cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computer applications in the social sciences

Part I: An Introduction to Computers 1. Introduction: Computer Literacy and the Social Sciences 2. Computer Hardware, Configurations, and Peripherals 3. Computer Software: Languages, Operating Systems, and Programs 4. Computing Environments 5. Managing Social Science Programming Part II: Software Tools 6. Available Software Tools 7. Issues and Strategies for Applications Management Part III: Applications in the Social and Behavioral Sciences 8. Theorizing about and Representing Social Data 9. Bibliographic Retrieval and Literature Reviews 10. Simulating, Modeling, and Planning 11. Managing Data 12. Analyzing Quantitative Data 13. Analyzing Text 14. Graphing 15. Writing and Rewriting 16. Communicating and Collaborating 17. Learning and Teaching 18. Expert Systems and Artificial Intelligence Applications in the Social Sciences 19. Social Issues and the Future of Computing References Glossary Index
Monte Carlo circuits for the Abelian Permutation group intersection problem

We show that the problem of computing a basis for an abelian transitive permutation group is in N C k and also we show that the problem of computing a basis for an abelian permutation group and the problem of computing the intersection of two abelian groups acting on n points, can be solved in depth (log n)k on a Monte Carlo Boolean circuit of polynomial size. Moreover the latter two problems are shown to be in N C k in the restricted case of bounded number of generators.
Prediction of unsteady rotor-surface heat transfer from wake passings

Predictions using boundary-layer theory with a low-Reynolds number kinetic-energy/dissipation turbulence model are reported for the unsteady heat-flux distributions on the rotor blade surfaces. With an assumed sinusoidal variation for the unsteady surface pressure depicting the effects of convected wake segments, unsteady inviscid-freestream velocity and total enthalpy distributions are determined. Unsteady variations in freestream turbulence due to the wake passings are also considered. The unsteady boundary-layer equations, subject to these freestream conditions, are solved numerically. It was found that most of the unsteady variations in surface heat transfer are due to unsteady pressure changes and not variations in the freestream turbulence. Calculations are made for the Garrett TFE 731-2 HP turbine and the magnitudes of the heat-transfer variations are compared with the measurements of Dunn and Seymour.
A novel micro-scale magnetic tumbling microrobot

This paper presents a magnetic tumbling microrobot design at the micro-scale. The microrobot has a dumb-bell shape whose largest dimension is about 400 μm. When subjected to an exterior predefined magnetic field, the magnetic microagent performs a tumbling motion driven by the interacting magnetic forces and momentums. The magnetic field providing driven force is generated by a coil system consisting of five electromagnetic coils. Under the available driven field, we show that the prototype agent is able to tumble on various types of surfaces in both dry and fluid environments.
Built-in Fault Diagnosis for Tunable Analog Systems Using an Ensemble Method

This paper presents a new low-cost fault diagnosis technique based on Built-in Self Test (BIST). The method enables rapid and accurate identification of weak spots in a design and potential problems in the manufacturing process, thereby leading to a significant reduction in time-to-market. Fault diagnosis is accelerated with available on-chip BIST which can generate low-cost signatures (performance parameters). Imperfect signatures due to limited on-chip resources and accuracy are compensated in two ways. Supplemental signatures are obtained from a re-configured Device Under Test (DUT) by parameter tuning, leading to improvements in diagnosability. Secondly, diagnosis accuracy is significantly improved by using an ensemble method which has been widely used in data mining. The technique can be used to identify single as well as multiple faults, and can also be used to facilitate a self-repair mechanism by accurately identifying the source of errors. Simulation results are presented to validate the technique.
Two real critical constraints for real parameter margin computation

A new approach to computing real parameter margins of stabilized dynamical systems with multilinear!} uncertain parameters is presented. A concept of two real critical constraints is introduced to solve the problem of determining the largest stable hypercube in parameter space that touches the stability boundary on one of its corners. The proposed approach is based on sufficient conditions for checking for critical instability only in the corner directions of the parameter space hypercube. Several examples are used to illustrate the proposed concept and approach. HIS paper is concerned with the problem of computing the structured singular values /i for uncertain dynamical systems.1 In particular, the problem of computing oo-norm real parameter margins (or real /*) is investigated, which is of much current research interest.2'14 The real /z problem is essentially the same as the problem of determining the largest stable hypercube in the uncertain parameter space. We exploit the concept of separating the real and imaginary parts of a characteristic polynomial equation. The resulting two equations are referred to as the two real critical constraints, and the vertex (or corner) property of each constraint equation is utilized. The paper is organized as follows: In Sec. II, we introduce the two real critical constraints, the two-constraint real /*, and the single-constraint real /z. In Sec. Ill, we show that the single-constraint real /* always attains its value at a corner of the parameter space hypercube of multilinearly uncertain systems at a given frequency. Section III contains the main result: a sufficient condition for the critical instability to occur at a corner of the parameter space hypercube of multilinearly uncertain systems. In Sec. IV, we apply the results of Sees. II and III to the problem of computing real parameter margins of several different types of characteristic polynomial. In Sec. V, several examples in the literature are used to illustrate the proposed concept and approach.
Witnessing heroin-related overdoses: the experiences of young injectors in San Francisco.

