cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Independent Component Analysis for Remotely Sensed Image Classification with Limited Data Dimensionality

The application of independent component analysis (ICA) to remotely sensed image classification has been studied recently. It is particularly useful for classifying objects with unknown spectral signatures in an unknown image scene, i.e., unsupervised classification. Since the weight matrix in ICA is a square matrix for the purpose of mathematical tractability, the number of objects that can be classified is equal to the data dimensionality, i.e., the number of spectral bands. When the number of spectral bands is very small (e.g., 3-band CIR photograph and 6-band Landsat image), it is impossible to classify all the different objects present in an image scene with the original data. In order to solve this problem, we present a data dimensionality expansion technique to generate artificial bands. Its basic idea is to use nonlinear functions to capture the second and high order correlations between original bands, which can provide additional information for detecting and classifying more objects. The results from such nonlinear band generation approach are compared with a linear band generation method using cubic spline interpolation of pixel spectral signatures. The experiments demonstrate that nonlinear band generation approach can significantly improve unsupervised classification accuracy, while linear band generation method cannot since no new information can be provided.
Stopping the Killing during the 'Peace': Peacekeeping and the Severity of Post-Conflict Civilian Victimization

Recent research has investigated the relative success of peacekeeping operations and external interventions in stabilizing post-conflict states, preventing the return to armed hostilities between belligerents, and reducing civilian abuse during civil conflict. This research has shed light on important theoretical and policy relevant issues. However, scholars have largely neglected to evaluate the role of peacekeeping in protecting civilians during the notoriously unstable postconflict period. Even after active conflict between belligerents has ended government forces and rebel factions may persist in abusing civilians in order to reinforce conflict gains, shape the postconflict environment, or exact revenge for wartime grievances. This analysis investigates the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions in protecting civilians during the post-conflict 'peace'. Using newly collected data on the number and type of United Nations peacekeeping personnel commitments along with civilian victimization data for all African conflicts between 1990 and 2010, we find that greater numbers of UN peacekeeping troops reduce both rebel and government factions’ use of violence against civilians. By contrast, the commitment of larger numbers of UN observers is positively correlated with violence.
Cup Distance Fading to Decrease Inappropriate Behavior in a Child with Autism

The present study involves a replication and extension of previous research examining distance fading to decrease inappropriate mealtime behavior and increase liquid consumption from a cup. The presentation of a cup of water was associated with high levels of inappropriate behavior and low levels of consumption. A cup distance fading procedure was used to systematically expose the participant to a cup of water that initially resulted in high levels of inappropriate mealtime behavior and no consumption. Inappropriate mealtime behavior decreased and consumption increased during the distance fading intervention. Implications for future research and practice are provided.
Virtual enterprise co-ordinator—agreement-driven gateways for cross-organisational workflow management

Today's Workflow Management Systems (WfMS) do not distinguish between an external view of a process that is visible outside the organisation and its internal details. Their interfaces are generally aimed at the internal user. This is a problem if one organisation (provider) wants to perform a process on behalf of another (requester) so that it can be initiated and accessed by the requester through an automated interface and, vice versa, that the results can be reported back.This issue gains importance as WfMS are in widespread use today and the trend to outsource non-core business leads to increased service activity between companies. Organisations do not want to make internal information generally available to business partners nor do they wish to restrict their ability to conduct business internally. If organisations enter a business relationship, they define in an agreement the circumstances in which the requester might initiate a process in the provider and exchange further information during the process's performance.This paper describes the Virtual Enterprise Co-ordinator (VEC), a concept for the setup and management of gateways to WfMS-enacted processes for outside organisations on the basis of simple agreements. Using VEC, organisations can provide external partners with a controlled way of accessing WfMS-enacted processes, while retaining the freedom to change the internal details of those processes.
Investigation of electrospray ionization and electrostatic focusing devices using a three-dimensional electrospray current density profiler

A novel instrument for profiling the current density of nanoelectrospray ionization plumes in three dimensions has been developed. A hemispherically-shaped electrostatic lens at atmospheric pressure is found to be able to compress the space-charge in nano-ESI and increase the average current density in the plume to three times the nominal value. Ion transmission into a single-quadrupole mass spectrometer is found to roughly double using the electrostatic lens. Data also suggest that ion transmission into the first vacuum region for a skimmer-type mass spectrometer interface using nano-ESI may be typically 40% or better with no special focusing device used.
Next generation stamping dies — controllability and flexibility

Abstract In sheet metal forming, external energy is transferred to sheet metal through a set of tooling to plastically deform a workpiece. The design of the tooling and its associated forming process parameters play important roles in this manufacturing process since they directly affect the quality and cost of the final product. With increasing demands from customers, government regulations, and global competition, the controllability and flexibility of stamping dies have been challenged. In this paper, we will summarize the research activities conducted at the Advanced Materials Processing Laboratory at Northwestern University in the area of sheet metal forming. An overview of our approach towards the system will be given followed by a summary of individual projects in the areas of failure prediction, design and control of a variable binder force, and the segmented die design with local adaptive controllers.
Corrosion Behavior of Al-Si-Cr-Cu Bearing Low Carbon Steel in A Cyclic Dry/Wet Laboratory Test

