cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multi-View, Generative, Transfer Learning for Distributed Time Series Classification

In this paper, we propose an effective, multi-view, generative, transfer learning framework for multivariate time-series data. While generative models are demonstrated effective for several machine learning tasks, their application to time-series classification problems is underexplored. The need for additional exploration is motivated when data are large, annotations are unbalanced or scarce, or data are distributed and fragmented. Recent advances in computer vision attempt to use synthesized samples with system generated annotations to overcome the lack or imbalance of annotated data. However, in multi-view problem settings, view mismatches between the synthetic data and real data pose additional challenges against harnessing new annotated data collections. The proposed method offers important contributions to facilitate knowledge sharing, while simultaneously ensuring an effective solution for domain-specific, finelevel categorizations. We propose a principled way to perform view adaptation in a cross-view learning environment, wherein pairwise view similarity is identified by a smaller subset of source samples that closely resemble the target data patterns. This approach integrates generative models within a deep classification framework to minimize the gap between source and target data. More precisely, we design category specific conditional, generative models to update the source generator in order for transforming source features so that they appear as target features and simultaneously tune the associated discriminative model to distinguish these features. During each learning iteration, the source generator is conditioned by a source training set represented as some target-like features. This transformation in appearance was performed via a target generator specifically learned for target-specific customization per category. Afterward, a smaller source training set, indicating close target pattern resemblance in terms of the corresponding generative and discriminative loss, is used to fine-tune the source classification model parameters. Experiments show that compared to existing approaches, our proposed multiview, generative, transfer learning framework improves timeseries classification performance by around 4% in the UCI multiview activity recognition dataset, while also showing a robust, generalized representation capacity in classifying several large-scale multi-view light curve collections.
The Effects of PTFE Thickness on the Tribological Behavior of Thick PDA/PTFE Coatings

In this study, the effects of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) thickness on the wear and friction properties of spin-coated PTFE and polydopamine (PDA)/PTFE coatings on stainless steel (SS) substrate...
Development of gas chromatographic pattern recognition and classification tools for compliance and forensic analyses of fuels: A review.

Abstract Gas chromatography (GC) is undoubtedly the analytical technique of choice for compositional analysis of petroleum-based fuels. Over the past twenty years, as comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) has evolved, fuel analysis has often been highlighted in scientific reports, since the complexity of fuel analysis allows for illustration of the impressive peak capacity gains afforded by GC × GC. Indeed, several research groups in recent years have applied GC × GC and chemometric data analysis to demonstrate the potential of these analytical tools to address important compliance (tax evasion, tax credits, physical quality standards) and forensic (arson investigations, oil spills) applications involving fuels. None the less, routine use of GC × GC in forensic laboratories has been limited largely by (1) legal and regulatory guidelines, (2) lack of chemometrics training, and (3) concerns about the reproducibility of GC × GC. The goal of this review is to highlight recent advances in one-dimensional GC (1D-GC) and GC × GC analyses of fuels for compliance and forensic applications, to assist scientists in overcoming the aforementioned hindrances. An introduction to 1D-GC principles, GC × GC technology (column stationary phases and modulators) and several chemometric methods is provided. More specifically, chemometric methods will be broken down into (1) signal preprocessing, (2) peak decomposition, identification and quantification, and (3) classification and pattern recognition. Examples of compliance and forensic applications will be discussed with particular emphasis on the demonstrated success of the employed chemometric methods. This review will hopefully make 1D-GC and GC × GC coupled with chemometric data analysis tools more accessible to the larger scientific community, and aid in eventual widespread standardization.
"Aging Out" of Dependent Coverage and the Effects on US Labor Market and Health Insurance Choices.

Objectives. I examined how labor market and health insurance outcomes were affected by the loss of dependent coverage eligibility under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Methods. I used National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data and regression discontinuity models to measure the percentage-point change in labor market and health insurance outcomes at age 26 years. My sample was restricted to unmarried individuals aged 24 to 28 years and to a period of time before the ACA's individual mandate (2011-2013). I ran models separately for men and women to determine if there were differences based on gender. Results. Aging out of this provision increased employment among men, employer-sponsored health insurance offers for women, and reports that health insurance coverage was worse than it was 1 year previously (overall and for young women). Uninsured rates did not increase at age 26 years, but there was an increase in the purchase of non-group health coverage, indicating interest in remaining insured after age 26 years. Conclusions. Many young adults will turn to state and federal health insurance marketplaces for information about health coverage. Because young adults (aged 18-29 years) regularly use social media sites, these sites could be used to advertise insurance to individuals reaching their 26th birthdays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Contemporary relationship between medical expenditures and quality of life among adults with epilepsy in the United States.

