cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serial correlation, non‐stationarity and dynamic performance of business failures prediction

Outlines previous research on business failure prediction models and investigates the impact of serial correlation and non‐stationarity in financial variables on models based on linear discriminant analysis, logit and cumulative sums using 1974‐1991 data from a sample of failed and non‐failed US firms, plus a similar 1992 sample. Presents and discusses the time series behaviour of the explanatory variables, the estimation of the three types of models and their error rates over time. Concludes that models based on variables with strong positive serial correlation deteriorate over time in their forecasting power; and calls for research to develop stationary models.
Development in the Commonwealth Caribbeans after a half-century of independence: insights from transnational and regional perspectives

After 50 years of formal independence in the anglophone Caribbean, this article suggests gains for both analysis and policy may be made by something of a paradigm shift towards a focus on transnational and regional relations. This is especially so for the myriad small, particularly island, states which have always been relatively ‘open’ especially as contemporary governance demands proliferate as indicated in the first section below. And it holds potential for island communities in the Indian and Pacific Oceans as well as the Caribbean, especially for those associated with inter- and non-state Commonwealth networks; these now include not only the original established ‘Dominions’ of Australia, Britain and Canada but also 2/5 BRICS, or 25% of the G20. A focus on the transnational and regional helps to transcend the old binary of ‘vulnerability’ versus ‘resilience’.
Late electromyographic activity following stretch in human forearm muscles : physiological role

Abstract We have previously found that the late reflex electromyographic (EMG) responses to muscle stretch are simultaneously present in both the stretched muscle and its antagonist, suggesting that it may be involved in the control of limb stiffness rather than in a servo-mechanism that returns the limb to an initial or intended position. Nevertheless, in these earlier experiments the size of the late EMG activity was always greater in the stretched muscle than its antagonist, suggesting also a possible servo-role for these responses. To clarify this, we have now recorded the late EMG activity simultaneously from both the right extensor and flexor carpi radialis muscles in ten subjects under four experimental conditions. These conditions differed in which muscle was activated voluntarily prior to the stretch stimulus and in which muscle was stretched by the pertubing force. In all cases subjects were asked to maintain the limb in a fixed position and oppose any displacement that occured. The amount of integrated EMG activity for both the M2 and M3 components of the late response was greater in the agonist muscle (i.e., the muscle actually stretched by the perturbing force) than the antagonist. The ratio of agonist to antagonist activity, however, was significantly larger for the M2 than for the M3 component. These results suggest that both the M2 and M3 components of the components of the late EMG response have a dual functional role, being involved both in a servo-mechanism and in the control in limb stiffness. Each component, however, seems to have a distinctive role. M2 seems more involved in the servo-role, whereas M3 seems more involved in the control of limb stiffness.
Audio teleconferencing versus face‐to‐face conferencing: A synthesis of the literature

This review examines field and laboratory research comparisons of audio teleconferences and face‐to‐face meetings. Summaries of the strengths and weaknesses of each mode for relevant task (e.g., problem solving, negotiating, and interviews) and group process variables (e.g., person perception and communication climate) provide a basis for selecting the communication mode appropriate to specific communication needs.
Surviving troubled times: Five best practices for training professionals

With the current economic downturn and signs of an emerging recovery, executives are trying to determine how to best use their organizations' funds and resources. This may mean downsizing human resource departments and eliminating positions for training personnel. The authors offer five strategies drawn from the professional literature to survive these and future trying times: (1) align efforts with organizational missions and business goals, (2) use training only when it addresses a gap between existing and desired performance arising from a lack of requisite skill, (3) craft instructional objectives that describe exemplary job performance, (4) create sound training programs that promote learning and transfer to the job, and (5) collaborate with sponsors and other stakeholders outside the training department to promote transfer of training to the job. Training personnel who employ these strategies successfully may be able to answer executives' common question, “What have you done for me recently that matters?”
In the rat medial nucleus accumbens, hippocampal and catecholaminergic terminals converge on spiny neurons and are in apposition to each other.

