cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fluctuations in models of biological macroevolution (Invited Paper)

ABSTRACT Fluctuations in diversity and extinction sizes are discussed and compared for two dierent, individual-basedmodels of biological coevolution. Both models display power-law distributions for various quantities of evolu-tionary interest, such as the lifetimes of individual species, the quiet periods between evolutionary upheavalslarger than a given cuto, and the sizes of extinction ev ents. Time series of the diversity and measures of thesize of extinctions give rise to icker noise. Surprisingly, the power-law behaviors of the probability densities ofquiet periods in the two models dier, while the distributions of the lifetimes of individual species are the same.Keywords: Biological evolution, Coevolution, Flicker noise, Fluctuations, Power-law distributions 1. INTRODUCTION Biological evolution presents many problems concerning highly nonlinear, nonequilibrium systems of interactingentities that are well suited for study by methods from statistical mechanics. An excellent review of this rapidlygrowing eld is found in Ref. 1. Among these problems are those concerned with coevolution :thesimulta-neous evolution of many species, whose mutual interactions produce a constantly changing Þtness landscape .Throughout this process, new species are created and old species go extinct. A question that is still debated inevolutionary biology is whether evolu tion on the macroscaleproceeds gradually or in ts and starts, as suggestedby Eldredge and Gould.
Crossmatch, Donor-specific Antibody Testing, and Immunosuppression in Simultaneous Liver and Kidney Transplantation: A Review.

Since the introduction of simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation (SLKT) in the 1960's, the potential for immunological protection from the liver allograft to a simultaneously transplanted kidney has been recognized. Due to expanded indications and changes in allocation policies, there has been increased utilization of SLKT. Despite growing experience, a lack of consensus exists regarding the extent of the liver's immunological privilege, the role for donor specific HLA antibody (DSA) and crossmatch testing, and appropriateness of modern immunosuppression protocols in SLKT recipients. This review provides a detailed analysis of SLKT outcomes in the context of these factors, suggesting that while the liver can reduce the incidence of antibody-mediated rejection, attention should be given to liver allograft function, previous failed transplants, and other risk factors in pretransplant risk assessment. Current methods of DSA and crossmatch testing in SLKT are also discussed, and the role of specific DSA (high mean fluorescence intensity antibody, C1q+ binding) and their potential importance in posttransplant risk assessment are examined. Finally, trends in SLKT immunosuppression are discussed, including the use of nondepleting agents for induction and de-escalating use of steroids for maintenance immunosuppression. Ongoing research including multicenter and/or randomized trials will be necessary to optimize immune-related outcomes in SLKT recipients. Supplemental Visual Abstract; http://links.lww.com/TP/C149.
Methodology for a six-state survey of primary care nurse practitioners.

Abstract Background Primary care practices employing nurse practitioners (NPs) can play an important role in improving access to high quality health care services. However, most studies on the NP role in health care use administrative data, which have many limitations. Purpose In this paper, we report the methods of the largest survey of primary care NPs to date. Methods To overcome the limitations of administrative data, we fielded a cross-sectional, mixed-mode (mail/online) survey of primary care NPs in six states to collect data directly from NPs on their clinical roles and practice environments. Findings While we were able to collect data from over 1,200 NPs, we encountered several challenges with our sampling frame, including provider turnover and challenges with identification of NP specialty. Discussion In future surveys, researchers can employ strategies to avoid the issues we encountered with the sampling frame and enhance large scale survey data collection from NPs.
22732 Impact of Type-I Interferon Manipulation During Embryo Implantation and Placentation

ABSTRACT IMPACT: This research will promote understanding the role of the Type-I Interferon signaling pathway during embryo implantation, potentially leading to a new diagnostic or treatment target in early pregnancy failure. OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Studies suggest interferon signaling regulation is tightly balanced between physiologic and pathophysiologic growth in early pregnancy. We propose to determine the impact of interferon-mediated inflammation on embryo implantation and early pregnancy failure in normal conditions and chronic inflammatory diseases in a novel mixed-mouse model. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: To probe the role of type-I interferons (IFNs) in implantation, we will utilize a mouse model and non-surgically transfer both Ifnar1-/- and Ifnar1-/+ embryos into an immune-competent pseudopregnant wild-type female recipient. This will allow analysis of a litter with distinct genotypes within the same, immune-competent, uterine environment. Type-I IFN stimulation will be systemically induced with Poly-(I:C) at various time points around implantation. A similar approach will be used in mouse models of chronic inflammatory disease states associated with early pregnancy loss (e.g. systemic lupous erythematous). With this model, we will be able to control for deficiencies in maternal immune response to specifically determine the embryonic response to inflammation during implantation and development. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We anticipate the Ifnar1-/+ embryos - those able to respond to Type-I IFN - and their surrounding implantation sites will exhibit more maternal-fetal barrier dysfunction in the form of impaired trophoblast fusion, improper formation of the microvascular architecture, and increased permeability of the maternal-fetal barrier, compared to embryos unable to respond to IFN. We will also conduct similar analyses in mouse models of chronic inflammatory diseases. We hypothesize these mice to have baseline endometrial inflammation that stimulated the IFN-pathway in IFN-capable embryos, producing breakdown of the maternal-fetal barrier. In these mice, we predict Ifnar1-/- embryos will show improved molecular outcomes when compared to Ifnar1-/+ embryos, and thus improved associated pregnancy outcomes. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS: This work can insight into the immunological mechanisms that govern embryo implantation and early placentation. This could provide more pointed means for management and intervention of early pregnancy failure and/or disease states that are commonly associated with poor reproductive outcomes.
Abstract 3120: MMP-7 increases migration by decreasing intercellular cell junction complexes in prostate cancer microtumors formed by perlecan/HSPG2

