cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Variational Asymptotic Model for Predicting Initial Yielding Surface and Elastoplastic Behavior of Metal Matrix Composite Materials

The focus of this paper is to develop a micromechanics model based on the variational asymptotic method for unit cell homogenization (VAMUCH) for predicting of the initial yielding surface, overall instantaneous moduli, and elastoplastic behavior of metal matrix composites. Considering the size of the microstructure as a small parameter, we can formulate a variational statement of the unit cell through an asymptotic expansion of the energy functional. To handle realistic microstructures, we implement this new model using the finite element method. For model validation, we used a few examples to demonstrate the application and accuracy of this theory and the companion code.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Twisting of peripheral balloon appearing as a non-dilating peroneal artery lesion

Peripheral arterial lesions are usually longer than coronary artery lesions and require longer balloons and stents. Theoretically while advancing a long balloon in a long, high grade lesion with aggressive manipulation, the balloon can twist inside the lesion, but this has not been described before in the literature. Herein we are reporting a case where peripheral balloon (PB) twisted and appeared as a non-dilating lesion.
Detection of disulfide bonds in bovine brain tubulin and their role in protein folding and microtubule assembly in vitro: a novel disulfide detection approach.

Cysteine residues in tubulin are actively involved in regulating ligand interactions and microtubule formation both in vivo and in vitro. These cysteine residues are sensitive reporters in determining the conformation of tubulin. Although some of the cysteines are critical in modulating drug binding and microtubule assembly, it is not clear how many of these normally exist as disulfides. The controversy regarding the disulfide bonds led us to develop a disulfide detection assay to reexamine the presence of the disulfide linkages in purified αβ tubulin and explore their possible biological functions in vitro. The accessible cysteine residues in αβ tubulin were alkylated with an excess of iodoacetamide to prevent artifactual generation of disulfide linkages in tubulin. After removal of excess iodoacetamide, tubulin was unfolded in 8 M urea. Half of the unfolded tubulin was treated with dithiothreitol to reduce any disulfide bonds present. The aliquots were then treated with iodo[14C]acetamide and the incorp...
Closed-loop adaptive optics using a CMOS image quality metric sensor

When compared to a Shack-Hartmann sensor, a CMOS image sharpness sensor has the advantage of reduced complexity in a closed-loop adaptive optics system. It also has the potential to be implemented as a smart sensor using VLSI technology. In this paper, we present a novel adaptive optics testbed that uses a CMOS sharpness imager built in the New Mexico State University (NMSU) Electro-Optics Research Laboratory (EORL). The adaptive optics testbed, which includes a CMOS image quality metric sensor and a 37-channel deformable mirror, has the capability to rapidly compensate higher-order phase aberrations. An experimental performance comparison of the pinhole image sharpness feedback method and the CMOS imager is presented. The experimental data shows that the CMOS sharpness imager works well in a closed-loop adaptive optics system. Its overall performance is better than that of the pinhole method, and it has a fast response time.
Legendre polynomials and the elliptic genus

The famous Legendre polynomials are intricately connected with the theory of elliptic integrals and with the formal groups associated to Jacobi quartic curves Y2 = 1 26X2 + &X4. For instance, Honda [4] has obtained new congruences for these polynomials using his theory of formal groups. Congruences modulo p2 involving Legendre polynomials are at the root of the construction of elliptic cohomology [S]. On the other hand, Legendre polynomials may be interpreted as matrix coefficients for finite-dimensional representations of the algebraic group X(2) [3]. In this article, we use well-known facts about the reduction modulo p of such representations to find a representation-theoretic statement which implies the Schur congruences for the Legendre polynomials (see Section 1). We use similar methods to obtain a new derivation for some of Honda’s congruences. In Section 3, we prove a statement about the reduction modulo a large prime number p of a certain representation of an orthogonal group to obtain a congruence (Corollary 3.2) for Gegenbauer polynomials. We also give a congruence for Tchebycheff polynomials (Proposition 3.4). The expression of the Legendre polynomials as matrix coefficients allows us to write down an intriguing formula (Proposition 2.1) for the logarithm of the formal group associated to a Jacobi quartic. This formula shows that this formal power series is an “expectation value” (in the sense of quantum theory) for the representation of GL(2) in the space of formal power series in two variables X and Y. The role of the vacuum vector is played by the formal power series exy. The parameter t for the formal power series appears as the entry of a scalar (2, 2)-matrix. This suggests that some
C(α)-proton transfer from thiazolium ions : structure-reactivity correlations and the C(α)-H pKa of 2-(1-hydroxyethyl)thiamin

