cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
InTone: a novel pelvic floor rehabilitation device for urinary incontinence

InToneTM (InControl Medical) is a nonimplanted vaginal device providing biofeedback and electrical stimulation of pelvic floor muscles. The purpose of this study was to assess its efficacy and usability for treating urinary incontinence (UI). Women with UI (stress, urge, mixed) were recruited for this pilot trial. InTone was used 5–6 days a week for 12 weeks. Patients were assessed at baseline and monthly with symptom questionnaires [Urinary Distress Index (UDI6), Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ7)], bladder diaries. and 24-h pad-weight testing (PWT). Efficacy was assessed by comparing 12-week results to baseline values using chi-square and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Usability was assessed with a device-usage log and the System Usability Scale (SUS), which evaluates patients’ global impression of usability. Thirty-three women were enrolled; five patients withdrew and were excluded. Median age was 50 years (range 35–69). After 12 weeks of InTone therapy, median UDI6 and IIQ7 scores improved from 50.0 to 29.2 (p 50 % reduction in daily pad usage and PWT. Device usability was good, with a median SUS of 86.3 and a median expected use of 107 % (33–140 %). Twelve weeks of InTone usage resulted in significant objective and subjective reductions in UI. Device usability was very good.
Structure induction by lossless graph compression

This work is motivated by the necessity to automate the discovery of structure in vast and ever-growing collection of relational data commonly represented as graphs, for example genomic networks. A novel algorithm, dubbed Graphitour, for structure induction by lossless graph compression is presented and illustrated by a clear and broadly known case of nested structure in a DNA molecule. This work extends to graphs some well established approaches to grammatical inference previously applied only to strings. The bottom-up graph compression problem is related to the maximum cardinality (non-bipartite) maximum cardinality matching problem. The algorithm accepts a variety of graph types including directed graphs and graphs with labeled nodes and arcs. The resulting structure could be used for representation and classification of graphs
Does chronic illness affect the adequacy of health insurance coverage

Although chronically ill individuals need protection against high medical expenses, they often have difficulty obtaining adequate insurance coverage due to medical underwriting practices used to classify and price risks and to define and limit coverage for individuals and groups. Using data from healthy and chronically ill individuals in Indiana, we found that chronic illness decreased the probability of having adequate coverage by about 10 percentage points among all individuals and by about 25 percentage points among single individuals. Preexisting condition exclusions were a major source of inadequate insurance, though not the only cause. Our results emphasize the impact of enforcing the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1997, which limits preexisting condition exclusions.
Adjusting Tax Rates in the GTAP Data Base

This paper describes a procedure designed for incorporating improved information on taxes into existing GTAP data aggregations. The aim of this procedure is to maintain the internal consistency of the data base while minimizing the impacts of the tax change on the value flows in the data base. It utilizes a variant of the GTAP model, for which the model structure and parameter settings have been designed to achieve this aim. The features include Cobb-Douglas production and consumption functions, inter-intermediate input substitution (also Cobb-Douglas), universal factor mobility and fixed trade balances. Instructions and computer files for implementation of the procedure are provided in the attached files.
Linker-free grafting of fluorinated polymeric cross-linked network bilayers for durable reduction of ice adhesion

Thin films of bilayer poly(divinyl benzene) p(DVB)/poly(perfluorodecylacrylate) (p-PFDA) are synthesized via iCVD on steel and silicon substrates. Nanomechanical measurements reveal that the elastic modulus and hardness of the films are enhanced through the bilayer structure and that the adhesion of the films to the substrate is improved via in situ grafting mechanism. The strength of ice adhesion to the treated surfaces is reduced more than six-fold when the substrates are coated with these bilayer polymer networks.
Monomer adsorption on a square lattice with first- and second-neighbor interactions

A year ago, we reported a number of crystallization patterns ~phases! of monomers with nearest- ~first-! neighbor interaction on a multilayered semi-infinite square lattice @1#. This article goes a step further, analyzing the more realistic model of monomer surface adsorption including nearest- and next-nearest- ~second-! neighbor interactions. Lattice models have been used for a very long time; a brief summary of lattice calculations done by others can be found in Ref. @1#, and the notation used here is very similar to that of Ref. @1#. The surface is a semi-infiniteM3N square lattice ~N!‘! in the presence of a gas containing one molecular species and the adsorbed molecules occupy one site. For this reason, we refer to them as monomers. The system is at thermal equilibrium and the chemical potential energy m of a monomer depends on the external gas pressure. The interaction energies of an adsorbed monomer are V0 with the lattice, V with any first-neighbor monomer at a distancea, and W with any second-neighbor monomer at a distance a &. The activities associated with these three interactions are
Khovanskii–Rolle Continuation for Real Solutions

