cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trade-offs in developing fault tolerant software

Design diversity has emerged as a powerful mechanism for incorporating software fault tolerance in ultra-reliable systems. In this paper we study the trade-offs available during the development process of fault-tolerant software employing the recovery block approach [2]. When the total available testing time is bounded, our analysis determines how appropriately to allocate testing time to the various redundant modules that make up the fault tolerant system so as to maximise its reliability. This requires a study of the interactions between the various modules in the software system. For example error coverage and the false alarm probability of acceptance test in the recovery block scheme may be interrelated and it may not be possible to simultaneously improve both. Hence there exists a trade-off between acceptance test coverage and false alarm probability. The impact of such trade-offs on system reliability is also studied.
Hypohydration and thermoregulation in cold air

This study examined the effects of hypohydration on thermoregulation during cold exposure. In addition, the independent influences of hypohydration-associated hypertonicity and hypovolemia were investigated. Nine male volunteers were monitored for 30 min at 25 degrees C, then for 120 min at 7 degrees C, under three counterbalanced conditions: euhydration (Eu), hypertonic hypohydration (HH), and isotonic hypohydration (IH). Hypohydration was achieved 12 h before cold exposure by inducing sweating (HH) or by ingestion of furosemide (IH). Body weight decrease (4.1 +/- 0.2%) caused by hypohydration was similar for HH and IH, but differences (P 0.05) among trials. Mean skin temperature decreased throughout cold exposure during Eu but plateaued after 90 min during HH and IH. Forearm-finger temperature gradient tended (P = 0.06) to be greater during Eu (10.0 +/- 0.7 degrees C) than during HH or IH (8.9 +/- 0.7 degrees C). This suggests weaker vasoconstrictor tone during hypohydration than during Eu. Final mean skin temperature was higher for HH than for Eu or IH (23.5 +/- 0.3, 22.6 +/- 0.4, and 22.9 +/- 0.3 degrees C, respectively), and insulation was lower on HH than on IH (0.13 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.15 +/- 0.01 degree C.W-1.m-2, respectively), but not with Eu (0.14 +/- 0.01 degree C.W-1.m-2). This provides some evidence that hypertonicity impairs the vasoconstrictor response to cold. Although mild hypohydration did not affect body heat balance during 2-h whole body exposure to moderate cold, hypohydration-associated hypertonicity may have subtle effects on vasoconstriction that could become important during a more severe cold exposure.
Higher-Order and Bifactor Models of the Drinking Motives Questionnaire: Examining Competing Structures Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis

The Drinking Motives Questionnaire, previously postulated and documented to exhibit a measurement structure of four correlated factors (social, enhancement, conformity, and coping), is a widely administered assessment of reasons for consuming alcohol. In the current study ( N = 552), confirmatory factor analyses tested the plausibility of several theoretically relevant factor structures. Fit indices corroborated the original four-factor model, and also supported a higher-order factor model involving a superordinate motives factor that explicated four subordinate factors. A bifactor model that permitted items to double load on valence type (positive or negative reinforcement) and source type (external or internal) generated mixed results, suggesting that this 2 × 2 motivation paradigm was not entirely tenable. Optimal fit was obtained for a bifactor model depicting a general factor and four specific factors of motives. Latent factors derived from this structure exhibited criterion validity in predicting frequency and quantity of alcohol usage in a structural equation model. Findings are interpreted in the context of theoretical implications of the instrument, alternative factor structures of drinking motives, and assessment applications.
Hyperthermic effects of gold nanorods on tumor cells

Plasmon-resonant gold nanorods, which have large absorption cross sections at nearinfrared frequencies, are excellent candidates as multifunctional agents for image-guided therapies based on localized hyperthermia. The controlled modification of the surface chemistry of the nanorods is of critical importance, as issues of cell-specific targeting and nonspecific uptake must be addressed prior to clinical evaluation. Nanorods coated with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (a cationic surfactant used in nanorod synthesis) are internalized within hours into KB cells by a nonspecific uptake pathway, whereas the careful removal of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide from nanorods functionalized with folate results in their accumulation on the cell surface over the same time interval. In either case, the nanorods render the tumor cells highly susceptible to photothermal damage when irradiated at the nanorods’ longitudinal plasmon resonance, generating extensive blebbing of the cell membrane at laser fluences as low as 30 J/cm 2 .
Iliopsoas Syndrome in Dancers

Background:Coxa saltans refers to a constellation of diagnoses that cause snapping of the hip and is a major cause of anterior hip pain in dancers. When the internal type is accompanied by weakness or pain, it is referred to as iliopsoas syndrome. Iliopsoas syndrome is the result of repetitive active hip flexion in abduction and can be confused with other hip pathology, most commonly of labral etiology.Purpose:To report the incidence, clinical findings, treatment protocol, and results of treatment for iliopsoas syndrome in a population of dancers.Study Design:Retrospective case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:A retrospective database review of 653 consecutive patients evaluated for musculoskeletal complaints over a 3-year period was completed. The diagnosis of iliopsoas syndrome was made based on anterior hip or groin pain, weakness with resisted hip flexion in abduction, or symptomatic clicking or snapping with a positive iliopsoas test. Patients identified with iliopsoas syndrome were further strat...
Trace Matrix Analyzer (TMA)

