cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
USF of computer-based scenario analysis for assessment and decision making: Examination of a potential food crisis in South Asia

A multilevel hierarchical computer simulation model focusing on world food problems has been developed as an integral component of the Mesarovic-Pestel World Modeling Project. The model incorporates submodels of economic phenomena, demographic phenomena, land use and food production which have been developed by scholars representing several disciplines and universities. In this paper results from a problem oriented, policy oriented analysis of potential food shortages in South Asia are presented.
A plasma electroacoustic resonance bandpass filter

Enhanced transmission through an overdense plasma layer, when electroacoustic (Tonks-Dattner) resonances are excited, has been utilized in an electrically tunable bandpass filter at L-band frequencies.
Distinguishing eyewitness descriptions of perceived objects from descriptions of imagined objects

This study identifies cues that differentiate perceptually based from suggested eyewitness memories and investigates whether misled witnesses deliberately invent false descriptions of suggested objects. Witnesses to a staged event either viewed a target object (Visible condition), did not see the object but had its presence suggested to them (Suggestion condition), or did not see the object but falsified a description (Deception condition). Compared to Suggestion witnesses, Visible witnesses who provided a description used more sensory details, used fewer verbal hedges and 'I' pronouns, rated their confidence higher, spoke more slowly, and maintained less eye contact with the interviewer. Obtained differences between Suggestion and Deception witnesses imply that misled witnesses do not intentionally fabricate descriptions. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Language: en
Finance, investment, and growth in Meiji-era Japan

Abstract This paper examines whether financial factors played a leading role in the rising investment rates and per capita incomes that characterized Japan over the 1880–1913 period. After an account of financial reforms undertaken during the Meiji transition (1868–1884) that created favorable conditions for successful finance-led development, a set of vector autoregressive models offers evidence that the financial sector was indeed instrumental in promoting Japan's rise to world prominence by the eve of the First World War.
The American board of anesthesiology: Thoughts on the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary

Last year, the Journal of Clinical Anesthesia (‘JCA) took note of the fiftieth “jubilee” of the journal Anesthesiology in an editorial by Dr. Leroy D. Vandam.’ It is the season for remembrances, for at almost the same time a half century ago, there was in creation the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA). Its origin as an independent corporation took place in March 1938 after a brief spell as a subsidiary of the American Board of Surgery. This event marked an important milestone in the development of our specialty, leading ultimately to the acceptance of anesthesiology as a medical discipline among its peers. Recognition as a specialty board required the usual period of discussion, negotiation, and acceptance of formal status by the then Advisory Board for Medical Specialties (now the American Board of Medical Specialties) and its parent organizations. This event, in February 1941, followed the incorporation of the ABA by some three years. No one who has lived within the specialty through the intervening years (for this writer, all but a decade) would agree that acceptance of the ABA by organized medicine was other than a small beginning to the recognition of the specialty by the rank and file of medicine, the public, and the institutions of society generally. It was not the existence of the ABA itself that accomplished this acceptance. Ultimate legitimacy depended on continual dedication to the enhancement of the standards of knowledge and practice among anesthesiologists, along with the efforts of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and its member practitioners working in the clinical, scientific, educational, and political arenas. The vision, energy, enthusiasm, and political skills of the founding directors of the ABA were thus all the more remarkable for the fact that success-whether in the sense of formal recognition or true acceptancewas by no means assured. “Let us now praise famous men”:* These directors, Drs. T. Drysdale Buchanan, John Lundy, Emory Rovenstine, Henry Ruth, H. Boyd Stewart, Ralph Tovell, Ralph Waters, Paul Wood, and Philip Woodbridge, were motivated by many desires, not the least of
Reduction of bromate by biogenic sulfide produced during microbial sulfur disproportionation.

Bromate (BrO3 −) is a carcinogenic contaminant formed during ozonation of waters that contain trace amounts of bromide. Previous research shows that bromate can be microbially reduced to bromide using organic (i.e. acetate, glucose, ethanol) and inorganic (H2) electron-donating substrates. In this study, the reduction of bromate by a mixed microbial culture was investigated using elemental sulfur (S0) as an electron donor. In batch bioassays performed at 30°C, bromate (0.30 mM) was completely converted to bromide after 10 days and no accumulation of intermediates occurred. Bromate was also reduced in cultures supplemented with thiosulfate and hydrogen sulfide as electron donor. Our results demonstrated that S0-disproportionating microorganisms were responsible for the reduction of bromate in cultures spiked with S0 through an indirect mechanism involving microbial formation of sulfide and subsequent abiotic reduction of bromate by the biogenic sulfide. Confirmation of this mechanism is the fact that bromate was shown to undergo rapid chemical reduction by sulfide (but not S0 or thiosulfate) in abiotic experiments. Bromate concentrations above 0.30 mM inhibited sulfide formation by S0-disproportionating bacteria, leading to a decrease in the rate of bromate reduction. The results suggest that biological formation of sulfide from by S0 disproportionation could support the chemical removal of bromate without having to directly use sulfide as a reagent.
A Logical Hole the Chinese Room Avoids