Background: Polarized epithelium is stabilized by lateral cell-cell interactions via cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) and by cell-matrix interactions with basement membrane including with perlecan/HSPG2 (pln). Prostate cancer (PCa) patients with bone metastases have circulating pln fragments, with inverse correlation between MMP-7 staining and loss of pln in cancer tissue. Cleavage of pln by MMP-7 increases cell-matrix interactions and dysregulates cell signaling, permitting migration. We earlier showed pln domain IV-3 (DmIV-3) drives cell-cell cohesion and, when digested with MMP-7, drives cell dyscohesion. Methods: To evaluate the impact of MMP-7 and pln fragments on microtumor dyscohesion and cell migration, uniformly sized PCa microtumors were pre-formed in a microwell system. Pre-formed microtumors were transferred to Dm IV-3 or full length perlecan (FL pln) coated wells for 16-24 hrs. Microtumors were treated with MMP-7 alone or MMP-7 plus predigested Dm IV-3 fragments or MMP-7 plus FL pln fragments. For live cell imaging, tracking of migratory cells leaving microtumors was performed with Imaris software. Co-location of cell adhesion complex components was assessed with Imaris Spots. Results: Pre-formed microtumors cultured with DmIV-3 cleaved by MMP-7 showed lower Pearson9s correlation values at cell boundaries compared to microtumors treated with intact Dm IV-3. Line scan analysis revealed E-cadherin and F-actin fluorescent signals were enriched and co-aligned in microtumors treated with Dm IV-3; enrichment and co-alignment were reduced when DmIV-3 fragments and MMP-7 were present. Track number detected per cell cluster was highest in the presence of FL pln fragments plus MMP-7 along with a measurable change in distribution of track displacement lengths of cells toward high values. Conclusion: Boundary reorganization promotes a migratory cell phenotype in microtumors treated with MMP-7 and DmIV-3 fragments. DmIV-3 fragments generated by MMP-7 cleavage can enhance cell dyscohesion by disrupting interactions between CAMs. Ongoing work will identify DmIV-3 fragment(s) positively associated with tumor dyscohesion that play key roles in secondary metastasis formation. Following patterns of dyscohesion of pre-formed microtumors provides a good model to study dynamic changes in intercellular junction components and quantitate cell migration patterns that foster circulating tumor cell formation and metastasis. Citation Format: Lissette A. Cruz, Tristen V. Tellman, Oleg Igoshin, Daniel Carson, Mary (Cindy) Farach-Carson. MMP-7 increases migration by decreasing intercellular cell junction complexes in prostate cancer microtumors formed by perlecan/HSPG2 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 3120.
The Great Powers and the International System: Systems in historic perspective

Investigating the origins of state behavior, like any other social science investigation, should not stop with an estimation of the magnitude of the relationship among theoretically relevant variables; it should also assess the plausibility of the causal mechanism that the theory posits (Gerring 2007, 43–48). This chapter, therefore, contains a different form of historical investigation than the previous chapter. Rather than examining a large number of cases over the entirety of the period between the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the end of the Cold War, it takes a more focused, in-depth look at three events of considerable interest to students of international politics – the polarization of the European continent after the Vienna settlement, the end of American isolationism, and the end of the Cold War. Each of these cases demonstrates the utility of a systemic perspective. Each case represents a full cycle of systemic politics: in each, a state acts to produce a change in the structure of the international system, and that change in the structure of the system produces a subsequent change in the behavior of the actors. The importance of the structure of the system can be understood counterfactually, by asking whether the actors change their behavior based solely on their understanding of one another's characteristics; in each case, there is a period after the change in the actors' characteristics, but before the change in the structure of the system, that provides a critical test.
Iron deficiency in the premature infant. Significance, and prevention by the intramuscular administration of iron-dextran.

