cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prognostication of the effect of mean temperature of thermal cycle on SAC305 leadfree reliability using damage pre-cursors

Electronics in automotive underhood applications may be subjected to temperatures in the neighborhood of 150°C to 175°C. Several electronic functions such as lane departure warning systems, collision avoidance systems are critical to vehicle operation. Prior studies have shown that low silver leadfree SnAgCu alloys exhibit pronounced deterioration in mechanical properties even after short exposure to high temperatures. Current life prediction models for second level interconnects do not provide a method for quick-turn assessment of the effect of mean temperature on cyclic life. In this paper, a method has been developed for assessment of the effect of mean cyclic temperature on the thermal fatigue reliability based on physics based leading damage indicators including phase-growth rate and the intermetallic thickness. Since the quantification of the thermal profile in the field applications may be often very difficult, the proposed method does not require the acquisition of the thermal profile history. Three environments of −50°C to +50°C, 0°C to 100°C, 50°C to 150°C with identical thermal excursion and different mean temperatures have been studied. Test assemblies with three different packages including CABGA 144, PBGA 324, and PBGA 676 have been used for the study. Damage-proxy based damage-equivalency relationships have been derived for the three thermal cycles. Weibull distributions have been developed for the three test assemblies to evaluate the effect of the mean cyclic temperature on the thermal fatigue life. Data indicates that the thermal fatigue lie drops with the increase in mean temperature of the thermal cycle even if the thermal excursion magnitude is kept constant. Damage equivalency model predictions of the effect of mean temperature of the thermal cycle have been validated versus weibull life distributions. The damage proxy based damage equivalency methodology shows good correlation with experimental data.
Interpretation of Aeromagnetic Anomalies Bearing on the Origin of Upper Chesapeake Bay and River Course Changes in the Central Atlantic Seaboard Region: Speculations

On an aeromagnetic map of the Chesapeake Bay area, the northeastern part of the bay coincides well with a deep, “flat” magnetic low, and the upper part of the Delmarva Peninsula east of the bay coincides with detailed magnetic highs; the two areas are separated by a steep, straight gradient that matches the eastern shore of the bay. On the basis of magnetic and geologic evidence, we interpret the Chesapeake Bay magnetic low as a buried Baltimore Gneiss dome, bounded on the southeast by a normal or reverse fault marked by the steep, straight gradient; mafic and ultramafic plutonic rocks probably underlie the southeast side of the fault zone. The flatness of the Chesapeake Bay magnetic low, as opposed to the detail of the anomalies on either side, however, suggests that an abnormal thickness of nonmagnetic sedimentary rocks also coincides with the low. This could reflect a buried Triassic basin or, more probably, a thickened section of Coastal Plain sedimentary rocks deposited in the fault-bounded basin. The present course of the upper part of Chesapeake Bay is probably inherited from the pre-Pleistocene course of the Susquehanna River, but the river9s course may have been determined by the fault zone. Thus, this zone and similar en echelon fault zones along strike may explain the sudden change in course of major rivers in the central Atlantic Seaboard region.
The role of autocrine motility factor in tumor and tumor microenvironment

Autocrine motility factor (AMF) is a tumor-secreted cytokine and is abundant at tumor sites, where it may affect the process of tumor growth and metastasis. AMF is a multifunctional protein capable of affecting cell migration, invasion, proliferation, and survival, and possesses phosphoglucose isomerase activity and can catalyze the step in glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. Here, we review the role of AMF and tumor environment on malignant processes. The outcome of metastasis depends on multiple interactions between tumor cells and homeostatic mechanisms, therefore elucidation of the tumor/host interactions in the tumor microenvironment is essential in the development of new prevention and treatment strategies. Such knowledge might provide clues to develop new future therapeutic approaches for human cancers.
930 LOW RISK OF HEPATITIS B IN THALASSEMIA MAJOR: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE USE OF HEPATITIS B VACCINE IN CONNECTICUT

Active immunization with the HB vaccine is advocated for patients receiving frequent transfusions of blood or blood products, including hemophiliacs and thalassemics. We have diagnosed HB in our hemophiliacs who receive pooled plasma concentrates but not in thal major patients who receive 15/ml/kg of washed, leukocyte-poor RBC every 3-5 weeks. Blood from 25 thal major patients was tested for HBs Ag, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, and also for EBV-VCA and CMV-CF. All bloods were negative for HBs Ag. Two of 25 had anti-HB. One of these was an immigrant Greek boy who had anti-HB when he came to CT. The other patient converted between 1981-82 but had no symptoms of hepatitis. The percent positive and range of titers against CMV and EBV were similar to normals. These patients receive 800 units of RBC every year and have been exposed to about 10,000 units of blood during the past 17 years. Thus the risk of developing anti-HB (= exposure) in CT appears to be of the order of 1/10,000 units transfused. The probability of developing clinical HB is much less. Reasons for this very low risk include: 1. Use of wholly volunteer blood in CT for 20 years. 2. Routine screening of all blood for HBs Ag for 9 years. 3. Use :of washed, leukocyte-poor blood. Because of the low risk of HB exposure, the need for HB immunization of thal major patients in CT is dubious. Similar procedures should be effective in reducing the risk of other transfusion related diseases, including non-A, non-B hepatitis and HTLV III related AIDS.
Scanning digitizers: automating the input of drawings

