cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social Security Reform: Should the Retirement Age Be Increased?

In 2010, increasing the retirement age became a focal point of Social Security reform proposals. In a controversial move, President Obama's bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform recommended increasing the full retirement age from 67 to 69 and the age at which benefits could first be claimed from 62 to 64. Both ages would be indexed to increases in longevity so further increases would be possible. This article is a comprehensive analysis of the issues surrounding the retirement age provisions in the Social Security Act. It considers the four statutory age-related factors affecting benefits: (1) the full retirement age (FRA), (2) the early eligibility age (EEA), (3) the retirement earnings test, and (4) the delayed retirement credit. The principal arguments (both for and against an increase) are analyzed to the degree to which each achieves the goals of the Social Security Act. The article reviews the literature on relevant issues including longevity rates, poverty rates, capacity to work among the elderly, labor force participation among older workers, deficit reduction, and retirement income. The article concludes that while most American workers have the capacity to absorb the impact of an increase in the full retirement age, the principal benefit of a deficit reduction could be achieved through alternative reforms, such an increase in the cap on taxable income, a change in COLA calculations and diversification of the Trust Fund. The article does, however, endorse an increase in the early eligibility age from 62 to 64. While this reform would not seriously improve the long-term deficit, it would likely keep workers in the labor force longer and increase general tax revenues. Keeping workers in the labor force is a principal goal of the Social Security system; yet it contains many disincentives to delay retirement. Behavioral economics helps inform the importance of this measure given that people sacrifice long term economic goals for short-term gains. Raising the early eligibility age by two years will make it necessary for most workers to stay in the labor force longer, thereby increasing their potential benefits and increasing their eventual retirement income. In order to soften the impact on workers engaged in psychically demanding labor, this article agrees with the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform recommendation on a hardship exception to an increase in the EEA for workers who do not qualify for disability but lack the physical capacity to work past 62. Finally, the article recommends a series of additional reforms to provide incentives to stay in the labor force. These include eliminating the retirement earnings test, increasing the delayed retirement credit, and reducing payroll taxes for older workers.
The De-Emphasis on Social Studies in Elementary Schools: Teacher Candidate Perspective

The de-valuing of social studies is becoming prevalent as schools shift emphasis to other subjects addressing national and state accountability. The teacher candidate perspective is presented from an original study regarding the de-emphasis of social studies in elementary schools (Author, et al, 2006). Data were gathered by teacher candidates during their clinical experiences, from five teacher preparation programs in North Carolina. Teacher candidates recognized difficulty in finding instructional time for the entire curriculum, conveyed social studies is de-valued in the elementary curriculum, stated integration is important to social studies instruction, and recognized it is their responsibility social studies is taught.
State influences on ventral medullary surface and physiological responses to sodium cyanide challenges

Intravenous sodium cyanide (NaCN) administration lowers ventral medullary surface (VMS) activity in anesthetized cats. Sleep states modify spontaneous and blood pressure-evoked VMS activity and may...
Physical therapy refresher courses: A follow‐up of participants

Refresher courses have emerged as a particular kind of continuing education activity designed to help professionals who are, or who perceive themselves to be, out of the mainstream of practice. This project surveyed individuals who had completed a two-week physical therapy refresher course. The purposes were 1) to identify the primary motivation for enrolling in a refresher course, 2) to describe the demographic characteristics of participants, and 3) to determine the effect of the refresher course on participants' professional activities. Seventy-five percent of respondents took the course to refresh or update their knowledge of physical therapy. The remaining twenty-five percent were interested in preparing to take the licensure examination. Participants were primarily female, in their early forties. Of 39 individuals taking the licensure examination, 31 became licensed physical therapists following completion of the refresher course. While half of the respondents were working prior to the course, more than three-fourths were working at the time of the survey. Ninety-six percent of the respondents reported that the refresher course was worthwhile. Refresher courses may therefore be one option for helping to meet the need for adequate numbers of well-qualified health professionals, especially in those fields with acute manpower shortages.
Spatial filtering technique to image and measure two-dimensional near-forward scattering from single particles

This work describes the design and use of an optical apparatus to measure the far-field elastic light-scattering pattern for a single particle over two angular-dimensions. A spatial filter composed of a mirror with a small through-hole is used to enable collection of the pattern uncommonly close to the forward direction; to within tenths of a degree. Minor modifications of the design allow for the simultaneous measurement of a particle’s image along with its two-dimensional scattering pattern. Example measurements are presented involving single micrometer-sized glass spherical particles confined in an electrodynamic trap and a dilute suspension of polystyrene latex particles in water. A small forward-angle technique, called Guinier analysis, is used to determine a particle-size estimate directly from the measured pattern without a priori knowledge of the particle refractive index. Comparison of these size estimates to those obtained by fitting the measurements to Mie theory reveals relative errors as low as 2%.
Physical processes around a cuspate foreland:: implications to the evolution and long-term maintenance of a cape-associated shoal