Searle's Chinese room argument (CRA) was recently charged as being unsound because it makes a logical error. It is shown here that this charge is based on a misinterpretation of the modal scope of a major premise of the CRA and that the CRA does not commit the logical error with which it is charged.
Labor Market Choices and Home Health Care Provision Among Employed Ethnic Caregivers

This paper systematically links and examines two decisions of employed informal caregivers, the allocation of time to care production and to the labor market. Its main contribution is its evaluation of the influence of ethnicity on the family's decisions about providing health care to meet the impending needs of an elderly family member or friend. Caregiving production factors, financial resources, and personal characteristics of the informal care providers influence both caregiving hours and the labor market decisions. German-, Irish-, English-, and Afro-Americans differ significantly in their decision to provide informal care. Policy and research implications of this analysis are discussed.
The feasibility and impact of midnight routine blood draws on laboratory orders and processing time.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of midnight routine blood draws and assess their impact on test result availability and stat laboratory orders. Methods: We changed the timing of routine blood draws from early morning to midnight on five inpatient wards during the period November 16 to 30, 2011. Results: For the entire institution, of all orders placed each day, laboratory test orders placed from 4:00 to 8:00 am decreased from 55% to 39%, and those placed from 12:00 to 4:00 am increased from 12% to 30%. Stat orders per day decreased during the intervention period (301 ± 53 vs 344 ± 55, P = .04). Morning specimens were more likely to be available by 9:00am (78.1% vs 58.9%, P < .001), and their turnaround time improved by 25.8 minutes (158 vs 184 minutes, P < .001). Patient survey revealed potential preference for midnight blood draws. Conclusions: Midnight is a feasible alternative for the timing of routine blood draws. Redesigning inflow of laboratory orders improved efficiency of laboratory processing and reduced stat orders.
Comparison of frictional resistance in titanium and stainless steel brackets

This study measures and compares the level of frictional resistance generated between titanium and stainless steel brackets. Both 0.018 and 0.022 inch slot size edgewise brackets were tested with different sized rectangular stainless steel wires in a specially designed apparatus. The frictional resistance was measured on Instron Universal testing machine (Instron Corp, Canton, Mass) with a 10 pound load cell. The specimen population was composed of 180 brackets and 180 wire specimens. A completely randomized design (one way) ANOVA was used to test for significant differences among the three bracket/wire types in the 0.018 and 0.022 inch slot sizes. This was followed by the Student Newman Keuls Multiple Comparison of means ranking at P < .05 to determine differences between the different groups. The titanium brackets showed lower static and kinetic frictional force as the wire size increased, whereas stainless steel brackets showed higher static and kinetic frictional force as the wire size increased.
CSR Rating Agencies: What is Their Global Impact?

In the last two decades, there has been a pronounced growth of CSR rating agencies that assess corporations based on their social and environmental performance. This article investigates the impact of CSR ratings on the behavior of individual corporations. To what extent do corporations adjust their behavior based on how they rank? Our primary finding is that being dropped from a CSR ranking appears to do little to encourage firms to acknowledge and address problems related to their social and environmental performance. Specific rankings appear not to have a widespread effect of influencing firms to acknowledge negative CSR events and publicly present plans and actions to address them. Whether firms are well or poorly ranked, they appear to focus on and publicly discuss their “positive” CSR activities. We discuss the wider significance of these results as well as the overall significance of CSR rankings for a global economy.
TRP53 activates a global autophagy program to promote tumor suppression

The mechanisms by which the TP53/TRP53 transcription factor acts as a tumor suppressor remain incompletely understood. To gain new insights into TP53/TRP53 biology, we used ChIP-seq and RNA-seq technologies to define global TRP53 transcriptional networks in primary cells subjected to DNA damage. Intriguingly, we identified a TRP53-regulated autophagy program, which can be coordinately regulated by the TRP53 family members TRP63 and TRP73 in certain settings. While autophagy is not involved in TRP53-dependent cell cycle arrest, it contributes to both TRP53-driven apoptosis in response to DNA damage and TRP53-mediated transformation suppression. Collectively, our genome-wide analyses reveal a profound role for TRP53 in regulating autophagy, through an extensive transcriptional network, and have demonstrated an important role for this program in promoting TRP53-mediated apoptosis and tumor suppression.
Cultivating Self-Regulation for Students with Mild Disabilities: What's Up?.

