cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification via Non-linear Filtering

ABSTRACT Non-linear filtering problems are being recognized more arid more as significant. Generally, an exact solution is not available but must be approximated. However, this paper gives the exact non-linear filter associated with identifying a scalar stochastic dynamical system, dx(t)/dt=ax(t)+ξ(t), disturbed by gaussian white noise ξ(t) when the system state x(t) is observed in an additive gaussian white noise environment, i.e. z(t)=x(t)+η(t) is observed over the interval of time 0≤t≤T<∞. The plant parameter, a, is assumed to have the prior probability density PA .(a). The solution, is obtained by giving the conditional probability density functional p(a\z(t), 0≤t≤T<∞). The minimum mean-square-error estimate, that is, the Bayes estimate or conditional expectation, is given along with the minimum-mean-square-error. Limiting cases are described. This approach is a variation on the eigenfunction expansion schemes used in the stochastic signals in noise-detection problems by Helstrom and others. This appr...
The correlation of solar flare production with magnetic energy in active regions

An investigation of 531 active regions was made to determine the correlation between energy released by flares and the available energy in magnetic fields of the regions. Regions with magnetic flux greater than 1021 maxwell during the years 1967–1969, which included sunspot maximum, were selected for the investigation. A linear regression analysis of flare production on magnetic flux showed that the flare energy is correlated with magnetic energy with a coeificient of correlation of 0.78. Magnetic classification and field configuration also significantly affect the production of flares.
Isospora automoli, a new coccidian parasite (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the buff-throated foliage-gleaner Automolus ochrolaemus and the olive-backed foliage-gleaner A. infuscatus from South America.

A new species of isosporan parasite is described from the faecal contents of the buff-throated foliage-gleaner Automolus ochrolaemus and the olive-backed foliage-gleaner A. infuscatus collected in the rainforests of eastern Ecuador. Sporulated oocysts are subspherical to ovoidal, 23.4×21.3 (18–28×17–24) μm, colourless, with a smooth, double-layered wall with the inner layer darker and thinner; the shape-index (length/width) is 1.1 (1–1.22). Oocysts contain one polar granule, but lack a micropyle and an oocyst residuum. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 15.4×9.9 (14–17×–11) μm, with a smooth single-layered wall and a small nipple-like Stieda body attached to a small, inconspicuous, acentric substieda body. Sporozoites are vermiform with one prominent posterior, refractile body (c. 4×5 μm), and a centrally located nucleus of equal size. Sporozoites are randomly arranged in the sporocysts with a subspherical sporocyst residuum composed of coarse granules.
New Intermediary Insect Host Records for the Giant Thorn-Headed Worm of Swine. Phyllophaga rugosa an Intermediary Host, and the Adult Beetle a Carrier.

The giant thorn-headed worm, Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus (Pallas) Travassos, is a serious, a very common, and a widely distributed intestinal parasite of swine. This parasite is provided with a retractile rostrum, the so-called “head,” which is armed with recurved, thorn-like spines or hooks. The worm inhabits the small intestine of the pig, where it anchors itself by working the spiny “head” deeply into the tissues of the intestinal wall. The resulting irritation causes an annular proliferation about the point of attachment, which is marked on the outer surface of the intestine by a firm, somewhat elevated mass of hypertrophied tissue, from six to ten millimeters in diameter. The lesion so produced may develop into an abscess, and may even result in a perforation of the intestinal wall.
Synthetic methodology for cyclodextrin–dipyrromethane conjugates

Abstract A new method for synthesis for cyclodextrin–dipyromethane conjugates consisting of a reaction between cyclodextrin monoaldehyde and pyrrole is presented here. Resulting dipyromethane is characterized by spectroscopic and computational methods.
Speech disorder in schizophrenia: Review of the literature and exploration of its relation to the uniquely human capacity for language

The language capacity of modern humans is thought by some to be clearly distinct from that of nonhuman primates (Bickerton 1990). Crow (1997, 1998a) has proposed that a disturbance in the uniquely human aspects of language is central to the genetic etiology of schizophrenia. A review of the literature on language disorder in schizophrenia provides evidence for widespread deficits in comprehension, production, attention, and cerebral lateralization of language. We focused here on those anomalies that are uniquely human aspects of language. Bickerton's five distinctly human language devices were examined in patients with schizophrenia and their families by using a structured scoring format on oral soliloquies. The chronic patients showed reduced use of clausal embedding and used fewer words than first episode patients or well family members. The amount of sentence complexity was found to be familial and to cosegregate with schizophrenia within families. These data are consistent with previous literature and additionally show a familial component to these measures, thus suggesting that deficits in specifically human aspects of language may be related to the genetics of schizophrenia.
A comparative study of pineal acetyl-CoA hydrolase and N-acetyltransferase activities.

