cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neural-Based Identification of Continuous Nonlinear Systems

In the study presented in this paper, applications of a three-layer feedforward networks with Gaussian hidden units is used to provide the ability to learn nonlinear characteristics of continuous dynamical systems. A new training approach based on the recursive least squares is presented. Results of this expedited learning scheme are compared to those of the more traditional method of gradient descent. Convergence property of the resulting nonlinear identification scheme is derived by applying the Lyapunov stability analysis.
Astrocyte Na+ channels are required for maintenance of Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity

Astrocytes in vitro and in situ have been shown to express voltage- activated ion channels previously thought to be restricted to excitable cells, including voltage-activated Na+, Ca2+, and K+ channels. However, unlike neurons, astrocytes do not generate action potentials, and the functional role of voltage-activated channels in astrocytes has been an enigma. In order to study the function of Na+ channels in glial cells, we carried out ion flux measurements, patch-clamp recordings, and ratiometric imaging of [Na+]i during blockade of Na+ channels on rat spinal cord astrocytes cultured for 7–10 d. Acute blockade of astrocyte Na+ channels by TTX had multiple effects: (1) TTX reduced, in a dose- dependent manner, Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity measured as unidirectional influx of 86Rb+; (2) TTX depolarized astrocyte membrane potential at a rate of approximately 1 mV/min; (3) TTX (100 microM) reduced [Na+]i; and (4) prolonged exposure to micromolar TTX induced astrocyte death. All these effects of TTX could be mimicked by ouabain or strophanthidin, specific blockers of the Na+/K(+)-ATPase. The effects of TTX and ouabain (or strophanthidin) were not additive. These results suggest that TTX-blockable Na+ channels in glial cells serve functions that do not require their participation in action potential electrogenesis; in particular, we propose that glial Na+ channels constitute a “return” pathway for Na+/K(+)-ATPase function, which permits Na+ ions to enter the cells to maintain [Na+]i at concentrations necessary for activity of the Na+/K(+)-ATPase. Since astrocyte Na+/K(+)-ATPase is believed to participate in [K+]o homeostasis in the CNS, the coupling of Na+ flux through voltage- activated Na+ channels to ATPase activity may provide a feedback loop that participates in the regulation of K+ ion levels in the extracellular space.
Casual or Coercive? Retention of Identification in Police-Citizen Encounters

In Bostick and Drayton, the Supreme Court announced that per se rules were inappropriate in answering the Fourth Amendment seizure question, “Would a reasonable citizen feel free to leave?” But when, if ever, can one factor in a pedestrian encounter with police be so inherently coercive that it becomes dispositive? The D.C. and Fourth Circuits explicitly disagree over whether police retention of identification documents constitutes such a factor. The D.C. Circuit has held that such retention is a per se seizure because a citizen cannot feel free to leave when her documents are in police hands. In contrast, the Fourth Circuit rejected this reasoning on the grounds that a citizen can always demand the return of her documents. Contrary to its strong wording, however, the Supreme Court’s rejection of per se rules is not so absolute, and in fact, per se rules do apply where single factors are inherently coercive. Two related areas of Fourth Amendment jurisprudence — traffic stops and voluntariness of consent — demonstrate that courts typically recognize this inherent coercion in police retention of documents. Further, the Fourth Circuit’s approach fails to reflect accurately citizens’ true feelings of restraint in these contexts, as explored in recent empirical studies. Instead, the D.C. Circuit’s approach takes into account the power disparity present where police retain identification. Its per se rule not only clarifies the standard for courts but also creates clear conduct rules and places the burden of monitoring coercive force on the police, who are best equipped to do so.
Interest and Money

One of the biggest controversies sparked by the General Theory concerned the determination of the rate of interest. Until the General Theory, the generally accepted view was that the rate of interest was determined in the capital market, defined in terms of the demand and supply of savings. The demand for savings was represented by the investment demand function, which depicted a negative relationship between investment and the rate of interest, while the supply of savings was represented by the savings function, which described a positive relationship between the interest rate and the amount saved out of income. The market was assumed to clear at the point where supply equals demand, thereby establishing investment, saving, and the market rate of interest.
Two-Dimensional Paper Chromatographic Determination of Amino Acids in Urine

In an attempt to screen children for amino-aciduria related to various inborn errors of metabolism, a two-dimensional paper chromatography method was developed. This method requires no expensive equipment, resolves a standard mixture of 17 α-amino acids, is consistently reproducible, and requires less than 7 hr from start to visualization of the chromatogram.
Automated prediction and analysis of job interview performance: The role of what you say and how you say it

