cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
If History Could Be Rerun: The Provision and Pricing of Deposit Insurance in 1933

This paper examines cross-subsidy, moral hazard, and bank liability issues related to the provision of federal deposit insurance by "rerunning" its implementation, i.e., determining fair premium values, over the period 1927-1932. The pre-1933 period was characterized by historically high asset-price volatility, a large number of bank failures, and a weak federal safety net. In this economic context, we find a high degree of self-insurance on the part of the banks in our sample, both in terms of higher overall capital levels and a strong correlation between capital levels and asset volatility. Potentially large, regional cross-subsidies among banks were also found. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Number: G21.
The Role of Context in Learning and Instructional Design

Context is a pervasive and potent force in any learning event. Yet instructional design models contain little guidance about how to accommodate contextual elements to improve learning and transfer. This paper defines context, outlines its levels and types, specifies some pertinent contextual factors within these types, suggests methods for conducting a contextual analysis and utilizing its results for instructional design, and outlines future issues for context-based instructional design. The incorporation of a contextual approach to instruction will make our design models systemic as well as systematic.
A MAP OF POSTSECONDARY ASSESSMENT

Although most discussions of “postsecondary assessment” focus on students' knowledge and skills, these cannot be fully understood without assessing the wasy they are influenced by other aspects of postsecondary education. These aspects are described in a “map” consisting of 20 points which depicts the flow of students through institutions and experiences from precollege to adulthood. Consideration of the map identifies areas where better assessments and models are needed, particularly the areas of adult learners, graduate and professional education, and the characteristics and plans of college seniors.
Regulated Synthesis of Low-Molecular-Weight Antigens in Keratinocyte Cell Cultures

Abstract Proteins from mouse epidermis cytosol extracts react on immunoblots with a polyclonal rabbit antiserum raised against rat skin calcium-binding protein (SCaBP), a parvalbumin of the panniculus carnosus. Three mouse epidermal proteins with molecular weights between 10–12K, which are distinct from SCaBP, are recognized by the antiserum. The synthesis of these proteins in keratinocyte culture is modulated by Ca ++ , as is the differentiation of the keratinocytes. Proliferating mouse keratinocytes in medium containing 0.07 mm Ca ++ (low Ca ++ ) undergo terminal differentiation when the Ca ++ concentration is elevated to 1.8 mm (high Ca ++ ). Synthesis of the 3 antigens can be demonstrated when soluble extracts of keratinocytes labeled with [ 35 S]methionine in low Ca ++ medium are immunoprecipitated with anti-SCaBP serum. These antigens are not synthesized in cultures of dermal fibroblasts. When keratinocytes are switched to high Ca ++ medium, synthesis of these antigens is greatly diminished over the course of 48–72 h. However, the antigens persist in differentiating cells. When proliferating keratinocytes in low Ca ++ medium are exposed to the tumor promoter 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), differentiation is induced in a subpopulation of cells, and specific antigen synthesis is transiently inhibited. The inhibition correlates with the time when many cells are differentiating in response to TPA. When proliferating keratinocytes are pulse-labeled with 32 PO 4 , the 11K antigen is phosphorylated and the phosphorylation is not enhanced by TPA exposure. All 3 antigens are synthesized in a reticulocyte lysate preparation with added newborn mouse epidermis messenger RNA or mRNA from keratinocytes cultured in low Ca ++ medium. Thus, these antigens are likely to represent unique proteins rather than processed or degraded ones. The coordinately regulated expression of these antigens associated with the differentiation state of the keratinocytes suggests that these proteins are important in keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation.
The Descriptive Phenomenological Psychological Method

Abstract The author explains that his background was in experimental psychology but that he wanted to study the whole person and not fragmented psychological processes. He also desired a non-reductionistic method for studying humans. Fortunately he came across the work of Edmund Husserl and discovered in the latter’s thought a way of researching humans that met the criteria he was seeking. Eventually he developed a phenomenological method for researching humans in a psychological way based upon the work of Husserl and Merleau-Ponty. This article briefly describes the method.
CriticAL: A critic for APIs and libraries

It is well-known that APIs can be hard to learn and use. Although search tools can help find related code examples, API novices still face other significant challenges such as evaluating the relevance of the search results. To help address the broad problems of finding, understanding, and debugging API-based solutions, we have built a critic system that offers recommendations, explanations, and criticisms for API client code. Our critic takes API usage rules as input, performs symbolic execution to check that the client code has followed these rules properly, and generates advice as output to help improve the client code. We demonstrate our critic by applying it to a real-world example derived from the Java Swing Forum.
GeoModeler: tightly linking spatially-explicit models and data with a GIS for analysis and geovisualization