Abstract The nucleus accumbens septi (Acb) represents an interface between limbic and motor systems and a site for modulation of these integrative functions by ascending catecholaminergic, principally dopaminergic, axons. This modulatory regulation is most likely attributed to pre- or postsynaptic associations between limbic telencephalic and brainstem afferents. In the present investigation, we examined the ultrastructure and synaptic associations of hippocampal afferents, as well as their relation to catecholaminergic terminals, in the medial Acb of adult rats. Hippocampal afferents were identified by anterograde transport of wheat germ agglutinin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) injected in the ventral subiculum, and by anterograde degeneration seen 2–3 days following lesion of the fimbria. Specific comparisons between these methods were made (1) to determine whether similar populations of terminals were labeled and (2) to assess the feasibility of combining degeneration with immunoperoxidase labeling for the catecholamine synthesizing enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Hippocampal afferents labeled with HRP were finely myelinated or unmyelinated and gave rise to small terminals (mean diameter 0.58 μm) containing mostly clear, round vesicles. Of the HRP-labeled terminals which made recognizable junctions, 85% (104/122) formed asymmetric synapses with the heads of dendritic spines. The remainder either formed asymmetric axodendritic synapses or symmetric junctions. Degenerating terminals were significantly smaller (mean diameter 0.35 μm) than terminals labeled with HRP. However, these also formed principally asymmetric axospinous synapses (89/102, 87%). Whether identified by HRP transport or anterograde degeneration, the hippocampal afferents comprised approximately 10% of all terminals and 30% of all asymmetric axospinous synapses in the medial Acb. In contrast to hippocampal afferents, TH-labeled terminals formed primarily symmetric contacts with dendritic shafts and the heads and necks of spines. Quantitative analysis of sections containing both anterograde degeneration and TH-immunoreactivity showed that 25% (26/104) of associations formed by degenerating hippocampal terminals involved convergent inputs with TH-labeled terminals on the same postsynaptic structure. These included dual input either to the same spine head or to different parts of the same dendrite. In addition, the plasma membranes of hippocampal and TH-labeled terminals were often directly apposed to each other (10/58, 17% of axo-axonal associations formed by degenerating terminals), without recognizable synaptic specializations. These results provide ultrastructural evidence consistent with (1) hippocampal excitation (asymmetric junctions) and dopaminergic inhibition (symmetric junctions) of certain common spiny neurons, (2) modulatory interactions between these afferents at the postsynaptic level, and (3) presynaptic modulation between transmitters in two physiologically diverse pathways to the medial Acb.
Improving length-based weight estimates by adding a body habitus (obesity) icon.

Abstract Background Length-based dosing systems reduce errors associated with resuscitation drug dosing. Obese and thin children of the same length are dosed the same despite their different weights. Methods Length (height) and weight were measured in children after a body habitus icon assignment. Within each body habitus group, regression analysis was performed to generate a weight-estimation formula using body habitus and length (BHL). This BHL method was compared to the Broselow tape (BT). Results Height and weight data were plotted to obtain visual scattergrams. Logarithmic regression yielded higher correlation coefficients than standard linear regression. Within body habitus groups, BHL epinephrine dose estimates were more accurate than BT dose estimates using 0.01 mg/kg as a dosing standard. Conclusions Adding body habitus information to the patient's length results in a more accurate weight estimate than length alone in children. The accuracy improvement is greater in children 3 years and older as compared to younger children.
Lactol-Directed Osmylation. Stereodivergent Synthesis of Four C-19,20 Apoptolidin Diols from a Single Allylic Hemiacetal

A synthetic approach to prepare four Apoptolidin C-19,20 diastereomeric diol derivatives was developed. Two diastereomers were obtained from the (Z)-form, which is converted to the (E)-form, followed by dihydroxylation to deliver two more diastereomers. The (E)-allylic hemiacetal and methoxyacetal showed opposite diastereoselectivity.
Following the “community” thread from sociology to information behavior and informatics: Uncovering theoretical continuities and research opportunities

The authors review five paradigms from the discipline of community sociology (functionalism, evolution, conflict, interactionism, and exchange) to assess their potential utility for understanding everyday life information behavior and technology use. Their analysis considers the ways in which each paradigm defines the concepts of community, information, and technology. It also explores the insights offered by each paradigm regarding relationships between community and both information and technology. Accordingly, the authors highlight the ways in which existing information behavior and informatics scholarship draws from similar conceptual roots. Key insights drawn from this research, as well as remaining gaps and research questions, are examined. Additionally, they consider the limitations of each approach. The authors conclude by arguing for the value of a vigorous research program regarding information behavior and technology use in communities, particularly that which takes the community as the central unit of analysis. They consider key questions that could drive such a research program, as well as potentially fruitful conceptual and methodological approaches for this endeavor. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Long-term results of combined common femoral endarterectomy and iliac stenting/stent grafting for occlusive disease.

