cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Learning quantized neural nets by coarse gradient method for nonlinear classification

Quantized or low-bit neural networks are attractive due to their inference efficiency. However, training deep neural networks with quantized activations involves minimizing a discontinuous and piecewise constant loss function. Such a loss function has zero gradient almost everywhere (a.e.), which makes the conventional gradient-based algorithms inapplicable. To this end, we study a novel class of biased first-order oracle, termed coarse gradient, for overcoming the vanished gradient issue. A coarse gradient is generated by replacing the a.e. zero derivative of quantized (i.e., staircase) ReLU activation composited in the chain rule with some heuristic proxy derivative called straight-through estimator (STE). Although having been widely used in training quantized networks empirically, fundamental questions like when and why the ad hoc STE trick works, still lack theoretical understanding. In this paper, we propose a class of STEs with certain monotonicity and consider their applications to the training of a two-linear-layer network with quantized activation functions for nonlinear multi-category classification. We establish performance guarantees for the proposed STEs by showing that the corresponding coarse gradient methods converge to the global minimum, which leads to a perfect classification. Lastly, we present experimental results on synthetic data as well as MNIST dataset to verify our theoretical findings and demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed STEs.
A Passion for the Sea: Human-Sea Interactions in Contemporary Caribbean Art

This article reports on some of the ways in which the Caribbean contemporary artists Tony Capellan, Christopher Cozier, Scherezade Garcia, El Colectivo Shampoo, Jorge Zeno, Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla, and Nadia Huggins deploy the semiotically rich imagery of the sea to comment on some of today’s most pressing social concerns. The success of their artwork is the result of the fact that in visualizing local realities, they increasingly visualize the global condition. The Caribbean’s history as a laboratory of the “modern” and the “globalized” has undoubtedly offered these artists a vantage point from which to launch their critical interventions.
NSAIDs Naproxen, Ibuprofen, Salicylate, and Aspirin Inhibit TRPM7 Channels by Cytosolic Acidification.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used for relieving pain and inflammation accompanying numerous disease states. The primary therapeutic mechanism of these widely used drugs is the inhibition of cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 (COX1, 2) enzymes that catalyze the conversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandins. At higher doses, NSAIDs are used for prevention of certain types of cancer and as experimental treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. In the immune system, various NSAIDs have been reported to influence neutrophil function and lymphocyte proliferation, and affect ion channels and cellular calcium homeostasis. Transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) cation channels are highly expressed in T lymphocytes and are inhibited by Mg2+, acidic pH, and polyamines. Here, we report a novel effect of naproxen, ibuprofen, salicylate, and acetylsalicylate on TRPM7. At concentrations of 3–30mM, they reversibly inhibited TRPM7 channel currents. By measuring intracellular pH with the ratiometric indicator BCECF, we found that at 300μM to 30mM, these NSAIDs reversibly acidified the cytoplasm in a concentration-dependent manner, and propose that TRPM7 channel inhibition is a consequence of cytosolic acidification, rather than direct. NSAID inhibition of TRPM7 channels was slow, voltage-independent, and displayed use-dependence, increasing in potency upon repeated drug applications. The extent of channel inhibition by salicylate strongly depended on cellular PI(4,5)P2 levels, as revealed when this phospholipid was depleted with voltage-sensitive lipid phosphatase (VSP). Salicylate inhibited heterologously expressed wildtype TRPM7 channels but not the S1107R variant, which is insensitive to cytosolic pH, Mg2+, and PI(4,5)P2 depletion. NSAID-induced acidification was also observed in Schneider 2 cells from Drosophila, an organism that lacks orthologous COX genes, suggesting that this effect is unrelated to COX enzyme activity. A 24-h exposure to 300μM–10mM naproxen resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction in cell viability. In addition to TRPM7, the described NSAID effect would be expected to apply to other ion channels and transporters sensitive to intracellular pH.
Ni–Sn SLID bonds for assembly at extremely high temperatures

Ni–Sn solid-liquid interdiffusion bonding (SLID) has shown potential for assembly of materials in high-temperature applications up to $600^{\circ}\mathrm{C}$. This paper attempts to fabricate a bond with a specific intermetallic phase of Ni$_{3} Sn_{2}$ to push the temperature stability to $1000^{\circ}\mathrm{C}$. Experiments were conducted using Si/TiW(10:90)/Ni/Sn dies where a two-step bonding process was used. The first step was bonding at $285^{\circ}\mathrm{C}$ for 5 hours. The bonded dies showed fractures perpendicular to the bonding plane indicating significant thermomechanical tensile forces. The initial voiding was 5% less than theoretically expected. The second step was annealing at $600^{\circ}\mathrm{C}$ for 1 hour and 3 hours, resulting in the final bonds with a layered structure of $Ni/Ni_{3} Sn/Ni_{3} Sn_{2} /Ni_{3} Sn_{4} /Ni_{3} Sn_{2} /Ni_{3}$ Sn/Ni. The bonds after 3 hours annealing had no remaining Ni. New fractures along the bonding plane appeared propagating through the remaining Ni$_{3} Sn_{4}$ indicating large thermomechanical shearing forces. Voiding increased by a further 6% after the 1 hour anneal. For the bonds with 1 hour anneal, the new voids were seen at the Ni$_{3} Sn_{4}$ /Ni$_{3} Sn_{2}$ interface and at the Ni 3 Sn/Ni interface. The growth constant for Ni$_{3} Sn_{2}$ at $600^{\circ}\mathrm{C}$ was 3.5$\mu m/min^{n}$, while the growth exponent was 0.2 giving a homogenization time of $\sim 60$ hours for the experimental bondline thickness of 38$\mu$m. Thus, larger annealing temperatures or times are needed to accelerate bonding.
Intracity occurrence and distribution of airborne PCB congeners in Chicago.