Ever wondered why you have been rejected from a job despite being a qualified candidate? What went wrong? In this paper, we provide a computational framework to quantify human behavior in the context of job interviews. We build a model by analyzing 138 recorded interview videos (total duration of 10.5 hours) of 69 internship-seeking students from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as they spoke with professional career counselors. Our automated analysis includes facial expressions (e.g., smiles, head gestures), language (e.g., word counts, topic modeling), and prosodic information (e.g., pitch, intonation, pauses) of the interviewees. We derive the ground truth labels by averaging over the ratings of 9 independent judges. Our framework automatically predicts the ratings for interview traits such as excitement, friendliness, and engagement with correlation coefficients of 0.73 or higher, and quantifies the relative importance of prosody, language, and facial expressions. According to our framework, it is recommended to speak more fluently, use less filler words, speak as “we” (vs. “I”), use more unique words, and smile more.
A screen for nuclear transcripts identifies two linked noncoding RNAs associated with SC35 splicing domains

Noncoding RNA species play a diverse set of roles in the eukaryotic cell. While much recent attention has focused on smaller RNA species, larger noncoding transcripts are also thought to be highly abundant in mammalian cells. To search for large noncoding RNAs that might control gene expression or mRNA metabolism, we used Affymetrix expression arrays to identify polyadenylated RNA transcripts displaying nuclear enrichment. This screen identified no more than three transcripts; XIST, and two unique noncoding nuclear enriched abundant transcripts (NEAT) RNAs strikingly located less than 70 kb apart on human chromosome 11: NEAT1, a noncoding RNA from the locus encoding for TncRNA, and NEAT2 (also known as MALAT-1). While the two NEAT transcripts share no significant homology with each other, each is conserved within the mammalian lineage, suggesting significant function for these noncoding RNAs. NEAT2 is extraordinarily well conserved for a noncoding RNA, more so than even XIST. Bioinformatic analyses of publicly available mouse transcriptome data support our findings from human cells as they confirm that the murine homologs of these noncoding RNAs are also nuclear enriched. RNA FISH analyses suggest that these noncoding RNAs function in mRNA metabolism as they demonstrate an intimate association of these RNA species with SC35 nuclear speckles in both human and mouse cells. These studies show that one of these transcripts, NEAT1 localizes to the periphery of such domains, whereas the neighboring transcript, NEAT2, is part of the long-sought polyadenylated component of nuclear speckles. Our genome-wide screens in two mammalian species reveal no more than three abundant large non-coding polyadenylated RNAs in the nucleus; the canonical large noncoding RNA XIST and NEAT1 and NEAT2. The function of these noncoding RNAs in mRNA metabolism is suggested by their high levels of conservation and their intimate association with SC35 splicing domains in multiple mammalian species.
Managing water utility financial risks through third-party index insurance contracts

[1] As developing new supply capacity has become increasingly expensive and difficult to permit (i.e., regulatory approval), utilities have become more reliant on temporary demand management programs, such as outdoor water use restrictions, for ensuring reliability during drought. However, a significant fraction of water utility income is often derived from the volumetric sale of water, and such restrictions can lead to substantial revenue losses. Given that many utilities set prices at levels commensurate with recovering costs, these revenue losses can leave them financially vulnerable to budgetary shortfalls. This work explores approaches for mitigating drought-related revenue losses through the use of third-party financial insurance contracts based on streamflow indices. Two different types of contracts are developed, and their efficacy is compared against two more traditional forms of financial hedging used by water utilities: Drought surcharges and contingency funds (i.e., self-insurance). Strategies involving each of these approaches, as well as their use in combination, are applied under conditions facing the water utility serving Durham, North Carolina. A multireservoir model provides information on the scale and timing of droughts, and the financial effects of these events are simulated using detailed data derived from utility billing records. Results suggest that third-party index insurance contracts, either independently or in combination with more traditional hedging tools, can provide an effective means of reducing a utility's financial vulnerability to drought.
Rate fluctuations and fractional power-law noise recorded from cells in the lower auditory pathway of the cat.

Abstract The noise properties of the sequence of action potentials recorded from adult-cat auditory nerve fibers and lateral superior olivary units have been investigated under various stimulus conditions. Large fluctuations exhibited by the spike rate, and spike clusters evident in the pulse-number distribution, both indicate an unusual underlying sequence of neural events. We present results demonstrating that (i) the firing rate calculated with different averaging times can exhibit self-similar behavior; (ii) the pulse-number distribution remains irregular even for large numbers of samples; (iii) the spike-number variance-to-mean ratio increases with the counting time T in fractional power-law fashion for sufficiently large T; and (iv) the exponent in the power law generally depends on the stimulus level. The results obtained in our laboratories support the notion that all auditory-nerve and LSO units exhibit fractal neural firing patterns, as indicated earlier by Teich (IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. 36, 150–160, 1989).
Help-seeking careers: Connections between participation in professional treatment and Alcoholics Anonymous

