cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Overexpression of periostin in stroma positively associated with aggressive prostate cancer.

Background Periostin is an important extracellular matrix protein involved in cell development and adhesion. Previously, we identified periostin to be up-regulated in aggressive prostate cancer (CaP) using quantitative glycoproteomics and mass spectrometry. The expression of periostin was further evaluated in primary radical prostatectomy (RP) prostate tumors and adjacent non-tumorous prostate tissues using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Our IHC results revealed a low background periostin levels in the adjacent non-tumorous prostate tissues, but overexpressed periostin levels in the peritumoral stroma of primary CaP tumors. Methods In this study, periostin expression in CaP was further examined on multiple tissue microarrays (TMAs), which were conducted in four laboratories. To achieve consistent staining, all TMAs were stained with same protocol and scored by same image computation tool to determine the total periostin staining intensities. The TMAs were further scored by pathologists to characterize the stromal staining and epithelial staining. Results The periostin staining was observed mainly in peritumoral stromal cells and in some cases in tumor epithelial cells though the stronger staining was found in peritumoral stromal cells. Both periostin stromal staining and epithelial staining can differentiate BPH from CaP including low grade CaP (Gleason score ≤6), with significant p-value of 2.2e-16 and 0.001, respectively. Periostin epithelial staining differentiated PIN from low grade CaP (Gleason score ≤6) (p=0.001), while periostin stromal staining differentiated low grade Cap (Gleason score ≤6) from high grade Cap (Gleason score ≤6) (p=1.7e-05). In addition, a positive correlation between total periostin staining and Gleason score was observed (r=0.87, p=0.002). Conclusions The results showed that periostin staining was positively correlated with increasing Gleason score and the aggressiveness of prostate disease.
New 17 electron complexes of iron

Abstract One electron oxidation reactions are predicted forFe(C 5 H 5 )(dpe)X compounds according to cyclic voltammetry. These oxidations have been carried out using AgPF 6 as an oxidant, and a number of 17e complexes of the formula [Fe(C 5 H 5 )(dpe)X]PF 6 (X = Cl, Br, I, H, Me, SnMe 3 , CN, SCN (N bonded isomer), SPh) has been isolated. The compound [Fe(C 5 H 5 )(dpe)SPh]BF 4 also is formed from addition of HBF 4 to the appropriate 18 electron precursor, while addition of a potentially stronger oxidizing agent NOPF 6 gives [Fe(C 5 H 5 )(dpe)NO](PF 6 ) 2 . The compound [Fe(C 5 H 5 ){P(OPh) 3 } 2 I]PF 6 has been isolated. The 17e species Fe(C 5 H 5 )(dpe)S 2 O 3 forms from [Fe(C 5 H 5 )(dpe)(MeCN)]PF 6 and Na 2 S 2 O 3 . This may be the first organometallic compound having an S 2 O 3 ligand. The 17e compounds are paramagnetic, with all but the CN compound having magnetic moments corresponding to oneunpaired electron; the magnetic moment of the CN − compound is abnormally low (0.55 BM).
Quantification of right and left ventricular volumes in children with congenital heart disease by multidetector-row computed tomography.

Multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) of the heart is a new diagnostic approach for the quantitative evaluation of the coronary artery in adults. However, in children, the quantitative analysis of each cardiac chamber has not been established. We attempt to clarify the feasibility and validation of ECG-gated MDCT as a quantitative diagnostic tool to assess the right and left ventricular volume in children. The study consisted of 16 patients who had definite right and left ventricle. After obtaining multislice images by MDCT, we measured the end diastolic volume of both the right and the left ventricle by direct calculation of the region of interest and calculation from the projected image of three-dimensional reconstruction by traditional formulas. The correlation between the two calculations for both ventricles is excellent (r = 0.99 for LV and 0.94 for RV, respectively). The correlations for ventricular volume between calculation of catheterization and calculation of MDCT is also good (r = 0.99 for LV 0.99 for RV, respectively). Volume measurement by ECG-gated MDCT of the right and left ventricles is well correlated with that by catheterization in children and can reduce the necessity for cardiac catheterization.
Toward a cosmopolitan ethos

There has been a rising trend in cosmopolitan moral theory to seriously take into consideration the human's rootedness in, and partiality toward, particular cultures, places, peoples and traditions. This essay suggests that reframing our theorizing on cosmopolitanism from one that primarily addresses an ethico-political set of questions to one that addresses questions related to moral psychology, personal and collective identity formation and the ways in which civilizations and cultural communities cultivate an ethos may assist in the task of generating a rooted form of cosmopolitanism. Conceptualizing cosmopolitanism as an ethos entails a shift from considering our moral obligations to distant others toward a focus on the types of dispositions and character traits necessary to forge a sense of intercultural solidarity. Through an analysis of the ideas of ‘diaspora’, ‘proximity’, ‘partiality' and the ‘foreign’, it will be suggested that through our rootedness in particularity, and our ability to be partia...
A structural model of the pore-forming region of the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor (RyR1).

