cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
STOCK PRICE AND DEGREE OF NEGLECT AS DETERMINANTS OF STOCK RETURNS

In prior research the neglected firm effect persists even after controlling for firm size. Several recent studies show that the size effect is a stock price effect. In the present study we investigate whether excess returns on neglected stocks are a manifestation of a stock price effect. Although material evidence supporting an independent neglected firm effect is still found, results are much weaker than in prior studies. Examining a large sample of New York Stock Exchange and American Stock Exchange stocks from 1977 to 1988, we find that both January and non-January months do not have a statistically significant neglect effect after controlling for a price effect.
US and UK policies governing research with humans.

Human subjects research is on the rise in both the US and UK. It is estimated that 19 million people a year in the US (Shamoo 2001) participate in clinical trials, and that more than half a million people a year do so in the UK [Consumers for Ethics in Research (CERES): http:// www.ceres.org.uk/whatsnew.htm]. Researchers on both sides of the Atlantic are permitted to undertake research with humans only if they abide by national policies regarding the ethical conduct of research. This article examines the US and UK regulatory frameworks governing research with humans. The first part summarizes the main features of each nation’s regulatory policies. The article then describes the composition and responsibilities of ethics review committees in the US and UK, the panels from which researchers must obtain approval for their studies. Finally, the article describes each nation’s ethical standards for three areas of human subjects research: research with children, research with incapacitated adults, and research in emergency situations.
Continental rifting and initial sea-floor spreading in the Woodlark basin

OUR understanding of the processes by which continents rift and sea-floor spreading initiates is derived primarily from studies either of old passive margins and oceanic crust or of young regions of intra-continental extension where spreading has not yet started. It has been thought that continental rifting ceases when sea-floor spreading begins1,2, that oceanic fracture zones develop from transfer or transform faults within continental rifts3,4, and that linear magnetic anomalies correlate with the onset of sea-floor spreading during times of magnetic reversals5,6. Here we present a marine geophysical survey of one of the few active examples of continental rifting and spreading initiation, the western Woodlark basin/ Papuan peninsula region of New Guinea, which shows that in detail these assumptions do not hold. The data confirm models of the rifting to spreading transition that invoke both ridge propagation and nucleation of discrete spreading cells7,10, and provide an unambiguous example of a spreading centre reorienting by synchronous jumping rather than propagation.
Differential capacitance and frequency dispersion on solid and liquid mercury in liquid ammonia

Abstract The behaviour of solid and liquid mercury electrodes in 0·1 M ammonium nitrate solutions of liquid ammonia is investigated. The differential-capacitance/potential curves for the solid (at −40°C) and the liquid (at −38°C) are U-shaped and have a minimum of 11·2 μF/cm2 at 0·45 V (vs Cd/satd. Cd(NO3)2 in liquid NH3) for the solid of and 10·25 μF/cm2 at 0·4 V for the liquid. The curves have no anodic hump. The values for the solid are about 10% higher than that for the liquid but this is still within the error of the surface area measurement. The frequency dispersion of the interfacial impedance was measured between 400 and 20,000 Hz at 0·60, 0·40, 0·10, and −0·25 V. Assuming de Levie's model of parallel grooves of depth l and aperture 2 β to be applicable, the parameter l/sin β was calculated from the data. Values obtained for the liquid mercury electrodes are 5·5–6·8 × 10−2 cm and are attributed to shielding and solution creepage. For the solid electrodes l/sin β is 12–23 × 10−2cm. Although these numbers are too large, the increase in l/sin β by a factor of 3 when going from a liquid to a solid surface is parallel to an increase in roughness factor to about 3 expected for this case. This suggests that l/sin β may be a useful way to measure surface roughness and/or surface roughness changes.
Evidence-based treatments help traumatized children in the real world.

A s I write this, children in Newtown, Connecticut, are burying murdered siblings, friends, and teachers, and millions of children around the world are experiencing child abuse, neglect, domestic violence, community violence, war, or sexual exploitation, just as they do every day. Child trauma is common, complex in nature and response, and all too often leads to serious and long-lasting mental health problems. Fortunately, many evidence-based treatments (EBTs; those found to be effective at least than one randomized controlled trial) are available to treat the difficulties that commonly occur in the aftermath of child trauma, including symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, externalizing behavior disorders, and traumatic grief. Most traumatized children depend on routine providers for mental health services, such as those in schools or public mental health organizations. To assure that these children receive the best possible care, it is critical to translate child trauma EBTs into usual settings. The Institute of Medicine has estimated that this process takes at least 17 years. The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks dramatically raised national awareness about trauma. Three weeks later, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration funded the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (http://www.nctsn.org) to raise the standard of care for traumatized children and their families across the United States. Therapist and organizational enthusiasm for using child trauma EBTs increased rapidly and has remained high 12 years later. Currently, child trauma EBTs are being implemented in real-world settings across the country and in some cases are the standard of care. For example, more than 50% of states have hosted child trauma EBT training initiatives;
The vector magnetic field dependence of the magnetic moment of particulate recording media

