cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wegener's Granulomatosis: Two Patients Presenting with Solitary Pulmonary Lesions and Review of Eleven Other Cases

Abstract The case histories are reported of 2 patients with Wegener's granulomatosis who presented with solitary lung lesions. Eleven additional cases of Wegener's granulomatosis diagnosed at this institution are reviewed. Five of the 13 patients have been classified as having a limited form of the disease with no evidence of renal involvement and a more benign and prolonged course. The age, sex, and race factors were essentially the same in patients with limited disease as they were in patients with renal involvement. Gastrointestinal bleeding was a prominent symptom in 4 patients. The bleeding was found to be due to vasculitis involving the large bowel with mucosal ulceration in 1 patient and was due to regional enteritis in another patient. The association of lower gastrointestinal bleeding with Wegener's granulomatosis has not heretofore been made. Steroid therapy has been beneficial in patients with disease limited to the respiratory tract. The patients with renal involvement had a rapid downhill course except for 1, who has survived more than two years on a combination of steroid and 6-mercaptopurine therapy.
Pleura and Peritoneum

First page of article Keywords: pancreas; pancreatic cancer; ductal adenocarcinoma; medullary carcinoma; acinar cell carcinoma; osteoclast-like giant-cell tumour; pancreaticoblastoma; serous cystadenoma; mucinous cystadenoma; mucinous cystadenocarcinoma; intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm; solid pseudopapillary neoplasm; islet cell tumour; familial cancer; k-ras; DPC4; p16; MKK4
Fast Censored Linear Regression

Weighted log-rank estimating function has become a standard estimation method for the censored linear regression model, or the accelerated failure time model. Well established statistically, the estimator defined as a consistent root has, however, rather poor computational properties because the estimating function is neither continuous nor, in general, monotone. We propose a computationally efficient estimator through an asymptotics-guided Newton algorithm, in which censored quantile regression methods are tailored to yield an initial consistent estimate and a consistent derivative estimate of the limiting estimating function. We also develop fast interval estimation with a new proposal for sandwich variance estimation. The proposed estimator is asymptotically equivalent to the consistent root estimator and barely distinguishable in samples of practical size. However, computation time is typically reduced by two to three orders of magnitude for point estimation alone. Illustrations with clinical applications are provided.
Superluminal motion in quasars and BL Lac objects

Apparent superluminal expansion in compact radio sources has provided strong evidence for relativistic motion in these objects. Originally seen only in bright, core-dominated sources, the effect has been found in sources with different morphologies, core strengths, and identifications. The list of superluminals is still dominated by quasars but it now includes several BL Lac objects.
Commentary on “The Spectrum Opportunity: Sharing as the Solution to the Wireless Crunch”

“Sharing” has become the latest and greatest buzzword in the somewhat interminable policy debates regarding the notion that more spectrum, lots more spectrum, be available to meet the exponentially growing demand for broadband and cellular wireless systems. The proximate cause of this notoriety was the PCAST Report to the President (2012), put together by a group of distinguished technologists who, inter alia, thoroughly described the reasons and the urgency to make large amounts of spectrum (1,000 MHz) available and suggested that the means to accomplish this was to share spectrum now controlled exclusively by the federal government with the private sector, under terms and conditions in which both private and public sector needs could be met via sharing.
SEM of service quality to predict overall patient satisfaction in medical clinics: a case study

This study analyzed patient satisfaction surveys to determine which process attributes affect overall patient satisfaction. The authors conclude that the strongest impact is the care provider’s interaction with the patient...
The Rhizobium meliloti trpE(G) gene is regulated by attenuation, and its product, anthranilate synthase, is regulated by feedback inhibition.

Abstract In Rhizobium meliloti, the genes involved in biosynthesis of the amino acid tryptophan are found at three separate chromosomal locations. Of the three gene clusters, trpE(G), trpDC, and trpFBA, only the trpE(G) gene is regulated by the end product of the pathway, tryptophan. We found that trpE(G) mRNA contains a leader transcript that terminates at a stem-loop structure in a putative transcription attenuator. The level of this leader transcript was constant regardless of the amount of tryptophan in the growth medium. However, the level of full-length trpE(G) mRNA decreased as the amount of tryptophan increased. The beta-galactosidase activity of an R. meliloti strain carrying a trpL'-'lacZ fusion remained constant at different tryptophan concentrations, but the beta-galactosidase activity of the same strain carrying a trpE(G)'-'lacZ fusion decreased as the tryptophan concentration increased. These data indicate that transcription of the R. meliloti trpE(G) gene is regulated only by attenuation. We also found that the product of the trpE(G) gene, anthranilate synthase, is feedback inhibited by tryptophan.
X-ray Observations of NP 0532