Numerical simulation models provide a way to understand and predict the behavior of natural and human systems. Ideally, spatially-explicit models would be easily linked to a geographic information system (GIS) for data analysis and visualization. In the past, these two have not been well integrated for scientific uses. This lack of true integration hinders the ability of scientists and managers to create interactive, GIS-based models for research and policy planning. However, GIS packages are starting to expose code and objects to allow closer coupling of core GIS functionality and analytical/modeling tools.In creating GeoModeler, we have provided a prototype of how one might integrate a GIS with oceanographic and decision-support models. Through the use of Java-based application programming interfaces and connectors, a GIS is directly linked with the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) and with the Method of Splitting Tsunami (MOST) model. Scientists and managers are able to use a graphical interface to display datasets, select the data to be used in a scenario, set the weights for factors in the model and run the model. The results are returned to the GIS for display and spatial analysis. Three-dimensional visualizations are created using elements of the Visualization Toolkit (VTK) and OpenGL. The project creates a framework for linking to other types of back-end models written in a variety of programming languages.
Determination of the optical constants of zinc oxide thin films by spectroscopic ellipsometry

Spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) has been used to determine the complex pseudo dielectric functions, e1(E)+ie2(E), of ZnO films on (0001) Al2O3 substrates over the spectral range of 1.33 and 4.96 eV at room temperature. The SE measurements are carried out with E⊥c at angles of incidence of 60° and 65° with respect to the surface normal. Below the band gap, the refractive index n is found to follow the first order Sellmeir dispersion relationship n2(λ)=1+1.881λ2/(λ2−0.05382). A free excitonic structure located at the band edge of 3.32 eV is clearly observed in the pseudo absorption spectrum. Elliott expression with Lorentzian broadening is used to model the pseudo absorption coefficient above the band edge.
KINETIC ENERGY DISTRIBUTIONS OF FRAGMENTS FROM THE FISSION OF Au, Tl, Pb, AND Bi

Single fragment and total kinetic energy distributions have been measured for fission induced by helium ions and deuterons in Au, Tl, Pb, and Bi targets. The average total kinetic energy release has the same proportionality with $\frac{{Z}^{2}}{{A}^{\frac{1}{3}}}$ found for fission of heavier elements. The widths for the total kinetic energy distributions are comparable to those observed for fission of heavy elements. A preliminary mass distribution curve has been obtained by measuring the energies of coincident fragments.
Analysis of an Electromagnetic Boundary Layer Probe for Low Magnetic Reynolds Number Flows

Electromagnetic (EM) flow meters are used to measure volume flow rates of electrically conductive fluids (e.g., low magnetic Reynolds number flows of seawater, milk, etc,) in pipe flows. The possibility of using a modified form of EM flow meter to nonobtrusively measure boundary-layer flow characteristics is analytically investigated. The device, named an electromagnetic boundary layer (EBL) probe, would have a velocity integral-dependent voltage induced between parallel wall-mounted electrodes, as a conductive fluid flows over a dielectric wall and through the probe's magnetic field
Cytological and genetical studies of the hybrid ofGossypium herbaceum L. andG. triphyllum Hoch

Cytological and genetical studies are reported on the hybrid and later generations ofGossypium herbaceum (A1 genome) xG. triphyllum (Hg genome). Chromosome pairing between the two genomes was high, and their chromosomes are considered, with minor exceptions, to be strueturally similar. Studies of the F1 and segregating families showed thatG. triphyllum carries the complementary factorsR inf2 supΘS R infa supGO for petal spot,Ya(Yb) Y infc supP for cream petal,pa for cream pollen, andYap for depression of yellow petal pigment. Leaf ahape ofG. triphyllum was dominant to the leaf shape ofG. herbaceum. The blue petal color ofG. triphyllum was recovered only in the backeross of the F1 to this species.
A chondroitin sulfate/keratan sulfate proteoglycan, PG-1000, forms complexes which are concentrated in the reticular laminae of electric organ basement membranes

Previously, we identified PG-1000 as part of a disulfide-linked complex of two large proteoglycans (PG-1000 and the beta component) and three smaller proteins purified from the extracellular matrix of elasmobranch electric organ (Iwata and Carlson, 1991, J. Biol. Chem. 266: 323-333). PG-1000 is a chondroitin sulfate/keratan sulfate proteoglycan with a molecular mass of about 1.2 x 16(6) daltons. When visualized in the electron microscope, PG-1000 has the typical "bottle-brush" appearance expected for a proteoglycan with an average total length of about 345 nm and about 20 chains of approximately 110 nm (Carlson and Wight, 1987, J. Cell Biol. 105: 3075-3086). Using immunocytochemical methods, we now demonstrate that PG-1000 is a component of the interstitial extracellular matrix of the electric organ. PG-1000 immunoreactivity is found throughout the interstitial matrix, but it is highly concentrated in that region of the matrix immediately adjacent to the basal lamina, the reticular lamina. The reticular and basal laminae together form the basement membrane. PG-1000 immunoreactivity is especially apparent on basal laminae that surround nerve fibers and nerve terminals. When the disulfide-linked PG-1000 complexes are purified and examined in the electron microscope following rotary shadowing, they appear as bottle-brush structures which are often attached at a central region and radiate like spokes of a wheel. These aggregates contain two to six proteoglycan monomers. We hypothesize that the PG-1000 complexes are disulfide-stabilized parts of an extended network of linked proteoglycans in the reticular lamina.
Mechanism of Transovarian Transmission of Salmonella enteritidis in Laying Hens

