituals to Hip Hop by William C. Banfield

In Cultural Codes: Makings of a Black Music Philosophy, William C. Banfield, professor of Africana Studies/Music and Society at Berklee College of Music, identifies and describes the culturally sus...
A mapping methodology for designing software task pipelines for embedded signal processing

In this paper, we present a methodology for mapping an Embedded Signal Processing (ESP) application onto HPC platforms such that the throughput performance is maximized. Previous approaches used a linear pipelined execution model which restrict the mapping choices. We show that the “optimal” solution obtained under that model can be improved, using the proposed execution model. Based on the new model, a three-step task mapping methodology is developed. The methodology is demonstrated by designing Software Task Pipelines for modern radar and sonar signal processing applications. Experimental results show improved performance using our approach over those obtained by previous approaches.
Applying the TOC five‐step focusing process in the service sector: A banking subsystem

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive descriptive analysis of the sequential application of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) five‐step focusing process in improving the effectiveness of a service process that was limiting the performance of the entire service system.Design/methodology/approach – The five‐step approach is schematically presented with each step being described and evaluated relative to its role in effective constraint management. A detailed example provides additional insights and nuances into its use in managing the constraint within a banking organization's subsystem, namely, the loan application and approval process. This hypothetical, realistic, and comprehensive illustration iterates through several cycles of the five‐step focusing process to demonstrate how managers are able to address different types of constraints.Findings – The paper provides a detailed description on how each of the five‐steps can be used to improve the organization's performance relativ...
A 20 ns 1 Mb CMOS burst mode EPROM

A 64-K*16-b burst-mode EPROM (electrically programmable read-only memory) with a 20-ns statistical access time was achieved using 1.4- mu m lithography. An orthogonal x-drive and split array architecture allows efficient array segmentation utilizing a contactless buried diffusion memory cell. The resultant die size is 54.6 mm/sup 2/. The contactless, buried-diffusion memory cell is constructed using a self-aligned thick oxide (SATO) process which minimizes the array dimensions by requiring diffusion contacts only every 16 bits. The SATO array can be continuously biased without a power penalty because of its virtual ground array configuration. In many system applications, the burst mode memory configuration offers performance approaching maximum processor capability. >
A SURVEY OF RESULTS IN GRAMMATICAL INFERENCE

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a survey of results in grammatical inference. The grammatical inference problem can be described as follows: a finite set of symbol strings from some language L and possibly a finite set of strings from the complement of L are known, and a grammar for the language is to be discovered. Any attempt to formalize the grammatical inference problem must include precise formulations of several concepts. The four central notions are: (1) the hypothesis space, (2) the measure of adequacy, (3) the rules by which the samples are drawn, and (4) the criterion for success in the limit of the inference process. The chapter discusses the intermediate behavior of inference algorithms and criteria for choosing a grammar on the basis of a finite amount of information along with a number of methods which have been developed for inferring grammars and evaluate some of their properties. In the typical inference situation, the grammars that are of interest will tend to be more complex if they are nearer the right end of the spectrum and so the decision as to which grammar to choose rests on the questions of how tight a fit is required and how much complexity can be tolerated.
Nonlinear optics and crystalline whispering gallery mode resonators

We report on our recent results concerning fabrication of high-Q whispering gallery mode (WGM) crystalline resonators, and discuss some possible applications of lithium niobate WGM resonators in nonlinear optics and photonics. In particular, we demonstrate experimentally a tunable third-order optical filter fabricated from the three metalized resonators; and report observation of parametric frequency dobuling in a WGM resonator made of periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN).
Introspective sorting and selection algorithms

Quicksort is the preferred in-place sorting algorithm in many contexts, since its average computing time on uniformly distributed inputs is Θ(N log N), and it is in fact faster than most other sorting algorithms on most inputs. Its drawback is that its worst-case time bound is Θ(N2). Previous attempts to protect against the worst case by improving the way quicksort chooses pivot elements for partitioning have increased the average computing time too much – one might as well use heapsort, which has a Θ(N log N) worst-case time bound, but is on the average 2–5 times slower than quicksort. A similar dilemma exists with selection algorithms (for finding the i-th largest element) based on partitioning. This paper describes a simple solution to this dilemma: limit the depth of partitioning, and for subproblems that exceed the limit switch to another algorithm with a better worst-case bound. Using heapsort as the ‘stopper’ yields a sorting algorithm that is just as fast as quicksort in the average case, but also has an Θ(N log N) worst case time bound. For selection, a hybrid of Hoare's FIND algorithm, which is linear on average but quadratic in the worst case, and the Blum–Floyd–Pratt–Rivest–Tarjan algorithm is as fast as Hoare's algorithm in practice, yet has a linear worst-case time bound. Also discussed are issues of implementing the new algorithms as generic algorithms, and accurately measuring their performance in the framework of the C+:+ Standard Template Library. ©1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Examining the Complementary Effect of Political Networking Capability With Absorptive Capacity on the Innovative Performance of Emerging-Market Firms