The Crab Nebula pulsar, NP 0532, is the only one of the 56 known pulsars which has been observed to pulse in the optical spectrum. Even more spectacular are the vast quantities of pulsed X-rays which it has been found to emit. Soft X-rays in the 1–10 keV region have been observed during four sounding rocket flights (Fritz et al., 1969; Bradt et al., 1969; Boldt et al., 1969; Ducros et al. 1970) and harder X-rays, 25–200 keV, have been detected during two balloon flights (Fishman et al., 1969a, b; Floyd et al., 1969). From the results of these six experiments we summarize the properties of the X-ray pulsations from NP 0532.
Reconstitution and characterization of dNTPs uptake activities of human mitochondrial adenine nucleotide translocators (Ant)

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 45, 2004 2968 We previously suggested that a dCTP transport system (Bridges EG et al, J Biol Chem 1999 Feb 19;274(8):4620-5) exists in mitochondria and plays a role in delayed cytotoxicity of deoxynucleoside analogs in mitochondria. Another group has identified a mitochondrial protein, deoxynucleotide carrier (DNC), and suggested that its role is a mitochondria transporter for dNDPs and dNTPs. Based on our studies, we suggest that DNC may not be the dNTP transporter associated with the delayed cytotoxicity of deoxynucleoside analogs, since the Km values of dNTPs are much higher than physiological range and over-expression of DNC in HepG2 cells does not effect the action of deoxynucleoside analogs. DNC shares a high percentage of amino acid sequence homology with adenine nucleotide translocator (Ant), the most abundant transporter in mitochondria and Kaukonen et. al. proposed that Ant1 plays a role in mitochondria DNA maintenance (Kaukonen, J et. al. Science 289: 782-785, 2000). We, therefore, expressed three isoforms of human Ant, Ant1, Ant2 and Ant3 using E. coli. , reconstituted them into proteoliposomes and characterized their properties. Ants behave better when proteoliposomes contain cholesterol (10% w/w), cardiolipin (15% w/w) and phosphatidlycholine from egg yolk instead of soybean. However, Ant1 and Ant3 have different properties as compared to Ant2. First, internal ADP (with optimum at 10 mM) can promote the uptake activity of ATP in Ant2 but not in Ant1 or Ant3. All Ants can uptake dATP and dCTP independent of internal substrate. Second, external CaCl2 (with optimum at 2 mM) can stimulate the uptake activities of ATP, dATP and dCTP in Ant1 and Ant3 but inhibits slightly the uptake activities of Ant2. Third, carboxy-atractyoside, a specific Ant inhibitor, can inhibit the uptake activities of ATP, dATP and dCTP in Ant2 but not in Ant1 and Ant3. The Km values of dCTP for Ant1, Ant2 and Ant3 are 100 μM, 2 mM and 330 μM, respectively. In summary, Ant1 and Ant3 have similar but not identical properties to the dCTP transport system reported previously by us. One or both (Ant1 and Ant3) could be a possible candidate protein involved in the transport of dNTP from the cytoplasm to mitochondria. Further characterizations are required to determine their role in the dNTPs uptake in mitochondria. This work was supported by Grant ROI-A1-38204-07 from NIH
False-alarm mitigation and feature-based discrimination for airborne mine detection

The aim of an anomaly detector is to locate spatial target locations that show significantly different spectral/spatial characteristics as compared to the background. Typical anomaly detectors can achieve a high probability of detection, however at the cost of significantly high false alarm rates. For successful minefield detection there is a need for a further processing step to identify mine-like targets and/or reject non-mine targets in order to improve the mine detection to false alarm ratio. In this paper, we discuss a number of false alarm mitigation (FAM) modalities for MWIR imagery. In particular, we investigate measures based on circularity, gray scale shape profile and reflection symmetry. The performance of these modalities is evaluated for false alarm mitigation using real airborne MWIR data at different times of the day and for different spectral bands. We also motivate a feature based clustering and discrimination scheme based on these modalities to classify similar targets. While false alarm mitigation is primarily used to reject non-mine like targets, feature based clustering can be used to select similar-looking mine-like targets. Minefield detection can subsequently proceed on each localized cluster of similar looking targets.
Shaping Administrative Reform and Governance: An Examination of the Political Nexus Triads in Three Asian Countries

When addressing administrative reform, many scholars have referred to the fact that governments confront multiple internal challenges such as fiscal stress, distrust of bureaucracy, and higher demands for public services (Peters and Savoie 1995). Externally, governments become more sensitive to global issues and tend to be more influenced by international environments (Garcia-Zamor and Khator 1994). Faced with internal and external challenges, governments seek new paradigms for governance (Ingraham and Romzek 1994) and often initiate administrative reform (AR) aimed at enhancing governmental performance and improving the administrative system through technological advances, managerial improvements, administrative innovations and continued enhancement of administrative capabilities (Caiden 1991). Administrative reform and its diffusion among Western countries are well documented in the literature (Campbell and Peters 1988; Savoie 1994; Halligan 1996; Peters and Savoie 1995). However, studies are skewed toward Western countries and little attention has been paid to Asia. Even less attention has been paid to comparative studies on Asian administrative reform, even though many Asian countries have developed their own AR trajectories to improve public efficiency and productivity (Burns 1994; Zhang, De Guzman, and Reforma 1992). As many students of comparative public administration (CPA) understand, it is always a challenging task, both methodologically and theoretically, to examine a group of different countries (Aberbach and Rockman 1987; Heady 1996a; 1996b; Peters 1988; Peters 1996). It is an even more challenging and controversial task to develop a single comparative framework from which we can examine different countries. This article attempts to fill a gap in the literature by examining Asian AR from a comparative perspective. First, we propose an exploratory theoretical framework, a Political Nexus Triad (PNT). PNT is an extended model, which adds civil society as the third dimension to the traditional politics-administration model. We suggest the PNT and its dynamic trajectory as a building block of the comparative study of Asian administrative reform. This is similar to the power interaction models in which Peters (1988) addresses the power interactions between politicians and bureaucrats.1 Second, we examine the conventional patterns of PNT for three Asian countries: China, Japan, and Korea. Third, we survey AR of the three countries, focusing on actors, contents and potential impacts to the new PNT. Finally, we discuss conclusions and comparisons
Comparative dynamics of fixed versus flexible discount rate growth models

