cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hybrid imperialist competitive algorithm, variable neighborhood search, and simulated annealing for dynamic facility layout problem

Today's manufacturing plants tend to be more flexible due to rapid changes in product mix and market demand. Therefore, this paper investigates the problem of location and relocation (when there are changes incurred to the material flows between departments) manufacturing facilities such that the total cost of material flows and relocation costs are minimized. This problem is known as the dynamic facility layout problem (DFLP), which is a general case of static facility layout problem. This paper proposes a robust and simply structured hybrid technique based on integrating three meta-heuristics: imperialist competitive algorithms, variable neighborhood search, and simulated annealing, to efficiently solve the DFLP. The novel aspect of the proposed algorithm is taking advantage of features of all above three algorithms together. To test the efficiency of our algorithm, a data set from the literature is used for the experimental purpose. The results obtained are quite promising in terms of solution quality for most of the test problems.
PULSAR SCINTILLATION ARCS. I. FREQUENCY DEPENDENCE

Dynamic spectra of pulsars often show low-level crisscross patterns as well as isolated interference maxima called scintles. Previously, we have shown that a power spectrum analysis of the dynamic spectrum usually exhibits a parabolic arc with a well-determined curvature. A simple analysis predicts that this curvature should scale with observing frequency as ν-2. We report on multifrequency observations of three pulsars at the Arecibo Observatory that are designed to test this prediction and explore the frequency behavior of the power distribution. We find that the arc curvature scales as expected over more than a factor of 5 in observing frequency (0.43-2.2 GHz). This allows us to compare arc curvature at different frequencies obtained over a long time span. Furthermore, we find that scintillation arcs are a broadband phenomenon: they are present contemporaneously, and with the same general appearance, over a wide frequency range. At higher frequencies (1 GHz) the arcs are more sharply defined, substructure is more prominent, and inverted subarcs often appear with vertices along the main parabola.
Inverting the zodiacal light brightness integral

Considerations of the geometry appropriate to observations of the zodiacal light made from out of the ecliptic plane yield the general inversion of the brightness integral. The brightness per unit volume of interplanetary space can thus be determined in the immediate neighborhood of the spacecraft in directions confined to a unique viewing plane which depends upon the spacecraft's trajectory. The implementation of this technique guarantees the maximum information content of optical observations made from future deep-space probes including the 'Out-of-Ecliptic' mission scheduled for launch in 1983.
The public electronic library: learn as you go —creating an electronic publishing capability

This section describes how library resources and services are made available through the EL. Access is considered in several forms including interface design and continuity, creating and testing the effectiveness of subject‐based organization, Web page menuing versus OPAC cataloging, electronic texts and publishing initiatives, desktop GIS applications and geospatial data sets, remote access from locations outside the libraries, and adaptive (ADA) technologies.
Giant cell encephalitis and microglial infection with mucosally transmitted simian-human immunodeficiency virus SHIVSF162P3N in rhesus macaques.

Neurocognitive disorders such as dementia and cognitive/motor impairments are among the most significant complications associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, especially in aging populations, yet the pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Activated macrophages and microglia in white matter along with the hallmark multinucleated giant cells are prominent features of HIV encephalitis (HIVE) and of several simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) models. While infected microglia have been demonstrated in HIVE, this feature is not routinely seen in experimental infections in rhesus macaques using SIV or chimeric simian/HIV (SHIV) strains, limiting utility in HIV-1 pathogenesis and treatment studies. Here, 50 rhesus macaques were inoculated with the CCR5 (R5)-tropic SHIVSF162P3N virus by one of three routes: intravenously (n = 9), intrarectally (n = 17), or intravaginally (n = 24). Forty-three monkeys became viremic, 26 developed AIDS, and 7 (7/26, 27 %) developed giant cell SIV encephalitis (SIVE). Rapid progressor phenotype was evident in five of seven (71 %) macaques with SIVE, and expansion to utilize the CXCR4 coreceptor (X4 coreceptor switch) was observed in four out of seven (57 %). SIVE lesions were present in gray and white matter in the cerebrum, cerebellum, thalamus, and brain stem of affected animals. Lesions were composed of virally infected CD68+, CD163+, and HLA-DR+ macrophages accompanied by white matter damage, necrosis, and astroglial and microglial activation. Importantly, microglial infection was observed, which makes R5 SHIVSF162P3N infection of macaques an attractive animal model not only to study transmission and HIVE pathogenesis but also to conduct preclinical evaluation of therapeutic interventions aimed at eradicating HIV-1 from the central nervous system (CNS).
Gallium-67 Scintigraphy in the Management: Hodgkin's Disease and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Gallium scintigraphy has an important role in the management of patients with lymphoma. It contributes to patient management by detecting residual disease or relapse after treatment, monitoring response during therapy, and providing prognostic information.
The Use and Misuse of Models in Investment Management

