cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rational Numbers and Rationality: What Are We Learning and What Needs To Be Done?

Abstract This article examines the recent work of the Fractions Project from two perspectives, that of attunement to constraints and supports and, more fully, that of representational features of learning environments. I suggest that it is possible to examine many of the phenomena under investigation as involving student attunement to constraints built into the computer-based learning environments. It is also possible to examine these phenomena in terms of the explicit representational features that the designers built into those environments. I re-examine several episodes from the representational view, attempting to account for various of the student behaviors in these terms. Efforts to make an explicit accounting of what is happening from these two perspectives adds a new dimension of explanation, exposes implicit assumptions, and helps us understand a bit more completely how a constructivist acts as an architect of student learning experiences. We also use this perspective to examine the additive orie...
Womens’ decision making experiences after BRCA genetic testing

The objectives of this qualitative study are: to explore ways in which women with positive and inconclusive breast and ovarian cancer (BRCA) genetic test results assign meaning, make interpretations, and respond to test results and recommendations for risk reduction and disease detection interventions; and to develop a grounded theory based on the perceptions, beliefs, and actions of these women. A grounded theory method has been used to study a theoretical sample of 30 women in North America with positive or inconclusive BRCA genetic test results, not diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer. The findings will assist in the future design of nursing interventions to provide required information and ensure support for women making risk reduction and disease detection decisions after BRCA testing.
Learning in order to avoid search in logic programming

This paper discusses learning in the context of a diagnostic expert system. The diagnostic expert system is an example of a generate-and-test problem solver. Fault diagnosis heuristics (i.e. logical implications representing association between unusual features and failed components) hypothesize potential faults. The potential faults are verified or denied by comparing the predictions of a qualitative simulation to observe data. Learning in this context consists of modifying the fault diagnosis heuristics. This paper describes how heuristic rules and device models can be represented and revised in a logic programming framework. In addition, we demonstrate how logic programming can be extended to perform abductive reasoning in addition to deductive reasoning. Finally, we compare failure-driven learning and learning from successes for acquiring fault diagnosis heuristics via explanation-based learning.
Hardware for the humanist: What you should know and why

There are two points to this discussion of computer hardware for the humanist: first, that knowing something about computer hardware is more important today than it has been in the past because of the impact of small personal computers, and second that a basic knowledge of hardware need not be either difficult to acquire or overly technical to be useful. Most of us who use computers in humanistic disciplines are not by nature computer scientists, much less electrical engineers, and although we are fascinated by what computers can do, we prefer to leave the questions in computer science and electrical engineering to those whose training and research are preparation for tackling them. Indeed, in using the typical university computing center, where the large size of the system usually protects us from having to confront the very devices we rely on to produce our results, there is apparently little reason to learn about hardware.
Effects of vinca alkaloids on uptakes of amino acids by rat brain synaptosomes.

Abstract Synaptosomal uptakes of a number of amino acids were strongly inhibited by vinblastine (I 50 = 30–50 μ M). Vincristine was a less effective inhibitor and colchicine had virtually no effect. The inhibitory effects of vinblastine on uptakes of alanine, leucine and serine were modified by cations and by nucleotides. The degree of inhibition was reduced by Mg 2+ Ca 2+ and Na + ; nucleotides antagonized the inhibitory effect of vinblastine but this effect required the presence of divalent cations. The inhibitory effects of vinblastine were almost abolished when the incubations were carried out at 5° instead of 37°. The efflux of amino acids from synaptosomal particles was retarded by vinblastine; this effect could be observed at a concentration as low as 15μM. By analogy with the effects of vinca alkaloids on biological processes in other tissues, our present results suggest that neurotubular protein participates in the initial rapid uptake and the subsequent efflux of amino acids in synaptosomal fractions.
Factors Related to Quality of Life and Functional Status in 50 Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

Quality of life (QOL) and functional status (FS) have become important outcome measures in cancer therapy. Valid and reliable instruments recently have been developed for examining QOL and FS in patients with head and neck (HN) cancer. The present study evaluated the relationships of QOL and FS to physical and psychological variables assumed to affect QOL and FS. Fifty patients were evaluated up to 6 years after HN cancer surgery using one general QOL instrument and three HN-specific instruments. Analysis of variance showed physical variables such as tumor site to be related to HN-specific scores, while psychosocial variables such as marital status were related to general QOL scores (P≤.05). Several relationships were seen between physical or psychosocial variables and FS or QOL measures ; however the relationships were not as strong or direct as expected.
Selfing rates in two wild polyploid solanums

