cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adapting to BAPCPA

Consumer bankruptcy and its practice still exist, despite the 2005 Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA), which could have been a catastrophe for the system. As part of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges’ Symposium, BAPCPA at 10, this Article presents data from interviews I conducted with fifty-three consumer bankruptcy attorneys about BAPCPA, and a significant minority of my interviewees described fearing the worst. Some of their fears materialized, but many did not. And in general, the sky did not fall on bankrupt consumers or their attorneys. This Article begins answering the question of how consumer bankruptcy survived. The attorneys I interviewed employed a few key strategies to adapt to BAPCPA. These included deploying technology, developing thorough processes and procedures, delving into learning the then-new law, and investing in staff. The overall picture that emerged was one of lawyers doing whatever it took to make their practices work. In addition, other system actors played key roles. Judicial interpretations of provisions such as the limited stay for repeat filers and the new attorney sanctions mitigated BAPCPA’s potential damage. The United States Trustee decision to allow a new type of credit counseling to emerge and a lack of enforcement regarding the “debt relief agency” provisions contributed as well.But my findings are not all positive. Not only did the cumulative effect of BAPCPA’s procedural barriers drive up attorney fees, but the attorneys’ adaptations also contributed to the steep increases. And recent research suggests that increased access costs may be exerting downward pressure on the number of consumer bankruptcy cases — not only immediately after BAPCPA’s enactment but also during the high-filing years of the financial crisis and those that followed. Now that additional factors are depressing filings, the attorneys in my study are experiencing a loss of business. A few are in dire straits. Should the low-filings trend continue, BAPCPA’s long-term effect may, in fact, be the decimation of consumer bankruptcy practice, a development that would significantly harm the bankruptcy system and the struggling consumers it serves.
Bilateral Periventricular Nodular Heterotopia

Two unrelated boys, ages 8 and 5 years, with a syndrome of bilateral periventricular nodular heterotopia (BPNH), regional cortical dysplasia, mild mental retardation, and frontonasal malformation (FNM) are reported from the Instituto di Neuropsychiatria Infantile, University of Pisa, Italy, and the Institute of Human Genetics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN.
“Somos Asiáticos”: Asian Americans, Latinos, and Hispanics of Asian ancestry

This essay seeks to challenge persistent readings of US race relations as being a contest between black and white. It reasserts the vitality and undeniable importance of Asian Americans and Latino/as (themselves harboring considerable Native American ancestry in their heritage) as the two fastest-growing minority populations in the country. Asian-Hispanic connections run the gamut from historical, economic, political, and cultural ties to collaborations in the arts and intermarriage. These intergroup relations have neither been wholly cooperative nor wholly adversarial given the immense variety of identities involved. This discussion aims to introduce a number of points of shared impact and concern, projecting a future of greater and more complex interactions.
Optical Metrology Systems Spanning the Full Spatial Frequency Spectrum

We present a collection of unique, collaborative, optical metrology systems that are fully capable of measuring the extensive spectrum of low-to-mid-to-high spatial frequencies, corresponding to surface shape information.
Alluvial Roughness in Streams with Dunes: A Boundary-Layer Approach

The motion of sediment and development of bed forms in natural rivers still constitute intriguing phenomena that always challenge engineers and researchers involved in a variety of problems including river hydraulics and other geophysical and environmental flows. Resistance to flow in alluvial streams has been widely investigated. Since the pioneer work of Exner [12] and, later, Einstein and Barbarossa [8], the profound effects of movable sediments on the flow structure have been recognized as relevant in order to determine the nature of flow resistance (Kennedy [21]; Yalin [40]; Vanoni [36]; Garcia and Parker [14]). This paper presents a simple methodology, based on energy balance, to compute the components of the total shear stress (grain and form-drag) acting on a uniform, two-dimensional flow over fully developed dunes. The method considers mainly an analysis of spatially-averaged (over several dune wavelengths) shear stress distributions. Then, boundary-layer theory is used in order to find an equivalent turbulent-wall-shear flow for the actual spatially-averaged flow over dunes and to derive a characteristic roughness length for the logarithmic velocity distribution above the dunes. The corresponding roughness function that also appears in the logarithmic velocity profile is also investigated and related to dimensionless sediment transport parameters. Alluvial roughness is found to be a function of a single parameter which includes the total Shields stress, a particle Reynolds number, and the ratio between flow depth and sediment diameter.
Predicting MOOC performance with Week 1 Behavior

Prior studies on Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) suggest that there is a significant decrease in student participation after one week of instruction [8]. This paper uses a combination of students’ Week 1 assignment performance and social interaction within the MOOC to predict their final performance in the course. The study also examines the role external incentives in final MOOC performance. Using logistic regression as a classifier, we are able to predict the probability of students earning certificates for completion of the MOOC, as well as the type of certificate (i.e. Distinction and Normal) earned, with high accuracy.
A practical congestion attack on tor using long paths

