cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Methodologies for advance warning of compute cluster problems via statistical analysis: a case study

The ability to predict impending failures (hardware or software) on large scale high performance compute (HPC) platforms, augmented by checkpoint mechanisms could drastically increase the scalability of applications and efficiency of platforms. In this paper we present our findings and methodologies employed to date in our search for reliable, advance indicators of failures on a 288 node, 4608 core, Opteron based cluster in production use at Sandia National Laboratories. In support of this effort we have deployed OVIS, a Sandia-developed scalable HPC monitoring, analysis, and visualization tool designed for this purpose. We demonstrate that for a particular error case, statistical analysis using OVIS would enable advanced warning of cluster problems on timescales that would enable application and system administrator response in advance of errors, subsequent system error log reporting, and job failures. This is significant as the utility of detecting such indicators depends on how far in advance of failure they can be recognized and how reliable they are.
Implications of hormesis on the bioassay and hazard assessment of chemical carcinogens

Hormesis has been defined as a dose-response relationship which depicts improvement in some endpoint (increased metabolic rates, reduction in tumor incidence, etc.) at low doses of a toxic compound...
Water Cone Hysteresis and Reversal for Well Completions Using the Moving Spherical Sink Method

Presented in this paper is a theoretical and experimental study of water cone development and reversal. The theoretical study employed a new analytical method, called moving spherical sink model (MSSM), for accurate modeling of flow in the vicinity of a limited-entry well in a heterogeneous (k V ,k h ) reservoir. In contrast to other analytical models, MSSM does not lose validity in the near-well zone. It calculates pressure precisely at and outward from the borehole surface. This high resolution of MSSM in well's vicinity enables studying flow mechanisms that have been beyond competence of conventional models such as pressure distribution outside well's completion and development and reversal of water coning. The results of this water coning study show that for oil production rates below critical (breakthrough) rate there are two equilibrium shapes of the water cone: lower (stable), and upper (unstable). Also shown is a hysteresis of the water cone height development and reversal caused by the increase - decrease scheme of production rate. The paper explains why reversing the cone is difficult because it requires reduction of production rate much below its critical value. It also describes how to determine the water cone reversal rate. The experimental part of this study provides verification of the theoretical findings using a physical model. The results, summarized in this paper, showes all four stages of the water cone histeresis: from equilibrium cone buildup with increased production rates, to stability loss followed with water breakthrough at critical production rate, to continuing water breakthrough in spite of decreasing production rates, to water cone reversal at very low value of the reversal production rate. This study provides basic understanding of stability mechanisms that control three-dimensional water coning. It also provides an analytical method for finding the cone reversal production rates.
Female urology: Growing evidence for robotic prolapse surgery.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (RSC) offers the advantages of minimally invasive surgery, especially to surgeons who do not have laparoscopic expertise. A recently published series adds to the growing body of evidence that RSC achieves comparable outcomes to the open approach with minimal morbidity.
Hermitian quark mass matrices with four texture zeros

We provide a complete and systematic analysis of Hermitian, hierarchical quark mass matrices with four texture zeros. Using triangular mass matrices, each pattern of texture zeros is readily shown to lead to a definite relation between the CKM parameters and the quark masses. Nineteen pairs are found to be consistent with present data, and one other is marginally acceptable. In particular, no parallel structure between the up and down mass matrices is found to be favorable with data. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
On permutations passable by the Gamma network

Abstract The Gamma network is a multiprocessor interconnection network with redundant paths between source and destination terminals. The basic switching element in this network is a 3 × 3 crossbar, and the stages are linked by “power of two” and identity connections. The Gamma network is known to realize many classes of permutations useful in parallel processing, and in this paper a detailed study of various classes of permutations passable by the network with a simple control algorithm is presented. Conditions for passability of an arbitrary permutation with this algorithm have been formulated and used to show that several useful classes of permutations in parallel processing can be realized. Although the algorithm does not utilize the full connection capability of the network, it produces conflict-free routing for most of the useful classes of permutations the network is capable of passing.
Chiton integument: metamorphic changes in Mopalia muscosa (Mollusca, Polyplacophora)

The larval integument and juvenile girdle integument of Mopalia muscosa (Mollusca: Polyplacophora) were studied by light microscopy. Within 24 h of settlement, eight distinctive changes occur that characterize metamorphosis: loss of the functional prototroch and apical tuft, secretion of a cuticle over the mantle field followed by the secretion of calcareous shell plates and the extrusion of spicules into the cuticle, a 20% decrease in length, secretion of chitinous hairs and the incorporation of the lateral ciliated bands into the pallial grooves. Similar changes which were often not recognized as metamorphic have been reported for other species. Evidence for metamorphosis being a common developmental feature of chitons is presented.
The role of phonons and plasmons in describing the pulsewidth dependence of the transmission of ultrashort optical pulses through germanium

