cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Age-Stratified SARS-CoV-2 Infection Fatality Rates in New York City estimated from serological data

Abstract Importance COVID-19 has killed hundreds of thousands of people in the US and >1 million globally. Estimating the age-specific infection fatality rate (IFR) of SARS-CoV-2 for different populations is crucial for assessing the fatality of COVID-19 and for appropriately allocating limited vaccine supplies to minimize mortality. Objective To estimate IFRs for COVID-19 in New York City and compare them to IFRs from other countries. Design, Setting, Participants We used data from a published serosurvey of 5946 individuals 18 years or older conducted April 19-28, 2020 with time series of COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths for five age-classes from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. We inferred age-specific IFRs using a Bayesian framework that accounted for the distribution of delay between infection and seroconversion and infection and death. Main Outcome and Measure Infection fatality rate. Results We found that IFRs increased approximately 77-fold with age, with a nearly linear increase on a log scale, from 0.07% (0.055%-0.086%) in 18-44 year olds to 5.4% (4.3%-6.3%) in individuals 75 and older. New York City IFRs were higher for 18-44 year olds and 45-64 year olds (0.58%; 0.45%-0.75%) than Spanish, English, and Swiss populations, but IFRs for 75+ year olds were lower than for English populations and similar to Spanish and Swiss populations. Conclusions and Relevance These results suggest that the age-specific fatality of COVID-19 differs among developed countries and raises questions about factors underlying these differences. Key Points Question How do age-specific infection fatality rates (IFR) for COVID-19 in the U.S. compare to other populations? Findings We estimated age-specific IFRs of SARS-CoV-2 using seroprevalence data and deaths in New York City. IFRs increased more than 75-fold with age, from 0.07% in 18-45 year olds to 5.3% in individuals over 75. IFRs in New York City were higher than IFRs in England, Geneva, France and Spain for individuals younger than 64 years old, but similar for older individuals. Meaning The age-specific fatality of COVID-19 varies significantly among developed nations for unknown reasons.
Beyond generalization of the ATE: Designing randomized trials to understand treatment effect heterogeneity

Researchers conducting randomized trials have increasingly shifted focus from the average treatment effect to understanding moderators of treatment effects. Current methods for exploring moderation focus on model selection and hypothesis tests. At the same time, recent developments in the design of randomized trials have argued for the need for population‐based recruitment in order to generalize well. In this paper, we show that a different population‐based recruitment strategy can be implemented to increase the precision of estimates of treatment effect moderators, and we explore the trade‐offs between optimal designs for the average treatment effect and moderator effects.
MOBILE PHONE BRAND EQUITY AND PURCHASE INTENTION: THE MEDIATING EFFECT OF BRAND PREFERENCE

The mobile phone industry is one of the major technological-based area that the fastest growing industry in the overall world. The purpose of the research report was to find out how the brand preference effect as a mediating variable between brand equity and purchase intention. According to the study, the researcher investigated the level, relationship, and impact of those variables. The study mainly considering the primary data and secondary data. Structured questionnaire was used as the method of data collection and there are 31 research questions. Among them five questions are consist with personal information of the respondent and other twenty-six questions are research information. The five likerts point scale was used which ranging from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree”. It has been conducted a pilot test to test the reliability of the questionnaire and all the questions are reliable. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS computer package having the univariate and bivariate analysis. A sample of 204 respondents was selected for the study from mobile phone users in Trincomalee district Town and Gravets area. Convenience sample method used to make the sampling frame of the study and also quantitative research approach used for this study. The finding of the study reveals that the brand equity, brand preference and purchase intention were in high level among mobile phone users in Trincomalee district Town and Gravets area. There were high positive relationship among brand equity, brand preference and purchase intention in mobile phone users in Trincomalee district Town and Gravets area. The final objective showed that the positive impact of brand equity on purchase intention, positive impact of brand equity on brand preference and purchase intention, positive impact of brand preference on purchase intention and brand equity and brand preference positively impact on purchase intention. The mediating analysis reveals partial mediation by brand preference the relationship between brand equity and purchase intention.
Microfluidic Separation of Canine Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are potential treatments for a variety of veterinary medical conditions. However, clinical trials have often fallen short of expectations, due in part to heterogene...
Restoring the DREAM Complex Inhibits the Proliferation of High-Risk HPV Positive Human Cells