pineal acetyl-CoA hydrolase is measurable at 4 days before birth. It increases rapidly to a maximum of 0.37 nmol/min/0.1 mg protein during the first week after birth, thereafter gradually decreasing and stabilizing at adult levels (0.27 nmol/min/0.1 mg protein) 3-4 weeks after birth. Unlike A/-acetyltransferase, the activity of acetyl-CoA hydrolase does not increase following treatment with isoproterenol, does not exhibit a circadian rhythm and is not inactivated on exposure of the animals to light at night. In addition, denervation of the pineal gland does not alter acetyl-CoA hydrolase activity.
Control of absolute helicity in single-stranded abiotic metallofoldamers

Described is the design, synthesis, and characterization of abiotic, single-stranded metallofoldamers that adopt helical secondary structures upon metal complexation. The absolute helicity is determined by stereocenters at the ends of the structures and is enforced by the steric influence and hydrogen bonding ability of esters in the backbone of the foldamer. Folding of the structures is characterized in the solid state by X-ray crystallography and in solution by specific rotation, CD spectroscopy, and NMR spectroscopy.
The singularities of the moduli schemes of curves

Abstract The author gives a characterization of the singularities of the coarse moduli schemes for curves of genus ≥ 3 in terms of the automorphism group of the curves.
Point‐cloud method for image‐based biomechanical stress analysis

This paper introduces a point-cloud method for the stress analysis in biological systems. The method takes a point-cloud as the geometric input. Each point represents a small material volume that is assumed to undergo a uniform deformation during motion. The strain at each point is computed from the relative displacements of a set of neighboring points. Delaunay tessellation is utilized to provide the neighboring relation and the point volume. An efficient method is developed to extract point-cloud model from medical images. An aorta inflation problem and a skull impact problem are presented to demonstrate the utility of the method. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Abstract 3496: SYK inhibition results in increased sensitivity of OVCAR-3 cells to paclitaxel

In order to identify novel drug targets in ovarian cancers, we examined our ovarian cancer gene expression microarray data for expression of genes in the tyrosine kinase family. The spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) gene was expressed in 73% of 55 ovarian cancer specimens, compared to 26% of 60 breast cancer specimens. Previous studies established the role of SYK in lymphocyte development, immune cell activation, and tumor progression. We found SYK to be expressed in 6 of 10 ovarian carcinoma cell lines. Among its many targets, SYK can bind microtubules and other molecules associated with the cytoskeleton. Because of this ability, we studied the relationship of SYK expression to cellular sensitivity to taxanes. We focused on the OVCAR-3 cell line, which was one of the highest SYK-expressing cell lines, to elucidate the potential effects of SYK on taxane sensitivity. Our results demonstrate that knockdown of SYK expression by siRNA resulted in a one log-fold increased sensitivity of OVCAR-3 cells to the taxane, paclitaxel. Furthermore, this effect was durable, as knockdown of SYK and sensitization to paclitaxel persisted over 128 hours. The potential effects of SYK on tubulin polymerization are currently being investigated. We will evaluate potential upstream and downstream targets to elucidate the pathway(s) responsible for SYK effects and determine whether SYK levels contribute to tumor resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Understanding the growth signals in drug sensitive and resistant ovarian cancer cell lines and tumor samples may eventually lead to new therapeutic approaches for ovarian cancers. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3496.
Social work education in the United States: a critical analysis

Social work programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education educate students for practice at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This paper presents a critical analysis of social work education in the United States. The analysis suggests that graduates of social work programs do not appear to master the skills, knowledge and values critical to effective practice and policy intervention. The implications of these findings are offered.
Implications of weight loss method in body contouring outcomes.

Background:Patients frequently present for body contouring after massive weight loss resulting from bariatric procedures or diet and exercise. The authors investigated whether body contouring complications vary by weight loss method.Methods:Four hundred forty-nine patients (511 cases) were entered i
Effects of Behavior Problems, Family Functioning, and Family Coping on Parent Stress in Families with a Child with Smith-Magenis Syndrome

Smith Magenis Syndrome (SMS) is a rare genetic syndrome most commonly caused by a microdeletion on chromosome 17 p11.2. It is associated with a pattern of physical, developmental, and behavioral characteristics including intellectual disability, sleep disturbance, and a variety of behavior problems. The purpose was to examine the relationship between maladaptive behaviors in children with SMS and parent stress, and to determine whether family functioning and effective parent coping strategies may alleviate the impact of child maladaptive behaviors on parent stress. Data were collected on 25 individuals with SMS ages 1.4 to 19.4 years old. Parents were interviewed using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS; Sparrow et al. 1984), the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL; Achenbach 1991), the Family Assessment Device-General Functioning Scale (Epstein et al. 1983), the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scales (McCubin et al. 1991), the Parental Stress Index-3rd edition (Abidin 1995), and the Stress Index for Parents of Adolescents (Abidin 1995). Using multiple hierarchical regression analyses we found that maladaptive behaviors (CBCL internalizing and externalizing behaviors) affected parent stress; however, we also saw that parent stress was alleviated in well-functioning families. Maladaptive behaviors did not have a significant negative impact on life stress.
Context effects: the proportional difference model and the reflection of preference.