The magnetic moment for a γ‐Fe2O3:Co recording media was measured as functions of strength and direction of applied field. Fourier expansions on the component of magnetic moment along the applied field direction (mx) to the rotation angle (θ) show that the zeroth, first, and second order coefficients are related to the reversible part, remanent part, and irreversible susceptibility, respectively. The calculated effective angle between the magnetic moment and the applied field (α) consistently equals zero at θ≂134° and θ≂304° for the decreasing‐ and increasing‐field measurements, respectively. The (θ‐α) vs θ curves correspond to those predicted by the texture model.
The Luminescence of Some Luminol Oxidation Products

The oxidation of luminol with t-butyl hypochlorite and the fluorescence and chemiluminescence of some of the products are herein reported. The fluorescence was studied in the present work as a function of pH and the spectral distribution was then recorded at the pH of maximum fluorescence intensity; the chemiluminescence spectrum was obtained under the conditions of the luminol-chemiluminescence.
‘Arierdämmerung’: race and archaeology in Nazi Germany

Archaeological evidence under the auspices of the National Socialist regime was exaggerated, misrepresented and otherwise abused in various ways to support contemporary military and social agendas,...
Automating the detection of breaks in continuous user experience with computer games

This paper describes an approach towards automating the identification of design problems with three-dimensional mediated or gaming environments through the capture and query of user-player behavior represented as a data schema that we have termed "immersidata". Analysis of data from a study of an educational computer game that we are developing shows that this approach is an effective way to pinpoint potential usability or design problems occurring in unfolding situational and episodic events that can interrupt or break user experience. As well as informing redesign, a key advantage of this cost-effective approach is that it considerably reduces the time evaluators spend analyzing hours of videoed study material.
Effect of dielectric and high-resistivity barriers on the superconducting transition temperature of thin films.

Thin films deposited onto substrates cooled to low temperatures investigated for transition temperature in structures of superconductor- dielectric-superconductor
Fear of crime and criminal victimization: Gender-based contrasts

Extant research on the fear of crime and criminal victimization had generally found that women express greater levels of fear than men. Using survey data, this study contrasted perceptions of safety and the fear of personal and property victimization among male and female respondents. Specifically considered was the relationship between demographic characteristics, fear facilitators, fear inhibitors, neighborhood context, and crime-related fear. Results indicated some gender differences in the influence explanatory variables had on fear, although not all achieved statistical significance. For both gender groups, respondents' perceptions of their neighborhood as orderly and satisfactory had the largest effect on perceptions. Gender-based differences in the outcome of the analyses further supported that males and females experienced fear based upon different factors.
Copyright Compliance: Conducting a Fair Use Training Session

This article contains a teaching module on copyright compliance for higher education for faculty, staff, and administrators. The training class discusses fair use and its four factors. Those factors include purpose and characters of use, nature of the work, quantity to be borrowed, marketability of the work.
Knowledge base management systems-tools for creating verified intelligent systems

As automation of business processes becomes more complex and encompasses less-structured domains, it becomes even more essential that the knowledge used by these processes is verified and accurate. Most application development is facilitated with software tools, but most business rules and expert systems are developed in environments that provide inadequate verification testing. This paper describes an emerging class of applications we refer to as Knowledge Base Management Systems (KBMS). The KMBS provides a full life-cycle environment for the development and verification of business rule and expert systems. We will present an overview of knowledge base verification, the KBMS life-cycle, and the architecture for a KBMS. We then describe building a small expert system in the KBMS, with emphasis on the verification testing at each stage. We conclude with a summary of the benefits of a KBMS.
A METHODOLOGY FOR ECONOMIC OPTIMIZATION OF PROCESS PARAMETERS IN CENTERLESS GRINDING

Centerless grinding is an abrasive machining process commonly used in the aerospace and automotive industries for shaping axisymmetric components that require a high dimensional accuracy and a smooth surface finish. For this high volume manufacturing operation, process parameters have historically been selected conservatively using machining data handbooks or on a trial-and-error basis according to operator experience without explicit consideration of how the selected settings affect the productivity or cost of the operation. To improve operation efficiency, a science-based approach for selecting the optimum process parameters must be developed to replace traditional industrial practices. In this article, a methodology combining several analytical and experimental techniques is presented for optimizing the key process parameters in plunge centerless grinding of Inconel 718 and Ti-6Al-4V superalloy fasteners in two phases: (i) modeling of process constraints using experimental design and statistical regres...
Toto, We're Not in Kansas Anymore: Measuring and Using Outcomes in Behavioral Health Care