Background Common femoral artery (CFA) endarterectomy with iliac stenting or stent grafting can be an alternative to traditional open surgery in patients with aortoiliac occlusive disease. We report the long-term outcomes of this approach. Methods Patients undergoing CFA endarterectomy with simultaneous iliac stenting/stent grafting between 1997 and 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Technical success, clinical and hemodynamic outcomes, and 5-year patency using life-table methodology were determined. Factors associated with reintervention and mortality were determined by logistic regression analysis. Results A total of 171 patients (mean age, 67 ± 10 years; 38% female; 35% diabetic) underwent 193 CFA endarterectomies and iliac stent/stent grafting. Indications were rest pain (32%), tissue loss (22%), and claudication (46%). External iliac artery (EIA) lesions were present in 39%, and combined common iliac artery (CIA) and EIA lesions were seen in 61% of patients. Complete CIA/EIA occlusions were present in 41% of patients. Stent grafts were used in 41% of patients. Technical success occurred in 98% of patients. Clinical improvement was seen in 92% of patients. Mean ankle-brachial index increased from 0.38 ± 0.32 to 0.72 ± 0.24. Median length of stay was 2 days (range, 1-51 days). Thirty-day mortality was 2.3% and 5-year survival was 60%. Five-year primary, primary-assisted, and secondary patencies were 60%, 97%, and 98% respectively. Endovascular reintervention was required in 14% of patients; inflow surgical procedures were required in 10%. By logistic regression analysis, use of stent grafts compared with bare stents was associated with significantly higher primary patency (87% ± 5% vs 53% ± 7%; P Conclusion Combined CFA endarterectomy with iliac intervention yield acceptable long-term results. The use of stent grafts compared with bare stents is associated with improved primary patency.
The Betrayal of the Imagination: Paul Brodeur's The Stunt Man and Tim O'Brien's Going After Cacciato

(1980). The Betrayal of the Imagination: Paul Brodeur's The Stunt Man and Tim O'Brien's Going After Cacciato. Critique: Studies in Contemporary Fiction: Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 32-38.
Comparing user experiences in 2D and 3D videoconferencing

User experiences in 2D and 3D videoconferencing are evaluated and compared. An experimental system is designed that uses video direct-feed in 2D or 3D, providing nearly life-sized across-the-table videoconferencing to two participants without compression or transmission artifacts. 3D is achieved via polarization, selected because of its high resolution and high potential for eye contact. User experience is evaluated via a subjective test with two interactive tasks. The experiment is completed by three groups, who interact in 3D, in 2D (without polarizing glasses), and in 2D while wearing glasses, serving as a control for the use of glasses. Users of the system in 3D reported an increased ability to perceive depth, but otherwise reported similar user experiences to 2D users relating to quality of interaction. Wearing 3D glasses did not adversely impact user experience.
Some effects of the air pollutant, peroxyacetyl nitrate, upon deoxyribonucleic acid and upon nucleic acid bases

Abstract Some reactions between the air pollutant peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) and isolated bacterial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) are presented. PAN causes a reduction in genetic transforming activity, melting temperature and viscosity of the DNA. PAN also reduces the infectivity of bacteriophage. It is shown that the intensity and type of reaction is pH dependent, and that the reaction depends upon the presence of a rapidly dissipated transient molecule produced from PAN as it enters solution. Furthermore, peroxyacetyl nitrate modifies some nucleic acid bases, when freshly gassed into aqueous solutions of the base. The susceptibility sequence to PAN attack is thymine, guanine, uracil, cytosine, adenine. No reaction was detected above pH 5, and the reaction rate increases as the pH is lowered. One of the reaction products is CO 2 , which is excised from the 2-carbon of thymine. This reaction predominates at pH 4, whereas at pH 2 at least 5 reaction products are produced, including CO 2 .
High-density soldered interconnections

Various interconnection techniques for use in conjunction with thin film planar devices are described. The special character of the substrate imposed a number of limitations on processing and assembly, the most restrictive being that all interconnections should be made at the lowest possible temperature, at the same time being capable of repair. The method of mounting integrated circuit chips directly on the 2 ?m thick copper circuitry uses soldering techniques for both chip mounting and the connections from chip to copper circuitry. The connection system used to make ground and signal connections between adjacent planes and the special handling and soldering equipment produced for this work, and the processes used to manufacture connection straps and overlays are described. The metallurgical aspects of soldered interconnections are discussed, particularly with regard to the effects of short range diffusion which greatly influences both the metallurgical structure and the resultant mechanical integrity of joints in the size range covered.
Development of automated real-time data acquisition system for robotic weld quality monitoring

Abstract The lack of reliable non-contact, non-destructive, online sensors with the ability to detect defects as they form and with the capacity to operate at high temperatures and in harsh environments is a big obstacle to fully automated robotic welding. This paper presents a non-contact automated data acquisition system for monitoring a robotic gas–metal arc welding process based on laser ultrasonic technology. While a robot welds between two 1040 steel strips, a Nd:YAG Q-switched pulse laser generates ultrasound on one side of the weld by ablation, and a non-contact electro-magnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) placed on the opposite side of the weld detects ultrasound transmitted through the weld bead. Ablation is employed because high temperature specimens require strong signals to compensate for attenuation within the bulk of the material. The data is then analyzed to determine the time required for ultrasound to travel from the laser source to the EMAT, termed as the time of flight (ToF). When experimental ToF is compared to theoretical ToF, it is determined that surface waves are detected by this system. Therefore, this system can measure weld bead reinforcement distance. In most cases, weld bead geometry is an indication of the weld quality, and can be used as feedback to control a welding process.
Measurement of Proton, Nitrogen, and Carbonyl Chemical Shielding Anisotropies in a Protein Dissolved in a Dilute Liquid Crystalline Phase

