cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimizing the Coherence of a Network of Networks

We study the problem of optimal network design in a network of networks, a graph composed of a set of disjoint subgraphs, and a set of designed edges between them. Nodes obey noisy consensus dynamics, and our system model allows for both positive and negative edge weights. We quantify system performance by its coherence, an $H_2$ norm that captures the steady-state variance of the deviation from consensus. We pose the problem of how to connect the subgraphs, by selecting a single connecting node in each subgraph, so that the resulting network of networks has optimal coherence. We then show that this problem can be solved by identifying the connecting node in each subgraph independently of the other nodes and subgraphs. Thus, the problem can be solved in polynomial time in the order of the largest subgraph. We prove that when the connecting topology is a tree, this solution is optimal even under a more general model that allows for multiple connecting nodes per subgraph. We also derive bounds on the best and worst coherence for a general network of networks with all-positive edge weights. Finally, we provide analytical and numerical examples that further explore coherence in a network of networks.
Can Children of Different Races “See” Themselves in Audiobooks? A Comparison of U.S. Library Systems’ Offerings

Culturally responsive librarians must provide high-quality children’s literature featuring characters of color via multiple formats, including audiobooks. This study examined the accessibility of a...
Political Social Work: Belle Moskowitz Encourages Her Social Work Colleagues to Engage in Political Action

This “From the Archives” article provides the text of Belle Moskowitz’s 1923 speech to the National Conference of Social Work, in which she encourages social workers to engage in the political proc...
Advancing the conductivity-permselectivity tradeoff of electrodialysis ion-exchange membranes with sulfonated CNT nanocomposites

Abstract Ion exchange membranes, IEMs, are widely applied in water and energy technologies, such as, electrodialysis for desalination and reverse electrodialysis for sustainable power generation. However, a tradeoff between conductivity and permselectivity constrains the efficiency of IEM-based technologies. The incorporation of rationally functionalized 1-dimensional nanomaterials as fillers into the polymer matrix offers opportunities to depart from this tradeoff. In this study, we develop nanocomposite cation exchange membranes by incorporating sulfonic acid-functionalized carbon nanotubes, sCNTs, in sulfonated poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenyleneoxide) polymer matrix. The fabricated nanocomposite IEMs exhibit improved conductivity while maintaining permselectivity. Intrinsic resistivity, the reciprocal of conductivity, is lowered with greater blending of sCNTs fillers, decreasing by approximately 25% with 20 w/w% incorporation of sCNTs, while permselectivity is effectively unchanged across the different degrees of sCNT incorporation (within 2 % variation). Compared with pristine membranes, the conductivity-permselectivity tradeoff line of the fabricated nanocomposite membranes is advantageously advanced, thus improving overall performance. Further characterization and analysis show a percolating network of carbon nanotubes is achieved in the polymer matrix with 10 w/w% sCNTs. We posit that the improved effective ionic conductivity is attributed to the interconnected sCNT network reducing the tortuosity of the ion transport path. This study demonstrates the promise of percolating 1D nanomaterial networks to potentially advance the conductivity-permselectivity tradeoff governing conventional IEMs.
Nuclear data uncertainty propagation and modeling uncertainty impact evaluation in neutronics core simulation

Abstract Uncertainty analysis is a critical requirement in reactor simulation as it is used to quantify the reliability of best-estimate calculation. A comprehensive uncertainty analysis should characterize all sources of uncertainties in a computationally-feasible and scientifically-defendable manner. This manuscript employs a well-established reduced order modeling (ROM) based uncertainty quantification methodology to propagate uncertainties throughout neutronic calculations. ROM relies on recent advances in randomized data mining techniques applied to large data streams. In our proposed implementation, the nuclear data uncertainties are first propagated from multi-group level through lattice physics calculation to generate few-group parameter uncertainties, described using a vector of mean values and a covariance matrix. Employing an ROM-based compression of the covariance matrix, the few-group uncertainties are then propagated through downstream core simulation in a computationally efficient manner. This straightforward approach, albeit efficient as compared to brute force forward and/or adjoint-based methods, often employs a number of assumptions that have been unquestioned in the literature of neutronic uncertainty analysis. This manuscript argues that these assumptions could introduce another source of uncertainty referred to as modeling uncertainties, whose magnitude needs to be quantified in tandem with nuclear data uncertainties. Thus, our primary goal is to explore the interactions between these two uncertainty sources in order to assess whether modeling uncertainties have an impact on parameter uncertainties. To explore this endeavor, the impact of a number of modeling assumptions on core attributes uncertainties is quantified. The study employs a CANDU reactor model, with Serpent and NEWT as lattice physics solvers and NESTLE-C as core simulator. The modeling assumptions investigated include those related with the uncertainty propagation method employed, e.g., deterministic vs. stochastic, the few-group energy structure employed to represent the cross-sections, the resonance treatment in lattice physics calculation, the reference values for the cross-section, and the number of samples employed to render ROM compression. Results indicate that some of the modeling assumptions could have a non-negligible impact on the core responses propagated uncertainties, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach to combine parameter and modeling uncertainties.
Algebraic Properties of System Models Terminal Conditions Insensitivity

In this chapter we establish certain algebraic properties of matrices in a system model (MSM), and provide the requirements for terminal conditions insensitivity (TCI) of a linear system with several different system-sensitivity measures. We also review a concise account of the basic concept in guidance theory as pertains to terminal conditions insensitivity.
Motivating and Discouraging Factors for Bipolar Patient Participation in Genomic Research.