The corrosion behaviors of Al-Si-Cr-Cu bearing low carbon steel and a reference steel Q235 were tested in a cyclic dry/wet environment containing 0.01mol/L NaHSO3 in laboratory. Rust layers were observed by optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and XRD. The electrochemical behaviors of the steels were studied on the polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results indicate that after 120h corrosion test, the annual corrosion rates of the designed steels reduce 42 % than Q235 at least. The corrosion products are generally iron oxyhydroxides and oxides such as FeOOH, γ-FeOOH, α-FeOOH, γ-Fe2O3, Fe3O4. The α-FeOOH possesses good stabilization mainly exits and can improve the corrosion resistance. There are the enrichments of Cu, Cr, Si and Al in the rust layer close to the matrix, which make the rust layer be more compact and protected. The corrosion currents of the two designed steels are lower than that of Q235, the corrosion potentials are higher than that of Q235 after Tafel fitting. The rust layer impedances of the designed steels are higher than that of Q235.
Neurotensin and cholecystokinin coexistence within neurons of the ventral mesencephalon: projections to forebrain.

The colocalization of neurotensin- and cholecystokinin-like immunoreactivities was demonstrated in neurons of the ventral mesencephalon of the rat by using a double-labeling indirect immunofluorescence procedure for the simultaneous detection of two antigens in the same tissue section. Greater than 90% of the neurotensin-positive perikarya distributed throughout the ventral mid-brain (primarily located in the ventral tegmental area, medial substantia nigra, and rostral and caudal linear raphe nuclei) were found to also contain cholecystokinin immunoreactivity. Neurons single-labeled for either peptide were also present, with those immunoreactive for cholecystokinin alone far outnumbering those containing only neurotensin. By combining the double-labeling colocalization technique with fluorescence retrograde tracing, some of the forebrain projections of these neurons were determined. Ventral mesencephalic neurons containing both neurotensin and cholecystokinin were found to project to the nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex, or amygdala. The present results, combined with those of previous studies, suggest that there are complex heterogeneous subpopulations of presumed dopaminergic ventral mesencephalic neurons which give rise to the ascending mesotelencephalic systems and which may contain both neurotensin and cholecystokinin, either peptide alone, or neither of these two peptides.
Some ethical and design challenges of screening programs and screening tests.

Abstract Background : There are many examples of inadequate screening studies because of design faults and consent problems. Issues : Informed consent is the right of each person engaged in a clinical interaction, including service and research involvement in presymptomatic screening. Any screening approach must answer questions of efficacy, effectiveness, availability and efficiency. Accurate information, presented in clear language, must state a realistic assessment of the limitations, harms and benefits of the screening, including the consequences of false positive and false negative tests. There must be no coercive element in obtaining consent. Written and oral information should be presented. It is also important to recognize cultural differences between societies that emphasize individual autonomy and those in which autonomy derives from membership of a family, group or community, thus requiring different strategies to protect the vulnerable. Testing for genetic disorders presents additional challenges, partly due to the presence of relatively small numbers of affected individuals in the population, but also because of the complexity of counseling, confidentiality issues and the potential for social, insurance or employment discrimination. Conclusions : It is becoming increasingly difficult to present the data for many screening procedures in ways that can be understood by possible participants, and at the same time deal clearly with the costs to society and the efficacy and efficiency of the tests.
Amenability induced by amenable homomorphic images

Let S and S' be semitopological semigroups and 0:S+S' a continuous homomorphism onto S'. Denote by ~:C(S')+C(S) the dual map f§ where C(S) and C(S') denote the Banach spaces of all bounded, continuous, realvalued functions on S and S' respectively. M.M. Day has shown that if F' is a translation invariant linear subspace of C(S'), then F' is left amenable if and only if the image space ~(F') is left amenable [3,p. 541]. The corresponding result for inverse images is easily seen to be false. More precisely, if F is a translation invariant linear subspace of C(S) then, while left amenability of F always implies that ~-I(F) is left amenable, trivial examples show that the converse implication generally fails to hold. In section 1 of this paper we give a necessary and sufficient condition ~ for the converse implication to hold, under the assumptions that 8 is an open mapping and F is left introverted. In section 2 we formulate and prove an analog of this result for the case of topological left amenability. Our main results may be viewed as generalizations of theorems of T. Mitchell and E. Granirer A.T. Lau on stationary semigroups. Applications are made to quotient groups, semidirect products, and to various concrete function spaces.
Strained-quantum-well, modulation-doped, field-effect transistor