A Trace Matrix (TM) represents the relationship between software engineering artifacts and is foundational for many software assurance techniques such as criticality analysis. In a large project, a TM might represent the relationships between thousands of elements of dozens of artifacts (for example, between design elements and code elements, between requirements and test cases). In mission- and safety-critical systems, a third party agent may be given the job to assess a TM prepared by the developer. Due to the size and complexity of the task, automated techniques are needed. We have developed a technique for analyzing a TM, called Trace Matrix Analyzer (TMA), so that third party agents can perform their work faster and more effectively. To validate, we applied TMA to two TMs with known problems and golden answersets: MoonLander and MODIS. We also asked an experienced software engineer to manually review the TM. We found that TMA properly identified TM issues and was much faster than manual review, but also falsely identified issues for one dataset. This work addresses the Trusted Grand Challenge, research projects 3, 5, and 6.
An Explicit and Unified Error Probability Analysis of Two Detection Schemes for Differential Unitary Space-Time Modulation

The performance of two demodulation schemes for the differential unitary space-time modulation (DUSTM), the standard differential demodulation and decision-feedback demodulation, are analyzed in a unified approach under Rayleigh time-varying channels. We derive compact expressions for the pairwise error probability (PEP) and its upper and lower bound. Our analysis justifies the conventional design criteria on DUSTM constellations for more general channel models and demodulation schemes. We formulate a simple expression of the effective SNR that captures the time correlation of fading, the length of the observation window, and the noise variance. Based on the derived results for general DUSTM, we further obtain an explicit closed- form expression of the PEP for the specific constellation proposed by Tarokh and Jafarkhani (12). We also show that this specific DUSTM allow efficient decision-feedback detection.
Reaction Kinetics of Epitaxial Silicon Deposition at 220-400°C Using Remote Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition

In this paper the reaction kinetics of Remote Plasma-enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (RPCVD) are investigated. Growth rate characterization has been performed for substrate temperatures of 220–400°C, r-f powers from 4–8 W, and silane flow rates of 10–30 sccm. Growth rate has been found to increase exponentially with r-f power, which is, as yet, unexplained. An approximate square root dependence of growth rate on silane partial pressure agrees with the theory of Claasen et. al for Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) of silicon from silane with an inert carrier gas. From an Arrhenius plot of the temperature dependence of growth rate, we note a change of slope at ~300°C which we have attributed to the behavior of hydrogen at the silicon surface.
Multi-robot mapping using manifold representations

This paper introduces a new method for representing two-dimensional maps, and shows how this representation may be applied to concurrent localization and mapping problems involving multiple robots. We introduce the notion of a manifold map; this representation takes maps out of the plane and onto a two-dimensional surface embedded in a higher-dimensional space. Compared with standard planar maps, the key advantage of the manifold representation is self-consistency: manifold maps do not suffer from the 'cross over' problem that planar maps commonly exhibit in environments containing loops. This self-consistency facilitates a number of important autonomous capabilities, including robust retro-traverse, lazy loop closure, active loop closure using robot rendezvous, and, ultimately, autonomous exploration. By way of validation, this paper also includes experimental results obtained using teams of two to four robots in environments ranging in size from 400 m/sup 2/ to 900 m/sup 2/.
Cinema van et Interpreter. Deux éléments fondamentaux du système de propagande britannique

Cet article decrit et analyse la creation du Colonial Film Unit (CFU) par le gouvernement britannique au debut de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Le CFU etait charge de gerer la production et la distribution des films educatifs dans les colonies britanniques. Afin de replacer le systeme colonial de projection cinematographique dans le contexte du cinema educatif britannique, ce texte presente les principales caracteristiques des experiences qui ont influence la creation du CFU (Nigeria Health Propaganda et Bantu Educational Cinema Experiment). Enfin, il souligne les aspects novateurs des reseaux mis en place en Gold Coast, en decrivant la place du cinema van et de l’Interpreter dans le systeme colonial de propagande cinematographique et en analysant comment ce dispositif de projection structure de maniere tres specifique l’activite des spectateurs.
Glow discharge sputter atomization for atomic absorption analysis of nonconducting powder samples