Abstract From any given initial stock, for convex and non-convex technologies, the flexible discount rate model maintains a higher level of capital input in each period than the fixed discount rate model. Hence constant discount rate models used to study sustained growth may show bias because they ignore how consumption affects the discount factor.
Enhancement of cortical evoked potentials by high atmospheric pressures of helium

Abstract Adult guinea pigs with electrodes chronically implanted in the optic chiasm (OC), lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), and visual cortex (CX) were compressed at 1 bar/min to 120 bars pressure in helium-oxygen. Body temperature was controlled to within ±1°C, CO 2 was removed by a soda-lime absorbent. Electrical stimuli (50 μA, 0.05 msec) were delivered to the OC at 0.6/sec at 10 bar intervals, with pressure held constant. Pressure caused only negligible changes in the amplitudes of pre- and postsynaptic components of potentials in the LGN. Amplitudes of evoked potentials in the CX increased approximately linearly with pressure, reaching values of up to 300% above normobaric. Latencies did not change independently of temperature. Excitability of nerve fibers changed very little, but intracortical synaptic transmission was substantially enhanced. Differences in the effects of elevated helium pressure at the LGN and CX may be attributed to differences in organization of local circuits.
The U.S. patent and trademark office's electronic application system

Abstract Development of a major electronic system at the USPTO is described. Called the Patent Application Management System (PAM), its aim is to automate the entire patent application process, including electronic input of patent applications, formalities, patent examination and prosecution, and publication. PAM has nine major functions to be automated and these are grouped into four subsystems. The paper describes the first of these subsystems. The planned for automation, the Electronic Application SYstem (EASY), which covers incoming document conversion, fee processing, application administration and examiner processing.
Corrections to Higgs-boson-mass sum rules from the sfermion sector of a supersymmetric model.

We consider the minimal supersymmetric extension of the standard model, and compute the corrections to Higgs-boson-mass sum rules that are possibly sensitive to the large mass of the sfermion sector and/or to large trilinear Higgs-boson-sfermion-sfermion Yukawa couplings. We demonstrate that when the parameters are chosen so that corrections to the electroweak $\ensuremath{\rho}$ are within experimental limits, large corrections to the mass sum rules arise only in certain extreme regions of parameter space, corresponding to very large ratios for squark masses.
Analysis of Disinfection By-products in Water and Wastewater

Abstract Several analytical methods have been utilized to study the products from the chlorination of water from a southern U.S.A. reservoir. Low molecular weight fragments have been assayed by GC/MS following resin accumulation under acidic or basic conditions. High molecular weight products before and after chlorination have been investigated using size HPLC with aqueous solvent and passivated controlled porosity silica columns. The results show a slight lowering of average molecular weight after chlorination, but more importantly, a nearly uniform level of organic chlorine through the polymer. Total organic halogen measurements confirm that the ratio of non-volatile halogen to trihalomethane halogen is at least 2:1 in all cases studied. The oronation and photolytic oronation products of 2.4.6,2′,4′.6′-hexachloro-biphenyl have been determined and a reaction scheme proposed.
A survey of floating -point arithmetic implementations

SummaryIn tnis survey we described three types of implementations for floating -point arith-metic: LSI /VLSI chip -set, single VLSI chip, and MSI /LSI single /multi board approach. Each of tnese approaches is best suited in particular situations and under presentcost /performance characteristics of the IC technologies. As the level ot integration anaspeed /power factor improve, it is likely that the dedicated single -chip floating -point un- its will migrate into the CPU chip. Single /multi board implementations are likely to be re-placed by few fast and easy to interface floating -point VLSI chips. Besides tne progress in IC technologies, the IEEE Floating -Point Standard has had a major impact on the designof floating -point processors. 1. Advanced MicroDevices, "Am 9512: 2. J.A. Eldon ana C. Robertson, "A IEEE International Conference pp.717 -720. ReferencesSingle Chip Floating Point Processor"Floating Point Format for Signal Processing ", Proc.on Acoustics, Speech and Signai Processing, 1982,
Thermal conductivity of polymer melts