A new modulation-doped field-effect transistor structure which employs a thin (8 nm) strained layer of In 0.25 Ga 0.75 As as the channel is described. The prototype device with a 2.9 μm gate length had a peak, room-temperature, unilluminated extrinsic transconductance of 91 mS/mm (VDS = 1 V). If device performance scaled linearly with gate length to 1 μm, as do (Al, Ga)As/GaAs, single-interface, modulation-doped FETs, this is the best room-temperature performance reported to date for an (In, Ga)As channel, modulation-doped transistor. Furthermore, the transconductance of the strained-quantum-well transistor proved to be almost constant with gate voltage, varying less than 13% over a 0.5 V range at 77 K. This will allow the fabrication of extremely linear microwave amplifiers and supports the assertion that the current conduction path is the (In, Ga)As channel.
The intrinsic stereoselectivity of asymmetric sites on heterogeneous catalysts

Abstract Ni/SiO 2 catalysts, which have been ‘modified’ with ( R , R )-(+)-tartaric acid (TA) are used for the enantioselective hydrogenation of methyl acetoacetate to ( R )-(−)-methyl 3-hydroxybutyrate. Auger Electron Emission spectroscopy has been employed to assess the uniformity of the modification through the catalyst pellet. Conditions have been identified to achieve high uniformity. The fraction of the metal surface left bare after modification is estimated by the rates of 1-hexene hydrogenation at low temperature before and after modification. Even when this fraction is very low, the enantioselectivity in the absence of co-modifiers remains near 50%. It is suggested that this value reflects the intrinsic selectivity of the asymmetric sites. Higher selectivities achieved by adding a co-modifier are due to an enhanced intrinsic selectivity of such sites, not to a blockage of bare nickel.
RNA Editing of the Human Serotonin 5-HT2CReceptor Alters Receptor-mediated Activation of G13Protein

The recent completion of the human genome predicted the presence of only 30,000 genes, stressing the importance of mechanisms that increase molecular diversity at the post-transcriptional level. One such post-transcriptional event is RNA editing, which generates multiple protein isoforms from a single gene, often with profound functional consequences. The human serotonin 5-HT2C receptor undergoes RNA editing that creates multiple receptor isoforms. One consequence of RNA editing of cell surface receptors may be to alter the pattern of activation of heterotrimeric G-proteins and thereby shift preferred intracellular signaling pathways. We examined the ability of the nonedited 5-HT2C receptor isoform (INI) and two extensively edited isoforms, VSV and VGV, to interact with various G-protein α subunits. Two functional assays were utilized: the cell-based functional assay, Receptor Selection/Amplification TechnologyTM, in which the pharmacological consequences of co-expression of 5HT2C receptor isoforms with G-protein α subunits in fibroblasts were studied, and 5HT2Creceptor-mediated rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton in stable cell lines. These studies revealed that the nonedited 5-HT2C receptor functionally couples to Gq and G13. In contrast, coupling to G13 was not detected for the extensively edited 5-HT2C receptors. Thus, RNA editing represents a novel mechanism for regulating the pattern of activation of heterotrimeric G-proteins, molecular switches that control an enormous variety of biological processes.
Myelin synthesis in two demyelinating mutations in mice.

Abstract Tissue culture of cerebella of two demyelinating mutants, “dilute lethal” and “wabbler lethal,” revealed that cerebellar tissue of mice homozygous for these mutations, although grossly deficient in myelin in vivo , can synthesize myelin when explanted and maintained in vitro just as well as cerebella obtained from normal littermates. These observations are interpreted to mean that the block to myelin synthesis in these two mutants is probably extrinsic to the myelin-synthesizing cells.
Skin Barrier Defects in Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition with complex etiology that is dependent upon interactions between the host and the environment. Acute skin lesions exhibit the features of a Th2-driven inflammatory disorder, and many patients are highly atopic. The skin barrier plays key roles in immune surveillance and homeostasis, and in preventing penetration of microbial products and allergens. Defects that compromise the structural integrity or else the immune function of the skin barrier play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of AD. This article provides an overview of the array of molecular building blocks that are essential to maintaining healthy skin. The basis for structural defects in the skin is discussed in relation to AD, with an emphasis on filaggrin and its genetic underpinnings. Aspects of innate immunity, including the role of antimicrobial peptides and proteases, are also discussed.
A practical synthesis of fluoromethyltriphenylphosphonium salts

Abstract A practical synthesis of [Ph3 P + CH2F]BF4− is reported via two routes, via fluorination of [Ph3 P + CH2OH]BF4− with DAST or via hydrolysis of the phosphoranium salt, [Ph3 P + C F P + Ph3]Br−.
TU-E-204C-01: Basic Concepts in Multicriteria Optimization and Their Application in Radiation Therapy