The changes in a solute's chemical shifts between an isotropic and a liquid crystalline phase provide information on the magnitude and orientation of the chemical shielding tensors relative to the molecule's alignment frame. Such chemical shift changes have been measured for the polypeptide backbone C‘, N, and HN resonances in the protein ubiquitin. Perdeuterated ubiquitin was dissolved in a medium containing a small volume fraction of phospholipid bicelles, which switches from an isotropic to a liquid crystalline phase at ca. 25 °C. The one-bond 1H−15N dipolar couplings provide a reference to determine the protein alignment tensor, using a vibrationally corrected 1H−15N bond length of 1.04 A, corresponding to rCN = 1.33 A. Assuming all atoms of a given type have the same chemical shielding anisotropy (CSA) tensor, the average C‘ tensor values are σ11 = −75 ppm, σ22 = −12 ppm, and σ33 = 87 ppm for 13C‘ with an angle between σ11 and the C‘−N bond of 38°, and σ33 orthogonal to the peptide plane. Similarly, ...
A hybrid system of solar photovoltaic, thermal and hydrogen: a future trend

Abstract Solar photovoltaic technology has been reviewed in a semi-technical manner with special reference to materials used and devices designed. The importance of the use of crystalline silicon with its high efficiency is explained. The low cost of amorphous silicon and thin film technology seems to make them good future prospects. Other materials for high efficiency and use in relatively more aggressive environments have been discussed with appropriate designs. The recent trend in concentrator collectors is briefly introduced. In this context, the concept of making a hybrid power plant utilizing both solar thermal, photovoltaic and hydrogen is introduced. Hydrogen is proposed for use as an energy carrier for storage and as a fuel, as well as for replacing liquid and gaseous fossil fuels.
In-vitro bacterial identification using fluorescence spectroscopy with an optical fiber system

Acute otitis media (AOM) remains a source of significant morbidity in children. With the emergence of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria, tympanocentesis has become an important method of bacterial identification in the setting of treatment failures. Previous studies described a prototype system for the non-invasive fluorescence identification of bacteria in vitro. We demonstrate the addition of an optical fiber to allow for the identification of a specimen distant to the spectrofluorometer. Emission spectra from three bacteria, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Staphylococcus aureus were successfully obtained in vitro. This represents a necessary step prior to the study of in vivo identification of bacteria in AOM using fluorescence spectroscopy.
Smooth muscle cell expression of a constitutive active form of human Rac 1 accelerates cutaneous wound repair

Background Hyperoxia has been shown to improve wound healing; however, the mechanism for such therapeutic effects of oxygen remains hypothetical. Rac 1 regulates a wide variety of cellular activities, including cell proliferation and migration, and also is a key regulator for the activity of the nicotinamide dinucleotide phosphate oxidase the enzyme complex responsible for the production of a large fraction of cellular superoxide. Methods We generated transgenic mice that express either the cDNA of a constitutively active mutant of human Rac 1 (V12 mutant or Rac CA) or the dominant negative isoform (V12 and N17 mutant or Rac DN) in the blood vessels using mouse vascular smooth muscle promoter for α-actin. We placed 2 wounds of 6 mm in diameter at the middorsal region of each mouse and allowed about 3 weeks for the wounds to heal. Results The size of the wounds in Rac CA transgenic mice was reduced relative to wild type mice; healing of Rac DN mice was slower than wild type and Rac CA (P Conclusion The current studies suggest that Rac 1 activation accelerates the wound healing process and is associated with more efficient angiogenesis at the wound site.
Electromagnetic Scattering From an Eccentric Multilayered Cylinder At Oblique Incidence

The scattering of electromagnetic plane waves from a multi-eccentric cylinder at oblique incidence is analyzed analytically and numerically. The solution is determined by solving the scalar wave equation in the cylindrical coordinates for the various geometric regions, utilizing the translational addition theorem of Bessel functions, and applying the boundary conditions at the material interfaces. Both polarizations of the incident plane wave (TM and TE with respect to the z-axis ) are considered. The resulting solution consists of a system of coupled equations for the unknown expansion or scattering coefficients. Expressions for the extinction, scattering, and back scattering cross sections are the same as those for a single homogeneous cylinder. A numerical algorithm for the solution is developed and tested for several limiting and special cases. Comparisons of the results of this algorithm with those reported in the literature show excellent agreements. Numerical calculations indicate that the scatteri...
Effects of steroids on association of T-2 toxin with mammalian cells

Abstract The effects of steroids on the association of T-2 toxin with cultured cells were evaluated. Preincubating cells with certain steroids led to a time- and concentration-related increase in total T-2-cell association. At maximally effective concentrations, the increase in association was 300–500%. This effect required a preincubation at 37°C for a minimum of 10 min and was completely reversible after 20–30 min. Steroid treatment increased the rate of toxin-cell association and decreased the rate of dissociation. The effect was elicited by progesterone, estradiol, testosterone and diethylstilbestrol, but not by several other steroids tested. Binding of T-2 to isolated ribosomes was not altered by the steroids. We speculated that steroids somehow alter the state of ribosomal aggregation or assembly such that more toxin can bind after entering the cell.
Verification of Roof snap off as a foam-generation mechanism in porous media at steady state