A methodology has been developed for the analysis of nonconducting' (oxide) powder samples by glow discharge atomization-atomic absorption spectrometry (GDA-AAS). The mixing of an oxide powder with a copper host matrix (1:9) allows pressing of a disk sample for glow discharge sputtering. Sample-to-sample precisions are on the order of 3-4% for iron in a geological specimen. The ability to generate analytical working curves is demonstrated for the analysis of iron by mixing Fe (III) and Al (III) oxides in the copper matrix material. The possible utility of the methodology is illustrated by the analysis of iron in an NBS geological reference material. The ability to perform analyses of these sample types suggests its applicability to such matrices as ceramics, glasses, and refractory-based catalysts.
The association between fasting hypoglycemia and methylated mercaptopurine metabolites in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Background Symptomatic fasting hypoglycemia has been reported as an unusual side effect in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) on maintenance therapy. We evaluated the relation of the red cell 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) metabolite 6-methyl-mercaptopurine (6MMP) with hypoglycemia. Procedure We retrospectively reviewed charts of three patients with ALL and symptomatic hypoglycemia while fasting who were noted to have high levels of 6MMP. All patients had an empiric trial of switching from evening to morning 6-MP administration, and two patients were subsequently switched to twice daily dosing. Patients also received complex carbohydrates at bedtime. Results Switching 6-MP from evening to morning administration reduced 6MMP levels yet preserved adequate levels of the active metabolite red cell 6-thioguanine nucleotide (6TGN). All patients had decreased hypoglycemic events when changed from evening to morning dosing. Two patients showed a rebound in 6MMP levels with return of hypoglycemic symptoms. Both were then switched to twice daily 6-MP dosing with one having a decrease in 6MMP and hypoglycemic symptoms. Conclusions High levels of 6MMP are associated with symptomatic hypoglycemia which may be mitigated by switching to morning or twice daily 6-MP dose administration. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:1003–1006. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
War on the Web: The Immediate News Framing of Gulf War II

This study examined the immediate coverage of the 2003 Iraq War on the home pages of 246 international news Web sites. The results show that most of these online publications provided coverage and made Gulf War II their top story only hours after the war began. However, foreign news sites framed the war differently than U.S. sites. Domestic news sites focused more heavily on the military conflict, human interest, and media self-coverage while the responsibility frame was more common for international sites. Also, online news coverage in countries officially supporting the war was more positive than in the countries opposing the war. The implications of these differences are discussed, and examples to illustrate the differences are offered.
Consumer Acceptance of Whey‐protein‐coated as Compared with Shellac‐coated Chocolate

ABSTRACT: Four formulations of whey-protein-isolate (WPI) coatings were used to coat chocolate-covered almonds. Two formulations were without lipid and two were with lipid. The 2 WPI formulations without lipid varied in native- as compared with the heat-denatured WPI amount. The 2 WPI formulations with lipid varied in the lipid amount. The shellac formulation consisted of 30% solids, of which 90% was shellac and 10% was propylene glycol. A central location consumer test was carried out for attributes such as overall degree of liking. The results strongly indicate that water-based WPI-lipid coatings can be used as an alternative glaze, with higher consumer acceptance than alcohol-based shellac.
Delirium in Septic Patients: An Unrecognized Vital Organ Dysfunction

Patients with severe sepsis are at high risk for morbidity and mortality. These risks only increase with the failure of multiple organ systems. Although delirium was previously often overlooked, practitioners are becoming increasingly aware of the crucial role that acute CNS dysfunction plays in the course of severe sepsis. Appropriate strategies for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of delirium in critically ill patients as outlined in this chapter are the subject of ongoing investigations and should be part of every ICU clinician’s armamentarium in the care of patients with severe sepsis.
Polygenic Effects and Cigarette Smoking Account for a Portion of the Familial Aggregation of Nuclear Sclerosis

Cataract is the most common cause of blindness worldwide. Nuclear cataract, an advanced stage of nuclear sclerosis, is the most common type of age-related cataract. The authors assessed data from 2,089 persons within 620 extended pedigrees who participated in the 1988-1990 Beaver Dam Eye Study in Wisconsin to determine whether the observed familial aggregation of nuclear sclerosis could be explained by inheritance of a major gene. Familial correlations were examined and segregation analyses were performed on nuclear sclerosis measurements adjusted for age, sex, and pack-years of cigarette smoking. There was modest correlation among close family members after adjustment for age, sex, and pack-years of cigarette smoking: 0.084 between parents and offspring, and 0.198 between sibling pairs. Although results do not support involvement of a single major locus in the etiology of nuclear sclerosis, models that allowed for familial correlation, attributable in part to polygenic effects, did provide a better fit to the observed data than models without a polygenic effect. This finding suggests that several genes of modest effect may influence development of nuclear lens opacity, possibly in conjunction with environmental factors. Cigarette smoking was an important covariate in these analyses. Overall, results highlight the complex etiology of nuclear sclerosis.
Technology and Teacher Education in Special Education: Disaster or Deliverance?:

Existing and emerging technologies have many implications for service delivery and for teacher education in special education. Today's educators need to know how to implement assistive technology, computer instruction, and telecommunications networking in special education and disability services programs for individuals with disabilities of all ages. Teacher education programs in special education need to prepare prospective and practicing personnel to implement technology through technology integration into the curriculum, development of multimedia learning materials and design and delivery of distance education programs. However, there is insufficient research to clarify the impact of technology on service delivery and teacher education and few models of training to prepare educators to use technology in schools, colleges, and universities. This article examines current and future trends in technology in special education and in teacher education; addresses the positive and negative impact of technolog...
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Neighborhood Attainments in the Transition to Adulthood

This paper examines racial and ethnic differences in locational attainments in the transition to adulthood, using longitudinal data about neighborhoods of youth in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. It examines place stratification and life course models of locational attainment during the 1990s, a period during which neighborhood poverty rates were declining for many groups. The analysis reveals durable inequalities in neighborhood poverty from adolescence to young adulthood, particularly for blacks and Hispanic origin subgroups. Family socioeconomic status and emerging educational attainments are associated with decreases in neighborhood poverty, with blacks receiving a stronger return from educational attainments than whites. Despite the benefits of education, racial and ethnic minorities remain more likely to live in considerably more disadvantaged neighborhoods in young adulthood than whites.
The Effect of Adrenal Glands on Ovulation in Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Adrenal involvement in ovulation has been demonstrated for several mammalian species and has recently come under scrutiny in birds. Complete adrenalectomy causes severe system imbalances; therefore, it was decided to evaluate the effect of unilateral adrenalectomy on ovulation in coturnix. Since no mortality occurred among 59 hens recovering from anesthesia following hemiadrenalectomy, systemic imbalances appeared to be tolerable. Hen-day egg production of adrenalectomized hens was significantly (P greater than .05) lower than that of sham operated and unoperated controls. Adrenalectomized birds exhibited their lowest rate of lay (18.7%) on the second day following treatment. The amount of time that hemiadrenalectomy preceded oviposition on the day of treatment influenced the occurrence of an ovulation. When adrenalectomy occurred 5 to 7.5 hr prior to oviposition, 86.7% of the birds failed to ovulate that day, compared with 27.8% of controls. This difference was highly significant. When adrenalectomy occurred less than 2.5 hr prior to oviposition, 92.3% of the birds ovulated on that day, but failed to ovulate on the next day. Subsequent to the period of adrenal insufficiency, hens resumed normal egg production. It was concluded that the adrenals directly influence daily ovulations in Coturnix, exerting an effect on hormonal events leading to ovulation.
Toward a unified theory of consumer acceptance technology

In the last few decades, scholars and practitioners have increasingly tried to understand the factors that influence technology acceptance. Theories and models developed by scholars have tended to focus on the role of cognition and have rarely included affect. The few studies that have incorporated affect have tended to measure a single emotion rather than modeling it comprehensively. This research addresses that inadequacy in our understanding of technology adoption by merging two previously unrelated models: TAM (the Technology Acceptance Model) and PAD (the Pleasure, Arousal, and Dominance paradigm of affect). This study also examines an enhanced view of cognition. The product of this unified theoretical framework is referred to as the Consumer Acceptance of Technology (CAT) model. The results of a test using structural equation modeling provide empirical support for the model. Overall, the CAT model explains over 50% of the variance in consumer adoption intentions, a considerable increase compared to TAM. These findings suggest that substantial improvement in the prediction of technology adoption decisions is possible by use of this model with its integration of affect and cognition. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modeling spray/puddle dissolution processes for deep-ultraviolet acid-hardened resists

A study of the dissolution behavior of acid-hardened resists (AHR) was undertaken for spray and spray/puddle development processes. The Site Services DSM-100 end-point detection system is used to measure both spray and puddle dissolution data for a commercially available deep-ultraviolet AHR resist, Shipley SNR-248. The DSM allows in situ measurement of dissolution rate on the wafer chuck and hence allows parameter extraction for modeling spray and puddle processes. The dissolution data for spray and puddle processes was collected across a range of exposure dose and postexposure bake temperature. The development recipe was varied to decouple the contribution of the spray and puddle modes to the overall dissolution characteristics. The mechanisms involved in spray versus puddle dissolution and the impact of spray versus puddle dissolution on process performance metrics has been investigated. We used the effective-dose-modeling approach and the measurement capability of the DSM-100 and developed a lumped parameter model for acid-hardened resists that incorporates the effects of exposure, postexposure bake temperature and time, and development condition. The PARMEX photoresist-modeling program is used to determine parameters for the spray and for the puddle process. The lumped parameter AHR model developed showed good agreement with experimental data.
Demographic Change, Welfare, and Intergenerational Transfers: A Global Overview

March 13, 2003 date last saved: 03/13/03 9:41 PM date last printed: 03/13/03 8:29 AM Demographic Change, Welfare, and Intergenerational Transfers: A Global Overview Ronald Lee Demography and Economics University of California 2232 Piedmont Ave. Berkeley, CA 94720 rlee@demog.berkeley.edu This paper was prepared for Rencontres Sauvy, at Villa Mondragone, Frascati, Rome. Research for this paper was funded by a grant from NIA, R37-AG11761. Thanks to Tim Miller for help with computations and graphics, and to Monique Verrier for editorial contributions.
Diabetes and Heart Disease