Aims The goal of this project was to better understand the motivating and discouraging factors toward genetic research and biobank programs in patients with bipolar disorder, particularly across gender and racial identities. Methods A survey (n = 63) of adults diagnosed with bipolar disorder was conducted at the general psychiatric inpatient unit and outpatient clinic at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Participants were asked to rate on a Likert scale their attitudes toward medical research generally, mental health research specifically, and willingness to participate in a bipolar DNA biobank. Last, they were asked to endorse motivating factors or concerns for their attitude toward participation. Results Neither attitudes toward research nor willingness to participate in a bipolar biobank differed across gender, age, or education level, but Black/African American participants were statistically significantly less likely to endorse a willingness to participate in a biobank compared to White participants. As observed in previous work, Black/African American participants were significantly more likely to endorse concerns regarding violations of trust, privacy, or autonomy. However, while there were no significant differences in discouraging factors among individuals who indicated an opposition to participating in a biobank compared to those who indicated support, there was a significant decrease in support of motivating factors, including increasing knowledge, personal benefit, and duty to community, for those not interested in participating. Conclusions Black/African American participants with bipolar disorder were more likely to express concerns about DNA and biobank research. But while race was a contributing factor to support or opposition to biobanking for bipolar disorder research, more salient was insufficient positive motivation. These results highlight the need to emphasize contemporary safeguards on DNA research and biobanking as an ethical duty and to identify the need for community-based educational interventions to promote a greater understanding of the positive benefits to motivate increased research participation.
Disruption and Protection of Online Synchronous Learning Environments via 802.11 Manipulation

Online learning environments are vulnerable to disruption due to the present state of Wi-Fi security on the common at-home router. Current WPA2-protected devices are susceptible to a type of attack that uses disassociation and deauthentication packets to remove all connected users and prevent new users from connecting to the target access point. This paper seeks to display an example of this attack in the context of online learning environments, showing the disruptive potential of this vulnerability and the impact it could have on online instruction. We begin with target discovery and information gathering, then move on to executing the attack while an instructor and several students are connected to various video conferencing platforms. We conclude by discussing potential mitigation and prevention strategies, such as using protected management frames and upgrading to WPA3 when possible.
The Role of Electronic Health Records in Advancing Genomic Medicine

Recent advances in genomic technology and widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) have accelerated the development of genomic medicine, bringing promising research findings from gen...
Suicide mortality rates in farm-related occupations and the agriculture industry in the United States.

BACKGROUND Studies suggest that agricultural workers and rural residents may have an elevated suicide risk. However, suicide is relatively rare, and rural and farming populations have significantly declined, limiting their representation in national surveys. Many studies have inadequate samples for meaningful analysis. METHODS We pooled 29 years of data from the Mortality-Linked National Health Interview Survey, 1986-2014, then measured suicide mortality in groups including agriculture workers, and variation in suicide across rural and urban areas. Exposure variables indicated whether participants worked in a farm-related occupation or industry, or lived in a rural area. We used survey-weighted Poisson regression to estimate suicide mortality rates and rate ratios. RESULTS Age-adjusted suicide mortality rate per 100,000 was: 22.3 for farmers and farm managers; 21.6 for farmworkers; 28.7 in farming, forestry, and fishing; 15.3 across all other occupations; 16.1 among rural residents. Among farmworkers, age-adjusted rates were 28.3 in rural areas, 17.1 in urban areas (not significantly different). The age-adjusted suicide mortality rate ratio (RR) comparing workers in the agriculture, forestry, and fishery industries to those in all other industries was 1.34 (95% confidence interval, [CI]: 1.05-1.72) (not statistically significant after further adjustment for demographic characteristics). Age-adjusted results were consistent with a higher suicide risk for workers in forestry and fishing than in all other occupations (RR: 1.88, 95% CI: 0.79-4.46). CONCLUSION Workers in agriculture, forestry, and fishing may have an elevated suicide risk. National surveys should consider oversampling of rural residents, who have increased morbidity and mortality risks.
Convolutional Neural Networks for Shower Energy Prediction in Liquid Argon Time Projection Chambers.