By incorporating institutional theory with the dynamic capability perspective, we investigate how emerging-market firms’ organizational capability to acquire resources through political networking with government officials complements their absorptive capacity in enhancing incremental and radical innovations. We further investigate the conditions under which the complementary effect matters. On the basis of a survey of 108 senior executives in China, we find that political networking capability complements absorptive capacity in overcoming resource constraints and organizational disadvantages in enhancing firms’ innovations, and the result is more effective in improving radical rather than incremental innovations. Furthermore, the complementary effect becomes stronger for emerging-market firms’ radical innovations when facing intense competition. We provide theoretical and practical implications of these findings.
Behavioral response to diazepam in a residential laboratory.

Abstract Two groups of three healthy adult male volunteers without histories of sedative or other drug abuse participated in 15-day residential studies. Each day consisted of a private work period (10 am to 4:30 pm ), during which subjects participated in traditional laboratory performance tasks, and a social period (5 to 11:30 pm ), during which subjects had access to recreational activities available under social or private conditions. Tobacco cigarettes and food were available throughout each day (9 am to 12 pm ). Diazepam (5 or 10 mg/70 kg) or placebo was administered orally twice daily in alternating three-consecutive-day intervals. Dosing order varied between groups. Diazepam had no effect on the total amount of time subjects spent in social conditions; however, the low dose increased verbal interaction, while the high dose decreased verbal interaction. Both doses disrupted performance on a second-order repeated-acquisition task but produced no effects on the other performance measures. Five of six subjects increased caloric intake following at least one dose, with the largest increases observed in subjects with the lowest baseline intake. Increases in subject reports of dose “Potency” and “Sedated” were also observed following the high dose. Diazepam doses routinely used in clinical settings influeced a variety of behaviors that are observed in the natural ecology, but not performance on accepted laboratory tasks.
Are long commute distances inefficient and disorderly

By joining ideas from the spatial interaction and excess commuting literatures, we integrate and organize three related aspects of commuting statistics: trip length, distance decay, and entropy. We...
Continuous membrane fermentor separator for ethanol fermentation

Abstract The integration of continuous fermentation and membrane separation in the same unit to enhance the performance of a bioreactor has been studied. Pervaporation with ethanol selective silicone rubber hollow fibers was considered. This is called the “Continuous Membrane Fermentor Separator (CMFS)”. In order to observe the membrane effects, the continuous fermentation experiments were conducted through the cyclic operations of dead membrane phase (conventional continuous fermentation) and live membrane phase (CMFS) under the same geometrical and physicochemical conditions. Relative to conventional continuous fermentation, the performance of CMFS results in high yeast cell densities, reduction of ethanol inhibition, longer residence time of substrate, more glucose consumption, and recovery of clean and concentrated ethanol; these are called “membrane effects”. A 10–20% increase in ethanol productivity was achieved and pervaporated ethanol concentration was over 7 times higher than that in the fermentor. A mathematical model was developed and used to determine the effects of design and operation parameters of the CMFS. Computer simulation results predict significant improvement in ethanol productivity as well as in glucose utilization when the dimensionless membrane volume was increased.
Synthesis and self-assembly of zinc oxide nanoparticles with septahedral morphology

The formation of 10-nm ZnO nanopyramids using a simple synthetic route has been isolated from the reaction of Zn(OAc)2·2H2O in 1,4-butanediol followed by ripening at 90 °C. This was accomplished by establishing control over the Ostwald ripening process through the use of a carboxylic acid specific adsorbate. Using a variety of analytical methods, it is proposed that the carboxylate groups in the acetate precursor stabilize the {101} habit planes, creating septahedral shapes or nanopyramids. Particle assembly into crystallographically oriented dimers was observed with high specificity, and the association mechanism is suggested to relate to the crystal polarity and the variation in specific adsorption of the carboxylic acid to the surface facets. These materials are a candidate for biological labeling applications in living cells.
Squeezed amplification in a nondegenerate parametric amplifier.

A linearized quantum analysis of an injection-seeded optical parametric amplifier is presented. When the amplifier is operated in a saturated gain regime, the amplified output intensity of the injected coherent-state signal becomes amplitude squeezed, and the signal-to-noise ratio improves. Above threshold, an injection-seeded parametric oscillator is found to generate more single-beam squeezing than an unseeded one. An amplitude-squeezed pump is shown to yield even better results.
Novel two atom insertions into the silacyclopropane and silacyclopropene rings

