cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
JCUDA: A Programmer-Friendly Interface for Accelerating Java Programs with CUDA

A recent trend in mainstream desktop systems is the use of general-purpose graphics processor units (GPGPUs) to obtain order-of-magnitude performance improvements. CUDA has emerged as a popular programming model for GPGPUs for use by C/C++ programmers. Given the widespread use of modern object-oriented languages with managed runtimes like Java and C#, it is natural to explore how CUDA-like capabilities can be made accessible to those programmers as well. In this paper, we present a programming interface called JCUDA that can be used by Java programmers to invoke CUDA kernels. Using this interface, programmers can write Java codes that directly call CUDA kernels, and delegate the responsibility of generating the Java-CUDA bridge codes and host-device data transfer calls to the compiler. Our preliminary performance results show that this interface can deliver significant performance improvements to Java programmers. For future work, we plan to use the JCUDA interface as a target language for supporting higher level parallel programming languages like X10 and Habanero-Java.
Modeling the aesthetic axis of information organization frameworks, part 1: Theoretical basis

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a theoretical framework, based on contemporary philosophical aesthetics, from which principled assessments of the aesthetic value of information organization frameworks may be conducted. Design/methodology/approach – This paper identifies appropriate discourses within the field of philosophical aesthetics, constructs from them a framework for assessing aesthetic properties of information organization frameworks. This framework is then applied in two case studies examining the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), and Sexual Nomenclature: A Thesaurus. Findings – In both information organization frameworks studied, the aesthetic analysis was useful in identifying judgments of the frameworks as aesthetic judgments, in promoting discovery of further areas of aesthetic judgments, and in prompting reflection on the nature of these aesthetic judgments. Research limitations/implications – This study provides proof-of-concept for the aesthetic evaluation of ...
Guest Editors' Introduction: Cyber–Physical Systems for Medical Applications

The articles in this special issue focus on cyber physical systems for medical applications.
Autologistic Regression in Linguistic Typology

It is often difficult to tell whether a given typological frequency asymmetry is due to a linguistic preference, or a mere result of historical accidents. This paper applies autologistic regression analysis to linguistic typology, a common method to model geographically correlated data in geography and ecology. In an autologistic regression, neighbors' responses are used to predict the response at issue. This idea is tested on several phonological and word order universals using the World Atlas of Language Structures (WALS), including implicational universals.
Evaluation of enrichment media for improved PCR-based detection of V. cholerae and V. vulnificus from estuarine water and plankton.

Aims: Pathogenic Vibrio spp., including V. cholerae and V. vulnificus, are commonly found along the estuaries of the south-east United States; however, it is often difficult to recover these species directly from environmental samples. Pre-enrichment assays are commonly used to improve the detection of pathogenic vibrios from environmental sources. Here, we evaluated a novel enrichment procedure using freshly collected and autoclaved natural estuarine water amended with 1% peptone (designated as estuarine peptone water, EPW) and compared it to traditional alkaline peptone water (APW) for detection by PCR of V. cholerae and V. vulnificus. Methods and Results: Of the 50 samples collected in total, V. cholerae DNA was detected in APW 10% of the time and in EPW 40% of the time. Likewise, the cholera toxin gene (ctxA) was detected in 4 vs 18% of the samples using APW and EPW, respectively. Conversely, APW showed improved recovery for V. vulnificus relative to EPW with respective detection frequencies of 46 and 20%. Results showed similar patterns across different sample types (water and plankton). Conclusions: While enrichment in traditional APW was adequate for the recovery of Vibrio vulnificius, use of sterile estuarine water amended with peptone significantly improved the detection of V. cholerae and the virulence gene ctxA from estuarine sources.
Trouble For Remnants

An argument is presented for the inconsistency of black hole remnants which store the information which falls into black holes. Unlike previous arguments it is not concerned with a possible divergence in the rate of pair production. It is argued that the existence of remnants in the thermal atmosphere of Rindler space will drive the renormalized Newton constant to zero.
Performance analysis and optimization of search and selection algorithms for highly parallel associative memories

Several useful associative memory (AM) algorithms deal with identifying extreme values (max or min) in a specified field of a selected subset of words. Previously proposed algorithms for such extreme-value searches are bit-sequential in nature, even when implemented on fully parallel AMs. We show how the multiple-bit search capability of a fully parallel AM can be used to advantage in reducing the expected search time for finding extreme values. The idea is to search for the all-ones pattern within subfields of the specified search field in lieu of, or prior to, examining bit slices one at a time. Optimal subfield length is determined for fixed-size and variable-size bit groupings and the corresponding reduction in search time is quantified. The results are extended to rank-based selection where the jth largest or smallest value in a given field of a selected subset of words is to be identified. Analyses point to significant reduction in the average number of search cycles.
Nodular Colonic Mucosa of Childhood: Normal or Pathologic?

Abstract The small colonic mucosal nodules that have been referred to in the past as lymphatic nodular hyperplasia are felt to represent a normal response of the prominent colonic lymphatic tissue in children. To support this hypothesis, a prospective study of all air-contrast barium enemas, colonoscopies, and intestinal biopsies performed during 1 yr was carried out. During that year 48 patients had air-contrast barium enemas, and 21 of these 48 patients also had colonoscopy and mucosal biopsies. Greater than half of the children studied by air-contrast barium enema (26 out of 48) and colonoscopy (12 out of 21) had nodular colonic mucosa. These nodules were described at colonoscopy as being smooth surfaced, yellowish-white, 1–2 mm in diameter. There was no correlation between the presence or absence of these nodules with any symptom or symptom complex. The younger the patients, the more frequently these nodules were observed. No immunologic disorder was associated with the nodular colonic mucosa in the children that were tested. Nodular colonic mucosa in childhood should be considered a frequent finding indicative of normal lymphatic response to nonspecific stimuli, which may often be infectious in nature.
Phosphorylation of cellulose: Effect of the reactivity of the starting polymer on the properties of the phosphorylated product

When cellulose is phosphorylated with phosphorus oxychloride, the reactivity of the cellulose, as well as reaction time and temperature, influences the relative amounts of phosphorylated and chlorinated product formed. The swelling ability of the phosphorylated product is affected by the pretreatment received by the cellulose (i.e., prior to phosphorylation) to change its reactivity. The thermal decomposition process of phosphorylated cellulose, as indicated by differential thermal analysis, is affected also by the pretreatment received by the cellulose.
On the heating of electrons in the tail of Giacobini‐Zinner

Computations for the temperature and density of electrons for Comet Giacobini-Zinner are presented which differ from those of Marconi and Mendis (1986) in the use of recently calculated cooling rates, and in the treating of photoelectrons separately from the thermalized electrons with respect to their collisions with the neutrals. The present temperatures are found to be high relative to the ICE observations, though the calculated densities are consistent with these observations.
Finding Lascar ‘Wilful Incendiarism’: British Ship-Burning Panic and Indian Maritime Labour in the Indian Ocean

Abstract From the 1790s to the 1850s, three dozen major merchant ships burned in India's important ports. Panic-stricken British shipowners, merchants and East India Company officials apprehended disruption of their intercontinental trade, so vital to the burgeoning British Empire. In all these cases, they accused Indian seamen (lascars) of selfish ship-burning. As a context, the lascars had, for centuries prior to European arrival in the Indian Ocean, worked collectively under their own petty officers. They and Indian recruiters in each port had long resisted colonial efforts to appropriate their maritime labour system. Britons used this half-century of alleged arson to finally impose British controls over lascar recruitment ashore and conditions of service aboard ships.
Delayed healing in full-thickness wounds treated with aluminum chloride solution A histologic study with evaporimetry correlation*

Optimizing wound healing parameters seems to be of the utmost importance in the present age of sophisticated wound care and dressings. We studied the effect of two hemostatics: 30% aluminum chloride and ferric subsulfate (Monsel's solution) on the rate of wound healing in Yucatan miniature hairless pigs. Wound healing was examined in occluded and nonoccluded fullthickness 3-mm punch biopsy wounds. Wounds were treated either with 30% aluminum chloride solution or ferric subsulfate solution or were allowed to clot with minimal pressure from a gauze pad. The course of wound healing was followed utilizing evaporimetry readings from the wound sites in addition to periodic histologic examination in an attempt to correlate the evaporimetry readings with corresponding histology. Delay in reepithelialization was noted histologically both in wounds treated with aluminum chloride and in those treated with ferric subsulfate compared to controls. Presumably this delay was the result of tissue necrosis caused by these hemostatic agents, resulting in slightly larger and less cosmetically acceptable scars. Plots of evaporimetry data revealed a biphasic pattern of water loss during healing, with an initial rapid decline in water loss followed by a much slower decline. Histologic reepithelialization seemed to correlate best with the point on the evaporimetry curve where the slope changed from the phase of rapid water loss to a slower rate.
Modulation of [3H]-dopamine binding by cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8)

Cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8) is a putative neurotransmitter which has been demonstrated previously to occur in midbrain dopamine neurones. We observe that CCK-8 causes changes in both the affinity and density of binding sites for [3H]-dopamine in rat striatal homogenates, in vitro, upon incubation with the peptide at a concentration of 1 micromolar. A dose-response study of the competetion of CCK-8 with [3H]-dopamine binding indicates an IC50 for the peptide of 450 nM; desulfated CCK-8 and the related peptide caerulin are at least 4-fold less active than CCK-8. CCK-8 was also administered to rats in a separate study; the binding of [3H]-dopamine was evaluated to homogenates of striata and olfactory tubercles obtained from these animals, which had been treated with systemic injection at a dose of 20 micrograms/kg, daily, for four days. A decrease in the number of striatal binding sites for the radioligand was observed, with a concomitant increase in the number of binding sites in the olfactory tubercle. These data collectively suggest a possible regulatory role for CCK-8 in the ascending dopamine systems.
Symbolic play and language comprehension in autistic children.

Abstract The objectives of this study were to examine the play of young autistic children and to determine the relationship between play and language comprehension in this group. Structured and free play assessments and a test of receptive language were administered to a sample of 16 autistic children with a mean mental age of 24.8 months. The autistic children demonstrated a wide range of different play behaviors, but their play was different from the play observed in normal children of comparable mental age. They distributed their play time differently from normals by spending equal amounts of time in immature and mature forms of play. In addition, they directed less play activity toward dolls. Autistic children with high language comprehension demonstrated more functional and symbolic play and longer sequences of meaningfully integrated play acts than autistic children with low language comprehension. The results indicated that deviance in the early symbolic development of autistic children is manifest in their functional use of objects in play. Impairments in play were related to language comprehension, supporting the notion of a generalized symbolic impairment in autistic children.
Principal Components Analysis of Population Admixture

With the availability of high-density genotype information, principal components analysis (PCA) is now routinely used to detect and quantify the genetic structure of populations in both population genetics and genetic epidemiology. An important issue is how to make appropriate and correct inferences about population relationships from the results of PCA, especially when admixed individuals are included in the analysis. We extend our recently developed theoretical formulation of PCA to allow for admixed populations. Because the sampled individuals are treated as features, our generalized formulation of PCA directly relates the pattern of the scatter plot of the top eigenvectors to the admixture proportions and parameters reflecting the population relationships, and thus can provide valuable guidance on how to properly interpret the results of PCA in practice. Using our formulation, we theoretically justify the diagnostic of two-way admixture. More importantly, our theoretical investigations based on the proposed formulation yield a diagnostic of multi-way admixture. For instance, we found that admixed individuals with three parental populations are distributed inside the triangle formed by their parental populations and divide the triangle into three smaller triangles whose areas have the same proportions in the big triangle as the corresponding admixture proportions. We tested and illustrated these findings using simulated data and data from HapMap III and the Human Genome Diversity Project.
On the equivalence of the power and reactive continuum models of organic matter diagenesis

Abstract The decomposition of organic matter in marine sediments is usually described by models in which it is assumed that organic matter is composed of a small number of reactive types (a discrete finite distribution), and that each type follows first-order kinetics. Two diagenetic models adopting a more physically realistic assumption that organic matter is composed of an infinite number of reactive types (a continuous distribution) have recently been developed: the reactive continuum model and the power model. The reactive continuum model, as it has been applied, is based on a gamma distribution of organic matter reactive types and can generate an apparent reaction order greater than one. The power model is based on the premise that the reactivity of organic matter gradually decreases with time; thus, the apparent rate constant becomes a continuously varying parameter. It is shown in this note that the reactive continuum model, based on a gamma distribution, is mathematically equivalent to the power model for simple closed-system decay.
Temperature Sensitivity: A Cell Character Determined by Obligate Endosymbionts in Amoebas

A strain of Amoeba proteus has lost its ability to survive at temperatures above 26 degrees C as a result of becoming dependent on endosymbiotic bacteria that are psychrophile-like. The observed temperature sensitivity develops in fewer than 200 host cell generations (18 months of culture) after the host cells are experimentally infected with the symbionts.
Approximations for Calculating van der Waals Interaction Energy between Spherical Particles—A Comparison

Abstract The DLVO theory has been widely used to study the stability of colloidal systems with the van der Waals interactions modeled according to the Hamaker (microscopic) theory. The Hamaker theory, in addition to neglecting many-body interactions, does not account for retardation effects. Retardation effects can be included within the framework of the microscopic theory. For spherical particles, an “exact” expression has been derived by Clayfield et al . Lifshitz (macroscopic) theory, on the other hand, accounts for both many-body and retardation effects but is computationally intensive and requires dielectric data at different frequencies. For spherical particles, it is not practical to use the “exact” expression for van der Waals interaction derived by Langbein; therefore approximations have to be used. Approximate expressions to calculate the van der Waals interaction energy between spheres were considered in terms of accuracy, ease of computation, and required material parameters with the “exact” expression derived by Langbein used as the benchmark. It was found that the “exact” expression using the microscopic theory works as well as the best approximation to the macroscopic theory.
Synthesis of bis-homo-prostaglandins

The wide range of biological activity of the PGs (prostaglandins) has caused chemists to seek more specific agents and antagonists among PG analogs of the natural compounds. This is an explanation of the synthesis of DL 911-bis-homo-prostaglandin F1 (1)2 and the isomer (2) with inverted stereochemistry at positions 9 and 11. The route of synthesis defines the stereochemistry of the 4 cyclopentane substituents at an early stage. The progression from 1 PG or analog to the next is diagrammed using the chemical formulae.
Probability of slowroll inflation in the multiverse

Slowroll after tunneling is a crucial step in one popular framework of the multiverse---false vacuum eternal inflation. In a landscape with a large number of fields, we provide a heuristic estimation for its probability. We find that the chance to slowroll is exponentially suppressed, where the exponent comes from the number of fields. However, the relative probability to have more e-foldings is only mildly suppressed as ${N}_{e}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ with $\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\sim}3$. Based on these two properties, we show that the false vacuum eternal inflation picture is still self-consistent and may have a strong preference between different slowroll models.
Is ADHD a Risk Factor for High School Dropout? A Controlled Study.

Objective: This study examined whether ADHD was an independent contributor to grade retention when adjusting for IQ, learning disorders, and social class. Method: Outcome data was from participants in studies at Massachusetts General Hospital (n = 404 ADHD, n = 349 controls) who underwent psychiatric interviews, socioeconomic status measures, and IQ testing. Results: 28% of individuals with ADHD repeated a grade compared with 7% of controls (p < .001). Among participants with ADHD, social class, and IQ were significant predictors of high school dropout or repeated grade. An interaction effect of ADHD and gender was also found with females with ADHD having a higher risk ratio for repeated grade/dropout compared with males with ADHD. Conclusion: Participants with ADHD were significantly more likely to repeat a grade, adjusting for all other variables indicating the critical importance of early identification of ADHD to help mitigate adverse educational outcomes. (J. of Att. Dis. 2016; 20(5) 383-389)
Variability of cephalometric landmarks used for face growth studies.

Abstract The problems giving rise to variability due to location of some cephalometric landmarks used for face growth studies are discussed. Anatomic criteria for the location of these landmarks are suggested, so that variability due to location of landmarks can be minimized. The inter-individual variability among different persons and intra-individual variability due to age are demonstrated with the help of cephalograms of children 5, 10, and 15 years of age.
Adipose tissue stem cells: The great WAT hope

The past decade has witnessed an explosion in research into adipose tissue stem cells (ASCs), facilitated by their ease of isolation from white adipose tissue (WAT) and fueled by their therapeutic potential. Recent developments have extended ASC multipotency to include endodermal and ectodermal cell types, as well as the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells. This expanding multipotency has been paralleled by burgeoning translational applications, ranging from tissue engineering to anti-cancer therapy, that are currently subject to clinical trials. However, this promise is tempered by potential pitfalls, such as tumorigenicity, and is further undermined by lingering uncertainties regarding the precise identity of ASCs. Confronting these issues will be essential if we are to bypass the pitfalls and develop the promises of ASCs.
Atypical right hemisphere specialization for object representations in an adolescent with specific language impairment.

Individuals with a diagnosis of specific language impairment (SLI) show abnormal spoken language occurring alongside normal nonverbal abilities. Behaviorally, people with SLI exhibit diverse profiles of impairment involving phonological, grammatical, syntactic, and semantic aspects of language. In this study, we used a multimodal neuroimaging technique called anatomically constrained magnetoencephalography (aMEG) to measure the dynamic functional brain organization of an adolescent with SLI. Using single-subject statistical maps of cortical activity, we compared this patient to a sibling and to a cohort of typically developing subjects during the performance of tasks designed to evoke semantic representations of concrete objects. Localized, real-time patterns of brain activity within the language impaired patient showed marked differences from the typical functional organization, with significant engagement of right hemisphere heteromodal cortical regions generally homotopic to the left hemisphere areas that usually show the greatest activity for such tasks. Functional neuroanatomical differences were evident at early sensoriperceptual processing stages and continued through later cognitive stages, observed specifically at latencies typically associated with semantic encoding operations. Our findings show with real-time temporal specificity evidence for an atypical right hemisphere specialization for the representation of concrete entities, independent of verbal motor demands. More broadly, our results demonstrate the feasibility and potential utility of using aMEG to characterize individual patient differences in the dynamic functional organization of the brain.
Characterizing site specific considerations for protecting aircraft during LGS operations at W. M. Keck Observatory

W. M. Keck Observatory (WMKO) routinely operates laser guide star (LGS) Adaptive Optics (AO) systems at the telescope facility on the Big Island of Hawaii. One of the operational requirements for the LGS system is that a safety system to prevent nearby aircraft from being adversely affected by the laser must be provided. We will support operations in the near term with human aircraft spotters until we can successfully develop and get the appropriate approvals needed for an Automated, Integrated and Reliable System for an Aircraft Friendly Environment (AIRSAFE). This report describes some of the preliminary requirements development work at WMKO in support of the future development of AIRSAFE. We discuss the results of recent work to characterize site specific considerations that impact requirements development. The site specific considerations include the proximity of WMKO laser operations to nearby commercial airports, the implications of military operations in the area and the character of the air traffic volume and flight patterns over the telescope facility. Finally, we discuss how the design and implementation of AIRSAFE will be impacted by these site specific considerations.
Fiber fracture and strength degradation in unidirectional graphite/epoxy composite materials

Abstract An experimental study was conducted to determine the influence of load factor on fiber fracture development and residual strength of fatigue loaded unidirectional graphite/epoxy composite laminated. 8-phy composite laminates with a layer of release cloth imbedded at the middle ply were fatigued at different load levels and were examined for fiber fracture and residual strength at several stages of life based on the average number of cycles to failure (according to S - N data). From the experimental results, it is evident that the number of fiber fractures is nearly constant after the first few percent of the life. It is also suggested that the load level is much more important than the number of cycles of loading in the determination of the state of fiber fracture. This behavior was interrupted at high load levels ( S ⪖60% S u where the final fracture was highly affected by the longitudinal matrix splittings. Residual strength is found to be independent of the global fiber fracture density, and to be controlled by local behavior such as matrix cracking, local clustering of fiber fractures, and other local stress concentrations.
Liver Histamine During Peptone Shock in Dogs

ConclusionPeptone shock in the dog is accompanied by a reduction in the liver histamine which is roughly parallel to the degree of the shock reaction. The amount of histamine liberated from the liver is substantially adequate to account for the degree of shock as determined by the systemic blood pressure.
Primary ovarian failure.

IT MAY be of interest to the reader of the Journal to discuss the management of a patient with primary amenorrhea over a period of seventeen years, during which time major developments in endocrinology have occurred. Miss S. B. (Fig. 1) was first seen in the metabolism clinic at the University of Chicago in April 1936, at the age of 18 years, complaining of failure to menstruate and a lack of normal breast development. She had been under medical care elsewhere for the preceding two years without beneficial results. The therapy consisted of dessicated thyroid and several endocrinal preparations of dubious potency. Her mother stated that her birth and early childhood were entirely uneventful. Scant pubic hair was noted at 11 years of age and a few axillary hairs a year later. However, growth of hair in these regions did not progress normally. Physical examination revealed a rather stocky young woman, 167 cm. tall, weighing 138 pounds and mentally alert. Her general appearance was that of a prepubertal child...
Channel drop filters in photonic crystals

We present a general analysis of channel drop filter structures composed of two waveguides and an optical resonator system. We show that 100% transfer between the two waveguides can occur by creating resonant states of different symmetry, and by forcing an accidental degeneracy between them. The degeneracy must exist in both the real and imaginary parts of the frequency. Based on the analysis we present novel photonic crystal channel drop filters. Numerical simulations demonstrate that these filters exhibit ideal transfer characteristics.
Aberrations Of The Mangin Mirror

Equations for the third-order aberrations of the Mangin mirror have been derived. The aberrations are shown to be functions of a shape factor, index of refraction, and magnification.
Actinomycin D: effect on induced metamorphosis in the Mexican axolotl.

Actinomycin D was used to inhibit the action of T3 in the induction of metamorphic changes in the Mexican axolotl. Am D was administered before and after (in hours) T3 injection as follows: (1) -48; (2) -24; (3) -8; (4) 0; (5) +24; (6) +48; (7) +72; (8) +120; (9) +168. Five μg Am D administered alone was not lethal. However the majority of the animals injected with T3 and Am D died within 30 to 33 days. All experiments were at 20°. Suppression of metamorphic change was greater in group 2 than 1 and greater in groups 4 and 5 than 6. Group 3 showed maximum inhibitory effects of Am D. Very little inhibition was seen in groups 7 through 9. Gill filament resorption and sloughing of skin could not be inhibited completely in any of the groups. Exophthalmia was seen in all except group 3. Least changes occurred in the main gill rachis and the fins. When Am D was administered to hypophysectomized axolotls eight hours prior to T3 there was complete gill filament resorption before any change was observed in controls. Also skin sloughing and exophthalmia were precocious in Am D and T3 injected hypophysectomized axolotls. The observations above indicate variable responses in the metamorphosing tissues of the axolotl to Am D. Hence utmost caution is necessary in the interpretation of any of the inhibitory effects of Am D at the cellular level.
Completion pneumonectomy: factors affecting operative mortality and cardiopulmonary morbidity.