Ryanodine receptors (RyRs) are ion channels that regulate muscle contraction by releasing calcium ions from intracellular stores into the cytoplasm. Mutations in skeletal muscle RyR (RyR1) give rise to congenital diseases such as central core disease. The absence of high-resolution structures of RyR1 has limited our understanding of channel function and disease mechanisms at the molecular level. Here, we report a structural model of the pore-forming region of RyR1. Molecular dynamics simulations show high ion binding to putative pore residues D4899, E4900, D4938, and D4945, which are experimentally known to be critical for channel conductance and selectivity. We also observe preferential localization of Ca2+ over K+ in the selectivity filter of RyR1. Simulations of RyR1-D4899Q mutant show a loss of preference to Ca2+ in the selectivity filter as seen experimentally. Electrophysiological experiments on a central core disease mutant, RyR1-G4898R, show constitutively open channels that conduct K+ but not Ca2+. Our simulations with G4898R likewise show a decrease in the preference of Ca2+ over K+ in the selectivity filter. Together, the computational and experimental results shed light on ion conductance and selectivity of RyR1 at an atomistic level.
Growth and Surface Morphologies of 6H SiC Bulk and Epitaxial Crystals

Bulk crystals and epitaxial layers of 6H SiC have been grown and their surface morphologies have been investigated. Seeded sublimation has been employed to obtain bulk 6H SiC crystals whereas a silicon tetrachloride-propane based chemical vapor deposition (CVD) was used for growing epitaxial layers. The hot-zones were designed using numerical simulation. Growth rates up to 200 μm/hr could be achieved in the CVD process. A new growth-assisted hydrogen etching was developed to reveal the distribution of the micropipes present in the substrate. Morphological features were studied using Nomarski, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the structural quality was evaluated using synchrotron X-ray topography.
Crossed beam reaction of oriented methyl iodide with rubidium: Steric factor and reactive asymmetry versus scattering angle

Abstract The reactive scaterring probability as a fucntion of orientation of CH 3 I with respect to incident Rb is measured over a range of scattering angles. Whereas a large reactive asymmetry is observed for c.m.-backscattered Rb 1 (steric factor f =0.44), forward (c.m.) scattering is much less orientation-dependent ( f>0.94 )
Aprosodia and Its Treatment

Abstract Aprosodia is a deficit in comprehending or expressing variations in tone of voice used to express both linguistic and emotional information. Affective aprosodia refers to a specific defici...
Measurement error of risk factor variables in an epidemiologic study of children—The bogalusa heart study☆

Estimates of measurement error (precision) and of reliability (reproducibility) were obtained from two cross-sectional epidemiologic surveys of cardiovascular risk factor variables. Anthropometric, blood pressure and serum lipid measurements were obtained on children (ages 5–14 yr, N = 3524, first survey; ages 5–17 yr, N = 4074, second survey) in the biracial community of Bogalusa, Louisiana. The measurement error decreased by one half for the serum total cholesterol (from 9.50 to 4.04 mg%) and triglycerides (from 10.34 to 5.05 mg%,) between the two surveys. Although the measurement error remained stable for the automatic height and weight instruments, it decreased for the manual instruments. A decrease in the measurement error between the two surveys was also noted for the triceps skinfold thickness, the upper-arm length and the upper-arm circumference. Concurrent with the decrease in measurement error, there was an increase in reliability. The anthropometric variables were the most reliable, followed by the laboratory and then the blood pressure variables. The reliability during the second survey ranged from 0.99 to 0.9999 for the anthropometric variables, from 0.87 to 0.98 for the laboratory variables and from 0.75 to 0.89 for the blood pressure variables. The increasing reliability may indicate a reduction in the phenomenon of regression to the mean, the effect of training on the examiners, the increased proficiency in the use of the Technicon AAII and an increased capability of tracking variables over time.
Work in progress — Structural art: Encouraging student creativity and artistic expression

A series of assignments were incorporated into a structural analysis course to encourage student creativity and help develop an appreciation for aesthetics and artistic expression in engineering design. Selected reading assignments and web research were combined with a culminating exercise to create and display a piece of artwork influenced by or related to structural design. Student feedback on the activity provided data on the various aspects of the assignment as well as suggestions for improvement.
Composition of motor-vehicle organic emissions under elevated-temperature summer driving conditions (75 to 105 deg F)

Emissions from nine popular late-model motor vehicles with four-cylinder engines were characterized at three test temperatures to simulate summer driving. Six vehicles were fueled by throttle body injection (TBI) and three by port fuel injection (PFI). The vehicles were tested at temperatures of 75, 90 and 105 °F with unleaded regular summer grade fuel. Tailpipe and evaporative emissions were determined at each test temperature. The emissions measured were total hydrocarbons (THCs), speciated hydrocarbons (200+ compounds and isomers), speciated aldehydes, carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), benzene and 1,3-butadiene. Tailpipe emissions of THC from the TBI were relatively stable, but THC emissions from the PFI vehicles decreased slightly as test temperature increased. CO emissions from the TBI vehicles increased and those from the PFI vehicles decreased as test temperature increased. NOX emissions from both TBI and PFI vehicles increased with increased test temperature. Benzene and 1, 3-butadie...
Effect of Areal Chain Density on the Location of Polymer-Modified Gold Nanoparticles in a Block Copolymer Template