Abstract To evaluate the magnitude and extent of airborne PCBs in an urban area, we measured and investigated the temporal and spatial behavior of atmospheric concentrations of individual polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners as well as the sum of all congeners (ΣPCB) in both gas and particle phases at 27 locations across the City of Chicago in a single year (2009). In total, 141 gas-phase air samples were collected, including 22 pairs (44 samples) deployed at the same time but at two different locations, and 46 particle-phase samples. ΣPCB in the gas-phase ranged from 80 to 3000 pg/m3, with a geometric mean (GM) of 530 pg/m3, whereas particle-phase ranged from 8 to 160 pg/m3, with a GM of 28 pg/m3. We found the temporal variability to be about three times larger than the variability over space for all gas-phase congeners and ΣPCB. Around 50% of the sample PCB profiles resembled a mixture of a 1:1 vapor Aroclor mixture of 1016 + 1254, with most of the rest (30%) showing enrichment of PCB 3 (>0.1), which did not match any Aroclor profiles. PCB 11 contributed to ~5% in all samples. The fractions of PCB congeners bound to particles ranged from 0.001 to 0.97. Our analysis shows that airborne PCBs are widely distributed across Chicago and confirms that most locations have a similar PCB distribution, but differ in the concentration levels. Volatilization continues to be the main release process of PCBs into the atmosphere, including both Aroclor and non-Aroclor congeners.
Rotational Magnetodynamics and Steering of Space Vehicles

Even at the time when artificial satellites were still merely theoretical concepts; the widely used principle of eddy-current braking had suggested that the spin-motion of such freely-orbiting bodies would be perturbed and dampened by the various magnetic fields of the earth, of other bodies of the solar system, and of the galactic system. The necessity for predicting, explaining, and analyzing the rotational motions of metallic space vehicles led to the following rigorous derivation of equations of motion for the special cases of rigid axi-symmetrical distributions of matter rotating in magnetic fields. Later, when such satellites were actually launched and their rotation had been observed, the expected perturbations and spin-decay clearly appeared. Most precise numerical confirmation of the formulas was possible for the first two Vanguard satellites. The surprisingly large damping couple acting on Vanguard II due to the inclusion of parts having high magnetic permeability (since the couple varies as the square of such permeability) has suggested the planning and control of such reactions with the exterior magnetic fields for the purpose of stabilizing and steering space vehicles.
Optimal (map) soft-output detector for channels with intersymbol interference and timing recovery errors

We address the issue of detecting transmitted symbols when there is a timing error in the sampled waveform, along with intersymbol interference (ISI) and additive channel noise. We built a special trellis to jointly characterize the timing uncertainty and the channel. The method derived here provides the joint maximum a posteriori probability detection for each input symbol and the quantized phase offset of each sample. It also generates 'soft' decisions, which are essential for soft-decision iterative decoding algorithms.
Stem Cell Research

This report provides background on the research and potential applications of research that uses embryonic and adult stem cells. It also provides information about the current federal and state regulatory landscape, related Congressional and international actions, and relevant ethical concerns.
Perceived Prevalence and Risks for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection among Women Who Have Sex with Women

ABSTRACT Background: Previous research shows that perceptions of disease prevalence, particularly infectious diseases, are also related to health behaviors, but the association between perceived di...
The Physical Properties of Large Scale Systems from Optical Observations

Holmberg’s (1937) analysis of the distribution of double and multiple galaxies provided what may have been the first hint of a local inhomogeneity of greater scale than that of the Local Group. The idea of a Local Supercluster was subsequently revived by de Vaucouleurs (1953, 1956, 1958). The analyses of others, as well as the continuing study of de Vaucouleurs himself (1976 and references cited therein) have now effectively established the reality of the Local Supercluster. Several other more remote inhomogeneities, or “clouds” of galaxies, were described by Shane and Wirtanen (1954). The writer (Abell 1958) found the distribution of rich clusters to be clumpy, and published a finding list of several apparent superclusters (Abell 1961).
The Place of the Poetic in Dealing with Death and Loss

This article provides an overview of the R.E.S. model of poetry therapy. The relationship of poetry therapy to narrative therapy and family practice is examined through a case study of a single parent family dealing with death and loss.
Neonatal Candida meningitis.