To understand the mechanism of transovarian transmission of Salmonella enteritidis in laying hens, experiments were conducted to examine the isolation of S. enteritidis from the preovulatory follicles of experimentally infected hens. Salmonella enteritidis was isolated from the preovulatory follicles in 16 birds (from follicle membrane alone in 10 birds, from the follicle yolk alone in 4 birds, and from both membrane and yolk in 2 birds). In addition, 83 S. enteritidis isolates of the major phage types prevalent in United States were tested for attachment to hen ovarian granulosa cells and HEp-2 cells. Salmonella enteritidis demonstrated three different patterns of attachment to granulosa cells, namely, local, diffuse, and aggregative; whereas, only local attachment pattern was observed on HEp-2 cells. The total number of S. enteritidis isolates that demonstrated any pattern of attachment was significantly greater on the granulosa cells than on HEp-2 cells (P < .05). Salmonella enteritidis isolates of phage Types 8 and 28 demonstrated similar patterns of attachment on granulosa cells derived from the mature and developing follicles of the hen ovary. This suggest that S. enteritidis can colonize the preovulatory follicles at different stages of development. Preincubation of bacteria with the tetrapeptide arg-gly-asp-ser, the amino acid sequence known to mediate the interaction of adhesive proteins with cells, abrogated the local attachment of bacteria to granulosa cells. These results suggest that S. enteritidis can colonize the preovulatory follicles by interacting with the ovarian granulosa cells and that adhesive proteins may be involved in this process.
Evidence for gender differences in visual selective attention

Selective attention is considered a central component of cognitive functioning. While a number of studies have demonstrated gender differences in cognitive tasks, there has been little research conducted on gender differences in selective attention. There is limited empirical evidence that indicates males and females may differ in selective attention. To explore this issue we present results from two experiments using a basic Posner cueing paradigm in which females show larger validity effects in endogenously cued tasks, but not with a peripheral cue or exogenous cue. Specifically, we found that while females show costs from an invalid cue relative to a no-cue control condition, males showed a benefit to invalid cues compared to no-cue control conditions. This empirical finding has important implications for future studies using the Posner cueing paradigm. In addition, the possible contribute of gender differences in selective attention to other cognitive gender differences is explored.
Perceived control and the diffusion of software process innovations

Abstract Emphasis on quality, productivity, and repeatable processes has led to the introduction of innovative software development tools and techniques. Evidence from use of these innovations shows significant gains in developer productivity and software quality. However, many potentially beneficial innovations are not widely diffused. We examine why this is so, focusing on how a software developer's perceived control over use of a software development innovation impacts the successful diffusion of the innovation. A proposed research model shows that a developer's perception of freedom in deciding whether to adopt an innovation and in deciding when and how to apply the innovation impacts IT diffusion success. Survey data were collected from practicing developers trained in the Personal Software ProcessSM (PSPSM) and are analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results suggest that creating a perception that IT adoption and application is an individual decision, while providing moderate controls governing use is important in impacting diffusion success.
Fluidic flexible matrix composite damping treatment for a cantilever beam

Abstract This paper presents a novel approach for damping the vibration of a cantilever beam by bonding multiple fluidic flexible matrix composite (F2MC) tubes to the beam and using the strain induced fluid pumping to dissipate energy. Transverse beam vibration strains the F2MC tube and generates fluid flow through an energy dissipating orifice. An optimally sized orifice maximizes energy dissipation, greatly reducing the resonant peaks and increasing modal damping. An analytical model is developed based on Euler–Bernoulli beam theory and Lekhnitskii׳s solution for anisotropic layered tubes. Using miniature tubes, a laboratory-scale F2MC-integrated beam prototype is constructed and experimentally tested. The experimental results agree well with the theoretical predictions, provided the fluid bulk modulus is reduced to reflect the entrained air in the fluidic circuit. Based on the validated model, a design space study calculates the modal damping for various tube attachment locations and the orifice sizes. The results show that damping ratios of 32percent and 16percent are achievable in the first and second modes of a cantilever beam, respectively, using an F2MC damping treatment.
High Resolution Electron Microscopy of Crystals, Today and Tomorrow