High-risk (HR) human papillomaviruses are known causative agents in 5% of human cancers including cervical, ano-genital and head and neck carcinomas. In part, HR-HPV causes cancer by targeting host-cell tumor suppressors including retinoblastoma protein (pRb) and RB-like proteins p107 and p130. HR-HPV E7 uses a LxCxE motif to bind RB proteins, impairing their ability to control cell-cycle dependent transcription. E7 disrupts DREAM (Dimerization partner, RB-like, E2F and MuvB), a transcriptional repressor complex that can include p130 or p107, but not pRb, which regulates genes required for cell cycle progression. However, it is not known whether disruption of DREAM plays a significant role in HPV-driven tumorigenesis. In the DREAM complex, LIN52 is an adaptor that binds directly to p130 via an E7-like LxSxE motif. Replacement of the LxSxE sequence in LIN52 with LxCxE (LIN52-S20C) increases p130 binding and partially restores DREAM assembly in HPV-positive keratinocytes and human cervical cancer cells, inhibiting proliferation. Our findings demonstrate that disruption of the DREAM complex by E7 is an important process promoting cellular proliferation by HR-HPV. Restoration of the DREAM complex in HR-HPV positive cells may therefore have therapeutic benefits in HR-HPV positive cancers.
String correlators on AdS3: three-point functions

We revisit the computation of string worldsheet correlators on Euclidean AdS3 with pure NS-NS background. We compute correlation functions with insertions of spectrally flowed operators. We explicitly solve all the known constraints of the model and for the first time conjecture a closed formula for three-point functions with arbitrary amount of spectral flow. We explain the relation of our results with previous computations in the literature and derive the fusion rules of the model. This paper is the first in a series with several installments.
Evaluation of Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes After Total Shoulder Arthroplasty with Inset Trabecular Metal-Backed Glenoid.

Abstract Background Trabecular metal (TM)-backed glenoid implants were introduced for their theoretical ability to increase osseointegration while minimizing wear and the risk of loosening in total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). Initial follow-up studies of TM-backed glenoids demonstrated high rates of metallic debris formation around the implant site, raising concerns about longevity. More recent data suggests that metallic debris formation may be less prevalent than previously reported and that the implants may have positive long-term outcomes regardless of debris. The goal of our study was to assess clinical and radiographic outcomes at midterm follow-up of TSA using a TM-backed glenoid implant placed with full backside support using an inset technique. We hypothesized that our clinical and radiographic outcomes would be good using this technique. Methods After institutional review board approval (STUDY00002882), we retrospectively reviewed the charts of 39 patients who underwent 41 total shoulder arthroplasty procedures with a Zimmer TM-backed glenoid component (Zimmer Biomet, Warsaw, IN, USA) by a single surgeon between January 2010 and March 2016. After exclusions for death unrelated to surgery or loss to follow-up, 35 patients (37 shoulders) with minimum 2 year clinical follow-up were included in the study. Glenoids were all placed in an inset fashion with complete backside support. Clinical, patient-reported, and radiographic outcomes were analyzed. Results Average follow-up was 7.2 years (range, 2-11 years). At final follow-up, the average shoulder elevation was 153 ± 22° and external rotation was 53 ± 12°. Average ASES scores were 86.8 ± 19.0, and VAS scores were 1.3 ± 2.4. Nine shoulders (27%) had metallic debris, and 13 shoulders (39%) had radiolucency around the glenoid components on their final postoperative X-ray. Metallic debris and radiolucency findings were low in severity with an average grade of 0.32 (± 0.54) and 0.39 (± 0.50), respectively. There were no re-operations. Conclusion This study of 37 shoulders undergoing TSA with a TM-backed glenoid demonstrated 100% implant survivorship at average follow-up of 7 years. Clinical outcomes were excellent despite occurrence of some metallic debris formation. The findings suggest that a TM-backed glenoid component implanted in an inset fashion to achieve full backside support can provide good clinical and patient- reported outcomes in TSA at mid-term follow-up and that continued consideration of the role for TM-backed glenoids and the optimal technique for implantation may be warranted.
Coupled Excitation Model and Quantum Test of Image Field Effect

In this paper we present a quantum theory of surface enhanced Raman scattering based upon coupled eigenstates or coupled excitations of a physiadsorbed molecule and surface plasmons of the metal. Our theory permits a quantum mechanical test to be made of the classical image field effect which is one limiting case of our model. In view of the physical simplicity and ease of calculation of classical theories based on image fields, such a test is important in deciding how much credence to give such theories, which have been previously intensively studied1,2 and are reviewed by G. C. Schatz in another chapter in this volume.
Extending the innovation ecosystem into service orientation

Summary form only given. What is innovation? It's not always about inventing something entirely new (Sam Palmisano, 2003). Innovations have been considered the primary driver for economic growth for many key economies. Therefore, it is critical to develop a clear understanding of innovation, and its main characteristics. IBM has been an innovation leader in many computer-related hardware and software systems. More recently, service-oriented innovations have been emerging as the single most important contributor to the future growth of our industry. Interestingly, it presents many challenges as well as opportunities for our profession. Naturally, it would require one to extend the innovation ecosystem into service oriented space to ensure the realization of an on demand business vision.
Electrical Properties of Polycrystalline Methane Hydrate