The WHAT’S UP? strategy is a type of interactive writing between a student with social, emotional, and/or behavioral challenges and an adult. The written exchange serves as a technique for involvin...
Cleavage, dislocation emission, and shielding for cracks under general loading

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to consider the conditions for the existence of a cleavage crack in a lattice and its response to all types of external loads when shielded by neighboring dislocations. The theory will be constrained to cleavage on one plane and crack branching is not permitted. In the first part of the paper, general relations are derived for the elastic interactions between a cleavage crack and a dislocation and between pairs of dislocations in the presence of the crack. These results are expressed in terms of the local k-field of the crack tip, the shielding contributions from the dislocations, and the complete specification of the forces on the two types of defects. In the second part, criteria for crack cleavage and emission under static conditions are developed for general loading. It is found that for reasons having to do with the basic nature of a crack on the atomic level, that the condition for equilibrium of a cleavage crack involves primarily only the mode I part of the local k-field, and that smaller contributions from modes II and III depend on subtle details of the atomic bonding in the crack core. On the other hand, dislocation emission depends on the full specification of all three components of the local k-field. The complete description of the crack tip conditions is then found to be possible in terms of a simple crack stability diagram in the three dimensional local k-space. The primary result is that combined cleavage and emission states are possible under mixed loading wherein a cleavage crack can generate significant plasticity in mode II and III dislocation configurations. In the third part, the overall static equilibrium configuration of the shielded core crack and its dislocation cloud is considered. General theorems developed show that for symmetric dislocation configurations, mode I configurations only shield the k1 loading at the crack tip etc, and that the slip force mutually exerted on two symmetrically placed dislocations is exactly zero. Simplified fracture toughness relations are also derived. Finally, the overall picture developed for a shielded cleavage crack under general loading is summarized.
Labor Induction: A Review of Current Methods

This article reviews the essential criteria for inductions of labor, weighing both the advantages and disadvantages of labor induction, and the various mechanical and pharmacologic agents available for cervical ripening. At the end of this article, one should be able to counsel women about the potential risks and benefit of labor induction and understand the neonatal consequences of elective induction of labor before 39 weeks of gestation. This article also discusses the different mechanical and pharmacologic agents available for cervical ripening.
ELECTRON MICROSCOPE EXAMINATION OF POLYMER COATED HYDROPHILIC GUIDE WIRES USED FOR SIDE BRANCH PROTECTION DURING BIFURCATION CORONARY INTERVENTION

Polymer coated hydrophilic guidewires are routinely deployed for side-branch protection during bifurcation stenting. Isolated reports of polymer shearing raise concern for potential of these wires to cause embolic complications. We performed electron microscopic analysis of these wires in a series
Electrical Measurement of the Direct Spin Hall Effect in Fe / In x Ga 1 − x As Heterostructures

We report on an all-electrical measurement of the spin Hall effect in epitaxial Fe/InxGa(1-x)As heterostructures with n-type (Si) channel doping and highly doped Schottky tunnel barriers. A transverse spin current generated by an ordinary charge current flowing in the InxGa(1-x)As is detected by measuring the spin accumulation at the edges of the channel. The spin accumulation is identified through the observation of a Hanle effect in the voltage measured by pairs of ferromagnetic Hall contacts. We investigate the bias and temperature dependence of the resulting Hanle signal and determine the skew and side-jump contributions to the total spin Hall conductivity.
Robust cusum: a robustness study for cusum quality control schemes

A standard CUSUM control scheme and four modified CUSUM control schemes are evaluated for robustness. The average run length (ARL) for each scheme is evaluated using a contaminated normal distribution, a distribution that has longer tails than the normal. A CUSUM control scheme that ignores the first suspected outlier, but gives an out-of-control signal for two successive outliers is found to perform well.
A Consideration in Estimating “Almost Nonsimultaneous” Market Models

Feedback effects in markets with simultaneously determined variables create problems for OLS estimation. When only a component of a market is modeled, feedbacks are weakened. If the component is small enough, the model may become “almost nonsimultaneous,” and most researchers then consider OLS as generally acceptable. However, even without strong feedbacks, equilibrium market behavior may nonetheless create the same estimation problems as in the larger simultaneous model. This can arise when behavior in the component markets represents similar responses to factors in the overall market. Then the criterion of market size in selecting an estimation technique may be insufficient.
Leveraging Leadership Efficacy for College Students: Disaggregating Data to Examine Unique Predictors by Race

Cultivating leaders who are prepared to tackle complex social issues is positioned as a critical outcome of higher education and a tool for diversification of the workforce. Both leadership studies literature and leadership development practice, however, are negligent in the attention directed at understanding the role of social identity in framing college student leadership education, particularly as it relates to race. This contributes to a “one-size-fits all” approach derived largely from the experiences of white college students. The present study attempts to address this gap through the analysis of predictors of leadership self-efficacy conditioned by racial group. Using data from 8,510 college students the study highlights the critical importance of disaggregation in quantitative research and the emergence of unique predictors of leadership efficacy by racial group membership. Results offer insights into the importance of centering race in the study of college student leadership development to best ...
Interrelationship between Schwann cell function and extracellular matrix production

Abstract Schwann cells that envelop axons resemble epithelial cells in that they form a cellular boundary that has a foothold on basal lamina; this lamina separates the Schwann cell-axon units from the endoneurial extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Also like epithelial cells, it has been found recently (by using unique culture preparations) that Schwann cells manufacture ECM constituents. Moreover, secretion and also assembly of ECM components (which may induce polarization of the Schwann cell) are required for the development of normal Schwann cell function. Schwann cell secretion and perturbations in secretion that interfere with the expression of Schwann cell function are reviewed here.
Removal of upper urinary tract calculi with flexible ureteropyeloscopy.

