cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An optimal zero-queue rate control protocol for generalized MPLS networks

The problem of rate allocation and congestion control for generalized label switched networks such as those defined in the generalized MPLS model (for example, pure optical networks) is considered. First, rates have to be allocated to each flow in the discrete domain of labels. Second, due to an inconsistent forwarding problem, that we call the label reallocation routing problem, rates (labels) have to be dynamically assigned in such a way that network feasibility is ensured at all times. In other words, the flow control protocol has to work in an equivalent scenario where switches do not have queues. The paper proves that such zero-queue protocols exist, and we propose the first zero-queue protocol for the dynamic rate allocation problem of generalized label switched networks. The approach can be generalized to support a broader family of flow control protocols. This implies that, with the methodology proposed, traditional flow control protocols can be extended to support the zero-queue property.
Wiener-Hermite Expansion Applied to Passive Scalar Dispersion in a Non-Uniform Turbulent Flow.

Abstract The dispersion of a passive scalar advected by a turbulent incompressible flow characterized by inhomogeneous and nonstationary statistics is investigated by expanding the velocity and scalar concentration fields in Wiener-Hermite functions. The time evolution equation for the ensemble mean concentration is determined in terms of Eulerian one-point, two-time and one-point, three-time correlation functions defined in the coordinate frame moving with the mean velocity. The example of a plane-parallel mean flow is studied in detail and eddy diffusivity tensors are extracted from the formalism.
Fantope Projection and Selection: A near-optimal convex relaxation of sparse PCA

We propose a novel convex relaxation of sparse principal subspace estimation based on the convex hull of rank-d projection matrices (the Fantope). The convex problem can be solved efficiently using alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM). We establish a near-optimal convergence rate, in terms of the sparsity, ambient dimension, and sample size, for estimation of the principal subspace of a general covariance matrix without assuming the spiked covariance model. In the special case of d = 1, our result implies the near-optimality of DSPCA (d'Aspremont et al. [1]) even when the solution is not rank 1. We also provide a general theoretical framework for analyzing the statistical properties of the method for arbitrary input matrices that extends the applicability and provable guarantees to a wide array of settings. We demonstrate this with an application to Kendall's tau correlation matrices and transelliptical component analysis.
A miniaturized UWB antenna for worldwide wireless USB

In this paper, a miniaturized planar Ultra Wideband (UWB) antenna is presented. The proposed antenna is designed to be compliant with the new emerging worldwide UWB spectrum; this means it fits UWB regulations worldwide from the United States to Europe and Asia. An antenna system consisting of two identical proposed antennas is built. Time domain properties of the system are analyzed. The miniaturized prototype of the proposed antenna makes it easy to be mounted on the PCB of Wireless Universal Serial Bus (WUSB) dongle. A good agreement between the simulation results and the experimental results is achieved.
Second Order Bilinear Discriminant Analysis for single trial EEG analysis

Traditional analysis methods for single-trial classification of electro-encephalography (EEG) focus on two types of paradigms: phase locked methods, in which the amplitude of the signal is used as the feature for classification, e.g. event related potentials; and second order methods, in which the feature of interest is the power of the signal, e.g. event related (de)synchronization. The procedure for deciding which paradigm to use is ad hoc and is typically driven by knowledge of the underlying neurophysiology. Here we propose a principled method, based on a bilinear model, in which the algorithm simultaneously learns the best first and second order spatial and temporal features for classification of EEG. The method is demonstrated on simulated data as well as on EEG taken from a benchmark data used to test classification algorithms for brain computer interfaces.
Stones in the Elderly

As the population ages, kidney stones are becoming increasingly common in the elderly, a group that soon will represent nearly one in five of all stone formers. Older patients are not merely an extension of their younger counterparts. They are often taking medications and vitamin supplements that change their metabolic profile and modify their risk of stone formation. While calcium supplements are not associated with increased risk of nephrolithiasis, vitamin C does appear to amplify one’s risk. Additionally, the geriatric stone former is more likely to present to the clinician with signs of infection and sepsis, and is more likely to be hospitalized. Surgical treatments should be tailored to the patient’s comorbidities and pre-operative risk, but are generally safe and effective regardless of age. The geriatric patient with kidney stones presents an intriguing set of challenges to the patient and doctor, and it is essential that the clinician incorporates prevention, medical, and surgical treatment modalities tailored to the individual patient.
Validation of CFD Simulations for Natural Ventilation