A concentric cylinder conductivity cell with guard heaters was constructed and used to determine the thermal conductivity of polymer melts. Thermal conductivity was found to be a linear function of temperature for the melts studied, and the thermal conductivity decreased as the complexity of the polymer chain increased. The polymers studied were a linear polyethylene, branched polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, nylon 6, and nylon 6,10. The measurements are precise to within ±6%.
Infrared measurements, past and present

Abstract The important developments in the field of infrared measurements are traced from 1800 to the present time. Four periods are considered and it is shown that the developments of the last period (1945 to the present time) were brought about by researches which had been carried out previously. The improvements of sources, detectors, optical materials, and electronic amplifiers are discussed.
Green's Function to Determine Temperature Distribution in a Semitransparent Thermal Barrier Coating

References Aldoss, T., Al-Nimr, M., Jarrah, M., and Al-Sha’er, B., ‘‘Magnetohydrodynamic Mixed Convection from a Vertical Plate Embedded in a Porous Medium,’’ Numerical Heat Transfer, Pt. A, Vol. 28, No. 5, 1995, pp. 635– 645. Hassan, K., and Mohamed, S., ‘‘Natural Convection from Isothermal Flat Surfaces,’’ International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol. 13, 1970, pp. 1873– 1886. Elsayed, M. M., and Fathalah, K. A., ‘‘Temperature Distribution in a Direct Solar Heater,’’ 72nd Annual Meeting of the American Inst. of Chemical Engineers, Paper P-7d, Nov. 1979. Fathalah, K. A., and Elsayed, M. M., ‘‘Natural Convection Due to Solar Radiation over a Non-Absorbing Plate With and Without Heat Losses,’’ International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow, Vol. 2, No. 1, 1980, pp. 41– 45. Sparrow, E. M., and Cess, R. D., ‘‘Effect of Magnetic Field on Free Convection Heat Transfer,’’ International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol. 3, No. 2, 1961, pp. 267– 274. Garandet, J. P., Alboussiere, T., and Moreau, R., ‘‘Buoyancy Driven Convection in a Rectangular Enclosure with a Transverse Magnetic Field,’’ International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol. 35, No. 4, 1992, pp. 741– 749. Hossain, M. A., ‘‘Viscous and Joule Heating Effect on MHD-Free Convection with Variable Plate Temperature,’’ International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol. 35, No. 12, 1992, pp. 3485– 3487. Gebhart, B., Jaluria, Y., Mahajan, R. L., and Sammakia, B., Buoyancy-Induced Flows and Transport, Hemisphere, New York, 1988, p. 914. Cooper, P. I., ‘‘Some Factors Affecting the Absorption of Solar Radiation in Solar Stills,’’ Solar Energy, Vol. 13, No. 4, 1972, pp. 373– 381. Blottner, F., ‘‘Finite Difference Methods of Solutions of the Boundary-Layer Equations,’’ AIAA Journal, Vol. 8, No. 2, 1970, pp. 193– 205.
Sea otters and benthic prey communities in Washington State

An August 1987 benthic survey of otter-free and otter-occupied areas along the outer coast of Washington State's Olympic Peninsula confirms that this area has been as profoundly influenced by sea otters as other rocky, nearshore communities studied in California, Canada, and Alaska. Prey density, size, and biomass were found to be negatively correlated with sea otter abundance, suggesting that the re-introduction of sea otters to this area in 1969–1970 has profoundly affected invertebrate prey abundance and distribution, particularly that of the red sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus franciscanus. Red urchin distribution appears to influence algal groups differently and in a manner consistent with current otter/urchin/kelp theory. Foliose red algal abundance was negatively related to urchin numbers and coralline crusts were positively correlated. Aerial photographs of Macrocystis integrifolia cover at Cape Alava suggest an increase since the introduction of sea otters. Given the present distribution of prey along the Olympic Peninsula coast, we conclude that as the sea otter population continues to grow, range expansion is more likely to occur to the north, which may also lead to possible conflicts with an increasing sea urchin fishery and Native American set net activity.
Cytokine-based therapy for metastatic renal cell cancer.

Caring for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains a challenging endeavor. The therapeutic options for treating this cancer have followed a path unique from that for other malignancies. Unlike most other cancers, RCC does not fit the paradigm of responsiveness to cytotoxic therapies. Instead, it has been the model for the development of immune-based therapies. These therapeutic biologic molecules include the cytokines such as the interleukins and interferons. Over the last two decades, practitioners have become more facile with the clinical use of cytokines for the treatment of metastatic RCC. Although the response rates to these molecules are modest, the reproducible durable remissions seen with their use underlie their therapeutic development. Their use has been examined in several clinical trials, mainly phase I and phase II. Phase III trials have also been completed or are ongoing, with the potential to answer salient therapeutic questions.
Irrelevant objects of expertise compete with faces during visual search