We present a new continuation algorithm to find all real solutions to a nondegenerate system of polynomial equations. Unlike homotopy methods, the algorithm is not based on a deformation of the system; instead, it traces real curves connecting the solutions to one system of equations to those of another, eventually leading to the desired real solutions. It also differs from homotopy methods in that it follows only real paths and computes no complex solutions to the original equations. The number of curves traced is essentially bounded above by the fewnomial bound for real solutions, and the method takes advantage of any slack in that bound.
Standards for network graphics communications

Abstract Common protocols provide a means for the interchange of information between dissimilar systems in a computer network. This paper discusses the background and philosophy of the common graphics protocol currently under development for the ARPANET and outlines the details of its design. Other applications for such a protocol are suggested.
Finite-geometry models of electric field noise from patch potentials in ion traps

We model electric field noise from fluctuating patch potentials on conducting surfaces by taking into account the finite geometry of the ion trap electrodes to gain insight into the origin of anomalous heating in ion traps. The scaling of anomalous heating rates with surface distance $d$ is obtained for several generic geometries of relevance to current ion trap designs, ranging from planar to spheroidal electrodes. The influence of patch size is studied both by solving Laplace's equation in terms of the appropriate Green's function as well as through an eigenfunction expansion. Scaling with surface distance is found to be highly dependent on the choice of geometry and the relative scale between the spatial extent of the electrode, the ion-electrode distance, and the patch size. Our model generally supports the ${d}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ dependence currently found by most experiments and models, but also predicts geometry-driven deviations from this trend.
Privatization and efficiency: differentiating ownership effects from political, organizational, and dynamic effects

This paper argues that the private-public ownership factor should be differentiated from other factors that also influence the effect of privatization on efficiency. This is empirically confirmed in a longitudinal study of 24 Spanish firms, for which several political and organizational factors are found to influence the estimated effects of privatization on efficiency. The analysis of the timing of the effects reveals a strong significance for post-privatization years 5‐6 (negative), and 7‐8 (positive). This suggests that the negative effect of these factors is transitional, being eventually offset by the positive effects of the change to private ownership. ©2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. JEL classification: L33
Preparation of a series of aryl isonipecotic acids using microwave irradiation

Rapid parallel synthesis of arylisonipecotic acids was achieved using microwave irradiation of a palladium catalyzed amination reaction.
Dichotomy in the Dynamical Status of Massive Cores in Orion

To study the evolution of high-mass cores, we have searched for evidence of collapse motions in a large sample of starless cores in the Orion molecular cloud. We used the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory telescope to obtain spectra of the optically thin (H^(13)CO^+) and optically thick (HCO^+) high-density tracer molecules in 27 cores with masses >1 M⊙. The red-and blue-asymmetries seen in the line profiles of the optically thick line, with respect to the optically thin line indicate that 2/3 of these cores are not static. We detect evidence for infall (inward motions) in 9 cores and outward motions for 10 cores, suggesting a dichotomy in the kinematic state of the nonstatic cores in this sample. Our results provide an important observational constraint on the fraction of collapsing (inward motions) versus noncollapsing (reexpanding) cores for comparison with model simulations.
Undulator interruption in high-gain free-electron lasers

Abstract The effect of interrupting an undulator on the performance of high-gain free-electron lasers (FELs) is evaluated by analyzing 1-D Maxwell–Vlasov equations. It is found that the effect is small for a reasonable length of the interruptions for FEL parameters envisaged for short-wavelength self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE). Since the interruptions provide valuable space for quadrupoles and diagnostics, and at the same time permit a greater flexibility in mechanical design, the result of this paper is encouraging for construction of long undulator magnets required for SASE.
A mild, efficient method for the oxidation of α-diazo-β-hydroxyesters to α-diazo-β-ketoesters

Abstract A wide variety of α-diazo-β-ketoesters can be prepared in good overall yields via a two-step sequence involving addition of ethyl lithiodiazoacetate to aliphatic, aromatic, and conjugated aldehydes followed by mild oxidation with the Dess–Martin periodinane.
Optimal and efficient parallel algorithms for summing and prefix summing

The author considers the problem of designing efficient parallel algorithms for summing and prefix summing. The author presents optimal algorithms for summing on a latency-dependent distributed-memory model and shows that any optimal summing algorithm must have an inherent structure. Moreover, the author presents optimal or near-optimal algorithms for prefix summing for both non-commutative and commutative binary operators. Furthermore, the author shows that the optimal algorithms for prefix summing for these two types of operators are not equivalent.
The necessary conditions for Clos-type nonblocking multicast networks

Efficient interconnection networks are critical in providing low latency, high bandwidth communication in parallel and distributed computing systems with hundreds or thousands of processors. The well-known Clos network or v(m, n, r) network can be extended to provide full one-to-many or multicast capability. In this paper, we consider several typical routing control strategies for Clos-type nonblocking multicast networks and derive the necessary conditions under which this type of network is nonblocking for arbitrary multicast assignments in the strict sense as well as under these control strategies. The necessary conditions obtained are represented as the number of middle stage switches m/spl ges//spl Theta/(n[log r/log log r]). These results match the sufficient nonblocking condition for the currently best available explicitly constructed, constant stage nonblocking multicast network, and provide a basis for the optimal design of this type of multicast network.
A chiral metallacyclophane for asymmetric catalysis.