The rate of selfing in the wild, tuber-bearing speciesS. gourlayi Hawkes (2n = 4x = 48) andS. oplocense Hawkes (2n = 6x = 72) was estimated from progeny of plants nulliplex for the “parallel spindles (ps) allele. The estimated values for plants grown in experimental plots were 22% forS. gourlayi and 1% forS. oplocense. The quantitative method used appears to be a simple and efficient way to calculate selfing rates in polyploids. Knowledge of selfing rates is useful for basic population genetic studies and for plant breeding and seed production of economic crops. There is a need for genetic markers inSolanum species if selfing rates are to be taken into consideration for the selection of an appropriate breeding method for the production of true potato seed.
CNS-Specific Ribozyme Expression

Abstract Targeted genetic deletion is a powerful tool for analysis of gene function, but the standard approaches carry certain inescapable disadvantages. First, deletion is ubiquitous; tissue-specific knockout cannot be obtained. Second, temporal regulation of depletion is unattainable; the deleted functions are absent throughout the animal's development. As a consequence, during ontogeny, other gene products may be able to compensate, filling the functional gap. Furthermore bifunctional proteins exist that fulfill one role during development and another in the mature organism; deletion will remove the early function and, if this is lethal, the later function will remain undetected. Third, if genes utilize alternative splicing to control protein expression, it is difficult to target one spliced mRNA while leaving intact its related, but different, siblings. We review how these problems may be circumvented using ribozymes to diminish gene expression in a tissue-specific and temporally regulated manner and provide guidelines for the design and delivery of active ribozymes in vivo. Such methods may be particularly useful for analysis of genes involved in ontogeny and function of the central nervous system, in which individual genes may be expressed with alternative splicing patterns, or at differentially regulated levels, at different stages of CNS development.
Analysis of the step response of the saccadic feedback: computational models

We present results of theoretical analysis and computational simulations of two models of the saccadic burst generator: the Scudder model and the Jurgens model. We used the experimental paradigm of prolonged stimulation in monkey superior colliculus (SC) to compare the performance of the two models. We excluded the Scudder model since it was not capable of reproducing the experimentally observed staircase movements. We modified the Jurgens model by replacing the originally proposed feedback integrator with an active reset mechanism by a leaky integrator. With this modification we have shown that the staircase movement elicited by prolonged stimulation in the SC can be modeled as a damped oscillatory step response of this model. Furthermore, to replicate the changes in the kinetic profiles of the staircase movements with increased stimulation we modified the functionality of the model. Our results suggest that prolonged stimulation of the SC dynamically changes the gains and time constant of the saccadic feedback.
Parallel computing: glory and collapse

A decade ago, university researchers were in love with parallel computers, and the US government amorously responded. Those were the days of glory, but times have changed: the market for massively parallel computers has collapsed, and many companies have gone out of business, but the researchers are still in love with parallel computing. >
Mathematical Probability and the Reasonable Man of the Eighteenth Centurya

Role des theories mathematiques des probabilites dans l'ideologie des lumieres et l'evolution des idees philosophiques ainsi que des sciences morales et politiques au XVIIIeme siecle
Characteristics of ischemic and peri-ischemic regions during ventricular fibrillation in the canine heart.

Ischemic Ventricular Fibrillation. Introduction: Although premature heats originating in areas of ischemia have been shown to he important in initiating ventricular fibrillation (VF), the participation of the ischemic zone in maintenance of VF has not been investigated. Methods and Results: Ten normal dogs underwent induction of two separate episodes of VF, before and 10 minutes after left anterior descending coronary artery ligation. Ischemic VF was allowed to occur spontaneously or was induced by burst pacing after 10 minutes of ischemia. Unipolar epicardial electrograms were recorded using an 8 × 14 plaque electrode array (interelectrode distance 2.5 mm) placed over the anterior wall. Activation during VF was characterized by VF cycle length (CL) and wavefront organization based on linking analysis of epicardial activation directions at adjacent sites. Individual plaque sites were separated into regions based on electrogram morphology during ischemia: R1 = no ischemia; R2 = mild-to-moderate ischemia (minor ST elevation and QRS widening); and R3 = severe ischemia (marked ST elevation and QRS widening). Percent conduction block was calculated based on the percent of cycles during which sites were not activated during VF. There were no significant differences noted in mean CL or mean percent conduction block in the peri-ischemic region R1 compared to the same region under nonischemic (control) conditions. During ischemia, the mean CL was noted to increase in R2 from 111 ± 14 msec (control) to 128 ± 29 msec (ischemia) and in R3 from 113 ± 14 msec (control) to 150 ± 42 msec (ischemia) (P < 0.05). The percentage conduction block in R2 increased from 6%± 11% (control) to 14%± 16% (ischemia) and in R3 from 4%± 6% (control) to 44%± 21% (ischemia) (P < 0.05). Linking analysis revealed no significant changes in VF organization at distances of 2.5 mm in regions R1 and R2 under both control and ischemic conditions. Premature heats initiating fibrillation originated at the border between the normal and mildly ischemic zones. Conclusions: (1) Some VF characteristics are altered in ischemic regions including a longer VFCL and greater percentage of functional block. (2) VF characteristics are unchanged in immediately adjacent nonischemic myocardium. (3) Although the ischemic zone may he involved in the initiation of VF and has unique activation characteristics during VF, it does not affect VF characteristics in the adjacent nonischemic zone, suggesting that it may not play a major role in VF maintenance.
Renal calculi in children: imaging features that lead to diagnoses: a pictorial essay.