[1] Electromagnetic (EM) remote-sensing techniques are demonstrated to be sensitive to gas hydrate concentration and distribution and complement other resource assessment techniques, particularly seismic methods. To fully utilize EM results requires knowledge of the electrical properties of individual phases and mixing relations, yet little is known about the electrical properties of gas hydrates. We developed a pressure cell to synthesize gas hydrate while simultaneously measuring in situ frequency-dependent electrical conductivity (σ). Synthesis of methane (CH4) hydrate was verified by thermal monitoring and by post run cryogenic scanning electron microscope imaging. Impedance spectra (20 Hz to 2 MHz) were collected before and after synthesis of polycrystalline CH4 hydrate from polycrystalline ice and used to calculate σ. We determined the σ of CH4 hydrate to be 5 × 10−5 S/m at 0°C with activation energy (Ea) of 30.6 kJ/mol (−15 to 15°C). After dissociation back into ice, σ measurements of samples increased by a factor of ∼4 and Ea increased by ∼50%, similar to the starting ice samples.
Movement primitives via optimization

We formalize the problem of adapting a demonstrated trajectory to a new start and goal configuration as an optimization problem over a Hilbert space of trajectories: minimize the distance between the demonstration and the new trajectory subject to the new end point constraints. We show that the commonly used version of Dynamic Movement Primitives (DMPs) implement this minimization in the way they adapt demonstrations, for a particular choice of the Hilbert space norm. The generalization to arbitrary norms enables the robot to select a more appropriate norm for the task, as well as learn how to adapt the demonstration from the user. Our experiments show that this can significantly improve the robot's ability to accurately generalize the demonstration.
ASPECTS OF PRECISION AGRICULTURE

Precision agriculture is the application of technologies and principles to manage spatial and temporal variability associated with all aspects of agricultural production for the purpose of improving crop performance and environmental quality. Success in precision agriculture is related to how well it can be applied to assess, manage, and evaluate the space-time continuum in crop production. This theme is used here to assess the current and potential capabilities of precision agriculture. Precision agriculture is technology enabled. It is through the integration of specific technologies that the potential is created to assess and manage variability at levels of detail never before obtainable and, when done correctly, at levels of quality never before achieved. The agronomic feasibility of precision agriculture has been intuitive, depending largely on the application of traditional management recommendations at finer scales, although new approaches are appearing. The agronomic success of precision agriculture has been limited and inconsistent although quite convincing in some cases, such as N management in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.). Our analysis suggests prospects for current precision management increase as the degree of spatial dependence increases, but the degree of difficulty in achieving precision management increases with temporal variance. Thus, management parameters with high spatial dependence and low temporal variance (e.g., liming, P, and K) will be more easily managed precisely than those with large temporal variance (e.g., mobile insects). The potential for economic, environmental, and social benefits of precision agriculture is complex and largely unrealized because the space-time continuum of crop production has not been adequately addressed.
Design and calibration of an AC voltage measurement standard

An AC voltage measurement standard that was designed to meet the requirements of US Navy contract number N00123-89-D is described. The purpose of the design is to provide a very-high-accuracy AC capability for traceably certifying high-accuracy calibrators without resorting to traditional metrology methods. The design requirements are outlined, and the design is described. >
Rationale and Design of the Genomic Research in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency and Sarcoidosis (GRADS) Study. Sarcoidosis Protocol.

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease characterized by noncaseating granulomatous inflammation with tremendous clinical heterogeneity and uncertain pathobiology and lacking in clinically useful biomarkers. The Genomic Research in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency and Sarcoidosis (GRADS) study is an observational cohort study designed to explore the role of the lung microbiome and genome in these two diseases. This article describes the design and rationale for the GRADS study sarcoidosis protocol. The study addresses the hypothesis that distinct patterns in the lung microbiome are characteristic of sarcoidosis phenotypes and are reflected in changes in systemic inflammatory responses as measured by peripheral blood changes in gene transcription. The goal is to enroll 400 participants, with a minimum of 35 in each of 9 clinical phenotype subgroups prioritized by their clinical relevance to understanding of the pathobiology and clinical heterogeneity of sarcoidosis. Participants with a confirmed diagnosis of sarco...
A slotted counter rotating metropolitan area ring network

In this paper, we propose and analyze a new architecture for metropolitan area networks (MANs). The architecture is based on ring topology and is called counter rotating slotted ring (CRSR). The proposed MAN (CRSR) has a dual-ring architecture and consists of two unidirectional transmission media that are shared among all network users. The information is transmitted by using fixed size slots. The flow of information in two rings is in the opposite direction. As each user is connected to both the rings, each user has two possible routes to send the information to a desired destination. The evaluation of CRSR under various conditions is also presented in this paper. Simulation and analytical modeling are used for evaluating the proposed MAN architecture. The results show that CRSR provides better performance in comparison with other similar MANs.
Hemangioblastomas with cystic stromal cell nuclei