This study examined the relationships between participation in professional treatment and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) among 473 initially untreated individuals with alcohol use disorders. These individuals were assessed at baseline and at 1-year, 3-year, and 8-year followups. There were moderate positive concurrent associations between the duration of participation in professional treatment and in AA. More important, a longer duration of treatment in year 1 was associated with more sustained participation in AA in years 2 and 3, which was associated with less time in treatment in years 4 through 8. The strength of these findings varied somewhat in relation to whether individuals chose to enter treatment or AA first. The findings suggest that referral and alliance processes contribute to a positive association between the duration of an initial episode of treatment and subsequent AA, and then extended participation in AA contributes to better alcohol-related outcomes and reduced need for subsequent treatment.
Graphical Presentations of Data Envelopment Analyses: Management Implications from Parallel Axes Representations*

The conversion of multivariate data analysis into information that managers can readily use in their decision making has always been a challenging task. In this paper we provide a parallel axis representation of multivariate data and demonstrate how this representation may be used as a tool for implementing the results of data envelopment analysis. We use an analysis of the efficiency of electricity generating plants to illustrate the technique.
Management and prevention of mycotoxins in peanuts

Contamination of peanuts with mycotoxins, particularly aflatoxins, is a worldwide problem that affects both food safety and agricultural economies. Most countries have adopted regulations that limit the quantity of aflatoxins in food and feed to 20 microg kg(-1) or less; however, environmental conditions in most of the world where peanuts are produced and stored often make it difficult or impossible to attain such low concentrations. In addition to aflatoxins, peanuts are often contaminated with cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). Both mycotoxins are produced by Aspergillus flavus, a ubiquitous fungus that can infect and grow in peanuts under both pre- and post-harvest conditions. Management of mycotoxin contamination in peanuts generally involves removal of high-risk components from shelled lots or the removal of individual, highly contaminated nuts. This is accomplished by various processes such as screening, kernel sizing, electronic colour sorting, hand sorting, and blanching followed by electronic colour sorting. Recently, biological control technology has been developed that prevents much of the contamination that might otherwise occur. Biocontrol is based on competitive exclusion whereby a dominant population of a non-toxigenic strain of A. flavus is established in the soil before peanuts are subjected to conditions favouring contamination. The applied strain competes with toxigenic strains for infection sites, resulting in significantly reduced concentrations of aflatoxins in peanuts. Monitoring of the first commercial use of the technology showed that aflatoxins were reduced by an average of 85% in farmers' stock peanuts and by as much as 98% in shelled, edible grade peanuts.
The 65 MeV helium ion-induced fission of 207Pb

Abstract The 65 MeV helium ion-induced fission of 207 Pb found here is consistent with the trends found in previous work at this laboratory and fits well with data determined by other laboratories using different techniques. The fission fragment mass distribution curve was gaussian with a width at half maximum ( W 1 2 of 20 ± 1 a.m.u. The cross-section determined from the gaussian distribution was 44·5 ± 5 mbarn.
Erythroplasia: the earliest sign of asymptomatic oral cancer

This prospective study was conducted to determine the significance of erythroplasia (red) versus leukoplakia (white) in the diagnosis of asymptomatic oral carcinoma and to accurately record the appearance of the erythroplastic lesion. Persistent asymptomatic lesions in any portion of the oral cavity, except the lip, that were considered clinically suspicious with our previous criteria (erythroplasia), or those changes that did not correspond to the visual criteria but were found in high risk sites, were studied and biopsies were performed. Degrees of redness versus whiteness and clinical diagnoses were documented. Of 148 lesions in 113 patients, 66 were malignant (52 invasive and 14 in situ). There was a false negative diagnostic rate of 4.5% (3 of 66) and a false positive rate of 7% (4 of 57). Of the malignant lesions, 86.3% were primarily red compared with 31.9% of the benign lesions. OF the cancers, 10.7% were predominantly white as opposed to 66.7% of benign lesions. This analysis confirms our previous suppositions that persistent erythroplasia rather than leukoplakia, in high-risk sites of the oral cavity, is the earliest and predominant sign of oral carcinoma.
Conformational analysis of the cholecystokinin C-terminal octapeptide: a nuclear magnetic resonance and computer-simulation approach.

The C-terminal octapeptide portion of cholecystokinin (CCK8) has well-defined biological properties which include action as a neurotransmitter and induction of gall-bladder contraction and pancreatic enzyme secretion. Many analogues of CCK8 have been prepared and tested for potency, making this an ideal model system in which to initiate evaluation of structure-function relationships. The present study uses high-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and energy minimization techniques to evaluate the solution (DMSO) and in vacuo conformation(s) of CCK8. The NMR results provide amide and CαHα chemical shift temperature dependencies and all φ dihedral angles and χ1 rotamer populations. The energy minimization data located deep potential energy wells, for which all torsion angles are reported. Collectively, the data support models for CCK8 where the structures are characterized by a high degree of folding. These conformations are characterized by sharp turns, possibly stabilized by hydrogen-bonds. Taken together with pharmacologic data and somewhat similar folded structures implied from fragments of CCK8, it is suggested that both electrostatic and steric effects are needed for full biological potency.
Evidence for an intrinsic gonadotropic activity of ovine LH in the lizard.