A strategy for controlling the location of gold nanoparticles within block copolymer domains through varying the surface coverage of gold nanoparticles by end-attached polymer ligands is described. Gold nanoparticles coated by short thiol end functional polystyrene homopolymers (PS-SH) (Mn = 3.4 kg/mol) are incorporated into a poly(styrene-b-2-vinylpyridine) diblock copolymer template (PS-b-P2VP) (Mn = 196 kg/mol), the P2VP block of which has a more favorable interaction with a bare gold particle surface than does the PS block. The areal chain density of the PS-SH ligands on gold particles is varied by changing the mole ratio of PS-SH chains to gold atoms. It is found that the areal density of PS chains on the gold particles is critical to controlling their location in block copolymer templates. PS-coated gold nanoparticles with PS chain areal density higher than 1.6 chains/nm2 are dispersed in PS domains of PS-b-P2VP while they are segregated along the interface between PS and P2VP domains of PS-b-P2VP f...
Summary of an Analysis of the Eddy-Current Flowmeter

The eddy-current flowmeter seems well adapted to measurements in high-temperature liquid-metal systems, where deterioration of the properties of permanent magnets and other ferromagnetic parts or bearing problems may seriously degrade the performance of other types. It is shown analytically that velocity-profile errors and temperature errors can be minimized by selecting a suitable operating frequency.
Inhibitors of intracellular cyclic AMP accumulation affect differentiation of sporogenous mutants of Dictyostelium discoideum

Sporogenous mutants of Dictyostelium discoideum strain V12M2 were used to determine whether the intracellular levels of cyclic AMP or other second messengers regulate differentiation. Increasing external concentrations of cyclic AMP promoted spore formation. Caffeine and progesterone, which lower intracellular cyclic AMP levels by different mechanisms, blocked spore formation and favored stalk cell formation. In contrast, differentiation of both spore and stalk cells occurred normally in the presence of agents that disrupt calcium/calmodulin or protein kinase C-based second messenger systems. The data are in accord with the view that (1) intracellular cyclic AMP is essential for terminal differentiation of both cell types, and (2) higher levels are required for formation of spores than for stalk cells.
Shape-selective reactions of zeolites. Selective metal-catalyzed hydrogenation and oxidation using ZSM-5

Abstract The ZSM-5 zeolite was shown to act as a shape-selective support for the platinum-catalyzed hydrogenation of olefins and for the copper-catalyzed oxidation of hydrocarbons.
Glucosepane: a poorly understood advanced glycation end product of growing importance for diabetes and its complications

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) represent a family of protein, peptide, amino acid, nucleic acid and lipid adducts formed by the reaction of carbonyl compounds derived directly or indirectly from glucose, ascorbic acid and other metabolites such as methylglyoxal. AGE formation in diabetes is of growing importance for their role as markers and potential culprits of diabetic complications, in particular retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. Development of sensitive and specific assays utilizing liquid chromatography mass spectrometry with isotope dilution method has made it possible to detect and quantitate non-UV active AGEs such as carboxymethyl-lysine and glucosepane, the most prevalent AGE and protein crosslink of the extracellular matrix. Below we review studies on AGE formation in two skin biopsies obtained near the closeout of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), one of which was processed in 2011 for assay of novel AGEs. The results of these analyses show that while several AGEs are associated and predict complication progression, the glucose/fructose-lysine/glucosepane AGE axis is one of the most robust markers for microvascular disease, especially retinopathy, in spite of adjustment for past or future average glycemia. Yet overall little biological and clinical information is available on glucosepane, making this review a call for data in a field of growing importance for diabetes and chronic metabolic diseases of aging.
A high resolution tracking system for the investigation of relativistic heavy ion collisions

Abstract We describe herein a set of tracking detectors used in the identification of particles produced in relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions.
COAP 2007 Best Paper Award

Each year, the Computational Optimization and Applications (COAP) editorial board selects a paper from the preceding year’s COAP publications for the Best Paper Award. The recipient of the award for papers published in 2007 is Olvi Mangasarian of the University of Wisconsin, Madison and the University of California, San Diego, for his paper “Absolute Value Programming”, published in Volume 36, pages 43–53. This paper [7] as well as subsequent closely related papers [6, 8, 9] deal with the absolute value equation (AVE) Ax + B|x| = b, where A and B are arbitrary m× n real matrices and |x| denotes the vector with absolute values of the n-dimensional real valued vector x. The significance of this class of NP-hard problems arises partly from the fact that when B = I , the identity matrix, AVE is equivalent to the general linear complementarity problem, 0 ≤ x ⊥Mx + q ≥ 0. Even though problems involving absolute values are NP-hard, they share some very interesting properties with those of linear systems. For example, optimization problems with absolute value constraints possess optimality and duality results similar to those of linear programming, even though the problems are inherently nonconvex. Another interesting property that AVE shares with linear inequalities are theorems of the alternative which are established in this paper. The paper also contains a finite successive linearization algorithm for solving absolute value equations that terminates at a necessary optimality condition. This algorithm has solved all random test problems given to it for which mostly m ≥ 2n or n ≥ 2m, up to size (m,n) of (2000,100) and (100,2000). When m = n and B is invertible, which is the case for the linear complementarity problem formulation, a simpler concave minimization
Diffusion of linear polystyrene into crosslinked polystyrene

