cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Semigroup-theoretic proofs of the central limit theorem and other theorems of analysis

The theory of one parameter semigroups of bounded linear operators on Banach spaces has deep and far reaching applications to partial differential equations and Markov processes. Here we present some known elementary applications of operator semigroups to approximation theory, a new proof of the central limit theorem, and we give E. Nelson's rigorous interpretation of Feynman integrals. Our main tools are (i) a special case of the Trotter-Neveu-Kato approximation theorem, of which we give a new elementary proof, and (ii) P. Chernoff's product formula.
Heterogeneity of publicly accessible online critical values for therapeutic drugs

Introduction: Critical values are reported to clinicians when laboratory values are life threatening and require immediate attention. To date no definitive critical value limit recommendations have been produced regarding therapeutic drug monitoring. Some laboratories choose to publish critical value lists online. These publicly available values may be accessed and potentially utilized by laboratory staff, patient care providers, and patients. Materials and Methods: A web-based search of laboratories associated with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education pathology residency programs was initiated to determine which therapeutic drugs had critical values and to examine the degree of variation in published critical values for these institutions. Results: Of the 107 institutions with university-based pathology training programs, 36 had published critical values online for review. Thirteen therapeutic drugs were investigated and the number of institutions reporting critical value limits for the drug, as well as the median, range, standard deviation, and the coefficient of variation of critical value concentration limits for each drug were determined. A number of the online critical value limits were deemed to be erroneous, most likely due to incorrectly listed units of measurement. Conclusions: There was a large degree of heterogeneity with regard to the chosen critical value limits for therapeutic drugs. This wide variance in critical values appears to be greater than that observed in interassay proficiency testing. Institutions should reexamine the rationale for their current critical value parameters and ensure that critical value limits and associated units are accurately published online.
A photometric assay for protease digestion of the proteoglycan subunit.

Abstract A photometric assay has been developed for the quantitative measurement of the digestion of the proteoglycan subunit by proteases. It is based on forming a complex of proteoglycan subunit and its digestion products with cetyl pyridinium chloride. The digestion products are then selectively released with trichloroacetic acid. These products are quantitated by their uronic acid content. The assay can detect digestion of proteoglycan by as little as 50 ng of trypsin. It offers the further advantage of rapid quantitation of activityin a large number of samples. The assay has been successfully applied to the study of neutral protease activity in human articular cartilage.
An efficient algorithm for bipartite PLA folding

Programmable logic arrays (PLAs) provide a flexible and efficient way of synthesizing arbitrary combinational functions as well as sequential logic circuits. They are used in both LSI and VLSI technologies. The disadvantage of using PLAs is that most PLAs are very sparse. The high sparsity of the PLA results in a significant waste of silicon area. PLA folding is a technique which reclaims unused area in the original PLA. This paper proposes a column bipartite folding algorithm based on matrix representation. Heuristics are used to reduce the search space and to speed up the search processes. The algorithm has been implemented in C programming language on a SUN-4 workstation. The program was used to study several large PLAs of varying sizes. The experimental results show that in most cases the proposed algorithm finds optimal solution in a reasonable CPU time. >
Direct Digital Synthesizer With Sine-Weighted DAC at 32-GHz Clock Frequency in InP DHBT Technology

A direct digital synthesizer (DDS) implemented in InP double heterojunction bipolar transistor (DHBT) technology is reported. This DDS uses a sine-weighted digital to analog converter (DAC) architecture that eliminates the need for a ROM. This enables operation at high frequencies with lower power consumption compared to traditional approaches. The phase accumulator is 8-bits wide and the sine-weighted DAC uses the five most significant bits (MSBs) for phase to amplitude conversion. The DDS operates up to a 32-GHz clock frequency for all frequency control words (FCWs) and can synthesize sine-wave outputs from 125 MHz to 16GHz in 125-MHz steps. The spurious free dynamic range (SFDR) is measured over the Nyquist bandwidth to be 31.00 dBc for the fundamental output frequency of 125 MHz. Over the full range of FCWs, the worst case SFDR is 21.56 dBc at an FCW of 95, and the average SFDR is 26.95 dBc. The circuit is implemented with 1891 transistors and consumes 9.45 W of power
Battery, Ultracapacitor, Fuel Cell, and Hybrid Energy Storage Systems for Electric, Hybrid Electric, Fuel Cell, and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles: State of the Art

The fuel economy and all-electric range (AER) of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are highly dependent on the onboard energy-storage system (ESS) of the vehicle. Energy-storage devices charge during low power demands and discharge during high power demands, acting as catalysts to provide energy boost. Batteries are the primary energy-storage devices in ground vehicles. Increasing the AER of vehicles by 15% almost doubles the incremental cost of the ESS. This is due to the fact that the ESS of HEVs requires higher peak power while preserving high energy density. Ultracapacitors (UCs) are the options with higher power densities in comparison with batteries. A hybrid ESS composed of batteries, UCs, and/or fuel cells (FCs) could be a more appropriate option for advanced hybrid vehicular ESSs. This paper presents state-of-the-art energy-storage topologies for HEVs and plug-in HEVs (PHEVs). Battery, UC, and FC technologies are discussed and compared in this paper. In addition, various hybrid ESSs that combine two or more storage devices are addressed.
Perceived Relative Power and its Influence on Negotiations