In 2005, Murdoch and Danezis demonstrated the first practical congestion attack against a deployed anonymity network. They could identify which relays were on a target Tor user's path by building paths one at a time through every Tor relay and introducing congestion. However, the original attack was performed on only 13 Tor relays on the nascent and lightly loaded Tor network. We show that the attack from their paper is no longer practical on today's 1500-relay heavily loaded Tor network. The attack doesn't scale because a) the attacker needs a tremendous amount of bandwidth to measure enough relays during the attack window, and b) there are too many false positives now that many other users are adding congestion at the same time as the attacks. We then strengthen the original congestion attack by combining it with a novel bandwidth amplification attack based on a flaw in the Tor design that lets us build long circuits that loop back on themselves. We show that this new combination attack is practical and effective by demonstrating a working attack on today's deployed Tor network. By coming up with a model to better understand Tor's routing behavior under congestion, we further provide a statistical analysis characterizing how effective our attack is in each case.
On not making up one’s own mind

In believing or acting on authority, an agent appears to believe or act without making up her own mind about what is the case or what to do. How is this possible? How can an agent make up her mind about a theoretical or practical question, and so believe or act intentionally, without doing so for herself? This paper argues that the standard account available in the literature of how it is that an agent can make up her mind without doing so for herself, an account framed in terms of Joseph Raz’s notion of preemptive reasons, fails to adequately distinguish our rational dependence on other agents from reliance on ordinary instruments. It then offers an alternative account of what it is to make up one’s mind without doing so for oneself, one that focuses on the way in which the kind of rational responsibility that accrues to instances of settling a theoretical or practical question can be interpersonally distributed between agents and authorities.
Low colonic absorption drugs: risks and opportunities in the development of oral extended release products.

Introduction: Currently numerous drugs have been observed with lower colonic absorption than small intestine absorption, which can significantly impact in vivo performance of their oral extended re...
The Economics of the Atlantic Slave Trade

Trout J. Rader III is an economist with an impressive range. He is unique among mathematical economists in terms of his interests in the Protestant ethic1 and in the economics of feudalism and slavery, 2 and unique among development economists in terms of his reliance on rigorous economic theory and in the importance he gives to purely technical issues such as, for example, the differentiability of solutions to general optimization problems and to the properties of preference relations.3 As such, his work can be looked on and admired from many angles. In this essay, I follow Trout Rader the development economist, and taking Chapter 2 of his book on The Economics of Feudalism as an example and guide, propose a model of the Atlantic slave trade. The methodology behind my work can be stated best in Rader’s own words.
The Evaluation and Pay of Faculty

The determinants of faculty pay have been studied extensively over the past decade.1 A special interest of researchers, most of whom are themselves professors, has been the relative importance of publications, teaching effectiveness, and administrative duties in determining the salaries of professors. As may be expected, economists have been particularly active in this research area.
Are women business owners authentic servant leaders

The study of women business founders provides an opportunity to determine their unique leadership characteristics. Starting a business may be a way for women business owners to be authentic and create more people-centered businesses. Servant leadership’s gender integrative attributes where both agentic and communal behaviors are valued may be more congruent and reflective of the leadership behaviors of women entrepreneurs. Recently, the motivation of compassionate love was theorized to be an antecedent to servant leadership and, it is argued, exists in conjunction with authenticity. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate compassionate love, authenticity and servant leadership and determine whether they exist in the behaviors of founding female business owners.,This qualitative research study used summative content analysis of telephone interviews conducted with 12 women business owners of professional service firms in four US states to determine whether these women’s motivations, traits and behaviors were consistent with the compassionate love servant leadership model and whether authenticity was the cornerstone of servant leadership.,The analyses found that these women revealed a strong authenticity orientation as they enacted a compassionate love servant leadership style within their businesses. Themes that emerged from the study were agency, calling, humility, trust and respect, self-development, stewardship, authenticity and providing direction. The study revealed support for some of the characteristics associated with compassionate love servant leadership and two characteristics which were unique to this study.,As a qualitative study of 12 individuals, these findings may not be generalizable beyond the four US states of professional service enterprises of women business founders. Future research should test the full servant leadership model of women business owners on a larger group of business founders and the sub-themes where little support exists.,The more gender integrative style of compassionate love servant leadership may be beneficial for women owners to employ as business leaders.,This research revealed support for a variation of compassionate love servant leadership model. The resulting servant leadership model herein was a mixture of agentic and communal leadership motivations, traits and behaviors useful to women business founders. Behaviors of authenticity were found to complement compassionate love. These women were able to extend the boundaries of what it means to be a leader and incorporate behaviors associated with both their gender and leadership roles, thus expanding their ability to successfully empower and equip themselves to navigate barriers unique to women leaders.
Methodology research on determination of total arsenic in foods by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry based on collided reaction cell technology with microwave digestion