AbstractNatural ventilation, which may provide occupants with good indoor air quality and a high level of thermal comfort, and reduce energy costs, has become an important sustainable strategy in building designs. This investigation used three computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models: steady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equation (RANS) modelling, unsteady RANS modelling, and large eddy simulation (LES) to study both wind-driven and buoyancy-driven natural ventilation. The validation of the CFD models used the experimental data of wind-driven natural ventilation, obtained from a wind tunnel with a scaled building model, and the data of buoyancy-driven ventilation, obtained from a full-scale chamber. LES results seem to be more accurate and informative than those obtained with the RANS modelling, but with severe penalty in computing time. This investigation has also analysed turbulence energy spectra of natural ventilation. The peak turbulence energy for wind-driven natural ventilation is at frequencies...
Peptidase Mutants of Salmonella typhimurium

Six peptidase activities have been distinguished electrophoretically in cell extracts of Salmonella typhimurium with the aid of a histochemical stain. The activities can also be partially separated by chromatography on diethylaminoethyl-cellulose. These peptidases show overlapping substrate specificities. Mutants ( pepN ) of the parent strain leu-485 lacking one of these enzymes ( peptidase N ) were obtained by screening for colonies that do not hydrolyze the chromogenic substrate l-alanyl-β-naphthylamide. The absence of this broad-specificity peptidase in leu-485 pepN − mutants allowed the selection of mutants unable to use l-leucyl-l-alaninamide as a leucine source. These mutants ( leu-485 pepN − pepA − ) lack a broad-specificity peptidase (peptidase A) similar to aminopeptidase I previously described in Escherichia coli . Mutants ( pepD ) lacking a dipeptidase (peptidase D) have been isolated from a leu-485 pepN − pepA − parent by penicillin selection for mutants unable to use l-leucyl-l-glycine as a leucine source. Mutants ( pepB ) lacking a fourth peptidase (peptidase B) have been isolated from a leu-485 pepN − pepA − pepD − strain by penicillin selection for failure to utilize l-leucyl-l-leucine as a source of leucine. Single recombinants were obtained by transduction for each of the peptidases missing in a leu-485 pepN − pepA − pepD − pepB − strain. The growth response of these recombinants to leucine peptides shows that all of these peptidases can function in the catabolism of peptides and that they display overlapping substrate specificities in vivo. Images
Dynamic Accents and the Categorical Perception of Metre

Lerdahl and Jackendoff (1983) have suggested that local accentuation of the musical surface and the mental representation of metre are interdependent. Three experiments are reported that examine the relationship between systematically varied patterns of dynamic accents and musically trained subjects' performance in identification and discrimination tasks. The results of these experiments suggest that dynamic information is interpreted according to its ability to generate an unambiguous metrical framework, and that this framework facilitates discrimination between patterns of dynamic accents in a categorical fashion. This is shown to provide support for the interdependence of dynamic accents and the perception of metrical structure. Dynamic accents both generate metrical structure and are perceived as metrical or non-metrical relative to this structure.
Computation of Transverse Injection Into Supersonic Crossflow with Various Injector Orifice Geometries

Computational results are presented for the performance and flow behavior of various injector geometries employed in transverse injection into a non-reacting Mach 1.2 flow. 3-D Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) results are obtained for the various injector geometries using the Wind code with the Mentor s Shear Stress Transport turbulence model in both single and multi-species modes. Computed results for the injector mixing, penetration, and induced wall forces are presented. In the case of rectangular injectors, those longer in the direction of the freestream flow are predicted to generate the most mixing and penetration of the injector flow into the primary stream. These injectors are also predicted to provide the largest discharge coefficients and induced wall forces. Minor performance differences are indicated among diamond, circle, and square orifices. Grid sensitivity study results are presented which indicate consistent qualitative trends in the injector performance comparisons with increasing grid fineness.
THE EFFECT OF LAND‐USE CONTROLS ON THE SPATIAL SIZE OF U.S. URBANIZED AREAS*

On a sample of U.S. urbanized areas in 2000, we test theoretical hypotheses of the effect of land-use controls on the spatial size of urban areas. We find that minimum lot-size zoning and maximum FAR restrictions expand the urban area, while maximum lot-size zoning, urban growth boundaries, minimum square footage limits, maximum building permit restrictions, minimum person per room controls, and impact fees contract the urban area. All of these findings are consistent with theoretical predictions although the effect of urban growth boundaries and minimum square footage limits are not statistically significant.
Are Web User Comments Useful for Search

the potential impact of comments on search accuracy in social Web sites. We characterize YouTube comments, showing that they have the potential to distinguish videos. Furthermore, we show how they could be incorporated into the index, yielding up to a 15% increase in search accu racy. a video returned the corresponding video. If content is poorly described by the title/descrip tion/keywords, however, comment information may supplement or replace traditional forms of search. The title/description /keywords of a Westminster Kennel Show video, for example, may fail to mention "dog" (not to mention particular dog breeds ), and thus not turn up in the results for "dog show." Searchin g through comment information will almost certainly solve thi s problem. In this paper, we explore the "nature" of user comm ents and how they may aid in search. Specifically, we analyze t he term distributions of user comments and attempt to apply this information to improve search accuracy. The hazard associated with the use of comments to i mprove search accuracy is that they may contain noisy term s that hurt performance as well as significantly increase the s ize of the index. Our experimental results, however, suggest that whi le some queries are negatively affected by comments, overal l, they can improve query accuracy by nearly 15%. Furthermore, we apply techniques that can reduce the cost of using commen ts by up to 70%.
A Critical Period of Ventricular Fibrillation More Susceptible to Defibrillation: Real‐Time Waveform Analysis Using a Single ECG Lead

