cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Strength and fracture properties of random fibre polyester composites

Abstract The random arrangement of glass fibres in resin matrices produces composite materials which have planar isotropy and are of great importance to many structural and engineering applications. Random fibre composites offer a good combination of mechanical properties and are thus extensively used in various industries. This study deals with the characterisation of strength and fracture behaviour of random glass fibre-reinforced polyester composites. The concepts of Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) have been applied to these composites to obtain meaningful toughness parameters. It is shown that a substantial amount of slow crack growth occurs prior to unstable fracture and thus the total fracture behaviour of the material should be studied by applying the concepts of Crack Growth Resistance Curves (R-Curves). These curves can then be used to determine the value of candidate stress intensity factor, K q , and the point of crack instability. Notch Bend Fracture Tests (NBT) were performed to estimate the total fracture energy for the material. It is shown that the debonding energy mechanism is dominant in these materials and the total fracture energy can be predicted by considering the energy absorbed in the debonding and the pull out process.
Treatment of stage IIIB cervical cancer with Californium-252 fast-neutron brachytherapy and external photon therapy

From January 1977 to July 1984, 32 patients with Stage IIIB cervical cancer were treated at the University of Kentucky Medical Center by a combination of outpatient neutron brachytherapy and external pelvic radiation. These patients received 4500 to 5000 rad external photon therapy and two or three outpatient Californium-252 (252Cf) implants, plus sidewall boost irradiation. Treatment results were compared retrospectively to those obtained in a historical control group of patients with Stage IIIB cervical cancer treated with external radiation and conventional photon brachytherapy from 1972 to 1976. Local or regional tumor recurrence developed in 53% of patients treated with neutron therapy and an additional 9% experienced distant metastases. Thirty-eight percent of patients remain free of disease 12 to 96 months (mean, 51 months) after therapy. The 2-year and 5-year survival rates of patients treated with neutron therapy were 53% and 36%, which were not significantly different than those obtained with photon brachytherapy (2-year survival, 61%; 5-year survival, 34%). Complications of neutron therapy were minimal and included proctitis (19%) and vaginal stenosis (9%). There were no cases of enteric fistulae. Outpatient neutron brachytherapy was cost effective and was well tolerated by patients.
NI-18MULTIMODAL NAVIGATION IN ENDOSCOPIC TRANS-SPHENOIDAL RESECTION OF PITUITARY TUMORS USING IMAGE-BASED VASCULAR AND CRANIAL NERVE SEGMENTATION: A PROSPECTIVE VALIDATION STUDY

Trans-Sphenoidal surgery (TSS) is a well-known approach for treatment of pituitary tumors. However, in inexperienced hands, the risk of lateral misdirection and vascular damage, intraoperative CSF leakage, and optic nerve injury are all well-known complications of this procedure. This prospective study was conducted to validate the accuracy of image-based segmentation in localization of neurovascular structures during TSS. METHODS: Eight patients with pituitary tumor underwent preoperative 3TMRI, which included thin sectioned 3D space T2, 3D Time of Flight and MPRAGE sequences. Images were reviewed by an expert independent neuroradiologist. Imaging sequences were loaded in BrainLab iPlanNet (6/8) and Stryker (2/8) for segmentation and pre-op planning. After patient registration to the intra-op neuronavigation system and surgical exposure, each segmented neural or vascular element was validated by manual placement of the navigation probe. The pulses of the bilateral ICA were confirmed using micro-Doppler. RESULTS: Pre-operative segmentation of the ICA and cavernous sinus matched with the intra-operative endoscopic and micro-Doppler findings in all cases (Dice-coefficient =1). This information reassured surgeons regarding the lateral extent of bone removal at the sellar floor and the limits of lateral explorations. Perfect correspondence between image-based segmentation and endoscopic view was also found at the surface of the tumor and tumor-normal gland interfaces. This helped in preventing unnecessary removal of the normal pituitary gland. Image-guidance helped surgeon to localize the optic nerve and chiasm in 63% of case and Diaphragma sella in 50% of cases, which helped to determine the limits of upward exploration and decrease the risk of CSF leakage. CONCLUSION: Image-based pre-operative vascular and neural element segmentation especially with 3D reconstruction is highly informative preoperatively and helps young and inexperienced neurosurgeons to prevent vascular and neural injury during trans-Sphenoidal surgeries. This novel preliminary study is encouraging for future prospective intraoperative validation with larger numbers of patients.
The relationship of allopregnanolone immunoreactivity and HPA-axis measures to experimental pain sensitivity: Evidence for ethnic differences.