Iron-dextran was given intramuscularly to 84 small prematurely born babies during their stay in the nursery; 97 similar babies were not so treated and served as controls. By 8 to 10 weeks of age, values for hemoglobin in the babies who received iron-dextran were significantly higher than in the controls and remained high throughout the first year. Virtually all of the control babies became anemic and hemoglobin levels below 5 gm/100 ml were observed in four infants. There was no difference in the rate of growth or in the incidence of common infections in the two groups. It is concluded that intramuscular injections of iron given prophylactically in the nursery will effectively prevent iron-deficiency anemia in premature infants and that this practice has definite clinical applicability. (See Addendum.) Prevention of iron deficiency anemia does not reduce the high incidence of common infections experienced by prematurely born infants.
Left‐Sided Atrial Flutter Originating in the Coronary Sinus after Radiofrequency Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

We describe a case of atypical atrial flutter presenting 1 year after radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). Electrophysiologic study showed a reentry circuit involving the inferolateral aspect of the mitral annulus and the coronary sinus (CS); however, a mitral isthmus line did not terminate the arrhythmia. Participation of the proximal CS musculature in the circuit suggested a possible target for ablation. Radiofrequency energy applications from within the CS terminated the tachycardia. Mapping and ablation within the CS should be considered in patients with post-AF ablation arrhythmias, particularly when the mitral annulus appears to be involved in the tachycardia circuit.
Anna Greenspan, Shanghai Future: Modernity Remade (London: C. Hurst & Co., 2014).

I looked forward to reading Shanghai Future having lived there from July 2012 to August 2013, right before coming to Cincinnati. Moving from a city of more than 24 million people to a Midwestern ci...
Religion on the Edge: De-Centering and Re-Centering the Sociology of Religion, edited by Courtney Bender, Wendy Cadge, Peggy Levitt, and David Smilde, New York: Oxford University Press, 2012, xii + 297 pp. ISBN 978-019-993862-9, US$105.00 (hardback); ISBN 978-019-993864-3, US$29.95 (paperback)

Religion on the Edge: De-Centering and Re-Centering the Sociology of Religion is an ambitious volume that aims to deconstruct the ruling paradigms in the sociology of religion in the United States ...
The quasilinearization method on an unbounded domain

We apply a method of quasilinearization to a boundary value problem for an ordinary differential equation on an unbounded domain A uniquely determined Green's function, which is integrable and of fixed sign, is employed. The hypotheses to apply the quasilinearization method imply uniqueness of solutions. The quasilinearization method generates a bilateral iteration scheme in which the iterates converge monotonically and quadratically to the unique solution.
Partial focusing by a uniaxial wire medium periodically loaded with impedance insertions

Uniaxial wire medium periodically loaded with metallic patches and lumped inductive loads is proposed for partial focusing of electromagnetic radiation due to a magnetic line source. The analysis is based on the nonlocal homogenization model for a bi-layer mushroom structure with generalized additional boundary conditions for loaded vias, and it is extended to a multilayered configuration with the transfer matrix approach. The proposed structure exhibits a high transmission and is nearly insensitive to the losses. The analytical results are validated against full-wave numerical simulations.
The Case for Consequences for Academic Dishonesty

Last semester, a student in my course (a PhD student, at that!) copied most of a writing assignment directly from Wikipedia. My course policy is that a grade of F for the course is the default cons...
Learning to measure or measuring to learn

Increasingly, however, the focus has shifted away from defining ever more metrics and subjecting measurement results to increasingly sophisticated statistical analyses to an emphasis of understanding software phenomena. This has led to more case studies, empirical work like field studies, as well as experiments. This emphasis can be clearly seen in this year's METRICS program. With this, the methodological concern shifts from measurement theory to proper design of studies. It also has caused a new look at use (and abuse) of various statistical analysis methods.
Optimization of a 4-m Asymmetric Czerny–Turner Spectrograph*

The properties of a 4-m plane-grating Czerny–Turner spectrograph have been analyzed by tracing rays through the spectrograph. Contrary to results recently reported by Chandler in this journal, it was found that the optimum position of the grating is near that predicted by the Fastie–Rosendahl analytical expression. It is also shown that the image width can be made small all the way across a 50-cm plate, that the focal curve can be made straight, and that a position of the entrance slit can be found that makes it unnecessary to refocus the spectrograph when the grating is rotated.
The Tiros decade

The space age?started by the launch of Sputnik I? is now ten years old. Men have orbited the earth and moon, and spacecraft have landed on the moon and traveled to distant planets. Communications satellites make possible live television among continents and, with the aid of meteorological satellites, giant strides are being made in our understanding of weather. RCA has played a key role in many of these areas, but none more important than its role in the meteorological satellite program?Tiros. Throughout the space decade, RCA has been involved in this program, which provided the first important peaceful and beneficial use of outer space by the nations of the world with the implementation of the Tiros Operational System (TOS) in 1966. This article reviews the performance of the ten Tiros and nine ESSA satellites (part of TOS) orbited during this decade, and gives some insight into the improved TOS satellites that will be launched in the near future.
Acute stress impairs NK cell adhesion and cytotoxicity through CD2, but not LFA-1.