Clearing of stromal cell nuclei were found in two of a series of nine cases of hemangioblastoma. The contents of the clear zones were often positive for lipoprotein by immunoperoxidase staining which suggested that the contents originated from the cytoplasm. Cytoplasmic invagination was not observed but is probable; some vacuoles had a “bubbly” appearance similar to the lipid-laden cytoplasm. The finding of these variations in two of nine cases suggests that cystic change in stromal cell nuclei may not be uncommon in hemangioblastomas.
Target-thickness-angular-spread tables for proton and pion beams

Abstract When passing through materials, a parallel beam of charged particles is given an angular divergence by multiple Coulomb scattering processes. Convenient measures of the spreading of the scattered beam are given by the standard-deviation angle, the full-width-half-maximum angle, and the full-width-tenth-maximum angle. These tables present the thicknesses of materials that produce these three angular spreadings in the range 5 to 60 mrad. Values are given for protons with energies between 200 and 850 MeV and for pions with energies between 50 and 700 MeV. Steps of 50 MeV are employed in both cases. The target materials are He, C, Al, Ar, Ca, Fe, Zn, Ge, Kr, Zr, Ag, Cs, Hf, Au, and Pb. The tabulated values were computed from Moliere theory with constants chosen to fit experimental data. Suggestions for interpolation in Z , A , particle energy, and angle are given.
Isolation of citroylformic acid-γ-lactone from a commercial batch of oxaloacetic acid: Inhibition of apotyrosine aminotransferase conversion to holoenzyme by this substance

Abstract Citroylformic acid-γ-lactone (CFA, 1-keto-2,4-dihydroxy-4-carboxyadipenoic acid(2–3)-1,4-lactone), isolated from a commercial batch of oxaloacetate, inhibited conversion of rat liver apotyrosine aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.5) to holoenzyme. Using partially purified enzyme, the K i was determined to be less than 0.7 m m . A more definitive K i was difficult to obtain because at pH 7 CFA had a half-life of about 2 hr. Inhibition of the enzyme by CFA was stereospecific and reversible; the S (−) stereoisomer was approximately 10 times more inhibitory than its R (+) antipode, and over 90% of inhibited enzyme was recoverable after overnight dialysis. Preineubation of apotyrosine aminotransferase with its coenzyme (pyridoxal phosphate) prevented inhibition by CFA, and a substantial fraction of enzyme that had been inhibited by CFA could be readily reactivated by addition of high concentrations of pyridoxal phosphate. Studies with inhibitor analogs indicated that both a partially unsaturated lactone ring and a stereospecific carboxymethyl group are required for maximal inhibitory activity. The sodium salts of citroylformic acid and oxalopyruvic acid, formed by the hydrolysis of their respective lactones, were not inhibitory; 1-keto-2,4-dihydroxy-4-carboxyadipic acid-γ-lactone and little inhibitory activity, and 1-keto-2,4-dihydroxyglutarenoic acid-γ-lactone and 1-keto-2,4-dihydroxybutene-γ-lactone were somewhat better inhibitors than the R (+) stereoisomer of CFA. The possibility that CFA is a naturally occurring biological substance is discussed.
Foveal interocular time thresholds and latency differences in multiple sclerosis.

Nineteen patients with suspected multiple sclerosis (MS) and 28 control subjects were foveally stimulated by a small cross formed by rectangular red-light-emitting diodes. By means of crossed polarizers one eye was exposed only to the horizontal bar of the cross, the other to the vertical. Stimulus onset asynchrony ranged from 0 to ±300 ms (the horizontal bar preceding or following the vertical). The task was to indicate whether the horizontal or vertical bar had appeared first. Compared with normal subjects, MS patients exhibited much higher time thresholds (ranging from −150 to +130 ms) and had considerable interocular latency differences (up to 29 ms), indicating unilateral or asymmetrical impairment of the visual pathways. The psychophysical latency differences of the patients were compared to monocular latencies and interocular latency differences of the visually evoked cortical potential (VEP) obtained by foveal stimulation. Under the stimulus conditions chosen in this study, the diagnostic value of the psychophysical measurements was equal to or, for McAlpine's classes I and II of definite and probable MS patients, better than that based on VEP recordings.
The information content of weekly money supply announcements