In an experimental study, we investigate perceived relative power in negotiations and its effect on the distribution of resources and the integrativeness of agreements. We contrast perceived relative power with the objective individual level measure of power often used in past research: the parties’ alternatives to a negotiated agreement. We found that alternatives affected the distribution of outcomes, while perceived relative power and alternatives affected the integrativeness of outcomes. We found that negotiating pairs who perceived a smaller difference in relative power reached agreements of greater integrativeness than pairs who perceived a greater power difference, even after controlling for alternatives and aspirations. We explore the implications of treating power in negotiations as a perceived and relational construct.
Implementation of a Molecular Tumor Board: The Impact on Treatment Decisions for 35 Patients Evaluated at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

Background Although genetic profiling of tumors is a potentially powerful tool to predict drug sensitivity and resistance, its routine use has been limited because clinicians are often unfamiliar with interpretation and incorporation of the information into practice. We established a Molecular Tumor Board (MTB) to interpret individual patients' tumor genetic profiles and provide treatment recommendations. Patients and methods DNA from tumor specimens was sequenced in a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments-certified laboratory to identify coding mutations in a 50-gene panel (n = 34) or a 255-gene panel (n = 1). Cases were evaluated by a multidisciplinary MTB that included pathologists, oncologists, hematologists, basic scientists, and genetic counselors. Results During the first year, 35 cases were evaluated by the MTB, with 32 presented for recommendations on targeted therapies, and 3 referred for potential germline mutations. In 56.3% of cases, MTB recommended treatment with a targeted agent based on evaluation of tumor genetic profile and treatment history. Four patients (12.5%) were subsequently treated with a MTB-recommended targeted therapy; 3 of the 4 patients remain on therapy, 2 of whom experienced clinical benefit lasting >10 months. Conclusion For the majority of cases evaluated, the MTB was able to provide treatment recommendations based on targetable genetic alterations. The most common reasons that MTB-recommended therapy was not administered stemmed from patient preferences and genetic profiling at either very early or very late stages of disease; lack of drug access was rarely encountered. Increasing awareness of molecular profiling and targeted therapies by both clinicians and patients will improve acceptance and adherence to treatments that could significantly improve outcomes. Implications for practice Case evaluation by a multidisciplinary Molecular Tumor Board (MTB) is critical to benefit from individualized genetic data and maximize clinical impact. MTB recommendations shaped treatment options for the majority of cases evaluated. In the few patients treated with MTB-recommended therapy, disease outcomes were positive and support genetically informed treatment.
A randomized phase II efficacy and correlative studies of cetuximab with or without sorafenib in recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Summary Introduction A combination of cetuximab and sorafenib in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) were assessed for potential benefit. Material and Methods In a randomized phase II study, R/M HNSCC patients were treated with cetuximab 400 mg/m 2 IV on day 1 followed by 250 mg/m 2 IV weekly (Arm A), or cetuximab at the same dose/schedule plus sorafenib 400 mg PO twice-a-day (Arm B). Each cycle was 21 days. Tumor p16 and HPV status, and plasma immunomodulatory cytokine levels were assessed. Results Of 55 patients enrolled (Arm A-27, Arm B-28), 52 patients received assigned treatments and 43 were evaluable for response. Overall response rate was 8% for both arms. Median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 9.0 and 3.0 months in Arm A, and 5.7 and 3.2 months in Arm B, respectively. Forty-four patients had tumors available for p16 staining (35-negative, 9-positive). Three of nine p16-positive tumors were also HPV positive. The p16-negative patients had significantly better PFS compared to the p16-positive patients (3.7 vs. 1.6 months; p -value: 0.03), regardless of study arms. Twenty-four plasma samples were tested for 12 cytokine levels and patients with higher TGFβ1 levels had inferior PFS compared to lower levels (1.9 vs. 4.7 months; adjusted p -value: 0.015), regardless of study arms. Conclusions A subset of R/M patients with p16-negative tumors or lower plasma TGFβ1 levels had longer PFS given the cetuximab-based therapy. However, both arms showed only modest response and sorafenib given with cetuximab did not demonstrate clinical benefit.
IRP2 Regulates Breast Tumor Growth