Abstract The reactions of hexamethylsilirane and 1,1-dimethyl-2,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1-silirene with aromatic and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones gave insertion products having the 1-sila-2-oxacyclopentane and 1-sila-2-oxacyclopent-4-ene structures, respectively. Benzaldehyde methylimine reacted with hexamethylsilirane in similar fashion, giving 1,1,2,4,4,5,5-heptamethyl-3-phenyl-1-sila-2-azacyclopentane. Reactions of the silirane and silirene with phenylacetylene gave both ring insertion and ring opening products. 1,1-Dimethyl-3,4-diphenyl-1-silacyclopentadiene was formed in the reaction of the silirene with an excess of phenylacetylene in the presence of a catalytic quantity of bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium dichloride.
Fossil fuel applications of SFC and SFE: A review

The use of supercritical fluid technology for sample preparation and analysis in the petroleum industry will be described using various examples including: separation of petroleum fuels into hydrocarbon classes, determination of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon in soils and petroleum fuels, characterization of fuel-contaminated soil, assessment of fuel boiling point distribution, determination of polymer additives, and characterization of shale rock and drilling mud.
Direct examination of chip formation during metal machining by scanning electron microscopy

SUMMARY New insights into the mechanics and morphology of chip formation in metal cutting have been obtained by direct observation of an orthogonal cutting process in progress in a scanning electron microscope. A specimen stage specifically designed for this purpose is described. This stage permits dynamic viewing of all accessible areas of interest at magnifications up to ×5000 during cutting. Permanent records are obtained by videotaping each experiment. A brief summary of results is given, and extensions of the technique of dynamic scanner observation are suggested.
Phosphatidylserine binding is essential for plasma membrane recruitment and signaling function of 3-phosphoinositide dependent kinase-1

3-Phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK1) is a ubiquitously expressed serine/threonine kinase that functions downstream of phosphoinositide 3-kinase. Although binding of 3′-phosphoinositides, phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate, to the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of PDK1 is known to be essential for its interaction with and activation of downstream kinases, the mechanism by which PDK1 is recruited to the plasma membrane remains controversial. Our surface plasmon resonance analysis of the PDK1 PH domain and selected mutants shows that the PH domain specifically binds phosphatidylserine using a site that is separate from the canonical phosphoinositide-binding site. Further cell studies show that this specific phosphatidylserine binding is important for the plasma membrane localization and signaling function of PDK1.
Structural changes due to the deprotonation of the proton release group in the M-photointermediate of bacteriorhodopsin as revealed by time-resolved FTIR spectroscopy.

One of the steps in the proton pumping cycle of bacteriorhodopsin (BR) is the release of a proton from the proton-release group (PRG) on the extracellular side of the Schiff base. This proton release takes place shortly after deprotonation of the Schiff base (L-to-M transition) and results in an increase in the pKa of Asp85, which is a crucial mechanistic step for one-way proton transfer for the entire photocycle. Deprotonation of the PRG can also be brought about without photoactivation, by raising the pH of the enzyme (pKa of PRG; ∼9). Thus, comparison of the FTIR difference spectrum for formation of the M intermediate (M minus initial unphotolyzed BR state) at pH 7 to the corresponding spectrum generated at pH 10 may reveal structural changes specifically associated with deprotonation of the PRG. Vibrational bands of BR that change upon M formation are distributed across a broad region between 2120 and 1685 cm−1. This broad band is made up of two parts. The band above 1780 cm−1, which is insensitive to...
Difficulty swallowing solid foods; food 'getting stuck in the chest'

A 61-year-old woman has had alarming symptoms for the last 4 weeks. Which test will you order now?
Enabling scientific teamwork

The Computer Supported Collaborative Work research community has identified that the technology used to support distributed teams of researchers, such as email, instant messaging, and conferencing environments, are not enough. Building from a list of areas where it is believed technology can help support distributed teams, we have divided our efforts into support of asynchronous and synchronous activities. This paper will describe two of our recent efforts to improve the productivity of distributed science teams. One effort focused on supporting the management and tracking of milestones and results, with the hope of helping manage information overload. The second effort focused on providing an environment that supports real-time analysis of data. Both of these efforts are seen as add-ons to the existing collaborative infrastructure, developed to enhance the experience of teams working at a distance by removing barriers to effective communication.
RAMP-ing up Class-B GPCR ECD Structural Coverage

The cocrystal structure of the heterodimer GPCR extracellular domain complex of the CGRP receptor (CLR and RAMP1) has been determined in an apo form and with two different antagonists olcegepant and telcagepant (ter Haar et al., 2010).
Measuring global sulfur dioxide emissions with satellite sensors

Atmospheric sulfur dioxide affects the weather by enhancing cloud formation, and long-term shifts in emissions can change the climate by increasing the amount of solar radiation scattered back into space. Sulfur dioxide emissions are the basis for acid rain, and the gas itself can cause respiratory problems. Despite the compound's importance to climate, the difficulties associated with accurately measuring sulfur dioxide mean that rates of emissions are generally not well understood.
Calibration of a cyclone separator for atmospheric sampling