Diabetes, insulin resistance, and heart disease are extraordinarily common. Furthermore, they are inextricably linked. The nature, cause-consequence connections, pathogenetic features, and diagnostic and therapeutic implications are the focus of this chapter. The seminal forms of heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, heart failure, and coronary artery disease, are those most ineluctably conflated with diabetes and insulin resistance. Numerous pathogenetic links are responsible. Though prevention and therapy of each are concordant with principles of management applicable to the same disorders in the general population, specific therapeutic considerations apply in patients with insulin resistance. Thus, knowledge of insulin resistance and diabetes is essential in informing treatment of heart disease. The panoply of therapeutics now available for treatment of diabetes provides powerful opportunities for amelioration of cardiovascular sequelae. Accordingly, the truly effective physician must function as both a diabetologist and a cardiologist to maximize the capacity to confer benefit to patients served. This chapter is designed to provide the information needed to facilitate achieving the necessary duality.
There is no impedance mismatch: (language integrated query in visual basic 9)

Language Integrated Query (LINQ) is a framework that is rooted in the theoretical ideas of monads and monad comprehensions to allow seamless querying over objects, XML, and relational data. Instead of blindly gazing at the perceived impedance mismatch between the structure of these various data models, LINQ leverages the commonalities between the operations on these data models to achieve deep semantic integration.
Clinical activity of enzalutamide versus docetaxel in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer progressing after abiraterone.

Background The optimal sequence of the multiple active agents now available for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is unclear. Prior reports have suggested diminished responses to sequential lines of androgen receptor (AR)-targeted therapies, but it is unknown whether subsequent taxane-based chemotherapy may be more effective than sequential AR-targeting treatment. We sought to evaluate the clinical activity of enzalutamide versus docetaxel in men with mCRPC who progressed on abiraterone.
Coordinated static and mobile sensing for environmental monitoring

Distributed embedded sensor networks are now being successfully deployed in environmental monitoring of natural phenomena as well as for applications in commerce and physical security. While substantial progress in sensor network performance has appeared, new challenges have also emerged as these systems have been deployed in the natural environment. First, in order to achieve minimum sensing fidelity performance, the rapid spatiotemporal variation of environmental phenomena requires impractical deployment densities. The presence of obstacles in the environment introduces sensing uncertainty and degrades the performance of sensor fusion systems in particular for the many new applications of image sensing. The physical obstacles encountered by sensing may be circumvented by a new mobile sensing method or Networked Infomechanical Systems (NIMS). NIMS integrates distributed, embedded sensing and computing systems with infrastructure-supported mobility. NIMS now includes coordinated mobility methods that exploits adaptive articulation of sensor perspective and location as well as management of sensor population to provide the greatest certainty in sensor fusion results. The architecture, applications, and implementation of NIMS will be discussed here. In addition, results of environmentally-adaptive sampling, and direct measurement of sensing uncertainty will be described.
Phycas: Software for Bayesian Phylogenetic Analysis

Phycas is open source, freely available Bayesian phylogenetics software written primarily in C++ but with a Python interface. Phycas specializes in Bayesian model selection for nucleotide sequence data, particularly the estimation of marginal likelihoods, central to computing Bayes Factors. Marginal likelihoods can be estimated using newer methods (Thermodynamic Integration and Generalized Steppingstone) that are more accurate than the widely used Harmonic Mean estimator. In addition, Phycas supports two posterior predictive approaches to model selection: Gelfand-Ghosh and Conditional Predictive Ordinates. The General Time Reversible family of substitution models, as well as a codon model, are available, and data can be partitioned with all parameters unlinked except tree topology and edge lengths. Phycas provides for analyses in which the prior on tree topologies allows polytomous trees as well as fully resolved trees, and provides for several choices for edge length priors, including a hierarchical model as well as the recently described compound Dirichlet prior, which helps avoid overly informative induced priors on tree length.
Do all countries follow the same growth process

We estimate finite-mixture models in which countries are sorted into groups based on the similarity of the conditional distributions of their growth rates. We observe countries growth experiences over the 1970–2000 period and find evidence for a model in which there are two classes of countries, each with its own distinct growth regime. Group membership does not conform to the usual categories used to address parameter heterogeneity such as region or income. We find strong evidence that the quality of institutions and specifically, the degree of law and order, helps to sort countries into different regimes. Once we control for institutional features of the economy, we find no evidence that geographic features such as latitude and being landlocked play a role in determining the country groupings.
The Ediacaran Biotas in Space and Time