Abstract Ovine LH that was highly purified by repeated precipitation in 0.5 saturated ammonium sulfate (to remove FSH) or treated with an antiserum that is highly effective in blocking FSH activity still exhibited both spermatogenic and androgenic stimulating activity in the hypophysectomized male lizard ( Anolis carolinensis ). It is thus concluded that the ovine LH molecule does possess intrinsic gonadotropic activity in the lizard although it is considerably less potent than the FSH. Neuraminidase caused a marked (70%) reduction of the gonadotropic activity of LH in the lizard indicating that, contrary to previous reports, ovine LH probably does contain a small amount of sialic acid that is important for some of its biological activities. On the basis of the relatively low sialic acid content of this LH preparation (about 0.36 residues per molecule) it is proposed that the small fraction of molecules containing sialic acid contributes disportionately to the total gonadotropic activity of the ovine LH in the reptile. These findings suggest that the large disparity in relative potencies of mammalian FSH and LH in reptiles may be due partly to differences in their biological half-lives.
The effect of iron overload on urinary excretion of immunoreactive prostaglandin E2.

Abstract The effect of in vivo lipid peroxidation on the excretion of immunoreactive prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the urine of rats was studied. Weanling, male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a vitamin E-deficient diet containing 10% tocopherol-stripped corn oil (CO) or 5% cod liver oil (CLO) with or without 40 mg dl-α-tocopheryl acetate/kg. To induce a high, sustained level of lipid peroxidation, some rats were injected intraperitoneally with 100 mg of iron as iron dextran after 10 days of feeding. Iron overload stimulated in vivo lipid peroxidation in rats, as measured by the increase in expired ethane and pentane. Dietary vitamin E reversed this effect. Rats fed the CLO diet excreted 9.5-fold more urinary thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) than did rats fed the CO diet. Iron overload increased the excretion of TBARS in the urine of rats fed the CO diet, but not in urine of rats fed the CLO diet. Dietary vitamin E decreased TBARS in the urine of rats fed either the CO or the CLO diet. Iron overload decreased by 40% the urinary excretion of PGE2 by rats fed the CO diet, and dietary vitamin E did not reverse this effect. Iron overload had no statistically significant effect on urinary excretion of PGE2 by rats fed the CLO diet. A high level of lipid peroxidation occurred in iron-treated rats, as evidenced by an increase in alkane production and in TBARS in urine in this study, and by an increase in alkane production by slices of kidney from iron-treated rats in a previous study [ V. C. Gavino, C. J. Dillard, and A. L. Tappel (1984) Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 233, 741–747]. Since PGE2 excretion in urine was not correlated with these effects, lipid peroxidation appears not to be a major factor in renal PGE2 flux.
Nelson Pike’s Contribution to the Philosophy of Religion

In this paper I attempt to capture the essence of Nelson Pike’s contribution to the philosophy of religion. My summary of his insights will revolve around three general topics: omniscience (and in particular its relation to human freedom), omnipotence (and in particular its relation to the existence of human suffering), and mysticism (with a focus on the question of whether and in what sense mystic visions can be sources of knowledge). Although the details vary in interesting ways, his work on these topics largely consists of recognizing an important challenge to the viability of the relevant doctrine or framework, sharpening that challenge by presenting it in a more forceful way, and then offering and assessing potential responses. Pike’s writings are characterized by exemplary rigor and relentless clarity, and together they constitute a rich (and under-appreciated) source of insight.
Factor VIII Membrane-Bound Organization

Factor VIII (FVIII) is a large plasma glycoprotein, which defects or deficiency cause Hemophilia A. Its active form, FVIIIa act as a co-factor to the serine protease Factor IXa within the membrane-bound tenase complex, enhancing FIXa catalytic efficiency > 100,000 fold. Understanding the assembly and structure of the tenase complex is critical for the treatment of blood disorders such as hemophilia and thrombosis. To this goal we design suitable lipid nano-platforms allowing extensive structure-functional studies required for successful nano-drug design. Here we present the membrane-bound models of two recombinant FVIII (Forms): human - full length (hFVIII-FL) and porcine - B domain deleted (pFVIII-BDD), based on our Cryo-electron microscopy and molecular modeling analysis.Models of membrane-bound FVIII based on electron microscopy (left) and X-ray (right) structures. The dashed line rectangles delineate the heavy chain (HC) - light chain (LC) and LC - membrane interfaces, respectively.∗This work is supported by an American Heart Association: Grant, 10SDG3500034.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Minimum 5-Year Wear Analysis of First-Generation Highly Cross-Linked Polyethylene in Patients 65 Years and Younger