Abstract In animal models, allopregnanolone (ALLO) negatively modulates the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and has been shown to exert analgesic effects. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between plasma ALLO immunoreactivity (ALLO-ir), HPA-axis measures, and pain sensitivity in humans. Forty-five African Americans (21 men, 24 women) and 39 non-Hispanic Whites (20 men, 19 women) were tested for pain sensitivity to tourniquet ischemia, thermal heat, and cold pressor tests. Plasma ALLO-ir, cortisol, and β-endorphin concentrations were taken following an extended rest period. Lower concentrations of ALLO-ir were associated with increased pain tolerance to all three pain tests and increased pain threshold to the thermal heat pain task in the non-Hispanic Whites only ( r s = −.35 to −.49, p s r = +.39, p r = +.50, p r = +.32, p r = +.33, p
Paradoxes Human Resource Developers Face

It is clear from the work of Watkins and Marsick that management devel opers - both internal and external to the organisation — will often undermine their own objectives through inconsistent, paradoxical behaviour. Through the literature on group and family therapy, it can be seen that paradoxes are a normal by-product of the way people assign meaning to interpersonal action. Case studies from the author's separate research efforts illustrate four paradoxes which affect human resource or management developers. A model for encouraging reciprocally reflective learning based on the works of Argyris (1982) and Schon (1987) is offered to enable individuals to critically examine paradoxes in their work.
An alternative health-care reimbursement system—Application of arthroscopy and financial warranty: Results of a 2-year pilot study

Summary The results of a 2-year pilot study on an alternative health-care reimbursement system are presented. This innovative system includes a 2-year warranty by the providers to protect the insured and insurer from additional expenses. It is based on the advantages of arthroscopy. This system provided access, choice, and affordability for 111 patients from a managed care environment who were predetermined to be orthopedic surgical candidates. The unique features included unlimited free consultations and office radiographs. Payment was made only if a patient had surgery. This single fee included all related physician and hospital charges for surgery and any subsequent service for the next 2 years under the warranty. The profit margin for the providers was based on the application of arthroscopy, which anticipated reduction in the customary hospitalization. Accountability was provided by reporting of surgical indications and incidence. The surgical incidence of 42% was less than what was projected. The health maintenance organization insurer saved in excess of $125,000.00. Both the hospital and the surgeon earned more than under existing reimbursement systems.
Eye Movements during the Viewing of Necker Cubes

Eye movements were recorded while subjects viewed a Kopfermann-like series of Necker cubes and signaled perceptual reversals. At the instant of reversal, subjects tend to fixate the vicinity of the externally appearing corner. These fixations at the instant of reversal tend to have longer duration than those immediately before or after. The longer fixation times associated with pperceptual reversal probably reflect the time required to construct the alternate three-dimensional interpretation of the cube. After construction of this new model, the subject then fixates the vicinity of the newly interpreted externally appearing corner.
Identification and intervention for urinary incontinence by community physicians and geriatric assessment teams.

Objective: To determine the difference in the recognition and intervention/referral rates for urinary incontinence (UI) by out-patient Geriatric Assessment Units (GAUs) and private physicians in community-based practices (CMDs). Design: A multi-site, randomized, controlled study where block randomization was utilized to assign subjects 65 years of age and older to either a GAU or a CMD for assessment. Setting: One academic and three hospital-based GAUs and CMDs in private practice in a large metropolitan area. Participants: Three hundred sixty-four community-dwelling frail men (14%) and women (86%) with a mean age of 75 years. Measurements: The independent variable was the type of out patient care, either CMD or GAU, to which the subjects were randomized. The dependent variables were recognition of UI by the health care providers and intervention or referral for the problem of UI once it was identified. Instruments included a structured in-home interview performed before randomization designed to uncover health problems such as urinary incontinence, as well as a medical record review form used post-assessment to ascertain recognition rates and intervention for UI by CMDS and GAUs. Both of the instruments were developed and piloted by the investigators in a preliminary study. Main Results: Of the 364 subjects, 151 (41.5%) reported UI during the in-home interviews. Recognition rates for UI were significantly better for GAUs (48 of 81, 59.3%) than CMDs (11 of 70, 15.7%) (P 3 times/week) 86.2% vs 43.5% (P = 0.00111) for GAUs and CMDs, respectively. There were no significant differences in the rate of referral/intervention for recognized cases of UI by GAUs or CMDs. GAUs referred/treated five (21.7%) cases of mild UI and 10 (40%) cases of severe UI while CMDs referred/treated three (30%) cases of severe UI but did not offer intervention for the one recognized case of mild UI. GAUs were more likely to refer to Continence Programs (12, 25%) compared with CMDs who were more likely to refer (3, 100%) to a urologist. A majority of the subjects with UI did not receive treatment or referral for their problem (8, 72.7% CMDs and 33, 68.6% of GAUs). Conclusions: GAUs out performed CMDs in the identification of subjects with both mild and severe UI. However, the intervention/referral rates were low for both GAUs and CMDs. The outcome of this study points to the need for increased emphasis on UI in curriculum preparing physicians and other health providers as well as the need for continuing education for those already in practice.
Ultraviolet spectroscopic determination of the stability constants for copper carbonate and bicarbonate complexes up to the ionic strength of seawater