Previous studies have suggested that variations in the underlying ventricular fibrillation (VF) waveform may be one of the factors responsible for the probabilistic nature of defibrillation. The heart appeared to be more susceptible to defibrillation at higher absolute VF voltages (AVFV). This study investigated in an open-chest canine model (n = 8), a newly developed system that analyzed the VF waveform in real-time, instantaneously determined the time to shock, and immediately delivered a fixed low energy DC shock. A two parameter tracking technique using a running long-term and short-term AVFV average was devised to automatically identify a high voltage peak area of the VF waveform, which has been hypothesized to represent a critical period susceptible to defibrillation. Using a DC shock estimated at the 50% success level, the performance using this technique in 58 defibrillation trials was compared to the performance of the conventional method of shocking at a fixed time (random shock method) in 62 trials. Patch size, electrode location, and discharge voltage were kept constant while VF duration, transmyocardial resistance (TMR), energy delivered, and AVFV at the point of shock were measured. Shock energy and current, TMR, and VF duration were similar with both shock methods. A significantly higher AVFV was observed for trials performed with the peak shock method (0.66 +/- 0.02 mV) as compared to trials performed with the random shock method (0.25 +/- 0.09 mV) (P < 0.003). Using lead II as the only sensing lead, the success rate was increased in 6 of 8 dogs (75%) with the new method. One animal showed identical performance, and one animal a worse performance. The overall increase in success rate was 24% using a single ECG lead (range 0%-100%; P < 0.04). Our data document that using this algorithm a period of high VF voltage can be detected in real-time. The improved success in the majority of animals supports the hypothesis that a critical period susceptible to defibrillation exists during VF. However, the high AVFV detected using a single ECG lead did not translate to an improved success rate in all animals. This suggests that other factors in addition to the VF voltage measured on a single lead of the ECG are important in characterizing this critical period.
Transparent consistent replication of Java RMI objects

The Java Remote Method Invocation (JRMI) specification simplifies the development of distributed Java applications, but provides little support to guarantee reliable, highly-available operation. The Aroma System is middleware that transparently enhances the JRMI model with the mechanisms required for consistent replication of client and server objects. By exploiting novel interception mechanisms, the Aroma System is activated at runtime, with minimal modification to the application and to the JRMI infrastructure. The Aroma System adapts the JRMI model for group communication, and exploits an underlying reliable, totally-ordered multicast protocol to provide strong replica consistency. We describe the architecture of the Aroma System, and discuss the mechanisms required to achieve transparent replication of Java RMI objects and to enforce strong replica consistency.
Stromal testis tumors in children: a report from the prepubertal testis tumor registry.

Purpose: Stromal testis tumors are rare and generally exhibit a benign behavior in prepubertal patients. We reviewed the Prepubertal Testis Tumor Registry to elucidate further the behavior of these tumors.Materials and Methods: Epidemiological and clinical information on stromal testis tumors was compiled and reviewed from the Prepubertal Testis Tumor Registry. In addition, original pathology reports were requested for all patients registered as having undifferentiated stromal tumors.Results: There were 43 patients registered with stromal tumors. Of the 21 patients with unspecified stromal tumors pathology reports were obtained on 11. Eight patients had truly mixed or undifferentiated stromal tumors. Mean patient age at presentation was 38 months (Leydig cell 70, Sertoli cell 52.5, juvenile granulosa cell 1.5 and mixed/undifferentiated 41.2). No patient with a Leydig cell, Sertoli cell or juvenile granulosa cell tumor had metastases at presentation or metastatic disease during an average 24.6 months of fo...
Efficacy of optimal long-term management of multiple cardiovascular risk factors (CVD) on walking and quality of life in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD): Protocol for randomized controlled trial

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is an understudied chronic illness most prevalent in elderly individuals. PAD patients experience substantial walking impairment due to symptoms of limb ischemia that significantly diminishes quality of life (QOL). Cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality is increased in this population because of aggressive atherosclerosis resulting from untreated CVD risk factors. Despite current national guidelines recommending intensive CVD risk factor management for PAD patients, untreated CVD risk factors are common. Interventions that bridge this gap are imperative. The Vascular Insufficiency – Goals for Optimal Risk Reduction (VIGOR2) study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that examines the effectiveness of a long-term multifactor CVD risk reduction program on walking and quality of life in patients with PAD. The purpose of this article is to provide a detailed description of the design and methods of VIGOR2. Clinical Trial Registration – URL: http://clinicaltrials...
Weathering of starch–polyethylene composite films in the marine environment

