cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new voltage binning technique for yield improvement based on graph theory

In this paper, we propose a new voltage binning technique to improve yield. Voltage binning technique tries to assign different supply voltages to different chips in order to improve the yield. A novel valid voltage segment concept is proposed, which is determined by the timing and power constraints of chips. Then we develop a formulation to predict the maximum number of bins required under the uniform binning scheme from the distribution of length of valid supply voltage segment. With the new concept, an optimal binning scheme can be modeled as a set-cover problem. A greedy algorithm is developed to solve the set-cover problem in an incremental way. The new method is also extendable to deal with a range of working supply voltages for dynamic voltage scaling under different operation modes (like lower power and high performance modes). Experimental results on some benchmarks in 45nm technology show that the proposed method can correctly predict the upper bound on the number of bins required. The optimal binning scheme can lead to significant saving for the number of bins compared to the uniform one to achieve the same yield with very small CPU cost.
Photophysics and self-assembly of symmetrical and unsymmetrical cationic oligophenylene ethynylenes

Abstract A study of the synthesis, photophysical behavior and self-assembly of a series of symmetrical cationic oligophenylene ethynylenes is reported. Aqueous solutions of all these compounds exhibit strong and structured absorption in the ultraviolet (maxima near 305 nm and 355 nm) with a broad fluorescence in the range 370–600 nm. While all of these compounds show strong fluorescence in methanol, the fluorescence yields in water are variable and substituent dependent. Transient absorption, presumably attributable to a triplet is found for all of the oligomers studied thus far. All of the compounds having a net positive charge exhibit strong complex formation when they are added to aqueous solutions containing the anionic biopolymer carboxymethylcellulose. The complexes are characterized by a pronounced red shift in the oligomer absorption spectrum and a red shifted and generally intense fluorescence. We attribute the spectral shifts due to the formation of “J-dimers” in each case. The results of this preliminary study suggest that these compounds may be useful in sensing due to their strong tendency to associate with anionic biomacromolecules.
Preparation of 1-(tri-n-butylstannyl) furanoid glycals and their use in palladium-mediated coupling reactions

Abstract 1-(Tri-n-butylstannyl)furanoid glycals have been prepared for the first time by lithiation of the corresponding 3-O-unsubstituted glycals followed by reaction with tri-n-butylstannyl chloride. Furanoid glycals bearing an alkoxy (silyloxy) group at C-3 undergo elimination and furan formation. A 3-O-benzyl-1-(tri-n-butylstannyl)furanoid glycal was prepared from the 1-phenylsulfonyl furanoid glycal using tri-n-butylstannylhydride and AIBN. Stannylated furanoid glycals and iodoaglycon derivatives underwent palladium-mediated coupling to yield the corresponding 1-substituted furanoid glycals in good to excellent yields.
Edge-Preserving PET Image Reconstruction Using Trust Optimization Transfer

Iterative image reconstruction for positron emission tomography can improve image quality by using spatial regularization. The most commonly used quadratic penalty often oversmoothes sharp edges and fine features in reconstructed images, while nonquadratic penalties can preserve edges and achieve higher contrast recovery. Existing optimization algorithms such as the expectation maximization (EM) and preconditioned conjugate gradient (PCG) algorithms work well for the quadratic penalty, but are less efficient for high-curvature or nonsmooth edge-preserving regularizations. This paper proposes a new algorithm to accelerate edge-preserving image reconstruction by using two strategies: trust surrogate and optimization transfer descent. Trust surrogate approximates the original penalty by a smoother function at each iteration, but guarantees the algorithm to descend monotonically; Optimization transfer descent accelerates a conventional optimization transfer algorithm by using conjugate gradient and line search. Results of computer simulations and real 3-D data show that the proposed algorithm converges much faster than the conventional EM and PCG for smooth edge-preserving regularization and can also be more efficient than the current state-of-art algorithms for the nonsmooth $\ell _{1}$ regularization.
Nonlinear lithium-ion diffusion dynamics conscious power management strategy in hybrid electric vehicles for battery downsizing

This paper proposes a battery power management strategy using the estimated lithium-ion concentration in the electrodes to prevent battery over-charging and over-discharging under aggressive driving conditions. Excessive battery operation is moderated by adjusting the allowable battery power limits through the feedback of information on the electrode-averaged lithium-ion concentration estimated by the extended Kalman filter. Uneven discretization of the radii of the solid electrode particles is used in the extended Kalman filter to reduce the computation effort. Safe battery operation with a relatively small size of the battery is possible with the proposed battery power management strategy by preventing extreme conditions, thus providing more flexibility for the development of robust and cost-effective hybrid electric vehicles.
CONTRIBUTION OF ORGANIC MATTER, N AND P THROUGH ROOTS AND STUBBLES IN IRRIGATED RICE CULTURE