Aims Assessment of young injectors' exposure and response to others' heroin-related overdose. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting San Francisco, CA, United States. Participants Nine hundred and seventy-three street-recruited current injectors under 30 years old. Measurements Self-reported experiences of witnessing heroin-related overdoses from structured interviews. Findings Seven hundred and nine of 973 (73%) had ever witnessed at least one heroin-related overdose, and 491 of 973 (50%) had witnessed an overdose in the last 12 months. Fourteen per cent of those who had witnessed an overdose in the past year reported that the outcome of the overdose was death. Emergency services were called to 52% of most recent witnessed overdoses. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or expired air resuscitation (EAR or ‘rescue breathing’) was performed in 61% of cases. Inappropriate strategies such as injection with stimulants or application of ice were rare. In 67% of cases in which emergency services were not called the witness said this was because the victim regained consciousness. In the remaining 33%, 56% stated emergency services were not called due to fear of the police. Conclusions Respondents were willing to act at overdoses at which they were present, but frequently did not do so in the most efficacious manner. Fear of police was identified as the most significant barrier to the ideal first response of calling emergency services.
Hemodynamic response to respiratory challenges in panic disorder.

Abstract This study compares the hemodynamic response to panic disorder subjects with that of normal controls during respiratory challenges. Panic patients meeting DSM-IIIR criteria for panic disorder and normal controls were challenged with room air hyperventilation, 5% CO 2 breathing, and 7% CO 2 breathing, Measurements of pulse and blood pressure were taken at resting baseline and before and at the end of each respiratory challenge. Panic attack to each challenge was determined by using raters blinded to subject diagnosis and each subject's self-rating of panic. Significantly larger systolic and diastolic blood pressure increases were found in patients who panicked with room air hyperventilation than nonpanicking patients or normal controls. No significant blood pressure differences were found with 7% or 5% CO 2 challenges, but higher pulse rates were found in the patient group. It may be possible that panic with room air hyperventilation causes a significant increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, or that a subgroup of panic disorder patients has a hyperactive vascular response to hypocapnia. These patients panic with room air hyperventilation and develop greater vasoconstriction and/or increased blood pressure response.
100-KD PROTEINS OF GOLGI AND TRANS-GOLGI NETWORK-ASSOCIATED COATED VESICLES HAVE RELATED BUT DISTINCT MEMBRANE-BINDING PROPERTIES

The 100-110-kD proteins (alpha-, beta-, beta'-, and gamma-adaptins) of clathrin-coated vesicles and the 110-kD protein (beta-COP) of the nonclathrin-coated vesicles that mediate constitutive transport through the Golgi have homologous protein sequences. To determine whether homologous processes are involved in assembly of the two types of coated vesicles, the membrane binding properties of their coat proteins were compared. After treatment of MDBK cells with the fungal metabolite Brefeldin A (BFA), beta-COP was redistributed to the cytoplasm within 15 s, gamma-adaptin and clathrin in the trans-Golgi network (TGN) dispersed within 30 s, but the alpha-adaptin and clathrin present on coated pits and vesicles derived from the plasma membrane remained membrane associated even after a 15-min exposure to BFA. In PtK1 cells and MDCK cells, BFA did not affect beta-COP binding or Golgi morphology but still induced redistribution of gamma-adaptin and clathrin from TGN membranes to the cytoplasm. Thus BFA affects the binding of coat proteins to membranes in the Golgi region (Golgi apparatus and TGN) but not plasma membranes. However, the Golgi binding interactions of beta-COP and gamma-adaptin are distinct and differentially sensitive to BFA. BFA treatment did not release gamma-adaptin or clathrin from purified clathrin-coated vesicles, suggesting that their distribution to the cytoplasm after BFA treatment of cells was due to interference with their rebinding to TGN membranes after a normal cycle of disassembly. This was confirmed using an in vitro assay in which gamma-adaptin binding to TGN membranes was blocked by BFA and enhanced by GTP gamma S, similar to the binding of beta-COP to Golgi membranes. These results suggest the involvement of GTP-dependent proteins in the association of the 100-kD coat proteins with membranes in the Golgi region of the cell.
Partition Coefficients and Equilibrium Constants of Crown Ethers between Water and Organic Solvents Determined by Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