Experimental and epidemiological evidence suggest that dysregulation of proteins involved in iron metabolism plays a critical role in cancer. The mechanisms by which cancer cells alter homeostatic iron regulation are just beginning to be understood. Here we demonstrate that iron regulatory protein 2 (IRP2) plays a key role in iron accumulation in breast cancer. Although both IRP1 and IRP2 are over-expressed in breast cancer, the overexpression of IRP2, but not IRP1, is associated with decreased ferritin H and increased transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1). Knock-down of IRP2 in triple negative MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells increases ferritin H expression and decreases TfR1 expression, resulting in a decrease in the labile iron pool. Further, IRP2 knockdown reduces growth of MDA-MB-231 cells in the mouse mammary fat pad. Gene expression microarray profiles of breast cancer patients demonstrate that increased IRP2 expression is associated with high grade cancer. Increased IRP2 expression is observed in luminal A, luminal B and basal breast cancer subtypes, but not in breast tumors of the ERBB2 molecular subtype. These results suggest that dysregulation of IRP2 is an early nodal point underlying altered iron metabolism in breast cancer and may contribute to poor outcome of some breast cancer patients.
Expression of a novel mRNA transcript for human microsomal epoxide hydrolase (EPHX1) is regulated by short open reading frames within its 5'-untranslated region.

Microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH, EPHX1) is a critical xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme, catalyzing both detoxification and bioactivation reactions that direct the disposition of chemical epoxides, including the carcinogenic metabolites of several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Recently, we discovered that a previously unrecognized and primate-specific EPHX1 transcript, termed E1-b, was actually the predominant driver of EPHX1 expression in all human tissues. In this study, we identify another human EPHX1 transcript, designated as E1-b ' . Unusually, both the E1-b and E1-bmRNA transcripts are generated from the use of a far upstream gene promoter, localized ∼18.5 kb 5 ' -upstream of the EPHX1 protein-coding region. Although expressed at comparatively lower levels than E1-b, the novel E1-btranscript is readily detected in all tissues examined, with highest levels maintained in human ovary. The E1-bmRNA possesses unusual functional features in its 5 ' - untranslated region, including a GC-rich leader sequence and two upstream AUGs that encode for short peptides of 26 and 17 amino acids in length, respectively. Results from in vitro transcription/translation assays and direct transfection in mammalian cells of either the E1-btranscript or the encoded peptides demonstrated that the E1-bupstream open reading frames (uORFs) are functional, with their presence markedly inhibiting the translation of EPHX1 protein, both in cis and in trans configurations. These unique uORF peptides exhibit no homology to any other known uORF sequences but likely function to mediate post- transcription regulation of EPHX1 and perhaps more broadly as translational regulators in human cells.
Pharmacologic requirements for obtaining sensitization of human tumor cells in vitro to combined 5-fluorouracil or ftorafur and X rays

The combined effects of X ray and 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in tissue culture have been studied using two human adenocarcinoma lines (HeLa and HT-29 cells). Both showed similar sensitivities to 5-FU, HeLa cells appearing somewhat more resistant to higher concentrations. Combined treatment of both cell types with 5-FU and X rays led to a time-dependent enhancement of cell killing ("radiosensitization"). Only post-radiation incubation had any effect, prior exposure to 5-FU being strictly additive. Enhanced cell killing by combined 5-FU and X rays could not be explained by either the infliction of additional acute damage in the immediate post-radiation period or an inhibitory effect of 5-FU on the repair of sub-lethal X ray injury. Rather, the enhanced cytotoxicity proved to be dependent on a damage expressed in time periods exceeding the duration of a cell doubling time in vitro. Overall, the data equally suggest that X rays may sensitize the cells to 5-FU. The enhanced cell killing is maximized if the cells are continuously exposed to 5-FU for 48 hours following the X ray exposure. These results indicate that clinical treatment regimens might be useful in evaluating 5-FU infusional scheduling in accordance with these unique requirements, which are not met by conventional bolus 5-FU and X ray therapy fractionation regimens. Ftorafur, a drug proposed to act as a slow release form of 5-FU, was found to show limited cytotoxic potential in vitro and did not significantly enhance cell killing after X ray exposure.
A high Reynolds number rotating disk rheometer

The construction and principles of operation of a rotating disk rheometer are outlined as is its use in the study of polymeric fluid drag reduction. The need for a sensitive measuring system under a wide variation of Reynolds numbers has prompted the development of a computer-controlled system that allows a systematic measurement of the turbulent fluid frictional difference between dilute polymer solutions. Also, the long-term drag-reducing stability of macromolecules in a turbulent flow field can be conveniently measured. Representative data from experimental measurements are presented demonstrating the capabilities of this instrument. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Unique renal tubule changes induced in rats and mice by the peroxisome proliferators 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and WY-14643