The challenge in radiation therapy planning for IMRT (but also for other modalities) is to optimally cover the tumor target volume and to maximally spare the surrounding organs at risk. This is an optimization problem with multiple conflicting objectives. Yet, until recently, all commercial IMRT optimization systems have used a single objective. Multiple objective (”multicriteria”) optimization systems have been developed in research environments, but they have only recently found their way into the clinic and into commercial systems. There are several ways to handle multiple objectives in multicriteria optimization. One of them, prioritized optimization, is to work on the objectives one by one, starting with the most important objective and then working towards the less important ones. Another one, which will be the focus of this presentation, is to calculate a multitude of plans on the “Pareto frontier”. A Pareto optimal plan is one in which one cannot improve one objective without making at least one other objective worse. If there are only two objectives, the Pareto frontier is the classical tradeoff curve. When there are more objectives, it is a higher dimensional surface. We will describe methods to calculate Pareto‐optimal plans, and how the Pareto frontier can be sampled with relatively few points (i.e., Pareto optimal plans) using a “sandwiching” technique. Surprisingly, relatively few Pareto plans (20–50) suffice to obtain a good approximation of the Pareto frontier, even in high‐dimensional cases with up to 10 objectives (target volume and 9 critical structures). One reason for this is that different objectives are not fully independent. Finding the most suitable treatment plan for a patient then means to interactively “navigate” on the Pareto frontier. Navigating in an up to 10‐dimensional space seems like a daunting task. Yet, in practice it is quite doable, especially with a user‐interface that allows to “clamp” objectives, and to exploit correlations between objectives. The Pareto navigation approach can in fact drastically reduce the IMRT planning time, especially for complex cases, and can at the same time yield more suitable treatment plans. Using several examples we will show that Pareto optimality is indeed an important concept for understanding the unavoidable tradeoffs in treatment planning. It is also a requirement for meaningful comparisons between different treatment modalities. Other types of objectives such as plan complexity and delivery time can be incorporated. Learning Objectives: 1. To be able to define the meaning of Pareto optimal 2. Name the pros and cons of prioritized optimization vs. navigating the Pareto frontier Research supported in part by RaySearch Laboratories
The rhetoric of western thought: A case study in the evolution of an undergraduate lecture course

(1978). The rhetoric of western thought: A case study in the evolution of an undergraduate lecture course. Communication Education: Vol. 27, No. 2, pp. 153-158.
The cork oak tree in California

There are 5,000 trees in various parts of the State, planted at various times, and recent experimental strippings of the largest have yielded 600 to 1,000 pounds of high quality cork per tree. Does this presage an American cork industry?
Laboratory bioassays of entomopathogenic fungi for control of Delia radicum (L.) larvae.

Abstract Laboratory soil bioassays were performed at economic field rates for in-furrow (3.85 × 106 spores/g dry soil) and broadcast (3.85 × 105 spores/g dry soil) applications with three isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae (F52, ATCC62176, and ARSEF5520) and one isolate of Beauveria bassiana (GHA). All isolates tested were infective to second instar Delia radicum (L.). The conditionally registered M. anisopliae isolate (F52) performed best killing an average of 85 and 72% of D. radicum larvae at the high and low concentration, respectively. The mean LC50 and LC95 of F52 against second instar D. radicum was 2.7 × 106 and 1.8 × 108 spores/g dry soil, respectively. The use of F52 in an integrated management program is discussed.
An idiopathic case of pediatric retroperitoneal fibrosis with extensive magnetic resonance imaging and follow-up

Retroperitoneal fibrosis has seldom been described in the pediatric literature. We present a child who presented with retroperitoneal fibrosis without any associated underlying vascular or inflammatory conditions. This is one of only a few cases of primary idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis in a pediatric patient to have been imaged extensively by MRI.
A New Eusuchian Crocodyliform with Novel Cranial Integument and Its Significance for the Origin and Evolution of Crocodylia

Crocodyliforms were one of the most successful groups of Mesozoic tetrapods, radiating into terrestrial, semiaquatic and marine environments, while occupying numerous trophic niches, including carnivorous, insectivorous, herbivorous, and piscivorous species. Among these taxa were the enigmatic, poorly represented flat-headed crocodyliforms from the late Cretaceous of northern Africa. Here we report a new, giant crocodyliform from the early Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Kem Kem Formation of Morocco. Represented by a partial braincase, the taxon has an extremely long, flat skull with large jaw and craniocervical muscles. The skull roof is ridged and ornamented with a broad, rough boss surrounded by significant vascular impressions, likely forming an integumentary structure unique among crocodyliforms. Size estimates using endocranial volume indicate the specimen was very large. The taxon possesses robust laterosphenoids with laterally oriented capitate processes and isolated epipterygoids, features allying it with derived eusuchians. Phylogenetic analysis finds the taxon to be a derived eusuchian and sister taxon to Aegyptosuchus, a poorly understood, early Late Cretaceous taxon from the Bahariya formation. This clade forms the sister clade of crown-group Crocodylia, making these taxa the earliest eusuchian crocodyliforms known from Africa. These results shift phylogenetic and biogeographical hypotheses on the origin of modern crocodylians towards the circum-Tethyean region and provide important new data on eusuchian morphology and evolution.
The Effect of Azithromycin on Ivermectin Pharmacokinetics—A Population Pharmacokinetic Model Analysis