Abstract Rate constants for C(α)-proton transfer from racemic 2-(1-hydroxyethyl)thiamin (HET), 2-(1-hydroxyethyl)oxythiamin (oxy-HET), and several 2-(1-hydroxyethyl)-3-R-4-methylthiazolium ions catalyzed by H2O, hydroxide ion, and various oxygen-containing and amine buffers in the pH range 2–9 were determined by iodination at 25°C and ionic strength 1.0 m in H2O. Thermodynamically unfavorable C(α)-proton transfer from HET and oxy-HET shows general-base catalysis with a Bronsted β value of ≥0.9 and primary kinetic isotope effects of ( k H k D ) obsd = 1 . These results are consistent with diffusion-controlled proton transfer to and from the C(α) position of HET in aqueous solution and a very late, enamine-like transition state for thermodynamically unfavorable C(α)-proton transfer. General base catalysis is detectable because there is a negative deviation from this correlation by hydroxide ion. Values of pKa′ = 18.4 and 19.8 for the C(α)-proton of N(1′)-protonated HET and free HET, respectively, were calculated from the rate constants for catalysis by H2O and buffer bases. Values of k−a = 2 × 1010 and 3 × 109 m −1 s −1 were assumed for diffusion-controlled protonation of the C(α)-enamine in the reverse direction by H3O+ and buffer acids, respectively. The Hammett ϱ1 value for C(α)-proton transfer catalyzed by hydroxide ion or phosphate dianion is 22 ± 3. The absence of a positive deviation of the rate constants for catalysis by phosphate dianion when R = Me or n-Pr from the correlation defined by bulky aryl substituents is inconsistent with significant steric inhibition of resonance in the enamine which affects the rate of C(α)-proton removal or the C(α)-H pKa∼' value. The ≤15-fold positive deviations of the rate constants for catalysis by hydroxide ion from the correlation defined by bulky aryl substituents when R = Me > Et > n-Pr > i-Bu are attributed to a substituent-dependent “hydroxide ion anomaly.” Mechanistic implications for thiamin diphosphate-dependent enzymes are discussed.
Vaginal bleeding and diethylstilbestrol exposure during pregnancy: relationship to genital tract clear cell adenocarcinoma and vaginal adenosis in daughters.

Summary Comparing 186 cancer cases and 1772 cancer-free controls and reexamining several previously published studies, we found genital tract clear cell adenocarcinoma and vaginal adenosis to be moderately, but nonsignificantly, associated with vaginal gestational bleeding when in utero diethylstilbestrol exposure was statistically controlled. Considering the prevalence of diethylstilbestrol exposure in the general population, the relative risks of vaginal clear cell adenocarcinoma for in utero exposure were 365.6 and 459.0 when vaginal bleeding did and did not occur during the index pregnancy, respectively. The relative risks of vaginal adenosis for such diethylstilbestrol exposure were 15.4 and 92.8, respectively, for these women. The strong associations between in utero diethylstilbestrol exposure and both vaginal adenosis and genital tract clear cell adenocarcinoma cannot be attributed to the occurrence of problem pregnancy. However, among daughters exposed to diethylstilbestrol, maternal vaginal bleeding during the index pregnancy does appear to be associated with reduced risks of vaginal adenosis and vaginal clear cell adenocarcinoma. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1990;162:994-1001.)
Wellness promotion beliefs and practices of pediatric physical therapists.

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to elucidate wellness promotion beliefs and practices of pediatric physical therapists.Methods:From a random sample of 500 American Physical Therapy Association Pediatric Section active members, 257 physical therapists (51%) returned usable questionnaires design
Influence of water-borne and dietary calcium on uptake and retention of lead by coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch).

Abstract Coho salmon ( Oncorhynchus kisutch ) in fresh water (2.6 ppm of Ca 2+ ) were exposed to sublethal concentrations (0.13 and 0.21 ppm) of water-borne lead in the presence of increased concentrations of water-borne or dietary calcium. Uptake of lead was greatly reduced in tissues (gills, blood, liver, brain, skin, skeletal, and kidney) of fish each fed 8.4 mg of calcium. Lead uptake was also reduced significantly in gills, blood, skin, and skeleton of fish exposed to higher concentrations of water-borne calcium (6.2 ppm Ca 2+ ); however, liver and kidney of these fish did not show significant reduction in lead levels compared to the fish exposed to 2.6 ppm of Ca 2+ . Apparently, an increased concentration of calcium in the gastrointestinal tract is more effective than an increased concentration of calcium in surrounding water in reducing the uptake of water-borne lead. Retention of lead administered via the caudal vein was not significantly affected by increasing the calcium concentration in water from 2.6 to 11.9 ppm. Moreover, an increase in dietary or water-borne calcium had a less pronounced effect in reducing lead retention in most tissues than their effect in reducing lead uptake; nevertheless, an increase in water-borne or dietary calcium significantly reduced both uptake and retention of lead in skin and skeleton. The results also show that in coho salmon turnover of lead—and perhaps calcium—is greater in skin than in the skeleton. It is concluded from these results that in salmonids the biological fate, and presumably the toxicity, of lead is influenced by the calcium status of the animal.
ON CHOOSING ORGANIZATIONAL‐ARRANGEMENTS: THE EXAMPLE OF OFFSHORE OIL GATHERING1