Abstract An ultraviolet spectroscopic study at 25°C is used to determine the stoichiometric stability constant of CuCO 3 0 ( β CuCO 3 0 ) over a range of ionic strengths; extrapolation to zero ionic strength provides a thermodynamic constant (log β 0 CuCO 3 0 = 6.89). At 0.69 m ionic strength, log β CuCO 3 0 ) is 6.33. This study provides the first experimental evidence for the existence of CuHCO 3 + . At 0.69 m ionic strength, log β CuHCO 3 + is 2.77. The ultraviolet molal absorptivity spectra for the two complexes are also determined. The spectrum for CuCO 3 0 consists of a single band centered at 276.5 nm and was described well by a Gaussian function. The spectrum of CuHCO 3 + consists of at least two overlapping bands. Side reactions which might affect the data interpretation were included in the analysis of the results. The effects of the Cu(II) hydrolysis reactions were accounted for by using data from previous work, and possible effects due to copper-organic species were eliminated by a subtraction procedure.
A “Tad” of Science Appreciation

One year, when we were living in Alabama, I grew watermelons in the backyard garden. I tied the vines to the wooden fence and the watermelon fruits hung down from them—so perfectly ellipsoidal and smooth! It was such a pleasure to see their symmetrical shape with even, green coloring and distinct black markings,—no yellow or brown spots like ground-grown melons at the grocery store. I was weeding in my garden one day and detected a wafting of the pungent odor of rotting watermelon. Glancing around for its origin, I felt disappointed to think that one of my perfect melons had rotted. Soon, I located the source of the smell. There was a watermelon on the ground that I hadn’t noticed. It was near the foot of the vine and had developed behind some tall, weedy grass. I quickly determined why it was rotting—a rabbit had chewed through its stem and had separated it from its life-giving vine. The rabbit had also apparently cut a flap into its skin and had probably eaten some of the watermelon’s interior. In the hot, humid Alabama summer, it quickly had begun to decay.
DAWN AND DAYTIME SINGING BEHAVIOR OF CHIPPING SPARROWS (SPIZELLA PASSERINA)

Abstract Songbirds typically have small-to-large repertoires of different song types used in complex patterns over a day or season, but what remains poorly understood are patterns of song use by songbirds that have a single, simple song. Here, on the basis of extensive field observations, we reveal how a male Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) varies its simple, repetitive song to create a dynamic singing performance. During the day, and beginning shortly after males arrive on their territories, males typically sing long songs at a relatively slow rate from the tops of trees near the center of their territories. About two weeks after males have arrived, they begin to sing well before sunrise; during this dawn chorus, songs are brief and delivered rapidly, typically while males face each other on the ground at territorial boundaries. Each male sings this way during the dawn chorus throughout the breeding season, except when his female is fertile. By contrast, daytime singing essentially stops after a ma...
Traffic fatalities, Peltzman’s model, and directed graphs

We show how statistical methods based on directed graphs may be useful in modeling traffic fatalities by comparing models specified using directed graphs to a model originally developed by Peltzman. The comparison uses Peltzman's original data, as well as up-dated data (and coefficients) through 1993. Out-of-sample forecasts of traffic fatalities from Peltzman's model are compared with those from a model constructed using directed graphs over data for the more recent period. The directed graphs model outperforms Peltzman's model in root mean squared forecast error.
The shrinkability of bing-whitehead decompositions

THIS PAPER is a study of a special class of toroidal decompositions of 3-manifolds called Bing-Whitehead decompositions. It is well known that a Bing-Whitehead decomposition of a 3-manifold is shrinkable if all successive stages are Bing nested; but it is not shrinkable if all successive stages are Whitehead nested. (See Figs 1 and 2.) Consider a Bing-Whitehead decomposition of a 3-manifold which is defined by h, successive Bing nested stages. followed by 1 Whitehead nested stage, followed by h, successive Bing nested stages, followed by 1 Whitehead nested stage, . . The principal result of this paper is that this decomposition is shrinkable if and only if
Can Body Mass Index (BMI) be used as a proxy for somatotype

Abstract In a paper published in The Social Science Journal , Maddan et al. [Maddan, S., Walker, J. T., & Miller, J. M. (2008). Does size really matter? A reexamination of Sheldon's somatotypes and criminal behavior. The Social Sciences Journal , 45 , 330–344.] proposed that Body Mass Index (BMI) can be used as proxy for somatotype, a quantitative system for describing body build, in social science research. This paper tests this proposal using a sample of 200 males from an archival data set collected by Sheldon [Sheldon, W. H. (1942). The varieties of temperament: A psychology of constitutional differences (with S.S. Stevens). New York: Harper and Row Publishers.]. The data included somatotype data, height, and weight. BMI was calculated and individuals were assigned to the categories endomorph, mesomorph, and ectomorph based on the Maddan et al. BMI criteria. The BMI method was only able to correctly classify 110 individuals, 55% of the sample. This finding suggests that BMI is an inadequate proxy for somatotype.
Integrated self-consistent analysis of NSTX performance during normal operation and disruptions