To obtain the separation of submicron atmospheric particles, a cyclone was fabricated based on the original design of Hochstrasser (1976). It was calibrated with laboratory generated aerosols using a vibrating orifice aerosol generator. A sharp cut-off at an aerodynamic diameter of 1.2 μm was obtained at a flowrate of 221 min−1 providing an atmospheric sampler available for field sampling to collect fine atmospheric particles for analysis. In addition, the data obtained should contribute to the further development of a theory of cyclone behavior that can explain the penetration of small particles at high flowrates.
Aperture weighting technique for video synthetic aperture radar

We present a technique for aperture weighting for use in video synthetic aperture radar (SAR). In video SAR the aperture required to achieve the desired cross range resolution typically exceeds the frame rate period. As a result, there can be a significant overlap in the collected phase history used to form consecutive images in the video. Video SAR algorithms seek to exploit this overlap to avoid unnecessary duplication of processing. When no aperture weighting or windowing is used one can simply form oversampled SAR images from the non-overlapping sub-apertures using coherent back projection (or other similar techniques). The resulting sub-aperture images may be coherently summed to produce a full resolution image. A simple approach to windowing for sidelobe control is to weight the sub-apertures during summation of the images. Our approach involves producing two or more weighted images for each sub-aperture which can be linearly combined to approximate any desired aperture weighting. In this method we achieve nearly the same sidelobe control as weighting the phase history data and forming a new image for each frame without losing the computation savings of the sub-aperture image combining approach.
Knowledge Affords Distinctive Processing in Memory.

The effect of knowledge on memory generally is processing. However, both conceptual and empirical reasons exist to suspect that the organizational account is incomplete. Recently a revised version of that account has been proposed under the rubric of distinctiveness theory (Rawson & Van Overschelde, 2008). The goal of the experiments reported here was to extend the distinctiveness theory to the effect of knowledge on event-based as well as item-based memory. High and low knowledge individuals were shown two lists of items, each containing domain relevant items and control items. Various orienting tasks were performed across the experiments, which in conjunction with type of material and level of knowledge defined distinctive processing. The tests required recognition of items from the second of the two lists in the presence of lures drawn from the first list as well as novel items. For domain relevant material, hits and false alarms were a direct function of knowledge, the rates of which were predicted successfully by the distinctiveness theory. Most current theories attribute the effect of knowledge on memory to organizational processing. The results of these experiments illustrate the importance of item-specific processing to supplement organizational processing in order to adequately explain skilled memory.
Promoting pre-quit physical activity to reduce cue reactivity among low-income sedentary smokers: A randomized proof of concept study.

Abstract Background Smoking and lack of physical activity (PA) contribute to disproportionate rates of disease among low-income adults. Interventions that simultaneously address both risk behaviors have strong potential to reduce health disparities. Existing smoking-PA studies indicate promising results but have limited generalizability to low-income populations. The goal of this study is to assess the effects of an integrated behavioral counseling approach to promote low-to-moderate intensity PA (LMPA) and reduce short-term smoking cue reactivity among low-income sedentary smokers. Methods This study uses a randomized, 2-group design with 4 measurement time points: baseline, quit day (week 4), 1-week and 1-month follow-up. Participants (sedentary, smoke > 6 cigs/day) receive 4 weeks of either (a) standard smoking cessation counseling (SCC control) or (b) our Step-Up to Quit (SUTQ) intervention that integrates advice for LMPA with SCC. SUTQ counseling focuses on increasing daily steps (walking) to reach 7500–10,000/day by week 4 (quit day) and explicitly links short bouts of LMPA with smoking urge management. Potential for SUTQ to facilitate urge management will be assessed by comparing between-group differences in the reduction (extinction) of quit day cue reactivity. We will explore group differences in quit rates at 1-week and 1-month follow-up. Discussion This novel approach overcomes gaps in the PA-smoking intervention literature by promoting a more realistic PA approach for sedentary populations, using an ecologically valid strategy, integrating LMPA with evidence-based SCC during a 4-week pre-quit period, and testing the SUTQ counseling model in a high-risk sample. Results will guide future efficacy and dissemination studies.
Prognostic significance of p53, bcl-2, vimentin, and S 100 protein-positive langerhans cells in endometrial carcinoma

Abstract Immunohistochemical expression of p53, Bcl2, vimentin, and S100 protein—positive Langerhans cell was evaluated in 50 endometrial carcinomas (6 stage 1, 14 stage II, 20 stage III, and 10 stage IV), in an attempt to use these markers as predictors of survival. Monoclonal antibodies to p53, Bcl-2, vimentin, and S100 proteins were applied to paraffin-embedded sections of endometrial adenocarcinoma, using the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex technique (ABC). All 20 patients with stage I and II carcinomas were alive with a mean follow-up of 3 years. Of 30 patients with stage III and IV carcinomas, 13 died of tumor (3-year survival, 57%; SE, 10%), eight were alive with tumor, and nine were alive with no evidence of tumor (mean follow-up, 46 months). Strong p53 positivity was present in 11 carcinomas (22%), including nine high-stage and two low-stage tumors. Bcl-2 positivity was identified in 33 tumors (66%). These tumors were mostly low stage; however, no correlation was found between Bcl-2 expression and prognosis. Vimentin positivity ( P P 50 S100 protein—positive Langerhans cells/10 high-power fields. Our results indicate that Langer-hans cell infiltration and vimentin positivity of tumor cells are favorable prognostic factors in endometrial carcinomas.
Oxide/nitride stacked layers prepared by in situ rapid-thermal multiprocessing