The reflection effect (D. Kahneman & A. Tversky, 1979) was investigated using the stochastic model of choice developed by C. Gonzalez-Vallejo (2002). The model assumes that individuals make trade-offs among attribute values by relying on a difference variable. The model also specifies a threshold representing individual proclivities to reach to attribute differences. Two experiments demonstrated that changes in risk attitudes, from a gain to a loss situation, depended on the stimuli as well as on individuals' thresholds. Thresholds were generally lower in losses than in gains, indicating a risk-taking tendency. Thresholds were also lower when participants were endowed with greater savings. Model testing revealed better fits for the stochastic model than cumulative prospect theory (A. Tversky &. D. Kahneman, 1992).
A long-lived coronal arch system observed in X-rays

A large long-lived soft X-ray emitting arch system was observed during the last Skylab mission. This arcade stayed in the same approximate position for several solar rotations. We suggest that these long-lived arches owe their stability to the stable coronal magnetic-field configuration. A global constant α force-free magnetic field analysis, as developed by Nakagawaet al. (1977), is used to describe the arches, and results in a marked resemblance between the theoretical magnetic-field configuration and the observed X-ray emitting feature.
Predetermination of sexual fate in a turtle with temperature-dependent sex determination

Egg incubation temperature determines offspring sex in many reptilian species, including red-eared slider turtles, where embryos incubated at low temperatures during the initial stages of gonad formation develop as males, while those kept at higher temperatures develop as females. Incubation at the threshold, or pivotal, temperature (PvT) yields an even ratio of males and females. This strong susceptibility to temperature indicates that each embryo of this species is competent to develop as a male or a female. However, the mechanism that determines sexual fate at the PvT has not been identified. One possibility is that sexual fate is stochastic at the PvT, but coordinated by systemic signals within a single embryo. If this is the case, gonads explanted separately to culture should not coordinate their fate. Here we show that gonad pairs from embryos incubated at the PvT share a strong predisposition for one sex or the other when cultured in isolation, indicating that they were affected by shared genetic signals, maternally-deposited yolk hormones or other transient influences received prior to the stage of dissection. In ovo studies involving shifts from the male- or female-producing temperature to the PvT further indicate that embryos adopt a sexual differentiation trajectory many days prior to the onset of morphological differentiation into testes or ovaries and usually maintain this fate in the absence of an extreme temperature signal favoring the development of the other sex. Our findings therefore suggest that the outcome of sex determination in these reptiles is heavily influenced (i) by an inherent predisposition at the PvT and (ii) by the sexual differentiation trajectory established early in gonad development under male- or female-producing temperatures.
Communication and Empathy in Marital Adjustment.

To examine relationships between measures of empathy and communication in terms of marital adjustment, 105 couples were given the Short Form Marital Adjustment Test by Locke and Wallace (to assess marital adjustment), the Yale Marital Inventory Bat tery by Buerkle and Badgley (to assess empathic responses), and finally, the Marital Communication Inventory by Bienvenu (to assess communication patterns). Marital communication was significantly correlated with marital adjustment, both for individu als and for couples. However, these relationships could be spurious artifacts due to other factors common to the Short Form Marital Adjustment Test, the Marital Communi cation Inventory, and the Yale Marital Interaction Battery. Another study should eliminate common inventory items and factor the Marital Communication Inventory and the Yale Marital Interaction Battery to determine what each inventory actually measured. Further, neither sex was assessed as more empathic, more communicative, or better maritally adjusted than the other. Although research findings are contradictory about the relationship between empathy and both marital adjustment and marital com munication, this study found no significant correlation between empathy and marital communication or between empathy and marital adjustment, either for couples or for individuals. The Barrett-Lennard Relationship Inventory subscale on empathy is rec ommended as an improved empathy measure for future studies.
The Prognostic Significance of Resting Regional Left Ventricular Function in Patients With Varying Degrees of Myocardial Ischemia.

Background: Our aim was to determine whether regional left ventricular (LV) function on a resting transthoracic echo (TTE) provides prognostic information in patients with varying degrees of ischemia on myocardial perfusion imaging. Methods: Between 2004 - 2009, we identified 503 patients (mean age 69 (SD 11); 79% male) with reversible ischemia on a myocardial SPECT scan who had a TTE within 30 days. We evaluated the rate of subsequent revascularization and death for all patients. Results: Following the SPECT scan and TTE, 246/503(49%) patients underwent revascularization, 64/503 (13%) patients died, 369 (73%) patients had a normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), 242 (48%) patients had a resting wall motion abnormality (WMA), 21/261 (8%) with no WMA died compared to 43/242 (18%) in patients with a WMA. In patients with a WMA (n = 242) there was no significant difference in mortality when comparing patients with small ( 6 segments) WMA (P = 0.44). In patients with moderate/severe ischemia, the presence of a resting WMA was associated with a higher mortality rate (18% v 7%; P = 0.005). In a multivariable model, LVEF ( < 50%) was associated with a hazard ratio of 2.2 (P = 0.002, 95% CI 1.34 - 3.68) however, WMA and number of abnormal segments did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: A resting wall motion abnormality in patients with moderate/severe ischemia is associated with a higher mortality compared to patients with mild ischemia on myocardial perfusion imaging. Regional left ventricular dysfunction unlike LVEF was not an independent predictor of mortality. Cardiol Res. 2013;4(6):178-185 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/cr240w
Redshift distortions as a probe of gravity