This article examines key uses and misuses of models in investment management, focusing on lessons from fixed income. Mortgage risks and risk estimation, as well as bank loan and corporate bond risk estimation are examined.
Pilgrimage As a Pedagogical Practice in Contemporary Taiwanese Theatre: U Theatre and the Baishatun Ma-tsu Pilgrimage

An experimental theatre on a religious pilgrimage? It sounds like a contradiction. But in Taiwan an increasing number of experimental theatre companies have incorporated traditional ritual practice into their performer training.
Small silicon–oxygen dianions in the gas phase

Abstract Cs+ sputtering of a silicon target with simultaneous exposure of the Si surface to O2 gas has produced small silicon–oxygen dianions Si n O 2 n + 1 2 - (2 ⩽ n ⩽ 8) as well as Si 5 O 10 2 - . These dianions were observed by mass spectrometry for ion flight times of a few 10−5 s. The two smallest species, Si 2 O 5 2 - and Si 3 O 7 2 - , have been identified unambiguously by their isotopic abundances. Ab initio electronic structure calculations are used to study the geometrical structure of the three most abundant species Si n O 2 n + 1 2 - (n = 3, 4, 5), and for all three dianions several stable isomers are found. The structural motifs of the low-energy isomers are analyzed, and include in particular structures with trivalent oxygen atoms akin to impurities in solid silicon.
Universal construction of feedback laws achieving ISS and integral-ISS disturbance attenuation

We study nonlinear systems with both control and disturbance inputs. The main problem addressed in the paper is design of state feedback control laws that render the closed-loop system integral-input-to-state stable (iISS) with respect to the disturbances. We introduce an appropriate concept of control Lyapunov function (iISS-CLF), whose existence leads to an explicit construction of such a control law. The same method applies to the problem of input-to-state stabilization. Converse results and techniques for generating iISS-CLFs are also discussed.
An SU(3) approach to nuclear multi-cluster problems

Abstract By combining SU(3) recoupling techniques with the use of the Bargmann-Segal integral transform closed expressions are derived for the interaction kernels of the nuclear cluster model. In a cluster model basis in which the relative motion and internal oscillator wave functions (with arbitrary and different oscillator frequencies) are expanded in SU(3) coupled form, SU(3) reduced matrix elements are evaluated by integral transform methods. Matrix elements in a basis of good angular momentum can be constructed for multi-cluster systems by combining these SU(3) reduced matrix elements with readily available SU(3) Wigner coefficients.
Comparing the Relative Efficiency of Irrigation Unions in Antalya, Turkey: A Data Envelopment Analysis

This study was conducted to measure the efficiency level of irrigation unions in the Antalya Province of Turkey. An input-oriented data envelopment model, a linear programming procedure, was used to measure the relative efficiency scores of irrigation unions. Research results showed that technical efficiency (TE) scores varied between 0.39 and 1.00 and the mean TE score was 0.85. Based on the results of decomposition, the pure TE and scale efficiency were 0.81 and 0.95, respectively and the main source of inefficiency in the research area was pure TE. 47% of the examined unions had constant returns to scale, while that of decreasing returns to scale was 53%. The study also revealed that the irrigation area sustainability ratio and the ratio of energy cost in total expenses of technically efficient unions were lower than that of inefficient ones. The study suggested that restoration and modernization efforts should be initiated in order to enhance the efficiency level in the long term. Designing training for the managers and workers of the irrigation unions, adjusting the unions based on the fluctuation in energy market and declining the leakage of the irrigation system may be beneficial to increase the TE.
Air Permeability of Multilayered Nonwoven Fabrics: Comparison of Experimental and Theoretical Results:

The experimental and theoretical air permeabilities of twelve multilayered. needle punched nonwoven samples are compared in this paper. Samples are made from ceramic and glass with varying layer structures. The density and diameter of all fibers used to make individual webs are approximately the same, and so the fabric samples made from these webs are assumed to be homogeneous, multilayered structures. The porosity of all fabric structures is greater than 0.96. Thus, the theoretical air permeability is based on a modified Kozeny equation. Experimental measurements involve the Frazier air permeability tester.
PROPRANOLOL DECREASES CARDIAC WORK IN A DOSE- DEPENDENT MANNER IN SEVERELY BURNED CHILDREN

