cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Just-in-time component-wise power and thermal modeling

As computer systems increasingly focus on balancing the performance and power efficiency of software applications together with temperature variations of the machine, they need to understand how software applications utilize the various architecture components differently. This paper develops a power and temperature modeling framework to provide such timely feedback, which can then be used to support a dynamic optimization system to attain better energy efficiency for applications. In particular, we present a framework that combines McPAT [17], a cycle accurate architecture simulation model, with runtime hardware performance counter statistics, to attain component-wise power consumption breakdown of applications while running at GHz speed. Our framework is able to consistently achieve 98% accuracy when compared to the actual system-level power consumption measured using a real-time power meter [1]. Finally, we present a preliminary study to demonstrate the potential of using our framework to support the optimizations of applications for better energy efficiency.
Examining the factor structure of the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale—Revised

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the factor structure of the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale—Revised (FCCERS-R) in high-stakes contexts. The results of an exploratory factor analysis revealed three dimensions of quality on the FCCERS-R: (1) Activities/Materials, (2) Language/Interaction, and (3) Organization. This study also explored whether abridged versions of the FCCERS-R could serve as a proxy for the full instrument. In addition to subsets of FCCERS-R items created from the factor structure, purposively and randomly chosen item subsets were created. The purposively chosen subsets included 6-, 9-, and 12-item scales comprised of the items with the highest factor loading across the three factors, whereas the randomly chosen subsets consisted of 12 items. Results of a discriminant analysis showed that the factor subsets were poorer proxies for the total FCCERS-R score than were the other subsets, which demonstrated comparable internal consistencies and discriminant power as the full FCCERS-R when classifying homes into general quality categories. Implications for adopting shorter versions of the FCCERS-R are discussed.
The Ca, Pi, F, and Proline Content of Developing Bovine Enamel Under GBHA-stained and Unstained Bands

The surface enamel of fetal bovine teeth was stained with GBHA to indicate the position of bands of smooth-ended and ruffle-ended ameloblasts relative to the developing enamel. The boundaries of the bands were scored, under a dissecting microscope, and the bulk enamel under each band was collected. The enamel samples were assayed for Ca, Pi, F, and proline.The amount of Ca and P i in the enamel increased in successive bands and seemed unrelated to the overlying ameloblast cell type. The loss of proline seemed unrelated to cell type. The fluoride content of enamel increased by approximately 50% in the first stained band immediately adjacent to the secretory zone. The F level returned to secretory values in the succeeding unstained band. Thus, only changes in the F level of developing enamel appeared to be related to GBHA staining patterns.
Dropped head syndrome: Report of three cases during treatment with a MEK inhibitor

The MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) kinase (MEK1/2) signal transduction cascade plays a central role in the regulation of many cellular processes. Selumetinib (AZD6244, ARRY-142886), a selective non-ATP competitive small-molecule inhibitor of MEK1/2,1 has been used …
Synthesis and structures of dppm-bridged platinum-rhodium complexes

Abstract The platinum-rhodium A-frame complexes [RPt(μ-Cl)(μ-dppm)2RhCO]PF6 (R = Me, Et, Ph) have been prepared by reaction of [PtR(dppm-PP)(dppm-P)]PF6 with [Rh2(μ-Cl)2(cod)2] in the presence of carbon monoxide. They have been isolated as yellow, air-stable solids. They add carbon monoxide to give the double A-frame species [RPt(μ-Cl)(μ-CO) (μ-dppm)2RhCO]PF6, which lose CO readily at ambient temperature unless they are maintained under a CO atmosphere. All the complexes have been characterized in solution by NMR and IR spectroscopy. The solid state structures of two of the A-frame complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The phenylplatinum derivative [PhPt(μ-Cl)(μ-dppm)2RhCP]PF6 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with a = 20.2110(2), b = 15.1192(2), c = 19.4133(2) A, β = 94.2750(10)°, V = 5915.70(12) A3 and Z = 4. The methylplatinum species was obtained as an unexpected carbonyl-bridged form, [MePt(μ-CO)(μ-dppm)2RhCl]PF6. This complex crystallizes as a dihydrate in the triclinic space group P1 with a = 10.6030(8), b = 15.0051(11), c = 18.705(2) A, α = 68.934(5), β = 83.312(5), γ = 69.529(5)° V = 10248(5) A3 and Z = 2.
A Mutant Form of Ornithine Transcarbamylase Found in a Strain of Neurospora Carrying a Pyrimidine-Proline Suppressor Gene'

A mutation, s, of Neurospora, leads to a 98% reduction in ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) activity without imposing an arginine requirement. It has been found that the enzyme present in the s strain is different from the normal enzyme in its affinities for ornithine and carbamyl phosphate. The affinity of the mutant enzyme for carbamyl phosphate is much greater than in the case of the wild type enzyme, and this characteristic could compensate to a large extent for the low specific activity in s strains. The data are used to indicate that the s locus is a gene which controls the structure of OTC in Neurospora. The possibility of there being two forms of this enzyme in wild type strains is discussed.
Observation of Dipolar Ferromagnetism by TEM techniques

Magnetostatic interactions play a central role in determining the magnetic response of an array of patterned magnetic elements or magnetized nanoparticles of given shape. The Fourier space approach recently introduced for the analytical computation of the demagnetizing tensor, field and energy for particles of arbitrary shape [1], has been recently extended to cover interactions between elements [2]. The main achievement has been the definition of a generalized dipole-dipole interaction for cylindrical objects, which takes into account the influence of shape anisotropy without resorting to,any kind of approximations [3]. Once the interaction energy is available, it becomes possible to evaluate the minimum energy state of the system for a given set of external parameters (such as applied field, aspect ratio, distance between elements). It turns out that, below a critical combination of aspect ratios and distances, the system undergoes a phase transition, changing abruptly from a closure domain state, with zero net magnetization, to a dipolar ferromagnetic state with a net magnetization which depends on the interaction strength between the elements. In order to observe this phenomenon by TEM, it is necessary to estimate the feasibility of the experiment by a series of simulations. Figure 1 shows the electron optical phasemore » shifts for the system of three weakly (a-c) and strongly (d) interacting disks. The elements have a radius of 50 nm, a thickness of 5 nm (aspect ratio 1/20), and are uniformly magnetized at 2 T. By comparing Fig.1 (c) and (d), it can be seen that the fingerprint of the transition is the presence of fringing fields around the elements, revealed by the cosine fringes which resemble a dipole-like field in (d). When the system is in the closure-domain state, as in (a-c), no fringing field can be observed on a large scale. Figure 2 shows a set of Fresnel images, calculated for the same configurations as in Fig.1. As the Fresnel technique is scarcely sensitive to fringing fields, their effect is not evident in the images. However, by following the bright and dark contrast features in each image, a change in magnetization can be deduced, also when the electrostatic phase shift proportional to the thickness is taken into account. An alternative, more indirect, opportunity to observe the transition is granted by hysteresis loops. Figure 3 shows calculated hysteresis curves for non-interacting (a), weakly interacting (b) and strongly interacting (c) disks. The applied field is in-plane, along one of the triangular symmetry axis (0{sup o}, 60{sup o} or 120{sup o}). The transition is revealed by a remnant magnetization in zero field (c), contrary to the behavior of the weak interaction (b). Dipolar ferromagnetism can, therefore, be successfully investigated by TEM, where at least three different techniques, phase retrieval, phase contrast, and in-situ hysteresis experiments, are available for detecting the phase transition [4].« less
Robust Circular Polarized Emission from Nanoscopic Single-Molecule Sources: Application to Solid State Devices

Controlling the polarization state of fluorescence emission in solid state devices is an important goal in optical display technologies. High-purity (right or left) circular polarized emission is particularly desirable because an arbitrary linearly polarized state can be generated with much higher efficiency (lower loss) as compared with a non-polarized fluorescence input. Here we discuss observation of resonant chiroptical effects (fluorescence detected circular dichroism (FDCD), and circular polarized luminescence (CPL)) from single (bridged-triarylamine) helicene molecules in a solid-film format. In the FDCD experiment using 457-nm excitation – an excitation wavelength where the bulk circular dichroism is negligible – single-molecule fluorescence from enantiomerically pure helicene samples show surprising distribution of dissymmetry (g) parameters centered near zero but with a significant contribution from molecules showing an almost perfectly pure response to either right or left circularly polarized light. Experiments combining a well-defined circularly polarized excitation (either right or left) with decomposition of the fluorescence into left- and right-circular polarization component show only a weak correlation between the dissymmetry (sign and magnitude) of the CPL with the polarization state of the input. Current efforts are directed at wavelength resolved CPL, FDCD at wavelengths that are more closely match to bulk circular dichroism features, and orientational dependence of FDCD and CPL. These results provide new insight into chiroptical properties of chiral fluorophores at the single molecule level and suggests new optical device possibilities with chiral fluorophores.
Female college students’ beliefs about cervical cancer screening:

PurposeTo explore female college students’ perceived benefits and barriers to cervical cancer screening and perceived vulnerability to cervical cancer.MethodThe study was exploratory and cross sect...
I Think That I Shall Never See, A Lecture Room That's Made for Me: the lecture arena

The lecture room has not evolved to keep pace with the advancing technology of the science of medical education. Computers facilitate the analysis and printing of examination materials. Audiovisual laboratories are able to produce computerised graphics for projection by stacks of computer synchronised projectors. Too often the resultant image appears on an inadequately sized screen in a room that was poorly designed a century ago. High quality videotapes are shown to large audiences on a single small screen monitor.The relationship of the lecture room arena to effective medical education is discussed. A tool for lecture room evaluation is presented with suggestions for remediation and evolution.
Magnetic resonance imaging of adult ovarian granulosa cell tumor

We report the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in a unilocular multicystic adult granulosa cell tumor of the ovary. MRI, in conjunction with the clinical and laboratory findings, helped establish a preoperative diagnosis.
The dark side of Iapetus

Spectrophotometry of the Saturn satellite Iapetus in the 0.3-1.0 micron wavelength range shows the dark hemisphere to be very red, similar to a few asteroids and the earth's moon, but with no spectral features implying olivine or pyroxene. Near-IR spectrophotometry in the 1.4-2.5 and 3.0-3.8 micron ranges shows water ice absorption bands that may be due to the polar caps' intrusion into the dark hemisphere. Three hypotheses for the formation of the dark hemisphere are discussed in light of the observational data, and it is found most likely that debris from Phoebe or other unknown outer satellites of Saturn impacts the dark hemisphere of Iapetus as Poynting-Robertson drag causes the debris to spiral toward Saturn. The high velocity impacts preferentially remove ice from the satellite's surface, yielding the enrichment of included carbonaceous material intrinsic to Iapetus.
Peripheral nerve in type III glycogenosis: Selective involvement of unmyelinated fiber schwann cells

Electron microscopy of intramuscular nerves in biopsy material from a child with glycogenosis type III showed massive glycogen accumulation in the Schwann cells of unmyelinated nerve fibers. Other cells, including Schwann cells of myelinated fibers, perineurial cells, endoneurial fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and pericytes, were not similarly affected.
Preferential production of rapamycin vs prolylrapamycin by Streptomyces hygroscopicus

A trace of prolylrapamycin is often produced in rapamycin fermentations carried out by strains of Streptomyces hygroscopicus. Prolylrapamycin was produced as the major rapamycin when L-proline was added to the fermentation medium. Addition of proline plus thiazolidine-2-carboxylic acid (T2CA), a sulfur-containing proline analog, prevented rapamycin production and stimulated prolylrapamycin production, thereby resulting in an even greater selective production of prolylrapamycin. T2CA addition inhibited rapamycin production even in the presence of Llysine which is converted into pipecolic acid intracellularly and normally stimulates rapamycin formation. Addition of the rapamycin precursor, DL-pipecolic acid, surprisingly failed to stimulate rapamycin production. However, when DL-pipecolic acid was added with L-proline, it reduced the formation of prolylrapamycin and stimulated rapamycin production; this was evident especially in the presence of T2CA. The evidence suggests that T2CA suppresses rapamycin production by inhibiting intracellular conversion of L-lysine into pipecolate. Furthermore, the data suggest that uptake of pipecolate into the cell is stimulated or induced by growth in the presence of L-proline and/or T2CA.
Comparing Models for Diffusion in Supercooled Liquids: The Eutectic Composition of the Ag−Cu Alloy†

We present a comparison between the Continuous Time Random Walk (CTRW) model for dispersive transport and Zwanzig's model of self-diffusion in liquids using the cage correlation function as a means for obtaining the characteristic hopping times. This comparison was done using a realistic model for the interactions between metal atoms in a system that is known to form metallic glasses. We find that although the CTRW model uses a pathological model for the distribution of waiting times, the predictions of this theory are much closer to the actual diffusion constants than those obtained via Zwanzig's model. We also find that there is a simple linear relationship between the stretching parameter (β) for Kohlrausch−Williams−Watts decay of the cage correlation function and the dispersion parameter (γ) that characterizes the “fractal” distribution of waiting times in the CTRW model.
End-functionalized polymers and junction-functionalized diblock copolymers via RAFT chain extension with maleimido monomers.

A new strategy is described for functionalizing the ω-terminal end of polymers synthesized by reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization that provides spatially controlled bioconjugation sites. Traditional methods for preparing ω-functional polymers require the reduction of the RAFT chain-transfer agent to yield secondary or tertiary thiols of low reactivity or the synthesis of novel chain-transfer agents that contain reactive groups. As an additional strategy, N-substituted maleimido monomers have been used in a modified block polymerization to add a single maleimido unit onto the RAFT polymer with nearly quantitative efficiency. Unique reactive groups contained in the N-substituent are thereby added to the ω-terminal end of the polymer and are subsequently available for conjugation reactions. This technique has been demonstrated using N-(2-aminoethyl)maleimide trifluoroacetate to introduce a single primary amine to the ω-terminus of poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) and p...
Automated single-cell motility analysis on a chip using lensfree microscopy

Quantitative cell motility studies are necessary for understanding biophysical processes, developing models for cell locomotion and for drug discovery. Such studies are typically performed by controlling environmental conditions around a lens-based microscope, requiring costly instruments while still remaining limited in field-of-view. Here we present a compact cell monitoring platform utilizing a wide-field (24 mm2) lensless holographic microscope that enables automated single-cell tracking of large populations that is compatible with a standard laboratory incubator. We used this platform to track NIH 3T3 cells on polyacrylamide gels over 20 hrs. We report that, over an order of magnitude of stiffness values, collagen IV surfaces lead to enhanced motility compared to fibronectin, in agreement with biological uses of these structural proteins. The increased throughput associated with lensfree on-chip imaging enables higher statistical significance in observed cell behavior and may facilitate rapid screening of drugs and genes that affect cell motility.
Vitamin retention during storage of processed foods. I. Effect of ascorbic acid on folates in cowpeas, okra and tomatoes

Cowpeas (Vigna sinensis), okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) and tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) were selected to study the effect of added ascorbic acid on the retention of natural folates during routine storage. 0, 1 and 2 mg/ml of L-ascorbic acid was added to the canning-liquor of each vegetable prior to thermal processing. In cowpeas, processing itself accounted for dramatic losses of folates, but ascorbic acid was successful (P < 0.01) in protecting folates in okra, by a margin of over 30%. The effect of ascorbic acid on folate-retention in tomatoes was similar to okra. Both okra and tomatoes exhibited improved color with added ascorbic acid. This study implied that a significant benefit might accrue if low levels of ascorbic acid were added as a folate-protector to foods judged to be good dietary sources of folic acid.
Effect of oral glutamine supplementation during bone marrow transplantation.

Background Because all patients receiving bone marrow transplant (BMT) and peripheral blood progenitor cell transplant (PBPCT) experience gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity from the preparative regimen of chemotherapy, with or without radiation, oral glutamine was administered during the preparatory regimen and after transplant to maintain GI structure and function. Methods To evaluate effects of oral glutamine on nutritional status and overall outcome, a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study was performed on 58 autologous and allogeneic BMT patients. Patients received 30 g of oral glutamine or placebo daily. Results The trends of decreased median length of stay and the median number of days of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) were seen in the group supplemented with the >0.285-g/kg (the recommended dosage) dose of glutamine; however, there was no statistically significant difference in the nutritional status and overall patient outcome as assessed by days receiving TPN, number of days required until oral intake resumed, length of hospitalization, number of days and highest grade of mucositis, and quantity and number of days of diarrhea. Conclusions This study does not support the hypothesis that oral glutamine may offer benefit. Further investigation is required regarding clinical tools for determining effectiveness, administration for tolerance and compliance, dosage, and potential of oral glutamine usage.
Linking knowledge and action through mental models of sustainable agriculture.

Linking knowledge to action requires understanding how decision-makers conceptualize sustainability. This paper empirically analyzes farmer “mental models” of sustainability from three winegrape-growing regions of California where local extension programs have focused on sustainable agriculture. The mental models are represented as networks where sustainability concepts are nodes, and links are established when a farmer mentions two concepts in their stated definition of sustainability. The results suggest that winegrape grower mental models of sustainability are hierarchically structured, relatively similar across regions, and strongly linked to participation in extension programs and adoption of sustainable farm practices. We discuss the implications of our findings for the debate over the meaning of sustainability, and the role of local extension programs in managing knowledge systems.
12-Step participation reduces medical use costs among adolescents with a history of alcohol and other drug treatment

Background Adolescents who attend 12-step groups following alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment are more likely to remain abstinent and to avoid relapse post-treatment. We examined whether 12-step attendance is also associated with a corresponding reduction in health care use and costs.
Spatial distribution of two-photon-excited fluorescence in scattering media

Spatial distribution of two-photon-excited fluorescence (TPF) for dye beneath the surface of a highly scattering medium was investigated with picosecond laser pulses at 1064 nm. The active scattering media consisted of a suspension of polystyrene particles in a solution of Rhodamine 590 Tetrafluoroborate dye. With the increase of scattering strength of the medium, the location of the maximum TPF intensity was found to move closer to the surface away from the focal region; the intensity of TPF was not confined to the focal region as in the case of nonscattering medium but was more evenly distributed. The spatial resolution of nonlinear optical microscopy for probing a scattering medium is degraded. Taking into account the scattering of the medium qualitatively explains the observed TPF spatial distribution.
Wearable wireless sensing for sports and ubiquitous interactivity

In this paper, we overview recent work from our research group that explores two very different applications of wearable inertial systems. The first project exploits an array of wearable, ultrawide-range, synchronous IMUs to measure the performance of professional baseball players. We describe some special aspects of our hardware (a dual-range, 6-DOF IMU with magnetometer), and show sample data from our current analysis. We also overview another project where we leveraged wearable sensors, including a micropower integrating accelerometer, for mobile personalized comfort control of building HVAC (heating/air conditioning) systems.
Samurai Accountant: A Theory of Auditing and Plunder

A risk neutral principal wishes to exact a payment from a risk neutral agent whose wealth he does not know, but may verify through a costly auditing procedure. We characterize efficient schemes for the principal when he is allowed to choose schedules for preaudit and postaudit payments and audit probabilities, subject to the constraint that only monetary incentives can be used and that the principal may never make a net payment to the agent. The main results are that efficient schemes involve preaudit payments which are increasing in the agent's wealth, audit probabilities are decreasing in the agent's wealth and also satisfy certain constraints as equalities. In general, such schemes involve stochastic auditing and rebates after an audit. In this paper we analyse the problem of a principal extracting wealth from an agent who is reluctant to part with it and is also better informed than the principal as to the amount he owns. We assume that the principal has a costly means of discovering the agent's
Making performance indicators work: experiences of US Veterans Health Administration

Eve Kerr and Barbara Fleming explain how measuring performance helped transform a failing healthcare system
Vacuum renormalization of the chiral-sigma model and the structure of neutron stars ☆

Abstract Vacuum renormalization corrections are calculated for normal nuclear matter and neutron star matter in the chiral-sigma model. The theory is generalized to include hyperons in equilibrium with nucleons and leptons. The equations of state corresponding to two compression moduli, a “stiff” and “soft” one for nuclear matter, are studied. It is shown that fully one half the mass of a neutron star at the limiting mass is composed of matter at less than twice nuclear density. Neutron star masses are therefore moderately sensitive to the properties of matter near saturation and to the domain of the hyperons, but dominated by neither. The predictions for the two equations of state are compared with observed neutron star masses, and only the stiffer is compatible.
Rapid correction of electron microprobe data for multicomponent metallic systems

This paper describes an empirical relation for the correction of electron microprobe data for multicomponent metallic systems. It evaluates the empirical correction parameter, a for each element in a binary alloy system using a modification of Colby's MAGIC III computer program and outlines a simple and quick way of correcting the probe data. This technique has been tested on a number of multicomponent metallic systems and the agreement with the results using theoretical expressions is found to be excellent. Limitations and suitability of this relation are discussed and a model calculation is also presented in the Appendix.
Time development of the light intensity in resonance fluorescence

Abstract The time evolution of the fluorescent light emitted by a two-level atom that is driven by an external quantum field close to resonance, has been calculated. Although the treatment lies within the framework of QED, it is found that the answer in no way depends on any quantum properties of the field.
Optimization of multicomponent photopolymer formulations using high‐throughput analysis and kinetic modeling

While high throughput and combinatorial techniques have played an instrumental role in materials development and implementation, numerous problems in materials science and engineering are too complex and necessitate a prohibitive number of experiments, even when considering high throughput and combinatorial approaches, for a comprehensive approach to materials design. Here, we propose a unique combination of high throughput experiments focused on binary formulations that, in combination with advanced modeling, has the potential to facilitate true materials design and optimization in ternary and more complex systems for which experiments are never required. Extensive research on the development of photopolymerizable monomer formulations has produced a vast array of potential monomer/comonomer, initiator and additive combinations. This array dramatically expands the range of material properties that are achievable; however, the vast number of potential formulations has eliminated any possibility of comprehensive materials design or optimization. This limitation is addressed by maximizing the benefits and unique capabilities of high throughput experimentation coupled with predictive models for material behavior and properties. The high throughput experimentation-model combination is useful to collect a limited amount of data from as few as 11 experiments on binary combinations of 10 analyzed monomers, and then use this limited data set to predict and optimize formulation properties in ternary resins that would have necessitated at least 1000 high throughput experiments and several orders of magnitude greater numbers of traditional experiments. A data analysis approach is demonstrated, and the model development and implementation for one model application in which a range of material properties are prescribed, and an optimal formulation that meets those properties is predicted and evaluated. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Cardiac Fibroblasts Arrest at the G1/S Restriction Point in Response to Interleukin (IL)-1β EVIDENCE FOR IL-1β-INDUCED HYPOPHOSPHORYLATION OF THE RETINOBLASTOMA PROTEIN

Although responsible for only approximately one-third of the overall myocardial mass, the interstitial fibroblasts of the heart serve a fundamental role in establishing the functional integrity of myocardium and are the major source of myocardial extracellular matrix production. Their importance in clinical medicine is underscored by the observation that fibroblast numbers increase in response to several pathologic circumstances that are associated with an increase in extracellular matrix production, such as long standing hypertension and myocardial injury/infarction. Up to the present time, however, there has been little information available on either the kinetics of the cardiac fibroblast cell cycle, or the fundamental mechanisms that regulate its entry into and exit from the cell cycle. Previous work from our laboratory examining the effects of interleukin (IL)-1β on myocardial growth and gene expression in culture indicated that cardiac fibroblasts have a diminished capacity to synthesize DNA in response to mitogen in the presence of this cytokine. The mechanism of IL-1β action was not clear, however, and could have resulted from action at several different points in the cell cycle. The investigations described in this report indicate that IL-1β exerts its effect on the fibroblast cell cycle at multiple levels through altering the expression of cardiac fibroblast cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases, and their inhibitors, which ultimately affect the phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma gene product.
Keynote 3: Towards sustainability: Harnessing computing and communications for a better future

This talk will discuss the convergence of three important mega trends, Digital Transformations, Sustainability and Mass Collaboration and how they can help accelerate business and society to a more sustainable trajectory and future. Initially the talk will discuss important future technology developments such as Exascale computing and discuss how Moore's law is colliding with many domains to create disruptive and positive change. The talk will then focus on how computing and communication technologies can help drive sustainable change and introduce how the IT Capability Maturity Framework can help ensure that in aggregate the value potential of new technologies can be harnessed optimally. Lastly the talk will discuss the importance of mass collaboration and sustainability paradigms and cite the smart grid as an excellent example of how these three mega trends can create significant value and a more sustainable future.
Academic detailing to improve antihypertensive prescribing patterns

Several studies indicate that treatment of hypertension in the United States does not follow recommendations from expert bodies. We thus implemented a program using academic detailers to increase practitioner compliance with antihypertensive treatment guidelines. Five Veterans Affairs medical facilities including academic medical centers and community based outpatient clinics were chosen for the intervention. Pharmacists were trained as academic detailers, and the intervention included lectures, educational materials, provider profiling, and meetings with 25 to 50 providers each. After intervention, the proportion of hypertensives receiving calcium antagonists decreased from 43% to 38% (P <.001), whereas the proportion receiving a beta blocker or thiazide diuretic increased from 58% to 64% (P <.001). For hypertensive subjects with diabetes mellitus or congestive heart failure, the proportion receiving an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker increased from 72% to 76% for the former and from 74% to 78% for the latter (P <.001 for both). Among hypertensive subjects with coronary artery disease an increase in beta blocker use was noted after intervention (P <.001 for change from baseline). Prescribing patterns after academic detailing more closely followed national recommendations.
Microtektites, Microkrystites, and Spinels from a Late Pliocene Asteroid Impact in the Southern Ocean

The properties of glassy spherules found in sedimentary deposits of a late Pliocene asteroid impact into the southeast Pacific are similar to those of both microtektites and microkrystites. These spherules probably formed from molten silicate droplets that condensed from an impact-generate vapor cloud. The spherules contain inclusions of magnesioferrite spinels similar to those in spherules found at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary, indicating that both sets of spherules are impact debris formed under similar physical and chemical conditions.
The Ineffectiveness of High School Graduation Credit Requirement Reforms: A Story of Implementation and Enforcement?

Graduation credit requirement reforms were expected to have a significant impact on the American educational landscape, but scholars have concluded that these reforms have exhibited less impact tha...
Fabrication and Characterization of a Microscale Cellular Loading Device for Cellular Biomechanical Study

Mechanical stimuli interfere with cellular behaviors under many physiological conditions. To understand the role of mechanical stimuli, engineered devices are developed to apply mechanical loads to cells in vitro. Despite of their usefulness, these devices are limited since they often lack the capacity of spatial load control, which is essential for intercellular study. Moreover, application of both compressive and tensile loads using a single loading device is challenging. Here, we fabricate and characterize a microdevice for applying programmable compressive/tensile loads to live cells. The device consists of two PDMS substrates. The top substrate consists of nine circular membranes with patterned microdots array on the top surfaces. Each membrane is connected with a microfluidic channel built in the bottom substrate. Upon actuation, the fluid in the channels deforms the membranes and applies controllable strain to cells cultured on the membranes. In this design, each membrane can be individually controlled to apply desired strain levels. The surface strain of the PDMS membranes is characterized by mapping the displacement of the dot array. The result of strain analysis shows that, the radial strain at the center of a circular membrane upon deformation ranges from about 5% compressive strain to about 20% tensile strain, validating the capacity of the device in applying both tensile and compressive stresses. Cell testing is performed using trabecular meshwork endothelial cells. Cells on different membranes are subjected to 0.5Hz of compressive or tensile stresses. The result shows that compressive and tensile stresses have different effects on the cells, indicating the device a promising solution for cellular biomechanical study.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Energy harvesting transmitter with finite-alphabet inputs and statistical CSI: Online precoding by dynamic programming

This paper considers the online multi-antenna pre-coder design for energy harvesting transmitter with emphasis on finite-alphabet inputs and statistical channel state information (CSI). It formulates the problem by maximizing the sum of average mutual information of multiple time slots with causal energy constraint. This formulation leads to a 2 N2 t -dimensional stochastic dynamic programming (SDP) problem with a non-concave objective function, where N t is the number of transmit antennas. The 2N t 2-dimensional SDP problem is prohibitively difficult to solve and prevents the development of efficient online solver. We provide an equivalence between the multidimensional SDP problem and a one-dimensional power choice problem. Solving the one-dimensional equivalence decreases the computational burden extraordinarily without loss of optimality. We also demonstrate the performance gains offered by the proposed method when compared with other algorithms.
Delamination of beams under transverse shear and bending

Abstract Two delamination problems are studied: a straight beam of rectilinearly orthotropic material under transverse loading and a curved beam (or C-specimen) with cylindrical material anisotropy under pure bending. Results are presented for each problem for the dependence on the crack length of both the energy release rate and a measure of the relative amount of mode II to mode I. The number of nondimensional parameters in the problems is fairly large, including two dimensionless elasticity parameters. Considerable simplification of the parametric dependence in the straight beam problem is achieved using an orthotropic rescaling technique due to Suo. Asymptotic solutions based on elastic beam theory are also presented. A by-product of the present analysis is the finding that frictionless contact of the crack faces near one of the crack tips has little effect on the other tip, even in the case when the size of the contact zone is large relative to the length of the crack.
Chasing the care: soldiers experience following combat-related mild traumatic brain injury.

ABSTRACT Objective: One of the most common, yet most difficult to detect injuries sustained by U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan is mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Left untreated, mTBI can negatively impact soldiers' postdeployment adjustment. This research describes the rehabilitation experiences of soldiers with a history of mTBI and their spouses. Method: Nine soldiers with mTBI and their spouses participated in the study. A total of 27 interviews were conducted exploring couples' post-mTBI rehabilitation experiences. Participants consisted of active duty soldiers with mTBI who had returned from deployment within 2 years, and their civilian spouses. Strauss and Corbin's grounded theory methodology was used to collect and analyze the data. Findings: The majority of the soldiers and spouses who participated (16/18) indicated that uncertain prognosis and symptom management were the greatest challenges of post-mTBI. Other challenges, such as delayed diagnosis, limited access to mental health care, ...
Energy Oddities, Part 2: Why Green Computing Is Odd

For many enhanced computing designs, the energy efficiency is counterintuitive and should be viewed more critically.
Storm time density enhancements in the middle-latitude dayside ionosphere

[1] Enhancements of the total electron content (TEC) in the middle-latitude dayside ionosphere have often been observed during geomagnetic storms. The enhancements can be as large as a factor of 2 or more, and many sightings of such structures have occurred over the United States. Here we investigate the effectiveness of an expanded convection electric field as a mechanism for producing such ionospheric enhancements. As a test case, we examine the storm period of 5-7 November 2001, for which observations from the DMSP F 13 are used to drive the Time Dependent Ionospheric Model (TDIM). Our findings indicate that at favorable universal times, the presence of the expanded electric field is sufficient to create dayside TEC enhancements of a factor of 2 or more. The modeled enhancements consist of locally produced plasma; we do not find it necessary to transport high-density plasma northward from low latitudes.
The Use of the Five-Factor Model of Personality as a Therapeutic Tool in Career Counseling

Many clients requesting assistance in Career Centers are mismatched with their career due to issues of occupational choice. In addition, personality conflicts with co-workers, lack of interpersonal skills, and the individual's personality characteristics can affect vocational success. Theories of personality are incorporated into several theories of vocational choice and development (i.e., Holland, Roe) resulting in some attention to personality. Likewise, client personality can affect the career counselor's ability to intervene effectively to assist the client in making effective career choices and decisions. More direct attention to the impact of personality on an individual's career and vocational success can enable the Career Center to increase the effectiveness of their interventions. This paper will discuss the methods for increasing the effectiveness of career counseling through the use of the Five-Factor Model of Personality into our therapeutic work with clients.
Randomized trial of meatal care with silver sulfadiazine cream for the prevention of catheter-associated bacteriuria.

A randomized, controlled, prospective clinical trial involving 696 hospitalized patients was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of 1% silver sulfadiazine cream applied twice daily to the urethral meatus in preventing transurethral catheter-associated bacteriuria. The overall incidence of bacteriuria was 11.4% (38/332) in the treated group and 13.2% (48/364) in the untreated group (P = .56; odds ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.53-1.37). Cox proportional hazards analysis identified female sex, lack of antibiotic use, and a positive initial meatal culture (but not treatment randomization or lack of urinemeter use) as independent variables associated with an increased risk of bacteriuria. Survival curve analysis of subgroups stratified by sex and antibiotic use failed to detect an effect of silver sulfadiazine on the rate of bacteriuria. Meatal care with silver sulfadiazine cream did not prevent the development of catheter-associated bacteriuria in short-term catheterized patients.
Evaluation of a Peer Provider Reproductive Health Service Model for Adolescents

The use of peer providers in family planning clinics has been proposed as a strategy that could better serve sexually active adolescent populations. Baseline and follow-up survey data from 1424 female and 166 male adolescent clients of five California community health clinics were analyzed to assess the effectiveness of a peer provider model between 1996 and 1999. Multivariable analyses examined differences in outcomes between clients’ first and last clinic visits and by whether clients received only clinical services or other components of the model (outreach and telephone follow-up) as well. Female clients were significantly more likely at their last visit than at their first visit to report consistent birth control use (odds ratio 1.9) use at last intercourse (1.8) and use of effective methods (3.5) and were significantly less likely to report consistent condom use (0.7). There were no significant differences in male birth control or condom use between first and last visits. Females who received all components of the model were more likely than those who received only clinical services to return for an annual exam (2.2) and to make three or more visits during the study period (1.7). The full model was particularly effective for females who were Hispanic had been born to adolescent mothers or had had more than one sexual partner in the six months before their first clinic visit. The peer provider model appears to be a promising addition to the mix of service delivery models particularly for certain subgroups of clients. The findings underscore the importance of tailoring programs on the basis of clients’ risk profiles. (authors)
For Whom Emptiness Prevails: An Analysis of the Religious Implications of Nāgārjuna's Vigrahavyāvartanī 70

He who has seen everything empty itself is close to knowing what everything is filled with. (Antonio Porchia) Emptiness (Śūnyatā) is probably the most important philosophical and religious concept of Mahayana Buddhism. Its precise meaning has been explained differently by different schools and in different Buddhist cultures, but almost all Mahāyāna Buddhists would agree with the following characterization: Philosophically , emptiness is the term that describes the ultimate mode of existence of all phenomena, namely, as naturally ‘empty’ of enduring substance, or self-existence ( svabhāva ): rather than being independently self-originated, phenomena are dependently originated ( ptatītya samutpāda ) from causes and conditions. Emptiness, thus, explains how it is that phenomena change and interact as they do, how it is that the world goes on as it does. Religiously , emptiness is the single principle whose direct comprehension is the basis of liberation from samsāra, and ignorance of which, embodied in self-gasping ( ātmagraha ) is the basis of continued rebirth – hence suffering – in samsāra.
Design, Dynamics and Active Control of Micro Interferometers for Low Noise Parallel Operation

Micromachined Scanning Grating Interferometer (μSGI) array offers a viable solution to the high resolution, large bandwidth, non-contact and high throughput metrology. Parallel active control of μSGIs is necessary to reduce the effect of positioning errors and ambient vibration noise. To achieve individual control of the μSGIs, the gratings in the μSGI are micromachined on Silicon membranes, which can be electrostatically actuated. These tunable gratings are designed to have sufficient range of motion (∼400nm) and sufficient bandwidth (∼50kHz) for effective noise reduction. The tunable gratings are fabricated successfully using Silicon on Insulator wafers with a two mask process. A novel recurrent calibration based control algorithm is designed to actively control the tunable gratings. The novel algorithm is implemented digitally using FPGA on an array of μSGIs simultaneously. The algorithm compensates for the non-linearities of the actuator and problem due to limited range of motion. A system model is built to design and analyze the control algorithm and is verified by experimental results. Experimental results show 100 times noise reduction at low frequencies and 6.5kHz noise reduction cutoff frequency. A resolution of 1×10−4 nmrms /√Hz is achieved by implementation of this algorithm on μSGI.© 2008 ASME
Extensive evaluation of a seronegative participant in an HIV-1 vaccine trial as a result of false-positive PCR.

Summary Background In the USA, more than 2000 volunteers have received one or more experimental HIV-1 vaccines in phase I and II clinical trials, and there have been breakthrough HIV-1 infections among participants receiving vaccine and placebo. Serological diagnosis of new HIV-1 infections in vaccine-trial participants will become increasingly complicated as more viral components are used in vaccines. Recognition of this problem has led to a reliance on viral-genome measurement to distinguish vaccine-induced immunity from HIV-1 infection. Currently, quantitative RNA measurement is expensive, prone to contamination, and reliable only in laboratories certified by manufacturers or that have quality-control programmes. Methods A high-risk vaccinee presented after an acute febrile episode and was tested for HIV-1 infection by reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR of viral RNA. Further extensive tests were required to clarify the HIV-1 infection and immune status of the vaccinee, including repeat RT-PCR, nested DNA PCR, western blot, lymphoproliferation assay, cytotoxic-T-cell lysis, CD8-depleted co-culture, and HIV-1 challenge culture. Findings Initial testing of plasma by RNA RT-PCR was reported as positive. This result was not confirmed by viral cultures, nested DNA PCR, western blot, or EIA. Additional RNA RT-PCR assays gave positive results from earlier occasions in the vaccine trial. Eventually, testing of all previously reactive samples by RNA RT-PCR was repeated in a quality-controlled laboratory, and confirmed the negative HIV-1 status of the individual. Interpretation This case report exemplifies the difficulties with use of viral-genome measurement as a screening test to diagnose HIV-1 infection, particularly in individuals who have ever participated in HIV-1 vaccine trials. Monitoring of large numbers of phase III vaccinees by RNA RT-PCR will not be feasible. The design of efficacy trials for new vaccines should be in parallel with development of antibody-based diagnostic tests that are capable of differentiating between immunisation and true HIV-1 infection.