A study was conducted on the quantities of crop residues (stubbles) recycled into the soil after harvest with 2 early and 3 medium duration varieties of rice under irrigated culture. The addition of crop residues depended linearly on the total dry matter production of the plants. Dry matter (DM) of stubbles and the N content of the same showed a linear trend. The relationship between grain yield and N contribution through stubbles fitted to a linear regression. In early types the maximum N recycled is 16 kg/ha at an yield range of 4 to 6 t/ha while in medium types a maximum of 26 kg N/ha is recycled at the same yield level. The relationships between DM of stubbles and ‘P’ content of the stubbles and between grain yield and ‘P’ content of stubbles also turned out to be linear. The P content varied from 1 to 4 kg/ha in early types and 1 to 2 kg/ha in medium group. More N was recorded in the stubbles of the medium group while more P was found in the early duration varieties. There were clear varietal variations and the results were discussed in the light of the current literature.
Redefining Education Regimes and Reform: The Political Role of Governors

Governors across the country are playing a more important role in steering education policy than in the past. In our nine-state study of the politics of education from 1995 to 1997, the authors observed governors putting forward major reforms from vouchers to state standards and forming important coalitions with the business community and religious groups. Professional organizations, which have monopolized decision making in education for years, were forced to adjust to these new participants. Charter schools were strongly supported by most governors; they particularly appreciated the competition and local aspects of this reform. Overall, they showed little interest in compensatory funding for city schools, and school finance equity was only an interest if pressure came from property-poor suburbs. Urban schools are in dire need of more equitable and creative reform efforts, but this seems unlikely in the current political climate.
A short DNA sequence confers strong bleomycin binding to hairpin DNAs.

Bleomycins A5 and B2 were used to study the structural features in hairpin DNAs conducive to strong BLM–DNA interaction. Two members of a 10-hairpin DNA library previously found to bind most tightly to these BLMs were subsequently noted to share the sequence 5′-ACGC (complementary strand sequence 5′-GCGT). Each underwent double-strand cleavage at five sites within, or near, an eight base pair region of the DNA duplex which had been randomized to create the original library. A new hairpin DNA library was selected based on affinity for immobilized Fe(III)·BLM A5. Two of the 30 newly identified DNAs also contained the sequence 5′-ACGC/5′-GCGT. These DNAs bound to the Fe(II)·BLMs more tightly than any DNA characterized previously. Surface plasmon resonance confirmed tight Fe(III)·BLM B2 binding and gave an excellent fit for a 1:1 binding model, implying the absence of significant secondary binding sites. Fe(II)·BLM A5 was used to assess sites of double-strand DNA cleavage. Both hairpin DNAs underwent double-s...
Adhesion-related kinase induction of migration requires phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase and Ras stimulation of Rac activity in immortalized gonadotropin-releasing hormone neuronal cells

GnRH neurons migrate into the hypothalamus during development. Although migratory defects may result in disordered activation of the reproductive axis and lead to delayed or absent sexual maturation, specific factors regulating GnRH neuronal migration remain largely unknown. The receptor tyrosine kinase, adhesion-related kinase (Ark) (also known as Axl, UFO, and Tyro7), has been implicated in the migration of GnRH neuronal cells. Binding of its ligand, growth arrest-specific gene 6 (Gas6), promotes cytoskeletal remodeling and migration of NLT GnRH neuronal cells via Rac and p38 MAPK. Here, we examined the Axl effectors proximal to Rac in the signaling pathway. Gas6/Axl-induced lamellipodia formation and migration were blocked after phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibition in GnRH neuronal cells. The p85 subunit of PI3K coimmunoprecipitated with Axl and was phosphorylated in a Gas6-sensitive manner. In addition, PI3K inhibition in GnRH neuronal cells diminished Gas6-induced Rac activation. Exogenous...
Simulation of Radionuclide Transport through Unsaturated, Fractured Rock: Application to Yucca Mountain, Nevada

This paper describes the numerical methods developed to simulate the transport of radionuclides through the unsaturated, fractured rock below the proposed repository at the Yucca Mountain. Regardless of the disposition of the Yucca Mountain License Application, this method has general applicability for modeling contaminant transport through deep vadose zones. Using a dual-permeability solution for fluid flow as a basis, the transport model represents contaminant transport with a cell-based particle-tracking technique in which particles move from cell to cell in the three-dimensional large-scale grid of two overlapping continua. Particle movement between cells, and the residence time within a cell, is computed probabilistically based on transfer functions using numerical solutions of the transport equations for an idealized fracture-matrix system. Using this approach, the following transport phenomena are simulated: advection through fracture and matrix continua, including between these continua, dispersion, sorption of dissolved radionuclides to the matrix continuum, and within the fault zones, and molecular diffusion between the fractures and matrix. In addition to providing a realistic representation of the relevant processes, this method has the virtue of computational efficiency. After describing the numerical method, this paper presents sensitivity analyses for radionuclide transport travel time distributions from the proposed repository to the water table through the unsaturated zone for the Yucca Mountain system.
Electrical double-layer interaction between two eccentric spherical surfaces