Peroxisome proliferators are non-mutagenic carcinogens in the liver of rodents, acting both as initiators and promoters. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) conducted a study of several peroxisome proliferators (PPs), including Wyeth (WY)-14643 as a prototypical PP and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) as a weak PP, in Sprague-Dawley rats. B6C3F1 mice, and Syrian hamsters. In the kidney, an unusual change was observed in the outer stripe of the outer medulla, especially in rats treated with 2,4-D or WY-14643. This change was characterized by foci of tubules that were partially or completely lined by basophilic epithelial cells with decreased cytoplasm and high nuclear density. Changes typical of chronic nephropathy such as interstitial fibrosis or basement membrane thickening were not associated with these foci. Results of immunohistochemical staining for catalase and cytochrome P-450 4A in the kidney indicated increased staining intensity in renal tubular epithelial cells primarily in the region where the affected tubules were observed: however, the altered cells were negative for both immunohistochemical markers. Ultrastructurally, affected cells had long brush borders typical of the P3 tubule segment. The most distinguishing ultrastructural change was a decreased amount of electronlucent cytoplasm that contained few differentiated organelles and, in particular, a prominent reduced volume and number of mitochondria; changes in peroxisomes were not apparent. In addition to the lesion in rats, mice treated with the highest dose of 2,4-D, but not WY-14643, manifested similar renal tubular changes as seen by light microscopy. Neither chemical induced renal tubular lesions in hamsters. Hepatocellular changes characteristic of PPs were present in all 3 species treated with WY-14643, but not 2,4-D. These results indicate that the rat is the species most sensitive to the nephrotoxic effects of PPs and there is a site specificity to this toxicity related to areas of PP-related enzyme induction. Although 2,4-D is considered a weak PP for the liver, it was the most effective at inducing renal lesions, indicating that the toxic potency of various PPs will depend on the target organ.
Facility Layout Optimization of Planetary Industrial Sites

Despite wide recognition that lunar bases are to be engaged in significant industrial operations, such as resource extraction and propellant production, to date, authors discussing space basing have not delineated location and layout design considerations as found in the processing plant and mining literature discussed. This paucity may be due to several factors. The body of knowledge of planetary basing is not as rich in empirical or experiential evidence nor as lengthy as for mining and process plants. Additionally, most considerations of lunar or martian bases have been more oriented to small temporary science and exploration outposts rather than viewing the bases as production systems. Consequently, there has been little attention to the production processes and the optimization of base layout for operational productivity, efficiency, safety, and cost. The purpose of this paper is to report preliminary efforts to assess potential siting issues for lunar bases to address this shortfall. This study attempted to frame the optimization problem posed by the set of variables and constraints and the relationships among those variables relative to operations in the lunar environment. Although a literature survey examined candidate optimization approaches, there was no attempt in this effort to select an approach or to develop an optimization scheme. The results suggest that while terrestrial analogs of lunar sites are insufficiently developed industrially to offer much insight, there is a substantial volume of literature concerning terrestrial mining and process plants to offer excellent analogs. In considering the terrestrial processing plant and mining operation as analogs for future planetary industrial operations and projecting to the lunar surface, several conclusions may be drawn. First, in the context of an optimization problem, the analogs suggest that several objective functions may be relevant. Among these is an emphasis on safety, most significantly represented by EVA safety, that should be reflected in the problem objective statement. Such statements influence layout by maximizing adjacencies between human-attended units, where possible, and by requiring pressurized and shielded passageways where not. A preliminary list of thirteen factors is offered for consideration for lunar base layout design. Additionally, common manufacturing facility layout concerns and optimization approaches are available and appear promising. A simple example of the application of a common layout methodology, i.e., Systematic Layout Planning, is developed for a notional lunar industrial site. This simplistic, well-used, graphical method can offer a better rationalized approach than seen in the literature to date. Further, this approach may be completely satisfactory for most lunar production systems envisioned in the near-term.
Frontiers in the Use of Biomarkers of Health in Research on Stress and Aging

Assessment of biomarkers that reflect objective indicators of physiological processes has become increasingly popular in psychological research on stress and aging. The current article reviews biomarkers of the neuroendocrine and immune systems, including issues related to measurement and normative age-related changes. We also discuss how exposure to stressors can provoke changes in these biomarkers and propose that stressful experiences may accelerate age-related declines in these systems. We recommend that future research examining physical health and aging incorporate dynamic and multivariate methods for assessing links between stressors and biomarkers.
Productive thyroid follicular carcinoma in a wild barred owl (Strix varia)

An adult male barred owl (Strix varia) was found unable to fly on a pasture during the day. On presentation, several lacerations were noted on the left wing. The animal was anesthetized for radiographic examination, which revealed mild swelling and irregularity of the soft tissues of the left wing. Over the plane of the syrinx and great vessels, ill-defined soft tissue opacity was present. The anesthetic recovery was unsuccessful, and the patient died. On gross necropsy, a 1 cm in diameter, round, soft, red-tan nodule, with scattered light tan to white foci was noticed between the right subclavian artery and the syrinx. The histopathology of this structure was characteristic of a thyroid follicular carcinoma. Neoplastic cells were immunoreactive to thyroglobulin and pancytokeratin proteins. A blood sample, taken antemortem, was analyzed for total and free thyroxine. Due to the lack of reference intervals for the current species, 4 blood samples from other barred owls were taken, 2 of which were clinically...
Problem solving environments