Abstract Candida spp. are becoming one of the most common pathogens associated with sepsis in the setting of neonatal intensive care. Invasive therapies aimed at improving patient survival, particularly among premature infants, contribute significantly to this alteration in the distribution of neonatal pathogens. Prematurity is one of the principle risk factors associated with the development of neonatal meningitis in this patient population. Untreated, neonatal candidal meningitis is associated with a poor outcome both in terms of morbidity and mortality. However, early diagnosis with timely initiation of antifungal therapy will improve outcome significantly. The following review outlines the pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, and current treatment options for neonatal candidal meningitis. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Application of excitation cross sections to optical plasma diagnostics

Many optical-based plasma diagnostic techniques require electron-impact excitation cross sections. In recent years, a considerable number of new results have become available for excitation of rare-gas atoms from both the ground state and metastable states. Using relatively simple techniques these cross sections can be combined with plasma emission measurements to extract many useful plasma parameters such as the electron temperature. Many of the limitations of simple plasma emission models such as the corona model can be overcome by using cross section measurements to select what particular emission lines to use in the analysis.
Ford‐Mazda's hermosillo assembly plant: A quality benchmark cross‐cultural alliance

An American-Japanese partnership in a Mexican auto plant provides a unique opportunity to study competitive intelligence and technology transfer in a cross-cultural environment. Ford-Mazda chose Hermosillo as its plant site following extensive competitive analysis of its global options. At the site, Ford managers and engineers learned the Toyota lean system from Mazda workers, and Mazda helped Ford and its CI personnel adapt the Fordist system to the Japanese lean production system. Work teams were a primary means for cultural/technical socialization and communication. The creative talents of the CI system of the American, Japanese, and Mexican managers, engineers, and factory technicians made the development of a world-class plant possible. © 1996 John wiley & Sons, Inc.
Evanescent field absorption spectroscopy of trace gases using functionalized microring Resonators

We detect trace gases at ppb levels using evanescent-field absorption spectroscopy in microring resonators coated with sorbent polymers. The overtone spectra derive from mid-infrared resonances that provide a signature of analyte toxicity.
Predicting the Landscape Spatial Distribution of Fuel-Generating Insects, Diseases, and Other Types of Disturbances

We developed a method of mapping fuel-generating disturbances based on spatial fuel models which were in turn developed using a combination of satellite imagery, topographic data, and field data. This is a potentially significant product for fuel management, pest management, forest planners, and others. With these maps, the spatial distribution, extent, and abundance of different fuel-generating disturbances can be estimated, and spatial prescriptions developed. The procedures are demonstrated by modeling the spatial distribution of various small-scale disturbances that cause fuels in the Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota and the Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico.
Off‐center spherical model for dosimetry calculations in chick brain tissue

This paper presents calculations for the electric field and absorbed power density distribution in chick brain tissue inside a test tube, using an off-center spherical model. It is shown that the off-center spherical model overcomes many of the limitations of the concentric spherical model, and permits a more realistic modeling of the brain tissue as it sits in the bottom of the test tube surrounded by buffer solution. The effect of the unequal amount of buffer solution above the upper and below the lower surfaces of the brain is analyzed. The field distribution is obtained in terms of a rapidly converging series of zonal harmonics. A method that permits the expansion of spherical harmonics about an off-center origin in terms of spherical harmonics at the origin is developed to calculate in closed form the electric field distribution. Numerical results are presented for the absorbed power density distribution at a carrier frequency of 147 MHz. It is shown that the absorbed power density increases toward the bottom of the brain surface. Scaling relations are developed by keeping the electric field intensity in the brain tissue the same at two different frequencies. Scaling relations inside, as well as outside, the brain surface are given. The scaling relation distribution is calculated as a function of position, and compared to the scaling relations obtained in the concentric spherical model. It is shown that the off-center spherical model yields scaling ratios in the brain tissue that lie between the extreme values predicted by the concentric and isolated spherical models.
NMDA receptor‐independent LTP in basal versus apical dendrites of CA1 pyramidal cells in rat hippocampal slice

The ability of hippocampal CA1 basal synapses to express N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-independent long-term potentiation (non-NMDA LTP) was studied and compared to the simultaneously induced apical dendritic non-NMDA LTP. Non-NMDA LTP in basal and apical dendrites was induced using stimulation pattern similar to the sharp wave-associated CA3 bursts. Basal dendritic non-NMDA LTP was input-specific and displayed similar development and magnitude to the apical dendritic non-NMDA LTP. Both apical and basal dendritic non-NMDA potentiations were inhibited by the voltage-dependent calcium channel (VDCC) inhibitor verapamil and the tyrosine kinase inhibitors genistein and levandustin A. However, the difference in the degree and time course of these inhibitions suggests involvement of distinct mechanisms in the two dendritic subfields.
Determination of protein in pea flour by near infrared analysis