Abstract The nonlinear Poisson—Boltzmann equation has been solved numerically for a model system in which a spherical colloid is placed eccentrically in the core of a spherical shell of colloidal dimension. The proposed model simulates systems such as colloidal particles entrapped in near-spherical cavities in porous media, colloidal particles in concentrated suspensions, macromolecules (e.g., proteins) solubilized in reverse micelles, and drug particles encapsulated within liposomes in drug delivery systems. To describe the electrical double-layer interaction in the above systems of interest, the interaction energy has been calculated by first solving numerically the Poisson—Boltzmann equation for the model system, as well as for each of its component surfaces (the surface of the shell and the outer surface of the particle in the core). The equation has been solved in bispherical coordinates for the model system. Both constant surface potential and constant surface charge types of boundary conditions have been treated. The effects of electrical double-layer interaction on the aforementioned systems have been predicted based on the results of interaction energy calculations.
The Effect of Coagulant on the Structure and Properties of Poly(P-Phenylene Terephthalamide) [PPTA]

Poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) [PPTA] was the first commercially successful lyotropic liquid crystalline polymer to be spun into fibers having excetonally high tensile properties [1,2]. Fibers of PPTA are commonly referred to as Kevlar®, and are a product of the du Pont de Nemours Company, Inc. These fibers are stronger than steel, and have found many applications, including use in sporting goods such as canoes, tires, bullet-proof vests, cables and pressure vessels.
Quantitative Separation of Volatile Fatty Acids by High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography

Abstract Volatile fatty acids (acetic, propionic, butyric, isovaleric, and valeric) are separated isocratically on a reverse phase C18 μBONDAPAK column in less than 20 min. The eluent was 0.01 M NaH2PO4 buffer, pH 3.5, containing 10% methanol. Separations were monitored by UV absorption at 210 nm. Peak height measurements gave quantitative linear responses from 0.25 μmole to 2.50 μmole of each acid.
Mid-Caenozoic Calcareous Nannoplankton from Western North America

CALCAREOUS nannoplankton provide sound bases for interregional correlation of Caenozoic marine strata, and are potentially equally useful for inferring oceanographic conditions at various times in the past. Recent debate1–6 concerning correlation of the mid-Caenozoic benthonic microfaunal stages of western North America with plank-tonic foraminiferal biostratigraphic zones of low latitudes, and with the European stages has prompted this study of the calcareous nannoplankton. The fossils were studied by optical and electron microscopic techniques. This communication records the stratigraphic distribution (Table 1) of the principal species and discusses their significance for interregional correlation. A complete report will be presented elsewhere. Localities mentioned were described by Kleinpell7 unless otherwise noted.
Attitudinal compliance with ecotourism guidelines

Abstract This study has developed and tested a conceptual framework to explain compliance attitudes of ecotour operators with industry guidelines. The results suggest that compliance with ecotourism principles is a function of a multitude of intrinsic and extrinsic factors concerning ecotour operators, including the type of social and economic sanctions, gender of the respondents, perceived moral obligations, and revenue obtained from ecotourism. The key strategies for increasing compliance seem to lie in educating the tour operators and placing a call to their conscience. Some strategies for increasing compliance are suggested.
The B-cell-specific transcription coactivator OCA-B/OBF-1/Bob-1 is essential for normal production of immunoglobulin isotypes.

OCA-B was initially identified as a B-cell-restricted coactivator that functions with octamer binding transcription factors (Oct-1 and Oct-2) to mediate efficient cell type-specific transcription of immunoglobulin promoters in vitro1–3. Subsequent cloning studies led to identification of the coactivator as a single poly-peptide, designated either as OCA-B (ref. 3), OBF-1 (ref. 4) or Bob-1 (ref. 5). OCA-B itself does not bind to DNA directly, but interacts with either Oct-1 or Oct-2 to potentiate transcriptional activation1–5. To determine the biological role of OCA-B, we generated OCA-B-deficient mice by gene targeting. Mice lacking OCA-B undergo normal antigen-independent, B-cell differentiation, including appropriate expression of both immunoglobulin genes and other early B-cell-restricted genes. However, antigen-dependent maturation of B cells is greatly affected. The pro- liferative response to surface IgM crosslinking is impaired, and there is a severe deficiency in the production of secondary immunoglobulin isotypes including IgGl, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG3, IgA and IgE in OCA-B-deficient B cells. This defect is not due to a failure of the isotype switching process, but rather to reduced levels of transcription from normally switched immunoglobulin heavy-chain loci. In accord with the defective isotype production, germinal centre formation is absent in these mutant mice.
Novel Use of Intravenous Immunoglobulin G in Complement Factor H Missense Mutation: A Case Report:

A white girl presented at 8 months of age with thrombotic microangiopathy, followed by recurrent episodes of renal dysfunction, hemolysis, and thrombocytopenia, compatible with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. The episodes of the syndrome were treated by a combination of infusions of fresh frozen plasma, plasmapheresis, and continuous venovenous hemodialysis. Interval resolution occurred between episodes. At 2 years of age, prophylactic infusions of fresh frozen plasma were started between relapses, but this proved to be poorly protective; however, introduction of prophylactic intravenous gamma globulin at age 3.5 years resulted in prolonged remission (42 months). Serum levels of the third and fourth components of complement, total hemolytic complement, and complement factor H were normal. Results of the third component functional assay were low before and normalized after the start of immunoglobulin G prophylaxis. A missense mutation of complement factor H was identified. At 6 years of age, the patien...
Numerical calculations on the four-color problem

Abstract It is shown in this paper that a map not colorable in four colors must have at least n=40 countries. This improves on the result n=36 due to C. E. Winn (1940). The rather elaborate computations are based upon the Euler contributions of the faces in an irreducible graph and upon several new reducible configurations.
Outcome rating scales for pediatric head injury.

Intensivists, surgeons, neurologists, and others involved in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) have an important investment in both short-and long-term outcomes of children and adolescents with head injury who are treated under their care. Outcomes are most often documented by either single-or multiple-item rating scales and are implemented both during and after hospital care. For this review, the authors have organized the content of rating scales into 6 general classes: (1) mortality prediction, (2) severity, (3) global recovery, (4) activity restrictions, (5) secondary adverse conditions, and (6) limitations in participation, quality of life, and health status. Rating scales that describe the outcomes of children and adolescents after head injury are used to monitor medical and functional recovery, guide clinical management, drive quality assurance initiatives, and conduct clinical research. The authors restrict their selective review to rating scales that describe child outcomes (vs family) and t...
Development of Strong η Fiber Recrystallization Texture in Rolled Fe 81 Ga 19 Thin Sheet

The 0.50-mm-thick Fe81Ga19 sheets were produced by rolling procedure, and texture evolution was investigated using macro- and microtexture analyses. The recrystallization texture dominated with strong η fiber (〈001〉//RD) was successfully obtained through sheet thickness by primary recrystallization annealing. The η fiber development can be attributed to the advantage in both grain number and grain size derived from the specially applied rolling process.
Variation in Honey Bee Morphology, Behavior, and Seed Set in White Clover

Five behavioral and six morphological characteristics of honey bees, Apis mellifera L., from 24 colonies were measured, and many varied significantly. Several of these measurements were significantly correlated with seed set by white clover, Trifolium repens L.
Effect of lateral ankle ligament anesthesia on single-leg stance stability.

RIEMANN, B. L., J. B. MYERS, D. A. STONE, and S. M. LEPHART. Effect of Lateral Ankle Ligament Anesthesia on Single-Leg Stance Stability. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 36, No. 3, pp. 388 –396, 2004. Purpose: This study was designed to determine, in isolation, the contribution of lateral ankle ligament mechanoreceptors to postural stability during single leg static (eyes open, eyes closed) and landing tasks. Methods: Fourteen healthy subjects (nine males, five females) underwent two different treatment conditions (control, anesthesia) in a counterbalanced order (48-h interval). During the anesthetic treatment, lidocaine was injected into the anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligament (1.5 cc each) regions. Postural stability was measured using forceplate and kinematic variables. The average of each variable across multiple trials under each treatment for the three tasks was analyzed statistically. Results: Results of all statistical analyses failed to demonstrate significant alterations ( P 0.05) in postural control attributable to the treatment condition. Conclusion: These results suggest that lateral ankle ligament mechanoreceptors either do not make a significant contribution to single leg stance stability, do not have a unique, irreplaceable role, or have a role that is too subtle to be detected given the measurement techniques used. Thus, the idea that single leg stability becomes altered after ankle joint injury because of proprioceptive disruption was not supported. This would suggest that reported postural control alterations in persons after repetitive ankle injury more likely occur as a result of alterations in mechanical stability, motor components, and/or central motor programming. Key Words: PROPRIOCEPTION, ANKLE INSTABILITY, BALANCE, EQUILIBRIUM
Physiological control of water flux in conifers

A water flux model with daily resolution is described which permits one to assess how changes in the rooting volume, amount of sapwood, leaf area and conductance properties interact to affect water uptake, internal storage, and transpiration. A root zone water compartment is defined for a particular tree on the basis of root depth, lateral extension and moisture holding characteristics of the soil. Water is taken up from different subcompartments of the root zone as a function of vertical position, soil water content, and water deficit within the sapwood. Excess water entering the root zone is channeled into runoff or seepage. The sapwood compartment of the model is restricted to the main stem of the tree and does not include sapwood in the branches or roots. The model assumes whatever water deficit is built up in the sapwood during the day will be replenished at night if the root zone water supply/capacity ratio exceeds 20%. A complex exponential equation describes the amount of water extractable from 20% to 0 capacity when no uptake is possible. The maximum change in volume of water in the sapwood of a large Douglas-fir is estimated to represent more than a 10 day supply for transpiration. Water loss through transpiration is predicted as a function of the mean daily absolute humidity deficit, leaf area, leaf conductance and daylength. Leaf conductance is controlled by predawn plant moisture stress which in turn is a function of the rooting zone water supply. The model incorporates two special constraints upon water uptake and transpiration. The first accounts for the effect of cold soil temperatures reducing the possible uptake by Douglas-fir to half at 2°C and to 0 at-2°C. The second represents a critical absolute humidity deficit sufficient to cause stomatal closure which results in leaf conductance being reduced to a minimum. The model is employed to compare trees of different sizes and those with different stomatal behavior. From this experience, it is suggested that future studies include, at a minimum, simultaneous measurements of: absolute humidity deficit, leaf area, sapwood volume and change in water content, predawn stress and leaf conductance.
Neuromuscular Blocking Agents