Abstract A fundamental issue in tokamak operation related to power exhaust is the understanding of heat and particle transport from core plasma into scrape-off-layer (SOL) and to plasma facing materials during plasma instabilities. We enhanced our models and upgraded HEIGHTS package using adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) to fit reactor walls arbitrary geometry and study/implementing nanoscale surface processes. A five-layer quadtree refinement scheme is used for simulation of the entire SOL plasma evolution and the extra refinement mesh (∼0.5 μm) allowed detail calculations of subsurface particle implantation, divertor hydrodynamic evolution, and erosion processes. Using NSTX actual geometry and magnetic field structure we modeled in full 3D the evolution of escaped core plasma particles starting at core border, gyration and scatterings in SOL, and deposition into plasma facing components. The characteristics of the escaped particles determined the energy source and boundary conditions for edge plasma MHD evolution and the resulting damage.
High folic acid levels and failure of single-dose methotrexate treatment in ectopic pregnancy

0020-7292/$ see front matter D 2005 International Federatio All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.ijgo.2004.11.036 T Corresponding author. Fax: +1 305 325 1469. E-mail address: ptakacs@med.miami.edu (P. Takacs). Methotrexate is commonly used for the medical management of ectopic pregnancy [1]. A previously published pilot study of 20 women concluded that serum folic acid levels of 20.7 ng/mL or greater increased the risk of failure of single-dose methotrexate treatment [2]. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate outcomes in women with different levels of serum folic acid before treatment with methotrexate. Over 2 years 50 women who received a single dose of methotrexate at our institution for the treatment of an ectopic pregnancy were assigned to 2 groups based on their serum level of folic acid (b20.7 ng/mL or z20.7 ng/ mL). Ectopic pregnancies were diagnosed clinically and by correlating h-human choriogonadotropin (hhCG) levels with vaginal probe ultrasound. Inclusion criteria for methotrexate treatment were the
Magnetic Susceptibilities and Ionic Moments in the Palladium and Platinum Groups

Susceptibility measurements have been made on Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, and Pt and some of their compounds over a range of temperatures by means of an improved Curie balance.
Collagenous and lymphocytic colitis

Collagenous and lymphocytic colitis have been recognized as chronic intestinal inflammatory disorders causing watery diarrhea, which have been recognized in the past three to two decades, respectively. Collagenous colitis is primarily a disorder of middle-aged women and is characterized on biopsy by increased subepithelial collagen as well as increased inflammatory cells in the lamina propria and increased intraepithelial lymphocytes. Key to the correct diagnosis in this condition is recognizing that there are two words in this diagnostic entity, and colitis is, by definition, present. Focusing solely on the collagen band can result in both over- and underdiagnosis. Newer therapeutic options are available in this condition, and patients are now frequently being treated either with budesonide or with high dose bismuth preparations. Whereas collagenous colitis is a tightly coherent clinical pathologic entity, lymphocytic colitis has a more varied clinical picture. Lymphocytic colitis is also seen in middle-aged patients but has a more equal female-to-male ratio. Lymphocytic colitis is defined by increased intraepithelial lymphocytes, with the median being 30 lymphocytes per 100 epithelial cells. There are also an increase in inflammatory cells in the lamina propria, but the increase may be milder than in collagenous colitis and there are usually minimal eosinophils. Although numerous studies have described lymphocytic colitis causing a chronic diarrhea, more recent studies suggest that patients may have a single attack in approximately 60% of cases. Although most cases of lymphocytic colitis are idiopathic, there is a clear association with multiple drugs, celiac disease, and there may be an infectious trigger. Approximately 10% of lymphocytic colitis patients have a positive family history of some type of inflammatory intestinal disease, including ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, collagenous colitis, and celiac disease. Therapy in lymphocytic colitis is less well studied, but the same medications are used with success, including budesonide and high dose bismuth.
Nuclear magnetic resonance studies of Lewis base adducts of tetrabenzylhafnium and tetrabenzylzirconium

Abstract The synthesis of tetrabenzylhafnium is described. The reaction of tetrabenzylhafnium and tetrabenzylzirconium with pyridine, quinoline, 2,2′-bipyridyl, trimethylphosphine, and THF is studied by means of NMR spectroscopy. The equilibrium quotient for the reaction (C6H5CH2)4M + Py ⇌ (C6H5CH2)4M·Py in chlorobenzene solution is found to be 12.6±0.6 for the zirconium compound and 460±30 for the hafnium compound. No adduct formation was observed by NMR with triethylamine, tripropylamine, tributylamine, triphenylamine, N,N,N′,N′-tetraethylethylenediamine, diethyl ether, dioxane, triphenylphosphine, trimethyl phosphite, triethyl phosphite, cis-cyclooctene, cyclohexene, or 1,1-diphenylethylene.
Rovibronic Spectroscopy of MgCH3 Ã2E <-- X2A1 Transition.

