cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Image space analysis of generalized fractional programs

The solution of a particular nonconvex program is usually very dependent on the structure of the problem. In this paper we identify classes of nonconvex problems involving either sums or products of ratios of linear terms which may be treated by analysis in a transformed space. In each class, the image space is defined by a mapping which associates a new variable with each original ratio of linear terms. In the image space, optimization is easy in certain directions, and the overall solution may be realized by sequentially optimizing in these directions. In addition to these ratio problems, we also show how to use image space analysis to treat the subclass of problems whose objective is to optimize a product of linear terms. For each class of nonconvex problems, we present an algorithm that locates global solutions by computing both upper and lower bounds on the solution and then solving a sequence of linear programming sub-problems. We also demonstrate the algorithms described in this paper by solving several example problems.
Interfacial Thermodynamics of Water and Six Other Liquid Solvents

We examine the thermodynamics of the liquid–vapor interface by direct calculation of the surface entropy, enthalpy, and free energy from extensive molecular dynamics simulations using the two-phase thermodynamics (2PT) method. Results for water, acetonitrile, cyclohexane, dimethyl sulfoxide, hexanol, N-methyl acetamide, and toluene are presented. We validate our approach by predicting the interfacial surface tensions (IFT—excess surface free energy per unit area) in excellent agreement with the mechanical calculations using Kirkwood–Buff theory. Additionally, we evaluate the temperature dependence of the IFT of water as described by the TIP4P/2005, SPC/Ew, TIP3P, and mW classical water models. We find that the TIP4P/2005 and SPC/Ew water models do a reasonable job of describing the interfacial thermodynamics; however, the TIP3P and mW are quite poor. We find that the underprediction of the experimental IFT at 298 K by these water models results from understructured surface molecules whose binding energies...
Species specificity of ribosomal RNA methylases.

Transfer RNA and ribosomal RNA contain a number of methylated components in addition to the four major bases of their primary structure. (Dunn, 1959; Dunn et al., 1960: Dunn, 1961: Dunn et al., 1963: Hall, 1963) It has recently been demonstrated (Fleissner and Borek, 1962, 1963) and corroborated in many laboratories (Gold et al., 1963; Svensson et al., 1963; Starr, 1963) that the methylated bases of transfer RNA are acquired by transmethylation at the polynucleotide level of a preformed unmethylated polymer. The in vitro demonstration was facilitated -by the availability of methyl deficient transfer RNA which accumulates during methionine starvation of E. coli K12W6. However, the RNA formed in this relaxed mutant during methionine starvation also contains ribosomal RNA (Mandel and Borek, 1963) and hence should serve as an ideal substrate in a search for enzymes which methylate ribosomal RNA. In this communication we
Evolution of mitochondrial DNA in monkeys, apes, and humans

The size of the primate single mitochondrial DNA molecular ring, the genetic technology for obtaining pure samples, the use of nucleotide sequence and restriction endonuclease analyses, and the relatively rapid rate of evolution make mtDNA variation useful for microevolutionary studies within and between species despite the informational content of the 37 genes being restricted to one locus because of complete linkage. The data on chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and gibbons support the hypothesis that the two African apes are the closest living biological relatives of humans and favor a closer relation of chimpanzees and humans than of gorillas and humans. The data support the origin of Homo sapiens by regional phyletic transition from H. erectus, starting in Africa in the Middle Pleistocene, and oppose the hypothesis of rapid world-wide replacement by migration from a single source. The human continental races share a majority of both their mitochondrial and nuclear gene pools.
Finite element/experimental analysis of cavity nucleation in an Al-Si-Ge alloy

Cavity nucleation in a recently developed Al-0.55Si-2.02 Ge (wt%) alloy was studied by measuring the volume fraction of voids as a function of strain and precipitate diameter using a pycnometer. The finite element method was employed in order to calculate stress distributions around the SiGe precipitates for different precipitate diameters using both elasticity and plasticity models. This analysis allows a quantitative comparison between the experimental data and the prediction of a stress criterion for cavity nucleation based on the model developed by Brown and Stobbs.
Mutational specificity of a conditional Escherichia coli mutator, mutD5.

MutD5, a conditional mutator in Escherichia coli, causes the stimulation of mutation frequencies 50 to 100 fold in minimal medium. In rich medium mutation frequencies are further increased 50 to 100 fold. We show here that all possible base-pair mutations are increased in a mutD5 strain grown in rich medium. A:T↔G:C transitions as well as A:T↔C:G, A:T↔T:A aud G:C↔C:G transversions are stimulated. Transitions occur more frequently than transversions. MutD5 also increases the reversion frequencies of three trpA frameshift mutations by causing base-pair additions, and, possibly, base-pair deletions.
Mental health service utilization among long-term cancer survivors.