Equations were derived for predicting crude protein content (total nitrogen × 6.25 or Kjeldahl nitrogen × 6.25) of pea varieties from near infrared data measured on a filter instrument (Technicon Infra Analyzer 400). The accuracy of the predictions were tested against different data sets and found to be better than ±1.5% (P=0.95), and adequate for use in a plant breeding programme.
IgM OR C1q MESANGIAL LABELING DO NOT DEFINE UNIQUE GLOMERULOPATHIES IN CHILDREN. † 2214

Although patients with nephrotic syndrome and IgM or C1q mesangial labeling are sometimes said to have a high propensity to develop ESRD, there is controversy as to the specificity of such labeling.
Software Architectures for an Extensible Web-Based Survey System

Many businesses obtain feedback by surveying customers and business partners. With the advent of the Internet, many of the surveys are now conducted on the Web. This paper describes a software architecture for a Web-based survey system. The architecture for the survey system is based on a three-tier system that is comprised of a Web server, Web application server, and database server. The Web application server hosts the application modules that display and process the surveys. The application software consists of packages for establishing connections to the database and for reading static and dynamic data from the database. The processed surveys are written to the database with the survey responses. This system allows for anonymous survey responses and maintains user confidentiality. At the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, we have implemented this Web-based survey system, and it was subsequently used to conduct three different surveys. This survey system is easily extensible to new surveys, and is used for instructional purposes to teach server-side programming to MIS students. In this paper, we discuss the key ideas behind the design and implementation of the extensible survey system and provide results on its application.
Possibility of negative resistance effect in zero-gap semiconductors

Abstract It is believed that for α-Sn-like zero-gap semiconductor under uniaxial tensile stress, negative differential resistance effect may be obtained. If this effect is indeed found, new possibilities for building solid state oscillators will be opened up.
Particle states of the radiation field

Quantum states of the radiation field for free, propagating electromagnetic waves are well known to be quantized solutions of the D'Alembertian operator which represent free photons. In this paper anti-propagating solutions of the D'Alembertian are found which decay exponentially spatially and grow exponentially temporally. These states are simply related to standing-wave solutions of the D'Alembertian which are analytically continued to the imaginary momentum axis. The temporally growing solutions are bounded by the Lorentz invariance of the squared four-position c 2 t² − r² = 0, in which the radial position r is bounded by the anti-propagating nature of the solution. Stationary solutions are found from a linear combination of squared scalar potentials. A pair of physically interesting results, the electric charge and the fine structure constant, are inferred from the normalized and quantized stationary scalar potential.
U.S.‐Japanese joint venture: New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI)

New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. [NUMMI] was formed in February 1983, when General Motors Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation agreed to establish a joint venture to produce Chevrolet Nova passenger automobiles in an already existing assembly plant, located in Fremont, California. General Motors had closed down the plant site in 1982. Each partner has a 50 percent interest in the joint venture.
Sex allocation in heterostylous plants

Abstract This paper examines the heterostylous breeding system in plants from the perspective of sex allocation theory. Models are used to predict the frequencies of the different floral morphs in populations of heterostylous species and the relative amounts of resources allocated to pollen and seeds in each morph. We note that in natural populations morph ratios may deviate from equality and that the morphs may specialize in the production of either pollen or seeds. Our sex allocation models are an attempt to explain why such patterns exist.
Using Civilization IV to Engage Students in World History Content

How can teachers utilize video games in the classroom, harnessing a technology that is gaining “market share” in the lives of our students? This article will provide classroom teachers with a research-based rationale for using video games along with a viable, classroom-tested lesson to teach social studies content using a widely available commercial video game. Specifically, how to use the game Civilization IV in the classroom to allow world history high school students to explore the impact technology has on societal development and the human experience and their place in time. This correlates to NCSS Curriculum Standard II: time, continuity, and change and NCSS Curriculum Standard VIII: science, technology, and society.
Sulfobetaine as a zwitterionic mediator for 3D hydroxyapatite mineralization

Both positively and negatively charged residues play pivotal roles in recruiting precursor ions or ion clusters, and lowering interfacial energy in natural biomineralization process. Synergistic utilization of opposite charges, however, has rarely been implemented in the design of cytocompatible synthetic scaffolds promoting hydroxyapatite (HA)-mineralization and osteointegration. We report the use of cytocompatible zwitterionic sulfobetaine ligands to enable 3-dimensional in vitro mineralization of HA across covalently crosslinked hydrogels. The overall charge-neutral zwitterionic hydrogel effectively recruited oppositely charged precursor ions while overcame excessive swelling exhibited by anionic and cationic hydrogels under physiological conditions, resulting in denser and structurally well-integrated mineralized composites. Further controls over the size, content, and spatial distribution of the mineral domains within the zwitterionic hydrogel are accomplished by facile adjustments of hydrogel crosslinking densities and the supersaturation rate governing heterogeneous mineral nucleation and growth. These findings should inspire many creative uses of zwitterionic polymers and polymer coatings for skeletal tissue repair and regeneration.
Characterization of brux-like movements in the laboratory rat by optoelectronic mandibular tracking and electromyographic techniques