Neuromuscular blocking agents have, perhaps, the most fascinating history among the drugs used in anesthesiology and intensive care. For centuries, South American aborigines had used curare to hunt animals before Claude Bernard showed in 1850 that these drugs act peripherally, blocking conduction where motor nerves meet the muscle.1 These historical facts should serve to remind us that this group of drugs is lethal when misused and that while paralysis occurs, intellectual function remains unaffected.
Improvements and Reconsideration of Distributed Snapshot Protocols

Distributed snapshots are an important building block for distributed systems, and, among other applications, are useful for constructing efficient checkpointing protocols. In addition to the imposed overhead of the existing distributed snapshot protocols, those protocols are not trivially applicable (if at all) in many of today?s distributed systems, e.g., grid, mobile, and sensors systems. After presenting the shortages and the inapplicability of the most popular existing distributed snapshot protocols, this paper discusses improvement directions for the protocols. In addition, it presents a new and an important improvement for the most popular distributed snapshot protocol, which was presented by Chandy and Lamport in 1985. Although the proposed improvement is simple and easy to implement, it has significant benefits in reducing the software and hardware overheads of distributed snapshots. Then, the paper presents proofs for the safety and progress of the new protocol. Lastly, it presents a performance analysis of the protocol using stochastic models.
Dynamic Network Drivers of Seizure Generation, Propagation and Termination in Human Neocortical Epilepsy.

The epileptic network is characterized by pathologic, seizure-generating ‘foci’ embedded in a web of structural and functional connections. Clinically, seizure foci are considered optimal targets for surgery. However, poor surgical outcome suggests a complex relationship between foci and the surrounding network that drives seizure dynamics. We developed a novel technique to objectively track seizure states from dynamic functional networks constructed from intracranial recordings. Each dynamical state captures unique patterns of network connections that indicate synchronized and desynchronized hubs of neural populations. Our approach suggests that seizures are generated when synchronous relationships near foci work in tandem with rapidly changing desynchronous relationships from the surrounding epileptic network. As seizures progress, topographical and geometrical changes in network connectivity strengthen and tighten synchronous connectivity near foci—a mechanism that may aid seizure termination. Collectively, our observations implicate distributed cortical structures in seizure generation, propagation and termination, and may have practical significance in determining which circuits to modulate with implantable devices.
Embedded UML: a merger of real-time UML and co-design

In this paper, we present a proposal for a UML profile called `Embedded UML'. Embedded UML represents a synthesis of various ideas in the real-time UML community, and concepts drawn from the Hardware-Software co-design field. Embedded UML first selects from among the competing real-time UML proposals, the set of ideas which best allow specification and analysis of mixed HW-SW systems. It then adds the necessary concept of underlying deployment architecture that UML currently lacks in complete form, using the notion of an embedded HW-SW `platform'. It supplements this with the concept of a `mapping', which is a platform-dependent refinement mechanism that allows efficient generation of an optimised implementation of the executable specification in both HW and SW. Finally, it provides an approach which supports the development of automated analysis, simulation, synthesis and code generation tool capabilities which can be provided for design usage even while the embedded UML standardisation process takes place.
Magnesium in cardiovascular and other disorders

PURPOSE: The physiological role and metabolism of magnesium, the causes of magnesium deficiency, clinical data on the benefits of magnesium supplementation, and the management of magnesium deficiency are discussed. SUMMARY: Magnesium is an often overlooked electrolyte that is essential to life. Magnesium plays a role in more than 300 enzymatic reactions and is critically involved in energy metabolism, glucose utilization, protein synthesis, fatty acid synthesis and breakdown, ATPase functions, and virtually all hormonal reactions. Magnesium is closely involved in maintaining cellular ionic balance through its association with sodium, potassium, and calcium. Deficiency of magnesium is becoming more common in the U.S. population and may be attributed to decreased dietary consumption and the use of diuretics; in the elderly, magnesium deficiency may be a consequence of reduced appetite, decreased mitochondrial respiratory activity, and increased myocardial collagen. Conditions that may be associated with magnesium deficiency include hypertension, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, and preeclampsia; in many of these, magnesium supplementation has been found beneficial in clinical studies. Supplementation should be considered for patients with risk factors for deficiency and should be instituted for patients showing symptoms of deficiency. In addition to instituting supplementation when appropriate, the clinician should identify and correct the underlying cause of the deficiency. CONCLUSION: Magnesium deficiency may contribute to pathological processes. Clinicians should consider using magnesium supplementation to prevent deficiency in patients at risk and to treat deficiency when it occurs.
Analysis of optical waveguide structures by use of a combined finite-difference/finite-difference time-domain method