Abstract Redshift distortion measurements from galaxy surveys include sensitivity to the gravitational growth index distinguishing other theories from Einstein gravity. This gravitational sensitivity is substantially free from uncertainty in the effective equation of state of the cosmic expansion history. We estimate the future sensitivity and complementarity of this technique exploring the growth history of the universe. We also illustrate the bias in the traditional application to matter density determination using f = Ω m ( a ) 0.6 , and how to avoid it.
High-gain low-noise mid-infrared quantum cascade optical preamplifier for receiver

Optical preamplifier (OPA) in the mid-infrared can boost weak signals in systems such as lidars or optical wireless links to improve the receiver sensitivity. Quantum-cascade-based traveling-wave OPA with off-normal Bragg-grating (BG) coupled surface-emitting configuration have been developed with a net small-signal gain up to 13 dB over a spectral range /spl sim/70 nm around 4.7 /spl mu/m, limited by the wafer gain bandwidth, and the linear dynamic range was >20 dB. Amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) was measured and the spontaneous emission factor was determined N/sub sp//spl sim/1, indicating near quantum-limit noise behavior. Surface-emitting BG devices yielded diffraction-limited output beam, and provided simultaneous wavelength dispersion and ASE filtering. The OPA was coupled with a detector to form a receiver that is polarization-selective, has a net gain 8-13 dB with a corresponding optical filter bandwidth 25-50 GHz. These results suggest that BG-coupled OPA receivers can be useful for multispectral/wavelength-division-multiplexing systems in free space applications.
Effects of combustion and salt-fog exposure on fatigue behavior of two ceramic matrix composites and a superalloy

Tension–tension fatigue behavior of two ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), SiC/SiC (Nicalon™/SiC) & oxide/oxide (Nextel™720/AS), and a superalloy (Rene 41) was characterized under combustion environment as well as under alternate salt-fog exposure for 4 h and combustion fatigue for 6 h. The run-out limit was 25 h (90,000 cycles) of fatigue. Test temperatures were 900, 1050, and 1050 °C for Rene 41, SiC/SiC, and oxide/oxide CMCs, respectively, and the applied maximum fatigue stress was 62 MPa. All three materials survived up to 25 h under combustion fatigue without any exposure to salt. Rene 41 and Nicalon™/SiC survived up to 25 h (90,000 cycles) under the alternate exposure of salt-fog and combustion fatigue. However, exposure to salt-fog exposure (5 wt%) had very detrimental effect on the combustion fatigue resistance of Nextel™720/AS. The reduction in salt concentration to 0.5 wt% had less detrimental effect. These tests were supplemented with more tests, where applied stress level, test temperature, and salt concentration were changed. Out of these three gas turbine engine materials, Nicalon™/SiC exhibited better fatigue performance in terms of applied temperature and stress level under combustion condition as well as when exposed to alternate salt-fog and combustion.
A theory for formation of large empires

Between 3000 BCE and 1800 CE there were more than sixty ‘mega-empires’ that, at the peak, controlled an area of at least one million square kilometres. What were the forces that kept together such huge pre-industrial states? I propose a model for one route to mega-empire, motivated by imperial dynamics in eastern Asia, the world region with the highest concentration of mega-empires. This ‘mirror-empires’ model proposes that antagonistic interactions between nomadic pastoralists and settled agriculturalists result in an autocatalytic process, which pressures both nomadic and farming polities to scale up polity size, and thus military power. The model suggests that location near a steppe frontier should correlate with the frequency of imperiogenesis. A worldwide survey supports this prediction: over 90% of mega-empires arose within or next to the Old World’s arid belt, running from the Sahara desert to the Gobi desert. Specific case studies are also plausibly explained by this model. There are, however, other possible mechanisms for generating empires, of which a few are discussed at the end of the article.
Equipment Selection and Machine Scheduling in General Mail Facilities

With the goal of fiscal self-sufficiency, the United States Postal Service USPS has embarked upon a 10-year program to modernize, and in some cases radically alter, the way it manages and processes the mail. At the heart of this effort is the goal of automating virtually all of the letter mail by 1995. This means reading, sorting, and then sequencing each mail piece to the order in which it will be delivered by the carrier with only a minimum of manual labor. In support of this goal, a series of long-term planning models has been developed to help select equipment and plan for its use at the more than 250 general mail facilities GMF throughout the nation. This paper reports on one of the central studies underlying this effort. Because of the size and complexity of the facility design problem, a hierarchical approach was followed. Three interrelated models were developed starting with a mixed integer linear program to derive equipment needs and initial machine schedules. The latter are post-processed in two stages to produce implementable schedules that reflect current practice. An auxiliary linear program and a heuristic were constructed for this purpose. The models and analysis conducted are demonstrated with data obtained from the Providence GMF. The results indicate savings over the 10-year planning horizon.
Affinities of Palaeospiza bella and the Phylogeny and Biogeography of Mousebirds (Coliiformes)