Abstract Recently, Elci et al. developed a first principles model that accounts for the generation and transient behavior of dense electron-hole plasmas produced in germanium by picosecond optical pulses. The agreement between this model and early experiments is substantial. However, recent transmission measurements, involving optical pulses of varying width, are in disagreement with initial predictions of this model. Here, we emphasize the dependence of the optical properties of the Ge plasma on the electron-phonon coupling constant, the broadening in the plasmon-assisted recombination, and the energy band structure, and we suggest adjustments to the original model that should produce agreement with these more recent experiments. The pulsewidth dependence in the transmission is shown to be sensitive to the relative strengths of the electron-phonon relaxation and the plasmon recombination during the temporal evolution of the hot electron-hole plasma.
Theoretical foundation of X-ray and neutron reflectometry

Abstract This review attempts to give a systematic exposition of the theoretical foundation underlying surface depth profiling at the molecular level using X-ray and neutron specular reflectometry. It covers the fundamentals of X-ray and neutron interactions with matter, the direct theory of specular reflection from stratified media, the inverse theory of specular reflection for obtaining the surface depth profile from measured specular reflection data, and demonstration of how the theories can be used in practice. The part on X-ray and neutron interactions with matter begins with the basic quantum mechanical and classical electromagnetic descriptions of scattering, discusses the important concepts of scattering and absorption cross sections, the scattering length density and the refractive index of matter, and derives the one-dimensional Helmholtz wave equation which fully describes the specular reflection of slow neutrons and X-rays from a macroscopic stratified medium. The direct theory begins with the development of the solution of the Helmholtz wave equation in the form of a discrete formulation, namely, Parratt's recurrence relation, and proceeds to several continuous formulations, such as the Born and distorted wave Born (DWBA) approximations, the small-curvature approximation (SCA), the modified WKB approximation (MWKB) and the weighted-superposition approximation (WSA), and ends with a discussion about the effect of surface roughness. The inverse theory presents methods for the reconstruction of the depth profile of the surface scattering length density from a set of specular reflection data. This includes the feasibility of data inversion, some simple examples of analytic data inversion, a matrix-iteration method (MIM), and a groove-tracking method (GTM). For demonstration of the use of the theories, we give an example of neutron reflectivity data analyses, from which the surface-layering phenomenon in bicontinuous microemulsions is revealed.
Rubidium and cesium as host blood-markers to study multiple blood feeding by mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)

We have developed an experimental technique to quantify multiple blood feeding by mosquitoes during a single gonotrophic cycle on conspecific or closely related vertebrate hosts. Rubidium and cesium were detected in mosquitoes that fed on chickens injected with these elements 3 d earlier. Experimentally induced double blood meals were confirmed by the presence of both rubidium and cesium in individual mosquitoes. Multiple blood feeding by Culiseta melanura also was demonstrated in nature using this technique. This was the first simultaneous use of two alkali metals as host blood-markers for the study of mosquito blood-feeding behavior.
Z-cyclic whist tournaments with a patterned starter initial round

Abstract If v ≡ 1 (mod 4) we define a Z-cyclic patterned starter whist tournament on v players, ZCPS-Wh(v), to be a cyclic whist tournament for which the set of initial round partner pairs form a patterned starter for Zv. Via orbits, we present all ZCPS-Wh(v) for v ∈ {5, 13, 17, 25, 29, 37, 41}. Watson (1954), Bose and Cameron (1965), and Baker (1975) each introduced constructions which, under certain conditions, yield ZCPS-Wh(v). Comparisons between these three constructions are made and it is demonstrated that beginning with v = 25 there exist ZCPS-Wh(v) other than those obtained by these three constructions.
OBSERVATIONS OF HELIUM AND HYDROGEN EMISSION IN QUIESCENT PROMINENCES

Observations of a number of helium triplet (10830, 4713, 4471, 3889, 4026 A) and hydrogen (H-gamma, delta, eta, and theta) emission-line intensities in six quiescent prominences are presented. The regions of prominence and neighboring corona were raster-scanned by the telescope, and all lines were measured concurrently at each point. The results are compared with previous observations and theory. In particular, the intensity of the 10830-A emission relative to the other triplets is found to differ strongly from the predictions of the recent detailed calculations of Heasley et al. (1974) for model quiescent prominences.
Role of Vasopressin in Altered Pial Artery Responses to Dynorphin and β-Endorphin following Brain Injury

ABSTRACT Pial artery constriction following fluid percussion brain injury (FPI) is associated with elevated CSF dynorphin and β-endorphin concentration in newborn pigs. Additionally, dynorphin is a...
Evaluation of theophylline overdoses and toxicities