Background A recent drug interaction study reported that when azithromycin was administered with the combination of ivermectin and albendazole, there were modest increases in ivermectin pharmacokinetic parameters. Data from this study were reanalyzed to further explore this observation. A compartmental model was developed and 1,000 interaction studies were simulated to explore extreme high ivermectin values that might occur. Methods and Findings A two-compartment pharmacokinetic model with first-order elimination and absorption was developed. The chosen final model had 7 fixed-effect parameters and 8 random-effect parameters. Because some of the modeling parameters and their variances were not distributed normally, a second mixture model was developed to further explore these data. The mixture model had two additional fixed parameters and identified two populations, A (55% of subjects), where there was no change in bioavailability, and B (45% of subjects), where ivermectin bioavailability was increased 37%. Simulations of the data using both models were similar, and showed that the highest ivermectin concentrations fell in the range of 115–201 ng/mL. Conclusions This is the first pharmacokinetic model of ivermectin. It demonstrates the utility of two modeling approaches to explore drug interactions, especially where there may be population heterogeneity. The mechanism for the interaction was identified (an increase in bioavailability in one subpopulation). Simulations show that the maximum ivermectin exposures that might be observed during co-administration with azithromycin are below those previously shown to be safe and well tolerated. These analyses support further study of co-administration of azithromycin with the widely used agents ivermectin and albendazole, under field conditions in disease control programs.
Improving MPSoC reliability through adapting runtime task schedule based on time-correlated fault behavior

The increasing susceptibility of multicore systems to temperature variations, environmental issues and different aging effects has made system reliability a crucial concern. Unpredictability of all these factors makes fault behavior diverse in nature, which should be considered by the runtime task scheduler to improve overall system reliability. To achieve this goal, this paper proposes a fault tolerant approach to model core reliability at runtime and tune resource allocation accordingly. Given variations in fault duration, we propose a reliability model capable of tracking not only faults appeared in each core but also their correlation in time. Taking this model as an input, a runtime scheduling algorithm that allocates critical and vulnerable tasks to reliable cores is also proposed. Experimental results show that the proposed adaptive technique delivers up to 56% improvement in application execution time compared to other techniques.
Conversion of codeine to morphine in isolated capsules of Papaver somniferum

Abstract The biotransformation of codeine to morphine was studied in isolated capsules of Papaver somniferum . Cofactors such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, adenosine 5′-triphosphate, S -acetyl coenzyme A and pyridoxal phosphate were not required in the conversion of codeine to morphine. Reducing agents such as dithiothreitol, glutathione and β-mercaptoethanol strongly promoted codeine and morphine degradation, while morphine formation remained at a constant level. Hydrogen peroxide (concentration > 0.25 mM) caused the conversion of codeine and morphine to N -oxides by non-enzymatic oxidation. Isolated capsules of P. somniferum provide a method of studying the biotransformation of codeine to morphine.
The intrapartum platelet count in patients with HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets) syndrome: is it predictive of later hemorrhagic complications?

Objective: We wished to determine in patients with HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets) whether (1) there is an intrapartum threshold platelet count that is predictive of immediate or delayed hemorrhagic complications and (2) whether prophylactic platelet transfusion at delivery prevents these outcomes. Study Design: In this retrospective, descriptive study, the peripartal courses of 132 patients with class 1 (≤ 50,000/μI platelet nadir) and 160 patients with class 2 (> 50,000 but ≤ 100,000/μI platelet nadir) HELLP syndrome were reviewed with special attention to laboratory data, evidence of hemorrhage, and details of platelet transfusion therapy. Results: A higher incidence of postpartum hemorrhagic complications (p Conclusions: Although bleeding in the gravid patient is related to more factors than platelet count alone, patients with HELLP syndrome in whom an intrapartum platelet count above 40,000/μI is maintained are unlikely to have clinically significant postpartum bleeding. Patients with intrapartum platelet counts ≤ 40,000/μl, however, are at significant risk for postpartum bleeding, but prophylactic platelet transfusion at delivery does not ensure a significantly lower incidence of postpartum hemorrhagic complications.
A Parent-Report Instrument for Identifying One-Year-Olds at Risk for an Eventual Diagnosis of Autism: The First Year Inventory