Abstract Understanding across-margin transport has long been recognized as crucial for wise management of our coastline and shelf waters. Issues related to sewage outfalls, nutrient and pollutant dispersal, carbon export, and shoreline sediment budgets all require an understanding of these processes. Across-margin transport of water and sediment at cuspate foreland headlands has been largely unrecognized, and the processes responsible for this export unappreciated. We examined physical process on Cape Lookout Shoal, a cape-associated shoal on the North Carolina continental shelf, through numerical modeling and field observations of near-bottom currents. The cuspate foreland setting of the northern South Atlantic Bight has been previously characterized as wave-dominated with a principal alongshore directed sediment transport and physical circulation forced by wave and wind-driven currents along the inner and mid-shelf. Our findings instead suggest that a seaward-directed, tidal-driven headland flow many play a significant role in the direction of net sediment transport on the shoal and ultimately its location and long-term maintenance. The shoal's location relative to the promontory-induced residual eddies and the region of active deposition differs from traditionally held ideas on sedimentary processes at headland-related sand banks. In addition, the headland flows may also serve as a first-order mechanism for rapidly exporting nearshore and estuarine waters to the outer-shelf.
The conformation of hepatitis C virus NS3 proteinase with and without NS4A: a structural basis for the activation of the enzyme by its cofactor.

Abstract Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 proteinase activity is required for the release of HCV nonstructural proteins and is thus a potential antiviral target. The enzyme requires a protein cofactor NS4A, located downstream of NS3 on the polyprotein, for activation and efficient processing. Objectives: Comparison of the proteinase three-dimensional structure before and after NS4A binding should help to elucidate the mechanism of NS4A-dependent enzyme activation. Study design: We determined the crystal structure of NS3 proteinase of HCV BK isolate (genotype 1b; residues 1–189) and also the crystal structure of this proteinase complexed with HCV BK-NS4A (residues 21–34). Results: The core region (residues 30–178) of the enzyme without cofactor (NS3P) or with bound cofactor (NS3P/4A) is folded into a trypsin-like conformation and the substrate P1 specificity pocket is essentially unchanged. However, the D1-E1 β-loop shifts away from the cofactor binding site in NS3P/4A relative to NS3P, thereby accommodating NS4A. One result is that catalytic residues His-57 and Asp-81 move closer to Ser-139 and their sidechains adopt more ‘traditional’ (trypsin-like) orientation. The N-terminus (residues 1–30), while extended in NS3P, is folded into an α-helix and β-strand that cover the bound cofactor of NS3P/4A. A new substrate-binding surface is formed from both the refolded N-terminus and NS4A, potentially affecting substrate residues immediately downstream of the cleavage site. Conclusions: Direct comparison of the crystal structures of NS3P and NS3P/4A shows that the binding of NS4A improves the anchoring and orientation of the enzyme's catalytic triad. This is consistent with the enhancement of NS3P's weak residual activity upon NS4A binding. There is also significant refolding of the enzyme's N-terminus which provides new interactions with P′-side substrate residues. The binding surface for P′-side substrate residues, including the P1 specificity pocket, changes little after NS4A binding. In summary, we observe a structural basis for improved substrate turnover and affinity that follows complexation of NS3P with its NS4A cofactor.
Non-Fermi-liquid behavior in neutral bilayer graphene

We calculate the density-density response function and electron self-energy for undoped bilayer graphene within the random phase approximation. We show that the quasiparticle decay rate scales linearly with the quasiparticle energy, and quasiparticle weight vanishes logarithmically in the low-energy limit, indicating non-Fermi-liquid behavior. This is a consequence of the absence of a Fermi surface for neutral bilayer graphene and corresponding larger phase space available for scattering processes. Experimental consequences of our results as well as their differences from those of single-layer graphene are discussed.
CMOS Integrated Nanophotonics for future computing systems

CMOS Integrated Nanophotonics allows ultra-dense monolithic single-chip integration of optical and electrical functions. This technology can enable future Exaflops supercomputers by connecting racks, modules, and chips together with ultra-low power massively parallel optical interconnects.
Maximizing serendipity: strategies for identifying ligands for orphan G-protein-coupled receptors

Abstract G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent the largest family of cell-surface receptors within the human genome, and historically these have been a rich source of targets for small-molecule modulation and therapeutic intervention. As a result of genome closure, numerous novel GPCRs that have unknown ligands and function were identified, and termed ‘orphans’. These are considered potential new targets for drug discovery, and many companies have been focusing on ligand identification using high-throughput functional assays in the quest to discover a tool to further probe the pathophysiolgical role of these new receptors. In the past five years, approximately 50 receptors have been ligand-paired, although putative functions have only been described for the minority. The number of new small-molecule modulators that ultimately make it to the market will measure the success of this initiative.
Light-sensitive lipid-based nanoparticles for drug delivery: design principles and future considerations for biological applications