ABSTRACT. Palaeospiza bella was described as an oscine songbird in the late 19th century. The late Eocene age of the holotype specimen would make it the oldest Northern Hemisphere record of the Passeriformes. However, few recent workers have accepted the placement of P. bella within Passeriformes, and the higher relationships of this fossil have remained controversial. We show that P. bella is a member of the Coliiformes (mousebirds) and represents the latest North American occurrence of a clade with an exclusively African extant distribution. Coliiformes are now known from the latest Paleocene to the approach of the Eocene-Oligocene boundary in North America. We present a redescription of P. bella and a new phylogenetic analysis of fossil and living Coliiformes based on a matrix including 49 characters and 18 ingroup taxa. The results of this analysis place P. bella in Colii, the clade comprising taxa more closely related to Coliidae (crown mousebirds) than to the extinct Sandcoleidae. The oldest stem-gr...
Characterization of biological tissues up to millimeter wave: test fixture design

Various design aspects of a two-port test fixture are presented to measure permittivity of biological tissues. Dimensions of this fixture are optimized using a commercial finite element method package. High measurement sensitivity to the tissue parameters is obtained up to 45 GHz by careful design of the microstrip feed line and aperture dimensions. Material inhomogeneity with millimeter spatial resolution is predicted using this optimized fixture.
Treatment persistence: a comparison among patients with schizophrenia who were initiated on atypical antipsychotic agents

Summary Background: Although clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of atypical antipsychotic agents in reducing symptoms of schizophrenia, the likelihood of sustaining control of schizophrenic symptoms may depend on treatment persistence. Objective: In this study, we compared treatment persistence between patients who were initiated on risperidone or olanzapine, the two most widely prescribed atypical antipsychotic agents. Method: We identified patients with schizophrenia by ICD-9-CM codes (≥1 inpatient or ≥2 outpatient ICD-9-CM codes ≥7 days apart) between 1 July 1998 and 30 June 1999. We further selected those who were prescribed the target drug during 1 April 1999 through 31 March 2000 provided that they were not on any antipsychotic agents during the prior 6 months. Using event history analysis, we compared the treatment persistence in terms of hazard ratio between olanzapine and risperidone initiators, adjusting for patient's sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Results: Following the initiation of the target drug, more patients switched from risperidone to olanzapine than vice versa. However, among patients with schizophrenia who had comorbid diabetes, there were more patients who made a switch from olanzapine to risperidone; whereas among those who used anxiolytics, there were more patients who switched from risperidone to olanzapine. Finally, olanzapine initiators had decreased hazards of discontinuation by 14% (unadjusted; P < 0·001) and 12% (adjusted; P = 0·002), respectively, than risperidone initiators. Conclusions: Compared with risperidone, olanzapine seems to be better tolerated by patients as indicated by better treatment persistence. As such, initiation of olanzapine may increase the likelihood of sustaining control of symptoms of schizophrenia. Future research needs to provide a more comprehensive assessment of treatment persistence by considering other antipsychotic agents in the study and developing models to assess treatment persistence and switching as two interdependent competing risks.
Image encryption using the rectangular Sudoku cipher

A new block cipher using the rectangular Sudoku matrix is presented in this paper. The proposed block cipher eliminates the size limitation of the standard Sudoku cipher and combines advantages of both the transform-based and chaos-based encryption methods. Our simulation results demonstrate that 1) the proposed cipher is robust and effective for all kind of images; 2) the encrypted image is very random-like and has a flat histogram; 3) the proposed cipher is highly sensitive to the encryption key and has an extremely large key space; and 4) the proposed cipher is applicable to other multimedia data.
Heat‐Conductivity Processes in Glass

Two main processes account for heat conduction in glass. At low temperatures the major process corresponds to energy transfer via thermoelastic waves. The thermal conductivity resulting from this process is low as a result of strong scattering by the random structure. At high temperatures this conduction process is overshadowed by radiation heat-transfer processes.
Parallelizing the merge sorting network algorithm on a multi-core computer using Go and Cilk

We create a scalable parallel algorithm based on parallelizing the merge sorting network algorithm. We implemented our scalable parallel algorithm using two modern shared-memory parallel programming languages, Go [1] and Cilk-5 [2]. We also compare Go and Cilk speedup and performance. Our experimental results show that our parallel algorithm is scalable and provides near linear speedup for all large problem sizes. We compare Go and Cilk scheduling and synchronization efficiency as well as the overall performance of our parallel code.
Lattice invariants and the center of the generic division ring