The purpose of this study was to analyze wear rates of highly cross-linked polyethylene comparing the Martell and the Roman methods in 112 total hip arthroplasties in patients 65 years and younger, with a mean follow-up of 5.7 years. The mean wear rates in the Martell and Roman methods were 0.014 ± 0.05 mm/y and 0.011 ± 0.04 mm/y when including all values and 0.043 ± 0.028 mm/y and 0.038 ± 0.02 mm/y when negative values were assumed to be zero, respectively. Both Roman and Martell methods showed similar low wear rates with negative values. The Roman method had higher precision and was more user friendly because it required less steps to measure wear, especially when comparing with the manual feature of Martell method.
Amplification of Changes of a Thin Film's Macromolecular Structure into Macroscopic Reaction--Diffusion Patterns

A reaction−diffusion process induced from a micronetwork geometry amplifies changes in the molecular structure of a thin gel film into macroscopic readout patterns. When the gel undergoes a helix-to-coil phase transition, the patterns formed by RD switch from symmetry-broken to symmetric ones. Theoretical analysis explains how the system reconfigures internally in response to mass transfer between the applied network and the probed film.
Volatile organic metabolites as indicators of soil microbial activity and community composition shifts.

The dynamics of soil microorganisms have important implications for the response of subsurface soil ecosystems to perturbations. Traditional indicators such as functional, community, activity, and carbon and nutrient pathway methods have been used to characterize soil microbial processes and ecological function; however, many of these indicators lack the ability to measure changes over large (e.g., landscape) spatiotemporal scales in soil environments. This research introduces the analysis of soil volatile organic compound (VOC) metabolites as nondestructive indicators of subsurface microbial activity and community composition as a function of varying environmental factors. Results of method validation using laboratory microcosms are presented, where VOC metabolites as characterized by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were related to CO 2 evolution as a measure of microbial activity and to community-level physiological profiles (CLPPs) and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) community structure techniques. Results included the identification of 72 VOC metabolites produced from the soils, where significant (p < 0.05) differences in the estimated amounts and types of compounds produced were observed between treatments. Temporal measurements indicated similarity between VOC production and CO 2 evolution, where increased amounts over time were detected. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis showed that the VOC results clustered similarly to FAME and CLPP results. Our results suggest there is promise for the use of naturally produced VOCs as potential indicators of soil microbial ecosystems over large spatiotemporal dynamics and environmental perturbations.
Programming the Linpack benchmark for Roadrunner

We describe the challenges and opportunities we encountered when developing a hybrid version of the Linpack benchmark for the Los Alamos National Laboratory Roadrunner supercomputing system, which combines traditional x86-64 host processors with IBM PowerXCell™ 8i accelerator processors. The challenges included determining the proper division of the host and accelerator roles in the computation, transfer of data between the host and accelerator memory domains, alignment of data for communication and computation, and data format differences between the two processors. We also describe our approach to modeling the performance of the hybrid system and compare our performance estimates to witnessed performance on the system at different scales and levels of memory consumption. Through careful attention to these issues, we have produced a hybrid version of the Linpack benchmark for the Roadrunner system that achieves 77.8% of peak performance on a single compute node and 74.6% of peak performance over the entire system, making this system the first to achieve a Linpack result exceeding one petaflops (1015 floating-point operations per second).
Computer-Assisted Instruction on Study Skills.

The study investigated the effectiveness of a computer-assisted instruction (CAI) study skills program on students’ behaviors and attitudes. The subjects were 88 students (experimental group) who completed the CAI program and 67 students (control group) who did not have access to the program. All subjects responded three times during the semester to the Survey of Study Habits and Attitudes inventory. Trend analyses revealed that during the semester the scores for the experimental group increased significantly and the scores for the control group decreased significantly. The findings showed that the CAI program can effectively present the information on effective study skills and how to develop such skills.
Analysis of Interferon-Regulated Proteins Binding the Interferon-α-Stimulated Response Element

Abstract Interferon mediates its biological effects of antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory activities through induction of specific gene expression. Transcription of target genes is regulated through a set of transcription factors that bind to specificcis-acting regulatory sequences in target promoters and enhancers. The activity or abundance of these transcription factors is modulated by interferon treatment. Because of their DNA binding activity, regulatory factors can be recognized and characterized using methods to detect protein–DNA complexes. The availability of antibodies directed against common interferon regulatory proteins coupled with analysis of binding-site specificity provides comprehensive analysis.
London and the Restoration, 1659-1683

List of figures Map List of tables Preface List of abbreviations Part I. Crisis, 1659-60: Introduction to parts one and two: London and the nation 1. London and the origins of the Restoration, 1659-60 Part II. Settlement and Unsettlement, 1660-79: 2. The Restoration settlement and an unsettled city, 1660-70 3. Protestant dissent and the emergence of a civic opposition, 1670-9 Part III. Crisis, 1679-82: Introduction: London and the Restoration crisis, 1679-82 4. Parliament and Protestantism in crisis: the emergence of parties in London, 1679-81 5. The contest for the city, 1681-2 6. Party matters: communities, ideas, and leaders in a divided city, 1679-82 Part IV. Crisis and Conspiracy, 1682-3: Introduction: Whig conspiracy and historical memory 7. The London Whigs between law and resistance: conscience, consent, and conspiracy, 1682-3 Conclusion: London and the end of the Restoration Appendices Bibliography Index.
Application of l/sub 1/ optimal control to the engine idle speed control problem

