cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Theory of the Wilson Line for Steam at Low Pressures

Presentation d'une methode algebrique pour la determination de l'apparition de la condensation (position de la ligne Wilson dans le diagramme de Mollier) dans la vapeur d'eau a basse pression. Illustration de cette methode en utilisant l'expression de Gyarmathy de la vitesse de nucleation et de la vitesse de croissance des gouttelettes. Comparaison des previsions effectuees avec cette methode avec des donnees experimentales de plusieurs auteurs
A Unified Approach for Physical and Geometric Modeling for Graphics and Animation

We present a unified approach for geometric and physical modeling using implicit functions, for application to graphics and animation. This method extends previously proposed techniques, and allows the standard finite element method to be directly combined with geometric modeling, resulting in quick calculation of an object's mass and stiffness matrices, and its vibration modes and frequencies. Because the approach is based on an implicitfunction representation, it allows very fast collision detection and characterization. Examples of complex physical and geometric modeling are presented.
Infrared studies of the superconducting energy gap and normal-state dynamics of the high-Tc superconductor YBa2Cu3O7.

A detailed study of infrared properties (reflectivity, conductivity, and dielectric response), emphasizing reproducible results from fully oxygenated ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ crystals (${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$\ensuremath{\simeq}93 K) and films, is presented. The extrapolated values of ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}_{1}$(\ensuremath{\omega}) at low frequency are roughly consistent with the measured temperature-dependent dc resistivity. Although not well understood, this infrared conductivity can be interpreted in terms of a frequency-dependent scattering rate of \ensuremath{\sim}kT+\ensuremath{\Elzxh}\ensuremath{\omega}, with a low-frequency mass enhancement of roughly 2 to 4 associated with a carrier-spin related interaction. Infrared measurements polarized along the c axis suggest a conductivity anisotropy of roughly 40:1 near ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ in the normal state. In the superconducting state an energy scale of 2${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}}_{\mathit{c}}$\ensuremath{\simeq}3${\mathit{kT}}_{\mathit{c}}$ is suggested by c-axis polarized measurements, while a much larger characteristic energy of 2${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}}_{\mathit{a}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{b}}$\ensuremath{\simeq}8${\mathit{kT}}_{\mathit{c}}$ is evident in the (a-b)-plane conductivity. From the area missing from the conductivity up to this very large gap, a reasonable estimate (\ensuremath{\simeq}1700 \AA{}) for the (a-b)-plane penetration depth is obtained. Evidence for non-BCS temperature dependence, strong pair breaking scattering, and possible fluctuation effects is discussed. A comparison to infrared data from ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}$${\mathrm{CaCu}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{8\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{y}}$ shows a similarly large energy scale, 2${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}}_{\mathit{a}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{b}}$\ensuremath{\simeq}8${\mathit{kT}}_{\mathit{c}}$; for the cubic ${\mathrm{Ba}}_{0.6}$${\mathrm{K}}_{0.4}$${\mathrm{BiO}}_{3}$ superconductor a more conventional energy scale, 2\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\simeq}4${\mathit{kT}}_{\mathit{c}}$ is observed. The unusually large energy scale obtained from the (a-b)-plane measurements of the layered cuprates lies far beyond the range of previously studied superconducting energy gaps (2\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\simeq}3 to 5${\mathit{kT}}_{\mathit{c}}$).
SU‐GG‐T‐173: Dosimetric Verification of IMRT Fields Using GafChromic® EBT‐2 Film

Purpose: Film based dosimetry often has advantages over detector based dosimetry when measurements with high spatial resolution are needed. We present comparisons of dosimetric verification measurements using GafChromic® EBT‐2 film with IBA Dosimetry® I'mRT MatriXX with MultiCube. Methods and Materials: Dosimetric measurements of IMRT treatment fields for 5 patients were performed using GafChromic® EBT‐2 film and compared to measurements performed using IBA Dosimetry® MatriXX. The measurement results from both systems were analyzed using IBA Dosimetry® OmniPro‐I'mRT software. GafChromic® films (8”×10”) were scanned both pre‐ and post‐irradiation using an Epson® 10000XL flatbed scanner. The pre‐irradiation films were used for background subtraction in the OmniPro software. The films were placed in a solid water phantom for irradiation. The MatriXX system uses a 32×32 array of 0.08 cc ion chambers with a center to center spacing of approximately 0.76 cm to measure absolute dose distributions within a solid phantom. Verification plans were created in Pinnacle treatment planning software for both the MatriXX and solid water phantoms. The results were analyzed by comparison of the measured central axis dose, gamma analysis (3 % and 3mm agreement), and evaluation of dose profiles and isodose distributions. Results: Better agreement with the planned central axis dose is seen for the measurements with the MatriXX system over those measured with GafChromic® EBT‐2 film. However, the film‐based measurements show improved agreement in the dose profiles and isodose distributions. These improvements result in better gamma analysis agreement, increasing the average gamma from 97.39% to 99.49%. Conclusion: GafChromic® EBT‐2 can effectively be used for film‐based dosimetry and may provide superior results for small fields, areas with steep gradients, or beam delivery geometries where detector based measurements are limited. Some dosimetry software, such as IBA Dosimetry® OmniPro‐I'mRT, may allow users to analyze GafChromic® EBT‐2 film without purchasing additional software.
Optimal control dependence computation and the Roman chariots problem