A parent-report instrument, the First Year Inventory (FYI), was developed to assess behaviors in 12-month-old infants that suggest risk for an eventual diagnosis of autism. The target behaviors were identified from retrospective and prospective studies. FYIs were mailed to 5,941 families and 25% (N = 1,496) were returned, with higher return rates for white families and for families with greater educational attainment. Ad hoc groups of questions afforded measurement of eight specific constructs, which were combined to establish a general risk index. Boys had higher risk scores than did girls. Maternal race and education influenced answers. A small percentage of infants appeared to be at notably elevated risk. Large-scale longitudinal research is warranted to determine whether the FYI can predict an eventual diagnosis of autism.
Stationary solutions of the one-dimensional nonlinear Schrodinger equation: II. Case of attractive nonlinearity

In this second of two papers, we present all stationary so- lutions of the nonlinear Schrodinger equation with box or pe- riodic boundary conditions for the case of attractive nonlin- earity. The companion paper has treated the case of repulsive nonlinearity. Our solutions take the form of stationary trains of bright solitons. Under box boundary conditions the solu- tions are the bounded analog of bright solitons on the innite line, and are in one-to-one correspondence with particle-in-a- box solutions to the linear Schrodinger equation. Under peri- odic boundary conditions we nd several classes of solutions: constant amplitude solutions corresponding to boosts of the condensate; the nonlinear version of the well-known particle- on-a-ring solutions in linear quantum mechanics; nodeless, real solutions; and a novel class of intrinsically complex, node- less solutions. The set of such solutions on the ring are de- scribed by the Cn character tables from the theory of point groups. We make experimental predictions about the form of the ground state and modulational instability. We show that, though this is the analog of some of the simplest problems in linear quantum mechanics, nonlinearity introduces new and surprising phenomena in the stationary one-dimensional non- linear Schrodinger equation. We also note that in various limits the spectrum of the nonlinear Schrodinger equation re- duces to that of the box, the Rydberg, and the harmonic oscillator, the latter being for repulsive nonlinearity, thus in- cluding the three most common and important cases of linear quantum mechanics.
Multimodal communication and spatial binding in pied currawongs (Strepera graculina)

To make accurate assessments about their environment, animals must integrate a variety of sensory cues into a single unified percept. The effects of redundant multimodal signaling may be equivalent to the responses elicited by each individual cue, or enhanced when cues are combined. Binding of two seemingly coupled cues can persist despite small spatial and temporal discrepancies in signal presentation, a phenomenon termed the ventriloquist effect. Our study had two aims: first, to test the cognitive ability of a territorial, forest-dwelling bird to bind two spatially disparate cues; and second, to define the processing of the acoustic and visual cues as having either equivalent or enhanced effects when presented together. We broadcasted pied currawong (Strepera graculina) vocalizations alone or in the presence of a model currawong situated either adjacent to, or far away from a speaker, to free-living currawongs. The number of locomotive events and the average standard deviation in the distance from the speaker maintained by the focal currawong were greater in response to “far” than “close” treatments. Additionally, the average standard deviation of the distance to speaker for the uni-modal, speaker only treatment was similar to “far” responses. These findings support our hypothesis that currawongs cognitively bind two stimuli in close spatial proximity. In nature, this would result in an enhanced level of response toward territorial intruders. Our study was novel in its attempt to assess cognitive processes involved in the integration of spatially disparate bimodal signaling events in free-living birds.
An Assessment of the North Carolina School-age Child Care Accreditation Initiative

Abstract The primary purpose of this study was to determine if participation in the North Carolina Quality Enhancement Initiative (NC QEI) improved the overall quality of the 26 participating school-age child care programs in three North Carolina communities. A paired t-test showed a positive and significant increase in the quality of school-age child care environments and teacher/child interactions over the 9-month period, from pre-initiative to post-initiative. Pre-initiative and pre- to post-initiative difference scores on each dependent measure were grouped together using a cluster analysis. Each cluster of programs was compared to determine relationships between these program variables and the program clusters. A state license and a smaller group size were related to higher quality programs at pre-initiative. Director education, teacher salary, state license, and program size were related to greatest program improvement from pre-initiative to post-initiative. In addition, six of the 10 programs were ...
Targeting B Lymphocytes as Therapy for ANCA-Associated Vasculitis

This article focuses on the initial results achieved with the more selective immunosuppressive approach of B-lymphocyte depletion in patients who fail cyclophosphamide or have contraindications for its use in the treatment of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis (AAV). This novel approach has sparked hope for patients and physicians in their search for effective, well-tolerated therapy for AAV. B-cell depletion is now undergoing rigorous investigation in randomized clinical trials.
Intrusion ripple analysis in distributed information systems

Security is a very important aspect of distributed computing systems, especially in distributed information environments involving wide-area networks, such as internets. This paper addresses how a security breach, such as intrusion, propagates through a distributed or networked information system. In particular, the issue of how an intrusion, once it occurrs, propagates through a distributed system is addressed. Our approach has a strong resemblance to ripple effect analysis, which had been extensively studied in the area of software maintenance.
Characterization and Reactivity of Hybrid Organosilicate Mesoporous Sieves