AbstractRadiation-based therapies aided by nanoparticles have been developed for decades, and can be primarily categorized into two main platforms. First, delivery of payload of photo-reactive drugs (photosensitizers) using the conventional nanoparticles, and second, design and development of photo-triggerable nanoparticles (primarily liposomes) to attain light-assisted on-demand drug delivery. The main focus of this review is to provide an update of the history, current status and future applications of photo-triggerable lipid-based nanoparticles (light-sensitive liposomes). We will begin with a brief overview on the applications of liposomes for delivery of photosensitizers, including the choice of photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy, as well as the currently available light sources (lasers) used for these applications. The main segment of this review will encompass the details of strategies used to develop photo-triggerable liposomes for their drug delivery function. The principles underlying the...
Conservative surgery and radiation in the treatment of synchronous ipsilateral breast cancers.

Background. Conservative surgery (CS) and radiation therapy (RT) as an alternative to mastectomy is controversial in patients with two or more lesions in the same breast. The authors reviewed their experience with CS and RT in the management of patients with synchronous ipsilateral breast cancer (SIBC). Methods. Of 1060 patients treated with CS and RT at the authors' facilities before December 1988, 13 (1.2%) presented with SIBC. All lesions were identified macroscopically and confirmed microscopically as carcinoma. After excision, patients were treated with radiation to the breast for a median tumor bed dose of 65 Gy, and regional lymphatics were treated as clinically indicated to a median dose of 48 Gy. These cases were retrospectively reviewed. Results. As of February 1992, with a median follow-up of 71 months, the 5-year actuarial survival rate of the 13 patients was 81%. Three of the 13 (23%) had an ipsilateral breast recurrence, resulting in a 72-month actuarial breast recurrence rate of 25%, compared with a rate of 12% in our singular lesion population. Two of these patients remain alive, no evidence of disease at 135 and 93 months after diagnosis. The third patient had chest wall progression and died with metastatic disease at 64 months. Invasive lobular histology and three separate lesions were identified in two of the three patients with subsequent local recurrence. Conclusions. The local recurrence rate in conservatively treated patients with SIBC is greater than that seen in patients with single lesions, but because of the small sample size, significant conclusions are not possible. Although the data are limited on this subject, these results support consideration of CS and RT as an option in the management of selected patients who favor a breast conservation management approach. Cancer 1993; 72:137–42.
A new paradigm for real-time database management

Summary form only given. The AP is SIMD architecture, as described in my companion abstract "3D Real-time Database". However, because any RTDB system requires high speed I/O, the AP has a multidimensional access memory (MDA) that implements the required I/O performance. Many other SIMD machines developed over the past years could not provide adequate I/O for the RTDB requirements. The AP can realize very high-speed performance in the execution of DB transactions because it implements a content addressable memory. The AP, a set processor, executes an operation over a set of data with one instruction. Because of this capability, most transactions are implemented in a single instruction stream that is executed once. The MP, on the other hand, must execute many instructions that move data from "common memory" to processors then execute operations on the individual processors and return results to "common memory". For some operations, like update a set of radar tracks, the AP performance can be in the order of 1,000 times faster than the MP.
Architecture-aware graph repartitioning for data-intensive scientific computing

Graph partitioning and repartitioning have been widely used by scientists to parallelize compute- and dataintensive simulations. However, existing graph (re)partitioning algorithms usually assume homogeneous communication costs among partitions, which contradicts the increasing heterogeneity in inter-core communication in modern parallel architectures and is further exacerbated by increasing dataset sizes (i.e., Big Data). To resolve this, we propose an architecture-aware graph repartitioner, called AragonLB. AragonLB considers the heterogeneity in both inter- and intra-node communication while rebalancing the load. Our experimental study with a turbulent combustion simulation dataset shows that AragonLB can result in up to 60% improvement against existing architecture-agnostic graph repartitioners (which assume uniform communication costs among partitions), and the improvement becomes more significant as the number of computation steps, the number of partitions, or the size of the interconnect increase.
Host Phylogeny Constrains Cross-Species Emergence and Establishment of Rabies Virus in Bats

For RNA viruses, rapid viral evolution and the biological similarity of closely related host species have been proposed as key determinants of the occurrence and long-term outcome of cross-species transmission. Using a data set of hundreds of rabies viruses sampled from 23 North American bat species, we present a general framework to quantify per capita rates of cross-species transmission and reconstruct historical patterns of viral establishment in new host species using molecular sequence data. These estimates demonstrate diminishing frequencies of both cross-species transmission and host shifts with increasing phylogenetic distance between bat species. Evolutionary constraints on viral host range indicate that host species barriers may trump the intrinsic mutability of RNA viruses in determining the fate of emerging host-virus interactions.
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) dosimetry of the head and neck: A comparison of treatment plans using linear accelerator–based IMRT and helical tomotherapy