Renal stones in children are often associated with radiologic findings that lead one to deduce the cause of stone formation. The images presented here show pediatric patients with renal stone disease who have associated imaging findings that should enable one to form an association or atrigger a synapseo between the characteristic associated finding and the cause of the renal stone. It is the elucidation of these associations or imaging features that is the focus of this pictorial essay. Approximately two-thirds of urinary calculi in North American children are located in the kidney at the time of diagnosis. The other third are in the ureter and the bladder. They are rarely in the urethra. Renal stones occur equally in males and females. Previously, there were no disproportionately affected age groups [1]. However, with recent advances in the care of premature infants, an increasing number of patients with hyaline membrane disease treated with furosemide has resulted in an increased incidence of stones in infants [2]. Symptoms of renal stone disease vary with age. The traumatic incapacitating flank, abdominal, or pelvic pain associated with the passage of stones is unusual in children. However, pain does occur in about half of patients with renal stones [1, 3]. Pain is more commonly the presenting problem in adolescence, whereas preschool children more commonly present with infection. Microscopic or macroscopic hematuria has been reported in 33% to 90% of children with urinary calculi [1]. The typical causes of renal stone disease in children include urologic conditions causing urinary stasis, urinary manifestations of myelodysplasia, recurrent urinary tract infection with urea-splitting bacteria, metabolic abnormalities, immobilization, enteric diseases, and iatrogenic causes [4, 5]. Radiolucent stones
Neural Network Simulations Support Heuristic Processing Model of Cultivation Effects

Many studies have shown that heavy TV viewers make social reality judgments more in line with televised reality. Shrum's (2001) heuristic model of cultivation effects predicted and found that biases in first-order cultivation judgments resemble heuristic processing. Systematic processing eliminated the effect. This study presents a series of computational simulations to examine whether a simple feed-forward neural network model exhibits learning behavior in accordance with Shrum's model. The data from the model are tested in contrast to data from human participants. Results closely fit human data. Simulations show that increased television exposure increases construct accessibility; television exemplars are not discounted when exhibiting the cultivation effect; and systematic processing reduces or eliminates the cultivation effect.
The queer logics of sex/desire and the ‘missing’ discourse of gender

In this article I seek to expose the masculinism subtending a strain of queer known as anti-social queer theory. I argue that anti-social queer theory privileges sexuality at the expense of gender. More specifically, anti-social queer theory exalts certain masculine modes of (queer) sexual trangression, which, although concealed through the rhetoric of trangression/subversion, depends on and works through normative ideologies of gender and sexuality. I contend that anti-social queer theory reinforces binarized gender, devaluing in turn non-phallic modes of desire. Through in-depth interviews with lesbian/queer sadomasochists, I show that desire/sexuality is fundamentally dependent on gender and the body. Additionally, narratives express how bodily stability is generative of desire. I conclude by arguing that sexuality scholars must incorporate gender identity formations into theorizations of sexuality.
Assessing the contribution of borderline personality disorder and features to suicide risk in psychiatric inpatients with bipolar disorder, major depression and schizoaffective disorder

Suicidal behavior often accompanies both borderline personality disorder (BPD) and severe mood disorders, and comorbidity between the two appears to further increase suicide risk. The current study aims to quantify the risk of suicidality conferred by comorbid BPD diagnosis or features in three affective disorders: major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BP) and schizoaffective disorder. One hundred forty-nine (149) psychiatric inpatients were assessed by SCID I and II, and the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale. Logistic regression analyses investigated the associations between previous suicide attempt and BPD diagnosis or features in patients with MDD, BP, and schizoaffective disorder, as well as a history of manic or major depressive episodes, and psychotic symptoms. Comorbid BPD diagnosis significantly increased suicide risk in the whole sample, and in those with MDD, BP, and history of depressive episode or psychotic symptoms. Each additional borderline feature also increased risk of past suicide attempt in these same groups (excepting BP) and in those with a previous manic episode. Of the BPD criteria, only unstable relationships and impulsivity independently predicted past suicide attempt. Overall, among patients with severe mood disorders, the presence of comorbid BPD features or disorder appears to substantially increase the risk of suicide attempts.
Intermittent coronary sinus occlusion: hemodynamic and anti-ischemic effects