Although generally well-adjusted, a subset of cancer survivors have been observed to experience ongoing psychological distress. There has been little study of mental health care utilization among cancer survivors, however. We identified a cohort of cancer survivors continuously enrolled in a managed care organization who were alive at least 5 years after a diagnosis of cancer and without evidence of recurrence. We matched them each to four controls without a history of cancer based on age, sex, and clinic location. We then obtained their health care claims and evaluated their health care utilization along with explanatory variables such as cancer type, non-cancer comorbid conditions, and types of health care providers seen. One thousand one hundred eleven survivors were matched to 4,444 controls. Cancer survivors were more likely than controls to have a mental health diagnosis (33.5 vs. 30.3%, p < 0.05), accounted for mostly by anxiety and sleep disorders. Other predictors of receiving any mental health diagnosis on multivariable analysis were age: Odds Ratio (OR) 0.99 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.99–0.99) for each year; male sex: OR 0.87 (95% CI 0.77–0.99), and comorbidity: OR 0.56 (95% CI 0.49–0.64) for each point on the Charlson scale. The largest subgroup was breast cancer survivors, who were more likely to have a diagnosis of major affective disorder than were female survivors of other cancers. Survivors had more outpatient medical visits in general (mean 27.4 versus 21.9, p < 0.001) and specifically more mental health visits (2.5 versus 1.7 on average, p < 0.001) than did controls. Long-term cancer survivors have increased rates of mental health care utilization. Given the size and growth of the survivor population, this represents a significant amount of ongoing distress with important health resource allocation implications for policy makers.
Local structure and composition of the ionic aggregates in Cu(II)-neutralized poly(styrene-co-methacrylic acid) ionomers depend on acid content and neutralization level

The morphologies of poly(styrene-ran-methacrylic acid) (SMAA) copolymers neutralized with Cu(II), including the local structure and composition of the ionic aggregates, were investigated as a function of acid content and level of neutralization. X-ray scattering and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) results suggested that the sizes of the ionic aggregates in Cu(II)-neutralized SMAA are independent of the acid content and neutralization level. The number density of ionic aggregates increased slightly with acid content and neutralization level, but the increase was significantly less than expected for aggregates of fixed composition. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of Cu(II) detected three distinct cation sites whose relative amounts changed with acid content. These results combined to indicate that the ionic aggregates contain non-ionic species and that the aggregate compositions become more ionic with increasing acid content and neutralization level.
History of Mathematics: A Course Teachable by a Non-Historian.

(1978). History of Mathematics: A Course Teachable by a Non-Historian. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 85, No. 4, pp. 270-271.
Reformation of Functional Liver Polyribosomes from Ribosome Monomers in the Absence of RNA Synthesis

The administration to rats of the ethyl analog of methionine, ethionine, results in the rapid decrease in the hepatic concentration of adenosine triphosphate followed by an extensive disaggregation of polysomes to ribosome monomers and a concomitant inhibition of protein synthesis. These effects are readily reversed by the injection of methionine or precursors of adenine nucleotides such as adenine. The reformation of liver polyribosomes in such animals following the administration of adenine plus methionine was found to occur under conditions in which new RNA synthesis was markedly inhibited. Free messenger RNA without attached ribosomes must be capable of remaining functionally active in the liver cytoplasm for many hours.
The Health Impact of Living With a Cognitively Impaired Elderly Spouse: Depressive Symptoms and Social Functioning

The purpose of this study was to identify the social and psychological consequences of living with a cognitively impaired spouse among community-dwelling elderly individuals. The study sample consisted of 318 spouse pairs drawn from a representative sample of noninstitutionalized elderly individuals. Our principal findings were that: (a) Cognitive impairment in wives is significantly (p less than.05) associated with depressive symptomatology in husbands, whereas cognitive impairment in husbands is only weakly (p greater than.20) associated with depressive symptomatology in wives; (b) Decreased participation in social/leisure activities is selectively related to spouses' level of cognitive functioning among both men and women; (c) The relationship between wives' cognitive impairment and husbands' depressive symptoms is influenced by perceived availability of financial support from friends and relatives, but not by ADL limitations in wives, lack of emotional or instrumental support from wives, household responsibilities among husbands, or lack of participation in social/leisure activities in husbands. Language: en
School commitment and alcohol use: The moderating role of race and ethnicity.

Research indicates that lower levels of school commitment may be one potential outcome of policy initiatives such as high-stakes testing and exit exams. Such outcomes may lead these policy initiatives to have unintended consequences for students, particularly racial or ethnic minority students. This study examines whether race or ethnicity moderate the relationship between school commitment and alcohol use or binge drinking among a sample of Florida public middle and high-school students who were surveyed as part of the 2002 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey. Low school commitment was found to be associated with a greater likelihood of alcohol use in the past 30 days and a greater likelihood of binge drinking during the past two weeks for Black, Hispanic, and White students. Both the higher average levels of school commitment among Black and Hispanic than among white students and the greater association between low school commitment and the two alcohol use outcomes for Black and Hispanic students compared to White students account for some of the difference in alcohol use and binge drinking among the different groups. 1 Financial assistance for this study was provided by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (grant number R01 AA13167) and the National Institute of Drug Abuse (grant number R01 DA018645-01A1). We gratefully acknowledge Michael French and members of the Health Economics Research Group (HERG) for their research suggestions and William Russell for editorial assistance. The authors are entirely responsible for the research and results reported in this paper, and their position or opinions do not necessarily represent those of NIAAA or NIDA.
AGGRESSIVE CONDUCT DISORDER: THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL CLASS, SEX AND AGE ON THE CLINICAL PICTURE