This paper analyzes the information content of weekly money supply announcements and the use of this information in the market determination of interest rates. A short-term rational expectations model of the financial market is constructed which incorporates the reaction of the Federal Reserve to deviations from target money supply and provides a context for analyzing the impact of announcements. In the model, the Federal Reserve attempts to maintain target growth rates in the money supply by compensating for past deviations from target. Announcements which contain an unanticipated movement in the money supply lead the public to expect that the Federal Reserve will change the rate of growth in the short-run to compensate. The revision of expectations about future short-term money supply leads the public to revise their expectations about short-term interest rates. The implications of the model are empirically tested using data from a survey of expected changes in the money supply and U.S. Treasury bill data. The results support the implications of the model. That is, weekly money supply announcements do contain new information for the market determination of interest rates and it is only the unanticipated component of the announcement which is important.
An intercomparison of results from samplers used in the determination of aerosol composition

Abstract An EPA sponsored field study intercompared the performance of 11 different aerosol samplers. They were operated simultaneously for eight consecutive days by scientific groups having expertise in sampler development and operation. Collection surfaces were changed every 12 h allowing a 16 period intercomparison. Samples were analyzed at each participant's laboratory for one or more of the pollutants mass, nitrate, sulfur or sulfate, lead, and 8 other elements using one or more analysis methods. Most samplers collected two particle-size fractions with the 50% separation for the fine fraction between 2.4 and 4.3 μm. Upper cutoff diameters ranged from 14 to above 30 μm which strongly influenced the total mass collected. Results were intercompared for the total, fine, and coarse size fractions. Agreement to better than 10% was found for the elements Zn, S, and Pb that occur primarily in the fine fraction. Mean sulfate concentration was three times the sulfur concentration, showing that all sulfur occurs as sulfate.
Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in squamous cell carcinomas of the anal canal is independent of gene amplification

Immunohistochemical detection of expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been utilized to identify eligible patients with solid malignant tumors, including colorectal adenocarcinoma, for monoclonal antibody therapy (eg, cetuximab). The EGFR status in squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal, an uncommon malignancy traditionally treated with chemoradiation, has not been well investigated. In this study, 38 primary squamous cell carcinomas of the anal canal were immunohistochemically examined for EGFR expression and analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for EGFR gene copy numbers. The results showed a variable degree of EGFR expression in 21 (55%) tumors, among which 13 (62%) cases exhibited a 2+ to 3+ staining pattern according to the Dako EGFR phamDx interpretation guide. There were no significant differences among tumors stratified by stage, degree of keratinization, or tissue block storage times. FISH analysis showed that none of the 34 cases with interpretable results had EGFR gene amplification. Increased gene copy numbers due to polysomy 7 were seen in seven of 18 (39%) cases that expressed EGFR protein and four of 16 (25%) cases that did not (P=0.3876). Ten (56%) tumors with positive EGFR staining showed a balanced disomy 7 pattern and one case with monosomy 7 exhibited strong EGFR expression (3+). These results demonstrate that EGFR is overexpressed in more than one-half of the squamous cell carcinomas of the anal canal through mechanisms other than gene amplification. These observations may have important therapeutic implications since EGFR-based targeted therapies have shown promise for other malignant neoplasms.
1H, 13C, and 15N peak assignments and secondary structure of human macrophage metalloelastase (MMP-12) in its inhibitor-free state

Macrophage metalloelastase (MMP-12) has substrate specificities that make it an important target of therapeutic development to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms, smoking-related emphysema and rheumatoid arthritis. To investigate these specificities of MMP-12, structural details of both free and bound states are helpful. Although NMR studies are available for MMP-12 bound to inhibitors (Bertini et al., 2005), studies of its inhibitor-free state were dismissed as infeasible due to autoproteolysis (Markus et al., 2005). Despite short sample lifetimes, we have succeeded in obtaining virtually complete 1H, 13C, and 15N NMR resonance assignments of the catalytic domain of human MMP-12 in the absence of inhibitor. We extended the lifetimes of MMP-12 samples to at least five days, using a mutation and an enhanced purification protocol. A cryogenic probe proved pivotal for acquiring good quality NMR spectra of 13C/15N-labeled MMP-12 within these lifetimes. Its secondary structure has been derived from NOE patterns and chemical shift trends. The assignments are deposited under BMRB accession code 7089.
The Effect of the Mother on the Success of the Daughter

Six observations de peur de la reussite chez des femmes en analyse: l'angoisse d'etre «allee trop loin» refletee dans les reves de chute, d'examen, de train manque
On the lower degree intersections of two natural quadrics

In general, two quadric surface intersect in a space quartic curve. However, the intersection frequently degenerates to a collection of plane curves. Degenerate cases are frequent in geometric/solid modeling because degeneracies are often required by design. Their detection is important because degenerate intersections can be computed more easily and allow simpler treatment of important problems. In this paper, we investigate this problem for natural quadrics. Algorithms are presented to detect and compute conic intersections and linear intersections. These methods reveal the relationship between the planes of the degenerate intersections and the quadrics. Using the theory developed in the paper, we present a new and simplified proof of a necessary and sufficient condition for conic intersection. Finally, we present a simple method for determining the types of conic in a degenerate intersection without actually computing the intersection, and an enumeration of all possible conic types. Since only elementary geometric routines such as line intersection are used, all of the above algorithms are intuitive and easily implementable.
Effects of Rf Stacking on Cooling Tail in the Fermilab Antiproton Accumulator