Abstract Flexible ureteropyeloscopy is an endoscopic technique which can give access to theentire intrarenal collecting system. Retrieval instruments or lithotriptors, electrohydraulic or pulsed dye laser, can be employed. In 70 patients, 72 procedures were used to treat 77 calculi. The calculus could be reached in each patient. Previous treatment included shock-wave lithotripsy or attempts at repositioning and open surgical exploration. There were multiple calculi in 18 patients, and 3 patients weighed more than 300 pounds. Calculi were successfully removed or moved to the distal ureter in 62 of 77 cases (80.5 %). The success rate was better with mid or proximal ureteral stones and renal pelvic stones than distal calculi. In 21 patients lithotripsy was employed. Flexible ureteropyeloscopy can be utilized for the successful treatment of upper urinary tract calculi.
Effects of morphine and nalorphine on the phenylquinone-induced syndrome in monkeys.

Intraperitoneal injection of 6 mg/kg of phenyl-p-quinone produced a syndrome consisting of distorted limb and body positions in rhesus monkeys. Intramuscular injection of 1 mg/kg of morphine abolished the syndrome, whereas 16 mg/kg of nalorphine had no appreciable effects on the syndrome. One-half mg/kg of nalorphine reversed the inhibitory effects of 1 mg/kg of morphine on the syndrome.
Educational outreach (academic detailing) regarding osteoporosis in primary care

Background Academic detailing utilizes educators trained in social marketing to conduct one-on-one visits with physicians using evidence-based data. Academic detailing programs have improved physician's prescribing behaviors; however, the feasibility of large-scale programs across a large, geographically disperse state is unclear. Methods The study team collaborated with a state-run pharmacy benefits program for low-income elderly in a trial to improve osteoporosis management. Community-practicing physicians who saw a minimum of 25 patients enrolled in the benefits program were randomized to receive academic detailing or not. Fourteen educators were trained in the principles of academic detailing as well as osteoporosis epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment. From September 2003 to January 2004, they attempted to meet with physicians or an allied health professional to discuss osteoporosis and fracture prevention. Results The physician population was 356 and 148 (41.6%) visits were completed—100 with physicians, 38 with allied health professionals, and 10 with both the physician and an allied health professional. In mixed multivariable models, there were no physician characteristics associated with completed encounters, including gender, training, geographic location, years since medical school, and number of study patients (all p-values > 0.11). The detailer's gender, professional training, and professional experience were not statistically significant correlates of completed encounters (all p-values > 0.28). Number of years since a detailer's professional training was a predictor of a completed encounter, OR = 1.43 per 5 years (95%CI 1.05, 1.96). Conclusions A moderate rate of completed encounters was achieved. There was only one predictor of completed encounters. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The ghost of granivory past

We report a 36-month echo of vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) seed-selection in the composition of synthetic forb communities in Wisconsin. An initial study showed direct suppression of an exceptionally large-seeded (seed > 15 mg) species (Silphium integrifolium, Asteraceae) by seed-size predation by rodents during the winter, resulting in indirect release of small-seeded (seed £ 1.5 mg) species. Twelve months after planting, plant diversities (Simpson’s D) were 33% higher in plots exposed to winter seed selection by rodents. Thirty-six months after planting, Silphium integrifolium had almost equalized densities in rodent access (20.8 a 4.1 m ‐2 ) and exclusion (29.0 a 5.2 m ‐2 ) plots, but still suppressed both large-seeded (‡ 3.5 mg) and small-seeded (£ 1.5 mg) species (F1,16a 11.84 and F1,16a 10.42, P £ 0.005, respectively). A multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) distinguished effects of Silphium integrifolium (Wilk’s lambda Pa 0.029) from echoes of earlier winter granivory (Wilk’s lambda Pa 0.014). Thirty months after rodent exclusion, diversity (D) remained 27% higher in plots once opened to winter granivory (adjusted mean 4.70 a 0.37 SE) as compared with closed plots (3.70 a 0.26; F1,16a 5.12, P < 0.05). Echoes of earlier granivory remained after rodentinduced imbalances in the abundances of the competitive driver of this system, Silphium integrifolium, all but disappeared.
Dementia Improvement With Cytotoxic Chemotherapy: A Case of Alzheimer Disease and Multiple Myeloma