Polyethylene and starch–polyethylene composite films were exposed outdoors in the straw-line of a marsh and in sea water on flow-through seatables in the laboratory. The deterioration of these films following exposure was measured by determining changes in tensile properties, weight loss, starch loss, and carbonyl content of the sheet plastic films. Low rates of deterioration were observed for control and starch–polyethylene composite films submerged in sea water. In contrast, both starch–polyethylene composite and control polyethylene films rapidly deteriorated during exposure in the strawline of a marsh. Differences in the observed rate of deterioration of the films placed in the exposure sites is attributed primarily to photodegradation of the films placed in the strawline of a marsh. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
SaIL: a library for efficient application integration of spatial indices

Many scientific applications deal with spatial, spatiotemporal and other multidimensional indexing structures, typically managing millions of objects with arbitrary and complex features. Choosing the appropriate method to index such data becomes rather difficult. Having an index library that can combine different indices under the same programming interface is thus very valuable. In this paper we present SalL (SpAtial Index Library), a robust and extensible library that enables simple integration of spatial index structures in existing applications. We mainly focus on design issues and elaborate on techniques for making the framework generic enough, so that it can support user defined data types, customizable spatial queries, and a broad range of spatial (and spatiotemporal) index structures. The library is publicly available and has already been successfully utilized for research and commercial applications.
Current psychoeducational assessment and decision-making practices as reported by directors of special education

Abstract Questionnaire data from 100 directors of special education were analyzed to characterize the manner in which decisions are made about children in school settings. Information was obtained on the major steps in the assessment and decision-making process and major problems faced by directors in implementing the decision-making process. The results indicated that, although most directors agreed on some components of the process, there was considerable variation in their descriptions of how the process is carried out. The implications of the ressults for current educational practice are discussed.
Investigation of prostate cancer cells using NADH and Tryptophan as biomarker: multiphoton FLIM-FRET microscopy

Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM) can be used to understand the metabolic activity in cancer. Prostate cancer is one of the leading cancers in men in the USA. This research focuses on FLIM measurements of NAD(P)H and Tryptophan, used as biomarkers to understand the metabolic activity in prostate cancer cells. Two prostate cancers and one normal cell line were used for live-cell FLIM measurements on Zeiss780 2P confocal microscope with SPCM FLIM board. Glucose uptake and glycolysis proceeds about ten times faster in cancer than in non-cancerous tissues. Therefore, we assessed the glycolytic activity in the prostate cancer in comparison to the normal cells upon glucose stimulation by analyzing the NAD(P)H and Trp lifetime distribution and efficiency of energy transfer (E%). Furthermore, we treated the prostate cancer cells with 1μM Doxorubicin, a commonly used anti-cancer chemotherapeutic. Increase in NADH a2%, an indicator of increased glycolysis and increased E% between Trp and NAD(P)H were seen upon glucose stimulation for 30min. The magnitude of shift to the right for NAD(P)H a2% and E% distribution was higher in prostate cancer versus the normal cells. Upon treatment with Doxorubicin decrease in cellular metabolism was seen at 15 and 30 minutes. The histogram for NAD(P)H a2% post-treatment for prostate cancer cells showed a left shift compared to the untreated control suggesting decrease in glycolysis and metabolic activity opposite to what was observed after glucose stimulation. Hence, NAD(P)H and Trp lifetimes can be used biomarkers to understand metabolic activity in prostate cancer and upon chemotherapeutic interventions.
Glocalized whiteness: Sustaining and reproducing whiteness through “skin toning” in post-colonial Ghana

ABSTRACTThis research explores the changing discourse surrounding skin lightening currently referred to as “skin toning” in sub-Saharan Africa. This study problematizes the “skin toning” discourse which deceitfully implies that dark-skinned individuals can “slightly lighten” their skin with fewer social and physical consequences. Through critical discourse analysis of an interview with a former Ghanaian beauty queen (Nasara) on YouTube, it became evident that she utilized specific neoliberal ideologies to discursively frame “skin bleaching.” The concurrent interpretations of skin toning speak to the spaces where gender, race, class, and social status intersect to create particular subjectivities and produce particular discourses at specific times.
Influence of Nε-Protecting Groups on the Protease-Catalyzed Oligomerization of l-Lysine Methyl Ester