Objective To establish a method for determination of total arsenic in foods by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry based on collided reaction cell technology with microwave digestion and provide a new reliable method for accurate quantitative analysis of total arsenic in foods.Methods After microwave digestion,the samples were directly determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry based on collided reaction cell technology.Internal standard element of Yttrium(89Y) was used to correct matrix interference and signal drifting,high-performance Xs interface was used to reduce non-mass spectrum interferences,and the collided reaction cell technology (CCT mode) was used to eliminate mass spectrum interferences.Meanwhile,arsenic measurement results were compared with the arbitral method.Results The optima 1 linear range of the method standard curve was 0-40 μg/L with a correlation coefficient of 0.9998.The detection limit of the method,the lowest quantitative limit,the relative standard deviation and the recovery rate were 0.0025 mg/kg,0.082 mg/kg,1.5％-4.2％ and 95.0％-105.0％,respectively.The detection results of the three standard reference materials were satisfactory.Compared with the arbitral method,there was no obvious difference (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The method not only has lower detection limit,but also is simple,fast and more accurate.The results are consistent with those by arbitral method,and the new method is available for accurate quantitative analysis of total arsenic in foods. Key words: Microwave ; ICP-MS; Food; Arsenic
The ApoE locus and COVID-19: are we going where we have been?

The association of ApoE4 as a risk factor in SARS-CoV-2 infections by Kuo et al. J Gerontol is discussed in terms of ApoE allele pleiotropies and potential interactions of neighboring genes on CH19q.13 that also influence risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer disease.
In Search of Stable, High-Spin Polymers

Oligomers of poly(thiophene) and poly(ortho-phenyleneethynylene) having pendant S = 1/2 semiquinone radicals (as complexes of cobalt(III)) have been prepared and characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and magnetic measurements (superconducting quantum interferences device = SQUID magnetometry). Our results show that exchange coupling of semiquinone groups along a polythiophene backbone is greater than the corresponding coupling along a poly(ortho-phenyleneethynylene) backbone.
Analytic description of the motion of a trapped ion in an even or odd squeezed state

Abstract A completely analytic description is given of the motion of a trapped ion which is in either an even or an odd squeezed state. A comparison is made with recent results on the even or odd coherent states, and possible experimental work is discussed.
Visions of Glory: The Civil War in Word and Image, by Kathleen Diffley and Benjamin Fagan: U of Georgia P, 2020.

The Civil War Caucus is a group of fearless and creative literary scholars who meet annually at the Midwest Modern Language Association and champion all attempts to look at the Civil War Era with f...
Association of lymph node yield with overall survival in patients with pathologically node negative prostate cancer

Abstract We investigated the association between lymph node yield (LNY) with overall survival (OS) and post-radical prostatectomy (RP) secondary treatments among men with pathologically node negative (pN0) prostate cancer. We reviewed the National Cancer Database for men with Gleason Grade Group 2 or higher prostate cancer treated with RP and had pathologically node-negative disease. LNY was modeled as a continuous and categorical variable grouped by quartiles of LNY. Secondary treatment was defined as the use of radiation or systemic therapy post-RP. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression models were used to test for an association of LNY with OS and secondary treatments, respectively. We identified 89,416 men with pN0 prostate cancer treated with RP from 2010-2015. LNY was associated with improved OS when modeled as a categorical and continuous variable. The third (6-9 nodes) and fourth (≥10 nodes) quartiles of LNY were associated with improved OS (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.79-0.96, P = 0.006 and HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.79-0.98, P= 0.017, respectively) when compared with the lowest quartile of LNY (≤3 nodes) and the hazard of death decreased by 1% for each benign lymph node removed (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.99, P= 0.022). Additionally, categorical and continuous LNY was associated with significantly less use of post-RP secondary treatments. Removal of additional negative lymph nodes was associated with improved OS and less secondary treatments in patients with pN0 prostate cancer. These data suggest that removing a higher quantity of lymph nodes provides more accurate staging and prognosis.
Improving the Timing of Laboratory Studies in Hospitalized Children: A Quality Improvement Study

