cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
No Lessons Learned from the Holocaust? Assessing Risks of Genocide and Political Mass Murder since 1955

This article reports a test of a structural model of the antecedents of genocide and politicide (political mass murder). A case–control research design is used to test alternative specifications of a multivariate model that identifies preconditions of geno-/politicide. The universe of analysis consists of 126 instances of internal war and regime collapse that began between 1955 and 1997, as identified by the State Failure project. Geno-/politicides began during 35 of these episodes of state failure. The analytic question is which factors distinguish the 35 episodes that led to geno-/politicides from those that did not. The case–control method is used to estimate the effects of theoretically specified domestic and international risk factors measured one year prior to the onset of geno-/politicide. The optimal model includes six factors that jointly make it possible to distinguish with 74% accuracy between internal wars and regime collapses that do and those that do not lead to geno-/politicide. The conclusion uses the model to assess the risks of future episodes in 25 countries.This study was commissioned in 1998 by the Central Intelligence Agency's Directorate of Intelligence in response to President Clinton's policy initiative on genocide early warning and prevention. It was designed by the author and carried out using her data with other data and analytic techniques developed by the State Failure Task Force. Statistical analyses reported here were done by Michael Lustik and Alan N. Unger of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), McLean, Virginia. The author is senior consultant to the Task Force, which was established in 1994 in response to a request from senior U.S. policymakers to design and carry out a data-driven study of the correlates of state failure, defined to include revolutionary and ethnic wars, adverse or disruptive regime transitions, and genocides and politicides (for the latest report on Task Force research see Goldstone et al. 2002). The author acknowledges the advice of other Task Force consultants and analysts throughout the research process. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent the official views of the U.S. government, the U.S. intelligence community, or the Central Intelligence Agency.The author especially thanks Ted Robert Gurr for his critiquing early drafts and using the findings to construct the table that identifies high-risk countries and groups. His insistence about the importance of the study prompted me to revise the manuscript a number of times, despite my initial reluctance, given the years of work that had gone into its preparation. It was especially hard to condense this effort from its original 75 pages. The paper also benefited from a careful reading by Mark I. Lichbach of a previous report and from comments of anonymous reviewers for the American Political Science Review.
A population density framework that captures interneuronal correlations

We have developed a population density framework that captures correlations between any pair of neurons in the population. We model each population of integrate-and-fire neurons as receiving input in the form of correlated Poisson processes. The evolution equation for the probability density of any pair of neurons within the population is a multivariate integro-differential equation which we solve numerically. We demonstrate the numerical method and compare the numerical solutions with Monte-Carlo simulations. Traditional population density approaches assume all neurons within a population are independent. However, correlations that are missed by these approaches can significantly alter network dynamics. Hence, the correlated population density method developed here could provide a framework to analyze how correlations propagate through networks and could be a computationally efficient method to accurately simulate large scale networks.
A periodically coupled plasmon nanostructure for refractive index sensing.

We present unique characteristics of subwavelength surface plasmon polaritons in a periodically coupled nanowell structure. The nanowell structure offers high quality internal surface plasmon resonance for sensing applications. Calculated FWHM of the transmission peak is 6 nm and the optical transmission is close to 100% at the resonant wavelength of 815.8 nm. The highly concentrated polaritons in the nanowell are sensitive to surface changes providing a sensitivity of 4800% RIU−1 for optical sensing applications.
Auditory, Visual, and Auditory-Visual Recognition of Consonants by Children with Normal and Impaired Hearing.

The consonants /b, d, g, k, m, n, p, t/ were presented to normal-hearing, severely hearing-impaired, and profoundly deaf children through auditory, visual, and combined auditory-visual modalities. ...
Critical care medicine

Diagnosis of nosocomial sinusitis in critically ill patients.-New developments in understanding pathogenesis of sepsis.-Noninvasive ventilation is safe and effective means of support.
Purification and partial characterization of isoforms of luteinizing hormone from the chicken pituitary gland

Isoforms of chicken luteinizing hormone (cLH) were isolated from chicken pituitaries by differential extraction, sequential chromatography on HPLC cation- and anion-exchange columns, and gel-filtration chromatography. Three purified isoforms of the cLH had high biological potency in the chicken granulosa cell LH bioassay (4.21-7.4 x NIH-LH-S1 U/mg). One cLH isoform without detectable biological activity showed substantial immunological activity in a homologous cLH radioimmunoassay. The cLH isoforms contained negligible follicle-stimulating hormone activity, but some contained thyroid-stimulating hormone activity. The apparent molecular weight of cLH was 37,000 Da, and the holoprotein consisted of subunits with a molecular weight of approximately 17,000 Da.
An alternative characterization of the uniform rule

We consider the problem of allocating some amount of a commodity among a group of agents with single-peaked preferences. We show that the uniform rule is the only rule satisfying equal treatment of equals, Pareto efficiency, and strategy-proofness. This characterization strengthens two interesting results due to Sprumont (1991). Our method of proof involves only elementary arguments.
Semantic, evaluative, and self-referent processing: memory, cognitive effort, and somatovisceral activity.