The direct oligomerization of l-lys-OMe by bromelain catalysis gave oligo(l-lys) with DPavg ∼ 3.6 and dispersity ∼ 1.1. Since higher chain length oligo(l-lys) with lower dispersity values and one reactive amine for selective conjugation would be beneficial, we explored protease-catalyzed oligomerization of Ne-protected l-lys monomers where Ne-groups included tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) or benzyloxycarbonyl (Z) groups. By using Ne-protected l-lys monomers, oligopeptide side-chains are hydrophobic-neutral which should dramatically alter enzyme kinetic and binding constants relative to nonprotected l-lys. Schechter and Berger’s conceptual model guided our choice of papain as the protease catalyst. Papain-catalyzed oligomerization of Ne-Boc-l-Lys-OMe gave products with DPavg values that were pH dependent and varied from 4.7 ± 0.2 to 7.5 ± 0.1. Similarly, oligo(Ne-Z-l-Lys) synthesis was pH dependent, and DPavg values varied from 4.3 ± 0.2 to 5 ± 0.2. Oligo(Ne-Boc/Z-l-Lys) that precipitates from reaction media ha...
How Public Displays of Heterosexual Identity Reflect and Reinforce Gender Stereotypes, Gender Differences, and Gender Inequality

Heterosexual marking occurs when people behave in ways that are interpreted by others as evidence of heterosexuality. In an exploratory comprehensive study of this phenomenon, we conducted 12 focus groups with 57 individuals: four groups composed of heterosexual women, four composed of heterosexual men, and four composed of mixed-gender sexual minorities. In this article, we present our findings on participant conceptions of heterosexual marking that are related to gender stereotypes, gender differences, and gender inequality. Much of the heterosexual marking described by our participants reflects and reinforces stereotypes that equate gender conformity and heterosexuality. Our data suggest that heterosexual marking by men/boys and women/girls differs in several ways, including gender conformity, sexual prejudice, extent of marking, and types of marking. Furthermore, some aspects and types of heterosexual marking described by our participants reflect and reinforce gender inequality. As a result, our discussion notes some problematic implications of the heterosexual marking we describe, including rendering gender non-conformity among heterosexuals invisible and unacceptable, supporting discrimination against gender non-conformity, and more directly reinforcing gender inequality.
Naloxone induced micturition in unanesthetized paraplegic cats.

In chronic spinal cats 2 to 10 weeks after transection of the spinal cord at the lower thoracic level (T12-T13), the administration of naloxone, an opiate antagonist, (32-500 micrograms./kg. i.p.), stimulated micturition. The total quantity of urine released after administration of naloxone ranged from 10 to 70 per cent, (mean 39 per cent) of the initial bladder volume. The response to the drug occurred 5 to 10 minutes after injection and was characterized by repeated periodic expulsion of small quantities of urine (5 to 10 ml.) which coincided with a pattern of hind-limb movement which resembled walking behavior. The effects of naloxone persisted for about 1 hour. The motor activity following administration of naloxone was dependent upon activation of bladder afferents since it did not occur when the bladder was empty. Naloxone also facilitated the release of urine induced by stimulation of somatic afferents. With repeated administration of naloxone, tolerance developed which was evident for several days. These observations suggest that an endogenous opiate may have a tonic inhibitory role in regulation of micturition. Pharmacologic manipulation of this putative inhibitory mechanism may facilitate management of neurogenic bladder dysfunction.
First-episode schizophrenia.

Clinicians treating patients with first-episode (FE) schizophrenia can draw upon the vast literature on the treatment of patients with multiple-episode schizophrenia. Studies with multi-episode patients, however, may not fully generalize to the treatment of FE patients. Studies with multi-episode patients typically recruit from hospitals or other acute care units, settings where patients usually have been either non-responsive or non-adherent to previous treatment, or mixtures of both. Studies of multi-episode patients therefore tend to include patients who are not fully responsive to treatment. Without the filter of prior treatment history, FE compared with multi-episode patients may show a broader range of treatment patterns, ranging from extremely good to very poor. Further, studies of FE patients may be very instructive about side effects, as the confounding effect of prior medication use is particularly important with side effects. Finally, data suggest that much of the deterioration (eg, more severe negative symptoms) associated with schizophrenia may occur during the 5 years following illness onset. Providing patients with better treatment at illness onset offers the hope of improving their long-term outcome.FE studies do have limitations. Relatively few new cases of schizophrenia occur each year. The typically chronic course of schizophrenia results in a large number of patients with multi-episode schizophrenia for every FE patient at any one time. Recruitment for studies of FE schizophrenia compared with those of multi-episode schizophrenia is often more difficult given the smaller number of available patients. We systematically know less about the treatment of FE patients than we do about the treatment of multi-episode patients.
Cytogenetics of male germ-cell tumors.