The extraction of water by several crown ethers into chloroform + carbon tetrachloride mixtures has been investigated using a proton NMR technique. The equilibrium is well described by formation of a 1:1 water−crown complex in rapid exchange with uncomplexed ligand and water. The fraction (k) of crown ether complexed with water increases with crown cavity size, varying from (15 ±1)% for 12-crown-4 to (97 ± 5)% for 18-crown-6. Addition of carbon tetrachloride to chloroform lowers the k value for all crown ethers in equilibrium with water, and the value is close to zero in pure CCl4. The partition coefficient follows the opposite trend: the amount of crown ether in the organic phase increases with the percentage of CCl4 in this phase. The chemical shifts of free and complexed water also vary with solvent composition. Interaction of water with crown ether depends on solvation environment and may play a significant role in liquid−liquid extraction of metal ions using macrocyclic polyethers as extractants.
Effective caching techniques for accelerating pattern matching queries

Using caching techniques to improve response time of queries is a proven approach in many contexts. However, it is not well explored for subgraph pattern matching queries, mainly because of subtleties enforced by traditional pattern matching models. Indeed, efficient caching can greatly impact the query answering performance for massive graphs in any query engine whether it is centralized or distributed. This paper investigates the capabilities of the newly introduced pattern matching models in graph simulation family for this purpose. We propose a novel caching technique, and show how the results of a query can be used to answer the new similar queries according to the similarity measure that is introduced. Using large real-world graphs, we experimentally verify the efficiency of the proposed technique in answering subgraph pattern matching queries.
Assessment of Distributed Fiber Optic Sensors for Flow Field Temperature Mapping

Distributed fiber optic temperature sensing based on Rayleigh scattering is a relatively new technique offering data density unachievable with point sensors such as thermocouples and RTDs. Thousands of temperature measurements can be generated by a single fiber optic cable suspended within a flow field. And unlike imaging techniques such as laser induced fluorescence, fiber optic sensors are suitable for applications involving opaque fluids. But verifying measurement accuracy along a distributed temperature sensor (DTS) can be problematic. Unlike traditional sensors such as thermocouples, DTS calibration shifts can accompany sensor handling or movement because they respond to strain as well as temperature. This paper describes an assessment of a Rayleigh scattering-based sensing system used to measure air temperature within a 1 × 1 × 1.7 m tank used for thermal mixing experiments. Two 40 m-long DTSs were strung across the tank midplane at 16 levels. Stability in stagnant air was examined over seven days and found to be generally better than ± 0.5°C with local regions of drift up to 1.5°C. DTSs were also tested in isothermal flow to assess signal degradation associated with flow-induced vibration. Noise increased with flow velocity, inducing data loss that grew with distance along the fiber. Despite data losses >50% in high noise regions, mean temperatures after simple filtering agreed with low noise regions to within ∼4°C.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Comments on “Electronic and thermodynamic properties of B2-FeSi from first principles” [Physica B 406 (2011) 363–367]

Abstract Iron monosilicides (FeSi) is an important material with very interesting properties that can be harnessed for technological applications. Our attention has been drawn to the so-called first principle study of the electronic and thermodynamic properties of B2-FeSi by Zhao et al. (Physica B 406 (2011) 363–367) using pseudopotential plane wave method. They reported that FeSi in B2 phase is a narrow band gap material with a band gap of 0.05 eV using a generalized gradient approximation (GGA) potential implemented within the density functional theory (DFT) approximation. This comment comes to address an important oversight by these authors in the interpretation of their results.
On the Length of Snakes in Powers of Complete Graphs

The conjecture stated in an earlier paper by the author that there is a constant (independent from both and ) such that holds for every and, where is the length of the longest snake (cycle without chords) in the Cartesian product of copies of the complete graph, is proved.
An eight-user time-slotted SPECTS O-CDMA network testbed incorporating a NOLM time gate

We incorporate time slotting into a 9 Gb/s/user SPECTS O-CDMA network testbed to achieve eight-user capacity. The system uses a NOLM time gate that selects between time-slotted users and suppresses multi-user interference.
3D interleaved water and fat image acquisition with chemical-shift correction.