Past studies have shown that aggressive conduct disorder is more common in boys and in families of low socioeconomic status, and that affected children are usually seen in child psychiatry clinics before the age of 10. In this work we aimed to find how socioeconomic status, sex and age at admission influence the clinical picture of this disorder. We divided a series of 58 affected children into two groups on each of the three factors and compared the groups on 175 variables. We found little evidence that the children's difficulties varied with social class, sex or age. This apparent constancy of the clinical picture reinforces the idea that aggressive conduct disorder is a valid, though broadly defined, psychiatric syndrome. Language: en
Disability Transfers, Self-Reported Health, and the Labor Force Attachment of Older Men: Evidence from the Historical Record

We use trends in self-reported disability to gauge the impact of the growth of disability transfer programs on the labor force attachment of older working-aged men. Our tabulations suggest that between 1949 and 1987, about half of the 4.9 percentage point drop in the labor force participation of men aged 45–54 and between one quarter and one third of the 19.9 point drop among men aged 55–64 represented a movement of men out of the labor force and onto the rolls of transfer programs targeted at the disabled. Since the expansion of transfer programs represents only one of the forces behind this movement, these figures represent upper bounds on the impact of such programs on work force attachment.
Tracking and Detracking: Debates, Evidence, and Best Practices for a Heterogeneous World

Although debate over tracking continues, many schools and districts have attempted various detracking reforms. Detracking efforts vary greatly in method and scope. Assessments of detracking are widely divergent as well, making it difficult to gauge the effectiveness of the reform. Evidence suggests that when implemented well, detracking opens new academic opportunities for students. Additionally, as difference and equity are, arguably, issues in all classrooms, detracking best practices are potentially helpful for teachers and students in tracked and detracked settings. This article provides an overview of (a) the debate over school tracking, (b) various attempts at detracking, and (c) best practices in detracked classrooms and schools, highlighting instructional practices, institutional structures, and belief changes that best support learning in heterogeneous settings.
CT scanner x-ray spectrum estimation from transmission measurements.

Purpose: In diagnostic CT imaging, multiple important applications depend on the knowledge of the x-ray spectrum, including Monte Carlo dose calculations and dual-energy material decomposition analysis. Due to the high photon flux involved, it is difficult to directly measure spectra from the x-ray tube of a CT scanner. One potential method for indirect measurement involves estimating the spectrum from transmission measurements. The expectation maximization (EM) method is an accurate and robust method to solve this problem. In this article, this method was evaluated in a commercial CT scanner. Methods: Two step-wedges (polycarbonate and aluminum) were used to produce different attenuation levels. Transmission measurements were performed on the scanner and the measured data from the scanner were exported to an external computer to calculate the spectra. The EM method was applied to solve the equations that represent the attenuation processes of polychromatic x-ray photons. Estimated spectra were compared to the spectra simulated using a software provided by the manufacturer of the scanner. To test the accuracy of the spectra, a verification experiment was performed using a phantom containing different depths of water. The measured transmission data were compared to the transmission values calculated using the estimated spectra. Results: Spectra of 80, 100, 120, and 140 kVp from a dual-source CT scanner were estimated. The estimated and simulated spectra were well matched. The differences of mean energies were less than 1 keV. In the verification experiment, the measured and calculated transmission values were in excellent agreement. Conclusions: Spectrum estimation using transmission data and the EM method is a quantitatively accurate and robust technique to estimate the spectrum of a CT system. This method could benefit studies relying on accurate knowledge of the x-ray spectra from CT scanner.
Voice Parameters That Result in Identification or Misidentification of Biological Gender in Male-to-Female Transgender Veterans

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to examine the voices of male-to-female (MtF) transgender veterans and biological females that can result in identification or misidentification of biological gender. Twenty-one MtF transgender veterans and 9 cis-gender females were enrolled. The interaction of speaking fundamental frequency (SFo) and formant (resonatory) frequencies in gender discrimination was investigated. The results indicated that an average SFo above 180 Hz and maintaining a speaking pitch range of approximately 140 to 300 Hz appear to be the most powerful acoustic features or markers in the perception of a female voice in a biological male (M. L. Brown & Rounsley, 1996). An SFo of approximately 170 Hz appears to be the lower limit that would result in a biological male being perceived as having a female voice by most listeners. A slight elevation in the second (F2) and third (F3) formants was noted but does not appear to have a significant influence in the perception of a female voice in bio...
The spatial spread of container transport in a developing regional economy: North Sumatra, Indonesia