Abstract Aims Epilepsy exacts substantial adverse economic and quality of life (QoL) costs. Clarifying the quantitative and qualitative relationships between total and out-of-pocket (OOP) healthcare expenditures and QoL could shed insights into how they influence each other, and have done so over recent times. Methods We used the Medical Expenditure Household Components 2003–2014 to identify a total of 2450 adults with epilepsy, representing a weighted population of 1,942,413. Quality of life was assessed using the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS) derived from the Short-form 12 Version 2 (SF-12 V2), converted into quartiles of equal distribution, with higher quartiles indicating a better QoL. We computed unadjusted mean and adjusted (through a generalized linear model (GLM)) total and OOP healthcare expenditures by QoL categories among adults with epilepsy (reported as dollars in 2016). Results The pooled estimates of total healthcare expenditures decreased as PCS and MCS quartiles of QoL increased [PCS: costs for quartile 1 = $21,792 (95% confidence interval (CI): $18,416–$25,168 vs. costs for quartile 4 = $6057 (95% CI: $4648–$7466) and MCS: costs for quartile 1 = $19,040 (95% CI: $15,544–$22,535) vs. quartile 4 = $12,939 (95% CI: $8450–$17,429)]. Similarly, the pooled estimates of OOP healthcare expenditures and QoL were inversely related [PCS: costs for quartile 1 = $1849 (95% CI: $1583–$2114) vs. costs for quartile 4 = $948 ($709–$1187) and MCS: costs for quartile 1 = 1812 (95% CI: $1483–2141) vs. quartile 4 = $1317 (95% CI: $982–$1652)]. The association between QoL and total and OOP healthcare expenditures was unchanged after adjusting for socioeconomic and healthcare system related confounders in the GLM. Overall, healthcare expenditures were stable across years independently of the QoL; only OOP expenditures decreased between 2003–2006 and 2011–2014 for quartile 1 of PCS and MCS. Conclusion Quality of life and OOP health expenditures are independently and inversely related to each other among adults with epilepsy. Over the decade studied in the United States, there was a decrease in OOP health expenditures among those patients with epilepsy with the lowest QoL, possibly reflecting a rise in insurance coverage after the Affordable Care Act.
‘Something else’ in child psychotherapy with traumatised adopted children

There is a small cohort of traumatised adopted children whose fear of separation from parents, and fear of hostility and rejection from the therapist, prevent them from being able to make use of th...
Multi-Net: A Scalable Multiplex Network Embedding Framework

Representation learning of networks has witnessed significant progress in recent times. Such representations have been effectively used for classic network-based machine learning tasks like node classification, link prediction, and network alignment. However, very few methods focus on capturing representations for multiplex or multilayer networks, which are more accurate and detailed representations of complex networks. In this work, we propose Multi-Net a fast and scalable embedding technique for multiplex networks. Multi-Net, effectively maps nodes to a lower-dimensional space while preserving its neighborhood properties across all the layers. We utilize four random walk strategies in our unified network embedding model, thus making our approach more robust than existing state-of-the-art models. We demonstrate superior performance of Multi-Net on four real-world datasets from different domains. In particular, we highlight the uniqueness of Multi-Net by leveraging it for the complex task of network reconstruction.
The Promise of a Multi-Disciplinary, Mixed-Methods Approach to Inform Insect Pest Management: Evidence From Wyoming Alfalfa

Pest management strategies involve a complex set of considerations, circumstances, and decision-making. Existing research suggests that farmers are reflexive and reflective in their management choices yet continue to employ curative rather than preventative strategies, and opt for chemical over biological solutions. In this piece, we detail work from a two-year, multidisciplinary, mixed-methods study of insect pest management strategies in alfalfa in Wyoming, integrating data from four focus groups, a statewide survey, and biological sampling of production fields. We outline how these different sources of data together contribute to a more complete understanding of the challenges and strategies employed by farmers, and specifically on biological pest control. We applied this approach across alfalfa hay and seed crop systems. Relatively few farmers acknowledged biological control in focus groups or surveys, yet biological exploration yielded abundant parasitism of common pest alfalfa weevil. On the other hand, parasitism of seed alfalfa pest Lygus was far less common and patchy across fields. It is only in integrating quantitative and qualitative, biological and social data that we are able to generate a more complete portrait of the challenges and opportunities of working with farmers to embrace a preventative paradigm. In doing so, we offer insights on possible barriers to the adoption of preventative insect management strategies and provide a case study of integrating social science and biophysical techniques to better understand opportunities to expand biological pest control in cropping systems.
Adhesion Index: A Novel Bio-compatibility Assessment Standard for Medical Devices