Purpose: To date, most intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) delivery has occurred using linear accelerators (linacs), although helical tomotherapy has become commercially available. To quantify the dosimetric difference, we compared linac-based and helical tomotherapy–based treatment plans for IMRT of the oropharynx. Methods and Materials: We compared the dosimetry findings of 10 patients who had oropharyngeal carcinoma. Five patients each had cancers in the base of the tongue and tonsil. Each plan was independently optimized using either the CORVUS planning system (Nomos Corporation, Sewickly, PA), commissioned for a Varian 2300 CD linear accelerator (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA) with 1-cm multileaf collimator leaves, or helical tomotherapy. The resulting treatment plans were evaluated by comparing the dose–volume histograms, equivalent uniform dose (EUD), dose uniformity, and normal tissue complication probabilities. Results: Helical tomotherapy plans showed improvement of critical structure avoidance and target dose uniformity for all patients. The average equivalent uniform dose reduction for organs at risk (OARs) surrounding the base of tongue and the tonsil were 17.4% and 27.14% respectively. An 80% reduction in normal tissue complication probabilities for the parotid glands was observed in the tomotherapy plans relative to the linac-based plans. The standard deviation of the planning target volume dose was reduced by 71%. In our clinic, we use the combined dose–volume histograms for each class of plans as a reference goal for helical tomotherapy treatment planning optimization. Conclusions: Helical tomotherapy provides improved dose homogeneity and normal structure dose compared with linac-based IMRT in the treatment of oropharyngeal carcinoma resulting in a reduced risk for complications from focal hotspots within the planning target volume and for the adjacent parotid glands.
Design of a Novel Mobility Interface for Infants on a Mobile Robot by Kicking

Many infants with special needs, such as with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and autism have delayed independent mobility due to weak musculature and/or poor coordination. Children with mobility impairments often do not use powered chairs until the age of five, as per current medical practice. Consequently, these children spend considerably less time moving independently around in their environment compared with typically developing children of the same age. Lack of independent mobility may result in delays in their cognitive, perceptual, social, and emotional development, which are well correlated with locomotion. This paper describes a novel mobility interface for the robot to explore the environment when infants are placed in a prone position. Infants can maneuver the robot through a drive interface that utilizes a camera to detect the motion of markers attached to their legs. We expect that infants will learn to drive the device by swinging their legs. Specifically, this paper demonstrates feasibility of this drive interface using data from two infants. Future studies will determine how infants can be trained to drive a robot purposefully and how such self-generated locomotion affects their long-term development. DOI: 10.1115/1.4002322
Studies of the digestion of bradykinin, lysyl bradykinin, and kinin-degradation products by carboxypeptidases A, B, and N

We have compared the digestion of bradykinin, lysyl bradykinin, and kinin degradation products by carboxypeptidases N, B and A (CPN, CPB and CPA). Carboxypeptidase N removed the C-terminal arginine from bradykinin or lysyl bradykinin to leave the des-Arg derivative of each, and no further degradation occurred regardless of enzyme concentration or time of incubation. However, both CPB and CPA degraded the des-Arg derivatives to remove the C-terminal phenylalanine. The inhibitory effect of phosphate ions upon this activity of CPB (but not CPA) suggests that CPA may be responsible for the formation of free phenylalanine seen upon degradation of kinins in plasma or serum. However, angiotensin converting enzyme degraded des-Arg9-bradykinin in plasma or serum prior to such Phe removal to yield the pentapeptide Arg-Pro-Pro-Gly-Phe and the tripeptide Ser-Pro-Phe. We demonstrated that CPB degraded Arg-Pro-Pro-Gly-Phe but not Ser-Pro-Phe; this reaction was also inhibited by phosphate ions. Carboxypeptidase A, on the other hand, liberated Phe from both peptides in phosphate-buffered saline and accounted, at least in part, for the free phenylalanine detected. Carboxypeptidase N did not digest the aforementioned pentapeptide or tripeptide. It is clear that carboxypeptidase B and carboxypeptidase A had overlapping activities, depending upon the substrate tested, and were distinguished by the effects of different ionic environments. We further suggest a role for carboxypeptidases other than CPN in the degradation of kinins in human plasma or serum.
RECLAIMING THE POWER: LITERATE IDENTITIES OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS: AN INTRODUCTION

“Not all knowledge is taught in the same school” (Puku'i, 1983). Becoming a literate person is a multidimensional, complex process. Springing from the language and culture of home and community, ea...
Copper-catalyzed thermal aggregation of human gamma-globulin. Inhibition by histidine, gold thiomalate, and penicillamine.