In this paper, the in-situ rapid-thermal multiprocessing has been applied to fabricate high quality ultra thin dielectrics for various ULSI applications. An in-situ low pressure rapid-thermal reoxidation of Si 3 N 4 films in N 2 O ambient (LRTNO) has been demonstrated to realize high quality ultra thin ( 2 O-reoxidation improves the quality of ON stacked layer. The resulting ON stacked layers through in-situ multiprocessing exhibit excellent electrical properties and reliability. A novel ultra thin ONO stacked films have been fabricated by combining the bottom and top N 2 O-oxide layers with the ultra thin CVD-nitride layers for CMOS logic gate applications. The novel ONO structure is found to have good interfacial characteristics, reduced charge trapping and improved defect density. In addition, an excellent resistance to boron penetration is achieved mainly due to the good diffusion barrier property of the nitride layer. Results also show that the MOSFETs using this ONO structure have comparable initial electrical characteristic as those with control oxides and significantly enhanced hot-carrier immunity than both O 2 reoxidized ONO structure and control oxide.
The synaptobrevin-related domains of Bos1p and Sec22p bind to the syntaxin-like region of Sed5p

SNAREs (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein attachment protein receptors) are cytoplasmically oriented membrane proteins that reside on vesicular carriers (v-SNARE) and target organelles (t-SNARE). The pairing of a stage-specific v-SNARE with its cognate t-SNARE may mediate the specificity of membrane traffic. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae transport between the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex employs two v-SNAREs, Bos1p and Sec22p, each containing a domain that is related to the neuronal v-SNARE synaptobrevin. Sed5p, which is homologous to syntaxin, is the t-SNARE that functions at this stage of the secretory pathway. Here we report that regions of Bos1p and Sec22p, which are homologous to synaptobrevin, bind to the syntaxin-like domain of Sed5p. Furthermore, we demonstrate that efficient v-SNARE/t-SNARE interactions require the participation of both v-SNAREs, indicating that, unlike post-Golgi membrane traffic, the active form of the endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi v-SNARE is a heteromeric complex.
The study of a maintenance float model with gamma failure distribution

This paper considers an operational system made up of a number of independent and identical units. A given number, N, must be in service and it is supported by a maintenance float. We estimate the float factors using a Taylor series approximation of the gamma distribution for failures and a log normal function for repairs. From the model developed for the gamma case, the exponential, erlang-2 and degenerate cases are obtained. It is shown that the maintenance float factors approach asymptotic values for large N, This paper extends the previous research on maintenance float modelling and shows that the maintenance float factors are independent of N for large values of N. This property is used to obtain a simpler formula for maintenance float factor for the gamma failure distribution. Unlike the formulae obtained for the cases of exponential and Weibull failure distributions, the gamma failure yields a more complex formula. The asymptotic model considerably reduces the computational efforts involved.
Void formation and denudation in ion-irradiated nickel

Abstract As a continuing investigation of the effect of carbon on void formation in metals, 4 MeV Ni++ ions were used to bombard three grades of nickel to 25 dpa at 594°C after helium implantation to 15 appm at room temperature. All irradiated specimens showed dense void formation irrespective of the carbon content. The present study thus reveals that the carbon effect disappears at high damage doses because too many vacancies are produced in comparison with the number of carbon atoms present in the matrix and also because the trapping of vacancies by the carbon atoms is not assisted by recombinations. Meanwhile, the dual-irradiated Ni specimens displayed unusual behavior of void formation and denudation along twin and grain boundaries. The one-side appearance of void denudation along many grain boundaries and the formation of unusually large voids at the edge of the denuded zone are particularly conspicuous and may have repercussions on the use of the denudation phenomenon to partially solve the swelling...
Genome-Wide Genetic Diversity among Components Does Not Cause Cultivar Blend Responses