Abstract The process of design is often one of redesign: older concepts are merged or slightly altered to create new ones. The economic effectiveness of CAD in handling redesign will necessarily be commensurate with the ease, rapidity and precision by which old data is introduced into the computer. When information exists in the form of drawings it should be entered into the machine by a transduction mechanism which is selected according to such criteria as the type of document and the use to which the data is to be put. It should be remembered, however, that historically the usefulness of a CAD system has a way of evolving, and data obtained for one objective may later be used for totally different purposes. This implies that if the data is incomplete, the digitizing process may have to be repeated with the additional costs, complexities, and time delays associated with merging old and probably incompatible data files with new ones. As a consequence, it seems best to digitize drawings initially with a scanning digitizer and then use manual digitizing techniques (either online or offline) to cull, label and manipulate the data into the form suitable for each application. This procedure combines the speed and precision of the scanner with the interaction of the manual systems. The realm of tedium is thus properly delegated to the machine, and the more intellectual processes remain with the human.
On-chip surface acoustic wave lysis and ion-exchange nanomembrane detection of exosomal RNA for pancreatic cancer study and diagnosis

There has been increasing evidence that micro and messenger RNA derived from exosomes play important roles in pancreatic and other cancers. In this work, a microfluidics-based approach to the analysis of exosomal RNA is presented based on surface acoustic wave (SAW) exosome lysis and ion-exchange nanomembrane RNA sensing performed in conjunction on two separate chips. Using microRNA hsa-miR-550 as a model target and raw cell media from pancreatic cancer cell lines as a biological sample, SAW-based exosome lysis is shown to have a lysis rate of 38%, and an ion-exchange nanomembrane sensor is shown to have a limit of detection of 2 pM, with two decades of linear dynamic range. A universal calibration curve was derived for the membrane sensor and used to detect the target at a concentration of 13 pM in a SAW-lysed sample, which translates to 14 target miRNA per exosome from the raw cell media. At a total analysis time of ~1.5 h, this approach is a significant improvement over existing methods that require two overnight steps and 13 h of processing time. The platform also requires much smaller sample volumes than existing technology (~100 μL as opposed to ~mL) and operates with minimal sample loss, a distinct advantage for studies involving mouse models or other situations where the working fluid is scarce.
Robot gaming and learning using augmented reality

Towards accessible teaching of robots from demonstration, we describe a prototype mixed-reality distributed multi-player robotic gaming environment. Our goal is to provide robot learning researchers with a means to collect large corpora of data representative of human decision making. Robot control by a human operator (or teleoperation) is cast in a video game style interface to leverage the ubiquity and popularity of games while minimizing tedium commonly associated with robot training.
Differential activation of transcription of chromatin by non-histone fractions

Abstract In the RNA polymerase reaction templated by rat liver or Walker tumor chromatin, addition of a non-histone protein fraction that is homologous to the tissue of chromatin stimulates RNA synthesis in vitro to a greater extent than the heterologous non-histone protein fraction. DNA · RNA hybridization experiments of the transcribed RNA show (1) that RNA synthesized from activated chromatin is transcribed from additional DNA sequences; and (2) that the homologous non-histone protein fraction activates the transcription of different DNA sequences from those activated by the heterologous non-histone protein fraction. It is concluded that such non-histone protein fractions are capable of differentially augmenting transcription in vitro from DNA sequences of chromatin.
Reuben's fall: complicating ‘goodness’ and schoolroom disobedience

This article offers a snapshot of children's sentient and relational spirituality within a moment of disobedience in a kindergarten classroom. It is a portion of a study that employed a combination of qualitative inquiry (by Eisner in 1998) and rhizoanalyis, adapted from the work of Deleuze and Guattari (of 1987), MacNaughton (of 2005). The purpose of the larger study was to present moments of kindergarten children's disobedience in order to more fully understand the complexity of each moment. Rhizoanalysis was engaged in order to open lateral paths toward new understandings and questions regarding the disobedient actions of children, and so served to destabilise and challenge the known and given texts of children's disobedience and to disrupt the assumptions often made regarding the actions and interactions of young children as ‘bad’ or ‘good’ and offer ways to ‘see’ each moment of interaction as many things – both and neither bad nor good. The moment of disobedience and discussion offered within this pa...
Prooxidant and antioxidant mechanisms in aquatic organisms

