cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computable Numerical Bounds for Lagrange Multipliers of Stationary Points of Nonconvex Differentiable Nonlinear Programs

Abstract It is shown that the satisfaction of a standard constraint qualification of mathematical programming [5] at a stationary point of a non-convex differentiable non-linear program provides explicit numerical bounds for the set of all Lagrange multipliers associated with the stationary point. Solution of a single linear program gives a sharper bound together with an achievable bound on the 1-norm of the multipliers associated with the inequality constraints. The simplicity of obtaining these bounds contrasts sharply with the intractable NP-complete problem of computing an achievable upper bound on the p-norm of the multipliers associated with the equality constraints for integer p ≧ 1 .
Undernutrition and cerebellar development.

UNDERNUTRITION in laboratory animals has been shown to result in a permanent impairment of brain and body growth1, in decreased brain cholesterol2 and synthesis of cerebroside sulphate3,4 and in decreased brain cellularity5,6. The number of cells in the brain was determined by measuring the amount of DNA present, assuming this to be constant in each nucleus. In these studies, however, whole brain was used for DNA analyses, and possible alterations in DNA in parts of the brain were not allowed for. The purpose of the study described here was to ascertain whether malnutrition has any regionally specific effect on cell growth.
Guidelines for thrombolytic therapy of deep-vein thrombosis

T REATMENT of established deep venous thrombosis with anticoagulants, thrombolytic agents, or by surgical intervention is usually instituted for two primary reasons, the first of which is to prevent pulmonary embolization. To this end, studies performed in the 1940s’ demonstrated that interruption of the inferior vena cava decreased the mortality associated with major vessel thrombosis of the leg. In 1960, Barritt and Jordan’ demonstrated that heparin is an effective medical substitute for surgery. Using a combination of a coumarin agent and only six intermittent intravenous injections of heparin (15,000 units each) at 6-hr intervals, they were able to markedly decrease the incidence of lethal outcome from and recurrence of pulmonary embolism. Although both approaches gave impressive results, neither surgery nor anticoagulant therapy will ensure that such patients will suffer no recurrence of embolic disease, or for that matter, have an uncomplicated course with complete resolution of the underlying venous thrombosis. Thus, the second objective of therapy is to effect as complete an elimination of the thrombus as quickly as possible, and thereby, to decrease the acute morbidity and long-term complications associated with this illness. The discussion that follows primarily considers this second therapeutic objective, namely, the response of the thrombus to treatment and the assessment of various clinical features and laboratory changes in predicting the response.3
EFFECT OF THE FORMATION OF INERT PROTEIN ON THE KINETICS OF THE AUTOCATALYTIC FORMATION OF TRYPSIN FROM TRYPSINOGEN.

A solution of crystalline trypsinogen in dilute buffer containing a trace of active trypsin when allowed to stand at pH 5.0–9.0 and 5°C. is gradually transformed partly into trypsin protein and partly into an inert protein which can no longer be changed into trypsin either by enterokinase or mold kinase. During the process of formation of trypsin and inert protein the ratio of the concentrations of the two products in any reaction mixture remains constant and is independent of the original concentration of trypsinogen protein. This ratio varies, however, with the pH of the solution, the proportion of trypsin formed being greater in the acid range of pH. The experimental curves for the rate of formation of trypsin, as well as for the rate of formation of inert protein are symmetrical S shaped curves closely resembling those of simple autocatalytic reactions. The kinetics of formation of trypsin and inert protein can be explained quantitatively on the theoretical assumptions that both reactions are of the simple unimolecular type, that in each case the reaction is catalyzed by trypsin, and that the rate of formation of each of the products is proportional to the concentration of trypsin as well as to the concentration of trypsinogen in solution.
Adsorption of Cu, Zn and Pb near sulfide deposits by hydrous manganese—Iron oxide coatings on stream alluvium

Abstract Hydrous oxides of Mn and Fe scavenge several base metals in the surficial environment by adsorption and coprecipitation. Results of laboratory investigations suggest increased adsorption compared to coprecipitation where higher concentrations of metal ions exist in solution, such as generally occur near an oxidizing mineral deposit. Stream cobbles with hydrous oxide coatings, collected from the Valley and Ridge Province in northwestern Virginia, were immersed in prepared aqueous solutions of CuZnPb for 50 hr. Substantial quantities of each metal were absorbed from solution. Considerably greater proportions of the newly adsorbed metal could be extracted by ammonium citrate than background concentrations of metal initially present in the coatings. Analysis of hydrous oxide coatings collected at varying distances upstream and downstream from a small CuZnPb-sulfide deposit produced similar results. Following the same analytical procedure, considerably greater proportions of the total Cu and Zn were extracted by ammonium citrate from samples near the mine than from those upstream or at a greater distance downstream. If adsorption of metal by hydrous oxides is generally more important compared to coprecipitation where higher concentrations of metal ions are available in solution, the relation might be of practical value. The sulfide deposit is clearly delineated if Cu and Zn extracted by ammonium citrate is expressed as a percent of total Cu or Zn. Previous studies have shown that similar deposits are not clearly delineated by analysis of hydrous oxides unless ratios of metal to Mn or Fe are calculated.
Critical magnetic behavior of giant moments in NiRh