Let G be a finite group, let M be a ZG-lattice, and let F be a field of characteristic zero containing primitive p th roots of 1. Let F(M) be the quotient field of the group algebra of the abelian group M. It is well known that if M is quasi-permutation and G-faithful, then F(M) G is stably equivalent to F(ZG) G . Let C n be the center of the division ring of n × n generic matrices over F. Let S n be the symmetric group on n symbols. Let p be a prime. We show that there exist a split group extension G' of Sp by a p-elementary group, a G'-faithful quasi-permutation ZG'-lattice M, and a one-cocycle α in Ext 1 G'(M, F*) such that Cp is stably isomorphic to F α (M) G' . This represents a reduction of the problem since we have a quasi-permutation action; however, the twist introduces a new level of complexity. The second result, which is a consequence of the first, is that, if F is algebraically closed, there is a group extension E of Sp by an abelian p-group such that Cp is stably equivalent to the invariants of the Noether setting F(E).
Privacy-Preserving Top-N Recommendation on Horizontally Partitioned Data

Collaborative filtering techniques are widely used by many e-commerce sites for recommendation purposes. Such techniques help customers by suggesting products to purchase using other users' preferences. Today's top-N recommendation schemes are based on market basket data, which shows whether a customer bought an item or not. Data collected for recommendation purposes might be split between different parties. To provide better referrals and increase mutual advantages, such parties might want to share data. Due to privacy concerns, however, they do not want to disclose data. This paper presents a scheme for binary ratings-based top-N recommendation on horizontally partitioned data, in which two parties own disjoint sets of users' ratings for the same items while preserving data owners' privacy. If data owners want to produce referrals using the combined data while preserving their privacy, we propose a scheme to provide accurate top-N recommendations without exposing data owners' privacy. We conducted various experiments to evaluate our scheme and analyzed how different factors affect the performance using the experiment results.
Efficient mining of association rules in text databases

In this paper, we propose two new algorithms for mining association rules between words in text databases. The characteristics of text databases are quite different from those of retail transaction databases, and existing mining algorithms cannot handle text databases efficiently because of the large number of itemsets (i.e., words) that need to be counted. Two well-known mining algorithms, Apriori algorithm and Direct Hashing and Pruning (DHP) algorithm, are evaluated in the context of mining text databases, and are compared with the new proposed algorithms named Multipass-Apriori (M-Apriori) and Multipass-DHP (M-DHP). It has been shown that the proposed algorithms have better performance for large text databases.
Inference with Difference-in-Differences and Other Panel Data

Abstract We examine inference in panel data when the number of groups is small, as is typically the case for difference-in-differences estimation and when some variables are fixed within groups. In this case, standard asymptotics based on the number of groups going to infinity provide a poor approximation to the finite sample distribution. We show that in some cases the t-statistic is distributed as t and propose simple two-step estimators for these cases. We apply our analysis to two well-known papers. We confirm our theoretical analysis with Monte Carlo simulations.
Strategies for testing electro-optic devices

A fully automatic modular ATLAS/CIIL-driven E/O (electro-optic) demonstrator is described. The system utilized collimation and sampling techniques to automate testing which has been previously performed manually. The resultant system is capable of testing existing units under test (UUTs) in a fraction of the time previously required. The system was used to test the F-18 E/O pod. >
Efficient and reliable link state information dissemination

Distributing link state information may place a heavy burden on the network resource. In this letter, based on the tree-based reliable topology (TRT), we propose a simple but efficient and reliable scheme for disseminating link state information. We show that the computational complexity of computing the subnet topology over which link state information is distributed is the same as that of computing the minimum spanning tree.
Differentiated Instruction and the Need to Integrate Teaching and Practice.

Differentiated instruction is becoming critical in higher education due to student diversity and background knowledge. Differentiated instruction does not mean matching teaching styles with learning styles as suggested by the learning styles theory. Findings in recent research studies have proved the lack of credible evidence for the utility of the learning styles theory. As not scientifically proven, the theory serves to perpetuate the learning styles mythology in the educational psychology world. This paper will emphasize students’ readiness levels as a critical part of differentiated instruction that teachers should refer to rather than sticking to student preferences and/or learning styles. The paper also suggests strategies to differentiate instruction effectively. These strategies include, but are not limited to, identifying student readiness; making modifications of the instructional content, process, and product; and enhancing collaboration and autonomy in learning. The last part of the paper places an emphasis on the integration of teaching and practice. Differentiated instruction, at its best, should reflect a new pedagogy that can promote practical integration and knowledge transformation. If implemented thoroughly, differentiated instruction can demonstrate institutional effectiveness and equip students with diverse learning experiences to highly respond to increased challenges in the global society.
High-Redshift Galaxy Clustering and Ω0

We develop the properties of cosmological many-body clustering at high redshift and compare the resulting theoretical distributions with recent observations of groups of galaxies around z ≈ 3. Analyses of the observed variance of counts-in-cells and of the probability for forming strongly overdense regions suggest Ω0 ≈ 0.3 ± 0.2 and 0.1 Ω0 0.3, respectively, for Einstein-Friedmann universes. Since these models are essentially analytical, they allow us to examine statistical questions that have analogs in more complicated cold dark matter models based on small numbers of simulations. We show how future observations of the galaxy distribution function can test cosmological many-body clustering and determine Ω0 more precisely. For Ω0 0.3, these models predict that galaxies start clustering at redshifts z 10.
Influence of lateral subsurface flow and connectivity on soil water storage in land surface modeling