Abstract A consequence of all aerobic life is the production of potentially harmful, partially reduced species of molecular oxygen (oxyradicals) that occurs as a result of normal oxygen metabolism. In view of this potential for harm, aerobic organisms have evolved a complex armamentorium of defenses to protect them against the possible ravages of oxyradical production. A recent growing body of evidence indicates a marked penchant for augmented oxyradical production in aquatic organisms resulting largely from anthropogenic pollutant outfalls. Two consequences of environmental contamination might be envisaged; certain compounds which cause increased oxyradical flux could exacerbate the deleterious effects of oxyradicals or the increased fluxes could affect induction of antioxidant enzymes thereby overcoming the stresses imposed by the contaminating compound(s). This review describes the various adaptational mechanisms and responses, including the toxicological consequences, associated with oxyradical production. The broad phylogenetic spectrum of examples discussed herein illustrate that while there are numerous differences among the phyla with respect to both pro- and anti-oxidant mechanisms to establish a vigorous basis of inquiry, enough striking similarities also exist to suggest the use of aquatic organisms as alternative models to mammals in various areas of oxyradical research, e.g. aging and cancer. In addition, the potential use of anti-oxidant responses, e.g. induction of specific anti-oxidant enzymes as biomarkers of environmental contamination is reviewed.
Critical spin fluctuations in EuO

Zero-field electron spin-resonance was used to measure the spin-relaxation time above T/sub c/ in the isotropic ferromagnet EuO. These measurements show an asymptotic behavior in the reduced temperature region t < or = 0.02. The dynamic exponent z was determined for this asymptotic region to be z=2.04(7). Longitudinal relaxation measurements of the kinetic coefficient in EuO of Koetzler et al. (Solid State Commun. 26, (1978)) have been reanalyzed and provide an exponent z=1.93(10) in the asymptotic region. Both values of z agree with theoretical predictions for a dipolar dominated region in kappaq space.
An optimal algorithm for the multiproduct capacitated facility location problem with a choice of facility type

Abstract Consider a generalization of the multiproduct capacitated facility location problem in which each facility capacity has to be chosen from a given set of admissible levels. The objective is to select a set of facilities to open, along with their capacities, and to assign customer demands to them so as to minimize the total cost. In this model, in addition to a fixed cost for opening a facility, a fixed cost is incurred for each product that a facility is equipped to produce. Also, transportation costs are incurred for satisfying each customer's requirement for a particular product at each chosen facility. Benders' decomposition provides a natural partitioning of this model which defines a master problem for selecting a set of open facilities and equipment (or machines) and a subproblem in which the optimal assignment of demand to a specific facility is determined. A solution algorithm based on Benders' decomposition is developed, implemented and applied to a numerical example to discuss the behavior of the cutting planes generated in Benders' decomposition. Computational results of this algorithm are quite satisfactory and encouraging.
Diruthenium σ-iminophenylacetylide complexes from on-complex Schiff base condensation

Abstract Six diruthenium(II,III) compounds of the formula Ru2(ap)4–(C C–C6H4-4-N CH–4′–C6H4–R) (ap as 2-anilinopyridinate, 3) and Ru2(ap)4–(C C–C6H4–3–N CH–4′–C6H4–R) (4), where R is H (a), Br (b) or CHO (c), were prepared from the condensation reactions between Ru2(ap)4(C C–C6H4–4/3–NH2) (1/2) and an appropriate aldehyde. X-ray structural studies of compounds 3a and 3b revealed minimal changes upon the formation of the imine bond in the coordination sphere of the Ru2 core with respect to the parent compounds. Voltammetric measurements show that compounds 3a/b and 4a/b exhibit four one electron redox processes: an oxidation of Ru2, two reductions of Ru2, and a reduction of the imine group. Both compounds 3c and 4c also undergo a fourth reduction attributed to the aldehyde functional group.
ACP Journal Club. Reynolds Risk Score for men predicted cardiovascular events more accurately than traditional risk factors only.