Abstract The critical magnetic behavior of a weakly ferromagnetic NiRh alloy is found found to resemble the anomalous behavior recently reported for dilute Fe in Pd. From the critical coefficient values, it is shown that in NiRh ,as in PdFe, the elementary moments involved in the Curie-point transition are those of giant polarization clouds rather than of individual atoms.
Atom Exchange between Aqueous Fe(II) and Goethite: An Fe Isotope Tracer Study

The reaction of aqueous Fe(II) with Fe(III) oxides is a complex process, comprising sorption, electron transfer, and in some cases, reductive dissolution and transformation to secondary minerals. To better understand the dynamics of these reactions, we measured the extent and rate of Fe isotope exchange between aqueous Fe(II) and goethite using a 57Fe isotope tracer approach. We observed near-complete exchange of Fe atoms between the aqueous phase and goethite nanorods over a 30-day time period. Despite direct isotopic evidence for extensive mixing between the aqueous and goethite Fe, no phase transformation was observed, nor did the size or shape of the goethite rods change appreciably. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images, however, appear to indicate that some recrystallization of the goethite particles may have occurred. Near-complete exchange of Fe between aqueous Fe(II) and goethite, coupled with negligible change in the goethite mineralogy and morphology, suggests a mechanism of c...
Development of chromium-free iron-based catalysts for high-temperature water-gas shift reaction

Abstract Chromium-free iron-based catalysts were prepared and studied in regard to their performance in the high-temperature water-gas shift reaction (HTS). The effects of various catalyst preparation variables (i.e., Fe/promoter ratio, pH of precipitation medium, calcination and reduction temperatures) and preparation methods were investigated. Aluminum is a potential chromium replacement in HTS catalysts. Further improvement in WGS activity of Fe–Al catalysts can be achieved by the addition of small amounts of copper or cobalt. Catalysts were characterized using BET surface area measurements, temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). As a textural promoter, aluminum and chromium prevent the sintering of iron oxides and stabilize magnetite phase by retarding its further reduction to FeO and metallic Fe. The promotional effect of Cu is found to be strongly dependent on the preparation method.
Property–reactivity correlation for hydrodesulfurization of prehydrotreated distillates

A significant fraction of the sulfur species in diesel fuel can be removed in a conventional hydrotreater. To meet future more stringent sulfur specifications, this conventionally hydrotreated liquid product may be fed to a second hydrotreater to remove residual refractory sulfur species. The hydrodesulfurization reactivity of such prehydrotreated distillates is driven primarily by the feed nitrogen content in a linear fashion. The genesis of this observation is discussed.
Electronic Transitions of Thiouracils in the Gas Phase and in Solutions: Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) Study

Comprehensive theoretical investigations were performed on the electronic singlet and triplet ππ* and nπ* transition energies of 2-thiouracil, 4-thiouracil, 2,4-dithiouracil, and their methyl derivatives in the gas phase and in water and acetonitrile solutions. The computed results were compared with the corresponding properties of uracil. The ground state geometries of different tautomers were optimized at the B3LYP level with use of the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. Single point energy calculations were performed at the MP2/cc-pVTZ level by using the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) geometries. Geometry optimizations for the most stable tautomers of each species were also performed at the MP2/cc-pVTZ level. Vertical electronic transition energies were computed at the time-dependent density functional theory level (TD-DFT), using the B3LYP functional and the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set and utilizing the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) geometries. The effects of water and acetonitrile solutions on the ground and excited states were comput...
Evaluating solvency versus efficiency performance and different forms of organization and marketing in US property - Liability insurance companies

Abstract Solvency is a primary concern for regulators of insurance companies, claims paying ability is a primary concern for policyholders, and return on investment is a primary concern for investors. These interests potentially conflict, and the decision-makers for the firm must trade off one concern versus another. Here we examine the efficiency of insurance companies via data envelopment analysis using solvency, claims paying ability, and return on investment as outputs and using a financial intermediary model for the insurance company. The effect of solvency on efficiency is then examined. These efficiency evaluations are further examined to study stock versus mutual form of organizational structure and agency versus direct marketing arrangements, which are examined separately and in combination.
A new role for l-ascorbic acid: michael donor to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds

Abstract In a novel Michael-type reaction L-ascorbic acid ( 1 ) undergoes addition to acrolein to give the tricyclic hemiacetal lactone 3 . The constitution and relative configuration of 3 was studied by a combination of NMR and IR spectroscopy. Ultimately, the structure of 3 was determined by X-ray crystallography. The absolute stereochemistry follows from the known chirality of C-4 and C-5 of L-ascorbic acid. A mechanism for the reaction, including its steric course, is proposed. Methyl vinyl ketone reacts with 1 in a similar fashion to give diketo lactone derivative 4 , Upon the action of methanolic hydrogen chloride on 4 one anomer, the tricyclic methyl ketal lactone 5 , forms. Structure 5 is closely related to 3 . Synthetic and possible biological applications of the new reaction are discussed.
Bound States of the Yukawa Potential via the Shifted 1/$N$ Expansion Technique

Abstract Our recently developed shifted 1/ N expansion technique, where N is the number of spatial dimensions, is applied to the class of Yukawa potentials V ( r ) = − A e − βr / r . The analytic expressions for the energies E n,l and radial wavefunctions ∅ n,l ( r ) quickly yield very accurate results for a wide range of n, l and dimensionsess screening parameters δ ≡ mA/β h 2 .
What is the long-term safety and efficacy of laparoscopic resection for gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors?

What is the long-term safety and efficacy of laparoscopic resection for gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors?
An Algorithm for the Detection of Handguns in Terahertz Images

This paper presents an algorithm for detecting handguns in terahertz images. Terahertz radiation is capable of penetrating certain materials which are opaque at optical wavelengths, such as clothing, without the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. The approach taken is to segment objects of interest and classify them based on shape. We use a modified version of an active contour algorithm found in the open literature. Modifications include: a pre-processing step that includes clutter filtering and seeding of an initial contour; and a post-processing step that removes clutter pixels from the segmentation. The features used for classification are moment-based and Fourier shape descriptors. Classification as handgun or non-handgun from these features is done via Fisher's linear discriminant.
Regulation of Neuronal Birth, Migration and Death in the Rat Dentate Gyrus

The granule cell population of the rat dentate gyrus forms over an extended period which begins during gestation and continues into adulthood. During the embryonic period, the postnatal period and in adulthood, granule cells proliferate, migrate and degenerate. We have found that granule cell production is dependent on the levels of circulating adrenal steroids and NMDA receptor-mediated excitatory input throughout life. In general, increases in adrenal steroid levels or NMDA receptor activation diminish the rate of cell proliferation whereas decreases in adrenal steroid levels or NMDA receptor activation increase the rate of cell production. This paper describes the regulation of granule cell proliferation, migration and survival by adrenal steroids and excitatory input and presents evidence that these factors may affect dentate gyrus-mediated behaviors.
Family History and Parents' Beliefs About Consequences of Childhood Overweight and Their Influence on Children's Health Behaviors

Objectives The aims of this study were to examine factors related to 1) parental perception of health risks for overweight children and 2) parents' self-efficacy for influencing their children's dietary and physical activity behaviors, especially in relation to family history (FH) of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods A consecutive sample of parents was surveyed at 7 primary care practices about FH, perceptions of childhood obesity–related health risks, health beliefs, and perceptions. Generalized estimated equation models clustering on practice were developed to examine associations with perceptions and self-efficacy. Results Analyses included 386 parents of children aged 2 to 17 years. Sixty-seven percent had FH of CVD and 33% had FH of diabetes. Children were 57% white, 23% Hispanic, 12% African American, and 8% other race/ethnicity; 17% were overweight and 18% were obese. Parents whose child had FH of diabetes more often perceived higher risk of diabetes for overweight children than those with neither FH risk (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.4, 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.2–1.7), as did those with FH of CVD (adjusted OR 2.0, 95% CI, 1.6–2.5) and those with an obese child. Parents with less than college education or having African American and female children perceived risk less often. Parents had high self-efficacy for influencing their child if they had a strong belief in parental modeling and their child was aged Conclusions Family history of diabetes and CVD and other factors are associated with parents' perceptions of health risks for overweight children. Strategies to use FH to motivate families with overweight children toward behavior change are needed.
Escape responses of three herbivorous gastropods to the predatory gastropod Conus textile

Summary The herbivorous gastropods Strombus canarium, Lambis lambis, and Trochus pyramis evince escape responses, probably mediated by distance chemoreception, in the presence of the predatory gastropod Conus textile. In Strombus and Lambis, the response has two components: increase in the absolute rate of locomotion, and direction of locomotion away from the predator. When placed in the presence of C. textile, T. pyramis began moving, generally in the direction it faced. In control observations, a specimen of S. canarium moved at a mean rate of 2·7 mm/sec, by the leaping mode of locomotion characteristic of this and related genera. In the presence of C. textile, the rate increased to 6·8 mm/sec, due primarily to shortening of the lag or recovery period between leaps. In the presence of C. textile, a specimen of L. lambis moved at a rate of 11·9 mm/sec in the same manner as Strombus. In the presence of C. textile, a specimen of T. pyramis progressed at a rate of 1·9 mm/sec, by pedal locomotory waves. Comparison with absolute rates of locomotion by pedal locomotory waves in other marine gastropod molluscs leads to the conclusion that the leaping of Strombus and Lambis does not enable these gastropods to maintain a more rapid long-term rate of movement, but it confers a striking increase in agility, and a single leap provides an almost instantaneous increase in distance from a potential predator.
Thermodynamics of Silicon Nitridation: Effect of Hydrogen