Abstract Using a nonhuman primate model, we examined the mechanisms by which acute social stress inhibits the ability of NK cells to form conjugates with, and lyse target cells. We examined the expression and role of the primary NK cell adhesion molecules, CD2 and LFA-1, in mediating conjugation to target cells. Acute stress induced a decrease in NK cell expression of CD2 (17±3%); and to a lesser degree induced a decrease in expression of LFA-1 (CD11a: 8±3%; CD18: 7±3%). Antibody blocking studies indicated that anti-LFA-1 significantly inhibited NK cell conjugate formation and cytotoxicity in both control (∼40% and ∼50%, respectively) and stressed (∼20% and ∼45%, respectively) conditions. However, anti-CD2 blocked conjugation and cytotoxicity in the control condition by ∼50%, but had no capacity to further affect the inhibition of conjugation or cytotoxicity of NK cells induced by acute stress. These data indicate that there are differential effects of acute stress on the expression and function of LFA-1 and CD2, and that the stress-induced inhibition of NK cell adhesion and cytotoxicity is dependent upon modulation of adhesion and/or signalling through CD2.
Chromatic difference sequences and homomorphisms

Abstract This note characterizes graphs with the second term of their chromatic difference sequences equal to 1 and gives a class of graphs, called W n , that are determined by their chromatic difference sequences. It also gives a large class of n -chromatic graphs for which W n is a homomorphic image. It is proved that the normalized chromatic difference sequence of the categorical product G x H dominates the normalized chromatic difference sequence of G and of H .
An arbitrage model of the term structure of interest rates

Abstract A formula for the price of default-free discount bonds of all maturities is found using a Black- Scholes type of arbitrage model which is based on the assumption that a portfolio of three default-free discount bonds of distinct maturities can be managed to be a perfect substitute for any other default-free discount bond. The formula relates the price of bonds to the real rate of interest, the anticipated rate of inflation and the equilibrium prices of interest rate and inflation risks. Bond prices are shown to be the expected value of the sure nominal proceeds of the bond discounted to the present at a random discount rate. It is shown that the unbiased expectations hypothesis is in general inconsistent with this model.
A Wideband Satcom Based Avionics Network With CDMA Uplink and TDM Downlink

The purpose of this paper is to describe some key technical ideas behind our vision of a future satcom based digital communication network for avionics applications The key features of our design are as follows: (a) Packetized transmission to permit efficient use of system resources for multimedia traffic; (b) A time division multiplexed (TDM) satellite downlink whose physical layer is designed to operate the satellite link at maximum power efficiency. We show how powerful turbo codes (invented originally for linear modulation) can be used with nonlinear constant envelope modulation, thus permitting the satellite amplifier to operate in a power efficient nonlinear regime; (c) A code division multiple access (CDMA) satellite uplink, which permits efficient access to the satellite from multiple asynchronous users. Closed loop power control is difficult for bursty packetized traffic, especially given the large round trip delay to the satellite. We show how adaptive interference suppression techniques can be used to deal with the ensuing near-far problem; (d) Joint source-channel coding techniques are required both at the physical and the data transport layer to optimize the end-to-end performance. We describe a novel approach to multiple description image encoding at the data transport layer in this paper.
Diazinon uptake, metabolism, and elimination by nematodes

There was appreciable uptake of radio-carbon byPanagrellus redivivus, a free-living soil nematode, andBursaphelenchus xylophilus, a plant parasitic nematode, when exposed to a solution of diazinon14C. Both nematode species metabolized diazinon withP. redivivus being more active. Metabolites fromB. xylophilus included0,0-diethyl0-(2-isopropyl-4-methyl-6-pyrimidinyl) phosphate or diazoxon and 2-isopropyl-4-methyl-6-hydroxy-pyrimidine or pyrimidinol. Radioactivity accumulated to a greater extent inB. xylophilus than inP. redivivus. Elimination of radiocarbon was more rapid withP. redivivus than withB. xylophilus, and this resulted in the presence of high levels of the polar pyrimidinol metabolite in the incubation medium ofP. redivivus.
TOWARD COMPUTER-BASED PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT IN MATHEMATICS

One of the main limitations of the current generation of computer-based tests is its dependency on the multiple-choice item. Our work is aimed at extending computer-based testing by bringing limited forms of performance assessment to it in the domain of mathematics. This endeavor involves not only building task types that better reflect valued problem solving, but also creating an integrated set of supports including easy-to-use interfaces, tutorials to teach novice computer users how to negotiate those interfaces, tools that help test developers create items quickly, and mechanisms for scoring constructed responses more efficiently.
A comprehensive model for the structure of dust detonations

A comprehensive analytical model has been developed to describe the structure of dust detomations which simultaneously computes both the induction and reaction zones. Heterogeneous reactions which occur on the external particle surface and on the surface of potes within the particle are used to model the chemistry. The overall reaction rate in the induction zone is controlled by the heterogenous surface reaction rate while in the reaction zone diffusion of the gas into the pores is found to be the rate limiting step. Conduction heat transfer within the particles, convective heat transfer between the particles and the gas and chemical heat release within the particles are considered in this model to describe the temperature distribution within the particles in both the induction and reaction zones. Thermal runaway is used as the criterion of ignition at the end of the induction zone and the singularity at the C-J plane is used to terminate the reaction zone. Because of a lack of sufficient data, some constants used in this model were chosen to provide the best fit between the theory and experiment. The model made it possible to compute the structure of dust detonations without separate treatment of the induction and reaction zones and was used to determine the effects of particle size on detonation structure and propagation velocity. In those cases in which experimental data was available computed and measured results were in good agreement.
Designing UML and UML-based diagrams for technical documentation: where are we now?

UML diagrams are used to model real-world ideas and help users understand complex programming concepts. Developers and writers need to produce well-formed UML diagrams that can convey these ideas, and that are suitable for publishing in technical documentation. This paper examines the evolution of UML diagrams and tooling, with a focus on practices at the IBM Toronto Software Laboratory. It reviews the findings of two previous papers, which described obstacles to creating UML diagrams for publication and outlined numerous steps to help developers, writers, and graphic designers create useful UML diagrams. It shows how developers at the IBM Toronto Software Laboratory have added new features to existing modeling programs to improve the usability and design functions in IBM's suite of modeling tools. It describes the relative strengths and weaknesses of the two main types of graphics, and illustrates the beneficial impact of the addition of the SVG graphic export function to IBM's tooling. It shows how these functional improvements have resulted in a higher quality of UML diagrams submitted for publication by both technical and non-technical users.
Percutaneous Transtracheal Aspiration in the Diagnosis of Anaerobic Pulmonary Infection

Abstract The usefulness of anaerobic culture of percutaneous transtracheal aspirates has been evaluated in 91 untreated patients with various pulmonary conditions. Bacteriologic results were correl...
Chemical modification and photograft polymerization upon expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene)

Poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) films were surface-modified by employing a reaction solution of benzophenone and sodium hydride in anhydrous dimethylformamide at a temperature of 150°C for 12 h. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) showed defluorination, oxygen incorporation, and extensive unsaturation within the treated PTFE surfaces. The suitability of these reduced PTFE films as substrates for graft polymerization was initially assessed via photograft polymerization of the sodium salt of styrenesulfonic acid (SS-Na), which permitted unequivocal surface analysis by the introduction of a new atom, as well as poly(ethylene glycol) monoacrylate (PEG-Ac). All photograft polymerization was performed employing ultraviolet irradiation with 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone as an initiator. Photograft polymerization of SS-Na was verified by further reduction of fluorine atomic content and the appearance of new sulfur and sodium atomic peaks on ESCA survey spectra, and that of PEG-Ac was verified...
Situating ESL Writing in a Cross-Disciplinary Context.

Although the writing needs of English as a Second Language (ESL) students in U.S. higher education have been increasing as the number of ESL students continues to rise, institutional practices that are responsive to the unique needs of ESL writers are yet to be developed. The relative lack of attention to ESL issues in writing programs may be related to how the field of ESL writing has been defined in relation to its related disciplines: Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) and composition studies. This study attempts to construct a view of the field that meets the needs of ESL writers. For this purpose, I present three models of ESL writing in relation to TESL and composition studies and discuss their implications.
The role of complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine in personalized health care.

Personalized medicine, the treatment of patients based on their individual genetic, epigenetic, and phenotypic make up, holds the promise of dramatically changing healthcare by allowing clinical researchers to find specific and more effective strategies to manage symptoms of chronic diseases. Personalized medicine also involves the development of treatment strategies that incorporate understanding of individual patient preference. In a pluralistic healthcare system like that in the United States, many patients explore health practices that are not part of mainstream medicine. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM/NIH) has sponsored two national surveys as components of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) of the centers for disease control and prevention. These surveys have shown that nearly 40% of adult Americans and 12% of children used some form of complementary or alternative medicine as a complement or adjunct to conventional care (Barnes et al, 2008). Examples include use of natural products, such as herbal medicines and probiotics, and mind and body practices, such as meditation, progressive relaxation, tai chi, yoga, acupuncture, massage therapy, and spinal manipulation. In the last decade, as evidence for some of these approaches has grown, they are increasingly being incorporated into conventional care as part of an integrative medicine approach. An understanding of the biological basis of these CAM interventions and an increasing knowledge of how CAM treatments impact disease processes in specific individuals and populations could contribute to the development of more personalized strategies for the management of chronic conditions and the support of health promoting behaviors.
A framework for layout-level logic restructuring

It is well known that optimizations made by traditional logic synthesis tools often correlate poorly with post-layout performance; this is largely a result of interconnect effects only visible after layout. As a result, several attempts at physically aware logic synthesis have been made (e.g.,[2], [9], [14], [4], [7], [12], [16], [15]). In this paper a corrective methodology is proposed for timing-driven logic restructuring at the placement level; the approach currently focuses on LUT-based FPGAs.Driven by placement level static timing analysis, the method induces relatively large, timing-critical fan-in trees via (temporary) replication as in [9]. Such trees are then reimplemented where the degrees of freedom include functional decomposition of LUTs, subject graph covering/mapping, and physical embedding. A dynamic programming algorithm optimizes over all of these freedoms simultaneously. All simple disjoint decompositions (i.e., Ashenhurst style) are encoded in the subject tree/graph using choice nodes similar to those in [11]. At the same time, because embedding is done simultaneously, interconnect delay is directly taken into accountWe have implemented the framework and in many cases we were able to approach a fixed flip-flop lower-bound on achievable clock period. Promising experimental results are reported with average 14.8% (up to 37.4%) clock period reduction compared with the timing-driven placement from VPR [13] and average 6.6% (upto 17%) reduction compared with the basic fan-in tree embedder from [9].
Small main-belt asteroid lightcurve survey

The Small Main-Belt Asteroid Lightcurve Survey is the first to measure main-belt asteroid lightcurve properties for bodies with diameters smaller than 5 km. Attention is given to CCD lightcurves for 32 small main-belt asteroids. The objects of this sample have a mean rotational frequency which is faster than that of larger main-belt asteroids. All lightcurves were investigated for nonperiodic variations ascribable to free precession; no conclusive detection of this phenomenon has been made, however.
Analysis of the Size and Position of the Mental Foramen Using the CS 9000 Cone-beam Computed Tomographic Unit

Abstract Introduction The mental foramen (MF) houses vital neurovascular structures, thus making it an anatomic landmark of great importance for many dental procedures. Because the size and position of the MF can vary, proper planning is necessary beforehand to prepare the strategy of treatment. The purpose of this retrospective observational study was to determine and compare the size and position of the MF using the CS 9000 CBCT unit (Carestream Dental, Rochester, NY) to the findings from similar studies. Methods Tangential, axial, and coronal CBCT images of 106 patients were retrospectively evaluated to determine the size and position of the MF with respect to the mandibular second premolar apex and the cementoenamel junction. Distinguishing characteristics of sex, age, and race were evaluated. Results Regarding location, 53.7% of the MFs were located mesial, 45.3% distal, and 1% coincident to the apex of the mandibular second premolar. Males had a significantly greater coronal height and tangential height measurement than females. Black patients had a significantly greater distal horizontal distance from the cementoenamel junction than white patients. The mean width of the MF was 4.08 mm (axial) or 4.12 mm (tangential), whereas the mean height was 3.54 mm (tangential) or 3.55 mm (coronal). Conclusions The present study shows that the size and position of the MF can be reliably measured using limited field of view CBCT technology. The findings are similar to previous studies when considering the averages and ranges of the measurements.
On the robustness of the competitive equilibrium: Utility-improvements and equilibrium points☆

Abstract We show that the set of competitive equilibrium points of a pure exchange economy are the equilibrium points of a broader class of better-response demands than the usual utility-maximizing demand functions. The better-response demands are derived from assigning weights to all commodity bundles with higher utility than the current commodity bundle, with the greatest weights being placed on the commodity bundles with the highest utility gain. The usual utility-maximizing demand functions are then those in which the weight on the utility-maximizing bundle is one. We also show that these better-response demands belong to a large class of response maps that are generated by monotonic transformations of the utility functions and/or monotonic transformations of the weights assigned to the commodity bundles.
Classroom Attributes and Achievement Test Scores for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students.

This study examined reading comprehension and mathematics computation achievement of deaf and hard-of-hearing students in a variety of school settings. Data were collected by Gallaudet University's Center for Assessment and Demographic Studies during its 1990 standardization of the 8th Edition Stanford Achievement Test. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used to analyze the relationships among achievement scores, classroom attributes, and demographic factors associated with achievement. Based on the results of this study, inclusion with hearing students in regular classrooms is related to a variety of demographic factors. When reading comprehension and mathematics computation scores are adjusted for these factors, they are higher for the deaf and hard-of-hearing students in regular classrooms. However, it is not known whether the higher achievement is due to inclusion or whether students were selected for inclusion due to their higher achievement levels.
Protonation of isomeric methoxyhexenes. Effects of double bond⋯H+⋯OCH3 interaction