Background Severe burn is followed by profound cardiac stress. Propranolol, a nonselective β 1, β 2 -receptor antagonist, decreases cardiac stress, but little is known about the dose necessary to cause optimal effect. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine in a large, prospective, randomized, controlled trial the dose of propranolol that would decrease heart rate ≥15% of admission heart rate and improve cardiac function. Four-hundred six patients with burns >30% total body surface area were enrolled and randomized to receive standard care (controls; n = 235) or standard care plus propranolol ( n = 171). Methods Dose–response and drug kinetics of propranolol were performed. Heart rate and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured continuously. Cardiac output (CO), cardiac index, stroke volume, rate–pressure product, and cardiac work (CW) were determined at regular intervals. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance with Tukey and Bonferroni corrections and the Student t test when applicable. Significance was accepted at P Results Propranolol given initially at 1 mg/kg per day decreased heart rate by 15% compared with control patients, but was increased to 4 mg/kg per day within the first 10 days to sustain treatment benefits ( P Conclusion The data suggest that propranolol is an efficacious modulator of the postburn cardiac response when given at a dose of 4 mg/kg per day, and decreases and sustains heart rate 15% below admission heart rate.
Metal carbonyl anion loaded molecular reservoir particles — application to the catalytic synthesis of two styrene oxide derivatives

Abstract Molecular reservoirs consisting of a porous polydivinylbenzene (PDVB) nutshell surrounding polytriethylvinylbenzyl ammonium chloride (PEVAC) chains were employed to immobilize the homogeneous catalysts: [Co(CO)4]− or [Rh(CO)2I2]−. The molecular reservoirs were prepared by the successive polymerization of vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC) and divinylbenzene (DVB) in a concentrated emulsion, followed by the quaternization of the encapsulated VBC chains. The immobilization was achieved via the formation of ion-pairs between the ammonium cations and the metal carbonyl anions. Two kinds of polymer-bound catalysts dispersed in water were used to catalyze the synthesis of two derivatives of styrene oxide in the presence of CO. It was found that when PDVB (PEVAC)-[Co(CO)4]− was used, 2,5-dihydro-2-oxo-3-hydroxy-4-phenylfuran was the main product, as in the homogeneous case. When, however, PDVB(PEVAC)-[Rh(CO)2I2]− was employed, 2-phenyl-2-(α-styryoxyl)ethanol was obtained as the main product; in the homogeneous case, the selectivity was much lower. Both polymer-bound catalysts were used in five successive cycles at 200 psi CO and 95–98°C, and the conversion of styrene oxide was almost quantitative. The cocatalyst methyl iodide was introduced before the first cycle only. It was found that 72% of the initial Co and 94% of the initial Rh were still present in the molecular reservoirs after the five cycles. In addition to immobilizing the homogeneous catalyst, the molecular reservoir PDVB (PEVAC) also possesses some adsorption capability for the organic reactant molecules, because of its hydrophobic porous PDVB shell. This hydrophobic adsorption capability allows the styrene oxide molecules to approach the encapsulated catalytically active sites.
An Economic Analysis of the Cost-Effectiveness of Privatizing Additional Production of Catchable Rainbow Trout: A Case Study in Colorado

Abstract This study examines the cost of increasing state production of catchable rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and compares this cost with the cost of purchasing fish from private producers in Colorado. The results suggest that the scope of the analysis and the manner in which costs are identified will determine whether purchasing fish can result in cost savings. When the scope of the study is the state and reported state costs are used, purchasing fish could result in a loss of US$0.53/lb. When the scope of the study is the state and opportunity costs are estimated, purchasing could result in a loss of as much as $0.02/lb or a savings of as much as $0.51/lb. When the scope of the study is the nation, and opportunity costs are estimated, purchasing could result in cost savings of $1.71–2.24/lb. Further research is needed to determine whether private producers are a reliable source of supply and to assess the quality of the rainbow trout purchased from private producers.
Porous tantalum metaphyseal cones for severe tibial bone loss in revision knee arthroplasty: a five to nine-year follow-up.

Background: Severe metaphyseal and meta-diaphyseal bone loss poses important challenges in revision total knee arthroplasty. The best strategy for addressing massive tibial bone loss has not been determined. The purpose of this study was to assess the intermediate-term clinical and radiographic results of porous tibial cone implantation. Methods: Sixty-six porous tantalum tibial cones (sixty-three patients) were reviewed at a mean follow-up time of seventy months (range, sixty to 106 months). According to the Anderson Orthopaedic Research Institute bone defect classification, twenty-four knees had a Type-3 defect, twenty-five knees had a Type-2B defect, and seventeen knees had a Type-2A defect. Results: The mean age at the time of the index revision was sixty-seven years (range, forty-one to eighty-three years), and 57% of patients were female. The mean American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status was 2.4 (range, 2 to 3), and the mean body mass index was 33 kg/m2 (range, 25 to 53 kg/m2). Fifteen patients (24%) were on immunosuppressant medications, and eight patients (13%) were current smokers. The patients underwent a mean number of 3.4 prior knee surgical procedures (range, one to twenty procedures), and 49% of patients (thirty-one patients) had a history of periprosthetic infection. The mean Knee Society Scores improved significantly from 55 points preoperatively (range, 4 to 97 points) to 80 points (range, 28 to 100 points) at the time of the latest follow-up (p 95% at the time of the latest follow-up. Conclusions: Porous tantalum tibial cones offer a promising management option for severe tibial bone loss. At the intermediate-term follow-up (five to nine years), porous tantalum tibial cones had durable clinical results and radiographic fixation. The biologic ingrowth of these implants offers the potential for successful long-term structural support in complex knee reconstruction. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Precolonial Intellectuals and the Production of Colonial Knowledge