An extensive microvisual analysis is reported of the hydrodynamics of simultaneous gas and water flow through homogeneous etched silicon micromodels. The object of this work is to prove, or to disprove, the relevance of Roof snap off during steady-state gas and water flow in homogeneous porous media. Significant evidence is found that repeated snap off of gas bubbles at pore throats is relevant to steady-state flow through porous media. Importantly, snap off is shown to be the dominant mechanism for generation of a discontinuous gas phase within this porous medium. Experiments are conducted under steady flow conditions in a relatively dry porous medium at significant capillary pressure. Smoothly constricted pores that exhibit small pore throat to pore body aspect ratios are found to be excellent sites for snap off even for low initial wetting liquid contents.
Control law parameterization for an aeroelastic wind-tunnel model equipped with an active roll control system and comparison with experiment

Nominal roll control laws were designed, implemented, and tested on an aeroelastically-scaled free-to-roll wind-tunnel model of an advanced fighter configuration. The tests were performed in the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel. A parametric study of the nominal roll control system was conducted. This parametric study determined possible control system gain variations which yielded identical closed-loop stability (roll mode pole location) and identical roll response but different maximum control-surface deflections. Comparison of analytical predictions with wind-tunnel results was generally very good.
Human transaldolase-associated repetitive elements are transcribed by RNA polymerase III.

Abstract Repetitive elements flanked by exons 2 and 3 of the human transaldolase gene, thus termed transaldolase-associated repetitive elements, TARE, were identified in human DNA. Nonpolyadenylated TARE transcripts were detected by Northern blot analysis and cloned by reverse transcriptase-mediated polymerase chain reaction from human T lymphocytes. A dominant 1085-nucleotide long transcript, TARE-6, contained two adjacent Alu elements, a right monomer and a complete dimer, oriented opposite to the direction of transcription of the transaldolase gene. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and in vitrotranscription analyses showed that transcription of TARE-6 proceeded in the orientation of the RNA pol III promoter of the Alu dimer and opposite to the orientation of the TAL-H gene. TAREs lacking RNA polymerase III promoter showed no transcriptional activity.In vitro transcription of TARE-6 was resistant to 1 μg/ml α-amanitin but sensitive to 100 μg/ml α-amanitin and tagetitoxin, suggesting involvement of RNA polymerase III. TAREs in both the transaldolase and HSAG-1 genomic loci were surrounded by TA target site duplications. Homologies between transaldolase and HSAG-1 break off internally at splice donor and acceptor sites. The results suggest RNA polymerase III-mediated transcription of TARE may be a source of repetitive elements, contributing to distinct genes and thus shaping the human genome.
Size specific demography of three species of Anastrepha fruit flies

Individuals of three Anastrepha species: A. obliqua, A. ludens, and A. serpentina (Diptera: Tephritidae), were sorted according to pupal weight in cohorts of large and small flies. Demographic parameters and reproductive patterns and heterogeneity were determined for each cohort. Large flies of the three species presented greater expectation of life and gross fecundity rates. A. ludens was the species with the longest life span (expectation of life of large adults was 110 days) and the greatest gross fecundity rates (1597 eggs/female for the large flies). While, A. obliqua had the shortest mean age of reproduction (33 days), and the greatest daily egg production (14 eggs/female/day). Net fecundity was similar in these two. A. serpentina had lower fecundity rates. Reproductive information for each size and each species include: age-by-parity relations, fraction of sexually mature life in which females lay eggs, and frequency distribution of individual egg production. Results demonstrate that even under constant laboratory conditions and using standard artificial hosts, there is a great deal of life history variation among these Anastrepha species and among other tephritid fruit flies.
Stochastic Large Eddy Simulation of an Axisymmetrical Confined-Bluff-Body Particle-Laden Turbulent Flow

Flow turbulence modulation by dispersed solid particles in a bluff body was studied using two-way-coupled stochastic large eddy simulat ion. Point-force scheme was used to model the inertial particle back effects on the fluid motion. The fluid velocity field seen by inertial part icles was stochastically constructed based on the filtered flow field obtained fro m well resolved large eddy simulations. For that purpose a Langevin-type diffusion process was used with the necessary modifications to account for particle inert ia, cross-trajectory effects and the two-way coupling. The numerical results regarding mean and turbulence statistics for both phases show a very good agreement with the experimental findings for both light and heavy mass loadings (22% and 110% respectively). This nu merical investigation demonstrates also the ability of the stochastic-LES-part icle approach to predict turbulence modification by inert ial particles.
A Data Allocation Scheme using Data Mining for Wireless Cellular Network