Abstract Protonated methoxyhexenes exist as hydrogen-bonded structures in the gas phase. The hydrogen bonding facilitates exchange between the proton of the ether group and the hydrogen atoms of the hexenyl chain that precedes dissociation by loss of methanol. The position of the double bond has an effect on the formation of cyclic intermediates and the mechanisms for hydrogen transfer in metastable ions and following collisional activation. Collisional neutralization of protonated methoxyhexenes results in complete dissociation of the intermediate radicals by cleavage of the CH 2 -O and O-H bonds, but not the O-CH 3 bond. A mechanism for intramolecular hydrogen atom trapping by the double bond in the radicals is suggested. Collisionally activated dissociation and neutralization-reionization mass spectra of isomeric dimethylsilyloxyhexene cations provide little structural information as to the position of the double bond.
A co-processor approach for accelerating data-structure intensive algorithms

Many important software applications are dominated by non-trivial serial components: Amdahl's Law places a hard upper bound on possible speedup that can be achieved for these applications. In this paper, we propose an integrated software/hardware approach for accelerating hard serial bottlenecks in data structure heavy algorithms. The key idea is to overlap the processing of the main algorithmic functions and the data structure related operations. We describe the language, compiler, ISA and architectural support for such data structure co-processing (DSCP), and define a clean interface between the software and the hardware. We perform extensive simulations using the popular C++ STL container classes, as well as a detailed implementation of our approach for Dijkstra's single-source shortest path algorithm. We find potential for improvements that are well beyond what can be achieved with more conventional parallel computation methods.
A model for establishment of educational programmes in developing countries: the nursing paradoxes in Kuwait.

While American nursing attempts to deal with the multitude of dilemmas that have been plaguing it for decades, many developing countries look to the USA for a nursing model to emulate, and then become lost in this confusion of its nursing profession. However, these countries continue to reach out and seek consultants with educational and practical experience in nursing in the USA, as well as in other developed countries. A paradigm is proposed for use by educators and consultants to help delineate the major issues a developing country has to confront in establishing a stable nursing service. This paradigm is explicated by applying it to the situation in Kuwait, a Fourth World country with many social paradoxes (e.g., rich in economic resources but poor in human resources). Four major paradoxes in nursing are identified by using the proposed paradigm. They are: 1 educational needs vs. educational reality; 2 locals vs. cosmopolitans; 3 role congruency vs. role incongruency; and finally 4 medical vs. nursing conceptual models. Although these paradoxes became manifest through work done by the author in Kuwait, any international health care professional will quickly realize that the prardoxes are not unique to Kuwait but have parallels in many other countries which are at different stages of development.
Social Roles and Sex Differences in Gilding

The results indicated that gilding or communicative behavior intended by the communicator to falsify what he actually believes to be “true” was perceived in all phases of everyday life. These results suggest the ubiquity of gilding which emerged from the findings that the incumbents of all of the 20 roles were perceived as distorting what they believe to be “true.”
Hyperspectral chemical plume quantification via background radiance estimation

Existing chemical plume quantification algorithms assume that the off-plume radiance of a pixel containing the plume signal is unobservable. When the problem is limited to a single gas, the off-plume radiance may be estimated from the bands in which the gas absorption is nearly zero. It is then possible to compute the difference between the on- and off-plume radiances and solve for the plume strength from Beer's Law. The major advantage of this proposed method is that the gas strength can be resolved from the radiance difference so that the estimation error remains small for thick plumes.
Glutamine Enhances Immunoregulation of Tumor Growth

Background: It is known that tumor progression is associated with a depletion in host glutamine (Gln) stores and a depression of natural killer (NK) cell activity. After demonstrating an in vitro dependence of NK cell activity on Gln and glutathione concentration, this study evaluated the effects of oral Gln on Gln and glutathione metabolism, NK cell activity, and tumor growth in the tumor-bearing rat. Methods: Two days before tumor implantation, rats (n = 32) were randomized to receive Gln (1 g/kg/d) or an isonitrogenous amount of glycine by gavage and pair-fed food. On day 21 after tumor implantation, rats were killed, and tumors were measured and processed for glutaminase activity, glutathione content, and tumor morphometrics. Splenic lymphocytes were assayed for NK cell activity via a chromium ( 51Cr) release assay using YAC (NK-cell-sensitive mouse tumor cell line) target cells. Blood Gln and glutathione were measured. A second set of rats (n = 16) were treated similarly except that ketamine was give...
Measurements of intensity correlations of scattered light from laser-cooled atoms.