The scheme has recently been proposed to produce a high-intensity antiproton beam in a stochastic cooling accelerator. This beam is to be bunched adiabatically, decelerated, and then allowed to debunch adiabatically. At this point the beam is ready for stochastic cooling. It is soon moved down in the stream by the tail cooling system in order to make room for the next stacked beam. There are in general two effects that RF stacking gives an already stacked beam or ''tail''. The first and larger is phase-displacement acceleration and the second is so-called dilution coming from a non-adiabatic change of RF parameters which is understood to be enhanced by the non-linearity of RF stacking dynamics. In this paper both effects are discussed from a phase dynamical point of view. The dynamics of tail cooling are then discussed with the help of the Fokker-Planck equation. From the tail cooling point of view, the effects of RF stacking can be regarded as the deformation of the tail occurring within a limited period, as tail cutting due to phase displacement, and as non-uniform dilution in the tail due to non-adiabatic diffusion. An easy method for estimating beam loss due to phase displacement is presentedmore » and used to obtain the criteria which should be imposed on the cooling system.« less
Lattice separation and outer measures

Abstract A lattice space is defined to be an ordered pair whose first component is an arbitrary set X and whose second component is an arbitrary lattice L of subsets of X. A lattice space is a generalization of a topological space. The various concepts of lattice separation play an important role in the study of lattice spaces. The present work establishes various relationships between separation of lattices of subsets of X and certain outer measures induced by measures associated with the algebras of subsets of X generated by these lattices.
The introduction of Total Quality Management at Oregon State University

Oregon State University became one of the first research universities in the United States to introduce the Total Quality Management methodology into its administrative structure in 1989. Beginning with finance and administration, quality improvement teams were introduced and achieved significant improvement in process effectiveness and efficiency. Improved quality was also achieved and measured by customer satisfaction. TQM was expanded to all administrative areas — including student affairs, research, and faculty administration — over the next four years. TQM has also been used in curriculum development, teaching improvement, and research proposal development. This paper describes the implementation strategy used by Oregon State University and presents some of the results achieved. Particular attention is paid to implementation barriers found in university settings. Today, Oregon State University has over 85 process improvement teams working in both administrative and academic areas and has received many awards for its work in Total Quality Management.
Visually evoked EEG potentials of beagles irradiated in utero

Abstract This experiment investigated a non-destructive, non-invasive method for detecting long-term functional alterations in the visual system of beagles irradiated in utero . Ipsilateral and contralateral summed visual evoked potentials (SVEP) to monocular photic stimuli were recorded from the scalp and dura of the cerebral cortex of normal, young adult beagles and beagles irradiated in utero of a similar age. The latency of the initial peak of the SVEP was the parameter for comparing the two groups. The effect of light intensity on the latency of the SVEP was also studied. In spite of demonstrable morphologic damage in the retinas of the irradiated group, no significant difference in the initial peak latency was found between the irradiated and the control group. General features of the SVEP that were found to be significant are (1) latency decreased with increasing light intensity; (2) latency of the ipsilateral response was longer than the contralateral.
Tsunami–tide interactions: A Cook Inlet case study

Abstract First, we investigated some aspects of tsunami–tide interactions based on idealized numerical experiments. Theoretically, by changing total ocean depth, tidal elevations influence the speed and magnitude of tsunami waves in shallow regions with dominating tidal signals. We tested this assumption by employing a simple 1-D model that describes propagation of tidal waves in a channel with gradually increasing depth and the interaction of the tidal waves with tsunamis generated at the channel's open boundary. Important conclusions from these studies are that computed elevations by simulating the tsunami and the tide together differ significantly from linear superposing of the sea surface heights obtained when simulating the tide and the tsunami separately, and that maximum tsunami–tide interaction depends on tidal amplitude and phase. The major cause of this tsunami–tide interaction is tidally induced ocean depth that changes the conditions of tsunami propagation, amplification, and dissipation. Interactions occur by means of momentum advection, bottom friction, and variable water flux due to changing total depth and velocity. We found the major cause of tsunami–tide interactions to be changing depth. Secondly, we investigate tsunami–tide interactions in Cook Inlet, Alaska, employing a high-resolution 2-D numerical model. Cook Inlet has high tides and a history of strong tsunamis and is a potential candidate for tsunami impacts in the future. In agreement with previous findings, we find that the impacts of tsunamis depend on basin bathymetries and coastline configurations, and they can, in particular, depend on tsunami–tide interactions. In regions with strong tides and tsunamis, these interactions can result in either intensification or damping of cumulative tsunami and tide impacts, depending on mean basin depth, which is regulated by tides. Thus, it is not possible to predict the effect of tsunami–tide interaction in regions with strong tides without making preliminary investigations of the area. One approach to reduce uncertainties in tsunami impact in regions with high tides is to simulate tsunamis together with tidal forcing.
Growth and regenerability of long-term suspension cultures of the U.S. rice cultivar Mercury