SYNOPSIS. The ‘‘Ediacaran organisms,’’ which preceded and overlapped the Cambrian radiation of metazoans, include many fossils whose systematic positions remain contentious after over fifty years of study. It might seem that nothing particularly useful can be learned from a biota full of oddballs. However, analyses of the distribution of the Ediacaran organisms in time and space can be carried out without having to guess at the systematic position of the organisms. Combining these results with data on paleotectonics, paleoenvironmental parameters, and the ages of various assemblages sheds light on the origins, ecology, and even the systematic positions of the Ediacaran organisms. Parsimony Analysis of Endemism (PAE) confirms earlier studies in grouping Ediacaran biotas into three major clusters: the Avalon, White Sea, and Nama Assemblages. The available radiometric and stratigraphic data suggest that the Avalon is the oldest, the White Sea is next oldest, and the Nama extends to the base of the Cambrian. The ‘‘frondlike’’ Ediacaran taxa, and to a lesser extent the ‘‘medusoids,’’ collectively show significantly longer stratigraphic ranges, broader geographical and paleoenvironmental ranges, and less provinciality than ‘‘bilaterian’’ and tubular taxa. Almost all tubular Ediacarans appear to be confined to equatorial areas, whereas other Ediacaran organisms show weak or no latitudinal diversity gradients. I conclude that the Ediacaran organisms show a diverse range of responses to various environmental parameters. There is no basis for classifying them all as having a single body plan and mode of life, as has often been done in the past.
An FPTAS for minimizing the product of two non-negative linear cost functions

We consider a quadratic programming (QP) problem (Π) of the form min x T C x subject to Ax ≥ b, x ≥ 0 where $${C\in {\mathbb R}^{n \times n}_+, {\rm rank}(C)=1}$$ and $${A\in {\mathbb R}^{m \times n}, b\in {\mathbb R}^m}$$. We present an fully polynomial time approximation scheme (FPTAS) for this problem by reformulating the QP (Π) as a parameterized LP and “rounding” the optimal solution. Furthermore, our algorithm returns an extreme point solution of the polytope. Therefore, our results apply directly to 0–1 problems for which the convex hull of feasible integer solutions is known such as spanning tree, matchings and sub-modular flows. They also apply to problems for which the convex hull of the dominant of the feasible integer solutions is known such as s, t-shortest paths and s, t-min-cuts. For the above discrete problems, the quadratic program Π models the problem of obtaining an integer solution that minimizes the product of two linear non-negative cost functions.
Evolution of nonspherical bubbles.

We study the evolution of nonspherical bubbles which arise in the theory of a real scalar field that has nondegenerate ground states. A calculational framework to study radial perturbations to the evolution of spherical shells of domain wall is presented. We focus on the (classical) evolution of true-vacuum bubbles which nucleate in a sea of false vacuum in a first-order phase transition, e.g., as in old or extended inflation (we work in the zero-temperature, zero-gravity limit). As the bubbles evolve, perturbations with nonzero initial velocity and low angular wave numbers grow initially and then freeze out; perturbations with high wave number oscillate about the unperturbed state and eventually decay. Perturbations with finite initial amplitude and zero initial velocity quickly decay for all wave numbers. Applications of our work to closed-surface domain walls (which have recently been invoked to explain large-scale structures in cosmology) are also discussed.
Datura stramonium interference and seed rain in Gossypium hirsutum.

Abstract Experiments were conducted in 1998 and 1999 at the Central Crops Research Station near Clayton, NC, to evaluate density-dependent effects of Datura stramonium on weed growth and seed rain and Gossypium hirsutum growth and yield. Datura stramonium height was not affected by density in either year. Crop height never exceeded weed height during the growing season, indicating that competition for light occurred between the two species. Eight weeks after planting or later, G. hirsutum height decreased as D. stramonium density increased. An increase in D. stramonium density from 1 to 32 plants (9.1 m of row)−1 resulted in a decrease in capsule production per plant of 92 and 60 in 1998 and 1999, respectively. Total D. stramonium dry weight per 9.1 m of row increased via a quadratic relationship as weed density increased. Gossypium hirsutum lint yields decreased as D. stramonium biomass and density increased in both years. Estimated yield losses of 10 and 25% were caused by D. stramonium at 0.5 and 1.5 p...
Systems toxicology of chemically induced liver and kidney injuries: histopathology‐associated gene co‐expression modules

Organ injuries caused by environmental chemical exposures or use of pharmaceutical drugs pose a serious health risk that may be difficult to assess because of a lack of non-invasive diagnostic tests. Mapping chemical injuries to organ-specific histopathology outcomes via biomarkers will provide a foundation for designing precise and robust diagnostic tests. We identified co-expressed genes (modules) specific to injury endpoints using the Open Toxicogenomics Project-Genomics Assisted Toxicity Evaluation System (TG-GATEs) - a toxicogenomics database containing organ-specific gene expression data matched to dose- and time-dependent chemical exposures and adverse histopathology assessments in Sprague-Dawley rats. We proposed a protocol for selecting gene modules associated with chemical-induced injuries that classify 11 liver and eight kidney histopathology endpoints based on dose-dependent activation of the identified modules. We showed that the activation of the modules for a particular chemical exposure condition, i.e., chemical-time-dose combination, correlated with the severity of histopathological damage in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the modules could distinguish different types of injuries caused by chemical exposures as well as determine whether the injury module activation was specific to the tissue of origin (liver and kidney). The generated modules provide a link between toxic chemical exposures, different molecular initiating events among underlying molecular pathways and resultant organ damage. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Journal of Applied Toxicology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Abstract 383: Quality of Weight Measurement Practices Among Heart Failure Inpatients

