cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Study of lattice QCD form factors using the extended Gari-Krümpelmann model

We explore the suitability of a modern vector meson dominance (VMD) model as a method for chiral extrapolation of nucleon electromagnetic form factor simulations in lattice QCD. It is found that the VMD fits to experimental data can be readily generalized to describe the lattice simulations. However, the converse is not true. That is, the VMD form is unsuitable as a method of extrapolation of lattice simulations at large quark mass to the physical regime.
Picasso: flexible RF and spectrum slicing

This paper presents the design, implementation and evaluation of Picasso, a novel radio design that allows simultaneous transmission and reception on separate and arbitrary spectrum fragments using a single RF frontend and antenna. Picasso leverages this capability to flexibly partition fragmented spectrum into multiple slices that share the RF frontend and antenna, yet operate concurrent and independent PHY/MAC protocols. We show how this capability provides a general and clean abstraction to exploit fragmented spectrum in WiFi networks, handle coexistence in dense deployments as well as many other applications. We prototype Picasso, and demonstrate experimentally that a Picasso radio partitioned into four slices, each concurrently operating four standard WiFi OFDM PHY and CSMA MAC stacks, can achieve the same sum throughput as four physically separate radios individually configured to operate on the spectrum fragments. We also demonstrate experimentally how Picasso's slicing abstraction provides a clean mechanism to enable multiple diverse networks to coexist and achieve higher throughput, better video quality and latency than the best known state of the art approaches.
Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 Levels Are Regulated by the Low Density Lipoprotein-related Scavenger Receptor and Thrombospondin 2

We have recently shown that the adhesive defect observed in dermal fibroblasts derived from thrombospondin 2 (TSP2)-null mice results from an increase in matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) levels (Yang, Z., Kyriakides, T. R., and Bornstein, P. (2000) Mol. Biol. Cell 11, 3353-3364). Adhesion was restored by replacement of TSP2 and by inhibitors of MMP2 activity. In pursuing the observation that TSP2 and MMP2 interact, we now demonstrate that this interaction is required for optimal clearance of extracellular MMP2 by fibroblasts. Since TSP2 is known to be endocytosed by the scavenger receptor, low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP), we determined whether interference with LRP function affected fibroblast adhesion and/or extracellular MMP2 levels. Addition of heparin, which competes for the binding of TSP2 to LRP coreceptor proteoglycans, inhibited adhesion of control but not TSP2-null cells, and a blocking antibody to LRP as well as the LRP inhibitor, receptor-associated protein, also inhibited adhesion and increased MMP2 levels only in control fibroblasts. TSP2 did not inhibit active MMP2 directly and did not inhibit the activation of pro-MMP2. Finally, the internalization of 125I-MMP2 was reduced in TSP2-null compared with control fibroblasts. We propose that clearance of MMP2-TSP2 complexes by LRP is an important mechanism for the regulation of extracellular MMP2 levels in fibroblasts, and perhaps in other cells. Thus, some features of the phenotype of TSP2-null mice, such as abnormal collagen fibrillogenesis, accelerated wound healing, and increased angiogenesis, could result in part from increased MMP2 activity.
CVaR norm and applications in optimization

This paper introduces the family of CVaR norms in $${\mathbb {R}}^{n}$$ , based on the CVaR concept. The CVaR norm is defined in two variations: scaled and non-scaled. The well-known $$L_{1}$$ and $$L_{\infty }$$ norms are limiting cases of the new family of norms. The D-norm, used in robust optimization, is equivalent to the non-scaled CVaR norm. We present two relatively simple definitions of the CVaR norm: (i) as the average or the sum of some percentage of largest absolute values of components of vector; (ii) as an optimal solution of a CVaR minimization problem suggested by Rockafellar and Uryasev. CVaR norms are piece-wise linear functions on $${\mathbb {R}}^{n}$$ and can be used in various applications where the Euclidean norm is typically used. To illustrate, in the computational experiments we consider the problem of projecting a point onto a polyhedral set. The CVaR norm allows formulating this problem as a convex or linear program for any level of conservativeness.
Continuous improvement efforts in healthcare: a case study exploring the motivation, involvement and support necessary for success

In production environments, improvement efforts focus on reducing defects and/or improving efficiency. Yet, in service industries, customer satisfaction is often the primary concern; therefore, improvement efforts generally focus on reducing errors or mistakes. One specific type of service environment is a healthcare facility. Because the health and safety of human beings is the primary consideration in the healthcare industry, error reduction is paramount in this field. Healthcare facilities are, however, businesses, so in addition to concerns relative to the quality of patient care and patient safety, they are also interested in reducing operating expenses and improving the efficiency of their operations. In this work, we use a focus group composed of experts within the healthcare field to explore the current issues in healthcare and investigate how the represented healthcare facilities use continuous improvement initiatives such as Lean principles and the Six Sigma methodology to address these issues.
The Self as a Dynamic Constant. Rāmakaṇṭha’s Middle Ground Between a Naiyāyika Eternal Self-Substance and a Buddhist Stream of Consciousness-Moments

The paper gives an account of Rāmakaṇṭha’s (950–1000) contribution to the Buddhist–Brāhmaṇical debate about the existence or non-existence of a self, by demonstrating how he carves out middle ground between the two protagonists in that debate. First three points of divergence between the Brāhmaṇical (specifically Naiyāyika) and the Buddhist conceptions of subjectivity are identified. These take the form of Buddhist denials of, or re-explanations of (1) the self as the unitary essence of the individual, (2) the self as the substance to which mental properties belong, (3) the self as the agent of both physical actions and cognitions. The difference of Rāmakaṇṭha’s position from both Nyāya and Buddhism is then elaborated. He posits a self, but not one that is an eternally unchanging substance, nor one that is anything other than consciousness. Hence his difference from Nyāya. He falls with Buddhism in holding that consciousness does not require anything other than itself to inhere in, but departs from Buddhism in holding that consciousness is not momentary but enduring. The guiding metaphor here is light, but light considered as a dynamic, qualitatively unchanging repetition of the action of illumination.
Spinodal-like decomposition of Fe-35Ni and Fe-Cr-35Ni alloys during irradiation or thermal aging

Abstract Fe-35Ni and Fe-Cr-35Ni alloys appear to thermally decompose in a spinodal-like but very sluggish manner at temperatures between ~ 400 to 800°C, with the miscibility gap spanning nickel levels of ~ 30 to 40%. When irradiated with either charged particles or neutrons at these temperatures, the instability is accelerated and the miscibility gap widens to span ~ 25 to 50% Ni, developing very large and temperature-dependent wavelengths. This phenomenon is thought to be the result of the combined action of a natural instability and radiation-induced segregation, cooperating to produce a new form of compositional self-organization. Three experimental methods have been developed to allow a visualization of the decomposition on a large scale.
Metallic to insulating nature of TaN x : Role of Ta and N vacancies

It has been demonstrated recently that the stoichiometry of rocksalt TaN can be tuned by ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ pressure and temperature, yielding material that ranges from highly conductive to insulating. Using density functional theory, we investigate the atomic and electronic structure and formation energy of defective TaN structures. The calculations predict that Ta and N vacancies form under N-rich and N-poor conditions, respectively, where the presence of Ta vacancies reduce the density of states (DOS) around the Fermi level ${(E}_{\mathrm{F}}).$ We also studied the ${\mathrm{Ta}}_{4}{\mathrm{N}}_{5}$ and ${\mathrm{Ta}}_{3}{\mathrm{N}}_{5}$ structures which occur in nature. The former phase, consisting of an ordered arrangement of Ta vacancies, also exhibits a notable decrease in the DOS at ${E}_{\mathrm{F}},$ while the latter is a semiconductor with a band gap of 1.5 eV within the local density approximation. Our results suggest that the formation of Ta-deficient structures is directly related to the metal-to-insulator transition.
Designing 4D contexts for construction planners

Today, no context enables planners to communicate all the information necessary to evaluate a schedule. This thesis work looks at how we can use the 4D (3D + time) context to communicate and interact with descriptive, predictive, and explanative planning content by focusing on three aspects of the design of 4D contexts: 1) Defining the interactions between the elements of a 4D context and between the 4D content and the users; 2) Extending the current representation of planning content to generate these 4D contexts; and 3) Specifying and applying performance criteria to evaluate alternative 4D contexts.
A PL/CV precis

PL/CV is a new formal system which mixes commands and assertions. It includes axioms and rules for a theory of programming over integers and characters. Since arguments in the theory can be checked by the PL/CV Proof Checker, the system offers an approach to mechanical program verification. The Proof Checker is efficient enough for classroom use. Early experience with PL/CV indicates that it nicely supports formal verification of elementary arguments. Continued work should enable the formalization of non-elementary reasoning as well.
Emission Color Tuning with Polymer Molecular Weight for Difluoroboron Dibenzoylmethane‐Polylactide

plays, [11] sensors [12] and molecular probes. [13] Another easy approach to dye emission color tuning takes advantage of solvatochromism. [14] Polar dyes in particular can be sensitive to the properties of their surroundings. The polarity or dielectric constant of the local medium, whether liquid [15] or solid state, [16,17] can affect the ground state or excited state energies of fluorophores. [18,19] In fact, intermolecular interactions are not restricted to fluorophores and solvents. For polar dyes, fluorophore‐fluorophore (F‐F) interactions can be so significant that their emission spectra may be adjusted with concentration. For example, emission from the laser dye DCM2 can vary from yellow to red when the relative concentration of DCM2 in TPD thin films changes from 0.9‐11wt%. [16] Polyester side chain grafted poly(aryleneethynylene)s also display different solid state emission colors as a function of the polyester/conjugated polymer dye ratio. [20] Recently, a single dye species was used to generate multicoloremissionon pre-patternedsolidsubstrates,basedon the transition energy differences associated with different dye aggregation states. [7] These are examples of luminescence
Identification of a novel Michael acceptor group for the reversible addition of oxygen- and sulfur-based nucleophiles. Synthesis and reactivity of the 3-alkylidene-3H-indole 1-oxide function of avrainvillamide.

The 3-alkylidene-3H-indole 1-oxide functional group found in the naturally occurring alkaloid avrainvillamide has been synthesized by a cross coupling−reductive condensation sequence and found to undergo reversible addition of oxygen- and sulfur-based nucleophiles.
Intraoperative laparoscopic liver ultrasonography for staging of colorectal cancer. Initial experience.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasonography (ILUS) to completely scan all anatomic segments of the liver through a single port site during laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer. METHODS: ILUS was performed in patients who were undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery using the following approach: 1) presence of a radiologist in the operating room; 2) introduction of the probe through a single cannula site; 3) standardized sequence of four probe positions on liver surface; 4) identification of all major vascular/biliary hepatic structures as a guideline to scan all parenchymal segments of the liver. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients who were undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery were prospectively enrolled. Computed tomography (CT) scan films were available for an immediate comparative analysis in the first 12 cases. Mean duration of the procedure was 10 (range, 5–15) minutes. All major vascular and biliary structures were identified in all patients. Sixteen focal abnormalities were identified by ILUS, and ten focal abnormalities were identified by CT scan in the same seven patients. In one patient, detection of a suspected metastasis not seen by preoperative CT scan led to conversion of the surgical procedure to a laparotomy. CONCLUSIONS: ILUS is a safe and expeditious technique that permits scanning of all anatomic liver parenchyma segments through a single cannula site. Because intraoperative palpation of the liver is not possible during laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery, ILUS should probably be a standard component of the curative laparoscopic colorectal cancer operation.
Discriminated avoidance vs classical conditioning: A two-phase model analysis*

The acquisition of discriminated avoidance and classically conditioned leg flexions in dogs and of discriminated avoidance leg flexion in cats was examined via a two-phase model of conditioning. Classically conditioned Ss uniformly required two operators during Phase 2, with the limit of the CR operator being greater than that of the CR operator. Not all avoidance-trained Ss required two operators during Phase 2, but those who did also had a higher CR than CR operator limit. The CR operator limit was higher for avoidance than for classical training, while the change rate was greater for classical training. The avoidance behavior of cats paralleled that of the dogs. It was concluded that the data generally conformed to views of Hilgard and Marquis and, more recently, of Bolles, but were contrary to what would be expected from two-factor theory.
Magellan: Initial analysis of Venus surface modification

Initial Magellan observations reveal a planet with high dielectric constant materials exposed preferentially in elevated regions with high slopes, ejecta deposits extending up to 1000 kilometers to the west of several impact craters, windblown deposits and features in areas where there are both obstacles and a source of particulate material, and evidence for slow, steady degradation by atmosphere-surface interactions and mass movements.
Mapping of Wnt, frizzled, and Wnt inhibitor gene expression domains in the avian otic primordium.

Wnt signaling activates at least three different pathways involved in development and disease. Interactions of secreted ligands and inhibitors with cell-surface receptors result in the activation or regulation of particular downstream intracellular cascades. During the developmental stages of otic vesicle closure and beginning morphogenesis, the forming inner ear transcribes a plethora of Wnt-related genes. We report expression of 23 genes out of 25 tested in situ hybridization probes on tissue serial sections. Sensory primordia and Frizzled gene expression share domains, with Fzd1 being a continuous marker. Prospective nonsensory domains express Wnts, whose transcripts mainly flank prosensory regions. Finally, Wnt inhibitor domains are superimposed over both prosensory and nonsensory otic regions. Three Wnt antagonists, Dkk1, SFRP2, and Frzb are prominent. Their gene expression patterns partly overlap and change over time, which adds to the diversity of molecular micro-environments. Strikingly, prosensory domains express Wnts transiently. This includes (1) the prosensory otic region of high proliferation, neuroblast delamination, and programmed cell death at stage 20/21 (Wnt3, -5b, -7b, -8b, -9a, -11), and (2) sensory primordia at stage 25 (Wnt7a, Wnt9a). In summary, robust Wnt-related gene expression shows both spatial and temporal tuning during inner ear development as the otic vesicle initiates morphogenesis and prosensory cell fate determination.
Synthetic studies toward taxanes. A sulfur based approach to the benzilic acid rearrangement

Abstract Based upon the notion of a three carbon intercalation as a synthetic approach to texanes, a trans -perhydroindanone was required. In order to ensure the stereochemistry of the perhydroindanone, an approach based upon the stereocontrolled synthesis of a decalin followed by a ring contraction was adopted. In the course of this phase a C-acylation based upon the use of copper anolates was employed. A ring-contraction sequence was devloped initiated by a regioselective sulfenylation of a ketone. Acetoxylation of the resultant β-ketosulfide generated a monoprotected 1,2-diketone. Base treatment created a ring contracted α-hydroxycarboxylic acid which was cleaved directly to the nor-ketone. In this way, a suitable intermediate for elaboration into the taxanes was synthesized.
An experimental study of the ventral striatum of the golden hamster. II. Neuronal connections of the olfactory tubercle

As part of an experimental study of the ventral striatum, the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) method was used to examine the afferent and efferent neuronal connections of the olfactory tubercle. Following iontophoretic applications or hydraulic injections of HRP in the tubercle, neurons labeled by retrograde transport of HRP were observed ipsilaterally in the telencephalon in the main olfactory bulb, the medial, lateral, ventral, and posterior divisions of the anterior olfactory nucleus, and in the orbital, ventral, and posterior agranular insular, primary olfactory, perirhinal, and entorhinal cortices. Labeled cells were also present in the basolateral, basomedial, anterior cortical, and posterolateral cortical amygdaloid nuclei, and bilaterally in the nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract. In the diencephalon, ipsilateral HRP-containing neurons were observed in the midline nuclei paraventricularis, parataenialis, and reuniens, and in the parafascicular intralaminar nucleus. Retrograde labeling was present in the ipsilateral brainstem in cells of the ventral tegmental area, substantia nigra, and dorsal raphe. Many of the above projections to the tubercle were found to be topographically organized. Anterograde axonal transport of HRP from the olfactory tubercle labeled terminal fields ipsilaterally in all parts of the anterior olfactory nucleus, in the ventral pallidum, and in the substantia nigra, pars reticulata. Contralaterally, terminal fields were present in the dorsal and lateral divisions of the anterior olfactory nucleus. The projections to the tubercle from the orbital, ventral, and posterior agranular insular, and perirhinal neocortices, intralaminar thalamus, and dopamine-containing areas of the ventral mesencephalon are analogous to the connections of the caudatoputamen, as are the efferents from the tubercle to the ventral globus pallidus and substantia nigra. These connections substantiate the recent suggestion that the olfactory tubercle is a striatal structure, and provide support for the ventral striatal concept. In the present study of the olfactory tubercle, and in the first study in this series on the nucleus accumbens, the ventral striatum was found to receive projections from a number of limbic system structures, including the main olfactory bulb, anterior olfactory nucleus, amygdala, hippocampus, and subiculum, and the entorhinal and primary olfactory cortices. These findings suggest that the ventral striatum is concerned with integrating limbic information into the striatal system.
A method for including arbitrary external boundaries in the MAC incompressible fluid computing technique

A method is proposed which treats the fluid boundary at an arbitrarily curved wall or obstacle as if it were a free surface, to which a pressure is applied such that the particles at the boundary line move tangent to it. The pressure can be determined by replacing the conventional MAC relaxation iteration with one in which the pressure in boundary cells is adjusted by an amount proportional to the scalar product of the particle velocity at the boundary and a unit normal defining the boundary.
Educating Medical Students About Radiation Oncology: Initial Results of the Oncology Education Initiative

Purpose Multidisciplinary cancer care requires the integration of teaching across established educational boundaries. Because exposure to oncology and radiation oncology is limited in the undergraduate medical curriculum, the authors introduced an oncology education initiative at their institution. They report on the addition of structured multidisciplinary oncology education to the required radiology core clerkship. Methods An institutional-based cohort study of fourth-year medical students rotating through a required clerkship in radiology at Boston University School of Medicine was conducted, beginning with the class of 2007. An educational questionnaire measuring the perceived quality of oncology education before and after exposure to a structured didactic program was administered. Results Of the 149 fourth-year students, 121 (81%) have completed the didactics of the initiative. Although 68 of 121 (56%) students reported having limited exposure to cancer care in the clinical years, 107 of 121 (88%) were motivated to learn more about the subject, and 100 of 121 (83%) reported a better understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of cancer care after this oncology education initiative. One hundred ten of 121 (91%) felt that the radiology clerkship was an opportune time to receive oncology and radiation oncology teaching. As a result of the initiative, 32% of the students pursued advanced training in radiation oncology. Of students who before the initiative were not planning on taking oncology electives, 70 of 99 (71%) agreed or strongly agreed that the lecture motivated them to learn more about the subject, and 43 of 99 (43%) agreed or strongly agreed that the lecture motivated them to take oncology electives. Conclusions Systematic exposure to multidisciplinary oncology education as part of a radiology core clerkship provides an excellent opportunity for the integrated teaching of oncologic principles and patient management. This type of experience addresses an important yet underrepresented component of undergraduate medical education.
Conceptual Foundation for Measures of Physical Function and Behavioral Health Function for Social Security Work Disability Evaluation

Physical and mental impairments represent the 2 largest health condition categories for which workers receive Social Security disability benefits. Comprehensive assessment of physical and mental impairments should include aspects beyond medical conditions such as a person's underlying capabilities as well as activity demands relevant to the context of work. The objective of this article is to describe the initial conceptual stages of developing new measurement instruments of behavioral health and physical functioning relevant for Social Security work disability evaluation purposes. To outline a clear conceptualization of the constructs to be measured, 2 content models were developed using structured and informal qualitative approaches. We performed a structured literature review focusing on work disability and incorporating aspects of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health as a unifying taxonomy for framework development. Expert interviews provided advice and consultation to enhance face validity of the resulting content models. The content model for work-related behavioral health function identifies 5 major domains: (1) behavior control, (2) basic interactions, (3) temperament and personality, (4) adaptability, and (5) workplace behaviors. The content model describing physical functioning includes 3 domains: (1) changing and maintaining body position, (2) whole-body mobility, and (3) carrying, moving, and handling objects. These content models informed subsequent measurement properties including item development and measurement scale construction, and provided conceptual coherence guiding future empirical inquiry. The proposed measurement approaches show promise to comprehensively and systematically assess physical and behavioral health functioning relevant to work.
EFFECTS OF SOLUTION FOCUSED THERAPY'S “FORMULA FIRST SESSION TASK” ON COMPLIANCE AND OUTCOME IN FAMILY THERAPY

This study investigated the immediate impact of a “solution focused” family therapy intervention on both the family and the therapist. Specifically, the study examined the differential effects of the formula first session task (FFST) recommended by de Shazer (1982, 1985), as well as the FFST plus solution focused therapy, as compared to a standard problem focused structural-strategic intervention. After one week, the groups receiving the FFST were significantly higher on measures of family compliance, clarity of treatment goals, and improvement in the presenting problem. However, there were no significant differences among groups on family optimism or on outcome after 10 sessions. The implications of these results are discussed.
Inside or outside a ligand cleft? Synthetic, structural, and kinetic inertness studies of zinc, cadmium, and mercury complexes of cross-bridged cyclam and cyclen

Ethylene cross-bridging of the popular tetraazamacrocyclic ligand cyclam has led to metal complexes with enhanced kinetic inertness. The synthesis and spectral characterization of zinc(II), cadmium(II), and mercury(II) complexes of cross-bridged cyclam (L1) as well as cross-bridged cyclen (L2) are reported along with the details of our synthetic route to L2. X-ray structural studies revealed that all Zn(II) and Cd(II) cations are fully κ4N-coordinated inside the respective ligand's molecular cleft with L1 providing the better fit for Zn(II). While Hg(II) is similarly coordinated to L2, it has been found to complex L1 outside the ligand cleft in a novel exo-κ2N-mode. Solution NMR data of the κ4N complexes are consistent with the presence of only a single cis-folded isomer in each case. Ligand 1H and 13C coupling to both 111,113Cd and 199Hg in their complexes can be clearly discerned. The relative kinetic inertness of representative cross-bridged complexes in acidic aqueous solution has been assessed and found to be in the following order: Zn(II) > Cd(II) ≫ Hg(II). The data also reaffirm that cross-bridged cyclam ligand L1 forms a substantially more inert complex with zinc(II) than either the smaller cyclen analogue L2 or the unbridged 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl–cyclam L3.
Toward a Clarification of the Division of Labor Construct

Empirical and theoretical articles written between 1958-1981 whose primary focus was the division of labor were reviewed. Definitional and operational problems are discussed as they account for discrepancies that exist in the literature. Standardized definitions of the various components of the division of labor are proposed for guiding future research clarity through standardization.
Transactivation of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mediates Parathyroid Hormone and Prostaglandin F2α-Stimulated Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Activation in Cultured Transgenic Murine Osteoblasts

Recent data suggest that G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), including those for PTH and prostaglandins (PGs), contribute to the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts in vivo. To understand how these signals are transduced, we studied activation of the ERK1/2 MAPK cascade in cultures of differentiating TMOb murine osteoblasts. In TMOb cells, stimulation of endogenous Gs/Gq-coupled PTH receptors, Gq-coupled PGF2α receptors, and Gi/Gq-coupled lysophosphatidic acid receptors, but not Gs-coupled PGE2 receptors, caused a rapid 5- to 10-fold increase in ERK1/2 phosphorylation. GPCR-stimulated ERK1/2 activation coincided with increased tyrosine phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors and was blocked by the EGF receptor inhibitor, tyrphostin AG1478, and the metalloprotease inhibitor, batimastat, suggesting that the response involved transactivation of EGF receptors through the proteolytic release of an EGF receptor ligand. To further examine the mechanism of PTH-stimulated EGF recep...
A variational principle and the convergence of a finite-element method based on assumed stress distribution

Abstract A variational principle is formulated as the foundation of the finite-element method proposed by Pian. Through this formulation an extension of Pian's original proposal is made and the convergence of the approximate solution to the exact one is proved.
Comparative BTI reliability analysis of SRAM cell designs in nano-scale CMOS technology

Bias Temperature Instability (BTI) causes significant threshold voltage shift in MOSFET using Hafnium-dioxide (HfO 2 ) High-k dielectric material. Negative BTI and Positive BTI are two types of BTI effects observed in p-channel and n-channel MOSFET. BTI affects the stability and reliability of conventional six transistor (6T) SRAM design in nano-scale CMOS technology. Eight transistor (8T) and Ten transistor (10T) SRAM cell designs are known for their ability to operate at lower supply voltages to reduce power consumption. In this paper, we present a comparative analysis of different SRAM cell designs in terms of their reliability against BTI effects. For a fair comparison, voltage scaling is applied to the 8T and 10T cells to a level where they show same Static Noise Margin (SNM) as that of the 6T cell at nominal supply voltage. In a predictive 32 nm CMOS technology, the supply voltage of 8T and 10T cells is reduced to 0.42 V which is 54% lower than the nominal supply voltage (0.9 V), which the 6T cell is biased at. Due to lower supply voltage in 8T and 10T SRAM designs, the impact of BTI is lower and reliability is far better than the 6T SRAM design, while achieving significant leakage power reduction. Based on the simulation results, we recommend designing SRAM arrays using 8T SRAM cell or 10T SRAM cell in future nano-scale CMOS where BTI effect is a reliability barrier for SRAM design.
Special purpose automatic programming for 3D model-based vision

Abstract A method for the automatic construction of fast special purpose vision programs is described. The starting point for the automatic construction process is a description of a particular 3D object. The result is a fast special purpose program for recognizing and locating that object in images, without restriction on the orientation of the object in space. The method has been implemented and tested on a variety of images with good results. Some of the tests involved images in which the target objects appear in a jumbled pile. The current implementation is not fully optimized for speed. However, evidence is given that image analysis times on the order of a second or less can be obtained for typical industrial recognition tasks. (This time estimate excludes edge finding).
Covenant Marriage and the Sanctification of Gendered Marital Roles

This study contributes to research on the deinstitutionalization of marriage and changing gender ideologies by focusing on a unique group of marriage innovators. With quantitative and qualitative data from the Marriage Matters project (1997-2004), this study used a symbolic interactionist perspective to compare covenant- and standard-married couples. Findings reveal that covenants are more traditional than standards across religious, marital, and gender attitude indices. Qualitative analyses suggest that covenants see their marital status as a powerful symbol to publicly display their beliefs about the benefits and necessity of traditional religious marriage. Covenant-married couples defuse the stigma of gender subordination by casting it as a service to God and by crafting a hybrid form of gender traditionalism that incorporates emotional ethics of egalitarianism. Conversely, standard-married couples view gender, marriage, and religion as diffuse, privatized, individualized matters. Implications are disc...
POSH: a TLS compiler that exploits program structure

As multi-core architectures with Thread-Level Speculation (TLS) are becoming better understood, it is important to focus on TLS compilation. TLS compilers are interesting in that, while they do not need to fully prove the independence of concurrent tasks, they make choices of where and when to generate speculative tasks that are crucial to overall TLS performance.This paper presents POSH, a new, fully automated TLS compiler built on top of gcc. POSH is based on two design decisions. First, to partition the code into tasks, it leverages the code structures created by the programmer, namely subroutines and loops. Second, it uses a simple profiling pass to discard ineffective tasks. With the code generated by POSH, a simulated TLS chip multiprocessor with 4 superscalar cores delivers an average speedup of 1.30 for the SPECint 2000 applications. Moreover, an estimated 26% of this speedup is a result of the implicit data prefetching provided by squashed tasks.
Diabetes knowledge in young adults: associations with hemoglobin A1C

The purpose of this study was to quantify associations between hemoglobin A1C (A1C) and diabetes knowledge score using an assessment tool developed to evaluate the level of diabetes knowledge in young adults with Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and their parent/primary caregiver. Seventy-five participants with T1DM, ages 15-22 years, completed questionnaires. Two 25-item questionnaires were developed: one for patient and one for caregiver. Linear regression quantified associations between correct items on the tools and participant A1C and demographic characteristics. Mean age of participants was 16.7 ± 1.7 years, diabetes duration 5.9 ± 4.2 years, 46.7% male, 74.7% Caucasian, 69.3% on multiple daily injections, and 30.7% on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy; 78.7% of parents/caregivers completed the questionnaire. A significant interaction was observed between patient and caregiver scores with A1C by diabetes duration. Among patients with diabetes <6 years, higher patient and caregiver scores were associated with lower A1C (-0.25 ± 0.11, p = .03 and -0.59 ± 0.19, p = .005, respectively) accounting for age, gender, race, therapy, and insurance. Neither patient nor caregiver score was associated with A1C in patients with diabetes duration ≥6 years. Better performance on a diabetes knowledge assessment (for both patient and the caregiver) was found to be associated with more favorable levels of glycemic control among young adults with diabetes <6 years. Additional evaluation of these questionnaires and novel interventions to enhance knowledge in this population are needed.
Biologically Based Computational Models of High-Level Cognition

Computer models based on the detailed biology of the brain can help us understand the myriad complexities of human cognition and intelligence. Here, we review models of the higher level aspects of human intelligence, which depend critically on the prefrontal cortex and associated subcortical areas. The picture emerging from a convergence of detailed mechanistic models and more abstract functional models represents a synthesis between analog and digital forms of computation. Specifically, the need for robust active maintenance and rapid updating of information in the prefrontal cortex appears to be satisfied by bistable activation states and dynamic gating mechanisms. These mechanisms are fundamental to digital computers and may be critical for the distinctive aspects of human intelligence.
Supporting Quality Research in Institutions of Higher Education

OVER the past three decades, governments and universities in OECD countries have relied mainly on six different mechanisms to safeguard quality in university research: competitive allocation of research funding to institutions; competitive funding of research projects using peer review; use of peer review by scholarly journals; citation indices; performance indicators; and external reviews. More recently, many countries have added new quality assurance mechanisms which have included emphasis on research, particularly ‘horizontal’ reviews of disciplines and ‘vertical’ academic audits. Two recent Australian developments of importance have been the national program of quality assurance from 1993–1995 and use of the Composite Index for allocation of the Research Quantum.
In-Hospital Morbidity and Mortality Following Total Joint Arthroplasty in Patients with Hemoglobinopathies

Given the growing patient population with hemoglobinopathies needing total joint arthroplasty (TJA) and paucity of literature addressing this cohort, we examined the in-hospital complications in patients with hemoglobinopathies undergoing TJA. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes were used to search the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database for hemoglobinopathy patients undergoing primary or revision TJA. Hemoglobinopathy patients had a significant increase in cardiac, respiratory, and wound complications; blood product transfusion; pulmonary embolism; surgical site infection; and systemic infection events, while there was no significant effect on deaths, deep vein thrombosis, and renal complications. It may be prudent to implement blood conservation strategies as well as diligent postoperative protocols to minimize the need for transfusion and related complications in this patient population.
Improved Algorithms for Computing Fisher's Market Clearing Prices

We give the rst strongly polynomial time algorithm for computing an equilibrium for the linear utilities case of Fisher’s market model. We consider a problem with a set B of buyers and a set G of divisible goods. Each buyer i starts with an initial integral allocation ei of money. The integral utility for buyer i of good j is Uij. We rst develop a weakly polynomial time algorithm that runs in O(n 4 logUmax +n 3 emax) time, where n =jBj +jGj. We further modify the algorithm so that it runs in O(n 4 logn) time. These algorithms improve upon the previous best running time of O(n 8 logUmax +n 7 logemax), due to Devanur et al. [5]
Reductions in methotrexate and folate influx in methotrexate-resistant lines of Leishmania major are independent of R or H region amplification.

The methotrexate (MTX) and folate transport properties of five MTX-resistant lines of Leishmania major have been examined. These resistant lines all show a decreased Vmax for MTX influx, with no change in apparent affinity (Kt). The Vmax of folate influx is also proportionately decreased without alteration in Kt, supporting our proposal that there is a single carrier mediating influx of both ligands. Amplifications of two regions of DNA, the R region (encoding dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase) and the H region (Beverley, S.M., Coderre, J.A., Santi, D.V., and Schimke, R.T. (1984) Cell 38, 431-439), were also observed. In a given line, the amplifications occurred singly, in combination, or not at all. No other regions of amplification were detected. The phenotype of reduced MTX transport was moderately stable in the highly resistant R1000 line, being retained for more than 200 generations in the absence of MTX in vitro and during one passage through an infected mouse; in contrast, R- and H-amplified DNA were less stable. The lack of correlation of R and H amplification with reduced MTX transport suggests that alterations in transport are not causally mediated by gene amplification in Leishmania, but are a separate mode of MTX resistance. The onset of decreased MTX transport was also examined; wild-type Leishmania developed a reduced Vmax of MTX influx within 24 h following exposure to 1 microM MTX, which is extremely unstable in the absence of drug pressure. A comparable decrease in the Vmax of influx is seen in cells exposed to MTX in media in which cytotoxicity is eliminated. As the folate/MTX transporter is regulated by exogenous folate, these data suggest that the initial rapid decrease in MTX transport may be a cellular regulatory response, in contrast to that found within the R1000 line which resembles a more stable genetic mutation.
Mössbauer spectroscopy of Zn-poor and Zn-rich rhodonite