Suspension cultures of the U.S. rice cultivar Mercury have been maintained in modified General Medium for more than 3 years. These suspensions have continued to have high and relatively stable regeneration rates. Two different explants, immature panicles and seeds, were compared during the development of these embryogenic suspensions. Initial formation of secondary embryogenic callus from immature panicles on induction medium was greater than that from seeds. Suspensions of these two cell lines, however, did not differ morphologically and maintained similar regeneration rates. After 5 months in culture the rates of regeneration began to decline. The suspensions were plated onto regeneration medium without growth regulators for 2 weeks and then embryogenic cells were manually selected and used to develop secondary suspensions. Through this simple rejuvenation procedure, the suspensions retained high and stable regeneration rates. Variability in suspension growth, however, was observed during the culture period. Slower growth occurred at weeks 13, 15, 27, and 29 and was associated with a decrease in regeneration rates. Reproductive fertility of regenerated plants remained high for 3.5 years but then declined.
Seismic vulnerability assessment of tilt-up concrete structures

This paper focuses on seismic vulnerability assessment for one-story tilt-up concrete structures. To capture the potential failure mechanisms, an analytical modelling approach using nonlinear properties is developed and verified with measured data from a shake table test documented in the literature. Nonlinear dynamic analyses using synthetic ground motions for Memphis, Tennessee, are performed to assess dynamic behaviour of the buildings. Then, probabilistic demand models for multiple limit states that represent potential failure mechanisms are developed with a Bayesian updating approach. These demand models are used in conjunction with appropriate capacity limits to develop fragility curves that provide a probabilistic measure of the seismic vulnerability of typical tilt-up concrete buildings. This study shows that the vulnerability of typical tilt-up structures in Mid-America is significant when seismic hazards are high. In addition, it is found that the aspect ratio of building geometry has a signific...
Models for human cervical cancer

Cervical cancer, a major world health problem leading to over 200,000 deaths each year, is caused by human papillomaviruses (HPVs). This viral etiology provides a unique opportunity for developing HPV-targeted drugs for preventing or treating cervical cancer. Herein are described model systems for the study of human cervical cancer, with emphasis placed on mouse models that provide potentially important platforms for preclinical studies.
An American Catholic Culture of Death and Dying, 1900-1955

In the first part of the twentieth century, Americans increasingly embraced a more modern understanding of death and practices of dying. This modern attitude included three main characteristics. It assigned greater weight to the authoritative role of the medical professional; increased the emotional distance between the dying individual and surviving family members; and minimized the spiritual meaning of death. The American Catholic Church fervently deviated from this modern – and negatively self-labeled, "pagan" – view of death. More specifically, the Catholic popular press produced prescriptive literature – largely authored by priests – educating and advising lay readership about the Catholic, and proper, view of death and way of dying. This literature employed negative imagery and positive reinforcement to remind readers of their obligation to adhere to a Catholic understanding and experience of death, even as they came face to face with the modern trappings and secularized views of death. The literature warned Catholics of the material and spiritual dangers of the "pagan" view of death, while simultaneously highlighting the religious benefits of preparing their souls throughout life and at the hour of death.
ON SOME TOPOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF THE SYSTEMS OF COMPARTMENTS.

Compartment systems are often used as models for tracer and drug kinetics. The structure of a compartment system is here analyzed by means of theory of graphs methods. In particular the precursor-successor relationship between any two compartments is classified according to the structure of the graph of the system and to the values of the elements of the matrix associated with it.
Collaborative strategic planning: a wiki application

Abstract For the past several years, many have viewed wikis as useful tools for community building and collaboration. A number of free Web services such as PBwiki have claimed convenience and ease of use as part of their overall packages. A review of the literature reveals a great deal of anecdotal support for wiki use in the workplace. However, few studies have been conducted to determine whether wikis are useful collaborative tools for employees within an organization. This case study will examine the use of a wiki by library employees during the strategic planning process at San Jose State University.
Hot spots and universality in network dynamics