Chiral metallacyclophanes were self-assembled from cis-(PEt3)2PtCl2 and enantiopure atropisomeric 1,1′-binaphthyl-6,6′-bis(acetylenes) and used in highly enantioselective catalytic diethylzinc additions to aldehydes to afford chiral secondary alcohols.
Pressure Stratification Effects on Multiphase Transport Across a Vertical Slot Porous Insulation

In this work, thermal stratification effects on heat and mass transfer in a porous insulation are analyzed. The vertical boundaries of the porous system are partially permeable for simulation holes or cracks in wall. Hydrostatic pressure variations are considered on the vertical boundaries and a set of realistic boundary conditions is imposed on the system under consideration. The transient intercoupled equations governing the complicated transport process along with the convective boundary conditions are solved by an efficient numerical scheme. The dependence of the Nusselt number and the field variables on several important parameters is investigated systematically. The results clearly show that infiltration can have a pronounced effect on the heat transfer rate across the slab and the corresponding condensation rate. The qualitative and condensation problems in the design of building insulation.
Testing a Scale-independent Method to Measure the Mass of Black Holes

Estimating the black hole mass at the center of galaxies is a fundamental step not only for understanding the physics of accretion, but also for the cosmological evolution of galaxies. Recently, a new method, based solely on X-ray data, was successfully applied to determine the black hole mass in Galactic systems. Since X-rays are thought to be produced via Comptonization process both in stellar and supermassive black holes, in principle, the same method may be applied to estimate the mass in supermassive black holes. In this work we test this hypothesis by performing a systematic analysis of a sample of active galactic nuclei, whose black hole mass has been already determined via reverberation mapping and which possess high-quality XMM-Newton archival data. The good agreement obtained between the black hole masses derived with this novel scaling technique and the reverberation mapping values suggests that this method is robust and works equally well on stellar and supermassive black holes, making it a truly scale-independent technique for black hole determination.
Academic and Educational Outcomes of Children With ADHD

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with poor grades, poor reading and math standardized test scores, and increased grade retention. ADHD is also associated with increased use of school-based services, increased rates of detention and expulsion, and ultimately with relatively low rates of high school graduation and postsecondary education. Children in community samples who show symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity with or without formal diagnoses of ADHD also show poor academic and educational outcomes. Pharmacologic treatment and behavior management are associated with reduction of the core symptoms of ADHD and increased academic productivity, but not with improved standardized test scores or ultimate educational attainment. Future research must use conceptually based outcome measures in prospective, longitudinal, and community-based studies to determine which pharmacologic, behavioral, and educational interventions can improve academic and educational outcomes of children with ADHD.
Pathwise performance of debt based policies for wireless networks with hard delay constraints

Hou et al have introduced a framework to serve clients over wireless channels when there are hard deadline constraints along with a minimum delivery ratio for each client's flow. Policies based on “debt,” called maximum debt first policies (MDF), were introduced and shown to be timely-throughput optimal. By “timely-throughput optimality” it is meant that if there exists a policy that fulfils a set of clients with a given vector of delivery ratios and a vector of channel reliabilities, then the MDF policy will also fulfill them. The debt of a user is the difference between the number of packets that should have been delivered so as to meet the delivery ratio and the number of packets that have been delivered for that client. The MDF policy prioritizes the clients in decreasing order of debts at the beginning of every period. Note that a throughput optimal policy only guarantees that lim infT→∞ 1/T Σt=1T 1{client n's packet is delivered in frame t} ≥ qi, where the right hand side is the required delivery ratio for client i. Thus, it only guarantees that the debts of each user are o(T), and can be otherwise arbitrarily large. This raises the interesting question about what is the growth rate of the debts under the MDF policy. We show the optimality of MDF policy in the case when the channel reliabilities of all users are same, and obtain performance bounds for the general case. We characterize the performance by almost sure bounds on lim supt→∞ {di(t)}/{φ(t)} for all i, where φ(t)=√(2tloglogt).
Numerical Simulation of a Crossed Pulser–Sustainer Discharge in Transverse Magnetic Field