The control dependence relation plays a fundamental role in program restructuring and optimization. The usual representation of this relation is the control dependence graph (CDG), but the size of the CDG can grow quadratically with the input programs, even for structured programs. In this article, we introduce the augmented postdominator tree (APT), a data structure which can be constructed in space and time proportional to the size of the program and which supports enumeration of a number of useful control dependence sets in time proportional to their size. Therefore, APT provides an optimal representation of control dependence. Specifically, the APT data structure supports enumeration of the set cd(e), which is the set of statements control dependent on control-flow edge e, of the set conds(w), which is the set of edges on which statement w is dependent, and of the set cdequiv(w), which is the set of statements having the same control dependences as w. Technically, APT can be viewed as a factored representation of the CDG where queries are processed using an approach known as filtering search.
Persistent diastolic flow reversal in abdominal aortic Doppler-flow profiles is associated with an increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in term infants with congenital heart disease.

OBJECTIVE. Diastolic runoff in the abdominal aorta, with subsequent circulatory mesenteric insufficiency, has been postulated as a cause of necrotizing enterocolitis in term infants with congenital heart disease. With this study we sought to determine whether Doppler-flow characteristics in the abdominal aorta can predict which infants are at specific risk, independent of gestational age and type of congenital heart disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS. We conducted a case-control study of term infants with congenital heart disease and proven necrotizing enterocolitis (n = 18) compared with gestational age–matched and diagnosis-matched control subjects (n = 20). Abdominal aortic Doppler velocities, time intervals, and reversals were analyzed. Groups were compared, and independent risk factors for necrotizing enterocolitis were determined. RESULTS. The groups were similar with regard to weight, pulse pressure, use of prostaglandins or inotropes, presence of a patent ductus arteriosus, and systolic function. However, 47% of the case subjects with necrotizing enterocolitis had persistent retrograde diastolic flow in the abdominal aorta compared with 15% of the control subjects. When adjusting for multiple risk factors, persistent diastolic flow reversal remained the only factor significantly associated with necrotizing enterocolitis. CONCLUSION. Persistent diastolic flow reversal in the abdominal aortic Doppler profile is associated with an increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in term infants with congenital heart disease irrespective of gestational age or anatomic type of congenital heart disease.
Transdermal Delivery of Proteins

Transdermal delivery of peptides and proteins avoids the disadvantages associated with the invasive parenteral route of administration and other alternative routes such as the pulmonary and nasal routes. Since proteins have a large size and are hydrophilic in nature, they cannot permeate passively across the skin due to the stratum corneum which allows the transport of only small lipophilic drug molecules. Enhancement techniques such as chemical enhancers, iontophoresis, microneedles, electroporation, sonophoresis, thermal ablation, laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation and noninvasive jet injectors aid in the delivery of proteins by overcoming the skin barrier in different ways. In this review, these enhancement techniques that can enable the transdermal delivery of proteins are discussed, including a discussion of mechanisms, sterility requirements, and commercial development of products. Combination of enhancement techniques may result in a synergistic effect allowing increased protein delivery and these are also discussed.
On generation of trees without duplications

It is shown that, in a given graph, the set of trees not containing a given branch can be obtained from the set of trees containing the given branch without duplications. Based on this, a simple derivation of Mayeda and Seshu's technique on generation of trees without duplications is given.
One more way to calculate the Hadamard-Walsh spectrum for completely and incompletely specified boolean functions

A new algorithm is described for calculation of the forward Hadamard-Walsh transform of completely and incompletely specified boolean functions. It makes use of the properties of the disjoint cubes array representation of boolean functions.
Lagrangian similarity hypothesis applied to diffusion in turbulent shear flow

The concept suggested by Batchelor that motion of a marked particle in turbulent shear flow may be similar at stations downstream from the point of release is applied to a variety of diffusion data obtained in the laboratory and in the surface layer of the atmosphere. Two types of shear flow parallel to a plane solid boundary are considered. In the first case mean velocity is a linear function of log z (neutral boundary layer) and in the second case the mean velocity is slightly perturbed from the logarithmic relationship by temperature variation in the z-direction (diabatic boundary layer). Besides the parameters introduced in previous applications of the Lagrangian similarity hypothesis to turbulent diffusion, the ratio of source height to roughness length h/z0 is shown to be of major importance. Predictions of the variation of maximum ground-level concentration for continuous point and line sources and the variation of plume width for a continuous point source with distance downstream from the source agree with the assorted data remarkably well for a range of length scales extending over three orders-of-magnitude. It is concluded that results from application of the Lagrangian similarity hypothesis are significant for the laboratory modelling of diffusion in the atmospheric surface layer.
Diffusion of cadmium in pure and cadmium doped silver chloride