Twenty-six subjects performed orthographic, grammatical, evaluative, and self-referent orienting tasks. During each trial, integrated facial and forearm EMG activity, HR, and T-wave amplitude were monitored; following each trial, response latency and either reported task difficulty (Replication 1) or cognitive effort (Replication 2) were assessed; and recall was assessed at the conclusion of the session. Recall was poorest when words were judged in terms of their orthographic appearance, moderate when words were judged in terms of their grammatical or evaluative features, and best when words were judged for their self-descriptiveness, even though response latency was longest and reported effort was greatest for the grammatical task. Results also revealed that somatovisceral responses varied across tasks, with clear differences emerging between semantic and nonsemantic processing and between evaluative and self-referent processing. Results suggest that cognitive effort, rather than encoding efficacy, influences task-evoked somatic responses.
R&D needs for near-term HTRs

Abstract Recently some high temperature reactor (HTR) projects evolved towards application to cogeneration of power and industrial process steam. Gas direct or indirect cycles, previously favored, are no longer appropriate for this application. For AREVA and other vendors, the present reference concept is therefore the steam cycle with a core outlet temperature not exceeding 750 °C. Because of the large development of this concept up to the 1980s in U.S. and Germany, present developments and risks will be minimized, but not eliminated. R&D and qualification remain necessary. Though many needs are common to different steam cycle designs, this paper focuses on R&D and qualification needs for AREVA block type design. There are different reasons why data from past programs are not sufficient: first, even for components or fuel concepts formerly demonstrated, adequate performance of their present implementation, with recreated design and manufacturing processes, might have to be shown. Moreover increased performance expected in some cases (fuel burn-up, reactor power) for economic competitiveness has to be demonstrated and might require design evolutions that need validation. Materials also require significant R&D. Qualification needs for present commercial graphite grades, different from past ones, and for new materials like composites are well known. But, with operating conditions different from LWR ones, new data might be needed even for usual materials, like the vessel material SA-508. Computer codes experienced large evolutions in last decades: more refined physical modeling, advanced calculation and software techniques. HTR design tools followed the general trend, and now some new experimental data might be needed for their qualification, as the qualification domain evolved (e.g. higher burn-up) and compliance of old data with quality standards is often no more traceable. Though in a first step HTR can simply substitute fossil fuel boilers for industrial steam supply without change in users’ applications, developments of materials, fuel and heat exchanger technologies for higher temperature will allow in the longer term widening the potential application market. But in that perspective some developments on the application side will also be needed: optimization of industrial processes for adaptation to specific features of HTR heat supply, heat transport technologies, heat exchangers for operation in severe environment, etc. Last but not least, the evolution of licensing requirements will force to reconsider some past demonstrations and solutions. There are conditions for this R&D to be useful for HTR industrial development: (1) A close coordination with design, for R&D to focus on relevant issues and to provide data in due time. (2) Availability of appropriate HTR specific R&D facilities, like irradiation rigs for fuel and materials or large helium loops that, for some of them, do not exist yet.
C2-Symmetric Copper(II) Complexes as Chiral Lewis Acids. Catalytic Enantioselective Carbonyl−Ene Reactions with Glyoxylate and Pyruvate Esters

The C2-symmetric complexes [Cu(S,S)-tert-butylbis(oxazolinyl)](SbF6)2 (2a), its bis(aquo) counterpart [Cu(S,S)-tert-butylbis(oxazolinyl)(H2O)2](SbF6)2 (4), and [Cu(S,S)-phenylbis(oxazolinyl)](OTf)2 (1c) have been shown to catalyze the enantioselective ene reaction between glyoxylate esters and various olefins. Monosubstituted, disubstituted, and trisubstituted olefins each react with ethyl glyoxylate in the presence of 0.2−10 mol % of catalysts 1, 2, and 4 to afford the ene products in good yield and enantioselectivity. Complex 2a has also been shown to catalyze the addition of 1,1-disubstituted olefins to methyl pyruvate in good yields (76−95%) and excellent enantioselectivies (≥98% ee). The synthetic utility of the glyoxylate−ene reaction was demonstrated by conversion of the resulting α-hydroxy ester into the corresponding methyl ester, free acid, Weinreb amide, and α-azido ester, all with no detectable racemization.
Contributions from Grain Surface and Gas Phase Chemistry to the Formation of Methyl Formate and Its Structural Isomers