Gold thiomalate (40 μM), penicillamine (40 μM), and histidine (20 μM) inhibit the copper-catalyzed (20 μM) thermal aggregation of human gamma globulin (0.8 mg/ml). At these concentrations, inhibition of gamma globulin aggregation was 87%, 96%, and 99% complete. This effect may be related to the reported suppressive effect of these agents in rheumatoid arthritis and adds support to the hypothesis that the hypohistidinemia of rheumatoid arthritis participates in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Analogs of Gro¨bner bases in polynomial rings over a ring

Abstract In this paper we will define analogs of Grobner bases for R -subalgebras and their ideals in a polynomial ring R [ x 1 ,..., x n ] where R is a noetherian integral domain with multiplicative identity and in which we can determine ideal membership and compute syzygies.The main goal is to present and verify algorithms for constructing these Grobner basis counterparts.As an application, we will produce a method for computing generators for the first syzygy module of a subset of an R [ x 1 ,..., x n ] where each coordinate of each syzygy must be an element of the subalgebra.
Influencing turbo compressor efficiency in large refrigeration cycles

Abstract When used in large scale refrigeration duties, economic considerations dictate the turbo compressors should have the highest possible energy efficiency, even if this adds significantly to the capital cost. Illustrations are given of machines compressing propane, propylene and fluorocarbons in the power range around 10 000 kW. The design process is traced through the fluid-dynamic phase to the thermodynamic stage and finally to mechanical design. The effect on compressor efficiency of the various main components, such as the impellers, guide vanes, diffusers and volutes, is discussed.
Three-step H − charge exchange injection with a narrow-band laser

This paper presents a scheme for three-step laser-based stripping of an ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ beam for charge exchange injection into a high-intensity proton ring. First, ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ atoms are converted to ${\mathrm{H}}^{0}$ by Lorentz stripping in a strong magnetic field, then neutral hydrogen atoms are excited from the ground state to upper levels by a laser, and the remaining electron, now more weakly bound, is stripped in a strong magnetic field. The energy spread of the beam particles gives rise to a Doppler broadened absorption linewidth, which makes for an inefficient population of the upper state by a narrow-band laser. We propose to overcome this limitation with a ``frequency sweeping'' arrangement, which populates the upper state with almost 100% efficiency. We present estimates of peak laser power and describe a method to reduce the power by tailoring the dispersion function at the laser-particle beam interaction point. We present a scheme for reducing the average power requirements by using an optical ring resonator. Finally, we discuss an experimental setup to demonstrate this approach in a proof-of-principle experiment.
Combination gemcitabine, platinum, and bevacizumab for the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer

Abstract Objective To describe the response rate (RR), progression-free survival (PFS), and toxicity profile of combination gemcitabine, platinum, and bevacizumab (GPB) for the treatment of recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods A chart review of all patients with recurrent EOC who were treated with D1, D15 GPB in a 28-day cycle at a single institution was performed. Standard doses were gemcitabine 1000 mg/m 2 , cisplatin 30 mg/m 2 or carboplatin AUC 3, and bevacizumab 10 mg/kg. All patients were analyzed for toxicity. RR and PFS were assessed in all patients who received at least 2 cycles of GPB. Results Thirty-five patients were identified, and 33 received at least 2 cycles of GPB. The majority of patients (80%) were platinum sensitive. Patients received a median of 6 cycles of GPB (range 1–24). Sixteen patients (48%) had a complete response (CR), and 10 patients (30%) had a partial response (PR), for a total RR of 78%. An additional 5 patients (15%) had stable disease, and only 2 (6%) patients had progressive disease. The median overall PFS was 12 months (95% CI 7–15), with a median follow-up time of 10 months (2–22). Two patients (6%) had bowel perforations, and both survived. Hematologic toxicities were most common, with 29% and 14% of patients experiencing grade 3 or 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia respectively. Conclusions The combination of GPB demonstrated excellent efficacy for the treatment of recurrent EOC. However, serious toxicities occurred, and the safety profile of this combination requires further study.
Double-Lumen Flotation Catheter for Use in Complex Congenital Cardiac Anomalies

The use of the Swan-Ganz flow-directed right heart catheter should be a considerable aid in obtaining diagnostic information in complex congenital heart disease. It is safe and requires little technical expertise. Its use should decrease considerably the amount of radiation exposure to both patient and operator.
The limits to pride: A test of the pro-anorexia hypothesis.