As a capital intensive transport technology linked to industrialized economies, containerization has only recently penetrated the non-Western, developing periphery. The spatial spread of this revolutionary technology through the transport surface of a developing region encounters numerous institutional and technological barriers which are only removed by a reformulation of government trade and transport policies. In examining the spread process of container technology at the Port of Belawan and its hinterland of North Sumatra, Indonesia, attention is given to the important role of policy as a catalyst to the spatial penetration of this foreign imposed transport mode. Some negative consequences of technology adoption are explored and a spatial penetration model of container technology in a developing regional economy is proposed.
Dielectric Function and Band Gaps of Si1−xCx AND Si0.924−xGe0.076Cx (0≤x≤0.014) Semiconductor Alloys Grown on Si

We have characterized the optical properties of heteroepitexial Si1−xCx and Si0.924−xGe0.076Cx (0≤x≤0.014) alloys grown on Si substrates by solid phase epitaxy using spectroscopic ellipsometry. The measured dielectric function confirms that the samples are of good crystalline quality. We determined the E1 and E2 band gaps by lineshape-fitting the features in the second derivative spectra of the dielectric functions. Also, we discuss the shift of the band gaps with C concentration arising from strain and chemical alloying.
Effect of component interactions on the removal of organic impurities in ultrapure water systems

The interaction among the components of the ultrapure water systems in semiconductor plants is explored. Two important examples of these interactions are investigated: interactions of ultraviolet (UV) radiation units with membrane filters and interactions of UV with ion-exchange units. Both experimental and theoretical techniques are developed to study these interactions. The results indicate that the sequencing of UV and filter units affect the efficiency of total oxidizable carbon (TOC) removal. In particular, the efficiency is higher when the filter is before UV. Interaction between UV and ion exchange is desirable for the removal of recalcitrant, low-molecular-weight organic compounds such as ethanol, but undesirable for the removal of high-molecular-weight charged compounds such as bacterial lipopolysaccharides, alginic acids, humic acids, methionine, and glycine. >
Comparison of Raltegravir and Elvitegravir on HIV-1 Integrase Catalytic Reactions and on a Series of Drug-Resistant Integrase Mutants†

HIV-1 integrase (IN) is the molecular target of the newly approved anti-AIDS drug raltegravir (MK-0518, Isentress) while elvitegravir (GS-9137, JTK-303) is in clinical trials. The aims of the present study were (1) to investigate and compare the effects of raltegravir and elvitegravir on the three IN-mediated reactions, 3′-processing (3′-P), strand transfer (ST), and disintegration, (2) to determine the biochemical activities of seven IN mutants (T66I, L74M, E92Q, F121Y, Q148K, S153Y, and N155H) previously selected from drug-resistant patients and isolates, and (3) to determine the resistance profile for raltegravir and elvitegravir in those IN mutants. Our findings demonstrate that both raltegravir and elvitegravir are potent IN inhibitors and are highly selective for the ST reaction of IN. Elvitegravir was more potent than raltegravir, but neither drug could block disintegration. All resistance mutations were at least partially impaired for ST. Q148K was also markedly impaired for 3′-P. Both drugs exhib...
A Wireless Integrated Circuit for 100-Channel Charge-Balanced Neural Stimulation

The authors present the design of an integrated circuit for wireless neural stimulation, along with benchtop and in - vivo experimental results. The chip has the ability to drive 100 individual stimulation electrodes with constant-current pulses of varying amplitude, duration, interphasic delay, and repetition rate. The stimulation is performed by using a biphasic (cathodic and anodic) current source, injecting and retracting charge from the nervous system. Wireless communication and power are delivered over a 2.765-MHz inductive link. Only three off-chip components are needed to operate the stimulator: a 10-nF capacitor to aid in power-supply regulation, a small capacitor (< 100 pF) for tuning the coil to resonance, and a coil for power and command reception. The chip was fabricated in a commercially available 0.6- mum 2P3M BiCMOS process. The chip was able to activate motor fibers to produce muscle twitches via a Utah Slanted Electrode Array implanted in cat sciatic nerve, and to activate sensory fibers to recruit evoked potentials in somatosensory cortex.
Comparison of Neurocognitive Functioning in Children Previously Randomly Assigned to Intrathecal Methotrexate Compared With Triple Intrathecal Therapy for the Treatment of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Purpose For the majority of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), CNS prophylaxis consists of either intrathecal (IT) methotrexate or triple IT therapy (ie, methotrexate with both cytarabine and hydrocortisone). The long-term neurotoxicities of these two IT strategies have not yet been directly compared. Patients and Methods In this multisite study, 171 children with standard-risk ALL, age 1 to 9.99 years at diagnosis, previously randomly assigned to IT methotrexate (n = 82) or to triple IT therapy (n = 89) on CCG 1952, underwent neurocognitive evaluation by a licensed psychologist at a mean of 5.9 years after random assignment. Results Patients who received IT methotrexate had a mean Processing Speed Index that was 3.6 points lower, about one fourth of a standard deviation, than those who received triple IT therapy (P = .04) after analysis was adjusted for age, sex, and time since diagnosis. Likewise, 19.5% of children in the IT methotrexate group had a Processing Speed Index score in the bel...
Effects of Cooking Methods and Browning Temperatures on Yields of Poultry Parts