Health care purchasers, managed care organizations, and state and federal government have placed increasing pressure on clinicians and health care organizations to evaluate and use patient outcomes data from standard clinical practice settings. This practice, referred to as clinical outcomes management, is defined as the measurement of change in a person's clinical status over time. Outcomes management differs from outcome research in a number of critical domains, including the goal of the measurement, the domains to be assessed, the data sources and collection methods, and the ways in which these results are interpreted, explained, or predicted. This article provides a conceptualization of outcomes measurement, identifies ways in which these data are commonly used, and provides a framework by which clinicians and health care organizations can design and implement outcomes management systems.
Vaccines and therapeutics against influenza virus infections.

Background: Vaccination prior to epidemic season is the best measure to control influenza virus infection; however, there are several issues to be considered regarding influenza vaccines in Japan. In the present review, current issues regarding influenza vaccine in Japan are described, as well as the future prospects of vaccine development. As well as vaccination, anti-influenza agents such as amantadine are now available in Japan. Furthermore, neuraminidase inhibitors are expected to appear in the market in near future. These anti-influenza agents represent new options for influenza control. Conclusions: Vaccination and antiviral agents are a major armamentarium against influenza infections. Thus, exploratory studies on novel forms of vaccine and anti-influenza drugs should help to prepare against pandemics that must emerge in near future.
Locomotor activity in depressed children and adolescents: I. Circadian dysregulation.

Abstract Objective To determine whether circadian activity rhythms were altered in pediatric patients with depression. Evidence was sought for a shift in the timing of the rhythm, blunting of circadian amplitude, or emergence of noncircadian periodicities. Method Locomotor activity was quantified in 57 patients with major depressive mood disorders (mean age 12.4 years) and 16 normal controls (9.9 years). Activity was measured in 5-minute epochs during 72 hours using belt-worn electronic activity monitors. Results Patients with mood disorders displayed a 15% decrease in the amplitude of their circadian rhythm, and a 52% increase in the magnitude of their twice-daily (hemicircadian) rhythm. No significant difference emerged in the timing of the circadian rhythm. Depressed inpatients and outpatients displayed comparable disturbances, which were most marked in adolescents. Conclusions Circadian activity rhythms were dysregulated in pediatric patients with major depression. These findings may have etiological and diagnostic significance.
Terahertz circular dichroism spectroscopy: a potential approach to the in situ detection of life's metabolic and genetic machinery.

We propose a terahertz (far-infrared) circular dichroism-based life-detection technology that may provide a universal and unequivocal spectroscopic signature of living systems regardless of their genesis. We argue that, irrespective of the specifics of their chemistry, all life forms will employ well-structured, chiral, stereochemically pure macromolecules (>500 atoms) as the catalysts with which they perform their metabolic and replicative functions. We also argue that nearly all such macromolecules will absorb strongly at terahertz frequencies and exhibit significant circular dichroism, and that this circular dichroism unambiguously distinguishes biological from abiological materials. Lastly, we describe several approaches to the fabrication of a terahertz circular dichroism spectrometer and provide preliminary experimental indications of their feasibility. Because terahertz circular dichroism signals arise from the molecular machinery necessary to carry out life's metabolic and genetic processes, this ...
Satellite communications with Internet Protocol (IP) efficiency

This paper presents an analysis of satellite communications (SATCOM) systems that use Internet Protocol (IP) with Quality of Service (QoS) metrics, and addresses IP efficiency measures. Key contributing elements for the IP efficiency are network structure, provisional efficiency, and bandwidth-on-demand features. IP bandwidth gains will also depend on the network size, the level of hierarchy, and the user applications. Small networks with packet-based traffic would show high IP gains while larger networks tend to show less IP gains. Large networks factoring in statistical multiplexing effects aided by less variability of traffic flows can be self-tuned with right-sized link capacities. Bursty traffic behaviors and duty cycles would further influence the IP gains. Case studies also demonstrate the delays and overflow probabilities for IP packets with different priorities.
Long-term changes in episodic acidification of streams in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia (U.S.A.)