We present a method for full-wave characterization of optical waveguide structures. The method computes mode-propagation constants and cross-sectional field profiles from a straight forward discretization of Maxwell's equations. These modes are directly excited in a three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain simulation to obtain optical field transmission and reflection coefficients for arbitrary waveguide discontinuities. The implementation uses the perfectly-matched-layer technique to absorb both guided modes and radiated fields. A scattered-field formulation is also utilized to allow accurate determination of weak scattered-field strengths. Individual three-dimensional waveguide sections are cascaded by S-parameter analysis. A complete 10(4)-section Bragg resonator is successfully simulated with the method.
Doing real family values: The interpretive practice of families in the GLBT movement

This article considers how a social movement group in the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) movement engages in discursive contention with the Religious Right over the meaning of traditional family values. By utilizing an understanding of framing as interpretive practice, we return to a more active conceptualization of framing and illustrate how the meaning making of PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), though bound by the dominant discourse of traditional family values, appropriates this discourse by doing “real family values.” We close by considering how PFLAG's interpretive practice subverts and reproduces hegemonic meaning and by noting how our understandings of movement framing are extended by analyses of interpretive practice.
Follicle Selection in Cattle: Dynamics of Follicular Fluid Factors During Development of Follicle Dominance

Follicle diameter deviation during follicular waves in cattle begins with a reduction in growth rates of developing subordinate follicles, in contrast to the maintenance of a constant growth rate by a developing dominant follicle. In experiment 1, the temporal changes encompassing deviation in concentrations of follicular fluid factors relative to one another in the three largest follicles (F1, F2, and F3) were studied. Follicular fluid samples were collected when F1 reached diameter ranges of 7.0-7.9, 8.0-8.9, 9.0-9.9, and 10.0-10.9 mm (n = 12 per range). The first increase (P < 0.05) in the difference between F1 and F2 for estradiol occurred at the 8.0- to 8.9-mm range, which was one range earlier than for diameter (P < 0.05). Free insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 concentrations in F1 were similar among diameter ranges, but concentrations in F1 were higher (P < 0.05) than in F2 for each range except 7.0-7.9 mm. Concentrations of free IGF-1 in F2 decreased (P < 0.05). No significant differences were detected in concentrations of progesterone, androstenedione, total inhibin, and inhibin-A. Averaged over follicles, inhibin-B decreased (P < 0.05) between the 8.0- to 8.9- and 10.0- to 10.9-mm ranges, and activin-A increased (P < 0.05) between the 7.0- to 7.9- and 9.0- to 9.9-mm ranges. However, no differences were found among follicles. In experiment 2, changes associated with the development of dominance by F2 were studied using ablation of F1 at the beginning of expected deviation (F1, 8.5 mm; Hour 0) as the reference point. Follicular fluid factors were compared at Hour 12 between F2 of a control group (F1 intact; n = 10) and an ablated group (F1 ablated; n = 10). Diameter (P < 0.02), estradiol (P < 0.001), free IGF-1 (P < 0.002), and progesterone (P < 0.003) were greater and IGF-binding protein-2 was lower (P < 0.01) in F2 of the ablated group at Hour 12. No differences were detected in concentrations of androstenedione, total inhibin, and inhibin-A. The results of the two experiments indicated, on a temporal basis, that intrafollicular changes in estradiol and the IGF system, but not in the inhibin/activin system, could account for a reported greater FSH responsiveness by the future dominant follicle than by the future subordinate follicles by the beginning of diameter deviation in cattle.
Ethnicity and civil war

If a civil war begins, it is more likely to be initiated by an ethnic group than any other type of group. We argue that ethnic groups, on average, are likely to have more grievances against the state, are likely to have an easier time organizing support and mobilizing a movement, and are more likely to face difficult-to-resolve bargaining problems. We further argue that each of these factors was likely due to three pre-existing patterns associated with ethnicity. First, when political power is divided along ethnic lines, ruling elites can disproportionately favor their own ethnic group at the expense of others. This creates grievances that fall along ethnic lines. Second, ethnic groups tend to live together in concentrated spaces, sharing the same language and customs, and enjoying deep ties with ethnic kin. This means that ethnic groups, if they are aggrieved, will have an easier time mobilizing support to demand change. Third, the fact that ethnic identity tends to be less elastic than other types of id...
The effect of random cell decoupling on electrogram morphology near the percolation threshold in microstructural models of cardiac tissue