The author discusses a few issues regarding programming tools and their interaction. In parallel programming environments the target machine is parallel, and at least some of the tools deal with parallelism by making possible its expression (e.g. a computer for a parallel programming language or a parallelizing compiler). The author discusses the more general concept of problem-solving environments because he believes that in the future, and at least for some applications, the users of these environments will not be programmers or at least will not have to write any programs. Therefore, much of the interaction with the system will be a description of the problem to be solved and not a description of the solution method. >
Is There a Relationship Between Online Safety Concerns and Broadband Uptake

Child safety concerns are probably not a factor in broadband adoption. In my research, I have never unearthed any substantive empirical evidence suggesting a correlation between parental concerns about online activity and overall household broadband uptake.Four reasons why online child safety hasn't affected broadband adoption in a significant way:* Only 32% of U.S. households contain children under the age of eighteen. Thus, for at least 68% of households, online child safety would not be a factor in broadband adoption. * For many of these households with children in them, parents rely on various methods, such as household media rules, to control online content and Internet access in the home. This suggests that parents understand there are ways to control media consumption if they choose to subscribe to a broadband service. * Research, including the FCC's own Report on Implementation of the Child Safe Viewing Act, has shown that there is a vast, thriving marketplace for parental control tools. Moreover, studies have shown parents are pleased with technological options available to them to control their children's media consumption, again suggesting child safety would not be a factor in choosing to subscribe to a broadband service. * As the importance of the Internet grows in the way we communicate and access information, it is likely that parents realize that the benefits of broadband outweigh concerns about online child safety.
Performance optimization of a bendable parabolic cylinder collimating X-ray mirror for the ALS micro-XAS beamline 10.3.2.

The Advanced Light Source (ALS) beamline (BL) 10.3.2 is an apparatus for X-ray microprobe spectroscopy and diffraction experiments, operating in the energy range 2.4–17 keV. The performance of the beamline, namely the spatial and energy resolutions of the measurements, depends significantly on the collimation quality of light incident on the monochromator. In the BL 10.3.2 end-station, the synchrotron source is imaged 1:1 onto a set of roll slits which form a virtual source. The light from this source is collimated in the vertical direction by a bendable parabolic cylinder mirror. Details are presented of the mirror design, which allows for precision assembly, alignment and shaping of the mirror, as well as for extending of the mirror operating lifetime by a factor of ∼10. Assembly, mirror optimal shaping and preliminary alignment were performed ex situ in the ALS X-ray Optics Laboratory (XROL). Using an original method for optimal ex situ characterization and setting of bendable X-ray optics developed at the XROL, a root-mean-square (RMS) residual surface slope error of 0.31 µrad with respect to the desired parabola, and an RMS residual height error of less than 3 nm were achieved. Once in place at the beamline, deviations from the designed optical geometry (e.g. due to the tolerances for setting the distance to the virtual source, the grazing incidence angle, the transverse position) and/or mirror shape (e.g. due to a heat load deformation) may appear. Due to the errors, on installation the energy spread from the monochromator is typically a few electron-volts. Here, a new technique developed and successfully implemented for at-wavelength (in situ) fine optimal tuning of the mirror, enabling us to reduce the collimation-induced energy spread to ∼0.05 eV, is described.
Table top nanopatterning with extreme ultraviolet laser illumination

Patterning with extreme ultraviolet light generated by a compact, bright laser source operating at a wavelength of 46.9nm is demonstrated using two complementary approaches: multiple beam interferometric lithography and de-magnifying projection. Features with sizes ranging from 370nm to 60nm were printed in a few seconds in poly-methyl methacrylate resist. These proof-of-principle experiments demonstrate practical table-top nanopatterning tools based on extreme ultraviolet lasers for nanotechnology applications.
The Effect of Fabrication Processes on the Governing Mechanical Failure Criteria for Alloy 22, Ti-Grade 2/7, and Ti-Grade 5/24 Alloys

The effect of fabrication processes on the governing mechanical failure criteria for Alloy 22, Ti-Grade 2/7, and Ti-Grade 5/24 has been evaluated through the development of material specific failure assessment diagrams (FAD). The Barsom and Rolfe Charpy V-Notch (CVN) energy to Kic empirical relationship was shown to be conservative when compared to experimental Kjcdata for Alloy 600 and 690, which indicates that the KIC derivation is most likely conservative for Alloy 22 as well. In contrast, the CVN to Kic relationship was found to be non-conservative for Ti-Grade 2/7 and Ti-Grade 5/24. The derived Kic value for Alloy 22 was then used to construct a K-based FAD, which indicated that the governing mechanical failure theory was the Tresca criterion for plastic collapse. Both the derived Kic and experimental Kq values were used in the development of the Ti-Grade 2/7 and Ti-Grade 5/24 FADs. The Ti-Grade 2/7 FAD indicated that the governing mechanical failure theory is also plastic collapse while the Ti-Grade 5/24 FAD suggested mixed mode failure processes where neither linear-elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) nor Tresca can accurately predict.
Self-organized criticality