Episodic acidification-the short-term loss of acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) in surface waters during periods associated with rainfall and snowmelt runoff-has been shown in previous field studies to be a ubiquitous process that can have long-term adverse effects on fish populations. A systematic field study of episodic acidification in five gaged Shenandoah National Park (SNP) streams was initiated in 1991, while a long-term study of changes in acid-base chemistry in four gaged SNP streams has been in operation since 1979. Statistical analysis of the long-term record of mean daily discharge and weekly streamwater chemical composition was performed to identify the dominant processes that control episodic acidification of SNP streams; an objective hydrological separation technique was used to determine whether each weekly sample was taken during antecedent baseflow or stormflow conditions. Using this technique, more than 100 “stormflow/baseflow pairs” were identified in the long-term (1980–1992) record for White Oak Run from which episodic chemical changes were estimated. Statistical analysis of the resultant data suggested that mean episodic depressions in ANC have increased by nearly a factor of two in White Oak Run since the first outbreak of forest defoliation by the gypsy moth caterpillar during the summer of 1990.
Phase behaviour and complex coacervation of aqueous polypeptide solutions

Mixing of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes in aqueous solutions may result in the formation of polyelectrolyte complexes (PEC). Phase separation and complex coacervation of polypeptides are investigated in this study. Polypeptides have identical backbones and differ only in their charged side groups, making them attractive model systems for this work. All experiments are conducted using equal chain lengths of polycation and polyanion in order to isolate and highlight effects of the interactions of the charged groups during complexation. Complex coacervation is strongly affected by the polypeptide mixing ratio (stoichiometry), ionic strength (salt concentration), total polymer concentration, pH, and temperature. To examine the effect of these parameters on complex formation we use sample turbidity as an indicator, and optical microscopy to discriminate between coacervate and precipitate. We establish phase diagrams as a function of polybase content and salt concentration using the critical salt concentrations required to reach the coacervate to solution boundary. Additionally, we examine the effect of molecular weight on the complex formation for the P(L-Lysine) (PLys)/P(L-Glutamic acid) (PGlu) system and establish a phase diagram. By determining the water content of the coacervate phase under various conditions we find that the salt content and stoichiometry of the mixed polyelectrolytes have a significant effect on the coacervate composition.
NADPH-dependent covalent binding of [3H]paroxetine to human liver microsomes and S-9 fractions: identification of an electrophilic quinone metabolite of paroxetine.

The primary pathway of clearance of the methylenedioxyphenyl-containing compound and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor paroxetine in humans involves P450 2D6-mediated demethylenation to a catechol intermediate. The process of demethylenation also results in the mechanism-based inactivation of the P450 isozyme. While the link between P450 2D6 inactivation and pharmacokinetic interactions of paroxetine with P450 2D6 substrates has been firmly established, there is a disconnect in terms of paroxetine’s excellent safety record despite the potential for bioactivation. In the present study, we have systematically assessed the NADPH-dependent covalent binding of [3H]paroxetine to human liver microsomes and S-9 preparations in the absence and presence of cofactors of the various phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes involved in the downstream metabolism/detoxification of the putative paroxetine–catechol intermediate. Incubation of [3H]paroxetine with human liver microsomes and S-9 preparations resulted in irrev...
A nationwide survey of contemporary philosophies and techniques of restoring endodontically treated teeth

Contemporary endodontic therapy has allowed patients to retain severely damaged teeth. The restoration of most endodontically treated teeth involves complex and controversial procedures. There is a diversity of opinion about the need for coronoradicular stabilization, and numerous post systems and techniques have been described. It is not known what materials and techniques are most commonly used. To expand the knowledge of current philosophies and prevailing techniques, a comprehensive nationwide survey of 1525 dentists was conducted. Of the 1066 respondents, 909 (85%) reported restoring more than 30 endodontically treated teeth per year, and this subset became the focus group of the survey. Board-certified prosthodontists comprised 40% of this group, educationally qualified prosthodontists 28%, and general dentists 32%. Responses to questions were statistically analyzed. Statistical analysis revealed that philosophies and techniques varied significantly with the dentist's geographic location, age, specialty status, and dental school faculty status.
Opioid use after cardiac surgery in children with Down syndrome

Objectives:To determine the cumulative opioid doses administered to patients with Down syndrome after cardiac surgery and compare them with patients without Down syndrome.Design:Retrospective observational comparative study.Setting:PICU in a university-affiliated freestanding pediatric teaching hosp
Identity and Territory

John Agnew's effort to highlight what he calls the “Territorial Trap” 1 underlying much thinking about the international system has been notably influential – at least in political geography circle...
Effects of food concentration on egg-production rates of two species of Pseudocalanus: laboratory observations

Experiments to determine the relationship between instantaneous egg-production rate and food concentration were carried out on Pseudocalanus newmani Frost and Pseudocalanus moultoni Frost from Puget Sound, Washington. The animals were fed a wide range of concentrations (0–300 μgC · 1−1) of the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii (Grunow) Fryxell et Hasle. Despite similar morphology and size, P. newmani and P. moultoni appear to have intrinsically different responses in egg production to food concentration. P. newmani reached a maximum egg-production rate at low food concentrations (50 μgC·1−1) which can explain the observed year-round production of eggs of P. newmani in Puget Sound. In contrast, P. moultoni exhibited a more gradual increase in egg production with increasing food concentration which indicates P. moultoni is more sensitive to low food levels than is P. newmani. However, at high food concentrations, P. moultoni reached a significantly higher egg-production rate than did P. newmani. Only food concentration affected the egg-production rate of both species in these experiments as opposed to the size and condition of the animals.
Word and Context in Reading Development: A Test of the Interactive-Compensatory Hypothesis.