Abstract Background . The purpose of this report is to analyze preoperative and perioperative factors affecting operative mortality and cardiopulmonary morbidity after a completion pneumonectomy. Methods . We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent completion pneumonectomy from January 1985 through September 1998 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Factors affecting operative mortality and postoperative morbidity and were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis. Results . There were 115 patients (73 men and 42 women), with a median age of 64 years (range, 12 to 83 years). Indication for pneumonectomy was benign disease in 57 patients (49.6%), lung cancer in 51 (44.3%) and metastatic disease in 7 (6.1%). There were 24 deaths (mortality 20.9%, 95% CI 13.9% to 29.4%). Mortality for patients undergoing completion pneumonectomy for benign disease, lung cancer, and metastatic cancer was 26.3%, 17.6%, and 0%, respectively ( p = 0.24). Factors adversely affecting mortality with univariate analysis included advanced age ( p = 0.004), preoperative corticosteriod use ( p = 0.01), decreased preoperative diffusion capacity of lung to carbon monoxide ( p = 0.01), intraoperative blood transfusion ( p = 0.04), and excessive crystalloid infusion within the first 12 hours ( p = 0.01) and 24 hours (0.03) postoperatively, respectively. Factors adversely affecting mortality with multivariate analysis included advanced age ( p = 0.001), preoperative corticosteriod use ( p = 0.002), and low preoperative hemoglobin ( p = 0.02). Cardiopulmonary complications occurred in 72 patients (63.7%). Factors adversely affecting morbidity with univariate analysis included benign disease ( p = 0.002), decreased preoperative diffusion capacity of lung to carbon monoxide ( p = 0.04), bronchial stump reinforcement ( p = 0.0001), and excessive crystalloid infusion within the first 12 hours ( p = 0.006) and 24 hours ( p = 0.02) postoperatively, respectively. Factors adversely affecting morbidity with multivariate analysis included advanced age ( p = 0.005) and bronchial stump reinforcement ( p = 0.001). Conclusions . Multiple factors adversely affect operative mortality and cardiopulmonary morbidity after completion pneumonectomy. Although completion pneumonectomy remains a high-risk procedure, especially for benign disease, it still should be considered a treatment option in selected patients.
Magnetoresistance and Fermi surface anisotropy in vanadium metal

Abstract We report what we believe to be the first experimental observation of Fermi surface anisotropy in vanadium metal. The high-purity (residual resistance 272) vanadium single-crystal was prepared by an electrotransport technique. The data indicate that the Fermi surface of V is qualitatively similar to that of Nb and Ta.
Creation of an opposable small finger by muscle transfer

We present a case of a child born with metacarpal synostosis of the index, long, and ring fingers associated with a simple syndactyly of the small finger and an absent thumb. At age 7 months, a syndactyly release with skin grafting to the small finger was accomplished so that it became the new thumb. At age 4 years, one of the muscles on the radial border of the hand was transferred to the small finger to act as an opposition transfer. At follow-up, the transfer contracted well and the functional capability of the hand was improved. This operation will not often be used but should be considered for the occasional patient with congenital anomalies.
Developments in stochastic optimization algorithms with gradient approximations based on function measurements

There has recently been much interest in recursive optimization algorithms that rely on measurements of only the objective function, not requiring measurements of the gradient (or higher derivatives) of the objective function. The algorithms are implemented by forming an approximation to the gradient at each iteration that is based on the function measurements. Such algorithms have the advantage of not requiring detailed modeling information describing the relationship between the parameters to be optimized and the objective function. To properly cope with the noise that generally occurs in the measurements, these algorithms are best placed within a stochastic approximation framework. This paper discusses some of the main contributions to this class of algorithms, beginning in the early 1950s and progressing until now.
Using a tactile sensor to guide a robotic welding machine

Programming a multi‐axis robotic device to follow complex contours can be difficult and time consuming. A United States University working with the automotive division of a US company has evolved a prototype system utilising a capacitive displacement transducer.
Environmental influences on attraction: Effects of heat, attitude similarity, and personal evaluations

Eighty undergraduate males received either a positive or a negative personal evaluation from an attitudinally similar or dissimilar confederate. Experimental sessions were conducted under either comfortably cool (73°F) or uncomfortably hot (92°F) environmental conditions. Attraction toward the confederate was primarily influenced by the personal evaluation and attitude similarity variables. Although high ambient temperatures markedly decreased Ss’ affective state, exposure to heat did not consistently lower their attraction toward the confederate. Several procedural differences are proposed to account for the inconsistent influence of heat on attraction reported in the present and previous research.
Link state routing in regions of interest

We present LVRI, a hybrid link-state routing protocol based on exchange of link states in a region of interest. The region of interest (ROI) is defined as a connected component of the network that includes the source, destination nodes and the nodes that act as relays for the data. An ROI is established on-demand and exists as long as there are data to be sent. Each node in the region of interest constructs a source-routing tree from proactive link state updates sent within the ROI and maintains paths to all the nodes in the ROI. Simulations in mobile scenarios show LVRI has much lower end-to-end delay compared to traditional proactive and on-demand protocols such as OLSR and AODV. The delivery ratio of LVRI is comparable to that of OLSR and AODV but with a significantly lower control overhead.
Users' ongoing work on managing computational artifacts