We report the laser excitation and dispersed fluorescence spectra of the A2E <-- X2A1 transition of the jet-cooled MgCH3 radical. Improvements to the experiment have allowed the observation of 6(1)0 and 2(1)0 vibronic features not previously observed. Analyses of these bands, along with the previously reported 0(0)0 spectra, yield the rotational constants and values of the Coriolis and the spin-orbit coupling constants for the radical's A2E state. We also are able to rather completely characterize a small, dynamic Jahn-Teller effect. The dispersed fluorescence spectrum was analyzed and all observed X2A1 state vibrational features were assigned. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.
Common Mode Return Loss Consideration in Wirebond Packaging for High Speed SerDes Links

This paper discusses the trade-offs in performance and cost of high speed SerDes in wirebond package applications. While many protocol standards specify requirements for both common mode return loss and differential mode return loss, meeting both sets of requirements in low cost wirebond packages requires the designer to make significant trade-offs. The performance and cost impacts of improving common mode return loss in wirebond packaging is examined from several different points of view.
Peripheral Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Candidate Cells Responsible for Healing Critical-Sized Calvarial Bone Defects

Postnatal tissue-specific stem/progenitor cells hold great promise to enhance repair of damaged tissues. Many of these cells are retrieved from bone marrow or adipose tissue via invasive procedures. Peripheral blood is an ideal alternative source for the stem/progenitor cells because of its ease of retrieval. We present a coculture system that routinely produces a group of cells from adult peripheral blood. Treatment with these cells enhanced healing of critical-size bone defects in the mouse calvarium, a proof of principle that peripheral blood-derived cells can be used to heal bone defects. From these cells, we isolated a subset of CD45(-) cells with a fibroblastic morphology. The CD45(-) cells were responsible for most of the differentiation-induced calcification activity and were most likely responsible for the enhanced healing process. These CD45(-) fibroblastic cells are plastic-adherent and exhibit a surface marker profile negative for CD34, CD19, CD11b, lineage, and c-kit and positive for stem cell antigen 1, CD73, CD44, CD90.1, CD29, CD105, CD106, and CD140α. Furthermore, these cells exhibited osteogenesis, chondrogenesis, and adipogenesis capabilities. The CD45(-) fibroblastic cells are the first peripheral blood-derived cells that fulfill the criteria of mesenchymal stem cells as defined by the International Society for Cellular Therapy. We have named these cells "blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells."
Effects of neurotransmitters and cyclic AMP on somatostatin release from cultured cerebral cortical cells.

Abstract The influence of cortical neurotransmitters and cyclic AMP on the release of immunoreactive somatostatin (IRS) from cultured cortical cells was examined. Cells were obtained by mechanoenzymatic dispersal of telencephalons of 17-day-old rat embryos and were maintained as monolayers in minimum essential medium with 10% heat-inactivated horse serum. After the cultures had stabilized morphologically and in cellular IRS content they were subjected to rapid sequential changes of a buffered salt solution with or without test substances added. The amount of somatostatin released was measured by a specific radioimmunoassay. Acetylcholine and the GABA antagonist, picrotoxin, both stimulated IRS release. The cholinergic stimulation was predominantly muscarinic. GABA and histamine, to a lesser extent, were inhibitory and norepinephrine and serotonin produced no net change in IRS release. Both cAMP and theophylline (DMX) stimulated IRS release. These results confirm the potential of intrinsic cortical somatostatinergic neurons to respond to endogenous neurotransmitters and further establishes somatostatin as a cortical neuromodulator.
Tree regeneration responses to microsite characteristics following a severe tornado in the Georgia Piedmont, USA

Abstract For 3 years following a severe, November 1992 tornado, abundance and growth of tree regeneration in intact forest-floor and windthrow-pit microsites were studied in three mixed pine and hardwood stands in the Georgia Piedmont, USA. The research had two objectives: (1) determine if performance of tree regeneration differed between microsite types and between pre- and post-tornado cohorts on intact forest-floor microsites, and (2) determine if variation in light and soil water availability from the disturbance affected performance of eight species artificially seeded into intact forest-floor microsites. Near each of the 42 sample points (12–20 per site) spaced on 15 m grids, species and height of tree seedlings were recorded within a 1 m radius plot of intact forest floor and the nearest windthrow pit. Intact forest-floor microsites were dominated by two late-successional species, Acer rubrum (3.5 pre-tornado stems per m 2 and 1.8 post-tornado stems per m 2 ) and Ostrya virginiana (2.6 post-tornado stems per m 2 ), while windthrow pits were dominated by an early successional species, Liriodendron tulipifera (1.7 stems per m 2 ). Although seedling survival did not vary significantly among species or microsite types, first-year height of seedlings in intact forest-floor microsites (24 cm) was significantly greater than those in windthrow-pit microsites (19 cm). Second-year height growth of new seedlings of Cornus florida in intact forest-floor microsites (52 cm) significantly exceeded that of many other combinations of species and microsite type. Species artificially-seeded into intact forest-floor microsites in 1994 and 1995 varied considerably in emergence ( windthrow pits), between cohorts (pre-tornado>post-tornado origin), and among species (mid- to late->early-successional species) indicate that advanced regeneration and new seedlings of A. rubrum , O. virginiana , and C. florida will be long-term dominants of the understory because of their high abundance, initial growth responses, and shade tolerance.
A new role of graphical simulation: Software testing