Abstract Dissipative dynamical systems with many degrees of freedom naturally evolve to a critical state with fluctuations extending over all length- and time-scales. It is suggested, and supported by simulations on simple toy-model systems, that turbulence, earthquakes, “1/f” noise, and economics may operate at the self-organized critical state.
Synthesis, polymerization, and thermal properties of a new acetylene‐terminated schiff base

La polymerisation par couplage oxydant du compose HC≡C-Ph-N=CH-Ph-CH=N-Ph-C≡CH (H-R-H) donne le polymere H-(R) n -H qui a une bonne stabilite thermique sous azote mais qui se decompose rapidement par chauffage sous air. La polymerisation thermique du meme monomere donne un polymere reticule aux mauvaises proprietes mecaniques
Translating the Essay into Film and Installation

This article investigates whether or not it is possible to translate the philosophical essay into a two- and later three-dimensional audiovisual form known as the `essay film'. This genre is increasingly gaining recognition as a distinct branch of international cinema. This text traces the essay film's origins back to early silent cinema and the abstract, experimental films of artists and then follows its development and the forking of paths into non-fiction `art cinema' and non-fiction film, concluding with recent experiments that blur the distinction between art and film and which seek to transform the essay into a sculptural installation.
DySel: Lightweight Dynamic Selection for Kernel-based Data-parallel Programming Model

The rising pressure for simultaneously improving performance and reducing power is driving more diversity into all aspects of computing devices. An algorithm that is well-matched to the target hardware can run multiple times faster and more energy efficiently than one that is not. The problem is complicated by the fact that a program's input also affects the appropriate choice of algorithm. As a result, software developers have been faced with the challenge of determining the appropriate algorithm for each potential combination of target device and data. This paper presents DySel, a novel runtime system for automating such determination for kernel-based data parallel programming models such as OpenCL, CUDA, OpenACC, and C++AMP. These programming models cover many applications that demand high performance in mobile, cloud and high-performance computing. DySel systematically deploys candidate kernels on a small portion of the actual data to determine which achieves the best performance for the hardware-data combination. The test-deployment, referred to as micro-profiling, contributes to the final execution result and incurs less than 8% of overhead in the worst observed case when compared to an oracle. We show four major use cases where DySel provides significantly more consistent performance without tedious effort from the developer.
Buyer Behavior and Related Technological Advances

The author offers his views regarding consumer behavior research, the progress in this field, and the impact of developments on market researchers, marketing executives, company presidents, public ...
Applying ranking and selection procedures to long-term mitigation for improved network restoration

In this paper, we consider methods to determine the best single arc mitigation plan for improving rapid recovery of a network with a given level of statistical certainty. This problem is motivated by infrastructure managers interested in increasing the resilience of their systems through costly long-term mitigation procedures. Our problem is two stage, where we consider a small number of pre-event decisions for mitigation, with a large second-stage integer programming problem to capture the restoration process for each damage scenario and each mitigation plan. We consider a ranking and selection (R&S) procedure and compare its performance against a brute force method using standard statistical testing on problems with low, medium, and high damage levels. These comparisons are made by using the same computational effort for each method and comparing the level of confidence achieved to determine a best single arc mitigation plan and whether the same best single arc mitigation plan is found. We find that the R&S procedure can find a best single arc mitigation plan with 95 % confidence in all cases, and the brute force procedure, while identifying the same mitigation plan as being one of the best, is unable to determine a single best mitigation plan in all but one case. Having developed a general framework for determining the best single arc mitigation plan with statistical certainty for any network, we conclude with thoughts and challenges on how this framework can be expanded and applied to different problems.
Études probabilistes de sûreté de niveau 2 : applications à la conception des centrales nucléaires

De nos jours, les Etudes Probabilistes de Surete (EPS) de niveau 2 sont un requis ou a defaut une recommandation des autorites de surete nationales. Elles font partie des elements requis pour l’obtention de la licence d’operation du reacteur OL3 EPRTM , mais aussi pour la certification de l’US EPRTM et de l’UK EPRTM . Ces etudes sont devenues des elements incontournables de la demarche de surete.Les Etudes Probabilistes de Surete de niveau 2 demontrent qu’aucun mode de defaillance de l’enceinte ne domine le risque general, et qu’aucune sequence conduisant a un terme source majeur n’est predominante. Les ameliorations de surete eclairees par les EPS peuvent ainsi prendre la forme d’ameliorations materielles ou organisationnelles visant a supprimer un mode de defaillance de l’enceinte ou en reduire les consequences. Les exemples du developpement de l’aspersion enceinte et du systeme de depressurisation de l’enceinte pour l’EPRTM illustrent bien l’importance des EPS a la conception. De la meme maniere, une amelioration des guides de conduite utilises pour l’EPRTM en accident grave peut provenir des resultats des EPS de niveau 2.De maniere generale, AREVA NP s’est appuye sur les resultats des EPS de niveau 2 pour demontrer que les frequences d’endommagement du coeur maximum et les relâchements rapides et importants maximums pour les nouvelles centrales sont respectes. Afin d’affiner ces resultats, les travaux de recherche et de developpement visent a s’orienter vers quelques questions et domaines de recherche prioritaires lies a la phenomenologie et aux codes de calculs utilises dans ces etudes.
Comparison of Three Rates of Application of Ultra-low-Volume Azinphosmethyl in a Reproduction-Diapause Control Program Against the Boll Weevil