Modeling of a crossed pulser-sustainer discharge in the presence of a transverse magnetic field is used to obtain insight into the kinetics of a low-temperature magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) nitrogen plasma. Ionization in the discharge is produced by repetitive high-voltage nanosecond-duration pulses, while the low-voltage DC sustainer discharge couples power to the plasma between pulses. Model predictions are compared with the experimental sustainer discharge current, both without and with magnetic field, showing a satisfactory agreement. At low DC voltages (below the cathode voltage fall UC), the calculations show that the entire sustainer discharge, including the cathode layer, remains nonself-sustained and that the electric field does not penetrate into the plasma, which results in a very low sustainer current. This demonstrates that MHD power generation in low-temperature plasmas with MHD open voltages that are below the cathode fall is not feasible. At higher voltages (UDC > UC), when the cathode layer becomes self-sustained, the sustainer current grows approximately linear with the DC voltage. This occurs because the applied DC field does not produce any additional ionization in the plasma that is outside the cathode layer. In the presence of a magnetic field, the sustainer current is significantly lower than the current without a magnetic field, which is due to the Hall effect. At UDC > UC, the model predicts a significant electron and ion drift in the EtimesB direction due to the Lorentz force. Charge separation that is induced by the disparity in electron and ion mobilities also causes the entire plasma to shift in the EtimesB direction, which is approximately at the ion slip velocity. The estimated neutral flow velocity change due to a collisional momentum transfer from the charged to the neutral species in the plasma is consistent with the prediction of quasi-1-D phenomenological MHD equations, as well as with the previous experimental results in a low-temperature MHD wind tunnel.
Spectral decomposition of time-frequency distribution kernels

This paper addresses the general problem of approximating a given time-frequency distribution (TFD) in terms of other distributions with desired properties. It relates the approximation of two time-frequency distributions to their corresponding kernel approximation. It is shown that the singular-value decomposition (SVD) of the time-frequency (t-f) kernels allows the expression of the time-frequency distributions in terms of weighted sum of smoothed pseudo Wigner-Ville distributions or modified periodograms, which are the two basic nonparametric power distributions for stationary and nonstationary signals, respectively. The windows appearing in the decomposition take zero and/or negative values and, therefore, are different than the time and lag windows commonly employed by these two distributions. The centrosymmetry and the time-support properties of the kernels along with the fast decay of the singular values lead to computational savings and allow for an efficient reduced rank kernel approximations. >
Endocrine Hypertension: Then and Now

ABSTRACT Objective To review the first reported cases of successfully treated pheochromocytoma and primary aldosteronism and to document the diagnostic and therapeutic advances that have occurred since the initial descriptions. Methods The original case descriptions and the subsequent pertinent literature were reviewed. Results The successful management of the initial cases of pheochromocytoma in 1926 and primary aldosteronism in 1954 was highlighted by keen clinical observation, clinical intuition, and application of scientific principles. Since those prismatic case descriptions, the technological advances in laboratory-based diagnosis, radiology-based tumor localization, and surgical approaches to the adrenal glands have been truly remarkable. Conclusions The evolution in the diagnosis and treatment of pheochromocytoma will continue to progress as we identify more genetic causes, develop biochemical markers for “preclinical” pheochromocytoma, identify better markers for malignant disease, and develop more effective treatment options for malignant pheochromocytoma. Over the next decade, we hope to determine the pathophysiology for bilateral idiopathic hyperaldosteronism, develop less invasive and less technically demanding tests to distinguish between unilateral aldosterone-producing adenoma and bilateral idiopathic hyperaldosteronism, determine where low renin hypertension stops and primary aldosteronism starts, and determine the impact of genetic and environmental factors on aldosterone secretion in patients with and without primary aldosteronism. (Endocr Pract. 2010:16:888-902)
Inevitability of Plate Tectonics on Super-Earths

The recent discovery of super-Earths (masses ≤ ) has initiated a discussion about conditions for habitable 10 M worlds. Among these is the mode of convection, which influences a planet’s thermal evolution and surface conditions. On Earth, plate tectonics has been proposed as a necessary condition for life. Here we show that super-Earths will also have plate tectonics. We demonstrate that as planetary mass increases, the shear stress available to overcome resistance to plate motion increases while the plate thickness decreases, thereby enhancing plate weakness. These effects contribute favorably to the subduction of the lithosphere, an essential component of plate tectonics. Moreover, uncertainties in achieving plate tectonics in the 1 regime disappear as mass M increases: super-Earths, even if dry, will exhibit plate tectonic behavior. Subject headings: Earth — planetary systems — planets and satellites: general
Nonlinear effects in pseudo differential OTAs with CMFB