High-resolution optoelectronic mandibular tracking and fine-wire electromyographic (EMG) data from the anterior temporalis muscles of laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) were collected during mastication (chewing) and bruxing/thegosis (grinding sharpening of teeth) in order to test for task-related activity patterns of the anterior temporalis. Analyses of the collected data revealed that masticatory and bruxing/thegosis cycles displayed significantly different patterns of movement trajectories, displacement, duration, velocity, and acceleration in all three spatial dimensions (frontal vertical, frontal horizontal and sagittal horizontal). Activity patterns in the anterior temporalis during masticatory and bruxing/thegosis behaviours were also significantly different from each other. High-resolution analyses revealed that the masticatory cycle had both opening-burst and closing-burst phasic patterns of anterior temporalis activity while the bruxing/thegosis cycle displayed only opening-burst phasic patterns. The opening- and closing-burst attributes of anterior temporalis phasic activity patterns in relation to physiological centric occlusion also revealed significant differences between masticatory and bruxing/thegosis behaviours. These data demonstrate that the anterior temporalis muscle of the laboratory rat does indeed display task-related activity patterns depending upon the manifested oral behaviour. The task-related shifts of EMG patterns in the anterior temporalis between masticatory bruxing/thegosis behaviours in the same animal suggests a complex neurophysiological substrate that coordinates the three-dimensional expression of phasic activity patterns in the muscle. The radically different nature of masticatory and bruxing/thegosis cycles and their associated EMG patterns in the anterior temporalis suggest the possible existence of a bruxing/thegosis pattern generator in addition to the masticatory one. Careful, high-resolution analyses of these rat behaviours by combined optoelectronic/EMG techniques suggest that the rat model for human bruxism may prove useful in future studies.
Endocardial activation mapping and endocardial pace-mapping using a balloon apparatus

The relation between endocardial activation mapping and endocardial pace-mapping was evaluated in 8 dogs while they were on cardiopulmonary bypass. Pacing or recording was accomplished by using a balloon apparatus (with 32 bipolar electrodes) inserted through a left apical ventriculotomy. Ventricular tachycardia (VT) was produced by occlusion followed by reperfusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. During each VT, activation mapping was performed and early sites determined. Pace-map correlates (sites at which endocardial pacing produced a similar QRS morphology to that of the VT) were also determined. Isochronous maps were constructed for activation mapping and pace-mapping. There was a total of 29 morphologically distinct VTs. Groups were delineated according to correlations between activation mapping and pace-mapping. In 14 episodes of VT (group 1), pace-mapping confirmed the findings of activation mapping with all early sites being pace-map correlates (total number of early sites (tES) = 19; total number of pace-map correlates (tPMC) = 88; tES same as tPMC = 19). In 9 episodes of VT (group 2), there was a partial correlation between pace-mapping and activation mapping, such that pace-mapping when used with activation mapping appeared to further delineate the region of arrhythmogenesis (tES = 31; tPMC = 59; tES same as tPMC = 14). In 6 episodes of VT (group 3), there was no correlation between pace-mapping and activation mapping (tES = 15; tPMC = 0). With the balloon apparatus, endocardial activation mapping can be performed without the need for sustained monomorphic VT, and endocardial pace-maps may be generated easily.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Structure determination of lavendamycin- a new antitumor antibiotic from streptomyces lavendulae

The structure elucidation of lavendamycin (1a), a new antitumor antibiotic related to streptonigrin (2) is described. The NMR spectra of 1a and several model compounds 3,4 < and 5a-b are also discussed.
A procedure for assessing storage and retrieval on the wechsler memory scale — Revised

A methodology to assist in distinguishing deficient memory storage from compromised retrieval operations is presented for use with the Logical Memory (LM) and Visual Reproduction (VR) subtests of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R; Wechsler, 1987). A 21-item five-option multiple choice recognition test for LM and a cuing technique for VR are presented, followed by descriptive data based on a sample of 94 psychiatric inpatients (mixed diagnoses) and a sample of 99 brain-injured (BI) patients. The BI sample performed worse than the psychiatric sample on all of the LM and VR measures, with VR-CUED showing the highest degree of discrimination. In both groups, many subjects initially acquired much more information than they reported during the standard free recall format. The supplemental scoring format and reference data reported herein provide clinically useful information regarding a person's ability to store and access new information.
Pickup Game: Acquainting Neighbors Quickly and Efficiently in Crowd