Azinphosmethyl applied as an ultra-low-volume spray at 0.2 and 0.25 lb per acre was as effective as a water-emulsion spray of methyl parathion (0.5 lb per acre) in a reproduction-diapause control experiment conducted in Carroll County, Mississippi, against the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman. A lower rate of azinphosmethyl, 0.125 lb per acre, was less effective. Populations. of boll weevils sampled in woods trash adjoining treated and untreated fields were reduced 94% the fall of 1965 and 98% the spring of 1966.
Design and Implementation of Windows Terminal File Protection System

For resolving the problem on the safety of Windows terminal file system,the paper proposes integrated smart card authentication,file filtering,file access black and white lists,file access auditing,physically removing the file,cache file removal and other technical documents for end protection.Experiments show that the system is safe,efficient,easy to use.
Transforming growth factor-β1 induces collagen IV gene expression in NIH-3T3 cells

Background While recent studies have implicated transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) in the development of glomerular scarring, extraglomerular matrix production is frequently associated with glomerulonephritis and is an important determinant of disease progression. TGF-beta 1 may be an important mediator of extracellular matrix synthesis, both by glomerular and extraglomerular mesenchymal cells. TGF-beta 1-mediated collagen IV gene expression was studied in two mesenchymal cell lines. Initial studies were performed utilizing NIH-3T3 cells, a fibroblast-like line derived from murine embryo that has been used to study regulation of fibrillar collagen (collagen I and collagen III) synthesis by TGF-beta 1. Additional studies were performed using normal rat kidney cells (NRK-49F). Experimental design Cells were grown in medium supplemented with 0.5% calf serum for 24 hours before treatment with TGF-beta 1. RNA was isolated after the addition of varying amounts of TGF-beta 1 to the cells in culture for varying periods of time, and collagen alpha 1(IV) RNA was quantitated by filter hybridization. Transcription of the alpha 1(IV) and alpha 2(IV) collagen genes was assessed by an in vitro transcription assay. Deposition of collagen IV was identified by immunoblotting. Results Induction of alpha 1(IV) gene expression by NIH-3T3 cells and by NRK-49F cells was first seen 2 to 4 hours after TGF-beta 1 treatment, and was maximal after 12 to 18 hours. Maximal induction was observed following addition of 5 ng/ml TGF-beta 1 to NIH-3T3 cells, and following addition of 10 ng/ml of TGF-beta 1 to NRK-49F cells. In the presence of cycloheximide, TGF-beta 1 induction of alpha 1(IV) mRNA was markedly attenuated in both cell lines, suggesting that this effect of TGF-beta 1 requires protein synthesis. TGF-beta 1 increased transcription of both the alpha 1(IV) and alpha 2(IV) collagen genes by NIH-3T3 cells. Conclusions TGF-beta 1 induces collagen IV gene expression in both NIH-3T3 cells and normal rat kidney fibroblasts (NRK-49F cells). Further studies of cytokine-mediated transcriptional regulation of collagen IV, utilizing these cell lines, may provide important information regarding the role of extraglomerular matrix production in the progression of renal disease.
Editorial comment for Chung et al.

In the realm of continually growing pediatric robotic urologic surgery, this is the next milestone in regard to its applications for redo reconstructive surgery. The at par outcomes in complex lower urinary tract reconstruction1 have allowed the surgeons with experience to achieve this next step. Of utmost importance is to know that these procedures necessitate a certain level of expertise and need to be exercised at well-established centers. The important point to note about the added advantage, here demonstrated by the authors, is the reduced intraperitoneal adhesions that we have previously seen in the porcine model,2 which may be an additional benefit for the spina bifida population to further reduce abdominal complications with multiple surgeries (e.g., intestinal obstruction) with this approach. The question that remains is how can we convince the readers about reduced morbidity and sustainable results? Hence, the next goal in this field should be to conduct a comparative study with prospective long-term follow-up. It is also crucial to develop a robust training program for these complex reconstructions3 and create an algorithm to prevent complications, especially stomal incontinence.4
Screening for Soil Lead Using a Common Soil Test Method

Urban growers want to know about soil fertility and potential soil contamination. We investigated if a commonly used soil fertility test, the Mehlich-3 nutrient extraction, could be used for both of these purposes. The Mehlich-3 soil test has traditionally been used test to measure soil fertility (Mehlich Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 15:1409–1416, 1984). It is routinely available at soil test laboratories and is typically not cost prohibitive. While it has been used to measure plant nutrients, it is relatively simple for laboratories to include Pb in the suite of elements that are analyzed. Our results indicate that the soil fertility test results can provide a soil test screening value for Pb. Using a routine extraction provides a cost effective and rapid way for urban farmers to assess whether their soil is contaminated, in addition to evaluating soil nutrient levels.
The influence of model resolution on temperature variability