In this paper, the engine idle speed control (ISC) problem is revisited with the l/sub 1/ optimization design methodology. A controller configuration consisting of a feedback linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) optimal controller and a feedforward l/sub 1/ optimal controller is chosen to satisfy the design objectives. The main goal of this work is to demonstrate the application of the l/sub 1/ optimal control methodology on a standard automotive control problem and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the l/sub 1/ design method. Using the idle bypass valve as the only actuator, the l/sub 1/ optimal feedforward control is shown to be effective in reducing the idle speed errors at the expense of extra control energy being spent during the transient. The controller design process is described along with the simulation and experimental results on a 4.6L 2 valve V8 production engine. A method to address tradeoff issues in evaluating the performance of a feedforward control system is also discussed.
Spin−Lattice Relaxation of the Tryptophan Triplet State Varies with Its Protein Environment

Spin−lattice relaxation (SLR) has been studied at 1.2 K in the photoexcited triplet state of tryptophan (Trp) in a number of protein sites in zero applied magnetic field. We find that there is a distribution of SLR rate constants in every case that indicates the partitioning into two populations, ns0 and nf0, with differing behavior. ns0 undergoes slow SLR with rate constants in the range found in crystalline matrixes, while the SLR of nf0 is at least 1−2 orders of magnitude faster. The former population has considerable spin alignment during optical pumping, decays nonexponentially, and gives rise to optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) responses at 1.2 K. The latter has negligible spin alignment, decays largely as a single exponential, and is ODMR silent. The rapid SLR of nf0 is attributed to coupling with disorder (tunneling) modes that modulate the electron−electron dipolar coupling, and whose efficiency varies with protein site. The less efficient SLR of ns0 is the result of direct interactio...
Betaretroviral Envelope Subunits Are Noncovalently Associated and Restricted to the Mammalian Class

The structure of the transmembrane subunit (TM) of the retroviral envelope glycoprotein (Env) is highly conserved among most retrovirus genera and includes a pair of cysteines that forms an intramolecular disulfide loop within the ectodomain. Alpha-, gamma-, and deltaretroviruses have a third cysteine, adjacent to the loop, which forms a disulfide bond between TM and the surface subunit (SU) of Env, while lentiviruses, which have noncovalently associated subunits, lack this third cysteine. The Betaretrovirus genus includes Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) and mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV), as well as many endogenous retroviruses. Envelope subunit association had not been characterized in the betaretroviruses, but lack of a third cysteine in the TM ectodomain suggested noncovalently associated subunits. We tested the Env proteins of JSRV and MMTV, as well as human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K)108—a betaretrovirus-like human endogenous retrovirus—for intersubunit bonding and found that, as in the lentiviruses, the Env subunits lack an intersubunit disulfide bond. Since these results suggest that the number of cysteines in the TM loop region readily distinguishes between covalent and noncovalent structure, we surveyed endogenous retroviral TM sequences in the genomes of vertebrates represented in public databases and found that (i) retroviruses with noncovalently associated subunits have been present during all of anthropoid evolution and (ii) the noncovalent env motif is limited to mammals, while the covalent type is found among five vertebrate classes. We discuss implications of these findings for retroviral evolution, cross-species transmissions, and recombination events involving the env gene.
Discipline and the use of sanctions

Children must be taught how to act, and it is easy to assume that such teaching requires the use of rewards and punishments. Yet research shows that rewards and punishments are likely to have unintended and, often, undesirable consequences. The paper discusses some of this research and casts the results into a context that integrates language learning, value transmission, and behavior. Alternatives to the use of sanctions are suggested.
Proximal Row Carpectomy Combined with Wrist Hemiarthroplasty

Proximal row carpectomy (PRC) combined with distal radius hemiarthroplasty is a relatively novel procedure that rivals total wrist arthrodesis and offers a new surgical treatment option for select patients with painful, end-stage wrist disease. We present our early experience with this procedure. A retrospective chart review was conducted for nonrheumatoid patients diagnosed with wrist arthritis and subsequently treated with wrist hemiarthroplasty combined with PRC. The minimum follow-up duration was 12 months. Preoperative and postoperative flexion, extension, and grip strength were recorded. Postoperative radiographic findings were assessed. The Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) questionnaire was administered to gauge postoperative pain and function. The records of 10 patients were reviewed. The mean age was 64 years and the mean postoperative follow-up duration was 19 months. Postoperative flexion, extension, and grip strength were all found to be less than the preoperative levels. The mean postoperative PRWE score for pain and function were 26 and 23, respectively. The complications were diverse and occurred at a relatively high rate. PRC combined with distal radius hemiarthroplasty is a novel procedure that offers a potential surgical option for the treatment of wrist arthritis in select patients. Our early experience has lead us to modify our technique with regard to the implant material, and at this stage, the surgical technique and the most appropriate implant may require further optimization. The level of evidence for this study is IV (therapeutic).
Origins of skeletal pain: sensory and sympathetic innervation of the mouse femur