To determine the anti-ischemic mechanism of intermittent occlusion of the coronary sinus (ICSO), the authors measured coronary arterial and sinus pressure and coronary arterial oxygen saturation before and after coronary artery litigation, with and without ICSO. In dogs, ICSO produced a systolic pressure gradient between the coronary artery and coronary sinus of -20+or-9 mm Hg (higher venous pressure, p >
Time: A Self-Ligating Interactive Bracket System

Over the past several years, there has been a steadily increasing interest in self-ligating bracket systems in the orthodontic profession. There are several different types of these systems and the most important factor differentiating one from another is their functioning mode. It is this functioning mode and its impact on the management of patient care that the orthodontist must first evaluate to determine which type of self-ligating bracket best fits his/her practice philosophy. The purpose of this article is to provide a perspective on the operating mode of the Time interactive self-ligating bracket. A treated patient is presented who is representative of results typically obtained with the system by a practitioner after 10 years of exclusive use of this system.
Defect structure of acceptor-doped calcium titanate at elevated temperatures

The defect structure of acceptor (Al or Cr)-doped polycrystalline calcium titanate was investigated by measuring the oxygen partial pressure dependence (at 10° to 10−18 atm) of the electrical conductivity at 1000 and 1050° C. The observed electrical conductivity data were proportional to \(P_{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}} }^{ - {1 \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {1 4}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} 4}} \) for the oxygen pressure range < 10−10 atm and proportional to \(P_{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}} }^{ + {1 \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {1 4}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} 4}} \) for the oxygen pressure range ( 10−7 atm. The conductivity values were observed to increase with the acceptor concentration in the p-type region with the shift in the conductivity minima towards lower oxygen partial pressure. The absolute value of the electrical conductivity in the acceptor-doped samples were lower in the n-type region compared to the values in the undoped CaTiO3. Aluminium and chromium were found to be equally effective in acting as acceptor impurities in CaTiO3. The defect chemistry of CaTiO3 is dominated by the added acceptor impurities for the entire oxygen partial pressure range used in this investigation.
Measurement of low molecular weight silicon AMC to protect UV optics in photo-lithography environments

A new analytical method for semiconductor-specific applications is presented for the accurate measurement of low molecular weight, silicon-containing, organic compounds TMS, HMDSO and D3. Low molecular weight / low boiling point silicon-containing compounds are not captured for extended periods of time by traditional chemical filters but have the same potential to degrade exposure tool optical surfaces as their high molecular weight counterparts. Likewise, we show that capturing these compounds on sample traps that are commonly used for organic AMC analysis does not work for various reasons. Using the analytical method described here, TMS, HMDSO and D3 can be measured artifact-free, with at least a 50:1 peak-to-noise ratio at the method detection limit, determined through the Hubaux-Vos method and satisfying a conservative 99% statistical confidence. Method detection limits for the compounds are 1-6 ppt in air. We present calibration curve, capacity, capture efficiency, break-through and repeatability data to demonstrate robustness of method. Seventy-one real-world samples from 26 projects taken in several fab environments show that TMS is found in concentrations 100 times higher than those of HMDSO and D3. All compounds are found in all environments in concentrations ranging from zero to 12 ppm, but most concentrations were below 50 ppb. All compounds are noticeably higher in litho-bays than in sub-fabs and we found all three compounds inside of two exposure tools, suggesting cleanroom and/or tool-internal contamination sources.
Selenoproteins from rat testis cytosol

Abstract Radioactive inorganic selenium, administered intraperitoneally at 1 mg/kg body weight to young adult rats, acculumulates in testes for 7 days or longer, whereas liver, kidney and serum levels fall more rapidly. 3–4 h after administration of [ 75 Se]selenite, 55–60% of the radioactivity in the testes was found in the cytosol, associated with protein. Ultragel ACA-22 chromatography of testis cytosol prepared 4 h after 75 Se treatment revealed a major selenoprotein having an apparent molecular weight of 59 000. Sodium dedecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated extensive heterogeneity of radioactivity with apparent molecular weights of about 57 000 and 45 000 and 15 000. Cytosol from rats treated 4 weeks earlier showed predominance of the 15 000 molecular weight [ 75 Se]selenoprotein. Sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation at either low or high ionic strength demonstrated a single 7 S selenoprotein. Chromatography with Blue-Sepharose indicated that the radioactivity was not associated with albumin. Strong 75 Se binding to protein was demonstrated by overnight dialysis against water, 2 M NaCl, β-mercaptoethanol, 8 M urea, selenite. However, 85% of the 75 Se was removed by dialysis against 0.5 M NaOh. This stability contrasts with the lability of disulfide reagents of selenite-protein complexes formed in vitro. The fact that selenium is incorporated in substantial amounts into a discrete and stable protein suggests a physiological role for this essential trace element in the testes.
Early orthodontic treatment may be effective in modifying Class ll skeletal and dental outcomes.