The main organizational arrangements found in offshore oil production are described and explained using the transaction cost paradigm. Both measurement cost and rent appropriation economizing are utilized and it is shown that organizational arrangements align with predictions. The internationalization of the industry is shown to depend upon transaction cost economizing motives. Selection of an institutional market arrangement--the invited tender-bid auction--is also shown to be transaction cost dependent. Complexity of product or process is argued to be a separate explanatory variable in the choice of organizational arrangements. Copyright 1991 by Scottish Economic Society.
IXe dating of the shallowater achondrite

Abstract Xenon from a pile irradiated sample of the Shallowater enstatite achondrite was analysed in a step-wise heating experiment. Below 1200°C very little radiogenic 129 Xe was observed. Above this temperature radiogenic 129 Xe was released in excellent correlation with 128 Xe, from neutron capture on iodine, satisfying the requirements for IXe dating. The ratio of 129 I to 127 I when Shallowater began retaining xenon is the same within experimental error as the ratio in 10 chondrites previously measured, indicating that Shallowater and these chondrites began to retain xenon simultaneously to within one or two million years. Calculated values of the formation interval for these bodies lie between 60 and 220 million years depending on the model for nucleosynthesis assumed.
The Substance of Things Hoped for: a Study of the Future Orientation, Minority Status Perceptions, Academic Engagement, and Academic Performance of Black High School Students

This study investigated the relationship between the Future Temporal Orientation (FTO) and academic performance of African American high school students. We hypothesized that the relationship between FTO and academic performance would be mediated by students’ perceptions of the usefulness of an education and their valuing of academic work and that the relationships between FTO and the hypothesized mediators would be moderated by students’ perceptions of school and societal inequity. The students (N = 334) completed questionnaires assessing their temporal orientation and educational attitudes, and GPAs were gathered from their transcripts. Results and post hoc analyses supported the existence of a three-step process: FTO was associated with perceptions of education usefulness, which was then associated with valuing academic work (a relationship moderated by perceived unfair treatment at school), which was then associated with GPAs. The significance of FTO development as a normative process and possible pro...
Microvascular Responses to Alterations in Oxygen Tension

The changes in microvascular diameter and perivascular oxygen tension resulting from alterations in suffusion solution Po2 were investigated in a study of the participation of oxygen in the regulation of blood flow. Diffusion gradients for oxygen were altered by changing the Po2 of a solution covering the surface of the hamster cheek pouch. As the solution Po2 was raised from a low of 11 mm Hg, perivascular Po2 of the large arterioles initially decreased to a minimum at approximately 40 mm Hg and then increased progressively as solution Po2 was elevated further. Arterial capillary and tissue Po2 remained relatively constant over a range of solution oxygen tensions between 11 and 40 mm Hg, suggesting that either the precapillary sphincters or the terminal arterioles were active in regulating tissue Po2 as the input of O2 from the solution was increased. The arterioles constricted as solution Po2 was elevated. Average arteriolar diameter decreased by 13% as solution Po2 increased from 11 to 47 mm Hg. A more pronounced constriction of 20% occurred when solution Po2 was increased from 11 to 84 mm Hg. These experiments indicated that the response of large and small arterioles was not mediated by a direct effect of oxygen on the vascular smooth muscle, since decreases in perivascular oxygen tension were coincident with decreases in vascular diameter in these vessels over a range of solution Po2 between 11 and 47 mm Hg. The data did not distinguish between a direct and an indirect effect of oxygen on the vascular smooth muscle of the terminal arterioles and precapillary sphincters. However, the oxygen tensions measured at these sites (18-30 mm Hg) required that the vascular smooth muscle cells respond to altered oxygen tension at levels higher than those which have been demonstrated experimentally.
Key Informants' Perspectives Prior to Beginning a Cervical Cancer Study in Ohio Appalachia

Higher-than-average cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates occur in Ohio Appalachia. Little is known, however, about societal norms and social determinants that affect these rates. To examine county-level sociocultural environments to plan a cervical cancer prevention program, the authorsinterviewed key informants from 17 of 29 Ohio Appalachia counties. Findingsinclude the perceived offensiveness of the term Appalachia, the importance of long-standing family ties, urban and rural areas within counties, use and acceptability of tobacco, the view that cancer is a death sentence, and the stigmatization of people with cancer. Barriers to screening included cost, lack of insurance, transportation problems, fear, embarrassment, and privacy issues. These findings highlight the important role of geography, social environment, and culture on health behaviors and health outcomes. The interviews provided information about the unique characteristics of this population that are important when developing effecti...
Do the Poor Pay More: Is the U-Shaped Curve Correct?