Summary Patients presenting with elevated theophylline concentrations and manifestations of toxicity may be categorized as being either overdose or iatrogenic toxic. In addition to severe cardiac and neurologic toxicities, such as arrhythmias and seizures, OD patients probably require monitoring for manifestation of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, electrolyte abnormalities, and hypotension. The possibility of a delayed peak theophylline concentration after sustained release product ingestion must be considered. Patients with initial serum concentrations of less than 60 mg/L may receive a single dose of oral activated charcoal and have repeat concentrations drawn to ensure the avoidance of continued absorption. The presence of a serum concentration exceeding 60 mg/L in OD patients warrants initiation of elimination-enhancing modalities. Oral activated charcoal is the fastest and most readily available. Multiple-dose oral activated charcoal should be given until serum theophylline concentrations of 60 mg/L or less are reached. Cardiac monitoring and seizure precautions are recommended. Admission to the intensive care unit should be considered when serum concentrations do not decline after several hours of charcoal therapy or when seizures and severe cardiovascular manifestations occur. Patients having initial concentrations exceeding 100 mg/L and/or rapidly rising concentrations 100 mg/L over baseline values should be considered as candidates for CHP or RHP if available. If both CHP and RHP are unavailable or will be excessively delayed, HD is a reasonable alternative. Patients on chronic theophylline therapy (LA patients) presenting with symptoms of toxicity must be evaluated carefully. If serum concentrations are less than 20 mg/L, short-term observation or a reduction in dose should be sufficient. Patients with concentrations between 20 and 60 mg/L should be candidates for seizure precautions and cardiac monitoring. Oral activated charcoal may be started and continued until levels are below 20 mg/mL. Patients with concentrations in excess of 60 mg/L require intensive monitoring (including seizure precautions and cardiac monitoring) as well as initiation of MOAC or CHP/RHP as situation, availability, and patient tolerance dictate. Again, HD may be a reasonable alternative if the others are unavailable or contraindicated.
Language Matters: Status Loss and Achieved Status Distinctions in Global Organizations

How workers experience and express status loss in organizations has received little scholarly attention. I conducted a qualitative study of a French high-tech company that had instituted English as a lingua franca, or common language, as a context for examining this question. Results indicate that nonnative English-speaking employees experienced status loss regardless of their English fluency level. Yet variability in their self-assessed fluency-an achieved status marker-was associated with differences in language performance anxiety and job insecurity in a nonlinear fashion: those who believed they had medium-level fluency were the most anxious compared with their low-and high-fluency coworkers. In almost all cases where fluency ratings differed, self-assessed rather than objective fluency determined how speakers explained their feelings and actions. Although nonnative speakers shared a common attitude of resentment and distrust toward their native English-speaking coworkers, their behavioral responses-assertion, inhibition, or learning-to encounters with native speakers differed based on their self-perceived fluencies. No status differences materialized among nonnative speakers as a function of diverse linguistic and national backgrounds. I discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings for status, achieved characteristics, and language in organizations.
280 Antenatal Betamethasone (ANB) May Prevent Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) Infants

Background: Previous studies have shown that prenatal steroids may indirectly reduce the incidence of severe ROP, by decreasing the incidence of RDS and oxygen use.
Benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide i modification of dna in human skin xenografts

Human skin xenografts were established on the subscapular area of skin of nude (nu/nu NIH-Swiss background) mice. When treated with benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide I (BPDE I), specific carcinogen-DNA adducts were formed. Separation and identification of these adducts by the 32P-postlabeling technique indicated that the 7R- and 7S-BPDE I-dpGp adducts were the major adducts. Xenografts pretreated with either allantoin of anthralin showed an increase in the major 7R- and 7S-BPDE I adducts compared to only BPDE I treatment. Likewise, we observed an increase in the quantity of different minor adducts. The ratios between the minor and major adducts in the pretreated grafts remained consistent with the ratio in the grafts treated with BPDE I only. We conclude that these modulators induce cells in the xenograft to enter S phase of the cell cycle. Moreover, we observed that these compounds altered the quantity of the minor carcinogen-DNA adducts without altering the overall ratios between the major 7R- and 7S-BPDE I-dpGp adducts and the minor carcinogen-DNA adducts.
Introducing Students to Community Operations Research by Using a City Neighborhood As A Living Laboratory

This paper describes a course taught in the College of Business and Administration at Drexel University in which students undertake real-world projects in an inner-city neighborhood. The course is an elective for students who have been exposed to the traditional techniques for problem solving in such courses as management science, operational research, statistics, organizational behavior, marketing, and economics. They address such public sector problems as people moving, traffic flow, trash removal, market promotion, and surveys. Typically, the students discover that these problems are complex and have many stakeholders with competing interests, so that they do not fit neatly into one of the problem types encountered in traditional course work. Thus, the students are encouraged to bring to bear a variety of traditional and nontraditional techniques from many disciplines. The work on large-scale problems is pursued in directed project teams that simultaneously offer the students a unique learning experience and real service to the community.
Photosynthesis and Uptake of Strontium-85 in Freshwater Plankton