Random clusters of decoupled cells caused by cell death in diseased cardiac tissue can increase structural heterogeneity and give rise to abnormal patterns of propagation. The objective of this study was to use a 2-D 0.6 cm × 0.6 cm randomly generated model of a ventricular monolayer (LRd membrane model) (dx=dy=10 µm) to study the relationships between the underlying cardiac microstructure, the pattern of wavefront activation, and electrogram morphology as the substrate transitions from well-connected to disconnected. A fraction of individual cells (∼100µm ×30 µm) between 0 and 0.50 were randomly uncoupled from neighboring cells. Simulated unipolar electrograms were computed at 121 distinct sites at the center of the tissue during longitudinal and transverse propagation. Compared to propagation in the longitudinal direction, conduction block in the transverse direction occurred at a lower percolation threshold (0.44 vs. 0.50) and was associated with a greater fraction of negative asymmetric electrograms. Directional differences in the percolation threshold and electrogram asymmetry were found to be correlated with slow, delayed propagation through isthmuses between decoupled cells. Analysis of electrogram morphology may be useful for identifying regions of tissue that may be vulnerable to long conduction delays and wavefront reentry.
Sexual Objectification of Women: Clinical Implications and Training Considerations

This article focuses on the implications of theory and empirical research on the sexual objectification of women. Drawing largely from the American Psychological Association’s 2007 Guidelines for Psychological Practice With Girls and Women, the 2007 Report of the American Psychological Association’s Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls, key feminist therapy texts, and the findings from empirical research on Fredrickson and Robert’s (1997) objectification theory, the authors provide suggestions for practice with female clients struggling with issues related to sexual objectification and ideas for the training of psychologists.
Binding of NFκB Appears to Twist the Ankyrin Repeat Domain of IκBα

Total internal reflection fluorescence-based single-molecule Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements were previously carried out on the ankyrin repeat domain (ARD) of IκBα, the temporally regulated inhibitor of canonical NFκB signaling. Under native conditions, most of the IκBα molecules showed stable, high FRET signals consistent with distances between the fluorophores estimated from the crystal structures of the NFκB(RelA/p50)-IκBα complex. Similar high FRET efficiencies were found when the IκBα molecules were either free or in complex with NFκB(RelA/p50), and were interpreted as being consistent with the crystallographically observed ARD structure. An exception to this was observed when the donor and acceptor fluorophores were attached in AR3 (residue 166) and AR6 (residue 262). Surprisingly, the FRET efficiency was lower for the bound IκBα molecules (0.67) than for the free IκBα molecules (0.74), apparently indicating that binding of NFκB(RelA/p50) stretches the ARD of IκBα. Here, we conducted confocal-based single-molecule FRET studies to investigate this phenomenon in greater detail. The results not only recapitulated the apparent stretching of the ARD but also showed that the effect was more pronounced when the N-terminal domains (NTDs) of both RelA and p50 were present, even though the interface between NFκB(RelA/p50) and IκBα encompasses only the dimerization domains. We also performed mass spectrometry-detected amide hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDXMS) experiments on IκBα as well as IκBα bound to dimerization-domain-only constructs or full-length NFκB(RelA/p50). Although we expected the stretched IκBα to have regions with increased exchange, instead the HDXMS experiments showed decreases in exchange in AR3 and AR6 that were more pronounced when the NFκB NTDs were present. Simulations of the interaction recapitulated the increased distance between residues 166 and 262, and also provide a plausible mechanism for a twisting of the IκBα ARD induced by interactions of the IκBα proline-glutamate-serine-threonine-rich sequence with positively charged residues in the RelA NTD.
Pediatric thoracic CT angiography at 70 kV: a phantom study to investigate the effects on image quality and radiation dose

Studies have demonstrated that 70-kilovolt (kV) imaging enhances the contrast of iodine, potentially affording a reduction in radiation dose while maintaining the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). There is a maximum amount of image noise beyond which increased contrast does not improve structure visualization. Thus, noise should be constrained during protocol optimization. This phantom study investigated the effect of 70-kV imaging for pediatric thoracic CT angiography on image quality and radiation dose in a pediatric population when a noise constraint was considered. We measured contrast and noise using anthropomorphic thoracic phantoms ranging in size from newborn age equivalent to 10-year-old age equivalent. We inserted contrast rods into the phantoms to simulate injected contrast material used in a CT angiography study. The image-quality metric “iodine CNR with a noise constraint” was used to determine the relative dose factor for each phantom size, kV setting (70–140 kV) and noise constraint (1.00–1.20). A noise constraint of 1.20 indicates that noise should not increase by more than 20% of the noise level in images performed at the reference kV, selected to be 80 kV in this study. The relative dose factor can be applied to the original dose obtained at 80 kV in order to maintain iodine CNR with the noise constraint. A relative dose factor 1.0 indicates a dose penalty. Iodine contrast was highest for 70 kV and decreased with higher kV settings for all phantom sizes. The relative dose factor at 70 kV was 1.0, indicating potential for dose reduction, for the newborn, 1-year-old and 5-year-old age-equivalent phantom sizes. For the 10-year-old age-equivalent phantom, relative dose factor at 70 kV=1.22, 1.11, 1.01, 0.92 and 0.83 for noise constraint=1.00, 1.05, 1.10, 1.15, 1.20, respectively, indicating a dose penalty for noise constraint ≤1.10 and potential for dose reduction for noise constraint >1.10. Using 70 kV does allow for radiation dose reduction if the radiologist is willing to accept a higher level of image noise as a trade-off for increased vessel contrast. This increase in noise is small ( 10% for the 10-year-old. Therefore, we recommend limiting 70 kV thoracic CT angiography to newborn through 5-year-old patients.
INTERRATER RELIABILITY OF THE GUNNING READABILITY INDEX: METHODOLOGICAL NOTE