Genetically diverse plant populations may be better able to exploit ecological resources and reduce interplant competition than genetically homogeneous populations. Cultivar blends can have greater productivity and yield stability than pure lines; however blend effects are not consistent. The varying levels of genetic diversity represented in blends may confound the interpretations and comparisons of the results of different blend studies. We tested the hypothesis that genetic diversity of blend components is related to blend performance by evaluating blends of a set of five early-maturing and a set of 10 midseason-maturing oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivars in two separate experiments at eight Iowa environments. Within each experiment, pure lines and all possible two-way blends were evaluated for grain yield and test weight means and stability and adaptability parameters. The genetic diversity of each blend was estimated by pedigree diversity [1 - coefficient of parentage (COP) ], amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)-derived genetic distances (1 - Dice coefficient), and phenotypic diversity (based on height and heading date differences). Blend response was limited in these experiments and was not correlated with any diversity measure, and blend stability parameters were not consistently related to diversity measures across experiments. We also investigated the relationship between pedigree diversity and blend performance in other crops by computing the coefficients of parentage of cultivar pairs used in previous blend studies in maize, soybean, and wheat. Pedigree diversity was correlated with higher blend response only in two of 10 experiment-environment combinations tested. Genome-wide genetic diversity alone does not cause positive crop blend responses.
Extreme programming for a single person team

The purpose of this paper is to examine the features of Extreme Programming (XP) and determine how it can be applied to a single person team (i.e. a programmer who works mainly on his/her own as opposed to a programmer who works as a part of a well-integrated team).A software development process for a single person team, Personal Extreme Programming (PXP) is created. Process script for PXP is explained and the core practices of XP are compared with those of PXP.
Time lag dependent multimodal processing of concurrent fMRI and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) data suggests a global circulatory origin for low-frequency oscillation signals in human brain

Low frequency oscillations (LFOs), characterized by frequencies in the range 0.01-0.1 Hz are commonly observed in blood-related brain functional measurements such as near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). While their physiological origin and implications are not fully understood, these signals are believed to reflect some types of neuronal signaling, systemic hemodynamics, and/or cerebral vascular auto-regulation processes. Here, we examine a new method of integrated processing of concurrent NIRS and fMRI data collected on six human subjects during a whole brain resting state acquisition. The method combines the high spatial resolution offered by fMRI (approximately 3mm) and the high temporal resolution offered by NIRS (approximately 80 ms) to allow for the quantitative assessment of temporal relationships between the LFOs observed at different spatial locations in fMRI data. This temporal relationship allowed us to infer that the origin of a large proportion of the LFOs is independent of the baseline neural activity. The spatio-temporal pattern of LFOs detected by NIRS and fMRI evolves temporally through the brain in a way that resembles cerebral blood flow dynamics. Our results suggest that a major component of the LFOs arise from fluctuations in the blood flow and hemoglobin oxygenation at a global circulatory system level.
Unwanted pregnancies and unwanted fertility: Conceptual variations

The concepts of pregnancy unwantedness and unwanted fertility have a range of definitions, nor are reports consistent for concept use. This report examines various definitions and their application. Considering a measure of unwantedness as underinvestment in the child, a scale is described which examines the extent to which the unwanted child may be subjected to underinvestment. The hypothesis of an association between unwantedness and underinvestment was not supported. The conclusion is that unwantedness requires conceptual standardization and a behavioral definition for sociological use.
Transient heat transfer in simultaneously developing channel flow with step change in inlet temperature

Abstract The transient heat transfer in forced convection for simultaneously developing laminar flow inside a parallel-plate channel is studied by solving the steady momentum equation with the generalized integral transform technique and the transient energy equation through a hybrid approach that combines the integral transform method with a second-order accurate finite-differences scheme. Semi-analytical results are then presented for the fluid bulk temperature and local Nusselt number along the channel as a function of position and time.
Bayesian age-stratified joinpoint regression model: an application to lung and brain cancer mortality

Joinpoint regression model identifies significant changes in the trends of the incidence, mortality, and survival of a specific disease in a given population. The purpose of the present study is to develop an age-stratified Bayesian joinpoint regression model to describe mortality trend assuming that the observed counts are probabilistically characterized by the Poisson distribution. The proposed model is based on Bayesian model selection criteria with the smallest number of joinpoints that are sufficient to explain the Annual Percentage Change. The prior probability distributions are chosen in such a way that they are automatically derived from the model index contained in the model space. The proposed model and methodology estimates the age-adjusted mortality rates in different epidemiological studies to compare the trends by accounting the confounding effects of age. In developing the subject methods, we use the cancer mortality counts of adult lung and bronchus cancer, and brain and other Central Nerv...
Cationic copolymerization of cyclic ketene acetals: The effect of substituents on reactivity

Cationic copolymerizations of 4-methyl-2-methylene-1,3-dioxane, 2 (M 1 ), with 2-methylene-1,3-dioxane, 1 (M 2 ); of 4,4,6-trimethyl-2-methylene-1,3-dioxane, 3 (M 1 ), with 2-methylene-1,3-dioxane, 1 (M 2 ); of 4-methyl-2-methylene-1,3-dioxolane, 5 (M 1 ), with 2-methylene-1,3-dioxolane, 4 (M 2 ); and of 4,5-dimethyl-2-methylene-1,3-dioxolane, 6 (M 1 ), with 2-methylene-1,3-dioxolane, 4 (M 2 ) were conducted. The reactivity ratios for these four types of copolymerizations were r 1 = 1.73 and r 2 = 0.846; r 1 = 2.26 and r 2 = 0.310; r 1 = 1.28 and r 2 = 0.825; r 1 = 2.23 and r 2 = 0.515, respectively. The relative reactivities of these monomers towards cationic polymerization are: 3 > 2 > 1; and 6 > 5 > 4. With both five- and six-membered ring cyclic ketene acetals, the reactivity increased with increasing methyl substitution on the ring.
A Performance Analysis Methodology for Multicore, Multithreaded Processors