Abstract The tracer-sectioning technique was used to study the diffusion of cadmium in pure and cadmium doped silver chloride. Below 280°C the data are represented by D = 8·22 × 10 −6 exp (−0·57 eV/ kT ) cm 2 /sec and above 280°C by D = 4·26 exp (− 1·20 eV/ kT ) cm 2 /sec. alternatively, over the entire temperature range, the diffusion coefficient can be expressed as a sum of two exponentials: D = 51·21 exp (− 1·34 eV/ kT ) + 6·34 × 10 −6 exp (− 0·56 eV/ kT cm 2 /sec. This behavior can be explained by assuming mass transport by vacancy mechanism at higher temperature and a contribution to mass transport by interstitial motion of interstitional cadmium ions at lower temperature. They have also been examined on the vacancy-impurity association scheme and required parameters for a single mechanism are obtained. In confirmation of this model, experiments on doped silver chloride at 162°C show that the addition of cation vacancies causes D (Cd) at first to decrease, before finally beginning to rise again at high doping levels. This study supports the hypothesis that ions with outer d -shell electrons diffuse by a combination of vacancy and interstitital mechanisms in silver halides.
Human Zinc Deficiency: Discovery to Initial Translation

Ananda S Prasad first suspected zinc deficiency in 1958 after he, at the request of James A Halsted, evaluated a patient with severe iron deficiency. In addition to iron deficiency, the patient appeared ∼10 y old and was severely stunted and prepubertal, though his chronological and bone age were much older. He also had hepatosplenomegaly and ate clay. The condition was not rare in that 11 cases were reported. In 1961 Prasad joined the Vanderbilt Nutrition Group led by William J. Darby at the US Naval Medical Research Unit-3, Cairo, Egypt. Prasad et al. studied 40 males similar to the index case. Contrasts with the index case included no clay eating and infection with schistosomiasis and hookworm. Zinc kinetics confirmed the zinc deficiency. Endocrine studies showed hypopituitarism. Treatment with zinc and an omnivorous diet was more efficacious for growth than no treatment, diet alone, or iron and diet. Later, Halsted et al. confirmed these findings in stunted Iranian farmers. The key role of diet in the illness became evident when Prasad found 16 severely stunted farmers from 2 oases who were not infected with schistosomiasis or hookworm. Later, Reinhold et al., in Halsted’s group, reported that phytate and other indigestible zinc-binding ligands in unleavened bread prepared from high-extraction wheat flour suppress zinc absorption.
Management of Anastomotic Stricture

Stricture is a common postoperative complication associated with colorectal surgery. Although some strictures are easily treated, some may cause significant symptoms, including constipation or watery diarrhea, feelings of incomplete evacuation, abdominal distention, and pain, all which have the potential to greatly impede the quality of life, depending on the location. While there are successful treatment options available from balloon dilation to reoperative surgery, several risk factors have been identified that can be minimized both in the preoperative and in the postoperative periods, thus reducing the chance of anastomotic stricture formation. This chapter addresses the presentation, diagnosis, and risk factors for colorectal anastomotic (CRA) strictures as well as the management and treatment.
Mobile clinic services to serve rural populations in Katsina State, Nigeria: perceptions of services and patterns of utilization.

INTRODUCTION: Topographical cultural socio-economic and developmental factors combine to create significant barriers to health services delivery in areas of Northern Nigeria resulting in poor health outcomes in states such as Katsina. The Katsina State Ministry of Health has introduced a mobile clinic service to provide primary health care to particularly inaccessible communities. This study reports early evidence of beneficiary and provider perceptions of the service and indicators of initial coverage. METHODS: Key informant interviews were held with community leaders and service providers from communities receiving mobile clinic services from across six local government areas (LGAs) selected to represent diversity of conditions across the state. Exit interviews were conducted with 455 service users across three sites. Data on utilization were collated from routine service records and from a survey of a representative sample of households across the six LGAs. RESULTS: Beneficiaries reported high levels of satisfaction with respect to most aspects of the mobile clinic service. However there was significant variation in ratings of service quality. Concerns for beneficiaries included the lack of privacy provided waiting times and lack of guidance on follow-up care. Providers of the service reported high levels of satisfaction with the work highlighting the reach of services and the teamwork involved. Antenatal care (ANC) coverage of 30% of pregnant women-well above the average for the northern states-was achieved in one LGA though much lower rates were secured elsewhere. DISCUSSION: Data indicate that while services are generally well-received there are clear opportunities for strengthening quality of service provision. Improved service supervision and monitoring-potentially linked to performance-based financing mechanisms-promise to raise general quality of care to that demonstrated as attainable in the best performing LGAs. Provider reports suggesting high levels of motivation are notable in a general healthcare work environment with high rates of absenteeism. Published by Oxford University Press in association with The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (c) The Author 2013; all rights reserved.
Simplified eIRA code design and performance analysis for correlated Rayleigh fading channels