We first show where the U-shaped curve of the relationship between income and charitable giving, which is often construed as evidence that the poor pay more than do the wealthy, comes from. We then recalculate the relationship between income and giving, showing why the data do not support the contention that the poor contribute a greater percentage of their income to philanthropy.
Reflection high energy electron diffraction measurement of surface diffusion during the growth of gallium arsenide by MBE

Oscillations in both the intensity and width of reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) are observed to depend upon most MBE growth parameters. Previously, we reported that oscillations in the width of the specular RHEED beam could be used to measure the mean island size occuring during growth. From the mean island size, the diffusion length of adatoms on the surface was estimated. On a GaAs(100) surface the measurements are extended to determine the dependence of the surface diffusion of Ga on Ga arrival rate, As4 flux, crystal misorientation, and substrate temperature. At temperatures where Ga evaporation is not significant, but still high enough to be in the 1×1 surface phase region, we find the diffusion length decreases as the square root of the Ga arrival rate. For fixed Ga arrival rate, the correlation length was measured as a function of temperature and as the As4 flux was varied. These results are compared to those obtained by Neave et al. [Appl. Phys. Letters 47 (1985) 100].
CT scans in sub-groups of chronic schizophrenics

Abstract Measurements of the ventricular brain ratio (VBR), width of the sylvian fissure, and symmetry of the frontal lobes were obtained from 26 chronic schizophrenic patients, 22 alcoholic and neurological patients, and 20 normal controls. All schizophrenic subjects were non-responsive to long-term neuroleptic medication for 3–25 yr and were between 23 and 45 yr of age. Detailed diagnostic workups differentiated two sub-groups by DSM III criteria, residual and paranoid. The former group was characterized by large VBRs while the paranoids were within the range of normal controls. Those patients with VBRs greater than nine had wider sylvian fissures and increased frequency of reversed frontal asymmetry. As a group, the VBRs of all schizophrenics differed significantly from normal controls but did not differ from those of alcoholics or patients with neurological disorders (migraine, generalized seizures). This finding indicates that DSM III criteria applied to CT scan measures may help define a sub-group within the schizophrenias. While not specific to this disorder, the underlying pathology demonstrating increased VBRs and other CT scan changes may be specific to but different from other disorders.
A glance at an overlooked part of the world wide web

Although according to surveys related to internet user activity it is considered one of the most popular aspects, few studies are actually concerned with internet pornography. This paper is aimed at rectifying that overlook. In particular, we study user activity related to internet pornography by looking at two main behaviors: (i) watching pornography, and (ii) providing feedback on pornography items in the form of ratings and comments.By using appropriate datasets that we collect, we make contributions related to the study of both behaviors pointed out above. With regards to viewing, we observe that views are highly dependent on pornography category and video size. By studying the feedback system of pornography video websites, we observe differences in the way users rate items across websites popular in different parts of the world. Finally, we employ sentiment analysis to study the comments that users leave on pornography websites and we find surprising similarities across the analyzed websites. Our results pave the way to understanding more about human behavior related to internet pornography and can impact, among others, fields such as content personalization, video content delivery, recommender systems
Correcting congestion-based error in network telescope's observations of worm dynamics

Network telescopes have been invaluable for collecting information about dynamics of large-scale worm events. Yet, a telescope's observation may be incomplete due to scan congestion drops, hardware limitations, filtering and presence of NATs, a worm's non-uniform scanning strategy or its short life. We investigate inaccuracies in telescope observations that arise from worm-induced congestion drops of worm scans and show that they may lead to significant underestimates of the number of infectees and their scanning rate. We propose a method to infer worm-induced congestion drops from telescope's observations and use them to accurately estimate global worm dynamics. We apply our methods to CAIDA telescope's observations of Witty worm's spread, and release corrected statistics of worm dynamics for public use.
What Fundamentally Drives Growth? Revisiting the Institutions and Economic Performance Debate

The recent empirical growth literature has proposed three underlying fundamental determinants of economic growth, namely, physical geography, economic integration and institutional quality. This paper unpacks the final determinant into both political-economic institutions as well as the primarily political institution of democratic development. Using both cross-sectional and panel datasets, we show that, properly instrumented, there is no evidence that democracies grow faster or slower than non-democracies. This result is in contrast to much of the more recent literature, which tends to find a weakly positive relationship. Political- economic institutions, however, remain positive and significant determinants of economic growth, which corroborates much of the empirical evidence in the existing literature. Copyright # 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Let Me Go: The Influences of Crawling Experience and Temperament on the Development of Anger Expression

Infants' emerging ability to move independently by crawling is associated with changes in multiple domains, including an increase in expressions of anger in situations that block infants' goals, but it is unknown whether increased anger is specifically because of experience with being able to move autonomously or simply related to age. To examine the influence of locomotion on developmental change in anger, infants' (N = 20) anger expressions during an arm restraint procedure were observed longitudinally at a precrawling baseline assessment and 2 and 6 weeks after the onset of crawling. Infant age at each crawling stage was unrelated to the frequency of anger expressed in response to arm restraint. At 6 weeks postcrawling onset, infants whose mothers rated them as temperamentally higher in distress to limitations, compared with those rated lower, showed a greater increase in the frequency of anger expressed during the arm restraint relative to earlier assessments and took longer to reduce the frequency of anger expressed when no longer restrained. Findings suggest that experience with autonomous crawling has an effect on anger expression, independent of age, and that a temperamental tendency to become distressed by limitations may exacerbate the effect of crawling on anger expression.
Interrelationships Between Diet and Elevated Temperatures (Cyclic and Constant) on Egg Production and Shell Quality