When electrons with energies of $O(100)$ MeV pass through a liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC), they deposit energy in the form of electromagnetic showers. Methods to reconstruct the energy of these showers in LArTPCs often rely on the combination of a clustering algorithm and a linear calibration between the shower energy and charge contained in the cluster. This reconstruction process could be improved through the use of a convolutional neural network (CNN). Here we discuss the performance of various CNN-based models on simulated LArTPC images, and then compare the best performing models to a typical linear calibration algorithm. We show that the CNN method is able to address inefficiencies caused by unresponsive wires in LArTPCs and reconstruct a larger fraction of imperfect events to within 5% accuracy compared with the linear algorithm.
IR-based spot weld NDT in automotive applications

Today’s auto industry primarily relies on destructive teardown evaluation to ensure the quality of the resistance spot welds (RSWs) due to their criticality in crash resistance and performance of vehicles. The destructive teardown evaluation is labor intensive and costly. The very nature of the destructive test means only a few selected welds will be sampled for quality. Most of the welds in a car are never checked. There are significant costs and risks associated with reworking and scrapping the defective welded parts made between the teardown tests. IR thermography as a non-destructive testing (NDT) tool has its distinct advantage — its non-intrusive and non-contact nature. This makes the IR based NDT especially attractive for the highly automated assembly lines. IR for weld quality inspection has been explored in the past, mostly limited to the offline post-processing manner in a laboratory environment. No online real-time RSW inspection using IR thermography has been reported. Typically for postprocessing inspection, a short-pulse heating via xenon flash lamp light (in a few milliseconds) is applied to the surface of a spot weld. However, applications in the auto industry have been unsuccessful, largely due to a critical drawback that cannot be implemented in the high-volume production line – the prerequisite of painting the weld surface to eliminate surface reflection and other environmental interference. This is due to the low signal-to-noise ratio resulting from the low/unknown surface emissivity and the very small temperature changes (typically on the order of 0.1°C) induced by the flash lamp method. An integrated approach consisting of innovations in both data analysis algorithms and hardware apparatus that effectively solved the key technical barriers for IR NDT. The system can be used for both real-time (during welding) and post-processing inspections (after welds have been made). First, we developed a special IR thermal image processing method that utilizes the relative IR intensity change, so that the influence of surface reflection and environment interference can be reduced. Second, for the post-processing inspection, a special induction heater is used to replace the flash lamp, resulting in temperature changes on the order of 10°C. As a result, the signal-to-noise ratio increased by several orders of magnitudes with no surface painting needed, and the inspection results are more accurate and reliable. For real-time inspection, the heat from welding (with temperature exceeding 1000°C) was utilized. Third, “thermal signatures” were identified to uniquely correlate to different weld quality attributes through computational modeling of heat transfer and extensive testing of specially designed ranges of welding conditions. Novel IR image analysis algorithms that automatically and intelligently identify the “thermal signatures” from the IR images and positively determine the weld quality in less than a second were developed.
The Concorde Automatic Flight Control System: A description of the automatic flight control system for the Anglo/French SST and its development to date

This paper represents a review of the status of the automatic flight control systems at present being developed by the consortium of Elliott, SFENA and Bendix. Elliotts were selected as prime contractor and have worked continuously with Sud‐Aviation and the British Aircraft Corporation. The present advanced development state of these systems is a tribute to the skill and determination of the combined Anglo‐French‐American project teams.
Radical Purpose: The Critical Reference Dialogue At a Progressive Urban College

Abstract: Metropolitan College of New York pioneered “Purpose-Centered Education,” a pedagogical model that blends theory and practice in students’ jobs and lives to produce graduates with a guiding vision of social justice. This paper explores critical information literacy and the reference dialog in the context of the Purpose-Centered Education.
Towards personalized structural engineering tools

Structural engineering software has moved from in-house development to third — party vendors. This trend has been beneficial for the profession as a whole and permitted rapid migration to new environments, particularly in exploiting IT capabilities in communication and information sharing. However, the trend has also significantly reduced individual organizations' abilities to express their design philosophies and style in their software. The paper reviews this trend and juxtaposes it to the author's efforts towards providing customizable tools. The paper concludes with some questions that need to be addressed before moving towards more personalized computational support.
Spectral covers, algebraically completely integrable, hamiltonian systems, and moduli of bundles

This is the expanded text of a series of CIME lectures. We present an algebro-geometric approach to integrable systems, starting with those which can be described in terms of spectral curves. The prototype is Hitchin's system on the cotangent bundle of the moduli space of stable bundles on a curve. A variant involving meromorphic Higgs bundles specializes to many familiar systems of mathematics and mechanics, such as the geodesic flow on an ellipsoid and the elliptic solitons. We then describe some systems in which the spectral curve is replaced by various higher dimensional analogues: a spectral cover of an arbitrary variety, a Lagrangian subvariety in an algebraically symplectic manifold, or a Calabi-Yau manifold. One peculiar feature of the CY system is that it is integrable analytically, but not algebraically: the Liouville tori (on which the system is linearized) are the intermediate Jacobians of a family of Calabi-Yau manifolds. Most of the results concerning these three types of non-curve-based systems are quite recent. Some of them, as well as the compatibility between spectral systems and the KP hierarchy, are new, while other parts of the story are scattered through several recent preprints. As best we could, we tried to maintain the survey style of this article, starting with some basic notions in the field and building gradually to the recent developments.
An Unavoidably Brief Historiography of the Third Amendment