Both grain surface and gas phase chemistry have been invoked to explain the disparate relative abundances of methyl formate and its structural isomers acetic acid and glycolaldehyde in the Sgr B2(N) star-forming region. While a network of grain surface chemistry involving radical-radical reactions during the warm-up phase of a hot core is the most chemically viable option proposed to date, neither qualitative nor quantitative agreement between modeling and observation has yet been obtained. In this study, we seek to test additional grain surface and gas phase processes to further investigate methyl formate-related chemistry by implementing several modifications to the Ohio State University gas/grain chemical network. We added two new gas phase chemical pathways leading to methyl formate, one involving an exothermic, barrierless reaction of protonated methanol with neutral formic acid; and one involving the reaction of protonated formic acid with neutral methanol to form both the cis and trans forms of protonated methyl formate. In addition to these gas phase processes, we have also investigated whether the relative product branching ratios for methanol photodissociation on grains influence the relative abundances of methyl formate and its structural isomers. We find that while the new gas phase formation pathways do not alter the relative abundances of methyl formate and its structural isomers, changes in the photodissociation branching ratios and adjustment of the overall timescale for warm-up can be used to explain their relative ratios in Sgr B2(N).
Getting into a system: External-internal task mapping analysis

A task analysis technique, called ETIT analysis, is introduced. It is based on the idea that tasks in the external world must be reformulated into the internal concepts of a computer system before the system can be used. The analysis is in the form of a mapping between sets of external tasks and internal tasks. An example analysis of several text editing systems is presented, and various properties of the systems are derived from the analysis. Further, it is shown how this analysis can be used to assess the potential transfer of knowledge from one system to another, i.e., how much knowing one system helps with learning another. Several issues are briefly discussed.
Anthranilate synthase of Neurospora crassa: reaction and labeling with glutamine analogs.

Abstract The multifunctional enzyme complex, anthranilate synthase from Neurospora crassa , irreversibly loses its glutamine-dependent anthranilate synthase activity on exposure to the reactive glutamine analogs DON and azaserine. Inactivation depends on the presence of the substrate chorismate, is enhanced by the cofactor Mg +2 , and is antagonized by glutamine. Inactivation correlates well with the incorporation of [ 14 C]DON into the protein with modification localized to the β subunit ( M r 84,000) of the complex, demonstrating directly that the β subunit provides the glutamine binding site for the glutamine-dependent anthranilate synthase reaction. The slower and less extensive loss of ammonia-dependent anthranilate synthase activity indicates that maximum expression of the ammonia-dependent anthranilate synthase activity by the α subunit also depends on the interaction with an active glutamine amidotransferase domain of the β subunit.
Filipino ethnic entrepreneurship: An integrated review and propositions

With a large percentage of its population as overseas workers or emigrants, a number now in the millions and likely grow even larger, an examination is appropriate of the entrepreneurial challenges and opportunities faced by emigrants from the Philippines. This study explores the factors that shape entrepreneurship among emigrants in general and, in particular, among Filipinos in the United States of America. Integrating literature from a variety of sources relating to the migration of Filipinos and the creation and management of new ventures by ethnic entrepreneurs in the United States, it proposes a general model of ethnic entrepreneurship, develops propositions relating to the propensity of Filipino emigrants to establish entrepreneurial ventures, and concludes with suggestions for future research.
Bacterial response to presence of eukaryote inhibitors in water from a coastal marine environment

A method involving chemical (cycloheximide, thiram) inhibition of protozoan bacterivores was applied in an attempt to estimate marine bacterioplanktonic growth rates. The inhibitors were capable of preventing growth of marine protozoan bacterivores at concentrations which did not inhibit growth of marine bacterial assemblages. Use of the predator-inhibition method with incubated water samples from a nearshore marine environment indicated that protozoan grazing control of the size of bacterial standing crop was quite variable with time and site. The apparent degree of control ranged from non-existent to complete. As a means of estimating bacterial generation times, the predator-inhibition method gave results more closely aligned with those of a dividing-cells technique than a [3H]thymidine technique.
Interleukin-1 beta stimulates colony-stimulating factor-1 production in placental villous core mesenchymal cells.

The human placenta is known to produce hematopoietic growth factors, including colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1). We have previously demonstrated interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) production by decidualized endometrium during pregnancy. Since IL-1 stimulates CSF-1 production in fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and bone marrow stromal cells, our present study was designed to determine whether IL-1 could also regulate CSF-1 production by placental villous core mesenchymal cells. Initial studies using enzymatic digestion separation of the trophoblast and villous core demonstrated that CSF-1 mRNA is mainly expressed in the placental villous core. Subsequently, long term monolayer cultures of villous core mesenchymal cells isolated from 9- to 16-week gestation placentas were established after enzymatic dissociation of intact placental villi to study the regulation of villous core cell CSF-1 production. The morphology of the cells and immunohistochemical staining for vimentin, cytokeratin, and CD45 antigen confir...
A modular misexpression screen in Drosophila detecting tissue-specific phenotypes