Prior work suggests that nonface objects of expertise can interfere with the perception of faces when the two categories are alternately presented, suggesting competition for shared perceptual resources. Here, we ask whether task-irrelevant distractors from a category of expertise compete when faces are presented in a standard visual search task. Participants searched for a target (face or sofa) in an array containing both relevant and irrelevant distractors. The number of distractors from the target category (face or sofa) remained constant, whereas the number of distractors from the irrelevant category (cars) varied. Search slopes, calculated as a function of the number of irrelevant cars, were correlated with car expertise. The effect was not due to car distractors grabbing attention, because they did not compete with sofa targets. Objects of expertise interfere with face perception even when they are task irrelevant, visually distinct, and separated in space from faces.
A Game-Theoretical Model for Task Assignment in Project Management

The assignment of tasks to employees is one of the most essential aspects of a project manager's job. A situation with employees working on tasks that they are not well-suited for can lead to a significant loss of time and resources in addition to a sub-par product or service. The simple difference between a good and bad task assignment for employees can easily result in major differences in a company's bottom line. We utilize techniques from game theory to produce an algorithm for matching employees and tasks based on manager and employee preference, employee time, and employee skills. As a result, we have created a deterministic algorithm for task assignment with built-in feedback mechanisms for measuring the health of the project group with respect to the work given.
Role of filamentous microorganisms in activated sludge foaming: relationship of mycolata levels to foaming initiation and stability.

Abstract The relationship between the levels of mycolic acid-containing actinomycetes (mycolata), Gordonia spp. and Gordonia amarae , and foam initiation and stability was characterized using: (1) batch tests involving addition of G. amarae cells to activated sludge, (2) analysis of a full-scale activated sludge plant that experienced seasonal foaming, and (3) a study of lab-scale activated sludge reactors augmented with G. amarae . Using batch tests, threshold Gordonia levels for foam formation and foam stability were determined to be approximately 2×10 8 μm ml −1 and 1×10 9 μm ml −1 , respectively. In the full-scale plant, the levels of Gordonia spp. and G. amarae increased during the course of foaming, and the foam formation threshold of 2×10 8 μm ml −1 corresponded to the onset of foaming. This value was also verified in lab-scale reactor washout experiments, where decreasing mycolata levels were observed during the course of foam dissipation. The foam stability threshold of 1×10 9 μm ml −1 was verified in lab-scale reactor studies. The increase in the levels of Gordonia spp. and G. amarae in the full-scale plant corresponded to an increase in temperature, suggesting that the growth of Gordonia spp. was favored during warmer periods.
The effect of elemental substitution on the electronic properties of Ru2Ge3

The effect of chemical substitution on the electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficients of Ru2Ge3 is reported, with a particular emphasis on enhancing the properties relevant to thermoelectric behaviour. The properties of Ru2Ge3 itself are shown to be strongly dependent on quenching temperature. The effects of metal doping for Ru and metalloid substitution (Sn and Si) for Ge are reported. It is shown that doping of both ruthenium and germanium sites is required to reduce the high resistivity of Ru2Ge3(~ 280 mΩ cm at 300 K) to a value of 1.5 mΩ cm, for Ru1.85Mn0.15Ge2.4Sn0.6 while maintaining high Seebeck coefficients. This latter composition has the highest thermoelectric figure of merit observed in this system: ZT 300 K = 1 × 10−2. Unfortunately this value is too small to be competitive with existing materials.
Interplay between theory and experiment for fission-fragment angular distributions from nuclei near the limits of stability

Abstract We examine the application of transition-state theory for fission-fragment angular distributions to composite nuclei near the limits of stability. The possible roles of saddle-point and scission-point configurations are explored. For many heavy-ion reactions that involve large angular momenta, the observed anisotropies are between the predictions of the saddle-point and scisson--point models. Empirical correlations are shown between the effective moments of inertia and the spin and Z 2 A of the compound nucleus. These correlations provide evidence for a class of transition-state nuclei intermediate between saddle- and scission-point configurations. An important indication of these patterns is that the speed of collective deformation toward fission may well be slow enough to allow for statistical equilibrium in the tilting mode even for configurations well beyond the saddle point.
BaBar drift chamber aging study

Abstract In order to obtain a reliable estimate of the lifetime of the BaBar drift chamber, a dedicated aging test chamber has been constructed. The working gas mixture is Helium/Isobutane (80/20). After accumulating up to 0.11 C/cm charge dose the anode wire showed no appreciable signs of aging, but the field wires showed a small Malter effect. At 0.2 C/cm the gas gain dropped ∼6–9% and the Malter effect reaches a more serious level. By adding ∼4000 ppm of water vapor into the gas mixture the Malter effect was virtually eliminated. Thereafter up to 0.31 C/cm the anode wire aging showed no further degradation.
Monitoring Commitments in People-Driven Service Engagements

People-driven service engagements involve communication over channels such as chat and email. Such engagements should be understood at the level of the commitments that the participants create and manipulate. Doing so provides a grounding for the communications and yields a business-level accounting of the progress of a service engagement. Existing work on commitment-based service engagements is limited to design-time model creation and verification. In contrast, we present a novel approach for capturing commitment-based engagements that are created dynamically in conversations. We monitor commitments identifying their creation, delegation, completion, or cancellation in the conversations. We have developed a prototype and evaluated it on real-world chat and email datasets. Our prototype captures commitments with a high F-measure of 90% in emails (Enron email corpus) and 80% in chats (HP IT support chat dataset) and provides promising results for capturing additional commitment operations.
Collisional successor basins of western China: Impact of tectonic inheritance on sand composition