Objectives: To describe a patient with Alzheimer disease and multiple myeloma (with Bence Jones proteinuria) with improvement of both conditions following cytotoxic chemotherapy, and to present issues related to the pathogenesis and management of Alzheimer disease. Design: Report of a case. Setting: Progressive dementia and myeloma developed in a 64-year-old man. Cytotoxic chemotherapy for the myeloma resulted in maintained improvement of the dementia. Clinical, neuropsychological, pathological, and laboratory data are presented. Main Outcome and Results: For 2 years, vincristine sulfate, carmustine, melphalan, cyclophosphamide, and prednisone were administered cyclically, and the patient's dementia and λ light chain production improved. Severe dementia recurred before death and cessation of therapy, although light chain production remained decreased. Conclusion: Dementia improvement with cytotoxic (ie, immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory) therapy may offer insight into the pathogenesis and management of Alzheimer disease.
A New Transmission Method for Pulse-Code Modulation Communication Systems

This paper presents the results of a study of the basic factors underlying the selection of a preferable method of transmission for pulse-code modulation communication systems. A new method of transmission, called biternary, is described and is compared with quaternary transmission, as a means of doubling the channel capacity of PCM systems without requiring increased bandwidth or transmission facilities. It is found that biternary transmission is more tolerant of the effects of all types of interference than quaternary transmission, and significantly reduces a major problem of quaternary transmission excessive errors, caused by low frequency cut-off effects. The use of biternary transmission is planned in present and future military pulse-code modulation communication systems.
Carbon Balance and Circadian Regulation of Hydrolytic and Phosphorolytic Breakdown of Transitory Starch

Transitory starch is formed in chloroplasts during the day and broken down at night. Transitory starch degradation could be regulated by light, circadian rhythms, or carbon balance. To test the role of these potential regulators, starch breakdown rates and metabolites were measured in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants. In continuous light, starch and maltose levels oscillated in a circadian manner. Under photorespiratory conditions, transitory starch breakdown occurred in the light faster than at night and glucose-6-P (G6P) was elevated. Nonaqueous fractionation showed that the increase in G6P occurred in the chloroplast. When Arabidopsis plants lacking the plastidic starch phosphorylase enzyme were placed under photorespiratory conditions, G6P levels remained constant, indicating that the increased chloroplastic G6P resulted from phosphorolytic starch degradation. Maltose was increased under photorespiratory conditions in both wild type and plants lacking starch phosphorylase, indicating that regulation of starch breakdown may occur at a point preceding the division of the hydrolytic and phosphorolytic pathways. When bean leaves were held in N2 to suppress photosynthesis and Suc synthesis without increasing photorespiration, starch breakdown did not occur and maltose and G6P levels remained constant. The redox status of the chloroplasts was found to be oxidized under conditions favoring starch degradation.
Isolation of specific antigens from Ascaris lumbricoides (var. suum)

Abstract Fresh Ascaris lumbricoides var. suum, females, were extracted with triple distilled water at 4 C after previous homogenization and delipidation with absolute ethanol and ether at −70 C as described elsewhere. The water extract analyzed by paper and agar-gel electrophoresis showed six distinct groups of protein which were separated and isolated by column chromatography with DEAE cellulose, and by preparative agar-gel electrophoresis. The chemical composition of these fractions as well as their antigenic potential was studied. The specificity of the reactions observed in Ouchterlony's double diffusion tests, in immunoelectrophoresis, and in intradermal reactions on humans with natural ascaris infections is considered.
Four New Species of Isidrogalvia (Tofieldiaceae) from the Guayana Highlands

Abstract. Four new species of Isidrogalvia (Tofieldiaceae) from sandstone massifs on the Guiana Shield are described, illustrated, and their morphology compared to other species. Isidrogalvia sipapoensis and I. penduliflora are unusual in the genus in having pendant flowers. Isidrogalvia penduliflora, I. neblinae, and I. paniculata are relatively robust species endemic to Cerro de la Neblina. The last is unique in Tofieldiaceae in having a compound inflorescence. A bilingual key (English-Spanish) to the six species of Isidrogalvia occurring in the Guayana Highlands is provided. The morphology and familial placement of Isidrogalvia are discussed.
Photoresponsive polyacrylamide based on grafted azodianiline

Photoresponsive polyacrylamide (PAA) was synthesized by grafting 4,4′-azodianiline on PAA via the Mannich reaction. The ratio of azo component can be conveniently adjusted through controlling the reaction temperature. Hydrogen bonding between the amino group on the grafted azo component and PAA main chain is utilized to amplify the photoresponse. Dynamic light scattering study showed that the average hydrodynamic size of PAA having ∼ 5 mol % of azo component decreased ∼ 24% after UV irradiation at 365 nm. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
cysTMTRAQ-an integrative method for unbiased thiol-based redox proteomics