Simulation is an effective technique to test software where testing in the real environment is not feasible. A 3D graphical simulator can make the software testing process much more effective and efficient. With graphical representation, the software's behavior can be observed in a virtual environment similar to the real environment. This kind of simulator can be best used in testing embedded system software, specifically in systems with many moving objects. Typically, however, the creation of a simulator is expensive in terms of time and cost. In addition, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of the system. We propose an inexpensive 3D graphical simulation method for software testing of embedded systems. This system eliminates the need for mathematical modeling by modeling the physical objects with simple rules. These objects self-coordinate their operation through the application of these rules. The 3D graphical simulator integrates the entire modeling process, eliminating the need for separate simulation and graphical display units. The simulator provides instant graphical feedback of system behavior to illustrate the feasibility and reliability of the system.
The Role of Job-Related Rewards in Retirement Planning

The authors used data from the first wave of the Health and Retirement Study ( F. Juster and R. Suzman 1995) to evaluate whether certain job-related gratifications might reduce retirement planning. Three definitions of retirement planning were evaluated and then regressed separately on a set of variables that included 3 types of job-related satisfactions (intrinsic gratification, positive social relations, and ascendance in the workplace) and 7 covariates: education, age, sex, health, marital status, race, and pension eligibility. Findings indicated that jobs high in ascendance were related to an increase in certain types of retirement planning, but jobs high in intrinsic rewards and positive social relations were related to less planning, regardless of how planning was defined. The findings suggest that information about work-related rewards may be useful in targeting individuals who might benefit from retirement planning programs, in developing planning programs to help workers realize more complex retirement plans, and in assisting employers who hope to retain older workers.
Follow-up defibrillator testing for antiarrhythmic drugs: probability and uncertainty.

Probabilism: The doctrine that probability is a sufficient basis for belief or action . Uncertainty: The condition of being in doubt . It has been rigorously demonstrated that implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) prolong life as primary and secondary prevention therapies for the management of malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Despite 20 years of clinical use, however, there exist many unresolved issues in ICD therapy.1 Even the most fundamental aspect of ICD implantation, defibrillation threshold (DFT) testing, is not standardized. Determining a DFT is fundamentally different from determining a pacing threshold.1,2 The latter is essentially a fixed value at a given combination of pulse width and voltage. Clinically, there is a sharp demarcation of pacing voltages that capture and those that do not. In contrast, defibrillation is characterized as a probabilistic event based on our current understanding. The dose-response curve for defibrillation is described as sigmoidal in shape with a higher likelihood of success at higher energies.1,2 The possibility of an “outlier” event, defibrillation at low energy, or failure at higher energy remains present. Defining a true defibrillation threshold, ie, that energy above which defibrillation will always succeed and below which it will always fail, is not the goal of defibrillation testing in the clinical setting. Instead, the clinical approach to ICD implantation defines an energy level delivered from a device that has a reasonable likelihood of success. The physician then programs this energy plus an additional safety margin that he or she trusts will compensate for the probabilistic nature of defibrillation. There are many methods to test defibrillation in clinical practice. Methods in clinical use include step down to failure, 2 or 3 successes without failure at a given energy level (DFT+, DFT++), binary search, Bayesian search, 3-reversal method, verification method (single low-energy success), and testing upper limit of vulnerability …
Convergence theories of distributed iterative processes: A survey

We consider a model of distributed iterative algorithms whereby several processors participate in the computation while collecting, possibly stochastic information from the environment or other processors via communication links. Several applications in distributed optimization, parameter estimation, and communication networks are described. Issues of asymptotic convergence and agreement are explored under very weak assumptions on the ordering of computations and the timing of information reception. Progress towards constructing a broadly applicable theory is surveyed.
Parental Awareness: Knowledge and Attitudes toward Drug Use:

The purpose of the article was to investigate parents' knowledge and attitudes concerning drug abuse. The results of the study suggest that factual knowledge and “liberal-conservative” attitudes to...
Video Compressed Sensing with Multihypothesis

The compressed-sensing recovery of video sequences driven by multihypothesis predictions is considered. Specifically, multihypothesis predictions of the current frame are used to generate a residual in the domain of the compressed-sensing random projections. This residual being typically more compressible than the original frame leads to improved reconstruction quality. To appropriately weight the hypothesis predictions, a Tikhonov regularization to an ill-posed least-squares optimization is proposed. This method is shown to outperform both recovery of the frame independently of the others as well as recovery based on single-hypothesis prediction.
Quantifying thermal effects on contemporary growth variability to predict responses to climate change in northern rock sole (Lepidopsetta polyxystra)

Understanding the causes of contemporary variation in growth rates can offer insights into the likely consequences of climate change for growth and recruitment of coastal marine fishes. We examined...
Measuring Neighborhood and School Environments Perceptual and Aggregate Approaches