This Article was part of a symposium about the Third Amendment hosted by the Tennessee Law Review. The Article provides a historiography of the existing scholarship about the Third Amendment. As the Article's title indicates, the historiography will be unavoidably brief, which, if nothing else, is a testament to the importance of the symposium. I conclude the Article with a few thoughts of my own about the significance of the Third Amendment for American constitutionalism.
Controls on the large‐scale spatial variations of dune field properties in the barchanoid portion of White Sands dune field, New Mexico

Previous studies have shown that sediment fluxes and dune sizes are a maximum near the upwind margin of the White Sands dune field and decrease, to first order, with increasing distance downwind. These patterns have alternatively been attributed to a shear-stress overshoot associated with a roughness transition localized at the upwind margin and to the influence of long-wavelength topography on the hydrology and hence erodibility of dune field sediments. I point out an issue that compromises the shear-stress overshoot model and further test the hypothesis that long-wavelength topographic variations, acting in concert with feedbacks among aerodynamic, granulometric, and geomorphic variables, control dune field properties at White Sands. Building upon the existing literature, I document that the mean and variability of grain sizes, sand dryness, aerodynamic roughness lengths, bed shear stresses, sediment fluxes, and ripple and dune heights all achieve local maxima at the crests of the two most prominent scarps in the dune field, one coincident with the upwind margin and the other located 6–7 km downwind. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling predicts that bed shear stresses, erosion rates, and the supply of relatively coarse, poorly sorted sediments are localized at the two scarps due to flow line convergence, hydrology, and the spatially distributed adjustment of the boundary layer to variations in dune size. As a result, the crests of the scarps have larger ripples due to the granulometric control of ripple size. Larger grain sizes and/or larger ripples lead to larger dunes and hence larger values of bed shear stress in a positive feedback.
Responses of atmospheric methane consumption by soils to global climate change

Soils consume about 40 Tg methane from the atmosphere annually. Thus, soils contribute significantly to the atmospheric methane budget. However, responses of atmospheric methane consumption to climate change are uncertain. Predicting these responses requires an understanding of the effect on methane consumption of specific variables (temperature and soil water content) as well as interactions among parameters (methane, ammonium, water content). Key considerations involve the limitations of diffusive transport and controls of methane diffusivity; limitation of methanotrophic activity by water stress; relatively slow growth rates of methane-oxidizing bacteria on atmospheric methane; ammonium toxicity. Interactions among these parameters may be particularly important, and lead to responses contrary to those predicted from changes in temperature and water content alone. Results from a number of analyses indicate that atmospheric methane consumption is especially sensitive to anthropogenic disturbances, which typically decrease activity. Continued increases in wet and dry ammonium deposition are likely to exacerbate inhibition resulting from changes in land use. Changes in hydrological regimes could further decrease activity if dry periods increase water stress at soil depths currently colonized by methanotrophs. Future trends in the soil methane sink are likely to lead to enhanced accumulation of atmospheric methane.
Study of the perception of three-dimensional spatial relations for a volumetric display

We test perception of 3-D spatial relations in 3-D images rendered by a 3-D display and compare it to that of a high-resolution flat panel display. Our 3-D display is a device that renders a 3-D image by displaying, in rapid succession, radial slices through the scene on a rotating screen. The image is contained in a glass globe and can be viewed from virtually any direction. We conduct a psychophysical experiment where objects with varying complexity are used as stimuli. On each trial, an object or a distorted version is shown at an arbitrary orientation. The subject's task is to decide whether or not the object is distorted under several viewing conditions (monocular/binocular, with/without motion parallax, and near/far). The subject's performance is measured by the detectability d, a conventional dependent variable in signal detection experiments. Highest d values are measured for the 3-D display when the subject is allowed to walk around the display.
Effect of antibiotics on development of resistance to hemolytic streptococcus infection.