AMONG the radioisotopes which are assimilated differentially in light and dark by phytoplankton or macrophytes are phosphorus-321, zinc-652, strontium-89 and 903, molybdenum-994 and caesium-1375. This communication considers this effect for strontium-85 in relation to primary productivity.
Correlating the degree of metal–promoter interaction to ethanol selectivity over MnRh/CNTs CO hydrogenation catalysts

Abstract Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MCNTs) were used as a support for Rh-based catalysts for high pressure (20 bar) CO hydrogenation. 3 wt% Rh/CNTs catalysts were loaded with 1 wt% and 2 wt% Mn promoter, respectively, in order to study the effect of metal–promoter interactions for ethanol synthesis. Both STEM and EXAFS results showed ∼1 nm Rh particles in promoted as well as the unpromoted catalysts, STEM and EELS results verified the enhanced metal–promoter interaction when the amount of Mn promoter increased from 1 wt% to 2 wt%. The enhancement in the degree of metal–promoter interaction leads to an increase in the ethanol selectivity. Moreover, due to the nature of CNTs (low Z number), the Mn–Rh interactions could be observed at atomic resolution during the STEM–EELS characterization, and the promoter phase is confirmed as Mn(II) oxide by XANES and EELS.
Optical modeling of the Jefferson Laboratory IR demo FEL

The Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab) is in the process of building a 1 kW free-electron laser operates at 3 microns. The details of the accelerator driver are given in other papers in these proceedings. The optical cavity consists of a near-concentric resonator with transmissive outcoupling. Though several free-electron lasers have used similar designs, they have not had to confront the high average-power loading present in this laser. It is useful to know the limits of this type of optical cavity design. The optical system of the laser has been modeled using the commercial code GLAD{reg_sign} by using a Beer`s-law region to mimic the FEL interaction. The effects of mirror heating have been calculated and compared with analytical treatments. The magnitude of the distortion for several materials and wave-lengths has been estimated. The model developed here allows one to quickly determine whether the mirror substrates and coatings are adequate for operation at a given optical power level once the absorption of the coatings, substrate, and transmission are known. Results of calculations of the maximum power level expected using several different sets of mirrors will be presented. Measurements of the distortion in calcium fluoride from absorption of carbon dioxide laser light are planned to benchmark the simulations. Multimode simulations using the code ELIXER have been carried out to characterize the saturated optical mode quality. The results will be presented.
Averaging Effect Sizes Within and Across Studies of Interventions Aimed at Improving Child Outcomes

Scientific and political forces are moving the social services field toward greater reliance on evidence-based interventions or strategies, including in the area of child development. This article draws on the work of meta-analysts to illustrate how study findings can sometimes be made more accessible to policy makers and practitioners by converting them to effect sizes and averaging them within or across studies. The article first introduces the concept of an effect size. Using empirical examples, it then illustrates the mechanics of computing average effect sizes and discusses their benefits and limitations as summary measures of the estimated effects of interventions. It also provides guidance regarding when it is appropriate to pool findings across studies and how to display results to promote transparency.
Micro- and macro-environment population and the consequences for crime rates

Few studies have explored Louis Wirth’s propositions regarding the independent effects of population size and density, due to the conceptual difficulty in distinguishing between them. We directly address this conundrum by conceptualizing these as micro-population density and macro-population density. We propose two novel measures for these constructs: population density exposure to capture micro-density, and a measure of population within a twenty-mile radius to capture macro-density. We combine the theoretical insights of Wirth with routine activities theory to posit and find strong nonlinear effects of micro-density on crime rates, as well as the moderating effect of macro-density. We find strong evidence of macro social processes for population size, including that (1) its strongest effect occurred for crimes generally between strangers (robberies and motor vehicle thefts); (2) there was virtually no effect for homicides, a type of crime that often occurs among non-strangers. For micro-density, our findings include (1) strong curvilinear effects for the three types of property crime; (2) diminishing positive effects for robbery and homicide; and (3) a strikingly different pattern for aggravated assault. The effects for micro-density are stronger than for macro-density, a finding unexplored in the extant literature. We discuss the implications of these results within the context of Wirth’s theoretical framework as well as routine activities theory and suggest ways to extend these findings.
Cardiología "basada en la evidencia": aplicaciones prácticas de la epidemiología. II. El uso de biomarcadores

The use of biomarkers that show an association with the development of cardiovascular disease needs a careful evaluation in regard to the quality of evidence that establishes their relationship. Although observational studies have been paramount to establish the importance of the traditional risk factors, we can only screen and intervene on biomarkers when there is demonstrated benefit in well-designed randomized clinical trials.
Surface micro/nanotopography, wetting properties and the potential for biomimetic icephobicity of skunk cabbage Symplocarpus foetidus