Abstract A total of 216 Single Comb White Leghorn pullets were divided into three equal groups and individually caged in environmentally controlled chambers. The environments imposed were: (1) 21°C. constant (21° Co); (2) 31°C. constant (31° Co); (3) 26.7–35.6° cyclic with an average of 31°C. (31° Cy). Relative humidity was maintained at 50% in all environments. The hens in each environment were fed either a typical corn-soy laying diet or a “High Nutrient Density” (HND) diet (25% more of all nutrients except energy which was increased 10%). The data collected over 12 weeks showed that the following parameters were reduced by both heat stress conditions, but that the values for 31°Cy were intermediate between 31° Co and 21° Co: (1) egg production; (2) specific gravity of eggs; (3) shell thickness; (4) serum thyroxine levels. Factors which were lowered by heat stress, but which were not greatly different between cyclic and constant 31°C. included: (1) food consumption; (2) egg weight; (3) plasma calcium; (4) hematocrit values; (5) bone ash. Feed conversion was improved with high temperature, and the best conversion was noted in the 31° Cy environment. The HND diet increased egg production only at high temperatures, and egg production of hens fed the HND diet at elevated temperatures approached normal. Food consumption was decreased, egg size was increased, feed efficiency was improved and plasma calcium was increased by feeding the HND diet regardless of environment. However, diet had no effect on the various measures of shell quality (specific gravity, shell thickness, percent true shell).
Gender, Health Beliefs, Health Behaviors, and Alcohol Consumption

We conducted a study of the relationship between health beliefs, health practices, and alcohol consumption among women and men using the Health Belief Model (HBM). The study sample (N = 41,104) was drawn from the 1990 National Health Interview Survey. A 15% random sample was selected from the total data set for the purpose of selecting variables. Alcohol consumption was defined as a health-related behavior and was regressed on demographic characteristics, health beliefs, and health practices. Quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption were assessed for each gender, using the HBM. The HBM explained similar amounts of the variance in alcohol use for women and men. Quantity of alcohol consumed accounted for more variance than did frequency of consumption. We conclude that health beliefs and behaviors are related to alcohol consumption after adjustment for demographic characteristics, and that differences exist between perceived risks and behaviors for both women and men.
Prevention of Spontaneous Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia in the Postinfarction Dog by Left Stellate Ganglionectomy

Suppression of Sustained VT by Left Stellectomy. Holter monitoring and ventricular pacing were used to examine control, right stellate ganglionectomy, and left stellate ganglionectomy treatment groups, 6-24 hours after left anterior descending coronary artery ligation in dogs. In nine of 27 controls (33%), spontaneous ventricular triplets (358 ± 8 beats/min) initiated sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (386 ± 16 beats/min), followed by ventricular fibrillation at 12.6 ± 1.4 hours. Ventricular pacing produced sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia in 13 of 18 survivors (73%) at 24 hours. Left but not right stellectomy performed 15 minutes before coronary artery ligation reduced the incidence of spontaneous sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (2 of 27, 7%, P = 0.06; 7 of 27, 26%, P = 0.50, respectively) and reduced the maximal ventricular triplet rate (332 ± 12, P <0.05 and 358 ± 10 beats/min, respectively, P = NS vs control). Neither left nor right stellectomy altered the incidence of ventricular triplets during the 6-24 hour period (153 ± 58 and 222 ± 55/hour, respectively, vs control, 177 ± 59/hour, P = NS) nor prevented pacing-induced sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia in the survivors at 24 hours (20 of 24, 75%; and 16 of 20, 80%, P = NS). The data demonstrate that left but not right stellectomy reduces spontaneous sustained ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation during the 6-24 hour period following coronary artery ligation in the dog. Left stellectomy reduces the triggers for sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (rapid ventricular triplets) without altering the underlying reentrant substrate for sustained ventricular tachycardia.
DNA curving and bending in protein-DNA recognition.

Summary Most biological events are regulated at the molecular level by site-specific associations between specialized proteins and DNA. These associations may bring distal regions of the genome into functional contact or may lead to the formation of large multisubunit complexes capable of regulating highly site-specific transactional events. It is now believed that sequence-specific protein–DNA recognition and the ability of certain proteins to compete for multiple binding sites is regulated at several levels by the local structure and conformation of the binding partners. These encompass the micro structure of DNA, including its curvature, bending and flexing as well as conformational lability in the DNA-binding domains of the proteins. Possible mechanisms for binding specificity are discussed in the context of specific nucleoprotein systems with particular emphasis given to the roles of DNA conformations in these interactions.
Automated Manufacturability Analysis for Injection-Molded and Die-Cast Parts

In this article, a mathematical framework to automatically evaluate the manufacturability of injection-molded and die-cast parts is presented. The framework includes both a logical algorithm for the general problem of feature recognition and an implemented mathematical and numerical algorithm to solve key outstanding challenges in feature recognition for manufacturability analysis. A novel feature recognition method is developed that is based on decomposing the part into elemental cubes and then, making use of their individual manufacturability, the manufacturability of the part as a whole is evaluated. This article discusses a procedure to obtain a 3D binary representation of the solid model in a simple fashion and further develops feature recognition techniques to extract critical manufacturability information from this 3D binary array. The outstanding challenges addressed by the method presented include the finding of parting surfaces, undercuts, holes, and bosses in the context of an injection-molded or diecast part. The algorithm is implemented using a combination of C++ code and Unigraphics solid modeling software. A short example is presented.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Modeling and optimization approach to robust and low-power FinFET SRAM design in nanoscale era