A general description of nonlinearities in pseudo differential operational transconductance amplifiers (OTA) with common-mode feedback (CMFB) is introduced. The effects of CMFB nonlinearities on the differential signals are evaluated and design tradeoffs including nonidealities are determined. A practical pseudo differential fully balanced fully symmetric OTA architecture with common-mode feedforward (CMFF) is used as a case study to probe the theory. The OTA has an inherent common-mode detector; hence, the CMFB circuit is efficiently implemented. The OTA is used to implement a 100-MHz fourth-order linear-phase OTA-C filter.
Facile synthesis of chelating bisphosphine oxides and bisphosphines via palladium-catalyzed bishydrophosphinylation reactions

Abstract A series of functional bisphosphosphine oxides were synthesized in good yields via new Pd-catalyzed bis-hydrophosphinylation reactions of terminal alkynes and diphenylphosphine oxide. The resulting bisphosphine oxides were reduced to their corresponding bisphosphines in quantitative yields via a Ti(O i Pr) 4 -mediated process.
Severi-Brauer Varieties of Semidirect Product Algebras

A conjecture of Amitsur states that two Severi-Brauer varieties are birationally isomorphic if and only if the underlying al- gebras are the same degree and generate the same cyclic subgroup of the Brauer group. It is known that generating the same cyclic sub- group is a necessary condition, however it has not yet been shown to be sufficient. In this paper we examine the case where the algebras have a maximal subfield K/F of degree n with Galois closure E/F whose Galois group is of the form Cn ⋊ H, where E H = K and |H| is prime to n. For such algebras we show that the conjecture is true for certain cases of n and H. In particular we prove the conjecture in the case that G is a dihedral group of order 2p, where p is prime.
Schizophrenia traveler type

DSM-IV-TR classifies schizophrenia in several types: disorganized, paranoid, catatonic, undifferentiated and residual.1 This classification is focused on the symptoms one could identify during an interview and puts less emphasis on the insight domain and discrepancies between the perception abnormalities when compared with abnormalities in thinking with and without substrate in reality. The DSM V does not include any types of schizophrenia.2 I suggest that it is important to take a closer look at an empirical observed phenomenon: traveler schizophrenia population. There are several ways to look at this phenomenon: i) there could be differences in insight earlier in the illness, partially leading to same discrepancies described in duration of untreated psychosis studies which in turn could lead to a worse or different prognosis; ii) the illness have a different course likely as result of excess in erroneous thinking, mainly a-posteriori and also apriori constructs that lead to changes in behavior, such as extensive travel patterns. In a study,3 extensive travel history (more than two states), after the schizophrenia diagnosis, was documented in 28 of 74 patients with schizophrenia. Only nine patients from the 28 with an extensive travel history settled in this area, in the 4 year follow up, as documented in their medical records and by the repeated visits in the following years. The remaining 19 patients had an average of 1.2 visits to the hospital and for those patients that had more than one visit this occurred within 2 months of the initial contact. Six of the patients that remained in the area were offered boarding home services for an average of 11 months. In another study,4 we compared the clinical course of 17 patients with the first time diagnosis of schizophrenia to 50 patients admitted with a preexisting diagnosis of schizophrenia made an average of 8 years earlier. 53% of the control group moved from a different state before being treated at this facility. Only 14.2% of the study group came from other states. The frequent traveling was often secondary to persecutory, religious or grandiose delusions rather than in response to auditory hallucinations. Patients with an established diagnosis of schizophrenia demonstrated an increased travel pattern, often connected with their delusional symptoms, when compared with patients with a recent diagnosis of schizophrenia. This can introduce bias as the patients with schizophrenia with an increased traveling behavior are less likely to be included in longer term studies due to their travel pattern and exclusion criteria of the studies. However, when they are included, they are poled with the rest of the group to which they enrolled. Also, this lead to lack of investigations to determine if they deserve a separate classification and is suggested that they have a worse prognosis. The removal of types of schizophrenia from the DSM V should not deter physicians from considering the prognostic value of individual presentation.
String theory and the path to unification: A Review of recent developments

Abstract This is a pedagogical review article surveying the various approaches towards understanding gauge coupling unification within string theory. As is well known, one of the major problems confronting string phenomenology has been an apparent discrepancy between the scale of gauge coupling unification predicted within string theory, and the unification scale expected within the framework of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM). In this article, I provide an overview of the different approaches that have been taken in recent years towards reconciling these two scales, and outline some of the major recent developments in each. These approaches include string GUT models; higher affine levels and non-standard hypercharge normalizations; heavy string threshold corrections; light supersymmetric thresholds; effects from intermediate-scale gauge and matter structure beyond the MSSM; strings without supersymmetry; and strings at strong coupling.
3‐Methoxypropen‐2‐yl formate, a selective reagent for the formylation of alcohols or phenols