OBJECTIVES For hospitalized children and their families, laboratory study collection at night and in the early morning interrupts sleep and increases the stress of a hospitalization. To change this practice, our quality improvement (QI) study developed a rounding checklist aimed at increasing the percentage of routine laboratory studies ordered for and collected after 7 am. METHODS Our QI study was conducted on the pediatric hospital medicine service at a single-site urban children’s hospital over 28 months. Medical records from 420 randomly selected pediatric inpatients were abstracted, and 5 plan-do-study-act cycles were implemented during the intervention. Outcome measures included the percentage of routine laboratory studies ordered for and collected after 7 am. The process measure was use of the rounding checklist. Run charts were used for analysis. RESULTS The percentage of laboratory studies ordered for after 7 am increased from a baseline median of 25.8% to a postintervention median of 75.0%, exceeding our goal of 50% and revealing special cause variation. In addition, the percentage of laboratory studies collected after 7 am increased from a baseline median of 37.1% to 76.4% post intervention, with special cause variation observed. CONCLUSIONS By implementing a rounding checklist, our QI study successfully increased the percentage of laboratory studies ordered for and collected after 7 am and could serve as a model for other health care systems to impact provider ordering practices and behavior. In future initiatives, investigators should evaluate the effects of similar interventions on caregiver and provider perceptions of patient- and family-centeredness, satisfaction, and the quality of patient care.
Predicting mortality risk for preterm infants using deep learning models with time-series vital sign data

Mortality remains an exceptional burden of extremely preterm birth. Current clinical mortality prediction scores are calculated using a few static variable measurements, such as gestational age, birth weight, temperature, and blood pressure at admission. While these models do provide some insight, numerical and time-series vital sign data are also available for preterm babies admitted to the NICU and may provide greater insight into outcomes. Computational models that predict the mortality risk of preterm birth in the NICU by integrating vital sign data and static clinical variables in real time may be clinically helpful and potentially superior to static prediction models. However, there is a lack of established computational models for this specific task. In this study, we developed a novel deep learning model, DeepPBSMonitor (Deep Preterm Birth Survival Risk Monitor), to predict the mortality risk of preterm infants during initial NICU hospitalization. The proposed deep learning model can effectively integrate time-series vital sign data and fixed variables while resolving the influence of noise and imbalanced data. The proposed model was evaluated and compared with other approaches using data from 285 infants. Results showed that the DeepPBSMonitor model outperforms other approaches, with an accuracy, recall, and AUC score of 0.888, 0.780, and 0.897, respectively. In conclusion, the proposed model has demonstrated efficacy in predicting the real-time mortality risk of preterm infants in initial NICU hospitalization.
Understanding the association between material hardship and posttraumatic stress disorder: a test of the social selection and social causation hypotheses and an exploration of gender differences.

There is a well-established association between poverty and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, little research has tested the temporality of the association. Using data from Waves IV (2008; N = 14,800) and V (2016–2018; N = 10,685) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, we examined temporal associations between material hardship (a specific operationalization of poverty) and PTSD, as well as assessed for potential gender differences in associations. We conducted logistic regression and generalized structural equation modeling to examine associations between material hardship and PTSD and assess for mediation and moderation by gender. Prior PTSD diagnoses were associated with an increased likelihood of material hardship (OR = 1.64; 95% CI 1.21, 2.21). The indirect effect of gender on material hardship through PTSD diagnoses was significant. Prior material hardship was associated with an increased likelihood of PTSD diagnoses (OR = 1.81; 95% CI 1.35, 2.42). The indirect effect of gender on PTSD diagnoses through material hardship was significant. There was no evidence of moderation by gender for either association. Results suggest reciprocal associations between material hardship and PTSD. Economic policies, as well as improved access to evidence-based PTSD treatments, may reduce the burden of both material hardships and PTSD.
What is the LCOE of residential solar + battery in the face on increasingly complex utlity rate plans?

Electric utility rate plans are becoming more complex, making it increasingly difficult to calculate the cost of electricity for residential users. This masks the costs and benefits of residential solar and solar + batteries and sends incorrect price signals to consumers. To our knowledge, the impacts of the costs of complex rate plans on the LCOE of solar and batteries for residential consumers has not been calculated and presented. This paper calculates the LCOE for combinations of solar and batteries, including no solar and/or batteries, examining the impact of effects such as time of use and demand charges.The key results are that more complex rate plans show little economic benefit for solar and battery users and continue to exacerbate the problems (commonly referred to as the "duck curve") which is often given as the main roadblock to renewable expansion. These results are primarily due to electricity charges not directly related to overall energy use. There is an increasing component of fixed charges (either solar-related or applicable to all users), such that reducing the electricity usage from the grid with lower-cost solar electricity does not substantially reduce overall LCOE. These fixed charges also substantially increase the LCOE for smaller electrical loads, in some cases nearly doubling it. The second type of electricity charge giving high rates is a demand charge. For demand charges, eliminating every peak is not feasible, such that the charges from the utility are essentially constant. In addition to discouraging the use of solar, these plans negatively impact the utility, as batteries in residential systems have a beneficial impact on both consumers and utilities, enabling reductions in electricity use during early evening by more than 80%.
RECENT COAST GUARD RESEARCH INTO VESSEL STABILITY