Protein redox regulation plays important roles in many biological processes. Protein cysteine thiols are sensitive to redox changes and may function as redox switches, which turn signaling and metabolic pathways on or off to ensure speedy responses to environmental stimuli or stresses. Here we report a novel integrative proteomics method called cysTMTRAQ that combines two types of isobaric tags, cysteine tandem mass tags and isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification, in one experiment. The method not only enables simultaneous analysis of cysteine redox changes and total protein level changes, but also allows the determination of bona fide redox modified cysteines in proteins through the correction of protein turnover. Overlooking the factor of protein-level changes in the course of protein posttranslational modification experiments could lead to misleading results. The capability to analyze protein posttranslational modification dynamics and protein-level changes in one experiment will advance proteomic studies in many areas of biology and medicine.
Asymptotically Optimal Admission Control of a Queue with Impatient Customers

We consider a GI/GI/1 queue with impatient customers in heavy traffic. We use the solution of an approximating singular diffusion control problem to construct an admission control policy for the queue. The approximating control problem does not admit a so-called pathwise solution. Hence, the resulting admission control policy depends on second-moment data. We prove asymptotic optimality of the constructed policy using weak-convergence methods.rh
Age and FSH effects in fluorescence spectra from the cervix: an exploratory analysis.

Abstract Introduction. Real-time optical technologies that could diagnose cervical cancer could improve the detection of cervical cancer. Our group is studying the technology assessment of optical devices in the screening and diagnosis of cervical neoplasias. Methods. We have conducted a diagnostic trial in 850 patients with referral Papanicolaou smears showing ASCUS or greater. Each colposcopically abnormal site and two normal sites were measured with fluorescence and reflectance spectroscopy and then biopsied. Each site generates a fluorescence excitation emission matrix that has a 3-dimensional map with peaks and valleys. Results. The early exploration of these data is presented and shows an effect of age, Follicle Stimulating Hormone or FSH, and, curiously, of their interaction. We have examined other biographical variables like smoking, HPV positivity, grade of CIN, device used, probe used, race, ethnicity, gravidity, parity, previous treatments, and others. None are significant predictors of this finding of increased intensity, except age and FSH. Conclusions. The effect of age supports the work done on fresh tissue slices in trying to better understand the biology of fluorescence. The effect of FSH is not a surrogate for age, but an independently significant effect, for which we currently do not have an explanation. We are exploring if FSH is a surrogate for estrogenization by measuring estradiol levels and calculating the BMI.
A Novel High-Temperature Planar Package for SiC Multi-Chip Phase-Leg Power Module

This work presents the design, development and testing of a phase-leg power module packaged by a novel planar packaging technique for high temperature (250 °C) operation. Nano-silver paste is chosen as the die-attach material as well as playing the key functions of electrically connecting the devices' pads. The electrical characteristics of the SiC-based power semiconductors, SiC JFETs and SiC diodes, have been measured and compared before and after packaging. No significant changes are found in the characteristics of all the devices. Prototype module is fabricated and operated up to 400 V, 1.4 kW at junction temperature of 250 °C in the continuous power test. Thermo-mechanical reliability has also been investigated by passive cycling the module from -55 °C to 250 °C. Electrical and mechanical performances of the packaged module are characterized and considered to be reliable for at least 200 cycles.
Communications: Papers on The Science of Administration: Comment

The article reports the author's opinions regarding a paper written by Colonel Urwick. While the author found many of Urwick's statements about the work “Papers in the Science of Administration” to...
Architectural tradeoffs in synthesis of pipelined controls

Current synthesis approaches do not take into account the impact of the underlying architecture during operations like scheduling and binding. This results in synthesis algorithms that can produce designs only for a single architecture. The design space that can be explored by such a synthesis tool is limited. The authors examine three architectures that have different control pipelining strategies. They derive the important constraints that these architectures impose on the scheduling algorithm and propose an algorithm that incorporates these constraints when producing a schedule. They also demonstrate through several experiments that by being able to synthesize for a given control pipeline architecture, they can provide designers with a wide range of area-delay tradeoffs. >
From thin cores to outer layers: Filling through holes and blind micro vias with copper by reverse pulse plating

This paper presents new advancements in copper electroplating technology for both Blind Micro Vias and Through Holes. Processes and manufacturing technology are described as well as current limitations and requirements. As a highlight the complete filling of through holes with electroplated copper by Reversed Pulse Plating, RPP, is described. Both Blind Micro Via and Through Hole filling using this technology are already targeted for production at HDI and also at the packaging level. The basis of the latest advancements has been the development of the so called SuperFilling™ process. SuperFilling™ combines the electrolytic reverse pulse deposition of copper into specific structures together with the simultaneous etching of copper from the substrate bulk surface in a continuous panel plating step. This combination reduces the amount of overplated Cu by up to 50% compared to conventional copper deposition processes for HDI fine line applications. The SuperFilling™ mechanism as well as manufacturing requirements and production supervision tools such as online analysis are described in detail. The latest development, through hole filling by RPP, offers a viable alternative to the standard paste plugging for core processing in substrate manufacturing. Current core manufacturing requires a paste plugging process for through holes so that subsequent build up layers can be produced by sequential lamination, the flat core surface is essential for stacked via and also via in pad technology. This paste plugging process requires additional process steps, each of which has its own limitations and contributes to the overall cost. Filling the core through vias by electroplating can eliminate the plugging process and significantly reduces the number of overall process steps which will also reduce costs. Moreover, it offers certain advantages such as potentially higher reliability in accelerated aging tests and an improved thermal management as the thermal conductivity of a completely copper filled through via is significantly higher than a paste plugged through via. First manufacturing experiences with the Through Hole filling technology are presented along with a discussion of its manufacturing prerequisites and limitations.
Forty-eight hours of unloading and 24 h of reloading lead to changes in global gene expression patterns related to ubiquitination and oxidative stress in humans