In this paper, we propose a methodology to model and optimize FinFET devices for robust and low-power SRAMs. We propose to optimize the gate sidewall spacer thickness to simultaneously minimize leakage current and drain capacitance to on-current ratio in FinFET. The proposed optimization method reduces subthreshold leakage (by 82%) and gate leakage (by 33%) in devices. Moreover, the optimization also reduces the sensitivity of the device threshold voltage to the fluctuations in silicon thickness (by 32%) and gate length (by 73%). Our analysis shows that optimization of spacer thickness results in 70% reduction in cell leakage and improves cell read failure probability (by 200times) compared to conventional FinFET SRAM
Whispering-gallery mirrors for short-wavelength laser cavities: shapes and tolerances

The whispering-gallery mirrors desired for use in short-wavelength laser cavities are seen to be highly aspheric and very different from the shapes encountered in conventional optics. Fabrication tolerance are established by examining the effects of various surface imperfections. The mirrors are found to be relatively insensitive to figures errors. The requirements on surface finish are shown to be fairly strict, though less severe than with normal-incidence optics.
Dynamic mechanical properties of polymers

A technique, employing samples in the form of tuning forks, to measure the mechanical properties of polymers is presented. Results for low density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polycarbonates are shown. A large transition is observed for polypropylene at approximately +10°C and a small transition at −100°C for the polycarbonates. Polycarbonate data has also been obtained from 20 to 150°C, at approximately 70 cps. Effects of time, temperature, and history are presented.
High-resolution imaging characterization of bladder muscle contractility

This study explores the use of high-speed optical coherence tomography (OCT) to characterize the dynamic morphophysiology of the bladder detrusor muscles, thus providing a tool to analyze detrusor functions and the mechanisms leading to geriatric incontinence. Ex vivo OCT imaging study was performed to analyze the temperature dependence of the spontaneous contractility of rabbit bladder. The time-lapsed OCT images were segmented and FFT was implemented to analyze the changes of the detrusor muscle contractility with temperature. The results show that the bladder contractility increases with temperature. The data suggest that, owing to the high temporal and high spatial resolutions, time-lapse OCT can provide a new platform to systemically study detrusor muscle dynamic morphophysiology and functions under varying conditions (e.g. field stimulation, pharmacological intervention etc.), critical to the diagnosis of detrusor dysfunction and the mechanisms leading to geriatric incontinence.
Protecting Internal Audit Workpapers From Discovery

Access to internal audit workpapers is increasingly being requested or demanded by parties external to the entity. To protect workpapers from discovery, internal auditors may take proactive measures. Such measures include developing comprehensive job descriptions, having workpaper policies and a corporate charter, and conducting investigations under the direction of an attorney. Despite proactive measures, sensitive information may still be petitioned. To shield confidential information, internal auditors may invoke the attorney-client privilege, the work-product privilege, or other, less well-known doctrines.
Video matting of complex scenes

This paper describes a new framework for video matting, the process of pulling a high-quality alpha matte and foreground from a video sequence. The framework builds upon techniques in natural image matting, optical flow computation, and background estimation. User interaction is comprised of garbage matte specification if background estimation is needed, and hand-drawn keyframe segmentations into "foreground," "background" and "unknown". The segmentations, called trimaps, are interpolated across the video volume using forward and backward optical flow. Competing flow estimates are combined based on information about where flow is likely to be accurate. A Bayesian matting technique uses the flowed trimaps to yield high-quality mattes of moving foreground elements with complex boundaries filmed by a moving camera. A novel technique for smoke matte extraction is also demonstrated.
Nested Parallelism on GPU: Exploring Parallelization Templates for Irregular Loops and Recursive Computations

The effective deployment of applications exhibiting irregular nested parallelism on GPUs is still an open problem. A naive mapping of irregular code onto the GPU hardware often leads to resource underutilization and, thereby, limited performance. In this work, we focus on two computational patterns exhibiting nested parallelism: irregular nested loops and parallel recursive computations. In particular, we focus on recursive algorithms operating on trees and graphs. We propose different parallelization templates aimed to increase the GPU utilization of these codes. Specifically, we investigate mechanisms to effectively distribute irregular work to streaming multiprocessors and GPU cores. Some of our parallelization templates rely on dynamic parallelism, a feature recently introduced by Nvidia in their Kepler GPUs and announced as part of the Open CL 2.0 standard. We propose mechanisms to maximize the work performed by nested kernels and minimize the overhead due to their invocation. Our results show that the use of our parallelization templates on applications with irregular nested loops can lead to a 2-6x speedup over baseline GPU codes that do not include load balancing mechanisms. The use of nested parallelism-based parallelization templates on recursive tree traversal algorithms can lead to substantial speedups (up to 15-24x) over optimized CPU implementations. However, the benefits of nested parallelism are still unclear in the presence of recursive applications operating on graphs, especially when recursive code variants require expensive synchronization. In these cases, a flat parallelization of iterative versions of the considered algorithms may be preferable.
Evaluation of esfenvalerate aerosol for control of stored product insect pests.