Interrater reliability is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for any scoring or rating procedure (2). If individuals (raters, scorers) can perceive the same phenomena differently, the basis for measurement is fallible; and data developed from these measures must result in conclusions at least as fallible as the original measures. As a pilot study, the interrater reliability of the Gunning readability index was investigated to assess the extent to which two raters, independently using the same readability rating technique (Gunning), would active ac the same results, i.e., perceive the stimulus data in the same way. Using the Gunning procedure, two raters independently scored the readability of the same 20 (random) sentences from a document. The product-moment correlation between the rwo readabilicy ratings was .77 (p .05). The correlational analysis suggests that, while the results of the two independent ratings were not identical, the interrater reliability was of sufficient magnitude to be considered adequate. The means suggest a slight constant error. It appears appropriate in subsequent readability assessment to recognize these (potential) problems and to attend to raters' training, which could increase interrater reliability and decrease interrater conscant error.
Analysis on hygienic status ofcentralized air conditioning in public place of Wuxi in 2009

Objective: To know the hygienic status of centralized air conditioning in public place in Wuxi , provide evidence for health management and cleaning , prevent and control diseases caused by centralized air conditioning. Methods: According to "Central air conditioning ventilation systems in public places hygienic practices", the air and dust sample of 41 public places, including 22 hotels, 13 shopping malls and 6 hospitals, were detected and analyzed. Results: In 41 public places, all items are qualified is 13, with the pass rate of 31.7%, and the shopping malls were the lowest pass rate, only 15.4%. Conclusions: The qualified rates of centralized air conditioning in public place in Wuxi were lower. Health management and cleaning should be strengthened to the centralized air ventilation system.
Electrophysiological neuromonitoring of the laryngeal nerves in thyroid and parathyroid surgery: A review.

Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury is one of the most common complications of thyroid surgery. Injury to the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve is less obvious and affects the voice variably; however, it can be of great significance to professional voice users. Recent literature has led to an increase in the use of neuromonitoring as an adjunct to visual nerve identification during thyroid surgery. In our review of the literature, we discuss the application, efficacy and safety of neuromonitoring in thyroid surgery. Although intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) contributes to the prevention of laryngeal nerves injury, there was no significant difference in the incidence of RLN injury in thyroid surgery when IONM was used compared with visual identification alone. IONM use is recommended in high risk patients; however, there are no clear identification criteria for what constitutes “high risk”. There is no clear evidence that IONM decreases the risk of laryngeal nerve injury in thyroid surgery. However, continuous IONM provides a promising tool that can prevent imminent nerve traction injury by detecting decreased amplitude combined with increased latency.
MAXS: Scaling Malware Execution with Sequential Multi-Hypothesis Testing

In an attempt to coerce useful information about the behavior of new malware families, threat analysts commonly force newly collected malicious software samples to run within a sandboxed environment. The main goal is to gather intelligence that can later be leveraged to detect and enumerate new malware infections within a network. Currently, most analysis environments "blindly" execute each newly collected malware sample for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., four to five minutes). However, a large majority of malware samples that are forced through sandbox execution are simply repackaged versions of previously seen (and already analyzed) malware. Consequently, a significant amount of time may be wasted in analyzing samples that do not generate new intelligence.In this paper, we propose MAXS, a novel probabilistic multi-hypothesis testing framework for scaling execution in malware analysis environments, including bare-metal execution environments. Our main goal is to automatically recognize whether a malware sample that is undergoing dynamic analysis has likely been seen before (e.g., in a "differently packed" form), and determine if we could therefore stop its execution early while avoiding loss of valuable malware intelligence (e.g., without missing DNS queries to never-before-seen malware command-and-control domains).We have tested our prototype implementation of MAXS over two large collections of malware execution traces obtained from two distinct production-level analysis environments. Our experimental results show that using MAXS we are able to reduce malware execution time by up to 50% in average, with less than 0.3% information loss. This roughly translates into the ability to double the capacity of malware sandbox environments, thus significantly optimizing the resources dedicated to malware execution and analysis. Our results are particularly important for bare-metal execution environments, in which it is not easy to leverage the economies of scale that characterize virtual-machine or emulation based malware sandboxes. For example, MAXS could be used to significantly cut the cost of bare-metal analysis environments by reducing the hardware resources needed to analyze a predetermined daily number of new malware samples.