Source Citation Ridker PM, Paynter NP, Rifai N, Gaziano JM, Cook NR. C-reactive protein and parental history improve global cardiovascular risk prediction: the Reynolds Risk Score for men. Circulat...
The Probability of Anomalies on Contour Maps

The minimum probability that: anomalous bulges and re-entrants produced by mechanical (as opposed to interpretational) contouring of data on maps actually exist and are not merely the result of measurement errors may be calculated. The calculation consists of computing the compound probability that the value of at least one data point within each anomaly is actually higher or lower than the value of one data point on each flank of the anomaly. The calculation requires multiple data values at one or more locations on che map or a subjective estimate of the variance of the data. It is assumed that the variance of the data does not change from place to place on the map and that the recorded data values are normally distributed about the true value.
Cyber bullying: practices to face digital aggression

The display of aggressive behaviours among the digital generation has modernized the traditional attributes of bullying. Cases of bullying are no longer confined to physical altercations between peers in school hallways or hostile verbal exchanges during recess periods. With the progression of technology, educators must recognize the changes of our students’ behaviours as lives become modified by the digital era. The issues of cyber bullying have gained global visibility due to the disheartening publicized cases of the victims. While the families of victims mourn the loss of their children and earnestly seek to understand the cause of each account, researchers actively examine and implement preventative measures in hopes of educating individuals (e.g., general and special educators, parents, students, community professionals) to distinguish the warning signs of aggressive behaviours in digital forms.
Delayed tension pneumopericardium after thoracotomy for penetrating chest trauma

Tension pneumopericardium is a rare entity typically described in premature infants requiring positive-pressure ventilation. However, recent reports suggest an increase in its occurrence in adults. A case of delayed postoperative tension pneumopericardium in an adult patient is presented with a review of the history, pathophysiology, presentation, and treatment of this entity.
Petrologic and structural contrast of the quaternary volcanoes of Guatemala

An imposing chain of volcanoes that forms a narrow belt parallel to the Pacific coast of Guatemala displays a variety of petrologic and eruptive features that appear to be related to differences in their structural environment. In western Guatemala most of the volcanoes are large composite cones of pyroxene andesite that bear only a few parasitic cones of basaltic cinders on their flanks. However, many of the volcanoes, during their later stages of growth, discharged immense volumes of dacite pumice from their summit vents, and some of them erupted domes of viscous andesite and more siliceous lavas far down their slopes. The huge cauldron of Lake Atitlan and the Krakatoan-type caldera of Lake Ayarza were formed by subsidence related to voluminous eruptions of lava and pumice.
Discrepancy risk model selection test theory for comparing possibly misspecified or nonnested models

A new model selection statistical test is proposed for testing the null hypothesis that two probability models equally effectively fit the underlying data generating process (DGP). The new model selection test, called the Discrepancy Risk Model Selection Test (DRMST), extends previous work (see Vuong, 1989) on this problem in four distinct ways. First, generalized goodness-of-fit measures (which include log-likelihood functions) can be used. Second, unlike the classical likelihood ratio test, the models are not required to be fully nested where the nesting concept is defined for generalized goodness-of-fit measures. The DRMST also differs from the likelihood ratio test by not requiring that either competing model provides a completely accurate representation of the DGP. And, fourth, the DRMST may be used to compare competing time-series models using correlated observations as well as data consisting of independent and identically distributed observations.
A CONCISE INTRODUCTION TO SURFACE RHEOLOGY WITH APPLICATION TO DILUTE EMULSIONS OF VISCOUS DROPS

A concise review is provided of fundamentals of interfacial transport and rheology, which includes simple proofs of the surface divergence theorem and the surface Reynolds transport theorem, needed in the derivations. The results are applied to the prototype example of a dilute emulsion of spherical drops suspended in an immiscible continuous fluid, in the circumstance where the interface separating the two phases possesses its own Theological properties (i.e., surface shear and dilatational viscosities). The low-Reynolds-number hydrodynamics of the emulsion droplets in a general linear flow is analyzed using invariant methods, providing the velocity, pressure and stress fields everywhere and allowing the leading order deformation of the drops to be calculated. The average stress in the dilute emulsion is also obtained to first order in the volume fraction of the dispersed phase. The results suggest that simultaneous measurements of the effective viscosity of the emulsion and the deformation of the drops ...
Is Anti-Semitism Currently Part of an Authoritarian Attitude Syndrome?

This study used data from the 1990 General Social Survey to investigate the extent to which anti-Semitism had syndromic relationships with other authoritarianism-related attitudes among American White non-Jews. The correlational and factor analytic connections between four measures of anti-Semitism and the other attitudes were generally weak. There were no clear-cut differences between respondents high and low in education in the strength of these connections. Moreover, when the scores of respondents favorable and unfavorable to Jews were compared on a number ofauthoritarianism-related scales, the differences were usually small. The results suggest a diminished role for anti-Semitism in authoritarian attitude syndromes. This study addresses a neglected question: the degree to which anti-Semitism is currently a part of a broader configuration. Data from the national sample of the 1990 General Social Survey (GSS) are used to establish the extent to which anti-Semitism has correlational and factor analytic associations with other social attitudes that have been theoretically linked to authoritarian attitude syndromes. Research on the current role of anti-Semitism can help to answer questions about such syndromes while at the same time shedding light on the nature of contemporary American attitudes toward Jews. One of the cornerstones of the authoritarian personality conceptualization of the Berkeley group (Adorno, Frenkel-Brunswik, Levinson, & Sanford, 1950) was the notion that the ethnocentric rejection of outgroups was part of a general disposition. Basic to this formulation was the treatment by the Adorno group of anti-Semitism. Dislike of Jews was seen as an integral part of a broad attitudinal syndrome that included not only negative attitudes toward other outgroups, but a large number of conservative attitudes across a wide range of social topics.
Autumn, the neglected season in climate change research