An improved synthesis is given for the selectively amino formylating reagent, 3-methoxypropen-2-yl formate. The compound can also be used for selective formylation of either alcohols or phenols by using an acid or tertiary amine as a catalyst.
Additive extensions of a quantum channel

We study extensions of a quantum channel whose one-way capacities are described by a single-letter formula. This provides a simple technique for generating powerful upper bounds on the capacities of a general quantum channel. We apply this technique to two qubit channels of particular interest-the depolarizing channel and the channel with independent phase and amplitude noise. Our study of the latter demonstrates that the key rate of BB84 with one-way post-processing and quantum bit error rate q cannot exceed H(1/2-2q(1-q))-H(2q(1-q)).
Large scale GW calculations.

We present GW calculations of molecules, ordered and disordered solids and interfaces, which employ an efficient contour deformation technique for frequency integration and do not require the explicit evaluation of virtual electronic states nor the inversion of dielectric matrices. We also present a parallel implementation of the algorithm, which takes advantage of separable expressions of both the single particle Green’s function and the screened Coulomb interaction. The method can be used starting from density functional theory calculations performed with semilocal or hybrid functionals. We applied the newly developed technique to GW calculations of systems of unprecedented size, including water/semiconductor interfaces with thousands of electrons.
Central America : a nation divided

1. The Isthmus 2. The Kingdom of Guatemala 3. Bourbon Central American 4. Expectations and Achievements of Independence 5. Central America and the World 6. Foffee Republics 7. Banana Republics 8. The Challenge to Liberalsim 9. Central America in the Age of Social Revolution 10. The Failure of Reunification
Optics And Symbolic Computing

A new class of computer architectures is emerging, driven mostly by the requirements of symbolic computing (artificial intelligence). They may be succinctly described as fine-grained, tightly-coupled multiprocessor systems. This means that the architectures are composed of a large number of relatively noncomplex processors that are coupled in such a manner that any given processor has direct communication with many other processors. Such machines are more readily adaptable to the data element structures associated with symbolic computing than are the sequential machines available today. It is important that the optical processing/computing community begin to investigate the role of optics in fine-grained, tightly-coupled multiprocessor systems.
Deny, Distance, or Dismantle? How White Americans Manage a Privileged Identity

Social scientists have traditionally argued that whiteness-the attribute of being recognized and treated as a White person in society-is powerful because it is invisible. On this view, members of the racially dominant group have the unique luxury of rarely noticing their race or the privileges it confers. This article challenges this "invisibility thesis," arguing that Whites frequently regard themselves as racial actors. We further argue that whiteness defines a problematic social identity that confronts Whites with 2 psychological threats: the possibility that their accomplishments in life were not fully earned (meritocratic threat) and the association with a group that benefits from unfair social advantages (group-image threat). We theorize that Whites manage their racial identity to dispel these threats. According to our deny, distance, or dismantle (3D) model of White identity management, dominant-group members have three strategies at their disposal: deny the existence of privilege, distance their own self-concepts from the White category, or strive to dismantle systems of privilege. Whereas denial and distancing promote insensitivity and inaction with respect to racial inequality, dismantling reduces threat by relinquishing privileges. We suggest that interventions aimed at reducing inequality should attempt to leverage dismantling as a strategy of White identity management.
MCM-L product development process for low-cost MCMs

System size and cost reduction are often the largest factors for interest in commercial MCMs. Performance improvement is generally of secondary interest. Development and qualification can add significantly to the total cost of an MCM, so in addition to the normal desire to provide reliable products, the cost of doing so has gained increased importance. A new product introduction (NPI) process for low-cost MCMs has been implemented to rapidly provide cost-effective, reliable MCM solutions for cost-sensitive MCM users. The NPI process is based on three attributes: leverage single chip package (SCP) experience and technology, perform product family qualifications, and use only previously qualified silicon in MCMs. Application of the NPI process to the development and qualification of a 28 mm PQFP (Plastic Quad Flat Pack)-based MCM package is presented in this paper. >
U.S. Labor Supply and Demand in the Long Run

Abstract In this paper we model U.S. labor supply and demand over the next 25 years. Despite the anticipated aging of the population, moderate population growth will provide growing supplies of labor well into the 21st century. Improvements in labor quality due to greater education and experience will also continue for some time, but will eventually disappear. Productivity growth for the U.S. economy will be below long-term historical averages, but labor-using technical change will be a stimulus to the growth of labor demand. Year-to-year changes in economic activity will be primarily the consequence of capital accumulation. However, the driving forces of economic growth over the long term will be demography and technology.
A strategic investigation of the determinants of wine consumption in China