SUMMARY Although the biologic significance of germ-cell tumors to the study of malignancy and differentiation has been well recognized for some time, detailed genetic analysis based on fresh tumor biopsies has not been initiated until recently. The first stage of such studies, as with other, more extensively investigated, tumor systems, has been cytogenetic analysis. To date, cytogenetic data on close to 200 tumors are available, which have already yielded valuable insights into the biology of these tumors, as well as a clinically useful marker. Thus, initial correlations between chromosome change and histologic type have been recorded, gene amplification associated with malignant progression has been identified, the cytogenetic basis of malignant differentiation in teratomatous lesions has been clarified, and sites of candidate tumor suppressor genes unique to this system have been identified. The usefulness of i(12p) as a diagnostic marker, especially in tumors of uncertain histologic type, has been established. Because of the clinical usefulness of this marker, molecularly based methods for its detection, without the need for formal cytogenetic analysis, have been developed. Cytogenetic analysis of larger prospectively ascertained series than have been studied so far and analysis of large numbers of tumors utilizing molecular techniques can be expected to yield significant insights into the biology and clinical behavior of these tumors.
Chapter 2 – Measuring the Physisorption Isotherm

The chapter discusses the two widely used methods for determining surface areas by physisorption: the volumetric method and the gravimetric method. The general object is the same for both. The volumetric technique uses one type of measurement to obtain both the data sets, while the gravimetric technique measures the pressure and mass gain of the adsorbate with separate instrumentation, using some minor pressure corrections for the weight. Both techniques have their advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is essential to be knowledgeable about both the techniques when deciding which one to use. The differences between the two methods can be measured by two parameters: cost and capability. The chapter describes other details that need to be considered while choosing among these two options. A nitrogen adsorbate and liquid nitrogen are assumed as temperature controlling fluids. The chapter outlines equipment description, determination method, and error analysis for both the techniques and discusses the calorimetric techniques and the flow method.
Knightian Uncertainty and Capital Structure.

My dissertation aims to understand a firm's optimal capital structure decision when it confronts Knightian uncertainty. It contains three chapters. In Chapter One, I derive the optimal capital structure of a firm when its manager is ambiguity-averse. My model predicts substantially lower leverage for such firms, in comparison to traditional static trade-off models. I use the 1982 Voluntary Restraint Agreement (VRA) on steel import quotas between the U.S. government and the European Community as an exogenous reduction in Knightian uncertainty faced by firms in the U.S. steel industry. Using a difference-in-difference methodology, I find that when uncertainty is resolved, a median firm in the U.S. steel industry increases its market and book leverage by approximately 12 percent relative to a matched control firm from another industry. The results are not explained away by changes in traditional risk factors or by a change in expected future profitability. In Chapter Two, I develop a new measure of Knightian uncertainty using a mixture of normal distributions. Using this novel measure, I find that a median firm in the sample decreases its market leverage by approximately 3.6 percent, when the firm's measure of uncertainty increases by one standard deviation. I also find an increase in a firm's uncertainty measure from the minimum to the maximum is associated with a 6.3 percent increase in the firm's propensity to take almost zero leverage. In Chapter Three, I consider a firm's decision to exercise real options, when the firm faces Knightian uncertainty about the evolution of project value. I provide two continuous time applications extended from the discrete time applications in Miao and Wang (2011) that show the value of waiting (which increases with risk) decreases with uncertainty. I incorporate ambiguity-averse investors who are uncertain about the evolution of a firm's assets into the dynamic capital structure model of Leland (1994). I show that even in this dynamic setting, uncertainty provides a more plausible explanation for firms taking on low leverage than risk alone.
Young Children’s Interest-Oriented Activity and Later Academic Self-Regulation Strategies in Kindergarten

ABSTRACTThis study investigated children’s interest-based activities in the home during the preschool years and their subsequent academic self-regulation behaviors in school. Children’s home activities were tracked for 1 year prior to kindergarten entry. Based on their profiles of activities, children (109) were assigned to one of four interest groups: conceptual, social, procedural, or creative. The children’s academic self-regulation behaviors were observed throughout kindergarten. Specifically, the contribution of children’s early interests to understanding their metacognitive talk and progress monitoring was analyzed, controlling statistically for the effects of gender, cognitive skill, and temperament. There were discernible patterns unique to each group in the content of their metacognitive talk and strategies for monitoring progress. The study offers an uncommonly rich description of the academic self-regulation behaviors of young children and explores the role of early childhood interests in the d...
EEG Error Prediction as a Solution for Combining the Advantages of Retrieval Practice and Errorless Learning.