Autumn remains a relatively neglected season in climate change research in temperate and arctic ecosystems. This neglect occurs despite the importance of autumn events, including leaf senescence, fruit ripening, bird and insect migration, and induction of hibernation and diapause. Changes in autumn phenology alter the reproductive capacity of individuals, exacerbate invasions, allow pathogen amplification and higher disease-transmission rates, reshuffle natural enemy‐prey dynamics, shift the ecological dynamics among interacting species, and affect the net productivity of ecosystems. We synthesize some of our existing understanding of autumn phenology and identify five areas ripe for future climate change research. We provide recommendations to address common pitfalls in autumnal research as well as to support the conservation and management of vulnerable ecosystems and taxa.
Improving antibiotic use has become essential--can surgery lead the way?

The past few years have seen a remarkable increase in antimicrobial resistance of organisms that were susceptible to many drugs a few years ago.1 Worse, some organisms have developed resistance to drugs that have worked for years.2,3 For the first time in many decades, we face the specter of organisms for which no adequate chemotherapy exists. For example, enterococci have developed resistance to 1-lactams, aminoglycosides and now vancomycin.4 How to treat serious infection caused by enterococci that acquire all three of these resistance mechanisms is totally unclear. These developments mean that we now are facing a precarious time in attempting to keep patients with serious infections alive.
SELF, SURVEILLANCE, AND SOCIETY

There is much to admire about Thomas Voire. At a time when many contemporary observers express concern about increasing crime rates, an economic downturn, xenophobia, and political apathy, Tom is presented as a law-abiding and hard-working citizen. We do not use the word "citizen" lightly. Born in 1966, Tom has lived peaceably, stayed gainfully employed, served his country, explored non-U.S. cultures in libraries and museums, and, most laudably, demonstrated a willingness to articulate and defend nationally cherished and constitutionally protected personal freedoms. In Thomas Voire, Gary T. Marx provides us with an archetype of the postmodern democratic maneducated, tolerant, worldly, and a staunch believer in equality under the law. Tom is a product of much that is good about a nation devoted to preserving and enhancing individual liberties. The fact that Tom is a voyeur who collects personal data on unsuspecting women, tapes his consensual sexual relations with them, and spies while they disrobe does not challenge or undermine the nation's or Tom's foundational principles-it merely extends them. Marx shows how mass media and visual and communication technologies, omnipresent elements of postmodernity,1 have constructed a fragmented and alienated self. Tom is a contemporary everyman whose freedom to engage in voyeurism represents the triumph of universal, abstract individual rights over the particular, real-life social relationships that constitute his actions as harmful. He is entirely dependent on collective discursive and material practices, yet denies his interdependence through the invocation of a radical individualism.2 By having ready access to the enabling tools-remote cameras, hidden microphones, the World Wide Web, and personal computers-Tom can live independently from others yet enjoy as much of others as he desires. In doing so, he occupies a moral and legal safe house. By appealing to both contemporary discourses of freedom and individualism and traditional ideals of equality under law, he tries to persuade us that his private fantasies
Nampt secreted from cardiomyocytes promotes development of cardiac hypertrophy and adverse ventricular remodeling

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt) is an important coenzyme involved in cellular redox reactions. Inside the cell, Nampt (iNampt) functions as a rate-limiting enzyme in the NAD salvage ...
Cell-coverage estimation based on duration outage criterion for CDMA cellular systems

Previous papers addressing coverage analysis for code-division multiple-access (CDMA) cellular networks have focused on cell expansion from soft handoff or estimation of cell coverage based on an instantaneous outage criterion. Instantaneous outage estimates of cell coverage are a worst case assessment in that the predicted coverage as a function of the number of users is necessarily smaller than the actual coverage. We present the theoretical framework for estimating reverse-link cell coverage based on a duration outage criterion. Our results show that coverage estimates based on duration outage are typically 15%-30% larger than coverage estimates based on instantaneous outage when the correlation distance of the large-scale shadowing environment is small. We compare our theoretical duration outage results of cell coverage with simulated results that considered various large-scale shadowing conditions as well as Rayleigh small-scale fading. The theoretical and simulated coverage results are found to be in very good agreement. The simulations confirm that the presented theoretical duration outage analyses provide accurate and realistic estimates of reverse-link CDMA cell coverage.
Technical considerations for lower limb multidetector computed tomographic angiography

Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) enables imaging of the entire arterial tree non-invasively. Optimal technical considerations for performing MDCT angiography (MDCTA) are essential for accurate diagnosis and atherosclerotic disease stratification. This review article focuses on the various technical aspects necessary for peripheral computed tomographic angiography (CTA) acquisition. Common clinical indications for peripheral MDCTA and the latest scan protocols are described. The essential issue of radiation dose reduction is discussed, along with methods of optimal contrast bolus detection and delivery. Post-processing techniques are also presented. Previously, digital subtraction angiography was the only established reliable imaging technique to quantify atherosclerotic disease load; however, MDCTA may now challenge this old gold standard, along with other non-invasive techniques such as magnetic resonance angiography (MRA).
Short Communication: A Milk Trait-Associated Polymorphism in the Bovine Growth Hormone Receptor Gene Does Not Affect Receptor Signaling

Growth hormone (GH), also known as somatotropin, stimulates milk production in cows. At the tissue level, the action of GH is mediated by the GH receptor (GHR) and the receptor-activated intracellular signaling pathway involving Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5). A T/A nucleotide variation in exon 8 of the bovine GHR gene, resulting in a phenylalanine to tyrosine change in the transmembrane domain of the GHR protein, has been reported to be associated with a major effect on milk yield in cows. The objective of this study was to determine whether the 2 versions of GHR differ in mediating GH-induced STAT5 activation of gene expression. We created cDNA expression plasmids for the 2 versions of GHR and cotransfected each of them with a STAT5 expression plasmid and a luciferase reporter gene construct containing STAT5 binding sites into 2 different cell lines. Treatment of the transfected cells with various concentrations of GH triggered a dose-dependent increase in luciferase activity. However, the GH-induced luciferase activity was not different between the 2 GHR expression plasmids, indicating that the 2 GHR forms did not differ in mediating GH-induced STAT5 activation of gene expression. Thus, if the T/A polymorphism in exon 8 of the GHR gene has a causative effect on milk production, this effect is unlikely to be mediated by the JAK2-STAT5 pathway, the currently known major signaling pathway from the growth hormone receptor.
A novel efficient technique for traffic grooming in WDM SONET with multiple line speeds

SONET rings remain the dominant optical transport architecture in the metropolitan area. To support traffic growth on these rings, WDM technology is used to provide multiple SONET rings on the same fiber, each SONET ring running on a separate wavelength. Traffic grooming refers to intelligently arranging low speed traffic streams onto different SONET rings and selecting the proper line speed for each wavelength so as to minimize certain cost objective, such as the total cost of electronic Add-Drop Multiplexer (ADM) equipments used. The problem can be formulated as an Integer Linear Programming (ILP) problem by generalizing the formulation in [1] [2] to support multiple line speeds. Unfortunately, solving the ILP directly could be very computation intensive. In this paper, we propose a non-linear formulation instead, and then solve it by decomposing it into several smaller ILP subproblems, each can be solved separately by an ILP solver. Decomposition allows us to exploit the symmetry in the problem structure, and cut down the solution space dramatically, therefore, reducing the computation time to solve a problem. Even if we may have to terminate the computation early for large size problems, decomposition allows us to explore a larger portion of the solution space in a given amount of time, therefore, obtain better results.
Interaction Diagram and Load Effects for Vertical Pile Groups with Application to the AASHTO LRFD

In this paper, a procedure is proposed for calculating the interaction diagram of a vertical pile group subject to axial load and biaxial moments; equations are then applied to the AASHTO LRFD code. Several cases are presented, depending on the efficiency of the pile group, and it is shown that the interaction diagram can be a pentahedron, a hexahedron, an octahedron, a nonahedron, or a decahedron. It is shown how the use of convex analysis and computational geometry leads to a rational calculation of the load effects and of the relationship between load effects and an interaction diagram. When the design entails evaluating several design alternatives, the methods of computational geometry yield a fivefold to tenfold computational saving with respect to considering all load combinations. A simple numerical example shows the application of the proposed procedure in a typical design setting, and highlights the advantages of the proposed procedure.
TREE THINNING AND PRESCRIBED BURNING EFFECTS ON GROUND FLORA IN ARIZONA PONDEROSA PINE FORESTS: A REVIEW