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is known for its two remarkable properties: superhydrophobicity and thermogenesis; however, the relationship between these two properties remains obscure. Most botanists agree that thermogenesis helps to attract pollinators, while non-wetting helps to catch pollinators and prevents contamination. Here we investigate the surface micro- and nanotopography and wetting properties of eastern skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), another thermogenic plant, which is known for its ability to melt snow. The skunk cabbage leaves are hydrophobic but not superhydrophobic, and they have high contact angle hysteresis (similar to the rose petal effect). We develop a heat transfer model to relate icephobicity with heat transfer and discuss the biomimetic potential that both thermogenic and superhydrophobic plants may have for icephobicity in soft materials.
α-Mangostin, a xanthone from mangosteen fruit, promotes cell cycle arrest in prostate cancer and decreases xenograft tumor growth

There is a need to characterize promising dietary agents for chemoprevention and therapy of prostate cancer (PCa). We examined the anticancer effect of α-mangostin, derived from the mangosteen fruit, in human PCa cells and its role in targeting cell cycle-related proteins involved in prostate carcinogenesis. Using an 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, we found that α-mangostin significantly decreases PCa cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Further analysis using flow cytometry identified cell cycle arrest along with apoptosis. To establish a more precise mechanism of action, we performed a cell free biochemical kinase assay against multiple cyclins/cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) involved in cell cycle progression; the most significant inhibition in the cell free-based assays was CDK4, a critical component of the G1 phase. Through molecular modeling, we evaluated α-mangostin against the adenosine triphosphate-binding pocket of CDK4 and propose three possible orientations that may result in CDK4 inhibition. We then performed an in vivo animal study to evaluate the ability of α-mangostin to suppress tumor growth. Athymic nude mice were implanted with 22Rv1 cells and treated with vehicle or α-mangostin (100 mg/kg) by oral gavage. At the conclusion of the study, mice in the control cohort had a tumor volume of 1190 mm(3), while the treatment group had a tumor volume of 410 mm(3) (P < 0.01). The ability of α-mangostin to inhibit PCa in vitro and in vivo suggests α-mangostin may be a novel agent for the management of PCa.
Measuring HRM effectiveness: Considering multiple stakeholders in a global context

Abstract Strategic human resource management research has mostly gravitated towards financial measures of performance in order to assess the effectiveness of human resource management initiatives. In this paper, we argue that focusing on organizational performance mainly from financial stakeholders' perspective is no longer sufficient. We discuss the implications of globalization, changing nature of work and the need to satisfy multiple stakeholders on how we measure the effectiveness of human resource management systems. We provide examples from several reach streams that focus on stakeholders other than shareholders as their main outcome of interest.
Sodium alterations in isolated rat heart during cardioplegic arrest

Schepkin, V. D., I. O. Choy, and T. F. Budinger. Sodium alterations in isolated rat heart during cardioplegic arrest.J. Appl. Physiol. 81(6): 2696–2702, 1996.—Triple-quantum-filtered (TQF) Na nucle...
LANDSCAPE AND REGIONAL IMPACTS OF HURRICANES IN NEW ENGLAND

Hurricanes are a major factor controlling ecosystem structure, function, and dynamics in many coastal forests, but their ecological role can be understood only by assessing impacts in space and time over a period of centuries. We present a new method for reconstructing hurricane disturbance regimes using a combination of historical research and computer modeling. Historical evidence of wind damage for each hurricane in the selected region is quantified using the Fujita scale to produce regional maps of actual damage. A simple meteorological model (HURRECON), parameterized and tested for selected recent hurricanes, provides regional estimates of wind speed, direction, and damage for each storm. Individual reconstructions are compiled to analyze spatial and temporal patterns of hurricane impacts. Long-term effects of topography on a landscape scale are then simulated with a simple topographic exposure model (EXPOS). We applied this method to the region of New England, USA, examining hurricanes since European settlement in 1620. Results showed strong regional gradients in hurricane frequency and intensity from southeast to northwest: mean return intervals for F0 damage on the Fujita scale (loss of leaves and branches) ranged from 5 to 85 yr, mean return intervals for F1 damage (scattered blowdowns, small gaps) ranged from 10 to >200 yr, and mean return intervals for F2 damage (extensive blowdowns, large gaps) ranged from 85 to >380 yr. On a landscape scale, mean return intervals for F2 damage in the town of Petersham, Massachusetts, ranged from 125 yr across most sites to >380 yr on scattered lee slopes. Actual forest damage was strongly dependent on land use and natural disturbance history. Annual and decadal timing of hurricanes varied widely. There was no clear century-scale trend in the number of major hurricanes. The historical-modeling approach is applicable to any region with good historical records and will enable ecologists and land managers to incorporate insights on hurricane disturbance regimes into the interpretation and conservation of forests at landscape to regional scales.
Outcomes of Children Following a First Hospitalization for Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Background—We hypothesized that children with dilated cardiomyopathy who require hospital admission are at increased risk for death or transplantation during their first hospitalization and in the first year that follows. We also assessed the value of routine data collected during that time to predict death or the need for transplantation prior to discharge and within 1 year of admission. Methods and Results—We conducted a retrospective review of 83 pediatric patients with dilated cardiomyopathy whose initial hospitalization fell between 2004 and 2009. The mean age at hospitalization was 7 years. The majority of patients demonstrated moderate or severe left ventricular dysfunction on initial echocardiogram (80%) and/or the need for intravenous inotropes within 7 days of hospital admission (69%). Five patients (6%) died, and 15 (18%) were transplanted in the initial hospitalization. At 1 year, 11/71 (15%) had died, and 27/71 (38%) were transplanted. The overall freedom from death, transplantation, or rehos...
Mixed linear-non-linear inversion of crustal deformation data: Bayesian inference of model, weighting and regularization parameters