An aerosol containing 0.25% AI esfenvalerate, 1.25% piperonyl butoxide synergist, 18.50% oil solvent and 80.00% freon was tested against adults of some of the major insect pest species infesting st...
Group decision making under majority and unanimity decision rules

Etude de la distribution des decisions de groupe en fonction de l'information recue sur la position des autres membres du groupe et de la regle adoptee: majorite ou unanimite. Quatre-vingt groupes de trois personnes ont pris trois decisions impliquant un choix parmi un certain nombre de solutions formant un continuum. La moitie des groupes devait prendre les decisions suivant la regle de la majorite, l'autre moitie suivant la regle de l'unanimite. Dans la moitie des groupes, les membres etaient informes des preferences de chacun; dans l'autre, ce n'etait pas le cas
M1 muscarinic mechanisms regulate intestinal-phase gallbladder physiology in humans

The contribution of muscarinic receptor subtypes to biliary control mechanisms is unclear. We investigated stimulated gallbladder function and release of associated hormones during M1-receptor blockade. Following a double-blind, randomized, crossover protocol, healthy volunteers each received placebo and telenzepine, a selective M1-receptor antagonist, as 2-h background infusion. Gallbladder contraction (by ultrasonography), bilirubin output, and release of cholecystokinin (CCK) and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) were assessed during increasing doses of endogenous (intraduodenal nutrient) and exogenous (hormonal) stimulation. All parameters were stimulated in a dose-dependent manner on placebo days. Contractile and secretory responses to low-dose caerulein (CCK analogue) were inhibited by 60-80% under telezepine, whereas high-dose (supraphysiological) stimulation overrode this effect. Similar inhibition was achieved during nutrient stimulation. CCK plasma levels rose during endogenous and exogenous stimulation but were unaffected by M1 blockade, whereas stimulated PP release was completely inhibited (> 100% decrease), reflecting suppressed vagal tone. Selective M1-receptor blockade inhibits the physiological response of the gallbladder in humans; this effect cannot be attributed to suppressed CCK release. Our findings support the hypothesis that CCK acts at the gallbladder via cholinergic nerves under physiological conditions. Viewed with our previous observations, nonselective antagonism of biliary function by atropine is primarily mediated through M1 muscarinic pathways.
Raman spectral imaging for quantitative contaminant evaluation in skim milk powder

This study uses a point-scan Raman spectral imaging system for quantitative detection of melamine in milk powder. A sample depth of 2 mm and corresponding laser intensity of 200 mW were selected after evaluating the penetration of a 785 nm laser through milk powder. Horizontal and vertical spatial resolutions of 0.25 and 0.5 mm were selected for effective detection of melamine particles mixed with milk powder. The selected imaging parameters were used to quantitatively detect melamine concentration in milk powder. Ten different concentrations of melamine in milk (0.005, 0.01, 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 %- w/w) were prepared by mixing each mixture of melamine and milk powder in an acoustic mixer for 15 min, and seven sub-samples of each concentration were imaged. Each sub-sample image was acquired over a 45 mm × 45 mm surface area. Background-corrected Raman spectral images were converted into binary images and an intensity threshold value of 400 was applied to convert melamine pixels into black pixels and milk pixels into white pixels (background). At least one melamine pixel was detected in every sub-sample across all ten concentration levels except for one sub-sample at the 0.005 % concentration. It was found that the method developed in this study can detect melamine particles present at concentrations as low as 0.005 %. A linear relation was established between the detected melamine concentrations and the actual concentrations of the mixtures, with correlation coefficient of 0.99. The results show that the method developed in this study can be used for non-destructive quantitative prediction of melamine in milk powder to minimum concentration level of 0.005 %.
Analysis on the positive rate of HBsAg and anti-HBs level among students of a voluntary school in Zhengzhou City

Objective This study aimed to understand the positive rate of HBsAg and anti-HBs level among students of a voluntary school in Zhengzhou City in recent years after widespread inoculation of hepatitis B vaccine (HBV).Methods A seroimmunity test (HBsAg and anti-HBs) was conducted for 465 students aged 5 to 15 years,who were newly enrolled in a Voluntary Little Harvard Bilingual School in Zhengzhou City from 2003 to 2004.Results The positive rate of HBsAg was 0.4%(2/465),which was greatly lower than that of 1992,and no positive case was found in the group aged 0 to 6 years from 2003 to 2004.The positive rate of anti-HBs was 58.5%(272/465),which was significantly higher than that obtained from the investigation in Henan Province in 1992.Conclusion The positive rate of anti-HBs decreased with increase of age, while that of HBsAg increased with age,which showed the importance of strengthening vaccination.
Health cost containment: what it will mean for workers and local economies.