A centralized collaborative system between nodes, servers and Base Stations (BSs) is developed, and a new data allocation scheme based on group and query prediction mobility scheme with Data Mining techniques is proposed. With this approach we minimize the cost of remote access by reducing the number of network messages and improve the response time of the queries. A series of algorithms is developed so that the system can provide the "prefetch" operation for the group of users according to their mobility. The data have to follow the users moves. Our new approach contains Call Admission Control (CAC) with a prediction scheme for Group and Query Mobility (GQM) based on two phases: the Merge Itemsets Algorithm (MIA) and the one step dynamic Replication Algorithm (RAL1) respectively. The RAL1, providing two data replication policies, can guarantee the acceleration of the query execution. The proposed system can be used for site selection or reduction of the number of sites in query optimization, and also the design of any new architecture for distributed query processing. Simulation results are provided.
A mercury linear ion trap frequency standard for the USNO

A frequency standard for the USNO based on mercury ions in a Linear Ion Trap is operational. Initial measurements of the new standard LITS-3 against an active hydrogen maser gives a fractional frequency stability of /spl sigma//sub y/(/spl tau/)=7.5/spl times/10/sup -14///spl tau//sup 1/2/ for measuring intervals up to 10,000 seconds. Stability measurements for longer averaging intervals against another ion trap standard have commenced.
Mechanical Behavior of Solid Film Adhesives With Scrim Carrier Cloths

Recent advances in composite and lightweight material technologies have led to the increased use of adhesives in aerospace, automotive, and naval industries. Adhesive bonding processes are being adapted in assembly-line manufacturing procedures. Even where riveting is possible, adhesives are sometimes used in conjunction with it as a secondary means of load support. Structural adhesives are often provided in the solid film form with scrim carrier cloths and latent hardeners (particularly for the aerospace industry) to facilitate the bonding procedure. The scrim cloth is usually ~0.01 cm thick and is used as a carrier for the adhesive as well as for bondline thickness control. The polymeric adhesive is applied onto this scrim cloth building its thickness up to 0.020–0.025 cm. A variety of materials such as polyester and glass can be used as carrier cloth. The adhesive material is either a thermosetting or thermoplastic polymer. The bonding procedure usually requires the use of chemical primers on adherend and carrier cloth surfaces to avoid interfacial failures.
Discordant antibody and cellular responses to Pneumocystis major surface glycoprotein variants in mice

The major surface glycoprotein (Msg) of Pneumocystis is encoded by approximately 50 to 80 unique but related genes. Msg diversity may represent a mechanism for immune escape from host T cell responses. We examined splenic T cell proliferative and cytokine as well as serum antibody responses to recombinant and native Pneumocystis antigens in immunized or Pneumocystis-infected mice. In addition, immune responses were examined in 5 healthy humans. Proliferative responses to each of two recombinant Msg variant proteins were seen in mice immunized with either recombinant protein, but no proliferation to these antigens was seen in mice immunized with crude Pneumocystis antigens or in mice that had cleared infection, although the latter animals demonstrated proliferative responses to crude Pneumocystis antigens and native Msg. IL-17 and MCP-3 were produced in previously infected animals in response to the same antigens, but not to recombinant antigens. Antibody responses to the recombinant P. murina Msg variant proteins were seen in all groups of animals, demonstrating that all groups were exposed to and mounted immune responses to Msg. No human PBMC samples proliferated following stimulation with P. jirovecii Msg, while antibody responses were detected in sera from 4 of 5 samples. Cross-reactive antibody responses to Msg variants are common, while cross-reactive T cell responses are uncommon; these results support the hypothesis that Pneumocystis utilizes switching of Msg variant expression to avoid host T cell responses.
Hey, you darned counters!: get off my ASIC!

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) gains much of its value through the use of central controllers with global views of dynamic network state. To support a global view, SDN protocols, such as OpenFlow, expose several counters for each flow-table rule. These counters must be maintained by the data plane, which is typically implemented in hardware as an ASIC. ASIC-based counters are inflexible, and cannot easily be modified to compute novel metrics.These counters do not need to be on the ASIC. If the ASIC data plane has a fast connection to a general-purpose CPU with cost-effective memory, we can replace traditional counters with a stream of rule-match records, transmit this stream to the CPU, and then process the stream in the CPU. These software-defined counters allow far more flexible processing of counter-related information, and can reduce the ASIC area and complexity needed to support counters.
Effect of Liver Denervation on Compensatory Changes in Food Intake, Body Composition and Hepatic Enzyme Induction after Food Restriction in Rats