The study of crystal structures by direct visualization of atom positions with high resolution electron microscopy is being extended to the study of the form of individual crystal defects. Methods for computing the images of crystal defects by use of the assumption of periodic continuation provide a means for the essential verification of image interpretations. High resolution scanning transmission electron microscopes should offer important advantages for this type of work, especially in providing a close correlation between images and diffraction patterns of regions of unit cell dimensions. Also modifications to the usual type of scanning instrument should allow an important degree of versatility for obtaining dark-field images to emphasize particular structural features.
Isolated prenatal choroid plexus cysts do not affect child development

Objective To examine the effect of isolated prenatal choroid plexus cysts (CPCs) on child cognitive, behavioral, motor, and autonomic development at 18 months of age. Methods A prospective design was implemented to identify CPC cases and controls in mid-pregnancy. Cases (n = 25) and controls (n = 45) participated in a follow-up visit when children were 18 months of age. Child mental and motor development was assessed using standard developmental assessments, socioemotional and behavioral functioning during testing was rated by examiners, and accelerometers provided measures of motor activity and energy expenditure. Cardiac patterns were collected using a three-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and quantified as indicators of autonomic control of the heart, including vagal tone. Results No significant differences were found in any outcome measure between children with prenatal CPC detection and those without. Conclusion Findings should provide reassurance to practitioners and parents that isolated CPCs in fetuses with normal karyotypes do not affect child development after birth. Copyright  2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Doping and electronic properties of GaAs grown by close-spaced vapor transport from powder sources for scalable III–V photovoltaics

We report the use of a simple close-spaced vapor transport technique for the growth of high-quality epitaxial GaAs films using potentially inexpensive GaAs powders as precursors. The free carrier type and density (1016 to 1019 cm−3) of the films were adjusted by addition of Te or Zn powder to the GaAs source powder. We show using photoelectrochemical and electron beam-induced current analyses that the minority carrier diffusion lengths of the n- and p-GaAs films reached ∼3 μm and ∼8 μm, respectively. Hall mobilities approach those achieved for GaAs grown by metal–organic chemical vapor deposition, 1000–4200 cm2 V−1 s−1 for n-GaAs and 50–240 cm V−1 s−1 for p-GaAs depending on doping level. We conclude that the electronic quality of GaAs grown by close-spaced vapor transport is similar to that of GaAs made using conventional techniques and is thus sufficient for high-performance photovoltaic applications.
Road Warrior Booty: Prize Structures in Motorcycle Racing

We look at the tournament organizer and its equilibrium adaptation of the tournament structure in the face of competition from other organizers. The data examined come from the motorcycle racing industry. Bikers in a single race compete for the awards of several sponsors and many sponsors are in direct competition. When a racer chooses to compete for the prizes offered by one sponsor, prizes paid by sponsors of similar products are foregone. We find that there is systematic variation in the structure of prize differentials in the face of direct competition among sponsors for endorsements by racers. When the purse paid by competitors goes up, a sponsor must raise its own purse or reduce its incentive intensity by lowering the spread of the prizes that it pays. This finding supports a prediction of the tournament model developed by Lazear and Rosen.
Making 3D Object Surfaces Smoother

Interpolating subdivision schemes let users adjust coordinates of a 3D object's initial vertices, generate new vertices, and replace the original mesh with more and smaller polygons to make the object's surface smoother. Two new schemes for triangular meshes extend and combine existing schemes to improve the process and its results.
RAGE: A New Target for the Prevention and Treatment of the Vascular and Inflammatory Complications of Diabetes

Although the underlying causes of hyperglycemia are multiple, a common thread associated with high levels of blood sugar is the development of a range of vascular and inflammatory complications that might seriously limit the quality and duration of life in affected individuals. Despite multiple aggressive efforts to prevent complications, diabetes remains the leading disease consuming healthcare dollars in the USA. This review focuses on the role of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) and their interaction with their signal-transduction AGE receptor (RAGE), in vascular and inflammatory cell perturbation and the chronic activation that underlies diabetes. Our studies provide mechanistic insights into complications within the macrovasculature and those ensuing from an exaggerated host response to invading bacteria, and suggest that blockade of RAGE might provide a potent and safe strategy for the prevention of complications that typify long-term diabetes.
Optimal FGMs, and Plain Awful Composites

The worst possible mechanical performance of a composite material of given composition is attained for a homogeneous distribution of the second phase. This conclusion is reached upon analyzing the St. Venaut problem (extension, torsion, bending, flexure) for a wide class of FGMs in this communication. With opportunities for optimization in full view, the problem of FGM optimization is then addressed in the context of the thermoelastic response of bi-phase, anisotropic layers.
Multifunctional carbon nanotube–epoxy composites for thermal energy management:

This paper reports development and thermal characterization of tin-capped vertically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotube array composites for thermal energy management in load-bearing structural applications. Three-omega voltage measurements are used to characterize thermal conductivity in the vertically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotube-epoxy composites as well as in its individual constituents, i.e. bulk epon-862 (matrix) and tin thin film in the temperature range 240K-300K, and in individual multiwalled carbon nanotubes at room temperature taken from the same vertically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotube batch as the one used to fabricate the carbon nanotube-epoxy composites. A 1-D multi- layer thermal model that includes effects of thermal interface resistance is developed to interpret the experimental results. The thermal conductivity of the carbon nanotube-epoxy composite is estimated to be � 5.8W/m-K and exhibits a slight increase in the temperature range of 240K to 300K. The study suggests that morphological structure/quality of the individual multiwalled carbon nanotubes as well as thin tin capping layer are dominating factors that control the overall thermal conductivity of the thermal interface materials. These results are encouraging in light of the fact that thermal conductivity of a vertically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotube array can be increased by an order of magnitude by using a standard high-temperature post-annealing step. In this way, multifunctional (load bearing) thermal interface materials with effective through-thickness thermal conductivities as high as 25W/m-K can potentially be fabricated.
Molecular prospecting for cryptic species of nematodes: mitochondrial DNA versus internal transcribed spacer

DNA sequence divergence at internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS-1 and ITS-2) was compared with divergence at mitochondrial cox1 or nad4 loci in pairs of congeneric nematode species. Mitochondrial sequences accumulate substitutions much more quickly than internal transcribed spacer, the difference being most striking in the most closely related species pairs. Thus, mitochondrial DNA may be the best choice for applications in which one is using sequence data on small numbers of individuals to search for potential cryptic species. On the other hand, internal transcribed spacer remains an excellent tool for DNA diagnostics (quickly distinguishing between known species) owing to its lower level of intraspecific polymorphism.
An efficient burst-arrival and batch-departure algorithm for round-robin service

Abstract Simulations of CPU scheduling or waiting-line models that involve a server dispersing shared service quanta across jobs can require significant processing time, especially when simulations are supported by thread-based systems. To effect a reduction in simulation time we reduce the number of scheduled events, without affecting simulation results. We present an algorithm for such enhanced round-robin service in discrete-event simulation and implement and test it on a threads-based simulator. The algorithm predicts potential job departures and schedules them in advance, using cancellation and rescheduling when necessary. We generalize and improve upon a previous approach in which a single arrival and a single departure event is handled at a time. While the prior proposal offered a run-time complexity of O(n2), the new algorithm accomplishes this in time O(n log n). Further, the generalization also accommodates burst arrivals and batch departures with the reduced time complexity. Empirical results are presented to compare performance with previously proposed algorithms.
When performance and instructional technologists talk: Dialogue about impact, change and personal growth

Presentation delivered to the Australian Institute of Training and Development on July 15, 1991.
Rapid storage and retrieval of genomic intervals from a relational database system using nested containment lists

Efficient storage and retrieval of genomic annotations based on range intervals is necessary, given the amount of data produced by next-generation sequencing studies. The indexing strategies of relational database systems (such as MySQL) greatly inhibit their use in genomic annotation tasks. This has led to the development of stand-alone applications that are dependent on flat-file libraries. In this work, we introduce MyNCList, an implementation of the NCList data structure within a MySQL database. MyNCList enables the storage, update and rapid retrieval of genomic annotations from the convenience of a relational database system. Range-based annotations of 1 million variants are retrieved in under a minute, making this approach feasible for whole-genome annotation tasks. Database URL: https://github.com/bushlab/mynclist
Anesthetic considerations for valve replacement surgery in a patient with carcinoid syndrome

HE CARCINOID syndrome presents unique challenges in the management of anesthesia during surgical intervention for palliation or cure. Due to improvements in medical therapy, patients are sutviving longer and are undergoing more complicated procedures including cardiac surgery. The syndrome was first described in 1954’ and consists of a constellation of symptoms including flushing, diarrhea, bronchospasm, weight loss, abdominal pain, and right-sided valvular lesions (usually tricuspid regurgitation and pulmonic stenosis), which may lead to congestive heart failure. Carcinoid tumors are quitc rare, with a reported incidence of 8 in lOO,OCO.* Liver metastases or connection of the tumor to the systemic vcnous drainage is rcquired for thc manifcstations of the syndrome, which are believed to rcsult from thc release of hormonal mediators from tumor cells. The tumors can produce a variety of substances including serotonin, histamine, kallikrein, prostaglandins, and several others.3 During an attack of flushing. severe hypotension and bronchospasm may occur that are resistant to usual modes of therapy.4.5 A patient is described who underwent tricuspid and pulmonicvalve replacement, which illustrates newer modalitics in the management of carcinoid syndrome. This is the first rcported case in which a combination of high-dose aprotinin and octreotide acetate infusion was used with transesophageal echocardiography during successful valve rcplaccmcnt surgcry for carcinoid heart diseasc.
Performance analysis tools applied to a finite element adaptive mesh free boundary seepage parallel algorithm