Given the frequency of naming errors in aphasia, a common aim of speech and language rehabilitation is the improvement of naming. Based on evidence of significant word recall improvements in patients with memory impairments, errorless learning methods have been successfully applied to naming therapy in aphasia; however, other evidence suggests that although errorless learning can lead to better performance during treatment sessions, retrieval practice may be the key to lasting improvements. Task performance may vary with brain state (e.g., level of arousal, degree of task focus), and changes in brain state can be detected using EEG. With the ultimate goal of designing a system that monitors patient brain state in real time during therapy, we sought to determine whether errors could be predicted using spectral features obtained from an analysis of EEG. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the use of individual EEG responses to predict error production in aphasia. Eight participants with aphasia each completed 900 object-naming trials across three sessions while EEG was recorded and response accuracy scored for each trial. Analysis of the EEG response for 7 of the 8 participants showed significant correlations between EEG features and response accuracy (correct vs. incorrect) and error correction (correct, self-corrected, incorrect). Furthermore, upon combining the training data for the first two sessions, the model generalized to predict accuracy for performance in the third session for 7 participants when accuracy was used as a predictor, and for 5 participants when error correction category was used as a predictor. With such ability to predict errors during therapy, it may be possible to use this information to intervene with errorless learning strategies only when necessary, thereby allowing patients to benefit from both the high within-session success of errorless learning as well as the longer-term improvements associated with retrieval practice.
Biophysiopathology of the Microvasculature and Microcirculation

The microvasculature and microcirculation are the largest single organ in the human body. The essential radiosensitivity of the fine vasculature and connective tissue cells associated with various types of dependent tissue seems to vary much less on the basis of the relatively direct effects rather, than the relative radiosensitivity of various dependent tissue types themselves. The radiation sensitivity of the fine vasculature and interstitial connective tissue is generally less than that of the radiosensitive tissues containing more mitotically active parenchymal cells. Generally the greater that the tissues are composed of sensitive parenchymal cells, radiation can cause early or acute lesions. The tissues that contain resistant parenchymal cells, the production of early or acute lesions require large doses and is usually associated with more marked mediation of the effect through damage to the fine vasculature and or connective tissue elements. The radiation damage and subsequent progressive changes in fine vasculature and interstitial connective tissue play a very important role in the production of chronic delayed lesions in a large variety of tissues. The discussion of microvasculature injury varies with the cell kinetics of the different tissues and parenchymal cells that constitute the various organs and viscera in the body.
A New Notion of Robustness for Perturbed Linear Dynamical Systems

Abstract In this paper, a new notion of “robustness” is proposed for a class of uncertain linear dynamical systems. Loosely speaking, a linear system (S P ) is said to be robust with respect to the pair (δH max (•), δy max ) if we can guarantee (by choice of admissible input) a terminal output error of δy max at most--for all possible perturbations of the impulse response matrix H(·) which are bounded by δH max (·). Using the theory of conjugate duality, we develop our first main result a set of necessary and sufficient conditions for (S p ) to be robust. We show how these conditions can be used to develop a numerical test for robustness which requires solving a 2r-dimensional parameter optimization problem (where r is the dimension of the output). Our second main result, a “Minimum Principle,” tells us how to use the optimal parameter vector to generate a robust input.
Synthesis of Quaternary-Substituted Thiazolines via Halocyclization of S-Allyl Thioimidate Salts

An efficient synthesis of S-allyl thioimidate hydrobromide salts via coupling of thioamides with allyl bromide derivatives is described. A range of mono-, di-, and trisubstituted olefins as well as alkyl- and arylthioamides with variations in electronics are tolerated. A rapid anti-diastereoselective halocyclization of these salts provides a variety of substituted alkyl- and arylthiazolines. Initial development of an efficient enantioselective synthesis of quaternary-substituted thiazolines through the organo-catalyzed halocyclization of sulfonate thioimidate salts is also described.
An Academic-Practice Partnership Model to Grow and Sustain Advanced Practice Nursing.

OBJECTIVEThe aims of this article were to describe the implementation of an academic-practice partnership for healthcare system workforce development and provide preliminary outcomes of the associated pilot study.BACKGROUNDThe demand for cross-continuum healthcare delivery models necessitates creati
Burden of Care among Caregivers of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS in Rural Namibia: Correlates and Outcomes.

This study examined the correlates of burden of caregivers providing care to people living with HIV/AIDS in rural northern Namibia and the consequences of caregivers’ burden on their physical healt...
Relative timing from the perspective of dynamic pattern theory: Stability and instability.

Abstract Unlike many approaches that use the relative timing invariance of skilled movements to invoke central, represented templates, the dynamical framework adopted here views relative timing as one (but not the only) entry-point that captures the cooperative processes underlying spatiotemporal organization of action. The study of temporal stability and loss of stability in bimanual movement patterns reveals the intrinsic dynamics of interlimb coordination. The adaptive mechanisms of the system, such as perceptual-motor coordination, entrainment, and learning, can be addressed operationally in terms of the interplay between these intrinsic dynamics and the behavioral constraints (e.g., environmental, intentional). Such dynamical principles are ultimately at the origin of behavioral stability and change at different levels of analysis and are active on several different time scales.
Webster and the fundamental right to make medical decisions.