Abstract This paper describes scales measuring perceptions of neighborhood and school quality. The scales are short and easy to administer, and easily understood by respondents. The measure of neighborhood quality (the NegNeb) has high reliability (alpha = .81), correlates with census data, shows sensitivity to change in neighborhood quality, and discriminates among urban neighborhoods. The measure of school quality (the NegEd) correlates to an index of aggregate school problems. Theories posit that the impact of environment on mental health is determined by perception of that environment. A regression model controlling for family and other characteristics showed that perception of neighborhood (as measured by the NegNeb) contributed unique variance to adolescent mental health. Perception of school did not. However, a second regression model showed that perception of school environment contributed unique variance to peer misbehavior, which was the largest predictor of mental health problems in the first e...
DELISHUS: An Efficient and Exact Algorithm for Genome-Wide Detection of Deletion Polymorphism in Autism

Motivation: The understanding of the genetic determinants of complex disease is undergoing a paradigm shift. Genetic heterogeneity of rare mutations with deleterious effects is more commonly being viewed as a major component of disease. Autism is an excellent example where research is active in identifying matches between the phenotypic and genomic heterogeneities. A considerable portion of autism appears to be correlated with copy number variation, which is not directly probed by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array or sequencing technologies. Identifying the genetic heterogeneity of small deletions remains a major unresolved computational problem partly due to the inability of algorithms to detect them. Results: In this article, we present an algorithmic framework, which we term DELISHUS, that implements three exact algorithms for inferring regions of hemizygosity containing genomic deletions of all sizes and frequencies in SNP genotype data. We implement an efficient backtracking algorithm—that processes a 1 billion entry genome-wide association study SNP matrix in a few minutes—to compute all inherited deletions in a dataset. We further extend our model to give an efficient algorithm for detecting de novo deletions. Finally, given a set of called deletions, we also give a polynomial time algorithm for computing the critical regions of recurrent deletions. DELISHUS achieves significantly lower false-positive rates and higher power than previously published algorithms partly because it considers all individuals in the sample simultaneously. DELISHUS may be applied to SNP array or sequencing data to identify the deletion spectrum for family-based association studies. Availability: DELISHUS is available at http://www.brown.edu/Research/Istrail_Lab/. Contact: ude.nworb@worroM_cirE and Sorin_Istrail@brown.edu Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Local Dynamic Subgrid Closure for Compressible MHD Turbulence Simulation

A Local Dynamic Kinetic Energy Model (LDKM) for large-eddy simulation (LES) of magnetohydrodynamicis (MHD) turbulence is proposed. The proposed MHD turbulence model evaluates all model coecients locally and dynamically without any ad hoc averaging. This model does not assume low magnetic Reynolds numbers. The turbulent residual-helicity eect ( -eect) appearing in the magnetic induction equation is successfully modeled and consistently remains a pseudo-scalar. This paper uses the MHD-LDKM LES model to compute high-Re decaying isotropic turbulence in a magnetic field. A decay model is used for validation. It is observed that the energy spectrum follows a k 5/3 law in DNS and LDKM results. For further validation, the long time behavior of ideal invariants: energy (E), cross helicity (Hc), and magnetic helicity (Hm) are examined. The expected selective decay is observed when Hc is finite. This MHD LDKM model is applicable to wide variety of high/low magnetic Reynolds number applications.
Identifying Evolvability for Integration

The seamless integration of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components offers many benefits associated with reuse. Even with successful composite applications, unexpected interoperability conflicts can arise when COTS products are upgraded, new components are needed, and the application requirements change. Recent approaches to integration follow pattern-based design principles to construct integration architecture for the composite application. This integration architecture provides a design perspective for addressing the problematic interactions among components within the application environment. However, little attention has been paid to the evolvability of these architectures and their embedded functionality. In this paper, we discuss the need for design traceability based on the history of interoperability conflicts and resolution decisions that comprise the integration architecture. Additionally, we advocate that certain functional aspects of a pattern can be pinpointed to resolve a conflict. Combining these two aspects of integration architecture design, we illustrate that often evolution is possible with minimal changes to the integration solution.
Effects of logging on carbon dynamics of a jack pine forest in Saskatchewan, Canada

We calculated carbon budgets for a chronosequence of harvested jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) stands (0-, 5-, 10-, and � 29-year-old) and a � 79-year-old stand that originated after wildfire. We measured total ecosystem C content (TEC), above-, and belowground net primary productivity (NPP) for each stand. All values are reported in order for the 0-, 5-, 10-, 29-, and 79-year-old stands, respectively, for May 1999 through April 2000. Total annual NPP (NPPT) for the stands (MgCha � 1 yr � 1 � 1 SD) was 0.9 � 0.3, 1.3 � 0.1, 2.7 � 0.6, 3.5 � 0.3, and 1.7 � 0.4. We correlated periodic soil surface CO2 fluxes (RS) with soil temperature to model annual RS for the stands (MgCha � 1 yr � 1 � 1 SD) as 4.4 � 0.1, 2.4 � 0.0, 3.3 � 0.1, 5.7 � 0.3, and 3.2 � 0.2. We estimated net ecosystem productivity (NEP) as NPPT minus RH (where RH was calculated using a Monte Carlo approach as coarse woody debris respiration plus 30‐70% of total annual RS). Excluding C losses during wood processing, NEP (MgCha � 1 yr � 1 � 1 SD) for the stands was estimated to be � 1.9 � 0.7, � 0.4 � 0.6, 0.4 � 0.9, 0.4 � 1.0, and � 0.2 � 0.7 (negative values indicate net sources to the atmosphere.) We also calculated NEP values from the changes in TEC among stands. Only the 0-year-old stand showed significantly different NEP between the two methods, suggesting a possible mismatch for the chronosequence. The spatial and methodological uncertainties allow us to say little for certain except that the stand becomes a source of C to the atmosphere following logging.
Making double patterning cost single