Abstract The diffusion of linear polystyrene (PS) into its crosslinked counterpart was studied using both neutron reflectivity (NR) and forward recoil scattering (FRES). The penetrant molecular weights were monodisperse and ranged from 10 000 to 690 000 g mol −1 . The molecular weight between crosslinks was kept at 22 000 g mol −1 . The crosslinks were introduced by polymerizing styrene monomer in the presence of divinylbenzene. The FRES results revealed the presence of a high molecular weight cut-off for the linear PS above which diffusion could not proceed. The NR results indicated that even at these high molecular weights a certain amount of diffusion did occur but was confined to the first few hundred Angstroms of the interface. A step function in the polymer concentration profile was found at these high molecular weights as expected for systems showing a limited solubility for the diffusant. The counter diffusion of residual sol from the crosslinked network is used to explain certain features of the diffusion profile.
To Drop or Add: Market Timing and Supermarket Decisions on Irradiated Ground Beef

ABSTRACT This article investigates the sequential nature of supermarkets' decisions regarding irradiated ground beef using data collected from two separate supermarket surveys. We identify four mutually exclusive groups of supermarkets: those that adopted irradiated ground beef early and subsequently either continued or ceased offering the product–Early Adopters or Droppers, and those that at first chose not to adopt and subsequently either added or continued not offering the product–Adders or Never Adopters. We find that one set of store-level factors plays an important role in separating Early Adopters from Droppers, while a separate set of factors is important in separating Adders from Never Adopters.
The synthesis and degradation of poly(a)-containing mRNAs in mouse neuroblastoma cells treated with dibutyryl cAMP or with Ro20-1724.

: The relative rates of synthesis and turnover of poly(A)-containing mRNAs were determined in the S-20 (cholinergic) and NIE-115 (adrenergic) neuroblastoma clones after 3 days treatment with dibutyryl cAMP or the phos-phodiesterase inhibitor N-4-(3-butoxy-4-methoxybenzyl)-2-imidazolidinone (Ro20-1724) in an attempt to correlate transcriptional and posttranscriptional changes with observed cAMP-induced changes in the differentiated state. Treatment of S-20 cells with dibutyryl cAMP for 3 days caused a fourfold increase in intracellular cAMP and a 30% decrease in growth rate compared with the levels in control cells. However, there was no difference in the synthesis of the poly(A)-containing RNAs, relative to the ribosomal RNAs, after either 2- or 18-h labeling with 3H-adenosine. There was also no increase in the steady-state mRNA levels. Treatment with Ro20-1724 caused only a transient twofold increase in intracellular cAMP level when S-20 cells were plated at a low density and no increase at higher densities although growth was inhibited by 60%. There was, again, no increase in the relative synthesis of poly(A)-mRNAs with 2-h label in cells treated with Ro20-1724, but there was a twofold increase after labeling for 18 h. Optical density measurements, however, showed that this increased incorporation of 3H-adenosine did not result in an increase in the absolute amount of unlabeled poly(A)-containing mRNAs. NIE-115 cells showed an 8-fold increase in intracellular cAMP after 3 days of treatment with Ro20-1724 and an 80% inhibition of growth rate. However, the relative rates of synthesis of the poly(A)-containing mRNAs were identical to those obtained using S-20 cells. These results show that neither increased intracellular cAMP levels nor growth inhibition necessarily result in a relative increase in the synthesis of the poly(A)-containing mRNAs in these neuroblastoma clones. There was no change in the synthesis or processing of the poly(A) regions of the mRNAs in the S-20 control and treated cells. In contrast to results with other cells, the poly(A) profiles were heterogeneous, even after 1 hour of labeling. The average size of the poly(A) region decreased similarly in control and drug-treated cells after 1, 2 and 18 h labeling.
Connubiality, inhibition, and blood coagulation

Comment on Chen et al, page [3902][1] Fusion proteins, with membrane-binding annexin V coupled to the Kunitz-type domains of anticoagulants, are more effective than corresponding native anticoagulants. The prothrombinase complex is composed of factor Va and factor Xa and is assembled on a
Involutions of nonirreducible 3-manifolds

Abstract The paper is concerned with the problem of distinguishing the equivalence classes of involutions of a compact orientable 3-manifold M , each of whose summands in a prime decomposition is irreducible and has infinite first homology, by considering their representations in Out( π 1 ( M )). We determine how close these involutions are to being slide equivalent and give conditions under which they are equivalent.
The effects of proton radiation on UHMWPE material properties for space flight and medical applications