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Effectiveness of early orthodontic treatment with the twin block appliance: a multicenter, randomized controlled trial. Part 1: Dental and skeletal effects. O’Brien K, Wright J, Conboy F, Sanjie YW, Mandell N, et al. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2003;124:234-43. Reviewer Katherine W.L. Vig, BDS, MS, D Orth, FDS.RCS (Eng) Purpose/Question In children with Class ll malocclusion, is early treatment with a functional appliance (Twin Block) effective in improving skeletal and dental changes when treatment is provided in private orthodontic practices? Source of Funding National Health Service in UK Type of Study/Design Randomized controlled trial Level of Evidence Level 1: Good quality, patient-oriented evidence Strength of Recommendation Grade Grade A: Consistent, good-quality, patient-oriented evidence.
The kinetics of carbonyl formation in asphalt

The oxidation of asphalt is a major cause of pavement failure. The low-temperature oxidation kinetics of 14 asphalts are presented. At constant temperature and oxygen pressure, asphalt oxidation occurs in two stages: (1) a relatively rapid-rate period, followed by (2) a long period of constant rate. Activation energies for the constant-rate region vary from 64 to 109 kJ/mol, and reaction orders relative to oxygen pressure vary from 0.25 to 0.61. This variation in activation energy and reaction order leads to skepticism regarding the present practices of evaluating road-condition asphalt-hardening rates at a single elevated temperature and perhaps at an elevated pressure. The asphalts occur in essentially two groups, one at high values of both activation energy and reaction order and the other at low values of each. The data indicate the existence of an isokinetic temperature near 100 C. The degree of oxidation that occurs during the initial rapid-rate region varies inversely with the oxygen reaction order of the constant-rate region.
Role of Seminal Shedding of Herpesviruses in HIV Type 1 Transmission

The risk of sexual human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) transmission correlates with the levels of HIV RNA in blood [1, 2] and semen [3, 4]. Although HIV levels mostly correlate between these 2 compartments [3], local genital factors, like bacterial [5] or viral coinfections [6–8], can increase HIV shedding in semen. Specifically, highly prevalent herpesviruses, including herpes simplex virus (HSV) [3, 7], Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) [9, 10], human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) [10], and, perhaps most profoundly, cytomegalovirus (CMV) [8, 10], can have an important impact on HIV shedding. However, suppression of HSV replication with acyclovir among HIV-infected potential source partners was not effective in reducing HIV transmission [11], perhaps because the other herpesviruses, which are more prevalent, especially CMV and EBV, are not suppressed by acyclovir.
High-precision SIMS oxygen, sulfur and iron stable isotope analyses of geological materials: accuracy, surface topography and crystal orientation

A high-precision SIMS analysis technique has been established for oxygen, sulfur, and iron isotope ratios and applied to a wide range of geoscience research areas using a Cameca IMS-1280 at the Wisconsin Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer Laboratory (WiscSIMS). Precision and accuracy of 0.3‰ is achieved routinely for the measurement of 18 O/ 16 O ratio using multicollection Faraday Cup (FC) detectors and primary Cs + beam size of 10 μm. Smaller beam sizes of 3 μm to <1 μm yield precisions of 0.7-2‰ using a multicollection Electron Multiplier (EM) in pulse-counting mode for 18 O. We evaluate small SIMS analytical biases at the level of a few ‰ or less using standard minerals with homogeneous oxygen isotope ratios: (i) topography of samples related to polishing relief of grains and location of analysis in a sample holder; and (ii) crystal orientation effects in magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ). The latter effect has not been detected for oxygen isotope ratio measurements in other minerals including a variety of silicate, oxide, and carbonate minerals at WiscSIMS. However, similar analytical biases that are correlated with crystal orientation have been identified from Fe isotope analyses in magnetite and S isotope analysis in sphalerite (ZnS), and many minerals have not yet been evaluated. The total range of analytical bias among randomly oriented magnetite grains becomes smaller by reducing the sputtering energy of the primary ions (from 20 to 10 keV), which may help reduce crystal orientation effects. .
Synthesis of Fluorine-18 Labeled Compounds for Brain Imaging

The use of radiotracers labeled with the positron-emitting radionuclides carbon-11, nitrogen-13, oxygen-15 and fluorine-18 for studying alterations of physiologic and chemical processes that underlie the onset and progression of brain disorders in conjunction with the medical imaging technique positron emission tomography (PET) has been well documented1,2. The hallmark of PET is that it permits the use of positron emitting isotopes of the elements carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and fluorine (a hydrogen or hydroxyl substitute) that are the building blocks of the biochemicals that regulate and sustain biologic processes. The role positron labeled radiotracers has played in basic research and diagnostic nuclear medicine has experienced a rapid growth over the past decade due primarily to the development of a new generation of medical cyclotrons.3–5 These machines are computer-controlled, compact, self-shielded, moderate energy (11 to 18 MeV) accelerators designed to support either a University based innovative research or a clinical diagnostic program located at moderate sized (600–1000 bed) medical centers. These single or dual particle, negative or positive ion, isochronous accelerators are capable of producing nitrogen-13, fluorine-18, carbon-11 and oxygen-15 in sufficient quantities, 0.2 to 2.0 Ci (Table 1), for the labeling of radiotracers by currently available synthetic methods.
Risk aversion as a technology factor in the production function