The purpose of this paper is to give an overall view of what the U.S. Coast Guard is doing in the area of intact stability criteria for merchant vessels. The paper will show the development of present criteria, some of the problems with these criteria, and the research work that is being sponsored by the Coast Guard in this field. The last section of the paper will discuss briefly a computer simulation which was developed by Mr. Bovet. Because this is a status report on current activities, we do not as yet have any startling new conclusions to present. Nevertheless, we feel that a description of the work will be of interest to many.
The evolution of Lowry derivative models

The readings in this chapter all, with one exception, focus on Lowry or Lowry derivative models. The number of applications of these models is rivalled only by those of EMPIRIC. Considered in terms of potential for continued planning application, models of this type, especially when considered in terms of Wilson’s entropy maximizing approach, have no serious rivals.
Neutral Lipids in the Study of Relationships of Members of the Family Micrococcaceae

The organisms studied were those of the family Micrococcaceae which cannot participate in genetic exchange with Micrococcus luteus and those whose biochemical and physiological characteristics appear to bridge the genera Staphylococcus and Micrococcus. The hydrocarbon compositions of M. luteus ATCC 4698 and Micrococcus sp. ATCC 398 were shown to be similar to those previously reported for many M. luteus strains, consisting of isomers of branched monoolefins in the range C25 to C31. However, Micrococcus sp. ATCC 398 differed somewhat by having almost all C29 isomers (approximately 88% of the hydrocarbon composition). Micrococcus spp. ATCC 401 and ATCC 146 and M. roseus strains ATCC 412, ATCC 416, and ATCC 516 contained the same type of hydrocarbon patterns, but the predominant hydrocarbons were within a lower distribution range (C23 to C27), similar to Micrococcus sp. ATCC 533 previously reported. The chromatographic profile and carbon range of the hydrocarbons of an atypical strain designated M. candicans ATCC 8456 differed significantly from the hydrocarbon pattern presented above. The hydrocarbons were identified as branched and normal olefins in the range C16 to C22. Studies of several different strains of staphylococci revealed that these organisms do not contain readily detectable amounts of aliphatic hydrocarbons. The members of the family Micrococcaceae have been divided into two major groups based on the presence or absence of hydrocarbons. With the exception of M. candicans ATCC 8456, this division corresponded to the separation of these organisms according to their deoxyribonucleic acid compositions.
SEPARATION OF AMINES BY LIGAND EXCHANGE. PART III. A COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT CATION EXCHANGERS

Abstract The elution behavior of 4 amines, ethanolamine, diethanolanine, dimethylamine and n -butylamine, was studied on 4 cation-exchange resins and zirconium phosphate, all loaded with nickel ions. Aqueous ammonia was used for clution. Different selectivity orders were found with exchangers of different types. The carboxylic cation-exchange resin gave the sharpest bands, but 2% cross-linked sulfonic resin gave the best separation of these amines.
Network fault tolerance in LA-MPI

LA-MPI is a high-performance, network-fault-tolerant implementation of MPI designed for terascale clusters that are inherently unreliable due to their very large number of system components and to trade-offs between cost and performance. This paper reviews the architectural design of LA-MPI, focusing on our approach to guaranteeing data integrity. We discuss our network data path abstraction that makes LA-MPI highly portable, gives high-performance through message striping, and most importantly provides the basis for network fault tolerance. Finally we include some performance numbers for Quadrics Elan, Myrinet GM and UDP network data paths.
Developing Individualized IEP Goals in the Age of Technology: Quality Challenges and Solutions

Many school districts have adopted commercially available software or templates for electronic Individualized Education Program (IEP) development. These programs have useful features that allow Individualized Education Programs to be electronically developed and reliably stored for each student. Although the program features are designed to enhance efficiency in the development of Individualized Education Program goals and increase compliance with state and federal regulations, there are several challenges to ensuring goals are individualized when using Individualized Education Program goal banks. In this article, the authors discuss the components of quality Individualized Education Program goals, describe challenges teachers face when using electronic goal banks, and make practical recommendations that special education professionals can feasibly implement to ensure electronic Individualized Education Program goals are well written and meet students needs.
Pirate evolution: how to make the most of your traitor keys