Vinyl-MCM-41 has been synthesized by a direct synthesis from the corresponding organosiloxane precursors. The location of vinyl groups on the internal channel surfaces of the mesoporous silicate sieves was confirmed by small angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments using contrast matching techniques. To investigate further modification of the vinyl groups, bromination reactions were carried out on vinyl-MCM-41 samples in dichloromethane, carbon tetrachloride, and in a gas-phase reaction. With dichloromethane as a solvent, the bromination rate increased with increasing pore diameter. A strong dependence of the reaction rate on the presence and type of solvent molecules was observed. While gas-phase bromination was complete within 40 minutes, the reaction required several days for completion in dichloromethane and was even slower in the nonpolar solvent, carbon tetrachloride.
Symptomatology resulting from withdrawal of steroid hormone therapy.

Several different types of clinical phenomena produced by suddenly withdrawing or decreasing the dose of steroid in patients receiving hormone therapy are discussed and illustrated by case reports. These include reoccurrence of symptomatology of the patient's disease, the occurrence of symptomatology of “steroid pseudo-rheumatism” and the occurrence of toxic reactions associated with adrenal cortical insufficiency. The steroid dose should be increased in severe reactions of these types and later gradually decreased to levels satisfactory for maintenance therapy. Data are presented illustrating that steroid dependency may be induced in normal individuals by a single large steroid load and that during the ensuing hours transient rheumatic symptoms may appear. Es discutite e illustrate per reportos de casos, varie typos de phenomeno clinic que es producite per le subite discontinuation o reduction del dosage de steroide in patientes sub tractamento hormonal. Iste phenomenos include le recurrentia del symptomatologia del morbo del patiente, le occurrentia del symptomatologia de “pseudo-rheumatismo steroide,” e le occurrentia de reactiones toxic del genere associate con insufficientia adreno-cortical. In sever reactiones de iste genere, le dose de steroide deberea esser augmentate e reducite plus tarde gradualmente usque a nivellos satisfactori pro le therapia de mantenentia. Es presentate datos que illustra le facto que dependentia de steroides pote esser inducite in individuos normal per un sol massive carga de steroide e que durante le horas que seque, transiente symptomas rheumatic pote manifestar se.
Prevention and Treatment of Graft‐versus‐Host Disease

Graft-versus-host disease remains a formidable barrier in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Studies have shown that effective prophylaxis results in improved overall survival for patients following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Various methods to prevent GVHD have been devised over the years including drug therapy, monoclonal antibodies, and T-cell depletion. Many of these prophylaxis regimens have been successful in improving the outcome in patients, with some regimens resulting in only a 9% incidence of acute GVHD in selected patients. Yet, GVHD remains an important problem for those patients in whom prophylaxis fails. Therapy for GVHD has relied on drugs and monoclonal antibodies, and the results of therapy for severe GVHD have been unsatisfactory. As immunologic understanding of the afferent and efferent phases of GVHD continues to be elucidated, more targeted therapy will be introduced and hopefully will result in better outcomes.
David Aaron. Biblical Ambiguities: Metaphor, Semantics and Divine Imagery. The Brill Reference Library of Ancient Judaism. Leiden: Brill, 2001. ix, 221 pp.

This is an interesting, well-written and important study, relevant to anyone interested in better understanding metaphor in the Bible, figurative language, or idolatry. David Aaron, Professor of Bible at Hebrew Union College—Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, was trained in rabbinics and linguistics at Brandeis University; this training offers him a certain sensitivity to how language, especially what many would consider figurative language, functions. Thus, the book really deals with the importance of understanding semantics for interpretation.
An analysis of a reliability model for repairable fault-tolerant systems

The ARIES reliability model, which models a class of repairable and nonrepairable fault-tolerant systems by a continuous-time Markov chain and uses the Lagrange-Sylvester interpolation formula to directly compute the exponential of the state transition rate matrix (STRM) that appears in the solution of the Markov chain, is discussed. The properties of the STRM for ARIES repairable systems are analyzed. Well-established results in matrix theory are used to find an efficient solution for reliability computation when the eigenvalues of the STRM are distinct. A class of systems that ARIES models for which the solution technique is inapplicable is identified. Several transformations which are known to be numerically stable are used in the solution method. The solution method also offers a facility for incrementally computing reliability when the number of spares in the fault-tolerant system is increased by one. >
Electronic cigarettes: the new face of nicotine delivery and addiction.