The interest of the eight major organizations of health care professionals was not in debating the philosophical, ethical, moral or religious issues surrounding abortion. The members of the organizations differ on how to balance the woman's privacy right against the state's interests in maternal and fetal health, and in particular about whether the state has a compelling interest in fetal health before viability. Given the diversity of views, the brief neither endorsed nor opposed the Supreme Court's holding in Roe v. Wade that the state's interest in fetal health becomes compelling at viability.
Role of Percutaneous Chronic Total Occlusion Interventions in Patients with Ischemic Cardiomyopathy and Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction.

The purpose of this review is to examine current evidence on the benefit of chronic total occlusion (CTO) revascularization in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and propose a systematic approach on how and when to accomplish revascularization in these patients. Coronary revascularization in patients with reduced ejection fraction (EF) is advocated for to improve left ventricular function and consequently clinical outcomes. Approximately 16–31% of angiograms in patients with advanced CAD are noted to have a concomitant coronary CTO. Its presence is a main predictor of worse outcomes. Over the past 15 years, advancements in interventional technologies and techniques have made it possible to treat CTO lesions percutaneously with success rates exceeding 90%. Different revascularization techniques have been organized into widely used algorithms for systematic CTO lesion crossing and treatment. Patients with reduced EF can be revascularized percutaneously with goal of complete functional revascularization. However, randomized prospective data is needed to justify the increased patient risks and healthcare costs associated with these procedures.
A preventive transient stability control method based on support vector machine

Abstract This paper presents a support vector machine (SVM)-based method for preventive transient stability control (TSC) of power systems. The features of the SVM model used in TSC are the same as in transient stability assessment (TSA). The features include non-control variables so as to improve the accuracy of TSA and sensitivities. A hybrid method combining SVM and time-domain simulation is also proposed to increase the TSA accuracy. First, this paper defines a transient stability assessment index based on SVM model. Second, the sensitivities of the SVM-based transient stability assessment index with respect to control variables (generator active power) are calculated and ranked to select control generators from them. Then, the power shifting amount of all the control generators and balance generators is calculated and the corresponding control scheme is verified by the hybrid TSA method. If generation redispatching measures are invalid, then load shedding measures are used at the same time. Finally, comprehensive studies are conducted on the WECC 9-bus system and a certain provincial 2036-bus system in China. The results reveal that the proposed hybrid TSA method increases the classification accuracy rates from 99.0%, 99.3% to 100% for the certain provincial 2036-bus system, and effective control measures are obtained with the proposed SVM-based TSC method for both systems.
Congenital Skin Dysplasia

The skin or cutis is the largest organ in the human body. It covers approximately 20 square feet and weighs about 9 pounds (4 kilograms). It is a part of a broad integumentary system, which is composed of skin, hair, nails, and related glands. The skin has three anatomic layers: the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. The epidermis has five histologic strata: the stratum corneum, stratum lucidum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum, and stratum basale. The dermis consists of papillary and reticular layers.
Employee reactions to user incivility in academic libraries

Abstract Workplace incivility and its consequences have been studied by many scholars; however, little attention has been given to the phenomenon in the library environment. More specifically, empirical research in the Library and Information Science (LIS) literature has focused on deviant behaviors, such as bullying, mobbing, and aggression, mainly from colleagues and supervisors rather than from users. However, incivility in the workplace is more common than other forms of negative behaviors, such as aggression. Moreover, in service organizations uncivil behavior from patrons is more frequently encountered than from co-workers and supervisors. In this vein, the current exploratory study aimed to investigate the manifestations and frequency of user incivility, as well as employee reactions to these behaviors in Greek academic libraries. Employee perceptions regarding the causes of user incivility were also explored. Results indicated that users are mainly impatient, angry and make unreasonable demands. These behaviors are attributed to user personality. Finally, respondents reported milder reactions to user incivility compared to those of their colleagues. Implications of the findings for library leaders are also discussed.
Firm Characteristics and the International Business Activity of East Coast Seafood Processors

This study examines 316 seafood processors (NAICS 3117) located along the eastern seaboard of the USA (from Maine to Florida) to determine whether firm characteristics significantly influence their propensity to import and export. The variables examined are number of employees, total sales, years in business, and international trade activity (exporter/non-exporter, importer/non-importer). The results of the study indicate that the value of using firm characteristics to predict import or export behavior is negligible.
Television Viewing and Acculturation of Korean Immigrants

(1988). Television Viewing and Acculturation of Korean Immigrants. Amerasia Journal: Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 79-92.
Effectiveness of an Adapted Behavioral Education Program Targeting Attendance Improvement

This study describes the effectiveness of an adapted behavioral education program for students defined as “chronic absentee.” The intervention focused on building positive student–adult relationshi...