L'approche de la lecture (influence du mot, du contexte) est etudiee aupres de 54 enfants de trois niveaux scolaires. Les taux et les types d'erreurs sont analyses dans la perspective du modele compensatoire-interactif de Stanovich, selon le type de comprehension: liee au contexte chez les plus jeunes, plus centree sur la phoneique et la graphie, ou mettant en œuvre des strategies de comprehension effectives, chez les plus âges
Model GATT: A Role-Playing Simulation Course

Role playing has begun to achieve recognition as a valuable exercise in economics courses. Role-playing simulations are used to motivate student participation, improve understanding of reading material, and increase students' enthusiasm for learning course material (Rodgers 1996). Examples include the doubleauction experiment used in many principles courses; the Fed Open Market Committee simulation (Bartlett and Amsler 1979); and, in international economics, the Dutch disease simulation (Rodgers 1996). Those simulations are intended to be a small part of the course in which they are used. Morris (1979) suggests that a simulation may be most effective as a learning experience if it is the focal point of the course and serves to integrate previous learning in the course. In this article, I describe a role-playing exercise that I used as the central focus of an international economics seminar. Although the specific topic of this simulation (GATT negotiations) may be of limited interest, the procedural framework could be applied to a variety of topics, particularly in international economics.
Documented Electronic Medical Record-Based Pain Intensity Scores at a Tertiary Pediatric Medical Center: A Cohort Analysis

Abstract Context Previous surveys have suggested that pain in hospitalized patients remains undertreated. However, little is known about those with persistently high pain scores. Objectives To document the distribution of scores and analyze the clinical characteristics of outliers with persistently high pain scores. Methods With institutional review board approval, a retrospective cohort analysis of more than 1.5 million documented scores was completed in a tertiary pediatric medical center during a three-year period. Patients with persistently high pain scores were identified for subgroup analysis. Results The median score was 0 (all years), and the means were 1.46, 1.34, and 1.3 in 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively. Approximately 68% of admissions had at least one score of 4 or greater, although this level did not persist. Only 9% had mean scores of 4 or greater, and 1% ( n = 492) had mean scores of 7 or greater. Scores remained high in patients within identifiable groups, that is, those with chronic pain ( n = 311), sickle cell vaso-occlusive episodes ( n = 52), and pain in children with developmental and neuromuscular disorders ( n = 32). Few had persistently high scores with acute pain but without known comorbidities ( n = 56). Conclusion Detailed review of clinical characteristics of patients with persistently high scores led to the strong impression that, in most cases, persistently high pain was not simply because of inadequate administration of opioids. Instead, the first step in improving pain management of hospitalized children may be the identification of outliers with high pain scores to direct efforts on the development of interventions for patient groups with mechanistically similar pain.
Comparison of energy efficiency and power density in pressure retarded osmosis and reverse electrodialysis.

Pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) and reverse electrodialysis (RED) are emerging membrane-based technologies that can convert chemical energy in salinity gradients to useful work. The two processes have intrinsically different working principles: controlled mixing in PRO is achieved by water permeation across salt-rejecting membranes, whereas RED is driven by ion flux across charged membranes. This study compares the energy efficiency and power density performance of PRO and RED with simulated technologically available membranes for natural, anthropogenic, and engineered salinity gradients (seawater–river water, desalination brine–wastewater, and synthetic hypersaline solutions, respectively). The analysis shows that PRO can achieve both greater efficiencies (54–56%) and higher power densities (2.4–38 W/m2) than RED (18–38% and 0.77–1.2 W/m2). The superior efficiency is attributed to the ability of PRO membranes to more effectively utilize the salinity difference to drive water permeation and better suppres...
Central nervous system neurons migrate on astroglial fibers from heterotypic brain regions in vitro.