Equilibrium compositions for the nitridization of Si were calculated to detect the effectiveness of H2 in removal of the oxide film and in increasing the concentration of SiO and reducing the proportions of O2. Gibbs free energy for the formation of SiN2O was computed above 1685 K, and at lower temperatures. The thermodynamic properties of SiN2O2 were then considered from 1000-3000 K, taking into account the known thermodynamic data for 39 molecular combinations of the Si, Ni, and O. The gases formed were assumed ideal mixtures with pure phase condensed species. The mole fractions were obtained for a system of SiO2 with each Si particle covered with a thin layer of SiO2 before nitridation, and a system in which the nitriding atmosphere had access to the Si. The presence of H2 was determined to enhance the removal of NiO2 in the first system, decrease the partial pressure of O2, increase the partial pressures of SiO, Si, H2O, NH3, and SiH4, while its effects were negligible in the Si system.
Methylation of microRNA genes regulates gene expression in bisexual flower development in andromonoecious poplar

Previous studies showed sex-specific DNA methylation and expression of candidate genes in bisexual flowers of andromonoecious poplar, but the regulatory relationship between methylation and microRNAs (miRNAs) remains unclear. To investigate whether the methylation of miRNA genes regulates gene expression in bisexual flower development, the methylome, microRNA, and transcriptome were examined in female and male flowers of andromonoecious poplar. 27 636 methylated coding genes and 113 methylated miRNA genes were identified. In the coding genes, 64.5% of the methylated reads mapped to the gene body region; by contrast, 60.7% of methylated reads in miRNA genes mainly mapped in the 5' and 3' flanking regions. CHH methylation showed the highest methylation levels and CHG showed the lowest methylation levels. Correlation analysis showed a significant, negative, strand-specific correlation of methylation and miRNA gene expression (r=0.79, P <0.05). The methylated miRNA genes included eight long miRNAs (lmiRNAs) of 24 nucleotides and 11 miRNAs related to flower development. miRNA172b might play an important role in the regulation of bisexual flower development-related gene expression in andromonoecious poplar, via modification of methylation. Gynomonoecious, female, and male poplars were used to validate the methylation patterns of the miRNA172b gene, implying that hyper-methylation in andromonoecious and gynomonoecious poplar might function as an important regulator in bisexual flower development. Our data provide a useful resource for the study of flower development in poplar and improve our understanding of the effect of epigenetic regulation on genes other than protein-coding genes.
‘Willpower’ over the life span: decomposing self-regulation

In the 1960s, Mischel and colleagues developed a simple ‘marshmallow test’ to measure preschoolers’ ability to delay gratification. In numerous follow-up studies over 40 years, this ‘test’ proved to have surprisingly significant predictive validity for consequential social, cognitive and mental health outcomes over the life course. In this article, we review key findings from the longitudinal work and from earlier delay-of-gratification experiments examining the cognitive appraisal and attention control strategies that underlie this ability. Further, we outline a set of hypotheses that emerge from the intersection of these findings with research on ‘cognitive control’ mechanisms and their neural bases. We discuss implications of these hypotheses for decomposing the phenomena of ‘willpower’ and the lifelong individual differences in self-regulatory ability that were identified in the earlier research and that are currently being pursued.
The costs of visits to emergency departments.

Background Many visits to emergency departments are for minor medical problems, and these visits are criticized as being expensive and economically inefficient. This study examines the marginal costs (the extra costs for an additional visit) of emergency department visits. Methods Monthly data on the costs of hospital and physicians' services from 1991 through 1993 were obtained from a sample of six community hospitals in Michigan. The data were analyzed with ordinary least-squares regression techniques to determine the ratio of marginal to average costs. Average and marginal costs were then determined for 24,010 visits during 12 randomly selected weeks in 1993. A visit by an individual patient was the unit of analysis, and visits were classified as nonurgent, semiurgent, or urgent according to explicit criteria. Costs and charges were determined for all visits and were classified according to the degree of urgency. Results For all emergency department visits, the average charge was $383, the average cost...
Mineralogy of the Clay-Sized Fractions of Some North Atlantic-Arctic Ocean Bottom Sediments

A mineralogical investigation of the less-than-2-μ fraction of 52 North Atlantic–Arctic Ocean sediment-core samples demonstrated that the constituent clay minerals are derived primarily from terrestrial sources and are transported to environments of deposition primaily by ice rafting and ocean currents. Clay-mineral compositions of marine sediments and clay-mineral compositions of soils of surrounding land masses vary in a similar way with respect to latitude. Pure illitic, chloritic, and montmorillonitic phases are apparently not stable in the marine environment but will diagenetically change to mixed-layer, expandable phases. Mixed-layer, expandable phases derived from pure illitic and chloritic phases are similar to, and generally indistinguishable from, mixed-layer phases formed from montmorillonitic phases or formed by regrading stripped chlorites and illites. Clay minerals cannot be used to determine paleoclimatic horizons in North Atlantic–Arctic Ocean sediments. They may be useful in a limited way to indicate weathering intensities in sediment source areas.
Short note: Moore's law and the Saffman-Taylor instability