Provenance interpretations from sandstone detrital modes are widely used as criteria for inferring tectonic settings of ancient sedimentary basins. Although global schemes of sandstone petrography generally work quite well, they fail to adequately identify the correct tectonic setting of sands of modern basins of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, northwest China, because of the complicated tectonic history of sediment-source terranes. Modern sands of the Junggar and Turpan basins are markedly litharenitic because of derivation from upper Paleozoic arc sequences that form the bedrock of the northern Tian Shan and Bogda Shan. In contrast, sands of the Tarim basin are compositionally much more varied, ranging from quartzofeldspathic to litharenitic. Tarim sands reflect derivation from plutonic and thrusted sedimentary and metamorphic terranes exposed in surrounding mountain ranges. Extrabasinal carbonate sedimentary-lithic fragments, intentionally omitted from provenance analyses by some workers, are important provenance indicators in Tarim samples. Interpreted in terms of schemes for global sandstone composition, Junggar and Turpan basin sands suggest an arc-related setting; Tarim sands suggest settings with erosional access to arc terranes, basement (for example, rifts), and sedimentary-metamorphic sequences (for example, foreland basins). Modern basins of Xinjiang, however, do not easily fit any of these tectonic settings, and composition of modern sand reflects relict source terranes rather than current tectonic setting. In fact, Xinjiang basins are difficult to fit into most basin classifications. Modern Xiujiang basins are deformed at their margins by active thrust belts, and to a lesser extent, by strike-slip faults associated with the Cenozoic Himalayan collision, and were built upon Mesozoic retroarc-foreland basins. We term the modern basins of Xinjiang "collisional successor basins" in recognition of their tectonic setting and history. The highly varied composition of Xinjiang basin sands may be typical of collisional successor basins, particularly where the tectonically accreted substrate of the basins consists of numerous and diverse small terranes.
Determinants of tactual perception of finger-drawn symbols: reappraisal.

Snmmary.-Previous investigators, most notably Krech and Crutchfield ( 1958) and Natsoulas and Dubanoski (1964), have reported finding individual differences in perception of symbols drawn by finger on the skin. Natsoulas (1966, 1967) and Yonge (1965) have presented alternative formulations of the determinants of tacmal perception of symbols. This paper analyzes some of the conceptual and methodological issues involved and presents a third formulation. Failure to find individual differences with 46 Ss in the present study supports the conclusion that individual differences previously reported can be attributed to errors occurring under conditions of ambiguity.
Reliability analysis of TMR systems on neural network

Abstract A six-neuron feed-forward recursive neural network is used to perform the reliability analysis of a Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR) digital system. The network represents the discrete-time Markov model of the TMR system with a minimal number of states. The initial conditions and the desired reliability of the TMR system after a specified period of operation are fed into the neural network. At convergence, the different weights of the neural network indicate the appropriate failure rate for the modules to be used. The obtained simulation results are verified by the classical analysis.
Photosensitizing effects of 8-methoxypsoralen on the skin of hairless mice--I. Formation of interstrand cross-links in epidermal DNA.

— The photomediated induction of interstrand cross-links by 8-methoxypsoralen has been measured in the epidermal DNA of hairless mice. Equivalent efficiencies for cross-link induction were determined for HRS/J/Anl and SKH: hairless-1 mice. A wavelength dependence on the relative efficiency of cross-link induction was observed; a broad spectrum light source, 300–400 nm, was approximately 5 times more effective in cross-link formation than a 365 nm light source. Repeated exposure to 8-methoxypsoralen followed by ultraviolet light, 5 times a week for 6 weeks, altered epidermal thickness and resulted in a decreased efficiency for DNA cross-link formation.
Strength Characteristics of Transformation‐Toughened Zirconia

Mechanisms of failure in a transformation-toughened MgO-partially-stabiltzed ZrO2 are identified using in situ observations. The observations are related to measured stress-strain curves, strengths under various loading conditions, strength degradation from surface damage, and comparative strengths and toughnesses of toughened and overaged materials. Both reversible and irreversible tetragonal-to-monoclinic transformations, as well as microcracking, are associated with nonlinear stress-strain curves. The influence of this nonlinear response on stresses produced by flexural loading is evaluated. Failure is preceded by stable growth of microcracks, resulting in R-curve behavior and damage-tolerant strength characteristics. The implications of R-curve response for strengthening and toughening characteristics are discussed.
Vandermonde matrix analysis of long-period seismograms