Abstract In different regions of the developing mammalian brain, neurons follow the processes of radial glial cells over very different trajectories to reach their destinations in specific neuronal layers. To investigate whether the movement of neurons along glial fibers is specified by glia in a given region or whether glia provide a permissive substrate for migration in different brain regions, we purified neurons and astroglial cells from developing cerebellum and hippocampus and analyzed neuronal migration on heterotypic glial fibers with time-lapse, video-enhanced differential interference microscopy in vitro. Granule neurons purified from early postnatal rat cerebellum migrated on astroglial processes of glia purified from late embryonic or early postnatal rat hippocampus with a cytology, neuron-glial relationship, and dynamics of movement that were indistinguishable from those of mouse granule cells migrating on cerebellar astroglial processes in vitro [Edmondson, J. C. & Hatten, M. E. (1987) J. Neurosci. 7, 1928-1934]. In the reciprocal combination, hippocampal neurons migrated on cerebellar glial processes in a manner that was also remarkably similar to migration along homotypic, hippocampal glial fibers [Gasser, U. E. & Hatten, M. E. (1990) J. Neurosci. 10, 1276-1285]. In all cases, migrating neurons had a characteristic appearance, apposing their cell soma against the glial fiber and extending in the direction of migration a motile, leading process that enfolded the glial fiber with short filopodia and lamellipodia. As seen by video microscopy, neurons moved along homotypic and heterotypic glial processes by translocation of the soma and were not "pulled" forward by the leading process. As the neuron moved, the nucleus remained in the posterior portion of the cell and cytoplasmic vesicles moved forward from the soma into the leading process. The dynamics of the movement of neurons along heterotypic glial substrates, including the speed and periodicity of motion, was identical to that of neurons migrating along homotypic glial substrates. These experiments suggest that the mechanism of movement of neurons along glial fibers is conserved in these two brain regions during development.
Overlap Domain Decomposition Method For Wave Propagation

A computationally efficient overlap domain decomposition method (ODD) for modeling wave propagation in large domains is presented. The ODD method divides a large domain into several small overlapping subdomains. The method allows the exchange of waves between the subdomains through the overlapping regions without the need for any internal interface connecting conditions. For each subdomain, calculations are performed independently. Thus, it is possible to use different numerical algorithms in each subdomain. The method not only saves computing time, but also gives nearly the same accuracy as conventional methods. This paper describes the ODD algorithm when wave propagation in the subdomains are computed using the finite difference and the pseudospectral methods. An example of the method for a two-dimensional domain divided into 25 subdomains demonstrates the computing efficiency and flexibility of the ODD method.
Segmentation of Colour Images with Highlights and Shadows sing Fuzzy-like Reasoning

In this paper, a fuzzy-like technique is presented that resolves several difficult issues related to image segmentation, such as highlights and shadows. Large, relatively continuous, areas within an image are usually easy to segment, and the pixels included within different segments are often determined by using derived edge information. However, in many cases, pixels which lie between segments or in high frequency areas of an image cannot be easily categorised as belonging to any particular segments. Typically, according to the dichromatic reflection model, these pixels may belong to the matte, highlight or shadow area of the closest segment; or, in association with neighbouring pixels, they make up a separate smaller segment. The dichromatic reflection model is applied here to merge highlight and shadow areas with matte areas in an image. By segmenting those pixels into proper regions, the proposed fuzzy-like reasoning approach provides a more human-like segmentation of images.
T ≠ 0 K Multimode modeling of optical absorption spectra and resonance Raman profiles☆

Abstract We discuss the superiority of the time-correlator approach over conventional sum-over-states methods for exact multimode modeling of T ≠ 0 K optical absorption and resonance Raman profiles. Numerical illustrations of thermal broadening are given, and a short-time approximation is shown to be very convenient for modeling this effect.
The coolability limits of a reactor pressure vessel lower head

Configurations II and III of the ULPU experimental facility are described, and results from a comprehensive set of experiments are provided. The facility affords full-scale simulations of the boiling crisis phenomenon on the hemispherical lower head of a reactor pressure vessel submerged in water, and heated internally. Whereas Configuration I experiments (published previously) established the lower limits of coolability under low submergence, pool-boiling conditions, with Configuration II we investigate coolability under conditions more appropriate to practical interest in severe accident management; that is, heat flux shapes (as functions of angular position) representative of a core melt contained by the lower head, full submergence of the reactor pressure vessel, and natural circulation. Additionally, with Configuration III, we examine the effect of a channel-like geometry created by the reactor vessel thermal insulation. Critical heat fluxes as a function of the angular position on the lower head are reported and related to the observed two-phase flow regimes.
LONG-TERM SURVIVAL AFTER RADIOTHERAPY ALONE: RADIATION THERAPY ONCOLOGY GROUP PROSTATE CANCER TRIALS

AbstractPurpose: We assess the relative importance of the several pretreatment characteristics in predicting death from prostate cancer in patients treated with curative intent with external beam radiotherapy alone.Materials and Methods: Patients entered on 4 prospective phase III randomized trials conducted by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group between 1975 and 1992 were selected for this analysis if they were deemed evaluable and eligible for the trial, they had received no hormonal therapy with initial treatment and followup information was available. A disease specific survival event was declared if death was certified as due to prostate cancer, complications of treatment or unknown causes with clinically active malignancy. Median followup for patients treated on early and late studies exceeded 11 and 6 years, respectively.Results: Most of the patients (1,557) had tumors clinically staged at T3 (59%), and 87 (36%) with clinically staged T1-2 tumors had pathologically positive lymph nodes. On multiva...
Data-Driven Objectness