Ten years ago Hou, Lowengrub and Shelley [4] published a state-of-the-art boundary integral simulation of a classical viscous fingering problem, the Saffman–Taylor instability [12]. In terms of complexity and level of detail, those computations [4] are still among the most ramified and accurately computed interfacial instability patterns that have appeared in the literature. Since 1994, the computational power of a standard workstation has increased a hundredfold as predicted by Moore s law [7]. The purpose of this Note is to consider Moore s law and its consequences in computational science, and in particular, its impact on studying the Saffman–Taylor instability. We illustrate Moore s law and fast algorithms in action by presenting the worlds largest viscous fingering simulation to date. Viscous fingering is one of the fundamental interfacial instabilities in fluid dynamics: Perturbations to an expanding circular air bubble displacing a viscous fluid in a thin gap flow device become unstable, resulting in intricate densely branched interfacial patterns. The viscous fingering problem is governed by the three-dimensional incompressible Navier–Stokes equations with moving free boundaries at the fluid/ air interface. Without simplification, this problem is computationally intractable and will remain so for the foreseeable future. The simulations in this Note build upon decades of advances in mathematical modeling and numerical methods: (i) The fluid dynamics in a thin gap is reduced from the threedimensional Navier–Stokes equations by asymptotic analysis to a Darcy s law [12]
mGluR2/3 blockade produces rapid and long-lasting reversal of anhedonia caused by chronic stress exposure

Depression is a prevalent neuropsychiatric disorder that affects an estimated 350 million people worldwide. Currently available treatments for depression are lacking in both speed of onset and efficacy. Recent pharmacological efforts have targeted the glutamatergic neurotransmitter system using the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist ketamine to produce rapid and robust antidepressant effects, however the widespread clinical use of ketamine is limited due to side effects and abuse liability. More recently, work evaluating metabotropic mGluR2/3 receptor antagonists has demonstrated many similarities with ketamine. Male, Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to a chronic unpredictable stress paradigm, which produces decreased sucrose preference, a measure of anhedonia. Rats were then treated with vehicle or a single injection of the mGluR2/3 antagonist LY341495 (3 mg/kg, i.p.) and tested at 24 hrs, 48 hrs or 10 days after a single treatment. We demonstrate that a single treatment with LY341495 produces a rapid (within 1–2 days) and long-lasting (10 days) reversal of anhedonia caused by chronic unpredictable stress in rats. This model provides a rigorous test of rapid-acting agents as typical antidepressants require several weeks of treatment to produce a response. These data suggest that LY341495 has the ability to produce rapid and robust antidepressant effects similar to ketamine. Together, the results highlight the potential for similar compounds to produce rapid and lasting efficacy for the treatment of depression.
How memory biases affect information transmission: A rational analysis of serial reproduction

Many human interactions involve pieces of information being passed from one person to another, raising the question of how this process of information transmission is affected by the capacities of the agents involved. In the 1930s, Sir Frederic Bartlett explored the influence of memory biases in "serial reproduction" of information, in which one person's reconstruction of a stimulus from memory becomes the stimulus seen by the next person. These experiments were done using relatively uncontrolled stimuli such as pictures and stories, but suggested that serial reproduction would transform information in a way that reflected the biases inherent in memory. We formally analyze serial reproduction using a Bayesian model of reconstruction from memory, giving a general result characterizing the effect of memory biases on information transmission. We then test the predictions of this account in two experiments using simple one-dimensional stimuli. Our results provide theoretical and empirical justification for the idea that serial reproduction reflects memory biases.
Dissemination of Colorectal Cancer Screening by Filipino American Community Health Advisors: A Feasibility Study

Background. Filipino Americans underutilize life-saving screening tests for colorectal cancer, resulting in late stage of diagnosis and poor survival relative to other racial/ethnic groups. Education regarding colorectal cancer screening and distribution of free fecal occult blood test (FOBT) kits are evidence-based interventions that can significantly increase screening. However, this community will only benefit if the intervention is broadly disseminated. Methods. We assessed the feasibility of promoting colorectal cancer screening in Filipino American community settings working with community health advisors, and the practicality of conducting one-on-one or small group education, in addition to passing out free FOBT kits. Results. Twenty community health advisors from 4 organizations engaged in recruitment and education activities with 132 participants. Community health advisors consistently completed screening questionnaires to establish eligibility and kept logs of FOBT distribution. However, they di...
Management Education Benchmarking Designing Customized And Flexible MBA Programs