Electronic or “e” cigarettes are increasing in popularity worldwide as nicotine delivery devices. Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik initially developed this drug delivery device in 2003 with the goal of creating a more effective smoking cessation tool. Electronic cigarettes use batteries to heat liquid containing nicotine, which is atomized to create an inhalable aerosol. The aerosol is a mixture of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, nicotine, flavorings, and other toxic and non-toxic chemicals in droplet and gaseous forms.
Comparison of binning and sorting of magnets in the SSC High Energy Booster

Two schemes for enlarging the usable aperture in superconducting synchrotrons, the binning of dipoles with several independent correction circuits and the sorting of dipoles based on their random sextupole components, are investigated for the SSC (Superconducting Super Collider) High Energy Booster by tracking a particle for two-thousand turns. With the anticipated RMS values of b/sub 2/ and a/sub 2/ when the coil-winding diameter is 5 cm, it is found that the sorting is comparable in overall effectiveness as the binning with six independent circuits which will effectively reduce the RMS value by a factor of four. >
Systematic bias in surgeons' predictions of the donor-specific risk of liver transplant graft failure.

The decision to accept or decline a liver allograft for a patient on the transplant waiting list is complex. We hypothesized that surgeons are not accurate at predicting donor-specific risks. Surgeon members of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons were invited to complete a survey in which they predicted 3-year risk of graft failure for a 53 year old man with alcoholic cirrhosis and Model for End-stage Liver Disease score of 21, with a liver from each of the following: 1) 30 year old local donor with traumatic brain death, or 2) 64 year old regional donor with brain death from stroke. Complete responses were obtained from 201 surgeons, whose self-reported case volume represents the majority of liver transplants in the United States. Surgeon-predicted 3-year graft failure risk varied widely, by more than ten-fold. In scenario 1, 90% of respondents provided lower estimates of graft failure risk than the literature-derived estimate of 21% (p<0.001). In scenario 2, 96% of responses were lower than the literature-derived estimate of 40% (p<0.001). In conclusion, transplant surgeons vary widely in their predictions of donor-specific risk of graft failure, and demonstrate systematic bias towards inaccurately low estimates of graft failure – particularly for higher risk organs.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Genetic and Antigenic Diversity

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of viral lower respiratory tract infections among infants and young children in both developing and developed countries. There are two major antigenic groups of RSV, A and B, and additional antigenic variability occurs within the groups. The most extensive antigenic and genetic diversity is found in the attachment glycoprotein, G. During individual epidemic periods, viruses of both antigenic groups may cocirculate or viruses of one group may predominate. When there are consecutive annual epidemics in which the same group predominates, the dominant viruses are genetically different from year to year. The antigenic differences that occur among these viruses may contribute to the ability of RSV to establish reinfections throughout life. The differences between the two groups have led to vaccine development strategies that should provide protection against both antigenic groups. The ability to discern intergroup and intragroup differences has increased the power of epidemiologic investigations of RSV. Future studies should expand our understanding of the molecular evolution of RSV and continue to contribute to the process of vaccine development.
Switched-capacitor DC/DC converters with resonant gate drive

In this paper, we examine how switched-capacitor (SC) converters can be used in low-voltage low-power DC/DC applications with power management. Analysis of losses is presented to facilitate SC converter design and optimization. A resonant gate drive is proposed to reduce switching losses and simplify control of switches in SC converters. A closed-loop controller is designed to enable and disable oscillations of the resonant gate drive so that the output DC voltage is well regulated down to zero load and so that high efficiency is maintained for a very wide range of loads. Results are experimentally verified on two low-power (0.2 and 5 W) five-one step-down converters with regulated 3 Vdc output and efficiency greater than 80% in a 100-1 load range.
Autworks: a cross-disease network biology application for Autism and related disorders

Background The genetic etiology of autism is heterogeneous. Multiple disorders share genotypic and phenotypic traits with autism. Network based cross-disorder analysis can aid in the understanding and characterization of the molecular pathology of autism, but there are few tools that enable us to conduct cross-disorder analysis and to visualize the results.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation: The Effect of the New Rules now and in the Future

The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 established new IRC section 409A, providing dramatic changes to the tax rules for nonqualified deferred compensation. This article explains the new law as well as recent IRS guidance. The authors believe that it will also help readers understand what considerations and actions employers should take to ensure that their compensation programs remain effective and competitive, while complying with the new requirements.
Example Evaluation of the ATC-63 Methodology for Reinforced Concrete Special Moment Frame Buildings

The Applied Technology Council, under the direction of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has recently completed the ATC-63 document which contains a codified assessment methodology for quantifying structural collapse safety under seismic loading. This methodology is described in related companion papers. This paper illustrates how the ATC-63 performance assessment methodology can be applied to the class of reinforced concrete (RC) special moment frames (SMFs). The purpose of this example is two-fold: (a) to illustrate an application of the methodology; and (b) to benchmark the methodology by showing that it concludes that code-conforming RC SMF buildings, designed by recent code provisions, pass the method and are deemed to have acceptable collapse safety. This finding has one caveat; this work found that use of the ASCE 7-05 provisions result in unacceptable collapse safety for some tall buildings. To remedy this, the minimum base shear requirement of ASCE 7-02 is reinstated so that acceptable collapse safety can be achieved.