Abstract Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a polymer widely used as a radiation shielding material in space flight applications and as a bearing material in total joint replacements. As a long chain hydrocarbon based polymer, UHMWPE’s material properties are influenced by radiation exposure, and prior studies show that gamma irradiation is effective for both medical sterilization and increased wear resistance in total joint replacement applications. However, the effects of space flight radiation types and doses on UHMWPE material properties are poorly understood. In this study, three clinically relevant grades of UHMWPE (GUR 1020, GUR 1050, and GUR 1020 blended with Vitamin E) were proton irradiated and tested for differences in material properties. Each of the three types of UHMWPE was irradiated at nominal doses of 0 Gy (control), 5 Gy, 10 Gy, 20 Gy, and 35 Gy. Following irradiation, uniaxial tensile testing and thermal testing using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) were performed. Results show small but significant changes in several material properties between the control (0 Gy) and 35 Gy samples, indicating that proton irradiation could have a effect on the long term performance of UHMWPE in both medical and space flight applications.
Balanced Synaptic Impact via Distance-Dependent Synapse Distribution and Complementary Expression of AMPARs and NMDARs in Hippocampal Dendrites

Neuronal computation involves the integration of synaptic inputs that are often distributed over expansive dendritic trees, suggesting the need for compensatory mechanisms that enable spatially disparate synapses to influence neuronal output. In hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, such mechanisms have indeed been reported, which normalize either the ability of distributed synapses to drive action potential initiation in the axon or their ability to drive dendritic spiking locally. Here we report that these mechanisms can coexist, through an elegant combination of distance-dependent regulation of synapse number and synaptic expression of AMPA and NMDA receptors. Together, these complementary gradients allow individual dendrites in both the apical and basal dendritic trees of hippocampal neurons to operate as facile computational subunits capable of supporting both global integration in the soma/axon and local integration in the dendrite.
The Ubiquitous Śiva: Somānanda’s Śivadṛṣṭi and His Tantric Interlocutors, by John Nemec, Oxford University Press: New York, 2011, x + 436pp. ISBN 978 019 979545 1, US$99.00 (hardcover); ISBN 978 019 979546 8, US$49.95 (paperback)

The Ubiquitous Śiva: Somānanda's Śivadṛṣṭi and His Tantric Interlocutors, by John Nemec, Oxford University Press: New York, 2011, x + 436pp. ISBN 978 019 979545 1, US$99.00 (hardcover); ISBN 978 01...
80/spl times/10.7 Gb/s ultra-long-haul (+4200 km) DWDM network with reconfigurable "broadcast & select" OADMs

We report the first dynamically reconfigurable ULH network demonstration using "broadcast & select" optical add drop multiplexer (OADM) architecture. We demonstrate 80/spl times/10.7 Gb/s NRZ C-band DWDM networking over 4160km of all-Raman amplified dispersion-managed fiber and 13 concatenated OADMs with 2dB Q-margin for 10/sup -15/ BER operation.
Human Face Modeling and Recognition Through Multi-View High Resolution Stereopsis

This paper presents a novel approach to face recognition that relies on 2D images to successfully reconstruct 3D shape of the human face. This approach ultimately outperforms 3D shape obtained from a commercial scanner. Additionally, our approach improves 2D recognition performance of 93.29% to 97.32%. Specifically, we employ multiple 2D views of a subjects face to reconstruct several 3D models through binocular stereopsis. We use the ICP (Iterative Closest Point) algorithm to match the 3D probe to the 3D gallery for each view, thereby forming a voting committee of multiple members to determine the final matching score. We achieve an 85.23% rank-one recognition rate on our data set consisting of 149 distinct subjects, superior to the performance of a commercial 3D scanner. This is noteworthy given that our approach does not require strict calibration as in the case of the commercial 3D scanner. Also significant is the demonstrated flexibility of this system to successfully perform 3D recognition on a database acquired originally for 2D face recognition.
Effect of endocrine factors on cholesterol turnover in young and old rats.

Abstract 1. (1) Hypophysectomy or thyroidectomy slows down cholesterol turnover in blood and aorta in young rats. Old animals do not react to thyroidectomy and after hypophysectomy only cholesterol turnover in blood is slowed down. 2. (2) Administration of thyroxine or insulin increases cholesterol turnover in the blood and aorta of the young rats but is without effect in the old rats. A much higher dose of insulin is necessary to increase cholesterol turnover in the blood of old rats. 3. (3) It is concluded that decrease of cholesterol turnover in old animals can be partly explained by smaller sensitivity of cholesterol metabolism to thyroxine and insulin and by smaller secretion of thyroxine.
The quorum deployment problem