Tens of millions of Americans receive medical devices and procedures annually at a cost of $170 billion. Unfortunately, over half of all hospital acquired infections result from a permanent or temporary implanted device procedure. Although deleterious bacteria adherent to medically implanted devices are major contributors to this problem, biocompatibility standards lack consideration for these adherence properties. A biocompatibility assessment that considers both the adhesion of invasive bacteria and host cells is needed to advance patient care. The quantitative determination of the effect of implant surface characteristics on bacterial adhesion, as well as our bodies natural cell adhesion, will lead to the development of more successful medical implants. The laser spallation technique has been used previously for measurements of biofilm and cell adhesion. Laser spallation has distinct advantages as it results in quantified adhesion strength through a non-contact high strain rate force. The non-contact force does not disturb or alter the living films pre-testing, which ensures accurate adhesion measurements. This mechanical test is implemented alongside one dimensional wave analysis and an interface adhesion strength is measured for the biomaterial-implant mimicking surface interfaces. In this study, use of laser spallation on a titanium surface mimicking a dental implant device is explored. Streptococcus mutans, an oral gram-positive facultative anaerobe, is chosen because it is a common oral microbe and earlier colonizer of dental biofilms. In as much as titanium dental implants require osseous-integration, MG 63, selected for its numerous osteoblastic traits that are typical of an immature osteoblast, is optimal for initial adhesion studies. Bacteria and cells are cultured on titanium substrates that have undergone large grit sandblasting to mimic the roughness of dental implant surfaces. We demonstrate a quantitative evaluation of adhesion strength of an oral biofilm on dental implant mimicking surfaces through the adaptation of the laser spallation technique. The adhesion values for both invasive bacteria and constructive cells are compared to determine the biocompatibility for dental implant surfaces, by obtaining a unitless ratio referred to as the Adhesion Index. The Adhesion Index can be used to determine the biocompatibility of other medical implant devices and optimize future implant designs.
Change in condition alerts for home care recipients: A stepped wedge cluster randomized trial.

Background/objectives Paid home care providers (caregivers) are in close, regular contact with people for whom they care (clients). This study evaluated whether caregivers, by noting changes in physical and mental health, could prevent hospitalizations. Design Stepped wedge cluster randomized trial with 4 sequences, 244 clusters, an open cohort, and continuous outcome assessment. Setting Franchises of a national home care company. Participants Eligible clusters were all franchises operating at the study start, excluding those in a previous pilot. The sample included all clients who received private-pay home care services from an eligible franchise, could be linked to Medicare enrollment records, and were enrolled in fee-for-service Medicare. Intervention A telephone- and app-based questionnaire at the end of each caregiving shift asked caregivers whether they noted changes in mental or physical health of their client. This generated a change-in-condition report that staff at the franchise office addressed at their discretion (e.g., by contacting clients or primary care providers). The control condition was no questionnaire. The study was unblinded. Clusters were randomized to four treatment sequences in eight strata of franchise characteristics. Measurements The primary outcome was hospitalization during months of home care enrollment. Secondary outcomes were emergency department (ED) visits and mortality. Results Two hundred and forty-four franchises were randomized to the four sequences (n = 40, 66, 68, 70 franchises, respectively) and 40,137 people were observed during 276,938 person-months of home care enrollment. We found no evidence of impact on hospitalization (odds ratio [OR] 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.97, 1.10), ED visits (OR 1.03, 95% CI: 0.98, 1.08), or mortality (OR 1.07, 95% CI: 0.96, 1.19). Conclusion A technology-enabled intervention to identify health changes among home care recipients did not show evidence of impact on hospitalizations, ED visits, or mortality. Providing change-in-condition reports to home care staff, without a structured response to manage these changes, was not effective at improving care.
Causal Inference Struggles with Agency on Online Platforms.

Online platforms regularly conduct randomized experiments to understand how changes to the platform causally affect various outcomes of interest. However, experimentation on online platforms has been criticized for having, among other issues, a lack of meaningful oversight and user consent. As platforms give users greater agency, it becomes possible to conduct observational studies in which users self-select into the treatment of interest as an alternative to experiments in which the platform controls whether the user receives treatment or not. In this paper, we conduct four large-scale within-study comparisons on Twitter aimed at assessing the effectiveness of observational studies derived from user self-selection on online platforms. In a within-study comparison, treatment effects from an observational study are assessed based on how effectively they replicate results from a randomized experiment with the same target population. We test the naive difference in group means estimator, exact matching, regression adjustment, and inverse probability of treatment weighting while controlling for plausible confounding variables. In all cases, all observational estimates perform poorly at recovering the ground-truth estimate from the analogous randomized experiments. In all cases except one, the observational estimates have the opposite sign of the randomized estimate. Our results suggest that observational studies derived from user self-selection are a poor alternative to randomized experimentation on online platforms. In discussing our results, we postulate "Catch-22"s that suggest that the success of causal inference in these settings may be at odds with the original motivations for providing users with greater agency.
Vitamin A transport and retinol-binding protein metabolism.

Publisher Summary This chapter elaborates the vitamin A transport and retinol-binding protein (RBP) metabolism. Vitamin A is a compound that exerts a number of important biological effects. In general, the vitamin is necessary for the support of growth and life of higher animals, since in the absence of vitamin A higher animals cease to grow, and in time die. Vitamin A is obtained in the diet either as the preformed vitamin or as a provitamin A compound such as β-carotene. In either case, retinyl esters are formed in the intestine and are absorbed into the body through the lymphatic pathway in association with lymph chylomicrons. The transport system for vitamin A in human plasma comprises two proteins, RBP and prealbumin. The techniques of circular dichroism and optical rotatory dispersion have been used to examine the effects of the interactions involved in retinol transport on the secondary structures of both RBP and prealbumin.
Applying Modern Control Techniques to a Nonlinear Bacterial Growth System

A robust multivariable control design methodology is applied to a nonlinear bacterial growth system. The bacterial system is modeled in the time domain with white noises present in both the state dynamics and the measurement equations. The robust design is based on the properties of linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) and loop transfer recovery (LTR) techniques. The feasibility of this control design approach is evaluated.
The Role of Infrared Spectroscopy in the Biological Exploration of Mars

The Role of Infrared Spectroscopy in the Biological Exploration of Mars. The biological exploration of Mars is rapidly becoming a major program in space research. Among the variety of techniques utilized in the work, infrared spectroscopy occupies a prominent place. It has provided valuable information about the atmospheric parameters — composition and pressure — vital in designing a lander to explore for life on the surface. Infrared radiometry has been used to measure the surface temperatures for the entire disk at the various seasons. From a spacecraft orbiting Mars radiometry could be extended to achieve a spatial resolution sufficient to detect micro-environments where the presence of life would be most probable. Measurements in the near infrared from an orbiter would provide a map of the distribution of the water vapor over the planet as a function of the seasons, a parameter of possible significance in understanding observed phenomena and important in the detection of micro-environments. Brightness measurements in the near infrared and visible could be used to detect organisms similar to own in having chlorophyll as the photosynthetic agent, and no pigments absorbing in the near infrared. On a landed laboratory, infrared spectroscopy could play a major role in the characterization of any organic matter present in surface samples. It could also be used as a screening technique to select objects for study by other tools.
A granulosa cell tumor in tissue culture

Abstract Normal and neoplastic human granulosa cells were grown in tissue culture and observed directly and by still photography and cinematography. Morphology, growth characteristics, and mitoses were observed, and no differences were detected between the normal and neoplastic cells. Progesterone was produced up to 21 days after granulosa tumor cells were cultured. The assay was negative after the twenty-first day. The cells were found to have a limited time of reproduction in tissue culture; this was the same in normal and neoplastic cells. Only very rare mitoses were seen after Day 20 in tissue culture. No cell line was established.
Rectenna performances for smart membrane actuators

The patch rectenna array was initially designed for high voltage output in shape control applications. The test results show that more than 200 volts of output was obtained from a 6 x 6 array at a far-field exposure (1.8 meters away) with an x-band input power of 18 watts. The 6 x 6 array patch rectenna was designed to generate theoretical voltages of up to 540 volts, but normal output was range 200 and 300 volts. Test were also performed with a THUNDER actuator attached to the 6 x 6 array. Flexible dipole rectenna arrays built on thin-film based flexible membranes are envisioned as the best option for NASA applications, such as microwave-driven shape controls for aircraft morphing and large ultra lightweight space structures. An array of dipole rectennas was designed for a high voltage output by densely populating it with Schottky barrier diodes to drive piezoelectric or electrostrictive actuators. The dipole rectenna array will eventually be integrated with a PAD logic circuit for power allocation and distribution and microbatteries for storage of excess power. The development of rectenna array-based wireless power drivers for shape control requires the development of new membrane materials with dielectric constants that are suitable for dipole rectenna arrays.
Stress-induced consumption of ethanol by rats

Rats were maintained in a continuous choice situation for consumption of either 0.1% aqueous saccharin or 10% ethanol- 0.1% saccharin with daily tube position reversal and 24 hour fluid consumption measurement. After a stabilized baseline was achieved, groups were exposed to either no stress, or to an unpredictable schedule of isolation or immobilization stress for 14 days. During baseline and stress-exposure periods, the rats consumed predominantly the saccharin solution. Upon cessation of the stress exposures the isolation and immobilization groups markedly increased their consumption of the ethanol solution, reaching intakes as high as 9.1 g/kg/24 hours in 2-3 weeks. In addition, after 3 weeks of ethanol consumption, placement of saccharin in both tubes resulted in the stressed animals preferentially consuming from the tube that should have contained ethanol. The results suggest that unpredictable exposure to stressful stimuli can, upon cessation of exposure, induce an alcohol consummatory behavior in rats.
Cellular and subcellular heterogeneity of glutathione metabolism and transport in rat kidney cells

Selective permeabilization of plasma membranes with digitonin produced separation of cytosolic and mitochondrial compartments of proximal tubular (PT) and distal tubular (DT) cells from a rat kidney. Subcellular distributions of several intracellular glutathione (GSH)-dependent enzymes were similar in the two cell types but specific activities were significantly higher in PT cells, indicating that DT cells, particularly in their mitochondrial fraction, have a diminished capacity to detoxify reactive oxygen species. To enable isolation of suspensions of mitochondria, renal cells were treated with digitonin followed by the bacterial protease nagarse and were filtered through polycarbonate membranes. Activity distributions of enzymatic markers for subcellular fractions were quantitated and uptake of GSH was studied in suspensions of PT and DT cell mitochondria. While PT cell mitochondria catalyzed rapid uptake of GSH that was inhibited by malate, indicating involvement of dicarboxylate carriers, DT cell mitochondria exhibited limited capacity for GSH uptake that was not inhibited by substrates for the two dicarboxylate carriers. This report provides the first description of methodology for the preparation of mitochondria from renal cells derived from specific nephron cell types and shows that mitochondria from DT cells have a significantly lower capacity to use GSH for detoxification and regulation of redox status.
Architecture optimization for multimedia application exploiting data and thread-level parallelism

The characteristics of multimedia applications when executed oil general-purpose processors are not well understood. Such knowledge is extremely important in guiding the development of multimedia applications and the design of future processors.In this paper, we characterize and optimize the performance of multimedia applications on superscalar processor exploiting data-level parallelism and thread-level parallelism with SIMD (Single Instruction Multiple Data) and SMT (Simultaneous MultiThreading) capacities. We show that SMT and SIMD superscalar processor is suitable for 3D geometry application and we characterize the execution in term of memory hierarchy, which is the main bottleneck. The results show that the latency is not fully recovered by SMT; the use of second-level data prefetching does not succeed in increasing the performance.With detailed analysis, we show that this problem comes from a pollution of the instruction window by the threads experiencing second-level cache misses, thus reducing the window available for the other threads. We thus propose a hardware mechanism (an architecture optimization) to predict second-level misses and control this pollution.
Private speech and creativity

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of thought processes represented in the private speech of children on their creative ability. Both creativity and private speech data were collected from 42 preschool and kindergarten children. Analysis using multiple regression indicated that the combination of coping/reinforcing and solving private speech were significant predictors of higher creativity measures, whereas non-facilitative, task-related speech indicated lower creativity measures.
Blood salvage for cardiovascular surgery

Intraoperative blood salvage produces safe and clinically effective red cells. Intraoperative salvage for cardiovascular surgery procedures can be expected to cause a substantial reduction in the use of homologous red cells in patients requiring redo operations, and repair of complex aortic aneurysms. The procedure per se will have very little impact on the use of other blood components such as platelets or plasma. For carefully selected patients, autologous perioperative or intraoperative collection of these components should also be considered. The primary risks of intraoperative blood transfusion include washout of clotting proteins and platelets, infusion of undesirable constituents (such as antibiotics and haemostatic agents added during the surgical procedure) and air embolism. Intraoperative autologous transfusion is only one part of an effective programme to minimize homologous transfusion. Equally important is the use of preoperatively donated blood, the use of effective and safe pharmacological agents to enhance haemostasis and haematopoiesis, a conservative approach that allows only the transfusion of blood components absolutely necessary, and, when possible, the elimination of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy several days prior to the cardiovascular surgical procedure.
EFFECTS OF INCREASED TEMPERATURE AND CO2 ON PHOTOSYNTHESIS, GROWTH, AND ELEMENTAL RATIOS IN MARINE SYNECHOCOCCUS AND PROCHLOROCOCCUS (CYANOBACTERIA)1

Little is known about the combined impacts of future CO2 and temperature increases on the growth and physiology of marine picocyanobacteria. We incubated Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus under present-day (380 ppm) or predicted year-2100 CO2 levels (750 ppm), and under normal versus elevated temperatures (+4°C) in semicontinuous cultures. Increased temperature stimulated the cell division rates of Synechococcus but not Prochlorococcus. Doubled CO2 combined with elevated temperature increased maximum chl a–normalized photosynthetic rates of Synechococcus four times relative to controls. Temperature also altered other photosynthetic parameters (α, Φmax, Ek, and ) in Synechococcus, but these changes were not observed for Prochlorococcus. Both increased CO2 and temperature raised the phycobilin and chl a content of Synechococcus, while only elevated temperature increased divinyl chl a in Prochlorococcus. Cellular carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) quotas, but not phosphorus (P) quotas, increased with elevated CO2 in Synechococcus, leading to ∼20% higher C:P and N:P ratios. In contrast, Prochlorococcus elemental composition remained unaffected by CO2, but cell volume and elemental quotas doubled with increasing temperature while maintaining constant stoichiometry. Synechococcus showed a much greater response to CO2 and temperature increases for most parameters measured, compared with Prochlorococcus. Our results suggest that global change could influence the dominance of Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus ecotypes, with likely effects on oligotrophic food-web structure. However, individual picocyanobacteria strains may respond quite differently to future CO2 and temperature increases, and caution is needed when generalizing their responses to global change in the ocean.
Contributions to the history of psychology: XX. A review of selected aspects of texts in abnormal psychology.

A look at 12 textbooks in abnormal psychology was taken. One point of worth is that there are 89 journal articles published prior to 1950 that are cited in two or more texts, and these may be called “classics” in abnormal psychology. Second, certain journals dominate in terms of publishing these “classics,” with two-thirds of them originating from medical/psychiatric publications (which are the oldest journals). Third, certain themes are prominent within the group, namely, children's disorders and functional psychoses. A fourth finding was that texts in abnormal psychology vary rather widely both in terms of their reverence for the bibliographical past and in terms of their general reverence for references of any vintage. Finally, certain texts appear to include more of the “classics” than do others. Suggestions for further research aimed at “classical” books and potential “classics” of the future are made.
Commutative set: a language extension for implicit parallel programming

Sequential programming models express a total program order, of which a partial order must be respected. This inhibits parallelizing tools from extracting scalable performance. Programmer written semantic commutativity assertions provide a natural way of relaxing this partial order, thereby exposing parallelism implicitly in a program. Existing implicit parallel programming models based on semantic commutativity either require additional programming extensions, or have limited expressiveness. This paper presents a generalized semantic commutativity based programming extension, called Commutative Set (COMMSET), and associated compiler technology that enables multiple forms of parallelism. COMMSET expressions are syntactically succinct and enable the programmer to specify commutativity relations between groups of arbitrary structured code blocks. Using only this construct, serializing constraints that inhibit parallelization can be relaxed, independent of any particular parallelization strategy or concurrency control mechanism. COMMSET enables well performing parallelizations in cases where they were inapplicable or non-performing before. By extending eight sequential programs with only 8 annotations per program on average, COMMSET and the associated compiler technology produced a geomean speedup of 5.7x on eight cores compared to 1.5x for the best non-COMMSET parallelization.
Wave Exchange between the Ground Surface and a Boundary-Layer Critical Level

Abstract Gravity waves induced by two- and three-dimensional terrain features are examined theoretically in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) using a linear wave model that includes reabsorption at a critical level. The PBL structure is characterized by a constant Brunt-Vaisala frequency and a hyperbolic tangent wind speed profile, which can be adjusted to produce critical levels. It is found that for typical values of wind speed and thermal stratification in the stable PBL and for even mild terrain disturbances, the Reynolds stress and surface drag caused by surface-generated waves can be at least as large as those conventionally associated with surface friction. The wave drag will act on the PBL flow where wave dissipation occurs, for example, at a critical level or in regions of wave breaking. The drag over a given crosswind section of a two-dimensional ridge is about twice as great as that over a three-dimensional of approximately the same horizontal area. An entirely new result is the prediction tha...
Ultra-fast variability-aware optimization of mixed-signal designs using bootstrapped kriging

Analog/Mixed-Signal (AMS) circuits present significant challenges to designers with the increase of design complexity and aggressive technology scaling. Design optimization techniques that account for process variation while presenting an accurate and fast design flow which can perform design optimization in reasonable time are still lacking. As a trade-off of the accuracy and speed, this paper presents a process-variation aware design flow for ultra-fast variability-aware optimization of nano-CMOS based physical design of analog circuits. It combines Kriging bootstrapped Neural Network (KBNN) metamodels with a Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm in the design optimization flow. The KBNN provides a trade-off between analog-quality accuracy and scalability and can be effectively used for large and complex AMS circuits while capturing correlations in process variations. The effectiveness of the design flow is demonstrated using a 180nm CMOS based PLL as a case study with 21 design parameters. The KBNN metamodel is 24× faster than NN metamodeling.
A 2010 Mapping of the Constructed Surface Area Density for S.E. Asia - Preliminary Results

Human beings around the world build, use and maintain constructed impervious surfaces for shelter, transportation and commerce. It is a universal phenomenon – akin to clothing – and represents one of the primary anthropogenic modifications of the environment. Expansion in population numbers and economies combined with the popular use of automobiles has led to the sprawl of development and a wide proliferation of constructed impervious surfaces. Constructed impervious surfaces are both hydrological and ecological disturbances. However, constructed surfaces are different from most other types of disturbances in that recovery is arrested through the use of materials that are resistant to decay and are actively maintained. The same characteristics that make impervious surfaces ideal for use in construction produce a series of effects on the environment. We present a new map of the density of constructed surface in S.E. Asia derived from Defense Meteorological Satellite Program’s Operational Linescan System (DMSP OLS) nighttime lights and LandScan population count data.
Evaluation of incorporated iododeoxyuridine cellular radiosensitization by photon activation therapy

Halogenated pyrimidines such as iododeoxyuridine (IdUrd), when incorporated into cellular DNA, sensitize cells to radiation. A technique known as photon activation therapy (PAT) has recently been proposed to further enhance IdUrd radiosensitization. This approach relies on the emission of high linear energy transfer Auger electrons as a result of photoelectric absorption of photons with energies slightly above the K shell binding energy for iodine. Thus, additional IdUrd radiosensitization has been predicted for this technique using photons either generated externally from orthovoltage units or with implants of radioisotopes with emissions of the appropriate energy range. We have tested this prediction by comparing the radiosensitization of Chinese V79 cells, which have incorporated IdUrd (16% replacement of thymidine with IdUrd), to megavoltage (15 MV) versus orthovoltage (100 KVp) radiation. Enhancement ratios at 1% survival levels for 15 MV vs. 100 KVp radiation were 1.8 and 1.95, respectively. This modest 10-15% additional enhancement was much less than that predicted by PAT. The discrepancy between experimental data and the theoretical predictions of PAT are discussed.
Psychiatric manifestations of mercury poisoning

Mercury and its compounds are toxic substances that are widely used in industry and agriculture. Mercury poisoning is an uncommon but important clinical entity that often presents with psychiatric disturbances as a prominent part of the clinical picture. In this paper, a case of mercury poisoning in a 12-year-old girl with prominent psychiatric manifestations is presented. Relevant literature concerning the psychiatric manifestations of mercury poisoning is discussed. The importance of considering mercury poisoning, and toxic conditions in general, in the differential diagnosis of psychiatric disorders is emphasized.
Comparison of sensory characteristics and fatty acid composition between Wagyu crossbred and Angus steers.

Angus (n = 10) and crossbred (34 and 78) Wagyu (n = 10) steers were fed a diet according to typical Japanese standards for 552 days. The steers were fed to gain approximately 0·90 kg/head/day. Fatty acid composition was determined for subcutaneous and intramuscular adipose tissue, and M. longissimus dorsi muscle. Trained sensory evaluation and a consumer triangle test were performed on M. longissimus dorsi muscle steaks. For subcutaneous and intramuscular tissue. Wagyu adipose tissue possessed higher (P < 0·05) percentages of 14:1, 16:1 and 18:1 and a lower (P < 0·05) percentage of 16:0 and 18:0 than corresponding tissues from Angus steers. Trained sensory panel analysis revealed no differences (P < 0·05) in any of the sensory traits between steaks from Wagyu crossbred and Angus steers. However, a consumer triangle test indicated that consumers can detect a difference between breeds.
Coagulation factor abnormalities in patients with single-ventricle physiology immediately prior to the Fontan procedure.

Abstract Background . Coagulation abnormalities have been reported following the Fontan operation and have been attributed to various aspects of Fontan-associated physiology. Using age-matched controls, this study evaluated coagulation abnormalities in children who had undergone a bidirectional Glenn procedure to test the hypothesis that coagulation abnormalities are present before the Fontan operation. Methods . Coagulation factors were assayed in 38 children (mean age 34.4 ± 15 months) immediately before the Fontan operation; 37 healthy children (mean age 33 ± 17 months) were assayed as controls. Concentration of factors II, V, VII, VIII, IX, and X and of antithrombin III, plasminogen, proteins C and S, fibrinogen, serum albumin, and liver enzymes were measured. Normal reference intervals based on the control patients were determined using 95% confidence limits. Patient demographic data, hemodynamic variables, and elapsed time after the Glenn procedure were evaluated as possible predictors of coagulation abnormalities. Results . Concentrations of protein C; factors II, V, VII, and X; plasminogen; and antithrombin III were significantly lower before the Fontan operation compared with age-matched controls ( p p Conclusions . Coagulation abnormalities that could predispose patients to increased risk for clotting or bleeding are evident early in the course of staged single-ventricle repair.
Observations on the 10-Day Chironomus tentans Survival and Growth Bioassay in Evaluating Great Lakes Sediments

Absstract A 10-day bioassay with larval chironomids ( Chironomus tentans ) was used to evaluate sediment samples from harbors at Michigan City, IN, St. Joseph, MI, Grand Haven, MI, and Toledo, OH for toxicity, based upon the endpoints of survival, dry weight, and growth. Larval responses in sediment samples from each harbor were compared to responses of larvae in reference sediments collected from or near each harbor. An inverse relationship between the number of survivors and mean organism dry weight or growth indicated that food was limiting in the bioassay for some samples. The confounding nature of this interaction was minimized by evaluating effects on the basis of total biomass per replicate. A site from Toledo Harbor was the most toxic. Reduced larval growth at this site indicated the likelihood for a negative populational impact. The importance of reference sediment selection was noted, as the assessment of sediment quality varied considerably for Toledo Harbor depending upon the particular reference sediment that was used for statistical comparisons.
Scattering of a dipole field by finitely conducting dielectric circular cylinders

Using the differential equation approach an exact formal solution for the fields due to an axial electric dipole in the presence of a homogeneous isotropic infinite circular cylinder is obtained in integral form. An asymptotic expansion of the integral yields the far field. Patterns for different choices of the parameters are given. It is seen that for dielectric cylinders in particular, drastic departures from the perfectly conducting case can be obtained leading to more directive patterns. This in turn may have application in the design of arrays.
Pelvic examination of children.

Occasionally, the gynecologic nurse will see a client five years of age or less. The nurse should provide a positive, comfortable atmosphere for the child and her parents so that the pelvic examination can be performed easily and quickly without emotional trauma to the child. Presented below are ideas and suggestions for the pelvic examination, including the type of instrument used.
The poly-polyphenanthrene family of multi-phase π-network polymers in a valence-bond picture

Abstract A family of long polymer strips are argued to exhibit distinct phases each with a different long-range ordering in electronic structure. Degenerate ground-state phases necessarily occur (due to symmetry) for odd width strips, and may also occur for even width strips. A new type of solitonic excitation is indicated; it may be viewed as consisting of a group of bound solitons that cannot mutually annihilate (i.e. there are no antisolitons in the group). Valence-bond and band-theoretic molecular-orbital views are compared.
The effect of stable xenon on ICP.

Recent studies have suggested that under certain conditions, inhalation of stable xenon can cause an increase in CBF or intracranial pressure (ICP). We reviewed the ICP changes that occurred during...
Regulation of Vps4 ATPase activity by ESCRT-III

MVB (multivesicular body) formation occurs when the limiting membrane of an endosome invaginates into the intraluminal space and buds into the lumen, bringing with it a subset of transmembrane cargoes. Exvagination of the endosomal membrane from the cytosol is topologically similar to the budding of retroviral particles and cytokinesis, wherein membranes bud away from the cytoplasm, and the machinery responsible for MVB sorting has been implicated in these phenomena. The AAA (ATPase associated with various cellular activities) Vps4 (vacuolar protein sorting 4) performs a critical function in the MVB sorting pathway. Vps4 appears to dissociate the ESCRTs (endosomal sorting complexes required for transport) from endosomal membranes during the course of MVB sorting, but it is unclear how Vps4 ATPase activity is synchronized with ESCRT release. We have investigated the mechanisms by which ESCRT components stimulate the ATPase activity of Vps4. These studies support a model wherein Vps4 activity is subject to spatial and temporal regulation via distinct mechanisms during MVB sorting.
Selection for Rind Puncture Resistance in Two Maize Populations

Because stalk lodging is an important problem in maize (Zea mays L.) production, improved methods of breeding for stalk lodging resistance are important. The objective of research reported in this paper was to determine the influence of six cycles of selection for rind puncture resistance, measured just prior to anthesis, on postanthesis rind puncture resistance, grain yield, grain moisture, and stalk rot reaction in two maize synthetics, RSL(MPEN) and RSSSC(MPEN), which represent two different heterotic groups. Response to selection was measured in the populations, per se, testcrosses of each cycle of each population to an appropriate inbred tester, and in crosses between cycles of the two synthetics. In all cases, selection significantly increased postanthesis rind puncture resistance [...]
Concentration measurements in experimental microbursts

Concentration measurements can be employed to examine relationships between local temperature decreases and expected wind velocities. The local concentration of heavy fluid in experimental microbursts was determined using planar laser-induced fluorescence. The evolution of concentration fields and corrections between concentration and velocity were investigated.
Growth status of Mexican American children and youths: Historical trends and contemporary issues

The growth status of Mexican American children and youths is reviewed in a historical perspective that begins in the 1920s. The early studies were more concerned with growth status as an indicator of undernutrition and associated growth stunting, while the more recent studies have overnutrition and excess fatness as a primary focus. Evidence from recent studies suggests a relatively large number of short but heavy Mexican American children and youths. The growth status of Mexican American children and youths is then discussed in the context of socioeconomic variation; the relationship between weight for stature or the body mass index and body proportions; skinfolds, body composition, and fat patterning; secular trends; and recent national health surveys including the National Health and Nutrition Examination surveys and the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Beta-adrenergic responsiveness of choroidal vasculature.

Abstract Using in vitro binding methods and autoradiographs, the authors showed that choroidal vessels specifically bind iodine 125 cyanopindolol, a nonselective blocker of beta-adrenergic receptors, in albino rabbits. In humans, the presence of beta-adrenergic receptors in choroidal vessels was confirmed by showing an increased choroidal vascular tone after systemic administration of timolol maleate, a nonselective beta-adrenergic blocker. Topically administered timolol maleate lowered the intraocular pressure but did not reach the choroidal receptors in sufficient quantity to produce a measurable effect on vascular tone.