Although short-term disuse does not result in measurable muscle atrophy, studies suggest that molecular changes associated with protein degradation may be initiated within days of the onset of a di...
Double implementation of linear cost share equilibrium allocations

Abstract In this paper we consider the problem of double implementation of Linear Cost Share Equilibrium (LCSE) allocations by a feasible and continuous mechanism whose Nash allocations and strong Nash allocations coincide with Linear Cost Share Equilibrium allocations. The mechanism presented here allows preferences and initial endowments as well as coalition patterns to be privately observed, a feature missing from much recent work in implementation theory. Since LCSE contains Lindahl equilibrium and Ratio equilibrium as special cases, it doubly implements these two equilibria allocations. Further, if one reinterprets the commodity space, this mechanism also doubly implements Walrasian allocations for private goods economies. Thus, the mechanism given in the paper appears to represent a ‘generic’ mechanism to doubly implement market-type allocations in private and/or public goods economies.
Thymidylate Synthase Protein and p53 mRNA Form an In Vivo Ribonucleoprotein Complex

A thymidylate synthase (TS)-ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex composed of TS protein and the mRNA of the tumor suppressor gene p53 was isolated from cultured human colon cancer cells. RNA gel shift assays confirmed a specific interaction between TS protein and the protein-coding region of p53 mRNA, and in vitro translation studies demonstrated that this interaction resulted in the specific repression of p53 mRNA translation. To demonstrate the potential biological role of the TS protein-p53 mRNA interaction, Western immunoblot analysis revealed nearly undetectable levels of p53 protein in TS-overexpressing human colon cancer H630-R10 and rat hepatoma H35(F/F) cell lines compared to the levels in their respective parent H630 and H35 cell lines. Polysome analysis revealed that the p53 mRNA was associated with higher-molecular-weight polysomes in H35 cells compared to H35(F/F) cells. While the level of p53 mRNA expression was identical in parent and TS-overexpressing cell lines, the level of p53 RNA bound to TS in the form of RNP complexes was significantly higher in TS-overexpressing cells. The effect of TS on p53 expression was also investigated with human colon cancer RKO cells by use of a tetracycline-inducible system. Treatment of RKO cells with a tetracycline derivative, doxycycline, resulted in 15-fold-induced expression of TS protein and nearly complete suppression of p53 protein expression. However, p53 mRNA levels were identical in transfected RKO cells in the absence and presence of doxycycline. Taken together, these findings suggest that TS regulates the expression of p53 at the translational level. This study identifies a novel pathway for regulating p53 gene expression and expands current understanding of the potential role of TS as a regulator of cellular gene expression.
Fostering Creative Emergences in Artificial Cultures

Empirically, culture is that complex whole which results from the interaction of a multitude of ideas, individuals, behaviors, groups, artifacts, workplaces and architectures, each distributed uniquely and differentially in space and time. Artificial culture is the program of describing, understanding and explaining such human complex systems in computer simulations. Several recent conferences in evolutionary computation (i.e. dynamical hierarchies, computational synthesis, and dynamic ontology) have focused on the problem of automatically creating novel and compounded emergences in natural and artificial worlds. This paper reviews current progress toward that goal from the perspective of an anthropologist.
Neurilemoma of the tibial nerve. A case report.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is an entrapment neuropathy of the posterior tibial nerve or its branches, or both, as they pass under the flexor retinaculum at the ankle. The syndrome causes intermittent burning pain, tingling, or numbness in the foot, and the symptoms are exacerbated by prolonged standing or walking. Usually, there is a positive Tinel sign or tenderness to direct pressure over the tarsal tunnel, over the tibial nerve, or on the medial part of the arch of the foot
Particle Filtering for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Anomalies in Rocket Engine Tests