Although skeletal pain plays a major role in reducing the quality of life in patients suffering from osteoarthritis, Paget's disease, sickle cell anemia and bone cancer, little is known about the mechanisms that generate and maintain this pain. To define the peripheral fibers involved in transmitting and modulating skeletal pain, we used immunohistochemistry with antigen retrieval, confocal microscopy and three-dimensional image reconstruction of the bone to examine the sensory and sympathetic innervation of mineralized bone, bone marrow and periosteum of the normal mouse femur. Thinly myelinated and unmyelinated peptidergic sensory fibers were labeled with antibodies raised against calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and the unmyelinated, non-peptidergic sensory fibers were labeled with the isolectin B4 (Bandeira simplicifolia). Myelinated sensory fibers were labeled with an antibody raised against 200-kDa neurofilament H (clone RT-97). Sympathetic fibers were labeled with an antibody raised against tyrosine hydroxylase. CGRP, RT-97, and tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive fibers, but not isolectin B4 positive fibers, were present throughout the bone marrow, mineralized bone and the periosteum. While the periosteum is the most densely innervated tissue, when the total volume of each tissue is considered, the bone marrow receives the greatest total number of sensory and sympathetic fibers followed by mineralized bone and then periosteum. Understanding the sensory and sympathetic innervation of bone should provide a better understanding of the mechanisms that drive bone pain and aid in developing therapeutic strategies for treating skeletal pain.
Calculation of the electronic structure of formaldehyde using overlapping spheres in the SCF Xα scattered-wave method

Abstract It has recently been established that physical realism of the results can be improved within the framework of the self-consistent statistical exchange multiple scattering wave method if the atomic spheres are allowed to overlap. Here we report that by semi-empirically adjusting the overlap of the atomic spheres, the ionization potentials and total energy are in better agreement with experiment, and the order of levels A 1 and B 2 in formaldehyde is reversed with respect to some other calculations. The electronic energy level structure calculated here is in agreement with the experimental results. A systematic study of the overlapping scheme for formaldehyde is presented and the results are compared with experiments and other theoretical calculations.
Adequacy of lymph node transbronchial needle aspirates using convex probe endobronchial ultrasound for multiple tumor genotyping techniques in non-small-cell lung cancer.

Introduction Adequate tumor acquisition is essential to identify somatic molecular alterations in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), such as epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR ) mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase ( ALK ) translocations. The success and failure rates for tumor genotyping of tissue obtained from fine-needle aspirates of nodal tissue using a convex probe endobronchial ultrasound (CP-EBUS) and other diagnostic modalities in routine NSCLC care have not been described. Methods Clinicopathologic data, tumor genotype success and failure rates were retrospectively compiled and analyzed from 207 patient-tumor samples sent for routine tumor genotype in clinical practice, including 42 patient-tumor samples obtained from hilar or mediastinal lymph nodes using CP-EBUS. Results The median age of the patients was 65 years, 62.3% were women, 77.8% were white, 26.6% were never smokers, 73.9% had advanced NSCLC, and 84.1% had adenocarcinoma histology. Tumor tissue was obtained from CP-EBUS–derived hilar or mediastinal nodes in 42 cases (20.2% of total). In this latter cohort, the overall success rate for EGFR mutation analysis was 95.2%, for Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog ( KRAS ) mutation 90.5%, and for ALK fluorescence in situ hybridization 90.5%. In the complete 207 tumors, the success rate for EGFR was 92.3%, for KRAS 91.8%, and for ALK 89.9%. The failure rates were not significantly different when comparing CP-EBUS–derived nodal tissue versus all other samples or versus surgical biopsies of mediastinal nodes, but were significantly lower than image-guided percutaneous transthoracic core-needle biopsies. Conclusions The success rate of multiple tumor genomic analyses techniques for EGFR , KRAS , and ALK gene abnormalities using routine lung cancer tissue samples obtained from hilar or mediastinal lymph nodes by means of CP-EBUS exceeds 90%, and this method of tissue acquisition is not inferior to other specimen types. Tumor genotype techniques are feasible in most CP-EBUS–derived samples and therefore further expansion of routine tumor genotype for the care of patients with NSCLC may be possible using targeted sample acquisition through CP-EBUS.
Patterns of multiple drug abuse: 1969-1971.