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine consumer characteristics, buying behaviour, and the factors that influence the Chinese wine consumer.Design/methodology/approach – The study applies qualitative and quantitative methodology, together with a literature review and a strategic environmental scan of the Chinese wine market and consumer behavior.Findings – Consumer education, wine‐related activities, channels of communication, taste, country of origin, quality, and price rank are found to be important factors influencing the buying and consumption behavior of Chinese consumers.Research limitations/implications – Results suggest that there is a need for stakeholders to develop and implement informational and educational marketing strategies to educate and inform consumers in ways that reflect their needs and expectations according to demographic characteristics.Practical implications – The challenge for the stakeholders will be to: penetrate this emerging market to establish presence and captu...
Analysis of the SPV secure routing protocol: weaknesses and lessons

We analyze a secure routing protocol, Secure Path Vector (SPV), proposed in SIGCOMM 2004. SPV aims to provide authenticity for route announcements in the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) using an efficient alternative to ordinary digital signatures, called constant-time signatures. Today, SPV is often considered the best cryptographic defense for BGP.We find subtle flaws in the design of SPV which lead to attacks that can be mounted by 60% of Autonomous Systems in the Internet. In addition, we study several of SPV's design decisions and assumptions and highlight the requirements for security of routing protocols. In light of our analysis, we reexamine the need for constant-time signatures and find that certain standard digital signature schemes can provide the same level of efficiency for route authenticity.
Model Predictive Control of a Direct Fire Projectile Equipped With Canards

Launch uncertainties in uncontrolled direct fire projectiles can lead to significant impact point dispersion, even at relatively short range. A model predictive control scheme for direct fire projectiles is investigated to reduce impact point dispersion. The control law depends on projectile linear theory to create an approximate linear model of the projectile and quickly predict states into the future. Control inputs are based on minimization of the error between predicted projectile states and a desired trajectory leading to the target. Through simulation, the control law is shown to work well in reducing projectile impact point dispersion. Parametric trade studies on an example projectile configuration are reported that detail the effect of prediction horizon length, gain settings, model update interval, and model step size.
Nutrient-sensing mechanisms and pathways

The ability to sense and respond to fluctuations in environmental nutrient levels is a requisite for life. Nutrient scarcity is a selective pressure that has shaped the evolution of most cellular processes. Different pathways that detect intracellular and extracellular levels of sugars, amino acids, lipids and surrogate metabolites are integrated and coordinated at the organismal level through hormonal signals. During food abundance, nutrient-sensing pathways engage anabolism and storage, whereas scarcity triggers homeostatic mechanisms, such as the mobilization of internal stores through autophagy. Nutrient-sensing pathways are commonly deregulated in human metabolic diseases.
IS PUBLIC EXPENDITURE PRODUCTIVE

Abstract This paper considers the relationship between aggregate productivity and stock and flow government-spending variables. The empirical results indicate that (i) the nonmilitary public capital stock is dramatically more important in determining productivity than is either the flow of nonmilitary or military spending, (ii) military capital bears little relation to productivity, and (iii) a ‘core’ infrastructure of streets, highways, airports, mass transit, sewers, water systems, etc. has most explanatory power for productivity. The paper also suggests an important role for the net public capital stock in the ‘productivity slowdown’ of the last fifteen years.
The consequences of political innumeracy

The prevalence of political innumeracy – or ignorance of politically relevant numbers – is well-documented. However, little is known about its consequences. We report on three original survey experiments in which respondents were randomly assigned to see correct information about the racial composition of the US population, median income and educational attainment, and the unemployment and poverty rates. Although estimates of these quantities were frequently far from the truth, providing correct information had little effect on attitudes toward relevant public policies.
Mutable checkpoints: a new checkpointing approach for mobile computing systems

Mobile computing raises many new issues such as lack of stable storage, low bandwidth of wireless channel, high mobility, and limited battery life. These new issues make traditional checkpointing algorithms unsuitable. Coordinated checkpointing is an attractive approach for transparently adding fault tolerance to distributed applications since it avoids domino effects and minimizes the stable storage requirement. However, it suffers from high overhead associated with the checkpointing process in mobile computing systems. Two approaches have been used to reduce the overhead: First is to minimize the number of synchronization messages and the number of checkpoints; the other is to make the checkpointing process nonblocking. These two approaches were orthogonal previously until the Prakash-Singhal algorithm combined them. However, we found that this algorithm may result in an inconsistency in some situations and we proved that there does not exist a nonblocking algorithm which forces only a minimum number of processes to take their checkpoints. In this paper; we introduce the concept of "mutable checkpoint," which is neither a tentative checkpoint nor a permanent checkpoint, to design efficient checkpointing algorithms for mobile computing systems. Mutable checkpoints can be saved anywhere, e.g., the main memory or local disk of MHs. In this way, taking a mutable checkpoint avoids the overhead of transferring large amounts of data to the stable storage at MSSs over the wireless network. We present techniques to minimize the number of mutable checkpoints. Simulation results show that the overhead of taking mutable checkpoints is negligible. Based on mutable checkpoints, our nonblocking algorithm avoids the avalanche effect and forces only a minimum number of processes to take their checkpoints on the stable storage.
Infrared spectrum and structure of the gold dihydroxide molecule