Quorum systems are commonly used to maintain the consistency of replicated data in a distributed system. Much research has been devoted to developing quorum systems with good theoretical properties, such as fault tolerance and high availability. However, even given a theoretically good quorum system, it is not obvious how to efficiently deploy such a system in a real network. This paper introduces a new combinatorial optimization problem, the Quorum Deployment Problem, and studies its complexity. We demonstrate that it is NP-hard to approximate the Quorum Deployment Problem within any factor of nδ, where n is the number of nodes in the distributed network and δ > 0. The problem is NP-hard in even the simplest possible distributed network: a one-dimensional line with metric cost. We begin to study algorithms for variants of the problem. Some variants can be solved optimally in polynomial time and some NP-hard variants can be approximated to within a constant factor.
Processing of signals using level-crossing sampling

This paper treats signals encoded using level crossing sampling. Such encoding makes possible a variable sampling rate; fast-varying parts of the signal are sampled fast, while slowly-varying parts of the signal are sampled slowly. We propose a technique for processing such signals, which results in an output with very low error. With 4 bits of amplitude quantization, the signal-to-error ratio is better than 100 dB.
Analysis of strategic knowledge in back of the envelope reasoning

Back of the envelope (BotE) reasoning involves generating quantitative answers in situations where exact data and models are unavailable and where available data is often incomplete and/or inconsistent. A rough estimate generated quickly is more valuable and useful than a detailed analysis, which might be unnecessary, impractical, or impossible because the situation does not provide enough time, information, or other resources to perform one. Such reasoning is a key component of commonsense reasoning about everyday physical situations. We present an implemented system, BotE-Solver, that can solve about a dozen estimation questions like "What is the annual cost of healthcare in USA?" from different domains using a library of strategies and the Cyc knowledge base. BotE-Solver is a general-purpose problem solving framework that uses strategies represented as suggestions, and keeps track of problem solving progress in an AND/OR tree. A key contribution of this paper is a knowledge level analysis [Newell, 1982] of the strategic knowledge used in BotE reasoning. We present a core collection of seven powerful estimation strategies that provides broad coverage for such problem solving. We hypothesize that this is the complete set of back of the envelope problem solving strategies. We present twofold support for this hypothesis: 1) an empirical analysis of all problems (n=44) on Force and Pressure, Rotation and Mechanics, Heat, and Astronomy from Clifford Swartz's "Back-of-the-Envelope Physics" [Swartz, 2003], and 2) an analysis of strategies used by BotE-Solver.
Voices of the Marginalized on the Internet: Examples From a Website for Women of South Asia

With increasing availability of the Internet, many marginal groups are producing a presence in cyberspace. The presence can be thought of as a phenomenon in which the Internet is providing a unique forum for the dispossessed to find a voice in the public sphere. Using the theories of voice, the presence in cyberspace opens up questions of trust, authenticity, and power with respect to individual and institutional “speakers.” This article explores the textual and discursive strategies used by a South Asian women's Web portal to understand the consequences of gaining a voice in cyberspace.
Supraventricular tachycardia-ventricular tachycardia discrimination algorithms in implantable cardioverter defibrillators: state-of-the-art review.

SVT-VT Discrimination Algorithms in ICDs. To reduce inappropriate therapy of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) include algorithms to discriminate ventricular tachycardia (VT) from SVT. Dual-chamber algorithms analyze atrial and ventricular rates or AV relationship. They provide advantages over single-chamber algorithms, but introduce new ways to detect SVT as VT inappropriately and to underdetect VT. Unlike pacemakers, dual-chamber ICDs require accurate atrial sensing during high ventricular rates. A postventricular atrial blanking period prevents oversensing of far-field R waves as atrial electrograms, but causes underdetection of atrial fibrillation during high ventricular rates. Tachycardias with 1:1 AV relationship and VT during atrial tachyarrhythmias present specific SVT-VT discrimination problems. The first dual-chamber algorithms performed comparably to single-chamber algorithms. Present dual-chamber algorithms correct some limitations of earlier versions.
Task constraints and infant grip configurations.

The prehensile grip configurations of infants aged 4 through 8 months were examined as they grasped objects that varied in size and shape. The findings revealed that infants as young as 4 months systematically differentiate grip configurations as a function of the object properties in essentially the same way that 8-month-old infants do. However, the younger 4-month-old infants predominantly used the haptic system in additional to the visual system for information pick-up regarding object properties, whereas 8-month-old infants predominantly used information from the visual system alone to differentiate grip configurations according to the object properties. Infants apparently percive the same action-relevent information through different emphases of the sensory modes to drive the action system with a similar grip configuration for a given object. It is proposed that the traditional description of an orderly sequence to the development of infant prehension (e.g., Halverson, 1931) is too conservative and inflexible to capture the functionally adaptive prehensile behavior of infants to changing task constraints.
Gender Differences in Stressful Life Events, Social Support, Perceived Stress, and Alcohol Use Among Older Adults: Results From a National Survey