Abstract A finite element, adaptive mesh, free surface seepage parallel algorithm is studied using performance analysis tools in order to optimize its performance. The physical problem being solved is a free boundary seepage problem which is nonlinear and whose free surface is unknown a priori. A fixed domain formulation of the problem is discretized and the parallel solution algorithm is of successive over-relaxation type. During the iteration process there is message-passing of data between the processors in order to update the calculations along the interfaces of the decomposed domains. A key theoretical aspect of the approach is the application of a projection operator onto the positive solution domain. This operation has to be applied at each iteration at each computational point. The VAMPIR and PARAVER performance analysis software are used to analyze and understand the execution behavior of the parallel algorithm such as: communication patterns, processor load balance, computation versus communication ratios, timing characteristics, and processor idle time. This is all done by displays of post-mortem trace-files. Performance bottlenecks can easily be identified at the appropriate level of detail. This will numerically be demonstrated using example test data and comparisons of software capabilities that will be made using the Blue Horizon parallel computer at the San Diego Supercomputer Center.
Design of 2-D multiplierless IIR filters using the genetic algorithm

When digital filters are designed with power-of-two coefficients, the multiplications can be implemented by simple shifting operations. For VLSI implementations, multiplierless filters are faster and more compact than filters with multipliers. In this paper, the genetic algorithm (GA) is used to design two-dimensional (2-D) IIR multiplierless filters. The 2-D filter is designed to have periodically shift variant (PSV) coefficients. This increases the degrees of freedom for the multiplierless coefficients so that a better approximation can be achieved. The design involves finding the impulse response of the 2-D PSV filter in closed form and then using the GA to find the filter coefficients. Two different types of GA are used, namely, the Binary-GA and the Integer-GA. Some design examples are presented to illustrate the results.
A porphyrin-stabilized iridium oxide water oxidation catalyst

Colloidal solutions of iridium oxide hydrate (IrO2·nH2O) were formed using porphyrin stabilizers bearing malonate-like functional groups at each of the four meso positions of the porphyrin ring. Cy...
Feedback cooling of a one-electron oscillator

A one-electron oscillator is cooled from 5.2 K to 850 mK using electronic feedback. Novel quantum jump thermometry reveals a Boltzmann distribution of oscillator energies and directly measures the corresponding temperature. The ratio of electron temperature and damping rate (also directly measured) is observed to be a fluctuation-dissipation invariant, independent of feedback gain, as predicted for noiseless feedback. The sharply reduced linewidth that results from feedback cooling illustrates the likely importance for improved fundamental measurements and symmetry tests.
SINGLE BOOK REVIEWS

Prisoners of Freedom: Rights and the African Poor. Harri Englund. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2006. 247 pp.
The (p,π−) reaction and Δ++ components of nuclei

Abstract The use of the (p, π − ) reaction as a probe to determine Δ ++ (1232) components of nuclear wave functions is examined within the framework of a model which treats baryon resonances on the same footing as nucleons. Nuclear structure properties which affect the Δ -probability are discussed. Estimates of cross sections, at several energies, are made for the Δ ++ transfer contribution as well as for the competing processes: proton charge exchange (p, n) followed by an (n, π − ) reaction; emission of a π 0 followed by pion charge exchange (π − , π 0 ) . Even with Δ-probabilities as small as 0.0001 the Δ-transfer process can compete with ordinary background charge-exchange reactions.
Estimates of the thermal conductivity and the thermoelectric properties of PbTiO 3 from first principles

The lattice thermal conductivity (${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{\mathrm{L}}$) of ${\mathrm{PbTiO}}_{3}$ is estimated using a combination of ab initio calculations and the semiclassical Boltzmann transport equation. The computed ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{\mathrm{L}}$ is remarkably low, nearly comparable with the ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{\mathrm{L}}$ of good thermoelectric materials such as PbTe. In addition, a semiclassical analysis of the electronic transport quantities is presented, which suggests excellent thermoelectric properties, with a figure of merit $zT$ well over 1 for a wide range of temperatures. For thermoelectric applications, the ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{\mathrm{L}}$ could be further reduced by utilizing different morphologies and compositions.
Viability Assessment of the Use of Ground Tire Rubber (GTR) as a Modifier in Asphalt Binders