A new technique, 3D interleaved water and fat image acquisition with chemical-shift correction (3-DIWFAC), was developed to acquire 3D water and fat images in a single acquisition time and to combine the water and fat images to produce chemical-shift-free images. A 3D gradient-recalled-echo (GRE) sequence was implemented with a 1-3-3-1 binomial Shinnar-Le Roux spatial–spectral excitation, and with interleaved phase-encoding lines that alternate between water and fat excitations separated by half TR. Water-only and fat-only images were then realigned to remove chemical shift artifacts. Results from phantoms and human subjects demonstrated that the image contrast was the same as in the regular GRE sequence. With the chemical shift corrected, the shadow artifacts often seen at water and fat boundaries were removed. Since this sequence simultaneously provides water-only images showing cartilage and bone lesions, and water-fat images that depict soft tissue anatomy, it may be clinically useful in musculoskeletal imaging. Magn Reson Med 44:322–330, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Injury and repair of Escherichia coli damaged by acid mine water

Abstract Pure culture suspensions of Escherichia coli B/5 were stressed by exposure to filter-sterilized acid mine water (AMW). Sublethally injured survivors were examined for their ability to repair in several resuscitation media under different conditions of pH, temperature and oxygen availability. The repair process was monitored as a function of time by periodically removing samples from the repair media and simultaneously plating on nonselective and selective media. E. coli was severely damaged by AMW; however, sublethally injured survivors repaired when placed under favorable conditions. Optimal repair occurred in trypticase soy broth supplemented with 0.3% yeast extract (TSYB) at pH 7.0 and 35°C. Resuscitation did not occur in TSYB at pH 9.0, at an incubation temperature of 20°C, or in the absence of oxygen. Lauryl tryptose broth (LTB), which is recommended for the presumptive isolation of fecal coliforms, was unable to facilitate repair of injury. The presence of the surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate, as well as the nutrient composition of LTB, appeared to be responsible for the inability of this medium to permit recovery of AMW-stressed E. coli.
Size of the Dynamic Bead in Polymers

Presented analysis of neutron, mechanical, and MD simulation data available in the literature demonstrates that the dynamic bead size (the smallest subchain that still exhibits the Rouse-like dynamics) in most of the polymers is significantly larger than the traditionally defined Kuhn segment. Moreover, our analysis emphasizes that even the static bead size (e.g., chain statistics) disagrees with the Kuhn segment length. We demonstrate that the deficiency of the Kuhn segment definition is based on the assumption of a chain being completely extended inside a single bead. The analysis suggests that representation of a real polymer chain by the bead-and-spring model with a single parameter C∞ cannot be correct. One needs more parameters to reflect correctly details of the chain structure in the bead-and-spring model.
Reducing Stress for New Faculty at Church-Related Colleges and Universities

SUMMARY New faculty in church-related institutions can struggle with many stresses (e.g., meeting expectations, lack of collegiality, time restraints, balance of work and their contributions to their discipline, and balance of work and non-work activities). In addition, these faculty members are being asked to develop students holistically within a campus community and also to share their talents by being engaged in multiple external communities, as well. Since there is very little or no graduate preparation for these new faculty, it is important for them to understand the mission and identity of the institution and become engaged in its community by taking part in faculty development activities to receive clear expectations about their contributions, thereby reducing stress. Also colleges need to design an assessment program that simultaneously fosters the development of faculty and fulfills the mission of the institution, by looking at worth, as well as merit.
The Renewed Hope of Multilateralism in South Asia: Applying the MFN Principle to Pakistan–India Trade

The multilateral trading principle of nondiscrimination and the World Trade Organization commitment of most-favoured nation (MFN) treatment have been missing in the Pakistan–India trading relationship. This practitioner commentary addresses recent moves toward multilateral principles between these two countries, namely Pakistan's decision to grant MFN status to India. It considers the political economy of Pakistan's ‘negative list’ in addressing ‘sensitive sectors’ in Pakistan and provides partial equilibrium estimates of the domestic output, consumer welfare and net welfare impacts in Pakistan of liberalizing trade in this negative list.
Generic programming: APL and Smalltalk

Early generic concepts in programming languages were mixed-type arithmetic (e.g., “+” used with any combination of fixed- and floating-point numbers) and “print” functions which could be applied to any of a language's objects. Generic concepts reduce the number of terms which must be remembered and permit considerable condensation of language design. Three different paths in the development of generic-concept languages have been followed by APL, Algol 68, and object-oriented languages such as SIMULA 67 and Smalltalk. APL was the earliest and one of the most interesting applications of generic-concept methods, but now makes the weakest use of these ideas.My talk will use slides and movies to show how the message-object programming system Smalltalk makes use of generic concepts embedded in class descriptions to give rise to a wide variety of simply programmed dynamic simulations including graphic animation, music synthesis, document layout and retrieval, and APL-like calculation features. Many of these systems have been brought to life by child and adult novice programmers.A short list of references is given for those wishing more introductory information about Smalltalk.
Technology designed to combat fakes in the global supply chain

Abstract With the increase of globalization in trading and online shopping, phony products are on the rise in the market. This article introduces a range of technologies that have been implemented in the supply chain to deter counterfeiters. Technology for both product authentication and tracing and tracking products in the supply chain will be discussed, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each solution. Additionally, success stories on combating counterfeits are introduced. Finally, issues related to rising anti-counterfeiting costs, collaborative efforts in fighting fakes, and a multi-pronged plan are explored.
Dynamic Range Compression Using Hadamard Processing and Decorrelation Spreading