We report measurements of the intensity correlations of scattered light from atoms in optical molasses. For small numbers of atoms, the observations are consistent with recent models of the Rayleigh and Raman contributions to the frequency spectrum. Magnetic fields on the order of 100 mG significantly broaden the spectrum. Radiation trapping results in reduction of the size of the correlations as well as broadening of the spectrum. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Poleward propagation of pulsations near the cusp

Abstract During 1985 magnetometer stations were operated at Cape Parry and Sachs Harbor, N.W.T., Canada in order to investigate the spectrum of geomagnetic pulsations at high latitudes and near the polar cusp. Each day, as the stations move under the dayside cusp, the level of pulsation power increases by several orders of magnitude. The spectrum is broadband, reaching from below 5 mHz to above 1 Hz with enhancements near 5 and 40 mHz. The 5 mHz power is produced, in part, by discrete pulses which may be interpreted as due to evolving current patterns in the overhead ionosphere. The pulses have amplitudes of 50–100 nT, temporal widths of a few minutes and show time delays between the two stations which indicates poleward motion at 1–5 km s −1 . Consistently, for every pulse, the time delay depends upon the component of the magnetometer used. The largest time delays occur for the Z -component and these are about twice the delays measured using the H - and D -components. This dependence may imply the current filament is evolving in shape as it moves poleward. While the number of pulses present in the data varies from day to day, presumably controlled by solar wind conditions, when they are present the pulses occur at 10–20 min intervals throughout the times when the stations are near the dayside cusp. The amplitudes, occurrence frequency and poleward motion are consistent with the identification of these pulses as the ground signatures of currents associated with flux transfer events.
An MPI prototype for compiled communication on Ethernet switched clusters

Compiled communication has recently been proposed to improve communication performance for clusters of workstations. The idea of compiled communication is to apply more aggressive optimizations to communications whose information is known at compile time. Existing MPI libraries do not support compiled communication. In this paper, we present an MPI prototype, CC-MPI, that supports compiled communication on Ethernet switched clusters. The unique feature of CC-MPI is that it allows the user to manage network resources such as multicast groups directly and to optimize communications based on the availability of the communication information. CC-MPI optimizes one-to-all, one-to-many, all-to-all, and many-to-many collective communication routines using the compiled communication technique. We describe the techniques used in CC-MPI and report its performance.The results show that communication performance of Ethernet switched clusters can be significantly improved through compiled communication.
Differentiation via the Marketing Mix

In this paper we investigate the conjecture that increasing marketing mix specialization enhances firm performance. We start by identifying two dimensions of specialization — absolute (concentration of expenditures) and relative to competition (distinctiveness). We then propose underlying mechanisms that lead to effects of marketing mix specialization on firm performance. Using these guidelines we specify an empirical model that relates marketing mix specialization to firm performance. We estimate this model using PIMS data and find support for our propositions.
Identifying Latent Variables Measured by the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI)

AbstractThe Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) is examined through both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Two independent samples of college freshmen completed the LASSI. Data from the first sample of 264 students were used for estimating reliability and for identifying the structural measurement model. The second sample of 143 students provided data to test the proposed model through a confirmatory factor analysis. A three-factor model was suggested in the first set of analyses, and evidence supporting the proposed model is provided in the confirmatory analysis. The three latent variables are labeled values-related activities, goal orientation, and cognitive activities. Interrelations among the latent variables are examined, and the usefulness of the LASSI for future studies testing adult learning models is discussed.
Response of man to endotoxin.

Abstract Endotoxin, a cell wall component of Gram-negative bacteria, plays a central role in the pathogenesis of septic shock. By administering small doses of intravenous endotoxin to humans, a variety of acute inflammatory responses are induced which are qualitatively similar to those that occur during the early stages of septic shock. Within hours of the administration of intravenous endotoxin to human volunteers, changes occur in systemic hemodynamics, ventricular function, pulmonary gas exchange and permeability. In conjunction with these changes in organ function, a wide variety of inflammatory mediators are released which appear to contribute to these responses. These include the release of proinflammatory cytokines (e.g. tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8), activation of the fibrinolytic system, kallikreinkinin generation and phospholipase A2 release. Phagocytic leukocytes are primed for enhanced inflammatory responses following endotoxin administration. Counter-regulatory responses are initiated in parallel and may serve to limit some of the end-organ responses by the inflammatory mediators. This human model provides a unique opportunity to extend previous concepts of acute inflammation and to evaluate the earliest responses activated after exposure to an important bacterial component. Defining the pathways and responses initiated during acute human endotoxemia may allow a better understanding of host responses that are critical to the development of organ dysfunction and shock due to severe infections.
GOVERNORS AS CHIEF ADMINISTRATORS The Linkage Between Formal Powers and Informal Influence

Although formal gubernatorial powers have often been employed as a surrogate measure of actual gubernatorial influence, the linkage is more complex than that. This article builds and tests the argument that formal gubernatorial powers are translated into influence largely through the mechanism of the governor's informal political resources. That is, formal powers do relatively little to bolster a governor's influence where informal resources are lacking, but a combination of formal powers and informal resources contributes greatly to gubernatorial influence. Tests of an interactive model of the governor's influence over state administrative agencies strongly support this interpretation.