We present a novel technique for anomaly detection and prognosis in sensor data from rocket engine test stands. We apply a combination of particle filtering and machine learning approaches to capture the model of nominal operations, and use voting techniques in conjunction with particle filtering to detect anomalies in test runs. We use two approaches ‐ pure particle filtering and pure machine learning ‐ for prognosis. Our experiments on test stand sensor data show successful detection of a known anomaly in the test data, while producing almost no false positives. Both prognostic approaches, however, predict no further impact had the test been completed, perhaps indicating that the anomaly was innocuous. We present the application of two well-known AI techniques ‐ Bayesian filtering and machine learning ‐ to the problems of diagnosis and prognosis of anomalies in sensor network data. Our objective was to develop a system that post-processes a csv file showing the sensor readings and activities (time-series) from a rocket engine test, and detect any anomalies that might have occurred during the test, as well as predict the future evolution of these (and other) anomalies if the test was allowed to continue. The output was required to be in the form of the names of the sensors that show anomalous behavior, and the start and end time of each anomaly, both diagnosed and predicted. Since our approach was model-based, we needed to automatically learn a model of nominal behavior from tests that were marked nominal. In this paper, we will describe this system and show experimental results that demonstrate that it has successfully detected a known anomaly in a given test stand data set, and delivered a prognosis that matches the broad conclusion of the test engineers. The paper is organized as follows. In section III we present the theoretical background, viz., dynamic Bayesian networks and the particle filtering framework that underlies our approach. In section IV we present our anomaly detection model and explain how it is tied to the particle filtering framework. In section V we describe anomaly detection module in detail, and present the experimental results in section V.D. In section VI we present the prognosis module and mention the experimental results. We present our conclusions and future work in section VII.
Introduction to the Classic Paper: Body Force Equivalents for Seismic Dislocations, by R. Burridge and L. Knopoff

The Burridge and Knopoff (1964) paper played a critical role in the development of the theory of the earthquake source, and its importance is best appreciated when it is considered within that context. For this reason, a brief historical overview will be presented. A more detailed presentation and a number of basic results needed to understand the paper can be found in the accompanying tutorial (Pujol, 2003; see this issue, pp. 163-153). Although solving the elastic wave equation for an arbitrary body force is a difficult problem, solutions for single and double couples had been known since the early 1900's. The problem that seismologists …
Doing One's Reasonable Best: What Moral Responsibility Requires

Moral responsibility, I argue, requires agents to do what is within their abilities to act morally. This means that an agent is to blame just in case his wrongdoing is due to an underperformance, that is, to a failure to do what he can to act morally. I defend this account by considering a skeptical argument about responsibility put forth by Gideon Rosen and by Michael Zimmerman. I explain why the epistemic condition they endorse is inadequate and why my alternative epistemic condition, which directly follows from my general condition on culpability, should be preferred. I then defend my view against potential criticisms.
Hitting Walls (v. XXVIII) Captured Play

This article uses a thick description of a single point played by Ramy Ashour (Egypt) and James Wilstrop (England) during the finals of a professional squash tournament in 2008 to evoke the rhythms of virtuosic play and to describe the vast infrastructures we construct for its capture. I use the limits of the point to describe its preconditions—the body techniques, material technologies, and mediating architectures required for two professional players to have this single exchange. A sport’s apparatus is the condition of possibility for its agile bodies. And while professional sport may seem quite distant from free or casual play, by understanding the labor that goes into producing spectacles of institutionalized play, we can gain better purchase on the multiple types of value that reside in, and are extracted from, our daily playing practices. When combined, economic and emotional stakes direct forms of play toward their physical, psychological, and spectacular limits.
Effect of H3BO3, BCl3, and BF3 pretreatments on oxidation of molten Al-Mg alloys in air

The effect of treating Al-Mg alloys with boron compounds on subsequent oxidation rates of the molten metal in air was determined by gravimetry. Untreated Al alloys containing 4.0–4.5% Mg gained over 10% weight, corresponding to complete consumption of Mg in spinel formation, in 75–100 hr in air at 750°C. Samples adequately treated before melting by dusting H3BO3 on the surface, by dipping in aqueous H3BO3 and drying, or by passing BCl3 (but not BF3) over the surface for 1 min gained less than 0.1% weight in up to 190 hr at 750°C. In all cases, B2O3 incorporated into the MgO surface film apparently provided this oxidation inhibition.
Ultrasound modulates ion channel currents

Transcranial focused ultrasound (US) has been demonstrated to stimulate neurons in animals and humans, but the mechanism of this effect is unknown. It has been hypothesized that US, a mechanical stimulus, may mediate cellular discharge by activating mechanosensitive ion channels embedded within cellular membranes. To test this hypothesis, we expressed potassium and sodium mechanosensitive ion channels (channels of the two-pore-domain potassium family (K2P) including TREK-1, TREK-2, TRAAK; NaV1.5) in the Xenopus oocyte system. Focused US (10 MHz, 0.3-4.9 W/cm(2)) modulated the currents flowing through the ion channels on average by up to 23%, depending on channel and stimulus intensity. The effects were reversible upon repeated stimulation and were abolished when a channel blocker (ranolazine to block NaV1.5, BaCl2 to block K2P channels) was applied to the solution. These data reveal at the single cell level that focused US modulates the activity of specific ion channels to mediate transmembrane currents. These findings open doors to investigations of the effects of US on ion channels expressed in neurons, retinal cells, or cardiac cells, which may lead to important medical applications. The findings may also pave the way to the development of sonogenetics: a non-invasive, US-based analogue of optogenetics.