Effective and energy efficient neighbor discovery protocol is a crucial component for the success of emerging opportunistic encounter-based mobile (ad hoc) networking for social and gaming. In this work, we design P-Game, an effective neighbor discovery protocol to find a group of neighbors. By leveraging a quick estimation of the number of neighbors, we design various protocols for collecting the IDs of these neighboring nodes with the objective of either minimizing the latency of neighbor-discovery process or minimizing the active slots (i.e. energy consumption) of each neighbor. We validate PickupGame through rigorous theoretical analysis. When the required acquaintances k is a constant fraction of neighbors, our protocol is proved to have optimum delay T(k) and optimum active slots T(1). When we need to find all neighbors, our protocols achieve tradeoffs in the delay and active slots: one approach has discovery latency O(k ln ln k) and active slots O(ln ln k). Our evaluations corroborate our theoretical results and show considerable improvement in discovery latency over existing approaches in almost all cases.
Analysis of a thermally stable polypyrrolone for high temperature membrane-based gas separations

Abstract A rigid polypyrrolone material that exhibits excellent thermal and chemical stability has been studied to determine its potential for novel applications in membrane-based gas separations at elevated temperatures. Operation at high temperatures produces favorably high membrane productivities; however, losses in permselectivity usually occur as well. Gas transport and sorption measurements have been obtained for this polypyrrolone at temperatures up to 200°C. The loss of permselectivity with increasing temperature that occurs for most gas pairs is discussed in terms of both solubility and diffusivity selectivity. The temperature dependences of productivities and permselectivities for various gas paris are also compared to those of other materials thought to be attractive for high temperature gas separations. In most cases, the structurally rigid polypyrrolone out performs these other materials, demonstrating favorable productivities and permselectivities over the entire range of temperatures studied.
Menu costs, firm strategy, and price rigidity

Abstract After controlling for chain-specific effects, higher menu costs are associated with a slight decrease in the probability of a price change and an increase in the size of a price change. Firm strategy is more influential in determining the incidence and magnitude of a price change.
EVALUATION OF ADVANCED TRANSIT ALTERNATIVES USING CONSUMER WELFARE

Various combinations of advanced public transportation systems (APTS), including advanced transit information, demand responsive transit, and personal rapid transit, are evaluated by applying traditional travel and emissions criteria as well as consumer welfare and equity criteria. A state-of-the-practice regional travel demand model is used to simulate the travel effects of the APTS technologies in the Sacramento region for the year 2015. A method of obtaining consumer welfare is applied to the mode choice models in the travel model. It was found that APTS technologies, which were simulated in this study to act as feeder service for light rail and bus transit, did not significantly reduce congestion and emissions in the region. This was primarily because the Sacramento region lacks extensive penetration by light rail and bus service. The consumer welfare evaluation, however, showed that all the APTS technology scenarios yielded an economic benefit and were generally equitable even when capital, operation, and maintenance costs were included in the analysis. Further, the analysis showed that advanced transit information service alone produced the greatest increase in consumer welfare. The total yearly difference in benefits among the scenarios would be significant. Thus, it is concluded that the method of obtaining consumer welfare used in this study is a useful analytical tool for identifying optimal bundles of APTS technologies.
Ground electronic states of ZrO+, HfO+, and Nb+2. ESR spectra of the matrix-isolated ions

Abstract ZrO + , HfO + , and Nb + 2 molecular ions formed during laser-vaporization of their respective metals and/or oxides were trapped in rare-gas matrices at 4 K. X-band ESR spectra exhibited characteristic metal hyperfine splittings and indicated that each ions has a 2 Σ ground state. The derived magnetic parameters and spin characteristics for ZrO + and Nb + 2 are discussed relative to the corresponding neutral diatomics. Analysis of the HfO + spectra was incomplete, only g ⊥ could be accurately determined.
An Investigation Into the Decision Analysis of Design Process Decisions

Although recent work in decision-based design (DBD) recognizes the need for an enterprise perspective in which the expected profit is the primary driver of utility, for the overwhelming majority of contributions in the DBD literature, the emphasis in the problem formulation is exclusively on the design artifact. This formulation of DBD problems is too narrow in scope, because the use of resources during the design and development phase is overlooked, making it impossible to consider the tradeoffs between the quality of the design artifact and the cost of the design process. We aim to establish a new DBD perspective that more accurately represents the tradeoffs under consideration in an enterprise context by studying the design actions with decision analysis. As a first step toward establishing this new perspective, a simple example problem of material selection for a pressure vessel is introduced and analyzed in this paper. Although several simplifying assumptions are made, the intent of this work is to qualitatively explore the impact of relaxing some of the assumptions implicitly made in previous work in DBD, specifically the assumption of ignoring the costs of the design phase and the assumption that the value of a particular analysis is independent of the ability to gain additional information from subsequent analyses. This work confirms that an analysis is worth performing only when the cost is low, the quality is high, and the overlap in the predicted utility of the two concepts is significant. These insights are also compared with the related work in information economics. We show that the decision analysis of design process decisions provides a more comprehensive model of the problem when multiple information sources can sequentially be used.
DIVISION OF NUCLEAR PHYSICS: THE CHEMISTRY OF FISSION PRODUCTS IN A MOLTEN METAL NUCLEAR FUEL*