We propose a data-driven approach to estimate the likelihood that an image segment corresponds to a scene object (its “objectness”) by comparing it to a large collection of example object regions. We demonstrate that when the application domain is known, for example, in our case activity of daily living (ADL), we can capture the regularity of the domain specific objects using millions of exemplar object regions. Our approach to estimating the objectness of an image region proceeds in two steps: $1)$ finding the exemplar regions that are the most similar to the input image segment; $2)$ calculating the objectness of the image segment by combining segment properties, mutual consistency across the nearest exemplar regions, and the prior probability of each exemplar region. In previous work, parametric objectness models were built from a small number of manually annotated objects regions, instead, our data-driven approach uses $5$ million object regions along with their metadata information. Results on multiple data sets demonstrates our data-driven approach compared to the existing model based techniques. We also show the application of our approach in improving the performance of object discovery algorithms.
Computational Modeling of A Metabolic Pathway in Ceramide de novo Synthesis

Studies have implicated ceramide as a key molecular agent in regulating programmed cell death, or apoptosis. Consequently, there is significant potential in targeting intracellular ceramide as a cancer therapeutic agent. The cell's major ceramide source is the ceramide de novo synthesis pathway, which consists of a complex network of interdependent enzyme-catalyzed biochemical reactions. To understand how ceramide works, we have initiated the study of the ceramide de novo synthesis pathway using computational modeling based on fundamental principles of biochemical kinetics. Specifically, we designed and developed the model in MATLAB SIMULINK for the behavior of dihydroceramide desaturase. Dihydroceramide desaturase is one of three key enzymes in the ceramide de novo synthesis pathway, and it converts a relatively inert precursor molecule, dihydroceramide into biochemically reactive ceramide. A major issue in modeling is parameter estimation. We solved this problem by adopting a heuristic strategy based on a priori knowledge from literature and experimental data. We evaluated model accuracy by comparing the model prediction results with interpolated experimental data. Our future work includes more experimental validation of the model, dynamic rate constants assessment, and expansion of the model to include additional enzymes in the ceramide de novo synthesis pathway.
Shock-wave reflexion in a relaxing gas

The transient situation which follows when a plane normal shock wave is reflected (from a coplanar wall) into its own relaxation zone is examined theoretically. Approximate inner and outer solutions for the wall-pressure history are employed to establish the timewise variations in the thermodynamic state of the gas adjacent to the wall. Results for chemically relaxing O2 and vibrationally relaxing CO2 are compared with previous numerical solutions based on the method of characteristics, and the agreement is found to be excellent. The approximate technique is simple and requires only a minimum of computing time.
EFFECT OF HEAT TREATMENT ON THE THERMAL EXPANSION OF SOME SILICA‐ALUMINA GLASSES*

Glasses made from Florida kaolin and quartz so that the compositions lie in the field in which mullite is the primary phase showed characteristic changes in their thermal expansion when heated. These may be due in part to stresses in the glass and in part to the crystallization of submicroscopic mullite. Cristobalite or tridymite also crystallized from the glasses when they were heated to 1230°C.
Implementing a Demand-Driven Approach to Community Water Supply Planning: A Case Study of Lugazi, Uganda

ABSTRACT A new water supply and sanitation planning approach is now becoming accepted in many developing countries. This new approach holds that investment in the water and sanitation sector should be”demand driven,” i.e., that households should be provided with services they want and for which they are willing to pay. This paper shows how results from a rapid appraisal of household demand for improved water services were used to identify the appropriate water service level in Lugazi, Uganda. The authors argue that a demand-driven planning process requires flexibility on the part of engineering consultants, planners, and government officials to respond to the kind of unexpected findings that are likely to emerge from serious dialogue with project beneficiaries. Engineering consultants, government planners, and donors must be willing to tackle water supply problems with an open mind and to create different water scenarios for a community as a function of the community's own desires. At present, however, re...
Tracer Kinetic Modeling in PET