Recent years have seen the emergence of a lively debate over the nature of “colonial knowledge”—those forms and bodies of knowledge that enabled European colonizers to achieve domination over their colonized subjects around the globe. Lying at the heart of the debate are two opposing evaluations of the role played by colonized subjects in the production of colonial knowledge. One position holds that the role of the colonized was negligible—at most, permitting some of them to serve as passive informants, providing raw information to the active European colonizers who produced the new knowledge by imposing imported modes of knowing upon the raw data of local society. In contrast, the other holds that indigenous intellectuals in reality contributed actively to the process, and that colonial knowledge was thus produced through a complex form of collaboration between colonizers and colonized, and an attendant process of epistemic confrontation and adjustment between European and indigenous knowledge systems. Although this debate has focused primarily on one colonial context—that of British India—it has important ramifications for the broader history of colonialism, and is complemented by contributions relating to other areas of European colonialism (Cooper and Stoler 1997:11–18).
FRAP Analysis: Accounting for Bleaching during Image Capture

The analysis of Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP) experiments involves mathematical modeling of the fluorescence recovery process. An important feature of FRAP experiments that tends to be ignored in the modeling is that there can be a significant loss of fluorescence due to bleaching during image capture. In this paper, we explicitly include the effects of bleaching during image capture in the model for the recovery process, instead of correcting for the effects of bleaching using reference measurements. Using experimental examples, we demonstrate the usefulness of such an approach in FRAP analysis.
Modification of Driver Behavior Based on Information from Pedestrian Countdown Timers

Pedestrian countdown timers (CDTs) are promoted as a means of improving pedestrian safety at intersections. However, there are concerns that drivers view the timers while approaching the intersection and use the information to drive more aggressively, an unintended consequence that may have adverse safety impacts. Pedestrian CDTs have been in widespread use in Lawrence, Kansas for three years, and so any novelty effect should have passed, allowing for an accurate analysis of the long-term effects of the devices on traffic. Four intersections along an arterial corridor in Lawrence were studied, two with CDTs and two without. Continuous speed data were collected on approaching traffic and analyzed to determine if there were changes in speed between 400 ft. upstream from the intersection (the point when the CDT information could be read by drivers) and the intersection stop bar. Additionally, the ultimate decision of the driver (whether he/she stopped or not) was recorded. Analysis revealed that drivers were significantly less likely to increase their speed in order to reach the intersection before the beginning of the red phase when CDTs were present, and some drivers began to slow to a stop before the beginning of the amber phase. This indicates that drivers use the information provided from pedestrian CDTs to improve their driving decisions; even though the CDT information was not intended to be used by drivers, it appears that they are indeed doing so in a way that results in improved driving actions.
Introduction to VR technology

This tutorial provides a fast paced introduction to the technologies of virtual reality, providing a foundation to comprehend the other activities at VR2003. Attendees will learn the component technologies that allow for the creation and experience of desktop and immersive virtual worlds. Each technology topic will provide a definition, brief introduction to the methods and issues, example systems, and references for further investigation (background, research, and commercial). Topics will include the basic hardware and software technologies and also touch on design issues such as usability and story elements.
Towards longer lifetime of emerging memory technologies using number theory

Emerging non-volatile memory devices show tremendous promise for a wide variety of applications, ranging from consumer electronics to server technologies. The advent of such multi-scale opportunities also carries a unique set of challenges. Increasingly popular Flash memory devices possess an intrinsic asymmetry during the write operation: programming memory cells to values lower than currently stored values is considerably slower and more costly than programming to higher values. It is critical to keep this cost low, as it directly affects memory lifetime and performance. Concurrently, demands for higher densities under reduced technology sizing make the data reliability a formidable objective. To address the compound issue of sustained and low-cost data reliability and high performance, in this work we propose a methodology to provide guaranteed immunity to a prescribed number of asymmetric errors, while having asymptotically negligible redundancy. Our construction uses ideas from additive and combinatorial number theory, and builds upon recently introduced coding schemes. We first show how this construction can be used in the single level cell (SLC) setup, and subsequently extend the construction to the setting with several levels per cell, including multi-level cell (MLC) and triple-level (TLC) setting. We also discuss practical aspects of such schemes, including methods for systematic encoding, correction of limited-magnitude errors, and the additional protection under a certain number of bidirectional errors. This number-theoretic based approach is a promising direction for extending the lifetime of memories at sustained reliability.
Managerial Selection Decisions in Multinational Corporations: Teaching International Business Using Problem-Based Learning