SUMMARY We present a unified theoretical framework and solution method for probabilistic, Bayesian inversions of crustal deformation data. The inversions involve multiple data sets with unknown relative weights, model parameters that are related linearly or non-linearly through theoretic models to observations, prior information on model parameters and regularization priors to stabilize underdetermined problems. To efficiently handle non-linear inversions in which some of the model parameters are linearly related to the observations, this method combines both analytical least-squares solutions and a Monte Carlo sampling technique. In this method, model parameters that are linearly and non-linearly related to observations, relative weights of multiple data sets and relative weights of prior information and regularization priors are determined in a unified Bayesian framework. In this paper, we define the mixed linear–non-linear inverse problem, outline the theoretical basis for the method, provide a step-by-step algorithm for the inversion, validate the inversion method using synthetic data and apply the method to two real data sets. We apply the method to inversions of multiple geodetic data sets with unknown relative data weights for interseismic fault slip and locking depth. We also apply the method to the problem of estimating the spatial distribution of coseismic slip on faults with unknown fault geometry, relative data weights and smoothing regularization weight.
A new heuristic Lagrangian marine boundary layer cloud model

Abstract A new heuristic model of stratocumulus cloudiness in the inversion-capped marine boundary layer is developed and tested. The essential ingredient is a new method for predicting the statistical distribution of temperature and specific humidity at the inversion base under partially decoupled conditions along steady-state marine boundary layer (MBL) trajectories. MBL decoupling is parameterized as an increasing function of the height difference between the inversion base and lifting condensation level (LCL) of the mixed-layer air. Required inputs are sea surface temperature (SST), free air (above inversion) temperature and humidity, subsidence velocity, and mean boundary layer wind speed. Upstream boundary conditions must also be specified but have little influence at sufficient downstream distances (>2000 km). The model is applied to the cold advection regime of the northeastern subtropical Pacific and to both warm and cold advection regimes of the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. The model is con...
Daytona Dreams Restaurant: Linking Accounting Systems with Business Valuation

ABSTRACT: A problem encountered in accounting information systems (AIS) education is that students sometimes do not understand how organizational risks affect firm value. This case presents a privately held restaurant that is currently under acquisition consideration by a publicly traded restaurant group that follows internal control guidance as stipulated by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) guidelines. The objective of this case is to present students with a causal link among (1) internal control weaknesses of a restaurant, (2) financial statement assertions, and (3) management decisions that can impact firm value. Students must identify and translate control weaknesses into the case's business valuation decision. The case is appropriate for undergraduate and graduate AIS and audit classes.
Using Isokinetic Dynamometry to Test Ambulatory Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

This study was designed to 1) determine whether isokinetic dynamometry is appropriate and safe for ambulatory patients with multiple sclerosis and 2) describe the idiosyncrasies the patients with multiple sclerosis exhibited during testing. Ten patients with multiple sclerosis and 20 healthy subjects were matched for age, sex, and weight. The isokinetic peak torque and endurance measurements of knee extensor and knee flexor muscles were recorded at selected angular velocities ranging from 0 to 275°/sec and extensor:flexor muscle strength ratios were calculated. Statistical analysis ( t tests) revealed that both the extensor and flexor muscle peak torque values for patients with multiple sclerosis were significantly lower than those for healthy subjects at all angular velocities ( p < .005 to p < .001), and yet were similar in shape and slope. Mean extensor:flexor ratios for healthy subjects and for patients with multiple sclerosis were not significantly different at 70, 190, and 230°/sec. Individual chart recordings identified any contractile difficulties or increased contraction time. Isokinetic testing is judged to be a safe and reliable form of objective neuromuscular testing for ambulatory patients with multiple sclerosis.
Modeling California's high-elevation hydropower systems in energy units