Abstract Effects of cooking methods and browning temperatures on yields, rancidity development, and tenderness of broiler parts were investigated. Broiler parts breaded raw and steam cooked picked up more breading than parts breaded after being cooked in water. Wing and breast parts were observed to pick up the greatest percent of breading. Water cooked chicken had more initial cooking loss than the steam cooked parts during the precooking operation. Wings, regardless of cooking method, lost the least amount of weight during this operation. Browning in deep fat resulted in greater weight losses for steam cooked parts than for water cooked chicken. Wings were shown to have the greatest percent weight loss in the deep fat fryer. Weight loss in the fryer rose progressively as browning temperature was decreased and time of browning increased. Drums and wings had the highest final yield and thighs had the lowest yield. Steam cooked parts were found to be more tender than water cooked parts. The second 3 mm. slice of the pectoralis major muscle of the breast was found to be more tender than the first 3 mm. slice. The iliotibialis muscle of the thigh was more tender than either the outer or inner layer of the pectoralis major. Deep fat frying increased the shear values recorded for breasts, but not for thighs. TBA numbers were found to be lower for breast meat than thigh meat. Parts browned at 149° C. had the highest TBA numbers of the treatments studied.
Anions Modulate the Potency of Geranylgeranyl-Protein Transferase I Inhibitors *

We have identified and characterized potent and specific inhibitors of geranylgeranyl-protein transferase type I (GGPTase I), as well as dual inhibitors of GGPTase I and farnesyl-protein transferase. Many of these inhibitors require the presence of phosphate anions for maximum activity against GGPTase I in vitro. Inhibitors with a strong anion dependence were competitive with geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP), rather than with the peptide substrate, which had served as the original template for inhibitor design. One of the most effective anions was ATP, which at low millimolar concentrations increased the potency of GGPTase I inhibitors up to several hundred-fold. In the case of clinical candidate l-778,123, this increase in potency was shown to result from two major interactions: competitive binding of inhibitor and GGPP, and competitive binding of ATP and GGPP. At 5 mm, ATP caused an increase in the apparent K(d) for the GGPP-GGPTase I interaction from 20 pm to 4 nm, resulting in correspondingly tighter inhibitor binding. A subset of very potent GGPP-competitive inhibitors displayed slow tight binding to GGPTase I with apparent on and off rates on the order of 10(6) m(-)1 s(-)1 and 10(-)3 s(-)1, respectively. Slow binding and the anion requirement suggest that these inhibitors may act as transition state analogs. After accounting for anion requirement, slow binding, and mechanism of competition, the structure-activity relationship determined in vitro correlated well with the inhibition of processing of GGPTase I substrate Rap1a in vivo.
Tunnel-diode converter analysis

An analysis of tunnel-diode converters is presented for two different conditions of operation. In the first, the converter is self-oscillating; in the second, the local oscillator (LO) voltage is provided from an external source. Two classes of self-oscillating converters are presented. The first operates on the fundamental of the oscillation frequency and the other operates on the second harmonic. Assuming the dynamic conductance of a tunnel diode changes only as a function of the local oscillator voltage, and expressing this conductance in a Fourier series, a 3 × 3 conductance matrix is obtained. Utilizing this matrix, expressions for gain, bandwidth, and noise figure are obtained. The analysis includes the image frequency termination. In the expressions for noise figure, the cross-correlation terms, produced by the amplitude change of the dc equivalent shot-noise current due to the LO voltage, are also included.
Noise-dependent Gaussian mixture classifiers for robust rejection decision

Speech or speaker recognizers need to make a decision on either accepting or rejecting a recognized item, based on some measurement (e.g., likelihood) associated to the item. Distribution-based classification can be used to make the decision. In practical applications, the background noise level may adversely affect the distributions of the likelihoods and cause classification failure. A new decision mechanism is described, which treats the likelihoods as outcome of multidimensional Gaussian distributions with noise-dependent mean and covariance. The dependence on the noise is explicitly modeled as a polynomial function of noise level. The steps of estimating the decision parameters using the EM algorithm are given. Experimental results on in-car speech data show that the procedure, for noise ranging from a parked car (/spl sim/30 dB SNR) to highway (/spl sim/0 dB SNR) driving conditions, maintains a well-balanced decision performance between false rejection and false acceptance.
Repair of the Cocaine-Induced Cleft Palate Using the Modified Double-Opposing Z-Plasty:

Cocaine is a potent vasoconstrictor, and long-standing use can result in an acquired palatal cleft. Similar to congenital cases, this palatal defect can cause nasal emission and hypernasal speech. The goals of palate repair include optimizing palatal function for speech and feeding while avoiding dehiscence or postoperative fistulae. The modified double-opposing Z-plasty is an effective technique for cleft palate repair. We describe the first reported case using this technique to repair a palatal defect resulting from chronic cocaine use. Recommended requirements for using this technique include absence of future or ongoing ischemic insults to the tissue (cocaine abstinence) for at least 1 year, an intact vascular pedicle demonstrated by greater palatine dimples, presence of sufficient vascularized soft tissue with preserved pharyngeal arches, small to medium defect sizes within 10 cm2, and extensive flap mobilization with tension-free closure. The advantages of this technique include preservation and reo...
Looking Backward: An Appraisal of Two Field Trips

Social anthropology strives for theoretical understanding of human behavior. It sets out to isolate and expose the regularities manifested in social behavior and to present a rational description of these relationships. It thus shares a general orientation with those sciences that endeavor to discover and analyze the regularities in nature. It shares too with the natural sciences many of the same problems of demonstrating the validity of theory and methods. Among the most important of these is the central problem of fitting theories to reality, whether social or physical. Theory is, after all, not an absolute end. It is devised to disentangle information and its validity is ultimately determined by nothing more or less than the extent to which it assists in unwinding what is sometimes a fantastic tangle of empirical data.1
Parallel Sorting on the Hypercube Concurrent Processor

This paper describes a generalized version of a previously published parallel sort algorithm, "parallel shell merge".[3] This version was implemented on the JPLKaltech Mark I11 hypercube concurrent processor. Each node starts out with a sublist of items to be sorted first internally, and then among the other nodes. Parallel shell merge is an algorithm used to produce a whole sorted list across the hypercube once each sublist is sorted internally. This version is general in the sense that it allows sublists of very different sizes to be sorted as well as being able to handle balanced sublists. This general version performs quite well when it is used to sort balanced loads of data; however, there are some efficiency losses due to the generalization, but they are acceptable. I. Background A parallel prototype of SEQGEN, the software that verifies and expands high-level activities into low-level command sequences for PL flight projects, is in the process of development on the JPL/Caltech Mark I11 hypercube concurrent processor.[l1[21 The purpose of this prototype is to show that the process of generating commands and sending them to the spacecraft, generally called "uplink", can be greatly sped up utilizing parallel computers. Since SEQGEN spends a significant portion of its time sorting commands in time order, a parallel sort algorithm is necessary for the best possible parallel speed UP. 11. Parallel Sort The parallel sort works as follows. Each node of the hypercube starts out containing a sublist of commands in which there are time fields to be sorted. Each sublist can be of any arbw size. The algorithm to be described is a generalization of shell merge. [3] The algorithm's prerequisite is that the sublist on each node is sorted; therefore, the sequential version of quick sort is applied to each sublist independently using the median-of-three method to select a pivot point where partition starts. Once each sublist is sorted independently by quick sort as node 0 node 1 node 3 node 2
Do precursor polyp burdens help distinguish Lynch versus non-Lynch microsatellite unstable colorectal cancers?

Background Microsatellite instability (MSI) within colorectal cancers (CRC) may develop through inherited germline mutations in mismatch repair (MMR) genes (Lynch Syndrome) or sporadic epigenetic methylation of tumor suppressor or repair genes (methylator pathway). Although the molecular mechanisms in each pathway have been described, their associated precursor polyp burdens are not well-defined. This study analyzes precursor polyp burdens occurring within patients with MSI-H colorectal cancers associated with Lynch Syndrome (LS) or those with a methylator pathway cancer phenotype.
Service Quality Of Educational Websites: An Empirical Study

This paper employs a measurement of the service quality of educational Websites as perceived by students, following a conceptual model developed by Santos (2003). Perceived service quality of educational Websites is conceptualized as dependent on the following variables—ease of use, content, reliability, privacy, and interaction. An empirical test with university students validates the overall model. As for the individual independent variables, all of them except privacy are found to have a significant effect on perceived service quality.
Custom coding, adaptive rate control, and distributed detection for Bluetooth

Three strategies for improving the performance of point-to-point Bluetooth links are presented. All of the strategies are implemented on the host computer, and therefore no modification of the Bluetooth standard is necessary. The first strategy is custom error control coding, which is achieved by transporting BCH codewords within AUX1 packets. The second concept is adaptive rate control, which involves dynamically selecting the packet type that offers the best throughput for the current channel SNR. Finally, a distributed detection technique is proposed, whereby each packet is broadcast to a group of two or more receivers that are linked over a reliable backbone, and the packet is accepted if it is received correctly at any receiver in the group.
Erythropoietic therapy: cost efficiency and reimbursement.