We present a simple design technique for extended irregular repeat-accumulate (eIRA) codes for flat Rayleigh fading channels, using simple channels as surrogates in the design. We show that eIRA codes designed for the burst-erasure channel (BuEC) or the burst-erasure channel with AWGN (BuEC-G) achieve essentially the same performance over Rayleigh fading channels as codes designed for the fading channel. Thus, to design good codes for Rayleigh fading channels, instead of implementing the complex design procedures targeted, specifically for this channel, we propose the simple approach of designing codes over surrogate channels, the BuEC or the BuEC-G. We also show that eIRA codes designed for the BuEC enjoy the advantage of efficient encodability and a lower error-rate floor. Finally, we demonstrate that it is the distribution of the number of faded bits per codeword which determines the difference between correlated and uncorrelated fading channel performance. Perfect channel state information is assumed in this paper.
Cognitive word use during marital conflict and increases in proinflammatory cytokines.

Objective: To examine whether greater cognitive engagement during a marital conflict discussion, as evidenced by use of words that suggest thinking and meaning-making, results in attenuated proinflammatory cytokine increases to stress and wounding. Design: Husbands and wives (N 84 individuals) were observed during two separate 24-hr visits: each visit included a wounding procedure, which was followed by a nonconflictive marital discussion (first visit) and a conflictive marital discussion (second visit). Main Outcome Measures: Serum proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-). Results: Individuals who used more cognitive processing words during the conflict discussion (but not the nonconflictive discussion) showed smaller increases in serum IL-6 and TNF- over 24 hours; they also had lower levels of both cytokines 24 hours after baseline controlling for demographics, hostility, depressed mood, positive and negative interactions, and marital quality. Effects of word use were not mediated by ruminative thoughts after conflict. Although both men and women benefited from their own cognitive engagement, only husbands’ IL-6 patterns were affected by spouses’ engagement. Conclusion: In accord with research demonstrating the value of cognitive processing in emotional disclosure, this research suggests that productive communication patterns may help mitigate the adverse effects of relationship conflict on inflammatory dysregulation.
Breaking the Khaldunian cycle? The rise of sharifianism as the basis for political legitimacy in early modern Morocco

This paper argues that the sharifian Sa'di and ‘Alawi dynasties ended the Khaldunian Cycle within Morocco through their development of a political creed based upon sharifianism (the idea that Islamic leadership should be held by descendants of the Prophet Muhammad). Within the context of a growing European threat, the Sa'dis created a doctrine that was both new and distinctly Moroccan while alleging it held a universal application deriving from the time of the Prophet. Thus they institutionalised a sense of ‘asabiyah in a way that preceding dynasties could not, which later enabled the ‘Alawis to exceed Ibn Khaldun's predicted dynastic lifespan and to lay the groundwork for the future growth of Moroccan nationalism. These developments do not negate the accuracy of Ibn Khaldun's cyclical analysis but rather they represent a transformation of the forces he observed within the context of the dawn of the modern era. An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 2006 AIMS conference in Tangier, Morocco....
Spatial simulation of secondary instability in plane channel flow: comparison of K- and H-type disturbances

This study involves a numerical simulation of spatially evolving secondary instability in plane channel flow. The computational algorithm integrates the time-dependent, 3D, incompressible Navier-Stokes equations by a mixed finite-difference/spectral technique. In particular, we are interested in the differences between instabilities instigated by Klebanoff (K-) type and Herbert (H-) type inflow conditions, and in comparing the present spatial results with previous temporal models. It is found that for the present inflow conditions, H-type instability is biased towards one of the channel walls, while K-type instability evolves on both walls. For low initial perturbation amplitudes, H-type instability exhibits higher growth rates than K-type instability, while higher initial amplitudes lead to comparable growth rates of both H- and K-type instability. In H-type instability, spectral analysis reveals the presence of the subharmonic 2D mode which promotes the growth of the 3D spanwise and fundamental modes through nonlinear interactions. An intermodal energy transfer study demonstrates that there is a net energy transfer from the 3D modes to the 2D mode. This analysis also indicates that the mean mode transfers net energy to the 2D subharmonic mode and to the 3D modes.
Application frameworks: how they become your enemy

Application frameworks have become a de-facto standard to implement business systems. In most organizations, when choosing either a development platform or a commercial solution, an application framework is part of the overall solution. This paper reviews my personal experience developing a proprietary application framework, its lifecycle, software engineering practices, successes and mistakes through its releases.
Successors of Singular Cardinals and Measurability Revisited

Before the remarkable theorem of Martin and Steel [6] showing that the existence of a supercompact cardinal κ implies L [ R ] ⊨ ZF + AD + DC, and the later theorem of Woodin [9] showing that Con(ZFC + There exists an ω sequence of Woodin cardinals) ⇔ Con(ZF + AD + DC), much set-theoretic research was focused upon showing that the consistency of fragments of AD + DC followed from more “reasonable” hypotheses such as versions of supercompactness. A good example of this is provided by the results of [1], in which the following theorems are proven.
Protein functional cycle viewed at atomic resolution: conformational change and mobility in nitrophorin 4 as a function of pH and NO binding