Companies face many challenges as they staff managerial positions in overseas operations, including decisions on whether to staff using expatriates, host-country nationals, or third-country nationals. We developed an exercise—designed to help students understand the differences between these three groups of employees—that requires students to develop a set of criteria that would form the basis for choosing the candidate they deem to be the best one. In addition, the exercise can serve as a springboard to discussion of the different training and compensation requirements for each of the three different types of employee. The steps involved in the exercise are presented together with suggestions for debriefing the exercise.
Association of Perceived Neighborhood Safety on Body Mass Index

Objectives. We sought to determine whether there is an association between perceived neighborhood safety and body mass index (BMI), accounting for endogeneity.Methods. A random sample of 2255 adults from the Los Angeles Family and Neighborhood Survey 2000–2001 was analyzed using instrumental variables. The main outcome was BMI using self-reported height and weight, and the main independent variable was residents’ report of their neighborhood safety.Results. In adjusted analyses, individuals who perceived their neighborhoods as unsafe had a BMI that was 2.81 kg/m2 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.11, 5.52) higher than did those who perceived their neighborhoods as safe.Conclusions. Our results suggest that clinical and public health interventions aimed at reducing rates of obesity may be enhanced by strategies to modify the physical and social environment that incorporate residents’ perceptions of their communities.
A Statistical Analysis of Thermal Interface Materials Enhanced by Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes

Power dissipation in electronic devices is projected to increase over the next ten years to the range of 150-250 Watts per chip for high performance applications. One of the primary obstacles to the thermal management of devices operating at such high powers is the thermal resistance between the device and the heat spreader or heat sink that it is attached to. Typically the in situ thermal conductivity of interface materials is in the range of 14 W/mK, even though the bulk thermal conductivity of the material may be significantly higher. In an attempt to improve the effective in situ thermal conductivity of interface materials vertically aligned carbon nanotubes are being considered as a possible addition to such interfaces. In this paper an analytical solution is used along with a random number generator to accurately represent variations in height of nanotubes over the chip area. A statistical analysis is carried out on the different heights of the tubes and the effective thermal conductivity of the thermal interface material layer. The results obtained indicate that studying a small system is sufficient to accurately model the effect of variation of height over the chip area. Many different parametric analyses are carried out on the percentage of area of the chip occupied by the nanotubes, thermal conductivity of the nanotube, and the height of the nanotube. Overall the nanotubes are found to significantly improve the thermal performance of the thermal interface material
Measurement of Electron Beam Polarization from Unstrained Bulk GaAs via Two Photon Photoemission

This paper describes measurements of the beam polarization and quantum efficiency for photoemission using two-photon excitation from unstrained bulk GaAs illuminated with pulsed, high intensity 1560nm laser light. Quantum efficiency is linearly proportional to 1560nm peak laser intensity, which was varied in three independent ways, indicating that the emitted electrons are promoted from the valence to the conduction band via two-photon absorption. Beam polarization was measured using a microMott polarimeter, with a value of 16.8(4)% polarization at 1560nm, which is roughly half the measured value of 33.4(8)% using 778 nm light.
Monte Carlo calculations of output factors for clinically shaped electron fields

We report on the use of EGS4/BEAM Monte Carlo technique to predict the output factors for clinically relevant, irregularly shaped inserts as they intercept the electron beams provided by a linear accelerator. The output factor for a particular combination; energy, cone, insert, and source to surface distance is defined in accordance with AAPM TG-25 as the product of cone correction factor and insert correction factor evaluated at the depth of maximum dose. Since cone correction factors are easily obtained we focus our investigation on the insert correction factors (ICF). An analysis of the inserts used in routine clinical practice resulted in the identification of a set of seven (7) ?idealized? shapes characterized by specific parameters. The ICF?s for these shapes were calculated using a Monte Carlo method (EGS4/BEAM) and measured for a subset of them using an ion chamber and well established measurement methods. Analytical models were developed to predict the MC calculated ICF values for various electron energy, cone size, shape and SSD. The goodness of fit between predicted and MC calculated ICF?s values were tested using the Kolmogorov-Smirnoff statistical test. Results show that MC calculated ICF?s match the measured values within 2.0% for most of the shapes considered, except for few highly elongated fields where deviations up to 4.0% were recorded. Predicted values based on analytical modeling agree with measured ICF?s values within 2-3% for all configurations. It is concluded that the predicted values of ICF?s based on modeling of MC calculated values could be introduced in clinical use.
Pipelined Binary Parallel Counters Employing Latched Quaternary Logic Full Adders

Parallel counters are multiple input circuits that count the number of their inputs that are in a given state. In this correspondence, the implementation of pipelined binary parallel counters with networks of latched quaternary threshold logic full adders is described and compared with the implementation using networks of latched binary full adders. Since each signal variable in quaternary logic may assume four logical states, twice the informational content of a binary variable, an over 50 percent savings in the total number of intermediate signal variables required to implement the parallel counter results. With the new quaternary logic circuits we will employ, over 40 percent fewer transistors and resistors are necessary for the implementation of pipelined binary parallel counters. The combination of these two factors could provide significantly reduced die areas for integrated pipelined parallel counters.
Mineralocorticoid receptor-mediated vascular insulin resistance: an early contributor to diabetes-related vascular disease?