ABSTRACTMany social psychological models propose that positive self-conceptions promote self-esteem. An extreme version of this hypothesis is advanced in “pro-anorexia” communities: identifying with anorexia, in conjunction with disordered eating, can lead to higher self-esteem. The current study empirically tested this hypothesis. Results challenge the pro-anorexia hypothesis. Although those with higher levels of pro-anorexia identification trended towards higher self-esteem with increased disordered eating, this did not overcome the strong negative main effect of pro-anorexia identification. These data suggest a more effective strategy for promoting self-esteem is to encourage rejection of disordered eating and an anorexic identity.
Surface flow visualization using the thermal wakes of small heated spots

This note describes a surface flow visualization technique which uses the thermal wakes of an array of small heated spots to infer the local flow direction. The thermal wake is made visible using wide band thermochromic liquid crystals. The technique is illustrated using the endwall flow under a horseshoe vortex at the base of a right circular cylinder in a turbulent boundary layer. Comparisons to results generated using the oil of wintergreen technique were in good agreement. In addition to surface flow direction, the technique has the potential to be used to measure the heat transfer coefficient at each spot. Data are presented in terms of photographs of the actual visualization surface. The techniques is suitable for low speed flows.
Transitioning ISR architecture into the cloud

Emerging cloud computing platforms offer an ideal opportunity for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) intelligence analysis. Cloud computing platforms help overcome challenges and limitations of traditional ISR architectures. Modern ISR architectures can benefit from examining commercial cloud applications, especially as they relate to user experience, usage profiling, and transformational business models. This paper outlines legacy ISR architectures and their limitations, presents an overview of cloud technologies and their applications to the ISR intelligence mission, and presents an idealized ISR architecture implemented with cloud computing.
Silicon-micromachined spacers for UHF cavity resonators

This paper reports on a novel hybrid integration concept that enables the realization of high-quality (Q) factor, low-frequency coaxial cavity resonators with well-defined capacitive-loading and variable center frequency. It is based on a silicon-micromachined spacer that is mounted on top of a conventional CNC-machined metallic cavity to functionalize the resonator's capacitance. For the first time, it is demonstrated that low-frequency resonators with micrometer-scale gaps (10s of microns), relatively large Q-factor (459–505) and tunable response (18.5%) can be constructed without the need for post-fabrication tuning. To demonstrate these benefits, a resonator assembly was designed, built and experimentally tested at the UHF band and for a frequency tuning range between 1424-1711 MHz.
Etiological factors in periodontal disease.

Abstract I have attempted to deal with the etiology of periodontal disease as a whole because of the apparent uniformity of its infective phase, which seems to be one indispensable factor in the production of its several lesions and symptoms. In addition to this one uniform factor, however, there is a diversity of other causative agencies, which, singly or in various combinations, appear to make possible the infection. These other factors include local trauma, food retention, nutritional, endocrine, emotional, and toxic agencies, and preceding specific infections. None of these factors seems to operate by itself. Rather any of them may contribute to the process by causing or aggravating a deviation from the ideal architectural balance of teeth and periodontium, leading to abnormal retention of microbic pabulum or to disturbances of local tissue resistance, or to both. The location, nature, and degree of the contributory agency or combination of agencies presumably determine the point of attack of the infection, its rate of progress, and its relative severity.
Understanding Breivik and Sandy Hook: sin and sickness?

In a recent issue of World Psychiatry 1, I. Melle attempted to make sense of the case of Anders Breivik, the Norwegian convicted of killing 77 people in 2012. Sadly, in the same year, Adam Lanza stormed Sandy Hook elementary school in Connecticut and killed 26 people, including 20 children.
A financial thermometer for lean operations

Synergy is a frequently used word that's not so easy to define. It's more than two or more people or ideas getting along; it's when some particular combination equals more than the sum of the parts—for example, when 1 + 1 = 3 ( or even more). This article describes how the principles of lean manufacturing on the one hand and time-driven activity-based costing on the other can combine to create synergy in organizations. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Security with privacy - A research agenda

Data is one of the most valuable assets for organization. It can facilitate users or organizations to meet their diverse goals, ranging from scientific advances to business intelligence. Due to the tremendous growth of data, the notion of big data has certainly gained momentum in recent years. Cloud computing is a key technology for storing, managing and analyzing big data. However, such large, complex, and growing data, typically collected from various data sources, such as sensors and social media, can often contain personally identifiable information (PII) and thus the organizations collecting the big data may want to protect their outsourced data from the cloud. In this paper, we survey our research towards development of efficient and effective privacy-enhancing (PE) techniques for management and analysis of big data in cloud computing.We propose our initial approaches to address two important PE applications: (i) privacy-preserving data management and (ii) privacy-preserving data analysis under the cloud environment. Additionally, we point out research issues that still need to be addressed to develop comprehensive solutions to the problem of effective and efficient privacy-preserving use of data.
REVERSED RESIDUALS IN AUTOREGRESSIVE TIME SERIES ANALYSIS