The mechanisms involved in the recovery of body fat and liver metabolism after food restriction and refeeding are not understood. This study's aim was to determine the need for hepatic neural input for the compensatory changes in food intake, body composition and hepatic lipogenic enzymes seen upon realimentation after energy restriction. Rats underwent total surgical hepatic denervation or had sham operations. One group of sham-operated and denervated rats was fed a semipurified diet ad libitum; a second group was restricted to 40% ad libitum levels for 7 d, then given free access to food during a 2-d refeeding period. Body fat content and body fat recovery rate from below "set point" were not altered by hepatic denervation. These observations do not rule out liver involvement because blood-borne factors communicating energy status information to the central nervous system could be released from the liver. The activities of hepatic enzymes--glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme and citrate cleavage enzyme--were stimulated at least twofold by restriction and refeeding when compared to ad libitum feeding. Hepatic denervation had no effect on basal enzyme levels in ad libitum-fed animals or on elevated enzyme activity induced by refeeding after food restriction. This study clearly demonstrates that hepatic innervation is not essential for energy balance and body composition regulation. The induction of lipogenic enzymes by food restriction and refeeding does not depend on central nervous system input to the liver.
Global gravitational changes due to atmospheric mass redistribution as observed by the Lageos nodal residual

SUMMARY Variations in the even-degree zonal gravitational field will produce perturbations to the otherwise constant nodal precession rate in satellite orbits. The contribution of the atmospheric mass redistribution to this nodal ‘excitation’ on the laser-ranging geodetic satellite Lageos is computed using the ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts) meteorological analysis data over the period 1985–1991, with and without assuming the inverted-barometer (IB) effect for the ocean. These excitation time series are then compared with the observed Lageos nodal residual caused by global gravitational variations. Three frequency bands are examined with the following results. (i) In the interannual band (longer than a year), an apparent ∼14-month phase lead is found in the atmospheric excitation relative to the Lageos observation. (ii) At seasonal periods, the atmospheric annual signal agrees reasonably well with the observations; the agreement is further strengthened by incorporating continental hydrological contributions. The semi-annual signal compares poorly with observations, indicating the presence of other geophysical sources than the atmosphere. (iii) At the intraseasonal time-scale (shorter than a year) a wide-band correlation coefficient of 0.64 is found between the observed and the atmospheric excitations with the IB effect. The non-IB model yields a somewhat lower correlation of 0.59, but a better correspondence in amplitude. The correlations, together with the corresponding coherence spectra, clearly demonstrate a strong atmospheric contribution to the global gravitational variations.
What do policy makers need to know? Lessons from the decision to add pneumococcal conjugate and rotavirus vaccines to the US immunization program.

The decisions to introduce pneumococcal conjugate and otavirus vaccines into the US immunization programs were good nes. The vaccines have performed even better than expected, arkedly reducing disease not only among young children who eceived them but also among unvaccinated persons in the comunity [1,2]. But when the US Centers for Disease Control and revention (CDC) first considered whether to recommend routine se of these vaccines, several pieces of information – such as data on isease burden and vaccine efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness – ad to be gathered before the decision to use these vaccines became lear. First, policy makers had to determine the need. Do pneumococci nd rotavirus cause enough hospitalizations and deaths in the US o warrant vaccinating every child? In the US, as in most parts of he world that use Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine, pneuococcus was the most common cause of severe pneumonia and acterial meningitis in young children [3]. Likewise, rotavirus was he most common cause of diarrhea requiring hospitalization [4]. hile sub-populations at greater risk of both severe pneumococal and rotavirus disease were identified (e.g., premature infants), argeting vaccination to these groups would miss the vast majority f cases and thus universal vaccination was the best option. Next, policy makers had to determine that the vaccines were oth safe and effective, turning to evidence from randomized conrolled clinical trials. For rotavirus vaccines, data were carefully eviewed to assess risk of intussusception, an adverse event that ed to the withdrawal of a previous rotavirus vaccine from the US arket in 1999, and age restrictions were put in place to keep the heoretical risk as low as possible [4]. The pneumococcal conjugate
Personal time off and residents’ career satisfaction, attitudes and emotions

Medical Education 2010: 44: 977–984 Objectives Doctors who are satisfied with their careers have less stress and burnout and are less likely to make medical errors and more likely to provide a higher quality of patient care. In response to reports that residents experienced barriers to taking time off, Oregon Health and Science University designed a survey to evaluate residents’ awareness of their programmes’ policies for time off, their ability to find time for personal needs, and associations of both with career satisfaction, emotions and training experience. Methods All 675 residents in a large, urban, tertiary care academic medical centre located in the USA were invited to participate in a confidential, web-based, cross-sectional survey in 2008; 66% completed the survey. The survey instrument consisted of a variety of items including yes/no, multiple choice, Likert scale and narrative response types. Results Only 41% of respondents were aware of their programmes’ policies regarding time off. Residents who reported awareness of a policy were more able to find time to take care of personal needs (odds ratio = 1.553, p = 0.026). These respondents reported more positive experiences and emotions, fewer negative experiences and emotions, higher levels of career satisfaction and relatively less perceived stress than those who were unaware of a time-off policy. In addition, these respondents reported, on average, fewer work and more sleep hours. Conclusions Our results highlight the importance of ensuring mechanisms for residents to find time to fulfil personal needs in order to enhance resident well-being and career satisfaction. Ensuring resident awareness of time-off policies is one way to do this. Our study demonstrates that ensuring residents are able to find time for personal needs has significant consequences with respect to resident perceptions of well-being and may be an effective strategy to promote career satisfaction and prevent burnout.
Genetic analyses of NFKB1 and OCA-B function: defects in B cells, serum IgM level, and antibody responses in Nfkb1-/-Oca-b-/- mice.