Two-thirds of adults in the U.S. are overweight or obese, and another 26 million have type 2 diabetes (T2D). Patients with diabetes and/or the metabolic syndrome have a significantly increased risk of heart attack and stroke compared with people with normal insulin sensitivity. Decreased insulin sensitivity in cardiovascular tissues as well as in traditional targets of insulin metabolic signaling, such as skeletal muscle, is an underlying abnormality in obesity, hypertension, and T2D. In the vasculature, insulin signaling plays a critical role in normal vascular function via endothelial cell nitric oxide production and modulation of Ca2+ handling and sensitivity in vascular smooth muscle cells. Available evidence suggests that impaired vascular insulin sensitivity may be an early, perhaps principal, defect of vascular function and contributor to the pathogenesis of vascular disease in persons with obesity, hypertension, and T2D. In the overweight and obese individual, as well as in persons with hypertension, systemic and vascular insulin resistance often occur in concert with elevations in plasma aldosterone. Indeed, basic and clinical studies have demonstrated that elevated plasma aldosterone levels predict the development of insulin resistance and that aldosterone directly interferes with insulin signaling in vascular tissues. Furthermore, elevated plasma aldosterone levels are associated with increased heart attack and stroke risk. Conversely, renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonism reduces cardiovascular risk in these patient populations. Recent and accumulating evidence in this area has implicated excessive Ser phosphorylation and proteosomal degradation of the docking protein, insulin receptor substrate, and enhanced signaling through hybrid insulin/IGF-1 receptor as important mechanisms underlying aldosterone-mediated interruption of downstream vascular insulin signaling. Prevention or restoration of these changes via blockade of aldosterone action in the vascular wall with MR antagonists (i.e., spironolactone, eplerenone) may therefore account for the clinical benefit of these compounds in obese and diabetic patients with cardiovascular disease. This review will highlight recent evidence supporting the hypothesis that aldosterone and MR signaling represent an ideal candidate pathway linking early promoters of diabetes, especially overnutrition and obesity, to vascular insulin resistance, dysfunction, and disease.
A Population-Average, Landmark- and Surface-based (PALS) atlas of human cerebral cortex

This report describes a new electronic atlas of human cerebral cortex that provides a substrate for a wide variety of brain-mapping analyses. The Population-Average, Landmark- and Surface-based (PALS) atlas approach involves surface-based and volume-based representations of cortical shape, each available as population averages and as individual subject data. The specific PALS-B12 atlas introduced here is derived from structural MRI volumes of 12 normal young adults. Accurate cortical surface reconstructions were generated for each hemisphere, and the surfaces were inflated, flattened, and mapped to standard spherical configurations using SureFit and Caret software. A target atlas sphere was generated by averaging selected landmark contours from each of the 24 contributing hemispheres. Each individual hemisphere was deformed to this target using landmark-constrained surface registration. The utility of the resultant PALS-B12 atlas was demonstrated using a variety of analyses. (i) Probabilistic maps of sulcal identity were generated using both surface-based registration (SBR) and conventional volume-based registration (VBR). The SBR approach achieved markedly better consistency of sulcal alignment than did VBR. (ii) A method is introduced for dmulti-fiducial mappingT of volume-averaged group data (e.g., fMRI data, probabilistic architectonic maps) onto each individual hemisphere in the atlas, followed by spatial averaging across the individual maps. This yielded a population-average surface representation that circumvents the biases inherent in choosing any single hemisphere as a target. (iii) Surface-based and volume-based morphometry applied to maps of sulcal depth and sulcal identity demonstrated prominent left–right asymmetries in and near the superior temporal sulcus and Sylvian fissure. Moreover, shape variability in the temporal lobe is significantly greater in the left than the right hemisphere. The PALS-B12 atlas has been registered to other surface-based atlases to facilitate interchange of data and comparison across atlases. All data sets in the PALS-B12 atlas are accessible via the SumsDB database for online and offline
Using domain specific language for modeling and simulation: scalation as a case study