SUMMARY Seismograms recorded by the Global Seismic Network can be processed to obtain receiver strips for each earthquake. The receiver strips for all earthquakes can be analysed simultaneously in the time domain by using the representation in terms of exponentially decaying sinusoids (signal poles). The (time, strip) matrix is the product of two matrices, a Vandermonde matrix of signal poles and a matrix of excitation amplitudes. The shift-invariant property of Vandermonde matrices can be used to determine the signal poles (and hence the complex eigenfrequencies) and, subsequently, the excitation amplitudes. The latter provide the source vectors for each multiplet and earthquake. They can be combined with the eigenfrequencies and amplitudes to form a system of linear equations for the coupling–splitting matrices that constrain 3-D structure. In some cases multiplets whose eigenfunctions are insensible in the upper mantle are quasi-resonantly coupled to well-observed multiplets. The Vandermonde matrix analysis can often be extended to these ‘latent’ multiplets and their coupling–splitting matrices can be determined. The source vectors for each multiplet and for each earthquake are constraints on the source mechanism of the earthquake. Thus, the investigation of the earthquake mechanism can be performed independently of the investigations of aspherical structure. This separation is one of the strengths of Vandermonde matrix analysis.
Nitrogen retention after intravenous and oral administration of protein hydrolysate and native protein enterally.

SummaryIt has been observed that with the oral ingestion of native protein (Casec), there is the greatest nitrogen retention; with the protein hydrolysate enterally there is less nitrogen retention; and with protein hydrolysate intravenously there is least nitrogen retention.
The co-existence of geriatric depression and amnestic mild cognitive impairment detrimentally affect gray matter volumes: Voxel-based morphometry study

While late-life depression (LLD) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), alone and in combination, is associated with an increased risk of incident Alzheimer's disease (AD), the neurobiological mechanisms of this link are unclear. We examined the main and interactive effects of LLD and aMCI on the gray matter (GM) volumes in 72 physically healthy participants aged 60 and older. Participants were separated into normal controls, cognitively normal depressed, non-depressed aMCI, and depressed aMCI groups. Optimized voxel-based morphometry estimated GM volumes. The main and interactive effects of LLD and aMCI, and of depressive symptoms and episodic memory deficits on the GM volumes were analyzed. While decreased GM volumes in the mood regulating circuitry structures were associated with depression, GM atrophy in regions essential for various cognitive performance were related to aMCI. LLD-aMCI interactions were associated with widespread subcortical and cortical GM volume loss of brain structures implicated in AD. The interactions between episodic memory deficits and depressive symptom severity are associated with volume loss in right inferior frontal gyrus/anterior insula and left medial frontal gyrus clusters. Our findings suggest that the co-existence of these clinical phenotypes is a potential marker for higher risk of AD.
Mechanism of light emission in low energy ion implanted silicon

Abstract A silicon wafer implanted with a single low energy (42 keV) silicon ion beam results in strong luminescence at room temperature. The implantation results in the formation of various luminescent defect centers within the crystalline and polymorphous regions of the wafer. The resulting luminescence centers (LC) are mapped using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM). The emission from the ion-implanted wafer shows multiple PL peaks ranging from the UV to the visible; these emissions originate from bound excitonic states in crystal defects and interfacial states between crystalline/amorphous silicon and impurities within the wafer. The LCs are created from defects and impurities within the wafer and not from nanoparticles.
A Multi-Criteria Receiver-Side Relay Election Approach in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

Traditional purely greedy forwarding in wireless ad hoc networks is not optimal in most practical settings where perfect-reception-within-range cannot be assumed. Although a few link-aware routing schemes have been reported, the tradeoffs between greediness and link quality have not been studied. In this paper, we take a multi-criteria based receiver-side relay election approach in wireless multi-hop forwarding, where a single optimal node is elected among many candidates to relay packets toward the final destination. We introduce a general cost metric in the form of a multi-parameter mapping function, that aggregates all decision criteria into a single virtual criterion to rank potential relay candidates. We show that a suitable mapping function can be found, which trades off greediness for link quality to obtain optimal end-to-end network performance. Compared with the previously reported link-aware forwarding schemes, our results show a better energy performance and a substantial improvement in end-to-end delay
Intercultural personhood: Globalization and a way of being☆

Abstract This theoretical essay makes a case for “intercultural personhood” as a viable model for human development in today's increasingly integrated world. Critiquing the largely static, monolithic, and value-laden perspective on cultural identity prevalent in social science literature, the author emphasizes the complex and evolving nature of identity. The term, intercultural identity, is employed as a counterpoint to, and as an extension of, cultural identity, and as a concept that represents the phenomenon of identity adaptation and transformation beyond the perimeters of the conventional, categorical conception of cultural identity. The stress–adaptation–growth dynamic in the author's integrative theory of cross-cultural adaptation provides a systemic account for the identity development process as the interplay of acculturation and deculturation. The author argues that, through prolonged and cumulative intercultural communication experiences, individuals around the world can, and do, undergo a gradual process of intercultural evolution. The emerging intercultural personhood is characterized by two interrelated key patterns in self-other orientation: individuation and universalization. Empirical evidence for this theoretical argument is offered through some of the pertinent research findings as well as case illustrations based on publicly available personal testimonials and biographic narratives.
The nymph of Hugenulodes Ulmer (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae)*