In a computing environment where computational artifacts come and go at rapid pace, products become easily outdated, resulting in lack of support. Consequently, users are constantly challenged to think about the trade-offs between maintaining and appropriating the current product and adopting an alternative product. This challenges us to think beyond designing individual products to be useful, usable, aesthetic, or learnable and consider what is necessary for sustainable and long-term use. In order to further understand users and find potential solutions to the design challenge, I explore how users perceive their everyday computational resources becoming outdated and in reaction how they deal with the problem during maintenance, appropriation, and adoption of computational resources on an ongoing fashion.
Revision of the Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory

Postpartum depression has been described as a thief that steals motherhood. Early recognition is one of the major challenges with this devastating mood disorder. This article describes a revised version of the Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory (PDPI) based on the results of an updated meta-analysis. This revised inventory consists of 13 risk factors related to postpartum depression. Guide questions for each of the 13 predictors that clinicians can use during an interview process also are included. Included among these 13 predictors in the PDPI-Revised are four new risk factors: self-esteem, marital status, socioeconomic status, and unplanned/unwanted pregnancy. Ideally, this checklist should be completed each trimester to update a pregnant woman's risk status. After a woman gives birth, the PDPI-Revised should be used to continue to monitor her risk status because she can develop postpartum depression at any time during the 1st year after childbirth.
Young Women with Breast Cancer: A Focus Group Study of Unmet Needs

Purpose: Young women with breast cancer suffer distress both at the time of diagnosis and afterwards. This study aimed to elucidate which issues are most disturbing to this population and which might be amenable to intervention. Methods: English-speaking women treated or involved in research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for stage I-III breast cancer while aged 18-42 years were invited to participate in one of four focus groups. A trained moderator led each 90-minute audio-recorded group using a semi-structured interview guide. All transcripts were coded using thematic content analysis with NVivo software. Results: Thirty-six women participated. Three major themes emerged from the analyses of these focus groups' data: (1) participants felt different from older breast cancer patients with regard to relationships, fertility, menopausal symptoms, treatment side effects, and work/finances; (2) participants faced unique challenges transitioning into the survivorship phase of care; and (3) participants desired assistance, including connections with other young patients, help navigating the healthcare system, educational materials, and lists of appropriate counselors. Conclusion: Young women with breast cancer have unmet needs for psychosocial support, education, and symptom management, and can identify potential support that may help meet these needs.
Radiographic and CT Evaluation of Tibiofibular Syndesmotic Diastasis: A Cadaver Study

Twelve cadaver lower limbs were used for radiographic and CT assessment of the tibiofibular syndesmosis. Plastic spacers were placed in the distal tibiofibular intervals of each specimen in successive 1-mm increments until diastasis could be appreciated on the plain radiographs. All 2- and 3-mm diastases could be noted and clearly identified on CT scans, while the 1-, 2-mm, and half of the 3-mm syndesmotic diastases could not be appreciated with routine radiographs. CT scanning is more sensitive than radiography for detecting the minor degrees of syndesmotic injuries. Therefore, a CT scan can be performed in cases of syndesmotic instability after ankle injuries and for preoperative or postoperative evaluation of the integrity of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis in cases of doubtful condition of the syndesmosis.
Phenomenon of optical self-purification of chiral non-racemic compounds

Owing to a faster rate of sublimation of the racemic form as compared to the optically pure form, optical purification occurred without any external action or special environmental condition. We believe that the phenomenon of optical self-purification reported here deserves further systematic study as possibly one of the mechanisms leading to the emergence and maintenance of prebiotic homochirality.
Covalent metal - Organic networks: Pyridines induce 2-dimensional oligomerization of (μ-OC6H4O)2Mpy2 (M = Ti, V, Zr)

Treatment of M(OiPr)4 (M = Ti, V) and [Zr(OEt)4]4 with excess 1,4-HOC6H4OH in THF afforded [M(OC6H4O)a(OC6H4OH)3.34-1.83a(OiPr)0.66-0.17a(THF)0.2]n (M = Ti, 1-Ti; V, 1-V, 0.91 ≤ a ≤ 1.82) and [Zr(1...
The Operator Theory of instantiation

Armstrong holds the Supervenience Theory of instantiation, namely that the instantiation of universals by particulars supervenes upon what particulars and what universals there are, where supervenience is stipulated to be explanatory or dependent supervenience. I begin by rejecting the Supervenience Theory of instantiation. Having done so it is then tempting to take instantiation as primitive. This has, however, an awkward consequence, undermining one of the main advantages universals have over tropes. So I examine another account hinted at by Armstrong. This is the Operator Theory of instantiation, by which I mean the theory that universals are operators, and that a particular instantiates a monadic universal because the universal operates on the particular, resulting in the state of affairs. On this theory the state of affairs supervenes on the instantiation rather than vice versa. In the second part of the paper I develop this theory of universals as operators, including an account of structural univer...
On the Distance to Galactic Planetary Nebulae

The distances are determined for 142 Galactic planetary nebulae, using two methods. Method A is based on the stellar mass and surface gravity, while Method B makes use of the stellar luminosity. These properties of the central star are inferred from the modeling of the distance-independent parameters (Zhang and Kwok 1992). The results from the two methods used in this paper are consistent with each other. A distance of 10.8 kpc is found for K648 using Method A of this work. This is in excellent agreement with the distance of 10 kpc of its hosting globular cluster M15. The distances obtained in this work are in good agreement with the distances of Mendez et al. (1992), based on the recently developed non-LTE model atmospheres including spherical extension and stellar winds. The agreement of our distances with the individually determined distances of Gathier et al. (1986a, 1986b), using the extinction-distance method and the HI 21 cm absorption method, is worse than that found between ours and Mendez et al.’s. The distances obtained by Gathier et al. are likely often to be underestimated. The various statistical distance scales, except for Cudworth’s (1974) distance scale, show no agreement with the distances determined in this work.
Formation of independent flow-line cells based on operation requirements and machine capabilities

In this paper we study the generalized grouping problem of cellular manufacturing. We propose an operation-sequence-based method for forming flow-line manufacturing cells. Process planning in the form of selection of the machine for each operation is included in the problem formulation. Input requirements include the set of operation requirements for each part type, and operation capabilities for all available machine types. The objective is to find the minimum-cost set of flow-line cells that is capable of producing the desired part mix. A similarity coefficient based on the longest common operation subsequence between part types is defined and used to group parts into independent, flow-line families. An algorithm is developed for finding a composite operation supersequence for each family. Given machine options for each operation in this sequence, the optimal machine sequence and capacity for each cell is then found by solving a shortest path problem on an augmented graph. The method is shown to be effi...
A Reliable and Valid Survey to Predict a Patient's Gagging Intensity

Objectives: The aim of this study was to devise a reliable and valid survey to predict the intensity of someone’s gag reflex. Material and Methods: A 10-question Predictive Gagging Survey was created, refined, and tested on 59 undergraduate participants. The questions focused on risk factors and experiences that would indicate the presence and strength of someone’s gag reflex. Reliability was assessed by administering the survey to a group of 17 participants twice, with 3 weeks separating the two administrations. Finally, the survey was given to 25 dental patients. In these cases, patients completed an informed consent form, filled out the survey, and then had a maxillary impression taken while their gagging response was quantified from 1 to 5 on the Fiske and Dickinson Gagging Intensity Index. Results: There was a moderate positive correlation between the Predictive Gagging Survey and Fiske and Dickinson’s Gagging Severity Index, r = +0.64, demonstrating the survey’s validity. Furthermore, the test-retest reliability was r = +0.96, demonstrating the survey’s reliability. Conclusions: The Predictive Gagging Survey is a 10-question survey about gag-related experiences and behaviours. We established that it is a reliable and valid method to assess the strength of someone’s gag reflex.
Plasticity in human blindsight

A subject with an unually large cortical scotoma, leaving a 9 degrees hemifield of vision in each eye, showed improvement with practice in pointing to an oscillating target positioned within the scotoma. The practice effect transferred to low-contrast targets and to stationary ones, though oscillating targets were always located more accurately. Following practice, the subject reported improved confidence in visual orientation. Results are interpreted in the context of the contrast between the functions of two visual systems (subcortical and cortical) present in normal humans.
Higher-order accuracy for upwind methods by using the compatibility equations

A new algorithm has been developed for obtaining higher order accuracy in upwind schemes for the Euler and Navier-Stokes equations. In this method, the compatibility relations for the Euler equations are used to construct formulas for the higher order interpolates. Using these formulas, computed results are obtained for steady, inviscid flow through a nozzle and also steady, inviscid and viscous flow over an airfoil. These results are compared with results obtained by using a minmod limiter function. The comparisons show improved accuracy throughout the flow field with the use of the compatibility equations.
The poetry of landscape ecology: an historical perspective

Abstract In recent years it has been argued that an awareness of the human perspective and an understanding of aesthetics is crucial to the popular acceptance of landscape design principles derived from landscape ecology. With that in mind, it is important to seek a common ground between art and science. A study of history can help as the common ground is sought for the present day. The American Transcendentalists—Ralph Waldo Emerson in particular—directly derived a set of aesthetic principles from a poetic and philosophical understanding of nature. Those principles were applied by the nineteenth-century landscape architect Horace Cleveland who designed landscapes with staying power. That approach, which melded art and function through design, might provide insight for today.