We incorporate risk aversion into the technology component of the production function. In a traditional theoretic framework, we show that an increase in risk aversion increases unemployment and reduces potential output. Our out-of-sample forecasting experiments suggest that while interest rates impact the economy through the demand-side. However, an interest rate spread (TED) is used as a measure of risk aversion and is shown to impact output through the economy's supply-side.
The soft-feedback equalizer for turbo equalization of highly dispersive channels

The complexity of a turbo equalizer based on the Bahl-Cocke-Jelinek-Raviv (BCJR) algorithm is manageable only for mildly dispersive channels having a small amount of memory. To enable turbo equalization of highly dispersive channels, we propose the soft-feedback equalizer(SFE). The SFE combines linear equalization and soft intersymbol-interference cancellation. Its coefficients are chosen to minimize the mean-squared error(MSE) between the equalizer output and the transmitted sequence, under a Gaussian approximation to the a priori information and the SFE output. The resulting complexity grows only linearly with the number of coefficients, as opposed to the quadratic complexity of previously reported minimum-MSE structures. We will see that an SFE-based turbo equalizer consistently outperforms another structure of similar complexity, and can outperform a BCJR-based scheme when complexity is taken into account.
Why Basic Principles of Instruction Must Be Present in the Learning Landscape, Whatever Form It Takes, for Learning to Be Effective, Efficient and Engaging

While today's opportunities and contexts for learning are far more varied than they were only a decade or two ago the underlying learning mechanisms of individual learners have not changed. It is important as we explore these different learn- ing landscapes that we don't naively assume that because the landscape has changed dramatically the learners have also changed. There are fundamental instructional strategies, determined primarily by the type of content to be taught rather than by learning styles or by the form of instructional affordance, that are necessary for effec- tive, efficient and engaging learning of specified knowledge and skill to occur. Those learning activities that best promoted learning in the past are those learning activities that will best promote learning in the future. Yet, we have all observed that many instructional environments fail. However, on close examination it is also evident that these learning environments also fail to implement these known instructional strategies resulting in ineffective and inefficient learning outcomes. As we explore the shifting learning landscape it is critical that we don't assume that because existing instructional environments often fail that the fundamental strategies of instruction have also failed. Most often these strategies have never been adequately implemented in the first place.
Pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis with negative bacterial cultures.

Background Pulmonary exacerbations are a major cause of morbidity in cystic fibrosis (CF) and likely contribute to lung function decline. Exacerbations are often associated with characteristic airway bacteria [CF related bacteria (CFRB)]. However, some patients do not have CFRB detected by culture during exacerbations.
Achieving self-managed deployment in a distributed environment via utility functions

This dissertation presents algorithms and mechanisms that enable self-managed, scalable and efficient deployment of large-scale scientific and engineering applications in a highly dynamic and unpredictable distributed environment. Typically these applications are composed of a large number of distributed components and it is important to meet the computational power and network bandwidth requirements of those components and their interactions. However satisfying these requirements in a large-scale, shared, heterogeneous, and highly dynamic distributed environment is a significant challenge. As systems and applications grow in scale and complexity, attaining the desired level of performance in this uncertain environment using current approaches based on global knowledge, centralized scheduling and manual reallocation becomes infeasible. This dissertation focuses on the modeling of the application and underlying architecture into a common abstraction and on the incorporations of autonomic features into those abstractions to achieve self-managed deployment. In particular, we developed techniques for automatically identifying application components and their estimated resource requirements within an application and used them in order to model the application into a graph abstraction. We also developed techniques that allow the distributed resources to self-organize in a utility-aware way while assuming minimal knowledge about the system. Finally, to achieve self-managed deployment of application components to the distributed nodes, we designed a scalable and adaptive scheduling algorithm which is governed by a utility function. The utility function, which combines several application and system level attributes, governs both the initial deployment of the application components and their reconfigurations despite the dynamism and uncertainty associated with the computing environment. The experimental results show that it is possible to achieve and maintain efficient deployment by applying the utility function derived in this paper based solely on locally available information and without costly global communication or synchronization. The self-management is therefore decentralized and provides better adaptability, scalability and robustness.
A Conservative Compressible Multifluid Model for Multiphase Flow: Shock-Interface Interaction Problems