This PDF file contains the editorial “Making double patterning cost single” for JM3 Vol. 8 Issue 01
Spatial characterization of a large-format, fine-pitch CdZnTe pixel detector for the HEFT balloon-borne experiment

We have developed a large-format CdZnTe pixel detector with custom, low-noise ASIC readout, for astrophysical applications. In particular, this detector is targeted for use in the High Energy Focusing Telescope (HEFT), a balloon-borne experiment with focusing optics for 20-70 keV. The detector is a 24/spl times/44 pixel array of 498-micrometre pitch. As a focal plane detector, uniformity from pixel to pixel is much desirable. In this paper, we present the spatial characterization of some detector properties for the 1056 pixels on the HEFT detector. These properties include electronic noise, leakage current, spectral resolution and count rate.
Orthographic neighborhood effects as a function of word frequency: An event-related potential study

The present study assessed the mechanisms and time course by which orthographic neighborhood size (ON) influences visual word recognition. ERPs were recorded to words that varied in ON and in word frequency while participants performed a semantic categorization task. ON was measured with the Orthographic Levenshtein Distance (OLD20), a richer metric of orthographic similarity than the traditional Coltheart’s N metric. The N400 effects of ON (260–500 ms) were larger and showed a different scalp distribution for low than for high frequency words, which is consistent with proposals that suggest lateral inhibitory mechanisms at a lexical level. The ERP ON effects had a shorter duration and different scalp distribution than the effects of word frequency (mainly observed between 380–600 ms) suggesting a transient activation of the subset of orthographically similar words in the lexical network compared to the impact of properties of the single words.
Computer-aided engineering (CAE) applications in semiconductor device manufacturing and reliability

With the ever increasing complexity of semiconductor device designs, the need for designed-in manufacturability and reliability continues to present a challenge for successful semiconductor product introduction. Technology computer-aided design (TCAD) software tools provide the needed device physics simulations for both functional and performance requirements. However, an innovative approach of using both TCAD tools and computer-aided engineering (CAE) simulation tools (e.g., used in other areas of physics and mechanical engineering) can provide a comprehensive solution to wafer fabrication and device reliability efforts
Clinical research from proposal to implementation: what every clinical investigator should know about the institutional review board.

ABSTRACT The conduct of clinical trials is a complicated process involving a myriad of regulations and enforcement entities. To protect the rights and welfare of study participants, a system of oversight bodies called institutional review boards has been established in the US. This article describes how institutional review boards work and explains what clinical researchers need to know about federally mandated human subject protection requirements.
Computational efficiency of numerical approximations of tangent moduli for finite element implementation of a fiber-reinforced hyperelastic material model

In this study, we evaluated computational efficiency of finite element (FE) simulations when a numerical approximation method was used to obtain the tangent moduli. A fiber-reinforced hyperelastic material model for nearly incompressible soft tissues was implemented for 3D solid elements using both the approximation method and the closed-form analytical method, and validated by comparing the components of the tangent modulus tensor (also referred to as the material Jacobian) between the two methods. The computational efficiency of the approximation method was evaluated with different perturbation parameters and approximation schemes, and quantified by the number of iteration steps and CPU time required to complete these simulations. From the simulation results, it can be seen that the overall accuracy of the approximation method is improved by adopting the central difference approximation scheme compared to the forward Euler approximation scheme. For small-scale simulations with about 10,000 DOFs, the approximation schemes could reduce the CPU time substantially compared to the closed-form solution, due to the fact that fewer calculation steps are needed at each integration point. However, for a large-scale simulation with about 300,000 DOFs, the advantages of the approximation schemes diminish because the factorization of the stiffness matrix will dominate the solution time. Overall, as it is material model independent, the approximation method simplifies the FE implementation of a complex constitutive model with comparable accuracy and computational efficiency to the closed-form solution, which makes it attractive in FE simulations with complex material models.
Protein Engineering Methods for Investigation of Structure-Function Relationships in Protein-Based Elastomeric Materials

An emerging class of protein‐based materials has been described that function as elastomeric matrices in their native biological state. The objective of this review is an examination of the conformational features of these native protein‐based materials that underlie the elastomeric mechanical response, in particular, the functional significance of the structurally conserved “Pro‐Gly” sequence motif. Protein engineering approaches have been employed to examine the effect of substitution of structurally critical proline or glycine residues on the corresponding macroscopic properties of representative protein‐based elastomeric materials derived from elastin‐mimetic polypeptide sequences. These studies may have functional relevance for structurally similar protein‐based elastomers.