cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MADALINE RULE II: a training algorithm for neural networks

A novel algorithm for training multilayer fully connected feedforward networks of ADALINE neurons has been developed. Such networks cannot be trained by the popular backpropagation algorithm, since the ADALINE processing element uses the nondifferentiable signum function for its nonlinearity. The algorithm is called MRII for MADALINE RULE II. Previously, MRII successfully trained the adaptive 'descrambler' portion of a neural network system used for translation invariant pattern recognition. Since then, studies of the algorithm's convergence rates and its ability to produce generalizations have been made. These were conducted by training networks with MRII to emulate fixed networks. The authors present the principles and experimental details of the MRII algorithm. Typical learning curves show the algorithm's efficient use of training data. Architectures that take advantage of MRII's quick learning to produce useful generalizations are presented. >
Evaluation and comparison of 1200-V/285-A silicon carbide half-bridge MOSFET modules

Silicon Carbide (4H-SiC) is a state-of-the-art solution for increasing the energy density of pulsed power and power electronics. High power SiC MOSFET modules have only recently become commercially available; for widespread acceptance further device characterization and reliability testing is necessary. The purpose of this work is to establish and compare device characteristics for two SiC power modules. Of the two modules tested, one contained Cree die and the other Rohm die. The device characteristics presented for the two modules are switching losses (E ON & E OFF ) and on-state resistance (R DS(ON) ). E ON , E OFF , and R DS(ON) were measured at 25°C and 125°C. The R DS(ON) of the two modules was determined to be approximately equal; however, the SiC module containing the Cree die yielded significantly lower turn-on and turn-off switching losses. The measurements presented in this work demonstrate SiC power modules are a leading solution for high energy density applications.
Moderating roles of primary social influences in the relationship between adolescent self-reported exposure to antismoking messages and smoking intention.

This study explores moderating roles of primary social influences in the relationship between adolescent triers' and experimenters' self-reported exposure to antismoking messages and their smoking intentions. The theoretical arguments are drawn from primary socialization theory, group socialization theory, and the social development model, and the data are from the 2004 National Youth Tobacco Survey. The tobit regression models demonstrate that, as a primary social influence, peer smoking seems to be a strong risk factor for all of the adolescent segments' smoking intentions, whereas parental monitoring can be a significant counter–risk factor for middle-schoolers' smoking intentions. In addition, school intervention programs and parental monitoring against smoking appear to play a moderating role in the relationship between high-school triers' self-reported exposure to antismoking messages and their smoking intentions. The findings seem to suggest that campaigners should make more efforts to incorporate ...
Delaunay Meshing of Piecewise Smooth Complexes without Expensive Predicates

Recently a Delaunay refinement algorithm has been proposed that can mesh piecewise smooth complexes which include polyhedra, smooth and piecewise smooth surfaces, and non-manifolds. However, this algorithm employs domain dependent numerical predicates, some of which could be computationally expensive and hard to implement. In this paper we develop a refinement strategy that eliminates these complicated domain dependent predicates. As a result we obtain a meshing algorithm that is practical and implementation-friendly.
Mapping of Permeability Damage Around Perforation Tunnels

We have investigated porosity arid permeability damage around perforations using a combination of transient analysis and X-ray CT. The method applied allowed us to perform the entire experiments on samples under simulated in-situ stress conditions and to map variations in permeability along the length of the core as well as with radial distance from the perforation. Berea (10.2-cm (4-in.) dia) cores saturated with low-viscosity silicone oil were perforated using conventional-shaped charges (6-g HMX) and API RP43 procedures by using 6.88-MPa (1000-psi) effective stress and 5.16-MPa (750-psi) and 2.61-MPa (350-psi) underbalance. Low-permeability Torrey Buff Sandstone was also perforated using 5.16-MPa (750-psi) underbalance. After sufficiently flowing the perforations, higher-viscosity silicone oil was injected. The movement of fluids was tracked using X-ray CT to measure the local velocity of the viscous fluid front at different locations along the perforation. Results of these tests were compared in terms of permeability and porosity damage. Quantitative analysis on Berea cores show, for the specific charge and test conditions used, that damage extends approximately 2 cm (0. 78 in.) from the center of the perforation. Comparison of tests performed with 2.41-MPa (350-psi) and 5.16-MPa (750-psi) underbalance show a clear increase in permeability near the tunnel wall at the higher underbalance. A zone of somewhat-reduced permeability exists at approximately 1.7 cm from the perforation center in the latter case. Porosity profiles calculated show that porosity is almost uniform out from the tunnel and there is no compacted zone near the tunnel wall in liquid-saturated cores. However there is a high-porosity zone from the tunnel wall out about 2 mm. This may be due to a region of circumferential partings and small cracks that lead to high porosity or due to the possible artifacts discussed in the paper. Qualitative results have also been obtained for a tight sandstone for which underbalance was insufficient to remove debris from the perforation tunnel. CT images reveal that the plugged tunnel acts as a conduit for fluid flow, showing that the plugging material has significantly higher permeability than the surrounding rock.
Price dynamics in the import wooden bed market of the United States