To meet the challenges of the 21 st century B-schools are revising curriculum, delivery and outcome assessment modalities. Today, the proportion of electives and other specialty offerings in many MBA programs now constitutes more than 50% of the total curriculum. However, this focus on customization, integration and flexibility is not without its own challenges including quality assurance and implementation. Benchmarking, which involves the assessment of a variety of inputs including student satisfaction, the business community and the accreditation process represents, one approach for meeting these challenges. The purpose of this paper is twofold: 1) to benchmark trends and challenges in MBA programs geared towards the working adult and 2) to outline a process for implementing more flexibility and customization in MBA curriculums. The results of a student satisfaction survey of MBA graduates revealed that a customized curriculum yielded greater insights and enhanced job related capabilities than a generalized curriculum.
HERCULES-a system for high-level synthesis

This paper presents an approach to high-level synthesis of VLSI processors and systems. Synthesis consists of two phases: behavioral synthesis, which involves implementation-independent representations, and structural synthesis, that relates to the transformation of a behavior into an implementation. We describe HERCULES, a system for high-level synthesis developed at Stanford University. In particular, we address the hardware description problem, behavioral synthesis and optimization using a method called the reference stack, and the mapping of behavior onto a structure. We present a model for control based on sequencing graphs that supports multiple threads of execution flow, allowing varying degree of parallelism in the resulting hardware. Results are then presented for three examples: MC6502, Intel8251 and FRISC, a 16-bit microprocessor.
Implementing distributed and parallel applications through collaboration

IP (interacting process) is used as a language for coordinated programming. In this paper, we discuss IP can also be used as a language for parallel programming. We show the suitability of IP for parallel and distributed programming through examples. Several IP implementations reported over the past few years are described. Some problems with these developments are discussed and a novel solution to these problems is presented. IP for parallel and distributed programming provides several benefits including modularity, maintainability, portability, and familiar programming model.
The Effects of a Probation Intervention on Juvenile Offenders' Self-Concepts, Loci of Control, and Perceptions of Juvenile Justice

This article examines the impact of job preparation, short-term outdoor adventure, and family relationships programming on juvenile probationers' self-concepts, loci of control (internal versus ext...
Radial and tangential neuronal migration pathways in the human fetal brain: Anatomically distinct patterns of diffusion MRI coherence

Corticogenesis is underpinned by a complex process of subcortical neuroproliferation, followed by highly orchestrated cellular migration. A greater appreciation of the processes involved in human fetal corticogenesis is vital to gaining an understanding of how developmental disturbances originating in gestation could establish a variety of complex neuropathology manifesting in childhood, or even in adult life. Magnetic resonance imaging modalities offer a unique insight into anatomical structure, and increasingly infer information regarding underlying microstructure in the human brain. In this study we applied a combination of high-resolution structural and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging to a unique cohort of three post-mortem fetal brain specimens, aged between 19 and 22 post-conceptual weeks. Specifically, we sought to assess patterns of diffusion coherence associated with subcortical neuroproliferative structures: the pallial ventricular/subventricular zone and subpallial ganglionic eminence. Two distinct three-dimensional patterns of diffusion coherence were evident: a clear radial pattern originating in ventricular/subventricular zone, and a tangentio-radial patterns originating in ganglionic eminence. These patterns appeared to regress in a caudo-rostral and lateral-ventral to medial-dorsal direction across the short period of fetal development under study. Our findings demonstrate for the first time distinct patterns of diffusion coherence associated with known anatomical proliferative structures. The radial pattern associated with dorsopallial ventricular/subventricular zone and the tangentio-radial pattern associated with subpallial ganglionic eminence are consistent with reports of radial–glial mediated neuronal migration pathways identified during human corticogenesis, supported by our prior studies of comparative fetal diffusion MRI and histology. The ability to assess such pathways in the fetal brain using MR imaging offers a unique insight into three-dimensional trajectories beyond those visualized using traditional histological techniques. Our results suggest that ex-vivo fetal MRI is a potentially useful modality in understanding normal human development and various disease processes whose etiology may originate in aberrant fetal neuronal migration.
Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulates nephron induction during mouse kidney development

Mammalian nephrons form as a result of a complex morphogenesis and patterning of a simple epithelial precursor, the renal vesicle. Renal vesicles are established from a mesenchymal progenitor population in response to inductive signals. Several lines of evidence support the sequential roles of two Wnt family members, Wnt9b and Wnt4, in renal vesicle induction. Using genetic approaches to specifically manipulate the activity of beta-catenin within the mesenchymal progenitor pool in mice, we investigated the potential role of the canonical Wnt pathway in these inductive events. Progenitor-cell-specific removal of beta-catenin activity completely blocked both the formation of renal vesicles and the expected molecular signature of an earlier inductive response. By contrast, activation of stabilized beta-catenin in the same cell population causes ectopic expression of mesenchymal induction markers in vitro and functionally replaces the requirement for Wnt9b and Wnt4 in their inductive roles in vivo. Thus, canonical Wnt signaling is both necessary and sufficient for initiating and maintaining inductive pathways mediated by Wnt9b and Wnt4. However, the failure of induced mesenchyme with high levels of beta-catenin activity to form epithelial structures suggests that modulating canonical signaling may be crucial for the cellular transition to the renal vesicle.
High-performance servo channel for nanometer head positioning in tape systems