Room-temperature Mossbauer spectra of Þ ve specimens of typical, Zn-poor rhodonite and Þ ve of Zn-rich rhodonite (“fowlerite”) have been obtained to determine whether the spectra res ect structural differences between the two varieties. All Fe is divalent and in the high spin state, and the spectra support the interpretation that Fe is present in all Þ ve M sites. Assignment of Mossbauer doublets to speciÞ c sites is made principally on the basis of isomer shift values and relationships between quadrupole splitting and polyhedral distortion parameters determined from previously reported crystal-structure reÞ nements. Trends in Mossbauer parameters show correlations with trends in steric details of the sites, both among individual M sites within Zn-rich and Zn-poor varieties and between corresponding M sites of rhodonite and fowlerite. In particular, the Mossbauer parameters for the geometrically similar M1 and M2 sites are similar, and those of M4 and M5 res ect the tendency of the former toward more tetrahedral character and the latter toward less distortion in fowlerite. Iron occupancy is largely a function of polyhedral volume, although there is a secondary preference for octahedral coordination. Structural differences previously determined between rhodonite and fowlerite, which are driven principally by high concentrations of Zn in M4 and Ca in M5, are structurally pervasive and are maintained even when Fe substitutes for Zn or Ca.
Teaching an Undergraduate Course on the Psychology of Racism.

A course on the psychology of racism can be difficult and sensitive for both student and instructor. In this article, I describe the format and content for a seminar class about racism and psycholo...
Thin-film flexible multielectrode arrays for voltage measurements in the heart

Flexible cardiac electrode arrays are constructed utilizing integrated-circuit fabrication techniques. The use of a flexible polyimide substrate, Kapton (DuPont), offers two distinct advantages over conventional depth electrode arrays. Once the flexible arrays are implanted, they will not impede the normal contraction of the heart. Since the Kapton is an insulator, it interferes less with the fields in the heart which the array is designed to measure. Each multielectrode probe consists of an array of gold or silver electrodes supported on a 125- mu m-thick Kapton substrate. >
Health Information Technology: Does It Facilitate Or Hinder Rapid Learning?

ABSTRACT: Health information technology presents major challenges as well as opportunities in creating care that fulfills the Institute of Medicine's aims of being safe, timely, effective, efficien...
A method for MPI broadcast in computational grids

For large scale computational grids, where the resources are distributed over areas spanning thousands of miles, achieving efficiency of collective communication operations such as broadcast becomes of paramount importance. We propose a broadcast algorithm constructed in terms of point-to-point communication operations that occur according to a topology determined using a generalization of the single source shortest path algorithm such that the point-to-point operations are ordered according to a heuristic. We show that the proposed approach is competitive with, and in some cases exceeds, the performance of the broadcast operation implemented in MPICH-G2, the most used grid-enabled implementation of MPI.
Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of cardiac performance in infants on prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Abstract Cardiac performance was evaluated by Doppler echocardiography in 19 infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension before, during and after prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Systemic arterial pressure was normal before ECMO (67 ± 12 mm Hg), increased during ECMO (78 ± 13 mm Hg) and decreased to baseline after ECMO (p ≤ 0.01). Heart rate was normal before ECMO and did not change during or after ECMO. The left ventricular shortening fraction was normal before ECMO (37 ± 11%), decreased after beginning ECMO (25 ± 11%) and returned to baseline 72 hours after beginning ECMO (p ≤ 0.01). Pulmonary arterial and aortic blood flow velocities were normal before ECMO, decreased 30 to 50% during ECMO and increased to baseline 72 hours after beginning ECMO (p ≤ 0.01). Stroke volume had an identical trend (p ≤ 0.01). Left ventricular velocity of circumferential shortening—an index of contractility—decreased after beginning ECMO (p ≤ 0.05). Left ventricular systolic wall stress—an index of systemic afterload—increased after beginning ECMO (p ≤ 0.01). A patent ductus arteriosus was present in 13 of 19 infants before ECMO, 16 of 19 infants during ECMO and in none of 19 infants after ECMO. Pulmonary arterial systolic pressure was high before ECMO (72 ± 25 mm Hg), began to decrease after 48 hours on ECMO (59 ± 24 mm Hg) and was normal after ECMO (38 ± 18 mm Hg), p ≤ 0.05. It is concluded that ECMO has significant effects on cardiac performance in infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension.
The Emotional Labour of Caring in Teaching.

Abstract This article is based on a collaborative action research study between one teacher and a teacher educator and provides an account of the emotional labour in enacting caring teaching in an inclusive classroom. The emotional labour demanded in caring relationships is an area of research that has not received much attention. Results from this case study show that this teacher's performance of emotional labour is related to her professional and philosophical stance about the role of caring in teaching and learning. The study also demonstrates that the performance of emotional labour is an important aspect of the reality of teaching and has an impact on teacher's commitment, satisfaction, and self-esteem. The implications of this research are discussed in terms of the consequences of emotional labour in teaching.