Lateral surface/subsurface flow and their connectivity play a significant role in redistributing soil water, which has a direct effect on biological, chemical, and geomorphological processes in the root zone (~1 m). However, most of the land surface models neglect the horizontal exchanges of water at the grid or subgrid scales, focusing only on the vertical exchanges of water as one-dimensional process. To develop better hydrologic understanding and modeling capability in complex landscapes, in this study we added connectivity-based lateral subsurface flow algorithms in the Community Land Model. To demonstrate the impact of lateral flow and connectivity on soil water storage we designed three cases including the following: (1) with complex surface topography only, (2) with complex surface topography in upper soil layers and soil hydraulic properties with uniform anisotropy. and (3) with complex surface topography and soil hydraulic properties with spatially varying anisotropy. The connectivity was considered as an indicator for the variation of anisotropy in the case 3, which was created by wetness conditions or geophysical controls (e.g., soil type, normalized difference vegetation index, and topographic index). These cases were tested in two study sites (ER 5 field and ER-sub watershed in Oklahoma) comparing to the field (gravimetric and remote sensing) soil moisture observations. Through the analysis of spatial patterns and temporal dynamics of soil moisture predictions from the study cases, surface topography was found to be a crucial control in demonstrating the variation of near surface soil moisture, but not significantly affected the subsurface flow in deeper soil layers. In addition, we observed the best performance in case 3 representing that the lateral connectivity can contribute effectively to quantify the anisotropy and redistributing soil water in the root zone. Hence, the approach with connectivity-based lateral subsurface flow was able to better characterize the spatially distributed patterns of subsurface flow and improve the simulation of the hydrologic cycle.
Tourism, development, and Guarani communities in Argentina

In Argentina, Mbya Guarani ethnic people live in an area near the Cataratas del Iguazu that is being rapidly developed for tourist use. While tourism has brought needed income to some Mbya communities, there have been concurrent changes in culture and physical and psychological health. This paper examines concerns about how governmental policy makers have developed tourism on Mbya lands, and suggest goals that stakeholders should achieve in their plans for sustainable development. Finally, programs of sustainable tourism must include the indigenous participation at all levels of planning and implementation, a practice seldom followed in the case of the Mbya.
Physics-based FE model and analytical verification of bi-directional inductive wireless power transfer system

Accurate and efficient models can assist designers to predict and optimize the system performance during system development. This paper presents a physics-based 2-D finite-element model (FEM) for bidirectional inductive wireless power transfer system (BIWPTS) for electric vehicle (EV) applications. The proposed model is based on a co-simulation platform developed through the coupling between Finite Element (FE) and circuit modeling. A steady-state analytical model for the same system was developed and implemented in MatLab environment. A 0.5 kW BIWPTS was analyzed based on the two models and the results were compared. Less than 0.5% normalized mean square (NMSE) current error shows that the numerical models were able to predict the system performance accurately. These models can be easily extended to other magnetic designs, compensation and inverter topologies.
The Effect of "Opt-Out" Regulation on Access to Surgical Care for Urgent Cases in the United States: Evidence from the National Inpatient Sample

BACKGROUND:In 2001, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a rule permitting states to “opt-out” of federal regulations requiring physician supervision of nurse anesthetists. We examined the extent to which this rule increased access to anesthesia care for urgent cases.METHODS:Using da
Evaluation of alternative measures of pork carcass composition.

Carcass and live measurements of 203 pigs representing seven genetic populations and four target live weights (100, 114, 128, and 152 kg) were used to evaluate alternative measures of carcass composition. Measures of carcass lean (fat tissue-free lean, FFLM; lipid-free soft tissue, LFSTIS; and dissected lean in the four lean cuts, DL), fat (total carcass fat tissue, TOFAT), and lipid mass (soft tissue lipid, STLIP) were evaluated. Overall, LFSTIS was 22.8% greater than FFLM (47.8 vs 38.9 kg) and TOFAT was 30% greater than STLIP (38.5 vs 29.6 kg). The allometric growth coefficients relative to carcass weight were different for the measures: b = 0.776, 0.828, 0.794, 1.37, and 1.49 for FFLM, LFSTIS, DL, TOFAT, and STLIP, respectively. At 90 kg carcass weight, the predicted growth of FFLM, LFSTIS, TOFAT, and STLIP was 0.314, 0.420, 0.553, and 0.446 kg/kg increase in carcass weight. The difference between FFLM and LFSTIS, representing nonlipid components of the carcass fat tissue, was greater for barrows than for gilts (9.2 vs 8.6 kg). Lipid-free soft tissue mass was predicted more accurately from carcass or live animal measurements than FFLM with smaller relative RSD (4.6 vs 6.5% of their mean values). The alternative measures of carcass composition were evaluated as predictors of empty body protein (MTPRO) and lipid (MTLIP) mass. Empty body protein was predicted with similar accuracy (R 2 = 0.74 to 0.81) from either DL, FFLM, LFSTIS, or ribbed carcass measurements. Empty body lipid was predicted more accurately from TOFAT (R 2 = 0.92) or STLIP (R 2 = 0.93) than ribbed carcass measurements (R 2 = 0.88). Although the alternative measures of lean mass (LFSTIS vs FFLM) and lipid mass (TOFAT vs STLIP) were highly related to each other (r = 0.93 to 0.98), they had different relative growth rates (allometric coefficients) and thus cannot be predicted as linear functions of the similar alternative variable without significant weight group biases. From the 100- to 152-kg target weight groups, gilts gained 12.9% greater FFLM and 12.1% greater MTPRO but only 4.4% greater LFSTIS than barrows. Fat-free lean mass is more precise as a measure of muscle growth and as a predictor of lysine requirements. Lipid-free soft tissue can be obtained more quickly and predicted more accurately from carcass or live animal measurements.
Urologic manifestations of hyperparathyroidism in childhood.