Defined patterns of gene expression during cell differentiation are likely to be ensured by multiple factors playing redundant roles. By generating mice deficient in both NFKB1 and OCA-B, we show here that the two transcription factors are required for B-1 cell differentiation and serum IgM production. In addition, relative to Nfkb1 −/− or Oca-b −/− mice, the Nfkb1 −/− Oca-b −/− mice show a decrease in conventional B cell frequencies in the spleen and augmented reductions in T-independent and T-dependent Ab responses. These results suggest that NFKB1 and OCA-B play compensatory roles in multiple aspects of B cell differentiation.
An sampling detector for the RHIC BPM electronics

The analog detector electronics for the RHIC BPM Instrumentation is described. The detector employs a self-triggered peak detection algorithm for single bunch acquisition of beam position. Optimization of the design for low noise gives excellent position resolution, an internal self-calibration system insures position accuracy to well within the RHIC instrumentation system specification, and switched attenuation and gain insures very broad dynamic range. Design history, current implementation, and test results are described.
The International Criminal Court in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities

This policy paper is a comparative analysis of the work of the International Criminal Court in Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, and the Central African Republic, and the policy implications for its work for Norway, States Parties, civil society, and key states. The paper argues that all actors, including Norway, should more seriously engage these African states – and key stakeholders within them – to facilitate the work of the ICC to stem impunity. Without such support, the paper concludes, the ICC’s objectives in Africa will not be realized. Each of the four countries under review here has its own unique internal political questions that drive its posture towards the ICC. Deference should be paid to these internal differences. But that should not trump the interests of justice and peace, and the larger international consensus on how to address the question of impunity. Elites in states with a large democratic deficit should be pressed and supported to respond to barbaric atrocities. The paper recommends that the international community works in concert with the ICC to close the “impunity gap”.
Vascular ring due to right aortic arch with mirror-image branching and left ligamentum arteriosus: Complete preoperative diagnosis by magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been increasingly employed in the evaluation of aortic arch abnormalities. We present a rare form of vascular ring, that of a right aortic arch with mirror-image branching and left ligamentum arteriosus, which was clearly defined preoperatively by MRI. The patient subsequently underwent successful surgical division of the vascular ring followed by improvement in respiratory symptoms.
Designing for incentives: better information sharing for better software engineering

Software-reliant systems permeate all aspects of modern society. The resulting interconnectedness and associated complexity has resulted in a proliferation of diverse stakeholders with conflicting goals. Thus, contemporary software engineering is plagued by incentive conflicts, in settling on design features, allocating resources during the development of products, and allocating computational resources at runtime. In this position paper, we describe some of these problems and outline a research agenda in bridging to the economic theory of mechanism design, which seeks to align incentives in multi-agent systems with private information and conflicting goals. The ultimate goal is to advance a principled methodology for the design of incentive-compatible approaches to manage the dynamic processes of software engineering.
Next Generation Cancer Data Discovery, Access, and Integration Using Prizms and Nanopublications

To encourage data sharing in the life sciences, supporting tools need to minimize effort and maximize incentives. We have created infrastructure that makes it easy to create portals that supports dataset sharing and simplified publishing of the datasets as high quality linked data. We report here on our infrastructure and its use in the creation of a melanoma dataset portal. This portal is based on the Comprehensive Knowledge Archive Network (CKAN) and Prizms, an infrastructure to acquire, integrate, and publish data using Linked Data principles. In addition, we introduce an extension to CKAN that makes it easy for others to cite datasets from within both publications and subsequently-derived datasets using the emerging nanopublication and World Wide Web Consortium provenance standards.
The Integration Conunudrum: Debilitating Failures of the Securities and Exchange Commission Must Be Addressed as Corporate Malfeasance is 'Getting Serious, So Serious'

The Securities Regulation doctrine of Integration has vexed securities lawyers and academics since its inception in the 1930s. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has struggled historically to define, refine and manage the securities Integration problem. This article undertakes an historical analysis of securities integration recognizing both the evolution of the doctrine and the problems that it has engendered. The conclusion therein suggests that the SEC should abandon, if only momentarily, its practice of leaving securities rules undefined or loosely detailed in order to bring reason to the securities integration arena. A new solution is proposed that suggests that in light of the corporate scandals that unfolded in the early part of this decade, that the SEC carefully reconsider integration, fix its uncertainties, and forego recent calls to abandon the doctrine altogether.