Progress in programming paradigms and languages has over time influenced the way that simulation programs are written. Modern object-oriented, functional programming languages are expressive enough to define embedded Domain Specific Languages (DSLs). The Scala programming language is used to implement ScalaTion that supports several popular simulation modeling paradigms. As a case study, ScalaTion is used to consider how language features of object-oriented, functional programming languages and Scala in particular can be used to write simulation programs that are clear, concise and intuitive to simulation modelers. The dichotomy between "model specification" and "simulation program" is also considered both historically and in light of the potential narrowing of the gap afforded by embedded DSLs.
Multiwavelength optical observations of chromospherically active binary systems

We summarize here our ongoing project of multiwavelength optical observations aimed at studying the chromosphere of active binary systems, using the information provided for several optical spectroscopic features, that are formed at different heights in the chromosphere.
Hypertension Treatment How Important Is Consistency of Effect

There has been a steady stream of large outcomes trials in the last 20 years that have attempted to answer important questions in cardiovascular disease with the INternational VErapamil SR-Trandolapril (INVEST) Study being one such trial.1 The original intent of the INVEST Study was to compare mortality and morbidity outcomes in patients with hypertension and coronary artery disease treated with a calcium channel blocker (CCB)–based strategy versus a β-blocker-based strategy. The premise behind this study was a rather simple one, and at the end of the day, this study showed that a verapamil-based regimen (CCB strategy) and an atenolol-based regimen (β-blocker strategy) similarly reduced the primary composite end point of all-cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke.1 Outcome trials are often monumental undertakings with the perception of end-of-study results ranging from the common “so what” to a less frequent “that’s an important finding.” In these trials, the sense of indifference to neutral (or negative) findings typically endures unless secondary or posthoc analyses provide additional helpful information. Even then, many remain nonplussed with the statistical acrobatics needed to show one treatment to somehow be more meaningful than another. How do these issues then relate to the INVEST trial, where the findings were primarily neutral ones?1 Shortly after its original publication, a series of posthoc analyses was undertaken with the INVEST data set to supplement the original findings. These analyses showed the following: (1) the use of verapamil SR and trandolapril in …
Combining multichannel ERP data for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease

As the average age of our population increases, the prevalence of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, has grown sharply. Current diagnosis of AD primarily uses longitudinal clinical evaluations and/or invasive lumbar punctures for CSF analysis, available only at specialized hospitals, which are generally outside of financial and geographical reach of most patients. We expand on our previous work and describe an ensemble of classifiers based approach that combines decision and data fusion techniques for the early diagnosis of AD using event related potentials (ERP) obtained in response to different audio stimuli. In this contribution, we specifically examine various feature set combinations, obtained from different EEG electrode locations and in response to different stimulus tones to illustrate the accuracy of such a system for AD diagnosis at the earliest stage on a clinically significant cohort size of 71 patients.
Balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with extreme aortic valve calcification.

Objectives To assess the procedural and short-term clinical outcome of performing balloon-expandable TAVR in patients with extremely calcified aortic valves. Background Quantity of aortic valve calcification predicts rates of paravalvular regurgitation (PVR) post transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Nonetheless, short-term outcomes of balloon-expandable TAVR in patients with extremely high calcified aortic valves have not been previously described. Methods We studied patients with severe aortic stenosis that underwent balloon-expandable TAVR and had a pre-procedural non-contrast CT. Twenty patients that had aortic valve calcification score (AVCS) of more than 8,000 Agatston Units were compared to 279 patients with lower calcification scores. TAVR endpoints, device success and adverse events were considered according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 definitions. Results Device success was 80% in the extremely high calcification group compared to 95.3% in patients with less calcified aortic valves (P = 0.004). There was significantly more postprocedural PVR in the extreme calcification group: 50%, 35%, 10%, 5% vs. 72.4%, 25.8%, 1.8%, 0% for no/trace, mild, moderate and severe PVR, respectively (P < 0.001). There was one case of ascending aortic perforation resulting in intramural hematoma that resolved with no treatment. In-hospital mortality, new pacemaker implantation and major complications were similar between groups. Conclusions Balloon-expandable TAVR in patients with extremely calcified aortic valve is associated with lower device success and greater risk of PVR. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Personal Growth and Awareness of Counseling Trainees in an Experiential Group

This article reports research that utilized a grounded theory methodology to explore the experiences of 14 master's level counselor trainees who participated in an experiential group as part of their counselor education course work. Data were collected through weekly reflection journals. Trainees identified 30 systemically interconnected aspects of their experiential group participation as contributing to their personal growth and awareness. The emergent model is presented and discussed in light of the current literature. Implications for counselor training and future research are discussed.
PHDD: an efficient graph representation for floating point circuit verification

Data structures such as *BMDs, HDDs, and K*BMDs provide compact representations for functions which map Boolean vectors into integer values, but not floating point values. In this paper, we propose a new data structure, called Multiplicative Power Hybrid Decision Diagrams (*PHDDs), to provide a compact representation for functions that map Boolean vectors into integer or floating point values. The size of the graph to represent the IEEE floating point encoding is linear with the word size. The complexity of floating point multiplication grows linearly with the word size. The complexity of floating point addition grows exponentially with the size of the exponent part, but linearly with the size of the mantissa part. We applied *PHDDs to verify integer multipliers and floating point multipliers before the rounding stage, based on a hierarchical verification approach. For integer multipliers, our results are at least 6 times faster than *BMDs. Previous attempts at verifying floating point multipliers required manual intervention. We verified floating point multipliers before the rounding stage automatically.
Characterization of chylomicron remnant clearance by retinyl palmitate label in normal humans.