A key challenge to program a chip multiprocessor (CMP) is how to evaluate the performance of various possible program-task-to-core mapping choices during the initial programming phase, when the executable program is yet to be developed. In this paper, we put forward a thread-level modeling methodology to meet this challenge. The idea is to model thread-level activities only and overlook the instruction-level and microarchitectural details, except those having significant impact on the thread-level performance. Moreover, since the thread-level modeling is much coarser than the instruction-level modeling, the analysis at this level turns out to be significantly faster than that at the instruction level. These features make the methodology particularly amenable for fast performance evaluation of a large number of program-task-to-core mapping choices during the initial programming phase. Based on this methodology, an analytic modeling technique based on queuing theory and a fast simulation tool are developed, both allowing for fast performance prediction of CMPs. Case studies based on a large number of code samples available in IXP1200/2400 workbenches demonstrate that the maximal sustainable line rates estimated using our simulation tool and queuing network models are consistently within 6 and 8 percent of cycle-accurate simulation results, respectively.
Accounting for missing data when assessing availability in animal population surveys: an application to ice-associated seals in the Bering Sea

Summary Population ecologists often use telemetry to estimate the probability that an animal is available for sampling (availability probability). Such estimates are paramount for generating reliable estimates of animal abundance and are sometimes of biological interest in their own right (e.g. for characterizing pinniped haul-out behaviour or landbird singing frequency). We consider the estimation of availability probability from telemetry data when there are missing records. When records are missing-completely-at-random (i.e. not influenced by whether an animal is available for sampling or other covariates), approaches that censor missing records result in unbiased estimates of availability probability. However, censoring such records can result in bias when data are not missing-completely-at-random. We present a novel Bayesian temporal availability model that can be used to explicitly account for the process by which missing data arise. Our approach couples an underlying model for the partially observed availability process together with an observation model that allows state-dependent probabilities of missingness. This approach provides relatively unbiased estimates of availability probability even in the face of violations of the missing-at-random assumption. A new R package, TempOcc, is introduced to automate estimation. We demonstrate the utility of our approach by analysing both simulated data and hourly satellite telemetry records for 157 ice-associated seals in the Bering Sea, for which 27% of records were missing. In this case, we were interested in generating unbiased estimates of haul-out probabilities. Such probabilities are necessary when estimating abundance from aerial survey counts and assessing possible changes in seal phenology. Our analysis indicates that the missing-at-random assumption is indeed violated in telemetry studies of phocid seals in the Bering Sea. However, estimates of availability probability do not depend critically on this assumption. We recommend that ecologists routinely consider the implications of violating the missing-at-random assumption when estimating availability probabilities. Where possible, the modelling framework articulated in this study can be used to diagnose and correct for violations of the missing-at-random assumption.
Cross-validation of the factor structure of the McCarthy scales for kindergarten children

This study was designed to cross-validate the factor structure of the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities for children 5 to 6 1/2 years of age. A factor analysis was performed on a group of 105 children with a mean General Cognitive Index (GCI) of 115.42. The subjects ranged in age from 4–11 to 6–7 with a mean age of 5–6. The age variable was partialled from each score using multiple regression procedures. Five factors were generated, including Verbal Comprehension, Quantitative-Reasoning, Memory, Perceptual-Performance, and Motor factors. These data were subsequently compared to Kaufman's factor analytic studies with the McCarthy standardization group, and to the scale structure of the instrument. In general, the overall factor pattern of this study provides further evidence of the construct validity of the McCarthy Scales for kindergarten children.
The measurement of ambient bioaerosol exposure

Monitoring of ambient bioaerosol concentrations through the characterization of outdoor particulate matter (PM) has only been performed on a limited basis in North Carolina (NC) and was the goal of this research. Ambient samples of PM 2.5 (fine) and PM 10−2.5 (coarse) were collected for a six-month period and analyzed for mold, endotoxins and protein. PM 2.5 and PM 10−2.5 concentrations of these bioaerosols were reported as a function of PM mass, as well as volume of air sampled. The mass of PM 2.5 was almost twice that of the PM 10−2.5 ; however, the protein and endotoxin masses were greater in the coarse than the fine PM indicating an enrichment in the coarse PM. The protein and mold results demonstrated a seasonal pattern, both being higher in the summer than in the winter. Except for an occasional excursion, the endotoxin data remained fairly constant throughout the six months of the study.
Hybrids from equine LH: alpha enhances, beta diminishes activity