We present an efficient usage of quantization bits applied to parallel input signals that are correlated each possessing average power varying over a large dynamic range. Our solution utilizes Hadamard-matrix processing (HMP) which consists of decorrelation spreading followed by the Hadamard matrix operation. If the input signals are uncorrelated, the Hadamard-matrix operation transforms the parallel signal sources to have the equivalent average power prior to quantization, thereby effectively minimizing the overall number of quantization bits required to achieve system performance. To insure that the signals are uncorrelated, we implement decorrelation spreading prior to the Hadamard. Different decorrelator methods of varying complexity are examined. We show that the decorrelation methods when used with the Hadamard matrix can influence the immunization of "signal clipping" due to quantization in addition to realizing significant system capacity and/or power gains. We demonstrate the performance of the HMP on the Mobile-User Objective System (MUOS) through simulation by comparing overall G/T degradation for different scenarios.
Household Structure and Family Ideologies: The Dynamics of Immigrant Economic Adaptation Among Vietnamese Refugees

Using materials from an ethnographic study of newly arrived Vietnamese refugees in Philadelphia, this article argues that household structure and family ideology play a critical role in the dynamics of immigrant economic adaptation. The study shows the Vietnamese refugee households that were more heterogeneous in age and gender composition to be more adept at “patchworking” or gathering together a wide variety of resources from diverse social and economic arenas. This “patchworking” strategy mitigates the instability and scarcity of available resources. The economic dynamics of the Vietnamese refugee households are also shaped by an ideology of family collectivism — a set of beliefs about family life that encourage the sharing of individual social and economic resources within the household. Cooperative household economic behavior is also fostered by beliefs that help to generate agreement among household members about household goals. These ideological dimensions of household life are, however, being shaped and in some cases challenged by the migration process.
Hepatotoxicity after transarterial chemoembolization and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: do two rights make a wrong?

Abstract Purpose To compare the rates of hepatotoxicity after transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with and without a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) who were stratified into comparable risk groups. Materials and Methods A retrospective review of patients with HCC who were treated with transarterial chemoembolization between January 2005 and December 2009 was performed. Of 158 patients with comparable model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores, 10 had a patent TIPS. Hepatobiliary severe adverse events (SAEs) occurring after transarterial chemoembolization were documented. In addition, 1-year survival and liver transplantation rate after transarterial chemoembolization were calculated in each group. Results The incidence of hepatobiliary SAEs after transarterial chemoembolization was nearly two times higher in patients with a TIPS (70%) than in patients without a TIPS (36%; P =.046). The liver transplantation rate 1 year after transarterial chemoembolization was 2.5 times higher in patients with a TIPS (80%) than in patients without a TIPS (32%; P =.004). There was no significant difference in 1-year survival between the two groups after transarterial chemoembolization. Conclusions Patients with HCC and a patent TIPS are more likely to develop significant hepatotoxicity after transarterial chemoembolization than comparable patients without a TIPS in place.
The relationship between optimism and quality of life in newly diagnosed cancer patients.

Background Understanding the relationships between social and psychological determinants of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a critical step in developing effective screening tools and targeted interventions for psychosocial care. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between dispositional optimism and HRQOL in newly diagnosed adult cancer patients. Methods A cross-sectional, predictive correlational design was used. The sample consisted of 163 patients with mixed diagnoses and stages who were within 180 days since diagnosis and had completed a battery of psychosocial measures upon enrollment into a psychosocial data registry during their first outpatient visit or treatment. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine predictors of HRQOL. Results Optimism was significantly correlated with spiritual well-being, anxiety, depression, and HRQOL. Optimism was not a significant predictor of HRQOL at initial diagnosis and treatment when age, scores on functional status, spiritual well-being, depression, and anxiety were entered into the regression equation. Conclusion Dispositional optimism is not a primary factor in HRQOL at initial diagnosis and treatment. Further exploration is needed to determine if optimism exerts a greater influence on HRQOL at another point along the cancer trajectory and if there is overlap between the constructs of optimism and spirituality. Implications for practice Although systematic screening for dispositional optimism is not recommended, patients who display characteristics associated with low optimism require further assessment. Also, patients with poor functional status, young age, low levels of spirituality, and high levels of depression may be vulnerable for poor HRQOL.
Smart households: Dispatch strategies and economic analysis of distributed energy storage for residential peak shaving