The use of radiopharmaceuticals and the imaging of their biodistribution and kinetics with modern instrumentation are key components to successful developments in PET. Clever design and synthesis of sensitive and specific radiopharmaceuticals is the necessary first step. Each tracer must be targeted to measure a physiological parameter of interest such as blood flow, metabolism, receptor content, etc., in one or more organs or regions. State-of-the-art PET instrumentation produces high-quality 3-dimensional images after injection of tracer into a patient, normal volunteer, or research animal. With an appropriate reconstruction algorithm and with proper corrections for the physical effects such as attenuation and scatter, quantitatively accurate measurements of regional radioactivity concentration can be obtained. These images of tracer distribution can be usefully applied to answer clinical and scientific questions. With the additional use of tracer kinetic modeling techniques, however, there is the potential for a substantial improvement in the kind and quality of information that can be extracted from these biological data. The purpose of a mathematical model is to define the relationship between the measurable data and the physiological parameters that affect the uptake and metabolism of the tracer. In this chapter, the concepts of mathematical modeling as applied to PET are presented. Many of these concepts can be applied to radioactivity measurements from small animals made by tissue sampling or quantitative autoradiography. The primary focus in this chapter will be on methods applicable to data that can be acquired with PET imaging technology. The advantages and disadvantages of various modeling approaches are presented. Then, classes of models are introduced, followed by a detailed description of compartment modeling and of the process of model development and application. Finally, the factors to be considered in choosing and using various model-based methods are presented.
Video laryngoscopy improves intubation success and reduces esophageal intubations compared with direct laryngoscopy in the medical intensive care unit

Urgent and emergent airway management outside the operating room is fraught with complications due to the nature of its acuity, single or multiple system dysfunction or failure, and physiological disturbances. These provide a challenge to the airway team and place the patient at grave risk for potentially life-threatening airway and hemodynamics-related consequences. Conventional laryngoscopy is rapidly being challenged by video-camera-assisted laryngoscopes that, in many cases, offer improved visualization of the airway. Successful intubation remains a lofty but attainable goal for airway specialists as well as the novice intubator. Yet to assume that airway management difficulties can be erased by incorporating a new device is optimistic but naive. In regard to patient safety, the device is just one piece of the airway puzzle.
The effect of changing diagnostic algorithms on acute myocardial infarction rates.

Purpose Population rates of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are changing. Consistent case definitions to evaluate these trends and make comparisons are essential. The World Health Organization (WHO) AMI diagnostic algorithm and clinical judgments were the standards for classification. However, in recent years, five new algorithms, to include diagnostic advances, are advocated by professional organizations. This study compares AMI rates derived from six algorithms and the impact of troponins on those rates. Methods The authors use the population-based Minnesota Heart Survey hospital data in 1995 and 2001 to compare six published diagnostic algorithms and the impact of troponins. Results In 1995 differences in AMI rates between algorithms ranged from 281/100,000 to 440/100,000 for men and 98/100,000 to 139/100,000 for women. The use of troponin, a more sensitive biomarker, adds to the differences by increasing eligible cases. Using 2001 data in patients where creatine kinase and troponin were simultaneously measured, a 64% and 95% increase in AMI rates among men and women, respectively, was observed. Conclusions Accurate and consistent AMI definitions are crucial for clinical trials, epidemiology and public health research. Demonstrated here is the sensitivity of AMI rates to changing case definitions and the biomarker troponin.
The Unique Product Property of Groups and Their Amalgamated Free Products

Abstract A condition which can be used in establishing the unique product property for group coproducts with amalgamation is defined. This condition, called "vnn," has properties analogous to those of A. Lichtman′s inertia condition. Moreover, if K is both inert and vnn over H, then for any unique product group G containing H, the group L = K ∗H G is again a unique product group. Some examples of groups with subgroups exhibiting the vnn condition are given.
Type 1 Diabetes: Etiology, Immunology, and Therapeutic Strategies

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which destruction or damaging of the beta-cells in the islets of Langerhans results in insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia. We only know for sure that autoimmunity is the predominant effector mechanism of T1D, but may not be its primary cause. T1D precipitates in genetically susceptible individuals, very likely as a result of an environmental trigger. Current genetic data point towards the following genes as susceptibility genes: HLA, insulin, PTPN22, IL2Ra, and CTLA4. Epidemiological and other studies suggest a triggering role for enteroviruses, while other microorganisms might provide protection. Efficacious prevention of T1D will require detection of the earliest events in the process. So far, autoantibodies are most widely used as serum biomarker, but T-cell readouts and metabolome studies might strengthen and bring forward diagnosis. Current preventive clinical trials mostly focus on environmental triggers. Therapeutic trials test the efficacy of antigen-specific and antigen-nonspecific immune interventions, but also include restoration of the affected beta-cell mass by islet transplantation, neogenesis and regeneration, and combinations thereof. In this comprehensive review, we explain the genetic, environmental, and immunological data underlying the prevention and intervention strategies to constrain T1D.
Pacing features that mimic malfunction: a review of current programmable and automated device functions that cause confusion in the clinical setting

Modern implantable devices capable of pacing are armed with a multitude of programmable and automated features. While some features represent important advances in device safety and performance, many can also mimic device malfunction. This article discusses these features in terms of the confusion they may cause and highlights important clinical clues that aid in their recognition.