Purpose. The practice of blood conservation is aimed at improving patient outcomes by avoiding allogeneic transfusions via a coordinated multidisciplinary, multipronged approach. The numerous blood conservation techniques and transfusion alternatives now available are described. Summary. Ongoing concerns exist regarding the availability of the nation’s and the world’s blood supply. In addition, the number of measures required to ensure blood safety has led to increases in the price of blood and blood products over the past 10–15 years. Moreover, blood transfusion carries inherent risks even under the most favorable circumstances. Investigations have established that injudicious transfusion is associated with development of ventilator-associated pneumonia, nosocomial infection, and organ dysfunction. Because most single blood-conservation techniques reduce blood usage by a mere 1–2 units, a series of integrated conservation approaches are required. These include preoperative autologous donation, use of erythropoietic agents, blood conservation techniques such as acute normovolemic hemodilution, individualized assessment of anemia tolerance, implementation of conservative transfusion thresholds, meticulous surgical techniques, and judicious use of phlebotomy and pharmacologic agents for limiting blood loss. Erythropoietic agents such as epoetin alfa have been used successfully to increase hemoglobin and decrease transfusion requirements, and are appropriate when used in advance of elective surgical procedures. Acquisition costs of erythropoietic stimulating agents versus costs of blood justify economic evaluation by hospitals to make the most cost-effective choice under current economic constraints. Conclusion. Initiating a blood management program requires planning and support from those who are concerned about blood usage reduction and outcomes improvement. Launching a vigorous and ongoing educational program to raise awareness about the risks and hazards associated with blood transfusion is an important step in helping to reshape the medical staffs’ attitudes about transfusion and the most cost-effective way to achieve clinical goals.
Adaptive control of an orbiting single tether system

The tethered satellite system (TSS) is a shuttle-based system that consists of a subsatellite connected by a single tether to a boom/reel mechanism located in the orbiter payload bay. A control law for the TSS, based on universal adaptive control (UAC) techniques, is developed. A nonlinear model of the TSS is formulated so that the linear controller can be evaluated, and comparison is made with results obtained with alternate control laws. Advantages of the UAC include its design simplicity and the fact that the specific TSS model is never used. Simulation results for the closed-loop system for the station-keeping mode with various-length trajectories show the feasibility of the method. >
A simulation methodology for software energy evaluation

We describe a comprehensive simulation methodology and tool for evaluation of software energy for the pipelined DLX processor. Energy models for each module of DLX are built and the energy is evaluated during run time execution. The input to the simulator are the instructions of the program and the simulator estimates energy of each micro-instruction using the energy models. Our simulator allows exploration of energy by allowing architecture modification, experimentation with different software techniques (compilation optimizations, algorithm evaluation) and also allows simultaneous interplay of both hardware and software techniques. The usefulness of this simulator is demonstrated by evaluating certain compilation optimizations (loop unrolling, software pipelining, recursion elimination etc.) and algorithms.
Transverse mode selection with a passive antiguide region in vertical cavity surface emitting lasers

We report a numerical analysis on the transverse mode behavior of a novel passive antiguide region buried heterostructure vertical cavity surface emitting laser, which emits a single stable transverse mode from a large aperture. Two- and three-dimensional beam propagation methods were used to calculate the threshold gains and the actual modal profiles for the fundamental and first order modes. We show that the passive antiguide structure is the main modal selection mechanism and the high order modes suffer much higher losses such that they are highly suppressed from reaching thresholds. >
The Benefits, Costs, and Financing of Technical and Vocational Education and Training

The TVET is particularly an innovative application field of educational economic “Costs-Benefit-Quality”-research. This chapter gives an overview of the accumulating empirical evidence on the benefits, costs, and financing of selected TVET programs. Before examining the findings of individual studies, the author considers the context for studying TVET. The first step is to ask, what are the reasons for conducting researches on TVET’s benefits, costs, and financing? Then he discusses frameworks for thinking about TVET and the methodologies for estimating TVET’s costs and benefits. Finally, he turns to a review of studies of TVET costs and benefits from the perspectives of workers, employers, taxpayers, and the broader public. The research spans several countries and a variety of TVET systems and programs. The final sections summarize the findings and consider implications for policy.
Effects of methylxanthines on gonadotropin-induced steroidogenesis and protein synthesis in isolated testis interstitial cells.