[1] This paper presents a novel approach for modeling high-elevation hydropower systems. Conservation of energy and energy flows (rather than water volume or mass flows) is used as the basis for modeling more than 135 high-elevation high-head hydropower sites throughout California. The unusual energy basis for reservoir modeling allows for development of hydropower operations models for a large number of plants to estimate large-scale system behavior without the expense and time needed to develop traditional streamflow and reservoir volume-based models in absence of storage and release capacity, penstock head, and efficiency information. Potential applications of the developed Energy-Based Hydropower Optimization Model (EBHOM) include examination of the effects of climate change and energy prices on system-wide generation and hydropower revenues. An extensive comparison of the EBHOM with a traditional hydropower optimization model used in California produced similar results and indicated good reliability of EBHOM's predictions.
Glycosylation of Immunodominant Linear Epitopes in the Carboxy-Terminal Region of the Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis Virus Surface Envelope Enhances Vaccine-Induced Type-Specific and Cross-Reactive Neutralizing Antibody Responses

This study evaluated type-specific and cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies induced by immunization with modified surface glycoproteins (SU) of the 63 isolate of caprine arthritis-encephalitis lentivirus (CAEV-63). Epitope mapping of sera from CAEV-infected goats localized immunodominant linear epitopes in the carboxy terminus of SU. Two modified SU (SU-M and SU-T) and wild-type CAEV-63 SU (SU-W) were produced in vaccinia virus and utilized to evaluate the effects of glycosylation or the deletion of immunodominant linear epitopes on neutralizing antibody responses induced by immunization. SU-M contained two N-linked glycosylation sites inserted into the target epitopes by R539S and E542N mutations. SU-T was truncated at 518A, upstream from the target epitopes, by introduction of termination codons at 519Y and 521Y. Six yearling Saanen goats were immunized subcutaneously with 30 μg of SU-W, SU-M, or SU-T in Quil A adjuvant and boosted at 3, 7, and 16 weeks. SU antibody titers determined by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay demonstrated anamnestic responses after each boost. Wild-type and modified SU-induced type-specific CAEV-63 neutralizing antibodies and cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies against CAEV-Co, a virus isolate closely related to CAEV-63, and CAEV-1g5, an isolate geographically distinct from CAEV-63, were determined. Immunization with SU-T resulted in altered recognition of SU linear epitopes and a 2.8- to 4.6-fold decrease in neutralizing antibody titers against CAEV-63, CAEV-Co, and CAEV-1g5 compared to titers of SU-W-immunized goats. In contrast, immunization with SU-M resulted in reduced recognition of glycosylated epitopes and a 2.4- to 2.7-fold increase in neutralizing antibody titers compared to titers of SU-W-immunized goats. Thus, the glycosylation of linear immunodominant nonneutralization epitopes, but not epitope deletion, is an effective strategy to enhance neutralizing antibody responses by immunization.
Adapting data quality with multihop routing for energy harvesting wireless sensor networks

Renewable energy technology is a viable and promising solution toward achieving self-sustainable low power wireless sensor networks. However, the uncertainty and fluctuations in energy availability require a sophisticated energy management scheme, i.e., energy demand of each sensor node at any time does not exceed its available energy. In this paper, we propose to continuously adapt the energy requirements of sensor nodes based on availability of renewable energy sources, network routing needs and application quality constraints - addressing these trade-offs is our distinctive contribution in this paper. We present a novel algorithm to find the optimal uniform data quality for approximated data collection in a multihop energy-harvesting wireless sensor network (EH-WSN). Our approach guarantees routing sustainability in the network and has significantly less failed data queries (<;2%) as compared to a state-of-the-art energy-harvesting-aware routing protocol [10][11] which is not aware of data quality.
A Novel Method for Reducing the Number of Agents to Be Studied in an Occupational Epidemiologic Study

A novel screening tool method to select chemicals for exposure reconstruction was developed and validated using data generated for a hypothetical work force consisting of 10 job classes (ranging from 10,000 to 55,000 person-years). To achieve the required efficiency in the reconstruction of exposures, this method treats each product (defined as a part or process) as an “exposure.” Exposure to 10 products was assigned to each job class at random using a computer program. The expected rate of a given disease was assumed to be constant throughout the job classes (tested at five levels), and the observed numbers of cases in the job classes were generated based on neutral deviations from background with error rates of ± 1% to 16%. One job class was assigned to be the “excess-class” and the number of cases in that class was increased by a factor of Q, which was set at levels that ranged from 1.25 to 5. All of the experimental conditions were replicated 10,000 times in a Monte Carlo scheme for scenarios in which...
Can nitroglycerin convert effort-induced angina in men into silent myocardial ischemia?