We introduce a novel attack concept against trace and revoke schemes called pirate evolution. In this setting, the attacker, called an evolving pirate, is handed a number of traitor keys and produces a number of generations of pirate decoders that are successively disabled by the trace and revoke system. A trace and revoke scheme is susceptible to pirate evolution when the number of decoders that the evolving pirate produces exceeds the number of traitor keys that were at his possession. Pirate evolution can threaten trace and revoke schemes even in cases where both the revocation and traceability properties are ideally satisfied: this is because pirate evolution may enable an attacker to "magnify" an initial key-leakage incident and exploit the traitor keys available to him to produce a great number of pirate boxes that will take a long time to disable. Even moderately successful pirate evolution affects the economics of deployment for a trace and revoke system and thus it is important that it is quantified prior to deployment. In this work, we formalize the concept of pirate evolution and we demonstrate the susceptibility of the trace and revoke schemes of Naor, Naor and Lotspiech (NNL) from Crypto 2001 to an evolving pirate that can produce up to t ċ log N generations of pirate decoders given an initial set of t traitor keys. This is particularly important in the context of AACS, the new standard for high definition DVDs (HD-DVD and Blue-Ray) that employ the subset difference method of NNL: for example using our attack strategy, a pirate can potentially produce more than 300 pirate decoder generations by using only 10 traitor keys, i.e., key-leakage incidents in AACS can be substantially magnified.
Location control for information dissemination

The paper investigates location control for information dissemination, building on our previous work [1] on coverage with information aggregation. In this scenario, information generated in the area needs to be communicated to multiple destinations. The area is partitioned into subregions within which only one node provides service. The main contribution of this work is an algorithm for optimal placement of the nodes. We define the information dissemination density function over the area that combines information generating and information receiving densities. Subsequently, we show that the cost of information dissemination only explicitly depends on information generating and receiving density. Finding the optimal node location for information dissemination is formalized by an optimization problem with respect to the partition of the area and location of all nodes. We analyze the optimality conditions for both the partition and location and explicitly derive the optimal location for all nodes given any partition of the area. We also design a distributed iterative motion control algorithm in discrete time that drives all nodes to an optimal service configuration from any arbitrary initial configuration. We prove that under our control algorithm, the cost function decreases along iterations and converges to a local minimum. Numerical simulations that demonstrate the effectiveness of our motion control algorithm are also provided.
Brain and cognition abnormalities in long-term anabolic-androgenic steroid users

Background Anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use is associated with psychiatric symptoms including increased aggression as well as with cognitive dysfunction. The brain effects of long-term AAS use have not been assessed in humans.
A multiscale component mode synthesis approach for dynamic analysis of nanostructures

SUMMARY A component mode synthesis-based multiscale approach is developed for dynamic analysis of nanostructures. The multiscale approach decomposes a nanostructure into atomistic and continuum regions and employs vibrational modes to connect the regions of different scales, enabling a reflectionless atomistic-to-continuum coupling. Dynamic response of the coupled atomistic and continuum regions is computed concurrently using a common time scale. Numerical results indicate that the multiscale approach has significant condensation and scaling advantages, and it is well suited for modeling and simulation of large and complex systems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inter-DNA Attraction Mediated by Divalent Counterions

Can nonspecifically bound divalent counterions induce attraction between DNA strands? Here, we present experimental evidence demonstrating attraction between short DNA strands mediated by ${\mathrm{Mg}}^{2+}$ ions. Solution small angle x-ray scattering data collected as a function of DNA concentration enable model independent extraction of the second virial coefficient. As the [${\mathrm{Mg}}^{2+}$] increases, this coefficient turns from positive to negative reflecting the transition from repulsive to attractive inter-DNA interaction. This surprising observation is corroborated by independent light scattering experiments. The dependence of the observed attraction on experimental parameters including DNA length provides valuable clues to its origin.
DESKILLING ENGINEERS? THE LABOR PROCESS, LABOR MARKETS, AND LABOR SEGMENTATION*

This article argues that the potential for deskilling expert labor such as engineers can only be understood when the independent importance of labor market segmentation in helping structure the labor process is taken into account. I suggest that engineers are a trusted labor force whose positions depend as much on their character as employees as they do on the demands of the production system per se ; that the patterns of recruitment, training, and promotion of such workers creates career structures which both constrain the organization of work, and mediate between positions and the engineer's experience of them; and, finally, that there are international variations in the selection and training of engineers, and the organization of their labor markets, which create significant differences in the organization of their work.
General characteristics of benthic faunas on the Amazon inner continental shelf with comparison to the shelf off the Changjiang River, East China Sea