SummaryA subacute infection of mice with hemolytic streptococci was treated with antibiotics in such a way as to interfere to a varying degree with the persistence of the bacteria in the tissue. Striking differences w7ere noted in the subsequent susceptibility of survivors to a homologous challenge. The acquired resistance of the animals was inversely proportional to the efficacy of the treatment regimen in rapidly eliminating the infecting microorganisms in the initial infection.
Theory of spherically symmetrical droplet combustion with gas-phase fuel pyrolysis

Simplified analyses of spherically symmetrical combustion of an isolated fuel droplet are developed to account for fuel pyrolysis. Fuel pyrolysis is modeled as a high activation-energy process that occurs within a thin zone between the droplet and the flame. Accounting for fuel pyrolysis changes classical expressions for the transfer number because the flame must supply energy for fuel pyrolysis, which requires the flame to be located closer to the droplet. Sample calculations for combustion of heptane droplets in air at one atm indicate that transfer numbers, burning rates, and quasi-steady flame standoff ratios can be appreciably reduced when fuel pyrolysis effects are included in the analyses.
Analysis of Continence Rates Following Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy: Strict Leak-free and Pad-free Continence

OBJECTIVES To propose a strict and specific definition of continence (leak-free and pad-free [LFPF]) and apply it to robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) outcomes on the basis of University of California-Los Angeles-Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA-PCI), as postprostatectomy incontinence is not well defined. METHODS A single-institution RARP database was reviewed concerning continence variables prospectively recorded by the UCLA-PCI. Specific responses to urinary function and continence items were reviewed at baseline and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. RESULTS From February 2003 to September 2007, a total of 1005 of 1500 RARP patients had data available for review. At baseline, only 73% of these patients were LFPF. This decreased to 4%, 9%, 17%, 24%, and 28% at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery, respectively. Applying less strict definitions, at 24 months, 68% of patients reported no pad use and 90% of patients reported no pad use or the use of a security pad. When stratified by baseline LFPF status, patients not LFPF at baseline had higher baseline international prostate symptom score scores, lower urinary function scores, lower urinary bother scores, and larger prostate weights. Patients LFPF at baseline disproportionately regained LFPF continence starting 6 months after surgery compared with those not LFPF at baseline: 20% vs 9% (P = .005), 27% vs 15% (P = .0009), and 33% vs 15% (P = .0146) at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS A strict definition of urinary continence results in more conservative postoperative outcomes. Preoperative LFPF status can be predictive of postoperative LFPF continence. However, only one-third of patients LFPF at baseline returned to LFPF at 24 months.
Propagation of gluons from a nonperturbative evolution equation in axial gauges

We derive a non-perturbative evolution equation for the gluon propagator in axial gauges based on the framework of Wetterich's formulation of the exact renormalization group. We obtain asymptotic solutions to this equation in the ultraviolet and infrared limits.
Biaxial calcite: Occurrence, optics, and associated minor strain phenomena

Biaxiality in calcite (2 V≤10°, less commonly ∼15°) is widespread in metamorphic rocks of all grades and in carbonatites. It is a minor effect of late strain, in many cases not directly related to visible {01¯12} twinning, and partially independent of lattice bending. For values of 2V up to about 15° the optic axial plane coincides, within limits of error of measurement, with {10¯10}. For those rare crystals with 2V in the range 25–50°, there is a real departure—never greater than 10°—from this orientation; and biaxiality is certainly in some, probably in all such cases, confined to domains of overlap of single thin twin lamellae. Microscopic procedure is described for determining the orientation of the optical indicatrix relative to crystallographic coordinates.
A comparison of formal knowledge representation schemes as communication tools; predicate logic vs semantic network

An experiment was conducted to test the effectiveness of two popular knowledge representation schemes as communication vehicles between the human expert and the knowledge engineer. Validation by the human expert of the knowledge encapsulated depends upon how well the expert understands and interprets a representation scheme. A between-group experiment was conducted. Each group received two treatments of the same representation technique, with the second treatment slightly more complex that the first. All the scores for the Semantic Network representations were higher than that obtained for the Predicate Logic representations; and the Semantic Network were clearly better for comprehension and conceptualization tasks. The results demonstrate some of the weaknesses of Predicate Logic and some of the strenths of Semantic Networks as communication tools during the validation process.
A possible effect of melt structure on the Mg-Fe2+ partitioning between olivine and melt

Partitioning of Mg and Fe2+ between olivine and mafic melts has been determined experimentally for eight different synthetic compositions in the temperature range between 1335 and 1425°C at 0.1 MPa pressure and at fo2 ∼1 log unit below the quartz-fayalite-magnetite buffer. The partition coefficient [KD = (Fe2+/Mg)ol/(Fe2+/Mg)melt] increases from 0.25 to 0.34 with increasing depolymerization of melt (NBO/T of melt from 0.25–1.2), and then decreases with further depolymerization of melt (NBO/T from 1.2–2.8). These variations are similar to those observed in natural basalt-peridotite systems. In particular, the variation in NBO/T ranges for basaltic-picritic melts (0.4–1.5) is nearly identical to that obtained in the present experiments. Because the present experiments were carried out at constant pressure (0.1 MPa) and in a relatively small temperature range (90°C), the observed variations of Mg and Fe2+ partitioning between olivine and melt must depend primarily on the composition or structure of melt. Such variations of KD may depend on the relative proportions of four-, five-, and six-coordinated Mg2+ and Fe2+ in melt as a function of degree of NBO/T.
The importance of G0 in the site of action of interferon in the cell cycle.