Abstract The relief of anginal pain with nitroglycerin may not correspond to the disappearance of ischemia. To evaluate me possible lack of the elimination of ischemia with sublingual nitroglycerin, we studied 25 male patients with stable angina pectoris who underwent exercise stress testing with recording of blood pressure, pulse, and ST-segment displacement. The stress test was repealed 30 minutes after administration of 0.4 mg of sublingual nitroglycerin. All 25 patients had angina and ischemic ST-segment changes in the first stress test. On repeat stress testing, 15 patients had angina and ST-segment changes, 2 patients had angina but no ST-segment changes, and 4 patients had no ST-segment changes and no angina. Four patients, however, had no angina but persistent ischemic ST-segment changes suggesting that angina was converted into silent ischemia. The mean exercise duration was 311 ± 66 seconds before and 421 ± 81 seconds after the nitroglycerin test. Peak heart rate and systolic blood pressure before the nitroglycerin stress test were 109 ± 18 and 155 ± 23 mm Hg; in the repeat stress test, they increased to 123 ± 21 and 162 ± 20 mm Hg, respectively.
Quantification of malaria parasite release from infected erythrocytes: inhibition by protein-free media

Background: Intracellular malaria parasites leave their host erythrocytes to infect neighbouring cells after each cycle of asexual replication. No method is currently available for the direct quantification of parasite release. Method and results: To quantify parasite release process, human erythrocytves infected with Plasmodium falciparum were injected into sealed chambers at optimal density, where they progressed through the end of the erythrocyte cycle. Each event of parasite release inside the chamber at the site of erythrocyte rupture leaves on the chamber wall a footprint, composed of 1) separated parasites, 2) a digestive vacuole with haemozoin, and 3) fragments of the ruptured membranes. These footprints are stable for hours, allowing precise identification using differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy. The relative rate of parasite release is defined as the percent of such footprints out of all schizonts injected and incubated into chamber at 37°C for two hours. The method is highly reproducible, easy to perform, and does not require expensive equipment. Additionally, this method allows one to analyse cell and release site morphology, which adds information about the release process and the quality of the culture. The method is used here to show that swelling of schizonts caused by protein-free media inhibits parasite release. Conclusion: In this study, a novel method is described to count sites of parasite release by microscopy. Besides the direct estimation of parasite release from infected erythrocytes, this method provides a morphological evaluation of normal infected cells approaching the end of the plasmodial life cycle, or pathological forms accumulated as the result of experimental intervention in the parasite release process. One may now accurately estimate the relative parasite release rate at the time of cycle transition, without any obligatory coupling to parasite invasion.
Age-related impairments of new memories reflect failures of learning, not retention

Learning impairments and the instability of memory are defining characteristics of cognitive aging. However, it is unclear if deficits in the expression of new memories reflect an accelerated decay of the target memory or a consequence of inefficient learning. Here, aged mice (19-21-mo old) exhibited acquisition deficits (relative to 3-5-mo old mice) on three learning tasks, although these deficits were overcome with additional training. When tested after a 30-d retention interval, the performance of aged animals was impaired if initial learning had been incomplete. However, if trained to equivalent levels of competence, aged animals exhibited no retention deficits relative to their young counterparts. These results suggest that age-related "memory" impairments can be overcome through a more effective learning regimen.
Developing And Implementing A Measure Of Sustainability For Workforce And Economic Development Projects In Northeast Pennsylvania

As part of a Wall Street West (WSW) grant, a project team was assembled to investigate the effectiveness of other WSW grantees working on various projects to impact the long term economic development of the financial services sector of the Northeast Pennsylvania (NEPA) corridor. Because sustainability of grant work was deemed critical by project leaders, a literature search was undertaken to identify factors that contribute to sustainability. Twelve factors were culled from the literature, reviewed with WSW executives and project grantees, and ultimately combined (using a BARS assessment methodology) to form an economic or workforce development Sustainability Index. This paper reviews the logic and the steps taken to develop the Sustainability Index, discusses the validity and reliability of the instrument, and shows how it was used to measure and report the relative importance of sustainability factors in economic development activities. The authors issue a call to action to further develop and refine the instrument across a variety of application venues.
An exploratory study of adult learners’ perceptions of online learning: Minority students in continuing education

The study was an investigation of online adult learners’ perceptions of interaction, satisfaction, and performance within an online course using the Blackboard platform. Interaction included learners’ interaction with the instructor, content, and the classmates. The effect of student background variables and course-related variables on interaction was explored. Participants were 167 minority students enrolled in six online undergraduate-level courses from a university in the southeastern United States. The majority of the students were African-American working adults. Results indicated that learner–content interaction and learner–instructor interaction were significant predictors for student satisfaction in online settings in which group activities were not provided. Internet self-efficacy was positively associated with three types of interaction. Student satisfaction was positively related to student performance. Learner–instructor interaction was influenced the most by student background variables (gender, age, hours spent online), and learner–learner interaction by course-related variables (course length, course type, and the number of discussion forums). While it had the strongest influence on student satisfaction, learner–content interaction was not affected by student- or course-related variables.