. Both linear and non-linear time series can have directional features which can be used to enhance the modelling and investigation of linear or non-linear autoregressive statistical models. For this purpose, reversed pth-order residuals are introduced. Cross-correlations of residuals and squared reversed residuals allow extensions of current model identification ideas. Quadratic types of partial autocorrelation functions are introduced to assess dependence associated with non-linear models which nevertheless have linear autoregressive correlation structures. The use of these residuals and their cross-correlation functions is exemplified empirically on some deseasonalized river flow data for which a first-order autoregressive model is a satisfactory second-order fit. Parallel theoretical computations are undertaken for the non-linear first-order random coefficient autoregressive model and comparisons are made. While the data are shown to be strongly non-linear, their correlational signatures are found to be convincingly different from those of a first-order autoregressive model with random coefficients.
Genital white piedra: epidemiology, microbiology, and therapy

The epidemiology of genital white piedra was investigated in 166 young men with a variety of genital complaints. Trichosporon beigelii was isolated from sixty-six (40%) of the cultured scrotal hairs. Infection was more common among black patients—54% of those examined, compared to 16% of white patients and 30% of "others" (p T. beigelii and Corynebacterium concurrently infecting genital hair shafts. Eradication of infection was extremely difficult, despite in vitro sensitivity to antifungal agents. Spontaneous remissions occurred, however, in some patients.
SU‐FF‐T‐13: Clinical Use of Multi‐Lumen Catheter for Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of using multi‐lumen balloon brachytherapy for early‐stage breast cancer.Method and Materials: Five patients treated with HDR brachytherapy using the Contura™ applicator (SenoRx,Inc.) were investigated in this study. Patients were underwent CT scanning with 2mm/2mm cut. The inverse planning optimization was used for the plan using multi‐lumen catheter. A single dwell at central channel was applied to simulate the plan applying MammoSite® catheter. The resulting isodose distributions and DVH were computed and compared. Results: The mean minimum skin and rib spacing were 1.0 cm and 1.6 cm with a range of 0.25 to 2.7 cm and 0.6 to 4.4 cm, respectively. The mean V100, V150, V200 for the MammoSite® plan were 91.9%±3.5%, 30.4c.c.±4.1c.c. and 4.2c.c.±1.8c.c., respectively. When the patient was implanted under suboptimal conditions, the coverage for PTV can be maintained or improved for multi‐lumen plan. The mean V100, V150, V200 for the multi‐lumen plan were 94.8% (S.D.±0.9%), 32.8c.c. (S.D.±2.9c.c.) and 6.1c.c. (S.D.±2.2c.c.), respectively; however, the dose to skin surface and ribs were reduced significantly. Careful alignment of the catheter right before the treatment is important. The Contura™ catheter tends to rotate +/− 90° between each treatment for our patients. Without proper alignment, an unexpected high dose may be delivered to critical organs.Conclusions: The use of the multi‐lumen applicator appears to deliver a dose to the target with greater coverage while minimizing the skin surface and rib dose at the same time as compared to MammoSite® plan. For patients with suboptimal implantation, who are not qualified for MammoSite® brachytherapy, they still could benefit from accelerated partial breast irradiation using multi‐lumen catheter. It is expected to result in better cosmesis and minimizing late effects. However, it is important to align the catheter precisely prior to each treatment and avoid the rotation during the treatment.
Role of data fusion in NDE for aging aircraft

As structural integrity models for aging aircraft begin to include the effects of corrosion and corrosion-fatigue, nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques will be called upon to provide metrics of corrosion for input to these models. It is unlikely that any one NDE technique can provide all the required metrics to characterize the condition of complex airframe structures. This paper discusses how data fusion can be used to integrate the results of multiple NDE techniques into a form suitable for input to structural models. Examples of the inspection of service-retired lap joints with NDE techniques including pulsed eddy current, conventional eddy current, Edge of Light, and D Sight are given. Significant metrics for structural models of the joint are discussed, and the performance of the individual NDE techniques on the metrics of corrosion and fatigue is evaluated. The results are used to generate a set of requirements for data fusion system to successfully transform the NDE data to a form a suitable for input to the structural models.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
PREVALENCE OF SELECTED PATHOGENIC MICROBIAL AGENTS IN THE RED FOX (Vulpes fulva) AND GRAY FOX (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) OF SOUTHWESTERN WISCONSIN

Free-ranging red foxes (Vulpes fulva) and gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) were trapped in southwestern Wisconsin. Fox sera were tested to determine the prevalence of antibody for five different Leptospira interrogans serovars, canine distemper virus (CDV), infectious canine hepatitis virus (ICHV), and Franciscella tularensis infections. Grippotyphosa was the most prevalent leptospiral serovar antibody observed. Twenty-five of 53 (47%) red foxes and 11 of 36 (31%) gray foxes had specific antibodies to grippotyphosa. Juvenile foxes had geometric mean antibody titers to grippotyphosa significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of the adults of both species. CDV antibody was detected in sera of red foxes only. Six of 57 (11%) red foxes had CDV antibody. ICHV antibody was detected in 2 of 57 (3%) red foxes and 3 of 32 (9%) gray foxes. Antibody to F. tularensis was not detected in any fox sera.
Potential of Text-Based Internet Chats for Improving Oral Fluency in a Second Language.