The blood-sucking insect Rhodnius prolixus uses nitrophorin 4, a heme protein, to deliver nitric oxide (NO) to a victim, causing vasodilation and improved feeding. Binding of NO occurs at a ferric heme and is modulated by pH. NO binding at lower pH induces a large conformational change involving loops A−B and G−H that leads to distal pocket desolvation and protection of the nitrosyl heme complex. We have determined the crystal structures of Rhodnius nitrophorin 4 to ultrahigh resolution in four functional states: ±NO at pH = 7.4 and ±NO at pH = 5.6. The structure with NO at pH 7.4 (1.08 A) is newly determined while the other complexes have been modeled to resolutions much greater than previously reported (1.0−0.85 A). The ultrahigh resolution allowed us to resolve multiple conformers in binding-site loops, leading to a detailed description of the dynamics involved with storing NO in the insect salivary gland at low pH, and releasing NO in response to the increased pH of a victim's tissue. Strikingly, fea...
Glycodendrimers: tools to explore multivalent galectin-1 interactions

Four generations of lactose-functionalized polyamidoamine (PAMAM) were employed to further the understanding of multivalent galectin-1 mediated interactions. Dynamic light scattering and fluorescence microscopy were used to study the multivalent interaction of galectin-1 with the glycodendrimers in solution, and glycodendrimers were observed to organize galectin-1 into nanoparticles. In the presence of a large excess of galectin-1, glycodendrimers nucleated galectin-1 into nanoparticles that were remarkably homologous in size (400–500 nm). To understand augmentation of oncologic cellular aggregation by galectin-1, glycodendrimers were used in cell-based assays with human prostate carcinoma cells (DU145). The results revealed that glycodendrimers provided competitive binding sites for galectin-1, which diverted galectin-1 from its typical function in cellular aggregation of DU145 cells.
Igf2 Deficiency Results in Delayed Lung Development at the End of Gestation

IGF-II is a polypeptide hormone with structural homology to insulin and IGF-I. IGF-II plays an important role in fetal growth as mice with targeted disruption of the IGF-II gene (Igf2) exhibit severe growth retardation. The role of IGFs in the fetal lung has been suggested by several studies, including those that have identified IGF mRNA expression, and that of their receptors and binding proteins in the lungs at different stages of development. In this study, we used mice carrying a null mutation of Igf2 (Igf2-/- mice) to determine whether the absence of IGF-II had any effect in fetal lung maturation. Our results showed that the lungs of Igf2-/- fetuses had thicker alveolar septae and poorly organized alveoli when compared with those of Igf2+/+ on d 17.5 and 18.5 of gestation. These morphological alterations may be the result of exposure to lower levels of glucocorticoids because plasma corticosterone levels were significantly lower in Igf2-/- mothers compared with wild-type controls. In support of this, fetuses from homozygous knockout matings, where mothers were treated with 15 microg/ml corticosterone, and Igf2-/- fetuses obtained from heterozygous matings had similar lung histology to those of wild-type fetuses. Finally, we found that IGF-I and SP-B mRNA levels were up-regulated in the lungs of Igf2-/- fetuses at the end of gestation. This study suggests that Igf2 plays an important role in the development of the fetal lung and may affect fetal lung maturation by regulating maternal factors, such as corticosterone levels, during pregnancy.
Recurrence of scleroderma in a renal allograft from an identical twin sister

A patient with scleroderma developed renal failure secondary to recurrence of scleroderma in a renal allograft from an identical twin. This report reviews the previous reports of scleroderma recurrence in renal allografts; the differential diagnosis of scleroderma renal crisis, including cyclosporine toxicity, malignant hypertension, and allograft rejection; and the pathophysiology of this disease.
What's your diagnosis? Well-demarcated vulvar erythema in two girls.

A 3-year-old girl has a persistent vulvar rash which has not responded to topical antifungal treatment. The rash is erythematous well-demarcated and symmetrical. She has had no vaginal discharge. An 11-year-old girl is seeing you for a vulvar rash which she has had for months. Her rash is erythematous well-demarcated and symmetrical with a small amount of scale at the periphery. She too has not had vaginal discharge. (excerpt)
Cluster fault-tolerance: An experimental evaluation of checkpointing and MapReduce through simulation

Traditionally, cluster computing has employed checkpointing to address fault tolerance. Recently, new models for parallel applications have grown in popularity — namely MapReduce and Dryad, with runtime systems providing their own reexecute-based fault-tolerance mechanisms, but with no analysis of their failure characteristics. Another development is the availability of failure data spanning years for systems of significant size at Los Alamos National Labs (LANL), but the Time Between Failure (TBF) for these systems is a poor fit to the exponential distribution assumed by optimization work in checkpointing, bringing these results into question. The work in this paper describes a discrete event simulation driven by the LANL data and by models of parallel checkpointing and MapReduce tasks. The simulation allows us to then evaluate and assess the fault tolerance characteristics of these tasks with the goal of minimizing the expected running time of a parallel program in a cluster in the presence of faults for both fault tolerance models.
Threshold uncertainty in discrete public good games: an experimental study