Genetic screens in Drosophila have lead to the discovery of many genes important for patterning and signal transduction in diverse organisms. Traditionally, the phenotypic effects of loss-of-function mutations are analyzed. As an alternative way to link genes and function, I have developed a versatile misexpression screen in Drosophila, the first such screen in higher eukaryotes. The screen identifies genes that, when over- or misexpressed in a pattern of interest, give a specific phenotype or modulate an existing mutant phenotype. It is based on Gal4 transactivation of a mobile enhancer and promoter that "targets" random endogenous genes for expression. The modular design of the screen allows directed expression in any temporal or spatial pattern. When activated in the developing eye, 4% of target inserts gave dominant phenotypes. One insertion was in the gene encoding Ras GTPase-activating protein; its overexpression phenotype was strongly enhanced by a mutation in Ras1. Thus, biologically relevant phenotypes and genetic interactions are identified using this method. The screen is a powerful new tool for developmental genetics; similar approaches can also be developed for other organisms.
From brain drain to brain gain: reverse migration to Bangalore and Hyderabad, India’s globalizing high tech cities

This paper assesses the mutual impact of returning Indian-origin skilled workers on the cities of Bangalore (Bengaluru) and Hyderabad, which have emerged as India’s leading “tech cities”. During the 1970s and 1980s, there was concern that India was losing its educated workforce to the West, particularly to the United States through a phenomenon known as “brain drain”. More recently, there is evidence that reverse brain drain is occurring, as U.S.-trained Indian professionals are returning to their home country in increasing numbers to take advantage of new growth and employment opportunities. The effects of this skilled, transnationally active labor force on various sectors of the economy, on the social and physical infrastructure of Bangalore and Hyderabad and in forging and solidifying transnational linkages between India and the United States are explored in this paper. This study also investigates the reasons why successful US professionals of Asian-Indian origin are returning to their home country via a series of personal interviews. The paper offers Bangalore and Hyderabad as “worldwide leading cities” with a niche status in the global Information Technology (IT) sector.
Methanotrophic bacteria occupy benthic microbial mats in shallow marine hydrocarbon seeps, Coal Oil Point, California

[1] Microbial mats composed of giant sulfur bacteria are observed throughout the benthos along continental margins. These communities serve to oxidize dissolved sulfides to sulfate, and are typically associated with the recent exposure of sulfide-rich sediments. Such mats are also ubiquitous in areas of hydrocarbon seepage, where they are thought to consume sulfide generated in underlying sediment. Despite the high abundance of dissolved methane in hydrocarbon seeps, few studies have considered the importance of methanotrophy in mat communities. To assess the importance of methanotrophs in microbial mats from hydrocarbon seeps, an approach involving lipid biomarkers, stable isotopes and enrichment culturing was applied. Microbial mat samples were collected from benthic surfaces at two hydrocarbon seeps located in the Coal Oil Point seep field, offshore from Goleta, California. Both samples display a high abundance of 16:1 fatty acids, including two isomers specific to type I methanotrophic bacteria, 16:1(ω8) and 16:1(ω6). Depleted values of δ13C found in 16:1 fatty acids suggests methane assimilation into biomass, whereas three separate investigations of sulfide-oxidizing bacteria yield fractionation factors too small to account for these values. On the basis of these observations and experiments, an isotope mass balance was applied to fatty acids present in the microbial mat samples which indicates methanotrophs contribute up to 46% of total fatty acids. These results implicate methanotrophy as an important function for microbial mats in seep areas, despite the visual appearance of these mats as being composed of giant sulfur bacteria.
American and foreign terrorists: an analysis of divergent portrayals in US newspaper coverage

American news coverage of terrorist activity consistently portrays the attacker as abnormal, but the mechanics of this othering process are entirely dependent on the nationality of the attacker in question. Coverage of domestic terrorism stresses the attacker’s personal instability and contrasts the perpetrator with his or her victims, painting the terrorist as an anomaly in American society. Foreign attackers, with whom journalists more frequently apply the terrorist label, are othered in US news media through heavy emphasis on their association with distant groups and conflicts. To explore how framing techniques differ throughout coverage of domestic and foreign terrorists, two separate corpora of articles from popular American newspapers were systematically compiled. One corpus contained articles about American attackers, while the other contained articles about foreign terrorists. The corpora were processed using both corpus linguistics software and a comparative analysis of texts. Exploring the Ameri...
Who is Held Responsible When Disaster Strikes? The Attribution of Responsibility for a Natural Disaster in an Urban Election

When do voters hold politicians accountable for events outside their control? In this article, we take advantage of a rare situation in which a prominent election in a large city followed a devasta...
Professional Service through Sport Management Internships

(1993). Professional Service through Sport Management Internships. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 64, No. 7, pp. 45-52.
Neurotransmitter and carbohydrate metabolism during aging and mild hypoxia

Alterations in the metabolism of the glucose derived neurotransmitters may underlie some of the deficits in brain function that can accompany aging. We examined the whole brain syntheses of acetylcholine (ACh), alanine, aspartate, glutamate, gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA), glutamine and serine in two strains (C57BL and BALB/c) of aged mice (3, 10 and 30 months). ACh synthesis in C57BL and BALB/c mice declined 41 and 44% at 10 months and 64 and 75% by 30 months. Incorporation of [U-14C]glucose into amino acids generally decreased with aging, but it was not depressed as much as ACh formation. The only significant reductions in the amino acids in the 30 month old mice of both strains were in the syntheses of GABA (46 and 32%) and glutamine (44 and 55%). These changes may make the aged brain more vulnerable to metabolic insults, since mild anemic hypoxia decreased the syntheses of all the neurotransmitters at all ages even further. ACh synthesis in hypoxic 30 month old mice was only 9-11% of the 3 month old nonhypoxic mice, whereas amino acid formation ranged from 18-55% of the 3 month old nonhypoxic mice. Carbohydrate metabolism and its response to metabolic insults was also altered by age in both strains. The 30 month old mice had higher brain lactate concentrations than the 3 month old mice. The combination of hypoxia and aging further depressed oxidative metabolism, since a greater increase in brain lactates occurred in the aged hypoxilism and its response to metabolic insults was also altered by age in both strains. The 30 month old mice had higher brain lactate concentrations than the 3 month old mice. The combination of hypoxia and aging further depressed oxidative metabolism, since a greater increase in brain lactates occurred in the aged hypoxilism and its response to metabolic insults was also altered by age in both strains. The 30 month old mice had higher brain lactate concentrations than the 3 month old mice. The combination of hypoxia and aging further depressed oxidative metabolism, since a greater increase in brain lactates occurred in the aged hypoxic mice than in young hypoxic mice. Thus, aging may reduce the ability of the brain to adapt to metabolic insults.
Quantitative analysis of morphology associated with progression from non-proliferative and hyperplastic ducts to ductal carcinoma in Situ in human breast tissue

Quantitative analysis of non-proliferative ducts, ductal hyperplasia, and ductal carcinoma in situ in breast tissue demonstrates that confocal fluorescence images display morphologic features associated with malignant progression that could be used to objectively identify DCIS.
Indenter Tip Dependence in the Determination of Elastic Modulus in Polymers

The two most common outputs of nanoindentation experiment are hardness and elastic modulus. Length scale dependent deformation in polymers has however been observed in different experiments such as microbeam bending, torsional thin wires and indentation testing which may affect the mechanical testing. Unlike in metals where the size dependency is attributed to necessary geometry dislocations, the origin of length scale dependent deformation in polymers is not well understood. In this study, elastic modulus of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is determined using both Berkovich and spherical tips. Observing different trends for elastic modulus upon the change of indentation depth using these two different tips brings up the question which tip should be used to get the real mechanical properties of PDMS which is discussed here. Surface roughness, surface effects and the imperfection of the Berkovich indenter tip are negligible at the studied length scale.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
High BMI in children as a risk factor for intraoperative hypotension.

INTRODUCTION childhood obesity is a risk factor for many perioperative complications. Hypotension is a well described complication of general anaesthesia in both adults and children. This observational study compared the incidence of preincision hypotension (PIH) between children with high BMI and lean controls. METHODS children aged 2-17 years undergoing noncardiac procedures were classified into high or normal BMI groups. The incidence of PIH was then compared between the two groups using SBP data abstracted from our electronic anaesthesia monitoring system. Binary logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with the likelihood of PIH. RESULTS the study population was 19 400 children (54% boys) with a mean (SD) age of 8.3 ± 4.7 years and BMI of 19.3 ± 5.7 kg m(-2). Most (94.7%) of the patients were elective American Society of Anesthesiology I-II (79.7%) procedures. Single episode of PIH occurred in 36.8% of patients, whereas 8.3% had at least three episodes of PIH. PIH was more frequent in children with high BMI than their lean peers (40.9 vs. 31.4%, P < 0.001). Independent predictors of PIH were high BMI, high American Society of Anesthesiology status, propofol coinduction, baseline hypotension, age and preincision duration. CONCLUSION these results imply that children with high BMI have a higher incidence of hypotension than their lean peers following induction of anaesthesia for noncardiac procedures.
Porosity in the full cast crown

Use of the hygroscopic technic can lead to “back pressure” porosity in cast crowns. Twenty-three casting variables were studied as possible factors in causing this porosity. “Back pressure” porosity usually can be eliminated by using the maximum number of winds of the centrifugal casting machines and by using a minimum of 20 lbs. pressure with the air pressure machine. It is desirable to keep the pattern ¼ inch from the end of the investment mold.
Water Exchange Rates and Molecular Mechanism around Aqueous Halide Ions

Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to systematically study the water-exchange mechanism around aqueous chloride, bromide, and iodide ions. Transition state theory, Grote–Hynes theory, and the reactive flux method were employed to compute water exchange rates. We computed the pressure dependence of rate constants and the corresponding activation volumes to investigate the mechanism of the solvent exchange event. The activation volumes obtained using the transition state theory rate constants are negative for all the three anions, thus indicating an associative mechanism. Contrary to the transition state theory results, activation volumes obtained using rate constants from Grote–Hynes theory and the reactive flux method are positive, thus indicating a dissociative mechanism.
Identification of a Dynamic Model for a Thin Film Deposition Process using a Self-Organizing Map

Detailed molecular simulations, ranging from the deposition of inorganic thin films to polymerization reactions, describe the position of each atom or molecule. These simulations have high computational requirements and they produce high dimensional data. On the other hand, simple models that describe the dependence of overall material properties on process conditions are needed to design and optimize processes and it is difficult to generate these types of models from the molecular simulation data. We present an algorithm to compute a simple dynamic model for the Kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulation of a thin film deposition process by using principal component analysis (PCA), self organizing map (SOM) and cell-to-cell mapping.
Dielectric properties of polydicyclopentadiene and polydicyclopentadiene-silica nanocomposite

Conventional thermoset materials, such as epoxy, polyester, silicone and polyurethane, have relatively high dielectric losses and high dielectric constants, which are not desirable for a high frequency and high voltage application. Polydicyclopentadiene (PDCPD) is a polyolefinic thermoset material that has outstanding dielectric characteristics: low dielectric constant, low dielectric loss and high breakdown strength that are similar to polypropylene but higher thermal stability similar to epoxy. In addition, it also has great mechanical strength and fracture toughness. Due to its extremely low viscosity, PDCPD is easy to process and has flexibility for various reaction injection moldings. Dielectric performance, such as corona resistance, is further enhanced by PDCPD-nanosilica composites. In this paper, dielectric properties of PDCPD will be presented and discussed.
A Scenario Decomposition Algorithm for Stochastic Programming Problems with a Class of Downside Risk Measures

We present an efficient scenario decomposition algorithm for solving large-scale convex stochastic programming problems that involve a particular class of downside risk measures. The considered risk functionals encompass coherent and convex measures of risk that can be represented as an infimal convolution of a convex certainty equivalent, and include well-known measures, such as conditional value-at-risk, as special cases. The resulting structure of the feasible set is then exploited via iterative solving of relaxed problems, and it is shown that the number of iterations is bounded by a parameter that depends on the problem size. The computational performance of the developed scenario decomposition method is illustrated on portfolio optimization problems involving two families of nonlinear measures of risk, the higher-moment coherent risk measures, and log-exponential convex risk measures. It is demonstrated that for large-scale nonlinear problems the proposed approach can provide up to an order-of-magnitude improvement in computational time in comparison to state-of-the-art solvers, such as CPLEX, Gurobi, and MOSEK.
Circuit lines for guiding the generation of random test sequences for synchronous sequential circuits

A procedure proposed earlier for improving the fault coverage of a random primary input sequence modifies the input sequence so as to avoid repeated synchronization of state variables. We show that in addition to the values of state variables, it is also important to consider repeated setting of other lines to the same values. A procedure and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the improvements in fault coverage of random primary input sequences when the values of selected lines are considered.
Prioritizing test cases for regression testing

Test case prioritization techniques schedule test cases for execution in an order that attempts to increase their effectiveness at meeting some performance goal. Various goals are possible; one involves rate of fault detection, a measure of how quickly faults are detected within the testing process. An improved rate of fault detection during testing can provide faster feedback on the system under test and let software engineers begin correcting faults earlier than might otherwise be possible. One application of prioritization techniques involves regression testing, the retesting of software following modifications; in this context, prioritization techniques can take advantage of information gathered about the previous execution of test cases to obtain test case orderings. We describe several techniques for using test execution information to prioritize test cases for regression testing, including: 1) techniques that order test cases based on their total coverage of code components; 2) techniques that order test cases based on their coverage of code components not previously covered; and 3) techniques that order test cases based on their estimated ability to reveal faults in the code components that they cover. We report the results of several experiments in which we applied these techniques to various test suites for various programs and measured the rates of fault detection achieved by the prioritized test suites, comparing those rates to the rates achieved by untreated, randomly ordered, and optimally ordered suites.
PAT: a power analysis toolbox for MATLAB/Simulink

A power system simulation environment in MATLAB/Simulink is presented in this paper. The developed power analysis toolbox (PAT) is a very flexible and modular tool for load flow, transient, and small-signal analysis of electric power systems. Standard power system component models and a wide range of flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS) devices are included. Its data structure and block library have been tested to confirm its applicability to small-to-medium-sized power systems. Its advantages over an existing commercial package are given.
Characterization of exotoxin produced by a shellfish-pathogenic Vibrio sp.