Although a number of studies have reported on the positive effects of Internet chats in the second language classroom, to the best of my knowledge no studies to date have examined the effect of text-based chats on oral fluency development. This exploratory study addressed the above question by examining the oral fluency development of 34 English as a second language learners who participated in the same 6-week course but in separate instructional environments: a text-based Internet chat environment, a traditional face-to-face environment, and a control environment that involved no student interaction. The study found that the gain scores of participants in the text-based Internet chat environment were significantly higher on the phonation time ratio and mean length of run measures than the gain scores of participants in the face-to-face and control environments (prior to Bonferroni adjustment). Gain scores on the three other measures were not significant. The author discusses these findings in relationship to Levelt's (1989) model of language production and argues that text-based Internet chat environments can be a useful way of building oral fluency by facilitating the automatization of lexical and grammatical knowledge at the formulator level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Self-identified heterosexual clients in substance abuse treatment with a history of same-gender sexual contact.

There is virtually no literature concerning the experiences of self-identified heterosexual clients in substance abuse treatment who have a history of same-gender sexual contact (HSGS). In a U.S. urban inpatient program in 2009–2010, 99 HSGS clients were compared to 681 other heterosexual and 86 lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients regarding background factors, program completion rates, and feelings about treatment. Male HSGS participants had lower completion rates than other male heterosexual participants. Qualitative data indicated that most male HSGS participants experienced difficult emotions regarding same-gender sexual encounters, particularly those involving trading sex for money or drugs. Implications for treatment are discussed.
Computational Optimization of Volume Holographic Imaging Systems

We present two analytical methods for evaluating the response of optical systems utilizing volume holograms for three-dimensional spatial heterodyning. These methods enable the evaluation of system behavior with standard design tools providing a complete simulation.
Tactile sensing mechanisms

This paper has three main themes: design of a cylindrical tactile sensor, mechanical analysis using planar linear elas ticity models, and signal analysis for determining basic infor mation about the applied contact. An analysis of appropriate sensor depth has been used to allow accurate localization of contacts and reduced spatial aliasing. A comparison has been made between the cylindrical sensor and a simple two- dimensional stress-strain model. The effects of skin thickness and sensor depth on sensitivity are analyzed. Preliminary methods for determining contact location, total force, and tangential force with only normal deflection sensors have been implemented for a line contact.
A Tip-Tilt-Piston Micromirror With an Elastomeric Universal Joint Fabricated via Micromasonry

A hybrid tip-tilt-piston micromirror driven by electrostatic actuation is presented in this letter. The micromirror involves a highly doped silicon mirror and a conductive elastomeric universal joint, which are mechanically bonded and electrically interconnected. This device takes advantage of two distinct materials to achieve a high-quality reflective surface using single-crystal silicon and a highly flexible universal joint using an elastomer. To realize this hybrid system, micromasonry techniques are employed such that silicon and elastomer parts are fabricated separately and integrated afterward. The static and dynamic behaviors of the micromirror are characterized, indicating identical response about its two orthogonal scanning axes. Furthermore, the piston stroke by the compressive deformation of the elastomeric joint along $z$ -axis is investigated. [2015-0002]
Network Tomography: Estimating Source-Destination Traffic Intensities from Link Data

Abstract The problem of estimating the node-to-node traffic intensity from repeated measurements of traffic on the links of a network is formulated and discussed under Poisson assumptions and two types of traffic-routing regimens: deterministic (a fixed known path between each directed pair of nodes) and Markovian (a random path between each directed pair of nodes, determined according to a known Markov chain fixed for that pair). Maximum likelihood estimation and related approximations are discussed, and computational difficulties are pointed out. A detailed methodology is presented for estimates based on the method of moments. The estimates are derived algorithmically, taking advantage of the fact that the first and second moment equations give rise to a linear inverse problem with positivity restrictions that can be approached by an EM algorithm, resulting in a particularly simple solution to a hard problem. A small simulation study is carried out.
Synthesis of pdCpAs and transfer RNAs activated with derivatives of aspartic acid and cysteine

Described herein is the preparation of new aminoacylated derivatives of the dinucleotide pdCpA, and of transfer RNAs. The focus of the present work is the synthesis of amino acid analogs related to aspartic acid and cysteine species that have important functional roles in many proteins. The activated aminoacyl-tRNAs prepared can be utilized for the elaboration of proteins containing modified aspartic acid and cysteine derivatives at predetermined sites. Of particular interest is definition of functional group protection strategies that can be used for the preparation of the aminoacylated pdCpAs and tRNAs.