Methods of removing fission products from a U-- Bi fuel solution are discussed. The solubility of Xe/sup 135/ in a liquid fuel composed of uranium (600 io 1000 ppm), zirconium (100 to 300 ppm), magnesium (50 to 1000 ppm), and bismuth was determined io be 2.5 x 10/sup -8/ moles Xe/mole Bi-atin at 500 deg C. Tests on graphite capsules filled with U- Bi fuel and irradiated for 15 days at an average flux of 2 x 10/sup 12/ neutrons/cm/sup 2/-sec indicate that both Xe/ sup 133/ and I/sup 131/ have a strong tendency to concentrate at or near the liquid metal-graphite boundary. Similar graphite capsules of 3 concentric graphite layers of 1.5 mm thickness containing U-- Bi were irradiated for 15 days and then equilibrated at 500 deg C for 75, 15, and 5 hours. The 75-hr equilibration resulted in a uniform distribution throughout the three layers. Significant differences in second and third layer concentrations existed at 15 hours; at 5 hours a concentration difference was noted between the first and second layers. The Xe/sup 131/ concentration in liquid Bi was found to increase upon the addition of ThO/sub 2/ particles. The constancy of the equilibriurn constants of Ce,more » La, Nd, Sm, U, and Zr were tested and correlated with the thermodynamic properties of MgCl/sub 2/- NaCl-- KCl and Mg--Bi. From this correlation the separation factor, ratio of the distribution coefficient of a fission product element to that of U, was determined. Infinite dilution values were determined for Ce, Li, Mg, Na, and U in bismuth. (C.J.G.)« less
SU-FF-T-142: Feasibility Study of Linac-Based IMTMI for Clinical Implementation

Purpose: To investigate the treatment planning feasibility of the linac‐based intensity modulated total marrow irradiation (IMTMI) for clinical implementation in patients with hematological malignancies.Method and Materials: Linac‐based IMTMI treatment planning is performed for six patients using Eclipse™ treatment planning system. The planning treatment volume (PTV) consisted of all the bones in the body from head to mid femur except the forearms and hands. Critical organs (OARs) to spare included lungs,heart,liver,kidneys,brain, eyes, oral cavity and bowels and are contoured by a physician on the axial CT images. The three isocenter technique previously developed by our group is employed for the treatment planning in which PTV is divided into three sub‐volumes including head&neck, chest and pelvis. IMTMI treatment plans obtained in this study are evaluated using the dose volume histograms (DVH) and by comparing the IMTMI median organ doses with that of conventional TBI. IMTMI planning is difficult for many reasons. To this end, we investigated a common dose volume objective (DVO) set derived from individual DVOs of adult patients to reduce subjectivity in optimization process and also to decrease the optimization time. Results: Average dose reductions, in comparison to conventional TBI, for critical organs with the linac‐based IMTMI technique ranged from 15% for lung to 61% for lenses while more than 95% of the PTV is covered by 99% of the prescribed dose. The use of common DVO method has reduced the optimization time on average by almost 35% making our linac based IMTMI technique clinically feasible to plan within reasonable time. Conclusion: We demonstrated that clinically superior three isocenter linac‐based IMTMI plans, with good PTV coverage and OAR sparing, can be obtained within reasonable time using our common DVO method proposed in this study. Conflict of Interest: Research sponsored by Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
In vivo electrophysiological detection of myocardial ischemia through monophasic action potential recording

D ETECTION OF myocardial ischemia by biochemical, mechanical, or electrocardiographic assessment is limited by the fact that one cannot determine the precise region that is affected by reduction of blood flow. This is especially true of the electrophysiological manifestations of ischemia since the initial changes that occur in a small area of myocardium are not indicated by the electrocardiogram (ECG). However, these changes are important because they are involved in the genesis of lethal cardiac arrhythmias. This article will review the evidence that monophasic action potential (MAP) recordings are sensitive to changes in the cellular electrophysiological properties of ischemic myocardium and that they can specifically localize the ischemic zone. The use of the MAP electrode clinically may permit the localization of changes in electrical activity resulting from disease. Additionally, the mechanisms underlying changes in MAP recordings during ischemia will be discussed. To understand the possible cellular mechanisms underlying ischemia-induced changes in MAPS requires a brief review of the cellular electrophysiological changes that are known to occur during ischemia.le3
Life events and primary affective illness

Life events at the onset of primary affective illness were assessed in 183 patients with primary affective disorder who were attending a research lithium clinic. About 50% of patients recalled significant life events in the 3-month interval preceding their initial affective episode. Family history data of those patients who reported life events were not significantly different from those who did not report life events at onset. Furthermore, there were no significant differences among patients classified as bipolar or unipolar regarding reporting of life events at onset of illness. These data suggest that the delineation of a subgroup of patients with “reactive” primary affective illness is not supported by a decreased familial load for affective disorder in their relatives.
X-linked exudative vitreoretinopathy caused by an arginine to leucine substitution (R121L) in the Norrie disease protein