. Broth filtrate of a Vibrio species, isolated from spontaneously occurring epizootics among cultured oyster larvae, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin), was shown to contain an exotoxin. Bioassays demonstrated that LC50 value was less than 46.6 μg of toxin/l culture of oyster embryos. This quantity was produced by 2.9 × 109 colony-forming units. Purified toxin showed neither proteolytic nor amylase activity; it did, however, demonstrate bacteriostatic capability. Studies showed that the toxin was heat-labile and that exposure to heat-produced toxoid had a beneficial effect on oyster embryonic development. Data revealed that although toxin was inactivated by heating, the bacteriostatic capability of the metabolite was not lost. Molecular weight of the toxin was estimated to be 68000.
Synthesis and characterization of oligonucleotides containing formamidopyrimidine lesions (Fapy.dA, Fapy.dG) at defined sites.

The preparation of oligonucleotides containing Fapy.dA (N4-(2-Deoxy-alpha,beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-4,6-diamino- 5-formamidopyrimidine) and Fapy.dG (N6-(2-Deoxy-alpha,beta-D-erythro-pento-furanosyl)-2,6- diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamido-pyrimidine) at defined sites was achieved by introducing the lesions as dinucleotide phosphoramidites. Oligonucleotides as composed of as many as 36-nucleotides were prepared by solid-phase synthesis and/or a combination of chemical synthesis and enzymatic ligation. Oligonucleotides containing non-hydrolyzable analogues were also prepared. Oligonucleotides containing these modified nucleotides were characterized by a variety of chemical and biochemical methods.
Changing Pattern of Glomerular Disease at Beijing Children's Hospital

Current clinical experience with glomerular disease at a pediatric referral center in Beijing, China, was reviewed. In 1992, renal disorders accounted for 505 of a total 6,885 (7.3%) pediatric medical discharges. Acute glomerulonephritis accounted for 30% of renal diagnoses, while nephrotic syndrome accounted for 28% and Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis accounted for 16% of renal disease. Mortality in children with renal disease was 0.4% (two of 505). All children with acute glomerulonephritis recovered or improved at last follow-up, regardless of the relationship to a streptococcal infection. In children with uncomplicated nephrotic syndrome, 91% had a complete or partial response to corticosteroids. Nephritis developed in 81 of 278 patients with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (29%). Since 1956, a dramatic decrease in the diagnosis of acute glomerulonephritis has occurred at this pediatric hospital. Nephrotic syndrome, in contrast, has increased from 45.3 cases per year in the 1956-to-1965 decade to 146 cases annually in the period from 1986 to 1992. Similarly, Henoch-Schonlein purpura has increased from 45.3 cases annually in the 1956-to-1965 period to 238 cases per year in the past 6 years. The incidence of nephritis in patients with Henoch-Schonlein purpura has remained constant at 29% in the past 36 years. These data should be helpful for individuals and institutions who are planning educational or clinical collaborations with pediatric nephrologists in China.
Rehabilitation staff stress as it relates to patient acuity and diagnosis.

Significant concern exists regarding occupational stress among nurses; the present study explored the ways in which nurses' clinical symptoms and coping styles may relate to their working on a brain injury unit or a general rehabilitation unit within an acute physical rehabilitation hospital. A comparison of rehabilitation nurses' responses with those of physical therapists within the same setting was also completed. Staff members completed questionnaires related to job stress and satisfaction, coping (Ways of Coping Checklist) and adjustment (Symptom Checklist-90). Staff groups differed with regard to symptomatology. Brain injury nurses reported higher psychological distress than physical therapists on subscales including depression, interpersonal sensitivity and the global severity index. While brain injury nurses' distress in several areas was higher than other staff groups and than a normal non-patient sample, it did not approach the levels reported by a psychiatric outpatient normative group. Althoug...
Some factors affecting the lipid secretory phase of fat absorption by intestine in vitro from golden hamster

We studied the secretory phase of fat absorption by sacs of the everted intestine in vitro when long chain fatty acid and monoglyceride had been taken up from a physicochemically defined bile salt micellar solution. After uptake, a sac received a supplemental incubation in a saline solution without added lipid. The presence of calcium ion in the medium during supplemental incubation was essential for the production and release of resynthesized triglyceride in the form of chylomicrons. The particles appeared to enter the serosal fluid via the lacteals. The rate of secretion of the lipid varied directly with the concentration of calcium ion in the mucosal fluid in the range 100-900 microM. At a given concentration in the serosal or mucosal fluid, the calcium ion in the latter fluid had the greater effect. The study of additional factors included the original location of the segment in the intestine of the living animal, temperature, use of D2O instead of water, and the effects of Ba2+, Sr2+, Mg2+, and La3+ on lipid secretion.
Intelligent storage for information retrieval