A discrete public good is provided when total contributions equal or exceed the contribution threshold. Recent theoretical work shows that an increase in threshold uncertainty will increase (decrease) equilibrium contributions when the public good value is sufficiently high (low). In an experiment designed to test these predictions, I find only limited verification of the prediction. Using elicited beliefs data to represent subjects’ beliefs, I find that behavior is not consistent with expected payoff maximization, however, contributions are increasing in subjects’ subjective pivotalness. Thus, wider threshold uncertainty will sometimes—but not always—hinder collective action.
A MIMO-OFDM channel estimation scheme utilizing complementary sequences

We present a pilot-assisted method for estimating the frequency selective channel in a MIMO-OFDM system. The pilot sequence is designed using the DFT of the Golay complementary sequences. Novel exploitation of the perfect autocorrelation property of Golay complementary sequences, in conjunction with OSTBC based pilot waveform scheduling across multiple OFDM frames, facilitates simple separation of the channel mixtures at the receive antennas. The DFT length used to transform the complementary sequence into the frequency domain is shown to be a key critical parameter for correctly estimating the channel. This channel estimation scheme is then extended to antenna arrays of arbitrary sizes.
Determination of vertical thermal structure from sea surface temperature

A recently developed parametric model by P. C. Chu et al. is used in this paper for determining subsurface thermal structure from satellite sea surface temperature observations. Based on a layered structure of temperature fields (mixed layer, thermocline, and lower layers), the parametric model transforms a vertical profile into several parameters: sea surface temperature (SST), mixed layer depth (MLD), thermocline bottom depth (TBD), thermocline temperature gradient (TTG), and deep layer stratification (DLS). These parameters vary on different timescales: SST and MLD on scales of minutes to hours, TBD and TTG on months to seasons, and DLS on an even longer timescale. If the long timescale parameters such as TBD, TTD, and DLS are known (or given by climatological values), the degree of freedom of a vertical profile fitted by the model reduces to one: SST. When SST is observed, one may invert MLD, and, in turn, the vertical temperature profile with the known long timescale parameters: TBD, TTG, and DLS. The U.S. Navy’s Master Oceanographic Observation Data Set (MOODS) for the South China Sea in May 1932‐94 (10 153 profiles) was used for the study. Among them, there are 40 data points collocating and coappearing (same week) with the weekly daytime NASA multichannel SST data in 1986‐94. The 40 MOODS profiles were treated as a test dataset. The MOODS dataset excluding the test data is the training dataset, consisting of 10 113 profiles. The training dataset was processed into a dataset consisting of SST, MLD, TBD, TTG, and DLS using the parametric model. SST from the test dataset was used for the inversion based on the known information on TBD, TTG, and DLS. The 40 inverted profiles agreed quite well with the corresponding observed profiles. The rms error is 0.728C, and the correlation between the inverted and observed profiles is 0.79. This is much better than the simple method of estimating subsurface temperature anomaly from SST anomaly by correlating the two in the training dataset. The possibility of using this method globally is also discussed.
Student Expectations of Technology-Enhanced Pedagogy: A Ten-Year Comparison

The influx of technology into education has begun a transformation of the classroom. The authors replicated a 1996 study of college students’ expectations of technology to be used in the classroom. Students reported prior experience with computer technology, their ideal classroom instruction techniques, and what technology-enhanced pedagogies they anticipated in college classrooms. Although student desires have changed, the picture of an ideal classroom still shows a strong desire for lecture-dominated classes with class discussion and exercises, written handouts, and outlines. Implications and suggestions for future research are included.
Modeling Multilevel Survival Data Using Frailty Models

Often the dependence in multivariate survival data is modeled through an individual level effect called the frailty. Due to its mathematical simplicity, the gamma distribution is often used as the frailty distribution for hazard modeling. However, it is well known that the gamma frailty distribution has many drawbacks. For example, it weakens the effect of covariates. In addition, in the presence of a multilevel model, overall frailty comes from several levels. To overcome such drawbacks, more heavy-tailed distributions are needed to model the frailty distribution in order to incorporate extra variability. In this article, we develop a class of log-skew-t distributions for the frailty. This class includes the log-normal distribution along with many other heavy tailed distributions, e.g., log-Cauchy, log normal, and log-t as special cases. Conditional on the frailty, the survival times are assumed to be independent with proportional hazard structure. The modeling process is then completed by assuming multi...
Ramsay Hunt syndrome type II

A 57-year-old man developed 3 days of left facial pain and swelling with left-sided hearing loss followed by a painful, unilateral, erythematous, and vesicular rash on the left anterior two-thirds of the tongue, external auditory canal, lip, and face typical of varicella-zoster virus reactivation (figure). Reactivation in the geniculate ganglion or facial nerve is uncommon and typically causes tongue and auricular lesions or facial palsy and was described by Hunt in 1907.(1) The patient received IV acyclovir and oral prednisone with rapid improvement in pain and resolution of lesions and improvement of hearing over 1 month.
Picture perception is array-specific: viewing angle versus apparent orientation.