Synopsis The previously unknown nymph of Hagenulodes braueri Ulmer is described, and the relationships and probable origin of the monotypic genus Hagenidodes are discussed.
Third World indebted industrialization: international finance and state capitalism in Mexico, Brazil, Algeria, and South Korea

The past fifteen years have seen two important developments in the international economic system: the rapid industrialization of many less developed countries (LDCs) and their increasing indebtedness to private financial institutions. Massive bank loans have been used to fund industrial growth in many LDCs; international financial markets have replaced multinational corporations as the Third World's most important source of private foreign capital. In four major borrowing countries—Mexico, Brazil, Algeria, and South Korea—the process of indebted industrialization has its roots in the internationalization of finance, the increasing role of the state, and the use of funds raised on the international capital markets to finance industrial development. The results include rapid expansions of LDC industrial production and LDC exports of manufactured products, as well as the formation of an implicit partnership between private financial institutions and state-capitalist elites in the Third World.
Endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage for closure of calculous gallbladder perforation and cholecystoduodenal fistula.

VOLUME 56, NO. 5, 2002 GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY 753 Current affiliations: Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Surgery, Division of Gastroenterologic and General Surgery, and Department of Radiology, Division of Interventional Radiology, Mayo Medical Center, Rochester, Minnesota. Reprint requests: Todd H. Baron, MD, FACP, 13400 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85259. Copyright © 2002 by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 0016-5107/2002/$35.00 + 0 37/4/129217 doi:10.1067/mge.2002.129217 noted. A 10F stent was placed across the stricture into the intrahepatic biliary system, after which the jaundice resolved. Abdominal CT was normal. The patient remained well for 4 weeks but then presented with recurrent right upper quadrant pain, fever, and leukocytosis with normal biochemical parameters of liver function, and he was referred to our institution. Abdominal CT revealed new, marked bowel wall thickening of the proximal and mid portions of the duodenum, as well as thickening of gastric antrum and pylorus. Extensive stranding was seen in the mesenteric fat around the proximal duodenum and gallbladder fossa; the gallbladder wall was thickened with a new adjacent fluid collection. There was a suggestion of a small connection between the gallbladder and duodenal lumen. Radiographic study of the upper GI tract with water-soluble contrast revealed an edematous duodenum without evidence of perforation or fistula. ERCP was repeated because of suspected gallbladder perforation. The previously placed biliary stent was Figure 1. Retrograde cholangiogram showing endoscopically placed biliary catheter in gallbladder (GB). Note markedly irregular contour of gallbladder with extravasation of contrast into fluid collection identified on CT. Endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage for closure of calculous gallbladder perforation and cholecystoduodenal fistula
Estimation of the Frequency-Dependent Average Dielectric Properties of Breast Tissue Using a Time-Domain Inverse Scattering Technique

Ultrawideband (UWB) microwave radar imaging techniques for breast cancer detection typically require estimates of the spatially averaged dielectric properties of breast tissue. We propose an algorithm for estimating patient-specific, frequency-dependent average dielectric properties from scattered UWB microwave signals. The algorithm is a variation of an iterative finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) technique for solving the time-domain inverse scattering problem. The assumption is made that the breast consists of two homogeneous regions: skin and underlying tissue. This two-medium geometry results in an inverse scattering problem that is not as ill-posed as those typically encountered in microwave tomography because the number of unknowns being sought is very small. We test the performance of the algorithm on data simulated using anatomically realistic 2-D numerical breast phantoms
Optical inspection method of lead frame using mathematical morphology

Lead Frame is a core part of semiconductor IC and is used as a conductor to transmit electrical signal. In this study, an inspection system was developed that has utilized linear cameras and a method has been proposed for an automated inspection of LF. Mathematical morphology has been employed for the inspection. A modified thinning algorithm was proposed and has been used to make a master pattern of LF. The proposed method follows three steps to evaluate the quality of product. It is the first step to place the master on an object image precisely. Those have abnormal gray values in the object, are extracted as defective candidates. The last work is to evaluate the candidates according to a heuristic rule of decision. The proposed method has shown a good efficiency for the inspection of LF> It has been possible to find defect in a fast way and given minimal misjudgement. The proposed method is also efficient in inspecting etched products e.g. PCB and tape μBGA.
Disability and Humanitarianism in Refugee Camps: the case for a travelling supranational disability praxis

Abstract There are an estimated 43.3 million forcibly displaced people around the world, many of whom live in refugee or internally displaced camps. These camps are disproportionately congregated in the developing world, making them a prevalent, yet often overlooked landscape in the global South. Among the scores of refugees living in refugee camps is a large number of people with disabilities. This article provides an overview of humanitarian practices and their guiding philosophies and how these address disability issues within the context of refugee camps. Examples of grassroots initiatives related to disability rights and disability inclusion within refugee camp settings are also provided. Using these examples, the paper makes the argument that refugee camps offer fertile grounds for the diffusion of a community-engaged, grassroots disability praxis across the humanitarian field and beyond.