The total number of generated scrap automobile tires in the U.S. exceeds 300 million per year, which is roughly one scrap tire per person. Improper disposal of these scrap tires is a major concern to environmental protection agencies as they become a nuisance for public health and the environment. The objective of the present study is to assess the viability of the use of scrap tires in the form of ground tire rubber (GTR) in preparing new asphalt mixes. To this end, this study evaluated a commonly used performance graded (PG) asphalt binder (PG 64-22 marketed as PG 67-22) modified with different amounts (0%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by the weight of the binder) of two different graded GTR samples (Mesh #30 and Mesh #40). The blended GTR-modified binder or asphalt rubber (AR) samples were then investigated through a series of laboratory tests that included Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) imaging, Standard Penetration, Rotational Viscometer (RV), Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR), and a moisture susceptibility test via the Sessile Drop (SD) method. The FTIR analysis revealed the presence of alkanes, alkyl halides, carboxylic acids, etc. in the PG 64-22 binder, whereas the GTR-modified binders exhibited various amines and nitro compounds. The AFM image analysis showed that there were ‘bee-like’ structures in the PG 64-22 binder, and GTR-modification densified the ‘bee-like’ structures, indicating an additional concentration of Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) and/or Styrene-Butadiene-Rubber (SBR) in the GTR-modified binder. Penetration, RV, and DSR test results showed that GTR addition increased stiffness and rutting resistance of the base binder. Moisture susceptibility analysis showed that the addition of GTR increased the surface free energy, cohesive energy, and aggregate compatibility, which are desired for improved moisture resistance. Based on the findings of this study, GTR is found to be a viable modifier for asphalt binders.
Thorough debridement under endoscopic visualization with bone grafting and stabilization for femoral head osteonecrosis in children.

BACKGROUND Osteonecrosis of the femoral head has become increasingly common after steroid therapy and as a consequence of improved survival in children with sickle cell anemia and leukemia. Multiple operative and nonoperative treatments have been explored in the pediatric patient population, and core decompression is a relatively safe and possibly effective option. To optimize core decompression further, we have tested a new technique involving thorough decompression of the osteonecrotic zone under endoscopic visualization (TDEV) combined with cancellous bone grafting and stabilization with a nail plate device. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 16 hips in 13 patients (< or =20 years old) with femoral head osteonecrosis related to steroid treatment, sickle cell anemia, or leukemia. The Steinberg classification system was used to classify all cases. Each patient underwent TDEV, bone grafting, and stabilization of the grafting site. Patients were followed up postoperatively for changes in pain level, functional ability, and Steinberg radiologic stage. RESULTS The mean follow-up was 28 months (range, 18-49 months). All patients in whom the procedure was successful had improvement in pain symptoms at latest follow-up, except for 1. Radiologically, all Steinberg stage II cases (B and C), except for 1, demonstrated good incorporation of graft without further progression of disease. Seven of the 8 patients that showed radiologic progression and deterioration of function or progressive symptoms had grade IIIB disease or higher at the time of procedure. CONCLUSIONS Our initial results demonstrate that TDEV combined with cancellous bone grafting and stabilization produces encouraging early results for pediatric patients with lesions graded lower than Steinberg stage IIIB. Our findings were less optimistic for patients with higher-grade lesions. Our recommendation, therefore, is to use TDEV by trained surgeons for treatment of early-stage lesions, preferably less than Steinberg stage IIIB. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV, Therapeutic Study.
The quasi-static stress field around a fractured well bore

Multiple fractures created around a well bore can enhance the oil and gas productivity of the fractured well. Recent analyses have shown that if the rate of pressure loading used to induce fracture is sufficiently high, the resulting plastic flow and elastic rebound can set up a “cage” of highly compressive residual stress around the borehole which effectively prohibits crack growth into the formation. The present analysis considers the lower end of the loading rate spectrum and shows that for pressure loading rates sufficiently low so that quasi-static conditions prevail, an initial crack opening under pressure creates highly compressive circumferential stresses around the well bore and the clamping effect of these stresses prohibits additional crack initiation. The existence of these theoretical upper and lower bounds on loading rates to create multiple fractures in well boreholes has been experimentally demonstrated for at least one geologic formation.
Teaching Students to Learn IDEA: The Impact of Learner Attitudes