Understanding future changes in climate variability, which can impact human activities, is a current research priority. It is often assumed that a key part of this effort involves improving the spatial resolution of climate models; however, few previous studies comprehensively evaluate the effects of model resolution on variability. In this study, we systematically examine the sensitivity of temperature variability to horizontal atmospheric resolution in a single model (CCSM3, the Community Climate System Model 3) at three different resolutions (T85, T42, and T31), using spectral analysis to describe the frequency dependence of differences. We find that in these runs, increased model resolution is associated with reduced temperature variability at all but the highest frequencies (2–5 day periods), though with strong regional differences. (In the tropics, where temperature fluctuations are smallest, increased resolution is associated with increased variability.) At all resolutions, temperature fluctuations in CCSM3 are highly spatially correlated, implying that the changes in variability with model resolution are driven by alterations in large-scale phenomena. Because CCSM3 generally overestimates temperature variability relative to reanalysis output, the reductions in variability associated with increased resolution tend to improve model fidelity. However, the resolution-related variability differences are relatively uniform with frequency, whereas the sign of model bias changes at interannual frequencies. This discrepancy raises questions about the mechanisms underlying the improvement at subannual frequencies. The consistent response across frequencies also implies that the atmosphere plays a significant role in interannual variability.
Codes and Pragmatic Comprehension

(1994). Codes and Pragmatic Comprehension. Annals of the International Communication Association: Vol. 17, Communication Yearbook 17, pp. 333-343.
Tealeaf CxMobile - replaying real time customer experience

With the rapid evolvement of mobile and cloud technology, improving and optimizing business mobile apps' customer experience has unprecedented importance. Mobile developers are expecting a tool that can help them know how customers are interacting with their apps, and how their apps react to the customers' behaviors. If there is any imperfection of the mobile app interface design or bugs being thrown out, they would want to know that as early as possible. This helps a lot to accelerate conversation rate and avoid business losses. There are numerous raw data analytics tools on the market to help those online businesses make improvements, but no tool can tell these businesses why and how their mobile customers are struggling. This paper introduces IBM Tealeaf CxMobile [1], which provides extensive analytics functions and expansive visibilities into the mobile customer experience of native mobile applications. IBM Tealeaf CxMobile is using the Modularization SDK methodology [2], which is essentially encapsulating core function modules into SDKs and centralize the backend reporting. With its unique Native Mobile Replay technology, IBM Tealeaf CxMobile can replay a user's journey through a native iOS or Android app in the way of “what you see is what you get” rather than mere data analysis. This paper will explain the principles of Tealeaf Native Replay and how it works on iOS and Android platforms. We also will give an example of integrating the Geo-Location logging functions into IBM Tealeaf CxMobile.
Developing Diagnostic, Evidence-Based Approaches to Interrogation

While research on interrogation has traditionally focused on problematic practices that lead to false confessions, more recent research has addressed the need to develop scientifically validated techniques that lead to accurate information from both suspects and sources. In the present review, we summarize this recent research on building and maintaining rapport, eliciting information, presenting evidence, and assessing credibility. Research is described in the context of accusatorial (guilt-presumptive and psychologically manipulative) versus information-gathering (cooperative and evidence based) approaches to interviewing and interrogation. We also suggest future directions for research to continue to improve the efficacy of interviews and interrogations.
A survey of burnout among mental health center directors in a rural state.

The executive directors of all Iowa community mental health centers were surveyed in order to determine the relationship between work environment and job burnout. Organizational characteristics related to "rurality," i.e., location in a rural county, fewer employees, smaller budgets, and more time spent in direct clinical care, were not associated with burnout among directors in this rural state. Implications of the effect of service reorganization on burnout in human service providers in regard to rural health policy, work force issues, and directions for future research are discussed.
What Every American Needs to Know about Government-Entitlement Reform

1150 Seventeenth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036 202.862.5800 www.aei.orgWe have been warned for decades by Social Security and Medicare trustees, bipartisan com-missions, government agencies like the Congres-sional Budget Office (CBO) and GovernmentAccountability Office, and independent experts.Yet administrations of both parties have expandedentitlements even as unfunded obligations piled up by the trillions. Entitlements traditionally paid relatively generous benefits to rich and pooralike, financed by affordable tax rates, but thosedays are gone and will not return. While the Left sometimes blames the fiscal gap on tax cuts, tax revenues would rise relative to gross domestic product (GDP) even if the Bush tax cuts were made permanent. Over thepast forty years, personal income-tax revenueshave averaged 8.2 percent of GDP. The CBO projects that even if the Bush tax cuts were made permanent and the Alternative MinimumTax were indexed to inflation, income-tax revenues would exceed the historical average by2013 and top 10 percent by 2030. A short-age of tax revenue is not what is driving the fiscal gap.The simple problem is spending: today, wespend 9.7 percent of GDP on entitlements, whileby 2030 we will spend around 14.4 percent.