Stressful life events, perceived stress, and social support relationships with consumption, at-risk drinking, and alcohol use disorder (AUD) were studied in a population-based sample of current drinkers age 60+ in the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions (Wave 2; 2004–2005; n = 4,360). Stressful life events were associated with AUD among men and women, and crime victimization among men only. However, greater perceived stress was associated with lower consumption among women and greater odds of AUD in men, highlighting differences in the relationship between stress and alcohol use by gender that may be the result of the stress alcohol link.
Integrated CMOS transceivers applied to defense applications in a Wide Area Radio Network for Sensor (WARNS) communication

Enabling long-range, small form-factor transceivers can address many remote and/or mobile sensing applications. This paper explores an alternative method for sensor data communication using long-range wireless transceivers to transmit sensor data which is ideally suited for many military applications. A study is also provided for one of the most challenging hardware blocks in a WARNS radio, the Power Amplifier (PA). This paper concludes with some comments on potential future areas of research for long-range highly-integrated transceivers.
Characterization of lunar dust and a synopsis of available lunar simulants

Abstract Understanding the formation and evolution of the soil and dust of the Moon addresses the fundamental question of the interactions of space with the surface of an airless body. The physical and chemical properties of the lunar dust, the
Comparative Studies on Extraction of Sediment Interstitial Waters: Discussion and Comment on the Current State of Interstitial Water Studies

The implication by Murthy and Ferrell (1972) that interstitial water studies are in a confused state is criticized on the basis that the authors have not drawn on a considerable body of data, especially Soviet studies since the 1950's, and results of the Deep Sea Drilling Project. Pressure filtration systems for extracting interstitial waters are currently the methods of choice for marine studies and have achieved substantial reliability and reproducibility. Although gaps and problems remain, many aspects of inter- stitial composition of marine sediments have been clarified; these include the substantial constancy of composition of interstitial waters in deep sea pelagic deposits, depletion of interstitial cations owing to authigenic mineral formation in more rapidly accumulated (especially terrigenous) sediments, and special phenomena in sediments overlying salt deposits. Murthy and Ferrell (1972) obtained differences in the composition of interstitial solutions from Gulf of Mex- ico sediments by dilution and centrifuging and by pres- sure filtration techniques. They interpreted their results in terms of failings of the pressure squeezing technique of Reeburgh (1967). I suggest that the prob- lem may be the other way around. I also wish to offer clarification of the impression left by Murthy and Fer- rell (1972) that knowledge of interstitial waters of mar- ine sediments is in a rather anarchic state, especially with regard to methodological validity. This appears to be necessary because the above authors, as well as some previous workers who have contributed to the subject, appear to be unacquainted with, or have not availed themselves of a great deal of information that has been accumulated in the field of interstitial water studies. The extensive studies of Russian workers since the 1950's and the interstitial water program of the Deep Sea Drilling Project are particular cases in point. The present considerations also apply to a subsequent paper by the above authors (Murthy and Ferrell, 1973).
Research Needs for Determining Spatially Resolved Subfleet Characteristics

Future emission models will need spatially resolved subfleet characteristics to determine mobile emission inventories. The use of geographic information systems and regional registration data for developing location-specific vehicle characteristics that can feed future models is addressed. Issues regarding data availability and quality are explored to define gaps in the research that may prevent development of comprehensive and accurate estimates. As a component of a larger research project studying vehicle emission modeling, a six-step process was developed and implemented for a 100 km2 area in Atlanta. Vehicles were geocoded by using registration addresses, and vehicle characteristics were determined through a series of computer programs, commercial software, and related datasets. During the process, many research issues were identified that prevent a comprehensive assessment of spatially resolved fleet characteristics. The data and research needed to further improve the capability to generate spatially...
Pulsars and a Possible New Test of General Relativity

THE recent discovery of rapidly pulsating radio sources1 with a remarkably uniform periodicity suggests the possibility of testing a general relativistic effect involving the orbital motion of the Earth and the gravitational field of the Sun.
Lattice QCD on GPU clusters, using the QUDA library and the Chroma software system

The QUDA library for optimized lattice quantum chromodynamics using GPUs, combined with a high-level application framework such as the Chroma software system, provides a powerful tool for computing quark propagators, a key step in current calculations of hadron spectroscopy, nuclear structure, and nuclear forces. In this contribution we discuss our experiences, including performance and strong scaling of the QUDA library and Chroma on the Edge Cluster at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and on various clusters at Jefferson Lab. We highlight some scientific successes and consider future directions for graphics processing units in lattice quantum chromodynamics calculations.
International Law, Ground Water Resources, and the Danube Dam Case