Ground flora is an important response variable to monitor after tree thinning and prescribed burning treatments designed to restore Arizona ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa P.& C. Lawson) forests. This paper reviews published literature on the effects of thinning and burning on ground flora in Arizona ponderosa pine forests in five main categories of research: ground flora biomass, species diversity, plant community composition, population processes, and individual species ecology. Research published to date suggests that thinning and burning generally increase ground flora biomass, whereas other categories of research such as community composition and population processes have been little studied in Arizona ponderosa pine forests. Additional research needs include determining the relative importance of soil seed banks, seed dispersal, and site conditions in post-treatment ground flora compositional dynamics using a demographic approach; developing predictive models for exotic species distribution and containment; monitoring long-term (>5 years) treatment effects; and geographically replicating experiments at dispersed sites differing in ecological conditions to determine the spatial and contextual applicability of research findings. To meet desired outcomes of ecological restoration including criteria for high native and low exotic species diversity, treatments supplementary to thinning and burning such as seeding of native species and life-history specific control methods of exotic species might be needed on some restoration sites.
Parallelization and characterization of SIFT on multi-core systems

This paper parallelizes and characterizes an important computer vision application -Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) both on a Symmetric Multiprocessor (SMP) platform and a large scale Chip Multiprocessor (CMP) simulator. SIFT is an approach for extracting distinctive invariant features from images and has been widely applied. In many computer vision problems, a real-time or even super-real-time processing capability of SIFT is required. To meet the computation demand, we optimize and parallelize SIFT to accelerate its execution on multi-core systems. Our study shows that SIFT can achieve a 9.7x ~ llx speedup on a 16 -core SMP system. Furthermore, Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) and cache-conscious optimization bring another 85% performance gain at most. But it is still three times slower than the real-time requirement for High-Definition Television (HDTV) image. Then we study the performance of SIFT on a 64 -core CMP simulator. The results show that for HDTV image, SIFT can achieve an excellent speedup of 52 x and run in real-time finally. Besides the parallelization and optimization work, we also conduct a detailed performance analysis for SIFT on those two platforms. We find that load imbalance significantly limits the scalability and SIFT suffers from intensive burst memory bandwidth requirement on the 16 -core SMP system. However, on the 64 -core CMP simulator the memory pressure is not high due to the shared last-level cache (LLC) which accommodates tremendous read-write sharing in SIFT. Thus it does not affect the scaling performance. In short, understanding the characterization of SIFT can help identify the program bottlenecks and give us further insights into designing better systems.
Solute compatibility with enzyme function and structure: rationales for the selection of osmotic agents and end-products of anaerobic metabolism in marine invertebrates.

The major nitrogenous osmolytes present in the cells of marine invertebrates, notably the free amino acids glycine, alanine and proline, and trimethylamine oxide and betaine, are highly compatible with proper enzyme function and structure. These nitrogenous osmolytes display either non-perturbing or, in some cases, favorable effects on enzyme-substrate and enzyme-cofactor complex formation, catalytic velocity and protein structural stability. In contrast, inorganic salts (KCl and NaCl) and certain of the free amino acids which play only a minor osmotic role, e.g., arginine and lysine, have strongly perturbing effects on one or more of these enzymic parameters. The compatible nitrogenous solutes therefore are suitable for use at high (several tenths molar) concentrations and at widely varying concentrations in osmo-conforming species. Certain nitrogenous solutes, especially trimethylamine oxide, betaine and glutamate, offset some of the perturbing effects of inorganic ions on enzyme function. The selective accumulation of osmolytes thus involves not only the concentration of non-perturbing solutes, but also a balanced accumulation of solutes with opposing effects on enzymes. The selection of end-products of anaerobic metabolism also appears to be based, in part, on considerations of solute compatibility with enzyme function. Octopine is a non-perturbing solute, whereas arginine, which is condensed with pyruvate to form octopine, is very strongly perturbing. Succinate has marked stabilizing effects on protein structure. We conclude that the composition of the intracellular fluids of marine invertebrates reflects selection for osmolytes and end-products whose net effects create a cellular microenvironment which is conducive to optimal enzyme function and structure. The accumulation of compatible solutes may preclude the necessity for widespread changes in protein structure in adapting to concentrated or highly variable osmotic environments.
Load-balanced combined input-crosspoint buffered packet switch and long round-trip times

The amount of memory in buffered crossbars is proportional to the number of crosspoints, or O(N/sup 2/), where N is the number of ports, and to the crosspoint buffer size, which is defined by the distance between the line cards and the buffered crossbar, to achieve 100% throughput under high-speed data flows. A long distance between these two components can make a buffered crossbar costly to implement. In this letter, we propose a load-balanced combined input-crosspoint buffered packet switch that uses small crosspoint buffers and no speedup. The proposed switch reduces the required size of the crosspoint buffers by a factor of N and keeps the cells in sequence.
Accreditation: does it enhance quality?