Background: Regular weight measurement is the standard of care among patients hospitalized for heart failure (HF) for monitoring response to diuretic therapy. While recent guidelines recommend routine daily weights in decompensated HF inpatients, the quality of weight measurement in clinical practice has not been well characterized. Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center observational cohort study of consecutive adults with decompensated HF (N = 658) who were admitted from June 2012 through February 2013. We collected demographic, clinical, laboratory, imaging and weight measurement information during the hospitalization. Daily weights were defined as daily weights between day 2 of the hospitalization and the day prior to discharge. Discharge weights were defined as a weight on the day prior to or the day of discharge. We qualified whether weights were standing weights or not standing. We performed multivariable logistic regression analyses to assess association between documentation of weigh...
Chapter 58: Disclosure of Medical Information in Pretrial Settlements with Marriage and Family Therapists

Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT) are healthcare providers who treat people to “achieve more adequate, satisfying and productive” interpersonal relationships. Like other healthcare providers, LMFTs are subject to lawsuits for “illegal, irresponsible, unprofessional, or unethical treatment.” Thus, after a patient gives notice of intent to file a lawsuit against an LMFT, and before the patient files his complaint, the LMFT’s insurer needs access to the patient’s medical information in order to evaluate potential pre-complaint settlements. While confidentiality is critical in a patient-therapist relationship, an LMFT needs the ability to disclose information to his insurer in order to defend himself in a lawsuit and evaluate potential settlements. Chapter 58 ensures that LMFTs can defend themselves by requiring a patient to authorize disclosure of medical information when making a settlement demand or offer to compromise with an LMFT before filing his complaint.
Study of Crack Propagation at an Oxide/Polymer Interface Under Varying Loading Conditions

We investigate the effect of loading conditions and process parameters on the failure mode of a Silicon/SiO2/Silane/BCB interface system. Chemical analysis of the fracture surfaces with XPS reveals different crack paths through the structure for the two different loading configurations studied. Furthermore, the curing temperature of the silane coupling agent is shown to have a profound impact on the subcritical debond behavior of the structure. A mechanism responsible for this effect is identified and the XPS data is directly correlated to quantitative information about the resistance of the structure to fracture and subcritical crack growth.
Message framing for health: moderation by perceived susceptibility and motivational orientation in a diverse sample of Americans.

Objective The present study examined how gain- and loss-framed informational videos about oral health influence self-reported flossing behavior over a 6-month period, as well as the roles of perceived susceptibility to oral health problems and approach/avoidance motivational orientation in moderating these effects. Method An age and ethnically diverse sample of 855 American adults were randomized to receive no health message, or either a gain-framed or loss-framed video presented on the Internet. Self-reported flossing was assessed longitudinally at 2 and 6 months. Results Among the entire sample, susceptibility interacted with frame to predict flossing. Participants who watched a video where the frame (gain/loss) matched perceived susceptibility (low/high) had significantly greater likelihood of flossing at recommended levels at the 6-month follow-up, compared with those who viewed a mismatched video or no video at all. However, young adults (18-24) showed stronger moderation by motivational orientation than by perceived susceptibility, in line with previous work largely conducted with young adult samples. Conclusion Brief informational interventions can influence long-term health behavior, particularly when the gain- or loss-frame of the information matches the recipient's beliefs about their health outcome risks.
A brief study exploring social equity within bicycle share programs

Often subsidized with public funds, it is expected that bicycle share programs be socially equitable, accessible to, and usable by all residents within their service areas. This study suggests simple indicators that can be used to assess equitability of bicycle share programs. We apply the indicators to membership survey and website marketing materials from bicycle share programs in three US cities. Descriptive analyses found bicycle sharers are largely educated, affluent, younger Caucasian males, a demographic that does not reflect the composition of bicycle share service areas. Website image analyses found that bicycle share users portrayed on program websites were more likely to be white (vs. non-white) but the distribution by sex and age was roughly proportional to the composition of bicycle share service areas. Findings suggest that bicycle share membership does not equitably reflect the communities where programs are operating, and that marketing communication practices may be a contributing factor.
Factor Structure of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) Among Emerging Adults

Objective:Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the factor structure of the 6-item version of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6).Methods:A subsample of emerging adults, aged 18...
Combination of intramedullary rod, wrapping bone grafting and Ilizarov's fixator for the treatment of Crawford type IV congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia: mid-term follow up of 56 cases.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the initial union rate, refracture rate and residual deformities of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT), using combined surgery including pseudarthrosis resection, intramedullary rodding, autogenous iliac bone grafting and Ilizarov’s fixator, with a mean 5.2 years follow-up. We retrospectively reviewed the records and diagrams of patients with Crawford type IV congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia between February 2007 and March 2010. Patients managed by pseudarthrosis resection, intramedullary rod of the tibia, wrapping autogenous iliac bone grafting and Ilizarov’s fixator were enrolled. We evaluated the bone union rate, tibial alignment, limb length discrepancy (LLD), valgus deformity of the ankle and the frequencies of refracture during period of follow-up. There were 56 cases enrolled in the study, with a mean follow-up 5.2 years (range, 3 to 6.7 years). The mean age of the patients at surgery was 3.5 years (range, 1.5 to 12.4 years). Fifty (89.2 %) of the 56 patients had primary bone union at site of pseudarthrosis, while 5 obtained union after second surgery and 1 failed. The average time spent to obtain pseudarthrosis initial union was 4.5 months (range, 3.0 to 10.0 months) and mean duration of Ilizarov treatment was 4.7 months (range, 3.2 to 10.4 months). Eleven (19.6 %) patients had proximal tibial valgus with a mean angle of 9.5° (range, 5 to 24°), while 10 (17.9 %) patients had ankle valgus deformities with a mean of 12.3° (range, 6 to 21°). Sixteen (28.6 %) patients had an average 2.2 cm LLD (range, 1.5–4.2 cm). Of the 50 cases who obtained initial bone union of pseudarthrosis, 13 (26.0 %) had refracture which need cast immobilization or secondary surgery. This combined surgery obtained initial union rate of 89.2 % at primary surgery while the refracture rate is 26.0 %. However, residual deformities such as proximal tibial valgus, LLD and ankle valgus were also existed which should be pay more attention to and dealt with. This study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov under the name “The Effect of Combined Surgery in Management of Congenital Pseudarthrosis of Tibia” ( NCT02640040 ), which was released on August 31, 2015.
Sutures Possess Strong Regenerative Capacity for Calvarial Bone Injury

Repair of calvarial bony defects remains challenging for craniofacial surgeons. Injury experiments on animal calvarial bones are widely used to study healing mechanisms and test tissue engineering approaches. Previously, we identified Gli1+ cells within the calvarial sutures as stem cells supporting calvarial bone turnover and injury repair. In this study, we tested the regenerative capacity of the suture region compared with other areas of calvarial bone. Injuries were made to mouse sagittal sutures or other areas of the calvarial bone at varying distances from the suture. Samples were collected at different time points after injury for evaluation. MicroCT and histological analyses were conducted. EdU incorporation analysis was performed to assay cell proliferation. Gli1-CreERT2;Tdtomatoflox mice were used to trace the fate of Gli1+ stem cells after injury. Calvarial sutures possess much stronger regeneration capability than the nonsuture bony areas of the calvaria. The healing rate of the calvarial bone is inversely proportional to the distance between the suture and injury site: injuries closer to the suture heal faster. After complete removal of the sagittal suture, regeneration and restoration of normal organization occur within 6 weeks. Gli1+ cells within the suture mesenchyme are the cellular source for injury repair and bone regeneration. These results demonstrate that calvarial bone healing is not an evenly distributed event on the calvarial surface. Sutures contain stem cells and are the origin of calvarial bone tissue regeneration. Therefore, current practice in calvarial surgery needs to be reevaluated and modified. These findings also necessitate the design of new approaches for repairing calvarial bony defects.
Application of the ATP assay to rapidly assess cleanliness of spacecraft surfaces: a path to set a standard for future missions

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) measures and validates the biological cleanliness of spacecraft surfaces by counting endospores using the NASA standard assay (NSA). NASA has also approved an adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP)-based detection methodology as a means to prescreen surfaces for the presence of microbial contamination, prior to the spore assay. During Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft assembly, test, and launch operations, 4853 surface samples were collected to verify compliance with the bioburden requirement at launch. A subset of these samples was measured for microbial cleanliness using both the NSA (n = 272) and ATP assay (n = 249). NSA results revealed that ~8% (22/272) of the samples showed the presence of at least one spore, whereas ATP assay measurements indicated that ~15% (35/249) of samples exceeded the “threshold cleanliness limit” of 2.3 × 10−11 mmol ATP per 25 cm2 used by MSL. Of the 22 NSA samples with a spore, 18% (4/22) were considered above the level of acceptance by both techniques. Based on post launch data analysis presented here, it was determined that this threshold cleanliness limit of 2.3 × 10−11 mmol ATP per 25 cm2 could be adopted as a benchmark for assessing spacecraft surface cleanliness. This study clearly demonstrates the value of using alternative methods to rapidly assess spacecraft cleanliness, and provides useful information regarding the process.