Abstract It has been suggested that the ‘metabolic event’ controlling the transition of quiescent cells into the proliferating phase is a possible target for the growth inhibitory action of interferon [1]. Direct evidence of this mechanism of action has been hindered by the lack of techniques for the quantification of quiescent cells in a tumor population. The present report applies a recently available technique [2] to investigate more closely the site of interferon action in the G1 part of the cell cycle, and to emphasize that a G0 population is a necessary but not sufficient determinant of a cell line's response to growth inhibition by interferon.
Effect of Spray and Paint-On Applications of a Slow-Release Formulation of Chlorpyrifos on German Cockroach Control and Human Exposure

Twenty housing units were treated with a slow-release formulation (Killmaster II®) of 2% AI chlorpyrifos by either a paint-on or a spray application method. Populations of Blattella germanica (L.) were monitored with ‘sticky’ traps before and after treatment. There was no significant difference in efficacy of insecticide between the two application methods. The paint-on application required less chemical per unit and more time than did the spray application method. Dermal exposure was significantly greater for the spray than for the paint-on application method ( P ≤ 0.10. The air concentration of chlorpyrifos in the breathing zone of applicator was significantly ( P ≤ 0.10) higher for the sprays than for the paint-on applications. There was no measurable effect as a result of the application method on the amount of chlorpyrifos absorbed gauze pads placed on the kitchen floor, table, and appliances of the housing units.
Predictive Value of Intrathecal Narcotic Trials for Long‐Term Therapy with Implantable Drug Administration Systems in Chronic Non‐Cancer Pain Patients

This study retrospectively investigated the predictive value of intrathecal narcotic trials for long-term drug utilization via implantable pumps in chronic non-cancer patients. Data were derived from 86 patients who were categorized according to the intrathecal narcotic dose that resulted in the optimal trial response. The response during the trial period and the pattern of long-term utilization of morphine was studied, as was the impact of age, gender and diagnosis. The analysis revealed that low dose responders had lower daily dose requirements at 18 months than standard dose and high dose responders. It also showed that women had lower total daily dose requirements at 18 and 24 months and that individuals over 65 years of age had lower total daily dose requirements at 18 months. A trend toward a disproportionately higher use of adjuvant drugs and narcotic substitutions was found among high dose responders, while a trend toward a disproportionately higher total daily dose was found among cervicalgia patients. The findings indicate that the responsiveness to an intrathecal narcotic during a trial, along with the diagnosis at the time of implantation, and the patient's age and gender can shed light on the long-term utilization of intrathecal analgesics in chronic non-cancer patients. This information may be used to better select patients and design trials that more closely reflect long-term drug utilization.
Effects of Task Instructions and Brief Breaks on Brainstorming

Experiment 1 examined the effects of additional brainstorming rules for groups and looked at whether the presence of a facilitator who actively enforced the rules of brainstorming was beneficial. Experiments 2 and 3 examined whether the additional rules and brief breaks were beneficial to individual brainwriters and electronic brainstormers working alone. Clear benefits of the additional rules were found under a variety of conditions. The presence of a facilitator to enforce the rules enhanced the efficiency of idea generation (number of words used to express ideas) but not the number of ideas generated. There appears to be a small benefit to taking breaks in brainwriting sessions, but the benefit of breaks is reduced or eliminated in electronic brainstorming sessions.
A formal model for incorporating shop floor controls into plant information systems

The high cost and long development cycle of shop floor controls (SFC) have prevented many small, medium, and even large-size manufacturers from deploying plant-wide, real-time information systems. In order to stay competitive in a make-to-order business model, such systems are essential. In addressing the obstacles to such systems, this article proposes a formal method that ensures that a built SFC can be applicable to a plant-wide, real- time information system. By taking advantage of both the linear growth of the complexity function in a structured adaptive supervisory control model, and the real-time responses of a virtual production line based e-Manufacturing system, a formal method for creating an integration-ready structured adaptive supervisory control model (iSASC) for a discrete manufacturing system is introduced. An iSASC-based SFC prototype system was successfully tested and evaluated in an industrial site.
To Stay or To Switch: Multiuser Multi-Channel Dynamic Access