The rapid development of Internet, the fast dropping of storage cost and the great improvement of storage capacity have created an environment with enormous amount of data. How to get the data we want and how to manage these huge volumes of data become great challenges. There are a number of existing approaches for solving these challenges including semantic Web, middleware, semantic multimedia information and databases. We are taking a different approach and believe that today's storage systems need to be fundamental changed to meet these challenges. In this paper, we first discuss the possible changes in storage systems. We then present the intelligence to be included in future storage systems. With the intelligence, a new architecture of storage systems can be formed. The essential concepts to be parts of the future storage systems include active storage, object-based storage, autonomic storage, and application-aware storage. We argue the object-based storage device (OSD) concept is the most fundamental. We discuss a number of research issues of intelligent storage.
A Structural Approach to Assisting Families Recovering From Job Loss

Job loss can have a significant impact on family structure, which in turn may be associated with interpersonal turmoil among family members. This article examines the impact of job loss on families...
Minimal structures for the implementation of digital rational lossless systems

Digital lossless transfer matrices and vectors (power-complementary vectors) are discussed for applications in digital filter bank systems, both single rate and multirate. Two structures for the implementation of rational lossless systems are presented. The first structure represents a characterization of single-input, multioutput lossless systems in terms of complex planar rotations, whereas the second structure offers a representation of M-input, M-output lossless systems in terms of unit-norm vectors. This property makes the second structure desirable in applications that involve optimization of the parameters. Modifications of the second structure for implementing single-input, multioutput, and lossless bounded real (LBR) systems are also included. The main importance of the structures is that they are completely general, i.e. they span the entire set of M*1 and M*M lossless systems. This is demonstrated by showing that any such system can be synthesized using these structures. The structures are also minimal in the sense that they use the smallest number of scalar delays and parameters to implement a lossless system of given degree and dimensions. A design example to demonstrate the main results is included. >
Intelligent sensing and classification in ad hoc networks: a case study

Wireless ad hoc networks have fundamentally altered today's battlefield, with applications ranging from unmanned air vehicles to randomly deployed sensor networks. Security and vulnerabilities in wireless ad hoc networks have been considered at different layers, and many attack strategies have been proposed, including denial of service (DoS) through the intelligent jamming of the most critical packet types of flows in a network. This investigates the effectiveness of intelligent jamming in wireless ad hoc networks using the Dynamic Source Routing (DSR) and TCP protocols and introduces an intelligent classifier to facilitate the jamming of such networks. Assuming encrypted packet headers and contents, our classifier is based solely on the observable characteristics of size, inter-arrival timing, and direction and classifies packets with up to "9.4% accuracy in our experiments.
Unification of Sociological Theory by the Rational Choice Model: Conceiving the Relationship between Economics and Sociology

This paper reconsiders the possibility for unification of sociological theory by the rational choice model. This is induced by the claims of rational choice theorists that extending this model from...
Pediatric psoriasis: updates in biologic therapies

Psoriasis is not a rare disease in the pediatric population. Early recognition and treatment is necessary to improve the physical and psychological symptoms of psoriasis and minimize its adverse effects on future health. In moderate-to-severe cases, treatment is challenging. There is no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved systemic treatment for children and adolescents with moderate-to-severe plaque-type psoriasis other than topical corticosteroids, and current treatment is limited to the ones that are used in adults, which may have more severe side effects in children. Recently, there have been advances in the use of biologic therapies, specifically tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha blockers, for pediatric autoimmune diseases and pediatric psoriasis. The present review will summarize the data on TNF inhibitors for pediatric psoriasis, as well as detail studies that led to the approval of biologics in other pediatric autoimmune diseases.
Growth and characterization of SrRuO/sub 3/ buffer layer on MgO template for coated conductors

Recently, it has been shown that biaxially oriented MgO deposited by ion-beam-assisted-deposition (IBAD) is a significantly more cost-effective template for coated conductors. Nevertheless, the lack of good buffer layer materials for MgO has limited the accomplishment of high quality YBCO films. We, for the first time, have used SrRuO/sub 3/ as a single buffer layer directly on an MgO template (homo-epitaxial MgO/IBAD-MgO) for growth of thick YBCO films on polycrystalline metal substrates. By using SrRuO/sub 3/ as a buffer layer, we have routinely obtained YBCO films with an in-plane mosaic spread in the range of 3 - 6/spl deg/ full width at half maximum. A critical current density of 1.8 /spl times/ 10/sup 6/ A/cm/sup 2/ in self-field at 75 K for a film thickness of over 1.0 /spl mu/m has been achieved. We have further achieved a current per unit width of over 245 A/cm, which is the highest reported so far for a YBCO film on a polycrystalline metal substrate using MgO as a template.
Kinetic processes in recombining H3+ plasmas

Recombination in plasmas containing H(3)(+) ions occurs not only by binary recombination but also by third-body-assisted mechanisms, the principal subject of this contribution. Third-body effects on recombination are of interest for model calculations of hydrogen discharges, their spectral emissions and the inference of binary recombination coefficients from plasma afterglow data.