The amount that a pictured lattice appears to be swung from its frame changes with subjects’ viewpoint, in contrast with previous experiments using insufficient range of rotation. Also, this effect is shown to be independent of the physical slant of the picture surface, though not necessarily of border-shape information. Analysis of depicted headings which rotate with viewpoint, with respect to the picture plane, although the angle between these headings in virtual space hardly changes, relates these data to specific geometric properties of the perspective arrayas seen from the different viewpoints. Data show differential rotation of differently oriented features within a single depicted object, in a way that is dependent on task instructions. It is proposed that in picture perception, contradictory cues are resolved by combination.
Periodic and quasiperiodic nonquarterwave multilayer coatings for 90-deg reflection phase retardance at 45-deg angle of incidence

All possible solutions for a periodic stack of 10 ZnS-ThF4 bilayers on a Ag substrate that produce 90-deg differential reflection phase shift at 45-deg angle of incidence and 3.39-μm wavelength are determined. The angular and wavelength sensitivity of several of these designs is considered. To increase the reflectance, reduce the diattenuation, and improve the sensitivity of the 20-layer reflection quarterwave retarder (QWR), we also consider quasiperiodic stacks. These designs are obtained by iteration starting from an initial high-reflectance, 10-bilayer, non-QWR, periodic structure and adjusting the thicknesses of the two films of the topmost bilayer to realize the desired 90-deg retardance. Again multiple solutions are obtained for each initial design and their angular and wavelength sensitivity are analyzed. It is found that the best sensitivity corresponds to the lowest and nearly equal optical thicknesses of the two films of the topmost bilayer. Performance comparable to that reported in the literature, obtained for more complicated stacks in which the thicknesses of all 20 films are different, is reported.
Alcoholism: Methodological Considerations in the Study of Family Illness.

Information obtained from alcoholic subjects about the prevalence of psychopathology in their first-degree relatives is compared with the prevalence obtained in a personal examination of these same relatives. The number of positives for psychopathology increased by 175% when the relatives were interviewed.
AVARI: animated virtual agent retrieving information

Avari is a virtual receptionist for the Computer Science department at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her components include background subtraction to detect a person's presence, speech recognition, audio and visual devices to communicate with passersby. Deployed in a public setting, we investigate the reactions and interactions of passersby with Avari. We describe the design and architecture of the virtual human and discuss the effectiveness of a publicly deployed virtual human.
Sensitivity of long‐term performance simulations of solar energy systems to the degree of stratification in the thermal storage unit

This paper investigates the sensitivity of the long-term performance simulations of solar energy systems to the degree of stratification in both liquid and packed-bed storage units. The degree of stratification is controlled by the number of nodes used in a finite-difference approximation of the storage system temperature distribution. Short- and long-term simulations of typical water heating and solar thermal power plant systems are conducted. The results indicate that the long-term performance of these systems is far less sensitive to the number of nodes used to represent the degree of stratification than expected based on short-term simulations or experimental data. An explanation is offered for this non-intuitive result. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low multilinear rank tensor approximation via semidefinite programming

We present a novel method for tensor dimensionality reduction. The tensor rank reduction has many applications in signal and image processing including various blind techniques. In this paper, we generalize the trace class norm to higher-order tensors. Recently, the matrix trace class has received much attention in the compressed sensing applications. It is known to provide bounds for the minimum rank of a matrix. In this paper, a new tensor trace class norm is used to formulate an optimization problem for finding the best low multilinear rank tensor approximation. Our new formulation leads to a set of semidefinite programming subproblems where the nth subproblem approximates a low multilinear rank factor in the nth modal direction. Our method is illustrated on a real-life data set.
Urban Nonprofits, City Governance, and Sustainability in American Cities

American cities vary greatly in the degree to which they demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. Determining why some cities develop an array of programs designed to promote sustainability while others cities do little is a complex undertaking. We focus here on the interaction between various interest group sectors and city councilors. Our measurements draw on a combination of two databases, one a survey of 50 large American cities and the other a comprehensive index of city-level programming in the area of environmental protection and sustainability. Particular attention is paid to the role of urban nonprofits, including neighborhood associations, environmental groups, and non-environmental civic associations. Although the relationships are not consistent through all tests, there is an overall pattern that links nonprofit advocacy to increased levels of sustainability programs and policies. In a multivariate analysis labor union advocacy proves to be most powerful predicator of serious city-level sustainability efforts. This belies the image of labor as being anti-environmental. Our modern, post-industrial economy generates jobs with the development of green businesses. Overall, we find that city governments appear relatively open with a diverse array of advocacy groups participating in the policymaking process.
Surrender at 20? Matchmaking in league of legends