Technology is pervasive every profession. Successful professionals must be able to learn new technologies throughout their careers. Students who learn new technologies as part of a college curriculum are more equipped to meet this challenge; this effect is enhanced if the technologies learned in college are used in the student’s future profession. However, some students learn course-specific technologies more easily than others. Our study investigates accounting students who learn the auditing software IDEA. While prior research has shown that technology acceptance and aptitude for learning technology both are relevant to technology adoption decisions of organizations, prior research has not applied these models to teaching and learning professional-level technology. We found that technology acceptance and self-perceptions of the ability to learn had significant impacts on students’ achievement with the new technology. When students believed their aptitude for learning technology was higher, they showed higher achievement in using IDEA.
Hypophosphatasia: Review of Bone Mineral Metabolism, Pathophysiology, Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare, inherited form of rickets or osteomalacia due to reduced activity of tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) caused by a loss of function mutation in the TNSALP gene marked by a low serum alkaline phosphatase. The ratio of PPi to Pi is crucial in the mineralization process. This process is regulated by the interaction of three phosphatases present in matrix vesicles: the mineralization promotors TNSALP and phosphatase orphan 1 (PHOSPHO1) and the mineralization inhibitor nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase-1 (NPP1). HPP is seen worldwide affecting all races. The broad-ranging clinical severity of HPP is correlated to the pattern of inheritance and degree of TNSALP activity, with lower levels of activity seen in the more severe autosomal recessive forms. HPP is marked by compromise of phase 2 hydroxyapatite crystal formation beyond the matrix vesicle resulting in skeletal hypomineralization, spontaneous fractures, tooth loss, and chondrocalcinosis. The major forms in declining order of severity include the following: perinatal, infantile, childhood, and adult HPP in addition to OdontoHPP and benign prenatal HPP. Biochemistry typically reveals a low serum alkaline phosphatase and elevated alkaline substrates such as pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (PLP) and phosphoethanolamine (PEA). Asfotase alfa, a recent novel enzyme replacement therapy for the treatment of HPP, has transformed this once lethal disease to one that is less severe.
Secure VPN Using Mobile IPv6 Based Moving Target Defense

In this paper, we introduce MVPN, a framework for building secure Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) with a novel Mobile IPv6 based Moving Target Defense strategy. Our approach aids in combating remote attacks against a VPN server. By eliminating the static address of the server, we make it difficult for an attacker to find the server. The server''s address is randomly changed at a certain interval creating a moving target. At the same time, authenticated clients are updated through the use of the Binding Update procedure (standard Mobile IPv6 protocol). One key strength of this approach lies in the fact that the clients do not need to make any changes or use special software. Our testbed experiments show low packet-loss rates that may occur due to the handoff delay.
A solar simulator for the Renewable Energy instruction laboratory

A solar simulator has been designed, built and characterized for the purpose of laboratory testing of Solar Panels. The solar simulator has been developed using off the shelf Xenon, Halogen and LED bulbs. The light bulbs were organized in such a way so that they approximate the luminous intensity and the spectrum of the sun. The solar simulator is intended to be used by students for the Renewable Energy Laboratory as a controllable indoor test equipment under laboratory conditions for characterizing and testing solar panels. The use of Xenon, Halogen and LED bulbs allows the students to compare the spectrum differences between these light modules and how that affects the characteristics of the solar panel. A control system was attached to the light modules to control the light intensity of the modules. A measurement unit was also attached to the system for plotting the IV characteristics and determining the solar panel parameters (open circuit voltage V, short circuit current I, maximum power point I and V).
Buffet-Onset Constraint Formulation for Aerodynamic Shape Optimization

High-fidelity computational modeling and optimization of aircraft configurations have the potential to enable engineers to create more efficient designs that require fewer unforeseen modifications ...
Sub-Selective Quantization for Learning Binary Codes in Large-Scale Image Search

Recently with the explosive growth of visual content on the Internet, large-scale image search has attracted intensive attention. It has been shown that mapping high-dimensional image descriptors to compact binary codes can lead to considerable efficiency gains in both storage and performing similarity computation of images. However, most existing methods still suffer from expensive training devoted to large-scale binary code learning. To address this issue, we propose a sub-selection based matrix manipulation algorithm, which can significantly reduce the computational cost of code learning. As case studies, we apply the sub-selection algorithm to several popular quantization techniques including cases using linear and nonlinear mappings. Crucially, we can justify the resulting sub-selective quantization by proving its theoretic properties. Extensive experiments are carried out on three image benchmarks with up to one million samples, corroborating the efficacy of the sub-selective quantization method in terms of image retrieval.
Management of Childhood Obesity and Overweight in Primary Care Visits: Gaps Between Recommended Care and Typical Practice

There are many barriers that impact a physician’s ability to adhere to guidelines for the management of childhood overweight and obesity in the context of routine primary care visits. We reviewed current evidence on recommendations, guidelines, and interventions to address well-known barriers to effective management of childhood overweight and obesity. Intervention-based studies evaluating programs and treatment/screening options within primary care settings have shown positive outcomes for treatment of childhood overweight/obesity. However, the most effective programs are predominantly larger scale, time consuming, multidisciplinary efforts that are offered separately from the traditional primary care office visit. Despite the existence of effective multidisciplinary interventions to treat childhood overweight and obesity, challenges in adopting these interventions within primary care visits continue to limit the impact primary care providers have on the prevention and treatment of pediatric obesity. Few programs and curriculums exist to help primary care providers effectively discuss lifestyle changes within the context of a regular clinical visit. Further research and education curriculum in physician training needs to be developed to address these gaps between recommended care and typical practice.