We report the cosegregation of an arginine to leucine substitution at position 121 of the Norrie disease protein in a large kindred where exudative vitreoretinopathy segregates as an X-linked recessive trait. The clinical phenotype and rate of disease progression were extremely variable, with progression to total retinal detachment from less than age 2 years to more than 21 years. To date, all mutations in X-linked vitreoretinopathy have been missense mutations, presumably not affecting the three-dimensional structure of the NDP gene product, and clustered around residues 121-126 of the Norrie protein. This contrasts with the diversity of mutations seen in the more severe, allelic Norrie disease.
Plasma 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels in Operative Patella Fractures

Background Patella fractures have not traditionally been considered “fragility” fractures.
Differential roles of migratory and resident DCs in T cell priming after mucosal or skin HSV-1 infection.

Although mucosal surfaces represent the main portal of entry for pathogens, the mechanism of antigen presentation by dendritic cells (DCs) that patrol various mucosal tissues remains unclear. Instead, much effort has focused on the understanding of initiation of immune responses generated against antigens delivered by injection. We examined the contributions of migratory versus lymph node–resident DC populations in antigen presentation to CD4 and CD8 T cells after needle injection, epicutaneous infection, or vaginal mucosal herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 infection. We show that upon needle injection, HSV-1 became lymph-borne and was rapidly presented by lymph node–resident DCs to CD4 and CD8 T cells. In contrast, after vaginal HSV-1 infection, antigens were largely presented by tissue-derived migrant DCs with delayed kinetics. In addition, migrant DCs made more frequent contact with HSV-specific T cells after vaginal infection compared with epicutaneous infection. Thus, both migrant and resident DCs play an important role in priming CD8 and CD4 T cell responses, and their relative importance depends on the mode of infection in vivo.
Comparing the rates of tantrum behavior in children with ASD and ADHD as well as children with comorbid ASD and ADHD diagnoses

Abstract The current study investigated the presentation of tantrum behaviors in individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis with and without a comorbid diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Participants included 347 children ranging in age from 2 to 18 years old. Diagnostic categories in the current study were based upon clinical diagnosis. The severity of ASD symptomology was measured by the Autism Spectrum Disorder-Diagnostic Child Version (ASD-DC). The presence and severity of tantrum behaviors were measured by the Tantrum behavior subscale of the Autism Spectrum Disorders-Comorbidity for Children (ASD-CC). The influence of diagnosis and ASD symptomology had upon the expression of tantrum behaviors were examined, controlling for participant age. Initial analysis revealed significant differences in the expression of tantrum behavior between the ASD, ADHD and ASD/ADHD groups. However, age did not have a significant influence on the exhibition of tantrum behaviors. Follow-up analyses demonstrated that those individuals diagnosed with an ASD and a comorbid ADHD diagnosis exhibited significantly greater tantrum behavior. Post hoc analyses identified a significant positive correlation between increases in ASD symptomology and elevations of the severity of tantrum behaviors for each group. The observed correlation for the ADHD group was found to be significantly greater than the ASD group. Correlations for individual item responses of the ASD-CC were also computed and discussed for each diagnostic group.
REGULATING SCARCITY: THE EFFECTS OF ZONING ON URBAN LAND MARKET CHANGES

This paper explores the dynamics between zoning, land values and neighborhood change from 1960 to 1970. Using a sample of 352 central city and suburban census tracts contained within the Chicago SMSA, this paper examines the influence of zoning on neighborhood land value appreciation and the independent effects of land values and zoning on neighborhood housing changes. Findings show that zoning influenced land value appreciation over the decade within both central city and suburban areas. Central city zoning and land values operated jointly to influence neighborhood housing changes while in suburban areas, zoning mechanisms overrode market forces in influencing neighborhood development patterns. This paper demonstrates the forcefulness of the politics of the urban land market in regulating both land scarcity and land value changes and in influencing metropolitan spatial distributions.
Sample and design considerations in post-disaster mental health needs assessment tracking surveys

Although needs assessment surveys are carried out after many large natural and man-made disasters, synthesis of findings across these surveys and disaster situations about patterns and correlates of need is hampered by inconsistencies in study designs and measures. Recognizing this problem, the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) assembled a task force in 2004 to develop a model study design and interview schedule for use in post-disaster needs assessment surveys. The US National Institute of Mental Health subsequently approved a plan to establish a center to implement post-disaster mental health needs assessment surveys in the future using an integrated series of measures and designs of the sort proposed by the SAMHSA task force. A wide range of measurement, design, and analysis issues will arise in developing this center. Given that the least widely discussed of these issues concerns study design, the current report focuses on the most important sampling and design issues proposed for this center based on our experiences with the SAMHSA task force, subsequent Katrina surveys, and earlier work in other disaster situations.