International water law is generally applied to disputes between states concerning surface bodies of water crossing international borders. Disputes and policy-making over transboundary ground water resources, however, have traditionally been determined on an ad hoc basis or based on regional custom. This disparate treatment stems primarily from the misunderstood nature of ground water and its relationship to surface water among government officials, policy-makers, jurists, and others. The result often has been the degradation of subsurface waters on both sides of political boundaries, and unwittingly, of numerous international surface bodies of water. International concern over regional and global availability and quality of fresh water resources has recently generated reexamination of water use and allocation. As a consequence, there is now a growing belief that international water law should be applied to surface as well as subsurface water resources equally. This trend has been encouraged, in no small part, by the growing understanding of the indissociable relationship between surface and ground water resources. In the recent World Court decision in the Case Concerning the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros Project (Hungary v. Slovakia), the International Court of Justice considered, among other claims, allegations of transboundary environmental harm to both surface and ground water resources stemming from the construction and operation of the Gabcikovo Dam and Danube River diversion channel. While the Court addressed the two states' conduct and relations during the dispute, it gave only cursory mention to the environmental concerns presented. Specifically, the Court did not fully consider the consequences to the region's ground water resources or the applicable law, but rather reached its conclusion based solely on state obligations as defined by treaty and international law. In so doing, the Court artfully skirted the sophisticated but vexing issues of potential environmental harm and applicable laws, including the implication of international water law to subsurface water resources. Notwithstanding the decision, the facts of the case provide an interesting scenario on which to consider both the relationship between transboundary surface and ground water resources, as well as the applicable international law.
A dosimetric comparison of whole-lung treatment techniques in the pediatric population

To demonstrate the dosimetric advantages and disadvantages of standard anteroposterior-posteroanterior (S-AP/PAAAA), inverse-planned AP/PA (IP-AP/PA) and volumetry-modulated arc (VMAT) radiotherapies in the treatment of children undergoing whole-lung irradiation. Each technique was evaluated by means of target coverage and normal tissue sparing, including data regarding low doses. A historical approach with and without tissue heterogeneity corrections is also demonstrated. Computed tomography (CT) scans of 10 children scanned from the neck to the reproductive organs were used. For each scan, 6 plans were created: (1) S-AP/PAAAA using the anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA), (2) IP-AP/PA, (3) VMAT, (4) S-AP/PANONE without heterogeneity corrections, (5) S-AP/PAPB using the Pencil-Beam algorithm and enforcing monitor units from technique 4, and (6) S-AP/PAAAA[FM] using AAA and forcing fixed monitor units. The first 3 plans compare modern methods and were evaluated based on target coverage and normal tissue sparing. Body maximum and lower body doses (50% and 30%) were also analyzed. Plans 4 to 6 provide a historic view on the progression of heterogeneity algorithms and elucidate what was actually delivered in the past. Averages of each comparison parameter were calculated for all techniques. The S-AP/PAAAA technique resulted in superior target coverage but had the highest maximum dose to every normal tissue structure. The IP-AP/PA technique provided the lowest dose to the esophagus, stomach, and lower body doses. VMAT excelled at body maximum dose and maximum doses to the heart, spine, and spleen, but resulted in the highest dose in the 30% body range. It was, however, superior to the S-AP/PAAAA approach in the 50% range. Each approach has strengths and weaknesses thus associated. Techniques may be selected on a case-by-case basis and by physician preference of target coverage vs normal tissue sparing.
Soyin, a toxic protein from soybean. III. Immunochemical properties.

SummaryThe quantitative precipitin technic revealed that the most highly purified preparation of soyin available was not strictly homogeneous as had been previously indicated by electrophoretic and diffusion measurements. By applying suitable corrections for the minor impurity present in soyin, the soyin content of a crude saline extract of defatted soybean flour was found to be approximately 10%. Toxicity and hemagglutinating data gave results which were in substantial agreement with this value. The soyin content of defatted soybean flour is about 3%.
A simplified table for the estimation of magnitude of experimental effect

The effectiveness of the independent variable in an experiment may be measured by the correlation between group membership and the dependent variable (rm). A concise table is presented for the estimation of the value of rm directly from the probability value for an inferential test and the sample size. The table is well-suited for use in an undergraduate statistics course and can be used with both parametric and nonparametric tests. The table may also be employed to aid in the estimation of appropriate sample sizes.
Making the supercompactness of κ indestructible under κ-directed closed forcing

A model is found in which there is a supercompact cardinal κ which remains supercompact in any κ-directed closed forcing extension.
James Purdy and the Black Mask of Humanity

For a writer without Southern connections, James Purdy has shown extraordinary interest in black images of humanity. Black characters abound in his fiction and seem always to have been a presence in his imagination. From Purdy's first collection of stories, Color of Darkness, published in 1957, to his latest as yet uncollected stories, he has created a wide range of black characters: men and women, artists and servants, Africans, Afro-Americans, and West Indians, young and old, homosexuals and heterosexuals, the weak and the strong. Unlike so many contemporary white American novelists, Purdy does not ignore that part of the American population which is of African descent. But what do blacks mean in James Purdy's vision of America? A variety of things. Purdy looks at blacks through both public and private eyes. While some of his black characterizations derive from traditional literary stereotypes, which are the products of the public American mind, others, the ones seen through his personal perspective, illustrate more directly Purdy's peculiar vision of life here and now. The stereotypical images that Purdy produces-usually in the depiction of minor figures in the novels-grow out of that earlier twentiethcentury view of the Negro as uninhibited, deeply emotional, irrational, and joyously primitive. Sherwood Anderson-surely one of Purdy's predecessors-put it all together in Dark Laughter, a novel he published in 1925: