cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of tropicamide and cyclopentolate for cycloplegic refractions in myopic adult refractive surgery patients

Purpose To compare tropicamide 1%, a shorter-acting cycloplegic agent, with cyclopentolate 1% for cycloplegic refractions in adult refractive surgery patients. Setting Navy Refractive Surgery Center, Ophthalmology, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California. Methods The study was prospective, single center, with randomized sequencing of cycloplegic agent; each patient received both agents. Thirty consecutive myopic adult refractive surgery patients (mean age 35.4 years) participated. A complete preoperative examination, including cycloplegic refraction, was obtained twice, 1 week apart. The patient and the examiner were masked to the medication. Main outcome measures included cycloplegic and manifest refractions, best corrected distance acuity, near-point accommodation, pupil diameters, and subjective appraisal of experience with cycloplegic agents. Results Twenty-eight of 30 patients completed both examinations. Both eyes were measured, but comparisons were limited to right and left eyes, independently. No statistically significant difference was found between the tropicamide and cyclopentolate cycloplegic refractions (mean difference in MSE ± SD, OD = 0.054 ± 0.214 diopters (D), t = 1.33, P = .10; OS = 0.054 ± 0.253 D, t = 1.12, P = .14). Five eyes of 3 patients had a difference of 0.50 D or greater between the 2 agents; less myopia with cyclopentolate. Near-point testing revealed less residual accommodation with cyclopentolate (difference in MSE, OD = −0.27 ± 0.51 D, t = 2.68, P = .006; OS = −0.32 ± 0.49 D, t = 3.46, P = .001). Subjectively, 24 of 28 (86%) patients preferred tropicamide, 1 (4%) preferred cyclopentolate, and 3 (10%) had no preference. Conclusions There was no statistically significant difference in mean cycloplegic refractions. Cyclopentolate was more effective than tropicamide in reducing accommodative amplitude in adult myopes (near-point testing). Patients strongly preferred tropicamide.
Chapman's airglow mechanism resurrected?

A reanalysis is summarized of a previously unquestioned, sole source of kinetic data, on the reaction of NaO with O-atom. It is apparent that there are significant uncertainties in the kinetic mechanism of the experiments. Moreover, it appears plausible that these reaction rate data do not relate to NaO but rather to Na2O. This conclusion has the potential for resolving a dilemma concerning the chemiluminescent excitation mechanism of sodium in the airglow and in long duration meteor trails. It remains conceivable that Chapman's originally suggested scheme is valid and recently proposed alternative explanations invoking a role for NaO(A²Σ+) are unnecessary.
A Java web application for allowing multiuser collaboration and exploration of existing VRML worlds

This work describes a new Java web application that enables users to explore and annotate VRML worlds collaboratively. The web application consists of a Java servlet, Java Server Pages (JSP) and supporting classes. There are two significant features of this work. First, users can explore existing standard VRML worlds collaboratively with automatic multiuser augmentation. Second, the user is free from the inconsistencies of interacting web browsers, a VRML browsers and a Java virtual machines. The clients are only required to have a web browser and a working VRML browser that can employ ECMAScript script nodes. Further, Java is not required on the client end. Through this web application, users can collaboratively navigate and annotate a virtual world with images, audio, text, video, viewpoints and tours.
Yeast DNA replication in vitro: Initiation and elongation events mimic in vivo processes

Abstract An enzyme system prepared from Saccharomyces cerevisiae carries out the replication of exogenous yeast plasmid DNA. Replication in vitro mimics that in vivo in that DNA synthesis in extracts of strain cdc8 , a temperature-sensitive DNA replication mutant, is thermolabile relative to the wild-type, and in that aphidicolin inhibits replication in vitro. Furthermore, only plasmids containing a functional yeast replicator, ARS , initiate replication at a specific site in vitro. Analysis of replicative intermediates shows that plasmid YRp7, which contains the chromosomal replicator ARS1 , initiates bidirectional replication in a 100 bp region within the sequence required for autonomous replication in vivo. Plasmids containing ARS2 , another chromosomal replicator, and the ARS region of the endogenous yeast plasmid 2 μm circle give similar results, suggesting that ARS sequences are specific origins of chromosomal replication. Used in conjunction with deletion mapping, the in vitro system allows definition of the minimal sequences required for the initiation of replication.
Skeletal sarcoidosis with osteopenia

Diffuse osteopenia is not generally recognized as a radiological manifestation of skeletal sarcoidosis. Furthermore, the pathologic correlates of the skeletal abnormalities in sarcoidosis are poorly characterized. We quantitated the histomorphometric parameters of bone formation and resorption in a transiliac crest biopsy specimen from a patient with sarcoidosis, diffuse osteopenia, hypercalcemia, and hypercalciuria, who was treated only intermittently with corticosteroids and thiazides. Peritrabecular granulomas were associated with the histologic features of accelerated bone remodeling, namely: excess osteoid; increased numbers of osteoclasts and osteoblasts; increased osteoclastic resorbing surfaces; and increased bone formation rate. We conclude that the peritrabecular granulomas of skeletal sarcoidosis may result in rapid bone turnover with diffuse osteopenia which may contribute to the abnormalities of mineral metabolism.
Evaluation of a Breast Biopsy Phantom for Learning Freehand Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy of the Liver

Rationale and Objectives. We evaluated whether a breast biopsy phantom device would aid in the development of skills in freehand ultrasound liver biopsy. Methods. Three radiologists who were inexperienced in freehand biopsy of the liver were observed. Each radiologist was timed and scored during attempts to biopsy lesions created in a beef liver. The time required for biopsy and the success of each pass was recorded. A commercially available breast biopsy phantom was then used by each of these radiologists during two 20-min practice sessions. Posttraining testing on the beef liver was performed in the same manner as pretraining testing. Results. Freehand biopsy practice using the breast biopsy phantom resulted in a reduction in the mean time required for biopsy from 32 to 17 sec. Each of the three subjects reduced the mean time required for successful biopsy after training using the breast biopsy phantom. The total number of lesions missed was reduced from 14 of 43 to 0 of 45. Conclusion. Practice using the ultrasound breast biopsy phantom improves performance in freehand ultrasound biopsy of the liver.
THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF THE REACTION RATE CONSTANT OF BILIRUBIN WITH SINGLET OXYGEN IN D2O

— The chemical reaction rate constant of bilirubin with singlet oxygen in basic aqueous solution has been redetermined to be 3.5 × 108 M-1 s-1 by a competitive technique using a 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran in sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles. Bilirubin also physically quenches a singlet oxygen with a rate constant of 9 × 108M-1 s-1. The lifetime of singlet oxygen in D2O solution has been determined to be 35 μs. The absorption cross-section for the molecular oxygen 3∑g-1δg+ 1v electronic transition at 1.06μn in aqueous solution is unexpectedly larger than the gas paase cross-section.
Annotated List of the Leaf Beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) of Kentucky: Subfamily Galerucinae, Tribe Alticini

Abstract An examination of leaf beetle specimens (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in the largest beetle collections in Kentucky, recent inventory work in state nature preserves and other protected areas, and a review of the literature revealed eighty-four species of the tribe Alticini (Subfamily Galerucinae) present in Kentucky, forty-five of which are unreported previously for the state. Distribution maps and label data are presented for the eighty-four Kentucky species including spatial (state and Kentucky county records), temporal (years and months of collection in Kentucky), and plant association information. The following species are reported from Kentucky for the first time: Blepharida rhois (Forster), Luperaltica senilis (Say), Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze), Ceraltica insolita (Melsheimer), Glyptina brunnea Horn, Glyptina cyanipennis (Crotch), Glyptina spuria LeConte, Longitarsus acutipennis Blatchley, Longitarsus arenaceus Blatchley, Longitarsus melanurus (Melsheimer), Longitarsus pratensis (Panzer), ...
Additive impacts on particle emissions from heating low emitting cooking oils

Abstract The effect of five additives, including table salt, sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and turmeric, on the emission of PM2.5 and ultrafine particles (UFP) from heated cooking oil (200 °C) were studied. One hundred milligrams of the additives were added individually to either canola or soybean oil without stirring. Black pepper, table salt, and sea salt reduced the PM2.5 emission of canola oil by 86% (p
Evaluation of gastroesophageal reflux in pediatric patients with asthma using impedance–pH monitoring

Objectives To determine the proportion of acid and nonacid reflux events in children with asthma suspected to have gastroesophageal reflux (GER) using combined impedance–pH monitoring, and to determine the symptom index (SI) for nonacid and acid reflux events. Study design This was a prospective study of children with asthma (age 5 months to 6 years) referred for evaluation of GER. Exclusion criteria were congenital anomalies, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and cardiac disease. The children underwent a 20-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII)-pH study. Results A total of 24 children (17 male; mean age, 33 months) were enrolled from March 2004 to February 2005. MII-pH detected 1184 reflux events, versus 419 reflux events by pH alone; 51% (605 events) were nonacid. The proportion of nonacid reflux events decreased with time elapsed from last meal ( P 2 test). A total of 555 symptoms were recorded, including 331 cases of cough, 243 of which (73.4%) were not associated with a reflux event. The SI for MII-pH was significantly different than that for the pH probe (37% vs 0%; P = .008). Conclusions Acid and nonacid reflux occurs with equal frequency in children with asthma. Most symptoms occur in the absence of a reflux event.
A rare example of extremely strong carbon—carbon coupling: Analysis of 13C and 1H NMR spectra of a 13C2‐acetylenic ketone

NMR spectra are reported for an acetylenic ketone enriched with 13C in the acetylenic carbon atoms that exhibits extremely strong C-C coupling. Chemical shifts and coupling constants have been extracted from computer simulations of the second-order 1H and 13C spectra. The two acetylenic carbon atoms exhibit a Δ ν/J ratio of 0.2. Owing to the strong coupling, the double-quantum coherence 13C spectrum requires an unusually long (58 ms) interpulse delay time in order to obtain a good spectrum. NMR spectra of this compound provide a unqiue example of strong coupling in a CCH (AB or ABX) spin system.
AI Armageddon and the Three Laws of Robotics

After 50 years, the fields of artificial intelligence and robotics capture the imagination of the general public while, at the same time, engendering a great deal of fear and skepticism. Isaac Asimov recognized this deep-seated misconception of technology and created the Three Laws of Robotics. The first part of this paper examines the underlying fear of intelligent robots, revisits Asimov's response, and reports on some current opinions on the use of the Three Laws by practitioners. Finally, an argument against robotic rebellion is made along with a call for personal responsibility and suggestions for implementing safety constraints in intelligent robots.
Comparison of the Whippability of Defatted Meals from Three Hybrid Varieties of Sunflower Seed

The whippability of meals from three hybrid varieties of sunflower was examined under varying conditions of temperature, meal concentration, pH and whipping time. Whippability was measured in terms of initial foam volume produced and the stability of the foam after periods of 30 and 120 min. Optimal levels of maximum volume and stability under the varying conditions were determined by response surface analysis. Optimal levels were not the same for all hybrids tested. The nitrogen solubility index of the meal from each hybrid correlated strongly with initial foam volume but not with foam stability.
Predict receptor occupancy for compound A at receptor R2 based on its occupancy at receptor R1

Purpose To illustrate a new method for calculating receptor occupancy (RO) for compound (A) that binds to two receptors R1 and R2. Methods Compound A is a competitive inhibitor for an endogenous brain chemical S at two functionally distinct receptors R1 and R2 in the central neural system. The receptor occupancy can be quantitated through neuro-imaging for R1, but not for R2. Analytical solution of RO at R2 at given RO at R1 was derived as a function of binding affinities of A and S to both receptors, and concentration of S at the site of action. Major assumptions in the derivation include: fraction of radiotracer that binds to R2 is negligible; stoichiometry of binding between A and receptors R1 and R2, and between S and R1 and R2, respectively, is 1:1; S is the only significant competitor with A for both receptors. RO at R2 was generated under 3 binding affinity scenarios: a) A binds to R1 and R2 equally; b) A binds R1> R2; c) A binds R2>R1. Results Exposure-RO relationships were generated which allowed evaluation under different scenarios. The robustness of the assumptions was also tested. Conclusion This method allows the estimation of RO for a receptor conditional on RO information at another receptor. Simulated exposure-RO relationship helps dose selection for compound A that maximizes its occupancy at both receptors while avoiding undesirable effects. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P43–P43; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.12.057
Quality Improvement Research on Late Life Depression in Primary Care

Background. Two million older Americans suffer from depression annually. Depression causes more functional impairment than many other common medical conditions and older adults have the highest rate of suicide in the United States. Although many of these patients fail to seek or fail to receive care for depression, the majority will be seen in primary care for the treatment of other conditions. Objective. To review the health services research on quality improvement for late life depression. Methods. Qualitative literature review. Results. During the past 30 years, multiple educational and quality improvement interventions have been designed and tested to improve the recognition and treatment of depression in primary care settings. The findings from this large body of health services research suggest that: (1) the outcome of major depression in the usual care of primary care is typically poor; this is particularly true of late life depression; (2) informational support provided to primary care physicians is necessary but insufficient to improve the outcomes of late life depression in primary care; achieving guideline-level therapy requires the substantial participation of an informed and motivated patient working in concert with a health care team and health care system designed to care for chronic conditions; (3) up to 30% of older primary care patients will fail to respond to excellent guideline-level therapy provided in primary care; and (4) the latest quality improvement efforts focus not only on the clinical skills of primary care physicians, but also on patient’s self-care and on innovative strategies to improve the system of care. Conclusions. Late life depression is often a chronic disease and outcomes research demonstrates that quality improvement efforts that focus resources on improving systems of care and the active participation of patients offer the best evidence of improved patient outcomes.
P02-236 Malingering in sickle cell disease (SCD)

Many people who suffer from SCD experience debilitating bone pain crises, which often bring them to seek emergency care. The following is a case report of a 27 year old male patient who expressed suicidal ideation during a Sickle cell bone pain crisis. He went to the emergency room with intense pain in his right leg, which was not relieved by Ibuprofen. He has had several visits to the emergency room including three previous hospitalizations for sickle cell bone pain crisis management. In the emergency room he was treated with 50 mg of meperidine and re-hydrated with normal saline. After two hours, the emergency room physician discharged him. The patient felt he was not adequately treated and requested more pain relief, but was denied. At this point, he expressed suicidal ideation with a plan to shoot himself when he got home. As a result, psychiatric consult was requested. Upon psychiatric evaluation, he expressed to the psychiatrist that he didn't really plan to kill himself. The psychiatrist recommended hospitalization of the patient in the medical unit and aggressive pain management protocol. This is a case of a patient with SCD in bone pain crisis who expressed suicidal ideation as a cry for help. While this behavior from patients should not be encouraged, patients with documented SCD in bone pain crisis should be adequately treated. It is better to error on the side of treatment than risk negligence and sub-standard care.
Linguistic knowledge sources for spoken language understanding

The objective of the Unisys Spoken Language Systems effort is to develop and demonstrate technology for the understanding of goal-directed spontaneous speech. The Unisys spoken language architecture couples speech recognition systems with the Unisys discourse understanding system, PUNDIT. PUNDIT is a broad-coverage language understanding system used in a variety of message understanding applications and has been extended to handle spoken input. Its power comes from the integration of syntax, semantics, and pragmatics processing, the ability to port rapidly to new task domains, and from an open, modular architecture. PUNDIT is unique in its ability to handle connected discourse; it includes a reference resolution module that tracks discourse entities and distinguishes references to previously mentioned entities from the introduction of new entities. The PUNDIT front-end supports turn-taking dialogue and permits the system to include both questions and answers in building an integrated discourse context, required for the handling of interactive communication. PUNDIT has been interfaced to several speech recognition systems (MIT SUMMIT and ITT VRS-1280) to perform applications in direction-finding assistance, air travel planning and air traffic control.
A simple solution for complicated pleural effusions.

Introduction Complicated pleural effusions are difficult to manage with conventional strategies. In this study, we review the safety, efficacy, and durability of PleurX catheters (Denver Biomedical, Golden, CO) for managing complicated pleural effusions and describe a patient population who might benefit. Patients and Methods From July 1999 to February 2003, 63 PleurX catheters were placed in 58 symptomatic patients (an additional five had bilateral catheters) to manage complicated pleural effusions. Patients selected for catheter placement tended to have poor performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group ≤2) or had failed standard therapies. Of the 63 catheters, 52 (83%) were placed because of malignant complicated pleural effusions. A registry of patients was constructed, and data were obtained from review of medical records. Nonparametric estimates of freedom from reintervention and overall survival were obtained by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results Catheter-related complications were noted in four of 58 patients (7%) and included one each of pneumothorax, seroma, empyema, and pain syndrome. Freedom from reintervention for effusion management was 95%. Of the patients, 86% (50 of 58) experienced dyspnea relief. There were no procedure-related mortalities. Catheters remained functional up to 330 days, and four of 63 (6%) required one-time thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator. Conclusions PleurX catheters are safe, effective, and durable solutions for complicated pleural effusions and seem to provide an attractive alternative for patients who have few other palliative options. We consider the catheters as first-line therapy for these patients.
Amphibian XIS: an immersion lithography microstepper platform

Recent advances in immersion lithography have created the need for a small field microstepper to carry out the early learning necessary for next generation device application. Combined with fluid immersion, multiple-beam lithography can provide an opportunity to explore lithographic imaging at oblique propagation angles and extreme NA imaging. Using the phase preserving properties of Smith Talbot interferometry, the Amphibian XIS immersion lithography microstepper has been created for research and development applications directed toward sub-90nm patterning. The system has been designed for use at ArF and KrF excimer laser wavelengths, based on a fused silica or sapphire prism lens with numerical aperture values up to 1.60. Combined with a chromeless phase grating mask, two and four beam imaging is made possible for feature resolution to 35nm. The approach is combined with X-Y staging to provide immersion imaging on a microstepper platform for substrates ranging up to 300mm. The Amphibian system consists of single or dual wavelength sources (193nm and 248nm), a 2mm exposure field size, stage accuracy better than 1 um, polarization control over a full range from linear polarization to unpolarized illumination, full control of exposure dose and demodulation (to synthesize defocus), and the ability to image both line patterns as well as contact features. A fluid control system allows use of water or alternative fluids, with the ability to change fluids rapidly between wafers. The Amphibian system is fully enclosed in a HEPA and amine controlled environment for use in fab or research environments.
THE DYNAMIC NATURE OF THERMOPHILY

1. Evidence for a close relation between thermophilic and mesophilic bacteria is discussed. 2. It is shown that in the absence of nutrients thermophilic bacteria at 55°C. die as rapidly as mesophilic bacteria, and that enzyme systems of the thermophils are rapidly inactivated at this temperature. 3. It is concluded that the thermophils can live at high temperatures because they can synthesize enzymes and other cellular constituents faster than these are destroyed by heat. 4. In order to account for this great synthetic capacity at high temperatures, and for the high minimum temperatures observed for many thermophils, it is postulated that these organisms have a higher temperature coefficient of enzyme synthesis than mesophils.
Quantum measurement: A condensate's main squeeze.

Entanglement between particles permits the quantum uncertainty in one variable to be reduced at the cost of increasing that in another. Condensates are an ideal system in which this technique can be studied.
The eight-color asteroid survey : standard stars.

Compositionally diagnostic information regarding the spectral reflectance of faint asteroids and planetary satellites, obtained using a photometric system, is presented. Standard UBV and range in effective wavelength from 0.34 to 1.04 microns are among the eight broadband filters relative to the study. An InGaAsP photomultiplier of high quantum efficiencies employed for longer wavelengths, allows work to magnitude 17 and fainter when used in conjunction with a 2 m telescope. Magnitudes and color indices with mean uncertainty + or - 0.006 mag for 50 standard stars are presented, and by setting the mean colors of four of these stars to zero, the zero point of the system is established. Sun color implications resulting from the study are U-B = 0.20 + or - 0.02, and B-V = 0.67 + or - 0.02.
Biochemical, Morphologic, and Gytogenetic Studies of Leukocytes Growing in Continuous Culture from Normal Individuals and from Patients with Cystinosis

Biochemical, Morphologic, and Gytogenetic Studies of Leukocytes Growing in Continuous Culture from Normal Individuals and from Patients with Cystinosis
Gelidium cultivation in the sea

Gelidium fronds were grown in the sea under a variety of experimental conditions: on rigid, damped and tensioned test farms of various designs, in calmer and more turbulent habitats, at various depths, with and without commercial fertilizer supply. Initially, the effectiveness of a given cultivation strategy was based on the survival and growth of the fronds, here termed ‘bio-assay’ mariculture. Ambient seawater temperature, nutrient availability, hydrodynamics and other environmental parameters were measured periodically. In-the-sea irrigation of test plants with commercial fertilizers was apparently effective, at least with some farm designs, and when ambient nutrient levels were low. Under optimal conditions, achieved through experimental manipulation of farm design, specific growth rates of over 2% per day were recorded. However, considerable variation in growth rates and in plant performances was observed. It was not always possible to correlate these variations with design modifications or other experimental parameters. In view of these findings, we have reviewed our initial ‘bio-assay’ approach, namely the assumptions about the design and operation of farm structures and their interactions with the water and the fronds. Methods were developed to quantify these interactions. We advocate a quantitative, ‘hydrodynamic’ approach in developing an effective cultivation strategy for gelidioid algae and are optimistic about progressing from test-to-commercial scale farms in the near future.
Adaptive algorithm for IIR filtering based on matrix iterative techniques

The authors present an adaptive algorithm based on matrix iterative methods to identify the parameters of an infinite impulse response (IIR) system. The objective is to estimate the system parameters with fast convergence using as few data samples as possible. Nonadaptive matrix iterative algorithms have been proposed by M. Tummala (1990, 1991) which exploit the structure of the covariance matrix by splitting it into a Toeplitz and a residual part. The authors propose extensions to that work which lead to a data adaptive algorithm for IIR filters. Simulation results are presented to show the convergence performance of the algorithm. >
Intracerebroventricular injection of somatostatin sst5 receptor agonist inhibits gastric acid secretion in rats

Abstract Somatostatin and its analogs act in the brain to influence gastric acid secretion. Five different somatostatin receptor subtypes have been characterized (sst 1 to sst 5 ). We studied the influence of somatostatin (0.18–0.6 nmol/rat) and selective sst 2 , sst 3 and sst 5 receptor ligands on basal gastric acid secretion in conscious rats equipped with chronic gastric and intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) cannulae. Somatostatin-14 (0.36 nmol/rat), the sst 2 , sst 3 and sst 5 receptor agonist, Des-AA 1,2,4,5,12,13 -[ d -Tryp 8 , d -Cys 14 ]somatostatin (SMS 201–995) (0.18–0.36 nmol/rat) and the sst 5 receptor agonist, BIM-23052, (0.8–1.2 nmol/rat) injected i.c.v. inhibited gastric acid secretion. Maximal inhibition reaching 42%, 60% and 42% was induced by somatostatin-14 (0.36 nmol/rat), SMS 201–995 (0.18 nmol/rat) and BIM-23052 (0.8 nmol/rat) respectively. The sst 2 receptor agonist, DC 32–87 (0.2–0.8 nmol/rat) and sst 3 receptor agonist, BIM-23056 (0.2–1.2 nmol/rat), did not modify gastric acid secretion, except the sst 3 receptor agonist at 0.4 nmol/rat which increased acid output at 20 min post-injection. The sst 2 receptor agonists (0.4 nmol/rat) co-injected i.c.v with a subthreshold dose of sst 5 (0.4 nmol/rat) inhibited gastric acid secretion. These results show that i.c.v. injection of somatostatin-14 inhibits basal gastric acid secretion in conscious rats through an action on sst 5 receptor subtype which can be potentiated by sst 2 receptor subtype.
A System for Building Clinical Research Applications using Semantic Web-Based Approach

In this paper we present a system using Semantic Web by which applications can be effectively constructed for clinical research purposes. We are aware of the immense difficulties and variations involved in clinical research applications. With a purpose of mitigating some of these difficulties in the process of developing clinical research applications we are presenting an approach for building information systems based on Semantic Web. We have developed a working prototype using C-Map tools leveraging the underlying principles of Abstract Software Design Framework to convert domain knowledge into machine-actable information.
Microstructure evolution based acceleration factor determination for SnAgCu solder joints during thermal cycling

The reliability of lead-free solder used in electronic packages during field-use conditions has traditionally been determined using accelerated thermal cycling (ATC) combined with a Norris-Landzberg type acceleration factor. Limited amount of work exists in quantifying the microstructure evolution of lead-free solder during thermal cycling especially during long-term thermal excursions. A phase coarsening based microstructure evolution has been used in the present work to determine the acceleration factor during thermal cycling. Two different plastic ball grid array (PBGA) packages with different sizes and two different lead-free solder alloys, Sn4.0Ag0.5Cu and Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu, were chosen for the study. The acceleration factor can be determined and hence the package can be qualified for field-use conditions in about the same time duration it takes to perform the ATC test.
Static Output Feedback for Discrete-time Switched Linear Systems under Arbitrary Switching

This paper considers the problem of static output feedback (SOF) control for discrete-time switched linear systems under arbitrary switching. By the aid of switched quadratic Lyapunov functions combined with Finsler’s lemma, new sufficient conditions for SOF stabilization are obtained which guarantee a γ-performance of the closed-loop switched systems subject to input disturbances. The proposed method can work successfully in situations where the existing ones fail. Three examples are given to illustrate its effectiveness.
Improved Non-committing Encryption with Applications to Adaptively Secure Protocols

We present a new construction of non-committing encryption schemes. Unlike the previous constructions of Canetti et al. (STOC '96) and of Damgard and Nielsen (Crypto '00), our construction achieves all of the following properties: Optimal round complexity. Our encryption scheme is a 2-round protocol, matching the round complexity of Canetti et al. and improving upon that in Damgard and Nielsen. Weaker assumptions. Our construction is based on trapdoor simulatable cryptosystems , a new primitive that we introduce as a relaxation of those used in previous works. We also show how to realize this primitive based on hardness of factoring. Improved efficiency. The amortized complexity of encrypting a single bit is O (1) public key operations on a constant-sized plaintext in the underlying cryptosystem. As a result, we obtain the first non-committing public-key encryption schemes under hardness of factoring and worst-case lattice assumptions; previously, such schemes were only known under the CDH and RSA assumptions. Combined with existing work on secure multi-party computation, we obtain protocols for multi-party computation secure against a malicious adversary that may adaptively corrupt an arbitrary number of parties under weaker assumptions than were previously known. Specifically, we obtain the first adaptively secure multi-party protocols based on hardness of factoring in both the stand-alone setting and the UC setting with a common reference string.
Characterizing and correcting Hyperion detectors using ice-sheet images

Two Hyperion images of the Greenland ice sheet are used to characterize errors in the visible near-infrared (VNIR) and shortwave infrared (SWIR) detector arrays of Hyperion. Spatial variability in detector output is seen in both arrays and, in both cases, is largest at the shorter wavelengths and decreases as wavelength increases. Standard deviations of the maximum variability are 40 digital numbers (DNs) for the VNIR array and 123 DNs for the SWIR array. Based on a single pair of images, temporal stability is nearly as large and exhibits the same spectral characteristics of large variability at shorter wavelengths and decreasing variability with increasing wavelength. The uniformity and stability of the ice-sheet surface enables a detailed characterization and emphasizes the utility of using ice sheets as targets to achieve on-orbit sensor characterization.
Single‐Colony Derived Strains of Human Marrow Stromal Fibroblasts Form Bone After Transplantation In Vivo

Populations of marrow stromal fibroblasts (MSFs) can differentiate into functional osteoblasts and form bone in vivo. It is not known, however, what proportion of MSF precursor cells, colony forming units-fibroblast (CFU-Fs), have osteogenic potential. In the present study, analysis of bone formation in vivo by single-colony derived strains of human marrow stromal fibroblasts (HMSFs) has been performed for the first time. Each strain originated from an individual CFU-F and underwent four passages in vitro prior to subcutaneous implantation into immunodeficient mice within vehicles containing hydroxyapatite-tricalcium phosphate ceramic. Multicolony derived HMSF strains were also transplanted to serve as positive controls. After 8 weeks, abundant bone formation was found in the transplants of all multicolony derived HMSF strains, whereas 20 out of 34 (58.8%) single-colony derived strains from four donors formed bone. Immunostaining with antibody directed against human osteonectin and in situ hybridization for human-specific alu sequences demonstrated that cells forming new bone were of human origin and were vital for at least 45 weeks post-transplantation. Both the incidence of bone-forming colonies and the extent of bone formation by single-colony derived HMSF strains were increased by cultivation with dexamethasone and ascorbic acid phosphate. Other factors, including type of transplantation vehicle, morphology, size, and structure of the original HMSF colonies showed no obvious correlation with the incidence or extent of bone formation. Hematopoietic tissue within the newly formed bone was developed in the transplants exhibiting exuberant bone formation. These results provide evidence that individual human CFU-Fs have osteogenic potential and yet differ from each other with respect to their osteogenic capacity.
What's that Smell?: Queer Temporalities and Subcultural Lives

This article is drawn from a book-length study of the explosion of queer urban subcultures in the last decade. My larger purpose is to examine how many queer communities experience and spend time i...
Equibiaxial Flexure Strength of Glass: Influence of Glass Plate Size and Equibiaxial Ring Ratio

Glass plays an important role in many engineering applications including transparent armor. Determining the actual strength of a glass is problematic because typical glass strength numbers are presented in the literature as ranges. Minor changes in surface finish, composition, test method employed, and processing all influence the mechanical strength of glass. A standardized method needs to be utilized to ensure that strength data can be compared universally. The use of a standard methodology is vital when comparing glass compositions or multiple sample lots of the same composition in order to attribute any real strength variations to the glass itself. While the procedures established in ASTM C1499 provide a good framework for glass strength measurement, flexibility in the experimental parameters of the standard allow for substantial strength variations when testing glass materials. The ratio between the load and support ring diameters, as well as the specimen dimensions, is shown to lead to variations in both the measured strength, as well as the number of valid/invalid tests based on where fracture initiates. The goal of this study is to quantify these effects in order to establish optimized testing conditions for determining the strength of float glass.
Cleanroom and Z

This paper describes an approach to developing software which combines aspects of Cleanroom Software Engineering with the Z formal specification language and the style of design documentation known as “literate programming”.
MasterBlaster: Identifying Influential Players in Botnet Transactions

Botnets continue to be a critical tool for hackers in exploiting vulnerabilities of systems and destructing computer networks. Botnet monitoring is a method used to study and identify malicious capabilities of a botnet, but current botnet monitoring projects mainly identify the magnitude of the botnet problem and tend to overt some fundamental problems, such as the diversified sources of the attacks. Most malicious botnets have the ability to be rented out to a broad range of potential customers, allowing each customer to launch different attacks from the other. Consequently, under the control of multiple botmasters, various attacks and transactions at different times attempt to damage networked infrastructures. In this paper we propose a multi-layered analysis system called Master Blaster which identifies the communication characteristics of a botmaster in botnet transactions and correlates those characteristics with evolutionary changes within botnet communication channels. Our results show the level of involvement of the monitored botmasters within a botnet as well as their general motives. Our system clearly indicates that the investigation of each botmaster and analysis of botmaster interactions are essential to cope with net-centric attacks caused by botnets.
On the Concept of Types

SEVERAL years ago, Kluckhohn (1939) upbraided anthropologists in gen-eral and archeologists in particular for failure to examine critically the assumptions and concepts which lie at the foundations of their methodologies. Perhaps this well justified censure has prompted the healthy introspection that has developed in the past decade and resulted in valuable papers such as those by Rouse (1939), Krieger (1944), Brew (1946), Taylor (1948), and Ehrich (1950).
Influence of electron correlation on surface states of nonmetallic solids

Abstract In this note the method of Mott and Littleton is adopted to construct the position dependent correlation potential for energy bands in a non-metallic solid. One specifically studies the case of a solid with a surface. The principle result is that the effect of electronic correlation is to inhibit the effect of formation of true localized surface states in the region of the band gaps.
Fluorescence Detection of Single‐Nucleotide Polymorphisms with a Single, Self‐Complementary, Triple‐Stem DNA Probe

We describe a single-step, single-component, fluorescence-based method of detecting single nucleotide polymorphisms at room temperature without exogenous reagents. The sensor is comprised of a single, self-complementary DNA strand forming a triple-stem structure, which undergoes a large conformational change only upon binding to perfectly-matched targets, resulting in a significant increase in fluorescence.
Effect of Fluoride on Crystallization in High Calcium and Magnesium Glasses

Glasses containing fixed mutual ratios of Al, B, Ca, Fe, Mg, Na, and Si were melted while varying the fluoride content. The effect of fluoride was to suppress the formation of non-fluoride-containing crystals in the composition range from 0 to 11 wt. % F; above 11 wt. % F, the formation of fluoride containing crystals began to define the liquidus temperature. The effect of fluoride on the liquidus temperature was quantified and used to predict the liquidus temperature of melts made from real radioactive wastes. Although the liquidus temperatures of the surrogate and radioactive glasses agreed well, the types of crystals formed differed due to slight compositional differences introduced by the waste stream.
Macrophage fusion the making of osteoclasts and giant cells

The fusion of cells is a fundamental biological event that is essential for a variety of developmental and homeostatic processes. Fusion is required for the formation of multinucleated osteoclasts and giant cells, although the mechanisms that govern these processes are poorly understood. A new study now reveals an unexpected role for the receptor, dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein (DC-STAMP), in this process. The potential mechanism by which DC-STAMP governs fusion and the implications of this finding will be discussed.
Perceptually weighted distortion measures and the tandem connection of speech codecs

Tandem connections of voice codecs can occur today in mobile- to-mobile calls and for certain VoIP connections. While post-filtering in tandem encodings is well-understood, the effects of the perceptual weighting filter in CELP codecs in tandem encodings has not been investigated. We study the impact of perceptual weighting filters on tandem coding using the rate distortion theory of discrete-time autoregressive (AR) sources with a frequency weighted error criterion and by examining tandem connections involving the AMR-NB codec. We show that for the usual method of calculating the perceptual weighting based upon the codec input, the perceptual weighting has a cumulative effect that is more pronounced at lower bit rates.
Pre-assessment of occupational hazards in technological transformation project of an automobile products limited company in Jinan City

[Objective]To identify,analyze and evaluate the potential occupational hazards in technological transformation project of an automobile products limited company in Jinan City,predict the risk degree,propose effective protective measures against occupational hazards,protect the health of workers,and provide scientific evidence for safety supervision department to carry out the approval of construction projects.[Methods]According to the feasibility study report and other relevant documents,the evaluation was performed by the methods of analogy and checklist.[Results]The possible occupational hazards in the project were nitrogen dioxide,phosphoric acid,sulfuric acid,sodium hydroxide,manganese dioxide,acrylic acid,chromium sulfate,welding fumes,ozone,noise and ultraviolet. Monitoring results in analogical factory showed that the qualified rates of the chemical and physical hazards factors were all 100%,except that the qualified rate of the noise was 93. 75%.[Conclusion]The occupational hazards in this project are serious. The protective measures against occupational hazards are feasible,so long as the protective measures proposed by the report and the personal protection equipments can be implemented earnestly,the control measures against the occupational hazards are feasible.
Language recognition using deep neural networks with very limited training data

This study proposes a novel deep neural network (DNN) based approach to language identification (LID) for the NIST 2015 Language Recognition (LRE) i-Vector Machine Learning Challenge. State-of-the-art DNN based LID systems utilize large amounts of labeled training data. The 2015 LRE i-Vector Machine Learning Challenge limits the access to only ready-to-use i-Vectors for LID system training and testing. This poses unique challenges in designing DNN based LID systems, since optimized front-ends and network architectures can no longer be used. We propose to use the training i-Vectors to train an initial DNN for LID. Next, we present a novel strategy to use this initial DNN to estimate out-of-set language labels from the development data. The final DNN for LID is trained using the original training data, and the estimated out-of-set language data. We show that augmenting the training set with out-of-set labels leads to significant improvement in the LID performance. Our approach obtains very competitive costs (defined by NIST) of 26.56, and 25.98 respectively, on the progress and evaluation subsets of the challenge. Since the amount of training data is very limited (300 i-Vectors per language), this study outlines a successful recipe for DNN based LID using very limited resources.
Examining teacher inquiry in the context of new technology integration

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore how a district initiative became a process for developing and enhancing teachers’ inquiry knowledge and practices. It captures and examines the process of classroom research and describes it, and the resultant learning, in the context of teachers’ classroom technology implementation and the inquiry process around that implementation. Design/methodology/approach – In this phenomenological case study I engaged teachers in conversations and surveyed them about why they made inquiry decisions. Findings – Being part of a network of peers was an essential aspect of this project and played a central role in individuals’ knowledge construction processes. It was clear while the teacher-grantees had an intellectual understanding about qualitative data, they clearly did not conceptualize qualitative data as data in the same way they understand quantitative data. Practical implications – The current culture around data in schools adds to this misunderstanding and dist...
Mental sociality as ultimate reality and meaning in the thought of George Herbert Mead

L'A. donne un expose complet de la pensee de Mead afin de voir ce que sont pour lui la realite et le sens ultimes dans sa psychologie sociale
Response of tundra CH4 and CO2 flux to manipulation of temperature and vegetation

We conducted plant species removals, air temperaturemanipulations, and vegetation and soil transplants inAlaskan wet-meadow and tussock tundra communities todetermine the relative importance of vegetation typeand environmental variables in controlling ecosystemmethane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) flux. Plastic greenhouses placed over wet-meadow tundraincreased air temperature, soil temperature, and soilmoisture, but did not affect CH4 or CO2 flux(measured in the dark). By contrast, removal ofsedges in the wet meadow significantly decreased fluxof CH4, while moss removal tended to increaseCH4 emissions. At 15 cm depth, pore-waterCH4 concentrations were higher in sedge-removalthan in control plots, suggesting that sedgescontribute to CH4 emissions by transportingCH4 from anaerobic soil to the atmosphere, ratherthan by promoting methanogenesis. Inreciprocal-ecosystem transplants between thewet-meadow and tussock tundra communities, CH4and CO2 emissions were higher overall in thewet-meadow site, but were unrelated to transplantorigin. Methane flux was correlated with localvariation in soil temperature, thaw depth, andwater-table depth, but the relative importance ofthese factors varied through the season. Our resultssuggest that future changes in CH4 and CO2flux in response to climatic change will be morestrongly mediated by large-scale changes in vegetationand soil parameters than by direct temperature effects.