Accreditation, considered to be the one formal mechanism for assessing quality in the postsecondary environment, focuses on determining and encouraging acceptable levels of educational quality. In particular, specialized program accreditation is purported to enhance program quality.This exploratory study used a nationwide mail questionnaire to a stratified random sampling of 100 department heads of the units administering baccalaureate Computer Science programs. The purpose was to gain an understanding of how Computer Science programs and departments were related to selected indicators of faculty and program quality.Several differences and some similarities exist between the accredited and non-accredited groups. The median of the data for each indicator suggested a quality breakpoint to be used in defining two indices. It was found that for each of the two indices, the accredited group outperformed the non-accredited group by thirty percent. The implication is that Computer Science programs that follow accreditation guidelines have the potential for increasing their quality indicators.
A taxonomic revision of the Pheidole roosevelti-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Fiji

This taxonomic revision treats a radiation of Fijian ants described here as belonging to the Pheidole roosevelti-group. Many of the species belonging to the group exhibit remarkable modification to the shape of their propodeal spines, mesonotums and heads. Seven species, five of which are described as new, are recognized: P. bula sp. n., P. colaensis Mann 1921, P. furcata sp. n., P. pegasus sp. n., P. roosevelti Mann 1921, P. simplispinosa sp. n., and P. uncagena sp. n. Descriptions and diagnostic keys are provided for the minor workers, major workers and queens. All species are illustrated with digital images, and their distributions across the Fijian archipelago are illustrated with a map. The group is compared to congeners known from the Pacific Island region with special attention given to species of the Pheidole quadricuspis, P. quadrispinosa and P. cervicornis groups. The biogeography of the group is briefly discussed. Preliminary morphological study suggests the group is monophyletic and most closely related to species of the P. cervicornis- group Emery from New Guinea.
Decomposing ERP time–frequency energy using PCA

Objective: Time–frequency transforms (TFTs) offer rich representations of event-related potential (ERP) activity, and thus add complexity. Data reduction techniques for TFTs have been slow to develop beyond time analysis of detail functions from wavelet transforms. Cohen’s class of TFTs based on the reduced interference distribution (RID) offer some benefits over wavelet TFTs, but do not offer the simplicity of detail functions from wavelet decomposition. The objective of the current approach is a data reduction method to extract succinct and meaningful events from both RID and wavelet TFTs. Methods: A general energy-based principal components analysis (PCA) approach to reducing TFTs is detailed. TFT surfaces are first restructured into vectors, recasting the data as a two-dimensional matrix amenable to PCA. PCA decomposition is performed on the twodimensional matrix, and surfaces are then reconstructed. The PCA decomposition method is conducted with RID and Morlet wavelet TFTs, as well as with PCA for time and frequency domains separately. Results: Three simulated datasets were decomposed. These included Gabor logons and chirped signals. All simulated events were appropriately extracted from the TFTs using both wavelet and RID TFTs. Varying levels of noise were then added to the simulated data, as well as a simulated condition difference. The PCA-TFT method, particularly when used with RID TFTs, appropriately extracted the components and detected condition differences for signals where time or frequency domain analysis alone failed. Response-locked ERP data from a reaction time experiment was also decomposed. Meaningful components representing distinct neurophysiological activity were extracted from the ERP TFT data, including the error-related negativity (ERN). Conclusions: Effective TFT data reduction was achieved. Activity that overlapped in time, frequency, and topography were effectively separated and extracted. Methodological issues involved in the application of PCA to TFTs are detailed, and directions for further development are discussed. Significance: The reported decomposition method represents a natural but significant extension of PCA into the TFT domain from the time and frequency domains alone. Evaluation of many aspects of this extension could now be conducted, using the PCA-TFT decomposition as a basis. q 2005 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. on behalf of International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology.
Cerebral Perfusion Pressure Studies in Acutely Ill Newborn Infants

We have developed a non-invasive method for measuring and monitoring ICP in newborn infants. (Vidyasagar and Raju 1977, Raju et al. 1980). In this paper we present our experience in measuring cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), and evaluate its role as a prognostic indicator.
Restaurant Viability: Operations Rating of Contributing Success Factors

The restaurant industry is the second largest employer in the United States, and restaurant demand is projected to increase in future years. In an age where more restaurants are coming into business rapidly and also going out of business steadily, there is a need to develop some operational strategies for running a restaurant successfully. This study, using quantitative survey methodology, reports responses to ratings of factors for success from current owners and operators of successful restaurants in southern New Mexico. The factors were categorized into the following domain and subdomains (a) external environment—general and specific, (b) internal environment—operational and personal, and (c) family life cycle. Means and frequencies were reported and results were grouped by means. Product served, customers, management of restaurant, as well as personal goals and philosophies had the highest overall mean response and corresponded to the most positive influence on restaurant viability. Labor market, reti...
American Society of Clinical Oncology Guideline for Antiemetics in Oncology: Update 2006

Purpose To update the 1999 American Society of Clinical Oncology guideline for antiemetics in oncology.