We continue our study in the simulation of compressible multifluid flows. The major problems for the single-pressure compressible multi-fluid model are that it is not of hyperbolic type and is not in conservative form. These problems limit the model’s capability to calculate flows with fluid interface and shock wave. In our previous works, we proposed a new approach to solving the compressible multi-fluid equations by using the stratified flow model. The most advantage of our model is that it is now in conservative form, which allows capturing a discontinuity correctly. The basic idea of the stratified flow model is that the gas and liquid fluids are treated as being separated from each other. As such, the conservation laws can be readily derived for each fluid. Then the new AUSM + -up scheme is used to calculate flows of both fluids. Several previous tests of 1D and 2D tests showed that the combination of the present multi-fluid model and the AUSM + -up scheme was robust and accurate in simulating flows involving shock-interface interactions of multiple fluids. In this paper, we apply the same method to more complicated problems, including the underwater explosion problem, and hypersonic shock-water column interaction problem.
Right parietal contributions to verbal working memory: Spatial or executive?

The left inferior parietal cortex has been claimed to be the site of the verbal short-term store, yet imaging studies report activity of a homologous right-hemisphere region in verbal working memory tasks as well. In spite of its prevalent activity, right parietal contributions to verbal working memory are poorly understood. To clarify its role in verbal working memory performance, we tested a patient with a lesion in the right parietal lobe on verbal and spatial versions of the N-back task. The patient was impaired in all the spatial conditions regardless of load (0-, 1-, and 2-back), whereas in the verbal N-back he was impaired only in the conditions with a memory demand (1- and 2-back). Given that we had presented stimuli at multiple locations in the verbal N-back, however, it remained possible that the lesion impaired spatial representation rather than verbal working memory per se. With central stimulus presentation, his performance dramatically improved indicating that his difficulty with the N-back task was largely due to his poor visuospatial abilities. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Thermal Residual Stress Modeling in AIN and GaN Multi Layer Samples

Thermal residual stresses can detrimentally affect the electronic and optical properties of epitaxial films thereby shortening device lifetime. Based on our earlier work on thermal expansion of nitrides, we provide a finite element modeling analysis of the residual stress distribution of multilayered GaN and AlN on 6H-SiC. The effects of thickness and growth temperatures are considered in the analysis.
Influence of alterations in loading on mitral annular velocity by tissue Doppler echocardiography and its associated ability to predict filling pressures.

Study objectives: Early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E’) by tissue Doppler echocardiography (TD) has been reported to be a load-independent index of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function, allowing the early diastolic mitral inflow velocity (E)/E’ ratio to be used clinically to predict LV filling pressures. However, preload independence of E’ has remained controversial, and E/E’ may not consistently be predictive of LV filling pressures. Our objectives were to test the hypotheses that E’ is affected by preload, and that alterations of preload, afterload, and contractility also affect E/E’. Design, interventions, and measurements: An open-chest dog model was used (n 8). Highfidelity pressure and conductance catheters were used for pressure-volume relations, and E’ was obtained by pulsed TD from the apical four-chamber view. Changes in preload and afterload were induced by vena caval and partial aortic occlusions, respectively. Data were collected during control phase and during infusions of dobutamine and esmolol to alter contractility. Results: E’ was consistently and significantly associated with acute decreases in LV end-diastolic pressure in each dog (n 200 beats; r 0.93 0.06 [mean SD]). Similar results occurred with dobutamine and esmolol infusions. This preload sensitivity was reflected in E/E’, which was inversely (rather than directly) correlated with LV diastolic pressure (r 0.67). E/E’ was less affected by preload when diastolic dysfunction was induced by sustained partial aortic occlusion (time constant of relaxation increased from 46 19 to 53 21 ms, p < 0.001). Conclusions: E’ was significantly influenced by preload with preserved LV function and low filling pressures (< 12 mm Hg); accordingly, E/E’ was less predictive of LV filling pressures in this scenario. E/E’ was more predictive of LV filling pressures in the presence of diastolic dysfunction. (CHEST 2004; 126:1910–1918)
Improving Workplace Conditions Through Strategic Enforcement

This report draws on research that examines how industry structures affect the way employers behave and, in particular, their likelihood to comply with the important provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the primary federal workplace law regulating minimum wage and overtime standards. The research examines how structural features of the industries employing large numbers of vulnerable workers create incentives or disincentives for compliance. Insight into these relationships provides opportunities to increase compliance through different approaches to enforcement. Employment relationships in many sectors with high concentrations of vulnerable workers has become "fissured" as major companies have shifted the direct employment of workers to other business entities that often operate under extremely competitive conditions. Fissuring of employment increases the incentives for employers at lower levels of industry structures to violate workplace policies, including the FLSA. These changes require that enforcement policies must act on higher levels of industry structures in order to change behavior at lower levels where violations are most likely to occur. This paper provides detailed analysis of the impact of fissuring in three major industries. It then provides a detailed set of recommendations regarding the implications of these findings on enforcement policy.
Building strong semi-autonomous systems