Meeting time-varying peak demand poses a key challenge to the U.S. electricity system. Building-based electricity storage – to enable demand response (DR) without curtailing actual appliance usage – offers potential benefits of lower electricity production cost, higher grid reliability, and more flexibility to integrate renewables. DR tariffs are currently available in the U.S. but building-based storage is still underutilized due to insufficiently understood cost-effectiveness and dispatch strategies. Whether DR schemes can yield a profit for building operators (i.e., reduction in electricity bill that exceeds levelized storage cost) and which particular storage technology yields the highest profit is yet to be answered. This study aims to evaluate the economics of providing peak shaving DR under a realistic tariff (Con Edison, New York), using a range of storage technologies (conventional and advanced batteries, flywheel, magnetic storage, pumped hydro, compressed air, and capacitors). An agent-based stochastic model is used to randomly generate appliance-level demand profiles for an average U.S. household. We first introduce a levelized storage cost model which is based on a total-energy-throughput lifetime. We then develop a storage dispatch strategy which optimizes the storage capacity and the demand limit on the grid. We find that (i) several storage technologies provide profitable DR; (ii) annual profit from such DR can range from 1% to 39% of the household’s non-DR electricity bill; (iii) allowing occasional breaches of the intended demand limit increases profit; and (iv) a dispatch strategy that accounts for demand variations across seasons increases profit further. We expect that a more advanced dispatch strategy with embedded weather forecasting capability could yield even higher profit.
When is age more than just a number

Adults living in industrialized societies tend to live and work longer, marry later, and start their childbearing at older ages. This shift in the distribution of traditionally ‘‘youthful’’ personal and professional responsibilities to the shoulders of chronologically more mature adults has prompted dissemination of the adage ‘‘age is just a number.’’ The underlying message, of course, is that one can reap the benefits of ‘‘the good life’’ for as long as one exhibits the desire and energy expenditure to do so. However, when it comes to health and delivery of health care, age very clearly becomes a critical factor in assessing medical risks and outcomes. Furthermore, in an environment of economic turmoil and frailty, age (at both the younger and older ends of the spectrum) becomes an easy target for rationing of services in order to limit costs. These issues are particularly apparent in the area of oncology, as evidenced by two articles appearing in this month’s Annals of Surgical Oncology, and they have also surfaced in the highly publicized debate regarding screening mammography.
Interactive multimedia labware for strength of materials laboratory

A CD-ROM–based laboratory manual for the torsion experiment in the Strength of Materials Laboratory was developed through collaboration between Civil Engineering and the Interactive Multimedia Department. The labware is intended to enhance student learning through the development of and exposure to richer learning tools, resources, and advanced technologies. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 8: 31–37, 2000
Fluorimetric determination of vitamin k3 (menadione sodium bisulfite) in synthetic animal feed by high-performance liquid chromatography using a post-column zinc reducer

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for analysis of vitamin K3 (menadione), as the water-soluble sodium bisulfite salt, in synthetic animal feed is described. The menadione sodium bisulfite (MSB) is extracted with aqueous methanol, converted to oil-soluble menadione with sodium carbonate, and partitioned into n-pentane. After evaporation, the menadione is dissolved in methanol and analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC. The menadione is reduced on-line to its fluorescent 1,4-dihydroxy analogue by zinc reduction prior to fluorescence determination at 325 nm excitation wavelength and 425 nm emission wavelength. The fluorescence response was linear in the range 1 to 100 ng of menadione injected. Recovery experiments were performed on synthetic animal feed spiked at 20 and 200 mg/kg levels of MSB. Average recoveries from feed were greater than 90% with an average relative standard deviation of 5.5%. Additional confirmation of menadione in actual feed extracts was performed using capillary gas chromatography-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (GC-FT-IR). The HPLC-fluorescence and GC-FT-IR methods had lower limits of detection of 20 micrograms/kg and 2 mg/kg, respectively.
Meter Reading System of Smart Grid Based on Wireless Sensor Network

The smart reading system based on wireless sensor network technology provides a reliable and economic choice for energy data acquisition of smart grid. The structure, main features and technological solutions of smart meter reading system based on wireless sensor network are analyzed in detail in this paper. Finally, this paper points out that the keys for developing China’s wireless sensor network technology are to self-establish standard system and break through critical technology.
On the properties of a matrix valued derivative utilizing the Moore-Penrose inverse

Abstract Utilizing the Moore/Penrose pseudoinverse to generalize invertibility in the set of matrices, the standard difference quotient in the univariate calculus is generalized to [ƒ (X + H) − ƒ (X)]H + , where ƒ is a matrix valued function and H + denotes the Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse of the matrix H . Moreover, the derivative of ∂ƒ ∂Ω ( X 0 ) is defined in terms of the limit of this generalized difference quotient, and various properties are established that are natural extensions of the results in the univariate calculus.
The Impact of National and State Policy on Elementary School Foreign Language Programs: The Iowa Case Study.