AbstractAmong renal stone-forming children 6 per cent suffer from primary hyperparathyroidism. Urologic complications were noted in 7 of 9 children (78 per cent) with surgically proved hyperparathyroidism seen in a 24-year period. These included nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis (6), defective urinary concentration or acidification (5) and mild impairment of renal function (3). All children responded favorably to parathyroidectomy, which should be performed before treatment of stone disease is undertaken. The nature of urologic manifestations of hyperparathyroidism and their management are discussed.
Testing of a 4 K to 2 K heat exchanger with an intermediate pressure drop

Most large sub-atmospheric helium refrigeration systems incorporate a heat exchanger at the load, or in the distribution system, to counter-flow the sub-atmospheric return with the super-critical or liquid supply. A significant process improvement is theoretically obtainable by handling the exergy loss across the Joule-Thompson throttling valve supplying the flow to the load in a simple but different manner. As briefly outlined in previous publications, the exergy loss can be minimized by allowing the supply flow pressure to decrease to a sub-atmospheric pressure concurrent with heat exchange flow from the load. One practical implementation is to sub-divide the supply flow pressure drop between two heat exchanger sections, incorporating an intermediate pressure drop. Such a test is being performed at Jefferson Lab's Cryogenic Test Facility (CTF). This paper will briefly discuss the theory, practical implementation and test results and analysis obtained to date.
A data-driven method for variation in animated smiles: extended abstract

Animated digital characters play an important role in virtual experiences. In this work, we utilize data from a large scale user study as training data for a generative model for producing a variety of animated smiles. Our method involves a four stage process that samples a variety of facial expressions, and annotates them with perceived happiness from the user study. The expressions are then transformed into a standardized space and used by a non-parametric classifier to predict happiness of new smiles.
Mao's War against Nature: GRAINFIELDS IN LAKES AND DOGMATIC UNIFORMITY

After the famine of the Three Hard Years, concern about feeding China's growing population dominated agricultural policy, as captured in a slogan, “Take Grain as the Key Link” [Yi Liang Wei Gang] . The chastened Mao Zedong settled into a quieter mode, allowing other leaders to emphasize the production of consumer staples. Peasants were again permitted to grow vegetables on small private plots and to trade their surplus in free markets, and the rural economy gradually rejuvenated. The abrupt withdrawal of Soviet aid in July 1960, which soon resulted in a full split between the two socialist powers, had cast China into deep isolation. In reaction, China's leaders promoted “self-reliance” [zili gengsheng] . Although the phrase expressed defiance toward the outside world, it also described a domestic policy of regional self-sufficiency, as localities were asked to support themselves in grain and other supplies. This was both a security precaution to guard against distribution problems in the event of war and a way of reducing the impoverished state government's responsibility to provide relief. By 1964, Mao was beginning a political comeback. He called on the entire country to imitate the Dazhai Brigade of the Dazhai People's Commune, which had overcome natural disaster through self-reliance. Located in Shanxi's mountainous Xiyang County, not far from the historic Communist Party base at Yanan in neighboring Shaanxi, Dazhai first attracted notice in August 1963, after a week of flooding caused by heavy rainfall.
Informed trading in S&P index options? Evidence from the 2008 financial crisis

Abstract This study examines the presence of informed trading in S&P 500 index (SPX) options surrounding the 2008 financial crisis. Adverse selection costs are estimated using three spread decomposition models and used as proxies of informed trading. We show that adverse selection costs are economically significant and substantially increase after the onset of the crisis. For example, adverse selection costs increased by an average of $0.962 ($0.884) for call (put) options using estimates from the model of George et al. (1991). When trading with superior information, informed traders prefer options that are near-the-money, of medium maturity (30–90 days), and of low price volatility. Further analysis reveals that information asymmetry costs are positively associated with trade size and negatively associated with trading intensity.