Abstract After decades of rapid growth, the rate of increase in health services spending appears to be moderating. Although a slowdown in health expenditure growth would release resources for other uses in the economy, concerns have been raised about the effects of a spending slowdown on health workers and regional economies. Based on projections carried out by the Bureau of Labor Statistics during the health reform debate and on state health sector employment data, the author concludes that health workers may experience costly dislocation as health spending growth slows, and some regions may be more affected than others. However, the appropriate response is a general economic policy supporting economic growth and full employment policy with regard to health expenditure growth cannot be held hostage to concerns about employment effects.
Index of Suspicion in the NurseryAsymmetrical Abdominal Distension in a Female Neonate

A 25-year-old Hispanic gravida 1 woman gives birth to a female neonate at 352/7 weeks’ gestation via spontaneous vaginal delivery. Maternal history is significant for maternal blood type O+ and herpes simplex virus with no lesions noted at the time of delivery. She has not received viral suppressive therapy. Maternal group B Streptococcus status is unknown. The remainder of the maternal laboratory test results are negative, including hepatitis B surface antigen, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus. She is rubella immune. Rupture of membranes occurred approximately 13 hours before the uncomplicated delivery. Twenty minutes after delivery, the infant develops respiratory distress with a weak cry and nasal flaring. Further examination reveals an asymmetric abdomen with a large, solid, smooth, right-sided abdominal mass. The mass is palpable from the liver edge to pelvic rim on the right, and it nearly crosses the midline. She also has a 2/6 systolic murmur. Vital signs are appropriate with a temperature of 98.2°F (36.8°C), heart rate of 127 beats per minute, respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute, blood pressure …
A Coherent Model of Absolute Timelessness

In the history of the idea of eternity, we have seen that the traditional doctrine of eternity has dominated the discussion. The question then naturally arises, is this view correct? Many modern thinkers have argued that it is. In this chapter we examine several attempts to develop and defend the traditional doctrine of eternity. According to this doctrine, God is absolutely timeless and absolutely immutable. Traditional theologians would affirm, nevertheless, that God acts in human history. The congruence of these two doctrines with one another depends, as we shall see, upon the stasis theory of time. In fact Paul Helm simply assumes the stasis theory in his defense of the traditional notion of eternity (Eternal God, 24–26, 77–80).
Chinese Underground Banks in China and the United States: Background

Chinese underground banks are not a recent phenomenon. An analysis of their historical evolution indicates that they were burgeoning in China’s financial market in the first half of the 20th century and then disappeared from the scene by the 1950s. A reforming China in the later part of the 20th centu\ry furnished an opportunity to resurrect these old institutions, first in South China. Considering that these informal fund transfer systems (IFTs) are illegal in both the U.S. and China, how they thrived in China, expanded their territory into Chinatown, NYC, and became implicated in human smuggling is a mystery worthy of unraveling. Interviews with Fujianese illegal immigrants in this study show that underground banks in the U.S. collaborated with their counterparts in China in smoothly transferring the earnings of Fujianese illegal immigrant workers from the U.S. to China, since transactions undertaken through underground banks have never gone through conventional financial systems.
A multi-sensor study of the impact of ground-based glaciogenic seeding on clouds and precipitation over mountains in Wyoming. Part I: Project description

The AgI Seeding Cloud Impact Investigation (ASCII) campaign was conducted in early 2012 and 2013 over two mountain ranges in southern Wyoming to examine the impact of ground-based glaciogenic seeding on snow growth in winter orographic clouds. The campaign was supported by a network of ground-based instruments, including microwave radiometers, two profiling Ka-band Micro-Rain Radars (MRRs), a Doppler on Wheels (DOW) X-band radar, and a Parsivel disdrometer. The University of Wyoming King Air operated the profiling Wyoming Cloud Radar, the Wyoming Cloud Lidar, and in situ cloud and precipitation particle probes. The characteristics of the orographic clouds, flow field, and upstream stability profiles in 27 intensive observation periods (IOPs) are described here. A composite analysis of the impact of seeding on snow growth is presented in Part II of this study (Pokharel et al., 2017). Clouds were stratiform in most IOPs, but in 10 IOPs convective clouds were present. Most clouds were shallow (~ 2 km deep), all had some liquid water but generally with a liquid water path < 0.3 mm, and all were naturally precipitating but generally at a rate < 1 mm h− 1.
Molecular Evaluation of Colorectal Adenocarcinoma: Current Practice and Emerging Concepts

Molecular testing in colorectal cancer helps to address multiple clinical needs. Evaluating the mismatch repair pathway status is the most common use for molecular diagnostics and this testing provides prognostic information, guides therapeutic decisions and helps identify Lynch syndrome patients. For patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, testing for activating mutations in downstream components of the EGFR signaling pathway can identify patients who will benefit from anti-EGFR therapy. Emerging molecular tests for colorectal cancer will help further refine patient selection for targeted therapies and may provide new options for monitoring disease recurrence and the development of treatment resistance.