: This article reviews selected national policy recommendations and examines their impact on state policy making in Iowa, specifically in terms of the number and quality of Iowa elementary school foreign language programs and teacher qualifications from the mid-1980s through the 1990s. Understanding the effect that these policies have had on early language programs in Iowa may help the profession determine the impact of national policy on state educational programs. This study suggests that future research on the impact of national policies in other states can help professionals design strategies for shaping policies in support of foreign language programs that begin in the early grades and continue through secondary school, building skills across levels.
A Transversely Isotropic 1-D Electromagnetic Inversion Scheme Requiring Minimal A Priori Information

We have developed a fast inversion algorithm for interpreting multi-component induction logging data assuming a 1-D transversely isotropic earth model. The iterative scheme implements an accurate semi-analytical forward solver, employs a quadratic program, and utilizes a sub-domain Jacobian computation to increase iteration speeds. Unlike similar 1-D algorithms, the inversion presented here accounts for depth variation, dip, and azimuth of layers as well as vertical and horizontal conductivities, which are all typically unknown parameters. In addition, the quadratic program affords the use of “global” physical bounds on model parameters allowing for accurate update estimates at each iterate. The resulting inversion requires minimal a priori knowledge of the 1-D formation properties. The scheme has achieved good results for synthetic data and we are currently testing it on field data recorded with a prototype multi-component induction logging tool.
A High Performance Frequency Doubler for 80 to 120 GHz

A frequency doubler for the 80- to 120-GHz output band is described. The device may be operated in either a fixed-tuned or a tuneable mode. When operated fixed-tuned, with a constant dc bias applied to the diode, the conversion loss for any output frequency between 80 and 120 GHz is 9.2 dB, +-1.2 dB. When used so that toning and bias are optimized at each operating frequency, the doubler exhibits conversion loss less than 7.5 dB for any frequency between 90 and 124 GHz.
Irradiated Guanine: A Car-Parrinello Molecular Dynamics Study of Dehydrogenation in the Presence of an OH Radical

Understanding the basic chemistry of the interaction of radicals with DNA bases is imperative when trying to elucidate the potential effects of radiation on DNA. Experimental evidence points to guanine as having the highest affinity of all the DNA bases for undergoing damage. In this study we use Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics (CPMD) in conjunction with traditional quantum chemical methods to research the possible mechanisms for the gas-phase damage of guanine in the presence of an OH radical. Our findings indicate that, for most of the sampled starting configurations, dehydrogenation of guanine (to yield guanine radical and water) is spontaneous and free energetically most favored at all hydrogen sites except at C8. Furthermore, through state-of-the-art analysis, we are able to separately track the nuclear and electronic rearrangement during the dehydrogenation reactions, and find examples of both concerted and stepwise abstraction of the proton and electron. We also find spontaneous hydroxylation at ...
Biostimulation and Bioaugmentation of Anaerobic Pentachlorophenol Degradation in Contaminated Soils

Abstract The effects of bioaugmentation with a pentachlorophenol (PCP)-adapted consortium and biostimulation with glucose as a carbon source on anaerobic bioremediation of PCP-contaminated soil were investigated in terms of the initial PCP removal rate and the extent of PCP dechlorination and mineralization. Samples from two PCP-contaminated sites were prepared, put into a series of Hungate tubes, inoculated, and fed under different conditions. Chlorophenols in the tubes were monitored over a 4-month period to measure PCP transformation in the soil. In less contaminated soil (10 mg PCP/kg soil), it was found that biostimulation with glucose at 1 g/kg soil or bioaugmentation at 0.14 g volatile suspended solids (VSS)/kg soil could greatly improve PCP degradation. The best PCP degradation was obtained when both bioaugmentation and biostimulation were applied, but higher levels of glucose (2 g/kg soil) or inoculum (0.56 g VSS/kg soil) had little additional effect. The highest initial PCP-removal rate reached ...
Unified texturization method for mono- and multi-crystalline silicon solar cells

A texturization method suitable for both c- and mc-Si is developed. The method is applied on as-cut wafers and is found to be suitable for combined saw damage removal and texture formation. The texturization with inverted surface structures was obtained using wet chemistry process sequence at room temperatures without using a mask and lithography. Potential for an improvement of the standard screen — printing cells performance by incorporation of the new developed texturization method is demonstrated.
A Sketch Interface for Robust and Natural Robot Control