Abstract Major patterns of bacteria, meiofauna, and macrobenthos distributions were examined from muddy sediments on the inner continental shelf near the Amazon River. The spatial distributions and functional groupings of the fauna were compared with faunal distributions on the East China Sea shelf off the Changjiang (Yangtze) River and used to assess the impact of long-term, large-scale physical processes on benthic community structure in shelf environments. Both areas are influenced by large discharges of fresh water and suspended solids, and have inner-shelf mud deposits. On the Amazon shelf, macrofauna were generally small in size or absent from highly mobile, muddy sediments on the inner shelf. Significant numbers occurred only in relatively stable sediments offshore or to the south or northeast of the mud belt. Macrobenthos reached greatest densities (3915 m−2) in a general area of firm muddy sediments (Stas 79 and 88) interbedded with sand and burrowed by the ghost shrimp Callianassa sp. At these stations, diversity was greatest, particularly in the dominant polychaete taxon. Macrofauna in the East China Sea, particularly epifaunal species, were reduced in abundance and biomass in inner-shelf areas of most active accumulation near the Changjiang River. However, macrofauna were 50–100 times more abundant (ranging to 10,000 m−2) than at sedimentologically comparable locations on the Amazon shelf. For areas of reduced deposition on the East China Sea shelf, diversity was also greater, with 50 species per sample as opposed to a maximum number of 19 per sample of comparable size on the Amazon shelf. Bacterial and meiofaunal abundances were low nearshore on the Amazon shelf compared with farther offshore or, in the case of meiofauna, other shelf environments. Average bacterial abundances for the top 10 cm of sediments ranged from 1.3 to 21 × 109 g−1 on the Amazon shelf and from 7.1 to 22 × 109 g−1 on the East China Sea shelf. Meiofauna on the Amazon shelf varied from none in the nearshore mobile mud belt to 2045 (10 cm−2) offshore on firm silty clay sediments. These densities compare with 66 (10 cm−2) near the Changjiang River mouth and 4870 (10 cm−2) farther offshore. Nematodes dominate the meiofauna on both shelves. The high degree of physical disturbance and unstable nature of the seabed coupled with reduced detrital food availability in bottom sediments appear to be the major factors limiting faunal abundances, controlling the taxonomic diversity of the meio- and macrofaunal species, and determining the functional groups of macrobenthos on the Amazon inner shelf, and, to a lesser extent on the East China Sea inner shelf.
Enhancing mediastinal mass at MR: Castleman disease.

Abstract We report a case of an enhancing middle mediastinal mass imaged by MR and CT. Repeated nondiagnostic biopsies in this 25-yr-old male patient had resulted in profuse hemorrhage. Final pathological diagnosis after thoracotomy and debulking was Castleman disease. This is a rare, benign lymphoproliferative disorder of uncertain etiology. Histological varieties include the hyaline vascular type (80–90%) and the plasma cell type (10–20%). Cure is generally accomplished via surgical excision. This entity should be included in the differential diagnosis of enhancing mediastinal lesions, prompting awareness of the potential for bleeding complications following biopsy.
Supermode noise spur suppression and frequency comb generation in a 100 MHz semiconductor-based Theta cavity laser using an intra-cavity Fabry-Perot etalon

A Fabry-Perot etalon is inserted into a semiconductor-based laser cavity operating at the chirped pulse amplification regime. The laser output exhibits supermode noise spur suppression and a semiconductor-based optical frequency comb is generated.
Rearing the Oligophagous Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on Meridic Diets without Host Plant Materials

ABSTRACT Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), an oligophagous Opuntia spp. herbivore from South America, has been used successfully as a biological control agent for several invasive Opuntia species around the world. However, its unintentional arrival in Florida raised serious concern over its possible effect on native Opuntia biodiversity and Opuntia-based industries. Development of control tactics to mitigate the threat of this invasive pest to North America relied upon a constant supply of all life stages of this insect species. Therefore, 3 strains of C. cactorum were established in a laboratory insectary and trials were initiated to optimize rearing methods using an artificial diet. Because monophagous or oligophagous lepidopterans may be sensitive to the balance of nutrients and/or the presence of specific feeding cues and because different strains of an oligophagous lepidopteran may respond differently to various meridic diets, we compared the development and survival of 3 strains...
Decomposing a sequence of matrices that differ only in one submatrix

This paper is a development of a project assigned to a graduate class in Numerical Methods in the Fall Semester 1980 at USC. This approach to teaching shows some similarities with the Claremont Mathematics Clinic, see [4].
An update on acne vulgaris.

: Seven important therapeutic measures in managing acne are described, for the treatment of the 7 types of acne. These therapeutic measures are retinoic acid, benzoyl peroxide gel, topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, intralesional corticosteriods, liquid nitrogen and oral corticosteroids.
Individual and aggregate influences on the age at first birth.

This study examines the role of both individual adolescent expectations of market and nonmarket income and aggregate influences on first birth timing for Blacks and Whites and for three birth cohorts of American women. Using two panels of the National Longitudinal surveys, results suggest that between-race differences in age at first birth result from differences in individual expectations about market and nonmarket income. Cohort differences in age at first birth result from relationship differences in both individual and aggregate influences, with aggregate influences differentially altering the role of individual expectations on first birth timing. These results suggest that employment policies that reduce poverty and increase wages would effectively delay childbearing. For Blacks, since early childbearing results from lower expectations about future economic success, similar fertility timing patterns between the races would result if Blacks had White employment and wage levels. Over time, these employment and wage policies will not only alter individual expectations about economic success but also will alter the impact of expectations on fertility timing.
A place for rapid procedures in traditional clinical microbiology