The vision of populating the world with autonomous systems that reduce human labor and improve safety is gradually becoming a reality. Autonomous systems have changed the way space exploration is conducted and are beginning to transform everyday life with a range of household products. In many areas, however, there are considerable barriers to the deployment of fully autonomous systems. We refer to systems that require some degree of human intervention in order to complete a task as semi-autonomous systems. We examine the broad rationale for semi-autonomy and define basic properties of such systems. Accounting for the human in the loop presents a considerable challenge for current planning techniques. We examine various design choices in the development of semi-autonomous systems and their implications on planning and execution. Finally, we discuss fruitful research directions for advancing the science of semi-autonomy.
Energy dispersive x-ray diffraction of charge density waves via chemical filtering

Pressure tuning of phase transitions is a powerful tool in condensed matter physics, permitting high-resolution studies while preserving fundamental symmetries. At the highest pressures, energy dispersive x-ray diffraction (EDXD) has been a critical method for geometrically confined diamond anvil cell experiments. We develop a chemical filter technique complementary to EDXD that permits the study of satellite peaks as weak as 10^(-4) of the crystal Bragg diffraction. In particular, we map out the temperature dependence of the incommensurate charge density wave diffraction from single-crystal, elemental chromium. This technique provides the potential for future GPa pressure studies of many-body effects in a broad range of solid state systems.
Before Orientalism: Asian Peoples and Cultures in European Travel Writing, 1245–1510 by Kim M. Phillips (review)

Review of Phillips, Kim M. Before Orientalism: Asian Peoples and Cultures in European Travel Writing, 1245–1510. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2014.
Late development of a malignant fibrous histiocytoma at the site of a giant cell tumor

A case of late development of a high grade malignant fibrous histiocytoma at the site of a previously surgically treated giant cell tumor is reported. The patient initially was treated for a benign giant cell tumor of the lateral condyle of the distal femur by curettage, implant of auto and allograft bone, but no radiation. Eighteen years later, he noted progressively increasing pain and disability. Radiographs showed some change, but magnetic resonance imaging clearly disclosed a tumor arising at the site and extending outside the bone. After chemotherapy, the tumor was resected and histologically showed no evidence of a recurrent giant cell tumor, only a high grade malignant fibrous histiocytoma.
Energy Conversion in Polyelectrolyte Hydrogels

Using extensive molecular dynamics simulations of polyelectrolyte hydrogels we demonstrate that, on deformation, these hydrogels adjust their deformed state predominantly by altering electrostatic interactions between their charged groups rather than excluded-volume and bond energies. On deformation, due to the hydrogel’s inherent tendency to preserve electroneutrality in its interior, the translational entropy of counterions decreases and the total electrostatic energy becomes more attractive. This result is valid for a wide range of compression ratios and Bjerrum lengths. The change in the electrostatic energy is more marked in highly swollen gels at low ionic strengths. At high Bjerrum lengths, where most of the counterions are condensed on hydrogel chains and the gel resembles a neutral system, the electrostatic-energy change with deformation is weaker.
Multibeam Seeded Brillouin Sidescatter in Inertial Confinement Fusion Experiments

Sidescattered light seen in inertial confinement fusion experiments originates mostly from neighboring beams in the overlapping laser beam configuration used.
Cooperative and redundant effects of STAT5 and Ras signaling in BCR/ABL transformed hematopoietic cells

The Akt, Ras and STAT5 signaling pathways have each been linked to transformation of hematopoietic cells by BCR/ABL. However the relative contributions of these signaling pathways to BCR/ABL mediated cytokine-independent survival, proliferation and resistance to DNA damage-induced apoptosis have not been systematically defined. Here we report that activation of either Akt, Ras or STAT5 confers cytokine-independent survival to IL-3 dependent BaF3 cells. Ras or STAT5, but not Akt, also drives cytokine-independent proliferation and imparts sustained resistance to DNA damage-induced apoptosis. We also show that dominant negative (DN) inhibition of STAT5, but not Ras or Akt, significantly reduces resistance to DNA damage-induced apoptosis in BCR/ABL transformed BaF3 cells. Whereas inhibition of STAT5 or Ras alone does not compromise cytokine-independent proliferation of BaF3-BCR/ABL cells, simultaneous blockade of both STAT5 and Ras reduces proliferation and maximally sensitizes BaF3-BCR/ABL cells to DNA damage induced by γ-irradiation, suggesting a cooperative role for these two signaling pathways in BCR/ABL transformation. The anti-apoptotic properties of BCR/ABL can be partly explained by an increase in the expression of Pim-1 and Bcl-XL, as ectopic expression of these STAT5 target genes imparts both cytokine-independent survival and partial γ-radiation resistance. These data illustrate both cooperative and redundant effects of STAT5 and Ras signaling in BCR/ABL transformed cells, with STAT5 playing a dominant role in resistance to DNA damage-induced apoptosis.