Reactions of laser-ablated gold atoms with H2O2 and H2 + O2 mixtures give four new infrared absorptions, which match the four most intense vibrational frequencies calculated for Au(OH)2 using density functional theory; the calculations find a C2h structure and substantial covalent bonding character for the Au(OH)2 molecule, which is probably due to the high electron affinity of gold.
Integrating Human Factors Models into Statistical Quality Control

Recent progress in the statistical quality control field has led to the design of sampling plans which do not assume perfect inspection. Simple methods now exist for analyzing the effect of inspect...
Topological defects in the cosmos and lab

Current theories of particle physics lead to the unavoidable conclusion that there must have been several phase transitions in the early Universe. Further, in the context of these theories, it is possible that cosmological phase transitions would have produced topological defects that may be roaming our heavens today. A finding of these fossils from the early Universe would provide a direct confirmation of the thermal history of the cosmos, insight into astrophysical phenomena, and vital information about particle physics. The elimination of unobserved topological defects provides important constraints on particle physics and may also suggest novel cosmology. I describe some of the research on cosmic topological defects and recent efforts to address cosmological issues in condensed matter systems.
High-level area and power estimation for VLSI circuits

High-level power estimation, when given only a high-level design specification such as a functional or register-transfer level (RTL) description, requires high-level estimation of the circuit average activity and total capacitance. Considering that total capacitance is related to circuit area, this paper addresses the problem of computing the "area complexity" of multi-output combinational logic given only their functional description, i.e., Boolean equations, where area complexity refers to the number of gates required for an optimal multilevel implementation of the combinational logic. The proposed area model is based on transforming the multi-output Boolean function description into an equivalent single output function. The area model is empirical and results demonstrating its feasibility and utility are presented. Also, a methodology for converting the gate count estimates, obtained from the area model, into capacitance estimates is presented. High-level power estimates based on the total capacitance estimates and average activity estimates are also presented.
A Global, Community Building Language?

Although long championed, a global language has not come to fruition despite considerable efforts. Many fear that such a language would undermine the particularistic, identity-constituting primary languages of local and national communities. These concerns can be addressed at least in part by utilizing a two-tiered approach in which efforts to protect primary languages are intensified at the same time that a global language is adopted as an additional language and not as a substitutive one. Although the U.N. or some other such global organization could, theoretically, choose a language to serve as the global language, English is already (and increasingly) occupying this position as a result of the colonial period and post-colonial developments. In this respect, English is compared to the development of the railroad system in the United States, which although introduced at considerable human costs by overpowering corporations, later became an integral part of the economy and society. Whether English should be adopted as a second language, or as a third or fourth one, is heavily influenced by the level of difficulty involved—the labor to fluency ratio—in acquiring a new language.
Target Localization Accuracy Gain in MIMO Radar-Based Systems

This paper presents an analysis of target localization accuracy, attainable by the use of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar systems, configured with multiple transmit and receive sensors, widely distributed over an area. The Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) for target localization accuracy is developed for both coherent and noncoherent processing. Coherent processing requires a common phase reference for all transmit and receive sensors. The CRLB is shown to be inversely proportional to the signal effective bandwidth in the noncoherent case, but is approximately inversely proportional to the carrier frequency in the coherent case. We further prove that optimization over the sensors' positions lowers the CRLB by a factor equal to the product of the number of transmitting and receiving sensors. The best linear unbiased estimator (BLUE) is derived for the MIMO target localization problem. The BLUE's utility is in providing a closed-form localization estimate that facilitates the analysis of the relations between sensors locations, target location, and localization accuracy. Geometric dilution of precision (GDOP) contours are used to map the relative performance accuracy for a given layout of radars over a given geographic area.
Competitive strategy under uncertainty

Competitive strategy under uncertainty involves a trade-off between acting early and acting later after the uncertainty is resolved, and another trade-off between focusing resources on one scenario and spreading resources on several scenarios, thus maintaining flexibility. This paper analyzes both these trade-offs taking into consideration the nature of uncertainty, industry economics, intensity of competition, and the position of a firm relative to its competitors.