To characterize chylomicron remnant clearance by the liver, plasma elimination of retinyl palmitate-labeled chylomicron remnants was studied in 18 healthy subjects, ages 21-42 years. Autologous plasma containing retinyl palmitate-labeled chylomicrons and their remnants was injected intravenously, and retinyl palmitate disappearance was measured in serial plasma samples in all subjects and in lipoprotein fractions in 11 subjects. The injected doses (n = 18) ranged from 0.34 to 7.11 mumol retinyl palmitate in d less than or equal to 1.006 g/ml particles with an average molar ratio of 330/1 of retinyl palmitate/apoB-48 (n = 8). The label distributed in the intravascular space and exhibited apparent first order elimination, monoexponential in 6 and biexponential in 12 subjects. The first rapid component k1 (t1/2 18.8 +/- 11.4 min, n = 18) was shown to represent retinyl palmitate in particles of d less than or equal to 1.006 g/ml, i.e., chylomicron remnants, and the second slow component k2 (t1/2 123 +/- 62 min, n = 12) small amounts of retinyl palmitate (11 +/- 7%) injected in d greater than 1.006 g/ml particles (therefore excluded from analysis). Assuming a single-compartment model, initial rates of elimination (= dose x k1) of labeled chylomicron remnants obeyed (P = 0.06) Michaelis-Menten saturation kinetics: Km was 921 +/- 305 nmol retinyl palmitate label and Vmax 124 +/- 14 nmol/min corresponding to 0.88 nM apoB-48 for Km and 0.25 x 10(-3) nmol apoB-48.min-1.g-1 liver for Vmax. Their elimination was limited neither by the injected triglyceride dose nor theoretically by the liver blood flow. After the intake of 70 g of fat (cream) containing retinyl palmitate, the plasma retinyl palmitate concentration exceeded the estimated saturation concentration for 7 h. In conclusion, physiological chylomicron remnant catabolism by the liver appears to be saturable by ordinary lipid intake in healthy humans.
Ambition and Ambivalence: A Study of Professional Attitudes toward Digital Distribution of Archival Moving Images

This study explores attitudes of moving image archivists and digital projects managers toward the digitization and online distribution of archival moving image materials. The primary method for gathering data about this subject was through in-depth interviewing of individuals who have managed moving image digitization projects in archival settings. The investigator discusses challenges in launching and sustaining digital projects and the evolving audience for archival moving images. Archivists also must reconcile their desire to provide more access with concerns about quality of digital surrogates, legal restrictions such as copyright, and how online distribution may impact relations with creators, donors, and content owners.
Markov cellular automata models for chronic disease progression

We analyze a Markov cellular automaton that models the spread of viruses that often progress to a chronic condition, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV). We show that the complex dynamical system produces a Markov process at the later stages, whose eigenvectors corresponding to the eigenvalue 1 have physical significance for the long-term prognosis of the virus. Moreover we show that drug treatment leads to chronic conditions that can be modeled by Markov shifts with more optimal eigenvectors.
The Ubiquity of Greed: A Contextual Model for Analysis of Scienter

Currently, there is no standard judicial approach or analytical rubric for gauging the extent to which allegations of greed are indicative of scienter in civil securities fraud cases. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) requires that the complaint state “with particularity” facts giving rise to a “strong inference” that the defendant acted with the scienter required for the cause of action. Uniformly referred to in tandem as “motive and opportunity,” the presence of a motive behind the fraud, combined with the perpetrator’s opportunity to commit it has long been a method for establishing intent. As part of a motive and opportunity pleading, some plaintiffs have contended that greed - in the form of perpetuating a prestigious executive position, ensuring a gainful bonus, or maintaining the appearance of corporate profitability - is a bona fide motive evidencing scienter. Such allegations have met disparate and somewhat unreasoned fates. From the over one hundred reported Circuit Court cases interpreting the strong inference standard in a variety of factual settings this article proposes a framework for more orderly analysis of the sufficiency of allegations of corporate and personal avarice. Guided by a well-established model for consideration of insider trading, the contextual model identifies three dimensions - referred to as magnitude, timing, and atypicality - that can heighten ordinary profit-seeking activities to suspicious or unusual conduct, a motive that properly can give rise to a strong inference of scienter.