In a tape system, the core of the reel-to-reel and track-following servomechanisms is the servo channel, which processes the servo signal read back by a servo reader reading a timing-based servo pattern. The servo channel estimates essential servo parameters, such as tape velocity, head lateral position and longitudinal tape position. The achievable precision of the various estimates determines how densely data can be placed on tape. In this paper, the architecture and the design of the building blocks of a novel high-performance synchronous servo channel are presented. Simulation and experimental results indicate that the proposed servo channel allows nanometer head positioning in tape systems.
Tetrahydroaminoacridine-induced ribosomal changes and inhibition of protein synthesis in rat hepatocyte suspensions.

Tacrine (tetrahydroaminoacridine) is currently the only drug approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Unfortunately, tetrahydroaminoacridine therapy is often limited by this drug's propensity to induce reversible hepatotoxicity. Using suspensions of freshly isolated rat hepatocytes, we investigated the mechanism of tetrahydroaminoacridine cytotoxicity by examining the effect of tetrahydroaminoacridine on hepatocyte viability, protein synthesis, protein, DNA and RNA levels and ultrastructure. Our experimental findings support the explanation that tetrahydroaminoacridine-induced hepatotoxicity results from tetrahydroaminoacridine's adverse effect on protein synthesis and ribosomal structure and function. We found that viable, tetrahydroaminoacridine-treated hepatocytes (1.0 to 2.0 mmol/L or 118 to 235 μg/106 cells) demonstrated a dose-dependent and dramatic aggregation of ribosomes on endoplasmic reticulum as well as the aggregation of other nucleic acids found in the nucleus (chromatin) and in mitochondria. These electron microscopy data suggest that tetrahydroaminoacridine treatment results in severe ribosomal dysfunction. This was confirmed by the observed rapid loss of cellular RNA content (but not DNA or protein) and the rapid and complete inhibition of protein synthesis in tetrahydroaminoacridine-treated cells (lowest concentration tested was 0.5 mmol/L or 58 μg/106 cells). Thus tetrahydroaminoacridine treatment appears to aggregate hepatocellular nucleic acids, and in doing so adversely affects ribosomal function and protein synthesis. We propose that these adverse effects of exposure to tetrahydroaminoacridine are responsible for tetrahydroaminoacridine-induced hepatotoxicity. (Hepatology 1994;20:•••.)
Performance evaluation of EAP-based authentication for proposed integrated mobile WiMAX and FSO access networks

In this paper, we propose an integrated Mobile WiMAX and free space optics (FSO) broadband access network where the FSO network is used to provide high capacity backhaul for the Mobile WiMAX front end. The integrated network extends the coverage of Mobile WiMAX networks to larger areas in applications where the fiber network is expensive and difficult to deploy. We present a unified EAP-based security framework, and we evaluate and compare the performance of EAP-TLS and EAP-TTLS for this integrated FSO-WiMAX access network. Furthermore, we evaluate the impact of the point-to-point FSO link in the integrated access network. Our measurement shows that compared to EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS provides a more flexible, efficient, and secure way to protect the integrated FSO-WiMAX access network. Our experiment also demonstrates that the point-to-point FSO link does not degrade the performance of EAP authentication in the integrated network.
Survival or Growth of Inoculated Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella on Yellow Onions (Allium cepa) under Conditions Simulating Food Service and Consumer Handling and Storage

Whole and diced yellow onions (Allium cepa) were inoculated with five-strain cocktails of rifampin-resistant Escherichia coli O157:H7 or Salmonella and stored under conditions to simulate food service or consumer handling. The inoculum was grown in broth (for both whole and diced onion experiments) or on agar plates (for whole onion experiments). Marked circles (3.3 cm in diameter) on the outer papery skin of whole onions were spot inoculated (10 μl in 10 drops) at 7 log CFU per circle, and onions were stored at 4°C, 30 to 50 % relative humidity, or at ambient conditions (23°C, 30 to 50 % relative humidity). Diced onions were inoculated at 3 log CFU/g and then stored in open or closed containers at 4°C or ambient conditions. Previously inoculated and ambient-stored diced onions were also mixed 1:9 (wt/wt) with refrigerated uninoculated freshly diced onions and stored in closed containers at ambient conditions. Inoculated pathogens were recovered in 0.1 % peptone and plated onto selective and nonselective media supplemented with 50 μg/ml rifampin. Both E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella populations declined more rapidly on onion skins when the inoculum was prepared in broth rather than on agar. Agar-prepared E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella declined by 0.4 and 0.3 log CFU per sample per day, respectively, at ambient conditions; at 4°C the rates of reduction were 0.08 and 0.06 log CFU per sample per day for E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella, respectively. Populations of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella did not change over 6 days of storage at 4°C in diced onions. Lag times of 6 to 9 h were observed with freshly inoculated onion at ambient conditions; no lag was observed when previously inoculated and uninoculated onions were mixed. Growth rates at ambient conditions were 0.2 to 0.3 log CFU/g/h for E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in freshly inoculated onion and 0.2 log CFU/g/h in mixed product. Diced onions support pathogen growth and should be kept refrigerated.
On the Adequacy of Statecharts as a Source of Tests for Cryptographic Protocols