Imports of wooden beds by the United States have been over one billion dollars since 2005. With a combined market share of more than 60%, China and Vietnam have dominated the import market in recent years. This trade surge has become a serious threat to the domestic furniture industry. Threshold cointegration and an asymmetric error correction model are used to analyze the price dynamics between China and Vietnam. China has been the price leader of the market and its price has been evolving more independently. The transmission between the prices of China and Vietnam has been asymmetric in both the long term and short term. Furniture firms in China and Vietnam adjust prices about two times faster when their profits are squeezed than stretched.
Steric Acceleration of Dynamic Processes in 1,2-Dicyclooctatetraenylbenzene

The rate constants for ring inversion (1) (at −31 °C) and bond shift (2) (at 19 °C) in the title compound (3) are 3−5 and 2 times the corresponding values for the 1,4 isomer due to steric hindrance in the ground state of 3.
Computational-fluid-dynamics-based design optimization for single-element rocket injector

A computational-fluid-dynamics-based design optimization approach, utilizing the response surface method, has been proposed for a single-element rocket injector. The overall goal of the effort is to demonstrate the integration of a set of computational and optimization tools to enable the injector designer to objectively determine the trades between performance and life during the design cycle. Using design of experiment techniques, 54 cases are selected, and computational solutions based on the Navier‐Stokes equations, finite rate chemistry, and the k‐e turbulence closure are obtained. The response surface methodology is employed as the optimization tool. Four independent design variables are selected, namely, H2 flow angle, H2 and O2 flow areas with fixed flow rates, and O2 posttip thickness. Design optimization is guided by four design objectives. The maximum temperature on the injector element oxidizer posttip, the maximum temperature on the injector face, and a combustion chamber wall temperature are chosen as life indicators. The length of the combustion zone is selected as an indicator of mixing and performance. In the context of this effort, the design optimization tools performed efficiently and reliably. In addition to establishing optimum designs by varying emphasis on the individual objectives, better insight into the interplay between design variables and their impact on the design objectives is gained. The need to include environmental design objectives early in the design phase is clearly established.
A Variational Approach for Retrieving Raindrop Size Distribution from Polarimetric Radar Measurements in the Presence of Attenuation

AbstractThis study presents a two-dimensional variational approach to retrieving raindrop size distributions (DSDs) from polarimetric radar data in the presence of attenuation. A two-parameter DSD model, the constrained-gamma model, is used to represent rain DSDs. Three polarimetric radar measurements—reflectivity ZH, differential reflectivity ZDR, and specific differential phase KDP—are optimally used to correct for the attenuation and retrieve DSDs by taking into account measurement error effects. Retrieval results with simulated data demonstrate that the proposed algorithm performs well. Applications to real data collected by the X-band Center for Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere (CASA) radars and the C-band University of Oklahoma–Polarimetric Radar for Innovations in Meteorology and Engineering (OU-PRIME) also demonstrate the efficacy of this approach.
Theoretical studies of rotational and spin orbit predissociation of the Ne·XH (X̃ 2Π, X = O,S) van der Waals complexes.

The rotational and spin–orbit predissociation dynamics of Ne·XH ( 2Π, X = O,S) complexes is investigated using the stabilization method of Mandelshtam et al. (Phys. Rev. A, 1994, 50, 2764) with ab initio potential surfaces. The calculations show large variations in the lifetimes of the Ne·XH complexes within narrow energy ranges. In particular, we found that the calculated lifetimes displayed strong dependencies on the parity of the state and on the projection of the angular momentum onto the internuclear axis. Comparisons with available experimental resonance energies and lifetimes are made and the results are found to be in good agreement.
ONTOGENY OF THE SUBCLASS OF ANTIBODY TO PNEUMOCOCCAL POLYSACCHARIDE TYPE 3

Human antibodies to bacterial polyaaccharides consist primarily of IgG and are largely restricted to the IgG2 subclass. We examined the ontogeny of the IgG subclass response to pneumococcal polysaccharide type 3 to determine if the poor response of infants to immunization with polysaccharide antigens is due to a diminished capacity to form this subclass of antibodies. Sera from 33 patients aged 2 months to 25 years who had previously been shown to respond to polyvalent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine with IgG antibodies (greater than twofold rise in post-immunization titer) were assayed by ELISA using monoclonal antibodies specific for IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, or IgG4. IgG1 antibodies to pneumococcal polysaccharide type 3 were uniformly low in all age groups. In contrast, IgG2 antibody activity was lowest in children less than the age of 2 years (170±20 ng/ml), but rose progressively in the age group 2-5 years (210±40 ng/ml), 5-10 years (330±30 ng/ml), and over the age of 10 (390±30 ng/ml) (differences significant at p<.0005 by ANOVA). Since the prevention of infection using a purified bacterial polysaccharide vaccine appears to depend on an adequate serum level of IgG2 antibody, the delay in the ontogeny of the IgG2 subclass explains the relative ineffectiveness of purified polysaccharide vaccines in children under the age of 2 years. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that purified bacterial capsular polysaccharide antigens preferentially activate IgG2-coramitted B cell clones at all ages.
Structural geology: Natural fault lubricants

Motion along faults can occur in sudden earthquakes or through steady, aseismic creep. Rock samples retrieved by drilling deep into a creeping section of the San Andreas Fault show that clay minerals in fault rock promote creep behaviour.
Reduced left ventricular hypertrophy following long-term water deprivation in the young spontaneously hypertensive rat.

Biochemical and physical parameters of cardiac hypertrophy accompanying hypertension were studied in water deprived versus non-deprived immature spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and their normotensive progenitor strain, Wistar Kyoto (WKY). A 23.5 hour/day water deprivation schedule was maintained from 5 to 13 weeks of age in 23 SHR and 8 WKY rats to compare with non-deprived animals (16 SHR and 8 WKY controls). Water deprived SHR had lower left ventricular weight, lower total protein and hydroxyproline and the same total DNA as the non-deprived SHR. DNA concentration was higher in the deprived SHR than in the non-deprived SHR. No differences were found among the four groups in right ventricular weight or DNA concentration. Left to right ventricular weight ratio was significantly lower and left to right ventricular DNA concentration ratio significantly higher in the deprived SHR relative to non-deprived SHR. These data indicate that the water deprived SHR, which were less hypertensive than the non-dep...
On vision-based robot calibration

This tutorial, which is on the subject of using hand-mounted cameras for robot calibration, focuses on the basic principles of "one-stage" methods that calibrate simultaneously the robot and the cameras and "two stage" methods that first calibrating the cameras and then calibrating the robot. Distinction is made between stereo and monocular camera systems. The papers addresses the pros and cons of the various techniques and summarizes open research issues.
A3 adenosine receptor signaling influences pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis.

Adenosine is a signaling molecule produced during conditions that cause cellular stress or damage. This signaling pathway is implicated in the regulation of pulmonary disorders through the selective engagement of adenosine receptors. The goal of this study was to examine the involvement of the A3 adenosine receptor (A3R) in a bleomycin model of pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. Results demonstrated that A3R-deficient mice exhibit enhanced pulmonary inflammation that included an increase in eosinophils. Accordingly, there was a selective up-regulation of eosinophil-related chemokines and cytokines in the lungs of A3R-deficient mice exposed to bleomycin. This increase in eosinophil numbers was accompanied by a decrease in the amount of extracellular eosinophil peroxidase activity in lavage fluid from A3R-deficient mice exposed to bleomycin, an observation suggesting that the A3R is necessary for eosinophil degranulation in this model. Despite an increase in inflammatory metrics associated with A3R-defici...
Sequences of the coding and flanking regions of the large ribosomal subunit RNA gene of mosquito mitochondria

We have sequenced a 1.6 kbp region of the mosquito (Aedes albopictus) mitochondrial genome containing the large ribosomal subunit ("LSU") RNA gene, and have located the ends of the gene by S1 protection analysis and by comparison with RNA sequences. The gene is preceded by a tRNAval gene and followed by genes for tRNAIeuUAG (rather than tRNAleuUAA, as in mammalian mitochondria) and an extended reading frame homologous to mammalian URF1. It is approximately 1335 residues long and is very low (17%) in G + C. The 5' half is even lower in G + C (9%), and shows little apparent homology to other LSU RNA classes. The 3' half is relatively rich (26%) in G + C and has many stretches of homology to prokaryotic and mammalian mitochondrial LSU RNA.
High performance batteries based on hybrid magnesium and lithium chemistry

This work studied hybrid batteries assembled with a Mg metal anode, a Li+ ion intercalation cathode and a dual-salt electrolyte containing Mg2+ and Li+ ions. We show that such hybrid batteries were able to combine the advantages of Li and Mg electrochemistry. They delivered outstanding rate performance (83% capacity retention at 15 C) with superior safety and stability (∼5% fade for 3000 cycles).
White noise analysis of temporal properties in simple receptive fields of cat cortex

We studied the linear and nonlinear temporal response properties of simple cells in cat visual cortex by presenting at single positions in the receptive field an optimally oriented bar stimulus whose luminance was modulated in a random, binary fashion. By crosscorrelating a cell's response with the input it was possible to obtain the zeroth-, first-, and second-order Wiener kernels at each RF location. Simple cells showed pronounced nonlinear temporal properties as revealed by the presence of prominent second-order kernels. A more conventional type of response histogram was also calculated by time-locking a histogram on the occurrence of the desired stimulus in the random sequence. A comparison of the time course of this time-locked response with that of the kernel prediction indicated that nonlinear temporal effects of order higher than two are unimportant. The temporal properties of simple cells were well represented by a cascade model composed of a linear filter followed by a static nonlinearity. These modelling results suggested that for simple cells, the nonlinearity occurs late and probably is a soft threshold associated with the spike generating mechanism of the cortical cell itself. This result is surprising in view of the known threshold nonlinearities in preceding lateral geniculate and retinal neurons. It suggests that geniculocortical connectivity cancels the earlier nonlinearities to create a highly linear representation inside cortical simple cells.
Global stability of Gause-type predator-prey systems

In this paper, we present some global stability results obtained from comparison analysis, Bendixson-Dulac criterion or limit cycle stability analysis for the general Gause-type predator-type systems.
A Comparison of Moral Reasoning in Drug Addicts and Nonaddicts.

Assessed moral reasoning of 20 male addict patients and 17 nonprofessional male hospital employees by Kohlberg's methods. The mean level of moral reasoning of the drug addict group (2.97) was not found to differ significantly from that of the nonaddict comparison group (2.88). Furthermore, moral reasoning in addicts was not found to be related significantly to a number of background and personality characteristics. The findings, therefore, indicated that moral reasoning and moral behavior are not related siginificantly in drug addicts. It was concluded that the deviant behavior of this group is more likely the result of a deficiency in ego controls.
Crystal Structure of TaCl(NMe2)4 and Its Reactions with Lithium Amides and Water. Indirect Observation of an Equilibrium among TaCl(NMe2)4, Ta(NMe2)5 and Ta2(μ-Cl)2(NMe2)6Cl2

Reactions of TaCl(NMe2)4 (2) with LiNR2 (R = SiMe3, Et), yielding Ta(NMe2)4(NR2) (R = SiMe3, 4; Et, 7), Ta(NMe2)5 (1), (Me2N)3TaN(SiMe3)SiMe2CH2 (5), and Ta(NMe2)3(NEt2)2 (8), respectively, suggest the presence of an equilibrium among TaCl(NMe2)4 (2), Ta(NMe2)5 (1), and Ta2(μ-Cl)2(NMe2)6Cl2 (3): 2 2 ⇌ 1 + 0.5 3. New products Ta(NMe2)4(NR2) have been characterized. Ta(NMe2)4(NEt2) (7), Ta(NMe2)5 (1), and Ta(NMe2)3(NEt2)2 (8) are in a slow exchange: 2 7 ⇌ 1 + 8 with an equilibrium constant of Keq = 0.25(0.01) at 90 °C. The following are also reported: X-ray crystal structure and a one-step synthesis of TaCl(NMe2)4 (2), reaction of 2 with H2O giving Ta2(μ-Cl)2(μ-O)(NMe2)6 (9), X-ray structure of 9, and preparation of LiNEt2 solid.
Prevention of the Enlarged Hock Disorder in Turkeys with Niacin and Vitamin E

Abstract EARLIER reports from this laboratory (Scott 1950Scott 1951a, 1951b, 1952) have presented results showing that an enlarged hock disorder in young poults occurring when these poults are fed a diet containing 2 to 4 percent of cod liver oil can be prevented by supplementation of the diet with 5 to 10 percent of dried brewers’ yeast. Because of the findings that poults suffering from the enlarged hock disorder exhibited a marked creatinuria and a reduction in muscle creatine, plus the fact that the disorder was aggravated by the addition of cod liver oil to the diet, it was suggested that this condition in poults might be a form of nutritional muscular dystrophy. However, vitamin E, which is usually effective in preventing and correcting the symptoms of muscular dystrophy in rabbits and guinea pigs, was found to be without effect when added to the basal diet used to produce the enlarged …
A decomposition-based simulated annealing technique for data clustering

It has been demonstrated that simulated annealing provides high-quality results for the data clustering problem. However, existing simulated annealing schemes are memory-based algorithms; they are not suited for solving large problems such as data clustering which typically are too big to fit in the memory space in its entirety. Various buffer replacement policies, assuming either temporal or spatial locality, are not useful in this case since simulated annealing is based on a randomized search process. Poor locality of references will cause the memory to thrash because too many replacements are required. This phenomenon will incur excessive disk accesses and force the machine to run at the speed of the I/O subsystem. In this paper, we formulate the data clustering problem as a graph partition problem (GPP), and propose a decomposition-based approach to address the issue of excessive disk accesses during annealing. We apply the statistical sampling technique to randomly select subgraphs of the GPP into memory for annealing. Both the analytical and experimental studies indicate that the decomposition-based approach can dramatically reduce the costly disk I/O activities while obtaining excellent optimized results.
Journalism in cyberspace: Current copyright implications

Internet resources in reporting are being embraced by numerous publications and newspapers, as well as journalism schools. The power of these sources is constantly touted, but the potential legal pitfalls are only recently being mentioned. This article deals with the copyright issues surrounding media workers quoting and using sources obtained from computer sources such as computer networks, bulletin boards and electronic mail. A few recent legal cases and the Clinton Administration are beginning to address this issue of copyright in cyberspace. But currently media workers are moving in uncharted waters as they begin to quote more and more from electronic sources. This area might become ripe for copyright lawsuits against media organizations. On the other side of the issue, media organizations that are now putting their publications on‐line should be aware of the possible copyright infringement that can take place against them.
Intensity-modulated radiotherapy technique for three-field breast treatment

Purpose: To develop a simplified intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) algorithm for three-field breast treatment using a single isocenter setup. The algorithm aims to deliver a uniform dose throughout the breast volume. Special attention was paid to the highly divergent nature of the beam configuration. Methods and Materials: Computed tomography (CT) image setup of the patient was acquired. On each CT slice, the computer automatically generated lines parallel to the posterior edge of the tangent field. The mid-point of each line segment that intersected the breast was determined and the dose from an open field calculated. The intensity of the divergent pencil beam corresponding to the mid-point was set to be inversely proportional to the open field dose to the mid-point. Forward dose calculation was then performed using this intensity distribution. Results: A total of 15 breast cancer patients undergoing three-field IMRT who underwent planning and treatment with this algorithm were included in this study. Compared with standard wedged pair tangents, the IMRT plan produced statistically significant better dose distributions in terms of target coverage and target dose uniformity, as well as reduced dose to the contralateral breast and reduced hot spots to the ipsilateral lung. Conclusion: Since March 2004, the new IMRT algorithm has been used for planning and treatment of >20 patients undergoing three-field treatment, as well as >200 patients undergoing regular two-field tangent treatment, all with excellent dose distributions throughout the breast volume.
A note on organizational climate

Abstract The idea of “organizational climate” appears to refer to an attribute, or set of attributes, of the work environment. The idea of a “perceived organizational climate” seems ambiguous; one can not be sure whether it implies an attribute of the organization or of the perceiving individual. If it refers to the organization, then measures of perceived organizational climate should be evaluated in terms of the accuracy of the perceptions. If it refers to the individual, then perceived organizational climate may simply be a different name for job satisfaction or employee attitudes.
Relationship of Pen Height to Bone Strength of Broilers

Broilers reared in cages have a high incidence of wing breakage during processing. Three trials were conducted to determine the effects of cage dimensions and floor types on bone breaking strength and wing breakage during processing. Broilers were fed commercial-type diets and processed through the pickers at a commercial processing plant or a research facility. Broken bones were detected by palpation, and humeri and tibia were removed. Breaking strength was determined for the humeri and tibia with a testing instrument. Incidence of breast blisters, crooked keels, follicle infection, fleshing downgrades, and slabsidedness were determined in one trial. Cage height was the major factor affecting wing breakage and humerus strength. Incidence of wing breakage for broilers on wire floors with cages .64 m high was not significantly different from that of control broilers reared on litter with ceiling 2.54 m high. Humerus breaking strength was significantly reduced in two of three trials by the .64-m-high ceiling. Cage rearing increased the incidence of crooked keels and feather follicle infections.
Partial Kinetic Resolution of Oxanorbornenes by Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization with a Chiral Ruthenium Initiator

We report the first kinetic resolution by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (KR-ROMP). The polymerization profile showed a solvent-dependent variation of selectivity (S) over the course of the reaction. In tetrahydrofuran and dichloromethane, the resolution selectivity increased over the course of the reaction, while in toluene the selectivity was much higher in the beginning of the reaction and decreased throughout. Evidence suggests that the change in selectivity might be attributed to the chiral secondary structure of the growing polymer chain.
On "Separated Nitrous Oxide-Acetylene Flame as an Atom Reservoir in Thermal Emission Spectroscopy"

Abstract My comments (1) on the paper by Kirkbright, Semb, and West (2) were by no means intended to be an attack on the statement that detection limit data were “only available for turbulent flames of hydrogen or acetylene with oxygen which show high background and noise levels”. My intentions were simply to note that this statement was misleading, for the reasons given in my earlier commentary (1).
Psychotropic Medication Use for Challenging Behaviors in Persons with Intellectual Disabilities: An Overview.

Challenging behaviors in persons with intellectual disabilities are primary target for treatment in mental health clinics and institutions. Furthermore, an increasing number of people are receiving psychotropic medications for the management of their challenging behaviors. Many people are often treated with high doses of multiple psychotropic medications for extended periods of time with little or no data collected to determine treatment efficacy. Similarly, data demonstrating treatment effectiveness is at best questionable at this time. It is for these reasons that controversy exists regarding the use of psychotropic medication for challenging behaviors. The purpose of this paper was to summarize past and current studies of drug related interventions for challenging behaviors for persons with intellectual disabilities. Based on the results of this review, the effectiveness of psychotropic medications in managing challenging behaviors is best described as minimal and a need exists for controlled studies of higher scientific quality in this area. Considering alternative psychologically based interventions and careful functional assessments appear to be advisable.
Holding characteristics of fasteners in bone

A satisfactory method was developed for evaluating the holding characteristics of fasteners in bone. Using this method in over 100 tests, the ultimate pull-out forces and shear stresses were determined for two sizes of sheet-metal type of screws with various interference fits, for a commercial orthopedic self-tapping screw, and for two sizes of machine screws in tapped bone, each at five sections of equine metacarpus. The ultimate pull-out force was maximum at the midlength of the bone, and minimum at the distal end. In general, the failure mechanisms were bone-thread shear for low pull-out forces, bone splitting at intermediate pull-out forces, and bone fragmentation at high pull-out forces. The failure mechanisms of the bone indicate that orthopedic fasteners should possibly not be designed for maximum holding force.
Pre-processing two-electron integrals for efficient utilization in many-electron self-consistent field calculations

Abstract A procedure for pre-processing a random list of two-electron integrals is described. Construction of Fock-matrices with the resulting PK-file is shown to be three times faster than use of a file containing the random two-electron integrals, indices, and a branching code.
Modeling of laser-induced ionization of solid dielectrics for ablation simulations: role of effective mass

Modeling of laser-induced ionization and heating of conduction-band electrons by laser radiation frequently serves as a basis for simulations supporting experimental studies of laser-induced ablation and damage of solid dielectrics. Together with band gap and electron-particle collision rate, effective electron mass is one of material parameters employed for the ionization modeling. Exact value of the effective mass is not known for many materials frequently utilized in experiments, e.g., fused silica and glasses. Because of that reason, value of the effective mass is arbitrary varied around "reasonable values" for the ionization modeling. In fact, it is utilized as a fitting parameter to fit experimental data on dependence of ablation or damage threshold on laser parameters. In this connection, we study how strong is the influence of variations of the effective mass on the value of conduction-band electron density. We consider influence of the effective mass on the photo-ionization rate and rate of impact ionization. In particular, it is shown that the photo-ionization rate can vary by 2-4 orders of magnitude with variation of effective mass by 50%. Impact ionization shows a much weaker dependence on effective mass, but it significantly enhances the variations of seed-electron density produced by the photo-ionization. Utilizing those results, we demonstrate that variation of effective mass by 50% produces variations of conduction-band electron density by 6 orders of magnitude. In this connection, we discuss the general issues of the current models of laser-induced ionization.
Isolated Hemopericardium Associated With Rivaroxaban: First Case Report

Rivaroxaban is a novel anticoagulant approved for use in patients with atrial fibrillation for stroke prevention. It is a factor Xa inhibitor, and its activity cannot be monitored with use of the international normalized ratio. A 5.6% chance of major bleeding is associated with rivaroxaban use, including intracranial and gastrointestinal bleeds. We report the first case, to our knowledge, of isolated hemopericardium related to rivaroxaban use, which could potentially lead to death from cardiac tamponade. A 76-year-old man who was receiving rivaroxaban for atrial fibrillation presented to the emergency department with pleuritic chest pain and was found to have a hemopericardium. No signs of tamponade were evident, and his bleed remained stable after discontinuing rivaroxaban. The patient had also been taking saw palmetto, which may have contributed to the bleed by increasing rivaroxaban activity. A work-up for other causes of hemopericardium, including pacemaker lead misplacement and autoimmune disease-related pericarditis, was negative. Use of the Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale indicated a probable relationship (score of 5) between the patient's development of hemopericardium and rivaroxaban use. This case highlights the potential for bleeding complications associated with novel anticoagulants. Herbal products and various drugs may increase rivaroxaban levels by inhibiting P-glycoprotein and cytochrome P450 3A4 activity. Clinicians should be aware of these potential interactions with rivaroxaban and perform a review of not only the patient's drug therapy but also any herbal and food products that could alter the levels of anticoagulants. The lack of an antidote and the inability to dialyze rivaroxaban is a significant concern in situations of life-threatening bleeds. A laboratory test for monitoring rivaroxaban levels may be required for its safe use.
Nitrogen, phosphorus and light effects on growth and allocation of biomass and nutrients in wild rice

Separating plastic from ontogenetic and growth-limiting responses of plants to changes in resource availability can be challenging because there are a total of eight combinations of these three types of responses. These can, however, be uniquely distinguished on plots of root:shoot ratios against total biomass through time. We used this approach to separate ontogenetic, plastic, and growth-limiting responses of wild rice (Zizania palustris L.) to changes in nitrogen, phosphorus, and light availabilities. Relative growth rate was limited primarily by nitrogen but responded to increased light and phosphorus after nitrogen limitations were alleviated. Nitrogen addition increased relative growth rate because it simultaneously increased unit leaf rate, specific leaf area, and leaf weight ratio. Increased light did not change relative growth rate because decreased specific leaf area and leaf weight ratio compensated the increased unit leaf rate. Phosphorus did not change either relative growth rate or its underlying components. Plants responded ontogenetically to increased nitrogen and light availabilities by accelerating their developmental rate, and plastically by decreasing or increasing their root:shoot ratios, respectively. Plants did not respond either ontogenetically or plastically to increased phosphorus availability. Ontogenetic changes in growth can be separated from plastic and growth-limiting responses by plotting root:shoot ratio against total biomass in the context of the eight possible responses identified above, and also by examining how the underlying components of relative growth rate respond.
New Advances in the Precision Medicine of Lung Cancer

First-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) effective against non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor mutations or anaplastic lymphoma kinase fusion genes were initial steps in the precision medicine of lung cancer, but have significant limitations. Only about 19 % of NSCLC demonstrate predictive biomarkers that indicate that they are likely to respond to first-generation TKIs, and virtually all NSCLC that initially respond develop acquired resistance after several months. Ongoing developments in this field are expected to provide patients with improved diagnosis and treatment options. Next-generation sequencing offers superior options for genotyping tumors. Immunohistochemistry promises to allow predictive biomarkers analysis by direct observation of malignant cells using conventional tools and procedures. Treatment options that include repurposing of drugs for new targets and investigation of new clinically actionable targets will require greater knowledge and participation of the pathologist in personalized healthcare of lung cancer patients.
Protein Extraction from Frozen, Thawed Turkey Muscle with Sodium Nitrite, Sodium Chloride, and Selected Sodium Phosphate Salts

Turkey muscle batters were prepared with the sodium salts of nitrite, chloride and selected phosphate salts. Amounts of extracted protein were measured by the biuret method and separated by SDS-gel elctrophoresis and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). For breast muscle, three proteins in the nitrite extracts had higher molecular weights than those in water extracts as determined by SDS-gel electrophoresis. Sodium chloride and sodium tripolyphosphate increased centrifuged batter sediment weight, increased the concentration of extracted protein, increased the number of electrophoretically separated higher molecular weight protein bands and increased HPLC peak areas of extracts from muscle batters.
AoA Based Sensing and Performance Analysis in Cognitive Radio Networks

In the traditional research on spectrum sensing in cognitive radio networks, a channel is determined occupied by a primary user (PU) once a signal is detected, but this is not always true. There is a fair likelihood that the channel is being used by a secondary user (SU). To accurately reflect the channel status, it is significant to distinguish whether a signal from a PU or an SU on a busy channel. In this paper, we propose an Angle of Arrival (AoA) based sensing approach using the smart antenna technology. Specifically, an SU is equipped with a smart antenna and hence is capable of distinguishing the arrival angles from all incoming signals. Therefore, if the angle/direction information of the target PU is provided in advance, an SU is able to determine that a received signal is from the PU or other users by analyzing the incoming angles. We select the CAPON AoA algorithm as an example to demonstrate the effectiveness. Further, we comprehensively investigate the sensing performance including false alarm probability and miss detection probability, which has received limited attention. Extensive simulations are conducted and results demonstrate the effectiveness of the AoA based spectrum sensing approach. The limitation of this approach is pointed out as well.
Including the Transition Region in Models of the Large-Scale Solar Corona

In traditional multidimensional models of the solar corona, the boundary of the calculation closest to the solar surface is placed well into the corona (at temperatures of 1-2 × 106 K). We describe a large-scale MHD model that includes the transition region in the calculation. In this model, we simulate the solar atmosphere from the top of the chromosphere (at 20,000 K), through the transition region, into the corona, and extending out into the inner heliosphere. Our model includes parallel thermal conduction, coronal heating, and radiation losses in the energy equation. For simplicity, we describe a two-dimensional (axisymmetric) implementation of our model. This model enables us to study the large-scale structure of the transition region. In particular, we contrast the variation of the structure of the transition region underneath a closed magnetic arcade with that in an open-field region. We discuss how the inclusion of the transition region and upper chromosphere into the model modifies the time constants. We compare our results with a model in which the calculation is started near the top of the transition region (at 500,000 K) using a "radiative energy balance" condition, and we find that the two models agree well in open-field regions and for long loops. However, a model that includes the transition region is required to properly model short loops in closed-field regions.
Deforestation and land use change: sparse data environments

Understanding determinants of land use in developing countries has become a priority for researchers and policy makers with a wide range of interests. For the vast majority of these land use issues, the location of change is as important as its magnitude. This overview paper highlights new economic approaches to modeling land use determinants that combine non-traditional data sources with novel economic models and econometric techniques. A key feature is that location is central to the analysis. All data elements include an explicit location attribute, estimation techniques include the potential for complications from spatial effects, and results are location-specific. The paper reviews the theory underlying these models. Since this paper is intended to provide the potential new researcher with an introduction to the challenges of this analysis, we present an overview of how remotely-sensed data are collected and processed, describe key GIS concepts and identify sources of data for this type of econometric analysis. Finally, selected papers using these techniques are reviewed.
Management of colon wounds in the setting of damage control laparotomy: a cautionary tale.

Background: Although colon wounds are commonly treated in the setting of damage control laparotomy (DCL), a paucity of data exist to guide management. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our experience with the management of colonic wounds in the context of DCL, using colonic wound outcomes after routine, single laparotomy (SL) as a benchmark. Methods: Consecutive patients during a 7-year period with full-thickness or devitalizing colon injury were identified. Early deaths (<48 hour) were excluded. Colon-related complications (abscess, suture or staple leak, and stomal ischemia) were compared between those managed in the setting of DCL versus those managed by SL, both overall and as stratified by procedure (primary repair, resection and anastomosis, and resection and colostomy). Results: One hundred fifty-seven patients met study criteria: 101 had undergone SL and 56 had undergone DCL. Comparison of DCL patients with SL patients was notable for a significant difference in colon-related complications (30% vs. 12%, p < 0.005) and suture/staple leak in particular (12% vs. 3%, p < 0.05). Stratification by procedure revealed a significant difference in colon-related complications among those that underwent resection and anastomosis (DCL: 39% vs. SL: 18%, p < 0.05), whereas no differences were observed in those who underwent primary repair or resection and colostomy. Conclusions: Management of colonic wounds in the setting of DCL is associated with a relatively high incidence of complications. The excessive incidence of leak overall and morbidity particular to resection and anastomosis, however, give us pause. Although stoma construction is not without its own complications in the setting of DCL, it may be the safer alternative.
Kinetic Analysis of Nucleotide Incorporation by Mammalian DNA Polymerase δ

The kinetics of nucleotide incorporation into 24/36-mer primer/template DNA by purified fetal calf thymus DNA polymerase (pol) delta was examined using steady-state and pre-steady-state kinetics. The role of the pol delta accessory protein, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), on DNA replication by pol delta was also examined by kinetic analysis. The steady-state parameter k(cat) was similar for pol delta in the presence and absence of PCNA (0.36 and 0.30 min(-1), respectively); however, the K(m) for dNTP was 20-fold higher in the absence of PCNA (0.067 versus 1.2 microm), decreasing the efficiency of nucleotide insertion. Pre-steady-state bursts of nucleotide incorporation were observed for pol delta in the presence and absence of PCNA (rates of polymerization (k(pol)) of 1260 and 400 min(-1), respectively). The reduction in polymerization rate in the absence of PCNA was also accompanied by a 2-fold decrease in burst amplitude. The steady-state exonuclease rate of pol delta was 0.56 min(-1) (no burst, 10(3)-fold lower than the rate of polymerization). The small phosphorothioate effect of 2 for correct nucleotide incorporation into DNA by pol delta.PCNA indicated that the rate-limiting step in the polymerization cycle occurs prior to phosphodiester bond formation. A K(d)(dNTP) value of 0.93 microm for poldelta.dNTP binding was determined by pre-steady-state kinetics. A 5-fold increase in K(d)(DNA) for the pol delta.DNA complex was measured in the absence of PCNA. We conclude that the major replicative mammalian polymerase, pol delta, exhibits kinetic behavior generally similar to that observed for several prokaryotic model polymerases, particularly a rate-limiting step following product formation in the steady state (dissociation of oligonucleotides) and a rate-limiting step (probably conformational change) preceding phosphodiester bond formation. PCNA appears to affect pol delta replication in this model mainly by decreasing the dissociation of the polymerase from the DNA.
A Novel Retinal Pigment Epithelial Protein Suppresses Neutrophil Superoxide Generation. II. Purification and Microsequencing Analysis

In the preceding communication, a novel protein was reported. This protein is secreted by retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, and inhibits generation of superoxide by activated neutrophils in vitro. This protein is synthesized endogenously by RPE cells. The mechanism of inhibition is not by scavenging of the released superoxide; rather the protein intervenes the activation sequence of the neutrophils and, therefore, the consequential release of superoxide. In this study, the novelty of this RPE protein is further established by structural characterization. The supernatant proteins from rabbit RPE cultures were initially separated by a conventional, high capacity, DEAE Sepharose CL-6B anion exchange chromatography. The inhibitory activity on neutrophil superoxide generation was displayed in one fraction. This fraction was further purified either by microseparation anion exchange-high performance liquid chromatography or by microcapillary reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis was used in every step of the purification to monitor the homogeneity of the protein. The final purification gave a doublet of 69/75 kDa without other contaminating bands. The microsequencing analysis was carried out by the Edman degradation. Both N-termini were found to be blocked, and the 'on membrane' internal trypsin digestion was carried out. Secondary ion mass spectrometry was used to assess the purity of the tryptic fragments before sequencing analysis. From both the 69 and 75 kDa bands, a total of eight polypeptide sequences were obtained. Three of these sequences share some degree of homology with transferrin family proteins; and the other five sequences did not match any sequence in the database. Therefore, this RPE secretory protein appears to be novel, both in the primary amino acid sequence and in its function. No RPE secretory protein has been reported to display the superoxide inhibitory capability. If this function is also operative in vivo, it could suppress neutrophil-mediated tissue damage in inflammation.