In this paper we study opportunistic spectrum access (OSA) policies in a multiuser multi-channel random access cognitive radio network, where users perform channel probing and switching in order to obtain better channel condition or higher instantaneous transmission quality. Prior studies in this area include those on channel probing and switching policies for a single user to exploit spectral diversity, and those on probing and access policies for multiple users over a single channel to exploit temporal and multiuser diversity. By contrast, in this study we consider the collective switching of multiple users over multiple channels. This inevitably necessitates explicit modeling of the effect of collision. Furthermore, we consider finite arrivals, whereby users are not assumed to always have data to send and the demand for channel follows a certain arrival process. Under such a scenario, the users’ ability to opportunistically exploit temporal diversity (the temporal variation in channel quality over a single channel) and spectral diversity (quality variation across multiple channels at a given time) is greatly affected by the level of congestion in the system. We investigate the associated decision process in this case, and show that the optimal policy is given by a nested stopping rule which may be viewed as a type of generalization to results found in existing literature in this area. We analytically and numerically evaluate the extent to which congestion affects potential gains from opportunistic dynamic channel switching.
A new solid state diffusion model applied to inverse zoning and diffusion rims in minerals

Any oxide and silicate mineral which is nominally anhydrous but crystallized in the presence of H2O incorporates traces of H2O in solid solution. In the case of MgO it can be shown that OH− pairs convert into H2+O 2 2− . If the H2 molecules are lost, the O 2 2− remain in the lattice as excess oxygen stabilized by excess cation vacancies. When the O 2 2− anions decay either thermally or by decompression unbound O− states (positive holes) are generated which lead to surface charges and subsurface space charge layers. Calculated space charge profiles are presented. O− concentrations as small as 10–20 ppm suffice to create electric surface fields of the order of 4·107 V·m−1. The diffusion mechanism which derives from these premises incorporates novel features: the cation diffusion is coupled to the counterdiffusion of unbound and vacancy-bound O− states. The cation diffusion is predicted to be very fast because first, it is field-enhanced (electrochemically driven) and second, it is not rate-limited by the intrinsic cation vacancy concentration nor by the counter-diffusion of other cations. The model may apply to cases of inverse zoning and diffusion rim formation in minerals under certain P-T conditions.
Calcium and dairy modulation of obesity risk.

My colleagues and I appreciate the thoughtful comments ofDr. Lanou regarding our recent report showing dairy accel-erationofweightandfatlosssecondarytoenergyrestriction(1) and are pleased to clarify the key points she has raised.First, with regard to diets and dietary compliance, asindicated in the paper, diets for all treatment arms wereconstructed to provide comparable levels of macronutrientand fiber content, and these were achieved; Table 2 of thepaper shows no significant differences in macronutrientdistribution across the three treatment arms. The Table doesnot include dietary fiber, but the target level was 8–12 g/d,and the actual level achieved averaged 9.4 g/d, with nosignificant differences among the groups. We regret theomissionofthisinformationfromthetextofthemanuscript.With regard to compliance with the dietary protocol, the 32subjects who completed the study were adherent with re-spect to maintaining the 500 100 kcal/d energy deficit asassessed by complete diet diaries throughout the study.Furthermore, all subjects were sedentary at study initiationand maintained this pattern throughout the study.Dr. Lanou has raised two important issues with regard tothe potential role of vitamin D in cows’ milk. One of theseis linked to the mechanism of action of calcium-rich foodsin suppressing adiposity: suppression of 1 ,25(OH)
Fast and accurate processor models for efficient MPSoC design

With growing system complexity and ever-increasing software content, the development of embedded software for upcoming MPSoC architectures is a tremendous challenge. Traditional ISS-based validation becomes infeasible due to the large complexity.Addressing the need for flexible and fast simulating models, we introduce in this article our approach of abstract processor modeling in the context of multiprocessor architectures. We combine modeling of computation on processors with an abstract RTOS and accurate interrupt handling into a versatile, multifaceted processor model with several levels of features.Our processor models are utilized in a framework allowing designers to develop a system in a top-down manner using automatic model generation and compilation down to a given MPSoC architecture. During generation, instances of our processor models are integrated into a system model combining software, hardware, and bus communication. The generated system model serves for rapid design space exploration and a fast and accurate system validation.Our experimental results show the benefits of our processor modeling using an actual multiprocessor mobile phone baseband platform. Our abstract models of this complex system reach a simulation speed of 300MCycles/s within a high accuracy of less than 3p error. In addition, our results quantify the speed/accuracy trade-off at varying abstraction levels of our models to guide future processor model designers.
The effects of Hurricane Katrina on price pass-through for Gulf Coast gasoline

Abstract Using an error-correction model, we find deviation from historic price pass-through patterns during the immediate post-Hurricane Katrina period. Although gasoline price pass-through patterns have largely returned to their long-run equilibrium, evidence indicates that asymmetry, previously not evident, may now exist.
Association of ipilimumab therapy for advanced melanoma with secondary adrenal insufficiency: a case series.