The effectiveness of statecharts as a tool to express the desired behavior of security protocols and a source of tests for their implementations was investigated. Specifically, TLS protocol was modeled as a statechart and tests generated from its flattened version. The GnuTLS implementation of the protocol was then tested against the generated tests. The MC/DC coverage of different components of the implementation varied from 51% to 81%. A "what if" analysis revealed that while some defects in the uncovered code will not lead to any security vulnerability due to in-built fault tolerance, others might lead to improper authentication, integrity failure, session hijacking, denial of service, and loss of confidentiality. The analysis suggests that statecharts alone might not be an adequate tool as a source of tests for implementations of security protocols and that tests so generated must be augmented through other formal means such as random testing, stress testing, and code coverage analysis.
Application of fluctuation solution theory to thermodynamic properties of solutions

Abstract Fluctuation Solution Theory connects certain thermodynamic partial derivatives to integrals of molecular correlation functions from statistical mechanics. This paper describes some applications of this method for correlating and predicting properties of solutions of chemical engineering interest. The method has been used for three kinds of practical systems: A) the densities and compressibilities of liquids; B) the densities and phase equilibria of supercritical substances with liquids; and C) the densities and activities of aqueous electrolytes. The paper illustrates the method for these cases and gives recent results.
Photonic interconnection networks for multicore architectures

Silicon nanophotonics provides computer architects with the ability to solve pin bandwidth and cross-chip communication problems. Furthermore, ring resonators can be used to create simple optical circuits to implement low-latency global arbitraion.
The usefulness of the upper gastrointestinal series in the pediatric patient before anti-reflux procedure or gastrostomy tube placement

Objective Most children undergo an upper gastrointestinal study (UGI) before an anti-reflux (AR) procedure or gastrostomy tube placement (GT). Anatomic abnormalities detected by UGI are uncommon and we hypothesize that the value of routine preoperative use of this test is limited. Methods Five hundred and seventy-two patients who underwent either an AR or GT over a 10-y period at our institution were reviewed. Data including patient demographics, indications for surgery, preoperative testing, and type of operation were collected. Results Of the 572 cases, an UGI was performed in approximately 71%. The results were interpreted as normal in 63%, and abnormal in 37%. The most common abnormality noted was gastroesophageal reflux in approximately 80%, followed by an anatomic abnormality in 6%, most of which were expected. Of 36 anatomic abnormalities noted, only four were unexpected in the total cohort. In addition to an UGI, half of the subjects received additional evaluations that included pH probes and gastric emptying studies (GES). In these studies, 56% of pH probes and 45% of GES had findings in which reflux was noted. Compared with UGIs, these tests were significantly more likely to identify reflux in patients. Conclusion These results suggest that the utility of an UGI before AR or GT procedures is low. Anatomic abnormalities were rare and changed clinical management in a total of four cases. A prospective trial would help to further validate these findings and help identify patients who would benefit from an UGI.
Polar Water Column Stability

Abstract An expression is derived for the surface salt input needed to induce complete convective overturning of a polar water column consisting of 1) a layer of sea ice, 2) a freezing temperature mixed layer, 3) a pycnocline with linearly varying temperature and salinity, and 4) deep water with fixed temperature and salinity. This quantity has been termed the bulk stability by Martinson. The bulk stability is found to consist of three components. The first two make up Martinson’s salt deficit and are the salt input needed to increase the density of the mixed layer and the pycnocline layer to that of the deep water (the mixed layer stability and pycnocline layer stability, respectively). The third component is Martinson’s thermal barrier: the potential for pycnocline heat to melt ice, reducing the surface salinity. It is found that when the pycnocline density gradient due to temperature offsets more than one half of that due to salinity, the pycnocline layer stability is negative. Consequently, it is poss...
Optimizing transcatheter therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma: invited editorial regarding "Roles played by chemolipiodolization and embolization in chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: single-blind, randomized trial"

Shi et al. recently published a 3 arm randomized study comparing efficacy and safety of 3 different modes of intra-arterial chemotherapy infusion and embolization (1). This study adds to the growing, yet sometimes confusing literature regarding transcatheter therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although the literature is growing, unfortunately randomized and prospective trials are relatively sparse.