Information concerning types and frequencies of pretreatment drug abuse, obtained by interview from 11,380 patients included in the first two years (June 1969-June 1971) of the NIMH-TCU Drug Abuse Reporting Program, were examined with respect to patterns of usage. Twenty-eight patterns were defined, involving various combinations of drugs used and frequencies of use. The results indicated that the most frequent drug-abuse pattern in this patient sample, accounting for 28% of the entire sample, was the daily or weekly use of heroin with no other drugs. The daily or weekly use of heroin with cocaine, with marihuana, and with both cocaine and marihuana were also frequently observed patterns, and combined with the heroin-only pattern, they characterized the majority of all the patients. The most common patterns reported by the remainder of the patients were of poly-drug use, typically involving marihuana, amphetamines, and barbiturates, as well as heroin and cocaine.
Optical properties of solution-processable semiconducting TiOx thin films for solar cell and other applications.

The optical properties of solution-processable semiconducting titanium suboxide (TiOx) thin films were investigated as a function of wavelength (350–800 nm) using ellipsometric and optical reflection technique. The variation of refractive index under different thermal annealing conditions (room temperature to 900 °C) was studied. The increase in refractive index with high-temperature thermal annealing process was observed, allowing the opportunity to obtain refractive index values from 1.77 to 2.57 at a wavelength of 600 nm. The x-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy studies indicate that the index variation is due to the TiOx phase, density, and morphology changes under thermal annealing. The TiOx thin films have applications in organic and inorganic solar cells as well as other optical and photonic devices. We show that TiOx thin films can be used as an effective antireflection layer for Si solar cells.
A Multigrasp Hand Prosthesis for Providing Precision and Conformal Grasps

This paper presents the design of an anthropomorphic prosthetic hand that incorporates four motor units in a unique configuration to explicitly provide both precision and conformal grasp capability. The paper describes the design of the hand prosthesis, and additionally describes the design of an embedded control system located in the palm of the hand that enables self-contained control of hand movement. Following the design description, the paper provides experimental characterizations of hand performance, including digit force capability, bandwidth of digit movement, physical properties such as size and mass, and electrical power measurements during activities of daily living.
The information theoretic entropy function as a total expected participation index for communication network experiments.

This paper shows how the concept of an incidence matrix of communications can be used to define the entropy of a finite scheme. The properties of the entropy function are examined and the function is found to be best interpreted as a total expected participation index. Data is presented showing the relationship between structural centrality and the new total expected participation index. In general, as the network becomes more centralized the smaller the value of the participation index and as the network becomes more structurally decentralized the greater the participation index.
Physiological and behavioral reactivity to stress in thunderstorm-phobic dogs and their caregivers

Abstract This study addresses interactions between hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activation in response to stress, relationship quality, and behavior in thunderstorm-anxious dogs and their owners. Using a controlled repeated-measures design, we experimentally manipulated exposure of individuals to a stressor they were highly fearful of, and assessed both their own and their caregivers’ physiological and behavioral responsiveness. Saliva samples were collected from 19 dog–owner dyads before, 20 and 40 min after exposure to a simulated thunderstorm and were later assayed for cortisol. In response to the challenge, the dogs exhibited classic signs of fear (i.e., pacing, whining, hiding), their cortisol levels increased 207%, and these levels did not return to baseline within 40 min. There were no effects of the owners’ behavior or the quality of the dog–owner relationship on the dogs’ HPA or behavioral reactivity. However, the presence of other dogs in the household was linked to less pronounced reactivity and more rapid recovery of the dog's HPA response. On average, the cortisol levels of the caregivers did not increase. Owners’ mood (e.g. depression, anger) affected their behavioral response towards their dogs. These findings are among the first to study the HPA responsiveness of anxious canines in response to stress in a home setting, and the physiological and behavioral effects of problem canine behavior on their caregivers.
Diagnosis of vertebral metastasis, epidural metastasis, and malignant spinal cord compression: are T1-weighted sagittal images sufficient?

The objective of this study was to determine whether T(1)-weighted sagittal images alone are adequate in the diagnosis of vertebral metastasis, epidural metastasis, and malignant spinal cord compression. Ninety-four complete magnetic resonance (MR) studies of the spinal column (a complete study consisting of T(1)-weighted sagittal images, T(2)-weighted sagittal images, and T(1)- and/or T(2)-weighted axial images) and 94 T(1)-weighted sagittal images alone (a subset of the complete studies) from 57 consecutive cancer patients over the last 2 years with clinically suspected cord compression were blindly and independently evaluated by four radiologists. The complete MR studies were used as the standard. Overall, the sensitivity of T(1)-weighted sagittal images alone to vertebral metastasis (87%) was statistically greater than cord compression (70%) (p = 0.05), and statistically greater than epidural metastasis (46%) (p </= 0.02). The specificity for cord compression (97%) was greater than the specificity for epidural metastasis (89%) (p = 0.03), and greater than the specificity for vertebral metastasis (83%) (p </= 0.02). There was a strong trend for better detection of cord compression overall and better detection of vertebral metastasis in the cervical spine by the most experienced radiologist. Complete studies of the spine are necessary in the diagnosis of vertebral metastasis, epidural metastasis, and cord compression, particularly with less experienced radiologists.