Online games rely upon matchmaking systems to group players into teams and to match teams against other teams for balanced, fun gameplay. Despite the importance of matchmaking, little has been published about the effectiveness of current matchmaking systems. This paper presents the results from a detailed user study analyzing the matchmaking system for League of Legends (LoL), a popular online game. Analysis of objective and subjective data from over 50 games shows LoL games are balanced based on player ranks, but are unbalanced based on player opinions. Despite this, unbalanced games are often the most fun for players, as long as they are on the winning team. This last result suggests new considerations for matchmaking system algorithms.
Security and Vulnerability Assessment of Social Media Sites: An Exploratory Study

While the growing popularity of social media has brought many benefits to society, it has also resulted in privacy and security threats. The authors assessed the security and vulnerability of 50 social media sites. The findings indicate that most sites (a) posted privacy and security policies but only a minority stated clearly their execution of the key security measures; (b) had network information that was publicly available through Internet search, which was vulnerable to cyber intrusion; and (c) were secured with firewalls, filters, or port closures, with only few ports detected as open, which need further improvement.
Optimal procedures for detecting analytic bias using patient samples.

We recently described the performance characteristics of the exponentially adjusted moving mean (EAMM), a patient-data, moving block mean procedure, which is a generalized algorithm that unifies Bull's algorithm and the classic average of normals (AON) procedure. Herein we describe the trend EAMM (TEAMM), a continuous signal analog of the EAMM procedure related to classic trend analysis. Using computer simulation, we have compared EAMM and TEAMM over a range of biases for various sample sizes (N or equivalent smoothing factor α) and exponential parameters (P) under conditions of equivalent false rejection (fixed on a per patient sample basis). We found optimal pairs of N and P for each level of bias by determination of minimum mean patient samples to rejection. Overall optimal algorithms were determined through calculation of undetected lost medical utility (ULMU), a novel function that quantifies the medical damage due to analytic bias. The ULMU function was calculated based on lost test specificity in a normal population. We found that optimized TEAMM was superior to optimized EAMM for all levels of analytic bias. If these observations hold true for non-Gaussian populations, TEAMM procedures are the method of choice for detecting bias using patient samples or as an event gauge to trigger use of known-value control materials.
Validation of Fingertip Force in the ACT Hand Index Finger and Bond Graph Tendon Model

The Anatomically Correct Testbed (ACT) Hand was designed to allow researchers to explore the properties of the human hand without the need for cadaver specimens. Previous experiments to validate the anatomical accuracy of the ACT Hand have been performed to comparing the moment arms, the mechanical advantage of the tendons on each joint, to cadaver studies. Here, an experiment involving the individual tendon loading of the ACT index finger was performed as additional anatomical validation of the ACT Hand. These experiments were used to compare the ACT index finger to an index finger cadaver study and validate a bond graph model of the index finger tendon system. The results showed agreement (less than two standard deviations) between the fingertip forces of the ACT index finger and cadaver studies. The results also showed agreement (less than one standard deviation) between the fingertip forces of the ACT index finger and the presented bond graph tendon model.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Hemolymph Proteins of Developing Pieris rapae Larvae Parasitized by Apanteles glomeratus

The effects of the parasite, Apanteles glomeratus L., on the hemolymph simple and conjugated proteins of developing Pieris rapae (L.) were studied. Hemolymph protein concentration of both nonparasitized and parasitized insects followed a cyclical pattern related to the molting sequence. The maximum titer found was lower for parasitized than nonparasitized larvae. The latter could result from failure of ecdysial gland activation, or absence of sequestered protein, as would be expected if the host was no longer programmed for pupation. Electrophoretic patterns revealed 29 different protein bands in nonparasitized insects, although a maximum of 24 was detected at any one time. Eleven of these bands were conjugated. Most of these were associated with the slower moving fractions. Six bands were absent from parasitized individuals, 2 of these were suggested as being involved in the initiation of metamorphosis. Three additional bands from parasitized P. rapae were altered in varying degrees. These data would indicate that parasitization influenced the endocrine system maintaining host biosynthseis in a juvenile state.
Siloxanes are the most abundant volatile organic compound emitted from engineering students in a classroom

Direct human emissions are known to contribute volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to indoor air via various mechanisms. However, few measurements that determine the emissions of a full suite of occupant-associated VOCs are available. We measured occupant-related VOC emissions from engineering students in a classroom using a proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-TOF-MS). The dominant compound emitted was a cyclic volatile methylsiloxane (cVMS), decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5), which is a major inactive ingredient in some personal care products such as antiperspirants. D5 was found to contribute ∼30% of the total indoor VOC mass concentration as measured by the PTR-TOF-MS. Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6) were detected at abundances that were 1–2 orders of magnitude lower. The per-person emission rate of these three cVMS declined monotonically from morning into the afternoon, consistent with expectations for emissions from daily morning appli...