Most complex networks serve as conduits for various dynamical processes, ranging from mass transfer by chemical reactions in the cell to packet transfer on the Internet. We collected data on the time dependent activity of five natural and technological networks, finding evidence of orders of magnitude differences in the fluxes of individual nodes. This dynamical inhomogeneity reflects the emergence of localized high flux regions or “hot spots”, carrying an overwhelming fraction of the network’s activity. We find that each system is characterized by a unique scaling law, coupling the flux fluctuations with the total flux on individual nodes, a result of the competition between the system’s internal collective dynamics and changes in the external environment. We propose a method to separate these two components, allowing us to predict the relevant scaling exponents. As high fluctuations can lead to dynamical bottlenecks and jamming, these findings have a strong impact on the predictability and failure prevention of complex transportation networks.
Power punch: Towards non-blocking power-gating of NoC routers

As chip designs penetrate further into the dark silicon era, innovative techniques are much needed to power off idle or under-utilized system components while having minimal impact on performance. On-chip network routers are potentially good targets for power-gating, but packets in the network can be significantly delayed as their paths may be blocked by powered-off routers. In this paper, we propose Power Punch, a novel performance-aware, power reduction scheme that aims to achieve non-blocking power-gating of on-chip network routers. Two mechanisms are proposed that not only allow power control signals to utilize existing slack at source nodes to wake up powered-off routers along the first few hops before packets are injected, but also allow these signals to utilize hop count slack by staying ahead of packets to "punch through " any blocked routers along the imminent path of packets, preventing packets from having to suffer router wakeup latency or packet detour latency. Full system evaluation on PARSEC benchmarks shows Power Punch saves more than 83% of router static energy while having an execution time penalty of less than 0.4%, effectively achieving near non-blocking power-gating of on-chip network routers.
Effects of cercarial extracts of Schistosoma mansoni on HeLa cells.

FOR many years investigators have suggested that parasite toxins play a part in the pathology of schistosomiasis1–3. Unfortunately, no attempts seem to have been made to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of schistosomes in vitro until recently. In 1936 and 1937 cercarial extracts of the trematodes Diplostomum flexicaudum and Cryptocotyle lingua were reported to produce cytopathology in excised tissue from lower vertebrates4,5. Not until 1965, however, was there any report of the toxic effects of schistosomes on mammalian cells in culture6. It is now suggested that abnormal changes occur in monkey heart cell cultures to which viable eggs or egg extracts of Schistosoma mansoni have been added. Some of the effects include: breakdown of the monolayer growth pattern, loss of selective permeability against eosin Y, and metabolic inhibition (that is, no drop in pH.) of treated cultures.
Developing Slogans for Marketing of Higher Education

ABSTRACT When a new institutional slogan is developed it should be guided by a creative process. This process should involve multiple levels of participants, appropriate screening criteria, and a solid understanding of an institution's strengths and publics. This paper describes the steps involved in creating slogans that work. After outlining the process involved, the experience of one institution is explored. Each step in the process is examined and outcomes assessed. This experience demonstrates the usefulness of applying a set of guidelines to slogan creation.
Ammonium uptake by seagrass epiphytes: Isolation of the effects of water velocity using an isotope label

In a series of flume experiments, 15N-labeled ammonium was used to isolate the effects of water velocity on ammonium uptake by epiphytes from that of an assemblage of organisms that included seagrass leaves, epiphytes, and phytoplankton. Rates of NH4+ uptake for epiphytes, seagrass leaves, and the total assemblage were dependent on water velocity. Ammonium uptake rates for epiphytes, normalized to chlorophyll a, increased by an order of magnitude (0.65 to 6.8 × 1028 g N removed [mg Chl a]−1 s−1) over a range of velocity (0.02–0.20 m s−1) and were correlated to uptake by the entire assemblage. The relationship between NH4+ uptake and velocity for the epiphytes was within the range expected for mass transfer limited uptake, which suggests that water flow strongly influences NH4+ uptake by this important component of seagrass communities. Our results demonstrate that isotopically labeled nutrients can be used to isolate the effects of water velocity on rates of nutrient uptake by an individual component of a community and to evaluate how uptake rates for the component compare to those of the community as a whole.
Fiber-optic laser speckle-intensity crack sensor for embedment in concrete

The development of a fiber-optic displacement/strain sensor using the intensity variation of laser speckle pattern has been demonstrated. This sensor can be embedded in concrete for the detection and measurement of crack opening displacements. The transduction mechanism is based on the correlation between the external axial perturbation to the optical fiber and the integrated light intensity variation of speckle patterns due to mode redistribution in a multimode fiber. Calibration tests indicated that the sensor possesses sufficient sensitivity and dynamic range for application in cementitious composite. Application of the sensor has been demonstrated by embedment of the sensor in concrete beams for measurement of the crack tip opening displacements. Experimental results have been validated with analytical formulations. The proposed sensor is simplistic in design and offers a method for the measurement of internal strains and displacements in concrete.