LH hybrids were prepared by combining eLH alpha and eLH beta with the corresponding subunits of oLH, pLH and hCG. Recombinants were isolated by gel filtration and assessed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under both dissociating and non-dissociating conditions. All combinations of subunits produced hybrid LH molecules. Hybrids prepared by combining eLH beta with oLH alpha, pLH alpha or hCG alpha were very inactive in rat radioligand and Leydig cell in vitro bioassays. Hybrids prepared with eLH alpha were very active in both assays. The greatest potentiating activity was observed when eLH alpha was combined with pLH beta. The resulting hybrid was 49 times as active as pLH in stimulating steroidogenesis by Leydig cells.
The Public Opinion Survey of Human Attributes-Stuttering (POSHA-S) and Bipolar Adjective Scale (BAS): Aspects of validity

Abstract Purpose In order to estimate instrument validity, attitudes toward stuttering measured by the newly developed Public Opinion Survey of Human Attributes-Stuttering ( POSHA-S ) and the Woods and Williams (1976) semantic differential scale (referred to herein as the Bipolar Adjective Scale [ BAS ]) are compared in college students on one occasion as well as before and after coursework on fluency disorders. Method Undergraduate and graduate students ( n = 321) from four universities filled out online versions of the POSHA-S and BAS . Two-thirds were speech-language pathology (SLP) majors; one-third were students in other majors. A subset of the SLP students ( n = 35) filled out the two instruments again after 8–13 weeks of coursework on fluency disorders. Results Correlations between all ratings of the POSHA-S and BAS were run for the 321 students. Only 26% of the correlations were statistically significant ( R ≥ ±0.129), and the large majority of these reflected small relationships. POSHA-S ratings were correlated with up to 77% of the items of the BAS while BAS items were correlated with up to 45% of the POSHA-S ratings. After coursework on stuttering, students’ attitudes improved on both instruments, but more on the POSHA-S than the BAS . Conclusions Greater evidence of discriminant validity than convergent validity characterized the POSHA-S and BAS . Both measures showed improved attitudes after fluency disorders coursework, but more so for the POSHA-S , confirming previous reports of construct validity. The POSHA-S taps relevant constructs not included in the BAS , which provide advantages for intracultural, international, and other comparisons of public attitudes toward stuttering. Learning outcomes: The reader will be able to: (1) describe differentiating characteristics of the POSHA-S and BAS as measures of public attitudes toward stuttering, (2) describe the overlap and lack of overlap in the constructs measured by POSHA-S and BAS , (3) describe discriminant versus convergent validity and (4) describe advantages of the POSHA-S and BAS in various types of comparative studies of stuttering attitudes.
The Impact of Different Hypofractionated Stereotactic Radiation Therapy Regimens for Brain Metastases on Local Control and Toxicity

Purpose/Objective(s): The clinical course of patients with metastatic melanoma with brain metastases can be quite varied. This study aims to compare outcomes based on mutational status of BRAF and NRAS following stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Materials/Methods: A prospectively maintained database of patients receiving SRS between November 2002 and December 2012 was queried to determine the rate of new brain metastasis development in patients with metastatic melanoma following SRS. Patients receiving whole brain radiation therapy as first line treatment were excluded. BRAF and NRAS mutational status was determined by Sanger sequencing. The impact of mutation status on risk of distant intracranial recurrence and overall survival (OS) from brain metastasis diagnosis was determined using Poisson regression with robust estimation of errors and Cox proportional hazards analyses, respectively. Other factors including systemic disease control and intracranial disease burden were explored as potential predictors of recurrence and OS in a similar fashion. Results: One hundred eight patients were identified with a mean age of 63 years (range, 24-90 years), of which 68% were male and 94.4% were white. A NRAS mutation was found in 9 patients (8.3%) and BRAF mutation in 24 (22.2%). Median OS from brain metastasis diagnosis was 312 days (range, 228-471 days). A larger number of brain metastases at diagnosis and uncontrolled systemic disease were found to be univariate predictors of worsened OS (HR 1.04, p Z 0.012; HR 2.52, p Z 0.001, resp). Only uncontrolled systemic disease was a significant predictor of OS on multivariate analysis (HR 10.63, pZ 0.022). Mutation status for BRAF and NRAS did not appear to influence survival in our cohort. NRASmutated patients were found to be at significantly higher risk of distant intracranial recurrence as compared to wild type patients (IRR for wild type compared to NRAS-mutated, 0.27, p Z 0.011). No other variables were found to be significant predictors of recurrence. Conclusions: Although metastatic melanoma follows a highly variable clinical course, NRAS mutations appear to influence the number of intracranial recurrences experienced by patients. Other disease factors including systemic disease control and number of brain metastases at diagnosis seem to influence OS. Author Disclosure: C.E. Rutter: None. E. Giesen: None. J.B. Yu: None. R.S. Bindra: None. H.M. Kluger: None. V.L. Chiang: None.