In this paper, a novel approach for commanding mobile robots using a probabilistic multistroke sketch interface is presented. Drawing from prior work in handwriting recognition, sketches are modeled as a variable duration hidden Markov model, where the distributions on the states and transitions are learned from training data. A forward search algorithm is used to find the most likely sketch given the observations on the strokes, interstrokes, and gestures. A heuristic is implemented to discourage breadth-first search behavior, and is shown to greatly reduce computation time while sacrificing little accuracy. To avoid recognition errors, the recognized sketch is displayed to the user for confirmation; a rejection prompts the algorithm to search for and display the next most likely sketch. Upon confirmation of the recognized sketch, the robot executes the appropriate behaviors. A set of experiments was conducted in which operators controlled a single mobile robot in an indoor search-and-identify mission. Operators performed two missions using the proposed sketch interface and two missions using a more conventional point-and-click interface. On average, missions conducted using sketch control were performed as well as those using the point-and-click interface, and results from user surveys indicate that more operators preferred using sketch control.
Influence of plant host species on intraspecific competition during infection by Aspergillus flavus

Compositions of Aspergillus flavus populations determine the extent to which crops become contaminated with aflatoxins. In the current study, influences of diverse crop hosts on competition among A. flavus isolates were quantified with pyrosequencing. Maize, cotton, soyabean and sorghum supported different levels of sporulation, but intraspecific differences in sporulation were not detected on any host. However, hosts differentially influenced competition during infection, allowing greater sporulation by some isolates and increased host tissue invasion by others. Furthermore, competitive interactions during host invasion did not predict isolate success during sporulation. Isolates were similarly competitive on maize and sorghum, the two most closely related hosts. Host-specific influences on intraspecific competition may dictate compositions of A. flavus populations and, as a result, the severity of aflatoxin contamination. Host factors should be considered when designing and implementing aflatoxin management strategies including biocontrol with atoxigenic strains.
How Autonomous Vehicle Policy in California and Nevada Addresses Technological and Non-Technological Liabilities

Automobile innovation has made major strides in the last 100 years as we have gone from the Model T to 500 horsepower supercars. However, some things haven’t changed over time. As discussed by Professor Bryant Walker Smith, similar to today, people in 1907 negatively referred to their vehicles as, “[an] auto, autocar, car, machine, motor, motor car, and other terms equally as common but neither complimentary nor endearing.” Motorists were considered in low regard and referred as “brutes,” “fatheaded marauders,” “honking highwaymen,” and “flippant fool[s]” who wrote themselves “down both a devil and an ass.” The automobile scholar Claude Berry finishes the passage saying, “One hopes the horseless carriages of the future will earn monikers that are more flattering.” However humorous this quote may be, it still holds a great deal of accuracy and truth to the automobile situation today. For the great majority, driving is a mundane activity that brings out the worst in drivers, and the car has transformed from a symbol of power from its heydays in 1950 to a contraption that is both a time sink and danger to our lives. Technologically, autonomous vehicle software is leaps and bounds beyond the policy and legal considerations, and there is a possibility to craft technology policy to advance the technology instead of hindering it. This paper examines the technological and non-technological liabilities of autonomous vehicles, as well as policy aspects of robocars, using the Google self-driving car as an example. Self-driving cars have the potential to reduce the number of accidents and associated deaths and economic losses, but only if they are highly reliable. The possibility of software bugs, other technical problems, and associated liability and insurance issues raise barriers to the use of these vehicles. The State of Nevada has adopted one policy approach to dealing with these technical and policy issues. At the urging of Google, a new Nevada law directs the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (NDMV) to issue regulations for the testing and possible licensing of autonomous vehicles and for licensing the owners/drivers of these vehicles. There is also a similar law being proposed in California with details not covered by Nevada AB 511. This paper evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the Nevada and California
Theoretical studies of the singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces of cyclobutanediyl

Cyclobutanediyl (2) has been studied in both its singlet and triplet states by ab initio electronic structure theory. The triplet, which is the ground state of the molecule, exists in both C2h and C2v forms which interconvert via a Cs transition state. For the singlet, only a C2h form is found. It passes, via a Cs transition state, onto the C2v surface on which bicyclobutane (3) is the only minimum. The ring-flipping (inversion) process in 3 includes the singlet biradical as an intermediate, and involves a novel, non-least motion path similar to one previously proposed by Gassman. Semiclassical periodic orbit theory indicates that the various minima on both the singlet and triplet surfaces can interconvert via quantum mechanical tunneling.
Conceptualizing Police Complex Spiral Trauma and its Applications in the Police Field

The study of police officers’ trauma through the police culture perspective reveals a unique form of trauma with biological, psychological, and sociocultural implications. The author presents an in...
Area Scaling for Backend Dielectric Breakdown

Backend dielectric breakdown is an increasingly important issue for advanced CMOS processes due to the use of progressively lower k dielectrics in the backend. This paper presents area-scaling formulas to enable full chip failure rate projection from test structure data. The area-scaling formulas are based on the negative binomial defect distribution, which in the limit is equivalent to models based on the Poisson distribution. Both the Weibull and log-normal distributions are considered for data characterization. The results are applied to data measured from backend comb structures, and reveals a low level of defect clustering.