Objective: To present a case series of ipilimumab-related secondary adrenal insufficiency.Methods: In this cases series, we review the presentation, evaluation, diagnosis, and management of patients with advanced melanoma who received ipilimumab and were referred to our endocrinology clinic for evaluation of hormonal abnormalities.Results: Seven patients presented with symptoms, signs, or biochemical evidence of adrenal insufficiency 6 to 12 weeks after starting ipilimumab therapy. Ipilimumab is a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) monoclonal antibody that is approved for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and has widespread use for this disease. All 7 patients had biochemical evidence of profound secondary adrenal insufficiency. Thyroid function abnormalities, central hypogonadism, and low insulinlike growth factor 1 levels were seen in a subset of patients. Only 2 patients had abnormal findings on pituitary magnetic resonance imaging. Posterior pituitary function remained normal.Conclusions: Ou...
A magnetically regulated D-C to D-C converter power supply

In situations where a single d-c source only is available or desirable to power electronic equipment requiring a number of different and isolated supply voltages, a so-called d-c to d-c converter1?3 can be used. A typical example of this situation is found with mobile equipment where space and weight considerations determine the available power source. Communication equipment having buffer batteries to maintain continuous operation, which are unaffected by interruptions of the primary power source, is another example.
Testing serial non-independence by self-centring and self-normalizing

Let {X i , i≥1} be a sequence of random variables. This paper studies when the following self-centred, self-normalized central limit theorem holds: where ,→ℒ stands for convergence in distribution and N(0, 1) for a standard normal distribution. It is shown that if (1) X i ’s are independent identically distributed with X 1 in the domain of attraction of the normal law (DAN), (2) X i ’s are exchangeable with mixands in the DAN in probability, or (3) X i ’s are stationary with , uncorrelated, uniform mixing with appropriate mixing coefficients, then (*) holds. Since the results depend on variables that can all be calculated explicitly from the data, they provide a powerful method for statistical testing. An application from the stock market is briefly discussed.
Social Science and Organized Health Services

The entry of social science into the health field is exciting news—at least to those who for a long time have been preaching that medicine and public health are really applied social sciences, because their goal is to apply scientific techniques to the welfare of people. Henry Sigerist, Michael Davis, C-E. A. Winslow, Rene Sand, Andrija Stampar, Jacques Parisot, James Mackintosh have been saying this in the languages of their respective countries since at least 1920; Alfred Grotjohn, Arthur Newsholme, Max Pettenkofer, Richard Cabot, and others before them. But these men were physicians or health administrators and not formally trained social scientists. Moreover, the sad truth is that most of their medical colleagues paid little attention to them.
Arts Writing in 20th-Century Egypt: Methodology, Continuity, and Change

This article discusses an approach to arts writing rooted in the work of Egypt's earliest art critics and historians, yet associated primarily with the legacy of those writers who dominated artisti...
Thyrotropin and prolactin responses to TRH in delusional (psychotic) and nondelusional depressed patients

Summary The thyrotropin (TSH) and prolactin (PRL) responses to protirelin (TRH) were studied in 62 female unipolar depressive patients, 24 delusional (psychotic) and 38 nondelusional (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual [DSM]-III-R criteria). The TSH response to TRH was blunted (≤6 μ lU/mL) in ten of the 24 delusional (41.6%) and in 18 of the 38 nondelusional (47.4%) patients, the difference being not significant. The TSH and PRL responses to TRH, calculated as area under the curve, were not different between the two roups. Similar results were obtained when the response patterns were compared by repeated measure analysis of covariance.
NF-κB dictates the degradation pathway of IκBα

IκB proteins are known as the regulators of NF‐κB activity. They bind tightly to NF‐κB dimers, until stimulus‐responsive N‐terminal phosphorylation by IKK triggers their ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. It is known that IκBα is an unstable protein whose rapid degradation is slowed upon binding to NF‐κB, but it is not known what dynamic mechanisms control the steady‐state level of total IκBα. Here, we show clearly that two degradation pathways control the level of IκBα. Free IκBα degradation is not controlled by IKK or ubiquitination but intrinsically, by the C‐terminal sequence known as the PEST domain. NF‐κB binding to IκBα masks the PEST domain from proteasomal recognition, precluding ubiquitin‐independent degradation; bound IκBα then requires IKK phosphorylation and ubiquitination for slow basal degradation. We show the biological requirement for the fast degradation of the free IκBα protein; alteration of free IκBα degradation dampens NF‐κB activation. In addition, we find that both free and bound IκBα are similar substrates for IKK, and the preferential phosphorylation of NF‐κB‐bound IκBα is due to stabilization of IκBα by NF‐κB.
Heat transfer characteristics of a gas-particle mixture under direct radiant heating

Abstract In this paper we first develop a new model for calculating the rate of heat transfer from a particle to a surrounding gas. The model, which assumes no relative motion between the particle and gas, is based on kinetic theory and is applicable at all Knudsen numbers. Then we use the result in a sample application in which a gas-particle suspension is radiantly heated. Both the temperature difference between the particles and gas and the rate of gas temperature increase are shown to have theoretical maximums. Using the optical and thermal properties of carbon, some numerical results for a carbon particle/air mixture are presented.