The effects of 1-methyl 3-isobutyl xanthine (MIX) and theophylline on basal and gonadotropin-stimulated production of cyclic AMP and testosterone were evaluated in enzyme-dispersed testicular interstitial cells. The actions of these compounds upon precursor incorporation into RNA and protein were also examined in the same cell preparation. The considerably higher potency of MIX as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor was accompanied by a steeper dose-response curve for cyclic AMP recovery in incubation media of hormone-treated cells. Both inhibitors caused increases in basal and hormone-stimulated cyclic AMP levels. Although low concentrations of theophylline and MIX had no effect on the maximum levels of hCG-stimulated testosterone production, 10 mM theophylline and 1 mM MIX significantly inhibited steroidogenesis. Conversely, basal testosterone levels were increased by MIX and theophylline. The higher concentrations of MIX and theophylline also significantly inhibited precursor incorporation into RNA and prote...
Flip Chip Packaging for Nanoscale Silicon Logic Devices: Challenges and Opportunities

After decades of following the roadmap laid out by Moore’s law [1], silicon features have reached the nanoscale, which is below 100 nm in dimension, as illustrated in Fig. 22.1. The first logic products with 90-nm transistors, using the traditional silicon dioxide insulator and polysilicon gate, went into volume production in 2003. More recently in 2007, 45-nm devices using a revolutionary high-k metal gate transistor technology have been introduced [2, 3]. These nanoscale devices enable higher performance circuits, which in turn drive advanced features in their packaging. These devices can significantly lower the power consumption of high-performance logic products creating new applications in the fast-growing ultramobile market (Fig. 22.2) and thus requiring packaging to support the demands of these form factors. This chapter will discuss the challenges and opportunities in flip chip packaging for these nanoscale devices.
Assessment of Adaptive Driving Beam Photometric Performance

This paper focuses on the safety benefits of adaptive driving beam headlights. The photometric performance of the headlights is tested in the field using simulated headlight and tail light conditions. The test results are summarized and recommendations for standardized measurement conditions for reliability are also provided.
EVALUATION OF FRACTURE HEALING BY THE ULTRASONIC “BONE WAVE” MEASUREMENT THROUGH THE FRACTURED SITE-IN VIVO

An ultrasonic bone wave through the osteotomized rabbit's tibia has been used to objectively monitor the progress of fracture healing. The measurements were conducted in the pulse transmission mode, using a pair of low-frequency (160 kHz) transducers. In this study the ratio of the bone wave amplitude through the fractured tibia to that through the contralateral normal tibia is used as the ultrasonic healing index. The results show that this healing index consistently increases with healing time. It has also been observed that, as the healing proceeds, the bone wave of the fractured tibia approaches that of the normal tibia, indicating that this technique can be used to quantitatively assess fracture healing. Large experimental variations, however, warrant further refinement of the technique.
Complications of shoulder instability surgery.

This article presents the complications of shoulder instability that occur before, during, and after surgery. Suggestions as to how to avoid these complications also are included. Knowledge of what can go wrong during each of these three periods allows one to minimize the possibility of incurring complications. This knowledge is gained through experience, study, and continued research. The outcomes are better results and a more content patient population.
Voronovskaya Type Asymptotic Expansions for Perturbed Neural Networks

Here we study further perturbed normalized neural network operators of Cardaliaguet-Euvrard type.
Accelerating TauDEM for Extracting Hydrology Information from National-Scale High Resolution Topographic Dataset: Extended Abstract

We present performance improvements on parallel hydrology algorithms in TauDEM suite that allowed us to process the 10m USGS 3DEP topographic dataset (667GB, 180 billion raster cells) by adopting a block-wise data decomposition feature and maximazing the disk parallelism.
A context-based approach to detecting miscreant behavior and collusion in open multiagent systems

Most multiagent systems (MAS) either assume cooperation on the part of the agents or assume that the agents are completely self-interested, for example, in the case of bidding and other market-based approaches. However, an interesting class of MAS is one that is fundamentally cooperative, yet open, and in which one or more of the agents may be self-interested. In such systems, there is the potential for agents to misbehave, i.e., to be miscreants. Detecting this is tricky and context-dependent. Even more difficult is the problem of detecting collusion between agents. In this paper, we report on a project that is beginning to address this problem using a context-based approach. Features of the MAS' situation are used by a subset of the agents to identify it as an instance of one or more known contexts. Knowledge the agent(s) have about those contexts can then be used to directly detect miscreant behavior or collusion or to select the appropriate technique for the context with which to do so. The work is based on context-mediated behavior (CoMB), and it develops a new form of collusion detection called society-level analysis of motives (SLAM).
The preclinical discovery and development of bortezomib for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an incurable, often aggressive B-cell malignancy. Bortezomib (BTZ), the 20S proteasome inhibitor was originally developed and approved for treatment of relapsed refractory multiple myeloma, and subsequently approved for treatment of MCL. BTZ’s single-agent activity induces clinical responses in approximately one-third of relapsed MCL patients. BTZ-containing combination therapies have further improved the quality and duration of clinical responses compared to standard chemotherapies in previously untreated MCL patients.Areas covered: This review summarizes the discovery, mechanisms of -action and resistance, preclinical- clinical-developments, and FDA approval of BTZ for treatments of MCL.Expert opinion: Preclinical MCL models demonstrated the apoptotic effect of BTZ through multiple mechanisms, as well as synergistic anti-MCL activity between BTZ and other chemotherapeutics. Single-agent and combinational clinical trials have validated the therapeutic p...