Traditional clinical microbiology has been dependent upon the isolation of individual microbes and their identification by growth-dependent tests. Rapid, automated microbiological systems promise faster turnaround time but usually at considerably increased expense. This discussion of rapid methods will describe a combination of new, rapid techniques with traditional isolation and identification procedures that can provide timely test results without unnecessary increase in laboratory costs.
Amplitude modulation thresholds for the parakeet (Melopsittacus undulatus)

Parakeets were tested for the ability to detect sinusoidal amplitude modulation of broad band noise. Instrumental avoidance conditioning and a psychophysical modified method of limits procedure were used to measure the threshold for detecting amplitude modulation at 10 modulation frequencies between 2 and 2,048 Hz. Below about 40 Hz, modulation threshold is independent of modulation rate and noise level. Above 40 Hz, modulation threshold decreases with modulation frequency at the rate of 3 dB/ octave. These results are somewhat different from amplitude modulation functions in humans suggesting different degrees of temporal resolving power in birds and humans. Thresholds for changes in modulation rate are 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than pure tone frequency difference limens.
Fatty acid composition at the 2‐position of ether‐linked and diacyl ethanolamine and choline phosphoglycerides of human brain tumors

The acyl composition of ethanolamine and choline phosphoglycerides from a series of human brain tumors was determined and compared to that of normal human gray matter. Six glioblastomas, one astrocytoma, one oligodendroglioma, and one meningioma were analyzed. The total fatty acid composition of ethanolamine phosphoglycerides generally had a higher percentage of 18∶1, 18∶2ω6, and 22∶5ω3 and a lower percentage of 22∶6ω3 than that of normal gray matter. Choline phosphoglycerides from the tumors also contained a higher than normal percentage of 18∶2ω6. Separate analysis of the acyl groups at the 2 position of the diacyl and ether-linked components of the phosphoglycerides revealed that the diacyl component of ethanolamine phosphoglyceride from the tumors had lower than normal amount of 22∶6ω3 and a higher than normal amount of 18∶1 and 18∶2ω6. The acyl composition of ether-linked ethanolamine phosphoglycerides genearally contained a higher percentage of 20∶4ω6 and a lower percentage of 18∶1 compared to the corresponding fraction from normal gray matter. The astrocytoma analyzed had fatty acid profiles similar to those of the control with the exception of a greater 18∶2ω6 content. These data demonstrate that the composition of the acyl moiety at the 2 position of diacyl and ether-linked phosphoglycerides of brain tumors differs from the corresponding component from normal gray matter and that the ether-linked ethanolamine phosphoglycerides provide an important pool of polyunsaturated fatty acids from brain tumor phospholipids.
Blood-brain barrier disruption in experimental focal ischemia: comparison between in vivo MRI and immunocytochemistry

The definition of blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage in cerebral ischemia using contrast-enhanced MRI has not been clearly correlated to the spread of edema or other histological measures of barrier disruption. In this study, we used a rabbit model of focal cerebral ischemia to compare GdDTPA-enhanced MRI with spin-echo images of brain injury and immunocytochemical detection of BBB damage and vasogenic edema. After 4 h of transient ischemia followed by 6 h of reperfusion, in vivo T2W and T1W images were obtained in a 1.5 T magnet using a 3-inch surface coil. After MRI, the animals were sacrificed and anti-serum protein (IgG) monoclonal antibodies were used to detect regions of increased BBB permeability to serum proteins. Ischemic neuronal damage was confirmed with cresyl-violet histology. T2W scans showed focal regions of increased signal intensity in the ischemic hemisphere (17.0 +/- 4.1%) that primarily involved the cortex and striatum. T1W scans showed corresponding regions of hypointensity but demonstrated, in general, smaller lesion sizes (10.1 +/- 2.9%). GdDTPA-enhanced images showed variable areas of BBB disruption that included regions of intense leakage as well as lesions that only showed subtle enhancement along the periphery of damaged tissue. It appeared that large and more severe lesions corresponded to peripheral enhancement whereas smaller lesions showed central parenchymal enhancement. The extent of MR contrast enhancement did not correlate well with immunocytochemical images of serum protein leakage. Anti-IgG stains demonstrated widespread regions of BBB damage corresponding with areas of damaged neurons that appeared pyknotic on cresyl-violet sections.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
New data structures for orthogonal range queries

Consider a set of N records corresponding to points in k-dimensional space ($k \geqq 2$). This article introduces one new data structure which uses memory $O(N\log ^{k - 1} N)$ for supporting orthogonal range queries with worst-case complexity $O(\log ^{k - 1} N)$ and several modifications of this proposal for a dynamic environment. These results are especially useful when $k = 2$.